bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Logistic Regression Model for the Prediction of Vegetation Recruitment in the Kinu River, Japan
Authors: Maeda Naoya , Miyamoto Hitoshi
Published: January 2025

Vegetation overgrowth in rivers worldwide is a considerable problem because it can potentially reduce the flood‐flowing capacity and cause biodiversity loss. In this study, we developed a model to predict vegetation recruitment during the initial stages of secondary succession, which leads to vegetation overgrowth. This study chose a logistic regression model to predict vegetation recruitment because of its simplicity and lower computational load than machine learning. The model was designed for the Kinu River in Japan which is associated with extensive vegetation overgrowth. Data for the model development were obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial surveys and public databases. To ensure the model's applicability beyond the training rivers, we trained the logistic regression model across different river flows and geomorphic characteristics, including normal and flood times and gravel and sand beds. The results indicated that the logistic regression model with three explanatory variables, namely distance from the river stream, relative height, and vegetation existence history, was optimal for all rivers, with F‐measures in the range of 0.79‐0.85. In addition, using UAV imagery allows for high‐spatial resolution in predicting vegetation recruitment. The best model prediction map of vegetation recruitment demonstrated that it could accurately predict the vegetation distribution along the main river channel for gravel and sand beds. The simplicity of the present model would be advantageous when applied to other rivers with similar topographic and biological characteristics within the same river segment without hydrodynamic calculations.
Modification of Melamine and Polyurethane Sponges with Vinyl Triethoxysilane‐Graphene Nanocomposite as Superhydrophobic Absorbents for Oil‐Water Separation
Authors: Yazdi Fatemeh , Anbia Mansoor , Babamir Satehi Alborz , Sepehrian Mohammad , Moaf Armita
Published: January 2025

Oil‐water separation is essential for various industrial and environmental applications. This study explores the potential of commercially available melamine and polyurethane sponges modified with a vinyl triethoxysilane‐graphene nanocomposite as highly efficient oil‐absorbent materials. The textural properties of the modified commercial sponges were studied using various characterization techniques. After modification, the hydrophilicity of raw polyurethane and melamine foam becomes hydrophobic and superhydrophobic with contact angles of 146.93° and 153.63°, respectively. The maximum oil/organic solvent absorption capacity of modified melamine foam was 100 times more than its weight, and that of modified polyurethane foam was 95 g/g. The synthesized foams' physical stability was evaluated by subjecting it to ultrasonic waves for 5 h. They also showed good physical and chemical stability and recycling ability after 15 times, repeating the absorption–squeezing process.
Language Teachers' Developmental Trajectories as Materials Developers
Authors: Li Jiao , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: January 2025

Language teachers are increasingly expected to develop teaching materials in many contexts. This trend necessitates greater understanding of how language teachers develop their professional practices as materials developers. Applying an ecological perspective in combination with Wenger's theory of Communities of Practice, the present study examines the developmental trajectories of language teachers participating in a materials development community. Adopting a narrative case study approach, this study collected interview data, policy documents, meeting minutes, and personal materials that four language teachers used for developing materials. The findings show that these language teachers' developmental trajectories as materials developers were not linear and were mediated by individual beliefs and policy requirements upon entering the community; their knowledge and skills and the power relations they experienced during the materials development process; and their beliefs and power relations at the end of the project. These findings suggest that language teachers need individualized support and resources at various points throughout their participation in a materials development community to develop their professional practices throughout the process.
Zoonotic Disease: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dairy Farm Owner in Wolaita Sodo District, Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Getachew Derbew , Asfaw Amare Bihon , Tadesse Hagazi Fantay , Seid Asma
Published: January 2025

Background

Lack of knowledge regarding zoonotic transmission, prevention and control measures is a potential high risk for the occurrence of zoonotic diseases.

Objective

The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of dairy farm participants concerning zoonoses.

Animals

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from March to August 2022 in and around Sodo town, using a questionnaire among dairy farm participants (n = 123). The structured questionnaire consisted of 48 items to evaluate knowledge (12), attitude (10) and practices (6) related to zoonotic disease–risks from livestock products and birth products was administered to the systematically and randomly selected respondents. Linear regression analyses were used to assess relations between the explanatory variables and the three indexes.

