bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Supply Chain 5.0: Redesigning Supply Chains as Resilient, Sustainable, and Human-Centric Systems in a Post-pandemic World
Authors: Villar Alice , Paladini Stefania , Buckley Oliver
Published: July 2023

The purpose was to investigate the impact of the Industry 5.0 paradigm on the supply chain research field. Our study contributes to the conceptualization of supply chain 5.0, a term that has been receiving increased attention as supply chains adapt to the fifth industrial revolution. We conducted a systematic literature network analysis (SLNA) to examine the research landscape of Industry 5.0 supply chains. We used VOSViewer software and Bibliometrix R-package for multiple bibliometric analyses using 682 documents published between 2016 and 2022. We present a comprehensive framework of supply chain 5.0, including its key concepts, technologies, and trends. Additionally, this research offers a future research agenda to inspire and support further development in this field. We utilized three academic databases for bibliometric analyses: Dimension, Scopus and Lens. Additional databases could provide a wider research landscape and better field representation. We demonstrate how Industry 5.0 enables supply chain evaluation and optimization to assist companies in navigating disruptions without compromising competitiveness and profitability and provide a unique contribution to the field of supply chain 5.0 by exploring promising research areas and guiding the transition to this new paradigm for practitioners and scholars.
Anticancer effect of terpenes: focus on malignant melanoma
Authors: Wróblewska-Łuczka Paula , Cabaj Justyna , Bargieł Julia , Łuszczki Jarogniew J.
Published: July 2023

Melanoma is a highly aggressive and life-threatening form of skin cancer that accounts for a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although conventional cancer therapies, such as surgical excision, chemotherapy, and radiation, have been used to treat malignant melanoma, their efficacy is often limited due to the development of resistance and adverse side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in developing alternative treatment options for melanoma that are more effective and less toxic. Terpenes, a diverse group of naturally occurring compounds of plant origin, have emerged as potential anticancer agents due to their ability to inhibit tumor growth and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. In this review, the current understanding of the anticancer effects of terpenes (including, thymoquinone, β-elemene, carvacrol, limonene, α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, perillyl alcohol, taxol, betulinic acid, α-bisabolol, ursolic acid, linalool, lupeol, and artesunate) was summarized, with a special focus on their potential as therapeutic agents for malignant melanoma.
Boosting the Item-Based Collaborative Filtering Model with Novel Similarity Measures
Authors: Abdalla Hassan I. , Amer Ali A. , Amer Yasmeen A. , Nguyen Loc , Al-Maqaleh Basheer
Published: July 2023

Collaborative filtering (CF), one of the most widely employed methodologies for recommender systems, has drawn undeniable attention due to its effectiveness and simplicity. Nevertheless, a few papers have been published on the CF-based item-based model using similarity measures than the user-based model due to the model's complexity and the time required to build it. Additionally, the substantial shortcomings in the user-based measurements when the item-based model is taken into account motivated us to create stronger models in this work. Not to mention that the common trickiest challenge is dealing with the cold-start problem, in which users' history of item-buying behavior is missing (i.e., new users) or items for which activity is not provided (i.e., new items). Therefore, our novel five similarity measures, which have the potential to solve sparse data, are developed to alleviate the impact of this important problem. Most importantly, a thorough empirical analysis of how the item-based model affects the CF-based recommendation system’s performance has also been a critical part of this work, which presents a benchmarking study for thirty similarity metrics. The MAE, MSE, and accuracy metrics, together with fivefold cross-validation, are used to properly assess and examine the influence of all considered similarity measures using the Movie-lens 100 K and Film Trust datasets. The findings demonstrate how competitive the proposed similarity measures are in comparison to their alternatives. Surprisingly, some of the top "state-of-the-art" performers (such as SMD and NHSM) have been unable to fiercely compete with our proposed rivals when utilizing the item-based model.
The Philosophy of Literary Translation
Authors: Scott Clive
Published: July 2023

While reading transforms texts through memories, associations and re-imaginings, translation allows us to act out our reading experience, inscribe it in a new text, and engage in a dialogic and dynamic relationship with the original. In this highly original new study, Clive Scott reveals the existential and ecological values that literary translation can embody in its perceptual transformation of texts. The transfer of a text from one language into another is merely the platform from which translation launches its larger ambitions, including the existential expansion and re-situation of text towards new expressive futures and ways of inhabiting the world. Recasting language as a living organism and as part of humanity's ongoing duration, this study uncovers its tireless capacity to cross perceptual boundaries, to multiply relations between the human and the non-human and to engage with forms of language which evoke unfamiliar modes of psycho-perception and eco-modelling.
COVID‐19 New Cases and Environmental Factors During Wet and Dry Seasons in West and Southern Africa
Authors: Jenkins G. S. , Freire S. M. , Ogunro T. , Niang D. , Andrade M. , Drame M. S. , Huvi J. B. , Pires E. E. S. , Toure E. N. , Camara M.
Published: July 2023

