bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Lipophilicity of Indole Derivatives of Betulin and Their Toxicity in a Zebrafish Model
Authors: Rzepka Zuzanna , Bober-Majnusz Katarzyna , Hermanowicz Justyna Magdalena , Bębenek Ewa , Chrobak Elwira , Surażyński Arkadiusz , Wrześniok Dorota
Published: September 2024

There are scientific studies indicating that the attachment of an indole moiety to the triterpene scaffold can lead to increased anticancer potential. Lipophilicity is one of the factors that may influence biological properties and is therefore an important parameter to determine for newly obtained compounds as drug candidates. In the present study, previously synthesized 3 and/or 28-indole-betulin derivatives were evaluated for lipophilicity by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. The experimental values of lipophilicity (logPTLC) were then subjected to correlation analysis with theoretical values of logP, as well as for selected physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters and anticancer activity. A toxicity test using zebrafish embryos and larvae was also conducted. High correlation was observed between the experimental and theoretical values of lipophilicity. We presented correlation equations and statistical parameters describing the relationships between logPTLC and several physicochemical and ADME parameters. We also revealed the lack of correlation between the experimental values of lipophilicity and anticancer activity. Moreover, experiments on zebrafish have confirmed no toxicity of the tested compounds, which was consistent with the results of the in silico toxicity analysis. The results demonstrated, using the example of indole derivatives of betulin, the utility of lipophilicity values in the context of predicting the biological activity of new compounds.
Serum Erythritol and Risk of Overall and Cause-Specific Mortality in a Cohort of Men
Authors: Lim Jungeun , Hong Hyokyoung G. , Huang Jiaqi , Stolzenberg-Solomon Rachael , Mondul Alison M. , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Albanes Demetrius
Published: September 2024

Erythritol occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods, and has also been used as an artificial sweetener since the 1990s. Although there have been questions and some studies regarding its potential adverse health effects, the association between serum erythritol and long-term mortality has not been evaluated. To examine the association between serum erythritol’s biochemical status and risk of overall and cause-specific mortality, a prospective cohort analysis was conducted using participants in the ATBC Study (1985–1993) previously selected for metabolomic sub-studies. The analysis included 4468 participants, among whom 3377 deaths occurred during an average of 19.1 years of follow-up. Serum erythritol was assayed using an untargeted, global, high-resolution, accurate-mass platform of ultra-high-performance liquid and gas chromatography. Cause-specific deaths were identified through Statistics Finland and defined by the International Classification of Diseases. After adjustment for potential confounders, serum erythritol was associated with increased risk of overall mortality (HR = 1.50 [95% CI = 1.17–1.92]). We found a positive association between serum erythritol and cardiovascular disease mortality risk (HR = 1.86 [95% CI = 1.18–2.94]), which was stronger for heart disease mortality than for stroke mortality risk (HR = 3.03 [95% CI = 1.00–9.17] and HR = 2.06 [95% CI = 0.72–5.90], respectively). Cancer mortality risk was also positively associated with erythritol (HR = 1.54 [95% CI = 1.09–2.19]). The serum erythritol–overall mortality risk association was stronger in men ≥ 55 years of age and those with diastolic blood pressure ≥ 88 mm Hg (p for interactions 0.045 and 0.01, respectively). Our study suggests that elevated serum erythritol is associated with increased risk of overall, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality. Additional studies clarifying the role of endogenous production and dietary/beverage intake of erythritol in human health and mortality are warranted.
Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Multiple Sclerosis: Focus on Adipose Tissue
Authors: Mallardo Marta , Mazzeo Filomena , Lus Giacomo , Signoriello Elisabetta , Daniele Aurora , Nigro Ersilia
Published: September 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS), affecting individuals globally. The pathological mechanisms underlying MS remain unclear, but current evidence suggests that inflammation and immune dysfunction play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS disease. Adipose tissue (AT) is a dynamic multifunctional organ involved in various immune diseases, including MS, due to its endocrine function and the secretion of adipokines, which can influence inflammation and immune responses. Physical activity represents an efficacious non-pharmacological strategy for the management of a spectrum of conditions that not only improves inflammatory and immune functions but also directly affects the status and function of AT. Additionally, the exploration of nutritional supplementation represents an important field of MS research aimed at enhancing clinical symptoms and is closely tied to the regulation of metabolic responses, including adipokine secretion. This review, therefore, aims to elucidate the intricate relationship between lifestyle and MS by providing an overview of the latest published data about the involvement of AT and the main adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the pathogenesis of MS. Furthermore, we explore whether physical activity and dietary management could serve as useful strategies to improve the quality of life of MS patients.
The Interplay of Dietary Habits, Economic Factors, and Globalization: Assessing the Role of Institutional Quality
Authors: Azimi Mohammad Naim , Rahman Mohammad Mafizur , Maraseni Tek
Published: September 2024

