bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
After the Türkiye Earthquake: The Experience of a Pediatric Emergency Department in a University Hospital Distant from the Disaster Area
Authors: Akbaba Burcu , Yiğit Hande , Güngör Emre , Kaynak Mustafa O. , Kahya Hafize H. , Birbilen Ahmet Z. , Kesici Selman , Düzova Ali , Bayrakçı Benan , Tekşam Özlem
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Earthquakes rank among the most deadly natural disasters, and children are particularly affected due to their inherent vulnerability. Following an earthquake, there is a substantial increase in visits to emergency services. These visits stem not only from patients seeking care for physical traumas resulting from the earthquake and its subsequent complications, but also from individuals affected by the circumstances created by the disaster.

Study Objective:

This study aims to determine the characteristics and outcomes of children who presented to the pediatric emergency department (PED) after the earthquake and to evaluate children who had crush injuries at a referral tertiary university hospital away from the earthquake area.

Methods:

The medical records of children who presented to the PED from the earthquake area from February 6 through March 7, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Children rescued from under rubble were categorized as Group 1, those affected by earthquake conditions as Group 2, and patients seeking medical attention due to the follow-up of chronic illnesses were considered as Group 3. Patient data, including sociodemographic characteristics, time period under rubble (TPR), laboratory findings, and details of medical and surgical procedures, developing acute kidney injury (AKI), and the requirement for hemodialysis were recorded.

Results:

A total of 252 children were enrolled in the study, with 52 (20.6%) in Group 1, 180 (71.4%) in Group 2, and 16 (6.0%) in Group 3. The median age was six (IQR = 1.7-12.1) years. In the first group (n = 52), 46 (85.2%) children experienced crush injuries, 25 children (46.3%) developed crush syndrome, and 14 of them (14/25; 56.0%) required dialysis. In the second group, the most common diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infections (n = 69; 37.9%), acute gastroenteritis (n = 23; 12.6%), simple physical trauma (n = 16; 8.8%), and lower respiratory tract infections (n = 13; 7.1%). For children in the third group, pediatric neurology (n = 5; 33.3%), pediatric oncology (n = 4; 25.0%), and pediatric nephrology (n = 3; 18.8%) were the most frequently referred specialties.

Conclusion:

Crush injuries, crush syndrome, and AKI were the most common problems in the early days following the earthquake. Along with these patients, children who were affected by the environmental conditions caused by the earthquake, as well as children with chronic illnesses, also accounted for a significant portion of visits to the PED, even if they were distant from the disaster area.
Brain Injury Associated Shock: An Under-Recognized and Challenging Prehospital Phenomenon
Authors: Partyka Christopher , Alexiou Alexander , Williams John , Bliss Jimmy , Miller Matthew , Ferguson Ian
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Hemodynamic collapse in multi-trauma patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for prehospital clinicians. Brain injury associated shock (BIAS), likely resulting from catecholamine storm, can cause both ventricular dysfunction and vasoplegia but may present clinically in a manner similar to hemorrhagic shock. Despite different treatment strategies, few studies exist describing this phenomenon in the early post-injury phase. This retrospective observational study aimed to describe the frequency of shock in isolated TBI in prehospital trauma patients and to compare their clinical characteristics to those patients with hemorrhagic shock and TBI without shock.

Methods:

All prehospital trauma patients intubated by prehospital medical teams from New South Wales Ambulance Aeromedical Operations (NSWA-AO) with an initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 12 or less were investigated. Shock was defined as a pre-intubation systolic blood pressure under 90mmHg and the administration of blood products or vasopressors. Injuries were classified from in-hospital computed tomography (CT) reports. From this, three study groups were derived: BIAS, hemorrhagic shock, and isolated TBI without shock. Descriptive statistics were then produced for clinical and treatment variables.

Results:

Of 1,292 intubated patients, 423 had an initial GCS of 12 or less, 24 patients (5.7% of the original cohort) had shock with an isolated TBI, and 39 patients had hemorrhagic shock. The hemodynamic parameters were similar amongst these groups, including values of tachycardia, hypotension, and elevated shock index. Prehospital clinical interventions including blood transfusion and total fluids administered were also similar, suggesting they were indistinguishable to prehospital clinicians.

Conclusions:

Hemodynamic compromise in the setting of isolated severe TBI is a rare clinical entity. Current prehospital physiological data available to clinicians do not allow for easy delineation between these patients from those with hemorrhagic shock.
The long-term effects of natural disasters on human capital accumulation: a quasi-natural experiment based on the Yellow River floodplain area
Authors: Yu Weihua , Hu Jingjing
Published: April 2024

This study exploits the correlation between Yellow River flooding and human capital accumulation using county-level data from Anhui, Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu, and Shandong provinces in China. Employing a spatial regression discontinuity approach, we compare the differences in human capital accumulation within and beyond the Yellow River floodplain areas (YRFA). Empirical results show human capital accumulation in the YRFA is at least 12.1 percent lower than outside the YRFA. Furthermore, our results demonstrate intergenerational transmission and gender differences in the negative impact of the Yellow River flooding on human capital accumulation. The baseline specifications of this study are not affected by drought and overall natural disasters. This paper documents historical human capital accumulation, clan power, and social trust, through which Yellow River flooding has a long-term impact.
Inflammatory potential of diet and mortality in Australian adults
Authors: Majidi Azam , Hughes Maria Celia B , Webb Imogen K , Miura Kyoko , van der Pols Jolieke C
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Inflammation is implicated in chronic diseases including cancer and CVD, which are major causes of mortality. Diet can influence inflammation status. We therefore examined whether the inflammatory potential of a person’s diet is associated with mortality.

