bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergent mechanisms regulate TLR4 expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells following workload-matched exercise in normoxic and hypoxic environments
Authors: Ducharme Jeremy B. , McKenna Zachary J. , Specht Jonathan W. , Fennel Zachary J. , Berkemeier Quint N. , Deyhle Michael R.
Published: November 2023

We provide the first evidence of exercise affecting soluble Toll-like receptor 4 (sTLR4), a TLR4 ligand decoy receptor. We found that the degree of exercise-induced physiological stress influences TLR4 regulation on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moderate-intensity exercise reduces PBMC TLR4 and increases circulating sTLR4. Conversely, workload-matched exercise in hypoxia induces greater physiological stress, intestinal barrier damage, circulating lipopolysaccharides, and reduces both TLR4 and sTLR4, suggesting heightened TLR4 activation, internalization, and degradation under increased strain.
Idiosyncratic bone responses to blood flow restriction exercise: new insights and future directions
Authors: Hughes Luke , Centner Christoph
Published: November 2023

Applying blood flow restriction (BFR) during low-load exercise induces beneficial adaptations of the myotendinous and neuromuscular systems. Despite the low mechanical tension, BFR exercise facilitates a localized hypoxic environment and increase in metabolic stress, widely regarded as the primary stimulus for tissue adaptations. First evidence indicates that low-load BFR exercise is effective in promoting an osteogenic response in bone, although this has previously been postulated to adapt primarily during high-impact weight-bearing exercise. Besides studies investigating the acute response of bone biomarkers following BFR exercise, first long-term trials demonstrate beneficial adaptations in bone in both healthy and clinical populations. Despite the increasing number of studies, the physiological mechanisms are largely unknown. Moreover, heterogeneity in methodological approaches such as biomarkers of bone metabolism measured, participant and study characteristics, and time course of measurement renders it difficult to formulate accurate conclusions. Furthermore, incongruity in the methods of BFR application (e.g., cuff pressure) limits the comparability of datasets and thus hinders generalizability of study findings. Appropriate use of biomarkers, effective BFR application, and befitting study design have the potential to progress knowledge on the acute and chronic response of bone to BFR exercise and contribute toward the development of a novel strategy to protect or enhance bone health. Therefore, the purpose of the present synthesis review is to 1) evaluate current mechanistic evidence; 2) discuss and offer explanations for similar and contrasting data findings; and 3) create a methodological framework for future mechanistic and applied research.
Vital Pulp Therapy in Permanent Teeth Diagnosed with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: Reports with Long-Term Controls
Authors: Teves-Cordova Abel , Coloma Calle Luis , Mejia Rojas Pierre , Goncalves-Pereira Juan , Duarte Marco Antonio Hungaro
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to describe the treatment of permanent teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis, which can be effectively managed with partial or total pulpotomy. This alternative approach has shown great clinical and radiographic success in the long term compared to traditional pulpectomies. In this series of clinical cases, all the teeth exhibited symptoms of intense pain upon exposure to cold and at night. The clinical examination revealed extensive caries, while radiographic imaging showed radiolucent lesions in contact with the pulp chamber, indicating symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The chosen treatment approach was either partial or total pulpotomy. The tooth was anesthetized, and the operative field was isolated and disinfected. After removing caries with a sterile round drill, the area was rinsed with sodium hypochlorite. In some cases, a portion of the pulp tissue was removed, while in others, the entire tissue of the pulp chamber was extracted using diamond burs. Hemostasis was achieved by applying sterile cotton pellets for 2 to 6 minutes. Following that, the tissue exhibited no signs of bleeding. Bioceramic cements were used, and the tooth was definitively restored. Periodic follow-up examinations were conducted, consistently showing positive pulp responses and no evidence of periradicular radiolucent lesions on radiographs.
The Design of Miniature Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna Based on Inductive Loading Technology
Authors: Shang Yuqiu , Zeng Qingsheng , Wang Qian , Wang Xinwei , Zheng Gengqi , Shang Feng
Published: November 2023

A circularly polarized (CP) and frequency reconfigurable microstrip antenna with loading inductive is presented in this paper. The designed antenna is comprised of a radiating patch, four short-circuited grounded metal posts, and four coupling branches. Each coupling branch has an end that is coupled to the shorted ground post and is also connected to the parasitic branches by means of a group of PIN diodes. By controlling the state of the PIN diodes connected to each parasitic branch, the working resonant frequency of the antenna can be changed. In order to further understand the mechanisms of operation of the antenna, the equivalent circuit model was built, and the circuit model of the antenna was analyzed, and this analysis was used for the development of the frequency reconfigurable microstrip patch antenna. Furthermore, the parameters of specific equivalent circuits can be solved by the three lengths of branch. Meanwhile, the calculated results derived from the given resonant frequency formula for the antenna are in good agreement with the simulation results of the antenna. Simulated results for the input impedance of the antenna are also in good agreement with the calculated values for the equivalent circuit. Finally, the antenna is fabricated and measured, and the measured results show that the antenna can not only achieve frequency reconfiguration at 1.14 GHz, 1.21 GHz, and 1.39 GHz but also accord well with the simulation value, while maintaining a compact size.
A Damage Detection Approach in the Era of Industry 4.0 Using the Relationship between Circular Economy, Data Mining, and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Gordan Meisam , Sabbagh-Yazdi Saeed-Reza , Ghaedi Khaled , Ismail Zubaidah
Published: November 2023

