bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do urbanization and alien species affect the plant taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity in different types of urban green areas?
Authors: Dylewski Łukasz , Banaszak-Cibicka Weronika , Maćkowiak Łukasz , Dyderski Marcin K.
Published: July 2023

Human pressure on urban landscapes has serious consequences for urban plant species. Therefore, environmental and anthropogenic factors affect the assembly of urban wildlife in plant communities. For biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in urban areas, it is crucial to understand the impacts of urbanization as well as the introduction of alien plant species on urban plant communities. On 47 sites in Poznań (W Poland), we studied variation within and between three management greenery habitats, i.e., urban parks, greenery associated with housing estates, and urban grasslands, as they relate to taxonomical, functional, and phylogenetic alpha and beta diversity. We also examined how urbanization (measured by ISA) and alien plant species relate to vegetation compositional differences. We found that both urbanization and alien plant species cover decreased alpha diversity, while urbanization had various impacts on beta diversity within each studied habitat. Our results suggest that human pressure leads to similarities in the urban flora, where plant species with specific functional traits adapted to the urban environment. To achieve sustainable urbanization, urban planners should not only create diverse green spaces but also eliminate alien plants, increasing the role of urban land management in promoting the wildness of plant biodiversity in cities.
Fib-4 score is able to predict intra-hospital mortality in 4 different SARS-COV2 waves
Authors: Miele Luca , Dajko Marianxhela , Savino Maria Chiara , Capocchiano Nicola D. , Calvez Valentino , Liguori Antonio , Masciocchi Carlotta , Vetrone Lorenzo , Mignini Irene , Schepis Tommaso , Marrone Giuseppe , Biolato Marco , Cesario Alfredo , Patarnello Stefano , Damiani Andrea , Grieco Antonio , Valentini Vincenzo , Gasbarrini Antonio ,   Gemelli against COVID Group
Published: July 2023

Increased values of the FIB-4 index appear to be associated with poor clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to develop and validate predictive mortality models, using data upon admission of hospitalized patients in four COVID-19 waves between March 2020 and January 2022. A single-center cohort study was performed on consecutive adult patients with Covid-19 admitted at the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS (Rome, Italy). Artificial intelligence and big data processing were used to retrieve data. Patients and clinical characteristics of patients with available FIB-4 data derived from the Gemelli Generator Real World Data (G2 RWD) were used to develop predictive mortality models during the four waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. A logistic regression model was applied to the training and test set (75%:25%). The model's performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A total of 4936 patients were included. Hypertension (38.4%), cancer (12.15%) and diabetes (16.3%) were the most common comorbidities. 23.9% of patients were admitted to ICU, and 12.6% had mechanical ventilation. During the study period, 762 patients (15.4%) died. We developed a multivariable logistic regression model on patient data from all waves, which showed that the FIB-4 score > 2.53 was associated with increased mortality risk (OR = 4.53, 95% CI 2.83–7.25; p ≤ 0.001). These data may be useful in the risk stratification at the admission of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Impact of KRASG12D subtype and concurrent pathogenic mutations on advanced non-small cell lung cancer outcomes
Authors: Caballé-Perez Enrique , Hernández-Pedro Norma , Ramos-Ramírez Maritza , Barrios-Bernal Pedro , Romero-Núñez Eunice , Lucio-Lozada José , Ávila-Ríos Santiago , Reyes-Terán Gustavo , Cardona Andrés F. , Arrieta Oscar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Mutations in the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral (KRAS) oncogene constitute a significant driver of lung adenocarcinoma, present in 10–40% of patients, which exhibit heterogeneous clinical outcomes, mainly driven by concurrent genetic alterations. However, characterization of KRAS mutational subtypes and their impact on clinical outcomes in Latin America is limited.

Methods

A cohort study was conducted at the National Cancer Institute (INCan) of Mexico. Individuals with advance-staged of adenocarcinoma and KRAS mutations, detected by next-generation sequencing, having undergone at least one line of therapy were included for analysis. Clinical and pathological characteristics were retrieved from institutional database from June 2014 to March 2023.

