bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cultural Production of Scalability: Music, Colonialism and the Moravian Missionary Project
Authors: Dodds Phil
Published: October 2023

Analysis of the work of the music historian, composer, editor and Moravian missionary administrator Christian Ignatius Latrobe (1756–1836) enables a better understanding of the role of music in colonial expansion in the first half of the nineteenth century. In London, Latrobe received and circulated accounts of the missions’ supposed success in training disciplined and ‘sweet’ choirs of Christian singers from among formerly ‘heathen’ ‘barbarians’, and these accounts were taken to demonstrate the scalability of the ‘civilisation’ project of European colonialism, which suited both antislavery campaigners and colonial state officials. Latrobe sent standardised Christian hymn books, in English and German but also translated into indigenous languages, to mission stations around the world, from Suriname to Jamaica to Labrador to Greenland to Siberia to South Africa. He also sent musical instruments to accompany the hymn-singing, favouring the organ both aesthetically and for its ability to function in different climates. He also circulated specific instructions for training organists, with firm recommendations for a simple accompaniment style and learning hymns by heart. At the different stations, the policy increasingly became to train local members of the congregation according to Latrobe’s advice, so that the instrument, the canon of tunes and the performance conventions were exported uniformly from Europe, embodied in the organ and the organist. Crucially, this uniform and standardised imposition of music—although always resisted and never fully achieved—required the remaking of the cultural landscapes on which they were to be imposed, including through the violent outlawing of existing musical practices and styles. As such, key periods in the history of large-scale musical colonisation can be better understood when framed in terms of the cultural production of scalability, following Anna Tsing, with empirical attention to the efforts involved in musical scale-building projects that make claims about music’s universal qualities and that seek to propagate a standardised, common music around the world.
Ergebnisse
Authors: Körner Theresa
Published: October 2023

Im Folgenden werden die Ergebnisse der Focus Groups dargestellt. Dazu wird zunächst ein zusammenfassender Überblick über die jeweiligen Focus Groups und ihre Teilnehmenden vermittelt. Danach wird das jeweilige Verständnis der Lesenden von interpersonalem Vertrauen und Vertrauen in Journalismus als Grundlage dieser Arbeit thematisiert. Anschließend folgen die Erläuterungen zur Wahrnehmung des automatisierten Journalismus und die Darstellung der positiven und negativen Erwartungen an Veränderungen im Journalismus. Zudem werden Forderungen der Lesenden an den Technologieeinsatz im Journalismus diskutiert. Weiterhin werden die Aufarbeitung der Vertrauensbewertung der Lesenden zum aktuellen Einsatz der automatisierten Berichterstattung, die Darstellung der Vertrauensurteile und wesentlicher Einflussfaktoren auf die Bewertungen erläutert. Abschließend werden – den Forschungsfragen folgend – ausgewählte Merkmale hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf die Vertrauensbewertung des automatisierten Journalismus thematisiert: solche der Personen, des automatisierten Journalismus, der Texte und der Publikation sowie weitere explorativ generierte Merkmale.
Fazit
Authors: Körner Theresa
Published: October 2023

Im Fazit werden die Studienergebnisse zusammengefasst und die Forschungsfragen beantwortet. Zudem werden die Ergebnisse eingeordnet und einer kritischen Reflexion hinsichtlich der Limitationen der Arbeit unterzogen. Abschließend erfolgen ein Ausblick zur weiteren Forschung und die Darstellung konkreter Handlungsempfehlungen für Medienorganisationen, Journalist:innen und die Zivilgesellschaft.
Feynman–Kac Formula and Asymptotic Behavior of the Minimal Energy for the Relativistic Nelson Model in Two Spatial Dimensions
Authors: Hinrichs Benjamin , Matte Oliver
Published: October 2023

We consider the renormalized relativistic Nelson model in two spatial dimensions for a finite number of spinless, relativistic quantum mechanical matter particles in interaction with a massive scalar quantized radiation field. We find a Feynman–Kac formula for the corresponding semigroup and discuss some implications such as ergodicity and weighted $$L^p$$

L
p

to $$L^q$$

L
q

bounds, for external potentials that are Kato decomposable in the suitable relativistic sense. Furthermore, our analysis entails upper and lower bounds on the minimal energy for all values of the involved physical parameters when the Pauli principle for the matter particles is ignored. In the translation invariant case (no external potential), these bounds permit to compute the leading asymptotics of the minimal energy in the three regimes where the number of matter particles goes to infinity, the coupling constant for the matter–radiation interaction goes to infinity and the boson mass goes to zero.
Does winter application of road salt affect zooplankton communities in urban ponds?
Authors: Górecka Aleksandra , Szklarek Sebastian , Frankiewicz Piotr , Kukuła Krzysztof , Wojtal-Frankiewicz Adrianna
Published: October 2023

