bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dyke to sill deflection in the shallow heterogeneous crust during glacier retreat: part I
Authors: Drymoni Kyriaki , Tibaldi Alessandro , Bonali Fabio Luca , Mariotto Federico Aligi Pasquarè
Published: November 2023

Dykes and sills occupy Mode I (extension), Mode II (shear), or hybrid mode fractures and most of the time transport and store magma from deep reservoirs to the surface. Subject to their successful propagation, they feed volcanic eruptions. Yet, dykes and sills can also stall and become arrested as a result of the crust’s heterogeneous and anisotropic characteristics. Dykes can become deflected at mechanical discontinuities to form sills, and vice versa. Although several studies have examined dyke propagation in heterogeneous and anisotropic crustal segments before, the conditions under which dykes propagate in glacial-volcanotectonic regimes remain unclear. Here, we coupled field observations with 2D FEM numerical modelling to explore the mechanical conditions that encourage (or not) dyke-sill transitions in volcanotectonic or glacial settings. We used as a field example the Stardalur cone sheet-laccolith system, which lies on the Esja peninsula, close to the western rift zone, NW of the southern part of the Icelandic rift. The laccolith is composed of several vertical dykes that transition into sills and form a unique stacked sill ‘flower’ structure. Here, we investigate whether the Stardalur laccolith was formed under the influence of stresses caused by glacial retreat due to thickness variations (0–1 km) in addition to regional and local tectonic stresses (1–3 MPa extension or compression) and varied magma overpressure (1–30 MPa), as well as the influence of the mechanical properties of the lava/hyaloclastite contact. Our results show that the observed field structure in non-glacial regimes was formed as a result of either the mechanical (Young’s modulus) contrast of the lava/hyaloclastite contact or a compressional regime due to pre-existing dykes or faulting. In the glacial domain, the extensional stress field below the ice cap encouraged the formation of the laccolith as the glacier became thinner (subject to a lower vertical load). In all cases, the local stress field influenced dyke to sill deflection in both volcanotectonic regimes.
Ubiquitous multi-occupant detection in smart environments
Authors: Fährmann Daniel , Boutros Fadi , Kubon Philipp , Kirchbuchner Florian , Kuijper Arjan , Damer Naser
Published: November 2023

Recent advancements in ubiquitous computing have emphasized the need for privacy-preserving occupancy detection in smart environments to enhance security. This work presents a novel occupancy detection solution utilizing privacy-aware sensing technologies. The solution analyzes time-series data to detect not only occupancy as a binary problem, but also determines whether one or multiple individuals are present in an indoor environment. On three real-world datasets, our models outperformed various state-of-the-art algorithms, achieving F1-scores up to 94.91% in single-occupancy detection and a macro F1-score of 91.55% in multi-occupancy detection. This makes our approach a promising solution for improving security in smart environments.
Impact of two different patient decision aids in prosthodontic consultations: a prospective randomized controlled study
Authors: Brandt Silvia , Lauer Hans-Christoph , Güth Jan-Frederik , Bühling Sarah , Sayahpour Babak , Romanos Georgios , Winter Anna
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Different approaches to prosthodontic consultation, all involving a strong focus on shared decision-making, were analyzed from the perspective of patients by inter-group comparisons. No patient decision aid (PDA) was used in the control group, a paper-based PDA in test group 1, and a software-based PDA in test group 2.

Materials and methods

Seventy-five patients were prospectively randomized to the control group or a test group. All patients then rated the consultation on a questionnaire, six key items of which were analyzed, along with the time spent on each consultation.

Results

Overall satisfaction was highest in test group 2, with a significant difference from the control group (p = 0.015). Test group 2 showed the most favorable ratings for all six questionnaire items, which invariably was significant compared to the control group (p = 0.032). Test group 1 significantly differed from test group 2 based on two items (consultation was adequately intelligible: p = 0.011; consultation was adequately comprehensive: p = 0.034) but not from the control group based on any item (p = 0.070).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, the use of a software-based PDA, in particular, can be recommended based on patient satisfaction and was associated with the shortest sessions for consultation.

Clinical relevance

Patients are routinely faced with a wealth of information in dental offices and may be overwhelmed especially by prosthetic treatment options and decision requirements. Our findings shed some light on the nature of aids that may truly be helpful in the process of shared decision-making.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov.Identifier: ISRCTN11472465.
Behavioral and metabolic risk factors associated with periodontitis in Brazil, 1990–2019: a multidimensional analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Alves-Costa Silas , Leite Fábio Renato Manzolli , Ladeira Lorena Lúcia Costa , Lima-Soares Fernanda , de Andrade Paes Antonio Marcus , de Souza Bruno Feres , Nascimento Gustavo G. , Ribeiro Cecilia Claudia Costa
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Periodontitis is a non-communicable disease (NCD) that may be linked to other NCDs through shared risk factors. Accordingly, we analyzed the relationship between periodontitis and behavioral and metabolic risks common to NCDs in Brazilian adults over three decades.

Methods

Indicators of periodontitis, behavioral risks (smoking, alcohol use, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and physical activity), and metabolic risks (overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension) in Brazilian adults (25–49 y-old) between 1990 to 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Data were adjusted for Gini index. Fixed-effects and Prais-Winsten regressions were performed (p < 0.05).

