bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GreatBlue: a 55-Pound Vertical-Takeoff-and-Landing Fixed-Wing sUAS for Science; Systems, Communication, Simulation, Data Processing, Payloads, Package Delivery, and Mission Flight Performance
Authors: Coopmans Calvin , Slack Stockton , Schwemmer Nathan , Vance Chase , Beckwith A. J. , Robinson Daniel J.
Published: July 2024

As small, uncrewed systems (sUAS) grow in popularity and in number, larger and larger drone aircraft will become more common–up to the FAA limit of 55 pound gross take-off weight (GTOW) and beyond. Due to their larger payload capabilities, longer flight time, and better safety systems, autonomous systems that maximize CFR 14 Part 107 flight drone operations regulations will become more common, especially for operations such as imagery or other data collection which scale well with longer flight times and larger flight areas. In this new paper, a unique all-electric 55-pound VTOL transition fixed-wing sUAS specifically engineered for scientific data collection named “GreatBlue” is presented, along with systems, communications, scientific payload, data collection and processing, package delivery payload, ground control station, and mission simulation system. Able to fly for up to 2.5 hours while collecting multispectral remotely-sensed imagery, the unique GreatBlue system is shown, along with a package delivery flight example, flight data from two scientific data collection flights over California almond fields and a Utah Reservoir are shown including flight plan vs. as-flown.
Fairness with unequal productive skills among other-regarding individuals
Authors: Calo-Blanco Aitor
Published: July 2024

This paper deals with the fair ranking of allocations when individuals endowed with heterogeneous skills have other-regarding preferences over the average consumption of the other members of society. By assuming that such preferences matter for equality, we construct three social ordering functions that aim to reduce differences which originate in unequal productivities. These functions seek to maximise the smallest value of an interpersonally comparable measure of individual well-being that is related to a situation which involves neither unfair opportunities nor inequalities in consumption. More importantly, they provide society with different options at the time of making welfare evaluations when individuals are endowed with unequal productive skills and heterogeneous preferences.
Expression, Purification and Biophysical Characterisation of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Protein Adenylyltransferase: A Systematic Integration of Empirical and Computational Modelling Approaches
Authors: Maake Reabetswe , Achilonu Ikechukwu
Published: July 2024

Infections that are acquired due to a prolonged hospital stay and manifest 2 days following the admission of a patient to a health-care institution can be classified as hospital-acquired infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) has become a critical pathogen, posing serious concern globally due to the rising incidences of hypervirulent and carbapenem-resistant strains. Glutaredoxin is a redox protein that protects cells from oxidative stress as it associates with glutathione to reduce mixed disulfides. Protein adenylyltransferase (PrAT) is a pseudokinase with a proposed mechanism of transferring an AMP group from ATP to glutaredoxin. Inducing oxidative stress to the bacterium by inhibiting the activity of PrAT is a promising approach to combating its contribution to hospital-acquired infections. Thus, this study aims to overexpress, purify, and analyse the effects of ATP and Mg2+ binding to Klebsiella pneumoniae PrAT (KpPrAT). The pET expression system and nickel affinity chromatography were effective in expressing and purifying KpPrAT. Far-UV CD spectroscopy demonstrates that the protein is predominantly α-helical, even in the presence of Mg2+. Extrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy with ANS indicates the presence of a hydrophobic pocket in the presence of ATP and Mg2+, while mant-ATP studies allude to the potential nucleotide binding ability of KpPrAT. The presence of Mg2+ increases the thermostability of the protein. Isothermal titration calorimetry provides insight into the binding affinity and thermodynamic parameters associated with the binding of ATP to KpPrAT, with or without Mg2+. Conclusively, the presence of Mg2+ induces a conformation in KpPrAT that favours nucleotide binding.
Quantifying Household Discomfort Perception: An Application for Spain
Authors: Aristondo Oihana , Grijalba Olatz , Onaindia Eneritz , Perez-Bezos Silvia
Published: July 2024

The physical structure of the dwelling itself and its immediate surroundings determine its Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and this has a direct impact on the perception of comfort and wellbeing of the people who live there. Analysing the adequacy of housing from a comfort perception perspective makes it possible to better design renovation strategies for buildings. The aim of this paper is to define a multidimensional index based on multiple comfort variables to measure household discomfort. The proposed method assigns to each household a level of discomfort according to the comfort variables in which it is affected. Subsequently, these households’ values are aggregated to obtain an overall discomfort value for the society analysed. The evolution of the perception of discomfort from 2008 to 2020, the incidence of each of the variables, and the characteristics of the dwellings with the highest levels of discomfort are studied for Spanish households using the Spanish Survey on Income and Living Conditions. The results highlight a large increase in discomfort in 2020, the year of Covid-19 lockdown in Spain, and reveal that the most affected households are those living in populated areas, in apartments and in rented houses, and that the variable that affects them the most is Acoustic Comfort.
Metabolomics 2023 workshop report: moving toward consensus on best QA/QC practices in LC–MS-based untargeted metabolomics
Authors: Mosley Jonathan D. , Dunn Warwick B. , Kuligowski Julia , Lewis Matthew R. , Monge María Eugenia , Ulmer Holland Candice , Vuckovic Dajana , Zanetti Krista A. , Schock Tracey B. ,   the Metabolomics Quality Assurance, Quality Control Consortium (mQACC)
Published: July 2024

Introduction

During the Metabolomics 2023 conference, the Metabolomics Quality Assurance and Quality Control Consortium (mQACC) presented a QA/QC workshop for LC–MS-based untargeted metabolomics.

