bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It's None of Their Damn Business”: Privacy and Disclosure Control in the U.S. Census, 1790–2020
Authors: Ruggles Steven , Magnuson Diana L.
Published: July 2023

The U.S. Census has grappled with public concerns about privacy since the first enumeration in 1790. Beginning in the mid‐nineteenth century, census officials began responding to concerns about privacy with promises of confidentiality. In recent years, escalating concerns about confidentiality have threatened to reduce the usability of publicly accessible population data. This paper traces the history of privacy and disclosure control since 1790. We argue that controlling public access to census information has never been an effective response to public concerns about government intrusion. We conclude that the Census Bureau should weigh the costs of curtailing access to reliable data against realistic measures of the benefit of new approaches to disclosure control.
Dynamic gene regulatory networks improving spike fertility through regulation of floret primordia fate in wheat
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Sun Wan , Wen Liangyun , Liu Yaqun , Guo Xiaolei , Liu Ying , Yao Chunsheng , Xue Qingwu , Sun Zhencai , Wang Zhimin , Zhang Yinghua
Published: July 2023

The developmental process of spike is critical for spike fertility through affecting floret primordia fate in wheat; however, the genetic regulation of this dynamic and complex developmental process remains unclear. Here, we conducted a high temporal‐resolution analysis of spike transcriptomes and monitored the number and morphology of floret primordia within spike. The development of all floret primordia in a spike was clearly separated into three distinct phases: differentiation, pre‐dimorphism and dimorphism. Notably, we identified that floret primordia with meiosis ability at the pre‐dimorphism phase usually develop into fertile floret primordia in the next dimorphism phase. Compared to control, increasing plant space treatment achieved the maximum increasement range (i.e., 50%) in number of fertile florets by accelerating spike development. The process of spike fertility improvement was directed by a continuous and dynamic regulatory network involved in transcription factor and genes interaction. This was based on the coordination of genes related to heat shock protein and jasmonic acid biosynthesis during differentiation phase, and genes related to lignin, anthocyanin and chlorophyll biosynthesis during dimorphism phase. The multi‐dimensional association with high temporal‐resolution approach reported here allows rapid identification of genetic resource for future breeding studies to realise the maximum spike fertility potential in more cereal crops.
Ass‐troll‐ogical Nashe: Revisiting Two Dangerous Comets and A Wonderful Prognostication
Authors: White Rachel , Greatley‐Hirsch Brett
Published: July 2023

This article revisits the authorship of and relationship between three mock‐prognostications published pseudonymously in 1591, drawing on contextual, bibliographical, and stylistical analysis to attribute Two Dangerous Comets and A Wonderful Prognostication to Thomas Nashe. The article also considers the significance of these findings for studies of Nashe, satire, and Elizabethan print culture.
Sublesional fat grafting leads to a temporary improvement of wound healing in chronic leg ulcers: A prospective, randomised clinical trial
Authors: Thamm Oliver C. , Eschborn Johannes , Zimmermann Lucas , Dekker Clara , Martin Hubert , Brockmann Michael , Zinser Max J. , Fuchs Paul C.
Published: July 2023

Chronic wounds remain a therapeutic and financial challenge for physicians and the health care systems. Innovative, inexpensive and effective treatment methods would be of immense value. The sublesional fat grafting could be such treatment, although effectiveness and safety have only been assessed in a few randomised clinical trials. The fat graft was obtained by liposuction, washed with the Coleman method and then injected sublesional and into the wound margins after surgical debridement. For the control group, saline solution was used instead of fat. The primary endpoint was to determine the wound size reduction in both groups. The wounds were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively and 3, 7, 21 and 60 days after the intervention. A p‐value of <0.05 was considered significant. Furthermore, histology and microbiology of the wounds and pain were assessed. A temporary effect of the treatment was observed after 14 and 21 days. The wound size reduction was significantly larger in the intervention group, whereas after 60 days, no significant difference was detected between both groups. No adverse events could be reported and the pain level was almost equal in the control and intervention group. Sublesional fat grafting temporarily enhanced healing of chronic wounds. The procedure was safe and the pain level was low. Repeated interventions could lead to complete wound closure, which should be determined in future studies.
Static Characteristics of Water-Lubricated Hydrodynamic Spiral-Groove Journal and Thrust Bearings for Motorized Spindle
Authors: Huang Xun , Xu Ge , Jiang Shuyun
Published: July 2023

Oil-lubricated hydrodynamic bearing is a typical support for motorized spindle. However, a motorized spindle supported by the oil-lubricated hydrodynamic bearing has disadvantages regarding high-temperature rise and low rotational speed. To overcome this problem, this technical brief proposes novel water-lubricated hydrodynamic spiral groove bearings for the motorized spindle. A rotor-bearing static model for the motorized spindle was established considering the external loads and the tilting effect of bearings. An experimental prototype for the motorized spindle was developed, and the theoretical calculation and experimental research on the bearing static characteristics were carried out. The result shows that the water-lubricated hydrodynamic spiral groove bearings have significant advantages in terms of low-temperature rise, good high-speed performance, and moderate spindle stiffness, together with the inherent low manufacture cost and high rotation accuracy of the bearings, and the proposed bearings can be a potential alternative to the fluid bearing for the high-speed motorized spindle.
Tailoring the Toughening Effects in Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial-Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites
Authors: Liu Xing , Athanasiou Christos E. , López-Pernía Cristina , Zhu Ting , Padture Nitin P. , Sheldon Brian W. , Gao Huajian
Published: July 2023

