bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Attitudes Towards Alcohol Scale for Health Professionals in Portugal
Authors: Seabra Paulo , Nunes Inês , Silva Vanessa , Valentim Olga , Pinho Lara , Moutinho Lídia , de Vargas Divane , Curado Alice
Published: November 2023

We aimed to conduct an adaptation and validation of the Attitudes towards Alcohol, Alcoholism and Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders Scale (EAFAA) which set to address the main groups of attitudes. It is composed in its original version by 50 items, divided into 4 factors: (1) work and interpersonal relationships with patients with alcohol consumption disorders; (2) the person with alcohol consumption disorders; (3) alcoholism (aetiology) and (4) alcoholic beverages and their use. The cultural adaptation from Brazilian to European Portuguese changes 22 items and the designation of one factor. The content validity index scale was 0.96. The psychometric properties were analysed through a cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample of 500 health professionals and students. The confirmatory factor analysis model with the same four (4) original factors, led to the elimination of 9 items. The scale revealed Cronbach’s alpha of 0.801. Empirical adjustment indices were satisfactory with Minimum Discrepancy Function by Degrees of Freedom divided (CMIN) (X2/gl) = 3.91; p < 0001, RMSEA = 0.076 and the goodness of fit index (GFI) with 0.8. Relative indices values were normal fit index (NFI) = 0.6, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.7 and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.7, with best parsimony indices PCFI = 0.595, PNFI = 0.530 and PGFI = 0.702.
Analytical Modeling of a Hydrogen Sensor Based on Exfoliated and Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Lo Sciuto Grazia , Drewniak Sabina , Muzyka Roksana , Drewniak Łukasz , Capizzi Giacomo
Published: November 2023

Hydrogen can be considered a clean energy carrier with zero carbon emissions, produced from renewable energy sources. However, hydrogen is a highly flammable gas and can form explosive mixtures with oxygen; hence, sensing techniques are essential for timely leak detection. This paper presents the experimental characterization of a hydrogen sensor based on sensing material consisting of thermally exfoliated/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films deposited on a sensor device by the drop-coating technique. The measurement of changes in electrical resistance due to hydrogen gas exposure operating at different temperatures (27°C, 90°C, and 150°C) is carried out in a gas chamber with a known concentration of hydrogen in constant air flow. In addition, a generalized mathematical formulation is provided for the dependence of hydrogen gas concentration, temperature, and sensor resistance for the hydrogen gas sensor based on exfoliated/reduced graphene oxide.
Advancing Diagnosis and Treatment in People Living with HIV and Tuberculosis Meningitis
Authors: Kimuda Sarah , Kasozi Derrick , Namombwe Suzan , Gakuru Jane , Mugabi Timothy , Kagimu Enock , Rutakingirwa Morris K. , Leon Kristoffer E. , Chow Felicia , Wasserman Sean , Boulware David R. , Cresswell Fiona V. , Bahr Nathan C.
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis. Inadequate diagnostic testing and treatment regimens adapted from pulmonary tuberculosis without consideration of the unique nature of TBM are among the potential drivers. This review focuses on the progress being made in relation to both diagnosis and treatment of TBM, emphasizing promising future directions.

Recent findings

The molecular assay GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra has improved sensitivity but has inadequate negative predictive value to “rule-out” TBM. Evaluations of tests focused on the host response and bacterial components are ongoing. Clinical trials are in progress to explore the roles of rifampin, fluoroquinolones, linezolid, and adjunctive aspirin.

Though diagnosis has improved, novel modalities are being explored to improve the rapid diagnosis of TBM. Multiple ongoing clinical trials may change current therapies for TBM in the near future.
Assessing risk and sustainability factors in spice supply chain management
Authors: Kumar Vimal , Raj Rohit , Verma Pratima , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Shah Bhavin
Published: November 2023

The inopportune organization of spice supply chains (SSCs) results in aided risks, resource wastages, and sustainability issues. Nevertheless, practitioners and academicians alike must investigate spice supply chain management (SSCM) in terms of long-term sustainability. This study draws on the available literature to compile a collection of characteristics and maintain sustainable spice supply chain management techniques which come up with associated risks and relevant obstacles. Existing studies claim that due to a lack of resources, the associated risks are the root of poor SSCM performance. As a result, the goal of this study is to identify the primary risk variables using qualitative data; nevertheless, the attributes must be converted into a scale that is comparable. The fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) was used to obtain valid and reliable attributes from qualitative data, while the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FDEMATEL) was used to address uncertainty and interrelationships simultaneously. FDM results suggest that there are eighteen critical risk variables and seven risks threatening effective SSCM. FDEMATEL results reveal qualitative data translated into crisp, comparable values in order to investigate causal linkages between variables and confirm the compatibility of the theoretical structure with industry realities. The findings show fluctuation in the Price (C8), diseases and pests (C20), human contamination (C23), spice adulteration (C24), and loss of food quality, and quantity (C36) are all important risks and sub-risks in these causative interrelationships. The primary risks involved in enhancing SCM include Financial Risk (A5), Ergonomic Risk (A8), and Operation and Management Risk (A10). The study recommends that industry professionals use future marketing tools to protect themselves from price changes which allow them to assess supply and demand circumstances and manage price risks over distance and time. Spices are the key contributors to earning a sizable amount of foreign currency through export in a developing country. It suggests to policymakers, regulatory organizations, and practitioners to develop regulations, raise farmer understanding about pest control, impose stiff penalties on vendors and businesses proven to be involved in spice adulteration, and develop a sustainable fertilizer distribution system. These corresponding action plans for improving the SSC sector and comparing it with agro-food and short-supply chains are investigated. This study contributes to theory by utilizing FDM and FDEMATEL methods for addressing the uncertainty and interrelationship among associated risks that hinder SCM from attaining sustainability.
The Effects of Three Facets of National Identity and Other Socioeconomic Traits on Attitudes Towards Immigrants
Authors: Indelicato Alessandro , Martín Juan Carlos
Published: November 2023

