bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DO ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT AND INNOVATION INFLUENCE EXPORT INTENSITY? FIRM-LEVEL EVIDENCE FROM TUNISIA
Authors: SDIRI HANEN
Published: October 2023

This study examines the influence of environmental commitment (EC) on Tunisian firms’ export intensity and utilising the resource-based view (RBV) framework. Using firm-level data from the 2020 World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES), it explores the direct and indirect effects of EC on export intensity through product and process innovation. The findings highlight that EC plays a crucial role in fostering both product and process innovation, underscoring its strategic significance in driving overall innovation within firms. Additionally, EC and product innovation are identified as key factors positively contributing to exports, emphasising the importance of a strong EC orientation and a focus on product innovation for enhancing export activities. Notably, the presence of quality certification influences the relationship between EC and process innovation, weakening the impact of EC in that context. This finding underscores the nuanced dynamics between EC, process innovation, and quality certification. Overall, this study highlights EC as a strategic approach for enhancing firm innovation and promoting export orientation, providing empirical evidence and insights derived from the specific context of Tunisia. Embracing EC and aligning it with innovation and export strategies enables firms and policymakers to foster sustainable growth, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to a greener and more inclusive future.
Uncloneable Cryptography
Authors: Sattath Or
Published: October 2023

In memory of Stephen Wiesner, 1942--2021.
Emergence of Maps in the Memories of Blind Navigation Agents
Authors: Wijmans Erik , Savva Manolis , Essa Irfan , Lee Stefan , Morcos Ari S. , Batra Dhruv
Published: October 2023

Decades of research into intelligent animal navigation posits that organisms build and maintain internal spatial representations (or maps)
1
of their environment, that enables the organism to determine and follow task-appropriate paths (Epstein, Patai, Julian, & Spiers, 2017; O'keefe & Nadel, 1978; Tollman, 1948). Hamsters, wolves, chimpanzees, and bats leverage prior exploration to determine and follow shortcuts they may never have taken before (Chapuis & Scardigli, 1993; Harten, Katz, Goldshtein, Handel, & Yovel, 2020; Menzel, 1973; Peters, 1976; Toledo et al., 2020). Even blind mole rats and animals rendered situationally-blind in dark environments demonstrate shortcut behaviors (Avni, Tzvaigrach, & Eilam, 2008; Kimchi, Etienne, & Terkel, 2004; Maaswinkel & Whishaw, 1999). Ants forage for food along meandering paths but take near-optimal return trips (Müller & Wehner, 1988), though there is some controversy about whether insects like ants and bees are capable of forming maps (Cheung et al., 2014; Cruse & Wehner, 2011).
The Early Days and Rise of Turbulence Simulation
Authors: Kim John , Leonard Anthony
Published: October 2023

This review highlights major developments and milestones during the early days of numerical simulation of turbulent flows and its use to increase our understanding of turbulence phenomena. The period covered starts with the first simulations of decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence in 1971–1972 and ends about 25 years later. Some earlier history of the progress in weather prediction is included if relevant. Only direct simulation, in which all scales of turbulence are accounted for explicitly, and large-eddy simulation, in which the effect of the smaller scales is modeled, are discussed. The method by which all scales are modeled, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes, is not covered.
Multiscale Velocity Gradients in Turbulence
Authors: Johnson Perry L. , Wilczek Michael
Published: October 2023

Understanding and predicting turbulent flow phenomena remain a challenge for both theory and applications. The nonlinear and nonlocal character of small-scale turbulence can be comprehensively described in terms of the velocity gradients, which determine fundamental quantities like dissipation, enstrophy, and the small-scale topology of turbulence. The dynamical equation for the velocity gradient succinctly encapsulates the nonlinear physics of turbulence; it offers an intuitive description of a host of turbulence phenomena and enables establishing connections between turbulent dynamics, statistics, and flow structure. The consideration of filtered velocity gradients enriches this view to express the multiscale aspects of nonlinearity and flow structure in a formulation directly applicable to large-eddy simulations. Driven by theoretical advances together with growing computational and experimental capabilities, recent activities in this area have elucidated key aspects of turbulence physics and advanced modeling capabilities.
Types and Type Theories in Natural Language Analysis
Authors: Sutton Peter R.
Published: October 2023

This article reviews the set of possible paths from a semantics based on Simple Type Theories (STTs) toward one based on Rich Type Theories (RTTs) and the motivations behind the move from one to the other. The main elements of this review are threefold. First, it provides a systematic overview of different STTs, including options for what to include as members of the set of basic types, and whether to assume type constructors additional to the one for constructing functional types. Second, this review discusses the main differences between STTs and RTTs, namely, that in RTTs but not in STTs, types are part of the object language. That is, one can refer to and reason with and about types. In turn, this makes available an alternative account of propositions to the one assumed in semantics in the Frege–Church–Montague tradition: Instead of being characterized as sets of possible worlds, propositions can be treated themselves as types, that is, as structured semantic objects. Third and finally, this review provides an outline of some of the main applications of RTTs, including hyperintensionality, quantification, anaphora, polysemy, and modification.
Grandmaternal allergen sensitization reprograms epigenetic and airway responses to allergen in second-generation offspring
Authors: Lebold Katie M. , Cook Madeline , Pincus Alexandra B. , Nevonen Kimberly A. , Davis Brett A. , Carbone Lucia , Calco Gina N. , Pierce Aubrey B. , Proskocil Becky J. , Fryer Allison D. , Jacoby David B. , Drake Matthew G.
Published: October 2023

