bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein-lipid interactions and protein anchoring modulate the modes of association of the globular domain of the Prion protein and Doppel protein to model membrane patches
Authors: Soto Patricia , Thalhuber Davis T. , Luceri Frank , Janos Jamie , Borgman Mason R. , Greenwood Noah M. , Acosta Sofia , Stoffel Hunter
Published: January 2024

The Prion protein is the molecular hallmark of the incurable prion diseases affecting mammals, including humans. The protein-only hypothesis states that the misfolding, accumulation, and deposition of the Prion protein play a critical role in toxicity. The cellular Prion protein (PrPC) anchors to the extracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane and prefers cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-rich membrane domains. Conformational Prion protein conversion into the pathological isoform happens on the cell surface. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that Prion protein misfolding, aggregation, and toxicity are sensitive to the lipid composition of plasma membranes and vesicles. A picture of the underlying biophysical driving forces that explain the effect of Prion protein - lipid interactions in physiological conditions is needed to develop a structural model of Prion protein conformational conversion. To this end, we use molecular dynamics simulations that mimic the interactions between the globular domain of PrPC anchored to model membrane patches. In addition, we also simulate the Doppel protein anchored to such membrane patches. The Doppel protein is the closest in the phylogenetic tree to PrPC, localizes in an extracellular milieu similar to that of PrPC, and exhibits a similar topology to PrPC even if the amino acid sequence is only 25% identical. Our simulations show that specific protein-lipid interactions and conformational constraints imposed by GPI anchoring together favor specific binding sites in globular PrPC but not in Doppel. Interestingly, the binding sites we found in PrPC correspond to prion protein loops, which are critical in aggregation and prion disease transmission barrier (β2-α2 loop) and in initial spontaneous misfolding (α2-α3 loop). We also found that the membrane re-arranges locally to accommodate protein residues inserted in the membrane surface as a response to protein binding.
Stakeholder engagement in the development of genetically modified mosquitoes for malaria control in West Africa: lessons learned from 10 years of Target Malaria’s work in Mali
Authors: Dicko Bakara , Kodio Souleymane , Samoura Hatouma , Traoré Fatoumata , Sykes Naima , Drabo Mouhamed , Thizy Delphine , Coche Isabelle , Robinson Benjamin , Sanogo Kadiatou , Yagouré Bilkissou , Diop Samba , Coulibaly Mamadou B.
Published: January 2024

From 2012 to 2023, the Malaria Research and Training Center (MRTC), based out of the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), was part of the Target Malaria research consortium working towards developing novel gene drive-based tools for controlling populations of malaria vector mosquitoes. As part of this work, Target Malaria Mali has undertaken a range of in-depth engagement activities with the communities where their research is conducted and with other stakeholders nationally. These activities were meant to ensure that the project’s activities took place with the agreement of those communities, and that those communities were able to play a role in shaping the project’s approach to ensure that its eventual outcomes were in line with their needs and concerns. This paper aims to conduct a critical assessment of those 10 years of stakeholder engagement in order to identify good practices which can inform future engagement work on gene drive research in West Africa. It sets out a range of approaches and practices that enabled the Target Malaria Mali team to engage a variety of stakeholders, to share information, collect feedback, and determine community agreement, in a manner that was inclusive, effective, and culturally appropriate. These can be useful tools for those working on gene drive research and other area-wide vector control methods in West African contexts to ensure that their research is aligned with the interests of the communities who are intended to be its ultimate beneficiaries, and to allow those communities to play a meaningful role in the research process.
Influences of cognitive load on center of pressure trajectory of young male adults with excess weight during gait initiation
Authors: Kong Lingyu , Zhang Zhiqi , Bao Jiawei , Zhu Xinrui , Tan Yong , Xia Xihao , Zhang Qiuxia , Hao Yuefeng
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Falls and fall-related injuries in young male adults with excess weight are closely related to an increased cognitive load. Previous research mainly focuses on analyzing the postural control status of these populations performing cognitive tasks while stabilized walking progress but overlooked a specific period of walking known as gait initiation (GI). It is yet unknown the influences of cognitive load on this population’s postural control status during GI.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the influences of cognitive load on the center of pressure (CoP) trajectory of young male adults with excess weight during GI.

Design: A controlled laboratory study.

Methods: Thirty-six male undergraduate students were recruited and divided into normal-weight, overweight, and obese groups based on their body mass index (BMI). Participants’ CoP parameters during GI under single and dual-task conditions were collected by two force platforms. A mixed ANOVA was utilized to detect significant differences.

Results: Compared with the normal-weight group, the obese group showed significant changes in the duration and CoP parameters during sub-phases of GI, mainly reflecting prolonged duration, increased CoP path length, higher mediolateral CoP displacement amplitude, and decreased velocity of anteroposterior CoP displacement. During GI with 1-back task, significantly increased mediolateral CoP displacement amplitude occurred in the obese group. During GI with 2-back task, the obese group had increased CoP path length, higher mediolateral CoP displacement amplitude, as well as a decreased velocity of CoP displacement.

