bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-level and Metrics Evaluation Approach for Data-Driven Based Sensor Models
Authors: Li Hexuan , Bamminger Nadine , Wan Li , Eichberger Arno
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, with increased sensor perception performance for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), scenario-based simulation is becoming more frequent to manage the complexity of reality in terms of cost and time. The perception system provides the basis for the vehicle guidance algorithms calculation, but the simulation of ADAS sensors is a challenging task in virtual testing. Literature reports the magnitude of relevant modelling approaches and data-driven models becoming increasingly important. A basic method is to fit the sensor output in the virtual environment with high-fidelity measurements of real-world scenarios, thus a direct relation can be established between real and synthetic sensor data. To prove the suitability of a method, it is necessary to quantify the gap between simulation and reality to determine the performance of different models. In this work, authors address this problem and visualize the gap by introducing a multi-level evaluation approach that combines Model Generalization Ability Evaluation and Case Implicit Performance Evaluation. The former directly evaluates the model’s overall performance, while the latter is used for specific cases in simulation. The study shows that this combined evaluation approach provides an in-depth framework for evaluating sensor models to make the differences apparent.
Thermal degradation of emerging pollutants in municipal solid wastes and agro wastes: effectiveness of catalysts and pretreatment for the conversion of value added products
Authors: Chandrasekran Geetha , Ahalya N. , Pamila R. , Madhu P. , Vidhya L. , Vinodha S. , Pratiwi Arby’in , Bain Ali , Lalvani J. Isaac JoshuaRamesh
Published: March 2024

In this study, emerging soil pollutants in the form of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural waste were converted into biofuel via thermal degradation process. Among various waste-to-energy conversion processes, the pyrolysis of biomass is considered the most significant due to its maximum biofuel yield than other conversion techniques. Individual and co-pyrolysis of MSW and sugarcane residue (SR) as well as its treated variant (TSR) were performed in a lab-setup fixed-bed reactor with and without catalyst. The effect of acid pretreatment and catalytic effects on the pyrolysis process was assessed in terms of product yields and characterization. The acidic pretreatment of SR and catalyst in the pyrolysis process alters the process yield and its composition. The maximum oil yield of 50.5 wt% was achieved by catalytic co-pyrolysis of MSW + TSR + HZSM5, whereas the maximum gas yield of 38.1 wt% was achieved by catalytic co-pyrolysis of MSW + SR + HZSM5. This suggests that intrinsic minerals present in the biomass and MSW, particularly alkali and alkaline earth metals, have a catalytic effect on the devolatilization of organic material and the char cracking event. The pretreatment of biomass showed considerable improvement in the properties of the produced pyrolysis oil and char. Compared to the pyrolysis oil and char obtained from MSW + SR, the oil and char obtained from MSW + TSR + HZSM5 showed a small increment in their heating values. Pretreatment and the catalytic co-pyrolysis process influenced the structure of the pyrolysis oils, increasing the production of phenolic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons. The amount of gas components in pyrolysis gas, such as CH4, CO2, and CO also changed more according to the feedstock used for the process. Overall, the HZSM-5 catalyst and co-pyrolysis of MSW with pretreated SR enhanced the pyrolysis conversion of waste municipal solids and agricultural wastes into energy-rich products.
Analysis of decarbonization path in New York state and forecasting carbon emissions using different machine learning algorithms
Authors: Ekaterina Glukhova , Li Jia
Published: March 2024

The state of New York admitted 143 million metric tons of carbon emissions from fossil fuels in 2020, prompting the ambitious goal set by the CLCPA to achieve carbon neutrality. The paper focused on analyzing and predicting carbon emissions using four different machine-learning algorithms. It examined emissions from fossil fuel combustion from 1990 to 2020 and validated four different algorithms to choose the most effective one for predicting emissions from 2020 to 2050. The analysis covered various economic sectors including transportation, residential, commercial, industrial, and electric power. By analyzing policies, the paper forecasted emissions for 2030 and 2050, leading to the identification of different pathways to reach carbon neutrality. The research concluded that in order to achieve neutrality, radical measures must be taken by the state of New York. Additionally, the paper compared the most recent data for 2021 with the forecasts, showing that significant measures need to be implemented to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Despite some studies assuming a trend of decreased emissions, the research revealed different results. The paper presents three pathways, two of which follow the ambitious plan to reach carbon neutrality. As a result, the emission amount by 2050 for the different pathways was projected to be 31.1, 22.4, and 111.95 of MMt CO2 e, showcasing the need for urgent action to combat climate change.
Frigate HMS Leander
Authors: Mulder Jantinus
Published: March 2024

HMS Leander was completed in 1963 as the first ship of the Leander Class Improved Type 12 General Purpose Frigates. In 1974, she joined the 3rd Frigate Squadron, which included other Leander-class frigates. The design was the most successful Western frigate of its time and led to several new international designs.
Impact of metagenomic next-generation sequencing on clinical decision-making at an academic medical center, a retrospective study, Iowa, 2020–2022
Authors: Olthoff Michael , Kobayashi Takaaki , Parsons Meredith G. , Ford Bradley , Prasidthrathsint Kunatum , Non Lemuel , Salinas Jorge L. , Diekema Daniel J. , Ince Dilek
Published: March 2024

