bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ex-vivo and in-vitro dynamic simulator for surgical and transcatheter mitral valve interventions
Authors: Karl Roger , Romano Gabriele , Marx Josephin , Eden Matthias , Schlegel Philipp , Stroh Lubov , Fischer Samantha , Hehl Maximilian , Kühle Reinald , Mohl Lukas , Karck Matthias , Frey Norbert , De Simone Raffaele , Engelhardt Sandy
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) are complex procedures used to treat mitral valve (MV) pathologies, but with limited training opportunities available. To enable training, a realistic hemodynamic environment is needed. In this work we aimed to develop and validate a simulator that enables investigation of MV pathologies and their repair by MIMVS and TEER in a hemodynamic setting.

Methods

Different MVs were installed in the simulator, and pressure, flow, and transesophageal echocardiographic measurements were obtained. To confirm the simulator’s physiological range, we first installed a biological prosthetic, a mechanical prosthetic, and a competent excised porcine MV. Subsequently, we inserted two porcine MVs—one with induced chordae tendineae rupture and the other with a dilated annulus, along with a patient-specific silicone valve extracted from echocardiography with bi-leaflet prolapse. Finally, TEER and MIMVS procedures were conducted by experts to repair the MVs.

Results

Systolic pressures, cardiac outputs, and regurgitations volumes (RVol) with competent MVs were 119 ± 1 mmHg, 4.78 ± 0.16 l min−1, and 5 ± 3 ml respectively, and thus within the physiological range. In contrast, the pathological MVs displayed increased RVols. MIMVS and TEER resulted in a decrease in RVols and mitigated the severity of mitral regurgitation.

Conclusion

Ex-vivo modelling of MV pathologies and repair procedures using the described simulator realistically replicated physiological in-vivo conditions. Furthermore, we showed the feasibility of performing MIMVS and TEER at the simulator, also at patient-specific level, thus providing new clinical perspectives in terms of training modalities and personalized planning.
Leverage points for tackling unsustainable global value chains: market-based measures versus transformative alternatives
Authors: Santika Truly , Nelson Valerie , Flint Michael , MacEwen Melissa , Cerretelli Stefania , Brack Duncan
Published: December 2023

Tropical forests are rapidly disappearing due to the expansion of cash crops to meet demands from distant markets. Pressing concerns on deforestation impacts resulting from the global trade of tropical commodities have led some high-income countries’ governments to consider diverse regulatory and trade levers to tackle the problem. These include proposals for new supply chain due diligence legislation concerning imports of forest-risk products and the inclusion of environmental measures in trade deals. To contribute to this debate, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing data on global trade and consumption patterns of tropical commodities, attribution of commodity production to deforestation, trade agreements, and progress in the implementation of crop sustainability standards. We used global data on key tropical commodities of oil palm, cocoa, and coffee. Our study shows that high-income countries have the highest per capita consumption for the three commodities evaluated and that consumption rates have dramatically increased in the last two decades. We discuss a range of measures that can potentially be required to tackle deforestation in global supply chains, which are currently being considered by policymakers, before discussing the kinds of post-growth, convivial approaches that are often excluded by the framing. Given the inherent expansionary nature of global market dynamics, we show that market-based initiatives are inadequate to tackle continuing deforestation and socio-ecological degradation. More transformative solutions amplify commoning and post-growth approaches are required to lead to some uncoupling of trade and territorialising of economic activity to fit within planetary boundaries and allow for plural values.
First Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in the Endemic Cyprus Mouflon (Ovis gmelini ophion)
Authors: Hasapis Kyriacos A. , Charalambidou Iris , Schou Chad , O’Dowd Phanis Catherine , Kazamia Stefanie , Kassinis Nicolaos , Hadjisterkotis Eleftherios , Karanis Panagiotis
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Cryptosporidium is an intestinal zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects domesticated and wild animals. There are no reports on the prevalence and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium in the endemic Cyprus mouflon. The mouflon is strictly protected by national and international legislation. Its main distribution is Paphos State Forest and surrounding areas, where it may share the same water sources as free-ranging domestic goats. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and genotypes in mouflon and free-ranging goats within the mouflon range.

Methods

Faecal samples of 70 mouflons and 34 free-ranging goats were screened for Cryptosporidium by PCR amplification and sequencing.

Results

Only one sample (1/70) belonging to a mouflon was PCR positive for Cryptosporidium. Based on sequencing of the 18S rRNA locus, this species was identified as Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). No positive sample was detected in the free-ranging goats (0/34).

