bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tropical cyclone intensity forecasting using model knowledge guided deep learning model
Authors: Wang Chong , Li Xiaofeng , Zheng Gang
Published: January 2024

This paper developed a deep learning (DL) model for forecasting tropical cyclone (TC) intensity in the Northwest Pacific. A dataset containing 20 533 synchronized and collocated samples was assembled, which included ERA5 reanalysis data as well as satellite infrared (IR) imagery, covering the period from 1979 to 2021. The u-, v- and w-components of wind, sea surface temperature, IR satellite imagery, and historical TC information were selected as the model inputs. Then, a TC-intensity-forecast-fusion (TCIF-fusion) model was developed, in which two special branches were designed to learn multi-factor information to forecast 24 h TC intensity. Finally, heatmaps capturing the model’s insights are generated and applied to the original input data, creating an enhanced input set that results in more accurate forecasting. Employing this refined input, the heatmaps (model knowledge) were used to guide TCIF-fusion model modeling, and the model-knowledge-guided TCIF-fusion model achieved a 24 h forecast error of 3.56 m s−1 for Northwest Pacific TCs spanning 2020–2021. The results show that the performance of our method is significantly better than the official subjective prediction and advanced DL methods in forecasting TC intensity by 4% to 22%. Additionally, compared to operational approaches, model-guided knowledge methods can better forecast the intensity of landfalling TCs.
Gaussian fluctuations of the elephant random walk with gradually increasing memory
Authors: Aguech Rafik , El Machkouri Mohamed
Published: January 2024

The elephant random walk (ERW) is a discrete-time random walk introduced by Schütz and Trimper (2004) in order to investigate how long-range memory affects the behavior of the random walk. Its particularity is that the next step of the walker depends on its whole past through a parameter

p
∈
[
0
,
1
]

. In this work, we investigate the validity of the central limit theorem of the ERW when the walker has only a gradually increasing memory. Our contribution provides a positive answer to a conjecture raised in a recent work by Gut and Stadtmüller (2022 Stat. Probab. Lett.
189 109598).
Prioritizing the indicators of energy performance management: a novel fuzzy decision-making approach for G7 service industries
Authors: Yüksel Serhat , Eti Serkan , Dinçer Hasan , Gökalp Yaşar , Yavuz Duygu , Mikhaylov Alexey , Pinter Gabor
Published: January 2024

Ensuring energy performance management is important in many ways, such improvement of energy efficiency and decrease of energy costs are reduced. There are various indicators of the effectiveness of energy performance management of buildings. Due to this situation, businesses need to make the necessary improvements for the development of these factors. Nonetheless, these actions cause an increase in the costs of the companies. Hence, among these actions, the more important ones need to be identified. Owing to this issue, businesses can use their limited budgets for more priority indicators. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the main indicators of energy performance management systems. In this way, a new model is proposed to make a priority analysis for the hospitals. Firstly, five indicators of energy performance management systems are selected by considering ISO 50006 standards. Furthermore, these indicators are weighted by using Spherical fuzzy CRITIC. Secondly, G7 countries are examined with fuzzy RATGOS technique. Identification of the most significant indicators of the energy performance systems is an important novelty of this study. The most significant methodological novelty of this study is proposing a new technique to the literature named RATGOS. It is understood that energy efficiency is the most crucial indicator of energy performance management. Furthermore, it is also identified that France is the most successful G7 economy with respect to the energy performance management. Japan and United States have also high performance in this respect. It is recommended that necessary actions should be taken to increase energy efficiency. By conducting an energy audit, energy consumption data is analyzed so that energy losses and inefficiencies can be detected. This assessment provides opportunities for energy efficiency and helps identify improvement strategies.
Enhanced doping and structure relaxation of unsubstituted polythiophene through oxidative chemical vapor deposition and mild plasma treatment
Authors: Zhang Yuxuan , Liu Mingyuan , Yeom Hyo-Young , Jun Byung-Hyuk , Baek Jinwook , No Kwangsoo , Song Han-Wook , Lee Sunghwan
Published: January 2024

We report on the enhancement of electrical properties of unsubstituted polythiophene (PT) through oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) and mild plasma treatment. The work function of p-type oCVD PT increases after the treatment, indicating the Fermi level shift toward the valence band edge and an increase in carrier density. In addition, regardless of initial values, nearly the same work function is obtained for all the plasma-treated oCVD PT films as high as ∼5.25 eV, suggesting the pseudo-equilibrium state is reached in the oCVD PT from the plasma treatment. This increase in carrier density after plasma treatment is attributed to the activation of initially not-activated dopant species (i.e. neutrally charged Br), which is analogous to the release of trapped charge carriers to the valence band of the oCVD PT. The enhancement of electrical properties of oCVD PT is directly related to the improvement of the thin film transistor performance such as drain current on/off ratio, ∼103 and field effect mobility, 2.25 × 10−2 cm2 Vs−1, compared to untreated counterparts of 102 and 0.09 × 10−2 cm Vs−1, respectively.
Redefining the North Atlantic Oscillation index generation using autoencoder neural network
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie
Published: January 2024