We assessed the impact of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on patient care using previously established criteria. Among 37 patients receiving mNGS testing, 16% showed results that had a positive clinical impact. While mNGS results may offer valuable supplementary information, results should be interpreted within the broader clinical context and evaluation.
Learn to flap: foil non-parametric path planning via deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Wang Z.P. , Lin R.J. , Zhao Z.Y. , Chen X. , Guo P.M. , Yang N. , Wang Z.C. , Fan D.X.
Published: March 2024

To optimize flapping foil performance, in the current study we apply deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to plan foil non-parametric motion, as the traditional control techniques and simplified motions cannot fully model nonlinear, unsteady and high-dimensional foil–vortex interactions. Therefore, a DRL training framework is proposed based on the proximal policy optimization algorithm and the transformer architecture, where the policy is initialized from the sinusoidal expert display. We first demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed DRL-training framework, learning the coherent foil flapping motion to generate thrust. Furthermore, by adjusting reward functions and action thresholds, DRL-optimized foil trajectories can gain significant enhancement in both thrust and efficiency compared with the sinusoidal motion. Last, through visualization of wake morphology and instantaneous pressure distributions, it is found that DRL-optimized foil can adaptively adjust the phases between motion and shedding vortices to improve hydrodynamic performance. Our results give a hint of how to solve complex fluid manipulation problems using the DRL method.
Large eddy simulation of flow over a circular cylinder with a neural-network-based subgrid-scale model
Authors: Kim Myunghwa , Park Jonghwan , Choi Haecheon
Published: March 2024

A neural-network-based large eddy simulation is performed for flow over a circular cylinder. To predict the subgrid-scale (SGS) stresses, we train two fully connected neural network (FCNN) architectures with and without fusing information from two separate single-frame networks (FU and nFU, respectively), where the input variable is either the strain rate (SR) or the velocity gradient (VG). As the input variables, only the grid-filtered variables are considered for the SGS models of G-SR and G-VG, and both the grid- and test-filtered variables are considered for the SGS models of T-SR and T-VG. The training data are the filtered direct numerical simulation (fDNS) data at

$Re_d=3900$

based on the free-stream velocity and cylinder diameter. Using the same grid resolution as that of the training data, the performances of G-SR and G-VG (grid-filtered inputs) and T-SR-FU and T-VG-FU (grid- and test-filtered inputs with fusion) are better than those of the dynamic Smagorinsky model and T-SR-nFU and T-VG-nFU (grid- and test-filtered inputs without fusion). These FCNN-based SGS models are applied to untrained flows having different grid resolutions from that of training data. Although the performances of G-SR and G-VG are degraded, T-SR-FU and T-VG-FU still provide good performances. Finally, T-SR-FU and T-VG-FU trained at

$Re_d = 3900$

are applied to higher-Reynolds-number flows (

$Re_d = 5000$

and 10 000) and their results are also in good agreements with those of fDNS and previous experiment, indicating that adding the test-filtered variables and fusion increases the prediction capability even for untrained Reynolds number flows.
Experimental measurement of spatio-temporally resolved energy dissipation rate in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Xu Fang , Zhang Lu , Xia Ke-Qing
Published: March 2024

We report a home-built velocity-gradient-tensor-resolved particle image velocimetry (VGTR-PIV) system which spatio-temporally resolves all components of the velocity gradient tensor. This technique is applied to the paradigmatic turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection system in a cylindrical cell at three representative positions, i.e. centre, side and bottom regions. The VGTR-PIV system allows us to directly measure, for the first time, the spatio-temporally resolved energy dissipation rate and enstrophy in turbulent thermal convection. In the experiment, the Rayleigh number

$Ra$

varied in the range

$2 \times 10^8 \leqslant Ra \leqslant 8 \times 10^9$

and the Prandtl number

$Pr$

was fixed at

$Pr = 4.34$

. Compared with the fully resolved energy dissipation rate

$\varepsilon$

, the pseudo-dissipation provides the best estimate within

$3\,\%$

, the planar (two-dimensional) surrogate has a larger relative error and the one-dimensional surrogate leads to the largest error. The power-law scalings of the time-averaged energy dissipation rate with the Rayleigh number follow

$\langle \varepsilon _c \rangle _t / (\nu ^3 H^{-4}) = 9.86 \times 10^{-6} Ra^{1.54 \pm 0.02}$

,

$\langle \varepsilon _s \rangle _t / (\nu ^3 H^{-4}) = 9.26 \times 10^{-3} Ra^{1.25 \pm 0.02}$

and

$\langle \varepsilon _b \rangle _t / (\nu ^3 H^{-4}) = 2.70 \times 10^{-2} Ra^{1.23 \pm 0.02}$

in the centre, side and bottom regions, respectively where

$\nu$

is dynamic viscosity and

$H$

is cell height. These scaling relations, along with our earlier measured time-averaged energy dissipation rate at the bottom wall surface

$\langle \varepsilon _w \rangle _t / (\nu ^3 H^{-4}) = 9.65 \times 10^{-2} Ra^{1.25 \pm 0.02}$

