bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter- and intra-chromosomal modulators of the APOE ɛ2 and ɛ4 effects on the Alzheimer’s disease risk
Authors: Nazarian Alireza , Philipp Ian , Culminskaya Irina , He Liang , Kulminski Alexander M.
Published: July 2022

The mechanisms of incomplete penetrance of risk-modifying impacts of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2 and ε4 alleles on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have not been fully understood. We performed genome-wide analysis of differences in linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns between 6,136 AD-affected and 10,555 AD-unaffected subjects from five independent studies to explore whether the association of theAPOEε2 allele (encoded by rs7412 polymorphism) and ε4 allele (encoded by rs429358 polymorphism) with AD was modulated by autosomal polymorphisms. The LD analysis identified 24 (mostly inter-chromosomal) and 57 (primarily intra-chromosomal) autosomal polymorphisms with significant differences in LD with either rs7412 or rs429358, respectively, between AD-affected and AD-unaffected subjects, indicating their potential modulatory roles. Our Cox regression analysis showed that minor alleles of four inter-chromosomal and ten intra-chromosomal polymorphisms exerted significant modulating effects on the ε2- and ε4-associated AD risks, respectively, and identified ε2-independent (rs2884183 polymorphism, 11q22.3) and ε4-independent (rs483082 polymorphism, 19q13.32) associations with AD. Our functional analysis highlighted ε2- and/or ε4-linked processes affecting the lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and cell junction organization which may contribute to AD pathogenesis. These findings provide insights into the ε2- and ε4-associated mechanisms of AD pathogenesis, underlying their incomplete penetrance.
Toward a diagnostic CART model for Ischemic heart disease and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy based on heart rate total variability
Authors: Accardo Agostino , Restivo Luca , Ajčević Miloš , Miladinović Aleksandar , Iscra Katerina , Silveri Giulia , Merlo Marco , Sinagra Gianfranco
Published: July 2022

Diagnosis of etiology in early-stage ischemic heart disease (IHD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients may be challenging. We aimed at investigating, by means of classification and regression tree (CART) modeling, the predictive power of heart rate variability (HRV) features together with clinical parameters to support the diagnosis in the early stage of IHD and DCM. The study included 263 IHD and 181 DCM patients, as well as 689 healthy subjects. A 24 h Holter monitoring was used and linear and non-linear HRV parameters were extracted considering both normal and ectopic beats (heart rate total variability signal). We used a CART algorithm to produce classification models based on HRV together with relevant clinical (age, sex, and left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF) features. Among HRV parameters, MeanRR, SDNN, pNN50, LF, LF/HF, LFn, FD, Beta exp were selected by the CART algorithm and included in the produced models. The model based on pNN50, FD, sex, age, and LVEF features presented the highest accuracy (73.3%). The proposed approach based on HRV parameters, age, sex, and LVEF features highlighted the possibility to produce clinically interpretable models capable to differentiate IHD, DCM, and healthy subjects with accuracy which is clinically relevant in first steps of the IHD and DCM diagnostic process.

Graphical abstract
Image De-occlusion via Event-enhanced Multi-modal Fusion Hybrid Network
Authors: Li Si-Qi , Gao Yue , Dai Qiong-Hai
Published: July 2022

Seeing through dense occlusions and reconstructing scene images is an important but challenging task. Traditional frame-based image de-occlusion methods may lead to fatal errors when facing extremely dense occlusions due to the lack of valid information available from the limited input occluded frames. Event cameras are bio-inspired vision sensors that record the brightness changes at each pixel asynchronously with high temporal resolution. However, synthesizing images solely from event streams is ill-posed since only the brightness changes are recorded in the event stream, and the initial brightness is unknown. In this paper, we propose an event-enhanced multi-modal fusion hybrid network for image de-occlusion, which uses event streams to provide complete scene information and frames to provide color and texture information. An event stream encoder based on the spiking neural network (SNN) is proposed to encode and denoise the event stream efficiently. A comparison loss is proposed to generate clearer results. Experimental results on a large-scale event-based and frame-based image de-occlusion dataset demonstrate that our proposed method achieves state-of-the-art performance.
RoCS: Robotic Curriculum for young Surgeons
Authors: Stockheim Jessica , Perrakis Aristotelis , Sabel Bernhard A. , Waschipky Robert , Croner Roland S.
Published: July 2022

Robotic-assisted procedures gain increasing acceptance for daily surgical routine. However, structured training programs are designed for surgeons with high expertise. Hence, a comprehensive training curriculum was established to ensure a basic competence in robotic abdominal surgery for young surgeons during their residency. The aim of the current work is to propose a feasible and effective training concept. The development process of this training curriculum is based on a comprehensive literature review which led to the concept of “robotic curriculum for young surgeons” (RoCS). It was implemented in the daily routine of a German university hospital starting in 2020. The robotic assessment questionnaire (RAQ) was used for electronic data collection. After the initial phase adjustments, it led to an improvement of the initial version of the curriculum. RoCS is a multimodal training program containing basic training through assistance at the operation table during robotic-assisted operations and basic console training. Key elements are the robotic team time-out (rTTO), perioperative process standardization including feasible personnel scheduling and useful procedure clustering into organ systems, procedural steps and procedural step complexity. Evaluation of standardized communication, performance assessment, patient factors and individual overall workload using NASA Task Load Index is realizable. Flexibility and adaptability to internal organization processes of surgical departments are the main advantages of the concept. RoCS is a strong training tool to meet the specific needs of young surgeons and evaluate their learning success of robotic procedural training. Furthermore, comparison within the different robotic systems should be considered. Further studies are needed to validate a multicenter concept design.
Effect of rhizosphere bacteria on antioxidant enzymes and some biochemical characteristics of Medicago sativa L. subjected to herbicide stress
Authors: Motamedi Marzieh , Zahedi Morteza , Karimmojeni Hassan , Motamedi Hossein , Mastinu Andrea
Published: July 2022