Understanding the spatial patterns of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is vital for climate science. For this reason, empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is commonly applied to sea-level pressure (SLP) anomaly data in the North Atlantic region. This study evaluated the traditional EOF-based definition of the NAO index against the autoencoder (AE) neural network-based definition, using the Hurrell NAO Index (Station-Based) as a reference. Specifically, EOF and AE were applied to monthly SLP anomaly data from ERA5 (1950–2022) to derive spatial modes of variability in the North Atlantic region. Both methods produced spatial patterns consistent with the traditional NAO definition, with dipole centers of action between the Icelandic Low and the Azores High. During boreal winter (December to March), when the NAO is most active, the AE-based method achieved a correlation of 0.96 with the reference NAO index, outperforming the EOF-based method’s correlation of 0.90. The all-season Adjusted R-squared values were 50% for the AE-based index and 34% for the EOF-based index. Notably, the AE-based index revealed several other non-linear patterns of the NAO, with more than one encoded pattern correlating at least 0.90 with the reference NAO index during boreal winter. These results not only demonstrate the AE’s superiority over traditional EOF in representing the station-based index but also uncover previously unexplored complexities in the NAO that are close to the reference temporal pattern. This suggests that AE offers a promising approach for defining climate modes of variability, potentially capturing intricacies that traditional linear methods like EOF might miss.
Recurrent allopolyploidy and its implications for conservation in vascular plants: a commentary on ‘Population genomics of the Isoetes appalachiana (Isoetaceae) complex supports a “diploids-first” approach to conservation’
Authors: Almeida Thaís Elias , Santos Leal Bárbara Simões
Published: January 2024

This article comments on:

David Wickell, Jacob Landis, Elizabeth Zimmer and Fay-Wei Li, Population genomics of the Isoetes appalachiana (Isoetaceae) complex supports a ‘diploids-first’ approach to conservation, Annals of Botany, Volume 133, Issue 2, 01 February 2024, Pages 261–272, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcad180
Subgenome phasing for complex allopolyploidy: case-based benchmarking and recommendations
Authors: Zhang Ren-Gang , Shang Hong-Yun , Jia Kai-Hua , Ma Yong-Peng
Published: January 2024

Accurate subgenome phasing is crucial for understanding the origin, evolution and adaptive potential of polyploid genomes. SubPhaser and WGDI software are two common methodologies for subgenome phasing in allopolyploids, particularly in scenarios lacking known diploid progenitors. Triggered by a recent debate over the subgenomic origins of the cultivated octoploid strawberry, we examined four well-documented complex allopolyploidy cases as benchmarks, to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the two software. Our analysis demonstrates that the subgenomic structure phased by both software is in line with prior research, effectively tracing complex allopolyploid evolutionary trajectories despite the limitations of each software. Furthermore, using these validated methodologies, we revisited the controversial issue regarding the progenitors of the octoploid strawberry. The results of both methodologies reaffirm Fragaria vesca and Fragaria iinumae as progenitors of the octoploid strawberry. Finally, we propose recommendations for enhancing the accuracy of subgenome phasing in future studies, recognizing the potential of integrated tools for advanced complex allopolyploidy research and offering a new roadmap for robust subgenome-based phylogenetic analysis.
Vertical integration, technical progress and structural change
Authors: Santini Theo , Araujo Ricardo Azevedo
Published: January 2024

In search of an alternative representation of the economic system, Pasinetti ended up with a notion of vertical integration (VI) that takes interdependencies as its starting point but does not explicitly consider their role in the unfolding structural economic dynamics (SED). In this paper, we show that SED may be more inclusive of such interrelations to appropriately consider VI as a tool for analysing economic systems under the conditions of technical change and structural transformation. Our strategy is to focus on Pasinetti’s shift from his original development building on Sraffa’s sub-systems to his formulation of VI in terms of a pure labour technology in which all goods are produced by labour only. To carry out the analysis, we resume his iterative algorithm of VI, showing that we can extend it to the case of an expanding economy as a bridge between the horizontal and vertical production representations. Following this route, we can effectively address the features of structural transformation associated with changing patterns of interdependence. Besides, we can go from an assessment of productivity growth at an industrial level to determining the pace of technical change in a vertically integrated sector (VIS), which allows focussing on a concept of productivity derived from the VI, labelled as the total labour productivity (TLP). The TLP is robust to outsourcing of production, whose effects are adequately dealt with insofar as it considers not only the direct but also the indirect labour required to produce the final output.
Beyond the Gut: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Advanced Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease-associated Extraintestinal Manifestations
Authors: Tímár Ágnes Eszter , Párniczky Andrea , Budai Kinga Anna , Hernádfői Márk Viktor , Kasznár Emese , Varga Péter , Hegyi Péter , Váncsa Szilárd , Tóth Réka , Veres Dániel Sándor , Garami Miklós , Müller Katalin Eszter
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Extraintestinal manifestations are frequent in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and have a negative impact on quality of life. Currently, however, there is no evidence available to determine which drug should be recommended for these patients beyond anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] treatment. We aimed to analyse the frequency of new extraintestinal manifestations and the behaviour of pre-existing extraintestinal manifestations during advanced therapy.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search on November 15, 2022, and enrolled randomized controlled trials, cohorts, and case series reporting the occurrence and behaviour of extraintestinal manifestations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease receiving advanced therapy [non-TNF inhibitor biologicals and JAK inhibitors]. Proportions of new, recurring, worsening, and improving extraintestinal manifestations were calculated with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. The risk of bias was assessed with the QUIPS tool.