(J. Fluid Mech., vol. 947, 2022, A15), provide important constraints against which theoretical models may be tested. For the centre and side locations in the convection cell, the probability density functions (p.d.f.s) of the energy dissipation rate and enstrophy both follow a stretched exponential distribution. For the bottom region, the p.d.f.s of dissipation and enstrophy exhibit a stretched exponential distribution outside the viscous boundary layer and an exponential distribution inside the viscous boundary layer. It is also found that extreme events with high dissipation are the most intermittent in the side region, whereas the bottom region is less intermittent than the cell centre.
Constrained optimal stopping under a regime-switching model
Authors: Arai Takuji , Takenaka Masahiko
Published: March 2024

We investigate an optimal stopping problem for the expected value of a discounted payoff on a regime-switching geometric Brownian motion under two constraints on the possible stopping times: only at exogenous random times, and only during a specific regime. The main objectives are to show that an optimal stopping time exists as a threshold type and to derive expressions for the value functions and the optimal threshold. To this end, we solve the corresponding variational inequality and show that its solution coincides with the value functions. Some numerical results are also introduced. Furthermore, we investigate some asymptotic behaviors.
Legal entrepreneurship and the evolution of multidimensional advocacy in social movements: the case of marriage equality
Authors: Bailey Christine M. , Collins Paul M. , Rhodes Jesse H. , Rice Douglas
Published: March 2024

The emergence and dissemination of new legal ideas can play an important role in sparking change in the way activists in marginalized communities understand their rights and pursue their objectives. How and why do the legal beliefs of such communities evolve? We argue that the vigorous advocacy of new legal ideas by entrepreneurs and the harnessing of specialized media to help disseminate those ideas are important mechanisms in this evolution. We use the rise of marriage equality as a central legal priority in the mainstream American LGBTQ+ rights movement as a case study to illustrate this phenomenon. Using a mixed-methods analysis of Evan Wolfson’s legal advocacy and an examination of The Advocate, we investigate how Wolfson developed and disseminated legal ideas about same-sex marriage. We show how this advocacy eventually dominated discussion of the issue among elite LGBTQ+ legal actors and the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ publication. However, Wolfson’s advocacy tended to emphasize LGBTQ+ integration into “mainstream” American culture and prioritized the interests and values of relatively privileged subgroups within the LGBTQ+ community. Our research informs our understanding of the interplay between legal advocacy and media reporting in the development of LGBTQ+ rights claims and the strategies adopted to achieve them.
Triangulation, incommensurability, and conditionalization
Authors: Liron Amir , Nissan-Rozen Ittay
Published: March 2024

We present a new justification for methodological triangulation (MT), the practice of using different methods to support the same scientific claim. Unlike existing accounts, our account captures cases in which the different methods in question are associated with, and rely on, incommensurable theories. Using a nonstandard Bayesian model, we show that even in such cases, a commitment to the minimal form of epistemic conservatism, captured by the rigidity condition that stands at the basis of Jeffrey’s conditionalization, supports the practice of MT.
Adaptive-to-maladaptive gradient of emotion regulation tendencies are embedded in the functional–structural hybrid connectome
Authors: Kim Wonyoung , Kim M. Justin
Published: March 2024

Background

Emotion regulation tendencies are well-known transdiagnostic markers of psychopathology, but their neurobiological foundations have mostly been examined within the theoretical framework of cortical–subcortical interactions.

Methods

We explored the connectome-wide neural correlates of emotion regulation tendencies using functional and diffusion magnetic resonance images of healthy young adults (N = 99; age 20–30; 28 females). We first tested the importance of considering both the functional and structural connectome through intersubject representational similarity analyses. Then, we employed a canonical correlation analysis between the functional–structural hybrid connectome and 23 emotion regulation strategies. Lastly, we sought to externally validate the results on a transdiagnostic adolescent sample (N = 93; age 11–19; 34 females).

Results

First, interindividual similarity of emotion regulation profiles was significantly correlated with interindividual similarity of the functional–structural hybrid connectome, more so than either the functional or structural connectome. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that an adaptive-to-maladaptive gradient of emotion regulation tendencies mapped onto a specific configuration of covariance within the functional–structural hybrid connectome, which primarily involved functional connections in the motor network and the visual networks as well as structural connections in the default mode network and the subcortical–cerebellar network. In the transdiagnostic adolescent dataset, stronger functional signatures of the found network were associated with higher general positive affect through more frequent use of adaptive coping strategies.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study illustrates a gradient of emotion regulation tendencies that is best captured when simultaneously considering the functional and structural connections across the whole brain.
The stability and change of wellbeing across the lifespan: a longitudinal twin-sibling study
Authors: de Vries Lianne P. , Pelt Dirk H. M. , Bartels Meike
Published: March 2024

Background

Wellbeing is relatively stable over the life span. However, individuals differ in this stability and change. One explanation for these differences could be the influence of different genetic or environmental factors on wellbeing over time.

Methods

To investigate causes of stability and change of wellbeing across the lifespan, we used cohort-sequential data on wellbeing from twins and their siblings of the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) (total N = 46.885, 56% females). We organized wellbeing data in multiple age groups, from childhood (age 5), to adolescence, up to old age (age 61+). Applying a longitudinal genetic simplex model, we investigated the phenotypic stability of wellbeing and continuity and change in genetic and environmental influences.