Conclusion: Based on the changes in CoP parameters during GI with cognitive tasks, young male adults with excess weight, mainly obese ones, have compromised postural stability. During GI with a difficult cognitive task, obese young male adults are more susceptible to deterioration in their lateral postural balance. These findings indicate that the increased cognitive load could exacerbate obese young male adults’ postural control difficulty during GI under dual-task conditions, putting them at a higher risk of experiencing incidents of falls. Based on these findings, we offer suggestions for therapists to intervene with these young male adults to ensure their safety of GI.
Immune cells and RBCs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells: method, progress, prospective challenges
Authors: Jiang Jin-he , Ren Ru-tong , Cheng Yan-jie , Li Xin-xin , Zhang Gui-rong
Published: January 2024

Blood has an important role in the healthcare system, particularly in blood transfusions and immunotherapy. However, the occurrence of outbreaks of infectious diseases worldwide and seasonal fluctuations, blood shortages are becoming a major challenge. Moreover, the narrow specificity of immune cells hinders the widespread application of immune cell therapy. To address this issue, researchers are actively developing strategies for differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into blood cells in vitro. The establishment of iPSCs from terminally differentiated cells such as fibroblasts and blood cells is a straightforward process. However, there is need for further refinement of the protocols for differentiating iPSCs into immune cells and red blood cells to ensure their clinical applicability. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies and challenges facing the generation of iPSC-derived immune cells and red blood cells.
Steroid hormone signaling: multifaceted support of testicular function
Authors: Matsuyama Satoko , DeFalco Tony
Published: January 2024

Embryonic development and adult physiology are dependent on the action of steroid hormones. In particular, the reproductive system is reliant on hormonal signaling to promote gonadal function and to ensure fertility. Here we will describe hormone receptor functions and their impacts on testicular function, focusing on a specific group of essential hormones: androgens, estrogens, progesterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. In addition to focusing on hormone receptor function and localization within the testis, we will highlight the effects of altered receptor signaling, including the consequences of reduced and excess signaling activity. These hormones act through various cellular pathways and receptor types, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted research approach to understand their critical roles in testicular function. Hormones exhibit intricate interactions with each other, as evidenced, for example, by the antagonistic effects of progesterone on mineralocorticoid receptors and cortisol’s impact on androgens. In light of research findings in the field demonstrating an intricate interplay between hormones, a systems biology approach is crucial for a nuanced understanding of this complex hormonal network. This review can serve as a resource for further investigation into hormonal support of male reproductive health.
Uniting hearts and lands: advancing conservation and restoration across the Yellowstone to Yukon region
Authors: Hilty Jodi A. , Chester Charles C. , Wright Pamela A. , Zenkewich Kelly
Published: January 2024

In view of the escalating anthropogenic impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and fragmentation, a broad consensus within the science community has identified large landscape conservation as critical to the future of nature and humanity. Recent commitments made at a global level offer an unprecedented opportunity for the conservation of biodiversity, particularly inasmuch as Canadian and US policies are aligned, ambitious, and clearly focused on ensuring that conservation work respects and supports the rights of Indigenous Peoples. These commitments align with and support the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) mission of connecting and protecting the 2,100-mile-long Yellowstone to Yukon region for people and nature to thrive, with the predominant approach of working with local communities and Indigenous Peoples to advance enduring conservation. Since the inception of the vision in 1993, significant progress has been made as indicated by the expansion of protected areas by more than 80 percent, the recovery of some species such as grizzly bears and wolves, and the ecological restoration of key lands across the region. While 25 percent of the Yellowstone to Yukon region is already managed or co-managed by Indigenous Peoples, today Indigenous Peoples are increasingly asserting their leadership and driving forward new restoration and conservation. New Indigenous-led conservation brings critical energy and visions that advance the Y2Y mission and arguably is a model for other parts of the world committed to achieving the 2030 UN Global Biodiversity Framework.
Experimental study of the bilateral asymmetric single-rivet occluder device for transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure with reserved interatrial septal puncture area
Authors: Wei Yiting , Su Yanlin , Cao Suyan , He Ziqian , Wang Renrong , Qin Xian , Feng Yuanxi , Yang Chengjian , Jiang Haibin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To evaluate a noval bilateral asymmetric single-rivet occluder with reserved interatrial septal puncture area for treating patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Materials and methods

The study established a pig model of patent foramen ovale (PFO) by puncturing the oval fossa and then performing high-pressure balloon dilation. A specially designed bilateral asymmetric occluder for the reserved interatrial septal puncture area was then. used to close the PFO through catheter-based intervention. The pigs were kept for 3 months before undergoing a second catheter-based intervention, involving interatrial septal puncture using a newly developed occluder in the reserved interatrial septal puncture area. During 6 months, the experimental pigs underwent assessment using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), echocardiography, and histological evaluation.