Road salt (NaCl) is commonly used as a deicer during winter to improve road safety, resulting in freshwater salinization. Such elevated chloride concentrations may have a strong effect on zooplankton, which are key elements in freshwater food webs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chloride ion concentration and inter-pond environmental variability on zooplankton density in four urban ponds over 3 years differing in winter conditions. Analysis of variance showed significant differences in chloride ion concentration and zooplankton density regarding study year and ponds. Redundancy analysis of column water data showed that both the environmental variables (including chloride ion concentration) and the pond location significantly contributed to the model explaining the variability in zooplankton densities. However, the environment variable (referring to the environmental variables) had a smaller contribution (11%) than the POND variable (related to the spatial configuration of the ponds), which contributed 62%, indicating that the dynamics of zooplankton density depended primarily on ecosystem characteristics. Even so, although chloride content was not the main determinant of zooplankton density, their presence in aquatic ecosystems and potential interactions with other types of pollutants could have negative biological and ecological effects.
Interventions against hearing loss as an integral component of successful tinnitus therapy
Authors: Hesse Gerhard , Kastellis Georg
Published: October 2023

Tinnitus very often develops from acute or chronic hearing loss, mainly inner ear deafness. The frequency of the tinnitus mostly corresponds to the frequency range of the hearing loss and is enhanced by down-regulation of inhibition in the central auditory pathway for these frequencies, in addition to focused attention and enhanced arousal for the disturbing sound. Therefore, interventions to improve hearing such as mid-ear surgery or—more often—electronic devices including hearing aids or cochlear implants (CI) are important for the treatment of tinnitus. In this review, the current German S3 guideline “Chronic tinnitus” and recent literature are discussed.
Validation of the German language version of the Chronic Ear Survey and its psychometric comparison with an established German measurement instrument
Authors: Knoke Michael , Neudert Marcus , Zahnert Thomas , Lailach Susen
Published: October 2023

Background

With the Chronic Ear Survey (CES), a validated measurement instrument for the assessment of disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been available internationally since 2000. The aim of this study was to provide a validated German version of this international instrument and to compare it with the German Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test 15 (COMOT-15).

Methodology

The CES was translated into German via a forward-backward translation process. For validation, 79 patients with COM undergoing middle ear surgery were prospectively included. HRQoL was determined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively using the CES and the COMOT-15. Pure tone audiometry was also performed at both measurement time points. In the control examination, an additional retrospective assessment of the preoperative situation was additionally performed using the CES and the COMOT-15 to assess the response shift. The determined psychometric characteristics were internal consistency, test–retest reliability, discrimination validity, agreement validity, responsiveness, and response shift for both measurement instruments. Convergent validity of both measurement instruments was assessed using linear regression.

Results

On the basis of the CES, patients with COM could be reliably distinguished from patients with healthy ears. The CES showed satisfactory reliability with high internal consistency (Cronbach α 0.65–0.85) and high retest reliability (r > 0.8). The global assessment of HRQoL impairment correlated very well with the scores of the CES (r = 0.51). In addition, it showed a high sensitivity to change (standardized response mean −0.86). Compared to the COMOT-15, it showed a lower response shift (effect size −0.17 vs. 0.44). Both measurement instruments correlated only slightly with air conduction hearing threshold (r = 0.29 and r = 0.24, respectively). The concordant validity of both measurement instruments was high (r = 0.68).

Conclusion

The German version of the CES shows satisfactory psychometric characteristics, so that its use can be recommended. The CES focuses on the influence of ear symptoms on HRQoL, whereas the COMOT-15 also includes functional and psychological aspects. Due to only minor response shift effects, the CES is particularly suitable for studies with multiple repeat measurements.
Risk for total knee arthroplasty after tibial plateau fractures: a systematic review
Authors: Haslhofer D. J. , Kraml N. , Winkler P. W. , Gotterbarm T. , Klasan A.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) may lead to posttraumatic osteoarthritis and increase the risk for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this systematic review was to analyse the conversion rate to TKA after TPF treatment.

Methods

A systematic search for studies reviewing the conversion rate to TKA after TPF treatment was conducted. The studies were screened and assessed by two independent observers. The conversion rate was analysed overall and for selected subgroups, including different follow‐up times, treatment methods, and study sizes.

Results

A total of forty‐two eligible studies including 52,577 patients were included in this systematic review. The overall conversion rate of treated TPF to TKA in all studies was 5.1%. Thirty‐eight of the forty‐two included studies indicated a conversion rate under 10%. Four studies reported a higher percentage, namely, 10.8%, 10.9%, 15.5%, and 21.9%. Risk factors for TKA following TPF treatment were female sex, age, and low surgeon and hospital volume. The conversion rate to TKA is particularly high in the first 5 years after fracture.

Conclusion

Based on the studies, it can be assumed that the conversion rate to TKA is approximately 5%. The risk for TKA is manageable in clinical practice.

Prospero registration number

CRD42023385311.

