bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of prognosis in geriatric patients attending the emergency department: a comparison between two common short geriatric assessment tools
Authors: Di Prazza Agnese , Canino Baldassare , Barbagallo Mario , Veronese Nicola
Published: November 2023

Background

The use of short geriatric tools in the emergency department (ED) is increasing, but the literature is still conflicting. The aim of this study is to compare the precision and the accuracy of two short geriatric assessment tools to predict mortality in a cohort of older patients attending the ED.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted including patients ≥ 65 years, attending the ED and transferred to a medical assessment unit from February to July 2022. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Brief Multidimensional Prognostic Index (Brief MPI) were administered. The association between Brief MPI and CFS and mortality was analysed via area under the curve (AUC) with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs), the C-statistics and a multivariate Cox’s regression analysis, in the latter case reporting the data as hazard ratios (HRs) with their 95% CI.

Results

Among the 579 patients enrolled (mean age: 77 years), both Brief MPI and CFS showed a good accuracy in predicting mortality (AUC: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.61–0.83 for Brief MPI; 0.754; 95% CI: 0.65–0.83 for CFS). The discrimination of Brief MPI and CFS in predicting mortality was excellent, since the C-index of the Brief MPI was 0.85 and of CFS = 0.84. In the multivariate analysis, the risk for mortality was significantly increased for frailer subjects (HR 4.65; 95% CI: 1.45–15.00 for Brief MPI > 0.66; HR = 9.24; 95% CI: 1.16–76.90 for CFS > 6).

Conclusions

Brief MPI and CFS showed a good accuracy/precision to predict mortality in older patients attending the ED. Considering that they are quick to perform, their introduction in ED clinical practice could be extremely helpful.
Potential side effects of the interaction between Phthorimaea absoluta parasitoids: the exotic Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris and the native Bracon nigricans
Authors: Mama Sambo Sahadatou , Ndlela Shepard , du Plessis Hannalene , Owino Esther Awuor , Mohamed Samira Abuelgasim
Published: November 2023

The coexistence and efficiency in pest control of introduced and native parasitoids can be challenging. Continuous observations of the cohabitation of parasitoid species could confirm the persistence of the introduced parasitoid in the ecosystem under co-existence scenarios. This study provides an example of such a co-existence for biocontrol of the invasive pest, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Two parasitoids, the introduced endoparasitoid Dolichogenidea gelechiidivoris (Marsh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the native ectoparasitoid Bracon nigricans Szépligeti (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were released in cages containing a tomato plant infested with P. absoluta. Parasitism and killing rate of P. absoluta by both parasitoid species, and the parasitoid and P. absoluta population were monitored weekly. The parasitoid species coexisted for seven weeks in the experimental units. Parasitism by D. gelechiidivoris was significantly affected by the presence of B. nigricans, with 73% and 22% parasitism in the absence and presence of B. nigricans, respectively. Parasitism by B. nigricans was not affected by its co-existence with D. gelechiidivoris. The number of D. gelechiidivoris adults increased eight-fold in five weeks in the absence of B. nigricans, while less than the initial number of adults were present in co-existence with B. nigricans. The P. absoluta infestation declined from the fifth week to 98% lesser than the control in all the treatments, either D. gelechiidivoris or B. nigricans as standalone treatments, as well as in combination. Since B. nigricans negatively affected D. gelechiidivoris population growth, releases of this introduced parasitoid should be considered with caution in areas where B. nigricans occurs.
Antibacterial finishing of textile materials using modified bentonite
Authors: Topalić-Trivunović Ljiljana , Savić Aleksandar , Petrović Rada , Bodroža Darko , Grujić Dragana , Mitrić Miodrag , Obrenović Zoran , Gajić Dragana , Imamović Mugdin
Published: November 2023

Direct application of heavy metals as antibacterial agents can cause skin irritations and discoloration of the tissue and it can result in short-term applicability. One of the ways to solve these problems is to immobilize these agents on bentonite. Treatment of textile materials with such activated bentonite for use in various branches of industry has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. The objective of the present study was to develop a potential use of Cu- and Zn-modified bentonites as antibacterial finishing agents for two textile materials, non-woven textile (NT) and knitted fabric (PL). The bentonite samples were characterized using ED-XRF (energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry), XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and BET (N2 adsorption-desorption) analyses. SiO2 and Al2O3 oxides were the main components of all bentonite samples indicated by ED-XRF analysis, while the XRPD analysis confirmed that the natural bentonite (NB) consisted of montmorillonite (Mnt) as the dominant mineral (peaks at 6.94, 19.94, 35.09, and 54.09°2θ) and small amounts of quartz and calcite. A reduction in the basal plane spacing, d001, of Mnt occurred in Cu/Zn-B1, Cu/Zn-B3, and CuB, while in Cu/Zn-B2 and ZnB the basal spacing increased. Also, the size and form of particles and porosity changed, which was confirmed by the BET analysis. Modified bentonite samples experienced a reduction in the specific surface area and total pore volume, as well as movement of the middle mesopore diameter toward the larger diameters. The Zn-modified bentonite demonstrated a greater antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus than Cu- and Na-modified bentonite samples with a MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of 0.94 mg/mL, while among Cu/Zn bentonite samples, Cu/Zn-B2 had the strongest antibacterial effect (MIC 0.47 mg/mL). Cu/Zn-B2 was integrated on NT and PL using a screen printing method and showed good antibacterial activity. The printed NT showed better activity than printed PL, and increasing the concentration of applied Cu/Zn-B2 also increased the antibacterial properties.
Treatment choice, mean square regret and partial identification
Authors: Kitagawa Toru , Lee Sokbae , Qiu Chen
Published: November 2023

