bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
More Mobile Connectedness, Less Well-Being?
Authors: Wu-Ouyang Biying
Published: September 2023

Abstract: The rise of mobile technology and social media has created a fragmented and interconnected social media landscape. Drawing from the concept of polymedia and media repertoire, this study paints social media as an integrated environment and introduces the concept of multiplatform mobile connectedness (MMC) as a representation of an individual’s curative social media repertoire, shaped by meanings attributed to each mobile media platform. By examining its relationship with negative well-being, this study contributes to the debate on the displacement or reinforcement hypothesis of mobile media in an integrated environment. Focusing on emerging adulthoods in China, this study reveals that MMC is associated with higher negative well-being through fear of missing out (FoMO) and leisure boredom. This finding offers a new perspective from MMC on the impact of mobile media on well-being.
Rapid Detection of Co‐Seismic Ionospheric Disturbances Associated With the 2015 Illapel, the 2014 Iquique and the 2011 Sanriku‐Oki Earthquakes
Authors: Sanchez S. A. , Kherani E. A. , Astafyeva E. , de Paula E. R.
Published: September 2023

Co‐seismic Ionospheric disturbances (CID, or “ionoquakes”) are disturbances in the electron density or total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere, produced by the ground motion due to earthquakes. Usually, ionoquakes are detected in the near‐epicentral region within 8–10 min after an earthquake onset time. In this work, we present a new methodology that allows to estimate the CID arrival time based on determining the CID peak time in TEC measurements with respect to the peak time of seismic waves registered by the nearest seismic station. Our methodology also allows to understand the altitude of GNSS detection that otherwise remains ambiguous. We apply the newly developed techniques to detect CID signatures associated with three large earthquakes: the 2015 Illapel, the 2014 Iquique, and the 2011 Sanriku‐Oki. We show that for these events, the CID arrive 250–430 s after the time of the seismic wave peak, or 350–700 s after the earthquake onset time. Our analysis show that the first CID are detected at the altitudes of 150–180 km (the Sanriku earthquake) and of 200–300 km (the Illapel and the Iquique earthquakes). The disturbances represent high‐frequency acoustic oscillations that propagate with a horizontal speed faster than 0.75 km/s.
Upper Bounds of Maximum Land Surface Temperatures in a Warming Climate and Limits to Plant Growth
Authors: Aminzadeh Milad , Or Dani , Stevens Bjorn , AghaKouchak Amir , Shokri Nima
Published: September 2023

Extremely high land surface temperatures affect soil ecological processes, alter land‐atmosphere interactions, and may limit some forms of life. Extreme surface temperature hotspots are presently identified using satellite observations or deduced from complex Earth system models. We introduce a simple, yet physically based analytical approach that incorporates salient land characteristics and atmospheric conditions to globally identify locations of extreme surface temperatures and their upper bounds. We then provide a predictive tool for delineating the spatial extent of land hotspots at the limits to biological adaptability. The model is in good agreement with satellite observations showing that temperature hotspots are associated with high radiation and low wind speed and occur primarily in Middle East and North Africa, with maximum temperatures exceeding 85°C during the study period from 2005 to 2020. We observed an increasing trend in maximum surface temperatures at a rate of 0.17°C/decade. The model allows quantifying how upper bounds of extreme temperatures can increase in a warming climate in the future for which we do not have satellite observations and offers new insights on potential impacts of future warming on limits to plant growth and biological adaptability.
Estimating Permafrost Distribution Using Co‐Located Temperature and Electrical Resistivity Measurements
Authors: Uhlemann S. , Shirley I. , Wielandt S. , Ulrich C. , Wang C. , Fiolleau S. , Peterson J. , Lamb J. , Thaler E. , Rowland J. , Hubbard S. S. , Dafflon B.
Published: September 2023

Assessing the lateral and vertical extent of permafrost is critical to understanding the fate of Arctic ecosystems under climate change. Yet, direct measurements of permafrost distribution and temperature are often limited to a small number of borehole locations. Here, we assess the use of co‐located shallow temperature and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) measurements to estimate at high‐resolution the distribution of permafrost in three watersheds underlain by discontinuous permafrost. Synthetic modeling shows that co‐located temperature and ERT measurements allow for supervised classification schemes that provide 60% higher accuracy compared to unsupervised methods. Linking resistivity and size of the identified permafrost bodies to surface observations, we show that tall vegetation (>0.5 m) and gentle slopes (<15°) are related to warmer and smaller permafrost bodies, and a more frequent occurrence of taliks.
Observed Loss of Polar Mesospheric Ozone Following Substorm‐Driven Electron Precipitation
Authors: Chapman‐Smith Keeta , Seppälä Annika , Rodger Craig J. , Hendy Aaron , Forsyth Colin
Published: September 2023

