bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Error state prediction method for electronic voltage transformer based on empirical mode decomposition and auto-regressive moving average
Authors: Li Binbin , Liu Chen , Huang Jie
Published: March 2024

Electronic voltage transformers have been used in the power system in conjunction with the development of power grid intelligence due to their good insulation structure, economy, volume, and other advantages. However, in its long-term operation, the phenomena of error overshooting and unstable operation will inevitably occur, and the existing periodic off-line testing methods require a high calibration cycle, which is difficult to achieve. To solve these problems, an error state prediction method based on empirical mode decomposition and autoregressive moving average model is proposed. Firstly, according to the physical correlation between the secondary output signal and the error, the output signal is quantified as a statistic Q by the method of principal component analysis, and then the statistic is used as the prediction object to establish a prediction model for predicting the operating state of the electronic voltage transformer. The simulation results show that the model can accurately predict the trend of the transformer error, which meets the prediction requirements.
Experimental study of the effect of different 3D printing parameters on tensile strength, using artificial neural network
Authors: Hamouti Lahcen , El Farissi Omar , Laouardi Maryam
Published: March 2024

Numerous research studies have been conducted to optimize printing parameters using the fused deposition modeling technique (FDM) to improve mechanical properties. The large number of process parameters creates a need to search for optimal combinations of parameters to improve mechanical properties. This study examines the effects of three parameters when printing 3D with melted filament of a PLA material (Polylactic Acid) on the ultimate tensile strength of the printed parts. This search combines an experimental study of the most influential printing parameters on the tensile strength property, namely layer thickness, printing temperature, and feed rate. The experimental results are then analyzed and modeled as a linear regression model. Then develop an intelligent artificial model based on ANN (Artificial Neural Network) derived from these experimental results capable of predicting the optimal combination of parameters providing maximum tensile strength. The observed results showed that the feed rate dominates among the other variables, followed by the thickness of the layer. Also, at the level of prediction, the artificial model provides a better prediction of the tensile strength with a value of 36.1625 MPa by combining the following parameters: Feed rate: 70 mm s−1, temperature: 200 °C, and layer thickness: 0.26 mm, compared to the prediction obtained by the linear regression model. Neural networks enable more accurate optimization of 3D process parameters, leading to an overall improvement in the quality of finished products. predictive models, significantly reducing the iteration time required to obtain optimal parameters. The quality of the data used to train neural networks is crucial.
Design and characterization of cell topology effect on SiC VDMOSFETs for high power and frequency applications
Authors: Hung Chia Lung , Hsiao Yi-Kai , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we present a comprehensive investigation of the impact of cell topology and pitch reduction on the DC and AC characteristics of 1200V-rated 4H-SiC planar VDMOSFETs. We have designed and fabricated four different cell topologies, namely linear, square, hexagonal, and staggered cell, in order to characterize their performance. Among the various cell types, the hexagonal cell exhibits the most favorable specific on-state resistance (Ron,sp) value. However, it is worth noting that the breakdown values of both the hexagonal and staggered square cells fall significantly below the simulated values. This is attributed to the interaction between the irregular cell boundaries and the edge cell termination region. Furthermore, we observed that the linear cell has the highest gate resistance compared to the other cell types. Additionally, the linear cell also demonstrates a lower input capacitance than the other cells. This can be attributed to its longer gate trasmission line and smaller area. Lastly, we performed dynamic double pulse tests on the fabricated VDMOSFETs to compare their switching characteristics. It was concluded that linear cell VDMOS is suitable for high switching applications, while square, hexagonal and S.S cell VDMOS are better suited for lower switching applications that require a high output current.
The photodiode performances of NDI-appended ruthenium complexes
Authors: Seven Sibel , Yigit Evin , Bayindir Sinan , Akman Feride , Sevgili Ömer , Dayan Osman , Orak İkram
Published: March 2024

The synthesis and investigation of photoelectric studies of simple organic compounds as organic interlayers are of significant importance and widely studied. As such, we synthesized naphthalene diimide (NDI)-appended ruthenium complexes (Ru-NDIs) to function as the interface layer, and have fabricated novel Al/NDIs or Ru-NDIs/p-Si devices (D1-D4) to investigate their photoelectric properties. Subsequently, we compared and discussed the photoelectric properties of these devices after synthesis and fabrication. According to this, the band-gap energy (E

g
) values of organic materials were found to range from 2.95 eV to 3.14 eV, making them ideal for solar cells applications. Additionally, the photoresponse (Pr) values of Al/NDIs or Ru-NDIs/p-Si devices (D1-D4) were found to be 59.25, 1593.08, 198.77, and 134.47, respectively. Moreover, the Al/Ru-NDIs/p-Si D2 structure exhibited the highest Pr values. Experimental results indicate that since the four optoelectronic devices arranged with the derivation of synthesized compounds have good photoresponse characteristics, they can be utilized as a photosensor or photodiodes in different electronic and optoelectronic technologies.
Atomic-scale oxygen-vacancy engineering in Sub-2 nm thin Al2O3/MgO memristors
Authors: Dodson Berg , Goul Ryan , Marshall Angelo , Aafiya  , Bray Kevin , Ewing Dan , Walsh Michael , Wu Judy Z
Published: March 2024

