bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of effective moisture and landscape controls on diatom assemblages and primary production in Roche Lake, British Columbia, Canada over the past ca. 1800 years
Authors: Mushet Graham R. , Reinhardt Eduard G. , Cumming Brian F.
Published: July 2022

Lakes in the semiarid Southern Interior Plateau of British Columbia, Canada are vulnerable to future climate-driven changes in water quantity and quality. However, few long-term monitoring records exist to assess the effects of varying hydroclimate conditions on lake function. We present a high-resolution multiproxy paleolimnological record containing subfossil diatoms, μXRF via ITRAX, and chlorophyll-athat spans the past 1800 years from Roche Lake in south-central British Columbia. Generalized additive models indicate that the diatom assemblages were associated with changes in lake level and the accompanying effects of atmospheric forcing on lake thermal structure, and that these forcing mechanisms had a weak relationship with primary production. We infer two pronounced arid periods between ca. AD 600–950 and ca. AD 1730–1950 that correspond to evidence of reduced lake mixing and enhanced anoxia, but variable patterns in primary production. Synthesis of regional proxy records suggests that inferences of moist but possibly warm conditions during the Medieval Climate Anomaly may have occurred because of a complex interaction between prolonged La Niña-like conditions and higher radiative forcing. Overall, lakes in this region are sensitive to changes in hydroclimate generated by interactions between external forcing and Pacific Ocean–atmosphere processes, and the resulting changes in aridity may have potentially negative consequences on salmonid habitat.
Small islands as potential model ecosystems for parasitology: climatic influence on parasites of feral cats
Authors: Marbella David , Santana-Hernández Kevin Manuel , Rodríguez-Ponce Eligia
Published: July 2022

The influence of climate on parasite distribution has been demonstrated in different regions worldwide. Despite its small size, Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) constitutes a ‘biodiversity laboratory’ due to the huge climatic differences between municipalities. Feral cats may represent a threat to biodiversity due to their predatory behaviour. In addition, they may be a source of pathogens zoonotic to humans. To study the climatic/seasonal influence and prevalence of feral cat parasites throughout the island, a total of 290 stool samples from 29 feral cat colonies were analysed following standard concentration protocols (sodium chloride, formol-ether and zinc sulphate). In total, 13 feline parasitic taxa were found, with the most common species being Ancylostoma spp., which, together with Toxocara spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia spp., are considered a concern for human health. Nematodes were the most common parasites in all areas. Nematodes and protozoans were significantly more prevalent in temperate mild (75.0% and 30.0%) than in dry desert areas (29.3% and 18.7%). In contrast, cestodes were significantly more prevalent in dry desert than in temperate mild areas (26.0% and 13.3%). Only protozoans exhibited statistically significant seasonal patterns, mostly in the wet season. Data reported in this study endorse the usage of small and diverse islands such as Gran Canaria to study the climatic influence on parasitic communities in wild/feral animals. Cat colonies require better management to reduce their threat to endemic wildlife, domestic animals and public health, being invasive species that harbour zoonotic parasites.
Application of bidirectional rapidly exploring random trees (BiRRT) algorithm for collision-free trajectory planning of free-floating space manipulator
Authors: Rybus Tomasz , Prokopczuk Jacek , Wojtunik Mateusz , Aleksiejuk Konrad , Musiał Jacek
Published: July 2022

On-orbit servicing and active debris removal missions will rely on the use of unmanned satellite equipped with a manipulator. Capture of the target object will be the most challenging phase of these missions. During the capture manoeuvre, the manipulator must avoid collisions with elements of the target object (e.g., solar panels). The dynamic equations of the satellite-manipulator system must be used during the trajectory planning because the motion of the manipulator influences the position and orientation of the satellite. In this paper, we propose application of the bidirectional rapidly exploring random trees (BiRRT) algorithm for planning a collision-free trajectory of a manipulator mounted on a free-floating satellite. A new approach based on pseudo-velocities method (PVM) is used for construction of nodes of the trajectory tree. Initial nodes of the second tree are selected from the set of potential final configurations of the system. The proposed method is validated in numerical simulations performed for a planar case (3-DoF manipulator). The obtained results are compared with the results obtained with two other trajectory planning methods based on the RRT algorithm. It is shown that in a simple test scenario, the proposed BiRRT PVM algorithm results in a lower manipulator tip position error. In a more difficult test scenario, only the proposed method was able to find a solution. Practical applicability of the BiRRT PVM method is demonstrated in experiments performed on a planar air-bearing microgravity simulator where the trajectory is realised by a manipulator mounted on a mock-up of the free-floating servicing satellite.
The Prospects for ‘Prospect Utilitarianism’
Authors: Davies Ben
Published: July 2022

Hun Chung argues for a theory of distributive justice – ‘prospect utilitarianism’ – that overcomes two central problems purportedly faced by sufficientarianism: giving implausible answers in ‘lifeboat cases’, where we can save the lives of some but not all of a group, and failing to respect the axiom of continuity. Chung claims that prospect utilitarianism overcomes these problems, and receives empirical support from work in economics on prospect theory. This article responds to Chung's criticisms of sufficientarianism, showing that they are misplaced. It then shows that prospect utilitarianism faces independent problems, since it too requires a threshold, which Chung bases on the idea of ‘adequate functioning’. The article shows that there are problems with this as a threshold, and that it is not empirically supported by prospect theory.
Anxiety, depressive, and somatoform disorders in children and adolescents referred to paediatric cardiology with somatic symptoms
Authors: Gumus Yusuf Yasin , Senturk Ekrem
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Chest pain, palpitations, and syncope are among the most common referrals to paediatric cardiology. These symptoms generally have a non-cardiac aetiology in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of common psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents referred to the paediatric cardiology clinic with chest pain, palpitations, and syncope and the relationship between cardiological symptoms and psychiatric disorders.