Several drivers cause precipitation of energetic electrons into the atmosphere. While some of these drivers are accounted for in proxies of energetic electron precipitation (EEP) used in atmosphere and climate models, it is unclear to what extent the proxies capture substorm‐induced EEP. The energies of these electrons allow them to reach altitudes between 55 and 95 km. EEP‐driven enhanced ionization is known to result in production of HOx and NOx, which catalytically destroy ozone. Substorm‐driven ozone loss has previously been simulated, but has not been observed before. We use mesospheric ozone observations from the Microwave Limb Sounder and Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars instruments, to investigate the loss of ozone during substorms. Following substorm onset, we find reductions of polar mesospheric (∼76 km) ozone by up to 21% on average. This is the first observational evidence demonstrating the importance of substorms on the ozone balance within the polar atmosphere.
Effect of Baseline Period on Quantification of Climate Extremes Over the United States
Authors: Thomas Natalie P. , Marquardt Collow Allison B. , Bosilovich Michael G. , Dezfuli Amin
Published: September 2023

Extreme climate events are societally harmful and have increased in frequency and intensity in recent decades. Indices based on temperature and precipitation are a valuable way to quantify climate extremes. Certain indices are defined relative to percentiles, which are dependent on a climatological baseline period. In this study, indices computed using temperature and precipitation from the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 are calculated using percentiles from three baseline periods: 1981–2010, 1991–2020 and 1981–2020. Updating the baseline period from 1981 to 2010 to 1991–2020 leads to significant changes in the quantification of temperature and precipitation extremes over the United States over 1980–2021. Using the later baseline period indicates more cold extremes, fewer warm extremes, and fewer but more intense precipitation extremes throughout the US, with regional variation. Changing the baseline period can mislead the public and decision makers, potentially undermining the appropriate response to climate‐related health risks.
Solar Cycle Precursors and the Outlook for Cycle 25
Authors: Upton L. A. , Hathaway D. H.
Published: September 2023

Sunspot Cycle 25 over 3 years past the cycle minimum of December 2019. At this point, curve‐fitting becomes reliable and consistently indicates a maximum sunspot number of 135 ± 10—slightly larger than Cycle 24's maximum of 116.4, but well below the Cycles 1–24 average of 179 (ranging from 81 for Cycle 6 to 285 for Cycle 19). A geomagnetic precursor, the minimum in the aa‐index, and the Sun's magnetic precursors, the polar field strength and axial dipole moment at the time of minimum, are often used to predict the amplitude of the cycle at (or before) the onset of the cycle. We examine Cycle 25 predictions produced by these precursors. The geomagnetic precursor indicated a Cycle 25 slightly stronger than Cycle 24, with a maximum of 132 ± 8. The Sun's magnetic precursors indicated that Cycle 25 would be similar to Cycle 24, with a maximum sunspot number of 120 ± 10 or 114 ± 15. Combining the curve‐fitting results with the precursor predictions, we conclude that Cycle 25 will have a maximum smoothed sunspot number of 134 ± 8 with maximum occurring late in the fall of 2024. Models for predicting the Sun's magnetic field ahead of minimum, were generally successful at predicting the polar precursors years in advance. The fact that Sun's magnetic precursors at cycle minimum were successfully predicted years before minimum and that the precursors are consistent with the size of Cycle 25 suggests that we can now more reliably predict the solar cycle.
A Comparison of Multiple Approaches to Study the Modulation of Ocean Waves Due To Climate Variability
Authors: Liu Jin , Meucci Alberto , Young Ian R.
Published: September 2023

Using multiple approaches, the modulation of climate variability on global ocean waves from 1981 to 2020 is investigated based on a wave hindcast model forced by ERA5 winds. These climate variabilities include El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Antarctic Oscillation (AAO), Arctic Oscillation (AO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and Indian Ocean Dipole. Linear regression and composite analysis results indicate that El Niño‐induced low‐pressure systems in December–February (DJF) generate energetic waves in the Pacific Ocean. Positive AAO events are associated with the southward movement of westerlies in the Southern Hemisphere and thus produce long‐period Southern Ocean swell that impacts the South Pacific Ocean. In the Northern Hemisphere, positive AO is associated with strengthening winds which generate larger waves around the Icelandic region. An empirical orthogonal function approach was further undertaken to study interannual variability of significant wave height (Hs) anomalies. In DJF, mode 1 marks the impacts of ENSO and PDO in the Pacific Ocean and AO in the North Atlantic Ocean. Mode 2 is controlled by AO, which is characterized by a dipole pattern in the North Atlantic Ocean. Mode 3 describes the AAO footprints in the Southern Ocean and the eastern Pacific Ocean. In June–August, the leading mode is influenced by AAO and AMO. Mode 2 indicates the importance of ENSO and PDO which exhibit opposite patterns in the Pacific Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. Finally, a wavelet coherence analysis is conducted on the principal components and climate indexes, which shows their respective evolutions over the time–frequency domain.
Epidemiology and healthcare utilization of First Nations peoples living with spinal cord injury in Alberta: an observational study to explore health inequities
Authors: Wegenast Brett F. , Whitten Tara A. , Bakal Jeffrey A. , Bill Lea , Loyola-Sanchez Adalberto
Published: September 2023

Study design

Retrospective observational cohort study.