Results

The overall positive response for knowledge, attitude and practice subscores were 65%, 74% and 59% respectively. 93% of participants know that disease can transmit from animal to human. Besides, eating uncooked meat (92%), drinking raw milk (85%) and collecting aborted foetuses and placenta with bare hand (80%) are known sources of infection. Participants who thought zoonotic diseases can be treated, controlled and prevented were 78%, 80% and 81%, respectively. Among participants, 74% showed positive attitude towards risk of acquiring disease through the consumption of raw meat and milk. The participants who believed that apparently healthy animals can be a source of infection were 42%. Education level was positively associated with better knowledge, attitude and practice towards zoonoses. Furthermore, farm type, size and respondent's residence were also associated with better practice of zoonotic disease prevention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Despite good knowledge, attitude and practice about zoonotic diseases' control and prevention, there are some serious knowledge and practice shortcomings. Awareness creation and training programs for the members of the dairy producers on zoonotic diseases and their transmission mechanism might help the effort in public health significance of zoonotic disease prevention.
Natural sequestration of carbon dioxide is in decline: climate change will accelerate
Authors: Curran James C. , Curran Samuel A.
Published: January 2025

The rate of natural sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere by the terrestrial biosphere peaked in 2008. Atmospheric concentrations will rise more rapidly than previously, in proportion to annual CO2 emissions, as natural sequestration is now declining by 0.25% per year. The current atmospheric increment of +2.5ppm CO2 per year would have been +1.9ppm CO2, if the biosphere had maintained its 1960s growth rate. This effect will accelerate climate change and emphasises the close connection between the climate and nature emergencies. Effort is urgently required to rebuild global biodiversity and to recover its ecosystem services, including natural sequestration.
3-D Discrete Eddy and Convection for the Turing Model
Authors: Kawamoto Shunji
Published: January 2025

The Turing model is well known as a three-dimensional (3-D) reaction–diffusion system of chemical substances and is considered in this work from the viewpoint of discrete chaos functions. Firstly, the 3-D generalized Turing map with system parameters is presented, and the bifurcation diagrams are calculated to find discrete limit cycles. Then, 3-D stable orbit solutions with initial points of cells in the 3-D space are shown to have 2-D limit cycles with active dynamics on the x–y plane. Finally, the 3-D discrete eddies with distortion are illustrated, depending on the system parameters and initial conditions of cells. In particular, the 3-D eddies with distortion and convection correspond to the 2-D limit cycles, which are briefly discussed on absorption, embryo, cell division, transport function and on 3-D cell membrane for the Turing model in the field of biology, life science and medical science, as nonlinear dynamics of 3-D nonequilibrium open systems.
Toxicological problems of tattoo removal: characterization of femtosecond laser-induced fragments of Pigment Green 7 and Green Concentrate tattoo ink
Authors: Bauer Elvira Maria , Ricci Cosimo , Cecchetti Daniele , Ciufolini Giorgia , Cicero Daniel Oscar , Rossi Marco , Guerriero Ettore , Orlando Stefano , Carbone Marilena
Published: January 2025

Femtosecond lasers represent a novel tool for tattoo removal as sources that can be operated at high power, potentially leading to different removal pathways and products. Consequently, the potential toxicity of its application also needs to be evaluated. In this framework, we present a comparative study of Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser irradiation, as a function of laser power and exposure time, on water dispersions of Pigment Green 7 (PG7) and the green tattoo ink Green Concentrate (GC), which contains PG7 as its coloring agent. The treated samples were subsequently analyzed via UV‒Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS), SEM imaging and associated statistical analysis. We found that, on average, the discoloration efficacy of femtosecond laser treatment was comparable to that of nanosecond lasers as were the decomposition products. In fact, two primary types of fragments are produced, both of which are potentially harmful, resulting either from the decomposition of chlorinated phthalocyanine (i.e., PG7) or from the active chlorination of naphthalene impurities. However, the outcomes for the PG7 and GC treatments differed significantly from each other from several points of view. The spectral intensity patterns of GC and PG7 were distinct, depending on the treatment conditions, and showed linearity with power only in the case of GC. Additionally, the relative ratios of the fragment products differed significantly, with the production rate showing a linear dependence on power only in the case of GC and no discernible trend for PG7. Shape and size distribution of the generated particles were highly dependent on the type of sample. Femtosecond laser irradiation of GCs primarily produces nanoparticles with a homogeneous size distribution, which are typically considered nontoxic. Large aggregates also formed, exhibiting a regular shape. In contrast, PG7 yielded rods and needles with aspect ratios similar to those of toxic fibers.
Omnibus diagnostic procedures for vector multiplicative errors models
Authors: Meintanis Simos G. , Ngatchou-Wandji Joseph , Hudecová Šárka
Published: January 2025

We suggest specification tests for the conditional mean function in vector multiplicative error models. The test statistics are easy to compute given a suitable estimator of the model parameters. Consistency of the test statistic is proved, the asymptotic distribution of the test under the null hypothesis is studied, while a bootstrap resampling is used in order to approximate critical points and actually carry out the test. Finite-sample results are presented as well as applications of the proposed procedures to real data from the financial markets.
Testing for changes in the error distribution in functional linear models
Authors: Neumeyer Natalie , Selk Leonie
Published: January 2025

We consider linear models with scalar responses and covariates from a separable Hilbert space. The aim is to detect change points in the error distribution, based on sequential residual empirical distribution functions. Expansions for those estimated functions are more challenging in models with infinite-dimensional covariates than in regression models with scalar or vector-valued covariates due to a slower rate of convergence of the parameter estimators. Yet the suggested change point test is asymptotically distribution-free and consistent for one-change point alternatives. In the latter case we also show consistency of a change point estimator.
Endothelial dysfunction in acute ischemic stroke: a review
Authors: Kleeberg Antonia , Luft Thomas , Golkowski Daniel , Purrucker Jan C.
Published: January 2025