Methods:

Children and adolescents aged 8–16 years who presented at the paediatric cardiology clinic with primary complaints of chest pain, palpitation, or syncope were included in the study. After a detailed cardiology examination, psychiatric disorders were assessed using the DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria and a semi-structured interview scale (KSADS-PL). The Child Depression Inventory and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children were also applied to assess the severity of anxiety and depression.

Results:

The study participants comprised 73 (68.90%) girls and 33 (31.10%) boys with a mean age of 12.5 ± 2.4 years. Psychiatric disorders were determined in a total of 48 (45.3%) participants; 24 (38.7%) in the chest pain group, 12 (48.0%) in the palpitation group, and 12 (63.2%) in the syncope group. Cardiological disease was detected in 17% of the cases, and the total frequencies of psychiatric disorders (p = 0.045) were higher in patients with cardiological disease.

Conclusion:

It is clinically important to know that the frequency of psychiatric disorders is high in patients presenting at paediatric cardiology with chest pain, palpitations, and syncope. Physicians should be aware of patients’ psychiatric problems and take a biopsychosocial approach in the evaluation of somatic symptoms.
Constitutional catallaxy and indigenous rights: the Australian case
Authors: Novak Mikayla
Published: July 2022

This paper interrogates certain contractarian theoretical presumptions concerning the development and maintenance of political constitutions. Specifically, the extent to which constitutional agreement is said to be inclusive of all persons affected by the activation of proposed provisions, and the extent to which such provisions remain agreeable, is critically appraised. For example, rectifying historical exclusions of indigenous peoples from constitutional agreement procedures, and the constitutional accommodation of demands for racial equality and recognition of indigenous rights, presents as an important motivation for constitutional change in actually existing societies. The objective of this paper is to interpret constitutional developments on matters of indigenous rights as the manifestation of complex, adaptive arrangements, instituted by actions seeking to restructure political rules and reframe the boundaries of permissible political action. Taking the Australian case, this paper illustrates how acts of constitutional entrepreneurship by indigenous groups have contributed to constitutional changes such as racially non-discriminatory treatment and recognition of indigenous governance. Entrepreneurship is seen as a part of broader endogenous processes reshaping constitutions, including constitutional arbitrage by activists between legislatures and judiciaries, and mobilizing popular support for indigenous rights. The framework presented in this paper extends constitutional political economy insights regarding the evolution of basic political institutions.
Bunte Teams brauchen Führung
Authors: Varnhagen Carsten
Published: July 2022

Was ist zu diesem Thema bereits bekannt?

Ohne internationale Pflegefachkräfte kommt das Gesundheitswesen mittelfristig nicht aus.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebaut?

Die Führungskraft ist die Schlüsselfunktion im interkulturellen Management. Diese komplexe Aufgabe kann sie nur umsetzen, wenn sie adäquat darauf vorbereitet wird.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Das Aufgabengebiet von Führungskräften wird immer komplexer. Führungskräfte sind auf die Führung diverser Teams durch interkulturelles Training vorzubereiten, um Misserfolge der Integration sowie Fluktuation zu vermeiden.
Ganz normal?!
Authors: Wolfensberger Peter , Weber Patrick
Published: July 2022

Was ist zum Thema bereits bekannt?

Gesellschaftliche Veränderungen und entsprechende rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen haben für queere Menschen das Leben in vielen Bereichen verbessert. Trotzdem sind Homo- und Transphobie immer noch verbreitet.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht?

Sichtbarkeit und persönliche Geschichten, sowie eine reflektierte Auseinandersetzung sind notwendig, um queeren Menschen im Alltag Sicherheit und Wohlbefinden zu ermöglichen.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Gesundheitsfachpersonen haben eine Verantwortung, den Lebenswelten queerer Menschen adäquat zu begegnen.
Stabile Seitenlage für die Seele
Authors: Himstedt Philipp , Maltese Simona , Send Tabea , Deuschle Michael
Published: July 2022

Was ist zu diesem Thema bereits bekannt?

MHFA Ersthelfer-Kurse steigern das Wissen und die Fertigkeiten von Lai_innen im Umgang mit Betroffenen von psychischen Gesundheitsproblemen.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht?

