bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptability of serosurveys in southern Zambia: data collector and caregiver perspectives
Authors: Carcelen Andrea C. , Limaye Rupali J. , Mutembo Simon , Hamahuwa Mutinta , Thuma Philip E. , Moss William J. , Hayford Kyla
Published: February 2023

Background

Factors associated with whether individuals choose to participate in serosurveys are not well understood. Understanding perceptions from multiple perspectives, including the perspectives of both data collectors and participants, through a holistic model such as the socio-ecological model contextualizes individual, interpersonal, and structural level influences on survey research participation. We used a multiple methods approach to characterize reasons for serosurvey participation in communities in Southern Province, Zambia where a serosurvey was conducted in 2016.

Methods

The first phase conducted focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 24 data collectors who participated in a measles-rubella serosurvey in 2016. The second phase surveyed 34 caregivers at health facilities to identify barriers and facilitators to serosurvey participation. Emergent themes were then classified into a socio-ecological model using individual, interpersonal, and structural level constructs.

Results

Common themes emerged from data collectors as well as caregivers surveyed. At the individual level, providing incentives was a facilitator, and some religious beliefs were described as a barrier to serosurvey participation. At the interpersonal level, family dynamics and community peer influences could help or hinder serosurvey participation. Community health workers were consistently named as facilitators of participation. At the structural level, concerns about specimen collection, who was selected for serosurveys, and not receiving test results arose as potential barriers. The most frequently reported facilitator was provision of information about the purpose of the serosurvey (85% of respondents). The most frequently reported barrier was lack of clarity regarding use of their blood specimen (53% of respondents). For specimen collection type, caregivers consistently preferred finger prick blood collection over both venous blood draw and oral swabs.

Conclusion

Serosurvey participation was deemed acceptable to most study participants. The socio-ecological model revealed barriers and facilitators for participation to guide strategies to improve participation which can be applied to ongoing serosurveys for SARS-CoV-2. Serosurveys should continue to develop engagement plans to provide information about blood collection ahead of the serosurvey and communicate the objectives of such studies through trusted sources such as community health workers and traditional leaders.
Traditional fermented foods of Benin Republic: microbiological safety and health benefits
Authors: Zannou Oscar , Chabi Ifagbémi B. , Kpoclou Yénoukounmè E. , Kayodé Adéchola P. P. , Galanakis Charis M. , Selli Serkan
Published: February 2023

A wide range of traditional fermented foods is produced and prized in communities in developing countries. Due to the generation of beneficial microorganisms, nutritional and bioactive compounds such as organic acids, antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, high bioavailable proteins, peptides, mannans, β-glucans and amino-acids, fermentation has been considered one of most vital food processing techniques to improve product shelf life, quality, and safety. The presented overview of scientific research emphasizes the microflora potential and multifold advantageous effects of the fermented foods traditionally produced in the Benin Republic. Several innovative scientific investigations on fermentation and fermented products, together with indigenous knowledge and professional experience, have been explored and discussed. The characterization of microbiological aspects of these foods revealed that they present economic, nutritional, and health advantages with essential prebiotics and probiotics for the indigenous communities. Furthermore, traditional fermented foods have high safety and quality. However, the industrial way is suggested to limit the eventual adverse contaminations.
Large variations of crustal thickness across the Taiwan orogeny constrained by Moho-refraction recorded by the Formosa Array
Authors: Shih Min-Hung , Lai Ya-Chuan , Lin Cheng-Horng
Published: February 2023

The Taiwan orogenic belt is formed by the strong convergence between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The detailed mountain building process is still under debated largely due to the poor constraint of deep crustal structures, particularly the geometry at the Moho-depth. Here the Moho-refracted P waves are identified from the seismic data recorded by a dense seismic array (Formosa Array) in northern Taiwan. Although the refracted seismic energy is often weak at each individual station, the waveform similarity recorded at the nearby stations provides a reliable constraint for estimating the apparent velocity recorded by the dense seismic array. The forward modeling of the observed Moho-refracted P waves shows a larger crustal thickness (~ 52 km) beneath the Backbone Ranges than beneath the adjacent Hsuehshan Ranges (~ 36 km). Such a result is not only confirming the Moho variations along a few of the NW-SE profiles from the previous studies, but also showing the strong Moho variation is well extended along the NE-SW direction. The large change in the crustal thickness across the Taiwan orogeny strongly indicate that the orogenic deformation in Taiwan might extend beyond the shallow crust, possibly involving in the deep crust and upper mantle. The Taiwan orogeny may not be reaching to the isostatic equilibrium yet.
Public Attitudes Towards COVID-19, Antibiotic Resistance, Preventive Measures: A Multi Center Cross-Sectional Study in the Arab Countries
Authors: Swed Sarya , Motawea Karem R. , Bohsas Haidara , Alibrahim Hidar , Rakab Amine , Hafez Wael , Shaheen Nour , Almoshantaf Mohammad Badr , Ahmad Shoaib , Safdar Sifwa , Khairy Lina Taha , Bakkour Agyad , Muwaili Ali Hadi Hussein , Muwaili Dhuha Hadi Hussein , Abdelmajid Fatima Abubaker Abdalla , Ahmad Eman Mohammed sharif , Patwary Muhammad Mainuddin , Ghaith Hazem S. , Albuni Mhd Kutaiba , Battikh Elias , Sawaf Bisher , Elsayed Mohamed , Elkalagi Nashaat Kamal Hamdy , Shoib Sheikh
Published: February 2023