Objectives

Estimate spinal cord injury (SCI) prevalence in First Nations and non-First Nations populations and compare healthcare utilization as an indirect marker of health inequities.

Setting

Alberta, Canada.

Methods

We created a prevalent adult SCI cohort by identifying cases between April 1, 2002 and December 31, 2017 who were followed for common SCI complications and location of healthcare access from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 using administrative data sources housed within Alberta Health Services (AHS). First Nations and non-First Nations SCI cohorts were divided into SCI etiology: traumatic SCI (TSCI) and non-traumatic SCI (NTSCI). Statistical analyses compared prevalence, demographics, healthcare utilization, and SCI complication rates. A secondary analysis was performed using case matching for demographics, injury type, injury level, and comorbidities.

Results

TSCI prevalence: 248 and 117 per 100,000 in First Nations and non-First Nations cohorts, respectively. NTSCI prevalence: 74 and 50 per 100,000 in First Nations and non-First Nations cohorts, respectively. Visit rates were higher in the TSCI First Nations cohort for visits to General Practitioner (GP), Emergency Department (ED), inpatient visits, and inpatient days with higher complication rates due to pulmonary, genitourinary, skin, and ‘other’ causes after case matching. Visits rates were higher in the NTSCI First Nations cohort for GP and specialists without differences in complication types after case matching.

Conclusions

Significant differences exist between First Nations and non-First Nations cohorts living with SCI in Alberta, suggesting healthcare inequities against First Nations Peoples in this province.
Training-induced circuit-specific excitatory synaptogenesis in mice is required for effort control
Authors: Ulloa Severino Francesco Paolo , Lawal Oluwadamilola O. , Sakers Kristina , Wang Shiyi , Kim Namsoo , Friedman Alexander David , Johnson Sarah Anne , Sriworarat Chaichontat , Hughes Ryan H. , Soderling Scott H. , Kim Il Hwan , Yin Henry H. , Eroglu Cagla
Published: September 2023

Synaptogenesis is essential for circuit development; however, it is unknown whether it is critical for the establishment and performance of goal-directed voluntary behaviors. Here, we show that operant conditioning via lever-press for food reward training in mice induces excitatory synapse formation onto a subset of anterior cingulate cortex neurons projecting to the dorsomedial striatum (ACC→DMS). Training-induced synaptogenesis is controlled by the Gabapentin/Thrombospondin receptor α2δ−1, which is an essential neuronal protein for proper intracortical excitatory synaptogenesis. Using germline and conditional knockout mice, we found that deletion of α2δ−1 in the adult ACC→DMS circuit diminishes training-induced excitatory synaptogenesis. Surprisingly, this manipulation does not impact learning but results in a significant increase in effort exertion without affecting sensitivity to reward value or changing contingencies. Bidirectional optogenetic manipulation of ACC→DMS neurons rescues or phenocopies the behaviors of the α2δ−1 cKO mice, highlighting the importance of synaptogenesis within this cortico-striatal circuit in regulating effort exertion.
Cold-programmed shape-morphing structures based on grayscale digital light processing 4D printing
Authors: Yue Liang , Sun Xiaohao , Yu Luxia , Li Mingzhe , Montgomery S. Macrae , Song Yuyang , Nomura Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Masato , Qi H. Jerry
Published: September 2023

Shape-morphing structures that can reconfigure their shape to adapt to diverse tasks are highly desirable for intelligent machines in many interdisciplinary fields. Shape memory polymers are one of the most widely used stimuli-responsive materials, especially in 3D/4D printing, for fabricating shape-morphing systems. They typically go through a hot-programming step to obtain the shape-morphing capability, which possesses limited freedom of reconfigurability. Cold-programming, which directly deforms the structure into a temporary shape without increasing the temperature, is simple and more versatile but has stringent requirements on material properties. Here, we introduce grayscale digital light processing (g-DLP) based 3D printing as a simple and effective platform for fabricating shape-morphing structures with cold-programming capabilities. With the multimaterial-like printing capability of g-DLP, we develop heterogeneous hinge modules that can be cold-programmed by simply stretching at room temperature. Different configurations can be encoded during 3D printing with the variable distribution and direction of the modular-designed hinges. The hinge module allows controllable independent morphing enabled by cold programming. By leveraging the multimaterial-like printing capability, multi-shape morphing structures are presented. The g-DLP printing with cold-programming morphing strategy demonstrates enormous potential in the design and fabrication of shape-morphing structures.
Real-world ANASTASE study of atezolizumab+nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment of PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Fabi Alessandra , Carbognin Luisa , Botticelli Andrea , Paris Ida , Fuso Paola , Savastano Maria Cristina , La Verde Nicla , Strina Carla , Pedersini Rebecca , Guarino Stefania , Curigliano Giuseppe , Criscitiello Carmen , Raffaele Mimma , Beano Alessandra , Franco Antonio , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Verderame Francesco , Fontana Andrea , Haspinger Eva Regina , Caldara Alessia , Di Leone Alba , Tortora Giampaolo , Giannarelli Diana , Scambia Giovanni
Published: September 2023

