bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding CMIP6 biases in the representation of the Greater Horn of Africa long and short rains
Authors: Schwarzwald Kevin , Goddard Lisa , Seager Richard , Ting Mingfang , Marvel Kate
Published: December 2022

The societies of the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) are vulnerable to variability in two distinct rainy seasons, the March–May ‘long’ rains and the October–December ‘short’ rains. Recent trends in both rainy seasons, possibly related to patterns of low-frequency variability, have increased interest in future climate projections from General Circulation Models (GCMs). However, previous generations of GCMs historically have poorly simulated the regional hydroclimate. This study conducts a process-based evaluation of simulations of the long and short rains in CMIP6, the latest generation of GCMs. Key biases in CMIP5 remain or are worsened, including long rains that are too short and weak and short rains that are too long and strong. Model biases are driven by a complex set of related oceanic and atmospheric factors, including simulations of the Walker Circulation. Biased wet short rains in models are connected with Indian Ocean zonal sea surface temperature (SST) gradients that are too warm in the west and convection that is too deep. Models connect equatorial African winds with the strength of the short rains, though in observations a robust connection is primarily found in the long rains. Model mean state biases in the timing of the western Indian Ocean SST seasonal cycle are associated with certain rainfall timing biases, though both biases may be due to a common source. Simulations driven by historical SSTs (AMIP runs) often have larger biases than fully coupled runs. A path towards using biases to better understand uncertainty in projections of GHA rainfall is suggested.
How to choose credible ensemble members for the sub-seasonal to seasonal prediction of precipitation?
Authors: Jie Weihua , Wu Tongwen , Vitart Frederic , Liu Xiangwen , Lu Yixiong , Yao Junchen , Zhao He
Published: December 2022

The sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) prediction of precipitation is not only a hot topic but also a challenge. The traditional ensemble mean and ensemble probabilistic forecast methods cannot avoid the uncertainty of the initial value in the S2S prediction. Is there a more suitable ensemble postprocessing method for the S2S prediction? In this study, the hindcast data during the 1999–2010 summers from nine operational models in the international S2S prediction project has been evaluated. Based on the quantitative objective precipitation evaluation methods, such as the Equitable Threat Score and frequency bias methods, the climatological spatio-temporal distribution of the optimal probabilistic threshold on the S2S scale is proven to exist, and it can be used as the standard to judge how many ensemble members are credible. Then, different ensemble forecast strategies are adopted in different regions to construct a Deterministic Ensemble Forecast using an Optimal Probabilistic Threshold (DEFOPT) method for precipitation prediction. The hindcast data of eight S2S models outside the period 1999–2010 are used to verify the applicability of the DEFOPT method by using the historical optimal probabilistic threshold during 1999–2010. The results show that the DEFOPT outperforms the deterministic forecast from one initial value, the ensemble mean, and the deterministic ensemble forecast using a probabilistic threshold for the occurrence days of rainfall at the 1 mm and 5 mm thresholds (≥ 1 mm and ≥ 5 mm) over China during each pentad in most S2S models.
Clinical and radiological comparison between partial and complete resection of the anterior cruciate ligament in patients with mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament: a controlled clinical trial
Authors: Oehler N. , Haenle M. , Vogt S. , Blanke F.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The pathology of a mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (MDACL) has been mentioned in several publications but due to its rare incidence it is not a well-known pathology. Partial or complete resection of the ACL is the option of choice after failed non-surgical treatment. However, the success rate of both surgical techniques and the subsequent risk of an ACL instability is not known. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome between partial resection and complete resection of the ACL in patients with MDACL.

Materials and methods

Patients with MDACL verified by MRI and persistent knee pain were treated by partial (Group I) or complete resection (Group II) of the ACL and were included in a controlled clinical trial after unsuccessful conservative treatment for at least 6 months. Demographic, clinical and radiological data including the thickness of ACL, ACL/intercondylar ratio, patient’s age at the time of surgery, the presenting symptoms, range of motion and ligament stability assessed by the ACL ligament score (Lachman test) were collected. In addition, Tegner activity score and Lysholm score were evaluated preoperatively and at final follow-up after a minimum of 12 months.

Results

At final follow-up with a mean of 16.8 ± 8.8 months (range 12–41; Group I: 18.3 ± 9.7 vs. Group II: 15.3 ± 8.0; ns), all patients were pain free. Postoperatively, positive Lachman tests were noted in all patients (100%) in Group II (n = 5 patients with grade II and n = 5 patients with grade III). In Group I, 8 patients (80%) showed a negative Lachman test (grade I) and 2 patients (20%) a slightly elongated Lachman test with a firm stop (grade II). The mean knee flexion at follow-up examination was 132° ± 7° (range 120°–140°; Group I: 129° ± 9° vs. Group II: 135° ± 4°; ns). In pairwise comparison, flexion angle increased significantly in both groups (Group I: p = 0.0124 and Group II: p < 0.001). Pairwise comparison of thickness of the ACL and ACL/intercondylar ratio prior to and post-surgery in Group I showed non-significant differences.