Background: Dietary habits are pivotal for population health and well-being, yet remain a pressing global issue, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where economic instability and institutional challenges exacerbate dietary problems. Despite extensive research, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the direct and interactive effects of institutional quality and inflationary shocks on dietary habits. Methods: This study delves into these complex interplays across 44 SSA nations from 2002 to 2022. Employing an innovative entropy method (EM) and the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) modeling, the study introduces an inclusive institutional quality index and an inflationary shock predictor as crucial determinants of dietary habits in the literature. Results: The results from the panel-corrected standard error (PCSE) method and feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) model reveal that per capita GDP, school enrollment rate, government expenditures, globalization index, and urbanization are positively associated with population dietary habits, while inflationary shock, food insecurity, and unemployment rate exert negative influences. Notably, institutional quality acts as a catalyst, amplifying the positive effects of the former group and absorbing the negative impacts of the latter on population dietary habits. Additionally, a dynamic panel causality analysis confirms a bidirectional causality nexus between population dietary habits and all variables, except for inflationary shocks, which demonstrate a unidirectional causality link. Conclusions: These findings carry significant policy implications, underscoring the complex dynamics between institutional quality, inflationary shocks, and dietary habits in the region. The bidirectional causality highlights the need for holistic interventions that address economic, social, and institutional factors simultaneously. Moreover, the unidirectional causality of inflationary shocks on dietary habits suggests that stabilizing inflation is critical to protecting dietary habits. These results provide critical insights for policymakers to design targeted interventions aimed at improving nutrition, bolstering institutional frameworks, and ensuring public health resilience in the face of economic and social shocks.
Factors Affecting Adherence to a Low Phenylalanine Diet in Patients with Phenylketonuria: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yagudina Roza , Kulikov Andrey , Serpik Vyacheslav , Protsenko Marina , Kopeyka Kirill
Published: September 2024

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder that requires lifelong adherence to a low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet to prevent severe neurological complications. However, maintaining dietary adherence can be challenging for patients and their families. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively evaluate the factors affecting adherence to a low-Phe diet in patients with PKU. A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted, and 49 studies were included in the final analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute levels of evidence and the Quality Assessment with Diverse Studies tool. The review identified four main categories of factors influencing dietary adherence: family-related factors (social, psychological, behavioral, and educational), patient-specific factors (psychological, behavioral, educational, and demographic), environmental factors (healthcare professional support, educational and camp-based interventions, and the COVID-19 pandemic), and therapy-related factors (protein substitute formulation, clinic visits, blood tests, and telemedicine). The findings highlight the complex interplay between elements contributing to dietary adherence in PKU patients and underscore the importance of a multifaceted approach to support patients and their families. Future research should prioritize high-quality longitudinal and experimental studies to provide stronger evidence for the PKU community.
Progress in the Study of Animal Models of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Fu Yu , Hua Yuxin , Alam Naqash , Liu Enqi
Published: September 2024

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has recently been proposed as an alternative term to NAFLD. MASLD is a globally recognized chronic liver disease that poses significant health concerns and is frequently associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. To better understand its pathogenesis and to develop effective treatments, it is essential to establish suitable animal models. Therefore, attempts have been made to establish modelling approaches that are highly similar to human diet, physiology, and pathology to better replicate disease progression. Here, we reviewed the pathogenesis of MASLD disease and summarised the used animal models of MASLD in the last 7 years through the PubMed database. In addition, we have summarised the commonly used animal models of MASLD and describe the advantages and disadvantages of various models of MASLD induction, including genetic models, diet, and chemically induced models, to provide directions for research on the pathogenesis and treatment of MASLD.
Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms of Bee Venom Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of Apitoxin Applications and Safety Enhancement Strategies
Authors: Stela Maksymilian , Cichon Natalia , Spławska Aleksandra , Szyposzynska Monika , Bijak Michal
Published: September 2024

Apitoxin therapy (BVT—bee venom therapy) is an emerging complementary treatment utilizing bee venom for various medical conditions. This review explores the potential and therapeutic mechanisms of bee venom, focusing on its chemical composition and the methods for its extraction and purification to enhance safety while maintaining bioactivity. Bee venom contains amphipathic peptides such as melittin and apamin, enzymes like phospholipase A2, and bioamines including histamine and catecholamines, contributing to its pleiotropic effects. The therapeutic applications of bee venom span anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiviral, neuroprotective, anti-arthritic, and anti-cancer activities. Clinical and laboratory studies have demonstrated its efficacy in treating chronic and autoimmune diseases, pain management, and improving quality of life. The immunogenic properties of bee venom necessitate ongoing research to mitigate allergic reactions, ensuring its safe and effective use in medical practice. This review summarizes the current state of research on bee venom therapy, highlighting its potential benefits and future research directions.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of the Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Zinc Oxide and Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Fakhar-e-Alam Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad , Jamil Farah , Sardar Hassan , Rehman Javed , Dahlous Kholood A.
Published: September 2024

