bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How dysregulation of the immune system promotes diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk complications
Authors: Girard Diane , Vandiedonck Claire
Published: September 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance or failure to produce insulin. Patients with DM develop microvascular complications that include chronic kidney disease and retinopathy, and macrovascular complications that mainly consist in an accelerated and more severe atherosclerosis compared to the general population, increasing the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, such as stroke or myocardial infarction by 2- to 4-fold. DM is commonly associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation that is a known causal factor in its development and its complications. Moreover, it is now well-established that inflammation and immune cells play a major role in both atherosclerosis genesis and progression, as well as in CV event occurrence. In this review, after a brief presentation of DM physiopathology and its macrovascular complications, we will describe the immune system dysregulation present in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and discuss its role in DM cardiovascular complications development. More specifically, we will review the metabolic changes and aberrant activation that occur in the immune cells driving the chronic inflammation through cytokine and chemokine secretion, thus promoting atherosclerosis onset and progression in a DM context. Finally, we will discuss how genetics and recent systemic approaches bring new insights into the mechanisms behind these inflammatory dysregulations and pave the way toward precision medicine.
Adherence and persistence to oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation: A Belgian nationwide cohort study
Authors: Grymonprez Maxim , Capiau Andreas , Steurbaut Stephane , Mehuys Els , Boussery Koen , De Backer Tine L. , Lahousse Lies
Published: September 2022

Background

Since non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) do not require coagulation monitoring, concerns of lower adherence and persistence to NOACs than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been raised. Moreover, little is known on the frequency of permanent cessation and switching between anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, persistence, reinitiation, switching and adherence to oral anticoagulants (OACs) were investigated.

Materials and methods

AF patients with a first OAC prescription claim between 2013 and 2019 were identified in Belgian nationwide data. Persistence, reinitiation and switching were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Adherence was investigated using the proportion of days covered (PDC). Predictors for non-adherence and non-persistence were identified by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Among 277,782 AF patients, 69.6% NOAC and 37.2% VKA users were persistent after 1 year, whereas 44.3% and 18.9% after 5 years, respectively. After one year, 67.1% rivaroxaban, 68.1% dabigatran, 69.8% apixaban, and 76.9% edoxaban users were persistent. Among subjects having discontinued NOAC or VKA treatment, 75.4% and 46.1% reinitiated any OAC within 5 years, respectively. VKAs were more frequently switched to NOACs than vice versa (17.6% versus 2.5% after 1 year). After 1 year, a high PDC (≥ 90%) was observed in 87.8% apixaban, 88.6% dabigatran, 91.3% rivaroxaban, and 94.7% edoxaban users (90.2% NOAC users). Adherence and persistence were higher in older, female subjects, while lower in subjects with dementia or hyperpolypharmacy.

Conclusion

Adherence and persistence to NOACs were high. However, 10% of subjects were non-adherent after 1 year and one-fourth did not reinitiate anticoagulation within 5 years after NOAC discontinuation.
Factors affecting the changes in antihypertensive medications in patients with hypertension
Authors: Chung Tae Kyu , Jeon Yoomin , Hong YeSol , Hong Suyeon , Moon Jun Sik , Lee Howard
Published: September 2022

As frequent changes in anti-hypertensive (HTN) medications may reduce adherence to the treatments, identifying modifiable factors leading to changes in anti-HTN medications can help clinicians optimize treatment strategies for individual patients. We performed this study to explore the pattern of anti-HTN medications and to identify factors that are associated with the changes in anti-HTN medications. To this end, we used a clinical database of Seoul National University Hospital, extracted, transformed, and loaded by the observational medical outcomes partnership common data model. Demographic and all recorded clinical diagnoses, medications, and procedures data of eligible subjects were collected. Of 636 subjects who were eligible for this study, 297 subjects with a record of ≥1 anti-HTN medication changes and other 297 subjects without a record of medication change were selected for the study population. High diastolic blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.040, p = 0.040), arrhythmia (adjusted OR: 10.01, 95% CI: 1.86–185.57, p = 0.030), and angina pectoris with antianginal agents (adjusted OR: 4.85, CI: 1.05–23.89, p = 0.046) were associated with the changes in anti-HTN medications, indicating that any patients with these covariates require additional attention to reduce the likelihood of changing anti-HTN medications.
Developmental characteristics of rainfall-induced landslides from 1999 to 2016 in Wenzhou City of China
Authors: Qin Haiyan , He Jun , Guo Jian , Cai Lu
Published: September 2022

