bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and Seasonal Variations of Silicate Svratka River and Sediment Characterization, Czech Republic: Geochemical and Stable Isotopic Approach
Authors: Kanduč Tjaša , Geršl Milan , Geršlová Eva , McIntosh Jennifer
Published: May 2023

This study investigated weathering and hydrobiogeochemical processes in a silicate dominated watershed (Svratka river) in the Czech Republic in comparison with nearby carbonate dominated catchments. Elemental and isotopic analysis of river waters, particulates and sediments provided a more holistic view of weathering contributions, anthropogenic contamination, biological activity and evasion or sinks of CO2 to the atmosphere. In water samples, we determined total alkalinity after Gran 1974, and cations and anions were determined with inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometer and ion chromatograph. δ13CDIC in water samples was determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. pCO2 and saturation indexes of calcite and dolomite were calculated with PHREEQC speciation program. Evasion fluxes were calculated after Broecker, 1974. Isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen in particulate matter and sediments were determined with isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Mineral composition of sediments was determined with XRD method and elements with XRF method. Further enrichment factors of elements were calculated. The Svratka river, which is the major tributary of the Dyje river, is dominated by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− (as total alkalinity). Partial pressure (pCO2) concentrations range from close to 0–572-fold of atmospheric pressure. Isotopic composition of carbon in dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) value ranged from − 13.3 to − 8.0‰ reflecting degradation of organic matter and exchange with the atmosphere. Bicarbonate weathering intensity for the Svratka river at its mouth is 11.8 mol/(l⋅km2⋅s), more on par with silicate terrains and lower than nearby carbonate watersheds. Isotopic composition of carbon (δ13C) and isotopic composition of nitrogen (δ15N) values of river sediment reflect soil and temperate plant (C3 plant) values, while higher δ15N values could be attributed to application of organic fertilizers in lower reaches. The river sediments, which came from weathering of crystalline rocks, are dominated by silt size, geochemically less mature quartz, feldspar and muscovite particles. All the stream sediments examined revealed slightly increased amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb. However, using Al as the normalization element to calculate enrichment factors, Zn, Cu and Pb are only elevated downstream, related to industrial contamination. This study is important for local and global level since it deals with contribution of weathering rates and contribution of CO2 to the atmosphere in silicate watershed.
Extreme climatic events alter the aquatic insect community in a pristine German stream
Authors: Dietrich Jana S. , Welti Ellen A. R. , Haase Peter
Published: May 2023

As a result of ongoing climate change, extreme climatic events (ECEs) are expected to become more frequent and severe. The high biodiversity of riverine ecosystems is susceptible to ECEs, especially to water temperature (extreme heat and extreme cold) and discharge-related (flood and drought) events. Long time series are needed to unravel the effects of ECEs on ecological communities. Here, we used 20 years (1986–2005) of unusually high-resolution data from a pristine first-order stream in Germany. Daily recordings of species-level identified aquatic insect (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera: EPT) emergence, water temperature and discharge data were used to examine the effects of four types of ECEs (extreme heat, extreme cold, flood, and drought events) on insect abundance, common taxonomic diversity metrics, and selected traits after five different time lags (2 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months). Extreme heat events increased from 1.8 ± 1.9 SE events per year before 2000 to 5.3 ± 1.9 SE events per year after 2000. Water temperature-related ECEs restructured the EPT community in abundance, species richness, and traits (community temperature index: CTI, and dispersal capacity metric: DCM). The strongest effects on the EPT community were found when it was exposed to multiple ECEs and 1 and 3 months after an ECE. The changing frequencies and durations of ECEs, especially the increasing frequency of extreme heat events and the negative cumulative effects of ECEs, paint a worrisome picture for the future of EPT communities in headwater streams. High-resolution, long-term data across sites is needed to further disentangle the effects of different ECE stressors.
On the equivalence, stabilisers, and feet of Buekenhout-Tits unitals
Authors: Faulkner Jake , Van de Voorde Geertrui
Published: May 2023

This paper addresses a number of problems concerning Buekenhout-Tits unitals in

$${{\,\textrm{PG}\,}}(2, q^2)$$

PG

(
2
,

q
2

)

, where

$$q = 2^{2e + 1}$$

q
=

2

2
e
+
1

and

$$e \ge 1$$

e
≥
1

. We show that all Buekenhout-Tits unitals are equivalent under

$${{\,\textrm{PGL}\,}}(3, q^2)$$

PGL

(
3
,

q
2

)

[addressing an open problem in Barwick and Ebert (Unitals in Projective Planes. Springer Monographs in Mathematics. Springer, New York, 2008)], explicitly describe their stabiliser in

$$\textrm{P}\Gamma \textrm{L}(3, q^2)$$

P
Γ
L
(
3
,

q
2

)

