bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEALA — A novel economic life cycle impact assessment method for differentiated economic assessments in the context of life cycle sustainability assessments
Authors: Popien Jan‐Linus , Barke Alexander , Ginster Raphael , Striecks Theresa , Thies Christian , Spengler Thomas S.
Published: November 2024

Legislation and market competition make it necessary to assess systems regarding their environmental, social, and economic impacts. The life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) approach can be used for this purpose. However, the literature shows limitations of this approach. This article focuses on the often encountered inconsistency and reduced transparency within the economic dimension due to the lack of harmonized impact assessment methods. Therefore, we propose a novel economic life cycle impact assessment (eLCIA) method called DEALA (Differentiated Economic Assessment in a Life Cycle‐Oriented Analysis), which allows economic assessments at three levels of aggregation. Overall, DEALA is based on economic principles and provides a structured approach to conduct environmental life cycle costing studies, resulting in greater transparency, comparability, and flexibility, as illustrated by an initial comparison with an existing case study. DEALA also facilitates a differentiated and detailed analysis of the results so that hotspots and improvement potentials can be identified, making DEALA a suitable economic LCIA method that should be considered in future studies. These benefits are confirmed through a LCSA of a battery supply chain. The assessment provides detailed and specific insights that can be used to design more sustainable battery supply chains.
Comparative life cycle assessment of lithium‐ion, sodium‐ion, and solid‐state battery cells for electric vehicles
Authors: Degen Florian , Mitterfellner Miriam , Kampker Achim
Published: November 2024

The transition toward electrification of transportation has resulted in a rapid increase in the demand for battery cells. While this demand is currently being met through the use of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), alternative batteries like sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and solid‐state batteries (SSBs) are emerging as relevant alternatives. In this study, we analyze, based on current electric vehicle electrode stack designs, the environmental impact of LIB cells, SIB cells, and SSB cells. The life cycle assessment results from this cradle‐to‐gate study show that for LIB cell production today, ∼58–92 kgCO2‐eq are emitted per kWhcell and ∼296–624 kWhCED/kWhcell of primary energy is required. In SIB cell production, ∼75–87 kgCO2‐eq/kWhcell is emitted, and in SSB cell production, ∼88–130 kgCO2‐eq/kWhcell, depending on their specific electrode stack configuration. The results demonstrate that LFP (lithium–iron–phosphate) cells require the least energy for production across all battery types under analysis. Furthermore, the findings indicate that, in terms of global warming potential (GWP), LFP and NMC900 (nickel–manganese–cobalt) cells are the most sustainable battery types, at least when focusing solely on battery cell production and neglecting subsequent use phases. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that by optimizing the cell designs and their production, the environmental impact of battery cell production can be reduced in the short term by up to −38%. This allows the production of LFP battery cells with a low GWP of ∼37 kgCO2‐eq/kWhcell and NMC900 cells with ∼44 kgCO2‐eq/kWhcell. Moreover, there is considerable room for improvement in other major LIB cell types. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.
Measuring progress toward a circular economy of the ASEAN Community
Authors: Emami Nargessadat , Miatto Alessio , Gheewala Shabbir , Soonsawad Natthanij , Nguyen Thi Cuc , Chiu Anthony SF , Gue Ivan Henderson , Martinico‐Perez Marianne Faith , Vilaysouk Xaysackda , Schandl Heinz
Published: November 2024

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which necessitates accelerated progress in sustainable production and consumption. This study employs an economy‐wide material flow analysis to assess the ASEAN community's material use, waste generation, emissions, resource efficiency, and circularity rate. The analysis encompasses the entire ASEAN economy, with a detailed focus on four member countries: Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 2018, ASEAN countries collectively extracted 6449 million metric tons (Mt) of resources, exported 1302 Mt, and recorded a domestic material consumption (DMC) of 6376 Mt. Approximately 40% of this DMC contributed to material stock accumulation. Of the domestic processed output, 58% was released as air emissions, and the end‐of‐life recycling rate was 1.3%. Resource efficiency trends from 1970 to 2021 reveal a general improvement across the region, although Laos and Vietnam exhibited lower efficiency levels than the ASEAN average. The study concludes by comparing the sustainability policy capacities of the four selected countries with their material flows, identifying key areas requiring policy intervention and improvement.
Pilot test of JUNTOS EN PAREJA: Enhancing relationship and financial well‐being in Latine couples
Authors: Yumiseva Martha , Falconier Mariana , Azizi Zeinab
Published: November 2024

