bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Immediate Effects of Detached Mindfulness on Repetitive Negative Thinking and Affect in Daily Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bolzenkötter Teresa , Bürkner Paul-Christian , Zetsche Ulrike , Schulze Lars
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is a problematic thinking style that is related to multiple mental disorders. Detached mindfulness is a technique of metacognitive therapy that aims to reduce RNT. Our study set out to investigate the immediate effects of detached mindfulness in daily life.

Methods

Participants with elevated trait RNT (n = 50) were prompted to engage in detached mindfulness exercises three times a day for 5 consecutive days. Immediate effects on RNT and affect were assessed 15 and 30 min after each exercise using experience sampling methodology. We compared the effects of this exercise phase to (1) a 5-day non-exercise baseline phase and (2) a different group of participants that engaged in an active control exercise (n = 50).

Results

Results of Bayesian multilevel models showed that, across groups, improvements in RNT, negative affect, and positive affect were stronger during the exercise phase than during the non-exercise baseline phase (RNT after 15 min: b = -0.26, 95% CI = [-0.38, -0.14]). However, the two exercise groups did not differ in these improvements (RNT after 15 min: b = 0.02, 95% CI = [-0.22, 0.27]). Thus, the detached mindfulness and the active control exercises resulted in similar effects on RNT and affect in daily life.

Conclusions

Results of this study imply that there was no additional benefit of having participants observe their thoughts detached and non-judgmentally, compared to excluding these assumed mechanisms of action as done for the active control group. We discuss possible reasons for the non-difference between the groups.

Preregistration

This study was preregistered at https://osf.io/rze64.
Evolution of egg deposition strategies, exaptations of exuvia, and thanatochresis in tardigrades
Authors: Guidetti Roberto
Published: April 2024

The cuticle is the tardigrade exoskeleton that, limiting animal growth, needs to be periodically shed. New cuticles must be formed (within the old ones) before getting rid of the obsolete exoskeletons at the end of moulting process. After ecdysis (the release of the old cuticle), the exuvia has different destinies according to tardigrade evolutionary lines. In the marine tardigrades (Heterotardigrada), the exuvia is lost and useless, while in the other taxa, it acquires interesting uses to be considered exaptations, since the cuticle previously shaped by natural selection for a function (i.e. as exoskeleton) is coopted for new adaptive scopes. These are related to egg deposition, parental care, mating, and diapause. Egg deposition within the exuvia is one of the three different egg deposition strategies developed by tardigrades: smooth eggs can be laid freely or within the exuvia, while ornamented eggs are laid freely. A new scenario for the evolution of such egg deposition strategies is characterised by five schematic steps: smooth eggs laid freely (ancestral state), synchronization of egg maturation with moulting (developed in tardigrade ancestor in sea), use of the exuvia for oviposition (for enhanced mechanical and physiological egg protection), acquisition of egg ornamentation, and ornamented eggs laid freely (related to a risk-spreading strategy). An interesting thanatochresis case related to the release of free eggs in crustaceans exuviae, convergently developed in two distant taxa of eu- and heterotardigrades, is presented and discussed.
Enhancing Demodulation Performance of DCM Algorithm in φ-OTDR System Through Temporal Spline Interpolation
Authors: Wang Tingyu , Zhang Jianzhong , Ma Zhe , He Xiang , Li Weizhe , Yang Binyuan , Zhang Mingjiang
Published: April 2024

For expanding the amplitude-frequency response range of the differential cross-phase multiply (DCM) algorithm in the φ-OTDR system, a temporal spline interpolation (TSI) method is proposed to pre-process Rayleigh backscattering (RBS) signals. Through the TSI method, the discrete temporal signals characterizing RBS traces are subjected to interpolation, facilitating a reduction in differential approximation errors. This, in turn, establishes a heightened level of precision in phase demodulation, especially relevant across extensive sensing distances. By comparing the recovered time-domain waveforms and the corresponding power spectral densities without and with the TSI, the above improvement effect has been experimentally validated by utilizing the TSI. The results show that, with the TSI, the amplitude-frequency response range of the DCM algorithm is enlarged by 2.78 times, and the new relationship among fpulse, f, and D under the root mean square error (RMSE) tolerance less than 0.1 can be expressed as 1.9(D+1)f ≤ fpulse. This contribution underscores a substantial advancement in the capabilities of the DCM algorithm, holding promise for refined performance in optical fiber sensing applications.
Bioremoval of lead ion from the aquatic environment using lignocellulosic (Zea mays), thermodynamics modeling, and MC simulation
Authors: El-hoshoudy A. N. , Matallah M. , Gouzi H. , Saidat B. , Khane Y. , Chabani M. , Nouacer I.
Published: April 2024

