bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering high intensity zones: its role in intervertebral disk degeneration and low back pain
Authors: Sima Stone , Chen Xiaolong , Sheldrick Kyle , Kuan Jeff , Diwan Ashish D.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

High intensity zones (HIZ) in the lumbar intervertebral disk (IVD) can be associated with degenerative changes which may ultimately manifest as low back pain (LBP). However, the relationship between the prevalence of HIZ and lumbar degenerative parameters is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIZ in the lumbar spine, analyze the independent relationship between HIZ and lumbar degenerative parameters measured on MRI and X-ray and determine the association between HIZ and the presence of LBP.

Methods

A retrospective review of MRI data, X-ray data, and radiology reports for 136 consecutively recruited patients, above 18-years-age and with both lumbar MRI and X-ray scans was conducted. 57 patients with HIZ were identified. Patients without HIZ (n = 79) made up the control group.

Results

HIZ was prevalent in 41.9% of patients and in 11.0% of all lumbar IVDs. The odds of developing HIZ were 6.4 (Exp(B) 6.4, 95%CI [3.157–12.988]) and 3.0 (Exp(B) 3.0, 95%CI [1.603, 5.674]) times higher in IVDs with disk bulge/protrusion and nucleus degeneration, respectively. Odds of HIZ was also increased in disks with larger IVD angle (Exp(B) 1.1, 95%CI [1.034, 1.169]). The odds of patients presenting to imaging with LBP was 3.0 (OR 3.0, 95%CI [1.478–6.338]) times higher in the HIZ compared to the control group.

Conclusions

HIZ was prevalent in 41.9% of participants that were recruited in this study. Nucleus degeneration, disk bulge/protrusion and increased IVD angle were found to be independently associated with HIZ and since there is an increased likelihood of LBP, we posit that HIZ is likely a symptomatic and clinically meaningful diagnostic tool in the assessment of LBP.
A refinement of the Hille–Wintner comparison theorem and new nonoscillation criteria for half-linear differential equations
Authors: Jaroš Jaroslav
Published: February 2024

A refinement of the Hille–Wintner comparison theorem is obtained for two half-linear differential equations of the second order. As a consequence, some new nonoscillation tests for such equations are derived by means of this improved comparison technique. In most of our results coefficients and their integrals do not need to be nonnegative and are allowed to oscillate in any neighborhood of infinity.
Plant Adaptation and Phosphorus Limitation in Tropical Forests: A Theoretical and Empirical Assessment
Authors: Aoyagi Ryota , Imai Nobuo , Turner Benjamin L. , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: February 2024

Ecosystem dynamics are shaped by plant adaptation to environmental stress, yet the conditions under which this occurs remain poorly understood. We developed a theoretical framework to predict how strategies used by tropical trees to cope with low-phosphorus (P) availability (that is, traits related to P uptake, and use) influence growth under P limitation. We then tested this framework against data on tree species in Borneo and a meta-analysis of results from pantropical nutrient addition experiments. Our theoretical framework predicts that plant traits associated with low-P environments, including enhanced P allocation to leaves, efficient P resorption, and root phosphatase activity, alleviate the negative effects of P scarcity more strongly for “inefficiently” growing plants, represented by large trees and old-growth forests, compared with saplings or secondary forests. In agreement with this prediction, changes in traits related to low-P environments increased the potential relative growth rate of large trees more than small trees in Borneo. Finally, theoretical expectation was supported by a meta-analysis which revealed stronger P limitation in saplings and secondary forests than in old-growth forests. Together, these findings provide a novel framework to interpret the relationship between resource constraints and plant performance and reinforce the importance of accounting for plant adaption to predict ecosystem responses to P limitation in tropical forests.
An Update on Agricultural Wastes Used as Natural Adsorbents or Coagulants in Single or Combined Systems for the Removal of Dyes from Wastewater
Authors: Tsoutsa Eleftheria K. , Tolkou Athanasia K. , Kyzas George Z. , Katsoyiannis Ioannis A.
Published: February 2024

Over a billion people in developing countries do not have access to clean water. Industries such as textiles, tanneries, and plastics release wastewater with toxic dyes that require treatment to remove the color. Adsorption and coagulation are known methods for removing dyes from wastewater. The production of natural adsorbents and coagulants involves the use of waste from agricultural products, which makes them cost-effective and environmentally friendly. They can be modified to achieve high dye removal rate. Natural adsorbents and coagulants are more eco-friendly than synthetic materials such as activated carbon and alum, because they can achieve similar levels of removal efficiency while being biodegradable and reusable. The combination of two methods can help to reduce the required dosage of adsorbent and coagulant and simultaneously improve the rate of dye removal. The purpose of this review is to evaluate and contrast the efficacy of recent natural agricultural adsorbents and coagulants, as they are environmentally friendly and abundant in nature. Additionally, it aims to introduce novelty by reviewing the combined coagulation/flocculation and adsorption systems in the treatment process for removing dyes, utilizing adsorbents and coagulants derived from agricultural wastes. As it turns out, the most examined dyes for removal were Methylene Blue and Congo Red and as adsorbents were used banana peels, orange peels, and nut. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera is used as a coagulant in both single and combined systems. Regarding adsorption, it was observed that banana peels could remove different dyes with high efficiency.
Similarities in the Electrographic Patterns of Delayed Cerebral Infarction and Brain Death After Aneurysmal and Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Dreier Jens P. , Lemale Coline L. , Horst Viktor , Major Sebastian , Kola Vasilis , Schoknecht Karl , Scheel Michael , Hartings Jed A. , Vajkoczy Peter , Wolf Stefan , Woitzik Johannes , Hecht Nils
Published: February 2024

