bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Feedback-Regulation System Through Atomic Design for Highly Active SO2 Sensing
Authors: Jia Xin , Qiao Panzhe , Wang Xiaowu , Yan Muyu , Chen Yang , An Bao-Li , Hu Pengfei , Lu Bo , Xu Jing , Xue Zhenggang , Xu Jiaqiang
Published: February 2024

Reasonably constructing an atomic interface is pronouncedly essential for surface-related gas-sensing reaction. Herein, we present an ingenious feedback-regulation system by changing the interactional mode between single Pt atoms and adjacent S species for high-efficiency SO2 sensing. We found that the single Pt sites on the MoS2 surface can induce easier volatilization of adjacent S species to activate the whole inert S plane. Reversely, the activated S species can provide a feedback role in tailoring the antibonding-orbital electronic occupancy state of Pt atoms, thus creating a combined system involving S vacancy-assisted single Pt sites (Pt-Vs) to synergistically improve the adsorption ability of SO2 gas molecules. Furthermore, in situ Raman, ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy testing and density functional theory analysis demonstrate the intact feedback-regulation system can expand the electron transfer path from single Pt sites to whole Pt-MoS2 supports in SO2 gas atmosphere. Equipped with wireless-sensing modules, the final Pt1-MoS2-def sensors array can further realize real-time monitoring of SO2 levels and cloud-data storage for plant growth. Such a fundamental understanding of the intrinsic link between atomic interface and sensing mechanism is thus expected to broaden the rational design of highly effective gas sensors.
German and European Ground Motion Service: a Comparison
Authors: Even Markus , Westerhaus Malte , Kutterer Hansjörg
Published: February 2024

Since the end of 2022, two ground motion services that cover the complete area of Germany are available as web services: the German Ground Motion Service (Bodenbewegungsdienst Deutschland, BBD) provided by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), and the first release of the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) as part of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service. Both services are based on InSAR displacement estimations generated from Sentinel‑1 data. It would seem relevant to compare the products of the two services against one another, assess the data coverage they provide, and investigate how well they perform compared to other geodetic techniques. For a study commissioned by the surveying authority of the state of Baden-Württemberg (Landesamt für Geoinformation und Landentwicklung Baden-Württemberg, LGL), BBD and EGMS data from different locations in Baden-Württemberg, Saarland, and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) were investigated and validated against levelling and GNSS data. We found that both services provide good data quality. BBD shows slightly better calibration precision than EGMS. The coverage provided by EGMS is better than that of BBD on motorways, federal roads, and train tracks of the Deutsche Bahn. As an example, where both services have difficulties in determining the correct displacements, as they cannot be described well by the displacement models used for processing, we present the test case of the cavern field at Epe (NRW). Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for the use of the products of BBD and EGMS for monitoring tasks.
Curriculum wars and youth political education in the UK and Australia—a narrative review
Authors: Hussain Saba , Knijnik Jorge , Balram Rohini
Published: February 2024

This paper discusses the questions at the heart of the tussle between different types of knowledge within curricula that we conceptualise as ‘curriculum wars’. Across the world, we see increasing instances of young people’s radicalization around axes of race, religion, and gender. Viewing these developments side by side throws into question the various local, national, and global issues shaping young people’s political education and action in liberal democracies experiencing ongoing shift away from liberal values. Through a comprehensive narrative review, we provide an overview of key themes that have been explored in recent research on curriculum, youth political education, and democracy in England and Australia. We find that young peoples’ shift away from traditional electoral (big ‘P’) politics focussed on wider socio-economic issues to an individualised (small ‘p’) politics focussed on personal experiences poses serious curricular challenges—around content and modes of political education. Young peoples’ unparalleled access to online information and digital affordances creates further need to include digital and media education within the political education curriculum. This educational challenge could prospectively be met by a curriculum that is collaborative, action-research and activist based. Such a curriculum addresses issues relevant to young people’s lived realities including topics deemed ‘controversial’ for classrooms. Such an approach requires a perspectival shift away from youth as subjects of curricular reform to youth as collaborators and knowledge workers. We argue that critical literacy offers a practical and theoretical scaffold to conceptualise transformative and progressive youth political education and political action by emphasizing the need for socially justice focussed spaces for learning, reflection and action within schools and in communities.
Citizenship education to promote the participation of young people in climate adaptation: crossing curricular boundaries through community profiling
Authors: Pinheiro Sara , Torres Ana Cristina , Pereira Bruna , Malafaia Carla , Menezes Isabel
Published: February 2024

