bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sliding Window Iterative Identification for Nonlinear Closed‐Loop Systems Based on the Maximum Likelihood Principle
Authors: Liu Lijuan , Li Fu , Liu Wei , Xia Huafeng
Published: November 2024

The parameter estimation problem for the nonlinear closed‐loop systems with moving average noise is considered in this article. For purpose of overcoming the difficulty that the dynamic linear module and the static nonlinear module in nonlinear closed‐loop systems lead to identification complexity issues, the unknown parameters from both linear and nonlinear modules are included in a parameter vector by use of the key term separation technique. Furthermore, an sliding window maximum likelihood least squares iterative algorithm and an sliding window maximum likelihood gradient iterative algorithm are derived to estimate the unknown parameters. The numerical simulation indicates the efficiency of the proposed algorithms.
Performance Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity Classification Using Multiple Receptive Fields Feature Extraction on SpO2 Signals
Authors: Yeh Cheng‐Yu , Chi Hung‐Ying , Lin Chun‐Cheng
Published: November 2024

This paper presents a feature extraction method with multiple receptive fields applied to input peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) signals of a model to further improve the performance of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity classification from our original work. Additionally, this work significantly modifies the module design of the proposed feature extraction method. Experimental results confirm that the proposed model achieves an overall accuracy up to 81.2% in four‐level OSA severity classification, which is higher than our original work and significantly outperforms most counterparts in the literature. The effectiveness of the presented method is demonstrated. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Peter Malone
Authors: Young David , MacFarlane John , Campbell Peter
Published: November 2024

A lifelong practitioner who was an inspiration to many, Peter worked in large animal practice where he nurtured and encouraged those joining the profession.
Fight continues to secure the supply of vet medicines to Northern Ireland
Authors: Mullineaux Liz
Published: November 2024

Speaking at BVA's 2024 Northern Ireland Dinner in Stormont last month, BVA President Liz Mullineaux outlined the opportunity presented by the government's proposed EU veterinary agreement to resolve the ongoing vet medicines access issue facing Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit.
Gene editing of animals: a new BVA policy position launches
Authors: Killeen Hannah
Published: November 2024

BVA policy and public affairs officer Hannah Killeen talks through the new position and BVA's recommendations.
Knowledge Graph for Solubility Big Data: Construction and Applications
Authors: Haiyang Xiao , Ruomei Yan , Yan Wu , Lixin Guan , Mengshan Li
Published: November 2024

Dissolution refers to the process in which solvent molecules and solute molecules attract and combine with each other. The extensive solubility data generated from the dissolution of various compounds under different conditions, is distributed across structured or semi‐structured formats in various media, such as text, web pages, tables, images, and databases. These data exhibit multi‐source and unstructured features, aligning with the typical 5 V characteristics of big data. A solubility big data technology system has emerged under the fusion of solubility data and big data technologies. However, the acquisition, fusion, storage, representation, and utilization of solubility big data are encountering new challenges. Knowledge Graphs, known as extensive systems for representing and applying knowledge, can effectively describe entities, concepts, and relations across diverse domains. The construction of solubility big data knowledge graph holds substantial value in the retrieval, analysis, utilization, and visualization of solubility knowledge. Throwing out a brick to attract a jade, this paper focuses on the solubility big data knowledge graph and, firstly, summarizes the architecture of solubility knowledge graph construction. Secondly, the key technologies such as knowledge extraction, knowledge fusion, and knowledge reasoning of solubility big data are emphasized, along with summarizing the common machine learning methods in knowledge graph construction. Furthermore, this paper explores application scenarios, such as knowledge question answering and recommender systems for solubility big data. Finally, it presents a prospective view of the shortcomings, challenges, and future directions related to the construction of solubility big data knowledge graph. This article proposes the research direction of solubility big data knowledge graph, which can provide technical references for constructing a solubility knowledge graph. At the same time, it serves as a comprehensive medium for describing data, resources, and their applications across diverse fields such as chemistry, materials, biology, energy, medicine, and so on. It further aids in knowledge retrieval and mining, analysis and utilization, and visualization across various disciplines.
Rats’ performance in a suboptimal choice procedure implemented in a natural-foraging analogue
Authors: González-Barriga Fernanda , Orduña Vladimir
Published: November 2024

Rats and pigeons have shown striking differences in their behavior in the suboptimal choice procedure: while pigeons show a strong and consistent preference for the discriminative alternative, most studies performed with rats have found optimal preferences, and in the cases in which suboptimal preferences have been reported, those results have not been replicated. Currently, there is no consensus about the reasons for these discrepant results between species, but different explanations have been proposed either with an empirical base or exclusively in theoretical terms. In the latter category it has been proposed that the discrepancy might have arisen because of differences in the relationship between the natural foraging response of each species, and the response required in the laboratory. For analyzing this possibility, we conducted two experiments carried out within a maze that was specifically designed to allow rats to display behaviors related to their natural foraging. In experiment 1, we explored rats’ preferences when facing a discriminative alternative with probability of reinforcement (p) = 0.5, and a non-discriminative alternative with p = .75. In experiment 2, we evaluated preferences when the discriminative alternative had p = .20 and the non-discriminative had p = .50, rats were evaluated in a closed economy, with longer terminal links, and were allowed to escape from the outcome found. In both studies, rats showed a strong preference for the non-discriminative alternative and showed very high levels of discrimination between the positive and the negative outcomes of the discriminative alternative.
Location-aware business process modeling and execution
Authors: Poss Leo , Schönig Stefan
Published: November 2024