Level of evidence

IV.
Tips and tricks for how to become a good reviewer
Authors: Hughes Jonathan D. , Cristiani Riccardo , Hirschmann Michael T. , Musahl Volker , Eriksson Karl , Karlsson Jon
Published: October 2023

Peer review is an essential process to ensure that scientific articles meet high standards of methodology, ethics and quality. The peer‐review process is a part of the academic mission for physicians in the university setting. The work of reviewers is of great value for authors, as it gives constructive criticism and improves manuscript quality before publication. Often, however, reviews are of suboptimal quality. Usually, reviewers do not receive formal training either on how to perform a review or on the peer‐review process. In addition, it is generally believed that experienced authors are great reviewers, but this may not always be true. The overarching goal of a review is to make the manuscript better; to help the authors. The purpose of this article is to offer relevant suggestions and provide a checklist on how to perform a useful review.
Processability approach for laser powder bed fusion of metallic alloys
Authors: Castro-Espinosa Homero Alberto , Ruiz-Huerta Leopoldo
Published: October 2023

Processability refers to the ease of achieving the required component while maintaining mechanical performance and processing schedules, which are critical for determining the cost and efficiency of using a given material, from the raw condition to the final product of any manufacturing process. Components built using the laser powder bed fusion with metallic alloys (LPBF-M) process show variability in their mechanical performance, which can be attributed to a range of process parameters and characteristics of the powder material employed by each type of machine. These variations are currently hindering the adoption of this technology at the industrial level. This paper presents a processability approach that could be applied in the LPBF-M to evaluate the possibility of speeding up productivity and minimising the effect on the mechanical properties and relative density and is defined based on the process parameters and powder material characteristics that generate the melting pool and meet bonding criteria at a specific build rate. A case study is carried out with stainless steel 316 (SS316), although this processability analysis could be applied to any other alloy. The results show that a wide range of process parameters generates a suitable processability interval with different values of the build rate. It is also found that slow build rates give rise to less variability in the mechanical properties, while faster rates produce more variability; this is caused by a fast-growing melt pool due to the use of high scan velocities for the SS316 alloy under study.
Species-differences in the in vitro biotransformation of trifluoroethene (HFO-1123)
Authors: Dekant R. , Bertermann R. , Serban J. , Sharma S. , Shinohara M. , Morizawa Y. , Okamoto H. , Brock W. , Dekant W. , Mally A.
Published: October 2023

1,1,2-Trifluoroethene (HFO-1123) is anticipated for use as a refrigerant with low global warming potential. Inhalation studies on HFO-1123 in rats indicated a low potential for toxicity (NOAELs ≥ 20,000 ppm). In contrast, single inhalation exposure of Goettingen® minipigs (≥ 500 ppm) and New Zealand white rabbits (≥ 1250 ppm) resulted in severe toxicity. It has been suggested that these pronounced species-differences in toxicity may be attributable to species-differences in biotransformation of HFO-1123 via the mercapturic acid pathway. Therefore, the overall objective of this study was to evaluate species-differences in glutathione (GSH) dependent in vitro metabolism of HFO-1123 in susceptible versus less susceptible species and humans as a basis for human risk assessment. Biotransformation of HFO-1123 to S-(1,1,2-trifluoroethyl)-L-glutathione (1123-GSH) and subsequent cysteine S-conjugate β-lyase-mediated cleavage of the corresponding cysteine conjugate (1123-CYS) was monitored in hepatic and renal subcellular fractions of mice, rats, minipigs, rabbits, and humans. While 1123-GSH formation occurred at higher rates in rat and rabbit liver S9 compared to minipig and human S9, increased β-lyase cleavage of 1123-CYS was observed in minipig kidney cytosol as compared to cytosolic fractions of other species. Increased β-lyase activity in minipig cytosol was accompanied by time-dependent formation of monofluoroacetic acid (MFA), a highly toxic compound that interferes with cellular energy production via inhibition of aconitase. Consistent with the significantly lower β-lyase activity in human cytosols, the intensity of the MFA signal in human cytosols was only a fraction of the signal obtained in minipig subcellular fractions. Even though the inconsistencies between GSH and β-lyase-dependent metabolism do not allow to draw a firm conclusion on the overall contribution of the mercapturic acid pathway to HFO-1123 biotransformation and toxicity in vivo, the β-lyase data suggest that humans may be less susceptible to HFO-1123 toxicity compared to minipigs.
Prognostic Value of Combination of Lymphocyte‐to‐Monocyte‐Ratio and CYFRA 21‐1 in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Yuxin , Liu Zhichao , Jiang Chao , Pan Jie , Yu Boyao , Zhu Kaiyuan , Xu Yunhua , Li Zhigang
Published: October 2023

Background

This study aimed to investigate the potential of a combined score based on CYFRA 21‐1 level and LMR as a prognostic predictor for patients with ESCC.

Methods

A total of 460 patients who underwent esophagectomy were analyzed, and three groups were established based on the CA‐LMR score. OS and RFS were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier analysis, and associated factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. A mpStage system was also established based on the CA‐LMR score.