The article discusses climate community profiling in citizenship education to promote young people’s civic and political participation in local climate adaptation issues, based on educational projects conducted in 8 schools in 8 regions in North Portugal. These community profiling school projects involved 24 teachers and 483 students (from grades 8 to 12) from January 2022 to June 2023. After describing the curricular context of citizenship education in Portugal and the recent reform emphasising curriculum flexibility, the paper examines the theoretical foundations and implementation of school-based climate community profiling. Previous research shows that this pedagogical strategy is valuable in promoting young people’s civic and political participation and creating interdisciplinary curriculum spaces. Furthermore, community profiling fosters students’ engagement in researching their community in collaboration with other community actors. This paper explores the potential of this strategy in citizenship education, both in terms of students’ civic development and the potential to promote innovative and cross-curricular teaching practices based on teaching materials and semi-directed interviews with teachers. The findings show that the construction of climate community profiles can contribute to changes in teaching practices and the construction of a sustainable interdisciplinary curriculum concerned with education for citizenship.
Enhancing 3D Reconstruction Accuracy of FIB Tomography Data Using Multi-voltage Images and Multimodal Machine Learning
Authors: Sardhara Trushal , Shkurmanov Alexander , Li Yong , Riedel Lukas , Shi Shan , Cyron Christian J. , Aydin Roland C. , Ritter Martin
Published: February 2024

FIB-SEM tomography is a powerful technique that integrates a focused ion beam (FIB) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to capture high-resolution imaging data of nanostructures. This approach involves collecting in-plane SEM images and using FIB to remove material layers for imaging subsequent planes, thereby producing image stacks. However, these image stacks in FIB-SEM tomography are subject to the shine-through effect, which makes structures visible from the posterior regions of the current plane. This artifact introduces an ambiguity between image intensity and structures in the current plane, making conventional segmentation methods such as thresholding or the k-means algorithm insufficient. In this study, we propose a multimodal machine learning approach that combines intensity information obtained at different electron beam accelerating voltages to improve the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of nanostructures. By treating the increased shine-through effect at higher accelerating voltages as a form of additional information, the proposed method significantly improves segmentation accuracy and leads to more precise 3D reconstructions for real FIB tomography data.
Using word embeddings for immigrant and refugee stereotype quantification in a diachronic and multilingual setting
Authors: Sorato Danielly , Lundsteen Martin , Ventura Carme Colominas , Zavala-Rojas Diana
Published: February 2024

Word embeddings are efficient machine-learning-based representations of human language used in many Natural Language Processing tasks nowadays. Due to their ability to learn underlying word association patterns present in large volumes of data, it is possible to observe various sociolinguistic phenomena in the embedding semantic space, such as social stereotypes. The use of stereotypical framing in discourse can be detrimental and induce misconceptions about certain groups, such as immigrants and refugees, especially when used by media and politicians in public discourse. In this paper, we use word embeddings to investigate immigrant and refugee stereotypes in a multilingual and diachronic setting. We analyze the Danish, Dutch, English, and Spanish portions of four different multilingual corpora of political discourse, covering the 1997–2018 period. Then, we measure the effect of sociopolitical variables such as the number of offences committed and the size of the refugee and immigrant groups in the host country over our measurements of stereotypical association using the Bayesian multilevel framework. Our results indicate the presence of stereotypical associations towards both immigrants and refugees for all 4 languages, and that the immigrants are overall more strongly associated with the stereotypical frames than refugees.
Reframing Relational Space. Migration from the Perspective of Those ‘Who Stay’
Authors: Barros Carlos , Hanenberg Peter , Santos Ana Sofia
Published: February 2024

Migratory research projects are increasingly concerned with bringing together those ‘who go’ and those ‘who stay’, considering the impact of living in transnational family relationships. The perception and use of space have moved between digital and face-to-face spaces in the management of these dynamics. Considering that Portugal has both a high rate of ageing and a high number of young adult emigrants, it is important to explore how parental figures in Portugal and young adult children abroad re-signify their presence. In this paper, we intend to reflect on how parental figures in Portugal use digital and face-to-face presence to connect with their emigrated children and how that might re-signify the space with the community where they live. Using a post-positivist paradigm and semi-structured interviews, we developed a qualitative study with parental figures living in Portugal and their adult children living abroad (N = 20, age M = 60, 83; DP = 9, 15). We analysed the data using the software N-Vivo (ed. 14). The general results point to the inclusion of digital space as a dimension for the negotiation of space–time within family rituals. In this sense, digital platforms and devices gain importance in the maintenance of communication and the planning of routines or celebrations. The dynamics of these family groups are influenced by the perception of social values and norms. The presence established between the digital and the physical seems to be important in (a) decreasing the impact of isolation and increasing participants’ sense of belonging, (b) promoting cross-cultural values, and (c) encouraging participants to use digital tools to connect with other groups in their communities.
Ultra-efficient MCF-7 cell ablation and chemotherapy-integrated electrothermal therapy with DOX–WS2–PEG–M13 nanostructures
Authors: Mozar Fitya S. , Meivita Maria P. , Go Shao-Xiang , Li Lunna , Bajalovic Natasa , Loke Desmond K.
Published: February 2024