Objectives

The Best Practices Working Group disseminated recent findings from community forums and discussed aspects to include in a living guidance document.

Methods

Presentations focused on reference materials, data quality review, metabolite identification/annotation and quality assurance.

Results

Live polling results and follow-up discussions offered a broad international perspective on QA/QC practices.

Conclusions

Community input gathered from this workshop series is being used to shape the living guidance document, a continually evolving QA/QC best practices resource for metabolomics researchers.
Comprehensive assessment of groundwater quality in the Prayagraj District, Ganga Basin
Authors: Kumari Bhumika , Keesari Tirumalesh , Roy Annadasankar , Mohokar Hemant , Pant Harish Jagat
Published: July 2024

Urbanization has severely impacted the world water resources especially the shallow groundwater systems. There is a need of a robust method for quantifying the water quality degradation, which is still a challenge for most of the urban centers across the world. In this study, a highly urbanized region of Ganga basin is selected to critically evaluate commonly used WQIs and compare with fuzzy modeling. A total of 28 water samples were collected from diverse sources (surface and groundwaters) in the vicinity of urban region covering an area of 216 km2 during the premonsoon period. TDS, TH, NO3
−, and F− values were found to be above the permissible limits in 57%, 89%, 4%, and 7% samples, respectively. The WQIs (entropy and integrated) outputs were found to be similar with 89% of the samples falling under moderate category. Fuzzy modeling was carried out allowing user-defined weighting factors for the most influential ions, and the output suggested 96% of the samples falling under moderate to excellent categories. Based on the chemical results and considering the lithology of the study area, the geochemical reactions controlling the water quality were deduced. This study outlines a systematic approach of evaluating the overall water quality of an urban region highlighting the merits and limitations of WQIs. It also justifies the immediate need to generate more robust data to achieve the sustainable development goals 6 (clean water and sanitation) and 11 (sustainability of cities and human settlement).

Graphical Abstract
Towards cleaner environment: recycling microalgal co-product to reduce emissions and impacts while eliminating fishmeal in rainbow trout feed for sustainable aquaculture
Authors: Sarker Pallab K. , Figueroa Ebenezer , Kapuscinski Anne R. , McKuin Brandi , Schoffstall Benjamin V. , Fitzgerald Devin , Greenwood Connor , O’Shelski Kira , Pasion Emily Noelle , Gwynne Duncan , Orcajo Diego Gonzalez , Andrade Sofie , Nocera Pablo
Published: July 2024

The rapid increase in aquaculture over the last several decades has led to concerns about the environmental impact of fish feeds relying on marine resources for fishmeal (FM). We aim to assess Nannochloropsis sp. QH25 co-product as a viable and sustainable replacement for FM in juvenile rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, feeds. We formulated four experimental diets: a reference (FM based), 33N, 66N, and 100N diet (33%, 66%, and 100% co-product replacement). Rainbow trout were randomly assigned to one of 16 tanks and randomly assigned an experimental diet to consume throughout the experiment (64 days total), with four replicate tanks per diet. We compared the phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) digestibility, emissions, and growth between diets and, compared six environmental impacts (biotic resource use (BRU), global warming potential (GWP), water use, land use, marine eutrophication potential (MEP), and freshwater eutrophication potential (FEP)) of each diet. Our results indicate that replacing FM with co-product did not significantly alter growth. P digestibility of the experimental and reference diets was comparable. BRU conversion ratio was significantly lower in the experimental diets. However, there were significantly higher water and land use conversion ratios but insignificantly higher results in GWP, MEP, and FEP between the reference and 100N diet.
Changes in the proteome of Apis mellifera acutely exposed to sublethal dosage of glyphosate and imidacloprid
Authors: Maya-Aguirre Carlos Andrés , Torres Angela , Gutiérrez-Castañeda Luz Dary , Salazar Luz Mary , Abreu-Villaça Yael , Manhães Alex Christian , Arenas Nelson Enrique
Published: July 2024

Uncontrolled use of pesticides has caused a dramatic reduction in the number of pollinators, including bees. Studies on the effects of pesticides on bees have reported effects on both metabolic and neurological levels under chronic exposure. In this study, variations in the differential expression of head and thorax–abdomen proteins in Africanized A. mellifera bees treated acutely with sublethal doses of glyphosate and imidacloprid were studied using a proteomic approach. A total of 92 proteins were detected, 49 of which were differentially expressed compared to those in the control group (47 downregulated and 2 upregulated). Protein interaction networks with differential protein expression ratios suggested that acute exposure of A. mellifera to sublethal doses of glyphosate could cause head damage, which is mainly associated with behavior and metabolism. Simultaneously, imidacloprid can cause damage associated with metabolism as well as, neuronal damage, cellular stress, and impairment of the detoxification system. Regarding the thorax–abdomen fractions, glyphosate could lead to cytoskeleton reorganization and a reduction in defense mechanisms, whereas imidacloprid could affect the coordination and impairment of the oxidative stress response.
A Qualitative Investigation of Characteristics Impacting Clinical Decision-Making in Integrated Behavioral Health Care
Authors: Smith Ash M. , Prom Maria C. , Ng Lauren C.
Published: July 2024

