bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of submergence ratio on flow and drag forces generated by a long rectangular array of rigid cylinders at the sidewall of an open channel
Authors: Koken Mete , Constantinescu George
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses how the submergence ratio, defined as the ratio between the flow depth, D, and the height, h, of the solid rigid cylinders forming the array affects flow and turbulence structure inside and around a rectangular array of cylinders placed adjacent to one of the channel sidewalls. As the array becomes submerged, a vertical shear layer develops in between the top face of the array and the free surface, which strongly increases flow three-dimensionality and modifies how the momentum exchange between the array and the surrounding open water regions occurs with respect to the case of an emerged array where only a horizontal shear layer forms as part of the incoming flow approaching the array is deflected laterally. Eddy-resolving simulations are conducted for several values of the solid volume fraction, ϕ, and of the submergence ratio, 1.0 ≤ D/h ≤ 4.0. Similar to the limiting case of an emerged array (D/h = 1.0), the width- and depth-averaged streamwise velocity inside the array reaches a constant value after an initial adjustment region in the submerged-array cases. For D/h ≥ 1.33, the mean normal velocities through the top and side faces of the array do not become equal to zero downstream of the initial adjustment region. The flow inside the array reaches an equilibrium regime where the local flux of fluid leaving the array through its side face is balanced by the local flux of fluid entering the array through its top face. This regime is observed until close to the end of the array. For D/h ≥ 2.0, the horizontal shear layer vortices do not generate successive regions of high and low streamwise velocity and bed friction velocity inside the array, as is observed in the emerged cases. With respect to the emerged case, the size of the shear layer vortices and the shear layer width increase for low submergence ratios before decreasing rapidly for D/h ≥ 1.33. Significant three-dimensional effects are present inside the array and the horizontal shear layer for cases with both emerged and submerged arrays. In the ϕ = 0.08 cases, strong upwelling and downwelling motions are observed inside the array for D/h ≥ 1.33, while the circulation of the streamwise-oriented cell of secondary flow forming close to the lateral face of the array peaks when the submergence ratio is close to 1.33. For constant ϕ, the total streamwise drag force normalized with the height and width of the array increases with increasing submergence ratio. As the array submergence increases, the cylinders near the front of the array contribute less to the total force acting on the cylinders forming the array. For constant D/h, the total streamwise drag force acting on the array increases with ϕ for the submerged and emerged cases.
The Geography of Racially Polarized Voting: Calibrating Surveys at the District Level
Authors: KURIWAKI SHIRO , ANSOLABEHERE STEPHEN , DAGONEL ANGELO , YAMAUCHI SOICHIRO
Published: June 2023

Debates over racial voting, and over policies to combat vote dilution, turn on the extent to which groups’ voting preferences differ and vary across geography. We present the first study of racial voting patterns in every congressional district (CD) in the United States. Using large-sample surveys combined with aggregate demographic and election data, we find that national-level differences across racial groups explain 60% of the variation in district-level voting patterns, whereas geography explains 30%. Black voters consistently choose Democratic candidates across districts, whereas Hispanic and white voters’ preferences vary considerably across geography. Districts with the highest racial polarization are concentrated in the parts of the South and Midwest. Importantly, multiracial coalitions have become the norm: in most CDs, the winning majority requires support from non-white voters. In arriving at these conclusions, we make methodological innovations that improve the precision and accuracy when modeling sparse survey data.
Groups of small period growth
Authors: Petschick Jan Moritz
Published: June 2023

We construct finitely generated groups of small period growth, i.e. groups where the maximum order of an element of word length n grows very slowly in n. This answers a question of Bradford related to the lawlessness growth of groups and is connected to an approximative version of the restricted Burnside problem.
‘I can still drive a car.’ Self-presentation in later life and the symbolic value of driving
Authors: Róin Tóra , Petersen Maria Skaalum , Róin Ása
Published: June 2023

This qualitative study draws attention to the symbolic value of driving or having a valid driver’s licence among older adults as part of their impression management. While several studies have focused on driving behaviour, safety, risk factors and not least the consequences of driving cessation, the present study from the Faroe Islands contributes to the body of knowledge concerning older adults and driving by bringing an impression management lens to this issue. Social constructionism formed both the theoretical and methodological approach and data came from interviews with three couples and eight individuals in their eighties. All the male participants still had their driver’s licence and were active drivers except for one. Among the women, four had driver’s licences and three were active drivers. Our findings point to the necessity of understanding the reluctance to give up driving as being not only related to quality of life, mobility and independence, but also being highly related to preserving one’s identity as a competent and ‘not that old’ person. Contrary to common prejudices against older drivers, the findings also showed that these participants reported self-regulation adjustments to continue driving safely. The study indicates a need to support older drivers to continue driving if they wish to do so. It is not only a question of mobility or being independent, but also related to preserving one’s social identity in later life.
Seed anatomy and dormancy class of 14 species from the Andean montane forests of Colombia
Authors: Rojas-Villa Jose M. , Quijano-Abril Mario A.
Published: June 2023

