bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pushed to the edge: Spatial sorting can slow down invasions
Authors: Shaw Allison K. , Lutscher Frithjof , Popovic Lea
Published: May 2023

Our ability to understand population spread dynamics is complicated by rapid evolution, which renders simple ecological models insufficient. If dispersal ability evolves, more highly dispersive individuals may arrive at the population edge than less dispersive individuals (spatial sorting), accelerating spread. If individuals at the low‐density population edge benefit (escape competition), high dispersers have a selective advantage (spatial selection). These two processes are often described as forming a positive feedback loop; they reinforce each other, leading to faster spread. Although spatial sorting is close to universal, this form of spatial selection is not: low densities can be detrimental for organisms with Allee effects. Here, we present two conceptual models to explore the feedback loops that form between spatial sorting and spatial selection. We show that the presence of an Allee effect can reverse the positive feedback loop between spatial sorting and spatial selection, creating a negative feedback loop that slows population spread.
Spontaneous fast‐ultradian dynamics of polymorphic interictal events in drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Authors: Dellavale Damián , Bonini Francesca , Pizzo Francesca , Makhalova Julia , Wendling Fabrice , Badier Jean‐Michel , Bartolomei Fabrice , Bénar Christian‐George
Published: May 2023

Objective

We studied the rate dynamics of interictal events occurring over fast‐ultradian time scales, as commonly examined in clinics to guide surgical planning in epilepsy.

Methods

Stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) traces of 35 patients with good surgical outcome (Engel I) were analyzed. For this we developed a general data mining method aimed at clustering the plethora of transient waveform shapes including interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and assessed the temporal fluctuations in the capability of mapping the epileptogenic zone (EZ) of each type of event.

Results

We found that the fast‐ultradian dynamics of the IED rate may effectively impair the precision of EZ identification, and appear to occur spontaneously, that is, not triggered by or exclusively associated with a particular cognitive task, wakefulness, sleep, seizure occurrence, post‐ictal state, or antiepileptic drug withdrawal. Propagation of IEDs from the EZ to the propagation zone (PZ) could explain the observed fast‐ultradian fluctuations in a reduced fraction of the analyzed patients, suggesting that other factors like the excitability of the epileptogenic tissue could play a more relevant role. A novel link was found between the fast‐ultradian dynamics of the overall rate of polymorphic events and the rate of specific IEDs subtypes. We exploited this feature to estimate in each patient the 5 min interictal epoch for near‐optimal EZ and resected‐zone (RZ) localization. This approach produces at the population level a better EZ/RZ classification when compared to both (1) the whole time series available in each patient (p = .084 for EZ, p < .001 for RZ, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test) and (2) 5 min epochs sampled randomly from the interictal recordings of each patient (p < .05 for EZ, p < .001 for RZ, 105 random samplings).

Significance

Our results highlight the relevance of the fast‐ultradian IED dynamics in mapping the EZ, and show how this dynamics can be estimated prospectively to inform surgical planning in epilepsy.
Functional outcomes and associated factors of cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage in an area with aging populations in change over time: Evidence from the Akita Stroke Registry
Authors: Kudo Ikue , Sasaki Masahiro , Suzuki Akifumi , Ishikawa Tatsuya
Published: May 2023

Aim

To examine secular change in functional outcomes and associated factors of stroke in a rapidly aging region.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage incidence registered cases in the Akita Stroke Registry from 1985 to 2014, divided into three of 10 years each. Functional outcome was defined as good with a modified Rankin scale score of 0–1 and poor with a score of 3–6 at discharge. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis with the location of medical facility as a random effects variable by disease type was used to examine the results.

Results

There were 81 254 eligible patients (cerebral infarction: 58 217, intracerebral hemorrhage: 23 037). Age at onset increased over time in both diseases (cerebral infarction: median [interquartile range] age, 70 [63–77] years in 1985–1994 to 77 [69–83] years in 2005–2014; intracerebral hemorrhage: 64 [56–72] years in 1985–1994 to 72 [61–80] years in 2005–2014). Multivariate analysis showed that the odds ratio associated with good outcomes increased over time for cerebral infarction, and cerebral hemorrhage increased in periods 2 and 3 compared with period 1, but decreased from period 2 to period 3. For cerebral infarction, the odds ratios of prior diabetes associated with poor outcomes decreased over time.

Conclusion

The age at onset increased over time. In cerebral infarction, functional outcomes improved over time, and the association between diabetes and poor outcome declined over time. It was speculated that these results were related to advances in the healthcare system and improved management of vascular risk factors during the study period. Intracerebral hemorrhage improved during the first 20 years, with no apparent improvement thereafter. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 486–492.
Reinforced medication adherence improvesHelicobacter pylorieradication rate in developing countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zeng Rong , Li Xiaomei , Wang Fangfei , Xie Jinliang , Song Conghua , Xie Yong
Published: May 2023

Background

The eradication rate ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) remains variable for the same eradication regime even in the identical region, especially in developing countries. Herein, we conducted a systematic review to assess the effect of reinforced medication adherence onH. pylorieradication rate in developing countries.