Design:

The inflammatory potential of the usual diet was assessed by calculating Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores from repeated FFQ data (collected in 1992, 1994 and 1996), placing each participant’s diet on a continuum from anti- to pro-inflammatory. DII scores were analysed as a continuous variable and as categories by creating quartile groups. Death registry data were used to ascertain all-cause mortality and separately mortality from CVD, cancers and other causes between 1992 and 2022. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95 % CI, comparing higher and lowest quartile groups, or HR change per one DII unit increase.

Setting:

Nambour, Australia.

Participants:

A community-based sample of 1440 adults aged 25–75 years.

Results:

During follow-up, 488 participants died, including 188 from CVD, 151 from cancer and 170 from other causes. Participants in the most pro-inflammatory diet group were at increased risk of all-cause mortality (HRQ4 v. Q1 = 1·55; 95 % CI 1·19, 2·03; P < 0·001) and other-cause mortality (HRQ4 v. Q1 = 1·69; 95 % CI 1·12, 2·54; P 0·01). A one-unit increase in DII score was associated with a 36 % increased risk of CVD among those younger than 55 years of age (HR for a one-unit increase in DII score 1·36, 95 % CI 1·04, 1·78). The risk of cancer mortality was also increased for those with a more pro-inflammatory diet in age ≤ 55 years (HR for a one-unit increase in DII score 1·20, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·40) and age 56–65 years (HR for a one-unit increase in DII score 1·11, 95 % CI 1·00, 1·23).

Conclusions:

A pro-inflammatory diet increases the risk of all-cause mortality. Our results support the promotion of anti-inflammatory diets to help promote longevity.
Globalization, welfare, and inequality: Evidence from transoceanic market integration, 1815–1913
Authors: Chilosi David , Federico Giovanni
Published: April 2024

This article contributes to the growing historical literature on the ‘first globalization’ (1815–1913) and income inequality in countries that exported agricultural products. International market integration is expected to increase the demand for exports and therefore their prices. We estimate the effects of increased prices from international market integration on national welfare and income inequality between and within regions in three major exporters of agricultural products—British India, Colonial Indonesia, and the United States—using the prices of eleven key primary commodities. Market integration significantly increased aggregate welfare, but the gains were unevenly distributed. Producing regions gained up to nearly 6% of their GDP. Since the regions that made most welfare gains were also the poorest in their countries, market integration mitigated inequality between regions. Within the southern United States and Java, plantation owners obtained most gains, causing a substantial increase in inequality between persons.
Dual-narrowband bandpass filter with exact equations of scattering parameters
Authors: Najafi Masoud , Hazeri Ali Reza
Published: April 2024

In this article, a new microstrip dual-narrowband bandpass filter employing parallel-coupled transmission lines and open stubs is presented, investigated, and fabricated. The proposed dual-narrowband bandpass filter is analyzed and its exact scattering parameters are calculated, simulated, and measured. So, calculated scattering parameters offer a deep inside view of the performance of the proposed filter. To analyze the proposed filter, the even- and odd-mode excitation are utilized. The input impedance under even- and odd-mode excitation are achieved by transmission line theory and inserted in the scattering parameter equations. Finally, the accurate scattering parameters are derived and compared with simulation results. Simulation results prove the theoretical results. Then, an optimized proposed filter is fabricated and matched with simulation results. The center frequency bands are 4.5 and 6.8 GHz. The optimized filter occupies 0.12 $ \times $ 0.096$\lambda _g^2$, which is small. Its fractional bandwidth of the first and second passband are 1.5 and 2.5%, respectively. Furthermore, wide and strong rejection levels in the stopbands are offered. The structure of the proposed filter provides many freedoms to design. There is an agreement between experimental and simulation results.
The Role of Stimulus Uncertainty and Curiosity in Attention Control
Authors: Prasad Seema , Hommel Bernhard
Published: April 2024

Abstract: Most cognitive psychological studies assume that participants in lab-based tasks maintain a single goal based on task instructions. However, people can be motivated by other factors, such as curiosity. We examined if people attend to seemingly task-irrelevant information out of curiosity by manipulating stimulus uncertainty in a cueing paradigm. Participants were presented with an abrupt-onset cue followed by a letter target (E or H). Next, a mask either at the target location (low uncertainty) or at all four locations (high uncertainty) was shown. We expected high uncertainty to induce a state of curiosity that in turn influences the processing of the cue. Cueing effects were greater in the high-uncertainty condition compared to the low-uncertainty condition. In Experiment 2, we additionally elicited self-report ratings on curiosity. In sum, target-specific uncertainty leads to greater processing of task-irrelevant peripheral cues across two experiments. We tentatively conclude that uncertainty modulates attention control and further research is necessary to examine if this is indeed due to curiosity induced by uncertainty.
Increasing Risk of a “Hot Eastern‐Pluvial Western” Asia
Authors: Ding Ting , Gao Hui , Li Xiang
Published: April 2024

