bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of extreme phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation on rainfall extremes in Alagoas, Brazil
Authors: de Sousa Santos Juliana , de Oliveira‐Júnior José Francisco , da Silva Costa Micejane , Cardoso Kelvy Rosalvo Alencar , Shah Munawar , Shahzad Rasim , da Silva Luis Felipe Francisco Ferreira , de Oliveira Romão William Max , Singh Sudhir Kumar , Mendes David , da Silva Santos Iwldson Guilherme , da Silva Júnior Rosiberto Salustiano 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe Northeast of Brazil (NEB) is influenced by the phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which are associated with increased or decreased rainfall in the East NEB (ENEB). The study evaluated the effects of extreme ENSO phases on rainfall extremes in ENEB. Rainfall data from 54 stations in Alagoas were obtained from the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) and subjected to statistical analysis, with a data imputation method used to fill in gaps in the time series. The Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method was consistent and suitable for spatially representing rainfall data in the state of Alagoas, according to the adopted statistical indicators. Extreme, decadal and anomaly maps were interpolated using IDW method in Quantum GIS (QGIS), due to the positioning of the stations. The criteria for analysing extreme ENSO years were based on the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) for region 3.4, between 1960 and 2016. The results show high interannual variability due to ENSO phases in the climatic mesoregions of Alagoas. In over 70% of extreme ENSO years, rainfall was below average (during strong and very strong El Niño) or above average (during strong La Niña). Some cities in the mesoregions of Alagoas experienced higher rainfall than others, even in extreme ENSO situations, suggesting the influence of physiography and multiscale meteorological systems. On a decadal scale, the East region recorded the highest rainfall accumulations, primarily due to decadal variability of two rainfall cores, corresponding to the Metropolitan Region of Maceió (MRM) and the northern part of the state. An exception is the Upper São Francisco region, which experiences dry decades. The East mesoregion (coast) had higher rainfall records compared to the more continental mesoregions (Hinterland and Arid), regardless of ENSO phases and interannual and decadal scales.
Climatic characteristics of precipitation change and its multiscale causes over Central Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Ma Zhanghuai , Wang Yibo , Zhang Zhongyang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRegional climates have changed as a result of global warming, which has sped up cirrus circulation and altered the temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation. As climate change intensifies, the pattern of precipitation in the Hoh Xil (HX) region has changed. The dislocation of rain and heat in summer hinders ecological restoration and brings great ecological threat. And it is important to clarify the causes and scopes of the midsummer drought (MSD). In this study we highlight the causes of MSD in terms of water vapour transport, circulation structure and the related influencing factors. We found that (1) the HX region gradually entered a drying‐warming process as MSD developed after 2005. (2) The change in the water vapour balance is the direct cause of MSD in the HX. (3) As a typical climate key zone, the HX is located in the transition region between the westerlies and the Indian monsoon. (4) Regional evaporation capacity is the main factor affecting the occurrence of MSD. The dominant factor shifted from being energy to water with the occurrence and enhancement of MSD. This study complements the scarce research on precipitation anomalies in the HX, provides support for clarifying the impact of climate change on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (TP) and contributes to understanding the trends and mechanisms of climate change over the TP under global warming.
Avoiding common mistakes in meta‐analysis: Understanding the distinct roles of Q, I‐squared, tau‐squared, and the prediction interval in reporting heterogeneity
Authors: Borenstein Michael 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn any meta‐analysis, it is critically important to report the dispersion in effects as well as the mean effect. If an intervention has a moderate clinical impact on average we also need to know if the impact is moderate for all relevant populations, or if it varies from trivial in some to major in others. Or indeed, if the intervention is beneficial in some cases but harmful in others. Researchers typically report a series of statistics such as the Q‐value, the p‐value, and I2, which are intended to address this issue. Often, they use these statistics to classify the heterogeneity as being low, moderate, or high and then use these classifications when considering the potential utility of the intervention. While this practice is ubiquitous, it is nevertheless incorrect. The statistics mentioned above do not actually tell us how much the effect size varies. Classifications of heterogeneity based on these statistics are uninformative at best, and often misleading. My goal in this paper is to explain what these statistics do tell us, and that none of them tells us how much the effect size varies. Then I will introduce the prediction interval, the statistic that does tell us how much the effect size varies, and that addresses the question we have in mind when we ask about heterogeneity. This paper is adapted from a chapter in “Common Mistakes in Meta‐Analysis and How to Avoid Them.” A free PDF of the book is available at https://www.Meta-Analysis.com/rsm.
