bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Sprout Inhibitor 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene Results in Common Gene Expression Changes in Potato Cultivars with Varying Dormancy Profiles
Authors: Dobry Emily P , Campbell Michael A
Published: July 2024

Sprout suppression is a crucial aspect of maintaining postharvest Solanum tuberosum (potato) tuber quality. 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (DMN) has demonstrated effective sprout suppression during long-term storage of potatoes. Its mode of action, however, remains unknown, and previous studies utilizing single cultivars preclude identification of a common response to treatment. Thus, the goal of this study was to identify common transcriptomic responses of multiple potato cultivars of varying dormancy lengths to DMN exposure during two dormancy stages. RNA-seq gene expression profiling supported differing sensitivity to DMN treatment dependent upon cultivar and dormancy stage. A limited number of genes with similar expression patterns were common to all cultivars. These were primarily identified in ecodormant tubers and were associated with cell cycle progression, hormone signaling, and biotic and abiotic stress response. DMN treatment resulted in significant upregulation of members of ANAC/NAC and WRKY transcription factor families. Investigation of affected protein-protein interaction networks revealed a small number of networks responsive to DMN in all cultivars. These results suggest that response to DMN is largely cultivar and dormancy stage-dependent, and the primary response is governed by a limited number of stress and growth-related genes and protein-protein interactions.
An unfavorable indoor environment as mediator between fuel poverty and health: an exploration
Authors: Bosman Charley , Kroesbergen Ike , Stoopendaal Marjolein
Published: July 2024

Aim

The objective of this study is to gain insight into the extent to which an unfavorable indoor environment mediates the association between fuel poverty and health.

Method

Data from the 2022 Dutch Health Survey were enriched with some registration data from the 2020 Monitor Fuel Poverty, resulting in a study population of 16,210 adults. Using Structural Equation Modeling in R, the mediation effect of an unfavorable indoor environment on the relationship between fuel poverty and various health outcomes was examined. An unfavorable indoor environment was defined as moisture, mold, and/or inadequate ventilation, as indicators of housing quality. Analyses were adjusted for various demographic factors: age, gender, property ownership (tenants or not), level of education, household with or with no children, and level of urbanity of the residence.

Results

Fuel poverty is negatively associated with the absence of mental health issues and with social capital and positively associated with the risk of anxiety or depression, a negative self-rated health, physical limitations in daily life, loneliness, and stress. These associations are partially mediated by an unfavorable indoor environment (mediation proportion: 5.5–10.8%). In a subgroup analysis of tenants of housing corporations, the mediation proportion ranges from 8.3 to 20.1%.

Conclusion

An unfavorable housing quality with moisture, mold, and/or inadequate ventilation is a mediating factor in the relationship between fuel poverty and health. Addressing the health effects of fuel poverty requires a comprehensive and structural approach, of which the indoor environment is an integral part. Connecting fuel poverty, housing quality, and health is necessary in both research and policy addressing fuel poverty.
Empoasca fabalis DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in European sweet potatoes: records, leaf damage, and Auchenorrhyncha insights
Authors: Aguin-Pombo Dora , Boavida Conceição , Valdiviesso Teresa , Trindade Cândida S. , Backus Elaine , Mateus Célia
Published: July 2024

The recent surge in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cultivation in Europe prompted an investigation into associated entomofauna within Portugal's southwestern region, known for its longstanding sweet potato production. This study aimed to assess entomofauna associated with this culture.

Insect sampling was conducted by leaf and sweep net across three regional sites during 2018 and 2019 revealing the presence of Empoasca fabalis. Histological examination of sweet potato leaves affected by E. fabalis feeding unveiled significant damage, including the emergence of whitish spots (termed “stipples”) and subsequent necrotic spots. Comparative analysis between infested and undamaged control leaves revealed significant damage, involving mesophyll cell content deprivation and cellular disruption. This study describes, for the first time, the histological nature of the necrotic damage and suggests that E. fabalis primarily acts as a stippler on sweet potatoes, mainly targeting mesophyll cells with limited consumption of vascular tissue. The invasive behaviour and wide host range of E. fabalis pose a threat to sweet potato cultivation. These findings emphasize the need for monitoring to address the potential impact of E. fabalis on Europe’s agricultural ecosystem and native vegetation.

In addition, six other Auchenorrhyncha species were identified during this study, including four crucial vectors of plant diseases: Laodelphax striatellus, Psammotettix alienus, Anaceratagallia glabra, Austroagallia sinuata, together with Empoasca solani and E. alsiosa. These results emphasise the importance of managing these insects in sweet potato cultivation.
Automated contouring of CTV and OARs in planning CT scans using novel hybrid convolution-transformer networks for prostate cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Arjmandi Najmeh , Nasseri Shahrokh , Momennezhad Mehdi , Mehdizadeh Alireza , Hosseini Sare , Mohebbi Shokoufeh , Tehranizadeh Amin Amiri , Pishevar Zohreh
Published: July 2024

Purpose objective(s)

Manual contouring of the prostate region in planning computed tomography (CT) images is a challenging task due to factors such as low contrast in soft tissues, inter- and intra-observer variability, and variations in organ size and shape. Consequently, the use of automated contouring methods can offer significant advantages. In this study, we aimed to investigate automated male pelvic multi-organ contouring in multi-center planning CT images using a hybrid convolutional neural network-vision transformer (CNN-ViT) that combines convolutional and ViT techniques.

