bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of monthly tidal envelopes in mixed tide regimes
Authors: Byun Do-Seong , Hart Deirdre E. , Kim Sangil , Ha Jeongmin
Published: March 2023

Coastal inundation is increasing globally. Changes in tidal water levels contribute to flood risk alongside rain and sea storm events. Unlike the latter, temporal variations in tides may be predicted and their patterns analyzed many years in advance. This paper explains two novel methods for characterizing monthly scale patterns in tidal water level variation: one simple qualitative method with restricted applicability; and another more complex quantitative method with global applicability to areas characterized by mixed, mainly semidiurnal and mixed, mainly diurnal tide regimes (~ 65% of global oceans). We reveal that in some areas tidal high and low waters are balanced in near symmetrical patterns, while elsewhere tides are skewed towards upper or lower tidal height envelopes. Areas characterized by tidal patterns skewed towards upper envelopes are at heightened risk of extreme event inundations during certain periods each year, event scale risks that will increase with climate changes. Those skewed towards lower tidal envelopes are prone to frequent flooding and are potentially at greater risk of chronic inundation with ongoing mean sea level rise. Our findings and the novel tidal pattern classification approaches offered contribute to understanding the time varying nature of tidal contributions to coastal inundation risks.
Combining bird tracking data with high-resolution thermal mapping to identify microclimate refugia
Authors: Ramos Rita F. , Franco Aldina M. A. , Gilroy James J. , Silva João P.
Published: March 2023

Elevated temperatures can have a range of fitness impacts, including high metabolic cost of thermoregulation, hence access to microclimate refugia may buffer individuals against exposure to high temperatures. However, studies examining the use of microclimate refugia, remain scarce. We combined high resolution microclimate modelling with GPS tracking data as a novel approach to identify the use and availability of cooler microclimate refugia (sites > 0.5 °C cooler than the surrounding landscape) at the scales experienced by individual animals. 77 little bustards (Tetrax tetrax) were tracked between 2009 and 2019. The 92,685 GPS locations obtained and their surrounding 500 m areas were characterised with hourly temperature and habitat information at 30 m × 30 m and used to determine microclimate refugia availability and use. We found that the semi-natural grassland landscapes used by little bustards have limited availability of cooler microclimate areas—fewer than 30% of the locations. The use of cooler microclimate sites by little bustards increased at higher ambient temperatures, suggesting that individuals actively utilise microclimate refugia in extreme heat conditions. Microclimate refugia availability and use were greater in areas with heterogeneous vegetation cover, and in coastal areas. This study identified the landscape characteristics that provide microclimate opportunities and shelter from extreme heat conditions. Little bustards made greater use of microclimate refugia with increasing temperatures, particularly during the breeding season, when individuals are highly site faithful. This information can help identify areas where populations might be particularly exposed to climate extremes due to a lack of microclimate refugia, and which habitat management measures may buffer populations from expected increased exposure to temperature extremes.
Supply chain logistics with quantum and classical annealing algorithms
Authors: Weinberg Sean J. , Sanches Fabio , Ide Takanori , Kamiya Kazumitzu , Correll Randall
Published: March 2023

Noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) hardware is almost universally incompatible with full-scale optimization problems of practical importance which can have many variables and unwieldy objective functions. As a consequence, there is a growing body of literature that tests quantum algorithms on miniaturized versions of problems that arise in an operations research setting. Rather than taking this approach, we investigate a problem of substantial commercial value, multi-truck vehicle routing for supply chain logistics, at the scale used by a corporation in their operations. Such a problem is too complex to be fully embedded on any near-term quantum hardware or simulator; we avoid confronting this challenge by taking a hybrid workflow approach: we iteratively assign routes for trucks by generating a new binary optimization problem instance one truck at a time. Each instance has $$\sim 2500$$

∼
2500

quadratic binary variables, putting it in a range that is feasible for NISQ quantum computing, especially quantum annealing hardware. We test our methods using simulated annealing and the D-Wave Hybrid solver as a place-holder in wait of quantum hardware developments. After feeding the vehicle routes suggested by these runs into a highly realistic classical supply chain simulation, we find excellent performance for the full supply chain. Our work gives a set of techniques that can be adopted in contexts beyond vehicle routing to apply NISQ devices in a hybrid fashion to large-scale problems of commercial interest.
Shortening the sulfur cell cycle by a green approach for bio-production of extracellular metalloid-sulfide nanoparticles
Authors: Asghari-Paskiabi Farnoush , Imani Mohammad , Rafii-Tabar Hashem , Nojoumi Seyed Ali , Razzaghi-Abyaneh Mehdi
Published: March 2023