To support implementation of integrated behavioral health care (IBHC) models in local settings, providers may benefit from clinical decision-making support. The present analysis examines perspectives on patient characteristics appropriate or inappropriate for, and currently managed within, IBHC at a large medical center to inform recommendations for provider decision-making. Twenty-four participants (n = 13 primary care providers; n = 6 behavioral health providers; n = 5 administrators) in an IBHC setting were interviewed. Thematic analysis was conducted with acceptable interrater reliability (κ = 0.75). Responses indicated behavioral health symptom and patient characteristics that impact perceptions of appropriateness for management in IBHC, with high variability between providers. Many patients with characteristics identified as inappropriate for IBHC were nonetheless currently managed in IBHC. Interactions between patient ability to engage in care and provider ability to manage patient needs guided decisions to refer a patient to IBHC or specialty care. A heuristic representing this dimensional approach to clinical decision-making is presented to suggest provider decision-making guidance informed by both patient and provider ability.
Adolescent Lifestyle Behaviour Modification and Mental Health: Longitudinal Changes in Diet, Physical Activity, Sleep, Screen Time, Smoking, and Alcohol Use and Associations with Psychological Distress
Authors: Smout Scarlett , Champion Katrina E. , O’Dean Siobhan , Halladay Jillian , Gardner Lauren A. , Newton Nicola C.
Published: July 2024

This study examines longitudinal behaviour change in six key lifestyle behaviours—sleep, physical activity (PA), sedentary recreational screen time, diet, alcohol use, and tobacco use—and associations with mental health in a large study of Australian adolescents. Change between baseline (Mage = 12.7, N = 6,639) and 3-year follow up (Mage = 15.7, N = 4445) was investigated. Generalised linear mixed effects regressions modelled associations between behaviour change and later psychological distress score adjusting for baseline behaviours, baseline psychological distress, social determinants, and school clustering. Changes over time in each of the behaviours were significantly associated with later psychological distress, whereby health-promoting behaviours were associated with reduced psychological distress and vice versa. When all behaviour changes were modelled together, significant effects remained for sleep, PA, vegetable consumption, junk food and SSB consumption, alcohol, and tobacco use. Results highlight the potential benefits of behaviour modification to reduce the progression of psychological distress in adolescence.
Clinical Outcomes of Rural Patients with Diabetes Treated by ECHO-Trained Providers Versus an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Bouchonville Matthew F. , Myaskovsky Larissa , Leyva Yuridia L. , Erhardt Erik B. , Unruh Mark L. , Arora Sanjeev
Published: July 2024

Background

Despite clinical practice guidelines prioritizing cardiorenal risk reduction, national trends in diabetes outcomes, particularly in rural communities, do not mirror the benefits seen in clinical trials with emerging therapeutics and technologies.

Objective

Project ECHO supports implementation of guidelines in under-resourced areas through virtual communities of practice, sharing of best practices, and case-based learning. We hypothesized that diabetes outcomes of patients treated by ECHO-trained primary care providers (PCPs) would be similar to those of patients treated by specialists at an academic medical center.

Design

Specialists from the University of New Mexico (UNM) launched a weekly diabetes ECHO program to mentor dyads consisting of a PCP and community health worker at ten rural clinics.

Participants

We compared cardiorenal risk factor changes in patients with diabetes treated by ECHO-trained dyads to patients treated by specialists at the UNM Diabetes Comprehensive Care Center (DCCC). Eligible participants included adults with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes on insulin, or diabetes of either type with A1c > 9%.

Main Measures

The primary outcome was change from baseline in A1c in the ECHO and DCCC cohorts. Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR).

Key Results

Compared to the DCCC cohort (n = 151), patients in the ECHO cohort (n = 856) experienced greater A1c reduction (−1.2% vs −0.6%; p = 0.02 for difference in difference). BMI decreased in the Endo ECHO cohort and increased in the DCCC cohort (−0.2 vs. +1.3 kg/m2; p = 0.003 for difference in difference). Diastolic blood pressure declined in the Endo ECHO cohort only. Improvements of similar magnitude were observed in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both groups. UACR remained stable in both groups.

Conclusions

ECHO may be a suitable intervention for improving diabetes outcomes in rural, under-resourced communities with limited access to a specialist.
Cost-Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Chinese Patients
Authors: Yu Weihua , Chen Jionghuang , Fan Luqi , Yan Chenli , Zhu Linghua
Published: July 2024

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most popular bariatric surgery procedure in China. However, its cost-effectiveness in Chinese patients is currently unknown.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of LSG vs no surgery in Chinese patients with severe and complex obesity, taking into account both healthcare expenses and the potential improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 135 Chinese patients who underwent LSG between January 3, 2022 and December 29, 2022, at a major bariatric center. The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness from a healthcare service perspective, employing the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained. The analyses compared LSG with the alternative of not undergoing surgery over a 1-year period, using actual data, and extended to a lifetime horizon by projecting costs and utilities at an annual discount rate of 3.0%. Subgroup analyses were undertaken to explore cost-effectiveness variations across different sex, age and BMI categories, and diabetes status, employing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). To ensure the reliability of the findings, one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were executed.