Materials/methods

We used retrospective data from 104 localized prostate cancer patients, with delineations of the clinical target volume (CTV) and critical organs at risk (OAR) for external beam radiotherapy. We introduced a novel attention-based fusion module that merges detailed features extracted through convolution with the global features obtained through the ViT.

Results

The average dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) achieved by VGG16-UNet-ViT for the prostate, bladder, rectum, right femoral head (RFH), and left femoral head (LFH) were 91.75%, 95.32%, 87.00%, 96.30%, and 96.34%, respectively. Experiments conducted on multi-center planning CT images indicate that combining the ViT structure with the CNN network resulted in superior performance for all organs compared to pure CNN and transformer architectures. Furthermore, the proposed method achieves more precise contours compared to state-of-the-art techniques.

Conclusion

Results demonstrate that integrating ViT into CNN architectures significantly improves segmentation performance. These results show promise as a reliable and efficient tool to facilitate prostate radiotherapy treatment planning.
Advanced porous covalent organic framework (COF) materials for the capture of alizarin dye and its derivatives from the aquatic environment
Authors: Nakhaei Alireza , Raissi Heidar , Farzad Farzaneh
Published: July 2024

The effective removal of dye pollutants from water and wastewater is a key environmental challenge. The present study is developed to investigate alizarin (ALI) dye and its derivations, including Alizarin blue (ABL), Alizarin purpurin (APU), Quinalizarin (AQU), Alizarin cyanin (ACY), and Alizarin Red S (ARS) removal process from water and wastewater sources, using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) nanoadsorbents. Herein, we explore the process of how dye molecules are absorbed onto COFs with precise supramolecular structures. The molecular dynamics (MD) and well-tempered metadynamics (WTMtD) simulations are used to investigate this process in aqueous solution. From the results obtained, it is clear that the intermolecular van der Waals (vdw) and π-π interactions have a significant role on accelerating the interaction between dye molecules and the COF nanostructures. This ultimately leads to the creation of a stable dye-COF complex. The dye-adsorbent average interaction energy value reaches around APU-COF1=−604.34, AQU-COF1=-515.25, ABL-COF1=−504.74, ALI-COF1=−489.48, ARS-COF1=−475.81, ACY-COF1=−273.82, AQU-COF2=−459.76, ALI-COF2=−451.46, ABL-COF2=−405.90, APU-COF2=−367.55, ACY-COF2=−287.89, ARS-COF2=−210.63 kJ/mol for dye/COF1 and dye/COF2 complexes, respectively. The primary interaction between dye and COFs is attributed to the Lennard-Jones term, resulting from the formation of a strong π-π interaction between the dye molecules and the surface of the adsorbent. Overall, our simulations confirmed that the COF1 nanostructure is more effective than the COF2 nanostructure in removing alizarin dye and its derivatives. In this study, not only the performance of two COFs in removing alizarin dye and its derivatives has been compared, but also the possibility of removing alizarin dye and its derivatives with both COFs has been examined.
Dry powder formulations of hyperimmune serum
Authors: Bianchera Annalisa , Donofrio Gaetano , Sonvico Fabio , Bettini Ruggero
Published: July 2024

Effective strategies against the spread of respiratory viruses are needed, as tragically demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from vaccines, other preventive or protective measures are necessary: one promising strategy involves the nasal delivery of preventive or protective agents, targeting the site of initial infection. Harnessing the immune system’s ability to produce specific antibodies, a hyperimmune serum, collected from an individual vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, was formulated as a dry powder for nasal administration. The selection of adequate excipients and process are key to maintaining protein stability and modulating the aerodynamic properties of the powders for reaching the desired respiratory regions. To this end, a hyperimmune serum was formulated with trehalose and mannitol as bulking agents during spray drying, then the ability of the redissolved immunoglobulins to bind Spike protein was verified by ELISA; foetal bovine serum was formulated in the same conditions as a reference. Moreover, a seroneutralization assay against SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses generated from different variants of concern was performed. The neutralizing ability of the serum was slightly reduced with respect to the starting serum when trehalose was used as a bulking agent. The powders were loaded in hypromellose capsules and aerosolized employing a nasal insufflator in an in vitro model of the nasal cavity connected to a Next Generation Impactor. The analysis of the powder distribution confirmed that all powders were inhalable and could target, at the same time, the upper and the lower airways. This is a preliminary proof-of-concept that this approach can constitute an effective strategy to provide broad coverage and protection against SARS-CoV-2, and in general against viruses affecting the airway. According to blood availability from donors, pools of hyperimmune sera could be rapidly formulated and administered, providing a simultaneous and timely neutralization of emerging viral variants.