[expanding Ebert’s work in Ebert (J Algebraic Comb 6(2):133–140, 1997)], and show that lines meet the feet of points not on

$$\ell _{\infty }$$

ℓ
∞

in at most four points. Finally, we show that feet of points not on

$$\ell _{\infty }$$

ℓ
∞

are not always a

$$\{0, 1, 2, 4\}$$

{
0
,
1
,
2
,
4
}

-set, in contrast to what happens for Buekenhout-Metz unitals Abarzúa et al (Adv Geom 18(2):229–236, 2018).
Exploring Early Childhood Educators’ Perceptions and Practices Towards Gender Differences in STEM Play: A Multiple-Case Study in China
Authors: Wang Simeng
Published: May 2023

Various gender biases have been demonstrated in early childhood educators (ECEs) with unintentional preferential treatment provided to boys during STEM-related play activities. These biases could impact young girls’ identity formation, resulting in continued underrepresentation of women in STEM domains in future. In China, however, little research has been conducted on how ECEs perceive gender equity of STEM fields. Consequently, this study aims to close this gap by investigating the educators’ perceptions on and responses to gender differences in STEM play, drawing on the cultural-historical theory and incorporating feminist perspectives. Adopting a multiple-case study approach, this study collected perceptions and experiences of six Chinese in-service ECEs regarding STEM play and gender-related issues. The participants recognized and valued children’s equal involvement in STEM play, but failed to preclude ingrained gender preconceptions, leading to contradictory beliefs and performs. Meanwhile, Chinese ECEs considered prejudices from the external environment and peer influence the main obstacles to gender inclusion. Inclusive practices and emphasises are thus discussed relating to ECEs’ multiple roles in supporting gender-neutral environments for STEM play. These preliminary findings shed light on attaining gender equity in STEM within the context of a feminist discourse, and provide Chinese educators, leaders and even the educational system with pioneering information. However, further research on ECEs’ underlying stereotypes and teaching practices is still warranted to examine future professional development possibilities, support ECEs in reducing obstacles to girls’ STEM engagement, and ultimately create a welcoming and inclusive STEM play space for girls.
Using Daily Diary Assessments to Better Understand the Role of Parental Consistency in the Development of Externalizing Child Behavior
Authors: Van den akker Alithe , Leijten Patty , Hoffenaar Peter , Gardner Frances
Published: May 2023

Consistent discipline is thought to reduce early child externalizing behavior. It is unclear, however, whether consistency is important mainly within episodes of misbehavior (e.g., threatening with discipline but then giving in) or across episodes of misbehavior (e.g., disciplining each instance of misbehavior). Using a daily diary approach, we examine whether these two types of consistency are associated with disruptive child behavior, concurrently and prospectively. We included two samples (Sample 1: N = 134, Magechild = 30 months, 44% girls; Sample 2: N = 149, Magechild = 5.88 years; 46% girls, at-risk sample) with daily reports of child disruptive behavior and parental responses (Sample 1 = 7 days; Sample 2 = 14 days). Sample 1 parents additionally reported on their reactions over the past month and their child’s externalizing behavior one year later. Within-episode consistency was assessed by the average number of parental reactions per episode; across-episode consistency by the Index of Qualitative Variation; and general consistency by parents’ report of how they had responded to child disruptive behavior in the past month. In both samples correlations between within- and across-episode consistency were significant, but not so strong that they were not differentiated. Again in both samples, regression analyses provided evidence for unique predictive value of across-episode, not within-episode, consistency for daily disruptive behavior. Parental general consistency was longitudinally associated with fewer externalizing problems, whereas within- and across-episode consistency were not. It appears meaningful to differentiate within- from across-episode consistency to better understand the relevance of different aspects of consistency.
Variation in the Outcome of Plant-Mediated Pathogen Interactions in Potato: Effects of Initial Infections on Conspecific vs. Heterospecific Subsequent Infections
Authors: Quiroga Gabriela , Aguiño-Domínguez Naila , Piperakis Nikos , Martín-Cacheda Lucía , Abdala-Roberts Luis , Moreira Xoaquín
Published: May 2023

Plants are often attacked sequentially by multiple enemies. Pathogen sequential co-infections can lead to indirect interactions mediated by plant induced responses whose outcome is contingent on differences in the magnitude and type of plant induced defences elicited by different species or guilds. To date, however, most studies have tested unidirectional effects of one pathogen on another, not discerning between conspecific vs. heterospecific infections, and often not measuring plant induced responses underlying such outcomes. To address this, we conducted a greenhouse experiment testing for the impact of initial infection by two leaf pathogens (Alternaria solani and Phytophthora infestans) on subsequent infection by each of these pathogens on potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants, and also measured induced plant defences (phenolic compounds) to inform on interaction outcomes. We found contrasting results depending on the identity of the initially infecting pathogen. Specifically, initial infection by A. solani drove induced resistance (lower necrosis) by subsequently infecting A. solani (conspecific induced resistance) but had no effect on subsequent infection by P. infestans. In contrast, initial infection by P. infestans drove induced resistance to subsequent infection by both conspecifics and A. solani. Patterns of plant induced defences correlated with (and potentially explained) induced resistance to conspecific but not heterospecific (e.g., in the case of P. infestans) subsequent infection. Overall, these results further our understanding of plant-mediated pathogen interactions by showing that plant-mediated interactions between pathogen species can be asymmetrical and in some cases not reciprocal, that pathogen species can vary in the importance of conspecific vs. heterospecific effects, and shed mechanistic insight into the role of plant induced responses driving such interactions.
Sequential Image Recovery Using Joint Hierarchical Bayesian Learning
Authors: Xiao Yao , Glaubitz Jan
Published: May 2023

