bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of organic options for Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control during winter fallow
Authors: Camargo Silva Gustavo , Yu Jialin , Herndon Leonard , Samuelson Spencer , Rajan Nithya , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: March 2024

Johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.] is one of the most problematic perennial grass weed species in row-crop production across the southern United States. Control of this species is especially challenging in organic systems due to a lack of effective options. A field experiment was conducted at the Texas A&M research farm near College Station, TX, from fall 2019 to spring 2021 to evaluate various nonchemical options for managing S. halepense in the fallow season, implemented over 2 yr in the same locations. The treatments included disking once, disking twice, disking + immediate flooding, disking + flush irrigation + flooding, disking twice + flooding after the first frost, periodic mowing, acetic acid treatment, and disking + tarping. Disking + immediate flooding, disking + flush irrigation + flooding, and disking + tarping were the most effective treatments. Compared with the nontreated control plots, these treatments reduced S. halepense aboveground density (<9 plants m−2 vs. 64 plants m−2), aboveground biomass (<80 g m−2 vs. 935 g m−2), rhizome biomass (<4 g m−2 vs. 55 g m−2), rhizome node number (<25 nodes m−2 vs. 316 nodes m−2), and rhizome length (<42 cm m−2 vs. 660 cm m−2). Disking twice + flooding after the first frost did not show a consistent impact. Periodic mowing also reduced S. halepense density (12 plants m−2 vs. 64 plants m−2) and other variables compared with the control plots at the end of the study in spring 2021. Disking alone once or twice each growing season or repeated application of acetic acid failed to control S. halepense. These results indicate that well-timed nonchemical management practices such as tarping and flooding implemented during the winter fallow can be very effective in reducing S. halepense densities.
An Examination of Youths’ Social Media Use and Body Image
Authors: Markey Charlotte H. , August Kristin J. , Gillen Meghan M. , Rosenbaum Diane L.
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Research has suggested that social media use may present a risk to body image, but limited research explores newer social media platforms and how they are used. This study examined 275 youths’ ( Mage = 20.71) social media use in association with both positive and negative aspects of body image. Participants completed an online survey that included body image measures and items that queried them about the social media platforms they used (e.g., TikTok) and the activities they engaged in on these platforms. Findings indicated that women were more engaged in social media use and had lower body esteem and higher body shame and surveillance than men. Simultaneous regression analyses revealed that appearance-focused social media use, but not communication-focused use, was associated with negative body image. Age moderated the association between appearance-focused social media use and body appreciation. Together, these findings suggest that age, gender, and the ways in which youth use social media are important to consider in understanding potential risk for body image concerns.
Democratic and Authoritarian Government Preferences in Times of Crisis
Authors: Van Severen Ruben , Roets Arne , Van Muylem Delphine , Haesevoets Tessa , Van Hiel Alain , Wauters Bram
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Prior studies have linked societal threats to a surge in conservative attitudes. We conducted three studies ( N = 1,021) to investigate whether hypothetical threat situations impact peoples’ attitudes toward democracy or alternative systems. Study 1 shows that individuals under threat devaluate representative and participatory government types and show relatively stronger endorsement of less democratic alternatives. Study 2 clarifies that extranational threats elicit a greater shift toward nondemocratic ‘solutions’ than intranational threats and that citizens generally find a just process less important in times of crisis. Study 3 shows that the effect of threat on support for technocracy can be explained by heightened anticipated anxiety. We find no evidence that anticipated emotions consistently account for the observed shifts in government preferences under threat.
Global Predicted Bathymetry Using Neural Networks
Authors: Harper Hugh , Sandwell David T.
Published: March 2024

A coherent portrayal of global bathymetry requires that depths are inferred between sparsely distributed direct depth measurements. Depths can be interpolated in the gaps using alternate information such as satellite‐derived gravity and a mapping from gravity to depth. We designed and trained a neural network on a collection of 50 million depth soundings to predict bathymetry globally using gravity anomalies. We find the best result is achieved by pre‐filtering depth and gravity in accordance with isostatic admittance theory described in previous predicted depth studies. When training the model, if the training and testing split is a random partition at the same resolution as the data, the training and testing sets will not be independent, and model misfit is underestimated. We solve this problem by partitioning the training and testing set with geographic bins. Our final predicted depth model improves on old predicted depth model RMSE by 16%, from 165 to 138 m. Among constrained grid cells, 80% of the predicted values are within 128 m of the true value. Improvements to this model will continue with additional depth measurements, but predictions at higher spatial resolution, being limited by upward continuation of gravity, should not be attempted with this method.
Upper‐Mantle Anisotropy in the Southeastern Margin of Tibetan Plateau Revealed by Fullwave SKS Splitting Intensity Tomography
Authors: Lin Yi , Zhao Li
Published: March 2024

The southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau has undergone complex deformation since the Cenozoic, resulting in a high level of seismicity and seismic hazard. Knowledge about the seismic anisotropy provides important insight about the deformation mechanism and the regional seismotectonics beneath this tectonically active region. In this study, we conduct fullwave multi‐scale tomography to investigate the seismic anisotropy in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Broadband records at 111 permanent stations in the region from 470 teleseismic events are used to obtain 5,216 high‐quality SKS splitting intensity (SI) measurements, which are then inverted in conjunction with 3D sensitivity kernels to obtain an anisotropic model with multi‐scale resolution. Resolution tests show that our data set recovers anisotropy anomalies reasonably well on the scale of 1° × 1° horizontally and ∼100 km vertically. Our result suggests that in the southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau the deformation in the lithosphere and asthenosphere are decoupled. The anisotropy in the lithosphere varies both laterally and vertically as a result of dynamic interactions of neighboring blocks as well as lithospheric reactivation. The anisotropy in the asthenosphere largely follows the direction of regional absolute plate motion. The SKS splittings observed at the surface are shown to be consistent with the vertical integral of our depth‐dependent anisotropy model over lithospheric and asthenospheric depths.
Uppermost Mantle Pn Velocity and Anisotropy Structures Beneath the Sakhalin–Kuril–Kamchatka Region
Authors: Lü Yan , He Yuhui , Li Juan , Pei Shunping , Chen Qi‐Fu , Wu Qingju
Published: March 2024

In this study, we used the Pn tomography method to obtain detailed velocity and anisotropy structures of the uppermost mantle beneath Sakhalin–Kuril–Kamchatka region for improving the understanding of plate subduction, arc–arc collision, and volcanism. We found low Pn velocities beneath volcanoes and areas characterized by pronounced tectonic activity and high Pn velocities with strong anisotropy in the subducting plate. Low Pn velocity anomalies beneath southern Sakhalin connected the low‐velocity anomalies in the mantle and crust, indicating the ascent of fluid or melt, and may provide a magmatic source for the rear‐arc Rishiri volcano. In the absence of plate subduction, low‐velocity anomalies and north–south Pn anisotropy manifested beneath northern Kamchatka, revealing the lateral propagation of mantle flow beneath this northern region. We suggest that the eastern boundary of the slab window at the Kamchatka–Aleutian junction is likely to be located near the Komandorsky Islands.
Modeled Flooding by Tsunamis and a Storm Versus Observed Extent of Coral Erratics on Anegada, British Virgin Islands—Further Evidence for a Great Caribbean Earthquake Six Centuries Ago
Authors: Wei Yong , ten Brink Uri S. , Atwater Brian F.
Published: March 2024

Models of near‐field tsunamis and an extreme hurricane provide further evidence for a great precolonial earthquake along the Puerto Rico Trench. The models are benchmarked to brain‐coral boulders and cobbles on Anegada, 125 km south of the trench. The models are screened by their success in flooding the mapped sites of these erratics, which were emplaced some six centuries ago. Among 25 tsunami scenarios, 19 have megathrust sources and the rest posit normal faulting on the outer rise. The modeled storm, the most extreme of 15 hurricanes of category 5, produces tsunami‐like bores from surf beat. In the tsunami scenarios, simulated flow depth is 1 m or more at all the clast sites, and 2 m or more at nearly all, given either a megathrust rupture 255 km long with 7.5 m of dip slip and M8.45, or an outer‐rise rupture 130 km long with 11.4 m of dip slip and M8.17. By contrast, many coral clasts lie beyond the reach of simulated flooding from the extreme hurricane. The tsunami screening may underestimate earthquake size by neglecting trees and shrubs that likely impeded both the simulated flows and the observed clasts; and it may overestimate earthquake size by leaving coastal sand barriers intact. The screening results broadly agree with those from previously published tsunami simulations. In either successful scenario, the average recurrence interval spans thousands of years, and flooding on the nearest Caribbean shores begins within a half‐hour.
Geochemical Weathering Variability in High Latitude Watersheds of the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Jenckes J. , Muñoz S. , Ibarra D. E. , Boutt D. F. , Munk L. A.
Published: March 2024

High latitude regions across the globe are undergoing severe modifications due to changing climate. A high latitude region of concern is the Gulf of Alaska (GoA), where these changes in hydroclimate undoubtedly affect the hydrogeochemistry of freshwater discharging to the nearshore ecosystems of the region. To fill the knowledge gap of our understanding of freshwater stream geochemistry with the GoA, we compile stream water chemistry data from 162 stream sites across the region. With an inverse model, we estimate fractional contributions to solute fluxes from weathering of silicate, carbonate, and sulfide minerals, and precipitation. We assess weathering rates across the region and compare them against global river yields. The median fractional contribution of carbonate weathering to total weathering products is 78% across all stream sites; however, there are several streams where silicate weathering is a dominant source of solutes. Weathering by sulfuric acid is elevated in glacierized watersheds. Finally, cation weathering rates are lower in GoA streams compared to the world's largest rivers; however, weathering rates are similar when compared to a global dataset of glacier fed streams. We suggest that hydrologic changes driven by glacier ice loss and increased precipitation will alter river water quality and chemical weathering regimes such that silicate weathering may become a more important source of solutes and sulfide oxidation may decrease. This contribution provides a platform to build from for future investigations into changes to stream water chemistry in the region and other high latitude watersheds.
Impact of Salinity on the Erosion Threshold, Yield Stress, and Gelatinous State of a Cohesive Clay
Authors: San Juan Jorge E. , Wei William G. , Yang Judy Q.
Published: March 2024