Sub‐Saharan Africa has been the last continent to experience a significant number of cases in the novel Coronavirus (COVID‐19). Studies suggest that air pollution is related to COVID‐19 mortality; poor air quality has been linked to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, which are considered co‐morbidities linked to COVID‐19 deaths. We examine potential connections between country‐wide COVID‐19 cases and environmental conditions in Senegal, Cabo Verde, Nigeria, Cote D'Ivorie, and Angola. We analyze PM2.5 concentrations, temperatures from cost‐effective in situ measurements, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and fire count and NO2 column values from space‐borne platforms from 1 January 2020 through 31 March 2021. Our results show that the first COVID‐19 wave in West Africa began during the wet season of 2020, followed by a second during the dry season of 2020. In Angola, the first wave starts during the biomass burning season but does not peak until November of 2020. Overall PM2.5 concentrations are the highest in Ibadan, Nigeria, and coincided with the second wave of COVID‐19 in late 2021 and early 2022. The COVID‐19 waves in Cabo Verde are not in phase with those in Senegal, Nigeria, and Cote, lagging by several months in general. Overall, the highest correlations occurred between weekly new COVID‐19 cases meteorological and air quality variables occurred in the dry season.
Migration of Mechanical Perturbations Estimated by Seismic Coda Wave Interferometry During the 2018 Pre‐Eruptive Period at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Authors: Muzellec Titouan , Lesage Philippe , Caudron Corentin , Got Jean‐Luc
Published: July 2023

We use seismic ambient noise correlation and coda wave interferometry to estimate velocity variations at high temporal resolution, during the pre‐eruptive period and the onset of the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. A progressive velocity increase is observed from March to the end of April. It is followed by rapid decrease starting a few days before the onset of the East Rift Zone (ERZ) eruption and then by sharp velocity drop when the eruption started. The change of trend from velocity increase to decrease is progressively delayed by a few days from the summit caldera toward the ERZ. The location of the velocity perturbations shows a migration of the sources of velocity changes from the summit caldera toward the ERZ before the eruption. Using a model of pressure source, we show that the simultaneous caldera inflation and velocity increase probably result from an anisotropic distribution of fault and crack orientations. The velocity decrease could be due to damaging processes above the shallow reservoir and to plastic deformations around the caldera. We introduce a forward model of rock damage associated with the volcano‐tectonic seismicity to calculate the velocity decrease. The good agreement between the calculated and the observed velocity variations shows that a large part of the velocity decrease results from damage of the medium. The delayed onsets of velocity decrease and the source migration of velocity perturbations are probably related to progressive fault openings in the Southern and Eastern parts of the caldera and to magma transfer toward the ERZ.
An Algorithm‐Independent Definition of Effective Contour Length and Its Impacts on Pixel‐Scale Specific Catchment Area
Authors: Li Zhenya , Lai Xijun , Shi Pengfei , Yang Tao
Published: July 2023

Specific catchment area (SCA) is crucial terrain attribute extensively‐adopted in topographically‐driven modelings, which is function of total contributing area (TCA) and effective contour length (EL). Despite of numerous studies about SCA and TCA, none has focused on the investigation of existing EL definitions and adaption of point‐scale SCA concept to two‐dimensional pixel of digital elevation model (DEM). This work conducts a systematic research on rationality of existing EL definitions, proposal of new EL definition and concept of pixel‐scale SCA on gridded DEM. To overcome the defects of existing EL definitions, a new EL definition based on Triangular Discretization and Spatial Geometry (TDSG) is proposed in this work. SCA concept is extended from point scale to pixel scale for adapting to context of gridded DEM. The solutions of true pixel‐scale SCA, TCA, and EL in integral forms are deduced based on the solutions of point‐scale SCAs obtained by method of Zhou and Liu (2002, https://doi.org/10.1080/13658810210149425) or Gallant and Hutchinson (2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009WR008540). Besides, true pixel‐scale SCA, TCA, and EL are solved analytically for several synthetic surfaces. Numerical experiments indicate that (a) TDSG definition is superior to all existing EL definitions in physical mechanism, spatial characteristics, and computational precisions on synthetic surfaces and a real‐world DEM. (b) Spatial characteristics of SCA are controlled mainly by TCA and tuned slightly by EL, while overall precision of SCA is affected seriously by both TCA and EL. (c) TDSG definition is the only EL definition of responding accurately and sensitively to convergent and dispersive characteristics of local terrains.
Plants Build Dunes but Can Speed Erosion During Severe Storms
Authors: Wilke Carolyn
Published: July 2023

When waves hit vegetated dunes, waterlogged areas form in front of plants, making for sand that’s easier to wash away. But you still need plants to form dunes in the first place.
Thin Skin Helps Regulate Ocean Carbon Uptake
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: July 2023

Cooler and saltier than even the water just below it, the ocean skin plays a critical role in ocean-atmosphere gas exchange.
Turbulent Flow Structures Over a Gobi Surface and Their Impact on Aeolian Sand Transport
Authors: Tan Lihai , Qu Jianjun , Wang Hongtao , An Zhishan , Wang Tao , Zhao Suping
Published: July 2023