Recovering temporal image sequences (videos) based on indirect, noisy, or incomplete data is an essential yet challenging task. We specifically consider the case where each data set is missing vital information, which prevents the accurate recovery of the individual images. Although some recent (variational) methods have demonstrated high-resolution image recovery based on jointly recovering sequential images, there remain robustness issues due to parameter tuning and restrictions on the type of sequential images. Here, we present a method based on hierarchical Bayesian learning for the joint recovery of sequential images that incorporates prior intra- and inter-image information. Our method restores the missing information in each image by “borrowing” it from the other images. More precisely, we couple sequential images by penalizing their pixel-wise difference. The corresponding penalty terms (one for each pixel and pair of subsequent images) are treated as weakly-informative random variables that favor small pixel-wise differences but allow occasional outliers. As a result, all of the individual reconstructions yield improved accuracy. Our method can be used for various data acquisitions and allows for uncertainty quantification. Some preliminary results indicate its potential use for sequential deblurring and magnetic resonance imaging.
Moving mass over a viscoelastic system: asymptotic behaviours and insights into nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Argenziano M. , Cutolo A. , Babilio E. , Carotenuto A. R. , Fraldi M.
Published: May 2023

Moving masses are of interest in many applications of structural dynamics, soliciting in the last decades a vast debate in the scientific literature. However, despite the attention devoted to the subject, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is a lack of analysis about the fate of a movable mass when it rolls or slips with friction on a structure. With the aim of elucidating the dynamics of the simplest paradigm of this system and to investigate its asymptotic response, we make reference to a two-degree-of-freedom model made of an elastically vibrating carriage surmounted by a spherical mass, facing the problem both theoretically and experimentally. In case of linear systems, the analytical solutions and the laboratory tests performed on ad hoc constructed prototypes highlighted a counterintuitive asymptotic dynamics, here called binary: in the absence of friction at the interface of the bodies’ system, the mass holds its initial position or, if nonzero damping acts, at the end of the motion it is in a position that exactly recovers the initial relative distance carriage–sphere. While the first result might be somewhat obvious, the second appears rather surprising. Such a binary behaviour is also confirmed for a Duffing-like system, equipped with cubic springs, while it can be lost when non-smooth friction phenomena occur, as well as in the case of elastic springs restraining the motion of the sphere. The obtained analytical results and the numerical findings, also confirmed by experimental evidences, contribute to the basic understanding of the role played by the damping parameters governing the systems’ dynamics with respect to its asymptotic behaviour and could pave the way for designing active or passive vibration controllers of interest in engineering.
Advanced spraying systems to improve pesticide saving and reduce spray drift for apple orchards
Authors: Xun Lu , Campos Javier , Salas Bernat , Fabregas Francesc Xavier , Zhu Heping , Gil Emilio
Published: May 2023

New spraying systems embedded with different technologies have been developed for pesticide application in 3D crops. However, while applied to specific tree crops, the potential spray drift mitigation for advanced spraying systems needs to be classified due to the great variability of spray equipment and canopy structure. Here a precision spraying system was developed and compared with two typical spraying systems (conventional system, optimized system following the best management practices) for the applied volume/pesticide and spray drift in an apple orchard at two growth stages following the ISO22866-2005 protocol. Compared to the conventional system, the other two advanced systems significantly reduced the amount of ground drift (> 60%) at most of the sampling distances at the growth stage BBCH 72, while the precision system demonstrated the best drift mitigation (57.3% reduction) at the stage BBCH 99. For the airborne drift, a remarkable drift reduction was also achieved with the two advanced systems. Specifically, the optimized spraying system exhibited a drift reduction by approximately 80% at the first growth stage, and the precision application demonstrated its considerable advantages in minimizing drift loss for the sparse canopy at the stage BBCH 99. Moreover, the saving of applied volume/pesticide was achieved by 12% with the optimized system and 43% with the precision system. This study revealed the necessity and prospect of the advanced spraying systems to reduce the environmental contamination and health risk from pesticide applications in fruit tree production.
Parent-reported health-related quality of life in pediatric childhood cancer survivors and factors associated with poor health-related quality of life in aftercare
Authors: Winzig Jana , Inhestern Laura , Paul Verena , Nasse Mona L. , Krauth Konstantin A. , Kandels Daniela , Rutkowski Stefan , Escherich Gabriele , Bergelt Corinna
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Despite advances in cancer treatment, there is a prevalence of pediatric childhood cancer survivors still at risk of developing adverse disease and treatment outcomes, even after the end of treatment. The present study aimed to (1) explore how mothers and fathers assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of their surviving child and (2) evaluate risk factors for poor parent-reported HRQoL in childhood cancer survivors about 2.5 years after diagnosis.

