bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical Considerations in One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass—the Israeli Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Experience
Authors: Abu-Abeid Adam , Yuval Jonathan Benjamin , Keidar Andrei , Nizri Eran , Lahat Guy , Eldar Shai Meron ,   the ISMBS collaborative group, Sapojnikov Shimon , Perry Zvi Howard , Geron Nissim , Kais Hasan , Waksman Igor , Sroka Gideon , Rachmuth Jacob , Carmeli Idan , Khatib Kamal , Goitein David , Hazzan David , Lessing Yonatan , Kirshtein Boris , Rayman Shlomi , Daud George , Farraj Moaad , Raziel Asnat , Sayida Sa’d , Sakran Nasser , Shimonov Mordechai , Grinbaum Ronit , Froylich Dvir , Assalia Ahmad , Mahajna Ahmad , Jazmawi Mohamad , Feigin Anya Wexler , BADRAN BADRAN , Kaplan Uri , Kuriansky Joseph , Abu-Abeid Subhi , Dashkovsky Igor , Gazmawi Jamal , BISHARA BISHARA , Khalayleh Harbi , Rubin Moshe
Published: April 2024

Background

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is gaining popularity worldwide due to its safety and effectiveness. OAGB is the most commonly performed metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) in Israel. Israel is the only country where OAGB is the most prevalent MBS. Our aim is to address OAGB technical aspects using a national survey completed by members of the Israeli Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ISMBS).

Materials and Methods

An online-survey composed of a 17-item–based questionnaire was sent to ISMBS members. All responses were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 47/64 (73.4%) ISMBS members participated in the survey. Most surgeons (74.5%) had > 10 years of MBS experience, and most (61.7%) performed > 100 MBS/year. The majority (78.7%) perform OAGB as their most common procedure. Most surgeons fashion a 10–15-cm pouch and use a 36-Fr bougie, (57.4% and 38.3%). Regarding bowel length measurement, 70% use visual estimation and 10.6% routinely measure total small bowel length (TSBL). The most common reasons for creating a longer biliopancreatic limb (BPL) were high body mass index (BMI) and revisional surgery (83.3% and 66%, respectively). In a primary procedure of a patient with a BMI = 40, most (76.6%) would create a 150–200-cm BPL. In patients with a BMI > 50 or revisional cases, most (70.2% and 68.0%) would create a 175–225-cm BPL.

Conclusion

OAGB is the most prevalent MBS performed in Israel. This survey showed common preferences and variations among ISMBS members. Further studies are needed in order to standardize and build a consensus on OAGB technique.
Motivations, Needs, and Perceived Risks of Middle-Aged and Senior Solo Travelling Women: A Study of Brazilian Female Travellers
Authors: Maiurro Michelle , Brandão Filipa
Published: April 2024

The trend of senior women travelling alone is increasing as they feel empowered and independent. With more resources available at this stage of life, they choose to travel without the company of acquaintances, but rather with strangers in similar circumstances. Although senior women travelling solo is an important market segment in tourism, few studies have been conducted to better understand this group. This study aims to address the gap in knowledge by exploring the motivations, needs, and perceived risks of senior women who travel alone or with other women. We conducted a qualitative empirical investigation using semi-structured interviews with a group of Brazilian senior women who travel solo. The results demonstrate that travellers’ motivations and needs have a significant impact on their choice of accommodation and activities. Meanwhile, their choice of destination is influenced by perceived risks, with safety and health being prioritised. Additionally, this demographic is more demanding in terms of services offered and prioritises comfort, amenities, and accessibility. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that female solo travellers of advanced age are more affected by gender-related concerns than by their age during their journeys
Upper extremity versus lower extremity for secondary access during transcatheter aortic valve implantation: rationale and design of the randomised TAVI XS trial
Authors: Rooijakkers Maxim J. P. , Versteeg Geert A. A. , Hemelrijk Kimberley I. , Aarts Hugo M. , Overduin Daniël C. , van Ginkel Dirk-Jan , Vlaar Pieter J. , van Wely Marleen H. , van Nunen Lokien X. , van Geuns Robert Jan , van Garsse Leen A. F. M. , Geuzebroek Guillaume S. C. , Verkroost Michel W. A. , Rodwell Laura , Heijmen Robin H. , Tonino Pim A. L. , ten Berg Jurrien M. , Delewi Ronak , van Royen Niels
Published: April 2024

Background

During transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), secondary access is required for angiographic guidance and temporary pacing. The most commonly used secondary access sites are the femoral artery (angiographic guidance) and the femoral vein (temporary pacing). An upper extremity approach using the radial artery and an upper arm vein instead of the lower extremity approach using the femoral artery and femoral vein may reduce clinically relevant secondary access site-related bleeding complications, but robust evidence is lacking.

Trial design

The TAVI XS trial is a multicentre, randomised, open-label clinical trial with blinded evaluation of endpoints. A total of 238 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI will be included. The primary endpoint is the incidence of clinically relevant bleeding (i.e. Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding) of the randomised secondary access site (either diagnostic or pacemaker access, or both) within 30 days after TAVI. Secondary endpoints include time to mobilisation after TAVI, duration of hospitalisation, any BARC type 2, 3 or 5 bleeding, and early safety at 30 days according to Valve Academic Research Consortium‑3 criteria.

