bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting for uncertainty in marine ecosystem service predictions for spatial prioritisation
Authors: Rullens Vera , Stephenson Fabrice , Townsend Michael , Lohrer Andrew M. , Hewitt Judi E. , Pilditch Conrad A. , Ellis Joanne I.
Published: March 2024

Aim

Spatial assessments of Ecosystem Services (ES) are increasingly used in environmental management, but rarely provide information on the prediction accuracy. Uncertainty estimates are essential to provide confidence in the quality and credibility of ES assessments for informed decision making. In marine environments, the need for uncertainty assessments for ES is unparalleled as they are data scarce, poorly (spatially) defined, with complex interconnectivity of seascapes. This study illustrates the uncertainty associated with a principle‐based method for ES modelling by accounting for model variability, data coverage and uncertainty in thresholds and parameters.

Location

Tauranga, New Zealand.

Methods

A sensitivity analysis was applied on ES models for marine bivalves (Austrovenus stutchburyi and Paphies australis) and their contribution to Food provision, Water quality regulation, Nitrogen removal and Sediment stabilisation. ES estimates from the sensitivity analysis were compared against baseline ES predictions. Spatial uncertainty patterns were analysed for individual ES through bi‐plots and multiple ES through spatial prioritisation using Zonation.

Results

Our study showed spatially explicit differences in uncertainty patterns for ES and between species. Food provision had highest maximum uncertainty (>5 points) but also the largest area of high ES and high certainty conditions. Zonation analysis conducted on baseline and conservative ES values showed overall robust outcomes of top 30% area, but important nuances through shifts in top 5% and 10% areas that allowed for a consistently better representation of ES when accounting for uncertainty.

Main Conclusions

The spatial prioritisation in combination with the ES uncertainty biplots provide tools for spatial planning of individual and multiple ES to focus on area of highest value with highest certainty and can thereby help reduce risk and aid decision‐making at acceptable confidence levels. This type of information is urgently needed in marine ES assessments and their management, but likewise extends to other environments to improve transparency.
Changing species dominance patterns of Boreal‐Arctic heathlands: evidence of biotic homogenization
Authors: Bråthen Kari Anne , Tuomi Maria , Kapfer Jutta , Böhner Hanna , Maliniemi Tuija
Published: March 2024

Heathlands are extensive systems often dominated by slow‐growing and long‐lived woody plants. These systems require longer‐term studies to capture if and how they are changing over time. In 2020, we resurveyed species richness and cover of vascular plant communities in 139 heathlands along the coastline of northern Fennoscandia, first surveyed during 1965–1975. The first survey included six heathland types, each with dominance – a cover of 25% or more – of the dwarf shrubs Calluna vulgaris, Kalmia procumbens, Betula nana, Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum. The two latter heathland types made up 29% and 48%, respectively, of all heathlands. In addition to the dominant dwarf shrubs giving their names to the heathland types, a few other species qualified as dominant. In the resurvey, all the heathland types had E. nigrum as the single dominant species, except for the heathland formerly dominated by B. nana. Most other species had low cover both at the time of the original survey and the resurvey. Also, the heathland types were species poor at the time of the original survey, with an average of eight vascular plant species per 4 m2 and were found equally species poor in the resurvey. Species richness differed between heathland types only at the time of the original survey, and the ratio of species exchange between the two surveys was negatively related to the original cover of E. nigrum.

Here we provide a half‐century perspective on vegetation change, during which several heathland types in northern Fennoscandia have changed to Empetrum heathlands, reducing the diversity of heathland types across the Boreal to Arctic landscape. As a native plant, E. nigrum cannot be considered invasive, but its allelopathic capacity has likely already modified these heathland ecosystems and will continue to do so, reducing ecosystem multifunctionality across the region.
Competition for time: Evidence for an overlooked, diversity‐maintaining competitive mechanism
Authors: Levine Jacob I. , Pacala Stephen W. , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: March 2024

Understanding how diversity is maintained in plant communities requires that we first understand the mechanisms of competition for limiting resources. In ecology, there is an underappreciated but fundamental distinction between systems in which the depletion of limiting resources reduces the growth rates of competitors and systems in which resource depletion reduces the time available for competitors to grow, a mechanism we call ‘competition for time’. Importantly, modern community ecology and our framing of the coexistence problem are built on the implicit assumption that competition reduces the growth rate. However, recent theoretical work suggests competition for time may be the predominant competitive mechanism in a broad array of natural communities, a significant advance given that when species compete for time, diversity‐maintaining trade‐offs emerge organically. In this study, we first introduce competition for time conceptually using a simple model of interacting species. Then, we perform an experiment in a Mediterranean annual grassland to determine whether competition for time is an important competitive mechanism in a field system. Indeed, we find that species respond to increased competition through reductions in their lifespan rather than their rate of growth. In total, our study suggests competition for time may be overlooked as a mechanism of biodiversity maintenance.
Advancing the Care Experience for patients receiving Palliative care as they Transition from hospital to Home (ACEPATH): Codesigning an intervention to improve patient and family caregiver experiences
Authors: McCoy Madeline , Shorting Taylor , Mysore Vinay Kumar , Fitzgibbon Edward , Rice Jill , Savigny Meghan , Weiss Marianne , Vincent Daniel , Hagarty Meaghen , MacLeod Krystal Kehoe , Ernecoff Natalie C. , Pattison Rex , Kornberg Mona , Bruni Adrianna , Bush Shirley H. , Kuluski Kerry , Fiset Valerie , Li Cecilia , Parsons Henrique A. , Lalumière Geneviève , Connolly Tara , Webber Colleen , Isenberg Sarina R.
Published: March 2024