Results

KRAS was identified in fifty-four (15.6%) of 346 patients, among which 50 cases were included for analysis. KRASG12D (n = 16, 32%) and KRASG12C (n = 16, 32%) represented the most prevalent subtypes. KRASG12D mutations were associated with female (p = 0.018), never smokers (p = 0.108), and concurrences with EGFR (25.0% vs. 17.6%, p = 0.124) and CDKN2A (18.8% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.157). KRASG12D patients showed a better ORR (66.6% vs. 30.0%; OR 4.66, 95% CI 1.23–17.60, p = 0.023) and on multivariate analysis was significantly associated with better PFS (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16–0.80; p = 0.012) and OS (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.70; p = 0.009).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this study represents the first effort to comprehensively characterize the molecular heterogeneity of KRAS-mutant NSCLC in Latin American patients. Our data reinforce the current view that KRAS-mutated NSCLC is not a single oncogene-driven disease and emphasizes the prognostic impact of diverse molecular profiles in this genomically defined subset of NSCLC. Further validation is warranted in larger multicenter Latin American cohorts to confirm our findings.
Health-related quality of life of young refugees in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic: comparisons to non-refugees and pre-pandemic times
Authors: Braig Johanna , Schmees Pia , Kilinc Yasemin , EL-Awad Usama , Nilles Hannah , Kerkhoff Denny , Rueth Jana-Elisa , Lohaus Arnold , Eschenbeck Heike
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 outbreak forced widespread changes in minors’ daily life with a risk of compromising well-being. So far, little is known about how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of young refugees has developed during this time, although they belong to a vulnerable group. In a cross-sectional analysis during the first year of the pandemic, minors aged 8 to 16 years with and without refugee experience (n each = 156) were surveyed, using self-report questionnaires on HRQoL and perceived COVID-related stress. In a longitudinal analysis with refugee minors aged 8 to 18 years (n = 91) HRQoL and possible relevant predictors (gender, age, duration of stay, mental health) were assessed in 2019 (pre-pandemic). HRQoL was reassessed in 2020 (peri-pandemic). No difference was detected between minors with and without refugee experience in terms of peri-pandemic HRQoL. A proportion of 36% (refugee minors) and 44% (non-refugee minors) reported low peri-pandemic HRQoL. However, refugee minors reported more COVID-related stress (difficulties in following school). Longitudinally, HRQoL of refugee minors increased from pre- to peri-pandemic times. Older age, lower pre-pandemic HRQoL, and pre-pandemic externalizing problem behavior predicted worse peri-pandemic HRQoL. The findings suggest a certain resilience of refugee minors but also show a continued vulnerability. Therefore, minors at risk should be identified and their psychosocial needs addressed.
Student-Identified Practices for Improving Belonging in Australian Secondary Schools: Moving Beyond COVID-19
Authors: Allen Kelly-Ann , Berger Emily , Reupert Andrea , Grove Christine , May Fiona , Patlamazoglou Lefteris , Gamble Nick , Wurf Gerald , Warton William
Published: July 2023

Despite a strong body of evidence demonstrating the importance of school belonging across multiple measures of wellbeing and academic outcomes, many students still do not feel a sense of belonging to their school. Moreover, school closures caused by COVID-19 lockdowns have exacerbated challenges for developing a student’s sense of school belonging. The current study used closed- and open-ended survey questions to explore student perspectives of practices influencing belonging in a sample of 184 Australian secondary school students. Thematic analysis of student responses to open-ended survey questions yielded four themes related to teacher-level practices influencing student belonging: emotional support, support for learning, social connection, and respect, inclusion and diversity. The implications of these findings are discussed, and strategies are suggested for implementing these student-identified practices.
Ciechocinek Spa — the Biggest Health Resort in the Polish Lowlands in Terms of Geotourism
Authors: Krawiec Arkadiusz , Jamorska Izabela
Published: July 2023

Ciechocinek is known for its unique saline graduation towers and salt works. The crucial date in Ciechocinek’s history was 1836, when four treatment copper bath tubs were installed in the local inn. This gave rise to the beginning of the Health Springs Enterprise, which was the origin of the Health Resort. The graduation towers of Ciechocinek are particular and they are the biggest wooden constructions which serve to vaporize brine’s water from the spring no. 11. The graduation towers were built in the shape of a horseshoe. Two first graduation towers were built in the years between 1824 and 1828 and the third in 1859. The height of towers is about 15.8 m and the total length of all of them is more than 1741.5 m. They constitute a unique monument of the nineteenth-century technology, one of few in Europe. In the graduation towers the concentration of salt brine takes place as a part of the salt production process. A characteristic feature of this process is the production of a natural aerosol with healing properties. Within the graduation towers there is a specific microclimate, a natural and curative inhaler. The technology of salt production, which is based on heating concentrated salt brine, has not changed in 190 years — it consists in heating concentrated brine. Thermal brines of the Na–Cl type and J type from borehole no. 14 (Terma 14) and borehole no. 16 (Terma 16) are used for Ciechocinek Spa mineral water supply. These boreholes are screened in the Dogger and Lias sandstones. The water in Terma 14 has mineralization (total dissolved solids (TDS)) of 43.5 g/L and the temperature on the borehole outflow is 28 °C. The water from Terma 16 has mineralization (TDS) of 53.4 g/L. It is thermal water and its temperature on the borehole outflow is 32 °C. The therapeutic thermal water in the Ciechocinek boreholes occurs at considerable depth and its resources are very slowly renewable. The therapeutic qualities of Ciechocinek springs are strongly recommended for curing cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, traumatic, rheumatic, nervous system, and women’s diseases. The Ciechocinek Spa is a producer of well-known products of perfect quality: “Krystynka” mineral water, flavored water, table salt, medicinal lye, and mud.
Effects and perception of marine introduced species by stakeholders in the Wadden Sea—an exploratory approach
Authors: Kötter-Lange Katharina , Lienhoop Nele , Buschbaum Christian
Published: July 2023