Conclusion

Both arthroscopic debridement and complete resection of the ACL lead to improvement of clinical and radiological findings in isolated MDACL. However, complete resection of the ACL will result in higher instability. Therefore, partial resection might be the better treatment option, especially in young patients with MDACL.
Numerical upscaling of parametric microstructures in a possibilistic uncertainty framework with tensor trains
Authors: Eigel Martin , Gruhlke Robert , Moser Dieter , Grasedyck Lars
Published: December 2022

A fuzzy arithmetic framework for the efficient possibilistic propagation of shape uncertainties based on a novel fuzzy edge detection method is introduced. The shape uncertainties stem from a blurred image that encodes the distribution of two phases in a composite material. The proposed framework employs computational homogenisation to upscale the shape uncertainty to a effective material with fuzzy material properties. For this, many samples of a linear elasticity problem have to be computed, which is significantly sped up by a highly accurate low-rank tensor surrogate. To ensure the continuity of the underlying mapping from shape parametrisation to the upscaled material behaviour, a diffeomorphism is constructed by generating an appropriate family of meshes via transformation of a reference mesh. The shape uncertainty is then propagated to measure the distance of the upscaled material to the isotropic and orthotropic material class. Finally, the fuzzy effective material is used to compute bounds for the average displacement of a non-homogenized material with uncertain star-shaped inclusion shapes.
Modelling motor units in 3D: influence on muscle contraction and joint force via a proof of concept simulation
Authors: Saini Harnoor , Klotz Thomas , Röhrle Oliver
Published: December 2022

Functional heterogeneity is a skeletal muscle’s ability to generate diverse force vectors through localised motor unit (MU) recruitment. Existing 3D macroscopic continuum-mechanical finite element (FE) muscle models neglect MU anatomy and recruit muscle volume simultaneously, making them unsuitable for studying functional heterogeneity. Here, we develop a method to incorporate MU anatomy and information in 3D models. Virtual fibres in the muscle are grouped into MUs via a novel “virtual innervation” technique, which can control the units’ size, shape, position, and overlap. The discrete MU anatomy is then mapped to the FE mesh via statistical averaging, resulting in a volumetric MU distribution. Mesh dependency is investigated using a 2D idealised model and revealed that the amount of MU overlap is inversely proportional to mesh dependency. Simultaneous recruitment of a MU’s volume implies that action potentials (AP) propagate instantaneously. A 3D idealised model is used to verify this assumption, revealing that neglecting AP propagation results in a slightly less-steady force, advanced in time by approximately 20 ms, at the tendons. Lastly, the method is applied to a 3D, anatomically realistic model of the masticatory system to demonstrate the functional heterogeneity of masseter muscles in producing bite force. We found that the MU anatomy significantly affected bite force direction compared to bite force magnitude. MU position was much more efficacious in bringing about bite force changes than MU overlap. These results highlight the relevance of MU anatomy to muscle function and joint force, particularly for muscles with complex neuromuscular architecture.
Acute stress response on Atlantic salmon: a time-course study of the effects on plasma metabolites, mucus cortisol levels, and head kidney transcriptome profile
Authors: Madaro Angelico , Nilsson Jonatan , Whatmore Paul , Roh HyeongJin , Grove Søren , Stien Lars H. , Olsen Rolf Erik
Published: December 2022

Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) welfare and performance can be strongly influenced by stress episodes caused by handling during farming practices. To better understand the changes occurring after an acute stress response, we exposed a group of Atlantic salmon parr to an acute stressor, which involved netting and transferring fish to several new holding tanks. We describe a time-course response to stress by sampling parr in groups before (T0) and 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240, 300, and 330 min post-stress. A subgroup of fish was also subjected to the same stressor for a second time to assess their capacity to respond to the same challenge again within a short timeframe (ReStressed). Fish plasma was assessed for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and ions levels. Mucus cortisol levels were analyzed and compared with the plasma cortisol levels. At 5 selected time points (T0, 60, 90, 120, 240, and ReStressed), we compared the head kidney transcriptome profile of 10 fish per time point. The considerably delayed increase of ACTH in the plasma (60 min post-stress), and the earlier rise of cortisol levels (10 min post-stress), suggests that cortisol release could be triggered by more rapidly responding factors, such as the sympathetic system. This hypothesis may be supported by a high upregulation of several genes involved in synaptic triggering, observed both during the first and the second stress episodes. Furthermore, while the transcriptome profile showed few changes at 60 min post-stress, expression of genes in several immune-related pathways increased markedly with each successive time point, demonstrating the role of the immune system in fish coping capacity. Although many of the genes discussed in this paper are still poorly characterized, this study provides new insights regarding the mechanisms occurring during the stress response of salmon parr and may form the basis for a useful guideline on timing of sampling protocols.
It is still about bureaucracy in German faculties
Authors: Hagerer Ilse
Published: December 2022