In this research, we developed undoped and aluminum-doped zinc oxide for antimicrobial and anticancer activities. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and aluminum-doped zinc oxide nanocomposites (Zn1−xAlxO NCs) at varying concentrations (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt%) using the coprecipitation method. Various characterization techniques such as XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, EDX, and SEM were performed to analyze the crystal structure, optical properties, functional group identification, elemental composition, and surface morphology. The antimicrobial activity test showed that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs exhibited the strongest inhibition zone against Bacillus cereus compared to Staphylococcus aureus > Pasteurella multocida > Escherichia coli. Moreover, the cytotoxicity and cell viability of liver cancer (HepG-2), breast cancer (MCF-7), ovarian cancer (SKOV3), and normal liver cell lines) were evaluated using the MTT assay, demonstrating that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs not only enhance cell destruction but also show low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility at low concentrations. These results suggest that Zn0.75Al0.25O NCs could be a promising candidate for in vivo anticancer applications and should be further investigated.
RP-CAD for Lipid Quantification: Systematic Method Development and Intensified LNP Process Characterization
Authors: Beckert Nicole , Dietrich Annabelle , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: September 2024

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and their versatile nucleic acid payloads bear great potential as delivery systems. Despite their complex lipid composition, their quality is primarily judged by particle characteristics and nucleic acid encapsulation. In this study, we present a holistic reversed-phase (RP)-charged aerosol detection (CAD)-based method developed for commonly used LNP formulations, allowing for intensified LNP and process characterization. We used an experimental approach for power function value (PFV) optimization termed exploratory calibration, providing a single PFV (1.3) in an appropriate linearity range for all six lipids. Followed by the procedure of method calibration and validation, linearity (10–400 ng, R2 > 0.996), precision, accuracy, and robustness were effectively proven. To complement the commonly determined LNP attributes and to evaluate the process performance across LNP processing, the developed RP-CAD method was applied in a process parameter study varying the total flow rate (TFR) during microfluidic mixing. The RP-CAD method revealed a constant lipid molar ratio across processing but identified deviations in the theoretical lipid content and general lipid loss, which were both, however, entirely TFR-independent. The deviations in lipid content could be successfully traced back to the lipid stock solution preparation. In contrast, the observed lipid loss was attributable to the small-scale dialysis following microfluidic mixing. Overall, this study establishes a foundation for employing RP-CAD for lipid quantification throughout LNP processing, and it highlights the potential to extend its applicability to other LNPs, process parameter studies, or processes such as cross-flow filtration.
Real-World Evidence of 3D Printing of Personalised Paediatric Medicines and Evaluating Its Potential in Children with Cancer: A Scoping Review
Authors: Ahmed Munsur , Tomlin Stephen , Tuleu Catherine , Garfield Sara
Published: September 2024

Personalised medicine, facilitated by advancements like 3D printing, may offer promise in oncology. This scoping review aims to explore the applicability of 3D printing for personalised pharmaceutical dosage forms in paediatric cancer care, focusing on treatment outcomes and patient experiences. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, a comprehensive search strategy was implemented to identify the relevant literature across databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Three independent reviewers conducted study selection and data extraction, focusing on studies involving paediatric patients under 18 years old and pharmaceutical dosage forms manufactured using 3D printing technology. From 2752 records screened, only six studies met the inclusion criteria, none of which specifically targeted paediatric cancer patients. These studies examined aspects of acceptability, including swallowability, taste, and feasibility of 3D-printed formulations for children. While the studies demonstrated the potential benefits of 3D printing in paediatric medication, particularly in personalised dosing, there is a notable lack of evidence addressing its acceptability in paediatric cancer patients. Further interdisciplinary collaborative research is needed in this area to fully assess preferences and acceptability among children with cancer and their parents or caregivers.
Advances in Cotton Genomics, Genetics and Breeding
Authors: Zhang Tianxu , Wang Shuhui , Chen Jinhong , Zhu Shuijin , Zhu Qianhao , Zhao Tianlun
Published: September 2024

The cotton is an industrial crop of global significance, providing its fibers for the predominant textile material and its seed accumulating abundant oil and protein for other utilizations [...]
Isolation of Allelochemicals from Rhododendron capitatum and Their Allelopathy on Three Perennial Herbaceous Plants
Authors: Yang Hang , Zhao Yishan , Wei Shaochong , Yu Xiaojun
Published: September 2024