While subarachnoid hemorrhage is the second most common hemorrhagic stroke in epidemiologic studies, the recent DISCHARGE-1 trial has shown that in reality, three-quarters of focal brain damage after subarachnoid hemorrhage is ischemic. Two-fifths of these ischemic infarctions occur early and three-fifths are delayed. The vast majority are cortical infarcts whose pathomorphology corresponds to anemic infarcts. Therefore, we propose in this review that subarachnoid hemorrhage as an ischemic-hemorrhagic stroke is rather a third, separate entity in addition to purely ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Cumulative focal brain damage, determined by neuroimaging after the first 2 weeks, is the strongest known predictor of patient outcome half a year after the initial hemorrhage. Because of the unique ability to implant neuromonitoring probes at the brain surface before stroke onset and to perform longitudinal MRI scans before and after stroke, delayed cerebral ischemia is currently the stroke variant in humans whose pathophysiological details are by far the best characterized. Optoelectrodes located directly over newly developing delayed infarcts have shown that, as mechanistic correlates of infarct development, spreading depolarizations trigger (1) spreading ischemia, (2) severe hypoxia, (3) persistent activity depression, and (4) transition from clustered spreading depolarizations to a negative ultraslow potential. Furthermore, traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid hemorrhage are the second and third most common etiologies of brain death during continued systemic circulation. Here, we use examples to illustrate that although the pathophysiological cascades associated with brain death are global, they closely resemble the local cascades associated with the development of delayed cerebral infarcts.
Satellite Image Representations for Quantum Classifiers
Authors: Zollner Johann Maximilian , Walther Paul , Werner Martin
Published: February 2024

Existing quantum hardware is limited in the number of bits and length of the series of operations. Nevertheless, by shifting parts of the computation on classical hardware, hybrid quantum-classical systems utilize quantum hardware for scaled-down machine learning approaches, which is quantum machine learning. Due to the theoretically possible computational speed-up of quantum computers compared to classical computers and the increasing volume and speed of data generated in earth observation, attempts are now being made to use quantum computers for satellite image processing. However, satellite imagery is too large and high dimensional, and transformations that reduce the dimensionality are necessary to fit the classical data in the limited input domain of quantum circuits. This paper presents and compares several dimensionality reduction techniques as part of hybrid quantum-classical systems to represent satellite images with up to $$256\times 256\times 3$$

256
×
256
×
3

values with only 16 values. We evaluate the representations of two benchmark datasets with supervised classification by four different quantum circuit architectures. We demonstrate the potential use of quantum machine learning for satellite image classification and give a comprehensive overview of the impact of various satellite image representations on the performance of quantum classifiers. It shows that autoencoder models are best suited to create small-scale representations, outperforming commonly used methods such as principle component analysis.
Design of charge converting lipid nanoparticles via a microfluidic coating technique
Authors: Zöller Katrin , Haddadzadegan Soheil , Lindner Sera , Veider Florina , Bernkop-Schnürch Andreas
Published: February 2024

It was the aim of this study to design charge converting lipid nanoparticles (LNP) via a microfluidic mixing technique used for the preparation and coating of LNP. LNP consisting of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), cholesterol, N-(carbonyl-methoxypolyethyleneglycol-2000)-1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (MPEG-2000-DSPE), and various cationic surfactants were prepared at diverging flow rate ratios (FRR) via microfluidic mixing. Utilizing a second chip in the microfluidic set-up, LNP were coated with polyoxyethylene (9) nonylphenol monophosphate ester (PNPP). LNP were examined for their stability in different physiologically relevant media as well as for hemolytic and cytotoxic effects. Finally, phosphate release and charge conversion of PNPP-coated LNP were evaluated after incubation with alkaline phosphatase and on Caco2-cells. LNP produced at an FRR of 5:1 exhibited a size between 80 and 150 nm and a positive zeta potential. Coating with PNPP within the second chip led to LNP exhibiting a negative zeta potential. After incubation with 1 U/ml alkaline phosphatase for 4 h, zeta potential of the LNP containing 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-trimethylammonium-propane chloride (DOTAP) as cationic component shifted from − 35 mV to approximately + 5 mV. LNP prepared with other cationic surfactants remained slightly negative after enzymatic phosphate cleavage. Manufacturing of LNP containing PNPP and DOTAP via connection of two chips in a microfluidic instrument proves to show efficient change in zeta potential from negative to positive after incubation with alkaline phosphatase.