Seed dormancy is a key trait used around the world to help understand the ecological dynamics of plant species, however, in some ecosystems such as the Andean forests of Colombia, the identification of dormancy class remains poorly known. To address this, we described the morphology, anatomy and dormancy class of the seeds and fruits of 14 species using microtome sections, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Five native pioneer species showed Morphophysiological Dormancy, three Physical Dormancy + Physiological Dormancy and two Physical Dormancy, whereas two invasive species showed Physiological Dormancy. Only the species of the genusCecropiahad seeds with PY + PD that was promoted by the anatomical structure of the achenes. Of the analysed species, 85% showed dormancy and followed a pattern like other tropical montane ecosystems in the world. The anatomy of achenes and development of seed dormancy play important roles in the capacity ofCecropiaspecies to contribute to the natural regeneration of Andean ecosystems. Additionally, seed dormancy may promote the high invasiveness ofThunbergia alataandUlex europaeusin the Andean forests of the Central Cordillera of Colombia.
Psychedelics, Meaningfulness, and the “Proper Scope” of Medicine: Continuing the Conversation
Authors: Cheung Katherine , Patch Kyle , Earp Brian D. , Yaden David B.
Published: June 2023

Psychedelics such as psilocybin reliably produce significantly altered states of consciousness with a variety of subjectively experienced effects. These include certain changes to perception, cognition, and affect,1 which we refer to here as the acute subjective effects of psychedelics. In recent years, psychedelics such as psilocybin have also shown considerable promise as therapeutic agents when combined with talk therapy, for example, in the treatment of major depression or substance use disorder.2 However, it is currently unclear whether the aforementioned acute subjective effects are necessary to bring about the observed therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other psychedelics. This uncertainty has sparked a lively—though still largely hypothetical—debate on whether psychedelics without subjective effects (“nonsubjective psychedelics” or “non-hallucinogenic psychedelics”) could still have the same therapeutic impact, or whether the acute subjective effects are in fact necessary for this impact to be fully realized.3,4,5
Cortical thickness moderates intraindividual variability in prefrontal cortex activation patterns of older adults during walking
Authors: Ross Daliah , Wagshul Mark E. , Izzetoglu Meltem , Holtzer Roee
Published: June 2023

Objective:

Increased intraindividual variability (IIV) in behavioral and cognitive performance is a risk factor for adverse outcomes but research concerning hemodynamic signal IIV is limited. Cortical thinning occurs during aging and is associated with cognitive decline. Dual-task walking (DTW) performance in older adults has been related to cognition and neural integrity. We examined the hypothesis that reduced cortical thickness would be associated with greater increases in IIV in prefrontal cortex oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) from single tasks to DTW in healthy older adults while adjusting for behavioral performance.

Method:

Participants were 55 healthy community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 74.84, standard deviation (SD) = 4.97). Structural MRI was used to quantify cortical thickness. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to assess changes in prefrontal cortex HbO2during walking. HbO2IIV was operationalized as theSDof HbO2observations assessed during the first 30 seconds of each task. Linear mixed models were used to examine the moderation effect of cortical thickness throughout the cortex on HbO2IIV across task conditions.

Results:

Analyses revealed that thinner cortex in several regions was associated with greater increases in HbO2IIV from the single tasks to DTW (ps< .02).

Conclusions:

Consistent with neural inefficiency, reduced cortical thickness in the PFC and throughout the cerebral cortex was associated with increases in HbO2IIV from the single tasks to DTW without behavioral benefit. Reduced cortical thickness and greater IIV of prefrontal cortex HbO2during DTW may be further investigated as risk factors for developing mobility impairments in aging.
Risk Propensity as a Personality Antecedent of Emigration Attitudes Among Bulgarian Millennials and Zoomers
Authors: Bakalova Diana , Panchelieva Tsvetelina
Published: June 2023

Abstract: This paper examines the predictive power of risk propensity as a personality tendency over emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians regarding their generational belonging and differences. Although the correlation between risk propensity and migration attitudes has been studied in some countries, to date, it has neither been examined in Bulgaria – an Eastern European economy in transition – nor scrutinized in the light of generational differences. As part of a national survey ( N = 1,200) carried out in September-October 2021, young Bulgarians aged 18–35 years – Zoomers ( N = 444) and Millennials ( N = 756), we measured risk propensity both as a general tendency and as individual responses to different risk domains, using a revision of Jackson’s Risk-Taking Scale (1994) . We studied the emigration attitudes using an original 5-item Attitudes Toward Emigration Scale. The findings suggest that risk propensity, mostly in the social risk domain, is a powerful predictor of emigration attitudes among young Bulgarians, even more powerful for Millennials than Zoomers. The higher risk propensity is associated with more positive attitudes toward emigration. The findings have important interdisciplinary implications for psychological theory and demographic policy.
The COVID-19 Marathon
Authors: Thielsch Meinald T. , Röseler Stefan , Lamers Christoph , Hertel Guido
Published: June 2023

