bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining International Critical Care Pharmacist Contributions to Sepsis and Exploring Variability
Authors: Oakley Robert , Al-Mahdi Sarraa , Guntschnig Sonja , Trinh Ha , Custodio Marco , Korshid Sarah , Gous Andries , Lonsdale Dagan O.
Published: December 2023

Purpose of Review

To define international clinical pharmacist contributions to managing sepsis in critically unwell patients and explore variation.

Recent Findings

Clinical pharmacists improve clinical outcomes and cost efficiencies. They provide pharmaceutical advice on selection, administration, plus monitoring of antimicrobials and supportive therapies. Logistical activities reduce drug administration times. Guideline production, patient/clinician education, prescribing error identification, plus therapeutic optimisation activities are also reported.

A survey incorporating semi-structured interviews identified further antimicrobial stewardship, prescribing and digital contributions to optimise sepsis management. However, disparities associated with multidisciplinary team integration and intensive care unit service provision were found. Variability was attributed to multifaceted physical, social, financial, training and education themes. Findings empower collaborations between pharmacists and stakeholders to identify and overcome contribution barriers. Strategies to mitigate barriers and enhance sepsis contributions were envisaged by reported aspirations. These emphasised the importance of professional advocacy, interprofessional education and impactful implementation research.
Transient dynamics mask the resilience of coral reefs
Authors: Hock Karlo , Hastings Alan , Doropoulos Christopher , Babcock Russell C. , Ortiz Juan C. , Thompson Angus , Mumby Peter J.
Published: December 2023

Coral reefs are model systems for studies of ecological resilience, with communities generally exhibiting multiple stable states and more resilient regions trending towards a single, coral-dominated, regime. We expand the theory of ecological resilience beyond the concepts of distinct stable states to integrate emerging ideas from transient dynamics as long-term intermediate states with no pronounced trend towards equilibria. We show that low coral abundance, together with stochastic larval supply and disturbance, can trap otherwise resilient reefs in a persistent intermediate state whose long-term outcome is difficult to predict. Common metrics, such as the ecosystem slowing down before crossing tipping points and using historical coral cover trends, may become unreliable predictors of future behaviour. Helping reefs out of transient states requires agile management that allows for short-term, targeted interventions after which natural ecological feedbacks can take over.
Non-physicalist Theories of Consciousness
Authors: Mørch Hedda Hassel
Published: December 2023

Is consciousness a purely physical phenomenon? Most contemporary philosophers and theorists hold that it is, and take this to be supported by modern science. But a significant minority endorse non-physicalist theories such as dualism, idealism and panpsychism, among other reasons because it may seem impossible to fully explain consciousness, or capture what it's like to be in conscious states (such as seeing red, or being in pain), in physical terms. This Element will introduce the main non-physicalist theories of consciousness and explain the most important arguments for them, and consider how they each respond to the scientific and other arguments in support of physicalism. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Rediscovering Lost Landscapes
Authors: Piana Pietro , Watkins Charles , Balzaretti Ross
Published: December 2023

After the Napoleonic wars many wealthy British women and men settled along the coast in Liguria and travelled in Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta in search of warmth and health. They established English-speaking colonies of retired clerics, colonial officials, aristocrats and industrialists at places such as Alassio, Bordighera, Sanremo and Portofino. Many were keen artists.

This book assesses hundreds of topographical drawings, paintings and photographs of north-west Italy produced by these British visitors and residents in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Through the identification and analysis of these works, scattered today in private and public collections in Italy and Britain, it provides insights into the way Italian landscapes were understood and appreciated. Considered in conjunction with historical photography, maps, archives and fieldwork, they deepen our knowledge of past land management traditions and recover how the contemporary landscape looked. The artists are placed in their intellectual and geographical contexts; and interconnections between British and Italian artists and between topographical art and photography are explored. Different chapters assess the main subjects depicted, including mountains, seascapes, rivers, agriculture, trees and woodland, castles, churches, villages, industries and landscapes of luxury.
Concept of operations for the Neptune system mission Arcanum
Authors: McKevitt J.E. , Beegadhur S. , Ayin-Walsh L. , Dixon T. , Criscola F. , Patadia D. , Bulla S. , Galinzoga J. , Wadsworth B. , Bornberg C. , Sharma R. , Moore O. , Kent J. , Zaripova A. , Parkinson-Swift J. , Laad A.
Published: December 2023

The Arcanum mission is a proposed L-class mother-daughter spacecraft configuration for the Neptunian system, the mass and volume of which have been maximised to highlight the wide-ranging science the next generation of launch vehicles will enable. The spacecraft is designed to address a long-neglected but high-value region of the outer Solar System, showing that current advances make such a mission more feasible than ever before. This paper adds to a series on Arcanum and specifically provides progress on the study of areas identified as critical weaknesses by the 2013–2022 decadal survey and areas relevant to the recently published Voyage 2050 recommendations to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Slices of the Takagi function
Authors: ANTTILA ROOPE , BÁRÁNY BALÁZS , KÄENMÄKI ANTTI
Published: December 2023