Graphical abstract
Existence, uniqueness and regularity for a semilinear stochastic subdiffusion with integrated multiplicative noise
Authors: Li Zhiqiang , Yan Yubin
Published: February 2024

We investigate a semilinear stochastic time-space fractional subdiffusion equation driven by fractionally integrated multiplicative noise. The equation involves the $$\psi $$
ψ
-Caputo derivative of order $$\alpha \in (0,1)$$

α
∈
(
0
,
1
)

and the spectral fractional Laplacian of order $$\beta \in (\frac{1}{2},1]$$

β
∈
(

1
2

,
1
]

. The existence and uniqueness of the mild solution are proved in a suitable Banach space by using the Banach contraction mapping principle. The spatial and temporal regularities of the mild solution are established in terms of the smoothing properties of the solution operators.
Development of electron optical capabilities for manufacturing of large components by electron beam welding
Authors: Dutilleul T. , Widdison R. , Kyffin W.
Published: February 2024

Electron beam welding (EBW) is a fast process that shows promise to be used for high-productivity welding of thick-section components in the nuclear industry. Nuclear AMRC has been working for many years on developing the use of EBW for small modular reactor (SMR) applications, such as joining thick-section pressure vessel components. The major strength of EB is the single-pass process that can radically reduce fabrication times. This is also one of the major issues with EB. The stress on the welding operator is high as any error generally means failure. In chamber EB operation, such as the Pro-beam K2000 system at Nuclear AMRC, once the chamber is closed, the only interaction between the operator and the work piece is through a camera or the electron beam. Tracking features of the material or the joint line is important to gather as much information on the situation as possible. Nuclear AMRC has used the functions of the Pro-beam multimode to gain reliability during welding. The seam tracker relies on electron optical image analysis to assess the deviation of the beam from the joint line, but it is the duty of the operator to assess whether the correction should be applied. The team has demonstrated that based on the results of the seam tracker, more work is necessary before welding. It was also demonstrated that the seam tracker can be further used to align the beam/gun to the joint and assess variations in a gap in the joint or a variation of working distance for further process reliability.
Evaluation of methods used for simulation of heat-affected zones in duplex stainless steels
Authors: Westin E. M. , Westerberg L. G.
Published: February 2024

The weldability of duplex stainless steels partly depends on the ferritization of the high-temperature heat-affected zone (HT-HAZ). This area is rather narrow, and it can be challenging to visualize and determine its actual impact on the properties. To address this, various methods were applied to study the grain growth and austenite reformation in the HT-HAZ of the lean duplex grade UNS S32101. Thermo-mechanical Gleeble® simulations were conducted at 1360 °C with different holding times and cooling rates. Subsequently, the grain size and ferrite content were measured on polished and etched cross-sections. Bead-on-plate welds were performed on the same heat of 6-mm plate thickness using the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. The shielding gas was Ar + 0–8% N2 to illustrate the effect of nitrogen additions on the HT-HAZ morphology. The arc was either stationary, welding at one spot for 0.5–120 s, or travelling at different speeds to generate varying heat inputs and temperature gradients. The thermo-mechanical simulations approximated the results obtained by travelling arc welding and allowed for a more comprehensive investigation. Stationary arc welding was not suitable for HT-HAZ studies as it quickly caused nitrogen depletion and resulted in significantly higher ferrite contents compared to the travelling arc welds.
Iterative dynamics-based mesh discretisation for multi-scale coastal ocean modelling
Authors: Old Chris , Sellar Brian , Angeloudis Athanasios
Published: February 2024

Flow in coastal waters contains multi-scale flow features that are generated by flow separation, shear-layer instabilities, bottom roughness and topographic form. Depending on the target application, the mesh design used for coastal ocean modelling needs to adequately resolve flow features pertinent to the study objectives. We investigate an iterative mesh design strategy, inspired by hydrokinetic resource assessment, that uses modelled dynamics to refine the mesh across key flow features, and a target number of elements to constrain mesh density. The method is solver-agnostic. Any quantity derived from the model output can be used to set the mesh density constraint. To illustrate and assess the method, we consider the cases of steady and transient flow past the same idealised headland, providing dynamic responses that are pertinent to multi-scale ocean modelling. This study demonstrates the capability of an iterative approach to define a mesh density that concentrates mesh resolution across areas of interest dependent on model forcing, leading to improved predictive skill. Multiple design quantities can be combined to construct the mesh density, refinement can be applied to multiple regions across the model domain, and convergence can be managed through the number of degrees of freedom set by the target number of mesh elements. To apply the method optimally, an understanding of the processes being model is required when selecting and combining the design quantities. We discuss opportunities and challenges for robustly establishing model resolution in multi-scale coastal ocean models.
Solar Assisted Production of MgAl2O4 from Bayer Process Electrofilter Fines as Source of Al2O3
Authors: Fernández-González Daniel , Piñuela-Noval Juan , Ruiz-Bustinza Íñigo , González-Gasca Carmen , Gómez-Rodríguez Cristian , García-Quiñonez Linda Viviana , López-Liévano Adolfo , Fernández Adolfo , Verdeja Luis Felipe
Published: February 2024