In the present study, a new approach was introduced regarding the extracellular synthesis of selenium sulfide micro/nano-particles using Saccharomyces cerevisiae in different ammonium sulfate supplementation and in the presence of sodium selenosulfate precursors (S1) and a blend of selenous acid and sodium sulfite (S2). In S1, only cell supernatant exposed to ammonium sulfate was able to reduce sodium selenosulfate. Whereas, in S2, cell supernatant in both pre-conditions of with or without ammonium sulfate (S2 + or S2−) were able to reduce selenous acid and sodium sulfite. Electron microscopy, also indicated that selenium sulfide NPs were successfully synthesized with average size of 288 and 332 nm for S2 + and S2− in SEM and 268 and 305 nm in TEM. Additionally, elemental mapping by energy-dispersive x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of sulfur/selenium elements in the particles in a proportion of 24.50 and 23.31 for S2− and S2 + , respectively. The mass spectrometry indicated the probability of Se2S2, SeS1.1, Se2, Se, SeS5, SeS3, Se3S5/Se5, Se3/SeS5, Se6, Se4/SeS7, Se2.57S5.43/Se2S2 and Se4S/Se2S6 molecules for S2 + and of Se, Se2, Se3S5/Se5, Se6 and Se4 species for S2−. In FTIR spectra, primary (i.e. 1090–1020 and 1650–1580 cm−1) and secondary (1580–1490 cm−1) amine bands duly confirmed the protein corona around the NPs.
The effect of rope jumping training on the dynamic balance ability and hitting stability among adolescent tennis players
Authors: Shi Zuozheng , Xuan Shu , Deng Yue , Zhang Xinru , Chen Long , Xu Binglong , Lin Bing
Published: March 2023

To discuss the effects of 12 weeks of jump rope training on dynamic balance and stroke stability in junior tennis players. Sixteen junior tennis players at CTN7 level were used as subjects and randomly divided equally into ExG and ConG for 12 weeks of training, 3 times a week. The ExG performed Jump Rope training and Special Preparation Activity (JR + SPA), the ConG performed only Special Preparation Activity (SPA) to ensure that the training intensity was basically the same. The Biodex Balance System (BBS) was applied to examine the participants' dynamic balance ability, including the Limits of Stability (LOS) and the Single Leg Stability Test (SLST), the International Tennis Number (ITN) tests ball striking stability. Experimental data were statistically analyzed using independent samples t test, paired samples t test, and repeated measures ANOVA test. We observed significant (P < 0.05) differences in limits of stability (LOS) before and after the test in subjects in the ExG and significant (P < 0.05) differences in ODC, BDC, RDC, FLDC, BLDC, and BRDC metrics in the ExG, and a 2 (group: ExG, ConG) × 2 (time: 0w, 12w) repeated measures ANOVA was performed and found significant (P < 0.05) differences in LDC, RDC, FLDC, BLDC, BRDC, and LOST (S) indexes interacted significantly (P < 0.01) in single-leg stability test (SLST) pre- and post-measures were found in subjects in ExG and in MLSI (L) in ExG (P < 0.05), and 2 (group: ExG, ConG) × 2 (time: 0w, 12w) repeated measures ANOVAs were performed and found that OSI (L), MLSI (L), OSI (R), MLSI (R) interaction on indicators was significant (P < 0.05). The difference in hitting stability between subjects in ExG was significant (P < 0.01) at the pre and post test, while the difference in ConG was significant (P < 0.01) at the pre and post test only on the hitting stability test (depth). 2 (Group: ExG, ConG) × 2 (Time: 0w, 12w) repeated measures ANOVA was performed and found a significant interaction between the two (P < 0.01). We suggest to incorporate Forward double-legged alternating jump rope, Reverse double-legged alternating jump rope, Double-legged alternating cross jump rope, Squatting alternating single-legged jump rope into the regular tennis training course with special techniques, which will help the junior tennis players' dynamic balance ability and hitting stability, and can effectively improve the competitive level of junior tennis players.
A comparative analysis of human and AI performance in forensic estimation of physical attributes
Authors: Barrington Sarah , Farid Hany
Published: March 2023

Human errors in criminal investigations have previously led to devastating miscarriages of justice. For example, flaws in forensic identification based on physical or photographic evidence are notoriously unreliable. The criminal justice system has, therefore, started to turn to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the reliability and fairness of forensic identification. So as not to repeat history, it is critical to evaluate the appropriateness of deploying these new AI forensic tools. We assess the feasibility of measuring basic physical attributes in a photo using a state-of-the-art AI system, and compare performance with human experts and non-experts. Our results raise concerns as to the use of current AI-based forensic identification.
Academic burnout among master and doctoral students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Andrade Diego , Ribeiro Icaro J. S. , Máté Orsolya
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an immense impact on academic life and public health. Graduate students had experienced obligatory curfews and quarantines due to the COVID-19 outbreak directly impacting their mental health and triggering academic burnout. In this cross-sectional study, we address the issue of mental health in graduate students by relating it to the factors associated with burnout syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 519 graduate students from master's and Ph.D./DLA degrees across universities in Hungary and other European countries participated in this study. The Copenhagen burnout inventory student version was used to evaluate burnout syndrome as an outcome. Our findings displayed burnout significantly lower among graduate students who had good sleep quality, receive high levels of support from their university, and were satisfied with how their university dealt with the pandemic. The excessive consumption of alcohol, the use of antidepressants, being single, and thinking about dropping out showed as predictive factors of burnout. The results add to emergent evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and the predicted factors of academic burnout among master and doctoral students.
Prediction of cardiovascular disease risk based on major contributing features
Authors: Peng Mengxiao , Hou Fan , Cheng Zhixiang , Shen Tongtong , Liu Kaixian , Zhao Cai , Zheng Wen
Published: March 2023