We show that the Hausdorff dimension of any slice of the graph of the Takagi function is bounded above by the Assouad dimension of the graph minus one, and that the bound is sharp. The result is deduced from a statement on more general self-affine sets, which is of independent interest. We also prove that Marstrand’s slicing theorem on the graph of the Takagi function extends to all slices if and only if the upper pointwise dimension of every projection of the length measure on the x-axis lifted to the graph is at least one.
Domestic Distributional Roots of National Interest
Authors: LEE SOYOUNG
Published: December 2023

What international issues become national interests worth fighting for, and why? Contrary to conventional wisdom, I argue that issues without clear economic value, such as barren lands, are more likely to be perceived as national interests because they do not benefit any single domestic group. Since who benefits is unclear, politicians have an easier time framing such issues as benefiting the whole nation. I test this argument using survey experiments on the American public. The results show that first, issues providing diffuse benefits to citizens are more likely to be considered national interests than issues providing concentrated benefits to certain domestic groups. Second, issues with clearer economic value are harder to frame as having diffuse benefits because they are more easily associated with specific beneficiaries. This study proposes a new theory of national interest and offers a potential explanation for why people frequently support conflict over issues without obvious benefits.
Evolution of the visual system in ray-finned fishes
Authors: Hofmann Michael H. , Gebhardt Isabelle C.
Published: December 2023

The vertebrate eye allows to capture an enormous amount of detail about the surrounding world which can only be exploited with sophisticated central information processing. Furthermore, vision is an active process due to head and eye movements that enables the animal to change the gaze and actively select objects to investigate in detail. The entire system requires a coordinated coevolution of its parts to work properly. Ray-finned fishes offer a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the visual system due to the high diversity in all of its parts. Here, we are bringing together information on retinal specializations (fovea), central visual centers (brain morphology studies), and eye movements in a large number of ray-finned fishes in a cladistic framework. The nucleus glomerulosus-inferior lobe system is well developed only in Acanthopterygii. A fovea, independent eye movements, and an enlargement of the nucleus glomerulosus-inferior lobe system coevolved at least five times independently within Acanthopterygii. This suggests that the nucleus glomerulosus-inferior lobe system is involved in advanced object recognition which is especially well developed in association with a fovea and independent eye movements. None of the non-Acanthopterygii have a fovea (except for some deep sea fish) or independent eye movements and they also lack important parts of the glomerulosus-inferior lobe system. This suggests that structures for advanced visual object recognition evolved within ray-finned fishes independent of the ones in tetrapods and non-ray-finned fishes as a result of a coevolution of retinal, central, and oculomotor structures.
Water Stress Dominates 21st‐Century Tropical Land Carbon Uptake
Authors: Levine Paul A. , Bloom A. Anthony , Bowman Kevin W. , Reager John T. , Worden John R. , Liu Junjie , Parazoo Nicholas C. , Meyer Victoria , Konings Alexandra G. , Longo Marcos
Published: December 2023

Water stress regulates land‐atmosphere carbon dioxide (CO2) exchanges in the tropics; however, its role remains poorly characterized due to the confounding roles of radiation, temperature and canopy dynamics. In particular, uncertainty stems from the relative roles of plant‐available water (supply) and atmospheric water vapor deficit (demand) as mechanistic drivers of photosynthetic carbon (C) uptake variability. Using satellite measurements of gravity, CO2 and fluorescence to constrain a mechanistic carbon‐water cycle model from 2001 to 2018, we found that the interannual variability (IAV) of water stress on photosynthetic C uptake was 52% greater than the combined effects of other factors. Surprisingly, the dominance of water stress on C uptake IAV was greater in the wet tropics (94%) than in the dry tropics (26%). Plant‐available water supply and atmospheric demand both contributed to the IAV of water stress on photosynthetic C uptake across the tropics, but the IAV of demand effects was 21% greater than the IAV of supply effects (33% greater in the wet tropics and 6% greater in the dry tropics). We found that the IAV of water stress on C uptake was 24% greater than the IAV of the combination of other factors in the net land‐atmosphere C sink in the whole tropics, 26% greater in the wet tropics, and 7% greater in the dry tropics. Given the recent trends in tropical precipitation and atmospheric humidity, our findings indicate that water stress——from both supply and demand——will likely dominate the climate response of land C sink across tropical ecosystems in the coming decades.
Lower‐Crustal Normal Faulting and Lithosphere Rheology in the Atlas Foreland
Authors: Wimpenny Sam , Craig Tim , Blackwell Alice
Published: December 2023