Clay is the main component that contributes to sediment cohesiveness. Salinity impacts its transport, which controls the electrochemical force among the sediment grains. Here, we quantify the impacts of salinity on the erosion threshold, yield stress, and the microstructures of a fluorescently labeled smectite clay, laponite, by combining flume experiments, rheometer measurements, and macro‐ and microscopic imaging. We show that the critical shear stress for clay erosion, τb,crit, increases by one order of magnitude with increasing salinity when salinity <1.5 ppt and slightly decreases when salinity >1.5 ppt showing a weaker dependency upon salinity. We further show that the yield stress, τy, of the clay remains roughly a constant at salinity less than 1.5 ppt and decreases by over one order of magnitude at salinity larger than 1.5 ppt. This change in the dependency of τb,crit and yield stress on salinity corresponds to a change in the gelatinous state of clay, from gel‐like structures to phase‐separated structures as salinity increases. Our results provide a quantitative characterization of the dependency of clay erosion threshold and yield stress on salinity and highlight the importance of the clay gelatinous state in controlling clay transport.
Using ICON Satellite Data to Forecast Equatorial Ionospheric Instability Throughout 2022
Authors: Hysell D. L. , Kirchman A. , Harding B. J. , Heelis R. A. , England S. L. , Frey H. U. , Mende S. B.
Published: March 2024

Numerical forecasts of plasma convective instability in the postsunset equatorial ionosphere are made based on data from the Ionospheric Connections Explorer satellite (ICON) following the method outlined in a previous study. Data are selected from pairs of successive orbits. Data from the first orbit in the pair are used to initialize and force a numerical forecast simulation, and data from the second orbit are used to validate the results 104 min later. Data from the IVM plasma density and drifts instrument and the MIGHTI red‐line thermospheric winds instrument are used to force the forecast model. Thirteen (16) data set pairs from August (October), 2022, are considered. Forecasts produced one false negative in August and another false negative in October. Possible causes of forecast discrepancies are evaluated including the failure to initialize the numerical simulations with electron density profiles measured concurrently. Volume emission 135.6‐nm OI profiles from the Far Ultraviolet (FUV) instrument on ICON are considered in the evaluation.
Ethical and Psychological Considerations for Posthumous-Assisted Reproduction for Adolescents and Young Adults With Poor Cancer Prognosis in the Context of Grief
Authors: Parchem Benjamin , Rider G. Nic , Quinn Gwendolyn P.
Published: March 2024

Objective:

Families or loved ones of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with a poor cancer prognosis who preserved fertility and did not survive treatment may choose to pursue posthumous-assisted reproduction (PAR; i.e., use of preserved reproductive material for future family-building attempts). Decisions about PAR may be occurring in the context of grief and bereavement, which is associated with ethical and psychological considerations because grief can complicate a person’s capacity for informed decision-making.

Method:

Through the use of a five-step ethical decision-making model, the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, and a blended case example, the ethical and psychological considerations for families of AYA with poor prognosis who pursue PAR are discussed with an ethical analysis.

Results:

Ethical and psychological considerations included assessing the potential for harm to involved parties, navigating PAR decision-making with responsibility and honesty, examining the accessibility of PAR, and considering informed consent/assent and autonomy.

Conclusions:

Clinical recommendations for supporting families and loved ones exploring PAR in the context of grief were discussed, with considerations for improving clinicians’ comfort and competence with PAR, incorporating grief into informed consent conversations, standardizing conversations about PAR, and promoting an interdisciplinary approach to PAR-related decisions.

Implications for Impact Statement

Families or partners who have lost their adolescent or young adult loved one to cancer may wish to pursue posthumous-assisted reproduction (PAR; i.e., using the deceased’s reproductive material for future family-building attempts). Families and partners may be experiencing grief when making decisions about PAR, which can raise ethical and psychological concerns. Pediatric psychologists are uniquely positioned to support surviving loved ones pursuing PAR in the context of grief to educate on the ways that grief can complicate decision-making processes and offer mental health support, while also respecting the autonomy of decision-makers.
Association of semaglutide with reduced incidence and relapse of cannabis use disorder in real-world populations: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang William , Volkow Nora D. , Berger Nathan A. , Davis Pamela B. , Kaelber David C. , Xu Rong
Published: March 2024