Locally distributed processes include several process participants working on tasks at different locations, e.g., craftspeople working on construction sites. Compared to classical IT environments, new challenges emerge due to the spatial context of a process. Real-time location data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices can help businesses implement more efficient and effective processes through business process management (BPM). However, only small parts of existing research have touched on those advantages, while the architecture and implementation of actual executable location-aware processes area has only been vaguely considered. Therefore, we introduce and present a non-exhaustive list of patterns for using location data in BPM while also including an actual implementation of a location-aware approach using a multilayer system architecture based on standard BPM technology. These can be used to leverage the location perspective of process entities as contextual data in BPM.
Constitutive behaviour of a granular matrix containing coal mine waste intermixed with rubber crumbs
Authors: Riyad A. S. M. , Indraratna Buddhima , Qi Yujie , Tawk Miriam
Published: November 2024

Traditional railway substructure materials (i.e., natural crushed rock aggregates used for ballast and capping layers) degrade under service loads, incurring higher periodic maintenance costs compared to recycled materials. Using recycled waste materials such as coal wash and rubber crumbs for infrastructure upgrades not only reduces construction and maintenance costs but also supports environmental sustainability. By exploring unconventional avenues, earlier studies have delved into the viability of blending rubber crumbs (RC) and coal wash (CW) as an innovative substitute for traditional railway substructure materials, with a specific focus on the capping layer. This study introduces a semi-empirical constitutive model to simulate the response of mixtures of coal wash and rubber crumbs (CWRC) using the bounding surface plasticity framework. The novelty of this study is that a modified volumetric strain expression is introduced to capture the compressibility of rubber, thus enabling a more accurate representation of the internal deformation of rubber within the granular matrix. The variation of rubber content in the mixture is captured by the corresponding critical state void ratio surface and the hardening modulus. The theoretical model is then calibrated and validated using static drained triaxial test data for CWRC mixtures as well as mixtures of steel furnace slag, coal wash, and rubber crumbs (SFS + CW + RC).
NSSC: a neuro-symbolic AI system for enhancing accuracy of named entity recognition and linking from oncologic clinical notes
Authors: García-Barragán Álvaro , Sakor Ahmad , Vidal Maria-Esther , Menasalvas Ernestina , Gonzalez Juan Cristobal Sanchez , Provencio Mariano , Robles Víctor
Published: November 2024

Accurate recognition and linking of oncologic entities in clinical notes is essential for extracting insights across cancer research, patient care, clinical decision-making, and treatment optimization. We present the Neuro-Symbolic System for Cancer (NSSC), a hybrid AI framework that integrates neurosymbolic methods with named entity recognition (NER) and entity linking (EL) to transform unstructured clinical notes into structured terms using medical vocabularies, with the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) as a case study. NSSC was evaluated on a dataset of clinical notes from breast cancer patients, demonstrating significant improvements in the accuracy of both entity recognition and linking compared to state-of-the-art models. Specifically, NSSC achieved a 33% improvement over BioFalcon and a 58% improvement over scispaCy. By combining large language models (LLMs) with symbolic reasoning, NSSC improves the recognition and interoperability of oncologic entities, enabling seamless integration with existing biomedical knowledge. This approach marks a significant advancement in extracting meaningful information from clinical narratives, offering promising applications in cancer research and personalized patient care.

Graphical abstract
Exploitation und Exploration in dualen Organisationen: Vom Nebeneinander zum Miteinander
Authors: Busch Michael W. , Sichler Ralph
Published: November 2024

Dieser konzeptionelle Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe.Interaktion.Organisation. (GIO)“ hat ein doppeltes integratives Anliegen. Einerseits soll durch die interdisziplinäre Zusammenführung bekannter Konzepte im Kontext von Exploitation und Exploration ein vertieftes Verständnis über die Hintergründe beider Denk‑, Handlungs- und Lernmuster erlangt werden, deren Zusammenspiel als grundlegendes organisationsdynamisches Spannungsfeld begriffen wird; andererseits erfolgt eine Zusammenschau organisationaler Modelle, die aufzeigen, wie sich dieses Spannungsfeld in der betrieblichen Praxis bewältigen lässt. Durch die institutionelle Verankerung und die Ermöglichung der Interaktion von mehr der Exploration und mehr der Exploitation verpflichteter Organisationsprozesse wird sichergestellt, dass zum einen zukunftsträchtige Ideen hervorgebracht, zum anderen erfolgreiche Zugänge der Gegenwart effizient umgesetzt werden und im Idealfall beide Handlungsmodi voneinander profitieren können. Eine seit den 1970er-Jahren offene Frage bleibt, welche Personen(gruppen) und Mechanismen eine effektive Integration, Vernetzung und Übersetzung zwischen beiden Lernwelten leisten können, wer oder was also an die Stelle des Top Managements tritt, das durch die Umweltkomplexität und -dynamik als zentrale integrative Instanz an Bedeutung eingebüßt hat. Hierzu braucht es durch ihr fachliches, zwischenmenschliches oder koordinatives Talent herausragende Personen, die diese verbindende Aufgabe zu übernehmen imstande sind und sie nicht als Neben-, sondern als Hauptaktivität begreifen.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: What Can Be Learned from Toothed Whales?
Authors: Sacchini Simona
Published: November 2024