As a result of globalization of markets and increasing marine traffic, more than 130 introduced species have so far been recorded in the Wadden Sea. This unique coastal area constitutes an ecosystem of global importance and is recognized by UNESCO as a Natural World Heritage site. Efforts are made to monitor introduced species and to study their ecological effects on native species and biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and functioning. Social aspects that relate introduced species specifically to people and human society, however, are less studied. To explore this rather new field of research, qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders of the Wadden Sea, asking (1) How do introduced species affect people’s lives and (2) How do people perceive introduced species? The interviews were evaluated with a qualitative content analysis. As one first result of this exploratory study it turned out that immaterial aspects of the Wadden Sea, such as recreational potential and cultural identity, appear to be largely affected by introduced species. Moreover, the mere fact of change was mostly regarded with skepticism or aversion, regardless of actual effects. Based on the stakeholder interviews, a conceptual framework with the factors identified as influencing perception was developed. It is suggested that a better understanding of the social component is essential for an integrated management and sustainable solutions.
A timing game in a mixed duopoly
Authors: Sun Chia-Hung
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates a timing game in a mixed duopoly, whereby a relatively inefficient state-owned firm maximizing the linear combination of its profit and social welfare competes against a relatively efficient, profit-maximizing private firm over the timing of entry. We find that the incentives for firms to enter the market depend on the degrees of privatization of a state-owned firm and of the cost asymmetry between the two firms. We also provide welfare analysis by comparing the equilibrium timing of entry with the socially optimal one. When the two firms’ products are perfect substitutes, the socially optimal timing of both firms entering the market can be achieved if the state-owned firm is fully public.
Metagenomic search of viral coinfections in herpes simplex encephalitis patients
Authors: Perlejewski Karol , Radkowski Marek , Rydzanicz Małgorzata , Dzieciątkowski Tomasz , Silling Steffi , Wieczorek Magdalena , Makowiecki Michał , Horban Andrzej , Laskus Tomasz
Published: July 2023

Little is known about concomitant central nervous system (CNS) infections by more than one virus. Current diagnostics are based on molecular tests for particular pathogens making it difficult to identify multi-viral infections. In the present study, we applied DNA- and RNA-based next-generation sequencing metagenomics (mNGS) to detect viruses in cerebrospinal fluids from 20 patients with herpes simplex encephalitis. Coinfection was detected in one patient: sequences in cerebrospinal fluids matched enterovirus A (2.660 reads; 4% of recovered genome) and enterovirus B (1.571 reads; 13% of recovered genome). Subsequent PCR combined with serotyping allowed to identify human echovirus 6, a representative of enterovirus B. Several other mNGS hits (human pegivirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus, human papillomavirus type 5) were not considered to represent a genuine signal as they could not be confirmed by specific RT-PCR/PCR. HSV DNA, while being detectable by PCR in every patient, was detected by mNGS in only one. In conclusion, contaminations and false signals may complicate mNGS interpretation; however, the method can be useful in diagnostics of viral coinfections in CNS, particularly in the case of rare pathogens.
COVID-19 Pandemic as an Equalizer of the Health Returns of Educational Attainment for Black and White Americans
Authors: Rahmani Arash , Najand Babak , Maharlouei Najmeh , Zare Hossein , Assari Shervin
Published: July 2023

Background

COVID-19 pandemic has immensely impacted the social and personal lives of individuals around the globe. Marginalized-related diminished returns (MDRs) theory suggests that educational attainment shows a weaker protective effect for health and behavioral outcomes for Black individuals compared to White individuals. Previous studies conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated diminished returns of educational attainment for Black individuals compared to White individuals.

Objectives

The study has three objectives: First, to test the association between educational attainment and cigarette smoking, e-cigarette vaping, presence of chronic medical conditions (CMC), self-rated health (SRH), depressive symptoms, and obesity; second, to explore racial differences in these associations in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic; and third, to compare the interaction of race and return of educational attainment pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This study utilized data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2020. Total sample included 1313 adult American; among them, 77.4% (n = 1017) were non-Hispanic White, and 22.6% (n = 296) were non-Hispanic Black. Educational attainment was the independent variable operationalized as years of education. The main outcomes were cigarette smoking, e-cigarette vaping, CMC, SRH, depressive symptoms, and obesity. Age, gender, and baseline physical health were covariates. Race/ethnicity was an effect modifier.

Results

Educational attainment was significantly associated with lower CMC, SRH, depressive symptoms, obesity, cigarette smoking, and e-cigarette vaping. Educational attainment did not show a significant interaction with race on any of our outcomes, suggesting that the health returns of education is similar between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black individuals.

Conclusion

COVID-19 may have operated as an equalizer of the returns of educational attainment. This observation may be because White may have more to lose; Black communities may be more resilient or have economic and social policies that buffered unemployment and poverty regardless of historical anti-Black oppression.
Small-Group Teaching: Should It Be Recorded?
Authors: Crook Peter , Javadzadeh Shagayegh , Shone Rebecca , Joseph Vikram , Banerjee Debasish , Annear Nicholas M. P.
Published: July 2023

Background

Recording large-group lectures is commonplace in higher education, allowing students to access content asynchronously and remotely. With the move towards online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, recording of small-group teaching sessions has also become increasingly common; however, the educational value of this practice is unknown.

