bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can mixed forests sequester more CO2 than pure forests in future climate scenarios? A case study of Pinus sylvestris combinations in Spain
Authors: Rodriguez de Prado Diego , Vázquez Veloso Aitor , Quian Yun Fan , Ruano Irene , Bravo Felipe , Herrero de Aza Celia
Published: October 2022

Adapting forests to climate change is a critical issue for forest management. It requires an understanding of climate effects on forest systems and the ability to forecast how these effects may change over time. We used Spanish Second National Forest Inventory data and the SIMANFOR platform to simulate the evolution of CO2 stock (CO2 Mg · ha−1) and accumulation rates (CO2 Mg · ha−1 · year−1) for the 2000–2100 period in pure and mixed stands managed under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) in Spain. We hypothesized that (1) the more optimistic climate scenarios (SSP1 >  > SSP5) would have higher CO2 stock and accumulation rates; (2) mixed stands would have higher CO2 stock and accumulation rates than pure stands; and (3) the behavior of both variables would vary based on forest composition (conifer–conifer vs. conifer–broadleaf). We focused on Pinus sylvestris L., and its main mixtures with Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus pyrenaica. The SSP scenarios had correlating CO2 stock values in which SSP1 > SSP2 > SSP3 > SSP5, ranging from the most optimistic (SSP1) to the most pessimistic (SSP5). Though pure stands had higher CO2 stock at the beginning, differences with regard to mixed stands were drastically reduced at the end of the simulation period. We also found an increase in the aboveground CO2 proportion compared to belowground in conifer–broadleaf mixtures, while the opposite trend occurred in conifer–conifer mixtures. Overall CO2 accumulation rates decreased significantly from the beginning to the end of the simulation period, but our results indicated that this decline would be less drastic in mixed stands than in pure ones. At the end of the simulation period, CO2 accumulation rates were higher in mixed stands than in pure stands for all mixtures, fractions (aboveground and belowground) and SSPs. Knowing the evolution of mixed forests in different climate scenarios is relevant for developing useful silvicultural guidelines in the Mediterranean region and optimizing forestry adaptation strategies. Better understanding can also inform the design of management measures for transitioning from pure stands to more resource efficient, resistant and resilient mixed stands, in efforts to reduce forest vulnerability in the face of climate change. This work highlights the importance and benefits of mixed stands in terms of CO2 accumulation, stand productivity and species diversity.
Consequences of intraspecific variation in seed size: does the presence of small seeds reduce predation on large ones?
Authors: Celebias Paulina , Bogdziewicz Michał
Published: October 2022

Seeds produced by individual plants often vary substantially in size. Typically, larger seeds produce seedlings that have higher chances of establishment and survival relative to seedlings produced by smaller seeds. However, larger seeds are also preferred by granivores due to larger caloric content. While choosing the patch to forage, granivores might avoid the ones with smaller, less preferred seeds. We tested a novel hypothesis that the production of different size seeds by a plant may be a strategy to decrease predation by granivores. We conducted a 3-year seed removal experiment. We presented Quercus robur acorns in forests in three configurations: large acorns alone, medium acorns alone, and large acorns mixed with small ones. The impact of seed size on seed survival was inconsistent: in the first year of the study, survival probability for seeds in the mixed treatment was significantly higher than survival probability of large seeds alone, supporting our hypothesis. However, in the following years, results were non-significant, probably because of reduced granivore selectivity in poor seed crop years. Our study demonstrated that the impact of neighbourhood of different size seeds seed survival varied over time in Q. robur. This provides limited evidence that intraspecific variation in seed size could evolve to shift the interaction between trees and scatter hoarders away from predation and towards mutualism.
Dynorphin participates in interaction between depression and non-erosive reflux disease
Authors: Wang Yi , Zhou Bingduo , Fang Shengquan , Zhu Shengliang , Xu Tingting , Dilikumaer Makan , Li Guanwu
Published: October 2022

Background

To explore the relationships between anxiety/depression and NERD, we focused on dynorphin (Dyn), an important member of visceral hypersensitivity, and its related pathways.

Methods

Pearson’s correlation analysis on patients with NERD and in vivo experiment on NERD rat model. Part 1: Pearson’s correlation analysis among serum levels of Dyn, clinical symptoms and HADS scores of NERD patients were carried on. Part 2: Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group and model group. The data of pH value, immobility time, serum Dyn concentration, NMDAR1 and SP expression were, respectively, derived from automatic pH recorder, tail suspension test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Results