Results

The results indicated that 1-year post-LSG, patients achieved an average total weight loss (TWL) of (32.7 ± 7.3)% and an excess weight loss (EWL) of (97.8 ± 23.1)%. The ICER for LSG compared to no surgery over a lifetime was $4,327/QALY, significantly below the willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold for Chinese patients with severe and complex obesity. From a lifetime perspective, LSG proved to be cost-effective for all sex and age groups, across all BMI categories, and for both patients with and without diabetes. Notably, it was more cost-effective for younger patients, patients with higher BMI, and patients with diabetes.

Conclusions

LSG is a highly cost-effective intervention for managing obesity in Chinese patients, delivering substantial benefits in terms of HRQoL improvement at a low cost. Its cost-effectiveness is particularly pronounced among younger individuals, those with higher BMI, and patients with diabetes.

Graphical Abstract
Systemic methotrexate (MTX) in early pregnancy: a retrospective study of a tertiary maternity hospital
Authors: Lutfi Ahmed , Hayes-Ryan Deirdre , Cottrell Elmarie , Greene Richard A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is used in clinical practice as a medical treatment option in patients with early pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancy.

Aims

To review systemic MTX therapy use in the first trimester of pregnancy in our hospital and to examine subsequent clinical outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective review of all women treated with systemic MTX in early pregnancy identified from electronic prescription records from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2020 at Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland. Relevant data was transcribed from electronic health records.

Results

Indications for treatment were tubal ectopic pregnancy (70%,n = 51), persistent pregnancy of unknown location (22%,n = 16) and caesarean scar pregnancy (7%,n = 5). Treatment was successful in 88% (n = 44) of tubal ectopic pregnancies with 73% (n = 37) and 14% (n = 7) of women receiving a single dose and repeated doses, respectively. Only 8% (n = 4) of tubal ectopic pregnancies required emergency surgery for subsequent tubal rupture. In 93% (n = 15) of cases of persistent pregnancy of unknown location, treatment was successful with one patient requiring uterine evacuation. Women with caesarean scar pregnancy were treated with combined MTX and uterine evacuation without complication.

Conclusions

The efficacy of medical treatment with systemic MTX for confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy in our hospital is in line with national and international standards. Careful consideration should be given to treating caesarean scar pregnancy and persistent pregnancy of unknown location with systemic MTX. Systemic MTX use guided by clinicians specialised in early pregnancy complications and safe medication practices may improve treatment success and reduce adverse events.
Brain Networks, Neurotransmitters and Psychedelics: Towards a Neurochemistry of Self-Awareness
Authors: Mograbi Daniel C. , Rodrigues Rafael , Bienemann Bheatrix , Huntley Jonathan
Published: July 2024

Purpose of Review

Self-awareness can be defined as the capacity of becoming the object of one’s own awareness and, increasingly, it has been the target of scientific inquiry. Self-awareness has important clinical implications, and a better understanding of the neurochemical basis of self-awareness may help clarifying causes and developing interventions for different psychopathological conditions. The current article explores the relationship between neurochemistry and self-awareness, with special attention to the effects of psychedelics.

Recent Findings

The functioning of self-related networks, such as the default-mode network and the salience network, and how these are influenced by different neurotransmitters is discussed. The impact of psychedelics on self-awareness is reviewed in relation to specific processes, such as interoception, body ownership, agency, metacognition, emotional regulation and autobiographical memory, within a framework based on predictive coding.

Improved outcomes in emotional regulation and autobiographical memory have been observed in association with the use of psychedelics, suggesting higher-order self-awareness changes, which can be modulated by relaxation of priors and improved coping mechanisms linked to cognitive flexibility. Alterations in bodily self-awareness are less consistent, being potentially impacted by doses employed, differences in acute/long-term effects and the presence of clinical conditions. Future studies investigating the effects of different molecules in rebalancing connectivity between resting-state networks may lead to novel therapeutic approaches and the refinement of existing treatments.
How to Define and Meet Blood Pressure Targets After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review
Authors: Kartal Ahmet , Robba Chiara , Helmy Adel , Wolf Stefan , Aries Marcel J. H.
Published: July 2024

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a significant challenge to healthcare providers, necessitating meticulous management of hemodynamic parameters to optimize patient outcomes. This article delves into the critical task of defining and meeting continuous arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) targets in the context of severe TBI in neurocritical care settings.

Methods

We narratively reviewed existing literature, clinical guidelines, and emerging technologies to propose a comprehensive approach that integrates real-time monitoring, individualized cerebral perfusion target setting, and dynamic interventions.

Results

Our findings emphasize the need for personalized hemodynamic management, considering the heterogeneity of patients with TBI and the evolving nature of their condition. We describe the latest advancements in monitoring technologies, such as autoregulation-guided ABP/CPP treatment, which enable a more nuanced understanding of cerebral perfusion dynamics. By incorporating these tools into a proactive monitoring strategy, clinicians can tailor interventions to optimize ABP/CPP and mitigate secondary brain injury.