Abiotic stresses such as herbicides can affect plant growth and yield. Using herbicide-resistant plant growth-promoting bacteria is a new approach to mitigate these side effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three native plant growth-promoting bacteria isolated from the Medicago sativa rhizosphere, including Serratia rubidaea (A) and Pseudomonas putida (B), Serratia sp. (C) plus Synorhizobium meliloti (R) and their combinations (AB, AC, BC, ABC, AR, BR, CR, ABR, ACR, BCR, and ABCR) on microbial population, plant biomass, antioxidant enzymes (CAT, APX, and GPX) activities, and hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde contents at the presence and absence of imazethapyr herbicide. The results indicated that herbicide application decreased plant biomass but increased microbial population, antioxidant enzymes activities, and the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde of all inoculated and non-inoculated plants. Bacterial inoculation in most cases increased microbial population, plant biomass, and antioxidant activities. These increases were more evident under herbicide application. The highest increase in these attributes was achieved by AB, AR, and ABR inoculums in the presence and absence of the herbicide. The microbial population, plant biomass and antioxidant activities were decreased under BC, CR, BCR, and ABCR inoculations. It can be concluded that in addition to growth promotion, these bacteria increase resistance against herbicide stress by controlling free-radical induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation through antioxidant enzymes. These findings create new visions in biofertilizer preparation for reducing environmental stresses.
Comparison of the characteristics, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 between first and second/third wave in a hospital setting in Lombardy: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Leidi Francesca , Boari Gianluca Edoardo Mario , Scarano Ottavio , Mangili Benedetta , Gorla Giulia , Corbani Andrea , Accordini Beatrice , Napoli Federico , Ghidelli Chiara , Archenti Giulia , Turini Daniele , Saottini Michele , Guarinoni Vittoria , Ferrari-Toninelli Giulia , Manzoni Francesca , Bonetti Silvia , Chiarini Giulia , Malerba Paolo , Braglia-Orlandini Federico , Bianco Gianluca , Faustini Cristina , Agabiti-Rosei Claudia , De Ciuceis Carolina , Rizzoni Damiano
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a major health problem in terms of deaths and long-term sequelae. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Montichiari Hospital (Brescia, Italy) to better understand the determinants of outcome in two different COVID-19 outbreaks. A total of 634 unvaccinated patients admitted from local emergency room to the Internal Medicine ward with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and a moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were included in the study. A group of 260 consecutive patients during SARS-CoV-2 first wave (from February to May 2020) and 374 consecutive patients during SARS-CoV-2 2nd/3rd wave (from October 2020 to May 2021) were considered. Demographic data were not significantly different between waves, except a lower prevalence of female sex during first wave. Mortality was significantly higher during the 1st wave than in the following periods (24.2% vs. 11%; p < 0.001). Time from symptoms onset to hospital admission was longer during first wave (8 ± 6 vs. 6 ± 4 days; p < 0.001), while in-hospital staying was significantly shorter (10 ± 14 vs. 15 ± 11 days; p < 0.001). Other significant differences were a larger use of corticosteroids and low-molecular weight heparin as well less antibiotic prescription during the second wave. Respiratory, bio-humoral and X-ray scores were significantly poorer at the time of admission in first-wave patients. After a multivariate regression analysis, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin values, % fraction of inspired oxygen on admission to the Internal Medicine ward and length of hospital stay and duration of symptoms were the strongest predictors of outcome. Concomitant anti-hypertensive treatment (including ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers) did not affect the outcome. In conclusion, our data suggest that earlier diagnosis, timely hospital admission and rational use of the therapeutic options reduced the systemic inflammatory response and were associated to a better outcome during the 2nd/3rd wave.
Indoor air quality analysis in naturally ventilated university training laboratories: a health risk assessment
Authors: Seseña Susana , Rodríguez Ana M. , Palop M. Llanos
Published: July 2022

The indoor air quality (IAQ) of eleven naturally ventilated training laboratories was analysed to evaluate the health risk to occupants. IAQ evaluation included analysis of physical (temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH)), chemical (CO2, CO, O3, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and particulate matter (PM)) and microbiological (fungi and bacteria) pollutants. Monitoring was carried out in labs used for teaching different academic disciplines (biology, chemical, ecology, and computers) during two periods of the academic year. Ventilation rates (VR), air change per hour (ACH) in every lab, and the hazard quotients for each of the chemical pollutants and the accumulated (HQ and HI) were calculated. Environmental comfort was not fully satisfactory considering the RH and CO2 values, especially during hours with higher occupancy. Coarse particles and bacteria were generated indoor related to human activity. At chemical and biological laboratories, TVOC concentrations were sometimes above the recommended value, and all the labs presented VR below the European guideline’s recommendations. Results from this study show natural ventilation is not enough to get an adequate IAQ, although no significant non-carcinogenic risk was estimated. However, installation of complementary ventilation systems would be advisable to avoid health risk by acute short-term exposure.