Results

The prevalence of periodontitis has increased among Brazilians since 2005. High-SSB diet, alcohol use, and metabolic risks increased between 1990–2019, whereas smoking decreased. In crude models, periodontitis prevalence increased with alcohol use (2545.1; 95%CI: 2307.9–2782.3), high-SSB diet (365.5; 95%CI: 322.5–408.4), low physical activity (1784.4; 95%CI: 763.7–2805.0), overweight/obesity (172.3; 95%CI: 156.3–188.4), dyslipidemia (734.5; 95%CI: 624.7–844.2), and hyperglycemia (1774.3; 95%CI: 1555.9–1992.7). After adjustment for the Gini index, periodontitis prevalence raised with a high-SBB diet (1416.0; 95%CI: 1120.2–1711.8), overweight/obesity (629.9; 95%CI: 573.1–686.8), dyslipidemia (2035.8; 95%CI: 1728.1–2343.5), and hyperglycemia (8918.1; 95%CI: 7979.8–9856.3).

Conclusions

Periodontitis has increased in Brazil since 2005, despite the smoking reduction. Sugar-sweetened beverage was the behavioral risk that mostly accompanied the periodontal trend.

Clinical relevance

Our results support upstream strategies targeting commercial, social, political, and structural determinants to tackle NCDs and reduce oral health inequities.
Epidemiology and emm types among group A streptococcal pharyngitis in Finland: a prospective laboratory-based study
Authors: Virolainen Mirva , Gröndahl-Yli-Hannuksela Kirsi , Rantakokko-Jalava Kaisu , Seiskari Tapio , Lönnqvist Emilia , Kolari Terhi , Rissanen Tiia , Hyyryläinen Hanne-Leena ,   DICAR study group, Kailankangas Ville , Syrjänen Jaana , Vilhonen Johanna , Oksi Jarmo , Vuento Risto , Vuopio Jaana
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Streptococcus pyogenes (mostly termed group A Streptococcus - GAS) is the most important bacterial causative of pharyngitis. However, epidemiology of GAS pharyngitis is not widely established. This study describes GAS pharyngitis cases and emm-type distribution in a prospective study covering over 2 years in two Hospital Districts in Finland.

Methods

A prospective, systematic collection of GAS pharyngitis isolates was conducted between March 2018 and December 2020 in two large Hospital Districts in Finland. Patient characteristics (age, gender) were included if available. All GAS isolates collected were emm typed.

Results

Altogether 1320 GAS pharyngitis strains were collected, 904 in the Hospital District 1 (HD1) and 416 in Hospital District 2 (HD2). In HD1, age and gender data were available. Females were overrepresented (58% of all cases). In addition, the age and gender distributions were noted to be significantly different (p < 0.0001) with females having a more uniform distribution until age of 40. emm28 was common among the age group of 20–29-year-olds and emm89 in children under 10 years of age, respectively. In HD1, most of the isolates were collected during winter and autumn months. Significant differences by season in the frequency of emm12, emm89, emm75 and group of “others” were observed.

Conclusion

Age distribution among GAS pharyngitis cases was significantly different between genders (p < 0.0001). In addition, age group specific and seasonal variations in emm GAS types causing the disease were observed. These findings warrant further investigation, especially for understanding population-based spread of GAS even in more detail.
Transition towards sustainable mobility: the role of transport optimization
Authors: Turan Belma , Hemmelmayr Vera , Larsen Allan , Puchinger Jakob
Published: November 2023

Although the concept of a transition towards sustainability has been introduced about 30 years ago, there is still a lack of progress. Transport emissions have not decreased in the last decade. However, they need to be reduced substantially to meet climate goals. The cornerstones of a transition can be summarized with the avoid-shift-improve paradigm: Traffic should be avoided as much as possible, any unavoidable traffic should be shifted to sustainable modes of transport and finally fuel and vehicle technologies should be improved. The goal of this paper is to find out how and where transport optimization can contribute to a transition towards sustainable mobility. It identifies concepts based on the avoid-shift-improve approach for which transport optimization can be used, describes the existing literature and points out research directions.
Rituximab in combination with cyclosporine and steroid pulse therapy for childhood-onset multidrug-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a multicenter single-arm clinical trial (JSKDC11 trial)
Authors: Nozu Kandai , Sako Mayumi , Tanaka Seiji , Kano Yuji , Ohwada Yoko , Morohashi Tamaki , Hamada Riku , Ohtsuka Yasufumi , Oka Masafumi , Kamei Koichi , Inaba Aya , Ito Shuichi , Sakai Tomoyuki , Kaito Hiroshi , Shima Yuko , Ishikura Kenji , Nakamura Hidefumi , Nakanishi Koichi , Horinouchi Tomoko , Konishi Akihide , Omori Takashi , Iijima Kazumoto
Published: November 2023

Background

Only 80% of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome respond well to glucocorticoid therapy. Multidrug-resistant nephrotic syndrome (MRNS) is associated with a poor kidney prognosis. Several retrospective studies have identified rituximab as an effective treatment for MRNS; however, prospective studies are required to assess its efficacy and safety.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, non-blinded, single-arm trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in patients with childhood-onset MRNS who were resistant to cyclosporine and more than three courses of steroid pulse therapy. The enrolled patients received four 375 mg/m2 doses of rituximab in combination with baseline cyclosporine and steroid pulse therapy. The primary endpoint was a > 50% reduction in the urinary protein/creatinine ratio from baseline on day 169. Complete and partial remissions were also evaluated.

