bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Protective Factors Relevant to Sexual Offending
Authors: Thornton David , Willis Gwenda M. , Kelley Sharon
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

Focusing on protective factors rather than risk factors potentially better aligns assessment with strengths-based treatment. We examine research into the assessment of protective factors to see whether it can play this role relative to sexual offending.

Recent Findings

Structured asses sment of protective factors is well developed relative to violent offending but only recently studied relative to sexual offending. Nevertheless, multiple measures of protective factors have now been trialed with men who have committed sexual offenses and shown to predict reduced recidivism. Although research into individual scales is limited, overlapping content between scales suggests that protective factors aligning with constructs of Resilience, Adaptive Sexuality, and Prosocial Connection and Reward are all relevant to sexual offending.

Protective factors relevant to sexual offending are sufficiently well identified that they can usefully be used for treatment need assessment, treatment planning during therapy, and case management. They can also make some contribution to risk assessment. The Structured Assessment of PROtective Factors against Sexual Offending (SAPROF-SO) is currently the most comprehensive measure of protective factors relevant to sexual offending.
Effect of Different Karyophilic Peptides on Physical Characteristics and In Vitro Transfection Efficiency of Chitosan-Plasmid Nanoparticles as Nonviral Gene Delivery Systems
Authors: Aranda-Barradas María Eugenia , Coronado-Contreras Héctor Eduardo , Aguilar-Castañeda Yareli Lizbeth , Olivo-Escalante Karen Donají , González-Díaz Francisco Rodolfo , García-Tovar Carlos Gerardo , Álvarez-Almazán Samuel , Miranda-Castro Susana Patricia , Del Real-López Alicia , Méndez-Albores Abraham
Published: February 2024

A strategy to increase the transfection efficiency of chitosan-based nanoparticles for gene therapy is by adding nuclear localization signals through karyophilic peptides. Here, the effect of the length and sequence of these peptides and their interaction with different plasmids on the physical characteristics and biological functionality of nanoparticles is reported. The karyophilic peptides (P1 or P2) were used to assemble nanoparticles by complex coacervation with pEGFP-N1, pQBI25 or pSelect-Zeo-HSV1-tk plasmids, and chitosan. Size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology, as well as in vitro nucleus internalization and transfection capability of nanoparticles were determined. The P2 nanoparticles resulted smaller compared to the ones without peptides or P1 for the three plasmids. In general, the addition of either P1 or P2 did not have a significant impact on the polydispersity index and the zeta potential. P1 and P2 nanoparticles were localized in the nucleus after 30 min of exposure to HeLa cells. Nevertheless, the presence of P2 in pEGFP-N1 and pQBI25 nanoparticles raised their capability to transfect and express the green fluorescent protein. Thus, karyophilic peptides are an efficient tool for the optimization of nonviral vectors for gene delivery; however, the sequence and length of peptides have an impact on characteristics and functionality of nanoparticles.
A systematic review of school refusal
Authors: Ulaş Sümeyye , Seçer İsmail
Published: February 2024

Considering the problems associated with school attendance, school refusal is an adjustment problem that tends to become increasingly prevalent. The present study identifies the patterns reported in the literature on school refusal and outlines the structure and sub-components of school refusal. Therefore, the systematic review method was selected as the research method for this study. The data sources of this study consist of 40 research articles that fell within the purview of WoS and were either included or excluded according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Using MAXQDA 2020, both content and descriptive analyses were conducted in synthesizing the data sources. As a result of the analysis, the study year, method, data collection tool, data collection procedure, data analysis, and sample were examined as descriptive characteristics. Analyzing the content characteristics, five themes were identified: risk factors for school refusal, school refusal symptoms, school refusal protective factors, approaches, and techniques for intervention in school refusal, and consequences of school refusal. The findings are provided by discussing the related literature.
Understanding facilitators for assertiveness among college students in India – a qualitative study
Authors: Goel Arush , Padickaparambil Sebastian , Sreelakshmi Edavana Santhosh , Pothiyil Dan Isaac
Published: February 2024

Assertiveness is the ability to be honest with one’s beliefs and interests while not denying the rights of others and includes behaviours like sharing one’s opinions, questioning ideas, being able to refuse request of others and firmly expressing one’s emotions without manipulation. Majority of Indians fall behind in being assertive due to various cultural factors and schemas they hold towards self and others. Since assertiveness impacts both the professional and social aspects of young adults, it is important to cultivate this behavior to take on the challenges faced. This study aimed to understand the factors which led to the development of assertive behaviour in college students despite the obstacles possessed. A qualitative descriptive design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 college students from different parts of India who scored high on the Rathus Assertiveness Scale. The major themes which emerged were - facilitators for assertiveness, benefits of being assertive, obstacles to assertiveness, ways of performing assertive behaviour, and sex-based differences in assertiveness in the responses received and manner of being assertive. These findings can be implemented in assertiveness and communication skills training.
A resected case of pancreatic head cancer developing 40 years after lateral pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Matsumoto Takatsugu , Tanaka Genki , Mori Shozo , Niki Maiko , Sato Shun , Shiraki Takayuki , Iso Yukihiro , Nagashima Kazunori , Irisawa Atsushi , Nozawa Yumi , Takada-Owada Atsuko , Ishida Kazuyuki , Aoki Taku
Published: February 2024