Part 1: Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that there was a linear correlation between Clinical Symptom (CS) score and HADS score (HAD-A, HAD-D), and the correlation coefficients were 0.385 and 0.273 respectively; the correlation coefficient between lg (Dyn) and lg (CS score) was r = 0.441, P = 0.002; the correlation coefficient between lg(Dyn) and lg (HAD-D score) was r = 0.447, P = 0.002. Part 2: The pH value of the lower esophagus in the model group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The tail suspension immobility time of model group was significantly longer than that of control group (P < 0.01). The serum Dyn concentration and the expression level of NMDAR1 in spinal cord and SP in lower esophageal mucosa of model group were significantly higher than those of control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased serum dynorphin level may be a sign of correlation between depression and NERD.
Patient–Specific Immersed Finite Element–Difference Model of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Brown Jordan A. , Lee Jae H. , Smith Margaret Anne , Wells David R. , Barrett Aaron , Puelz Charles , Vavalle John P. , Griffith Boyce E.
Published: October 2022

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) first received FDA approval for high-risk surgical patients in 2011 and has been approved for low-risk surgical patients since 2019. It is now the most common type of aortic valve replacement, and its use continues to accelerate. Computer modeling and simulation (CM&S) is a tool to aid in TAVR device design, regulatory approval, and indication in patient-specific care. This study introduces a computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model of TAVR with Medtronic’s CoreValve Evolut R device using the immersed finite element-difference (IFED) method. We perform dynamic simulations of crimping and deployment of the Evolut R, as well as device behavior across the cardiac cycle in a patient-specific aortic root anatomy reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) image data. These IFED simulations, which incorporate biomechanics models fit to experimental tensile test data, automatically capture the contact within the device and between the self-expanding stent and native anatomy. Further, we apply realistic driving and loading conditions based on clinical measurements of human ventricular and aortic pressures and flow rates to demonstrate that our Evolut R model supports a physiological diastolic pressure load and provides informative clinical performance predictions.
Indigenous agriculture at the beginning of the twenty-first century: the Guaraní Mbyás minority conserves ethnoknowledge and agrobiodiversity within the remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Fernandes Lucas Mazzero , Visscher Anna Maria , do Couto Hilton Thadeu Zarato , Marcusso Gabriel Mendes , Righi Ciro Abbud
Published: October 2022

Swidden agricultural practices reflect a great deal of Indigenous and traditional ethnobotanical knowledge; however, such system and livelihoods are in decline worldwide and tend to disappear. This study aimed to survey the main characteristics of land use and agrobiodiversity of the swidden culture practiced by the Guaraní, in Serra do Mar (São Paulo state, Southeast Brazil). We likewise studied the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the Guaraní, focusing specifically on their ethnobotanical knowledge, to help conserve traditional agricultural practices in the deep tropics. A total of eighteen ethnobotanical surveys were carried out on 18 production units (10 × 10 m) in the cultivation phase after combustion took place. All species of agricultural use were indicated by the smallholders and identified to species level. Semi-structured interviews based on the design and diagnosis method World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) were carried out in either Portuguese or the native language with 48 smallholders in the village. Main topics discussed were the history of each sampled plot, socio-economic aspects of the production units, aspects of agricultural management to characterize the level of intensification, and forms of managing vegetation and criteria for making decisions about the maintenance of wild species in the agricultural plots. The ethnobotanical survey showed 65 varieties of plants for agricultural use, totaling 39 species, they are used for cultural-ritualistic, ecological, food, economic, medicinal, and ornamental aspects. Main crops found were corn (Zea mays), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Fire is vital for Guarani’s agricultural practices. Fields are small and occupy just 0.25% of the indigenous land. The Guaraní’s traditional agroforest systems are independent of external inputs and are important for conservation of seeds and agrobiodiversity. There are three factors that maintain the dynamics of Guarani’s agricultural systems, namely: religiosity, the network of kinships and the existence of legal owned territories. Swidden and slash and mulch systems are part of the maintenance of the cultural autonomy of the Guaraní, providing them with a way to obtain financial and food resources directly and indirectly from the biome in a sustainable way. Hence, protecting this ethnoecology guarantees the cultural, physical, and social existence of the Guaraní and likewise helps to conserve the remnants of the Atlantic Forest hotspot.
Cancer survival differentials for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland: the impact of remoteness
Authors: Cramb S. M. , Whop L. J. , Garvey G. , Baade P. D.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (First Nations population) often have low overall cancer survival, as do all residents of geographically remote areas. This study aimed to quantify the survival disparity between First Nations and other Queenslanders for 12 common cancer types by remoteness areas.

Methods

For all Queensland residents aged 20–89 years diagnosed with a primary invasive cancer during 1997–2016, we ran flexible parametric survival models incorporating age, First Nations status, sex, diagnosis time period, area-level socioeconomic status, remoteness categories and where appropriate, broad cancer type. Three survival measures were predicted: cause-specific survival, survival differences and the comparative survival ratio, each standardised to First Nations peoples’ covariate distributions.

Results

The standardised five-year cause-specific cancer survival was 60% for urban First Nations and 65% for other Queenslanders, while remote residents were 54% (First Nations) and 58% (other). The absolute survival differential between First Nations and other Queenslanders was often similar, regardless of remoteness of residence. The greatest absolute difference in five-year standardised cancer survival was for head and neck cancers, followed by cervical cancer.