Graphical abstract
Postmortem Human Dura Mater Cells Exhibit Phenotypic, Transcriptomic and Genetic Abnormalities that Impact their Use for Disease Modeling
Authors: Argouarch Andrea R. , Schultz Nina , Yang Andrew C. , Jang Yeongjun , Garcia Kristle , Cosme Celica G. , Corrales Christian I. , Nana Alissa L. , Karydas Anna M. , Spina Salvatore , Grinberg Lea T. , Miller Bruce , Wyss-Coray Tony , Abyzov Alexej , Goodarzi Hani , Seeley William W. , Kao Aimee W.
Published: July 2022

Patient-derived cells hold great promise for precision medicine approaches in human health. Human dermal fibroblasts have been a major source of cells for reprogramming and differentiating into specific cell types for disease modeling. Postmortem human dura mater has been suggested as a primary source of fibroblasts for in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative diseases. Although fibroblast-like cells from human and mouse dura mater have been previously described, their utility for reprogramming and direct differentiation protocols has not been fully established. In this study, cells derived from postmortem dura mater are directly compared to those from dermal biopsies of living subjects. In two instances, we have isolated and compared dermal and dural cell lines from the same subject. Notably, striking differences were observed between cells of dermal and dural origin. Compared to dermal fibroblasts, postmortem dura mater-derived cells demonstrated different morphology, slower growth rates, and a higher rate of karyotype abnormality. Dura mater-derived cells also failed to express fibroblast protein markers. When dermal fibroblasts and dura mater-derived cells from the same subject were compared, they exhibited highly divergent gene expression profiles that suggest dura mater cells originated from a mixed mural lineage. Given their postmortem origin, somatic mutation signatures of dura mater-derived cells were assessed and suggest defective DNA damage repair. This study argues for rigorous karyotyping of postmortem derived cell lines and highlights limitations of postmortem human dura mater-derived cells for modeling normal biology or disease-associated pathobiology.

Graphical abstract
Developing design principles to standardize e-commerce ecosystems
Authors: Wulfert Tobias , Woroch Robert , Strobel Gero , Seufert Sarah , Möller Frederik
Published: July 2022

Platform ecosystems have captured a variety of markets, enabling coordination, transactions, and value co-creation between independent actors. A focal platform constitutes the central nexus of e-commerce ecosystems and fosters the interaction among ecosystem participants through their boundary resources. Standardizing these interfaces simplifies ecosystem entry for developers and increases the number of participants propelling the network effects, and thus the overall value of the ecosystem. Currently, there is a lack of prescriptive design knowledge guiding platform owners in designing successful e-commerce ecosystems. Addressing this issue, we followed a dual approach, reporting on a systematic literature review in which we identified design requirements and complemented these with a multiple-case study on selected e-commerce ecosystems. Aggregating the requirements resulted in six meta-requirements and 19 design principles that foster the standardization of focal e-commerce platforms. Our design principles simplify the development of complements and enable multi-homing for developers due to possible standardization across ecosystems.
Survival and long-term surgical outcomes after colorectal surgery: are there any gender-related differences?
Authors: Losurdo Pasquale , Mastronardi Manuela , de Manzini Nicolò , Bortul Marina
Published: July 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality seems to be lower in women than in men. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of gender on CRC diagnosis, treatment, and survival. This is a retrospective cohort study based on a single-center dataset of CRC patients from the University Hospital of Trieste (Italy). Data of 1796 consecutive CRC patients referred to our center from November 11th, 2004, to December 31st, 2017, were analyzed. Right-sided carcinomas are more frequent in women than in men; furthermore, women had a lower surgical complication rate. Men showed a higher 5- and 10-year mortality. This survival benefit for women was observed independently of the tumor localization. The 5-year hazard ratio (HR) for women vs men was 0.776 (p 0.003), and after 10-year 0.816 (p 0.017). Regarding the disease-free survival (DFS), 5 and 10-year HR was 0.759 (p 0.034) and 0.788 (p 0.07), respectively. On multivariable analysis, respecting tumor localization, the odds of female gender were higher than man with right colon disease. Male gender was more independently associated with age at the surgery time. Women survival advantage was higher than men, except for patients older than 80. Surgical outcome and survival after CRC surgical treatment seem to be gender related. For this reason, gender could play an important role in CRC diagnosis and therapy, allowing an earlier diagnosis in women.
Experimental Study on Vortex-Induced Vibration Coupling Wake Interference of Multi-Riser Groups with Sensitive Spacing
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Peng , Liu Yu , Chen Xin , Lou Min , Guo Hai-yan
Published: July 2022