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic required the deployment of crisis management teams (CMTs) on an unprecedented scale. Due to their high level of responsibility and wide-ranging decision-making authority, the enduring resilience and health of CMT members is essential. Yet, during pandemics, they are permanently challenged. With cross-sectional data from 219 CMT members, we tested six pre-registered hypotheses based on the Job Demands–Resources model. We found the expected positive association between experienced demands and exhaustion (H1), which was moderated by home resources (partly confirming H2); a positive association between experienced resources and work engagement (H3), which was not moderated by demands (rejecting H4); and associations between exhaustion and engagement with outcome measures such as CMT members’ self-assessed performance, satisfaction, and quitting intention (mostly confirming H5 and H6). Furthermore, we explore how the pandemic has changed from experts’ perspectives, describe lessons learned, and derive practical recommendations and suggestions for future research.
Prediction of Changes in Negative Affect During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Experimental Fear Conditioning and Generalization Measures
Authors: Imholze Celina , Hutterer Katharina , Gall Dominik , Dannlowski Udo , Domschke Katharina , Leehr Elisabeth J. , Lonsdorf Tina B. , Lueken Ulrike , Reif Andreas , Rosenkranz Karoline , Schiele Miriam A. , Zwanzger Peter , Pauli Paul , Gamer Matthias
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Adverse experiences interact with individual vulnerability in the etiology of mental disorders, but due to the paucity of longitudinal studies, their precise interplay remains unclear. Here, we investigated how individual differences in threat responsiveness modulated adjustments in negative affect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants ( N = 441) underwent a fear conditioning and generalization experiment between 2013 and 2020 and were reassessed regarding anxiety and depression symptoms after the pandemic outbreak. Participants showed increased levels of negative affect following pandemic onset, which were partly modulated by laboratory measures of threat responsiveness. Decreased differentiation of threat and safety signals in participants with higher prepandemic depression and anxiety scores in the laboratory assessment were most predictive of increased symptom levels after the onset of the pandemic. However, effects were small and should be replicated in independent samples to further characterize how individual differences in threat processing interact with adverse experiences in the development of psychopathology.
Development and Application of an Infragravity Wave (InWave) Driver to Simulate Nearshore Processes
Authors: Olabarrieta Maitane , Warner John C. , Hegermiller Christie A.
Published: June 2023

Infragravity waves are key components of the hydro‐sedimentary processes in coastal areas, especially during extreme storms. Accurate modeling of coastal erosion and breaching requires consideration of the effects of infragravity waves. Here, we present InWave, a new infragravity wave driver of the Coupled Ocean‐Atmopshere‐Waves‐Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system. InWave computes the spatial and temporal variation of wave energy at the wave group scale and the associated incoming bound infragravity wave. Wave group‐varying forces drive free infragravity wave growth and propagation within the hydrodynamic model of the coupled modeling system, which is the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) in this work. Since ROMS is a three‐dimensional model, this coupling allows for the combined formation of undertow currents and infragravity waves. We verified the coupled InWave‐ROMS with one idealized test case, one laboratory experiment, and one field experiment. The coupled modeling system correctly reproduced the propagation of gravity wave energy with acceptable numerical dissipation. It also captured the transfer of energy from the gravity band to the infragravity band, and within the different infragravity bands in the surf zone, the measured three‐dimensional flow structure, and dune morphological evolution satisfactorily. The idealized case demonstrated that the infragravity wave variance depends on the directional resolution and horizontal grid resolution, which are known challenges with the approach taken here. The addition of InWave to COAWST enables novel investigation of nearshore hydro‐sedimentary dynamics driven by infragravity waves using the strengths of the other modeling components, namely the three‐dimensional nature of ROMS and the sediment transport routines.
Transition and Drivers of Elastic to Inelastic Deformation in the Abarkuh Plain From InSAR Multi‐Sensor Time Series and Hydrogeological Data
Authors: Mirzadeh Sayyed Mohammad Javad , Jin Shuanggen , Chaussard Estelle , Bürgmann Roland , Rezaei Abolfazl , Ghotbi Saba , Braun Andreas
Published: June 2023

Tracking the inelastic deformation of an aquifer is important to quantify the stress experienced by the aquifer system, so that the effects of the current extraction practices are put in the context of the hydrogeological settings of a region. However, transition of elastic to inelastic deformation is hard to be monitored, particularly in the Abarkuh Plain (AP) with a dry climate. In this study, we define the confined extent of aquifer system and track the spatial evolution of inelastic deformation based on the multi‐sensor Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar time series in the AP in central Iran from 2003 to 2020. Our results demonstrate that many locations with experiencing no significant inelastic deformation a few years ago are now deforming inelastically, leading to partially irreversible lowering of ground surface and loss of aquifer storage. Lithological data shows that total thickness of compacted clay units controls the extent and timing of observed inelastic deformation, while joint geodetic‐well data confirms that multi‐decadal dropping of head in the confined extents of aquifer system is driving the long‐term compaction. These results show that we are possibly near a tipping point between the sustainable conditions and permanent damage to underground water resources and the current decisions have the potential to permanently change the natural resources landscape.
Intercomparisons on the Vertical Profiles of Cloud Microphysical Properties From CloudSat Retrievals Over the North China Plain
Authors: Pan Baiwan , Liu Dantong , Du Yuanmou , Zhao Delong , Hu Kang , Ding Shuo , Yu Chenjie , Tian Ping , Wu Yangzhou , Li Siyuan , Kumar Kanike Raghavendra
Published: June 2023