Clinical trials have generated encouraging outcomes for the utility of thermal agents (TAs) in cancer thermal therapy (TT). Although the fast breakdown of TAs alleviates safety concerns, it restricts the thermal stability necessary for effective treatment. TAs with excellent thermal stability, on the other hand, deteriorate slowly. Rare are the approaches that address the trade-off between high thermal stability and quick deterioration of TAs. Here we control the thermal signature of WS2-type 2D materials by utilizing previously undescribed DOX–WS2–PEG–M13 nanostructures (we term them D nanostructures) through Joule heating phenomena, and develop an integrated system for TT for enhancing thermal performance, and simultaneously, maintaining rapid degradation, and chemotherapy for efficacious treatment. A relative cell viability of ~ 50% was achieved by the D-based TT (DTT) configuration, as well as a 1 nM drug concentration. The D-driven chemotherapy (DCT) model also attains a relative cell viability of 80% for 1 nM drug concentration, while a 1-week degradation time was revealed by the D nanostructure. Theoretical studies elucidate the drug molecule–nanostructure and drug-on-nanostructure–solution interaction-facilitated enhancement in drug loading and drug release performance in DCT varieties. As a result, this work not only proposes a “ideal TA” that circumvents TA restrictions, but also enables proof-of-concept application of WS2-based materials in chemotherapy-unified combination cancer therapy.

Graphical Abstract
The lineage of positive psychology and cognitive behavioral modalities: How Stoicism inspired modern psychotherapy
Authors: Dickinson Samuel
Published: February 2024

The self-help movement has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry in the 21st Century, as bookstores are continually replenished with manuals advertising previously undiscovered secrets of achieving happiness. These publications, however, along with newly refined versions of psychotherapeutic methodologies promising groundbreaking clinical impact, are often simply repackaging wisdom found in the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism; sometimes acknowledged, but more often not. Stoics were the first psychotherapists, and advocated for the reduction of suffering (today successfully done with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy) and the promotion of Eudaimonia (a rare point of emphasis in modern treatment plans, though Positive Psychology has begun to successfully change this). Psychotherapeutic practice is caught in a loop of rediscovering truths that have been known for millennia, perpetuating a cycle of stagnation in the field of mental health that masquerades as innovation. The present article is a call to disrupt this cycle, and instead reconnect with Stoicism’s ancient guidance on how to flourish and live excellently, rather than continue to resell its wisdom using other names.
Who misreports on internet health surveys, and do images of watching eyes discourage misreporting? An online experiment from China
Authors: Guo Tianyu , Cao Chuqing , Wang Jing , Hu Xinwen , Chen Ying , Pan Stephen W.
Published: February 2024

Background

Few studies in China have examined correlates of internet health survey misreporting or the effect of interventions to mitigate misreporting. We conducted an experiment to: (1) identify correlates of survey misreporting, and (2) assess the impact of “watching eyes” images on survey misreporting. Exposure to watching eyes has been shown to discourage socially deviant behavior.

Methods

In 2022, a contract survey company recruited 1655 online survey respondents who were ≥ 18 years old and living in China. Participants were randomized to one of four arms. Participants randomized to arms 1 and 3 were asked to report their blood type. Participants randomized to arms 2 and 4 were also asked to report their blood type, but were additionally told they could end the survey early if they reported AB blood type. Participants randomized to arm 3 or 4 (but not arms 1 or 2) were shown an image of watching eyes before being asked to report their blood type.

Results

Among participants with lower educational attainment, the probability of reporting AB blood type was higher if incentivized to report AB blood (19.05% vs 9.26%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.189). Among participants incentivized to report AB blood type, the probability of reporting AB blood type was significantly greater among individuals shown watching eyes (19.93% vs 11.56%, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Internet health surveys in China must begin assessing and mitigating participant misreporting. Larger studies are needed to elucidate potential mechanisms of association between socioeconomic status, participation incentives, and internet survey misreporting. Exposure to watching eyes may decrease participatory engagement and cooperation.
Soil heavy metal pollution and ecological risk assessment in disturbed and undisturbed soil of Morigaon, Assam
Authors: Gogoi Navamallika , Sarma Arunima , Choudhury Moharana , Samanta Palas , Faizan Mohammed , Sadhak Sabreen
Published: February 2024

