bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond the banks and deluge: understanding riverscape, flood vulnerability, and responses in kashmir
Authors: Malik Ishfaq Hussain , Ahmed Rayees , Ford James D. , Shakoor Mir Shahid Ahmad , Wani Shahid Nabi
Published: July 2024

Flooding in Kashmir results from a complex interplay of physical, sociopolitical, and economic factors, which presents a severe environmental challenge. The intricate interplay between the Jhelum’s riverscape, social interactions, and economic factors is profoundly shaped by the persistent problem of flooding and its associated vulnerabilities. In this study, we examine the vulnerability of Kashmir to flooding and provide a comprehensive assessment of the recent floods. The purpose of this vulnerability assessment is to delve into these intricacies and offer deeper understanding of flood vulnerability in Kashmir. We explore the concept of riverscape in the context of the Jhelum River to encompass a holistic view of the river, understanding its physical features and socio-economic aspects, and examining the spatial and temporal dynamics of river ecosystems. This study analyses the spatial distribution of the inundated population, rainfall and hydrological analysis, flood gauge analysis of the Jhelum River, hydrological trends, and annual peak discharge at key discharge stations from 2003 to 2023. We analyse the policy landscape, social capital, and responses to recent flooding and provide a historical analysis of these policies. Using a mixed methods approach of qualitative as well as remote sensing methods to analyse recent flooding in Kashmir, we assessed the impact of flooding on population and LULC. We analyse how marginalised communities, lacking essential services and resources, disproportionately bear the brunt of these floods.
Blameworthiness Implies ‘Ought not’
Authors: Chevarie-Cossette Simon-Pierre
Published: July 2024

Here is a crucial principle for debates about moral luck, responsibility, and free will: a subject is blameworthy for an act only if, in acting, she did what she ought not to have done. That is, ‘blameworthiness’ implies ‘ought not’ (BION). There are some good reasons to accept BION, but whether we accept it mainly depends on complex questions about the objectivity of ought and the subjectivity of blameworthiness. This paper offers an exploratory defence of BION: it gives three prima facie reasons to accept it, provides a plausible interpretation of it, and shows how holding out against objections can yield fruitful lessons. Five objections to BION are considered: the objection from conscience, from reasons, from suberogation, from objectivity, and from excuses. Their main problem is to either over-subjectify blameworthiness or to over-objectify obligations. To accept BION, we must occupy a desirable middle ground.
Quantum-compliant users scheduling optimization in joint transmission mobile access networks
Authors: Volpe Deborah , Cirillo Giovanni Amedeo , Fantini Roberto , Boella Andrea , Mondo Giovanni , Graziano Mariagrazia , Turvani Giovanna
Published: July 2024

Joint Transmission (JT) is the dynamic coordination of transmission and/or reception at multiple geographically separated sites to improve end-user service quality. When user equipment receives signals from multiple sites, downstream performance improves. An optimization problem arises in selecting the best user subset for JT within a multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) system. Unfortunately, a pure brute-force approach is not feasible due to exponential time growth with user combinations, unsuitable for real-time selection in mobile networks with users continuously changing in time. This article proposes quantum-compliant heuristics using quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) for JT user scheduling. QUBO handles initial user selection, followed by brute-force exploration for the solution. Numerical results indicate that quantum-compliant methods decrease solution time without substantial accuracy loss compared to brute-force methods.
Sustained Strain: Faculty Work Strain Under COVID-19
Authors: Cotter David A. , Berheide Catherine White , Carpenter Megan A.
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic initially placed college and university instruction into an emergency remote mode. The subsequent periods of the pandemic presented new challenges. This paper examines changes in faculty work lives in the immediate aftermath of the onset of the pandemic and reports on results from surveys of faculty at three selective liberal arts colleges in 2020 and again in 2021. Specifically, we investigate faculty experiences with work strain. Drawing on job demands-resources theory, we develop an analytic framework that examines the effects of status resources (gender, race, and tenure), work domain demands and resources (teaching and research resources, student demands, emotional labor demands, and scholarship demands), and home and family demands (caregiving). Our findings suggest that work strain was elevated in both periods and that only tenure among the status resources predicted less strain. We show that the sources of elevated strain shifted from teaching and research demands in the initial phase of the pandemic to emotional labor demands during the first full academic year of it.
Accessibility and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among People with Disabilities in Nepal
Authors: Singh Devendra Raj , K.C Samita , Sunuwar Dev Ram , Shrestha Sarina , Sah Rajeeb Kumar , Ghimire Sushmita , Khadka Dan Bahadur , Sah Lalita Kumari , Shah Jennifer Mathias , Karki Kshitij
Published: July 2024