Results

Wellbeing peaked in childhood, decreased during adolescence, and stabilized during adulthood. In childhood and adolescence, around 40% of the individual differences was explained by genetic effects. The heritability decreased toward old adulthood (35–24%) and the contribution of unique environmental effects increased to 76%. Environmental innovation was found at every age, whereas genetic innovation was only observed during adolescence (10–18 years). In childhood and adulthood, the absence of genetic innovation indicates a stable underlying set of genes influencing wellbeing during these life phases.

Conclusion

These findings provide insights into the stability and change of wellbeing and the genetic and environmental influences across the lifespan. Genetic effects were mostly stable, except in adolescence, whereas the environmental innovation at every age suggests that changing environmental factors are a source of changes in individual differences in wellbeing over time.
Redes de afiliaciones socioculturales en El Tintal, Petén, Guatemala: Una perspectiva desde la cerámica
Authors: Patiño-Contreras Alejandro , Alvarado Najarro Silvia , Acuña Mary Jane
Published: March 2024

A partir de los conceptos de modo y sistema cerámico, analizamos el rango de variación estilística en las cerámicas de El Tintal, Guatemala, como indicadores de conexiones sociales, económicas y políticas a nivel regional. Nuestro estudio muestra que la población de El Tintal participó en sistemas cerámicos con una distribución geográfica extensa durante los períodos preclásico medio y tardío, clásico temprano y clásico tardío. Durante los períodos preclásico terminal y clásico terminal, sin embargo, El Tintal participó en sistemas de afiliación con cobertura espacial limitada, aunque entre estos circulan conjuntos de cerámicas particulares a larga distancia. Con base en los resultados del estudio proponemos aquí algunas explicaciones a estos patrones en términos de dinámicas de interacción sociocultural y económicas.
The embedded Wh- in situ clause: French tout court? Les spasmes musculaires incontrôlés, je sais pas c’est quoi (France Info 20/10/21)
Authors: Ledegen Gudrun
Published: March 2024

Although not studied by the generative approach (Shlonsky 2017), the embedded Wh- in situ clause nevertheless belongs to the French language spoken in a large amount of areas, and, we believe, to “français tout court” (Blanche-Benveniste & Jeanjean 1987): until now, it has mainly been studied in Quebec (Lefebvre & Maisonneuve 1982; Blondeau & Ledegen 2021) and in Reunion Island (Ledegen 2007a, 2007b, 2007c, 2016; Ledegen & Martin 2020), but it has recently been massively attested in the Multicultural Paris French project in the suburbs of Paris (Gardner-Chloros & Secova 2018) and Strasbourg (Marchessou 2018). These new data could be read as a language contact, as a recent linguistic change, or as a long-established “popular” structure (Guiraud 1966), different analytical hypotheses that will be detailed in this study. These recent data also argue in favour of the methodology of ecological corpora, obtained within the framework of a strong acquaintanceship and located at the pole of communicative proximity (Koch & Oesterreicher 2001). The examination of various existing corpora will reveal the structural functioning of the structure and contrast the corpora following the modes of interaction, the oral or written medium, as well as on the chronological axis.
Healthy lifestyle promotion via digital self-help for mental health patients in primary care: a pilot study including an embedded randomized recruitment trial
Authors: Kolaas Karoline , Axelsson Erland , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Berman Anne H.
Published: March 2024

Aim:

This study piloted a digital self-help intervention facilitating healthy lifestyle for patients with mental health problems in primary care.

Background:

Patients with mental health problems show more unhealthy lifestyle behaviors than the general population and prior research indicates that healthy lifestyle behaviors can improve mental health.

Methods:

This pilot study assessed use of a self-help digital intervention for healthy lifestyle promotion and included an embedded randomized recruitment trial, where all patients were randomized to digital self-help plus treatment as usual (TAU) or to TAU only. Patients seeking help for mental health problems were recruited from two primary care clinics in Stockholm, Sweden, and offered participation in a healthy lifestyle promotion study via digital self-help. Outcome measures included use-related assessment of inclusion and follow-up rates at both clinics, participant characteristics, and intervention adherence. Secondary outcomes included depression (the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (the GAD-7) up to 10 weeks, and changes in alcohol and tobacco use, physical activity, and diet.

Results:

The study included 152 patients. The recruitment rate, initially low, increased after involving the clinicians more and maintaining more frequent contact with the patients. The 10-week missing data rate was 33/152 (22%). Participants were 70% (106/152) women, with a mean age of 42 years (SD = 14); fewer than half (38%, n = 58/152) had one or more high-risk unhealthy behaviors at inclusion. Psychiatric symptoms were moderate at baseline and declined in both groups after 10 weeks (d = 0.57–0.75). No between-group effects over time occurred on depression (b = 0.3 [95% CI −1.6, 2.2]; d = 0.06), anxiety (b = −0.7 [−2.5, 1.2]; d = 0.13), or lifestyle behaviors (b = 0.01 [−0.3, 0,3]; d = −0.01).

