bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pages of Earth History in an Exceptional Uniqueness: The Geo-Heritage of the Sila National Park and its Spheroidal Boulders Geosite (Northern Calabria, Italy)
Authors: Muto Francesco , Biondino Deborah , Crisci Gino Mirocle , Marabini Stefano , Procopio Fabio , Scarciglia Fabio , Vai Gian Battista
Published: March 2024

The knowledge of the territory that people inhabit, the awareness of the geological heritage value and its management are aimed both at the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development goals and at promoting geopark-inclined geotourism through actions which identify potential geosites or enhance those already assessed. The objective of this study is focused on the geoheritage exploration of the Sila massif area, in southern Italy, in order to illustrate the high “geological diversity” like first step for inherent potential geotourism. The Sila landscape exhibits a rich geodiversity to give value, but it is poorly known to the public, although it has been and is the subject of many national and international scientific works. The focus of this work is to enhance the geological, geomorphological and landscape uniqueness of a Sila area, characterized by the presence of a wide range of weathering products and morphologies as a result of geological and geomorphological events and processes, in a variety of temporal and spatial scales, which have an influence on the development and evolution of reliefs and landscape, giving rise to the three geosites: Sila Spheroidal Boulder Field Geosite, Sila Sand Geosite and Sila Paleosols Geosite. These sites of geological interest were subjected to quantitative assessment in terms of the scientific, educational, touristic values and degradation risk of geosites.
The decision maker’s lament: If I only had some science!
Authors: Bisbal Gustavo A.
Published: March 2024

Environmental decision makers lament instances in which the lack of actionable science limits confident decision-making. Their reaction when the needed scientific information is of poor quality, uninformative, unintelligible, or altogether absent is often to criticize scientists, their work, or science in general. The considerations offered here encourage decision makers to explore alternative approaches to alleviate their disappointment. Ironically, many researchers lament the lack of support for the science they wish to deliver and accuse decision makers of failing to realize the value of the scientific studies they propose. Both communities would benefit by remembering that producing actionable science for a pending decision requires knowing the context for that decision beforehand. They may also look inward. Only then will they find answers to the question: What can I do within my own capacity to ensure that the necessary actionable science becomes available and facilitate its use to inform decisions?
Gathering strengths and building capitals: engaging Chinese immigrant grandparents in a collaborative project
Authors: Guo Karen
Published: March 2024

The significance of family involvement in early childhood services has been recognised as crucial for enhancing the educational outcomes of young children, particularly among those from minority and immigration backgrounds. Extensive research has been conducted on collaborative practices between immigrant parents and early childhood communities, but it may be useful to pursue further efforts targeting immigrant grandparents, given their substantial influence on children’s learning and development. This study reports one initiative that involves a team comprising council officers, early childhood educators and Chinese grandparents within a local government area in Australia to design and implement a collaborative project that gathers capitals and strengths in order to support grandparents’ active engagement in Chinese immigrant children’s learning while enhancing their confidence in working with early childhood educators and local communities. Unlike other parenting programmes that aims to enhance parents’ knowledge and practices, this project elicits and celebrates working strategies of everyone involved. Employing the concepts of symbolic capital and strengths-based approach as theoretical frameworks, the flow of resources, strengths and values is embedded in this collaborative effort as an overarching theme. This paper explores how the theme is realised in the project process through workshops, reflective meetings and online and face to face discussions.
Populist Jurisprudence? Examining Selected Case Law of the Polish Constitutional Court After 2016
Authors: Stambulski Michał
Published: March 2024

Since the parliamentary elections in 2015 and the subsequent change in the personal composition of the Polish Constitutional Court, this institution is in crisis. The Court, once one of the main guardians of the rule of law and a model for the constitutional judiciary in the region of Central and Eastern Europe, is criticized. Judges are accused of lack of proper appointment and party subordination. Court activities are perceived as part of illiberal democracy and populist constitutionalism, that is, introducing majority rule by “switching off” the checks and balances mechanisms by democratically elected parties and groups. However, what is often overlooked in this type of analysis is the more internal perspective of jurisprudence and legal reasoning. What kind of decisions does the “populist” constitutional court issue? How does it justify its decisions? The paper will discuss three cases of the Polish Constitutional Court. The first case is from 2017 and concerns the right of assembly in connection with the introduction of a special category of “cyclical assemblies”. The second, of 2019, is the so-called “printer case”, which concerned the possibility of refusing to provide a service for reasons of conscience (a refusal to print a poster because of opposition to “LGBT promotion”). The third case is the controversial ruling narrowing access to abortion from 2020. The aim of the analysis is to answer the question of whether the current jurisprudence of the Court is the breaking or continuation of the previously dominant liberal constitutionalism. I will be particularly interested in whether these decisions introduce any changes at the level of possible rights holders (legal subjects), the introduction of a new or changed scope of existing rights, and new ways of resolving conflicts between rights.
Boundedness of Solutions to a Fully Parabolic Indirect Pursuit–Evasion Predator–Prey System with Density-Dependent Diffusion in $${{\mathbb{R}}}^2$$
Authors: Zeng Fugeng , Wang Dongxiu , Huang Lei
Published: March 2024

