bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instructional design students’ design judgment development
Authors: Demiral-Uzan Muruvvet , Boling Elizabeth
Published: March 2024

This qualitative multi-case study explores the exercise and development of the design judgment of eight instructional design (ID) students working on design projects over one semester in graduate programs at four different institutions in the USA. Their design processes were explored through interviews and their design documents using the concepts of design judgment as reported by Nelson and Stolterman (The design way: Intentional change in an unpredictable world, MIT Press, Cambridge, 2012) and reflection-in-action as reported by Schön (The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action, Basic Books, New York, 1983) to characterize the exercise and development of their design judgment across the semester. Findings reveal that these ID students make multiple design judgments concurrently and constantly. Their prior design experience, the course requirements and their design practice in class influence both the exercise and development of their design judgment. Lastly, the development of their design judgment is both perceptible and personal. In light of these findings, recommendations are made for how to support the development of ID students’ design judgment.
Relationship Between Reactive Astrocytes, by [18F]SMBT-1 Imaging, with Amyloid-Beta, Tau, Glucose Metabolism, and TSPO in Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Kong Yanyan , Maschio Cinzia A. , Shi Xuefeng , Xie Fang , Zuo Chuantao , Konietzko Uwe , Shi Kuangyu , Rominger Axel , Xiao Jianfei , Huang Qi , Nitsch Roger M. , Guan Yihui , Ni Ruiqing
Published: March 2024

Reactive astrocytes play an important role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we aimed to investigate the temporospatial relationships among monoamine oxidase-B, tau and amyloid-β (Aβ), translocator protein, and glucose metabolism by using multitracer imaging in AD transgenic mouse models. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [18F]SMBT-1 (monoamine oxidase-B), [18F]florbetapir (Aβ), [18F]PM-PBB3 (tau), [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), and [18F]DPA-714 (translocator protein) was carried out in 5- and 10-month-old APP/PS1, 11-month-old 3×Tg mice, and aged-matched wild-type mice. The brain regional referenced standard uptake value (SUVR) was computed with the cerebellum as the reference region. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on mouse brain tissue slices. [18F]SMBT-1 and [18F]florbetapir SUVRs were greater in the cortex and hippocampus of 10-month-old APP/PS1 mice than in those of 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice and wild-type mice. No significant difference in the regional [18F]FDG or [18F]DPA-714 SUVRs was observed in the brains of 5- or 10-month-old APP/PS1 mice or wild-type mice. No significant difference in the SUVRs of any tracer was observed between 11-month-old 3×Tg mice and age-matched wild-type mice. A positive correlation between the SUVRs of [18F]florbetapir and [18F]DPA-714 in the cortex and hippocampus was observed among the transgenic mice. Immunostaining validated the distribution of MAO-B and limited Aβ and tau pathology in 11-month-old 3×Tg mice; and Aβ deposits in brain tissue from 10-month-old APP/PS1 mice. In summary, these findings provide in vivo evidence that an increase in astrocyte [18F]SMBT-1 accompanies Aβ accumulation in APP/PS1 models of AD amyloidosis.
Spin-controlled topological phase transition in non-Euclidean space
Authors: Du Zhuochen , Gao Jinze , Yan Qiuchen , Lu Cuicui , Hu Xiaoyong , Gong Qihuang
Published: March 2024

Modulation of topological phase transition has been pursued by researchers in both condensed matter and optics research fields, and has been realized in Euclidean systems, such as topological photonic crystals, topological metamaterials, and coupled resonator arrays. However, the spin-controlled topological phase transition in non-Euclidean space has not yet been explored. Here, we propose a non-Euclidean configuration based on Möbius rings, and we demonstrate the spin-controlled transition between the topological edge state and the bulk state. The Möbius ring, which is designed to have an 8π period, has a square cross section at the twist beginning and the length/width evolves adiabatically along the loop, accompanied by conversion from transverse electric to transverse magnetic modes resulting from the spin-locked effect. The 8π period Möbius rings are used to construct Su–Schrieffer–Heeger configuration, and the configuration can support the topological edge states excited by circularly polarized light, and meanwhile a transition from the topological edge state to the bulk state can be realized by controlling circular polarization. In addition, the spin-controlled topological phase transition in non-Euclidean space is feasible for both Hermitian and non-Hermitian cases in 2D systems. This work provides a new degree of polarization to control topological photonic states based on the spin of Möbius rings and opens a way to tune the topological phase in non-Euclidean space.

Graphical abstract
The Role of Self-compassion as a Mediator Between Insomnia, Depression, and Anxiety
Authors: Marques Daniel Ruivo , Miller-Mendes Mariana , Gomes Ana Allen , Pereira Anabela Sousa
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Insomnia, depression, and anxiety are associated constructs with direct impact on health and quality of life. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these associations remain largely understudied. One of the possible intermediary variables underlying these associations might be self-compassion. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to specifically examine if self-compassion mediates the relationship between insomnia and depression (and vice versa) and insomnia and anxiety (and vice versa).