Asthma susceptibility is influenced by environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. This study shows that maternal allergen exposure during pregnancy promotes unique epigenetic trajectories in second-generation offspring at baseline and in response to allergen sensitization, which is associated with the potentiation of airway hyperreactivity. These effects are one mechanism by which maternal asthma may influence the inheritance of asthma risk.
A Large Visual, Qualitative, and Quantitative Dataset for Web Intelligence Applications
Authors: Mejia-Escobar Christian , Cazorla Miguel , Martinez-Martin Ester
Published: October 2023

The Web is the communication platform and source of information par excellence. The volume and complexity of its content have grown enormously, with organizing, retrieving, and cleaning Web information becoming a challenge for traditional techniques. Web intelligence is a novel research area to improve Web‐based services and applications using artificial intelligence and automatic learning algorithms, for which a large amount of Web‐related data are essential. Current datasets are, however, limited and do not combine visual representation and attributes of Web pages. Our work provides a large dataset of 49,438 Web pages, composed of webshots, along with qualitative and quantitative attributes. This dataset covers all the countries in the world and a wide range of topics, such as art, entertainment, economics, business, education, government, news, media, science, and the environment, addressing different cultural characteristics and varied design preferences. We use this dataset to develop three Web Intelligence applications: knowledge extraction on Web design using statistical analysis, recognition of error Web pages using a customized convolutional neural network (CNN) to eliminate invalid pages, and Web categorization based solely on screenshots using a CNN with transfer learning to assist search engines, indexers, and Web directories.
Predicting Preoperative Rupture from Imaging Alone in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Dong Yi , Lin Zai-Rong , Chen Liang-Wan , Luo Zeng-Rong
Published: October 2023

Objective. To establish risk factors for predicting preoperative ruptures in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging features alone. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients with ATAAD treated between January 2017 and December 2021 in Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, China. The primary outcome was preoperative rupture after admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed based on basic characteristics and CTA imaging variables selected by the application of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Results. A total of 564 patients were enrolled. The rate of preoperative rupture was 14.2% (n = 80). Patients who experienced rupture were significantly older (

P

 = 0.002) and had a higher rate of DeBakey II (

P

 = 0.016), syncope (

P

 = 0.003), ventilator-assisted ventilation (

P

 = 0.008), preoperative shock (

P

 = 0.040), hypotensive state (

P

 = 0.009), hepatic insufficiency (

P

 = 0.002), acute kidney injury (

P

 = 0.045), and moderate or massive pericardial effusion (

P

 = 0.007). Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for preoperative rupture based on CTA imaging features: DeBakey II (odds ratio (OR) = 1.988, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.211–3.676,

P

 = 0.009), ascending aorta diameter (OR = 2.077, 95% CI 1.335–4.045,

P

 < 0.001), ascending aorta false lumen diameter (OR = 2.988, 95% CI 2.055–4.291,

P

 < 0.001), ascending aorta false lumen/true lumen diameter ratio >4 : 1 (OR = 3.129, 95% CI 2.031–6.225,

P

 < 0.001), and number of branch arteries involved in dissection >6 (OR = 1.154, 95% CI 1.036–2.006,

P

 = 0.036). Conclusions. CTA imaging features are one of the most convenient indicators for the early prediction of preoperative rupture in patients with ATAAD.
Mechanism Study of Stress Corrosion Behavior under Tensile and Compressive Stresses for Welded Joint Used in Nuclear Turbine Rotor
Authors: Chu Tongjiao
Published: October 2023

Stress corrosion damage containing pitting and cracking was investigated for NiCrMoV steel-welded joint used in nuclear turbine rotor in 3.5% NaCl solution. The U-bend specimen containing tensile face and compressive face was adopted which was conducive to study the effects of stress on pitting and stress corrosion cracking. On tensile surface of U-bend specimen, pit grew in open environment and was converted into crack covered with passivated film. Interestingly, corrosion pit was also found on compressive surface, which might attribute to this location creating enclosed environment causing Cl- to diffuse hardly. Then, pit grew under the occluded oxide crust composed of special crystalline corrosion products. When pit approached to critical size, crack initiated from it. The critical size of pit for crack initiation from pit was 35 μm on tensile surface and 95 μm on compressive surface. The sensitivity of crack initiation in tensile surface was higher than that in compressive surface. Then, cracking on compressive surface was controlled by slip dissolution mechanism, that is, dislocation outcrop generated through plastic deformation during manufacturing and absorbed Cl- in enclosed environment to accelerate metal dissolution and film rupture. Thereupon, the stress corrosion cracking on compressive surface was able to be maintained. The findings compared corrosion damage modes caused by the two kinds of stress and emphasized the nonignorable role of compressive stress on stress corrosion damage.
Investigation on Energy Flow Performance of a Photovoltaic/Battery-Based Isolated Charging Station for Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles
Authors: Ahmed Abdelsalam A. , Hussien Mohamed G. , Abo-Elyzeed Yasmine Marzouk
Published: October 2023