Latine couples, particularly those who are low‐income and immigrant, often face significant challenges in relationship and financial functioning, areas in which they are frequently underserved by existing programs. This article aimed to test Juntos en Pareja (JEP), a linguistic and cultural adaptation of the TOGETHER program for Latine couples. JEP is a 20‐h, evidence‐based psychoeducational curriculum integrating relationship and financial education. This study assessed its acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness. Self‐report data from 23 Latine low‐income, immigrant, heterosexual, Spanish‐speaking couples in the Washington, D.C., area were collected in 2019–2020 before (T1) and after program participation (T2) and at 3‐month follow‐up (T3). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVAs) were used to analyze changes across time in relationship and financial functioning using self‐report instruments and observable data from three 8‐min discussions. Results indicate that the JEP program is successful in reducing Latine partners’ financial stress and emotional dysregulation and improving their financial management abilities, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic coping, but with some important gender differences. JEP is a beneficial program for Latine couples, improving relationship and financial functioning and ultimately fostering greater equity and stability in areas where this population is often underserved.
Archean Polymetamorphism in the Central Dharwar Craton, Southern India
Authors: Kaempf Jonas , Clark Chris , Johnson Tim E. , Jayananda Mudlappa , Alfing Julian , Payne Justin , Sajeev Krishnan , Hand Martin
Published: November 2024

Petrochronological investigations of granulite‐facies metapelitic rocks from the eastern contact of the Closepet granite in the Central Dharwar Craton (CDC), southern India, provide new pressure–temperature–age (P–T–t) constraints on two seemingly discrete Archean metamorphic events during the Neoarchean and late Paleoarchean eras. Phase equilibrium modelling and conventional thermobarometry coupled with in situ monazite and garnet geochronology constrain Neoarchean (ultrahigh‐temperature; UHT) metamorphic peak conditions to ~930 °C and ~6.7 kbar at c. 2.63 Ga, then cooling and limited decompression to ~5.7 kbar at ≤810 °C. Monazite inclusions in garnet least affected by Neoarchean recrystallisation have distinct positive Eu anomalies and yield ages of c. 3.2 Ga, whereas garnet cores interpreted to have grown at the same time have slightly younger apparent ages of c. 3.1 Ga. We interpret this age mismatch to be the result of extensive resorption of garnet during Neoarchean UHT metamorphism, which led to widespread modification of the initial Lu–Hf systematics in garnet to produce younger apparent ages. The effect of retention and inward intracrystalline diffusion of Lu on the isotopic composition of garnet is most pronounced close to the resorbed grain margins and decreases towards the core, as reflected by progressively younger apparent single‐spot garnet dates from core to rim. Despite extensive overprinting of the sample at c. 2.63 Ga, the trace element composition of Paleoarchean monazite indicates growth in equilibrium with garnet but in the absence of feldspar, which is predicted to occur over a broad stability range at P ≥ 8 kbar and T ≤ 700 °C. Such P–T conditions are uncommon in the metamorphic rock record prior to the Neoarchean, but are typical of Barrovian‐type metamorphism, which is considered to be an expression of accretionary‐to‐collisional orogenesis. Rocks of similar age and metamorphic grade have been reported from the core of the Western Dharwar Craton (WDC) and may reflect regional subduction at the margins of the CDC and WDC since the late Paleoarchean. Neoarchean UHT metamorphism in the Dharwar Craton is coeval with a cluster of other UHT occurrences at 2.7–2.6 Ga, indicating the existence of globally elevated thermal gradients at that time.
Fairness perceptions of the postdivorce division of childcare and child‐related expenses
Authors: Koster Tara , Poortman Anne‐Rigt
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study examines how the division of childcare and child‐related expenses after divorce affects fairness perceptions of mothers and fathers.

Background

Previous research has focused on married families and found that unequal divisions of household labor are often regarded as fair. This study investigates whether fairness perceptions are also common for divorced parents for whom the division of childrearing responsibilities may be a sensitive issue.

Method

The analyses were based on data from Wave 3 of the New Families in the Netherlands survey, which was conducted in 2020 among a random sample of divorced or separated parents (N = 2963).

Results

The division of childcare and child‐related expenses after divorce was perceived as fair by about half of parents, yet for childcare this was nearly 60% for fathers. Higher contributions to child‐related expenses were associated with stronger unfairness perceptions. For childcare, not only parents who contributed a lot but also parents contributing little were most likely to perceive the division as unfair (with parents with more equal contributions falling in between). Mothers were more sensitive to inequitable divisions of childrearing responsibilities than fathers.

Conclusion

Unfairness perceptions are relatively widespread in postdivorce families suggesting that the division of childrearing responsibilities is less taken for granted after divorce. Time and money investments of divorced parents relate differently to unfairness perceptions, and postdivorce fairness perceptions and processes are gendered.
The association between dietary dark green vegetable intake and cognitive function in US older adults
Authors: Liu Yuqian , Liu Wen , Yang Yang , Liu Heyin , Liu Jinde , Liu Yiming
Published: November 2024