Das Empowerment von nahestehenden Personen von Betroffenen ist ein wichtiger Ansatzpunkt in der Frühintervention psychischer Gesundheitsprobleme.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Psychische Gesundheitsprobleme sollen entstigmatisiert sowie von Betroffenen und deren Umfeld besser verstanden und früher erkannt werden. Die Latenzzeit bis zum Aufsuchen des professionellen Hilfesystems soll verringert werden.
Progress Toward the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Perkins Krystal M. , Kurtiş Tuğçe , Velazquez Luis
Published: July 2022

Abstract. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an assemblage of interwoven goals intended to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030” ( United Nations, 2020 ). The SDGs have been the subject of extensive research and debate, particularly regarding their feasibility and global applicability in our COVID-19 world. This research considered the question of progress toward sustainable development from the perspective of professionals involved in sustainability education and movements across diverse Global South settings. Participants emphasized three key themes: the role of poverty in sustainability efforts and challenges within the Global South, shortcomings of Global North-based notions and strategies of development, and the importance of local knowledge derived from Global South perspectives. The discussion considers more emancipatory possibilities for sustainable and just living.
Mental Health and Perceived Awareness of the South Asian Indian Community During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lad Sagar S. , Bhakta Saajan , Hira Veena
Published: July 2022

Abstract. The scope of the United Nations Development Programme (2019) emphasizes combating adaptive challenges, building resilience, and sustainability. This systematic review offers a range of perspectives through an in-depth overview of existing literature on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the psychological impact it is having on the South Asian community in India. The selected studies focused on COVID-19 were mixed; however, the consensus among articles had themes relating to fear, stress, and anxiety. The results yielded 17 unique articles. Overall, the review supports the understanding of challenges related to mental healthcare and the attitudes and awareness of South Asians toward the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aims to assist healthcare providers to be better informed on the impact of COVID-19 on South Asians.
Deep Geological Controls on Formation of the Highest‐Grade Uranium Deposits in the World: Magnetotelluric Imaging of Unconformity‐Related Systems From the Athabasca Basin, Canada
Authors: Tschirhart V. , Potter E. G. , Powell J. W. , Roots E. A. , Craven J. A.
Published: July 2022

Unconformity‐related uranium (URU) deposits in the Athabasca Basin, Canada, include the highest grade, large tonnage deposits in the world. Recent studies of the Patterson Lake corridor uranium deposits suggest a deep heat source enhances hydrothermal fluid flow and incursion of basinal brines along brittlely reactivated ductile shear zones. However, the spatial extent of the ore systems and lower crustal features capable of driving the hydrothermal cells remained largely unresolved. Three‐dimensional electrical conductivity models derived from inversion of magnetotelluric data and coincident gravity modeling identified a voluminous conductivity anomaly and corresponding gravity low related to a belt of high‐heat producing intrusions that dips below the deposit. Shallow conductive bodies are identified below the deposits and similarly prospective corridors. The volume and location of the intrusive bodies may have provided a source of radiogenic heat that helped drive remobilization of fluids along reactivated structures, redefining the spatial extent of URU systems.
Aquatic and Terrestrial Plant Contributions to Sedimentary Plant Waxes in a Modern Arctic Lake Setting
Authors: Hollister Kayla V. , Thomas Elizabeth K. , Raynolds Martha K. , Bültmann Helga , Raberg Jonathan H. , Miller Gifford H. , Sepúlveda Julio
Published: July 2022

Sedimentary plant waxδ2H values are common proxies for hydrology, a poorly constrained variable in the Arctic. However, it can be difficult to distinguish plant waxes derived from aquatic versus terrestrial plants, causing uncertainty in climate interpretations. We test the hypothesis that Arctic lake sediment mid‐ and long‐chain plant waxes derive from aquatic and terrestrial plants, respectively. We comparen‐alkanoic acid andn‐alkane chain‐length distributions andn‐alkanoic acidδ2H andδ13C values of the 29 most abundant modern plant taxa to those for soils, water filtrates, and lake sediments in the Qaupat Lake (QPT) catchment, Nunavut, Canada. Chain length distributions are variable among terrestrial plants, but similar and dominated by mid‐chain waxes among submerged/floating aquatic plants. Sedimentary wax distributions are similar to those in submerged/floating aquatic plants and toSalixspp., which are among the most abundant terrestrial plants in the QPT catchment. Mid‐chainn‐alkanoic acidδ2H values are similar in sediments and submerged/floating aquatic plants, but 50‰ lower thanSalixspp. In contrast, sedimentary long‐chainn‐alkanoic acidδ2H values fall between those for submerged/floating aquatic plants andSalixspp. We therefore infer that mid‐chain waxes in QPT are primarily from aquatic plants, whereas long‐chain waxes are from a mix of terrestrial and aquatic plants. In Arctic lakes like QPT, terrestrial wax transport via leaf litter and surface flow is limited by low‐lying topography and sparse vegetation. If these lakes also have abundant aquatic plants growing near the sediment‐water interface, the aquatic plants can contribute large portions of sedimentary waxes.
Cell-type specific changes in PKC-delta neurons of the central amygdala during alcohol withdrawal
Authors: Dilly Geoffrey A. , Kittleman Cory W. , Kerr Tony M. , Messing Robert O. , Mayfield R. Dayne
Published: July 2022

