bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
YA Anthologies
Authors: Ramdarshan Bold Melanie
Published: June 2024

Despite their long publishing history, anthologies have received little scholarly attention. However, they play an important role in collecting, and reflecting upon, voices and identities that have all-to-often been on the fringes of publishing. This Element explores the sociocultural functions of anthologies in relation to discussions around exclusion/inclusion in the publishing industry. Focusing on YA anthologies, using a case study of A Change Is Gonna Come anthology (2017), this Element argues that the form and function of anthologies allows them to respond to and represent changing ideas of socially-marginalised identities. In A Change Is Gonna Come, this medium also affords Black and Brown authors a platform and community for introspection and the development of both individual and collective identities. Beyond merely introducing writings by socially-marginalised groups, this Element contends that YA anthologies embody a form of literary activism, fostering community-building and offering a means to circumvent obstacles prevalent in publishing.
Comment on “Stratospheric Aerosol Composition Observed by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Following the 2019 Raikoke Eruption” by Boone et al.
Authors: Ansmann Albert , Veselovskii Igor , Ohneiser Kevin , Chudnovsky Alexandra
Published: June 2024

Based on satellite observations in the Arctic stratosphere at latitudes from 61° to 66°N in the second half of 2019, Boone et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022jd036600) provide the impression that the aerosol in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) over the entire Arctic consisted of sulfate aerosol originating from the Raikoke volcanic eruption in the summer of 2019. Here, we show that this was most probably not the case and the aerosol layering conditions were much more complex. By combining the stratospheric aerosol typing results of Boone et al. (2022, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022jd036600) with lidar observations at 85°–86°N of Ohneiser et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp‐21‐15783‐2021) of a dominating wildfire smoke layer in the UTLS height range, we demonstrate that the Arctic UTLS aerosol most likely consisted of Siberian wildfire smoke in the lower part and sulfate aerosol in the upper part of the aerosol layer which extended from 7 to 19 km height and was well observable until May 2020. The smoke‐ and sulfate‐related aerosol optical thickness (AOT) fractions were about 0.7–0.8 and 0.2–0.3, respectively, according to our analysis. The sulfate AOT is in good agreement with model‐based predictions of the Raikoke sulfate AOT.
Nowcasting Earthquakes With Stochastic Simulations: Information Entropy of Earthquake Catalogs
Authors: Rundle John B. , Baughman Ian , Zhang Tianjian
Published: June 2024

Earthquake nowcasting has been proposed as a means of tracking the change in large earthquake potential in a seismically active area. The method was developed using observable seismic data, in which probabilities of future large earthquakes can be computed using Receiver Operating Characteristic methods. Furthermore, analysis of the Shannon information content of the earthquake catalogs has been used to show that there is information contained in the catalogs, and that it can vary in time. So an important question remains, where does the information originate? In this paper, we examine this question using stochastic simulations of earthquake catalogs. Our catalog simulations are computed using an Earthquake Rescaled Aftershock Seismicity (“ERAS”) stochastic model. This model is similar in many ways to other stochastic seismicity simulations, but has the advantage that the model has only 2 free parameters to be set, one for the aftershock (Omori‐Utsu) time decay, and one for the aftershock spatial migration away from the epicenter. Generating a simulation catalog and fitting the two parameters to the observed catalog such as California takes only a few minutes of wall clock time. While clustering can arise from random, Poisson statistics, we show that significant information in the simulation catalogs arises from the “non‐Poisson” power‐law aftershock clustering, implying that the practice of de‐clustering observed catalogs may remove information that would otherwise be useful in forecasting and nowcasting. We also show that the nowcasting method provides similar results with the ERAS model as it does with observed seismicity.
Uncertain Pathways to a Future Safe Climate
Authors: Sherwood S. C. , Hegerl G. , Braconnot P. , Friedlingstein P. , Goelzer H. , Harris N. R. P. , Holland E. , Kim H. , Mitchell M. , Naish T. , Nobre P. , Otto‐Bliesner B. L. , Reed K. A. , Renwick J. , van der Wel N. P. M.
Published: June 2024

Global climate change is often thought of as a steady and approximately predictable physical response to increasing forcings, which then requires commensurate adaptation. But adaptation has practical, cultural and biological limits, and climate change may pose unanticipated global hazards, sudden changes or other surprises–as may societal adaptation and mitigation responses. These poorly known factors could substantially affect the urgency of mitigation as well as adaptation decisions. We outline a strategy for better accommodating these challenges by making climate science more integrative, in order to identify and quantify known and novel physical risks including those arising from interactions with ecosystems and society. We need to do this even–or especially–when they are highly uncertain, and to explore risks and opportunities associated with mitigation and adaptation responses by engaging across disciplines. We argue that upcoming climate assessments need to be more risk‐aware, and suggest ways of achieving this. These strategies improve the chances of anticipating potential surprises and identifying and communicating “safe landing” pathways that meet UN Sustainable Development Goals and guide humanity toward a better future.
Knowledge Gaps in Quantifying the Climate Change Response of Biological Storage of Carbon in the Ocean
Authors: Henson Stephanie , Baker Chelsey A. , Halloran Paul , McQuatters‐Gollop Abigail , Painter Stuart , Planchat Alban , Tagliabue Alessandro
Published: June 2024