Results

The allocation of CA‐LMR score of 0, 1, and 2 was 107 (23.3%), 280 (60.9%), and 73 (15.9%). There was a significant association between CA‐LMR and male gender (P = 0.001), lower BMI (P = 0.035), longer tumor lesions (P = 0.002), and high pT, pN, pStage (P < 0.001, P = 0.011, P = 0.001). The 5‐year OS rates for CA‐LMR scores of 0, 1, and 2 were 75.4%, 60.2%, and 32.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that CA‐LMR score (P = 0.011) was an independent prognostic factor for OS. The proposed mpStage system, based on CA‐LMR score, demonstrated superior discriminatory ability, monotonicity, homogeneity, and prognosis prediction ability over AJCC 8th pStage system.

Conclusions

The CA‐LMR score, combined with tumor marker and inflammatory index, could use as a potential prognostic indicator; moreover, our modified pStage system exhibited superior stratification and prognostic accuracy for patients with ESCC.
Real-world analysis of ruxolitinib in myelofibrosis: interim results focusing on patients who were naïve to JAK inhibitor therapy treated within the JAKoMo non-interventional, phase IV trial
Authors: Koschmieder Steffen , Isfort Susanne , Schulte Clemens , Jacobasch Lutz , Geer Thomas , Reiser Marcel , Koenigsmann Michael , Heinrich Bernhard , Wehmeyer Jürgen , von der Heyde Eyck , Tesch Hans , Gröschl Benedikt , Bachhuber Petra , Großer Susanne , Pahl Heike L.
Published: October 2023

Ruxolitinib (RUX) is a Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor (JAKi) approved in the EU for treating disease‑related splenomegaly or symptoms in adults patients with myelofibrosis (MF). This is an interim analysis of JAKoMo, a prospective, non‑interventional, phase IV study in MF. Between 2012–2019 (cutoff March 2021), 928 patients (JAKi-naïve and -pretreated) enrolled from 122 German centers. This analysis focuses on JAKi-naïve patients. RUX was administered according to the Summary of Product Characteristics. Compared to the COMFORT-I, -II, and JUMP trials, patients in JAKoMo were older (median 73 years), had poorer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance statuses (16.5% had ECOG ≥ 2), and were more transfusion dependent (48.5%). JAKoMo represents the more challenging patients with MF encountered outside of interventional studies. However, patients with low-risk International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) scores or without palpable splenomegaly were also included. Following RUX treatment, 82.5% of patients experienced rapid (≤ 1 month), significant decreases in palpable spleen size, which remained durable for 24 months (60% patients). Symptom assessment scores improved significantly in Month 1 (median –5.2) up to Month 12 (–6.2). Common adverse events (AEs) were anemia (31.2%) and thrombocytopenia (28.6%). At cutoff, 54.3% of patients had terminated the study due to, death, AEs, or deterioration of health. No new safety signals were observed. Interim analysis of the JAKoMo study confirms RUX safety and efficacy in a representative cohort of real-world, elderly, JAKi-naïve patients with MF. Risk scores were used in less than half of the patients to initiate RUX treatment.

Trial registration: NCT05044026; September 14, 2021.
Improving sudden cardiac death risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using established clinical variables and genetic information
Authors: Amr Ali , Koelemen Jan , Reich Christoph , Sedaghat-Hamedani Farbod , Kayvanpour Elham , Haas Jan , Frese Karen , Lehmann David , Katus Hugo A. , Frey Norbert , Meder Benjamin
Published: October 2023

Background and aims

The cardiac societies of Europe and the United States have established different risk models for preventing sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The aim of this study is to validate current SCD risk prediction methods in a German HCM cohort and to improve them by the addition of genotype information.

Methods

HCM patients without prior SCD or equivalent arrhythmic events ≥ 18 years of age were enrolled in an expert cardiomyopathy center in Germany. The primary endpoint was defined as SCD/-equivalent within 5 years of baseline evaluation. 5-year SCD-risk estimates and recommendations for ICD implantations, as defined by the ESC and AHA/ACC guidelines, were analyzed. Multivariate cox proportional hazards analyses were integrated with genetic findings as additive SCD risk.

Results

283 patients were included and followed for in median 5.77 years (2.92; 8.85). A disease-causing variant was found in 138 (49%) patients. 14 (5%) patients reached the SCD endpoint (5-year incidence 4.9%). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis shows significantly lower overall SCD event-free survival for patients with an identified disease-causing variant (p < 0.05). The ESC HCM Risk-SCD model showed an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% CI 0.68–0.79; p < 0.0001) with a sensitivity of 0.29 (95% CI 0.08–0.58) and specificity of 0.83 (95% CI 0.78–0.88) for a risk estimate ≥ 6%/5-years. By comparison, the AHA/ACC HCM SCD risk stratification model showed an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI 0.65–0.76; p = 0.003) with a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% CI, 0.66–0.998) and specificity of 0.28 (95% CI 0.23–0.34) at the respective cut-off. The modified SCD Risk Score with genetic information yielded an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.71–0.81; p < 0.0001) with a sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.57–0.98) and specificity of 0.69 (95% CI 0.63–0.74). The number-needed-to-treat (NNT) to prevent 1 SCD event by prophylactic ICD-implantation is 13 for the ESC model, 28 for AHA/ACC and 9 for the modified Genotype-model.