Ultrathin (sub-2 nm) Al2O3/MgO memristors were recently developed using an in vacuo atomic layer deposition (ALD) process that minimizes unintended defects and prevents undesirable leakage current. These memristors provide a unique platform that allows oxygen vacancies (VO) to be inserted into the memristor with atomic precision and study how this affects the formation and rupture of conductive filaments (CFs) during memristive switching. Herein, we present a systematic study on three sets of ultrathin Al2O3/MgO memristors with VO-doping via modular MgO atomic layer insertion into an otherwise pristine insulating Al2O3 atomic layer stack (ALS) using an in vacuo ALD. At a fixed memristor thickness of 17 Al2O3/MgO atomic layers (∼1.9 nm), the properties of the memristors were found to be affected by the number and stacking pattern of the MgO atomic layers in the Al2O3/MgO ALS. Importantly, the trend of reduced low-state resistance and the increasing appearance of multi-step switches with an increasing number of MgO atomic layers suggests a direct correlation between the dimension and dynamic evolution of the conducting filaments and the VO concentration and distribution. Understanding such a correlation is critical to an atomic-scale control of the switching behavior of ultrathin memristors.
Computational design of single-atom catalysts embedded on reduced graphitic carbon nitride monolayers
Authors: Jakhar Mukesh , Ding Yi , Fahlman Bradley D , Barone Veronica
Published: March 2024

The design of efficient single-atom catalysts (SACs) with optimal activity and selectivity for sustainable energy and environmental applications remains a challenge. In this work, comprehensive first-principles calculations are performed to validate the feasibility of single TM atoms (3d, 4d, and 5d series) embedded in two different conformations of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) monolayers. Additionally, we investigate the effect of nitrogen vacancies in the g-C3N4 monolayers on the absorption of SACs considering three potential absorption scenarios that correspond to different experimental conditions. Our results point to the most stable configurations with the lowest formation energies and indicate that the absorption of single TM atoms on-vacancy and on-center sites are more favorable than via-substitution. In addition to the thermodynamic stability, electrochemical stability is also investigated through the calculation of the dissolution potential of the SACs. Within the scenarios considered in this study, we find that Pt, Pd, Rh, Au, Ru, Ir, Cu, Co, Fe, and Ni will produce the most robust SACs on both (edge and bridge) N vacancy site of reduced g-C3N4. Our findings provide guidance for the design and development of g-C3N4 sheets decorated with single TM atoms for technological applications such as pollutant degradation, CO2 reduction, N2 fixation, selective oxidation, water splitting, and metal ion-based batteries.
Convergence of Langevin-simulated annealing algorithms with multiplicative noise
Authors: Bras Pierre , Pagès Gilles
Published: March 2024

We study the convergence of Langevin-Simulated Annealing type algorithms with multiplicative noise, i.e. for

V
:

R

d

→

R

V : \mathbb {R}^d \to \mathbb {R}

a potential function to minimize, we consider the stochastic differential equation

d

Y
t

=
−
σ

σ
⊤

∇
V
(

Y
t

)

dY_t = - \sigma \sigma ^\top \nabla V(Y_t)

<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="d t plus a left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis sigma left-parenthesis upper Y Subscript t Baseline right-parenthesis d upper W Subscript t plus a left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis squared normal upper Upsilon left-parenthesis upper Y Subscript t Baseline right-parenthesis d t">

d
t
+
a
(
t
)
σ
(

Y
t

)
d

W
t

+
a
(
t

)
2

Υ
(

Y
t

)
d
t

dt + a(t)\sigma (Y_t)dW_t + a(t)^2\Upsilon (Y_t)dt

, where

(

W
t

)

(W_t)

is a Brownian motion, where

σ
:

R

d

→

M

d

(

R

)

\sigma : \mathbb {R}^d \to \mathcal {M}_d(\mathbb {R})

is an adaptive (multiplicative) noise, where

a
:

R

+

→

R

+

a : \mathbb {R}^+ \to \mathbb {R}^+

is a function decreasing to

0
0

and where

Υ
\Upsilon

is a correction term. This setting can be applied to optimization problems arising in Machine Learning; allowing

σ
\sigma

to depend on the position brings faster convergence in comparison with the classical Langevin equation

d

Y
t

=
−
∇
V
(

Y
t

)
d
t
+
σ
d

W
t

dY_t = -\nabla V(Y_t)dt + \sigma dW_t

. The case where

σ
\sigma

is a constant matrix has been extensively studied; however little attention has been paid to the general case. We prove the convergence for the