The presence of heavy metals in agricultural soils has become a critical concern in the face of increased environmental scrutiny, highlighting the relationship between human and natural impacts on our land. This study focused on examining heavy metal contamination levels including Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni) and Manganese (Mn) conducting an ecological risk assessment in the Morigaon district's paddy fields, which are characterized by disturbed soils. Undisturbed playground soils of the Morigaon district were taken as control. Based on the averages of all locations and the corresponding contamination factor (Cf) for paddy field, it was found that the soil's Cr (0.56 to 0.84), Fe (0.11 to 0.13), Mn (0.38 to 0.78), and Zn (0.35 to 0.65) contamination is low, with Cf < 1 for all seasons. Observed levels of Cu, Ni, and Pb showed moderate contamination throughout seasons, with contamination factors (Cf) ranging from 1 to 3. Meanwhile, Co exhibited a greater amount of contamination in the disturbed soil, with Cf ranging from 3 to 6, indicating significant contamination. Higher degree of contamination (CD) of the sampling sites (10.71 to 14.72) might have been due to metal contamination, especially Co, Ni and Pb. Undisturbed soil showed a comparatively lesser degree of contamination because of an absence of physical or chemical disturbances. In particular, Ni contents of disturbed and undisturbed sites were excessively higher than the worldwide average. Significant variations from global averages were particularly noted for Co and Pb. Conversely, Cr, Mn, and Zn demonstrated minimal variations when compared to these averages. Additionally, metrics such as Enrichment Factors (EF), Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) and Ecological Risk Index (Er) were elevated in the disturbed soils relative to their undisturbed counterparts. The findings indicated that anthropogenic activities have significantly negatively influenced the Morigaon district paddy field's soil quality and agriculture.
Development of a CRISPR-Cas12a based assay for the detection of swine enteric coronaviruses in pig herds in China
Authors: Xia Yongbo , Li Yue , He Yihong , Wang Xiaowei , Qiu Wenjing , Diao Xiaoyuan , Li Yunfei , Gao Junfeng , Shen Hanqin , Xue Chunyi , Cao Yongchang , Li Peng , Xu Zhichao
Published: February 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) and Swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV) rank among the most frequently encountered swine enteric coronaviruses (SECoVs), leading to substantial economic losses to the swine industry. The availability of a rapid and highly sensitive detection method proves beneficial for the monitoring and surveillance of SECoVs. Based on the N genes of four distinct SECoVs, a novel detection method was developed in this study by combining recombinant enzyme polymerase isothermal amplification (RPA) with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins (Cas) 12a. Results showed that the cut-off value of CRISPR-Cas12a assay for SADS-CoV, PEDV, PDCoV and TGEV was 2.19 × 104 Relative Fluorescence Units (RFU), 1.57 × 104 RFU, 3.07 × 104 RFU and 1.64 × 104 RFU, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) of within and between runs by CRISPR-Cas12a assay for 6 clinical diarrhea samples were both less than 10%. The CRISPR-Cas12a assay demonstrated high specificity for TGEV, PEDV, PDCoV, and SADS-CoV with no cross-reactivity to other common swine viruses. This method also exhibited a low limit of detection of 2 copies for each virus. Additionally, the results demonstrated a perfect agreement (100%) between the CRISPR-Cas12a assay and the RT-qPCR assay. Finally, a total of 494 pig samples from the field tested by CRISPR-Cas12a assay showed that positive rate for SADS-CoV, TGEV, PDCoV and PEDV was 0, 0, 1.2% and 48.6%, respectively. The results suggested the great potential of CRISPR-Cas12a assay to detect SECoVs in the field.
Litigating Judicial Selection
Authors: Kritzer Herbert M.
Published: February 2024

In the United States and elsewhere, the questions of who should serve as a judge and how these judges should be chosen are increasingly contested. In Litigating Judicial Selection, Herbert Kritzer examines these questions with a comprehensive analysis of judicial-selection litigation over time and place. With a data set of over 2,000 cases from around the world, Kritzer offers new insight into the judicial selection by way of in-depth statistical analysis and an extensive narrative description of several important case studies. This book should be read by anyone seeking insight into the way judges are selected in the twenty-first century.
Measuring perceived fitness interdependence between humans and non-humans
Authors: Lee Katie , Hare Darragh , Blossey Bernd
Published: February 2024

Conservation ethics (i.e. moral concern for non-human organisms) are widespread, but we lack a comprehensive explanation for why people care about other species at all, and why they express strong moral concern for some species but not others. Recent theory suggests that conservation ethics might be rooted in cooperation between humans and members of other species. Building on central predictions of this eco-evolutionary theory, we conducted an online study (N = 651) and exploratory factor analysis to develop two scales that independently measure perceived fitness interdependence (PFI) and conservation ethics. The PFI scale measures perceived shared fate as a proximate indicator of human fitness interdependence with non-human organisms (i.e. the degree to which humans and other organisms influence each other's evolutionary success, that is, survival and reproduction). We designed the conservation ethics scale to measure moral beliefs and attitudes regarding those organisms. Both scales are composed of two factors and demonstrate good internal reliability. By combining insights from various branches of the evolutionary human sciences, including evolutionary anthropology, evolutionary psychology and human behavioural ecology, we offer empirical tools to investigate eco-evolutionary foundations of conservation ethics and behaviour.
COUNTING GEOMETRIC BRANCHES VIA THE FROBENIUS MAP AND F-NILPOTENT SINGULARITIES
Authors: DAO HAILONG , MADDOX KYLE , PANDEY VAIBHAV
Published: February 2024

We give an explicit formula to count the number of geometric branches of a curve in positive characteristic using the theory of tight closure. This formula readily shows that the property of having a single geometric branch characterizes F-nilpotent curves. Further, we show that a reduced, local F-nilpotent ring has a single geometric branch; in particular, it is a domain. Finally, we study inequalities of Frobenius test exponents along purely inseparable ring extensions with applications to F-nilpotent affine semigroup rings.
Early accretion onset in long-period isolated pulsars
Authors: Afonina M.D. , Biryukov A.V. , Popov S.B.
Published: February 2024

We model long-term magneto-rotational evolution of isolated neutron stars (INSs) with long initial spin periods. This analysis is motivated by the recent discovery of young long-period neutron stars (NSs) observed as periodic radio sources: PSR J0901-4046, GLEAM-X J1627-52, and GPM J1839-10. Our calculations demonstrate that for realistically rapid spin-down during the propeller stage INSs with velocities