The five-year comparative survival ratio (First Nations: other Queenslanders) for urban cancer patients was 0.91 (95% CI 0.90–0.93), similar to outer regional, inner regional and remote areas. The greatest comparative survival differential was for oesophageal cancer.

Conclusion

First Nations’ survival inequalities are largely independent of geographical remoteness. It remains a priority to determine the contribution of other potential factors such as the availability of culturally acceptable diagnostic, management and/or support services.
Molecular and crystal structures of cellulose in severely deteriorated archaeological wood
Authors: Guo Juan , Chen Jiabao , Meng Qiulu , Ploszczanski Leon , Liu Jian’an , Luo Rupeng , Jin Tao , Siedlaczek Philipp , Lichtenegger Helga C. , Yin Yafang , Rennhofer Harald
Published: October 2022

Preservation and conservation of archaeological wooden artifacts is extremely challenging due to a lack of knowledge about the hierarchical structure of preserved cellulose. Herein we report on the comparative analysis of eight archaeological and four recent wood samples from three archaeological sites in China by a variety of methods, including micro-morphology, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum, X-ray scattering, chromatographic analysis of wood sugars, and solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR. Results show that deterioration on the microscale is clearly related to a fragmentation of both the cellulose crystallite structure and the cellulose microfibrils. Slightly deteriorated archaeological wood features cellulose crystallites and microfibrils, comparable to non-degraded recent wood, whereas severely deteriorated wood shows higher porosity of the wood cell wall, fragmented cellulose aggregates instead of fibrils and nearly no crystallinity. Alterations in molecular structures resulted in advanced degradation of both amorphous and crystalline cellulose domains. Only a small amount of cellulose was preserved. The data allows to assume highly fragmented but still partially crystalline cellulose lamellas.

Graphical abstract
Cohort profile: the Food Chain Plus (FoCus) cohort
Authors: Geisler Corinna , Schlicht Kristina , Knappe Carina , Rohmann Nathalie , Hartmann Katharina , Türk Kathrin , Settgast Ute , Schulte Dominik M. , Demetrowitsch Tobias , Jensen-Kroll Julia , Pisarevskaja Alina , Brix Fynn , Gruber Bärbel , Rimbach Gerald , Döring Frank , Rosenstiel Philip , Franke Andre , Schreiber Stefan , Henning Christian H. C. A. , Lieb Wolfgang , Nöthlings Ute , Schwarz Karin , Laudes Matthias
Published: October 2022

The Food Chain Plus (FoCus) cohort was launched in 2011 for population-based research related to metabolic inflammation. To characterize this novel pathology in a comprehensive manner, data collection included multiple omics layers such as phenomics, microbiomics, metabolomics, genomics, and metagenomics as well as nutrition profiling, taste perception phenotyping and social network analysis. The cohort was set-up to represent a Northern German population of the Kiel region. Two-step recruitment included the randomised enrolment of participants via residents’ registration offices and via the Obesity Outpatient Centre of the University Medical Center Schleswig–Holstein (UKSH). Hence, both a population- and metabolic inflammation- based cohort was created. In total, 1795 individuals were analysed at baseline. Baseline data collection took place between 2011 and 2014, including 63% females and 37% males with an age range of 18–83 years. The median age of all participants was 52.0 years [IQR: 42.5; 63.0 years] and the median baseline BMI in the study population was 27.7 kg/m2 [IQR: 23.7; 35.9 kg/m2]. In the baseline cohort, 14.1% of participants had type 2 diabetes mellitus, which was more prevalent in the subjects of the metabolic inflammation group (MIG; 31.8%). Follow-up for the assessment of disease progression, as well as the onset of new diseases with changes in subject’s phenotype, diet or lifestyle factors is planned every 5 years. The first follow-up period was finished in 2020 and included 820 subjects.
Media’s portrayal of large predators in Norway from the protection by law in the 1970’s till today: an insight into local and national newspapers
Authors: Sponberg Vilde Bech , Mathiesen Kristin E.
Published: October 2022

In the late century of 1800 till mid-1900s, large predators were eradicated worldwide, and bounties were commonly used to get rid of the predators. In the twentieth century the policy changed, and predators became protected by law. The “return” of the predators has resulted in negative human–wildlife interactions and an increase in social conflicts. Media plays a key role in most social conflicts, as positive portrayals can lead to an increased willingness to conserve the species, as opposed to negative portrayals. We have looked at how Norwegian newspapers portray the large predators from when they were protected by law in the 1970’s till today. Our results show that wolves represent the most articles, and the positive mentioning of wolves has decreased, while for bears this has increased. Local newspapers contained more negative portrayals than national newspapers, and changes in wolf establishment, predator management or politics impact on the number of articles. As our findings indicate that negative experiences with predators, in particular in local areas, associate with negative articles in the local newspapers, we believe this could contribute to negative attitudes towards predators among those who are readers of the local newspapers. This is yet to be studied in more detail and would be recommended to better understand the role of media in human–wildlife conflicts.
Development of a new critical size defect model in the paranasal sinus and first approach for defect reconstruction—An in vivo maxillary bone defect study in sheep
Authors: Rothweiler R. , Kuhn S. , Stark T. , Heinemann S. , Hoess A. , Fuessinger M. A. , Brandenburg L. S. , Roelz R. , Metzger M. C. , Hubbe U.
Published: October 2022