Rhododendron capitatum community expansion is a major threat to alpine meadow. Allelopathy is an important mediator in managing relationships between plants in natural ecosystems. However, allelopathy and specific allelochemicals of R. capitatum have not been studied yet. In this study, the allelopathy of the foliage litter of R. capitatum was explored on Elymus nutans, Poa pratensis and Medicago ruthenica, and the chemical composition and their allelopathy were studied. The results showed that the aqueous extract of the foliage litter of R. capitatum had an allelopathy of “low concentration promotion and high concentration inhibition” on the germination of E. nutans, P. pratensis, and M. ruthenica. Organic acids, fatty acids, terpenes, phenols, and phenolic acid compounds were identified, with Zanamivir (77.81%), alpha-linolenic acid (18%), Kaurenoic acid (23.50%), 4-hydroxyphenylglycolic acid (21.54%), and Quinic acid (28.24%) having the highest relative content, and all five compounds showed significantly inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth of E. nutans, P. pratensis, and M. ruthenica, which further suggests that the five compounds are the critical allelochemicals for negative allelopathy of R. capitatum. These results highlight the crucial role of inhibitory allelopathy produced by R. capitatum in the establishment and expansion of its populations.
Diffusion Wave Spectroscopy Microrheological Characterization of Gelling Agarose Solutions
Authors: Mancebo Nuria , Rubio Ramon G. , Ortega Francisco , Carbone Carlo , Guzmán Eduardo , Martínez-Pedrero Fernando , Rubio Miguel A.
Published: September 2024

This work investigated the gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of agarose hydrogels studied at different concentrations (in the range 1–5 g/L) and temperatures. Rheological measurements were performed by diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) using polystyrene and titanium dioxide particles as probes. The study emphasized the influence of gelation kinetics on the mechanical behavior of the hydrogels. The results showed that the gel properties were closely related to the thermal history and aging time of the samples. The insights gained from this study are critical for optimizing the performance of agarose hydrogels in specific applications and highlight the importance of controlling the concentration and thermal conditions during hydrogel preparation.
Reframing Genesis 3:16: Eve’s Creation Memoir
Authors: Frey Mathilde
Published: September 2024

I will read Genesis 3:16 through the lens of Genesis 4. While Eve has become a fixed object in traditional interpretation as a dangerous temptress for man and the cause of humanity’s fall into sin, her story does not end in this chapter. Eve’s creative agency as “mother of all living” becomes the framework for the drama that unfolds in Genesis 4. Her body and her voice carry the story of life into the future. This essay shows the connection between Genesis 3:16 and the story in Genesis 4 by moving beyond a linguistic analysis of the common verbs, mashal and teshuqah. I will read the two texts together with the ancient scribes who distinguished Genesis 3:16 by placing this one verse between two setumah markers. Likewise, the story of Eve in Genesis 4:1–5:2 is placed between two setumah markers, thereby showing that ancient Hebrew readings emphasized a close relationship between Genesis 3:16 and Genesis 4:1–5:2. This is opposed to the Christian chapter division, which separates Genesis 3 from the story in Genesis 4, and places Genesis 3 in an authoritative position for the sake of extrapolating the doctrine of the fall into sin with the woman playing the central role in the fall story. I will further engage in deep reading, literary analysis, and performance criticism, and argue that Eve tells her own creation story with masterful subversiveness and creative audacity. The attempt of the essay is to reorient the dominant negative view of Eve toward a more positive, complex, and nuanced reading of her character in the Genesis text.
SAR-NTV-YOLOv8: A Neural Network Aircraft Detection Method in SAR Images Based on Despeckling Preprocessing
Authors: Guo Xiaomeng , Xu Baoyi
Published: September 2024

Monitoring aircraft using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is a very important task. Given its coherent imaging characteristics, there is a large amount of speckle interference in the image. This phenomenon leads to the scattering information of aircraft targets being masked in SAR images, which is easily confused with background scattering points. Therefore, automatic detection of aircraft targets in SAR images remains a challenging task. For this task, this paper proposes a framework for speckle reduction preprocessing of SAR images, followed by the use of an improved deep learning method to detect aircraft in SAR images. Firstly, to improve the problem of introducing artifacts or excessive smoothing in speckle reduction using total variation (TV) methods, this paper proposes a new nonconvex total variation (NTV) method. This method aims to ensure the effectiveness of speckle reduction while preserving the original scattering information as much as possible. Next, we present a framework for aircraft detection based on You Only Look Once v8 (YOLOv8) for SAR images. Therefore, the complete framework is called SAR-NTV-YOLOv8. Meanwhile, a high-resolution small target feature head is proposed to mitigate the impact of scale changes and loss of depth feature details on detection accuracy. Then, an efficient multi-scale attention module was proposed, aimed at effectively establishing short-term and long-term dependencies between feature grouping and multi-scale structures. In addition, the progressive feature pyramid network was chosen to avoid information loss or degradation in multi-level transmission during the bottom-up feature extraction process in Backbone. Sufficient comparative experiments, speckle reduction experiments, and ablation experiments are conducted on the SAR-Aircraft-1.0 and SADD datasets. The results have demonstrated the effectiveness of SAR-NTV-YOLOv8, which has the most advanced performance compared to other mainstream algorithms.
Evaluation of the Surface Downward Longwave Radiation Estimation Models over Land Surface
Authors: Chen Yingping , Jiang Bo , Peng Jianghai , Yin Xiuwan , Zhao Yu
Published: September 2024