Results

Six patients with childhood-onset MRNS were enrolled. All patients were negative for pathogenic variants of podocyte-related genes. On day 169, five patients (83.3%) showed a > 50% reduction in the urinary protein/creatinine ratio, two patients showed partial remission, and two patients showed complete remission. No deaths occurred and severe adverse events occurred in two patients (infection in one patient and acute kidney injury in one patient). Three patients needed treatment for moderate-to-severe infection.

Conclusions

The study treatment effectively reduced the urinary protein/creatinine ratio in patients with childhood-onset MRNS. The adverse events in this study were within the expected range; however, attention should be paid to the occurrence of infections.
An in silico model of the capturing of magnetic nanoparticles in tumour spheroids in the presence of flow
Authors: Wirthl Barbara , Janko Christina , Lyer Stefan , Schrefler Bernhard A. , Alexiou Christoph , Wall Wolfgang A.
Published: November 2023

One of the main challenges in improving the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs is that they do not reach the cancer cells at sufficiently high doses while at the same time affecting healthy tissue and causing significant side effects and suffering in cancer patients. To overcome this deficiency, magnetic nanoparticles as transporter systems have emerged as a promising approach to achieve more specific tumour targeting. Drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles can be directed to the target tissue by applying an external magnetic field. However, the magnetic forces exerted on the nanoparticles fall off rapidly with distance, making the tumour targeting challenging, even more so in the presence of flowing blood or interstitial fluid. We therefore present a computational model of the capturing of magnetic nanoparticles in a test setup: our model includes the flow around the tumour, the magnetic forces that guide the nanoparticles, and the transport within the tumour. We show how a model for the transport of magnetic nanoparticles in an external magnetic field can be integrated with a multiphase tumour model based on the theory of porous media. Our approach based on the underlying physical mechanisms can provide crucial insights into mechanisms that cannot be studied conclusively in experimental research alone. Such a computational model enables an efficient and systematic exploration of the nanoparticle design space, first in a controlled test setup and then in more complex in vivo scenarios. As an effective tool for minimising costly trial-and-error design methods, it expedites translation into clinical practice to improve therapeutic outcomes and limit adverse effects for cancer patients.

Graphic Abstract
A conceptual framework to disentangle land use and climate change impacts on water balance components and sediment yield
Authors: Palmate Santosh S. , Pandey Ashish , Tigabu Tibebe B. , Mercado-Bettín Daniel , Fohrer Nicola , Wagner Paul D.
Published: November 2023

Individual and combined impacts of land use and climate change on water resources in a river basin cannot be easily categorized due to feedback effects. These impacts should be assessed separately to determine the dominant role of land use and/or climate change affecting planning and management of natural resources. In this study, a conceptual framework is proposed to disentangle individual as well as combined impacts of land use and climate changes on hydrology of the Betwa River basin in central India. Land use maps of the years 2013 (classified) and 2040 (simulated) were used as inputs in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for the land use change impact study. Downscaled and bias-corrected CMIP5 GCM data was firstly evaluated using observed station data, and then used in the SWAT model for simulation of basin hydrology over five periods of time, i.e., baseline (1986–2005), horizon 2039 (2020–2039), horizon 2059 (2040–2059), horizon 2079 (2060–2079), and horizon 2099 (2080–2099). The study reveals that the impact of climate change dominates effects on water resources in the future, especially due to increased precipitation. Changes in dense forest, agriculture and waterbody induce positive responses; nevertheless, changes in degraded forest and barren land induce negative responses to the changes in hydrology of the Betwa basin. The proposed conceptual framework can disentangle individual and combined impacts of land use change and climate change on basin hydrology. Thus, it can be utilized as an important tool for sustainable river basin management.
Cultural and Linguistic Prejudices Experienced by African Language Speaking Witnesses and Legal Practitioners at the Hands of Judicial Officers in South African Courtroom Discourse: The Senzo Meyiwa Murder Trial
Authors: Docrat Zakeera , Kaschula Russell H.
Published: November 2023

This article recognizes that linguistic prejudice (with its associated cultural biases) is a reality in any multilingual country, including South Africa. Prejudice is inherently human and the article suggests that it can be both positive and negative. In the case of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial the article suggests that the linguistic prejudice experienced by witnesses and legal practitioners was largely negative. Even though the South African Constitution suggests an empowering multilingual environment where there are now twelve official languages, in contrast to this, the article takes as a point of departure the monolingual language of record policy that has been in place in the South African legal system since 2017. This is contrary to the constitutional imperatives. It is argued that this policy negatively impacts witnesses and legal practitioners and that the Meyiwa trial is a case in point. It is found that in this trial there is linguistic prejudice (practiced by the presiding judge) where there are linguistic or cultural voids related to communicative inequality and where the speaker does not have sufficient English vocabulary to proceed. It is concluded that the interpretation process also has its challenges and that ideally the use of African languages as languages of record in courts could only aid the delivery of social justice and the implementation of language rights in a multilingual and multicultural country such as South Africa.
Transfer of Metals Relevant to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle into Lumbriculus variegatus from Boreal Freshwater Sediments
Authors: Ylönen Marko , Roivainen Päivi , Naarala Jonne , Akkanen Jarkko
Published: November 2023

