bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case Study on GIS Based Method to Develop Geographically Distributed Synthetic Unit Hydrograph using Geo-Spatial Tools in Ungauged Sub-watershed of Ambika River Basin, Gujarat
Authors: Harini S. , Barik Dillip Kumar , Pratyusha N. , Sameera M. , Varsha M. , Shruthi S.
Published: August 2023

In this work, using Snyder, SCS, and the geographically distributed approaches, synthetic unit hydrographs are developed for the recurring flood-impacted ungauged sub-watershed in the Ambika river basin of Gujarat. Due to the scarcity of observed rainfall-runoff data, enforcement of effective flood control measures have not been implemented in this area. Hence the districts in the Ambika river basin regularly experience unexpected floods during the monsoon season, resulting in loss of life and property. The unit hydrograph of a watershed is essential for developing a flood hydrograph, which is useful for flood forecasting. The majority of Indian watersheds are not gauged, and there is not enough rainfall-runoff data to develop a unit hydrograph. However, there are several approaches available that may be used to develop synthetic unit hydrographs using different regionally based empirical equations, and some of them are mentioned above. Using geospatial tools is one of the GIS-based methods for obtaining synthetic unit hydrographs that solely take into account the digital elevation model (DEM) which eliminates the use of regional empirical constants. The geographically distributed synthetic unit hydrograph (GDSUH) approach is employed here on the idea of distributed time-area unit hydrograph and spatial distribution of overland and channel flow velocity. The cumulative travel time map has been divided into isochrones to develop a time-area curve and the resulting unit hydrograph. In this technique, a pure translation flow process is assumed. This approach is most appropriate for watersheds of smaller size. Hence, in this present study, a smaller, unmeasured sub-watershed with an area of 46 km2 is chosen, and the synthetic unit hydrographs are derived using each of the three approaches. The findings from this study were analyzed to determine the most appropriate method for this region. It was observed that the GDSUH is more suitable in comparison to the other two conventional synthetic unit hydrograph approaches. In smaller and un-gauged watersheds, this method gives a conceptual model for forecasting stream flow hydrographs that will capture the geographically distributed nature of the rainfall-runoff process. Additionally, it has the advantages of being simple, quick, inexpensive, and time-saving, especially for smaller regions that lack rainfall-runoff data.
Wie präsentiert sich die Psoriasisarthritis an der Wirbelsäule?
Authors: Husic R. , Hermann J.
Published: August 2023

Die Psoriasisarthritis (PsA) ist eine immunmediierte, chronisch-entzündliche Erkrankung mit heterogenen Manifestationen wie Arthritis, Daktylitis, Enthesitis und axialer Mitbeteiligung. Aufgrund der gemeinsamen klinischen und pathogenetischen Merkmale mit der axialen Spondylarthritis (SpA) wurde die PsA zur Familie der Spondylarthritiden zugeordnet. Die wichtigste gemeinsame klinische Domäne ist die axiale Manifestation, die rezent bei der PsA sehr intensiv untersucht wird. Die axiale PsA ist bisher nicht klar definiert, da die klinischen und radiologischen Vergleiche mit der axialen SpA einige Gemeinsamkeiten, aber auch gravierende Unterschiede zeigten. Die fehlende homogene Definition von axialer PsA resultierte in einer großen Heterogenität bei der Prävalenz, da unterschiedliche klinische und radiologische Parameter für die Klassifikation angewendet wurden. Im klinischen Alltag und bei rezenten Studien werden für die Diagnostik, Erfassung der Krankheitsaktivität und die Therapie der axialen PsA gut etablierten Erfahrungen der axialen SpA benützt. Diese Herangehensweise erwies sich bei Therapieentscheidungen bei axialer PsA als sehr hilfreich, jedoch die Anwendung des Bath-ankylosing-apondylitis-disease-activity-Index (BASDAI) zur Erfassung der Krankheitsaktivität wies gewisse Schwächen auf, da dieser zwischen axialer und peripherer Mitbeteiligung nicht optimal differenzieren konnte. Entzündlicher Rückenschmerz, das Leitsymptom der axialen SpA, ist bei axialer PsA selten oder gar nicht vorhanden und somit kann das Fehlen des entzündlichen Rückenschmerzes die axiale Mitbeteiligung nicht ausschließen. Welche therapeutischen und prognostischen Konsequenzen diese symptomarme axiale PsA hat, ist unklar und zukünftige Studien sollen diese Frage klären. Insgesamt wurde international die Notwendigkeit einer einheitlichen Definition der axialen PsA geäußert und die Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA)- und die Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society(ASAS)-Gruppe haben inzwischen eine (axial involvement in psoriatic arthritis, AXIS‑)Studie initiiert, die diese Fragen beantworten soll.
COVID-19 lockdown and the rate of central precocious puberty
Authors: Goggi G. , Moro M. , Chilà A. , Fatti L. , Cangiano B. , Federici S. , Galazzi E. , Carbone E. , Soranna D. , Vezzoli V. , Persani L. , Bonomi M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) in our highly specialized Endocrinological Center before and after the onset of COVID-19 lockdown; we also aimed to identify any potential difference between girls with CPP from the two different time periods.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the auxological profile of 49 girls with idiopathic CPP: 30 with pre-lockdown onset and 19 with post-lockdown onset of the disease. We collected patients’ characteristics (medical history, physical examination, baseline and dynamic hormonal assessment, bone age, pelvic ultrasound) and compared them between the two groups.

