bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crossover in densities of confined particles with finite range of interaction
Authors: Santra Saikat , Kundu Anupam
Published: May 2024

We study a one-dimensional classical system of N particles confined within a harmonic trap. Interactions among these particles are dictated by a pairwise potential V(x), where x is the separation between two particles. Each particle can interact with a maximum of d neighbouring particles on either side (left or right), if available. By adjusting the parameter d, the system can be made nearest neighbour

(
d
=
1
)

to all-to-all

(
d
=
N
−
1
)

interacting. As suggested by prior studies, the equilibrium density profile of these particles is expected to undergo shape variations as d is changed. In this paper, we investigate this crossover by tuning the parameter

f
(
=
d

/

N
)

from 1 to 0 in the large N limit for two distinct choices of interaction potentials,

V
(
x
)
=
−

|

x
|

and

V
(
x
)
=
−
log
⁡
(

|

x

|

)

which correspond to 1d one-component plasma and the log-gas model, respectively. For both models, the system size scaling of the density profile for fixed f turns out to be the same as in their respective all-to-all case. However, the scaling function exhibits diverse shapes as f varies. We explicitly compute the average density profile for any

f
∈
(
0
,
1
]

in the 1d plasma model, while for the log-gas model, we provide approximate calculations for large (close to 1) and small (close to 0) f. Additionally, we present simulation results to numerically demonstrate the crossover and compare these findings with our theoretical results.
A systematic review of GIS-based and AHP approaches for identifying suitable locations for livestock farms
Authors: Nong Duong H. , Nguyen Thuy T. , Vu Xuan T. , Ngo Son T. , Vo Cong H. , Tran Phuong T.
Published: May 2024

In modern livestock farming, where efficiency, sustainability, and resource optimization are vital, choosing the right farm location is crucial. This entails a meticulous assessment of environmental, economic, and social factors. Recently, the synergy of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has revolutionized site selection for livestock farms. This study seeks to explore GIS-based and AHP approaches, examining their respective roles and the indicators employed in existing literature related to decisions on livestock farm locations. Our objective is to extract key insights and identify emerging trends from the analysis of case studies and methodologies present in the current body of literature. This comprehensive review not only informs present practices but also serves as a guiding framework for the future of sustainable livestock farming site selection.
Landscape metrics for land use/cover change and green space pattern in Can Tho city in 1998-2020 based on remote sensing and GIS
Authors: Thi Cat Tuong Truong , Do Thuy Linh , Thi Giao Chau Trinh
Published: May 2024

Changes in land cover/green space in Can Tho city in the period 1998-2020 were analyzed based on remote sensing data and the perspective of landscape ecology. The data collected from JAXA on land cover/land use classification entire Can Tho city in the period 1998-2020 was used to extract landscape metrics and to analyze the changes by a conversion matrix. The result shows a complex change in the urban green space in the period 1998 - 2020 in Can Tho. Research results show that Can Tho city had rice paddies and other croplands accounting for the majority of the land use structure. In the period 1998-2020, the city experienced a major shrinkage in croplands. Although other land use/cover types fluctuated differently, the fragmentation process still prevailed with fragments having discrete connections in space. The process of urbanization occurred with the expansion of built-up, but the concentration level was not high, with small fragments appearing sporadically distributed. However, comparing the landscape indices in the period 1998 – 2020 showed the aggregation process was increasingly taking place, and the level of fragmentation had tended to decrease. This trend was evidenced by the sharp increase in the number of patches, effective mesh size, and splitting index simultaneously with the gradual decline of the LPI index. The research results show high potential in expanding green space in Can Tho as well as application in planning urban green space development.
Integrating Remote Sensing, GIS and Machine Learning Approaches in Evaluation of Landslide Susceptibility in Mountainous Region of Nghe An Province, Vietnam
Authors: Thi Tuyen Tran , Thi An Tran , Van An Nguyen , Thi Thuy Ha Nguyen , Van Luong Vu , Anh The Hoang , Thi Thu Ha Vo
Published: May 2024

This study applied remote sensing methods combining GIS and machine learning (ML) in landslide assessment and zonation for the western mountainous area of Nghe An province, Vietnam. Factors affecting landslide susceptibility are analyzed and included in the assessment model including terrain elevation, slope, aspect, flow accumulation, geomorphology, profile curvature, Topographic Position Index (TPI), fault density, road density, rainfall and land use. A field survey was conducted on July, 2023 to collect the ground truth data of landslide areas in Nghe An and used as input for the training and validating process of landslide model with ratios of 70 and 30 percentage. The landslide estimation algorithms which derived from the machine learning approach including Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Logistic Regression have been investigated with 11 input layers and field survey training data. The results indicated that among the causative parameters of landslides in the study area, the most important factor was the Standardized Precipitation Index, derived from the rainfall data. Additionally, traffic, terrain slope, and elevation were also significant factors. In terms of the landslide estimation algorithms, the Random Forest model exhibited the highest accuracy for mapping landslide susceptibility in the western mountainous region of Nghe An province, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.97. The research findings demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating remote sensing, GIS, and ML techniques for landslide research in mountainous areas of Vietnam. This approach provides valuable insights on landslide susceptibility, and a better understanding of landslide dynamics in the study area.
GIS application to build models for exploitation of land use planning databases
Authors: Linh Truong D T , Tam Do T , Kha Nguyen X , Phuong Tran T , Thao Xuan T T
Published: May 2024