Cannabis is the most frequently used illicit drug in the United States with more than 45 million users of whom one-third suffer from a cannabis use disorder (CUD). Despite its high prevalence, there are currently no FDA-approved medications for CUD. Patients treated with semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) approved for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D) and for weight management have reported reduced desire to drink and smoke. Preclinical studies have shown that semaglutide decreased nicotine and alcohol consumption. Preclinical and preliminary clinical evidence of semaglutide’s potential beneficial effects on various substance use disorders led us to evaluate if it pertained to CUD. In this retrospective cohort study of electronic health records (EHRs) from the TriNetX Analytics Network, a global federated health research network of approximately 105.3 million patients from 61 large healthcare organizations in the US, we aimed to assess the associations of semaglutide with both incident and recurrent CUD diagnosis compared to non-GLP-1RA anti-obesity or anti-diabetes medications. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incident and recurrent CUD were calculated for 12-month follow-up by comparing propensity-score matched patient cohorts. The study population included 85,223 patients with obesity who were prescribed semaglutide or non-GLP-1RA anti-obesity medications, with the findings replicated in 596,045 patients with T2D. In patients with obesity (mean age 51.3 years, 65.6% women), semaglutide compared with non-GLP-1RA anti-obesity medications was associated with lower risk for incident CUD in patients with no prior history CUD (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42–0.75), and recurrent CUD diagnosis in patients with a prior history CUD (HR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.46–0.84). Consistent reductions were seen for patients stratified by gender, age group, race and in patients with and without T2D. Similar findings were replicated in the study population with T2D when comparing semaglutide with non-GLP-1RA anti-diabetes medications for incident CUD (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.29–0.56) and recurrent CUD (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.42–1.03). While these findings provide preliminary evidence of the potential benefit of semaglutide in CUD in real-world populations, further preclinical studies are warranted to understand the underlying mechanism and randomized clinical trials are needed to support its use clinically for CUD.
TWIST1 is a critical downstream target of the HGF/MET pathway and is required for MET driven acquired resistance in oncogene driven lung cancer
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Yochum Zachary A. , Devadassan Princey , Huang Eric H.-B. , Miller Ethan , Baruwal Roja , Rumde Purva H. , GaitherDavis Autumn L. , Stabile Laura P. , Burns Timothy F.
Published: March 2024

MET amplification/mutations are important targetable oncogenic drivers in NSCLC, however, acquired resistance is inevitable and the majority of patients with targetable MET alterations fail to respond to MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Furthermore, MET amplification is among the most common mediators of TKI resistance. As such, novel therapies to target MET pathway and overcome MET TKI resistance are clearly needed. Here we show that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factor, TWIST1 is a key downstream mediator of HGF/MET induced resistance through suppression of p27 and targeting TWIST1 can overcome resistance. We found that TWIST1 is overexpressed at the time of TKI resistance in multiple MET-dependent TKI acquired resistance PDX models. We have shown for the first time that MET directly stabilized the TWIST protein leading to TKI resistance and that TWIST1 was required for MET-driven lung tumorigenesis as well as could induce MET TKI resistance when overexpressed. TWIST1 mediated MET TKI resistance through suppression of p27 expression and genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of TWIST1 overcame TKI resistance in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that targeting TWIST1 may be an effective therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance in MET-driven NSCLC as well as in other oncogene driven subtypes in which MET amplification is the resistance mechanism.
Moringa oleifera leaf extract promotes the healing of critical sized bone defects in the mandibles of rabbits
Authors: Elsadek Nouran A. , Aboukhadr Maha A. , Kamel Fatma R. , Mostafa Hossam M. , El-Kimary Gillan I.
Published: March 2024

Objective

The search for an osteopromotive material that enhances the efficacy of alloplasts in reconstructive surgeries has been going on for years. This study aimed to histologically and histomorphometrically evaluate the efficiency of Moringa oleifera leaf extract as an osteopromotive biomaterial.

Design

The study is a prospective randomized controlled animal study. 24 adult male New Zealand rabbits were equally allocated into test and control groups. Critical-sized bone defects were created in the edentulous areas of the mandibles of rabbits. The defects of the control group were filled with Beta-tricalcium Phosphate, while the defects of the test group were filled with Beta-tricalcium Phosphate combined with Moringa oleifera leaf extract. The results were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically.

Results

Histological and histomorphometric analysis showed a significant increase in the surface area of bone and the number of osteoblasts in test groups compared to those in the control groups.

Conclusion

Moringa oleifera leaf extract has a positive effect on bone regeneration in critical-sized bone defects.
Systematic reanalysis of genomic data by diagnostic laboratories: a scoping review of ethical, economic, legal and (psycho)social implications
Authors: van der Geest Marije A. , Maeckelberghe Els L. M. , van Gijn Marielle E. , Lucassen Anneke M. , Swertz Morris A. , van Langen Irene M. , Plantinga Mirjam
Published: March 2024

With the introduction of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques increasing numbers of disease-associated variants are being identified. This ongoing progress might lead to diagnoses in formerly undiagnosed patients and novel insights in already solved cases. Therefore, many studies suggest introducing systematic reanalysis of NGS data in routine diagnostics. Introduction will, however, also have ethical, economic, legal and (psycho)social (ELSI) implications that Genetic Health Professionals (GHPs) from laboratories should consider before possible implementation of systematic reanalysis. To get a first impression we performed a scoping literature review. Our findings show that for the vast majority of included articles ELSI aspects were not mentioned as such. However, often these issues were raised implicitly. In total, we identified nine ELSI aspects, such as (perceived) professional responsibilities, implications for consent and cost-effectiveness. The identified ELSI aspects brought forward necessary trade-offs for GHPs to consciously take into account when considering responsible implementation of systematic reanalysis of NGS data in routine diagnostics, balancing the various strains on their laboratories and personnel while creating optimal results for new and former patients. Some important aspects are not well explored yet. For example, our study shows GHPs see the values of systematic reanalysis but also experience barriers, often mentioned as being practical or financial only, but in fact also being ethical or psychosocial. Engagement of these GHPs in further research on ELSI aspects is important for sustainable implementation.
Risk of heart failure in ambulatory resistant hypertension: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Coccina Francesca , Salles Gil F. , Banegas José R. , Hermida Ramón C. , Bastos José M. , Cardoso Claudia R. L. , Salles Guilherme C. , Sánchez-Martínez Mercedes , Mojón Artemio , Fernández José R. , Costa Carlos , Carvalho Simão , Faia Joao , Pierdomenico Sante D.
Published: March 2024