L
1

L^1

-Wasserstein distance of

Y
t

Y_t

and of the associated Euler scheme

Y
¯

t

\bar {Y}_t

to some measure

ν
⋆

\nu ^\star

which is supported by

argmin
⁡
(
V
)

\operatorname {argmin}(V)

and give rates of convergence to the instantaneous Gibbs measure

ν

a
(
t
)

\nu _{a(t)}

of density

∝
exp
⁡
(
−
2
V
(
x
)

/

a
(
t

)
2

)

\propto \exp (-2V(x)/a(t)^2)

. To do so, we first consider the case where

a
a

is a piecewise constant function. We find again the classical schedule

a
(
t
)
=
A

log

−
1

/

2

⁡
(
t
)

a(t) = A\log ^{-1/2}(t)

. We then prove the convergence for the general case by giving bounds for the Wasserstein distance to the stepwise constant case using ergodicity properties.
Conclusion
Authors: Herold-Zanker Katharina
Published: March 2024

The conclusion re-evaluates the paradox of Orientalism in decadent texts, being simultaneously a means of imperial oppression and cosmopolitan affiliation. It offers a fresh example of this paradoxical relationship by examining an article by Edmund Gosse which he contributed to The Gypsy (1915–1916), a conservative modernist art magazine published by Arthur Symons, Henry Savage, and Alan Odle. In his article Gosse reviews cartoons on English foreign policies in Turkey and Egypt during the First World War which were published in the Munich-based newspaper Simplicissimus. The conclusion argues that, to a decadent sensibility, the importance of national belonging is relativized by cultural affiliation, which has been demonstrated in the book by linking English and German literary examples of decadent Orientalism.
Re-Embodying Biblical Prophecy
Authors: Portier-Young Anathea E
Published: March 2024

Chapter 2 delineates the scope, methodology, and guiding assumptions for the remainder of the study. It offers a working definition of biblical prophecy and argues for the multiplicity of its forms, content, and directionality. A survey of biblical Hebrew terms commonly grouped under the broader label “prophet” and the diverse roles associated with them helps to clarify and illustrate the wide range of mediatory roles biblical prophecy entails. This breadth and diversity of prophetic mediation requires analysis of similarly diverse aspects of embodiment. Developments in anthropology and the study of embodied cognition contribute to the approach taken in subsequent chapters. The chapter concludes with a methodological caveat regarding the complex relationship between the study of religious experience and practice and the study of texts.
Genome-Wide Genetic Analysis of Dropout in a Controlled Exercise Intervention in Sedentary Adults With Overweight or Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Jiang Rong , Collins Katherine A , Huffman Kim M , Hauser Elizabeth R , Hubal Monica J , Johnson Johanna L , Williams Redford B , Siegler Ilene C , Kraus William E
Published: March 2024

Background

Despite the benefits of exercise, many individuals are unable or unwilling to adopt an exercise intervention.

Purpose

The purpose of this analysis was to identify putative genetic variants associated with dropout from exercise training interventions among individuals in the STRRIDE trials.

Methods

We used a genome-wide association study approach to identify genetic variants in 603 participants initiating a supervised exercise intervention. Exercise intervention dropout occurred when a subject withdrew from further participation in the study or was otherwise lost to follow-up.

Results

Exercise intervention dropout was associated with a cluster of single-nucleotide polymorphisms with the top candidate being rs722069 (T/C, risk allele = C) (unadjusted p = 2.2 × 10−7, odds ratio = 2.23) contained within a linkage disequilibrium block on chromosome 16. In Genotype-Tissue Expression, rs722069 is an expression quantitative trait locus of the EARS2, COG7, and DCTN5 genes in skeletal muscle tissue. In subsets of the STRRIDE genetic cohort with available muscle gene expression (n = 37) and metabolic data (n = 82), at baseline the C allele was associated with lesser muscle expression of EARS2 (p < .002) and COG7 (p = .074) as well as lesser muscle concentrations of C2- and C3-acylcarnitines (p = .026).

Conclusions

Our observations imply that exercise intervention dropout is genetically moderated through alterations in gene expression and metabolic pathways in skeletal muscle. Individual genetic traits may allow the development of a biomarker-based approach for identifying individuals who may benefit from more intensive counseling and other interventions to optimize exercise intervention adoption.

Clinical Trial information

STRRIDE I = NCT00200993; STRRIDE AT/RT = NCT00275145; STRRIDE-PD = NCT00962962.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in High-Risk Medical Device Registries: A Scoping Review
Authors: Merenda Michelle , Earnest Arul , Ruseckaite Rasa , Tse Wai Chung , Elder Elisabeth , Hopper Ingrid , Ahern Susannah
Published: March 2024