Background

Returning home from the hospital for palliative‐focused care is a common transition, but the process can be emotionally distressing and logistically challenging for patients and caregivers. While interventions exist to aid in the transition, none have been developed in partnership with patients and caregivers.

Objective

To undergo the initial stages of codesign to create an intervention (Advancing the Care Experience for patients receiving Palliative care as they Transition from hospital to Home [ACEPATH]) to improve the experience of hospital‐to‐home transitions for adult patients receiving palliative care and their caregiver(s).

Methods

The codesign process consisted of (1) the development of codesign workshop (CDW) materials to communicate key findings from prior research to CDW participants; (2) CDWs with patients, caregivers and healthcare providers (HCPs); and (3) low‐fidelity prototype testing to review CDW outputs and develop low‐fidelity prototypes of interventions. HCPs provided feedback on the viability of low‐fidelity prototypes.

Results

Three patients, seven caregivers and five HCPs participated in eight CDWs from July 2022 to March 2023. CDWs resulted in four intervention prototypes: a checklist, quick reference sheets, a patient/caregiver workbook and a transition navigator role. Outputs from CDWs included descriptions of interventions and measures of success. In April 2023, the four prototypes were presented in four low‐fidelity prototype sessions to 20 HCPs. Participants in the low‐fidelity prototype sessions provided feedback on what the interventions could look like, what problems the interventions were trying to solve and concerns about the interventions.

Conclusion

Insights gained from this codesign work will inform high‐fidelity prototype testing and the eventual implementation and evaluation of an ACEPATH intervention that aims to improve hospital‐to‐home transitions for patients receiving a palliative approach to care.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients and caregivers with lived experience attended CDWs aimed at designing an intervention to improve the transition from hospital to home. Their direct involvement aligns the intervention with patients' and caregivers' needs when transitioning from hospital to home. Furthermore, four patient/caregiver advisors were engaged throughout the project (from grant writing through to manuscript writing) to ensure all stages were patient‐ and caregiver‐centred.
Nursing students’ mental health: How does eco‐anxiety effect?
Authors: Er Seda , Murat Merve , Ata Elvan Emine , Köse Selmin , Buzlu Sevim
Published: March 2024

Climate change is recognised as one of the fundamental determinants of human health. Anxiety experienced in response to an ecological crisis is defined as eco‐anxiety. This study aims to determine the eco‐anxiety levels of nursing students and the relationship between eco‐anxiety and their mental health. The sample of the cross‐sectional correlation and descriptive study consisted of nursing students (N = 609) from two different universities in Istanbul. Data were collected with Personal Information Form, Eco‐Anxiety Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS‐21). The data were analysed with SPSS (v.28) by using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests, the Spearman correlation test and general linear model. It was determined that 84.2% of the participants were women and 60.8% were 18–20 years old. The participants' total Eco‐Anxiety Scale score was 25.65 ± 7.49, and the total DASS‐21 score was 21.24 ± 14.76. There is a statistically significant and positive relationship between the Eco‐Anxiety Scale and DASS‐21. Mental health nurses can play a key role in planning and raising awareness of interventions for eco‐anxiety.
The Patents Māori Advisory Committee of Aotearoa New Zealand: Lessons for indigenous knowledge protection
Authors: Wright Evana , Robinson Daniel
Published: March 2024

Using freedom of information requests, we examine the operation of the Patents Māori Advisory Committee of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Committee advises the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand on whether inventions claimed in a patent application are derived from Māori traditional knowledge or from indigenous plants or animals; and if so, whether the commercial exploitation of that invention is likely to be contrary to Māori values. There is limited publicly available information on the operations of the Committee and the decision‐making process undertaken in reviewing applications. The requests and our searches identified 13 patents referred to the Committee, of which most (9 of 13) dealt with inventions related to Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), a taonga species known for its role in producing unique honey. Only two applications have been found to be contrary to Māori values, and these applications have both since been abandoned. The review of applications found to be ‘not contrary to Māori values’ is instructive, identifying important considerations taken into account by the Committee in reaching a decision, including the importance of benefit sharing and engagement with Māori in considering whether an invention may be contrary to Māori values. The analysis highlights the limitations of the Committee in reviewing only those applications filed in Aotearoa New Zealand and referred to the Committee for advice and identifies the importance of mechanisms such as disclosure of origin to ensure all relevant applications are reviewed by the Committee. The paper concludes by highlighting how the operation of the Committee may inform the development of similar bodies in other jurisdictions, such as Australia.
The relationship among informational diversity, dynamic capabilities, and innovative performance in turbulent environments: evidence from R&D teams
Authors: Acikgoz Atif , Demirkan Irem , Dayan Mumin , Acikgoz Fulya , Latham Gary P.
Published: March 2024