This paper deals with a fully parabolic indirect pursuit–evasion predator–prey system with density-dependent diffusion

$$u_{t}=\Delta (\psi _1(w)u)+u(\lambda -u+\alpha v), v_{t}=\Delta (\psi _2(z) v)+v(\mu -v-\beta u), w_{t}=\Delta w -w+v, z_{t}=\Delta z-z+u$$

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it is revealed that a unique classical solution exists for the corresponding initial-boundary problem, which remains uniformly bounded over time.
The Art of Legal Problem Solving
Authors: Murphy Brendon
Published: March 2024

The Art of Legal Problem Solving: A Criminal Law Approach is a sophisticated skills book designed to help students develop the problem-solving techniques necessary for their legal careers.
This succinct yet comprehensive book provides the perfect mix of general instruction and specific examples to encourage students to think about problems both in depth and broadly. It follows a clear roadmap presented in a logical progression, beginning with the fundamentals, fact finding and statutory interpretation before turning to the advanced areas of analysing and writing answers to problem questions. While written primarily for criminal law students, the skills imparted are generic and can be applied equally in any area of the law and in any jurisdiction. The Art of Legal Problem Solving is an indispensable work for law students who want to not only improve their problem-solving skills but master them.
The Eco-Self in Early Modern English Literature
Authors: Gruber Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

The Eco-Self in Early Modern English Literature tracks an important shift in early modern conceptions of selfhood, arguing that the period hosted the birth of a new subset of the human, the eco-self, which melds a deeply introspective turn with an abiding sense of humans' embedment in the world. A confluence of cultural factors produced the relevant changes. Of paramount significance was the rapid spread of literacy in England and across Europe: reading transformed the relationship between self and world, retooled moral reasoning, and even altered human anatomy. This book pursues the salutary possibilities, including the ecological benefits, of this redesigned self by advancing fresh readings of texts by William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, John Webster, and Margaret Cavendish. The eco-self offers certain refinements to ecological theory by renewing appreciation for the rational, deliberative functions that distinguish humans from other species.
Securitizing high-technology industries: South Korea–Japan dispute over materials–parts–equipment products
Authors: Koo Min Gyo
Published: March 2024

The Japan–Korea whitelist dispute (2019–2023) embodies key features of interstate disputes related to economic statecraft ideas. Against the backdrop of the legal dispute over Japan’s “essential security interests” claim based on GATT Article 21 (Security Exceptions), this study analyzes South Korea’s response to the whitelist dispute, with a focus on its materials–parts–equipment localization policy. The findings indicate that the policy process and outcomes align with very few of the criteria suggested by the new industrial policy literature. Notably, the policy’s goals and tools were driven by ideology rather than by science, and the implementing agency—The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy—while competent, was politically captured. In conclusion, this study suggests that policymakers should purposefully and consciously connect security with trade or implement industrial policies within a well-defined strategic framework.
HORIZONTAL WATERMILL CHRONOLOGIES BASED ON 14C DATING OF ORGANICS IN MORTARS: A CASE STUDY FROM JARASH, JORDAN
Authors: Boyer David
Published: March 2024

Horizontal watermills in the southern Levant have proved difficult to date. This study investigates the use of radiocarbon (14C) dating of various organic carbon fractions in structural mortars and carbonate deposits to identify terminus post quem (TPQ) construction dates for seven arubah watermills and two chute watermills in northern Jordan. Dating results from the various organic fractions are discussed in the contexts of carbon fraction integrity and mortar type. The arubah watermill construction dates fall into two chronological groups. Four arubah watermills have Middle Islamic (late 12th to early 14th century AD) construction dates based on macrocharcoal and bulk organic fraction ages, whereas the bulk organic fraction ages of two earlier arubah watermills straddle the Byzantine-Early Islamic transition. Their possible fifth to seventh-century construction dates are among the earliest in the southern Levant. Limited 14C data from the chute water mills suggests that the earliest may date to the sixth–seventh century period, concurrent with the older arubah watermills. The study supports the viability of the AMS 14C method to provide estimated TPQ construction dates for watermills, providing caution is exercised. Short-lived macrocharcoals have the highest integrity but are subject to severe sample loss during pretreatment. 14C ages from humic and humin fractions in earthen mortars are influenced by “old carbon” contamination, possibly a soil reservoir effect, and are centuries older than the probable construction date. Attention is drawn to the potential use of arubah carbonate deposits as proxy records of water flow, watermill use, and hydroclimate.
Unveiling the Intricacies of the Inner Ear Anatomy: Novel 3D-Printed Model for Detailed Visualization and Functional Demonstrations
Authors: Wu Shou-Wu , Nian Zhong-Zhu , Lin Wen , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This research aimed to print realistically detailed and magnified three-dimensional models of the inner ear, specifically focusing on visualising its complex labyrinth structure and functioning simulation.