Vertical profiles of cloud microphysical properties importantly determine the lifetime and precipitation rate of clouds. The 94‐GHz cloud profiling radar (CPR) onboard the CloudSat satellite can measure the vertical profile of radar reflectivity, from which the microphysical properties of cloud can be retrieved. The retrievals bear variations due to various assumptions and auxiliary products used. This study targets on the mid‐latitude clouds in the northern hemisphere, and intercompares the CloudSat products describing the vertical profiles of cloud microphysics and evaluate the uncertainties for each retrieval algorithm, with further evaluation by aircraft in‐situ observations over the North China Plain region during 2013–2017. For those retrieval products performing phase apportion, the ambient temperature‐based linear apportioning on mixed‐phase clouds can produce reasonable estimation on ice water content, apart from the heavily precipitating clouds. The retrieved liquid water content constrained by cloud optical depth well matched in‐situ observations, however its effective size is overestimated (hereby underestimating the number concentration of water droplets) because of the influence of larger precipitating hydrometeors on size distribution. The CPR‐only retrieval can well produce the effective diameter and number concentration of ice for deep convection clouds, but using additional lidar constraint underestimates the effective diameter due to the intense attenuation by thick clouds. The analysis here suggests the appropriate parameters from various products for different cloud types, and provides guidance for future development of retrieval algorithms on vertical profiles of cloud microphysical properties.
Modeling Multi‐Fraction Coastal Aeolian Sediment Transport With Horizontal and Vertical Grain‐Size Variability
Authors: van IJzendoorn C. O. , Hallin C. , Reniers A. J. H. M. , de Vries S.
Published: June 2023

Grain size affects the rates of aeolian sediment transport on beaches. Sediment in coastal environments typically consists of multiple grain‐size fractions and exhibits spatiotemporal variations. Still, conceptual and numerical aeolian transport models are simplified and often only include a single fraction that is constant over the model domain. It is unclear to what extent this simplification is valid and if the inclusion of multi‐fraction transport and spatial grain‐size variations affects aeolian sediment transport simulations and predictions of coastal dune development. This study applies the numerical aeolian sediment transport model AeoLiS to compare single‐fraction to multi‐fraction approaches for a range of grain‐size distributions and spatial grain‐size scenarios. The results show that on timescales of days to years, single‐fraction simulations with the median grain size, D50, often give similar results to multi‐fraction simulations, provided the wind is able to mobilize all fractions within that time frame. On these timescales, vertical variability in grain size has a limited effect on total transport rates, but it does influence the simulation results on minute timescales. Horizontal grain‐size variability influences both the total transport rates and the downwind bed grain‐size composition. The results provide new insights into the influence of beach sediment composition and spatial variability on total transport rates toward the dunes. The findings of this study can guide the implementation of grain‐size variability in numerical aeolian sediment transport models.
Neurosteroids: mechanistic considerations and clinical prospects
Authors: Maguire Jamie L. , Mennerick Steven
Published: June 2023

Like other classes of treatments described in this issue’s section, neuroactive steroids have been studied for decades but have risen as a new class of rapid-acting, durable antidepressants with a distinct mechanism of action from previous antidepressant treatments and from other compounds covered in this issue. Neuroactive steroids are natural derivatives of progesterone but are proving effective as exogenous treatments. The best understood mechanism is that of positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors, where subunit selectivity may promote their profile of action. Mechanistically, there is some reason to think that neuroactive steroids may separate themselves from liabilities of other GABA modulators, although research is ongoing. It is also possible that intracellular targets, including inflammatory pathways, may be relevant to beneficial actions. Strengths and opportunities for further development include exploiting non-GABAergic targets, structural analogs, enzymatic production of natural steroids, precursor loading, and novel formulations. The molecular mechanisms of behavioral effects are not fully understood, but study of brain network states involved in emotional processing demonstrate a robust influence on affective states not evident with at least some other GABAergic drugs including benzodiazepines. Ongoing studies with neuroactive steroids will further elucidate the brain and behavioral effects of these compounds as well as likely underpinnings of disease.
Comparison of standard versus accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: 5-year outcomes from the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry
Authors: Kandel Himal , Abbondanza Marco , Gupta Aanchal , Mills Richard , Watson Adam S. , Petsoglou Constantinos , Kerdraon Yves , Watson Stephanie L.
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare long-term effectiveness of Standard (UV intensity: 3 mW/cm2, duration: 30 min) vs Accelerated (UV intensity: 9 mW/cm2, duration: 10 min) corneal cross-linking (CXL) for stabilising keratoconus.

Methods

Data for this observational study were captured through a web-based registry system from the routine clinical practice (15 sites across Australia, New Zealand and Italy). The outcomes were compared using mixed-effects regression models. A total of 100 eyes (75 patients) who had standard CXL and 76 eyes (66 patients) who had accelerated CXL, with a follow-up visit at five-year post-CXL were included.