Results

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) model was successfully established in 6 pigs using the puncture atrial septum high-pressure balloon dilation method. The diameter of the unclosed PFO was measured (3.56 ± 0.25 mm). Using the newly developed occluder device, all 6 pigs with unclosed PFO underwent successful catheter-based closure surgeries, with intraoperative and postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showing excellent device positioning and complete closure without residual shunting. After 3 months of implantation, the catheter-based interatrial septal puncture was performed through the reserved interatrial septal puncture area, and all procedures were successful. Immediately following euthanasia, a histological examination revealed intact and undamaged occluder devices with visible puncture holes in the reserved interatrial septal puncture area. No fracture of the nitinol wire was observed, and the surface of the occluder device showed coverage of endothelial and connective tissues. Utilizing a bilateral asymmetric single-rivet occluder device implanted through the reserved interatrial septal puncture area has proven effective in closing PFO. After implantation, the occluder device allows subsequent interatrial septal puncture procedures through the reserved area.

Conclusion

The novel occluder device demonstrated excellent closure performance, biocompatibility, and puncturability in the experiment. This indicates the feasibility of conducting further catheter-based interventions on the interatrial septum.
A cross-sectional analysis of zinc and copper levels and their relationship to cardiovascular disease risk markers in Qatar biobank participants
Authors: Kerkadi Abdelhamid , Raïq Hicham , Prince Mohammad Shoaib , Bader Loulia , Soltani Abderrezzaq , Agouni Abdelali
Published: January 2024

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Dietary intake, particularly zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) has been strongly associated with CVD. These trace elements play a crucial role in human enzyme activity, suppressing inflammation, catalyzing lipid metabolism enzymes, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating glucose metabolism. However, imbalances in these elements are linked to cardiovascular disturbances. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between circulating levels of Zn, Cu, and Zn/Cu ratio with CVD risk factors in the Qatari population. Bivariate logistic regression, adjusted for age, nationality, gender, and education was performed to examine the impact of Zn, Cu, and Zn/Cu ratio (as independent variables) on major CVD risk markers (as dependent variables). Participants in the highest Zn tertiles (T2 and T3) were at greater odds ratio (OR) of unfavorable metabolic functions such as elevated HbA1C [OR = 2.5, p = 0.015 (T2) and OR = 3.2, p = 0.002 (T3)], triglycerides [OR = 2.17, p = 0.015 (T2), and TyG index [OR = 2.21, p = 0.004 (T2), and OR = 2.67, p < 0.001 (T3)] compared to T1. Conversely, they had significantly lower ORs for prolonged prothrombin time [OR = 0.37, p = 0.001 (T3)]. Higher levels of Cu (T2 and T3) had higher OR for elevated HDL-C levels [OR = 1.69, p = 0.046 (T2), and OR = 2.27, p = 0.002 (T3)] and lower OR for elevated levels of triglycerides (OR = 0.4, p = 0.009, T3), diastolic blood pressure [OR = 0.41, p = 0.024 (T2), and OR = 0.47, p = 0.049 (T3)], and creatinine kinase (OR = 0.27, p = 0.014, T3) compared to T1. Higher levels of Cu (T2 and T3) were associated with a higher risk for elevated fibrinogen levels [OR = 3.1, p = 0.035 (T2), and OR = 5.04, p = 0.002 (T3)]. Additionally, higher Zn/Cu ratio (T2 and T3) were associated with lower ORs for elevated fibrinogen levels [OR = 0.3, p = 0.005 (T2), and OR = 0.27, p = 0.005 (T3)] compared to T1, indicating a lower risk of developing CVD. The study reveals a link between Zn, Cu, and the Zn/Cu ratio and cardiovascular disease risk. A higher Zn/Cu ratio may protect against CVD, while elevated Cu levels are linked to obesity, fibrinogen levels, and HbA1C. Maintaining optimal levels of these trace elements, either through diet or supplementation, may help reduce CVD risk.
Evaluation of 6 years of eHealth data in the alcohol use disorder field indicates improved efficacy of care
Authors: Wallden Mats , Dahlberg Gunnar , Månflod Johan , Knez Rajna , Winkvist Maria , Zetterström Andreas , Andersson Karl , Hämäläinen Markku D. , Nyberg Fred
Published: January 2024

Background

Predictive eHealth tools will change the field of medicine, however long-term data is scarce. Here, we report findings on data collected over 6 years with an AI-based eHealth system for supporting the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Methods

Since the deployment of Previct Alcohol, structured data has been archived in a data warehouse, currently comprising 505,641 patient days. The frequencies of relapse and caregiver-patient messaging over time was studied. The effects of both introducing an AI-driven relapse prediction tool and the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed.