The combination of atezolizumab and nab-paclitaxel is recommended in the EU as first-line treatment for PD-L1-positive metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), based on the results of phase III IMpassion130 trial. However, ‘real-world’ data on this combination are limited. The ANASTASE study (NCT05609903) collected data on atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel in PD-L1-positive mTNBC patients enrolled in the Italian Compassionate Use Program. A retrospective analysis was conducted in 29 Italian oncology centers among patients who completed at least one cycle of treatment. Data from 52 patients were gathered. Among them, 21.1% presented de novo stage IV; 78.8% previously received (neo)adjuvant treatment; 55.8% patients had only one site of metastasis; median number of treatment cycles was five (IQR: 3–8); objective response rate was 42.3% (95% CI: 28.9–55.7%). The median time-to-treatment discontinuation was 5 months (95% CI: 2.8–7.1); clinical benefit at 12 months was 45.8%. The median duration of response was 12.7 months (95% CI: 4.1–21.4). At a median follow-up of 20 months, the median progression-free survival was 6.3 months (95% CI: 3.9–8.7) and the median time to next treatment or death was 8.1 months (95% CI: 5.5–10.7). At 12 months and 24 months, the overall survival rates were 66.3% and 49.1%, respectively. The most common immune-related adverse events included rash (23.1%), hepatitis (11.5%), thyroiditis (11.5%) and pneumonia (9.6%). Within the ANASTASE study, patients with PD-L1-positive mTNBC treated with first-line atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel achieved PFS and ORR similar to those reported in the IMpassion130 study, with no unexpected adverse events.
Structural variation of the coding and non-coding human pharmacogenome
Authors: Tremmel Roman , Zhou Yitian , Schwab Matthias , Lauschke Volker M.
Published: September 2023

Genetic variants in drug targets and genes encoding factors involved in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) can have pronounced impacts on drug pharmacokinetics, response, and toxicity. While the landscape of genetic variability at the level of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) has been extensively studied in these pharmacogenetic loci, their structural variation is only poorly understood. Thus, we systematically analyzed the genetic structural variability across 908 pharmacogenes (344 ADME genes and 564 drug targets) based on publicly available whole genome sequencing data from 10,847 unrelated individuals. Overall, we extracted 14,984 distinct structural variants (SVs) ranging in size from 50 bp to 106 Mb. Each individual harbored on average 10.3 and 1.5 SVs with putative functional effects that affected the coding regions of ADME genes and drug targets, respectively. In addition, by cross-referencing pharmacogenomic SVs with experimentally determined binding data of 224 transcription factors across 130 cell types, we identified 1276 non-coding SVs that overlapped with gene regulatory elements. Based on these data, we estimate that non-coding structural variants account for 22% of the genetically encoded pharmacogenomic variability. Combined, these analyses provide the first comprehensive map of structural variability across pharmacogenes, derive estimates for the functional impact of non-coding SVs and incentivize the incorporation of structural genomic data into personalized drug response predictions.
Addressing gaps in data on drinking water quality through data integration and machine learning: evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Ambel Alemayehu A. , Bain Robert , Degefu Tefera Bekele , Donmez Ayca , Johnston Richard , Slaymaker Tom
Published: September 2023

Monitoring access to safely managed drinking water services requires information on water quality. An increasing number of countries have integrated water quality testing in household surveys however it is not anticipated that such tests will be included in all future surveys. Using water testing data from the 2016 Ethiopia Socio-Economic Survey (ESS) we developed predictive models to identify households using contaminated (≥1 E. coli per 100 mL) drinking water sources based on common machine learning classification algorithms. These models were then applied to the 2013–2014 and 2018–2019 waves of the ESS that did not include water testing. The highest performing model achieved good accuracy (88.5%; 95% CI 86.3%, 90.6%) and discrimination (AUC 0.91; 95% CI 0.89, 0.94). The use of demographic, socioeconomic, and geospatial variables provided comparable results to that of the full features model whereas a model based exclusively on water source type performed poorly. Drinking water quality at the point of collection can be predicted from demographic, socioeconomic, and geospatial variables that are often available in household surveys.
Four-dimensional ultrasound guided embryo transfers improve live birth rates when compared to the clinical touch technique: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Nancarrow L. , Tempest Nicola , Lane S. , Homburg R. , Russell R. , Hapangama D. K.
Published: September 2023