Researchers are paying attention to the current trend of electric vehicles (EVs), but there are not many places to charge them and serve as electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs). In order to prevent the lack of EVCS for battery EVs (BEVs) on any road with all modes of operation, this paper proposed the design of a novel configuration and control structures for the isolated charging station (ICS) based on the solar PV system for efficient energy utilization to charge battery EVs (BEVs) with flexible double function cascaded converter (MPPT and DC-link voltage regulation). This was done with the aid of a battery energy storage system (BESS) as a backup/auxiliary source. The PV system is reliant on solar radiation and the daily load profile. Therefore, the BESS is employed to provide continuous power to BEVs and overcome PV’s intermittent nature. The cascaded converter is used to achieve the MPP and to regulate the DC-link voltage to its reference value (100 V), while the buck-boost matching bidirectional DC-DC voltage converters (MBDVCs) are used for charging and discharging mode/buck and boost mode, respectively, of BEVs and BESSs. Additionally, the MBDVCs are used as an interface between the ICS sources with the load through the developed control systems. The outcomes of various operating modes show that the system functions effectively. To verify the system performance, the MATLAB/Simulink application builds the system setup.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of a Reaction Diffusive Predator-Prey Model: A Weak Nonlinear Analysis
Authors: Sharmila N. B. , Gunasundari C. , Sajid Mohammad
Published: October 2023

In the realm of ecology, species naturally strive to enhance their own survival odds. This study introduces and investigates a predator-prey model incorporating reaction-diffusion through a system of differential equations. We scrutinize how diffusion impacts the model’s stability. By analysing the stability of the model’s uniform equilibrium state, we identify a condition leading to Turing instability. The study delves into how diffusion influences pattern formation within a predator-prey system. Our findings reveal that various spatiotemporal patterns, such as patches, spots, and even chaos, emerge based on species diffusion rates. We derive the amplitude equation by employing the weak nonlinear multiple scales analysis technique and the Taylor series expansion. A novel sinc interpolation approach is introduced. Numerical simulations elucidate the interplay between diffusion and Turing parameters. In a two-dimensional domain, spatial pattern analysis illustrates population density dynamics resulting in isolated groups, spots, stripes, or labyrinthine patterns. Simulation results underscore the method’s effectiveness. The article concludes by discussing the biological implications of these outcomes.
Mammographic Breast Density and Risk of Ovarian Cancer in Korean Women
Authors: Tran Thi Xuan Mai , Kim Soyeoun , Park Boyoung
Published: October 2023

Background:

This study aimed to investigate the potential association between mammographic breast density and ovarian cancer risk.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included women ≥40 years of age who underwent a mammography screening from 2009 to 2014. Breast density was assessed using the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System. The primary outcome was ovarian cancer development, and the cases were recorded until 2020. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess the association between breast density and ovarian cancer development. Subgroup analyses stratified by age, menopausal status, and body mass index (BMI) were conducted.

Results:

Of the 8,556,914 women included in this study, 9,246 ovarian cancer events were recorded during a median follow-up period of 10 years (interquartile range, 8.1–11.0 years). Compared with women with almost entirely fat density, those with scattered fibroglandular density, heterogeneous density, and extreme density had an increased risk of ovarian cancer with adjusted HRs of 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.15], 1.16 (95% CI, 1.09–1.24), and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.15–1.34), respectively. The strongest association was observed in the ≥60 years age group; subgroup analysis indicated a significant increase in association between the higher-density category and ovarian cancer risk, regardless of BMI or menopausal status.

Conclusions:

Higher levels of breast density are associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Impact:

Breast density may have a relationship with ovarian cancer risk and could be used to assess future risk.
Supplementary Table 1 from Integrated Molecular Characterization of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: An NCI Cancer Moonshot Precancer Atlas Pilot Project
Authors: Semaan Alexander , Bernard Vincent , Wong Justin , Makino Yuki , Swartzlander Daniel B. , Rajapakshe Kimal I. , Lee Jaewon J. , Officer Adam , Schmidt Christian Max , Wu Howard H. , Scaife Courtney L. , Affolter Kajsa E. , Nachmanson Daniela , Firpo Matthew A. , Yip-Schneider Michele , Lowy Andrew M. , Harismendy Olivier , Sen Subrata , Maitra Anirban , Jakubek Yasminka A. , Guerrero Paola A.
Published: October 2023