The study aims to assess the factors determining the access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among people with disabilities residing in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected 422 people with disabilities in Kathmandu Valley. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Among a total of 422 participants, 32.7% had utilized SRH-related education, information, and counselling services. Contraceptive-related services were utilized by 47.6% of participants, pregnancy-related services by 27.7%, safe abortion-related services by 13.0%, and HIV testing and treatment services by 3.6%. Likewise, 16.8% of participants utilized STI screening, diagnosis, and management services. Males were 2.5 times more likely to utilize SRH services compared to females (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.4-4.2), whereas unmarried participants were less likely to utilize SRH services as compared to single/separated/divorced (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.0-0.5). Similarly, participants who were living with their families compared to those living alone (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.4-7.7), and participants who were unemployed compared to employed (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0-3.5) had higher odds for utilization of SRH services. There are significant variations depending on the intersections of various characteristics affecting the utilization rate across different SRH services among people with disabilities. Contraceptive-related services were the most utilized service, whereas safe abortion, pregnancy related services, STI screening and management services and HIV testing and treatment services were less utilized services.
Regulatory effect of Balanites aegyptiaca ethanol extract on oxidant/antioxidant status, inflammatory cytokines, and cell apoptosis gene expression in goat abomasum experimentally infected with Haemonchus Contortus
Authors: Sedky Doaa , Abd El-Aziz Tamer Helmi , Nasr Soad Mohamed , Abdel-Aziem Sekena Hassanien , Hassan Noha Mahmoud Fahmy , Mohamed Amira Hassan , Abou Zeina Hala Abdalla Ahmed
Published: July 2024

This experiment aimed to assess the regulatory effects of treatment with Balanites aegyptiaca fruit ethanol extract (BA-EE) on oxidant/antioxidant status, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and cell apoptosis gene expression in the abomasum of Haemonchus contortus–infected goats. Twenty goat kids were assigned randomly to four equal groups: (G1) infected-untreated, (G2) uninfected-BA-EE-treated, (G3) infected-albendazole-treated, (G4) infected-BA-EE-treated. Each goat in (G1), (G3), and (G4) was orally infected with 10,000 infective third-stage larvae. In the fifth week postinfection, single doses of albendazole (5 mg/kg.BW) and BA-EE (9 g/kg.BW) were given orally. In the ninth week postinfection, the animals were slaughtered to obtain abomasum specimens. The following oxidant/antioxidant markers were determined: malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT). The mRNA gene expression of cytokines (IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α) and cell apoptosis markers (Bax, Bcl-2) were estimated. (G1) showed significantly reduced GSH content and GST and SOD activities but a markedly increased MDA level. (G3) and (G4) revealed a markedly lower MDA level with pronouncedly elevated GSH, SOD, and GST levels. The antioxidant properties of BA-EE were superior to those of albendazole. The mRNA gene expressions of IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and Bax-2 were upregulated in (G1) but downregulated in (G3) and (G4). Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio expression followed a reverse course in the infected and both treated groups. We conclude that BA-EE treatment has a protective role in the abomasum of H. contortus–infected goats. This could be attributed to its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell apoptosis.
Nutritional management of hyperlipaemia in a jenny: a brief report
Authors: Morrone S. , Sechi S. , Carta C. , Senes A. , Cocco R. , Pinna Parpaglia M. L. , Sanna Passino E. , Cappai M. G.
Published: July 2024