A 72-year-old male patient presented to our department complaining of with upper abdominal pain and jaundice. He had a history of a side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy performed 40 years previously for chronic pancreatitis. A diagnostic workup revealed a tumor 3 cm in size in the pancreatic head as the etiology of the jaundice. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed with resectable pancreatic cancer. Following two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, an extended pancreatoduodenectomy was performed because of tumor invasion at the previous pancreaticojejunostomy site. Concurrent portal vein resection and reconstruction were performed. Pathological examination confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma (T2N1M0, Stage IIB). This case highlights the clinical challenges in pancreatic head carcinoma following a side-to-side pancreaticojejunostomy. Although pancreaticojejunostomy is believed to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis, clinicians should be aware that, even after this surgery, there is still a chance of developing pancreatic cancer during long-term follow-up.
Effects of physical soil and water conservation practices and slope gradient on soil physicochemical properties in northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Atinafu Mamaru , Getnet Kassie , Gojjam Amare
Published: February 2024

Soil erosion is the major factor that has contributed to the reduction of soil fertility in the highlands of Ethiopia. This factor is reduced by soil and water conservation (SWC) practices. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of physical SWC practices and slope gradient on the soil physicochemical properties in the Agemi watershed of northwestern Ethiopia. Farmland treated by SWC such as stone-faced soil bund (SFSB) and soil bund (SB), untreated farmland (control), and slope gradient were identified in the study area. About 27 composite soil samples were collected from the treated farmland and untreated farmland with three slope classes, including lower (5–10%), middle (10–15%), and upper slopes (> 15%). Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 software following two-way ANOVA procedures. The results of the study showed that the content of sand, clay, total porosity, pH, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) were affected (p < 0.05) by SWC practices and slope gradient. The SWC practices such as SFSB have a higher mean value of soil physicochemical properties than SB and untreated farmland. As a result, farmland treated by SFSB improves soil physicochemical properties by reducing soil erosion. Therefore, SFSB should be implemented on untreated farmland to improve soil fertility in the study area.
Comprehensive pan-carcinoma analysis of ITGB1 distortion and its potential clinical significance for cancer immunity
Authors: Fei Yuchang , Wu Yulun , Chen Luting , Yu Huan , Pan Lei
Published: February 2024

The human protein-coding gene ITGB1 (Integrin 1), also known as CD29, has a length of 58048 base pairs. The Integrin family's most prevalent subunit, it participates in the transmission of numerous intracellular signaling pathways. A thorough examination of ITGB1's functions in human malignancies, however, is inadequate and many of their relationships to the onset and development of human cancers remain unknown. In this work, we examined ITGB1's role in 33 human cancers. Finally, a multi-platform analysis revealed that three of the 33 malignancies had significantly altered ITGB1 expression in tumor tissues in comparison to normal tissues. In addition, it was discovered through survival analysis that ITGB1 was a stand-alone prognostic factor in a number of cancers. ITGB1 expression was linked to immune cell infiltration in colon cancer, according to an investigation of immune infiltration in pan-cancer. In the gene co-expression research, ITGB1 showed a positive connection with the majority of the cell proliferation and EMT indicators, indicating that ITGB1 may have an essential function in controlling cancer metastasis and proliferation. Our pan-cancer analysis of ITGB1 gives evidence in favor of a further investigation into its oncogenic function in various cancer types.
Simulation and performance prediction of partially naturally fractured reservoirs under solution gas drive primary recovery and gas injection processes
Authors: Qasem Fuad H. , Nashawi Ibrahim Sami
Published: February 2024

The study presented in this paper has multiple objectives. First, a simulation model for partially naturally fractured reservoirs under solution gas drive is developed. The model considers the major key parameters controlling fluid flow in the reservoir, including fracture intensity and distribution, instantaneous gas/oil segregation due to vertical capillary continuity, gas/oil gravity drainage, and reinfiltration of the drained oil to the lower matrix. Once the model is well-established, it is used to study the reservoir performance under two recovery processes: primary depletion and gas injection. A detailed investigation of the sensitivity of the ultimate oil recovery to the fracture intensity, oil production rates, and gas injection rates is performed. The findings of this study indicate that the ultimate oil recovery of low-fracture intensity reservoirs subjected to the depletion drive process is insensitive to production rates. However, for moderate- to high-fracture intensity reservoirs and low production rates, the recovery increases with increasing fracture intensity. Conversely, for moderate- to high-fracture intensity reservoirs and high production rates, the recovery is not significantly affected. For the gas injection mechanism, it is found that the ultimate oil recovery is a function of both the fracture intensity and gas injection rate. Furthermore, three fracture intensity ranges are identified: low, medium, and high. For the low- and high-fracture intensity ranges, the recovery increases with increasing gas injection rates and fracture intensity. However, for the medium fracture intensity ranges, the recovery behaves differently. It increases at low gas injection rates and decreases at high injection rates as the fracture intensity increases. New equations relating the cumulative oil production to the production rates, gas injection rates, and fracture intensity are also presented.
Joint Spatial Modeling Bridges the Gap Between Disparate Disease Surveillance and Population Monitoring Efforts Informing Conservation of At-risk Bat Species
Authors: Stratton Christian , Irvine Kathryn M. , Banner Katharine M. , Almberg Emily S. , Bachen Dan , Smucker Kristina
Published: February 2024