Methods

We assessed parent-reported HRQoL of 305 child and adolescent survivors < 18 years diagnosed with leukemia or tumors of central nervous system (CNS) with the KINDL-R questionnaire in a prospective observational study with a longitudinal mixed-methods design.

Results

In agreement with our hypotheses, our results show that fathers rate their children’s HRQoL total score as well as the condition-specific domains family (p = .013, d = 0.3), friends (p = .027, d = 0.27), and disease (p = .035, d = 0.26) higher than mothers about 2.5 years after diagnosis. Taking variance of inter-individual differences due to family affiliation into account, the mixed model regression revealed significant associations between the diagnosis of CNS tumors (p = .018, 95% CI [− 7.78, − 0.75]), an older age at diagnosis, (p = .011, 95% CI [− 0.96, − 0.12]), and non-participation in rehabilitation (p = .013, 95% CI [− 10.85, − 1.28]) with poor HRQoL in children more than 2 years after being diagnosed with cancer.

Conclusion

Based on the results, it is necessary for health care professionals to consider the differences in parental perceptions regarding children’s aftercare after surviving childhood cancer. High risk patients for poor HRQoL should be detected early, and families should be offered support post-cancer diagnosis to protect survivors’ HRQoL during aftercare. Further research should focus on characteristics of pediatric childhood cancer survivors and families with low participation in rehabilitation programs.
Wildfires in Australia: a bibliometric analysis and a glimpse on ‘Black Summer’ (2019/2020) disaster
Authors: Haque K M Shamsul , Uddin Minhaz , Ampah Jeffrey Dankwa , Haque Md. Kamrul , Hossen Md. Shahadat , Rokonuzzaman Md. , Hossain Md. Yeamin , Hossain Md. Sazzad , Rahman Md. Zillur
Published: May 2023

A wildfire, an unplanned fire that is mainly uncontrolled and originates in combustible vegetation in rural or urban settings, is one of the most pervasive natural catastrophes in some areas, such as Siberia, California and Australia. Many studies, such as standard reviews, have been undertaken to look into the works of literature on wildfires or forest fires and their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Regrettably, conventional literature reviews failed to identify the important researchers, evolving complexities, emerging research hotspots, trends and opportunities for further research on the ground of wildfire study. The present study employs bibliometric analysis to investigate this study area qualitatively and quantitatively. The Scopus database systems and Web of Science Core Collection yielded 78 qualifying papers, which were then evaluated using Biblioshiny (A bibliometrix tool of R-studio). According to the statistics, the discipline is expanding at a pace that is 13.68% faster than average. So far, three key periods of transformation have been documented: preliminary evolution (8 articles; 1999–2005), gentle evolution (14 articles; 2006–2013) and quick evolution (56 articles; 2014 to 2021). Forest Ecology and Management and Science journals have the highest number of publications, accounting for 7.70% of total wildfire-related articles published from 1999 to 2021. However, recent data indicate that investigators are shifting their focus to wildfires, with the term ‘Australia’ having the highest frequency (91) and ‘wildfire’ having the second highest (58) as the most appeared keywords. The present study will provide a foundation for future research on wildfire incidence and management by receiving information by synthesising previously published literature in Australia and around the world.
Association between serum aldehyde concentrations and metabolic syndrome in adults
Authors: Ba Yanqun , Guo Qixin , Du Anning , Zheng Beibei , Wang Luyang , He Ying , Guan Yihong , Xin Yue , Shi Jinjin
Published: May 2023

The relationship between aldehyde exposure and metabolic syndrome is unclear; hence, we aimed to investigate the association between serum aldehyde concentrations and metabolic syndrome. We analyzed the data of 1471 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey enrolled from 2013 to 2014. The association of serum aldehyde concentrations with metabolic syndrome was assessed via generalized linear models as well as restricted cubic splines, and endpoint events were further analyzed. After adjusting for covariates, both moderate (odds ratio [OR] = 2.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–5.56) and high (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.06–4.07) concentrations of isovaleraldehyde were associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome. Interestingly, although a moderate concentration of valeraldehyde was associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.70–1.65), a high concentration was not (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.17–1.79). Restricted cubic splines revealed a non-linear association between valeraldehyde and metabolic syndrome, and threshold effect analysis revealed that the inflection point for valeraldehyde concentration was 0.7 ng/mL. The results of the subgroup analysis revealed differences in the relationship of aldehyde exposure with components of metabolic syndrome. High isovaleraldehyde concentrations may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, and valeraldehyde demonstrated a J-shaped relationship with the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Assessing nutrient and sediment load reduction potential of vegetation by utilizing the nutrient tracking tool at the field and watershed scale in a Great Lakes priority watershed
Authors: Pawlowski Ethan D. , Karwan Diana L. , Kolka Randall K.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Nutrient and sediment pollution of surface waters remains a critical challenge for improving water quality. This study takes a user-friendly field-scale tool and assesses its ability to model at both the field and watershed scale within the Fox River Watershed (FRW), Wisconsin, USA, along with assessing how targeted vegetation implementation could attenuate nutrient and sediment exports.