${\lesssim}100$

km s

$^{-1}$

and assumed long initial spin periods can reach the stage of accretion from the interstellar medium within at most a few billion years as they are born already at the propeller stage or sufficiently close to the critical period of the ejector-propeller transition. If NSs with long initial spin periods form a relatively large fraction of all Galactic NSs then the number of isolated accretors is substantially larger than it has been predicted by previous studies.
POSIDONIUS ON VIRTUE AND THE GOOD
Authors: Gotz Severin
Published: February 2024

This paper argues that despite recent tendencies to minimize the differences between Posidonius and the Early Stoics, there are some important aspects of Stoic ethics in which Posidonius deviated from the orthodox doctrine. According to two passages in Diogenes Laertius, Posidonius counted health and wealth among the goods and held that virtue alone is insufficient for happiness. While Kidd in his commentary dismissed this report as spurious, there are good reasons to take Diogenes’ remarks seriously. Through a careful analysis of the sources, in particular of Galen's De placitis Hippocratis et Platonis, this article offers a new interpretation of Posidonius’ ethics. It sheds light on Posidonius’ theory of virtues and shows that Posidonius must have granted a special status to things like health and wealth even if he did not regard them as genuine goods.
Impact of parity number, milk production and somatic cell count on the reproduction of Holstein cows
Authors: Barbosa Bianca Letícia , Pedrosa Victor Breno , da Silva Leal Karolewski Luciana , de Godoi Caio César , de Souza Martins Adriana
Published: February 2024

This research communication describes the reproductive and productive parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) of primiparous and multiparous cows from specialized dairy Holstein herds in South region of Brazil, and correlates these parameters using test-day records. A total of 24 011 records of animals from 75 producers obtained between 2017 and 2018 were used. The variables analyzed included milk production, SCC, milk fat, protein and urea nitrogen contents and reproductive characteristics (number of services per conception, service period and percentage of pregnant cows). Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression and the statistical differentiation between the classes of SCC and milk production. Milk production, SCC, number of services per conception and service period were all higher in multiparous cows. The percentage of pregnant cows was higher when the SCC was less than 200 000 cells/ml and was higher in primiparous cows. There was no adverse effect of milk production on reproductive parameters in high producing cows (>40 kg milk/d), however, the percentage of pregnant cows with this production level was significantly higher in multiparous cows. In conclusion, the milk production level need not affect the reproduction of specialized dairy cows if the animals are kept under adequate environmental conditions.
Concomitant use of hydroxyzine and haloperidol did not worsen delirium in patients with cancer: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study
Authors: Hirayama Takatoshi , Igarashi Emi , Wada Saho , Sadahiro Ryoichi , Oshikiri Hanae , Suzuka Masato , Sato Yuji , Utsumi Yusuke , Sakuma Atsushi , Nakahara Rika , Imai Toru , Tomita Hiroaki , Matsuoka Hiromichi
Published: February 2024

Objectives

There is concern that hydroxyzine exacerbates delirium, but a recent preliminary study suggested that the combination of haloperidol and hydroxyzine was effective against delirium. This study examined whether the concomitant use of hydroxyzine and haloperidol worsened delirium in patients with cancer.

Methods

This retrospective, observational study was conducted at 2 general hospitals in Japan. The medical records of patients with cancer who received haloperidol for delirium from July to December 2020 were reviewed. The treatments for delirium included haloperidol alone or haloperidol combined with hydroxyzine. The primary outcome was the duration from the first day of haloperidol administration to the resolution of delirium, defined as its absence for 2 consecutive days. The time to delirium resolution was analyzed to compare the haloperidol group and hydroxyzine combination group using the log-rank test with the Kaplan–Meier method. Secondary outcomes were (1) the total dose of antipsychotic medications, including those other than haloperidol (measured in chlorpromazine-equivalent doses), and (2) the frequencies of detrimental incidents during delirium, specifically falls and self-removal of drip infusion lines. The unpaired t-test and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze secondary outcomes.

Results

Of 497 patients who received haloperidol, 118 (23.7%) also received hydroxyzine. No significant difference in time to delirium resolution was found between the haloperidol group and the hydroxyzine combination group (log-rank test, P = 0.631). No significant difference between groups was found in either chlorpromazine-equivalent doses or the frequency of detrimental incidents.

Significance of results

This study showed that the concomitant use of hydroxyzine and haloperidol did not worsen delirium in patients with cancer.
Considering Uncertainty of Historical Ice Jam Flood Records in a Bayesian Frequency Analysis for the Peace‐Athabasca Delta
Authors: Smith Jared D. , Lamontagne Jonathan R. , Jasek Martin
Published: February 2024