Lead (Pb+2) ions considered a crucial neurotoxic heavy metal result in serious troubles in the live biological environment including poisoning, and liver and kidney shortage, in addition to anemia, hepatitis, encephalopathy, and renal syndrome. In the current study, the biomass of Zea mays (ZMS) was prepared as a biosorbent for the elimination of Pb+2 ions from the aquatic environment in batch mode relevant to contact time, pH solution, biosorbent dose, and temperature. The Zea mays biomass was characterized using an SEM microscope coupled with EDX, FTIR, XRD, and BET surface area analysis to investigate the modification of chemical structure for the biosorption system. According to the biosorption experiments, the supreme biosorbent capability of ZMS approaches 16.9 mg/g for 180 min at pH = 5.5. The evaluation of kinetics analysis reveals that the (Pb+2) biosorption by ZMS was better described with pseudo-second-order kinetics. In addition, the nonlinear regression of Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Elovich isothermal models was modeled to the equilibrium data, and it was deduced that the Langmuir isotherm provides a better fit than Langmuir based on the correlation coefficient values. The thermodynamic factors were calculated for this biosorption process in which the lead ions are sequestered by the ZMS. According to these factors, it was elucidated that the (Pb+2) ions biosorption onto the Zeamays sponge is exothermic and spontaneous. In addition, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were conducted to screen the adsorption competence of pigments and ligands in Zea mays for Pb+2 ions adsorption. The outputs of experimental and simulation studies proved the potentiality of Zea mays sponge (ZMS) as a promising biosorbent for eliminating heavy metallic elements from aqueous media.
Heterojunction CuO thin coated CaO drived from eggshell waste for fast removal of organic pollutants from water under visible light
Authors: Ali Ahmed A. , Hattab Z. , Berredjem Y. , Giordana A. , Cerrato G. , Djellabi R.
Published: April 2024

The conversion of food and agro-industrial wastes to produce useful products is one of the goals of economic and sustainable development, as also evidenced in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. This work aims to study the transformation of CaCO3 based eggshell waste (ES) into a face centered cubic oxide form (namely, CaO), followed by CuO coating to be used as photocatalytic material (ES@CuO) for fast removal of basic fuchsin (BF) dye from water under visible light. Different ES@CuO samples with different CuO amounts (2.5, 5 and 10%, respectively) and calcined at different temperatures (600, 800, and 1000 °C) were prepared by hydrothermal method. Samples with CuO from medium to high amounts (5 and 10%) demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity, as compared to low CuO amount (2.5%). In addition, the samples calcined at higher temperature (800 and 1000 °C) exhibited superior degradation rates, reaching 88.11% and 88.33%, respectively. The effect of operating parameters was investigated to understand the behavior of ES@CuO under different conditions. ES@CuO shows rapid removal of BF which combines adsorption and photooxidation, wherein the removal rate reaches up 99% for a BF dye concentration of 100 ppm within 30 min using 75 mg/L of ES@CuO5%. ES@CuO exhibits superior adsorption ability and excellent photoproduced charges transfer which provide synergistic effects to boost the quick removal of dye from water. The finding of this investigation encourages valorizing food wastes into sustainable materials for water remediation.

Graphical abstract
PCR-positive meningococcal CSF infection without pleocytosis but high IL-6 and IL-8
Authors: Dyckhoff-Shen Susanne , Pfister Hans-Walter , Koedel Uwe , Klein Matthias
Published: April 2024

Background

Meningococcal meningitis is still a severe disease causing high mortality and morbidity rates. Early diagnosis is crucial to ensure prompt antibiotic therapy. However, identification of the pathogen can be challenging.

Case presentation

A 32-year-old male patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented to the emergency room with fever, nausea, vomiting, headache and lower back pain as well as multiple petechial bleedings. On suspicion of meningococcal infection, the emergency doctor had already administered one dose of ceftriaxone before arrival to the clinic. Blood works showed massive inflammation due to bacterial infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed normal cell count, protein and glucose levels but PCR was positive for Neisseria meningitis and IL-6 as well as IL-8 were elevated. On antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, the patient’s condition improved quickly.

Conclusions

We present a rare case of meningococcal infection of the CSF in a SLE patient without further CSF abnormalities. We discuss the involvement of early antibiotic treatment and the role of the patient’s immune status in the normal CSF findings of this case. Moreover, this case demonstrates the importance of early antibiotic therapy in bacterial meningitis for the clinical outcome.
Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: Challenges and Opportunities in Developing Neuroprotective and Neuroregenerative Therapies
Authors: Tsai Nicole Y. , Gallo Ryan A. , Pelaez Daniel , Tse David T. , Kinde Benyam
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a devasting disorder that can result in irreversible vision loss. Understanding the current research to promote neuroprotection and neuroregeneration of the optic nerve after injury may shed light on promising therapeutic avenues.

Recent Findings

With evolving methods to model traumatic optic neuropathy, recent work manipulating signal transduction and cell damage response pathways reveals new clinical opportunities for patients with traumatic injury to the optic nerve.