Results

We registered an almost threefold increase in CPP incidence in the 2020–2021 period compared to the previous six years. In post-lockdown patients we found a trend for an earlier diagnosis in terms of both chronological age (p 0.0866) and days between the onset of first pubertal signs and diagnosis (p 0.0618). We also found that post-lockdown patients had a significantly lower hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal axis activation (lower ∆LH% after GnRH test, p 0.0497), a significantly lower increase in bone age calculated at RUS with TW3 method (p 0.0438) and a significantly reduced ovarian activation in females (lower delta-4-androstenedione levels, p 0.0115). Interestingly, post-lockdown patients were born from mothers with an older age at menarche (p 0.0039).

Conclusions

Besides confirming a significant increase in new diagnoses of CPP in the post-lockdown period, our findings among Post-lockdown girls also suggest a less progressive form of CPP and a stronger environmental influence compared to genetic background in determining the timing of pubertal onset.
Studies on the Reduction Behavior of Iron Oxide Pellet Fines with Hydrogen Gas: Mechanism and Kinetic Analysis
Authors: Hammam Abourehab , Nasr M. I. , Elsadek M. H. , Khan Inam Ullah , Omran Mamdouh , Wei Han , Qiu Dejin , Yu Yaowei
Published: August 2023

The present study contributes to the current worldwide activities aiming to replace fossil carbon in steel making processes with hydrogen causing considerable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Compacts prepared from iron oxide pellets fines were isothermally reduced in pure hydrogen gas and a mixture of hydrogen and argon in the temperatures range from 700 to 1100 °C. The total weight loss produced during the reduction process was continuously recorded using thermogravimetric analysis (TG) technique. The findings demonstrated that the temperature has a considerable impact on the conversion and reduction rates. At a given temperature, the reduction rate was accelerated as the amount of H2 increased in the reducing gas. The results indicated that H2 content does not have an effect on reduction behavior, when it is higher than 80%. The reduction reaction of samples was shown to takes place in a step wise manner from hematite to metallic iron. The reduction kinetic and mechanism were deduced from the application of mathematical models and the morphological structure of the reduced samples and correlated with the apparent activation energy (Ea) values. The Ea values at the early, intermediate and final stages were 16.36, 29.24 and 49.35 kJ/mole, respectively. The early stage of the reduction process was controlled by chemical reaction, whereas the gaseous diffusion was controlled the latter stage. At the intermediate stage, the reduction process was controlled by mixed mechanism of gaseous diffusion and chemical reaction.

Graphical Abstract
Good Soldiers Don't Rape
Authors: MacKenzie Megan
Published: August 2023

Sexual violence is a significant problem within many Western militaries. Despite international attention to the issue and global #MeToo and #TimesUp movements highlighting the impact of sexual violence, rates of sexual violence are going up in many militaries. This book uses feminist theories of 'rape culture' and institutional gaslighting to identify the key stories, myths, and misconceptions about military sexual violence that have obstructed addressing and preventing it. It is a landmark study that considers nearly thirty years of media coverage of military sexual violence in three case countries – the US, Canada and Australia. The findings have implications not only for those seeking to address, reduce, and prevent sexual violence in militaries, but also for those hoping to understanding rape culture and how patriarchy operates more broadly. It will appeal to students, scholars and general readers interested in gender, feminism and the military.
Multi-stakeholder Initiatives and Legitimacy: A Deliberative Systems Perspective
Authors: Apffelstaedt Kristin , Schrage Stephanie , Gilbert Dirk Ulrich
Published: August 2023

The legitimacy of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) as institutions for social and environmental governance in the global economy has received much scholarly attention over the past years. To date, however, research has yet to focus on assessing the legitimacy of MSIs in their interactions with other actors within larger systems of deliberation. Drawing on the deliberative systems perspective developed within deliberative democracy theory, we theorise a normative framework to evaluate the roles of MSIs within the broader systems of governance they co-construct through their interactions with other initiatives, governments, non-governmental organisations, and other external actors. As we demonstrate in our evaluation of the illustrative case of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety as a MSI in the context of the Bangladeshi garment industry, this framework can help researchers assess whether a MSI ultimately serves to enhance or undermine the deliberative legitimacy of the overall system of which it forms a part.
Beyond Climate Due Diligence: Fossil Fuels, ‘Red Lines’ and Reparations
Authors: Dehm Julia
Published: August 2023

The scale and scope of the climate crisis and its drastically worsening impacts means that even as a ‘climate due diligence’ obligation is increasingly taking shape as a dimension of human rights due diligence, there is also growing evidence of the limitations of this emerging norm. This article provides four critiques of climate due diligence based on its insufficiency, its conceptual ambiguity, its operational limitations, and its structural limitations. It argues that these critiques could be addressed by regulatory reform that draw clear ‘red lines’ based on the need to prevent the development of any new fossil fuel and address the ‘corporate capture’ of regulatory institutions by the fossil fuel industry. Additionally, it calls for reparations to ensure effective access to a remedy for existing and potential future climate-related human rights impacts that business has caused or contributed to.
The elevation of a unique population of Corynosoma strumosum (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) from the Caspian seal, Pusa caspica, in the Caspian Sea to Corynosoma neostrumosum n. sp.
Authors: Amin O. M. , Chaudhary A. , Sharifdini M. , Singh H. S.
Published: August 2023