Results

Altogether, 61 studies comprising 13,806 patients reported eligible data on extraintestinal manifestations. The overall proportion of new extraintestinal manifestations was 8% [95% CI, 6–12%] during advanced therapy. There was no significant difference between the frequency of new extraintestinal manifestations during vedolizumab and ustekinumab therapy [11%, 95% CI, 8–15% vs 6%, 95% CI, 3–11%, p = 0.166]. The improvement of pre-existing manifestations was comparable between vedolizumab- and ustekinumab-treated patients, except for joint involvement [42%, 95% CI, 32–53% vs 54%, 95% CI, 42–65%, p = 0.029].

Conclusion

The proportion of new extraintestinal manifestations was low during advanced therapy. Furthermore, the improvement of pre-existing manifestations was comparable between advanced therapies, except for pre-existing joint manifestations.
School Choice with Consent: an Experiment
Authors: Cerrone Claudia , Hermstrüwer Yoan , Kesten Onur
Published: January 2024

Public school choice often yields student assignments that are neither fair nor efficient. The efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism allows students to consent to waive priorities that have no effect on their assignments. A burgeoning recent literature places the efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism at the centre of the trade-off between efficiency and fairness in school choice. Meanwhile, the Flemish Ministry of Education has taken the first steps to implement this algorithm in Belgium. We provide the first experimental evidence on the performance of the efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism against the celebrated deferred acceptance mechanism. We find that both efficiency and truth-telling rates are higher under the efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism than under the deferred acceptance mechanism, even though the efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism is not strategy proof. When the priority waiver is enforced, efficiency further increases, while truth-telling rates decrease relative to variants of the efficiency-adjusted deferred acceptance mechanism where students can dodge the waiver. Our results challenge the importance of strategy proofness as a prerequisite for truth telling and portend a new trade-off between efficiency and vulnerability to preference manipulation.
Development and implementation of a stand-level satellite-based forest inventory for Canada
Authors: Wulder Michael A , Hermosilla Txomin , White Joanne C , Bater Christopher W , Hobart Geordie , Bronson Spencer C
Published: January 2024

Satellite data are increasingly used to provide information to support forest monitoring and reporting at varying levels of detail and for a range of attributes and spatial extents. Forests are dynamic environments and benefit from regular assessments to capture status and changes both locally and over large areas. Satellite data can provide products relevant to forest science and management on a regular basis (e.g. annually) for land cover, disturbance (i.e. date, extent, severity, and type), forest recovery (e.g. quantification of return of trees following disturbance), and forest structure (e.g. volume, biomass, canopy cover, stand height), with products generated over large areas in a systematic, transparent, and repeatable fashion. While pixel-based outcomes are typical based upon satellite data inputs, many end users continue to require polygon-based forest inventory information. To meet this information need and have a spatial context for forest inventory attributes such as tree species assemblages, we present a new work-flow to produce a novel spatially explicit, stand-level satellite-based forest inventory (SBFI) in Canada applying image segmentation approaches to generate spatially unique forest stands (polygons), which are the fundamental spatial unit of management-level inventories. Thus, SBFI offers spatial context to aggregate and generalize other pixel-based forest data sets. Canada has developed a National Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring System (NTEMS) that utilizes medium spatial resolution imagery, chiefly from Landsat, to annually characterize Canada’s forests at a pixel level from 1984 until present. These NTEMS datasets are used to populate SBFI polygons with information regarding status (e.g. current land cover type, dominant tree species, or total biomass) as well as information on dynamics (e.g. has this polygon been subject to change, when, by what, and if so, how is the forest recovering). Here, we outline the information drivers for forest monitoring, present a set of products aimed at meeting these information needs, and follow to demonstrate the SBFI concept over the 650-Mha extent of Canada’s forest-dominated ecosystems. In so doing, the entirety of Canada’s forest ecosystems (managed and unmanaged) were mapped using the same data, attributes, and temporal representation. Moreover, the use of polygons allows for the generation of attributes such as tree species composition, and total biomass and wood volume in a stand-scale format familiar to landscape managers and suitable for strategic planning. The data, methods, and outcomes presented here are portable to other regions and input data sources, and the national SBFI outcomes for Canada are available via open access.
Effect of cinnamaldehyde on Rhizopus stolonifer and on the conservation of sweet potato
Authors: Chen Chen , Xue Zhichao , Pristijono Penta , Golding John B , Chen Gang , Li Yongxin , Yang Huqing
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Rhizopus stolonifer, which causes soft rot of sweet potato, has resulted in substantial loss of economy postharvest.