Observations have revealed that the deadly “hot eastern‐pluvial western” climate pattern in Asia in summer 2022 is by no means an exception. In recent decade this pattern is becoming much more frequent owing to the notable westward extension and enhancement of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). The anomalously enhanced WPSH fills the gap in geopotential heights between the Arabian Sea‐Iranian Plateau and the western Pacific, produces a heat dome over eastern Asia and intensifies the moisture convergence over western Asia by changing the water vapor transportation path. Projections of 19 CMIP6 models show that both the temperature in eastern Asia and precipitation in western Asia will remarkably increase under Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 2‐4.5, SSP 3‐7.0, and SSP 5‐8.5 scenarios, with temperature anomalies 0.8°C, 1.5°C, and 2.4°C higher and the percentages of precipitation anomaly 6.3%, 9.4%, and 12.5% larger than the reference period in the near, middle, and long terms under the moderate emission scenario (SSP2‐4.5). Therefore, the “hot eastern‐pluvial western” Asia is becoming a new normal and exacerbating the risk of compound disasters.
Sources of NH4+ in PM2.5 and Their Seasonal Variations in Urban Tianjin China: New Insights From the Seasonal δ15N Values of NH3 Source
Authors: Xiao Hao , Ding Shiyuan , Li Xiaodong
Published: April 2024

The stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N) has been widely used to quantify sources of ammonium (NH4+) in PM2.5. However, the overlap and uncertainty in δ15N values from different NH3 sources, coupled with their seasonal variability, hinder accurate identification of NH4+ source. Here, the δ15N values of various NH3 source samples collected by the active sampler were determined. Subsequently, we measured the δ15N values of NH4+ in PM2.5, which were collected seasonally in Tianjin. We found that the combustion‐related NH3 (c‐NH3) exhibiting higher δ15N values compared to volatile NH3 (v‐NH3), but all δ15N values was fell within the range reported by previous studies. Furthermore, inconsistent seasonal variations were observed in the δ15N‐NH3 values originating from emissions of agricultural soil and human excreta. The application of the Bayesian isotope mixing model (MixSIAR model) revealed a significant increase in the contribution of v‐NH3 to NH4+ when incorporating current source data, as opposed to previous data, for δ15N of NH3 source. Notably, the contribution of v‐NH3 (53.1%) to NH4+ was almost equivalent to that of c‐NH3 (46.9%) when considering the seasonal δ15N signatures of NH3 source. Additionally, the estimated contribution of v‐NH3 to NH4+ exhibited significant seasonal variability, which is more reasonable than in the non‐seasonal scenario. This study demonstrated that v‐NH3 and c‐NH3 contributed to NH4+ in PM2.5 in Tianjin almost equally, and it is highlighted that the seasonal δ15N values of NH3 sources should be considered when estimating the contributions of different NH3 sources to NH4+ in PM2.5 by the MixSIAR model.
Decomposition of the Horizontal Wind Divergence Associated With the Rossby, Mixed Rossby‐Gravity, Inertia‐Gravity, and Kelvin Waves on the Sphere
Authors: Neduhal Valentino , Žagar Nedjeljka , Lunkeit Frank , Polichtchouk Inna , Zaplotnik Žiga
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a new method for the decomposition of the horizontal wind divergence among linear waves on the sphere: inertia‐gravity (IG), mixed Rossby‐gravity (MRG), Kelvin and Rossby waves. The work is motivated by the need to quantify the vertical velocity and momentum fluxes in the tropics where the distinction between the Rossby and gravity regime, present in the extratropics, becomes obliterated. The method leads to divergence power spectra as a function of latitude and pressure. The spectra follow the same power laws as the vertical kinetic energy spectra for different wave types. The key novel aspect of the work is the coexistence of wave types at the same zonal wavenumbers. Applied to ERA5 data in August 2018, the new method reveals that the zonally‐integrated Kelvin wave divergence makes up about 19% of the upper‐troposphere divergence within 10°S–10°N. The MRG wave divergence has four times smaller magnitude. The relative roles of the two waves vary with scale. Overall small roles of the Kelvin and MRG waves in the tropical divergence is explained by decomposing their kinetic energies into rotational and divergent parts. The beta effects produces less then 5% of the tropospheric divergence associated with Rossby waves. The majority of divergence belongs to IG modes and is nearly equipartitioned between the eastward‐ and westward‐propagating IG modes in the upper troposphere, whereas stratospheric partitioning depends on the background flow.
Integrative metabolomics-genomics analysis identifies key networks in a stem cell-based model of schizophrenia
Authors: Spathopoulou Angeliki , Sauerwein Gabriella A. , Marteau Valentin , Podlesnic Martina , Lindlbauer Theresa , Kipura Tobias , Hotze Madlen , Gabassi Elisa , Kruszewski Katharina , Koskuvi Marja , Réthelyi János M. , Apáti Ágota , Conti Luciano , Ku Manching , Koal Therese , Müller Udo , Talmazan Radu A. , Ojansuu Ilkka , Vaurio Olli , Lähteenvuo Markku , Lehtonen Šárka , Mertens Jerome , Kwiatkowski Marcel , Günther Katharina , Tiihonen Jari , Koistinaho Jari , Trajanoski Zlatko , Edenhofer Frank
Published: April 2024