Methods

All medical students rotating through the Acute Medicine Department of a large teaching hospital were invited to enrol in the study. Consenting students were recorded for the second half of an online case-based learning (CBL) session. The recording was available for 6 months; viewing patterns were analysed. Students were sent a questionnaire after the session, asking them to reflect on the recorded and unrecorded halves of the session.

Findings

Thirty-three students underwent recording in 12 separate groups; 31 students (94%) completed the questionnaire. All 31 respondents (100%) described the session as “useful” or “very useful”. Twenty-four respondents (77%) recommended continuing to record small-group sessions and 17 (55%) reported being “likely” or “very likely” to watch the recording. Six respondents (19%) reported a negative impact of being recorded. During 6 months of follow-up, no students returned to view the recording for more than 1 minute.

Conclusion

Despite positive feedback for the session and high student demand for ongoing recording, no students viewed the recording for any significant duration. One-fifth of students reported a negative impact of being recorded. The findings from this study do not support routine recording of small-group CBL sessions, even where demand for this may exist.
Combinatorial multiple Eisenstein series
Authors: Bachmann Henrik , Burmester Annika
Published: July 2023

We construct a family of q-series with rational coefficients satisfying a variant of the extended double shuffle equations, which are a lift of a given $$\mathbb {Q}$$
Q
-valued solution of the extended double shuffle equations. We call these q-series combinatorial (bi-)multiple Eisenstein series, and in depth one they coincide with (classical) Eisenstein series. Combinatorial multiple Eisenstein series can be seen as an interpolation between the given $$\mathbb {Q}$$
Q
-valued solution of the extended double shuffle equations (as $$q\rightarrow 0$$

q
→
0

) and multiple zeta values (as $$q\rightarrow 1$$

q
→
1

). In particular, they are q-analogues of multiple zeta values closely related to modular forms. Their definition is inspired by the Fourier expansion of multiple Eisenstein series introduced by Gangl-Kaneko-Zagier. Our explicit construction is done on the level of their generating series, which we show to be a so-called symmetril and swap invariant bimould.
Hybrid multi-criteria decision-making technique for the selection of best cryptographic multivalued Boolean function
Authors: Abughazalah Nabilah , Khan Majid , Iqbal Mohsin
Published: July 2023

Robustness of modern information confidentiality algorithm depends on its individual components. Modern block ciphers highly depend on two components namely confusion and diffusion. These two main characteristics in any modern cipher are achieved by substitution and permutation boxes. In this article, a decision-making algorithm is utilized for the selection of optimum substitution box (S-box), which plays a significant role in the field of information confidentiality. For this purpose, an interval-based Pythagorean fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (IVPF–TOPSIS) method is introduced to get the desired nonlinear confusion component of block cipher namely S-box. In this manner, we performed cryptographic analyses of standard S-boxes namely nonlinearity (NL), strict avalanche criterion (SAC), bit-independent criterion (BIC), absolute indicator (ABI), the sum of square and absolute indicator (SSAI), algebraic degree (AD), algebraic immunity (AI), transparency order (TO), composite algebraic immunity (CAI), robustness (RB), signal to noise ratio (SNR), confusion coefficient of variance (CCV). With these cryptographic characteristics, we have used interval-valued based Pythagorean fuzzy TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making technique to classify standard S-boxes suitable for construction of modern block ciphers.
Enhanced SparseEA for large-scale multi-objective feature selection problems
Authors: Chu Shu-Chuan , Zhuang Zhongjie , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Mohamed Ali Wagdy , Hu Chia-Cheng
Published: July 2023

Large-scale multi-objective feature selection problems are widely existing in the fields of text classification, image processing, and biological omics. Numerous features usually mean more correlation and redundancy between features, so effective features are usually sparse. SparseEA is an evolutionary algorithm for solving Large-scale Sparse Multi-objective Optimization Problems (i.e., most decision variables of the optimal solutions are zero). It determines feature Scores by calculating the fitness of individual features, which does not reflect the correlation between features well. In this manuscript, ReliefF was used to calculate the weights of features, with unimportant features being removed first. Then combine the weights calculated by ReliefF with Scores of SparseEA to guide the evolution process. Moreover, the Scores of features remain constant throughout all runs in SparseEA. Therefore, the fitness values of excellent and poor individuals in each iteration are used to update the Scores. In addition, difference operators of Differential Evolution are introduced into SparseEA to increase the diversity of solutions and help the algorithm jump out of the local optimal solution. Comparative experiments are performed on large-scale datasets selected from scikit-feature repository. The results show that the proposed algorithm is superior to the original SparseEA and the state-of-the-art algorithms.
How a Digital Intervention in Schools Contributed to Students’ Social and Emotional Skills, and Impacted Writing
Authors: McNaughton Stuart , Jesson Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Published accounts of school interventions often focus on a small ‘slice’ of the complex systems and layers of learning across schools and homes. A series of studies into a digital intervention in low SES schools, is summarised here providing a fuller picture of how students’ engagement in digital contexts contributed to their social and emotional skills; and as a consequence, whether these skills impacted on achievement in writing. Overall, 9 to 13 year olds found self-regulation both harder and different when on line. The intervention was associated with higher levels of self-regulation when online, but had no effect on social skills. These patterns were related to specific features of the schools’ practices and instructional foci. Students’ use at home added to the general effects, with social media usages reducing ratings of self-regulation (e.g. chatting), others increasing social skills (e.g. commenting on blog posts), but high levels of parental monitoring positively impacted both. Parents’ own digital experience and their beliefs were related to their guidance. Higher levels of social emotional skills (specifically, response inhibition and cognitive empathy) were associated with gains in writing achievement. Putting the slices together enabled a more complete picture of the intervention, including how: (a) it supported the development of self-regulation online but needed more focus on social skills; (b) higher levels of self-regulation and social skills impacted writing; and (c) the coherence between settings contributed to these skills, underlining the need to provide support and advice to some parents.
Nanotechnology in pest management: advantages, applications, and challenges
Authors: Yousef Hesham A. , Fahmy Heba M. , Arafa F. Naser , Abd Allah Mahmoud Y. , Tawfik Youssef M. , El Halwany Kholoud K. , El-Ashmanty Basant A. , Al-anany Fatma Sh. , Mohamed Maha A. , Bassily Mirna E.
Published: July 2023