Methods

Temporal bone computed-tomography data were imported into Mimics software to construct an initial three-dimensional inner-ear model. Subsequently, the model was amplified and printed with precision using a three-dimensional printer. Five senior attending physicians evaluated the printed model using a Likert scale to gauge its morphological accuracy, clinical applicability and anatomical teaching value.

Results

The printed inner-ear model effectively demonstrated the intricate internal structure. All five physicians agreed that the model closely resembled the real inner ear in shape and structure, and simulated certain inner-ear functions. The model was considered highly valuable for understanding anatomical structure and disorders.

Conclusion

The three-dimensionally printed inner-ear model is highly simulated and provides a valuable visual tool for studying inner-ear anatomy and clinical teaching, benefiting otologists.
Partnerships between private landowners and conservationists to protect one of the most evolutionarily distinct amphibians
Authors: Valenzuela-Sánchez Andrés , Miranda Sebastián , Moreno-Gonzalez Ricardo , Gerding Julio , Catrileo Rayen , Guillemot Jules , Delgado-Oyarzún Soledad , Núñez Maricela , Cunningham Andrew A. , Zapararte María Belén
Published: March 2024

Wildlife conservation on private land is an important approach that is increasingly utilized to protect biodiversity and can help contribute to the 30 by 30 target of the Global Biodiversity Framework. In 2018, a Chilean non-profit conservation organization launched a land conservation programme aiming to build long-term partnerships with private landowners to protect critical habitat for threatened amphibians in Chilean Patagonia. Here we describe a new locality record of the micro-endemic, Endangered Barrio's frog Insuetophrynus acarpicus found at a site that joined the programme in 2020. Barrio's frog is ranked 11th in the list of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered amphibians. Our systematic literature search showed that most aspects of the natural history and ecology of this species are unknown, limiting our ability to provide actionable science to inform its conservation. The newly described Barrio's frog population is the eighth known locality of this species and one of only three occurring within a protected area. Habitat quality assessments indicated optimal conditions for most of the measured habitat parameters in the high-gradient stream where the species occurs. This case study illustrates that long-term partnerships between private landowners and conservationists can be used as an effective tool to protect the habitat of highly threatened amphibians.
Electrocardiographic proarrhythmic changes in pregnancy of women with CHD
Authors: Weismann Constance G. , Wedlund Frida , Ryd Thuva Lindblad , von Wowern Emma , Hlebowicz Joanna
Published: March 2024

Objectives:

Pregnancy-related physiological adaptations result in increased heart rate as well as electrocardiographic changes such as a mean QTc prolongation of 27 ms. Pregnant women with CHD are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for abnormally prolonged QTc interval—a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias—in pregnant women with CHD.

Material and method:

Retrospective longitudinal single-centre study. Pre-pregnancy demographic and electrocardiographic risk factors for abnormal QTc duration during pregnancy of (a) > 460 ms and (b) >27 ms increase were analyzed.

Results:

Eighty-three pregnancies in 63 women were included, of which three had documented arrhythmias. All five Modified World Health Organization Classification of Maternal Cardiovascular Risk (mWHO) classes were represented, with 15 pregnancies (18.1%) in mWHO class I, 26 (31.3%) in mWHO II, 28 (33.7%) in mWHO II-III, 11 (13.3%) in mWHO III, and three pregnancies (3.6%) in mWHO class IV. Heart rate and QTc interval increased, while QRS duration and PR interval shortened during pregnancy. QTc duration of > 460 ms was associated with increased pre-pregnancy QTc interval, QRS duration, and weight, as well as body mass index. QTc increase of > 27 ms was associated with increased heart rate prior to pregnancy. No significant associations of electrocardiographic changes with mWHO class or CHD type were identified.

Conclusion:

Increased QTc in pregnant women with CHD was associated with being overweight or having higher heart rate, QRS, or QTc duration prior to pregnancy. These patients should be monitored closely for arrhythmias during pregnancy.
Components of an Updated Disaster Medicine Curriculum Included in Emergency Medicine Residency and Emergency Medical Services Fellowship in the United States
Authors: Sandifer Sara P. , Wexler Bryan J. , Flamm Avram
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Disaster medicine (DM) is a unique field that has undergone significant development as disaster events become increasingly complicated to respond to. However, DM is not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or Accreditation Committee of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and therefore lacks board certification. Furthermore, prior studies have shown that there is unique body of DM knowledge not being addressed in emergency medicine (EM) residency or Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellowship, resulting in fundamental DM topics not being covered amongst graduate medical education (GME) programs most prepared to produce DM physicians. A recently published DM core curriculum addresses this knowledge gap and seeks to promote standardization of DM training.

Study Objective:

The objective of this study is to analyze EM residency and EMS fellowship curricula for the inclusion of DM major curriculum topics and subtopics, using the most recently published DM core curriculum as a control.