Graphical Abstract
The role of land use on phosphorus release and longitudinal changes of pollution in an agricultural watershed, Bostankar river, Iran
Authors: Ojani MohammadReza , Sepanlou Mehdi Ghajar , Bahmanyar MohammadAli , Danesh Majid , Bertalan-Balázs Boglárka , Szabó Szilárd
Published: July 2024

Phosphorus in surface waters accelerate algal growth and eutrophication, considerably influencing water quality. Spatiotemporal changes in phosphorus concentration are crucial for environmental issues. We aimed to study the temporal and spatial changes in water quality in a river and in a drainage water system considering different land uses. To this aim, 15 water samples were collected from the origin of the river to the estuary, in the Bostankar River watershed (N-Iran), during spring and winter. Further samples were collected from agricultural drainage water in rice fields, tea, flower, orange as well as kiwi gardens, and forests during spring and winter. EC, pH, TDS, and three forms of phosphorus (total, particulate, and soluble) were measured in the water samples. The results showed that water quality changes in agricultural drainage water were time-dependent; the average total phosphorus was 0.4 mg l-1 lower in the spring than in the winter. The highest phosphorus concentration (1.29 mg l-1) occurred in the winter in the drainage water of the orange gardens. Temporal and spatial changes of the river showed that water quality reduced from the river upstream (jungles and grasslands) towards the downstream (different agricultural land uses), and the amount of phosphorus increased from 0.25 to 0.5 mg l− 1. The TDS increased from 60 to 220 mg l− 1 in the river in the winter. Finally, the results showed that human activities were the main factor in river water quality reduction due to agricultural activities.
Characterization of water-controlled shape memory alloys for solar tracking applications
Authors: Alhaddad Ahmad Yaser , Maurya Muni Raj , Radwan Mohamed Medhat , Asghar Usman , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Cabibihan John-John
Published: July 2024

Growing demands for cleaner energy sources lead to innovations that require investigations in solar energy harvesting. Though numerous organic and inorganic photovoltaic devices have been explored for the solar power conversion, achieving a high efficiency is still an open challenge for the researchers. In this context, an efficient, self-adjusting solar power panel coupled with low-cost and high reliability is of great significance and demand. In this study, we investigate the potential of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators for solar tracking applications. Three SMA configurations were considered containing one and up to three SMAs arranged in parallel. The temperature range for the displacement experiments was 40°–60°. Additionally, three levels of mass were used, namely, 500 g, 600 g, and 700 g. The displacement experiments revealed that the addition of more SMAs into the configuration provided a more consistent performance. The force experiment revealed that two-SMA configuration achieved 60% higher force production compared to the one-SMA configuration under the same conditions while the three-SMA configuration was 31% higher than in the two-SMA configuration and 110% compared to the one-SMA configuration. Additionally, the force hysteresis of the two-SMA setup was smaller and closer to that of single-SMA configuration. The two-SMA configuration force hysteresis exhibited a more linear trend as compared to that of the three-SMA configuration. The outcomes of this work highlight the potential of using SMAs as actuators in solar-powered applications and that optimization in terms of the needed number of SMAs is required to meet the displacement and/or force requirements.
Effect of storage temperature on viral RNA accumulation in Plum pox virus-infected Red Lyon plum fruit from the Central Valley of Chile
Authors: Madariaga Mónica , Ramírez Isabel , Vega Raúl , Meza Pablo , Nova Nelly , Devia Jessica , Sepúlveda Karina , Defilippi Bruno
Published: July 2024

Plum pox virus (PPV), the causative agent of Sharka disease, causes serious economic losses to the stone fruit industry. As PPV is not transmitted by seed, fruit from countries with Sharka present are considered low-risk for spreading the disease. However, there have been cases raising concerns about the safety of exporting fruit from countries with Sharka disease. Due to this, the generation of new scientific evidence becomes important to address these concerns. This study aimed to compare the relative accumulation of PPV viral titer between freshly harvested infected fruit with fruit subjected to cold storage, simulating transit conditions to export markets. During two consecutive seasons, the fruit was collected from a PPV-infected ’Red Lyon’ plum orchard, and divided into three treatments (T): freshly harvested fruit (T1); fruit exposed to cold (0 °C) for seven days (T2), and fruit exposed to cold (0 °C) for 15 days (T3). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to estimate the viral titer; band density values obtained for products of amplification of a PPV genome fragment were normalized with the density values obtained from the constitutive gene nad5 and plotted relative to treatment T1, which served as a control for this purpose. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between T1 and other treatments. For the first season, the viral RNA reduction was of 50% in T2 and 61% in T3, compared to T1. For the second season, the corresponding RNA viral reductions were 45% in T2 and 56% in T3, compared to T1.
Continuum and Discrete Analytical Methods for Vibration and Buckling Eigenvalues Shape Sensitivities
Authors: Gagliardi Giuseppe Maurizio , Kulkarni Mandar D. , Marulo Francesco
Published: July 2024

Gradient-based optimization techniques need precise and efficient sensitivities. Numerical sensitivity methods such as finite differences are easy to implement but imprecise and computationally inefficient. In contrast, analytical sensitivity methods, such as the discrete and continuum ones are highly accurate and efficient. Continuum Sensitivity Analysis (CSA) is an analytical method used to calculate derivatives of shape or value parameters. While CSA has been successfully applied in static analysis and dynamic problems in the time domain, this work presents an extension of the approach to eigenvalue sensitivities for the first time. However, CSA revealed limitations, prompting the exploration of an alternative approach based on discrete analytical differentiation. This method is employed for the first time in shape sensitivities. The derivatives of the stiffness and mass matrices required by the method are calculated analytically, resulting in high accuracy and computational efficiency. In addition, an element agnostic approach has been developed leveraging primary analysis matrices to calculate their derivative. This characteristic, along with the nonintrusivity, makes the method employable with standard commercial software. Both approaches have been applied and validated in a wide range of scenarios, involving vibration and buckling problems.
From fire to recovery: temporal-shift of predator–prey interactions among mammals in Mediterranean ecosystems
Authors: Tomassini Orlando , Massolo Alessandro
Published: July 2024

