bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generational Change in Work-Related Agency Beliefs in Poland
Authors: Sadowski Ireneusz , Zawistowska Alicja , Muszyński Marek
Published: August 2024

In this study we analyze beliefs on work-related agency in two cohorts of Poles, born in 1970–1971 and in 1988–1989. Both institutional environment and labor opportunities set these two generations much apart, as the first one grew up under communism and entered the transforming labor market plagued with high unemployment, whereas the second enjoyed the opportunities set by Poland’s European Union accession. The comparison is based on nationally representative samples and synchronizes the measurement on the same moment in the life cycle (both cohorts were surveyed at 30 years of age). In the analysis we aim to verify whether there are significant differences in beliefs about means to success in career, as well as in the respondents’ own traits and resources in this respect. These differences, in turn, can be related to deeper, long-term changes in socialization and social structure, as this was often presumed in previous research (it implied further convergence with Western societies). Work-related agency is measured using a shortened version of the Control Agency Means–Ends in Adulthood Questionnaire developed by Diewald et al. Results show that there are distinct dimensions in which both generations are similar and in which they prove to be very distinct. The study also uncovers a more profound change in work-related agency in women and confirms the well-established relationship between occupational structure and agency.
Neuropathic Pain in Cancer: What Are the Current Guidelines?
Authors: Mulvey Matthew R. , Paley Carole A. , Schuberth Anna , King Natalie , Page Andy , Neoh Karen
Published: August 2024

Opinion Statement

Neuropathic cancer pain is experienced by 30–40% of patients with cancer. It significantly reduces quality of life and overall wellbeing for patients living with and beyond cancer. The underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain in patients with cancer are complex and involve direct tumour involvement, nerve compression or infiltration, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy-induced nerve damage, or post-surgical complications. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to assess and manage neuropathic cancer pain effectively. There is increasing recognition that standardisation of neuropathic pain assessment leads to tailored management and improved patient outcomes. Pain management strategies, including medication, interventional analgesia, physical and complementary therapy, can help alleviate neuropathic pain and improve the patient's comfort and quality of life.
Care of the Patient Nearing the End of Life in the Neurointensive Care Unit
Authors: Ramsburg Hanna , Fischer Abigail G. , MacKenzie Greenle Meredith , Fehnel Corey R.
Published: August 2024

Background

Neurologically critically ill patients present with unique disease trajectories, prognostic uncertainties, and challenges to end-of-life (EOL) care. Acute brain injuries place these patients at risk for underrecognized symptoms and unmet EOL management needs, which can negatively affect their quality of care and lead to complicated grief in surviving loved ones. To care for patients nearing the EOL in the neurointensive care unit, health care clinicians must consider neuroanatomic localization, barriers to symptom assessment and management, unique aspects of the dying process, and EOL management needs.

Aim

We aim to define current best practices, barriers, and future directions for EOL care of the neurologically critically ill patient.
Markets and Public Goods: Integrity, Trust, and Climate Change
Authors: Offer Avner
Published: August 2024

Public goods are an anomaly in neoclassical economics, a form of ‘market failure’. They exist outside the efficient and equitable optimality of market exchange. It can be shown however that competitive markets are only efficient in short product cycles. Long-term objectives require social support. Corruption arises from the consequent private public interaction. Integrity, the absence of corruption, is a public good. Corruption has risen since the 1980s with privatization and outsourcing. How did European governments become honest in the first place? In the century after the 1770s, they moved from regarding public office as a form of private property to a conception of serving the public good. This integrity revolution was facilitated by Weberian bureaucracies, selected by academic merit and committed to impartiality by long-term incentives. The neoliberal revolution of the 1980s regarded bureaucracies as obstructive and slow. It admired the business corporation with its opaque procedures and charismatic leadership. Concurrently economics moved from neoclassical harmony theory to an asymmetric information model of ‘opportunism with guile’, providing doctrinal legitimacy for corruption. Corporate advertising is deliberately deceptive, and undermines the public good of trustworthiness. Digital platforms, powered by advertising, have subverted public discourse. Misinformation and disinformation have become prime risk factors for current societies. The practical operation of markets undermines the public goods of integrity and trustworthiness. The public good of a habitable climate cannot be achieved by market methods. For long-term payoffs, ‘free markets’ are a harmful delusion, inefficient, corrupt, impossible to achieve, and not sustainable.
Uniform Metric Graphs
Authors: Herron David A.
Published: August 2024

We prove that every complete metric space “is” the boundary of a uniform length space whose quasihyperbolization is a geodesic visual Gromov hyperbolic space. There is a natural quasimöbius identification of the original space’s conformal gauge with the canonical gauge on the Gromov boundary. All parameters are absolute constants.
Characterization of the Aluminium-Based Metal Foam Properties for Automotive Applications
Authors: Salins Sampath Suranjan , Kumar Shiva , Shetty Sawan , Sachidananda H. K. , Khan Mohammad Shayan Asjad
Published: August 2024