Many landslides are triggered by excess precipitation. In the eastern part of China, landslides caused by extreme rainfall from typhoons in the monsoon season are the main geomorphological process with catastrophic impacts on society and the environment. In this study, Wenzhou City in eastern China was taken as the study area, and we compiled a detailed inventory of rainfall-triggered landslides between 1999 and 2016. The developmental characteristics of these landslides were determined with an emphasis on temporo-spatial distribution. The results showed that most of the landslides were located in the mountainous area of the western part of Wenzhou City. Landslides triggered by typhoon rainfall were commonly concentrated in a short period from July to September, when more than 70% of the landslides occurred. The landslides in this region were mainly of the debris-flow type, most of which were on a small scale, but had severe effects because of large elevation differences and long runout distances. Because the precipitation in typhoon events was commonly extreme, the initiation area of most landslides coincided with the region of highest hourly precipitation. Our results can provide reference data and guidelines for developing an early warning system for landslides and risk reduction in the study area.
Analysis of 2D and 3D GPR data interpretation using continuous wavelet transforms: Case study from an archaeological test site
Authors: Iqbal Ibrar , Xiong Bin , Tian Gang , Ali Amjad , Peng Sanxi , Wen Gao , Huang Xingfu , Anees Aqsa , Ashraf Umar , Abd El-Raouf Amr
Published: September 2022

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is one of the most important techniques for obtaining high-resolution data in archaeological research, and it is becoming increasingly important. The continuous wavelet transform (CWT), which is non-numerical technique, gives an overcomplete representation of a signal by continuously varying the wavelet’s translation and scale parameters in the time series dataset. This paper focuses on the novel technique of integrating CWT and the wavelet transform maxima (WTM) to extract information from an archaeological test site in south-eastern China. For the characterization of archaeological features, we assessed the importance of dense and accurate data collection as well as GPR signal processing. The mathematical formulation and applicability of GPR attributes, particularly amplitude-based attributes, to identify and characterize archaeological buried targets are also discussed. GPR data is acquired using co-polarized and cross-polarized configurations with transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) broadside frequency plates at 100 and 200 MHz. Next, CWT was applied using six different wavelet levels, followed by amplitude comparison. The archaeological targets were successfully interpreted using peak amplitude and CWT. The proposed methodology has significantly improved data visualization and interpretation of GPR data, and it also gave us good results in identifying archaeological anomalies.
Sedimentary records and chronology of the late Pleistocene overbank flooding in the Yellow River source area, NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhu Yan , Wang Haoyu , Zhang Yuzhu , Huang Chun Chang , Zha Xiaochun , Qiu Haijun , Jia Ya-na , Xiao Qili , Chen Dou , Lin Xu , Liu Tao
Published: September 2022

Paleohydrological investigations were carried out in the Yellow River source area on the northeast (NE) Tibetan Plateau. During our fieldwork investigations, two units of overbank flood deposits (OFD) were found in the Maqu-Kesheng reach. These OFD units were studied using a multi-index approach, including magnetic susceptibility, hygroscopic water, grain size distribution and micro-morphological features. It can be inferred that they have recorded two episodes of overbank flooding of the Yellow River. Using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and AMS14C dating techniques, the first episode was dated to 34,680 ± 1880-29000 ± 1790 a and correlated with the late Marine Isotope Stage 3a (MIS 3a) with a warm and wet climate. The second episode occurred at 16,500 ± 1,250-14000 ± 1,280 a, which is coincided with the Bølling-Allerød warm stage during the last deglaciation, a period of coexisting global warming and rapidly shrinking ice sheets. At these two periods, the water was mainly derived from the accelerated melting of mountain glaciers surrounding the basin and/or the large-scale precipitation, which led to the overbank flooding events. At the same time, the related overbank flood deposits were interbedded within glacial outwash/flashflood deposits in the valley bottom of the Yellow River, which intensified the valley aggradation. These results are of great significance in enriching the paleoflood records in the Yellow River source area, recognizing the effect of river system on the development of valley landform, as well as understanding the hydro-climatic response of the Tibetan Plateau to global climate warming occurring presently.
Study on characteristics of oil and gas occurrence and reservoir space of medium-high maturity continental shale—A case study of middle jurassic lianggaoshan formation in fuling block, southeast of sichuan basin, south China
Authors: Yuan Xuejiao , Zhang Kun , Peng Jun , Li Bin , Han Fengli , Chen Xuecheng , Zheng Zehao , Ruan Jingru , Ye Laiting , Wang Zeyun , Huang Zhen , Chen Kun , Wu Meijia , Niu Jiale , Yang Zhendong
Published: September 2022