The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious health threat to human society worldwide. The use of machine learning methods to predict the risk of CVD is of great relevance to identify high-risk patients and take timely interventions. In this study, we propose the XGBH machine learning model, which is a CVD risk prediction model based on key contributing features. In this paper, the generalisation of the model was enhanced by adding retrospective data of 14,832 Chinese Shanxi CVD patients to the kaggle dataset. The XGBH risk prediction model proposed in this paper was validated to be highly accurate (AUC = 0.81) compared to the baseline risk score (AUC = 0.65), and the accuracy of the model for CVD risk prediction was improved with the inclusion of the conventional biometric BMI variable. To increase the clinical application of the model, a simpler diagnostic model was designed in this paper, which requires only three characteristics from the patient (age, value of systolic blood pressure and whether cholesterol is normal or not) to enable early intervention in the treatment of high-risk patients with a slight reduction in accuracy (AUC = 0.79). Ultimately, a CVD risk score model with few features and high accuracy will be established based on the main contributing features. Of course, further prospective studies, as well as studies with other populations, are needed to assess the actual clinical effectiveness of the XGBH risk prediction model.
Contribution of the leaf and silique photosynthesis to the seeds yield and quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in reproductive stage
Authors: Wang Chunli , Yang Jianli , Chen Wenjie , Zhao Xiaoguang , Wang Zhouli
Published: March 2023

Influences of photosynthesis of leaf and silique on seeds yield and quality of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) were explored in this study. A field comparing experiment with several rapeseed varieties was conducted and the results showed, that the leaf area index (LAI), silique surface area index (SAI), siliques number per plant, and biological yield were statistically classified as the first principal factors which greatly influenced seeds yield, the leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and silique Pn were the second principal factors; the stomatal conductance (Gs) and chlorophyll a (Chl a) content were the first principal factors which influenced leaf Pn and silique Pn. A shading experiment was conducted and the results showed that, under treatments of the ZH1, ZH2, and ZH3 (shading rapeseed plants during flowering stage, during time from initial flowering until seeds ripening, and during time from flowering ending until seeds ripening, respectively), respectively the seeds yield per plant was reduced by 34.6%, 84.3%, and 86.1%, the seed protein content was significantly increased. The treatment ZH1 Not, but the ZH2 and ZH3 caused significant decrease in both seed oil content and oleic acid (C18:1) content in seed oil, and the contents of linoleic acid (C18:2), linolenic acid (C18:3) in oil were significantly increased, gene expression of the ACCase (Acetyl-CoA carboxylase), FAD2 (fatty acid desaturase), and FAD3 (ω-3 fatty acid dehydrogenase) in green seeds was restrained/changed. Thus the LAI, SAI, siliques number per plant, biological yield per plant, leaf Pn, silique Pn, and the Gs, Chl a content of leaf and silique formed an indexes system to be used in screening rapeseed variety with higher light efficiency and seeds yield; the silique photosynthesis inhibition and the photosynthates deficiency in rapeseed plant after flowering stage predominately influenced seeds yield and quality.
MRI-based long-term follow-up of indolent orbital lymphomas after curative radiotherapy: imaging remission criteria and volumetric regression kinetics
Authors: Hoffmann Christian , Mohr Christopher , Johansson Patricia , Eckstein Anja , Huettmann Andreas , von Tresckow Julia , Göricke Sophia , Deuschl Cornelius , Poettgen Christoph , Gauler Thomas , Guberina Nika , Moliavi Sourour , Bechrakis Nikolaos , Stuschke Martin , Guberina Maja
Published: March 2023

We systematically analyzed the kinetics of tumor regression, the impact of residual lesions on disease control and the applicability of the Lugano classification in follow-up MRI of orbital non-Hodgkin lymphomas that were irradiated with photons. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 154 pre- and post-irradiation MRI datasets of 36 patients with low-grade, Ann-Arbor stage I, orbital non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Patients with restricted conjunctival involvement were excluded. Lymphoma lesions were delineated and volumetrically analyzed on T1-weighted sequences. Tumor residues were present in 91.2% of all cases during the first six months after treatment. Volumetric partial response rates (> 50% volume reduction) were 75%, 69.2%, and 50% at 12–24 months, 36–48 months and > 48 months after the end of treatment. The corresponding complete response (CR) rates according to the Lugano classification were 20%, 23.1% and 50%. During a median clinical follow-up of 37 months no significant differences in progression free survival (PFS) rates were observed between the CR and non-CR group (p = 0.915). A residual tumor volume below 20% of the pretreatment volume should be expected at long-term follow-up beyond one year after radiotherapy.
Effect of grassland cutting frequency, species mixture, wilting and fermentation pattern of grass silages on in vitro methane yield
Authors: Weiby Kim Viggo , Krizsan Sophie J. , Dønnem Ingjerd , Østrem Liv , Eknæs Margrete , Steinshamn Håvard
Published: March 2023