Metal foams are solids where the gas is filled inside uniformly in the metal matrix. Blowing agent supplies air inside the parent metal, and metal foam has emerged to be a promising material because of its low density, high absorption capacity, low thermal conductivity and high strength which finds its huge applications in automobile components. The present work deals with the application of the aluminium metal foam with different densities 200 and 400 kg/m3 in automobiles. Various tests such as toughness, hardness, bending and compression are carried out for four chosen densities, and the values are compared with the aluminium base metal. The result showed that the hardness value increased significantly by 24.48% with the rise in the density from 200 to 400 kg/m3. Maximum modulus of resilience for the low-density specimen is found to be 2.21 MJ/m3. Surface topography showed irregular pore shapes with discontinuity, resulting in a loss of cell integrity with the neighbouring cell walls. This affected the performance of the foam significantly. Thermal experiments were carried out to determine the thermal conductivity where thermal conductivity increased by 122% with the rise in the density from 200 to 400 kg/m3. Based on the results, it is concluded that aluminium foam with density 400 kg/m3 can be recommended for use in automobile applications due to its lightweight properties, which contribute to improving fuel efficiency, impact absorption capacity and the vehicle’s speed. Additionally, the air trapped within the foam cells serves as a sound barrier and insulator in cars.
Pre-operative Decision Making in Adhesive Small Bowel Obstructions
Authors: Terzian W. T. Hillman , Carmichael Samuel P.
Published: August 2024

Purpose of Review

The goal of this paper was to evaluate contemporary trends in the work-up and management of adhesive small bowel obstructions (ASBOs). The water-soluble contrast challenge (WSCC) has become the standard of care for differentiating non-operative from operative ASBOs, however there is significant variability among institutions regarding the timing of nasogastric decompression before initiating the study as well as the amount of contrast to be used and the length of time that should be allowed to pass before it is decided that a patient has “failed” the WSCC.

Recent Findings

The latest findings include evidence that the duration of nasogastric decompression necessary to perform a WSCC may be as short as two hours, however most institutions still practice a longer decompression period. We also present data that suggests that while the original Bologna guidelines suggested a safe window of non-operative management between three and five days for the WSCC to occur, it is possible that those patients who take over eight hours of contrast transit time to pass the WSCC have a higher likelihood of one-year ASBO recurrence and should be considered for operative intervention, even if contrast eventually makes it to their colon.

We offer an evidence-based standardized approach to administering the WSCC.
Integrating oral and social factors in individual caries risk assessments in preschool children—a registry-based study
Authors: Hultquist A. I. , Levinsson A. , Robertson A. , Sabel N.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To investigate the predictive ability of individual Caries Risk Assessments (CRA) regarding oral factors supplemented with social factors in relation to caries outcome in preschool children. Furthermore, to assess various models of CRA with oral and social factors included, aiming to identify the most suitable models for different age groups.

Methods

The design is a retrospective registry-based cohort study. Children visiting the dentists at ages 3 and 6 years were included. Data on oral and social factors were obtained from dental records, the Swedish Quality register for caries and periodontitis (SKaPa), and Statistics Sweden (SCB).

Various models of CRA were designed, combining oral and social factors. Models were analyzed with univariable associations using simple logistic regression, and the results were presented as odds ratios (ORs). In addition, models were analyzed with area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Pairwise comparisons were conducted by DeLong’s test, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Result

Oral factors were the most significant for caries outcome (OR 9.6), followed by social factors: foreign background (OR 4.6), low income (OR 2.83), low education of the mother (OR 2.77), single-parent family (OR 2.11), and having ≥ 3 siblings (OR 1.71), (p < 0.01).

The predictive ability of CRA improved when models combining oral and social factors were used, compaired to CRA based solely on oral factors (p < 0.05). An increase of up to 15% was seen when CRA was conducted closer to the outcome.

Conclusion

Models for Caries Risk Assessment including oral and social factors increase the predictive ability. Caries Risk Assessment has limited durability.
Unbalanced circulating Humanin levels and cardiovascular risk in chronic hemodialysis patients: a pilot, prospective study
Authors: Bolignano Davide , Greco Marta , Presta Pierangela , Duni Anila , Zicarelli Mariateresa , Mercuri Simone , Pappas Efthymios , Lakkas Lampros , Musolino Michela , Naka Katerina K. , Pugliese Sara , Misiti Roberta , Foti Daniela Patrizia , Andreucci Michele , Coppolino Giuseppe , Dounousi Evangelia
Published: August 2024

Background

Mortality and cardiovascular (CV) risk prediction in individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on chronic hemodialysis (HD) remains challenging due to the multitude of implicated factors. In a multicenter ESKD-HD cohort, we tested the prognostic yield of the assessment of circulating Humanin, a small mitochondrial-derived peptide involved in CV protection, on CV events and mortality.

Methods

We conducted a prospective, observational, pilot study on 94 prevalent HD patients. The prognostic capacity of circulating Humanin levels was tested on a primary composite (all-cause mortality + non-fatal CV events) and a secondary exploratory endpoint (all-cause mortality alone).