The academic literature showed an increasing interest in studying the link between national identity and anti-immigrant sentiment. This work is based on ten countries from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) dataset for two different waves: 2003 and 2013. The paper aims to analyse the influence of the three facets of national identity (nationalism, political patriotism, and cultural patriotism) and other socioeconomic traits on attitudes towards immigrants (ATI). Untried methods in social science based on the fuzzy-hybrid analysis (FHA) and the fuzzy clustering are used first to analyse citizens according to their levels of openness towards immigrants, nationalism, cultural patriotism, and political patriotism. Then, the ordered probit model is applied to thoroughly examine the intricate relationships connecting the three facets of national identity and individual sociodemographic characteristics with ATI. The results show that the national identity and cultural patriotism constructs negatively influence ATI, while political patriotism positively influences ATI. In addition, country, political orientation, age, religion, economic situation, gender, place of birth, principal status, and education are crucial factors that explain ATI.
Maladaptive facet trait profiles and psychopathology: a person-centered assessment approach
Authors: De la Rosa-Cáceres A. , Rossi G. , Lozano O. M. , Sanchez-Garcia M. , Facon M. , Diaz-Batanero C.
Published: November 2023

Person-centered approaches in personality allow greater understanding of how different subpopulations with specific personality profiles are linked with relevant outcomes. Studies under the Five Factor Model agree on the observation of a Resilient, an Undercontrolled and an Overcontrolled profile. However, studies using maladaptive traits are much more limited. The present research identify personality profiles based on the 25 maladaptative facet and examined the relationships with personality dysfunctioning, internalizing and externalizing symptoms.

A mixed sample composed of community adults (n = 742) and patients (n = 312) completed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 Short Form, the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-II, Externalizing Spectrum Inventory–Brief From, the 12 items Spanish version of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II and Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0. Latent profile analysis was performed on PID-5-SF score. The scores on internalizing, externalizing and functioning were compared across the profiles.

Four profiles emerged: Resilient, Undercontrolled, Overcontrolled, and Ordinary type. The Overcontrolled and Undercontrolled types showed higher scores on pathology scales. While the Overcontrolled profile appeared more related to internalizing symptoms and impairment in self-functioning, the Undercontrolled profile was more linked to higher scores on externalizing symptoms and interpersonal dysfunctioning.
Effects of death anxiety on fear of missing out
Authors: Naidu Kuhanesan N. C. , Chew Peter K. H.
Published: November 2023

Death Anxiety (DA) and Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) are two psychological phenomena that have distinct implications for individuals and their overall quality of life. The Terror Management Theory (TMT) is utilized to bridge the gap between these constructs and extends its understanding to everyday behaviors and psychopathology. The present 2-part study examined the effects of DA and Mortality Salience (MS) on FOMO, respectively. Study 1 included (N = 220; 53% females) participants aged 18 to 38 years (M = 21.48, SD = 3.80) and Study 2 included (N = 175; 53% females) participants aged 20 to 63 years (M = 32.23, SD = 9.43). Results supported the hypotheses, where (1) a strong and positive correlation exists between FOMO and DA; the strength of the correlation weakens, after self-esteem was partially out, and (2) participants in the MS condition who reported higher self-esteem, reported significantly lower levels of FOMO. Practical implications include broadening the TMT literature to advance clinical psychological practice, where new interventions that addresses the effects of FOMO and future translational research are needed to mitigate DA and its detrimental effects. Overall, this novel discovery which involves FOMO serves as a precedent for future TMT studies.
The Spread of Jihadism in the Sahel. Part 1
Authors: Haidara Boubacar
Published: November 2023

Following the occupation of northern Mali by jihadist groups in 2012, the national and international military response failed to counter their influence. Having spread to neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso and Niger, jihadism is now on the doorstep of some countries in the Gulf of Guinea, such as Togo and Benin. This article analyses in three parts the main factors that have been exploited (instrumentalised) by these jihadists groups in the Sahel, a strategy that they could replicate in the countries mentioned above.
Towards a Universal Model of Engineering Change Management
Authors: Tryczak Jakub , Lis Anna , Ziemiański Paweł , Czyżewicz Jacek
Published: November 2023