One of the main discussions in higher education is whether universities have appropriately adapted their structures and processes in response to the New Public Management (NPM) reforms and the Bologna Process. There are no profound empirical investigations on the extent to which faculties take elements of the reforms into account in terms of administrative processes and organizational structure dimensions according to the bureaucracy approach. This article examines how German faculty managers perceive bureaucratization processes by evaluating organizational structure dimensions. For this, we interpret interviews with 16 experts of German faculties through qualitative content analysis to extract in-depth manifestations of these dimensions. Our results show that the dimensions formalization, standardization, specialization, configuration, internal support functions, team self-coordination, and (de)centralization reflect elements of the NPM and Bologna reforms in the perception of faculty staff. These dimensions are complemented by decoupling mechanisms, i.e., discrepancies between formal structure and common practice, which hinder reform implementation. Besides, we identify elements of post-NPM approaches like network governance and neo-Weberianism supplementing reform implementation. We highlight (dys)functional effects of the dimensions by assessing them with criteria of effectiveness. Our results foster a deeper understanding of faculty organization by demonstrating levels of bureaucratization using profound examples of the interviewed persons.
From tablet to table: How augmented reality influences food desirability
Authors: Fritz William , Hadi Rhonda , Stephen Andrew
Published: December 2022

Augmented reality (AR) technology has generated enormous industry investment and buzz, with the food and beverage sector quickly embracing this technology in an effort to enhance the customer experience. However, academic research has only just begun to empirically explore how and why this technology might influence consumer judgements and behaviors in such contexts. Across two field studies involving consequential behavior and two controlled laboratory studies, we find that AR’s unique ability to visually superimpose objects onto a real-time environment increases consumers’ ability to mentally simulate consuming a pictured food, which in turn increases their desire and purchase likelihood of the food item. Further, we find the increased mental simulation produced by AR is itself preceded and driven by an increased sense of personal relevance of the food items.
Adherence to glucose monitoring with intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Sousa Carolina , Neves João Sérgio , Dias Cláudia Camila , Sampaio Rute
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to predict the Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) adherence behavior of patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

Methods

Patients with Type 1 Diabetes mellitus using FreeStyle Libre™ System (FL), a isCGM device, that attended the “Insulin Infusion Pump clinic” at Centro Hospitalar de São João were enrolled and evaluated for sociodemographic and clinical characterization, beliefs and concerns about Diabetes Mellitus, as well as isCGM’s perceptions. Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring data were collected to characterize monitoring patterns and to measure isCGM’s adherence—FL average of scans/day.

Results

Seventy-two patients with a mean of 30.36 years (sd=11.35) participate in this study. A median of 7 scans/day was performed. The adherence predictors found was Age (β = 0.191, p = 0.006), Time in target (β = 0.530, p = 0.002), isCGM Necessity (β = 2.631, p = 0.048), Body Mass Index (β = −0.549, p = 0.017) and Sex (β = −3.996; p = 0.011).

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the relevance of glucose monitoring adherence in disease control and shows that males of younger ages, presenting with higher body mass index levels, lower time in target, and reporting lower isCGM necessity are less adherent to isCGM. Therefore, these patients should be closely followed and object of personalized strategies to promote treatment adherence.
Inhibition of the Glycolysis Prevents the Cerebral Infarction Progression Through Decreasing the Lactylation Levels of LCP1
Authors: Zhang Wei , Xu Liang , Yu Zhenfei , Zhang Meiqi , Liu Jingquan , Zhou Jianming
Published: December 2022

Cerebral infarction (CI), also known as ischemic stroke, has a high incidence rate and mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect and mechanism of Lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1 (LCP1) in the CI progression. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) treated rats and oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) stimulated PC12 cells were used to establish CI model in vivo and in vitro. The cell proliferation and apoptosis was determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Immunoprecipitation and western blot was performed to test the lactylation levels of LCP1. The cells were treated with cycloheximide to determined the protein stability of LCP1. The glucose uptake and lactate production was determined with commercial kits. The extracellular acidification rate were evaluated by Seahorse. The results showed that LCP1 was upregulated in the MCAO rats and OGD/R stimulated PC12 cells. LCP1 knockdown dramatically decreased the neurological score, infarct volume and the brain water content of MCAO rats. Besides, LCP1 knockdown promoted the cell viability while decreased the apoptosis rate of the OGD/R stimulated PC12 cells. Additionally, the global lactylation and lactylation levels of LCP1 was prominently enhanced in vivo and in vitro in cerebral infarction. 2-DG treatment prominently decreased it. In conclusion, inhibiting the glycolysis decreased the lactylation levels of LCP1 and resulted in the degradation of LCP1, which eventually relieved the CI progression.
Neurodynamical Computing at the Information Boundaries of Intelligent Systems
Authors: Monaco Joseph D. , Hwang Grace M.
Published: December 2022