Methods

Data from 494 individuals were collected. The participants were recruited from the general population and filled out an online survey containing a set of self-reported measures of insomnia severity, depression, and anxiety.

Results

The findings indicated that insomnia effect on depression operates through self-compassion (b = 0.08; 95% CI [0.01, 0.12]), whereas the effect of depression on insomnia through self-compassion was not supported. Regarding anxiety, it was observed that self-compassion has a mediating effect on the relationship between insomnia and anxiety (b = 0.06; 95% CI [0.03, 0.09]). Cross-sectional design of the study does not allow to infer causal relationships. Mediator variable did not support the indirect effect of anxiety on insomnia.

Conclusion

Self-compassion seems to be an important factor to be taken into account in preventive and intervention programs for insomnia.
Preparation of shape memory polyurethane composite materials by grafting PCL onto CNFs with different carboxyl content
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Basta Altaf H. , Liu Rui , Fu Shiyu
Published: March 2024

This study describes the preparation of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with varying amounts of carboxyl groups from rice straw pulp using the TEMPO/NaBr/NaClO oxidation system. The resulting CNFs were found to be in the form of nanofibers with an average diameter of 6 nm and an average length of 160 nm. To further enhance their properties, the CNFs were grafted with polycaprolactone (PCL) to create CNFs-g-PCL, which was then blended with shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) to produce CNFs-g-PCL/SMPU composites. It was observed that as the carboxyl content in CNFs increased from 0.35 to 1.14 mmol/g, the graft ratio of PCL on CNFs decreased from 24.6 to 10.7%. Consequently, the hydrophobicity of the grafted product (CNFs-g-PCL) also decreased. When 10% CNFs-g-PCL was added to the SMPU matrix, the elastic modulus and tensile stress of the resulting composite were both higher than those of the pure SMPU, increasing by up to 54.4% and 67.3%, respectively. Additionally, the shape retention and shape recovery rates of the composite remained stable after addition of CNFs-g-PCL. In conclusion, incorporating CNFs-g-PCL into SMPU can improve its mechanical properties while maintaining its shape memory properties.

Graphical abstract
Building a More Robust Introduction to Measurement in Research Method Courses
Authors: Reynolds Joshua J.
Published: March 2024

Measurement is integral to science. Given that it takes many years to become knowledgeable in measurement, it is valuable to consider current practices in teaching measurement to undergraduate psychology students. It is argued here that psychology research method courses could benefit from significant additions and clarifications in the topic of measurement. Three topics to consider are: discussions of different measurement viewpoints, the conditions for continuous quantities, and measurement challenges in psychology. These topics can be integrated into our courses and would translate to a more nuanced understanding of measurement and a greater ability to critically think about measurement in psychology. Suggested strategies for teaching about these topics are also discussed.
Influence of early/mid-Holocene climate change and sea level rise on a coast with barrier islands, Rio de Janeiro State, SE Brazil
Authors: Damasceno Fabrício Leandro , Maria Virgínia Alves Martins , Guerra Josefa Varela , Reis Antonio Tadeu dos , Saibro Murilo Barros , da Silva Layla Cristine , Seixas Amanda Pacheco , Farhangi Vahideh , Chueng Karina Ferreira , Mane Miguel Ângelo , Figueira Rubens Cesar Lopes , Geraldes Mauro
Published: March 2024

This work aims to identify the influence of climate change on sedimentary processes associated with the usual regression process during the rise of sea level in the early/middle Holocene in southeastern Brazil. The studied area is on the eastern side of Marambaia Barrier Island, which borders the eastern side of Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro State, SE Brazil). Nowadays, the Marambaia Barrier Island, a ≈ 40 km long and ≈ 5 km wide sandy ridge, shields Sepetiba Bay from the direct influence of the Atlantic Ocean. To achieve this goal, grain size, geochemical data (including elemental and stable isotopes), and radiocarbon dating data from sediment core SP10 (spanning depths from 8.2 to 45.5 m), collected in the eastern sector of the Marambaia Barrier Island were analyzed. Core SP10 predominantly consists of sandy sediments with some textural variations. However, Sr/Ba ratios suggest that brackish waters primarily influenced the depositional environment, which was also subject to cyclical marine incursions. The essentially felsic sediments of the interval between 45 and 41 m (≈ 10.0–8.5 ka BP) were probably deposited in a protected tidal plain estuary with mangroves. They were possibly mainly sourced from the nearby Pedra Branca Complex. Subsequently, between ≈ 41 and 11 m, the marine influence and hydrodynamics increased, and the sediments exhibited a more mafic mineralogical composition resulting probably from the erosion of the Rio Negro Complex, which is mainly found in the northern region of Sepetiba Bay. The mafic component likely reached the study area through coastal drift connected with Sepetiba Bay. During the drought period, recorded between ~ 7.5 and 7.0 ka cal BP (section 25–21 m), the contribution of the mafic component from the Rio Negro Complex decreased and less weathered sediments were accumulated. On the other hand, marine incursions into the study area became more prominent. During the drier climate phase recorded in the interval ≈ 11–9 m (after ≈ 4.0 ka BP), the La/Sc values indicate that the sediment included a higher proportion of felsic particles, probably due to more significant restrictions on the connection of the study area with Sepetiba Bay due to the development of the Marambaia Barrier Island. These findings are significant as they demonstrate the influence of geomorphology, climate change, sea level, and the development of Holocene barrier islands on the sedimentation in coastal regions.
“It should be much faster fashion”— textile industry stakeholders’ perceptions of a just circular transition in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Härri Anna , Levänen Jarkko
Published: March 2024