Conclusions:

Recruitment routines seemed to be decisive for reaching as many patients as possible. The relatively low rate of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and small effect sizes suggests that the intervention may only suit patients at risk.

Trial registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03691116 (01/10/2018), focusing on the embedded trial. Retrospectively registered for the first clinic and prospectively for the second clinic.
Dying at home: What is needed? Findings from a nationwide retrospective cross-sectional online survey of bereaved people in Germany
Authors: Kasdorf Alina , Voltz Raymond , Strupp Julia
Published: March 2024

Objectives

According to the “Last Year of Life in Cologne” study, 68% of patients with a serious and terminal illness wanted to die at home, but 42% died in hospital. Only 1 in 5 died at home. Most people want to spend their last days and hours at home, but the reality is that this is not always possible. Recommendations are needed on how best to support families to enable people to die at home – if this is their preferred place of death. Our aim was to identify the factors that make it possible for people to die at home and to analyze factors of dying at home.

Methods

Germany-wide quantitative cross-sectional online survey of bereaved adult relatives.

Results

The needs of 320 relatives of patients who wished to die at home were explored. Of these, 198 patients died at home and 122 did not. In the last 3 months of life, caregivers needed support in managing out-of-hours care (p < 0.001), financing (p = 0.012), preparing and organizing home care (both p < 0.001), communicating with the patient and medical staff (p = 0.012 and p = 0.009, respectively), and pain management (p < 0.001). Relatives whose next of kin did not die at home had higher needs, suggesting that these factors are key to home care of the dying.

Significance of results

The process of dying at home begins long before the actual dying phase. To minimize caregiver burden and improve symptom management, advanced home care plans are needed, with ongoing reassessment of family preferences and abilities.
Intercession and Anamnesis in the Eucharist
Authors: Browning Ron
Published: March 2024

Examining intercession and anamnesis in the Anglican Eucharist first, a theology of the world in which its brokenness as embraced by the compassion of Christ, is seen to undergird intercession, whereby a ‘natural’ link is found with the anamnesis. Turning to the historical background of relationship between these two topics – in the Early Church, noted are two particular forms as recorded by Justin Martyr and Cyril of Jerusalem; in the English Reformation, it is seen that intercession was maintained as a part of the canon (and therefore had some connection with the anamnesis), and then, the modern period displays a departure in Anglican provinces from the Reformation order with only a loose principle, or none, maintained in its position between Word and Sacrament. The retrieval of Christ overcoming the powers of evil in his redemptive work, as recorded in Hippolytus’ liturgical form, has made its way into the modern liturgy, providing implications for the connection between anamnesis and intercession. The liturgiology of the Orthodox Church strengthens the theme. Present concerns regarding the Anglican practice of Eucharistic intercession are raised and improvements are suggested. It is concluded that, theologically, intercession and anamnesis hold an intimate connection in the Eucharist.
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Brief Scales for Assessing Two Dimensions of Psychosocial Resource Utilization in Family Caregivers
Authors: Schulz Sebastian , Töpfer Nils , Hillebrand Mareike , Pfeiffer Klaus , Wilz Gabriele
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Psychosocial resources can enhance positive experiences and reduce negative experiences in family caregivers. This study aimed to develop scales for measuring the utilization of resources related to well-being and coping with daily hassles adapted for family caregivers. It aimed to examine their psychometric properties with a German sample of 445 informal caregivers. Factorial analyses, reliability, and validity tests yielded the scales “Utilization of resources related to well-being” and “Self-encouragement and acceptance.” These showed divergent validity to scales focusing on care-recipients’ cognitive and functional impairment and sufficient convergent validity to scales measuring physical health complaints, caregiver burden, and depression. The scales represent economic measures suitable for both preventive and interventional studies.
Dependence of Tropical Cyclone Weakening Rate in Response to an Imposed Moderate Environmental Vertical Wind Shear on the Warm‐Core Strength and Height of the Initial Vortex
Authors: Gao Qi , Wang Yuqing
Published: March 2024

This study investigated the dependence of the early tropical cyclone (TC) weakening rate in response to an imposed moderate environmental vertical wind shear (VWS) on the warm‐core strength and height of the TC vortex using idealized numerical simulations. Results show that the weakening of the warm core by upper‐level ventilation is the primary factor leading to the early TC weakening in response to an imposed environmental VWS. The upper‐level ventilation is dominated by eddy radial advection of the warm‐core air. The TC weakening rate is roughly proportional to the warm‐core strength and height of the initial TC vortex. The boundary‐layer ventilation shows no relationship with the early weakening rate of the TC in response to an imposed moderate VWS. The findings suggest that some previous diverse results regarding the TC weakening in environmental VWS could be partly due to the different warm‐core strengths and heights of the initial TC vortex.
Organic Carbon Sources in Surface Sediments on the Northern South China Sea
Authors: Lin Baozhi , Liu Zhifei , Eglinton Timothy I. , Wiesner Martin G. , Blattmann Thomas M. , Haghipour Negar
Published: March 2024