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) reinforced by two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have shown extraordinary load-carrying capacities, even in the harsh environments required by emerging applications. Their exceptional mechanical performance, especially fracture toughness, primarily arises from their heterogeneous microstructures. The deliberate dispersion of 2D reinforcements enables toughening mechanisms that are extrinsic to the matrix and thus endows the composites with substantial resistance to catastrophic failure. However, the incomplete understanding of the fracture behavior of such nanocomposites, especially the complex energy dissipation process of the matrix/reinforcement interface, limits the development of stronger and tougher CMCs. To overcome these limitations, we investigate crack deflection and energy dissipation in nanocomposites using an extended cohesive shear-lag model. This new model accounts for interfacial debonding and friction, which critically control the toughening of nanocomposites. Our analysis provides mechanistic insights for optimizing the toughening effects of CMCs.
Osmotic Pressure Gradient Effects on Water Diffusion in Porous Rock: Can They Pervert Permeability Tests?
Authors: Bažant Zdeněk P. , Tay Nguyen Anh
Published: July 2023

Generation of a large network of hydraulic cracks is of key importance not only for the success of fracking of shale but also for the recent scheme of sequestration of CO2 in deep formations of basalt and peridotite, which are mafic and ultramafic rocks that combine chemically with CO2. In numerical simulation of the creation of a fracture network in porous rock, an important goal is to enhance the rock permeability. The objective of this article is to calculate the effect of osmotic pressure gradients caused by gradients of concentration of the ions of Ca, Mg, Na, etc. on the effective permeability of the rock. The basic differential equations are formulated, and their explicit solutions for appropriate initial and boundary conditions are obtained under certain plausible simplifications. The main result is explicit approximate formulas for the critical time before which no water permeation through a test specimen can be observed. Depending on various parameters, this time can be unacceptably long, which is manifested as a zero water outflow. The solution may also explain the unreasonably small permeability values reported for some shales.
The form and function processing of lexical tone and intonation in tone-language-speaking children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Wang Li , Xiao Sanrong , Jiang Cunmei , Hou Qingqi , Chan Alice H. D. , Wong Patrick C. M. , Liu Fang
Published: July 2023

Studies on how the form versus function aspect of tone and intonation is processed by autistic individuals have mainly focused on speakers of non-tonal languages (e.g., English) with equivocal results. While the samples' heterogeneous cognitive abilities may be contributing factors, the phenotype of tone and intonation processing in autism may also vary with one's language background. Thirty-eight cognitively able autistic and 32 non-autistic Mandarin-speaking children completed tone and intonation perception tasks, each containing a function and form condition. Results suggested that the abilities to discriminate tone and intonation were not impaired at either the form or function level in these autistic children, and that these abilities were positively associated with one another in both autistic and non-autistic groups. The more severe the autism symptoms, the worse the form- and function-level of tone and intonation processing. While enhanced tone and intonation processing has been found in a subgroup of autistic children, it may not be a general characteristic of the autistic population with long-term tone language experience. These findings reveal typical tone and intonation processing at both the form and function levels in cognitively able Mandarin-speaking autistic children and provide evidence for associated tone and intonation processing abilities across levels.
Extensional rheometry of mobile fluids. Part II: Comparison between the uniaxial, planar, and biaxial extensional rheology of dilute polymer solutions using numerically optimized stagnation point microfluidic devices
Authors: Haward Simon J. , Varchanis Stylianos , McKinley Gareth H. , Alves Manuel A. , Shen Amy Q.
Published: July 2023

Part I of this paper [Haward et al., J. Rheol. 67, 995–1009 (2023)] presents a three-dimensional microfluidic device (the optimized uniaxial and biaxial extensional rheometer, OUBER) for generating near-homogeneous uniaxial and biaxial elongational flows. Here, in Part II, the OUBER device is employed to examine the uniaxial and biaxial extensional rheology of model dilute polymer solutions, compared with measurements made under planar extension in the optimized-shape cross-slot extensional rheometer [OSCER, Haward et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 128301 (2012)]. In each case, micro-particle image velocimetry is used to measure the extension rate as a function of the imposed flow conditions, and excess pressure drop measurements enable estimation of the tensile stress difference generated in the fluid via a new analysis based on the macroscopic power balance for flow through each device. Based on this analysis, for the most dilute polymer sample tested, which is “ultradilute”, the extensional viscosity is well described by Peterlin’s finitely extensible nonlinear elastic dumbbell model. In this limit, the biaxial extensional viscosity at high Weissenberg numbers (Wi) is half that of the uniaxial and planar extensional viscosities. At higher polymer concentrations, although the fluids remain dilute, the experimental measurements deviate from the model predictions, which is attributed to the onset of intermolecular interactions as the polymer chains unravel in the extensional flows. Of practical significance (and fundamental interest), elastic instability occurs at a significantly lower Wi in uniaxial extensional flow than in either biaxial or planar extensional flow, thereby limiting the utility of this flow type for extensional viscosity measurement.
Immediate Effects of Real-Time Feedback During Overground Gait Performed Using Inertial Measurement Units on Gait Parameters in Healthy Young Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Miyazaki Takasuke , Takeshita Yasufumi , Shimose Daichi , Kakimoto Shogo , Araki Sota , Matsuzawa Yuta , Nakashima Shobu , Nakai Yuki , Kawada Masayuki , Kiyama Ryoji
Published: July 2023