We consider a decision maker who faces a binary treatment choice when their welfare is only partially identified from data. We contribute to the literature by anchoring our finite-sample analysis on mean square regret, a decision criterion advocated by Kitagawa et al. in (2022) "Treatment Choice with Nonlinear Regret" . We find that optimal rules are always fractional, irrespective of the width of the identified set and precision of its estimate. The optimal treatment fraction is a simple logistic transformation of the commonly used t-statistic multiplied by a factor calculated by a simple constrained optimization. This treatment fraction gets closer to 0.5 as the width of the identified set becomes wider, implying the decision maker becomes more cautious against the adversarial Nature.
Educational interventions to improve compliance with disinfection practices of noncritical portable medical equipment: A systematic review
Authors: Bhan Aarushi , Green Chloe V. , Liang Philpotts Lisa , Doherty Megan , Greenfield Andrea Silva , Courtney Amy , Shenoy Erica S.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

To describe educational interventions that have been implemented in healthcare settings to increase the compliance of healthcare personnel (HCP) with cleaning and disinfection of noncritical portable medical equipment (PME) requiring low-level disinfection (LLD).

Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

Studies evaluating interventions for improving LLD practices in settings with HCP, including healthcare students and trainees, were eligible for inclusion.

Results:

In total, 1,493 abstracts were identified and 1,416 were excluded, resulting in 77 studies that underwent full text review. Among these, 68 were further excluded due to study design, setting, or intervention. Finally, 9 full-text studies were extracted; 1 study was excluded during the critical appraisal process, leaving 8 studies. Various forms of interventions were implemented in the studies, including luminescence, surveillance of contamination with feedback, visual signage, enhanced training, and improved accessibility of LLD supplies. Of the 8 included studies, 4 studies reported successes in improving LLD practices among HCP.

Conclusions:

The available literature was limited, indicating the need for additional research on pedagogical methods to improve LLD practices. Use of visual indicators of contamination and multifaceted interventions improved LLD practice by HCP.
Invasion by Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) does not affect understory abundance or diversity in early-successional meadows
Authors: Nebhut Andrea N. , Dukes Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2023

Trait differences between invasive plants and the plants in their recipient communities moderate the impact of invaders on community composition. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryanaDecne.) is a fast-growing, stress-tolerant tree native to China that has been widely planted for its ornamental value. In recent decades,P. calleryanahas naturalized throughout the eastern United States, where it spreads rapidly and achieves high abundance in early-successional environments. Here we compare the impacts of low-density, establishment-phaseP. calleryanato those of functionally similar native trees on the understory community diversity and total cover of three early-successional meadows in Indiana’s Eastern Corn Belt Plains. In contrast to our prediction thatP. calleryanawould have greater negative effects on the total abundance and diversity of the understory plant community compared with native tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipiferaL.), American sycamore (Platanus occidentalisL.), or non-tree control plots, we found that these low-density populations ofP. calleryanahad no significant impact on total cover, species richness, or diversity indices for the understory community compared with the native trees and non-tree control plots. Likewise, the studied populations ofP. calleryanahad no significant impact on the native, introduced, woody, or native tree subsets of the understory community. These results indicate that in young, low-density populations situated in early-successional meadows, the trait differences betweenP. calleryanaand functionally similar native trees are not of a great enough magnitude to produce changes in community composition. Going forward, complementary research on the impacts ofP. calleryanaon community composition and ecosystem processes in areas with long-established, dense invasions or invasions in more sensitive ecosystems would allow us to more fully understand how this widespread invader disrupts its host ecosystems.
Genetic analysis of invasive spread of wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), a popular ornamental groundcover
Authors: Elam Robert J. , Culley Theresa M.
Published: November 2023

An important route of introduction of some nonnative species that subsequently become invasive in the United States is through horticulture. One such plant isEuonymus fortunei(Turcz.) Hand.-Maz., commonly known as wintercreeper, an evergreen groundcover with more than 52 different horticultural varieties, which is still sold at many plant nurseries and garden centers in the midwestern United States. Although several states have recognizedE. fortuneias an invasive species, it is unknown how its escape from cultivation has occurred and even the identity of spreading populations, including whether hybrids or cultivars are involved. Using codominant microsatellite markers, we sampled multiple invasive populations in Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, and Minnesota and compared their genotypes with commercially available cultivars to determine how spread has occurred. All samples collected from invasive populations were genetically identical to one another and matched perfectly with the ‘Coloratus’ cultivar, the only cultivar to exhibit polyploidy. The data also suggest thatE. fortuneimay potentially reproduce via apomixis and/or clonally through propagule fragments, which can quickly fix favorable genotypes within a population. To curb continued invasive spread, we suggest that Coloratus be removed from commercial sale and distribution. We also propose that land managers, horticultural and landscaping businesses, and governmental agencies carefully monitor otherEuonymuscultivars for invasive potential and spread.
A new model of dry firn-densification constrained by continuous strain measurements near South Pole
Authors: Stevens C. Max , Lilien David A. , Conway Howard , Fudge T. J. , Koutnik Michelle R. , Waddington Edwin D.
Published: November 2023