An adult jenny (5-years-old, non-pregnant) was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Sassari, with a recent history of appetite loss, extreme underweight condition and reluctance to move. On physical inspection, emaciation [body condition score, BCS: 3/9], muscular waste [muscular condition score, MCS: 1/5], loose/running faeces [faecal score, FS: 2/8], and a general state of mild dehydration were found. Blood analyses outlined a general undernourishment condition [circulating albumins, ALB: 17.6 g/L (21.6–31.6 g/L)] with underlying systemic inflammatory profile and moderate increase in circulating enzymes to explore liver function [aspartate amino-transferase, AST: 657 u/L (279–430 u/L); alanine amino-transferase ALT: 60 u/L (5–14 u/L); gamma-glutamyl-transferase, γ-GT: 87 IU/L (14–69 IU/L); total bilirubin close to the upper limit, TB: 0.20 mg/dL(0.07–0.21 mg/dL)]and hyperlipaemia [TG: 8.70 mmol/L (0.60–2.87 mmol/L)], following fat depots mobilisation, with total cholesterol closed to the lower limit of the physiological range. Hyper-phosphataemia was linked to haemolytic anaemia [P:1.81 mmol/L (0.77–1.39 mmol/L) and red blood cells, RBC: 4.14 1012/L (4.40–7.10 1012)] aligned with the TB to the upper limit. On ultrasound abdominal imaging, enlarged and hyper-echogenic liver was observed. Based on the clinical evaluation, a condition of hepatic lipidosis was diagnosed, requiring dedicated nutritional treatment to solve the extreme emaciation along with the metabolic disorder in support of medical therapy. A two-step feeding protocol was planned to support treatments aiming at immediate re-hydration (Ringer lactate solution 2 ml/kg/8 h). The nutritional objectives were meant at first to restart the voluntary feed intake. Gradual increasing energy provision through a palatable hay-based diet was planned to cover one fourth of daily metabolizable energy requirement calculated on the expected metabolic weight, adjusted according to the daily intake of feed and clinical condition. At the conclusion of this first 7-day phase, circulating blood parameters were closer to the reference values and the BCS moved from 3 to 4 out of 9. Bowel motility was restored, and faecal score improved (4/8). In the second phase, allowance to pasture and a combination diet with compound mixed feed were designed. Within four weeks of starting the nutritional plan, blood parameters were re-established to reference values. The gradual feed provision calculated in this two-phase approach proved successful in support of the overall clinical improvement observed after four weeks of treatment, in a severely undernourished jenny with compromised liver functions.
Application of Floating Beds Constructed with Woodchips for Nitrate Removal and Plant Growth in Wetlands
Authors: Choudhury Maidul I. , Espenberg Mikk , Hauber Marc M. , Kasak Kuno , Hylander Samuel
Published: July 2024