Discussion

Challenges in this field include the lack of standardized protocols for interpreting multimodal neuromonitoring data, potential variability in clinical decision-making, understanding the role of cardiac output, and the need for specialized expertise and customized software to have individualized ABP/CPP targets regularly available. The patient outcome benefit of monitoring-guided ABP/CPP target definitions still needs to be proven in patients with TBI.

Conclusions

We recommend that the TBI community take proactive steps to translate the potential benefits of personalized ABP/CPP targets, which have been implemented in certain centers, into a standardized and clinically validated reality through randomized controlled trials.
Nicotinamide riboside restores nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and alleviates brain injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: She Jing , Zhang Hua , Xu Hui , Li Yan-Yan , Wu Jun-Chao , Han Rong , Lin Fang , Wang Yan , Sheng Rui , Gu Jin-hua , Qin Zheng-Hong
Published: July 2024

Hemorrhagic stroke is a global health problem owing to its high morbidity and mortality rates. Nicotinamide riboside is an important precursor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide characterized by a high bioavailability, safety profile, and robust effects on many cellular signaling processes. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of nicotinamide riboside against collagenase-induced hemorrhagic stroke and its underlying mechanisms of action. An intracerebral hemorrhage model was constructed by stereotactically injecting collagenase into the right striatum of adult male Institute for Cancer Research mice. After 30 minutes, nicotinamide riboside was administered via the tail vein. The mice were sacrificed at different time points for assessments. Nicotinamide riboside reduced collagenase-induced hemorrhagic area, significantly reduced cerebral water content and histopathological damage, promoted neurological function recovery, and suppressed reactive oxygen species production and neuroinflammation. Nicotinamide riboside exerts neuroprotective effects against collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
Tragia grandistipularis (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Malawi
Authors: Cahen Daniel , Magombo Zacharia L. K. , Gillespie Lynn J.
Published: July 2024

We describe and illustrate Tragia grandistipularis (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from the Southern Region of Malawi, which is easily distinguished by its large stipules. We amend the key to the genus in Flora Zambesiaca to accommodate the new species. The new species is only known from a single population in a threatened habitat. Based on its limited known distribution and the threats to this habitat, we provisionally assess it as Critically Endangered (CR) with criteria B2ab(i,ii,iii,v) following the IUCN Red List categories and guidelines. We recommend further surveys to better understand the ecology and distribution of this new species.
Schmerztherapie in der Rheumatologie
Authors: Machold Klaus
Published: July 2024

Die Therapie schmerzhafter rheumatischer Erkrankungen umfasst nichtmedikamentöse und medikamentöse Maßnahmen. Kurzdauernde Schmerzen sprechen meist gut auf nichtsteroidale Antirheumatika (NSAR) oder „reine“ Analgetika an, die Therapie chronischer Schmerzen erfordert meist den Einsatz einer Vielzahl ergänzender Methoden in individuell angepasster Kombination. Die Auswahl dieser Methoden orientiert sich an der Schmerzcharakteristik, der Schmerzlokalisation, der zugrunde liegenden Erkrankung und Begleit- bzw. Folgeerkrankungen wie Depression oder Organschäden. Für Ärzt:innen und Therapeut:innen, die Patient:innen mit chronischen Schmerzen behandeln, sind Kenntnisse des Spektrums der Schmerztherapie unabdingbar.
Time-Series Embeddings from Language Models: A Tool for Wind Direction Nowcasting
Authors: Alves Décio , Mendonça Fábio , Mostafa Sheikh Shanawaz , Morgado-Dias Fernando
Published: July 2024

Wind direction nowcasting is crucial in various sectors, particularly for ensuring aviation operations and safety. In this context, the TELMo (Time-series Embeddings from Language Models) model, a sophisticated deep learning architecture, has been introduced in this work for enhanced wind-direction nowcasting. Developed by using three years of data from multiple stations in the complex terrain of an international airport, TELMo incorporates the horizontal u (east–west) and v (north–south) wind components to significantly reduce forecasting errors. On a day with high wind direction variability, TELMo achieved mean absolute error values of 5.66 for 2-min, 10.59 for 10-min, and 14.79 for 20-min forecasts, processed within a swift 9-ms/step timeframe. Standard degree-based analysis, in comparison, yielded lower performance, emphasizing the effectiveness of the u and v components. In contrast, a Vanilla neural network, representing a shallow-learning approach, underperformed in all analyses, highlighting the superiority of deep learning methodologies in wind direction nowcasting. TELMo is an efficient model, capable of accurately forecasting wind direction for air traffic operations, with an error less than 20° in 97.49% of the predictions, aligning with recommended international thresholds. This model design enables its applicability across various geographical locations, making it a versatile tool in global aviation meteorology.
Derivation of two iPSC lines (KAIMRCi004-A, KAIMRCi004-B) from a Saudi patient with Biotin-Thiamine-responsive Basal Ganglia Disease (BTBGD) carrying homozygous pathogenic missense variant in the SCL19A3 gene
Authors: Alowaysi Maryam , Baadhaim Moayad , Al-Shehri Mohammad , Alzahrani Hajar , Badkok Amani , Attas Hanouf , Zakri Samer , Alameer Seham , Malibari Dalal , Hosawi Manal , Daghestani Mustafa , Al-Ghamdi Khalid , muharraq Mohammed , Zia Asima , Tegne Jesper , Alfadhel Majid , Aboalola Doaa , Alsayegh Khaled
Published: July 2024