Conclusion

This is the first report on the molecular identification of this Cryptosporidium species in a Cyprus mouflon. The results indicate that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in Cyprus mouflon is low.
Fundamental Solutions for the Laplace–Beltrami Operator Defined by the Conformal Hyperbolic Metric and Jacobi Polynomials
Authors: Eriksson Sirkka-Liisa , Orelma Heikki
Published: December 2023

In this paper we study fundamental solutions for the Laplace–Beltrami operator
$$\begin{aligned} \Delta _\alpha f=x_n^{\frac{\alpha }{n-2}}\Big (\Delta f-\frac{\alpha }{x_n}\frac{\partial f}{\partial x_n}\Big ), \end{aligned}$$

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defined on smooth enough functions in $$\mathbb {R}_+^{n}=\{ (x_1,\ldots ,x_n)\in \mathbb {R}^{n}: x_n>0\}$$

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=

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. We represent explicit formulas for the fundamental solutions. Moreover, we establish fundamental solutions using Jacobi polynomials when $$n=3,5,7,\ldots .$$

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.
Exploring the Role of Locus Coeruleus in Alzheimer’s Disease: a Comprehensive Update on MRI Studies and Implications
Authors: Galgani Alessandro , Giorgi Filippo Sean
Published: December 2023

Purpose of Review

Performing a thorough review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies assessing locus coeruleus (LC) integrity in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and contextualizing them with current preclinical and neuropathological literature.

Recent Findings

MRI successfully detected LC alterations in ageing and AD, identifying degenerative phenomena involving this nucleus even in the prodromal stages of the disorder. The degree of LC disruption was also associated with the severity of AD cortical pathology, cognitive and behavioral impairment, and the risk of clinical progression.

Locus coeruleus-MRI has proved to be a useful tool to assess the integrity of the central noradrenergic system in vivo in humans. It allowed to test in patients preclinical and experimental hypothesis, thus confirming the specific and marked involvement of the LC in AD and its key pathogenetic role. Locus coeruleus-MRI–related data might represent the theoretical basis on which to start developing noradrenergic drugs to target AD.
Loss-on-Drying Prediction for a Vibrated Fluidised Bed Dryer by Means of Mass and Energy Balances
Authors: Kiricenko Katharina , Hartmann Felix , Altmeyer Andreas , Kleinebudde Peter
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Continuous wet granulation and drying require an adequate process control strategy to ensure the product quality. The most important critical quality attributes of dried granules are the granule size distribution and moisture content. Process analytical technologies (PATs) are available for real-time monitoring of moisture content by, e.g., near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), which requires additional installation and complex multivariate validation. Thus, a mass and energy balance (MEB) was derived for a vibrated fluidised bed dryer, which is part of the QbCon® 1 intended for continuous wet granulation and drying.

Method

Process parameters that are frequently logged were used for the derivation of a MEB. The predicted MEB was compared with the measured loss-on-drying (LOD) for two different formulations.

Results

The model-derived data were in good agreement with the observed LOD, leading to RMSE values of 0.12–0.45.

Conclusion

The implemented MEB can predict the LOD over time and thus might be suitable as a soft sensor without the installation of additional sensors. The obtained energy flux gives insight into the heat transfer, and the derived energy balance might be used to determine the required energy under certain drying conditions.
Colitis induced by IL-17A-inhibitors
Authors: Grümme Lea , Dombret Sophia , Knösel Thomas , Skapenko Alla , Schulze-Koops Hendrik
Published: December 2023

Background

Interleukin (IL)-17A is essential for intestinal mucosal integrity, contributing to the prevention of detrimental immunity such as infectious colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Indeed, neutralization of IL-17A has been abandoned as a therapeutic principle in IBD because of increased disease activity. However, it is controversial whether IL-17A inhibitors increase the risk of developing colitis in patients who do not have underlying IBD. Here, we present two cases of different forms of colitis that occurred during treatment with two IL-17A inhibitors, secukinumab and ixekizumab.

Case presentations

We report the case of a 35-year-old female with SAPHO (synovitis–acne–pustulosis–hyperostosis–osteitis) syndrome who was admitted due to severe colitis with bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and weight loss after receiving secukinumab for 3 months as well as the case of a 41-year-old male with psoriatic arthritis who presented himself to the outpatient clinic with bloody stools, abdominal pain and nausea 5 months after changing his therapy from secukinumab to ixekizumab. In both patients, treatment with IL-17A-inhibitors was stopped and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were started. Both patients recovered, are clinically stable and show no more signs of active colitis.

Conclusion

The role of IL-17A inhibitors in the pathogenesis of infectious colitis and new-onset IBD is not fully understood and requires further research. Patients receiving IL-17A-inhibitor therapy should be carefully screened and notified of the possible side effects.
Fault stability analysis and its application in stress inversion quality assessment
Authors: Li Zhenyue , Wan Yongge , Liu Ruifeng , Guo Xiangyun , Sheng Shuzhong
Published: December 2023

Fault stability analysis plays an important role in assessing the potential hazard of faults and in studying the mechanism of earthquake occurrence. Fault stability depends on the magnitude of the normal and shear stresses imposed on the fault by the tectonic stress and rock friction, while the magnitude of the normal and shear stresses is related to the spatial orientation of the fault normal with respect to the three principal stress axes, so it is easier to understand the variation of fault stability with its orientation by expressing the stability of different faults in the principal axis coordinate system. In this paper, we first developed a method to plot the stability of faults with different orientations in the principal stress axis coordinate system, then investigated the influence of the magnitude of principal stresses and friction on fault instability, and reached the conclusion that the instability is mainly affected by the relative magnitude of principal stresses (shape ratio). Finally, we proposed to use fault stability as an indicator to evaluate the quality of inverted stress obtained from fault slip data or earthquake focal mechanisms, that is, to evaluate the reliability of the inverted stress according to the compatibility of stress and fault stability. It is described in detail in terms of measured fault slip data from two regions.
Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Mindful Self-Care Scale-Standard
Authors: Larionow Paweł , Cook-Cottone Catherine , Pilarska Natalia
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The Mindful Self-Care Scale-Standard (MSCS-Standard) is a 33-item self-report questionnaire that assesses mindfulness practices in six self-care domains: (1) physical care, (2) mindful relaxation, (3) supportive structure, (4) supportive relationships, (5) mindful awareness, and (6) self-compassion and purpose. The study aimed to validate the Polish version of the MSCS-Standard.