Little is known about the methods and outcomes of patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) use among high-risk medical device registries. The objective of this scoping review was to assess the utility and predictive ability of PROMs in high-risk medical device registries. We searched Ovid Medline, Embase, APA PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases for published literature. After searching, 4323 titles and abstracts were screened, and 262 full texts were assessed for their eligibility. Seventy-six papers from across orthopedic (n = 64), cardiac (n = 10), penile (n = 1), and hernia mesh (n = 1) device registries were identified. Studies predominantly used PROMs as an outcome measure when comparing cohorts or surgical approaches (n = 45) or to compare time points (n = 13) including pre- and postintervention. Fifteen papers considered the predictive ability of PROMs. Of these, 8 treated PROMs as an outcome, 5 treated PROMs as a risk factor through regression analysis, and 2 papers treated PROMs as both a risk factor and as an outcome. One paper described PROMs to study implant survival. To advance methods of PROM integration into clinical decision-making for medical devices, an understanding of their use in high-risk device registries is needed. This scoping review found that there is a paucity of studies using PROMs to predict long-term patient and clinical outcomes in high-risk medical device registries. Determination as to why PROMs are rarely used for predictive purposes in long-term data collection is needed if PROM data are to be considered suitable as real-world evidence for high-risk device regulatory purposes, as well as to support clinical decision-making.

Level of Evidence: 4
Decreasing Seroma Incidence Following Abdominoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of High-Quality Evidence
Authors: Liao Christopher D , Zhao Kelley , Nikkhahmanesh Nia , Bui Duc T
Published: March 2024

Background

Seroma formation is the most common complication of abdominoplasties. Many preventive interventions have been proposed, but none have been recognized as a definitive solution, partly due to varying levels of evidence (LOE) in the literature.

Objectives

We aimed to analyze seroma prevention methods supported by high-level evidence.

Methods

The PubMed database was queried through August 2023. Primary articles of interest included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective comparative studies, and meta-analyses of these studies. The LOE for each article was determined according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Rating Scale. The “seroma occurrence ratio,” or ratio of seroma events in the interventional group to respective control group, was calculated to compare incidence rates between techniques.

Results

Twenty articles and 9 categories of techniques were analyzed. Study designs included 10 RCTs, 2 prospective cohort studies, 7 prospective comparative studies, and 1 retrospective randomized study. The use of progressive-tension and quilting sutures had the most data supporting a statistically significant reduction in seroma (occurrence ratio 0.306, P < .001). Tissue adhesives and preservation of Scarpa's fascia were also well reinforced (0.375, P < .01 and 0.229, P < .011, respectively), while increasing the number of drains was not (P = .7576). Meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with 2 drains alone, alternative techniques were more effective at reducing seroma occurrence (pooled risk ratio 0.33, 95% CI, 0.11-0.99).

Conclusions

This review highlights multiple seroma prevention techniques for abdominoplasty investigated in recent high-quality literature. We suggest future randomized comparative studies of the various seroma prevention methods to fully ascertain their efficacy following abdominoplasty.

Level of Evidence: 1
Associations of urinary fetuin-A with histopathology and kidney events in biopsy-proven kidney disease
Authors: Tsai Ming-Tsun , Tseng Wei-Cheng , Lee Kuo-Hua , Lin Chih-Ching , Ou Shuo-Ming , Li Szu-yuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Fetuin-A is implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the relationship between fetuin-A, histopathologic lesions and long-term kidney outcomes in patients with various types of kidney disease remains unclear.

Methods

We measured urinary fetuin-A levels in 335 individuals undergoing clinically indicated native kidney biopsy. The expressions of fetuin-A mRNA and protein in the kidney were assessed using RNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry. The association of urinary fetuin-A with histopathologic lesions and major adverse kidney events (MAKE), defined as a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of at least 40%, kidney failure or death, was analyzed.

Results

Urinary fetuin-A levels showed a positive correlation with albuminuria (rs = 0.67, P < .001) and a negative correlation with eGFR (rs = –0.46, P < .001). After multivariate adjustment, higher urinary fetuin-A levels were associated with glomerular inflammation, mesangial expansion, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, and arteriolar sclerosis. Using a 1 transcript per million gene expression cutoff, we found kidney fetuin-A mRNA levels below the threshold in both individuals with normal kidney function and those with CKD. Additionally, immunohistochemistry revealed reduced fetuin-A staining in tubular cells of CKD patients compared with normal controls. During a median 21-month follow-up, 115 patients experienced MAKE, and Cox regression analysis confirmed a significant association between elevated urinary fetuin-A and MAKE. This association remained significant after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Conclusion

Urinary fetuin-A is associated with chronic histological damage and adverse clinical outcomes across a spectrum of biopsy-proven kidney diseases.
Environmental sustainability of post-orthodontic dental retainers: a comparative life-cycle assessment of Hawley and Essix retainers
Authors: Da Tan Timothy You , Duane Brett , Hussein Ahmed , Samsonova Anna , Sizun Gwenola , Shakerdi Loujin , Taqi Roqaya , Wolfram Samuel , Ziaeefard Nazanin , Sagheri Darius
Published: March 2024

Background

Environmental sustainability has been brought into the limelight due to the global climate crisis. This crisis is driven by human activities and even the healthcare sector is no exception. Within dentistry, orthodontics is a large global market; hence, the use of post-orthodontic retainers has a significant environmental footprint. The aim of this study was to determine the environmental sustainability of post-orthodontic retention using Hawley and Essix retainers.

