bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digging into boring bryozoans: new characters and new species of Immergentiidae
Authors: Johnson Mildred J. , Saadi Ahmed J. , Kuklinski Piotr , Smith Abigail M. , López-Gappa Juan , Schwaha Thomas
Published: June 2024

Immergentia is an endolithic genus of ctenostome bryozoans and the sole member of the Immergentiidae. Etchings of their typical spindled-shaped and sometimes enantiomorphic borehole aperture in calcium carbonate substrates are accomplished by chemical dissolution. The tentacle crown of the bryozoan is essentially the only body part that extends beyond the shell surface when protruded. Previously, species were mainly described using external colony and zooidal characteristics or whole mounts, with partial histological sections conducted on a single species in 1947. Modern approaches, however, are hitherto missing. We examined the soft body morphology of Immergentia from different locations with confocal laser scanning microscopy and the production of 3D reconstructions. In addition, zooidal characteristics such as tentacle number, size, tubulets, and interzooidal distances were used to distinguish and describe species. The combination of conventional and modern methods revealed the presence of a cardiac constrictor and intercalary kenozooids that can interpose between the cystid appendages, something not previously reported in immergentiids, thus necessitating an amendment of the family diagnosis. The polypide typically has eight to ten tentacles, and the anus is positioned in the low or mid-lophophoral area. In addition, sequence data, including the mitogenome and the nuclear ribosomal genes (18S and 28S) of four species from five locations, are presented for the first time. Based on molecular and morphological data, a novel intertidal immergentiid from France, Immergentia stephanieae sp. nov., and a subtidal species from New Zealand, I. pohowskii sp. nov., are described. This work supplements the rather sparse existing knowledge on Immergentiidae and proposes additional characteristics to complement existing descriptions in order to enhance future species identification.
Technomolecular flows in coastal cities: an anthropological approach to new materialist ethics of the anthropogenic microscale
Authors: Acosta Raúl
Published: June 2024

Urban life is crisscrossed and affected by events and matter in various scales, of which the microscopic has been only partly addressed in scholarship and policymaking. In this article, I propose that it is urgent to incorporate new materialist ethics for a better urban governance of technomolecular flows, that is the multiple ways anthropogenically induced microscopic elements are affecting cities. Chemicals, minerals, fungi, viruses, bacteria, and other forms of life and matter affect human and environmental health as well as the shape and materials of the built environment. Coastal cities are particularly prone to such flows of chemical-, mineral- and bio-materials because of their location between sea and land. Existing legal and institutional frameworks tend to lag behind the uses of microscopic elements by industry and urban dwellers. A new materialist ethics would help rethink institutional architectures and responses to existing entanglements and the emerging risks they pose.
Which Are the Optimal Screening Tools for Internet Use Disorder in Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review of Psychometric Evidence
Authors: Schlossarek Samantha , Hohls Lisa , Schmidt Hannah , Bischof Anja , Bischof Gallus , Brandt Dominique , Borgwardt Stefan , Browne Dillon T. , Christakis Dimitri , Pietra Pamela Hurst-Della , Demetrovics Zsolt , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen
Published: June 2024

Purpose of Review

The early detection of problematic Internet use (PIU) is essential to prevent the development of Internet use disorders (IUD). Although a variety of screening tools have already been developed and validated for this purpose, yet a consensus about optimal IUD assessment is still lacking. In this systematic review, we (i) describe the identified instruments for children and adolescents, (ii) critically examine their psychometric properties, and (iii) derive recommendations for particularly well-validated instruments.

Recent Findings

We conducted a systematic literature search in five databases on January 15, 2024. Of the initial 11,408 references identified, 511 studies were subjected to a full-text analysis resulting in a final inclusion of 70 studies. These studies validated a total of 31 instruments for PIU and IUD, including the Diagnostic Interview for Internet Addiction (DIA), a semi-structured interview. In terms of validation frequency, the Internet Addition Test (IAT) had the largest evidence base, followed by the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Only two of the measures examined were based on the current DSM-5 criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder.

Although no screening instrument was found to be clearly superior, the strongest recommendation can be made for CIUS, and Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2). Overall, the quality of the included studies can only be rated as moderate. The IUD research field would benefit from clear cut-off scores and a clinical validation of (screening) instruments.
Identifying skull fractures after head trauma in infants with ultrasonography: is that possible?
Authors: Filice Riccardo , Miselli Francesca , Guidotti Isotta , Lugli Licia , Palazzi Giovanni , Berardi Alberto , Iughetti Lorenzo
Published: June 2024

Management of pediatric head trauma requires a delicate balance between accuracy and safety, with a dual emphasis on prompt diagnosis while minimizing radiation exposure. Ultrasonography (US) shows promise in this regard. A case study involving a 10-month-old infant with acute right parietal swelling revealed the utility of US in detecting a corresponding hypoechoic lesion, along with an underlying suspected fracture line of the vault and subdural hematoma. Subsequent CT confirmed the fracture, while MRI confirmed the subdural hematoma. At one-month follow-up, MRI demonstrated hematoma reabsorption, while US revealed a bone callus in its advanced phase. Although US is not yet standard practice for pediatric head trauma, its ability to detect fractures in infants suggests its potential role: when a fracture is evident on US, it may serve as an indication to perform neuroimaging. Potentially, adoption of US could contribute to mitigation of children’s exposure to ionizing radiation.
Exploring the Interpersonal Outcomes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training Among Police Employees
Authors: van der Schans Kim Lien , Holland Robert W. , van Damme Jacques , de Snoo Teun-Pieter , Karremans Johan C.
Published: June 2024