The Peace‐Athabasca Delta in Alberta, Canada has numerous perched basins that are primarily recharged after large ice jams cause floods (an ecological benefit). Previous studies have estimated that such large floods are likely to decrease in frequency under various climate projections. However, there is a sizable uncertainty range in these predicted flood probabilities, in part due to the short 60‐year systematic record that contained few large ice jam floods. An additional 50 years of historical data are available from various sources, with expert‐interpreted flood categories; however, these categorizations are uncertain in magnitude and occurrence. We developed a Bayesian framework that considers magnitude and occurrence uncertainties within a logistic regression model that predicts the annual probability of a large flood. The Bayesian regression estimates the joint distribution of parameters describing the effects of climatic factors and parameters that describe the probability that historical flood magnitudes were recorded as large (or not) when a truly large (or not) flood occurred. We compare four models for hindcasting and projecting large ice jam flood probabilities in future climates. The models consider: (a) historical data uncertainty, (b) no historical data uncertainty, (c) only the systematic record, and (d) the systematic record with a different model. Neglecting historical data uncertainty provides inaccurate estimates, while using only the systematic record provides wider prediction intervals than considering the full record with uncertain historical data. Thus, we demonstrate that including uncertain historical information can effectively extend the record length and make flood frequency analyses more accurate and precise.
Complex Whistler‐Mode Wave Features Created by a High Density Plasma Duct in the Magnetosphere
Authors: Harid Vijay , Agapitov Oleksiy , Khatun‐E‐Zannat Raahima , Gołkowski Mark , Hosseini Poorya
Published: February 2024

A Van Allen Probes observation of a high‐density duct alongside whistler‐mode wave activity shows several distinctive characteristics: (a)—within the duct, the wave normal angles (WNA) are close to zero and the waves have relatively large amplitudes, this is expected from the classic conceptualization of ducts. (b)—at L‐shells higher than the duct's location a large “shadow” is present over an extended region that is larger than the duct itself, and (c)—the WNA on the earthward edge of the duct is considerably higher than expected. Using ray‐tracing simulations it is shown that rays fall into three categories: (a) ducted (trapped and amplified), (b) reflected (scattered to resonance cone and damped), and (c) free (non‐ducted). The combined macroscopic effect of all these ray trajectories reproduce the aforementioned features in the spacecraft observation.
Properties of Mars' Dayside Low‐Altitude Induced Magnetic Field and Comparisons With Venus
Authors: Byrd Susanne , Girazian Zachary , Ruhunusiri Suranga
Published: February 2024

Mars and Venus have atmospheres but lack intrinsic dipole magnetic fields. Consequently, the solar wind interaction at each planet results in the formation of an induced magnetosphere. Our work aims to compare the low‐altitude (< 250 km) component of the induced magnetic field at Venus and Mars using observations from Pioneer Venus Orbiter and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN. We restrict the in‐situ data from Mars to regions of weak crustal magnetism. At Venus, it has long been known the vertical structure of the induced magnetic field profiles have recurring features that enable them to be classified as either magnetized or unmagnetized. We find the induced field profiles at Mars are more varied, lack recurring features, and are unable to be classified in the same way. The solar zenith angle dependence of the low‐altitude field strength at both planets is controlled by the shape of the magnetic pileup boundary. Also, because the ionospheric thermal pressure at Venus is often comparable to the solar wind dynamic pressure, the induced fields are weaker than required to balance the solar wind by themselves. By contrast, induced fields at Mars are stronger than required to achieve pressure balance. Lastly, we find the induced fields in the magnetized ionosphere of Venus have a weaker dependence on solar wind dynamic pressure than the induced fields at Mars. Our results point to planetary properties, such as planet‐Sun distance, having a major effect on the properties of induced fields at nonmagentized planets.
Trace and Rare Earth Element Fingerprints of Aerobic Oxidation of Methane in Seep‐Dwelling Bivalves
Authors: Sun Yuedong , Di Pengfei , Peckmann Jörn , Feng Junxi , Tao Chunhui , Yang Weifang , Chen Duofu , Li Niu
Published: February 2024

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria are pivotal in the global carbon cycle by converting methane into biomass and inorganic carbon species. Light rare earth elements (light‐REE; La, Ce) are part of the metalloenzymes mediating the biochemical processes in methanotrophs. However, the partitioning of trace metals and REE in chemosymbiotic megafauna with methanotrophic endosymbionts remains largely unknown. Here we determine stable isotope compositions (δ13C, δ15N) of soft tissues (gill, mantle, foot) as well as trace metal and REE contents of soft tissues and shells of chemosymbiotic bivalves dwelling at methane seeps (Site F and Haima seeps) of the South China Sea. Isotopic compositions of soft tissues are found to reflect the mode of chemosymbiosis (i.e., methanotrophy vs. thiotrophy). Particularly gill tissues of bivalves with methanotrophic endosymbionts display marked light‐REE and trace metal enrichments, which is interpreted to reflect the enzymatic activity of endosymbionts. Additionally, correlations between light‐REE and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and molybdenum (Mo) contents in soft tissues of chemosymbiotic mussels are ascribed to the uptake of these elements by the methanotrophic symbionts. An observed higher trace metal content in the tissue of the semi‐infaunal and infaunal bivalves with thiotrophic endosymbionts is believed to reflect the uptake of metals associated with sulfide particles. This study documents diagnostic enrichment of trace metals and light‐REE in the soft tissues of bivalves with chemotrophic endosymbionts and provides new constraints for future identification of chemosymbiosis at ancient seeps.
Observational Evaluation of Estimated Air Exchange Flux Between Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Free Troposphere With WRF Model
Authors: Jin Xipeng , Cai Xuhui , Li Qianhui , Zhang Hongsheng , Song Yu , Wang Xuesong , Kang Ling , Zhu Tong
Published: February 2024