Surface downward longwave radiation (SDLR) is crucial for maintaining the global radiative budget balance. Due to their ease of practicality, SDLR parameterization models are widely used, making their objective evaluation essential. In this study, against comprehensive ground measurements collected from more than 300 globally distributed sites, four SDLR parameterization models, including three popular existing ones and a newly proposed model, were evaluated under clear- and cloudy-sky conditions at hourly (daytime and nighttime) and daily scales, respectively. The validation results indicated that the new model, namely the Peng model, originally proposed for SDLR estimation at the sea surface and applied for the first time to the land surface, outperformed all three existing models in nearly all cases, especially under cloudy-sky conditions. Moreover, the Peng model demonstrated robustness across various land cover types, elevation zones, and seasons. All four SDLR models outperformed the Global Land Surface Satellite product from Advanced Very High-Resolution Radiometer Data (GLASS-AVHRR), ERA5, and CERES_SYN1de-g_Ed4A products. The Peng model achieved the highest accuracy, with validated RMSE values of 13.552 and 14.055 W/m2 and biases of −0.25 and −0.025 W/m2 under clear- and cloudy-sky conditions at daily scale, respectively. Its superior performance can be attributed to the inclusion of two cloud parameters, total column cloud liquid water and ice water, besides the cloud fraction. However, the optimal combination of these three parameters may vary depending on specific cases. In addition, all SDLR models require improvements for wetlands, bare soil, ice-covered surfaces, and high-elevation regions. Overall, the Peng model demonstrates significant potential for widespread use in SDLR estimation for both land and sea surfaces.
Cascading Landslide: Kinematic and Finite Element Method Analysis through Remote Sensing Techniques
Authors: Zito Claudia , Mangifesta Massimo , Francioni Mirko , Guerriero Luigi , Di Martire Diego , Calcaterra Domenico , Sciarra Nicola
Published: September 2024

Cascading landslides are specific multi-hazard events in which a primary movement triggers successive landslide processes. Areas with dynamic and quickly changing environments are more prone to this type of phenomena. Both the kind and the evolution velocity of a landslide depends on the materials involved. Indeed, rockfalls are generated when rocks fall from a very steep slope, while debris flow and/or mudslides are generated by fine materials like silt and clay after strong water imbibition. These events can amplify the damage caused by the initial trigger and propagate instability along a slope, often resulting in significant environmental and societal impacts. The Morino-Rendinara cascading landslide, situated in the Ernici Mountains along the border of the Abruzzo and Lazio regions (Italy), serves as a notable example of the complexities and devastating consequences associated with such events. In March 2021, a substantial debris flow event obstructed the Liri River, marking the latest step in a series of landslide events. Conventional techniques such as geomorphological observations and geological surveys may not provide exhaustive information to explain the landslide phenomena in progress. For this reason, UAV image acquisition, InSAR interferometry, and pixel offset analysis can be used to improve the knowledge of the mechanism and kinematics of landslide events. In this work, the interferometric data ranged from 3 January 2020 to 24 March 2023, while the pixel offset data covered the period from 2016 to 2022. The choice of such an extensive data window provided comprehensive insight into the investigated events, including the possibility of identifying other unrecorded events and aiding in the development of more effective mitigation strategies. Furthermore, to supplement the analysis, a specific finite element method for slope stability analysis was used to reconstruct the deep geometry of the system, emphasizing the effect of groundwater-level flow on slope stability. All of the findings indicate that major landslide activities were concentrated during the heavy rainfall season, with movements ranging from several centimeters per year. These results were consistent with numerical analyses, which showed that the potential slip surface became significantly more unstable when the water table was elevated.
Microphysical Characteristics of Monsoon Precipitation over Yangtze-and-Huai River Basin and South China: A Comparative Study from GPM DPR Observation
Authors: Wang Zelin , Hu Xiong , Ai Weihua , Qiao Junqi , Zhao Xianbin
Published: September 2024