Results

Baseline Humanin level was comparable in patients reaching the primary or secondary endpoint as compared to others (p = 0.69 and 0.76, respectively). Unadjusted followed by multivariable Cox regression analyses adjusted for age, left ventricular mass index (LVMi), E/e’, pulse pressure and diabetes mellitus indicated a non-linear relationship between Humanin levels and the composite outcome with the highest Hazard Ratio (HR) associated with very low (< 450.7 pg/mL; HR ranging from 4.25 to 2.49) and very high (> 759.5 pg/mL; HR ranging from 5.84 to 4.50) Humanin values. Restricted cubic splines fitting univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses visually confirmed a curvilinear trend with an increasing risk observed for lower and higher Humanin values around the median, respectively. A similar, u-shaped association was also evidenced with the secondary endpoint.

Conclusions

Altered Humanin levels may impart prognostic information in ESKD-HD patients at risk of death or CV events. Future investigations are needed to confirm whether Humanin measurement could improve CV and mortality risk prediction beyond traditional risk models.

Graphical abstract
Algebraic aspects of holomorphic quantum modular forms
Authors: An Ni , Garoufalidis Stavros , Li Shana Yunsheng
Published: August 2024

Matrix-valued holomorphic quantum modular forms are intricate objects associated to 3-manifolds (in particular to knot complements) that arise in successive refinements of the volume conjecture of knots and involve three holomorphic, asymptotic and arithmetic realizations. It is expected that the algebraic properties of these objects can be deduced from the algebraic properties of descendant state integrals, and we illustrate this for the case of the $$(-2,3,7)$$

(
-
2
,
3
,
7
)

-pretzel knot.
Solving Investors’ Problems with Access to Evidence in Damages Litigation: Suggestions for a Future Issuer Liability Regime
Authors: Yli-Kankahila Heidi M. K.
Published: August 2024

Private enforcement’s role in the European secondary securities market is narrow. Issuer companies’ civil liability for violations of the inside information disclosure obligation is no exception. While trying to avoid the shadow of the US class action institution, European scholarship has long explored ways to increase the role of private enforcement in the securities market. Harmonising issuer liability is one of the suggestions to create a more prominent role for private enforcement. Even though harmonising issuer liability would be a welcome option for legal certainty and investor protection, it seems unlikely to happen in the near future. As an initial step towards potential harmonisation, this article analyses credit rating agencies’ (CRAs) liability and liability for competition law violations from the viewpoint of information asymmetry in litigation. It evaluates whether the legislative solutions in the CRA III Regulation and the Competition Damages Directive regarding plaintiffs’ access to evidence could be used as models for a potential issuer liability regime. The article finds that the choices made in the Competition Damages Directive could serve as viable models for issuer liability. The provisions in that Directive solve the information asymmetry between the plaintiff and the defendant by granting the plaintiff access to evidence in litigation through a court order.
Prospects of Justice for Cellular Agriculture: A just Transition or Reinvesting in Unsustainability?
Authors: Moritz Jana , Mazac Rachel , Ueta Mariana Hase , Räty Niko , Tuomisto Hanna L. , Ryynänen Toni
Published: August 2024

Transformation in food systems poses new opportunities for improving environmental sustainability and reducing the use of farmed animals. Discussions about transforming current food systems have been centered mostly on replacing animal source proteins with plant-based alternatives and about how to minimize food waste and loss. Products from cellular agriculture are part of a novel food transition and are presented as new, sustainable alternatives for animal source proteins. However, justice and equity narratives in food system transition discussions concerning cellular agriculture are rare. The aim of this study is to address how cellular agriculture may contribute to a just food system transition and to evaluate the prospects of such foods on this planet by reviewing narratives of cellular agriculture in 36 scientific articles. The data were analyzed using a justice transition framework. The results show that cellular agriculture has a potential to contribute to improving environmental sustainability if developers take justice into account as an important factor. Concerns are that cellular agriculture has the potential to be an exclusive food and may introduce regional variances exacerbating inequalities within the food system. We contribute to the discussion of just food system transitions by highlighting the importance of justice considerations in the context of cellular agriculture. Key aspects include the need for fair distribution along the value chain, global access to cellular agriculture benefits, and the recognition of social transformations in technological solutions. Additionally, transparent decision-making, open data access, and capacity building for stakeholders emerge as critical elements for fostering equitable and sustainable development in cellular agriculture.
Rethinking urban spatial planning and industrial development approaches in Ethiopia: bridging gaps for better outcomes
Authors: Tanku Melaku
Published: August 2024

Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this urbanization and industrial development surge puts immense pressure on preparing and implementing city spatial plans. Urban spatial planning plays a crucial role in shaping the development of cities, aiming to create livable and sustainable urban development. The plan-making process and its subsequent implementation often encounter challenges that hinder the realization of planned objectives. Galan and Dukem, cities near Addis Ababa’s capital, have seen substantial industrial investment in recent decades. This article explores the challenges associated with urban spatial planning and industrial development while proposing alternative approaches. The paper relies on information gathered from primary and secondary sources, including expert surveys and key informants’ interviews. The research highlights that industrial developments have led to significant and uncontrolled changes in urban land use and urbanization in the study areas. Due to the lack of clear planning guidelines and institutional capacity, the study cities are experiencing haphazard development without effective urban spatial plans. Proximity to Addis Ababa has driven the urbanization process through increased investments. The article contends that effective management of urbanization and industrialization can create enjoyable living conditions and foster job growth. Macroeconomic policies, including industrial policies, should pay attention to spatial elements and prevent policy-making processes that are “space-blind”. This, however, requires clairvoyance and a high level of expertise, integrating inputs from advocacy planning and community participation to bridge gaps and ensure effective urban spatial plans and industrialization processes.
Flow trigger setting in mechanically ventilated neonates, children and adults: a scoping review
Authors: Blokpoel Robert G. T. , Koopman A. A. , Kneyber Martin C. J.
Published: August 2024