Methods

To assess potential load reductions, the nutrient tracking tool (NTT) was used with a scoring system to identify areas where vegetation mitigation could be implemented within three selected FRW sub-watersheds. A corn soybean rotation, an implementation of a 10-m-vegetated buffer, a full forest conversion, and tiling were modeled and assessed. The corn–soybean results were aggregated and compared to watershed level gauge data in two sub-watersheds. Edge-of-field data was compared to modeled results using multiple parameterization schemes.

Results

The agricultural areas that scored higher and were untiled showed greater potential nutrient and sediment export reduction (up to 80 to 95%) when vegetation mitigation was implemented in the model. Field-scale results aggregated to the watershed scale showed disparities between modeled and measured phosphorus exports but modeled sediment exports fell within observed gauge data ranges. Field-specific parameter adjustments resulted in more accurate modeled results compared to measured edge-of-field export data but needed further refinement.

Conclusion

Targeted mitigation using a vegetation-based scoring system with the NTT model was shown to be a helpful tool for predicting nutrient and sediment reductions. Using a field-scale model aggregated to the watershed scale presents tradeoffs regarding processes found beyond the edge of field.
Review: Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to regulate important brain activity—what occurs at the molecular level?
Authors: Nara Shigetoshi , Yamaguti Yutaka , Tsuda Ichiro
Published: May 2023

Herein, we briefly review the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in regulating important brain activity by controlled release of acetylcholine from subcortical neuron groups, focusing on a microscopic viewpoint and considering the nonlinear dynamics of biological macromolecules associated with neuron activity and how they give rise to advanced brain functions of brain.
Visualisation ergonomics and robotic surgery
Authors: Wong Shing Wai , Crowe Philip
Published: May 2023

Stereopsis may be an advantage of robotic surgery. Perceived robotic ergonomic advantages in visualisation include better exposure, three-dimensional vision, surgeon camera control, and line of sight screen location. Other ergonomic factors relating to visualisation include stereo-acuity, vergence–accommodation mismatch, visual–perception mismatch, visual–vestibular mismatch, visuospatial ability, visual fatigue, and visual feedback to compensate for lack of haptic feedback. Visual fatigue symptoms may be related to dry eye or accommodative/binocular vision stress. Digital eye strain can be measured by questionnaires and objective tests. Management options include treatment of dry eye, correction of refractive error, and management of accommodation and vergence anomalies. Experienced robotic surgeons can use visual cues like tissue deformation and surgical tool information as surrogates for haptic feedback.
Early Stage Melanoma of the Vermillion with Mucosal Melanoma in Situ: A Clinical Conundrum
Authors: Betz Sasha J. , Jelmini Jonathan J. , Kim Roderick Y.
Published: May 2023

Background

Melanoma is a predominantly cutaneous malignancy associated with sun exposure. Mucosal melanoma is rare and carries a distinct pathogenesis from cutaneous tumors. The vermillion of the lip is a unique site that divides cutaneous from mucosal tissues. Tumors arising on the dry aspect are classified as cutaneous and those of the wet aspect are mucosal. The distinction is importation in tumor staging as all mucosal melanomas are classified as T3-T4b under the current 8th edition American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) guidelines.

Methods

We describe a case of early stage melanoma of the vermillion with associated mucosal melanoma in situ. We discuss nuances of management at this site and the distinctions between cutaneous versus mucosal melanomas with a review of the literature.

Results

Our patient was treated surgically with 2-3 cm margins. Residual melanoma in situ was present at the mucosal margin on final pathology which required a second surgery for margin revision. The case was discussed at tumor board with recommendation for no further treatment.

Conclusions

The nuances between the vermillion and mucosal lip must be understood for appropriate staging and treatment of melanomas. The paucity of literature on melanomas affecting this site render management decisions challenging. Multidisciplinary discussion is essential for guiding care.
Linguistic markers of processing the first months of the pandemic COVID-19: a psycholinguistic analysis of Italian university students' diaries
Authors: Gandino G. , Civilotti C. , Finzi S. , Gaboardi M. , Guazzini A. , Novara C. , Procentese F. , Santinello M. , Sola T. , Veglia F. , Venera E. M. , Di Fini G.
Published: May 2023