Radioecological modeling requires information about the transfer of different elements and their radionuclides. These models have traditionally used radionuclide concentrations in water to predict concentrations in aquatic organisms. In addition, these models often assume this accumulation to be linear. In this study, we investigated the transfer of Ba, Co, Ni, Sr, U, and Zn from sediment and artificial freshwater to laboratory-reared benthic Oligochaeta (Lumbriculus variegatus). Total elemental concentrations were used as substitute measurements for specific radionuclides. The radioactive isotopes of these metals are an important part of the nuclear fuel cycle. During various parts of this cycle, they can end up in aquatic environments, mostly at low concentrations. Sediment samples were collected from three small lakes connected to a former uranium mine in Eastern Finland, as well as from a reference lake from a different drainage area nearby. A 28-day bioaccumulation experiment was conducted using collected samples and artificial freshwater. Concentrations measured from sediment, porewater, overlying water, and L. variegatus indicated importance of sediment as a source of uptake for all tested metals. Linear accumulation assumption (constant concentration ratio) also did not appear to be correct for most metals. Metal uptake by L. variegatus seemed to reduce at higher sediment concentrations for most metals, except for Ba and Co. Thus, the common assumptions related to radioecological modeling were not supported by our findings for majority of tested metals and accumulation sources. Further basic research is required to develop more accurate and robust radioecological models.
Pattern Formation in Mesic Savannas
Authors: Patterson Denis , Levin Simon , Staver Ann Carla , Touboul Jonathan
Published: November 2023

We analyze a spatially extended version of a well-known model of forest-savanna dynamics, which presents as a system of nonlinear partial integro-differential equations, and study necessary conditions for pattern-forming bifurcations. Homogeneous solutions dominate the dynamics of the standard forest-savanna model, regardless of the length scales of the various spatial processes considered. However, several different pattern-forming scenarios are possible upon including spatial resource limitation, such as competition for water, soil nutrients, or herbivory effects. Using numerical simulations and continuation, we study the nature of the resulting patterns as a function of system parameters and length scales, uncovering subcritical pattern-forming bifurcations and observing significant regions of multistability for realistic parameter regimes. Finally, we discuss our results in the context of extant savanna-forest modeling efforts and highlight ongoing challenges in building a unifying mathematical model for savannas across different rainfall levels.
Self-Compassion and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in a Non-Clinical Sample: Insights from Network Analysis and Canonical Correlation Analysis
Authors: Moroń Marcin , Kocur Dagna
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The goal of the present study was to investigate the hypothesized complex interactions between dimensions of self-compassion and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) in a non-clinical sample.

Method

Four hundred and twenty-four individuals (273 women) ranging in age from 18 to 83 years (M = 41.00; SD = 14.50) participated in the cross-sectional survey. The participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory—Revised (OCI-R).

Results

Certain dimensions of self-compassion were found to be associated with specific OCD symptoms, with positive dimensions (except Common humanity) correlating with reduced Obsessing, Hoarding, and Ordering, and negative dimensions correlating with all OCD symptoms. Canonical correlation analysis indicated three significant linkages: (1) between Isolation, Over-identification, and Obsessing, (2) between Self-judgment, Over-identification, Ordering, and Checking, and (3) between Self-judgment and Neutralizing. Exploratory graph analysis challenged the structure of the SCS and the OCI-R, suggesting two dimensions of self-compassion, compassionate self-reference and uncompassionate self-reference; and two dimensions of OCD, obsessing and other OCD symptoms. The Obsessing subscale appeared as a bridge between uncompassionate self-reference and OCD symptoms. Compassionate self-reference was negatively correlated with uncompassionate self-reference and obsessing, whereas uncompassionate self-reference was positively correlated with obsessing and OCD symptoms.

Conclusions

Investigation of the associations between self-compassion and psychopathology should avoid aggregating the uncompassionate and compassionate dimensions of self-compassion. The significant associations in the network of self-compassion and OCD symptoms were between uncompassionate self-reference, obsessing, and OCD symptoms.