Methods:

Both EM residency and EMS fellowship curricula were analyzed for inclusion of DM curriculum topics and subtopics, using the DM curriculum recommendations published by Wexler, et al as a control. A major curriculum topic was deemed covered if at least one related subtopic was described in the curricula. The included and excluded DM topics and subtopics were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

While all the DM major curriculum topics were covered by either EM residency or EMS fellowship, EMS fellowship covered more major curriculum topics (14/15; 93%) than EM residency (12/15; 80%) and EMS fellowship covered more DM curriculum subtopics (58/153; 38%) than EM residency (24/153; 16%). Combined, EM residency and EMS fellowship covered 65 out of 153 (42%) of the DM curriculum subtopics.

Conclusion:

Although this study finds that all the DM major curriculum topics will be covered in EM residency followed by EMS fellowship, over one-half of the subtopics are not covered by either program (16% and 38%, respectively) or both programs combined (42%). Increasingly relevant subtopics, such as climate change, droughts, and flooding, are amongst those not covered by either curriculum. Even amongst the DM topics included in GME curricula, an emphasis on themes such as mass treatment, preparedness, and mitigation is likely under-represented. Accreditation from ACGME for DM fellowship would further promote uniform implementation of the updated core curriculum and ensure optimal training of disaster-ready physicians.
“Moderate” vs “Extremist” Muslims? How a decontextualized distinction can trigger a contradictory assessment of security and radicalization in Malaysia
Authors: Gkoutzioulis Athanasios
Published: March 2024

This article demonstrates how the application of a broad and decontextualized distinction between “moderate” and “extremist” Muslims can undermine our assessment of an Islamic identity, security, and radicalization. It compares how this distinction has been used by the British colonial administrators (in Raffles, Crawfurd, Marsden, and Swettenham) in nineteenth-century Malaya and by Malaysia's Prime Ministers (Mahathir, Badawi, and Najib) in the late-twentieth and early-twenty-first centuries. This comparison demonstrates that both groups, despite their very different backgrounds (Western non-Muslim and Muslim non-Western), introduced a similar distinction between “moderate” and “extremist” driven more by socio-political objectives than by religious ones. Furthermore, the article stresses the importance of considering the socio-political and contextual dimensions of Islamic identity before attempting to explain the process of radicalization and its implications for security. Such an approach discourages reference to broad categories such as “moderate,” “extremist,” “Islamism,” or “Salafism,” and allows for discussion of their contextual and socio-political connotations.
Compared to what?: Setting American political development in comparative context
Authors: Lieberman Robert C.
Published: March 2024

The recent crisis of democracy in the United States and around the world has highlighted the value of both historical and comparative analysis and brought the subfields of American political development and comparative politics into frequent conversation with each other. In fact, these subfields emerged from common origins and draw on similar conceptual and methodological tools. This essay identifies the historical and intellectual connections between the two fields and suggests the emerging possibilities of bringing the cross-national study of political development onto a common platform. It then draws out some themes that emerge from this pathway and considers how these themes might point the way toward a more systematic enterprise that can help illuminate some of the most pressing challenges of a turbulent political era.
Developing Anti-Racist Cultural Competence
Authors: Abdulrehman Rehman
Published: March 2024

Compact, evidence-based guidance by a leading expert on how to undertake culturally sensitive psychotherapy and cross cultural engagement in any profession. This compact and authoritative book is designed to be useful to a broad range of professionals in their daily practice and to provide a basis for practice-oriented continuing education.
A 2,000‐Year Record of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Colonization Shows Substantial Gains in Blue Carbon Storage and Nutrient Retention
Authors: Dahl Martin , Gullström Martin , Bernabeu Irene , Serrano Oscar , Leiva‐Dueñas Carmen , Linderholm Hans W. , Asplund Maria E. , Björk Mats , Ou Tinghai , Svensson J. Robin , Andrén Elinor , Andrén Thomas , Bergman Sanne , Braun Sara , Eklöf Anneli , Ežerinskis Zilvinas , Garbaras Andrius , Hällberg Petter , Löfgren Elin , Kylander Malin E. , Masqué Pere , Šapolaitė Justina , Smittenberg Rienk , Mateo Miguel A.
Published: March 2024

Assessing historical environmental conditions linked to habitat colonization is important for understanding long‐term resilience and improving conservation and restoration efforts. Such information is lacking for the seagrass Zostera marina, an important foundation species across cold‐temperate coastal areas of the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we reconstructed environmental conditions during the last 14,000 years from sediment cores in two eelgrass (Z. marina) meadows along the Swedish west coast, with the main aims to identify the time frame of seagrass colonization and describe subsequent biogeochemical changes following establishment. Based on vegetation proxies (lipid biomarkers), eelgrass colonization occurred about 2,000 years ago after geomorphological changes that resulted in a shallow, sheltered environment favoring seagrass growth. Seagrass establishment led to up to 20‐ and 24‐fold increases in sedimentary carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates, respectively. This demonstrates the capacity of seagrasses as efficient ecosystem engineers and their role in global change mitigation and adaptation through CO2 removal, and nutrient and sediment retention. By combining regional climate projections and landscape models, we assessed potential climate change effects on seagrass growth, productivity and distribution until 2100. These predictions showed that seagrass meadows are mostly at risk from increased sedimentation and hydrodynamic changes, while the impact from sea level rise alone might be of less importance in the studied area. This study showcases the positive feedback between seagrass colonization and environmental conditions, which holds promise for successful conservation and restoration efforts aimed at supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the provision of several other crucial ecosystem services.
Effects of Pollen on Hydrometeors and Precipitation in a Convective System
Authors: Zhang Yingxiao , Subba Tamanna , Matthews Brianna H. , Pettersen Claire , Brooks Sarah D. , Steiner Allison L.
Published: March 2024