The central amygdala (CeA) contains a diverse population of cells, including multiple subtypes of GABAergic neurons, along with glia and epithelial cells. Specific CeA cell types have been shown to affect alcohol consumption in animal models of dependence and may be involved in negative affect during alcohol withdrawal. We used single-nuclei RNA sequencing to determine cell-type specificity of differential gene expression in the CeA induced by alcohol withdrawal. Cells within the CeA were classified using unbiased clustering analyses and identified based on the expression of known marker genes. Differential gene expression analysis was performed on each identified CeA cell-type. It revealed differential gene expression in astrocytes and GABAergic neurons associated with alcohol withdrawal. GABAergic neurons were further subclassified into 13 clusters of cells. Analyzing transcriptomic responses in these subclusters revealed that alcohol exposure induced multiple differentially expressed genes in one subtype of CeA GABAergic neurons, the protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) expressing neurons. These results suggest that PKCδ neurons in the CeA may be uniquely sensitive to the effects of alcohol exposure and identify a novel population of cells in CeA associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Disruption of tubulin-alpha4a polyglutamylation prevents aggregation of hyper-phosphorylated tau and microglia activation in mice
Authors: Hausrat Torben Johann , Janiesch Philipp C. , Breiden Petra , Lutz David , Hoffmeister-Ullerich Sabine , Hermans-Borgmeyer Irm , Failla Antonio Virgilio , Kneussel Matthias
Published: July 2022

Dissociation of hyper-phosphorylated Tau from neuronal microtubules and its pathological aggregates, are hallmarks in the etiology of tauopathies. The Tau-microtubule interface is subject to polyglutamylation, a reversible posttranslational modification, increasing negative charge at tubulin C-terminal tails. Here, we asked whether tubulin polyglutamylation may contribute to Tau pathology in vivo. Since polyglutamylases modify various proteins other than tubulin, we generated a knock-in mouse carrying gene mutations to abolish Tuba4a polyglutamylation in a substrate-specific manner. We found that Tuba4a lacking C-terminal polyglutamylation prevents the binding of Tau and GSK3 kinase to neuronal microtubules, thereby strongly reducing phospho-Tau levels. Notably, crossbreeding of the Tuba4a knock-in mouse with the hTau tauopathy model, expressing a human Tau transgene, reversed hyper-phosphorylation and oligomerization of Tau and normalized microglia activation in brain. Our data highlight tubulin polyglutamylation as a potential therapeutic strategy in fighting tauopathies.
Drivers and trends of global soil microbial carbon over two decades
Authors: Patoine Guillaume , Eisenhauer Nico , Cesarz Simone , Phillips Helen R. P. , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhang Lihua , Guerra Carlos A.
Published: July 2022

Soil microorganisms are central to sustain soil functions and services, like carbon and nutrient cycling. Currently, we only have a limited understanding of the spatial-temporal dynamics of soil microorganisms, restricting our ability to assess long-term effects of climate and land-cover change on microbial roles in soil biogeochemistry. This study assesses the temporal trends in soil microbial biomass carbon and identifies the main drivers of biomass change regionally and globally to detect the areas sensitive to these environmental factors. Here, we combined a global soil microbial biomass carbon data set, random forest modelling, and environmental layers to predict spatial-temporal dynamics of microbial biomass carbon stocks from 1992 to 2013. Soil microbial biomass carbon stocks decreased globally by 3.4 ± 3.0% (mean ± 95% CI) between 1992 and 2013 for the predictable regions, equivalent to 149 Mt being lost over the period, or ~1‰ of soil C. Northern areas with high soil microbial carbon stocks experienced the strongest decrease, mostly driven by increasing temperatures. In contrast, land-cover change was a weaker global driver of change in microbial carbon, but had, in some cases, important regional effects.
A long-term reconstructed TROPOMI solar-induced fluorescence dataset using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Chen Xingan , Huang Yuefei , Nie Chong , Zhang Shuo , Wang Guangqian , Chen Shiliu , Chen Zhichao
Published: July 2022

Photosynthesis is a key process linking carbon and water cycles, and satellite-retrieved solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) can be a valuable proxy for photosynthesis. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on the Copernicus Sentinel-5P mission enables significant improvements in providing high spatial and temporal resolution SIF observations, but the short temporal coverage of the data records has limited its applications in long-term studies. This study uses machine learning to reconstruct TROPOMI SIF (RTSIF) over the 2001–2020 period in clear-sky conditions with high spatio-temporal resolutions (0.05° 8-day). Our machine learning model achieves high accuracies on the training and testing datasets (R2 = 0.907, regression slope = 1.001). The RTSIF dataset is validated against TROPOMI SIF and tower-based SIF, and compared with other satellite-derived SIF (GOME-2 SIF and OCO-2 SIF). Comparing RTSIF with Gross Primary Production (GPP) illustrates the potential of RTSIF for estimating gross carbon fluxes. We anticipate that this new dataset will be valuable in assessing long-term terrestrial photosynthesis and constraining the global carbon budget and associated water fluxes.
Development of a rapid in vitro pre-screen for distinguishing effective liposome-adjuvant delivery systems
Authors: Feather Laura A. J. , Nadella Vinod , Kastner Elisabeth , Perrie Yvonne , Hilton Anthony C. , Devitt Andrew
Published: July 2022