The land-use planning (LUP) database is an efficient instrument for administering and closely monitoring the implementation of LUP; as a prerequisite for the successful construction of the land database; supporting administrative reforms and meeting the needs of LUP exploitation. Up to 2023, Vietnam has 292 administrative units that have completed the LUP database, but they will not be operational or broadly disseminated due to a lack of suitable models and solutions for LUP exploitation. The objective of this research was to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for the LUP database in Vietnam and use Microsoft Visio software to design a model for exploiting the LUP database. Within the general models of land information system (LIS) (such as national LIS model, provincial LIS model, and LUP information system model) as well as the specific modules (such as user administration, LUP database management, exploitation, and operation of LUP database, share LUP database), our research will contribute to helping the central government and local levels effectively implement the process of managing, operating, sharing, and integrating LUP database into the land database. From there, technological solutions were proposed to implement these models, thereby enhancing the efficacy of land management and utilization in Vietnam.
Spatial assessment of pollutant loads for surface water quality management: a case study in Lai Chau city, Vietnam
Authors: Ngo T A , See L , Leisz S J , Tran N B , Dinh T H V , Nguyen T H
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study is to present a method for estimating the pollutant load from different sources in an effort to provide improved information regarding water pollution and help control the surface water pollution, using Lai Chau city as a case study. The pollutant load was calculated in accordance with the Vietnam Environment Administration Decree No.154/2019 on the guidance for calculating the total pollutant load of river water. The pollutant sources include point sources (domestic wastewater, animal husbandry, industrial complexes and economic services) and surface sources (run-off from agricultural land uses) that generate wastes that potentially contaminate water bodies. The source locations were mapped and spatially joined with the drainage-basin map delineated from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to calculate the loads for the sub-basin units. Multivariate analysis then showed that the farming and domestic sources had the strongest positive loading factors for the sub-basins located in the city center and its fringe areas. Of these waste from animal husbandry account for up to 75.1% of total pollutant load. The main conclusion from the study’s results is that the management approach should be changed from the total controlling mode, which is currently applied in the city, to a source specific approach based on the pollutant discharge loads and the allocated capacities.
Spatial-Temporal Assessment of Drought in Hoa Vang district, Da Nang City, Vietnam Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine
Authors: Ngoc Hanh Le , Hoang Son Nguyen , Phuc Chi Lang Le , Thi An Tran , Van An Nguyen , Phuoc Minh Truong
Published: May 2024

The objective of this research was to map the drought risk in Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city, and analyze the variability of drought events from 1991 to 2020 using remote sensing imagery. To achieve this, remote sensing and GIS methods were utilized to gather information on land surface temperature and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study effectively employed the Google Earth Engine which is a cloud-based computing platform to analyze image sequences from Landsat 5 and OLI sensors spanning the period from 1991 to 2020. This analysis aimed to extract the remote sensing indices and applied them for drought assessment and monitoring. The study employed land surface temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to derive the Temperature Condition Index (TCI), Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and Vegetation Health Index (VHI). These indices were utilized to assess drought conditions in Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city, over the period from 1991 to 2020. The research findings reveal that the drought values in Hoa Vang district exhibited variations throughout the studied period. Notably, regions at risk of drought during the later periods exhibited an increasing trend compared to the initial periods. This suggests a potential escalation in drought severity in the study area over time. The outcomes of this study provide essential background for evaluating the impacts of drought on agricultural production in Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city.
Spatio-Temporal Trend Analysis of Annual and Seasonal Rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City
Authors: Duc Vu Nguyen , Nguyen Dong Phuong Dang , Thi Minh The Ngo , Ngoc Quynh Tram Vo , Thanh Trang Le , Kim Loi Nguyen
Published: May 2024

Spatio-temporal variations and trends in climatic variables play an essential role in the adaptation and mitigation of climate change policy. This study analyzed spatial and temporal variability of annual and seasonal rainfall in Ho Chi Minh City based on non-parametric statistical trend tests and spatial interpolation techniques. In particular, Sen’s Slope Estimator and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) methods were applied to construct the spatial distribution of annual and seasonal rainfall over the city. The outcomes show that annual and seasonal rainfall experienced significant increasing trends. Generally, these findings draw out an overall picture of rainfall variability in terms of space and time, which makes it possible for local decision-makers to promote more promising action plans in order to respond to natural disasters in the context of climate change.
Application of GIS in land unit mapping and evaluation of land suitability for agriculture in Uong Bi district – Quang Ninh province
Authors: Binh Nguyen T , Duyen Dinh H , Thuy Doan T
Published: May 2024