List of compartments dissected by LCM
Supplementary Figure 3 from Integrated Molecular Characterization of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: An NCI Cancer Moonshot Precancer Atlas Pilot Project
Authors: Semaan Alexander , Bernard Vincent , Wong Justin , Makino Yuki , Swartzlander Daniel B. , Rajapakshe Kimal I. , Lee Jaewon J. , Officer Adam , Schmidt Christian Max , Wu Howard H. , Scaife Courtney L. , Affolter Kajsa E. , Nachmanson Daniela , Firpo Matthew A. , Yip-Schneider Michele , Lowy Andrew M. , Harismendy Olivier , Sen Subrata , Maitra Anirban , Jakubek Yasminka A. , Guerrero Paola A.
Published: October 2023

Evolutionary trajectory of IMPN lesions
FIGURE 2 from Integrated Molecular Characterization of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: An NCI Cancer Moonshot Precancer Atlas Pilot Project
Authors: Semaan Alexander , Bernard Vincent , Wong Justin , Makino Yuki , Swartzlander Daniel B. , Rajapakshe Kimal I. , Lee Jaewon J. , Officer Adam , Schmidt Christian Max , Wu Howard H. , Scaife Courtney L. , Affolter Kajsa E. , Nachmanson Daniela , Firpo Matthew A. , Yip-Schneider Michele , Lowy Andrew M. , Harismendy Olivier , Sen Subrata , Maitra Anirban , Jakubek Yasminka A. , Guerrero Paola A.
Published: October 2023

Comparison of CNAs between LG and HG IPMNs. A, AS between LG and HG by paired analysis, green lines show an increase of AS upon progression while red lines a decrease. Validation (B) and quantification (C) of chromosome 1q amplification by FISH (ND: black colored bars, LG: blue colored bars, HG: red colored bars, gray reference 1p results). D, NES results for pathways upregulated and downregulated in HG versus LG (FDR < 0.01, P = 0), red and blue color highlights important pathway in PDAC. E, Expression of PDAC molecular subtypes in precancer cystic lesions per patient; 2–5 replicates (single colored box) were sequenced per region with each row representing classification by Moffit (top), Collisson (middle), and Bailey (bottom) and organized as it is shown in the inset.
FIGURE 1 from Integrated Molecular Characterization of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms: An NCI Cancer Moonshot Precancer Atlas Pilot Project
Authors: Semaan Alexander , Bernard Vincent , Wong Justin , Makino Yuki , Swartzlander Daniel B. , Rajapakshe Kimal I. , Lee Jaewon J. , Officer Adam , Schmidt Christian Max , Wu Howard H. , Scaife Courtney L. , Affolter Kajsa E. , Nachmanson Daniela , Firpo Matthew A. , Yip-Schneider Michele , Lowy Andrew M. , Harismendy Olivier , Sen Subrata , Maitra Anirban , Jakubek Yasminka A. , Guerrero Paola A.
Published: October 2023

Genomic landscapes of IPMN lesions. A, SNVs identified in KRAS and GNAS in LG and HG IPMNs. Dark purple: somatic mutations detected for KRAS and GNAS. Light purple: mutations detected by retesting. B, SNVs and CNAs identified in ND, LG, HG, and PDAC regions and classified by relevant PDAC-related pathways. For A and B, samples were arranged by histological type and labeled at the top of each heat map.
Maligner Pleuraerguss: Körperliche Aktivität trägt zu Verbesserung der Lebensqualität bei
Authors: Keymel Stefanie
Published: October 2023

Die multizentrische klinische Studie Australasian Malignant Pleural Effusion (AMPLE)-2 untersuchte das Aktivitätsverhalten von Patienten mit malignem Pleuraerguss (MPE). Die Teilnehmer wurden randomisiert entweder täglich drainiert (DD) oder symptomge­steuert (SGD) über einen Zeitraum von 60 Tagen behandelt. Das Aktivitätsverhalten der MPE-Patienten wurde anhand von Akzelerometern über 5 Monate hinweg erfasst. Die Ergebnisse wurden als Prozentsatz der täglichen Wachtragezeit berechnet und zwischen den DD- und SGD-Gruppen verglichen. Es wurden auch Zusammenhänge zwischen dem Aktivitätsverhalten und der Lebensqualität (QoL) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Teilnehmer einen Großteil ihrer wachen Stunden sitzend verbrachten (72%–74% über alle Zeitpunkte) und nur sehr wenig Zeit mit moderater bis intensiver körperlicher Aktivität (<1% über alle Zeitpunkte) verbrachten. Im Vergleich zur SGD-Gruppe wies die DD-Gruppe in der Woche nach der Randomisierung und nach 60 Tagen ein günstigeres Verhältnis zwischen sitzender und leichter Tätigkeit. Es wurde auch festgestellt, dass das Verhältnis von sitzender zu leichter Tätigkeit zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten mit verschiedenen Bereichen der Lebensqualität korrelierte. Die vorläufigen Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass selbst geringfügige Unterschiede im Aktivitätsverhalten zugunsten der DD-Gruppe für Patienten mit MPE von Bedeutung sein könnten. Die Akzele­rometrie erwies sich als nützliche Methode, um das Aktivitätsverhalten und die Lebensqualität von MPE-Patienten zu erfassen.
Fibrotische ILDs: Hustenevaluation und körperliche Aktivität in die Untersuchung einbeziehen
Authors: Drakopanagiotakis Fotios , Günther Andreas
Published: October 2023