Conclusion

The TAVI XS trial is the first randomised trial comparing an upper extremity approach to a lower extremity approach with regard to clinically relevant secondary access site-related bleeding complications. The results of this trial will provide important insights into the safety and efficacy of an upper extremity approach in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI.
The Dutch Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Registry: progress report on the quest to identify the unidentifiable
Authors: Verheul Lisa M. , Groeneveld Sanne A. , Stoks Job , Hoeksema Wiert F. , Cluitmans Matthijs J. M. , Postema Pieter G. , Wilde Arthur A. M. , Volders Paul G. A. , Hassink Rutger J.
Published: April 2024

Background

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (iVF) is a rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest and, by definition, a diagnosis of exclusion. Due to the rarity of the disease, previous and current studies are limited by their retrospective design and small patient numbers. Even though the incidence of iVF has declined owing to the identification of new disease entities, an important subgroup of patients remains.

Aim

To expand the existing Dutch iVF Registry into a large nationwide cohort of patients initially diagnosed with iVF, to reveal the underlying cause of iVF in these patients, and to improve arrhythmia management.

Methods

The Dutch iVF Registry includes sudden cardiac arrest survivors with an initial diagnosis of iVF. Clinical data and outcomes are collected. Outcomes include subsequent detection of a diagnosis other than ‘idiopathic’, arrhythmia recurrence and death. Non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging is used to investigate electropathological substrates and triggers of VF.

Results

To date, 432 patients have been included in the registry (median age at event 40 years (interquartile range 28–52)), 61% male. During a median follow-up of 6 (2–12) years, 38 patients (9%) received a diagnosis other than ‘idiopathic’. Eleven iVF patients were characterised with electrocardiographic imaging.

Conclusion

The Dutch iVF Registry is currently the largest of its kind worldwide. In this heterogeneous population of index patients, we aim to identify common functional denominators associated with iVF. With the implementation of non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging and other diagnostic modalities (e.g. echocardiographic deformation, cardiac magnetic resonance), we advance the possibilities to reveal pro-fibrillatory substrates.
Bayesian modelling of best-performance healthy life expectancy
Authors: Li Jackie
Published: April 2024

As life expectancy continues to increase, there is a growing concern that the same pace of health improvement may not follow. An ageing population spending more years in disability and long-term sickness can place a significant financial burden on society. It is therefore crucial for governments to accurately forecast not just life expectancy but also healthy life expectancy. In particular, examining the highest healthy life expectancy can provide valuable information, as it represents the current best experience worldwide. Although there have been numerous studies on forecasting life expectancy, relatively few authors have investigated the forecasting of healthy life expectancy, often due to health data limitations. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian approach to co-model the highest healthy life expectancy and the highest life expectancy. The resulting forecasts would offer useful insights for governments in shaping healthcare and social policies to improve the wellbeing of seniors and retirees.
Gas–water percolation of tight sandstone reservoirs with different pore types in the Ordos Basin
Authors: He Jie , Liu Bozun , Shao Shiying , Zhang Lei , Cheng Xuming , xia Yong , Zhu Yushuang
Published: April 2024

To investigate the percolation mechanism of tight sandstone reservoirs, qualitative and quantitative methods are applied to analyze the pore structure of the Ordos Basin through scanning electron microscopy and high-pressure mercury injection. Based on gas–water relative permeability data and the visualization of real sandstone models, a gas–water displacement experiment was carried out to simulate the percolation mechanism and fluid distribution of different pore types. The results show that: ① The percolation of different pore types varies greatly, and the irreducible water saturation decreases when the reservoir properties improve. The relative permeability of gas at an irreducible water saturation increases, the width of the two-phase percolation area increases, and the percolation ability is enhanced as the reservoir properties improve. ② The gas–water displacement mode changes from fingering to uniform displacement with the improvement of pore type, which is beneficial to the formation of effective reservoirs filled with natural gas under the same hydrocarbon generation conditions. ③ The time required for the pressure relief of samples with good reservoir properties is short, and the recovery is higher with the improvement of pore type. ④ The residual water in samples with a poor pore type increases, which decreases the relative permeability of gas and recovery. A reasonable development pattern should be carried out, and the production pressure difference should be strictly controlled to maximize productivity. This study provides theoretical guidance for the development of tight sandstone reservoirs in the Ordos Basin.
On Wilder, Strongly Wilder, Continuumwise Wilder, D, $$D^*$$, and $$D^{**}$$ Continua
Authors: Camargo Javier , Macías Sergio
Published: April 2024

We study properties of Wilder, strongly Wilder, continuumwise Wilder, D, $$D^*$$

D
∗

, and $$D^{**}$$

D

∗

∗

Hausdorff continua. We present an example of a colocally connected continuum that is not a $$D^*$$

D
∗

-continuum, answering a question by Espinoza and Matsuhashi. We give several positive answers to this question for unicoherent continua. We also present some equivalences for the class of homogeneous Hausdorff continua with the property of Kelley.
A parameterized quantum circuit for estimating distribution measures
Authors: Peretz Or , Koren Michal
Published: April 2024

