bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine learning models in predicting failure ofHelicobacter pyloritreatment: A two country validation study
Authors: Jiang Fang , Lui Thomas K. L. , Ju Chengsheng , Guo Chuan‐Guo , Cheung Ka Shing , Lau Wallis C. Y. , Leung Wai K.
Published: January 2024

Background

The success rate of clarithromycin‐containingHelicobacter pyloritreatment had declined globally. This study aims to explore the role of different machine learning algorithms in predicting failure ofH. pyloritreatment.

Materials and Methods

We included 84,609 adult patients who had received the first course of clarithromycin‐containing triple therapy forH. pyloriin Hong Kong from 2003 to 2013 as training set. Results were validated in patients who had received similar triple therapy with 27,736 Hong Kong patients between 2014 and 2017 (internal cohort); and 18,050 UK patients between 2012 and 2017 (external cohort). The performance of 11 available machine learning algorithms were used to predict the failure of triple therapy. The performance was determined by the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

The treatment failure rates in the training, internal and external validation cohort was 5.9%, 9.5%, and 6.1%, respectively. In the internal validation set, Extra‐Tree (ET) Classifier had the best AUC (0.88; 95% CI, 0.87–0.88), sensitivity (79.6%; 95% CI, 79.0–80.2) and specificity (79.4%; 95% CI, 79.0–79.8). In the external validation set, ET Classifier also had the best AUC (0.85; 95% CI, 0.85–0.86), sensitivity (80.1%; 95% CI, 79.5–80.9), and specificity (80.2%; 95% CI, 78.8–81.3). Top features of importance used by ET Classifier in predicting treatment failure included time interval between antibiotic use and triple therapy (48.8%), age (29.1%) and triple therapy regime (6.28%).

Conclusions

Machine learning algorithm, based on simple baseline clinical parameters, could help to identify patients at high risk of failure from clarithromycin‐containing triple therapy forH. pylori.
Deficient mismatch repair screening of advanced adenomas in the population screening program for colorectal cancer is not effective
Authors: Vink‐Börger Elisa , Dabir Parag D , Krekels Joyce , van Kouwen Mariëtte C A , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J L , van der Post Rachel S , Nagtegaal Iris D
Published: January 2024

Aim

Currently, screening of colorectal cancers (CRC) by assessing mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) or microsatellite instability (MSI) is used to identify Lynch syndrome (LS) patients. Advanced adenomas are considered immediate precursor lesions of CRC. In this study we investigate the relevance of screening of advanced adenomas for LS in population screening.

Methods and results

Advanced adenomas (n = 1572) were selected from the Dutch colorectal cancer population screening programme, based on one or more of the criteria: tubulovillous (n = 848, 54%) or villous adenoma (n = 118, 7.5%), diameter ≥ 1 cm (n = 1286, 82%) and/or high‐grade dysplasia (n = 176, 11%). In 86 cases (5%), all three criteria were fulfilled at the same time. MMR–IHC and/or MSI analyses were performed on all cases. Only five advanced adenomas (0.3%) showed dMMR and MSI, including two cases with hypermethylation. In at least two patients a germline event was suspected based on allelic frequencies. No pathogenic explanation was found in the last case.

Conclusion

Timely testing of precursor lesions would be preferable to detect new LS patients before CRC development. However, standard assessment of dMMR of advanced adenomas from the population screening is not effective.
Hidradenitis suppurativa in children and young adults: a retrospective cross‐sectional observational study in the United Kingdom
Authors: McGrath Conn , Steyn Mia , Rashidghamat Ellie
Published: January 2024

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in children and young adults (CYA) (<18 years) is uncommon. No previous observational studies have been carried out in a UK CYA HS population.

Methods

This study was based on retrospective case note reviews of CYA HS patients attending tertiary‐level care in the CYA HS service in a UK hospital. Patients <18 years old with a known diagnosis of HS were screened for inclusion. Exclusion criteria were those with less than one follow‐up appointment.

Results

Twenty‐eight CYA HS patients were identified, with an M:F ratio of 1:8.3. Mean BMI was 25.2 (SD: 7.6). 17 (61%) of cases had a relevant family history. Long‐term antibiotic monotherapy was the most common treatment initiated. Lymecycline was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic, accounting for 23 (56%) of the 41 courses prescribed. Additional treatments initiated included dual therapy with rifampicin and clindamycin, isotretinoin, and adalimumab, which were more commonly prescribed in patients with Hurley Stage II or III.