This cross-sectional study examined the immediate effects of four types of real-time feedback during overground gait performed using inertial measurement units on gait kinematics in healthy young participants. Twelve healthy young participants (mean age: 27.1 years) performed 60-s gait trials with each of the following real-time feedback: walking spontaneously (no feedback trial); increasing the ankle plantar-flexion angle during the late stance (ankle trial); increasing the leg extension angle, defined the location of the ankle joint relative to the hip joint in the sagittal plane, during late stance (leg trial); and increasing the knee flexion angle during the swing phase (knee trial). Tilt angles and accelerations of the pelvis and lower limb segments were measured using seven inertial measurement units pre- and postfeedback trials. The differences in gait parameters pre- and postfeedback according to the types of feedback were compared using one-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance, Friedman test, and post hoc test. Real-time feedback in the ankle trial increased gait speed, step length, and ankle plantar-flexion angle compared to the no feedback trial (p ≤ .001). Meanwhile, real-time feedback in the leg trial increased step length and hip extension angle compared to the no feedback trial (p ≤ .001) and showed a tendency to increase gait speed and leg extension angle. Real-time feedback using inertial measurement units increased gait speed immediately with specific changes in gait kinematics in healthy participants. This study might imply the possibility of clinical application for overground gait training, and further studies are needed to clarify the effectiveness for older people.
Physical Activity in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hill Lee , Roofigari Noushin , Faraz Maria , Popov Jelena , Moshkovich Michal , Figueiredo Melanie , Hartung Emily , Talbo Meryem , Lalanne-Mistrih Marie-Laure , Sherlock Mary , Zachos Mary , Timmons Brian W. , Obeid Joyce , Pai Nikhil
Published: July 2023

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, systemic condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. IBD can be severe and are associated with impairment in growth, school absences, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Physical activity (PA) could have an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to other benefits. It is important to address the possible risks, physiological effects of PA, and potential barriers, and facilitators for PA participation in pediatric IBD. However, potential barriers and facilitators to PA have yet to be adequately described. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to map and describe the current literature on PA in pediatric IBD populations between 1980 and April 2022 using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines for Scoping reviews. Results: Nineteen articles were identified including 10 descriptive, 6 interventional, and 3 physiological responses to PA studies. Patients and healthy controls demonstrated similar responses to exercise. Barriers to participation were low self-esteem, body image, and active IBD symptoms. Facilitators included personal interest, activity with friends, and support from family. Conclusion: This review highlighted that PA participation may reduce in children with IBD-related symptoms. Short- and medium-term impacts of PA on immune modulation require further study; it is possible that regular PA does not negatively affect biomarkers of disease activity.
Molecular Detection of
Orthohantavirus puumalaense
in Plasma and Urine Samples from Hospitalized Patients Presenting with a Serologically Confirmed Acute Hantavirus Infection in France
Authors: Reynes Jean-Marc , Schaeffer Laura , Papadopoulos Pavlos , Ait-Ahmed Mohand , Siby-Diakite Dieyenaba , Ripaux-Lefèvre Maryline , Buivan Tan-Phuc , Lechat Sylvie , Vray Muriel , Galempoix Jean-Marc ,   for The HANTADIAG Study Group, Reynes Jean-Marc , Papadopoulos Pavlos , Ripaux-Lefèvre Maryline , Siby-Diakite Dieyenaba , Schaeffer Laura , Ait-Ahmed Mohand , Vray Muriel , Buivan Tan-Phuc , Galempoix Jean-Marc , Lechat Sylvie , Guy Charlotte , Halin Pascale , Zayet Souheil , Plantin Julie , Brunel Anne-Sophie , Lepiller Quentin , Buisson Marielle , Auvray Christelle , Hamon Remy , Paziot Xavier , El Hamri Mohamed , Lefèvre Benjamin , Jeulin Hélène , Bani-Sadr Firouzé , Wynckel Alain , Brodard Véronique , Barletta Giovanni , Jeanvoine Fabienne Mermet , Bindi Pascal , Mathieu Pierre
Published: July 2023

Molecular detection of Orthohantavirus puumalaense (PUUV) RNA during the course of the disease has been studied in blood of patients in Sweden and Slovenia. The use of urine has been poorly investigated.
Calibration of redox thresholds in black shale: Insight from a stratified Mississippian basin with warm saline bottom waters
Authors: Li Sen , Wignall Paul B. , Xiong Yijun , Poulton Simon W.
Published: July 2023