Police employees have an essential role in sustaining safety and harmony within communities, and they need to stay well as individuals in order to achieve this. Yet, their stressful work environment does not always afford optimal interpersonal interactions. In collaboration with the Dutch police force, the present project explored the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training on the fostering of constructive interpersonal responses as well as individual well-being among employees of the Dutch police. In total, 133 police employees participated in a non-randomized waitlist controlled MBSR intervention. Participants filled out four online questionnaires spread evenly over a period of six months on constructive interpersonal responses and individual well-being. Linear mixed-effects analyses showed increases on various indicators of constructive interpersonal responding and individual well-being from pre-to post-training. These results were largely maintained at two-month follow-up. Interestingly, the positive effects of mindfulness intervention did not generalize across all measures of constructive interpersonal responding. Moreover, more frequent home practice predicted training benefits. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
The role of border carbon adjustments and subsidies in incentivising investment: comparing equivalence in the context of steel recycling and decarbonisation
Authors: Rossetto Daniel
Published: June 2024

The need to decarbonise has accelerated the quest to find solutions for sectors considered emissions-intensive and trade-exposed. Steel production is one such sector. Policymakers are responding with market-pull and technology-push mechanisms. Risks of carbon leakage have prompted consideration and implementation of border carbon mechanisms. Measures have drawn both positive and negative attention in internationally traded markets. This research quantifies the equivalence of differing measures to promote decarbonisation. It simulates the annual cost-saving equivalent and net present values of different mechanisms in a theoretical conversion to steelmaking with Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology from traditional steel production. It demonstrates that, under certain assumptions including removal of free allocation of emissions certificates, incentives per tonne of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions for carbon pricing and border carbon adjustments lie in the range EUR 18–76 whereas for cost-of-capital support measures it was EUR 24–41 per tCO2e. Whether firms act upon these incentives will depend on appetite for risk, availability of technology, feedstocks, choice they have in making changes and perceived sustainability of the assumptions made in investment analysis. There are implications for regulators, policy makers and managers as they prepare strategies to be competitive in an increasingly carbon-constrained environment.
Modeling landslide susceptibility using alternating decision tree and support vector
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Tang Junfeng , Song Danqing
Published: June 2024

Globally, but especially in the Chinese Loess Plateau, landslides are considered to be one of the most severe and significant geological hazards. The purpose of this study is to design two ensemble machine learning methods, which are denoted as ADTree-Dagging and SVM-Dagging, for modeling landslide susceptibility in Lanzhou City (China). For this aim, the slope units extracted by the curvature watersheds method are used to construct landslide susceptibility modeling, and ten landslide conditioning factors are included in the landslide susceptibility evaluation (altitude, slope angle, slope aspect, cutting depth, surface roughness, relief amplitude, gully density, rainfall, distance to roads, and lithology). The conditioning factors selection and spatial correlation analysis were implemented by using the correlation attribute evaluation method and the frequency ratio model. The comprehensive performance of the models was tested using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), area under the ROC curve (AUC), the root mean square error (RMSE), and several other performance metrics. For the training dataset, the results show that the SVM-Dagging model acquire the largest AUC value (0.953), lowest RMSE (0.3125), highest positive predictive value (96.0%), highest negative predictive value (91.2%), highest sensitivity (91.6%), highest specificity (95.8%), highest accuracy (93.6%), and highest Kappa (0.873). Similar results are observed in the validation dataset. Results demonstrated that the Dagging technique has improved significantly the prediction ability of SVM and ADTree models. The Dagging method can combine different models by leveraging the strengths of each model to create methods with higher flexibility than traditional machine learning methods. Therefore, in this study, the proposed new models can be applied for land-use planning and management of landslide susceptibility in the study area and in other areas containing similar geological conditions.
On the Construction of Admissible Orders for Tuples and Its Application to Imprecise Risk Matrices
Authors: Baz Juan , Martinez Maria , Diaz-Vazquez Susana , Montes Susana
Published: June 2024

The imprecision inherent in human opinions is not properly modeled by crisp numbers. Other more complex structures like intervals or tuples capture better the imprecision of human assessments. This makes them very useful in decision problems. However, they cannot be easily compared. Despite they grasp better decision-makers inaccuracy, the lack of a natural total order for such structures makes the determination of the best alternative a difficult task. In this contribution, we explore how to obtain new total orders for (ordered) tuples paying special attention to admissible orders (total orders that extend the lattice order). The resulting orders are applied to four-dimensional ordered tuples that represent risk assessments in an imprecise environment. In addition, two case studies involving risk matrices in educational transport and the construction of a metro station are also provided.
Evaluation of portable refractometer as an alternative method to biuret assay for measurement of serum total protein in horse
Authors: Andarge Selamawit Solomon , Megerssa Yoseph Cherinet
Published: June 2024