Over the last decades, the emergence of new technologies has inspired a paradigm shift for the fourth industrial revolution. For example, circular economy, data mining, and artificial intelligence (AI), which are multidisciplinary topics, have recently attracted industrial and academic interests. Sustainable structural health monitoring (SHM) also concerns the continuous structural assessment of civil, mechanical, aerospace, and industrial structures to upgrade conventional SHM systems. A damage detection approach inspired by the principles of data mining with the adoption of circular-economic thinking is proposed in this study. In addition, vibration characteristics of a composite bridge deck structure are employed as inputs of AI algorithms. Likewise, an artificial neural network (ANN) integrated with a genetic algorithm (GA) was also developed for detecting the damage. GA was applied to define the initial weights of the neural network. To aid the aim, a range of damage scenarios was generated and the achieved outcomes confirm the feasibility of the developed method in the fault diagnosis procedure. Several data mining techniques were also employed to compare the performance of the developed model. It is concluded that the ANN integrated with GA presents a relatively fitting capacity in the detection of damage severity.
Structural, Electronic, Dynamic, and Optical Properties of 2D Monolayer Tungsten Telluride (2H-WTe2) under Small Biaxial Strain Using Density Functional Theory (DFT and DFT + U)
Authors: Woldesenbet Mulugeta , Debelo Nebiyu , Woldemariam Menberu
Published: November 2023

The structural, electronic, vibrational, and optical properties of 2D- 2H-WTe2 monolayer are investigated using density functional theory with respect to a plane wave ultrasoft pseudopotentials (PW-USPPs) in a generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and with the Hubbard potential (GGA + U). The equilibrium state properties such as lattice parameters, unit cell volume, bulk modulus, and its derivative are determined. The band gap values of monolayer 2H-WTe2 are investigated for unstrained, 2% biaxial compression, and biaxial tensile stress using GGA, respectively. The obtained band gap values of 2H-WTe2 with respect to GGA are 1.043, 1.1487, and 0.9439 eV for unstrained, biaxial compression, and tensile strain, respectively. Moreover, the band gap values determined using Hubbard correction (GGA + U) are 1.1089 eV (unstrained), 1.2332 eV (2% biaxial compression), and 0.9945 eV (2% biaxial tensile stress), respectively. The band gap value obtained using Hubbard correction predicts the experimental value more precisely. The projected density of state shows W (3d) orbital is more dominant both in the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum. Moreover, a small amount of tensile or compressive strain is used to tune the band gap of the monolayer without affecting its direct band gap nature. In addition to this, the phonon dispersion and optical properties are discussed for tensile strain, unstrained, and compressive strain, respectively.
Farmers’ Perceptions of Rodents’ Damage and Management Practices in Wenchi Highlands, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Legese Kabeta , Bekele Afework
Published: November 2023

Local perceptions about rodents and the damage they cause and management practices are the first step to design and implement rodent control programs. A study was conducted to obtain information about the perceptions and practices of farmers in Wenchi highlands on rodent damage and their management practices in the late-2020 and early 2021. Farmers (n = 383) from four highland villages of Wenchi district were randomly selected and interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Rodents were identified as major pests and perceived negatively among farmers. Arvicanthis abyssinicus (Rüppell), Mastomys natalensis (Smith), Mastomys awashensis (Lavrenchenko, Likhnova & Baskevich), Hystrix cristata L., and Tachyoryctes splendens (Rüppell) were the potential rodent pest species in the study area. There were significant variations in the type of damage (χ2 = 112.698, df = 3,

P
<
0.05

) and crop type susceptibility to rodent pest attack (χ2 = 143.26, df = 3,

P
<
0.05

). Crop damage (38.7%) and damage to human properties (27.9%) were the two dominant rodent-related problems in the area. Barley was the most susceptible crop to rodent attack (57.5%). The occurrence frequency of rodent pests and crop damage between the cropping stages also varied significantly. Most damage to barley crops (42.5%) occurred during the maturation stage. Farmers assessed rodent damage by observing damaged seeds, damaged stores, and rodent droppings in the storage and stem cuts of standing crops in the crop fields. The farmers stated that managing rodents in barley crop fields is practically impossible. In storage, farmers mainly use cats (53.73%) and trapping (22.64%) to control rodents. Detailed on-field rodent damage assessment and community education for rodent management are recommended.
Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method for Evaluating Stability of Loess Slopes
Authors: Deng Xiaopeng , Xiang Xinghua
Published: November 2023