Actively Q‐switching an all polarization‐maintaining erbium‐doped fiber laser using an intracavity electro‐optic modulator
Authors: Fadhel Mahmoud M. , Muda Razali , Hamzah Abdulwahhab E. , Saharudin Suhairi , Zan Mohd S. D. , Aziz Norazreen A. , Arsad Norhana 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis present study demonstrates the utilization of an electro‐optic modulator (EOM) to actively Q‐switch the pulses produced by an all‐polarization‐maintaining (all‐PM) erbium‐doped fiber (EDF) laser (all‐PM‐EDF laser). Electrical sine waves that produced steady microsecond pulses at 1552 nm were used to power the 10 GHz bandwidth EOM. By altering the frequency of the external modulation signal and the power of the input pump, the width of the pulses produced by the all‐PM‐EDF laser (4 μs) could be further decreased to 2.6 μs. When the modulation frequency of the all‐PM‐EDF laser was 15 kHz, the highest pulse energy that it produced (145 nJ) corresponded to its highest power output (52 mW). Therefore, sources of single‐polarization pulsed lasers that are significantly resistant to mechanical and temperature disturbances can be designed by merging the configuration of an all‐PM with an EOM.
Technical note: Beamlet‐free optimization for Monte‐Carlo‐based treatment planning in proton therapy
Authors: Pross Danah , Wuyckens Sophie , Deffet Sylvain , Sterpin Edmond , Lee John A. , Souris Kevin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundDose calculation and optimization algorithms in proton therapy treatment planning often have high computational requirements regarding time and memory. This can hinder the implementation of efficient workflows in clinics and prevent the use of new, elaborate treatment techniques aiming to improve clinical outcomes like robust optimization, arc, and adaptive proton therapy.PurposeA new method, namely, the beamlet‐free algorithm, is presented to address the aforementioned issue by combining Monte Carlo dose calculation and optimization into a single algorithm and omitting the calculation of the time‐consuming and costly dose influence matrix.MethodsThe beamlet‐free algorithm simulates the dose in proton batches of randomly chosen spots and evaluates their relative impact on the objective function at each iteration. Based on the approximated gradient, the spot weights are then updated and used to generate a new spot probability distribution. The beamlet‐free method is compared against a conventional, beamlet‐based treatment planning algorithm on a brain case and a prostate case.ResultsThe beamlet‐free algorithm maintained a comparable plan quality while largely reducing the dependence of computation time and memory usage on the number of spots.ConclusionThe implementation of a beamlet‐free treatment planning algorithm for proton therapy is feasible and capable of achieving treatment plans of comparable quality to conventional methods. Its efficient usage of computational resources and low spot dependence makes it a promising method for large plans, robust optimization, and arc proton therapy.
How should we assess the cardiovascular system in patients presenting with bothersome nocturia? ICI‐RS 2023
Authors: Verbakel Irina , Lazar Jason , Sinha Sanjay , Hashim Hashim , Weiss Jeffrey P. , Abrams Paul , Everaert Karel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAimsThe link between nocturia and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is frequently discussed in literature, yet the precise nature of this relationship remains poorly characterized. The existing literature was reviewed in order to address issues concerning the origin, diagnosis, management, and implications of the co‐occurrence of CVD and nocturia.MethodsThis review summarizes literature and recommendations regarding the link between CVD and nocturia discussed during a think‐tank meeting held at the 2023 International Consultation on Incontinence‐Research Society.ResultsCardiovascular disorders are often underestimated contributors to nocturia, with various potential mechanisms influencing nighttime urination, such as impact on fluid retention, atrial natriuretic peptide, and glomerular filtration rate. The redistribution of fluid from leg edema in supine position can lead nocturnal polyuria (NP). Additionally, sleep disturbances due to nocturia in itself may lead to CVD through an increase in blood pressure, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Disrupted circadian rhythms (e.g., in sleep pattern and urine production) were identified as critical factors in most etiologies of nocturia, and their contribution is deemed imperative in future research and treatment approaches, particularly in the aging population. NP can be detected through a simple bladder diary and can even be used to distinguish cardiac from noncardiac causes of nocturia. For the treatment of NP, desmopressin can be effective in select patients, however, caution and close monitoring is warranted for those with CVD due to increased risk of side effects.ConclusionsGaps were identified in the available evidence and clear cut recommendations were put forth for future research. It is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms linking nocturia and CVD to develop optimal management strategies.