Fires are becoming increasingly frequent, intense, severe and prolonged worldwide, and such situation is worsening. As a result, extreme fire conditions will increase, with consequences for wildlife, including increased mass mortality and changes in trophic relationships in natural communities. This intensification is expected to be particularly pronounced in the Mediterranean ecosystems. In this scoping review, we summarized current knowledge and gaps in understanding the effects of fires on wildlife, focusing on predator–prey interactions. These interactions play a critical role in animal communities and their understanding is fundamental for appropriate management and conservation. Mammals were chosen as a model group because of their remarkable ecological role. We grouped and analysed the post-wildfire changes in the predator–prey relationships into three-time intervals: immediate, short- and long-term effects. This is relevant as vegetation restoration, by altering cover and habitat structure, may affect hunting strategies and anti-predatory behaviour. Our review showed that studies generally had several limitations, the most common of which were the lack of replication, the strong geographical bias, and the focus on few target species. Nevertheless, we could formally describe how fire affects predator–prey relationships in Mediterranean ecosystems through processes that exert different cascading effects at different times after the fire event. We encourage long-term studies on communities, including as many components of the food chain as possible, using an interdisciplinary approach, and prioritising investigations in high-risk ecosystems.
Enhancing structural stability in civil structures using the bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization method
Authors: Xu Tao , Huang Xiaodong , Lin Xiaoshan , Xie Yi Min
Published: July 2024

Topology optimization techniques are increasingly utilized in structural design to create efficient and aesthetically pleasing structures while minimizing material usage. Many existing topology optimization methods may generate slender structural members under compression, leading to significant buckling issues. Consequently, incorporating buckling considerations is essential to ensure structural stability. This study investigates the capabilities of the bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization method, particularly its extension to handle multiple load cases in buckling optimization problems. The numerical examples presented focus on three classical cases relevant to civil engineering: maximizing the buckling load factor of a compressed column, performing buckling-constrained optimization of a frame structure, and enhancing the buckling resistance of a high-rise building. The findings demonstrate that the algorithm can significantly improve structural stability with only a marginal increase in compliance. The detailed mathematical modeling, sensitivity analyses, and optimization procedures discussed provide valuable insights and tools for engineers to design structures with enhanced stability and efficiency.
Economic evaluation of the “paramedics and palliative care: bringing vital services to Canadians” program compared to the status quo
Authors: Tarride J. E. , Stennett D. , Coronado A. C. , Moxam R. Shaw , Yong J. H. E. , Carter A. J. E. , Cameron C. , Xie F. , Grignon M. , Seow H. , Blackhouse G. ,   in collaboration with the Paramedics and Palliative Care: Bringing Vital Services to Canadians Paramedic Partners
Published: July 2024

Objective

Based on programs implemented in 2011–2013 in three Canadian provinces to improve the support paramedics provide to people receiving palliative care, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Healthcare Excellence Canada provided support and funding from 2018 to 2022 to spread this approach in Canada. The study objectives were to conduct an economic evaluation of “the Program” compared to the status quo.

Methods

A probabilistic decision analytic model was used to compare the expected costs, the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and the return on investment associated with the Program compared to the status quo from a publicly funded healthcare payer perspective. Effectiveness data and Program costs, expressed in 2022 Canadian dollars, from each jurisdiction were supplemented with literature data. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses varying key model assumptions were conducted.

Results

Analyses of 5416 9-1-1 calls from five jurisdictions where paramedics provided support to people with palliative care needs between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2022 indicated that 60% of the 9-1-1 calls under the Program enabled people to avoid transport to the emergency department and receive palliative care at home. Treating people at home saved paramedics an average of 31 min (range from 15 to 67). The Program was associated with cost savings of $2773 (95% confidence interval [CI] $1539–$4352) and an additional 0.00069 QALYs (95% CI 0.00024–0.00137) per 9-1-1 palliative care call. The Program return on investment was $4.6 for every $1 invested. Threshold analyses indicated that in order to be cost saving, 33% of 9-1-1 calls should be treated at home under the Program, the Program should generate a minimum of 97 calls per year with each call costing no more than $2773.

