bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High sensitivity of hop plants (Humulus lupulus L.) to limited soil water availability: the role of stomata regulation and xylem vulnerability to embolism
Authors: Gloser Vít , Baláž Milan , Svoboda Petr , Jupa Radek , Gloser Jan
Published: April 2024

Drought poses a serious threat to the productivity of hop, an important perennial crop. However, the precise physiological mechanisms that make it highly susceptible to drought are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated stomatal regulation and xylem vulnerability to embolism, which are important traits closely associated with plant drought resistance. In a glasshouse cultivation experiment, we monitored changes in leaf water potential, stem elongation rates, and leaf gas exchange, including net photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and intrinsic water use efficiency, on relatively young hop plants (traditional Saaz - Osvald’s clone 31) exposed to declining soil water availability. The transpiration rate and stem elongation of plants decreased significantly with a small decline in substrate water potential (ΨSUB), indicating a highly sensitive stomata response during early phases of soil dehydration. The stem elongation was completely halted, and the transpiration rate dropped to less than 50% of its maximum at ΨSUB levels below − 0.8 MPa. In well-watered hop plants, xylem in stems operates near the initial point of embolization and is highly vulnerable to embolism, with a water potential corresponding to a 50% loss of xylem conductivity at -1.6 MPa. The sensitive stomatal response to declining ΨSUB likely helps to mitigate the risk of hydraulic failure, albeit at the cost of impaired growth. Scheduled irrigation, particularly during the sensitive stem elongation stage, may be a promising approach to mitigate the detrimental effects of reduced soil water availability on hop growth and yield while also conserving water resources.
StCoExpNet: a global co-expression network analysis facilitates identifying genes underlying agronomic traits in potatoes
Authors: Bonthala Venkata Suresh , Stich Benjamin
Published: April 2024

Key message

We constructed a gene expression atlas and co-expression network for potatoes and identified several novel genes associated with various agronomic traits. This resource will accelerate potato genetics and genomics research.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the world's most crucial non-cereal food crop and ranks third in food production after wheat and rice. Despite the availability of several potato transcriptome datasets at public databases like NCBI SRA, an effort has yet to be put into developing a global transcriptome atlas and a co-expression network for potatoes. The objectives of our study were to construct a global expression atlas for potatoes using publicly available transcriptome datasets, identify housekeeping and tissue-specific genes, construct a global co-expression network and identify co-expression clusters, investigate the transcriptional complexity of genes involved in various essential biological processes related to agronomic traits, and provide a web server (StCoExpNet) to easily access the newly constructed expression atlas and co-expression network to investigate the expression and co-expression of genes of interest. In this study, we used data from 2299 publicly available potato transcriptome samples obtained from 15 different tissues to construct a global transcriptome atlas. We found that roughly 87% of the annotated genes exhibited detectable expression in at least one sample. Among these, we identified 281 genes with consistent and stable expression levels, indicating their role as housekeeping genes. Conversely, 308 genes exhibited marked tissue-specific expression patterns. We exemplarily linked some co-expression clusters to important agronomic traits of potatoes, such as self-incompatibility, anthocyanin biosynthesis, tuberization, and defense responses against multiple pathogens. The dataset compiled here constitutes a new resource (StCoExpNet), which can be accessed at https://stcoexpnet.julius-kuehn.de. This transcriptome atlas and the co-expression network will accelerate potato genetics and genomics research.
Phytoliths from modern plants in the Canary Islands as a reference for the reconstruction of long-term vegetation change and culture-environment interactions
Authors: Castilla-Beltrán Alvaro , Fernández-Palacios Enrique , Vrydaghs Luc , Mallol Carolina , Fernández-Palacios José María , de Nascimento Lea
Published: April 2024

The Canary Islands were the first part of the Macaronesian archipelago to have been settled by humans. The various ways in which the indigenous inhabitants and later European colonisers interacted with the native and endemic flora is a central topic for archaeologists, geographers and ecologists. Floristic changes can be studied from phytoliths which are plant microfossils with a high potential for preservation in sediment deposits and they can help reconstruct past ways of life and vegetation changes through time. However, there is no comprehensive and systematic study and reference collection of phytoliths produced by the flora of the Canary Islands, so far. To make a start with a first phytolith reference collection of a selection of plants relevant for the study of past socio-ecological interactions there, we processed over a hundred modern plant specimens collected on the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma to obtain the phytoliths from them, using the dry-ashing method. We then described the phytolith morphologies, and counted the numbers of morphotypes for each species. We have categorised taxa according to their phytolith concentration and production of morphotypes with diagnostic potential. Our results suggest that among the selected taxa, species within the Arecaceae, Boraginaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Urticaceae families are the main native producers of phytoliths in the archipelago. We also identified phytoliths with diagnostic potential in particular species within the Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Cistaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Ranunculaceae and Rubiaceae. We discuss how phytolith assemblages can be interpreted in archaeological sites and sediment records. Our growing reference collection is a significant step towards the application of phytolith analysis to disentangle the long-term climatic and human-driven transformation of this biodiversity hotspot, as well as the cultural use of plant resources.
Mortality and rehospitalization in patients with pre-existing implantable pacemakers undergoing catheter ablation are related to increased comorbidity burden—data from the German Ablation Registry
Authors: Frommeyer Gerrit , Reinke Florian , Brachmann Johannes , Lewalter Thorsten , Tilz Roland Richard , Willems Stephan , Straube Florian , Akin Ibrahim , Lugenbiel Patrick , Hochadel Matthias , Senges Jochen , Eckardt Lars
Published: April 2024