Dark green vegetables include dark green leafy vegetables and broccoli. They are sources of many essential nutrients, including vitamins A, B and C, folate, fibre, carotenoids and flavonoids. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary dark green vegetable intake and cognitive function in US older adults. We included 2344 older adults (≥60 years old) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014 cycles. Dark green vegetable consumption was assessed using a continuous variable (cups/day) and two categorical variables. The first categorical variable classified participants into non‐consumers and consumers based on whether they consumed dark green vegetables. The second categorical variable grouped participants into four levels of dark green vegetable consumption (non‐consumers, consumers with low intakes, consumers with moderate intakes and consumers with high intakes). We used five continuous variables with non‐normal distribution to assess cognitive function, including a composite z‐score and the standardised scores of four individual cognitive tests. The four cognitive tests included the Immediate Recall Test (IRT), the Delayed Recall Test (DRT), the Animal Mobility Test (AFT) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The standardised scores of the four cognitive tests were calculated using the mean and standard deviation of each cognitive test score. The composite z‐score was calculated by averaging the standardised scores of four cognitive tests to evaluate global cognition. We used multiple linear regression models to examine the association between dietary dark green vegetable intake and cognitive function. Our findings indicated that dark green vegetable intake was positively associated with global cognition (β [95% CI]: 0.17 [0.04, 0.30]; p = 0.016) and IRT (β [95% CI]: 0.26 [0.08, 0.43]; p = 0.009) and DRT (β [95% CI]: 0.21 [0.05, 0.36]; p = 0.012) standardised scores. Individuals with high intake of dark green vegetables showed notably better global cognition (β [95% CI]: 0.16 [0.05, 0.28]; p = 0.010) and showed higher IRT (β [95% CI]: 0.22 [0.07, 0.38]; p = 0.010) and DRT standardised scores (β [95% CI]: 0.21 [0.07, 0.36]; p = 0.007) compared with the non‐consumers. Blood neutrophil counts mediated the cognitive benefits of dark green vegetables (Proportion: 9.5%, p = 0.006). In conclusion, our findings suggest that dark green vegetable consumption may have favourable effects on cognitive function in US older adults, especially on immediate and delayed learning abilities. The underlying mechanisms include the ability of dark green vegetables to reduce blood neutrophil levels, an indicator of decreased systemic inflammation. Increasing dietary intake of dark green vegetables may be a beneficial intervention to improve cognitive health in the older US population.
Clinical Study and Finite Element Analysis on the Effects of Pseudo‐Patella Baja After TKA
Authors: Jiang Shenghu , Wei Wenxing , Li Mingyang , Zhou Shengliang , Zeng Yi , Shen Bin
Published: November 2024

Objective

Pseudo‐patella baja (PPB) was one of the complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This complication may be closely related to the occurrence of knee joint movement limitation and pain after TKA. This study aimed to investigate whether PPB affects clinical outcomes after TKA and to study the biomechanical effects of PPB after TKA.

Methods

This study was a retrospective case series of 462 eligible patients (563 knees). Clinical evaluation was performed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), the Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scoring systems, the 5‐Level EuroQol Generic Health Index (EQ‐5D‐5L), the Forgotten Joint Score‐12 (FJS‐12), and patient satisfaction. CT and MRI scans of two healthy left knees and TKA prostheses were taken; 3D models including PPB, True patella baja (TPB), normal patella, and patella alta (PA) were created in FEA and applied load along the direction of quadriceps femoris. T‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, chi‐squared (χ
2) test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed using GraphPad Prism (Version 8, GraphPad Software, USA). A statistically significant difference was considered at p < 0.05 with bilateral α.

Results

The VAS, HSS, WOMAC, EQ‐5D‐5L, FJS‐12, and patient satisfaction scores in the PPB and TPB groups were significantly worse than those in the patella normal (PN) group (p < 0.05). The PPB group found a positive correlation between Blackburne–Peel index (BPI) and FJS‐12 score. PPB showed lower contact stress of patellofemoral joint compared to TPB when knee flexion was less than < 90° (p < 0.01), but no significant difference when flexion was more than > 90° (p > 0.05) in the finite element model with Patella baja (PB). The contact area of the patellofemoral joint tended to increase with the deepening of knee flexion, and decreased after reaching the peak value. The contact area of the patellofemoral joint tended to decrease with the increase in patellar height. There was no significant difference in the contact area of the patellofemoral joint among different patellar heights and different degrees of knee flexion (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

PPB after TKA may increase patellofemoral joint stress and postoperative complications like anterior knee pain.
The Bony Density of the Pedicle Plays a More Significant Role in the Screw Anchorage Ability Than Other Regions of the Screw Trajectory
Authors: Chen Zan , Chen Yue , Zhou Jiajun , He Yanwei , Li Jingchi
Published: November 2024

Objective

Osteoporosis is a crucial risk factor for screw loosening. Our studies indicate that the bone mineral density (BMD) in the screw trajectory is a better predictor of screw loosening than the BMD of the lumbar spine or the screw insertion position. Research has shown that anchorage on the screw tip is the most significant factor for screw anchorage ability, while others argue that decreased bony quality in the pedicle poses a significant risk for screw loosening. This study aimed to determine whether the bony quality of the screw tip, pedicle, or screw‐anchored vertebral body plays the most significant role in screw anchorage ability.

Methods

A total of 73 patients who underwent single–segment bilateral pedicle screw fixation, along with posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF and TLIF), from March 2019 to September 2020 were included in this retrospective study. The Hounsfield unit (HU) value of the fixed vertebral bodies, the entire screw trajectory, screw tip, screw–anchoraged vertebral body, and pedicles were measured separately. Data from patients with and without screw loosening were compared, and regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors. Additionally, the area under the curve (AUC) values were computed to assess the predictive performance of different parameters. Furthermore, fixation strength was calculated in numerical models with varying bony densities in different regions.