Compared with conventional high-temperature methods based on electricity and fossil fuels, concentrated solar energy route offers distinct advantages in terms of mitigating emissions of contaminants and shortening processing times. Nevertheless, solar-based route also encounters challenges in producing significant quantities of materials, although the deployment of this technology is still conditioned by the limited investigation in the field. This study presents a novel high-temperature process based on solar energy to produce MgAl2O4 spinel, which employs as source of Al2O3 a waste from the aluminum industry: waste alumina fines from the Bayer process. First, mixtures were prepared by mechanical mixing in a molar ratio 1:1 in agreement with the MgO–Al2O3 binary phase diagram. Then, synthesis of the MgAl2O4 spinel was conducted by static experiments (5 min) with direct application of concentrated solar energy (1150 W/cm2) at temperatures greatly exceeding 1800 °C as reported by ANSYS software. Wastes from three Bayer process factories were studied, which exhibited after the synthesis process a good crystallinity. The carbon dioxide emissions avoidance would range from the 200 to 500 tons of CO2/year in the case of a small plant producing 1000 tons/year to 5000 to 12,000 tons of CO2/year in the case of a commercial plant producing 25,000 tons/year, thus contributing to mitigate climate change. The proposed process might lead to smaller volume of wastes in the aluminum industry, while the MgAl2O4 may be used as raw material in the numerous fields based on the chemical, thermal, dielectric, mechanical and optical properties.

Graphical Abstract
Numerical investigation on reinforced cement concrete helical piles subjected to combined axial and lateral loading
Authors: Arun Kumar Y. M. , Shetty Kiran K. , Krishnamoorthy A.
Published: February 2024

The research proposes the introduction of helices into the very popular reinforced cement concrete (RCC) piles to enhance the soil–pile interaction. The behavior of RCC helical piles under combined axial and lateral loading are reported. A 3D finite element model is developed using Abaqus software to simulate the pile–soil interaction. Steel helical piles have gained popularity due to their ease of installation and higher load-carrying capacity in comparison with plain RCC piles. The presence of helices in steel helical piles interlocks with the surrounding soil and exhibits higher load-carrying capacity. The load-bearing capacity of RCC piles is generally lower than that of steel helical piles; however, RCC piles are considered more economical. This study aims to enhance the performance of RCC piles by introducing a helical groove. In this paper, the performance of RCC helical piles is studied by varying the L/d (length-to-diameter) ratio of the pile and the elastic modulus of the soil. The outcomes reveal that RCC helical piles exhibit superior performance compared to plain piles, showcasing a significant reduction in settlement by 32%. This improved performance of RCC helical piles is observed across various combinations of L/d ratios and soil elastic modulus as compared to plain piles.
Unfavorable Neurological Outcomes with Incremental Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Duration in Cardiac Arrest Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mondal Avilash , Dadana Sriharsha , Parmar Poojan , Mylavarapu Maneeth , Bollu Bhaswanth , Kali Abeera , Dong Qiming , Butt Samia Rauf , Desai Rupak
Published: February 2024

The duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) affects neurological outcomes. Conclusive data on its decremental effect on neurological outcomes have not been explored before in a quantitative review. PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies from 2015 up to May 2023 using relevant keywords. The odds of good neurological outcomes were studied. Binary random effects were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed. Heterogeneity was assessed using I
2 statistics. For outcomes showing moderate to high heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was performed for follow-up duration or type of study. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 349,027 cardiac arrest patients (mean age, 70.2 years; males, 56.6%) from four studies were included in the meta-analysis. Of them, the initial rhythm was shockable in 11% (38,465/349,027) and non-shockable in 88.97% (310,562/349,027) of the population. Odds of having favorable neurological outcomes were 0.32 (95% CI 0.10–1.01, p = 0.05) for 6–10 min (n = 14,118), 0.10 (95% CI 0.02–0.64, p = 0.02) for 11–15 min (n = 43,885), 0.05 (95% CI 0.01–0.36, p 0.01) for 16–20 min (n = 66,174), 0.04 (95% CI 0.01–0.21, p < 0.01) for > 20 min (n = 181,262), and 0.03 (95% CI 0.00–1.55, p = 0.08) for > 30 min (n = 66,461) when compared to patients receiving CPR for < 5 min (n = 6420). Steady decremental odds of favorable neurological outcomes were seen with every 5 min of increased CPR duration, with a statistically significant decline seen in CPR duration from 11 to 15 min onwards.
Hybrid chips to enable a sustainable internet of things technology: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Rogdakis Konstantinos , Psaltakis George , Fagas Giorgos , Quinn Aidan , Martins Rodrigo , Kymakis Emmanuel
Published: February 2024