Earthquakes beneath the foreland basins of the Andes and Tibet are rare but follow a simple pattern, with normal faulting from 0 to 20 km depth and reverse‐faulting from 30 to 50 km depth. The switch in faulting style with depth suggests that the stresses generated by foreland flexure are large enough to break faults, with opposite senses of horizontal strain either side of a neutral surface in the mid‐crust. In this study, we document a 31 km‐deep Mw 5.2 normal‐faulting earthquake in the forelands of the Algerian Atlas Mountains near Biskra. The Biskra earthquake is of interest, as it indicates that the lower crust of the Atlas forelands is in extension at the same depth that the Tibetan and Andean forelands are in compression. In order to match the gravity anomalies and the depth of normal faulting near Biskra, we find that models of lithospheric flexure require the neutral surface to be >35 km deep and at least the top 5–10 km of the lithospheric mantle supports elastic bending stresses. The differences in the pattern of earthquakes between the forelands of Tibet, the Andes and the Algerian Atlas can be explained by differences in the buoyancy forces acting between these mountain ranges and their lowlands that place the forelands into varying amounts of net compression. Our results suggest the upper mantle beneath cratonic foreland lithosphere may therefore support bending stresses of the order of 10s of MPa, likely because it is cool and the strain rates associated with bending are low.
RNA-mediated symmetry breaking enables singular olfactory receptor choice
Authors: Pourmorady Ariel D. , Bashkirova Elizaveta V. , Chiariello Andrea M. , Belagzhal Houda , Kodra Albana , Duffié Rachel , Kahiapo Jerome , Monahan Kevin , Pulupa Joan , Schieren Ira , Osterhoudt Alexa , Dekker Job , Nicodemi Mario , Lomvardas Stavros
Published: December 2023

Olfactory receptor (OR) choice provides an extreme example of allelic competition for transcriptional dominance, where every olfactory neuron stably transcribes one of approximately 2,000 or more OR alleles1,2. OR gene choice is mediated by a multichromosomal enhancer hub that activates transcription at a single OR3,4, followed by OR-translation-dependent feedback that stabilizes this choice5,6. Here, using single-cell genomics, we show formation of many competing hubs with variable enhancer composition, only one of which retains euchromatic features and transcriptional competence. Furthermore, we provide evidence that OR transcription recruits enhancers and reinforces enhancer hub activity locally, whereas OR RNA inhibits transcription of competing ORs over distance, promoting transition to transcriptional singularity. Whereas OR transcription is sufficient to break the symmetry between equipotent enhancer hubs, OR translation stabilizes transcription at the prevailing hub, indicating that there may be sequential non-coding and coding mechanisms that are implemented by OR alleles for transcriptional prevalence. We propose that coding OR mRNAs possess non-coding functions that influence nuclear architecture, enhance their own transcription and inhibit transcription from their competitors, with generalizable implications for probabilistic cell fate decisions.
Structures of the promoter-bound respiratory syncytial virus polymerase
Authors: Cao Dongdong , Gao Yunrong , Chen Zhenhang , Gooneratne Inesh , Roesler Claire , Mera Cristopher , D’Cunha Paul , Antonova Anna , Katta Deepak , Romanelli Sarah , Wang Qi , Rice Samantha , Lemons Wesley , Ramanathan Anita , Liang Bo
Published: December 2023

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) polymerase is a multifunctional RNA-dependent RNA polymerase composed of the large (L) protein and the phosphoprotein (P). It transcribes the RNA genome into ten viral mRNAs and replicates full-length viral genomic and antigenomic RNAs1. The RSV polymerase initiates RNA synthesis by binding to the conserved 3′-terminal RNA promoters of the genome or antigenome2. However, the lack of a structure of the RSV polymerase bound to the RNA promoter has impeded the mechanistic understanding of RSV RNA synthesis. Here we report cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the RSV polymerase bound to its genomic and antigenomic viral RNA promoters, representing two of the first structures of an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in complex with its RNA promoters in non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses. The overall structures of the promoter-bound RSV polymerases are similar to that of the unbound (apo) polymerase. Our structures illustrate the interactions between the RSV polymerase and the RNA promoters and provide the structural basis for the initiation of RNA synthesis at positions 1 and 3 of the RSV promoters. These structures offer a deeper understanding of the pre-initiation state of the RSV polymerase and could aid in antiviral research against RSV.
Online searches to evaluate misinformation can increase its perceived veracity
Authors: Aslett Kevin , Sanderson Zeve , Godel William , Persily Nathaniel , Nagler Jonathan , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: December 2023

Considerable scholarly attention has been paid to understanding belief in online misinformation1,2, with a particular focus on social networks. However, the dominant role of search engines in the information environment remains underexplored, even though the use of online search to evaluate the veracity of information is a central component of media literacy interventions3–5. Although conventional wisdom suggests that searching online when evaluating misinformation would reduce belief in it, there is little empirical evidence to evaluate this claim. Here, across five experiments, we present consistent evidence that online search to evaluate the truthfulness of false news articles actually increases the probability of believing them. To shed light on this relationship, we combine survey data with digital trace data collected using a custom browser extension. We find that the search effect is concentrated among individuals for whom search engines return lower-quality information. Our results indicate that those who search online to evaluate misinformation risk falling into data voids, or informational spaces in which there is corroborating evidence from low-quality sources. We also find consistent evidence that searching online to evaluate news increases belief in true news from low-quality sources, but inconsistent evidence that it increases belief in true news from mainstream sources. Our findings highlight the need for media literacy programmes to ground their recommendations in empirically tested strategies and for search engines to invest in solutions to the challenges identified here.
Digital measurement of SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk from 7 million contacts
Authors: Ferretti Luca , Wymant Chris , Petrie James , Tsallis Daphne , Kendall Michelle , Ledda Alice , Di Lauro Francesco , Fowler Adam , Di Francia Andrea , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina , Abeler-Dörner Lucie , Charalambides Marcos , Briers Mark , Fraser Christophe
Published: December 2023