It is rare to conduct a comparative analysis of precipitation characteristics across regions based on long-term homogeneous active satellite observations. By collocating the Global Precipitation Measurement Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (GPM DPR) observations with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 5th Reanalysis (ERA5) data, this study comparatively examines the microphysics of monsoon precipitation in the rainy season over the Yangtze-and-Huai River Basin (YHRB) and South China (SC) from 2014 to 2023. The comparative analysis is made in terms of precipitation types and intensities, precipitation efficiency index (PEI), and ice phase layer (IPL) width. The results show that the mean near-surface precipitation rate and PEI are generally higher over SC (2.87 mm/h, 3.43 h−1) than over YHRB (2.27 mm/h, 3.22 h−1) due to the more frequent occurrence of convective precipitation. The DSD characteristics of heavy precipitation in the wet season for both regions are similar to those of deep ocean convection, which is associated with a greater amount of water vapor. However, over SC, there are larger but fewer raindrops in the near-surface precipitation. Moreover, moderate PEI precipitation is the main contributor to heavy precipitation (>8 mm/h). Stratiform precipitation over YHRB is frequent enough to contribute more than convective precipitation to heavy precipitation (8–20 mm/h). The combined effect of stronger convective available potential energy and low-level vertical wind favors intense convection over SC, resulting in a larger storm top height (STH) than that over YHRB. Consequently, it is conducive to enhancing the microphysical processes of the ice and melt phases within the precipitation. The vertical wind can also influence the liquid phase processes below the melting layer. Collectively, these dynamic microphysical processes are important in shaping the efficiency and intensity of precipitation.
“To Change the World, We Must First Change the Way the Babies Are Being Born”: Childbirth Activism in Europe
Authors: Neves Dulce Morgado
Published: September 2024

(1) Background: “To change the world, we must first change the way the babies are being born”, said Michel Odent, the famous French obstetrician and pioneer of the “natural birth” movement. This quotable phrase has been widespread in activism campaigns, and it refers to a project for social change that goes beyond birth. Conceiving childbirth in the broader social context, it is not surprising that this emblematic quote inspires emancipatory struggles around birth. This paper results from a study of childbirth activism in different European contexts, where the author explores the emergence and modes of action of social movements advocating for the humanization of childbirth and women’s rights in pregnancy and childbirth. (2) Methods: Starting from the analysis of the main characteristics of childbirth activism, in this paper the author briefly analyzes the cases of organizations from Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as a campaign promoted by the European Network of Childbirth Associations (ENCA). The author mobilizes empirical data resulting from a triangulation approach, essentially based on documentary analysis, complemented by conversations and participant observation in different settings. (3) Results: Preliminary results show how childbirth activism is contributing to the construction of alternative conceptions of birth, challenging established paradigms. (4) Conclusion: In its differences and similarities, childbirth activism assumes distinct features, but it also has the ability to adapt and promote changes, depending on the specificities of the contexts where it operates.
Optimizing Deep Geothermal Drilling for Energy Sustainability in the Appalachian Basin
Authors: Fathi Ebrahim , Liwuitekong Dongho Georges Brown , Heidari Babak , Carr Timothy R. , Belyadi Fatemeh , Bilgesu Ilkin
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the geological and geomechanical characteristics of the MIP 1S geothermal well in the Appalachian Basin to optimize drilling and address the wellbore stability issues encountered. Data from well logs, sidewall core analysis, and injection tests were used to derive elastic and rock strength properties, as well as stress and pore pressure profiles. A robust 1D-geomechanical model was developed and validated, correlating strongly with wellbore instability observations. This revealed significant wellbore breakout, widening the diameter from 12 ¼ inches to over 16 inches. Advanced technologies like Cerebro Force™ In-Bit Sensing were used to monitor drilling performance with high accuracy. This technology tracks critical metrics such as bit acceleration, vibration in the x, y, and z directions, Gyro RPM, stick-slip indicators, and bending on the bit. Cerebro Force™ readings identified hole drag caused by poor hole conditions, including friction between the drill string and wellbore walls and the presence of cuttings or debris. This led to higher torque and weight on bit (WOB) readings at the surface compared to downhole measurements, affecting drilling efficiency and wellbore stability. Optimal drilling parameters for future deep geothermal wells were determined based on these findings.
“Guiding University Students towards Sustainability”: A Training to Enhance Sustainable Careers, Foster a Sense of Community, and Promote Sustainable Behaviors
Authors: Zammitti Andrea , Russo Angela , Baeli Valentina , Hichy Zira
Published: September 2024

Professional development involves facing numerous challenges. It is a complex process, susceptible to personal aspects (e.g., health, happiness, productivity), but also contextual aspects (e.g., recognition of the complexity and unpredictability of the labor market, and of the need to have a positive impact on the community). The life design paradigm views individuals as active agents in their career construction. Although this approach strongly emphasizes individual agency, it also underscores the importance of addressing broader issues related to sustainability. Indeed, career counselling can stimulate actions that favor sustainable development, benefiting society and enhancing the well-being of all people. To this end, we developed a training to stimulate reflections on sustainable careers, sense of community, and sustainable behavior. The study involved 44 university students divided into an experimental (n = 22) and a control group (n = 22). The first group participated in 16 online activities, interspersed with three in-person meetings. After the training, the experimental group exhibited improvements in sustainable careers, sense of community, self-efficacy in implementing sustainable behavior, and the perceived importance of promoting sustainability. These findings suggest that career counselling activities can significantly increase the personal resources of university students, equipping them to contribute to society and promote a sustainable world.
Effects of the Policy of Re-Designation of Counties as Cities or City Districts on the Agricultural Carbon Emission: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Region in China
Authors: Zhang Shaopeng , Fu Yao , Xia Yifan
Published: September 2024