This study aims to apply Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in land unit mapping and the evaluation of land suitability for agriculture in Uong Bi District, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Given the complex and spontaneous changes in land usage driven by market fluctuations and environmental challenges, assessing land quality becomes crucial for sustainable agricultural development. Integrating soil, topographic, and climatic data within a GIS framework led to the creation of land unit maps for 40 different units in Uong Bi district, classified based on soil type, slope, soil depth, soil fertility, and hydrological conditions. The assessment of land suitability for seven main crops, including Litchi, Citrus, Dragon fruit, Cinnamon, Vegetables, Pine, and Macca, was conducted using the FAO framework for land evaluation. The results indicate that Pine and Cinamon have the highest arable area across all crops (with 15,895.40 ha and 15,502.40 ha respectively) while Vegetables show the lowest total arable area (4,063 ha). The findings provide valuable insights into the suitability of land for specific crops, facilitating informed decision-making to optimize land use and improve agricultural production.
An initial assessment of mobile dam efficiency in raising low-flow water levels in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Hoa Ho Van , Xuan Quang Chau Nguyen , Hoang Giang Ngo Ngoc , Dung Tran Duc
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the Tien and Hau rivers have experienced a downtrend in water levels during the low flow season. This decrease has led to detrimental effects on agricultural production and ecological health in the VMD’s upper regions, such as the Long Xuyen Quadrangle (LXQ) and the Plain of Reeds (PoR). This research employs a numerical hydraulic model for a preliminary assessment of the potential effectiveness of mobile dams in increasing water levels in the VMD’s upper part. A calibrated 1D hydraulic model was utilized to evaluate the performance of the proposed mobile dams: one situated near the My Thuan bridge on the Tien river, and the other near the Can Tho bridge on the Hau river. Initial results indicate that setting the crest of mobile dams at -1.0 m could raise minimum and maximum water levels in the Tien river near Tan Chau by 1.0 m and 0.15 m, respectively, and in the Hau river near Chau Doc by 1.1 m and 0.07 m, respectively. Furthermore, these mobile dams could significantly enhance the minimum and maximum water levels in An Binh channel within the PoR and Ba The channel in the LXQ, by up to 0.55 m and 0.26 m, and 0.42 m and 0.29 m, respectively. These findings provide an essential foundation for initially understanding how mobile dams can improve water resource management in the VMD. However, additional investigation is required to assess the effects of mobile dams on salinity intrusion, ecological balance, hydrological dynamics, sediment deposition, and erosion.
Development of Soil Quality Databases and Land Potential Assessment Using GIS: A Case Study of Lao Cai Province, Vietnam
Authors: Van Van Pham , Duc Thuan Nguyen , Thi Loan Do
Published: May 2024

The utilization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), particularly the Mapinfo software, is indispensable in the establishment of a land quality and land potential database encompassing each land parcel within Lao Cai province. Through a multifaceted approach involving data collection techniques, field surveys, data analysis, and the creation of both spatial and attribute databases, the GIS application in Lao Cai province has successfully compiled a comprehensive dataset. This dataset encompasses a range of layers, including boundaries, administrative demarcations, land use statuses, survey points, soil types, slope characteristics, soil depth, irrigation patterns, climatic conditions, soil fertility data, and transportation and hydrological information. The amalgamation of this spatial data with attribute data yields a comprehensive repository featuring information on 405 units of agricultural land quality and potential, in addition to 65 aggregated non-agricultural land parcels. This combined dataset functions as the foundational land quality and potential database for Lao Cai province. Assessment outcomes for land quality and land potential throughout the entire province reveal that 51.42% of the land exhibits low quality, 35.06% demonstrates moderate quality, and 13.52% boasts high quality. In terms of land potential, 29.15% is categorized as having low potential, 44.88% as having moderate potential, and 25.97% as having high potential. Furthermore, the precise delineation of land quality and potential for each land parcel within the database effectively caters to the information retrieval needs of land administrators and stakeholders. This research also seeks to contribute to the standardization of land databases at both the provincial and national levels, thereby bolstering land management efforts within the context of globalization, development, and climate change adaptation.
Basic models to advanced systems: harnessing the power of organoids-based microphysiological models of the human brain
Authors: Boylin Katherine , Aquino Grace V , Purdon Michael , Abedi Kimia , Kasendra Magdalena , Barrile Riccardo
Published: May 2024