The measurement of serum total protein (TP) is commonly performed by the biuret method. Refractometery which is less expensive and faster method also determines serum protein; however its accuracy is controversial. Therefore the primary objective of this study was to investigate portable refractometer as an alternative method to the biuret assay for measuring total serum proteins in horse serum. Serum from 50 male horses admitted to the society of the protection of animals’ abroad (SPANA) clinic was collected and measurement of serum total protein determined using portable refractometer and biuret method. The statistical differences between both methods were analyzed using a paired t-test and the correlation was determined by spearman correlation test. The results of this study demonstrate that there were no statistically significant variations in the mean total protein measured with the refractometer and biuret method (P > 0.05). The correlation between two methods using spearman correlations revealed high correlation between refractometry and biuret assay measurements of TP concentration r = 0.855. Bland–Altman plots indicated that biases indicating the analytic error was (4/50) 8% which is less than allowable total error for total protein determination (< 10%). Therefore portable refractometery can be used as an alternative to biuret method for serum total protein in horse as it is easy to use, quick turnaround time, and is inexpensive.
What we don't know about what babies know: Reconsidering psychophysics, exploration, and infant behavior
Authors: Adolph Karen E. , Schmuckler Mark A.
Published: June 2024

Researchers must infer “what babies know” based on what babies do. Thus, to maximize information from doing, researchers should use tasks and tools that capture the richness of infants' behaviors. We clarify Gibson's views about the richness of infants' behavior and their exploration in the service of guiding action – what Gibson called “learning about affordances.”
Subseasonal Variability of ENSO–East Asia Teleconnections Driven by Tropical Convection Over the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent
Authors: Park Chang‐Hyun , Son Seok‐Woo
Published: June 2024

The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a significant impact on the surface climate of East Asia by modulating the atmospheric circulation over the Kuroshio Extension. Here, we show that the ENSO–East Asia teleconnections are strongest in early winter due to the combined effects of the Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent convections, but weakest in mid‐winter as these tropical convections weaken. During the early El Niño winter, convection is enhanced over the Indian Ocean and suppressed over the Maritime Continent. The associated Rossby wave trains constructively interfere over the Kuroshio Extension, resulting in anticyclonic circulation anomalies. The equatorial central Pacific convection has a minimal impact on the East Asia. This result suggests that the Indian Ocean and the Maritime Continent convections, rather than the equatorial central Pacific convection, are the precursors of the early winter ENSO–East Asia teleconnections, and need to be considered for subseasonal‐to‐seasonal prediction in East Asia.
Mantle Mineralogy of Reduced Sub‐Earths Exoplanets and Exo‐Mercuries
Authors: Cioria Camilla , Mitri Giuseppe , Connolly James Alexander Denis , Perrillat Jean‐Philippe , Saracino Fabrizio
Published: June 2024

The mineralogy of planetary mantles formed under reducing conditions, as documented in the inner regions of the solar system, is not well constrained. We present thermodynamic models of mineral assemblages that would constitute the mantles of exo‐Mercuries. We investigated reduced materials such as enstatite chondrites, CH, and CB chondrites, and aubrites, as precursor bulk compositions in phase equilibrium modeling. The resulting isochemical phase diagram sections indicate that dominant phases in these reduced mantles would be pyroxenes rather than olivine, contrasting with the olivine‐rich mantles found within Earth, Mars, and Venus. The pyroxene abundances in the modeled mantles assemblages depend on the silica content shown by precursor materials. The silica abundance in the mantle is closely related to Si abundance in the core, particularly in reduced environments. In addition, we propose that pyroxene‐rich mantles exhibit more vigorous convective and tectonic activity than olivine‐rich mantles, given that pyroxene‐rich mantles would have lower viscosity and a lower solidus temperature (Ts).
Drag in Vegetation Canopy: Considering Sheltering and Blockage Effects
Authors: Liu Yuyan , Wang Ping
Published: June 2024

Vegetation plays a crucial role in river hydrodynamic processes, and the accurate prediction of canopy drag force is essential for effective river management and ecosystem protection. The interactions within the vegetation canopies must be quantified to understand their impact on drag force. Through a series of flume experiments, we conducted an investigation into the canopy interaction mechanism of rigid emergent aquatic vegetation, particularly focusing on the blockage and sheltering effects. Our experimental design includes various combinations of lateral and longitudinal spacing, as well as special single‐row and single‐column arrangements. This allowed us to provide a more precise understanding of how lateral and longitudinal spacing affect the blockage and sheltering effects. Furthermore, we introduced a unified reference velocity that combines two effects, based on which we have established a widely applicable drag model that can predict drag under various density conditions. Lastly, we proposed a critical characteristic value for quantifying drag. This value is instrumental in revealing the ultimate performance of drag under different spacing arrangements. The findings provide a reliable approach for predicting drag in rigid emergent vegetation canopies, significantly enhancing our understanding of vegetation's influence on hydrodynamic processes and offering a practical tool for river management and ecosystem protection.
Decoupled Hydroclimate of Central and Southwestern Iran Controlled by the Strength of Southerly‐Westerly Jets During Marine Isotope Stage 3
Authors: Soleimani M. , Baker J. L. , Nadimi A. , Dublyansky Y. , Koltai G. , Spötl C.
Published: June 2024