The ocean is responsible for taking up approximately 25% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and stores >50 times more carbon than the atmosphere. Biological processes in the ocean play a key role, maintaining atmospheric CO2 levels approximately 200 ppm lower than they would otherwise be. The ocean's ability to take up and store CO2 is sensitive to climate change, however the key biological processes that contribute to ocean carbon storage are uncertain, as are how those processes will respond to, and feedback on, climate change. As a result, biogeochemical models vary widely in their representation of relevant processes, driving large uncertainties in the projections of future ocean carbon storage. This review identifies key biological processes that affect how ocean carbon storage may change in the future in three thematic areas: biological contributions to alkalinity, net primary production, and interior respiration. We undertook a review of the existing literature to identify processes with high importance in influencing the future biologically‐mediated storage of carbon in the ocean, and prioritized processes on the basis of both an expert assessment and a community survey. Highly ranked processes in both the expert assessment and survey were: for alkalinity—high level understanding of calcium carbonate production; for primary production—resource limitation of growth, zooplankton processes and phytoplankton loss processes; for respiration—microbial solubilization, particle characteristics and particle type. The analysis presented here is designed to support future field or laboratory experiments targeting new process understanding, and modeling efforts aimed at undertaking biogeochemical model development.
Non‐Linear Vertical Land Motion of Coastal Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula Inferred From Combining Satellite Altimetry, Tide Gauge and GPS Data
Authors: Rezvani Mohammad‐Hadi , Watson Christopher S. , King Matt A.
Published: June 2024

We developed an enhanced Kalman‐based approach to quantify abrupt changes and significant non‐linearity in vertical land motion (VLM) along the coast of Chile and the Antarctic Peninsula using a combination of multi‐mission satellite altimetry (ALT), tide gauge (TG), and GPS data starting from the early 1990s. The data reveal the spatial variability of co‐seismic and post‐seismic subsidence at TGs along the Chilean subduction zone in response to the Mw8.8 Maule 2010, Mw8.1 Iquique 2014, and Mw8.3 Illapel 2015 earthquakes that are not retrievable from the interpolation of sparse GPS observations across space and time. In the Antarctic Peninsula, where continuous GPS data do not commence until ∼1998, the approach provides new insight into the ∼2002 change in VLM at the TGs of +5.3 ± 2.2 mm/yr (Palmer) and +3.5 ± 2.8 mm/yr (Vernadsky) due to the onset of ice‐mass loss following the Larsen‐B Ice Shelf breakup. We used these data to constrain viscoelastic Earth model parameters for the northern Antarctic Peninsula, obtaining a preferred lithosphere thickness of 115 km and upper mantle viscosity of 0.9 × 1018 Pa s. Our estimates of regionally‐correlated ALT systematic errors are small, typically between ∼±0.5–2.5 mm/yr over single‐mission time scales. These are consistent with competing orbit differences and the relative errors apparent in ALT crossovers. This study demonstrates that, with careful tuning, the ALT‐TG technique can provide improved temporal and spatial sampling of VLM, yielding new constraints on geodynamic models and assisting sea‐level change studies in otherwise data sparse regions and periods.
Discriminating Lithospheric and Asthenospheric Anisotropy Beneath Northern Oman: Sharp Contrast Observed at the Semail Gap Fault Zone
Authors: Komeazi A. , Kaviani A. , Rümpker G. , Weidle C. , Meier T.
Published: June 2024

To gain a deeper understanding of the extensive and varied lithospheric deformations beneath northern Oman, we examine seismic anisotropy in this region using splitting analysis of teleseismic shear wave data. Our study utilizes data from a dense network consisting of 13 permanent and 45 temporary seismic stations, which were operational for approximately 2.5 years starting from October 2013. By examining the azimuthal distribution of shear wave splitting (SWS) parameters, we were able to divide the study area into three sub‐regions. The stations located to the west of the Hawasina window exhibit relatively azimuthally invariant SWS parameters suggesting a single anisotropic layer. On the other hand, most of the stations located in the central and eastern regions display variations versus back‐azimuth, indicating the potential presence of depth‐dependent anisotropy. The General NW‐SE trend of the Fast Polarization Directions (FPDs) of the one‐layer anisotropy in the west and FPDs of the upper layers in the east is concordant with the strike of the structures resulting from the collision between the continental and oceanic plates. A clear contrast in SWS parameters is observed in the Semail Gap Fault Zone (SGFZ), suggesting that the SGFZ can be a lithospheric‐scale structure that hampers the intrusion of mafic magma from the southeast. Furthermore, the FPDs of the lower layer in the east exhibit an NE‐SW trend, which may be indicative of the large‐scale mantle flow resulting from the present‐day plate motion.
Integrated Effects of Site Hydrology and Vegetation on Exchange Fluxes and Nutrient Cycling at a Coastal Terrestrial‐Aquatic Interface
Authors: Li Bing , Li Zhi , Zheng Jianqiu , Jiang Peishi , Holmquist James , Regier Peter J. , Hammond Glenn E. , Ward Nicholas D. , Myers‐Pigg Allison , Rich Roy , Huang Wei , O’Meara Theresa A. , Pennington Stephanie C. , Megonigal Patrick , Bailey Vanessa L. , Chen Xingyuan
Published: June 2024