Despite years of basic science and clinical research, no treatment for TON exists. The absence of therapies highlights the importance of a comprehensive understanding of molecular pathways involved in retinal ganglion cell survival. Promising therapeutic opportunities may arise from a multi-pronged approach, targeting multiple pathways simultaneously in this complex disease.
Gender and equity considerations in AMR research: a systematic scoping review
Authors: Lynch Ingrid , Fluks Lorenza , Manderson Lenore , Isaacs Nazeema , Essop Roshin , Praphasawat Ravikanya , Middleton Lyn , Naemiratch Bhensri
Published: April 2024

Research on gender and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) beyond women’s biological susceptibility is limited. A gender and equity lens in AMR research is necessary to promote gender equality and support the effectiveness, uptake, and sustainability of real-world AMR solutions. We argue that it is an ethical and social justice imperative to include gender and related intersectional issues in AMR research and implementation. An intersectional exploration of the interplay between people’s diverse identities and experiences, including their gender, socio-economic status, race, disability, age, and sexuality, may help us understand how these factors reinforce AMR risk and vulnerability and ensure that interventions to reduce the risk of AMR do not impact unevenly. This paper reports on the findings of a systematic scoping review on the interlinkages between AMR, gender and other socio-behavioural characteristics to identify priority knowledge gaps in human and animal health in LMICs. The review focused on peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2017 and 2022. Three overarching themes were gendered division of caregiving roles and responsibilities, gender power relations in decision-making, and interactions between gender norms and health-seeking behaviours. Research that fails to account for gender and its intersections with other lines of disadvantage, such as race, class and ability, risks being irrelevant and will have little impact on the continued and dangerous spread of AMR. We provide recommendations for integrating an intersectional gender lens in AMR research, policy and practice.
Some operations on intuitionistic fuzzy graphs via novel versions of the Sombor index for internet routing
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Azeem Muhammad , Jamil Muhammad Kamran , Deveci Muhammet
Published: April 2024

Topological indices (TIs) are numerical structures that are associated with a graph to identify its topology. TIs are highly popular in the literature with a wide range of applications from chemistry to economics. However, TIs have limitations in representating complex relations within the graphs creating some uncertainities. Fuzzy graph (FG) and intuitionistic fuzzy graph (IFG) are introduced to overcome these uncertainities. While a FG a describes degree of membership of an object in a graph, IFG delineate information on membership or nonmembership under uncertainity. This study aims to introduce novel TIs such as the general second Zagreb index, the Sombor index of the third version, and the Sombor index of the fourth version in the IFG framework in order to improve practicality of FG and IFG applications. Some properties of the proposed indices and their upper bounds are provided as well. Proposed TIs are applied to an internet routing network as a case study. Results of the study show that adding more internet routers in the network can increase internet speed and the strength of the entire system. Finally, comparative studies for the Sombor index of the third version and the Sombor index of the fourth version are also revealed.
MR-based navigation for robot-assisted endovascular procedures
Authors: Bijlsma Jelle , Kundrat Dennis , Dagnino Giulio
Published: April 2024

There is increasing interests in robotic and computer technologies to accurately perform endovascular intervention. One major limitation of current endovascular intervention—either manual or robot-assisted is the surgical navigation which still relies on 2D fluoroscopy. Recent research efforts are towards MRI-guided interventions to reduce ionizing radiation exposure, and to improve diagnosis, planning, navigation, and execution of endovascular interventions. We propose an MR-based navigation framework for robot-assisted endovascular procedures. The framework allows the acquisition of real-time MR images; segmentation of the vasculature and tracking of vascular instruments; and generation of MR-based guidance, both visual and haptic. The instrument tracking accuracy—a key aspect of the navigation framework—was assessed via 4 dedicated experiments with different acquisition settings, framerate, and time. The experiments showed clinically acceptable tracking accuracy in the range of 1.30–3.80 mm RMSE. We believe that this work represents a valuable first step towards MR-guided robot-assisted intervention.
Performance of a durum wheat diversity panel under different management systems
Authors: Cséplő Mónika , Puskás Katalin , Vida Gyula , Mészáros Klára , Uhrin Andrea , Tóth Viola , Ambrózy Zsuzsanna , Grausgruber Heinrich , Bonfiglioli Luca , Pagnotta Mario Augusto , Urbanavičiūtė Ieva , Mikó Péter , Bányai Judit
Published: April 2024

Thirty winter and spring durum wheat varieties and breeding lines were evaluated between 2020 and 2022 under low-input, conventional and organic management. Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant effects for the year, management, genotype and their interactions for heading, lodging, grain yield, grain width and length, test weight and thousand grain weight. In the case of ground cover, the genotype × management and the genotype × management × year interactions were not significant. In 2020 and 2022, the latest heading variety ‘Mv Makaróni’ headed on 20th and 21st of May, respectively, whilst in 2021, due to the rainy and cold spring weather, 73% of the varieties started to head only after this date. Lodging was observed only on the conventional sites in two years. The average yield of the experiment was 5.94 t ha−1. For grain yield ‘Mv Vékadur’ and ‘NS Dur’ in the low-input and conventional trials, and genotypes ‘Sambadur’, ‘NS Žad’ and line MVTD12-23 in the organic trials were found as highly stable and best performing genotypes. Significant positive correlations were found between grain width and grain weight. Early ground coverage was measured in all three managements across two years and resulted in significant positive correlation with grain yield.
Concepts and Contexts: Towards a Theory of “Hermeneutical Bastardization”
Authors: Drury Megan R. F.
Published: April 2024