The paper deals with the issue of engineering change management (ECM). ECM has received much less attention in the literature than general change management. Moreover, due to their specifics (complexity and multifaceted nature), hitherto developed ECM models are difficult to implement in companies. The paper aims to develop a simplified, universal, and hence easily applicable model of ECM. We based our assumptions on a case study of a manufacturing company with low-volume production, representing a high-mix type, posing the following research question: how to improve the ECM process to make it simpler and more quickly adaptable in companies with the analyzed type of production when compared to the existing models? To answer this question, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted in late 2021/early 2022 using in-depth personal interviews. The research sample included 31 employees involved in ECM processes. Conventional qualitative content analysis was the primary technique for analyzing and interpreting the data. The study identified gaps and bottlenecks in the existing ECM model. On this basis, a proposal for a new ECM model was developed, distinguished by its simplicity and versatility (it can be implemented in companies operating in various industries). Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the flow of information and circulation of technical documentation between the departments involved and clarifying the role of the change administrator. The paper sheds new light on how to implement engineering changes in organizations and has considerable application value.
Modelling Informal Carers’ Health-Related Quality of Life: Challenges for Economic Evaluation
Authors: Pennington Becky , Al-Janabi Hareth
Published: November 2023

There has been increasing interest in including carers’ health-related qualify of life (HRQoL) in decision models, but currently there is no best practice guidance as to how to do so. Models thus far have typically assumed that carers’ HRQoL can be predicted from patient health states, as we illustrate with three examples of disease-modifying treatments. However, this approach limits the mechanisms that influence carers’ HRQoL solely to patient health and may not accurately reflect carers’ outcomes. In this article, we identify and discuss challenges associated with modelling intervention effects on carers’ HRQoL: attaching carer utilities to patient disease states, the size of the caring network, aggregation of carer and patient HRQoL, patient death, and modelling longer-term carer HRQoL. We review and critique potential alternatives to modelling carers’ HRQoL in decision models: trial-based analyses, qualitative consideration, cost-consequence analysis, and multicriteria decision analysis, noting that each of these also has its own challenges. We provide a framework of issues to consider when modelling carers’ HRQoL and suggest how these can be addressed in current practice and future research.
Design of a polymeric cerebral aneurysm based on numerical modelling for the development of an aneurysm mechanical characterisation device
Authors: Raviol Jolan , Plet Guillaume , Magoariec Hélène , Pailler-Mattei Cyril
Published: November 2023

Intracranial aneurysm is a life-threatening pathology related to the arterial wall alteration. As yet there is no method capable of predicting rupture risk based on quantitative in vivo mechanical data. This work is part of a large-scale project aimed at providing clinicians with a non-invasive patient-specific decision support tool, based on the in vivo mechanical characterisation of the aneurysm wall. First, an original wall deformation device was developed on polymeric phantom arteries. These artery models were obtained by 3D printing and an injection moulding process, each one showing pros and cons of designs of a biofidelic phantom in terms of thickness and local stiffness. A numerical modelling of this experimental study was built as a support for designing phantoms as design process choices and determining the geometrical and mechanical parameters of arteries. A numerical Fluid–Structure Interaction model based on the finite element method was developed. Several wall thicknesses, mechanical properties and deformation device locations were considered. Regarding the 3D printed phantom artery, the numerical model demonstrated that a thin wall thickness should be emphasised instead of a low Young’s modulus to reach a significant and experimentally observable strain. Regarding the injection moulded phantom, the results pointed to a locally reduced aneurysm thickness with a Young’s modulus of 0.7 MPa for the strain analysis. The numerical study provided helpful information regarding the scientific challenges of the experimental study. This work is the keystone of further animal studies and associated patient-specific models.
Putting infection on the map: Using heatmaps to characterise within- and between-host distributions of trematode metacercariae
Authors: Calhoun Dana M. , Curtis Jamie , Hassan Clara , Johnson Pieter T. J.
Published: November 2023

The location of parasites within individual hosts is often treated as a static trait, yet many parasite species can occur in multiple locations or organs within their hosts. Here, we apply distributional heat maps to study the within- and between-host infection patterns for four trematodes (Alaria marcianae, Cephalogonimus americanus, Echinostoma spp. and Ribeiroia ondatrae) within the amphibian hosts Pseudacris regilla and two species of Taricha. We developed heatmaps from 71 individual hosts from six locations in California, which illustrate stark differences among parasites both in their primary locations within amphibian hosts as well as their degree of location specificity. While metacercariae (i.e., cysts) of two parasites (C. americanus and A. marcianae) were relative generalists in habitat selection and often occurred throughout the host, two others (R. ondatrae and Echinostoma spp.) were highly localised to a specific organ or organ system. Comparing parasite distributions among these parasite taxa highlighted locations of overlap showing potential areas of interactions, such as the mandibular inner dermis region, chest and throat inner dermis and the tail reabsorption outer epidermis. Additionally, the within-host distribution of R. ondatrae differed between host species, with metacercariae aggregating in the anterior dermis areas of newts, compared with the posterior dermis area in frogs. The ability to measure fine-scale changes or alterations in parasite distributions has the potential to provide further insight about ecological questions concerning habitat preference, resource selection, host pathology and disease control.
Haemosporidian parasite infections of Malagasy Philepittidae and Nectariniidae are driven by phylogeny rather than ecology
Authors: Barbon Hannah , Berthoud Jean-Louis , Woog Friederike , Musa Sandrine
Published: November 2023