Depositional models for black shale formation rely on a detailed understanding of redox conditions and how they relate to basin development. Here, we calibrate multiple redox proxies (Fe speciation, U and Mo systematics, and pyrite framboid distributions) in the Bowland Shale, a major hydrocarbon unit in the Mississippian basin of northern England, and develop a depositional model for black shale deposition in basins adjacent to extensive carbonate platforms. The transition from deep ramp carbonates to basinal mudrocks initially occurred under oxic conditions before anoxic conditions began to expand from basin-center locations. By the end of Bowland Shale deposition, ∼10 m.y. later, black shale deposition extended from the basin, where platform-edge carbonates were deposited, into shallow-water settings. By this stage, euxinic conditions were widespread throughout the Bowland Shale. The prolonged persistence of euxinia during younger Bowland Shale deposition, and the sharp transition to fully oxygenated facies at the basin margin, suggest there was a well-developed water-column pycnocline. Black shale development in silled basins is traditionally interpreted to form beneath a halocline with a positive water balance caused by freshwater run-off (estuarine circulation). This model is not considered appropriate in this case. Bowland Shale deposition was terminated by the onset of turbidite deposition supplied by a major deltaic system; but for most of its history, the basin was surrounded by carbonate platforms that are unlikely to have experienced brackish conditions. The encroachment of the clastic system saw the rapid improvement of basinal oxygenation in the uppermost Bowland Shale, and even minor turbidite sandstones within the black shales coincided with a weakening in the intensity of euxinia, which suggests that fresher, sediment-laden waters flushed out and oxygenated the basin. We therefore suggest a warm saline bottom-water model for black shale deposition, with basinal waters generated on the adjacent carbonate platforms due to evaporation. Such a scenario is likely more broadly applicable to basinal black shales that developed adjacent to shallow-water carbonate successions.
Severe encephalitis: aetiology, management and outcomes over 10 years in a paediatric intensive care unit
Authors: Palmas Giordano , Duke Trevor
Published: July 2023

Objective

To describe the characteristics, differential diagnoses, management and outcomes of severe encephalitis in children.

Design

A 10-year retrospective cohort study in children admitted to a tertiary paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with suspected encephalitis. One to 6 months’ follow-up data were compared between different categories.

Participants

Patients from 0 to 17 years of age with acute encephalopathy and one or more of fever, seizure, focal neurological findings, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, EEG/neuroimaging consistent with encephalitis.

Main outcome measures

Epidemiology, clinical features, outcomes and risk factor analysis.

Results

175 children with encephalitis required intensive care unit (ICU) admission over 10 years. The median age was 4.5 months (IQR 1.6–54.8). The leading cause was enterovirus (n=49, 28%), followed by parechovirus, influenza, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6),Streptococcus pneumoniae, acute-disseminated encephalomyelitis and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor-associated encephalitis. Immune-mediated encephalitis had higher prevalence in females, older age and longer duration of encephalopathy. Mechanical ventilation was required by 74 children (42%); haemodynamic support by 28 children (16%), 3 received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Eleven patients died (case fatality rate 6.3%): five with HHV-6, two enterovirus, two influenza, one HSV, one human-metapneumovirus. At follow-up, 34 children had mild or moderate disability, and six severe disability. In a multivariable logistic regression model, three factors were associated with severe disability or death: age <2 years old (OR 8.2, CI 1.0 to 67.2), Herpesviridae aetiology (OR 14.5, CI 1.2 to 177.3) and length of intubation (OR 1.005, CI 1.00 to 1.01).

Conclusions

Encephalitis has a varied aetiology and causes death or severe disability in 1 in every 10 children requiring intensive care.
Roseburia intestinalisgenerated butyrate boosts anti-PD-1 efficacy in colorectal cancer by activating cytotoxic CD8+T cells
Authors: Kang Xing , Liu Changan , Ding Yanqiang , Ni Yunbi , Ji Fenfen , Lau Harry Cheuk Hay , Jiang Lanping , Sung Joseph JY , Wong Sunny H , Yu Jun
Published: July 2023

Objective

Roseburia intestinalisis a probiotic species that can suppress intestinal inflammation by producing metabolites. We aimed to study the role ofR. intestinalisin colorectal tumourigenesis and immunotherapy.

Design

R. intestinalisabundance was evaluated in stools of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) (n=444) and healthy controls (n=575). The effects ofR. intestinaliswere studied inApcMin/+or azoxymethane (AOM)-induced CRC mouse models, and in syngeneic mouse xenograft models of CT26 (microsatellite instability (MSI)-low) or MC38 (MSI-high). The change of immune landscape was evaluated by multicolour flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry staining. Metabolites were profiled by metabolomic profiling.

Results

R. intestinaliswas significantly depleted in stools of patients with CRC compared with healthy controls.R. intestinalisadministration significantly inhibited tumour formation inApcMin/+mice, which was confirmed in mice with AOM-induced CRC.R. intestinalisrestored gut barrier function as indicated by improved intestinal permeability and enhanced expression of tight junction proteins. Butyrate was identified as the functional metabolite generated byR. intestinalis. R. intestinalisor butyrate suppressed tumour growth by inducing cytotoxic granzyme B+, interferon (IFN)-γ+and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α+CD8+T cells in orthotopic mouse models of MC38 or CT26.R. intestinalisor butyrate also significantly improved antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) efficacy in mice bearing MSI-low CT26 tumours. Mechanistically, butyrate directly bound to toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) receptor on CD8+T cells to induce its activity through activating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signalling.