Materials and Methods

The antifungal effect and mechanism of cinnamaldehyde (CIN) against R. stolonifer were explored by biochemical analysis and RNA-sequencing in this research, and the edible quality of CIN-treated sweet potato was evaluated.

Results

The results showed that CIN inhibited the growth of R. stolonifer and reduced the incidence of soft rot in sweet potato at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1000 μL/L. The damage of the cell walls of R. stolonifer by CIN was associated with the upregulation of CHT1. Cytosolic leakage and malondialdehyde content increased following CIN-treatment, which was correlated with increased reactive oxygen species levels and decreased catalase activity. Upregulation of ERG genes and oxidative stress-related genes following CIN treatment was associated with impaired cell membrane integrity. The mitochondrial structure of R. stolonifer was damaged by CIN treatment resulting in decreased respiration rates and ATP production, which was correlated with lower expression levels of IDH1, COX4, and QCR7.

Conclusions

Our research suggests that the inhibition of CIN on R. stolonifer was related to the disruption of its normal gene expression network, and CIN maintained the nutritional and edible quality of sweet potato. This study provides valuable insights into the antifungal mechanism of CIN on R. stolonifer and the maintenance of root quality, which contributes to the efficient use of CIN for controlling soft rot in sweet potato.
Co-estimation of core and lithospheric magnetic fields by a maximum entropy method
Authors: Otzen Mikkel , Finlay Christopher C , Kloss Clemens
Published: January 2024

Satellite observations of the geomagnetic field contain signals generated in Earth’s interior by electrical currents in the core and by magnetized rocks in the lithosphere. At short wavelengths the lithospheric signal dominates, obscuring the signal from the core. Here we present details of a method to co-estimate separate models for the core and lithospheric fields, which are allowed to overlap in spherical harmonic degree, that makes use of prior information to aid the separation. Using a maximum entropy method we estimate probabilistic models for the time-dependent core field and the static lithospheric field that satisfy constraints provided by satellite observations while being consistent with prior knowledge of the spatial covariance and expected magnitude of each field at its source surface. For the core field, we find that between spherical harmonic degree 13 and 22 power adds coherently to the established structures, and present a synthetic test that illustrates the aspects of the small scale core field that can reliably be retrieved. For the large scale lithospheric field we also find encouraging results, with the strongest signatures below spherical harmonic degree 13 occurring at locations of known prominent lithospheric field anomalies in the northern part of Eastern Europe, Australia and eastern North America. Although the amplitudes of the small scale core field and large scale lithospheric field are likely underestimated we find no evidence that obvious artefacts are introduced. Compared with conventional maps of the core–mantle boundary field our results suggest more localized normal flux concentrations close to the tangent cylinder, and that low latitude flux concentrations occur in pairs with opposite polarities. Future improvements in the recovery of the small scale core field and large scale lithospheric field will depend on whether more detailed prior information can be reliably extracted from core dynamo and lithospheric magnetization simulations.
Identifying adaptations for a mindfulness program for Spanish-speaking mothers of children with chronic conditions or disabilities
Authors: Arthur Kimberly C , Mendez Sanchez Araceli , Tamayo Montero Angie , Delgado Patricia , Rosas Ramos Ofelia , Orlich Felice , Desai Arti D
Published: January 2024

Mothers of children with chronic conditions or disabilities have benefited from mindfulness programs, yet culturally relevant mindfulness programs for Spanish-speaking mothers are lacking. We aimed to explore how this population experienced a peer-led mindfulness program to inform adaptations. Sixteen mothers attended a 6-week program and completed semi-structured interviews. Using a realist evaluation framework, we explored relationships between participants’ context, the program’s mechanisms and outcomes. Our thematic analysis found that four contextual factors—faith, self-concept as a woman and mother, trauma, and level of social support—influenced how participants experienced the mechanisms. Mechanisms included having positive experiences when trying practices, engaging in self-reflection, and sharing life experiences and learning in community. The mechanisms led to four outcomes: emotion regulation, savoring daily life experiences, empowerment to practice self-care and common humanity. Faith was an important enabling factor because participants had positive experiences when integrating their faith with program content. Future research should examine adaptations that invite participants to explore this synergy. Self-reflection should also be emphasized because it increased motivation to use practices and helped address barriers to engagement. Because the four contextual factors apply to many Spanish-speaking immigrants, these adaptations could enhance mindfulness programs for this population more broadly.
Latin American International Political Economy: contributions beyond the transatlantic divide
Authors: Quiliconi Cintia , Silva Julissa Castro
Published: January 2024