An isolated population of 700 specimens initially described as Corynosoma strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802) Lühe, 1904 and currently reassigned to Corynosoma neostrumosum n. sp. was collected from one young male Caspian seal, Pusa caspica (Gmelin) in the southern land-locked Caspian Sea in April 2009. Collected worms were morphologically unique compared with those reported by other observers in open waters, especially in shape and distribution of proboscis hooks and trunk spines, dorso-ventral differences in proboscis hooks and their organization, the baldness of anterior proboscis, consistently smaller size of trunk and testes, larger eggs, the rough egg topography, epidermal micropores, and variations in the female gonopore. Molecular data from the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA and the mitochondrial cox1 gene was also provided to supplement the morphological study of the new species.
Take-up and distribution of a universal cash benefit: The case of the Austrian long-term care allowance
Authors: Pennerstorfer Astrid , Österle August
Published: August 2023

The body of research on the take-up of social benefits is growing, but rarely focuses on universal cash benefits, especially in the field of long-term care. This paper is concerned with the long-term care (LTC) allowance in Austria, a universal cash benefit paid to those in need of LTC on seven different levels of dependency. It investigates whether take-up and distribution of the benefit reflect need in terms of age structure and health status of the population, and examines whether local variations in the distribution of benefits can be explained with socio-demographic variables. Combining administrative data on recipients and socio-demographic data on the municipal level with health information shows that higher levels of education and a higher share of foreigners are associated with a lower share of recipients, while a lower average household size increases the share of recipients. Overall, these variations are much stronger for lower levels of care needs than for higher ones. The results suggest variations in take-up that are determined either by non-application (in particular among lower levels of care needs) or discretion and potentially discrimination in the process of claiming the benefit.
Social mixing and network characteristics of COVID-19 patients before and after widespread interventions: A population-based study
Authors: He Yuncong , Martinez Leonardo , Ge Yang , Feng Yan , Chen Yewen , Tan Jianbin , Westbrook Adrianna , Li Changwei , Cheng Wei , Ling Feng , Cheng Huimin , Wu Shushan , Zhong Wenxuan , Handel Andreas , Huang Hui , Sun Jimin , Shen Ye
Published: August 2023

SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spreads among humans via social networks, with social mixing and network characteristics potentially facilitating transmission. However, limited data on topological structural features has hindered in-depth studies. Existing research is based on snapshot analyses, preventing temporal investigations of network changes. Comparing network characteristics over time offers additional insights into transmission dynamics. We examined confirmed COVID-19 patients from an eastern Chinese province, analyzing social mixing and network characteristics using transmission network topology before and after widespread interventions. Between the two time periods, the percentage of singleton networks increased from 38.9$ \% $to 62.8$ \% $$ (p<0.001) $; the average shortest path length decreased from 1.53 to 1.14$ (p<0.001) $; the average betweenness reduced from 0.65 to 0.11$ (p<0.001) $; the average cluster size dropped from 4.05 to 2.72$ (p=0.004) $; and the out-degree had a slight but nonsignificant decline from 0.75 to 0.63$ (p=0.099). $Results show that nonpharmaceutical interventions effectively disrupted transmission networks, preventing further disease spread. Additionally, we found that the networks’ dynamic structure provided more information than solely examining infection curves after applying descriptive and agent-based modeling approaches. In summary, we investigated social mixing and network characteristics of COVID-19 patients during different pandemic stages, revealing transmission network heterogeneities.
Handlungsorientierungen Bezugspflegender in der Beziehungsgestaltung mit ihren Patient_innen im Maßregelvollzug
Authors: Herwig Gitte , Sauter Dorothea , M. Ayerle Gertrud
Published: August 2023

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die interpersonale Beziehungsgestaltung zu Patient_innen gehört zu den elementarsten Aufgaben Pflegender im Maßregelvollzug und ist als Kern ihrer beruflichen Identität zu verstehen. Die Haltung forensisch-psychiatrisch Pflegender beeinflusst die Beziehungsgestaltung maßgeblich, wenngleich diese als implizites Konzept oftmals nicht unmittelbar zugänglich ist. Fragestellung: Welche Handlungsorientierungen Bezugspflegender charakterisieren die Beziehungsgestaltung zu ihren Patient_innen im Maßregelvollzug? Methodik: Zur Erfassung der kollektiven Orientierungen der Pflegenden wurden zwei Gruppendiskussionen mit acht Teilnehmenden durchgeführt. Die Auswertung erfolgte anhand der Dokumentarischen Methode. Ergebnisse: Vier Orientierungen konnten zu einer generalisierbaren Basistypik verdichtet werden. Fokussiert wird die Beziehung als Notwendigkeit für eine erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit. Bezeichnend sind Ehrlichkeit und Vertrauen. Konversation über alltägliche Themen charakterisiert den Beziehungsaufbau. Offenheit und aufrichtiges Interesse an den Patient_innen sind ebenso wichtige Voraussetzungen wie Definition und Aufrechterhaltung persönlicher Grenzen. Fazit: Implizite, handlungsleitende Haltungen forensisch-psychiatrisch Pflegender sollten reflexiv zugänglich gemacht werden, um professionelle Beziehung zu definieren und deren Grenzen aufrechtzuerhalten. Dazu benötigen die Pflegenden in der klinischen Praxis strukturierte Rahmenbedingungen, um Selbstreflexion und Selbsterfahrung zu ermöglichen. Ziel ist die systematische Entwicklung persönlicher und interaktioneller Kompetenzen.
Statistical Analysis of the Horizontal Phase Velocity Distribution of Atmospheric Gravity Waves and Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances in Airglow Images Over Darwin (12.4°S, 131.0°E)
Authors: Tsuboi Takuma , Shiokawa Kazuo , Otsuka Yuichi , Fujinami Hatsuki , Nakamura Takuji , Neudegg David
Published: August 2023

Atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) in the upper atmosphere can be observed in nocturnal airglow images. Spectral analysis of airglow images provides propagation direction and intensity of these waves. However, the spectral analysis of airglow images has not been done yet for stations in the southern hemisphere except for Antarctica. In this study, we calculated the horizontal phase velocity spectra of AGWs in the mesosphere‐lower‐thermosphere (MLT) region near the mesopause and MSTIDs in the F‐region ionosphere from airglow images at wavelengths of 557.7 and 630.0 nm, respectively, by applying the 3‐dimensional Fourier spectral analysis to the airglow images obtained at Darwin (12.4°S, 131.0°E) in Australia for 13.75 years from 2001 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2019. The spectra of AGWs in the MLT region show clear characteristics that the southward power spectral density (PSD) is stronger in summer and weaker in winter. Tropospheric convection was located at north of Darwin in summer and above Darwin in winter, suggesting that the tropospheric convection is a possible source of AGWs in the mesopause region. The spectra of MSTIDs in the F‐region ionosphere show that the dominant northwestward PSD is stronger in winter and during solar quiet periods. These features can be explained if the observed MSTIDs are caused by the ionospheric instabilities. A weak positive correlation was observed between PSDs of AGWs in the mesosphere and MSTIDs. We propose that the MSTIDs propagating other than northwestward may be generated by AGWs.
3D Sensitivity Kernels With Full Attenuation Computed by a Combination of the Strong Stability Preserving Runge‐Kutta Method and the Scattering‐Integral Method
Authors: Wang Nian , Yang Dinghui , Shen Yang , Bao Xueyang , Li Jiahang
Published: August 2023

To date developments of seismic attenuation models of the Earth have lagged those of velocity models. This is partly due to difficulties in isolating waveform perturbations caused by attenuation and velocity heterogeneities and partly due to different theories (e.g., ray theory, finite frequency theory) used in most previous and current studies to approximate sensitivity kernels and invert for the attenuation structure. We present in this paper a new method for computing the 3D waveform Fréchet kernels that account for full physical‐dispersion and dissipation attenuation. For solving the 3D isotropic anelastic wave equation described by the generalized Maxwell body model, we extend our previously proposed full waveform modeling method in Cartesian coordinates to that in spherical coordinates, which can provide stable numerical solutions even in the presence of strong attenuation. Then, we apply the scattering‐integral method for calculating 3D travel time and amplitude sensitivity kernels with respect to velocity and attenuation structures. We demonstrate the accuracy of our forward method and the effectiveness of the implementation of absorbing and free surface boundary conditions through numerical tests. Moreover, by choosing the Northwestern United States region as a realistic example, we verify the accuracy of the computed 3D sensitivity kernels through comparing the waveform measurements with predictions from the kernels. Finally, we discuss the importance of calculating full anelastic sensitivity kernels including both effects of physical dispersion and dissipation, where we specially explore the effect of scattering due to random velocity and attenuation heterogeneities on waveform measurements.
On the Formation of Global Inter‐Source Correlations and Applications to Constrain the Interiors of the Earth and Other Terrestrial Planets
Authors: Wang Sheng , Tkalčić Hrvoje
Published: August 2023

The cross‐correlation stack of earthquake late‐coda between seismic receivers on a global scale—global inter‐receiver correlogram—exhibits numerous features that provide information on the Earth's structure. The cross‐correlation stack between seismic sources (global inter‐source correlogram) can also be constructed, and, in theory, it should reproduce the correlation features seen in the inter‐receiver correlogram. However, practical attempts at global inter‐source correlograms have not produced the theoretical expectations. Namely, the obtained inter‐source correlograms are void of discernible correlation features. Here, we address this problem and document the steps that have to be undertaken to produce the inter‐source global correlogram with the equivalent abundance of correlation features. We show that forming inter‐source correlation features requires constructive contributions determined by specific source mechanisms and source‐receiver geometries. They are overwhelmed by destructive contributions if seismic records of all available sources and source‐receiver geometries are used. Building upon that, we present an effective procedure for constructing global inter‐source correlations through a rigorous selection of source mechanisms and source‐receiver geometries. The resulting inter‐source correlations exhibit numerous prominent correlation features as predicted. Notably, this method enables the construction of global inter‐source correlations in a special case with a single seismic receiver. Furthermore, we explore and demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing single‐receiver inter‐source correlations to constrain the interiors of the Earth and other terrestrial bodies. Our study facilitates practical applications of global inter‐source correlations, providing additional constraints on the Earth's structure and offering an effective routine to probe the interiors of other planets and moons using currently affordable resources.
A Comparison Study of Mg/Ca‐, Alkenone‐, and TEX86‐Derived Temperatures for the Brazilian Margin
Authors: Bahr A. , Jaeschke A. , Hou A. , Meier K. , Chiessi C. M. , Albuquerque A. L. Spadano , Rethemeyer J. , Friedrich O.
Published: August 2023