Penetrating a market with local‐content and pricing decisions: Implications for a multinational firm in the competition with a local firm
Authors: Dong Zhenning , Liang Liping , Liu Nanqin , Leng Mingming 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe internationalization of production requires multinational firms to determine a local content rate for their products made and sold in a foreign country. In this paper, we investigate the impact of a government's local content requirement (LCR) on the local content rate and pricing decisions of a multinational firm who competes with a local firm in a market. In an emerging market, the multinational firm increases his local content rate to comply with an LCR if the LCR involves a moderate threshold and a sufficiently large penalty tariff rate. Although a small penalty tariff rate cannot induce the multinational firm's compliance, a larger penalty tariff leads the firm to adopt a higher local content rate. When the multinational firm complies with the LCR, a higher LCR threshold or penalty tariff rate shifts away the multinational firm's demand and profit but may not benefit the local firm if the two firms' price competition is fiercer than their quality competition. In addition, if the two firms' quality competition is fiercer than their price competition, a large LCR threshold may still not benefit the local firm. In contrast, in a developed market, the multinational firm should increase his local content rate as the quality‐cost tradeoff ratio increases. The LCR plays the same effect on the multinational firm as that in an emerging market, whereas its effect on the local firm still depends on the relative intensity of the two firms' price competition versus quality competition, but under reverse conditions.
Future time perspective and study engagement among middle school students: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Liu Yunzhi , Gong Xiaoxia , Shi Lin , Shi Yufei , Dong Bo , Tian Xiaoming 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTo examine the effect of future time perspective on middle school students' study engagement and explore the mediating role of motivation internalization and the moderating role of grit, we conducted a study in several middle schools. Six hundred sixty‐four middle school students completed our measures. Results indicated that future time perspective positively predicted study engagement, and motivation internalization mediated the relationship between future time perspective and study engagement. It is also indicated that grit played a significant moderating role between motivation internalization and study engagement, with the effect of motivation internalization being stronger for low‐grit students compared to high‐grit students. These findings shed light on how to increase study engagement among middle school students.
Understanding environmental stress cracking in the Bell Test at the notch region
Authors: Gritsichine V. , Vlachopoulos J. , Thompson M. R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe Bell Test (ASTM‐D1693) is commonly used to accelerate part failure in order to evaluate resin selection for applications like piping and tanks where environmental stress cracking is possible, even though the method tends to offer less than desirable repeatability. The working hypothesis for this new study with polyethylenes was that the variability seen in failure times may be attributed to a higher sensitivity of the phase morphology primarily at or near the surfaces of a notch than more commonly referenced bulk descriptors of a polymer, affecting stresses and the localized absorption of the preferred stress cracking agent. Using an organic dye tracer to monitor penetration of stress cracking agent into the polymer along with image analysis for the notch dimensions and a load cell, the local aspects of the mechanism were evaluated for up to four grades of polyethylene of varying crystallinity. By this detailed analysis, it was revealed that for failure to occur by ESC, influences in the polymer by absorption of the stress cracking agent preceded the changes in stresses in the specimen, contrary to original expectation. There was an imminent rate increase in both stresses and notch expansion once absorption of the surfactant reached a critical concentration. This critical nature was shown to be dependent on the crystallinity of the polymer under observation, considering the size/arrangement of crystals present and entanglements formed through the amorphous contents to dictate the rate by which IGEPAL can be absorbed into a polyethylene specimen. The results of this study validate the need for greater focus on polymer properties at the notch rather than the bulk of the specimen, though more techniques for providing analysis of these properties at the notch surfaces are needed for future improvements to the mechanism.Highlights
Bromocresol dye acts as a novel visualization aid in tracking IGEPAL CO‐630 sorption
Crystallinity was related to a plasticization threshold for absorption of IGEPAL
Accelerated increase in internal stresses follow absorption.
Variability of the Bell Test was related to crystalline properties at the notch
Protective mechanisms of neral as a plant‐derived safener against fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl injury in rice