Results

Both CXL protocols were effective and safe in stabilising keratoconus and improving outcomes. The adjusted mean changes (95% CI) in outcomes were better in standard CXL than in accelerated CXL [visual acuity gain, 10.2 (7.9–12.5) vs 4.9 (1.6–8.2) logMAR letters; pinhole visual acuity 5.7 (3.5–7.8) vs 0.2 (−2.2 to 2.5) logMAR letters; Kmax −1.8 (−4.3 to 0.6) vs 1.2 (−1.5 to 3.9)D; K2 −0.9 (–2.2 to 0.3) vs 0.1 (−1.3 to 1.6)D; MCT –3.0 (−13.7 to 7.7) vs −11.8 (−23.9 to 0.4) µm (p values for visual acuity, pinhole visual acuity, Kmax: <0.05; for K2 and MCT: >0.05)]. The frequency of adverse events at the 5-year follow-up visit was low in both groups [standard, 5 (5%; haze 3; scarring 1, epithelial defect 1) and accelerated 3 (3.9%; haze 2, scarring 1)].

Conclusions

Both standard and accelerated CXL were safe and effective procedures for stabilising keratoconus in the long term. The standard CXL resulted in greater improvements in visual acuity and keratometry.
Effect of silver nanoparticles on tropane alkaloid production of transgenic hairy root cultures of Hyoscyamus muticus L. and their antimicrobial activity
Authors: Abdelkawy Aisha M. , Alshammari Shifaa O. , Hussein Hebat-Allah A. , Abou El-Enain Inas M. M. , Abdelkhalek Eman S. , Radwan Asmaa M. , Kenawy Sahar K. M. , Maaty Doaa A. M. , Abed Nermine N. , Sabry Shadia , Mohsen Abeer
Published: June 2023

The utilization of nanotechnology and biotechnology for enhancing the synthesis of plant bioactive chemicals is becoming increasingly common. The hairy root culture technique can be used to increase secondary metabolites such as tropane alkaloids. Agrobacterium was used to induce hairy roots from various explants of Hyoscyamus muticus. The effect of nano-silver particles (AgNPs) at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/L on tropane alkaloids synthesis, particularly hyoscyamine and scopolamine, was studied in transgenic hairy root cultures. Different types of explants obtained from 10-day-old seedlings of H. muticus were inoculated with two strains of Agrobacterium rhizogenes (15,834 and A4). The antimicrobial activity of an ethanolic extract of AgNPs-induced hairy root cultures of H. muticus was tested. The frequency of hairy roots was higher in hypocotyl, root, leaf, and stem explants treated with A. rhizogenes strain A4 compared to those treated with strain 15,834. In transgenic hairy root cultures, AgNPs application at a concentration of 100 mg/L resulted in the highest total tropane alkaloid production, which exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The study demonstrated the potential of nano-silver as an elicitor for promoting the production of target alkaloids in Hyoscyamus muticus hairy root cultures, which exhibit high biological activity.
Open water dreissenid mussel control projects: lessons learned from a retrospective analysis
Authors: Dahlberg Angelique D. , Waller Diane L. , Hammond David , Lund Keegan , Phelps Nicholas B. D.
Published: June 2023

Dreissenid mussels are one of the most problematic aquatic invasive species (AIS) in North America, causing substantial ecological and economic effects. To date, dreissenid mussel control efforts in open water have included physical, biological, and chemical methods. The feasibility of successful dreissenid mussel management or eradication in lakes is relatively undocumented in the freshwater management literature. This review presents information on 33 open water dreissenid mussel control projects in 23 North America lakes. We reviewed data from past dreissenid mussel control projects and identified patterns and knowledge gaps to help inform adaptive management strategies. The three key lessons learned include (1) pre- and post-treatment survey methods that are designed to meet management objectives are beneficial, e.g., by sampling for all life stages and taking into account that no survey method is completely comprehensive; (2) defining the treatment area—particularly ensuring it is sufficiently large to capture all life stages present—is critical to meeting management objectives; and (3) control projects provide an opportunity to collect water chemistry, effects on non-target organisms, and other efficacy-related data that can inform safe and effective adaptive management.
Tourism-supported working lands sustain a growing jaguar population in the Colombian Llanos
Authors: Hyde Matthew , Payán Esteban , Barragan Jorge , Stasiukynas Diana , Rincón Samantha , Kendall William L. , Rodríguez Jerónimo , Crooks Kevin R. , Breck Stewart W. , Boron Valeria
Published: June 2023

Understanding large carnivore demography on human-dominated lands is a priority to inform conservation strategies, yet few studies examine long-term trends. Jaguars (Panthera onca) are one such species whose population trends and survival rates remain unknown across working lands. We integrated nine years of camera trap data and tourist photos to estimate jaguar density, survival, abundance, and probability of tourist sightings on a working ranch and tourism destination in Colombia. We found that abundance increased from five individuals in 2014 to 28 in 2022, and density increased from 1.88 ± 0.87 per 100 km2in 2014 to 3.80 ± 1.08 jaguars per 100 km2in 2022. The probability of a tourist viewing a jaguar increased from 0% in 2014 to 40% in 2020 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Our results are the first robust estimates of jaguar survival and abundance on working lands. Our findings highlight the importance of productive lands for jaguar conservation and suggest that a tourism destination and working ranch can host an abundant population of jaguars when accompanied by conservation agreements and conflict interventions. Our analytical model that combines conventional data collection with tourist sightings can be applied to other species that are observed during tourism activities.