Method

The study was performed on a sample of 774 people (646 females, 122 males, and 6 non-binary) aged 18–76 (M = 28.49, SD = 10.81). The factor structure was verified with confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent and divergent validity were assessed based on the relationship between the MSCS-Standard scores and markers of alexithymia, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms as well as life satisfaction. We examined discriminant validity by conducting a second-order exploratory factor analysis of MSCS-Standard subscales, alexithymia traits, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms.

Results

Our results indicated a good factorial validity, conforming to the intended 6-factor structure (χ2/df = 1352.38/477; CFI = 0.912; RMSEA = 0.051 [90% CI: 0.048; 0.055]; SRMR = 0.064). As expected, all MSCS-Standard subscales correlated in expected directions with markers of alexithymia, anxiety, depression, stress, and somatic symptoms as well as with life satisfaction. The MSCS-Standard showed a good discriminant validity in terms of measuring mindfulness practices construct that was separable from people’s current levels of alexithymia, negative affect and somatic symptoms. Internal consistency reliability was also good.

Conclusions

Overall, the Polish version of the MSCS-Standard appears to have satisfactory psychometric properties.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Evaluation of an automatic continuous high-lift system in a flight simulator study with airline pilots
Authors: Eichhorn Pia , Silvestre Flávio
Published: December 2023

In the INTELWI LuFo research project, TU Berlin is investigating an automatic, continuously operating high-lift system for passenger aircraft. Today’s commercial aircraft operate the high-lift systems in fixed steps. Typically, five fixed steps result from the different requirements for take-off and landing. For each flap position, there is a speed of best glide. Since aircraft decelerate during landing, they usually fly outside the optimum point. This is improved by a continuous flap system, as it continuously adjusts the flap position depending on the current flight condition. Flight simulation studies allow modelling and evaluation of new flight control functions at an early stage of development. This paper evaluates the flight simulator study for the assessment of the Automatic Continuous Moving Slat/Flap System with a focus on the pilots’ assessment. Ten airline pilots took part in the study in the SEPHIR flight simulator at TU Berlin. The approach scenarios vary with regard to the energy content of the approach since the high-lift system influences the energy management. The evaluation is based on questionnaires answered by the pilots after each approach. The participating pilots particularly emphasised the reduction of the workload and the pleasant integration of the continuous flap function into the existing cockpit procedures. According to the participating pilots, there is potential for improvement and further scenarios to investigate the functions behaviour in the event of failures in systems that affect flap operation.
C-reaktives Protein (CRP) – ein diagnostischer Entzündungsmarker am Beispiel ausgewählter Indikationen
Authors: Oremek GM , Holzgreve F , Wanke EM , Germann U , Ohlendorf Daniela
Published: December 2023

Im Rahmen der Serie „Biomarker“, die im Zentralblatt für Arbeitsmedizin, Arbeitsschutz und Ergonomie publiziert wird, ist das CRP (C-reaktives Protein) zugehörig als häufiger Marker in der Diagnostik von akuten und chronischen Entzündungserkrankungen. Die Bestimmung von CRP stellt einen wesentlichen Bestandteil der Diagnostik von Infektionserkrankungen dar. Virale und bakterielle Infektionen können anhand der Konzentrationshöhe von CRP erkannt werden. CRP erwies sich als Marker mit einer hohen Sensitivität und Spezifität bei Infektionserkrankungen. Werden die unterschiedlichsten Aspekte der arbeitsmedizinischen Vorsorge betrachtet, so hat die CRP-Bestimmung im Bereich der Diagnostik der Infektionen ihre Berechtigung.
Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing of Stress Responses in Forest Environments: a Review of Developments, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Smigaj Magdalena , Agarwal Avinash , Bartholomeus Harm , Decuyper Mathieu , Elsherif Ahmed , de Jonge Arjen , Kooistra Lammert
Published: December 2023

Purpose of Review

The successful application of thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing in the agricultural domain, largely driven by the arrival of new platforms and sensors that substantially increased thermal data resolution and availability, has sparked interest in thermography as a tool for monitoring forest health. In this review, we take a step back to reflect on what physiological responses are reflected in leaf and canopy temperature and summarise research activities on TIR remote sensing of stress responses in forest environments, highlighting current methodological challenges, open questions, and promising opportunities.

Recent Findings

This systematic literature review showed that whilst the focus still remains on satellite imagery, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are playing an increasingly important role in testing the capabilities and sensitivity to stress onset at the individual tree level. To date, drought stress has been the focal point of research, largely due to its direct link to stomatal functioning at leaf level. Though, research into thermal responses to other stressors, e.g. pathogens, is also gaining momentum.