The stability assessment of loess slopes is of great significance for slope reinforcement and safety assessment. This research studies the main factors affecting the stability of the loess slope through the summary and analyzes the failure cases of the loess slope in Shaanxi Province. The importance of influencing factors was studied through numerical simulation method, sensitivity analysis method, and gray correlation analysis method, and the weight value method was given. On this basis, we have developed the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model method for assessing the stability of loess slopes based on the principle of maximum membership degree. Finally, the method was applied to the stability analysis of the actual loess slope, and the rationality and correctness of the loess slope stability evaluation method proposed in this paper were demonstrated. The results showed that, for the Shaanxi loess slope, the probability of instability of the positive slopes is far greater than that of negative slopes; the greater the slope gradient, the more unstable the loess slopes. Collapse mainly occurs in the range of 10–40 m slope height. There is a significant positive correlation between rainfall and the probability of loess landslides. The degree of correlation between the factors influencing slope stability and the safety factor can be categorized from strong to weak as follows: slope inclination > internal friction angle > height of the slope > gravitational forces > cohesion > Poisson’s ratio > modulus of elasticity, and the influence of Poisson’s ratio and elastic modulus can be ignored. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method based on the gray correlation degree method established in this paper was used to evaluate the stability of the loess slopes. The evaluation results attested to the actual data of slope monitoring. The evaluation method proves reasonable and feasible and can be well applied to the stability analysis of the loess slopes.
Variations in the Urinary Iodine Concentration and Urinary Iodine/Creatinine Ratio among Preschool Children
Authors: An Dong , Yang Rui , Du Yuping , Wang Xuan , Yang Ying , Guo Wenxing , Yang Junhong , Meng Dongmei , Gao Weiwei , Zhang Jiayi , Chen Wen , Zhang Wanqi
Published: November 2023

Variations in different urinary measurements for evaluating iodine status are concerning to clinicians and researchers. The present study aimed to analyze the interindividual and intraindividual variations in the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and urinary iodine/creatinine (UI/Cr) ratio and evaluate their application in assessing the iodine nutrition of preschool children. Four repeated spot urine samples were collected from 163 children at different times within one day. The urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and urinary creatinine concentration (UCr) were measured, and the UI/Cr ratio was calculated. The UIC (

P

 < 0.001) and urinary iodine/creatinine ratio (

P

 = 0.019) of multiple measurements were significantly different. The UIC of morning urine was highest (99.83 μg/L) and then gradually decreased with collection time (

P

 < 0.001). In contrast, the UI/Cr ratio of morning urine samples increased with collection time. By computing the mean intraindividual and interindividual coefficients of variance (CV), the intraindividual variation of the UI/Cr ratio (68%) was significantly lower than that of the UIC (86%). Nevertheless, the interindividual variation was lowest in the UIC (78.62%) of morning urine. In addition, the UIC and UI/Cr ratio showed moderate correlations (r = 0.52,

P

 < 0.001), with kappa values of 0.42 in assessing iodine nutrition. The UIC of morning urine samples taken at 8:00–10:00 am was perhaps more stable and reliable in evaluating the iodine nutrition of preschool children at the population level. The UI/Cr ratio showed lower intraindividual variation and may be more suitable for assessing individual iodine nutrition.
Emerging Echinococcus Shiquicus Infection of Asian Badgers in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Fu Yong , Zhang Xueyong , Li Zhi , Shi Zhenghe , Ma Xiao , Meng Ru , Zhang Qing , Zhao Cunzhe , Guo Shuai , Ma Wanli , Duo Hong , Zhao Yuting , Wu Faming , Sun Donglei , Shen Xiuying , Ma Yijuan , Liu Gongguan , Guo Zhihong
Published: November 2023

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease currently causing significant public health issues worldwide. The emerging and the expansion of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms in wildlife species and habitats are indeed underrecognized. Here, using infrared camera surveillance followed by morphological and genetic characterization, Echinococcus shiquicus (E. shiquicus), tapeworms were unexpectedly detected from Asian badgers in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China for the first time. In specific, an area of 3,939 km2 at an altitude of 3,691–5,339 m above sea level was monitored, from which fecal samples were collected, and fecal DNA was sequenced to solidify its match with the genome of Asian badgers before fecal egg examination. We further revealed that the isolated fecal eggs were morphologically representing E. shiquicus being oval in shape and containing a hexacanth embryo, and genetically formed a unique clade with diverse registered E. shiquicus isolates as illustrated by phylogenetic analysis. Overall, our investigation suggested Asian badger as a potential new definitive host of E. shiquicus tapeworm. More extensive surveillance for E. shiquicus tapeworm should be conducted in neglected host species and their habitats in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.
PUMA/RIP3 Mediates Chemotherapy Response via Necroptosis and Local Immune Activation in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Dongshi , Ermine Kaylee , Wang Yi-Jun , Chen Xiaojun , Lu Xinyan , Wang Peng , Beer-Stolz Donna , Yu Jian , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2023