Artificial intelligence has not achieved defining features of biological intelligence despite models boasting more parameters than neurons in the human brain. In this perspective article, we synthesize historical approaches to understanding intelligent systems and argue that methodological and epistemic biases in these fields can be resolved by shifting away from cognitivist brain-as-computer theories and recognizing that brains exist within large, interdependent living systems. Integrating the dynamical systems view of cognition with the massive distributed feedback of perceptual control theory highlights a theoretical gap in our understanding of nonreductive neural mechanisms. Cell assemblies—properly conceived as reentrant dynamical flows and not merely as identified groups of neurons—may fill that gap by providing a minimal supraneuronal level of organization that establishes a neurodynamical base layer for computation. By considering information streams from physical embodiment and situational embedding, we discuss this computational base layer in terms of conserved oscillatory and structural properties of cortical-hippocampal networks. Our synthesis of embodied cognition, based in dynamical systems and perceptual control, aims to bypass the neurosymbolic stalemates that have arisen in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and computational neuroscience.
3D-modellen gebaseerd op prostaat-MRI beïnvloeden de planning van zenuwsparing bij robotgeassisteerde radicale prostatectomie
Authors: Veerman Hans , Boellaard Thierry N. , van der Eijk Jari A. , Sluijter Judith H. , Roeleveld Ton A. , van der Sluis Tim M. , Nieuwenhuijzen Jakko A. , Wit Esther , van Alphen Maarten J. A. , van Veen Robert L. P. , Vis André N. , van der Poel Henk G. , van Leeuwen Pim J.
Published: December 2022

Samenvatting

Doel van deze studie was de klinische toepasbaarheid van 3D-modellen onderzoeken in de preoperatieve planning van robotgeassisteerde radicale laparoscopische prostatectomie (RALP). Er werden 20 virtuele 3D-modellen en 3D-prints gemaakt, waarna 7 urologen op basis hiervan de mate van zijdespecifieke zenuwsparing bepaalden. Vervolgens werden de mate van zenuwsparing per zijde per modaliteit en de absolute overeenkomst in de geplande zenuwsparing tussen urologen geanalyseerd, waaruit bleek dat er tussen de urologen een klinisch-relevant verschil was in de mate van preoperatieve zijdespecifieke zenuwsparing tussen MRI en de virtuele modellen en MRI en de 3D-prints in 25 en 26% van de gevallen met een intraclasscorrelatiecoëfficient van 0,40 (95%-BI 0,28–0,55) voor MRI, van 0,52 (0,39–0,66) voor virtuele 3D-modellen en van 0,58 (0,45–0,71) voor 3D-prints. De conclusie is dat de 3D-modellen een klinisch-relevante impact hebben op de preoperatieve planning van zenuwsparing bij RALP.
Fruit Peel Soil Supplementation Induces Physiological and Biochemical Tolerance in Schefflera arboricola L. Grown Under Heat Conditions
Authors: El-Serafy Rasha S. , El-Sheshtawy Abdel-Nasser A. , Dahab Abeer A.
Published: December 2022

Schefflera plant is propagated and grown under greenhouse cultivation, and most of these greenhouses are low-cost. In the summer, the heat generated in greenhouses becomes a limiting factor for plant growth and, subsequently, limits the production of high-quality species under greenhouse conditions. The powder of banana (B), orange (O), and pomegranate (P) peels and their combinations were added as soil supplementation at rates of 8 and 16 g/pot to the pots of Schefflera plants, which were grown during the summer season under a low-cost greenhouse. The growth analysis was estimated after 150 and 180 days from planting. Heat conditions significantly inhibited the relative growth rate, crop growth rate, and absolute growth rate (AGR) of Schefflera plants, but fruit peel applications were shown to markedly mitigate its negative impact. Fruit peel applications augmented the shoot and root growth rates and leaf pigments, decreased AGR reduction, promoted relative water content, increased membrane stability index (MSI), and alternated the phenotypic plasticity index (PPI). Fruit peels significantly increased total phenol and flavonoid levels as well as the antioxidant activity (DPPH), which positively alleviated the oxidative damage (decreased H2O2 and MDA contents) that occurred in plant leaves, and induced heat-shock protein synthesis, leading to plants with greater heat tolerance. Orange peel application at the rate of 16 g/pot to the potting soil is more beneficial for root initiation and development during the early phases of Schefflera plant life, as well as more effective in increasing the aerial portions and inducing resistance to heat conditions in low-cost polyethylene greenhouses.
Application of a simple model for ice growth to the Lake St. Moritz, Switzerland
Authors: Oerlemans Johannes , Keller Felix
Published: December 2022

We present a Simple Lake Ice Model to calculate the growth rate of lake ice in a cold and relatively dry climate. The focus is on Lake St. Moritz, Switzerland, which has an area of 0.78 km2and is about 45 m deep. In winter the lake is extensively used for recreational purposes, including horse racing with thousands of spectators. Safety on the ice cover is essential, and there is a great need to have a simple tool with which the growth rate of the ice layer can be calculated for given meteorological conditions. The approach is based on a simple formulation of the upper temperature of the ice layer, which depends on air temperature and snow cover. Input data are the date on which the lake freezes over, daily mean air temperatures and snow depth. For the winter 2021/22 calculated ice growth compares well with ice thickness measurements. We demonstrate that grooming of the snow has a significant positive effect on the ice thickening rate. We also evaluate the sensitivity of the simulated ice thickness to increasing mean temperature.
Climate Change: Bad News for Populism? How the Rassemblement National Used COVID-19 to Promote Its Environmental Agenda
Authors: de Nadal Lluis
Published: December 2022