Fractures of the paranasal sinuses often require surgical intervention. Persisting bone defects lead to permanent visible deformities of the facial contours. Bone substitutes for reconstruction of defects with simultaneous induction of new bone formation are not commercially available for the paranasal sinus. New materials are urgently needed and have to be tested in their future area of application. For this purpose critical size defect models for the paranasal sinus have to be developed. A ≥2.4 cm large bilateral circular defect was created in the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus in six sheep via an extraoral approach. The defect was filled with two types of an osteoconductive titanium scaffold (empty scaffold vs. scaffold filled with a calcium phosphate bone cement paste) or covered with a titanium mesh either. Sheep were euthanized after four months. All animals performed well, no postoperative complications occured. Meshes and scaffolds were safely covered with soft tissue at the end of the study. The initial defect size of ≥2.4 cm only shrunk minimally during the investigation period confirming a critical size defect. No ingrowth of bone into any of the scaffolds was observed. The anterior wall of the maxillary sinus is a region with low complication rate for performing critical size defect experiments in sheep. We recommend this region for experiments with future scaffold materials whose intended use is not only limited to the paranasal sinus, as the defect is challenging even for bone graft substitutes with proven osteoconductivity.
Predicting the flammability of epoxy resins from their structure and small-scale test results using an artificial neural network model
Authors: Pomázi Ákos , Toldy Andrea
Published: October 2022

Developing optimal flame retardant polymer compositions that meet all aspects of a given application is energy and cost-intensive. To reduce the number of measurements, we developed an artificial neural network-based system to predict the flammability of polymers from small-scale test data and structural properties. The system can predict ignition time, peak and total heat release, and mass residue after the burning of reference and flame retarded epoxy resins. Total heat release was predicted most accurately, followed by the peak heat release rate. We ranked the input parameters according to their impact on the output parameters using a sensitivity analysis. This ranking allowed us to establish a relationship between the input and output parameters taking into account their physical content.
Identification of phytochemical as a dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR: a structure-based computational approach
Authors: Kumar B. Harish , Manandhar Suman , Choudhary Sneha Sunil , Priya Keerthi , Gujaran Tanvi V. , Mehta Chetan Hasmukh , Nayak Usha Yogendra , Pai K. Sreedhara Ranganath
Published: October 2022

Breast cancer is a common form of cancer that affects both men and women. One of the most common types of genomic flaws in cancer is the aberrations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The benefit of dual targeting PI3K as well as mTOR is that the kinase-positive feedback loops are more effectively inhibited. Therefore, in the current study, structure-based models like molecular docking, MM-GBSA, Qikprop, induced fit docking, simulated molecular dynamics (MD), and thermal MM-GBSA were used to identify the phytochemicals from the zinc 15 database, which may inhibit PI3K and mTOR. After docking the phytochemicals with PI3K (PDB 4FA6), ten ligands based on the docking score were selected, among which salvianolic acid C had the highest docking score. Hence, salvianolic acid A was also docked. All the ligands taken showed a binding energy of greater than − 30 kcal/mol. The predicted ADME showed that the ligands have druggable properties. By performing MD of the top five ligands and salvianolic acid A, it was found that ZINC000059728582, ZINC000257545754, ZINC000253532301, and salvianolic acid A form a stable complex with PI3K protein, among which ZINC000014690026 showed interaction with Val 882 for more than 89% of the time. Salvianolic acid A is already proven to suppress tumor growth in acute myeloid leukemia by inhibiting PI3K/AKT pathway, but the exact protein target is unknown. Therefore, the present study identifies new molecules and provides evidence for salvianolic acid A for dual inhibition. Further experiments must be performed both in vitro and in vivo to support the predictions of these computational tools.

Graphical abstract
Overview Article Astrocytes as Initiators of Epilepsy
Authors: Henning Lukas , Unichenko Petr , Bedner Peter , Steinhäuser Christian , Henneberger Christian
Published: October 2022

Astrocytes play a dual role in the brain. On the one hand, they are active signaling partners of neurons and can for instance control synaptic transmission and its plasticity. On the other hand, they fulfill various homeostatic functions such as clearance of glutamate and K+ released from neurons. The latter is for instance important for limiting neuronal excitability. Therefore, an impairment or failure of glutamate and K+ clearance will lead to increased neuronal excitability, which could trigger or aggravate brain diseases such as epilepsy, in which neuronal hyperexcitability plays a role. Experimental data indicate that astrocytes could have such a causal role in epilepsy, but the role of astrocytes as initiators of epilepsy and the relevant mechanisms are under debate. In this overview, we will discuss the potential mechanisms with focus on K+ clearance, glutamate uptake and homoeostasis and related mechanisms, and the evidence for their causative role in epilepsy.
Robotic transanal excision of rectal lesions: expert perspective and literature review
Authors: Watanaskul Sarah , Schwab Marisa E. , Chern Hueylan , Varma Madhulika , Sarin Ankit
Published: October 2022