Disentangling stress-induced canopy temperature variations from environmental factors and structural influences remains the main challenge for broader application of TIR remote sensing. Further development and testing of approaches for thermal data analysis, including their applicability for different tree species and sensitivity under different climatic conditions, are required to establish how TIR remote sensing can best complement existing forest health monitoring approaches.
Bert-based graph unlinked embedding for sentiment analysis
Authors: Jin Youkai , Zhao Anping
Published: December 2023

Numerous graph neural network (GNN) models have been used for sentiment analysis in recent years. Nevertheless, addressing the issue of over-smoothing in GNNs for node representation and finding more effective ways to learn both global and local information within the graph structure, while improving model efficiency for scalability to large text sentiment corpora, remains a challenge. To tackle these issues, we propose a novel Bert-based unlinked graph embedding (BUGE) model for sentiment analysis. Initially, the model constructs a comprehensive text sentiment heterogeneous graph that more effectively captures global co-occurrence information between words. Next, by using specific sampling strategies, it efficiently preserves both global and local information within the graph structure, enabling nodes to receive more feature information. During the representation learning process, BUGE relies solely on attention mechanisms, without using graph convolutions or aggregation operators, thus avoiding the over-smoothing problem associated with node aggregation. This enhances model training efficiency and reduces memory storage requirements. Extensive experimental results and evaluations demonstrate that the adopted Bert-based unlinked graph embedding method is highly effective for sentiment analysis, especially when applied to large text sentiment corpora.
“Diagnose, Treat, and SUPPORT”. Clinical competencies in the management of older adults with aspiration pneumonia: a scoping review.
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yuki , Ohtake Yoichi , Ukai Mamiko , Miyagami Taiju , Morikawa Toru , Shimamura Yoshinosuke , Kataoka Yuki , Hashimoto Tadayuki
Published: December 2023

Background

Aspiration pneumonia in older adults is increasingly common, with a high care burden and morbidity. However, clinical competencies in its management have not been developed, and healthcare professionals struggle on how to care for these patients with multimodal treatment needs. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review to investigate what is known about the desired clinical competencies for the management of older adults with aspiration pneumonia, to utilise in clinical practice, education, and future research.

Methods

First, we defined aspiration pneumonia according to a preliminary search. We then searched the literature on MEDLINE and CINAHL, focusing on studies involving patients aged 65 years old and older diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. All settings were included, with the exception of intensive care units. Publication dates were limited to January 2011 to July 2022 and languages to English and Japanese. The extracted data were used to refine the preliminary competency framework developed by the Japan Aspiration pneumonia inter-Professional team Educational Program (JAPEP) in preparation of this study.

Results

Ninety-nine studies were included. Following data extraction from these studies, 3 competencies were renamed, and 3 new competencies were added, to create a list of 12 competencies. These were Diagnosis, Treatment, Swallow Assessment, Underlying condition management, Nutrition, Oral management, Rehabilitation, Multidisciplinary team, Decision making, Prevention, Prognosis, and Palliative care.

Conclusions

Our scoping review identified 12 clinical competencies required in the management of older adults with aspiration pneumonia, outlined in the phrase ‘Diagnose, Treat and SUPPORT’. We encourage healthcare professionals to share these competencies as a team to identify areas of unmet need and improve their patient care, with an emphasis on supportive care.
Dimensioning and Construction of a Sealing Layer Made of Green Liquor Dregs Amended Till—Remediation of Sulfidic Mine Waste
Authors: Nigéus Susanne , Maurice C. , Lindblom J. , Mácsik J.
Published: December 2023

Using non-hazardous industrial residues in mine waste remediation is beneficial not only for the mining industry where substantial amounts of the waste generated have potential to produce acid rock drainage and pollute the environment, but also the providing industry, minimizing the waste landfilled. In this study green liquor dregs (GLD), residue from 15 different paper mills were characterized to valorize it as a potential product as a cover material. In another part of the study, one of the GLDs and a local till were characterized to determine the optimal mixture of GLD amended till to be used in a field application at the closed Näsliden Mine in northern Sweden. The study concluded 10% GLD-amended till to be the optimal recipe and was successfully applied at the Näsliden mine waste dump. However, the great variability in the characteristics of GLD creates challenges if it is to be valorized as a product.
Sludge-based biochar adsorbent: pore tuning mechanisms, challenges, and role in carbon sequestration
Authors: Mian Md Manik , Ao Wenya , Deng Shubo
Published: December 2023

Sludge biochar, a carbonized product of raw sludge, contains porous architectures that can act as epicenters for adsorbing external molecules through physical or chemical bonding. Sludge biochar also immobilizes innate micropollutants, which is advantageous over conventional sludge disposal methods. To date, numerous strategies have been discovered to improve sludge biochar morphology, but the influential factors, pore tuning mechanisms, and process feasibility remain imprecise. This knowledge gap limits our ability to design a robust sludge-based biochar. Herein, we present state-of-the-art sludge biochar synthesis methods with insight into structural and chemical transformation mechanisms. Roadblocks and novel concepts for improving sludge biochar porous architecture are highlighted. For the first time, sludge biochar properties, adsorption performances, and techno-economic perspectives were compared with commercial activated carbon (AC) to reveal the precise challenges in sludge biochar application. More importantly, sludge biochar role in carbon sequestration is detailed to demonstrate the environmental significance of this technology. Eventually, the review concludes with an overview of prospects and an outlook for developing sludge biochar-based research.