The burial of organic carbon (OC) in marine sediments regulates CO2 content in the atmosphere. However, the OC sources and their effect on the OC preservation in sediments of the continental marginal sea remain elusive. Here, we survey the abundance, stable carbon and radiocarbon isotopes of OC, as well as mineral surface area and grain size in surface sediments from the shelf to the abyssal plain of the South China Sea. We found that the marine OC comprises the 63 ± 9% and 78 ± 14% of sedimentary OC off South China and Luzon, respectively. The petrogenic OC contributing to sedimentary OC in these sites is generally higher than that of soil OC (22 ± 10% vs. 12 ± 6%). The sedimentary OC off Taiwan is predominantly derived from petrogenic OC, accounting for 57 ± 10%, with remaining consisting of marine OC (36 ± 10%) and soil OC (6 ± 1%). High soil OC contents are found in fine sediments on the inner shelf off South China, and high petrogenic OC contents occur in fine sediments off Taiwan. Marine OC contents are high in fine sediments on the middle shelf and upper slope off South China, but low in coarse sediments on the outer shelf and upper slope, and fine sediments on the lower slope and abyssal plain. The OC sources, mineral surface area, and oxygen exposure time of OC together control the preservation of OC in sediments with their relative importance differing on varying depositional settings of this sea.
Rapid development of double-hit mRNA antibody cocktail against orthopoxviruses
Authors: Chi Hang , Zhao Suo-Qun , Chen Ru-Yi , Suo Xing-Xing , Zhang Rong-Rong , Yang Wen-Hui , Zhou Dong-Sheng , Fang Min , Ying Bo , Deng Yong-Qiang , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: March 2024

The Orthopoxvirus genus, especially variola virus (VARV), monkeypox virus (MPXV), remains a significant public health threat worldwide. The development of therapeutic antibodies against orthopoxviruses is largely hampered by the high cost of antibody engineering and manufacturing processes. mRNA-encoded antibodies have emerged as a powerful and universal platform for rapid antibody production. Herein, by using the established lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA platform, we constructed four mRNA combinations that encode monoclonal antibodies with broad neutralization activities against orthopoxviruses. In vivo characterization demonstrated that a single intravenous injection of each LNP-encapsulated mRNA antibody in mice resulted in the rapid production of neutralizing antibodies. More importantly, mRNA antibody treatments showed significant protection from weight loss and mortality in the vaccinia virus (VACV) lethal challenge mouse model, and a unique mRNA antibody cocktail, Mix2a, exhibited superior in vivo protection by targeting both intracellular mature virus (IMV)-form and extracellular enveloped virus (EEV)-form viruses. In summary, our results demonstrate the proof-of-concept production of orthopoxvirus antibodies via the LNP-mRNA platform, highlighting the great potential of tailored mRNA antibody combinations as a universal strategy to combat orthopoxvirus as well as other emerging viruses.
Blocking CIRP protects against acute pancreatitis by improving mitochondrial function and suppressing pyroptosis in acinar cells
Authors: Liu Wuming , Ren Yifan , Wang Tao , Wang Mengzhou , Xu Yujia , Zhang Jia , Bi Jianbin , Wu Zheng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wu Rongqian
Published: March 2024

Acute pancreatitis (AP) continues to pose a major challenge as targeted therapeutic interventions are absent. Mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis are involved in the pathogenic mechanisms of AP. CIRP is a stress-response protein and a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule. In our previous studies, we discovered that excessive CIRP can directly damage pancreatic acinar cells. Nonetheless, the precise involvement of CIRP in AP is still unexplored. The primary aim of this study was to examine the potential involvement of CIRP in the development of pyroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in AP. To study this, an L-arginine-induced AP mouse model was used. Our results showed that Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) were crucial factors in the occurrence of tissue damage and inflammation in AP. A substantial increase in the CIRP serum levels was observed in AP mice. Blocking CIRP by either CIRP gene knockout or systemic administration of C23, a competing inhibitor of CIRP, reduced ROS accumulation and pyroptosis in AP mice. These effects were associated with attenuated pancreatic injury and inflammation. In addition, CIRP-triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment, and pyroptosis in pancreatic acinar cells were prevented by TAK242, an inhibitor of CIRP receptor TLR4. In conclusion, CIRP can induce mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis in pancreatic acinar cells, and blocking CIRP may be a valuable approach to treating patients with AP.
Optimizing the corrosion performance of rust layers: role of Al and Mn in lightweight weathering steel
Authors: Tang Yihao , Guo Yuxing , Ji Pengfei , Li Bo , Xia Chaoqun , Zhang Shuzhi , Zhang Junsong , Zhang Xinyu , Liu Riping
Published: March 2024

In this study, the corrosion behavior of AlMn lightweight weathering steel (LWS) in the simulated marine atmosphere was investigated by means of the dry/wet corrosion cycle test. The results showed that Al was present as FeAl2O4 and enriched in the inner layer, which significantly optimizes the rust layer in terms of compactness, elemental distribution, phase constitution, and electrochemical properties. The Mn oxides promoted the formation of FeAl2O4 and enhanced the anti–rupture ability of the LWS’s rust layer.
Association between T1w/T2w ratio in white matter and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lee Sae-Nal , Woo Sung-Ho , Lee Eun Ja , Kim Kwang Ki , Kim Hang-Rai
Published: March 2024