Results

The relapse frequency per patient day among Previct Alcohol users was 0.28 in 2016, 0.22 in 2020 and 0.25 in 2022 with no drastic change during COVID-19. When a relapse was predicted, the actual occurrence of relapse in the days immediately after was found to be above average. Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in caregiver interactions following these predictions. When caregivers were not informed of these predictions, the risk of relapse was found to be higher compared to when the prediction tool was actively being used. The prediction tool decreased the relapse risk by 9% for relapses that were of short duration and by 18% for relapses that lasted more than 3 days.

Conclusions

The eHealth system Previct Alcohol allows for high resolution measurements, enabling precise identifications of relapse patterns and follow up on individual and population-based alcohol use disorder treatment. eHealth relapse prediction aids the caregiver to act timely, which reduces, delays, and shortens relapses.
Planning model for rural distribution networks with integrated energy stations via robust optimization method
Authors: Yang Zhichun , Min Huaidong , Yang Fan , Liu Yu , Shen Yu , Zhou Bin , Zhou Zhiqiang , Hu Wei , Lei Yang
Published: January 2024

With the modernization and intelligent development of agriculture, the energy demand in rural areas continues to increase, which leads to an increased operational burden on the existing rural distribution network. Integrated energy stations (IESs), in rural areas, use renewable energy sources such as biogas, wind power, and photovoltaic as energy inputs, which can fully improve energy efficiency and help reduce the operating load and peak valley difference of rural distribution networks. In this paper, a multistage planning model is proposed for rural distribution networks with IESs based on the robust optimization method. Firstly, a rural distribution network operation framework with IESs is proposed, and a mathematical model of rural IESs is built based on the energy hub (EH). Then, the multistage robust planning model of rural distribution net-works with IESs is developed and typical scenarios of stochastic source and load are generated based on improved k-means. An iterative solution method for a two-stage robust optimization method is proposed based on the nested column constraint generation (NC&CG) algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness of the presented model and solution approach is assessed through case studies on a modified IEEE 33-node distribution network and a real 152-node distribution network.
Co-evaluation of power system frequency performance and operational reliability considering the frequency regulation capability of wind power
Authors: Liu Mingshun , Zhao Yusheng , Zhu Lingzi , Chen Qihui , Chang Dongxu
Published: January 2024

With the increasing proportion of renewable energy, the power system inertia decreases, and the operation uncertainty rises. It brings concerns about the system frequency and operational reliability. However, the impacts of the power system frequency performance on the reliability parameters of generation units have not been fully investigated. This paper studies the frequency performance and the operational reliability co-evaluation for power systems considering wind turbines. Firstly, a power system frequency regulation model is established considering the regulation capability of wind turbines. Then, the cluster of equivalent wind turbines is incorporated into the frequency regulation architecture of thermal power units, which accelerates the analysis of frequency performance. Then, the frequency performance of the power system with the participation of wind turbines under the operation uncertainty and the unit random faults is quantitatively analyzed. A frequency-dependent generator reliability parameter model is derived. Next, a multi-time scale co-evaluation framework is proposed to realize the co-evaluation of frequency performance and operational reliability. Case studies are carried out on the modified IEEE RTS-79 system and a provincial power system. Results show that compared with the existing research, the proposed method can obtain the frequency performance and reliability results efficiently.
Refined machine learning modeling of reservoir discharge water temperature
Authors: Huang Xiang , Chen Gang
Published: January 2024

Water temperature is a controlling factor for physical, biological, and chemical processes in rivers, and is closely related to hydrological factors. The construction of reservoirs interferes with natural water temperature fluctuations. Hence constructing a model to accurately and efficiently predict the reservoir discharge water temperature (DWT) is helpful for the protection of river water ecology. Although there have been studies on constructing efficient and accurate machine learning prediction models for DWT, to our knowledge, there is currently no research focused on hourly scales. The study proposed in this paper is based on high-frequency monitoring data of vertical water temperature in front of a dam, water level, discharge flow, and DWT. In this study, six types of machine learning algorithms, namely, support vector regression, linear regression, k-nearest neighbor, random forest regressor, gradient boosting regression tree, and multilayer perceptron neural network, were used to construct a refined prediction model for DWT. The results indicated that the SVR model using the radial basis function as the kernel function had the best modeling performance. Based on the SVR model, we constructed a 1–24 h early warning model and optimized the scheduling of DWT based on changing discharge flow. In summary, a machine learning model for DWT that can provide short-term forecasting and decision support for reservoir managers was refined in this study.
Analysis on spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of ecosystem service in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan urban agglomeration, China
Authors: Huang Xuanhua , Xie Youping , Lei Fan , Cao Li , Zeng Haibo
Published: January 2024

Introduction: It is of great significance to strengthen the evaluation research and driving force analysis of ecosystem services value for the rational utilization and protection of the ecological environment of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban agglomeration and the promotion of the integration of urban agglomeration.