Entender los patrones demográficos de los grandes carnívoros al interior de paisajes antrópicos es fundamental para el diseño de estrategias de conservación efectivas. En el Neotrópico, el jaguar (Panthera onca) es una de estas especies cuyas tendencias poblacionales y tasas de supervivencia en paisajes productivos son desconocidas. Para entender mejor estas dinámicas, integramos nueve años de fototrampeo junto a fotos de turistas para estimar la densidad, supervivencia, abundancia y probabilidad de avistamiento de esta especie en una finca ganadera y destino turístico en Colombia. Entre 2014 y 2022 encontramos que la abundancia incrementó de cinco a 28 individuos y la densidad de 1.88 ± 0.87 jaguares/ 100 km2a 3.80 ± 1.08 jaguares/ 100 km2. La probabilidad de avistamiento por turistas aumentó de 0% en 2014 a 40% en 2020 antes de la pandemia del Covid-19. Nuestros resultados presentan las primeras estimaciones robustas de abundancia y supervivencia de este felino en paisajes antrópicos dónde el manejo de sistemas productivos combinados con turismo e intervenciones para la mitigación del conflicto puede albergar poblaciones abundantes de jaguares, demostrando su importancia para la conservación de esta especie. Nuestro modelo, al combinar datos convencionales con avistamientos, podría ser aplicado a otras especies observadas durante actividades turísticas.
Association of quantitative analysis of intratumoral reduced E-cadherin expression with lymph node metastasis and prognosis in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Meng Xiangyue , Morita Michi , Kuba Sayaka , Hayashi Hiroko , Otsubo Ryota , Matsumoto Megumi , Yamanouchi Kosho , Kobayashi Kazuma , Soyama Akihiko , Hidaka Masaaki , Kanetaka Kengo , Nagayasu Takeshi , Eguchi Susumu
Published: June 2023

Loss of E-cadherin expression is a poor prognostic factor in patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer cells co-cultured with adipocytes reportedly promote E-cadherin attenuation and tumor progression. The current study aimed to investigate the association of reduced E-cadherin expression with adipose tissue invasion (ATI) and prognosis in breast cancer. Surgical specimens were collected from 188 women with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who had undergone surgery without neoadjuvant treatment. We compared E-cadherin expression in ATI and invasive front (IF) using immunohistochemistry with ImageJ. Reduced E-cadherin expression was detected not only in the ATI area but also in the IF, and the degree of reduced E-cadherin expression was positively correlated with both areas. In patients with lymph node metastasis compared to those without, E-cadherin expression was reduced and this reduction was associated with poor recurrence-free survival. We concluded that E-cadherin expression is reduced not only at the ATI area but also at the IF of the tumor. Reduced E-cadherin expression is a clear prognostic factor for breast cancer. Hence, future research is warranted for establishing an objective and quantitative E-cadherin staining assay that will allow clinical use of E-cadherin as a prognostic factor.
Rock fragmentation indexes reflecting rock mass quality based on real-time data of TBM tunnelling
Authors: Li Xu , Wu Lei-jie , Wang Yu-jie , Li Jin-hui
Published: June 2023

Perception of rock condition (RC) is a challenge in tunnel boring machine (TBM) construction due to lack of space and time to observe and detect RC. To overcome this problem, this study aims to extract a new rock fragmentation index (RFI) that can reflect RC from real-time rock fragmentation data of the TBM. First, a comprehensive review of existing rock fragmentation models is conducted, which leads to some candidate RFIs that can reflect RC. Next, these candidate RFIs are investigated using data from 12,237 samples from a well-monitored tunnel boring process of the TBM in a 20,198 m tunnel. Further, a new RFI system is recommended as the parameter involving the optimal models. Finally, a preliminary study of the relationship between these RFIs and RC is carried out, and it is shown that these RFIs can reflect RC to a large extent. In the TBM boring process, these RFIs can be extracted from real-time TBM fragmentation data and used to predict the RC in the field. Therefore, the challenge of RC perception is solved with this new RFI system. The new RFI system offers significant potential for the real-time rock classification, prediction of the surrounding rock collapse potential, and selection of control parameters or support measures during TBM construction. This will be the key to improving TBM construction performance.
Evaluation of the MC3R gene pertaining to body weight and height regulation and puberty development
Authors: Zheng Yiran , Rajcsanyi Luisa Sophie , Peters Triinu , Dempfle Astrid , Wudy Stefan A. , Hebebrand Johannes , Hinney Anke
Published: June 2023