Pests are one of the most concerning biotic problems in agriculture and food. Humans are constantly in search of new strategies to control them. Traditional strategies like integrated pest management used in agriculture are insufficient, and applying chemical pesticides has adverse effects on animals and human beings in addition to declining soil fertility, pest resistance, elimination of natural enemies, environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and human health hazards. Using nanotechnology in pest management as an alternative strategy can be one of the most promising ways to overcome the problems of using conventional chemical pesticides. Although they still face many obstacles and uncertainties and More research is needed to improve their development, evaluation, and regulation, The advantage of nanotechnology as an alternative for the management of insect pests is increasing efficiency against target organisms and low toxicity of nanocides to non-target organisms, highlighting the insufficient collateral environmental damage were reported in this work. It also provides selective, targeted, and long-term-controlled release of formulated nanomaterial, which is ecologically more viable. So, using nanotechnology for insect pest management is considered environmentally sustainable and an excellent insect control strategy in green agriculture.
A double Fourier sphere method for d-dimensional manifolds
Authors: Mildenberger Sophie , Quellmalz Michael
Published: July 2023

The double Fourier sphere (DFS) method uses a clever trick to transform a function defined on the unit sphere to the torus and subsequently approximate it by a Fourier series, which can be evaluated efficiently via fast Fourier transforms. Similar approaches have emerged for approximation problems on the disk, the ball, and the cylinder. In this paper, we introduce a generalized DFS method applicable to various manifolds, including all the above-mentioned cases and many more, such as the rotation group. This approach consists in transforming a function defined on a manifold to the torus of the same dimension. We show that the Fourier series of the transformed function can be transferred back to the manifold, where it converges uniformly to the original function. In particular, we obtain analytic convergence rates in case of Hölder-continuous functions on the manifold.
Carbon footprint analysis of supply chain of bio-based methyl levulinate production in China
Authors: Yang Jie , Gong Tianjun , Li Chuang , Xu Hai , Yu Sanxi , Deng Jin , Fu Yao
Published: July 2023

The carbon reduction effect of bio-based levulinic acid chemicals is a matter of concern. This work reports the life cycle assessment of methyl levulinate based on local biomass refineries in China. The final LCA results showed that the entire life cycle of methyl levulinate could reduce by approximately 24% of carbon emissions compared with fossil diesel of equal quality. To address the lack of effective uncertainty analysis in current LCA research on levulinic acid chemicals, this study conducted a comprehensive and detailed assessment of inventory data and utilized Taylor series expansion to obtain uncertainty of the LCA results. When connected to a localized background database, the LCA results showed high credibility. According to the sensitivity analysis and Aspen optimization results, further technical improvement schemes are proposed, including improving thermal efficiency, use of clean electricity, and use of clean methanol. Prospective analysis shows that combined implementation of the above strategies can further reduce the existing carbon emissions by more than half.

Graphical Abstract
The role of the HERG channel in the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) from murine intestinal L-cells
Authors: Yuan Ying-Chao , Liu Chang , Xie Rong-Rong , Zhang Lin , Wang Hao , Yang Jin-Kui
Published: July 2023

The HERG ion channel belongs to the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel family and is involved in potassium efflux during cellular repolarization. Mutations in HERG have been linked to long QT syndrome, which is associated with elevated secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). However, the precise contribution of HERG to GLP-1 secretion remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate the expression of HERG in GLP-1-producing L-cells within the intestinal epithelium of rodents. Using a mouse L-cell model (GLUTag cell line), we observed that downregulation of HERG led to a significant prolongation of action potential duration, an increase in intracellular calcium concentration, and a stimulation of GLP-1 secretion following exposure to nutrients. These findings provide evidence that HERG plays a direct role in regulating GLP-1 secretion in the intestine and may hold promise as a potential target for the treatment of diabetes.
Near-term forecasting of water reservoir storage capacities using long short-term memory
Authors: Rohli Eric , Woolsey Nicholas , Sathiaraj David
Published: July 2023