Neurodegeneration involves a wide range of neuropathological alterations affecting the integrity, physiology, and architecture of neural cells. Many studies have demonstrated neurodegeneration in different animals. In the case of Alzheimer's disease (AD), spontaneous animal models should display two neurohistopathological hallmarks: the deposition of β-amyloid and the arrangement of neurofibrillary tangles. However, no natural animal models that fulfill these conditions have been reported and most research into AD has been performed using transgenic rodents. Recent studies have also demonstrated that toothed whales - homeothermic, long-lived, top predatory marine mammals - show neuropathological signs of AD-like pathology. The neuropathological hallmarks in these cetaceans could help to better understand their endangered health as well as neurodegenerative diseases in humans. This systematic review analyzes all the literature published to date on this trending topic and the proposed causes for neurodegeneration in these iconic marine mammals are approached in the context of One Health/Planetary Health and translational medicine.
Empowering Teacher Intention to Intervene: The Role of Self-Efficacy in Addressing Homophobic Bullying
Authors: Ioverno Salvatore , Nappa Maria Rosaria , McCurdy Amy , James Isaac , Pistella Jessica , Baiocco Roberto , Russell Stephen T.
Published: November 2024

Teacher interventions play a crucial role in fostering a more inclusive school climate amidst homophobic bullying incidents. However, the strategies employed by teachers and the influencing factors are understudied. This study explored individual and contextual factors associated with teachers' intentions to intervene in situations of homophobic bullying. It emphasized the role of self-efficacy and how its impact may be influenced by school efforts to combat homophobic bullying. A sample of 465 teachers (76.34% women, Age: M = 49.58, SD = 10.25) from nine primary and secondary schools in central Italy completed a scale assessing different types of behaviors they would employ in response to homophobic bullying episodes, including non-intervention, disciplinary sanctions, peer mediation, victim support, and classroom discussion. The study also examined teachers' perceived school effort to address homophobic bullying and self-efficacy in handling educational tasks and homophobic bullying situations. Age, gender, grade, training on bullying, perceived prevalence of homophobic bullying incidents, and witnessing such incidents were considered as covariates.

Linear regression showed that self-efficacy (general and homophobic bullying-related) was positively associated with intentions to use all intervention types and negatively non-intervention. Non-intervention was more common among teachers who reported more homophobic bullying incidents among students, while witnessing incidents was associated with less victim support and classroom discussion. The interaction of general self-efficacy and school effort was significant for disciplinary sanctions and victim support, indicating that in schools with low effort to address bullying, low teacher efficacy was associated with fewer intentions to intervene.

The findings emphasize the importance of a twofold approach: fostering a strong school effort to address homophobic bullying and offering comprehensive teacher training to enhance self-efficacy in addressing these incidents.
Depressive symptoms and quality of life in patients with benign essential blepharospasm under long-term therapy with botulinum toxin
Authors: Wabbels Bettina , Liebertz Rebecca
Published: November 2024

Regular and long-term injections of botulinum toxin (BoNT) are considered the first line therapy for essential blepharospasm (BEB), but no data exists on the long-term effect of this therapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the long-term effects of BoNT therapy on depressive symptoms as well as on daily activities, emotional well-being and quality of life using validated questionnaires (BEB-scale, Beck`s Depression Inventory (BDI)). 86 patients diagnosed with BEB were followed up for a median of 4 years. Clinical symptoms improved significantly after BoNT-injections. Everyday activities and subjective assessment of the overall situation improved gradually under long-term BoNT therapy. Significant correlations (p < 0.0001; r-values between 0.498 and 0.706) were found between the BDI and items of the BEB-scale. No significant antidepressive effect of long-term BoNT therapy was found with a low median BDI total score (5/max. 63), but up to 31.3% of BEB patients had a BDI score ≥ 11, indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Of these, 65.4% had no known history of depression. Although, several studies reported an antidepressant effect of botulinum toxin injections in patients with major depression, this effect does not seem to be present in patients with BEB despite clinical improvement of symptoms. A high prevalence of previously undetected depressive symptoms was found in BEB patients. As this may influence BoNT therapy success, identifying potential depressive symptoms at the time of BEB diagnosis and initiating appropriate treatment seems important.
Hypoxic Stress Induces Complement-Mediated Lysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Downregulating Factor H and CD59
Authors: Khaswaneh Ramada R. , Abu-El-Rub Ejlal , Alzu’bi Ayman , Almahasneh Fatimah A. , Almazari Rawan. A. , AI-jariri Heba F. , Al-Zoubi Raed M.
Published: November 2024