Anemophilous (wind‐driven) pollen is one type of primary biological aerosol particle, which can rupture under high humidity conditions and form smaller sub‐pollen particles (SPPs). Both pollen and SPPs can reach the upper troposphere under convective conditions, acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nucleating particles (INPs), thus influencing cloud formation and precipitation. However, the impacts of these biological aerosols on cold cloud formation and local climate remain unclear as there are large uncertainties on their emission flux and ice nucleating abilities. Here, we incorporate pollen emission and rupture processes in the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Chemistry (WRF‐Chem) simulations and update the Morrison microphysics scheme within WRF‐Chem using aerosol‐aware INP parameterizations to account for pollen in addition to other anthropogenic and biogenic aerosol. INP parameterizations for pollen and SPP are derived from laboratory experiments. When including pollen rupture rates as observed in a series of chamber studies, SPP concentrations increase, leading to an increase of cloud ice and water by up to 50% and potentially extending the duration of the convective system. Among all simulated hydrometeors, graupel and raindrops exhibit the largest enhancements from the inclusion of SPPs, with intensifying precipitation at the backside of the convective system and a greater spatial extent. Sensitivity simulations indicate that SPPs have a greater effect on cloud microphysical processes than whole pollen grains, and further observational evidence is needed to constrain these processes.
Detecting the Non‐Separable Causality in Soil Moisture‐Precipitation Coupling With Convergent Cross‐Mapping
Authors: Zhao Yiyang , Ma Enze , Zhou Zhaoqiang , Zou Yiguang , Cao Zhaodan , Cai Hejiang , Li Ci , Yan Yuhan , Chen Yan
Published: March 2024

Soil moisture‐Precipitation (SM‐P) coupling, especially the causality from SM to P (SM → P), is an important and highly debated topic. The causal inference from observational data provides a statistical approach for this issue, where the experimental research is infeasible. Various causal inference methods exist, each assuming distinct underlying systems for the targeted variables: pure stochastic or deterministic dynamic system (DDS), which means that these methods detect different types of causality: separable or non‐separable. Acknowledging the inherent deterministic dynamic nature of SM‐P coupling, this study employs a DDS‐based method: Convergent Cross‐mapping (CCM), to detect their non‐separable causality. Centering around SM‐P coupling, we also detect the causality between SMs in shallow and deeper layers, and the causality between evapotranspiration (ET) and SMs in all layers. Notably, before applying CCM, a preconditional procedure is required: verifying the DDS nature of targeted variables P, SM, and ET. Key findings of this research include: (a) In SM‐P coupling, only SMs in shallow layers but not deeper layers could render causalities toward P, while P renders causalities toward SMs in all layers. (b) The time‐delay of causality from SM1 to P in spring/summer is around 4–6 days, and that from P to SM1 is around 2–4 days. (c) Inside SMs, shallow SMs have obvious causalities downwards to deeper SMs, but deeper SMs seem harder to render causalities upwards to shallow SMs, explaining why they hardly render causalities to P. In summary, this study furnishes an indispensable DDS‐based complement to stochastic‐based methodologies for SM‐P coupling.
Canopy Randomness, Scale, and Stem Size Effects on the Interfacial Transfer Process in Vegetated Flows
Authors: Tseng Chien‐Yung , Tinoco Rafael O.
Published: March 2024

Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in natural water environments by interacting with the flow and generating turbulence that affects the air‐water and sediment‐water interfacial transfer. Regular and staggered arrays are often set as simplified layouts for vegetation canopy to study both mean flow and turbulence statistics in vegetated flows, which creates uniform spacing between vegetation elements, resulting in preferential flow paths within the array. Such preferential paths can produce local high velocity and strong turbulence, which do not necessarily happen in natural environments where vegetation is randomly distributed. How the randomness of the canopy affects interfacial processes by altering spatial turbulence distribution, which can potentially lead to different turbulence feedback on the interfacial transfer process, remains an open question. This study conducted a series of laboratory experiments in a race‐track flume using rigid cylinders as plant surrogates. Mean and turbulent flow statistics were characterized by horizontal‐ and vertical‐sliced PIV. Based on the measured flow characteristics under different stem diameters and array configurations, we propose a method to quantify the randomness of the vegetation array and update a sediment‐water‐air interfacial gas transfer model with the randomness parameter to improve its accuracy. The updated model agrees well with the dissolved oxygen experimental data from our study and data from existing literature at various scales. The study provides critical insight into water quality management in vegetated channels with improved dissolved oxygen predictions considering vegetation layout as part of the interfacial transfer model.
Global‐Scale Groundwater Recharge Modeling Is Improved by Tuning Against Ground‐Based Estimates for Karst and Non‐Karst Areas
Authors: Wan Wenhua , Döll Petra , Müller Schmied Hannes
Published: March 2024