Predicting reservoir storage capacities is an important planning activity for effective conservation and water release practices. Weather events such as drought and precipitation impact water storage capacities in reservoirs. Predictive insights on reservoir storage levels are beneficial for water planners and stakeholders in effective water resource management. A deep learning (DL) neural network (NN) based reservoir storage prediction approach is proposed that learns from climate, hydrological, and storage information within the reservoir’s associated watershed. These DL models are trained and evaluated for 17 reservoirs in Texas, USA. Using the trained models, reservoir storage predictions were validated with a test data set spanning 2 years. The reported results show promise for longer-term water planning decisions.
The Advanced C.A.R.E. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Questionnaire for medical lecturers and specialists: A psychometric evaluation in a Malaysian sample
Authors: Ali Iman Mohamed , Chan Lai Fong , Daud Tuti Iryani Mohd , Othman Abdul Razak , Ng Yin Ping , Pheh Kai Shuen , Panirselvam Ravivarma Rao
Published: July 2023

Given the high prevalence rate of suicidal ideation amongst medical students, medical lecturers and specialists as gatekeepers should be well-trained in suicide prevention. There is a need for validated measures to assess gatekeeper training gains for suicide prevention. The psychometric properties of the Advanced C.A.R.E. Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Questionnaire (AdCARE-Q) were evaluated for a sample of medical lecturers and specialists in Malaysia. A total of 120 participants completed 24 items in the AdCARE-Q. Analysis of variance of perceived knowledge scores was performed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted. Reliability was calculated. The AdCARE-Q was reduced to 15 items that fit into two factors, “self-efficacy” and “declarative knowledge.” Overall internal consistency was good with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84. The intraclass correlation coefficient between groups from the psychiatry department and non-psychiatry departments was good at 0.80. The oldest age group and participants from the Psychiatry department scored significantly higher than other groups in perceived knowledge of suicide prevention. This study found that the AdCARE-Q has adequate psychometric properties to assess suicide prevention gatekeeper training gains amongst medical lecturers and specialists. Confirmatory factor analysis is recommended for future studies.
Assessing the effectiveness of a DASH diet in hypertensive patients attending the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital – Cameroon: a case–control study
Authors: Kenmoue Mireille Flore D. , Ngaha Wilfred D. , Fombang Edith N. , Pahane Majeste M. , Simeu Stephane
Published: July 2023

Hypertension remains a public health issue in Cameroon, though lifestyle and dietetic measures are the main approaches for the prevention and management of hypertension. The present study aimed at evaluating the impact of a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet using local foodstuffs on the status of hypertensive patients at the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital. A case–control study was carried out with 160 hypertensive patients divided into two groups, a test and a control group. A food questionnaire was used to evaluate the food habits of patients and design the sheet of the DASH diet to provide a maximum of 2000 kcal/d. The DASH diet was administered to the test group (eighty-eight patients), while the control group (seventy-two patients) consumed their normal diet. Both groups were followed up for 8 weeks. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP), body mass index (BMI), triglycerides, HDL-c, LDL-c and total-cholesterol levels of patients of the two groups were measured before and after the intervention. The results indicate that the DASH diet improves all the markers of hypertension in the test group with significant decreases in BMI, SBP, DBP, LDL-c and total-cholesterol. Patients of the control group had fourteen and seven times more risk of having increased systolic and diastolic pressures, respectively, and are thus exposed to hypertension complications. The DASH diet established in this study is therefore effective for the management of hypertension.
Numerical modelling of dense snow avalanches with a well-balanced scheme based on the 2D shallow water equations
Authors: Sanz-Ramos Marcos , Bladé Ernest , Oller Pere , Furdada Glòria
Published: July 2023

A common technique for simulating non–Newtonian fluid dynamics, such as snow avalanches, is to solve the Shallow Water Equations (SWE), together with a rheological model describing the momentum dissipation by shear stresses. Friction and cohesion terms are commonly modelled using the Voellmy friction model and, recently, the Bartelt cohesion model. Here, an adaptation of the Roe scheme that ensures the balance between the flux and pressure gradients and the friction source term is presented. An upwind scheme was used for the discretisation of the SWE numerical fluxes and the non–velocity-dependent terms of the friction–cohesion model, whereas a centred scheme was used for the velocity-dependent source terms. The model was tested in analytically solvable settings, laboratory experiments and real cases. In all cases, the model performed well, avoiding numerical instabilities and achieving stable and consistent solution even for an avalanche stopping on a sloping terrain.
OPVS IMPERFECTVM? COMPLETING THE UNFINISHED ACROSTIC AT OVID,METAMORPHOSES15.871–5
Authors: Vos Gary P.
Published: July 2023