Background:

Factor H and membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (CD59) are key regulators of complement activation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete Factor H and express CD59 to protect themselves from complement-mediated damage. Severe hypoxia found to decrease the survival chances of MSCs after transplantation; however, little is known about the impact of severe hypoxia on modulating the complement system activity and its effect on MSCs survival. Our study seeks to explore the effect of severe hypoxia on modulating the complement cascade in MSCs.

Methods:

Human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (hAD-MSCs) were cultured under severe hypoxia using 400 μM Cobalt Chloride (CoCl2) for 48 h. The protein expressions of survival marker; Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K), and pro-apoptotic marker; Caspase-3 were assessed using western blotting. The level of complement system related factors; Factor H, CD59, C3b, iC3b, C5b, C9, and the complement membrane attack complex (MAC) were analyzed using Elisa assays, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry.

Results:

Our results showed for the first time that severe hypoxia can significantly impair Factor H secretion and CD59 expression in MSCs. This has been associated with upregulation of MAC complex and increased level of cell lysis and apoptosis marked by downregulation of PI3K and upregulation of Annexin v and Caspase-3.

Conclusion:

The loss of Factor H and CD59 in hypoxic MSCs can initiate their lysis and apoptosis mediated by activating MAC complex. Preserving the level of Factor H and CD59 in MSCs has significant clinical implication to increase their retention rate in hypoxic conditions and prolong their survival.
Molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane in Alzheimer’s disease: insights from an in-silico study
Authors: Vu Giang Huong , Nguyen Hai Duc
Published: November 2024

This study was to identify the molecular pathways that may explain sulforaphane’s Alzheimer’s disease (AD) benefits using multiple advanced in silico approaches. We found that sulforaphane regulates 45 targets, including TNF, INS, and BCL2. Therefore, it may help treat AD by reducing neuroinflammation, insulin resistance, and apoptosis. The important relationships were co-expression and pathways. 45 targets were linked to the midbrain, metabolite interconversion enzymes, 14q23.3 and 1q31.1 chromosomes, and modified residues. “Amyloid precursor protein catabolic process”, “regulation of apoptotic signaling pathway”, and “positive regulation of nitric oxide biosynthetic process” were the main pathways, while NFKB1, SP1, RELA, hsa-miR-17-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, and hsa-miR-26b-5p were transcription factors and miRNAs implicated in sulforaphane In AD treatment, miRNA sponges, dexibuprofen, and sulforaphane may be effective. Furthermore, its unique physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and biological qualities make sulforaphane an effective AD treatment, including efficient gastrointestinal absorption, drug-like properties, absence of CYP450 enzyme inhibition, not being a substrate for P-glycoprotein, ability to cross the blood–brain barrier, glutathione S-transferase substrate, immunostimulant effects, and antagonistic neurotransmitter effects. Sulforaphane is a promising compound for AD management. Further work is needed to elucidate its therapeutic effects based on our findings, including genes, miRNAs, molecular pathways, and transcription factors.
Standardisation efforts of ISO/TC 261 “Additive Manufacturing”. 24th Plenary Meeting of ISO/TC 261 “Additive Manufacturing”
Authors: Pei Eujin , Lakomiec Marius
Published: November 2024

The main objective of ISO/TC 261 is to standardise the processes of Additive Manufacturing, the process chains (Data, Materials, Processes, Hard- and Software, Applications), test procedures, quality parameters, supply agreements, environment, health and safety, fundamentals and vocabularies. This section provides readers with news regarding standardisation efforts of ISO/TC 261. Further up-to-date information regarding recently published documents, such as new standards, revised standards, and the status of standards, can be found in the ISO/TC261 webpages: https://www.iso.org/committee/629086.html and the committee webpages: https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc261/home/news.html.
Preliminary reliability and validity of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module in parents of children with congenital muscular dystrophy
Authors: Lim Yoonjeong , Lee Seungmin , Hong Ickpyo , Han Areum
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study examines the preliminary reliability and validity of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module (PedsQL™ FIM) in parents of children with congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD).