Background and Aim

COVID-19 has shown how crucial awareness of the need to protect public health is to global security. Antibiotic resistance due to antibiotic misuse is seen as a worldwide health issue. Antibiotic use was significant during the COVID-19 epidemic, according to several nations. This research aims to investigate public attitudes on COVID-19, antibiotic resistance, and preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East.

Methods

An online quantitative cross-sectional study in 17 Arabic nations was carried out between January 3 and March 4, 2022, using a structured questionnaire to evaluate participants’ knowledge of COVID-19, their attitudes toward the new standard during the pandemic, and their use of antibiotics, and their resistance to them. The research was available to all Arabic people over 18 nations in the middle east. A convenient snowball sampling technique was used. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data. To analyze the results, binominal logistic regression was utilized. Statistical significance was defined as a p value of 0.05.

Results

Of the 6145 responders, 24.1% believed COVID-19 might spread to asymptomatic people, whereas 13.6% thought using antibiotics would accelerate recovery from any illness. Moreover, half of the respondents said antibiotics only work against bacteria (64.6%). 70.8% of participants adopted the necessary safety measures. More than a third of respondents strongly supported placing foreign immigrants in quarantine (33%). However, more than 50% of those surveyed (52.5%) firmly supported using face masks in all public settings. Individuals with a medical education background had 2.6 times more appropriate understanding of antibiotic resistance than others. Furthermore, participants in the 30–49 age range had a better handle on the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance than other respondents by 1.1 times.

Conclusion

Arab Health authorities should reconsider this health issue as soon about the inadequate level of awareness toward antibiotic use, resistance, and preventative practices during COVID-19. Many suggested strategies, especially solving the irregular antibiotic prescriptions during a COVID19 pandemic, should be implemented to increase public awareness of COVID19.
Making the World Safe for Investment
Authors: Leiter Andrea
Published: February 2023

Western governments, companies, economists and lawyers established the international legal order now known as international investment law to protect foreign property from a redistribution of wealth through domestic law making. This book offers a pre-history of these legal arrangements, focusing on the time before 1959 and the ratification of the first bilateral investment treaty and the ICSID Convention. It introduces new archival material, such as arbitral awards, diplomatic notes and concession agreements, as well as scholarly writings pertaining to developments in these proceedings. These materials are systematised into a coherent argument on the protection of foreign property. The book develops the important role of concession agreements and their internationalisation for the making of international investment law, thereby insisting on the private law character of the foundations of the field. In doing so it displays the analytic force of viewing law as jurisdictional practice, rather than as a system of norms.
Wyatt Abroad
Authors: Rossiter William
Published: February 2023

An examination of Wyatt's translations and adaptions of European poetry yields fresh insights into his work and poetic practice.
Persistent eutrophication and hypoxia in the coastal ocean
Authors: Dai Minhan , Zhao Yangyang , Chai Fei , Chen Mingru , Chen Nengwang , Chen Yimin , Cheng Danyang , Gan Jianping , Guan Dabo , Hong Yuanyuan , Huang Jialu , Lee Yanting , Leung Kenneth Mei Yee , Lim Phaik Eem , Lin Senjie , Lin Xin , Liu Xin , Liu Zhiqiang , Luo Ya-Wei , Meng Feifei , Sangmanee Chalermrat , Shen Yuan , Uthaipan Khanittha , Wan Talaat Wan Izatul Asma , Wan Xianhui Sean , Wang Cong , Wang Dazhi , Wang Guizhi , Wang Shanlin , Wang Yanmin , Wang Yuntao , Wang Zhe , Wang Zhixuan , Xu Yanping , Yang Jin-Yu Terence , Yang Yan , Yasuhara Moriaki , Yu Dan , Yu Jianmin , Yu Liuqian , Zhang Zengkai , Zhang Zhouling
Published: February 2023