Liposomes are a strong supporting tool in vaccine technology, as they are a versatile system that not only act as antigen delivery systems but also adjuvants that can be highly effective at stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Their ability to induce cell-mediated immunity makes their use in vaccines a useful tool in the development of novel, more effective vaccines against intracellular infections (e.g. HIV, malaria and tuberculosis). Currently, screening of novel liposome formulations uses murine in vivo models which generate data that often correlates poorly with human data. In addition, these models are both high cost and low throughput, making them prohibitive for large scale screening of formulation libraries. This study uses the cationic liposome formulation DDA:TDB (known as cationic adjuvant formulation 01 (CAF01)), as a lead formulation, along with other liposome formulations of known in vivo efficacy to develop an in vitro screening tool for liposome formulation development. THP-1-derived macrophages were the model antigen presenting cell used to assess the ability of the liposome formulations to attract, associate with and activate antigen presenting cells in vitro, crucial steps necessary for an effective immune response to antigen. By using a combination of in vitro functions, the study highlights the potential use of an in vitro screening tool, to predict the in vivo efficacy of novel liposome formulations. CAF01 was predicted as the most effective liposome formulation when assessing all in vitro functions and a measure of in vitro activation was able to predict 80% of the liposome correctly for their ability to induce an in vivo IFN-ү response.
Scaling quantum approximate optimization on near-term hardware
Authors: Lotshaw Phillip C. , Nguyen Thien , Santana Anthony , McCaskey Alexander , Herrman Rebekah , Ostrowski James , Siopsis George , Humble Travis S.
Published: July 2022

The quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) is an approach for near-term quantum computers to potentially demonstrate computational advantage in solving combinatorial optimization problems. However, the viability of the QAOA depends on how its performance and resource requirements scale with problem size and complexity for realistic hardware implementations. Here, we quantify scaling of the expected resource requirements by synthesizing optimized circuits for hardware architectures with varying levels of connectivity. Assuming noisy gate operations, we estimate the number of measurements needed to sample the output of the idealized QAOA circuit with high probability. We show the number of measurements, and hence total time to solution, grows exponentially in problem size and problem graph degree as well as depth of the QAOA ansatz, gate infidelities, and inverse hardware graph degree. These problems may be alleviated by increasing hardware connectivity or by recently proposed modifications to the QAOA that achieve higher performance with fewer circuit layers.
Theoretical characterisation of electron tunnelling from granular activated carbon to electron accepting organisms in direct interspecies electron transfer
Authors: Rao Rohan , Hu Jing , Lee Po-Heng
Published: July 2022

Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) has been identified as an efficient metabolism between symbiotically interacting organisms. One method of DIET uses conductive materials (e.g., granular activated carbon (GAC)) as a medium to shuttle electrons from electron donating organisms (eg., Geobacter metallireducens) to electron accepting organisms (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens and Methanosarcina barkeri). Conductive materials such as GAC, become negatively charged in DIET processes due to reduction by electron donating organisms. This high excess electron density in GAC leads to quantum tunnelling of electrons being a significant electron transfer mechanism for DIET. Thus, a theoretical model obeying the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approximation and Fermi–Dirac statistics was developed and simulated. In the model, the electron tunnelling transfer barrier was described by an effective rectangular barrier. The result of our 1D tunnelling simulations indicates that within 29.4 nm of the GAC, tunnelling can sufficiently supply electrons from GAC to G. sulfurreducens and M. barkeri. The phenomenon of tunnelling may also have significance as a stimulant of chemotaxis for G. sulfurreducens and other electron accepting microbes when attempting to adsorb onto GAC. This study sheds light on quantum tunnelling’s significant potential in both bacterium and archaeon DIET-centric processes.
Cone penetration index for soil behaviour type prediction
Authors: Sodré Denilson José Ribeiro
Published: July 2022

Several approaches have been proposed to classify soil types using both cone and piezocone penetration tests. The chart relating the normalized cone resistance (Qtn) and the friction ratio (Fr) has proven to be the most reliable method. However, its practical use requires function fitting, where the chart is described by means of a soil behaviour type index. The currently available indexes for this chart, based on concentric circles and hyperbolas, lead to significant errors. Thus, to properly represent theQtn–Frchart, this study proposes new soil behaviour type indexes based on an analytical approach from a concentric logarithmic spiral approximation and a numerical approach from an exponential function approximation. The new indexes provide an improvement in the reproduction of the soil type zones while preserving the robustness of the original method. A discussion on the cone penetration test-based soil type classification is presented, along with a case example comparing the soil behaviour indexes in soil profiling.
Subduction age and stress state control on seismicity in the NW Pacific subducting plate
Authors: Pino Nicola Alessandro , Convertito Vincenzo , Godano Cataldo , Piromallo Claudia
Published: July 2022

Intermediate depth (70–300 km) and deep (> 300 km) earthquakes have always been puzzling Earth scientists: their occurrence is a paradox, since the ductile behavior of rocks and the high confining pressure with increasing depths would theoretically preclude brittle failure and frictional sliding. The mechanisms proposed to explain deep earthquakes, mainly depending on the subducting plate age and stress state, are generally expressed by single parameters, unsuitable to comprehensively account for differences among distinct subduction zones or within the same slab. We analyze the Kurile and Izu–Bonin intraslab seismicity and detail the Gutenberg–Richter b-value along the subducted planes, interpreting its variation in terms of stress state, analogously to what usually done for shallow earthquakes. We demonstrate that, despite the slabs different properties (e.g., lithospheric age, stress state, dehydration rate), in both cases deep earthquakes are restricted to depths characterized by equal age from subduction initiation and are driven by stress regimes affected by the persistence of the metastable olivine wedge.
Repatriation of a historical North Atlantic right whale habitat during an era of rapid climate change
Authors: O’Brien O. , Pendleton D. E. , Ganley L. C. , McKenna K. R. , Kenney R. D. , Quintana-Rizzo E. , Mayo C. A. , Kraus S. D. , Redfern J. V.
Published: July 2022