Mitigating enteric methane (CH4) emissions is crucial as ruminants account for 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. We hypothesised that less frequent harvesting, use of crops with lower WSC concentration, ensiling at low crop dry matter (DM) and extensive lactic acid fermentation would reduce in vitro CH4 production. Timothy (T), timothy + red clover mixture (T + RC) or perennial ryegrass (RG), cut either two or three times per season, was wilted to 22.5% or 37.5% DM and ensiled with or without formic acid-based additive. Silages were analysed for chemical composition and fermentation products. In vitro CH4 production was measured using an automated gas in vitro system. Methane production was, on average, 2.8 mL/g OM lower in the two-cut system than in the three-cut system (P < 0.001), and 1.9 mL/g OM lower in T than in RG (P < 0.001). Silage DM did not affect CH4 production (P = 0.235), but formic acid increased CH4 production by 1.2 mL/g OM compared to the untreated silage (P = 0.003). In conclusion, less frequent harvesting and extensive silage fermentation reduce in vitro CH4 production, while RG in comparison to T resulted in higher production of CH4.
A realized facilitation cascade mediated by biological soil crusts in a sagebrush steppe community
Authors: Ridenour Wendy M. , Lortie C. J. , Callaway Ragan M.
Published: March 2023

Biological soil crusts can have strong effects on vascular plant communities which have been inferred from short-term germination and early establishment responses. However, biocrusts are often assumed to function as an “organizing principle” in communities because their effects can “cascade” to interactions among crust-associated plant species. We conducted surveys and experiments to explore these cascades and found that biocrusts were positively associated with large patches (> 10 m diameter) of a dominant shrubArtemisia tridentata.At the smaller scale of individual shrubs and the open matrices between shrubs, biocrusts were negatively associated withArtemisia. Juveniles ofArtemisiawere found only in biocrusts in intershrub spaces and never under shrubs or in soil without biocrusts. In two-year field experiments, biocrusts increased the growth ofFestucaand the photosynthetic rates ofArtemisia.Festucaplanted underArtemisiawere also at least twice as large as those planted in open sites without crusts or whereArtemisiawere removed. Thus, biocrusts can facilitate vascular plants over long time periods and can contribute to a “realized” cascade with nested negative and positive interactions for a range of species, but unusual among documented cascades in that it includes only autotrophs.
Appropriate time to radical surgery for colorectal cancer patients complicated with newly onset cerebral infarction: a propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Dou Weidong , Liu Tao , Zheng Hang , Feng Shuo , Wu Yingchao , Wang Xin
Published: March 2023

The purpose of our study was to compare the short-term outcomes of early (within 3 months after stroke) and nonearly (more than 3 months after stroke) radical colorectal cancer surgery to find an appropriate time to surgery for these colorectal cancer patients complicated with new-onset cerebral infarction. A retrospective analysis of patients with stroke who underwent curative colorectal cancer surgery between January 2010 and December 2020 was conducted. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to overcome patient selection bias between the two groups. A total of 395 patients were reviewed. After PSM, 40 patients in the early group and 40 patients in the nonearly group were compared. The median time to surgery was 4 weeks in the early group. The overall incidence of postoperative complications between the groups was not significantly different (p = 0.745). The early group was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (50 vs. 100,p = 0.029 ml), with no difference in 30-day morbidity and mortality. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.049) was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications after matching. Before matching, multivariate logistic analysis showed that ESRS (p = 0.028) and MRS (p = 0.039) were independent risk factors. Radical surgery after 4 weeks of cerebral infarction may be feasible for colorectal cancer patients with new onset stroke, as it appear not to increase the perioperative complications of Clavien–Dindo grade II or higher, while strengthening the preoperative evaluation and perioperative monitoring.
Emergence of Madden-Julian oscillation precipitation and wind amplitude changes in a warming climate
Authors: Bui Hien X. , Li Yi-Xian , Maloney Eric D. , Kim Ji-Eun , Lee Sun-Seon , Yu Jia-Yuh
Published: March 2023

The Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) has profound impacts on weather and climate phenomena, and thus changes in its activity have important implications under human-induced global climate change. Here, the time at which the MJO change signal emerges from natural variability under anthropogenic warming is investigated. Using simulations of the Community Earth System Model version 2 large ensemble forced by the shared socioeconomic pathways SSP370 scenario, an increase in ensemble mean MJO precipitation amplitude and a smaller increase in MJO circulation amplitude occur by the end of the 21st century, consistent with previous studies. Notably, the MJO precipitation amplitude change signal generally emerges more than a decade earlier than that of MJO wind amplitude. MJO amplitude changes also emerge earlier over the eastern Pacific than other parts of the tropics. Our findings provide valuable information on the potential changes of MJO variability with the aim of improving predictions of the MJO and its associated extreme events.
Deep multi-task learning for early warnings of dust events implemented for the Middle East
Authors: Sarafian Ron , Nissenbaum Dori , Raveh-Rubin Shira , Agrawal Vikhyat , Rudich Yinon
Published: March 2023

Events of high dust loading are extreme meteorological phenomena with important climate and health implications. Therefore, early forecasting is critical for mitigating their adverse effects. Dust modeling is a long-standing challenge due to the multiscale nature of the governing meteorological dynamics and the complex coupling between atmospheric particles and the underlying atmospheric flow patterns. While physics-based numerical modeling is commonly being used, we propose a meteorological-based deep multi-task learning approach for forecasting dust events. Our approach consists of forecasting the local PM10 (primary task) measured in situ, and simultaneously to predict the satellite-based regional PM10 (auxiliary task); thus, leveraging valuable information from a correlated task. We use 18 years of regional meteorological data to train a neural forecast model for dust events in Israel. Twenty-four hours before the dust event, the model can detect 76% of the events with even higher predictability of winter and spring events. Further analysis shows that local dynamics drive most misclassified events, meaning that the coherent driving meteorology in the region holds a predictive skill. Further, we use machine-learning interpretability methods to reveal the meteorological patterns the model has learned, thus highlighting the important features that govern dust events in the Middle East, being primarily lower-tropospheric winds, and Aerosol Optical Depth.
Hailstorms and rainstorms versus supercells—a regional analysis of convective storm types in the Alpine region
Authors: Feldmann Monika , Hering Alessandro , Gabella Marco , Berne Alexis
Published: March 2023