Coastal eutrophication and hypoxia remain a persistent environmental crisis despite the great efforts to reduce nutrient loading and mitigate associated environmental damages. Symptoms of this crisis have appeared to spread rapidly, reaching developing countries in Asia with emergences in Southern America and Africa. The pace of changes and the underlying drivers remain not so clear. To address the gap, we review the up-to-date status and mechanisms of eutrophication and hypoxia in global coastal oceans, upon which we examine the trajectories of changes over the 40 years or longer in six model coastal systems with varying socio-economic development statuses and different levels and histories of eutrophication. Although these coastal systems share common features of eutrophication, site-specific characteristics are also substantial, depending on the regional environmental setting and level of social-economic development along with policy implementation and management. Nevertheless, ecosystem recovery generally needs greater reduction in pressures compared to that initiated degradation and becomes less feasible to achieve past norms with a longer time anthropogenic pressures on the ecosystems. While the qualitative causality between drivers and consequences is well established, quantitative attribution of these drivers to eutrophication and hypoxia remains difficult especially when we consider the social economic drivers because the changes in coastal ecosystems are subject to multiple influences and the cause–effect relationship is often non-linear. Such relationships are further complicated by climate changes that have been accelerating over the past few decades. The knowledge gaps that limit our quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the human-coastal ocean nexus are identified, which is essential for science-based policy making. Recognizing lessons from past management practices, we advocate for a better, more efficient indexing system of coastal eutrophication and an advanced regional earth system modeling framework with optimal modules of human dimensions to facilitate the development and evaluation of effective policy and restoration actions.
Identification and control of two outbreaks of unrelated New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase–producing carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli traced to the same endoscope defect
Authors: Dabaja-Younis Halima K. , Schechner Vered , Firan Ibrahim , Khamaysi Iyad , Levi Gabrielle D. , Lurie-Weinberger Mor N. , Weissman Avi , Guriel Yuri , Geffen Yuval , Hussein Khetam
Published: February 2023

We report 2 outbreaks of genetically unrelated carbapenem-resistant New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli caused by contaminated duodenoscopes. Using endoscopes with disposable end caps, adherence to the manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions, routine audits, and manufacturer evaluation are critical in preventing such outbreaks.
Gas exchange patterns for a small, stored-grain insect pest, Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Abbas Waseem , Withers Philip C. , Evans Theodore A.
Published: February 2023

Insects breathe using one or a combination of three gas exchange patterns; continuous, cyclic and discontinuous, which vary in their rates of exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. In general, there is a trade-off between lowering gas exchange using discontinuous exchange that limits water loss at the cost of lower metabolic rate. These patterns and hypotheses for the evolution of discontinuous exchange have been examined for relatively large insects (>20 mg) over relatively short periods (<4 h), but smaller insects and longer time periods have yet to be examined. We measured gas exchange patterns and metabolic rates for adults of a small insect pest of grain, the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), using flow-through respirometry in dry air for 48 h. All adults survived the desiccating measurement period; initially they used continuous gas exchange, then after 24 h switched to cyclic gas exchange with a 27% decrease in metabolic rate, and then after 48 h switched to discontinuous gas exchange with increased interburst duration and further decrease in metabolic rate. The successful use of the Qubit, a lower cost and so more common gas analyser, to measure respiration in the very small T. castaneum, may prompt more flow-through respirometry studies of small insects. Running such studies over long durations may help to better understand the evolution of respiration physiology and thus suggest new methods of pest management.
Helminths associated with terrestrial slugs in Swedish agricultural fields
Authors: Viketoft M. , Zygouridis N.E. , Emery S.
Published: February 2023

Slugs are important agricultural pests causing yearly yield losses. However, parasitizing helminths potentially could affect the size of the slug population. Here, a survey of terrestrial slug-parasitic helminths (nematodes and trematodes) was conducted for the first time in Sweden. In total, 268 terrestrial slugs were collected from 27 agricultural field edges in three seasons over 2020 and 2021 and dissected for presence of helminth parasites. Slugs belonging to the genusArionwere molecularly identified by mitochondrial DNA cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) while parasites were identified using ribosomal RNA (18S). Overall, 13% of the collected slugs had helminth parasites and the likelihood of a slug being parasitized was highest in autumn. Slugs identified asArion vulgariswere more likely to be parasitized than native slug species. The prevalence of nematodes and trematodes were similar; the dominant species found wereAlloionema appendiculatumandBrachylaima thompsoni, respectively. This is the first record of the presence of these two species in Sweden.
Rethinking the ‘one-stop’ neck lump clinic: a novel pathway beyond coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Hariri A , Jawad S , Otero S , Lechner M , Morley S , Beale T , Hughes J , Stimpson P , Dwivedi R , Vaz F
Published: February 2023

Objectives

UK guidelines advocate ‘one-stop’ neck lump assessment for cancer referrals. This paper reports the pilot of a novel pre-clinic ultrasound pathway, presents outcomes, and discusses strengths and limitations in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Methods

Two-week-wait cancer referral patients with a neck lump were allocated a pre-clinic ultrasound scan followed by a clinic appointment. Demographic, patient journey and outcome data were collected and analysed.

Results

Ninety-nine patients underwent ultrasound assessment with or without biopsy on average 8 days following referral. Patients were followed up on average 14.1 days (range, 2–26 days) after initial referral. At the first clinic appointment, 45 patients were discharged, 10 were scheduled for surgery, 12 were diagnosed with cancer, 6 were referred to another specialty and cancer was excluded in 19 patients. Retrospectively, four ultrasounds were performed unnecessarily.