The study examines the link between informational diversity and innovative performance, with a specific emphasis on the importance of a team's dynamic capabilities in turbulent environments. Utilizing 131 research and development teams, with 289 members from 87 manufacturing firms, our findings reveal that environmental turbulence not only influences the development of dynamic capabilities necessary to leverage diverse information among team members but also amplifies the positive relationship of these capabilities with innovative performance. The results demonstrate the significant roles of both environmental turbulence and dynamic capabilities in the diversity–performance relationship, providing fresh insights into this area of literature. For example, merely possessing diverse informational resources is not correlated with performance improvements. Instead, teams appear to require a catalyst to cultivate dynamic capabilities that effectively transform these resources into innovation.
Judaism and climate change
Authors: Krone Adrienne
Published: March 2024

In 2014, The Public Religion Research Institute and the American Academy of Religion released a report called Believers, Sympathizers, & Skeptics: Why Americans Are Conflicted About Climate Change, Environmental Policy, and Science, which found that a total of 78% of Jewish Americans considered climate change a “crisis” or a “major problem.” (Jones et al., 2014, p. 12). In this article, I argue that even as Jewish perspectives on climate change and the environment are varied, there are significant resources within the Jewish tradition that contributed to the development and growth of Jewish environmentalism and climate change activism and advocacy.
Strategies for incorporating evidence‐based practice into nurse residency programs: A scoping review
Authors: Sampson Marlene , Knupp Amy , Chignolli Holly , Dhakal Kerry , Bulkowski Kristi , Perdue Justin , Warren Samantha , Zellefrow Cindy
Published: March 2024

Background

The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) establishes standards for nurse residency programs to elevate and optimize the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of new nurses participating in nurse residency programs. Evidence‐based practice (EBP) is foundational to providing safe nursing care. One of the National Academy of Medicine's (NAM's) 2020 goals stated that 90% of clinical decisions would be supported by the best available evidence to attain the best patient outcomes. Nurse residency programs can benefit from evidence‐based strategies to develop EBP competencies in new nurses.

Aims

The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize the literature around strategies for incorporating EBP into nurse residency programs across the United States.

Methods

This scoping review was informed by the JBI (formerly known as the Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology for scoping reviews. Searches were conducted by a health science librarian in PubMed and CINAHL with Full Text. Keywords and their synonyms, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH; PubMed), and Subject Headings (CINAHL with Full Text) were used. Covidence, a literature review management program, was used to organize the literature and manage the review. Title, abstract, and full‐text reviews were completed within Covidence using three teams of two independent reviewers.

Results

Four hundred and thirty‐eight citations were imported into Covidence. Ten articles were retained for the final review. Three strategies for incorporating EBP into nurse residency programs emerged from the literature: (1) exposure of nurse residents to existing organizational resources, (2) completion of online EBP modules, and (3) completion of an EBP project.

Linking Action to Evidence

The incorporation of EBP competencies in nurse residency programs aligns with NAM's and ANCC's goals, yet a paucity of evidence exists to guide curriculum development in nurse residency programs. This scoping review corroborates the need for further research to inform best practices for implementing EBP into nurse residency programs.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 12, No. 2
Authors: Young James
Published: March 2024

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 12, Number 2Aurora Pestaño, University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), PhilippinesDorela Kacauni, “Fan S. Noli” University, Korҫa, AlbaniaFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyJehu Onyekwere Nnaji, University of Naples II,Italy and Globe Visions Network Italy, ItalyKun Yu, Universiti Putra Malaysia, ChinaMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanYuhan WANG, Guangdong University of Technology, China      James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
A Fractional-order mathematical model to analyze the stability and develop a sterilization strategy for the habitat of stray dogs
Authors: Öztürk Zafer , Yousef Ali , Bilgil Halis , Sorgun Sezer
Published: March 2024

Today, the socio-cultural lack of some countries with increased urbanization has led to the unconscious breeding of stray dogs. The failure to care for the offspring of possessive dogs or ignoring the responsibility to find a suitable family for the offspring increased the dog population on the streets and in the shelters. In this study, our main target is to analyze the habitat of stray dogs and the strategy of how to control the population without damaging the ecosystem of the species. For this aim, we establish a fractional-order differential equation system to investigate the fractal dimension with long-term memory that invovles two compartments; the non-sterilized dog population (x(t)) and the sterilized one (y(t)). Firstly, we analyze the stability of the equilibrium points using the Routh-Hurwitz criteria to discuss cases that should not affect the ecosystem of the dog population, but control the stray dog population in the habitat. Since the intervention to the stray dog population occurs at discrete time impulses, we use the Euler method's discretization process to analyse the local and global stability around the equilibrium points. Besides this, we show that the solutions of the system represent semi-cycle behaviors. At the end of the study, we use accurate data to demonstrate the sterilization rate of stray dogs in their habitat.
Inaugural Review Prize 2023: The exercise hyperpnoea dilemma: A 21st‐century perspective
Authors: Welch Joseph F. , Mitchell Gordon S.
Published: March 2024