Preregistration

This study is not pre-registered.
Pyrolysis or hydrothermal carbonisation for anaerobic-digested sewage sludge? A comparison of pyrochar and hydrochar structure and stability
Authors: Pimenta-Ocampo M. , Gascó G. , Méndez A. , Otten W. , Sakrabani R.
Published: November 2023

Thermochemical conversion of sewage sludge was proven as a useful method for waste management. Moderate temperatures in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis) and hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) performed in the presence of water, under autogenous pressures, were selected to treat the same sample of anaerobic-digested sewage sludge (SS). Two hydrochars were prepared by HTC in one high-pressure reactor using SS at 80% humidity content and heating it at 180 and 240 °C for 4 h, leading to H180-4 and H240-4, respectively. Two pyrochars were prepared from a pre-oven-dried SS at 105 °C for 48 h, followed by slow pyrolysis at 300 °C for 1 h, and 400 °C for 1 h leading to P300-1 and P400-1, respectively. HTC and slow pyrolysis significantly increased thermal stability of chars with higher temperatures, only reducing organic matter content (from 68.4 to 46.7–59.2%). Based on the characterisation results, the treatments could be a suitable choice to pre-treat sludge as soil amendment. Higher temperatures of pyrolysis would be attractive to store stable carbon in soil and construction materials, whilst lower temperatures of pyrolysis and HTC would produce a material that could be used as a source of organic matter providing a pool of labile carbon and fixed carbon. Thermochemical conversions generated mesopores (10–50 nm, >40%) and slightly increased surface area from 2 m2/g (SS) to 5–17 m2/g (pyrochars) and to 20 m2/g (hydrochars). Hence, HTC showed the greatest potential to produce a material with higher adsorption capacity (100 cm3/g for H180-4) but all chars should be subjected to an activation process to be able to compete with other kinds of feedstocks. The reduction of the H:C and O:C from the original SS after the treatments indicated a greater carbonisation degree, but a general reduction of the high heating value (HHV) from 17.94 MJ kg−1 in SS to (14.93 MJ kg−1). The torrefied char and hydrochars could be an attractive option to reduce energy of the process and drying stage in the case of HTC.
Chemical compositions and antifungal activity of Corymbia citriodora, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Syzygium cumini extracts: GC–MS and HPLC analysis of essential oils and phenolic compounds
Authors: Mohareb Ahmed S. O. , Elashmawy Maha A. A. , Nawar Moataz E. M. , Abdelrahman Assem K. , Ahmed Fares M. , Hassona Ahmed E. A. , Salem Mohamed Z. M.
Published: November 2023

This study was undertaken to explore the content and the chemical constituents of the essential oils (EOs) and methanol leaf extracts (MLEs) from Corymbia citriodora, Cupressus macrocarpa, and Syzygium cumini. Chromatographic analyses of GC–MS and HPLC were used. The EOs and MLEs were prepared at concentrations of 0, 6, 12, 25, and 50 mg/L, while the extract was prepared at concentrations of 0, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg/L. Sapwood blocks of Pinus sylvestris in the dimension of 0.5 × 2 × 2 cm were prepared and autoclaved at 121 °C, and each wood block received 100 µL of the prepared concentrations from the EOs and MEs. The bioactivities of wood-treated EOs or MEs were measured against the growth of Fusarium solani MW947256. By GC–MS, the main compounds in the EOs from C. citriodora were citronellal, citronellol, p-cymene, spathulenol, and isopulegol with values of 23.95, 9.80, 9.32, 9.29, and 5.38%, respectively, in Cup. macrocarpa leaves were sabinene (11.94%), 4-terpinenol (11.34%), citronellol (9.59%), citronellal (9.85%), p-cymene (7.67%), spathulenol (5.24%), γ-terpinene (5.05%), camphor (4.31%), and limonene (3.2%), and in S. cumini leaves were trans-β-ocimene (19.11%), α-pinene (18.79%), caryophyllene (9.30%), (Z)-β-ocimene (8.16%), and limonene (6%). By HPLC, the most abundant phenolic compounds in the methanol extract from C. citriodora benzoic acid (8.11 μg/g), and gallic acid (7.96 μg/g), from Cup. macrocarpa were syringic acid (7.59 μg/g), catechol (6.85 μg/g), and gallic acid (6.78 μg/g), and from S. cumini were cinnamic acid (10.66 μg/g), caffeic acid (9.87 μg/g), and ellagic acid (8.76 μg/g). The highest percentages of inhibition (65.71% and 35.71%) against the growth of F. solani were seen in the wood treated with Cup. macrocarpa EOs at 50 and 25 mg/L, respectively. The maximum level of inhibition was seen (92.85%) when S. cumini MLEs at a dose of 4000 mg/L was applied to wood samples, followed by Cup. macrocarpa MLEs (70.00%) compared to the positive control of azoxystrobin + difenoconazole (1000 mg/L), which caused 100% inhibition to F. solani. The findings indicated that bioactive chemicals present in the extracts and EOs from these trees have strong antifungal properties.
Valorization of polylactic acid bionanocomposites enriched with CuO-TiO2 for packaging applications
Authors: Khalil Ahmed M. , El-Sayed Samah M. , Youssef Ahmed M.
Published: November 2023