The “riser group—fluid between risers” is taken as the carrier, and the experiment on vortex-induced vibration of tandem riser groups coupling interference effect under sensitive spacing is performed. The least-square method is used to linearly fit the reduced velocity and main frequency, and the rule of Strouhal numbers is analyzed. Each mode is separated based on the mode decomposition theory, and the mode conversion mechanism is also explored. The concept of “interference efficiency” is introduced to study the dynamic characteristics and response evolutions of different riser groups. The results show that the wake shielding effect widely exists in tandem riser groups, and the interference effect of midstream and downstream risers on their upstream risers is significantly lower than that of upstream risers on midstream and downstream risers. The trajectories of midstream and downstream risers lag behind their upstream risers due to multiple shadowing effects, the vibration frequency range of downstream riser is widened and the dominant frequency is extremely unstable. Compared with the isolated riser, wake interference suppresses the vibration displacement of the midstream and downstream risers in the in-line direction, and enhances the displacement of upstream and midstream risers in the cross-flow direction. The interference effect of the fluid between risers at low velocities is stronger than that at higher velocities, and the cross-flow displacements of upstream risers are always in the interference enhancement region. It is urgent to pay attention to the cross-flow displacement of upstream and midstream risers in tandem riser groups considering the safety design.
Effect of SRA-programming on computational thinking through different output modalities
Authors: Fanchamps Nardie , Slangen Lou , Specht Marcus , Hennissen Paul
Published: July 2022

The application of sense-reason-act (SRA) programming in contemporary education can ensure the development of computational thinking (CT) at a more advanced level. SRA-programming has been identified as an instrumental way of thinking for learning to program robots and encourages the development of the more complex concepts of programming. Visual programming environments are diverse in appearance and prove to be an excellent way to teach pupils the basic ideas of programming. It is important to investigate whether the type of output has a characteristic influence on the level of development of CT in visual programming environments. In this research, we therefore explore whether characteristic differences in the development of CT can be measured when SRA-programming is applied in a visual programming environment with an on-screen output or a tangible output. It was expected that the observed effect of pupils' programming actions through the application of SRA would show that the type of output influences the understanding of complex programming concepts at a higher level. Our results indicate that SRA-programming with visual, on-screen output yields a significant increase in the development of CT, as opposed to SRA-programming with a tangible output. The development of complex programming concepts can also be demonstrated.
Tailoring Nitrogen Terminals on MXene Enables Fast Charging and Stable Cycling Na-Ion Batteries at Low Temperature
Authors: Xia Yang , Que Lanfang , Yu Fuda , Deng Liang , Liang Zhenjin , Jiang Yunshan , Sun Meiyan , Zhao Lei , Wang Zhenbo
Published: July 2022

Sodium-ion batteries stand a chance of enabling fast charging ability and long lifespan while operating at low temperature (low-T). However, sluggish kinetics and aggravated dendrites present two major challenges for anodes to achieve the goal at low-T. Herein, we propose an interlayer confined strategy for tailoring nitrogen terminals on Ti3C2 MXene (Ti3C2-Nfunct) to address these issues. The introduction of nitrogen terminals endows Ti3C2-Nfunct with large interlayer space and charge redistribution, improved conductivity and sufficient adsorption sites for Na+, which improves the possibility of Ti3C2 for accommodating more Na atoms, further enhancing the Na+ storage capability of Ti3C2. As revealed, Ti3C2-Nfunct not only possesses a lower Na-ion diffusion energy barrier and charge transfer activation energy, but also exhibits Na+-solvent co-intercalation behavior to circumvent a high de-solvation energy barrier at low-T. Besides, the solid electrolyte interface dominated by inorganic compounds is more beneficial for the Na+ transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Compared with of the unmodified sample, Ti3C2-Nfunct exhibits a twofold capacity (201 mAh g−1), fast-charging ability (18 min at 80% capacity retention), and great superiority in cycle life (80.9%@5000 cycles) at − 25 °C. When coupling with Na3V2(PO4)2F3 cathode, the Ti3C2-Nfunct//NVPF exhibits high energy density and cycle stability at − 25 °C."Image missing"
Microstructure Design of High-Entropy Alloys Through a Multistage Mechanical Alloying Strategy for Temperature-Stable Megahertz Electromagnetic Absorption
Authors: Liu Xiaoji , Duan Yuping , Guo Yuan , Pang Huifang , Li Zerui , Sun Xingyang , Wang Tongmin
Published: July 2022

Developing megahertz (MHz) electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption materials with broadband absorption, multi-temperature adaptability, and facile preparation method remains a challenge. Herein, nanocrystalline FeCoNiCr0.4Cu0.2 high-entropy alloy powders (HEAs) with both large aspect ratios and thin intergranular amorphous layers are constructed by a multistage mechanical alloying strategy, aiming to achieve excellent and temperature-stable permeability and EMW absorption. A single-phase face-centered cubic structure with good ductility and high crystallinity is obtained as wet milling precursors, via precisely controlling dry milling time. Then, HEAs are flattened to improve aspect ratios by synergistically regulating wet milling time. FeCoNiCr0.4Cu0.2 HEAs with dry milling 20 h and wet milling 5 h (D20) exhibit higher and more stable permeability because of larger aspect ratios and thinner intergranular amorphous layers. The maximum reflection loss (RL) of D20/SiO2 composites is greater than − 7 dB with 5 mm thickness, and EMW absorption bandwidth (RL < − 7 dB) can maintain between 523 and 600 MHz from − 50 to 150 °C. Furthermore, relying on the “cocktail effect” of HEAs, D20 sample also exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and high Curie temperature. This work provides a facile and tunable strategy to design MHz electromagnetic absorbers with temperature stability, broadband, and resistance to harsh environments.
Securing future healthcare environments in a post-COVID-19 world: moving from frameworks to prototypes
Authors: Vithanwattana Nattaruedee , Karthick Gayathri , Mapp Glenford , George Carlisle , Samuels Ann
Published: July 2022