How likely is it to become infected by SARS-CoV-2 after being exposed? Almost everyone wondered about this question during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact-tracing apps1,2 recorded measurements of proximity3 and duration between nearby smartphones. Contacts—individuals exposed to confirmed cases—were notified according to public health policies such as the 2 m, 15 min guideline4,5, despite limited evidence supporting this threshold. Here we analysed 7 million contacts notified by the National Health Service COVID-19 app6,7 in England and Wales to infer how app measurements translated to actual transmissions. Empirical metrics and statistical modelling showed a strong relation between app-computed risk scores and actual transmission probability. Longer exposures at greater distances had risk similar to that of shorter exposures at closer distances. The probability of transmission confirmed by a reported positive test increased initially linearly with duration of exposure (1.1% per hour) and continued increasing over several days. Whereas most exposures were short (median 0.7 h, interquartile range 0.4–1.6), transmissions typically resulted from exposures lasting between 1 h and several days (median 6 h, interquartile range 1.4–28). Households accounted for about 6% of contacts but 40% of transmissions. With sufficient preparation, privacy-preserving yet precise analyses of risk that would inform public health measures, based on digital contact tracing, could be performed within weeks of the emergence of a new pathogen.
Accurate detection of identity-by-descent segments in human ancient DNA
Authors: Ringbauer Harald , Huang Yilei , Akbari Ali , Mallick Swapan , Olalde Iñigo , Patterson Nick , Reich David
Published: December 2023

Long DNA segments shared between two individuals, known as identity-by-descent (IBD), reveal recent genealogical connections. Here we introduce ancIBD, a method for identifying IBD segments in ancient human DNA (aDNA) using a hidden Markov model and imputed genotype probabilities. We demonstrate that ancIBD accurately identifies IBD segments >8 cM for aDNA data with an average depth of >0.25× for whole-genome sequencing or >1× for 1240k single nucleotide polymorphism capture data. Applying ancIBD to 4,248 ancient Eurasian individuals, we identify relatives up to the sixth degree and genealogical connections between archaeological groups. Notably, we reveal long IBD sharing between Corded Ware and Yamnaya groups, indicating that the Yamnaya herders of the Pontic-Caspian Steppe and the Steppe-related ancestry in various European Corded Ware groups share substantial co-ancestry within only a few hundred years. These results show that detecting IBD segments can generate powerful insights into the growing aDNA record, both on a small scale relevant to life stories and on a large scale relevant to major cultural-historical events.
BridgePRS leverages shared genetic effects across ancestries to increase polygenic risk score portability
Authors: Hoggart Clive J. , Choi Shing Wan , García-González Judit , Souaiaia Tade , Preuss Michael , O’Reilly Paul F.
Published: December 2023

Here we present BridgePRS, a novel Bayesian polygenic risk score (PRS) method that leverages shared genetic effects across ancestries to increase PRS portability. We evaluate BridgePRS via simulations and real UK Biobank data across 19 traits in individuals of African, South Asian and East Asian ancestry, using both UK Biobank and Biobank Japan genome-wide association study summary statistics; out-of-cohort validation is performed in the Mount Sinai (New York) BioMe biobank. BridgePRS is compared with the leading alternative, PRS-CSx, and two other PRS methods. Simulations suggest that the performance of BridgePRS relative to PRS-CSx increases as uncertainty increases: with lower trait heritability, higher polygenicity and greater between-population genetic diversity; and when causal variants are not present in the data. In real data, BridgePRS has a 61% larger average R2 than PRS-CSx in out-of-cohort prediction of African ancestry samples in BioMe (P = 6 × 10−5). BridgePRS is a computationally efficient, user-friendly and powerful approach for PRS analyses in non-European ancestries.
Anodal cerebellar t-DCS impacts skill learning and transfer on a robotic surgery training task
Authors: Caccianiga Guido , Mooney Ronan A. , Celnik Pablo A. , Cantarero Gabriela L. , Brown Jeremy D.
Published: December 2023

The cerebellum has demonstrated a critical role during adaptation in motor learning. However, the extent to which it can contribute to the skill acquisition of complex real-world tasks remains unclear. One particularly challenging application in terms of motor activities is robotic surgery, which requires surgeons to complete complex multidimensional visuomotor tasks through a remotely operated robot. Given the need for high skill proficiency and the lack of haptic feedback, there is a pressing need for understanding and improving skill development. We investigated the effect of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation applied during the execution of a robotic surgery training task. Study participants received either real or sham stimulation while performing a needle driving task in a virtual (simulated) and a real-world (actual surgical robot) setting. We found that cerebellar stimulation significantly improved performance compared to sham stimulation at fast (more demanding) execution speeds in both virtual and real-world training settings. Furthermore, participants that received cerebellar stimulation more effectively transferred the skills they acquired during virtual training to the real world. Our findings underline the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation to enhance skill learning and transfer in real-world relevant tasks and, more broadly, its potential for improving complex motor learning.
On chaos control of nonlinear fractional Newton-Leipnik system via fractional Caputo-Fabrizio derivatives
Authors: Almutairi Najat , Saber Sayed
Published: December 2023