Graphical Abstract
Porous honeycomb cork biochar for efficient and highly selective removal of phosphorus from wastewater
Authors: Jia Xiuxiu , Yin Tao , Wang Yin , Zhou Shuxing , Zhao Xue , Chen Wentong , Hu Guangzhi
Published: December 2023

In this study,  an adsorbent (LCB) with rich honeycomb structure was prepared from cork waste generated from furniture factories for efficient adsorption of excess phosphorus (P) from wastewater. This adsorbent  was successfully prepared in only one step, in situ precipitation method, which greatly   simplified the synthesis process. Kinetic studies  showed that when the initial concentration (C0) of wastewater  was 10 mg P L−1, the P in the water  could be completely adsorbed within 20 min. The adsorption efficiency of phosphorus was significantly improved compared to previous studies. When the C0 of pollutant and the dosage of LCB were 20 mg P L−1 and 0.5 g L−1, respectively, the removal rate of P   exceeded 99% in the pH range of 3–10, which indicates the wide applicability of LCB. In addition, the P adsorption capacity of LCB  was 82.4% of its initial value after nine adsorption–desorption cycles, indicating that LCB has a high stability and can be widely used in different water environments. Therefore, LCB is a promising material for the treatment of P-containing wastewater.

Graphical Abstract
Selected rock powders as sources of nutrients for soil fertilization and maize-wheat grain production in southern Brazil
Authors: Bamberg A. L. , Martinazzo R. , Silveira C. A. P. , Pillon C. N. , Stumpf L. , Bergmann M. , van Straaten P. , Martins E. S.
Published: December 2023

The current study evaluated alternative sources of nutrients to improve the soil fertility status and yield of maize-wheat succession in Southern Brazil. The treatments were: T1: no fertilization; T2: liming with dolomitic marble; T3: alternative liming (AL) with limestone interbedded with shale; T4: AL + 50% P - with Arad natural phosphate (P-ANP) + 50% P – triple superphosphate (P-TSP); T5: AL + 100% P-ANP; T6: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% K-rich monzogranite; T7: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% N (50% N from tung pressed cake (N-TPC) + 50% N-urea); T8: AL + 100% P-ANP + 100% K-rich monzogranite + 100% N (50% N-TPC + 50% N-Urea) + 100% S; T9: AL + regional average rate of NPK (5-20-20) formulation. Except for T7 and T8, all treatments received the full recommended rate of N through Urea. Immediate and residual effects were evaluated over 2.5 years (90, 360 and 900 days) on soil fertility and maize - wheat yield. The limestone interbedded with shale released Ca, Mg and corrected soil acidity similarly to dolomitic marble. The fertilization strategies used in T4, T7 and T8 presented the highest cumulative productivities while T3 (U$ = 1223), T9 (U$ = 1174) and T4 (U$ = 1122) resulted in higher profits than the other evaluated fertilization strategies. The limestone interbedded with shale (T3), alone or combined with 50% of P-ANP + 50% of P – TSP (T4) provided the best economical and technical results, highlighting the potential of selected alternative regional sources for soil fertility improvement and plant-nutrients supply.
Linking crop availability, forest elephant visitation and perceptions of human–elephant interactions in villages bordering Ivindo National Park, Gabon
Authors: Mbamy Walter , Beirne Christopher , Froese Graden Z.L. , Obiang Ebanega Medard , Poulsen John R.
Published: December 2023

Feeding by Critically Endangered forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis in rural plantations is a conservation issue in Gabon, but studies characterizing drivers of spatiotemporal patterns of human–elephant interactions remain sparse, hindering mitigation. In this study, we use GPS tracking data from two elephants to characterize temporal patterns of village visitation, and surveys of 101 local farmers across seven villages to determine local patterns of crop planting and harvesting and of human–elephant interactions. Local farmers' perceptions of elephant visitations and empirical data on such visits were positively correlated with local crop availability. However, considering the two elephants separately revealed that the correlations were driven by just one individual, with the second elephant showing weak links between crop availability and visitation, highlighting the challenges in reliably predicting human–wildlife interactions. The most popular local perceptions of the drivers of elephant visitation were the presence of crops (53% of responses) and logging (39%). The most popular proposed interventions were letting the government find a solution (32%), killing problem elephants (30%) and providing compensation for lost crops (22%). We discuss the potential feasibility and efficacy of the proposed solutions in the context of human–elephant interactions. Future research efforts should focus on collaring elephants in zones with high potential for negative human–elephant interaction and expanding perception surveys to villages with contrasting ecological contexts (e.g. with and without logging in their surrounding forests), as these could influence local perceptions of conflicts and conservation initiatives.
Ocean Warming Sets the Stage for Dangerous but Predictable East Africa Droughts
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: December 2023