Quantum computing is a new and exciting field with the potential to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. Currently, with the rise of quantum computers, the main challenge is the creation of quantum algorithms (under the limitations of quantum physics) and making them accessible to scientists who are not physicists. This study presents a parametrized quantum circuit and its implementation in estimating the distribution measures for discrete value vectors. Various applications can be derived from this method, including information analysis, exploratory data analysis, and machine learning algorithms. This method is unique in providing access to quantum computation and enabling users to run it without prior knowledge of quantum physics. The proposed method was implemented and tested over a dataset and five discrete value distributions with different parameters. The results showed a high level of agreement between the classical computation and the proposed method using quantum computing. The maximum error obtained for the dataset was 5.996%, while for the discrete distributions, a maximum error of 5% was obtained.
Efficacy of entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Trogoderma granarium Everts on wheat grains
Authors: Hassuba Mahmoud M.M. , Gad Hassan A. , Atta Ayman A.M. , Abdelgaleil Samir A.M.
Published: April 2024

Four species of Trichoderma genius (T. harzianum, T. citrinoviride, T. viride and T. asperellum) and Metarhizium anisopliae were assessed for their effects on larval mortality and progeny production of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae). The fungal strains were tested at 2.0 × 106, 2.0 × 107, 2.0 × 108 and 2.0 × 109 spores/kg. The larval mortality of T. granarium was recorded after 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment. The emerged adults (F1) from treated larvae were counted after 30 days of treatment, while F2 and grain weight loss were examined after 80 days of treatment. In general, increasing of spore concentration of all fungal strains enhanced the larval mortality. After 21 of treatment, all fungal strains induced notable larval mortality particularly at the highest concentration (2.0 × 109 spores/kg) except T. viride (19.4%). The highest larval mortality was observed in treatments with M. anisopliae (82.1%) and T. citrinoviride (69.0%) at 2.0 × 109 spores/kg, respectively. Furthermore, all spore concentrations of tested fungi decreased the emerged adults (F1 and F2) with M. anisopliae, T. citrinoviride and T. harzianum being the most potent, particularly at 2.0 × 109 spores/kg. After 80 days, M. anisopliae and T. citrinoviride at 2.0 × 109 spores/kg induced the highest protection of wheat grains against larvae of T. granarium with weight loss of 0.7 and 1.3%, respectively. The outcomes of the present study indicate that the two fungi, M. anisopliae and T. citrinoviride are highly effective seed protectants against T. granarium and could be applied in the integrated pest management programs (IPM) of khapra beetle as effective biological control agents.
Effect of Heat Carrier Particles on Drying Characteristics and Germination Traits of Canola Seeds
Authors: Moradi Mehdi , Karimi Mohsen , Taghvaei Mansour , Niakousari Mehrdad , Mastinu Andrea
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Research into hybrid drying methods is generally aimed at increasing drying speed while maintaining seed quality. Heat Carrier Particles (HCPs) can be used in fluidized bed drying to accelerate the seed drying process. However, this requires qualitative analysis of seed characteristics.

Methods

In this study, canola seed was mixed with HCPs to accelerate the drying process while maintaining seed quality. The HCPs were steel or glass beads (2.7 mm diameter) mixed with canola seed in proportions of 0%, 25%, 50%, and 100% at different drying temperatures (40, 50, and 60 °C). A fluidized bed dryer was used to monitor the drying process and then the germination ability of the dried seeds was evaluated in the experimental conditions.

Results

The drying time was reduced when the HCP content was 50% of the sample weight. However, drying time increased when 100% HCP was added. Also, the germination ability of the seeds decreased as the drying temperature increased. A higher proportion of steel beads caused a decrease in germination, while the glass heat carrier (50% at 40 °C) was best for maintaining germination in canola seeds.

Conclusions

The germination rate, shoot length vigor index, root length vigor index, and germination energy were significantly affected by the amount of HCP and the drying temperature. The germination parameters were highest when glass HCP was used, and the drying time was also reduced to an acceptable level in this treatment. The most suitable temperature and percentage of HCP were 40 °C and 25% of glass HCP in sample weight, respectively.
Development of a Software Design Error Taxonomy: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Agrawal Tushar , Walia Gursimran Singh , Anu Vaibhav K.
Published: April 2024

The Software design process involves a high degree of human interaction and design artifacts creation by software engineers. Software designers use their experience to make assumptions and decisions. Therefore, the software design is prone to errors that lead to a bad quality software. Software engineering literature focuses on software errors and failures. This research relates the concept of human and organizational errors to the errors committed by software engineers during the software design phase to improve software quality. The authors performed a systematic literature review (SLR) of the software engineering to identify software design errors and later classify them. The outcome is a software design errors taxonomy that provides errors and a way to classify those errors based on their similarities and origin. This research proposes a guide to comprehend common software design errors. The guide will allow software engineers to focus and create robust software design. The guide also provides a structured approach to detect software design errors upfront during the software design inspection process. Software development organizations can use this awareness to develop countermeasures to help with error prevention, thereby improving the overall software quality.
Extraction spectrophotometry using a lithium-ion selective metallacrown: temperature effect on extraction reaction and application to determination of lithium in serum and seawater
Authors: Katsuta Shoichi , Maeda Kosuke
Published: April 2024

