bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of task demands in racial face encoding
Authors: Yang Bo , Ma Jialin , Ding Ran , Xia Xinyi , Ding Xiaobing 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPeople more accurately remember faces of their own racial group compared to faces of other racial groups; this phenomenon is called the other-race effect. To date, numerous researchers have devoted themselves to exploring the reasons for this other-race effect, and they have posited several theoretical explanations. One integrated explanation is the categorization-individuation model, which addresses two primary ways (categorization and individuation) of racial face processing and emphasizes the emergence of these two ways during the encoding stage. Learning-recognition and racial categorization tasks are two classical tasks used to explore racial face processing. Event-related potentials can facilitate investigation of the encoding differences of own- and other-race faces under these two typical task demands. Unfortunately, to date, results have been mixed. In the current study, we investigated whether categorization and individuation differ for own- and other-race faces during the encoding stage by using racial categorization and learning-recognition tasks. We found that task demands not only influence the encoding of racial faces, but also have a more profound effect in the encoding stage of recognition tasks for other-race faces. More specifically, own-race faces demonstrate deeper structural encoding than other-race faces, with less attentional involvement. Moreover, recognitions tasks might ask for more individual-level encoding, requiring more attentional resources in the early stage that may be maintained until relatively late stages. Our results provide some evidence concerning task selection for future racial face studies and establish a groundwork for a unified interpretation of racial face encoding.
Extract nonlinear operating rules of multi-reservoir systems using an efficient optimization method
Authors: Ahmadianfar Iman , Samadi-Koucheksaraee Arvin , Asadzadeh Masoud 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHydropower plants are known as major renewable energy sources, usually used to meet energy demand during peak periods. The performance of hydropower reservoir systems is mainly affected by their operating rules, thus, optimizing these rules results in higher and/or more reliable energy production. Due to the complex nonlinear, nonconvex, and multivariable characteristics of the hydropower system equations, deriving the operating rules of these systems remains a challenging issue in multi-reservoir systems optimization. This study develops a self-adaptive teaching learning-based algorithm with differential evolution (SATLDE) to derive reliable and precise operating rules for multi-reservoir hydropower systems. The main novelty of SATLDE is its enhanced teaching and learning mechanism with three significant improvements: (i) a ranking probability mechanism is introduced to select the learner or teacher stage adaptively; (ii) at the teacher stage, the teaching mechanism is redefined based on learners’ performance/level; and (iii) at the learner stage, an effective mutation operator with adaptive control parameters is proposed to boost exploration ability. The proposed SATLDE algorithm is applied to the ten-reservoir benchmark systems and a real-world hydropower system in Iran. The results illustrate that the SATLDE achieves superior precision and reliability to other methods. Moreover, results show that SATLDE can increase the total power generation by up to 23.70% compared to other advanced optimization methods. Therefore, this study develops an efficient tool to extract optimal operating rules for the mentioned systems.
A hierarchical reinforcement learning method for missile evasion and guidance
Authors: Yan Mengda , Yang Rennong , Zhang Ying , Yue Longfei , Hu Dongyuan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes an algorithm for missile manoeuvring based on a hierarchical proximal policy optimization (PPO) reinforcement learning algorithm, which enables a missile to guide to a target and evade an interceptor at the same time. Based on the idea of task hierarchy, the agent has a two-layer structure, in which low-level agents control basic actions and are controlled by a high-level agent. The low level has two agents called a guidance agent and an evasion agent, which are trained in simple scenarios and embedded in the high-level agent. The high level has a policy selector agent, which chooses one of the low-level agents to activate at each decision moment. The reward functions for each agent are different, considering the guidance accuracy, flight time, and energy consumption metrics, as well as a field-of-view constraint. Simulation shows that the PPO algorithm without a hierarchical structure cannot complete the task, while the hierarchical PPO algorithm has a 100% success rate on a test dataset. The agent shows good adaptability and strong robustness to the second-order lag of autopilot and measurement noises. Compared with a traditional guidance law, the reinforcement learning guidance law has satisfactory guidance accuracy and significant advantages in average time and average energy consumption.