This paper theorizes and defends a process I term “hermeneutical bastardization.” This concept tracks the way in which some hermeneutical injustices arise not from a gap in a shared pool of hermeneutical resources, but from the decontextualization of an advantageous hermeneutical resource into another (typically dominant) hermeneutical domain. This decontextualization bastardizes hermeneutical resources by severing the concept from its original meaning and significance. I focus on the term “trans woman” and examine the way in which dominant epistemic agents rewrite and redefine the concept according to prominent and prevalent pernicious representations. Specifically, once decontextualized, the term “trans woman” denotes an individual who is thoroughly erotic and sexual in nature. Hermeneutical bastardization can illuminate how hermeneutically marginalized groups are reconstructed by other dominant epistemic agents according to these pernicious representations and can be silenced whilst their concepts, or rather their terms, are being utilized in sets of dominant hermeneutical resources in ways that severely diverge from their original intra-communal conceptualization. This type of hermeneutical injustice does not arise from a lacuna in our set of resources, but instead depends on the uptake of a concept's term and its subsequent decontextualization.
PRODUCT LIABILITY AND ONLINE MARKETPLACES: COMPARISON AND REFORM
Authors: Fairgrieve Duncan , Busch Christoph , Büyüksagis Erdem , Garrett Zachary G. , Straetmans Gert , Karaiskos Antonios , Linley Robin D. , Markou Christiana , Paterson Jeannie Marie , Sharkey Catherine M.
Published: April 2024

This article analyses the challenges that online marketplaces and e-commerce pose to traditional product liability doctrines. It uses a comparative perspective to examine whether an online platform can be liable to a consumer for a defective product purchased on its platform, and the adaption of product liability law to this challenge in a series of jurisdictions. It reflects on the role of litigation and regulation, focusing on Europe and the United States, and considers reform in a number of jurisdictions in this area. It concludes with proposals for increasing the accountability of online marketplaces for products sold on their websites.
Coinage networks in fifth-century BCE Ionia
Authors: Loy Michael
Published: April 2024

This article revisits ‘the problem of Classical Ionia’, the long-persisting idea put forward by John Manuel Cook in 1961 that Ionia experienced regional economic impoverishment in the fifth century BCE. By looking comprehensively at the dataset of coinage available from fifth-century Ionia, this article argues that there is actually significant evidence for regional networking in Classical Ionia, and that various communities, even if not continually emitting new coinages at all points in the fifth century, adopted various strategies for maintaining their economic reach and extending their network of trading partners. Formal network analysis is applied to the coinage dataset, taking the shared weight standards to which communities minted their coins as indicative of participation in common economic networks. The network patterns are tested against two other patterns, specifically the distribution of fifth-century Chian and Samian amphoras, and the pattern of Ionian-coin-containing hoards from within and beyond Ionia. Together, these patterns strengthen the case for a high-level Ionian economic resilience, offering a radically different position to Cook and reaffirming that continuing economic networking was crucial to the activities of fifth-century Ionian states.
Genome-wide association study on seed dormancy in barley
Authors: Zhou Gaofeng , McFawn Lee-Anne , Zhang Xiao-qi , Angessa Tefera Tolera , Westcott Sharon , Li Chengdao
Published: April 2024

Seed dormancy is an important trait associated with pre-sprouting and malting quality in barley. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying complex traits in major crops. In the present study, we collected 295 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions from Australia, Europe, Canada and China. A total of 25,179 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)/diversity arrays technology sequence markers were used for population structure, linkage disequilibrium and GWAS analysis. Candidate genes within QTL regions were investigated, and their expression levels were analysed using RNAseq data. Five QTLs for seed dormancy were identified. One QTL was mapped on chromosome 1H, and one QTL was mapped on chromosome 4H, while three QTLs were located on chromosome 5H. This is the first report of a QTL on the short arm of chromosome 5H in barley. Molecular markers linked to the QTL can be used for marker-assisted selection in barley breeding programmes.
A Raman Spectroscopic Study of Lightning‐Induced Glass Produced From Five Mineral Phases
Authors: Woods T. W. , Genareau K. , Park C.
Published: April 2024

Lightning‐induced volcanic spherules (LIVS) are glasses produced by the rapid melting and solidification of molten volcanic ash grains. High temperatures generated by lightning will alter the physical and chemical properties of minerals exposed to the discharge. Laboratory experiments reveal that LIVS glass composition varies depending on the starting material, exhibiting heterogeneous compositional features common in other glasses created by cloud‐to‐ground lightning, nuclear explosions, and high velocity impact events. This study uses scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the structure and Raman signatures of lightning‐induced glass spherules manufactured from five igneous minerals (<32 μm powders of albite, labradorite, augite, hornblende, and magnetite). LIVS were created through high‐current impulse experiments using peak currents of 25 and 40 kA. Analysis of the post‐experimental albite, labradorite, augite, and hornblende LIVS reveal primarily homogeneous silicate or aluminosilicate glasses with limited heterogeneity. Their amorphous Raman spectra are comparable to rhyolitic and mafic natural glasses along with Na2O‐K2O‐Al2O3‐SiO2, CaCO3‐Al2O3‐SiO2, and CaO‐MgO‐SiO2 synthetic glass networks. A few of the augite and hornblende LIVS spectra exhibit premelting effects, which occur below the melting point and represent the onset of cation disordering in phases that remain crystalline. Magnetite samples produced crystal‐rich, glass‐poor LIVS characterized by the growth of dendritic microcrystals and crystalline spectra that also contain a few bands alluding to the composition of their silicate–phosphate glass matrix. By understanding these chemical changes induced by lightning, we can extract information from other types of glasses produced during high temperature, short duration events.
Applying High‐Speed Video Images to Inverse Channel Base Current Based on NARX Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Qi , Luo Xiaojun , Shi Lihua , Fu Shangchen
Published: April 2024