Scientists have uncovered a connection between temperature gradients in the Pacific Ocean and deadly but predictable consecutive dry spells in East Africa.
Scale‐Dependent Air‐Sea Exchange in the Polar Oceans: Floe‐Floe and Floe‐Flow Coupling in the Generation of Ice‐Ocean Boundary Layer Turbulence
Authors: Brenner Samuel , Horvat Christopher , Hall Paul , Lo Piccolo Anna , Fox‐Kemper Baylor , Labbé Stéphane , Dansereau Véronique
Published: December 2023

Sea ice is a heterogeneous, evolving mosaic of individual floes, varying in spatial scales from meters to tens of kilometers. Both the internal dynamics of the floe mosaic (floe‐floe interactions), and the evolution of floes under ocean and atmospheric forcing (floe‐flow interactions), determine the exchange of heat, momentum, and tracers between the lower atmosphere and upper ocean. Climate models do not represent either of these highly variable interactions. We use a novel, high‐resolution, discrete element modeling framework to examine ice‐ocean boundary layer (IOBL) turbulence within a domain approximately the size of a climate model grid. We show floe‐scale effects could cause a marked increase in the production of fine‐scale three‐dimensional turbulence in the IOBL relative to continuum model approaches, and provide a method of representing that turbulence using bulk parameters related to the spatial variance of the ice and ocean: the floe size distribution and the ocean kinetic energy spectrum.
Regarding the Theory of Power Lines Emission Propagation to the Space
Authors: Lizunov G. , Korepanov V. , Piankova O.
Published: December 2023

The analytical theory is presented that describes the propagation of power lines emission (PLE) with frequency of 50/60 Hz in the heights range from the Earth surface to the magnetosphere. Validation of the theory is made by the comparison with earlier published results of numerical modeling. It is shown that the actual source of emission is a magnetic dipole formed by the power line current and by the secondary image current in the ground. The emission is propagating to the lower boundary of ionosphere, where its main part is reflected back, but some of the energy (a few percent) penetrates into the ionosphere. There it is transformed into a quasi‐flat whistler wave. The generation of current in ground and the reflection from the ionosphere are the main factors that reduce the emission into space. In the ionosphere wave fronts propagate approximately vertically, and the energy propagates in a certain direction that depends on the geomagnetic field inclination. Thus, the ionosphere acts as a focusing system that collects PLE into a unidirectional beam. The PLE intensity does not change with altitude within the total range of ionospheric heights. In the magnetosphere PLE is transformed to both magnetosonic and Alfvén waves and the emission splits into two rays: one propagates along the wave vector and the other one—along the geomagnetic field lines. A set of analytical solutions is presented allowing determining the change in PLE parameters with altitude depending on the source parameters and ionospheric conditions.
Investigating the Performance of CMIP6 Seasonal Precipitation Predictions and a Grid Based Model Heterogeneity Oriented Deep Learning Bias Correction Framework
Authors: Huang Bohan , Liu Zhu , Liu Su , Duan Qingyun
Published: December 2023

Climate change is expected to alter the magnitude and spatiotemporal patterns of hydro‐climate variables such as precipitation, which has significant impacts on the ecosystem, human societies and water security. Global Climate Models are the major tools to simulate historical as well as future precipitation. However, due to imperfect model structures, parameters and boundary conditions, direct model outputs are subject to large uncertainty, which needs serious evaluation and bias correction before usage. In this study, seasonal precipitation predictions from 30 Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models and Climate Research Unit observations are used to evaluate historical precipitation climatology in global continents during 1901–2014. A grid based model heterogeneity oriented Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is proposed to correct the ensemble mean precipitation bias ratio. Besides, regression based Linear Scaling (LS), distribution based Quantile Mapping (QM) and spatial correlation CNN bias correction approaches are employed for comparison. Results of model performance evaluation indicate that generally precipitation prediction is more reliable in JJA than DJF on the global scale. Most models tend to have larger bias ratio for extreme precipitation. In addition, current CMIP6 models still have certain issues in accurate simulation of precipitation in mountainous regions and the regions affected by complex climate systems. Moreover, the proposed grid based model heterogeneity oriented CNN has better performance in ensemble mean bias correction than LS, QM, and spatial correlation CNN, which could consider the relative model performance and capture the features similar to actual climate dynamics.
Aeolian Sediment Transport Responses to Vegetation Cover Change: Effects of Sampling Error on Model Uncertainty
Authors: Wojcikiewicz Robert R. K. , Webb Nicholas P. , Edwards Brandon L. , Van Zee Justin W. , Courtright Ericha M. , Cooper Brad F. , Hanan Niall P.
Published: December 2023