Transanal excision of benign lesions, moderately or well-differentiated rectal T1 adenocarcinomas is typically completed via transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or laparoscopic transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). Robotic platforms provide ergonomic comfort in an enclosed space, enhanced range of motion, and superior 3D visualization. This study sought to perform a literature review of robotic TAMIS (R-TAMIS) and provide expert commentary on the technique. A Pubmed literature search was performed. Study design, robot type, indication, techniques compared, surgical margins, conversion, complications, operative time, estimated blood loss, patient positioning, and defect closure were collected from included articles. Expert opinion on pre-operative planning, technical details, and possible pitfalls was provided, with an accompanying video. Twelve articles published between 2013 and 2022 were included. Five were case reports, three case series, two prospective cohort studies, one retrospective cohort study, and one Phase II trial. The Da Vinci Si (n = 3), Xi (n = 2), single port (n = 3) and flex robotic system (n = 2) were used. Five studies reported negative surgical margins, one reported positive margins, and six did not comment. Operating room time ranged from 45 to 552 min and EBL ranged from 0 to 100 mL. Patient positioning varied based on lesion location but included supine, prone, modified lithotomy, and prone jackknife positions. 11/12 studies reported defect closure, most commonly with V-Loc absorbable suture. We recommend pre-operative MRI abdomen/pelvis, digital rectal exam, and rigid proctoscopy; prone jackknife patient positioning to avoid collisions with robotic arms; and defect closure of full-thickness excisions with backhanded running V-Loc suture.
A Scoping Review of the Literature On Prosodic Elements Related to Emotional Speech in Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Gasteiger Norina , Lim JongYoon , Hellou Mehdi , MacDonald Bruce A. , Ahn Ho Seok
Published: October 2022

Background

Sentiment expression and detection are crucial for effective and empathetic human-robot interaction. Previous work in this field often focuses on non-verbal emotion expression, such as facial expressions and gestures. Less is known about which specific prosodic speech elements are required in human-robot interaction. Our research question was: what prosodic elements are related to emotional speech in human-computer/robot interaction?

Methods

The scoping review was conducted in alignment with the Arksey and O’Malley methods. Literature was identified from the SCOPUS, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library and PsycINFO databases in May 2021. After screening and de-duplication, data were extracted into an Excel coding sheet and summarised.

Results

Thirteen papers, published from 2012 to 2020 were included in the review. The most commonly used prosodic elements were tone/pitch (n = 8), loudness/volume (n = 6) speech speed (n = 4) and pauses (n = 3). Non-linguistic vocalisations (n = 1) were less frequently used. The prosodic elements were generally effective in helping to convey or detect emotion, but were less effective for negative sentiment (e.g., anger, fear, frustration, sadness and disgust).

Discussion

Future research should explore the effectiveness of commonly used prosodic elements (tone, loudness, speed and pauses) in emotional speech, using larger sample sizes and real-life interaction scenarios. The success of prosody in conveying negative sentiment to humans may be improved with additional non-verbal cues (e.g., coloured light or motion). More research is needed to determine how these may be combined with prosody and which combination is most effective in human-robot affective interaction.
Frailty and risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 infection among older adults: evidence from the Dutch Lifelines COVID-19 Cohort study
Authors: Zhu Yinjie , Sealy Martine J. , Jager-Wittenaar Harriët , Mierau Jochen O. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Navis Gerjan J. ,   Lifelines Corona Research Initiative, Boezen H. Marike , Mierau Jochen O. , Franke H. Lude , Dekens Jackie , Deelen Patrick , Lanting Pauline , Vonk Judith M. , Nolte Ilja , Ori Anil P. S. , Claringbould Annique , Boulogne Floranne , Dijkema Marjolein X. L. , Wiersma Henry H. , Warmerdam Robert , Jankipersadsing Soesma A. , van Blokland Irene , de Bock Geertruida H. , Rosmalen Judith G. M. , Wijmenga Cisca
Published: October 2022

Background

Frailty is associated with COVID-19 severity in clinical settings. No general population-based studies on the association between actual frailty status and COVID-19 hospitalization are available.

Aims

To investigate the association between frailty and the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization once infected.

Methods

440 older adults who participated in the Lifelines COVID-19 Cohort study in the Northern Netherlands and reported positive COVID-19 testing results (54.2% women, age 70 ± 4 years in 2021) were included in the analyses. COVID-19 hospitalization status was self-reported. The Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) was derived from 15 self-reported questionnaire items related to daily activities, health problems, and psychosocial functioning, with a score ≥ 4 indicating frailty. Both frailty and COVID-19 hospitalization were assessed in the same period. Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to analyze the associations between frailty and COVID-19 hospitalization.