Recent studies reported an impact of the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) on the regulation of body weight, linear growth and puberty timing. Previously, allele p.44Ile of a frequent non-synonymous variant (NSV) p.Val44Ile was reported to be associated with decreased lean body mass (LBM) and later puberty in both sexes. We Sanger sequenced the coding region of MC3R in 185 children or adolescents with short normal stature (SNS) or 258 individuals with severe obesity, and 192 healthy-lean individuals. Eleven variants (six NSVs) were identified. In-silico analyses ensued. Three rare loss-of-function (LoF) variants (p.Phe45Ser, p.Arg220Ser and p.Ile298Ser) were only found in severely obese individuals. One novel highly conserved NSV (p.Ala214Val), predicted to increase protein stability, was detected in a single lean female. In the individuals with SNS, we observed deviation from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) (p = 0.012) for p.Val44Ile (MAF = 11.62%). Homozygous p.44Ile carriers with SNS had an increased BMI, but this effect did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction. In line with previous findings, the detected LoF NSVs may suggest that dysfunction in MC3R is associated with decreased body height, obesity and delayed puberty.
Spatial patterns of climate change and associated climate hazards in Northwest China
Authors: Chi Haojing , Wu Yanhong , Zheng Hongxing , Zhang Bing , Sun Zhonghua , Yan Jiaheng , Ren Yongkang , Guo Linan
Published: June 2023

Northwest China (NWC) is experiencing noticeable climate change accompanied with increasing impacts of climate hazards induced by changes in climate extremes. Towards developing climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the negative climatic impacts on both the ecosystem and socioeconomic system of the region, this study investigates systematically the spatial patterns of climate change and the associated climate hazards across NWC based on high resolution reanalysis climate dataset for the period 1979 to 2018. We find that NWC overall is under a warming and wetting transition in climate with change rate of temperature and precipitation around 0.49 °C/10a and 22.8 mm/10a respectively. Characteristics of climate change over the NWC however vary considerably in space. According to significance of long-term trends in both temperature and aridity index for each 0.1° × 0.1° grids, five types of climate change are identified across NWC, including warm-wetting, warm-drying, warm without wetting, wetting without warming and unchanging. The warm-wetting zone accounts for the largest proportion of the region (41%) and mainly locates in the arid or semi-arid northwestern NWC. Our findings show most region of NWC is under impacts of intensifying heatwave and rainstorm due to significant increases in high temperature extremes and precipitation extremes. The warming but without wetting zone is found under a more severe impact of heatwave, particularly for areas near northern Mount. Qinling and northern Loess Plateau. Areas with stronger wetting trend is suffering more from rainstorm.
Changes in age at last birth and its determinants in India
Authors: Singh Mayank , Shekhar Chander , Shri Neha
Published: June 2023

In recent years, developing and developed countries are witnessing delayed childbearing among women contributing to the overall decline in fertility rates. The age at which a woman has her last child impacts maternal and child health, especially in a country with high maternal and perinatal mortality rates. This study aims to investigate the trends of age at the last birth among Indian women and to identify the potential factors contributing towards higher maternal age. The present study uses the data from five consecutive rounds (1992–1993, 1998–1999, 2004–2005, 2015–2016, and 2019–2021) of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). We have used descriptive statistics, bivariate, Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, multiple classification analysis (MCA), Kaplan–Meier curve, life table survival analysis, hierarchical clustered heat map, multivariate decomposition analysis (MDA) and geospatial mapping to fulfill the objective of the study. Results show that the proportion of women with age at last birth before reaching the age of 30 years was less than half (nearly 35%) during NFHS-I while during NFHS-V proportion becomes more than half and reaches 64.3% among 40–49 years women. Within three decades (1992–2021) there has been a decline of 15.8% in median age at last birth among women aged 40–49 years. Additionally, the highest percentage decline in predicted mean age at last birth was noted among individuals from rural area (10.7%, 3.3 years), Hindu religion (10.8%, 3.3 years), poor wealth quantile (12.5%, 4.0 years) and those with mass media exposure (10.6%, 3.2 years) from NFHS-I (1992–1993) to NFHS-V (2019–2021). Although there exists the need to delay age at first childbirth, the age at last childbirth also plays an important role in women’s and child health status. Hence, it is important to address the healthcare needs of those delaying their childbirth.
Numerical optimization and performance evaluation of ZnPC:PC70BM based dye-sensitized solar cell
Authors: Nowsherwan Ghazi Aman , Iqbal Muhammad Aamir , Rehman Sajid Ur , Zaib Aurang , Sadiq Muhammad Irfan , Dogar Muhammad Ammar , Azhar Muhammad , Maidin Siti Sarah , Hussain Syed Sajjad , Morsy Kareem , Choi Jeong Ryeol
Published: June 2023

The increase in global energy consumption and the related ecological problems have generated a constant demand for alternative energy sources superior to traditional ones. This is why unlimited photon-energy harnessing is important. A notable focus to address this concern is on advancing and producing cost-effective low-loss solar cells. For efficient light energy capture and conversion, we fabricated a ZnPC:PC70BM-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and estimated its performance using a solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D). We evaluated the output parameters of the ZnPC:PC70BM-based DSSC with different photoactive layer thicknesses, series and shunt resistances, and back-metal work function. Our analyses show that moderate thickness, minimum series resistance, high shunt resistance, and high metal-work function are favorable for better device performance due to low recombination losses, electrical losses, and better transport of charge carriers. In addition, in-depth research for clarifying the impact of factors, such as thickness variation, defect density, and doping density of charge transport layers, has been conducted. The best efficiency value found was 10.30% after tweaking the parameters. It also provides a realistic strategy for efficiently utilizing DSSC cells by altering features that are highly dependent on DSSC performance and output.
Molecular characterization and transcriptional response to TiO2–GO nanomaterial exposure of two molt-related genes in the juvenile prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Guo Ziqi , Xu Likun , Wang Wei , Chen Wei , Ma Chunyan , Zhang Fengying , Ma Lingbo , Liu Zhiqiang , Ma Keyi
Published: June 2023