There is a need for a paradigm shift to circular, sustainable textile systems. The transition will have impacts on people and businesses around the world, yet research on the circular economy has been overly focused on the economic and environmental dimension, lacking in the social dimension. Without design for comprehensive justness, the transition can reproduce or lead to novel injustices. We use distributive, procedural, and recognitive justice dimensions to analyze and uncover justness aspects related to the circular transition in the textile industry in Tamil Nadu, India. Our qualitative analysis is based on interviews with stakeholders of the industry. We uncover several justness tensions related to economic, social, power, value, epistemic, and governance issues. For the just circular transition to succeed, the tensions should at the very least be acknowledged, and ameliorated or dealt with when possible. The building blocks for this process are, for example, codesign of private governance systems, sharing the costs of the transition more equally and inclusion of various voices in knowledge production. As a step forward from the current situation in which a circularity focused approach and a justness focused approach emphasize different aspects, we present a new framework for designing just circular transitions, one that bring these important perspectives together.
Investigation of Yb2SiO5/BSAS/Si coating on Cf/SiC composites: processing and steam corrosion behavior
Authors: Mao Weiguo , Ye Wenjie , Fan Xizhi , Zhou Zhe , Dai Cuiying , Wu Nannan
Published: March 2024

Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) are used to protect silicon carbide-based composites in the high-temperature steam combustion environment of the latest generation of high-efficiency gas turbine aero-engines. The Yb2SiO5/BSAS/Si coatings with gradient coefficient of thermal expansion were prepared using atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) method on the carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites (Cf/SiC) composites surface. The coating preparation process parameters were optimized by evaluating the influence of spraying power on the bonding strength, deposition efficiency, and porosity. The corrosion behaviors and mechanism of the optimized Yb2SiO5/BSAS/Si coating was investigated at 1200 ℃ by thermal cycle test in steam conditions. The results indicated that the decomposition of Yb2SiO5 and the conversion of SiO2 to Si(OH)4 were the main corrosion reactions of Yb2SiO5 top coating. Noticeably, the SiO2 component acted as an obvious sign of the reaction front diffusing, forming the clear SiO2-gradient layers. The gradient Yb2SiO5/BSAS/Si coating remained intact after thermal cycles for 500 h at 1200 ℃ in steam conditions which effectively enhanced the resistance of Cf/SiC composites to high temperature steam corrosion.
Forecasting Human Rights Legacies: On Practices and Principles
Authors: Spalding Andrew Brady
Published: March 2024

Among the many human rights and corruption concerns surrounding the Qatar 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, two ultimately rose to the fore: labor and LGBTQ+ rights. A careful look at Qatar’s response to these issues reveals a sharp and provocative contrast. Though the World Cup organizers and the Qatari Government generally resisted Western criticism of its LGBTQ+ laws and practices, both bodies adopted systemic labor reforms. To the extent these reforms remain in place several years after the event, they can be said to constitute a human rights legacy. This Article explores one angle from which to understand this contrast. It distinguishes between principles, which are deeply rooted in a country’s political, cultural, or religious belief system, and practices, which find their support in convenience, profit, and the self-interest of entrenched powers but which lack a deeper cultural, philosophical, or religious grounding. It further argues that sexual morality is best understood in the context of Qatari law and culture as a principle, while the labor abuses are mere practices. This distinction helps explain the disparate levels of reform and legacy: to the extent human rights violations are rooted in principles, the likelihood of reform and therefore of legacy is relatively low; where these violations are rooted merely in practices, the likelihood may be substantially higher. This distinction can also help to predict how future host countries/cities will respond to the human rights standards that megasport governing bodies increasingly enforce.
Experimental study on acoustic resonance of subsonic and slightly underexpanded impinging jets
Authors: Li Xiangru , He Feng , Zhang Xiwen , Hao Pengfei , Wu Xuecheng , Liu Nianhua
Published: March 2024

The aeroacoustic feedback loops in high-speed circular jets that impinge on a large flat plate are investigated via acoustic measurements and schlieren visualizations. In the present experiments, the nozzle pressure ratio ranges from 1.39 to 2.20, the corresponding ideally expanded jet Mach number