The nectarivorous common sunbird asity (Neodrepanis coruscans) is phylogenetically closely related to the frugivorous velvet asity (Philepitta castanea), yet it shares similar habitat and foraging behaviour as the Malagasy sunbirds (Cinnyris spp.). As ecological factors have been shown to influence blood parasite prevalence, it should be tested whether parasite abundance, prevalence and diversity of N. coruscans are more similar to the sunbirds than to its relative. Therefore, blood samples (n = 156) and smears (n = 60) were tested for different blood parasites (Haemosporida, trypanosomes, filarioid nematodes) using molecular and microscopic methods. High prevalence of haemosporidian parasites was observed in all bird taxa, with rates ranging from 23% in N. coruscans to 84.6% in C. notatus. The Malagasy Cinnyris spp. exhibited a high occurrence of mixed haemosporidian infections (>76%) with various specialized lineages. Within the Philepittidae family, no Haemoproteus infection was detected and just a few cases of mixed infections. Nectariniidae species predominantly had specialized haemosporidian lineages, while Philepittidae had infections mainly caused by generalist lineages. These findings emphasize the diverse range of blood parasites in Nectariniidae, while additionally highlighting the high diversity of trypanosomes and filarioid nematodes in Philepittidae. Additionally, several newly discovered haemosporidian lineages, Trypanosoma isolates and filarioid nematode isolates were identified. Notably, Philepittidae exhibited a lower prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites compared to Nectariniidae, possibly due to potential resistance mechanisms. Despite N. coruscans sharing similar habitat and behavioural ecology with both Cinnyris spp., it closely resembles its relative, P. castanea, in all aspects of haemosporidian parasitism.
Meditations on ‘international friendship’: Situating twinning in global struggles for solidarity, recognition, and restitution
Authors: Ryan Holly Eva
Published: November 2023

This article takes the practice of twinning as an entry point for problematising conventional accounts of ‘international friendship’ in the field of International Relations. In particular, the paper zeroes in on three examples of twinning practice, past and present, that have challenged the status quo: twinnings established in opposition to the Contra war in Nicaragua; twinning as an act of recognition for communities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and twinning as a vehicle for the recovery and return of sacred artefacts to post-colonial Kenya. Through these examples, it argues for an alternative conceptualisation of international friendship – one that pushes beyond the methodological nationalism and ontological rigidity of dominant approaches.
Three-dimensional truss path planning of cellular robots based on improved sparrow algorithm
Authors: Dai Ye , Li Shikun , Chen Xinda , Nie Xinlei , Rui Xukun , Zhang Qihao
Published: November 2023

As space missions are needed in the future, the assembly volume of the space truss will become larger and larger, and the advancing path of the on-orbit cellular robot to the mission target will become more and more complicated. If the shortest moving path cannot be found in the truss environment, the climbing time of the robot on the truss will be greatly increased. To improve the speed of the cellular robot moving to the target point on the large space truss, this paper designs a cellular robot structure and configuration suitable for climbing on the truss and uses the improved sparrow algorithm to solve the problem of robot motion path planning. By establishing a mathematical model of the space truss, the improved sparrow algorithm is used to find the shortest path between the starting point and the end point in the truss environment. Finally, the data of this algorithm are compared with the data of other algorithms. The data results show that the improved sparrow algorithm is very effective in solving the optimal path of the space truss. The improved sparrow algorithm keeps the same optimal path compared with the standard sparrow algorithm, and the overall reaction time is increased by 51.60%, and the number of effective iterations is increased by about 13.87%.
Tone and morphological level ordering in Dagaare
Authors: Anttila Arto , Bodomo Adams
Published: November 2023

Dagaare is a language of northern Ghana and adjoining areas of Burkina Faso. There are two tones, H and L, and contrastive downstep H!H that involves a non-automatic pitch drop between two H tones. The challenge is to explain the extensive morphological conditioning of tonal processes, including dissimilation, downstep and spreading. Our solution involves level ordering: tones are introduced at different morphological levels (stems, words and phrases) and later processes can make earlier processes opaque. Tonal differences between nouns (spreading) versus verbs (no spreading) and stems (dissimilation) versus words (downstep) arise from constraint ranking differences within and across levels. There are two kinds of downsteps: stem-level downsteps are underlying L tones affiliated with some morpheme; word-level downsteps are L tones inserted by a general process of word-final lowering. Only one downstep per word is allowed. If more would arise, the morphologically inner downstep blocks the morphologically outer downstep.
Socio-demographic, migratory and health-related determinants of food insecurity among Venezuelan migrants in Peru
Authors: Al-kassab-Córdova Ali , Villarreal-Zegarra David , Bendezu-Quispe Guido , Robles-Valcárcel Pamela , Herrera-Añazco Percy , Benites-Zapata Vicente A.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the factors associated with food insecurity (FI) among Venezuelan migrants residing in Peru. Secondarily, to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).