A metallacrown-type ionophore, 2,3-pyridinediolate-bridged (3,5-dimethylanisole)ruthenium trinuclear complex, has a high extraction selectivity for Li+, but the extraction reaction is very slow. To solve this problem, the effect of temperature on the rapidity and equilibrium of the extraction of Li+ and Na+ as picrates from water to toluene with the metallacrown was investigated in this study. While the extraction of Li+ requires 6 h of shaking for equilibration at 25 °C, the distribution ratio becomes nearly constant after 4 h and 2 h of shaking at 37 °C and 50 °C, respectively. The extraction equilibrium constants (Kex) and associated thermodynamic parameters determined for Li+ and Na+ indicate that the extraction reactions are exothermic and enthalpy-driven: ΔH° = − 53 kJ/mol, ΔS° = − 0.03 kJ/(mol K) for Li+; ΔH° = − 28 kJ/mol, ΔS° = − 0.03 kJ/(mol K) for Na+. Although the extraction ability for Li+ and selectivity for Li+/Na+ decrease with increasing temperature, the values of Kex and Kex(Li+)/Kex(Na+) are 1.0 × 107 and 1.3 × 104, respectively, even at 50 °C, indicating that both are sufficiently high. In the determination of Li+ by extraction spectrophotometry using this metallacrown, extraction at 50 °C for 2 h was employed to speed up the analysis. The method was applied to seawater and serum samples containing a large amount of coexisting ions such as Na+ and Mg2+, and trace amounts (10−6–10−5 mol/L order) of Li+ in microvolume samples (sub-mL order) could be successfully determined.

Graphical abstract
The Philosophy of Legal Proof
Authors: Ross Lewis
Published: April 2024

Criminal courts make decisions that can remove the liberty and even life of those accused. Civil trials can cause the bankruptcy of companies employing thousands of people, asylum seekers being deported, or children being placed into state care. Selecting the right standards when deciding legal cases is of utmost importance in giving those affected a fair deal. This Element is an introduction to the philosophy of legal proof. It is organised around five questions. First, it introduces the standards of proof and considers what justifies them. Second, it discusses whether we should use different standards in different cases. Third, it asks whether trials should end only in binary outcomes or use more fine-grained or precise verdicts. Fourth, it considers whether proof is simply about probability, concentrating on the famous 'Proof Paradox'. Finally, it examines who should be trusted with deciding trials, focusing on the jury system.
Thailand
Authors: Kongkirati Prajak
Published: April 2024

This Element aims to provide an overview of Thai politics with an up-to-date discussion of the characteristics of political regimes, political economy, and identity and mobilization that are grounded in historical analysis stretching back to the formation of the modern nation state. The thematic topics will focus on a) the chronic instability and ever-changing nature of political regimes resulting in the failure of democratic consolidation, b) the nexus of business and politics sustained by a patrimonial state structure, patronage politics and political corruption, and c) the contestation of identity and the causes and consequences of mass mobilization in the civic space and street politics.
Power and the Messiness of Discrimination Law: Reflections on the Role of Power in Sophia Moreau's Faces of Inequality
Authors: Solanke Iyiola
Published: April 2024

Monism and pluralism are not only used to describe the ways in which international law becomes part of a domestic legal system but can also be applied to scholarship that seeks to explain the messiness of discrimination. According to Sophia Moreau's pluralist theory, the wrongfulness of discrimination can be summarized as three types of treatment: subordination, restriction, and exclusion. In this contribution, I will explore the role that power plays in her theory; while power is explicitly discussed in relation to subordination, it is less apparent from restriction and exclusion. However, as I will argue, power is a crucial element underpinning all forms of discrimination and all protected grounds.
Strategies to overcome stagnation in agricultural adoption despite awareness and interest: a case study of conservation agriculture in South Asia
Authors: Karki E. , Sharma A. , Timsina P. , Chaudhary A. , Sharma R. , Brown B.
Published: April 2024

The Eastern Gangetic Plains are a densely populated region of South Asia with comparatively low productivity yet a strong potential to intensify production to meet growing food demands. Conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) has gained academic and policy traction in the region, yet despite considerable promotional activities, uptake remains limited. Based on emerging evidence delving beyond a binary classification of adoption, this qualitative study seeks to explore the experiences and perspectives of smallholder farmers who express positive sentiments about CASI, yet have not progressed to (autonomous) adoption. After thematic coding of semi-structured interviews with 44 experimenting farmers and 38 interested non-users, ten common themes emerged that explain why farmers stagnate in their adoption process. Seven of the ten themes were non-specific to CASI and would constraint promotion and uptake of any agri-system change, highlighting the need for contextual clarity when promoting practice changes in smallholder systems. We summaries this to propose the ‘four T's’ that are required to be addressed to enable agricultural change in smallholder systems: Targeting; Training; Targeted incentives; and Time. Through this more nuanced evaluation approach, we argue the need for a stronger focus on enabling environments rather than technological performance evaluations generically, if promotional efforts are to be successful and emerging sustainable intensification technologies are to be adopted by smallholder farmers.
Adverse reactions after intravascular iodinated contrast media	administration and their management
Authors: Rašiová Mária , Schlager Oliver , Heiss Christian , Brodmann Marianne , Olinic Dan Mircea , Boc Vinko , Buso Giacomo , Belch Jill , Mazzolai Lucia , Madaric Juraj
Published: April 2024