Methods: Based on the remote sensing image data, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the ecosystem services value of CZT urban agglomeration were analyzed by the methods of ArcGIS10.2, Geoda, value equivalent and spatial statistics.

Results: The results showed that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the total value of ecosystem service in the CZT urban agglomeration decreased gradually, with an overall decrease of 4,381.07 × 106 yuan. In the past 20 years, the ecosystem service Value (ESV) of cultivated land, forest land and grassland had declined, but the ESV of water area and unused land had fluctuated, and the single ESV had declined. 2) From 2000 to 2020, the spatial distribution of ESV in the CZT urban agglomeration showed an obvious pattern of “low in the middle and high in the surrounding areas”, and the changes were quite different in different periods. 3) The spatial correlation between ESV and distance from county government, distance from railway, proportion of construction land, NDVI, population density, economic density, slope and precipitation were significant. The spatial distribution of the distance from the county government, the distance from the railway, NDVI and ESV were similar; the population density and economic density were consistent with the spatial distribution of ESV; and the spatial distribution of construction land proportion, slope, precipitation and ESV were different.

Discussion: The results of the study can provide some reference for the further development of ecological protection policies and related planning in urban agglomerations.
Lifestyle and factors of vascular and metabolic health and inflammation are associated with sensorineural-neurocognitive aging in older adults
Authors: Merten Natascha , Fischer Mary E. , Pinto Aaron Alex , Chappell Richard J. , Schubert Carla R.
Published: January 2024

This study's aim was to identify risk factors associated with sensorineural and neurocognitive function (brain aging) in older adults. In N = 1,478 Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study participants (aged 64–100 years, 59% women), we conducted sensorineural and cognitive tests, which were combined into a summary measure using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Participants with a PCA score <−1 standard deviation (SD) were considered to have brain aging. Incident brain aging was defined as PCA score <−1 SD at 5-year follow-up among participants who had a PCA score ≥−1 SD at baseline. Logistic regression and Poisson models were used to estimate associations between baseline risk factors of lifestyle, vascular and metabolic health, and inflammation and prevalent or incident brain aging, respectively. In an age-sex adjusted multivariable model, not consuming alcohol (odds ratio(OR) = 1.77, 95% confidence Interval (CI) = 1.18,2.66), higher interleukin-6 levels (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.03,1.64), and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.44, 95% CI = 1.63,3.67) were associated with a higher odds of having brain aging, while higher education had protective effects (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.33,0.94). A history of stroke, arterial stiffness, and obesity were associated with an increased risk of developing brain aging during the five years of follow-up. Lifestyle, vascular, metabolic and inflammatory factors were associated with brain aging in older adults, which adds to the evidence of shared pathways for sensorineural and neurocognitive declines in aging. Targeting these shared central processing etiological factors with interventions may lead to retention of better neurological function, benefiting multiple systems, i.e., hearing, smell, and cognition, ultimately helping older adults retain independence and higher quality of life longer.
Beware glowing cadavers: bioluminescence of nematode symbiont Photorhabdus protects nematode-infected host cadavers from nocturnal scavengers
Authors: Cassells Maria D. , Labaude Sophie , Griffin Christine T.
Published: January 2024

Photorhabdus spp. are the only known terrestrial bioluminescent bacteria. We show that the bioluminescence produced by these bacteria reduces scavenging activity on the insect cadavers they colonize. Photorhabdus spp. are the symbiont of the insect pathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis spp. Together they kill insects and colonize the cadaver. The function of their bioluminescence has been the subject of debate, but here for the first time we demonstrate an ecological benefit. In our experiments, fewer Photorhabdus temperata -infected cadavers than uninfected cadavers were scavenged, but only in dark conditions where their bioluminescence would be visible. This was the case both in the field and in laboratory experiments with Lehmannia valentiana slugs (the primary scavengers found in our field tests). We also show that L. valentiana is innately deterred from scavenging on uninfected cadavers in proximity to light imitating the bioluminescence of Photorhabdus, indicating that luminescence can be a deterrent independent of chemical cues. We propose a multimodal defence where bioluminescence works together with the chemical defences also produced by Photorhabdus to deter scavengers, such as slugs, from feeding on the host cadaver, with the potential for aposematism.
Hypoxia and its feedback response to algal blooms and CH4 emissions in subtropical reservoirs
Authors: Ji Daobin , Han Yanxing , Long Lianghong , Xin Xiaokang , Xu Hui , Qiu Siqian , Meng Jianghuai , Zhao Xingxing , Huang Yanan , Liu Defu
Published: January 2024