Food packaging plays a significant role in the food industry and has an impact on a number of factors related to the food product and the consumer. Works on biodegradable polymers have been carried out in an effort to solve the issue of the environment being negatively impacted by the growing use of synthetic polymers. The objective of the present work is to compose bionanocomposites that can be used as packaging materials. Polylactic acid (PLA) loaded with (2% w/w) titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) nanoparticles (PLA/TiO2) bionanocomposite was successfully prepared. Then, CuO-TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared and added with different concentrations (1, 3, and 5% w.) to the PLA matrix to fabricate PLA/CuO-TiO2 bionanocomposites. Furthermore, the fashioned PLA/CuO-TiO2 bionanocomposites were evaluated via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), and X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD). Moreover, the thermal, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties of the PLA bionanocomposites films were improved upon loading CuO-NPs (1.0, 3.0, and 5.0%) with the supported TiO2-NPs (2% w/w) compared by pure PLA. Moreover, the obtained result confirmed that the prepared PLA/CuO-TiO2 bionanocomposites were monitored seeking enhanced PLA bionanocomposites to be applied as packaging materials.
Cardiac deceleration capacity is associated with severity of inflammation in COVID-19
Authors: Hoppe John Michael , Strüven Anna Katharina , Brunner Stefan , Stremmel Christopher
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In this pilot study, we investigated the cardiac autonomic activity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected hospitalized patients. COVID-19 is characterized by cough, fever, and dyspnea, which in some severe cases can lead to hypoxia, respiratory failure, and shock. Since breathing disorders and pulmonary diseases are tightly linked to autonomic dysfunction, we analyzed the cardiac autonomic activity by measuring the deceleration capacity (DC) in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

In 14 adults (4 men and 10 women) with a median age of 63.5 years and positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with severe symptoms requiring hospital treatment, a high-resolution digital 30 min electrocardiogram (ECG) in Frank leads configuration was performed in a resting supine position within the first 48 h after hospital admission. DC was assessed using validated software and associated with several markers of inflammation and clinical course.

Results

The study revealed a significant association between reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) and older age (74 years) in COVID-19 patients, compared to those with a higher DC > 2.5 ms (56.5 years). However, the duration of hospitalization was similar for both groups. There was a nonsignificant trend towards a higher maximum viral load in patients with reduced DC. Further, patients with a DC ≤ 2.5 ms showed higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT), as well as leukocytosis, compared to patients with a DC > 2.5 ms. Also, the COVID-19-severity marker ferritin was significantly elevated in patients with lower DC. Other markers associated with COVID-19, such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), exhibited comparable levels in both groups.

Conclusions

Reduced DC (≤ 2.5 ms) was significantly associated with older age, increased inflammatory markers, and elevated ferritin in patients with COVID-19. These findings suggest that DC might serve as a valuable indicator for predicting the risk of severe inflammation in COVID-19 and possibly complications associated with this disease, such as heart failure. Further studies are needed to confirm these observations and clarify the clinical significance of DC in COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Comparative study between TIG-MIG hybrid and MIG welding of 1.4462 duplex steel joints
Authors: Weis S. , Grunert R. , Brumm S. , Halmaghi M. , Prank U.
Published: November 2023

Duplex steels are used for applications that require high strength and ductility combined with good corrosion resistance. An economical welding technology to handle these steels is achieved by combining the MIG and TIG arc processes. The aim is to improve welding speed and quality by utilizing a TIG-MIG hybrid welding process to join 1.4462 duplex steel with a thickness of 2 mm. The interaction between the two arcs, caused by the blowing effect, is an enormous challenge that can be counteracted with a defined torch position and current modulation. For this purpose, a variation of the MIG (pulsed and AC pulsed arc) and TIG process (AC and pulsed DC) took place. The influence of electrical parameters on process stability and material transfer was investigated. For analysis, an evaluation of high-speed recordings (5000 frames per second) and synchronized measured current/voltage curves (200 kHz) is carried out. Based on a number of selected specimens, a welding procedure test according to ISO 15614-1 is performed to determine the welding seam quality. The test includes the characterization by tensile and hardness testing and macroscopic and microscopic examination. Additionally, the specimens are examined according to ISO 5817.
Aesthetic Experience as Interaction
Authors: NANAY BENCE
Published: November 2023

The aim of this article is to argue that what is distinctive about aesthetic experiences has to do with what we do -- not with our perception or evaluation, but with our action and, more precisely, with our interaction with whatever we are aesthetically engaging with. This view goes against the mainstream inasmuch as aesthetic engagement is widely held to be special precisely because it is detached from the sphere of the practical. I argue that taking the interactive nature of aesthetic experiences seriously can help us to understand some of the most important features of aesthetic experiences and the role they play in our life: their normativity, their crucial role in the ways in which the aesthetic domain looms large in our self-image and in the social dimension of aesthetic engagement.
SPEAKING OBJECTS AND THE EARLY GREEK CONCEPTION OF WRITING
Authors: Fassberg Teddy
Published: November 2023

One of the most remarkable features of the language of early Greek writing is a pervasive rhetorical strategy which consists in personifying objects for the purpose of identifying humans closely associated with them. Such ‘speaking objects’ have no Semitic parallel; how, then, is their conventional status in the Archaic Age to be explained? This article first considers the formulaic language of speaking objects, which is no straightforward transcription of speech, and seeks to explain where it comes from. It then turns to the question of why writers employed the curious strategy of personification by setting it in the broader context of early Greek writing and literature. Variously analogous to herms, slaves and skytalai, speaking objects are shown to have been conceived as messengers acting on behalf of their senders by not speaking in their name.
Advancing Geophysics: IRIS and UNAVCO Merge to Form EarthScope Consortium
Authors: Zawacki Emily E. , Bendick Rebecca , Woodward Robert L.
Published: November 2023