Materials and Methods

A systematic review was conducted in literature databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to March 2023. The core indicator was the changes in eradication rate after enhanced adherence. A meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) or weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Nineteen RCTs that included a total of 3286 patients were assessed. The measures to enhance compliance were mainly through face‐to‐face communication, phone calls, text messages, and social software. Compared with the control group, patients received reinforced measures showed a better medication adherence (89.6% vs. 71.4%, RR = 1.26 95% CI: 1.16–1.37), higherH. pylorieradication rate (intention‐to‐treat analysis: 80.2% vs. 65.9%, RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.12–1.31; per‐protocol analysis: 86.8% vs. 74.8%, RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09–1.23), higher symptom relief rates (81.8% vs. 65.1%, RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.09–1.38), higher degree of satisfaction (90.4% vs. 65.1%, RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.19–1.35), higher disease knowledge rates (SMD = 1.82, 95% CI: 0.77–2.86,p = 0.0007), and lower incidence of total adverse events (27.3% vs. 34.7%, RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52–0.99).

Conclusion

Based on available evidence, reinforced medication adherence as a nonnegligible measure improvesH. pylorieradication rate in developing countries.
Recurrent PAK2 rearrangements in poroma with folliculo‐sebaceous differentiation
Authors: Kervarrec Thibault , Pissaloux Daniel , Paindavoine Sandrine , Tirode Franck , Osio Amélie , Mourah Samia , Jouenne Fanélie , Sohier Pierre , Calonje Eduardo , Pekar Agnes , Luna Evelyn Vanesa Erazo , Goto Keisuke , Delalande Flore , Frouin Eric , Macagno Nicolas , Drouot Françoise , Faisan Monique , Cribier Bernard , Battistella Maxime , de la Fouchardière Arnaud
Published: May 2023

Aims

Poroma is a benign adnexal neoplasm with differentiation towards the upper portion of the sweat gland apparatus. In 2019, Sekine et al. demonstrated recurrent YAP1::MAML2 and YAP1::NUTM1 fusion in poroma and porocarcinoma. Follicular, sebaceous and/or apocrine differentiation has been reported in rare cases of poroma and whether these tumours constitute a variant of poroma or represent a distinctive tumour is a matter to debate. Herein we describe the clinical, immunophenotypic, and molecular features of 13 cases of poroma with folliculo‐sebaceous differentiation.

Methods and results

Most of the tumours were located on the head and neck region (n = 7), and on the thigh (n = 3). All presented were adults with a slight male predilection. The median tumour size was 10 mm (range: 4–25). Microscopically, lesions displayed features of poroma with nodules of monotonous basophilic cells associated with a second population of larger eosinophilic cells. In all cases, ducts and scattered sebocytes were identified. Infundibular cysts were present in 10 cases. In two cases high mitotic activity was noted, and in three cases cytologic atypia and areas of necrosis were identified. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing demonstrated in‐frame fusion transcripts involving RNF13::PAK2 (n = 4), EPHB3::PAK2 (n = 2), DLG1::PAK2 (n = 2), LRIG1::PAK2 (n = 1), ATP1B3::PAK2 (n = 1), TM9SF4::PAK2 (n = 1), and CTNNA1::PAK2 (n = 1). Moreover, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis revealed PAK2 rearrangement in an additional case. No YAP1::MAML2 or YAP1::NUTM1 fusion was detected.

Conclusion

Recurrent fusions involving the PAK2 gene in all analysed poroma with folliculo‐sebaceous differentiation in this study confirms that this neoplasm represents a separate tumour entity distinct from YAP1::MAML2 or YAP1::NUTM1 rearranged poromas.
Ability of SpikoGen®, an Advax‐CpG adjuvanted recombinant spike protein vaccine, to induce cross‐neutralising antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 variants
Authors: Honda‐Okubo Yoshikazu , Antipov Anna , Andre Greiciely , Barati Saghar , Kafi Hamidreza , Petrovsky Nikolai
Published: May 2023