The impact of ambulatory resistant hypertension (ARH) on the occurrence of heart failure (HF) is not yet completely known. We performed for the first time a meta-analysis, by using published data or available data from published databases, on the risk of HF in ARH. Patients with ARH (24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg during treatment with ≥3 drugs) were compared with those with controlled hypertension (CH, clinic BP < 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg regardless of the number of drugs used), white coat uncontrolled resistant hypertension (WCURH, clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg in treated patients) and ambulatory nonresistant hypertension (ANRH, 24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg during therapy with ≤2 drugs). We identified six studies/databases including 21,365 patients who experienced 692 HF events. When ARH was compared with CH, WCURH, or ANRH, the overall adjusted hazard ratio for HF was 2.32 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–3.72), 1.72 (95% CI 1.36–2.17), and 2.11 (95% CI 1.40–3.17), respectively, (all P < 0.001). For some comparisons a moderate heterogeneity was found. Though we did not find variables that could explain the heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses demonstrated that none of the studies had a significant influential effect on the overall estimate. When we evaluated the potential presence of publication bias and small-study effect and adjusted for missing studies identified by Duval and Tweedie’s method the estimates were slightly lower but remained significant. This meta-analysis shows that treated hypertensive patients with ARH are at approximately twice the risk of developing HF than other ambulatory BP phenotypes.
Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions, Néel skyrmions and V4 magnetic clusters in multiferroic lacunar spinel GaV4S8
Authors: Borisov Vladislav , Salehi Nastaran , Pereiro Manuel , Delin Anna , Eriksson Olle
Published: March 2024

Using ab initio density functional theory with static mean-field correlations, we calculate the Heisenberg and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) for an atomistic spin Hamiltonian for the lacunar spinel, GaV4S8. The parameters describing these interactions are used in atomistic spin dynamics and micromagnetic simulations. The magnetic properties of the lacunar spinel GaV4S8, a material well-known from experiment to host magnetic skyrmions of Néel character, are simulated with these ab initio calculated parameters. The Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya contribution to the micromagnetic energy is a sum of two Lifshitz invariants, supporting the formation of Néel skyrmions and its symmetry agrees with what is usually expected for C3ν-symmetric systems. There are several conclusions one may draw from this work. One concerns the quantum nature of the magnetism, where we show that the precise magnetic state of the V4 cluster is crucial for understanding quantitatively the magnetic phase diagram. In particular, we demonstrate that a distributed-moment state of each V4 cluster explains well a variety of properties of GaV4S8, such as the band gap, observed Curie temperature and especially the stability of Néel skyrmions in the experimentally relevant temperature and magnetic-field range. In addition, we find that electronic correlations change visibly the calculated value of the DMI.
Flat-band hybridization between f and d states near the Fermi energy of SmCoIn5
Authors: Tam David W. , Colonna Nicola , Alarab Fatima , Strocov Vladimir N. , Gawryluk Dariusz Jakub , Pomjakushina Ekaterina , Kenzelmann Michel
Published: March 2024

We present high-quality angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) and density functional theory calculations (DFT+U) of SmCoIn5. We find broad agreement with previously published studies of LaCoIn5 and CeCoIn51,2, confirming that the Sm 4f electrons are mostly localized. Nevertheless, our model is consistent with an additional delocalized Sm component, stemming from hybridization between the 4f electrons and the metallic bands at “hot spot” positions in the Brillouin zone. The dominant hot spot, called γZ, is similar to a source of delocalized f states found in previous experimental and theoretical studies of CeCoIn51,3. In this work, we identify and focus on the role of the Co d states in exploring the relationship between heavy quasiparticles and the magnetic interactions in SmCoIn5, which lead to a magnetically ordered ground state from within an intermediate valence scenario4–6. Specifically, we find a globally flat band consisting of Co d states near E = − 0.7 eV, indicating the possibility of enhanced electronic and magnetic interactions in the “115” family of materials through localization in the Co layer, and we discuss a possible origin in geometric frustration. We also show that the delocalized Sm 4f states can hybridize directly with the Co 3dxz/3dyz orbitals, which occurs in our model at the Brillouin zone boundary point R in a band that is locally flat and touches the Fermi level from above. Our work identifies microscopic ingredients for additional magnetic interactions in the “115” materials beyond the RKKY mechanism, and strongly suggests that the Co d bands are an important ingredient in the formation of both magnetic and superconducting ground states.
Antibody-independent protection against heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge conferred by prior infection or vaccination
Authors: Fumagalli Valeria , Ravà Micol , Marotta Davide , Di Lucia Pietro , Bono Elisa B. , Giustini Leonardo , De Leo Federica , Casalgrandi Maura , Monteleone Emanuele , Mouro Violette , Malpighi Chiara , Perucchini Chiara , Grillo Marta , De Palma Sara , Donnici Lorena , Marchese Silvia , Conti Matteo , Muramatsu Hiromi , Perlman Stanley , Pardi Norbert , Kuka Mirela , De Francesco Raffaele , Bianchi Marco E. , Guidotti Luca G. , Iannacone Matteo
Published: March 2024