The deployment of Internet of Things platforms as well as the use of mobile and wireless technologies to support healthcare environments have enormous potential to transform healthcare. This has also led to a desire to make eHealth and mHealth part of national healthcare systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the requirement to do this to reduce the number of patients needing to attend hospitals and General Practitioner surgeries. This direction, however, has resulted in a renewed need to look at security of future healthcare platforms including information and data security as well as network and cyber-physical security. There have been security frameworks that were developed to address such issues. However, it is necessary to develop a security framework with a combination of security mechanisms that can be used to provide all the essential security requirements for healthcare systems. In addition, there is now a need to move from frameworks to prototypes which is the focus of this paper. Several security frameworks for eHealth and mHealth are first examined. This leads to a new reference model from which an implementation framework is developed using new mechanisms such as Capabilities, Secure Remote Procedure Calls, and a Service Management Framework. The prototype is then evaluated against practical security requirements.
Moduli-friendly Eisenstein series over the p-adics and the computation of modular Galois representations
Authors: Mascot Nicolas
Published: July 2022

We show how our p-adic method to compute Galois representations occurring in the torsion of Jacobians of algebraic curves can be adapted to modular curves. The main ingredient is the use of “moduli-friendly” Eisenstein series introduced by Makdisi, which allow us to evaluate modular forms at p-adic points of modular curves and dispenses us of the need for equations of modular curves and for q-expansion computations in the construction of models of modular Jacobians. The resulting algorithm compares very favourably to our complex-analytic method.
Managing groundwater resources using a national reference database: the French ADES concept
Authors: Winckel Anne , Ollagnier Stéphane , Gabillard Santiago
Published: July 2022

Groundwater is an integral part of the water cycle and an essential human resource. Humans must protect this ever-changing heritage and preserve it in a sustainable way by understanding the physical and chemical properties of aquifers and monitoring their quantity and quality. Numerous studies have collected immense volumes of data that are difficult to access and not always comparable or of adequate quality. A pioneering national-scale database, ADES, was created in 1999 to store and make available quality data on French groundwater. This tool is freely accessible for/to water managers, scientists and the public. The data management system used in the database satisfies two important objectives: it is interoperable and based on a recognised groundwater reference system and provides high quality data to a large public. Data from different producers require normalisation and standardisation of system requirements to allow data integration and exchange. The database designers set up shared data models, and based the system on communal repositories of water points and hydrogeological entities. Nearly 102 million groundwater quality records and over 17 million water-level records are currently available, describing almost 61,800 stations. ADES makes it possible to visualise in “real-time" water level data for approximately 1500 stations equipped with GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technology. ADES also provides, on a public website and via web services, public quantitative and qualitative data. ADES is an essential tool for developing groundwater services based on the FAIR guiding principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable data (Wilkinson et al. in SD 3:160018, 2016)

Article highlights

A unique database for storing and disseminating reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date
groundwater data to a large public.

An interoperable system based on a common reference system to ensure data reliability.

An interoperable system based on a common reference system to ensure data reliability.
Petrology of the meta-mafic rocks from the Lolodorf area, Nyong complex (Southwest Cameroon): implication for the origin and emplacement conditions
Authors: Messi Ottou Eric José , Ntomba Sylvestre Martial , Ntieche Benjamin , Magnekou Takamte Rufine Christelle , Bisse Salomon Bertrant , Ndong Bidzang François , Mvondo Ondoa Joseph
Published: July 2022