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a neuropsychiatric disorder, caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The etiology behind the disorder remains elusive although it is hypothesized to be associated with the aberrant response to neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and glutamate. Therefore, investigating the link between dysregulated metabolites and distorted neurodevelopment holds promise to offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanism of this complex disorder. In this study, we aimed to explore a presumed correlation between the transcriptome and the metabolome in a SCZ model based on patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). For this, iPSCs were differentiated towards cortical neurons and samples were collected longitudinally at various developmental stages, reflecting neuroepithelial-like cells, radial glia, young and mature neurons. The samples were analyzed by both RNA-sequencing and targeted metabolomics and the two modalities were used to construct integrative networks in silico. This multi-omics analysis revealed significant perturbations in the polyamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthetic pathways during rosette maturation in SCZ lines. We particularly observed the downregulation of the glutamate decarboxylase encoding genes GAD1 and GAD2, as well as their protein product GAD65/67 and their biochemical product GABA in SCZ samples. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase resulted in further decrease of GABA levels suggesting a compensatory activation of the ornithine/putrescine pathway as an alternative route for GABA production. These findings indicate an imbalance of cortical excitatory/inhibitory dynamics occurring during early neurodevelopmental stages in SCZ. Our study supports the hypothesis of disruption of inhibitory circuits to be causative for SCZ and establishes a novel in silico approach that enables for integrative correlation of metabolic and transcriptomic data of psychiatric disease models.
Two-year long-term follow-up of treatment with the Optilume BPH catheter system in a randomized controlled trial for benign prostatic hyperplasia (The PINNACLE Study)
Authors: Kaplan Steven A. , Moss Jared L. , Freedman Sheldon J.
Published: April 2024

Background

Patient outcomes were assessed 2 years after treatment with the Optilume BPH Catheter System, a minimally invasive surgical therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

One-hundred forty-eight adult males with symptomatic BPH were enrolled and randomized in a 2:1 fashion to Optilume BPH or Sham (100 Optilume BPH; 48 Sham). Long-term measures include International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), Post-Void Residual Urine (PVR), quality of life measures and sexual function. Follow-up beyond one year was limited to those treated with Optilume BPH.

Results

At 2 years, 67.5% (56/83 CI 56.3%, 77.4%) of participants in the Optilume BPH arm were symptomatic responders as defined by ≥30% improvement in IPSS without medical or surgical retreatment. IPSS significantly improved from 23.4 ± 5.5 (n = 100) to 11.0 ± 7.0 (n = 74). Qmax improved by 116.8.% (8.9 ± 2.2 (n = 97) to 19.0 ± 16.3 (n = 65)), while PVR showed a slight reduction (83.7 ± 70.3 (n = 99) to 65.9 ± 74.5 (n = 65)). Improvement in uroflowmetry measures was consistent across all prostate volumes. BPH-II improved from 7.0 ± 2.9 (n = 98) to 2.3 ± 2.5 at 1 year (n = 89) and remained consistent at 2.3 ± 2.9 at the 2-years (n = 74), representing a 53.9% improvement. IPSS QoL also improved from 4.6 ± 1.3 (n = 100) at baseline to 2.2 ± 1.5 (n = 74). The most common adverse events reported in the Optilume BPH arm were hematuria and urinary tract infection (UTI). No device and/or treatment related serious adverse events were reported occurring beyond 12 months post-procedure. There was no impact to sexual function.

Conclusions

In the PINNACLE study, participants treated with the Optilume BPH Catheter System demonstrated continued and durable results at 2 years, affirming tolerability, safety, and the enduring effectiveness. The Optilume BPH Catheter System provides lasting results that are comparable to the more invasive therapies, while preserving the advantages with being a minimally invasive therapy.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04131907.
RIPK3 signaling and its role in regulated cell death and diseases
Authors: Zhou Yaqi , Xiang Yaxuan , Liu Sijie , Li Chenyao , Dong Jiaheng , Kong Xiangrui , Ji Xinying , Cheng Xiaoxia , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2024

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), a member of the receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) family with serine/threonine protein kinase activity, interacts with RIPK1 to generate necrosomes, which trigger caspase-independent programmed necrosis. As a vital component of necrosomes, RIPK3 plays an indispensable role in necroptosis, which is crucial for human life and health. In addition, RIPK3 participates in the pathological process of several infections, aseptic inflammatory diseases, and tumors (including tumor-promoting and -suppressive activities) by regulating autophagy, cell proliferation, and the metabolism and production of chemokines/cytokines. This review summarizes the recent research progress of the regulators of the RIPK3 signaling pathway and discusses the potential role of RIPK3/necroptosis in the aetiopathogenesis of various diseases. An in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and functions of RIPK3 may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Uncertainty-biased molecular dynamics for learning uniformly accurate interatomic potentials
Authors: Zaverkin Viktor , Holzmüller David , Christiansen Henrik , Errica Federico , Alesiani Francesco , Takamoto Makoto , Niepert Mathias , Kästner Johannes
Published: April 2024