It is of great practical significance to utilize the agricultural carbon emission reduction effect of the policy of re-designation of counties as cities or city districts (RCCD) to achieve agricultural high-quality development. This paper uses panel data of 39 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region in China from 2010 to 2022, and adopts a staggered difference-in-difference model and a panel threshold model to identify the causal impact of the policy of RCCD on agricultural carbon emissions (ACE). We show that: (1) Overall, the policy of RCCD exerts a tangible dampening effect on ACE, with cities in the experimental group exhibiting a significant reduction of 0.069 in agricultural carbon emissions compared to the control group post-implementation of the policy. (2) A dual-threshold effect of environmental regulation emerges in the context of the policy of RCCD, wherein the impact on ACE varies depending on the level of environmental regulation. (3) The policy of RCCD exerts a notable inhibitory influence on urban ACE in cities with high urbanization levels, underdeveloped regions and central regions. (4) Agricultural green technology progress plays the mediating role in the relationship between the policy of RCCD and ACE. (5) The suppressive effect of the policy of RCCD on ACE is characterized by a delayed and enduring influence. Our study has both theoretical and practical implications for accelerating agricultural high-quality development.
Towards Discriminative Class-Aware Domain Alignment via Coding Rate Reduction for Unsupervised Adversarial Domain Adaptation
Authors: Wu Jiahua , Fang Yuchun
Published: September 2024

Unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) methods, based on adversarial learning, employ the means of implicit global and class-aware domain alignment to learn the symmetry between source and target domains and facilitate the transfer of knowledge from a labeled source domain to an unlabeled target domain. However, these methods still face misalignment and poor target generalization due to small inter-class domain discrepancy and large intra-class discrepancy of target features. To tackle these challenges, we introduce a novel adversarial learning-based UDA framework named Coding Rate Reduction Adversarial Domain Adaptation (CR2ADA) to better learn the symmetry between source and target domains. Integrating conditional domain adversarial networks with domain-specific batch normalization, CR2ADA learns robust domain-invariant features to implement global domain alignment. For discriminative class-aware domain alignment, we propose the global and local coding rate reduction methods in CR2ADA to maximize inter-class domain discrepancy and minimize intra-class discrepancy of target features. Additionally, CR2ADA combines minimum class confusion and mutual information to further regularize the diversity and discriminability of the learned features. The effectiveness of CR2ADA is demonstrated through experiments on four UDA datasets. The code can be obtained through email or GitHub.
Differential Games of Supply Chain on Consideration of Low-Carbon Reference Effect under Different Carbon Quota Allocation Methods
Authors: Wu Anbo , Zhang Ronglin , Sun Yue , Sun Linhui , Wang Shuhan , Wang Xinping
Published: September 2024

The carbon quota allocation method serves as the foundation for the design of the carbon trading mechanism, which has a significant impact on supply chain production decisions and the operational efficiency of the carbon trading market. To analyze the behavioral decision problem of supply chain members under different carbon quota allocation methods, the low-carbon reference effect is introduced to characterize the effect of consumers’ low-carbon preference on market demand. On this basis, three differential game models are constructed, namely, no emissions penalty, trading under the grandfathering principle, and trading under the benchmarking principle. The results indicate that the implementation of carbon trading policies enhances consumers’ low-carbon reference levels, the carbon emission reduction levels of manufacturers, and the low-carbon publicity levels of retailers. Moreover, the enhancement of the low-carbon reference effect becomes a positive driver of profit growth. Manufacturers are observed to make more efforts in carbon reduction under the benchmarking principle compared to the grandfathering principle. In contrast, the level of low-carbon publicity by retailers remains unchanged. The above findings can provide a scientific basis for the decision-making of emission reduction in low-carbon supply chain enterprises, which has certain theoretical significance.
Neutralizing Nanobodies against Venoms from Naja haje Species Captured in North Africa
Authors: Mejri Hiba , Mokrani Rym , Ksouri Ayoub , Seddik Mabrouk , Awad Nour , Ayme Gabriel , Chagour Thouraya , Mokrani Ahlem , Louchene Charraf eddine , Salhi Imed , Ben Abderrazek Rahma , Khalifa Rym Ben , Benlasfar Zakaria , Corringer Pierre-Jean , Hammadi Mohamed , Djilani Selma , Lafaye Pierre , Bouhaouala-Zahar Balkiss
Published: September 2024