Most aspects of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) have changed dramatically since introduction, but embryo transfer (ET) technique remains largely unaltered. We aimed to determine whether four-dimensional ultrasound guided embryo transfers (4D UGET) could improve pregnancy rates when compared with clinical touch technique (CTT). This was a single centre open labelled randomised controlled trial in a tertiary fertility centre in the UK. 320 women were randomised on the day of single ET. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), secondary outcomes included live birth rate (LBR), biochemical pregnancy rate (BPR), miscarriage, pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) and ectopic pregnancy. 4D-UGET resulted in significantly higher CPR [50% vs 36% p = 0.02, OR 1.78 (1.12–2.84)] and LBR [41% vs 28%, p = 0.02, OR 1.77 (1.09–2.87)] when compared to CTT technique. Miscarriage (p = 0.49), PUL (p = 0.14) and ectopic pregnancy (p = 0.96) were similar between the two groups. LBR, from this trial, are significantly higher than the current UK average (41% vs 24%). 4D UGET allows for superior imaging of the uterine cavity, whilst tailoring the embryo deposition point specifically to the patient. Further RCTs are required to determine if these results can be replicated in other units and whether 4D UGET is superior to 2D UGET.
The synergistic effect of EMT regulators and m6A modification on prognosis-related immunological signatures for ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Yanna , Wang Xun , Duan Xiaogang , Du Ting , Chen Xiancheng
Published: September 2023

Recently, there has been growing interest among researchers in exploring the effects of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) or N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification regulators on tumor development. However, the synergistic efficiency of these regulators in relation to ovarian cancer development remains unclear. This study aims to explore the transcription patterns of main regulators, including 19 EMT and 22 m6A, in ovarian cancer samples from TCGA datasets and normal samples from GTEx datasets. After conducting a LASSO regression analysis, ten prognostic signatures were identified, namely KIAA1429, WTAP, SNAI1, AXL, IGF2BP1, ELAVL1, CBLL1, CDH2, NANOG and ALKBH5. These signatures were found to have a comprehensive effect on immune infiltrating signatures and the final prognostic outcome. Next, utilizing the ssGSEA algorithm and conducting overall survival analyses, we have identified the key prognosis-related immunological signatures in ovarian cancer to be ALKBH5, WTAP, ELAVL1, and CDH2 as the regulators. The characteristic immune response and related genetic expression have revealed a significant correlation between the alteration of m6A regulators and EMT regulators, indicating a synergistic effect between these two factors in the development of ovarian cancer. In summary, our research offers a novel perspective and strategy to enhance the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of ovarian cancer.
Eyelash length attractiveness across ethnicities
Authors: Pazhoohi Farid , Kingstone Alan
Published: September 2023

Eyelashes evolved to protect eyes. An optimum eyelash length functions to protect eyes from external hazards such as contaminations, excessive evaporation or shear stress from airflow. They can also be an indicator of a person's health as various congenital and noncongenital diseases can lead to short or long eyelashes. The current study aimed to extend a recent investigation on the preference for eyelash length in humans from an evolutionary adaptive perspective. Specifically, the current study tested whether the inverted-U function for eyelash length preference recently reported for White faces, generalises to other ethnicities, and whether ethnic background modulates preference for eyelash lengths. To investigate this question, men and women of Asian, Black, and White ethnicities from the U.S. rated the attractiveness of female Indian, Asian, Black, and White faces with varying eyelash lengths. The eyelashes ranged in length from no eyelashes to half the width of an eye. Results showed that Asian, Black, and White men and women preference for eyelash length followed an inverted-U function across all four ethnicities, supporting a general preference for human eyelash length that is approximately one-third the width of an eye. In addition, the results showed that the most attractive eyelashes for Black women were skewed toward a greater eyelash-length to eye-width ratio when compared to the other images. The source of this skew is presently unknown, as it could reflect a change in perceptual sensitivity to eyelash length with skin colour or changes in preference related to perceptions of participants’ ethnicity.
Cerebellar growth, volume and diffusivity in children cooled for neonatal encephalopathy without cerebral palsy
Authors: Wu Chelsea Q. , Cowan Frances M. , Jary Sally , Thoresen Marianne , Chakkarapani Ela , Spencer Arthur P. C.
Published: September 2023

Children cooled for HIE and who did not develop cerebral palsy (CP) still underperform at early school age in motor and cognitive domains and have altered supra-tentorial brain volumes and white matter connectivity. We obtained T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI, motor (MABC-2) and cognitive (WISC-IV) scores from children aged 6–8 years who were cooled for HIE secondary to perinatal asphyxia without CP (cases), and controls matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. In 35 case children, we measured cerebellar growth from infancy (age 4–15 days after birth) to childhood. In childhood, cerebellar volumes were measured in 26 cases and 23 controls. Diffusion properties (mean diffusivity, MD and fractional anisotropy, FA) were calculated in 24 cases and 19 controls, in 9 cerebellar regions. Cases with FSIQ ≤ 85 had reduced growth of cerebellar width compared to those with FSIQ > 85 (p = 0.0005). Regional cerebellar volumes were smaller in cases compared to controls (p < 0.05); these differences were not significant when normalised to total brain volume. There were no case–control differences in MD or FA. Interposed nucleus volume was more strongly associated with IQ in cases than in controls (p = 0.0196). Other associations with developmental outcome did not differ between cases and controls.
Endemic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Nesteruk Igor
Published: September 2023

The fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic without decreasing trends in the global numbers of new daily cases, high numbers of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and re-infections together with pessimistic predictions for the Omicron wave duration force studies about the endemic stage of the disease. The global trends were illustrated with the use the accumulated numbers of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, the percentages of fully vaccinated people and boosters (additional vaccinations), and the results of calculation of the effective reproduction number provided by Johns Hopkins University. A new modified SIR model with re-infections was proposed and analyzed. The estimated parameters of equilibrium show that the global numbers of new daily cases will range between 300 thousand and one million, daily deaths—between one and 3.3 thousand.
Deterministic-stochastic analysis of fractional differential equations malnutrition model with random perturbations and crossover effects
Authors: Chu Yu-Ming , Rashid Saima , Karim Shazia , Khalid Aasma , Elagan S. K.
Published: September 2023

To boost the handful of nutrient-dense individuals in the societal structure, adequate health care documentation and comprehension are permitted. This will strengthen and optimize the well-being of the community, particularly the girls and women of the community that are welcoming the new generation. In this article, we extensively explored a deterministic-stochastic malnutrition model involving nonlinear perturbation via piecewise fractional operators techniques. This novel concept leads us to analyze and predict the process from the beginning to the end of the well-being growth, as it offers the possibility to observe many behaviors from cross over to stochastic processes. Moreover, the piecewise differential operators, which can be constructed with operators such as classical, Caputo, Caputo-Fabrizio, Atangana-Baleanu and stochastic derivative. The threshold parameter is developed and the role of malnutrition in society is examined. Through a rigorous analysis, we first demonstrated that the stochastic model’s solution is positive and global. Then, using appropriate stochastic Lyapunov candidates, we examined whether the stochastic system acknowledges a unique ergodic stationary distribution. The objective of this investigation is to design a nutritional deficiency in pregnant women using a piecewise fractional differential equation scheme. We examined multiple options and outlined numerical methods of coping with problems. To exemplify the effectiveness of the suggested concept, graphical conclusions, including chaotic and random perturbation patterns, are supplied. Consequently, fractional calculus’ innovative aspects provide more powerful and flexible layouts, enabling us to more effectively adapt to the system dynamics tendencies of real-world representations. This has opened new doors to readers in different disciplines and enabled them to capture different behaviors at different time intervals.
CSL-Tox: an open-source analytical framework for the comparison of short-term and long-term toxicity end points and assessing the need of chronic studies in drug development
Authors: Naga Doha , Dimitrakopoulou Smaragda , Roberts Sonia , Husar Elisabeth , Mohr Susanne , Booler Helen , Musvasva Eunice
Published: September 2023

In-vivo toxicity assessment is an important step prior to clinical development and is still the main source of data for overall risk assessment of a new molecular entity (NCE). All in-vivo studies are performed according to regulatory requirements and many efforts have been exerted to minimize these studies in accordance with the (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) 3Rs principle. Many aspects of in-vivo toxicology packages can be optimized to reduce animal use, including the number of studies performed as well as study durations, which is the main focus of this analysis. We performed a statistical comparison of adverse findings observed in 116 short-term versus 78 long-term in-house or in-house sponsored Contract Research Organizations (CRO) studies, in order to explore the possibility of using only short-term studies as a prediction tool for the longer-term effects. All the data analyzed in this study was manually extracted from the toxicology reports (in PDF formats) to construct the dataset. Annotation of treatment related findings was one of the challenges faced during this work. A specific focus was therefore put on the summary and conclusion sections of the reports since they contain expert assessments on whether the findings were considered adverse or were attributed to other reasons. Our analysis showed a general good concordance between short-term and long-term toxicity findings for large molecules and the majority of small molecules. Less concordance was seen for certain body organs, which can be named as “target organ systems’ findings”. While this work supports the minimization of long-term studies, a larger-scale effort would be needed to provide more evidence. We therefore present the steps performed in this study as an open-source R workflow for the Comparison of Short-term and Long-term Toxicity studies (CSL-Tox). The dataset used in the work is provided to allow researchers to reproduce such analysis, re-evaluate the statistical tools used and promote large-scale application of this study. Important aspects of animal research reproducibility are highlighted in this work, specifically, the necessity of a reproducible adverse effects reporting system and utilization of the controlled terminologies in-vivo toxicology reports and finally the importance of open-source analytical workflows that can be assessed by other scientists in the field of preclinical toxicology.
Heat and mass transfer analysis of assisting and opposing radiative flow conveying ternary hybrid nanofluid over an exponentially stretching surface
Authors: Nagaraja K. V. , Khan Umair , Madhukesh J. K. , Hassan Ahmed M. , Prasannakumara B. C. , Ben Kahla Nabil , Elattar Samia , Singh Chohan Jasgurpreet
Published: September 2023