The behaviour of severe thunderstorms, particularly supercells, in complex terrain is still poorly understood. Utilising 6 years of radar-, lightning- and radiosounding-based thunderstorm data in the domain of the Swiss radar network, we study different thunderstorm types in separate topographical regions. We classify the storms as ordinary thunderstorms, intense and severe rainstorms, hail and severe hailstorms and supercellular storms. After identifying the overlaps between the storm categories of rainstorms, hailstorms and supercells, the life cycles of several intensity metrics are investigated. This analysis allows the identification of predictors for intensification within severe storm life cycles. One of the most important predictors is the detection of a mesocyclone in a supercell before the onset or intensification of hail. We then divide the radar domain into sub-regions ranging from the Northwestern Po Valley, the Southern Prealps, main Alpine ridge, Northern Prealps, Swiss Plateau and Jura. This regional split separates storms in different terrain complexities. An investigation of the intensity distribution of storms in each region shows a clear intensity decrease over the main Alpine ridge, intermediate values over the moderately complex Prealpine regions and peaks for the flat Po Valley and Swiss Plateau. In contrast, the highest frequency of storms is found in the Prealpine regions on each side, with a lower frequency in the flat areas and a minimum in convective activity over the main Alpine ridge.
More water-soluble brown carbon after the residential “coal-to-gas” conversion measure in urban Beijing
Authors: Yuan Wei , Huang Ru-Jin , Shen Jincan , Wang Kai , Yang Lu , Wang Ting , Gong Yuquan , Cao Wenjuan , Guo Jie , Ni Haiyan , Duan Jing , Hoffmann Thorsten
Published: March 2023

The implementation of air pollution reduction measures has significantly reduced the concentration of atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) in Beijing, among which the “coal-to-gas” conversion measures may play a crucial role. However, the effect of this conversion measure on brown carbon (BrC) is not well known. Here, the chemical composition of BrC in humic-like fraction (HULIS-BrC) and water-insoluble fraction (WI-BrC) were characterized for ambient PM2.5samples collected in Beijing before and after the “coal-to-gas” conversion measure. After the conversion measure, the number of HULIS-BrC compounds increased by ~14%, while the number of WI-BrC compounds decreased by ~8%. The intensity of over 90% of HULIS-BrC compounds also increased after the conversion measure, and correspondingly the O/C ratios of CHO and CHON compounds in HULIS-BrC fraction generally increased with the increase of intensity ratios after/before the conversion measure, indicating that there were more water-soluble highly oxygenated BrC compounds after “coal-to-gas” conversion measure. On the contrary, the intensity of more than 80% of WI-BrC compounds decreased after the conversion measure, and the O/C ratios of CHO and CHON compounds in WI-BrC fraction generally decreased with the decrease of intensity ratios after/before the conversion measure, indicating that after the “coal-to-gas” conversion measure the water-insoluble low oxygenated BrC compounds decreased. This work sheds light on the differences in the chemical composition of BrC between before and after the “coal-to-gas” conversion measure and suggests that future studies on the residential coal combustion BrC and secondary BrC deserve further exploration.
Complex modeling with detailed temporal predictors does not improve health records-based suicide risk prediction
Authors: Shortreed Susan M. , Walker Rod L. , Johnson Eric , Wellman Robert , Cruz Maricela , Ziebell Rebecca , Coley R. Yates , Yaseen Zimri S. , Dharmarajan Sai , Penfold Robert B. , Ahmedani Brian K. , Rossom Rebecca C. , Beck Arne , Boggs Jennifer M. , Simon Greg E.
Published: March 2023

Suicide risk prediction models can identify individuals for targeted intervention. Discussions of transparency, explainability, and transportability in machine learning presume complex prediction models with many variables outperform simpler models. We compared random forest, artificial neural network, and ensemble models with 1500 temporally defined predictors to logistic regression models. Data from 25,800,888 mental health visits made by 3,081,420 individuals in 7 health systems were used to train and evaluate suicidal behavior prediction models. Model performance was compared across several measures. All models performed well (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC]: 0.794–0.858). Ensemble models performed best, but improvements over a regression model with 100 predictors were minimal (AUC improvements: 0.006–0.020). Results are consistent across performance metrics and subgroups defined by race, ethnicity, and sex. Our results suggest simpler parametric models, which are easier to implement as part of routine clinical practice, perform comparably to more complex machine learning methods.
Quantity discrimination in newly hatched zebrafish suggests hardwired numerical abilities
Authors: Lucon-Xiccato Tyrone , Gatto Elia , Fontana Camilla Maria , Bisazza Angelo
Published: March 2023