Conclusion

Pre-clinic ultrasound scanning is an alternative to the one-stop neck lump pathway. This study demonstrates fewer clinic visits, faster diagnosis and a low proportion of unnecessary scans, whilst minimising face-to-face consultations and aerosol-generating procedures.
Environmental impact assessment in health technology assessment: principles, approaches, and challenges
Authors: Toolan Michael , Walpole Sarah , Shah Koonal , Kenny Juliet , Jónsson Páll , Crabb Nick , Greaves Felix
Published: February 2023

To reduce harm to the environment resulting from the production, use, and disposal of health technologies, there are different options for how health technology assessment (HTA) agencies can consider environmental information. We identified four approaches that HTA agencies can use to take environmental information into account in healthcare decision making and the challenges associated with each approach. Republishing data that is in the public domain or has been submitted to an HTA agency we term the “information conduit” approach. Analyzing and presenting environmental data separately from established health economic analyses is described as “parallel evaluation.” Integrating environmental impact into HTAs by identifying or creating new methods that allow clinical, financial, and environmental information to be combined in a single quantitative analysis is “integrated evaluation.” Finally, evidence synthesis and analysis of health technologies that are not expected to improve health-related outcomes but claim to have relative environmental benefits are termed “environment-focused evaluation.”
Building a unified model of the Optional Infinitive Stage: Simulating the cross-linguistic pattern of verb-marking error in typically developing children and children with Developmental Language Disorder
Authors: PINE Julian M. , FREUDENTHAL Daniel , GOBET Fernand
Published: February 2023

Verb-marking errors are a characteristic feature of the speech of typically-developing (TD) children and are particularly prevalent in the speech of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). However, both the pattern of verb-marking error in TD children and the pattern of verb-marking deficit in DLD vary across languages and interact with the semantic and syntactic properties of the language being learned. In this paper, we review work using a computational model called MOSAIC. We show how this work allows us to understand several features of the cross-linguistic data that are otherwise difficult to explain. We also show how discrepancies between the developmental data and the quantitative predictions generated by MOSAIC can be used to identify weaknesses in our current understanding and lead to further theory development; and how the resulting model (MOSAIC+) helps us understand differences in the cross-linguistic patterning of verb-marking errors in TD children and children with DLD.
Evaluation of physiological and morphological parameters for early prediction of prenatal litter size in goats
Authors: Magotra Ankit , Bangar Yogesh C. , Kumar Sandeep , Yadav A. S.
Published: February 2023

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological and morphological parameters of pregnant does for early prediction of prenatal litter size. In total, 33 does were screened using ultrasonography and further categorized into three groups based on does bearing twins (n = 12), a single fetus (n = 12), or non-pregnant does (n = 9). The rectal temperature °F (RT) and respiration rate (RR) as physiological parameters, while abdominal girth in cm (AG) and udder circumference in cm (UC) as morphological parameters were recorded at different gestation times, i.e. 118, 125, 132 and 140 days. In addition to this, age (years) and weight at service (kg) were also used. The statistical analyses included analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The results indicated that groups had significant (P < 0.05) differences among morphological parameters at each gestation time, with higher AG and UC in does bearing twins followed by a single fetus and non-pregnant does. However, both physiological parameters were non-significantly (P > 0.05) associated with litter size groups. It was also revealed that the studied parameters showed increasing trends over gestation time in single and twin fetus categories, but they were on par among non-pregnant does. The results of the LDA revealed that estimated function based on age, weight at service, RR, RT, AG and UC had greater (ranging from 75.00 to 91.70%) accuracy, sensitivity and specificity at different gestation times. It was concluded that using an estimated function, future pregnant does may be identified in advance for single or twin litter size, with greater accuracy.
The Kök-Tash underground mausoleum in north-eastern Kyrgyzstan: the first-ever identified Qara Khitai elite tomb?
Authors: Biran Michal , Shenkar Michael , Tabaldiev Kubatbek , Akmatov Kunbolot , Kolchenko Valery
Published: February 2023

The Qara Khitai or Western Liao dynasty (1124–1218) is one of the most fascinating polities in medieval Eurasia, but also one of the least documented in terms of both literary sources and material culture. Founded by Khitan refugees who escaped from North China when the Jurchen Jin dynasty (1115–1234) vanquished the Khitan Liao dynasty (907–1125), the Qara Khitai soon established a multicultural empire in Central Asia, combining Khitan, Chinese, and Muslim elements. The Buddhist Qara Khitai ruled over their mostly Muslim population in rare harmony until the rise of Chinggis Khan (r. 1206–1227). Hitherto only a few objects—and not a single structure—have been associated with this powerful empire. We argue that the Kök-Tash mausoleum, excavated in 2017–2018 and originally interpreted as a unique subterranean Muslim mausoleum, is actually the first-ever identified Qara Khitai elite tomb.