Methods

The participants in this study were 28 parents of children with CMD and 39 parents of unaffected children. Both groups of parents completed the PedsQL™ FIM and a demographic information form. Cronbach’s alpha was used to examine the internal consistency reliability, and the known-groups method was used to assess construct validity. Three distinct models were used to estimate the mean score differences of the PedsQL™ FIM between the two groups: an unadjusted model, a multivariate regression model, and propensity score matching with inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for all scales exceeded 0.70, supporting evidence for the internal consistency reliability of the PedsQL™ FIM. The construct validity of the PedsQL™ FIM demonstrated that the mean differences between the CMD and unaffected groups were significantly different (p < .05). This indicated that the instrument could discriminate between the two groups.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrated the good preliminary reliability and validity of the PedsQL™ FIM in assessing parental health-related quality of life and family functioning of children with CMD.
The Unequal Impact of Disasters: Assessing the Interplay Between Social Vulnerability, Public Assistance, Flood Insurance, and Migration in the U.S
Authors: Han Yu , Ye Xinyue , Zhu Chunwu
Published: November 2024

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes with intense rainfall and storm surges, are posing increasing challenges to local communities worldwide. These hazards not only result in substantial property damage but also lead to significant population displacement. Federal disaster assistance programs are crucial for providing financial support for disaster response and recovery, but the allocation of these resources often unequal due to the complex interplay of environmental, social, and institutional factors. Relying on datasets collected from diverse sources, this study employs a structural equation model to explore the complex relationships between disaster damage (DD), social vulnerability (SV), public disaster assistance (PDA), the national flood insurance (NFI), and population migration (PM) across counties in the contiguous US. Our findings reveal that communities with lower SV tend to experience higher levels of DD across US counties. SV is negatively associated with PM, PDA, and NFI, both directly and indirectly. Furthermore, PDA is positively linked to PM, whereas DD has a direct negative effect on PM but an indirect positive effect through PDA.
Environmental regulations and export performance: firm-level evidence from China’s low-carbon pilot policy
Authors: Cheng Shiyu , He Qingqing
Published: November 2024

The rapid increase in global carbon emissions has raised significant concerns, prompting various environmental regulations, including China’s low-carbon pilot policy. Prior studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of environmental regulations on firms’ export performance. Using data from Chinese industrial firms from 2001 to 2015, this study investigates how the low-carbon pilot policy, a quasi-experiment, influences firms’ exports. We employ the Heckman Two-Step Method and the Difference-in-Differences approach to separate the effects on firms’ export participation and the effects on export scales. We find that firms in the pilot provinces/cities become less likely to export after the implementation of the low-carbon pilot policy compared to firms in the non-pilot regions, resulting in a relative decrease in export probability by 4.5 percentage points. For the firms that export, their export values relatively decrease by 10 percent after the policy implementation. The effects are mainly driven by firms in Eastern China. The policy leads to higher exit rates and lower entry rates in international markets for firms in pilot regions. After the implementation of the low-carbon pilot policy, exporting firms increase the unit price of their export products, reduce the quantity of export products, and diversify both their export destinations and product types. However, we do not find evidence supporting the Pollution Haven mechanism.
First Language Acquisition
Authors: Clark Eve V.
Published: November 2024

Now in its fourth edition, this textbook provides a chronological account of first language acquisition, showing how young children acquire language in their conversational interactions with adult speakers. It draws on diary records and experimental studies from leaders in the field to document different stages and different aspects of what children master. Successive chapters detail infants' and young children's progression from attending to adult faces, gaze, and hand motions, to their first attempts at communicating with gaze and gesture, then adding words and constructions. It comprehensively covers the acquisition of the core areas of language – phonetics and phonology, lexicon, grammar and sentence structure, and meaning – as well as how children acquire discourse and conversational skills. This edition includes new sections on how children build 'common ground' with adults and other children, individual differences in children's language development, how they collaborate with adults in constructing utterances, and how they qualify beliefs.
Power, Patronage and International Norms
Authors: Freeland Valerie
Published: November 2024

Why do some of the world's least powerful countries invite international scrutiny of their adherence to norms on whose violation their governments rely to remain in power? Examining decisions by leaders in Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Georgia, Valerie Freeland concludes that these states invited outside attention with the intention to manipulate it. Their countries' global peripherality and their domestic rule by patronage introduces both challenges and strategies for addressing them. Rulers who attempt this manipulation of scrutiny succeed when their patronage networks make them illegible to outsiders, and when powerful actors become willing participants in the charade as they need a success case to lend them credibility. Freeland argues that, when substantive norm-violations are rebranded as examples of compliance, what it means to comply with human rights and good governance norms becomes increasingly incoherent and, as a result, less able to constrain future norm-violators.
Persistent Water Scarcity Due To High Irrigation Demand in Arid China: A Case Study in the North Slope of the Tianshan Mountains
Authors: Liu Xingcai , Tang Qiuhong , Zhao Ying , Wang Puyu
Published: November 2024