Possessed of easy access to development and fair economic benefits, medium-high maturity continental shale oil and gas have become the focus of shale oil and gas study in the future. Shale oil and gas mainly occur in pores, but studies on the pore characteristics of shale oil and gas occurrence are by no means sufficient. Focused on shale from the Middle Jurassic Lianggaoshan Formation in Well TYX, Fuling block, southeast of Sichuan Basin where a breakthrough in shale oil and gas exploration was recently achieved, this study selects core samples and conducts a series of analyses, including vitrinite reflectance analysis, kerogen microscopic examination experiment, total organic carbon (TOC) content analysis, mineral composition analysis, gas content measurement, isothermal adsorption experiment, S1 content analysis, and others. The analyses are to identify the pore characteristics of the continental medium and high maturity shale oil and gas by virtue of scanning electron microscope (SEM) with Ar-ion milling and the image processing software ImageJ. The conclusions are drawn as follows: in terms of lithofacies, medium-high maturity continental shale oil and gas mainly occur in organic-rich clay shale and organic-rich mixed shale; with regard to material composition, shale oil and gas mainly occur in organic matter, illite-smectite mixed layers and illite. Shale adsorbed gas content accounts for at most 40% of the total shale gas content and shale free gas content takes up at least 60% of the total shale gas content. Pores of solid bitumen, solid bitumen-clay mineral complex mass, clay minerals, structured vitrinite, and funginite are mostly developed in shale. Among them, the first three types of pores are the main reservoir space in shale considering their large number, good roundness, medium pore diameter, fairly good roundness of pore edges, and the complex shapes which altogether contribute to the large surface porosity.
Active degassing of crustal CO2 in areas of tectonic collision: A case study from the Pollino and Calabria sectors (Southern Italy)
Authors: Randazzo Paolo , Caracausi Antonio , Aiuppa Alessandro , Cardellini Carlo , Chiodini Giovanni , Apollaro Carmine , Paternoster Michele , Rosiello Angelo , Vespasiano Giovanni
Published: September 2022

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released from the Earth’s interior into the atmosphere through both volcanic and non-volcanic sources in a variety of tectonic settings. A quantitative understanding of CO2 outgassing fluxes in different geological settings is thus critical for decoding the link between the global carbon budget and different natural processes (e.g., volcanic eruption and earthquake nucleation) and the effects on the climate evolution over geological time. It has recently been proposed that CO2 degassing from non-volcanic areas is a major component of the natural CO2 emission budget, but available data are still sparse and incomplete. Here, we report the results of a geochemical survey aimed at quantifying CO2 emissions through cold and thermal springs of the tectonically active Pollino Massif and Calabrian arc (Southern Italy). The chemical ad isotopic (He and C) composition of fifty-five dissolved gas samples allows to identify two different domains: 1) a shallow system dominated by gas components of atmospheric signature (helium, hereafter He) and biogenic origin (C), and 2) a deeper system in which crustal/deep fluids (CO2 and He) are dominant. The measured He isotope ratios range from 0.03 to 1.1 Ra (where Ra is the He isotopic ratio in the atmosphere) revealing a variable atmospheric contamination. Furthermore, the He isotopic data indicate the presence of traces of mantle He contributions (2%–3%) in the thermal groundwater. The prevailing low R/Ra values reflect the addition of crustal radiogenic 4He during groundwater circulation. Using helium and carbon isotope data, we explore the possible sources of fluids and the secondary processes (dissolution/precipitation) that act to modify the chemistry of pristine volatiles. For the thermal springs, we estimate a deep C output of 2.3 x 107 to 6.1 x 108 mol year−1. These values correspond to deep CO2 fluxes per square km comparable with those estimated in several active and inactive volcanic areas and in continental regions affected by metamorphic CO2 degassing (e.g., the southern margin of the Tibetan Plateau).
Latitudinal changes in submarine channel-levee system evolution, architecture and flow processes
Authors: Allen Charlotte , Peakall Jeff , Hodgson David M. , Bradbury Will , Booth Adam D.
Published: September 2022

Models of the sedimentary architecture of submarine channel-levee systems and their formative flow processes are predominantly based on studies from low latitude settings. Here, we integrate high-resolution seismic reflection, bathymetry and GLORIA side scan data to document the architecture and interpret the formative processes of a series of ultra-high latitude (72–76°N) submarine channel-levee systems that feed lobe complexes off the Greenland margin. We demonstrate that the sedimentary architecture of the channel-fills are dominated by vertical or near-vertical sediment accumulation, reflecting the lack of, or very limited nature of, lateral migration over time. All the Greenland channel-levee systems show significant cross-sectional asymmetry, and a peak sinuosity of 1.38, on a low gradient slope (∼0.3°). The bounding external levees are very thick (∼200 m) and wide relative to low latitude systems. Comparison of these channel-levee systems with other examples reveals that these characteristics appear to be common to systems in high and ultra-high latitudes, suggesting latitudinal controls in the sedimentary architecture of submarine channel-levee systems. The differences between high- and low-latitude systems is likely due to the interplay of physical forcing (i.e., Coriolis force) and climatic factors that control sediment calibre and flow type, both of which are latitudinally dependent. Several formative mechanisms for supressing the initial phase of lateral migration and subsequent asymmetrical development are proposed, including:i) rapid channel aggradation, (ii) Coriolis forcing causing preferred deposition on the right-hand side of the channel, and iii) variance in flow properties, with traction- and suspension-dominated flows deposited on opposing sides of the channel. We argue that a high latitudinal location of larger channel-levee systems may result in the dominance of vertical stacking of channels, the construction of large external levees, and the development of a low sinuosity planform.
Investigation of the numerical simulation of debris flow fluid with concern of phase transition
Authors: Zhao Binbin , Cheng Yongfeng , Liu Yi , Kong Xiaoang , Yang Zhi , Tong Ruiming , Xu Xiyu , Deng Yuanjing
Published: September 2022