The way in which international political economy (IPE) developed in Anglo-Saxon countries set the main standards for its study in other regions of the world, establishing a transatlantic order that separated mainstream IPE from the periphery. This article is part of a debate that seeks to raise awareness of Latin American contributions to IPE. It underlines the connections between thought and political practice, examining how the subfield has developed between 2000 and 2021 by studying works published in the leading journals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico. Three central arguments are discussed. First, the field of IPE in Latin America developed before its conception in the Anglo-Saxon world and separately of mainstream views because distinctive regional problems did not fit well within the frameworks of mainstream approaches. Second, there is a vibrancy in the debate about IPE topics in regional journals, and the intellectual tradition of the 1950s and 1960s is under constant revision. Third, in contrast to the bias in mainstream IR that focuses on policy successes, Latin American IPE has been closely related to the formulation of policies that have often examined adversities in the implementation of policies connected to the different crises the region has faced.
Alicia Moreau's socialist feminism on war: transcending western narratives?
Authors: Villanueva Ricardo
Published: January 2024

According to conventional narratives of International Relations (IR), the vast majority—if not all—of the twentieth-century proposals to overcome war came from men, such as Norman Angell, Vladimir Lenin and Woodrow Wilson. Recent efforts show that women also contributed significantly to the topic; nevertheless, they have focused almost exclusively on women from the United States or Great Britain. Despite Argentinian Alicia Moreau's significant writings on war, her international thought remains unknown in Latin America, and in the histories of international thought and IR. Through a textual analysis of Moreau's writings and speeches, as well as a comparative approach with other socialist and feminist perspectives, this article has a double objective. First, to lay the foundations for demonstrating that women from the global South also contributed to explaining and providing practical solutions to war during the early twentieth century; and second, to draw lessons from Moreau's writings for today's policy-makers. The article shows that although Moreau's international thought does not transcend Eurocentrism, her blend of socialist democratic feminism, informed by her work as an activist and politician, offers a moderate non-violent alternative to other well-known socialist and feminist approaches, and provides insights for policy-makers on the importance of women, education and democracy to achieve a more peaceful and egalitarian world.
Bringing visibility to Latin American autonomists: a comparison between Jaguaribe and Puig
Authors: Lorenzini María Elena
Published: January 2024

Jaguaribe and Puig are two prominent International Relations theorists from the global South. Their works have become classics in Latin American studies and demonstrate a couple of different, dissident and dissonant voices from the so-called mainstream. Their contributions are the rationale behind autonomist foreign policies in Latin America, such as those that scholars envisioned during the progressive wave of left-wing governments; thus, they are essential to understanding the dynamics and debates that have taken place in the region for at least three decades. This research is guided by the questions of what are the primary theoretical categories and common characteristics of the selected concepts. By answering those, this article sheds light on the theoretical contributions of both avant-garde and pioneering authors, while also highlighting the marginalized and little-known voices in the field of study. I undertake a comparative study of the main conceptual categories that organize these autonomist proposals. The main conclusions are that autonomy is a process achieved through incremental steps; the rational behaviour of actors would be to increase their room for manoeuvre, based on internal and regional consensus to provide a sustainable framework. The article concludes by looking at examples of and clues for identifying autonomist foreign policies.
Engaging healthcare professionals and patient representatives in the development of a quality model for hospitals: a mixed-method study
Authors: Bogaert Kathleen , Regge Melissa De , Vermassen Frank , Eeckloo Kristof
Published: January 2024

Top-down and externally imposed quality requirements can lead to improvement but do not seem as sustainable as intended. There is a need for a quality model that intrinsically motivates healthcare professionals to contribute to quality and safe care in hospitals. This study shows how a quality model that matches the identity and the quality vision of the organization was developed. A multimethod design with three phases was used in the development of the model at a large teaching hospital in Belgium. In the first phase, 14 focus groups and 19 interviews with staff members were conducted to obtain an overview of the quality and safety challenges, complemented by a plenary discussion with the members of the patient advisory council. In the second phase, the challenges that had been captured were further assessed using a hospital-wide survey for all hospital staff. Finally, a newly established quality review board (with internal and external stakeholders) critically evaluated the input of Phases 1 and 2 and defined the basic quality standards to be implemented in the hospital. A first evaluation 2 years after the implementation was conducted based on (i) patients’ perceptions of quality of care and patient safety by publicly available indicators collected in 2016, 2019, and 2022 and (ii) staff experiences and perceptions regarding the acceptability of the new model gathered through (grouped) interviews and an open questionnaire. The quality model consists of eight broad themes, including norms for the hospital staff (n = 27), sustained with quality systems (n = 8), and organizational support (n = 6), with aid from adequate management and leadership (n = 6). The themes were converted into 46 standards. These should be supported within a safe, efficient, and caring work environment. The new model was launched in the hospital in June 2021. The evaluation shows a significant difference in quality and safety on different dimensions as perceived by hospitalized patients. The perceived added value of the participatory model is a better fit with the needs of employees and the fact that the model can be adjusted to the specific context of the different hospital departments. The lack of hard indicators is seen as a challenge in monitoring quality and safety. The participation of various stakeholders inside and outside the organization in defining the quality challenges resulted in the creation of a participatory quality model for the hospital, which leads towards a better-supported quality policy in the hospital.
The effect of chronic, non-pathogenic maternal immune activation on offspring postnatal muscle and immune outcomes
Authors: Bryan Erin E , Bode Nick M , Chen Xuenan , Burris Elli S , Johnson Danielle C , Dilger Ryan N , Dilger Anna C
Published: January 2024