Efficiently creating a concise but comprehensive data set for training machine-learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs) is an under-explored problem. Active learning, which uses biased or unbiased molecular dynamics (MD) to generate candidate pools, aims to address this objective. Existing biased and unbiased MD-simulation methods, however, are prone to miss either rare events or extrapolative regions—areas of the configurational space where unreliable predictions are made. This work demonstrates that MD, when biased by the MLIP’s energy uncertainty, simultaneously captures extrapolative regions and rare events, which is crucial for developing uniformly accurate MLIPs. Furthermore, exploiting automatic differentiation, we enhance bias-forces-driven MD with the concept of bias stress. We employ calibrated gradient-based uncertainties to yield MLIPs with similar or, sometimes, better accuracy than ensemble-based methods at a lower computational cost. Finally, we apply uncertainty-biased MD to alanine dipeptide and MIL-53(Al), generating MLIPs that represent both configurational spaces more accurately than models trained with conventional MD.
The journey of lung cancer patients from symptoms to diagnosis in Greece. A mixed methods approach
Authors: Tsiligianni Ioanna , Christodoulakis Antonios , Monastirioti Alexia , Mavroudis Dimitrios , Agelaki Sofia
Published: April 2024

The early diagnosis of lung cancer improves the probability of successful treatment. However, patients and physicians face several difficulties that can considerably delay the diagnostic process. A mixed-methods study that would follow the patient’s journey throughout the diagnostic process could alleviate these difficulties. This study aimed to (a) track the patients’ journey from the onset of symptoms until diagnosis and, (b) explore the patients’ perspective of the journey until diagnosis, on the largest island of Greece. A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted with 94 patients with lung cancer. Patients completed a self-report questionnaire and were interviewed about their symptoms and journey through the healthcare system before their diagnosis. Our findings revealed several problems and delays in the diagnostic process. Both quantitative and qualitative data showed that patients did not recognize their symptoms and sought medical advice in time because they overlooked or attributed their symptoms to ‘simpler’/‘more common’ causes. Furthermore, most patients were diagnosed 1–3 months after their first visit to a physician for their symptoms. Qualitative data analysis revealed three broad categories of problems that delayed diagnosis: (1) physician missteps, (2) administrative problems, and (3) the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic. This study found that major issues and delays prolong the diagnostic process for lung cancer. Therefore, optimization of diagnostic processes at each level of healthcare and interspecialty cooperation programs are needed. Furthermore, population-based interventions and patient education can help lung cancer patients be diagnosed early and improve their quality of life and disease outcomes.
Feature-selective responses in macaque visual cortex follow eye movements during natural vision
Authors: Xiao Will , Sharma Saloni , Kreiman Gabriel , Livingstone Margaret S.
Published: April 2024

In natural vision, primates actively move their eyes several times per second via saccades. It remains unclear whether, during this active looking, visual neurons exhibit classical retinotopic properties, anticipate gaze shifts or mirror the stable quality of perception, especially in complex natural scenes. Here, we let 13 monkeys freely view thousands of natural images across 4.6 million fixations, recorded 883 h of neuronal responses in six areas spanning primary visual to anterior inferior temporal cortex and analyzed spatial, temporal and featural selectivity in these responses. Face neurons tracked their receptive field contents, indicated by category-selective responses. Self-consistency analysis showed that general feature-selective responses also followed eye movements and remained gaze-dependent over seconds of viewing the same image. Computational models of feature-selective responses located retinotopic receptive fields during free viewing. We found limited evidence for feature-selective predictive remapping and no viewing-history integration. Thus, ventral visual neurons represent the world in a predominantly eye-centered reference frame during natural vision.
Passive high explosive neutron inspection (PHENIX): a new method to confirm the presence or absence of high explosives for nuclear treaty verification
Authors: Chichester David L. , Johnson James T. , Hix Jay D. , Seabury Edward H.
Published: April 2024

Advanced instruments and methods need to be developed now to create a technical basis to support the negotiation of future nuclear arms control treaties. One new capability that is anticipated is the ability to confirm either the declared presence or declared absence of high explosive (HE) material in the presence of special nuclear material (SNM). Towards this goal, Passive HE Neutron Inspection (PHENIX) has been developed and demonstrated as a method for confirming the presence or absence of HE in the presence of plutonium. The method exploits the inherent presence of neutrons associated with the decay of plutonium as an internal probe source for performing prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), searching for the presence of HE as revealed by the emission of characteristic gamma rays following neutron absorption in hydrogen and nitrogen which are building blocks of present-day, military-grade HE. Tests using stoichiometrically-correct hemishells of mock HE with plutonium show that a system can be expected to positively confirm the presence or absence of these signatures, supporting determination of HE presence or absence with Pu, in a few hours. To protect other potentially sensitive gamma-ray signatures from a treaty accountable item, an analog information barrier has been conceptualized and tested which physically prevents the collection of gamma-ray spectral data outside of user selected energy windows strategically chosen to view only narrow spectral regions corresponding to the hydrogen (2223.2 keV) and nitrogen (9807.2 keV, 10,318.2 keV, and 10,829.2 keV) PGNAA signatures.
Problematic social media use mediates the effect of cyberbullying victimisation on psychosomatic complaints in adolescents
Authors: Peprah Prince , Oduro Michael Safo , Atta-Osei Godfred , Addo Isaac Yeboah , Morgan Anthony Kwame , Gyasi Razak M.
Published: April 2024