After the introduction of flow triggering in mechanically ventilated patients, improved patient-ventilator interaction and less effort to trigger the ventilator has been reported. However limited evidence is available for setting the optimal flow trigger sensitivity, preventing auto-triggering or ineffective triggering and reducing patients’ effort to trigger the ventilator. Our objective was to map the use of flow trigger setting in mechanically ventilated patients, and to examine the relationship between flow trigger setting and occurrence of auto-triggering, ineffective triggering, and patients’ effort to trigger the ventilator, and to examine the relationship with patient outcome. A search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full text articles were reviewed after screening title and abstracts. Articles were included if there was any information provided regarding the occurrence of auto-triggering, ineffective triggering, breathing effort to trigger the ventilator related to any specific flow trigger sensitivity. Key findings were that evidence regarding the optimal flow trigger sensitivity in (preterm) neonates, children and mechanically ventilated adults is scarce. Setting the optimal flow trigger sensitivity preventing auto-triggering or ineffective triggering is based upon not supported by scientific evidence but rather based on institutional preferences. The occurrence of auto-triggering and ineffective triggering was strongly variable, and independent of the flow trigger level. An increase in effort to trigger the ventilator appeared to be dependent of respiratory dynamics instead of flow trigger sensitivity. No relation between flow trigger setting and clinical outcome could be identified.
Sleep disturbance and cognition in the elderly: a narrative review
Authors: Ni Yuanbo , Yu Min , Liu Cunming
Published: August 2024

Sleep is an essential physiological process that promotes physical recovery and helps consolidate learning and memory. Common manifestations of sleep disturbances include insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias, all of which impair cognitive function, particularly in the elderly. Cognitive impairment is a significant factor that threatens the quality of life in the elderly, and there is currently no effective treatment for conditions such as dementia. The relationship between sleep and cognition is complex. Studies have shown that sleep disorders adversely affect cognitive function and increase the incidence of cognitive decline. This article focuses on sleep disturbances and their effects on the cognition of the elderly by reviewing research conducted over the past 20 years and describing potential mechanisms. Additionally, we explore the relationship between sleep and cognition during the perioperative period, aiming to identify strategies for optimizing perioperative sleep quality. We believe this review provides a deeper understanding of the association between sleep and cognition and offers a new perspective for perioperative management.
Advancement with digital microfluidic biochips towards sustainability and secured outcome: a comprehensive survey on specific design metrics
Authors: Majumdar Ritwika , Datta Piyali , Chowdhury Sagarika , Pal Rajat Kumar
Published: August 2024

Digital Microfluidic Biochips belong to the emerging technologies in healthcare as they provide bioassay results with high precision while demanding very little amount of samples, space, and cost. To lessen resource-cost burden on this highly effective platform, pin-constrained biochips with broadcast pin addressing technique and cross-referencing biochips have attained the highest popularity among all since they demand a reduced number of pins. However, biochips that use clique-partitioning based broadcast addressing scheme suffer from many reliability, design, and security related issues. Another important pin count reduction method is cross-referencing, which also inherently possesses several design issues. In recent years, MEDA biochips have become vastly popular due to its capability of handling variable sized droplets and fine-grained droplet sensing. MEDA biochips also face several reliability and security issues. In this survey, we have included all state-of-the-art design opportunities, challenges, and the methods dealing with the reliability and security issues of broadcast addressing, MEDA, and direct addressing biochips. The comparison between the pin reduction schemes is also depicted. Finally, the possible future directions and research openings are provided.
Mining microbial and metabolic dark matter in extreme environments: a roadmap for harnessing the power of multi-omics data
Authors: Han Jia-Rui , Li Shuai , Li Wen-Jun , Dong Lei
Published: August 2024