Conclusion

The Program was cost-effective in the majority of the scenarios examined. These results support the implementation of paramedic-based palliative care at home programs in Canada.
Do eco-geospatial differences induce otolith morphological variations? Assessment in Chelon auratus (Mugiliformes, Mugilidae) populations collected from Tunisian and Mauritanian waters
Authors: Deida Toumene , Gammoudi Mehrez , El Ayari Tahani , Ben Faleh Abderraouf , Djimera Lassana , Shahin Adel A. Basyouny , Bouriga Nawzet
Published: July 2024

Saccular otoliths (sagittae) have long been shown to be species-specific and exhibit inland geospatial intra- and interpopulation morphological differences with variations in environmental conditions. Here, we analysed inland and outland geospatial variations in sagittae shape, length (Lo), width (Wo), perimeter (Po), and area (Ao), and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in Chelon auratus males and females collected from Ghar El Melh (Tunisia) and Etoile Bay (Mauritania) stations to assess whether sagittae shape and morphometry differ between these two niches having different environmental conditions. At the intrapopulation level, a significant otolith shape asymmetry was observed between left and right and left–left and right–right otoliths among males and females of the Ghar El Melh (Tunisia) population and a significant symmetry among those of the Etoile Bay (Mauritania) population. At the interpopulation level, a significant asymmetry was found between left and right otoliths' shape among males and females of the two populations. Besides, a discriminant function analysis of otoliths' contour shape separated left and right otoliths among males and females at the intra- and interpopulation levels and also separated those of the two populations. Moreover, differential significant asymmetry in Lo, Wo, Po, and Ao between left and right otoliths was observed among males and females at the intra- and interpopulation levels. Therefore, the geospatial variations in environmental conditions between the two ecological niches effectively induced differences in otolith morphology. These significant asymmetries were discussed in terms of FA caused by environmental stress conditions resulting from variations in abiotic factors between the two ecological niches.
Entwicklung einer Skala zur Messung subjektiver, impliziter Fähigkeitsüberzeugungen in Statistik
Authors: Stappert Alexander , Kiefer Christoph , Wild Elke , Mayer Axel
Published: July 2024

Zusammenfassung: Vorgestellt wird die bisher erste Skala zur Erfassung subjektiver Überzeugungen bzgl. der (Un–)‌Veränderbarkeit der individuellen Fähigkeiten in Statistik. Das entwickelte Instrument besteht aus neun vierstufigen Likert-Items; vier Items repräsentieren eine statische, fünf eine flexible Fähigkeitsüberzeugung. Zur Prüfung der faktoriellen Struktur und der psychometrischen Güte werden Fragebogendaten von Studierenden aus einer Explorations- und einer Validierungsstichprobe ( N1 = 150, N2 = 749) herangezogen. Zur Bestimmung der faktoriellen Struktur werden fünf Messmodelle an beiden Datensätzen getestet: Bifaktor-(S-1)-Modelle sowie zweifaktorielle Modelle mit und ohne korrelierte Residuen. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für eine zweidimensionale Struktur der Skala. Für Gesamt- und Subskalen ergaben sich sehr zufriedenstellende interne Konsistenzen. Die divergente Validität der Skala konnte für beide Faktoren bestätigt werden. Die Bestätigung der konvergenten Validität bleibt zunächst auf den Faktor für die statische Überzeugung beschränkt. Neben der ausführlichen Diskussion der Befunde werden abschließend auch Empfehlungen zur Anwendung und weiteren Validierung der Skala formuliert.
Relating Hydro‐Mechanical and Elastodynamic Properties of Dynamically Stressed Tensile‐Fractured Rock in Relation to Applied Normal Stress, Fracture Aperture, and Contact Area
Authors: Wood Clay E. , Manogharan Prabhakaran , Rathbun Andy , Rivière Jacques , Elsworth Derek , Marone Chris , Shokouhi Parisa
Published: July 2024

We exploit nonlinear elastodynamic properties of fractured rock to probe the micro‐scale mechanics of fractures and understand the relation between fluid transport and fracture aperture under dynamic stressing. Experiments were conducted on rough, tensile‐fractured Westerly granite subject to triaxial stresses. We measure fracture permeability for steady‐state fluid flow with deionized water. Pore pressure oscillations are applied at amplitudes ranging from 0.2 to 1 MPa at 1 Hz frequency. During dynamic stressing we transmit ultrasonic signals through the fracture using an array of piezoelectric transducers (PZTs) to monitor evolution of interface properties. We examine the influence of fracture aperture and contact area by conducting measurements at effective normal stresses of 10–20 MPa. Additionally, the evolution of contact area with stress is characterized using pressure sensitive film. These experiments are conducted separately with the same fracture and map contact area at stresses from 9 to 21 MPa. The measurements are a proxy for “true” contact area for the fracture surface and we relate them to elastic properties using the calculated PZT sensor footprints via numerical modeling of Fresnel zones. We compare the elastodynamic response of the fracture using the stress‐induced changes in ultrasonic wave velocities for transmitter‐receiver pairs to image spatial variations in contact properties. We show that nonlinear elasticity and permeability enhancement decrease with increasing normal stress. Additionally, post‐oscillation wave velocity and permeability exhibit quick recoveries toward pre‐oscillation values. Estimates of fracture contact area (global and local) demonstrate that the elastodynamic and permeability responses are dominated by fracture topology.
Improving Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Climate in E3SM: Impacts of New Cloud Microphysics and Improved Wet Removal Treatments
Authors: Shan Yunpeng , Fan Jiwen , Zhang Kai , Shpund Jacob , Terai Christopher , Zhang Guang J. , Song Xiaoliang , Chen Chih‐Chieh‐Jack , Lin Wuyin , Liu Xiaohong , Shrivastava Manish , Wang Hailong , Xie Shaocheng
Published: July 2024