Anthropogenic nutrient input stimulates surface eutrophication and algal blooms and thus exacerbates oxygen depletion and hypoxia in aquatic ecosystems. However, existing studies have paid little attention on the understanding of the feedback relationships among oxygen consumption, algal succession and greenhouse gas effect after river damming, particularly in Three Gorges Reservoir. This field work investigated the thermal stratification, water quality and phytoplankton in four tributaries (Pengxi Bay (PXB), Daning Bay (DNB), Shennong Bay (SNB), and Xiangxi Bay (XXB)) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in spring (April 25-28, 2022), and explored the drivers of hypoxia and its feedback response to algal blooms and methane (CH4) emissions. The results showed that during the observation period, DO, thermal stratification, and algal blooms were more severe in PXB. The high Chemical Oxygen Demand (CODMn) (11.27 mg•L-1) and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) content (7.56 mg•L-1) in PXB were the main causes of the progressive hypoxia. Furthermore, stronger density stratification in PXB inhibited the vertical supply of DO and accelerated bottom hypoxia. But the downslope density current replenished bottom DO in the upper reaches of the DNB, SNB, and XXB. The CH4 concentration was generally higher in hypoxia zone, especially in where cyanobacteria are the dominant species (eg., PX03 and PX04). Dam construction led to the succession of algal-dominant species, exerting a significant influence on the river carbon cycle. The expansion of cyanobacterial blooms and the consequence of metabolic substrates increase are gradually increasing oxygen deprivation, even hypoxia, and enhancing CH4 production in rivers. These findings suggest that the succession of algal-dominant species caused by river damming has a pronounced positive feedback effect on reservoir hypoxia processes and greenhouse effect.
Comprehensive evaluation of the resistance to shoot shriveling before and after sprouting in different varieties of Ping’ou hybrid hazelnut
Authors: Gao Haizhe , Jia Zhiguo , Zhang Lirong , Li Zhang
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The hybrid hazelnut is an important fruit tree species known for its high productivity and disease resistance. However, during the growth process of hybrid hazelnuts, issues such as branch withering and bud wrinkling have attracted significant attention. These phenomena severely impact the normal development and yield of the plants. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the resistance to shoot emergence and physiological changes in six hazel tree varieties by comprehensively analyzing their resistance to shoot emergence.

Method

Six widely cultivated hazelnut hybrid varieties were selected for physiological measurements and field surveys using one-year-old branches and buds as test materials. The resistance to shoot emergence of different hazel tree varieties was evaluated through correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and membership function evaluation.

Results

The results showed that the length and width of hazel buds gradually increased while the thickness first increased and then decreased before and after bud burst. The carbohydrate levels of the ‘Dawei’, ‘Pingou 110’, and ‘84–237’ varieties were significantly higher than those of other varieties. The content of reducing sugars and starch in hazel buds generally increased and then decreased during the bud burst process, while α-amylase activity showed a decreasing trend followed by an increasing trend. The antioxidative enzyme activity of ‘Dawei’ was significantly higher than that of other varieties on different sampling dates. The soluble protein content, POD enzyme activity, and CAT enzyme activity of hazel buds for the six varieties gradually decreased. The moisture content of ‘Pingou 210’ shoots was significantly higher than that of other varieties during the peak emergence period. The correlation analysis results showed that the bud burst rate of hazel trees was positively correlated with the length, width, thickness, reducing sugar content, starch content, POD enzyme activity, CAT enzyme activity, and shoot moisture content, while it was negatively correlated with α-amylase activity and relative conductivity of shoots. Through a comprehensive evaluation using correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and membership function analysis, the resistance to shoot emergence of the six hazel tree varieties was ranked in the following order: ‘Dawei’, ‘Pingou 110’, ‘84–237’, ‘Pingou 210’, ‘Yuzhui’, and ‘Liaozhen 3’.

Discussion

This study fills a research gap regarding the physiological changes of hazelnuts before and after sprouting, and provides theoretical guidance for further research on the anti-withering ability of hazelnut trees.
Causal association between colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yuan Chunsheng , Liu Saisai , Yang Kezhen , Xie Feiyu , Li Yinan , Guo Yantong , Zhao Wenjun , Zhang Jincheng , Cheng Zhiqiang
Published: January 2024

Background: Colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are both common life-threatening diseases in the elderly population. Some studies suggest a possible inverse relationship between colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, but real-world research is subject to many biases. We hope to clarify the causal relationship between the two through a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Methods: In our study, we used genetic summary data from large-scale genome-wide association studies to investigate the relationship between colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Our primary analysis employed the inverse-variance weighted method and we also used complementary techniques, including MR-Egger, weighted median estimator, and Maximum likelihood. We applied simex adjustment to the MR-Egger results. We also utilized the MRlap package to detect potential sample overlap and its impact on the bias of the results. In addition, we performed several sensitivity and heterogeneity analyses, to ensure the reliability of our results.