Here, we present the results of turbulent flow structures and their influence on aeolian sand transport over gobi surfaces based on quadrant analysis. The results show that the classiﬁed turbulent structures over gobi accounted for 43%–44% of the time frequency and contributed ∼97% to the Reynolds stress, yet the contribution rates to sand transport rate ranged from 45% to 52%. Sweeps (Quadrant 4) and ejections (Q2) were the two most frequent events and accounted for 70% of the total frequency for the classiﬁed turbulent structures. Sweeps made a major contribution of 51%–57% to sand transport rate over gobi. Outward interactions (Q1) were relatively rare, but they individually entrained as much sand as sweeps of comparable magnitude and duration. The turbulent structures over gobi show similar behaviors comparable to those of water flows over gravel riverbeds or rough seabeds yet different from those of air flow over flat sand surfaces.
A Thin Elastic Plate Model for Thermally Contracting Young Oceanic Lithosphere: Insights From Comparison With Modern Seafloor Observations
Authors: Choi Eunseo , Tominaga Masako
Published: July 2023

We find at fast‐ and intermediate‐spreading seafloor that their ridge‐parallel bathymetric profiles between two neighboring fracture zones, excluding the part of the seafloor inward to fracture zone (FZ) valley, are predominantly upward concave. The temporal evolution of the bathymetric profiles from the lithosphere formed at the Chile Rise is characterized by (a) the rapid growth of the middle deflection to about 200 m relative to the ends for the first few millions of years and (b) a steady state afterward. We show that these characteristics and the upward‐concave sense of bending can be reasonably explained as the flexure of a thin elastic plate contracting thermally from the top while cooling. The best‐fitting model needs only about 10% of the thermal bending moment based on the half‐space cooling model and the free‐end assumption. Our model is consistent with the recent observations that oceanic lithosphere is cut open at a FZ valley, which disprove the previous assumption that ocean floor is bent down forming the valley walls.
An Implication of Detecting the Internal Modulation in a Pulsating Aurora: A Conjugate Observation by the Arase Satellite and All‐Sky Imagers
Authors: Nanjo S. , Ebukuro S. , Nakamura S. , Miyoshi Y. , Kurita S. , Oyama S.‐I. , Ogawa Y. , Keika K. , Kasahara Y. , Kasahara S. , Matsuoka A. , Hori T. , Yokota S. , Matsuda S. , Shinohara I. , Wang S.‐Y. , Kazama Y. , Jun C.‐W. , Kitahara M. , Hosokawa K.
Published: July 2023

A physical mechanism to produce pulsating aurora (PsA) has been considered to be the interaction of the electron and the chorus wave generated near the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere. A recent observation of high temporal resolution of chorus waves by the Arase satellite revealed that the presence or absence of the internal modulation of PsA, which is a characteristic sub‐second scintillation at 3 ± 1 Hz within each optical pulsation, is closely related to the discreteness of the element structure of the chorus wave. However, it is still unclear what parameters (or conditions) control the discreteness of the element and the existence of the internal modulation of PsA. In this study, we discuss parameters that determine the presence or absence of the internal modulation of PsA and element structure of chorus by showing a conjugate observation of PsA/chorus by ground‐based cameras and the Arase satellite. During the event, the occurrence of internal modulation increased temporally. The wave data from the satellite show that the repetitive frequency of elements was ∼6 Hz when the internal modulation was indistinct, while the repetitive frequency was ∼3 Hz when the internal modulation was distinct. The particle measurements suggest that this difference was caused by changes in the density and the temperature anisotropy of the hot electron. The internal modulation was clearly observed when the density of hot electrons decreased and the temperature anisotropy relaxed after the injection. Observations of internal modulations from the ground might allow us to estimate the parameters such as energetic electron density and temperature anisotropy in the magnetosphere.
Vibrational Kinetics of NO and N2 in the Earth's Middle Atmosphere During GLE69 on January 20, 2005
Authors: Kirillov A. S. , Belakhovsky V. B. , Maurchev E. A. , Balabin Yu.V. , Germanenko A. V. , Gvozdevsky B. B.
Published: July 2023

The mechanisms of the production of vibrationally excited NO and N2 molecules at the altitudes of the middle atmosphere of the Earth during high‐energetic proton precipitation on 20 January 2005 are considered. The study of vibrational populations N2(X1Σg+,v′ > 0) during high‐energetic proton precipitation has shown different principal mechanisms in the N2(X1Σg+,v′ > 0) excitation. First, the excitation by secondary electrons is principal for vibrational levels v′ = 1−10. Second, it is obtained that intramolecular electron energy transfer process in N2(A3Σu+)+N2 collisions dominates in vibrational excitation of high vibrational levels v′ = 20−30. It is shown that the chemical reaction of metastable atomic nitrogen with molecular oxygen is the main production mechanism of vibrationally excited NO(X2Π,v > 0) and of the radiation of 5.3 and 2.7 μm infrared emissions at these altitudes. The calculated intensities of the 5.3 μm emission are compared with experimental data from SABER instrument on TIMED spacecraft received at the time of the proton precipitation. The role of VV′‐processes in the radiation of 5.3 μm infrared emission is discussed.
Lake‐Area Expansion Alters Downwind Precipitation Patterns on the Tibetan Plateau: Insights From the Most Dramatically Expanded Lake
Authors: Qiu Yuanlin , Chen Jie , Chen Deliang , Li Wei , Xiong Lihua
Published: July 2023