SpikoGen® vaccine is a subunit COVID‐19 vaccine expressed in insect cells comprising recombinant spike protein extracellular domain formulated with Advax‐CpG55.2™ adjuvant. A Phase 2 trial was conducted in 400 adult participants randomised 3:1 to receive two intramuscular doses of SpikoGen® vaccine or saline placebo 3 weeks apart. Some Phase 2 trial participants later enrolled in a separate booster study and received a third dose of SpikoGen® vaccine. This stored serum was used to assess the ability of SpikoGen® vaccine to induce cross‐neutralising antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 variants of concern. Sera taken at baseline and 2 weeks after the second vaccine dose from baseline seronegative Phase 2 subjects was evaluated using a panel of spike pseudotype lentivirus neutralisation assays for the ability to cross‐neutralise a wide range of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants, including Omicron BA.1, BA.2 and BA.4/5. Stored samples of subjects who participated in both the 2‐dose Phase 2 trial and a third dose booster trial 6 months later were also analysed for changes in cross‐neutralising antibodies over time and dose. Two weeks after the second dose, sera broadly cross‐neutralised most variants of concern, albeit with titres against Omicron variants being ~10‐fold lower. While Omicron titres fell to low levels 6 months after the second vaccine dose in most subjects, they showed a ~20‐fold rise after the third dose booster, after which there was only a ~2‐3‐fold difference in neutralisation of Omicron and the ancestral strains. Despite being based on the ancestral Wuhan sequence, after two doses, SpikoGen® vaccine induced broadly cross‐neutralising serum antibodies. Titres then reduced over time but were rapidly restored by a third dose booster. This resulted in high neutralisation including against the Omicron variants. This data supports ongoing use of SpikoGen® vaccine for protection against recent SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variants.
Benefits of asking students to make an instructional video of a multimedia lesson: Clarifying the learning‐by‐teaching hypothesis
Authors: Cheng Meixia , Wang Fuxing , Mayer Richard E.
Published: May 2023

Background

Learning‐by‐teaching is a generative learning strategy in which students are told they will have to teach what they are learning to others. Although learning‐by‐teaching has been shown to be effective in some cases, few studies have established guidelines for how to optimize the benefits of learning‐by‐teaching as a generative learning strategy from a social presence perspective.

Objectives

This study seeks to clarify the learning‐by‐teaching hypothesis and to pinpoint the optimal level of social presence during learning‐by‐teaching that is most conducive to learning.

Methods

In Experiment 1, college students received a lesson with instructions that afterwards they would explain the material to others by making a video, explain the material aloud to themselves, or restudy the material. In Experiment 2, college students viewed a multimedia lesson with instructions that afterwards they would explain the materials by making a video, explain to an onscreen student, or explain to a student in person.

Results and Conclusions

Teaching by making a video was better than restudying, self‐explaining, and teaching face‐to‐face or online. Teaching quality was better in video teaching than self‐explaining and face‐to‐face or online teaching. Teaching by making a video is ideal because it primes generative processing while minimizing extraneous processing.

Implications

This study is the first to manipulate different levels of social presence of oral teaching to determine the optimal form of learning‐by‐teaching, which preliminarily clarifies generative learning and social presence theory and has implications for both empirical and theoretical research.
Exploring the co‐occurrence of students' learning behaviours and reasoning processes in an intelligent tutoring system: An epistemic network analysis
Authors: Huang Xiaoshan , Li Shan , Wang Tingting , Pan Zexuan , Lajoie Susanne P.
Published: May 2023

Background

Medical students use a variety of self‐regulated learning (SRL) strategies in different medical reasoning (MR) processes to solve patient cases of varying complexity. However, the interplay between SRL and MR processes is still unclear.

Objectives

This study investigates how self‐regulated learning (SRL) and medical reasoning (MR) occurred concurrently in medical students while completing a diagnostic task in an intelligent tutoring system. This study aims to provide new insights into performance differences between high‐ and low‐achieving students in tasks of varying complexity.

Methods

Thirty‐one medical students (67.6% female) from a large North American university were tasked with solving two virtual patient cases in an intelligent tutoring system, BioWorld. BioWorld was designed for medical students to practice clinical reasoning skills deliberately. We collected students' think‐aloud protocols, based on which we coded their use of SRL behaviours and medical reasoning activities. We analysed the co‐occurrences of SRL behaviours and medical reasoning activities using the epistemic network analysis (ENA) method.

Results

The SRL behaviour self‐reflection and MR activity lines of reasoning co‐occurred more frequently in a difficult task than in an easy task. In both tasks, high performers demonstrated more co‐occurrences of self‐reflection and lines of reasoning than low performers. Moreover, the MR activity conceptual operations co‐occurred more frequently with the SRL activities of monitoring and evaluation among high performers compared to low performers in an easy task.

Implications

The co‐occurrences of SRL behaviours and MR processes account for students' performance differences. The design of computer‐based learning environments for clinical reasoning should promote the acquisition of both SRL and medical reasoning abilities. Moreover, medical educators should consider task complexity when scaffolding.
Measuring oxytocin release in response to gavage: Computational modelling and assay validation
Authors: Hassan Shereen , El Baradey Hala , Madi Mohamed , Shebl Mohamed , Leng Gareth , Lozic Maja , Ludwig Mike , Menzies John , MacGregor Duncan
Published: May 2023

In the present experiments, we tested the conclusion from previous electrophysiological experiments that gavage of sweet food and systemically applied insulin both stimulate oxytocin secretion. To do so, we measured oxytocin secretion from urethane‐anaesthetised male rats, and demonstrated a significant increase in secretion in response to gavage of sweetened condensed milk but not isocaloric cream, and a significant increase in response to intravenous injection of insulin. We compared the measurements made in response to sweetened condensed milk with the predictions from a computational model, which we used to predict plasma concentrations of oxytocin from the published electrophysiological responses of oxytocin cells. The prediction from the computational model was very closely aligned to the levels of oxytocin measured in rats in response to gavage.
The role of rumination in the relationship between symptoms of insomnia and depression in adolescents
Authors: Li Sophie H. , Corkish Brittany , Richardson Cele , Christensen Helen , Werner‐Seidler Aliza
Published: May 2023