Understanding the complexities of the human brain’s function in health and disease is a formidable challenge in neuroscience. While traditional models like animals offer valuable insights, they often fall short in accurately mirroring human biology and drug responses. Moreover, recent legislation has underscored the need for more predictive models that more accurately represent human physiology. To address this requirement, human-derived cell cultures have emerged as a crucial alternative for biomedical research. However, traditional static cell culture models lack the dynamic tissue microenvironment that governs human tissue function. Advanced in vitro systems, such as organoids and microphysiological systems (MPSs), bridge this gap by offering more accurate representations of human biology. Organoids, which are three-dimensional miniaturized organ-like structures derived from stem cells, exhibit physiological responses akin to native tissues, but lack essential tissue-specific components such as functional vascular structures and immune cells. Recent endeavors have focused on incorporating endothelial cells and immune cells into organoids to enhance vascularization, maturation, and disease modeling. MPS, including organ-on-chip technologies, integrate diverse cell types and vascularization under dynamic culture conditions, revolutionizing brain research by bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo models. In this review, we delve into the evolution of MPS, with a particular focus on highlighting the significance of vascularization in enhancing the viability, functionality, and disease modeling potential of organoids. By examining the interplay of vasculature and neuronal cells within organoids, we can uncover novel therapeutic targets and gain valuable insights into disease mechanisms, offering the promise of significant advancements in neuroscience and improved patient outcomes.
Vascular dysfunction in hemorrhagic viral fevers: opportunities for organotypic modeling
Authors: Zarate-Sanchez Evelyn , George Steven C , Moya Monica L , Robertson Claire
Published: May 2024

The hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) cause severe or fatal infections in humans. Named after their common symptom hemorrhage, these viruses induce significant vascular dysfunction by affecting endothelial cells, altering immunity, and disrupting the clotting system. Despite advances in treatments, such as cytokine blocking therapies, disease modifying treatment for this class of pathogen remains elusive. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of these infections could provide new avenues to treatment. While animal models and traditional 2D cell cultures have contributed insight into the mechanisms by which these pathogens affect the vasculature, these models fall short in replicating in vivo human vascular dynamics. The emergence of microphysiological systems (MPSs) offers promising avenues for modeling these complex interactions. These MPS or ‘organ-on-chip’ models present opportunities to better mimic human vascular responses and thus aid in treatment development. In this review, we explore the impact of HFV on the vasculature by causing endothelial dysfunction, blood clotting irregularities, and immune dysregulation. We highlight how existing MPS have elucidated features of HFV pathogenesis as well as discuss existing knowledge gaps and the challenges in modeling these interactions using MPS. Understanding the intricate mechanisms of vascular dysfunction caused by HFV is crucial in developing therapies not only for these infections, but also for other vasculotropic conditions like sepsis.
Dry-wet cycles durability of solid waste based cementing materials solidifying different characteristic soils
Authors: Zeng Guodong , Shu Benan , Qiu Bing , Qiu Keyi , Luo Dongmei
Published: May 2024

A comparative study of the durability of multi-source solid waste-based soil solidification materials in solidifying different soil types has not yet been conducted. Therefore, the properties of multi-source solid waste-based solidification materials (SBM) solidifying clay soil (CS), sandy soil (SS) and organic soil (OS) subjected to dry-wet cycles of damage were studied in this work. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the SBM solidified soil was tested to evaluate the mechanical properties of the solidified soil. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury injection porosimetry (MIP) tests were conducted in order to study the micro-action mechanism. The results demonstrated that the SBM showed wide applicability and good long-term performance. The rate of strength increase of the SBM solidified soil during the long-term curing period was found to be dependent on soil characteristics. All the types of SBM solidified soils exhibited increased UCS during the first 10 cycles of the D-W. As the number of D-W cycles increased from 10 to 50, the UCS loss rate for CS reached 78%, with OS experiencing the least at 58%. The structure of SBM solidified soil exhibited softening and weakened resistance to deformation with each additional D-W cycle. The types of hydration products were consistent across all three soil types. The quantity of hydration products was influenced by the characteristics of the soil, which also contributed to the deterioration of damage resistance in D-W cycles. The number of pores within the SBM solidified soil increased with the number of D-W cycles (>10 cycles), resulting in a deterioration of the compact structure.
Effects of fluid dynamics parameters on flow-accelerated corrosion at elbow of carbon steel pipeline
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhang Rui , Si Xiaodong
Published: May 2024

Flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) has always posed a significant threat to the safe operation of the secondary circuit in nuclear power units. In this study, we investigated typical carbon steel elbow pipe sections susceptible to FAC failure using fluid dynamics software to analyze the hydrodynamic characteristics at varying inlet velocities (2 m s−1, 4 m s−1, and 6 m s−1). The distribution of the FAC rate was monitored in real time using an array electrode. The results revealed that the outermost side of the elbow pipe section was the most susceptible location to FAC. By comparing different fluid dynamic parameters with the FAC rate, we identified radial velocity as an effective parameter for characterizing the FAC rate. Additionally, we established an empirical formula for predicting flow-accelerated corrosion in elbow pipe sections using the least squares method. The implications of this research are pertinent to the design and operation of pipelines in nuclear power plants.
Silver-graphene oxide nanocomposite doping chitosan/PVA membrane for arsenic (III) elimination from aqueous solution
Authors: Abd-Elghany Amr A , Ramadan Marwa A , El-Wakeel Shaimaa T , AlOmari Ahmad Khaleel , Mohamad Ebtesam A
Published: May 2024

Heavy metals and pathogens from contaminated water sources may undoubtedly be removed by creating an efficient bio-adsorbent based on functional spots. Thus, the goal of this work was to produce chitosan (Ch)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biofilm decorated with graphene oxide (GO) sheets doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The nanostructure of prepared GO/Ag nanosheets is examined by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The fabricated film (GO/Ag Ch-PVA) is compared by the control films (Ch, PVA and Ch-PVA). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and tensile strength are used to study the films’ structure. Also, the antimicrobial activity was assessed for the films. After doping the polymer matrix with GO/Ag, it was discovered that the tensile strength increased to about 46.18 MPa. Moreover, adsorption experiment for arsenic As (III) ions is explored by the prepared film at different operating conditions. The obtained results validated the enhanced adsorption ability of the GO/Ag Ch-PVA film towards As (III) with the highest adsorption capacity of 54.3 mg g−1 obtained from the isotherm model of Langmuir. Moreover, kinetic mathematical models for the adsorption effectiveness of GO/Ag Ch-PVA film are assessed. The results gathered demonstrated that GO/Ag Ch-PVA film is a potentially useful material for eliminating As (III) and microbial strains from essential water resources.
Combustion characteristics of Al/PTFE materials with different microstructures
Authors: Zhou Hang , Zhen Jianwei , Ma Huijuan , Du Shiguo
Published: May 2024

The microstructures play a crucial role in the combustion of aluminum/polytetrafluoroethylene (Al/PTFE) materials. Mechanically activated Al/PTFE typically demonstrates higher reactivity but a lower combustion rate compared to physically mixed Al/PTFE. Recently, the combustion performance of fuel-rich Al/PTFE has been well explained by the microexplosion mechanism. In this study, the combustion characteristics of stoichiometric Al/PTFE (26.5:73.5 wt%) materials with varying microstructures were investigated to further the understanding of their combustion mechanism and offer insights for their potential applications in metal cutting. The Al/PTFE materials with different microstructures were prepared using sonication and ball milling methods. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis suggest that the sonicated Al/PTFE (s-Al/PTFE) containing spherical Al particles displayed a loosely dispersed structure, while the milled Al/PTFE (m-Al/PTFE) exhibited a densely layered structure with flake-like Al particles coated by the PTFE matrix. The milled Al/PTFE was found to be mechanically activated. Combustion in quartz tubes was recorded using a high-speed camera and a video. Combustion of s-Al/PTFE demonstrated a high-temperature flame (∼2346 K) and obvious microexplosions featuring hot particles ejection, while combustion of m-Al/PTFE showed a weak flame (∼2037 K) and slow-burning, featuring dense carbon smoke. Increasing the powder density was observed to slightly decrease (∼100 K) flame temperature. Microstructure and phase analysis of combustion products were systematically conducted to elucidate the combustion behaviors. The results suggest that the residue of s-Al/PTFE contained high AlF3 and low carbon content, whereas the residue of m-Al/PTFE exhibited the opposite condition. The results of the combustion tests suggest that microexplosions promoted the oxidation of hot Al particles and carbon products, consequently leading to a fast reaction, high flame temperature, and enhanced heat transfer capability.
Tractability of sampling recovery on unweighted function classes
Authors: Krieg David
Published: May 2024

It is well-known that the problem of sampling recovery in the

L
2

L_2

-norm on unweighted Korobov spaces (Sobolev spaces with mixed smoothness) as well as classical smoothness classes such as Hölder classes suffers from the curse of dimensionality. We show that the problem is tractable for those classes if they are intersected with the Wiener algebra of functions with summable Fourier coefficients. In fact, this is a relatively simple implication of powerful results from the theory of compressed sensing. Tractability is achieved by the use of non-linear algorithms, while linear algorithms cannot do the job.
Epistemology with a Broad and Long View
Authors: Foley Richard
Published: May 2024