Results

HU values were found to be significantly lower in the loosening group across most measuring methods (HU values in the pedicle, 148.79 ± 97.04, 33.06 ± 34.82, p < 0.001). Specifically, the AUC of screw loosening prediction was notably higher when using HU values of the pedicle compared to other methods (AUC in the pedicle > 0.9 and in the screw insertion position > 0.7). Additionally, computational results for fixation strength revealed a clear decline in screw anchorage ability in models with poor BMD in the pedicle region.

Conclusions

Pedicle bone quality plays a more significant role in screw anchorage ability than that in other regions. The innovation of bony augmentation strategies should pay more attention to this region to optimize the screw anchorage ability effectively.
Metabolic engineering of narrow‐leafed lupin for the production of enantiomerically pure (−)‐sparteine
Authors: Mancinotti Davide , Yang Ting , Geu‐Flores Fernando
Published: November 2024

The protein crops known as lupins have been bred to accumulate low levels of antinutritional alkaloids, neglecting their potential as sources of valuable metabolites. Here, we engineered narrow‐leafed lupin (NLL) to accumulate large amounts of a single alkaloid of industrial interest called (−)‐sparteine. While (−)‐sparteine is recognized as a key auxiliary molecule in chiral synthesis, its variable price and limited availability have prevented its large‐scale use. We identified two enzymes that initiate the conversion of (−)‐sparteine to a variety of alkaloids accumulating in NLL. The first one is a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase belonging to family 71 (CYP71D189), and the second one is a short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR1). We screened a non‐GMO NLL mutant library and isolated a knockout in CYP71D189. The knockout displayed an altered metabolic profile where (−)‐sparteine accounted for 96% of the alkaloid content in the seeds (GC–MS basis). The (−)‐sparteine isolated from the mutant seeds was enantiomerically pure (99% enantiomeric excess). Apart from the altered alkaloid profile, the mutant did not have any noticeable phenotype. Our work demonstrates that (−)‐sparteine is the precursor of most QAs in NLL and expands the current uses of NLL as a crop.
Autophagy Regulates Plant Tolerance to Submergence by Modulating Photosynthesis
Authors: Yang Mingkang , Wei Jiaosheng , Xu Yarou , Zheng Shaoyan , Yu Baiyin , Ming Yu , Jin Honglei , Xie Lijuan , Qi Hua , Xiao Shi , Huang Wei , Chen Liang
Published: November 2024

The increase in global climate variability has increased the frequency and severity of floods, profoundly affecting agricultural production and food security worldwide. Autophagy is an intracellular catabolic pathway that is dispensable for plant responses to submergence. However, the physiological role of autophagy in plant response to submergence remains unclear. In this study, a multi‐omics approach was applied by combining transcriptomics, proteomics, and lipidomics to characterize molecular changes in the Arabidopsis autophagy‐defective mutant (atg5‐1) responding to submergence. Our results revealed that submergence resulted in remarkable changes in the transcriptome, proteome, and lipidome of Arabidopsis. Under submerged conditions, the levels of chloroplastidic lipids, including monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), were lower in atg5‐1 than in wild‐type, suggesting that autophagy may affect photosynthesis by regulating lipid metabolism. Consistently, photosynthesis‐related proteins and photosynthetic efficiency decreased in atg5‐1 under submergence conditions. Phenotypic analysis revealed that inhibition of photosynthesis resulted in a decreased tolerance to submergence. Compared to wild‐type plants, atg5‐1 plants showed a significant decrease in starch content after submergence. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel role for autophagy in plant response to submergence via the regulation of underwater photosynthesis and starch content.
Neo‐Conventionalist Accounts of Necessity
Authors: Yüksel Cansu
Published: November 2024

Conventionalism about necessity was deemed hopeless for a long time. The philosophical landscape, however, is shifting now with recent work in modal metaphysics locating the source of necessity in some kind of convention, albeit non‐linguistic. Modal neo‐conventionalists claim that a proposition is necessary just when it is true and is classified as such as a matter of convention. But what is the function of adopting a convention about necessity? And what are these conventions that distinguish what is possible from what is impossible, anyway? In this paper, I first offer an elucidation of the two accounts of neo‐conventionalism, which I call ‘worlds‐based neo‐conventionalism’ and ‘axiom‐based neo‐conventionalism’. Then, I discuss a number of pressing questions that modal neo‐conventionalism faces. The moral is that neo‐conventionalists have some work to do in order for the account to be explanatorily satisfactory.
CNN‐transformer dual branch collaborative model for semantic segmentation of high‐resolution remote sensing images
Authors: Zhu Xiaotong , Peng Taile , Guo Jia , Wang Hao , Cao Taotao
Published: November 2024