There is a strong relationship between the symptoms of insomnia and depression, however, little is understood about the factors that mediate this relationship. An understanding of these underlying mechanisms may inform the advancement of existing treatments to optimise reductions in insomnia and depression when they co‐occur. This study examined rumination and unhelpful beliefs about sleep as mediators between symptoms of insomnia and depression. It also evaluated the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I) on rumination and unhelpful beliefs about sleep, and whether these factors mediated the effect of CBT‐I on depressive symptoms. A series of mediation analyses and linear mixed modelling were conducted on data from 264 adolescents (12–16 years) who participated in a two‐arm (intervention vs. control) randomised controlled trial of Sleep Ninja®, a CBT‐I smartphone app for adolescents. Rumination, but not unhelpful beliefs about sleep, was a significant mediator between symptoms of insomnia and depression at baseline. CBT‐I led to reductions in unhelpful beliefs about sleep, but not in rumination. At the between‐group level, neither rumination, nor unhelpful beliefs about sleep emerged as mechanisms underlying improvement in depression symptoms, however, rumination mediated within‐subject improvements following CBT‐I. The findings suggest rumination links symptoms of insomnia and depression and provide preliminary evidence that reductions in depression following CBT‐I occurs via improvements in rumination. Targeting rumination may improve current therapeutic approaches.
The effect of longitudinal sleep monitoring on clinician agreement in obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis: The ELSA study
Authors: Roeder Maurice , Sievi Noriane A. , Frei Nina , Schwarz Esther I. , Steinack Carolin , Gaisl Thomas , Kohler Malcolm
Published: May 2023

There is strong evidence for clinically relevant night‐to‐night variability of respiratory events in patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep experts retrospectively evaluated diagnostic data in 56 patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea. Experts were blinded to the fact that they were diagnosing the same case twice, once based on a short report of a single in‐laboratory respiratory polygraphy and once with the additional information of 14 nights of pulse oximetry at home. All experts (n = 22) were highly qualified, 13 experts (59.1%) treated > 100 patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea per year. In 12 patients, the apnea–hypopnea index in the respiratory polygraphy was < 5 per hr, but the mean oxygen desaturation index of 14 nights of pulse oximetry was ≥ 5 per hr. The additional information of 14 nights of pulse oximetry helped to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea with a 70% consensus in two of those patients (16.7% [95% confidence interval: 4.7/44.8]). In eight patients, experts could not agree to a 70% consensus regarding continuous positive airway pressure therapy recommendation after respiratory polygraphy. The additional information of multiple‐night testing led to a consensus in three of those cases (37.5% [95% confidence interval: 14/69]). Change of obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and continuous positive airway pressure recommendation was significantly negatively associated with the number of treated obstructive sleep apnea patients > 100 per year compared with 0–29 patients per year (Coef. [95% confidence interval] −0.63 [−1.22/−0.04] and −0.61 [−1.07/−0.15], respectively). Experts found already a high level of consensus regarding obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis, severity and continuous positive airway pressure recommendation after a single respiratory polygraphy. However, longitudinal sleep monitoring could help increase consensus in selected patients with diagnostic uncertainty.
Characterization of P‐glycoprotein orthologs from human, sheep, pig, dog, and cat
Authors: Azimi Mina , Yee Sook Wah , Riselli Andrew , Silva Dina Buitrago , Giacomini Craig P. , Giacomini Kathleen M. , Brett Claire M.
Published: May 2023

The ATP‐binding cassette transporter P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) limits the oral bioavailability of many drugs. Although P‐gp has been well studied in humans and mice, little is known about the substrate specificities of many of its species orthologs. To address this, we performed in vitro analysis of P‐gp transporter function using HEK293 cells stably expressing human, ovine, porcine, canine, and feline P‐gp. We also employed a human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to assess variations in digoxin exposure resulting from altered P‐gp function. Compared to human P‐gp, sheep P‐gp had significantly less digoxin efflux (2.3‐fold ±0.04 vs. 1.8‐fold ±0.03, p < .0001) and all species orthologs had significantly less quinidine efflux compared with human P‐gp (p < .05). Human P‐gp also had significantly greater efflux of talinolol compared to sheep and dog P‐gp (1.9‐fold ±0.04 vs. 1.6‐fold ±0.06, p = .003 and 1.6‐fold ±0.05, p = .0002, respectively). P‐gp expression protected all lines against paclitaxel‐induced toxicity, with sheep P‐gp being significantly less protective. The inhibitor verapamil demonstrated dose‐dependent inhibition of all P‐gp orthologs. Finally, a PBPK model showed digoxin exposure was sensitive to altered P‐gp activity. Overall, our study found that species differences in this major drug transporter exist and that the appropriate species ortholog of P‐gp should be evaluated during veterinary drug development.
Hezbollah's Coercion And the Israel‐Lebanon Maritime Deal
Authors: Sobelman Daniel
Published: May 2023