Background

Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter is routinely performed in patients with implantable devices. The aim of the present study was to assess success rates and potential complications in a large registry cohort of patients with cardiac pacemakers.

Methods and results

The German Ablation Registry is a nationwide, prospective registry with a 1-year follow-up investigating patients who underwent catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias in 51 German centers. The present analysis focussed on the presence of cardiac pacemakers in 591 patients undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. These were compared to 7393 patients without a pacemaker. Patients with pacemakers were significantly older and presented more comorbidities like diabetes, renal failure, cardiovascular disease, or previous stroke. One-year mortality (2.4% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.022) and a combined endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (3.6% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.014) were significantly elevated in patients with pacemakers. Re-hospitalization was also more common in patients with a pacemaker (53.3% vs. 45.0%, p < 0.01). After adjustment for important comorbidities, pre-existing pacemaker systems did not show any negative effect. Procedural success was reported in 98.8% vs. 98.4% (p = 0.93). Device-related complications were only observed in 0.4% of patients with pacemakers.

Conclusion

Patients with pacemaker systems undergoing catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter demonstrate an increased risk of death, cardiovascular events, and re-hospitalization. This observation can be largely attributed to an older patient population and an increased rate of comorbidities.
Testing in-situ apatite Lu–Hf dating in polymetamorphic mafic rocks: a case study from Palaeoproterozoic southern Australia
Authors: Brown Dillon A. , Reid Anthony , Jagodzinski Elizabeth A. , Williams Megan , Simpson Alex , Pawley Mark , Kirkland Christopher L. , Wade Claire , De Vries Van Leeuwen Alexander T. , Glorie Stijn
Published: April 2024

In mafic systems where primary mineral assemblages have witnessed moderate- to high-temperature hydrous overprinting and deformation, little is known about the retentivity of the Lu–Hf isotopic system in apatite. This study presents apatite laser-ablation Lu–Hf and U–Pb geochronology, zircon geochronology, and detailed petrological information from polymetamorphic mafic intrusions located in the central-western Gawler Craton in southern Australia, which records an extensive tectonometamorphic history spanning the Neoarchaean to the Mesoproterozoic. Zircon records magmatic crystallisation ages of c. 2479–2467 Ma, coinciding with the onset of the c. 2475–2410 Ma granulite-facies Sleafordian Orogeny. The amphibole-dominant hydrous assemblages which extensively overprint the primary magmatic assemblages are hypothesised to post-date the Sleafordian Orogeny. The Lu–Hf and U–Pb isotopic systems in apatite are used to test this hypothesis, with both isotopic systems recording significantly younger ages correlating with the c. 1730–1690 Ma Kimban Orogeny and the c. 1590–1575 Ma Hiltaba magmatic event, respectively. While the early Mesoproterozoic apatite U–Pb ages are attributed to thermal re-equilibration, the older Lu–Hf ages are interpreted to reflect re-equilibration facilitated primarily by dissolution-reprecipitation, but also thermally activated volume diffusion. The mechanisms of Lu–Hf isotopic resetting are distinguished based on microscale textures and trace element abundances in apatite and the integration of apatite-amphibole textural relationships and temperatures determined from the Ti content in amphibole. More broadly, the results indicate that at low to moderate temperatures, apatite hosted in mafic rocks is susceptible to complete recrystallisation in rocks that have weak to moderate foliations. In contrast, at higher temperatures in the absence of strain, the Lu–Hf system in apatite is comparatively robust. Ultimately, the findings from this study advance our understanding of the complex role that both metamorphism and deformation play on the ability of mafic-hosted apatite to retain primary Lu–Hf isotopic signatures.
Effectiveness of low dose computed tomography to detect fractures in paediatric suspected physical abuse: a systematic review
Authors: Doyle Edel , Bugeja Lyndal , Dimmock Matthew R. , Lee Kam L. , Ng Jessica , Bassed Richard B.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The skeletal survey X-ray series is the current ‘gold standard’ when investigating suspected physical abuse (SPA) of children, in addition to a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) brain scan. This systematic literature review synthesised findings of published research to determine if low dose computed tomography (LDCT) could detect subtle fractures and therefore replace the skeletal survey X-ray series in the investigation of SPA in children aged under 3 years.