An intriguing hypothesis to explain the ubiquity of numerical abilities is that all vertebrates are born with hardwired neuronal networks for processing numbers. To date, only studies on human foetuses have clearly supported this hypothesis. Zebrafish hatch 48–72 h after fertilisation with an embryonic nervous system, providing a unique opportunity for investigating this hypothesis. Here, we demonstrated that zebrafish larvae exposed to vertical bars at birth acquired an attraction for bar stimuli and we developed a numerical discrimination task based on this preference. When tested with a series of discriminations of increasing difficulty (1vs.4, 1vs.3, 1vs.2, and 2vs.4 bars), zebrafish larvae reliably selected the greater numerosity. The preference was significant when stimuli were matched for surface area, luminance, density, and convex hull, thereby suggesting a true capacity to process numerical information. Converging results from two phylogenetically distant species suggests that numerical abilities might be a hallmark feature of vertebrates’ brains.
Complex hemolymph circulation patterns in grasshopper wings
Authors: Salcedo Mary K. , Jun Brian H. , Socha John J. , Pierce Naomi E. , Vlachos Pavlos P. , Combes Stacey A.
Published: March 2023

An insect’s living systems—circulation, respiration, and a branching nervous system—extend from the body into the wing. Wing hemolymph circulation is critical for hydrating tissues and supplying nutrients to living systems such as sensory organs across the wing. Despite the critical role of hemolymph circulation in maintaining healthy wing function, wings are often considered “lifeless” cuticle, and flows remain largely unquantified. High-speed fluorescent microscopy and particle tracking of hemolymph in the wings and body of the grasshopper Schistocerca americana revealed dynamic flow in every vein of the fore- and hindwings. The global system forms a circuit, but local flow behavior is complex, exhibiting three distinct types: pulsatile, aperiodic, and “leaky” flow. Thoracic wing hearts pull hemolymph from the wing at slower frequencies than the dorsal vessel; however, the velocity of returning hemolymph (in the hindwing) is faster than in that of the dorsal vessel. To characterize the wing’s internal flow mechanics, we mapped dimensionless flow parameters across the wings, revealing viscous flow regimes. Wings sustain ecologically important insect behaviors such as pollination and migration. Analysis of the wing circulatory system provides a template for future studies investigating the critical hemodynamics necessary to sustaining wing health and insect flight.
Protection against Omicron BA.1/BA.2 severe disease 0–7 months after BNT162b2 booster
Authors: Amir Ofra , Goldberg Yair , Mandel Micha , Bar-On Yinon M. , Bodenheimer Omri , Freedman Laurence , Alroy-Preis Sharon , Ash Nachman , Huppert Amit , Milo Ron
Published: March 2023

Following evidence of waning immunity against both infection and severe disease after 2 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine, Israel began administering a 3rd BNT162b2 dose (booster) in July 2021. Recent studies showed that the 3rd dose provides a much lower protection against infection with the Omicron variant compared to the Delta variant and that this protection wanes quickly. However, there is little evidence regarding the protection of the 3rd dose against Omicron (BA.1/BA.2) severe disease. In this study, we estimate the preservation of immunity from severe disease up to 7 months after receiving the booster dose. We calculate rates of severe SARS-CoV-2 disease between groups of individuals aged 60 and above, comparing those who received two doses at least 4 months previously to those who received the 3rd dose (stratified by the time from vaccination), and to those who received a 4th dose. The analysis shows that protection conferred by the 3rd dose against Omicron severe disease did not wane over a 7-month period. Moreover, a 4th dose further improved protection, with a severe disease rate approximately 3-fold lower than in the 3-dose cohorts.
An Arg/Ala-rich helix in the N-terminal region of M. tuberculosis FtsQ is a potential membrane anchor of the Z-ring
Authors: Smrt Sean T. , Escobar Cristian A. , Dey Souvik , Cross Timothy A. , Zhou Huan-Xiang
Published: March 2023

Mtb infects a quarter of the worldwide population. Most drugs for treating tuberculosis target cell growth and division. With rising drug resistance, it becomes ever more urgent to better understand Mtb cell division. This process begins with the formation of the Z-ring via polymerization of FtsZ and anchoring of the Z-ring to the inner membrane. Here we show that the transmembrane protein FtsQ is a potential membrane anchor of the Mtb Z-ring. In the otherwise disordered cytoplasmic region of FtsQ, a 29-residue, Arg/Ala-rich α-helix is formed that interacts with upstream acidic residues in solution and with acidic lipids at the membrane surface. This helix also binds to the GTPase domain of FtsZ, with implications for drug binding and Z-ring formation.
DNA origami presenting the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 elicit robust protective immune response
Authors: Oktay Esra , Alem Farhang , Hernandez Keziah , Girgis Michael , Green Christopher , Mathur Divita , Medintz Igor L. , Narayanan Aarthi , Veneziano Remi
Published: March 2023

Effective and safe vaccines are invaluable tools in the arsenal to fight infectious diseases. The rapid spreading of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted the need to develop methods for rapid and efficient vaccine development. DNA origami nanoparticles (DNA-NPs) presenting multiple antigens in prescribed nanoscale patterns have recently emerged as a safe, efficient, and easily scalable alternative for rational design of vaccines. Here, we are leveraging the unique properties of these DNA-NPs and demonstrate that precisely patterning ten copies of a reconstituted trimer of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 along with CpG adjuvants on the DNA-NPs is able to elicit a robust protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in a mouse model. Our results demonstrate the potential of our DNA-NP-based approach for developing safe and effective nanovaccines against infectious diseases with prolonged antibody response and effective protection in the context of a viral challenge.
Recordings in an integrating central neuron reveal the mode of action of isoeugenol
Authors: Machnik Peter , Biazar Nastaran , Schuster Stefan
Published: March 2023