$M_j$

is from 0.70 to 1.12 and the nozzle-to-plate distance (

$H$

) is from 4.0

$D$

to 6.0

$D$

, where

$D$

is the nozzle exit diameter. The results of acoustic measurements show that the strongest tones are generated in a limited frequency band. The empirical dispersion relations obtained from the fluctuating greyscales along the jet centreline of time-resolved schlieren images have good agreement with the dispersion relations from the vortex-sheet model. The coherent flow structures at tonal frequencies are extracted by spectral proper orthogonal decomposition and are analysed in detail. For the

$M_j<0.82$

jets, the upstream-propagating guided jet mode is progressively confined to the potential core of jets with increasing tonal frequency, which provides the first direct experimental support for theoretical results. The evolution in the structures of acoustic resonance loops is studied along a single frequency stage of axisymmetric impinging tones. When the acoustic resonance between the upstream- and downstream-propagating guided jet modes is formed at tonal frequencies, the impinging tones are intenser. Slightly underexpanded impinging jets can simultaneously produce impingement tones and screech tones. Shock-cell structures have modulatory effects on the downstream-propagating Kelvin–Helmholtz wavepacket and the upstream- and downstream-propagating guided jet modes. Due to the interaction between the flow structures at the frequencies of impinging and screech tones, tones of axisymmetric modes can be produced outside the frequency ranges in which the axisymmetric upstream-propagating guided jet modes are supported by jets.
Glacier mass balance and its climatic and nonclimatic drivers in the Ladakh region during 2000–2021 from remote sensing data
Authors: Mandal Arindan , Vishwakarma Bramha Dutt , Angchuk Thupstan , Azam Mohd Farooq , Garg Purushottam Kumar , Soheb Mohd
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the geodetic mass balance of nearly all glaciers in the Ladakh region, which are crucial for local water security. Utilizing multiple digital elevation models from 2000 and 2021, we estimate glacier mass balances. Climatic drivers of glacier mass balances are explored using ERA5-Land reanalysis data, evaluated by in situ climate data. The study also examines the role of nonclimatic (morphological) variables on glacier mass balances. Results indicate Ladakh glaciers experienced negative mass balances during 2000–2021, with significant spatial variability. Western Ladakh glaciers lost slightly higher mass (−0.35 ± 0.07 to −0.37 ± 0.07 m w.e. a−1) than eastern Ladakh glaciers (−0.21 ± 0.07 to −0.33 ± 0.05 m w.e. a−1). While warming is the main driver of widespread mass loss in Ladakh, the spatial variability in mass loss is attributed to changes in regional precipitation and glacier morphological settings. Eastern Ladakh glaciers, being smaller and at higher elevations, experience lower mass loss, whereas western Ladakh glaciers, larger and at lower elevations, are more susceptible to the impact of temperature, resulting in higher mass loss. The study underscores the potentially greater vulnerability of western Ladakh glaciers to a warming climate compared to their eastern counterparts.
Facial cues to anger affect meaning interpretation of subsequent spoken prosody
Authors: Petrone Caterina , Carbone Francesca , Audibert Nicolas , Champagne-Lavau Maud
Published: March 2024

In everyday life, visual information often precedes the auditory one, hence influencing its evaluation (e.g., seeing somebody’s angry face makes us expect them to speak to us angrily). By using the cross-modal affective paradigm, we investigated the influence of facial gestures when the subsequent acoustic signal is emotionally unclear (neutral or produced with a limited repertoire of cues to anger). Auditory stimuli spoken with angry or neutral prosody were presented in isolation or preceded by pictures showing emotionally related or unrelated facial gestures (angry or neutral faces). In two experiments, participants rated the valence and emotional intensity of the auditory stimuli only. These stimuli were created from acted speech from movies and delexicalized via speech synthesis, then manipulated by partially preserving or degrading their global spectral characteristics. All participants relied on facial cues when the auditory stimuli were acoustically impoverished; however, only a subgroup of participants used angry faces to interpret subsequent neutral prosody. Thus, listeners are sensitive to facial cues for evaluating what they are about to hear, especially when the auditory input is less reliable. These results extend findings on face perception to the auditory domain and confirm inter-individual variability in considering different sources of emotional information.
Charged particle collisionless transport near the X-point of the two-wire model
Authors: Ahn Bin , Lim Yegeon , Jeong Hoiyun , Lee Hae June , Choi Gyung Jin , Ghim Y.-C.
Published: March 2024

Collisionless charged particle motion and its transport in the two-wire model (TWM) with no axial magnetic fields is investigated numerically. The TWM configuration contains a magnetic X-point, and single particle motions in such a field have two conserved quantities: the total kinetic energy and the base field line value which is a quantity derived from the axial canonical momentum. As gyrating particles travel along the field lines, they may reach near the X-point region where the magnetic moment, the first adiabatic invariant, can be occasionally shifted due to a large gradient of the field. When the magnetic moment becomes large, resulting in a large Larmor radius, particles probabilistically cross the X-point to migrate to the opposite side of the TWM configuration. These phenomena are investigated with single particle simulations. We find that the statistical behaviour of the seemingly chaotic magnetic moment shifts are completely determined by the two aforementioned conserved quantities, and also that there exists a threshold energy, determined by the base field line value, allowing only particles with a higher energy to cross the separatrix and migrate. It is found that the crossing time is distributed exponentially, and that the migration confinement time, which is the average crossing time, is shorter for particles with a base field line closer to the separatrix and a higher energy. We provide an empirical expression, derived with the simulations, for estimating the collisionless migration confinement time.
BASIC NONARCHIMEDEAN JØRGENSEN THEORY
Authors: CONDER MATTHEW , LEUNG HARRIS , SCHILLEWAERT JEROEN
Published: March 2024