Methods

Five electronic databases and grey literature were systematically searched from their inception to 28 April 2022. Primary studies were included where the population comprised paediatric patients up to 16 years and LDCT was used to detect fractures associated with SPA. Studies involving imaging investigations of the head, standard dose CT examinations or accidental trauma were excluded.

Results

Three studies met the inclusion criteria, all of which were case series. These studies did not report many of the criteria required to compare the accuracy of LDCT to X-ray, i.e. they did not meet the criteria for a diagnostic accuracy test. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude from the case series if LDCT is accurate enough to replace X-rays.

Conclusion

Due to the gap in current literature, a phantom study and subsequent post-mortem CT study are recommended as the primary investigative methods to assess the ability of low-dose CT to identify the subtle fractures associated with SPA and to calculate how low the achievable CT dose can be.
The overall fractions of coronary heart diseases and depression attributable to multiple dependent psychosocial work factors in Europe
Authors: Niedhammer Isabelle , Sultan-Taïeb Hélène , Chastang Jean-François
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The literature is nonexistent on the assessment of overall fractions of diseases attributable to multiple dependent psychosocial work factors. The objectives of the study were to calculate the overall fractions of coronary heart diseases (CHD) and depression attributable to multiple dependent psychosocial work factors in 35 European countries.

Methods

We used already published fractions of CHD and depression attributable to each of the following psychosocial work factors: job strain, effort-reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying. We took all exposures and their correlations into account to calculate overall attributable fractions. Wald tests were performed to test differences in these overall attributable fractions between genders and between countries.

Results

The overall fractions of CHD and depression attributable to all studied psychosocial work factors together were found to be 8.1% [95% CI: 2.0-13.9] and 26.3% [95% CI: 16.2–35.5] respectively in the 35 European countries. There was no difference between genders and between countries.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the overall fractions attributable to all studied psychosocial work factors were substantial especially for depression. These overall attributable fractions may be particularly useful to evaluate the burden and costs attributable to psychosocial work factors, and also to inform policies makers at European level.
Impact of the $$\hbox {N}^4\hbox {LO}$$ Short-Range Three-Nucleon Force Components on the Nucleon-Deuteron Spin Correlation Coefficients
Authors: Skibiński Roman , Witała Henryk , Golak Jacek
Published: April 2024

The spin correlation coefficients in the neutron-deuteron elastic scattering process at incoming neutron laboratory energies $$\hbox {E}=10$$

E
=
10

, 135, 190, and 250 MeV are determined by solving the momentum space three-nucleon (3N) Faddeev equations. The chiral two-nucleon (2N) interaction with momentum-space semi-local (SMS) regularization up to the fifth order of chiral expansion ($$\hbox {N}^4\hbox {LO}$$

N
4

LO

), supplemented by the F-waves terms from the sixth order ($$\hbox {N}^5\hbox {LO}$$

N
5

LO

), is used. Additionally, the consistent 3N force (3NF) at the third order of chiral expansion, supplemented by the short-range contributions from $$\hbox {N}^4\hbox {LO}$$

N
4

LO

is applied. As a results, we give predictions for the complete set of spin correlation coefficients $$C_{\alpha ,\beta }$$

C

α
,
β

. We find that the effect of the investigated three-nucleon $$\hbox {N}^4\hbox {LO}$$

N
4

LO

components amounts up to several dozen percent, depending on reaction energy, scattering angle and type of spin correlation coefficient itself. Our results can serve as a guide for future measurements of the spin correlation coefficients.
Fabrication of thin-film batteries composed of LiCoO2, Li3PO4, and Li layers
Authors: Ohnishi Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2024

This paper reports the fabrication of thin-film batteries which are composed of three stacking layers: LiCoO2, Li3PO4, and Li. First, a LiCoO2 layer is constructed on an electron-conductive substrate by pulsed laser deposition as a cathode. The crystallinity of the LiCoO2 layer is mainly controlled by the cationic ratio of Li and Co. Subsequently, an amorphous Li3PO4 layer with a high ionic conductivity is further deposited on the cathode LiCoO2 layer by radio frequency magnetron sputtering as a solid electrolyte. To avoid any possible damage which causes the formation of resistive species between LiCoO2 and Li3PO4, bias control of the substrate during Li3PO4 deposition is essential. Finally, a Li metal layer is deposited as an anode/current collector on the Li3PO4/LiCoO2 bilayer by resistive heating evaporation in a vacuum at an elevated temperature for the formation of a low resistive interface. The fabricated three-layer thin-film battery shows a high-rate capability when the LiCoO2 layer is a (104)-oriented epitaxial film.
Automated systems for diagnosis of dysgraphia in children: a survey and novel framework
Authors: Kunhoth Jayakanth , Al-Maadeed Somaya , Kunhoth Suchithra , Akbari Younes , Saleh Moutaz
Published: April 2024