Water scarcity is a critical threat in arid regions in China due to dry climate and rising human water demand. The sustainability of a recent wetter trend and its impact on future water security remain uncertain. This case study focuses on a hotspot region, the North Slope of the Tianshan Mountains (NSTM), to assess water scarcity in the coming decades (2030–2050) under two climate scenarios. To this end, we developed an integrated agro‐hydrological model to simulate historical and future hydrological processes and crop water dynamics in arid regions. Our results indicate nonsignificant increases in precipitation (around 3%) and evident rising temperatures (0.9–1.5°C) in the NSTM compared to the present‐day (2011–2020) climate. This translates to a projected increase in water availability (5.6%–11.2%) during 2030–2050, with slightly larger increases (6.3%–14%) in glacier runoff. However, the spatial mismatch between precipitation increases and water demand makes this potential gain largely offset by rising irrigation water demand (over 7%) if cropland remains constant from 2020 onwards. As a result, the current annual water deficit (3.3 km3) is likely to increase by 5%–11%, with 32% of NSTM basins facing persistent water scarcity. Most croplands are at high risk of groundwater depletion and 17%–34% of basins will experience intensified water scarcity. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive water management strategies, including improved irrigation efficiency and exploration of alternative water sources, to ensure water security and sustainable development in arid China facing a changing climate.
Comminution‐Induced Transient Frictional Behavior in Sheared Granular Halite
Authors: Chang Chengrui , Noda Hiroyuki , Hamada Yohei , Huang Chao , Ma Tao , Wang Gonghui , Yamaguchi Tetsuo
Published: November 2024

Grain comminution is commonly observed in numerous geological settings. To elucidate the role of grain comminution in dry granular friction, we sheared breakable halite (NaCl) grains using a ring‐shear configuration at a constant slip rate under various normal stresses. We observed transient frictional behaviors: a constant regime exhibiting a high friction coefficient at small slip displacements, and a weakening regime showing a substantial decay in friction at large slip displacements. The characteristic slip lengths for both regimes decreased with normal stress and were characterized by similar exponents. Micro‐X‐ray tomography revealed the evolution of microstructure from distributed grain comminution to progressive shear localization for these two regimes. We propose that the filling processes of comminuted fine particles, during which fine particles saturate and then overflow the shear zone, define transient frictional behaviors. This study may hold significant implications for natural shear systems, given the ubiquity of comminution and localization phenomena.
Greenland Ice Sheet's Distinct Calving Styles Are Identified in Terminus Change Timeseries
Authors: Bézu Chris , Bartholomaus Timothy C.
Published: November 2024

At least three primary iceberg calving styles have been identified in Greenland: serac collapse, which produces falling icebergs tens of meters in length; slab capsize, which produces rotating icebergs hundreds of meters in length; and tabular rifting, which produces kilometer‐scale icebergs. However, calving styles are mostly undocumented across Greenland. Here, we develop a method to disentangle the sizes of individual calving events and map the dominant calving style at glaciers, using the characteristic properties of step retreats in satellite‐derived terminus positions. At glaciers known to frequently produce calving teleseisms, step retreats greater than 200 m account for of net calved length since 2018. In contrast, at glaciers known to calve by serac failure, 200 m step retreats account of net calving. Thus, terminus change timeseries can offer promising insight into the dominant calving styles at marine‐terminating glaciers.
Strain Localization at Volcanoes Undergoing Extension: Investigation of Long‐Term Deformation at Krafla and Askja Volcanic Systems in North Iceland
Authors: Lanzi Chiara , Sigmundsson Freysteinn , Parks Michelle Maree , Geirsson Halldór , Drouin Vincent
Published: November 2024

Volcanoes in extensional environments may show gradual subsidence over decades during quiescent periods, due to various processes such as magma withdrawal, cooling, contraction, plate spreading and viscoelastic response. If significant rheological anomalies reside in volcano roots, due to the presence of magma and hot rock, they can influence the style of deformation. We use Finite Element Method (FEM) models to explore how strain localization due to extension can lead to volcano deflation. We apply rheological models comprising an elastic layer overlying a viscoelastic domain and include local up‐doming regions of low viscosity material beneath volcanic centers. The models reveal a localized subsidence above the rheological anomaly, influenced by the tectonic extension, and by the up‐doming volume and its viscosity. The models suggest that plate divergence may account for 4–5 mm/yr of observed subsidence at Krafla and Askja volcanic systems (KVS and AVS, respectively) in North Iceland.
Test Particle Simulations of the Butterfly Distribution of Relativistic Electrons in Magnetic Dips
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Zhu Hui
Published: November 2024

Magnetic dips are the localized depression of magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere and are suggested to play an important role in the formation of the butterfly distribution of relativistic electrons in the radiation belts. In this study, we conduct test‐particle simulations to trace the electrons' trajectory within a magnetic dip and evaluate the response of PAD based on the long‐term averaged flux of electrons between  = 3–6 from Van Allen Probes. Our results show that the electron dynamics are significantly changed by magnetic dips, especially at the dip center. In a magnetic dip, the electrons' energy, ‐shell, and pitch angle decrease, and the variation in ‐shell is more significant than the pitch angle and energy. Based on the observational electron fluxes, the electron butterfly‐like distributions are well reproduced by the simulation. Moreover, the parameterizations reveal that the butterfly distribution of electrons is closely related to the electron's energy, location, and depth of the magnetic dip. A negative radial gradient of electron flux also plays a potentially crucial role in the formation of the electron butterfly distribution. Our study provides deep insights into the evolution of the butterfly distribution of relativistic electrons within magnetic dips.
Enhancing 4‐D Landslide Monitoring and Block Interaction Analysis With a Novel Kalman‐Filter‐Based InSAR Approach
Authors: Zheng Wanji , Hu Jun , Lu Zhong , Hu Xie , Sun Qian , Liu Jihong , Huang Bo
Published: November 2024