Design:

A cross-sectional study based on secondary data analysis of the 2022 Venezuelan Population Residing in Peru Survey (ENPOVE-2022, from the Spanish acronym) was conducted. FI was measured with the FIES, whose properties were tested using the Rasch model. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to estimate relative prevalence ratios with their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals.

Setting:

This survey was conducted in February and March 2022 in the eight cities most populated by Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Peru.

Participants:

Venezuelan migrants and refugees over the age of 18 years living in Peru.

Results:

A total of 7727 participants were included. Rasch reliability was adequate (0·73). The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe FI was 36·71 %, 31·14 % and 10·48 %, respectively. Being aged 25–34 and 35–44 years, unemployed, uninsured, having no formal education or secondary, illegal status, living in a dwelling with 2–4 and more than 4 people, presenting one or more than one chronic disease, residing in Peru for 0–6 months and perceived discrimination were associated with a higher probability of moderate FI. Furthermore, having secondary education, being unemployed, uninsured, never married, illegal, residing in Tumbes, presenting one or more than one chronic disease and perceived discrimination were significantly associated with severe FI.

Conclusion:

Four out of ten Venezuelan migrants residing in Peru presented moderate to severe FI. The FIES showed adequate psychometric properties. Differences in the socio-demographic, health and migratory factors associated with FI levels were found. Inter-sectoral and multi-sectoral interventions are needed and should be focused on addressing the determinants of FI.
Announcing New AGU Journal Editors-in-Chief Starting in 2024
Authors: Giampoala Matt , Frost Carol
Published: November 2023

AGU is excited to welcome new Editors-in-Chief for seven of our journals in 2024, including the founding Editor of JGR: Machine Learning and Computation.
Spatiotemporal Trends of Extreme Temperature Events Along the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridor From 1981 to 2019 Based on Estimated Near‐Surface Air Temperature
Authors: Wang Bin , Gao Meiling , Li Yumin , Xu Huihui , Li Zhenhong , Peng Jianbing
Published: November 2023

The intensification of global warming leads to the increased frequency of extreme temperature events. Many studies have reported on numerous regions facing extreme hot and cold temperatures to some degree. In this study, the daily maximum, minimum and mean near‐surface air temperatures were estimated to explore the detailed spatial trends of extreme temperature events along the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridor (QTPTC). Sixteen extreme temperature indices were used to represent extreme temperature events, and the Mann‐Kendall trend test and Sen's slope estimation method were employed to explore the spatiotemporal trends of extreme temperatures along the QTPTC during 1981–2019. The possible factors that affect the trends of extreme temperature events were also discussed, indicating that: (a) There was an exacerbation of extreme hot events, while the prevalence of extreme cold events weakened along the QTPTC. This was in accordance with the trend of global warming. (b) The trends of extreme temperature indices based on daily minimum temperature were stronger than those based on daily maximum temperature in most areas, except for the eastern region. Furthermore, as altitude increased, the amplitude of warming intensified. (c) Unlike the trend in most areas, the intensified warming trend occurred in the low‐altitude areas in the eastern region where there are more human activities and rapid urbanization, and the daily maximum temperature trend was more severe there. The results can provide references for policymakers to formulate corresponding adaptation strategies, addressing the impacts of extreme temperature events on transportation facilities with significant elevation differences.
Atmospheric Wave Radiation by Vibrations of an Ice Shelf
Authors: Godin Oleg A. , Zabotin Nikolay A. , Zabotina Liudmila
Published: November 2023

Lidar and radar observations of persistent atmospheric wave activity in the Antarctic atmosphere motivate investigation of generation of acoustic‐gravity waves (AGWs) by vibrations of ice shelves and exploiting their possible ionospheric manifestations as a source of information about the ice shelves' conditions and stability. A mathematical model of the waves radiated by vibrations of a finite area of the lower boundary of the atmosphere is developed in this paper by extending to AGWs an efficient, numerically exact approach that was originally developed in seismology and underwater acoustics. The model represents three‐dimensional wave fields as Fourier integrals of numerical or analytical solutions of a one‐dimensional wave equation and accounts for the source directionality, AGW refraction and diffraction, and the wind‐induced anisotropy of wave dissipation. Application of the model to the generation of atmospheric waves in Antarctica by free vibrations of the Ross Ice Shelf reveals a complex three‐dimensional structure of the AGW field and elucidates the impact of various environmental factors on the wave field. The intricate variation of the wave amplitude with altitude and in the horizontal plane is shaped by the spatial spectrum of the ice surface vibrations and the temperature and wind velocity stratification from the troposphere to the mesosphere. It is found that the waves due to the low‐order modes of the free oscillations of the Ross Ice Shelf, which have periods of the order of several hours, can transport energy to the middle and upper atmosphere in a wide range of directions from near‐horizontal to near‐vertical.
The Diurnal Cycle of Rainfall and Deep Convective Clouds Around Sumatra and the Associated MJO‐Induced Variability During Austral Summer in Himawari‐8
Authors: Lopez‐Bravo Clemente , Vincent Claire L. , Huang Yi , Lane Todd P.
Published: November 2023