The regional impact of abrupt glacial climate variability remains poorly constrained for arid southwestern Asia, particularly winter dynamics during Marine Isotope Stage 3, due to limited paleoarchives in the Middle East. Here, we present continuous speleothem records of δ18O and δ13C with robust chronologies for southwestern and central Iran, spanning ∼50–30 ka. Stable‐isotope signals in the two stalagmites are generally uncorrelated and do not exhibit a consistent response to Greenland stadials or interstadials; however, both show a positive δ18O excursion that coincides with Heinrich event 4. We explore the potential mechanisms for intermittent coupling of speleothem δ18O across Iran through isotope‐enabled atmospheric modeling outputs, from which we utilize the spatial δ18O gradient as a proxy for wintertime westerly versus southerly jet strength. Our results suggest that during Heinrich event 4 and several Greenland stadials, stronger westerly winds enhanced Mediterranean moisture contributions to both sites and reduced aridity in southern Iran.
Interactions and pattern formation in a macroscopic magnetocapillary SALR system of mermaid cereal
Authors: Hooshanginejad Alireza , Barotta Jack-William , Spradlin Victoria , Pucci Giuseppe , Hunt Robert , Harris Daniel M.
Published: June 2024

When particles are deposited at a fluid interface they tend to aggregate by capillary attraction to minimize the overall potential energy of the system. In this work, we embed floating millimetric disks with permanent magnets to introduce a competing repulsion effect and study their pattern formation in equilibrium. The pairwise energy landscape of two disks is described by a short-range attraction and long-range repulsion (SALR) interaction potential, previously documented in a number of microscopic condensed matter systems. Such competing interactions enable a variety of pairwise equilibrium states, including the possibility of a local minimum energy corresponding to a finite disk spacing. Two-dimensional (2D) experiments and simulations in confined geometries demonstrate that as the areal packing fraction is increased, the dilute repulsion-dominated lattice state becomes unstable to the spontaneous formation of localized clusters, which eventually merge into a system-spanning striped pattern. Finally, we demonstrate that the equilibrium pattern can be externally manipulated by the application of a supplemental vertical magnetic force that remotely enhances the effective capillary attraction.
Developing a fit-for-purpose composite symptom score as a symptom burden endpoint for clinical trials in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Cleeland Charles S. , Keating Karen N. , Cuffel Brian , Elbi Cem , Siegel Jonathan M. , Gerlinger Christoph , Symonds Tara , Sloan Jeff A. , Dueck Amylou C. , Bottomley Andrew , Wang Xin Shelley , Williams Loretta A. , Mendoza Tito R.
Published: June 2024

We developed a composite symptom score (CSS) representing disease-related symptom burden over time in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Longitudinal data were collected from an open-label Phase IIB study in which 239 patients completed the validated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for MPM (MDASI-MPM). A blinded, independent review committee of external patient-reported outcomes experts advised on MDASI-MPM symptoms to include in the CSS. Through iterative analyses of potential symptom-item combinations, 5 MPM symptoms (pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, coughing) were selected. The CSS correlated strongly with the full MDASI-MPM symptom set (0.92–0.94) and the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale-Mesothelioma (0.79–0.87) at each co-administration of the scales. The CSS also had good sensitivity to worsening disease and global quality-of-life ratings. The MDASI-MPM CSS can be used as an outcome in MPM clinical trials, including in responder analyses and at the individual patient level. It is brief enough to administer frequently, including electronically, to better capture symptom trajectories during and after a trial and in clinical practice. As a single score, the CSS addresses multiplicity issues that can arise when several symptoms increase due to worsening disease. Our process can be adapted to produce a CSS for other advanced-cancer trials.
Marine heatwaves alter the nursery function of coastal habitats for juvenile Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod
Authors: Thalmann Hillary L. , Laurel Benjamin J. , Almeida L. Zoe , Osborne Kaitlyn E. , Marshall Kaylee , Miller Jessica A.
Published: June 2024

Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) can directly influence survival of marine fishes, particularly for early life stages, including age-0 juveniles during their residence in coastal nursery habitats. However, the ability of nurseries to support high fish densities, optimize foraging and growth, and protect against predators may be altered during MHWs. Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) larval, juvenile, and adult abundances declined dramatically following MHW events in 2014–2016 and 2019. To evaluate coastal nursery function during MHWs, we compared diet composition, recent growth, size, condition, and abundance of age-0 juveniles throughout their first summer before, during, and between MHWs. Diet shifted to larger prey during MHWs, particularly mysids, but diet did not appear to influence growth. We observed faster growth rates during MHWs, yet even when accounting for growth, we could not explain the higher body sizes observed in August during MHWs. Together with lower abundance and the near absence of small fish in the nursery by August during MHWs, these patterns highlight potential for size-selection and a reduced ability of nursery habitats to buffer against environmental variability during MHWs, with only a small number of large “super survivors” persisting through the summer.
Tactile versus motor imagery: differences in corticospinal excitability assessed with single-pulse TMS
Authors: Morozova Marina , Nasibullina Aigul , Yakovlev Lev , Syrov Nikolay , Kaplan Alexander , Lebedev Mikhail
Published: June 2024