Climate change is affecting species distributions in space and time. In the Gulf of Maine, one of the fastest-warming marine regions on Earth, rapid warming has caused prey-related changes in the distribution of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis). Concurrently, right whales have returned to historically important areas such as southern New England shelf waters, an area known to have been a whaling ground. We compared aerial survey data from two time periods (2013–2015; 2017–2019) to assess trends in right whale abundance in the region during winter and spring. Using distance sampling techniques, we chose a hazard rate key function to model right whale detections and used seasonal encounter rates to estimate abundance. The mean log of abundance increased by 1.40 annually between 2013 and 2019 (p = 0.004), and the mean number of individuals detected per year increased by 2.23 annually between 2013 and 2019 (R2 = 0.69, p = 0.001). These results demonstrate the current importance of this habitat and suggest that management options must continually evolve as right whales repatriate historical habitats and potentially expand to new habitats as they adapt to climate change.
Association of serum s-adenosylmethionine, s-adenosylhomocysteine, and their ratio with the risk of dementia and death in a community
Authors: Mihara Akane , Ohara Tomoyuki , Hata Jun , Chen Sanmei , Honda Takanori , Tamrakar Sonam , Isa Akiko , Wang Dongmei , Shimizu Kuniyoshi , Katakura Yoshinori , Yonemoto Koji , Nakao Tomohiro , Kitazono Takanari , Ninomiya Toshiharu
Published: July 2022

We examined the association of serum s-adenosylmethionine (SAM), s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) (methionine metabolites), and their ratio on the risk of dementia and death in a community-dwelling population of older Japanese individuals. 1371 residents of Hisayama, Japan, aged 65 years or older and without dementia, were followed for a median of 10.2 years (2007–2017). We divided serum SAM, SAH, and SAM/SAH ratio into quartiles. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of serum SAM, SAH, and SAM/SAH ratio levels on the risk of a composite outcome of all-cause dementia or death, and each outcome. During the follow-up, 635 participants developed all-cause dementia and/or died, of which 379 participants developed dementia and 394 deaths occurred. The multivariable-adjusted HRs of the composite outcome decreased significantly with increasing serum SAM levels (Pfor trend = 0.01), while they increased significantly with higher serum SAH levels (Pfor trend = 0.03). Higher serum SAM/SAH ratio levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of the composite outcome (Pfor trend = 0.002), as well as with lower risk of each outcome. Our findings suggest that the balance of methionine metabolites may closely associate with the risk of dementia and death.
APOA1 mRNA and protein in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma correlate with the disease outcome
Authors: Zeng Wei , Xiong Guoguang , Hua Li , Hu Yugang , Guo Xufeng , Peng Xiulan
Published: July 2022

Renal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors with high mortality, and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is the most common type of renal cancer. We attempted to evaluate the clinical and prognostic significance of Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) mRNA and protein in KIRC patients. Clinical data along with RNA-sequencing data were downloaded from UCSC Xena. The Human Protein Atlas database was searched to reveal APOA1 protein expression profiles in KIRC and normal renal tissues. The TIMER database was applied to determine the correlations of APOA1 with immune cells and PD-1 and PD-L1 in KIRC. Ninety-one cases of KIRC patients and 93 healthy controls from our hospital were enrolled for clinical validation. Levels of APOA1 mRNA in KIRC tissues (N = 535) are not only lower than the levels in normal renal tissues (N = 117), but also in paired normal renal tissues (N = 72). High expression of APOA1 mRNA at the time of surgery was correlated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR 1.66; p = 0.037) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 1.65; p = 0.047), and APOA1 DNA methylation was linked to worse OS (HR 2.1; p = 0.001) rather than DFS (HR 1.12; p = 0.624) in KIRC patients. Concentrations of preoperative serum APOA1 protein were markedly decreased in KIRC patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01), and low levels of APOA1 protein predicted less favorable OS than those with high levels (HR = 2.84, p = 0.0407). APOA1 negatively correlated with various immune cell infiltrates and PD-L1 expression (r = − 0.283, p = 2.74e−11) according to the TIMER database. Low levels of APOA1 mRNA at the time of surgery predict favorable survival in KIRC patients. Our results provide insights to identify a novel prognostic index with great clinical utility.
Wildfire plumes in the Western US are reaching greater heights and injecting more aerosols aloft as wildfire activity intensifies
Authors: Wilmot Taylor Y. , Mallia Derek V. , Hallar A. Gannet , Lin John C.
Published: July 2022