In this work, we present a design for a Newton-Leipnik system with a fractional Caputo-Fabrizio derivative to explain its chaotic characteristics. This time-varying fractional Caputo-Fabrizio derivative approach is applied to solve the model numerically, and to check the solution’s existence and uniqueness. The existence and uniqueness of results of a fractional-order model under the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional operator have been proved by fixed point theory. As well, we achieved a stable result by applying the Ulam-Hyers concept. Chaos is controlled by linear controllers. Furthermore, the Lyapunov exponent of the system indicates that the chaos control findings are accurate. Based on weighted covariant Lyapunov vectors we construct a background covariance matrix using the Kaplan-Yorke dimension. Using a numerical example, this suggested method is illustrated for its applicability and efficiency.
Synthesis of COF-SO3H immobilized on manganese ferrite nanoparticles as an efficient nanocomposite in the preparation of spirooxindoles
Authors: Moein Najafabadi Samira , Safaei Ghomi Javad
Published: December 2023

The synthesis of sulfonamide-functionalized magnetic porous nanocomposites is highly significant in chemistry due to their exceptional properties and potential as catalysts. COFs are a new class of organic porous polymers and have significant advantages such as low density, high chemical and thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Therefore, we decided to synthesize COFs based on magnetic nanoparticles, by doing so, we can also prevent the agglomeration of MnFe2O4. MnFe2O4@COF–SO3H possesses a large specific surface area, supermagnetism, and is acidic, making it an optimal catalyst for organic reactions. This particular catalyst was effectively employed in the green and rapid synthesis of various spiro-pyrano chromenes, while several analytical techniques were utilized to analyze its structural integrity and functional groups. The role of a specific site of MnFe2O4@COF–SO3H was confirmed through different control experiments in a one-pot reaction mechanism. It was determined that MnFe2O4@COF–SO3H acts as a bifunctional acid–base catalyst in the one-pot preparation of spirooxindole derivatives. The formation of a spiro skeleton in the multicomponent reaction involved the construction of three new σ bonds (one C–O bond and two C–C bonds) within a single process. The efficiency of the MnFe2O4@COF–SO3H complex is investigated in the synthesis of spirooxindoles of malononitrile, and various isatins with 1,3‐dicarbonyles. The nanocatalyst demonstrated excellent catalytic activity that gave the corresponding coupling products good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the heterogeneous magnetic nanocatalyst used in this study demonstrated recoverability after five cycles with minimal loss of activity.
Simplicial complex entropy for time series analysis
Authors: Guzmán-Vargas Lev , Zabaleta-Ortega Alvaro , Guzmán-Sáenz Aldo
Published: December 2023

The complex behavior of many systems in nature requires the application of robust methodologies capable of identifying changes in their dynamics. In the case of time series (which are sensed values of a system during a time interval), several methods have been proposed to evaluate their irregularity. However, for some types of dynamics such as stochastic and chaotic, new approaches are required that can provide a better characterization of them. In this paper we present the simplicial complex approximate entropy, which is based on the conditional probability of the occurrence of elements of a simplicial complex. Our results show that this entropy measure provides a wide range of values with details not easily identifiable with standard methods. In particular, we show that our method is able to quantify the irregularity in simulated random sequences and those from low-dimensional chaotic dynamics. Furthermore, it is possible to consistently differentiate cardiac interbeat sequences from healthy subjects and from patients with heart failure, as well as to identify changes between dynamical states of coupled chaotic maps. Our results highlight the importance of the structures revealed by the simplicial complexes, which holds promise for applications of this approach in various contexts.
Maternal determinants of dietary patterns in infancy and early childhood in the Growing up in New Zealand cohort
Authors: Gontijo de Castro Teresa , Lovell Amy , Santos Leonardo Pozza , Jones Beatrix , Wall Clare
Published: December 2023

Given the importance of diet in early life, assessing children’s diet is crucial to guide interventions. Using data from a nationally generalizable New Zealand (NZ) birth cohort we examined children’s dietary patterns at 9- (n = 6259), 24- (n = 6292), and 54-months (n = 6131), and their association with maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours. At each time-point, children's dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis. We then used multivariate linear regression to examine associations between each pattern and maternal variables. At 9-, 24- and 54-months, two dietary patterns were identified, explaining 36.4%, 35.3% and 33.6% of children's intake variability, respectively. Refined high in sugar, salt and fat dietary pattern, at all time-points, was characterized by high positive loadings in white/refined breads and cereals, and items with high sugar, sodium, and fat content. At 24-months, Refined high in sugar, salt and fat also included a high positive loading with protein food groups. Fruit and vegetables dietary pattern, at all time-points, had high positive loadings for fruits and vegetables (with type varying across time-points). Fruit and vegetables also included high loading in whole grain options of breads and cereals at 24-months and the protein food group was part of this dietary pattern at 9- and 54-months. Children’s scores on the Refined high in sugar, salt and fat pattern had strong associations with maternal smoking habits, education level, ethnicity, and maternal scores in the “Junk” and “Traditional/White bread” dietary patterns (constructed from an antenatal interview). Children’s scores on the Fruit and vegetables pattern had strong associations with the maternal scores in the dietary pattern “Health Conscious”. Interventions to improve diet in early life in NZ need to be responsive to ethnicity and suitable for people of all education levels. Interventions that improve maternal health behaviours may also improve children’s diet.
Platinum and microspherule peaks as chronostratigraphic markers for onset of the Younger Dryas at Wakulla Springs, Florida
Authors: Moore Christopher R. , Brooks Mark J. , Dunbar James S. , Hemmings C. Andrew , Langworthy Kurt A. , West Allen , LeCompte Malcolm A. , Adedeji Victor , Kennett James P. , Feathers James K.
Published: December 2023