Converting measurements of ice-sheet surface elevation change to mass change requires measurements of accumulation and knowledge of the evolution of the density profile in the firn. Most firn-densification models are tuned using measured depth–density profiles, a method which is based on an assumption that the density profile in the firn is invariant through time. Here we present continuous measurements of firn-compaction rates in 12 boreholes near the South Pole over a 2 year period. To our knowledge, these are the first continuous measurements of firn compaction on the Antarctic plateau. We use the data to derive a new firn-densification algorithm framed as a constitutive relationship. We also compare our measurements to compaction rates predicted by several existing firn-densification models. Results indicate that an activation energy of 60 kJ mol−1, a value within the range used by current models, best predicts the seasonal cycle in compaction rates on the Antarctic plateau. Our results suggest models can predict firn-compaction rates with at best 7% uncertainty and cumulative firn compaction on a 2 year timescale with at best 8% uncertainty.
ON UNSUPERSTABLE THEORIES IN GDST
Authors: MORENO MIGUEL
Published: November 2023

We study the

$\kappa $

-Borel-reducibility of isomorphism relations of complete first-order theories by using coloured trees. Under some cardinality assumptions, we show the following: For all theories T and T’, if T is classifiable and T’ is unsuperstable, then the isomorphism of models of T’ is strictly above the isomorphism of models of T with respect to

$\kappa $

-Borel-reducibility.
Global perceptions of plastic pollution: The contours and limits of debate
Authors: Henderson Lesley
Published: November 2023

Plastic pollution is central to policy and public debates about anthropogenic damage to the environment. Negotiations for an international binding treaty to end plastic pollution provide a timely opportunity to analyse peer-reviewed papers concerning public perceptions of plastic pollution (n = 39). These focused on the impact of plastic pollution solely on the marine ecosystem, single-use plastics, barriers to recycling and risks of microplastics. Research studies explored public perceptions of ‘plastic pollution’, ‘marine plastic litter’, ‘marine plastic pollution’ and ‘plastic marine debris’. These terms are not interchangeable and frame the problem. Awareness links to media representations and personal ‘choices’ are limited by lack of options (extended producer responsibility schemes). There was limited discussion of reducing the aggregate global volume of plastics produced. Future research could explore perceptions of risk (toxic chemicals, bioplastics) plastics and climate change or plastics and global biodiversity loss (beyond turtles). The social meaning of plastics, the heterogeneity of audiences and the role of media in framing risks can help inform plastics-related policy. Social Sciences and media scholars are well placed to unpack the socio-cultural context in which plastics are intertwined in people’s everyday lives and how social meanings of plastics may change in response to global crises.
RECYCLED MALICE
Authors: Stark Findlay
Published: November 2023

The criminal law doctrine of “transferred malice” has been much discussed. What has gone comparatively unnoticed is the phenomenon of “recycled malice”. For example, those who endorse transferred malice would hold that, if D tries to shoot V, and the shot misses and hits T, D’s intention to hit V is “transferred” to T, and a completed offence against T is constructed. But many legal systems that endorse transferred malice also allow D to be convicted of an attempted offence against V. In other words, D’s intention to hit V can apparently be used multiple times. Once this phenomenon is noticed, a question arises over its justification and limits. This article argues that no convincing justification for recycling mens rea exists.
Lost in Transplantation: Revisiting Indigenous Principles as a Panacea to Natural Resource Sustainability in Nigeria
Authors: Gbadegesin Opeyemi A
Published: November 2023

Although legal transplants are a most fertile source of legal development, a failure to adapt their methods to local traditions and cultures before putting them into practice often results in the loss of indigenous legal cultures. This article examines environmental jurisprudence in Nigeria. It aims to determine whether the failure of these laws to curb the trend of unsustainable natural resource use in the country is traceable to the indigenous legal cultures of sustainability that were lost in the process of transplanting colonial ideologies into the Nigerian legal system. The article submits that neglecting the innate standards of sustainability in Nigeria's environmental law-making (a practice adopted since the period of colonization) has made the extant laws on natural resource sustainability largely ineffective. It recommends reworking some of the laws to reflect the lost traditions and notes the cultural imperative for natural resource sustainability.
Firm Size, Capital Investment, and Debt Financing over Industry Business Cycles
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Yerramilli Vijay
Published: November 2023

We find that capital investment and net debt issuance of large firms are, on average, more sensitive to industry business cycles than those of small firms, in stark contrast to the effect of size on investment sensitivity to macroeconomic cycles. We theoretically examine the role of firm size on firms’ responses to industry shocks. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we find that large firms exhibit greater sensitivity to industry cycles than small firms in their investment and net debt issuance only in industries with low cyclical variability of markups and production growth, high fixed cost intensity, high market-to-book, and high markups.
Nominal U.S. Treasuries Embed Liquidity Premiums, Too
Authors: Durham J. Benson
Published: November 2023