This unique tomb, located in the Kochkor valley of north-eastern Kyrgyzstan, about a day's ride from the Qara Khitai capital of Balāsāghūn, shares many similarities with the Liao tombs in North China, notably the typical Khitan mesh-wire burial suit. Yet it also uses local Central Asian materials and techniques, thereby manifesting how the Qara Khitai managed to retain their cultural identity in their new Central Asian and mostly Muslim environment. Moreover, identifying the Kök Tash mausoleum as a Qara Khitai tomb allows us to reassess several other unusual tombs excavated in the region in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and to suggest attributing them, too, to the Qara Khitai.
Behavioral and ERP evidence of differences in pitch feedback control in late bilinguals’ L1 and L2 speech production
Authors: Cai Xiao , Yin Yulong , Zhang Qingfang
Published: February 2023

This study compared late bilinguals’ pitch feedback control in L1 and L2 production using a frequency-altered feedback paradigm in which participants read target words while presented with unexpected pitch-shift in their voice feedback. Variables of language (L1 or L2) and perturbation magnitudes (0, 100, 200, or 400 cents) were manipulated. Behaviorally, participants produced larger magnitudes but longer latencies of vocal compensation in L2 than in L1 production, suggesting that L2 pitch feedback control has greater importance but lower efficiency. Event-related potential findings demonstrated that 400-cent shifts elicited greater N1 amplitudes than those in the 0-cent baseline condition in L1 production. This difference was non-significant in L2 production, implying different neural processing of unaltered feedback and externally-generated feedback in L1 and L2 production. Participants’ vocal compensation and P2 amplitudes were similarly modulated by pitch-shift in L1 and L2 production, implying a similar gating mechanism to correct internal and external errors.
Forever young: where older workers keep on working
Authors: Allen Steven G. , Wang Ting
Published: February 2023

This paper examines inter-industry patterns of the employment of older workers over the last 20 years to understand where employment opportunities have grown the most. The underlying premise is that firms strategically align their age mix depending on production function and labor cost parameters. The industries that had the largest increases in the percentage of older workers were those that had the broadest pension coverage and those that made the greatest use of high-tech capital. There also is evidence in 2001–07 that the percentage of older workers increased more in the industries most exposed to increased Chinese imports.
An Early Cretaceous sponge meadow from the Neuquén Basin, west-central Argentina: unsuspected hosts of a dynamic sclerobiont community
Authors: LUCI Leticia , GARBEROGLIO Ricardo M. , TOSCANO Agustina G. , LAZO Darío G. , CATALDO Cecilia S. , AGUIRRE-URRETA María B.
Published: February 2023

Sponges, especially Calcarea, are minor components of benthic associations, especially during the Mesozoic. In the Lower Cretaceous of the Neuquén Basin, small calcareous sponges have been found building a small monospecific meadow. It is restricted to a marlstone lens-shaped bed in a quiet outer-ramp setting in the Cerro Marucho Locality (Picún Leufú depocentre), above a shell bed of small exogyrid oysters; oysters and sponges were the only preserved macrobenthic faunal elements. Individual sponges were small, under 4 cm high, and presented a sub-cylindrical morphology with one or more rounded, apical osculi, many inhalant openings and triactine spicules. Specimens studied here were assigned to Endostoma sp. aff. Endostoma nodosa. These sponges are quite commonly encrusted by exogyrid oysters, serpulids, sabellids, agglutinating foraminifers and cyclostome bryozoans. Overgrowths among sclerobionts were common, though no undoubtedly in vivo interaction has been recorded. Disarticulated left oyster valves were frequently bioclaustrated by the sponges, showing that in vivo settlement upon sponges was common. Many oysters settled in the periphery of the osculum suggesting a commensal relationship. The study of this sponge meadow and its sclerobiont community allowed the identification of different stages of ecological succession. The pioneer stage was characterised by sponge settlement on oyster valves, within an otherwise soft consistency bottom. High sedimentation or high nutrient inputs, either individually or in combination, could explain the great abundance of oysters. During the climax stage, sponges thrived and harboured several sclerobiont taxa, developing a relatively dynamic palaeocommunity. Finally, an intensification in either sedimentation rates or nutrient input (or both) past the tolerable threshold for sponges may have been the cause(s) of the meadow's demise. Endostoma and similar forms were up to now reported mostly from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Europe as accessory builders, or as accompanying fauna in reefal settings. This new record shows that in rare occasions they could form low-relief meadows on their own.
Interaction Between Mineralization and Rock Magnetization: New Constraints From a Silurian‐Lower Devonian Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Deposit
Authors: Hu Xinwei , Gao Liang , Wang Qingfei , Zhang Shihong , Sun Xiang , Xue Shengchao , Tang Xin , Yang Zhenyu , Deng Jun
Published: February 2023