During mild or moderate exercise, alveolar ventilation increases in direct proportion to metabolic rate, regulating arterial CO2 pressure near resting levels. Mechanisms giving rise to the hyperpnoea of exercise are unsettled despite over a century of investigation. In the past three decades, neuroscience has advanced tremendously, raising optimism that the ‘exercise hyperpnoea dilemma’ can finally be solved. In this review, new perspectives are offered in the hope of stimulating original ideas based on modern neuroscience methods and current understanding. We first describe the ventilatory control system and the challenge exercise places upon blood‐gas regulation. We highlight relevant system properties, including feedforward, feedback and adaptive (i.e., plasticity) control of breathing. We then elaborate a seldom explored hypothesis that the exercise ventilatory response continuously adapts (learns and relearns) throughout life and ponder if the memory ‘engram’ encoding the feedforward exercise ventilatory stimulus could reside within the cerebellum. Our hypotheses are based on accumulating evidence supporting the cerebellum's role in motor learning and the numerous direct and indirect projections from deep cerebellar nuclei to brainstem respiratory neurons. We propose that cerebellar learning may be obligatory for the accurate and adjustable exercise hyperpnoea capable of tracking changes in life conditions/experiences, and that learning arises from specific cerebellar microcircuits that can be interrogated using powerful techniques such as optogenetics and chemogenetics. Although this review is speculative, we consider it essential to reframe our perspective if we are to solve the till‐now intractable exercise hyperpnoea dilemma.
Aceria spp. (Acari: Eriophyidae) associated with Amaranthaceae around the world with description of two new species

Authors: Honarmand Arash , Lotfollahi Parisa
Published: March 2024

During field surveys of eriophyoid mites in Razavi and North Khorasan provinces (Iran) in summer 2023, two new Aceria spp. (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) on Amaranthaceae plants were discovered, illustrated and described: Aceria sodae sp. nov. on Soda rosmarinus (Bunge ex Boiss.) Akhani and Aceria esfarayeniensis sp. nov. on Salsola arbusculiformis Drobow. Furthermore, a list of Aceria spp. on Amaranthaceae species around the world, their type host plants and their relationship to hosts are provided.
Ecologo-faunistic review of tetranychid (Acariformes: Tetranychoidea) and phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) in the Transcarpathian Region, Ukraine

Authors: Zhovnerchuk O.v. , Kolodochka L.o. , Dudynska A.t. , Abrazhevych P.a. , Romanko V.o.
Published: March 2024

The results of long-term research on tetranychid and phytoseiid mites in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine are summarized. Transcarpathian Tetranychoidea are represented by 28 species from 10 genera, and the same list for Phytoseiidae included 49 species from 11 genera. For 77 species of mites from 21 genera, species composition, abundance, trophic specialization, and biotopic distribution in different altitudinal zones of Transcarpathia, Ukraine was analysed. Ten species of tetranychid mites (Bryobia rubrioculus, Tetranyhus horridus, Amphytetranyhus viennensis, Eotetranycuus carpini, E. quercicola, Neotetranychus rubi, Oligonychus ununguis, Panonychus ulmi, T. turkestani and T. urticae), and 11 species of phytoseiid mites (Neoseiulus umbraticus, Kampimodromus aberrans, Amblyseius andersoni, A. rademacheri, Euseius ucrainicus, Dubininellus echinus, D. juvenis, Typhloctonus aceri, T. tuberculatus, Anthoseius (A.) rhenana and A. (A.) clavata) were common to all three studied altitudinal zones. The species diversity of tetranychids was highest in the lowlands (23 species), slightly lower in the foothills (19 species), and the lowest in the mountain zone (11 species). For phytoseiid mites, it was the highest in the foothills (38 species), 25 in the lowlands and 21 in mountains. Among the tetranychids, the transzonal species A. viennensis retained its dominant status in all altitudinal zones. In the lowland, the highest rates of occurrence and dominance indices were observed for the species B. rubrioculus and T. turkestani, and in the foothills—for P. ulmi and T. horridus. The species composition of mites in the lowlands and mountains varied the most for both predators and phytophagous mites. Among the tetranychids, the most striking marker species in the mountains were P. ulmi and N. rubi. Only in the mountains were found such phytoseiid species as N. alidis, N. montanus, T. runiacus, T. mutatus, and A. salviae, which could thus be considered strictly mountainous. All of them have fragmented habitats and are tied to mountainous regions. In that altitudinal zone, an exceptionally high occurrence rate and dominance index were established for N. montanus among the phytoseiids. This is most probably due to significantly greater differences in the temperature and humidity regimes and range of host plants and, for predatory mites, prey species. The results of this study provide additional information about the structure of the communities of phytophagous and predatory mites in the natural zones of the mountain landscape and changes in the composition of the communities under the influence of environmental factors and the forage base, which is a consequence of the altitudinal distribution of the investigated biocenoses.
First report on the biology of Phytoseius leaki (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its predation on different stages of Brevipalpus papayensis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Authors: Shang Suqin , Zhang Zhi-qiang
Published: March 2024