Snakebite envenoming (SBE) remains a severely neglected public health issue, particularly affecting tropical and subtropical regions, with Africa experiencing an estimated 435,000 to 580,000 snakebites annually, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially across Africa and Asia. Recognized as a Neglected Tropical Disease, SBE management is further complicated by the inadequate efficacy of current antivenom treatments. Of particular concern are cobras (Naja sp.), whose neurotoxins can induce rapid fatal respiratory paralysis. In this study, we investigate the potential of nanobodies as a promising next-generation of immunotherapeutics against cobra venoms. Through a dual strategy of the characterization of venom toxic fractions from cobras captured for the first time in Algeria and Tunisia biotopes, coupled with in vitro assays to evaluate their interactions with acetylcholine receptors, and subsequent immunization of dromedaries to produce specific nanobodies, we identified two lethal fractions, F5 and F6, from each venom, and selected five nanobodies with significant binding and neutralizing of 3DL50 (0.74 mg/kg). The combination of these nanobodies demonstrated a synergistic effect, reaching 100% neutralizing efficacy of 2DL50 lethal venom fraction (0.88 mg/kg) doses in mice. Additionally, our findings highlighted the complex mechanism of cobra venom action through the lethal synergism among its major toxins.
Hydrodynamic Modelling in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon—The Case of the Stagnone Lagoon, Marsala
Authors: Ingrassia Emanuele , Nasello Carmelo , Ciraolo Giuseppe
Published: September 2024

Coastal lagoons are important wetland sites for migratory species and the local flora and fauna population. The Stagnone Lagoon is a coastal lagoon located on the west edge of Sicily between the towns of Marsala and Trapani. The area is characterized by salt-harvesting plants and several archaeological sites and is affected by microtidal excursion. Two mouths allow exchange with the open sea: one smaller and shallower in the north and one larger and deeper in the south. This study aims to understand the lagoon’s hydrodynamics, in terms of circulation and involved forces. The circulation process appears to be dominated mainly by tide excursions and wind forces. Wind velocity, water levels, and water velocity were recorded during different field campaigns in order to obtain a benchmark value. The hydrodynamic circulation has been studied with a 2DH (two-dimensional in the horizontal plane) unstructured mesh model, calibrated with data collected during the 2006 field campaign and validated with the data of the 2007 campaign. Rapid changes in averaged velocity have been found both in Vx and Vy components, showing the strong dependence on seiches. This study tries to identify the main factor that domains the evolution of the water circulation. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to estimate the correct energy transfer between the forcing factors and dissipating ones. A Gauckler–Strickler roughness coefficient between 20 and 25 m1/3/s is found to be the most representative in the lagoon. To enhance the knowledge of this peculiar lagoon, the MIKE 21 model has been used, reproducing all the external factors involved in the circulation process. Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (NSE) values up to 0.92 and 0.79 are reached with a Gauckler–Strickler coefficient equal to 20 m1/3/s related to water depth and the Vy velocity component. The Vx velocity component NSE has never been satisfying, showing the limits of the 2D approach in reproducing the currents induced by local morphological peculiarities. Comparing the NSE value of water depth, there is a loss of up to 70% in model predictivity capability between the southern and the northern lagoon areas. This study aims to support the local decision-makers to improve the management of the lagoon itself.
Sensitivity Analysis and Parameterization of Gridded and Lumped Models Representation for Heterogeneous Land Use and Land Cover
Authors: Pudasaini Prakash , Assumpção Thaine H. , Jonoski Andreja , Popescu Ioana
Published: September 2024

Hydrological processes can be highly influenced by changes in land use land cover (LULC), which can make hydrological modelling also very sensitive to land cover characterization. Therefore, obtaining up-to-date LULC data is a crucial process in hydrological modelling, and as such, different sources of LULC data raises questions on their quality and applicability. This is especially true with new data sources, such as citizen science-based land cover maps. Therefore, this research aims to explore the influence of LULC data sources on hydrological models via their parameterization and by performing sensitivity analyses. Kiffissos catchment, in Greece, a poorly gauged and highly urbanized basin including the city of Athens, is the case study area. In total, 12 continuous hydrological models were developed by mainly varying their structure and parametrization (lumped and gridded) and using three LULC datasets: coordination of information on the environment (CORINE), Urban Atlas and Scent (citizen-based). It was found that excess precipitation is negligibly contributed to by soil saturation and is dominated by the runoff over impervious areas. Therefore, imperviousness was the main parameter influencing both sensitivity to land cover and parameterization. Lastly, although the parametrization as lumped and gridded models affected the representation of hydrological processes in pervious areas, it was not relevant in terms of excess precipitation.