In late 2022, Israel and Lebanon signed a US‐brokered maritime agreement establishing their permanent maritime boundary and exclusive economic zones, and regulating their rights to gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. Preceding the agreement was a sustained coercive‐diplomacy campaign by Hezbollah. Between June and October, the organization conveyed overt and covert threats, and it pursued actions that were unprecedented in the Israel‐Hezbollah conflict: openly threatening to target Israel's entire gas production and risk all‐out war if Israel proceeded with its plan to unilaterally extract gas from the contested Karish gas field. A textbook case of coercive diplomacy, Hezbollah's maneuver was calculated and deliberate, which reflects the group's strategic expertise. Drawing on open‐source materials and public statements in Arabic and Hebrew, this article analyzes Hezbollah's coercive‐diplomacy campaign and examines its implications for escalation scenarios between Israel and its central military opponent.
Effect of the Initial Deformity in the Coronal Plane on Postoperative Outcome of Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Dai Fei , Xiang Ming , Zhang Qing , Yang Jinsong , Li Yiping
Published: May 2023

Objective

There is currently no consensus on proximal humerus fractures with an initial deformity in the coronal plane who are better off with plates or nails, so we designed this study. To compare the effect of the initial deformity in the coronal plane of proximal humerus fractures on postoperative outcomes, we compare the maintenance of reduction in procedures utilizing plates and nails, and analyzed the subsequent occurrence of complications to explore whether the initial deformity should dictate the fixation approach.

Methods

The clinical data of patients with proximal humerus fractures who were hospitalized and underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were reviewed. Postoperative functional scores (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, ASES; Constant‐Murley Score, CMS), Neck‐shaft angle (NSA), Quality of fracture reduction, Deltoid Tuberosity Index (DTI), and complications were compared among cases with initial varus, normal, or valgus deformities.

Results

We included 131 patients, 56 males and 75 females, with a mean age of 60.89 ± 5.53 years (range 50–76) and a mean follow‐up duration of 16.63 ± 6.78 months (range 12–48). Of these, 29 cases had initial varus displacement, 71 had a normal NSA, and 31 had initial valgus displacement. Seventy‐five were treated with a locking plate and 56 with a nail. After open reduction and internal fixation, the NSA was restored to normal (−135°) in all patients in all groups (P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in NSA changes at the last follow‐up; 2.93° ± 2.12° in the varus group, 1.77° ± 1.18° in the normal group, and 2.32° ± 1.64° in the valgus group, with the highest change occurring in the varus group. There was no significant difference in the range of motion or functional scores including ASES and CMS among the three groups (P > 0.05). The complication rate of 20.7% in the varus group was significantly higher than the complication rates of 12.7% in the normal and 12.9% in the valgus groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

While proximal humerus fractures with initial coronal displacement (varus, normal, and valgus) show similar postoperative functional outcomes, varus fractures have a higher rate of complications. The nail provides better maintenance of reduction than the locking plate, especially in varus fractures.
The more emotional words you know, the higher your mental health
Authors: Ikeda Shinnosuke
Published: May 2023

Previous studies have associated emotional granularity, the degree to which emotions can be recognized, with mental health comprehensively; however, they have found its measurement method to be burdensome. Therefore, this study considered emotional vocabulary, which is theoretically associated with mental health, to examine this relationship. A web‐based survey was conducted among 397 Japanese subjects to examine the relationship between emotional vocabulary size and emotional granularity, and an exploratory analysis was also performed to examine the relationship between emotional vocabulary size and mental health. The results showed a significant positive correlation between emotional vocabulary size and emotional granularity. Furthermore, significant correlations were found between emotional vocabulary size and mental health. These results suggest that emotional vocabulary can influence mental health. The relationship between emotional vocabulary size and mental health and issues for future studies were also discussed.
Parameter estimation for linear parabolic SPDEs in two space dimensions based on high frequency data
Authors: Tonaki Yozo , Kaino Yusuke , Uchida Masayuki
Published: May 2023

We consider parameter estimation for a linear parabolic second‐order stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) in two space dimensions driven by two types of ‐Wiener processes based on high frequency data in time and space. We first estimate the parameters which appear in the eigenfunctions of the differential operator of the SPDE using the minimum contrast estimator based on the thinned data with respect to space, and then construct an approximate coordinate process of the SPDE. Furthermore, we propose estimators of the coefficient parameters of the SPDE utilizing the approximate coordinate process based on the thinned data with respect to time. We also give some simulation results.
Localised insulin administration for wound healing in non‐diabetic adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Bhuiyan Zunira Areeba , Adebayo Oluwasemilore , Ahmed Zubair
Published: May 2023