From a variety of yield stress fluid models, an elastoviscoplastic Herschel-Bulkley (EVPHB) model written in 3D is selected and coupled with a Finite Element Method with Lagrangian Integration Points (FEMLIP) to solve boundary value problems with large deformation process. By tracing the historical variables of a material point, it is verified that in a time-independent flow the elastic strain and viscous strain rate could be accurately reproduced by EVPHB model. For a time-dependent flow, because of the addition of elasticity, the EVPHB model makes the material experience a deformation process which is significantly distinctive from that produced by a pure regularized Herschel-Bulkley model. Benchmarks also show that in FEMLIP the yielded and unyielded zones could be easily defined by EVPHB model according to the stress of a material point. Lastly, it is shown that EVPHB model also induces a stress relaxation process for materials under constant strain. The suitability of FEMLIP to model elastoviscoplastic fluid is verified.
A deep learning approach for signal identification in the fluid injection process during hydraulic fracturing using distributed acoustic sensing data
Authors: Zheng Yikang , Wang Yibo , Liang Xing , Xue Qingfeng , Liang Enmao , Wu Shaojiang , An Shujie , Yao Yi , Liu Chen , Mei Jue
Published: September 2022

Full-cycle and real-time monitoring of the wellbore flow during hydraulic fracturing is challenging in unconventional oil and gas development. In the past few years, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) provides opportunities to measure the acoustic energy distribution along the entire horizontal well. It is a promising tool for real-time monitoring and understanding of the fluid injection process. However, the signal identification of effective flow in the wellbore from DAS data is cumbersome and prone to error. We propose a deep learning approach to solve this problem. The neural network is a combination of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory Networks (BiLSTM) to extract the spatial and temporal features from the DAS data. The trained model is applied to the field data collected in the horizontal well. The results demonstrate its capability for intelligent monitoring and real-time evaluation for hydraulic fracturing.
The Evangelical Puzzle Partially Explained: Privileged Prejudice and the Development of Appreciative Attitudes Toward Evangelical Christianity
Authors: Mayhew Matthew J. , Winkler Christa E. , Staples B. Ashley , Singer Kevin , Shaheen Musbah , Rockenbach Alyssa N.
Published: September 2022

Background:Evangelical Christian college students simultaneously experience the privileges that accompany dominant religious identities and feel a need to conceal their identity and perspectives on college campuses. Consistently and empirically, the college campus has been studied for its potential to help students develop appreciative attitudes toward religious, secular, and spiritual worldviews. Yet, few studies have investigated evangelical Christian appreciation longitudinally over 4 years of college, and even fewer through the additional use of a mixed-methods design.

Purpose:This inquiry examined if and how college students developed an appreciation of evangelical Christianity over 4 years of college.

Methods:This paper used data gathered through the Interfaith Diversity Experiences and Attitudes Longitudinal Survey (IDEALS), a nationally-representative, mixed-methods study that included survey data collection from 9,470 students at 122 colleges and universities over 3 time points, and 18 qualitative case studies conducted across institutions of various sizes, locations, and affiliations.

Results:Using latent growth modeling, we demonstrated that overall appreciation for evangelical Christianity developed during college and was related to institutional cultures that invited and embraced worldview diversity as well as religiously-inclusive campus climates and practices. Related qualitative insights storied change in evangelical appreciation that centered on personal relationships with evangelicals, efforts to understand evangelical viewpoints, and a recognition that Christian students often have the privilege of operating from unexamined beliefs.

Conclusion and Implications:Study results provide recommendations for educational practices that support student growth from tolerance to appreciation for evangelical Christianity.
Reliability of pulse photoplethysmography sensors: Coverage using different setups and body locations
Authors: Armañac-Julián Pablo , Kontaxis Spyridon , Rapalis Andrius , Marozas Vaidotas , Laguna Pablo , Bailón Raquel , Gil Eduardo , Lázaro Jesús
Published: September 2022