Learning disabilities, which primarily interfere with basic learning skills such as reading, writing, and math, are known to affect around 10% of children in the world. The poor motor skills and motor coordination as part of the neurodevelopmental disorder can become a causative factor for the difficulty in learning to write (dysgraphia), hindering the academic track of an individual. The signs and symptoms of dysgraphia include but are not limited to irregular handwriting, improper handling of writing medium, slow or labored writing, unusual hand position, etc. The widely accepted assessment criterion for all types of learning disabilities including dysgraphia has traditionally relied on examinations conducted by medical expert. However, in recent years, artificial intelligence has been employed to develop diagnostic systems for learning disabilities, utilizing diverse modalities of data, including handwriting analysis. This work presents a review of the existing automated dysgraphia diagnosis systems for children in the literature. The main focus of the work is to review artificial intelligence-based systems for dysgraphia diagnosis in children. This work discusses the data collection method, important handwriting features, and machine learning algorithms employed in the literature for the diagnosis of dysgraphia. Apart from that, this article discusses some of the non-artificial intelligence-based automated systems. Furthermore, this article discusses the drawbacks of existing systems and proposes a novel framework for dysgraphia diagnosis and assistance evaluation.
Experimenter bias: exploring the interaction between participant’s and investigator’s gender/sex in VR
Authors: Maneuvrier Arthur
Published: April 2024

This study explores the effect of the experimenter’s gender/sex and its interaction with the participant’s gender/sex as potential contributors to the replicability crisis, particularly in the man-gendered domain of VR. 75 young men and women from Western France were randomly evaluated by either a man or a woman during a 13-min immersion in a first-person shooter game. Self-administered questionnaires were used to measure variables commonly assessed during VR experiments (sense of presence, cybersickness, video game experience, flow). MANOVAs, ANOVAs and post-hoc comparisons were used. Results indicate that men and women differ in their reports of cybersickness and video game experience when rated by men, whereas they report similar measures when rated by women. These findings are interpreted as consequences of the psychosocial stress triggered by the interaction between the two genders/sexes, as well as the gender conformity effect induced, particularly in women, by the presence of a man in a masculine domain. Corroborating this interpretation, the subjective measure of flow, which is not linked to video games and/or computers, does not seem to be affected by this experimental effect. Methodological precautions are highlighted, notably the brief systematic description of the experimenter, and future exploratory and confirmatory studies are outlined.

Graphical abstract
A soft ground micro TBM’s specific energy prediction using an eXplainable neural network through Shapley additive explanation and Optuna
Authors: Kilic Kursat , Ikeda Hajime , Narihiro Owada , Adachi Tsuyoshi , Kawamura Youhei
Published: April 2024

In tunnel construction, efficiently predicting the energy usage of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is critical for optimizing operations and reducing costs. This research proposes a novel method for predicting the specific energy of micro slurry tunnel boring machines (MSTBMs) using an explainable neural network (xNN) that leverages operator-monitored data. The xNN model provides transparency and interpretability by integrating the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) technique, enabling tunneling engineers and operators to gain valuable insights into the prediction process. Extensive data from MSTBM umbrella pipe support excavation are the foundation for training, testing, and unseen data in the xNN model. The specific energy formula derived from the operational parameters of the MSTBM defines the dependent variable for the xNN model. The test dataset evaluates the model’s performance with an R² of 98.7%, an MSE of 2.40, and an MAE of 0.003, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. Ten percent of the dataset was reserved as unseen data to assess the model’s generalization capabilities. Upon evaluation, the model achieved an R2 value of 89%, an MAE of 0.01, and a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.01. The xNN empowers operators to optimize operational parameters and promote more efficient and sustainable tunneling practices by identifying influential factors affecting energy consumption through its interpretable nature. This research has significant implications for the future of underground construction, paving the way for improved resource management.
Local and global stressors as major drivers of the drastic regression of brown macroalgae forests in an oceanic island
Authors: Valdazo José , Coca Josep , Haroun Ricardo , Bergasa Oscar , Viera-Rodríguez María Ascensión , Tuya Fernando
Published: April 2024

Similar to other coastal regions worldwide, forests created by brown macroalgae have severely declined in recent decades across the Macaronesian oceanic archipelagos (northeastern Atlantic), eroding the provision of ecosystem services. However, the putative effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors (both local and global) on such declines across spatial and temporal scales remain unresolved. Our research endeavored to investigate the connection between local and global stressors and the distribution and extent of the brown macroalgae Gongolaria abies-marina in the rocky intertidal and adjacent subtidal zones of Gran Canaria over the past four decades. We also quantified the presence of populations at small scales, according to local micro-habitat topography (“open rock” versus “refuge”). Through herbarium records, we additionally analyzed the historical variation in the thallus size of the species. Finally, we experimentally assessed the thermotolerance of embryonic stages to warming. The main environmental drivers explaining the regression of G.abies-marina were the increasing number of marine heatwaves, while the number of local human impacts (quantified through the HAPI index) also accounted for further regression in the extent of marine forests. Warming experimentally reduced the survival and size of macroalgal embryos. A progressive miniaturization of the species, currently restricted to micro-habitat refuges as a survival strategy, seems likely to be the final stage in the progressive disappearance of this macroalgae from the island’s rocky shores.
Increasing overall agricultural productivity in the Yellow River Delta Eco-economic Zone in China
Authors: Su Weijian , Magdziarczyk Małgorzata , Smolinski Adam
Published: April 2024