Loss of myelin in the brain may lead to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ratio of T1 weighted/T2 weighted (T1w/T2w) on magnetic resonance imaging has been used as a proxy for myelin content in the brain. Using this approach, we investigated the correlation between the white matter (WM) T1w/T2w ratio and both cognitive scores and disease progression in AD. A total of 93 participants who were cognitively unimpaired or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or AD dementia were recruited between March 2021 and November 2022. All participants were assessed using neuropsychological tests, and a subset of the participants was assessed every 1 year to monitor disease progression. We observed significant positive associations between the WM T1w/T2w ratio and executive function within the fornix, sagittal stratum, anterior internal capsule, and body of the corpus callosum (False discovery rate [FDR]-corrected P-value < 0.05). There was a marginal interaction between the WM T1w/T2w ratio of the left anterior internal capsule and the longitudinal change in sum of boxes of the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (FDR-corrected P-value = 0.05). The present study demonstrated that the WM T1w/T2w ratio was associated with executive function and disease progression, suggesting that it may be a novel neuroimaging marker for AD.
A new unit distribution: properties, estimation, and regression analysis
Authors: Karakaya Kadir , Rajitha C. S. , Sağlam Şule , Tashkandy Yusra A. , Bakr M. E. , Muse Abdisalam Hassan , Kumar Anoop , Hussam Eslam , Gemeay Ahmed M.
Published: March 2024

This research commences a unit statistical model named power new power function distribution, exhibiting a thorough analysis of its complementary properties. We investigate the advantages of the new model, and some fundamental distributional properties are derived. The study aims to improve insight and application by presenting quantitative and qualitative perceptions. To estimate the three unknown parameters of the model, we carefully examine various methods: the maximum likelihood, least squares, weighted least squares, Anderson–Darling, and Cramér-von Mises. Through a Monte Carlo simulation experiment, we quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of these estimation methods, extending a robust evaluation framework. A unique part of this research lies in developing a novel regressive analysis based on the proposed distribution. The application of this analysis reveals new viewpoints and improves the benefit of the model in practical situations. As the emphasis of the study is primarily on practical applications, the viability of the proposed model is assessed through the analysis of real datasets sourced from diverse fields.
Acellular porcine Achilles tendon patch encapsulating tendon-derived stem cells for rotator cuff repair in a rabbit model
Authors: Wen Huawei , Fang Yushun
Published: March 2024

Currently, the predominant method for repairing rotator cuff involves surgical suture techniques, but the failure rate remains notably high. Failure of the rotator cuff insertion to provide adequate biomechanics during early healing is considered a major cause of failure. Addressing this problem, biological augmentation emerges as a promising strategy for enhancing the biomechanical properties during early stages. Tendon-derived stem cells (TDSCs), which facilitate the differentiation of repair-supportive cells, hold the potential to improve the efficacy of patch application. The study aims to assess the behavior of TDSCs in acellular porcine Achilles tendon (APAT) patches and to explore the capacity of the APAT patch encapsulating TDSCs in promoting both tendon-to-bone healing and biomechanical enhancements in a rabbit rotator cuff repair model. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses validated the complete cellular clearance of native cells from APAT patches, with uniform distribution of TDSCs. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed successful TDSCs attachment, while population doubling time (PDT) underscored increased TDSCs proliferation on APAT patches. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) demonstrated upregulation of tenocyte and osteocyte related genes in TDSCS cultured within the patches. In the subsequent in vivo experiment, fifty-four rabbits were used to create rotator cuff injury models and randomly assigned to a control group, an APAT patch group, and an APAT patch with TDSCs group. Histological analysis showed that the APAT patch with TDSCs group had significantly enhanced tendon-to-bone healing and a distinctly organized tendon-fibrocartilage-bone structure, as compared to the APAT patch group. In addition, the biomechanical properties of the APAT patch with TDSCs group were significantly improved. In conclusion, APAT patches promote TDSC proliferation and stimulate tenogenic and osteogenic differentiation. APAT patches encapsulating TDSCs have shown considerable potential in promoting tendon-to-bone healing of rotator cuff injuries, indicating that their use in rotator cuff repair surgery is clinically meaningful.
The completed mitochondrial genomes of Globodera vulgaris reveals new insights into the genus Globodera phylogeny
Authors: Yang Sihua , Zhu Huiying , Yang Zaifu , Li Xingyue , Pan Yonglang , Xu Chunling , Xie Hui
Published: March 2024

Due to the highly conserved structure, animal mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is widely used in classification, evolution, phylogeny, population genetic structure and other fields. We reported on the five circle multipartite mtDNAs of a newly described species of Globodera, Globodera vulgaris (Gv) from potatoes in China. The results showed that the mtDNA of Gv was obtained through second- and third-generation sequencing, with a total length of 42,995 bp. It contained 12 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes and 17 tRNA genes, which were distributed in different subgenomic circles. Comparison of the differences in mtDNA among Gv, G. rostochiensis, G. pallida and G. ellingtonae showed that the size and arrangement of the genes in the mtDNA of the genus Globodera were variable and not conserved. The codon usage bias of the mitochondrial protein-coding gene of Gv showed that Gv might have originated from locally and more primitive group of existing Globodera. Based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunits I genes (COX1) and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunits I genes (ND1), and the results showed that Gv was clustered with Globodera spp. according to the COX1 and ND1 in scmtDNA-V, while Gv was clustered with Meloidogyne spp. according to ND1 in scmtDNA-III. The results of this study provided a new basis for understanding the multipartite structure of mtDNA as a phylogenetic and taxonomic feature of the genus Globodera. The number of subgenomic circles is a diagnostic feature of species and the arrangement order and size of mitochondrial protein-coding genes also have important application value in species identification within the genus.
Association of anti-diabetic drugs and COVID-19 outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiomyopathy
Authors: Dimnjaković Jelena , Buble Tamara , Ivanko Pero , Pristaš Ivan , Brborović Ognjen , Brborović Hana
Published: March 2024