Tactile Imagery (TI) remains a fairly understudied phenomenon despite growing attention to this topic in recent years. Here, we investigated the effects of TI on corticospinal excitability by measuring motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The effects of TI were compared with those of tactile stimulation (TS) and kinesthetic motor imagery (kMI). Twenty-two participants performed three tasks in randomly assigned order: imagine finger tapping (kMI); experience vibratory sensations in the middle finger (TS); and mentally reproduce the sensation of vibration (TI). MEPs increased during both kMI and TI, with a stronger increase for kMI. No statistically significant change in MEP was observed during TS. The demonstrated differential effects of kMI, TI and TS on corticospinal excitability have practical implications for devising the imagery-based and TS-based brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), particularly the ones intended to improve neurorehabilitation by evoking plasticity changes in sensorimotor circuitry.
Multimodal explainable artificial intelligence identifies patients with non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy at risk of lethal ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Kolk Maarten Z. H. , Ruipérez-Campillo Samuel , Allaart Cornelis P. , Wilde Arthur A. M. , Knops Reinoud E. , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Tjong Fleur V. Y. ,   DEEP RISK investigators, Raijmakers Femke D. , Van Der Lingen Anne-Lotte C. J. , Götte Marco J. W. , Selder Jasper L. , Alvarez-Florez Laura , Išgum Ivana , Bekkers Erik J.
Published: June 2024

The efficacy of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with a non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death is increasingly debated. We developed a multimodal deep learning model for arrhythmic risk prediction that integrated late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrocardiography (ECG) and clinical data. Short-axis LGE-MRI scans and 12-lead ECGs were retrospectively collected from a cohort of 289 patients prior to ICD implantation, across two tertiary hospitals. A residual variational autoencoder was developed to extract physiological features from LGE-MRI and ECG, and used as inputs for a machine learning model (DEEP RISK) to predict malignant ventricular arrhythmia onset. In the validation cohort, the multimodal DEEP RISK model predicted malignant ventricular arrhythmias with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–0.96), a sensitivity of 0.98 (95% CI 0.75–1.00) and a specificity of 0.73 (95% CI 0.58–0.97). The models trained on individual modalities exhibited lower AUROC values compared to DEEP RISK [MRI branch: 0.80 (95% CI 0.65–0.94), ECG branch: 0.54 (95% CI 0.26–0.82), Clinical branch: 0.64 (95% CI 0.39–0.87)]. These results suggest that a multimodal model achieves high prognostic accuracy in predicting ventricular arrhythmias in a cohort of patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure, using data collected prior to ICD implantation.
Predicting peak inundation depths with a physics informed machine learning model
Authors: Lee Cheng-Chun , Huang Lipai , Antolini Federico , Garcia Matthew , Juan Andrew , Brody Samuel D. , Mostafavi Ali
Published: June 2024

Timely, accurate, and reliable information is essential for decision-makers, emergency managers, and infrastructure operators during flood events. This study demonstrates that a proposed machine learning model, MaxFloodCast, trained on physics-based hydrodynamic simulations in Harris County, offers efficient and interpretable flood inundation depth predictions. Achieving an average $$R^2$$

R
2

of 0.949 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.61 ft (0.19 m) on unseen data, it proves reliable in forecasting peak flood inundation depths. Validated against Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda, MaxFloodCast shows the potential in supporting near-time floodplain management and emergency operations. The model’s interpretability aids decision-makers in offering critical information to inform flood mitigation strategies, to prioritize areas with critical facilities and to examine how rainfall in other watersheds influences flood exposure in one area. The MaxFloodCast model enables accurate and interpretable inundation depth predictions while significantly reducing computational time, thereby supporting emergency response efforts and flood risk management more effectively.
Burden and determinants of anemia among lactating women in Ethiopia: evidence from demographic health survey
Authors: Girma Selamawit , Abdureshid Neil , Ayele Ketema , Dagne Imam , Mekonnen Berhanu Abebaw , Abate Shambel , Hamza Aragaw , Solomon Milkias , Oumer Abdu
Published: June 2024

Globally one-third of global population are victims of anemia, significantly impacting maternal and infant health and linked to poor cognition, productivity, and mortality risks. We used randomly selected 4040 lactating mothers’ record from nationally representative survey. Descriptive statistics were weighted, and the standard hemoglobin cutoff point (below 12 g/dl) was used. Bivariable and multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression model considering the individual and community-level factors associated with anemia was employed. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were reported. In Ethiopia, 32.3% (95% CI 30.9–33.7%) of lactating women were anemic, with 23.4% having mild, 7.3% moderate, and 1.2% severe anemia. Pastoral regions (Afar, Somalia, and Oromia region) had higher burden of anemia than the others. The advanced age of the mother above 45 years (AOR = 1.43 (1.11–1.82), unemployment (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.08–1.32), household wealth index (AOR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.50–0.63), extended family size (AOR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.04–1.46), and not using family planning (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.49–1.93) were significant factors associated with anemia. Anemia is a moderate public health problem and associated with location and other factors to be addressed via effective interventions.
Investigation on the control of inclusions and tensile strength in Ce-treated P110-grade oil casing steel
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Linzhu , Yang Shufeng , Chen Chaoyi , Li Junqi , Li Xiang
Published: June 2024