The complex interactions among soil, vegetation, and site hydrologic conditions driven by precipitation and tidal cycles control the biogeochemical transformations and bi‐directional exchange of carbon and nutrients across the terrestrial–aquatic interfaces (TAIs) in coastal regions. This study uses a highly mechanistic model, Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS)‐PFLOTRAN, to explore how these interactions affect exchanges of materials and carbon and nitrogen cycling. We used a transect in the Chesapeake Bay region that spans zones of open water, coastal wetland, transition, and upland forest. We designed several simulation scenarios to parse the effects of the individual controlling factors and the sensitivity of carbon cycling to reaction rate parameters derived from laboratory experiments. Our simulations reveal an active zone for carbon cycling under the transition zones between the wetland and the upland. Evapotranspiration is found to enhance the exchange fluxes between the surface and subsurface domains, resulting in a higher dissolved oxygen concentration in the TAIs. The transport of organic carbon derived from plant leaves and roots provide an additional source of organic carbon needed for the aerobic respiration and denitrification processes in the TAIs. The variability in reaction rate parameters associated with microbial activities is also found to play a dominant role in controlling the heterogeneity and dynamics of the simulated redox conditions. This modeling‐focused exploratory study enabled us to better understand the complex interactions among soil, water and microbes that govern the hydro‐biogeochemical processes at the TAIs, which is an important step toward representing coastal ecosystems in larger‐scale Earth system models.
On the Sensitivity of Future Hydrology in the Colorado River to the Selection of the Precipitation Partitioning Method
Authors: Wang Zhaocheng , Vivoni Enrique R. , Whitney Kristen M. , Xiao Mu , Mascaro Giuseppe
Published: June 2024

The accurate partitioning of precipitation is important for snowpack and streamflow simulations in mountainous regions. However, most hydrologic models employ a partitioning method based on near‐surface air temperature (Ta) and the sensitivity of hydrologic simulations to the selection of the precipitation partitioning method (PPM) under climate change has been underexplored. To address this, we compared simulations using two PPMs, a conventional Ta‐based scheme and a wet‐bulb temperature (Tw)‐based approach (TA and TW) with the Variable Infiltration Capacity model. Our study focused on the Colorado River Basin (CRB) which is vulnerable to future snowfall and streamflow reductions due to climate warming. Historical simulations demonstrated the improved performance of the TW scheme in simulating snowfall fraction (SF) and snow water equivalent (SWE) in relation to in situ observations and a gridded SWE product. Subsequently, we evaluated the influence of the PPM selection on snowpack and streamflow projections from eight climate models under two emissions scenarios. The ensemble median results revealed more substantial decline in annual SF with the TW scheme as compared to the TA method (−12% vs. −9%) from the historical (1976–2005) to the far future (2066–2095) period, especially at lower elevations. Hydrologic simulations showed that the TA scheme underestimated reductions in SWE and streamflow (Q) under warming as compared to the TW scheme. This finding has important implications on future projections for the CRB and in other mountainous basins where climate warming can shift conditions from snowfall to rainfall.
The Impact of Clay and Fluid Conductivity on the Electrical‐Diffusion Tortuosity Correlations in Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Elsayed Mahmoud , El‐Husseiny Ammar , Kwak Hyung , Adebayo Abdulrauf R. , Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: June 2024

Tortuosity has different definitions that are used by scientists and engineers to describe various fluid‐related processes in porous media. Two of the most commonly used definitions are electrical (describing the electrical current flow process) and diffusion (related to the molecular diffusive flow process) tortuosity. In this study, we investigate the impact of minerology (presence of clay) and fluid conductivity on the electrical‐diffusion tortuosity relationship. That is: whether or not electrical and diffusion tortuosity have one‐to‐one relationship in sandstones. Two groups of samples were used: clean Fontainebleau sandstones and clayey sandstones. Electrical resistivity was measured using four‐electrode method to obtain electrical formation factor and calculate the electrical tortuosity (τe) using a model that is applicable for consolidated rocks. Pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR) measurements were employed to quantify diffusion tortuosity (τD). At lower fluid conductivity (3 S/m), our results show that τD ≈τe for clean sandstones, while τe << τD is observed for clayey sandstones. We propose that mineralogy has direct impact on the τe−τD relationship: the presence of clay minerals added surface conductivity which contributed to underestimating the intrinsic formation factor (F′) and consequently reducing τe. As the fluid conductivity increases, τe converges to τD until reaching the high salinity limit at which F′ is obtained and τD becomes in good agreement with τe for the clayey sandstone. The NMR diffusion approach presented here shows the potential of estimating F′ without the need for multi‐salinity data which can contribute to improved permeability prediction.
The Janus‐Faced Role of Renewable Energy Development in Global Carbon Reduction Under Renewable Energy Policies
Authors: Chen Yang , Hong Jingke , Wen Quan , Yi Wen , Zheng Saina
Published: June 2024