Conclusion

R. intestinalisprotects against colorectal tumourigenesis by producing butyrate, which could also improve anti-PD-1 efficacy by inducing functional CD8+T cells.R. intestinalisis a potential adjuvant to augment anti-PD-1 efficacy against CRC.
Association between cigarette sales in the USA and FDA’s announcement of its intention to prohibit menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes
Authors: Xue Zheng , Okitondo Christian , Asare Samuel , Bandi Priti , Patel Minal , Nargis Nigar
Published: July 2023

Introduction

On 29 April 2021, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to prohibit menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes.

Methods

We assessed the changes in cigarette sales associated with the FDA’s announcement using interrupted time series analysis based on monthly retail point-of-sale data on cigarettes from the NielsenIQ Local Trade Area (LTA) data from September 2019 to April 2022. Main outcome variables included LTA-level monthly menthol and non-menthol cigarette sales per 1000-persons.

Results

Monthly cigarette sales were declining before the FDA’s announcement (menthol vs non-menthol: −1.68 (95% CI −1.92, −1.45) vs −3.14 (95% CI −3.33, −2.96) packs per 1000-persons). Monthly menthol cigarette sales increased immediately in May 2021 after the FDA’s announcement by 6.44 packs per 1000-persons (95% CI 3.83, 9.05). Analysis stratified by LTA-level racial/ethnic compositions showed that LTAs with a relatively higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black population (>8.94%) experienced higher spike in menthol cigarette sales in May 2021 immediately after the announcement and higher post-announcement 12-month menthol cigarette sales than expected.

Conclusions

Areas with a relatively higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black population are potentially at risk of experiencing increased burden of menthol cigarette consumption. Targeted community level cessation support in non-Hispanic Black majority areas may help mitigate the growing burden of menthol cigarette smoking and improve health equity. The findings of this study also suggest that FDA’s prompt finalisation and enforcement of such ban may help avoid extending the increased burden of menthol cigarette consumptions in non-Hispanic Black majority areas.
Early experience of a new national lung allocation scheme in the UK based on clinical urgency
Authors: Al-Adhami Ahmed , Al-Aloul Mohamed , Rushton Sally , Thompson Richard Damian , Carby Martin , Lordan Jordan , Clark Stephen , Spencer Helen , Tsui Steven , Parmar Jasvir
Published: July 2023

Introduction

A new UK Lung Allocation Scheme (UKLAS) was introduced in 2017, replacing the previous geographic allocation system. Patients are prioritised according to predefined clinical criteria into a three-tier system: the super-urgent lung allocation scheme (SULAS), the urgent lung allocation scheme (ULAS) and the non-urgent lung allocation scheme (NULAS). This study assessed the early impact of this scheme on waiting-list and post-transplant outcomes.

Methods

A cohort study of adult lung transplant registrations between March 2015 and November 2016 (era-1) and between May 2017 and January 2019 (era-2). Outcomes from registration were compared between eras and stratified by urgency tier and diagnostic group.

Results

During era-1, 461 patients were registered. In era-2, 471 patients were registered (19 (4.0%) SULAS, 82 (17.4%) ULAS and 370 (78.6%) NULAS). SULAS patients were younger (median age 35 vs 50 and 55 for urgent and non-urgent, respectively, p=0.0015) and predominantly suffered from cystic fibrosis (53%) or pulmonary fibrosis (37%). Between eras 1 and 2, the odds of transplantation within 6 months of registration were increased (OR=1.41, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.85, p=0.0142) despite only a 5% increase in transplant activity. Median time-to-transplantation during era-1 was 427 days compared with waiting times in era-2 of 8 days for SULAS, 15 days for ULAS and 585 days for NULAS patients. Waiting-list mortality (15% era-1 vs 13% era-2; p=0.5441) and post-transplant survival at 1 year (81.3% era-1 vs 83.3% era-2; p=0.6065) were similar between eras.

Conclusion

The UKLAS scheme prioritises the critically ill and improves transplantation odds. The true impact on waiting-list mortality and post-transplant survival requires further follow-up.
Mass predictions of triply heavy hybrid baryons via QCD sum rules
Authors: Zhao Yi-Cheng , Tang Chun-Meng , Tang Liang
Published: July 2023

In this article, we study the mass spectrum of the low-lying triply heavy hybrid baryon, which consists of three valence heavy quarks in a color octet and one valence gluon, with spin-parity $$J^P=(\frac{1}{2})^+$$

J
P

=

(

1
2

)

+

via QCD sum rules. This is the first study on the triply heavy hybrid baryons in the framework of QCD sum rules. After performing the QCD sum rule analysis, we find that the mass of cccg hybrid baryon lies in $$M_{cccg}= $$

M

cccg

=

5.91–6.13 GeV. As a byproduct, the mass of the triply bottom hybrid baryon state is extracted to be around $$M_{bbbg}=$$

M

bbbg

=

14.62–14.82 GeV. The contributions up to dimension eight at the leading order of $$\alpha _s$$