This research added rare Earth elements Ce to the P110-grade oil casing steel to reveal their influence on the inclusions and tensile properties. The content of cerium in the steel varied from 0 to 452 ppm. Based on the classical thermodynamic calculation, the predominance diagram of Re-containing inclusions in P110-grade steel was obtained. The evolution route of the inclusions composition with the increasing cerium content in the steel was xCaO⋅yAl2O3 → Al2O3–CeAlO3 → Ce2O3–CeAlO3 → Ce2O3–Ce2O2S → Ce2O2S, which agreed well with the thermodynamic analysis. As the cerium content at 235 ppm, the size of Ce containing inclusions has a minimal size at 2.82 μm. Suitable Ce content can modify the big-size xCaO⋅yAl2O3 inclusions into small-size Re-containing inclusions. The results demonstrate that the tensile performance of this steel can be improved as the cerium content increases from 0 to 235 ppm. However, once the cerium content exceeds 235 ppm, further increases in cerium content led to a decline in performance. The experimental results shows that the presence of large-sized Ce2O2S inclusions and the change of microstructure, will lead to the decrease in tensile performance.
The prevalence and moderating factors of sleep disturbances in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Suonaa , Oh Jae Won , Park Kyung Mee , Ahn Jin Young , Lee San , Lee Eun
Published: June 2024

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of self-reported sleep disturbances in people living with HIV considering the effects of age, depression, anxiety, CD4 cell counts, time since HIV diagnosis, study region, and the instruments used to measure sleep disturbances. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE to include eligible articles. In this meta-analysis of 43 studies, the pooled prevalence of self-reported sleep disturbances was 52.29% (95% confidence interval 47.69–56.87). The subgroup analyses revealed that variations in the sleep measurements and study region significantly contributed to the observed heterogeneity. In the meta-regression analyses, higher proportions of participants with depression or anxiety and longer times since HIV diagnosis were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of self-reported sleep disturbances after adjusting for mean age. Our findings emphasise the substantial burden of sleep disturbances in people living with HIV and identified comorbid depression and anxiety and the time since HIV diagnosis as significant moderators. These results underscore the importance of considering these factors when designing tailored screening programmes for high-risk patients and implementing early interventions to prevent and mitigate sleep disturbances in people living with HIV.
Clinical application of transcranial neuroendoscopy combined with supraorbital keyhole approach in minimally invasive surgery of the anterior skull base
Authors: Zhou Long , Jing Xiongfei , Wang Chang , Zhang Huikai , Lei Pan , Song Ping , Li Zhiyang , Gao Lun , Lu Minghui , Chen Qianxue , Cai Qiang
Published: June 2024

To explore the techniques, safety, and feasibility of minimally invasive neurosurgery through the supraorbital eyebrow arch keyhole approach by neuroendoscopy. Retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients with various cranial diseases treated by transcranial neuroendoscopic supraorbital eyebrow keyhole approach in our hospital from March 2021 to October 2023. A total of 39 complete cases were collected, including 21 cases of intracranial aneurysms, 9 cases of intracranial space occupying lesions, 5 cases of brain trauma, 3 cases of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and 1 case of cerebral hemorrhage. All patients’ surgeries were successful. The good prognosis rate of intracranial aneurysms was 17/21 (81%), and the symptom improvement rate of intracranial space occupying lesions was 8/9 (88.9%). Among them, the initial symptoms of one patient with no improvement were not related to space occupying, while the total effective rate of the other three types of patients was 9/9 (100%). The average length of the craniotomy bone window of the supraorbital eyebrow arch keyhole is 3.77 ± 0.31 cm, and the average width is 2.53 ± 0.23 cm. The average postoperative hospital stay was 14.77 ± 6.59 days. The average clearance rate of hematoma by neuroendoscopy is 95.00% ± 1.51%. Our results indicate that endoscopic surgery through the supraorbital eyebrow arch keyhole approach is safe and effective for the treatment of anterior skull base lesions and cerebral hemorrhage. However, this retrospective study is a single center, small sample study, and the good surgical results do not exclude the subjective screening of suitable patients by clinical surgeons, which may have some bias. Although the clinical characteristics such as indications and contraindications of this surgical method still require further prospective and multicenter clinical research validation, our study still provides a new approach and choice for minimally invasive surgical treatment of anterior skull base lesions.
Tracking DOT1L methyltransferase activity by stable isotope labelling using a selective synthetic co-factor
Authors: Trainor Nicole , Whitwell Harry J. , Jiménez Beatriz , Addison Katie , Leonidou Emily , DiMaggio Peter A. , Fuchter Matthew J.
Published: June 2024

Epigenetic processes influence health and disease through mechanisms which alter gene expression. In contrast to genetic changes which affect DNA sequences, epigenetic marks include DNA base modifications or post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins. Histone methylation is a prominent and versatile example of an epigenetic marker: gene expression or silencing is dependent on the location and extent of the methylation. Protein methyltransferases exhibit functional redundancy and broad preferences for multiple histone residues, which presents a challenge for the study of their individual activities. We developed an isotopically labelled analogue of co-factor S-adenosyl-L-methionine (13CD3-BrSAM), with selectivity for the histone lysine methyltransferase DOT1L, permitting tracking of methylation activity by mass spectrometry (MS). This concept could be applied to other methyltransferases, linking PTM discovery to enzymatic mediators.
Design of a covalent protein-protein interaction inhibitor of SRPKs to suppress angiogenesis and invasion of cancer cells
Authors: Cai Gongli , Bao Yishu , Li Qingyun , Hsu Pang-Hung , Xia Jiang , Ngo Jacky Chi Ki
Published: June 2024