The global‐scale empirical analysis of how renewable energy policies (REPs) affect carbon emissions and the mediating role of renewable energy development (RED) in this mechanism remains underexplored. To fill this research gap, we extracted and organized REPs data from IEA's databases for 135 countries until 2018 and conducted empirical analyses of these issues. We find that: (a) REPs significantly reduce global carbon emissions, especially through regulatory, economic, and R&D policies. (b) REPs' effectiveness in mitigating carbon emissions is enhanced by robust energy infrastructure, strong control of corruption, and adherence to the rule of law. Besides, the balance of REPs types does not influence their efficiency, but REPs prioritizing certain renewable energy (RE) types aligns better with carbon reduction goals. (c) RED displays a Janus‐faced influence on REPs' carbon reduction effect—renewable energy consumption (REC) positively mediates it, whereas renewable energy share (RES) exerts a negative mediation. Specifically, REC consistently reduces carbon emissions, while RES initially increases and then decreases carbon emissions, exhibiting an inverted U‐shape. (d) The initial rise in carbon emissions with RES is due to the low substitution of RE for fossil energy and the country‐specific heterogeneity in organizational, geographic, industrial, economic, demographic, and temporal factors.
Earthquake Seismicity Reveals the Location and Significance of the Shona Mantle Plume in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Parnell‐Turner Ross
Published: June 2024

The South Atlantic Ocean hosts several well‐studied volcanic ridges and seamount chains, but the origin of their associated mantle plumes is debated. Reduced seismicity on the southern Mid‐Atlantic Ridge (MAR) suggests anomalously ductile thermomechanical conditions at 52°S and 47.5°S. These low seismicity patches extend 120–560 km along‐axis, and correspond with axial high spreading ridge morphology, geochemical anomalies, and mantle wave speed patterns likely associated with the Shona and Discovery plumes. Bathymetric data show that the northern extent of the Shona swell is associated with increased volcanism, elevated axial bathymetry, and a series of northward‐propagating rifts, with the overall swell geometry suggesting a buoyancy flux of 0.4–0.5 Mg s−1. The nearby Bouvet Island may be a product of a branch of the larger Shona plume swell, which has influenced crustal accretion on the southern MAR for the past 24 million years.
Rapid Relativistic Electron Enhancements During Van Allen Probes Era
Authors: Xiong Senlin , Dai Lei , Wang Xu , Wang Chi
Published: June 2024

Relativistic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt exhibit significant variability during geomagnetic storms and substorms. This study investigates rapid relativistic electron enhancements (REE) in the outer radiation belt throughout the entire Van Allen Probes (RBSP) era from October 2012 to October 2019. Utilizing RBSP measurements, we identify 182 rapid REE events characterized by a factor of greater than two increase in relativistic electron fluxes within a half RBSP orbit (approximately 4.5 hr) at L = 4.5–5.5. Approximately 76% of rapid REE events occur during geomagnetic storms. Rapid REEs during storms are concentrated within the 12‐hr period preceding and the 24‐hr period following the end of the storm's main phase. Intense REE are more likely found in storm's main phase compared to moderate REE. Sub‐relativistic and relativistic electron injections are commonly observed during rapid REE. Substorm activities (AL/AE, MPB index) and convection (AU index) are more intense before and during REE, in contrast to the intervals following REEs. The intensity of rapid REE correlates with the strength of substorms and convection. This comprehensive survey suggests that rapid REEs in the outer radiation belt are likely associated with, but not strictly tied to, geomagnetic storms. Enhanced convection and substorm appear to create favorable conditions for rapid REE. These substorms and enhanced convection are likely linked to favorable solar wind conditions for REEs, as documented in previous studies.
Microbial Ecology and Site Characteristics Underlie Differences in Salinity‐Methane Relationships in Coastal Wetlands
Authors: Bueno de Mesquita Clifton P. , Hartman Wyatt H. , Ardón Marcelo , Bernhardt Emily S. , Neubauer Scott C. , Weston Nathaniel B. , Tringe Susannah G.
Published: June 2024

Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas emitted by archaea in anaerobic environments such as wetland soils. Tidal freshwater wetlands are predicted to become increasingly saline as sea levels rise due to climate change. Previous work has shown that increases in salinity generally decrease CH4 emissions, but with considerable variation, including instances where salinization increased CH4 flux. We measured microbial community composition, biogeochemistry, and CH4 flux from field samples and lab experiments from four different sites across a wide geographic range. We sought to assess how site differences and microbial ecology affect how CH4 emissions are influenced by salinization. CH4 flux was generally, but not always, positively correlated with CO2 flux, soil carbon, ammonium, phosphate, and pH. Methanogen guilds were positively correlated with CH4 flux across all sites, while methanotroph guilds were both positively and negatively correlated with CH4 depending on site. There was mixed support for negative relationships between CH4 fluxes and concentrations of alternative electron acceptors and abundances of taxa that reduce them. CH4/salinity relationships ranged from negative, to neutral, to positive and appeared to be influenced by site characteristics such as pH and plant composition, which also likely contributed to site differences in microbial communities. The activity of site‐specific microbes that may respond differently to low‐level salinity increases is likely an important driver of CH4/salinity relationships. Our results suggest several factors that make it difficult to generalize CH4/salinity relationships and highlight the need for paired microbial and flux measurements across a broader range of sites.
Molecular testing for gastrointestinal pathogens in intestinal tissue of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis or spontaneous intestinal perforation
Authors: Talavera-Barber Maria M. , Sánchez Pablo J. , Conces Miriam , Kaptsan Irina , Everhart Kathy , Leber Amy , Malleske Daniel T. , Moallem Mohannad , Panesso-Gómez Santiago , Shimamura Masako
Published: June 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of common gastrointestinal bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogen detection in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) -associated intestinal tissue.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study examined formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) surgical or autopsy intestinal tissue from NEC or SIP specimens. DNA and RNA were extracted and analyzed by multiplex PCR panel (GIFA Biofire). DNA or RNA from stool samples containing each pathogen were extracted for positive controls.