Adolescent psychosomatic complaints remain a public health issue globally. Studies suggest that cyberbullying victimisation, particularly on social media, could heighten the risk of psychosomatic complaints. However, the mechanisms underlying the associations between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints remain unclear. This cross-cultural study examines the mediating effect of problematic social media use (PSMU) on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints among adolescents in high income countries. We analysed data on adolescents aged 11–16.5 years (weighted N = 142,298) in 35 countries participating in the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Path analysis using bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesised mediating role of PSMU. Results from the sequential binary mixed effects logit models showed that adolescents who were victims of cyberbullying were 2.39 times significantly more likely to report psychosomatic complaints than those who never experienced cyberbullying (AOR = 2.39; 95%CI = 2.29, 2.49). PSMU partially mediated the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints accounting for 12% ($$\beta$$
β
 = 0.01162, 95%CI = 0.0110, 0.0120) of the total effect. Additional analysis revealed a moderation effect of PSMU on the association between cyberbullying victimisation and psychosomatic complaints. Our findings suggest that while cyberbullying victimisation substantially influences psychosomatic complaints, the association is partially explained by PSMU. Policy and public health interventions for cyberbullying-related psychosomatic complaints in adolescents should target safe social media use.
Construction of ecological network in Qujing city based on MSPA and MCR models
Authors: Qin Ji-zheng , Dai Ji-ping , Li Song-hui , Zhang Jia-zhen , Peng Jian-song
Published: April 2024

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization, ecological patches within cities and towns are fragmented and ecological corridors are cut off, regional ecological security is threatened and sustainable development is hindered. Building an ecological network that conforms to regional realities can connect fragmented patches, protect biodiversity and regional characteristics, and provide scientific reference for regional ecological protection and ecological network planning. By taking Qilin District, the main urban area of Qujing City as an example, and using geospatial data as the main data source, based on morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR), this study identified ecological source areas, extracted ecological corridors, and build & optimize ecological networks. (1) All landscape types are identified based on MSPA, the proportion of core area was the highest among all landscape types, which was 80.69%, combined with the connectivity evaluation, 14 important ecological source areas were selected. (2) 91 potential ecological corridors were extracted through MCR and gravity models, there were 16 important ones. (3) The network connectivity analysis method is used to calculate the α, β, and γ indexes of the ecological network before optimization, which were 2.36, 6.5, and 2.53, while after optimization, α, β and γ indices were 3.8, 9.5 and 3.5, respectively. The combined application of MSPA-MCR model and ecological network connectivity analysis evaluation is conducive to improving the structure and functionality of ecological network.
SGLT2i impact on HCC incidence in patients with fatty liver disease and diabetes: a nation-wide cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Cho Hyo Jung , Lee Eunyoung , Kim Soon Sun , Cheong Jae Youn
Published: April 2024

This study evaluated the effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on cancer development, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in individuals with concomitant fatty liver disease (FLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using data from Korea's Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we performed Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and T2DM (NAFLD-T2DM cohort) and those with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) alongside FLD and T2DM (FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort). In the propensity score (PS) matched NAFLD-T2DM cohort (N = 107,972), SGLT2i use was not associated with the occurrence of overall cancer, including HCC. However, old age, male sex, liver cirrhosis, and hypothyroidism were identified as independent risk factors for HCC occurrence, whereas statin and fibrate usage were associated with reduced HCC risk in this cohort in multivariate Cox analysis. In the PS-matched FLD-T2DM-CVH cohort (N = 2798), a significant decrease in HCC occurrence was observed among SGLT2i users (P = 0.03). This finding remained consistent in the multivariate Cox regression analysis (Hazard ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.01–4.85, P = 0.048). In conclusion, SGLT2i may be a beneficial option for diabetes management in patients with concomitant T2DM, FLD, and CVH while affirming the overall safety of SGLT2i in other types of cancer.
Formation and energetics of head-to-head and tail-to-tail domain walls in hafnium zirconium oxide
Authors: Paul Tanmoy Kumar , Saha Atanu Kumar , Gupta Sumeet Kumar
Published: April 2024