This article argues that the incomplete acrosticINCIP- at Ov.Met. 15.871–5 can be completed. If viewed as a ‘gamma-acrostic’, we can supply -iamfrom line 871, so that it receives its termination in retrospect. Ovid's manipulation of gamma-acrostic conventions caps his persistent confusion of beginnings and endings, and emphasizes the role of the reader as co-creator of his metamorphicœuvre.
Geometric aspects on Humbert-Edge curves of type 5, Kummer surfaces and hyperelliptic curves of genus 2
Authors: Castorena Abel , Frías-Medina Juan Bosco
Published: July 2023

In this work, we study the Humbert-Edge curves of type 5, defined as a complete intersection of four diagonal quadrics in
${\mathbb{P}}^5$
. We characterize them using Kummer surfaces, and using the geometry of these surfaces, we construct some vanishing thetanulls on such curves. In addition, we describe an argument to give an isomorphism between the moduli space of Humbert-Edge curves of type 5 and the moduli space of hyperelliptic curves of genus 2, and we show how this argument can be generalized to state an isomorphism between the moduli space of hyperelliptic curves of genus
$g=\frac{n-1}{2}$
and the moduli space of Humbert-Edge curves of type
$n\geq 5$
where
$n$
is an odd number.
Optimal choice of cotton cultivar for rainfed conditions in Sahelo-Sudanian climate with late planting: a case study in Senegal
Authors: Traoré Abdou , Gozé Eric , Gérardeaux Edward , Diouf Latyr , Ndour Abdoulaye , Ndiaye Saliou , Oumarou Palaï , Loison Romain
Published: July 2023

Late planting due to erratic onset of the rainy season is becoming more frequent in the Sahelo-Sudanian climate where cotton is grown, causing seed cotton yield (SCY) loss and higher risk of drought at the end of the crop cycle. Therefore, cultivars should be adapted to late (from July 10) planting date (PD) in Senegal. The aim of this study was to analyse the interaction between genotypes and PD on SCY in Senegal under rainfed conditions. Field experiments were conducted in 2018 and 2019 using a split-plot design (two PDs, eight cultivars) at three experimental stations. Robust analysis of SCY was used to moderate the effect of potential outliers. The average SCY was 1404 kg/ha under early planting, and 714 kg/ha under late planting. The best SCY was obtained under early planting conditions, in environments with good rainfall. The loss due to late planting was significantly affected by cultivar choice. None of the cultivars performed best under both early and late PD. Under early PD, cultivar CS 50 gave the best SCY, while under late PD it was cultivar IRMA Q302. The best performing cultivar on average depended on the proportion of early plantings. A model was developed to identify the best overall cultivar based on the expected proportion of early planting, as a decision support tool for the cotton development company, if only one cultivar is released. The benefit of releasing a second cultivar for late-planted fields is considered.
Scale invariance and critical balance in electrostatic drift-kinetic turbulence
Authors: Adkins T. , Ivanov P.G. , Schekochihin A.A.
Published: July 2023

The equations of electrostatic drift kinetics are observed to possess a symmetry associated with their intrinsic scale invariance. Under the assumptions of spatial periodicity, stationarity, and locality, this symmetry implies a particular scaling of the turbulent heat flux with the system's parallel size, from which its scaling with the equilibrium temperature gradient can be deduced under some additional assumptions. This macroscopic transport prediction is then confirmed numerically for a reduced model of electron-temperature-gradient-driven turbulence in slab geometry. The system realises this scaling through a turbulent cascade from large to small perpendicular spatial scales. The route of this cascade through wavenumber space (i.e. the relationship between parallel and perpendicular scales in the inertial range) is shown to be determined by a balance between nonlinear-decorrelation and parallel-dissipation timescales. This type of ‘critically balanced’ cascade, which maintains a constant energy flux despite the presence of parallel dissipation throughout the inertial range (as well as order-unity dissipative losses at the outer scale) is expected to be a generic feature of plasma turbulence. The outer scale of the turbulence, on which the turbulent heat flux depends, is determined by the breaking of drift-kinetic scale invariance due to the existence of large-scale parallel inhomogeneity (the parallel system size).
Distress, burden, and wellbeing in siblings of people with mental illness: a mixed studies systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jayasinghe Anuradhi , Wrobel Anna , Filia Kate , Byrne Linda K. , Melvin Glenn , Murrihy Sean , Moller Carl , Berk Lesley , Berk Michael , Cotton Sue
Published: July 2023

Background

Family members of people with mental illness (MI) may experience a host of psychological adversities such as increased stress, burden, and reduced wellbeing. However, relatively little is known about siblings. This study aimed to characterise the experience of distress (viz. depressive and anxiety symptoms), burden, and wellbeing in siblings of people with MI.

Methods

Studies reporting on quantitative measures of depression, anxiety, burden, or wellbeing in siblings; and/or qualitative findings on siblings’ experience were eligible. The literature search was conducted up until 20th October 2022.

Results

Sixty-two studies comprising data from 3744 siblings were included. The pooled mean percentage of depressive symptoms fell in the mild range at 15.71 (k = 28, N = 2187, 95% CI 12.99–18.43) and anxiety symptoms fell in the minimal range at 22.45 (k = 16, N = 1122, 95% CI 17.09–27.80). Moderator analyses indicate that siblings of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder experience greater depressive symptoms than siblings of people with other types of MI (β = −16.38, p < 0.001). Qualitative findings suggest that individuals may be particularly vulnerable during their siblings’ illness onset and times of relapse. Limited communication, confusion about MI, and the need to compensate may contribute to siblings’ distress and/or burden. Siblings’ experience of wellbeing and caregiving were closely related.

