bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of cultural factors on manner awareness poster impressions
Authors: Alisjahbana Kara Dinissa , Yamanaka Toshimasa , Bao Suomiya
Published: July 2023

Indonesian design practitioners have shown interest in adapting the established cute visual culture, commonly used in Japan, to improve public service communication. This assimilation effort may enhance communication effectiveness; however, previous research has shown that cultural factors can harm communication effectiveness. We conducted this study to determine if and which public service poster impressions are affected by cultural factors. We compare impressions of Japanese and Indonesian subjects when looking at selected manner awareness posters. We measure the intensity of impressions with an online survey method. Participants had to score the poster images based on ten impressions previously selected through a preliminary experiment and translation check process.

Fifty-nine Japanese (n = 29) and Indonesian (n = 30) adults participated in the survey. Impressions with major effect were realness and casualness, while Impressions with a slight effect were reassurance, playfulness, imaginativeness, importance, preference, and sharing intention. Finally, we found that the impression of cuteness and picture-text orientation were least affected by cultural factors. We conclude that cognitively evaluated impressions, such as reassurance, realness, and casualness, appear more affected by cultural factors than cuteness. We confirm the universality of cuteness impression, which we may adapt for visual communication across different cultures.
Exploring indicators for happiness and its effect to people's emotion using LEIQ(TM)
Authors: Lokman Anitawati Mohd , Mohamed Shuhidan Shuhaida , Hamidi Saidatul Rahah , Kadir Shamsiah Abd , Syahirah Sharifah
Published: July 2023

Many assumptions were made about people's dissatisfaction with their daily lives, such as debt burden, social problems, unstable economic conditions, health problems, cost of living, lack of job opportunities, lack of educational support, and so on. The positive or negative emotional experience is distinctive between individuals or groups of people who share similar life experiences. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the emotional responses of a specific population to daily obstacles that may be related to the mentioned scenarios. The Lokman's Emotion and Importance Quadrant (LEIQ)TM, which was built on axes of emotion vs. importance, was used in this study to discover the importance of the identified indicators to the people’s happiness. The model is based on the idea that accurate strategies to improve people's quality of life can be devised by classifying indicators that contribute to people's emotions and understanding their importance to the people who interact with the stimuli. The findings of this study will eventually enable the identification of indicators that significantly influence people's positive or negative emotional states, which can then be used by stakeholders to devise effective strategies for future improvements.
Identifying the patterns of co-presence and social interactions in the dwellings of contemporary Sri Lankan suburbs through the virtual fieldworks
Authors: Hirudini Seekkuarachchige Mihiri , Yamada Kyota
Published: July 2023

Co-presence is the idea that the presence of other actors shapes the individual behavior and creates the base for social interactions leading to a harmonious society. This paper discusses the structure of the observational means for the fieldwork of a research which clarifies the relationship between co-presence and social interactions while identifying patterns of co-presence in the dwellings of the contemporary Sri Lankan suburbs.

Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nation. To identify the lifestyle, patterns of co-presence and social interactions of Sinhala Lower middleclass, which occupies the majority of the population and has the highest influence in the social dynamics of Sri Lankan society, this research has mainly focused on domestic places, in which a major part of their life is spent.

Due to COVID19 travel restrictions, onsite fieldwork was difficult. Hence two online field methodologies were developed as alternative fieldwork systems in this research, to clarify the patterns of co-presence and feelings related to them in creation of social interactions. The findings clarify that there are four main types of co-presence patterns which are related to functionality and frequency of co-activities of the co-presence occurrences. It was observed that among these types, co-presence occurrences with functional co-activities have less flexibility leading to limited social interactions while co-presence occurrences with non-functional co-activities have more flexibility leading to higher possibilities of social interactions.
Improving the user's expectation disconfirmation toward the tumbler by reducing the differences in sensory dominance between pre-purchase and post-purchase evaluation
Authors: Lu Jun-Ming , Lin Ting-Yu
Published: July 2023

Regardless of going online or physical shopping, expectation disconfirmation due to the discrepancy between pre-purchase and post-purchase evaluation may occur from time to time. Thus, this study takes the tumbler as an example and aims to explore the reasons behind, as well as finding a suitable solution. It is hypothesized that the change of sensory dominance in product interaction from purchase to real use might lead to expectation disconfirmation. More specifically, if the user-product interaction during purchase can be better designed to ensure the consistent sensory dominance with real use, there is a chance to avoid expectation disconfirmation. A set of five scenarios of user-product interaction was first proposed by investigating the daily-use behavior of tumbler users. 15 female participants with the experience of tumbler use were then recruited to experience the traditional product interaction during purchase first. After at least three weeks, they returned to experience the new manner of user-product interaction during purchase. Subsequently, each participant took a tumbler home to use it for four consecutive weeks, during which she was required to provide subjective responses at the end of each week. Results showed that there is no sufficient evidence that ensuring consistent sensory dominance during purchase with real use can avoid expectation disconfirmation. Nevertheless, the findings through interviews support the need for doing so.
«Otogi Box»: a cubic haptic interface for presenting a story through tactile communication
Authors: Azuma Makiko , Handa Takuya , Komine Kazuteru
Published: July 2023