Induction of programmed cell death (PCD) is a key cytotoxic effect of anticancer therapies. PCD is not confined to caspase-dependent apoptosis, but includes necroptosis, a regulated form of necrotic cell death controlled by receptor-interacting protein (RIP) kinases 1 and 3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) pseudokinase. Necroptosis functions as a defense mechanism against oncogenic mutations and pathogens and can be induced by a variety of anticancer agents. However, the functional role and regulatory mechanisms of necroptosis in anticancer therapy are poorly understood. In this study, we found that RIP3-dependent but RIP1-independent necroptosis is engaged by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and other widely used antimetabolite drugs, and functions as a major mode of cell death in a subset of colorectal cancer cells that express RIP3. We identified a novel 5-FU–induced necroptosis pathway involving p53-mediated induction of the BH3-only Bcl-2 family protein, p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), which promotes cytosolic release of mitochondrial DNA and stimulates its sensor z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1) to activate RIP3. PUMA/RIP3-dependent necroptosis mediates the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of 5-FU and promotes a robust antitumor immune response. Our findings provide a rationale for stimulating necroptosis to enhance tumor cell killing and antitumor immune response leading to improved colorectal cancer treatments.
The Effect of Maternal Lower Limb Compression on Amniotic Fluid Index, Uteroplacental Perfusion, and Fetal Blood Flow in Isolated Oligohydramnios
Authors: Sgayer Inshirah , Frank Wolf Maya , Mustafa Mikhail Susana , Lowenstein Lior , Odeh Marwan
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of pneumatic compression of the maternal lower extremities in increasing the amniotic fluid index (AFI) in pregnancies complicated by isolated oligohydramnios. Methods: Women with isolated oligohydramnios (AFI <5 cm) at 32–41 weeks of pregnancy were connected to a sequential compression device for 60 min. Prior and after the application, AFI and the pulsatility index (PI) of a number of arteries were measured. Results: The median (interquartile range) maternal age of the 21 women included was 29 years (26.50–32.00), the median parity was 1 (1–2), and the median gestational age at intervention was 37.60 weeks (37.00–39.40). The median AFI increased after the application from 4.00 (3.62–4.50) to 6.08 cm (4.90–7.03) (p < 0.001). The median PI of the fetal renal artery decreased from 2.30 (2.01–2.88) to 2.26 (1.68–2.71) (p = 0.01). The hourly fetal urine production did not increase. Changes were not significant in the PI of the umbilical artery, the middle cerebral artery, and the bilateral uterine arteries. Conclusion: Short-term activation of pneumatic compression on maternal lower extremities could increase the AFI in women with isolated oligohydramnios.
Comparison of Participation in Online Games and Communication Experiences of School-Age Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter: Exploratory Study
Authors: Kara İlkem , Mutlu Ayşe İlayda , Miraloğlu Kübra
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Online games provide a socializing environment for children aged 8–10 years, but there is a lack of information in the literature about whether children who stutter (CWS) access online gaming environments as frequently as their nonaffected peers and about their interaction habits. This study aimed to investigate the participation frequency of school-age CWS and children who do not stutter (CWNS) in online games, the speech characteristics during games, and whether they encountered bullying-like behaviors during games. Methods: A total of 91 CWS (F/M = 18/73; age range = 8–13) and 116 CWNS (F/M = 60/56; age range 8–13) participated in this study. Children’s participation habits in online, chat-based, multiplayer games were evaluated with web-based questionnaires. Differences between questionnaire responses were analyzed using the significance test for a difference in two proportions. Results: There was no significant difference between the participation rates of CWS and CWNS in online games (z = 1.46; p = 0.14), their frequency (p > 0.05), and the time they spent in the game (p > 0.05). It was found that those who stutter preferred to use one-word expressions more than their peers who do not stutter (z = 2.03; p = 0.04), and those who stutter had higher rates of not encountering bullying-like behaviors in online games than those who do not stutter (z = 2.2; p = 0.03). Discussion/Conclusion: CWS and CWNS show similar participation habits in online, chat-based, multiplayer games with similar frequency and duration. Speech features that emerge in online games and whether these games play a role in providing CWS with a communication environment where the risk of bullying is reduced and fluency is increased may be the subject of future research.
Fetal Echogenic Bowel: What Is Real Echogenicity? A Quantitative Method Based on Histogram Analysis of the Grayscale
Authors: Spinnato Silvia , De Biase Alessia , Bilardo Caterina Maddalena , Elvan-Taşpınar Ayten
Published: November 2023