Results

The total number of intestinal tissue samples were 193 from 310 infants (156 NEC, 37 SIP). Six (3%) infants with stage III NEC tested positive for a target pathogen; 2, C. difficile; 3, Enteroaggregtive E. coli; and 1, Giardia. No gastrointestinal viral pathogens were detected.

Conclusion

Molecular testing yielded few GI pathogens suggesting that these organisms are likely not major causes or facilitators of NEC or SIP.
Epigenetic alterations in patients with anorexia nervosa—a systematic review
Authors: Käver Larissa , Hinney Anke , Rajcsanyi Luisa Sophie , Maier Hannah Benedictine , Frieling Helge , Steiger Howard , Voelz Clara , Beyer Cordian , Trinh Stefanie , Seitz Jochen
Published: June 2024

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex metabolic and psychological disorder that is influenced by both heritable genetic components and environmental factors. Exposure to various environmental influences can lead to epigenetically induced changes in gene expression. Epigenetic research in AN is still in its infancy, and studies to date are limited in determining clear, valid links to disease onset and progression are limited. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to compile and critically evaluate the available results of epigenetic studies specifically in AN and to provide recommendations for future studies. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed in three different databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) through May 2023. Twenty-three original papers or conference abstracts on epigenetic studies in AN were collected. Epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs), which analyze DNA methylation across the genome in patients with AN and identify potential disease-relevant changes in promoter/regulatory regions of genes, are the most promising for future research. To date, five EWASs on AN have been published, suggesting a potential reversibility of malnutrition-induced epigenetic changes once patients recover. Hence, determining differential DNA methylation levels could serve as a biomarker for disease status or early diagnosis and might be involved in disease progression or chronification. For future research, EWASs with a larger sample size, longitudinal study design and uniform methods should be performed to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of AN, the development of individual interventions and a better prognosis for affected patients.
Cross-cultural validation of Malay version of perceived professionalism among dental patients
Authors: Pandarathodiyil Anitha Krishnan , Mani Shani Ann , Veerabhadrappa Suresh Kandagal , Danaee Mahmoud , Zamzuri Ahmad Termizi Bin
Published: June 2024

Background

Professionalism is a dynamic construct that requires constant revision based on contemporary practices and attitudes.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to cross-culturally adapt an already validated English questionnaire assessing patient perceptions of professionalism among dentists, into the Malay language.

Methods

An original 24-item questionnaire was cross-cultural adapted in the Malaysian context through two phases. Phase I included content and face validity from experts’ evaluation which was followed by translation into the Malay language. Phase II involved psychometric assessment including construct validity and reliability analysis.

Results

Expert evaluation indicated that all items demonstrated excellent content validity for the characteristics of relevance (CVI = 0.75–1.00 Kappa = 0.72–1.00) and clarity (CVI = 0.75–1.00 and Kappa= 0.72–1.00). A total of 300 dental patients completed the questionnaire. EFA was done on the first dataset and the second dataset was subjected to CFA which showed composite reliability (CR) ranging between 0.741 and 0.897 indicating acceptable reliability among items. The final questionnaire had 20 items with 3 domains; Patient expectation of a dental care provider, Ethics and Dentist’s professional responsibilities, Patient communication and confidentiality.

Conclusion

This study has successfully validated the questionnaire for patient perception of professionalism in the Malaysian context.
Additional copies of 1q negatively impact the outcome of multiple myeloma patients and induce transcriptomic deregulation in malignant plasma cells
Authors: D’Agostino Mattia , Rota-Scalabrini Delia , Belotti Angelo , Bertamini Luca , Arigoni Maddalena , De Sabbata Giovanni , Pietrantuono Giuseppe , Pascarella Anna , Tosi Patrizia , Pisani Francesco , Pescosta Norbert , Ruggeri Marina , Rogers Jennifer , Olivero Martina , Garzia Mariagrazia , Galieni Piero , Annibali Ombretta , Monaco Federico , Liberati Anna Marina , Palmieri Salvatore , Stefanoni Paola , Zamagni Elena , Bruno Benedetto , Calogero Raffaele Adolfo , Boccadoro Mario , Musto Pellegrino , Gay Francesca
Published: June 2024