Summary: Endovascular interventions and diagnostic examinations using iodinated contrast media (ICM) are standard of care in current vascular medicine. Although ICM use is generally considered safe, it may be associated with adverse reactions, vary from minor disturbances to rare, but severe life-threatening complications. This position paper of European Society of Vascular Medicine integrates current knowledge and summarizes the key information related to the use of intravascular ICM, serving as recommendation on prevention and management of acute, late, and very late adverse reactions. It should help the health professionals in all fields of vascular medicine to make decisions in daily practice for safe use of contrast media.
Beendigung lebenserhaltender Maßnahmen auf der Kinderintensivstation aus Perspektive der Pflegefachpersonen
Authors: Darchinger Britta , Härlein Jürgen , Fley Gabriele
Published: April 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die Beendigung lebenserhaltender Maßnahmen ist ein häufiger Behandlungsmodus vor dem Versterben eines kritisch kranken Kindes und hat Auswirkungen auf alle Beteiligten. Die Perspektive von Pflegefachpersonen wurde in diesem Kontext bisher nicht berücksichtigt. Fragestellung: Wie erleben Pflegefachpersonen die Beendigung lebenserhaltender Maßnahmen auf der Kinderintensivstation? Welche Rolle nehmen sie dabei ein? Methoden: Ein integratives Review wurde erstellt. Die Literatursuche erfolgte in den Datenbanken CINAHL, Medline und PsycINFO im Oktober 2022. Ergebnisse: Drei qualitative und fünf quantitative Studien wurden eingeschlossen. Die Konfrontation mit Emotionen, Unsicherheiten im Entscheidungsprozess, Herausforderungen und Konflikten in der Zusammenarbeit, im Umgang mit Beteiligten und in der Versorgung bestimmen das Erleben von Pflegefachpersonen im Behandlungsabbruch. Die Pflegefachpersonen werde als Beteiligte an der Entscheidung und stellvertretende Interessensvertretung von Intrarollenkonflikten beeinflusst. Schlussfolgerung: Pflegefachpersonen benötigen Unterstützung zur Bewältigung ihres Erlebens im Kontext des Behandlungsabbruchs bei Kindern. Neben der Erhebung von Art und Umfang von Unterstützungsmaßnahmen sind interprofessionell abgestimmte Leitlinien bei Abbruch lebenserhaltender Maßnahmen zu entwickeln. Dies schließt zukünftige Forschung zur Konkretisierung der Rolle von Pflegefachpersonen im Behandlungsabbruch ein und beinhaltet z.B. die Darstellung konkreter Aufgaben, notwendiger Fertigkeiten oder das Ausmaß der Mitsprache bei Entscheidungen.
Enabling Advanced Snow Physics Within Land Surface Models Through an Interoperable Model‐Physics Coupling Framework
Authors: Navari Mahdi , Kumar Sujay , Wang Shugong , Geiger James , Mocko David M. , Arsenault Kristi R. , Kemp Eric M.
Published: April 2024

Accurate estimation of snow accumulation and melt is a critical part of decision‐making in snow‐dominated watersheds. In this study, we demonstrate a flexible methodology to couple a detailed snow model, Crocus, separately to two different land surface models (LSMs), Noah‐MP and Noah. The original LSMs and the coupled models (Noah‐MP‐Crocus and Noah‐Crocus) are used to simulate snow depth, snow water equivalent, and other water and energy states and fluxes. The results of simulations are compared against a wide range of independent gridded and point scale reference data sets. Our results show that coupling the detailed snow model, Crocus, with the LSMs improves the snow depth and snow water equivalent relative to independent observations. Overall, larger improvements are obtained with coupling Crocus to the Noah LSM, with the coupled Noah‐Crocus configuration reducing the RMSE and bias of snow depth from 2% to 12% and 57% to 75%, respectively, relative to Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS) and snow product from the University of Arizona. On the other hand, smaller improvements are obtained by coupling Crocus with Noah‐MP. The Coupled Noah‐MP‐Crocus reduces the snow depth bias but slightly degrades the RMSE of snow depth and snow water equivalent. The corresponding impacts in other water budget terms such as evapotranspiration, soil moisture, and streamflow, however, are mixed, pointing to the significant need to improve the coupling assumptions of these processes within land models. Overall, the interoperable coupling framework demonstrated here offers the opportunity to include more detailed snow physics and processes, and to advance data assimilation systems through improved exploitation of information from snow remote sensing instruments.
Anthropocene North Western Pacific Oceanography Recorded as Seasonal‐Resolution Radiocarbon in Coral From Kikai Island, Japan
Authors: Zeng Yuning , Yokoyama Yusuke , Hirabayashi Shoko , Miyairi Yosuke , Suzuki Atsushi , Aze Takahiro , Kawakubo Yuta
Published: April 2024

Radiocarbon (14C) in corals can be used as a relatively high‐sensitivity indicator of vertical and horizontal advection of water masses, which contributes to the understanding of ocean circulation. In this study, we reconstruct Kuroshio and Ryukyu current transport with a seasonal resolution Δ14C record spanning 1947–2009. This record covers the beginning of the atomic era and was obtained from a coral on Kikai Island in the south of Japan. The Kikai Δ14C curve features a newly discovered Δ14C spike in July 1955, a rapid increase after 1962, and a steady decrease after 1980. The spike in 1955 may directly reflect ocean current transport. The lack of periodicity in the Δ14C record suggests the existence of mesoscale eddies and the complexity of Kuroshio and Ryukyu current transport. In addition, comparing the high‐resolution Δ14C of Kikai and Ishigaki islands, both situated along the path of the Kuroshio, reveals the influence of Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation on the Kuroshio and Ryukyu currents. This suggests that seasonally resolved Δ14C in corals along an ocean current can produce a long‐term record of ocean mixing that responds to climate variability.
Sub‐MeV Electron Precipitation Driven by EMIC Waves Through Nonlinear Fractional Resonances
Authors: Hanzelka M. , Li W. , Qin M. , Capannolo L. , Shen X. , Ma Q. , Gan L. , Angelopoulos V.
Published: April 2024