Materials and methods

A comparative life-cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out to compare the environmental impact of both retainers. All inputs and outputs were accounted for using the Ecoinvent database, v3.7.1, and openLCA software. Sixteen impact categories were used to determine their environmental burden.

Results

Of the 16 impact categories, the Hawley had a greater environmental burden than the Essix retainer in 12 categories. The Hawley’s most significant contributors to its impact values are factory manufacturing and in-house production, with an average of 41.45% and 52.52%, respectively. For the Essix, the greatest contributor is factory manufacturing, with an average of 64.63%. However, when factoring in the lifespan of the retainers, the Essix would have a greater environmental impact than the Hawley retainer.

Limitations

This study employed a comparative LCA. There were also assumptions made, but these were supported by research.

Conclusions

On the basis of the evidence gathered in this study, Hawley retainers are more environmentally sustainable than Essix retainers. These results would better enable clinicians to factor in the environmental impact and make informed decisions on the choice of retainer type.
Children left behind. New evidence on the (adverse) impact of grade retention on educational careers
Authors: Contini Dalit , Salza Guido
Published: March 2024

This article analyzes the effect of grade retention in high school on later school outcomes in Italy. Grade retention is a strong signal of poor performance, so retained students should revise downwards their perceived probability of success in school. Grade retention also implies an increase in costs. Therefore, we expect a negative effect on future educational careers. However, the evidence from the existing literature is mixed. Using longitudinal administrative data, we propose a matching strategy to assess the impact of grade retention on institutional settings with considerable leeway in promotion/retention decisions. Following this strategy, we can interpret our results as estimates of the impact for students close to the threshold between retention and promotion. Our results add to the existing evidence that grade retention in high school has a negative impact on student’s educational outcomes by dramatically increasing dropout rates. Consistent with the compensatory advantage hypothesis, the negative effects are stronger for students with low educated or immigrant parents. Our findings suggest that alternatives to grade retention should be found to address underachievement.
Navigating the Landscape of Translational Geroscience in Canada: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Current Progress and Future Directions
Authors: Hajj-Boutros Guy , Faust Andréa , Muscedere John , Kim Perry , Abumrad Naji , Chevalier Stéphanie , Aubertin-Leheudre Mylene , Bergman Howard , Bowdish Dawn , Burford Jessica , Carrington-Lawrence Stacy , Côté Hélène , Dawe David E , Barreto Philipe de Souto , Farrelly Colin , Fowler Robert , Gouspillou Gilles , Harrington Lea , Lautrup Sofie , Howlett Susan , Imani Mahdi , Kirkland James , Kuchel George , Mallette Frédérick A , Morais José A , Newman John C , Pullman Daryl , Sierra Felipe , Van Raamsdonk Jeremy , Watt Jennifer , Rylett Rebecca Jane , Duque Gustavo
Published: March 2024

The inaugural Canadian Conferences on Translational Geroscience were held as 2 complementary sessions in October and November 2023. The conferences explored the profound interplay between the biology of aging, social determinants of health, the potential societal impact of geroscience, and the maintenance of health in aging individuals. Although topics such as cellular senescence, molecular and genetic determinants of aging, and prevention of chronic disease were addressed, the conferences went on to emphasize practical applications for enhancing older people’s quality of life. This article summarizes the proceeding and underscores the synergy between clinical and fundamental studies. Future directions highlight national and global collaborations and the crucial integration of early-career investigators. This work charts a course for a national framework for continued innovation and advancement in translational geroscience in Canada.
Data processing solutions to render metabolomics more quantitative: case studies in food and clinical metabolomics using Metabox 2.0
Authors: Wanichthanarak Kwanjeera , In-on Ammarin , Fan Sili , Fiehn Oliver , Wangwiwatsin Arporn , Khoomrung Sakda
Published: March 2024

In classic semiquantitative metabolomics, metabolite intensities are affected by biological factors and other unwanted variations. A systematic evaluation of the data processing methods is crucial to identify adequate processing procedures for a given experimental setup. Current comparative studies are mostly focused on peak area data but not on absolute concentrations. In this study, we evaluated data processing methods to produce outputs that were most similar to the corresponding absolute quantified data. We examined the data distribution characteristics, fold difference patterns between 2 metabolites, and sample variance. We used 2 metabolomic datasets from a retail milk study and a lupus nephritis cohort as test cases. When studying the impact of data normalization, transformation, scaling, and combinations of these methods, we found that the cross-contribution compensating multiple standard normalization (ccmn) method, followed by square root data transformation, was most appropriate for a well-controlled study such as the milk study dataset. Regarding the lupus nephritis cohort study, only ccmn normalization could slightly improve the data quality of the noisy cohort. Since the assessment accounted for the resemblance between processed data and the corresponding absolute quantified data, our results denote a helpful guideline for processing metabolomic datasets within a similar context (food and clinical metabolomics). Finally, we introduce Metabox 2.0, which enables thorough analysis of metabolomic data, including data processing, biomarker analysis, integrative analysis, and data interpretation. It was successfully used to process and analyze the data in this study. An online web version is available at http://metsysbio.com/metabox.
Good practices in designing a communication channel architecture for secure async flexible distributed collaboration
Authors: Erdei Rudolf , Delinschi Daniela , Matei Oliviu , Andreica Laura
Published: March 2024