The effects of the diurnal cycle and large‐scale atmospheric disturbances dominate rainfall and cloud variability in the Maritime Continent. This study examines the modulation of the Austral Summer diurnal cycle by the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) using cloud populations through precipitation and deep convective cloud derived from satellite measurements. Using Rainfall Potential Areas from Himawari‐8 Advanced Himawari Imager as a proxy for deep convection, our analysis shows that convective clouds are present ∼55% of the time over land in Sumatra during the afternoon and night. Cloud signatures reveal semi‐diurnal structures of deep convective clouds off the West Coast of Sumatra. In contrast, the East Coast exhibits explicit sea‐ward propagation patterns of deep convective controlled by the coastal effects around the Strait of Malacca and Java Sea, together with the influence of synchronized diurnal forcing between islands. We show that the MJO drives the enhanced convective phases, changing the cloud top type distribution, moisture convergence, and moisture transport over the equatorial Indian Ocean. The cold cloud area also increases during the MJO active phases, which is linked to frequent deep convective cloud development near the mountain ranges of Sumatra and the adjacent ocean. The analyses of cloud variations based on the rainfall potential areas and cloud top type provide evidence of the effects of convective processes on the diurnal cycle of ice and water vapor distribution in the troposphere.
Restoratively driven planning for implants in the posterior maxilla - Part 2: implant planning, biomechanics and prosthodontic planning a proposed prosthodontic complexity index
Authors: King Elizabeth M. , Schofield Jonathon
Published: November 2023

Restoratively driven implant planning in the posterior maxilla requires a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical and physiological changes of the alveolar bone following tooth extraction and sinus augmentation. As a part of restoratively driven planning, alveolar bone, inter-arch relationships, proposed crown-implant ratio and anticipated non-axial loading should be assessed pre-operatively. This helps determine the prosthodontic and surgical aspects of implant treatment, such as prosthesis design, implant number, implant angulation, implant length and the necessity for additional bone grafting procedures. However, currently no implant planning classification is restoratively driven and include these important prosthodontic considerations. Therefore, a new index - the Posterior Maxilla Prosthodontic Index - is defined to encourage restoratively driven implant planning in the posterior maxilla.
Aggregation of alpha-synuclein disrupts mitochondrial metabolism and induce mitophagy via cardiolipin externalization
Authors: Lurette Olivier , Martín-Jiménez Rebeca , Khan Mehtab , Sheta Razan , Jean Stéphanie , Schofield Mia , Teixeira Maxime , Rodriguez-Aller Raquel , Perron Isabelle , Oueslati Abid , Hebert-Chatelain Etienne
Published: November 2023

Accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates in the substantia nigra pars compacta is central in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, leading to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and the manifestation of motor symptoms. Although several PD models mimic the pathological accumulation of α-synuclein after overexpression, they do not allow for controlling and monitoring its aggregation. We recently generated a new optogenetic tool by which we can spatiotemporally control the aggregation of α-synuclein using a light-induced protein aggregation system. Using this innovative tool, we aimed to characterize the impact of α-synuclein clustering on mitochondria, whose activity is crucial to maintain neuronal survival. We observed that aggregates of α-synuclein transiently and dynamically interact with mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial depolarization, lower ATP production, mitochondrial fragmentation and degradation via cardiolipin externalization-dependent mitophagy. Aggregation of α-synuclein also leads to lower mitochondrial content in human dopaminergic neurons and in mouse midbrain. Interestingly, overexpression of α-synuclein alone did not induce mitochondrial degradation. This work is among the first to clearly discriminate between the impact of α-synuclein overexpression and aggregation on mitochondria. This study thus represents a new framework to characterize the role of mitochondria in PD.
Reentrance of interface superconductivity in a high-Tc cuprate heterostructure
Authors: Shen J. Y. , Shi C. Y. , Pan Z. M. , Ju L. L. , Dong M. D. , Chen G. F. , Zhang Y. C. , Yuan J. K. , Wu C. J. , Xie Y. W. , Wu J.
Published: November 2023