Conclusions

This group had a female predominance with an apparent strong genetic predisposition which is seen in other HS CYA cross‐sectional research. Treatment was varied in this cohort, however long courses of antibiotics, including combined therapy with rifampicin and clindamycin, were the mainstay of treatment, similar to management in the adult population. This study therefore adds to the limited information on the demographics and management of the HS CYA population.
Recycling of wheat gluten wastewater: separation, characterisation, and solution rheology of arabinoxylans
Authors: Geng Mengyuan , Li Jiale , Luo Denglin , Li Xingguo , Zhang Yunhui , Lan Honglin , Huang Jihong , Bai Zhouya , Han Sihai
Published: January 2024

A significant volume of gluten production wastewater, containing arabinoxylan, is generated during wheat processing, presenting an underutilised resource. In this study, water‐extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) was obtained from this wastewater through water extraction and alcohol precipitation, followed by purification, and its chemical and rheological properties were subsequently investigated. The analysis revealed a mean molecular weight of 4.57 × 104 Da for WEAX, with arabinose (38.08%) and xylose (43.77%) as the predominant monosaccharides. Notably, the sample exhibited characteristic structural properties of arabinoxylan, as confirmed by FT‐IR spectra. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed a heterogeneous solid morphology, comprising filamentous flake and spherical structures. Moreover, WEAX demonstrated favourable thermal stability and revealed shear‐thinning behaviour, as well as weak gelation, as evidenced by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheological analysis. This study not only presents a novel approach for the resource treatment of wheat gluten production wastewater but also contributes new insights into the characterisation of arabinoxylan.
Associations of anxiety and fatigue with hazardous occupational conditions of Korean nurses in early pregnancy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kim Jung‐Hee , Kim Oksoo , Cho Mijung , Jeong Hyunseon , Dan Hyunju
Published: January 2024

Aim

To identify occupational conditions associated with anxiety and fatigue among Korean nurses in early pregnancy.

Background

Pregnant nurses, like non‐pregnant hospital nurses, are exposed to dangerous and stressful work environments, which can affect fatigue and anxiety.

Design and Methods

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 1490 nurses who participated in the early pregnancy module in the Korea Nurses' Health Study between 2014 and 2020. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to identify the factors associated with anxiety and fatigue among nurses in early pregnancy.

Results

One‐fifth of participants were working night shifts, and more than two‐thirds were working overtime. When using antineoplastic drugs and disinfectants, the rate of use of protective equipment varied depending on the size of the hospital. Working overtime and lifting heavy objects were associated with increased anxiety and fatigue among nurses.

Conclusion

Overtime work was associated with both anxiety and fatigue among pregnant nurses. Pregnant hospital nurses were exposed to both night shift and overtime work. Therefore, hospital managers should improve hazardous working environments to protect the health of nurses in early pregnancy and their fetuses.
Bridging the gap between work‐ and nonwork‐related knowledge contributions on enterprise social media: The role of the employee–employer relationship
Authors: Boukef Nabila , Charki Mohamed Hédi , Cheikh‐Ammar Mustapha
Published: January 2024

Knowledge is an invaluable resource and a key to organisational success. To leverage this resource adequately, organisations must encourage their employees to share what they know with their peers. Enterprise social media (ESM) has emerged as an ideal venue for achieving this goal, and numerous studies have examined the drivers of work‐related knowledge contributions on these platforms. The present study contributes to this body of research by examining a prevalent yet underexplored form of knowledge sharing that often occurs on ESM: nonwork‐related knowledge contributions. We argue that contrary to a commonly held belief, this presumably hedonic employee behaviour can benefit organisations through its spillover effect on the work domain. In other words, we argue that nonwork‐related knowledge contributions on ESM can foster work‐related ones. Building on social exchange theory and on the associative–propositional evaluation model in social psychology, we also show that the employee–employer (EE) relationship—conceptualised in terms of perceived organisational support and perceived employee psychological safety—moderates the relationship between the two forms of knowledge contributions. The analysis of field data collected from 269 employees of a French e‐commerce company confirmed that nonwork‐related knowledge contributions are positively associated with work‐related ones and that this positive association is moderated by the EE relationship. We discuss the theoretical contributions of our results and explain key managerial implications for organisations hoping to reap the benefits of ESM in a sustainable way.
Fabrication, microstructure, spectral properties, and laser performance of Yb:GdxY3−xAl5O12 ceramics
Authors: Feng Yagang , Liu Ziyu , Toci Guido , Pirri Angela , Patrizi Barbara , Vannini Matteo , Hreniak Dariusz , Li Jiang
Published: January 2024

Highly transparent 10 at.% Yb:GdxY3−xAl5O12 (x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) ceramics were successfully fabricated by vacuum solid‐state reactive sintering at 1800°C for 20 h combined with hot isostatic pressing posttreatment at 1700°C for 3 h under 176 MPa pressure in Ar atmosphere. The in‐line transmittances of these ceramics with the thickness of 2.5 mm are 84.4%, 84.0%, and 83.5% at 1100 nm for x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7, respectively. The relationships of the Gd3+ content among the phase, microstructures, spectral, and laser properties of the Yb:GdxY3−xAl5O12 ceramics were elucidated in detail. The introduction of Gd3+ has a little influence on the crystal field strength of the Yb3+ sites in GdxY3−xAl5O12. The absorption, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime of the Yb3+ in these ceramics are similar, close to 10 at.% Yb:YAG ceramics. Quasi‐continuous wave laser outputs of the ceramics were also achieved. The maximum laser output powers are 7.8, 7.7, and 6.6 W with the corresponding slope efficiency as 46.2%, 44.7%, and 39.2% for x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7, respectively. The 7.8 W laser output power is the highest value achieved so far for the Yb:GdYAG ceramics, to the best of our knowledge. The previous discussions show that not all the mixed garnets could enhance full width at half maximum of absorption and emission peaks for the active ions; however, the Yb:GdYAG ceramics are still excellent laser gain media.
Highly transparent Tb3Al5O12 ceramics for kilowatt‐level Faraday isolator
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Starobor Aleksey V. , Hu Dianjun , Li Xiao , Hu Chen , Wu Lexiang , Palashov Oleg V. , Li Jiang
Published: January 2024