A large portion of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) have experienced considerable expansion in the past decades. However, how the lake surface area expansion has influenced regional precipitation, especially its underlying mechanism, has not been investigated. By selecting the most dramatically expanded lake on the TP as a case study, this paper investigates the magnitude and extent of the precipitation response to lake expansion and its underlying mechanism using twin Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations with and without lake expansion. The results show that the precipitation response to the lake expansion exhibits pronounced spatial and seasonal variations and is generally more intense in the downwind direction than in the upwind direction. During the wet season (the South Asian summer monsoon, SASM), precipitation decreases in the downwind area by −25% ± 16% and −13% ± 15% in the 0–50 km and 50–100 km intervals (from the lake’s center), respectively. Conversely, the precipitation increases in the downwind area during the dry season (before the freeze and after the SASM) by 27% ± 36% in the 0–50 km interval. The thermal and evaporative effects, which are generated by lake expansion and propagate in the downwind direction, are the key factors responsible for the precipitation changes. The cooling effect, which generally occurs in the daytime, stabilizes the atmosphere and triggers downward motion, consequently inhibiting precipitation. The warming effect has the opposite effect, and the additional water vapor strengthens this process. However, the effects vary with the seasons, causing seasonal variations in the precipitation response.
Birth size, school performance and family social position: a study of 650,000 children
Authors: Silventoinen Karri , Luukkonen Juha , Myrskylä Mikko , Martikainen Pekka
Published: July 2023

Background

Low birth weight (BW) is associated with lower cognitive functioning, but less is known of these associations across the full range of the BW distribution and its components. We analyzed how BW, birth length (BL) and birth ponderal index (BPI, kg/m3) are associated with school performance and how childhood family social position modifies these associations.

Methods

Medical birth records of all Finnish children born in 1987–1997 were linked to school performance records at 16 years of age (N = 642,425). We used population averaged and within-siblings fixed-effects linear regression models.

Results

BL showed a linear and BW a curvilinear association with school performance whereas for BPI the association was weak. The strongest association was found for BL explaining 0.08% of the variation in school performance in boys and 0.14% in girls. Demographic, gestational and social factors partly explained these associations. Similar but weaker associations were found within sibships. The association of BL with school performance was stronger at lower levels of family social position.

Conclusion

BL shows a linear association with school performance and can explain more school performance variation than BW. At the population level, BL can offer useful information on intrauterine environmental factors relevant for cognitive performance.

Impact

Birth length is linearly associated with school performance in late adolescence and explains a larger proportion of school performance variation than birth weight.

The association between birth length and school performance is stronger in families with lower socio-economic position.

At the population level, birth length can offer information on the intrauterine environment relevant for later cognitive performance.
Epigenetic activation of secretory phenotypes in senescence by the FOXQ1-SIRT4-GDH signaling
Authors: Sun Xinpei , Li Qian , Tang Yunyi , Hu Wanjin , Chen Gengyao , An Hongguang , Huang Daoyuan , Tong Tanjun , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2023

Although metabolic reprogramming is characterized as a hallmark of aging, implications of the crucial glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) in human senescence remain poorly understood. Here, we report that GDH activity is significantly increased in aged mice and senescent human diploid fibroblasts. This enzymatic potentiation is associated with de-repression of GDH from its functionally suppressive ADP-ribosylation modification catalyzed by NAD-dependent ADP-ribosyltransferase/deacetylase SIRT4. A series of transcription analyses led to the identification of FOXQ1, a forkhead family transcription factor (TF), responsible for the maintenance of SIRT4 expression levels in juvenile cells. However, this metabolically balanced FOXQ1-SIRT4-GDH axis, is shifted in senescence with gradually decreasing expressions of FOXQ1 and SIRT4 and elevated GDH activity. Importantly, pharmaceutical inhibition of GDH suppresses the aberrantly activated transcription of IL-6 and IL-8, two major players in senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and this action is mechanistically associated with erasure of the repressive H3K9me3 (trimethylation of lysine 9 on histone H3) marks at IL-6 and IL-8 promoters, owing to the requirement of α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) from GDH-mediated glutamate dehydrogenase reaction as a cofactor for histone demethylation. In supplement with the phenotypic evidence from FOXQ1/SIRT4/GDH manipulations, these data support the integration of metabolism alterations and epigenetic regulation in driving senescence progression and highlight the FOXQ1-SIRT4-GDH axis as a novel druggable target for improving human longevity.
Clade density and the evolution of diversity-dependent diversification
Authors: Pie Marcio R. , Divieso Raquel , Caron Fernanda S.
Published: July 2023