Improving the efficiency of agricultural production in infertile areas contributes to reducing hunger, ensuring food security, and promoting eco-economic development. This study examines the effects and mechanisms of the Yellow River Delta High Efficiency Ecological Economic Zone policy on agricultural total factor productivity. The data from prefecture-level cities and a difference-in-difference model were used, and descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were conducted. The results show that the establishment of the zone increased agricultural total factor productivity by 40%. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this positive effect is particularly pronounced in regions with a high proportion of agriculture and high per capita disposable income. However, this effect has diminished year by year since 2010. Mechanism tests suggest that the increase in agricultural R&D, the improvement in mechanization, and the application of ecological technologies have boosted agricultural total factor productivity. The results confirm the positive effects of the ecological economic zone policy and highlight the need for further measures to maintain and increase these positive effects in the long term. Future research should explore specific micro-management and technological measures to improve agricultural performance.
A Quick Method to Assess Airway Distensibility in Mice
Authors: Gill Rebecka , Boucher Magali , Henry Cyndi , Bossé Ynuk
Published: April 2024

Airway distensibility is defined as the ease whereby airways are dilating in response to inflating lung pressure. If measured swiftly and accurately, airway distensibility would be a useful readout to parse the various elements contributing to airway wall stiffening, such as smooth muscle contraction, surface tension, and airway remodeling. The goal of the present study was to develop a method for measuring airway distensibility in mice. Lungs of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice from either sex were subjected to stepwise changes in pressure. At each pressure step, an oscillometric perturbation was used to measure the impedance spectrum, on which the constant-phase model was fitted to deduce a surrogate for airway caliber called Newtonian conductance (GN). The change in GN over the change in pressure was subsequently used as an index of airway distensibility. An additional group of mice was infused with methacholine to confirm that smooth muscle contraction changes airway distensibility. GN increased with increasing steps in pressure, suggesting that the extent to which this occurs can be used as an index of airway distensibility. Airway distensibility was greater in BALB/c than C57BL/6 mice, and its variation by sex was mouse strain dependent, being greater in female than male in BALB/c mice with an inverse trend in C57BL/6 mice. Airway distensibility was also decreased by methacholine. This novel method swiftly measures airway distensibility in mice. Airway distensibility was also shown to vary with sex and mouse strain and to be sensitive to the contraction of smooth muscle.
Vertical spanning wall elastically restrained at the top: validation and parametric dynamic analysis
Authors: Destro Bisol Giacomo , Prajapati Sanjeev , Sorrentino Luigi , AlShawa Omar
Published: April 2024

In unreinforced masonry structures, among the most dangerous events that can occur during earthquakes are the out-of-plane mechanisms. This type of response significantly changes if the wall is restrained by a horizontal element. The collapse, in this case, could take place for slipping/failure of the diaphragm connection or for overturning of the wall, following the formation of a crack at an intermediate height between the base and the top. A specific analytical model is used to capture the complex dynamic behavior of the wall, formed by two stacked rigid bodies (free to rock) with the top one connected to a flexible diaphragm. The model is calibrated using experimental data available in the literature and it is then used to carry out a dynamic parametric analysis. The variation range of relevant parameters refers to the building features surveyed in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy, and their effect on the global response of the system is investigated. Further, the influence of ground motion is considered, using different ground accelerations. The results of the analysis highlight that, for the considered area and return period, the maximum rotations of the system are significant only for large slenderness values. Further, the investigation shows that the diaphragm plays a crucial role in the dynamic response of the system. The stiffness of the diaphragm can significantly reduce the rotations and consequently the risk of overturning. Additionally, the study on the effect of the wall size pointed out how a top spring causes a reverse scale effect.
Sustainable 3D printing with alkali-treated hemp fiber-reinforced polycarbonate composites
Authors: Ceylan İrem , Çakıcı Alp Neşe , Aytaç Ayşe
Published: April 2024