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a wildlife disease that has decimated hibernating bats since its introduction in North America in 2006. As the disease spreads westward, assessing the potentially differential impact of the disease on western bat species is an urgent conservation need. The statistical challenge is that the disease surveillance and species response monitoring data are not co-located, available at different spatial resolutions, non-Gaussian, and subject to observation error requiring a novel extension to spatially misaligned regression models for analysis. Previous work motivated by epidemiology applications has proposed two-step approaches that overcome the spatial misalignment while intentionally preventing the human health outcome from informing estimation of exposure. In our application, the impacted animals contribute to spreading the fungus that causes WNS, motivating development of a joint framework that exploits the known biological relationship. We introduce a Bayesian, joint spatial modeling framework that provides inferences about the impact of WNS on measures of relative bat activity and accounts for the uncertainty in estimation of WNS presence at non-surveyed locations. Our simulations demonstrate that the joint model produced more precise estimates of disease occurrence and unbiased estimates of the association between disease presence and the count response relative to competing two-step approaches. Our statistical framework provides a solution that leverages disparate monitoring activities and informs species conservation across large landscapes. Stan code and documentation are provided to facilitate access and adaptation for other wildlife disease applications.
Assembling a multi-platform ensemble social bot detector with applications to US 2020 elections
Authors: Ng Lynnette Hui Xian , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: February 2024

Bots have been in the spotlight for many social media studies, for they have been observed to be participating in the manipulation of information and opinions on social media. These studies analyzed the activity and influence of bots in a variety of contexts: elections, protests, health communication and so forth. Prior to this analyzes is the identification of bot accounts to segregate the class of social media users. In this work, we propose an ensemble method for bot detection, designing a multi-platform bot detection architecture to handle several problems along the bot detection pipeline: incomplete data input, minimal feature engineering, optimized classifiers for each data field, and also eliminate the need for a threshold value for classification determination. With these design decisions, we generalize our bot detection framework across Twitter, Reddit and Instagram. We also perform feature importance analysis, observing that the entropy of names and number of interactions (retweets/shares) are important factors in bot determination. Finally, we apply our multi-platform bot detector to the US 2020 presidential elections to identify and analyze bot activity across multiple social media platforms, showcasing the difference in online discourse of bots from different platforms.
To mine or not to mine the deep seabed?
Authors: Hvinden Ida Soltvedt
Published: February 2024

Several studies have noted that the International Seabed Authority (ISA) scores low on public participation. However, none have studied the efforts of non-governmental organizations to exert influence on the ISA’s rulemaking processes. I examine how environmental NGOs and private mining contractors attempt to sway one narrow, but existential, part of the ISA’s draft exploitation regulations between 2014 and 2019: the definition of “serious harm” to the marine environment. Although environmental NGOs appear to have been more successful in influencing that definition, the interests of private contractors may still prevail. Despite the efforts of environmental NGOs, the term “serious harm” remains largely undefined, allowing for more subjectivity and flexibility in interpretation. This challenge is exacerbated when combined with current institutional weaknesses and limited scientific expertise within the ISA. Ongoing negotiations and recent developments may, however, alter this outcome.
Reduction in variability of dopamine transporter measures using SPECT and ultra-high-resolution fan beam collimators: comparison with parallel-hole collimators in healthy controls for a clinical reference database
Authors: De Cristofaro Maria Teresa R. , Linguanti Flavia , Pepponi Miriam , Abenavoli Elisabetta , Ramat Silvia , Bessi Valentina , Passeri Alessandro , Alfarano Vincenzo , Sorbi Sandro , Sciagrà Roberto , Berti Valentina
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to create 123I-FP-CIT reference values for ultra-high-resolution fan beam collimators (UHR-FB) from a sample of subjects without dopaminergic degeneration and to compare them to a normal database -PPMI database- of a commercial software (DaTQUANT) obtained using high-resolution parallel-hole collimators (HR-PH).

Methods

A striatal phantom study was performed to compare UHR-FB with HR-PH and to obtain a correction factor between collimators. Normal 123I-FP-CIT studies from 177 subjects acquired using UHR-FB were retrospectively selected on the basis of visual and semi-quantitative analysis as well as of the neurological follow-up (range of 2–9 years). SPECT images were reconstructed using the same parameters of DaTQUANT normal database and SBR values were obtained for striatal structures. Correction factor was applied to the UHR-FB database to test differences against DaTQUANT database.