Haptic technology provides users with an experience that is unattainable via audiovisual information alone. Researchers have previously attempted to synchronize tactile information with video to enhance the multimedia experience, although their studies were based on the assumption that visual information is present. Tactile stimuli usually act as additional information for a story and do not normally arouse people’s imagination regarding a story; a door opening, water dripping onto the floor, or someone walking across the floor is usually presented through visual information. This study proposes the “Otogi Box,” a cubic haptic storytelling interface using tactile stimuli. The haptic interface provides a whole new user experience, letting them feel the story unfold in their hands. The interface independently vibrates each of its faces based on the audio signals providing various touch sensations that fit a specific story. We present “Dwarf’s House” as a demo story, wherein users feel a dwarf realistically entering and exiting the box. For instance, the right face vibrates as if a door is opening when the dwarf opens the door on the right side of the house. The basic storytelling capabilities of the interface was tested through a user evaluation. The results revealed that the proposed interface could effectively present a simple story through tactile sense without any visual information, and enabled stimulation of users’ imagination in a unique manner.
Potential for well-being in peer-to-peer sharing economy: a systematic review and modeling
Authors: Ho Meng-Xun , Yanagisawa Hideyoshi
Published: July 2023

Humans pursue well-being in their lives. Well-being encompasses positive emotions, life satisfaction, healthy functioning, meaning of life, and self-growth. In ancient times, sharing was an intimate behavior that consolidated communities and led to an ideal life, which refers to well-being in the present. Sharing economy sheds light on a novel business model in which people can develop their well-being while sharing resources/goods and services among strangers. However, prior research shows that users participate in the sharing economy because of self-interest rather than social interaction or sustainability. Sustainable well-being is important not only for us but also for our communities and our planet. This study investigates how the components of well-being can be built into a sharing economy and foster users to pursue it in the long-term. It reviews and synthesizes prior studies to (1) elucidate the components of well-being in the peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing economy, (2) model the sharing ecosystem with components of well-being from a global perspective, and (3) discuss the design solutions for a P2P sharing platform to facilitate well-being. Furthermore, it provides examples of practices to illustrate the proposed model. We believe this study not only motivates platformers to consider users’ well-being but also promotes sustainable functioning of the sharing ecosystem.
Visualization of affective information in music using chironomie
Authors: Tatsumi Kana , Sako Shinji
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to visualize affective information that cannot be conveyed by symbolic notation alone, to enhance the musical experience of the hearing impaired. To represent the rhythm of music effectively and uniquely, we focused on Chironomie, which represents the structure of rhythm with emotional impression. In general, Chironomie is drawn by a curve corresponding to the score, which is determined by whether a short segment of the score represents one of two classes, Arsis or Thesis. First, we utilized the machine learning technique to classify Arsis and Thesis from the score as input. We conducted experiments to confirm the accuracy of the classification, and the usefulness of the estimated Chironomie in conveying the rhythm of music. In the latter experiment, four types of stimuli combining visual and sound information were used to confirm the effects of Chironome: score only, Chironomie only, score and Chironomie, and score and sound. Results showed that Chironomie has certain usefulness in conveying the rhythmic structure of a piece of music. This paper mainly focuses on evaluation experiments and discusses experimental and analytical methods under these experimental conditions.
Who are you talking to? Considerations on designing gender ambiguous voice user interfaces.
Authors: Tymburiba Elian Matheus , Masuko Soh , Yamanaka Toshimasa
Published: July 2023

With the widespread availability of Voice Assistants in smart devices, the usage of Voice User Interfaces has highly increased in the recent years. Although the anthropomorphized Voice Assistants present in these systems can aid users in many tasks, it also activates harmful gender bias and stereotypes. Since the usage of Gender Ambiguous voice agents in these interfaces is considered as solution for mitigating these gender effects, this paper analyzed different studies in the field of Voice User Interface design, while proposing a theoretical framework to design gender ambiguous voice agents, considering the type of recording, method of sound manipulation, method of evaluation for gender identification and contextual characteristics.
Trends in the Use of Mifepristone for Medical Management of Early Pregnancy Loss From 2016 to 2020
Authors: Boos Elise W. , Horta Manuel , Thompson Ivana , Dusetzina Stacie B. , Leech Ashley A.
Published: July 2023

This study assesses the use of mifepristone plus misoprostol for miscarriage management among commercially insured adults in the US.
Multi‐Material Aerosol Jet Printing of Al/Cuo Nanothermites for Versatile Fabrication of Energetic Antennas
Authors: Gamba Livio , Lajoie Justin A. , Sippel Travis R. , Secor Ethan B.
Published: July 2023