In recent years, with the widespread use of TiO2–GO nanocomposite in industry, especially in the remediation of water environments, its toxic effects on aquatic organisms have received increasing attention. As molting is extremely important for crustaceans in their growth, in this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA sequences of two key genes related to molting, nuclear hormone receptor E75 (E75) and nuclear hormone receptor HR3 (HR3), in Macrobrachium rosenbergii, examined the gene expression profile, and investigated their toxicological effects on crustacean molting through nanomaterial exposure. The amino acid sequences for E75 and HR3 were respectively determined to encode 1138 and 363 acid residues. Sequence analysis showed that both E75 and HR3 contain a HOLI domain, with the E75 of M. rosenbergii being more closely related to the E75 of Palaemon carinicauda. These two genes were expressed at the highest levels in muscle, followed by hepatopancreas. The results showed that the expressions of E75 and HR3 in hepatopancreas and muscle tissues were significantly decreased after exposure to 0.1 mg/L of TiO2–GO composite nanoparticles (P < 0.05). This study will serve as a foundation for subsequent research into the evaluation of nanomaterial toxicity on crustacean species.
In-domain versus out-of-domain transfer learning in plankton image classification
Authors: Maracani Andrea , Pastore Vito Paolo , Natale Lorenzo , Rosasco Lorenzo , Odone Francesca
Published: June 2023

Plankton microorganisms play a huge role in the aquatic food web. Recently, it has been proposed to use plankton as a biosensor, since they can react to even minimal perturbations of the aquatic environment with specific physiological changes, which may lead to alterations in morphology and behavior. Nowadays, the development of high-resolution in-situ automatic acquisition systems allows the research community to obtain a large amount of plankton image data. Fundamental examples are the ZooScan and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) datasets, comprising up to millions of plankton images. However, obtaining unbiased annotations is expensive both in terms of time and resources, and in-situ acquired datasets generally suffer from severe imbalance, with only a few images available for several species. Transfer learning is a popular solution to these challenges, with ImageNet1K being the most-used source dataset for pre-training. On the other hand, datasets like the ZooScan and the WHOI may represent a valuable opportunity to compare out-of-domain and large-scale plankton in-domain source datasets, in terms of performance for the task at hand.In this paper, we design three transfer learning pipelines for plankton image classification, with the aim of comparing in-domain and out-of-domain transfer learning on three popular benchmark plankton datasets. The general framework consists in fine-tuning a pre-trained model on a plankton target dataset. In the first pipeline, the model is pre-trained from scratch on a large-scale plankton dataset, in the second, it is pre-trained on large-scale natural image datasets (ImageNet1K or ImageNet22K), while in the third, a two-stage fine-tuning is implemented (ImageNet $$\rightarrow $$
→
large-scale plankton dataset $$\rightarrow $$
→
target plankton dataset). Our results show that an out-of-domain ImageNet22K pre-training outperforms the plankton in-domain ones, with an average boost in test accuracy of around 6%. In the next part of this work, we adopt three ImageNet22k pre-trained Vision Transformers and one ConvNeXt, obtaining results on par (or slightly superior) with the state-of-the-art, corresponding to the usage of CNN models ensembles, with a single model. Finally, we design and test an ensemble of our Vision Transformers and the ConvNeXt, outperforming the state-of-the-art existing works on plankton image classification on the three target datasets. To support scientific community contribution and further research, our implemented code is open-source and available at https://github.com/Malga-Vision/plankton_transfer.
Efficiency of direct photoinduced generation of singlet oxygen at different wavelengths, power density and exposure time of laser irradiation
Authors: Makovik Irina , Vinokurov Andrey , Dunaev Andrey , Rafailov Edik , Dremin Viktor
Published: June 2023

Along with a wavelength of 1267 nm, 1064 nm demonstrates the high efficiency of the direct photoinduced generation of singlet oxygen. The exposure time of laser irradiation is more important than power density in generating singlet oxygen.
Co-amplification of luminol-based electrochemiluminescence immunosensors based on multiple enzyme catalysis of bimetallic oxides CoCeOx and NiMnO3 for the detection of CYFRA21-1
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Li Min , Fang Jinglong , Wang Caihong , Liu Lei , Cao Wei , Wei Qin
Published: June 2023

Accelerated energy supply of co-reactants is an extremely effective strategy for achieving highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence analysis, and binary metal oxides would be an excellent tool for this purpose due to the mixed metal valence states.
A facile ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probe using conjugated 1,8-naphthalimide and dicyanoisophorone with a vinylene linker for detection and bioimaging of hypochlorite
Authors: Zhang Ziyi , Ma Lili , Huang Yanlan , Zhou Yan , Zhang Hua , Yan Jinwu , Liu Chuanxiang
Published: June 2023

A new ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probe 3 for detecting ClO− using conjugated 1,8-naphthalimide and dicyanoisophorone with a vinylene linker was reported.