Conclusion

This review highlights the complex psychological experience of siblings and the need for greater research and clinical support for this important yet often overlooked cohort.
Ear Training for History: Listening to Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield's Double-Voiced Aesthetics
Authors: Marshall Caitlin
Published: July 2023

Bend your ear to Saturday, 23 July 1853. On that morning, America's first Black concert vocalist and operatic singer, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, performed at Stafford House, home of prominent English Abolitionist the Duchess of Sutherland, during her UK tour. Born into captivity on a plantation in Mississippi and raised free in Philadelphia, Taylor Greenfield's voice sounded out the fever pitch of America's conflict over slavery. A multioctave singer, she smashed boundaries for race and gender as a Black woman who sang “white” vocal repertoire across registers heard as both female and male. Writing on an early public performance in 1851, one newspaper reviewer summed up the revolutionary threat of Taylor Greenfield's voice by stating “we can assure the public that the Union is in no degree periled by it,” meaning of course, that the Union was. Whether received by pro- or antislavery audiences, Taylor Greenfield's voice was understood to peal out Black emancipation. In his 1855 review of Taylor Greenfield's New York Tabernacle performance, James McCune Smith went as far to compare Taylor Greenfield's voice to the firearms employed by escaped slaves defending their freedom against the Fugitive Slave Act.
Reflexive analytic causatives: a diachronic analysis of transitivity parameters
Authors: SCHNEIDER ULRIKE
Published: July 2023

The present study is an exploration of the field of analytic causatives. It focuses on reflexive constructions with bring, cause, make and force. The analysis builds on Mondorf & Schneider's (2016) finding that causative bring has specialized to modal-negated-reflexive uses. It explores whether this emerging constraint reduces overlap with other causatives. A second focal point is on the nature of the constructions’ constraints. The article applies Hopper & Thompson's (1980) concept of transitivity as a cline. Employing the same 76-million-word corpus as Mondorf & Schneider (2016), which consists of fiction from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, the article shows that reflexive uses of analytic causatives have almost quadrupled over the past 500 years. Results confirm that bring is the only reflexive causative strongly associated with modal and negated contexts. Furthermore, some of the constructions display characteristic transitivity profiles.
The Relationships Between Meridional Position of North Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies and North American Surface Temperatures Revealed by CMIP6 Models
Authors: Wang Tao , Gou Xiaohua , Tian Wenshou , Wang Xuejia , Xie Fei
Published: July 2023

In this study, we obtained the first leading mode and principal component 1 (PC1) of North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST). The PC1‐related SST anomalies, located relatively north/south, are referred to as North/South PC1 events. Model outputs, observations, reanalysis datasets and sensitivity experiments show that during the North PC1 events, an enhanced Aleutian low occurs and is located relatively north, favoring anomalous southerlies over western North America. The anomalous southerlies induce a strong warming anomaly over North America via warm advection of the anomalous southerlies and temperature advection of the climatological westerlies over North America. However, the Aleutian low anomaly and corresponding southerly anomaly associated with South PC1 events shift southward, favoring weakened effects of South PC1 events on atmospheric circulations and surface temperatures over North America. The meridional position of PC1 events deserves to be considered in the studies of the PC1 and its related climate changes.
The Relation Between Decadal Droughts and Eruptions of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, USA
Authors: Hurwitz Shaul , King John C. , Pederson Gregory T. , Reed Mara H. , Harrison Lauren N. , Hungerford Jefferson D. G. , Vaughan R. Greg , Manga Michael
Published: July 2023

In the past century, most eruptions of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park's Norris Geyser Basin were mainly clustered in three episodes: 1961–1969, 1982–1984, and ongoing since 2018. These eruptive episodes resulted in extensive disturbance to surrounding trees. To characterize tree response over time as an indicator of geyser activity adjustments to climate variability, aerial and ground images were analyzed to document changes in tree coverage around the geyser since 1954. Radiocarbon dating of silicified tree remnants from within 14 m of the geyser vent was used to examine geyser response to possible variations in decadal to centennial precipitation patterns. We searched for atypical or absent growth rings in cores from live trees in years associated with large geyser eruptions. Photographs indicate that active eruptive phases have adversely affected trees up to 30 m from the vent, primarily in the dominant downwind direction. Radiocarbon dates indicate that the geyser formed before 1878, in contrast to the birthdate reported in historical documents. Further, the ages of the silicified trees cluster within three episodes that are temporally correlated with periods of relative drought in the Yellowstone region during the 15th–17th centuries. The discontinuous growth of trees around the geyser suggests that changes in eruptive patterns occur in response to decadal to multidecadal droughts. This inference is supported by the lack of silicified specimens with more than 20 annual rings and by the existence of atypical or missing rings in live trees during periods of extended geyser activity.