The reconstruction of accurate sea‐surface temperatures (SST) is of utmost importance due to the ocean's central role in the global climate system. Yet, a number of environmental processes might bias reliable SST estimations. Here, we investigate the fidelity of SST reconstructions for the western tropical South Atlantic (WTSA) for the interval covered by Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6–5, utilizing a core collected off eastern Brazil at ∼20°S. This interval was selected as previous SST estimates based on Mg/Ca ratios of planktic foraminifera suggested a peculiar pooling of warm surface waters in the WTSA during MIS 6 despite glacial boundary conditions. To ground‐truth the Mg/Ca‐based SST data we generated SST reconstructions on the same core material using the alkenone and TEX86 paleothermometers. Comparison with alkenone‐based temperature estimates corroborate the previous Mg/Ca‐based SST reconstructions, supporting the suggestion of a warm‐water anomaly during MIS 6. In contrast, TEX86‐derived temperatures, albeit representing annual mean SST in recent core top samples, are up to 6°C colder than Mg/Ca‐ and alkenone‐based SST reconstructions. We interpret the periods of anomalously cold TEX86‐temperatures as a result of a vertical migration of the TEX86 producers (heterotrophic marine Thaumarchaeota) toward greater water depths, following food availability during phases of enhanced fluvial suspension input. Likewise, the data suggest that alkenone‐based SST are, albeit to a minor degree when compared to TEX86, affected by river run‐off and/or a seasonal bias in the growth season of haptophyte algae.
Chasing Interannual Marine Paleovariability
Authors: Thirumalai Kaustubh , Maupin Christopher R.
Published: August 2023

Several modes of tropical sea‐surface temperature (SST) variability operate on year‐to‐year (interannual) timescales and profoundly shape seasonal precipitation patterns across adjacent landmasses. Substantial uncertainty remains in addressing how SST variability will become altered under sustained greenhouse warming. Paleoceanographic estimates of changes in variability under past climatic states have emerged as a powerful method to clarify the sensitivity of interannual variability to climate forcing. Several approaches have been developed to investigate interannual SST variability within and beyond the observational period, primarily using marine calcifiers that afford subannual‐resolution sampling plans. Amongst these approaches, geochemical variations in coral skeletons are particularly attractive for their near‐monthly, continuous sampling resolution, and capacity to focus on SST anomalies after removing an annual cycle calculated over many years (represented as geochemical oscillations). Here we briefly review the paleoceanographic pursuit of interannual variability. We additionally highlight recent research documented by Ong et al., (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022PA004483) who demonstrate the utility of Sr/Ca variations in capturing SST variability using a difficult‐to‐sample meandroid coral species, Colpophyllia natans, which is widespread across the Caribbean region and can be used to generate records spanning multiple centuries.
TET (Ten-eleven translocation) family proteins: structure, biological functions and applications
Authors: Zhang Xinchao , Zhang Yue , Wang Chaofu , Wang Xu
Published: August 2023

Ten-eleven translocation (TET) family proteins (TETs), specifically, TET1, TET2 and TET3, can modify DNA by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine (5mC) iteratively to yield 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and 5-carboxycytosine (5caC), and then two of these intermediates (5fC and 5caC) can be excised and return to unmethylated cytosines by thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG)-mediated base excision repair. Because DNA methylation and demethylation play an important role in numerous biological processes, including zygote formation, embryogenesis, spatial learning and immune homeostasis, the regulation of TETs functions is complicated, and dysregulation of their functions is implicated in many diseases such as myeloid malignancies. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that TET2 is able to catalyze the hydroxymethylation of RNA to perform post-transcriptional regulation. Notably, catalytic-independent functions of TETs in certain biological contexts have been identified, further highlighting their multifunctional roles. Interestingly, by reactivating the expression of selected target genes, accumulated evidences support the potential therapeutic use of TETs-based DNA methylation editing tools in disorders associated with epigenetic silencing. In this review, we summarize recent key findings in TETs functions, activity regulators at various levels, technological advances in the detection of 5hmC, the main TETs oxidative product, and TETs emerging applications in epigenetic editing. Furthermore, we discuss existing challenges and future directions in this field.
HSPA12A controls cerebral lactate homeostasis to maintain hippocampal neurogenesis and mood stabilization
Authors: Wang Jialing , Lu Ting , Gui Yali , Zhang Xiaojin , Cao Xiaofei , Li Yuehua , Li Chuanfu , Liu Li , Ding Zhengnian
Published: August 2023