Pulse photoplethysmography (PPG) is a simple and economical technique for obtaining cardiovascular information. In fact, PPG has become a very popular technology among wearable devices. However, the PPG signal is well-known to be very vulnerable to artifacts, and a good quality signal cannot be expected for most of the time in daily life. The percentage of time that a given measurement can be estimated (e.g., pulse rate) is denoted coverage (C), and it is highly dependent on the subject activity and on the configuration of the sensor, location, and stability of contact. This work aims to quantify the coverage of PPG sensors, using the simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram as a reference, with the PPG recorded at different places in the body and under different stress conditions. While many previous works analyzed the feasibility of PPG as a surrogate for heart rate variability analysis, there exists no previous work studying coverage to derive other cardiovascular indices. We report the coverage not only for estimating pulse rate (PR) but also for estimating pulse arrival time (PAT) and pulse amplitude variability (PAV). Three different datasets are analyzed for this purpose, consisting of a tilt-table test, an acute emotional stress test, and a heat stress test. The datasets include 19, 120, and 51 subjects, respectively, with PPG at the finger and at the forehead for the first two datasets and at the earlobe, in addition, for the latter. C ranges from 70% to 90% for estimating PR. Regarding the estimation of PAT, C ranges from 50% to 90%, and this is very dependent on the PPG sensor location, PPG quality, and the fiducial point (FP) chosen for the delineation of PPG. In fact, the delineation of the FP is critical in time for estimating derived series such as PAT due to the small dynamic range of these series. For the estimation of PAV, the C rates are between 70% and 90%. In general, lower C rates have been obtained for the PPG at the forehead. No difference in C has been observed between using PPG at the finger or at the earlobe. Then, the benefits of using either will depend on the application. However, different C rates are obtained using the same PPG signal, depending on the FP chosen for delineation. Lower C is reported when using the apex point of the PPG instead of the maximum flow velocity or the basal point, with a difference from 1% to even 10%. For further studies, each setup should first be analyzed and validated, taking the results and guidelines presented in this work into account, to study the feasibility of its recording devices with respect to each specific application.
Preservation effect of imeglimin on pancreatic β-cell mass: Noninvasive evaluation using 111In-exendin-4 SPECT/CT imaging and the perspective of mitochondrial involvements
Authors: Fauzi Muhammad , Murakami Takaaki , Fujimoto Hiroyuki , Botagarova Ainur , Sakaki Kentaro , Kiyobayashi Sakura , Ogura Masahito , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: September 2022

Progressive loss of β-cell mass (BCM) has a pernicious influence on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); evaluation of BCM has conventionally required an invasive method that provides only cross-sectional data. However, a noninvasive approach to longitudinal assessment of BCM in living subjects using an indium 111–labeled exendin-4 derivative ([Lys12(111In-BnDTPA-Ahx)]exendin-4) (111In-exendin-4) has been developed recently. Imeglimin is a novel antidiabetic agent that is reported to improve glycemic control and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) via augmentation of mitochondrial function. However, the influence of imeglimin on BCM is not fully understood. We have investigated the effects of imeglimin on BCM in vivo in prediabetic db/db mice using a noninvasive 111In-exendin-4 single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) technique. During the 5-week study period, imeglimin treatment attenuated the progression of glucose intolerance, and imeglimin-treated mice retained greater BCM than control, which was consistent with the results of 111In-exendin-4 SPECT/CT scans. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed reduced β-cell apoptosis in the imeglimin-treated db/db mice, and also lowered release of cytosolic cytochrome c protein in the β cells. Furthermore, electron microscopy observation and membrane potential measurement revealed improved structural integrity and membrane potential of the mitochondria of imeglimin-treated islets, respectively. These results demonstrate attenuation of progression of BCM loss in prediabetic db/db mice partly via inhibition of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis.
Causal associations of obesity related anthropometric indicators and body compositions with knee and hip arthritis: A large-scale genetic correlation study
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhu Yong , Liu Zhi , Long Haitao , Ruan Zhe , Zhao Shushan
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds

Epidemiological studies have repeatedly investigated the association between obesity related anthropometric indicators and body compositions and osteoarthritis (OA). However, the results have remained inconsistent. This work aimed to investigate the genetic correlation and causal associations of obesity related anthropometric indicators and body compositions with knee and hip OA.

Methods

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the exposures were searched from the recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to obtain full statistics. Summary-level results of knee and hip OA were from the UK Biobank and arcOGEN. First, linkage disequilibrium score regression (LD score regression) was applied to detect the genetic correlation (rg). We further performed a series of sensitivity analyses as validation of primary mendelian randomization (MR) results and the specific evidence of potential causal effects was defined.

Results

We found that genetic components in OA had significant correlation with obesity related traits, except waist-to-hip ratio. In the univariable MR analysis, with the exception of waist-to-hip ratio, obesity related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased risks of knee and hip OA. For obesity related body compositions, higher fat-free mass in arm, leg, and whole body increased the risk of knee OA but only fat-free mass in leg showed a significant association with hip OA. Meanwhile trunk fat mass and trunk fat percentage, were associated with knee but not with hip OA. Higher fat mass, and fat percentage in arm, leg, and whole body increased the risk of both knee and hip OA. After adjusting for BMI, the multivariable MR showed maintained results in knee OA. However, in hip OA, only fat mass and fat-free mass in arm, leg, trunk and whole body were significantly associated with the risk of hip OA.