In the present study, a nanoscale Al/CuO thermite system is patterned using a multi‐material aerosol jet printing technology. Morphological analysis of samples manufactured with different printing configurations reveal a strong effect of the printhead design on microstructure and degree of mixing between the constituent materials, providing insight on fundamental mechanisms of inline aerosol‐phase mixing during printing. The high‐resolution patterning capability of aerosol jet printing is leveraged to fabricate both blended nanoscale Al/CuO thermites and antennas containing the nanothermite, which exhibit rapid and low‐energy ignition upon exposure to a 2.45 GHz free space electromagnetic field, characterized by an ignition delay of ≈130 ms and ignition energy of ≈216 J. Moreover, the versatility of this approach is demonstrated by manufacturing compositionally graded samples, establishing multi‐material aerosol jet printing as a compelling and versatile platform for microscale energetic device fabrication with broader utility for graded materials. This work shows promise for use of the technique for in situ manufacturing of standalone and integrated energetics and electromagnetic devices.
Overcoming Obstacles in Zn‐Ion Batteries Development: Application of Conductive Redox‐Active Polypyrrole/Tiron Anolyte Interphase
Authors: Luo Mingwu , Gan Xiongri , Zhang Chenran , Yang Yabin , Yue Wan , Zhitomirsky Igor , Shi Kaiyuan
Published: July 2023

This study is focused on overcoming obstacles in the implementation of metallic Zn for zinc‐ion batteries. The major limiting factors of Zn anodes include dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and by‐product formation. Herein, the challenges are addressed by the application of a redox‐active electrode‐electrolyte interphase. Cationic polypyrrole(PPy)/anionic Tiron anolyte is formulated as the mixed conducting interphase to push the limits of zinc‐based energy storage. The doping/de‐doping behavior of PPy stimulates the surface adsorption/desorption of Tiron attributed to the ion‐induced nucleation. Testing results show that PPy as a passivating corrosive‐resistant layer improves the interfacial stability of Zn metal; while releasing the redox‐active anolyte boosts the charge transfer of cells by the phenol‐quinone transformations. The Zn//Zn cells demonstrate an improved life from 50 to 2500 cycles with a reduced overpotential at 2 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. In situ UV–vis spectroscopic measurements, combined with density functional theory calculations, address the redox mechanisms of PPy/Tiron anolyte. The testing of α‐MnO2//Zn cells shows that the PPy/Tiron anolyte exhibits enhanced capacity and rate performance due to the pseudocapacitive effects. This study unveils a conceptually new approach based on the modification of conducting polymer with redox‐active dopants toward the fabrication of high‐performance Zn‐anolyte batteries.
Translational mRNA Profiling Analysis of Pseudopalisading Cells in Bevacizumab Resistance of GBM
Authors: Kim Yejin , Kim Tae Hoon , Sreynet Srun , Oh Yong Seok , Nam Do‐Hyun , Park Jong Bae , Kim Sung Soo
Published: July 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis that easily recurs. The antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab is used to treat recurrent GBM. However, GBM treated with bevacizumab easily rebounds due to evasive mechanisms that induce resistance to treatment, such as hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) associated pathways. The transcription factor HIFs are oxygen‐dependent and are degraded via the ubiquitin‐dependent proteasomal pathway. Therefore, it is necessary to study bevacizumab resistance with HIF‐associated pathways through translational mRNA profiling. This work applies a hypoxia response element (HRE) promoter to the ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) system for hypoxia‐specific translational mRNA profiling analysis. Here, this work analyzes the translatome of pseudopalisading cells in the brain samples of orthotopic mouse models using hypoxia‐responsive 5× HRE‐TRAP system to investigate the molecular mechanism of drug resistance on pseudopalisading cells around the necrotic area induced by bevacizumab resistance. The translatomic analysis result shows that pseudopalisading cells exhibit notable enrichment of gene sets associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The outcomes of this study enhance clinical relevance, meaning that the translatomic analysis result of pseudopalisading cells during bevacizumab treatment‐induced resistance provides new insight into a promising approach for developing targeted therapeutics.
Impacts of vegetation and topsoil removal on soil erosion, soil moisture, and infiltration
Authors: DeVilleneuve Stephanie , Kelly Austin , Miyanaka Noriki , Shanmuhasundaram Thiruvikram , Murphree Parker , Wyatt Briana M.
Published: July 2023

Soil erosion by water is a critical environmental problem that affects a large land area globally and is expected to increase substantially as a result of climate change‐induced rainfall intensification. This study sought to determine the impacts of soil mechanical disturbance and topsoil removal on soil erosion and deposition, soil moisture, soil water infiltration, and vegetation type in a central Texas subtropical grassland setting. The removal of topsoil increased soil erosion and caused changes in soil texture, soil moisture, infiltration rate, and the vegetation community within the disturbed area. Soil texture shifted from clay to sand dominated as sand particles were eroded from an upland area. This shift in soil texture led to decreased volumetric soil moisture (−14.6%) as compared to an adjacent undisturbed location. The removal of topsoil also led to an invasion of non‐native grasses that now dominate the vegetated portions of the disturbed area. Erosion and deposition measurements indicated an uneven gain and loss of soil across the disturbed area, but on average 0.85 cm of sand was deposited during the 1‐month study period. Our results show that high levels of erosion are occurring and degrading the immediate landscape, which is likely contributing a large amount of sediment to a nearby waterway, posing a potential water quality threat to an important surface water body.
Functional traits and water‐transport strategies of woody species in an insular environment in a tropical forest
Authors: Castelar João Victor S. , Da Cunha Maura , Simioni Priscila F. , Castilhori Marcelo F. , Lira‐Martins Demetrius , Giles André L. , Costa Warlen S. , Alexandrino Camilla R. , Callado Cátia H.
Published: July 2023