Extreme environments such as hyperarid, hypersaline, hyperthermal environments, and the deep sea harbor diverse microbial communities, which are specially adapted to extreme conditions and are known as extremophiles. These extremophilic organisms have developed unique survival strategies, making them ideal models for studying microbial diversity, evolution, and adaptation to adversity. They also play critical roles in biogeochemical cycles. Additionally, extremophiles often produce novel bioactive compounds in response to corresponding challenging environments. Recent advances in technologies, including genomic sequencing and untargeted metabolomic analysis, have significantly enhanced our understanding of microbial diversity, ecology, evolution, and the genetic and physiological characteristics in extremophiles. The integration of advanced multi-omics technologies into culture-dependent research has notably improved the efficiency, providing valuable insights into the physiological functions and biosynthetic capacities of extremophiles. The vast untapped microbial resources in extreme environments present substantial opportunities for discovering novel natural products and advancing our knowledge of microbial ecology and evolution. This review highlights the current research status on extremophilic microbiomes, focusing on microbial diversity, ecological roles, isolation and cultivation strategies, and the exploration of their biosynthetic potential. Moreover, we emphasize the importance and potential of discovering more strain resources and metabolites, which would be boosted greatly by harnessing the power of multi-omics data.
Changes recorded in cardiac graphoelements of bees (Apis mellifera) during contact with fipronil
Authors: da Paz Clarissa Araújo , Eiró-Quirino Luciana , de Araújo Daniella Bastos , Barbosa Gabriela Brito , Câmara Tays Mata , de Campos Ana Luiza Cordeiro , de Souza Luana Vasconcelos , Santos Rafaela Negrão Olívia , Hartcopff Priscille Fidelis Pacheco , Hamoy Maria Klara Otake , dos Santos Murilo Farias , da Cunha Ferreira Rayllan , da Silva Deiga Yris , Russo Antônio Pedro Lisboa , Pereira Daniel Santiago , Contrera Felipe Andrés León , Muto Nilton Akio , Hamoy Moisés
Published: August 2024

A mortality of bees (Apis mellifera) caused by fipronil intoxication, due to its indiscriminate use in crops, has long been attracting the scientific community’s attention, either due to its acute or residual effects. In this study, we assessed the cardiac activity as a biomarker of fipronil intoxication through electrophysiological recordings of bees. Eighteen foragers, from the apiary of EMBRAPA—Eastern Amazon (Belém-Pará), bees were previously anesthetized at low temperature (− 10 °C) for 5 min and properly restrained and fixed on a stereotaxic base, where electrodes were implanted. All these procedures were carried out within a Faraday cage. Eighteen bees were used in the study. Worker bees engaged in foraging activities were selected. The bees were divided into a control group and a group treated with fipronil at 0.025 mg/bee (n = 9). The recordings lasted for 4 min and were evaluated at 1-s intervals represented by the following letters: A = (2–3 s), B = (59–60 s), C = (119–120 s), D = (179–180 s), and E = (239–240 s). The results showed that fipronil reduced the frequency and intensity of cardiac activity, exhibiting rapidly evolving effects, and promoting a disruption of homeostasis in bee hemodynamics. Through the obtained data, it was observed variation in spike amplitude, with a loss of cardiac strength and magnitude of the electrical impulse in the bee’s heart during exposure to fipronil.
Effectiveness of oral vancomycin as prophylaxis against Clostridioides difficile infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Reitmeyer Kelly M. , Rana Brijesh , Awad David , Huang Esther , Park Jiyeon J. , Yassin Arsheena , Mills John P. , Abdul Azim Ahmed , Bhatt Pinki J. , Narayanan Navaneeth
Published: August 2024

Objective:

Patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) are at increased risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) for CDI in HSCT patients.

Design:

Single-center, retrospective cohort.

Setting:

Tertiary care academic medical center in New Jersey.

Patients:

Patients ≥18 years old during admission for the HSCT were included. Patients who were admitted <72 hours or who had an active CDI prior to HSCT day 0 were excluded.

Methods:

Medical records of patients admitted between January 2015 and August 2022 to undergo an allogeneic or autologous HSCT were reviewed. The primary end point was the incidence of in-hospital CDI. Secondary end points included the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) bloodstream infections, VRE isolated from any clinical culture, gram-negative bloodstream infections, hospital survival, and hospital length of stay. Exploratory end points, including 1-year survival, relapse, and incidence of graft-versus-host disease, were also collected.

Results:

A total of 156 HSCT patients were included. There was 1 case of CDI (1 of 81, 1.23%) in the OVP group compared to 8 CDI cases (8 of 75, 10.67%) in the no OVP group (P = .0147). There were no significant (P > .05) between-group differences in incidence of gram-negative bloodstream infections, hospital survival, and length of stay. There were zero clinical cultures positive for VRE.

Conclusions:

In-hospital incidence of CDI in HSCT patients was significantly decreased with OVP. Randomized controlled trials are needed in this high-risk population to assess the efficacy and risks of OVP for CDI.
An Optimal Weighted Ensemble Machine Learning Approach to Accurate Estimate the Coastal Boundary Layer Height Using ERA5 Multi‐Variables
Authors: Peng Kecheng , Xin Jinyuan , Zhu Xiaoqian , Xu Qiang , Wang Xiaoyuan , Wang Weifeng , Tan Yulong , Zhao Dandan , Jia Danjie , Cao Xiaoqun , Ren Xinbing , Ma Yongjing , Wang Guangjie , Wang Zifa
Published: August 2024