A novel arbitrage-free model of nominal U.S. Treasuries that decomposes yields into frictionless expected rates, frictionless term premiums, and liquidity premiums produces four key results from Jan. 1987 to Aug. 2023. First, liquidity loadings are larger than for the slope and higher-order principal components. Second, the countercyclicality of required nominal Treasury returns owes to liquidity, if anything, not frictionless term premiums. Third, Federal Reserve large-scale asset purchases generally work through expected rates and frictionless term premiums, not liquidity premiums. Fourth, given similar estimates using TIPS, inflation expectations are less moored around the Federal Reserve’s price objectives than other models say.
How I do it: novel use of a modified nasopharyngeal airway in laryngotracheal stenosis as a temporary stent
Authors: Ghauth Sakina , Tan Sien Hui
Published: November 2023

Background

This paper reports the innovative use of a modified nasopharyngeal airway device as a temporary stent in patients with laryngotracheal stenosis. It also discusses the technique of endoscopic stent placement, and our experience in terms of the indications and suitability.

Method

The nasopharyngeal airway device was modified to use as an airway stent by trimming it to the desired length. Next, the stent was inserted endoscopically and anchored using a novel approach.

Results

The surgery was performed successfully without complications. The patients had full use of their voice while the stent was in situ. No significant granulation tissue was observed.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of using a nasopharyngeal airway device as a temporary stent to prevent restenosis in cases where the patients have a strong demand for phonation. The modified nasopharyngeal airway device is potentially very promising, but cases must be selected carefully to avoid compromising efficacy and safety.
Using SMS surveys to understand songbird ownership and shark product consumption in Indonesia
Authors: Nuruliawati  , Mardhiah Ulfah , Muktamarianti Ade Indah , Muttaqin Efin , Sheherazade  , Surya Selly , Nugroho Agung , Rahmadi Cahyo , Widiyanto Daniwari , Leggett Matthew , Mardiah Sofi , Veríssimo Diogo
Published: November 2023

The unsustainable use of wildlife increases the risk of species extinction. In biodiversity-rich Indonesia, information on the scale of wildlife use is limited and requires further study. To address this, we explored the potential of text messaging (short message service; SMS) surveys to investigate levels and spatial patterns of domestic wildlife use, using songbird keeping and shark consumption as case studies because of their widespread occurrence in all 34 Indonesian provinces. We sent 340,000 messages for each survey during October–November 2018 and incentivized responses with a mobile data package as reward. We obtained survey response rates of 1.4% (songbird ownership) and 1.5% (shark consumption). Our results revealed an estimated 175.7 million songbirds being kept by 35% (80.4–86.6 million) of the Indonesian population and 33.5 million people (14% of the Indonesian population) to have consumed shark products in their lifetime. We identified hotspots of songbird ownership in several provinces in Java, corroborating previous findings, and new ones in the North Sumatra province, for example. The provinces of Maluku, Aceh and East Nusa Tenggara had the highest numbers of reported shark consumers per 1,000 people. Responses indicated a wide variety of shark products being consumed, highlighting the need for in-depth research to understand the explanatory factors behind these practices. These findings demonstrate the potential of SMS surveys to be a cost-effective approach for conducting large-scale studies on wildlife consumption patterns over a short period of time.
The relationship between nut consumption and premature coronary artery disease in a representative sample of Iranians: Iran-premature coronary artery disease (IPAD) study
Authors: Mohammadifard Noushin , Alavi Tabatabaei Ghazaal , Haghighatdoost Fahimeh , Zarepur Ehsan , Nouri Fatemeh , Javanbakht Sahel , Nouhi Fereidoon , Alikhasi Hassan , Kazemi Tooba , Azdaki Nahid , Salehi Nahid , Solati Kamal , Lotfizadeh Masoud , Ghaffari Samad , Javanmardi Elmira , Salari Arsalan , Dehghani Mostafa , Cheraghi Mostafa , Assareh Ahmadreza , Haybar Habib , Namayandeh Seyedeh Mahdieh , Madadi Reza , Sarrafzadegan Nizal
Published: November 2023

Objective:

The cardioprotective effects of nuts are well established. However, the positive impacts of nuts in preventing CVD at a younger age, a condition known as premature coronary artery disease (PCAD), is still debated. Therefore, we aim to determine the association between nuts and PCAD occurrence and its severity in different Iranian ethnicities.

Design:

This case–control study was conducted within the framework of the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD) study, an ongoing multi-centric study on Iranian patients of different ethnicities.

Setting:

This multi-centric case–control study was conducted in among 3253 persons under the age of 70 years in women and 60 years in men from different ethnicities in Iran.

Participants:

Information on nut consumption was collected using a validated FFQ. Subjects were selected from among the candidates for angiography. Cases were those whose coronary angiography showed stenosis of more than 75 % in at least one vessel or more than 50 % of the left main artery, while the control group participants had normal angiography results.