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves in the Earth's outer radiation belt drive rapid electron losses through wave‐particle interactions. The precipitating electron flux can be high in the hundreds of keV energy range, well below the typical minimum resonance energy. One of the proposed explanations relies on nonresonant scattering, which causes pitch‐angle diffusion away from the fundamental cyclotron resonance. Here we propose the fractional sub‐cyclotron resonance, a second‐order nonlinear effect that scatters particles at resonance order n = 1/2, as an alternate explanation. Using test‐particle simulations, we evaluate the precipitation ratios of sub‐MeV electrons for wave packets with various shapes, amplitudes, and wave normal angles. We show that the nonlinear sub‐cyclotron scattering produces larger ratios than the nonresonant scattering when the wave amplitude reaches sufficiently large values. The ELFIN CubeSats detected several events with precipitation ratio patterns matching our simulation, demonstrating the importance of sub‐cyclotron resonances during intense precipitation events.
Using Vehicle‐Induced DAS Signals for Near‐Surface Characterization With High Spatiotemporal Resolution
Authors: Yuan Siyuan , Liu Jingxiao , Noh Hae Young , Clapp Robert , Biondi Biondo
Published: April 2024

Vehicle‐induced seismic waves, generated as vehicles traverse the ground surface, carry valuable information for imaging the underlying near‐surface structure. These waves propagate differently in the subsurface depending on soil properties at various spatial locations. By leveraging wave propagation characteristics, such as surface‐wave velocity and attenuation, this study presents a novel method for near‐surface monitoring. Our method employs passing vehicles as active, non‐dedicated seismic sources and leverages pre‐existing telecommunication fibers as large‐scale and cost‐effective roadside sensors empowered by Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology. A specialized Kalman filter algorithm is integrated for automated DAS‐based traffic monitoring to accurately determine vehicles' location and speed. Then, our approach uniquely leverages vehicle trajectories to isolate space‐time windows containing high‐quality surface waves. With known vehicle (i.e., seismic source) locations, we can effectively mitigate artifacts associated with suboptimal distribution of sources in conventional ambient noise interferometry. Compared to ambient noise interferometry, our approach enables the synthesis of virtual shot gathers with a high signal‐to‐noise ratio and spatiotemporal resolution at reduced computational costs. We validate the effectiveness of our method using the Stanford DAS‐2 array, with a focus on capturing spatial heterogeneity and monitoring temporal variations in soil seismic properties during rainfall events. Specifically, in non‐built‐up areas, we observed an evident decrease in phase velocity and group velocity and an increase in attenuation due to the rainfall. Our findings illustrate our method's sensitivity and resolution in discerning variations across different spatial locations and demonstrate that our method is a promising advancement for high‐resolution near‐surface imaging in urban settings.
Protective effect of increased O-GlcNAc cycling against 6-OHDA induced Parkinson’s disease pathology
Authors: Kim Dong Yeol , Kim Sang-Min , Cho Eun-Jeong , Kwak Hyo-Bum , Han Inn-Oc
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to elucidate the role of O-GlcNAc cycling in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like neurodegeneration and the underlying mechanisms. We observed dose-dependent downregulation of O-GlcNAcylation, accompanied by an increase in O-GlcNAcase following 6-OHDA treatment in both mouse brain and Neuro2a cells. Interestingly, elevating O-GlcNAcylation through glucosamine (GlcN) injection provided protection against PD pathogenesis induced by 6-OHDA. At the behavioral level, GlcN mitigated motor deficits induced by 6-OHDA, as determined using the pole, cylinder, and apomorphine rotation tests. Furthermore, GlcN attenuated 6-OHDA-induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, augmented O-GlcNAcylation, achieved through O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) overexpression in mouse brain, conferred protection against 6-OHDA-induced PD pathology, encompassing neuronal cell death, motor deficits, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These collective findings suggest that O-GlcNAcylation plays a crucial role in the normal functioning of dopamine neurons. Moreover, enhancing O-GlcNAcylation through genetic and pharmacological means could effectively ameliorate neurodegeneration and motor impairment in an animal model of PD. These results propose a potential strategy for safeguarding against the deterioration of dopamine neurons implicated in PD pathogenesis.
Inter- and trans-generational impacts of real-world PM2.5 exposure on male-specific primary hypogonadism
Authors: Wei Xiaoyu , Zhang Zhonghao , Gu Yayun , Zhang Rong , Huang Jie , Li Feng , He Yuanlin , Lu Shuai , Wu Yifei , Zeng Wentao , Liu Xiaorui , Liu Chenzi , Liu Jinyi , Ao Lin , Shi Fuquan , Chen Qing , Lin Yuan , Du Jiangbo , Jin Guangfu , Xia Yankai , Ma Hongxia , Zheng Yuxin , Huo Ran , Cao Jia , Shen Hongbing , Hu Zhibin
Published: April 2024