The high‐speed video (HSV) images were taken as the input data of the nonlinear autoregressive network (NARX) to reconstruct the return‐stroke channel base current (CBC). The integrated luminosity (IL) of discharge channel is firstly obtained by summing the pixel values in HSV images, and the correlation between the IL and CBC is analyzed as well. Then, a NARX model is trained by taking the IL and CBC as the input and output data, respectively. With the input of the IL of another discharge channel, the trained NARX model is applied to inverse the corresponding CBC. The inversed result suggests that the proposed method can be used to infer the CBC that was not yet measured.
The Latitudinal and Longitudinal Variation of the Semidiurnal Lunar Tide in the Ionosphere During 2013
Authors: Mo Xiaohua , Xu Chenwei , Zhang Donghe
Published: April 2024

The present paper studies the latitudinal and longitudinal variation of ionospheric semidiurnal lunar tide (M2) perturbations in 2013 with total electron content (TEC) data. Results show that the latitudinal distribution of M2 exhibits longitudinal difference. At 100 ∼ 120°E and 80 ∼ 100°W longitudes, the strongest M2 perturbations in the northern and southern hemispheres roundly appeared at about 10° ∼ 20°N and 15° ∼ 25°S magnetic latitude (MLAT), respectively, which supports previous suggestion that the M2 maximized in the EIA crest regions. Moreover, the latitude range of M2 at 80 ∼ 100°W longitudes was wider than that at 100 ∼ 120°E longitudes, especially for southern hemisphere (SH). The M2 maximized at 20° ∼ 30°N MLAT in the northern hemisphere (NH) and was absent in the SH at 50°W ∼ 20°E longitudes, which was distinctly different than those at other longitudes. This abnormal behavior of latitudinal distribution of M2 may be caused by the large magnetic declination angle at 50°W ∼ 20°E longitudes. Meanwhile, the longitudinal variation and hemispheric asymmetry of M2 amplitude are different between NH winter (SSW period) and other seasons. The M2 amplitudes were stronger disturbances in the NH and in the American longitudinal sector in NH winter. However, in other seasons, the M2 amplitude was largest in Asian sector, and the M2 amplitude in NH was larger than SH at 0° ∼ 130°E longitudes, which was contrast to these at 0° ∼ 110°W longitudes. These differences of M2 variation between NH winter and other seasons may be related to the differences of the combined effects of the geomagnetic configuration and background conditions of the atmosphere and ionosphere.
Lower Band Chorus Wave Scattering Causing the Extensive Morningside Diffuse Auroral Precipitation During Active Geomagnetic Conditions: A Detailed Case Study
Authors: Feng Huiting , Wang Dedong , Guo Deyu , Shprits Yuri Y. , Han Desheng , Teng Shangchun , Ni BinBin , Shi Run , Zhang Yongliang
Published: April 2024

The diffuse aurora is a natural phenomenon observed over the Earth's polar region. Compared with the nightside diffuse aurora, the brightness of the dayside diffuse aurora (0600–1800 magnetic local time (MLT)) is relatively weak, thus requiring more stringent observation conditions. Therefore, the current understanding of what causes the dayside diffuse aurora is still quite limited. Here, we present an intense morningside diffuse aurora (0600–1000 MLT) event observed on 1 January 2016 during the recovery phase of the substorm, using conjugate observations of wave and particle spectrum from the Radiation Belt Storm Probes and auroral emission from the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imagers on the Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP/SSUSI). We perform calculations of diffusion coefficients and simulations of the electron fluxes for this event. Our results show that the chorus waves are the primary contributors to the formation of the morningside diffuse aurora, with precipitated electron energies ranging from a few keV to tens of keV. The lower band chorus shows significant pitch angle scattering efficiency for electrons with energies from 5 to 20 keV. The upper band chorus waves induce acceleration effects on 1–20 keV electrons. We suggest that the upper band chorus waves accelerate low‐energy electrons to higher energies, enabling them to engage in the scattering process of the lower band chorus waves. Our study makes a contribution to recent research on the formation mechanisms of diffuse aurora and deepens our understanding of wave‐particle interactions leading to dayside electron precipitation.
Seismic Anisotropy and Deep Crustal Deformation Across Alaska
Authors: Liu Chuanming , Ritzwoller Michael H.
Published: April 2024