We prove a nonarchimedean analogue of Jørgensen’s inequality, and use it to deduce several algebraic convergence results. As an application, we show that every dense subgroup of
${\mathrm {SL}_2}(K)$
, where K is a p-adic field, contains two elements that generate a dense subgroup of
${\mathrm {SL}_2}(K)$
, which is a special case of a result by Breuillard and Gelander [‘On dense free subgroups of Lie groups’, J. Algebra261(2) (2003), 448–467]. We also list several other related results, which are well known to experts, but not easy to locate in the literature; for example, we show that a nonelementary subgroup of
${\mathrm {SL}_2}(K)$
over a nonarchimedean local field K is discrete if and only if each of its two-generator subgroups is discrete.
Not General Belief in a Just World But Injustice Perception of Concrete Situations Is Associated With Embitterment
Authors: Muschalla Beate , Grove Helena
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Several aspects contribute to whether a person reacts embittered after an injustice or not: the individual basic beliefs (respective life values) of the person, the degree of belief in a just world, the perception of the injustice situation itself, and coping capacities in the form of wisdom. The present study explores to which degree these core aspects contribute to embitterment reaction after a confrontation with injustice. An experimental investigation was conducted in a convenience sample of 228 young persons from the general population (age 28, 68% females). Participants gave sociodemographics, and their wisdom attitudes, life values, and belief in a just world. Then an example of an injustice situation was presented in the form of a short text vignette, followed by a short assessment of the person’s embitterment reaction. The more the participants perceived the situation as unjust, the higher their embitterment reaction. Higher self-enhancement value was associated with higher embitterment after exposure to the injustice situation. In contrast, general belief in a just world, wisdom attitudes, and other life values were not associated with the strength of embitterment reaction. Also, the type of problem (private or work injustice) and sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were not predictive of the embitterment. Not the general belief in a just world, but the interpretation of a concrete situation as unjust is associated with an emotional reaction (here: embitterment) and potentially following behavior. Concluding from comparison with other research, the type of situation and life values of persons may have different and not linear impacts on embitterment reaction.
A Decadal Survey Without Analogs: Earth Observation Needs for a Warming World
Authors: Miner K. R. , Braghiere R. K. , Miller C. E. , Schlegel N. , Schimel D.
Published: March 2024

Since 2007, the National Academy for Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has recommended Earth Science research and investment priorities every 10 years. The Decadal Survey balances the continuation of essential climate variable time series against unmet measurement needs and new Earth Observations made possible by technological breakthroughs. The next survey (2027–2028, DS28) will be framed by a rapidly changing world, and it will be critical to anticipate the observational needs of the 2030s–2040s, a world increasingly dominated by climate extremes and a rapidly changing Earth system. Here, we highlight some of the changes that factor into a framework for the DS28.
Exploring the Modifying Role of GDP and Greenness on the Short Effect of Air Pollutants on Respiratory Hospitalization in Beijing
Authors: Zhang Jiawei , Xu Zhihu , Han Peien , Fu Yaqun , Wang Quan , Wei Xia , Wang Qingbo , Yang Li
Published: March 2024

It is unclear whether Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and greenness have additional modifying effects on the association between air pollution and respiratory system disease. Utilizing a time‐stratified case‐crossover design with a distributed lag linear model, we analyzed the association between six pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, and CO) and 555,498 respiratory hospital admissions in Beijing from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2019. We employed conditional logistic regression, adjusting for meteorological conditions, holidays and influenza, to calculate percent change of hospitalization risk. Subsequently, we performed subgroup analysis to investigate potential effect modifications using a two‐sample z test. Every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and O3 led to increases of 0.26% (95%CI: 0.17%, 0.35%), 0.15% (95%CI: 0.09%, 0.22%), 0.61% (95%CI: 0.44%, 0.77%), 1.72% (95%CI: 1.24%, 2.21%), and 0.32% (95%CI: 0.20%, 0.43%) in admissions, respectively. Also, a 1 mg/m3 increase in CO levels resulted in a 2.50% (95%CI: 1.96%, 3.04%) rise in admissions. The links with NO2 (p < 0.001), SO2 (p < 0.001), O3 (during the warm season, p < 0.001), and CO (p < 0.001) were significantly weaker among patients residing in areas with higher levels of greenness. No significant modifying role of GDP was observed. Greenness can help mitigate the effects of air pollutants, while the role of GDP needs further investigation.
The Unreasonable Efficiency of Total Rain Evaporation Removal in Triggering Convective Self‐Aggregation
Authors: Hwong Y.‐L. , Muller C. J.
Published: March 2024