Humoral immunity after second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in Japanese communities: an observational cross-sectional study, Fukushima Vaccination Community Survey
Authors: Kobashi Yurie , Kawamura Takeshi , Shimazu Yuzo , Zhao Tianchen , Sugiyama Akira , Nakayama Aya , Kaneko Yudai , Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Omata Fumiya , Takita Morihito , Yamamoto Chika , Yoshida Makoto , Kosaka Makoto , Murayama Anju , Sugiura Sota , Tanaka Manato , Kawashima Moe , Uchi Yuna , Shindo Joji , Oikawa Tomoyoshi , Shibuya Kenji , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Tsubokura Masaharu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractTo reveal waning humoral immunity after second dose BNT162b2 vaccinations in a rural Japanese community and determine factors affecting antibody titers. We aimed to report Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1) protein levels and neutralizing activity in a large scale community based cohort. Methods: Participants in the observational cross-sectional study received a second dose of vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) and were not previously infected with COVID-19. Questionnaire-collected data on sex, age, adverse vaccine reactions, and medical history was obtained. Results: Data from 2496 participants revealed that older age groups reached a low antibody titer 90–120 days after the second vaccination. Neutralizing activity decreased with age; 35 (13.3%) of those aged ≥ 80 years had neutralizing activity under the cut-off value. Neutralizing activity > 179 days from the second vaccination was 11.6% compared to that at < 60 days from the second vaccination. Significantly lower IgG antibody titers and neutralizing activity were associated with age, male sex, increased time from second vaccination, smoking, steroids, immunosuppression, and comorbidities. Conclusions: Antibody titer decreased substantially over time. Susceptible populations, older people, men, smokers, steroid users, immunosuppression users, and people with three or more comorbidities may require a special protection strategy.
Carcass appearance does not influence scavenger avoidance of carnivore carrion
Authors: Butler-Valverde Miranda J. , DeVault Travis L. , Rhodes Olin E. , Beasley James C. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe selection or avoidance of certain carrion resources by vertebrate scavengers can alter the flow of nutrients in ecosystems. Evidence suggests higher trophic level carrion is scavenged by fewer vertebrate species and persists longer when compared to lower trophic level carrion, although it is unclear how scavengers distinguish between carcasses of varying species. To investigate carnivore carrion avoidance and explore sensory recognition mechanisms in scavenging species, we investigated scavenger use of intact and altered (i.e., skin, head, and feet removed) coyote—Canis latrans(carnivore) and wild pig—Sus scrofa(omnivore) carcasses experimentally placed at the Savannah River Site, SC, USA. We predicted carnivore carcasses would persist longer due to conspecific and intraguild scavenger avoidance. Further, we hypothesized visually modifying carcasses would not reduce avoidance of carnivore carrion, given scavengers likely depend largely on chemical cues when assessing carrion resources. As expected, mammalian carnivores largely avoided scavenging on coyote carcasses, resulting in carnivore carcasses having longer depletion times than wild pig carcasses at intact and altered trials. Therefore, nutrients derived from carnivore carcasses are not as readily incorporated into higher trophic levels and scavengers largely depend on olfactory cues when assessing benefits and risks associated with varying carrion resources.