N/A
Equibiaxial elongation of entangled polyisobutylene melts: Experiments and theoretical predictions
Authors: Arzideh Seyed Mahmoud , Córdoba Andrés , Ethier Jeffrey G. , Schieber Jay D. , Venerus David C.
Published: March 2024

Equibiaxial elongational deformations are omnipresent in polymer processing technologies. The challenge of generating well-controlled equibiaxial elongational deformations in the laboratory has, however, severely inhibited progress on understanding the rheology of polymeric liquids and other complex fluids in this flow. More recently, a novel technique known as continuous lubricated squeezing flow has been developed that allows for rheological measurements in equibiaxial elongational deformations. In the present study, we examine the rheological behavior of two entangled polyisobutylene (PIB) melts with different molecular weight distributions in constant strain rate equibiaxial elongation flows. These new data are compared with predictions from two molecular models for entangled polymer melts inspired by the idea that entanglements dominate the relaxation dynamics. One model is the discrete slip-link model (DSM), and the other is known as the Rolie Double Poly (RDP) model. For the PIB with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, the predictions of both models are in good agreement with experiments and the DSM gives nearly quantitative agreement. For the broad molecular weight distribution PIB, both the DSM and RDP model predict strain hardening, which is not observed in the experiments.
Biological export production controls upper ocean calcium carbonate dissolution and CO
2
buffer capacity
Authors: Kwon Eun Young , Dunne John P. , Lee Kitack
Published: March 2024

Marine biogenic calcium carbonate (CaCO
3
) cycles play a key role in ecosystems and in regulating the ocean’s ability to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO
2
). However, the drivers and magnitude of CaCO
3
cycling are not well understood, especially for the upper ocean. Here, we provide global-scale evidence that heterotrophic respiration in settling marine aggregates may produce localized undersaturated microenvironments in which CaCO
3
particles rapidly dissolve, producing excess alkalinity in the upper ocean. In the deep ocean, dissolution of CaCO
3
is primarily driven by conventional thermodynamics of CaCO
3
solubility with reduced fluxes of CaCO
3
burial to marine sediments beneath more corrosive North Pacific deep waters. Upper ocean dissolution, shown to be sensitive to ocean export production, can increase the neutralizing capacity for respired CO
2
by up to 6% in low-latitude thermocline waters. Without upper ocean dissolution, the ocean might lose 20% more CO
2
to the atmosphere through the low-latitude upwelling regions.
Direct HCN synthesis via plasma-assisted conversion of methane and nitrogen
Authors: Kamarinopoulou Nefeli S. , Wittreich Gerhard R. , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: March 2024

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is synthesized from ammonia (NH
3
) and methane (CH
4
) at

~

1200°C over a Pt catalyst. Ammonia synthesis entails several complex, highly emitting processes. Plasma-assisted HCN synthesis directly from CH
4
and nitrogen (N
2
) could be pivotal for on-demand HCN production. Here, we evaluate the potential of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) N
2
/CH
4
plasma for decentralized catalyst-free selective HCN production. We demonstrate a single-step conversion of methane and nitrogen to HCN with a 72% yield at <300°C. HCN is favored at low CH
4
concentrations with ethane (C
2
H
6
) as the secondary product. We propose a first-principles microkinetic model with few electron impact reactions. The model accurately predicts primary product yields and elucidates that methyl radical (·CH
3
) is a common intermediate in HCN and C
2
H
6
synthesis. Compared to current industrial processes, N
2
/CH
4
DBD plasma can achieve minimal CO
2
emissions.
An ultralight, pulverization-free integrated anode toward lithium-less lithium metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Chao-Hui , Guo Yu-Jie , Tan Shuang-Jie , Wang Yu-Hao , Guo Jun-Chen , Tian Yi-Fan , Zhang Xu-Sheng , Liu Bo-Zheng , Xin Sen , Zhang Juan , Wan Li-Jun , Guo Yu-Guo
Published: March 2024

The high-capacity advantage of lithium metal anode was compromised by common use of copper as the collector. Furthermore, lithium pulverization associated with “dead” Li accumulation and electrode cracking deteriorates the long-term cyclability of lithium metal batteries, especially under realistic test conditions. Here, we report an ultralight, integrated anode of polyimide-Ag/Li with dual anti-pulverization functionality. The silver layer was initially chemically bonded to the polyimide surface and then spontaneously diffused in Li solid solution and self-evolved into a fully lithiophilic Li-Ag phase, mitigating dendrites growth or dead Li. Further, the strong van der Waals interaction between the bottommost Li-Ag and polyimide affords electrode structural integrity and electrical continuity, thus circumventing electrode pulverization. Compared to the cutting-edge anode-free cells, the batteries pairing LiNi
0.8
Mn
0.1
Co
0.1
O
2
with polyimide-Ag/Li afford a nearly 10% increase in specific energy, with safer characteristics and better cycling stability under realistic conditions of 1× excess Li and high areal-loading cathode (4 milliampere hour per square centimeter).
T cell help induces
Myc
transcriptional bursts in germinal center B cells during positive selection
Authors: Kagan Ben Tikva Sharon , Gurwitz Neta , Sivan Ehud , Hirsch Dana , Hezroni-Barvyi Hadas , Biram Adi , Moss Lihee , Wigoda Noa , Egozi Adi , Monziani Alan , Golani Ofra , Gross Menachem , Tenenbaum Ariel , Shulman Ziv
Published: March 2024