The unclear relationship between mineralization, hydrothermal alteration, and rock magnetization in volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits limits us from fully understanding the magnetic anomalies and remagnetization process in this type of deposit. We address the issue by conducting systemic paleomagnetic, rock magnetic, petrographic, and X‐Ray diffraction studies in the Dapingzhang VMS deposit on the northwestern Indochina Block. Magnetite is the dominant magnetic carrier of hydrothermally altered surrounding rocks and orebody. Magnetite consumption and secondary magnetite formation occurred at different stages and types of hydrothermal alteration. The overall decrease in magnetite concentration from chloritization via silicification to mineralization implies that the magnetite was mostly consumed during hydrothermal alterations. Secondary single domain magnetite, which can carry a remagnetization direction, is proposed to be formed during illitization via the smectite‐to‐illite transformation. Secondary superparamagnetic magnetite, which was most likely formed during the late stage of chloritization, is unable to carry the stable characteristic remanent magnetization. The site‐mean direction of high‐temperature and high‐coercivity components is Dg/Ig = 324.5°/43.1°, and kg = 35.1, with α95 = 6.8° before tilt correction, and Ds/Is = 316.2°/37.6°, and ks = 16.4, with α95 = 10.1° after tilt correction, with a negative fold test. However, plate reconstruction is limited by the uncertainty of the tilting process following mineralization and the possibility of remagnetization during burial alteration. Therefore, this study provides a mechanism for rock magnetic variation and remagnetization during VMS mineralization.
Implication From Mineralogical and Geochemical Characteristics of Authigenic Micronodules in the Haima Cold Seeps for Understanding the Manganese Geochemistry in Active Seepage
Authors: Zhang Huan , Zhou Junming , Yuan Peng , Dong Yanhui , Fan Wenxiao , Yu Xing , Lu Jianggu
Published: February 2023

The multi‐valent manganese is ubiquitous in various marine environments and is involved in many biogeochemical processes with electron transfers between different oxidation states. The involvement of Mn (IV) in the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) in cold seeps has long been proposed by experimental simulation and was suggested to serve as an important sink of methane in the paleo‐oceanic environment. Nonetheless, metal‐dependent AOM processes still lack explicit geological evidence. Meanwhile, research on micronodules gained momentum in recent years, but the authigenic manganese micronodules in active cold seeps were yet not well studied. In this study, Mn‐rich sediments were discovered at the active Haima cold seeps area in the South China Sea, from which Mn‐micronodules were then extracted. These micronodules are irregular or subspheroidal with rough and porous surfaces and are mainly composed of 7 Å and 10 Å phyllomanganates. They are enriched in Mn, and deficient in Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and REYs. Characteristic microbial‐like mineralization structures are also observed. Based on these mineralogical/geochemical features and the abnormally high growth rate (calculated by the cobalt chronometer algorithm), these authigenic manganese micronodules were probably formed rapidly via biomineralization and chemical precipitation and were supplied with sufficient Mn by the metal‐rich seepage fluids. The occurrence of these micronodules demonstrates manganese bacterial activities, and indirectly reflects metal‐dependent AOM.
Disentangling In‐Stream Nitrate Uptake Pathways Based on Two‐Station High‐Frequency Monitoring in High‐Order Streams
Authors: Zhang Xiaolin , Yang Xiaoqiang , Hensley Robert , Lorke Andreas , Rode Michael
Published: February 2023

In‐stream nitrate (NO3−) uptake in rivers involves complex autotrophic and heterotrophic pathways, which often vary spatiotemporally due to biotic and abiotic drivers. High‐frequency monitoring of NO3− mass balance between upstream and downstream measurement sites can quantitatively disentangle multi‐path NO3− uptake dynamics at the reach scale. However, this approach remains limited to a few river types and has not been fully explored for higher‐order streams with varying hydro‐morphological and biogeochemical conditions. We conducted two‐station 15‐min monitoring in five high‐order stream reaches in central Germany, calculating the NO3−‐N mass balance and whole‐stream metabolism based on time series of NO3−‐N and dissolved oxygen, respectively. With thorough considerations of lateral inputs, the calculated net NO3−‐N uptake rates () differed substantially among campaigns (ranging from −151.1 to 357.6 mg N m2 d−1, with cases of negative values representing net NO3−‐N release), and exhibited higher during the post‐wet season than during the dry season. Subtracting autotrophic assimilation (, stoichiometrically coupled to stream metabolism) from , represented the net balance of heterotrophic NO3−‐N uptake ( > 0, the dominance of denitrification and heterotrophic assimilation) and NO3−‐N release ( < 0, the dominance of nitrification/mineralization). This rarely reported uptake pathway contributed substantially to patterns, especially during post‐wet seasons; moreover, it appeared to exhibit various diel patterns, and for > 0, diel minima occurred during the daytime. These findings advance our understanding of complex reach‐scale N‐retention processes and can help develop future modeling concepts at the river‐network scale.
Using Machine Learning to Identify Hydrologic Signatures With an Encoder–Decoder Framework
Authors: Botterill Tom E. , McMillan Hilary K.
Published: February 2023