High‐resolution remote sensing images play an important role in geological surveys, disaster detection, and other fields. However, highly imbalanced ground target classes and easily confused small ground targets pose significant challenges to the semantic segmentation task. We propose IC‐TransUNet, a new dual branch model based on an encoder‐decoder structure that fully exploits the advantages of convolutional neural networks and transformers and considers both detailed information and semantic information capture. Specifically, a lightweight CSwin transformer and InceptionNeXt are used as the dual branch backbone of the model. To further improve the model performance, first, we designed the InceptionNeXt‐CSwin Transformer Fusion Module (ICFM) and Edge Enhancement Module (EEM) to guide the dual branch backbone to obtain features. Second, a detachable Spatial‐channel Attention Fusion Module (SCAFM) is designed to be flexibly inserted into multiple positions of the model. Finally, we designed a decoder with significant performance based on a global local transformer block, SCAFM, and a multilayer perceptron segmentation head. IC‐TransUNet achieved highly competitive performance in experiments on the Vaihingen and Potsdam datasets from the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
Theory of mind and emotion regulation in school‐aged children: Associations with parental reflective functioning
Authors: Misailidi Plousia , Zimmermann Peter , Gelou Ioulia , Barbatsi Konstantina , Bonoti Fotini
Published: November 2024

Children's theory of mind (ToM) and emotion regulation (ER) have been associated with various parental factors. This study examined associations between ToM, ER, and dimensions of parental reflective functioning (RF) in children aged 7 to 12 years. A total of 95 children (M = 8.85 years, 51 girls, and 44 boys) and their mothers took part in the study. Children completed two higher‐order ToM tasks and mothers rated their own RF and children's ToM and ER. Analyses revealed unique effects of parental prementalizing modes (PM) on both task‐measured and parent‐reported ToM as well as on children's socially‐appropriate ER skills and their lability/negativity. Moreover, parents’ interest and curiosity about their children's mental states (IC) was uniquely associated with parent‐reported ToM and ER. The study also revealed bidirectional mediation effects, with ToM mediating the relationship between ER and both PM and IC, and ER mediating the relationship between ToM and both PM and IC.
Virtual reality training to improve socio‐emotional functioning in adolescents with developmental language disorders: A multiple baseline effectiveness study
Authors: Arts Elke , De Castro Bram O. , Luteijn Ellen , Elsendoorn Ben , Maric Marija , Vissers Constance T. W. M.
Published: November 2024

This study investigated whether interactive virtual reality (VR) training of social and emotional abilities (InterAction) improves socio‐emotional functioning of youth with developmental language disorders (DLD). To this end we conducted a multiple baseline intervention study, comparing participants’ social abilities during a baseline phase with their changes in abilities during the intervention and posttest phase. The training group consisted of 29 adolescents (20 boys, 9 girls) with DLD from the Netherlands. The training consisted of nine, weekly (45–50 min) individual sessions with each participant. In addition, to improve estimation of the secondary outcomes, a matched sample of 9 adolescents with DLD was also assessed, but received no treatment. Results of the nonoverlap of all pairs test showed a large effect of the VR training on more than half of the individualized intervention goals (56.90%). The results of multilevel analyses indicated that there was significant improvement from baseline to posttest on social abilities (d = 1.36), indicating effectiveness of the VR intervention. Secondary outcomes indicated that, compared to the control group, adolescents of the training group improved significantly in their cognitive Theory of Mind (ToM). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in affective ToM or in parent reported socio‐emotional functioning. Importantly, adolescents highly appreciated the VR training, as they found it both enjoyable and educational. They reported increased interaction with peers, feeling more confident in social situations, and would recommend the training to others. These findings suggest that interactive VR may be a promising tool to improve socio‐emotional functioning in adolescents with DLD.
Imaginary athletes: Prevalence, forms, and developmental functions
Authors: Madsen Stephanie D. , Gleason Tracy R.
Published: November 2024

Imagined others have been documented throughout the lifespan in relation to a range of developmental tasks. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that imaginary others are created in the context of athletic play in childhood and adolescence, they have never been studied systematically in this domain. Through retrospective surveys of 225 college students (38.8% men; Mage = 20.08, SD = 2.28; range 18–37 years), we investigated whether and how imaginary athletes were part of children's and adolescents’ repertoire, including the nature of their manifestations, links to their creators’ characteristics, and their functions. Imaginary athletes were reported by 40.9% of the sample, primarily men who remembered them from middle childhood; those with such creations rated themselves as having a greater predilection for fantasy. Patterns of imaginary athlete functions revealed three profiles: (a) minimally detailed utilitarian Placeholders that enabled play; (b) Athletic Tools, typically rivals with characteristics relevant to a sport; and (c) Social Relationships, imaginary athletes with detailed identities, typically manifesting as teammates. Descriptions of imaginary athletes included profile‐linked affordances relevant to middle childhood, suggesting that imaginary athletes might provide a mechanism for addressing developmental tasks of this period, such as mastery of skills and navigation of peer relationships.
Development of Aegilops comosa and Aegilops caudata‐specific molecular markers and fluorescence in situ hybridization probes based on specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing
Authors: Zuo Yuanyuan , Dai Shoufen , Wang Xinyu , Zhang Jinyue , Yang Juan , Yang Wen , Zhao Haojie , Shu Na , Song Pengying , Liu Gang , Yan Zehong
Published: November 2024