Vertical exchange between the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and free troposphere (FT) is a key link in coupling the earth's surface and upper atmosphere. This process is usually quantified by numerical simulations, while its reliability is not well assessed until now. Using space‐time intensified ABL observations, we evaluate the ABL‐FT air mass exchange flux derived from the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model. A six‐site sounding experiment is conducted in the North China Plain during the wintertime of 2019. The measured data is processed to provide enough information to derive the vertical exchange flux corresponding to the model‐based result, so that a systematic comparison is conducted. Three physical processes involved in ABL‐FT vertical exchange are quantitatively evaluated, that is, temporal variation of ABL height, advection across the inclined ABL top, and vertical motion at the ABL‐FT interface. Results show that the model‐based and observation‐based fluxes are generally agreed in temporal evolution (R = 0.67, p < 0.01), both characterized by 4–6 days periodicity and diurnal cycle. Their relative mean error was about 45% during the whole study period, mainly stemming from the vertical motion term and the advection crossing term. The model inaccuracy in representing these relevant processes at the ABL top is largely responsible for the discrepancy. Besides, the difference may also be attributed to the observational uncertainty (∼22%) that is caused by the measurement's difficulties in determining ABL spatial variation and acquiring vertical velocity. Through this study, the credibility and limitation of the WRF model in deriving ABL‐FT exchange flux are quantified.
Thermospheric Wind Response to March 2023 Storm: Largest Wind Ever Observed With a Fabry‐Perot Interferometer in Tromsø, Norway Since 2009
Authors: Oyama S. , Vanhamäki H. , Cai L. , Shinbori A. , Hosokawa K. , Sakanoi T. , Shiokawa K. , Aikio A. , Virtanen I. I. , Ogawa Y. , Miyoshi Y. , Kurita S. , Nishitani N.
Published: February 2024

Solar cycles 24–25 were quiet until a geomagnetic storm with a Sym‐H index of −170 nT occurred in late March 2023. On March 23–24, a Fabry‐Perot interferometer (FPI; 630 nm) in Tromsø, Norway, recorded the highest thermospheric wind speed of over 500 m/s since 2009. Comparisons with magnetometer readings in Scandinavia showed that a large amount of electromagnetic energy was transferred to the ionosphere‐thermosphere system. Total electron content maps suggested an enlarged auroral oval and revealed that the FPI observed winds near the polar cap instead of inside the oval for a long period during the storm main phase. The FPI wind had a strong equatorward component during the storm, likely because of the powerful anti‐sunward ionospheric plasma flow in the polar cap. The positive Y‐component of the IMF for 6 days before the storm caused a successive westward component of the FPI‐measured wind during the storm main phase. On March 24, the first day of the storm recovery phase, thermospheric wind disturbed and the ionospheric density decreased significantly at high latitudes. This density depression lasted for several days, and a large amount of electromagnetic energy during the storm modified the thermospheric dynamics and ionospheric plasma density.
Step Aside, Internal Tides: Supercomputer Modeling Improves Satellite Altimetry Precision
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: February 2024

New supercomputer models can provide valuable information about the ocean’s layers and movements, particularly slow moving features such as eddies and currents.
Opto-fluidically multiplexed assembly and micro-robotics
Authors: Erben Elena , Liao Weida , Minopoli Antonio , Maghelli Nicola , Lauga Eric , Kreysing Moritz
Published: February 2024

Techniques for high-definition micromanipulations, such as optical tweezers, hold substantial interest across a wide range of disciplines. However, their applicability remains constrained by material properties and laser exposure. And while microfluidic manipulations have been suggested as an alternative, their inherent capabilities are limited and further hindered by practical challenges of implementation and control. Here we show that the iterative application of laser-induced, localized flow fields can be used for the relative positioning of multiple micro-particles, irrespectively of their material properties. Compared to the standing theoretical proposal, our method keeps particles mobile, and we show that their precision manipulation is non-linearly accelerated via the multiplexing of temperature stimuli below the heat diffusion limit. The resulting flow fields are topologically rich and mathematically predictable. They represent unprecedented microfluidic control capabilities that are illustrated by the actuation of humanoid micro-robots with up to 30 degrees of freedom, whose motions are sufficiently well-defined to reliably communicate personal characteristics such as gender, happiness and nervousness. Our results constitute high-definition micro-fluidic manipulations with transformative potential for assembly, micro-manufacturing, the life sciences, robotics and opto-hydraulically actuated micro-factories.
IGF-1-mediated FOXC1 overexpression induces stem-like properties through upregulating CBX7 and IGF-1R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Hao , Li Zhao-Xing , Fang Kang , Zhao Zi-Ying , Sun Ming-Chuang , Feng An-Qi , Leng Zhu-Yun , Zhang Ze-Hua , Chu Yuan , Zhang Li , Chen Tao , Xu Mei-Dong
Published: February 2024