Although it is widely known that observations of aeolian sediment transport are susceptible to large sampling errors, sample designs are frequently used that do not sufficiently reduce the measurement uncertainties inherent in the study of aeolian processes. Here, we examine the influence of sample size (n) and sampling location on uncertainty in models of aeolian sediment transport responses to vegetation cover change. We compare measurements from a stratified random array of 27 horizontal sediment mass flux samplers to vegetative cover data collected at a 1 ha site over a period of nearly 6 years. To assess the sensitivity of modeled relationships between aeolian transport and vegetative cover to sample design, we analyze statistical regressions for all possible combinations of sample size and sampler locations. We show that at least 17 randomly located samplers are needed to consistently capture the sediment mass flux response to vegetative cover change. We found that multiple statistically significant models can describe the sediment flux‐vegetative cover relationship when using smaller sample sizes, demonstrating the risks of inferring sediment transport response from an underpowered sample design. Across vegetative functional groups, we found that woody cover generally influenced aeolian sediment transport rates more than herbaceous cover, while model uncertainty at large sample sizes (n > 17) showed the limitation of using vegetative cover as an indicator of aeolian sediment transport. Our results suggest an evaluation of sampling practices in aeolian sediment transport studies may be needed to avoid inferential errors that are likely pervasive in this field of study.
Limited Mitigation Potential of Forestation Under a High Emissions Scenario: Results From Multi‐Model and Single Model Ensembles
Authors: Loughran Tammas F. , Ziehn Tilo , Law Rachel , Canadell Josep G. , Pongratz Julia , Liddicoat Spencer , Hajima Tomohiro , Ito Akihiko , Lawrence David M. , Arora Vivek K.
Published: December 2023

Forestation is a major component of future long‐term emissions reduction and CO2 removal strategies, but the viability of carbon stored in vegetation under future climates is highly uncertain. We analyze the results from seven CMIP6 models for a combined scenario with high fossil fuel emissions (from SSP5‐8.5) and forest expansion (from SSP1‐2.6) which has ∼4.8% increase in global total forest cover relative to 2015. This scenario aims to demonstrate the ability of forestation strategies to mitigate climate change under continued increasing CO2 emissions and includes the potential impacts of increased CO2 concentration and a warming climate on vegetation growth. The model intercomparison shows that forestation as a CO2 removal strategy has limited impact on global climate under a high global warming scenario, despite generating a substantial cumulative carbon sink of 10–60 Pg C over the period 2015–2100. Using a single model ensemble, we show that there are local increases in warm extremes in response to forestation associated with decreases in the number of cool days. Furthermore, we find evidence of a shift in the global carbon balance, whereby increased carbon storage on land of ∼25 Pg C by 2100 associated with forestation has a concomitant decrease in the carbon uptake by the ocean due to reduced atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
Factors influencing JUUL e-cigarette nicotine vapour-induced reward, withdrawal, pharmacokinetics and brain connectivity in rats: sex matters
Authors: Frie Jude A. , McCunn Patrick , Eed Amr , Hassan Ahmad , Luciani Karling R. , Chen Chuyun , Tyndale Rachel F. , Khokhar Jibran Y.
Published: December 2023

Though vaping likely represents a safer alternative to smoking, it is not without risks, many of which are not well understood, especially for vulnerable populations. Here we evaluate the sex- and age-dependent effects of JUUL nicotine vapour in rats. Following passive nicotine vapour exposures (from 59 mg/ml JUUL nicotine pods), rats were evaluated for reward-like behaviour, locomotion, and precipitated withdrawal. Pharmacokinetics of nicotine and its metabolites in brain and plasma and the long-term impact of nicotine vapour exposure on functional magnetic resonance imaging-based brain connectivity were assessed. Adult female rats acquired conditioned place preference (CPP) at a high dose (600 s of exposure) of nicotine vapour while female adolescents, as well as male adults and adolescents did not. Adult and adolescent male rats displayed nicotine vapour-induced precipitated withdrawal and hyperlocomotion, while both adult and adolescent female rats did not. Adult females showed higher venous and arterial plasma and brain nicotine and nicotine metabolite concentrations compared to adult males and adolescent females. Adolescent females showed higher brain nicotine concentration compared to adolescent males. Both network-based statistics and between-component group connectivity analyses uncovered reduced connectivity in nicotine-exposed rats, with a significant group by sex interaction observed in both analyses. The short- and long-term effects of nicotine vapour are affected by sex and age, with distinct behavioural, pharmacokinetic, and altered network connectivity outcomes dependent on these variables.
The impact of pre-transplantation diabetes and obesity on acute graft-versus-host disease, relapse and death after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: a study from the EBMT Transplant Complications Working Party
Authors: Gjærde Lars Klingen , Ruutu Tapani , Peczynski Christophe , Boreland William , Kröger Nicolaus , Blaise Didier , Schroeder Thomas , Peffault de Latour Régis , Gedde-Dahl Tobias , Kulagin Aleksandr , Sengeløv Henrik , Yakoub-Agha Ibrahim , Finke Jürgen , Eder Matthias , Basak Grzegorz , Moiseev Ivan , Schoemans Hélène , Koenecke Christian , Penack Olaf , Perić Zinaida
Published: December 2023