Tb3Al5O12 (TAG) ceramics with high optical quality were fabricated successfully by a solid‐state reaction method combined with hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post‐treatment. The microstructure, optical transmittance, Verdet constant, and thermo‐optical properties were investigated. The obtained TAG ceramics showed a dense microstructure, and the in‐line transmittance reached 82.8% at 1070 nm after laser‐grade polishing. The Verdet constant of TAG ceramics was measured to be 50.9 rad·T1·m−1 at 1070 nm, which is higher than that of commercial Tb3Ga5O12 crystals. The Faraday isolator based on TAG ceramics can provide an isolation ratio of 30 dB with a laser power of more than 1 kW. With excellent optical quality, high Verdet constant, and maximum working power, TAG transparent ceramics are promising for applications of kilowatt‐level Faraday isolators.
Evaluating false‐positive detection in a computer‐aided detection system for colonoscopy
Authors: Okumura Taishi , Imai Kenichiro , Misawa Masashi , Kudo Shin‐ei , Hotta Kinichi , Ito Sayo , Kishida Yoshihiro , Takada Kazunori , Kawata Noboru , Maeda Yuki , Yoshida Masao , Yamamoto Yoichi , Minamide Tatsunori , Ishiwatari Hirotoshi , Sato Junya , Matsubayashi Hiroyuki , Ono Hiroyuki
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim

Computer‐aided detection (CADe) systems can efficiently detect polyps during colonoscopy. However, false‐positive (FP) activation is a major limitation of CADe. We aimed to compare the rate and causes of FP using CADe before and after an update designed to reduce FP.

Methods

We analyzed CADe‐assisted colonoscopy videos recorded between July 2022 and October 2022. The number and causes of FPs and excessive time spent by the endoscopist on FP (ET) were compared pre‐ and post‐update using 1:1 propensity score matching.

Results

During the study period, 191 colonoscopy videos (94 and 97 in the pre‐ and post‐update groups, respectively) were recorded. Propensity score matching resulted in 146 videos (73 in each group). The mean number of FPs and median ET per colonoscopy were significantly lower in the post‐update group than those in the pre‐update group (4.2 ± 3.7 vs 18.1 ± 11.1; P < 0.001 and 0 vs 16 s; P < 0.001, respectively). Mucosal tags, bubbles, and folds had the strongest association with decreased FP post‐update (pre‐update vs post‐update: 4.3 ± 3.6 vs 0.4 ± 0.8, 0.32 ± 0.70 vs 0.04 ± 0.20, and 8.6 ± 6.7 vs 1.6 ± 1.7, respectively). There was no significant decrease in the true positive rate (post‐update vs pre‐update: 95.0% vs 99.2%; P = 0.09) or the adenoma detection rate (post‐update vs pre‐update: 52.1% vs 49.3%; P = 0.87).

Conclusions

The updated CADe can reduce FP without impairing polyp detection. A reduction in FP may help relieve the burden on endoscopists.
Statin use in cirrhosis and its association with incidence of portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Amjad Waseem , Jiang Zhenghui , Lai Michelle
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim

Statin use has shown a reduction in hepatic decompensation and portal hypertension. Its association with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) incidence is unknown. We aim to compare the incidence of PVT in patients with and without statin use.

Methods

We excluded patients with a history of hepatocellular cancer, liver transplants, Budd–Chiari syndrome, and intra‐abdominal malignancies. Patients with cirrhosis were followed from their first hepatologist clinical encounter (January 1, 2016, to January 31, 2021) for 180 days to determine PVT incidence. We tested the association of statin use with PVT using 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching and Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

We analyzed 2785 patients with cirrhosis (mean age:61.0 ± 12.3 years, 44.3% female, 63.8% White, mean MELD‐Na score:11.7 ± 6.1, and statin use:23.1%). A total of 89 patients developed PVT during the follow‐up, which was lower in patients with statin use as compared to no statin use (1.3% vs 3.8%, P = 0.001, unadjusted HR:0.28, 95% CI: 0.13–0.62, P = 0.001). After matching for demographics, comorbidities, and hepatic decompensation events, patients with statin use had a lower risk of developing PVT in 180‐day follow‐up as compared to those without statin use (HR:0.24, 95% CI: 0.10–0.55, P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that statin use was associated with lower PVT incidence in non‐NASH (HR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07–0.54, P = 0.002) and decompensated cirrhosis (HR: 0.12, 95% CI:0.03–0.53, P = 0.005) than no statin use.

Conclusion

PVT incidence was lower in decompensated cirrhosis patients with statin use than in those with no statin use. However, this finding needs to be further tested in randomized control trials.
The effect of motivational interviewing on peer bullying and cyberbullying in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Seyhan Şahin Semra , Ayaz‐Alkaya Sultan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of motivational interviewing on peer bullying and cyberbullying among adolescents.