Results

Of 440 older adults included, 42 were hospitalized because of COVID-19 infection. After adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, a higher risk of COVID-19 hospitalization was observed for frail individuals (risk ratio (RR) [95% CI] 1.97 [1.06–3.67]) compared to those classified as non-frail.

Discussion

Frailty was positively associated with COVID-19 hospitalization once infected, independent of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Future research on frailty and COVID-19 should consider biomarkers of aging and frailty to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms and manifestations between frailty and COVID-19 outcomes.

Conclusions

Frailty was positively associated with the risk of hospitalization among older adults that were infected with COVID-19. Public health strategies for frailty prevention in older adults need to be advocated, as it is helpful to reduce the burden of the healthcare system, particularly during a pandemic like COVID-19.
EATING TRANSGRESSIONS: ABDOMINAL SYMPTOMS OF DIVINE PUNISHMENT AND METAPHOR IN MESOPOTAMIAN MEDICINE
Authors: Howe Adam
Published: October 2022

This article examines the conceptualization of medical symptoms of transgression and divine punishment in the Mesopotamian exorcistic corpus, with a focus on the association betweenmāmītuand abdominal illness. It first demonstrates the metaphorical, and sometimes more literal, associations between taboo violations and eating, before situating the concept ofmāmītuwithin the context of broken oaths and transgressions against divine order. It then outlines the symptoms and treatments ofmāmītuin order to demonstrate a strong connection with the abdomen and digestive tract. Finally, within the context of the use of metaphor and analogy in Mesopotamian medicine, it suggests that the association between eating and transgression may have provided a reason for attributing abdominal symptoms to the punishment of transgression in the form ofmāmītu. The resulting case study provides insights into the intellectual frameworks by which Mesopotamian exorcists conceptualized the workings of illness and the body, especially in terms of the relationship between language and reality.
The Repertoires of Religious Nationalism: The Case of İsmet Özel
Authors: Yıldız Tunahan , Çengel Esra
Published: October 2022

This article problematizes the study of religious nationalism, which lacks conceptual, religious, and nationalist “seriousness.” These problems of “seriousness” obscure the nature of religious nationalism as they overstretch and do not do justice to the concepts of religious nationalism, religion, and nationalism, respectively. Seeking for the nature of and a path to religious nationalism, it is suggested that the later writings of İsmet Özel, a well-known poet and public intellectual in Turkey, make an emblematic case for a religious type of nationalism, demonstrating not only religious seriousness with his Islamist ideology but also a central orientation to the nation through his exclusive focus on Turkishness and Turkey. In so doing, this article introduces a wide range of categories to specify the ways in which religious nationalism is operationalized and to measure the patterns of religious nationalism in an attempt to overcome the problems of “seriousness.” It identifies and examines six main patterns in Özel’s thinking and shows their interactions: religio-national identity, exceptionalism, religious territoriality, civilizational othering, sectarianism, and anti-secularism.
Bayesian evidence-driven diagnosis of instrumental systematics for sky-averaged 21-cm cosmology experiments
Authors: Scheutwinkel K. H. , de Lera Acedo E. , Handley W.
Published: October 2022

We demonstrate the effectiveness of a Bayesian evidence -based analysis for diagnosing and disentangling the sky-averaged 21-cm signal from instrumental systematic effects. As a case study, we consider a simulated REACH pipeline with an injected systematic. We demonstrate that very poor performance or erroneous signal recovery is achieved if the systematic remains unmodelled. These effects include sky-averaged 21-cm posterior estimates resembling a very deep or wide signal. However, when including parameterised models of the systematic, the signal recovery is dramatically improved in performance. Most importantly, a Bayesian evidence-based model comparison is capable of determining whether or not such a systematic model is needed as the true underlying generative model of an experimental dataset is in principle unknown. We, therefore, advocate a pipeline capable of testing a variety of potential systematic errors with the Bayesian evidence acting as the mechanism for detecting their presence.
The use of evacuation modelling techniques in the design of very large transport aircraft and blended wing body aircraft
Authors: Galea E. R. , Blake S. J. , Gwynne S. , Lawrence P. J.
Published: October 2022

Very Large Transport Aircraft (VLTA) pose considerable challenges to designers, operators and certification authorities. Questions concerning seating arrangement, nature and design of recreational space, the number, design and location of internal staircases, the number of cabin crew required and the nature of the cabin crew emergency procedures are just some of the issues that need to be addressed. Other more radical concepts such as blended wing body (BWB) design, involving one or two decks with possibly four or more aisles offer even greater challenges. Can the largest exits currently available cope with passenger flow arising from four or five aisles? Do we need to consider new concepts in exit design? Should the main aisles be made wider to accommodate more passengers? In this paper we demonstrate how computer based evacuation models can be used to investigate these issues through examination of staircase evacuation procedures for VLTA and aisle/exit configuration for BWB cabin layouts.
Aircraft airworthiness certification standards for civil UAVs
Authors: Haddon D. R. , Whittaker C. J.
Published: October 2022