Premise

Plants survive in habitats with limited resource availability and contrasting environments by responding to variation in environmental factors through morphophysiological traits related to species performance in different ecosystems. However, how different plant strategies influence the megadiversity of tropical species has remained a knowledge gap.

Methods

We analyzed variations in 27 morphophysiological traits of leaves and secondary xylem inErythroxylum pulchrumandTapirira guianensis, which have the highest absolute dominance in these physiognomies and occur together in areas of restinga and dense ombrophilous forest to infer water‐transport strategies of Atlantic Forest woody plants.

Results

The two species presented different sets of morphophysiological traits, strategies to avoid embolism and ensure water transport, in different phytophysiognomies.Tapirira guianensisshowed possible adaptations influenced by phytophysiognomy, whileE. pulchrumshowed less variation in the set of characteristics between different phytophysiognomies.

Conclusions

Our results provide essential tools to understand how the environment can modulate morphofunctional traits and how each species adjusts differently to adapt to different phytophysiognomies. In this sense, the results for these species reveal new species‐specific responses in the tropical forest. Such knowledge is a prerequisite to predict future development of the most vulnerable forests as climate changes.
Surface functionalized Fe3O4‐polyacrylamide dispersion for improved oil recovery at harsh conditions
Authors: Haruna Maje Alhaji , Wen Dong‐sheng
Published: July 2023

With the growing demand for energy supply and the natural decline of oil reservoirs, the development of new enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques become more and more critical. Polymer flooding EOR is one of the most successful chemical EOR methods but suffers many drawbacks at high temperatures and high salinity (HT‐HS) conditions. Superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have been recently investigated for subsurface applications, including in EOR, due to their unique physicochemical properties. Their applicability under harsh reservoir conditions, however, is yet to be examined. In this work, a novel approach is developed to synthesize superparamagnetic Fe3O4 (NPs) with unique surface functionalization (SMag‐NPs) and to form stable polyacrylamide (PAM) dispersions (SMag‐NPs‐PAM). Both stability and core flooding experiment results demonstrate the promising future of the new dispersion.  The SMag‐NPs‐PAM dispersion is not only stable at HT‐HS conditions, but also show excellent EOR capability at HT‐HS by recovering, 61.72% of the initial oil quantity, which is significantly higher than those from conventinal NPs‐PAM disperison and pure PAM fluid. These findings show the promising application potential of SMag‐NPs‐PAM for improving oil recovery in challenging HT‐HS reservoir conditions.
Children with autism spectrum disorder who demonstrate normal language scores use a bottom‐up semantic processing strategy: Evidence from N400 recordings
Authors: Phan Lee , Tariq Alina , Lam Garbo , Mirza Maaz , Paiva Dylan , Lazic Milan , Emami Zahra , Anagnostou Evdokia , Gordon Karen A. , Pang Elizabeth W.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The N400 is an electrophysiological component that reflects lexical access and integration of words with mental representations.

Methods

Thirty‐five young children with a range of language capabilities (n = 21 neurotypical controls, 10 males, mean age = 6.3 ± 0.9 years; n = 14 children with autism, 12 males, mean age = 6.4 ± 1.1 years) completed an auditory semantic categorization paradigm to evoke the N400. Electroencephalograph (EEG) data were acquired with a 64‐channel electrode cap as children listened via ear inserts to binaurally presented single syllable words and decided whether the words were congruent (in) or incongruent (out) with a pre‐specified category. EEG data were filtered, epoched, and averaged referenced, and global field power (GFP) was computed. The amplitude of the N400 peak in the GFP was submitted to a multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

N400 amplitude was found to predict language scores only for the children with ASD who have language scores in the normal range (r2 = 0.72).