Based on a new seismic surface wave data set, we present a model of Alaskan crustal seismic anisotropy that provides new insight into Alaska's geographically diverse deformation history. We use both Rayleigh and Love wave isotropic phase speed and Rayleigh wave azimuthal anisotropy to estimate crustal anisotropy. Unlike traditional seismic tomography, which focuses on apparent seismic anisotropy in which the symmetry axis of anisotropy is assumed to be known, we resolve the spatial variation of inherent anisotropy by inferring the depth‐dependent tilt of the hexagonally symmetric elastic tensor. The amplitude of inherent anisotropy is typically stronger in the lower than the upper crust. We principally interpret the dip angle (plunge of the symmetry axis) or the tilt of the anisotropy foliation plane, which reflects the influence of vertically and/or horizontally oriented structures or deformation. The depth variation of crustal anisotropy appears in four principal motifs that partition Alaska into six distinct geographical regions, which display characteristic dip angle patterns in the upper and lower crust. By considering geological context, we discuss how each region reflects active or historical crustal deformation.
Numerical Prediction Uncertainty and Data Worth Analysis of Solute Transport in an Agricultural Clay Till Setting With Preferential Flow
Authors: Karan Sachin , Jensen Karsten H. , Sonnenborg Torben O.
Published: April 2024

With modern agricultural practices, it is essential to quantify flow and solute transport fluxes by numerical models and associated predictions. A major challenge in modeling preferential flow settings is the ability to constrain the often numerous parameters needed to physically represent these systems. Following this, there is a lack of understanding of what parameters and observations carry the most worth for a model to reduce its prediction uncertainty. Here, first‐order second moment (FOSM) analyses were used for a heavily monitored clay till field with preferential flow to investigate which parameters and observation types contribute the most to reducing the uncertainty of bromide predictions at various depths. Using a multi‐objective regularized optimization approach, a 1‐D preferential flow model was calibrated and subjected to FOSM analyses. Key parameters contributing to the prediction uncertainty of bromide concentrations in 0.25–3 m were limited to the lower boundary condition, the mass transfer coefficient, the hydraulic conductivity of the micro‐ and macropore, the macropore porosity, and the water content at wilting point. The data with the largest worth and ability to reduce the pre‐calibration prediction uncertainty were concentration observations closest to the sought prediction depth, drain concentrations, and averaged water table measurements from the entire field. The post‐calibration prediction uncertainty was increased primarily by removing concentration observations closest to the prediction depths. While this study provided new insights into parameter importance and data worth further research is required to understand if these findings apply broadly to clay till settings (or any soil setting) with preferential flow.
The Ballast Effect of Terrigenous Lithogenic Particles From Rivers and Its Influence on POC Fluxes in the Ocean
Authors: Li Shasha , Li Hongliang , Tang Tiantian , Wang Shanlin
Published: April 2024

Lithogenic materials such as terrigenous lithogenic particles (TLP) can efficiently promote the formation and sinking of mineral‐associated marine organic matter, acting as important ballast and potentially playing an important role in the global carbon cycle. To assess the influence of TLP on fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and other biogeochemical cycles, we construct TLP forcing fields based on global riverine suspended sediment data and then apply them to the Community Earth System Model, version 2 (CESM2) modified with the TLP ballasting effect term. Simulations forced by different concentrations of TLP transported in the surface ocean or along the bottom of continental shelves and slopes are conducted. When the TLP transports seaward along the bottom, simulated POC fluxes at 100 and 2,000 m decrease about 11% and 19%, respectively, for the global ocean, and about 9% and 12%, respectively, for the oceanic regions of continental margins. The initial abiotic ballast processes triggered by TLP input increase POC fluxes, causing additional removal and burial of dissolved iron in continental margins. This further enhances the accumulation of macronutrients in the upwelling regions and their advection transport to neighboring subtropical gyres, thus altering regional productivity when simulations reach quasi‐equilibrium. When consider the impacts of TLP in simulations, the simulated POC flux exhibits an increase in subtropical gyres but a decrease in tropical Pacific and mid‐high latitude regions. The present work highlights the importance of TLP in global biogeochemical cycles, suggesting that the amount of carbon sequestration might be overestimated without TLP in models.
Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants and cord serum metabolite profiles in future immune-mediated diseases
Authors: Karthikeyan Bagavathy Shanmugam , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Ghaffarzadegan Tannaz , Triplett Eric , Orešič Matej , Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: April 2024

Background

Prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants is a significant health concern because it has the potential to interfere with host metabolism, leading to adverse health effects in early childhood and later in life. Growing evidence suggests that genetic and environmental factors, as well as their interactions, play a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases.

Objective

In this study, we hypothesized that prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants impacts cord serum metabolome and contributes to the development of autoimmune diseases.

Methods

We selected cord serum samples from All Babies in Southeast Sweden (ABIS) general population cohort, from infants who later developed one or more autoimmune-mediated and inflammatory diseases: celiac disease (CD), Crohn’s disease (IBD), hypothyroidism (HT), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and type 1 diabetes (T1D) (all cases, N = 62), along with matched controls (N = 268). Using integrated exposomics and metabolomics mass spectrometry (MS) based platforms, we determined the levels of environmental contaminants and metabolites.

Results

Differences in exposure levels were found between the controls and those who later developed various diseases. High contaminant exposure levels were associated with changes in metabolome, including amino acids and free fatty acids. Specifically, we identified marked associations between metabolite profiles and exposure levels of deoxynivalenol (DON), bisphenol S (BPS), and specific per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).