Results:

In the crude model, compared to the first quartile, the highest quartile of nut consumption was significantly associated with a lower risk of PCAD (OR = 0·26, 95 % CI (0·21, 0·32); Pfor trend = 0·001). In the top quartile of nut intake, a substantial decrease in PCAD was observed after controlling for putative confounders (OR = 0·32; 95 % CI (0·24, 0·43); Pfor trend = 0·001). Additionally, a 75 % decrease in the risk of severe PCAD was observed in the participants in the highest quartile of nut intake.

Conclusion:

A significant inverse association was observed between nut intake and the risk and severity of PCAD in the Iranian population. Large-scale clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.
Multipoint Cluster Observations of Kinetic Alfvén Waves, Electron Energization, and O+ Ion Outflow Response in the Mid‐Altitude Cusp Associated With Solar Wind Pressure and/or IMF BZ Variations
Authors: Hull Arthur J. , Chaston Christopher C. , Damiano Peter A.
Published: November 2023

We report the properties of low frequency (LF) electromagnetic fluctuations (≤11 Hz) in relation to input electron and ion outflow response observed by Cluster in the mid‐altitude cusp during high solar wind dynamic pressure PSW and active magnetospheric conditions (Kp = 4+). The multipoint observations reveal the dynamic interplay between the spatial‐temporal properties of the wave and electron inputs and the ion outflow response enabling an assessment of causal connections. The LF waves are identified as ingoing traveling Alfvén waves that become dispersive at the ion gyroradius scale (i.e., kinetic Alfvén waves KAWs). The KAWs are collocated with ingoing field‐aligned electrons and ion outflow at keV energies and below. The KAWs are associated with earthward directed Poynting fluxes and energy densities with peak amplitudes occurring at multiple energy enhancements (“step‐ups”) exhibited in the electrons and ions, attributed to IMF BZ and/or PSW variations. Indicative of a causal connection, KAW Poynting fluxes and energy densities are strongly correlated with precipitating electron energy fluxes and outflowing O+ energies and energy fluxes. These yield mid‐altitude cusp empirical relationships that can be incorporated into or constrain cusp transport models. These results demonstrate the important role played by KAWs in enhancing electron precipitation into the cusp ionosphere and subsequent O+ energization upward along the magnetic field into the mid‐altitude cusp and beyond. The results also suggest the importance of PSW and/or IMF BZ variations in driving/controlling the reconnection source Alfvén wave and electron inputs into the cusp that significantly impact the ion outflow process.
Multiscale Spatio‐Temporal Variations of Suspended Sediment Fronts in the Semi‐Enclosed Bohai Sea, China
Authors: Du Yunfei , Zhang Jicai , Bian Changwei , Fang Xiaoyu , Cheng Jun , Wang Guansuo , Zhu Jianrong , Wang Ya Ping
Published: November 2023

Suspended sediment fronts (SSFs) significantly affect water quality, ecology, and geomorphological evolution of estuarine and coastal waters. Based on 10‐year suspended sediment concentration data derived from satellite images, the multiscale spatio‐temporal variability of SSFs in the Bohai Sea was studied. Frontal probability (FP) was used to quantify the intensity of frontal activity. The 10‐year averaged FP was higher near the coast and decreased with increasing offshore distance. The arc‐shaped distributions of FP near the Yellow River Estuary revealed two tidal shear frontal zones. In the eastern Bohai Sea, 13 finger‐shaped high‐FP areas reflected the spatial pattern and fine structures of tidal sand ridges. The complex topography and strong tidal dynamics provided the essential conditions for frontogenesis. The seasonality of frontal activity was dominantly regulated by the change in wind waves associated with monsoons and stratification. The direct or indirect effects of sediment discharges from the Yellow River and Liaohe River on seasonal and annual variations of frontal activity only existed within close proximity to the estuaries. Frontal activity generally showed an interannual weakening trend, especially in the Laizhou Bay (−0.27%/yr), while an opposite trend was identified in the Liaodong Bay (0.10%/yr). This phenomenon was related to the interannual variations of wind speeds. Meanwhile, wind speed anomalies caused by El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events could explain the significant interannual fluctuations in frontal activity such that, frontal activity was significantly enhanced (suppressed) when El Niño (La Niña) events occurred, especially during 2015–2016 (2017–2018).
A Mechanism for the Generation of a Warm SST Anomaly in the Western Equatorial Pacific: A Pathway Perspective
Authors: Gao Chuan , Zhang Rong‐Hua
Published: November 2023