Conclusion

The present study suggests genetic evidence for certain causal associations of obesity related anthropometric indicators and body compositions with knee and hip OA, which may provide important insights for the prevention and treatment on OA.
Research progress on ferroptosis in diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Wu You , Chen Yan
Published: September 2022

Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of cell death that differs from other forms of regulated cell death at morphological, biochemical, and genetic levels, and is characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid peroxides. Ferroptosis is closely related to intracellular metabolism of amino acids, lipids, and iron. Hence, its regulation may facilitate disease intervention and treatment. Diabetic kidney disease is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, which leads to serious psychological and economic burdens to patients and society when it progresses to end-stage renal disease. At present, there is no effective treatment for diabetic kidney disease. Ferroptosis has been recently identified in animal models of diabetic kidney disease. Herein, we systematically reviewed the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis, its association with different forms of cell death, summarized its relationship with diabetic kidney disease, and explored its regulation to intervene with the progression of diabetic kidney disease or as a treatment.
Feasibility Analysis Upon Optimal Pollutant Degradation via Compartmental Modeling
Authors: Chen Bor-Yann , Lin Yu-Hsiu , Hsueh Chung-Chuan , Hong Jun-Ming
Published: September 2022

Due to a lack of plausible kinetic modeling for contaminant attenuation, this study first proposed a “bi-exponential disposition” model to demonstrate the feasibility of wide-ranging applications for the biotic and abiotic degradation of pollutant(s). As a consequence of under-determined systems of bisphenol A (BPA) degradation via advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), a previous study proposed asymptotic approximation singular perturbation for kinetic modeling. The present study extended this model to provide the key performance indicator (KPI); namely, the area under the time course (AUC) of pollutant concentrations from time zero to the endpoint (i.e., AUC0→tf), quantitatively revealing the most promising strategy for pollutant (bio)degradation. Compared to the typical KPI (percentage of pollutant removal), AUC better illustrated the overall efficiency. Compartmental modeling predicted maximal pollutant mitigation through optimal schemes of operation for global optimization. The feasibility of adopting AUC for system prediction was confirmed in cases of azo and anthraquinone dye biodecolorization and acetaminophen (APAP), glyphosate, and bisphenol A (BPA) degradation. Regarding azo dye biodecolorization, the AUC and SDRmax indicated the need to consider cell concentrations. Compartment kinetics could be used for the serial acclimation of anthraquinone dye removal. Moreover, compartmental assessment upon glyphosate and acetaminophen abiotic degradation was also feasible for further applications. To minimize the AUC for optimal degradation of A⇌k3k1B→k2C, the maximal forward rate constants k1 and k2 and minimal backward rate constant k3 should be satisfied simultaneously. Thus, this AUC approach might be broadened to demonstrate overall optimization via Pontryagin’s maximum principle.
Dry season forage assessment across senegalese rangelands using earth observation data
Authors: Lo Adama , Diouf Abdoul Aziz , Diedhiou Ibrahima , Bassène Cyrille Djitamagne Edouard , Leroux Louise , Tagesson Torbern , Fensholt Rasmus , Hiernaux Pierre , Mottet Anne , Taugourdeau Simon , Ngom Daouda , Touré Ibra , Ndao Babacar , Sarr Mamadou Adama
Published: September 2022

Strengthening of feed security in the Sahel is urgently needed given the climate change and growing human population. A prerequisite to this is sustainable use of rangeland forage resources for livestock. Many studies have focused on the assessment of rangeland resources during the rainy season, while only a few have focused on the dry season which is the longest and most demanding period for livestock in Sahelian rangelands. The objective of this study is to develop remote sensing-based models for estimating dry season forage vegetation mass. To that end, 29 vegetation indices calculated from each of the MODIS-MCD43A4 (500 m), Landsat-8 (30 m), and Sentinel-2 (10 m) satellite products were used and tested against in situ data collected during three field-measurement campaigns in 2021 at eleven monitoring sites across Senegalese rangelands. Four statistical models were tested, namely, random forest, gradient boosting machines, and simple linear and multiple linear regressions. The two main vegetation mass variables modeled from remote sensing imagery were the standing herbaceous and litter dry mass (BH) and total forage dry mass (BT) with a dry mass of woody plant leaves added to BH. Overall, Sentinel-2 data provided the best performance for the assessment of BH with multiple linear regression (R2 = 0.74; RMSE = 378 kg DM/ha) using NDI5 (Normalized Difference Index5), GRCI (Green Residue Cover Index), SRI (Simple Ratio Index), TCARI (Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance Index), and DFI (Dead Fuel Index) indices. For BT, the best model was also obtained from Sentinel-2 data, including RVI3 (Ratio Vegetation Index3) (R2 = 0.78; RMSE = 496 kg DM/ha). Results showed the suitability of combining the red, green, blue, NIR, SWIR1, and SWIR2 bands in monitoring forage availability during the dry season. Our study revealed that the spectral richness of the optical sensor systems Sentinel-2, Landsat-8, and MODIS-MCD43A4 allowed for accurate assessments of dry-season forage mass of semi-arid rangelands. Adding to this, the high spatial and temporal resolution of Sentinel-2 satellite imagery makes this a promising data source for timely monitoring. These findings can support the monitoring of the animal feed balance in Sahelian countries and contribute to enhancing the resilience of pastoralism toward feed shortage through early warning systems.
Rural transformation and differential vulnerability: Exploring adaptation strategies to water scarcity in the Aculeo Lake basin (Chile)
Authors: Ocampo-Melgar Anahi , Barria Pilar , Chadwick Cristian , Diaz-Vasconcellos Raúl
Published: September 2022