Quantification of groundwater recharge is highly important for understanding freshwater systems and sustainable management of both groundwater and surface water bodies, but it is very uncertain. To improve the global‐scale simulation of diffuse groundwater recharge (GWR), we developed, for the first time in global hydrological modeling, an approach for explicitly simulating GWR in karst areas, based on the World Karst Aquifer Map and ground‐based estimates of karst GWR. Ground‐based estimates of both karst and non‐karst GWR from 5,600 locations were aggregated to produce estimates for 816 globally distributed 0.5° grid cells, including 64 representing karst GWR. Applying WaterGAP2.2e, we found that karst GWR is best approximated by total runoff from land (without soil overflow and urban runoff). The GWR algorithm for non‐karst GWR was tuned against ground‐based estimates for 422 non‐karst grid cells outside of Australia. While simulated GWR tends to underestimate GWR in non‐karst areas with mean annual ground‐based GWR > 200 mm/yr, it overestimates national GWR in six out of seven European countries. With an increase in the coefficient for the discharge from groundwater to surface water bodies, the updated GWR algorithm results in an improved fit of simulated streamflow to observations, including low flows. Global mean annual GWR and thus renewable groundwater resources (without Greenland and Antarctica) are estimated to be about one‐half of the total renewable water resources, or 21,000 km3/yr, which is over 50% higher than the standard model estimate. 20% of global GWR is generated in karst areas, which cover about 11% of the world's land surface.
Ethics of Pediatric Gender-Affirming Care: A Case Study Comparison
Authors: Jackson Grayson R. , Chen Diane , Coyne Claire , Donahue Kelly , Campo-Engelstein Lisa
Published: March 2024

Objective:

This article aims to explore ethical tensions in pediatric gender-affirming care and illustrate how these tensions arise in the clinical setting.

Method:

This article utilizes two de-identified cases of transgender youth—Emma and Jayden—as a framework for discussing ethical principles in pediatric gender-affirming care. Case summaries detail the medical history of these two patients, their familial context, and their encounters with healthcare providers. Subsequently, the ethics of both cases are synthesized. As represented in this work, these cases do not constitute Institutional Review Board-regulated human subjects research.

Results:

Emma’s parents want to forgo pubertal suppression and pursue hormone therapy, effectively skipping a step in the gender-affirming care standard for youth presenting in early puberty. Jayden’s parents, on the other hand, are skeptical of their son’s identity and resistant to pursuing treatment. Both cases reflect disparate health goals between youth and parents and offer insight into the ethical tensions of gender-affirming care for pediatric patients.

Conclusions:

Key ethical discussions center on the standard of care, treatment reversibility, and pediatric decision-making. Jayden’s parents resist the standard of care for pediatric transgender patients. In contrast, Emma’s parents seek an acceleration of the staged progression recommended in the standard-of-care guidelines. The degree of reversibility of the treatment option in question influences the deliberation of these cases because it is the provider’s ethical obligation to preserve the future rights and autonomy of pediatric patients. Finally, while capacity in children is not presumed, providers should actively involve pediatric patients in treatment decisions that are increasingly subjective.

Implications for Impact Statement

The standard of care, treatment reversibility, and pediatric decision-making are three important considerations in the ethical provision of gender-affirming care for pediatric patients. Clinicians and decision-makers, including parents, ought to weigh the impact of each consideration on patient autonomy. Although the autonomy of pediatric patients is necessarily limited, steps should be taken to safeguard these patients’ future decision-making capacity and align with their healthcare goals and values to the fullest extent possible.
Efficacy and safety of PD-1 blockade plus long-course chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (NECTAR): a multi-center phase 2 study
Authors: Yang Zhengyang , Gao Jiale , Zheng Jianyong , Han Jiagang , Li Ang , Liu Gang , Sun Yi , Zhang Jie , Chen Guangyong , Xu Rui , Zhang Xiao , Liu Yishan , Bai Zhigang , Deng Wei , He Wei , Yao Hongwei , Zhang Zhongtao
Published: March 2024