Results: The combined effect size results of the inverse-variance weighted method indicate that colorectal cancer may decrease the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.846 (95% CI: 0.762–0.929). Similar results were observed using other methods such as MR-Egger, weighted median estimator, and Maximum likelihood. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease may slightly increase the incidence of colorectal cancer, with an OR of 1.014 (95% CI: 1.001–1.027). However, the results of one subgroup were not significant, and the results from MRlap indicated that sample overlap introduced bias into the results. Therefore, the results of the reverse validation are not reliable. The F-statistic for all SNPs was greater than 20. Four SNPs related to the outcome were excluded using Phenoscanner website but the adjustment did not affect the overall direction of the results. The results of these statistics were further validated by MR-PRESSO, funnel plots, leave-one-out analyses, Cochran’s Q, demonstrating the reliability of the findings.

Conclusion: According to the findings of this Mendelian randomization study, there appears to be a causal association between colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. These results could have important implications for clinical practice in terms of how colorectal cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are treated. To better understand the relationship between these two diseases, more research and screening are needed in clinical settings.
Women and the risk of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: O’Neal Mary A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of the review

This review will elucidate reasons to explain why women may be at greater risk for Alzheimer's disease.

Recent findings

Potential mechanisms to explain sex and gender differences in Alzheimer dementia include: differences in risk associated with the apolipoprotein E 4 allele; telomere shortening- which is linked with neurodegeneration, higher incidence of depression and insomnia in women as psychiatric co-morbidities which are linked with an increased Alzheimer disease risk, disorders of pregnancy including gestational hypertension and preeclampsia and psychosocial factors such as educational level which may contribute to differences in cognitive reserve.

The sex and gender differences in Alzheimer's disease can be explained by biological and psychosocial factors.
Sampling design modifications to a fishery-independent monitoring survey balance the maintenance of long-term data with emerging management needs and funding limitations
Authors: Schrandt Meagan N. , MacDonald Timothy C. , Winner Brent L. , Blewett David A. , Paperno Richard , Onorato Gregory V. , Gandy David A. , Switzer Theodore S.
Published: January 2024

Development of Florida’s marine Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) program began in 1985, and it initiated long-term monitoring in Tampa Bay in 1989 with the purpose of providing timely fishery-independent data and analyses to fishery managers for the conservation and protection of the species that support Florida’s fisheries. Over time, the program expanded sampling in other Florida estuaries. Data from this monitoring program are integral to the assessment and management of numerous state and federally managed fishes, so long-term consistency is of paramount importance, but sampling design modifications have been necessary over time. This review presents three case studies in which the estuarine component of the FIM program was changed to address emerging data needs in management of Florida’s fishery resources, while maintaining standardization and consistency with long-term surveys statewide. In the first case study, survey changes increased the amount of data on juvenile common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts and improved indices of abundance, survival estimates, and age-length keys for state management purposes. In the second case study, the FIM program improved estimates of abundance of juvenile reef fishes by initiating a complementary survey that expanded FIM sampling to new regions of the Florida Gulf coast and targeted a unique habitat (polyhaline seagrass beds along estuarine shoal habitats) not previously sampled in the standard long-term survey. In the third case study, the FIM program addressed a data limitation for regional management of spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, by initiating seasonal sampling in western Florida. In each case study, the standard long-term survey design was modified to include sampling of new and unique areas and habitats, providing valuable data on estuarine fish assemblages that support analyses at the broader, ecosystem level. Survey amendments were designed to maintain standardization and consistency, all with limited additional funding. The success of these survey modifications was the result of several key factors: mission-focused programmatic goals, geographically dispersed laboratories, standardized protocols, ongoing critical analysis of the data, grant award success, and high-level data management. Although each case study originated with a survey expansion, all were followed by survey reductions or streamlining, so expansion and reduction scenarios are presented in this review. Regardless of these modifications, the mission of the FIM program remains the same: to provide timely data and analysis for the use of fishery managers, including state and federal partners.
Anomaly detection in feature space for detecting changes in phytoplankton populations
Authors: Ciranni Massimiliano , Odone Francesca , Pastore Vito Paolo
Published: January 2024

Plankton organisms are fundamental components of the earth’s ecosystem. Zooplankton feeds on phytoplankton and is predated by fish and other aquatic animals, being at the core of the aquatic food chain. On the other hand, Phytoplankton has a crucial role in climate regulation, has produced almost 50% of the total oxygen in the atmosphere and it’s responsible for fixing around a quarter of the total earth’s carbon dioxide. Importantly, plankton can be regarded as a good indicator of environmental perturbations, as it can react to even slight environmental changes with corresponding modifications in morphology and behavior. At a population level, the biodiversity and the concentration of individuals of specific species may shift dramatically due to environmental changes. Thus, in this paper, we propose an anomaly detection-based framework to recognize heavy morphological changes in phytoplankton at a population level, starting from images acquired in situ. Given that an initial annotated dataset is available, we propose to build a parallel architecture training one anomaly detection algorithm for each available class on top of deep features extracted by a pre-trained Vision Transformer, further reduced in dimensionality with PCA. We later define global anomalies, corresponding to samples rejected by all the trained detectors, proposing to empirically identify a threshold based on global anomaly count over time as an indicator that can be used by field experts and institutions to investigate potential environmental perturbations. We use two publicly available datasets (WHOI22 and WHOI40) of grayscale microscopic images of phytoplankton collected with the Imaging FlowCytobot acquisition system to test the proposed approach, obtaining high performances in detecting both in-class and out-of-class samples. Finally, we build a dataset of 15 classes acquired by the WHOI across four years, showing that the proposed approach’s ability to identify anomalies is preserved when tested on images of the same classes acquired across a timespan of years.
New canal construction and marine emissions strategy: a case of Pinglu
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Liu Yifan , Wang Shuaifei , Dong Gang
Published: January 2024