The elimination of rain evaporation in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) has been found to lead to convective self‐aggregation (CSA) even without radiative feedback, but the precise mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. We conducted cloud‐resolving simulations with two domain sizes and progressively reduced rain evaporation in the PBL. Surprisingly, CSA only occurred when rain evaporation was almost completely removed. The additional convective heating resulting from the reduction of evaporative cooling in the moist patch was found to be the trigger, thereafter a dry subsidence intrusion into the PBL in the dry patch takes over and sets CSA in motion. Temperature and moisture anomalies oppose each other in their buoyancy effects, hence explaining the need for almost total rain evaporation removal. We also found radiative cooling and not cold pools to be the leading cause for the comparative ease of CSA to take place in the larger domain.
How Variable Are Cold Pools?
Authors: Grant Leah D. , Kirsch Bastian , Bukowski Jennie , Falk Nicholas M. , Neumaier Christine A. , Sakradzija Mirjana , van den Heever Susan C. , Ament Felix
Published: March 2024

Cold pools formed by precipitating convective clouds are an important source of mesoscale temperature variability. However, their sub‐mesoscale (100 m–10 km) structure has not been quantified, impeding validation of numerical models and understanding of their atmospheric and societal impacts. We assess temperature variability in observed and simulated cold pools using variograms calculated from dense network observations collected during a field experiment and in high‐resolution case‐study and idealized simulations. The temperature variance in cold pools is enhanced for spatial scales between ∼5 and 15 km compared to pre‐cold pool conditions, but the magnitude varies strongly with cold pool evolution and environment. Simulations capture the overall cold pool variogram shape well but underestimate the magnitude of the variability, irrespective of model resolution. Temperature variograms outside of cold pool periods are represented by the range of simulations evaluated here, suggesting that models misrepresent cold pool formation and/or dissipation processes.
Influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on Winter Temperatures and Precipitation Over the Southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xiang Yuying , Wang Tao , Wang Huijun , Xu Hongna
Published: March 2024

We used observational data and a long‐term piControl simulation from the Community Earth System Model Version 2 to investigate the influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on the winter climate over the Tibetan Plateau. The results showed that changes in the phase of the PDO have a significant effect on winter temperatures and precipitation over the southern Tibetan Plateau. Changes in the sea surface temperature (SST) during the positive PDO can weaken the Walker circulation and increase the SST in the Indian Ocean. Our analyses of the moist static energy showed that warming of the tropical troposphere over the Indian Ocean caused by the increased SST has resulted in the horizontal advection of anomalous moist enthalpy by the climatological zonal winds, which was responsible for anomalous ascending motion over the Tibetan Plateau. The additional moisture budget suggests that enhanced vertical motion contributes to the increase in winter precipitation and related total cloud cover over the Tibetan Plateau, leading to the increase of snow depth. The increased total cloud cover and snow depth, in turn, reduces net surface shortwave radiation. The surface air temperature of the Tibetan Plateau is then decreased as a result of the reduction in the net surface shortwave radiation. The PDO therefore has an important modulating role in the interdecadal variability of the winter climate over the Tibetan Plateau. We therefore need to focus on changes in the PDO in research related to the decadal prediction of the climate over the Tibetan Plateau.
Introducing neurofilament light chain measure in psychiatry: current evidence, opportunities, and pitfalls
Authors: Bavato Francesco , Barro Christian , Schnider Laura K. , Simrén Joel , Zetterberg Henrik , Seifritz Erich , Quednow Boris B.
Published: March 2024

The recent introduction of new-generation immunoassay methods allows the reliable quantification of structural brain markers in peripheral matrices. Neurofilament light chain (NfL), a neuron-specific cytoskeletal component released in extracellular matrices after neuroaxonal impairment, is considered a promising blood marker of active brain pathology. Given its sensitivity to a wide range of neuropathological alterations, NfL has been suggested for the use in clinical practice as a highly sensitive, but unspecific tool to quantify active brain pathology. While large efforts have been put in characterizing its clinical profile in many neurological conditions, NfL has received far less attention as a potential biomarker in major psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we briefly introduce NfL as a marker of neuroaxonal injury, systematically review recent findings on cerebrospinal fluid and blood NfL levels in patients with primary psychiatric conditions and highlight the opportunities and pitfalls. Current evidence suggests an elevation of blood NfL levels in patients with major depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, anorexia nervosa, and substance use disorders compared to physiological states. However, blood NfL levels strongly vary across diagnostic entities, clinical stage, and patient subgroups, and are influenced by several demographic, clinical, and analytical factors, which require accurate characterization. Potential clinical applications of NfL measure in psychiatry are seen in diagnostic and prognostic algorithms, to exclude neurodegenerative disease, in the assessment of brain toxicity for different pharmacological compounds, and in the longitudinal monitoring of treatment response. The high inter-individual variability of NfL levels and the lack of neurobiological understanding of its release are some of the main current limitations. Overall, this primer aims to introduce researchers and clinicians to NfL measure in the psychiatric field and to provide a conceptual framework for future research directions.
A research report on the phase-domain trajectories of fault recording and their mathematical models
Authors: Ge Qun , Ren Lu , Li Jia
Published: March 2024