Exposure to PM2.5, a harmful type of air pollution, has been associated with compromised male reproductive health; however, it remains unclear whether such exposure can elicit transgenerational effects on male fertility. Here, we aim to examine the effect of paternal exposure to real-world PM2.5 on the reproductive health of male offspring. We have observed that paternal exposure to real-world PM2.5 can lead to transgenerational primary hypogonadism in a sex-selective manner, and we have also confirmed this phenotype by using an external model. Mechanically, we have identified small RNAs (sRNAs) that play a critical role in mediating these transgenerational effects. Specifically, miR6240 and piR016061, which are present in F0 PM sperm, regulate intergenerational transmission by targeting Lhcgr and Nsd1, respectively. We have also uncovered that piR033435 and piR006695 indirectly regulate F1 PM sperm methylation by binding to the 3′-untranslated region of Tet1 mRNA. The reduced expression of Tet1 resulted in hypermethylation of several testosterone synthesis genes, including Lhcgr and Gnas, impaired Leydig cell function and ultimately led to transgenerational primary hypogonadism. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the transgenerational effects of paternal PM2.5 exposure on reproductive health, highlighting the crucial role played by sRNAs in mediating these effects. The findings underscore the significance of paternal pre-conception interventions in alleviating the adverse effects of environmental pollutants on reproductive health.
Rare coinheritance of hemoglobin vancleave with severe beta-thalassemia mutation in a patient with secondary erythrocytosis
Authors: Aziz Nur Aisyah , Musa Nurul Hidayah , Mathews Melina , Rajenderan Komalah Thevii , Abdul Hamid Faidatul Syazlin , Hassan Syahzuwan , Omar Syahira Lazira , Wan Yusoff Wan Nurul Afiqha Binti , Mohd Din Melanie Ling Binti , Jamaludin Nurul Amira Binti , Wan Taib Wan Rohani , Esa Ezalia , Mohd Yasin Norafiza
Published: April 2024

Hemoglobin (Hb) Vancleave (NM_000518.5:c.431 A > T; dbSNP: rs33918338) is an extremely rare structural hemoglobin variant worldwide, and studies are limited. This report describes the case of a 16-year-old male patient who presented with secondary erythrocytosis. The diagnosis of Hb Vancleave, in combination with codon 41/42 (-TTCT) (NM_000518.5:c.126_129del; dbSNP: rs80356821), was confirmed by direct sequencing. This report highlights the importance of sequencing in the differential diagnosis of beta-thalassemia syndrome in Malaysia.
Brightness illusions drive a neuronal response in the primary visual cortex under top-down modulation
Authors: Saeedi Alireza , Wang Kun , Nikpourian Ghazaleh , Bartels Andreas , Logothetis Nikos K. , Totah Nelson K. , Watanabe Masataka
Published: April 2024

Brightness illusions are a powerful tool in studying vision, yet their neural correlates are poorly understood. Based on a human paradigm, we presented illusory drifting gratings to mice. Primary visual cortex (V1) neurons responded to illusory gratings, matching their direction selectivity for real gratings, and they tracked the spatial phase offset between illusory and real gratings. Illusion responses were delayed compared to real gratings, in line with the theory that processing illusions requires feedback from higher visual areas (HVAs). We provide support for this theory by showing a reduced V1 response to illusions, but not real gratings, following HVAs optogenetic inhibition. Finally, we used the pupil response (PR) as an indirect perceptual report and showed that the mouse PR matches the human PR to perceived luminance changes. Our findings resolve debates over whether V1 neurons are involved in processing illusions and highlight the involvement of feedback from HVAs.
Dynamic acoustic optimization of pulse tube refrigerators for rapid cooldown
Authors: Snodgrass Ryan , Kotsubo Vincent , Backhaus Scott , Ullom Joel
Published: April 2024

Pulse tube refrigerators are a critical enabling technology for many disciplines that require low temperatures. These refrigerators dominate the total power consumption of most modern cryostats, including those that reach millikelvin temperatures using additional cooling stages. In state-of-the-art commercial pulse tube refrigerators, the acoustic coupling between the driving compressor and the refrigerator is fixed and optimized for operation at base temperature. We show that this optimization is incorrect during the cooldown process, which results in wasted power consumption by the compressor and slow cooldown speed. After developing analytic expressions that demonstrate the need for acoustic tuning as a function of temperature, we dynamically optimize the acoustics of a commercial pulse tube refrigerator and show that the cooldown speed can be increased to 1.7 to 3.5 times the original value. Acoustic power measurements show that loss mechanism(s)—and not the capacity of the compressor—limit the maximum cooling available at high temperatures, suggesting that even faster cooldown speeds can be achieved in the future. This work has implications for the accessibility of cryogenic temperatures and the cadence of research in many disciplines such as quantum computing.
Exosome-coated oxygen nanobubble-laden hydrogel augments intracellular delivery of exosomes for enhanced wound healing
Authors: Han Xiaoxue , Saengow Chaimongkol , Ju Leah , Ren Wen , Ewoldt Randy H. , Irudayaraj Joseph
Published: April 2024