The study investigated the properties of alkali-treated hemp fiber-reinforced polycarbonate (PC) composites that can be formed by 3D printers for architectural applications. To determine the optimum alkali treatment to be applied to the fibers, the properties of the samples treated with 5% and 7% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at both ambient temperature (AT) and 120 °C (HT) were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was determined that the alkali treatment that gave the optimum result was 5% HT. Composite specimens with fiber/matrix ratios of 10/90, 20/80, and 30/70 were prepared in filament form to be printed in a 3D printer as alkali-treated and untreated. These composites were characterized by conducting tensile strength, FTIR, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), TGA, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. Tensile strength results revealed the highest mechanical performance for 5% NaOH alkali-treated and 10 wt.% hemp fiber-reinforced PC composites. DSC results showed that slight changes occurred in the glass transition temperature values. Furthermore, SEM analysis showed that 5% NaOH-treated hemp fibers have better interfacial bonding with the PC matrix than untreated fibers. As a result, more natural and sustainable materials have been obtained for architectural applications without significantly decreasing in PC properties.
Assessing Temperament Risk Factors in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence: Development and Validation of the Integrative Late Childhood Temperament Inventory
Authors: Biedermann Vivienne , Zentner Marcel
Published: April 2024

Childhood temperament has a well-documented influence on later life outcomes, notably behavior problems, quality of interpersonal relationships, and academic achievement. However, there is at present a lack of brief measures that assess temperament characteristics which are represented across models of temperament in the late childhood and early adolescence period. To redress this gap, the aim of the current study was to develop and validate a short questionnaire that extends an earlier integrative measure of temperament, the Integrative Child Temperament Inventory (ICTI) to the late childhood period. The new measure (named Integrative Late Childhood Temperament Inventory, ILCTI) includes all five components of the ICTI (frustration, behavioral inhibition, attention/persistence, activity level, sensory sensitivity), plus affiliation. German- or English-speaking parents rated a total of 525 children, aged 8 to 14 years. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the predicted structure of the new measure. Examination of fit indices and psychometric analyses showed that 24 items are sufficient to capture all six dimensions reliably. Next to convergent validity with established measures of temperament and personality, we also present analyses of associations with measures of externalizing problems, internalizing problems, and school failure all of which support the instrument’s clinical utility. Thus, despite its brevity, the ILCTI is a reliable and valid measure of late childhood temperament that can be helpful in assessing risk of developing behavior problems or school failure.
Recovery-oriented care in Teams Working with the ART Model in long-term Mental Health care: A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Service Users and Their Significant Others
Authors: Zomer Lieke , van der Meer Lisette , van Weeghel Jaap , Widdershoven Guy , de Jong Isa , Voskes Yolande
Published: April 2024

The Active Recovery Triad (ART) model provides a framework for recovery-oriented care in long-term mental health settings. The aim of this study is to gain insight into the experiences and views of service users and their significant others regarding care and support they receive from teams working with the ART model. Semi-structured interviews were performed with nineteen service users and five significant others of teams operating in Dutch long-term mental health care. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The three core principles of the ART model formed the deductive basis of the analysis and for every principle themes were identified inductively. Under the principle ‘Active’, service users mentioned that they feel motivated, work actively on personal recovery goals and have dreams for the future. Service users valued the service as a safe environment, but several service users also preferred to live more independently. Under the principle ‘Recovery’, participants reported how the dimensions of recovery (health, personal identity, daily life and community functioning) were addressed in care and support. Also, specific conditions for recovery-oriented care were identified, for example regarding specific expertise of care providers. Under the principle ‘Triad’ the support from significant others, contact with care workers and with other service users were identified as important. The insights regarding what is important for service users and their significant others may contribute to the improvement of care and support in long-term mental health care. In addition, the findings of this study provide directions for the further development of the ART model.
Aspects and outcomes of surveillance for individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Bogdanski Aleksander M. , van Hooft Jeanin E. , Boekestijn Bas , Bonsing Bert A. , Wasser Martin N. J. M. , Klatte Derk C. F. , van Leerdam Monique E.
Published: April 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of these cancers are detected at a late stage, contributing to the bad prognosis. This underscores the need for novel, enhanced early detection strategies to improve the outcomes. While population-based screening is not recommended due to the relatively low incidence of PDAC, surveillance is recommended for individuals at high risk for PDAC due to their increased incidence of the disease. However, the outcomes of pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals are not sorted out yet. In this review, we will address the identification of individuals at high risk for PDAC, discuss the objectives and targets of surveillance, outline how surveillance programs are organized, summarize the outcomes of high-risk individuals undergoing pancreatic cancer surveillance, and conclude with a future perspective on pancreatic cancer surveillance and novel developments.
Enhancement of the Lee–Kesler–Plöcker Equation of State for Calculating Thermodynamic Properties of Long-Chain Alkanes
Authors: Sabozin Fabian , Jäger Andreas , Thol Monika
Published: April 2024

Two optimization approaches to correct the physical limitations of the Lee–Kesler–Plöcker equation of state for the application to long-chain hydrocarbons are presented. The quality of the approaches is evaluated by comparisons with experimental data and reference equations of state. The calculation of thermodynamic properties for alkanes up to squalane is possible with both approaches, for some of which no highly accurate fundamental equation of state is available in the literature. For the first approach, the original parameter set was refitted with constraints guaranteeing correct behavior of the equation in the liquid state. The densities of long-chain hydrocarbons are reproduced with small deviations, while the results for some short-chain alkanes are worsened. For the second approach, existing Helmholtz energy equations of state are utilized, while keeping the linear interpolation scheme via the acentric factor. Significant improvements are achieved for all fluids considered.
Ocular manifestations of liver disease: an important diagnostic aid
Authors: Patel Riya , Nair Smriti , Choudhry Hassaam , Jaffry Mustafa , Dastjerdi Mohammad
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This review examined existing literature to determine various ocular manifestations of liver pathologies, with a focus on metabolic deficiencies as well as viral and immune liver conditions.