Access to dependable and environmentally friendly energy sources is critical to a country's economic growth and long-term development. As countries seek greener energy alternatives, the interaction of environmental elements, temperature, and sunlight becomes more critical in utilizing renewable energy sources such as wind and bioenergy. Solar power has received much attention due to extraordinary efficiency advances. under this context, the present work focus on solar radiation and chemical processes in the presence of modified ternary hybrid nanofluids (THNFs) circulating over an exponentially stretched surface in both aiding flow (A-F) and opposing flow (O-F) circumstances. The primary objective of this investigation is to dive into the complicated dynamics of these structures, which are distinguished by complex interactions involving radiation, chemical reactions, and the movement of fluids. We construct reduced ordinary differential equations from the governing equations using suitable similarity transformations, which allows for a more in-depth examination of the liquid's behavior. Numerical simulations using the Runge–Kutta Fehlberg (RKF) approach and shooting techniques are used to understand the underlying difficulties of these reduced equations. The results show that thermal radiation improves heat transmission substantially under O-F circumstances in contrast to A-F conditions. Furthermore, the reaction rate parameter has an exciting connection with concentration levels, with greater rates corresponding to lower concentrations. Furthermore, compared to the O-F scenario, the A-F scenario promotes higher heat transfer in the context of a modified nanofluid. Rising reaction rate and solid fraction volume enhanced mass transfer rate. The rate of thermal distribution in THNFs improves from 0.13 to 20.4% in A-F and 0.16 to 15.06% in O-F case when compared to HNFs. This study has real-world implications in several fields, including developing more efficient solar water heaters, solar thermal generating plants, and energy-saving air conditioners.
Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet with cardiometabolic risk factors: a cross-sectional study on PERSIAN cohort study in Fasa
Authors: Bagheri Milad , Nouri Mehran , Homayounfar Reza , Akhlaghi Masoumeh
Published: September 2023

The relationship between Mediterranean diet and obesity-related markers is a matter of debate. We investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and anthropometric indices, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in Iranian population. The cross-sectional study was performed on data of 3386 participants from Fasa PERSIAN cohort study. The Mediterranean diet score (MDS) was calculated based on consumption of 11 food groups (unrefined cereals, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, red meat, poultry, dairy, olive oil, and alcoholic beverages). The association between MDS and cardiometabolic risk factors was examined by linear regression analysis. MDS was inversely associated with waist circumference (β =  − 1.11; P = 0.033), waist-to-hip ratio (β =  − 0.007; P = 0.011), waist-to-height ratio (β =  − 0.009; P = 0.015), fasting glucose (β =  − 3.59; P = 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol (β =  − 0.96; P = 0.031) in unadjusted model. After adjusting for energy intake, the associations of MDS with markers of abdominal obesity and HDL-cholesterol disappeared. In fully adjusted model, MDS showed inverse relationships with waist-to-hip ratio (β =  − 0.005; P = 0.037) and fasting glucose (β =  − 2.71; P = 0.013). In conclusion, MDS showed an inverse relationship with fasting glucose and waist-to-hip ratio. Since energy intake increased along with increasing MDS, adherence to the Mediterranean diet may associate with lower abdominal obesity and better glycemic control if an energy-controlled Mediterranean diet is used.
Dead-time compensation in three-phase grid-tied inverters using LQG multivariable control
Authors: Mazaheri Ali , Barati Farhad , Ghavipanjeh Farideh
Published: September 2023

Dead-time is the most important disturbance in a voltage-source inverter’s operation. It introduces low-order harmonics at the inverter’s output voltage. To compensate for the dead-time effects in three-phase grid-tied inverters, this paper proposes a Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) multivariable control approach. The LQG multivariable control is known as a robust control approach while provides a high band-width for the closed-loop system. Therefore, it promises significant attenuations in the dead-time introduced harmonics. To achieve a high performance, we run the three-phase grid-tied inverter in the current-controlled mode. Based on the nominal multivariable model derived for the three-phase grid-tied inverter in a synchronous reference frame, the LQG controller is composed such that the closed-loop system exhibits robust stability while attenuates disturbances significantly. The dead-time introduced harmonics produce disturbances in the synchronous reference frame with the highest frequencies. This is the reason for considering the dead-time as the most important disturbance in an inverter’s operation. For an experimental set-up manufactured for the three-phase grid-tied inverter, we developed a detailed model in MATLAB/Simulink. It is employed for the performance verifications of designed LQG controller. Extensive results are presented for different important scenarios, based on which, the excellent performance of proposed approach is proven. In fact, by employing the proposed approach, the dead-time introduced harmonics are significantly attenuated such that a Total Harmonics Distortions (THD) of about 5% is achieved for the injected currents to grid which meets the IEEE 1547 standard.
Population genomic analysis of an emerging pathogen Lonsdalea quercina affecting various species of oaks in western North America
Authors: Kozhar Olga , Sitz Rachael A. , Woyda Reed , Legg Lillian , Ibarra Caballero Jorge R. , Pearse Ian S. , Abdo Zaid , Stewart Jane E.
Published: September 2023