In currently known theories and algorithms of fault recording analysis and application, there is little literature where fault feature parameters are mined deeply from electrical physical quantities themselves. In this report the calculation method of the phase angles of the reference point and sample points is obtained, which ensures the correspondence of the time-domain waveform of digital fault recording with its phase-domain trajectory. The relationship between the initial phase angle of a sinusoid and the position of its trajectory, the characteristics of the trajectories of three-phase short-circuit currents containing dc components and the mathematical models of these trajectories are analyzed. Taking a rectangular wave current and a triangle wave current as example, the characteristics of the trajectories of non-sinusoidal and periodical waveforms containing harmonics are analyzed as well as their mathematical models. The research results show that the relationship between the initial phase angle of a sinusoid and the position of its circular trajectory is definite; the dc components have no impact on the positions of the trajectories of the short-circuit currents, but on their sizes and shapes; the harmonics have an impact on the shapes of the trajectories, and their positions are decided by the initial phase angles of the ac fundamental components in the waveforms. Subsequent study of the algorithm of fault recording analysis will be spread based on the contents in this report.
Identification of key autophagy-related genes and pathways in spinal cord injury
Authors: Shang Zhen , Shi Weipeng , Fu Haitao , Zhang Yingze , Yu Tengbo
Published: March 2024

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause a range of functional impairments, and patients with SCI have limited potential for functional recovery. Previous studies have demonstrated that autophagy plays a role in the pathological process of SCI, but the specific mechanism of autophagy in this context remains unclear. Therefore, we explored the role of autophagy in SCI by identifying key autophagy-related genes and pathways. This study utilized the GSE132242 expression profile dataset, which consists of four control samples and four SCI samples; autophagy-related genes were sourced from GeneCards. R software was used to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GSE132242 dataset, which were then intersected with autophagy-related genes to identify autophagy-related DEGs in SCI. Subsequently, the expression levels of these genes were confirmed and analyzed with gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). A protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis was conducted to identify interaction genes, and the resulting network was visualized with Cytoscape. The MCODE plug-in was used to build gene cluster modules, and the cytoHubba plug-in was applied to screen for hub genes. Finally, the GSE5296 dataset was used to verify the reliability of the hub genes. We screened 129 autophagy-related DEGs, including 126 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated genes. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these 129 genes were mainly involved in the process of cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, IL-1 production, and inflammatory reactions, the TNF signaling pathway and the p53 signaling pathway. PPI identified 10 hub genes, including CCL2, TGFB1, PTGS2, FN1, HGF, MYC, IGF1, CD44, CXCR4, and SERPINEL1. The GSE5296 dataset revealed that the control group exhibited lower expression levels than the SCI group, although only CD44 and TGFB1 showed significant differences. This study identified 129 autophagy-related genes that might play a role in SCI. CD44 and TGFB1 were identified as potentially important genes in the autophagy process after SCI. These findings provide new targets for future research and offer new perspectives on the pathogenesis of SCI.
Species delimitation, discovery and conservation in a tiger beetle species complex despite discordant genetic data
Authors: Duran Daniel P. , Laroche Robert A. , Roman Stephen J. , Godwin William , Herrmann David P. , Bull Ethan , Egan Scott P.
Published: March 2024

In an age of species declines, delineating and discovering biodiversity is critical for both taxonomic accuracy and conservation. In recent years, there has been a movement away from using exclusively morphological characters to delineate and describe taxa and an increase in the use of molecular markers to describe diversity or through integrative taxonomy, which employs traditional morphological characters, as well as genetic or other data. Tiger beetles are charismatic, of conservation concern, and much work has been done on the morphological delineation of species and subspecies, but few of these taxa have been tested with genetic analyses. In this study, we tested morphologically based taxonomic hypotheses of polymorphic tiger beetles in the Eunota circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841) species complex using multilocus genomic and mtDNA analyses. We find multiple cryptic species within the previous taxonomic concept of Eunota circumpicta, some of which were historically recognized as subspecies. We found that the mtDNA and genomic datasets did not identify the same taxonomic units and that the mtDNA was most at odds with all other genetic and morphological patterns. Overall, we describe new cryptic diversity, which raises important conservation concerns, and provide a working example for testing species and subspecies validity despite discordant data.
Effectiveness of Butorphanol in alleviating intra- and post-operative visceral pain following microwave ablation for hepatic tumor: a dual-central, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Wang Bibo , Wang Neng , Zhao Zhiyue , Huang Shengxi , Shen Qiang , Liu Sheng , Zhou Pingsheng , Lu Lu , Qian Guojun
Published: March 2024