Mood instability, a subjective emotional state defined as rapid mood oscillations of up and down, is a symptom that occurs in several psychiatric disorders, particularly major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Heat shock protein A12A (HSPA12A) shows decreased expression in the brains of schizophrenia patients. However, the causal effects of HSPA12A in any psychiatric disorders are completely unknown. To investigate whether HSPA12A affects mood stability, Hspa12a-knockout mice (Hspa12a−/−) and wild-type (WT) littermates were subjected to tests of open field, forced swimming, elevated plus maze, and sucrose preference. Cerebral lactate levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) was assessed by BrdU labeling. We found that acute mood stress increased hippocampal HSPA12A expression and CSF lactate levels in mice. However, Hspa12a−/− mice exhibited behaviors of mood instability (anhedonia, lower locomotor activity, antidepression, and anxiety), which were accompanied by impaired AHN, decreased CSF lactate levels, and downregulated hippocampal glycolytic enzyme expression. By contrast, HSPA12A overexpression increased lactate production and glycolytic enzyme expression of primary hippocampal neurons. Intriguingly, lactate administration alleviated the mood instability and AHN impairment in Hspa12a−/− mice. Further analyses revealed that HSPA12A was necessary for sustaining cerebral lactate homeostasis, which could be mediated by inhibiting GSK3β in hippocampal neurons, to maintain AHN and mood stabilization. Taken together, HSPA12A is defined as a novel regulator of mood stability and exerts therapeutic potential for mood disorder. Our findings establish a framework for determining mood disorder and AHN relevance of cerebral lactate homeostasis.
Record-matching of STR profiles with fragmentary genomic SNP data
Authors: Kim Jaehee , Rosenberg Noah A.
Published: August 2023

In many forensic settings, identity of a DNA sample is sought from poor-quality DNA, for which the typical STR loci tabulated in forensic databases are not possible to reliably genotype. Genome-wide SNPs, however, can potentially be genotyped from such samples via next-generation sequencing, so that queries can in principle compare SNP genotypes from DNA samples of interest to STR genotype profiles that represent proposed matches. We use genetic record-matching to evaluate the possibility of testing SNP profiles obtained from poor-quality DNA samples to identify exact and relatedness matches to STR profiles. Using simulations based on whole-genome sequences, we show that in some settings, similar match accuracies to those seen with full coverage of the genome are obtained by genetic record-matching for SNP data that represent 5–10% genomic coverage. Thus, if even a fraction of random genomic SNPs can be genotyped by next-generation sequencing, then the potential may exist to test the resulting genotype profiles for matches to profiles consisting exclusively of nonoverlapping STR loci. The result has implications in relation to criminal justice, mass disasters, missing-person cases, studies of ancient DNA, and genomic privacy.
Chronic comorbid conditions and asthma exacerbation occurrence in a general population sample
Authors: Baljet Emma , Luijks Hilde , van den Bemt Lisette , Schermer Tjard R.
Published: August 2023

Chronic comorbid conditions are common in adults with asthma, and some may influence a patient’s asthma exacerbation risk. We explored associations between eighteen chronic comorbid conditions and asthma exacerbation occurrence in adults with asthma in a cross-sectional study nested within a cohort study using data from the two-yearly US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) program. Data of 2387 adults with self-reported doctor-diagnosed current asthma from the 2007 to 2018 NHANES surveys were selected. Investigated chronic comorbidities were: angina pectoris; congestive heart failure; coronary heart disease; depression; diabetes mellitus; soft and hard drug use; gastroesophageal reflux; gout; history of heart attack; history of stroke; hypercholesterolemia; hypertension; kidney failure; liver conditions; obesity; rheumatoid arthritis; and thyroid problems. Outcome was defined as asthma exacerbation category: no, moderate, or severe exacerbation(s) in the past year. Ordinal logistic regression analysis with correction for potential confounders was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for moderate or severe exacerbations. Observed associations with increased severe asthma exacerbation occurrence were: obesity (OR = 1.67; 95% confidence interval 1.24, 2.26), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.55; 1.04, 2.30). History of stroke (OR = 1.95; 1.22, 3.11) and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.33; 1.00, 1.75) showed associations with increased moderate exacerbation occurrence. Age-stratified analysis showed soft drug use, obesity, depression, thyroid problems, and rheumatoid arthritis to be associated with moderate and/or severe exacerbation occurrence in one or more 10-year age strata. In conclusion, several chronic comorbid conditions were associated with asthma exacerbation occurrence, which confirms but also complements previous studies. Our observations contribute to understanding exacerbation risk estimation and, ultimately, personalized asthma management.
Ecological, social, and intrinsic factors affecting wild orangutans’ curiosity, assessed using a field experiment
Authors: Schuppli Caroline , Nellissen Lara , Carvajal Luz , Ashbury Alison M. , Oliver-Caldwell Natalie , Rahmaeti Tri , Laumer Isabelle , Haun Daniel
Published: August 2023