In this paper we present a set of good practices in the design of a security-centric architecture for a Communication Channel that can be used to secure a Loosely-Coupled distributed platform, over unreliable communication mediums. The proposed practices are derived from designing a complete architecture that is modular and designed to support principles of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the common functional requirements of a wide range of applications, including cybersecurity, smart power grids and industrial Internet of Things (IoT). The architecture was developed and implemented as part of the BIECO project, and is based around open standards such as Open Platform Communications United Architecture (OPC-UA). The key feature of the architecture is that it enables secure asynchronous near-real-time communication between a large number of nodes in a multimodal setup, without the need of any Service to know its place within the tool-chain. Based on our experience with building this system and based on the good results obtained, we are presenting a list of lessons learnt, recommendations for better communication channel modules within loosely coupled distributed systems.
The professional backstaging of diversity in journalism
Authors: Carter Ashley W , Ferrucci Patrick
Published: March 2024

This study examines how diverse US-based journalists—both Black, Indigenous, and people of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer [or sometimes questioning] and others—perform their diversity within newsrooms. Applying Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy, the study illustrates the nuanced differences in terms of how journalists perform their diverse identities differently on both the frontstage and backstage. These differences are explained through the proliferation of historical norms such as objectivity in journalism in the United States, norms that curtail how diversity can be enacted. The study introduces the concept of professional backstaging, a concept that describes how professional norms can bypass organizational and individual agency to force certain actions off the frontstage. Finally, the discussion theorizes how these findings—and particularly the concept of professional backstaging—can contribute to future work across studies of media organizations and within the discipline of organizational communication.
Mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary with xanthogranulomatous oophoritis: the first case report in the literature
Authors: Nouh Diana , Dayoub Maisoon , Al-janabi Moatasem Hussein
Published: March 2024

This case report presents a unique and unprecedented occurrence of mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary accompanied by xanthogranulomatous oophoritis, a rare inflammatory condition. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of its kind in the medical literature. The patient, a 25-year-old woman, presented with abdominal pain, fever, and discomfort, prompting further investigation that led to the unexpected discovery of these coexisting pathologies.
Existential Risk, Climate Change, and Nonideal Justice
Authors: McLaughlin Alex
Published: March 2024

Climate change is often described as an existential risk to the human species, but this terminology has generally been avoided in the climate-justice literature in analytic philosophy. I investigate the source of this disconnect and explore the prospects for incorporating the idea of climate change as an existential risk into debates about climate justice. The concept of existential risk does not feature prominently in these discussions, I suggest, because assumptions that structure ‘ideal’ accounts of climate justice ensure that the prospect of climate change as an extinction-level threat does not arise. Given persistent noncompliance with mitigation duties, however, we have reason to revisit these assumptions. I argue that the most promising way for theories of climate justice to account for the significance of existential risk is to look to the practices of protest and resistance in which a concern about extinction or global catastrophe is frequently given expression.
Neuroscience of the yogic theory of consciousness
Authors: Tripathi Vaibhav , Bharadwaj Pallavi
Published: March 2024

Yoga as a practice and philosophy of life has been followed for more than 4500 years with known evidence of yogic practices in the Indus Valley Civilization. The last few decades have seen a resurgence in the utility of yoga and meditation as a practice with growing scientific evidence behind it. Significant scientific literature has been published, illustrating the benefits of yogic practices including ‘asana’, ‘pranayama’ and ‘dhyana’ on mental and physical well-being. Electrophysiological and recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have found explicit neural signatures for yogic practices. In this article, we present a review of the philosophy of yoga, based on the dualistic ‘Sankhya’ school, as applied to consciousness summarized by Patanjali in his yoga sutras followed by a discussion on the five ‘vritti’ (modulations of mind), the practice of ‘pratyahara’, ‘dharana’, ‘dhyana’, different states of ‘samadhi’, and ‘samapatti’. We formulate the yogic theory of consciousness (YTC), a cohesive theory that can model both external modulations and internal states of the mind. We propose that attention, sleep and mind wandering should be understood as unique modulatory states of the mind. YTC allows us to model the external states, internal states of meditation, ‘samadhi’ and even the disorders of consciousness. Furthermore, we list some testable neuroscientific hypotheses that could be answered using YTC and analyse the benefits, outcomes and possible limitations.
Electron spin resonance analysis of photoenzymatic catalysis
Authors: Yu Lu , Tian Changlin
Published: March 2024