Serine–arginine (SR) proteins are splicing factors that play essential roles in both constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Phosphorylation of their C-terminal RS domains by SR protein kinases (SRPKs) regulates their localization and diverse cellular activities. Dysregulation of phosphorylation has been implicated in many human diseases, including cancers. Here, we report the development of a covalent protein–protein interaction inhibitor, C-DBS, that targets a lysine residue within the SRPK-specific docking groove to block the interaction and phosphorylation of the prototypic SR protein SRSF1. C-DBS exhibits high specificity and conjugation efficiency both in vitro and in cellulo. This self-cell-penetrating inhibitor attenuates the phosphorylation of endogenous SR proteins and subsequently inhibits the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. These findings provide a new foundation for the development of covalent SRPK inhibitors for combatting diseases such as cancer and viral infections and overcoming the resistance encountered by ATP-competitive inhibitors.
Trajectories of improvement with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment-resistant major depression in the BRIGhTMIND trial
Authors: Briley P. M. , Webster L. , Lankappa S. , Pszczolkowski S. , McAllister-Williams R. H. , Liddle P. F. , Auer D. P. , Morriss R.
Published: June 2024

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an established non-invasive brain stimulation treatment for major depressive disorder, but there is marked inter-individual variability in response. Using latent class growth analysis with session-by-session patient global impression ratings from the recently completed BRIGhTMIND trial, we identified five distinct classes of improvement trajectory during a 20-session treatment course. This included a substantial class of patients noticing delayed onset of improvement. Contrary to prior expectations, members of a class characterised by early and continued improvement showed greatest inter-session variability in stimulated location. By relating target locations and inter-session variability to a well-studied atlas, we estimated an average of 3.0 brain networks were stimulated across the treatment course in this group, compared to 1.1 in a group that reported symptom worsening (p < 0.001, d = 0.893). If confirmed, this would suggest that deliberate targeting of multiple brain networks could be beneficial to rTMS outcomes.
Human mitochondrial carriers of the SLC25 family function as monomers exchanging substrates with a ping-pong kinetic mechanism
Authors: Cimadamore-Werthein Camila , King Martin S , Lacabanne Denis , Pyrihová Eva , Jaiquel Baron Stephany , Kunji Edmund RS
Published: June 2024

Members of the SLC25 mitochondrial carrier family link cytosolic and mitochondrial metabolism and support cellular maintenance and growth by transporting compounds across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Their monomeric or dimeric state and kinetic mechanism have been a matter of long-standing debate. It is believed by some that they exist as homodimers and transport substrates with a sequential kinetic mechanism, forming a ternary complex where both exchanged substrates are bound simultaneously. Some studies, in contrast, have provided evidence indicating that the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (SLC25A4) functions as a monomer, has a single substrate binding site, and operates with a ping-pong kinetic mechanism, whereby ADP is imported before ATP is exported. Here we reanalyze the oligomeric state and kinetic properties of the human mitochondrial citrate carrier (SLC25A1), dicarboxylate carrier (SLC25A10), oxoglutarate carrier (SLC25A11), and aspartate/glutamate carrier (SLC25A13), all previously reported to be dimers with a sequential kinetic mechanism. We demonstrate that they are monomers, except for dimeric SLC25A13, and operate with a ping-pong kinetic mechanism in which the substrate import and export steps occur consecutively. These observations are consistent with a common transport mechanism, based on a functional monomer, in which a single central substrate-binding site is alternately accessible.
Heteroleptic cobalt complex augments antifungal activity with fluconazole and causes membrane disruption in Candida albicans
Authors: Dar Ovas Ahmad , Hashmi Athar Adil , Al-Bogami Abdullah Saad , Ahmad Aijaz , Wani Mohmmad Younus
Published: June 2024

A heteroleptic cobalt complex displays promising antifungal activity alone and in combination with fluconazole.
Electrochemical performance enhancement of MnO2 nanowires through silver incorporation for next-generation supercapacitors
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Usman , Zulfiqar Sonia , Khan M. Naziruddin , Shakir Imran , Warsi Muhammad Farooq , Cochran Eric W.
Published: June 2024

AgxMnO2 nanowires offer a potential solution to improve conductivity and stability of supercapacitor electrode.
Chloroformate-mediated ring cleavage of indole alkaloids leads to re-engineered antiplasmodial agents
Authors: Schultz Daniel C. , Chávez-Riveros Alejandra , Goertzen Michael G. , Brummel Beau R. , Paes Raphaella A. , Santos Natalia M. , Tenneti Srinivasarao , Abboud Khalil A. , Rocca James R. , Seabra Gustavo , Li Chenglong , Chakrabarti Debopam , Huigens Robert W.
Published: June 2024