Design

A parallel‐group randomized controlled trial.

Methods

The study population consisted of ninth‐grade (aged 14 years) high school students (n = 200). The study was completed with 48 participants (intervention: 24; control: 24). The data were collected using the Participant Information Form, the Stages of Change Questionnaire, the Peer Bullying Scale, and the Cyberbullying Scale. The intervention group received a preparatory session and five weekly motivational interviewing sessions. Instruments were administered to both groups before the intervention, at the end of the last motivational interviewing session (post‐test), and at 3rd‐ and 6th‐month follow‐ups. The data were analyzed using chi‐square test, independent sample t‐test, and two‐way mixed‐design ANOVA with Bonferroni's test.

Results

In the pre‐test, no statistically significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups regarding mean scores for peer bullying and cyberbullying (p > 0.05). Following the motivational interviewing sessions, adolescents in the intervention group had a significantly lower mean score for peer bullying and cyberbullying than the control group at the post‐test and follow‐up tests (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present study concluded that motivational interviewing effectively reduced peer bullying and cyberbullying behaviors among adolescents.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses would implement motivational interviewing to prevent bullying behaviors in schools.
TiO2 II: The high‐pressure Zr‐free srilankite endmember in impact rocks
Authors: Campanale F. , Mugnaioli E. , Folco L. , Parlanti P. , Gemmi M.
Published: January 2024

TiO2II, a high‐pressure polymorph of titanium dioxide, is a diagnostic indicator of shock metamorphism in impact rocks. Due to its typical micro‐to‐nanometer scale, there are no ab initio structure solutions of natural TiO2II, thereby generating uncertainty about its crystal structure and its known similarity with srilankite (Ti0.67,Zr0.33)O2. Nanoscale electron diffraction investigation of TiO2II from the Australasian tektite strewn field provides the first ab initio structure solution revealing a primitive orthorhombic lattice with cell parameters a = 4.547 Å, b = 5.481 Å, c = 4.891 Å, and space group Pbcn, that is, the same as srilankite and scrutinyite α‐PbO2. The linear a and c decrease, and b increase with Ti content indicate TiO2II as Zr‐free srilankite endmember in the binary system ZrO2‐TiO2. Thereby the name srilankite should be used referring to TiO2II, according to the International Mineralogical Association recommendations. We provide the first evidence for a topotactic subsolidus rutile‐to‐TiO2II transition, founding their finely intermixing nanocrystals in the same TiO2 crystal, where TiO2II is within the crystal and surrounded by rutile in direct contact. They also show recurrent iso‐orientation, with TiO2II [100] parallel to rutile [100], TiO2II [010] parallel to rutile [011], and TiO2II [001] parallel to rutile (0–11). The rutile‐TiO2II iso‐orientation suggests the compression of rutile (0–11) planes as a possible transition mechanism from rutile to TiO2II, with a consequent shortening of ~0.5 Å per cell. The presence of TiO2II in the distal (~1200 km) impact ejecta from the Australasian tektite strewn field indicates shock pressures of ~12–15 GPa and post‐shock temperatures below 500°C followed by rapid quenching.
Maternal neighbourhood‐level social determinants of health and their association with paediatric hepatitis C screening among children exposed to hepatitis C in pregnancy
Authors: Foley Mary K. , Djerboua Maya , Kushner Tatyana , Biondi Mia J. , Feld Jordan J. , Terrault Norah A. , Flemming Jennifer A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Current guidelines recommend HCV screening by 18 months of age for those exposed to HCV in utero; yet, screening occurs in the minority of children.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between maternal neighbourhood‐level social determinants of health (SDOH) and paediatric HCV screening in the general population in a publicly funded healthcare system in Canada.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using administrative healthcare data held at ICES. Children born to individuals positive for HCV RNA in pregnancy from 2000 to 2016 were identified and followed for 2 years. Major SDOH were identified, and the primary outcome was HCV screening in exposed children (HCV antibody and/or RNA). Associations between SDOH and HCV screening were determined using multivariate Poisson regression models adjusting for confounding.

Results

A total of 1780 children born to persons with +HCV RNA were identified, and 29% (n = 516) were screened for HCV by age two. Most mothers resided in the lowest income quintile (42%), and most vulnerable quintiles for material deprivation (41%), housing instability (38%) and ethnic diversity (26%) with 11% living in rural locations. After adjustment for confounding, maternal rural residence (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62, 1.07) and living in the highest dependency quintile (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.65, 1.07) were the SDOH most associated with paediatric HCV screening. Younger maternal age (RR 0.98 per 1‐year increase, 95% CI 0.97, 0.99), HIV co‐infection (RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.16, 2.48) and GI specialist involvement (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.00, 1.39) were associated with higher probabilities of screening.