The neurometabolic disorder known as biotin-thiamine-responsive basal ganglia disease (BTBGD) is a rare autosomal recessive condition linked to bi-allelic pathogenic mutations in the SLC19A3 gene. BTBGD is characterized by progressive encephalopathy, confusion, seizures, dysarthria, dystonia, and severe disabilities. Diagnosis is difficult due to the disease’s rare nature and diverse clinical characteristics. The primary treatment for BTBGD at this time is thiamine and biotin supplementation, while its long-term effectiveness is still being investigated. In this study, we have generated two clones of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a 10-year-old female BTBGD patient carrying a homozygous mutation for the pathogenic variant in exon 5 of the SLC19A3 gene, c.1264A > G (p.Thr422Ala). We have confirmed the pluripotency of the generated iPS lines and successfully differentiated them to neural progenitors. Because our understanding of genotype–phenotype correlations in BTBGD is limited, the establishment of BTBGD-iPSC lines with a homozygous SLC19A3 mutation provides a valuable cellular model to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying SLC19A3-associated cellular dysfunction. This model holds potential for advancing the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Archetypes of climate change adaptation among large-scale arable farmers in southern Romania
Authors: Necula Cristiana , Rossing Walter A. H. , Easdale Marcos H.
Published: July 2024

Effects of climate change and especially the associated climate variability require farmers to adjust to increasing frequencies of extreme events. In the agriculturally highly productive Romanian Plain, the frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves and drought have increased over the past 20 years. Although recent surveys revealed farmers’ awareness of climate change and enumerated a number of farm adaptation measures in the Romanian context, a systems approach to adaptation that allows conclusions on farm vulnerability and adaptive capacity is missing. Here, we use archetypal analysis to elucidate and characterize for the first time the types of adaptation responses of arable farmers in southern Romania. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 farmers managing 51,500 ha located across the southern lowlands of Romania, selected for their diversity of management approaches. Farmers were asked about experienced climatic disturbances, crop production losses during the most extreme events over the past 5–10 years, and the adaptation measures they implemented over that period of time. In addition, structural characteristics of the farm were recorded. The adaptation measures were classified and mapped on the efficiency, substitution, and redesign gradient used to classify sustainability stages. Results revealed three archetypes of adaptation, consisting of measures at field and farm level ranging from predominantly efficiency-enhancing ones (e.g., crop choice and management and risk insurance) to complete farm redesign involving agrotechnical and financial management changes. Structural farm characteristics did not explain differences between farms in their association with one of the archetypes. Our approach and results show for the first time both the need for strengthening farmer-level support in one of Europe’s key food production areas and the lessons that can be drawn from the outlier adaptation examples. Current European and national policies offer opportunities for farmer organizations in Romania to make these conclusions actionable.
New Species of Grotea (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Labeninae) from Ecuador, with New Records and a Key to the Neotropical Species
Authors: Mazón Marina , Bordera Santiago , Broad Gavin R.
Published: July 2024

Here we describe two new Grotea species from Ecuador, G. akakana Mazón & Bordera sp. nov., and G. romeri Mazón sp. nov., as well as the male of G. cundinamarquesa Herrera-Flórez 2018. G. akakanasp. nov. is characterized by the combination of a postgenal process long, a 45-flagellomeres antenna without a white band and a mesopleuron black with two yellow spots separated by a red one. On the other hand, G. romerisp. nov. is characterized by the combination of a postgenal process very short, a 36-flagellomeres antenna without a white band, a propodeum with a long and narrow area lateralis, uninterrupted yellow-colored orbits and a mesopleuron black with a yellow spot in the middle. The species G. santandereana Herrera-Flórez 2018 and G. surinamese Herrera-Flórez 2019 are recorded from Ecuador for the first time. This brings the total of described Grotea species to 31, all from the New World, with 27 of these exclusively Neotropical. A key for the identification of Neotropical species is included.
Youth and climate crisis: participation and learning in complex, adaptive systems
Authors: Spannring Reingard , Waechter Natalia
Published: July 2024

The Friday for Future school strikes have vividly demonstrated young people’s concern for the rapidly deteriorating life and survival chances of future generations of human and nonhuman beings. The young people’s ambivalence between despair and hope, feelings of powerlessness and empowerment challenge us to recognise the complexity and dynamic not only of ecosystems but of socio-ecological systems and to question the mechanistic and linear thinking often prevalent in youth research and education science. This thinkbite invites readers to consider young people’s experiences with the climate crisis and (climate change) education through the perspective of Complex Adaptive System Theory to open up learning space for more wholesome and creative responses to the challenge.
Continual few-shot patch-based learning for anime-style colorization
Authors: Maejima Akinobu , Shinagawa Seitaro , Kubo Hiroyuki , Funatomi Takuya , Yotsukura Tatsuo , Nakamura Satoshi , Mukaigawa Yasuhiro
Published: July 2024