A new organization, EarthScope Consortium, was formed 1 January 2023 following the merger of the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) and UNAVCO. EarthScope Consortium is a consortium dedicated to supporting transformative global geophysical research and education.
Ocean Dynamics Causes the Equatorial Pacific SST Bias in CAS‐ESM2‐0
Authors: Si Wei , Liu Hailong , Zhang Minghua
Published: November 2023

Coupled ocean‐atmosphere models still suffer from systematic biases in simulating the sea‐surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial Pacific. Like in many current generations of climate models, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Earth System Model (CAS‐ESM2‐0) simulated warmer SST in the eastern Pacific and colder SST in the central to western Pacific at the equator. We analyzed the physical processes causing these biases. We find that model biases in surface heat flux are a consequence, not the cause, of the SST bias. Ocean currents are implicated as the cause. The biases in ocean currents come from both the ocean model itself and the bias in surface winds in the atmospheric model. We show that the bias of ocean currents in the standalone ocean model causes warming in the region of positive precipitation bias in the standalone atmospheric model. When the two models are coupled, the precipitation bias is greatly amplified. Anomalous equatorial winds as atmospheric Rossby‐gravity wave response to precipitation induce additional bias in ocean currents that transport heat in the upper ocean. The cold equatorial SST bias in the central and western Pacific is found to be due to temperature advection by the anomalous zonal currents, while the warm bias in the eastern Pacific is due to advection by the anomalous zonal and meridional currents as well as downwelling. Results from the analysis offer insights into the causes of the SST biases in coupled models in the equatorial Pacific.
Variable Salinity and Hydrogen Production in Europa's Ocean
Authors: Spiers E. M. , Schmidt B. E.
Published: November 2023

Europa's long‐term habitability depends on thermodynamics—modulated by tidal evolution—and geochemical pathways that define chemical and energy inventories for use by putative biology. Hydrogen produced from the reaction of water and rock during serpentinization is one potential source of metabolic energy. Here, we demonstrate how thermally modulated volumetric changes to Europa's ice shell, ocean, and fluid‐accessible rocky mantle influence oceanic salinity and serpentinization rates in Europa's interior. During periods of steady cooling, hydrogen flux into the ocean remains relatively constant because of the continuous propagation of thermal cracking into the rocky mantle regardless of ocean composition. However, during periods of fluctuating heat production driven by changes in orbital eccentricity, modulation of the ice shell volume, and consequently the salinity and water activity of the ocean, alters the serpentinization rate. In parallel, the extent of fracturing within the seafloor varies, changing the volume of reactable rock available. Our results show that the stability of serpentinization reactions on Europa over time highly depends on the thermal‐orbital evolution and oceanic salt content. The variability in the hydrogen production rate is significant across potential orbital histories, varying by up to 15 orders of magnitude for the lowest salinity and most kosmotropic ocean conditions, such as dilute MgSO4 compositions. We also show that this variability decreases with increasing ocean salinity and more chaotropic compositions, such as a concentrated NaCl ocean. These results suggest new ways that ocean composition and water activity are essential to stable habitable conditions in ocean worlds.
Signaling pathways and targeted therapies for psoriasis
Authors: Guo Jia , Zhang Hanyi , Lin Wenrui , Lu Lixia , Su Juan , Chen Xiang
Published: November 2023

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and inflammatory skin disease with a high burden on individuals, health systems, and society worldwide. With the immunological pathologies and pathogenesis of psoriasis becoming gradually revealed, the therapeutic approaches for this disease have gained revolutionary progress. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of less common forms of psoriasis remain elusive. Furthermore, severe adverse effects and the recurrence of disease upon treatment cessation should be noted and addressed during the treatment, which, however, has been rarely explored with the integration of preliminary findings. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms behind psoriasis pathogenesis, which might offer new insights for research and lead to more substantive progress in therapeutic approaches and expand clinical options for psoriasis treatment. In this review, we looked to briefly introduce the epidemiology, clinical subtypes, pathophysiology, and comorbidities of psoriasis and systematically discuss the signaling pathways involving extracellular cytokines and intracellular transmission, as well as the cross-talk between them. In the discussion, we also paid more attention to the potential metabolic and epigenetic mechanisms of psoriasis and the molecular mechanistic cascades related to its comorbidities. This review also outlined current treatment for psoriasis, especially targeted therapies and novel therapeutic strategies, as well as the potential mechanism of disease recurrence.
SRSF2 mutation reduces polycythemia and impairs hematopoietic progenitor functions in JAK2V617F-driven myeloproliferative neoplasm
Authors: Yang Yue , Abbas Salar , Sayem Mohammad A. , Dutta Avik , Mohi Golam
Published: November 2023