Conclusions

This finding that N400 amplitude only predicted language scores in children with ASD and normal language scores suggests that these children may rely more on basic semantic processing (as reflected by the N400) and less on anticipating and predicting upcoming words. This suggests preferential utilization of a bottom‐up strategy to access higher order language.
Design, in Silico Studies and Biological Evaluation of New Chiral Thiourea and 1,3‐Thiazolidine‐4,5‐dione Derivatives
Authors: Evyapan Samet , Oruç‐Emre Emine Elçin , Sıcak Yusuf , Karaküçük‐İyidoğan Ayşegül , Yılmaz Gizem Tatar , Öztürk Mehmet
Published: July 2023

In this study, new chiral thiourea and 1,3‐thiazolidine‐4,5‐dione derivatives were synthesized, it was aimed to evaluate the various biological activities and molecular docking of these compounds. Firstly, the new thioureas (1–16) were obtained by reacting 1‐naphthylisothiocyanate with different chiral amines. Then, the chiral thioureas were cyclized with oxalyl chloride to obtain 1,3‐thiazolidine‐4,5‐dione derivatives (17–32). All compounds were evaluated with several in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. Compound 30 was the most active compound against AChE, with a value of IC50=8.09±0.58 μM. On the other hand, all compounds were tested in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assays to better understand their bioavailability. These physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and drug‐likeness of all compounds were calculated using SwissADME. Furthermore, according to molecular docking analyses compound 30 exhibited significant binding affinities for all enzymes. Based on our overall observations, compound 30 could be recommended as a potential lead for the therapuetic of Alzheimer's.
First‐principles Assessment of the Role of Water in the Reduction Half Cycle of Low‐Temperature NH3‐SCR over Cu‐CHA
Authors: Contaldo Gabriele , Ferri Matteo , Negri Chiara , Nova Isabella , Maestri Matteo , Tronconi Enrico
Published: July 2023

Dispersion corrected density functional theory calculations show that the presence of H2O in the Reduction Half‐Cycle (RHC) of NH3‐SCR affects the free energy of the kinetically‐relevant transition state (TS) leading to a reduction in the rate and activation energy with respect to dry conditions. In particular, H2O enthalpically stabilizes the kinetically‐relevant TS by 20 kJ mol−1 with respect to the dry counterpart. Such enthalpic stabilization vanishes when van der Waals (vdW) interactions are excluded from the calculations, thus showing the preeminent role of non‐specific dispersion forces in the reduction of the activation enthalpy. At the same time, the enthalpic stabilization is more than compensated by the additional entropy losses of the TS brought forth by the presence of H2O in the CHA cage. Calculated enthalpy and entropy changes with respect to the dry case agree quantitatively with the experimental measurements and reflect the modified reacting environment in the presence of H2O. As a result, this study provides theoretical underpinnings on the mechanistic role of H2O in the RHC and, on a more general basis, highlights the importance of the molecular scale description of the reaction environment in voids of molecular dimensions.
Electrochemical Aldehyde Oxidation at Gold Electrodes: gem‐Diol, non‐Hydrated Aldehyde, and Diolate as Electroactive Species
Authors: Bondue Christoph J. , Spallek Marius , Sobota Lennart , Tschulik Kristina
Published: July 2023

To date the electroactive species of selective aldehyde oxidation to carboxylates at gold electrodes is usually assumed to be the diolate. It forms with high concentration only in very alkaline electrolytes, when OH− binds to the carbonyl carbon atom. Accordingly, the electrochemical upgrading of biomass‐derived aldehydes to carboxylates is believed to be limited to very alkaline electrolytes at many electrode materials. However, OH−‐induced aldehyde decomposition in these electrolytes prevents application of electrochemical aldehyde oxidation for the sustainable upgrading of biomass to value‐added chemicals at industrial scale. Here, we demonstrate the successful oxidation of aliphatic aldehydes at a rotating gold electrode at pH 12, where only 1 % of the aldehyde resides as the diolate species. This concentration is too small to account for the observed current, which shows that also other aldehyde species (i. e., the geminal diol and the non‐hydrated aldehyde) are electroactive. This insight allows developing strategies to omit aldehyde decomposition while achieving high current densities for the selective aldehyde oxidation, making its future industrial application viable.
Sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors in heart failure: Potential decongestive mechanisms and current clinical studies
Authors: Biegus Jan , Fudim Marat , Salah Husam M. , Heerspink Hiddo J.L. , Voors Adriaan A. , Ponikowski Piotr
Published: July 2023

Congestion is a key pathophysiological feature of heart failure (HF) syndrome that drives most of the clinical manifestations of acute HF and is related with poor quality of life and outcomes. Therefore, safe and effective decongestion is an important therapeutic target in the management of acute HF and despite the use of guideline‐recommended loop diuretics, adequate decongestion is not always achieved in patients with acute HF. Recently, sodium–glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors have been shown to provide clinical benefits across a broad spectrum of patients with HF, including consistent reduction in the risk of acute HF episodes. While the exact mechanisms underlying these benefits remain a matter of debate, a growing body of evidence suggests that effective decongestion may be partly responsible, especially in the setting of acute HF. In this review, we discuss the potential decongestive mechanisms of SGLT‐2 inhibitors, such as osmotic diuresis, natriuresis, preservation of glomerular filtration and facilitation of interstitial drainage, which can collectively translate into effective and safe decongestion. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive review of up‐to‐date clinical data of SGLT‐2 inhibitor use in the acute HF population.
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Blood and Scute Trace Element Concentrations in the Northern Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Wilkinson Adam , Ariel Ellen , van de Merwe Jason , Brodie Jon
Published: July 2023