As an important component of new western land-sea corridor, the construction of Pinglu Canal will effectively alleviated waiting time and congestion costs and enhance the reliability and resilience of the regional maritime transport network in the post-pandemic era in particular. From the perspective of competition and cooperation game, this paper investigates typical transportation routes from the port of Jakarta in Indonesia to the port of Nanning in China from the key factors of the changes in freight volume and the evolution of profits and subsidies, considering local government subsidies, environmental costs, marine emissions and other critical factors. The results demonstrated that in the centralized strategies adopted by two transport route operators, as the volume of goods transported through Pinglu Canal increased, so the corresponding profits increased. The increase in subsidies also contributed to generating the volume of freight through Pinglu Canal, but the social welfare under the decentralized strategy adopted by both transport route operators was more effective than that of the centralized strategy.
Uncertainty-aware explainable AI as a foundational paradigm for digital twins
Authors: Cohen Joseph , Huan Xun
Published: January 2024

In the era of advanced manufacturing, digital twins have emerged as a foundational technology, offering the promise of improved efficiency, precision, and predictive capabilities. However, the increasing presence of AI tools for digital twin models and their integration into industrial processes has brought forth a pressing need for trustworthy and reliable systems. Uncertainty-Aware eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (UAXAI) is proposed as a critical paradigm to address these challenges, as it allows for the quantification and communication of uncertainties associated with predictive models and their corresponding explanations. As a platform and guiding philosophy to promote human-centered trust, UAXAI is based on five fundamental pillars: accessibility, reliability, explainability, robustness, and computational efficiency. The development of UAXAI caters to a diverse set of stakeholders, including end users, developers, regulatory bodies, the scientific community, and industrial players, each with their unique perspectives on trust and transparency in digital twins.
Echo time-dependent observed T1 and quantitative perfusion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Triphan Simon M. F. , Konietzke Marilisa , Biederer Jürgen , Eichinger Monika , Vogelmeier Claus F. , Jörres Rudolf A. , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Heußel Claus P. , Jobst Bertram J. , Wielpütz Mark O. ,   on behalf of the COSYCONET study group
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Due to hypoxic vasoconstriction, perfusion is interesting in the lungs. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) perfusion imaging based on Dynamic Contrast Enhancement (DCE) has been demonstrated in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) using visual scores, and quantification methods were recently developed further. Inter-patient correlations of echo time-dependent observed T1 [T1(TE)] have been shown with perfusion scores, pulmonary function testing, and quantitative computed tomography. Here, we examined T1(TE) quantification and quantitative perfusion MRI together and investigated both inter-patient and local correlations between T1(TE) and quantitative perfusion.

Methods

22 patients (age 68.0 ± 6.2) with COPD were examined using morphological MRI, inversion recovery multi-echo 2D ultra-short TE (UTE) in 1–2 slices for T1(TE) mapping, and 4D Time-resolved angiography With Stochastic Trajectories (TWIST) for DCE. T1(TE) maps were calculated from 2D UTE at five TEs from 70 to 2,300 μs. Pulmonary Blood Flow (PBF) and perfusion defect (QDP) maps were produced from DCE measurements. Lungs were automatically segmented on UTE images and morphological MRI and these segmentations registered to DCE images. DCE images were separately registered to UTE in corresponding slices and divided into corresponding subdivisions. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated for inter-patient correlations using the entire segmented slices and for local correlations separately using registered images and subdivisions for each TE. Median T1(TE) in normal and defect areas according to QDP maps were compared.

Results

Inter-patient correlations were strongest on average at TE2 = 500 μs, reaching up to |ρ| = 0.64 for T1 with PBF and |ρ| = 0.76 with QDP. Generally, local correlations of T1 with PBF were weaker at TE2 than at TE1 or TE3 and with maximum values of |ρ| = 0.66 (from registration) and |ρ| = 0.69 (from subdivision). In 18 patients, T1 was shorter in defect areas than in normal areas, with the relative difference smallest at TE2.

Discussion

The inter-patient correlations of T1 with PBF and QDP found show similar strength and TE-dependence as those previously reported for visual perfusion scores and quantitative computed tomography. The local correlations and median T1 suggest that not only base T1 but also the TE-dependence of observed T1 in normal areas is closer to that found previously in healthy volunteers than in defect areas.