Background and Purpose

Endothelial dysfunction is considered an emerging therapeutic target to prevent complications during acute stroke and to prevent recurrent stroke. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on endothelial dysfunction, outline the diagnostic methods used to measure it and highlight the drugs currently being investigated for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

 The PubMed® and ClinicalTrials.gov electronic databases were searched for eligible articles/studies dealing with endothelial dysfunction and stroke. The references of the articles were screened to identify additional sources. The data were abstracted and summarized.

Findings and discussion

Endothelial dysfunction can be measured by serum biomarkers as well as by ultrasound or plethysmography techniques. Drugs targeting endothelial dysfunction include widely used agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or isosorbide mononitrate, but also experimental therapies such as endothelial progenitor cells.

Conclusion

The role of endothelial dysfunction in acute ischemic stroke has been studied increasingly in recent years. It has been shown that there is a correlation between endothelial dysfunction and parenchymal hematoma after endovascular thrombectomy. Also, early clinical trials are conducted investigating, e.g., endothelial progenitor cells in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in ischemic stroke. Current research focuses on the integration of novel markers of endothelial dysfunction into routine clinical practice to support decision making in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.
Constant-competitiveness for random assignment Matroid secretary without knowing the Matroid
Authors: Santiago Richard , Sergeev Ivan , Zenklusen Rico
Published: January 2025

The Matroid Secretary Conjecture is a notorious open problem in online optimization. It claims the existence of an O(1)-competitive algorithm for the Matroid Secretary Problem (MSP). Here, the elements of a weighted matroid appear one-by-one, revealing their weight at appearance, and the task is to select elements online with the goal to get an independent set of largest possible weight. O(1)-competitive MSP algorithms have so far only been obtained for restricted matroid classes and for MSP variations, including Random-Assignment MSP (RA-MSP), where an adversary fixes a number of weights equal to the ground set size of the matroid, which then get assigned randomly to the elements of the ground set. Unfortunately, these approaches heavily rely on knowing the full matroid upfront. This is an arguably undesirable requirement, and there are good reasons to believe that an approach towards resolving the MSP Conjecture should not rely on it. Thus, both Soto (SIAM Journal on Computing 42(1): 178-211, 2013.) and Oveis Gharan and Vondrák (Algorithmica 67(4): 472-497, 2013.) raised as an open question whether RA-MSP admits an O(1)-competitive algorithm even without knowing the matroid upfront. In this work, we answer this question affirmatively. Our result makes RA-MSP the first well-known MSP variant with an O(1)-competitive algorithm that does not need to know the underlying matroid upfront and without any restriction on the underlying matroid. Our approach is based on first approximately learning the rank-density curve of the matroid, which we then exploit algorithmically.
Landslides in a changing world
Authors: Alcántara-Ayala Irasema
Published: January 2025

This article investigates the multifaceted dimensions to understand the interrelatedness among global change drivers and their implications for landslide hazards and disaster risk. Drawing on empirical research, it utilised a mixed-methods design; the research combined diverse data sources and experiential insights on the interdependencies bounded by local context and global scale. The findings underscore the urgent need for holistic approaches that consider the complex dimensions of landslides as socio-natural hazards and global change, emphasising the importance of collaboration, innovation, and international cooperation in building resilience and mitigating the adverse effects of landslide disaster risk on global systems and societies. Furthermore, the challenge of reducing landslide disaster risk lies in understanding and addressing the interplay between socio-environmental transformations and geodynamic processes. The escalating effects of climate change, urban expansion, and deforestation are anticipated to magnify the occurrence of landslides, thereby posing significant risks to human lives, infrastructure, ecosystems, and livelihoods. However, most importantly, these risks are further compounded by environmental, social, economic, political, cultural, and technological spheres associated with globalisation. The systemic nature of disaster risk, particularly landslides in a changing world, highlights the interconnectedness of different systems, resulting in complex causality and cascading impacts. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on sustainability by providing empirical evidence that supports integrated approaches to achieving long-term disaster risk reduction based upon the equitable and sustainable use of territories while integrating robust disaster risk management strategies to ensure resilient communities and ecosystems.
More than garden plants: extending the conversation of urban gardens as an important refuge for Australian birds
Authors: Steven Rochelle , Newsome David
Published: January 2025