SRSF2 mutations are found in association with JAK2V617F in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), most frequently in myelofibrosis (MF). However, the contribution of SRSF2 mutation in JAK2V617F-driven MPN remains elusive. To investigate the consequences of SRSF2P95H and JAK2V617F mutations in MPN, we generated Cre-inducible Srsf2P95H/+Jak2V617F/+ knock-in mice. We show that co-expression of Srsf2P95H mutant reduced red blood cell, neutrophil, and platelet counts, attenuated splenomegaly but did not induce bone marrow fibrosis in Jak2V617F/+ mice. Furthermore, co-expression of Srsf2P95H diminished the competitiveness of Jak2V617F mutant hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. We found that Srsf2P95H mutant reduced the TGF-β levels but increased the expression of S100A8 and S100A9 in Jak2V617F/+ mice. Furthermore, enforced expression of S100A9 in Jak2V617F/+ mice bone marrow significantly reduced the red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. Overall, these data suggest that concurrent expression of Srsf2P95H and Jak2V617F mutants reduces erythropoiesis but does not promote the development of bone marrow fibrosis in mice.
Hypoxia-induced PLOD2 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression via modulating EGFR-dependent AKT pathway activation
Authors: Liu Tao , Xiang Wan , Chen Zhizhuang , Wang Gang , Cao Rui , Zhou Fenfang , Meng Zhe , Luo Yongwen , Chen Liang
Published: November 2023

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a type of kidney cancer that is both common and aggressive, with a rising incidence in recent decades. Hypoxia is a key factor that plays a vital role in the tumorigenesis and metastasis of malignancy. However, the precise mechanisms of hypoxia driving ccRCC progression were not totally uncovered. Our study found that hypoxia level was elevated in ccRCC and might be an independent risk factor of prognosis in ccRCC patients. We identified a key protein PLOD2 was induced under hypoxic conditions and strongly associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. When PLOD2 was depleted, the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells were reduced in vitro and in vivo, while overexpression of PLOD2 had the opposite effect. Mechanically, the study further revealed that PLOD2 was transcriptionally activated by HIF1A, which binds to a specific promoter region of the PLOD2 gene. PLOD2 was also shown to interact with EGFR, leading to the phosphorylation of the receptor. Furthermore, PLOD2 was responsible for binding to the extracellular domain of EGFR, which ultimately activated the AKT signaling pathway, thus promoting the malignant progression of ccRCC. Treatment with the PLOD2 inhibitor Minoxidil significantly suppressed ccRCC progression by inactivating the EGFR/AKT signaling axis. In summary, the findings of this study shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind PLOD2 expression in ccRCC and suggest that it may serve as a potential predictor and therapeutic target for the clinical prognosis and treatment of ccRCC.
ΔNp63α facilitates proliferation and migration, and modulates the chromatin landscape in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells
Authors: Peng Anghui , Lin Xiaowen , Yang Quanli , Sun Yihao , Chen Ruiyan , Liu Bing , Yu Xinyang
Published: November 2023

p63 plays a crucial role in epithelia-originating tumours; however, its role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) has not been completely explored. Our study revealed the oncogenic properties of p63 in iCCA and identified the major expressed isoform as ΔNp63α. We collected iCCA clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and analyzed p63 expression in iCCA tissue samples. We further established genetically modified iCCA cell lines in which p63 was overexpressed or knocked down to study the protein function/function of p63 in iCCA. We found that cells overexpressing p63, but not p63 knockdown counterparts, displayed increased proliferation, migration, and invasion. Transcriptome analysis showed that p63 altered the iCCA transcriptome, particularly by affecting cell adhesion-related genes. Moreover, chromatin accessibility decreased at p63 target sites when p63 binding was lost and increased when p63 binding was gained. The majority of the p63 bound sites were located in the distal intergenic regions and showed strong enhancer marks; however, active histone modifications around the Transcription Start Site changed as p63 expression changed. We also detected an interaction between p63 and the chromatin structural protein YY1. Taken together, our results suggest an oncogenic role for p63 in iCCA.
Thermal sensitivity of field metabolic rate predicts differential futures for bluefin tuna juveniles across the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Trueman Clive N. , Artetxe-Arrate Iraide , Kerr Lisa A. , Meijers Andrew J. S. , Rooker Jay R. , Sivankutty Rahul , Arrizabalaga Haritz , Belmonte Antonio , Deguara Simeon , Goñi Nicolas , Rodriguez-Marin Enrique , Dettman David L. , Santos Miguel Neves , Karakulak F. Saadet , Tinti Fausto , Tsukahara Yohei , Fraile Igaratza
Published: November 2023

Changing environmental temperatures impact the physiological performance of fishes, and consequently their distributions. A mechanistic understanding of the linkages between experienced temperature and the physiological response expressed within complex natural environments is often lacking, hampering efforts to project impacts especially when future conditions exceed previous experience. In this study, we use natural chemical tracers to determine the individual experienced temperatures and expressed field metabolic rates of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) during their first year of life. Our findings reveal that the tuna exhibit a preference for temperatures 2–4 °C lower than those that maximise field metabolic rates, thereby avoiding temperatures warm enough to limit metabolic performance. Based on current IPCC projections, our results indicate that historically-important spawning and nursery grounds for bluefin tuna will become thermally limiting due to warming within the next 50 years. However, limiting global warming to below 2 °C would preserve habitat conditions in the Mediterranean Sea for this species. Our approach, which is based on field observations, provides predictions of animal performance and behaviour that are not constrained by laboratory conditions, and can be extended to any marine teleost species for which otoliths are available.