Hydrologic signatures are quantitative metrics that describe a streamflow time series. Examples include annual maximum flow, baseflow index and recession shape descriptors. In this paper, we use machine learning (ML) to learn encodings that are optimal ML equivalents of hydrologic signatures, and that are derived directly from the data. We compare the learned signatures to classical signatures, interpret their meaning, and use them to build rainfall‐runoff models in otherwise ungauged watersheds. Our model has an encoder–decoder structure. The encoder is a convolutional neural net mapping historical flow and climate data to a low‐dimensional vector encoding, analogous to hydrological signatures. The decoder structure includes stores and fluxes similar to a classical hydrologic model. For each timestep, the decoder uses current climate data, watershed attributes and the encoding to predict coefficients that distribute precipitation between stores and store outflow coefficients. The model is trained end‐to‐end on the U.S. CAMELS watershed data set to minimize streamflow error. We show that learned signatures can extract new information from streamflow series, because using learned signatures as input to the process‐informed model improves prediction accuracy over benchmark configurations that use classical signatures or no signatures. We interpret learned signatures by correlation with classical signatures, and by using sensitivity analysis to assess their impact on modeled store dynamics. Learned signatures are spatially correlated and relate to streamflow dynamics including seasonality, high and low extremes, baseflow and recessions. We conclude that process‐informed ML models and other applications using hydrologic signatures may benefit from replacing expert‐selected signatures with learned signatures.
A shape-shifting nuclease unravels structured RNA
Authors: Meze Katarina , Axhemi Armend , Thomas Dennis R. , Doymaz Ahmet , Joshua-Tor Leemor
Published: February 2023

RNA turnover pathways ensure appropriate gene expression levels by eliminating unwanted transcripts. Dis3-like 2 (Dis3L2) is a 3′–5′ exoribonuclease that plays a critical role in human development. Dis3L2 independently degrades structured substrates, including coding and noncoding 3′ uridylated RNAs. While the basis for Dis3L2’s substrate recognition has been well characterized, the mechanism of structured RNA degradation by this family of enzymes is unknown. We characterized the discrete steps of the degradation cycle by determining cryogenic electron microscopy structures representing snapshots along the RNA turnover pathway and measuring kinetic parameters for RNA processing. We discovered a dramatic conformational change that is triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), repositioning two cold shock domains by 70 Å. This movement exposes a trihelix linker region, which acts as a wedge to separate the two RNA strands. Furthermore, we show that the trihelix linker is critical for dsRNA, but not single-stranded RNA, degradation. These findings reveal the conformational plasticity of Dis3L2 and detail a mechanism of structured RNA degradation.
Developing a standardized but extendable framework to increase the findability of infectious disease datasets
Authors: Tsueng Ginger , Cano Marco A. Alvarado , Bento José , Czech Candice , Kang Mengjia , Pache Lars , Rasmussen Luke V. , Savidge Tor C. , Starren Justin , Wu Qinglong , Xin Jiwen , Yeaman Michael R. , Zhou Xinghua , Su Andrew I. , Wu Chunlei , Brown Liliana , Shabman Reed S. , Hughes Laura D. ,   the NIAID Systems Biology Data Dissemination Working Group, Turkarslan Serdar
Published: February 2023

Biomedical datasets are increasing in size, stored in many repositories, and face challenges in FAIRness (findability, accessibility, interoperability, reusability). As a Consortium of infectious disease researchers from 15 Centers, we aim to adopt open science practices to promote transparency, encourage reproducibility, and accelerate research advances through data reuse. To improve FAIRness of our datasets and computational tools, we evaluated metadata standards across established biomedical data repositories. The vast majority do not adhere to a single standard, such as Schema.org, which is widely-adopted by generalist repositories. Consequently, datasets in these repositories are not findable in aggregation projects like Google Dataset Search. We alleviated this gap by creating a reusable metadata schema based on Schema.org and catalogued nearly 400 datasets and computational tools we collected. The approach is easily reusable to create schemas interoperable with community standards, but customized to a particular context. Our approach enabled data discovery, increased the reusability of datasets from a large research consortium, and accelerated research. Lastly, we discuss ongoing challenges with FAIRness beyond discoverability.
The temporal behavior of the murine T cell receptor repertoire following Immunotherapy
Authors: Snir Tom , Philip Hagit , Gordin Miri , Zilberberg Alona , Efroni Sol
Published: February 2023

Immunotherapy is now an essential tool for cancer treatment, and the unique features of an individual’s T cell receptor repertoire are known to play a key role in its effectiveness. The repertoire, famously vast due to a cascade of cellular mechanisms, can be quantified using repertoire sequencing. In this study, we sampled the repertoire over several time points following treatment with anti-CTLA-4, in a syngeniec mouse model for colorectal cancer, generating a longitudinal dataset of T cell clones and their abundance. The dynamics of the repertoire can be observed in response to treatment over a period of four weeks, as clonal expansion of specific clones ascends and descends. The data made available here can be used to determine treatment and predict its effect, while also providing a unique look at the behavior of the immune system over time.
A large dataset of semantic ratings and its computational extension
Authors: Wang Shaonan , Zhang Yunhao , Shi Weiting , Zhang Guangyao , Zhang Jiajun , Lin Nan , Zong Chengqing
Published: February 2023