Physical activity limitations and cough are common in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), potentially leading to reduced health-related quality of life. We aimed to compare physical activity and cough between patients with subjective, progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic non-IPF ILD. In this prospective observational study, wrist accelerometers were worn for seven consecutive days to track steps per day (SPD). Cough was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAScough) at baseline and weekly for six months. We included 35 patients (IPF: n = 13; non-IPF: n = 22; mean ± SD age 61.8 ± 10.8 years; FVC 65.3 ± 21.7% predicted). Baseline mean ± SD SPD was 5008 ± 4234, with no differences between IPF and non-IPF ILD. At baseline, cough was reported by 94.3% patients (mean ± SD VAScough 3.3 ± 2.6). Compared to non-IPF ILD, patients with IPF had significantly higher burden of cough (p = 0.020), and experienced a greater increase in cough over six months (p = 0.009). Patients who died or underwent lung transplantation (n = 5), had significantly lower SPD (p = 0.007) and higher VAScough (p = 0.047). Long-term follow up identified VAScough (HR: 1.387; 95%-CI 1.081–1.781; p = 0.010) and SPD (per 1000 SPD: HR 0.606; 95%-CI: 0.412–0.892; p = 0.011) as significant predictors for transplant-free survival. In conclusion, although activity didn’t differ between IPF and non-IPF ILD, cough burden was significantly greater in IPF. SPD and VAScough differed significantly in patients who subsequently experienced disease progression and were associated with long-term transplant-free survival, calling for better acknowledgement of both parameters in disease management.
Influence of Baseline Diastolic Blood Pressure on the Effects of Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering: Results From the STEP Randomized Trial
Authors: Yang Ruixue , Huang Rongjie , Zhang Liangqing , Li Dongfeng , Luo Jiehong , Cai Jun
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND:

The STEP (Strategy of Blood Pressure Intervention in the Elderly Hypertensive Patients) trial demonstrated that intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering has cardiovascular benefits. However, the influence of baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on the effects of intensive blood pressure lowering on cardiovascular outcomes has not been fully elucidated.

METHODS:

We performed a post hoc analysis of the STEP trial. Participants were randomly allocated to intensive (110 to <130 mm Hg) or standard (130 to <150 mm Hg) treatment groups. The effects of intensive SBP lowering on the primary composite outcome (stroke, acute coronary syndrome, acute decompensated heart failure, coronary revascularization, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular death), major adverse cardiac event (a composite of the individual components of the primary outcome except for stroke), and all-cause mortality were analyzed according to baseline DBP as both a categorical and a continuous variable.

RESULTS:

The 8259 participants had a mean age of 66.2±4.8 years, and 46.5% were men. Participants with lower DBP were slightly older and had greater histories of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Within each baseline DBP quartile, the mean achieved DBP was lower in the intensive versus standard group. The effects of intensive SBP lowering were not modified by baseline DBP as a continuous variable or as a categorical variable (quartiles, or <70, 70 to <80, and ≥80 mm Hg; all
P
value for interaction >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The beneficial effects of intensive SBP lowering on cardiovascular outcomes were unaffected by baseline DBP. Lower DBP should not be an obstacle to intensive SBP control.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03015311
Phenotypic Switching of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Chen Runji , McVey David G. , Shen Daifei , Huang Xiaoxin , Ye Shu
Published: October 2023

The medial layer of the arterial wall is composed mainly of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Under physiological conditions, VSMCs assume a contractile phenotype, and their primary function is to regulate vascular tone. In contrast with terminally differentiated cells, VSMCs possess phenotypic plasticity, capable of transitioning into other cellular phenotypes in response to changes in the vascular environment. Recent research has shown that VSMC phenotypic switching participates in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, where the various types of dedifferentiated VSMCs accumulate in the atherosclerotic lesion and participate in the associated vascular remodeling by secreting extracellular matrix proteins and proteases. This review article discusses the 9 VSMC phenotypes that have been reported in atherosclerotic lesions and classifies them into differentiated VSMCs, intermediately dedifferentiated VSMCs, and dedifferentiated VSMCs. It also provides an overview of several methodologies that have been developed for studying VSMC phenotypic switching and discusses their respective advantages and limitations.
Re-Analysis of the EU Public Debt Crises with NARX
Authors: TOSUN Tayfun Tuncay
Published: October 2023

This paper estimates the public debt of Southern EU countries by adapting the public debt law of motion equation, which includes the variables that represent the competitiveness of a country such as past public debt, GDP, primary balance, real exchange rate, real interest, and inflation, to Southern EU countries. The analysis is performed with the Non-linear Autoregressive Exogenous Artificial Neural Network, which is a dynamic and robust statistical method for the post-monetary union period consisting of quarterly data between 2005Q1 and 2021Q4. The results of the analysis reveal that the public debt in the Southern EU countries is robustly explained by the public debt law of motion equation with a confidence ratio of over 95%. This result implies that the public debt problem in Southern EU countries is associated with the competitiveness of these countries. In addition, the analysis goes beyond parametric analyzes that relate it to economic growth or a few variables in the estimation of public debt and uncovers the significance of inclusive variables and non-parametric analyzes included in the public debt law of motion equation in solving the problem.
Voting Restrictions and Public Health: An Analysis of State Variation 1996–2020
Authors: Schraufnagel Scot
Published: October 2023