Many patients who underwent hepatic percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) reported experiencing pain during the procedure. This study utilized a well-designed multicentral, randomized, and placebo-controlled format to investigate the effects of Butorphanol. Patients who underwent MWA were randomly assigned to either Butorphanol or normal saline group. The primary outcomes of the study were assessed by measuring the patients' intraoperative pain levels using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included measuring postoperative pain levels at the 6-h mark (VAS) and evaluating comprehensive pain assessment outcomes. A total of 300 patients were divided between the control group (n = 100) and the experimental group (n = 200). Butorphanol showed statistically significant reductions in intraoperative pain levels compared to the placebo during surgery (5.00 ± 1.46 vs. 3.54 ± 1.67, P < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in postoperative pain levels at the 6-h mark and in the overall assessment of pain (1.39 + 1.21 vs. 0.65 + 0.81, P < 0.001). Butorphanol had a significant impact on reducing the heart rate of patients. The empirical evidence supports the effectiveness of Butorphanol in reducing the occurrence of visceral postoperative pain in patients undergoing microwave ablation for hepatic tumor. Furthermore, the study found no noticeable impact on circulatory and respiratory dynamics.
Age-period-cohort analysis of ischemic stroke deaths attributable to physical inactivity in different income regions
Authors: Liu Junjiao , Liu Yueyang , Ma Wenjun , Liu Jie , Tong Yan , Wang Cui , Zheng Jianzhong
Published: March 2024

This study assessed the global and regional burden of IS (ischemic stroke) deaths due to LPA (low physical activity) from 1990 to 2019, analyzed regional, sex, and age differences in ASMR (age-standardized mortality rate), and provided a comprehensive understanding of the impact of age, period, and cohort on low physical activity related ischemic stroke ASMR. We conducted an APC (age-period-cohort) analysis of the global and four World Bank income level regions’ IS mortality data attributed to LPA from 1990 to 2019, using the GBD2019 database, and the results showed that the global net drift of the Ischemic stroke age-standardized mortality attributable to low physical activity was − 1.085%[95% CI: − 1.168, − 1.003].The ASMR drop is most pronounced in the high-income zone, with a net drift of − 2.473% [95% CI: − 2.759, − 2.187] across the four income groups. The influence of age on mortality is increasing in the worldwide old population, while the period and cohort effects are decreasing. We also performed a Joinpoint regression analysis, which revealed that the specific time of considerable drop in ASMR of IS in the global LPA population was 2002–2007, with an APC of -2.628%. The specific period of considerable drop in ASMR in high-income regions with the highest variation was 1999–2007, with an APC = − 4.726%. The global burden of public health deaths caused by LPA is diminishing, with the most notable progress observed in high-income regions. However, in low and lower-middle income areas, the situation continues to deteriorate. Within the global elderly population, the effects of age on mortality is increasing, while the effects of period and cohort are diminishing. These trends vary across income levels, highlighting the necessity for enhanced international collaboration to formulate context-specific public health strategies aimed at enhancing cardiovascular health on a global, regional, and national scale.
The prevalent life cycle of agricultural flash droughts
Authors: Lovino Miguel A. , Pierrestegui M. Josefina , Müller Omar V. , Müller Gabriela V. , Berbery Ernesto H.
Published: March 2024

This work examines the characteristics and prevalent life cycle of agricultural flash droughts globally. Using ERA5 data, the study introduces a flash drought indicator based on soil water availability. This approach integrates root-zone soil moisture and hydraulic soil properties, such as field capacity and wilting point, to couple the rapid soil moisture depletion and plant water stress. Our findings reveal that agricultural flash droughts present their higher frequency predominantly during the critical growth periods of crops. Notably, these droughts exhibit a similar life cycle regardless of the location or climatic regime. The primary cause of the rapid soil moisture depletion is the precipitation deficit, but evapotranspiration also plays a significant role. In an energy-limited environment, evapotranspiration rapidly increases before the onset and decreases rapidly during the intensification period as the system becomes water-limited. Upon concluding the intensification period, most crops experience water stress, diminishing their yields.
Nanofluidic logic with mechano–ionic memristive switches
Authors: Emmerich Theo , Teng Yunfei , Ronceray Nathan , Lopriore Edoardo , Chiesa Riccardo , Chernev Andrey , Artemov Vasily , Di Ventra Massimiliano , Kis Andras , Radenovic Aleksandra
Published: March 2024

Neuromorphic systems are typically based on nanoscale electronic devices, but nature relies on ions for energy-efficient information processing. Nanofluidic memristive devices could thus potentially be used to construct electrolytic computers that mimic the brain down to its basic principles of operation. Here we report a nanofluidic device that is designed for circuit-scale in-memory processing. The device, which is fabricated using a scalable process, combines single-digit nanometric confinement and large entrance asymmetry and operates on the second timescale with a conductance ratio in the range of 9 to 60. In operando optical microscopy shows that the memory capabilities are due to the reversible formation of liquid blisters that modulate the conductance of the device. We use these mechano–ionic memristive switches to assemble logic circuits composed of two interactive devices and an ohmic resistor.