The objective was to determine the effects of maternal inflammation on offspring muscle development and postnatal innate immune response. Sixteen first-parity gilts were randomly allotted to repeated intravenous injections with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n = 8, treatment code INFLAM) or comparable volume of phosphate buffered saline (CON, n = 8). Injections took place every other day from gestational day (GD) 70 to GD 84 with an initial dose of 10 μg LPS/kg body weight (BW) increasing by 12% each time to prevent endotoxin tolerance. On GD 70, 76, and 84, blood was collected at 0 and 4 h postinjection via jugular or ear venipuncture to determine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β concentrations. After farrowing, litter mortality was recorded, and the pig closest to litter BW average was used for dissection and muscle fiber characterization. On weaning (postnatal day [PND] 21), pigs were weighed individually and 2 barrows closest to litter BW average were selected for another study. The third barrow closest to litter BW average was selected for the postnatal LPS challenge. On PND 52, pigs were given 5 μg LPS/kg BW via intraperitoneal injection, and blood was collected at 0, 4, and 8 h postinjection to determine TNF-α concentration. INFLAM gilt TNF-α concentration increased (P < 0.01) 4 h postinjection compared to 0 h postinjection, while CON gilt TNF-α concentration did not differ between time points. INFLAM gilt IL-6 and IL-1β concentrations increased (P = 0.03) 4 h postinjection compared to 0 h postinjection on GD 70, but did not differ between time points on GD 76 and 84. There were no differences between INFLAM and CON gilts litter mortality outcomes (P ≥ 0.13), but INFLAM pigs were smaller (P = 0.04) at birth and tended (P = 0.09) to be smaller at weaning. Muscle and organ weights did not differ (P ≥ 0.17) between treatments, with the exception of semitendinosus, which was smaller (P < 0.01) in INFLAM pigs. INFLAM pigs tended (P = 0.06) to have larger type I fibers. INFLAM pig TNF-α concentration did not differ across time, while CON pig TNF-α concentration peaked (P = 0.01) 4 h postinjection. TNF-α concentration did not differ between treatments at 0 and 8 h postinjection, but CON pigs had increased (P = 0.01) TNF-α compared to INFLAM pigs 4 h postinjection. Overall, maternal immune activation did not alter pig muscle development, but resulted in suppressed innate immune activation.
Can Autonomous Weapon Systems be Seized? Interactions with the Law of Prize and War Booty
Authors: Walker-Munro Brendan
Published: January 2024

The military has often been used as a proving ground for advances in technology. With the advent of machine learning, algorithms and artificial intelligence, there has been a slew of scholarship around the legal and ethical challenges of applying those technologies to the military. Nowhere has the debate been fiercer than in examining whether international law is resilient enough to impose individual and State responsibility for the misuse of these autonomous weapon systems (AWSs). However, by introducing increasing levels of electronic and digital components into weapon systems, States are also introducing opportunities for adversaries to hack, suborn or take over AWSs in a manner unthinkable compared to conventional weaponry. Yet, no academic discussion has considered how the law of prize and war booty might apply to AWSs that are captured in such a way. This article seeks to address this gap.
Plant pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum can rapidly evolve tolerance to antimicrobials produced by Pseudomonas biocontrol bacteria
Authors: Clough Sophie E , Elphinstone John G , Friman Ville-Perti
Published: January 2024

Soil-borne plant pathogens significantly threaten crop production due to lack of effective control methods. One alternative to traditional agrochemicals is microbial biocontrol, where pathogen growth is suppressed by naturally occurring bacteria that produce antimicrobial chemicals. However, it is still unclear if pathogenic bacteria can evolve tolerance to biocontrol antimicrobials and if this could constrain the long-term efficacy of biocontrol strategies. Here we used an in vitro experimental evolution approach to investigate if the phytopathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum bacterium, which causes bacterial wilt disease, can evolve tolerance to antimicrobials produced by Pseudomonas bacteria. We further asked if tolerance was specific to pairs of R. solanacearum and Pseudomonas strains and certain antimicrobial compounds produced by Pseudomonas. We found that while all R. solanacearum strains could initially be inhibited by Pseudomonas strains, this inhibition decreased following successive subculturing with or without Pseudomonas supernatants. Using separate tolerance assays, we show that the majority of R. solanacearum strains evolved increased tolerance to multiple Pseudomonas strains. Mechanistically, evolved tolerance was most likely linked to reduced susceptibility to orfamide lipopeptide antimicrobials secreted by Pseudomonas strains in our experimental conditions. Some levels of tolerance also evolved in the control treatments, which was likely correlated response due to adaptations to the culture media. Together, these results suggest that plant-pathogenic bacteria can rapidly evolve increased tolerance to bacterial antimicrobial compounds, which could reduce the long-term efficacy of microbial biocontrol.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): A Functional Approach
Authors: Aquilina Matteo , Frost Jon , Schrimpf Andreas
Published: January 2024