There is a scarcity of information on the population with diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiomyopathy (PDMC) in COVID-19, especially on the association between anti-diabetic medications and COVID-19 outcomes. Study is designed as a retrospective cohort analysis covering 2020 and 2021. Data from National Diabetes Registry (CroDiab) were linked to hospital data, primary healthcare data, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination database, and the SARS-CoV-2 test results database. Study outcomes were cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity, COVID-19 hospitalizations, and COVID-19 deaths. For outcome predictors, logistic regression models were developed. Of 231 796 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in the database, 14 485 patients had cardiomyopathy. The two2-year cumulative incidence of all three studies' COVID-19 outcomes was higher in PDMC than in the general diabetes population (positivity 15.3% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.01; hospitalization 7.8% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001; death 2.6% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001). Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors therapy was found to be protective of SARS-CoV-2 infections [OR 0.722 (95% CI 0.610–0.856)] and COVID-19 hospitalizations [OR 0.555 (95% CI 0.418–0.737)], sulfonylureas to be risk factors for hospitalization [OR 1.184 (95% CI 1.029–1.362)] and insulin to be a risk factor for hospitalization [OR 1.261 (95% CI 1.046–1.520)] and death [OR 1.431 (95% CI 1.080–1.897)]. PDMC are at greater risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection and having worse outcomes than the general diabetic population. SGLT-2 inhibitors therapy was a protective factor against SARS-CoV-2 infection and against COVID-19 hospitalization, sulfonylurea was the COVID-19 hospitalization risk factor, while insulin was a risk factor for all outcomes. Further research is needed in this diabetes sub-population.
Automated analysis of knee joint alignment using detailed angular values in long leg radiographs based on deep learning
Authors: Lee Hong Seon , Hwang Sangchul , Kim Sung-Hwan , Joon Nam Bum , Kim Hyeongmin , Hong Yeong Sang , Kim Sungjun
Published: March 2024

Malalignment in the lower limb structure occurs due to various causes. Accurately evaluating limb alignment in situations where malalignment needs correction is necessary. To create an automated support system to evaluate lower limb alignment by quantifying mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and joint line convergence angle (JLCA) on full-length weight-bearing radiographs of both lower extremities. In this retrospective study, we analysed 404 radiographs from one hospital for algorithm development and testing and 30 radiographs from another hospital for external validation. The performance of segmentation algorithm was compared to that of manual segmentation using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The agreement of alignment parameters was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for internal and external validation. The time taken to load the data and measure the four alignment parameters was recorded. The segmentation algorithm demonstrated excellent agreement with human-annotated segmentation for all anatomical regions (average similarity: 89–97%). Internal validation yielded good to very good agreement for all the alignment parameters (ICC ranges: 0.7213–0.9865). Interobserver correlations between manual and automatic measurements in external validation were good to very good (ICC scores: 0.7126–0.9695). The computer-aided measurement was 3.44 times faster than was the manual measurement. Our deep learning-based automated measurement algorithm accurately quantified lower limb alignment from radiographs and was faster than manual measurement.
Complex and variable regulation of ΔNp63 and TAp63 by TGFβ has implications for the dynamics of squamous cell epithelial to mesenchymal transition
Authors: Pokorná Zuzana , Tylichová Zuzana , Vojtesek Borivoj , Coates Philip J.
Published: March 2024

TGFβ has roles in inflammation, wound healing, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell states, and acts as a tumor suppressor gene for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCCs are also characterized by high levels of ΔNp63, which induces epithelial cell phenotypes and maintains squamous stem cells. Previous studies indicate a complex interplay between ΔNp63 and TGFβ signaling, with contradictory effects reported. We investigated the effects of TGFβ on p63 isoform proteins and mRNAs in non-malignant squamous and SCC cells, and the role of either canonical or non-canonical TGFβ signaling pathways. TGFβ selectively increased ΔNp63 protein levels in non-malignant keratinocytes in association with SMAD3 activation and was prevented by TGFβ receptor inhibition, indicating activation of canonical TGFβ pathway signaling. TP63 isoform mRNAs showed discordance from protein levels, with an initial increase in both TAP63 and ΔNP63 mRNAs followed by a decrease at later times. These data demonstrate complex and heterogeneous effects of TGFβ in squamous cells that depend on the extent of canonical TGFβ pathway aberrations. The interplay between TGFβ and p63 is likely to influence the magnitude of EMT states in SCC, with clinical implications for tumor progression and response to therapy.