The automatic colorization of anime line drawings is a challenging problem in production pipelines. Recent advances in deep neural networks have addressed this problem; however, collectingmany images of colorization targets in novel anime work before the colorization process starts leads to chicken-and-egg problems and has become an obstacle to using them in production pipelines. To overcome this obstacle, we propose a new patch-based learning method for few-shot anime-style colorization. The learning method adopts an efficient patch sampling technique with position embedding according to the characteristics of anime line drawings. We also present a continuous learning strategy that continuously updates our colorization model using new samples colorized by human artists. The advantage of our method is that it can learn our colorization model from scratch or pre-trained weights using only a few pre- and post-colorized line drawings that are created by artists in their usual colorization work. Therefore, our method can be easily incorporated within existing production pipelines. We quantitatively demonstrate that our colorizationmethod outperforms state-of-the-art methods.
Precipitation of secondary Laves phases and its effect on notch sensitivity
Authors: Zhang Wei-wei , Tan Yuan-guo , Lai Yu , Chen Qi , Zhou Yang
Published: July 2024

The precipitation of secondary Laves phases and its effect on notch sensitivity are systematically studied in Thermo-Span alloy. The results show that the precipitation peak temperature of secondary Laves phases is 925 °C. Below 925 °C, the volume fraction of secondary Laves phases increases with the rise of the temperature, and its morphology changes from granular to thin-film; above 925 °C, the volume fraction of secondary Laves phases shows an opposite trend to temperature, and its morphology changes from thin-film to granular. A detailed explanation through linear density (ρ) is provided that the influence of secondary Laves phases at the grain boundaries (GBs) on notch sensitivity depends on the coupling competition effect of their size, quantity, and morphology. Notably, the granular Laves phases are more beneficial to improving the notch sensitivity of the alloy compared with thin-film Laves phases. Granular secondary Laves phases can promote the formation of γ′ phases depletion zone to improve the ability of GBs to accommodate high strain localization, and effectively inhibit the crack initiation and propagation.
A General Coupled Derivative Nonlinear Schrödinger System: Darboux Transformation and Soliton Solutions
Authors: Kuang Yonghui
Published: July 2024

In this work we present a general coupled derivative nonlinear Schrödinger system. We construct the corresponding N-fold Darboux transform and generalized Darboux transform. Under this construction, we give different soliton solutions and plot their figures describing the soliton characteristics and dynamical behaviors, including higher-order soliton and rouge wave solution etc.
Variation in Granular Frictional Resistance Across Nine Orders of Magnitude in Shear Velocity
Authors: Gou H. X. , Hu W. , Xu Q. , Chen Jianye , McSaveney M. J. , Breard Eric C. P. , Huang R. Q. , Wang Y. J. , Jia X. P. , Zhou L.
Published: July 2024

Determining the shear‐velocity dependence of dry granular friction can provide insight into the controlling variables in a dry granular friction law. Some laboratories believe that the quality of this study is at the forefront of the discipline for the following reasons. Results suggest that granular friction is greatly affected by shear‐velocity (v), but shear experiments over the large range of naturally occurring shear‐velocities are lacking. Herein we examined the shear velocity dependence of dry friction for three granular materials, quartz sand, glass beads and fluorspar, across nine orders of magnitude of shear velocity (10−8–2 m/s). Within this range, granular friction exhibited four regimes, following a broad approximate “m” shape including two velocity‐strengthening and two velocity‐weakening regimes. We discuss the possible physical mechanisms of each regime. This shear velocity dependence appeared to be universal for all particle types, shapes, sizes, and for all normal stresses over the tested range. We also found that ultra‐high frequency vibration as grain surfaces were scoured by micro‐chips were formed by spalling at high shear velocities, creating ∼20 μm diameter impact pits on particle surfaces. This study provides laboratory laws of a friction‐velocity (μ‐v) model for granular materials.
Ground‐Based Far Infrared Emissivity Measurements Using the Absolute Radiance Interferometer
Authors: Loveless M. , Adler D. , Best F. , Borbas E. , Huang X. , Knuteson R. , L'Ecuyer T. , Nalli N. R. , Olsen E. , Revercomb H. , Taylor J. K.
Published: July 2024

Far infrared (FIR) emission from the Earth's polar regions has become an area of increasing scientific interest and value. FIR emission is important for understanding Earth's radiative balance and improving global climate models, especially in rapidly changing Arctic conditions. Far‐infrared emission from Earth is not currently being monitored from space, except as part of broadband emission channels of Earth radiation budget measurements like those from the CERES project, and only limited measurements in the FIR spectrum exist. The Absolute Radiance Interferometer (ARI), developed as a prototype of the infrared spectrometer for CLARREO at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center, measures absolute spectrally resolved infrared (IR) radiance from 200 to 2,000 cm−1 (or 5–50 μm) at 0.5 cm−1 resolution with high accuracy (<0.1 K 3‐sigma brightness temperature at scene temperature). This instrument was taken into the field in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, during the winters of 2021 and 2022, where the weather can reach polar‐like conditions to measure high spectral resolution radiances of various sample types. Sample materials included water, snow, ice, evergreen leaves, dry grass, and sand, all characteristic of high latitude regions. Radiances collected from both a sky view and the sample view in clear‐sky conditions were used to retrieve FIR emissivity. This paper describes the ARI instrument configuration and capability for ground‐based measurements in the FIR region, and documents retrieved emissivities of various analyzed samples. The retrieved emissivity results are publicly available, and comparisons are made to simulated emissivity estimates.
The history of diapers and their environmental impact
Authors: Tokat Cansu , Rickman Nicholas C. , Bearer Cynthia F.
Published: July 2024

Impact

This article examines diaper practices around the world throughout history.