The CAA has recognised the need to develop civil standards for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Accordingly the CAA Directorate of Airspace Policy has published the document ‘CAP 722 –Unmanned Air Vehicle Operation in UK Airspace – Guidance’, (which can be accessed via the CAA website — http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722.pdf). The document itemises the top-level military and civil regulations which impact upon the operation of UAVs in the UK. One of the items listed within the document is ‘Civil Certification’ of UAVs. This particular aspect is the responsibility of the Design and Production Standards Division, (D&PSD), of the CAA Safety Regulation Group. The purpose of this paper is to present and explain the current position of D&PSD regarding the appropriate design standards to be applied for the civil certification of the airworthiness of UAVs.

This paper presents the CAA position that UAVs should be granted permission to fly by qualifying for certificates of airworthiness, by demonstration of compliance with defined airworthiness standards comparable to, and derived from, those applied to manned aircraft. The paper also presents a method for determining, to a first approximation, the level of airworthiness standards which should be applied to any particular design of UAV by reference to the existing codes of airworthiness requirements for manned aircraft.
Heat transfer and flow behind a step in high enthalpy superorbital flow
Authors: Hayne M. J. , Mee D. J. , Morgan R. G. , Gai S. L. , Mclntyre T. J.
Published: October 2022

Heat transfer levels have been investigated behind a rearward-facing step in a superorbital expansion tube. The heat transfer was measured along a flat plate and behind 2 and 3mm steps with the same length to step height ratio. Results were obtained with air as the test gas at speeds of 6·76kms-1and 9·60kms-1corresponding to stagnation enthalpies of 26MJ/kg and 48MJ/kg respectively. A laminar boundary layer was established on the flat plate and measured heat transfer levels were consistent with classical empirical correlations. In the case of flow behind a step, the measurements showed a gradual rise in heat transfer from the rear of the step to a plateau several step heights downstream for both flow conditions. Reattachment distance was estimated to be approximately 1·6 step heights downstream of the 2mm step at the low enthalpy condition through the use of flow visualisation.
Saltwater Intrusion‐Induced Flow Reversal in the Changjiang Estuary
Authors: Ge Jianzhong , Lu Jiayu , Zhang Jingsi , Chen Changsheng , Liu Anqi , Ding Pingxing
Published: October 2022

Saltwater intrusion is a common feature in the Changjiang Estuary affected by river discharges and tidal flows. It leads to a two‐layer flow structure during the flood‐to‐ebb tidal transient period: the seaward tidal flow in the upper water column and onshore intruded salt flow in the lower column, even though the lower column water usually experiences an ebb flow eventually. Our recent measurements with a tripod deployed in a tidal channel of the North Branch in the East China Sea challenged this feature. We detected that the two‐layer flow structure disappeared in the ebb tide period during the neap cycle due to intense saltwater intrusion. A constant onshore flood‐like flow predominated the entire water column. The physical mechanism for the flow reversal was examined using the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM). The FVCOM was robust to capture the observed flow reversal in the tidal channel during the neap tidal cycle. The momentum balance analysis results suggest that the flow reversal occurred when the saltwater intrusion‐induced onshore baroclinic pressure gradient force and baroclinic tidal rectification overwhelmed the seaward barotropic pressure gradient force. A parameter‐driven criterion was derived theoretically to determine the potential occurrence of a stable ebb flow reversal in the tidal channel.
Metamorphism and Deformation on Subduction Interfaces: 1. Physical Framework
Authors: England Philip C. , Smye Andrew J.
Published: October 2022

A thermal and mechanical framework is presented for analysis of pressure‐temperature (P‐T) data and structural observations from high‐pressure‐low‐temperature (HPLT) terrains. P‐T data from 281 HPLT rocks exhibit two regimes separated at a pressure of ∼1.5 GPa, which corresponds to the modal maximum depth of thrust faulting in subduction zones. At pressures ≲1.5 GPa, interpreted as recording conditions on the plate interface, temperatures increase at about 350°C/GPa and are consistent with conditions calculated for shear stresses of ∼30–100 MPa on the interface. Such shear stresses are high enough to carry several kilometers' thickness of sediment at least to the base of the plate interface. Burial of material on plate interfaces occurs predominantly during large‐to‐great earthquakes; the exhumation phase involves contrasts in ascent rates of adjacent units, because of their differing buoyancies and strengths. In consequence, juxtaposition of unrelated rock types is expected to be ubiquitous, during both descent and ascent. The scarcity of temperatures higher than ∼650°C at pressures ≳1.5 GPa may reflect loss of material from the wedge‐slab interface by buoyant ascent. Exhumation of rocks in the subduction interface requires substantial reduction in shear stress, most plausibly by (near‐)cessation of subduction. During prograde metamorphism temperatures increase smoothly with depth in the plate interface, with almost isothermal compression in the wedge‐slab interface. Following cessation of subduction, rocks rising along the wedge‐slab interface are likely to heat slightly during decompression. Within the plate interface, temperatures drop following the cessation of shear heating, and rocks follow counter‐clockwise hairpin PT paths.
Ionospheric Plasma Depletions at Mars Observed by the MAVEN Spacecraft
Authors: Basuvaraj Praveen , Němec František , Němeček Zdeněk , Šafránková Jana
Published: October 2022