A longitudinal psycholinguistic study was conducted with 107 students from different Italian universities that produced daily photo-diary entries for two weeks, one at the beginning and the other at the end of the first Italian lockdown period, imposed in view of the rapid dissemination of COVID -19. The task was to take a daily photo accompanied by a short description (text). The texts accompanying the photos were analysed using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software to analyze linguistic markers representing psychological processes related to the experience of the pandemic and the lockdown, identifying potential changes in psycholinguistic variables useful for understanding the psychological impact of such harsh and extended restricted living conditions on Italian students. LIWC categories related to negation, anger, cognitive mechanisms, tentative discourse, past, and future increased statistically significantly between the two time points, while word count, prepositions, communication, leisure, and home decreased statistically significantly. While male participants used more articles at both time points, females used more words related to anxiety, social processes, past, and present at T1 and more related to insight at T2. Participants who lived with their partner showed higher scores on negative emotions, affect, positive feelings, anger, optimism, and certainty. Participants from southern Italy tended to describe their experiences from a collective and social perspective rather than an individual perspective. By identifying, discussing, and comparing these phenomena with the broader literature, a spotlight is shed for the first time on the psycholinguistic analysis of students at the national level who faced the first COVID -19 lockdown in Italy.
Stability and cross-lagged relations among callous-unemotional traits, moral identity, moral emotion attribution and externalizing behavior problems in adolescents
Authors: Bäker Neele
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the associations of adolescents callous-unemotional traits with moral constructs and the interplay of various outcomes. The present study builds on the lack of research and focuses on the longitudinal relationships between CU-traits, moral identity, moral emotion attribution and externalizing behavior problems in adolescence. The included variables were collected at test time points T1 and T2. To determine the predictive, and stability links among the variables, a cross-lagged model in SPSS AMOS 26 was conducted. Time stability path estimates were moderate to highly stable over time for all included variables. Significant cross lagged paths of moral identityT1 on moral emotion attributionT2, CU-traitsT1 on moral identityT2, externalizing behavior problemsT1 on moral emotion attributionsT2 and externalizing behavior problemsT1 on CU-traitsT2, could be found.
Non-coding RNAs in breast cancer: with a focus on glucose metabolism reprogramming
Authors: Liang Junjie , Ye Chun , Chen Kaiqin , Gao Zihan , Lu Fangguo , Wei Ke
Published: May 2023

Breast cancer is the tumor with the highest incidence in women worldwide. According to research, the poor prognosis of breast cancer is closely related to abnormal glucose metabolism in tumor cells. Changes in glucose metabolism in tumor cells are an important feature. When sufficient oxygen is available, cancer cells tend to undergo glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation, which promotes rapid proliferation and invasion of tumor cells. As research deepens, targeting the glucose metabolism pathway of tumor cells is seen as a promising treatment. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a recent focus of research, are involved in the regulation of enzymes of glucose metabolism and related cancer signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. This article reviews the regulatory effect and mechanism of ncRNAs on glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells and provides new ideas for the treatment of breast cancer.
Disparities in Lung Cancer: A Targeted Literature Review Examining Lung Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival Outcomes in the United States
Authors: Dwyer Lisa L. , Vadagam Pratyusha , Vanderpoel Julie , Cohen Carol , Lewing Benjamin , Tkacz Joseph
Published: May 2023

Background

Although incidence and mortality of lung cancer have been decreasing, health disparities persist among historically marginalized Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations. A targeted literature review was performed to collate the evidence of health disparities among these historically marginalized patients with lung cancer in the U.S.

Methods

Articles eligible for review included 1) indexed in PubMed®, 2) English language, 3) U.S. patients only, 4) real-world evidence studies, and 5) publications between January 1, 2018, and November 8, 2021.

Results

Of 94 articles meeting selection criteria, 49 publications were selected, encompassing patient data predominantly between 2004 and 2016. Black patients were shown to develop lung cancer at an earlier age and were more likely to present with advanced-stage disease compared to White patients. Black patients were less likely to be eligible for/receive lung cancer screening, genetic testing for mutations, high-cost and systemic treatments, and surgical intervention compared to White patients. Disparities were also detected in survival, where Hispanic and Asian patients had lower mortality risks compared to White patients. Literature on survival outcomes between Black and White patients was inconclusive. Disparities related to sex, rurality, social support, socioeconomic status, education level, and insurance type were observed.

Conclusions

Health disparities within the lung cancer population begin with initial screening and continue through survival outcomes, with reports persisting well into the latter portion of the past decade. These findings should serve as a call to action, raising awareness of persistent and ongoing inequities, particularly for marginalized populations.
Above and Beyond: A Grounded Theory of Aotearoa/New Zealand High School Teachers’ Perspectives on International Study Tours
Authors: O’Donnell Donna , Orams Mark , Schänzel Heike
Published: May 2023

This paper addresses the dearth of research into the roles high school teachers play in organising and leading international study tours offered by high schools in New Zealand (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic). The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the motivations and experiences of teachers involved in these tours. A grounded theory approach was used, and qualitative data were collected via face-to-face interviews with eight teachers forming the basis of the development of a theory which proposes that both navigating and negotiating learning experiences are key aspects of the teacher’s role. Data revealed that the expectations and challenges placed upon the teachers had implications for their personal and professional lives. The tension between teachers’ perceived obligations for the safety of the students and the adolescent’s desire for freedom to explore whilst travelling proved difficult to resolve and teachers questioned the sacrifices they personally needed to make.
Wavefields in a cased hole surrounded by a formation with transverse isotropy caused by axial stresses
Authors: Liu Jinxia , Liu Jianyu , Cui Zhiwen , Kundu Tribikram
Published: May 2023