The coastal boundary layer height (CBLH/Coastal‐BLH) is critical in determining the exchange of heat, momentum, and materials between the land and ocean, thereby regulating the local climate and weather change. However, due to the complexity of geographical characteristics and meteorological conditions, accurate estimation of the CBLH remains challenging. Herein, based on continuous high‐resolution measurements of CBL performed from November 2019 to April 2020 in coastal Ningbo city in eastern China, an optimal weighted ensemble model (OWEM) integrating multi‐meteorological variables of the ERA5 reanalysis data sets is constructed and validated to estimate the CBLH. The mean absolute percentage error of the derived CBLH by OWEM is as low as 3%–5%, significantly lower than that of 36%–65% of the ERA5 CBLH products. Furthermore, three categories of different weather scenarios, that is, sunny, cloudy, and rainy, are separately discussed, and OWEM shows greater performance and higher accuracies in comparison with the traditional Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator, Random Forest, Adaboost, LightGBM, and ensemble model, among which, OWEM under fair weather days behave best, with a robust R2 of 0.97 and a minimum mean absolute error (MAE) of 23 m. Further training results based on wind flow classification, that is, land breeze, sea breeze, and parallel wind, also indicate the outperformance of OWEM than other models, with a relatively large error in parallel wind of 50 m. Subsequent analysis of the Shapley Additive Explanations method strongly correlated with model feature importance, both reveal that thermodynamic factors such as temperature (T2m) and wind velocity (10 m U) are the major factors positively related to estimation accuracy during sunny days. Nevertheless, Relative Humidity dominates on rainy and cloudy days, TP on land breeze days, and dynamic variables like 10 m U and 10 m V on entire types of wind flow weather. In conclusion, the accurate estimation of CBLH from OWEM serves as a feasible and innovative approach, providing technical support for marine meteorology and related engineering applications, for example, onshore wind power, coastal ecological protection, etc.
Low Latitude Ionospheric Irregularity Observations Across a Wide Frequency Spectrum From VHF to S‐Band in the Indian Longitudes
Authors: Paul A. , Das A. , Biswas T. , Das T. , Nandakumar P.
Published: August 2024

This study reports coordinated observation of ionospheric irregularities from VHF Radar, GPS and IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System), from regions near the northern crest of the EIA (Equatorial Ionization Anomaly), which has not been explored earlier. Efforts have been made to study the signal‐in‐space environment for concurrent detection of ionospheric irregularities over a range of radio frequency, starting from 53 MHz of the Radar, to L‐band of GPS at 1,575.42 MHz and S band signal of IRNSS at 2,492.5 MHz. The radar is operational at Ionosphere Field Station, Haringhata (geographic latitude 22.93°N; geographic longitude 88.51°E; magnetic dip angle 36.2°N) of University of Calcutta. The GPS and IRNSS data are recorded at Calcutta (22.58°N, 88.38°E geographic; magnetic dip: 36°N), separated from Haringhata by 50 km. The spatial as well as temporal variations of irregularities affecting different radio frequencies have been presented. Coordinated observations have been made during period of March–April 2023. Results of the study reveal the common zone of impact of the different radio frequency links spanning from 53 to 2,592.5 MHz and was identified within 16°–25°N, 85°–90°E. During coordinated observations made over several days, irregularity structures have been observed with radar, having backscatter SNR (Signal to Noise ratio) intensity within −5 to 15 dB. During this time, while intense L band scintillation was recorded on multiple satellites of GPS, scintillation recorded at S band signal was moderate to intense.
High‐Frequency Isotope Compositions Reveal Different Cloud‐Top and Vertical Stratiform Rainfall Structures in the Inland Tropics of Brazil
Authors: Santos V. , Durán‐Quesada A. M. , Sánchez‐Murillo R. , Gastmans D.
Published: August 2024

Understanding the key drivers controlling rainfall stable isotope variations in inland tropical regions remains a global challenge. We present novel high‐frequency isotope data (5–30 min intervals) to disentangle the evolution of six stratiform rainfall events (N = 112) during the passage of convective systems in inland Brazil (September 2019–June 2020). These systems produced stratiform rainfall of variable cloud features. Depleted stratiform events (δ18Oinitial ≤ −4.2‰ and δ18Omean ≤ −6.1‰) were characterized by cooler cloud‐top temperatures (≤−38°C), larger areas (≥48 km2), higher liquid‐ice ratios (≥3.1), and higher melting layer heights (≥3.8 km), compared to enriched stratiform events (δ18Oinitial ≥ −3.8‰ and δ18Omean ≥ −5.1‰). Cloud vertical structure variability was reflected in a wide range of δ18O temporal patterns and abrupt shifts in d‐excess. Our findings provide a new perspective to the ongoing debate about isotopic variability and the partitioning of rainfall types across the tropics.
Assessing the Impacts of Falling Ice Radiative Effects on the Seasonal Variation of Land Surface Properties
Authors: Kisembe Jesse , Li Jui‐Lin F. , Wen Yixin , Lee Wei‐Liang , Qian Weikang , Li Zhi , Jiang Jonathan H.
Published: August 2024