The assumption of an ecological limit to the number of species in a given region is frequently invoked in evolutionary studies, yet its empirical basis is remarkably meager. We explore this assumption by integrating data on geographical distributions and phylogenetic relationships of nearly six thousand terrestrial vertebrate species. In particular, we test whether sympatry with closely-related species leads to decreasing speciation rates. We introduce the concept of clade density, which is the sum of the areas of overlap between a given species and other members of its higher taxon, weighted by their phylogenetic distance. Our results showed that, regardless of the chosen taxon and uncertainty in the phylogenetic relationships between the studied species, there is no significant relationship between clade density and speciation rate. We argue that the mechanistic foundation of diversity-dependent diversification is fragile, and that a better understanding of the mechanisms driving regional species pools is sorely needed.
Correlates of protection for booster doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BNT162b2
Authors: Hertz Tomer , Levy Shlomia , Ostrovsky Daniel , Oppenheimer Hanna , Zismanov Shosh , Kuzmina Alona , Friedman Lilach M. , Trifkovic Sanja , Brice David , Chun-Yang Lin , Cohen-Lavi Liel , Shemer-Avni Yonat , Cohen-Lahav Merav , Amichay Doron , Keren-Naus Ayelet , Voloshin Olga , Weber Gabriel , Najjar-Debbiny Ronza , Chazan Bibiana , McGargill Maureen A. , Webby Richard , Chowers Michal , Novack Lena , Novack Victor , Taube Ran , Nesher Lior , Weinstein Orly
Published: July 2023

Vaccination, especially with multiple doses, provides substantial population-level protection against COVID-19, but emerging variants of concern (VOC) and waning immunity represent significant risks at the individual level. Here we identify correlates of protection (COP) in a multicenter prospective study following 607 healthy individuals who received three doses of the Pfizer-BNT162b2 vaccine approximately six months prior to enrollment. We compared 242 individuals who received a fourth dose to 365 who did not. Within 90 days of enrollment, 239 individuals contracted COVID-19, 45% of the 3-dose group and 30% of the four-dose group. The fourth dose elicited a significant rise in antibody binding and neutralizing titers against multiple VOCs reducing the risk of symptomatic infection by 37% [95%CI, 15%-54%]. However, a group of individuals, characterized by low baseline titers of binding antibodies, remained susceptible to infection despite significantly increased neutralizing antibody titers upon boosting. A combination of reduced IgG levels to RBD mutants and reduced VOC-recognizing IgA antibodies represented the strongest COP in both the 3-dose group (HR = 6.34, p = 0.008) and four-dose group (HR = 8.14, p = 0.018). We validated our findings in an independent second cohort. In summary combination IgA and IgG baseline binding antibody levels may identify individuals most at risk from future infections.
Pathway selectivity in Frizzleds is achieved by conserved micro-switches defining pathway-determining, active conformations
Authors: Grätz Lukas , Kowalski-Jahn Maria , Scharf Magdalena M. , Kozielewicz Pawel , Jahn Michael , Bous Julien , Lambert Nevin A. , Gloriam David E. , Schulte Gunnar
Published: July 2023

The class Frizzled of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), consisting of ten Frizzled (FZD1-10) paralogs and Smoothened, remains one of the most enigmatic GPCR families. This class mediates signaling predominantly through Disheveled (DVL) or heterotrimeric G proteins. However, the mechanisms underlying pathway selection are elusive. Here we employ a structure-driven mutagenesis approach in combination with an extensive panel of functional signaling readouts to investigate the importance of conserved state-stabilizing residues in FZD5 for signal specification. Similar data were obtained for FZD4 and FZD10 suggesting that our findings can be extrapolated to other members of the FZD family. Comparative molecular dynamics simulations of wild type and selected FZD5 mutants further support the concept that distinct conformational changes in FZDs specify the signal outcome. In conclusion, we find that FZD5 and FZDs in general prefer coupling to DVL rather than heterotrimeric G proteins and that distinct active state micro-switches in the receptor are essential for pathway selection arguing for conformational changes in the receptor protein defining transducer selectivity.
Near-term pathways for decarbonizing global concrete production
Authors: Olsson Josefine A. , Miller Sabbie A. , Alexander Mark G.
Published: July 2023

Growing urban populations and deteriorating infrastructure are driving unprecedented demands for concrete, a material for which there is no alternative that can meet its functional capacity. The production of concrete, more particularly the hydraulic cement that glues the material together, is one of the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While this is a well-studied source of emissions, the consequences of efficient structural design decisions on mitigating these emissions are not yet well known. Here, we show that a combination of manufacturing and engineering decisions have the potential to reduce over 76% of the GHG emissions from cement and concrete production, equivalent to 3.6 Gt CO2-eq lower emissions in 2100. The studied methods similarly result in more efficient utilization of resources by lowering cement demand by up to 65%, leading to an expected reduction in all other environmental burdens. These findings show that the flexibility within current concrete design approaches can contribute to climate mitigation without requiring heavy capital investment in alternative manufacturing methods or alternative materials.
Dual-layer optical encryption fluorescent polymer waveguide chip based on optical pulse-code modulation technique
Authors: Wang Chunxue , Zhang Daming , Yue Jian , Zhang Xucheng , Lin Hang , Sun Xiangyi , Cui Anqi , Zhang Tong , Chen Changming , Fei Teng
Published: July 2023