By producing a first-of-its-kind, decadal-scale wildfire plume rise climatology in the Western U.S. and Canada, we identify trends toward enhanced plume top heights, aerosol loading aloft, and near-surface smoke injection throughout the American West. Positive and significant plume trends suggest a growing impact of Western US wildfires on air quality at the local to continental scales and support the notion that wildfires may have an increasing impact on regional climate. Overlap of identified trends with regions of increasing wildfire emissions and burn severity suggests a link to climate driven trends toward enhanced wildfire activity. Further, time series of plume activity point to a possible acceleration of trends over recent years, such that the future impacts to air quality and regional climate may exceed those suggested by a linear fit to the multi-decadal data. These findings have significant implications for human health and exacerbate concern for the climate–wildfire connection.
Impact of an electronic alert system for pediatric sepsis screening a tertiary hospital experience
Authors: Alturki Abdullah , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , Alfayez Ali , Bendahmash Abdulrahman , Aljofan Fahad , Alanzi Fawaz , Alsubaie Hadeel , Alabdulsalam Moath , Alayed Tareq , Alofisan Tariq , Alnajem Afnan
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to assess the potential impact of implementing an electronic alert system (EAS) for systemic inflammatory syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis in pediatric patients mortality. This retrospective study had a pre and post design. We enrolled patients aged ≤ 14 years who were diagnosed with sepsis/severe sepsis upon admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our tertiary hospital from January 2014 to December 2018. We implemented an EAS for the patients with SIRS/sepsis. The patients who met the inclusion criteria pre-EAS implementation comprised the control group, and the group post-EAS implementation was the experimental group. Mortality was the primary outcome, while length of stay (LOS) and mechanical ventilation in the first hour were the secondary outcomes. Of the 308 enrolled patients, 147 were in the pre-EAS group and 161 in the post-EAS group. In terms of mortality, 44 patients in the pre-EAS group and 28 in the post-EAS group died (p 0.011). The average LOS in the PICU was 7.9 days for the pre-EAS group and 6.8 days for the post-EAS group (p 0.442). Considering the EAS initiation time as the “zero time”, early recognition of SIRS and sepsis via the EAS led to faster treatment interventions in post-EAS group, which included fluid boluses with median (25th, 75th percentile) time of 107 (37, 218) min vs. 30 (11,112) min, p < 0.001) and time to initiate antimicrobial therapy median (25th, 75th percentile) of 170.5 (66,320) min vs. 131 (53,279) min, p 0.042). The difference in mechanical ventilation in the first hour of admission was not significant between the groups (25.17% vs. 24.22%, p 0.895). The implementation of the EAS resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the mortality rate among the patients admitted to the PICU in our study. An EAS can play an important role in saving lives and subsequent reduction in healthcare costs. Further enhancement of systematic screening is therefore highly recommended to improve the prognosis of pediatric SIRS and sepsis. The implementation of the EAS, warrants further validation in multicenter or national studies.
Cell-free DNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is an emerging marker of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Shao Jianming , Wang Sihan , West-Szymanski Diana , Karpus Jason , Shah Shilpan , Ganguly Siddhartha , Smith Janice , Zu Youli , He Chuan , Li Zejuan
Published: July 2022

Aberrant changes in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) are a unique epigenetic feature in many cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, genome-wide analysis of 5hmC in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) remains unexploited in AML patients. We used a highly sensitive and robust nano-5hmC-Seal technology and profiled genome-wide 5hmC distribution in 239 plasma cfDNA samples from 103 AML patients and 81 non-cancer controls. We developed a 5hmC diagnostic model that precisely differentiates AML patients from controls with high sensitivity and specificity. We also developed a 5hmC prognostic model that accurately predicts prognosis in AML patients. High weighted prognostic scores (wp-scores) in AML patients were significantly associated with adverse overall survival (OS) in both training (P = 3.31e−05) and validation (P = 0.000464) sets. The wp-score was also significantly associated with genetic risk stratification and displayed dynamic changes with varied disease burden. Moreover, we found that high wp-scores in a single gene, BMS1 and GEMIN5 predicted OS in AML patients in both the training set (P = 0.023 and 0.031, respectively) and validation set (P = 9.66e−05 and 0.011, respectively). Lastly, our study demonstrated the genome-wide landscape of DNA hydroxymethylation in AML and revealed critical genes and pathways related to AML diagnosis and prognosis. Our data reveal plasma cfDNA 5hmC signatures as sensitive and accurate markers for AML diagnosis and prognosis. Plasma cfDNA 5hmC analysis will be an effective and minimally invasive tool for AML management.
Net greenhouse gas balance with cover crops in semi-arid irrigated cropping systems
Authors: Acharya Pramod , Ghimire Rajan , Paye Wooiklee S. , Ganguli Amy C. , DelGrosso Stephen J.
Published: July 2022

Climate smart agriculture has been emphasized for mitigating anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yet the mitigation potential of individual management practices remain largely unexplored in semi-arid cropping systems. This study evaluated the effects of different winter cover crop mixtures on CO2 and N2O emissions, net GHG balance (GHGnet), greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), yield-scaled GHG emissions, and soil properties in irrigated forage corn (Zea mays L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) rotations. Four cover crop treatments: (1) grasses, brassicas, and legumes mixture (GBL), (2) grasses and brassicas mixture (GB), (3) grasses and legumes mixture (GL), and (4) a no-cover crop (NCC) control, each replicated four times under corn and sorghum phase of the rotations, were tested in the semi-arid Southern Great Plains of USA. Results showed 5–10 times higher soil respiration with cover crop mixtures than NCC during the cover crop phase and no difference during the cash crop phase. The average N2O-N emission in NCC was 44% lower than GL and 77% lower than GBL in corn and sorghum rotations. Cash crop yield was 13–30% greater in cover crop treatments than NCC, but treatment effects were not observed for GHGnet, yield-scaled emissions, and GHGI. Integrating cover crops could be a climate smart strategy for forage production in irrigated semi-arid agroecosystems.
Post-extraction Processes: Improvement of Functional Characteristics of Extracts
Authors: Rodríguez-Rojo Soraya , Moreno Teresa , Gonçalves Vanessa S. S. , Martín Ángel , Navarrete Alexander , Cocero María José
Published: July 2022