Introduction: The aim of this study was to use computerized analysis of the grayscale spectrum (histogram) to provide an objective assessment of the echogenicity of the fetal bowel. Moreover, we investigated the role of histogram analysis in the prenatal prediction of postnatal outcomes in fetuses with echogenic bowel (fetal echogenic bowel [FEB]). Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study including all fetuses with a diagnosis of echogenic bowel (FEB) in the mid-second trimester between 2015 and 2021. Ultrasound images were analyzed using ImageJ software. The mean of the grayscale histograms of the bowel, liver, and iliac/femur bone was obtained for each patient, and the ratio between these structures was used to overcome gain variations. We compared these values with those of a matched control group of singleton uncomplicated pregnancies and with a group of patients referred for FEB, where the FEB was not confirmed by the expert operator (FEB false-positive). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between bowel/liver and bowel/bone histogram ratios between the FEB group and the control groups (p < 0.05). Mean ratio cutoffs were provided for the diagnosis of FEB. Among the patients with confirmed FEB, both ratios were not able to discriminate the cases with adverse outcomes. In contrast, the presence of dilated bowel or other markers was associated with an adverse outcome. Conclusions: Histogram analysis may refine the diagnosis of FEB and reduce the number of false-positive diagnoses. For the prediction of the fetal outcome, the presence of additional features is clinically more significant than the degree of bowel echogenicity.
Aquatics Products as Functional Food Sources
Authors: Prihanto Asep Awaludin , Trowulan Endang , Maskur Muhammad , Nurdiani Rahmi , Bahari Anita Nurmulya , Firdaus Muhamad
Published: November 2023

Selenium, an essential trace mineral element, plays various physiological roles in the human body. Its functions include acting as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, and providing antiviral protection against oxidative stress, thereby reducing the risk of several diseases. The limited scope of prerequisites and harmful consequences associated with selenium led to the development of the Selenium-Health Benefit Value (Se-HBV) as a metric for seafood safety. A positive Se:Hg ratio can help reduce the risk of mercury (Hg) toxicity. Fishery products typically contain both inorganic forms (selenite and selenate) and organic forms (selenoprotein, selenocysteine, and selenomethionine) of selenium simultaneously. The relatively high total Selenium content in fishery products presents an opportunity to develop Selenium-enriched functional foods. The methods for extracting selenium in total and quantifying species-specific Selenium content in these products are predominantly conducted in the liquid phase, often in combination with other techniques, to enhance efficiency while preserving the integrity of the various Selenium species. When considering the potential development of fishery products as viable sources of selenium in the diet, it is crucial to consider factors such as bioaccessibility and bioavailability to optimize their health benefits.
Hidden treasures of Camamu Bay, Bahia, Brazil: New records and two new species of Raspailiidae (Porifera, Demospongiae)
Authors: OZGA ALINE VASUM , MENEGOLA CARLA
Published: November 2023

Currently one species of Cyamon Gray, 1867 and one species of Thrinacophora Ridley, 1885 are reported from the Brazilian coast: Cyamon agnani (Boury- Esnault, 1973) and Thrinacophora funiformis (Ridley & Dendy, 1886) respectively. We describe two new sponge species from Camamu Bay, Bahia, Brazil: Cyamon pedroalcoladoi sp. nov. and Thrinacophora melae sp. nov. . The specimens were found in shallow waters (2–3 m), on the sandy bottom with biodetritus. Cyamon perdroalcoladoi sp. nov. has unique spiculation consisting of two kinds of strongyles, five kinds of styles and two kinds of polyactine spicules. Thrinacophora melae sp. nov. is characterized by only one size of strongyles and raphides, and three kinds of styles. Also, the first record of Cyamon agnani from the state of Bahia—726 km north of the type locality—Espírito Santo, Brazil), a plate of spicule set from Western Atlantic species of Cyamon and the redefinition of both genera are included. Taxonomic keys, comparative tables of spicules and the geographic and bathymetric distributions from Western Atlantic Cyamon species and World Thrinacophora are presented.
Validation of the CLARA-A3 Top-of-Atmosphere Radiative Fluxes Climate Data Record
Authors: Akkermans Tom , Clerbaux Nicolas
Published: November 2023

The third edition of the CM SAF Cloud, Albedo and Surface Radiation dataset from AVHRR data (CLARA-A3) contains for the first time the top-of-atmosphere products reflected solar flux (RSF) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), which are presented and validated using CERES, HIRS, and ERA5 reference data. The products feature an unprecedented resolution (0.25°) and time span (4 decades) and offer synergy and compatibility with other CLARA-A3 products. The RSF is relatively stable; its bias with respect to (w.r.t.) ERA5 remains mostly within ±2 W m−2. Deviations are predominantly caused by absence of either morning or afternoon satellite, mostly during the first decade. The radiative impact of the Pinatubo volcanic eruption is estimated at 3 W m−2. The OLR is stable w.r.t. ERA5 and HIRS, except during 1979–80. OLR regional uncertainty w.r.t. HIRS is quantified by the mean absolute bias (MAB) and correlates with observation density and time (satellite orbital configuration), which is optimal during 2002–16, with monthly and daily MAB of approximately 1.5 and 3.5 W m−2, respectively. Daily OLR uncertainty is higher (MAB +40%) during periods with only morning or only afternoon observations (1979–87). During the CERES era (2000–20), the OLR uncertainties w.r.t. CERES-EBAF, CERES-SYN, and HIRS are very similar. The RSF uncertainty achieves optimal results during 2002–16 with a monthly MAB w.r.t. CERES-EBAF of ∼2 W m−2 and a daily MAB w.r.t. CERES-SYN of ∼5 W m−2, and it is more sensitive to orbital configuration than is OLR. Overall, validation results are satisfactory for this first release of TOA flux products in the CLARA-A3 portfolio.
Circular Economy and Business Models: Managing Efficiency in Waste Recycling Firms
Authors: Parte Laura , Alberca Pilar
Published: November 2023