As tertiary gene pools of wheat, Aegilops comosa and Ae. caudata contain many excellent genes/traits and gradually become important and noteworthy wild resources for wheat improvement worldwide. However, the lack of molecular markers and cytological probes with good specificity and high sensitivity limits the development and utilization of Triticum aestivum–Ae. comosa (Ta. Aeco)/Ae. caudata (Ta. Aeca) introgression lines. Using specific‐locus amplified fragment sequencing, two Ae. comosa and one Ae. caudata accessions, Chinese Spring, and three Ta. Aeco and Ta. Aeca introgression lines each were sequenced to develop new molecular markers and cytological probes. After strict sequence comparison and verification in different materials, a total of 39 molecular markers specific to three chromosomes in Ae. comosa (nine, seven, and 10 markers for 1M, 2M, and 7M, respectively) and Ae. caudata (two, six, and five markers for 3C, 4C, and 5C, respectively) and 21 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes (one centromeric probe with signals specific to the M chromosomes, two centromeric probes with signals in all the tested genomes, and six, eight, and four FISH probes specific to the M, C, and M, C, and U chromosomes, respectively) were successfully exploited. The newly developed molecular markers and cytological probes could be used in karyotype studies, centromere evolutionary analyses of Aegilops, and had the ability to detect the fusion centromeres and small‐fragment translocations in introgression lines.
Effects of blood donor characteristics and storage on red blood cell haemoglobin β S‐nitrosylation
Authors: Zhang Cuiping , Huang Peng , Singh Ravinder J. , Zubair Abba C.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

In the setting of tissue hypoxia, S‐nitrosylated haemoglobin (SNO‐Hb) plays crucial roles in the control of blood flow. This is associated with decreased oxygen affinity to haemoglobin and increase in tissue oxygenation. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is primarily performed to improve tissue oxygenation in anaemic patients. RBCs after storage undergo a variety of biochemical and functional alterations, including deficiency of nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity. However, how donor characteristics affect NO levels during RBC storage is unclear. We sought to investigate the association of blood donor age, gender and storage duration with NO and SNO‐Hb levels in blood units.

Materials and Methods

Blood samples from 42 healthy younger (≤30 years) and older (≥45 years) donors were collected and stored for up to 42 days. Total NO kits were used to detect total nitrite and nitrate levels in blood storage solution. SNO‐Hb levels in RBCs were detected and analysed by quantitative mass spectrometry.

Results

Total NO levels in the blood storage solution significantly increased with donor age and storage duration. Proteomic analysis revealed that RBCs from older donors, particularly older females, significantly lost SNO‐Hb during storage. Our findings indicate that RBCs from older donors are associated with reduced SNO‐Hb levels and increased NO metabolites in storage solution after ≥35 days storage.

Conclusion

The findings suggest stored RBCs from older donors may have reduced capacity to deliver oxygen to tissues under hypoxia. A shorter shelf life may be required for storing RBCs from older donors, particularly older females.
Has the switch to sexual risk behaviour screening impacted deferrals for pre‐ and post‐exposure prophylaxis therapy for human immunodeficiency virus?
Authors: Goldman Mindy , Uzicanin Samra , O'Brien Sheila F.
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

Canadian Blood Services defers donors during and for 4 months after oral pre‐exposure or post‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of concerns about altered viral kinetics. We assessed the impact of the switch from a time‐based deferral for men who have sex with men (MSM) to sexual risk behaviour criteria on PrEP/PEP deferrals.

Materials and Methods

Data on PrEP/PEP deferral codes were extracted from our National Epidemiology Database for the 22 months before (Period 1) and after (Period 2) the criteria change.

Results

PEP deferrals remained stable (2.3 vs. 1.7 per 100,000 donations in Periods 1 and 2, p = 0.2892), about 45% and 33%, respectively, of these donors who reported a recent needle stick injury. PrEP deferrals increased from 5.9 to 12.4 per 100,000 (p = 0.0001); approximately 30% of donors in both periods had other HIV risk factor deferrals. Donors deferred for PrEP use alone were more likely to be male, first‐time users and younger than other donors.

Conclusion

The switch to sexual risk behaviour led to a small increase in deferrals for PrEP. We may not be measuring the full impact of deferral criteria because potential donors may self‐defer and PrEP use is increasing.
Effectiveness of resistance training in preventing sarcopenia among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tan Ting‐Wan , Tan Han‐Ling , Chung Yu‐Chu
Published: November 2024

Background

Breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience body composition changes impacting treatment outcomes. The role of resistance training in mitigating chemotherapy‐induced sarcopenia in breast cancer patients is not well defined.

Aims

This study aims to assess the efficacy of resistance training in preventing sarcopenia among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, the Cochrane Library, and CINAHL until May 5, 2023. Selected literature focused on the effects of resistance training on body fat, muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2.0 was employed for quality assessment, and data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis version 2.0.