Information encryption technique has broad applications in individual privacy, military confidentiality, and national security, but traditional electronic encryption approaches are increasingly unable to satisfy the demands of strong safety and large bandwidth of high-speed data transmission over network. Optical encryption technology could be more flexible and effective in parallel programming and multiple degree-of-freedom data transmitting application. Here, we show a dual-layer optical encryption fluorescent polymer waveguide chip based on optical pulse-code modulation technique. Fluorescent oligomers were doped into epoxy cross-linking SU-8 polymer as a gain medium. Through modifying both the external pumping wavelength and operating frequency of the pulse-code modulation, the sender could ensure the transmission of vital information is secure. If the plaintext transmission is eavesdropped, the external pumping light will be switched, and the receiver will get warning commands of ciphertext information in the standby network. This technique is suitable for high-integration and high-scalability optical information encryption communications.
A Dataset of 10,000 Situations for Research in Computational Social Sciences Psychology and the Humanities
Authors: Neuman Yair , Cohen Yochai
Published: July 2023

It has been realized that situational dimensions, as represented by human beings, are crucial for understanding human behavior. The Riverside Situational Q (RSQ) is a tool that measures the psychological properties of situations. However, the RSQ-4 includes only 90 items and may have limited use for researchers interested in measuring situational dimensions using a computational approach. Here we present a corpus of 10,000 artificially generated situations corresponding mostly with the RSQ-4. The dataset was generated using GPT, the state-of-the-art large language model. The dataset validity is established through inter-judge reliability, and four experiments on large datasets support its quality. The dataset and the code used for generating 100 situational dimensions may be useful for researchers interested in measuring situational dimensions in textual data.
Dataset of mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of copper-based alloys
Authors: Gorsse Stéphane , Gouné Mohamed , Lin Wei-Chih , Girard Lionel
Published: July 2023

This article presents a collection of data on approximately 150 copper-based alloys. The data compilation is based on articles published since 1993 and consists of about 1830 records. Each record contains a unique set of descriptors, such as composition and processing route, and targets, including properties such as hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and electrical conductivity. The dataset includes information on the composition in mass percent of 20 alloying elements, and hundreds of temperature-time thermal treatments and thermomechanical conditions. The database is continually updated and hosted on an open data repository. Some of the data are presented graphically in the article to aid interpretation. This study intends to promote the identification of more sustainable alternatives to Cu-Be alloys, which is particularly relevant in developing non-toxic and environmentally-friendly alloys.
NZTD - The New Zealand Trait Database for shallow-water marine benthic invertebrates
Authors: Lam-Gordillo Orlando , Lohrer Andrew M. , Hewitt Judi , Dittmann Sabine
Published: July 2023

Macrobenthic traits, for example feeding mode, life history, morphology, are increasingly used for determining responses of macrobenthic fauna to environmental change and influences on ecosystem functioning. Yet, trait information is scarce or non-existent in several parts of the world, such as New Zealand. This deficit makes collecting trait data a difficult and time-consuming task, limiting its potential use in trait-based assessments. Here, we present the New Zealand Trait Database (NZTD) for marine benthic invertebrates, the first comprehensive assessment of macrobenthic traits in New Zealand. The NZTD provides trait information for more than 700 macrobenthic taxa, categorised by 18 traits and 77 trait modalities. The NZTD includes five freely downloadable datasets, (1) the macrobenthic trait dataset, with outcomes from a fuzzy coding procedure, (2) the trait source information, (3) the references by taxa, (4) the full references list, and (5) the full taxa list used in the NZTD. Establishing the NZTD closes the trait knowledge gap in New Zealand and facilitates future research applying trait-based approaches to New Zealand’s coastal macrofauna.
Silicon-based mid infrared on-chip gas sensor using Fano resonance of coupled plasmonic microcavities
Authors: Sherif Sherif M. , Swillam Mohamed A.
Published: July 2023

Sensing in the mid infrared spectral range is highly desirable for the detection and monitoring of different gases. We hereby propose a CMOS compatible silicon-based sensor that operates at (3.5–10 μm) within the mid infrared range. The silicon material is doped to the level that shifts its plasmonic resonance to 3 μm wavelength. The sensor device comprises an in-line rectangular microcavity and a stub microcavity resonator. The resonance frequencies/wavelengths of the two resonators were studied with different design dimensions. When the two resonators are designed to resonate at close frequencies, the interesting Fano resonance with its distinct and sharp line shape is excited due to the interference between the two resonance profiles. Fano resonance is useful for highly sensitive measurements due to its abrupt intensity changing profile. The sensor is studied and analyzed using Finite Difference Element and 2D Finite Difference Time Domain methods. The sensor's performance is characterized by its high sensitivity of 6000 nm/RIU, FOM of 353, and limited insertion loss of 0.45 dB around 6.5 μm operation wavelength. Furthermore, we develop the sensor for simultaneously detecting formaldehyde CH2O and nitrous oxide N2O gases from their strong absorption bands at 3.6 μm and 4.46 μm wavelengths, respectively.
Development of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis of gene expression in Pleurotus pulmonarius for biotechnological applications
Authors: Gomes Taísa Godoy , de Assis Fonseca Fernando Campos , Alves Gabriel Sergio Costa , de Siqueira Félix Gonçalves , Miller Robert Neil Gerard
Published: July 2023