Increasing the carrier density in a Mott insulator by chemical doping gives rise to a generic superconducting dome in high temperature superconductors. An intriguing question is whether a second superconducting dome may exist at higher dopings. Here we heavily overdope La2-xSrxCuO4 (0.45 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) and discover an unprecedented reentrance of interface superconductivity in La2-xSrxCuO4 /La2CuO4 heterostructures. As x increases, the superconductivity is weakened and completely fades away at x = 0.8; but it revives at higher doping and fully recovers at x = 1.0. This is shown to be correlated with the suppression of the interfacial charge transfer around x = 0.8 and the weak-to-strong localization crossover in the La2-xSrxCuO4 layer. We further construct a theoretical model to account for the sophisticated relation between charge localization and interfacial charge transfer. Our work advances both the search for and control of new superconducting heterostructures.
Biosynthesis of barley wax β-diketones: a type-III polyketide synthase condensing two fatty acyl units
Authors: Sun Yulin , Ruiz Orduna Alberto , Zhang Zhonghang , Feakins Sarah J. , Jetter Reinhard
Published: November 2023

The surface coatings of cereal plants are dominated by waxy β-diketones crucial for drought resistance and, therefore, grain yield. Here, barley (Hordeum vulgare) wax analyses reveal β-diketone and associated 2-alkanol ester profiles suggesting a common C16 3-ketoacid precursor. Isotope analysis further shows that the major (C31) diketone is synthesized from two plastidial C16 acyl units. Previous studies identified a gene cluster encoding enzymes responsible for β-diketone formation in barley, but left their biochemical functions unknown. Various assays now characterize one of these enzymes as a thioesterase producing long-chain (mainly C16) 3-ketoacids, and another one as a polyketide synthase (PKS) condensing the 3-ketoacids with long-chain (mainly C16) acyl-CoAs into β-diketones. The two enzymes are localized to the plastids and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), respectively, implying substrate transfer between these two sub-cellular compartments. Overall, our findings define a two-step pathway involving an unprecedented PKS reaction leading directly to the β-diketone products.
Structural basis of bile salt extrusion and small-molecule inhibition in human BSEP
Authors: Liu Hongtao , Irobalieva Rossitza N. , Kowal Julia , Ni Dongchun , Nosol Kamil , Bang-Sørensen Rose , Lancien Loïck , Stahlberg Henning , Stieger Bruno , Locher Kaspar P.
Published: November 2023

BSEP (ABCB11) is an ATP-binding cassette transporter that is expressed in hepatocytes and extrudes bile salts into the canaliculi of the liver. BSEP dysfunction, caused by mutations or induced by drugs, is frequently associated with severe cholestatic liver disease. We report the cryo-EM structure of glibenclamide-bound human BSEP in nanodiscs, revealing the basis of small-molecule inhibition. Glibenclamide binds the apex of a central binding pocket between the transmembrane domains, preventing BSEP from undergoing conformational changes, and thus rationalizing the reduced uptake of bile salts. We further report two high-resolution structures of BSEP trapped in distinct nucleotide-bound states by using a catalytically inactivated BSEP variant (BSEPE1244Q) to visualize a pre-hydrolysis state, and wild-type BSEP trapped by vanadate to visualize a post-hydrolysis state. Our studies provide structural and functional insight into the mechanism of bile salt extrusion and into small-molecule inhibition of BSEP, which may rationalize drug-induced liver toxicity.
Combinatorial quantification of distinct neural projections from retrograde tracing
Authors: Venkadesh Siva , Santarelli Anthony , Boesen Tyler , Dong Hong-Wei , Ascoli Giorgio A.
Published: November 2023

Comprehensive quantification of neuronal architectures underlying anatomical brain connectivity remains challenging. We introduce a method to identify distinct axonal projection patterns from a source to a set of target regions and the count of neurons with each pattern. A source region projecting to n targets could have 2n-1 theoretically possible projection types, although only a subset of these types typically exists. By injecting uniquely labeled retrograde tracers in k target regions (k < n), one can experimentally count the cells expressing different color combinations in the source region. The neuronal counts for different color combinations from n-choose-k experiments provide constraints for a model that is robustly solvable using evolutionary algorithms. Here, we demonstrate this method’s reliability for 4 targets using simulated triple injection experiments. Furthermore, we illustrate the experimental application of this framework by quantifying the projections of male mouse primary motor cortex to the primary and secondary somatosensory and motor cortices.
Pit-to-crack mechanisms of 316LN stainless steel reinforcement in alkaline solution influenced by strain induced martensite
Authors: Martin Ulises , Birbilis Nick , Macdonald Digby D. , Bastidas David M.
Published: November 2023

The pit-to-crack transition of AISI 316LN stainless steel reinforcement exposed to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in chlorides contaminated alkaline environment, was studied by a combination of slow strain rate testing (SSRT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The phase angle shift (Δφ) obtained by EIS at low frequencies was utilized to determine the pit-to-crack transition, differentiating from crack nucleation and propagation as identified by shifts in the frequency range of phase angle (θ) peaks. The pit-to-crack transition was developed once the maximum θ value shifted from the low to high frequencies. EIS analysis was corroborated by assessment of repassivation rates and pit growth, in addition to calculating $${\Delta G}^{{\rm{\gamma }}\to {\rm{\alpha }}{\rm{\mbox{'}}}}$$