Anomalous peak abundances of platinum and Fe-rich microspherules with high-temperature minerals have previously been demonstrated to be a chronostratigraphic marker for the lower Younger Dryas Boundary (YDB) dating to 12.8 ka. This study used Bayesian analyses to test this hypothesis in multiple sequences (units) of sandy, weakly stratified sediments at Wakulla Springs, Florida. Our investigations included platinum geochemistry, granulometry, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, and culturally dated lithics. In addition, sediments were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to investigate dendritic, iron-rich microspherules previously identified elsewhere in peak abundances at the onset of the Younger Dryas (YD) cool climatic episode. Our work has revealed this abundance peak in platinum and dendritic spherules in five sediment sequences at Wakulla Springs. A YDB age of ~ 12.8 ka for the platinum and spherule chronostratigraphic datum in these Wakulla Springs sequences is consistent with the archaeological data and OSL dating. This study confirms the utility of this YDB datum layer for intersequence correlation and for assessing relative ages of Paleoamerican artifacts, including those of likely Clovis, pre-Clovis, and post-Clovis age and their possible responses to environmental changes known to have occurred during the Younger Dryas cool climatic episode.
Quantification of fatty acids in seed oil and important bioactive compounds in Iranian Rosa canina L. ecotypes for potential cosmetic and medicinal uses
Authors: Bakhtiar Ziba , Eghlima Ghasem , Hatami Mehrnaz , Mirjalili Mohammad Hossein
Published: December 2023

Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae), commonly known as the rose hip, is originated from Europe, Africa, and Asia with a long history in medicinal applications. This study aimed to analyze the morphological traits, fatty acids profile, and content of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, vitamin C, total carotenoid, total phenol, total flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of the fruits of eleven Iranian R. canina ecotypes (RCEs). The highest coefficient of variation was obtained in 1000 seed weight (46.57%). The seed oil varied from 8.08 ± 0.17% to 16.91 ± 0.35%. Linoleic (35.41 ± 0.78% to 49.59 ± 0.96%) and eicosanoic (17.67 ± 0.06% to 25.36 ± 0.54%) acids were the predominant fatty acids in the studied samples. The anthocyanin content in the fruits was ranged from 0.98 ± 0.03 to 4.41 ± 0.04 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside/100 g of dry weight (mg C3G/100 g DW). The high content of vitamin C (103.51 ± 1.24–419.70 ± 3.12 mg/100 g DW), total carotenoid (111.22 ± 0.78–206.98 ± 1.25 mg β-carotene equivalents per g of dry weight (mg β-CARE/g DW)), total phenol (52.87 ± 0.82–104.52 ± 0.23 mg GAE/g DW), and total flavonoid (14.20 ± 0.12–25.18 ± 0.47 mg RE/g DW) were observed in the studied samples. Catechin (20.42 ± 0.47–19.22 ± 0.13 µg/g DW) was the major phenolic compound. The high antioxidant activity in the fruits of the plant was recorded in the studied RCEs (IC50 = 12.54 ± 0.18–26.33 ± 0.13 μg/ml). A significant correlation between some phytochemical compounds (dependent variable) and morphological features (independent variable) was found. Based on our findings, the fruit of the studied ecotypes can be used for future breeding programs and drug development.
Future changes in Antarctic coastal polynyas and bottom water formation simulated by a high-resolution coupled model
Authors: Jeong Hyein , Lee Sun-Seon , Park Hyo-Seok , Stewart Andrew L.
Published: December 2023

Antarctic coastal polynyas produce Dense Shelf Water, a precursor to Antarctic Bottom Waters that supply the global abyssal circulation. Future projections of Dense Shelf Water formation are hindered by unresolved small-scale atmosphere-sea ice-ocean interactions in polynyas. Here, we investigate the future evolution of Antarctic coastal polynyas using a high-resolution ocean-ice-atmosphere model. We find that wintertime sea ice production rates remain active even under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Antarctic winter sea ice production rates are sensitive to atmospheric CO2 concentrations: doubling CO2 (734 ppm) decreases sea ice production by only 6–8%, versus 10–30% under CO2 quadrupling (1468 ppm). While considerable uncertainty remains in future ice-shelf basal melting, which is not accounted for in this study, doubling or quadrupling CO2 substantially freshens Dense Shelf Water due to increased precipitation. Consequently, doubling CO2 weakens Dense Shelf Water formation by ~ 75%, while CO2 quadrupling shuts down Dense Shelf Water formation.
Large-scale deep learning analysis to identify adult patients at risk for combined and common variable immunodeficiencies
Authors: Papanastasiou Giorgos , Yang Guang , Fotiadis Dimitris I. , Dikaios Nikolaos , Wang Chengjia , Huda Ahsan , Sobolevsky Luba , Raasch Jason , Perez Elena , Sidhu Gurinder , Palumbo Donna
Published: December 2023