Insulin has the potential to restore damaged skin and due to its affordability and global availability, it is an agent of interest when it comes to pioneering new remedies to accelerate wound healing. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of localised insulin administration on wound healing in non‐diabetic adults. Studies were systematically searched, using the electronic databases Embase, Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed, screened, and extracted by two independent reviewers. A total of seven randomised controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria were analysed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias Tool for Randomised Trials and a meta‐analysis was performed. The primary outcome, which explored rate of wound healing (mm2/day), concluded that there was an overall significant mean improvement in the insulin treated group (IV = 11.84; 95% CI: 0.64–23.04; p = 0.04; I2 = 97%) compared to the control group. Secondary outcomes concluded that there is no statistical difference between the healing time (days) of the wound (IV = −5.40; 95% CI: −11.28 to 0.48; p = 0.07; I2 = 89%); there is a significant reduction in wound area in the insulin group; no adverse events were noted with the administration of localised insulin; quality of life improves drastically as the wound heals, irrespective of insulin. We conclude that although the study showed an improved wound healing rate, other parameters were not statistically significant. Therefore, larger prospective studies are warranted to fully explore the effects of insulin on different wounds, where an appropriate insulin regime can be developed for clinical practice.
A Glimpse of Humanity and Inhumanity in the Films Pariyerum Perumal and Kanni Maadam
Authors: A Pavithran , M Thenmozhi
Published: May 2023

Cinema is an extensive platform for visualizing ideologies through entertainment and discussing issues artistically. Cinema plays a main role in human life like literature, painting, poetry, folk songs, etc. It is a tool to explore emotions created by filmmakers and stimulate them in the audience which is correspondingly a reflection of the society that speaks about massive issues like politics, history, relationships, adventure, etc. Over time cinema started to portray social injustices, especially by shedding light on marginalized communities. Cinemas mostly characterized Dalits as inferior neglecting their hardships but consequently started to represent their protest for identification and social equality. Contemporary young filmmakers in India are filling the space to speak caste politics honestly. This paper analyzes social inequality through select Tamil films, Pariyerum Perumal and Kanni Maadam, which articulated an extraordinary message by trying to picture the humanity and inhumanities displayed in the caste-practiced society. Humanity is one of the central elements that distinguish living from non-living. Exhibiting humanity in recent times is directly proportional to the necessities of the individual. In such a situation, an individual or community showing humanity to those who displayed inhumanity towards them is astounding. The select films explore the same by emphasizing how humanity displayed at the unexpected and undeserved moment can alter a person’s ego and change society virtuously. The paper also puts forth suggestions on how the marginalized can be uplifted and empowered by the theory of egalitarianism.
Techno-Economic Investigation of Geothermal Development in Sedimentary Basins
Authors: Khankishiyev Orkhan , Salehi Saeed , Vivas Cesar , Nygaard Runar , Rehg Danny
Published: May 2023

Models of the enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in super-hot igneous rocks have demonstrated significantly higher heat transfer rates and power production compared to conventional geothermal systems. On the other hand, along with the high upfront costs, the major geological and technical challenges associated with drilling super-hot EGS wells in igneous rocks constrain the development of geothermal systems and prevent their worldwide application. Meanwhile, geothermal energy development in sedimentary basins could provide clean energy production with relatively lower investment costs compared to super-hot EGS development in igneous rocks. A significant amount of data, knowledge, and expertise has been gathered through decades of drilling and development of oil and gas wells in sedimentary basins. Application of this experience and data for geothermal drilling can eliminate and reduce costs of subsurface data gathering, well drilling, and completion. This paper investigates the economic viability of geothermal energy production systems in sedimentary basins. The study provides initial time-to-hit temperature (THT) and cost-to-hit temperature (CHT) maps across the US based on the well depth, total drilling and completion time, and total well cost data. Combined with sedimentary basin maps and underground temperature maps, THT and CHT maps could be utilized to place EGS wells and other geothermal systems applications at the most favorable locations in the US.
Deep Learning-Driven Design of Robot Mechanisms
Authors: Purwar Anurag , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we discuss the convergence of recent advances in deep neural networks (DNNs) with the design of robotic mechanisms, which entails the conceptualization of the design problem as a learning problem from the space of design specifications to a parameterization of the space of mechanisms. We identify three key inter-related problems that are at the forefront of using the versatility of DNNs in solving mechanism design problems. The first problem is that of representation of mechanisms and their design specifications, where the representation challenges arise primarily from the non-Euclidean nature of the data. The second problem is that of developing a mapping from the space of design specifications to the mechanisms where, ideally, we would like to synthesize both type and dimensions of the mechanism for a wide variety of design specifications including path synthesis, motion synthesis, constraints on pivot locations, etc. The third problem is that of designing the neural network architecture for end-to-end training and generation of multiple candidate mechanisms for a given design specification. We also present a brief overview of the state-of-the-art on each of these problems and identify questions of potential interest to the research community.
Main Parameters Influencing the Level of Labile Contamination and the Removal Factor
Authors: Agullo Pierrick , Gossard Alban , Ranchoux Gilles , Porcheron Emmanuel , Petitot Fabrice
Published: May 2023