Business orientation toward sustainable development goals and the circular economy are relevant research topics today in business theory and practice. The waste recycling sector is a key industry in the circular economy framework for promoting clean production and environmental sustainability. This study analyzes business performance in the recycling sector, focusing on efficiency indicators. The associations between firm efficiency and risk variables were also evaluated. The study goes through several methodological stages, including a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) multistage method and multivariate modeling: tobit regression, bootstrap models, and generalized method of moments (GMM). The main results indicate that the average efficiency of waste recycling firms is at a medium level. Large-sized firms achieve higher levels of efficiency than medium-sized and small firms, supporting the economies of scale hypothesis. The evidence also suggests that risk variables (rating score and Zscore) and capital structure are key determinants of firm efficiency in the waste recycling industry.
Book review: Neeti Nair, Hurt Sentiments: Secularism and Belonging in South Asia
Authors: Kumar Sunny
Published: November 2023

Neeti Nair, Hurt Sentiments: Secularism and Belonging in South Asia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2023, 350 pp.
A Preemptive and Curative Solution to Mitigate Data Breaches: Corporate Social Responsibility as a Double Layer of Protection
Authors: Zhu John JianJun , Tuo Ling , You Yanfen , Fei Qiang , Thomson Matthew
Published: November 2023

Data breaches have the potential to weaken employee morale, corporate reputations, and customer and supplier relationships, while also disrupting marketing investments and financial performance. Research on reducing their frequency and harm focuses on tactical solutions, though breaches represent serious, even existential threats to firms. To date, research has not attempted to simultaneously address the closely connected phenomena of preventing and recovering from data breaches. The authors propose that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic variable offering dual protection: reducing the likelihood of data breaches and attenuating harm when breaches occur. Drawing on stakeholder theory, the authors distinguish between internal (addressing primary stakeholders) and external (addressing secondary stakeholders) CSR. Study 1 shows that external CSR has no prophylactic effect, while moderate and high levels of internal CSR are equally effective at preventing data breaches, compared with low levels of internal CSR. Study 2 assesses mitigation following a data breach by examining (1) short-term effects (in the form of an event study on cumulative abnormal returns) and (2) long-term effects (with time-series analysis of Tobin's q). The results suggest that internal CSR props up financial performance only at high levels while the positive effect of external CSR is short-lived.
Differences Between Consistent and Inconsistent Handedness Remain Consistently Interesting: Ten Years of Research on the Consistency of Handedness With the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory
Authors: Prichard Eric C. , Clarkson Evan M. , Christman Stephen D.
Published: November 2023

Almost 10 years ago Prichard et al. (2013) published a literature review on consistency of handedness. They described how consistency of handedness, typically measured by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI), predicted outcomes in memory and decision-making paradigms better than direction of handedness. In the last 10 years, new research has extended these findings and added new theoretical perspectives. The goal of this short form review is to highlight and summarize some of these more intriguing findings and to encourage researchers in the fields of memory and decision making to incorporate handedness as a variable in future research.
Enhancing wool dyeing with clove bud (Syzygium aromaticum) based natural dye via microwave treatment using a central composite design
Authors: Yameen Muhammad , Asghar Fariha , Adeel Shahid , Haider Muhammad Zulqurnain , Özomay Meral , Aftab Muhammad , Mia Rony
Published: November 2023

This research investigates the viability of using Syzygium aromaticum (clove) as a natural dye for wool yarn through the application of microwave treatment and optimization using central composite design (CCD). As concerns grow over the environmental impact of synthetic dyes and their detrimental disposal in water bodies, the search for eco-friendly alternatives becomes imperative to revolutionize the textile industry. Microwave-assisted extraction of the colorant from clove powder is explored as an efficient and sustainable method, minimizing solvent usage and energy consumption compared to conventional techniques. To enhance colorfastness properties while eliminating the need for toxic mordants, green alternatives such as Al, Fe, and tannic acid, combined with plant phenolics from red sumac, pomegranate rind, and weld, are employed. According to the analysis of CCD, the higher color strength value 18.1653 was achieved using pH = 3, time = 50 min, temperature = 70 °C, and salt concentration = 1.5 g/100 mL. The optimized dyeing conditions also showed a maximum level of colorfastness properties of 5 for light, 5 for wash, 5 for dry rubbing, and 4 for wet rubbing. The findings from Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses provide valuable insights into the chemical and morphological changes induced by microwave treatment and dyeing with clove extract. The results affirm the presence of eugenol as a potential active molecule responsible for the captivating color of clove flower buds, validating its suitability as a natural dye source for wool. This study highlights the promising potential of microwave-assisted extraction and plant-based biomolecules as innovative and environmentally friendly approaches in natural dyeing, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the textile industry. Embracing these eco-friendly practices allows the textile sector to reduce its ecological footprint and contribute to a cleaner and greener environment. Further research and implementation of these techniques can foster a more harmonious coexistence with nature, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for all.
Environmental Burden in Everyday Lives of Dalits: A Case Study of Sanand, Gujarat
Authors: Kumar Mahesh , Jena Asima
Published: November 2023