Conclusion

This study confirms the performance of current risk models in clinical decision making. The integration of genetic findings into current SCD risk stratification methods seem feasible and can add in decision making, especially in borderline risk-groups. A subgroup of patients with high SCD risk remains unidentified by current risk scores.

Graphical abstract
Phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase modulates glycerolipid synthesis in Marchantia polymorpha and is crucial for growth under both nutrient-replete and -deficient conditions
Authors: Shimojo Misao , Nakamura Masashi , Kitaura Ginga , Ihara Yuta , Shimizu Shinsuke , Hori Koichi , Iwai Masako , Ohta Hiroyuki , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Shimojima Mie
Published: October 2023

Main conclusion

The phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase of Marchantia polymorpha modulates plastid glycolipid synthesis through the ER pathway and is essential for normal plant development regardless of nutrient availability.

Membrane lipid remodeling is one of the strategies plant cells use to secure inorganic phosphate (Pi) for plant growth, but many aspects of the molecular mechanism and its regulation remain unclear. Here we analyzed membrane lipid remodeling using a non-vascular plant, Marchantia polymorpha. The lipid composition and fatty acid profile during Pi starvation in M. polymorpha revealed a decrease in phospholipids and an increase in both galactolipids and betaine lipids. In Arabidopsis thaliana, phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase (PAH) is involved in phospholipid degradation and is crucial for tolerance to both Pi and nitrogen starvation. We produced two M. polymorpha PAH (MpPAH) knockout mutants (Mppah-1 and Mppah-2) and found that, unlike Arabidopsis mutants, Mppah impaired plant growth with shorter rhizoids compared with wild-type plants even under nutrient-replete conditions. Mutation of MpPAH did not significantly affect the mole percent of each glycerolipid among total membrane glycerolipids from whole plants under both Pi-replete and Pi-deficient conditions. However, the fatty acid composition of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol indicated that the amount of plastid glycolipids produced through the endoplasmic reticulum pathway was suppressed in Mppah mutants. Phospholipids accumulated in the mutants under N starvation. These results reveal that MpPAH modulates plastid glycolipid synthesis through the endoplasmic reticulum pathway more so than what has been observed for Arabidopsis PAH; moreover, unlike Arabidopsis, MpPAH is crucial for M. polymorpha growth regardless of nutrient availability.
Impact of endogenous and exogenous nitrogen species on macrophage extracellular trap (MET) formation by bone marrow–derived macrophages
Authors: Drab Dominika , Santocki Michal , Opydo Malgorzata , Kolaczkowska Elzbieta
Published: October 2023

Macrophage extracellular traps (METs) represent a novel defense mechanism in the antimicrobial arsenal of macrophages. However, mechanisms of MET formation are still poorly understood and this is at least partially due to the lack of reliable and reproducible models. Thus, we aimed at establishing a protocol of MET induction by bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) obtained from cryopreserved and then thawed bone marrow (BM) mouse cells. We report that BMDMs obtained in this way were morphologically (F4/80+) and functionally (expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase and NO production) differentiated and responded to various stimuli of bacterial (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), fungal (zymosan) and chemical (PMA) origin. Importantly, BMDMs were successfully casting METs composed of extracellular DNA (extDNA) serving as their backbone to which proteins such as H2A.X histones and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were attached. In rendered 3D structure of METs, extDNA and protein components were embedded in each other. Since studies had shown the involvement of oxygen species in MET release, we aimed at studying if reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as NO are also involved in MET formation. By application of NOS inhibitor — L-NAME or nitric oxide donor (SNAP), we studied the involvement of endogenous and exogenous RNS in traps release. We demonstrated that L-NAME halted MET formation upon stimulation with LPS while SNAP alone induced it. The latter phenomenon was further enhanced in the presence of LPS. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that BMDMs obtained from cryopreserved BM cells are capable of forming METs in an RNS-dependent manner.
Orlicz risks for assessing stochastic streamflow environments: a static optimization approach
Authors: Yoshioka Hidekazu , Tomobe Haruka , Yoshioka Yumi
Published: October 2023

This study applies novel risk measures, called Orlicz risks, to the risk and uncertainty evaluation of the streamflow discharge as a primary driver of hydrological and hydraulic processes of interest in civil and environmental engineering. We consider the mixed moving average process governing the discharge whose statistics are explicitly represented as some product of a time-scale characterizing the flow attenuation and a jump moment governing the size and frequency of jumps. The classical Orlicz risks are extended so that not only the upper tail risk but also the lower one of the jump size and attenuation of the discharge can be evaluated within a single mathematical framework. Further, the risk and uncertainty can be individually quantified in a tractable manner by the proposed Orlicz risks. Computing the Orlicz risks reduces to solving a pair of novel static optimization problems that are solvable semi-analytically. The risk and uncertainty involved in the streamflow dynamics can be consistently evaluated by specifying few user-dependent parameters. The associated Radon–Nikodym derivatives as the worst-case model uncertainties are obtained as byproducts. Sufficient conditions for the well-posedness of the Orlicz risks are discussed and numerical algorithms for computing them are presented. We finally apply the proposed framework to a statistical analysis of the streamflow discharge time series data collected at mountainous river environments.
Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Fluid Flow in Rough Rock Fracture: 2D Case
Authors: Finenko M. , Konietzky H.
Published: October 2023