Methods

Recent data were compiled from PubMed from 2000 to 2020 using keywords that were relevant to the assessed pathologies. Ocular presentations of several liver pathologies were researched and then summarized in a comprehensive form.

Results

Several ocular manifestations of liver disease were related to vitamin A deficiency, as liver disease is associated with impaired vitamin A homeostasis. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis can result in vitamin A deficiency, presenting with Bitot spots, xerosis, and corneal necrosis. Congenital liver diseases such as mucopolysaccharidoses and peroxisomal disorders are also linked with ocular signs. Viral causes of liver disease have associations with conditions like retinal vasculitis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, retinopathies, Mooren’s ulcer, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Autoimmune hepatitis has been linked to peripheral ulcerative keratitis and uveitis.

Conclusions

Building strong associations between ocular and liver pathology will allow for early detection of such conditions, leading to the early implementation of management strategies. While this review outlines several of the existing connections between hepatic and ophthalmic disease, further research is needed in the area in order to strengthen these associations.
Optimization of laser annealing parameters based on bayesian reinforcement learning
Authors: Chang Chung-Yuan , Feng Yen-Wei , Rawat Tejender Singh , Chen Shih-Wei , Lin Albert Shihchun
Published: April 2024

Developing new semiconductor processes consumes tremendous time and cost. Therefore, we applied Bayesian reinforcement learning (BRL) with the assistance of technology computer-aided design (TCAD). The fixed or variable prior BRL is tested where the TCAD prior is fixed or is changed by the experimental sampling and decays during the entire RL procedure. The sheet resistance (Rs) of the samples treated by laser annealing is the optimization target. In both cases, the experimentally sampled data points are added to the training dataset to enhance the RL agent. The model-based experimental agent and a model-free TCAD Q-Table are used in this study. The results of BRL proved that it can achieve lower Rs minimum values and variances at different hyperparameter settings. Besides, two action types, i.e., point to state and increment of levels, are proven to have similar results, which implies the method used in this study is insensitive to the different action types.
Electrical properties of Al/CZTSe nanocrystal Schottky diode
Authors: Kişnişci Z. , Özel F. , Karadeniz S. , Tuğluoğlu N. , Özel S. S. , Yüksel Ö. F.
Published: April 2024

In this study, electrical changes in diode parameters of Schottky diodes that made of a kesterite semiconductor were examined under different temperatures. For this aim, Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) nanocrystals were fabricated using the hot injection technique, and it was covered by spin coating on an ITO glass substrate. We was introduced the physical and structural analyses using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. Current–voltage measurements were fulfilled at different temperature (from 100 to 325 K) under dark environment. It was observed that its electrical parameters were strongly affected by temperature.
Effect of vertical stopcock position on start-up fluid delivery in syringe pumps used for microinfusions
Authors: Weiss Markus , Wendel-Garcia Pedro David , Grass Beate , Kleine-Brueggeney Maren
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the impact of the vertical level of the stopcock connecting the infusion line to the central venous catheter on start-up fluid delivery in microinfusions. Start-up fluid delivery was measured under standardized conditions with the syringe outlet and liquid flow sensors positioned at heart level (0 cm) and exposed to a simulated CVP of 10 mmHg at a set flow rate of 1 ml/h. Flow and intraluminal pressures were measured with the infusion line connected to the stopcock primarily placed at vertical levels of 0 cm, + 30 cm and − 30 cm or primarily placed at 0 cm and secondarily, after connecting the infusion line, displaced to + 30 cm and − 30 cm. Start-up fluid delivery 10 s after opening the stopcock placed at zero level and after opening the stopcock primarily connected at zero level and secondary displaced to vertical levels of + 30 cm and – 30 cm were similar (− 10.52 [− 13.85 to − 7.19] µL; − 8.84 [− 12.34 to − 5.33] µL and − 11.19 [− 13.71 to − 8.67] µL (p = 0.469)). Fluid delivered at 360 s related to 65% (zero level), 71% (+ 30 cm) and 67% (− 30 cm) of calculated infusion volume (p = 0.395). Start-up fluid delivery with the stopcock primarily placed at + 30 cm and − 30 cm resulted in large anterograde and retrograde fluid volumes of 34.39 [33.43 to 35.34] µL and − 24.90 [− 27.79 to − 22.01] µL at 10 s, respectively (p < 0.0001). Fluid delivered with the stopcock primarily placed at + 30 cm and − 30 cm resulted in 140% and 35% of calculated volume at 360 s, respectively (p < 0.0001). Syringe infusion pumps should ideally be connected to the stopcock positioned at heart level in order to minimize the amounts of anterograde and retrograde fluid volumes after opening of the stopcock.
On optimizing the experimental setup for estimation of the thermal conductivity of thin films
Authors: Barragán V. M. , Pastuschuk E. , Maroto J. C. , Martín A. , Muñoz S.
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study is to show the optimal arrangement of a measurement system for estimating the thermal conductivity of thin films from temperature profiles. For this purpose, two different experimental setup systems, with square and circular cross sections, were designed to estimate the thermal conductivity of thin films and, in particular, of two ion exchange membranes. Both systems were placed horizontally and vertically in order to evaluate the best orientation to more accurately determine thermal conductivity. A three-dimensional numerical simulation was performed using Comsol Multiphysics to predict the heat flow and temperature gradient and to evaluate the effect of the geometry and the orientation on the contact resistances. Each system was first calibrated without the membrane inside in order to estimate all the necessary thermal properties of the different materials of the model. Next, the membrane was placed inside the model, so that the model now includes the thermal conductivity of the membrane as the only unknown parameter. The numerical results were compared with the various measured temperature profiles to estimate the thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity values of the well-known Nafion 117 membrane and other thicker membrane were determined. A very good agreement with reliable literature values was obtained. The approach presented here, combining experimental and simulated temperature profiles, may provide the basis for a practical alternative to better estimate the thermal conductivity of thin films.
Shared pooled mobility essential complement to decarbonize China’s transport sector until 2060
Authors: Hu Jiawei , Ayaragarnchanakul Eva , Yang Zheng , Creutzig Felix
Published: April 2024