Additional copies of chromosome 1 long arm (1q) are frequently found in multiple myeloma (MM) and predict high-risk disease. Available data suggest a different outcome and biology of patients with amplification (Amp1q, ≥4 copies of 1q) vs. gain (Gain1q, 3 copies of 1q) of 1q. We evaluated the impact of Amp1q/Gain1q on the outcome of newly diagnosed MM patients enrolled in the FORTE trial (NCT02203643). Among 400 patients with available 1q data, 52 (13%) had Amp1q and 129 (32%) Gain1q. After a median follow-up of 62 months, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 21.2 months in the Amp1q group, 54.9 months in Gain1q, and not reached (NR) in Normal 1q. PFS was significantly hampered by the presence of Amp1q (HR 3.34 vs. Normal 1q, P < 0.0001; HR 1.99 vs. Gain1q, P = 0.0008). Patients with Gain1q had also a significantly shorter PFS compared with Normal 1q (HR 1.68, P = 0.0031). Concomitant poor prognostic factors or the failure to achieve MRD negativity predicted a median PFS < 12 months in Amp1q patients. Carfilzomib–lenalidomide–dexamethasone plus autologous stem cell transplantation treatment improved the adverse effect of Gain1q but not Amp1q. Transcriptomic data showed that additional 1q copies were associated with deregulation in apoptosis signaling, p38 MAPK signaling, and Myc-related genes.
Effect of antimony additions on the microstructure and performance of Zn–Mg–Al alloy coatings
Authors: Britton Daniel A. , Penney David , Malla Amar D. , Mehraban Shahin , Sullivan James , Goldsworthy Mathew , McGettrick James , Johnston Richard , Mitchell Ria L. , Challinor Clive
Published: June 2024

Microscopy, electrochemical techniques and mechanical testing are used to investigate the effect of varying antimony additions (0.45–1.8 wt%) on the microstructure and corrosion properties of zinc-magnesium-aluminium coating alloys. Samples were produced by splat casting to produce high cooling rates similar to those seen in a continuous galvanising line. X-Ray Microscopy reveals that the Sb additions produce disk-shaped Mg3Sb2 intermetallics, subsequently reducing or eliminating the MgZn2 eutectic. Electrochemical testing in 1 wt% NaCl shows that the Mg3Sb2 phase is cathodic with respect to the bulk alloy with slower oxygen reduction kinetics. The decrease in eutectic content leads to less intense anodic activity. The combined effect is anodic and cathodic deactivation, which leads to a 43% reduction in corrosion rate as measured through LPR compared to the base alloy. This work shows that quaternary additions to ZMA coating alloys can be a potential route to improved corrosion resistance for galvanic protection.
Influenza virus uses mGluR2 as an endocytic receptor to enter cells
Authors: Ni Zixin , Wang Jinliang , Yu Xiaofei , Wang Yifan , Wang Jingfei , He Xijun , Li Chengjun , Deng Guohua , Shi Jianzhong , Kong Huihui , Jiang Yongping , Chen Pucheng , Zeng Xianying , Tian Guobin , Chen Hualan , Bu Zhigao
Published: June 2024

Influenza virus infection is initiated by the attachment of the viral haemagglutinin (HA) protein to sialic acid receptors on the host cell surface. Most virus particles enter cells through clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME). However, it is unclear how viral binding signals are transmitted through the plasma membrane triggering CME. Here we found that metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (mGluR2) and potassium calcium-activated channel subfamily M alpha 1 (KCa1.1) are involved in the initiation and completion of CME of influenza virus using an siRNA screen approach. Influenza virus HA directly interacted with mGluR2 and used it as an endocytic receptor to initiate CME. mGluR2 interacted and activated KCa1.1, leading to polymerization of F-actin, maturation of clathrin-coated pits and completion of the CME of influenza virus. Importantly, mGluR2-knockout mice were significantly more resistant to different influenza subtypes than the wild type. Therefore, blocking HA and mGluR2 interaction could be a promising host-directed antiviral strategy.
Haplotype-resolved chromosome-level genome assembly of Huyou (Citrus changshanensis)
Authors: Miao Changjiu , Wu Yijing , Wang Lixia , Zhao Siqing , Grierson Donald , Xu Changjie , Chen Wenbo , Chen Kunsong
Published: June 2024

Huyou (Citrus changshanensis) is a significant citrus species that originated in Zhejiang Province, China, where it is also primarily cultivated. It is valued for its distinctive flavor and notable health benefits, owing to its high content of bioactive compounds like naringin and limonin. However, the absence of a high quality reference genome has limited the exploration of these health-promoting compounds in Huyou and hindered research into the mechanisms behind its medicinal properties. In this study, we present a phased chromosome-level genome assembly of Huyou. By combining PacBio and Hi-C sequencing, we generated a primary genome assembly and two haplotypes, comprising nine pseudo-chromosomes, with sizes of 339.91 Mb, 323.51 Mb, and 311.89 Mb, respectively. By integrating transcriptome data and annotations of homologous species, we identified a total of 29,775 protein-coding genes in the genome of Huyou. Additionally, we detected lots of structural variants between the two haplotypes. This represents the first reference genome of Huyou, providing a valuable resource for future studies on its agricultural characteristics and medicinal applications.
Experimental data on filling and emptying of a large-scale pipeline
Authors: Chen Xifeng , Hou Qingzhi , Laanearu Janek , Tijsseling Arris S.
Published: June 2024