This article uses the French Rassemblement National (RN) as a case study to examine how the populist radical right (PRR) prepares for a world after COVID-19 dominated by climate change concerns. Research suggests that certain measures introduced to contain the virus – such as the establishment of strict border and travel restrictions – may legitimize the PRR’s protectionist and anti-immigration agendas, yet few have examined whether or how PRR parties have used COVID-19 to promote their environmental agenda. If anything, the expectation has been that the pandemic would hurt the PRR precisely because its effects, unlike climate change, cannot be dismissed as a “hoax.” This view overlooks not only the “environmental turn” recently taken by several PRR parties but also the possibility that public awareness of the causal link between climate change and COVID-19 may work to their advantage. The analysis presented in this article highlights this possibility, showing that the RN used COVID-19 not only to capitalize on anti-immigrant sentiment but also to bolster its self-image as a champion of environmental protection.
Preferences versus opportunities: on the conceptual foundations of normative welfare economics
Authors: Fumagalli Roberto
Published: December 2022

Normative welfare economics commonly assumes that individuals’ preferences can be reliably inferred from their choices and relies on preference satisfaction as the normative standard for welfare. In recent years, several authors have criticized welfare economists’ reliance on preference satisfaction as the normative standard for welfare and have advocated grounding normative welfare economics on opportunities rather than preferences. In this paper, I argue that although preference-based approaches to normative welfare economics face significant conceptual and practical challenges, opportunity-based approaches fail to provide a more reliable and informative foundation for normative welfare economics than preference-based approaches. I then identify and rebut various influential calls to ground normative welfare economics on opportunities rather than preferences to support my qualified defence of preference-based approaches.
Behavioral and physiological differences during an emotion-evoking task in children at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Sacrey Lori-Ann R. , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie , Brian Jessica A. , Smith Isabel M. , Armstrong Vickie , Vaillancourt Tracy , Schmidt Louis A.
Published: December 2022

Literature examining emotional regulation in infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has focused on parent report. We examined behavioral and physiological responses during an emotion-evoking task designed to elicit emotional states in infants. Infants at an increased likelihood for ASD (IL; have an older sibling with ASD; 96 not classified; 29 classified with ASD at age two) and low likelihood (LL; no family history of ASD; n = 61) completed the task at 6, 12, and 18 months. The main findings were (1) the IL-ASD group displayed higher levels of negative affect during toy removal and negative tasks compared to the IL non-ASD and LL groups, respectively, (2) the IL-ASD group spent more time looking at the baseline task compared to the other two groups, and (3) the IL-ASD group showed a greater increase in heart rate from baseline during the toy removal and negative tasks compared to the LL group. These results suggest that IL children who are classified as ASD at 24 months show differences in affect, gaze, and heart rate during an emotion-evoking task, with potential implications for understanding mechanisms related to emerging ASD.
Toward a Multi‐Representational Approach to Prediction and Understanding, in Support of Discovery in Hydrology
Authors: De la Fuente Luis A. , Gupta Hoshin V. , Condon Laura E.
Published: December 2022

Key to model development is the selection of an appropriate representational system, including both the representation of what is observed (the data), and the formal mathematical structure used to construct the input‐state‐output mapping. These choices are critical, because they completely determine the questions we can ask, the nature of the analyses and inferences we can perform, and the answers we can obtain. Accordingly, a representation that is suitable for one kind of investigation might be limited in its ability to support some other kind. Arguably, how different representational approaches affect what we can learn from data is poorly understood. This paper explores three representational strategies as vehicles for understanding how catchment scale hydrological processes vary across hydro‐geo‐climatologically diverse Chile. Specifically, we test a lumped water‐balance model (GR4J), a data‐based dynamical systems model (LSTM), and a data‐based regression tree model (Random Forest). Insights were obtained regarding system memory encoded in data, spatial transferability by use of surrogate attributes, and informational deficiencies of the data set that limit our ability to learn an adequate input‐output relationship. As expected, each approach exhibits specific strengths, with LSTM providing the best characterization of dynamics, GR4J being the most robust under informationally deficient conditions, and Random Forest regression‐tree method being most supportive of interpretation. Overall, the contrasting nature of the three approaches suggests the value of adopting a multi‐representational framework to more fully extract information from the data and, by doing so, find information that better facilities the goals of robust prediction and improved understanding, ultimately supporting enhanced scientific discovery.
Effects of Afforestation on Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation Depend on Initial Soil Nitrogen Status
Authors: Hong Songbai , Cong Nan , Ding Jinzhi , Piao Shilong , Liu Lingli , Peñuelas Josep , Chen Anping , Quine Timothy A. , Zeng Hui , Houlton Benjamin Z.
Published: December 2022