Adding PD-1 blockade in the neoadjuvant regimens for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) / mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) tumors is an attractive, but debatable strategy. This phase 2, multicenter, prospective, single-arm study enrolled patients from 6 centers from June 2021 to November 2022. Locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC, cT3-4aN0M0 and cT1-4aN1-2M0) patients aged ≥18 years with the distance from distal border of tumor to anal verge ≤10 cm (identified by Magnetic Resonance Imaging) were qualified for inclusion. The patients received long-course radiotherapy (50 Gy/25 fractions, 2 Gy/fraction, 5 days/week) and three 21-day cycles capecitabine (850–1000 mg/m2, bid, po, day1–14) and three 21-day cycles tislelizumab (200 mg, iv.gtt, day8) as neoadjuvant. Total mesorectal excision (TME) was 6–12 weeks after the end of radiotherapy to achieve radical resection. A total of 50 patients were enrolled in this study. The pathological complete response rate was 40.0% [20/50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 27.61–53.82%], while 15 (30.0%, 95% CI: 19.1–43.75%), 9 (18.0%, 95% CI: 9.77–30.8%), 2 (4.0%, 95% CI: 1.10–13.46%) patients respectively achieved grade 1, 2, and 3 tumor regression. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) occurred in 28 (56.0%) LARC patients, including 26(52.0%) with grade I-II and 2 (4.0%) with grade III (1 with grade 3 immune-related colitis and 1 with grade 3 rash). PD-1 blockade plus long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) showed promising therapeutic effects according to pathological complete response rate and is well-tolerated in LARC patients. A larger randomized controlled study is desired to further validate the above findings.
Dynamic similarity and the peculiar allometry of maximum running speed
Authors: Labonte David , Bishop Peter J. , Dick Taylor J. M. , Clemente Christofer J.
Published: March 2024

Animal performance fundamentally influences behaviour, ecology, and evolution. It typically varies monotonously with size. A notable exception is maximum running speed; the fastest animals are of intermediate size. Here we show that this peculiar allometry results from the competition between two musculoskeletal constraints: the kinetic energy capacity, which dominates in small animals, and the work capacity, which reigns supreme in large animals. The ratio of both capacities defines the physiological similarity index Γ, a dimensionless number akin to the Reynolds number in fluid mechanics. The scaling of Γ indicates a transition from a dominance of muscle forces to a dominance of inertial forces as animals grow in size; its magnitude defines conditions of “dynamic similarity“ that enable comparison and estimates of locomotor performance across extant and extinct animals; and the physical parameters that define it highlight opportunities for adaptations in musculoskeletal “design” that depart from the eternal null hypothesis of geometric similarity. The physiological similarity index challenges the Froude number as prevailing dynamic similarity condition, reveals that the differential growth of muscle and weight forces central to classic scaling theory is of secondary importance for the majority of terrestrial animals, and suggests avenues for comparative analyses of locomotor systems.
Three-dimensional magnetic nanotextures with high-order vorticity in soft magnetic wireframes
Authors: Volkov Oleksii M. , Pylypovskyi Oleksandr V. , Porrati Fabrizio , Kronast Florian , Fernandez-Roldan Jose A. , Kákay Attila , Kuprava Alexander , Barth Sven , Rybakov Filipp N. , Eriksson Olle , Lamb-Camarena Sebastian , Makushko Pavlo , Mawass Mohamad-Assaad , Shakeel Shahrukh , Dobrovolskiy Oleksandr V. , Huth Michael , Makarov Denys
Published: March 2024

Additive nanotechnology enable curvilinear and three-dimensional (3D) magnetic architectures with tunable topology and functionalities surpassing their planar counterparts. Here, we experimentally reveal that 3D soft magnetic wireframe structures resemble compact manifolds and accommodate magnetic textures of high order vorticity determined by the Euler characteristic, χ. We demonstrate that self-standing magnetic tetrapods (homeomorphic to a sphere; χ = + 2) support six surface topological solitons, namely four vortices and two antivortices, with a total vorticity of + 2 equal to its Euler characteristic. Alternatively, wireframe structures with one loop (homeomorphic to a torus; χ = 0) possess equal number of vortices and antivortices, which is relevant for spin-wave splitters and 3D magnonics. Subsequent introduction of n holes into the wireframe geometry (homeomorphic to an n-torus; χ < 0) enables the accommodation of a virtually unlimited number of antivortices, which suggests their usefulness for non-conventional (e.g., reservoir) computation. Furthermore, complex stray-field topologies around these objects are of interest for superconducting electronics, particle trapping and biomedical applications.
Substrate recognition mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated ubiquitin ligase Doa10
Authors: Wu Kevin , Itskanov Samuel , Lynch Diane L. , Chen Yuanyuan , Turner Aasha , Gumbart James C. , Park Eunyong
Published: March 2024