The way of life of agricultural rural territories and their long-term capacity to adapt to changes will be challenged not only by the impacts of climate change; but by increased vulnerability stemming from previous inadequate climate adaptations and development policies. Studies that deepen understanding of the differential causes and implications of vulnerabilities will improve adaptation or transformation of institutions for climate change. The Aculeo basin of Central Chile suffered an extreme 10-years rainfall deficit that resulted in the disappearance of a 12 km2lake and the economic transformation of the territory. This paper presents a cross-scale exploration of the political, cultural and historical interconnections behind this dramatic story, while critically discussing whether today’s land use configuration reflects the territory’s adaptive capacity. The story is reconstructed using land-use change analysis along with literature review and Causal-Loop Analysis. Results show how previous policies and other human factors contributed to the agroecosystem transformation, creating different vulnerabilities in different economic sectors. Today, what is observed as disparate capacities to adapt to climatic drought is actually the result of historic exacerbations of the vulnerabilities that had significantly contributed to the water scarcity crisis.
The branching architecture of artemisia ordosica and its resistance to wind erosion
Authors: Qu Zhiqiang , Li Zhiguo , Hu Linxi , Liu Lianyou , Hu Xia , Zhang Guoming , Lv Yanli , Guo Lanlan , Yang Yanyan , Yang Ziqiong , Han Guodong
Published: September 2022

Different branching architectures reflect the adaptation strategies of different plants and affect their resistance to wind erosion. This study presents field-based observations that demonstrate the relationship between the branching architecture of Artemisia ordosica and its resistance to wind erosion. This species is the dominant plant species in the semi-fixed and fixed dunes of the Mu Us Sandy land. The overall bifurcation ratio (OBR) of semi-fixed sandy land is higher than the fixed sandy land 0.27; Similarly, the total stepwise bifurcation ratio (SBR) is higher than the fixed sandy land about 0.74; The length of first levels of total branches is also higher than 8.07. The aerodynamic roughness was greater than the A. ordosica community in the fixed and semi-fixed sandy land than in the bare sandy land. The airflow fields in the cross-wind direction were strongly affected by the windward shape of the plants, which became gradually narrower from the base to the top, while in the leeward direction, the wind speed at different heights behind the plant returned to the incoming airflow velocity. The result confirms that the influence of the windward shape of the plant on the surrounding airflow field is much larger than the influence of plant thickness, porosity or other factors.
Business environment, human capital structural upgrading, and economic development quality
Authors: He Shengbing , Yao Huilin
Published: September 2022

To verify the importance of optimizing a business environment and improving the level of human capital structure to promote economic development, this study employs a panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from the period 2008–2019 and utilizes the spatial Durbin model and quantile regression model to analyze the relation between a business environment, human capital structure upgrading, and economic development quality. We find that the quality of economic development has a strong spatial correlation and the improvement in the business environment promotes human capital structural upgrading and economic development quality. Human capital structural upgrading plays a significant intermediary role, through which improvement in the business environment affects economic development quality. Considering the huge differences in the level of economic development in different regions of China, we also conduct a regional heterogeneity analysis. We find that the promotion effects of the business environment and advanced human capital structure on economic development quality are significant within the sample period, and their promotion effects are significantly heterogeneous and asymmetric across quartiles, indicating that there is heterogeneity in the intensity of dependence of economic development quality on advanced human capital structure and business environment at different stages of economic development. Moreover, by observing the impact trends in the eastern, central, and western regions, we find that the impact of the business environment and human capital structure on the quality of economic development varies somewhat across provinces. This suggests that the eastern and central regions need to strengthen the optimization of the business environment, while the eastern and western regions should pay more attention to the improvement of the level of the advanced human capital structure.
Investigation of critical response characteristics of micro-droplets under the action of low-frequency acoustic waves
Authors: Bai Wenwen , Shi Yang , Zhao Zhifeng , Wei Jiahua
Published: September 2022