A new technological approach is needed for the development of emerging electronic components and systems within the Internet of Things (IoT) era. New advancements and innovations are required in architectural design and hybrid systems heterogeneous integration to address the challenge of widespread IoT deployment, its power demands and sustainability. Hybrid chips are one of the emerging technologies that can help overcome the current limitations in terms of energy consumption, performance and sustainability that could shape the future of electronic systems for targeted applications. Hybrid chips combine different materials and manufacturing technologies on the same substrate or package using advanced flexible heterogeneous integration techniques, with the focus of merging the advantages of each unit or technology toward enhanced performance and new levels of emerging functionalities. The categorization of hybrid chips spans across rigid hybrid chips that follow a multi-chiplet approach, semi-flexible chips that integrate flexible units with semi-rigid ones such as thinned silicon integrated circuits, and lastly, flexible chips in which all components are inherently flexible. This perspective article analyzes technical challenges that arise concerning the development of sustainable materials and processing technologies, complex heterogeneous integration, as well as advanced packaging architectures, standardization, and reliability testing. The economic implications for the semiconductor technology transition to hybrid chips is presented in terms of manufacturing costs, economic feasibility, and market readiness. Key insights and future application opportunities are provided, while recent advancements in the field are summarized. This perspective article suggests that by addressing these challenges, hybrid chips have the potential to transform electronic components and systems across a wide range of industries and use case scenario. The advancement of hybrid chip technologies by enhancing the collaboration between industry and academia as well as policymakers will be a crucial part in the realization of required sustainability goals within the worldwide Chips Act initiative, while ensuring the technological progress has the right balance between improved performance and sustainability.
Analysis and Performance Comparison of IoT Message Transfer Protocols Applying in Real Photovoltaic System
Authors: Tran Khoa Thi Minh , Pham Anh Xuan , Nguyen Nam Phuong , Dang Phuc Thi
Published: February 2024

The adoption of reliable and real-time communication technology is an absolute necessity for the advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Messaging protocols such as MQTT, AMQP, and HTTP are frequently used for communication with resource-constrained IoT devices. However, choosing a suitable and effective messaging protocol presents a daunting challenge for organizations, as it depends on the specific characteristics and messaging requirements of the IoT system. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of three established messaging protocols, such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), and the Advanced Message Queuing Protocol (AMQP), to appropriately apply them in practical projects. In this paper, information technology solutions are provided for a chain of solar farms to improve harvest productivity, facilitate warning notifications, and enable remote control. Subsequently, a detailed comparative analysis is performed, considering various interconnected criteria, to gain valuable insight into the strengths and limitations of these protocols. The results show that MQTT and AMQP play a role in enhancing overall efficiency and speed within the framework of our suggested photovoltaic system.
Mathilde Möhring
Authors: Fontane Theodor , Chambers Helen
Published: February 2024

The first English translation of Fontane's late, posthumously published novel, featuring the eponymous, complex heroine and confronting issues regarding gender roles and marriage that still resonate today.
Modeling Motherhood in Weimar Germany
Authors: Calvert Katherine E.
Published: February 2024

Reveals how socialist discourses and psychoanalytic ideas shaped the modern models of motherhood envisioned by women writers working in the Weimar press and literary spheres.
Local Place and the Arthurian Tradition in England and Wales, 1400-1700
Authors: Bateman Mary
Published: February 2024

The first in-depth study of Arthurian places in late medieval and early modern England and Wales.
St Helena
Authors: MacGregor Arthur
Published: February 2024

Traces the impact of world events on St Helena's topography, ecology and human population, from the early 1500s to the present day.
Apocalypse now or later? Nuclear war risk perceptions mirroring media coverage and emotional tone shifts in Italian news
Authors: Lauriola Marco , Di Cicco Gabriele , Savadori Lucia
Published: February 2024

This study delves into the progression of nuclear war risk perceptions during the initial 6 months of the Ukraine war. It particularly investigated the influence of Italian media coverage changes and the affective tone of war representation. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, two separate yet interconnected studies were conducted. The first study employed web scraping and keyword selection techniques to assess emotional language and quantify war-related content in the headlines of Italian online newspapers from March to July 2022. Results demonstrated a linear decrease in war-related news and an emotional shift, with a significant decrease in fear and an increase in joy noted between March and May. The second study examined nuclear war risk perceptions at an individual level, surveying a panel of 397 Italians at three distinct points during the same time frame. The findings revealed a similarity between the media’s affective tone and individuals’ affective risk perceptions. Analytic risk perception, in contrast, showed a linear decrease that matched the decline in war-related news volume. The study found preexisting individual differences, among women and older participants, to be significant determinants in shaping risk perception evolution. These groups exhibited higher initial risk perceptions and more resistance to change as the scenario unfolded. This research contributes to the existing body of work that underscores the media’s role in influencing risk perceptions by illuminating the relationship between media representation of the Ukraine war and individual-level affective risk perception. Furthermore, it highlights individual differences as significant moderators of risk perception change during a crisis.
EMU/GAMA: A technique for detecting active galactic nuclei in low mass systems
Authors: Prathap Jahang , Hopkins Andrew M. , Robotham Aaron S.G. , Bellstedt Sabine , Afonso José , Ahmed Ummee T. , Bilicki Maciej , Bremer Malcolm N. , Brough Sarah , Brown Michael J.I. , Gordon Yjan , Holwerda Benne W. , Leahy Denis , López-Sánchez Ángel R. , Marvil Joshua R. , Mukherjee Tamal , Prandoni Isabella , Shabala Stanislav S. , Vernstrom Tessa , Zafar Tayyaba
Published: February 2024