Processes leading to the onset and development of an El Niño event in the tropical Pacific remain elusive. Observed data and Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) simulations are used to reveal a well‐defined pattern of sea surface temperature (SST) perturbations along the mean North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) pathways in association with the onset and evolution of some El Niño events. The OGCM‐based sensitivity experiments are conducted to illustrate how a warm SST anomaly (SSTA) on the equator can result from a thermal forcing that is prescribed north of 10°N, similar to observed SST anomalies in December 1988. Within approximately one year, the imposed SST anomaly north of 10°N tends to be transported to the dateline region on the equator by the mean ocean circulation in the western Pacific (the low‐latitude western boundary current and the NECC). In due course, an upper‐layer ocean warming is generated off the equator at 6–10°N and then on the equator, which acts to induce a westerly wind anomaly response; a simple statistical atmospheric wind stress model is then used to depict an expected westerly wind response. These resultant SST and surface wind perturbations can couple together over the western tropical Pacific, forming air‐sea interactions and setting up a stage for El Niño onset. As such, this pathway mechanism can reasonably well explain the first appearance of a warm SST anomaly on the equator in the dateline region and the corresponding development of westerly wind anomalies over the western Pacific in association with El Niño onset.
Aquifer Stress History Contributes to Historic Shift in Subsidence in the San Joaquin Valley, California
Authors: Smith Ryan
Published: November 2023

The San Joaquin Valley, California has experienced dramatic subsidence over the past 100 years, but the regions with the most subsidence have shifted dramatically over this time period, from west (Kettleman City/Los Banos) to south (Tulare/Pixley/Corcoran). To date, no study has done an in‐depth analysis of the mechanisms driving this shift in subsidence. We analyze head records, utilizing a novel approach that assimilates change in head data from multiple overlapping time periods, to produce an 80‐year record of change in head over both the historical and modern regions of greatest subsidence. We then calibrate a deformation model to fit both historical (measured with leveling surveys) and modern (measured with Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, or InSAR) data sets. We find that the stress history of the Kettleman City/Los Banos region with historically high subsidence plays a large role in reducing modern subsidence in that region, while declining heads in both regions are likely to result in major subsidence over the next several decades. This study highlights the need for active groundwater management to mitigate ongoing and future subsidence. One key data set needed in this effort is accurate long‐term head histories to reconstruct the stress history of aquifers for accurate deformation modeling.
Depression, anxiety, and stress among COVID-19 patients in South Sinai, Egypt: prevalence and associated predictors
Authors: Gad Basma Khairy , Arafa Mostafa Ahmed , Attia Ashraf Farouk , Farahat Ahmed Hassanin , Abdou Marwa Shawky
Published: November 2023

Infectious diseases trigger fear and anxiety among patients leading to disturbance in psychological health of patients. Psychological symptoms were found during SARS-COV-1 epidemic which raise the curiosity about their presence with SARS-COV-2 infection. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence and severity of psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, and stress) among COVID-19 patients and their associated significant predictors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 patients infected with COVID-19 in South Sinai governorate, Egypt, during the period June 2021 through January 2022. Patients with positive PCR test for COVID-19 were included if no more than 6 months have passed after being isolated in the hospital or at home. The patients were being contacted after being cured from COVID-19. The Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress was used to assess the psychological status of patients. Multivariate linear regression analysis was done to detect the predictors of psychiatric symptoms among patients. A total of 382 participants with mean age of 41.5 ± 15.0 years old, of whom 72.5% were males were included in the study. 91.6% of participants had all the three studied psychological disorders; depression, anxiety and stress with most of participants had either severe or extremely severe conditions (13.9 and 75.7 for anxiety, 22.8 and 46.3% for depression, 38.5 and % 19.6 for stress, respectively). Healthcare workers had higher prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and stress. In bivariate analysis, educational level, HCWs and visiting healthcare facility were significantly affecting DASS scores. In linear regression analysis, hospital admission was the main predictor of the three psychological disorders. In Conclusion, majority of patients affected with COVID-19 suffered from symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress within six months after being infected. Hospital admission was found to be the main predictor of the presence of psychiatric disorders with prolonged recovery time from COVID-19 infection. More attention should be paid to COVID-19 patient’s mental health as psychological care and presence of psychiatric in the isolation hospitals should be considered.
Rotation-based schedules in elementary schools to prevent COVID-19 spread: a simulation study
Authors: Brom Cyril , Diviák Tomáš , Drbohlav Jakub , Korbel Václav , Levínský René , Neruda Roman , Kadlecová Gabriela , Šlerka Josef , Šmíd Martin , Trnka Jan , Vidnerová Petra
Published: November 2023

Rotations of schoolchildren were considered as a non-pharmacological intervention in the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the impact of different rotation and testing schedules.We built an agent-based model of interactions among pupils and teachers based on a survey in an elementary school in Prague, Czechia. This model contains 624 schoolchildren and 55 teachers and about 27 thousands social contacts in 10 layers. The layers reflect different types of contacts (classroom, cafeteria, etc.) in the survey. On this multi-graph structure we run a modified SEIR model of covid-19 infection. The parameters of the model are calibrated on data from the outbreak in the Czech Republic in spring 2020. Weekly rotations of in-class and distance learning are an effective preventative measure in schools reducing the spread of covid-19 by 75–81% . Antigen testing twice a week or PCR once a week significantly reduces infections even when using tests with a lower sensitivity. The structure of social contacts between pupils and teachers strongly influences the transmission. While the density of contact graphs for older pupils is 1.5 times higher than for younger pupils, the teachers’ network is an order of magnitude denser. Teachers moreover act as bridges between groups of children, responsible for 14–18% of infections in the secondary school compared to 8–11% in the primary school. Weekly rotations with regular testing are a highly effective non-pharmacological intervention for the prevention of covid-19 spread in schools and a way to keep schools open during an epidemic.
Voluntary alcohol intake alters the motivation to seek intravenous oxycodone and neuronal activation during the reinstatement of oxycodone and sucrose seeking
Authors: Wilkinson Courtney S. , Blount Harrison L. , Davis Shane , Rojas Giselle , Wu Lizhen , Murphy Niall P. , Schwendt Marek , Knackstedt Lori A.
Published: November 2023