The biological activity of natural extracts is not only determined by their chemical composition. Other parameters, such as the physical characteristics of the product (particle size and morphology, crystalline/amorphous structure) as well as the combination of the active extract with carriers or co-active materials, play a major role. With this perspective, post-extraction and formulation methods are described in this chapter. Elimination of residual solvents and other contaminants as required by the regulations for commercialization is discussed first. Particle reduction techniques are presented next; they are essential both for obtaining a desired product size and morphology, as well as for increasing the bioavailability of active compounds with limited solubility in water. Formulation processes, which are used to protect sensitive active compounds, or for providing additional functionalities to the product, are also presented. The techniques discussed include top-down milling and homogenization processes, and bottom-up crystallization, emulsion-template, spray-drying, and supercritical fluid processes, to produce micro or nanoparticles, microcapsules, or microcomposites, as well as multifunctional nanocarriers such as micelles or liposomes. Finally, the formulation of quercetin and grape polyphenols as important natural antioxidants for a variety of applications as a food supplement and cosmetic ingredient are presented as case studies, with a special focus on the improvement of bioavailability and stability of the active compounds.
Nanomechanical analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants and predictions of infectiousness and lethality
Authors: Hu Yiwen , Buehler Markus J.
Published: July 2022

This work uses nanomechanics and nanodynamics to bridge the gap between structure and function of coronavirus, reporting a predictive model that associates vibrational patterns of the virus spike protein with infectiousness and lethality.
An application of miniaturized electrochemical sensing for determination of arsenic in herbal medicines
Authors: Khamcharoen Wisarut , Duchda Phichanan , Songsrirote Kriangsak , Ratanawimarnwong Nuanlaorr , Limchoowong Nunticha , Jittangprasert Piyada , Mantim Thitirat , Siangproh Weena
Published: July 2022

A simple analytical assay is performed on a screen-printed graphene electrode for in situ electrochemical modification and successive determination of arsenic using only a single drop of a mixture between Au(iii) and the sample solution.
The effect of the addition of various species of mushrooms on the physicochemical and sensory properties of semolina pasta
Authors: Szydłowska-Tutaj Magdalena , Złotek Urszula , Wójtowicz Agnieszka , Combrzyński Maciej
Published: July 2022

Supplementation with dried mushrooms increased the nutritional value of enriched pasta.
Structure-based discovery of potent inhibitors of Axl: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation
Authors: Wu Shuang , Liao Min , Li Minxiong , Sun Mingming , Xi Ning , Zeng Youlin
Published: July 2022

Commonly overexpressed in many cancers and associated with tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and poor overall survival, Axl has emerged as a promising target for cancer therapy.
Computational aspects to design iridium complexes as emitters for OLEDs
Authors: Savitha Lakshmi M. , Mahalakshmi S.
Published: July 2022

Depiction of red, green and blue emitters along with energy level diagram.
Inkjet printing of two-dimensional van der Waals materials: a new route towards emerging electronic device applications
Authors: Cho Kyungjune , Lee Takhee , Chung Seungjun
Published: July 2022

This review covers two-dimensional vdW material-based functional inks and their emerging electronic applications.
Synthesis of well-defined linear–bottlebrush–linear triblock copolymer towards architecturally-tunable soft materials
Authors: Asadi Vahid , Li Xuecong , Ruggeri Francesco Simone , Zuilhof Han , van der Gucht Jasper , Kodger Thomas E.
Published: July 2022

A new method is discussed to synthesize linear–bottlebrush–linear polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane-block-polystyrene triblock copolymer via “grafting onto” approach with well-defined and tunable architectural parameters.
Biomimetic formation of fluorapatite nanorods in confinement and the opposite effects of additives on the crystallization kinetics
Authors: Cai Meng , Song Haoyue , Wang Qihang , Zou Zhaoyong , Fu Zhengyi
Published: July 2022

FAP nanorods are crystallized from ACP nanorods within confinement via a solid-state transformation pathway and additives show opposite effects on the crystallization rate.
Asymmetric epoxidation of enones: effect of surfactants, radical scavengers and morphology of catalysts on reaction rates, chemical yields and enantioselectivities in phase-transfer catalysis
Authors: Lee Geumwoo , Lee Jeong-Hee , Lee Jaeyong , Ha Min Woo , Kim Mi-hyun , Hong Suckchang , Park Hyeung-geun
Published: July 2022

Highly enantioselective epoxidation of enones has been accomplished with asymmetric phase-transfer catalysis using Cinchona alkaloid-derived meta-dimer catalysts.