Background

Primary immunodeficiency (PI) is a group of heterogeneous disorders resulting from immune system defects. Over 70% of PI is undiagnosed, leading to increased mortality, co-morbidity and healthcare costs. Among PI disorders, combined immunodeficiencies (CID) are characterized by complex immune defects. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is among the most common types of PI. In light of available treatments, it is critical to identify adult patients at risk for CID and CVID, before the development of serious morbidity and mortality.

Methods

We developed a deep learning-based method (named “TabMLPNet”) to analyze clinical history from nationally representative medical claims from electronic health records (Optum® data, covering all US), evaluated in the setting of identifying CID/CVID in adults. Further, we revealed the most important CID/CVID-associated antecedent phenotype combinations. Four large cohorts were generated: a total of 47,660 PI cases and (1:1 matched) controls.

Results

The sensitivity/specificity of TabMLPNet modeling ranges from 0.82-0.88/0.82-0.85 across cohorts. Distinctive combinations of antecedent phenotypes associated with CID/CVID are identified, consisting of respiratory infections/conditions, genetic anomalies, cardiac defects, autoimmune diseases, blood disorders and malignancies, which can possibly be useful to systematize the identification of CID and CVID.

Conclusions

We demonstrated an accurate method in terms of CID and CVID detection evaluated on large-scale medical claims data. Our predictive scheme can potentially lead to the development of new clinical insights and expanded guidelines for identification of adult patients at risk for CID and CVID as well as be used to improve patient outcomes on population level.
Ultrathin quasi-2D amorphous carbon dielectric prepared from solution precursor for nanoelectronics
Authors: An Fufei , Wang Congjun , Pham Viet Hung , Borisevich Albina , Qian Jiangchao , Yin Kaijun , Pidaparthy Saran , Robinson Brian , Chou Ang-Sheng , Lee Junseok , Weidman Jennifer , Natesakhawat Sittichai , Wang Han , Schleife André , Zuo Jian-Min , Matranga Christopher , Cao Qing
Published: December 2023

Materials keeping thickness in atomic scale but extending primarily in lateral dimensions offer properties attractive for many emerging applications. However, compared to crystalline counterparts, synthesis of atomically thin films in the highly disordered amorphous form, which avoids nonuniformity and defects associated with grain boundaries, is challenging due to their metastable nature. Here we present a scalable and solution-based strategy to prepare large-area, freestanding quasi-2D amorphous carbon nanomembranes with predominant sp2 bonding and thickness down to 1–2 atomic layers, from coal-derived carbon dots as precursors. These atomically thin amorphous carbon films are mechanically strong with modulus of 400 ± 100 GPa and demonstrate robust dielectric properties with high dielectric strength above 20 MV cm−1 and low leakage current density below 10−4 A cm−2 through a scaled thickness of three-atomic layers. They can be implemented as solution-deposited ultrathin gate dielectrics in transistors or ion-transport media in memristors, enabling exceptional device performance and spatiotemporal uniformity.
Integrating equity-focused planning into coral bleaching management
Authors: González-Espinosa Pedro C. , Bossier Sieme , Singh Gerald G. , Cisneros-Montemayor Andrés M.
Published: December 2023

Coral bleaching, associated with warm water temperatures of the oceans, represents the most significant threat to coral reef ecosystems and coastal communities regarding climate change. Coral bleaching prediction models have emerged as essential tools in conservation and policy-making. However, the effectiveness of these models as an equity-focused science-policy nexus remains uncertain when local human community perspectives are disregarded. This paper presents an equity-focused framework for coral bleaching prediction and response, integrating local goals and contexts. We discuss the equity gaps during coral bleaching assessments while emphasizing the importance of early warning systems in promoting and facilitating more accurate reporting of bleaching episodes. Additionally, this research also highlights the complex but inherent interactions of multiple drivers, underscoring the need for cautious and socially inclusive strategies for climate adaptation. This perspective paper advocates for an equitable approach in science-policy networks to support the preservation of coral reefs while safeguarding the well-being of reef-related coastal communities.
Replication of population-level differences in auditory-motor synchronization ability in a Norwegian-speaking population
Authors: Sjuls Guro S. , Vulchanova Mila D. , Assaneo M. Florencia
Published: December 2023