Impact statement

Abnormal metabolism is a common feature preceding several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, few studies compared common and specific metabolic patterns preceding these diseases. Here we hypothesized that exposure to environmental contaminants impacts cord serum metabolome, which may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases. We found differences in exposure levels between the controls and those who later developed various diseases, and importantly, on the metabolic changes associated with the exposures. High contaminant exposure levels were associated with specific changes in metabolome. Our study suggests that prenatal exposure to specific environmental contaminants alters the cord serum metabolomes, which, in turn, might increase the risk of various immune-mediated diseases.
Clinical and metagenomic characteristics of lymphadenopathy related to fever of unknown origin in children
Authors: Zhou Yajuan , Shen Nan , Luo Lijuan , Liu Yandi , Cao Qing
Published: April 2024

Background

Diagnosis of fever of unknown origin remains challenge for pediatricians. Lymphadenopathy is a separate entity that mainly originates from infection or malignancy.

Methods

168 patients with FUO accompanied by lymphadenectasis were reviewed. 33 lymph node tissue samples were examined by mNGS. Differences in clinical characteristics were compared among different disease groups. The value of mNGS in diagnosing and improving the clinical situation was assessed.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that hepatosplenomegaly and LDH levels were associated with infectious diseases. Arthralgia was correlated with non-infectious inflammatory diseases. Weight loss and a node located in supraclavicular region may indicate neoplastic diseases. mNGS-positive rate was 60.60%, higher than that obtained with traditional methods. Treatment for 3/4 patients was adjusted according to the pathogen detected by mNGS, and antibiotics uses was discontinued or degraded in over 1/2 of the patients according to mNGS results.

Conclusions

Clinical characteristics of children with lymphadenopathy related to FUO have limited diagnostic value for distinguishing different kinds of diseases, while mNGS of lymph node tissue serves as a useful tool for identifying infectious diseases, especially those caused by rare pathogens. mNGS results can lead to not only adjustments in targeted treatment but also further confirmation of underlying diseases.

Impact Statement

The clinical features of children with FUO and lymphadenopathy differ according to disease group,although multivariate analysis indicated little diagnostic value for these features.

mNGS on lymph node tissue from children with FUO may serve as a efficient tool for distinguishing infectious diseases from other diseases. This is especially useful when a diagnosis cannot be determined with traditional methods.

mNGS targeted treatment can be administered in a timely manner and some underlying diseases can be indicated.
Exploring the role of neuronal-enriched extracellular vesicle miR-93 and interoception in major depressive disorder
Authors: Burrows Kaiping , Figueroa-Hall Leandra K. , Stewart Jennifer L. , Alarbi Ahlam M. , Kuplicki Rayus , Hannafon Bethany N. , Tan Chibing , Risbrough Victoria B. , McKinney Brett A. , Ramesh Rajagopal , Victor Teresa A. , Aupperle Robin , Savitz Jonathan , Teague T. Kent , Khalsa Sahib S. , Paulus Martin P.
Published: April 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with interoceptive processing dysfunctions, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this dysfunction are poorly understood. This study combined brain neuronal-enriched extracellular vesicle (NEEV) technology and serum markers of inflammation and metabolism with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to identify the contribution of gene regulatory pathways, in particular micro-RNA (miR) 93, to interoceptive dysfunction in MDD. Individuals with MDD (n = 41) and healthy comparisons (HC; n = 35) provided blood samples and completed an interoceptive attention task during fMRI. EVs were separated from plasma using a precipitation method. NEEVs were enriched by magnetic streptavidin bead immunocapture utilizing a neural adhesion marker (L1CAM/CD171) biotinylated antibody. The origin of NEEVs was validated with two other neuronal markers - neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit alpha 3 (ATP1A3). NEEV specificities were confirmed by flow cytometry, western blot, particle size analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. NEEV small RNAs were purified and sequenced. Results showed that: (1) MDD exhibited lower NEEV miR-93 expression than HC; (2) within MDD but not HC, those individuals with the lowest NEEV miR-93 expression had the highest serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor, and leptin; and (3) within HC but not MDD, those participants with the highest miR-93 expression showed the strongest bilateral dorsal mid-insula activation during interoceptive versus exteroceptive attention. Since miR-93 is regulated by stress and affects epigenetic modulation by chromatin re-organization, these results suggest that healthy individuals but not MDD participants show an adaptive epigenetic regulation of insular function during interoceptive processing. Future investigations will need to delineate how specific internal and external environmental conditions contribute to miR-93 expression in MDD and what molecular mechanisms alter brain responsivity to body-relevant signals.
Incidence of ocular pathology following bariatric surgery for with morbid obesity across a large United States National Database
Authors: Russell Matthew W. , Kumar Madhukar , Li Ang , Singh Rishi P. , Talcott Katherine E.
Published: April 2024

Background/Objectives

Bariatric surgery, as indicated for treatment of morbid obesity, has been studied in association with short term effects on ocular pathology. However, effects of surgery on postoperative disease incidence is largely unknown.