Numerous Earth system models exhibit excessive aerosol effective forcing at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), including the Department of Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM). Here, in the context of the E3SM version 3 effort, the predicted particle property (P3) stratiform cloud microphysics scheme and an enhanced deep convection parameterization suite (ZM_plus) are implemented into E3SM. The ZM_plus includes a convective cloud microphysics scheme, a multi‐scale coherent structure parameterization for mesoscale convective systems, and a revised cloud base mass flux formulation considering impacts of the large‐scale environment. The P3 scheme improved cloud and radiation particularly over the Northern Hemisphere and the frequency of heavy precipitation over the tropics, and the ZM_plus improved clouds in the tropics. P3 decreases aerosol effective forcing by 0.15 W m−2, while the ZM_plus increases it by 0.27 W m−2, resulting from excessive direct (0.31 W m−2) and indirect forcing (−1.79 W m−2). The excessive aerosol forcings are due to aerosol overestimation associated with insufficient aerosol wet removal. By improving the physical treatments in the aerosol wet removal, we effectively mitigate anthropogenic aerosol overestimation and thus attenuate direct (0.09 W m−2) and indirect aerosol forcing (−1.52 W m−2). Adjustment to primary organic matter hygroscopicity reduces direct and indirect forcing to more reasonable values: −0.13 W m−2 and −1.31 W m−2, respectively. On climatology, improved aerosol treatments mitigate overestimation of aerosol optical depth.
Hypoxia Triggered by Expanding River Plume on the East China Sea Inner Shelf During Flood Years
Authors: Li Dewang , Chen Jianfang , Wang Bin , Jin Haiyan , Shou Lu , Lin Hua , Miao Yanyi , Sun Qianwen , Jiang Zhibing , Meng Qicheng , Zeng Jiangning , Zhou Feng , Cai Wei‐Jun
Published: July 2024

The frequency of riverine floods is predicted to increase in East Asia. However, the response of coastal hypoxia (<63 μmol L−1) to floods has not been well understood. In the summer of 2020, characterized by one of the most significant Changjiang water fluxes in three decades, we conducted a cruise during the flood period on the East China Sea inner shelf. Our observations revealed severe bottom hypoxia with a maximum spatial coverage of ∼11,600 km2 and a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) of 21 μmol L−1. In the surface layer, the relationships between salinity and nitrate, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) indicated significant organic matter production, validated by a high‐Chlorophyll‐a (Chl a) patch (>5 μg L−1). Furthermore, the significant relationship between apparent oxygen utilization and DIC of deep waters reveals that the organic matter decomposition primarily drove the hypoxia during the flood period. Episodic wind events also influenced bottom DO and DIC, by transporting surface waters to the deep. Multiple‐years data set shows that the average Changjiang nitrate flux during flood years is about 1.4 times that during non‐flood years. The flood waters mix with estuarine waters, forming the high‐nutrient plume waters, which expanded farther offshore during the flood period. While high turbidity remained confined to the inner estuary. Consequently, the high‐Chl a area significantly expanded, which significantly exacerbated the hypoxia.
Forward and Inverse Modeling of Ice Sheet Flow Using Physics‐Informed Neural Networks: Application to Helheim Glacier, Greenland
Authors: Cheng Gong , Morlighem Mathieu , Francis Sade
Published: July 2024

Predicting the future contribution of the ice sheets to sea level rise over the next decades presents several challenges due to a poor understanding of critical boundary conditions, such as basal sliding. Traditional numerical models often rely on data assimilation methods to infer spatially variable friction coefficients by solving an inverse problem, given an empirical friction law. However, these approaches are not versatile, as they sometimes demand extensive code development efforts when integrating new physics into the model. Furthermore, this approach makes it difficult to handle sparse data effectively. To tackle these challenges, we use the Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to seamlessly integrate observational data and governing equations of ice flow into a unified loss function, facilitating the solution of both forward and inverse problems within the same framework. We illustrate the versatility of this approach by applying the framework to two‐dimensional problems on the Helheim Glacier in southeast Greenland. By systematically concealing one variable (e.g., ice speed, ice thickness, etc.), we demonstrate the ability of PINNs to accurately reconstruct hidden information. Furthermore, we extend this application to address a challenging mixed inversion problem. We show how PINNs are capable of inferring the basal friction coefficient while simultaneously filling gaps in the sparsely observed ice thickness. This unified framework offers a promising avenue to enhance the predictive capabilities of ice sheet models, reducing uncertainties, and advancing our understanding of poorly constrained physical processes.
Multi-polygenic score prediction of mathematics, reading, and language abilities independent of general cognitive ability
Authors: Procopio Francesca , Liao Wangjingyi , Rimfeld Kaili , Malanchini Margherita , von Stumm Sophie , Allegrini Andrea G. , Plomin Robert
Published: July 2024