The impacts of falling ice radiative effects (FIREs) on land‐atmosphere feedback processes were examined, with a focus on the fidelity of land surface properties and their variability as inferred by global climate models (GCMs). We conducted a pair of sensitivity experiments using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Earth System Model Version 1 (CESM1) in fully coupled modes with FIREs turned on and off. This allowed us to investigate the seasonal response of land surface properties to changes in radiation fluxes and land surface temperature (LST) associated with FIREs across global land areas. Our findings indicate that during boreal winter, excluding FIREs results in less surface downward longwave and net flux (∼5–15 Wm−2), leading to a colder land surface (∼2–4 K) and air temperatures (∼1–4 K) at mid‐ and high latitudes. Consequently, the surface frozen soil layer and snow cover persist through spring, delaying snowmelt and thawing until summer. This delay reduces liquid soil moisture, thereby suppressing vegetation productivity in subsequent seasons. Conversely, tropical regions, exhibit contrasting responses, with a warmer land surface (∼0.5 K) and warmer air temperatures (∼0.1–0.5 K) due to increased surface downward shortwave and net flux (∼2–10 Wm−2). This enhancement in radiation fosters increased vegetation productivity throughout the seasonal cycle. These findings illustrate a local response of land surface properties to changes in the surface energy balance and LST, highlighting the significant role that FIREs play in land surface modeling within GCMs.
Role of N6-methyladenosine in tumor neovascularization
Authors: Zhao Lu , Li Qinshan , Zhou Tongliang , Liu Xuan , Guo Jing , Fang Qing , Cao Xiaoxue , Geng Qishun , Yu Yang , Zhang Songjie , Deng Tingting , Wang Xing , Jiao Yi , Zhang Mengxiao , Liu Honglin , Tan Haidong , Xiao Cheng
Published: August 2024

Tumor neovascularization is essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of tumors. Recent studies have highlighted the significant role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in regulating these processes. This review explores the mechanisms by which m6A influences tumor neovascularization, focusing on its impact on angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry (VM). We discuss the roles of m6A writers, erasers, and readers in modulating the stability and translation of angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their involvement in key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Hippo. Additionally, we outline the role of m6A in vascular-immune crosstalk. Finally, we discuss the current development of m6A inhibitors and their potential applications, along with the contribution of m6A to anti-angiogenic therapy resistance. Highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting m6A regulators, this review provides novel insights into anti-angiogenic strategies and underscores the need for further research to fully exploit m6A modulation in cancer treatment. By understanding the intricate role of m6A in tumor neovascularization, we can develop more effective therapeutic approaches to inhibit tumor growth and overcome treatment resistance. Targeting m6A offers a novel approach to interfere with the tumor’s ability to manipulate its microenvironment, enhancing the efficacy of existing treatments and providing new avenues for combating cancer progression.
Differential detection of megakaryocytic and erythroid DNA in plasma in hematological disorders
Authors: Lam W. K. Jacky , Gai Wanxia , Bai Jinyue , Tam Tommy H. C. , Cheung Wai Fung , Ji Lu , Tse Irene O. L. , Tsang Amy F. C. , Li Maggie Z. J. , Jiang Peiyong , Law Man Fai , Wong Raymond S. M. , Chan K. C. Allen , Lo Y. M. Dennis
Published: August 2024

The tissues of origin of plasma DNA can be revealed by methylation patterns. However, the relative DNA contributions from megakaryocytes and erythroblasts into plasma appeared inconsistent among studies. To shed light into this phenomenon, we developed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assays for the differential detection of contributions from these cell types in plasma based on megakaryocyte-specific and erythroblast-specific methylation markers. Megakaryocytic DNA and erythroid DNA contributed a median of 44.2% and 6.2% in healthy individuals, respectively. Patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura had a significantly higher proportion of megakaryocytic DNA in plasma compared to healthy controls (median: 59.9% versus 44.2%; P = 0.03). Similarly, patients with β-thalassemia were shown to have higher proportions of plasma erythroid DNA compared to healthy controls (median: 50.9% versus 6.2%) (P < 0.0001). Hence, the concurrent analysis of megakaryocytic and erythroid lineage-specific markers could facilitate the dissection of their relative contributions and provide information on patients with hematological disorders.
Enhancing tomato plant immune responses to Fusarium wilt disease by red seaweed Jania sp.
Authors: Abdelaziz Amer M. , Elrefaey Ahmed A. , Sharaf Mohamed H. , Al-Qthanin Rahmah N. , Attia Mohamed S.
Published: August 2024

The novelty of this study lies in demonstrating a new approach to control wilt diseases using Jania ethyl acetate extract. In the current investigation, the potential impacts of Jania sp. ethyl acetate extract (JE) on Tomato Fusarium oxysporum wilt (FOW) have been studied. The in vitro antifungal potential of JE against F. oxysporum (FO) was examined. GC–MS investigation of the JE revealed that, the compounds possessing fungicidal action were Phenol,2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-,acetate, Eugenol, Caryophyllene oxide, Isoespintanol, Cadinene, Caryophylla-4(12),8(13)-dien-5à-ol and Copaen. Jania sp. ethyl acetate extract exhibited strong antifungal potential against FO, achieving a 20 mmzone of inhibition. In the experiment, two different methods were applied: soil irrigation (SI) and foliar application (FS) of JE. The results showed that both treatments reduced disease index present DIP by 20.83% and 33.33% respectively. The findings indicated that during FOW, proline, phenolics, and the antioxidant enzymes activity increased, while growth and photosynthetic pigments decreased. The morphological features, photosynthetic pigments, total phenol content, and antioxidant enzyme activity of infected plants improved when JE was applied through soil or foliar methods. It is interesting to note that the application of JE had a substantially less negative effect on the isozymes peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase in tomato plants, compared to FOW. These reactions differed depending on whether JE was applied foliarly or via the soil. Finally, the use of Jania sp. could be utilized commercially as an ecologically acceptable method to protect tomato plants against FOW.
Plasmodium falciparum population dynamics in East Africa and genomic surveillance along the Kenya-Uganda border
Authors: Osborne Ashley , Mańko Emilia , Waweru Harrison , Kaneko Akira , Kita Kiyoshi , Campino Susana , Gitaka Jesse , Clark Taane G.
Published: August 2024