Conclusions

Among children exposed to HCV during pregnancy, rural residences and living in highly dependent neighbourhoods showed a potential association with a lower probability of HCV screening by the age of 2. Future work evaluating barriers to paediatric HCV screening among rural residing and dependent residents is needed to enhance the screening.
A supply‐side alternative for SRD grants in South Africa
Authors: Van Heerden Jan Horn , Horridge Jonathan Mark , Suarez‐Cuesta David
Published: January 2024

During a lively debate between Haroon Bhorat and Michael Sachs at the University of Pretoria recently, Bhorat pleaded for supply‐side measures to alleviate poverty in South Africa, rather than demand‐side measures. (The debate took place during a session at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences' Inaugural Research Day on 8 September, 2023).Bhorat claimed that the SRD grants could not secure a solution to unemployment in a sustainable manner. In this paper, we use the UPGEM Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model of the University of Pretoria to test the performance of wage subsidies in South Africa, in comparison to the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grants of the same expenditure magnitude, and report on the differences between the two policy measures in terms of (i) unemployment alleviation, (ii) poverty alleviation and (iii) economic impact in general.
Informal peer‐assisted learning amongst medical students: A qualitative perspective
Authors: Morris Timothy J. , Collins Sarah , Hart Joanne
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Peer‐assisted learning (PAL) can occur informally as part of a medical programme and complements the formal curriculum. However, little is known about the mechanisms and processes of how informal peer‐assisted learning (IPAL) is enacted.

Materials and Methods

This paper presents data from an ethnographic and semi‐structured interview study with Year 1 and 2 undergraduate medical students at a UK university.

Results

Peers were observed assisting each other informally: a process that developed as part of the integrated, group‐based approach to undergraduate medical education at a UK university. IPAL took place both within and outside of formal teaching sessions and included explanation/clarification of particular points, sharing resources, guiding pronunciation and demonstrating skills. Students placed a high value on IPAL and believed that it was beneficial. When IPAL broke down, this led to negative emotions that presented obstacles to learning, such as resentment.

Conclusions

IPAL is an important part of academic support for medical students, and this work shows both its scope, extending from formal to informal teaching, and how it is enacted. This understanding can help educators situate IPAL within student education.
The future of blood services amid a tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products: Perspectives from the ISBT Young Professional Council
Authors: Lewin Antoine , McGowan Eunike , Ou‐Yang Jian , Boateng Lilian Antwi , Dinardo Carla Luana , Mandal Saikat , Almozain Nour , Ribeiro Jannison , Sasongko Syeldy Langi ,   the Young Professional Council of the ISBT
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Blood services manage the increasingly tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products, and their role in health research is expanding. This review explores the themes that may define the future of blood banking.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed the PubMed database for articles on emerging/new blood‐derived products and the utilization of blood donors in health research.

Results

In high‐income countries (HICs), blood services may consider offering these products: whole blood, cold‐stored platelets, synthetic blood components, convalescent plasma, lyophilized plasma and cryopreserved/lyophilized platelets. Many low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) aim to establish a pool of volunteer, non‐remunerated blood donors and wean themselves off family replacement donors; and many HICs are relaxing the deferral criteria targeting racial and sexual minorities. Blood services in HICs could achieve plasma self‐sufficiency by building plasma‐dedicated centres, in collaboration with the private sector. Lastly, blood services should expand their involvement in health research by establishing donor cohorts, conducting serosurveys, studying non‐infectious diseases and participating in clinical trials.

Conclusion

This article provides a vision of the future for blood services. The introduction of some of these changes will be slower in LMICs, where addressing key operational challenges will likely be prioritized.
Framework for Multi-Level Optimisation of Offshore Wind Jacket Foundations
Authors: Bjerre Nielsen Martin , Bučinskas Paulius , Andrew Japhta Dylan , Galbraith Chris , Boughosyan Hovick
Published: January 2024

This paper presents Wood Thilsted’s in-house developed framework MORPHEUS for structural optimization of jacket structures. The approach is based on a hybrid model consisting of 3D Timoshenko beam elements, combined with stiffness and mass representation of non-trivial details like the transition piece (TP) and tubular joints using 3D FE shell or solid models. For tubular joints, the 3D solid FE-models are automatically generated based on the beam geometry and offsets in the global model. The associated stiffness and mass contributions are then evaluated and used to adjust the local joint flexibility. Additionally, the 3D FE models are used for detailed stress evaluation by so-called local influence matrices. These provide relations between incoming member section forces and local stresses at relevant hotspots along the intersection weld in the tubular joints, thereby ensuring full consistency between stiffness representation and stress evaluation at detailed level. It is illustrated how the framework enables multi-level optimization, automatically adjusting both the global member sizing (thicknesses) in the beam model and the thicknesses in the tubular joints. This is achieved by alternating between the global beam-based model and the individual 3D solid FE models.
A Comparison of the Influence of Using Empirical or Mathematically Pre-Defined Wave Energy Spectra for Tower Base Bending Fatigue Calculations
Authors: Vlachogiannis Prokopios , Peyrard Christophe , Pillai Ajit C. , Collu Maurizio , Ingram David
Published: January 2024

In the structural design of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT), fatigue plays a critical role in determining the final design of the system. The fatigue loads are the result of combined aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces acting on the elastic structure. The industry standard approach for assessing the fatigue loads involves grouping the environmental conditions into bins. These conditions include wind speed and direction, wave height, period and direction and the sea state spectral shape. In shallow seas with limited fetch the JONSWAP spectrum, or a JONSWAP-derived spectrum, is normally fitted to the site conditions and used, which also includes a peak enhancement factor (GAMMA) in a range defined by the significant wave height and peak period. However, this adjustment is sensitive to the parameter fitting process, while the vital Peak Enhancement Factor (gamma) parameter is commonly chosen as an arbitrary empirical value in the given range.