This study presents the new petrology and geochemistry data for the comprehension of the origin and emplacement conditions of the Lolodorf mafic rocks whitin the Nyong Complex. The meta-mafic rocks consist of fine-grained garnet meta-mafic (FGM) and coarse-grained garnet meta-mafic (CGM) rocks presenting nearly similar mineral composition. They are made up of quartz, plagioclase, garnet orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, amphibole, opaques, apatite and rutile. They also present recrystallization features such as quartz ribbons, corroded grain mineral, cuspate plagioclase boundary and necklace garnets in the matrix. These mineral assemblages suggest that the recrystallization took place under granulite facies condition. The meta-mafic rocks have basaltic and tholeiitic composition like the magmas (SiO2 FGM = 48.20–50.70 wt% and SiO2CGM = 46.68–50.27 wt% and MgFGM = 43.24–62.27 and MgCGM = 40.85–69.70) emplaced in the active continental margin context. The low La/Th ratio observed in the FGM and the high La/Th ratio in the CGM together with low Hf content imply that the FGM are reworked plutonic rocks that recorded both high grade partial melting and metamorphism whereas CGM recorded only metamorphism imprints. Thermobarometry results suggest that the partial melting and metamorphic peak occurred around the amphibolite-granulite facies transition. The fine-grained garnet meta-mafic rocks emplaced under pressure estimated at around 2.7–14.89 kbar with temperature interval between 672 and 952 °C while the coarse-grained garnet meta-mafics settled at around 1.5–16.09 kbar and 631–909 °C. The selected amphiboles display low water content (1.92–2.10 wt%) and plot between NNO and NNO + 2 buffers indicating that they crystallized under high oxidizing conditions. These results coupled with previous geochronological study suggest that the FGM may have occurred at the Mesoarchean and have been reworked during Eburnean whereas the CGM may have been formed at the Eburnean.
Combining earth sciences with archaeology to investigate natural risks related to the cultural heritage of the Marsica region (central Apennines, Italy)
Authors: Galadini Fabrizio , Ceccaroni Emanuela , Dixit Dominus Girolamo , Falcucci Emanuela , Gori Stefano , Maceroni Deborah , Bonasera Mauro , Di Giulio Giuseppe , Moro Marco , Saroli Michele , Vassallo Maurizio
Published: July 2022

Methods of Earth Sciences have been employed in archaeological sites of the Marsica region, central Italy, in two different perspectives: to enhance knowledge on past natural events which damaged/destroyed ancient settlements/monuments and to gather data useful/necessary for preservation of the local cultural heritage. Within this wide perspective, the paper deals with (i) recent archaeoseismological investigations at Alba Fucens and other sites of the Fucino Plain which add evidence of sudden building collapse to the already available (archaeoseismological and paleoseismological) data concerning seismicity of fifth-sixth century AD; (ii) archaeological investigations on remains of the Medieval church of San Bartolomeo showing that coseismic damage in 1349 caused the abandonment of part of the building and its (re)use for burials; (iii) evidence of slope instability which caused rapid mass deposition in the lowest sector of ancient Alba Fucens since around the half of the sixth century AD, inhibiting the occupation of the Roman town; (iv) capable faulting potentially affecting the westernmost sector of the huge hydraulic works made by Romans during the first-second century AD to drain former Lake Fucino.
Validity of sagittal thoracolumbar curvature measurement using a non-radiographic surface topography method
Authors: Hannink Erin , Dawes Helen , Shannon Thomas M. L. , Barker Karen L.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

To estimate the criterion validity of sagittal thoracolumbar spine measurement using a surface topography method in a clinical population against the gold standard and to estimate concurrent validity against two non-radiographic clinical tools.

Methods

In this cross-sectional validity study, thoracolumbar curvature was measured in adults with spinal conditions recruited from a specialist orthopaedic hospital. A surface topography method using a Kinect sensor was compared to three other measurement methods: spinal radiograph (gold standard), flexicurve and digital inclinometer. Correlation coefficients and agreement between the measurement tools were analysed.

Results

Twenty-nine participants (79% female) were included in criterion validity analyses and 38 (76% female) in concurrent validity analyses. The surface topography method was moderately correlated with the radiograph (r = .70, p < .001) in the thoracic spine, yet there was no significant correlation with the radiograph in the lumbar spine (r = .32, p = .89). The surface topography method was highly correlated with the flexicurve (rs = .91, p < .001) and digital inclinometer (r = .82, p < .001) in the thoracic spine, and highly correlated with the flexicurve (r = .74, p < .001) and digital inclinometer (r = .74, p < .001) in the lumbar spine.

Conclusions

The surface topography method showed moderate correlation and agreement in thoracic spine with the radiograph (criterion validity) and high correlation with the flexicurve and digital inclinometer (concurrent validity). Compared with other non-radiographic tools, this surface topography method displayed similar criterion validity for kyphosis curvature measurement.
Radiated seismic energy from the 2021 ML 5.8 and ML 6.2 Shoufeng (Hualien), Taiwan, earthquakes and their aftershocks
Authors: Hwang Ruey-Der , Huang Yi-Ling , Chang Wen-Yen , Lin Cai-Yi , Lin Chiung-Yao , Wang Sheng-Tung , Chan Jing-Bei , Chang Jo-Pan , Lin Tzu-Wei
Published: July 2022

We calculated radiated seismic energy (ES), seismic moment (M0), and moment magnitude (MW) and then determined the ES–ML, ES–M0, M0–ML, and MW–MLrelations for the 2021 Shoufeng earthquake sequence (2.5 < ML < 6.3), where MLis the local magnitude. Notably, a crossover magnitude was detected as ML = 4.0 for the earthquake sequence. For ML < 4.0, we obtained logM0 ∝ ML, MW ∝ 0.67ML, and a low ES/M0, indicating a low average stress drop; for ML > 4.0, logM0 ∝ 0.67ML, MW ∝ ML, and a high ES/M0were present, and then there was a high average stress drop. These derived relations implied that source duration (T) is independent of M0for ML < 4.0. Moreover, the M0 ∝ T3relation seemed able to interpret those relations for ML > 4.0. Nevertheless, the ES–MLrelation remains logES ∝ 2.0MLfor 2.5 < ML < 6.3. From this study, the derived relations could not predict the source parameters for ML > 6.3 events. This might indicate that MLsaturates beyond ML6.3. Through such analyses, we not only established the relations among source parameters but also elucidated the basic physics of the earthquake sequence.
A Self-Adaptive Variant of CMSA: Application to the Minimum Positive Influence Dominating Set Problem
Authors: Akbay Mehmet Anıl , López Serrano Albert , Blum Christian
Published: July 2022