The Martian ionosphere, modulated by the solar wind from the topside and remnant crustal magnetic fields close to the surface, possesses unique structures different from Earth and Venus. Integrated observations by the plasma and magnetic field instruments onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution spacecraft show evidence of ionospheric plasma depletions, independent of seasonal variations at Mars. During such depletions, the density of all ionospheric ion species is reduced by more than an order of magnitude, and, at the same time, the electron temperature increases abruptly. An automated algorithm for the identification of such plasma depletions is developed. Altogether, as many as 1,125 events are identified in 8,618 orbits available from October 2014 to May 2021. A statistical investigation of these events reveals that they are more prominent on the nightside, where they seem to occur primarily in the southern hemisphere, possibly in regions with strong crustal magnetic fields. While the dayside events occur mainly at altitudes above about 250 km, nightside event altitudes are typically lower. Considering the relation between spacecraft velocity and observed event duration, we suggest that the depletions are bubble‐like structures, more elongated horizontally than vertically. A possible mechanism of their formation is discussed.
Increased suicide risk among younger women in winter during full moon in northern Europe. An artifact or a novel finding?
Authors: Plöderl Martin , Westerlund Joakim , Hökby Sebastian , Hadlaczky Gergö , Hengartner Michael Pascal
Published: October 2022

Available evidence suggests that there is no effect of moon phases on suicidal behavior. However, a Finnish study recently reported elevated suicide rates during full-moon, but only among premenopausal women and only in winter. This could not be replicated in an Austrian study and stirred a discussion about whether the Finnish finding was false-positive or if there are unaccounted moderator variables differing between Finland and Austria. The goal of the present study was to provide another replication with data from Sweden, which is geographically more comparable to Finland than Austria. We also investigated the discussed moderator variables latitude and nightly artificial brightness. There were 48,537 suicides available for analysis. The fraction of suicides during the full-moon quarter in winter did not differ significantly from the expected 25% among premenopausal women (23.3%) and in the full sample (24.7%). The incidence risk ratios for full moon quarter in Poisson regression models were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.90–1.02) for premenopausal women and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.99–1.04) for the full sample. According to Bayes-factor analysis, the evidence supports the null-hypothesis (no association) over the alternative hypothesis (some association). We found similar results when we split the data by latitude and artificial nightly brightness, respectively. In line with the Austrian study, there was no increase of suicides in Sweden among premenopausal women in winter during full-moon. The results from the Finnish study are likely false positive, perhaps resulting from problematic but common research and publication practices, which we discuss.
Inefficient white matter activity in Schizophrenia evoked during intra and inter-hemispheric communication
Authors: Zovetti Niccolò , Bellani Marcella , Chowdury Asadur , Alessandrini Franco , Zoccatelli Giada , Perlini Cinzia , Ricciardi Giuseppe K. , Marzi Carlo A. , Diwadkar Vaibhav A. , Brambilla Paolo
Published: October 2022

Intensive cognitive tasks induce inefficient regional and network responses in schizophrenia (SCZ). fMRI-based studies have naturally focused on gray matter, but appropriately titrated visuo-motor integration tasks reliably activate inter- and intra-hemispheric white matter pathways. Such tasks can assess network inefficiency without demanding intensive cognitive effort. Here, we provide the first application of this framework to the study of white matter functional responses in SCZ. Event-related fMRI data were acquired from 28 patients (nine females, mean age 43.3, ±11.7) and 28 age- and gender-comparable controls (nine females, mean age 42.1 ± 10.1), using the Poffenberger paradigm, a rapid visual detection task used to induce intra- (ipsi-lateral visual and motor cortex) or inter-hemispheric (contra-lateral visual and motor cortex) transfer. fMRI data were pre- and post-processed to reliably isolate activations in white matter, using probabilistic tractography-based white matter tracts. For intra- and inter-hemispheric transfer conditions, SCZ evinced hyper-activations in longitudinal and transverse white matter tracts, with hyper-activation in sub-regions of the corpus callosum primarily observed during inter-hemispheric transfer. Evidence for the functional inefficiency of white matter was observed in conjunction with small (~50 ms) but significant increases in response times. Functional inefficiencies in SCZ are (1) observable in white matter, with the degree of inefficiency contextually related to task-conditions, and (2) are evoked by simple detection tasks without intense cognitive processing. These cumulative results while expanding our understanding of this dys-connection syndrome, also extend the search of biomarkers beyond the traditional realm of fMRI studies of gray matter.