The study examines the relationship between voting restrictions and public health in the 50 American states. Using a recently developed Cost of Voting Index (COVI) as a surrogate for variance in state electoral climate the research tests for a statistical relationship while controlling for other considerations that notably influence community health outcomes. The research uses the America’s Health Rankings composite indicator of state health as the dependent variable and examines the relationship at seven points of time over a 25-year period (1996–2020). In both bivariate and multivariate tests, a robust relationship is uncovered between the COVI and overall state health. In the bivariate tests, it is possible to see changes in state COVI values, overtime, corresponding with movement in the state public health scores.
Recategorization: An Approach to Extending the Symbolic Benefits of Bureaucratic Representation to the Majority Group
Authors: Kang Inkyu , Lee Cheon
Published: October 2023

Research has argued that the symbolic benefits of bureaucratic representation for marginalized social groups may come at the expense of the attitudes of the majority group. In this study, we investigate whether recategorization—that is, reframing previously separate groups as an inclusive common ingroup—can shift the majority group's perception of bureaucratic representation from a threat to a benefit. We conducted two vignette experiments with a representative sample of U.S. adults ( n = 1,040), in which we tested the same treatments in two policy domains: policing and healthcare. The results support our main hypothesis in the policing context. The effect of police chiefs’ race being African American on white respondents’ trust in the chief shifted from negative to positive when the chiefs portrayed African Americans discriminated by the police as members of American community, a superordinate common ingroup that encompasses every race, rather than simply as African Americans.
Effects of Environment-Friendly Rejuvenator on the Rheological Properties and Microstructure of Aged Asphalt
Authors: Li Qiang , Liu Dongxu , Wen Yuting
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of using waste soybean oil and the multi-epoxy compound trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether (TMPGE) compound as a rejuvenator to recycle aged styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt, and to develop an environment-friendly SBS-modified asphalt rejuvenator (ESMAR) to achieve dual waste reuse. The optimum ratio of each component of ESMAR and the production conditions of the formulation were firstly determined by the orthogonal test method. To evaluate the rejuvenation effect of ESMAR, the physical properties and rheological properties of SBS-modified asphalt before and after rejuvenation were studied. Physical properties test results showed that ESMAR can effectively soften the aged asphalt and decrease its softening point and viscosity, as well as increase its needle penetration. As far as rheological properties are concerned, ESMAR could improve the low-temperature cracking resistance and fatigue resistance of aged SBS-modified asphalt; however, there was a certain reduction in the rutting resistance. The microscopic characteristics of the rejuvenation of ESMAR were analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography tests for the aged SBS-modified asphalt before and after rejuvenation, which showed that ESMAR can not only reconstruct the degraded SBS molecules in the aged SBS-modified asphalt, but also has a “dilution” effect on the aged asphalt.
Scripture's Authorisation of Concepts in Oliver O’Donovan's Ethics and Theology
Authors: Shin Euntaek David
Published: October 2023

A key aspect of Oliver O’Donovan's approach to ethics and theology is the notion of Scripture's ‘authorisation’ of concepts. Authorisation is an organic process of concepts and Scripture illuminating each other, where Scripture has ultimate authority over concepts. That is, while concepts from various disciplines can illuminate biblical texts, the biblical texts in return shape those concepts. Here concepts are formed organically guided by the Spirit. Such a notion of authorisation lies dormant in O’Donovan's earlier political theology, The Desire of the Nations, and comes to fuller expression in his relatively recent Ethics as Theology.
Relaxing and stimulating ambient odors influence preferences for musical tempo
Authors: Baccarani Alessia , Brochard Renaud
Published: October 2023

It has recently been shown that relaxing and stimulating odors distort time perception by slowing down or speeding up the pacemaker of the internal clock. Since individuals tend to prefer musical tempo at the rate of the pacemaker, we examined whether relaxing and stimulating ambient odors could bias tempo preference in a study in which the musical stimuli were unfamiliar pleasant musical excerpts. Participants listened to pairs of excerpts played at slightly different tempi and had to indicate which one they preferred. We hypothesized that participants exposed to a relaxing odor (strawberry) would prefer the slower excerpts while participants exposed to a stimulating odor (lemon) would prefer the faster excerpts. As expected, the findings showed that participants in the control (no odor) condition preferred the slower of the fast-tempo pairs of excerpts and the faster of the slow-tempo pairs, indicating a preference bias for moderate tempo. Preferences in both odor conditions differed significantly from those in the control condition such that no such preference bias was observed. There was an interaction between tempo and odor such that participants showed no preference for the slower of the fast-tempo pairs of excerpts in the presence of a lemon odor, and no preference for the faster of the slow-tempo pairs in the presence of a strawberry odor. To our knowledge, this is the first time it has been shown that odors can alter the rate of the pacemaker without participants being conscious of the presence of an olfactory stimulus in the environment.
Effect of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes on Prognosis of Multiple Cancers
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , Jing Jiexian
Published: October 2023