Construct, merge, solve and adapt (CMSA) is a recently developed, generic algorithm for combinatorial optimisation. Even though the usefulness of the algorithm has been demonstrated by applications to a range of combinatorial optimisation problems, in some applications, it was observed that the algorithm can be sensitive to parameter settings. In this work, we propose a self-adaptive variant of CMSA, called Adapt-CMSA, with the aim of reducing the parameter sensitivity of the original version of CMSA. The advantages of this new CMSA variant are demonstrated in the context of the application to the so-called minimum positive influence dominating set problem. It is shown that, in contrast to CMSA, Adapt-CMSA does not require a computation time intensive parameter tuning process for subsets of the considered set of problem instances. In fact, after tuning Adapt-CMSA only once for the whole set of benchmark instances, the algorithm already obtains state-of-the-art results. Nevertheless, note that the main objective of this paper is not the tackled problem but the improvement of CMSA.
p-adic Cellular Neural Networks
Authors: Zambrano-Luna B. A. , Zúñiga-Galindo W. A.
Published: July 2022

In this article we introduce the p-adic cellular neural networks which are mathematical generalizations of the classical cellular neural networks (CNNs) introduced by Chua and Yang. The new networks have infinitely many cells which are organized hierarchically in rooted trees, and also they have infinitely many hidden layers. Intuitively, the p-adic CNNs occur as limits of large hierarchical discrete CNNs. More precisely, the new networks can be very well approximated by hierarchical discrete CNNs. Mathematically speaking, each of the new networks is modeled by one integro-differential equation depending on several p-adic spatial variables and the time. We study the Cauchy problem associated to these integro-differential equations and also provide numerical methods for solving them.
Voltammetric determination of acetaminophen in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine using glassy carbon paste electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Farag Amir Shaaban
Published: July 2022

A completely new direct voltammetric method has been developed for determination of acetaminophen (APAP), known as popular analgesic drug. The present electroanalytical method is based on anodic oxidation of APAP at the glassy carbon paste electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide (RGO). Key experimental conditions were studied, resulting in a set of optimal conditions: acetate buffer (pH 5.0) as working medium electrolyte, content of RGO, parameters of squarewave voltammetry including the potential step of 5 mV, potential amplitude of 50 mV, and frequency of 40 Hz. If peak area is used for evaluation, a linear range from 1.2 × 10–6to 2.2 × 10–4 mol L−1characterized by determination coefficient of 0.9971, limits of quantification and detection, 9.3 × 10–7 mol L−1and 3.1 × 10–7 mol L−1, respectively, will be obtained. Under validation, the precision was described by relative standard deviation of 2.9% for the model sample analysis. Finally, the developed voltammetric method was compared with a reference high-performance liquid chromatography method in the analysis of commercially available pharmaceutical preparation and human urine collected from five healthy volunteers.

Graphical abstract
The Deep Ocean's Carbon Exhaust
Authors: Chen Haidi , Haumann F. Alexander , Talley Lynne D. , Johnson Kenneth S. , Sarmiento Jorge L.
Published: July 2022

The deep ocean releases large amounts of old, pre‐industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere through upwelling in the Southern Ocean, which counters the marine carbon uptake occurring elsewhere. This Southern Ocean CO2 release is relevant to the global climate because its changes could alter atmospheric CO2 levels on long time scales, and also affects the present‐day potential of the Southern Ocean to take up anthropogenic CO2. Here, year‐round profiling float measurements show that this CO2 release arises from a zonal band of upwelling waters between the Subantarctic Front and wintertime sea‐ice edge. This band of high CO2 subsurface water coincides with the outcropping of the 27.8 kg m−3 isoneutral density surface that characterizes Indo‐Pacific Deep Water (IPDW). It has a potential partial pressure of CO2 exceeding current atmospheric CO2 levels (∆PCO2) by 175 ± 32 μatm. Ship‐based measurements reveal that IPDW exhibits a distinct ∆PCO2 maximum in the ocean, which is set by remineralization of organic carbon and originates from the northern Pacific and Indian Ocean basins. Below this IPDW layer, the carbon content increases downwards, whereas ∆PCO2 decreases. Most of this vertical ∆PCO2 decline results from decreasing temperatures and increasing alkalinity due to an increased fraction of calcium carbonate dissolution. These two factors limit the CO2 outgassing from the high‐carbon content deep waters on more southerly surface outcrops. Our results imply that the response of Southern Ocean CO2 fluxes to possible future changes in upwelling are sensitive to the subsurface carbon chemistry set by the vertical remineralization and dissolution profiles.
Evolution of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone, and the South American and African Monsoons Over the Past 95‐Myr and Their Impact on the Tropical Rainforests
Authors: Acosta R. Paul , Ladant Jean‐Baptiste , Zhu Jiang , Poulsen Christopher J.
Published: July 2022