East African countries accounted for ~ 10% of all malaria prevalence worldwide in 2022, with an estimated 23.8 million cases and > 53,000 deaths. Despite recent increases in malaria incidence, high-resolution genome-wide analyses of Plasmodium parasite populations are sparse in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Kenyan-Ugandan border region is a particular concern, with Uganda confirming the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistant P. falciparum parasites. To establish genomic surveillance along the Kenyan-Ugandan border and analyse P. falciparum population dynamics within East Africa, we generated whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for 38 parasites from Bungoma, Western Kenya. These sequences were integrated into a genomic analysis of available East African isolate data (n = 599) and revealed parasite subpopulations with distinct genetic structure and diverse ancestral origins. Ancestral admixture analysis of these subpopulations alongside isolates from across Africa (n = 365) suggested potential independent ancestral populations from other major African populations. Within isolates from Western Kenya, the prevalence of biomarkers associated with chloroquine resistance (e.g. Pfcrt K76T) were significantly reduced compared to wider East African populations and a single isolate contained the PfK13 V568I variant, potentially linked to reduced susceptibility to artemisinin. Overall, our work provides baseline WGS data and analysis for future malaria genomic surveillance in the region.
Quantum paraelectric varactors for radiofrequency measurements at millikelvin temperatures
Authors: Apostolidis P. , Villis B. J. , Chittock-Wood J. F. , Powell J. M. , Baumgartner A. , Vesterinen V. , Simbierowicz S. , Hassel J. , Buitelaar M. R.
Published: August 2024

Radiofrequency reflectometry can provide fast and sensitive electrical read-out of charge and spin qubits in quantum dot devices coupled to resonant circuits. In situ frequency tuning and impedance matching of the resonator circuit using voltage-tunable capacitors (varactors) is needed to optimize read-out sensitivity, but the performance of conventional semiconductor- and ferroelectric-based varactors degrades substantially in the millikelvin temperature range relevant for solid-state quantum devices. Here we show that strontium titanate and potassium tantalate, materials which can exhibit quantum paraelectric behaviour with large field-tunable permittivity at low temperatures, can be used to make varactors with perfect impedance matching and resonator frequency tuning at 6 mK. We characterize the varactors at 6 mK in terms of their capacitance tunability, dissipative losses and magnetic field insensitivity. We use the quantum paraelectric varactors to optimize the radiofrequency read-out of carbon nanotube quantum dot devices, achieving a charge sensitivity of 4.8 μe Hz−1/2 and a capacitance sensitivity of 0.04 aF Hz−1/2.
Co-targeting SOS1 enhances the antitumor effects of KRASG12C inhibitors by addressing intrinsic and acquired resistance
Authors: Thatikonda Venu , Lyu Hengyu , Jurado Sabine , Kostyrko Kaja , Bristow Christopher A. , Albrecht Christoph , Alpar Donat , Arnhof Heribert , Bergner Oliver , Bosch Karin , Feng Ningping , Gao Sisi , Gerlach Daniel , Gmachl Michael , Hinkel Melanie , Lieb Simone , Jeschko Astrid , Machado Annette A. , Madensky Thomas , Marszalek Ethan D. , Mahendra Mikhila , Melo-Zainzinger Gabriella , Molkentine Jessica M. , Jaeger Philipp A. , Peng David H. , Schenk Robyn L. , Sorokin Alexey , Strauss Sandra , Trapani Francesca , Kopetz Scott , Vellano Christopher P. , Petronczki Mark , Kraut Norbert , Heffernan Timothy P. , Marszalek Joseph R. , Pearson Mark , Waizenegger Irene C. , Hofmann Marco H.
Published: August 2024

Combination approaches are needed to strengthen and extend the clinical response to KRASG12C inhibitors (KRASG12Ci). Here, we assessed the antitumor responses of KRASG12C mutant lung and colorectal cancer models to combination treatment with a SOS1 inhibitor (SOS1i), BI-3406, plus the KRASG12C inhibitor, adagrasib. We found that responses to BI-3406 plus adagrasib were stronger than to adagrasib alone, comparable to adagrasib with SHP2 (SHP2i) or EGFR inhibitors and correlated with stronger suppression of RAS-MAPK signaling. BI-3406 plus adagrasib treatment also delayed the emergence of acquired resistance and elicited antitumor responses from adagrasib-resistant models. Resistance to KRASG12Ci seemed to be driven by upregulation of MRAS activity, which both SOS1i and SHP2i were found to potently inhibit. Knockdown of SHOC2, a MRAS complex partner, partially restored response to KRASG12Ci treatment. These results suggest KRASG12C plus SOS1i to be a promising strategy for treating both KRASG12Ci naive and relapsed KRASG12C-mutant tumors.