Understanding acoustic field characteristics in the cased hole accompanied by stress is important for acoustical logging. This study investigates the behavior of multipole wavefields of a cased hole with a perfect combination of casing, cement, and formation under the formation borehole-axial stress. The formation can be equivalent to a transversely isotropic medium when uniaxial stress acts on isotropic formation based on nonlinear elasticity theory. The effect of axial stress in the formation on multipole wavefields in cased hole is investigated. Numerical results show that the phase slowness of Stoneley, flexural, and screw waves decreases with an increase in axial compressive stress. With the increase of uniaxial stresses, the arrival times of the full waveforms decrease, and the amplitudes of the full waveforms increase. These characteristics are similar to that of the open hole. For cased holes in soft formations, the excitation curves of flexural and screw waves shift to low frequencies as the stress increases; and the dispersion curves corresponding to excitation curves also exhibit a similar shift, while open holes do not have this pattern. The wavefields excited by a dipole source and quadrupole source in the cased hole in soft formation have more prominent changes in the frequency spectra, and the changes in the integral amplitudes of the full waveforms are larger than those of the open hole. We found that responses of wavefields excited by dipole and quadrupole sources in cased holes in soft formation to the axial stress are more sensitive than those in the open hole.
Experimental and model study on the weakening of gas hydrate-bearing sand considering dissociation
Authors: Zhang Yu , Hou Zhengsen , Li Jianwei , Cheng Zhiliang , Li Dayong
Published: May 2023

Hydrate decomposition changes the mechanical behavior of reservoirs, which threatens the safety of mining wells. Therefore, this study determines the weakening behavior of gas hydrate-bearing sands by performing triaxial shear tests considering decomposition based on drilling data from the Shenhu Sea. The results indicate that gas hydrate-bearing sands, both before and after hydrate decomposition, show a strain hardening trend, and the strength and cohesion increase with hydrate saturation. The dilatancy of the nondissociated specimen increases with hydrate saturation, while that of the dissociated specimen decreases. Moreover, hydrate decomposition causes the strength, cohesion and dilatancy of the specimen to decrease, exhibiting significant weakening behavior. Furthermore, a statistical damage constitutive model is proposed by considering that the microunit strength obeys the Drucker‒Prager criterion and Weibull distribution, and the model well describes the deformation and damage of gas hydrate-bearing sands due to decomposition.
CIMBL55: a repository for maize drought resistance alleles
Authors: Tian Tian , Qin Feng
Published: May 2023

Droughts threaten crop yields worldwide. Compared to other major staple cereal crops, maize (Zea mays) is especially sensitive to drought, which can cause dramatic fluctuations in its yield potential. Natural maize populations contain many superior alleles that can enhance drought resistance through complex regulatory mechanisms. We recently de novo assembled the genome of a prominent drought-resistant maize germplasm, CIMBL55, and systematically dissected the genetic basis for its drought resistance on the genome, transcriptome, and epigenome levels. These analyses revealed 65 favorable drought resistance alleles in CIMBL55. Subsequently, we genetically verified the functions of the drought resistance genes ZmABF4, ZmNAC075, and ZmRtn16 and unraveled the function of ZmRtn16 on a molecular level.
Does micro/nano biochar always good to phytoremediation? A case study from multiple metals contaminated acidic soil using Salix jiangsuensis '172'
Authors: Xiao Jiang , Li Xiaogang , Cao Yini , Chen Guangcai
Published: May 2023

Biochar amendments have shown great superiority in reduction of heavy metals (HM) toxicity and soil amelioration in severely contaminated mining areas, which suggested to facilitate vegetation rehabilitation using fast-growing trees. Bone biochar (BC) and ball-milled bone biochar (MBC) were fabricated by pyrolyzing bone meal at 600°C followed by eco-friendly wet-milling techniques. The effect of BC and MBC application (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 wt%) on soil properties, plant growth and metal accumulation of Salix jiangsuensis '172' (SJ-172) in multi-metal (Cu, Pb, Cd and Mn)-contaminated acid clay soil was investigated in a 150-day pot experiment. The results showed that BC and MBC considerably improved the survival rate of SJ-172 when the application rate was larger than 1.0%. MBC displayed outstanding performance in reducing HMs bioavailability and improving N and P soil fertility, while BC enhanced the reduction in acidity and increase in K supply. Interestingly, BC enhanced HMs accumulation (Cd 115.23%, Pb 161.82%, Mn 285.23% and 219.29% Cu at 4% application rate) by SJ-172 compared with MBC. Taken together, the good performance of BC in enhancing HMs accumulation in SJ-172 indicated that it is a promising amendment for phytoremediation of clay soils, while MBC can be utilized as an excellent amendment for HMs stabilization.