Exposure to family planning messages and contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional program impact evaluation study
Authors: Dwomoh Duah , Amuasi Susan Ama , Amoah Emefa Modey , Gborgbortsi Winfred , Tetteh John 
Published: November 2022

AbstractMany women of reproductive age in sub Saharan Africa are not utilizing any contraceptive method which is contributing to the high burden of maternal mortality. This study determined the prevalence, trends, and the impact of exposure to family planning messages (FPM) on contraceptive use (CU) among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We utilized the most recent data from demographic and health surveys across 26 SSA countries between 2013 and 2019. We assessed the prevalence and trends and quantified the impact of exposure to FPM on contraceptive use using augmented inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment. Sensitivity analysis of the impact estimate was conducted using endogenous treatment effect models, inverse probability weighting, and propensity score with nearest-neighbor matching techniques. The study involved 328,386 women of reproductive age. The overall prevalence of CU and the percentage of women of reproductive age in SSA exposed to FPM were 31.1% (95% CI 30.6–31.5) and 38.9% (95% CI 38.8–39.4) respectively. Exposure to FPM increased CU by 7.1 percentage points (pp) (95% CI 6.7, 7.4; p < 0.001) among women of reproductive age in SSA. The impact of FPM on CU was highest in Central Africa (6.7 pp; 95% CI 5.7–7.7; p < 0.001) and lowest in Southern Africa (2.2 pp; 95% CI [1.3–3.0; p < 0.001). There was a marginal decline in the impact estimate among adolescents (estimate = 6.0 pp; 95% CI 5.0, 8.0; p < 0.001). Exposure to FPM has contributed to an increase in CU among women of reproductive age. Programs that are geared towards intensifying exposure to FPM through traditional media in addition to exploring avenues for promoting the appropriate use of family planning method using electronic media remain critical.
Incidence of antibiotic resistance genotypes of Vibrio species recovered from selected freshwaters in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adesiyan Ibukun M. , Bisi-Johnson Mary A. , Okoh Anthony I. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractVibrio species are classified as potent hazards because of their tendency to effect serious diseases like cholera and other gastrointestinal ailments in humans, as well as vibriosis in fish. A total of 144 freshwater samples were aseptically collected monthly across four rivers (Asejire, Ona, Dandaru and Erinle rivers) over a 12-month period from which Vibrio spp. were isolated using culture procedures, confirmed by means of biochemical test as well as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay and further characterized for their phenotypic antibiotic susceptibilities and relevant antimicrobial resistant determinants by PCR. Three hundred and fifteen (58%) isolates confirmed across the sampled sites (Asejire = 75, Dandaru = 87, Eleyele = 72, Erinle = 81) showed high resistance against erythromycin—95%, Sulphamethoxazole—94%, rifampicin—92%, doxycycline—82%, tetracycline—75%, amoxicillin—45%, cephalothin—43% and varied susceptibilities to other antibiotics. The multiple antibiotic resistance indices of 97% of the Vibrio isolates were above the 0.2 threshold limit with MAR phenotype pattern E-SUL-RF-TET-DOX (0.38) found to be the most prevalent pattern among the isolates. The distributions of resistance determinant of the tested antibiotics were revealed as follows: sulII 33%, sulI 19% (sulfonamides); blaOXA 27%, ampC 39%, blapse 11% (beta-lactams); tetA 28%, tetE 20%, tet39 8%, (tetracyclines) and strA 39%. aacC2 24%, aphA1 14% (aminoglycosides). Strong positive associations were observed among tetA, sulI, tetE and sulII. This study raises concerns as these selected rivers may contribute to the environmental spread of waterborne diseases and antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, we recommend environmental context-tailored strategies for monitoring and surveillance of resistance genes so as to safeguard the environment from becoming reservoirs of virulent and infectious Vibrio species.
The passivity breakdown of zinc antimony alloy as an anode in the alkaline batteries
Authors: El-Sayed Abd El-Rahman , Shilkamy Hoda A. El-Shafy , Elrouby Mahmoud 
Published: November 2022

AbstractZn is utilized as an anode in alkaline batteries because of its propensity to produce a passive colloidal layer on its surface. Then the surface should be reactivated in the passive region. Therefore, the passive state on the surface can be significantly hindered by utilizing a tiny percentage of Sb alloyed with Zn. Accordingly, the effect of minor Sb alloying with Zn on the performance of anodic dissolution and passivation in concentrated alkaline media (6 M KOH, which is used in the batteries) was studied using potentiodynamic and potentiostatic techniques. Besides, the passive layers formed at various anodic potentials were characterized utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The data of potentiodynamic measurements exhibited the active–passive transition curve of all studied specimens. All obtained results revealed that passivation is gradually hindered with increasing Sb content in the alloy, and less passivity was obtained at 1% Sb. Along this, a dramatic rise in current density at a particular positive potential (+ 2.0 V vs. SCE) to markedly higher values only of the electrodes containing Sb is observed.
Cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty-induced clinical resolution of disc herniation in patients with single- to three-level myelopathy
Authors: Zhang Chunlin , Fu Su , Yan Xu , Li Dongzhe , Ning Yongming , Dong Chao , Wang Yongkui , Feng Yang 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the effects on resorption of cervical disc herniation (CDH) and clinical outcomes of surgery. Cervical microendoscopic laminoplasty (CMEL), which is commonly preferable to anterior corpectomy and fusion, was applied to patients with 1- to 3-level degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). DCM patients with 1–3 levels DCM underwent either conservation treatment or CMEL. In conservation-treated patients (53 cases), CDH volume remained unchanged with no improvement in JOA and VAS scores. Conversely, 63 patients with 1–3 levels DCM were prospectively enrolled and exhibited a profound decrease in CDH volume: 89.1% of CDHs (123/138) regressed over 10%, 64.5% of CDHs (89/138) regressed over 25%, while 27.5% and 6.5% of CDHs (38/138 and 9/138) largely regressed over 50% and 75%, respectively. Meanwhile, the JOA and VAS scores were improved in different ways. Intriguingly, CDH volume changes correlated significantly with elevations in JOA scores, indicating an association of clinical CDH resolution with neurological recovery. We showed that CMEL induced clinically related diminishment of CDH and alleviation of clinical symptoms in patients with 1- to 3-level myelopathy and that it could help avoid anterior dissection of the disc to some extent.
Excitons and light-emission in semiconducting MoSi2X4 two-dimensional materials
Authors: Sun Minglei , Re Fiorentin Michele , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Palummo Maurizia 
Published: November 2022

AbstractSemiconducting two-dimensional materials with chemical formula MoSi2X4 (X = N, P, or As) are studied by means of atomistic ground- and excited-state first-principles simulations. Full-fledged quasi-particle bandstructures within the G0W0 approach substantially correct the electronic bandgaps previously obtained with hybrid-functional density functional theory and highlight the absence of lateral valleys close in energy to the conduction band minimum. By solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation, we show that the optical properties are dominated by strongly bound excitons with the absorbance and maximum short-circuit current densities of MoSi2P4 and MoSi2As4 comparable to those of transition metal dichalcogenides. Due to the presence of the outer SiX layers, the exciton binding energies are smaller than those generally found for transition metal dichalcogenides. Long radiative lifetimes of bright excitons, over 10 ns at room temperature for MoSi2As4, and the absence of band-nesting are very promising for application in efficient ultra-thin optoelectronic devices.
An LH1–RC photocomplex from an extremophilic phototroph provides insight into origins of two photosynthesis proteins
Authors: Tani Kazutoshi , Kanno Ryo , Kurosawa Keigo , Takaichi Shinichi , Nagashima Kenji V. P. , Hall Malgorzata , Yu Long-Jiang , Kimura Yukihiro , Madigan Michael T. , Mizoguchi Akira , Humbel Bruno M. , Wang-Otomo Zheng-Yu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractRhodopila globiformis is the most acidophilic of anaerobic purple phototrophs, growing optimally in culture at pH 5. Here we present a cryo-EM structure of the light-harvesting 1–reaction center (LH1–RC) complex from Rhodopila globiformis at 2.24 Å resolution. All purple bacterial cytochrome (Cyt, encoded by the gene pufC) subunit-associated RCs with known structures have their N-termini truncated. By contrast, the Rhodopila globiformis RC contains a full-length tetra-heme Cyt with its N-terminus embedded in the membrane forming an α-helix as the membrane anchor. Comparison of the N-terminal regions of the Cyt with PufX polypeptides widely distributed in Rhodobacter species reveals significant structural similarities, supporting a longstanding hypothesis that PufX is phylogenetically related to the N-terminus of the RC-bound Cyt subunit and that a common ancestor of phototrophic Proteobacteria contained a full-length tetra-heme Cyt subunit that evolved independently through partial deletions of its pufC gene. Eleven copies of a novel γ-like polypeptide were also identified in the bacteriochlorophyll a-containing Rhodopila globiformis LH1 complex; γ-polypeptides have previously been found only in the LH1 of bacteriochlorophyll b-containing species. These features are discussed in relation to their predicted functions of stabilizing the LH1 structure and regulating quinone transport under the warm acidic conditions.