The Speech-to-Speech Synchronization test is a powerful tool in assessing individuals’ auditory-motor synchronization ability, namely the ability to synchronize one’s own utterances to the rhythm of an external speech signal. Recent studies using the test have revealed that participants fall into two distinct groups—high synchronizers and low synchronizers—with significant differences in their neural (structural and functional) underpinnings and outcomes on several behavioral tasks. Therefore, it is critical to assess the universality of the population-level distribution (indicating two groups rather than a normal distribution) across populations of speakers. Here we demonstrate that the previous results replicate with a Norwegian-speaking population, indicating that the test is generalizable beyond previously tested populations of native English- and German-speakers.
Activation of goblet-cell stress sensor IRE1β is controlled by the mucin chaperone AGR2
Authors: Cloots Eva , Guilbert Phaedra , Provost Mathias , Neidhardt Lisa , Van de Velde Evelien , Fayazpour Farzaneh , De Sutter Delphine , Savvides Savvas N , Eyckerman Sven , Janssens Sophie
Published: December 2023

Intestinal goblet cells are secretory cells specialized in the production of mucins, and as such are challenged by the need for efficient protein folding. Goblet cells express Inositol-Requiring Enzyme-1β (IRE1β), a unique sensor in the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is part of an adaptive mechanism that regulates the demands of mucin production and secretion. However, how IRE1β activity is tuned to mucus folding load remains unknown. We identified the disulfide isomerase and mucin chaperone AGR2 as a goblet cell-specific protein that crucially regulates IRE1β-, but not IRE1α-mediated signaling. AGR2 binding to IRE1β disrupts IRE1β oligomerization, thereby blocking its downstream endonuclease activity. Depletion of endogenous AGR2 from goblet cells induces spontaneous IRE1β activation, suggesting that alterations in AGR2 availability in the endoplasmic reticulum set the threshold for IRE1β activation. We found that AGR2 mutants lacking their catalytic cysteine, or displaying the disease-associated mutation H117Y, were no longer able to dampen IRE1β activity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that AGR2 is a central chaperone regulating the goblet cell UPR by acting as a rheostat of IRE1β endonuclease activity.
The Many Facets of Ultrafast Electron Diffraction and Microscopy: Development and Applications
Authors: Ruan C.-Y.
Published: December 2023

In the past two decades, the rapid pace in the development of table-top ultrafast electron diffraction and microscopy instrumentation has ushered in a new area of investigating structural dynamics and related material property responses. In this chapter, we will review the multifaceted development involving gas-phase ultrafast electron diffraction for investigating photochemistry (gas phase UED), surface-sensitive ultrafast electron nanocrystallography (UEnC) and ultrafast photovoltamnetry (UPV) for probing subsurfaces, surfaces, and supported nanoparticles, as well as ultrafast electron crystallography (UEC) for the studies of molecular crystals and quantum materials. Prototypical examples of data collections, core technologies, and specialized protocols for structure analysis are presented in some detail with the hope that they can be reproduced by interested readers in their own studies. The need to simultaneously obtain information about the electronic states, functionalities, as well as structure dynamics motivates the development of ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) in which diffraction, imaging, and spectroscopy are united to enable multimodality observations on ultrafast timescales for a broad range of materials science problems. The second part of the chapter covers the latest UEM technologies supported by new developments in generating high-brightness electron bunches, and the RF-based techniques for phase-space manipulations. Based on current progress, frank assessments about the performance in different areas and limitations are provided.
ICPMS and IRMS for Elemental and Isotopic Forensic Investigations
Authors: Walker G. S.
Published: December 2023

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), for determining the elemental composition, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), for determining the isotopic ratio of light stable isotopes, are very powerful techniques for providing forensic intelligence, either individually or in combination, and can be applied to a large range of materials of forensic interest. Elements and isotopes vary from location to location worldwide and so the measurement of their presence, their concentration and their relative amounts can provide useful intelligence to a number of forensic investigations. Not only do the hydrogen : deuterium and 18O : 16O isotopic ratios provide information about the relative sources of water but the concentration of other elements is also important; chlorine content helps in distinguishing between saline and fresh water, and strontium isotope ratios provide useful information for comparing different sources of water. As a consequence, the combination of IRMS and ICPMS is a very powerful approach for the provision of intelligence in forensic environmental investigations.
Transferable Mass Spectrometry Methods: Examination of Authenticity in Artwork
Authors: Bouvier C. , Brunelle A. , Van Nuffel S.
Published: December 2023

This chapter discusses the use of mass spectrometry for the authentication of artwork and its transferability to forensics. The general process for art authentication is first discussed. An overview of the main mass spectrometry techniques that are currently used for art authentication is provided, along with commentary on the associated sample preparation and the data that can be obtained. Five examples of real authentication cases, where mass spectrometry techniques were used, are reported with the lessons learnt from them. Finally, the potential for the use of these analytical techniques during criminal prosecutions involving art is discussed, while also highlighting the numerous challenges that one may encounter.
Fabrication Techniques of Green Supercapacitors: Advances and Limitations
Authors: Muzaffar Aqib , Ahamed M. Basheer
Published: December 2023

Clean, green, and sustainable energy generation, storage and harvesting formulates an ideal slogan for modern society. Energy generation from green and sustainable energy sources presents an alternative to limit the dependence on fossil fuels to meet the energy demands of the modern world. The negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment cannot be neglected. Supercapacitors, based on an electrochemical principle for energy storage and conversion present one such alternative to attain the goal of green energy. This chapter attempts to highlight the supercapacitors perspective in the context of the development of green energy storing and delivery.