Marine turtles face numerous anthropogenic threats, including that of chemical contaminant exposure. The ecotoxicological impact of toxic metals is a global issue facing Chelonia mydas in coastal sites. Local investigation of C. mydas short-term blood metal profiles is an emerging field, while little research has been conducted on scute metal loads as potential indicators of long-term exposure. The aim of the present study was to investigate and describe C. mydas blood and scute metal profiles in coastal and offshore populations of the Great Barrier Reef. This was achieved by analyzing blood and scute material sampled from local C. mydas populations in five field sites, for a suite of ecologically relevant metals. By applying principal component analysis and comparing coastal sample data with those of reference intervals derived from the control site, insight was gleaned on local metal profiles of each population. Blood metal concentrations in turtles from coastal sites were typically elevated when compared with levels recorded in the offshore control population (Howick Island Group). Scute metal profiles were similar in Cockle Bay, Upstart Bay, and Edgecumbe Bay, all of which were distinct from that of Toolakea. Some elements were reported at similar concentrations in blood and scutes, but most were higher in scute samples, indicative of temporal accumulation. Coastal C. mydas populations may be at risk of toxic effects from metals such as Co, which was consistently found to be at concentrations magnitudes above region-specific reference intervals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2375–2388. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Applicability of Chronic Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting Zinc Toxicity in Australian and New Zealand Freshwaters
Authors: Stauber Jennifer L. , Gadd Jennifer , Price Gwilym A. V. , Evans Anthony , Holland Aleicia , Albert Anathea , Batley Graeme E. , Binet Monique T. , Golding Lisa A. , Hickey Chris , Harford Andrew , Jolley Dianne , Koppel Darren , McKnight Kitty S. , Morais Lucas G. , Ryan Adam , Thompson Karen , Van Genderen Eric , Van Dam Rick A. , Warne Michael St. J.
Published: July 2023

Bioavailability models, for example, multiple linear regressions (MLRs) of water quality parameters, are increasingly being used to develop bioavailability-based water quality criteria for metals. However, models developed for the Northern Hemisphere cannot be adopted for Australia and New Zealand without first validating them against local species and local water chemistry characteristics. We investigated the applicability of zinc chronic bioavailability models to predict toxicity in a range of uncontaminated natural waters in Australia and New Zealand. Water chemistry data were compiled to guide a selection of waters with different zinc toxicity-modifying factors. Predicted toxicities using several bioavailability models were compared with observed chronic toxicities for the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata and the native cladocerans Ceriodaphnia cf. dubia and Daphnia thomsoni. The most sensitive species to zinc in five New Zealand freshwaters was R. subcapitata (72-h growth rate), with toxicity ameliorated by high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) or low pH, and hardness having a minimal influence. Zinc toxicity to D. thomsoni (reproduction) was ameliorated by both high DOC and hardness in these same waters. No single trophic level–specific effect concentration, 10% (EC10) MLR was the best predictor of chronic toxicity to the cladocerans, and MLRs based on EC10 values both over- and under-predicted zinc toxicity. The EC50 MLRs better predicted toxicities to both the Australian and New Zealand cladocerans to within a factor of 2 of the observed toxicities in most waters. These findings suggest that existing MLRs may be useful for normalizing local ecotoxicity data to derive water quality criteria for Australia and New Zealand. The final choice of models will depend on their predictive ability, level of protection, and ease of use. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2614–2629. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
The Use of Multiple Biomarkers to Assess the Health of Anuran Amphibians in the Brazilian Cerrado Savanna: An Ecotoxicological Approach
Authors: Lopes Alice Tâmara de Carvalho , de Benvindo-Souza Marcelino , Sotero Daiany Folador , Pedroso Thays Millena Alves , Guerra Vinicius , Vieira Thiago Bernardi , Andreani Tainã Lucas , Benetti Edson José , Simões Karina , Bastos Rogério Pereira , de Melo e Silva Daniela
Published: July 2023