Although isoeugenol is one of the most widely used anesthetics in fish, its actual mode of action and thus its applicability for particular interventions is poorly understood. Here we determined effects of isoeugenol on various aspects of sensory and neural function, taking advantage of intracellular in vivo recordings in a uniquely suited identified neuron, the Mauthner neuron in the brain of goldfish. We show that isoeugenol strongly affects hearing and vision, but sensitivity and time course of action differed largely in these two senses. The action potential, chemical and electric synaptic transmission at the central neuron were not affected at low but efficient anesthesia. Effects seen at high concentration thereby do not support current views of how isoeugenol might act on central neurons. We show that isoeugenol is highly useful to anesthetize fish for handling, but that in more severe treatment its application needs to be carefully adapted to task.
Integrated-gut-liver-on-a-chip platform as an in vitro human model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Yang Jiandong , Hirai Yoshikazu , Iida Kei , Ito Shinji , Trumm Marika , Terada Shiho , Sakai Risako , Tsuchiya Toshiyuki , Tabata Osamu , Kamei Ken-ichiro
Published: March 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) afflicts a significant percentage of the population; however, no effective treatments have yet been established because of the unsuitability of in vitro assays and animal experimental models. Here, we present an integrated-gut-liver-on-a-chip (iGLC) platform as an in vitro human model of the gut-liver axis (GLA) by co-culturing human gut and liver cell lines interconnected via microfluidics in a closed circulation loop, for the initiation and progression of NAFLD by treatment with free fatty acids (FFAs) for 1 and 7 days, respectively. Co-cultured Caco-2 gut-mimicking cells and HepG2 hepatocyte-like cells demonstrate the protective effects from apoptosis against FFAs treatment, whereas mono-cultured cells exhibit induced apoptosis. Phenotype and gene expression analyses reveal that the FFAs-treated gut and liver cells accumulated intracellular lipid droplets and show an increase in gene expression associated with a cellular response to copper ions and endoplasmic reticulum stress. As an in vitro human GLA model, the iGLC platform may serve as an alternative to animal experiments for investigating the mechanisms of NAFLD.
Heavy metal concentrations in rice that meet safety standards can still pose a risk to human health
Authors: Wei Renhao , Chen Chang , Kou Meng , Liu Zhaoyang , Wang Zhen , Cai Junxiong , Tan Wenfeng
Published: March 2023

Long-term consumption of rice containing heavy metal(loid)s poses significant risks to public health, which can be scientifically evaluated through food safety assessment. However, spatial variability and uncertainty in exposure parameters are generally neglected in existing food safety assessment standards. This study focused on rice consumption in 32 provinces of China, and extracted 3376 data points of five heavy metal(loid)s (cadmium, arsenic, mercury, lead, and chromium) and two nutrient elements (copper and zinc) from 408 articles. Probability and fuzzy methods were integrated to cope with the spatial variability or uncertainty and more accurately evaluate the risk. The results demonstrated that long-term consumption of rice that meets the national food safety standards still can cause non-negligible health risks, particularly for children and toddlers with chronical exposure. Arsenic and Cd were found to be the most critical elements, which contribute to 64.57% and 22.38% of the overall human health risk, respectively. Fuzzy assessment indicated that the score in northern China is approximately eight folds of that in southern China, indicating that northern rice has lower risks and better nutrition. Our results demonstrate that the food safety standards need to be tailored according to local conditions with more specific receptor parameters and risk acceptance.
Increasing crop rotational diversity can enhance cereal yields
Authors: Smith Monique E. , Vico Giulia , Costa Alessio , Bowles Timothy , Gaudin Amélie C. M. , Hallin Sara , Watson Christine A. , Alarcòn Remedios , Berti Antonio , Blecharczyk Andrzej , Calderon Francisco J. , Culman Steve , Deen William , Drury Craig F. , Garcia Axel Garcia y. , García-Díaz Andrés , Plaza Eva Hernández , Jonczyk Krzysztof , Jäck Ortrud , Lehman R. Michael , Montemurro Francesco , Morari Francesco , Onofri Andrea , Osborne Shannon L. , Pasamón José Luis Tenorio , Sandström Boël , Santín-Montanyá Inés , Sawinska Zuzanna , Schmer Marty R. , Stalenga Jaroslaw , Strock Jeffrey , Tei Francesco , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Ventrella Domenico , Walker Robin L. , Bommarco Riccardo
Published: March 2023

Diversifying agriculture by rotating a greater number of crop species in sequence is a promising practice to reduce negative impacts of crop production on the environment and maintain yields. However, it is unclear to what extent cereal yields change with crop rotation diversity and external nitrogen fertilization level over time, and which functional groups of crops provide the most yield benefit. Here, using grain yield data of small grain cereals and maize from 32 long-term (10–63 years) experiments across Europe and North America, we show that crop rotational diversity, measured as crop species diversity and functional richness, enhanced grain yields. This yield benefit increased over time. Only the yields of winter-sown small grain cereals showed a decline at the highest level of species diversity. Diversification was beneficial to all cereals with a low external nitrogen input, particularly maize, enabling a lower dependence on nitrogen fertilisers and ultimately reducing greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen pollution. The results suggest that increasing crop functional richness rather than species diversity can be a strategy for supporting grain yields across many environments.
State-dependence of Cenozoic thermal extremes
Authors: Cael B. B. , Goodwin Philip
Published: March 2023