We investigate both laminar and turbulent flow regimes in a rough-walled rock fracture via numerical CFD simulations. While previous studies were limited to either fully viscous Darcy or inertial Forchheimer laminar flow regimes, we chose to cover the widest possible Reynolds number range of 0.1–$$10^6$$

10
6

. We introduce CFD simulation of a turbulent flow for rough-walled fractures, implementing RANS approach to turbulence modeling. We focus on 2D fracture geometries and implement changes in both shear displacement and wall roughness, systematically examining their effect on fracture permeability and friction factor in a manner similar to the fundamental studies of the flow in rough-walled pipes. For a curvilinear fracture, laminar flow becomes non-stationary between $$Re \, {\sim } \, 10^2$$

R
e

∼

10
2

–$$10^3$$

10
3

, earlier for larger shear displacement and wall roughness. Laminar–turbulent transition starting at $$Re_{\textrm{cr}} \, {\sim } \, 2300$$

R

e
cr

∼

2300

may lead to a sharp drop in permeability depending on the fracture geometry; this gap vanishes for larger shear displacement and wall roughness. Depending on the fracture geometry, bottlenecks closing with shear become a major negative factor for the overall permeability.
Geochemical Behaviour of Rare Earth Elements Throughout an Acid Mine Drainage Passive Treatment System in the Lousal Mine Area, Portugal
Authors: Obregón-Castro Cynthia , Prudêncio Maria Isabel , Diamantino Catarina , Carvalho Edgar , Russo Dulce , Marques Rosa
Published: October 2023

A passive remediation system was installed between 2010 and 2015 at the Lousal legacy mine site in southwestern Portugal to minimize the impact of AMD. This is the first study of the geochemical behaviour of rare earth elements (REE) in the area after implementation of the passive treatment system. The total and dissolved concentrations of REE is similar throughout the basins/wetlands and acidic ponds in both sampling campaigns, which is mainly attributed to the conservative behaviour of these elements in acidic water. In areas where mixing of acidic and circumneutral water occurs, the REE were partially removed from solution by adsorption onto newly formed Al and Fe precipitates. Sorption onto the precipitates varies between the rare earths, with a preferential fixation of heavy REE (HREE) compared to the light REE (LREE). The normalized distribution patterns exhibit the characteristic convex-up enrichment in middle rare earth elements for AMD and display an enrichment of LREE relative to HREE in areas where mixing of waters occurs, and the pH is close to circumneutral.
Sam68 is a druggable vulnerability point in cancer stem cells
Authors: da Silva Amanda Mendes , Yevdokimova Veronika , Benoit Yannick D.
Published: October 2023

Sam68 (Src associated in mitosis of 68 kDa) is an RNA-binding and multifunctional protein extensively characterized in numerous cellular functions, such as RNA processing, cell cycle regulation, kinase- and growth factor signaling. Recent investigations highlighted Sam68 as a primary target of a class of reverse-turn peptidomimetic drugs, initially developed as inhibitors of Wnt/β-catenin mediated transcription. Further investigations on such compounds revealed their capacity to selectively eliminate cancer stem cell (CSC) activity upon engaging Sam68. This work highlighted previously unappreciated roles for Sam68 in the maintenance of neoplastic self-renewal and tumor-initiating functions. Here, we discuss the implication of Sam68 in tumorigenesis, where central findings support its contribution to chromatin regulation processes essential to CSCs. We also review advances in CSC-targeting drug discovery aiming to modulate Sam68 cellular distribution and protein-protein interactions. Ultimately, Sam68 constitutes a vulnerability point of CSCs and an attractive therapeutic target to impede neoplastic stemness in human tumors.
Inter-generational comparison of quantum annealers in solving hard scheduling problems
Authors: Pokharel Bibek , Izquierdo Zoe Gonzalez , Lott P. Aaron , Strbac Elena , Osiewalski Krzysztof , Papathanasiou Emmanuel , Kondratyev Alexei , Venturelli Davide , Rieffel Eleanor
Published: October 2023

We compare the performance of four quantum annealers, the D-Wave Two, 2X, 2000Q, and Advantage in solving an identical ensemble of a parametrized family of scheduling problems. These problems are NP-complete and, in fact, equivalent to vertex coloring problems. They are also practically motivated and closely connected to planning problems from artificial intelligence. We examine factors contributing to the performance differences while separating the contributions from hardware upgrades, support for shorter anneal times, and possible optimization of ferromagnetic couplings. While shorter anneal times can improve the time to solution (TTS) at any given problem size, the scaling of TTS with respect to the problem size worsens for shorter anneal times. In contrast, optimizing the ferromagnetic coupling improves both the absolute TTS and the scaling. There is a statistically significant improvement in performance between D-Wave Two and 2X and from all older generation annealers to Advantage, even when operated under identical anneal time and ferromagnetic couplings. However, the performance improvement from 2X to 2000Q requires the anneal time and ferromagnetic couplings to be optimized. Overall, owing to these inter-generational hardware improvements and optimizations, the scaling exponent reduces from $$1.01 \pm 0.01$$