This article reviews the innovation of the modern diaper and the environmental effects of disposable diapers.
Caspase-3 promotes oncogene-induced malignant transformation via EndoG-dependent Src-STAT3 phosphorylation
Authors: Zhu Chenchen , Fan Fushun , Li Chuan-Yuan , Xiong Yan , Liu Xinjian
Published: July 2024

Accumulating evidence suggests that caspase-3 plays critical roles beyond apoptosis, serving pro-survival functions in malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism of non-apoptotic action of caspase-3 in oncogenic transformation remains unclear. In the present study, we show that caspase-3 is consistently activated in malignant transformation induced by exogenous expression of oncogenic cocktail (c-Myc, p53DD, Oct-4, and H-Ras) in vitro as well as in the mouse mammary tumor virus-polyomavirus middle T antigen (MMTV-PyMT) mouse model of breast cancer. Genetic ablation of caspase-3 significantly attenuated oncogene-induced transformation of mammalian cells and delayed breast cancer progression in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice. Mechanistically, active caspase-3 triggers the translocation of endonuclease G (EndoG) from mitochondria, which migrates to the nucleus, thereby induces phosphorylation of Src-STAT3 signaling pathway to facilitate oncogenic transformation. Taken together, our data suggest that caspase-3 plays pivotal role in facilitating rather than suppressing oncogene-induced malignant transformation of mammalian cells.
IL-27 disturbs lipid metabolism and restrains mitochondrial activity to inhibit γδ T17 cell-mediated skin inflammation
Authors: Zhang Mingyue , Li Dehai , Zhu Jing , Xia Xue , Zhang Hua , Wu Jie , Wang Shengli , Deng Anyi , Wen Qiong , Tan Jingyi , Hao Jianlei , Jiang Jun , Bao Xiucong , Sun Guodong , Lu Jiajing , Yang Quanli , Yang Hengwen , Cao Guangchao , Yin Zhinan , Wang Qian
Published: July 2024

IL-17+ γδ T cells (γδ T17) are kick-starters of inflammation due to their strict immunosurveillance of xenobiotics or cellular damages and rapid response to pro-inflammatory stimulators. IL-27 is a well-recognized pleiotropic immune regulator with potent inhibitory effects on type 17 immune responses. However, its actions on γδ T17 mediated inflammation and the underlying mechanisms are less well understood. Here we find that IL-27 inhibits the production of IL-17 from γδ T cells. Mechanistically, IL-27 promotes lipolysis while inhibits lipogenesis, thus reduces the accumulation of lipids and subsequent membrane phospholipids, which leads to mitochondrial deactivation and ensuing reduction of IL-17. More importantly, Il27ra deficient γδ T cells are more pathogenic in an imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis model, while intracutaneous injection of rmIL-27 ameliorates psoriatic inflammation. In summary, this work uncovered the metabolic basis for the immune regulatory activity of IL-27 in restraining γδ T17 mediated inflammation, which provides novel insights into IL-27/IL-27Ra signaling, γδ T17 biology and the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
ZBP1 condensate formation synergizes Z-NAs recognition and signal transduction
Authors: Xie Feiyan , Wu Di , Huang Jing , Liu Xuehe , Shen Yanfang , Huang Jinqing , Su Zhipeng , Li Jixi
Published: July 2024

Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) is a crucial player in the intracellular recognition of Z-form nucleic acids (Z-NAs) through its Zαβ domain, initiating downstream interactions with RIPK1 and RIPK3 via RHIM domains. This engagement leads to the assembly of PANoptosomes, ultimately inducing programmed cell death to curb pathogen dissemination. How Zαβ and RHIM domain cooperate to trigger Z-NAs recognition and signal transduction remains unclear. Here, we show that ZBP1 condensate formation facilitates Z-NAs binding and antiviral signal transduction. The ZBP1 Zαβ dimerizes in a concentration-dependent manner, forming characteristic condensates in solutions evidenced by DLS and SAXS methods. ZBP1 exhibits a binding preference for 10-bp length CG (10CG) DNA and Z-RNA ligand, which in turn enhanced Zαβ dimerization, expediting the formation of droplet condensates in vitro and amyloid-like puncta in cells. Subsequent investigations reveal that Zαβ could form condensates with liquid-liquid phase separation property upon HSV and IAV infections, while full-length ZBP1 forms amyloid-like puncta with or without infections. Furthermore, ZBP1 RHIM domains show typical amyloidal fibril characterizations and cross-polymerize with RIPK1 depending on the core motif of 206IQIG209, while mutated ZBP1 could impede necroptosis and antiviral immunity in HT-29 cells. Thus, ZBP1 condensate formation facilitates the recognition of viral Z-NAs and activation of downstream signal transduction via synergic action of different domains, revealing its elaborated mechanism in innate immunity.