Authors: Sun Lanlan , Ma Ronghui , Xu Hongle , Su Wangcang , Xue Fei , Wu Renhai , Lu Chuantao 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe use of herbicide safeners effectively minimises crop damage while maintaining the full efficacy of herbicides. The present study aimed to assess the potential protective effects of neral (NR) as a safener, in order to mitigate injury caused by fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl (FE) on rice.RESULTSThe alleviating effect of NR was similar to that of the safener isoxadifen‐ethyl (IE). The root elongation of rice was significantly promoted under the FE + NR and FE + IE treatments, as compared to the FE treatment. The transcriptome analysis further suggested that the effects of NR treatment on plant metabolic pathways differed from those of IE treatment. In total, 895 and 47 up‐differentially expressed genes induced by NR (NR‐inducible genes) and IE (IE‐inducible genes) were identified. NR‐inducible genes were mainly enriched in phytohormone synthesis and signalling response, including ‘response to brassinosteroid’, ‘response to jasmonic acid’, ‘response to ethylene’, ‘brassinosteroid metabolic process’, ‘brassinosteroid biosynthesis’ and ‘plant hormone signal transduction’. In contrast, IE‐inducible genes were predominantly enriched in glutathione metabolism. The activity of glutathione S‐transferase was found to be increased after IE treatment, whereas no significant increase was observed following NR treatment. Moreover, several transcription factor genes, such as those encoding AP2/ERF‐ERF and (basic helix–loop–helix) bHLH were found to be significantly induced by NR treatment.CONCLUSIONThis is the first report of the utilisation of NR as an herbicide safener. The results of this study suggest the toxicity of FE to rice is mitigated by NR through a distinct mechanism compared to IE. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
A climatology of Arctic fog along the coast of East Greenland
Authors: Gilson Gaëlle F. , Jiskoot Hester , Gueye Soukeyna , van Boxel John H. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study presents a comprehensive climatology of coastal fog from four synoptic weather stations operated by the Danish Meteorological Institute along the entire East Greenland coast between 1958 and 2016. Elements investigated include fog frequency, daily timing, temperature, wind, visibility and radiosonde profiles during fog. The spatiotemporal patterns in fog from the low‐ to high‐Arctic locations were related to varying regional seasonal temperatures, surface and upper‐air wind and sea ice conditions, and to correlations with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Greenland Blocking Index (GBI). Results indicate that ˜70–80% of East Greenland fog occurs in summer (MJJA), and yearly fog onset is near‐coincident with the start of sea ice break‐up. This warm‐season fog has the typical characteristics of advection fog, as shown in the radiosonde profiles and the association with a gentle sea breeze. More than 95% of warm‐season fog is warmer than −10°C, and peaks close to 0°C and, therefore, consists of liquid or supercooled water droplets. In the cold season, mixed‐phase fog prevails in the high‐Arctic locations, accounting for ˜70% of observations. Ice fog (T < −30°C) occurs in only 2% of observations and is limited to Northeast Greenland during the cold season. The cold‐season composite radiosonde fog profiles in the high‐Arctic locations are characterized by deep (˜1000 m) and strong (˜6°C) surface‐based temperature inversions. Visibility during most fog conditions is lowest during the warm season (<500 m) and highest during the cold season (<800 m). In Northeast Greenland, visibility during warm‐season fog has decreased by ˜50 m·dec−1 between 1981 and 2016. In Southeast Greenland, fog visibility is high during low GBI and a positive phase of NAO, but no other correlations with climate indices were found.
Improved EWMA schemes for monitoring the ratio of two normal random variables
Authors: Hu Xuelong , Zhao Yitian , Yeganeh Ali , Shongwe Sandile 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMonitoring the ratio of two normal random variables, which is usually denoted as RZ, is one of the most important directions in statistical process control (SPC). In production scenarios, when the product specification is related to the relative ratio of two components in a mixture, or when the ratio represents a property of the product, or the difference between a product's quality measurement before and after an operation (such as a chemical reaction), the product quality can be improved by applying monitoring schemes for RZ. To further enhance the sensitivity of traditional RZ schemes in detecting process changes, especially small and moderate ones, this paper proposes an improved exponentially weighted moving average (IEWMA) monitoring scheme. The run length (RL) distribution of the proposed IEWMA‐RZ scheme is obtained by using the Monte‐Carlo (MC) simulation. The superiority of the proposed monitoring scheme is shown by comparing with the existing EWMA‐RZ scheme.
CircEPSTI1 in peripheral blood as a novel potential biomarker for childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wang Xia , Li Shipeng , Deng Jianghong , Kuang Weiying , Zhang Junmei , Tan Xiaohua , Li Chao , Li Caifeng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundCircular RNA (circRNA) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases and can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis or disease monitoring. However, reports on circRNA in childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate circEPSTI1 expression in cSLE and evaluate its potential as a biomarker for diagnosing cSLE.MethodsThis study included 70 children diagnosed with cSLE, 20 diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 20 diagnosed with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), and 50 healthy children at the Rheumatology Department of Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2019. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine circEPSTI1 expression in the children. Correlations between circEPSTI1 and clinical features were assessed using Spearman's correlation test. Additionally, we calculated the receiver operating characteristic curve to assess the diagnostic efficacy.ResultsWe found that circEPSTI1 expression was higher in children with cSLE (4.62 ± 3.55) than that in healthy children (1.00 ± 0.45), those with JDM (1.06 ± 0.76), and those with JIA (0.96 ± 0.48). The area of the curve of circEPSTI1 was 0.892 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.832–0.952, p < 0.001) to discriminate children with SLE from healthy children, with a specificity of 0.814 and a sensitivity of 0.922. Children with lupus nephritis showed a higher circEPSTI1 expression than healthy children, those with JDM, and those with JIA. In addition, circEPSTI1 expression in children with SLE showed significant correlations with the SLE Disease Activity Index (p < 0.0001) and C3 concentrations (p = 0.001).ConclusionOur study suggests that circEPSTI1 is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of cSLE.