Inadequacies in public protected area networks dictates that private land will play an important role in the conservation of biodiversity in the coming decades. Household gardens are a key example of private lands that can serve as refuges for biodiversity, with birds as a popular flagship for garden biodiversity. Discussion has focused heavily on the species of plant a resident might select to attract birds to their garden. In this paper, we describe additional and important factors that should form part of this broader conversation on gardens for birds and biodiversity, with a specific aim of drawing attention to species that are at risk of localised extinctions in modern urban landscapes – urban adaptors. We present our commentary in two themes: (a) mitigating threats to birds in the urban environment and (b) enhancing the habitat value of the urban environment for a broader range of bird species. We provide a synthesis of the research of recent years that has explored the urban environment and its ability to support birds, but importantly, we extend on this by bringing together topics that have been somewhat lacking in the discussion to date. In a new approach to this conversation, this paper brings together key topics that can no longer be considered in isolation if we are to make significant conservation gains in the environments were most Australians now reside.
Full-Scale Fire Testing to Assess the Risk of Battery Electric Vehicle Fires in Underground Car Parks
Authors: Kang Sungwook , Kwon Minjae , Choi Joung Yoon , Choi Sengkwan
Published: January 2025

Battery-only electric vehicle (BEV) fires have recently emerged as a significant safety concern in modern society, particularly when they occur in car parking spaces, where the consequences can be severe. While relatively few fatalities and injuries are reported, the associated economic losses are substantial. Car park structures present several challenges from a fire safety perspective, including high energy content, confined geometry, and difficulties in detecting and accessing to the fire’s origin due to smoke accumulation in spaces with limited ventilation and exits. This study investigates this fire hazard by conducting a full-scale fire test on a modern BEV in an instrumented test rig that simulates a segment of an underground car park. The data obtained were compared with standard fire curves to assess the hazard’s characteristics and with the data from a companion study to identify differences between BEV fires in underground and surface car parks. The primary difference observed was deflagration venting, which occurred shortly after the initial ignition of combustible gases accumulated beneath the ceiling, lasting until 13 min and 5 s. This phenomenon led to a rapid initial growth of the BEV fire, which burned more intensely for a shorter duration in the semi-enclosed configuration comparted to the open configuration. The enclosed fire recorded an average ceiling-jet temperature of approximately 1100°C and a peak incident heat flux exceeding 225 kW/m2. Additionally, thermal runaway within the lithium-ion battery cells was analysed to understand the adverse effects of the enclosed environment on thermal runaway propagation. This fire testing provides critical insights for developing firefighting strategies including the proper preparation of equipment and the design of fire protection systems. The principal findings could inform tactics for mitigating unforeseen fire risks and contribute to revisions of fire safety regulations.
Recent advances on support materials for enhanced Pt-based catalysts: applications in oxygen reduction reactions for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Zhan Feng , Huang Lingyun , Luo Yue , Chen Muyang , Tan Rui , Liu Xinhua , Liu Gang , Feng Zhiming
Published: January 2025

As the demand for sustainable energy solutions grows, developing efficient energy conversion and storage technologies, such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries, is vital. Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) is a significant limitation in electrochemical systems due to its slower kinetics. Although Pt-based catalysts are commonly used to address this challenge, their high cost and suboptimal performance remain significant obstacles to further development. This review offers a comprehensive overview of advanced support materials aimed at improving the efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness of Pt-based catalysts. By examining a range of materials, including mesoporous carbon, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metal oxides, the review clarifies the relationship between the structural properties of these supports and their influence on ORR performance. Additionally, it discusses the fundamental characteristics of these materials, their practical applications in fuel cells, and explores potential solutions and future directions for optimizing Pt-based catalysts to advance sustainable energy conversion technologies. Future research could focus on nano-engineering and composite material development to unlock the full potential of Pt-based catalysts, significantly enhancing their economic viability and performance in energy applications.
Let the noise flow away: combating noisy labels using normalizing flows
Authors: Su Kuan-An , Su YiHao , Lien Yun-Hsuan , Wang Yu-Shuen
Published: January 2025

We introduce NoiseFlow, a generative network that addresses the issue of noisy labels in classification problems by modeling the entire label distribution based on the input data/image. Unlike previous methods, which assign each input to only one specific class, NoiseFlow generates different labels by considering the image and a random noise drawn from a standard normal distribution. This approach improves generalization performance since it does not require extensive parameter adjustments to fit the unknown data noise. To model the label distribution, we use conditional normalizing flows, which are effective at avoiding mode collapse and ensuring the presence of the correct label in the distribution for accurate classification. Moreover, NoiseFlow can be combined with other training strategies, such as mixup interpolation and contrastive learning, to achieve even better performance. We compared NoiseFlow with baseline methods on several synthetic and real-world datasets, and the experiment results demonstrate its effectiveness.
Morphological conditions on movement-chain resolution
Authors: Yuan Michelle
Published: January 2025