Results

Correction factor obtained from the phantom study was 0.84. Uncorrected SBR values of the local database were significantly higher than PPMI database values, but no significant differences were found using corrected values. Coefficients of variations of SBR values were significantly lower in a local database than PPMI database (15% vs 20%). Significant effects of age on SBR were observed in both databases with a reduction rate for a decade of 6% in the PPMI database and 4.5% in the local database. In the latter, women had slightly higher SBR values and a steeper decline with advancing age compared to men, whereas no significant gender differences were found in the PPMI database.

Conclusion

The SBR values obtained using UHR-FB have an age-related distribution comparable to that of healthy subjects but with lower variability. The reduction rate per decade was similar between the two databases but the gender effect was found only in the local database, probably related to the better performance of UHR-FB.
Cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. The Italian version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18 (TFEQ-R-18): a three-step validation study
Authors: Rossi Alessandro Alberto , Pietrabissa Giada , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Mannarini Stefania
Published: February 2024

Background

The Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-Revised 18 (TFEQ-R-18) is an extensively used questionnaire to measure three transdiagnostic features of eating behavior: cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating.

Objective

This research aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the TFEQ-R-18 in three large community samples.

Method

Cross-sectional research designs were employed. In Study 1 (N = 537), an exploratory graph analysis (EGA) was used to examine item clustering within the TFEQ-R-18. In Study 2 (N = 645), a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test its structural validity. In Study 3 (N = 346), a MANOVA was employed assessing mean differences across eating disorders (e.g., anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder).

Results

In Study 1, the EGA accurately identified the three original dimensions of the TFEQ-R-18. Study 2 showed that the Italian TFEQ-R-18 has good fit indexes (CFI = 0.989, RMSEA = 0.064; 90% CI [0.058, 0.070], SRMR = 0.062), and possesses robust psychometric properties. Study 3 reveals distinct, statistically significant differences among eating disorders.

Conclusion

The TFEQ-R-18 proves to be a concise and precise tool for measuring transdiagnostic eating behaviors. Its applicability in the Italian context, supported by robust psychometric properties, suggests its utility for both research and clinical purposes. The findings affirm its potential to inform interventions aimed at enhancing psychological health.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive study.
Bioorthogonal Reactions in Bioimaging
Authors: Kozma Eszter , Kele Péter
Published: February 2024

Visualization of biomolecules in their native environment or imaging-aided understanding of more complex biomolecular processes are one of the focus areas of chemical biology research, which requires selective, often site-specific labeling of targets. This challenging task is effectively addressed by bioorthogonal chemistry tools in combination with advanced synthetic biology methods. Today, the smart combination of the elements of the bioorthogonal toolbox allows selective installation of multiple markers to selected targets, enabling multicolor or multimodal imaging of biomolecules. Furthermore, recent developments in bioorthogonally applicable probe design that meet the growing demands of superresolution microscopy enable more complex questions to be addressed. These novel, advanced probes enable highly sensitive, low-background, single- or multiphoton imaging of biological species and events in live organisms at resolutions comparable to the size of the biomolecule of interest. Herein, the latest developments in bioorthogonal fluorescent probe design and labeling schemes will be discussed in the context of in cellulo/in vivo (multicolor and/or superresolved) imaging schemes. The second part focuses on the importance of genetically engineered minimal bioorthogonal tags, with a particular interest in site-specific protein tagging applications to answer biological questions.
Can Integrate a Sustainable Business Model and Global Value Chains Revive the Value Chain’s Sustainable Growth?
Authors: Yuan Li , Mähönen Jukka
Published: February 2024

Traditional value chains link factors of production and production to final consumption, adding economic value. To reduce the negative effects of the value chain on the environment and societies, the sustainable business model must be integrated into all parts of the global value chain. This necessitates responsible production and procurement, but all participants must recognise the importance of reusing resources, increasing the product life cycle, and minimising waste. However, this does not imply that all value chain participants in the value chain have equal responsibilities, as they have varying degrees of dominance, interests, and environmental and societal impact in their value chain-related activities. We claim that regional trade agreements are the key to balancing each other’s interests in an international value chain, assisting participants in reaching a consensus. On the other hand, existing regional trade agreements have flaws in how they distribute value. Furthermore, their standard-setting does not contribute to developing a sustainable global value chain because it ignores the impact of the sustainable business models of value chain participants on the global value chain. So, the article will focus on reconstructing global value chains by introducing a sustainable business model and using regulatory incentive systems to guide value chain participants in fulfilling corporate social and environmental responsibilities. As a result, this article discusses how a sustainable business model can aid in developing the global value chain in a sustainable direction, as well as how regulation can help.
Meta‐Study of Carbonate Sediment Delivery Rates to Indo‐Pacific Coral Reef Islands
Authors: Ainési Baptiste , Masselink Gerd , Kench Paul
Published: February 2024