Δ
G

γ
→
α
’

. Crack nucleation at lath martensite developed transgranular SCC. Strain-induced martensitic transformation was associated with the brittle failure of AISI 316LN stainless steel, where α’–martensite phase preferentially incubated the pit, and favored crack nucleation, thus promoting pit-to-crack transition.
Efficient automated error detection in medical data using deep-learning and label-clustering
Authors: Nguyen T. V. , Diakiw S. M. , VerMilyea M. D. , Dinsmore A. W. , Perugini M. , Perugini D. , Hall J. M. M.
Published: November 2023

Medical datasets inherently contain errors from subjective or inaccurate test results, or from confounding biological complexities. It is difficult for medical experts to detect these elusive errors manually, due to lack of contextual information, limiting data privacy regulations, and the sheer scale of data to be reviewed. Current methods for training robust artificial intelligence (AI) models on data containing mislabeled examples generally fall into one of several categories—attempting to improve the robustness of the model architecture, the regularization techniques used, the loss function used during training, or selecting a subset of data that contains cleaner labels. This last category requires the ability to efficiently detect errors either prior to or during training, either relabeling them or removing them completely. More recent progress in error detection has focused on using multi-network learning to minimize deleterious effects of errors on training, however, using many neural networks to reach a consensus on which data should be removed can be computationally intensive and inefficient. In this work, a deep-learning based algorithm was used in conjunction with a label-clustering approach to automate error detection. For dataset with synthetic label flips added, these errors were identified with an accuracy of up to 85%, while requiring up to 93% less computing resources to complete compared to a previous model consensus approach developed previously. The resulting trained AI models exhibited greater training stability and up to a 45% improvement in accuracy, from 69 to over 99% compared to the consensus approach, at least 10% improvement on using noise-robust loss functions in a binary classification problem, and a 51% improvement for multi-class classification. These results indicate that practical, automated a priori detection of errors in medical data is possible, without human oversight.
A quantitative evaluation method utilizing the homology concept to assess the state of chromatin within the nucleus of lung cancer
Authors: Yokoyama Yuhki , Kanayama Kazuki , Iida Kento , Onishi Masako , Nagatomo Tadasuke , Ito Mayu , Nagumo Sachiko , Kawahara Kunimitsu , Morii Eiichi , Nakane Kazuaki , Yamamoto Hirofumi
Published: November 2023

Homology is a mathematical tool to quantify "the contact degree", which can be expressed in terms of Betti numbers. The Betti numbers used in this study consisted of two numbers, b0 (a zero-dimensional Betti number) and b1 (a one-dimensional Betti number). We developed a chromatin homology profile (CHP) method to quantify the chromatin contact degree based on this mathematical tool. Using the CHP method we analyzed the number of holes (surrounded areas = b1 value) formed by the chromatin contact and calculated the maximum value of b1 (b1MAX), the value of b1 exceeding 5 for the first time or Homology Value (HV), and the chromatin density (b1MAX/ns2). We attempted to detect differences in chromatin patterns and differentiate histological types of lung cancer from respiratory cytology using these three features. The HV of cancer cells was significantly lower than that of non-cancerous cells. Furthermore, b1MAX and b1MAX/ns2 showed significant differences between small cell and non-small cell carcinomas and between adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, respectively. We quantitatively analyzed the chromatin patterns using homology and showed that the CHP method may be a useful tool for differentiating histological types of lung cancer in respiratory cytology.
A previous champagne tap reduces the probability of traumatic lumbar puncture in the following procedure
Authors: Sievänen Harri , Kari Juho , Huurre Anu , Palmu Sauli
Published: November 2023

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample containing no red blood cells (RBC), colloquially known as a champagne tap, is an ideal outcome of a lumbar puncture (LP). In this pseudoprospective study of 2573 patients aged from 0 days to 95 years, we examined in four different age categories (neonates and infants, children and adolescents, adults, and older adults) whether a champagne tap in the patient’s first LP procedure and a shorter time than 1 week between the two successive procedures are independently associated with fewer blood-contaminated CSF samples (traumatic LP) in the following procedure. One out of five CSF samples from the patient’s first LP procedures were RBC-free on average, varying from about 9% in neonates and infants to about 36% in children and adolescents. The mean incidence of champagne taps was 19.5%. According to binary logistic regression, a champagne tap in the previous LP procedure significantly determined whether the following procedure was not blood-contaminated. The odds of traumatic LP were halved or even reduced tenfold after a champagne tap. Less than a week between the two successive procedures, in turn, multiplied the odds of traumatic LP in the latter even more than tenfold. A champagne tap was not significantly associated with traumatic LP in the following procedure among pediatric patients. If the patient’s condition or therapy plan permits and the blood contamination can compromise the reliability of the CSF-based analysis and consequent diagnosis, postponing the LP procedure by several days is advisable to improve the odds of receiving a high-quality CSF sample.