Greenhouse gas emission reduction in the passenger transport sector is a main challenge for China’s climate mitigation agenda. Electrification and shared mobility provide encouraging options for carbon emissions reduction in road transport. Based on an integrated scenario-based assessment framework, a provincial-level projection is made for vehicle growth and CO2 emissions in China under shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). This work illustrates how passenger car electrification and sharing contribute to China’s “30·60” climate goals (peaking of CO2 emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060). The results demonstrate that China is en route to achieving the goal of a 2030 carbon peak (1.0Gt CO2) under current conditions, and could reach peak emissions around 2026 with optimistic growth in EVs and shared mobility. Compared with no policy action, the single EV policy (shifting from ICEVs to EVs) can reduce 71% of emissions by 2060, thus narrowing but not closing the mitigation gap to carbon neutrality in passenger cars (302 Mt CO2). Shared mobility can provide further emission reduction support, reducing emissions by 83% in 2060. Comprehensive climate actions (including electrification, sharing mobility to reduce car use, and improving vehicle efficiency and fuel carbon intensity) are needed to achieve deep decarbonization to net-zero by 2060 in the passenger transport sector.
Targeting myocardial inflammation: investigating the therapeutic potential of atrial natriuretic peptide in atrial fibrosis
Authors: Zhu Nana , Li Tianlun , Bai Yili , Sun Jiao , Guo Jianping , Yuan Hongtao , Shan Zhaoliang
Published: April 2024

Background

Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a prevalent arrhythmic condition, is intricately associated with atrial fibrosis, a major pathological contributor. Central to the development of atrial fibrosis is myocardial inflammation. This study focuses on Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and its role in mitigating atrial fibrosis, aiming to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which ANP exerts its effects, with an emphasis on fibroblast dynamics.

Methods and results

The study involved forty Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into four groups: control, Angiotensin II (Ang II), Ang II + ANP, and ANP only. The administration of 1 µg/kg/min Ang II was given to Ang II and Ang II + ANP groups, while both Ang II + ANP and ANP groups received 0.1 µg/kg/min ANP intravenously for a duration of 14 days. Cardiac fibroblasts were used for in vitro validation of the proposed mechanisms. The study observed that rats in the Ang II and Ang II + ANP groups showed an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in body weight, more pronounced in the Ang II group. Diastolic dysfunction, a characteristic of the Ang II group, was alleviated by ANP. Additionally, ANP significantly reduced Ang II-induced atrial fibrosis, myofibroblast proliferation, collagen overexpression, macrophage infiltration, and the elevated expression of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Tenascin-C (TN-C). Transcriptomic sequencing indicated enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling in the Ang II group. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that ANP, along with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002, effectively reduced PI3K/Akt pathway activation and the expression of TN-C, collagen-I, and collagen-III, which were induced by Ang II.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates ANP’s potential in inhibiting myocardial inflammation and reducing atrial fibrosis. Notably, ANP’s effect in countering atrial fibrosis seems to be mediated through the suppression of the Ang II-induced PI3K/Akt-Tenascin-C signaling pathway. These insights enhance our understanding of AF pathogenesis and position ANP as a potential therapeutic agent for treating atrial fibrosis.