Changes in the natural landscape and the indiscriminate use of pesticides can have a major impact on aquatic environments and have contributed to the worldwide decline of amphibian populations. In the present study, we sampled tadpoles of three anuran amphibians (Boana albopunctata, Physalaemus cuvieri, and Dendropsophus minutus) from ponds in six different agricultural landscapes of the Brazilian Cerrado savanna and evaluated whether and to what extent genotoxic and mutagenic damage was related to land use (the amount of forest and agricultural remnants, and related physicochemical factors) and the presence of pesticides in the water of the study ponds. We also evaluated the hepatotoxicity in P. cuvieri, which was the most abundant species at five of the six sampling points. Clomazone and atrazine were the most common pesticides found in the ponds. The B. albopunctata and P. cuvieri tadpoles presented similar patterns of DNA damage among the sampling points. The least DNA damage was found in the D. minutus tadpoles, although this species was present in only one of the study ponds. More binucleated and anucleated cells were observed in B. albopunctata, but there was no significant variation among species in terms of the number of micronuclei or other erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities. Land use and physicochemical factors did not explain the variation in the DNA damage observed in the three anurans. The hepatotoxicity analyses of P. cuvieri revealed the presence of a series of alterations, including the enlargement of the sinusoids, vacuolization of the hepatocytes, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, hepatic steatosis, and dilation of the blood vessels. The interaction between physicochemical factors and the biomarkers analyzed in the present study is complex. In particular, it will be important to better elucidate which factors are contributing, either directly or indirectly, to the decline of anuran amphibian populations, especially in threatened biomes, such as the Brazilian Cerrado. In this case, we would encourage further in situ studies that assess the ecotoxicology of the landscape, together with the systematic monitoring of aquatic environments, to guarantee the long-term integrity of amphibian populations, and those of other organisms that play an essential functional role in the ecosystem. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2422–2439. © 2023 SETAC

Abstract

A worrisome look into aquatic life: Anuran egg masses in Goiás State reveal toxic and DNA damage.
Stability over time of immature platelet fraction and comparison between EDTA and citrated whole blood samples
Authors: Noel Marc Michel , Feugray Guillaume , Kasonga Fiston , Buchonnet Gérard , Daliphard Sylvie , Barbay Virginie , Bera Elsa , Le Cam Duchez Véronique , Billoir Paul
Published: July 2023

Background

Immature platelets (IP) are the youngest circulating platelets, released from megakaryocytes, and demonstrating increased dimensions, significant RNA content, and enhanced activity. Immature platelet research focuses on a differential diagnostic help in patients with thrombocytopenia. The objectives of this study were to compare the variability of IP in citrate and EDTA samples, and to determine stability over time.

Methods

Fifty‐six patients were included for comparison between EDTA and citrate whole blood sample collection. Among the patients, 28 had thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150G/L). Platelet measurement impedancemetry and fluorimetry were performed with Sysmex XN‐9000. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) and absolute immature platelet count (A‐IPC) were determined with a fluorescent method.

Results

The mean value of platelet count with fluorescence was, in EDTA sample, 215 ± 171 and, in citrate sample, 153 ± 118 G/L. No significant difference was observed between IPF between EDTA and citrate (7.74 ± 6.68% vs. 8.45 ± 7.37%, p = 0.69), respectively. With the Bland–Altman analysis, the mean difference in the EDTA sample, between 1 and 24 h, was 8.06 ± 6.96% and 8.73 ± 7.12% for IPF, whereas in the citrate sample, between 1 and 6 h, it was 8.60 ± 7.29% and 7.54 ± 6.97%, for IPF. Comparing 1 h EDTA sample with 6 h citrate sample, the variance ratio was 0.974 (95% CI: 0.864–1.084) in IPF.

Conclusions

We confirmed the potential to conduct IP measurements up to 24 h in the EDTA sample and IPF measurements in the citrate sample for up to 6 h. These results may be useful for the use of IPF, which is a promising parameter whose interest in clinical practice and standardization is not yet well defined.
Spatial and temporal patterns of near‐surface ground temperature in the Arctic mountain catchment
Authors: Kasprzak Marek , Szymanowski Mariusz
Published: July 2023

We consider the case of a mountain catchment representative of southwest Spitsbergen to investigate the spatial and temporal variation in temperature of the near‐surface ground. We set up 20 thermistor strings distributed in different parts of the catchment, combine the measured data with land surface temperature (LST) retrieved from Landsat imagery, and verify the depth of ground thawing using electrical resistivity tomography. Under current climatic conditions, the thickness of the active layer (ALT) is at least 1.5 m, and in the lower parts of the catchment, between 3.5 and 4 m. The maximum ground surface temperature in the study area can be 27°C, and the temperature at a depth of 1.5 m, 5.4°C. We identified unfrozen ground (taliks) to a depth of 10–30 m in zones of water concentration at foot slopes and under river channels. The persistence of year‐round taliks at lake shores is possible. We verify the hypothesis that topographic parameters significantly determine the spatial variation of near‐surface ground temperature. For each level of temperature aggregation (from 6 h to 12 months data) and each examined the depth of the active layer, it is possible to identify environmental variables—related to energy conditions, heights, terrain relief, and ground surface moisture—significantly correlated with ground temperature, and consequently to specify multiple regression models. Topographic exposure and LST (used only in daily models), altitude, and various approximations of relative height are crucial in their construction. The ground temperature variance, unexplained in the regression analysis, prompts recognition of the critical role of factors not included in the modelling (groundwater, soil structure).
A qualitative study of improving megavoltage computed tomography image quality and maintaining dose accuracy using cycleGAN‐based image synthesis
Authors: Lv Tie , Xie Chuanbin , Zhang Yihang , Liu Yaoying , Zhang Gaolong , Qu Baolin , Zhao Wei , Xu Shouping
Published: July 2023

Background

Due to inconsistent positioning, tumor shrinking, and weight loss during fractionated treatment, the initial plan was no longer appropriate after a few fractional treatments, and the patient will require adaptive helical tomotherapy (HT) to overcome the issue. Patients are scanned with megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) before each fractional treatment, which is utilized for patient setup and provides information for dose reconstruction. However, the low contrast and high noise of MVCT make it challenging to delineate treatment targets and organs at risk (OAR).