In recent years, Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) has become widely utilized for slow‐moving landslide monitoring due to its high resolution, accuracy, and extensive coverage. By integrating data from various orbits/platforms and monitoring sources, one‐dimensional (1‐D) line‐of‐sight (LOS) InSAR measurements can be explored to infer three‐dimensional (3‐D) movements. However, inconsistencies in observation times among different orbits and monitoring sources pose challenges in accurately capturing dynamic 3‐D movements over time (referred to as 4‐D). In this study, we propose a novel method, termed KFI‐4D that incorporates spatiotemporal constraints into the traditional Kalman filter. This enhancement transforms the underdetermined problem of 4‐D movement acquisition into a dynamic parameter estimation problem, enabling precise monitoring of landslide movements. The KFI‐4D method was evaluated using both synthetic data sets and real data from the Hooskanaden landslide, demonstrating an improvement exceeding 50% in root mean square errors (RMSEs) compared to conventional methods. Additionally, the high‐resolution characteristics of InSAR‐derived 4‐D movements allow for the analysis of strain invariants, providing insights into block interactions and landslide dynamics. Our findings reveal that strain invariants effectively indicate the distribution and activity of landslide blocks and slip surfaces as well as their response to triggers. Notably, abnormal signals identified in strain invariants prior to the catastrophic event at Hooskanaden suggest potential for early warning of landslides. The future integration of data from advanced satellites, such as NISAR, ALOS4 PALSAR3, and Sentinel‐1C, is expected to further enhance the KFI‐4D method's capabilities, improving temporal resolution and early warning potential for landslide monitoring.
SMYD family in cancer: epigenetic regulation and molecular mechanisms of cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance
Authors: Han Tae-Su , Kim Dae-Soo , Son Mi-Young , Cho Hyun-Soo
Published: November 2024

Epigenetic modifiers (miRNAs, histone methyltransferases (HMTs)/demethylases, and DNA methyltransferases/demethylases) are associated with cancer proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Among these modifiers, HMTs are frequently overexpressed in various cancers, and recent studies have increasingly identified these proteins as potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss members of the SET and MYND domain-containing protein (SMYD) family that are topics of extensive research on the histone methylation and nonhistone methylation of cancer-related genes. Various members of the SMYD family play significant roles in cancer proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance by regulating cancer-specific histone methylation and nonhistone methylation. Thus, the development of specific inhibitors that target SMYD family members may lead to the development of cancer treatments, and combination therapy with various anticancer therapeutic agents may increase treatment efficacy.
Comprehensive phenotypic assessment of nonsense mutations in mitochondrial ND5 in mice
Authors: Kim Sanghun , Park Seul Gi , Kim Jieun , Hong Seongho , Cho Sang-Mi , Lim Soo-Yeon , Kim Eun-Kyoung , Ju Sungjin , Lee Su Bin , Kim Sol Pin , Jeong Tae Young , Oh Yeji , Han Seunghun , Kim Hae-Rim , Lee Taek Chang , Kim Hyoung-Chin , Yoon Won Kee , An Tae Hyeon , Oh Kyoung-jin , Nam Ki-Hoan , Lee Seonghyun , Kim Kyoungmi , Seong Je Kyung , Lee Hyunji
Published: November 2024

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations has been implicated in various human diseases. A comprehensive analysis of mitochondrial genetic disorders requires suitable animal models for human disease studies. While gene knockout via premature stop codons is a powerful method for investigating the unique functions of target genes, achieving knockout of mtDNA has been rare. Here, we report the genotypes and phenotypes of heteroplasmic MT-ND5 gene-knockout mice. These mutant mice presented damaged mitochondrial cristae in the cerebral cortex, hippocampal atrophy, and asymmetry, leading to learning and memory abnormalities. Moreover, mutant mice are susceptible to obesity and thermogenetic disorders. We propose that these mtDNA gene-knockdown mice could serve as valuable animal models for studying the MT-ND5 gene and developing therapies for human mitochondrial disorders in the future.
The transcription factor BBX regulates phosphate homeostasis through the modulation of FGF23
Authors: Lee Su Jeong , Kim Ju Ang , Ihn Hye Jung , Choi Je-Yong , Kwon Tae-Yub , Shin Hong-In , Cho Eui-Sic , Bae Yong Chul , Jiang Rulang , Kim Jung-Eun , Park Eui Kyun
Published: November 2024