Laboratory-scale experiments are one of the most important means to explore the evolution of air-water interfaces and the mechanisms of pressure oscillations in pipelines during rapid filling and emptying processes. This study presents a dataset obtained from the experimental results of the flow behaviours during the pressure-gradient-driven filling and emptying processes of a large-scale pipeline. Based on these data, it is possible to study the evolution of the water-air and air-water interfaces and their breaking during pipe filling and emptying. The experimental equipment includes a variety of components (such as tanks, valves, bends, pipes of different materials and diameters, anchors, supports and water basin) and the operation procedures are rather complex. The flow behaviours are measured by various instruments; hence a thorough hydrodynamic analysis is possible. All these features and data frameworks make the current study particularly useful as a test case for real rapid filling and emptying processes and syphoning.
Biomechanics of sound production in high-pitched classical singing
Authors: Echternach Matthias , Burk Fabian , Köberlein Marie , Döllinger Michael , Burdumy Michael , Richter Bernhard , Titze Ingo R. , Elemans Coen P. H. , Herbst Christian T.
Published: June 2024

Voice production of humans and most mammals is governed by the MyoElastic-AeroDynamic (MEAD) principle, where an air stream is modulated by self-sustained vocal fold oscillation to generate audible air pressure fluctuations. An alternative mechanism is found in ultrasonic vocalizations of rodents, which are established by an aeroacoustic (AA) phenomenon without vibration of laryngeal tissue. Previously, some authors argued that high-pitched human vocalization is also produced by the AA principle. Here, we investigate the so-called “whistle register” voice production in nine professional female operatic sopranos singing a scale from C6 (≈ 1047 Hz) to G6 (≈ 1568 Hz). Super-high-speed videolaryngoscopy revealed vocal fold collision in all participants, with closed quotients from 30 to 73%. Computational modeling showed that the biomechanical requirements to produce such high-pitched voice would be an increased contraction of the cricothyroid muscle, vocal fold strain of about 50%, and high subglottal pressure. Our data suggest that high-pitched operatic soprano singing uses the MEAD mechanism. Consequently, the commonly used term “whistle register” does not reflect the physical principle of a whistle with regard to voice generation in high pitched classical singing.
Machine learning-assisted chemical design of highly efficient deicers
Authors: Ito Kai , Fukatsu Arisa , Okada Kenji , Takahashi Masahide
Published: June 2024

The use of deicers in urban areas, on runways and aircrafts has raised concerns about their environmental impact. Understanding the ice-melting mechanism is crucial for developing environmentally friendly deicers, yet it remains challenging. This study employs machine learning to investigate the ice penetration capacity (IPC) of 21 salts and 16 organic solvents as deicers. Relationships between their IPC and various physical properties were analysed using extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and Shapley additive explanation (SHAP). Three key ice-melting mechanisms were identified: (1) freezing-point depression, (2) interactions between deicers and H2O molecules and (3) infiltration of ions into ice crystals. SHAP analysis revealed different ice-melting factors and mechanisms for salts and organic solvents, suggesting a potential advantage in combining the two. A mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and sodium formate demonstrated superior environmental impact and IPC. The PG and sodium formate mixture exhibited higher IPC when compared to six commercially available deicers, offering promise for sustainable deicing applications. This study provides valuable insights into the ice-melting process and proposes an effective, environmentally friendly deicer that combines the strengths of organic solvents and salts, paving the way for more sustainable practices in deicing.
A new label free spiral sensor using impedance spectroscopy to characterize hepatocellular carcinoma in tissue and serum samples
Authors: Abdelbaset Reda , Shawky Sherif M. , Abdullah Mohammed A. A. , Morsy Omar E. , Yahia Yahia A. , Ghallab Yehya H. , Matboli Marwa , Ismail Yehea
Published: June 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer, predominantly affecting patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B or C-induced cirrhosis. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests (assessing liver functions and HCC biomarkers), imaging procedures such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and liver biopsies requiring the removal of liver tissue for laboratory analysis. However, these diagnostic methods either entail lengthy lab processes, require expensive imaging equipment, or involve invasive techniques like liver biopsies. Hence, there exists a crucial need for rapid, cost-effective, and noninvasive techniques to characterize HCC, whether in serum or tissue samples. In this study, we developed a spiral sensor implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) technology that utilizes impedance spectroscopy and applied it to 24 tissues and sera samples as proof of concept. This newly devised circuit has successfully characterized HCC and normal tissue and serum samples. Utilizing the distinct dielectric properties between HCC cells and serum samples versus the normal samples across a specific frequency range, the differentiation between normal and HCC samples is achieved. Moreover, the sensor effectively characterizes two HCC grades and distinguishes cirrhotic/non-cirrhotic samples from tissue specimens. In addition, the sensor distinguishes cirrhotic/non-cirrhotic samples from serum specimens. This pioneering study introduces Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) spiral sensor for diagnosing HCC and liver cirrhosis in clinical serum—an innovative, low-cost, rapid (< 2 min), and precise PCB-based technology without elaborate sample preparation, offering a novel non-labeled screening approach for disease staging and liver conditions.
Investigating the impact of motion visual synchrony on self face recognition using real time morphing
Authors: Kasahara Shunichi , Kumasaki Nanako , Shimizu Kye
Published: June 2024