Subjects/Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, the TriNetX United States Collaborative Network national database, was queried for patients with an ICD-10 code for morbid obesity and a procedural code for bariatric surgery. Patients were propensity score matched across baseline demographics at the time of surgery and compared to those presenting with an ICD10 code for morbid obesity with no records of a procedural code for bariatric surgery, identifying 42,408 patients per cohort. New diagnoses or procedural codes found after the surgical index date for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, low vision, and blindness along with pertinent treatment metrics were monitored.

Results

Bariatric surgery was found to be associated with reduced future risk of diabetic retinopathy (RR: 0.283; 95% CI: 0.252–0.319), macular edema (RR: 0.224; 95% CI: 0.170–0.297), vitreous hemorrhage (RR: 0.459; 95% CI: 0.323–0.653), ocular hypertension (RR: 0.387; 95% CI: 0.387–0.487), glaucoma (RR: 0.360; 95% CI: 0.326–0.399), use of ocular pressure lowering medications (RR: 0.565; 95% CI: 0.496–0.644), age-related macular degeneration (RR: 0.628; 95% CI: 0.447–0.882), cataract surgery (RR: 0.524; 95% CI: 0.448–0.612), and low vision and blindness (RR: 0.328; 95% CI: 0.294–0.365) compared to patients not surgically managed.

Conclusions

The present analysis comprising a large US cohort of patients suggests that bariatric surgery is associated with a decreased risk of future ocular morbidity and mortality.
Astroglial Kir4.1 potassium channel deficit drives neuronal hyperexcitability and behavioral defects in Fragile X syndrome mouse model
Authors: Bataveljic Danijela , Pivonkova Helena , de Concini Vidian , Hébert Betty , Ezan Pascal , Briault Sylvain , Bemelmans Alexis-Pierre , Pichon Jacques , Menuet Arnaud , Rouach Nathalie
Published: April 2024

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited form of intellectual disability caused by the loss of the mRNA-binding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FXS is characterized by neuronal hyperexcitability and behavioral defects, however the mechanisms underlying these critical dysfunctions remain unclear. Here, using male Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS, we identify abnormal extracellular potassium homeostasis, along with impaired potassium channel Kir4.1 expression and function in astrocytes. Further, we reveal that Kir4.1 mRNA is a binding target of FMRP. Finally, we show that the deficit in astroglial Kir4.1 underlies neuronal hyperexcitability and several behavioral defects in Fmr1 knockout mice. Viral delivery of Kir4.1 channels specifically to hippocampal astrocytes from Fmr1 knockout mice indeed rescues normal astrocyte potassium uptake, neuronal excitability, and cognitive and social performance. Our findings uncover an important role for astrocyte dysfunction in the pathophysiology of FXS, and identify Kir4.1 channel as a potential therapeutic target for FXS.
Positive selection in the genomes of two Papua New Guinean populations at distinct altitude levels
Authors: André Mathilde , Brucato Nicolas , Hudjasov Georgi , Pankratov Vasili , Yermakovich Danat , Montinaro Francesco , Kreevan Rita , Kariwiga Jason , Muke John , Boland Anne , Deleuze Jean-François , Meyer Vincent , Evans Nicholas , Cox Murray P. , Leavesley Matthew , Dannemann Michael , Org Tõnis , Metspalu Mait , Mondal Mayukh , Ricaut François-Xavier
Published: April 2024

Highlanders and lowlanders of Papua New Guinea have faced distinct environmental stress, such as hypoxia and environment-specific pathogen exposure, respectively. In this study, we explored the top genomics regions and the candidate driver SNPs for selection in these two populations using newly sequenced whole-genomes of 54 highlanders and 74 lowlanders. We identified two candidate SNPs under selection - one in highlanders, associated with red blood cell traits and another in lowlanders, which is associated with white blood cell count – both potentially influencing the heart rate of Papua New Guineans in opposite directions. We also observed four candidate driver SNPs that exhibit linkage disequilibrium with an introgressed haplotype, highlighting the need to explore the possibility of adaptive introgression within these populations. This study reveals that the signatures of positive selection in highlanders and lowlanders of Papua New Guinea align closely with the challenges they face, which are specific to their environments.
Composition and metabolism of microbial communities in soil pores
Authors: Li Zheng , Kravchenko Alexandra N. , Cupples Alison , Guber Andrey K. , Kuzyakov Yakov , Philip Robertson G. , Blagodatskaya Evgenia
Published: April 2024

Delineation of microbial habitats within the soil matrix and characterization of their environments and metabolic processes are crucial to understand soil functioning, yet their experimental identification remains persistently limited. We combined single- and triple-energy X-ray computed microtomography with pore specific allocation of 13C labeled glucose and subsequent stable isotope probing to demonstrate how long-term disparities in vegetation history modify spatial distribution patterns of soil pore and particulate organic matter drivers of microbial habitats, and to probe bacterial communities populating such habitats. Here we show striking differences between large (30-150 µm Ø) and small (4-10 µm Ø) soil pores in (i) microbial diversity, composition, and life-strategies, (ii) responses to added substrate, (iii) metabolic pathways, and (iv) the processing and fate of labile C. We propose a microbial habitat classification concept based on biogeochemical mechanisms and localization of soil processes and also suggests interventions to mitigate the environmental consequences of agricultural management.