Background

In the era of immunotherapy, the immune function of patients with cancer has attracted increasingly more attention. The immune scoring system is an important supplement to the classical tumor staging and classification process. The immune system plays a controversial role in the development of cancer. Meanwhile, the prognostic significance of peripheral blood lymphocytes is still controversial. The present study aimed to assess the prognostic significance of peripheral blood lymphocytes in eight types of cancers.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 32731 patients with cancer hospitalized in Shanxi Cancer Hospital from January 2012 to December 2016. The percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+, CD56+, and CD127+ lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of all patients were examined using flow cytometry. The immune cell subsets of patients with cancer were classified into three groups using the K-means clustering method via the R language software. Differences in the overall survival rate were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. The Cox regression model was utilized for univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The mean survival time of patients with liver cancer, rectal cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and lymphoma was 30.25, 21.74, 37.67, 16.28, 21.62, 30.25, 31.43, and 34.27 months, respectively. The survival curves showed that the most prognostically beneficial immune state of the patients was when the expression of the immune cells in the peripheral blood was in equilibrium. Moreover, Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis revealed that the factors affecting the overall survival (OS) of patients with eight different kinds of cancer were not identical. However, CD19+ lymphocytes had the most significant impact on the prognosis of these patients.

Conclusions

Cancer occurrence and development were associated with the density of lymphocyte infiltration. Thus, immune homeostasis could be an effective indicator to evaluate prognosis and judge cancer treatment.
Association Between Thromboelastometry Identified Hypercoagulability and Thromboembolic Complications After Arthroplasty: A Prospective Observational Study in Patients With Obesity
Authors: Gurunathan Usha , Chiang Lily , Hines Joel , Pearse Bronwyn , McKenzie Scott , Hay Karen , Mullany Daniel , Nandurkar Harshal , Eley Victoria
Published: October 2023

The prothrombotic state of obesity can increase the risk of thromboembolism. We aimed to investigate if there was an association between baseline hypercoagulable rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) profile and thromboembolic complications in arthroplasty patients with obesity. Patients with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and/or waist circumference ≥94 cm (M) and 80 cm (F) undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty had pre- and postoperative ROTEM. ROTEM values were compared by outcome status using an independent sample equal-variance t-test. Of the 303 total participants, hypercoagulability defined as extrinsically activated thromboelastometry maximum clot firmness G score ≥ 11 K dyne/cm2, was observed in 90 (30%) of the 300 participants with preoperative ROTEM assays. Clinically significant thromboembolic complications occurred in 5 (1.7%) study participants before discharge and in 10 (3.3%) by 90 days. These included 6 with pulmonary emboli, 3 with deep venous thrombus, and 1 with myocardial infarction. We found no evidence for an association between baseline hypercoagulability and incident thromboembolic events, analysis limited by the number of events. Postoperative decrease in platelets and an increase in fibrinogen were observed. ROTEM parameter changes differed across obesity categories.
Curating a consumption ideology: Platformization and gun influencers on Instagram
Authors: Drenten Jenna , Gurrieri Lauren , Huff Aimee Dinnín , Barnhart Michelle
Published: October 2023

This study explores how a platform enables social media influencers to promulgate a consumption ideology. We show how gun influencers, or “gunfluencers,” use Instagram to link products, activities, and meanings to Second Amendment ideology—a gun-centric belief system in the United States colloquially known as “2A ideology.” Through a qualitative study of 25 Instagram gunfluencers, we identify a process of curating a consumption ideology wherein social media influencers employ four curatorial tactics: glamourizing, demystifying, victimizing, and tribalizing. Findings suggest gunfluencers extend audiences and leverage algorithms to prescribe and model how supporters of 2A ideology should look, act, speak, feel, and consume. Our research contributes to understanding how consumption ideologies are promulgated in a digital, platformized world. In the context of U.S. gun culture, implications address the role of platformization in supporting gun companies’ promotional efforts, despite government- and platform-based restrictions, and the political dimensions of influencer and consumer cultures.
Roles and usages of neuro service dogs for caregivers living at home with persons with dementia: An exploratory comparative case study
Authors: Vincent Claude , Dumont Frédéric S , Rivard Annette , Rogers Manon , Brémault-Phillips Suzette , Brown Cary , Achou Bertrand
Published: October 2023