Vaccines have reduced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) morbidity and mortality, yet emerging variants challenge their effectiveness. The prevailing approach to updating vaccines targets the antibody response, operating under the presumption that it is the primary defense mechanism following vaccination or infection. This perspective, however, can overlook the role of T cells, particularly when antibody levels are low or absent. Here we show, through studies in mouse models lacking antibodies but maintaining functional B cells and lymphoid organs, that immunity conferred by prior infection or mRNA vaccination can protect against SARS-CoV-2 challenge independently of antibodies. Our findings, using three distinct models inclusive of a novel human/mouse ACE2 hybrid, highlight that CD8+ T cells are essential for combating severe infections, whereas CD4+ T cells contribute to managing milder cases, with interferon-γ having an important function in this antibody-independent defense. These findings highlight the importance of T cell responses in vaccine development, urging a broader perspective on protective immunity beyond just antibodies.
Self-help mobile messaging intervention for depression among older adults in resource-limited settings: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Scazufca Marcia , Nakamura Carina Akemi , Seward Nadine , Didone Thiago Vinicius Nadaleto , Moretti Felipe Azevedo , Oliveira da Costa Marcelo , Queiroz de Souza Caio Hudson , Macias de Oliveira Gabriel , Souza dos Santos Monica , Pereira Luara Aragoni , Mendes de Sá Martins Mariana , van de Ven Pepijn , Hollingworth William , Peters Tim J. , Araya Ricardo
Published: March 2024

Scalable solutions to treat depression in older adults in low-resourced settings are urgently needed. The PRODIGITAL-D pragmatic, single-blind, two-arm, individually randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a mobile messaging psychosocial intervention in improving depressive symptomatology among older adults in socioeconomically deprived areas of Guarulhos, Brazil. Older adults (aged 60+ years) registered with 24 primary care clinics and identified with depressive symptomatology (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores ≥ 10) received the 6-week Viva Vida intervention based on psychoeducation and behavioral activation (n = 298) or a single message (n = 305). No health professional support was offered. The primary outcome was improvement from depressive symptomatology (PHQ-9 < 10) at 3 months. Of the 603 participants enrolled (mean age = 65.1 years; 451 (74.8%) women), 527 (87.4%) completed the follow-up assessment. In the intervention arm, 109 of 257 (42.4%) participants had an improved depressive symptomatology, compared with 87 of 270 (32.2%) participants in the control arm (adjusted odds ratio = 1.57; 95% confidence interval = 1.07–2.29; P = 0.019). No severe adverse events related to trial participation were observed. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a digital messaging psychosocial intervention in the short-term improvement from depressive symptomatology that can potentially be integrated into primary care programs for treating older adults with depression. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials registration: ReBEC (RBR-4c94dtn).
An extensive database on the traits and occurrences of amphibian species in Turkey
Authors: Arslan Dilara , Akdağ Burak , Yaşar Çağdaş , Olivier Anthony , Benedetti Yanina , Morelli Federico , Çiçek Kerim
Published: March 2024

Amphibians are the most endangered taxa among vertebrates, and they face many threats during their complex life cycles. The species’ life history traits and occurrence database help understand species responses against ecological factors. Consequently, the species-level-trait database has gained more prominence in recent years as a useful tool for understanding the dimensions of communities, assembly processes of communities, and conserving biodiversity at the ecosystem level against environmental changes. However, in Turkey, there are deficiencies in the knowledge of the ecological traits of amphibians compared to other vertebrate taxa, as most studies have focused on their distribution or taxonomic status. Consequently, there is a need to create such a database for future research on all known extant amphibians in Turkey. We compiled a species-level data set of species traits and occurrences for all amphibians in Turkey using 436 literature sources. We completed 36 trait categories with 5611 occurrence data for 37 amphibian species in Turkey. This study provides an open, useful, and comprehensive database for macroecological and conservation studies on amphibians in Turkey.
NuInsSeg: A fully annotated dataset for nuclei instance segmentation in H&E-stained histological images
Authors: Mahbod Amirreza , Polak Christine , Feldmann Katharina , Khan Rumsha , Gelles Katharina , Dorffner Georg , Woitek Ramona , Hatamikia Sepideh , Ellinger Isabella
Published: March 2024