Graphical Abstract
Applying a One Health lens to understanding the impact of climate and environmental change on healthcare-associated infections
Authors: Graham Sabrina B. , Machalaba Catherine , Baum Sarah E. , Raufman Jill , Hill Sarah E.
Published: May 2023

The pace and trajectory of global and local environmental changes are jeopardizing our health in numerous ways, among them exacerbating the risk of disease emergence and spread in both the community and the healthcare setting via healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Factors such as climate change, widespread land alteration, and biodiversity loss underlie changing human–animal–environment interactions that drive disease vectors, pathogen spillover, and cross-species transmission of zoonoses. Climate change–associated extreme weather events also threaten critical healthcare infrastructure, infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts, and treatment continuity, adding to stress to strained systems and creating new areas of vulnerability. These dynamics increase the likelihood of developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), vulnerability to HAIs, and high-consequence hospital-based disease transmission. Using a One Health approach to both human and animal health systems, we can become climate smart by re-examining impacts on and relationships with the environment. We can then work collaboratively to reduce and respond to the growing threat and burden of infectious diseases.
Machine learning approaches for the prediction of serious fluid leakage from hydrocarbon wells
Authors: Rezvandehy Mehdi , Mayer Bernhard
Published: May 2023

The exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs may potentially lead to contamination of soils, shallow water resources, and greenhouse gas emissions. Fluids such as methane or CO2may in some cases migrate toward the groundwater zone and atmosphere through and along imperfectly sealed hydrocarbon wells. Field tests in hydrocarbon-producing regions are routinely conducted for detecting serious leakage to prevent environmental pollution. The challenge is that testing is costly, time-consuming, and sometimes labor-intensive. In this study, machine learning approaches were applied to predict serious leakage with uncertainty quantification for wells that have not been field tested in Alberta, Canada. An improved imputation technique was developed by Cholesky factorization of the covariance matrix between features, where missing data are imputed via conditioning of available values. The uncertainty in imputed values was quantified and incorporated into the final prediction to improve decision-making. Next, a wide range of predictive algorithms and various performance metrics were considered to achieve the most reliable classifier. However, a highly skewed distribution of field tests toward the negative class (nonserious leakage) forces predictive models to unrealistically underestimate the minority class (serious leakage). To address this issue, a combination of oversampling, undersampling, and ensemble learning was applied. By investigating all the models on never-before-seen data, an optimum classifier with minimal false negative prediction was determined. The developed methodology can be applied to identify the wells with the highest likelihood for serious fluid leakage within producing fields. This information is of key importance for optimizing field test operations to achieve economic and environmental benefits.
Homogenizing fluid transport in stratified porous media using an elastic flow instability
Authors: Browne Christopher A. , Huang Richard B. , Zheng Callie W. , Datta Sujit S.
Published: May 2023

Many key environmental, industrial and energy processes rely on controlling fluid transport within subsurface porous media. These media are typically structurally heterogeneous, often with vertically layered strata of distinct permeabilities – leading to uneven partitioning of flow across strata, which can be undesirable. Here, using directin situvisualization, we demonstrate that polymer additives can homogenize this flow by inducing a purely elastic flow instability that generates random spatio-temporal fluctuations and excess flow resistance in individual strata. In particular, we find that this instability arises at smaller imposed flow rates in higher-permeability strata, diverting flow towards lower-permeability strata and helping to homogenize the flow. Guided by the experiments, we develop a parallel-resistor model that quantitatively predicts the flow rate at which this homogenization is optimized for a given stratified medium. Thus, our work provides a new approach to homogenizing fluid and passive scalar transport in heterogeneous porous media.
Estimates for the nonlinear viscoelastic damped wave equation on compact Lie groups
Authors: Bhardwaj Arun Kumar , Kumar Vishvesh , Mondal Shyam Swarup
Published: May 2023

Let $G$ be a compact Lie group. In this article, we investigate the Cauchy problem for a nonlinear wave equation with the viscoelastic damping on $G$. More precisely, we investigate some $L^2$-estimates for the solution to the homogeneous nonlinear viscoelastic damped wave equation on $G$ utilizing the group Fourier transform on $G$. We also prove that there is no improvement of any decay rate for the norm $\|u(t,\,\cdot )\|_{L^2(G)}$ by further assuming the $L^1(G)$-regularity of initial data. Finally, using the noncommutative Fourier analysis on compact Lie groups, we prove a local in time existence result in the energy space $\mathcal {C}^1([0,\,T],\,H^1_{\mathcal {L}}(G)).$
Identifying the Rich: Registration, Taxation, and Access to the State in Tanzania
Authors: BOWLES JEREMY
Published: May 2023

How do states build their informational capacity? This article argues that distributive politics conditions how the state’s capacity develops. I study civil registration, where citizens comply with the state’s informational demands in exchange for documentary proof of identity, which may simultaneously facilitate access to public resources and exposure to taxation. Though the rich are particularly threatened by taxation, the narrow benefits of registration induce their compliance over that of the poor. I leverage a set of reforms in early postindependence Tanzania which provide quasi-random variation in citizens’ registration status and show that registration promotes access to narrow-based resources, rather than broad-based ones, while increasing tax payment. In turn, citizens’ decisions to comply reflect the economically stratified local incidence of these net benefits. The results suggest how nominally universal state-building schemes can have regressive effects on the state’s coverage.