Results

Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that resistance training had a significant positive impact on reducing body fat (SMD = −0.250, 95% CI [−0.450, −0.050]), increasing lean body mass (SMD = 0.374, 95% CI [0.178, 0.571]), and enhancing handgrip strength at both the affected site (SMD = 0.326, 95% CI [0.108, 0.543]) and the nonaffected site (SMD = 0.276, 95% CI [0.059, 0.492]). Additionally, significant improvements were observed in leg press strength (SMD = 0.598, 95% CI [0.401, 0.796]) and overall physical performance (SMD = 0.671, 95% CI [0.419, 0.923]).

Linking Evidence to Action

Resistance training is a recommended intervention for reducing body fat, increasing muscle mass, muscle strength, and enhancing physical performance in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Ideal low‐intensity resistance training programs span 8–24 weeks, with 20‐to‐90‐min sessions 2–4 times weekly. Regimens generally entail 8–12 repetitions at 40%–90% of one‐repetition maximum test, with free‐weight resistance training targeting major muscle groups yielding substantial benefits. Further research should explore outcomes across different chemotherapy phases and investigate long‐term resistance training effects for a comprehensive view.
On degenerate (p,q)$(p,q)$‐Laplace equations corresponding to an inverse spectral problem
Authors: Il'yasov Yavdat , Valeev Nur
Published: November 2024

A method of solving nonlinear boundary value problems involving ‐Laplace with unbounded measurable coefficients is introduced through the inverse optimal problem approach. The existence, uniqueness, and stability of the nonnegative weak solution to the nonlinear equations of the form
with unbounded measurable are proven for the first time. An explicit formula that expresses the solution of the nonlinear equations through the inverse optimal solution of the spectral problem
is presented. A unique maximizer of the lowest eigenvalue of subject to a constraint in the Lebesgue space is found. Furthermore, a new class of applied problems that lead to equations with ‐Laplace is presented.
Inhibition of TrkB kinase activity impairs autophagy in cervical motor neurons of young but not old mice
Authors: Pareja‐Cajiao Miguel , Gransee Heather M. , Jahanian Sepideh , Sieck Gary C. , Mantilla Carlos B.
Published: November 2024

Ageing‐related neuromuscular dysfunction is associated with reduced tropomyosin‐related kinase receptor subtype B (TrkB) signalling and accumulation of damaged cytoplasmic aggregates in motor neurons. Autophagy functions to remove these damaged aggregates, and we previously reported increased cervical motor neuron expression of LC3 and p62 in old age. We hypothesized that inhibition of TrkB kinase activity results in an increase in the relative expression of both LC3 and p62 in cervical motor neurons, consistent with impaired progression of autophagy. TrkBF616A mice, which possess a mutation that renders TrkB kinase activity susceptible to rapid inhibition by 1NMPP1, were treated at 6, 18 or 24 months of age with vehicle or 1NMPP1 for 7 days. Immunofluorescence intensity was measured to determine LC3 and p62 expression in choline acetyltransferase‐positive motor neurons in the cervical spinal cord. The effect of inhibiting TrkB kinase activity on progression of autophagy was age dependent. In 6‐month‐old mice, inhibiting TrkB kinase activity increased cervical motor neuron expression of LC3 by 11% (P < 0.001) and p62 by 8% (P = 0.019) compared with vehicle treatment. In 18‐ and 24‐month‐old mice, there was no effect of inhibiting TrkB kinase activity on motor neuron LC3 or p62 expression. We provide evidence that inhibition of TrkB signalling impairs progression of autophagy in motor neurons of young mice, similar to the response to ageing. Accordingly, a reduction of TrkB signalling in old age might contribute to neuromuscular dysfunction by impairing progression of autophagy in motor neurons.
Metallurgical Investigation and Failure Analysis in GTD-111 Stage 2 Buckets From an Industrial F-Class Gas Turbine
Authors: Bridges Alex , Shingledecker John , Wang Yongqing
Published: November 2024

A utility experienced cracking in multiple stage 2 buckets (S2Bs) in a large F-class power generation gas turbine after only 7348 h and 31 starts following a standard repair and rejuvenation heat treatment cycle. The blades were cast from a directionally solidified (DS) superalloy and the cracking was found in the shroud section of the blade in the Z-notch region. A detailed failure investigation was conducted to determine the failure mechanism and most likely contributing factors to root cause in terms of design, operation, fabrication, and metallurgy. Three blades, two with visible cracks and one without cracks, were subjected to nondestructive and destructive evaluation. Methods consisted of visual inspection, three-dimensional scanning, physical measurements, chemical analysis, optical metallography, LED surface topological evaluation, and scanning electron microscopy. The failure mechanism was determined to be due to creep with damage propagating along the grain boundaries in a high stress concentration area. Evaluation of precipitate structure and size also confirmed this area exhibited the highest temperature during operations. High temperature creep testing was also conducted in material from the two different casting houses to confirm metallurgical risk did not have a significant impact on creep performance. An evaluation of the operational profile of an entire fleet of GE 7FA units showed that the failed 7F.03 S2Bs were in the highest operating temperature base loaded units. The findings from this work will help better define key factors that influence the high temperature performance of nickel-base superalloys used in the hot section of industrial power generating turbines.
Performance Optimization of an Axial Compressor Using a Novel Multifidelity Surrogate Model Based on Flow Field Extraction
Authors: Liu Yitong , Gong Wuqi , Li Ya , Wang Yitian
Published: November 2024