This Perspective highlights recent research progress and prospects in elucidating the catalytic mechanism of photoenzymes using ESR (electron spin resonance) spectroscopy, which is emerging as a unique and crucial method for identifying radical intermediates, illustrating electron transfer events and the underlying mechanisms of photoenzymatic catalysis.
Chapter 8 Publishing History of the Essays
Authors: Balsamo Jean
Published: March 2024

The originality of Montaigne's literary project during his time was to have been able to combine an aristocratic and private writing style with a public publishing ambition, which is linked to the circulation of his book in the "bookseller's shop." The Essays thus are part of a long publishing history, whose stages corresponded to as many possible kinds of reading: the various editions (1580, 1582, 1588), planned out by the writer himself, the posthumous edition (1595), scrupulously put together by Marie de Gournay, along with its avatars until the nineteenth century, the debate about the Bordeaux Copy, and finally the choice of the best text on philological grounds.
Vitamin B12 status and folic acid supplementation influence mitochondrial heteroplasmy levels in mice
Authors: Walsh Darren J , Bernard David J , Fiddler Joanna L , Pangilinan Faith , Esposito Madison , Harold Denise , Field Martha S , Parle-McDermott Anne , Brody Lawrence C
Published: March 2024

One-carbon metabolism is a complex network of metabolic reactions that are essential for cellular function including DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 and folate are micronutrients that are utilized in this pathway and their deficiency can result in the perturbation of one-carbon metabolism and subsequent perturbations in DNA replication and repair. This effect has been well characterized in nuclear DNA but to date, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has not been investigated extensively. Mitochondrial variants have been associated with several inherited and age-related disease states; therefore, the study of factors that impact heteroplasmy are important for advancing our understanding of the mitochondrial genome's impact on human health. Heteroplasmy studies require robust and efficient mitochondrial DNA enrichment to carry out in-depth mtDNA sequencing. Many of the current methods for mtDNA enrichment can introduce biases and false-positive results. Here, we use a method that overcomes these limitations and have applied it to assess mitochondrial heteroplasmy in mouse models of altered one-carbon metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found to cause increased levels of mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy across all tissues that were investigated. Folic acid supplementation also contributed to elevated mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy across all mouse tissues investigated. Heteroplasmy analysis of human data from the Framingham Heart Study suggested a potential sex-specific effect of folate and vitamin B12 status on mitochondrial heteroplasmy. This is a novel relationship that may have broader consequences for our understanding of one-carbon metabolism, mitochondrial-related disease and the influence of nutrients on DNA mutation rates.
Review Essay: Donald Trump, Charismatic Leadership and the “Deep State”
Authors: Milkis Sidney M
Published: March 2024

There have been many accounts of Donald Trump's assault on America's constitutional norms and institutions. Journalists have detailed how a real estate mogul and reality television star with no experience in public office captured the Republican Party and disrupted the regular protocols of the executive branch. Legal scholars have lamented Trump's politicization of the Justice Department breaking through the fragile guard rails put in place in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Psychiatrists have sought to diagnose Trump's politics of resentment, which they attribute to the rage and narcissism of a sociopath. Amid this frenzy John Campbell's Institutions Under Siege: Donald Trump's Attack on the Deep State provides a comprehensive study on Trump's assault on American political and government institutions. He shows persuasively that Trump's presidency had a deep and dangerous imprint on elections, the Republican Party, the bureaucracy, and fiscal policy. Critically examining Campbell’s theory and evidence, this essay considers where Trump stands in the long train of democratic crises that have occurred throughout American history, how his presidency and its provocative aftermath were a symptom of long-standing changes in the relationship between the presidency and the party system, and why the presidency itself might be a polarizing institution.
The Effect of the 2020 Black Lives Matter Protests on Police Budgets: How “Defund the Police” Sparked Political Backlash
Authors: Ebbinghaus Mathis , Bailey Nathan , Rubel Jacob
Published: March 2024

This article investigates whether a core political demand of the 2020 Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests was realized: “defund the police.” Original hand-compiled data containing budget information on 264 major cities in the United States and comprehensive protest data enable us to assess the effect of protests on changes in city police budgets. We find no evidence that BLM protests led to police defunding. In cities with large Republican vote shares, protest is associated with significant increases in police budgets. We demonstrate that electoral incentives cannot explain this policy backlash. Instead, we provide tentative evidence that backlash in Republican cities might stem from policymakers’ own conservatism and entrenched right-wing influences within city politics. The analysis offers novel evidence on the consequences of the largest protest movement in U.S. history and reveals the importance of backlash in explaining policy outcomes of social movements.
Combined Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine as Adjuncts to Popliteal and Saphenous Nerve Blocks in Patients Undergoing Surgery of the Foot or Ankle: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Maagaard Mathias , Funder Kamilia S. , Schou Nikolaj K. , Penny Jeannette Ø. , Toquer Peter , Laigaard Jens , Stormholt Emma R. , Nørskov Anders K. , Jæger Pia , Andersen Jakob H. , Mathiesen Ole
Published: March 2024

Background

Both dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine increase the duration of analgesia of peripheral nerve blocks. The authors hypothesized that combined intravenous dexamethasone and intravenous dexmedetomidine would result in a greater duration of analgesia when compared with intravenous dexamethasone alone and placebo.