We propose a new method for identifying active galactic nuclei (AGN) in low mass (

$\mathrm{M}_*\leq10^{10}\mathrm{M}_\odot$

) galaxies. This method relies on spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting to identify galaxies whose radio flux density has an excess over that expected from star formation alone. Combining data in the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) G23 region from GAMA, Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) early science observations, and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), we compare this technique with a selection of different AGN diagnostics to explore the similarities and differences in AGN classification. We find that diagnostics based on optical and near-infrared criteria (the standard BPT diagram, the WISE colour criterion, and the mass-excitation, or MEx diagram) tend to favour detection of AGN in high mass, high luminosity systems, while the “ProSpect” SED fitting tool can identify AGN efficiently in low mass systems. We investigate an explanation for this result in the context of proportionally lower mass black holes in lower mass galaxies compared to higher mass galaxies and differing proportions of emission from AGN and star formation dominating the light at optical and infrared wavelengths as a function of galaxy stellar mass. We conclude that SED-derived AGN classification is an efficient approach to identify low mass hosts with low radio luminosity AGN.
Resistance of sugarcane hybrids to internode borer Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Mahesh P. , Singaravelu B. , Srikanth J. , Salin K. P. , Chandran K. , Nirmala R.
Published: February 2024

A four-year field study (2013–2016) was conducted to screen Indian sugarcane hybrids together with two susceptible checks against internode borer Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in endemic locations of Tamil Nadu State, India. Each year, borer incidence on cane basis and intensity on internode basis were assessed at harvest to eliminate susceptible entries. Of the total 535 hybrids screened, only Co 293 emerged as resistant at the end of fourth year trial which was confirmed in tests under controlled conditions with artificial infestation. A modified relative resistance ratio computed using incidence and intensity also confirmed its resistance to the borer. In laboratory oviposition choice tests with excised leaves of the resistant Co 293 and susceptible hybrids Co 86032 and Co 1060, percent of leaf bits oviposited, egg masses laid, and egg numbers deposited were significantly lowest in Co 293. Also, an oviposition preference index computed for both egg mass number and egg number was significantly lowest for Co 293 which suggested antixenosis. Larval survival was significantly lowest in Co 293 with 5 to 10-fold higher neonate mortality than in the two susceptible hybrids. Prolonged larval development period and lower fecundity were observed when the borer was reared on Co 293 which indicated antibiosis. A relative suitability ratio developed from larval and pupal durations also indicated lower suitability of Co 293. Among the plant morphological characters examined, leaf length and cane thickness positively influenced borer incidence; loose sheath-clasp was associated with higher borer incidence. Among 12 shoot phenolics quantified, eight were present in higher quantities in Co 293 suggesting their role in antibiosis. Co 293 identified as resistant hybrid in the present study has the potential to be used as a parent in breeding programs for C. sacchariphagus indicus resistance.
Rediscovery of the waterlily Nymphaea thermarum Eb. Fisch. in Rwanda
Authors: Abeli Thomas , Müller Sarah Marie , Seidel Siegmar
Published: February 2024

Nymphaea thermarum Eb. Fisch. (family Nymphaeaceae) is a small waterlily endemic to Rwanda that has been categorized as Extinct in the Wild since 2010. We report the rediscovery of N. thermarum in July 2023, not far from its locus classicus, identify the current and potential threats to the wild population (mining and overharvesting by collectors, respectively) and recommend the urgent conservation measures and research required to save the species from extinction. The species occupies small muddy ditches fed by hot spring water used for avocado plantations and fish pools. The population comprises hundreds of individuals, including reproductive adult plants, and seedlings. In the short term, conservation actions should include land protection, negotiation to ensure that sufficient water is reaching the habitat of N. thermarum and the reassessment of the species on the IUCN Red List, probably as Critically Endangered. In the medium term, the creation of a nature reserve, the restoration of the areas already affected by mining, and the reintroduction of N. thermarum to its original site would support long-term in situ conservation of the species. Further research should clarify the total and effective population size, population structure, ecology and genetics of this species.
Pragmatic effects on the sentence-final intonation of answered wh-in-situ questions in French
Authors: Reinhardt Janina , Matuschat-Petersen Wiebke
Published: February 2024

The final intonation in French wh-in-situ questions is subject to much debate. Although a wide variety of final pitch movements has been observed, recent studies generally agree on a tendency for final rises. In our study, we analysed the answered wh-in-situ questions (e.g. Tu veux savoir quoi ? – Tout ! ‘What do you want to know? – Everything!’) in a corpus of eleven audio books.

For our analysis, we used perceptual classifications by three annotators. Annotations included not only the perception of final intonational movement (‘rise’/‘fall’/‘plateau’), but also string-related (wh-lexeme; ‘wh-word final’/‘wh-word non-final’) and pragmatic (‘information-seeking’/‘non-information-seeking’; ‘hierarchical’/‘non-hierarchical’) features.