In this paper, we examine how the calculation of bending fatigue of the tower base of the IEA 15MW open source turbine supported by the UMaine VolturnUS semi-submersible is influenced by either the use of empirical spectra (measured or simulated for the specific site) against pre-described site-fitted formulas for spectral shape, and the use of different spectra per hourly sea state against a single spectrum per data bin.

The results indicate an influence of both the used spectral shape as well as the use of spectra for each sea state instead of a single spectrum per bin of data.
OpenFAST Modeling of the T-Omega Wind Floating Offshore Wind Turbine System
Authors: Wang Lu , Jonkman Jason , Papadopoulos Jim , Myers Andrew T.
Published: January 2024

To reduce the cost of offshore wind energy through a more efficient design of the floating support structure, T-Omega Wind developed a novel lightweight and shallow-draft platform concept that aims to achieve a wave-following behavior without resonance amplification. The rotor and generator are carried by four tower legs with each leg supported by a shallow-draft float at the base. In preparation for a more detailed analysis, a coupled aero-hydro-elastic model of the proposed concept is developed in OpenFAST. The detailed modeling approach is presented, including a novel application of the SubDyn substructure dynamics module of OpenFAST to approximate the loads on the axle tube at the tower top from the rotor hub bearings. Preliminary results obtained with the OpenFAST model by rigidifying the substructure and blades indicate that the original sizing of the design can lead to large hub acceleration in the axial/surge and pitch directions due to platform-pitch motion. The high axial acceleration also potentially leads to large bending moments in the four tower legs. To address these issues, an updated design is developed with, among other changes, increased float spacing at the tower base and improved shear-transmitting geometry of the tower legs. The new design suggests significantly reduced extreme hub accelerations under the same conditions even with structural flexibility and will be further analyzed in the future through full aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulations.
Effect of curvature on sound propagation in the ear canal
Authors: Xia Yuanxin , Guo Zhihan , Tiana-Roig Elisabet , Henriquez Vicente Cutanda , Lucklum Frieder
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we investigate the effect of the curvature and torsion of the ear canal on its resonance through a comparison between several ear canal models. Utilizing Stinson's ear canal geometries as a reference, we build and analyze several ear canal models using both transmission matrix and numerical methods for the purpose of comparative assessment. A conical transmission unit, which considers visco-thermal effects, is employed for the modeling of the human ear canal. While the transfer matrix and numerical method agree well for a straight axis model, this simplification results in up to 20% deviation from a curved canal. We propose the curve twist ratio as a metric to quantify the influence of curvature on the ear canal and find that our proposed metric can effectively express the error introduced by the simplified straight axis model. Upon this metric, an empirical equation is proposed for incorporating the curvature effect in the transmission matrix method, enabling it to generate comparable results to those of the numerical method, which considers the effect of the curvature and torsion, thus dramatically accelerating computation.
The missing third dimension—Functional correlations of BOLD signals incorporating white matter
Authors: Zu Zhongliang , Choi Soyoung , Zhao Yu , Gao Yurui , Li Muwei , Schilling Kurt G. , Ding Zhaohua , Gore John C.
Published: January 2024

Correlations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) signals from pairs of gray matter areas are used to infer their functional connectivity, but they are unable to describe how white matter is engaged in brain networks. Recently, evidence that BOLD signals in white matter are robustly detectable and are modulated by neural activities has accumulated. We introduce a three-way correlation between BOLD signals from pairs of gray matter volumes (nodes) and white matter bundles (edges) to define the communication connectivity through each white matter bundle. Using MRI images from publicly available databases, we show, for example, that the three-way connectivity is influenced by age. By integrating functional MRI signals from white matter as a third component in network analyses, more comprehensive descriptions of brain function may be obtained.
Large mercury release from the Greenland Ice Sheet invalidated
Authors: Jørgensen Christian Juncher , Søndergaard Jens , Larsen Martin Mørk , Kjeldsen Kristian Kjellerup , Rosa Diogo , Sapper Sarah Elise , Heimbürger-Boavida Lars-Eric , Kohler Stephen G. , Wang Feiyue , Gao Zhiyuan , Armstrong Debbie , Albers Christian Nyrop
Published: January 2024

The major input of mercury (Hg) to the Arctic is normally ascribed to long-range transport of anthropogenic Hg emissions. Recently, alarming concentrations of Hg in meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) were reported with bedrock as the proposed source. Reported Hg concentrations were 100 to 1000 times higher than in known freshwater systems of Greenland, calling for independent validation of the extraordinary concentrations and conclusions. Here, we present measurements of Hg at 21 glacial outlets in West Greenland showing that extreme Hg concentrations cannot be reproduced. In contrast, we find that meltwater from below the GrIS is very low in Hg, has minor implications for the global Hg budget, and pose only a very limited risk for local communities and the natural environment of Greenland.
Regeneration of actin filament branches from the same Arp2/3 complex
Authors: Ghasemi Foad , Cao LuYan , Mladenov Miroslav , Guichard Bérengère , Way Michael , Jégou Antoine , Romet-Lemonne Guillaume
Published: January 2024