1.01
±
0.01

on Two to $$0.259 \pm 0.008$$

0.259
±
0.008

on Advantage.
Dehydrated citrus pulp in rabbit feeding
Authors: Varela Juliana A. Rubio , Diaz-Vargas Mayra , Duque-Ramírez Carlos Felipe , Sierra Lina Maria Peñuela
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dehydrated orange by-product on the productive parameters, carcass yield, and meat quality of rabbits in the fattening stage. Four diets with increasing levels of orange by-products (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were evaluated, each with six replicates of two 32-day-old crossbred rabbits that were randomly allocated. The experimental period was from 32 to 70 days of age of the rabbits. A higher weight gain (p < 0.05) was achieved for observed with 20% substitution, along with a better feed conversion, without any effects on carcass yield and meat quality parameters. The treatment with 30% citrus pulp showed no differences (p > 0.05) in the parameters evaluated. Based on our results, dehydrated orange by-product can replace up to 30% of the commercial feed concentrate without affecting performance, yield, and carcass quality in rabbits feeding since 32 to 72 days of age.
Source-Free Domain Adaptation via Target Prediction Distribution Searching
Authors: Tang Song , Chang An , Zhang Fabian , Zhu Xiatian , Ye Mao , Zhang Changshui
Published: October 2023

Existing Source-Free Domain Adaptation (SFDA) methods typically adopt the feature distribution alignment paradigm via mining auxiliary information (eg., pseudo-labelling, source domain data generation). However, they are largely limited due to that the auxiliary information is usually error-prone whilst lacking effective error-mitigation mechanisms. To overcome this fundamental limitation, in this paper we propose a novel Target Prediction Distribution Searching (TPDS) paradigm. Theoretically, we prove that in case of sufficient small distribution shift, the domain transfer error could be well bounded. To satisfy this condition, we introduce a flow of proxy distributions that facilitates the bridging of typically large distribution shift from the source domain to the target domain. This results in a progressive searching on the geodesic path where adjacent proxy distributions are regularized to have small shift so that the overall errors can be minimized. To account for the sequential correlation between proxy distributions, we develop a new pairwise alignment with category consistency algorithm for minimizing the adaptation errors. Specifically, a manifold geometry guided cross-distribution neighbour search is designed to detect the data pairs supporting the Wasserstein distance based shift measurement. Mutual information maximization is then adopted over these pairs for shift regularization. Extensive experiments on five challenging SFDA benchmarks show that our TPDS achieves new state-of-the-art performance. The code and datasets are available at https://github.com/tntek/TPDS.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the oldest man of them all? Perhaps the sleepy one!
Authors: Bukhari Shervin , Thompson Mark , Meth Elisa M. S. , Benedict Christian
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of acute sleep deprivation on the perceived age appearance of individuals, with a particular focus on subjective sleepiness. The study involved 380 anonymous raters who participated in an online survey. The raters were shown photographs of a Caucasian man, aged 48.2 years, and were asked to estimate his age. The results demonstrated that after 42.6 h of continuous wakefulness, his estimated age was 2.9 years older than his actual age (p < 0.001). Additionally, the study revealed that the sleepier a rater felt during the survey, the older they perceived the man to be (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that sleep loss may impact upon how old someone is perceived to be, and that sleepiness may affect how raters estimate the age of others. However, it is important to replicate these findings in diverse populations, including women, individuals from different ethnic backgrounds, and individuals of various age groups who experience sleep loss.
Bioregionalization of Albania: Mismatch between the flora and the climate suggests that our models of Southern European bioregions are in need of a revision
Authors: Malatesta Luca , De Sanctis Michele , Ammann Emile , Attorre Fabio , Buffi Francesca , Cambria Vito Emanuele , Fratarcangeli Carlo , Hoda Petrit , Mahmutaj Ermelinda , Meco Marjol , Mullaj Alfred , Shuka Lulëzim , Fanelli Giuliano
Published: October 2023