Our results show that a) even string-identical wh-in-situ questions can be pronounced with rises as well as falls and b) pragmatics affect the final pitch movement. If the speaker is hierarchically superior to the hearer, rises are less likely, and questions that are answered by the same speaker are even associated with a non-rising default. However, our data also suggest that pragmatic functions cannot be directly mapped to pitch movement. Information-seeking questions can be pronounced with all three final intonations and speakers may even choose opposite patterns for the same interrogative in the same context.
Moral Salience in Film Reviews Associated With Film Success
Authors: Huang Jialing , Yang Janet , Zhu Junjie
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Moral reflection, a prevalent response to popular media, can play an important role in audience media appraisal. Employing a computational approach, this study examined the effect of moral salience in film reviews on film success. By analyzing moral words from the Moral Foundation Dictionary in a large corpus of approximately 1.6 million IMDb film reviews, we found that moral salience in reviews was strongly associated with film success. Specifically, the salience of moral foundations identified as care, fairness, loyalty, and authority was positively associated with audience ratings, popularity, and gross domestic revenue. These findings demonstrate the real-world implications of moral reflection and entertainment media appraisal postulated by entertainment media theories. This research also offers methodological insights for automated analysis of movie review data.
Dishonesty When the Game Is Unfair
Authors: Galdi Silvia , Durante Federica , Maass Anne
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Although the link between economic inequality and dishonest behavior is well-established in the literature, their causal relation is still unclear. Here we investigate the causal link between economic inequality and dishonest behavior in a simulated society with high or low economic inequality, while holding middle-class status of the participants constant across conditions. Study 1 ( N = 479) focuses on tax evasion, showing that high (vs. low) economic inequality increases the tendency to not declare taxable income. Study 2 ( N = 228) analyzes cheating behavior, showing that participants under high (vs. low) economic inequality cheat more to increase their income. Together, the studies provide experimental evidence that economic inequality plays a causal role in dishonest behaviors, such as tax evasion and cheating.
Disentangling the Relationship Between Conspiracy Mindset Versus Beliefs in Specific Conspiracy Theories
Authors: Strömbäck Jesper , Broda Elena , Tsfati Yariv , Kossowska Malgorzata , Vliegenthart Rens
Published: February 2024

Abstract: While there is ample evidence showing that people who believe in one conspiracy theory are more likely to believe in other conspiracy theories, and many studies that show that some people have a stronger general propensity to believe in conspiracy theories – i.e., conspiracy mindset – than others, the empirical relationship between conspiracy mindset and beliefs in specific conspiracy theories is unclear. This paper thus aims to investigate this relationship using a unique three-wave panel study. Among other things, the findings suggest that a conspiracy mindset empirically can be distinguished from beliefs in specific conspiracy theories, and that conspiracy mindset is a stronger predictor of beliefs in specific conspiracy theories than the other way around.
Modeling a Century of Change: Kangerlussuaq Glacier's Mass Loss From 1933 to 2021
Authors: Lippert E. Y. H. , Morlighem M. , Cheng G. , Khan S. A.
Published: February 2024

Kangerlussuaq Glacier (KG) is a major contributor to central‐eastern Greenland mass loss, but existing estimates of its mass balance over the last century are inconsistent, and specific drivers of change remain poorly understood. We present a novel approach that combines numerical modeling and a 1933–2021 climate forcing to reconstruct its mass balance over the past century. The model's final state aligns remarkably well with present‐day observations. The model reveals a total ice mass loss of 285 Gt over the past century, equivalent to 0.68 mm global sea level rise, 51% of which occurred since 2003 alone. Dynamic thinning from ice front retreat is responsible for 88% of mass change since 1933, with short‐term ice front variations having minimal impact on centennial mass loss. Compared to earlier studies, our findings suggest that KG lost 59% (or 301 Gt) less mass over the century than previously thought.
Turbulence Across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the Indian Southern Ocean: Micro‐Temperature Measurements and Finescale Parameterizations
Authors: Sasaki Yusuke , Yasuda Ichiro , Katsumata Katsuro , Kouketsu Shinya , Uchida Hiroshi
Published: February 2024

Turbulence structures across the Antarctic circumpolar current (ACC) in the Indian Ocean at around 50°E were revealed using microstructure measurements. Depth‐averaged turbulent energy dissipation rates (ε) in 320 m segments estimated using a conductivity‐temperature‐depth (CTD)‐attached micro‐temperature fast‐response thermistor (FP07) were well reproduced using existing finescale parameterizations excluding near‐surface and near‐bottom 160 m. The spatial variations of ε are explained by density stratification N2, bottom topographic roughness, and depth‐averaged current speed U. Diapycnal diffusivity Kρ(=0.2εN−2) is found proportional to the squared internal wave energy () and increases toward the bottom, especially over rough bottom topography. The decay scale height is >1000m and the turbulence remains large even in the upper pycnocline. Existing shear‐based finescale parameterizations were generally consistent with the FP07 measurements but tended to overestimate in the areas with large shear‐strain ratio Rω and low ε in the Continental Zone (CZ) south of the ACC fronts (58–65°S). This overestimation is improved by using the strain‐based finescale parameterization with a constant Rω = 3.
Transient Response of Southern Ocean Ecosystems During Heinrich Stadials
Authors: Saini Himadri , Meissner Katrin J. , Menviel Laurie , Kvale Karin
Published: February 2024