180$$^\circ$$∘domains walls (DWs) of head-to-head/tail-to-tail (H–H/T–T) type in ferroelectric (FE) materials are of immense interest for a comprehensive understanding of the FE attributes as well as harnessing them for new applications. Our first principles calculation suggests that such DW formation in hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO) based FEs depends on the unique attributes of the HZO unit cell, such as polar-spacer segmentation. Cross pattern of the polar and spacer segments in two neighboring domains along the polarization direction (where polar segment of one domain aligns with the spacer segment of another) boosts the stability of such DWs. We further show that low density of oxygen vacancies at the metal-HZO interface and high work function of metal electrodes are conducive for T–T DW formation. On the other hand, high density of oxygen vacancy and low work function of metal electrode favor H–H DW formation. Polarization bound charges at the DW get screened when band bending from depolarization field accumulates holes (electrons) in T–T (H–H) DW. For a comprehensive understanding, we also investigate their FE nature and domain growth mechanism. Our analysis suggests that a minimum thickness criterion of domains has to be satisfied for the stability of H–H/T–T DW and switching of the domains through such DW formation.
The mediating role of pro-environmental attitude and intention on the translation from climate change health risk perception to pro-environmental behavior
Authors: Shen Tao , Rasdi Irniza Binti , Ezani Nor Eliani Binti , San Ong Tze
Published: April 2024

Climate change is a serious environmental issue appearing in China. As a public service institution operating around the clock, the negative impact of hospitals on the environment is evident, promoting their workers’ pro-environmental behavior (PEB) through increasing climate change health risk perception (CHRP) is an effective method to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development. This study investigates how CHRP shapes pro-environmental attitude (PEA), pro-environmental intention (PEI), and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among hospital workers. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) to determine the chain of causation from CHRP to PEB among hospital workers. The result shows that CHRP positively affects PEA and PEI, and PEI positively affects their PEB. In addition, although CHRP has no significant direct effect on PEB, it can play a crucial indirect effect through the mediating role of PEI. Moreover, the result of multiple regression shows that there are significant differences regarding PEA, PEI, and PEB.
Time localized tilted beams in nearly-degenerate laser cavities
Authors: Bartolo A. , Vigne N. , Marconi M. , Beaudoin G. , Pantzas K. , Sagnes I. , Garnache A. , Giudici M.
Published: April 2024

We show that nearly-degenerate Vertical External-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers may emit a set of tilted beams of individually addressable mode-locked pulses. These time localized beams feature a Gaussian profile and they are emitted in pairs with opposite transverse k-vector. Because they are phase locked, their interference leads to a non homothetic pattern in the near-field emission of the laser. In the simplest situation, when a single pair is emitted, this is a stripe pattern. Our analysis discloses the role of third order (spherical) aberrations of the cavity in stabilizing this spatio-temporal mode-locked regime and in selecting the value of the transverse k-vector.
Effects of freeze–thaw on bank soil mechanical properties and bank stability
Authors: Yang Zhen , Mou Xianyou , Ji Honglan , Liang Zhihao , Zhang Jianghao
Published: April 2024

Riverbank instability in the seasonally frozen zone is primarily caused by freeze–thaw erosion. Using the triaxial freeze–thaw test on the bank of Shisifenzi Bend in the Yellow River section of Inner Mongolia, we investigated the changes in the mechanical properties of the soil at different freezing temperatures and freeze–thaw times, and analyzed the bank’s stability before and after freezing based on the finite element strength reduction method. The results showed that the elastic modulus, cohesion, internal friction angle and shear strength of the soil tended to decrease with the increase in the number of freeze–thaw cycles and the decrease in freezing temperature. After 10 freezing cycles at − 5 ℃, − 10 ℃, − 15 ℃ and − 20 ℃, the modulus of elasticity of soil decreased by 40.84 ~ 68.70%, the cohesion decreased by 41.96 ~ 56.66%, the shear strength decreased by 41.92 ~ 57.32%, respectively. Moreover, the stability safety coefficient of bank slope decreased by 18.58% after freeze–thaw, indicating that the freeze–thaw effect will significantly reduce the stability of bank slope, and the bank slope is more likely to be destabilized and damaged after freeze–thaw.
Snow avalanches are a primary climate-linked driver of mountain ungulate populations
Authors: White Kevin S. , Hood Eran , Wolken Gabriel J. , Peitzsch Erich H. , Bühler Yves , Wikstrom Jones Katreen , Darimont Chris T.
Published: April 2024

Snow is a major, climate-sensitive feature of the Earth’s surface and catalyst of fundamentally important ecosystem processes. Understanding how snow influences sentinel species in rapidly changing mountain ecosystems is particularly critical. Whereas effects of snow on food availability, energy expenditure, and predation are well documented, we report how avalanches exert major impacts on an ecologically significant mountain ungulate - the coastal Alaskan mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus). Using long-term GPS data and field observations across four populations (421 individuals over 17 years), we show that avalanches caused 23−65% of all mortality, depending on area. Deaths varied seasonally and were directly linked to spatial movement patterns and avalanche terrain use. Population-level avalanche mortality, 61% of which comprised reproductively important prime-aged individuals, averaged 8% annually and exceeded 22% when avalanche conditions were severe. Our findings reveal a widespread but previously undescribed pathway by which snow can elicit major population-level impacts and shape demographic characteristics of slow-growing populations of mountain-adapted animals.
Identification and affinity enhancement of T-cell receptor targeting a KRASG12V cancer neoantigen
Authors: Zhang Mengyu , Xu Wei , Luo Lingjie , Guan Fenghui , Wang Xiangyao , Zhu Pei , Zhang Jianhua , Zhou Xuyu , Wang Feng , Ye Sheng
Published: April 2024