During the utilization of efficient optimization algorithms for axial compressors, the construction of a precise performance prediction surrogate model stands as a pivotal step. To reduce the cost of constructing the surrogate model while ensuring prediction accuracy, a novel multifidelity surrogate model based on flow field extraction (FFMFS) is proposed in this paper. In constructing FFMFS, two sets of samples with different fidelity are employed for model training, and six important flow field variables in axial compressors are extracted to modify the performance deviation between low-fidelity (LF) and high-fidelity (HF) results. Based on the proposed FFMFS, the aerodynamic performance of a 1.5-stage subsonic axial compressor is optimized, and the numerical method used in the optimization is validated on a 3.5-stage axial compressor test bench. During optimization, adjustments are made to the rotor blade profile, taking into account a total of 28 design variables and six objective functions. The FFMFS constructed for this compressor demonstrates a high prediction accuracy with a R2 value of 0.96, while also significantly reducing the sample generation cost. The optimization results show that the compressor efficiency and pressure ratio are significantly improved across the entire operating range. As a result of adjusting the rotor blade profile, the flow loss inside the compressor is evidently reduced. This work provides a new framework for constructing MFS with flow field information of axial compressors.
Experiments on Structurally Mistuned UHBR Open-Test-Case Fan ECL5/CATANA
Authors: Brandstetter Christoph , Schneider Alexandra P. , Fiquet Anne-Lise , Paoletti Benoit , Ottavy Xavier
Published: November 2024

The operational capabilities of turbofan engines encounter limitations due to instabilities arising from tightly coupled interactions among aerodynamics, acoustics, and structural mechanics. Modern fans and compressors exhibit non-synchronous vibration (NSV), leading to safety-critical blade oscillations. In contrast to self-excited phenomena such as flutter, NSV stems from the convection of aerodynamic disturbances that synchronize with blade eigenmodes. Understanding this phenomenon is challenging, as its intricate interaction patterns and the occurrence of flow separations constrain the predictive capabilities of current state-of-the-art methods. To establish a comprehensive benchmark dataset on the aeroelastic behavior of modern ultra-high bypass ratio (UHBR) architectures, the European CleanSky-2 project CATANA aimed to examine a carbon composite fan stage, ECL5, utilizing multiphysical instrumentation. Recently, experiments on a structurally tuned reference configuration were conducted, revealing high-amplitude NSV at multiple subsonic speedlines. The observed interaction modes and instability onset differed significantly from numerical predictions using both linearized Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes with prescribed harmonic blade motion. In an effort to enhance the dataset, two additional fan configurations with identical blade profile geometries were investigated: one featured a structurally mistuned rotor with approximately doubled frequency variation of all eigenmodes compared to the reference, and the other involved a case with locally increased tip clearance on individual blades. This paper presents the experimental results of a sensitivity study and explores the influence of structural mistuning and tip clearance variation associated with manufacturing tolerances. Contrary to the intended outcome, it will be demonstrated that the mistuned case exhibited higher blade vibration amplitudes than the reference case during NSV. Detailed instrumentation reveals that the mistuning pattern was effectively transferred to the rotating system, but aerodynamic mistuning, particularly concerning tip clearance, emerged as a dominant factor. The non-synchronous forced-response nature of NSV during highly throttled operation ultimately dictates the observed response levels under different conditions, necessitating a thorough analysis to evaluate the robustness of a specific configuration. These results contribute valuable insights to the open dataset for the ECL5 configuration, benefiting the research community. Particularly noteworthy is the detailed capture of blade-to-blade variations in this research, which will prove instrumental in validating numerical methods.
Evaluation of Subfilter Model Performance for Large-Eddy Simulations of Supercritical Fluids
Authors: Purushotham Dhruv , Oefelein Joseph C.
Published: November 2024

The accuracy of three large-eddy simulations (LES) is assessed using a reference dataset obtained via direct numerical simulation (DNS). All of the LES simulations employ the dynamic Smagorinsky model to close the momentum equation and a dynamic gradient model to close the total energy equation. The LES data are obtained on three grids with resolutions spanning from the wall-resolved LES limit to two successive levels coarser in the spatial and temporal domains. The configuration employed for the study is a three-dimensional spatially evolving turbulent shear layer. The working fluid is pure carbon dioxide. The system is maintained at a supercritical state near the critical point such that the field is dominated by strongly nonlinear thermophysics. This allows the analysis to occur under conditions where the subfilter closures are significantly strained by the thermodynamics. Results explore characteristics of the turbulence from both a modeling and fundamental perspective. First, mixing layer growth rates are quantified. Discrepancies are found between the reference DNS data and the LES data. Energy spectra, turbulent transport coefficients, and Reynolds stress anisotropy results are presented to explore the origins of this mismatch.