For the droplets with different size distribution, reasonably selecting the frequency and period of acoustic waves are of great significance to acoustic agglomeration. To investigate critical responses of microdroplets under the action of low-frequency acoustic waves, laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of acoustic interference were conducted, and statistical test and theoretical analysis were carried out. A total of 1,680 sets of experiments were performed, from which about 300,000 particle size samples were collected, with sound frequency of 30–280 Hz and the sound pressure level (SPL) of 70–130 dB. Droplet size distribution (DSD), equilibrium response time (ERT), the nodal plane in the air chamber and entrainment coefficient were analyzed. The critical SPL of acoustic agglomeration was 110 ± 15 dB based on average droplet size increment, and the variation of droplet size indicated that the ERT of acoustic intervention on microdroplets under the critical SPL was 44 ± 12 s. In addition, lower sound frequencies corresponded to larger widths of droplet size with significant response (DSSR), which were jointly affected by sound pressure gradient (SPG), the entrainment coefficient and the droplet concentration. For microdroplets with unknown particle size distribution, acoustic intervention with variable frequencies is suggested for fog elimination and precipitation enhancement.
Dynamic changes of cultivated land use and grain production in the lower reaches of the Yellow River based on GlobeLand30
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Cheng Hui
Published: September 2022

The lower reaches of the Yellow River are China’s grain production base and ecological barrier. Its total grain production ranks third in China in 2021, and its cultivated land plays an extremely important role in ensuring food security in the Yellow River Basin and even the whole country. Based on the data of GlobeLand30 in 2000, 2010 and 2020, this study studied the spatial distribution of cultivated land use and the cultivated land transfer pattern, the spatial distribution concentration degree and directional distribution characteristics of cultivated land and grain production, and the sensitivity analysis of grain production to the change of cultivated land area in the lower reaches of the Yellow River by using the methods of land cover transfer matrix, spatial distribution concentration model, sensitivity analysis model, standard deviation ellipse model and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The results show that: 1) The land type with the largest area transferred from cultivated land in the lower Yellow River is artificial surface, and its regional distribution is scattered; At the same time, the land type with the largest area transferred into cultivated land is still artificial surface, which is directly related to the rural land remediation measures implemented by the government. 2) During the period from 2000 to 2020, the spatial distribution concentration index (HHI) grade of cultivated land in the lower reaches of the Yellow River was moderately concentrated and below, and there was no obvious concentration trend; the concentration degree of grain production distribution in the lower reaches of the Yellow River is higher than that of cultivated land, such as Rizhao, Dongying, Qingdao and Weihai, where the HHI grades of grain production are higher; The center of gravity of cultivated land in the lower reaches of the Yellow River is relatively stable, while the center of gravity of grain production shows an obvious trend of “westward shift”. 3) During 2000–2010, the grain productions of 68.38% of districts and counties were insensitive to the change of cultivated land, while the grain productions of 18 districts and counties were highly sensitive to the change of cultivated land, mostly distributed in the hilly and mountainous areas of central and southern Shandong; During 2010–2020, the proportion of insensitive districts and counties decreased to 36%, and the middle and high sensitive areas obviously showed a gradual decreasing trend. Based on GlobeLand30 remote sensing image technology, this study can effectively reveal the temporal and spatial dynamic changes of cultivated land use and grain production in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and provide scientific reference for further rational development and utilization of cultivated land resources in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and promoting the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.
Prospects for genomic surveillance for selection in schistosome parasites
Authors: Nikolakis Zachary L. , Adams Richard H. , Wade Kristen J. , Lund Andrea J. , Carlton Elizabeth J. , Castoe Todd A. , Pollock David D.
Published: September 2022

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by multiple parasitic Schistosoma species, and which impacts over 200 million people globally, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Genomic surveillance to detect evidence for natural selection in schistosome populations represents an emerging and promising approach to identify and interpret schistosome responses to ongoing control efforts or other environmental factors. Here we review how genomic variation is used to detect selection, how these approaches have been applied to schistosomes, and how future studies to detect selection may be improved. We discuss the theory of genomic analyses to detect selection, identify experimental designs for such analyses, and review studies that have applied these approaches to schistosomes. We then consider the biological characteristics of schistosomes that are expected to respond to selection, particularly those that may be impacted by control programs. Examples include drug resistance, host specificity, and life history traits, and we review our current understanding of specific genes that underlie them in schistosomes. We also discuss how inherent features of schistosome reproduction and demography pose substantial challenges for effective identification of these traits and their genomic bases. We conclude by discussing how genomic surveillance for selection should be designed to improve understanding of schistosome biology, and how the parasite changes in response to selection.