Antibody affinity maturation occurs in secondary lymphoid organs within germinal centers (GCs). At these sites, B cells mutate their antibody-encoding genes in the dark zone, followed by preferential selection of the high-affinity variants in the light zone by T cells. The strength of the T cell–derived selection signals is proportional to the B cell receptor affinity and to the magnitude of subsequent
Myc
expression. However, because the lifetime of
Myc
mRNA and its corresponding protein is very short, it remains unclear how T cells induce sustained
Myc
levels in positively selected B cells. Here, by direct visualization of mRNA and active transcription sites in situ, we found that an increase in transcriptional bursts promotes
Myc
expression during B cell positive selection in GCs. Elevated T cell help signals predominantly enhance the percentage of cells expressing
Myc
in GCs as opposed to augmenting the quantity of
Myc
transcripts per individual cell. Visualization of transcription start sites in situ revealed that T cell help promotes an increase in the frequency of transcriptional bursts at the
Myc
locus in GC B cells located primarily in the LZ apical rim. Thus, the rise in
Myc
, which governs positive selection of B cells in GCs, reflects an integration of transcriptional activity over time rather than an accumulation of transcripts at a specific time point.
Supplemental Material: Crustal structure of the Lazufre volcanic complex and the Southern Puna from 3-D inversion of magnetotelluric data: Im-plications for surface uplift and evidence for melt storage and hydrothermal fluids
Authors: Unsworth Martyn , al. et
Published: March 2024

Additional details of the magnetotelluric data and resulting 3-D resistivity models.
Supplemental Material: The power of modern 3-D visualization of high-resolution terrain models in geologic mapping: Complex fold geometries revealed by 3-D mapping in the Panamint metamorphic complex, eastern California, USA
Authors: Pavlis Terry , Serpa Laura F.
Published: March 2024

Item S1: GIS files used to construction Figure 4. Item S2: Three animation files showing the SM terrain models (Items S2a and S2b showing north and south canyon wall respectively) and animation of the interpretation (Item S2c) without the background model. Item S3: 3-D PDF files of the SM terrain models; north and south walls of the canyon are in separate files.  
Network analysis of suicide ideation and depression–anxiety symptoms among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Xu Shuyin , Ju Yumeng , Wei Xiyu , Ou Wenwen , Ma Mohan , Lv Guanyi , Zhao Xiaotian , Qin Yaqi , Li Yunjing , Li Liang , Huang Mei , Yang Siqi , Lu Yimei , Chen Yafei , Liu Junwu , Liu Jin , Liu Bangshan , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2024

Background

The co-occurrence of depression and anxiety among adolescents is typically associated with suicide ideation.

Aims

The study aimed to investigate the symptom-level relationship between suicide ideation and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety.

Methods

1501 adolescents aged 12–19 years were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and 716 adolescents who scored ≥5 on both scales were selected as participants. Network analysis was used to identify the network structure of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Participants were categorised into either the suicide ideation or non-suicide ideation groups based on their scoring on the suicide-related item in PHQ-9. A comparison was made between the depression–anxiety symptom networks of the two groups.

Results

‘Restlessness’, ‘sad mood’ and ‘trouble relaxing’ were the most prominent central symptoms in the depression–anxiety symptom network, and ‘restlessness’, ‘nervousness’ and ‘reduced movement’ were the bridge symptoms in this network. ‘Sad mood’ was found to be directly related to ‘suicide ideation’ with the highest variance. The network structure was significantly different in properties between the suicide ideation group and the non-suicide ideation group, with ‘restlessness’ and ‘sad mood’ exhibiting significantly higher influence in the network of the suicide ideation group than that in the non-suicide ideation group.

Conclusion

Restlessness and sad mood could be targeted for the intervention of depression–anxiety symptoms among adolescents with suicide ideation.
Recurrent intracerebral haemorrhages as main manifestations in cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation
Authors: Su Ya , Dong Yi , Cheng Xin
Published: March 2024

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) is a relatively rare and treatable subtype of CAA. We have herein reported a case of CAA-ri with repeated recurrent lobar haemorrhages within a short time as the main manifestations and effectively treated with immunosuppressive therapy. Our case expanded the clinical spectrum of CAA-ri and indicated that leptomeningeal inflammation might be a trigger and bleeding source for recurrent haemorrhage in CAA.
Cardiac mitochondrial metabolism during pregnancy and the postpartum period
Authors: Schulman-Geltzer Emily B. , Fulghum Kyle L. , Singhal Richa A. , Hill Bradford G. , Collins Helen E.
Published: March 2024