Coral reef islands are amongst the most vulnerable environments to sea‐level rise (SLR). Recent physical and numerical modeling studies have demonstrated that overwash processes may enable reef islands to keep up with SLR through island accretion. Sediment supply to these islands from the surrounding reef system is critical in understanding their morphodynamic adjustments, but is poorly constrained due to insufficient knowledge about sediment delivery rates. This paper provides the first estimation of sediment delivery rates to coral reef islands. Analysis of topographic and geochronological data from 28 coral reef islands indicates an average rate of sediment delivery of c. 0.1 m3 m−1 yr−1, but with substantial inter‐island variability. Comparison with carbonate sediment production rates from census‐based studies suggests that this represents one quarter of the amount of sediment produced on the reef platform. Results of this study are useful in future modeling studies for predicting morphodynamic adjustments of coral reef islands to SLR.
SHARAD Mapping of Mars Dayside Ionosphere Patterns: Relationship to Regional Geology and the Magnetic Field
Authors: Campbell Bruce A. , Morgan Gareth A. , Sánchez‐Cano Beatriz
Published: February 2024

The electron density of the Martian ionosphere is modulated by solar wind forcing and crustal magnetic fields. Sounding observations from the orbital Shallow Radar (SHARAD) map the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) at a spatial resolution of ∼35 km. Averaging over a 250‐km diameter window from data collected weeks to years apart yields the first map of long‐term stable dayside martian TEC features. An extensive region of suppressed TEC in the southern highlands correlates with strong radial magnetic fields, but in other areas no simple correlation is observed. The TEC maps do follow the outlines of exposed Noachian crust and patches of magnetization in Tharsis not reset by volcanic activity. SHARAD TEC mapping may capture magnetic field strength at an intermediate height between the surface and the altitudes of orbital measurements underlying spherical harmonic models. Existing and future data will allow SHARAD TEC mapping to ∼100 km spatial resolution.
The Response of Tropical Rainfall to Idealized Small‐Scale Thermal and Mechanical Forcing
Authors: Velez‐Pardo Martin , Cronin Timothy W.
Published: February 2024

Predicting the spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall remains a key challenge in Tropical Meteorology, partly due to an incomplete understanding of the effects of different environmental factors on atmospheric convection. In this work, we use numerical simulations of tropical ocean domains to study how rainfall responds to imposed localized thermal and mechanical forcings to the atmosphere. We use the Normalized Gross Moist Stability—NGMS—to quantify the net precipitation response associated with a given net atmospheric heating. We find that NGMS values differ considerably for different forcings, but show that the relationship between precipitation and column relative humidity collapses along a universal curve across all of them. We also show that the contributions from mean vertical advection of moist and dry static energy only approximate the NGMS well at scales larger than a couple hundred kilometers, indicating that general horizontal mixing processes are not negligible at smaller scales.
Side Effects of Sulfur‐Based Geoengineering Due To Absorptivity of Sulfate Aerosols
Authors: Wunderlin Elia , Chiodo Gabriel , Sukhodolov Timofei , Vattioni Sandro , Visioni Daniele , Tilmes Simone
Published: February 2024

Sulfur‐based stratospheric aerosol intervention (SAI) can cool the climate, but also heats the tropical lower stratosphere if done with injections at low latitudes. We explore the role of this heating in the climate response to SAI, by using mechanistic experiments that remove the effects of longwave absorption of sulfate aerosols above the tropopause. If longwave absorption by stratospheric aerosols is disabled, the heating of the tropical tropopause and most of the related side effects are strongly alleviated and the cooling per Tg‐S injected is 40% bigger. Such side‐effects include the poleward expansion of eddy‐driven jets, acceleration of the stratospheric residual circulation, and delay of Antarctic ozone recovery. Our results add to other recent findings on SAI side effects and demonstrate that SAI scenarios with low‐latitude injections of absorptive materials may result in atmospheric effects and regional climate changes that are comparable to those produced by the CO2 warming signal.
On the Scale of Particle Clustering Induced by Inhomogeneous Entrainment‐Mixing in Mixed‐Phase Cumulus Clouds
Authors: Liu Yiting , Yang Jing , Zhao Guozheng , Deng Yuting , Lu Chunsong , Yin Yan , Jing Xiaoqin , Wang Yonggang
Published: February 2024

In mixed‐phase cumulus clouds, droplets and ice crystals are inhomogeneously distributed, such spatial inhomogeneity can be enhanced by inhomogeneous entrainment as it can strengthen the particle clustering, which may further influence the phase partitioning and interactions among hydrometeors. However, the scale of particle clustering induced by inhomogeneous entrainment is not well known. Utilizing high‐resolution in‐situ aircraft measurements in mixed‐phase cumulus clouds, this study shows due to inhomogeneous entrainment‐mixing, the cluster scales of droplets and ice crystals decrease by approximately 10 m from the cloud center to the edge. Changes in the clustering are correlated with the intensity of entrainment‐mixing. Clouds that are significantly affected by entrainment exhibit stronger enhancement of particle clustering and a more noticeable reduction in cluster scale. The findings from this study improve our understanding of the scale of particle clustering induced by entrainment‐mixing, and are potentially helpful in evaluating models.
Chang'E‐5 In Situ Spectra Reveal Photometric Properties of the Lunar Surface
Authors: Guo Lin , Ren Xin , Liu Dawei , Liu Bin , Chen Wangli , Zhang Xiaoxia , Yan Wei , Liu Jianjun
Published: February 2024