Wound healing is an obvious clinical concern that can be hindered by inadequate angiogenesis, inflammation, and chronic hypoxia. While exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells have shown promise in accelerating healing by carrying therapeutic growth factors and microRNAs, intracellular cargo delivery is compromised in hypoxic tissues due to activated hypoxia-induced endocytic recycling. To address this challenge, we have developed a strategy to coat oxygen nanobubbles with exosomes and incorporate them into a polyvinyl alcohol/gelatin hybrid hydrogel. This approach not only alleviates wound hypoxia but also offers an efficient means of delivering exosome-coated nanoparticles in hypoxic conditions. The self-healing properties of the hydrogel, along with its component, gelatin, aids in hemostasis, while its crosslinking bonds facilitate hydrogen peroxide decomposition, to ameliorate wound inflammation. Here, we show the potential of this multifunctional hydrogel for enhanced healing, promoting angiogenesis, facilitating exosome delivery, mitigating hypoxia, and inhibiting inflammation in a male rat full-thickness wound model.
Peripheral immune cells in metastatic breast cancer patients display a systemic immunosuppressed signature consistent with chronic inflammation
Authors: Chauhan Sudhir Kumar , Dunn Claire , Andresen Nikolai Kragøe , Røssevold Andreas Hagen , Skorstad Gjertrud , Sike Adam , Gilje Bjørnar , Raj Sunil Xavier , Huse Kanutte , Naume Bjørn , Kyte Jon Amund
Published: April 2024

Immunotherapies blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint show some efficacy in metastatic breast cancer (mBC) but are often hindered by immunosuppressive mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for personalized treatments, with peripheral blood monitoring representing a practical alternative to repeated biopsies. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive mass cytometry analysis of peripheral blood immune cells in 104 patients with HER2 negative mBC and 20 healthy donors (HD). We found that mBC patients had significantly elevated monocyte levels and reduced levels of CD4+ T cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, when compared to HD. Furthermore, mBC patients had more effector T cells and regulatory T cells, increased expression of immune checkpoints and other activation/exhaustion markers, and a shift to a Th2/Th17 phenotype. Furthermore, T-cell phenotypes identified by mass cytometry correlated with functionality as assessed by IFN-γ production. Additional analysis indicated that previous chemotherapy and CDK4/6 inhibition impacted the numbers and phenotype of immune cells. From 63 of the patients, fresh tumor samples were analyzed by flow cytometry. Paired PBMC-tumor analysis showed moderate correlations between peripheral CD4+ T and NK cells with their counterparts in tumors. Further, a CD4+ T cell cluster in PBMCs, that co-expressed multiple checkpoint receptors, was negatively associated with CD4+ T cell tumor infiltration. In conclusion, the identified systemic immune signatures indicate an immune-suppressed environment in mBC patients who had progressed/relapsed on standard treatments, and is consistent with ongoing chronic inflammation. These activated immuno-suppressive mechanisms may be investigated as therapeutic targets, and for use as biomarkers of response or treatment resistance.
Genomic landscape of diploid and aneuploid microsatellite stable early onset colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhou Yumei , Chen Xianfeng , Chen Jun , Kendrick Conner D. , Ramanathan Ramesh K. , Graham Rondell P. , Kossick Kimberlee F. , Boardman Lisa A. , Barrett Michael T.
Published: April 2024

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, the overall incidence and mortality from the disease have declined in recent decades. In contrast, there has been a steady increase in the incidence of CRC in individuals under 50 years of age. Hereditary syndromes contribute disproportionately to early onset CRC (EOCRC). These include microsatellite instability high (MSI+) tumors arising in patients with Lynch Syndrome. However, most EOCRCs are not associated with familial syndromes or MSI+ genotypes. Comprehensive genomic profiling has provided the basis of improved more personalized treatments for older CRC patients. However, less is known about the basis of sporadic EOCRC. To define the genomic landscape of EOCRC we used DNA content flow sorting to isolate diploid and aneuploid tumor fractions from 21 non-hereditary cases. We then generated whole exome mutational profiles for each case and whole genome copy number, telomere length, and EGFR immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses on subsets of samples. These results discriminate the molecular features of diploid and aneuploid EOCRC and provide a basis for larger population-based studies and the development of effective strategies to monitor and treat this emerging disease.
Induction of altered states of consciousness during Floatation-REST is associated with the dissolution of body boundaries and the distortion of subjective time
Authors: Hruby Helena , Schmidt Stefan , Feinstein Justin S. , Wittmann Marc
Published: April 2024

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) minimizes stimulation of the nervous system by immersing subjects in an environment without sound or light while they effortlessly float in thermoneutral water supersaturated with Epsom salt. Here we investigated the relationship between altered states of consciousness (ASC) and its association with the affective changes induced by Floatation-REST. Using a within-subject crossover design, 50 healthy subjects were randomized to 60 min of Floatation-REST or 60 min of Bed-REST (an active control condition that entailed lying supine on a warm waterbed in a dark and quiet room). Following Floatation-REST, subjects felt significantly more relaxed, less anxious, and less tired than after Bed-REST. Floatation-REST also induced significantly more pronounced ASC characterized by the dissolution of body boundaries and the distortion of subjective time. The loss of body boundaries mediated the loss of anxiety, revealing a novel mechanism by which Floatation-REST exerts its anxiolytic effect.