Few studies have detailed the physiological adaptations that occur in the maternal heart. We and others have shown that pregnancy-induced cardiac growth is associated with significant changes in cardiac metabolism. Here, we examined mitochondrial respiration and substrate preference in isolated mitochondria from the maternal heart. We show that following birth, cardiac mitochondria are “primed” to respire on carbohydrate, amino acid, and ketone bodies. However, heightened respiratory efficiency is observed only with carbohydrate and amino acid sources. These results suggest that significant changes in mitochondrial respiration occur in the maternal heart in the postpartum period.
Design and Performance Analysis of a Mecanum-Built Perturbation-Based Balance Training Device
Authors: Mathunny Jaison Jacob , S Hari Krishnan , Devaraj Ashokkumar , Karthik Varshini
Published: March 2024

This study proposes a mecanum-built perturbation-based balance training device aimed at improving motor adaptive skills for fall prevention in individuals with neurological disorders or the elderly. Incorporating multidirectional fall simulations in line with modified constraint-induced movement therapy, the device’s efficacy was evaluated by measuring the distance traveled and peak acceleration under different static loads (20, 30, and 40 kg) and input accelerations (1, 2, and 3 m/s2). A pilot study with 10 subjects was conducted to assess device performance, utilizing repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni’s post hoc analysis. Results indicated a load-dependent reduction in distance traveled, with an average mean difference of 0.74–1.23 cm between the 20 and 40 kg loads for trials of 9 and 18 cm, respectively. Despite varying loads, the device consistently achieved near-anticipated peak accelerations, suggesting its capability to induce effective perturbations. The study also observed a significant lateral movement preference, suggesting adjustments to pulse width modulation and time period may optimize lateral movement performance.
Site-Species Allometry Equation for Theobroma cacao L. Biomass Estimation in Agroforestry Systems of Cameroon
Authors: Fomekong Tane Alex Bleriot , Momo Solefack Marie Caroline , Mendi Anjah Grace , Wouokoue Taffo Junior Baudoin , Kengne Olivier Clovis , Kenfack Feukeng Samuel Severin
Published: March 2024

The accuracy of biomass estimates through mathematical expressions remains essential for the sustainability of the REDD+ process. The objective of this research was to develop allometric models by site species to evaluate the biomass of Theobroma cacao in agroforestry systems in the Central Region of Cameroon. Biomass data were obtained by the destructive method on a sample of 50 trees (5 cm ≤ D ≤ 27 cm). Allometric models were developed using aboveground (AGB), belowground (BGB), and total biomass (TB) as dependent variables and tree dendrometric parameters as independent variables. Nine linear models were adjusted based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), residual standard error (RSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and various statistical tests including the normality test, heterogeneity, and autocorrelation for the analysis of residuals. The different results show that only the diameter appears to be a good predictor of biomass with an R2 greater than 0.94, 0.85, and 0.95, respectively, for aboveground biomass (M1: ln B = −1.613 + 1.83 × ln (D)), belowground biomass (M1: ln B = −2.611 + 1.65 × ln (D)), and total biomass (M1: ln B = −1.297 + 1.79 × ln (D)). Incorporating crown diameter and height into the models slightly improved the quality of adjusted. Comparison of the models in this study with pantropical equations previously used to estimate Theobroma cacao biomass shows that the models in this study provide a better estimate. The allometric equations developed in this work to estimate the AGB, BGB, and TB of Theobroma cacao can be used under the same environmental conditions to accurately predict the biomass accumulated in agroforestry systems by this species and thus allow the implementation of activities aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) for the benefit of local communities through the carbon market.
Randomized Phase II Study Evaluating the Addition of Pembrolizumab to Radium-223 in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Choudhury Atish D. , Kwak Lucia , Cheung Alexander , Allaire Kathryn M. , Marquez Jaqueline , Yang David D. , Tripathi Abhishek , Kilar Jacqueline M. , Flynn Meredith , Maynard Brianna , Reichel Rebecca , Pace Amanda F. , Chen Brandon K. , Van Allen Eliezer M. , Kilbridge Kerry , Wei Xiao X. , McGregor Bradley A. , Pomerantz Mark M. , Bhatt Rupal S. , Sweeney Christopher J. , Bubley Glenn J. , Jacene Heather A. , Taplin Mary-Ellen , Huang Franklin W. , Harshman Lauren C. , Fong Lawrence
Published: March 2024