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) plays an important role in phosphate homeostasis, and increased FGF23 levels result in hypophosphatemia; however, the molecular mechanism underlying increased FGF23 expression has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that mice lacking the bobby sox homolog (Bbx−/−) presented increased FGF23 expression and low phosphate levels in the serum and skeletal abnormalities such as a low bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume (BV), as well as short and weak bones associated with low bone formation. Osteocyte-specific deletion of Bbx using Dmp-1-Cre resulted in similar skeletal abnormalities, elevated serum FGF23 levels, and reduced serum phosphate levels. In Bbx−/− mice, the expression of sodium phosphate cotransporter 2a (Npt2a) and Npt2c in the kidney and Npt2b in the small intestine, which are negatively regulated by FGF23, was downregulated, leading to phosphate excretion/wasting and malabsorption. An in vitro Fgf23 promoter analysis revealed that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)-induced transactivation of the Fgf23 promoter was significantly inhibited by BBX overexpression, whereas it was increased following Bbx knockdown. Interestingly, 1,25(OH)2D3 induced an interaction of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) with BBX and downregulated BBX protein levels. Cycloheximide (CHX) only partially downregulated BBX protein levels, indicating that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates BBX protein stability. Furthermore, the ubiquitination of BBX followed by proteasomal degradation was required for the increase in Fgf23 expression induced by 1,25(OH)2D3. Collectively, our data demonstrate that BBX negatively regulates Fgf23 expression, and consequently, the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of BBX is required for FGF23 expression, thereby regulating phosphate homeostasis and bone development in mice.
NOVAsort for error-free droplet microfluidics
Authors: Zhang Han , Gupte Rohit , Li Yuwen , Huang Can , Guzman Adrian R. , Han Jeong Jae , Jung Haemin , Sabnis Rushant , de Figueiredo Paul , Han Arum
Published: November 2024

High-throughput screening techniques are pivotal to unlocking the mysteries of biology. Yet, the promise of droplet microfluidics in enabling single-cell resolution, ultra-high-throughput screening remains largely unfulfilled. Droplet sorting errors caused by polydisperse droplet sizes that are often inevitable in multi-step assays have severely limited the effectiveness and utility of this technique, especially when screening large libraries. Even a relatively low 1% sorting error results in 10,000 false calls in a 1,000,000 droplet screen, imposing an unreasonably large burden on downstream validation. Here, we present NOVAsort (Next-generation Opto-Volume-based Accurate droplet sorter), a device capable of discerning droplets based on both size and fluorescence intensity. With a 1000- and 10,000-fold reduction in false positives and false negatives, respectively. NOVAsort addresses the challenges of conventional droplet sorting approaches and sets standards for accuracy and throughput in droplet microfluidic assays.
Using large language models to accelerate communication for eye gaze typing users with ALS
Authors: Cai Shanqing , Venugopalan Subhashini , Seaver Katie , Xiao Xiang , Tomanek Katrin , Jalasutram Sri , Morris Meredith Ringel , Kane Shaun , Narayanan Ajit , MacDonald Robert L. , Kornman Emily , Vance Daniel , Casey Blair , Gleason Steve M. , Nelson Philip Q. , Brenner Michael P.
Published: November 2024

Accelerating text input in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a long-standing area of research with bearings on the quality of life in individuals with profound motor impairments. Recent advances in large language models (LLMs) pose opportunities for re-thinking strategies for enhanced text entry in AAC. In this paper, we present SpeakFaster, consisting of an LLM-powered user interface for text entry in a highly-abbreviated form, saving 57% more motor actions than traditional predictive keyboards in offline simulation. A pilot study on a mobile device with 19 non-AAC participants demonstrated motor savings in line with simulation and relatively small changes in typing speed. Lab and field testing on two eye-gaze AAC users with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis demonstrated text-entry rates 29–60% above baselines, due to significant saving of expensive keystrokes based on LLM predictions. These findings form a foundation for further exploration of LLM-assisted text entry in AAC and other user interfaces.
Anti colorectal cancer activity and in silico studies of novel pyridine nortopsentin analog as cyclin dependent kinase 6 inhibitor
Authors: Abdelmegeed Heba , Abo-Salem Heba M. , Zayed Ehab M. , El-Sawy Eslam R.
Published: November 2024

Nortopsentins are a vital class of deep-sea sponge metabolites which can be used as leads for antitumor agents. Although their action has been studied in several diseases’ contexts, their cytotoxic activity against colorectal carcinoma has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, a series of 2,6-bis(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-(substituted-phenyl)pyridin-5-carbonitriles 4a–j (nortopsentin analogs) was investigated for their cytotoxic activity against colorectal carcinoma. The analog 4i showed the highest antitumor activity via inducing cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Cell cycle arrest was induced due to expression downregulation of CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6. In addition, 4i suppressed the enzymatic activity of CDK6. The theoretical study of some basic quantum factors and the geometric shape of compound 4i proved that the compound is stable and a soft molecule, in which the EHOMO and ELUMO energies were negative and had a small ∆E gap. 4i also demonstrated a high potential for oral bioavailability due to its adherence to Lipinski’s rule of five. The molecular docking studies of 4i analog showed good binding mode with CDK6 active pocket through the formation of multiple interactions with its key amino acids.