Long‐term carbon (C) sequestration in terrestrial vegetation and soil is mediated by soil nitrogen (N) supply. Afforestation is regarded as a global‐scale solution to climate change; thus, resolving the role of N in either facilitating or reducing the long‐term C benefits of this practice has essential implications to maximize its C sink potential. The impacts of afforestation on soil C, N, and their stoichiometric ratio have been widely explored but what regulates these impacts remains unclear at regional and global scales. In this study, we conducted an intensive field sampling investigation including 610 pairs of afforested and control plots in northern China and extensively compiled a global data set containing 211 afforested‐control pairs worldwide to evaluate responses of soil N concentrations and C:N ratios to afforestation and further explored their major regulator. We identified a soil N threshold, the inflection point where afforestation changes from increasing to decreasing soil C and N, which was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.81–0.91) kg N m−2 in 0–1 m depth. Changes in soil C:N ratios with afforestation were mediated by initial relative abundance of soil C and N and types of mycorrhiza associated with planted trees. Increases in soil C:N were mostly driven by trees with ectomycorrhizal associations but did not change for those associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. These results provide a data‐based understanding on soil C and N dynamics following afforestation and its underlying mechanisms and further highlight the importance of site selection based on initial soil properties in future afforestation.
Pitch Angle Isotropy of Relativistic Electron Microbursts as Observed by SAMPEX/HILT: Statistical and Storm‐Time Properties
Authors: Meyer‐Reed Conrad , Blum Lauren , Shumko Mykhaylo
Published: December 2022

Observations of relativistic electron precipitation events from Earth's inner magnetosphere to the upper atmosphere provide essential information about the source/loss processes and dynamics of Earth's radiation belts. Equatorial electron pitch angle isotropy can be an indicator of electron precipitation into the atmosphere, with isotropic populations resulting in a full bounce loss cone (BLC) and anisotropic populations resulting in an emptier BLC. Here we study electron microbursts, which are ˜100 millisecond duration streams of relativistic electrons thought to be scattered into the BLC by particle‐wave scattering. By measuring the ratios of >1 MeV electron flux across different detector rows in the Heavy Ion Large Telescope (HILT) instrument onboard the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) satellite, we quantify the pitch angle isotropy of an electron population. Applying this calculation to microburst events, we have determined the dependence of microburst pitch angle distributions on burst magnitude, magnetic local time (MLT), L‐Shell, and storm phase. We found that high flux magnitude microbursts are typically highly isotropic, while lower flux magnitude microbursts have varying degrees of anisotropy. Furthermore, microbursts are most isotropic as compared to the background population in the afternoon/evening sector as well as initial and main phases of geomagnetic storms. These results have important implications for microburst scattering mechanisms as well as quantification of precipitation driven by this process.
Loss of tumor suppressor WWOX accelerates pancreatic cancer development through promotion of TGFβ/BMP2 signaling
Authors: Husanie Hussam , Abu-Remaileh Muhannad , Maroun Kian , Abu-Tair Lina , Safadi Hazem , Atlan Karine , Golan Talia , Aqeilan Rami I.
Published: December 2022

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, owing to its late diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy. The tumor suppressor WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), one of the most active fragile sites in the human genome (FRA16D), is commonly altered in pancreatic cancer. However, the direct contribution of WWOX loss to pancreatic cancer development and progression remains largely unknown. Here, we report that combined conditional deletion of Wwox and activation of KRasG12D in Ptf1a-CreER-expressing mice results in accelerated formation of precursor lesions and pancreatic carcinoma. At the molecular level, we found that WWOX physically interacts with SMAD3 and BMP2, which are known activators of the TGF-β signaling pathway. In the absence of WWOX, TGFβ/BMPs signaling was enhanced, leading to increased macrophage infiltration and enhanced cancer stemness. Finally, overexpression of WWOX in patient-derived xenografts led to diminished aggressiveness both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our findings reveal an essential role of WWOX in pancreatic cancer development and progression and underscore its role as a bona fide tumor suppressor.
NF-κB1 p50 stabilizes HIF-1α protein through suppression of ATG7-dependent autophagy
Authors: Zhu Junlan , Huang Shirui , Li Yang , Xu Jiheng , Chen Ruifan , Guo Mengxin , Qian Xiaohui , Li Tengda , Tian Zhongxian , Jin Honglei , Huang Chuanshu
Published: December 2022

The function and underlying mechanisms of p50 in the regulation of protein expression is much less studied because of its lacking of transactivation domain. In this study, we discovered a novel function of p50 in its stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein under the condition of cells exposed to arsenic exposure. In p50-deficient (p50−/−) cells, the HIF-1α protein expression was impaired upon arsenic exposure, and such defect could be rescued by reconstitutional expression of p50. Mechanistic study revealed that the inhibition of autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7)-dependent autophagy was in charge of p50-mediated HIF-1α protein stabilization following arsenic exposure. Moreover, p50 deletion promoted nucleolin (NCL) protein translation to enhance ATG7 mRNA transcription via directly binding transcription factor Sp1 mRNA and increase its stability. We further discovered that p50-mediated miR-494 upregulation gave rise to the inhibition of p50-mediated NCL translation by interacting with its 3’-UTR. These novel findings provide a great insight into the understanding of biomedical significance of p50 protein in arsenite-associated disease development and therapy.
The effect of residual palladium on the performance of organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Griggs Sophie , Marks Adam , Meli Dilara , Rebetez Gonzague , Bardagot Olivier , Paulsen Bryan D. , Chen Hu , Weaver Karrie , Nugraha Mohamad I. , Schafer Emily A. , Tropp Joshua , Aitchison Catherine M. , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Banerji Natalie , Rivnay Jonathan , McCulloch Iain
Published: December 2022