The Chang’E‐5 (CE‐5) lunar mineralogical spectrometer (LMS) obtained an in situ multiangular spectral data set, with which this work aims to study the photometric properties of the lunar surface in the CE‐5 sampling area. We first converted the LMS Level 2B radiance data to reflectance, and then spliced it and processed thermal correction. We also used a millimeter‐scale digital elevation model (DEM) to re‐calculate local illumination and observation conditions considering the high‐resolution topography at the landing site. We analyzed the multiangular reflectance data set with a Hapke modeling approach aimed at characterizing the scattering properties of the surface. In particular, we found that the surface exhibits a spectral signature typical of mafic materials and is close to the mature mare lunar soil. The position of the in situ photometric parameters in the hockey stick diagram indicates that CE‐5 lunar soil particles are forward scattering, irregular and with a low density of internal scatters. Furthermore, we found that all the in situ data (including CE‐3/4/5) and laboratory measurements exhibit forward scattering properties, but the orbiter remote sensing measurements are backward scattering. We attribute this discrepancy to the different resolution of the two data sets: the in situ analysis focuses on the individual particles, whereas remote sensing approach is sensitive to the particle complex. The Hapke parameters we derived can provide a reference for the further comprehensive analysis of remote sensing and in situ spectral data, especially, caution is advised when applying the photometric parameters derived from in situ or laboratory spectra to the remote sensing data.
A Mastcam Multispectral Investigation of Rock Variability in Gale Crater, Mars: Implications for Alteration in the Clay‐Sulfate Transition of Mount Sharp
Authors: Eng A. M. , Rice M. S. , Farrand W. H. , Johnson J. R. , Jacob S. , Rampe E. B. , Thompson L. , St. Clair M. , Applin D. , Bishop J. , Cloutis E. , Gabbert M. , Haber J. , Lapo K. , Rudolph A. , Seeger C. , Sheppard R.
Published: February 2024

Since leaving Vera Rubin ridge (VRr), the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover has traversed though the phyllosilicate‐bearing region, Glen Torridon, and the overlying Mg‐sulfate‐bearing strata, with excursions onto the Greenheugh Pediment and Amapari Marker Band. Each of these distinct geologic units were investigated using Curiosity's Mast Camera (Mastcam) multispectral instrument which is sensitive to iron‐bearing phases and some hydrated minerals. We used Mastcam spectra, in combination with chemical data from Chemistry and Mineralogy, Alpha Particle X‐ray Spectrometer, and Chemistry and Camera instruments, to assess the variability of rock spectra and interpret the mineralogy and diagenesis in the clay‐sulfate transition and surrounding regions. We identify four new classes of rock spectra since leaving VRr; two are inherent to dusty and pyroxene‐rich surfaces on the Amapari Marker Band; one is associated with the relatively young, basaltic, Greenheugh Pediment; and the last indicates areas subjected to intense aqueous alteration with an amorphous Fe‐sulfate component, primarily in the clay‐sulfate transition region. To constrain the Mg‐sulfate detection capabilities of Mastcam and aid in the analyses of multispectral data, we also measured the spectral response of mixtures with phyllosilicates, hydrated Mg‐sulfate, and basalt in the laboratory. We find that hydrated Mg‐sulfates are easily masked by other materials, requiring ≥90 wt.% of hydrated Mg‐sulfate to exhibit a hydration signature in Mastcam spectra, which places constraints on the abundance of hydrated Mg‐sulfates along the traverse. Together, these results imply significant compositional changes along the traverse since leaving VRr, and they support the hypothesis of wet‐dry cycles in the clay‐sulfate transition.
A Hybrid Data‐Driven and Data Assimilation Method for Spatiotemporal Forecasting: PM2.5 Forecasting in China
Authors: Cai Shengjuan , Fang Fangxin , Tang Xiao , Zhu Jiang , Wang Yanghua
Published: February 2024

Spatiotemporal forecasting involves generating temporal forecasts for system state variables across spatial regions. Data‐driven methods such as Convolutional Long Short‐Term Memory (ConvLSTM) are effective in capturing both spatial and temporal correlations, but they suffer from error accumulation and accuracy loss as forecasting time increases due to the nonlinearity and uncertainty in physical processes. To address this issue, we propose to combine data‐driven and data assimilation (DA) methods for spatiotemporal forecasting. The accuracy of the data‐driven ConvLSTM model can be improved by periodically assimilating real‐time observations using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) approach. This proposed hybrid ConvLSTM‐EnKF method is demonstrated through PM2.5 forecasting in China, which is a challenging task due to the complexity of topographical and meteorological conditions in the region, the need for high‐resolution forecasting over a large study area, and the scarcity of observations. The results show that the ConvLSTM‐EnKF method outperforms conventional methods and can provide satisfactory operational PM2.5 forecasts for up to 1 month with spatially averaged RMSE below 20 μg/m3 and correlation coefficient (R) above 0.8. In addition, the ConvLSTM‐EnKF method shows a substantial reduction in CPU time when compared to the commonly used NAQPMS‐EnKF method, up to three orders of magnitude. Overall, the use of data‐driven models provides efficient forecasts and speeds up DA. This hybrid ConvLSTM‐EnKF is a novel operational forecasting technique for spatiotemporal forecasting and is used in real spatiotemporal forecasting for the first time.
Evaluating and Enhancing Snow Compaction Process in the Noah‐MP Land Surface Model
Authors: Abolafia‐Rosenzweig Ronnie , He Cenlin , Chen Fei , Barlage Michael
Published: February 2024