‘Decentralized finance’ (DeFi) refers to a range of applications in the crypto-asset space that seek to disintermediate the provision of financial services through reliance on self-executing computer code (‘smart contracts’). DeFi has so far been mainly self-referential in that it has largely facilitated the financing and trading of crypto-assets rather than providing intermediation services to support real economic activity. Yet this may change in the future, should asset tokenization or the use of DeFi applications by existing financial institutions lead to greater interconnections with traditional finance (TradFi). We argue that many of the functions that DeFi tries to mimic are similar to those in TradFi, and so are many of the risks that this intermediation entails. The same economic rationale that has guided financial regulation for decades can hence be applied to the crypto and DeFi world as well. Risks in DeFi are often exacerbated by the severity of market failures (externalities and information asymmetries). Having compared the functions performed in TradFi and DeFi, we show how regulation to protect consumers, maintain market integrity, and ensure financial stability applies to DeFi. Finally, we sketch a possible approach to the regulation of DeFi that takes into account its specificities and functions.
Independence and impartiality through the lens of incompatible activities, disqualification and challenge: the ICJ, ITLOS, and inter-State arbitration
Authors: Ivanova Elena
Published: January 2024

The members of the international courts and tribunals are expected to be independent and impartial. Their constituent instruments normally contain rules which aim at ensuring the independence and impartiality of judges and arbitrators. Such rules typically include provisions addressing activities incompatible with the judicial office, bars to the participation of a judge or an arbitrator in a particular case, when doubts about his/her impartiality arise. They sometimes address but are oftentimes silent on withdrawal, recusal or challenge. This article explores what types of activities can be said to be incompatible with the exercise of judicial functions or to bar the participation of a judge or an arbitrator in a particular case so as to shape the contours of the notions of impartiality and independence. It examines the existing normative arrangements and the practice of inter-State courts and tribunals, including the procedures and practice on withdrawal, recusal, challenge and the standard applied or applicable in assessing whether the requirements for independence and impartiality of international adjudicators have been met.
A moral analysis of educational harm and student resistance
Authors: Parkin Nicholas
Published: January 2024

This paper elucidates the rights violations caused by mass formal schooling systems and explores what students may do about them. Students have rights not to be harmed and rights to liberty (not to be oppressed), as well as attendant rights to (proportionately) defend their rights if necessary. For some time now, education has been dominated by mass formal schooling systems that harm and oppress many students. Such harm and oppression violate those students’ rights not to be harmed or oppressed, which may justify student nonviolent defensive (or rights-protecting) action.
Network pharmacology prediction and molecular docking-based strategy to explore the potential mechanism of Duhuo–Jisheng pair against osteoarthritis
Authors: Kou Haiyang , Ma Jianbing
Published: January 2024

Objective

The Duhuo–Jisheng pair is the ruling herb in Duhuo Jisheng decoction, which is a classic formula first recorded in the preparedness and urgency of the thousand jewels.

Methods

We obtained the primary constituents of Duhuo–Jisheng and their associated protein targets from the TCMSP database. We constructed a composite target network using Cytoscape 3.9.1. To identify potential targets for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), we retrieved disease targets from OMIM and GeneCards databases and compared them with the composite targets. We imported the overlapping targets into the STRING database to construct a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. We also conducted Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG enrichment analyses on the targets.

Results

The component target network consisted of numerous nodes and edges. Notably, quercetin, ammidin, and β-sitosterol were identified as the compounds with high degrees. The PPI network identified tumour necrosis factor (TNF), TP53, and NOS2 as proteins with high degrees. The results of GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the signalling pathways used by DHQJD to treat OA included the NF-κB, PI3K-AKT, and TNF pathways.

Conclusion

Our study provides insights into the effective components and potential molecular mechanisms of Duhuo–Jisheng in treating OA, thus serving as a reference for further basic research in this field.
Heat stress and sexual reproduction in maize: unveiling the most pivotal factors and the greatest opportunities
Authors: Lv Xuanlong , Yao Qian , Mao Fen , Liu Mayang , Wang Yudong , Wang Xin , Gao Yingbo , Wang Yuanyuan , Liao Shuhua , Wang Pu , Huang Shoubing
Published: January 2024