Jatropha curcas is an oilseed crop with biorefinery applications. Whilst cake generated following oil extraction offers potential as a protein source for animal feed, inactivation of toxic phorbol esters present in the material is necessary. Pleurotus pulmonarius is a detoxifying agent for jatropha cake with additional potential as animal feed, edible mushroom and for enzyme production. For the characterization of fungal genes involved in phorbol ester degradation, together with other industrial applications, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is a tool that enables accurate quantification of gene expression. For this, reliable analysis requires reference genes for normalization of mRNA levels validated under conditions employed for target genes. The stability of potential reference genes β-TUB, ACTIN, GAPDH, PHOS, EF1α, TRPHO, LAC, MNP3, MYP and VP were evaluated following growth of P. pulmonarius on toxic, non-toxic jatropha cake and a combined treatment, respectively. NormFinder and geNorm algorithms for expression stability analysis identified PHOS, EF1α and MNP3 as appropriate for normalizing gene expression. Reference gene combinations contrasting in ranking were compared following normalization of relative expression of the CHU_2040 gene, encoding an esterase enzyme potentially involved in phorbol ester degradation. The reference genes for P. pulmonarius will facilitate the elucidation of mechanisms involved in detoxification of phorbol esters as well as analysis of target genes for application in biorefinery models.
Edwards–Wilkinson depinning transition in fractional Brownian motion background
Authors: Valizadeh N. , Hamzehpour H. , Samadpour M. , Najafi M. N.
Published: July 2023

There are various reports about the critical exponents associated with the depinning transition. In this study, we investigate how the disorder strength present in the support can account for this diversity. Specifically, we examine the depinning transition in the quenched Edwards–Wilkinson (QEW) model on a correlated square lattice, where the correlations are modeled using fractional Brownian motion (FBM) with a Hurst exponent of H.We identify a crossover time $$T^*$$

T
∗

that separates the dynamics into two distinct regimes: for $$T>T^*$$

T
>

T
∗

, we observe the typical behavior of pinned surfaces, while for $$T<T^*$$

T
<

T
∗

, the behavior differs. We introduce a novel three-variable scaling function that governs the depinning transition for all considered H values. The associated critical exponents exhibit a continuous variation with H, displaying distinct behaviors for anti-correlated ($$H<0.5$$

H
<
0.5

) and correlated ($$H>0.5$$

H
>
0.5

) cases. The critical driving force decreases with increasing H, as the host medium becomes smoother for higher H values, facilitating fluid mobility. This fact causes the asymptotic velocity exponent $$\theta$$
θ
to increase monotonically with H.
Traditional birth attendants’ knowledge, preventive and management practices for postpartum haemorrhage in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Esan Deborah Tolulope , Ayenioye Olabisi Helen , Ajayi Paul Oladapo , Sokan-Adeaga Adewale Allen
Published: July 2023

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have become an integral part of the workforce providing delivery services in Nigeria due to the limited number of skilled birth attendants and cultural preferences. This study assessed the knowledge, management and preventive practices regarding postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) among TBAs in selected communities in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design and recruited 260 TBAs in four communities in Osun State. Data were collected by means of an adapted semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and logistic regression) with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that most (71.4%) of the TBAs were cleric, while others were herbalist (28.6%). Although the majority (76.4%) of the TBAs had good knowledge of the causes and warning signs of PPH, a high percentage (69.3%) of TBAs had poor management practices, while 114 (64.1%) TBAs had inadequate preventive practices. Notably, almost none of the participants practised active management of the third stage of labour; the majority of TBAs did not administer any uterotonic drugs to the mother, nor did they deliver the placenta by controlled cord traction. Gender (P = 0.029), educational level (P = 0.035) and average number of births per month (P = 0.001) significantly influenced TBAs’ management practices. Similarly, the TBA type (P < 0.001), average number of births per month (P = 0.003) and experience with formal training (P = 0.005) showed significant associations with TBAs’ preventive practices. Furthermore, TBAs’ preventive practices towards PPH were influenced by the TBA type (OR: 4.23; 95% CI 1.64–10.90). TBA management practices were also influenced by the TBA type (OR: 4.42; 95% CI 2.03–9.61). Traditional birth attendants in this study had poor management and poor preventive practices for postpartum haemorrhage.
Technical–economic analysis to identify the acceptable maximum attenuation on PON FTTH lines for wholesale network operators
Authors: Mazzei Claudio , Crescitelli Matteo , Fioramanti Daniele , Quagliarini Alessandro , Reale Andrea , Brunetti Francesca
Published: July 2023