Recent research on the Copy Theory of Movement has suggested that the realization of movement chains may be regulated by well-formedness conditions governing complex word formation, such as the Stray Affix Filter (e.g., Nunes 2004; Landau 2006). This paper extends this idea to account for certain underdocumented patterns of noun incorporation in Inuktitut (Eastern Canadian Inuit). In contrast to most prior characterizations of incorporation in the Inuit language, I demonstrate that, at least in Inuktitut, incorporated nominals are syntactically active DPs: they are able to participate in case and agreement alternations and undergo phrasal movement. These findings, in turn, motivate an analysis in which incorporation in at least Inuktitut takes place solely to satisfy the morphosyntactic requirements of certain verbs that are lexically specified as affixal (cf. Sadock 1985, 1991). The observation that incorporated nouns invariably surface within the verb complex even when extracted follows straightforwardly from the aforementioned interaction between chain resolution and the Stray Affix Filter.
Evaluating the prognostic role of glucose-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in first line: a study by the Turkish Oncology Group Kidney Cancer Consortium (TKCC)
Authors: Bolek Hatice , Kuzu Omer Faruk , Sertesen Camoz Elif , Sim Saadet , Sekmek Serhat , Karakas Hilal , Isık Selver , Günaltılı Murat , Akkus Aysun Fatma , Tural Deniz , Arslan Cagatay , Goksu Sema Sezin , Sever Ozlem Nuray , Karadurmus Nuri , Karacin Cengiz , Sendur Mehmet Ali Nahit , Yekedüz Emre , Urun Yuksel
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Identifying prognostic indicators for risk stratification in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and follow-up plans. This study aims to investigate the prognostic role of the glucose-to-lymphocyte ratio (GLR) in patients with mRCC receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line therapy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Turkish Oncology Group Kidney Cancer Consortium Database. GLR was calculated by dividing the fasting glucose (mmol/L) by the lymphocyte count (×109/L). We categorized patients into two categories based on their median GLR level.

Results

The analysis included a total of 598 patients. We found that progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the GLR-low group, with a median PFS of 15.05 months (95% CI 12.7–17.4) compared to 7.79 months (95% CI 6.6–9.0) in the GLR-high group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified GLR as an independent risk factor for poor PFS (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.12–1.72; p = 0.003). Overall survival (OS) was also significantly longer in the GLR-low group, with a median OS of 38.47 months (95% CI, 30.9–46.0) compared to 24.15 months (95% CI 18.0–30.2) in the GLR-high group (p = 0.001). GLR was an independent predictor for OS in multivariate analysis (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12–1.86; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

The GLR can be a valuable prognostic marker for glucose metabolism and systemic inflammatory status in this patient population. Our research highlights the potential prognostic value of GLR in patients with mRCC receiving TKIs, indicating its potential as a useful tool for clinical decision-making.
Nonlinear photoexcitation processes at a MAPbBr3/GaAs heterointerface
Authors: Mahamu Hambalee , Bourzier Matthias , Asahi Shigeo , Kita Takashi
Published: January 2025

While a significant part of the solar energy lies in the infrared range, common semiconductors cannot absorb this part of the solar irradiance by direct band-to-band transitions, because the corresponding photon energies are below the bandgap energy. Two-step photon up-conversion (TPU) is one of the processes that allows us to harvest energy in the region below the bandgap, and one possible approach to realize a TPU-based solar cell is to use an AlGaAs/GaAs heterointerface with quantum dots in order to induce additional intraband transitions. On the other hand, here we report on the TPU phenomenon at a methylammonium lead bromide/gallium arsenide (MAPbBr3/GaAs) heterointerface without quantum dots. For this heterojunction, we observed high-energy photoemission by low-energy photoinjection, demonstrating the TPU. By using photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved PL measurement techniques, we elucidate the mechanism of the PL emission from MAPbBr3 observed from MAPbBr3/GaAs samples. Through the comparisons of the experimental PL and TRPL results between the MAPbBr3/GaAs and MAPbBr3/Glass-substrate samples, we successfully distinguish the TPU phenomenon from the ordinal two-photon absorption of MAPbBr3. Our findings in the TPU at the MAPbBr3/GaAs heterointerface may help to realize quantum-dot-free photon up-conversion solar cells.
CAR-T therapy toxicities: the importance of macrophages in their development and possible targets for their management
Authors: Norton Joseph , Stiff Patrick
Published: January 2025

CAR-T cell therapies have risen to prominence over the last decade, and their indications are increasing with several products approved as early as second line in Large B Cell non-Hodgkin Lymphomas. Their major toxicities are the cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and the Immune-effector Cell Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome (ICANS). These entities involve a hyperinflammatory cascade which is amplified through the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). Herein, we review the immune mediated adverse events related to CAR therapy, including their pathophysiologies, and current therapies. In particular, we discuss the emerging role of the MPS in both the toxicity and efficacy of CAR-T therapy, and possible avenues for the modulation of the MPS to optimize efficacy while minimizing toxicity.
Use of oral midodrine for weaning off norepinephrine in patients with septic shock
Authors: Obaya Mohamed , Soliman Randa , Abdelfattah Alia , Arafa Moamen
Published: January 2025

Background

Early administration of norepinephrine in septic shock patients is linked to better survival rates. However, vasopressor dependence often occurs during the recovery phase, delaying ICU discharge.