α
s

(LO) in the operator product expansion are taken into account in the calculation. The triply charmed hybrid baryon predicted in this work can decay into one doubly charmed baryon and one charmed meson. Especially, we propose to search for cccg hybrid baryon with $$J^{P}= (1/2)^+$$

J
P

=

(
1
/
2
)

+

in the P-wave decay channels $$\Xi _{cc}^{++} D^0$$

Ξ

cc

+
+

D
0

, $$\Xi _{cc}^{+} D^+$$

Ξ

cc

+

D
+

, and $$\Xi _{ccs}^{+} D_s^+$$

Ξ

ccs

+

D
s
+

, which may be accessible in future BelleII, Super-B, PANDA, and LHCb experiments.
Combined Tri-Classifiers for IoT Botnet Detection with Tuned Training Weights
Authors: Kayyidavazhiyil Abhilash
Published: July 2023

Although IoT sectors seem more popular and pervasively, they struggle with hazards. The botnet is one of the largest security dangers associated with IoT. It enables malicious software to administer and attack private network equipment collectively without the owners’ knowledge. Although many studies have used ML to detect botnets, these are either not very effective or only work with specific types of botnets or devices. As a result, the detection model for deep learning ideas is the focus of this research. It entails three key processes: (a) preprocessing, (b) feature extraction, and (c) classification. The input data are initially preprocessed using an improved data normalization approach. The preprocessed data are used to extract a number of features, including Tanimoto coefficient features, improved differential holoentropy-based features, Pearson r correlation-based features, and others. The detection process will be completed by an ensemble classification model that randomly shuffles models like the Deep Belief Network (DBN) model, Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (Bi-GRU), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Bi-GRU, DBN, and LSTM will be averaged to provide the ensemble results. Bi-GRU is trained using the Self Improved Blue Monkey Optimization (SIBMO) Algorithm by selecting the optimal weights, which increases the detection accuracy. The overall performance of the suggested work is then evaluated in relation to other existing models using various methodologies. In comparison to existing methods, the created ensemble classifier [Formula: see text] SIBMO scheme obtains the highest accuracy (93%) at a learning percentage of 90%.
DO ORGANISATIONS REFLECT THEIR UPPER ECHELONS WHILE RESPONDING TO DISRUPTIVE INNOVATION?
Authors: MADI-ODEH RANA BASSAM , OBEIDAT BADER YOUSEF
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Utilising the upper echelon theory (UET), the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of dynamic managerial capabilities (i.e., managerial human capital, managerial social capital (MSC), and managerial cognition (MC)) on organisations’ response strategies to disruptive innovation, under the mediating role of unlearning.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a deductive approach, quantitative methodology and survey strategy, data was collected through an online questionnaire from (491) managers and top executives of PSF operating in Dubai-UAE and analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings revealed that dynamic managerial capabilities played mixed role in predicting firms’ response strategies to disruptive innovation. MSC and MC played a significant role with unlearning as a partial mediator, while managerial human capital did not.

Practical implications

The findings are important to managers, practitioners, and policymakers, shedding light on which dynamic managerial capabilities is of significance if creative economy is being pursued through adaptive response strategies to disruptive innovation.
The Impact of Green Human Resource Management on Employee Empowerment and Pro-Environmental Behaviour in Pakistan’s Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Shaukat Hafiza Safia , Ong Tian Soon , Cheok Mui Yee , Bashir Shahid , Zafar Hassan
Published: July 2023

This study examines the correlation between green human resource management (GHRM), environmental performance (EP), and pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) among Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing industry employees. GHRM is a management approach to improve EP and encourage PEBs. The study assesses the influence of GHRM on EP and employee behaviours and the moderating effect of employee empowerment. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis evaluates the measurement model. The study finds a significant and positive association between GHRM and PEBs. However, there is no direct impact of GHRM on EP. Instead, the study reveals an indirect positive impact of GHRM on EP through PEBs. Employee empowerment moderates the direct impact of GHRM on EP. The findings highlight the importance of PEBs and employee empowerment in the relationship between GHRM and EP in Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. The study suggests that manufacturing firms should adopt GHRM practices, incentivise and recognise PEBs, and empower employees to drive environmental initiatives. It has theoretical and practical implications for researchers and practitioners in the manufacturing industry.
Open-World Graph Active Learning for Node Classification
Authors: Xu Hui , Xiang Liyao , Ou Junjie , Weng Yuting , Wang Xinbing , Zhou Chenghu
Published: July 2023

The great power of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) relies on a large number of labeled training data, but obtaining the labels can be costly in many cases. Graph Active Learning (GAL) is proposed to reduce such annotation costs, but the existing methods mainly focus on improving labeling efficiency with fixed classes, and are limited to handle the emergence of novel classes. We term the problem as
Open-World Graph Active Learning
(OWGAL) and propose a framework of the same name. The key is to recognize novel-class as well as informative nodes in a unified framework. Instead of a fully connected neural network classifier, OWGAL employs prototype learning and label propagation to assign high uncertainty scores to the targeted nodes in the representation and topology space, respectively. Weighted sampling further suppresses the impact of unimportant classes by weighing both the node and class importance. Experimental results on four large-scale datasets demonstrate that our framework achieves a substantial improvement of 5.97% to 16.57% on Macro-F1 over state-of-the-art methods.
Improving Causal Learning Scalability and Performance using Aggregates and Interventions
Authors: Fadiga Kanvaly , Houzé Etienne , Diaconescu Ada , Dessalles Jean-Louis
Published: July 2023