The readiness to interact with and explore novel stimuli—i.e., curiosity—is the cornerstone of innovation. Great apes show broad and complex innovation repertoires. However, little is known about the factors that affect curiosity in wild apes. To shed light on wild apes’ curiosity, we measured the reactions of wild Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) to an experiment apparatus. Overall, individuals were reluctant to touch the apparatus. However, compared to adults, immatures showed higher tendencies to explore (measured through looking durations and the probability of touching the apparatus) and to approach (measured through approach latencies and approach distances) the apparatus but were more likely to show behavioral signs of agitation. The presence of conspecifics who approached the apparatus increased visual exploration and approach tendencies. Prevailing habitat food availability positively affected visual exploration but had a negative effect on approach tendencies. These findings indicate that intrinsic, social, and ecological factors affect reactions to novelty in wild orangutans and suggest that exploration, neophobia and neophilia are independently regulated. Because reactions to novelty can be an essential pathway to innovation, our results suggest that factors acting on different elements of curiosity must be considered to understand the evolution of innovative tendencies.
Tribological properties of high-speed steel surface with texture and vertical fibers
Authors: Feng Kai , Ni Jing , Wang Zixuan , Meng Zhen
Published: August 2023

Inadequate lubrication of the two touching surfaces during friction can lead to severe wear, especially in metal cutting. Therefore, a surface with synergistic anti-friction effect of texture and solid lubricant was proposed to improve lubrication. A mesh texture with excellent wettability was prepared on the high-speed steel (HSS) surface by laser, and then nylon fibers were vertically implanted into the grooves of the texture using the electrostatic flocking technology. The friction and wear state of different surfaces (smooth, textured, flocking) under dry/oil-lubricated were studied by a linear reciprocating wear tester. The coefficient of friction (COF) under different working conditions was used to analyze the anti-friction properties, and the wear rate was used to evaluate the wear resistance of the surface. The results showed that the tribological properties of flocking surfaces were better than those of the other two surfaces. This is because the addition of nylon fibers eases shear at the edges of the texture. The broken fibers form a solid lubricating film on the specimen surface, which prevents the surface from being scratched by debris. In addition, it is found that COF decreases with increasing load. Finally, the rapid wettability of the oil droplets on the flocking surface shows the great potential of the surface for lubrication and anti-friction.
IgG persistence showed weak clinical aspects in chronic schistosomiasis patients
Authors: Xie Shudong , Zhang Yu , Li Junhui , Zhou Jie , Li Jun , Zhang Pengpeng , Liu Yang , Luo Yulin , Ming Yingzi
Published: August 2023

Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease, which affects the quality of daily life of patients and imposes a huge burden on society. Hepatic fibrosis in response to continuous insult of eggs to the liver is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. However, the mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis are largely undefined. The purpose of our study is to detect the indicator to hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis. A total of 488 patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into two groups according to liver ultrasound examination, which could indicate liver fibrosis of schistosomiasis with unique reticular changes. Logistic regression analysis showed that globulin, albumin/globulin, GGT levels and anti-Schistosoma IgG were independently associated with liver fibrosis in patients with schistosomiasis and IgG was the largest association of liver fibrosis (OR  2.039, 95% CI 1.293–3.213). We further compared IgG+ patients with IgG− patients. IgG+ patients (ALT 25 U/L, GGT 31 U/L) slightly higher than IgG− patients (ALT 22 U/L, GGT 26 U/L) in ALT and GGT. However, the fibrosis of liver in IgG+ patients (Grade II(19.7%), Grade III(7.3%)) were more severe than that in IgG− patients(Grade II(12.5%), Grade III(2.9%)) according to the grade of liver ultrasonography. Our results showed anti-Schistosoma IgG was independently associated with liver fibrosis in patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica and patients with persistent anti-Schistosoma IgG might have more liver fibrosis than negative patients despite no obvious clinical signs or symptoms.
Mechanical hierarchy in the formation and modulation of cortical folding patterns
Authors: Chavoshnejad Poorya , Vallejo Liam , Zhang Songyao , Guo Yanchen , Dai Weiying , Zhang Tuo , Razavi Mir Jalil
Published: August 2023

The important mechanical parameters and their hierarchy in the growth and folding of the human brain have not been thoroughly understood. In this study, we developed a multiscale mechanical model to investigate how the interplay between initial geometrical undulations, differential tangential growth in the cortical plate, and axonal connectivity form and regulate the folding patterns of the human brain in a hierarchical order. To do so, different growth scenarios with bilayer spherical models that features initial undulations on the cortex and uniform or heterogeneous distribution of axonal fibers in the white matter were developed, statistically analyzed, and validated by the imaging observations. The results showed that the differential tangential growth is the inducer of cortical folding, and in a hierarchal order, high-amplitude initial undulations on the surface and axonal fibers in the substrate regulate the folding patterns and determine the location of gyri and sulci. The locations with dense axonal fibers after folding settle in gyri rather than sulci. The statistical results also indicated that there is a strong correlation between the location of positive (outward) and negative (inward) initial undulations and the locations of gyri and sulci after folding, respectively. In addition, the locations of 3-hinge gyral folds are strongly correlated with the initial positive undulations and locations of dense axonal fibers. As another finding, it was revealed that there is a correlation between the density of axonal fibers and local gyrification index, which has been observed in imaging studies but not yet fundamentally explained. This study is the first step in understanding the linkage between abnormal gyrification (surface morphology) and disruption in connectivity that has been observed in some brain disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Moreover, the findings of the study directly contribute to the concept of the regularity and variability of folding patterns in individual human brains.
Interleukin 6 exacerbates the progression of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia by influencing the activity and function of B cells
Authors: Zhao Manjun , Chen Lei , Yang Jin , Zhang Ziying , Wang Huaquan , Shao Zonghong , Liu Xiaoqing , Xing Limin
Published: August 2023