The goal of the present study was to examine how canine assistance may support family caregivers and persons with dementia and to document and compare two modalities of home care support. An exploratory comparative case study research design was conducted. Three cases correspond of dyads of a caregiver, a person with mild to moderate dementia, and either a neuro service dog (NSD), a companion dog or no dog. Hypotheses are formulated to capture differences between cases. Recruitment was done in a service dog organisation, through Canadian Alzheimer associations and in records of a hospital. Data were collected through 45–60 minutes telephone interviews that included completion of the Caregiver’s Burden Scale and sociodemographic questions. We used an inductive approach with qualitative data. There were five caregivers (mean age 54.8 years) who had an NSD, 28 caregivers (63.6 years) who had a companion dog, and 23 caregivers (63.8 years) without dog. In the category of roles and usages of the dog, ‘Socialisation’ and ‘Help with a sense of direction’ were the most addressed roles for dyads with the NSD. For dyads with companion dog and without dog, ‘Engagement-and-meaning of life’ as well as ‘Physical activity with the dog’ were the most discussed roles. The ‘Sleep or wake up’ role was the least discussed role across three cases. In the other categories, they were seven advantages and 10 inconvenients that were mentioned for canine assistance. For home care support, the presence of NSD has more positive impacts on both the person with dementia and their caregiver compared to the presence of a companion dog; the presence of a NSD results in the person with dementia accessing more indoor and outdoor public sites than with a companion dog; and dyads with a dog are informally socially engaged more frequently than those with no dog.
Snakes and smartphones: exploring transdisciplinary design collaborations for the governance of snakebite
Authors: Kirkham George
Published: October 2023

Snake Awareness Rescue Protection App (SARPA) is a digital platform used in Kerala, India, to prevent snakebites. SARPA connects users with local snake rescuers who are on hand to safely bag and translocate snakes that enter homes. This article reflects on the ‘doing’ of digital ecologies while researching SARPA, narrating my fieldwork and collaboration with SARPA’s developers to show how my research supported the platform’s design and implementation. Through this reflection, I demonstrate how collaboration with software designers and developers may provide a means for cultural geographers to put their scholarship into practice, enabling them to contribute to improving the usability, accessibility or environmental sustainability of digital technologies.
Transient fault extraction for wind turbine generator bearing based on Bayesian biorthogonal sparse representation using adaptive redundant lifting wavelet dictionary
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Liu Zhiwen , He Sihai , Chen Yunping
Published: October 2023

Aiming at the problem that it is difficult to detect effective transient impact characteristics of wind turbine generator bearing fault signals due to non-stationary and strong noise, a fault diagnosis method based on adaptive redundant lifting wavelet dictionary and Bayesian biorthogonal sparse representation (SR) algorithm is proposed. First, a Bayesian model is integrated into the biorthogonal matching pursuit (MP) algorithm to improve the use of dictionary atoms in the effective support set. Then, an adaptive redundant lifting wavelet is used to construct a dictionary matching the transient characteristics of the signal. Finally, the SR algorithm is established by integrating the Bayesian biorthogonal MP model and adaptive redundant lifting wavelet dictionary. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the accuracy of signal reconstruction of transient components and effectively extract bearing fault features, thus verifying the effectiveness and robustness of the method.
An LSTM-based anomaly detection model for the deformation of concrete dams
Authors: Liu Changwei , Pan Jianwen , Wang Jinting
Published: October 2023

Anomaly detection in deformation is important for structural health monitoring and safety evaluation of dams. In this paper, an anomaly detection model for the deformation of arch dams is presented. It combines the long short-term memory network (LSTM)-based behavior model for dam deformation prediction and the small probability method for control limits determination, and thus is called an LSTM-based anomaly detection model. To demonstrate the advantages of the LSTM-based anomaly detection model, the traditional hydrostatic-seasonal-time behavior model and the confidence interval method are considered for comparison. The 178 m-high Longyangxia Arch Dam is taken as a case study. The results show that the LSTM-based model has sufficiently high accuracy for dam deformation prediction, especially can accurately predict displacement peaks and troughs. The LSTM-based anomaly detection model can significantly avoid false warnings and missing alarms and is able to send alarms in time when the occurrence of adverse conditions causes abnormal deformation of the dam.
Deep-learning-based multistate monitoring method of belt conveyor turning section
Authors: Zhang Mengchao , Jiang Kai , Zhao Shuai , Hao Nini , Zhang Yuan
Published: October 2023

During transportation, bulk materials are susceptible to spillage due to equipment instability and environmental factors, resulting in increased maintenance costs and environmental pollution. Thus, intelligent and efficient condition monitoring is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency of transfer equipment. It facilitates the timely identification of potential safety hazards, preventing accidents from occurring or their impact from spreading, thereby minimizing production and maintenance costs. This study presents a deep-learning-based multioperation synchronous monitoring method suitable for belt conveyors that integrate target segmentation and detection networks to simultaneously diagnose belt deviation, measure conveying load, identify idlers, and do other tasks on a self-made dataset. This method effectively reduces the complexity of multistate simultaneous monitoring and monitoring costs, thereby avoiding environmental pollution caused by transportation accidents. Experimental results show that the segmentation accuracy of the proposed method can be up to 88.72%, with a detection accuracy of 91.3% and an overall inference speed of 90.9 frames per second. Furthermore, by extending the dataset, the proposed method can incorporate additional tasks, such as belt damage, scattered material, and foreign object identifications. This study has practical significance in ensuring the normal and eco-friendly operation of bulk material transportation. Our source dataset is available at https://github.com/zhangzhangzhang1618/dataset-for-turnning-section