Obesity and diabetes can modulate immune responses, which may impact allogeneic HCT outcomes and GvHD. From the EBMT registry, we included 36,539 adult patients who underwent allogeneic HCT for a hematological malignancy between 2016 and 2020. Of these, 5228 (14%) had obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), 1415 (4%) had diabetes (requiring treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycemics), and 688 (2%) had obesity + diabetes pre-transplantation. Compared with patients without diabetes or obesity, the hazard ratio (HR) of grade II–IV acute GvHD was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–1.06, p = 0.89) for patients with obesity, 0.95 (CI 0.85–1.07, p = 0.43) for patients with diabetes, and 0.96 (CI 0.82–1.13, p = 0.63) for patients with obesity + diabetes. Non-relapse mortality was higher in patients with obesity (HR 1.08, CI 1.00–1.17, p = 0.047), diabetes (HR 1.40, CI 1.24–1.57, p < 0.001), and obesity + diabetes (HR 1.38, CI 1.16–1.64, p < 0.001). Overall survival after grade II–IV acute GvHD was lower in patients with diabetes (HR 1.46, CI 1.25–1.70, p < 0.001). Pre-transplantation diabetes and obesity did not influence the risk of developing acute GvHD, but pre-transplantation diabetes was associated with poorer survival after acute GvHD.
Cancer CD39 drives metabolic adaption and mal-differentiation of CD4+ T cells in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Ying , Liu Mengdi , Zhang Lei , Liu Xiyu , Ji Huiyan , Wang Yan , Gui Jun , Yue Yan , Wen Zhenke
Published: December 2023

While ectonucleotidase CD39 is a cancer therapeutic target in clinical trials, its direct effect on T-cell differentiation in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that human NSCLC cells, including tumor cell lines and primary tumor cells from clinical patients, efficiently drive the metabolic adaption of human CD4+ T cells, instructing differentiation of regulatory T cells while inhibiting effector T cells. Of importance, NSCLC-induced T-cell mal-differentiation primarily depends on cancer CD39, as this can be fundamentally blocked by genetic depletion of CD39 in NSCLC. Mechanistically, NSCLC cells package CD39 into their exosomes and transfer such CD39-containing exosomes into interacting T cells, resulting in ATP insufficiency and AMPK hyperactivation. Such CD39-dependent NSCLC-T cell interaction holds well in patients-derived primary tumor cells and patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Accordingly, genetic depletion of CD39 alone or in combination with the anti-PD-1 immunotherapy efficiently rescues effector T cell differentiation, instigates anti-tumor T cell immunity, and inhibits tumor growth of PDOs. Together, targeting cancer CD39 can correct the mal-differentiation of CD4+ T cells in human NSCLC, providing in-depth insight into therapeutic CD39 inhibitors.
Epigenetic priming of an epithelial enhancer by p63 and CTCF controls expression of a skin-restricted gene XP33
Authors: Smirnov Artem , Lena Anna Maria , Tosetti Giulia , Yang Xue , Cappello Angela , Helmer Citterich Manuela , Melino Gerry , Candi Eleonora
Published: December 2023

The transcription factor p63 is a renowned master regulator of gene expression of stratified epithelia. While multiple proteins have been identified as p63 bona fide targets, little is known about non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) whose transcription is controlled by p63. Here, we describe a skin-specific non-coding RNA XP33 as a novel target of p63. XP33 levels are increased during keratinocyte differentiation in vitro, while its depletion results in decreased expression of late cornified gene LCE2D. By using publicly available multi-omics data, we show that CTCF and p63 establish an epithelial enhancer to prime XP33 transcription in a tissue-restricted manner. XP33 promoter and enhancer form a chromatin loop exclusively in keratinocytes but not in other cell types. Moreover, the XP33 enhancer is occupied by differentiation-specific factors that control XP33 transcription. Altogether, we identify a tissue-specific non-coding RNA whose expression is epigenetically regulated by p63 and CTCF.
The societal economic impact of vision impairment in adults 40 years and above: findings from the National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Braithwaite T. , Bailey H. , Bartholomew D. , Maharaj V. , Fraser A. , Deomansingh F. , Ramsewak S. S. , Tripathi V. , Sharma S. , Singh D. , Ramsewak S. S. , Bourne R. R. A. , Gray A.
Published: December 2023

Background

Understanding and mitigating the societal economic impact of vision impairment (VI) is important for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Aim

To estimate the prevalent societal economic impact of presenting VI in Trinidad and Tobago using bottom-up cost and utilisation data from the 2014 National Eye Survey of Trinidad and Tobago.

Methods

We took a societal perspective to combine comprehensive, individual-level cost and utilisation data, with population-based prevalence estimates for VI, and additional data from a contemporaneous national eyecare system survey. We included direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect (productivity loss) costs, and intangible losses in total cost estimates, presented in 2014 Trinidad & Tobago (TT) dollars and UK sterling equivalent. We considered but excluded transfer payments and dead weight losses. Sensitivity analyses explored impact on total cost of parameter uncertainty and assumptions.

Results

Individual utilisation and cost data were available for 65.5% (n = 2792/4263) and 59.0% (n = 2516/4263) eligible participants aged ≥40 years, respectively. Participant mean age was 58.4(SD 11.8, range 40–103) years, 56.3% were female. We estimated total societal cost of VI in 2014 at UK£365,650,241 (TT$3,842,324,655), equivalent to £675 per capita (population ≥40 years). Loss of wellbeing accounted for 73.3%. Excluding this, the economic cost was UK£97,547,222 (TT$1,025,045,399), of which indirect costs accounted for 70.5%, followed by direct medical costs (17.9%), and direct non-medical costs (11.6%).

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the economic impact of vision loss in a Caribbean country, and highlights the extent to which affected individuals and their families bear the societal economic cost of vision impairment.