We analysed the floristic subdivisions of Albania by hierarchical clustering of all the vascular plant species of Albania over a grid of 25 km cells, adapting data from the Vascular Species Distribution Atlas in Albania of ( Barina Z (ed.) (2017) Distribution atlas of vascular plants in Albania. Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest). We identified the principal axes of variation of the flora and the bioclimatic variables that explain it. We also analysed the bioclimate of Albania by means of a self-organizing map (SOM) of the main climatic variables and the application of the global bioclimatic model of Rivas-Martínez. We compared the analysis based on the flora with that based on the bioclimate. The results divided Albania into eight floristic units corresponding to the main vegetation types (Carpinus orientalis woodlands, Quercus cerris woodlands, Quercus petraea and Fagus sylvatica woodlands, Quercus coccifera woodlands, Quercus coccifera and Quercus ithaburensis woodlands, Pinus heldreichii woodlands, alpine vegetation of North Albania, and alpine vegetation of eastern Albania). Two main trends of variation can be recognized: four elevational belts, strongly correlated with average July temperature, and a north–south subdivision, weakly correlated with annual rainfall and thermal excursion. The bioclimatic analysis (SOM and Rivas-Martínez model) resolves and adds detail to the axis of the elevational belts but cannot discern the north–south subdivision apart from the high mountains. We obtained a division into eight floristic units ordered according to two gradients: four elevational belts, each in turn subdivided into a north-central and a southern province. These two gradients seem to have a broader meaning in Southern Europe, particularly the north–south subdivision at about 30° latitude. The partial mismatch between the bioclimate and the flora indicates that bioclimatic models of Europe are in need of a revision and suggests that the history, in addition to the present-day climate (for instance, the vegetation of the last glacial maximum), can play a role in shaping the biogeography of Southern Europe.
A 4pL item response theory examination of perceived stigma in the screening of eating disorders with the SCOFF among college students
Authors: Barnard-Brak Lucy , Yang Zhanxia
Published: October 2023

We examined the psychometric properties of the SCOFF, a screening instrument for eating disorders, with consideration of the perceived stigma of items that can produce socially desirable responding among a sample of college students. The results of the current study suggest evidence of the sufficient psychometric properties of the SCOFF in terms of confirmatory factor and item response theory analyses. However, two items of the SCOFF revealed that individuals who otherwise endorsed other items of the SCOFF were less likely to endorse the items of Fat and Food. It is hypothesized that this is the result of perceived stigma regarding those two items that prompts individuals to respond in a socially desirable way. A weighted scoring procedure was developed to counteract the performance of these two items, but the psychometric performance was only slightly better and there would be a clear tradeoff of specificity over sensitivity if utilized. Future research should consider other ways to counteract such perceived stigma.

Level of evidence Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.
Conifer Defences against Pathogens and Pests — Mechanisms, Breeding, and Management
Authors: Mageroy Melissa H. , Nagy Nina E. , Steffenrem Arne , Krokene Paal , Hietala Ari M.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Forestry in northern temperate and boreal regions relies heavily on conifers. Rapid climate change and associated increases in adverse growing conditions predispose conifers to pathogens and pests. The much longer generation time and presumably, therefore, lower adaptive capacity of conifers relative to their native or non-native biotic stressors may have devastating consequences. We provide an updated overview of conifer defences underlying pathogen and pest resistance and discuss how defence traits can be used in tree breeding and forest management to improve resistance.

Recent Findings

Breeding of more resilient and stress-resistant trees will benefit from new genomic tools, such as genotyping arrays with increased genomic coverage, which will aid in genomic and relationship-based selection strategies. However, to successfully increase the resilience of conifer forests, improved genetic materials from breeding programs must be combined with more flexible and site-specific adaptive forest management.

Successful breeding programs to improve conifer resistance to pathogens and pests provide hope as well as valuable lessons: with a coordinated and sustained effort, increased resistance can be achieved. However, mechanisms underlying resistance against one stressor, even if involving many genes, may not provide any protection against other sympatric stressors. To maintain the adaptive capacity of conifer forests, it is important to keep high genetic diversity in the tree breeding programs. Choosing forest management options that include diversification of tree-species and forest structure and are coupled with the use of genetically improved plants and assisted migration is a proactive measure to increase forest resistance and resilience to foreseen and unanticipated biotic stressors in a changing climate.
Research on the evolution and height prediction of WCFZ in shallow close coal seams mining
Authors: Cao Jian , Su Haitao , Wang Chao , Li Jianwei
Published: October 2023

Based on the mining conditions of shallow close coal seams in the Jurassic coalfield of northern Shaanxi, in order to explore the evolution and development height prediction of water-conducting fracture zone (WCFZ), combining with measured statistical analysis, physical simulation, numerical calculation, and theoretical analysis, the evolution of mining-induced fractures and the development characteristics of WCFZ are analyzed, and the development height predicting method of WCFZ in shallow close coal seams mining is proposed. The results show that in shallow single coal seam mining, during the stage of incritical mining, the height of the WCFZ increases in a “jumping” pattern with the main roof periodic caving. After critical mining, it is basically stable. Its development height is positively correlated with the mining height. The ratio of development height to mining height is generally 20–30, and the change is not significant with the mining height, overall, the distribution of the WCFZ is “saddle shaped”. Based on close distance coal seams repeated mining, the primary fractures act as activation development when the interburden broken completely, the development of WCFZ at the mining boundary is significantly intensified, and ratio of the height to mining height in repeated mining is obviously lower than that in single seam mining, which is generally 18–25. The traditional empirical formula cannot be applied to the development prediction in shallow close coal seams mining, with an error of 10–50%. Considering the mining height, interburden thickness, and roof caving characteristics, the development height predicting method of WCFZ in shallow close coal seams mining is proposed. Compared with measured results, the calculation error is basically within 15%, which has good prediction accuracy, The research results can provide a theoretical basis for predicting the height of WCFZ in shallow close coal seams mining in the Jurassic coalfield of northern Shaanxi.