Objectives

A comparative study was conducted on patients admitted with a diagnosis of septic shock over 2 years regarding the use of oral midodrine in weaning them off norepinephrine.

Patients and methods

The population in this study included 100 patients admitted to the adult ICU department with septic shock between October 2016 and August 2018. Participants were divided into two cohorts: Group I was administered only IV norepinephrine, whereas Group II was given both IV norepinephrine and midodrine. Participants in the midodrine group were administered 10 mg of midodrine orally every 8 h.

Results

Results showed that patients not receiving oral midodrine had higher NE doses, longer NE infusion duration, extended NE weaning time, and increased ICU and hospital stay compared to those who did receive oral midodrine (p < 0.001). Our study indicates that oral midodrine was not a predictor of survival rate (p = 0.964).

Conclusions

Midodrine may serve as a valuable adjunct for weaning from IV vasopressors in septic shock patients. Septic shock patients who received midodrine for IV norepinephrine weaning showed significantly lower NE doses, durations of NE infusion, and NE weaning times.
Fetal Compromise in Labor
Authors: Evans Mark I. , Devoe Lawrence D. , Steer Philip J.
Published: January 2025

Sixty years ago, the purpose of introducing electronic fetal heart rate monitoring (EFM) was to reduce the incidence of intrapartum stillbirth. However, by the early 1980s, with falling stillbirth rates, fetal blood sampling had been widely abandoned, as many considered that EFM was sufficient on its own. Unfortunately, while the sensitivity of EFM for the detection of potential fetal compromise is high, specificity is low, and there is a high false positive rate which has been associated with a rising cesarean section rate. The authors suggest that EFM is considered and analyzed as a classic screening test and not a diagnostic test. Furthermore, it requires contextualization with other risk factors to achieve improved performance. A new proposed metric, the Fetal Reserve Index, takes into account additional risk factors and has demonstrated significantly improved performance metrics. It is going through the phases of further development, evaluation, and wider clinical implementation.
The FINRA Foundation’s National Financial Capability Study: Unpacking 12 years of data on U.S. financial capability
Authors: Valdes Olivia M. , Mottola Gary R. , Lin Judy T. , Bumcrot Christopher
Published: January 2025

The National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) is a large-scale, ongoing research project of the FINRA Foundation that provides a broad range of stakeholders the ability to examine and better understand the financial capability of U.S. adults. First introduced in 2009, the NFCS has dozens of publicly available reports and data sets that are free to download. Data from the NFCS contain information on people’s ability to make ends meet, their management of financial products and services, the extent to which they plan ahead, their financial knowledge and decision-making, and numerous other topics. This paper provides an overview of the history, methodology, and some insights gained from the NFCS over the years. In addition, given the NFCS’ unique role as the birthplace of the Big 5 financial literacy questions that are present in all waves of the NFCS, we discuss the role of the NFCS in aiding our understanding of financial knowledge in the United States. The paper concludes with a look toward the future of the NFCS.
Phylogeography of Antarctic soil invertebrate fauna reveals ancient origins, repeated colonization and recent evolution
Authors: Ross Giles M. , Rymer Paul D. , Cook James M. , Nielsen Uffe N.
Published: January 2025

Antarctica is populated by a diverse array of terrestrial fauna that have successfully adapted to its extreme environmental conditions. The origins and diversity of the taxa have been of continuous interest to ecologists since their discovery. Early theory considered contemporary populations as descendants of recent arrivals; however, mounting molecular evidence points to firmly established indigenous taxa far earlier than the Last Glacial Maximum, thus indicating more ancient origins. Here we present insights into Antarctica's terrestrial invertebrates by synthesizing available phylogeographic studies. Molecular dating supports ancient origins for most indigenous taxa, including Acari (up to 100 million years ago; Ma), Collembola (21–11 Ma), Nematoda (~30 Ma), Tardigrada (> 1 Ma) and Chironomidae (> 49 Ma), while Rotifera appear to be more recent colonizers (~130 Ka). Subsequent population bottlenecks and rapid speciation have occurred with limited gene transfer between Continental and Maritime Antarctica, while repeated wind- or water-borne dispersal and colonization of contiguous regions during interglacial periods shaped current distributions. Greater knowledge of Antarctica's fauna will focus conservation efforts to ensure their persistence.
The impact of eco-industrial parks on urban haze pollution: evidence from China
Authors: Ma Qingshan , Wang Fei , He Lingyun , Chai Xiaoke , Yu Chuanxi
Published: January 2025