Under Buddhist philosophy, followed by Dalits and other marginalised groups, an organic relationship exists between environment, knowledge and society where natural resources are conceived as equal partners and their identity is enmeshed with these. However, this organic balance between environment, knowledge and society gets disrupted by certain kind of materialistic thinking which not only creates ecological imbalance but also social conflict, exposes people to a whole range of risks like dislocation, loss of livelihood, work burden for women, health issues, loss of culture to destruction of civil rights. Against this backdrop, this paper reflects on sustainable development and analyses environmental degradation caused by the proliferation of chemical and pharmaceutical industry by encapsulating how neoliberalism smartly appropriate caste system and its attendant inequality, resulting in pain and suffering of subaltern masses. Foregrounding the study in the four villages of Sanand Block, Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, this article discusses the politics of environmentalism, spells out ‘environmentalism of the poor’ and narrates the way subaltern communities manage to live with environmental burden.
Investigation of some properties of yarns and fabrics made with different blend ratios of flame-resistant fibers
Authors: Şardağ Sibel , Erkurt Dilhan
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the physical properties of yarns made with different blend ratios of meta-aramid, para-aramid, flame-resistant (FR) viscose, and antistatic nylon fibers, as well as the tensile strengths and burning behaviors of fabrics made from these yarns. For this purpose, 10 different yarns of two different linear densities were produced using five different blend ratios, which are commonly used in the production of fire-resistant fabrics, and knitted fabrics were produced from these yarns, with the same knitting machine and the same production parameters. Physical properties of the yarns and tensile properties and burning characteristics of the knitted fabrics were measured according to commonly applied standards, and the results obtained were evaluated using the SPSS statistical program. The findings of this study are that the blend ratios of meta-aramid, para-aramid, FR viscose, and antistatic nylon fibers have statistically significant effects on the unevenness, humidity, and tenacity of the yarns, as well as on the tensile properties and burning characteristics of the fabrics. It was found that, with an increase of the aramid fiber ratio in the blend, the tensile values of the yarns and fabrics increased. The lowest moisture contents were recorded for 100% para-aramid yarns but the highest moisture contents were recorded for yarns whose blends contained FR viscose fibers. The yarns whose blends contained antistatic nylon fibers exhibited the greatest unevenness and the most thin and thick places and neps.
Mediated public diplomacy and securitisation theory: the US campaign against Chinese 5G in Brazil and Chile
Authors: Vila Seoane Maximiliano Facundo
Published: November 2023

Amidst the transition to the fifth generation of mobile telecommunications (5G), the US has launched a diplomatic campaign to prevent other states from acquiring such technologies from Chinese providers. In reply, China has launched a similar campaign to rebut being perceived as a security threat. However, the outcomes of such influencing campaigns in other states have been varied. This article argues that mediated public diplomacy and securitisation theory offer complementary ways to research the competition between the US and China in terms of influencing the policies of foreign states. Empirically, it examines the cases of Brazil and Chile, where the US campaign against Chinese 5G suppliers was successful in setting the agenda. However, neither the increased economic interdependence of Brazil and Chile with China nor their close political cultural congruency with the US, though, are enough to explain the different outcomes of the US campaign against Chinese 5G providers in each country. Indeed, Chile rejected the US securitisation move, while in Brazil it was successful, but partial in that it only refers to government 5G, not commercial 5G. The article argues that the degree of consensus among national political elites and other non-state actors to endorse or reject the US narrative explains such differences.
A Machine Learning Workflow to Support the Identification of Subsurface Resource Analogs
Authors: Mabadeje Ademide O. , Salazar Jose J. , Ochoa Jesus , Garland Lean , Pyrcz Michael J.
Published: November 2023

Identifying subsurface resource analogs from mature subsurface datasets is vital for developing new prospects due to often initial limited or absent information. Traditional methods for selecting these analogs, executed by domain experts, face challenges due to subsurface dataset's high complexity, noise, and dimensionality. This article aims to simplify this process by introducing an objective geostatistics-based machine learning workflow for analog selection.

Our innovative workflow offers a systematic and unbiased solution, incorporating a new dissimilarity metric and scoring metrics, group consistency, and pairwise similarity scores. These elements effectively account for spatial and multivariate data relationships, measuring similarities within and between groups in reduced dimensional spaces. Our workflow begins with multidimensional scaling from inferential machine learning, utilizing our dissimilarity metric to obtain data representations in a reduced dimensional space. Following this, density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise identifies analog clusters and spatial analogs in the reduced space. Then, our scoring metrics assist in quantifying and identifying analogous data samples, while providing useful diagnostics for resource exploration.