In computational pathology, automatic nuclei instance segmentation plays an essential role in whole slide image analysis. While many computerized approaches have been proposed for this task, supervised deep learning (DL) methods have shown superior segmentation performances compared to classical machine learning and image processing techniques. However, these models need fully annotated datasets for training which is challenging to acquire, especially in the medical domain. In this work, we release one of the biggest fully manually annotated datasets of nuclei in Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E)-stained histological images, called NuInsSeg. This dataset contains 665 image patches with more than 30,000 manually segmented nuclei from 31 human and mouse organs. Moreover, for the first time, we provide additional ambiguous area masks for the entire dataset. These vague areas represent the parts of the images where precise and deterministic manual annotations are impossible, even for human experts. The dataset and detailed step-by-step instructions to generate related segmentation masks are publicly available on the respective repositories.
Dataset of the suitability of major food crops in Africa under climate change
Authors: Chemura Abel , Gleixner Stephanie , Gornott Christoph
Published: March 2024

Understanding the extent and adapting to the impacts of climate change in the agriculture sector in Africa requires robust data on which technical and policy decisions can be based. However, there are no publicly available comprehensive data of which crops are suitable where under current and projected climate conditions for impact assessments and targeted adaptation planning. We developed a dataset on crop suitability of 23 major food crops (eight cereals, six legumes & pulses, six root & tuber crops, and three in banana-related family) for rainfed agriculture in Africa in terms of area and produced quantity. This dataset is based on the EcoCrop model parameterized with temperature, precipitation and soil data and is available for the historical period and until mid-century. The scenarios used for future projections are SSP1:RCP2.6, SSP3:RCP7.0 and SSP5:RCP8.5. The dataset provides a quantitative assessment of the impacts of climate change on crop production potential and can enable applications and linkages of crop impact studies to other socioeconomic aspects, thereby facilitating more comprehensive understanding of climate change impacts and assessment of options for building resilience.
Conventional extraction of fucoidan from Irish brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus followed by ultrasound-assisted depolymerization
Authors: Ummat Viruja , Sivagnanam Saravana Periaswamy , Rai Dilip K. , O’Donnell Colm , Conway Gillian E. , Heffernan Shane M. , Fitzpatrick Stephen , Lyons Henry , Curtin James , Tiwari Brijesh Kumar
Published: March 2024

Fucoidan has attracted considerable attention from scientists and pharmaceutical companies due to its antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and health-enhancing properties. However, the extraction of fucoidan from seaweeds often involves the use of harsh chemicals, which necessitates the search for alternative solvents. Additionally, the high viscosity and low cell permeability of high molecular weight (Mw) fucoidan can limit its effectiveness in drug action, while lower Mw fractions exhibit increased biological activity and are also utilized as dietary supplements. The study aimed to (1) extract fucoidan from the seaweed Fucus vesiculosus (FV) using an environmentally friendly solvent and compare it with the most commonly used extraction solvent, hydrochloric acid, and (2) assess the impact of ultrasound-assisted depolymerization on reducing the molecular weight of the fucoidan extracts and examine the cytotoxic effect of different molecular weight fractions. The findings indicated that the green depolymerization solvent, in conjunction with a brief ultrasound treatment, effectively reduced the molecular weight. Moreover, a significant decrease in cell viability was observed in selected samples, indicating potential anticancer properties. As a result, ultrasound was determined to be an effective method for depolymerizing crude fucoidan from Fucus Vesiculosus seaweed.
Identifying delay in glymphatic clearance of labeled protons post-acute head trauma utilizing 3D ASL MRI (arterial spin labeling): a pilot study
Authors: Joseph Charles R. , Lim Jubin Kang , Grohol Bryce N. , Zivcevska Marija , Lencke Joshua , Rich Ethan Dean , Arrasmith Connor James , Dorman Ian Shepherd , Clark Bradley Waman , Love Kim , Ferry Ben , Rolfs Mark E.
Published: March 2024

This study correlated mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) cognitive changes with ASL-MRI glymphatic clearance rates (GCRs) and recovery with GCR improvement. mTBI disrupts the blood brain barrier (BBB), reducing capillary mean transit time and GCRs. mTBI is clinically diagnosed utilizing history/examination findings with no physiologic biomarkers. 3D TGSE (turbo-gradient spin-echo) pulsed arterial spin-labeling 3T MRI with 7 long inversion times (TIs) assessed the signal clearance of labeled protons 2800–4000 ms postlabeling in bifrontal, bitemporal, and biparietal regions within 7 days of mTBI and once clinically cleared to resume activities. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool Version 5 (SKAT5) and Brief Oculomotor/Vestibular Assessment evaluated injured athletes’ cognitive function prior to MRIs. The pilot study demonstrated significant GCRs improvement (95% CI − 0.06 to − 0.03 acute phase; to CI—recovery CI 0.0772 to − 0.0497; P < 0.001 in frontal lobes; and parietal lobes (95% CI − 0.0584 to − 0.0251 acute; CI − 0.0727 to − 0.0392 recovery; P = 0.024) in 9 mTBI athletes (8 female, 1 male). Six age/activity-matched controls (4 females, 2 males) were also compared. mTBI disrupts the BBB, reducing GCR measured using the 3D ASL MRI technique. ASL MRI is a potential noninvasive biomarker of mTBI and subsequent recovery.
Knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors towards HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among health care providers
Authors: Mekonnen Getachew , Liknaw Tiliksew , Anley Alemayehu , Afenigus Abebe Dilie
Published: March 2024