Understanding processes leading to disease emergence is important for effective disease management and prevention of future epidemics. Utilizing whole genome sequencing, we studied the phylogenetic relationship and diversity of two populations of the bacterial oak pathogen Lonsdalea quercina from western North America (Colorado and California) and compared these populations to other Lonsdalea species found worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis separated Colorado and California populations into two Lonsdalea clades, with genetic divergence near species boundaries, suggesting long isolation and populations that differ in genetic structure and distribution and possibly their polyphyletic origin. Genotypes collected from different host species and habitats were randomly distributed within the California cluster. Most Colorado isolates from introduced planted trees, however, were distinct from three isolates collected from a natural stand of Colorado native Quercus gambelii, indicating cryptic population structure. The California identical core genotypes distribution varied, while Colorado identical core genotypes were always collected from neighboring trees. Despite its recent emergence, the Colorado population had higher nucleotide diversity, possibly due to its long presence in Colorado or due to migrants moving with nursery stock. Overall, results suggest independent pathogen emergence in two states likely driven by changes in host-microbe interactions due to ecosystems changes. Further studies are warranted to understand evolutionary relationships among L. quercina from different areas, including the red oak native habitat in northeastern USA.
Probing magnetic properties at the nanoscale: in-situ Hall measurements in a TEM
Authors: Pohl Darius , Lee Yejin , Kriegner Dominik , Beckert Sebastian , Schneider Sebastian , Rellinghaus Bernd , Thomas Andy
Published: September 2023

We report on advanced in-situ magneto-transport measurements in a transmission electron microscope. The approach allows for concurrent magnetic imaging and high resolution structural and chemical characterization of the same sample. Proof-of-principle in-situ Hall measurements on presumably undemanding nickel thin films supported by micromagnetic simulations reveal that in samples with non-trivial structures and/or compositions, detailed knowledge of the latter is indispensable for a thorough understanding and reliable interpretation of the magneto-transport data. The proposed in-situ approach is thus expected to contribute to a better understanding of the Hall signatures in more complex magnetic textures.
Adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (ADRM1) can be a potential biomarker and target for bladder cancer
Authors: Yu Qing-xin , Wang Jiao-chen , Liu Jun-fei , Ye Lu-xia , Guo Yi-qing , Zheng Hai-hong
Published: September 2023

Adhesion-regulating molecule 1 (ADRM1) has been implicated in tumor development, yet its specific role in bladder cancer (BC) remains undefined. This study aimed to elucidate the function of ADRM1 in BC through a combination of bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical analysis (IHC). Utilizing R version 3.6.3 and relevant packages, we analyzed online database data. Validation was conducted through IHC data, approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee (Approval No. K20220830). In both paired and unpaired comparisons, ADRM1 expression was significantly elevated in BC tissues compared to adjacent tissues, as evidenced by the results of TCGA dataset and IHC data. Patients with high ADRM1 expression had statistically worse overall survival than those with low ADRM1 expression in TCGA dataset, GSE32548 dataset, GSE32894 dataset, and IHC data. Functional analysis unveiled enrichment in immune-related pathways, and a robust positive correlation emerged between ADRM1 expression and pivotal immune checkpoints, including CD274, PDCD1, and PDCD1LG2. In tumor microenvironment, samples with the high ADRM1 expression contained statistical higher proportion of CD8 + T cells and Macrophage infiltration. Meanwhile, these high ADRM1-expressing samples displayed elevated tumor mutation burden scores and stemness indices, implying potential benefits from immunotherapy. Patients with low ADRM1 expression were sensitive to cisplatin, docetaxel, vinblastine, mitomycin C, and methotrexate. According to the findings from bioinformatics and IHC analyses, ADRM1 demonstrates prognostic significance for BC patients and holds predictive potential for both immunotherapy and chemotherapy responses. This underscores its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in BC.
On the renormalization group fixed point of the two-dimensional Ising model at criticality
Authors: Stottmeister Alexander , Osborne Tobias J.
Published: September 2023

We analyze the renormalization group fixed point of the two-dimensional Ising model at criticality. In contrast with expectations from tensor network renormalization (TNR), we show that a simple, explicit analytic description of this fixed point using operator-algebraic renormalization (OAR) is possible. Specifically, the fixed point is characterized in terms of spin-spin correlation functions. Explicit error bounds for the approximation of continuum correlation functions are given.
Local ocular factors associated with the development of diabetic macular edema: an inter-eye study
Authors: Choi Jaehwan , Kim Sang Jin , Kang Se Woong , Son Ki Young , Hwang Sungsoon
Published: September 2023

To investigate local ocular factors associated with the development of diabetic macular edema (DME), we classified each eye of patients with unilateral DME as the DME eyes or the fellow eyes (without DME). We compared the clinical characteristics, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA), ultra-wide field fundus photography, and angiography features of each eye. As a result, fifty-five patients with unilateral DME were enrolled. Although the diabetic retinopathy stage was not different between each group of eyes, DME eyes showed a higher prevalence of venous beading and a larger area of nonperfusion region than did fellow eyes (all P < 0.05). OCTA features of DME eyes also showed a larger foveal avascular zone in the deep capillary plexus and a lower vascular density in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses (all P < 0.05). This study highlighted ocular features reflecting retinal ischemia, such as venous beading, area of nonperfusion region, and vascular density in the central retinal area, are associated with the development of DME. OCTA and ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography may be useful for evaluating the parameters of retinal ischemia and the risk of DME development.