With the green, circular, and low-carbon concept, eco-industrial parks are regarded as key drivers for maximizing environmental and economic benefits. Based on the panel data of 276 cities in China from 2007 to 2018, this paper regards the establishment of eco-industrial parks as a quasi-natural experiment, and employs the difference-in-differences method to test the impact of eco-industrial parks on urban haze pollution. We find that eco-industrial parks significantly reduce urban haze pollution and the conclusion holds with robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of eco-industrial parks on haze pollution is more pronounced in eastern and resource-based cities. Finally, mechanism analysis indicates that eco-industrial parks reduce urban haze pollution mainly by promoting technological innovation, upgrading industrial structure, and strengthening urban environmental regulations.
Sectoral inflation under fragmentation of information
Authors: Okuda Tatsushi , Tsuruga Tomohiro
Published: January 2025

We examine the role of fragmentation of information in explaining the dynamics of sectoral inflation. Using the quarterly survey of firms’ prices and costs in Japan, we first document two empirical facts: the sensitivity of sectoral inflation to changes in sectoral costs monotonically decreases with the dispersion of changes in (i) current costs and (ii) those in the past. A direct application of the dispersed information model can reconcile the fact (i) but fails to reconcile the fact (ii). We then extend the standard imperfect information model to construct a dynamic general equilibrium model that features fragmentation of information, wherein a finite number of groups of firms exist and firms in the same group share common idiosyncratic noises in their signals. Using this model, we find that the degree of fragmentation of information plays a crucial role in explaining these empirical facts.
Atmospheric Dryness Constrains CO2 Uptake During the Peak Growing Season and at Noontime in an Alpine Wetland Ecosystem
Authors: Hua Liqin , Tao Jing , Qi Yahui , Wang Zhuangzhuang , Wei Da , Wang Xiaodan
Published: January 2025

Increase in atmospheric dryness, characterized as vapor pressure deficit (VPD), might constrain terrestrial productivity. Nevertheless, the precise temporal impacts of VPD on the gross primary productivity (GPP) of alpine wetland ecosystems during the growing season remain elusive. The alpine ecosystems of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), where productivity is highly constrained by the cold climate, have experienced pronounced warming of 0.26°C decade−1 with associated increase in VPD. In this study, by examining eddy covariance observations taken in an alpine wetland on the TP over five consecutive years, we characterized when and how VPD variation causes negative impact on ecosystem productivity. The TP alpine wetland functioned as a net CO2 sink with magnitude of 164.6 ± 22.0 g C m−2 yr−1. It was found that VPD played a crucial role in the seasonal variation in GPP especially in the peak growing season, that is, it even suppressed the positive effect of temperature on GPP. As temperatures declined in the latter stages of the growing season, the inhibitory effect of VPD on GPP gradually diminished. We further found that the VPD at midday (13:00–14:30) was crucial for inhibition of photosynthesis and midday depression of GPP. Our results emphasize the role of atmospheric dryness during the middle growing season and at midday on GPP, thereby providing new insights into how VPD affects CO2 uptake in a warming climate.
Comparative phytochemical and pharmacological analysis of two cultivars of Annona squamosa L. cultivated in Egypt
Authors: Yassin Safaa , Elsohafy Samah M. , El-Hawiet Amr , Abdel-Kader Maged S. , Ghareeb Doaa A. , Darwish Fikria A. , Amer Masouda E.
Published: January 2025

This study compared two Annona squamosa L. cultivars, Abdelrazik (Annona A.) and Balady (Annona B.), in terms of their chemical profile, in vitro cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and A549 cell lines, and total acetogenin. In addition, the two cultivars pulp were compared regarding carbohydrates and magnesium ions content and immunomodulating activity. The two cultivars were also differentiated genetically by DNA barcoding using the universal primer matK and the specific primer Annona squamosa matK. The results showed that Annona A. seeds had higher acetogenin content and exhibited more potent cytotoxic activity against the two cell lines. In contrast, Annona B. pulp had higher carbohydrate content and lower magnesium ions content. The splenic lymphocyte proliferation assay revealed that Annona A. pulp extract was slightly more active as an immunostimulant. The specific primer used for DNA barcoding was more effective for species identification, while the universal primer was better for cultivar differentiation. Overall, our findings indicate the potential for using active compounds of Annona squamosa L. cultivars to develop new therapeutic agents for cancer therapy and immune enhancement.
Ancient DNA reveals reproductive barrier despite shared Avar-period culture
Authors: Wang Ke , Tobias Bendeguz , Pany-Kucera Doris , Berner Margit , Eggers Sabine , Gnecchi-Ruscone Guido Alberto , Zlámalová Denisa , Gretzinger Joscha , Ingrová Pavlína , Rohrlach Adam B. , Tuke Jonathan , Traverso Luca , Klostermann Paul , Koger Robin , Friedrich Ronny , Wiltschke-Schrotta Karin , Kirchengast Sylvia , Liccardo Salvatore , Wabnitz Sandra , Vida Tivadar , Geary Patrick J. , Daim Falko , Pohl Walter , Krause Johannes , Hofmanová Zuzana
Published: January 2025