Opioid-alcohol polysubstance use is prevalent and worsens treatment outcomes. Here we assessed whether co-consumption of oxycodone and alcohol influence the intake of one another, demand for oxycodone, and the neurocircuitry underlying cue-primed reinstatement of oxycodone-seeking. Male and female rats underwent oxycodone intravenous self-administration (IVSA) with homecage access to alcohol (20% v/v) and/or water immediately after the IVSA session. Next, economic demand for intravenous oxycodone was assessed while access to alcohol and/or water continued. Control rats self-administered sucrose followed by access to alcohol and/or water. Rats underwent a cue-primed reinstatement test and brains were processed for c-fos mRNA expression. While both sexes decreased oxycodone intake if they had access to alcohol, and decreased alcohol intake if they had access to oxycodone, only female oxycodone + alcohol rats exhibited decreased demand elasticity and increased cue-primed reinstatement. Alcohol consumption increased the number of basolateral and central amygdala neurons activated during sucrose and oxycodone reinstatement and the number of ventral and dorsal striatum neurons engaged by sucrose reinstatement. Nucleus accumbens shell dopamine 1 receptor expressing neurons displayed activation patterns consistent with oxycodone reinstatement. Thus, alcohol alters the motivation to seek oxycodone in a sex-dependent manner and the neural circuitry engaged by cue-primed reinstatement of sucrose and oxycodone-seeking.
An adaptively multi-correlations aggregation network for skeleton-based motion recognition
Authors: Yin Xinpeng , Zhong Jianqi , Lian Deliang , Cao Wenming
Published: November 2023

Previous work based on Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) has shown promising performance in 3D skeleton-based motion recognition. We believe that the 3D skeleton-based motion recognition problem can be explained as a modeling task of dynamic skeleton-based graph construction. However, existing methods fail to model human poses with dynamic correlations between human joints, ignoring the information contained in the skeleton structure of the non-connected relationship during human motion modeling. In this paper, we propose an Adaptively Multi-correlations Aggregation Network(AMANet) to capture dynamic joint dependencies embedded in skeleton graphs, which includes three key modules: the Spatial Feature Extraction Module (SFEM), Temporal Feature Extraction Module (TFEM), and Spatio-Temporal Feature Extraction Module (STFEM). In addition, we deploy the relative coordinates of the joints of various parts of the human body via moving frames of Differential Geometry. On this basis, we design a Data Preprocessing Module (DP), enriching the characteristics of the original skeleton data. Extensive experiments are conducted on three public datasets(NTU-RGB+D 60, NTU-RGB+D 120, and Kinetics-Skeleton 400), demonstrating our proposed method’s effectiveness.
Association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with physical activity domains and types
Authors: Vanhelst Jérémy , Srour Bernard , Bourhis Laurent , Charreire Hélène , VerdotDeschasaux-Tanguy Charlotte Mélanie , Druesne-Pecollo Nathalie , de Edelenyi Fabien Szabo , Allègre Julien , Allès Benjamin , Deschamps Valérie , Bellicha Alice , Fezeu Leopold K. , Galan Pilar , Julia Chantal , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle , Hercberg Serge , Bajos Nathalie , Severi Gianluca , Zins Marie , de Lamballerie Xavier , Carrat Fabrice , Oppert Jean-Michel , Touvier Mathilde ,   the SAPRIS, SAPRIS-SERO Study Groups, Blanché Hélène , Deleuze Jean-François , Lusivika-Nzinga Clovis , Pannetier Gregory , Lapidus Nathanael , Goderel Isabelle , Dorival Céline , Nicol Jérôme , Robineau Olivier , Kab Sofiane , Renuy Adeline , Le-Got Stéphane , Ribet Céline , Pellicer Mireille , Wiernik Emmanuel , Goldberg Marcel , Artaud Fanny , Gerbouin-Rérolle Pascale , Enguix Mélody , Laplanche Camille , Gomes-Rima Roselyn , Hoang Lyan , Correia Emmanuelle , Barry Alpha Amadou , Senina Nadège , Esseddik Younes , Deschasaux Mélanie , Sébaoun Jean-Marc , Beaudoin Jean-Christophe , Gressin Laetitia , Morel Valérie , Ouili Ouissam , Ninove Laetitia , Priet Stéphane , Villarroel Paola Mariela Saba , Fourié Toscane , Ali Souand Mohamed , Amroun Abdenour , Seston Morgan , Ayhan Nazli , Pastorino Boris
Published: November 2023