Specific cognitive abilities (SCA) correlate genetically about 0.50, which underpins general cognitive ability (g), but it also means that there is considerable genetic specificity. If g is not controlled, then genomic prediction of specific cognitive abilities is not truly specific because they are all perfused with g. Here, we investigated the heritability of mathematics, reading, and language ability independent of g (SCA.g) using twins and DNA, and the extent to which multiple genome-wide polygenic scores (multi-PGS) can jointly predict these SCA.g as compared to SCA uncorrected for g. We created SCA and SCA.g composites from a battery of 14 cognitive tests administered at age 12 to 5,000 twin pairs in the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS). Univariate twin analyses yielded an average heritability estimate of 40% for SCA.g, compared to 53% for uncorrected SCA. Using genome-wide SNP genotypes, average SNP-based heritabilities were 26% for SCA.g and 35% for SCA. We then created multi-PGS from at least 50 PGS to predict each SCA and SCA.g using elastic net penalised regression models. Multi-PGS predicted 4.4% of the variance of SCA.g on average, compared to 11.1% for SCA uncorrected for g. The twin, SNP and PGS heritability estimates for SCA.g provide further evidence that the heritabilities of SCA are not merely a reflection of g. Although the relative reduction in heritability from SCA to SCA.g was greater for PGS heritability than for twin or SNP heritability, this decrease is likely due to the paucity of PGS for SCA. We hope that these results encourage researchers to conduct genome-wide association studies of SCA, and especially SCA.g, that can be used to predict PGS profiles of SCA strengths and weaknesses independent of g.
Virtual walking therapy in neuropathic spinal cord injury pain: a feasibility study
Authors: Landmann Gunther , Aerni Marina , Abächerli Roger , Ernst Mario , Ljutow André , Ottiger-Böttger Karina
Published: July 2024

Study design

A feasibility study.

Objectives

Chronic neuropathic pain is a prevalent comorbidity in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), and current medical treatments remain unsatisfactory. New developments as virtual walking are emerging which has been established and further developed at our centre. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of our virtual walking setup in a small group of SCI patients.

Setting

The study was conducted at the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil, Switzerland.

Methods

Four patients aged 22 to 60 years were observed during and after therapy. Three had complete paraplegia (levels Th4–Th8) with neuropathic at- and below-level pain, while one had incomplete paraplegia (Th10) with at-level pain. The primary outcome measured was satisfaction with acceptance of and adherence to virtual walking therapy, alongside suggestions for therapy improvements. Additionally, patients kept a pain diary and pain drawings to measure the extent of pain distribution and intensity before and after therapy. Therapy schedules included either two sessions per week for five weeks or five sessions per week for two weeks.

Results

There was a sound satisfaction and good acceptance amongst participants. Support, duration, and number of sessions were perceived well and acceptable. Pain as a secondary outcome did not change during or after therapy in all but one patient which improved in pain intensity, pain quality as well as pain distribution.

Conclusion

Results suggest that our virtual walking setting is a feasible tool that should be further studied in patients with SCI-related chronic neuropathic pain.
Neutrophil extracellular traps characterize caseating granulomas
Authors: Zlatar Leticija , Knopf Jasmin , Singh Jeeshan , Wang Han , Muñoz-Becerra Marco , Herrmann Irmgard , Chukwuanukwu Rebecca C. , Eckstein Markus , Eichhorn Philip , Rieker Ralf J. , Naschberger Elisabeth , Burkovski Andreas , Krenn Veit , Bilyy Rostyslav , Butova Tetiana , Liskina Iryna , Kalabukha Ihor , Khmel Oleg , Boettcher Michael , Schett Georg , Butov Dmytro , Tkachenko Anton , Herrmann Martin
Published: July 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and still poses a serious challenge to public health. Recent attention to neutrophils has uncovered unexplored areas demanding further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine neutrophil activation and circulatory neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation in various types of TB. Sera from TB patients (n = 91) and healthy controls (NHD; n = 38) were analyzed for NE-DNA and MPO–DNA complexes, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and protease activity (elastase). We show that these NET parameters were increased in TB sera. Importantly, NET formation and NE activity were elevated in TB patients with extensive tissue damage when compared to those with minor damage and in patients with relapse, compared to new cases. We discuss the importance of balancing NET formation to prevent tissue damage or even relapse and argue to analyze circulating NET parameters to monitor the risk of disease relapse. To investigate the tissues for NETs and to find the source of the circulating NET degradation products, we collected sections of granulomas in lung and lymph node biopsies. Samples from other diseases with granulomas, including sarcoidosis (SARC) and apical periodontitis (AP), served as controls. Whereas NET formation characterizes the caseating granulomas, both caseating and non-caseating granulomas harbor DNA with unusual conformation. As TB is associated with hypercoagulation and thromboembolism, we further imaged the pulmonary vessels of TB patients and detected vascular occlusions with neutrophil aggregates. This highlights the dual role of neutrophils in the pathology of TB.
Bardet-Biedl syndrome improved diagnosis criteria and management: Inter European Reference Networks consensus statement and recommendations
Authors: Dollfus Hélène , Lilien Marc R. , Maffei Pietro , Verloes Alain , Muller Jean , Bacci Giacomo M. , Cetiner Metin , van den Akker Erica L. T. , Grudzinska Pechhacker Monika , Testa Francesco , Lacombe Didier , Stokman Marijn F. , Simonelli Francesca , Gouronc Aurélie , Gavard Amélie , van Haelst Mieke M. , Koenig Jens , Rossignol Sylvie , Bergmann Carsten , Zacchia Miriam , Leroy Bart P. , Mosbah Héléna , Van Eerde Albertien M. , Mekahli Djalila , Servais Aude , Poitou Christine , Valverde Diana
Published: July 2024