We demonstrate the efficacy of this workflow with wells from the Duvernay Formation and a test scenario incorporating various well types common in unconventional reservoirs, including infill, outlier, sparse, and centered wells. Through this application, we successfully identified and grouped analog clusters of test well samples based on geological properties and cumulative gas production, showcasing the potential of our proposed workflow for practical use in the field.
Repair and the 2014 Mount Polley Mine disaster: Antirelationality, constraint, and legacies of socio-ecological disruption in settler colonial British Columbia
Authors: Nunn Neil
Published: November 2023

In this article I situate the 2014 Mount Polley Mine disaster within centuries-long relations of colonial-modernity in the region currently known as British Columbia, Canada. Guided by the work of Gilmore and Moten, I argue that repairing colonial systems of mass disruption and death requires attending to the logics that enable and normalize these systems of violence. To support this argument, I turn to British Columbia’s early settler colonial history—a violent and destructive history forged through mining—and outline large-scale socio-ecological violence that occurred throughout this period. By turning to this history, I show how these disruptions are connected to the Mount Polley Mine disaster through ongoing and pervasive logics that enable, and often even celebrate, these processes of violence and disruption.
Differential diagnosis of acute intracranial hemorrhage and calcification by cranial dual-energy computed tomography
Authors: Song Fang , Zhang Faping
Published: November 2023

Objective

To evaluate the application value of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the differential diagnosis of acute intracranial hemorrhage and calcification.

Methods

This retrospective study involved patients who underwent non-contrast-enhanced cranial DECT in Anhui Wannan Rehabilitation Hospital from January 2015 to November 2022. The processed mixed images obtained after DECT were used as the conventional CT images. Each hyperdense lesion was analyzed based on virtual non-calcium and calcium overlay and classified as calcification or hemorrhage. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of conventional CT and DECT were calculated by the chi-square test according to the unified reference standard.

Results

Sixty-six hyperdense intracranial lesions of 60 patients were analyzed; of these lesions, 41 (62.12%) were calcifications and 25 (37.88%) were hemorrhages. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DECT in identifying hemorrhage were 96.00%, 100%, and 98.48%, respectively, while those of conventional CT were 72.00%, 97.56%, and 87.88%, respectively. Of the 66 lesions, 4 (6.06%) could not be qualitatively identified and 3 (4.55%) were misdiagnosed by conventional CT but correctly identified by DECT.

Conclusions

DECT can accurately distinguish acute intracranial hemorrhage from calcification, especially in cases that are difficult to diagnose by conventional CT.
Potential missed opportunities for diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: report of a rare case
Authors: Tang Wei , Huang Ya’nan , Yu Shanlu , Wang Ting , Yang Jianfeng , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: November 2023

Lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (LEL-ICC) is a rare distinctive variant of liver cancer with unique epidemiological and pathological characteristics, including dense lymphocyte infiltration. We herein describe a 67-year-old Chinese man with LEL-ICC. The patient had undergone endoscopic extraction of a bile duct stone 1 month prior. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a 2.5- × 2.5- × 1.5-cm low-density mass located in a covert part of the left lateral segment of the liver. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images of the left lateral liver, with similar size and signal characteristics in the arterial and portal venous phases. The patient subsequently underwent left lateral laparoscopic hepatectomy. The results of postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry allowed for the definitive diagnosis. In situ hybridization using an Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA probe revealed extensive reactivity in the tumor cell nuclei, supporting a diagnosis of LEL-ICC. The patient was recurrence-free at 12 months postoperatively as shown by CT. A literature review indicated that in middle-aged patients with Epstein–Barr virus infection, a liver mass with a well-defined margin and a combination of hypervascularity and delayed intratumoral enhancement on CT and magnetic resonance imaging may suggest a diagnosis of LEL-ICC.
Suffering for/against the nation: Gharbzadegi and the tensions of anticolonialism in Iran
Authors: Borges Mateus Schneider
Published: November 2023

What accounts for the nation’s persistence as a central object of identification in anticolonial movements during the 1960s? How can we understand the appeal of nationalism when it simultaneously could signify one path to and a pitfall of decolonisation, as Frantz Fanon warned? This article addresses some of these questions concerning anticolonialism, its political possibilities, decolonial fantasies and desires in Iran. I discuss how Jalal Al-e Ahmad articulated a diagnosis of cultural imperialism, gharbzadegi, that expressed tensions between the translocality to which his framework aspired and the rigid confines of the nation-state model. This imbroglio, I claim, reverberated through the pathologisation of the national group, with the wounds of colonial violence unsettling and reforming different national attachments in Iran. To support this argument, I read the specific conditions, dynamics and sociohistorical processes in which Al-e Ahmad was immersed alongside the transnational structures to which they were related. Juxtaposing this pathological discourse with his travelogues, we can grasp a specific articulation of the translocal-national dyad that informed Al-e Ahmad’s life and found expression in his limited theorisation of gharbzadegi. Analysing this particular context, I argue that this entanglement exposes the limits and pitfalls of anticolonialism in Iran.

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