Face recognition is a crucial aspect of self-image and social interactions. Previous studies have focused on static images to explore the boundary of self-face recognition. Our research, however, investigates the dynamics of face recognition in contexts involving motor-visual synchrony. We first validated our morphing face metrics for self-face recognition. We then conducted an experiment using state-of-the-art video processing techniques for real-time face identity morphing during facial movement. We examined self-face recognition boundaries under three conditions: synchronous, asynchronous, and static facial movements. Our findings revealed that participants recognized a narrower self-face boundary with moving facial images compared to static ones, with no significant differences between synchronous and asynchronous movements. The direction of morphing consistently biased the recognized self-face boundary. These results suggest that while motor information of the face is vital for self-face recognition, it does not rely on movement synchronization, and the sense of agency over facial movements does not affect facial identity judgment. Our methodology offers a new approach to exploring the ‘self-face boundary in action’, allowing for an independent examination of motion and identity.
CellMarkerPipe: cell marker identification and evaluation pipeline in single cell transcriptomes
Authors: Jia Yinglu , Ma Pengchong , Yao Qiuming
Published: June 2024

Assessing marker genes from all cell clusters can be time-consuming and lack systematic strategy. Streamlining this process through a unified computational platform that automates identification and benchmarking will greatly enhance efficiency and ensure a fair evaluation. We therefore developed a novel computational platform, cellMarkerPipe (https://github.com/yao-laboratory/cellMarkerPipe), for automated cell-type specific marker gene identification from scRNA-seq data, coupled with comprehensive evaluation schema. CellMarkerPipe adaptively wraps around a collection of commonly used and state-of-the-art tools, including Seurat, COSG, SC3, SCMarker, COMET, and scGeneFit. From rigorously testing across diverse samples, we ascertain SCMarker’s overall reliable performance in single marker gene selection, with COSG showing commendable speed and comparable efficacy. Furthermore, we demonstrate the pivotal role of our approach in real-world medical datasets. This general and opensource pipeline stands as a significant advancement in streamlining cell marker gene identification and evaluation, fitting broad applications in the field of cellular biology and medical research.
Genetic tracing of the illegal trade of the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in western Central Africa
Authors: Din Dipita Alain , Missoup Alain Didier , Aguillon Samantha , Lecompte Emilie , Momboua Brice Roxan , Chaber Anne-Lise , Abernethy Katharine , Njiokou Flobert , Tindo Maurice , Ntie Stephan , Gaubert Philippe
Published: June 2024

The white-bellied pangolin is subject to intense trafficking, feeding both local and international trade networks. In order to assess its population genetics and trace its domestic trade, we genotyped 562 pangolins from local to large bushmeat markets in western central Africa. We show that the two lineages described from the study region (WCA and Gab) were overlapping in ranges, with limited introgression in southern Cameroon. There was a lack of genetic differentiation across WCA and a significant signature of isolation-by-distance possibly due to unsuspected dispersal capacities involving a Wahlund effect. We detected a c. 74.1–82.5% decline in the effective population size of WCA during the Middle Holocene. Private allele frequency tracing approach indicated up to 600 km sourcing distance by large urban markets from Cameroon, including Equatorial Guinea. The 20 species-specific microsatellite loci provided individual-level genotyping resolution and should be considered as valuable resources for future forensic applications. Because admixture was detected between lineages, we recommend a multi-locus approach for tracing the pangolin trade. The Yaoundé market was the main hub of the trade in the region, and thus should receive specific monitoring to mitigate pangolins’ domestic trafficking. Our study also highlighted the weak implementation of CITES regulations at European borders.
An enhanced speech emotion recognition using vision transformer
Authors: Akinpelu Samson , Viriri Serestina , Adegun Adekanmi
Published: June 2024

In human–computer interaction systems, speech emotion recognition (SER) plays a crucial role because it enables computers to understand and react to users’ emotions. In the past, SER has significantly emphasised acoustic properties extracted from speech signals. The use of visual signals for enhancing SER performance, however, has been made possible by recent developments in deep learning and computer vision. This work utilizes a lightweight Vision Transformer (ViT) model to propose a novel method for improving speech emotion recognition. We leverage the ViT model’s capabilities to capture spatial dependencies and high-level features in images which are adequate indicators of emotional states from mel spectrogram input fed into the model. To determine the efficiency of our proposed approach, we conduct a comprehensive experiment on two benchmark speech emotion datasets, the Toronto English Speech Set (TESS) and the Berlin Emotional Database (EMODB). The results of our extensive experiment demonstrate a considerable improvement in speech emotion recognition accuracy attesting to its generalizability as it achieved 98%, 91%, and 93% (TESS-EMODB) accuracy respectively on the datasets. The outcomes of the comparative experiment show that the non-overlapping patch-based feature extraction method substantially improves the discipline of speech emotion recognition. Our research indicates the potential for integrating vision transformer models into SER systems, opening up fresh opportunities for real-world applications requiring accurate emotion recognition from speech compared with other state-of-the-art techniques.