To explore the effect of IL-6 on the activity and secretory function of B cells and analyze its effect on clinical indicators and efficacy in wAIHA patients. This study included 25 hemolytic wAIHA patients, 13 remission patients, and 10 HCs. Plasma levels of various cytokines were detected using CBA. PBMCs were extracted from 12 hemolytic wAIHA patients and divided into three wells, stimulation with IL-6 and IL-6 + tocilizumab, the blank control wells were also set. After 48 h of in vitro cell culture, percentage of CD5+CD80+, CD5–CD80+,CD5+CD86+,CD5–CD86+,CD5+IL-10+,CD5–IL-10+B cells were determined by flow-cytometry. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in hemolytic episode group were significantly higher than that in HCs group (p = 0.0243; p = 0.0214). RBC and Hb levels were negatively correlated with IL-6 levels in wAIHA patients, while LDH levels were positively correlated.Therapeutic effects of glucocorticoid and duration of efficacy were also significantly correlated with IL-6 levels in wAIHA patients. After 48 h in vitro cell culture, percentages of CD80+/CD5+CD19+and CD80+/CD5–CD19+ cells in the IL-6 stimulation group were higher than those in blank control group (p = 0.0019; p = 0.0004), while CD86+/CD5+ CD19+ and CD86+/CD5–CD19+ cells were not statistically different before and after IL-6 stimulation. Percentage of IL-10+/CD5+ CD19+ cells in IL-6 stimulation group was lower than that in blank control (p = 0.0017) and IL-6 + toc (p = 0.0117) group. Percentage of IL-10+/CD5– CD19+cells in the IL-6 stimulation group was lower than that in the blank control group (p = 0.0223). Plasma levels of IL-6 were significantly elevated in hemolytic wAIHA patients and correlated with clinical indicators and efficacy. IL-6 promotes the activation of B cells. Although the results were not statistically significant, IL-6R antagonist tocilizumab may hopefully become a targeted therapy for wAIHA patients.
Polysilyne chains bridged with beryllium lead to flat 2D Dirac materials
Authors: Takahashi Masae
Published: August 2023

Polysilyne with repeating disilyne units, a silicon analogue of polyacetylene, has a high potential for application to various novel silicon-based electronic devices because of the unique properties of Si=Si units with a smaller HOMO–LUMO energy gap than that of C=C units. However, one-dimensional (1D) polysilyne has not been synthesized yet. Here we propose a planar and air-stable two-dimensional (2D) silicon-based material with one-atom thickness consisting of beryllium-bridged 1D all-trans polysilyne, based on the first-principles calculations. The flat structure of 1D polysilyne, which is essential for the air stability of silicon π-electron conjugated systems, is realized by embedding polysilyne in a planar sheet. It was found that the 2D crystal optimized at the rhombus unit cell with the D2h group symmetry is a silicon-based Dirac semimetal with linear dispersion at the Fermi energy and hosts anisotropic Dirac fermions.
Metabolites for monitoring symptoms and predicting remission in patients with depression who received electroconvulsive therapy: a pilot study
Authors: Uchida Takahito , Sugiura Yuki , Sugiyama Eiji , Maeda Rae , Tanaka Kenji F. , Suematsu Makoto , Mimura Masaru , Uchida Hiroyuki
Published: August 2023

The lack of biomarkers to monitor and predict the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has hindered its optimal use. To establish metabolomic markers for monitoring and predicting the treatment efficacy of ECT, we comprehensively evaluated metabolite levels in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) by performing targeted and non-targeted metabolomic analyses using plasma samples before and after the first, third, and final ECT sessions, and 3–7 days after the final session. We compared the plasma metabolomes of age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Thirteen hospitalized patients with MDD and their corresponding HCs were included in this study. We observed that patients with MDD exhibited lower levels of amino acids, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and metabolites involved in tryptophan metabolism and the kynurenine pathway, and higher levels of cortisol at baseline. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between metabolite levels and depression severity across seven measurement timepoints along with one correlation analysis and found that amino acids, including GABA and tryptophan catabolites, were significantly correlated with the severity of depression. Despite the exploratory nature of this study due to the limited sample size necessitating further validation, our findings suggest that the blood metabolic profile has potential as a biomarker for ECT.
Skin Anatomy
Authors: Dabbagh Moghaddam F. , Romana Bertani F. , Tay F. R.
Published: August 2023

The skin, the largest human organ, has unique characteristics. This organ has two layers of tissues: a keratinized epidermis and a thick underlying layer of collagen-rich connective tissue that supports and nourishes the overlying epidermis. The skin is the body’s first defense against challenges from the external environment. It performs many other vital functions, such as protecting the body against external physical, chemical and biological invaders, as well as preventing the loss of excess water from the body and playing a role in regulating heat. Rampant cell proliferation is observed in the epithelial tissue because it is constantly exposed to physical and chemical insults. This chapter examines the anatomical structures of specialized skin layers and their structural and functional appendages.