Epistemology with a Broad and Long View is an original and provocative challenge to standard epistemologies which assume that the reasonability of beliefs is wholly a function of considerations indicating their current likelihood. The book argues that this view, although widely accepted, is excessively narrow. It’s preoccupied with beliefs, degrees of confidence, the current moment, and truth-related considerations. A less constricted epistemology acknowledges that in addition to beliefs and degrees of confidence, intellectual commitments play a vital role in our intellectual lives, that the key issue in overseeing all these attitudes is whether it’s appropriate to revise or add to them for purposes going forward, and that a mixture of practical, ethical, political, social, and intellectual considerations beyond the current moment determine what’s appropriate. On this view, there is no purely epistemic notion of reasonability. There are truth-related considerations, but except in those rare cases where there is complete certainty, they don’t determine the reasonability of our belief-like attitudes. They do so only in partnership with a broad and long range of non-truth-related considerations. A failure to recognize these partnerships results in theoretical confusion, and also impedes our ability to understand and deal with dogmatists who have unlikely and toxic views. The book’s overriding theme is that a broad and long view is as necessary for making sense of the reasonableness or unreasonableness of our opinions as it is for other aspects of our lives.
Observations
Authors: Foley Richard
Published: May 2024

A broad range of things are of value to us; circumstances can change quickly; little of what we believe is utterly certain; many beliefs are acquired with little thought, while others are the products of deliberation; the notions of reasons, reasonableness, and sibling notions are used in various ways. These commonplace observations point toward conclusions at odds with widely prevailing views in epistemology. Among the heterodoxies is that only rarely do considerations supporting the truth of claims account for why it’s reasonable to believe them; beliefs play a less dominant role in our intellectual lives than is usually assumed; and epistemology cannot be detached from the practical, ethical, and political.
The Standard View
Authors: Foley Richard
Published: May 2024

According to the standard view, reasons for beliefs are truth-related. There are rival proposals about the considerations that generate these reasons—versions of foundationalism, coherentism, reliabilism, infinitism, and others—but whatever the particulars, these reasons are said to contrast with non-truth-related reasons. If someone offers you a belief bribe of a million dollars to believe something unlikely, this may give you a reason to act as if you believed it, or to initiate a project that would eventually result in your believing it, but it isn’t a reason for you to now believe it. Considerations indicating the likely truth of claims go hand in hand with reasons to believe them. If we have the one, we have the other, and if we lack one, we lack the other, or so the standard view maintains.
Beliefs and Other Belief-Like Attitudes
Authors: Foley Richard
Published: May 2024

In deliberating and making decisions, we rely on probabilistically unqualified attitudes about claims that aren’t certain. Some of these attitudes are beliefs but others are internal commitments, that is, resolves to rely on the claim's truth for a set of purposes. The range of purposes, however, can be quite narrow. In making plans for the day, we may internally commit to its not raining even though there’s a 20 percent chance of rain. But there are also internal commitments that aren’t narrowly limited. We can commit to the truth of a claim for most decision-making and deliberative purposes. These intellectual commitments share features with beliefs, but there are important differences. Intellectual commitments are less allergic to doubts. They can be more stable and help make deliberations and decision-making more consistent and strategic over time. There are fewer constraints on how directly and explicitly practical, ethical, and future intellectual considerations motivate and provide reasons for them. There’s greater agency to them. They’re more easily and immediately subject to control.
The effect of oral probiotics on response to vaccination in older adults: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Arioz Tunc Hediye , Childs Caroline E , Swann Jonathan R , Calder Philip C
Published: May 2024

This systematic review evaluated the impact of oral probiotics on the immune response to vaccination in older people. A literature search was performed in three electronic databases up to January 2023. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in older people (age ≥ 60 years) investigating oral probiotics and vaccine response outcomes were included. Characteristics and outcome data of the included studies were extracted and analysed and study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomised trials. Ten RCTs involving 1,560 participants, reported in 9 papers, were included. Nine studies involved the seasonal influenza vaccine and one a COVID-19 vaccine. All studies used lactobacilli, some in combination with bifidobacteria. Studies reported outcomes including anti-vaccine antibody titres or concentrations, seroconversion and seroprotection. When comparing antibody titres, seroprotection rate and seroconversion rate between probiotic and placebo groups expressed as a response ratio, the weighted mean values were 1.29, 1.16 and 2.00, respectively. Meta-analysis showed that probiotics increase seroconversion rates to all three strains of the seasonal influenza vaccine: odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.74 (1.31, 5.70; P = 0.007) for the H1N1 strain; 1.90 (1.04, 3.44; P = 0.04) for the H3N2 strain; 1.72 (1.05, 2.80; P = 0.03) for the B strain. There was a low level of heterogeneity in these findings. Several studies were at high risk of bias due to missing outcome data. Lactobacilli may improve the vaccine response, but further research is needed to be more certain of this.
Invited commentary: it’s not all about residual confounding—a plea for quantitative bias analysis for epidemiologic researchers and educators
Authors: Fox Matthew P , Adrien Nedghie , van Smeden Maarten , Suarez Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