The checkpoint immunotherapeutic pembrolizumab induces responses in a small minority of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Radium-223 (R223) may increase immunogenicity of bone metastases and increase pembrolizumab (P) activity. In a randomized phase II study, we assessed the effect of R223+P compared with R223 on tumor immune infiltration, safety, and clinical outcomes in patients with mCRPC. The primary endpoint was differences in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltrate in 8-week versus baseline bone metastasis biopsies; secondary endpoints were safety, radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and overall survival (OS). Of the 42 treated patients (29 R223+P, 13 R223), 18 R223+P and 8 R223 patients had evaluable paired tumor biopsies. Median fold-change of CD4+ T cells was −0.7 (range: −9.3 to 4.7) with R223+P and 0.1 (−11.1 to 3.7) with R223 (P = 0.66); for CD8+ T cells, median fold-change was −0.6 (−7.4 to 5.3) with R223+P and −1.3 (−3.1 to 4.8) with R223 (P = 0.66). Median rPFS and OS was 6.1 (95% confidence interval: 2.7–11.0) and 16.9 months [12.7–not reached (NR)], respectively, with R223+P and 5.7 (2.6–NR) and 16.0 (9.0–NR), respectively, with R223. Although R223+P was well tolerated with no unexpected toxicity, the combination did not improve efficacy. High-dimensional flow cytometry demonstrated minimal immune modulation with R223, whereas R223+P induced CTLA-4 expression on circulating CD4+ T cells. Clinical responders possessed lower circulating frequencies of Ki67+ T and myeloid cells at baseline and higher circulating frequencies of TIM-3+ T and myeloid cells by week 9. Although R223+P did not induce T-cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment, exhaustion of induced peripheral T-cell immune responses may dampen the combination's clinical activity.
Recalled age of myopia onset may predict risk of high adult myopia in Chinese adults
Authors: Mao Chunjie , Zhang Xiaodan , Liao Mengyu , Zhou Fengqi , Zhu Xinlei , Wang Tian , Xie Ruotian , Zhang Haokun , Yang Tiantian , He Kai , Guo Miao , Zhu Yanfang , Lei Yi , Li Yiming , Yao Ling , Cui Bohao , Miao Yuyang , Han Han , Zhao Xiao , Song Yinting , Sun Zhiyong , Yu Jinguo , Zhou Wei , Zhu Yun , Yan Hua
Published: March 2024

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age of myopia onset and high myopia and to explore if age of onset mediated the associations of high myopia with parental myopia and time spent on electronics.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 1118 myopic patients aged 18 to 40. Information was obtained via a detailed questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression models were utilized to assess age of onset in relation to high myopia and spherical equivalent refractive error, respectively. Structural equation models examined the mediated effect of onset age on the association between parental myopia, time spent on electronics and high myopia.
Results: An early age at myopia onset was negatively correlated with spherical equivalent refractive power. Subjects who developed myopia before the age of 12 were more likely to suffer from high myopia than those who developed myopia after the age of 15. Age of myopia onset was the strongest predictor of high myopia, with an area under the curve (AUC) in Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis of 0.80. Additionally, age of myopia onset served as a mediator in the relationships between parental myopia, electronic device usage duration, and the onset of high myopia in adulthood.
Conclusions: Age of myopia onset might be the single best predictor for high myopia, and age at onset appeared to mediate the associations of high myopia with parental myopia and time spent on electronics.
Análise temporal e fatores contextuais associados ao HIV/aids no Brasil entre 2000 e 2019
Authors: Souza Denise Eliziana de , Carmo Cleber Nascimento do , Welch James R.
Published: March 2024

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil da epidemia de HIV/aids no Brasil e nas unidades da federação de acordo com o sexo, identificar os fatores contextuais associados e acompanhar mudanças no padrão epidemiológico entre 2000 e 2019. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico utilizando dados epidemiológicos do Datasus, e populacionais do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Inicialmente foram realizadas análises de séries temporais das taxas de incidência por sexo e de tendências por regressões joinpoint, com obtenção da média da variação percentual das taxas (average annual percent change – AAPC). Posteriormente procedeu-se a uma análise, para ambos os sexos, da associação da AAPC com os indicadores contextuais Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDH-M), Índice de Gini, Índice de Vulnerabilidade Social, taxa de analfabetismo, proporção de diagnóstico tardio e proporção de distribuição de testes. RESULTADOS: Observa-se tendência linear de redução nas taxas de incidência para o sexo masculino (AAPC = -0,6; IC95% -1,1 a 0,0). Para o sexo feminino, houve aumento nas taxas entre 2000 e 2009 e declínio entre 2010 e 2019, com uma tendência de incremento no período completo (AAPC = 1,4; IC95% 0,8 a 1,9). As análises por razão entre os sexos indicaram tendência de declínio (AAPC = -1,8; IC95% -2,3 a -1,3), apontando redução nas taxas para o sexo masculino em relação ao sexo feminino. Verificou-se associação inversa dos indicadores com a AAPC para ambos os sexos, sendo IDH-M a variável com associação mais pronunciada, evidenciando que maiores índices de desenvolvimento humano estão associados a menores variações nas taxas de HIV/aids. CONCLUSÃO: Os casos se distribuem de formas distintas entre os sexos, com tendência de incremento na incidência em mulheres e possível associação com vulnerabilidades relacionadas ao gênero, sendo importante pensar em políticas públicas que considerem essas dimensões.
The Logic of Imitations
Authors: Marsh Loren D.
Published: March 2024

The meaning of the term mimesis when applied to artistic works in Aristotle’s Poetics is thought to be extrapolated from its dictionary definition of ‘imitation’. I argue that a key word in the single passage directly linking mimesis to imitation has been consistently misunderstood. A correct reading could indicate mimesis has a different definition in this particular text only indirectly related to its colloquial use. I conclude that mimesis in the Poetics may be a narrower technical term that refers to a particular kind of organization or arrangement of individual imitations within an artistic work.