The accuracy of snow density in land surface model (LSM) simulations impacts the accuracy of simulated terrestrial water and energy budgets. However, there has been little research that has focused on enhancing snow compaction in operationally used LSMs. A baseline snow simulation with the widely used Noah‐MP LSM systematically overestimates snow depth by 55 mm even after removing daily snow water equivalent (SWE) biases. To reduce uncertainties associated with snow compaction, we enhance the most sensitive Noah‐MP snow compaction parameter—the empirical parameter for compaction due to overburden (C
bd)—such that C
bd is calculated as a function of surface air temperature as opposed to a fixed value in the baseline simulation. This enhancement improves accuracy in simulated snow compaction across the majority of western U.S. (WUS) SNOTEL test sites (biases reduced at 88% of test sites), with modest bias reductions in cooler accumulation periods (biases reduced at 70% of test sites) and substantial improvements during warmer ablation periods (biases reduced at 99% of test sites). Relatively larger improvements during warm conditions are attributable to the default C
bd value being reasonable for cold temperatures (≤−5°C). Improvements in simulated snow depth and density with observations outside of the training sites and optimization periods support that the snow compaction enhancement is transferable in space and time. Differences between enhanced and baseline gridded simulations across the total WUS support that the enhancement can have important impacts on snowpack evolution, snow albedo feedback, and snow hydrology.
Micro‐Continuum Modeling: An Hybrid‐Scale Approach for Solving Coupled Processes in Porous Media
Authors: Soulaine Cyprien
Published: February 2024

Micro‐continuum models are versatile and powerful approaches for simulating coupled processes in two‐scale porous systems. Initially oriented for modeling static single‐phase flow in microtomography images with sub‐voxel porosity, the concept has been extended over the years to multi‐phase flow, reactive transport, and poromechanics. This paper introduces an integrated micro‐continuum framework to model coupled processes in porous media. It reviews state‐of‐the‐art models and discusses applications in geosciences including Digital Rock Physics with sub‐voxel porosity, moving fluid‐solid interface at the pore‐scale due to geochemical reactions, fracture‐matrix interactions, and solid deformation. Finally, the paper discusses future developments in micro‐continuum models.
The Nature of Mantle Flow May Depend on the Type of Slab Subducting
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: February 2024

Researchers tease apart the links between slabs and mantle flow near subduction zones, upending some traditional views of subduction-induced mantle flow.
Iceland’s Recent Eruptions Driven by Tectonic Stress
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2024

Magma flow in the magmatic dike near Grindav�k was among the fastest recorded. The processes driving that flow could be at play at volcanoes in Hawaii, off the African coast, and anywhere crustal plates split apart.
Introducing the new Editor-in-Chief of Reviews of Geophysics
Authors: Duan Qingyun
Published: February 2024

Qingyun Duan, the new Editor-in-Chief of Reviews of Geophysics, shares his scientific interests and vision for the journal in the coming years.
Challenges and Successes at the Helm of Reviews of Geophysics
Authors: Florindo Fabio
Published: February 2024

The outgoing Editor-in-Chief of Reviews of Geophysics reflects on their tenure and expresses appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the journal over recent years.
Vasoactive peptides as biomarkers for the prediction of retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Neumann Roland P. , Gerull Roland , Hasler Pascal W. , Wellmann Sven , Schulzke Sven M.
Published: February 2024

Background

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major complication in preterm infants. We assessed if plasma levels of midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP) and C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 (CT-proET1) serve as early markers for subsequent ROP development in preterm infants <32 weeks gestation.

Methods

Prospective, two-centre, observational cohort study. MR-proANP and CT-proET1 were measured on day seven of life. Associations with ROP ≥ stage II were investigated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

We included 224 infants born at median (IQR) 29.6 (27.1–30.8) weeks gestation and birth weight of 1160 (860–1435) g. Nineteen patients developed ROP ≥ stage II. MR-proANP and CT-proET1 levels were higher in these infants (median (IQR) 864 (659–1564) pmol/L and 348 (300–382) pmol/L, respectively) compared to infants without ROP (median (IQR) 299 (210–502) pmol/L and 196 (156–268) pmol/L, respectively; both P < 0.001). MR-proANP and CT-proET1 levels were significantly associated with ROP ≥ stage II in univariable logistic regression models and after adjusting for co-factors, including gestational age and birth weight z-score.