Epidemiologists spend a great deal of time on confounding in our teaching, in our methods development, and in our assessment of study results. This may give the impression that uncontrolled confounding is the biggest problem observational epidemiology faces, when in fact, other sources of bias such as selection bias, measurement error, missing data, and misalignment of zero time may often (especially if they are all present in a single study) lead to a stronger deviation from the truth. Compared with the amount of time we spend teaching how to address confounding in data analysis, we spend relatively little time teaching methods for simulating confounding (and other sources of bias) to learn their impact and develop plans to mitigate or quantify the bias. Here we review the accompanying paper by Desai et al (Am J Epidemiol. 2024;193(11):1600-1608), which uses simulation methods to quantify the impact of an unmeasured confounder when it is completely missing or when a proxy of the confounder is measured. We discuss how we can use simulations of sources of bias to ensure that we generate better and more valid study estimates, and we discuss the importance of simulating realistic datasets with plausible bias structures to guide data collection.

This article is part of a Special Collection on Pharmacoepidemiology.
MUSE-XAE: MUtational Signature Extraction with eXplainable AutoEncoder enhances tumour types classification
Authors: Pancotti Corrado , Rollo Cesare , Codicè Francesco , Birolo Giovanni , Fariselli Piero , Sanavia Tiziana
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Mutational signatures are a critical component in deciphering the genetic alterations that underlie cancer development and have become a valuable resource to understand the genomic changes during tumorigenesis. Therefore, it is essential to employ precise and accurate methods for their extraction to ensure that the underlying patterns are reliably identified and can be effectively utilized in new strategies for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer patients.

Results

We present MUSE-XAE, a novel method for mutational signature extraction from cancer genomes using an explainable autoencoder. Our approach employs a hybrid architecture consisting of a nonlinear encoder that can capture nonlinear interactions among features, and a linear decoder which ensures the interpretability of the active signatures. We evaluated and compared MUSE-XAE with other available tools on both synthetic and real cancer datasets and demonstrated that it achieves superior performance in terms of precision and sensitivity in recovering mutational signature profiles. MUSE-XAE extracts highly discriminative mutational signature profiles by enhancing the classification of primary tumour types and subtypes in real world settings. This approach could facilitate further research in this area, with neural networks playing a critical role in advancing our understanding of cancer genomics.

Availability and implementation

MUSE-XAE software is freely available at https://github.com/compbiomed-unito/MUSE-XAE.
Assessing quality of hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery: nationwide benchmarking
Authors: de Graaff Michelle R , Hendriks Tessa E , Wouters Michel , Nielen Mark , de Hingh Ignace , Koerkamp Bas Groot , van Santvoort Hjalmar C , Busch Olivier R , den Dulk Marcel , Klaase Joost M , van Zwet Erik , Bonsing Bert A , Grünhagen Dirk J , Besselink Marc G , Kok Niels F M
Published: May 2024

Background

Clinical auditing is a powerful tool to evaluate and improve healthcare. Deviations from the expected quality of care are identified by benchmarking the results of individual hospitals using national averages. This study aimed to evaluate the use of quality indicators for benchmarking hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery and when outlier hospitals could be identified.

Methods

A population-based study used data from two nationwide Dutch HPB audits (DHBA and DPCA) from 2014 to 2021. Sample size calculations determined the threshold (in percentage points) to identify centres as statistical outliers, based on current volume requirements (annual minimum of 20 resections) on a two-year period (2020–2021), covering mortality rate, failure to rescue (FTR), major morbidity rate and textbook/ideal outcome (TO) for minor liver resection (LR), major LR, pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP).

Results

In total, 10 963 and 7365 patients who underwent liver and pancreatic resection respectively were included. Benchmark and corresponding range of mortality rates were 0.6% (0 −3.2%) and 3.3% (0–16.7%) for minor and major LR, and 2.7% (0–7.0%) and 0.6% (0–4.2%) for PD and DP respectively. FTR rates were 5.4% (0–33.3%), 14.2% (0–100%), 7.5% (1.6%–28.5%) and 3.1% (0–14.9%). For major morbidity rate, corresponding rates were 9.8% (0–20.5%), 28.1% (0–47.1%), 36% (15.8%–58.3%) and 22.3% (5.2%–46.1%). For TO, corresponding rates were 73.6% (61.3%–94.4%), 54.1% (35.3–100), 46.8% (25.3%–59.4%) and 63.3% (30.7%–84.6%). Mortality rate thresholds indicating a significant outlier were 8.6% and 15.4% for minor and major LR and 14.2% and 8.6% for PD and DP. For FTR, these thresholds were 17.9%, 31.6%, 22.9% and 15.0%. For major morbidity rate, these thresholds were 26.1%, 49.7%, 57.9% and 52.9% respectively. For TO, lower thresholds were 52.5%, 32.5%, 25.8% and 41.4% respectively. Higher hospital volumes decrease thresholds to detect outliers.