Oxygen isotopes in sediments reflect Earth’s past temperature, revealing a cooling over the Cenozoic punctuated by multimillenial thermal extreme events. The magnitude of these extremes and their dependency on baseline climate state is not clearly understood. Here we use global records of deep sea foraminiferal δ18O as a proxy for atmospheric temperature over the Cenezoic and investigate how closely the generalised extreme value distribution matches δ18O block maxima. We find that the distribution of these extremes is captured well by the generalized extreme value distribution. In addition, the distribution of extremes’ shape changes with baseline temperature such that large thermal extremes are more likely in warmer climates. We therefore suggest that anthropogenic warming has the potential to return the baseline climate state to one where large thermal extremes are more likely.
Full-scale scaffold model of the human hippocampus CA1 area
Authors: Gandolfi Daniela , Mapelli Jonathan , Solinas Sergio M. G. , Triebkorn Paul , D’Angelo Egidio , Jirsa Viktor , Migliore Michele
Published: March 2023

The increasing availability of quantitative data on the human brain is opening new avenues to study neural function and dysfunction, thus bringing us closer and closer to the implementation of digital twin applications for personalized medicine. Here we provide a resource to the neuroscience community: a computational method to generate full-scale scaffold model of human brain regions starting from microscopy images. We have benchmarked the method to reconstruct the CA1 region of a right human hippocampus, which accounts for about half of the entire right hippocampal formation. Together with 3D soma positioning we provide a connectivity matrix generated using a morpho-anatomical connection strategy based on axonal and dendritic probability density functions accounting for morphological properties of hippocampal neurons. The data and algorithms are supplied in a ready-to-use format, suited to implement computational models at different scales and detail.
Expedited synthesis of α-amino acids by single-step enantioselective α-amination of carboxylic acids
Authors: Ye Chen-Xi , Dansby Drew R. , Chen Shuming , Meggers Eric
Published: March 2023

The conversion of C‒H bonds to C‒N bonds offers a sustainable and economical strategy for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. However, challenges regarding the control of regio- and stereoselectivity currently limit the broad applicability of intermolecular C(sp3)‒H amination reactions. We address these restrictions by directed nitrene-mediated C‒H insertion using a metal-coordinating functional group. We report a highly stereocontrolled, iron-catalysed direct α-amination of abundant carboxylic acid feedstock molecules. The method provides in a single step high-value N-Boc-protected α-monosubstituted and α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids, which can then be immediately used for applications including solution- and solid-phase peptide synthesis. This method fulfils important aspects of sustainability by being highly step efficient and utilizing non-toxic, Earth-abundant iron as the catalytic metal.
Bioadhesive and electroactive hydrogels for flexible bioelectronics and supercapacitors enabled by a redox-active core–shell PEDOT@PZIF-71 system
Authors: Gan Donglin , Huang Ziqiang , Wang Xiao , Xu Dejia , Rao Shuquan , Wang Kefeng , Ren Fuzeng , Jiang Lili , Xie Chaoming , Lu Xiong
Published: March 2023

Core–shell PEDOT@PZIF-71 nanoparticles as conductive nanofillers were homogeneously incorporated into a hydrophilic network to form conductive hydrogels for bio-electronics and bio-capacitors.
Automated analysis of transmission electron micrographs of metallic nanoparticles by machine learning
Authors: Gumbiowski Nina , Loza Kateryna , Heggen Marc , Epple Matthias
Published: March 2023

The identification and quantitative analyses of nanoparticles from TEM images was performed with a deep-learning approach. It also is applicable to comparatively noisy HRTEM images of ultrasmall nanoparticles (2 nm).
Continuous process of cellulose dissolution and transesterification reaction catalysed by ionic liquid in twin screw extruder
Authors: Milotskyi Romain , Sharma Gyanendra , Fujie Tetsuo , Hirose Daisuke , Wada Naoki , Takahashi Kenji
Published: March 2023

More energy efficient and greener processes are needed today in chemical engineering.
Primary graphitization of multi-functional dihydropyridine, a novel method for reconstructing a TiO2 surface to obtain high photocatalytic activity for hydrogen peroxide synthesis
Authors: Li Suyan , Hu Xiaoyu , Li Yubo , Wang Meiying , Chen Yu , Mu Manman , Zhang Lijun
Published: March 2023

A highly active titania surface was constructed by the in situ graphitization of a multifunctional dihydropyridine. An outstanding H2O2 production of 10.22 mmol (h g)−1 and a solar energy conversion efficiency of 2.18% were obtained.
Charge shielding effects of PEG bound to NH2-terminated PAMAM dendrimers – an experimental approach
Authors: Johnston Brandon M. , Grodzinsky Alan J. , Hammond Paula T.
Published: March 2023

An experimental technique to probe intramolecular interactions of PEG–PAMAM conjugates and surface charge presentation. Increasing PEG chain length increases non-covalent shielding, but increasing chain density decreases PEG surface association.