The widening of the South Atlantic Basin led to the reorganization of regional atmospheric and oceanic circulations. However, the response of the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and South American and African monsoons across paleoclimate states, especially under constant paleogeographic and climatic changes, has not been well understood. Here we report on paleoclimate simulations of the Cenomanian (∼95 Ma), early Eocene (∼55 Ma), and middle Miocene (∼14 Ma) using the Community Earth System Model version 1.2 to understand how the migration of the South American and African continents to their modern‐day positions, uplift of the Andes and East African Rift Zone, and the decline of atmospheric CO2 changed the Atlantic ITCZ, and the South American and African monsoons and rainforests. Our work demonstrates that the South Atlantic widening developed the Atlantic ITCZ. The South Atlantic widening and Andean orogeny led to a stronger South American monsoon. We find the orogeny of the East African Rift Zone is the primary mechanism that strengthened the East African monsoon, whereas the West African monsoon became weaker through time as West Africa migrated toward the subtropics and CO2 levels fell below 500 ppm. We utilize the Köppen‐Geiger Climate Classification as an indicator for maximum rainforest extent. We find that during the Cenomanian and early Eocene, a Pan‐African rainforest existed, while the Amazon rainforest was restricted toward the northwestern corner of South America. During the middle Miocene, the Pan‐African rainforest was reduced to near its modern‐day size, while the Amazon rainforest expanded eastward.
Spaceborne Evidence That Ice‐Nucleating Particles Influence High‐Latitude Cloud Phase
Authors: Carlsen Tim , David Robert O.
Published: July 2022

Mixed‐phase clouds (MPCs), which consist of both supercooled cloud droplets and ice crystals, play an important role in the Earth's radiative energy budget and hydrological cycle. In particular, the fraction of ice crystals in MPCs determines their radiative effects, precipitation formation and lifetime. In order for ice crystals to form in MPCs, ice‐nucleating particles (INPs) are required. However, a large‐scale relationship between INPs and ice initiation in clouds has yet to be observed. By analyzing satellite observations of the typical transition temperature (T*) where MPCs become more frequent than liquid clouds, we constrain the importance of INPs in MPC formation. We find that over the Arctic and Southern Ocean, snow and sea ice cover significantly reduces T*. This indicates that the availability of INPs is essential in controlling cloud phase evolution and that local sources of INPs in the high‐latitudes play a key role in the formation of MPCs.
Characteristics of Fault Rocks Within the Aftershock Cloud of the 2014 Orkney Earthquake (M5.5) Beneath the Moab Khotsong Gold Mine, South Africa
Authors: Miyamoto T. , Hirono T. , Yokoyama Y. , Kaneki S. , Yamamoto Y. , Ishikawa T. , Tsuchiyama A. , Katayama I. , Yabe Y. , Ziegler M. , Durrheim R. J. , Ogasawara H.
Published: July 2022

Cores recovered during the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program project “Drilling into Seismogenic zones of M2.0 to M5.5 earthquakes in deep South African Gold Mines” include fault breccia from within the aftershock cloud of the 2014 Orkney earthquake (M5.5). The breccia and surrounding intrusive rocks, probably lamprophyres rich in talc, biotite, calcite, and amphibole, had high magnetic susceptibilities owing to the presence of magnetite. All of these characteristics can be attributed to fluid‐related alteration. Both the breccia and the lamprophyres had low friction coefficients and showed evidence of velocity strengthening, which is inconsistent with the occurrence of earthquakes. Variable amounts of talc, biotite, calcite, and amphibole within the lamprophyres might have produced complex frictional properties and spatial heterogeneity of fault stability. The altered lamprophyres may be the host rocks of the 2014 Orkney earthquake, but frictional complexity may have governed the magnitudes of the main‐ and aftershocks and their distributions.
Investigating the Occurrence of Magnetic Reconnection at Jupiter's Dawn Magnetopause During the Juno Era
Authors: Montgomery J. , Ebert R. W. , Clark G. , Fuselier S. A. , Allegrini F. , Bagenal F. , Bolton S. J. , DiBraccio G. A. , Wilson R. J.
Published: July 2022

In this study, observations from the Jovian auroral distributions experiment, Jupiter energetic particle detector instrument, and Magnetic field investigation instruments on Juno are used to identify signatures of magnetic reconnection at Jupiter's dawn magnetopause and relate these signatures to the local plasma environment. Magnetopause crossings occurred between 73–114 Jovian radii and 4.3–6.2 magnetic local time at low latitudes. Reconnection signatures include plasma energization and ion velocity enhancements resembling reconnection jets. We test for diamagnetic suppression which considers the magnetic shear and plasma beta (β) before and after a magnetopause crossing. Findings show that a large majority of these dawn magnetopause crossings at Jupiter have a low likelihood for local magnetic reconnection (are diamagnetically suppressed) because of high delta β values and/or low magnetic shear angles across the magnetopause boundary. These crossings exhibit no evidence of local reconnection while crossings that are not diamagnetically suppressed show multiple signatures of reconnection, adhering to the Swisdak relation.