After a long-distance migration, Avars with Eastern Asian ancestry arrived in Eastern Central Europe in 567 to 568 ce and encountered groups with very different European ancestry1,2. We used ancient genome-wide data of 722 individuals and fine-grained interdisciplinary analysis of large seventh- to eighth-century ce neighbouring cemeteries south of Vienna (Austria) to address the centuries-long impact of this encounter1,2. We found that even 200 years after immigration, the ancestry at one site (Leobersdorf) remained dominantly East Asian-like, whereas the other site (Mödling) shows local, European-like ancestry. These two nearby sites show little biological relatedness, despite sharing a distinctive late-Avar culture3,4. We reconstructed six-generation pedigrees at both sites including up to 450 closely related individuals, allowing per-generation demographic profiling of the communities. Despite different ancestry, these pedigrees together with large networks of distant relatedness show absence of consanguinity, patrilineal pattern with female exogamy, multiple reproductive partnerships (for example, levirate) and direct correlation of biological connectivity with archaeological markers of social status. The generation-long genetic barrier was maintained by systematically choosing partners with similar ancestry from other sites in the Avar realm. Leobersdorf had more biological connections with the Avar heartlands than with Mödling, which is instead linked to another site from the Vienna Basin with European-like ancestry. Mobility between sites was mostly due to female exogamy pointing to different marriage networks as the main driver of the maintenance of the genetic barrier.
Microsatellite/SSR dataset: characterization of apple cultivars of the German Fruit Genebank
Authors: Broschewitz Lea , Reim Stefanie , Flachowsky Henryk , Höfer Monika
Published: January 2025

The German Fruit Genebank is a decentralized network focused on coordinating various germplasm collections across Germany to conserve and utilize the genetic resources of native fruit species. This aim emphasizes the necessity of trueness-to-type validation of genetic resources based on pomological and molecular characteristics. Between 2009 and 2021, multiple projects were undertaken to create an inventory of the apple (Malus ssp.) network of the German Fruit Genebank. Eight partner locations across Germany participated in these projects to assess the authenticity of apple cultivars. Firstly, at least two knowledgeable experts from the German Pomological Association characterized the apple accessions pomologically. Secondly, DNA fingerprint analysis was conducted for molecular characterization. The DNA fingerprint analysis employed a set of 17 simple sequence repeat markers and 8 reference genotypes recommended by the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources Malus/Pyrus working group and was carried out by ecogenics GmbH (c/o Microsynth AG, Balgach, Switzerland). 8,184 samples were analysed, resulting in the compilation of 1,404 molecular groups that correspond to distinct apple cultivars.
Delayed onset of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Stewart Joseph A. , Williams Branwen , LaVigne Michèle , Wanamaker Alan D. , Strong Aaron L. , Jellison Brittany , Whitney Nina M. , Thatcher Diana L. , Robinson Laura F. , Halfar Jochen , Adey Walter
Published: January 2025

The Gulf of Maine holds significant ecological and economic value for fisheries and communities in north-eastern North America. However, there is apprehension regarding its vulnerability to the effects of increasing atmospheric CO2. Substantial recent warming and the inflow of low alkalinity waters into the Gulf of Maine have raised concerns about the impact of ocean acidification on resident marine calcifiers (e.g. oysters, clams, mussels). With limited seawater pH records, the natural variability and drivers of pH in this region remain unclear. To address this, we present coastal water pH proxy records using boron isotope (δ11B) measurements in long-lived, annually banded, crustose coralline algae (1920–2018 CE). These records indicate seawater pH was low (~ 7.9) for much of the last century. Contrary to expectation, we also find that pH has increased (+ 0.2 pH units) over the past 40 years, despite concurrent rising atmospheric CO2. This increase is attributed to an increased input of high alkalinity waters derived from the Gulf Stream. This delayed onset of ocean acidification is cause for concern. Once ocean circulation-driven buffering effects reach their limit, seawater pH decline may occur swiftly. This would profoundly harm shellfisheries and the broader Gulf of Maine ecosystem.
Positive sentiment and expertise predict the diffusion of archaeological content on social media
Authors: Bonacchi Chiara , Krzyzanska Marta , Acerbi Alberto
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the dissemination of archaeological information on Twitter/X through the lens of cultural evolution. By analysing 132,230 tweets containing the hashtag #archaeology from 2021 to 2023, we examine how content and context-related factors influence retweeting behaviour. Our findings reveal that tweets with positive sentiment and non-threatening language are more likely to be shared, contrasting with the common negativity bias observed on social media. Additionally, content authored by experts, particularly those with archaeological or historical expertise, is more frequently retweeted than content from popular figures lacking domain-specific expertise. The study also challenges the notion that pseudoarchaeology spreads rapidly and caution against overestimating its impact. Our results align with other studies on the spread of misinformation and “toxic” behaviour on social media, showing that the sharing of negative and hostile content by a vocal minority of users is mediated by other factors pertaining to the context of the communication. These insights underscore the nuanced dynamics of archaeology communication, emphasizing the importance of expert-led and positively charged narratives in engaging the public on social media.