Conclusions

MR-proANP and CT-proET1 measured on day seven of life are strongly associated with ROP ≥ stage II in very preterm infants and might improve early prediction of ROP in the future.

Impact

Plasma levels of midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and C-terminal pro-endothelin-1 measured on day seven of life in very preterm infants show a strong association with development of retinopathy of prematurity ≥ stage II.

Both biomarkers have the potential to improve early prediction of retinopathy of prematurity.

Vasoactive peptides might allow to reduce the proportion of screened infants substantially.
Rituximab added to conditioning regimen significantly improves erythroid engraftment in major incompatible ABO-group hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Finazzi Maria Chiara , Weber Alessandra , Pavoni Chiara , Grassi Anna , Micò Maria Caterina , Algarotti Alessandra , Lussana Federico , Rambaldi Alessandro
Published: February 2024

ABO-group major incompatibility hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) increases the risk of delayed red cell engraftment and other immunological complications. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of pre-transplant infusion of rituximab in patients with ABO-incompatibility in improving red blood cell engraftment after HSCT, measured by time to reach transfusion independence. We performed a retrospective, single-center study including 131 consecutive patients transplanted with major or bidirectional ABO-incompatible grafts between 1st January 2013 and 31st December 2019. Fifty-one patients received an infusion of rituximab during the conditioning regimen, while 80 patients did not receive any additional preventive treatment. Time to transfusion independence was significantly reduced for patients treated with rituximab (1 month, 95% CI, 0.5–2) compared with the control group (3.2 months, 95% CI 1.5–3.2, p = 0.02). By multivariable analysis, rituximab use was associated with a faster red blood cell (RBC) engraftment (RR 1.88, 95% CI 1.17–3.03, p = 0.009), while a pre-transplant anti-donor isohemagglutinins titer >1:128 was associated with delayed transfusion independence (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-0.99, p = 0.05). Although limited by the retrospective nature of the study, the results of this analysis suggest that rituximab added to conditioning regimens is feasible, safe, and able to improve post-transplant red blood cell engraftment.
Ruxolitinib for the treatment of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease in children: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Baccelli Francesco , Gottardi Francesca , Muratore Edoardo , Leardini Davide , Grasso Antonio Giacomo , Gori Davide , Belotti Tamara , Prete Arcangelo , Masetti Riccardo
Published: February 2024

Steroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease (SR-GvHD) represents a major complication of pediatric allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ruxolitinib, a selective JAK 1–2 inhibitor, showed promising results in the treatment of SR-GvHD in adult trial, including patients >12 years old. This systematic review aims to evaluate ruxolitinib use for SR-GvHD in the pediatric population. Among the 12 studies included, ruxolitinib administration presented slight differences. Overall response rate (ORR) ranged from 45% to 100% in both acute and chronic GvHD. Complete response rates (CR) varied from 9% to 67% and from 0% to 28% in aGvHD and cGvHD, respectively. Individual-patient meta-analysis from 108 children under 12 years showed an ORR and CR for aGvHD of 74% and 56%, respectively, while in cGvHD ORR was 78% but with only 11% achieving CR. Treatment-related toxicities were observed in 20% of patients, including cytopenia, liver toxicity, and infections. Age, weight, graft source, previous lines of therapy, and dose did not significantly predict response, while a higher rate of toxicities was observed in aGvHD patients. In conclusion, ruxolitinib shows promising results in the treatment of SR-GvHD in children, including those under 12 years. Specific pediatric perspective trials are currently ongoing to definitely assess its efficacy and safety.
ALYREF-JunD-SLC7A5 axis promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression through epitranscriptome-metabolism reprogramming and immune evasion
Authors: Meng Qingbo , Xie Yuting , Sun Kang , He Lihong , Wu Hongkun , Zhang Qi , Liang Tingbo
Published: February 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a kind of tumor lacking nutrients due to its poor vascularity and desmoplasia. Recent studies have shown that cancer cells might achieve growth advantage through epitranscriptome reprogramming. However, the role of m5C in PDAC was not fully understood. We found that Aly/REF export factor (ALYREF), a reader of m5C modification, was overexpressed in PDAC, and associated with bad prognosis. In addition, the ALYREF expression was negatively related to CD8+ T cells infiltration in clinical samples. ALYREF knockdown decreased tumor growth in vivo partly dependent of immunity. ALYREF silencing decreased SLC7A5 expression and subsequently inactivated mTORC1 pathway, resulting in decreased tumor proliferation. Mechanically, ALYREF specifically recognized m5C sites in JunD mRNA, maintained the stabilization of JunD mRNA and subsequently upregulated transcription of SLC7A5. Since SLC7A5 was a key transporter of large neutral amino acids (LNAAs), overexpression of SLC7A5 on tumor cells depleted amino acid in microenvironment and restricted CD8+ T cells function. Moreover, ALYREF-JunD-SLC7A5 axis was overexpressed and negatively related with survival through TMA assays. In conclusion, this research revealed the relationship between m5C modification, amino acid transportation and immune microenvironment. ALYREF might be a novel target for PDAC metabolic vulnerability and immune surveillance.