Organic electrochemical transistors are a promising technology for bioelectronic devices, with applications in neuromorphic computing and healthcare. The active component enabling an organic electrochemical transistor is the organic mixed ionic-electronic conductor whose optimization is critical for realizing high-performing devices. In this study, the influence of purity and molecular weight is examined for a p-type polythiophene and an n-type naphthalene diimide-based polymer in improving the performance and safety of organic electrochemical transistors. Our preparative GPC purification reduced the Pd content in the polymers and improved their organic electrochemical transistor mobility by ~60% and 80% for the p- and n-type materials, respectively. These findings demonstrate the paramount importance of removing residual Pd, which was concluded to be more critical than optimization of a polymer’s molecular weight, to improve organic electrochemical transistor performance and that there is readily available improvement in performance and stability of many of the reported organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors.
Prediction of designer-recombinases for DNA editing with generative deep learning
Authors: Schmitt Lukas Theo , Paszkowski-Rogacz Maciej , Jug Florian , Buchholz Frank
Published: December 2022

Site-specific tyrosine-type recombinases are effective tools for genome engineering, with the first engineered variants having demonstrated therapeutic potential. So far, adaptation to new DNA target site selectivity of designer-recombinases has been achieved mostly through iterative cycles of directed molecular evolution. While effective, directed molecular evolution methods are laborious and time consuming. Here we present RecGen (Recombinase Generator), an algorithm for the intelligent generation of designer-recombinases. We gather the sequence information of over one million Cre-like recombinase sequences evolved for 89 different target sites with which we train Conditional Variational Autoencoders for recombinase generation. Experimental validation demonstrates that the algorithm can predict recombinase sequences with activity on novel target-sites, indicating that RecGen is useful to accelerate the development of future designer-recombinases.
PRSS2 remodels the tumor microenvironment via repression of Tsp1 to stimulate tumor growth and progression
Authors: Sui Lufei , Wang Suming , Ganguly Debolina , El Rayes Tyler P. , Askeland Cecilie , Børretzen Astrid , Sim Danielle , Halvorsen Ole Johan , Knutsvik Gøril , Arnes Jarle , Aziz Sura , Haukaas Svein , Foulkes William D. , Bielenberg Diane R. , Ziemys Arturas , Mittal Vivek , Brekken Rolf A. , Akslen Lars A. , Watnick Randolph S.
Published: December 2022

The progression of cancer from localized to metastatic disease is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. The interplay between the tumor and its microenvironment is the key driver in this process of tumor progression. In order for tumors to progress and metastasize they must reprogram the cells that make up the microenvironment to promote tumor growth and suppress endogenous defense systems, such as the immune and inflammatory response. We have previously demonstrated that stimulation of Tsp-1 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) potently inhibits tumor growth and progression. Here, we identify a novel tumor-mediated mechanism that represses the expression of Tsp-1 in the TME via secretion of the serine protease PRSS2. We demonstrate that PRSS2 represses Tsp-1, not via its enzymatic activity, but by binding to low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). These findings describe a hitherto undescribed activity for PRSS2 through binding to LRP1 and represent a potential therapeutic strategy to treat cancer by blocking the PRSS2-mediated repression of Tsp-1. Based on the ability of PRSS2 to reprogram the tumor microenvironment, this discovery could lead to the development of therapeutic agents that are indication agnostic.
Classification and spatial mapping of atmospheric corrosion of China
Authors: Hao Wenkui , Xu Lingling , Chen Xin , Jin Yan , Han Yu , Zhang Xinghui , Chen Yun , Huang Luyao , Yang Bingkun , Zhu Zhixiang , Wang Xiaofang
Published: December 2022

Atmospheric corrosion is ubiquitous in China but varies a lot among different regions covering the cold, temperate, and tropical zones. Categorizing the atmospheric corrosivity and plotting precise atmospheric corrosion map remain key interest for a variety of industries. The present work proposed an atmospheric corrosion map of China for hot-dip galvanized steels, which was constructed by inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation algorithm based on both the measured corrosion rates of coupons exposed at 2393 inland test stations and calculated corrosion rates from a prevalent dose-response function in 2918 sites in coastal regions. When the corrosion category was used as the criterion, the IDW interpolation algorithm of power 2 performed best. Cross-validation results confirmed that the prediction accuracy of IDW interpolation reached 85.6%. Based on the corrosion map, the categories of atmospheric corrosivity in China could be determined.
Lower SARS-CoV-2 household transmission in children and adolescents compared to adults
Authors: Schumm L. , Blankenburg J. , Kahre E. , Armann J. , Dalpke A. H. , Lück C. , Berner R. , Czyborra P.
Published: December 2022