The knowledge and attitudes of health care providers were limited as reviewed in many studies. Attitudes and knowledge about pre-exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers have not been investigated in Ethiopia even though pre-exposure prophylaxis is a novel healthcare topic. The aim was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and associated factors towards pre-exposure prophylaxis among healthcare providers in Gojjam health facilities, North West Ethiopia, 2022. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1–30 among 410 healthcare providers in public health facilities in the East Gojjam zone. A simple random sampling technique was used to recruit the required study participants. The statistical program EPI Data version 4.6 was used to enter the data, and statistical packages for Social science version 25 was used for analysis. Variables with a p-value less than 0.25 in the bivariable analysis were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was determined with a p-value less than 0.05. The good knowledge and the favorable attitude of healthcare providers toward HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis were 55.7% (50.6–60.2%) and 60.2% (55.0–65.0%) respectively. male participant (AOR 1.67; 95% CI (1.01–2.55), service year ≥ 10 years (AOR 2.52; 95% CI (1.23–5.17), favorable attitudes (AOR 1.92; 95%CI (1.25–2.95), and providers good sexual behavior (AOR 1.85; 95%CI (1.21–2.82) were significantly associated with the good knowledge, and training (AOR 2.15; 95% CI (1.23–3.76), reading the guideline (AOR 1.66; 95% CI (1.02–2.70), and good knowledge (AOR 1.78; 95% CI (1.16–2.75) was significantly associated with the favorable attitudes. In general, the finding of this study shows that the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers were low. Since this is a new initiative their knowledge is lower than their attitudes. Male, service year 10 years, and good provider sexual behavior were factors significantly associated with good knowledge. Training, reading the guidelines, and good knowledge were factors significantly associated with a favorable attitudes. As a result, healthcare facilities intervention programs and strategies better target these factors to improve the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers. Preparing training programs to enhance knowledge and attitudes towards PrEP is recommended.
Interface frictional anisotropy of dilative sand
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad Naqeeb , Lee Seung-Hun , Chong Song-Hun , Ku Taeseo
Published: March 2024

Understanding direction-dependent friction anisotropy is necessary to optimize interface shear resistance across soil-structure. Previous studies estimated interface frictional anisotropy quantitatively using contractive sands. However, no studies have explored how sand with a high dilative tendency around the structural surface affects the interface shear response. In this study, a series of interface direct shear tests are conducted with selected French standard sand and snakeskin-inspired surfaces under three vertical stresses (50, 100, and 200 kPa) and two shearing directions (cranial → caudal or caudal → cranial). First, the sand-sand test observes a higher dilative response, and a significant difference between the peak and residual friction angles (ϕpeak − ϕres = 8°) is obtained at even a lower initial relative density Dr = 40%. In addition, the interface test results show that (1) shearing against the scales (cranial shearing) mobilizes a larger shear resistance and produces a dilative response than shearing along the scales (caudal shearing), (2) a higher scale height or shorter scale length exhibits a higher dilative tendency and produces a higher interface friction angle, and (3) the interface anisotropy response is more pronounced during cranial shearing in all cases. Further analysis reveals that the interface friction angle and dilation angle are decreased with the scale geometry ratio (L/H). For L/H values between 16.67 and 60, the interface dilation angle varies between 9° and 4° for cranial first shearing and 3.9°–2.6° for caudal first shearing. However, the difference in dilation angle within the same shearing direction is less than 1°.
An experimental investigation and flow-system simulation about the influencing of silica–magnesium oxide nano-mixture on enhancing the rheological properties of Iraqi crude oil
Authors: Alhamd Salem Jawad , Manteghian Mehrdad , Dehaghani Amir Hossein Saeedi , Rashid Farhan Lafta
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the effects of introducing a 50/50 mixture of silica and magnesium oxide nanoparticles (SNP + MgONP) to the viscosity of Al-Ahdab crude oil (Iraq) at varied concentrations and temperatures. It is observed that the viscosity value drops from 38.49 to 7.8 cP. The highest degree of viscosity reduction is measured to be 56.91% at the maximum temperature of 50 °C and the greatest concentration of 0.4 wt% SM4. The Bingham model can be used to classify the behavior of the crude oil before the Nano-mixture is added. The liquid behavior grew closer to Newtonian behavior once the Nano-mixture was added. Along with a rise in plastic and effective viscosity values, the yield stress value decreases as the concentration of the Nano-mixture increases. The numerical data demonstrate that when the volume proportion of nanoparticles increases, the pressure distribution decreases. Furthermore, as the nanoparticle volume fraction increases, the drag decrease would also increase. SM4 obtains a maximum drag reduction of 53.17%. It is discovered that the sample SM4 has a maximum flow rate increase of 2.408%. Because they reduce the viscosity of crude oil, nanoparticles also reduce the friction factor ratio.