Four European Reference Networks (ERN-EYE, ERKNet, Endo-ERN, ERN-ITHACA) have teamed up to establish a consensus statement and recommendations for Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). BBS is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy with at least 26 genes identified to date. The clinical manifestations are pleiotropic, can be observed in utero and will progress with age. Genetic testing has progressively improved in the last years prompting for a revision of the diagnostic criteria taking into account clinical Primary and Secondary features, as well as positive or negative molecular diagnosis. This consensus statement also emphasizes on initial diagnosis, monitoring and lifelong follow-up, and symptomatic care that can be provided to patients and family members according to the involved care professionals. For paediatricians, developmental anomalies can be at the forefront for diagnosis (such as polydactyly) but can require specific care, such as for associated neuro developmental disorders. For ophthalmology, the early onset retinal degeneration requires ad hoc functional and imaging technologies and specific care for severe visual impairment. For endocrinology, among other manifestations, early onset obesity and its complications has benefited from better evaluation of eating behaviour problems, improved lifestyle programs, and from novel pharmacological therapies. Kidney and urinary track involvements warrants lifespan attention, as chronic kidney failure can occur and early management might improve outcome. This consensus recommends revised diagnostic criteria for BBS that will ensure certainty of diagnosis, giving robust grounds for genetic counselling as well as in the perspective of future trials for innovative therapies.
Characterization and prevalence of ocular comorbidities and risk of legal blindness across the United States
Authors: Chu Jeffrey , Shaia Jacqueline K. , Sharma Neha , Russell Matthew W. , Rachitskaya Aleksandra V. , Talcott Katherine E. , Singh Rishi P.
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives

Vision loss is a top disability in the United States (US). Patients commonly present with multiple ocular diseases, but the extent to which this places them at risk for vision loss, and if sex and race impacts this, is poorly understood. This exploratory analysis evaluated which ocular comorbidities and demographics are at highest risk for visual impairment.

Subjects/Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted through the TriNetX Analytics Network, an aggregated network encompassing over 90 million insured and uninsured patients across 50 healthcare organizations from all regions in the US. Patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), glaucoma, and uveitis were included in this study. Ocular diseases and visual impairment were determined through ICD-10 codes. Prevalence and odds ratios were calculated while stratifying by sex and racial demographics. Statistical analyses were completed using RStudio and Excel with 95% confidence intervals calculated.

Results

The comorbid conditions with the highest prevalence of visual impairment were uveitis and RVO (39.94%), uveitis and neovascular AMD (37.61%), and uveitis and glaucoma (33.23%). The comorbidity with the highest odds for visual impairment was uveitis and RVO (POR 4.86; 95% CI 4.49, 5.26). Compared to white males, Black and Hispanic males were disproportionately affected by visual impairment across ocular comorbidities.

Conclusion

This study quantified the prevalence and odds of visual impairment for unilateral and comorbid ocular disease, with the addition of uveitis causing the greatest increase. Black and Hispanic males were disproportionately affected by visual impairment across comorbid conditions.
A stress-induced source of phonon bursts and quasiparticle poisoning
Authors: Anthony-Petersen Robin , Biekert Andreas , Bunker Raymond , Chang Clarence L. , Chang Yen-Yung , Chaplinsky Luke , Fascione Eleanor , Fink Caleb W. , Garcia-Sciveres Maurice , Germond Richard , Guo Wei , Hertel Scott A. , Hong Ziqing , Kurinsky Noah , Li Xinran , Lin Junsong , Lisovenko Marharyta , Mahapatra Rupak , Mayer Adam , McKinsey Daniel N. , Mehrotra Siddhant , Mirabolfathi Nader , Neblosky Brian , Page William A. , Patel Pratyush K. , Penning Bjoern , Pinckney H. Douglas , Platt Mark , Pyle Matt , Reed Maggie , Romani Roger K. , Santana Queiroz Hadley , Sadoulet Bernard , Serfass Bruno , Smith Ryan , Sorensen Peter , Suerfu Burkhant , Suzuki Aritoki , Underwood Ryan , Velan Vetri , Wang Gensheng , Wang Yue , Watkins Samuel L. , Williams Michael R. , Yefremenko Volodymyr , Zhang Jianjie
Published: July 2024

The performance of superconducting qubits is degraded by a poorly characterized set of energy sources breaking the Cooper pairs responsible for superconductivity, creating a condition often called “quasiparticle poisoning”. Both superconducting qubits and low threshold dark matter calorimeters have observed excess bursts of quasiparticles or phonons that decrease in rate with time. Here, we show that a silicon crystal glued to its holder exhibits a rate of low-energy phonon events that is more than two orders of magnitude larger than in a functionally identical crystal suspended from its holder in a low-stress state. The excess phonon event rate in the glued crystal decreases with time since cooldown, consistent with a source of phonon bursts which contributes to quasiparticle poisoning in quantum circuits and the low-energy events observed in cryogenic calorimeters. We argue that relaxation of thermally induced stress between the glue and crystal is the source of these events.