In the COVID-19 pandemic, children were considered to play a major role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission similar to influenza. Thus, mitigation measures have been focused on children, impacting their everyday life severely. Despite this, infectivity in this age group regarding SARS-CoV-2 is not yet clarified. We performed a serology study in households with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection to evaluate virus transmission with focus on children and adolescents. Between January and July 2021, 341 minors and 650 adults from 300 households with a confirmed index case participated in the FamilyCoviDD19-study including serological assessment for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and a questionnaire on demographics, recent and ongoing symptoms, hygiene measures and comorbidities. 45 (16.3%) of all index cases were < 18 years old. Thereof, 55.6% reported COVID-19 associated symptoms, while nearly all adult index cases were symptomatic (94.8%). There was significantly less virus transmission by children and adolescents compared to adult index cases with a secondary attack rate of 0.29 vs. 0.54. With the caveat that the results do not necessarily apply to the Delta and Omicron variants, we conclude that children and adolescents are less susceptible for SARS-CoV-2 infection, more frequently show an asymptomatic course of disease and are less infective than adults.
A cross-sectional, multicenter survey of the prevalence and risk factors for Long COVID
Authors: Imoto Waki , Yamada Koichi , Kawai Ryota , Imai Takumi , Kawamoto Kengo , Uji Masato , Kanda Hidenori , Takada Minoru , Ohno Yoshiteru , Ohtani Hiroshi , Kono Manami , Hikiishi Atsuhito , Eguchi Yosuke , Namikawa Hiroki , Kawaguchi Tomoya , Kakeya Hiroshi
Published: December 2022

Long-term sequelae of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) constitute Long COVID. Although Long COVID has been reported globally, its risk factors and effects on quality of life (QOL) remain unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study using questionnaires and electronic medical records of COVID-19 patients who were diagnosed or hospitalized at five facilities in Japan. Responses were obtained from 285 out of 1,150 patients. More than half of the participants reported Long COVID symptoms of varying severity 1 year after COVID-19. Common sequelae included fatigue, dyspnea, alopecia, concentration problems, memory problems, sleeplessness, and joint pain, which often significantly reduced their QOL. COVID-19 severity was strongly associated with sputum production, chest pain, dyspnea, sore throat, and diarrhea, but not with fatigue, dysgeusia, anosmia, alopecia, and sleeplessness. Fatigue, dysgeusia, anosmia, alopecia, and sleeplessness affected the QOL among participants with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 during the acute phase. Moreover, these sequelae persisted for prolonged periods.
Predicting graft failure in pediatric liver transplantation based on early biomarkers using machine learning models
Authors: Jung Seungho , Park Kyemyung , Ihn Kyong , Kim Seon Ju , Kim Myoung Soo , Chae Dongwoo , Koo Bon-Nyeo
Published: December 2022

The early detection of graft failure in pediatric liver transplantation is crucial for appropriate intervention. Graft failure is associated with numerous perioperative risk factors. This study aimed to develop an individualized predictive model for 90-days graft failure in pediatric liver transplantation using machine learning methods. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study. A total of 87 liver transplantation cases performed in patients aged < 12 years at the Severance Hospital between January 2010 and September 2020 were included as data samples. Preoperative conditions of recipients and donors, intraoperative care, postoperative serial laboratory parameters, and events observed within seven days of surgery were collected as features. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) -based method was used for feature selection to overcome the high dimensionality and collinearity of variables. Among 146 features, four variables were selected as the resultant features, namely, preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, sodium level at the end of surgery, hepatic artery thrombosis, and total bilirubin level on postoperative day 7. These features were selected from different times and represent distinct clinical aspects. The model with logistic regression demonstrated the best prediction performance among various machine learning methods tested (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) = 0.898 and area under the precision–recall curve (AUPR) = 0.882). The risk scoring system developed based on the logistic regression model showed an AUROC of 0.910 and an AUPR of 0.830. Together, the prediction of graft failure in pediatric liver transplantation using the proposed machine learning model exhibited superior discrimination power and, therefore, can provide valuable information to clinicians for their decision making during the postoperative management of the patients.
Fault location of cable hybrid transmission lines based on energy attenuation characteristics of traveling waves
Authors: Huo Wen , Qu Zhenbing , Ao Zirong , Zhang Yongjun , Zhao Erleng , Zhang Chen , Jiang Hao
Published: December 2022

The overhead-cable hybrid transmission lines are alternately connected by two types of lines, with a more complex structure and higher difficulty in fault location. This paper presents an ac-curate fault location method for overhead-cable hybrid lines based on traveling wave energy. Firstly, the basic concept of traveling wave energy is defined. Based on the attenuation charac-teristics of the traveling wave, the mapping relationship between traveling wave energy and fault location is analyzed. Secondly, considering the influence of S-transform error on the traveling wave energy propagation law, the traveling wave energy attenuation characteristics of common A-type and B-type hybrid lines are analyzed. Then, for the overhead-cable hybrid lines with different structures, the mapping relationship between the traveling wave energy at both ends of the line and the fault distance is quantitatively derived, and an accurate fault location method based on the initial traveling wave energy ratio at the same frequency at both ends of the line is proposed. Finally, a 110 kV hybrid transmission line fault simulation model is built in PSCAD/EMTDC, and the faults under different conditions are simulated in different line sections. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method are verified through the simulation.