Telecommunications companies are constantly chasing continuous technological advances with their management methods of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) that still struggle to turn their eye toward innovation and simplification of processes. In a future that aims at fully fiber-optic networks, the objective of the research is to propose guidelines and provide data to support the Wholesale Operator for the definition of the acceptable attenuation threshold on the Passive Optical Network Fiber-To-The-Home (PON FTTH) infrastructure to determine the Service Level Agreements (SLA) to be contracted with Retail Operators. Following exceeding the threshold, the Retail Operator has the right to open a Trouble Ticket to request the resolution of the anomaly. Consequently, the definition of the attenuation threshold strongly affects the number of Trouble Tickets to be managed and the related costs the Wholesale Operator bears. This paper analyzes a specific case of the PON FTTH network of the Italian wholesale operator Open Fiber. The studied infrastructure, with a length of 11 km, allows a maximum attenuation of 37 dB without degrading the service. An economic model has been proposed to assess the cost impact of moving the attenuation threshold in the SLA.
The role of mesenchymal estrogen receptor 1 in mouse uterus in response to estrogen
Authors: Furuminato Keita , Minatoya Saki , Senoo Eriko , Goto Tatsuki , Yamazaki Sho , Sakaguchi Moeka , Toyota Kenji , Iguchi Taisen , Miyagawa Shinichi
Published: July 2023

Estrogens play important roles in uterine growth and homeostasis through estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2). To address the role of ESR1-mediated tissue events in the murine uterus, we analyzed mice with a mesenchymal tissue-specific knockout of Esr1. Isl1-driven Cre expression generated Esr1 deletion in the uterine stroma and endometrium (Isl-Esr1KO). We showed that overall structure of the Isl1-Esr1KO mouse uterus developed normally, but estrogen responsiveness and subsequent growth were defective, suggesting that mesenchymal ESR1 is necessary for both epithelial and mesenchymal cell proliferation. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed that the majority of estrogen-induced genes were regulated by stromal ESR1. In control mice, E2 administration induced 9476 up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), whereas only 1801 up-regulated DEGs were induced by E2 in Isl1-Esr1KO mice. We further showed that stromal ESR1-regulated genes in the mouse uterus included several growth factors and cytokines, which are potential factors that regulate epithelial and stromal tissue interaction, and also genes involved in lipid homeostasis. Therefore, we infer that stromal ESR1 expression is indispensable for most estrogen actions in the mouse uterus and the current results provide new insights into estrogen-mediated homeostasis in female reproductive organs.
Comparing the contribution of each clinical indicator in predictive models trained on 980 subacute stroke patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Miyazaki Yuta , Kawakami Michiyuki , Kondo Kunitsugu , Tsujikawa Masahiro , Honaga Kaoru , Suzuki Kanjiro , Tsuji Tetsuya
Published: July 2023

Post-stroke disability affects patients’ lifestyles after discharge, and it is essential to predict functional recovery early in hospitalization to allow time for appropriate decisions. Previous studies reported important clinical indicators, but only a few clinical indicators were analyzed due to insufficient numbers of cases. Although review articles can exhaustively identify many prognostic factors, it remains impossible to compare the contribution of each predictor. This study aimed to determine which clinical indicators contribute more to predicting the functional independence measure (FIM) at discharge by comparing standardized coefficients. In this study, 980 participants were enrolled to build predictive models with 32 clinical indicators, including the stroke impairment assessment set (SIAS). Trunk function had the most significant standardized coefficient of 0.221. The predictive models also identified easy FIM sub-items, SIAS, and grip strength on the unaffected side as having positive standardized coefficients. As for the predictive accuracy of this model, R2 was 0.741. This is the first report that included FIM sub-items separately in post-stroke predictive models with other clinical indicators. Trunk function and easy FIM sub-items were included in the predictive model with larger positive standardized coefficients. This predictive model may predict prognosis with high accuracy, fewer clinical indicators, and less effort to predict.
Portrait of intense communications within microfluidic neural networks
Authors: Dupuit Victor , Briançon-Marjollet Anne , Delacour Cécile
Published: July 2023

In vitro model networks could provide cellular models of physiological relevance to reproduce and investigate the basic function of neural circuits on a chip in the laboratory. Several tools and methods have been developed since the past decade to build neural networks on a chip; among them, microfluidic circuits appear to be a highly promising approach. One of the numerous advantages of this approach is that it preserves stable somatic and axonal compartments over time due to physical barriers that prevent the soma from exploring undesired areas and guide neurites along defined pathways. As a result, neuron compartments can be identified and isolated, and their interconnectivity can be modulated to build a topological neural network (NN). Here, we have assessed the extent to which the confinement imposed by the microfluidic environment can impact cell development and shape NN activity. Toward that aim, microelectrode arrays have enabled the monitoring of the short- and mid-term evolution of neuron activation over the culture period at specific locations in organized (microfluidic) and random (control) networks. In particular, we have assessed the spike and burst rate, as well as the correlations between the extracted spike trains over the first stages of maturation. This study enabled us to observe intense neurite communications that would have been weaker and more delayed within random networks; the spiking rate, burst and correlations being reinforced over time in terms of number and amplitude, exceeding the electrophysiological features of standard cultures. Beyond the enhanced detection efficiency that was expected from the microfluidic channels, the confinement of cells seems to reinforce neural communications and cell development throughout the network.