Lockdown imposed in the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak represented a specific setting where activity was restricted but still possible. The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between physical activity (PA) and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a French population-based cohort. Participants completed a PA questionnaire. PA was classified into: (i) total PA; (ii) aerobic PA by intensity; (iii) strengthening PA; (iv) PA by domain and type; and (vii) by location. Sedentary time was also recorded. Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression models controlling for sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric data, health status, and adherence to recommended protective anti-SARS-CoV-2 behaviours were computed. From 22,165 participants included, 21,074 (95.1%) and 1091 (4.9%) had a negative and positive ELISA-S test result, respectively. Total PA, vigorous PA, leisure-time PA, household PA, outdoor PA and indoor PA were all associated with lower probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Observations made in such a setting shed light on PA possibilities in a context of restricted mobility, where the health benefits of PA should not be overlooked. Along with already well-established benefits of PA for non-communicable disease prevention, these findings provide additional evidence for policies promoting all types of PA as a lever for population health.
Gamma irradiation-enhanced performance of waste LLDPE thermally transformed into advanced sponge-like material for oil decontamination
Authors: Gayed H. M. , Ghobashy Mohamed Mohamady
Published: November 2023

In this study, the development of advanced materials for the removal of oil–water pollution was explored, with a focus on environmental protection. The primary novelty of this research involved the conversion of waste Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) into a sponge-like material denoted as sLLDPE. The process of converting involved thermal treatment in castor oil, resulting in the creation of a porous structure within the material. This sLLDPE material exhibited remarkable oil adsorbent properties and demonstrated enhanced performance in the removal of various organic contaminants from both aqueous and oil-based systems. Furthermore, gamma irradiation-induced crosslinking reactions were implemented within a dose range of 0 up to 90 kGy to further improve its oil removal capabilities. Comparing samples subjected to a radiation dose of 50 kGy with those receiving no irradiation (0 kGy), it was observed that the maximum adsorption capacities for various oils, including crude oil, gasoline oil, motor oil, pump oil, and waste oil, increased significantly. Specifically, the adsorption capacities increased by approximately 216.2%, 235.3%, 24.1%, 111.5%, and 18.6% for the respective oils. It rapidly separated oil–water mixtures with ~ 100% efficiency in a column system and maintained performance over 20 reuse cycles. The converted sLLDPE sponge exhibited excellent organics removal across solvents. The findings of this study not only shed light on the impact of irradiation on polymeric materials but also contribute to our understanding of their potential applications in environmental cleanup processes.
Seismic response analysis of super-high-rise building structures with three-layer isolation systems
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Guo Zhongfa , Liu Dewen , Sun Weiwei
Published: November 2023

This paper proposes a triple-layer isolation device based on the single-story isolation and double-layer isolation. By establishing dynamic equilibrium equations and conducting earthquake response comparative analyses on the same super-tall building structure using three different forms of isolation: single-story isolation, double-layer isolation, and triple-layer isolation, it is found that the triple-layer isolation device, which adds an isolation layer on the basis of the double-layer isolation device, exhibits many different characteristics in terms of its damping mechanism, seismic response rules, etc., due to the differences in the position and quantity of the isolation layer. Rare earthquakes are equivalent to ASCE maximum considered earthquake or annual occurrence probability of 2%. The research shows that, under rare earthquake conditions, the isolation effect of the triple-layer isolation device in the super-tall frame-shear structure is better than that of the single-story isolation and double-layer isolation devices. Particularly, as the number of floors increases, the triple-layer isolation device can significantly reduce the seismic isolation support tension and compression stresses, inter-story displacement, single-story shear force, overturning moment, and floor acceleration of the high-rise building structure, and concentrate the lateral displacement of the structure on the three isolation layers, dissipating most of the seismic input energy.
Research on blasting mechanism and blasting effect of aqueous media in open pit coal mines
Authors: Ding Xiaohua , Liu Xin , Ao Zhongchen , Qin Hao , Li Xiaoshuang , Huang Kexin , Xiao Shuangshuang , Wu Mao , Zhang Donghua , Zhu Chun
Published: November 2023

Surface coal mining procedures include piercing—blasting—mining and loading—transportation—discharging, blasting link exists due to the poor blasting effect leads to low loading efficiency, blasting dust caused by environmental pollution and other problems. In this paper, from the mechanical characteristics of the water medium, we analyze in detail the transferring effect, transducing effect and bubble pulsation phenomenon of the water medium in the blasting process. The results show that when the blasting medium is water medium, the maximum principal stress is 1.53 times that of air medium; the peak energy transfer can be up to 2.73 times that of air medium. With the help of TrueGrid/LS-DYNA finite element analysis software to simulate the dynamic process of blasting, the study of the maximum principal stresses around the hole, the top of the slope, the foot of the slope on the maximum principal stress changes, the results show that the maximum principal stresses around the hole, the top of the slope, the foot of the slope unit with the increase in the water content is gradually increasing trend. Finally, combined with the actual mine production conditions for blasting field test, water-mediated blasting dust reduction rate of 75%, the use of AHP—fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method of two groups of traditional dry hole blasting and three groups of water-mediated blasting comprehensive evaluation, the results show that the water-mediated blasting scores are higher than the traditional dry hole blasting, proving that the water-mediated blasting has a certain prospect of engineering applications.