A chloroformate-mediated ring cleavage of indole alkaloids enabled the rapid synthesis of 47 diverse and complex small molecules, including derivatives from reserpine that demonstrate interesting activities against Plasmodium falciparum parasites.
Enal-azomethine ylides: application in the synthesis of functionalized pyrroles
Authors: Mandal Pratap Kumar , Patel Sandeep , Katukojvala Sreenivas
Published: June 2024

Novel enal-azomethine ylides derived from diazoenals and N-alkyl imines gave N-alkyl-3-formyl pyrroles. The new methodology was used in the short synthesis of biologically relevant pyrrolo[3,2-c]quinoline and pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline scaffolds.
Flavin-induced charge separation in transmembrane model peptides
Authors: Wörner Samantha , Rauthe Pascal , Werner Johannes , Afonin Sergii , Ulrich Anne S. , Unterreiner Andreas-Neil , Wagenknecht Hans-Achim
Published: June 2024

Flavin-modified peptide models from the α-helical transmembrane segment of the epidermal growth factor receptor were synthetically altered. A flavin amino acid was used as a photo-inducible charge donor, with tryptophans along the helix as acceptors.
Kinetic study of the reaction of thiophene-tocopherols with peroxyl radicals enlightenings the role of O˙⋯S noncovalent interactions in H-atom transfer
Authors: Baschieri Andrea , Jin Zongxin , Amorati Riccardo , Vasa Kristian , Baroncelli Allegra , Menichetti Stefano , Viglianisi Caterina
Published: June 2024

Three α-tocopherol thiophene derivatives were efficiently synthesized and used as chain-breaking antioxidants for the inhibition of the autoxidation of oxidizable substrates.
Interfacial engineering enabling solution-processed Cu:NiOx/Sb2Se3/TiO2/Pt photocathodes for highly efficient photoelectrochemical water-splitting
Authors: Zhan Yinbo , Chen Ying-Chu , Long Xia
Published: June 2024

Quenching the interfacial recombination loss via a Cu:NiOx/Sb2Se3/TiO2/Pt multilayer heterojunction to yield 12.5-fold enhancement in the hydrogen evolution reaction rate.
Coacervating behavior of amino acid anionic and amphoteric mixed micelle-polymer
Authors: Wang Feihong , Feng Wenhui , Zhu Zhendong , Zhang Jiahao , Wei Hongyuan , Dang Leping
Published: June 2024

In amino acid/amphiphilic mixed micelle-polymer systems, the coecervate process and properties are shaped by mixed micelle ratio, dilution ratio, and salt concentration, which alter intermolecular interactions within the coacervates.
Structure and thermodynamics of supported lipid membranes on hydrophobic van der Waals surfaces
Authors: Read Harriet , Benaglia Simone , Fumagalli Laura
Published: June 2024

Lipid membranes on hydrophobic van der Waals crystals present an increased main transition temperature compared to membranes on hydrophilic materials.
In situ analysis of gas dependent redistribution kinetics in bimetallic Au-Pd nanoparticles
Authors: Perxés Perich Marta , O'Connor Christopher R. , Draijer Koen M. , Visser Nienke L. , Artrith Nongnuch , Reece Christian , de Jongh Petra E. , van der Hoeven Jessi E. S.
Published: June 2024

In this paper we present the in situ analysis of gas dependent alloying in bimetallic Au-Pd nanoparticles through a combination of CO-DRIFTS and in situ TEM providing direct insight in the surface- and nanoparticle bulk redistribution kinetics.
Sucralose with bifunctional groups as a functional additive enhancing the interfacial stability of zinc metal anodes via interfacial molecular chemistry regulation
Authors: Liu Huan , Xin Zijun , Cao Bin , Zhang Di , Lu Jie , Zhang Yiwen , Xu Zhijing , Lai Hongjuan , Du Mengjiao , Guo Zirong
Published: June 2024

Sucralose is proposed as a functional electrolyte additive to regulate the solvation structure of Zn2+ near the interface of electrode/electrolyte for inhibiting dendrite formation and facilitating uniform Zn metal plating.
Intramolecular assembly of dinitromethyl and bistetrazole: a strategy for constructing advanced and environmentally friendly high-energy density materials
Authors: Yu Xuezhi , Tang Jie , Lei Caijin , Xue Chungui , Cheng Guangbin , Xiao Chuan , Yang Hongwei
Published: June 2024

Target compound BDNBT exhibits excellent detonation performance, indicating its potential as a novel type of high-energy density material (HEDM).
Cooling rate uncovers epimer-dependent supramolecular organization of carbohydrate amphiphiles
Authors: Castro Vânia I. B. , Gao Yuting , Brito Alexandra , Chen Jie , Reis Rui L. , Pashkuleva Iva , Pires Ricardo A.
Published: June 2024

The stereochemistry of carbohydrate amphiphiles can influence their self-assembling pathway and the helicity of the generated nanofibres.
Photo-responsive anti-fouling polyzwitterionic brushes: a mesoscopic simulation
Authors: Miao Zhaohong , Zhou Jian
Published: June 2024

A membrane modified with toothbrush-shaped photo-responsive polyzwitterionic brushes possesses self-cleaning ability that can remove the foulant upon changes in surface morphology in response to UV exposure.