Branched actin filaments are found in many key cellular structures. Branches are nucleated by the Arp2/3 complex activated by nucleation-promoting factor (NPF) proteins and bound to the side of preexisting “mother” filaments. Over time, branches dissociate from their mother filament, leading to network reorganization and turnover, but this mechanism is less understood. Here, using microfluidics and purified proteins, we examined the dissociation of individual branches under controlled biochemical and mechanical conditions. We observe that the Arp2/3 complex remains bound to the mother filament after most debranching events, even when accelerated by force. Strikingly, this surviving Arp2/3 complex readily nucleates a new actin filament branch, without being activated anew by an NPF: It simply needs to exchange its nucleotide and bind an actin monomer. The protein glia maturation factor (GMF), which accelerates debranching, prevents branch renucleation. Our results suggest that actin filament renucleation can provide a self-repair mechanism, helping branched networks to sustain mechanical stress in cells over extended periods of time.
Quantitative association between gene expression and blood cell production of individual hematopoietic stem cells in mice
Authors: Jiang Du , Chowdhury Adnan Y. , Nogalska Anna , Contreras Jorge , Lee Yeachan , Vergel-Rodriguez Mary , Valenzuela Melissa , Lu Rong
Published: January 2024

Individual hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) produce different amounts of blood cells upon transplantation. Taking advantage of the intercellular variation, we developed an experimental and bioinformatic approach to evaluating the quantitative association between gene expression and blood cell production across individual HSCs. We found that most genes associated with blood production exhibit the association only at some levels of blood production. By mapping gene expression with blood production, we identified four distinct patterns of their quantitative association. Some genes consistently correlate with blood production over a range of levels or across all levels, and these genes are found to regulate lymphoid but not myeloid production. Other genes exhibit one or more clear peaks of association. Genes with overlapping peaks are found to be coexpressed in other tissues and share similar molecular functions and regulatory motifs. By dissecting intercellular variations, our findings revealed four quantitative association patterns that reflect distinct dose-response molecular mechanisms modulating the blood cell production of HSCs.
A single-cell atlas of IL-23 inhibition in cutaneous psoriasis distinguishes clinical response
Authors: Wu David , Hailer Ashley A. , Wang Sijia , Yuan Michelle , Chan Jamie , El Kurdi Abdullah , Han David , Ali Hira , D’Angio Blaize , Mayer Aaron , Rahim Maha , Kondo Ayano , Klufas Daniel , Kim Esther , Shain A. Hunter , Choi Jaehyuk , Bhutani Tina , Simpson Gregory , Grekin Roy C. , Ricardo-Gonzalez Roberto , Purdom Elizabeth , North Jeffrey P. , Cheng Jeffrey B. , Cho Raymond J.
Published: January 2024

Psoriasis vulgaris and other chronic inflammatory diseases improve markedly with therapeutic blockade of interleukin-23 (IL-23) signaling, but the genetic mechanisms underlying clinical responses remain poorly understood. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we profiled immune cells isolated from lesional psoriatic skin before and during IL-23 blockade. In clinically responsive patients, a psoriatic transcriptional signature in skin-resident memory T cells was strongly attenuated. In contrast, poorly responsive patients were distinguished by persistent activation of IL-17–producing T (T17) cells, a mechanism distinct from alternative cytokine signaling or resistance isolated to epidermal keratinocytes. Even in IL-23 blockade–responsive patients, we detected a recurring set of recalcitrant, disease-specific transcriptional abnormalities. This irreversible immunological state may necessitate ongoing IL-23 inhibition. Spatial transcriptomic analyses also suggested that successful IL-23 blockade requires dampening of >90% of IL-17–induced response in lymphocyte-adjacent keratinocytes, an unexpectedly high threshold. Collectively, our data establish a patient-level paradigm for dissecting responses to immunomodulatory treatments.
PRyMordial: the first three minutes, within and beyond the standard model
Authors: Burns Anne-Katherine , Tait Tim M. P. , Valli Mauro
Published: January 2024

In this work we present : A package dedicated to efficient computations of observables in the Early Universe with the focus on the cosmological era of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). The code offers fast and precise evaluation of BBN light-element abundances together with the effective number of relativistic degrees of freedom, including non-instantaneous decoupling effects. is suitable for state-of-the-art analyses in the Standard Model as well as for general investigations into New Physics active during BBN. After reviewing the physics implemented in , we provide a short guide on how to use the code for applications in the Standard Model and beyond. The package is written in Python, but more advanced users can optionally take advantage of the open-source community for Julia. is publicly available on GitHub.
RENOIR JIGSAW PUZZLE, INC.: MAKING PUZZLES MORE THAN JUST PUZZLES
Authors: Chu Chih-Ning , Su Grace C. , Huang Ting-Yuan
Published: January 2024