Substantial evidence attests to the pivotal role of cancer stem cells (CSC) in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance. A member of the forkhead box (FOX) family, FOXC1, assumes significance in embryonic development and organogenesis. Furthermore, FOXC1 functions as an overexpressed transcription factor in various tumors, fostering proliferation, enhancing migratory capabilities, and promoting drug resistance, while maintaining stem-cell-like properties. Despite these implications, scant attention has been devoted to its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Our investigation revealed a pronounced upregulation of FOXC1 expression in ESCC, correlating with a poor prognosis. The downregulation of FOXC1 demonstrated inhibitory effects on ESCC tumorigenesis, proliferation, and tolerance to chemotherapeutic agents, concurrently reducing the levels of stemness-related markers CD133 and CD44. Further studies validated that FOXC1 induces ESCC stemness by transactivating CBX7 and IGF-1R. Additionally, IGF-1 activated the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB and MEK/ERK/NF-κB pathways through its binding to IGF-1R, thereby augmenting FOXC1 expression. Conversely, suppressing FOXC1 impeded ESCC stemness induced by IGF-1. The presence of a positive feedback loop, denoted by IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R, suggests the potential of FOXC1 as a prognostic biomarker for ESCC. Taken together, targeting the IGF-1-FOXC1-IGF-1R axis emerges as a promising approach for anti-CSC therapy in ESCC.
Bicarbonate signalling via G protein-coupled receptor regulates ischaemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Jo-Watanabe Airi , Inaba Toshiki , Osada Takahiro , Hashimoto Ryota , Nishizawa Tomohiro , Okuno Toshiaki , Ihara Sayoko , Touhara Kazushige , Hattori Nobutaka , Oh-Hora Masatsugu , Nureki Osamu , Yokomizo Takehiko
Published: February 2024

Homoeostatic regulation of the acid–base balance is essential for cellular functional integrity. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism through which the acid–base balance regulates cellular responses. Here, we report that bicarbonate ions activate a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), i.e., GPR30, which leads to Gq-coupled calcium responses. Gpr30-Venus knock-in mice reveal predominant expression of GPR30 in brain mural cells. Primary culture and fresh isolation of brain mural cells demonstrate bicarbonate-induced, GPR30-dependent calcium responses. GPR30-deficient male mice are protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury by a rapid blood flow recovery. Collectively, we identify a bicarbonate-sensing GPCR in brain mural cells that regulates blood flow and ischemia–reperfusion injury. Our results provide a perspective on the modulation of GPR30 signalling in the development of innovative therapies for ischaemic stroke. Moreover, our findings provide perspectives on acid/base sensing GPCRs, concomitantly modulating cellular responses depending on fluctuating ion concentrations under the acid–base homoeostasis.
Latent ion tracks were finally observed in diamond
Authors: Amekura H. , Chettah A. , Narumi K. , Chiba A. , Hirano Y. , Yamada K. , Yamamoto S. , Leino A. A. , Djurabekova F. , Nordlund K. , Ishikawa N. , Okubo N. , Saitoh Y.
Published: February 2024

Injecting high-energy heavy ions in the electronic stopping regime into solids can create cylindrical damage zones called latent ion tracks. Although these tracks form in many materials, none have ever been observed in diamond, even when irradiated with high-energy GeV uranium ions. Here we report the first observation of ion track formation in diamond irradiated with 2–9 MeV C60 fullerene ions. Depending on the ion energy, the mean track length (diameter) changed from 17 (3.2) nm to 52 (7.1) nm. High resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) indicated the amorphization in the tracks, in which π-bonding signal from graphite was detected by the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Since the melting transition is not induced in diamond at atmospheric pressure, conventional inelastic thermal spike calculations cannot be applied. Two-temperature molecular dynamics simulations succeeded in the reproduction of both the track formation under MeV C60 irradiations and the no-track formation under GeV monoatomic ion irradiations.
Chorus wave power at the strong diffusion limit overcomes electron losses due to strong diffusion
Authors: Daggitt T. A. , Horne R. B. , Glauert S. A. , Del Zanna G. , Albert J. M.
Published: February 2024

Earth’s radiation belts consist of high-energy charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field. Strong pitch angle diffusion of electrons caused by wave-particle interaction in Earth’s radiation belts has primarily been considered as a loss process, as trapped electrons are rapidly diffused into the loss cone and lost to the atmosphere. However, the wave power necessary to produce strong diffusion should also produce rapid energy diffusion, and has not been considered in this context. Here we provide evidence of strong diffusion using satellite data. We use two-dimensional Fokker-Planck simulations of electron diffusion in pitch angle and energy to show that scaling up chorus wave power to the strong diffusion limit produces rapid acceleration of electrons, sufficient to outweigh the losses due to strong diffusion. The rate of losses saturates at the strong diffusion limit, whilst the rate of acceleration does not. This leads to the surprising result of an increase, not a decrease in the trapped electron population during strong diffusion due to chorus waves as expected when treating strong diffusion as a loss process. Our results suggest there is a tipping point in chorus wave power between net loss and net acceleration that global radiation belt models need to capture to better forecast hazardous radiation levels that damage satellites.