Evidence from psychology and cognitive neuroscience indicates that the human brain’s semantic system contains several specific subsystems, each representing a particular dimension of semantic information. Word ratings on these different semantic dimensions can help investigate the behavioral and neural impacts of semantic dimensions on language processes and build computational representations of language meaning according to the semantic space of the human cognitive system. Existing semantic rating databases provide ratings for hundreds to thousands of words, which can hardly support a comprehensive semantic analysis of natural texts or speech. This article reports a large database, the Six Semantic Dimension Database (SSDD), which contains subjective ratings for 17,940 commonly used Chinese words on six major semantic dimensions: vision, motor, socialness, emotion, time, and space. Furthermore, using computational models to learn the mapping relations between subjective ratings and word embeddings, we include the estimated semantic ratings for 1,427,992 Chinese and 1,515,633 English words in the SSDD. The SSDD will aid studies on natural language processing, text analysis, and semantic representation in the brain.
An Open Dataset of Annotated Metaphase Cell Images for Chromosome Identification
Authors: Tseng Jenn-Jhy , Lu Chien-Hsing , Li Jun-Zhou , Lai Hui-Yu , Chen Min-Hu , Cheng Fu-Yuan , Kuo Chih-En
Published: February 2023

Chromosomes are a principal target of clinical cytogenetic studies. While chromosomal analysis is an integral part of prenatal care, the conventional manual identification of chromosomes in images is time-consuming and costly. This study developed a chromosome detector that uses deep learning and that achieved an accuracy of 98.88% in chromosomal identification. Specifically, we compiled and made available a large and publicly accessible database containing chromosome images and annotations for training chromosome detectors. The database contains five thousand 24 chromosome class annotations and 2,000 single chromosome annotations. This database also contains examples of chromosome variations. Our database provides a reference for researchers in this field and may help expedite the development of clinical applications.
Global Dam Tracker: A database of more than 35,000 dams with location, catchment, and attribute information
Authors: Zhang Alice Tianbo , Gu Vincent Xinyi
Published: February 2023

We present one of the most comprehensive geo-referenced global dam databases to date. The Global Dam Tracker (GDAT) contains 35,000 dams with cross-validated geo-coordinates, satellite-derived catchment areas, and detailed attribute information. Combining GDAT with fine-scaled satellite data spanning three decades, we demonstrate how GDAT improves upon existing databases to enable the inter-temporal analysis of the costs and benefits of dam construction on a global scale. Our findings show that over the past three decades, dams have contributed to a dramatic increase in global surface water coverage, especially in developing countries in Asia and South America. This is an important step toward a more systematic understanding of the worldwide impact of dams on local communities. By filling in the data gap, GDAT would help inform a more sustainable and equitable approach to energy access and economic development.
Transcript annotation of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) using Iso-seq and RNA-seq data
Authors: Liao Xiaolin , Zhang Libin , Tian Hua , Yang Bo , Wang Ezhou , Zhu Bin
Published: February 2023

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is a critically endangered fish inhabiting the Yangtze River and Chinese coastal waters. Numerous research projects and conservation efforts have focused on artificial propagation and release to restore this endangered species. However, genomic and full-length transcriptomic sequencing of Chinese sturgeon has rarely been reported. In this study, a total of 10 Chinese sturgeon tissues were used for PacBio Iso-seq and RNA-seq analyses. A total of 19,538 full-length transcripts were obtained with sizes from 51 bp to 7,033 bp. Moreover, cluster analysis of gene families and phylogenetic analysis of 14 species were performed. Furthermore, lncRNAs and coding sequence (CDS) were identified in all Chinese sturgeon tissues. Finally, gene expression profiles and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed among 10 tissues in Chinese sturgeon. Taken together, full-length transcripts and the gene expression profile from Chinese sturgeon tissues will provide gene sequences and expression information for future functional genomic study and be very helpful for comprehensive understanding of the genetic mechanism of endangerment in Chinese sturgeon.
The predictive model for risk of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia based on antineoplastic drugs for solid tumors in eastern China
Authors: Zhou Shishi , Song Bingxin , Li Chenghui , Tang Wanfen , Zhang Xia , Jin Xiayun , Xu Xifeng , Wang Qinghua , Zheng Hongjuan , Fu Jianfei
Published: February 2023

Chemotherapy-related thrombocytopenia (CIT) is a significant adverse event during chemotherapy, which can lead to reduced relative dose intensity, increased risk of serious bleeding and additional medical expenditure. Herein, we aimed to develop and validate a predictive nomogram model for prediction of CIT in patients with solid tumor. From Jun 1, 2018 to Sep 9, 2021, a total of 1541 patients who received 5750 cycles of chemotherapy were retrospectively enrolled. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors to establish the nomogram model for CIT. The incidence of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia was 21.03% for patient-based and 10.26% for cycles of chemotherapy. The top five solid tumors with CIT are cervix, gastric, bladder, biliary systemic, and ovarian. The incidence of chemotherapy dose delays in any cycle because of CIT was 5.39%. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor site, treatment line, AST, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine were significantly associated with CIT. Moreover, we established a nomogram model for CIT probability prediction, and the model was well calibrated (Hosme-Lemeshow P = 0.230) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.844 (Sensitivity was 0.625, Specificity was 0.901). We developed a predictive model for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia based on readily available and easily assessable clinical characteristics. The predictive model based on clinical and laboratory indices represents a promising tool in the prediction of CIT, which might complement the clinical management of thrombocytopenia.