This case describes the marketing strategy and business model of Renoir Inc., a premium jigsaw puzzle retailer which offers high-quality art puzzles and customized framing services. By taking advantage of the IKEA effect associated with puzzles, Renoir sets premium prices, establishes a group of loyal customers, and appropriates better profits. Students are expected to understand the theoretical mechanisms underpinning Renoir’s strategy and be able to apply that knowledge to assess the magnitude of the two challenges Renoir encountered during the COVID pandemic: (1) demand decline due to the economic lockdowns, and (2) supply shortage from the premium European puzzle makers. Based on the information provided, students should be able to propose feasible solutions.
Research on the Innovation of Marketing Management Mode Under the Digital Transformation of Textile and Garment Enterprises
Authors: Liu Jiahua , Liu Zhenjian , Xu Yunbao
Published: January 2024

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the proportion of people’s disposable income is increasing. The consumption of daily necessities is increasing day by day. The traditional marketing channels of the existing clothing industry have been difficult to meet the development needs of clothing enterprises and consumer consumption needs. In response to this problem, this research introduces in-depth learning into the digital transformation of garment enterprises, focusing on how to combine in-depth learning with the innovation of marketing management mode in the digital transformation. This paper proposes an omni channel marketing management mode based on the improved PGBN user profile construction model and the improved RBF sales volume prediction model. Simulation experiments and comparative experiments are designed to test the effect of the sales volume prediction model and the new marketing management model. The test results show that the performance of the sales volume prediction model is improved by 15.97-19.87%. The new marketing management model improves the sales volume by more than 30%. The improvement effect is significant, which can provide an effective reference for the digital transformation of garment enterprises.
Data Scarcity in Recommendation Systems: A Survey
Authors: Chen Zefeng , Gan Wensheng , Wu Jiayang , Hu Kaixia , Lin Hong
Published: January 2024

The prevalence of online content has led to the widespread adoption of recommendation systems (RSs), which serve diverse purposes such as news, advertisements, and e-commerce recommendations. Despite their significance, data scarcity issues have significantly impaired the effectiveness of existing RS models and hindered their progress. To address this challenge, the concept of knowledge transfer, particularly from external sources like pre-trained language models, emerges as a potential solution to alleviate data scarcity and enhance RS development. However, the practice of knowledge transfer in RSs is intricate. Transferring knowledge between domains introduces data disparities, and the application of knowledge transfer in complex RS scenarios can yield negative consequences if not carefully designed. Therefore, this article contributes to this discourse by addressing the implications of data scarcity on RSs and introducing various strategies, such as data augmentation, self-supervised learning, transfer learning, broad learning, and knowledge graph utilization, to mitigate this challenge. Furthermore, it delves into the challenges and future direction within the RS domain, offering insights that are poised to facilitate the development and implementation of robust RSs, particularly when confronted with data scarcity. We aim to provide valuable guidance and inspiration for researchers and practitioners, ultimately driving advancements in the field of RS.
Deep Learning in Single-cell Analysis
Authors: Molho Dylan , Ding Jiayuan , Tang Wenzhuo , Li Zhaoheng , Wen Hongzhi , Wang Yixin , Venegas Julian , Jin Wei , Liu Renming , Su Runze , Danaher Patrick , Yang Robert , Lei Yu Leo , Xie Yuying , Tang Jiliang
Published: January 2024

Single-cell technologies are revolutionizing the entire field of biology. The large volumes of data generated by single-cell technologies are high dimensional, sparse, and heterogeneous and have complicated dependency structures, making analyses using conventional machine learning approaches challenging and impractical. In tackling these challenges, deep learning often demonstrates superior performance compared to traditional machine learning methods. In this work, we give a comprehensive survey on deep learning in single-cell analysis. We first introduce background on single-cell technologies and their development, as well as fundamental concepts of deep learning including the most popular deep architectures. We present an overview of the single-cell analytic pipeline pursued in research applications while noting divergences due to data sources or specific applications. We then review seven popular tasks spanning different stages of the single-cell analysis pipeline, including multimodal integration, imputation, clustering, spatial domain identification, cell-type deconvolution, cell segmentation, and cell-type annotation. Under each task, we describe the most recent developments in classical and deep learning methods and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Deep learning tools and benchmark datasets are also summarized for each task. Finally, we discuss the future directions and the most recent challenges. This survey will serve as a reference for biologists and computer scientists, encouraging collaborations.
The Plant Mediator Complex in the Initiation of Transcription by RNA Polymerase II
Authors: Freytes Santiago Nicolás , Gobbini María Laura , Cerdán Pablo D.
Published: January 2024

Thirty years have passed since the discovery of the Mediator complex in yeast. We are witnessing breakthroughs and advances that have led to high-resolution structural models of yeast and mammalian Mediators in the preinitiation complex, showing how it is assembled and how it positions the RNA polymerase II and its C-terminal domain (CTD) to facilitate the CTD phosphorylation that initiates transcription. This information may be also used to guide future plant research on the mechanisms of Mediator transcriptional control. Here, we review what we know about the subunit composition and structure of plant Mediators, the roles of the individual subunits and the genetic analyses that pioneered Mediator research, and how transcription factors recruit Mediators to regulatory regions adjoining promoters. What emerges from the research is a Mediator that regulates transcription activity and recruits hormonal signaling modules and histone-modifying activities to set up an off or on transcriptional state that recruits general transcription factors for preinitiation complex assembly.