Antarctic ice core records suggest that atmospheric CO2 increased by 15–20 ppm during Heinrich stadials (HS). These periods of abrupt CO2 increase are associated with a significant weakening of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), and a warming at high southern latitudes. As such, modeling studies have explored the link between changes in AMOC, high southern latitude climate and atmospheric CO2. While proxy records suggest that the aeolian iron input to the Southern Ocean decreased significantly during HS, the potential impact on CO2 of reduced iron input combined with oceanic circulation changes has not been studied in detail. Here, we quantify the respective and combined impacts of reduced iron fertilization and AMOC weakening on CO2 by performing numerical experiments with an Earth system model under boundary conditions representing 40,000 years before present (ka). Our study indicates that reduced iron input can contribute up to 6 ppm increase in CO2 during an idealized Heinrich stadial. This is caused by a 5% reduction in nutrient utilization in the Southern Ocean, leading to reduced export production and increased carbon outgassing from the Southern Ocean. An AMOC weakening under 40ka conditions and without changes in surface winds leads to a ∼0.5 ppm CO2 increase. The combined impact of AMOC shutdown and weakened iron fertilization is almost linear, leading to a total CO2 increase of 7 ppm. Therefore, this study highlights the need of including changes in aeolian iron input when studying the processes leading to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration during HS.
Climatology of Dayside E‐Region Zonal Neutral Wind Shears From ICON‐MIGHTI Observations
Authors: Li Minjing , Deng Yue , Harding Brian J. , England Scott
Published: February 2024

Large vertical shears in the E‐region neutral zonal winds can lead to ion convergences and contribute to plasma irregularities, but climatological studies of vertical shears of horizontal winds in a global scale are lacking due to the limitations of data coverage. The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) Michelson Interferometer for Global High‐resolution Thermospheric Imaging (MIGHTI) has provided neutral wind observations with an unprecedented spatial coverage. In this study, the climatology of dayside E‐region neutral wind shears has been examined using 2‐years’ data (2020–2021). Specifically, the study focuses on large wind shears with a magnitude larger than 20 m/s/km, since large wind shears are more likely to cause significant perturbation in the ionosphere‐thermosphere (I‐T) system. The results show that the probability of occurrence of large shears is strongly dependent on the altitude, with the vertical profile varying with shear direction, latitude, season, and local time. In general, below 110 km altitude, large negative shears of the eastward wind are most likely to happen during summer at 8–10 LT in 25°N–40°N latitudes, showing a high probability across nearly all longitudes. Meanwhile, large positive shears tend to occur in 10°S–10°N latitudes, with peak probabilities exhibiting roughly consistent longitudinal structures across 8–10 LT in all seasons. The discrepancies between positive and negative large shear distributions underlie different global tidal influences. The large‐shear occurrence probabilities above 110 km are generally small, except in latitudes above 25°N during the winter for positive shears.
Serum endocan, asymmetric dimethylarginine and lipid profile in children with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: El Zayat Rania S. , Hassan Fahima M. , Aboelkhair Noran T. , Abdelhakeem Walaa F. , Abo Hola Ahmed S.
Published: February 2024

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease, and it is thought that subclinical inflammation persists even when there are no attacks, eventually causing endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis. Limited data are available about serum endocan, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and lipid profile in children with FMF, so we aimed to evaluate these markers in children with FMF during the attack-free period.

Methods

A total of 50 patients diagnosed with FMF and 50 age and sex-matched healthy children were recruited. Serum endocan, ADMA and lipid profiles were measured. Also, atherogenic indices (Castelli’s risk indices I and II [CRI I and II], atherogenic index of plasma [AIP] and atherogenic coefficient [AC]) were calculated.

Results

Serum endocan, ADMA levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, CRI II and AIP of the FMF patients were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001). Unlike serum endocan, serum ADMA showed a positive significant correlation with total cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol, CRI I, AIP and AC (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.028, p = 0.004 respectively).

Conclusion

Serum ADMA and lipid profile might be used as potential markers for endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk in FMF patients.

Impact

Theoretically, serum ADMA may affect lipid profiles and serum endocan represents an intriguing biomarker related to inflammation. Coexistence of dyslipidemia represents an additional risk factor that contributes to the onset of early atherosclerosis.

A few studies investigated the role of changes in lipid profile and lipid ratios in accelerated atherosclerosis pathogenesis in FMF patients.

The relationship between colchicine and lipid profile is contradictory. Although colchicine can cause dyslipidemia, it also has anti-atherosclerosis effects.

Elevated ADMA level and atherogenic indices in FMF children reflect their potential role in the early detection of cardiovascular affection in FMF patients.