Smart homes are Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) where multiple devices and controllers cooperate to achieve high-level goals. Causal knowledge on relations between system entities is essential for enabling system self-adaption to dynamic changes. As house configurations are diverse, this knowledge is difficult to obtain. In previous work, we proposed to generate Causal Bayesian Networks (CBN) as follows. Starting with considering all possible relations, we progressively discarded non-correlated variables. Next, we identified causal relations from the remaining correlations by employing “
do-operations
.” The obtained CBN could then be employed for causal inference. The main challenges of this approach included “non-doable variables” and limited scalability. To address these issues, we propose three extensions: (i) early pruning weakly correlated relations to reduce the number of required do-operations, (ii) introducing aggregate variables that summarize relations between weakly coupled sub-systems, and (iii) applying the method a second time to perform
indirect do
interventions and handle non-doable relations. We illustrate and evaluate the efficiency of these contributions via examples from the smart home and power grid domain. Our proposal leads to a decrease in the number of operations required to learn the CBN and in an increased accuracy of the learned CBN, paving the way toward applications in large CPS.
Influence of Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Particles Doped with Cu and Mg on the Microstructure and Properties of Zein-Based Coatings Obtained by Electrophoretic Deposition
Authors: Maciąg F. , Moskalewicz T. , Cholewa-Kowalska K. , Hadzhieva Z. , Dziadek M. , Dubiel B. , Łukaszczyk A. , Boccaccini A. R.
Published: July 2023

Cu- and Mg-doped mesoporous sol-gel bioactive glasses (MSGG) were developed and their microstructure was investigated. Selected biological tests were also performed to assess their suitability for the functionalization of polymer zein coatings. The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) conditions to obtain composite coatings on Ti-13Nb-13Zr substrates were determined. The coatings with excellent adhesion to the substrates were macroscopically uniform, exhibiting open porosity and high roughness. The surfaces of the samples coated with MSGG/zein coatings became more hydrophilic than the titanium alloy substrates. However, with increase of the volume fraction of glass particles in the coatings, the contact angle increased. The coated alloy showed enhanced resistance to electrochemical corrosion in Ringer’s solution. The chemical composition of the glass used in the coating affected the parameters of wettability and resistance to electrochemical corrosion. Both coating types showed an increase in the antibacterial properties against Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria compared to pure zein. However, no significant differences were observed after a 24 h-long test.
Intrinsic contractile dysfunction due to impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release in compensatory hypertrophied muscle fibers following synergist ablation
Authors: Tokuda Nao , Watanabe Daiki , Naito Azuma , Yamauchi Nao , Ashida Yuki , Cheng Arthur J. , Yamada Takashi
Published: July 2023

Synergist ablation (SA) has widely been used to understand the mechanisms behind skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, compensatory hypertrophied muscles display intrinsic contractile dysfunction, i.e., a hallmark of overuse. Here, we demonstrate that SA-induced compensatory hypertrophy is accompanied by muscle weakness due to impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release. This dysfunction may be caused by the degradation of triad proteins due to the reciprocal amplification of reactive oxygen species and Ca2+ signaling at the junctional space microdomain.
Aortic blood pressure and pulse wave indices responses to exercise in peripheral artery disease
Authors: Kim Danielle Jin-Kwang , Gao Zhaohui , Cui Jian , Leuenberger Urs A. , Brandt Kristen , Blaha Cheryl , Cauffman Aimee , Aziz Faisal , Sinoway Lawrence I.
Published: July 2023

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) refers to obstructed blood flow in peripheral arteries typically due to atherosclerotic plaques. How PAD alters aortic blood pressure and pressure wave propagation during exercise is unclear. Thus, this study examined central blood pressure responses to plantar flexion exercise by investigating aortic pulse wave properties in PAD. Thirteen subjects with PAD and 13 healthy [age-, sex-, body mass index (BMI) matched] subjects performed rhythmic plantar flexion for 14 min or until fatigue (20 contractions/min; started at 2 kg with 1 kg/min increment up to 12 kg). Brachial (oscillometric cuff) and radial (SphygmoCor) blood pressure and derived-aortic waveforms were analyzed during supine rest and plantar flexion exercise. At rest, baseline augmentation index ( P = 0.0263) and cardiac wasted energy ( P = 0.0321) were greater in PAD due to earlier arrival of the reflected wave ( P = 0.0289). During exercise, aortic blood pressure (aMAP) and aortic pulse pressure showed significant interaction effects ( P = 0.0041 and P = 0.0109, respectively). In particular, PAD had a greater aMAP increase at peak exercise ( P = 0.0147). Moreover, the tension time index was greater during exercise in PAD ( P = 0.0173), especially at peak exercise ( P = 0.0173), whereas the diastolic time index ( P = 0.0685) was not different between the two groups. Hence, during exercise, the subendocardial viability ratio was lower in PAD ( P = 0.0164), especially at peak exercise ( P = 0.0164). The results suggest that in PAD, the aortic blood pressure responses and myocardial oxygen demand during exercise are increased compared with healthy controls.
FSAS: An IoT-Based Security System for Crop Field Storage
Authors: Prakash Chandra , Barthwal Anurag , Avikal Shwetank , Singh Gyanendra Kumar
Published: July 2023