Several nuclear facilities are currently being decommissioned in France, on CEA and EDF sites. The decommissioning process as a whole, with cutting operations and nuclear waste management presents workers with significant risks of exposure. The aim of this study was therefore to improve risk assessments of internal exposure in operations where the main uncertainties are the removal factor and the airborne release factor. A new method is presented to assess the risk of internal exposure and optimize the choice of personal protective equipment to use during nuclear dismantling operations. The main forces and parameters influencing the level of labile contamination and particle resuspension were identified from a literature review and feedback. A manageable set of parameters was then obtained based on literature data and on-site information. The effects of the drying temperature, relative humidity, roughness of the contaminated surface, and wiping pressure were thus investigated on labile contamination and removal factor measurements. Successive wipings with cotton pads were performed on surfaces contaminated with simulated contaminants to estimate the influence of the different parameters. Results highlight the importance of surface roughness over the other considered parameters.
Numerical Simulation of Mixed Convection Cooling of Electronic Component Within a Lid-Driven Cubic Cavity Filled With Nanofluid
Authors: Soufiane Nouari , Mustapha Ait Hssain , Zakaria Lafdaili , Sakina El-hamdani , Hicham Doghmi
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the effect of the movement of a moving lid on the heat transfer and cooling of three isothermal blocks inside a cubic enclosure filled with a Cu-water nanofluid. The study's geometry is a three-dimensional enclosure with three blocks which are assumed to have a fixed hot temperature TH. The bottom, front, and back sides are insulated, while the other surfaces are kept at a cold temperature. The study considers two cases for the movement of the upper lid: one where the lid moves in the longitudinal direction, and another where it moves in the transverse direction. The dimensionless governing equations considering the boundary conditions are solved by implementing the finite volume approach with the power low as a resolution scheme. The study varies several factors such as the shape of the nanofluid, the shape factor of the blocks (3L/4, L/2, and L/4), the number of cold walls, the Richardson number (0.01 to 10), the volume fraction of nanoparticles (0 to 0.06), at a fixed Grashof number (104). The results indicate that decreasing the Richardson number improves the heat transfer coefficient's performance. Also, the study finds that longitudinal movement provides better block cooling compared to transverse movement. Additionally, the study found that changing the height of the blocks from L/4 to 3L/4 resulted in a decrease in heat transfer inside the cavity and over the blocks. Specifically for the case of the longitudinal movement, a decrease of −44% was observed along blocks one and three, and −51% along block two. As stated, the research aimed to investigate the impact of different directions of lid movement on the cooling of heater blocks, with the goal of enhancing the thermal performance and heat transfer efficiency of various technical engineering equipment.
Experimental Thermal Performance of Phase Change Material Embedded Solar Air Heater Employing Impinging Stable Air Jet Array Presenting High Power and Energy Density
Authors: Chaurasiya Shailendra Kumar , Singh Satyender
Published: May 2023

This experimental thermal performance investigation presents that the hot air at a significantly high temperature, and simultaneously at high power density and energy density of phase change material (PCM) can be obtained utilizing a novel design of PCM embedded solar air heater employing impinging stable air jet array. Investigation is carried out following two main objectives, i.e., to obtain (i) instant and (ii) long thermal backups. In the reported design configuration, impinging stable air jets on absorber plate are obtained by reducing the flow path of expelled air from upstream air jets that increased the heat transfer rate to air and consequently instant thermal backup. Although, the use of wavy PCM unit provides instant and long thermal backup by increasing heat transfer area that augments the heat transfer to air and the collection of solar radiations, respectively. Moreover, the present study is extended as follows, (i) the use of shutter on glass cover to increase thermal performance during nocturnal hours, (ii) charging of PCM till the maximum solar radiation hours and use of the stored energy during nocturnal hours, (iii) thermal performance analysis to reveal instant thermal backup, (iv) thermal performance investigation during variable weather conditions, and (v) thermal performance investigation for low ambient air temperature. The obtained results revealed that for the unit collector area, significant thermal backup of about 6 h at a temperature rise of ≥5 °C can be obtained by utilizing the above-mentioned provisions in this research.
The Synchronization of a Class Fractional-Order Chaotic System by Using the Recovered State Variables and Backstepping Control
Authors: Su Haipeng , Luo Runzi
Published: May 2023

This paper investigates the synchronization problem of a class of fractional-order chaotic systems with output variables. Based on the measured output variables, the estimations of state variables are obtained by designing proper state observers. By using the recovered state variables and backstepping control, some new controllers are devised and some sufficient conditions for obtaining chaos synchronization are derived. Numerical simulation is used to verify the practicability and effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
The ancient history of kissing
Authors: Arbøll Troels Pank , Rasmussen Sophie Lund
Published: May 2023

Sources from Mesopotamia contextualize the emergence of kissing and its role in disease transmission
Persistent effect of El Niño on global economic growth
Authors: Callahan Christopher W. , Mankin Justin S.
Published: May 2023