The escalation in the intensity, frequency, and duration of high-temperature (HT) stress is currently unparalleled, which aggravates the challenges for crop production. Yet, the stage-dependent responses of reproductive organs to HT stress at the morphological, physiological, and molecular levels remain inadequately explored in pivotal staple crops. This review synthesized current knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which HT stress induces abnormalities and aberrations in reproductive growth and development, as well as by which it alters the morphology and function of florets, flowering patterns, and the processes of pollination and fertilization in maize (Zea mays L.). We identified the stage-specific sensitivities to HT stress and accurately defined the sensitive period from a time scale of days to hours. The microspore tetrad phase of pollen development and anthesis (especially shortly after pollination) are most sensitive to HT stress, and even brief temperature spikes during these stages can lead to significant kernel loss. The impetuses behind the heat-induced impairments in seed set are closely related to carbon, reactive oxygen species, phytohormone signals, ion (e.g. Ca2+) homeostasis, plasma membrane structure and function, and others. Recent advances in understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying HT stress responses during maize sexual reproduction have been systematically summarized.
Cyclometalated ruthenium complexes overcome cisplatin resistance through PI3K/mTOR/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Lanmei , Yu Wenzhu , Tang Hong , Zhang Shenting , Wang Jie , Ouyang Qianqian , Guo Miao , Zhu Xufeng , Huang Zunnan , Chen Jincan
Published: January 2024

Currently, cisplatin resistance remains a primary clinical obstacle in the successful treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Here, we designed, synthesized, and characterized two novel cyclometalated Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)2(1-Ph-7-OCH3-IQ)] (PF6) (bpy = 2,2ʹ-bipyridine, IQ = isoquinoline, RuIQ7)and [Ru(bpy)2(1-Ph-6,7-(OCH3)2-IQ)] (PF6) (RuIQ8). As experimental controls, we prepared complex [Ru(bpy)2(1-Ph-IQ)](PF6) (RuIQ6) lacking a methoxy group in the main ligand. Significantly, complexes RuIQ6-8 displayed higher in vitro cytotoxicity when compared to ligands, precursor cis-[Ru(bpy)2Cl2], and clinical cisplatin. Mechanistic investigations revealed that RuIQ6-8 could inhibit cell proliferation by downregulating the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR proteins, consequently affecting the rapid growth of human lung adenocarcinoma cisplatin-resistant cells A549/DDP. Moreover, the results from qRT-PCR demonstrated that these complexes could directly suppress the transcription of the NF-E2-related factor 2 gene, leading to the inhibition of downstream multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 expression and effectively overcoming cisplatin resistance. Furthermore, the relationship between the chemical structures of these three complexes and their anticancer activity, ability to induce cell apoptosis, and their efficacy in overcoming cisplatin resistance has been thoroughly examined and discussed. Notably, the toxicity test conducted on zebrafish embryos indicated that the three Ru-IQ complexes displayed favorable safety profiles. Consequently, the potential of these developed compounds as innovative therapeutic agents for the efficient and low-toxic treatment of NSCLC appears highly promising.
Transcription factors WOX11 and LBD16 function with histone demethylase JMJ706 to control crown root development in rice
Authors: Geng Leping , Tan Mingfang , Deng Qiyu , Wang Yijie , Zhang Ting , Hu Xiaosong , Ye Miaomiao , Lian Xingming , Zhou Dao-Xiu , Zhao Yu
Published: January 2024

Crown roots are the main components of root systems in cereals. Elucidating the mechanisms of crown root formation is instrumental for improving nutrient absorption, stress tolerance, and yield in cereal crops. Several members of the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) and lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) transcription factor families play essential roles in controlling crown root development in rice (Oryza sativa). However, the functional relationships among these transcription factors in regulating genes involved in crown root development remain unclear. Here, we identified LBD16 as an additional regulator of rice crown root development. We showed that LBD16 is a direct downstream target of WOX11, a key crown root development regulator in rice. Our results indicated that WOX11 enhances LBD16 transcription by binding to its promoter and recruiting its interaction partner JMJ706, a demethylase that removes histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) from the LBD16 locus. In addition, we established that LBD16 interacts with WOX11, thereby impairing JMJ706–WOX11 complex formation and repressing its own transcriptional activity. Together, our results reveal a feedback system regulating genes that orchestrate crown root development in rice, in which LBD16 acts as a molecular rheostat.
University–industry linkages in China from the agency perspective of university engagement: a systematic literature review
Authors: Liu Yang , Fu Wenying , Schiller Daniel
Published: January 2024

China’s specific developmental context defines the need to understand its state logic of knowledge transfer, particularly from the agency perspective of universities. This paper proposes the new term ‘university engagement with industry’ (UEI) to highlight the active role of universities in university–industry linkages. A structural method is adopted to collect relevant literature and to provide a systematic and critical review of China’s UEI. This paper makes four key contributions: (1) it illustrates a structural approach to collect literature via precise and transparent identification for a targeted topic from an interdisciplinary research field; (2) it systematically presents the China-specific external institutional environment and internal governance of universities for knowledge transfer and captures influential factors for university’s embeddedness in multiscalar innovation systems; (3) it identifies China-specific UEI in comparison to Western findings; and (4) it suggests a research agenda on China’s UEI for future studies.