Internet of Things abstracts the ability to remotely associate and observe things or objects over the Internet. When it comes to agriculture, this idea has been incorporated to make agriculture-related tasks smart, secure, and automated. Agriculture is vital for economic growth and also for the survival of humans. Farmers living in rural areas of India face a common problem of the theft of equipment like induction motors from small storage houses meant for storing commodities in crop fields. In this study, we present a remote security management framework for monitoring the crop field storage house, known as the farm security alert system (FSAS). FSAS is a small, energy efficient, low cost, and accurate security management system that uses microcontroller-based passive infrared (PIR) sensor and global system for mobile communication (GSM) module to generate an alert to the farm owner if there is an intrusion event at the crop field store. The microcontroller board utilized in the proposed model is the Arduino Uno, and PIR motion sensor is used to recognize the intruder. In addition, FSAS also can be used for monitoring of induction motor by utilizing a similar arrangement of sensors. The sensor signal is transmitted to the cloud whenever the intruder is within the sensing range of the sensor node. Naive Bayes’ prediction model is used to identify the level of encroachment as no (green), mild (yellow), or high (red) threat. The status and the alarms can be received by the farm owners, either on their smartphones as application alerts or as a short message/phone call, at any distance, and independent of whether their cell phones are connected to the Internet.
Evaluation of Fermented Soybean Meal to Replace a Portion Fish Meal on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Immunity, and mTOR Signaling Pathway of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Authors: Zhang Qin , Guo Mengjie , Li Fanghui , Qin Meilan , Yang Qiuyue , Yu Hairui , Xu Jian , Liu Yongqiang , Tong Tong
Published: July 2023

In this study, we evaluated the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) or/and unfermented SBM replacing a portion of fish meal (FM) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immunity, and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Four groups of juvenile coho salmon (initial weight 152.23 ± 3.21 g) in triplicate were fed for 12 weeks on four different iso-nitrogen and iso-lipid experimental diets: G0 diet (28% FM protein, control group), G1 diet (18% FM protein and 10% SBM protein), G2 diet (18% FM protein, 5% SBM protein, and 5% FSBM protein), and G3 diet (18% FM protein and 10% FSBM protein). The main results were compared with the G0 diet; the weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and condition factor of juveniles in G3 were increased significantly (

p
<
0.05

). The content of muscle crude protein, the total protein, glucose, albumin, total cholesterol in serum, and the total antioxidant capacity in the liver of juveniles in G3 was increased significantly (

p
<
0.05

). The activities of pepsin, trypsin, α-amylase, and lipase in the intestine, the superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase in the liver of juveniles in G3 were increased significantly (

p
<
0.05

). The expression levels of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases, serine/threonine kinase, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 genes in the liver of juveniles in G3 were upregulated significantly (

p
<
0.05

). The feed coefficient ratio, viscerosomatic index, the contents of muscle moisture, and malondialdehyde in the liver of juveniles in G3 were decreased significantly (

p
<
0.05

). The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, and interleukin 6 genes in the liver of juveniles in G3 were downregulated significantly (

p
<
0.05

). However, there was no significant effect (

p
>
0.05

) on the survival rate, food intake, and muscle crude lipid and ash of juveniles among the experimental groups. In conclusion, FSBM to replace a portion FM had a positive effect on the growth performance, protein deposition, antioxidant enzyme activity, digestive enzyme activity, protein synthesis, and immune-related genes of juvenile coho salmon.
Intralayer‐Connected Spiking Neural Network with Hybrid Training Using Backpropagation and Probabilistic Spike‐Timing Dependent Plasticity
Authors: Chen Long , Li Xuhang , Zhu Yaqin , Wang Haitao , Li Jiayong , Liu Yu , Wang Zijian
Published: July 2023

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are highly computationally efficient artificial intelligence methods due to their advantages in having a biologically plausible computational framework. Recent research has shown that SNN trained using backpropagation (SNN‐BP) exhibits excellent performance and has shown great potential in tasks such as image classification and security detection. However, the backpropagation method limits the dynamics and biological plausibility of the neural models in SNN, which will limit the recognition and simulation performance of SNN. In order to make neural models more similar to biological neurons, this study proposes a leaky integrate‐and‐fire (LIF) neuron model with dense intralayer connections, as well as efficient forward and backward processes in BP training. The new model will make the interaction between neurons within the layer more frequent, enhancing the intrinsic information exchange capability of SNN. An effective probabilistic spike‐timing dependent plasticity (STDP) method is also proposed to reduce the overweighted connections between neurons, as well as a hybrid training method using BP and probabilistic STDP. The training method combines the advantages of BP and STDP to improve the performance of SNN models. An intralayer‐connected SNN with hybrid training (ISNN‐HY) is proposed with the combination of these improvements. The proposed model was evaluated on three static image datasets and one neuromorphic dataset. The results showed that the performance of ISNN‐HY is superior to that of other SNN‐BP models. The proposed method also makes it possible to accurately simulate biological neural systems.