Purpose

This study developed a deep‐learning‐based approach to generate high‐quality synthetic kilovoltage computed tomography (skVCT) from MVCT and meet clinical dose requirements.

Methods

Data from 41 head and neck cancer patients were collected; 25 (2995 slices) were used for training, and 16 (1898 slices) for testing. A cycle generative adversarial network (cycleGAN) based on attention gate and residual blocks was used to generate MVCT‐based skVCT. For the 16 patients, kVCT‐based plans were transferred to skVCT images and electron density profile‐corrected MVCT images to recalculate the dose. The quantitative indices and clinically relevant dosimetric metrics, including the mean absolute error (MAE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), gamma passing rates, and dose‐volume‐histogram (DVH) parameters (Dmax, Dmean, Dmin), were used to assess the skVCT images.

Results

The MAE, PSNR, and SSIM of MVCT were 109.6 ± 12.3 HU, 27.5 ± 1.1 dB, and 91.9% ± 1.7%, respectively, while those of skVCT were 60.6 ± 9.0 HU, 34.0 ± 1.9 dB, and 96.5% ± 1.1%. The image quality and contrast were enhanced, and the noise was reduced. The gamma passing rates improved from 98.31% ± 1.11% to 99.71% ± 0.20% (2 mm/2%) and 99.77% ± 0.18% to 99.98% ± 0.02% (3 mm/3%). No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in DVH parameters between kVCT and skVCT.

Conclusion

With training on a small data set (2995 slices), the model successfully generated skVCT with improved image quality, and the dose calculation accuracy was similar to that of MVCT. MVCT‐based skVCT can increase treatment accuracy and offer the possibility of implementing adaptive radiotherapy.
Combining electromyography and Raman spectroscopy: optical EMG
Authors: Alix James J. P. , Plesia Maria , Shaw Pamela J. , Mead Richard J. , Day John C. C.
Published: July 2023

Introduction/Aims

Electromyography (EMG) remains a key component of the diagnostic work‐up for suspected neuromuscular disease, but it does not provide insight into the molecular composition of muscle which can provide diagnostic information. Raman spectroscopy is an emerging neuromuscular biomarker capable of generating highly specific, molecular fingerprints of tissue. Here, we present “optical EMG,” a combination of EMG and Raman spectroscopy, achieved using a single needle.

Methods

An optical EMG needle was created to collect electrophysiological and Raman spectroscopic data during a single insertion. We tested functionality with in vivo recordings in the SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using both transgenic (n = 10) and non‐transgenic (NTg, n = 7) mice. Under anesthesia, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs), spontaneous EMG activity and Raman spectra were recorded from both gastrocnemius muscles with the optical EMG needle. Standard concentric EMG needle recordings were also undertaken. Electrophysiological data were analyzed with standard univariate statistics, Raman data with both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A significant difference in CMAP amplitude was observed between SOD1G93A and NTg mice with optical EMG and standard concentric needles (p = .015 and p = .011, respectively). Spontaneous EMG activity (positive sharp waves) was detected in transgenic SOD1G93A mice only. Raman spectra demonstrated peaks associated with key muscle components. Significant differences in molecular composition between SOD1G93A and NTg muscle were identified through the Raman spectra.

Discussion

Optical EMG can provide standard electrophysiological data and molecular Raman data during a single needle insertion and represents a potential biomarker for neuromuscular disease.
Balancing the strength and toughness of polypropylene/carbon nanotube nanocomposites by shear and high‐temperature annealing
Authors: Mi Dashan , Jia Shikui , Zhao Zhongguo , Bai Haiqing
Published: July 2023

Melt‐mixed polypropylene (PP) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are molded by compression molding, conventional injection molding, and interval injection molding (IntM). IntM can provide high‐shear stress promoting the dispersion of CNTs and forming many shish‐kebab structures, which can improve the strength at the cost of toughness. Meanwhile, high‐temperature annealing (HTA) can be finished in 3 min and can release free molecular chains, enhance orientation, and further promote the dispersion of CNTs, thus improving toughness at the expense of strength. Therefore, in this work, IntM and HTA are combined, which can balance and enhance both the toughness and strength of PP‐CNT nanocomposites. For different CNT contents, the enhancement effect also differs. The combined IntM and HTA do not require replacing existing production equipment, so this research can provide a more economical and practical approach to enhancing PP‐CNT nanocomposites.

Highlights

HTA can be finished in 3 min and promote the dispersion of CNT agglomerates.

IntM can enhance the orientation and dispersion of CNTs.

Combined IntM and HTA can enhance and balance toughness and strength.