Methods

The authors randomly allocated participants undergoing surgery of the foot or ankle under general anesthesia and with a combined popliteal (sciatic) and saphenous nerve block to a combination of 12 mg dexamethasone and 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine, 12 mg dexamethasone, or placebo (saline). The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia measured as the time from block performance until the first sensation of pain in the surgical area as reported by the participant. The authors predefined a 33% difference in the duration of analgesia as clinically relevant.

Results

A total of 120 participants from two centers were randomized and 119 analyzed for the primary outcome. The median [interquartile range] duration of analgesia was 1,572 min [1,259 to 1,715] with combined dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine, 1,400 min [1,133 to 1,750] with dexamethasone alone, and 870 min [748 to 1,138] with placebo. Compared with placebo, the duration was greater with combined dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine (difference, 564 min; 98.33% CI, 301 to 794; P < 0.001) and with dexamethasone (difference, 489 min; 98.33% CI, 265 to 706; P < 0.001). The prolongations exceeded the authors’ predefined clinically relevant difference. The duration was similar when combined dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine was compared with dexamethasone alone (difference, 61 min; 98.33% CI, –222 to 331; P = 0.614).

Conclusions

Dexamethasone with or without dexmedetomidine increased the duration of analgesia in patients undergoing surgery of the foot or ankle with a popliteal (sciatic) and saphenous nerve block. Combined dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine did not increase the duration of analgesia when compared with dexamethasone.

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Implications of Cardiac Scarring on Body Image Disturbance Among Young Adults With Congenital Heart Defects
Authors: Grant Victoria R. , Crerand Canice E. , Jackson Jamie L.
Published: March 2024

Background

Many individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergo open heart surgery, resulting in prominent scarring. However, little research has assessed the impact of surgical scarring on body image in this population.

Objective

Within this cross-sectional study, associations between body image concerns, anxiety and depression symptoms, and health-related quality of life among individuals with CHD were evaluated.

Methods

Young adults with CHD (N = 138) completed the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire along with other patient-reported outcome measures.

Results

Scores on the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire were lower (mean, 1.3 ± 0.5) than populations with diabetes amputations, craniofacial conditions, idiopathic scoliosis, and clinical controls. Higher Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire scores were reported among women (P = .003) and were associated with greater anxiety (P = .000) and depression (P = .13) after controlling for sex.

Conclusions

Body image concerns related to cardiac surgery scarring are especially prominent in women and associated with greater emotional distress, suggesting potential clinical relevance for evaluating body image concerns in persons with CHD.
Design of a Multiple-Behavior Change Intervention for Supporting Self-management in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Dam Joëlle , Eijsvogels Thijs M. H. , Verdijk Marjolein H. I. , Janssen Anna M. , van Bakel Bram M. A. , Baltussen Lisette E. H. J. M. , Westert Gert P. , de Bruin Marijn
Published: March 2024

Background

Nonadherence to medication and low physical activity contribute to morbidity, mortality, and decreased quality of life among patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Effective interventions that can be delivered during routine clinical care are lacking.

Objective

We aimed to adapt the feasible and cost-effective Adherence Improving self-Management Strategy (AIMS) for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to CHF treatment. Subsequently, we determined its acceptability and feasibility.

Methods

Adherence Improving self-Management Strategy is a systematic, nurse-delivered counseling intervention blended with eHealth to facilitate patient self-management. We used the intervention mapping framework to systematically adapt AIMS-HIV to AIMS-CHF, while preserving essential intervention elements. Therefore, we systematically consulted the scientific literature, patients with CHF and nurses, and pretested intervention materials.

Results

Adherence Improving self-Management Strategy–HIV was modified to AIMS-CHF: a multiple-behavior change intervention, focused on medication adherence and physical activity. Key self-management determinants (such as attitudes, self-efficacy, and self-regulatory skills) and organization of care (such as specialized nurses delivering AIMS) were similar for HIV and heart failure care. The AIMS protocol, as well as material content and design, was systematically adapted to CHF. Preliminary testing suggests that AIMS-CHF is likely feasible and acceptable to patients with CHF and care providers.

Conclusion

Using the intervention mapping protocol, AIMS-HIV could be systematically adapted to AIMS-CHF and seems acceptable and feasible. Evidence from the literature, behavioral theory, and input from nurses and patients were essential in this process. Adherence Improving self-Management Strategy–CHF should now be tested for feasibility and effectiveness in routine care.