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) shapes extreme weather globally, causing myriad socioeconomic impacts, but whether economies recover from ENSO events and how anthropogenic changes to ENSO will affect the global economy are unknown. Here we show that El Niño persistently reduces country-level economic growth; we attribute $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion in global income losses to the 1982–83 and 1997–98 El Niño events, respectively. In an emissions scenario consistent with current mitigation pledges, increased ENSO amplitude and teleconnections from warming are projected to cause $84 trillion in 21st-century economic losses, but these effects are shaped by stochastic variation in the sequence of El Niño and La Niña events. Our results highlight the sensitivity of the economy to climate variability independent of warming and the potential for future losses due to anthropogenic intensification of such variability.
Restoration of natural thermal sensation in upper-limb amputees
Authors: Iberite Francesco , Muheim Jonathan , Akouissi Outman , Gallo Simon , Rognini Giulio , Morosato Federico , Clerc André , Kalff Magnus , Gruppioni Emanuele , Micera Silvestro , Shokur Solaiman
Published: May 2023

The use of hands for gathering rich sensory information is essential for proper interaction with the environment; therefore, the restoration of sensation is critical for reestablishing the sense of embodiment in hand amputees. Here, we show that a noninvasive wearable device can be used to provide thermal sensations on amputees’ phantom hands. The device delivers thermal stimuli to specific regions of skin on their residual limb. These sensations were phenomenologically similar to those on the intact limbs and were stable over time. Using the device, the subjects could successfully exploit the thermal phantom hand maps to detect and discriminate different thermal stimuli. The use of a wearable device that provides thermal sensation can increase the sense of embodiment and improve life quality in hand amputees.
Voyage of the botanists
Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon
Melissa L. Sevigny
Norton, 2023. 304 pp.
Authors: King Barbara J.
Published: May 2023

A reporter recounts the tale of a daring expedition that yielded vital insights about the Grand Canyon’s flora
Synthesis and isolation of a triplet bismuthinidene with a quenched magnetic response
Authors: Pang Yue , Nöthling Nils , Leutzsch Markus , Kang Liqun , Bill Eckhard , van Gastel Maurice , Reijerse Edward , Goddard Richard , Wagner Lucas , SantaLucia Daniel , DeBeer Serena , Neese Frank , Cornella Josep
Published: May 2023

Large spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is an intrinsic property of the heavy elements that directly affects the electronic structures of the compounds. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of a monocoordinate bismuthinidene that features a rigid and bulky ligand. All magnetic measurements [superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)] point to a diamagnetic compound. However, multiconfigurational quantum chemical calculations predict the ground state of the compound to be dominated (76%) by a spin triplet. The apparent diamagnetism is explained by an extremely large SOC-induced positive zero-field splitting of more than 4500 wavenumbers that leaves the M

S

= 0 magnetic sublevel thermally isolated in the electronic ground state.
In Other Journals
Authors: Wible Brad , Seale Maddy , Hurtley Stella M. , Ash Caroline , Ray L. Bryan , Suleymanov Yury , Smith H. Jesse
Published: May 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Solvent exposure strongly linked to Parkinson’s
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: May 2023

Military recruits exposed to TCE decades ago have increased risk of the brain disease
Here Is the Biology, Now What is the Mechanism? Investigating Biology Undergraduates’ Mechanistic Reasoning within the Context of Biofilm Development
Authors: Flowers Sharleen , Holder Kal H. , Gardner Stephanie M.
Published: May 2023

Understanding molecular processes and coordinating the various activities across levels of organization in biological systems is a complicated task, yet many curricular guidelines indicate that undergraduate students should master it. Employing mechanistic reasoning can facilitate describing and investigating biological phenomena.
Influenza C and D Viruses Demonstrated a Differential Respiratory Tissue Tropism in a Comparative Pathogenesis Study in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Sreenivasan Chithra C. , Liu Runxia , Gao Rongyuan , Guo Yicheng , Hause Ben M. , Thomas Milton , Naveed Ahsan , Clement Travis , Rausch Dana , Christopher-Hennings Jane , Nelson Eric , Druce Julian , Zhao Miaoyun , Kaushik Radhey S. , Li Qingsheng , Sheng Zizhang , Wang Dan , Li Feng
Published: May 2023

Similar to influenza A and B, ICV infections are seen associated with bacterial and viral co-infections which complicates the assessment of its real clinical significance. Further, the antivirals against influenza A and B viruses are ineffective against ICV which mandates the need to study the pathobiological aspects of this virus.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Bacterial Endophyte
Priestia megaterium
B1, Isolated from Roots of Apple (
Malus domestica
)
Authors: Mahmoud Fatma M. , Kusari Souvik , Kublik Susanne , Benning Sarah , Siani Roberto , Zühlke Sebastian , Radl Viviane , Mahnkopp-Dirks Felix , Schloter Michael
Published: May 2023

Over the past years, a number of important traits supporting plant growth have been shown for different strains of
Priestia megaterium
(formerly known as
Bacillus megaterium
). Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the endophytic bacterial strain
Priestia megaterium
B1, which was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of apple plants.