Doa10 (MARCHF6 in metazoans) is a large polytopic membrane-embedded E3 ubiquitin ligase in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that plays an important role in quality control of cytosolic and ER proteins. Although Doa10 is highly conserved across eukaryotes, it is not understood how Doa10 recognizes its substrates. Here, we define the substrate recognition mechanism of Doa10 by structural and functional analyses on Saccharomyces cerevisiae Doa10 and its model substrates. Cryo-EM analysis shows that Doa10 has unusual architecture with a large lipid-filled central cavity, and its conserved middle domain forms an additional water-filled lateral tunnel open to the cytosol. Our biochemical data and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the entrance of the substrate’s degron peptide into the lateral tunnel is required for efficient polyubiquitination. The N- and C-terminal membrane domains of Doa10 seem to form fence-like features to restrict polyubiquitination to those proteins that can access the central cavity and lateral tunnel. Our study reveals how extended hydrophobic sequences at the termini of substrate proteins are recognized by Doa10 as a signal for quality control.
Intercellular communication atlas reveals Oprm1 as a neuroprotective factor for retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Qian Cheng , Xin Ying , Qi Cheng , Wang Hui , Dong Bryan C. , Zack Donald J. , Blackshaw Seth , Hattar Samer , Zhou Feng-Quan , Qian Jiang
Published: March 2024

Previous studies of neuronal survival have primarily focused on identifying intrinsic mechanisms controlling the process. This study explored how intercellular communication contributes to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival following optic nerve crush based on single-cell RNA-seq analysis. We observed transcriptomic changes in retinal cells in response to the injury, with astrocytes and Müller glia having the most interactions with RGCs. By comparing RGC subclasses characterized by distinct resilience to cell death, we found that the high-survival RGCs tend to have more ligand-receptor interactions with neighboring cells. We identified 47 interactions stronger in high-survival RGCs, likely mediating neuroprotective effects. We validated one identified target, the μ-opioid receptor (Oprm1), to be neuroprotective in three retinal injury models. Although the endogenous Oprm1 is preferentially expressed in intrinsically photosensitive RGCs, its neuroprotective effect can be transferred to other subclasses by pan-RGC overexpression of Oprm1. Lastly, manipulating the Oprm1 activity improved visual functions in mice.
Tissue engineered vascular grafts are resistant to the formation of dystrophic calcification
Authors: Turner Mackenzie E. , Blum Kevin M. , Watanabe Tatsuya , Schwarz Erica L. , Nabavinia Mahboubeh , Leland Joseph T. , Villarreal Delaney J. , Schwartzman William E. , Chou Ting-Heng , Baker Peter B. , Matsumura Goki , Krishnamurthy Rajesh , Yates Andrew R. , Hor Kan N. , Humphrey Jay D. , Marsden Alison L. , Stacy Mitchel R. , Shinoka Toshiharu , Breuer Christopher K.
Published: March 2024

Advancements in congenital heart surgery have heightened the importance of durable biomaterials for adult survivors. Dystrophic calcification poses a significant risk to the long-term viability of prosthetic biomaterials in these procedures. Herein, we describe the natural history of calcification in the most frequently used vascular conduits, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Through a retrospective clinical study and an ovine model, we compare the degree of calcification between tissue-engineered vascular grafts and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Results indicate superior durability in tissue-engineered vascular grafts, displaying reduced late-term calcification in both clinical studies (p < 0.001) and animal models (p < 0.0001). Further assessments of graft compliance reveal that tissue-engineered vascular grafts maintain greater compliance (p < 0.0001) and distensibility (p < 0.001) than polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. These properties improve graft hemodynamic performance, as validated through computational fluid dynamics simulations. We demonstrate the promise of tissue engineered vascular grafts, remaining compliant and distensible while resisting long-term calcification, to enhance the long-term success of congenital heart surgeries.
Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy with camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin in resectable locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a pilot phase II trial
Authors: Wu Di , Li Yong , Xu Pengfei , Fang Qi , Cao Fei , Lin Hongsheng , Li Yin , Su Yong , Lu Lixia , Chen Lei , Li Yizhuo , zhao Zheng , Hong Xiaoyu , Li Guohong , Tian Yaru , Sun Jinyun , Yan Honghong , Fan Yunyun , Zhang Xinrui , Li Zhiming , Liu Xuekui
Published: March 2024

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has emerged as a potential treatment option for resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this single-arm phase II trial (NCT04826679), patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC (T2‒T4, N0‒N3b, M0) received neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with camrelizumab (200 mg), nab-paclitaxel (260 mg/m2), and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) intravenously on day one of each three-week cycle for three cycles. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included pathologic complete response (pCR), major pathologic response (MPR), two-year progression-free survival rate, two-year overall survival rate, and toxicities. Here, we report the perioperative outcomes; survival outcomes were not mature at the time of data analysis. Between April 19, 2021 and March 17, 2022, 48 patients were enrolled and received neoadjuvant therapy, 27 of whom proceeded to surgical resection and remaining 21 received non-surgical therapy. The ORR was 89.6% (95% CI: 80.9, 98.2) among 48 patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy. Of the 27 patients who underwent surgery, 17 (63.0%, 95% CI: 44.7, 81.2) achieved a MPR or pCR, with a pCR rate of 55.6% (95% CI: 36.8, 74.3). Treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in two patients. This study meets the primary endpoint showing potential efficacy of neoadjuvant camrelizumab plus nab-paclitaxel and cisplatin, with an acceptable safety profile, in patients with resectable locally advanced HNSCC.