Neoantigens derived from somatic mutations in Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS), the most frequently mutated oncogene, represent promising targets for cancer immunotherapy. Recent research highlights the potential role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele A*11:01 in presenting these altered KRAS variants to the immune system. In this study, we successfully generate and identify murine T-cell receptors (TCRs) that specifically recognize KRAS8–16G12V from three predicted high affinity peptides. By determining the structure of the tumor-specific 4TCR2 bound to KRASG12V-HLA-A*11:01, we conduct structure-based design to create and evaluate TCR variants with markedly enhanced affinity, up to 15.8-fold. This high-affinity TCR mutant, which involved only two amino acid substitutions, display minimal conformational alterations while maintaining a high degree of specificity for the KRASG12V peptide. Our research unveils the molecular mechanisms governing TCR recognition towards KRASG12V neoantigen and yields a range of affinity-enhanced TCR mutants with significant potential for immunotherapy strategies targeting tumors harboring the KRASG12V mutation.
A protocol for controlled reactivity shift in the 2,2-difluorovinyl motif used for selective S–18F and C–18F bond formation
Authors: Maqbool Mudasir , Jakobsson Jimmy Erik , Alluri Santosh Reddy , Kramer Vasko , Riss Patrick Johannes
Published: April 2024

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technique for biomedical research, drug development and medical diagnosis. The power of PET lies in biochemically selective radiotracers, labelled with positron emitters like fluorine-18 image chemical processes in vivo. A rapid and remarkably efficient, unprecedented protocol to select between S-F and C-F bond formation based on activation of 1,1-difluoroethylene groups followed by selective oxidation or reduction is described. While transition metal mediated conditions can be employed, the reaction proceeds in high yield using unobjectionable chemical reagents amenable to routine radiotracer production. The latter bodes well for facile clinical translation of the method. The new technique affords radiotracers and the labelling reagent 2,2-difluoro-2-(fluoro-18F)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate ([18F]1b) in excellent yield. Following oxygenation of the reaction mixture with medical oxygen or air, sulfonyl fluorides are obtained as the primary product. The new protocol was employed in a proof of principle to develop a radiometric assay for quantitation of sulfonylation yield with sulfonyl fluoride reagents. With operational ease and mild conditions, the method bodes a high potential for radiolabelling of biomolecules, known enzyme inhibitors and other temperature-sensitive compounds.
Discovery of an Aldo-Keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) degrader
Authors: Carmona Angelica V. , Jonnalagadda Shirisha , Case Alfie M. , Maddeboina Krishnaiah , Jonnalagadda Sravan K. , Dow Louise F. , Duan Ling , Penning Trevor M. , Trippier Paul C.
Published: April 2024

Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) is a protein upregulated in prostate cancer, hematological malignancies, and other cancers where it contributes to proliferation and chemotherapeutic resistance. Androgen receptor splice variant 7 (ARv7) is the most common mutation of the AR receptor that confers resistance to clinical androgen receptor signalling inhibitors in castration-resistant prostate cancer. AKR1C3 interacts with ARv7 promoting stabilization. Herein we report the discovery of the first-in-class AKR1C3 Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) degrader. This first-generation degrader potently reduced AKR1C3 expression in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells with a half-maximal degradation concentration (DC50) of 52 nM. Gratifyingly, concomitant degradation of ARv7 was observed with a DC50 = 70 nM, along with degradation of the AKR1C3 isoforms AKR1C1 and AKR1C2 to a lesser extent. This compound represents a highly useful chemical tool and a promising strategy for prostate cancer intervention.
Drought threat to terrestrial gross primary production exacerbated by wildfires
Authors: Zong Xuezheng , Tian Xiaorui , Liu Xiaodong , Shu Lifu
Published: April 2024

Frequent droughts have aggravated the occurrence of wildfires and led to substantial losses in terrestrial ecosystems. However, our understanding of compound drought-wildfire events, including the hotspots, spatiotemporal patterns, trends, and their impacts on global vegetation growth, remains unclear. Utilizing satellite data on terrestrial water storage, burned areas, and gross primary production (GPP) from 2002 to 2020, we identified a positive correlation between droughts and wildfires and mapped the global patterns of compound drought-wildfire events. Approximately 38.6% of vegetated areas across the globe witnessed rise in probability of compound drought-wildfire events ( < 0.016 events/10a). This increasing trend is spatially asymmetric, and greater amplification is observed across the Northern hemisphere due to frequent droughts. Furthermore, the GPP reductions induced by compound drought-wildfire events are more than twice as high as that caused by isolated droughts. These findings identify hotspots for compound drought-wildfire events and offer quantitative evidence of their greater impacts on ecosystems, aiding in the assessment of compound event risks and the implementation of future climate actions.