Conclusion

Current event rates and minimum volume requirements per hospital are too low to detect any meaningful between hospital differences in mortality rate and FTR. Major morbidity rate and TO are better candidates to use for benchmarking.
Exosome-mimetic vesicles derived from fibroblasts carrying matrine for wound healing
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Huang Jiahua , Zhao Jing , Li Lisha , Miao Fengze , Zhang Tingrui , Chen Zhongjian , Zhou Xing , Tai Zongguang , Zhu Quangang
Published: May 2024

Background

Chronic skin wounds are a leading cause of hospital admissions and reduced life expectancy among older people and individuals with diabetes. Delayed wound healing is often attributed to a series of cellular abnormalities. Matrine, a well-studied component found in Sophora flavescens, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, its impact on wound healing still remains uncertain. This study aims to explore the potential of matrine in promoting wound healing.

Methods

In this study, we utilized gradient extrusion to produce fibroblast-derived exosome-mimetic vesicles as carriers for matrine (MHEM). MHEM were characterized using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis. The therapeutic effect of MHEM in wound healing was explored in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Both matrine and MHEM enhanced the cellular activity as well as the migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The potent anti-inflammatory effect of matrine diluted the inflammatory response in the vicinity of wounds. Furthermore, MHEM worked together to promote angiogenesis and the expression of transforming growth factor β and collagen I. MHEM contained growth factors of fibroblasts that regulated the functions of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and monocytes, which synergistically promoted wound healing with the anti-inflammatory effect of matrine.

Conclusions

MHEM showed enhanced therapeutic efficacy in the inflammatory microenvironment, for new tissue formation and angiogenesis of wound healing.
Key morphological features of human pyramidal neurons
Authors: Benavides-Piccione Ruth , Blazquez-Llorca Lidia , Kastanauskaite Asta , Fernaud-Espinosa Isabel , Tapia-González Silvia , DeFelipe Javier
Published: May 2024

The basic building block of the cerebral cortex, the pyramidal cell, has been shown to be characterized by a markedly different dendritic structure among layers, cortical areas, and species. Functionally, differences in the structure of their dendrites and axons are critical in determining how neurons integrate information. However, within the human cortex, these neurons have not been quantified in detail. In the present work, we performed intracellular injections of Lucifer Yellow and 3D reconstructed over 200 pyramidal neurons, including apical and basal dendritic and local axonal arbors and dendritic spines, from human occipital primary visual area and associative temporal cortex. We found that human pyramidal neurons from temporal cortex were larger, displayed more complex apical and basal structural organization, and had more spines compared to those in primary sensory cortex. Moreover, these human neocortical neurons displayed specific shared and distinct characteristics in comparison to previously published human hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Additionally, we identified distinct morphological features in human neurons that set them apart from mouse neurons. Lastly, we observed certain consistent organizational patterns shared across species. This study emphasizes the existing diversity within pyramidal cell structures across different cortical areas and species, suggesting substantial species-specific variations in their computational properties.
Functionality of arousal-regulating brain circuitry at rest predicts human cognitive abilities
Authors: Podvalny Ella , Sanchez-Romero Ruben , Cole Michael W
Published: May 2024

Arousal state is regulated by subcortical neuromodulatory nuclei, such as locus coeruleus, which send wide-reaching projections to cortex. Whether higher-order cortical regions have the capacity to recruit neuromodulatory systems to aid cognition is unclear. Here, we hypothesized that select cortical regions activate the arousal system, which, in turn, modulates large-scale brain activity, creating a functional circuit predicting cognitive ability. We utilized the Human Connectome Project 7T functional magnetic resonance imaging dataset (n = 149), acquired at rest with simultaneous eye tracking, along with extensive cognitive assessment for each subject. First, we discovered select frontoparietal cortical regions that drive large-scale spontaneous brain activity specifically via engaging the arousal system. Second, we show that the functionality of the arousal circuit driven by bilateral posterior cingulate cortex (associated with the default mode network) predicts subjects’ cognitive abilities. This suggests that a cortical region that is typically associated with self-referential processing supports cognition by regulating the arousal system.
Doff Thy Gown—Shedding Contact Precautions for COVID-19
Authors: Rabin Alexander S , Marr Linsey C , Blumberg Henry M
Published: May 2024

SARS-CoV-2 is predominantly transmitted through aerosols (ie, airborne transmission); however, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to recommend the use of contact precautions (a gown and gloves) for the care of patients with COVID-19. Infection-prevention guidelines should reflect the current science and eliminate this wasteful practice.