Variance of fluctuations from Noether invariance
Authors: Hermann Sophie , Schmidt Matthias 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe strength of fluctuations, as measured by their variance, is paramount in the quantitative description of a large class of physical systems, ranging from simple and complex liquids to active fluids and solids. Fluctuations originate from the irregular motion of thermal degrees of freedom and statistical mechanics facilitates their description. Here we demonstrate that fluctuations are constrained by the inherent symmetries of the given system. For particle-based classical many-body systems, Noether invariance at second order in the symmetry parameter leads to exact sum rules. These identities interrelate the global force variance with the mean potential energy curvature. Noether invariance is restored by an exact balance between these distinct mechanisms. The sum rules provide a practical guide for assessing and constructing theories, for ensuring self-consistency in simulation work, and for providing a systematic pathway to the theoretical quantification of fluctuations.
ADRA1A–Gαq signalling potentiates adipocyte thermogenesis through CKB and TNAP
Authors: Rahbani Janane F. , Scholtes Charlotte , Lagarde Damien M. , Hussain Mohammed F. , Roesler Anna , Dykstra Christien B. , Bunk Jakub , Samborska Bozena , O’Brien Shannon L. , Tripp Emma , Pacis Alain , Angueira Anthony R. , Johansen Olivia S. , Cinkornpumin Jessica , Hossain Ishtiaque , Lynes Matthew D. , Zhang Yang , White Andrew P. , Pastor William A. , Chondronikola Maria , Sidossis Labros , Klein Samuel , Kralli Anastasia , Cypess Aaron M. , Pedersen Steen B. , Jessen Niels , Tseng Yu-Hua , Gerhart-Hines Zachary , Seale Patrick , Calebiro Davide , Giguère Vincent , Kazak Lawrence 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNoradrenaline (NA) regulates cold-stimulated adipocyte thermogenesis1. Aside from cAMP signalling downstream of β-adrenergic receptor activation, how NA promotes thermogenic output is still not fully understood. Here, we show that coordinated α1-adrenergic receptor (AR) and β3-AR signalling induces the expression of thermogenic genes of the futile creatine cycle2,3, and that early B cell factors, oestrogen-related receptors and PGC1α are required for this response in vivo. NA triggers physical and functional coupling between the α1-AR subtype (ADRA1A) and Gαq to promote adipocyte thermogenesis in a manner that is dependent on the effector proteins of the futile creatine cycle, creatine kinase B and tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase. Combined Gαq and Gαs signalling selectively in adipocytes promotes a continual rise in whole-body energy expenditure, and creatine kinase B is required for this effect. Thus, the ADRA1A–Gαq–futile creatine cycle axis is a key regulator of facultative and adaptive thermogenesis.
International demand for food and services drives environmental footprints of pesticide use
Authors: Tang Fiona H. M. , Malik Arunima , Li Mengyu , Lenzen Manfred , Maggi Federico 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPesticides are well-recognised pollutants that threaten biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Here we quantify the environmental footprints of pesticide use for 82 countries and territories and eight broad regions using top-down multi-region input-output analysis. Pesticide footprints are expressed as hazard loads that quantify the body weight (bw) of non-target organisms required to absorb pesticide residues without experiencing adverse effects. We show that the world’s consumption in 2015 resulted in 2 Gt-bw of pesticide footprints. Of these, 32% are traded internationally. The global average per-capita pesticide footprint is 0.27 t-bw capita−1y−1, with high-income countries having the largest per-capita footprint. China, Germany, and United Kingdom are the top three net importers of pesticide hazard loads embodied in commodities, while the USA, Brazil, and Spain are the three largest net exporters. Our study highlights the need for policies to target pesticide use reduction while ensuring adverse impacts are not transferred to other nations.