Constructed wetlands and constructed floating wetlands are widely used for nitrogen (N) removal from surface water to combat eutrophication in freshwaters. Two main N removal pathways in freshwaters are plant biomass N uptake and denitrification, i.e. transformation of nitrate (NO3-) to nitrous oxide (N2O) or nitrogen gas (N2) by different microbes possessing nirK, nirS, nosZI, and nosZII genes. In this study, we tested woodchips-based floating beds (WFBs) as a nature-based and environment-friendly method to remove nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) from water. Moreover, we tested whether WFBs could support the growth of three selected plant species and the abundance of microbes on plant roots and woodchips as a proxy for WFBs’ denitrification potential. We conducted a greenhouse experiment for 90 days and measured NO3-N removal rates from water in WFBs mesocosms during five sampling occasions. Plant biomass production, biomass N uptake, and plant morphology related to N uptake and abundance of denitrifying organisms were measured at the end of the experiment. NO3-N removal rates were 29.17 ± 11.07, 28.18 ± 12.62, 25.28 ± 9.90, and 22.16 ± 7.79 mg L–1 d–1 m–2 (mean ± standard deviation) in Glyceria maxima, Juncus effusus, Filipendula ulmaria, and unplanted WFBs treatments, respectively for whole experimental period. N content in above- and belowground biomass of studied species ranged between 0.98 – 1.15 and 1.09 – 1.28 (% dry weight), respectively. Plant relative biomass production was 215 ± 61, 67 ± 18, and 7 ± 17 (% dry weight) for G. maxima, J. effusus and F. ulmaria, respectively. Denitrifiers were detected both on plant roots and woodchips, indicating WFBs’ denitrification potential. Our study highlights that WFBs could be applied to enhance NO3-N removal from surface water through plant biomass uptake and denitrification processes. Future studies should consider the long-term in situ application of WFBs for NO3-N removal from water.
Behind the yellow sticker: paradoxical effects of a visual warning of body-worn cameras on the use of police force
Authors: Assaraf Noy , Mouro Alejandro , Papy Donald M. , Castillo Noel , Ariel Barak
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Research on police body-worn cameras (BWCs) draws attention to the need for suspects to be aware of the devices for them to exert a deterrent, “civilising effect”, which can manifest as a reduction in the use of force in police-public interactions. This awareness can be manipulated audibly, visually, or both, yet no trials exist to test a visual stimulus that increases awareness of BWCs relative to BWCs without this function. In this field experiment, we test the effect of a visual warning of BWCs on use-of-force incidence.

Methods

A six-month cluster-randomised controlled trial involving spatiotemporal police units was conducted in Miami Beach, USA. The units were randomly assigned to the experimental group, which included officers who wore BWCs featuring multiple yellow stickers and “VIDEO & AUDIO” logo (used as a visual warning). Officers in the control group were equipped with BWCs without yellow stickers. Neither group was required to announce the presence of the BWCs, thus isolating the visual warning from the audial warning. Poisson regression models estimate the treatment effect, with confirmatory subgroup analyses based on the proactive versus reactive interactions.

Results

Statistically significant differences in the use of force by officers, but in the contrary direction: higher rate of use of force due to equipping officers with BWCs with yellow stickers relative to BWCs without the yellow stickers. Relative change analysis indicates that yellow stickers cause an increase in the rate of use of force in incidents involving proactive policing, with a less pronounced increase in reactive policing.

Conclusion

Without contextualising their use to citizens, raising awareness of the presence of BWCs can aggravate police-public encounters.
Gods, Absolute, Non-theistic Divinity, and Monotheism in Indian Philosophy of Religion: A Genealogical Critique of Evolutionary Theogony
Authors: Bilimoria Purushottama
Published: July 2024

There are various permutations of theism: henotheism, pantheism, panentheism, a/theism, and nontheistic divinity. There is debate whether the idea of OmniGod was ever achieved in India. R. C. Zaehner argued that an evolutionary transition from pratenaturalism of the Vedas to Upaniṣad’s monism, culminated in monotheism with Purāṇas and the Bhagavad Gītā. I argue differently, beginning with ancient ritualistic polytheism, followed by unifying One Brahman, toward monistic panentheism and later non-dualism of advaita Vedānta. Under the influence of Asaṅga, Buddhism elevated the Buddha as the Great Divine Replacement. As a response or reaction, Brāhmaṇism forged Īśvara as God with the World as his Body. By 13th century, theistic dualism separated Īśvara from his creatio. Even Nyāya rational philosophy was persuaded by monotheism as demonstrated in their teleo-cosmological argument for the existence of Īśvara. I attribute all this to sectarian and doctrinal shifts rather than to any evolutionary teleology and/or predestined historicist movement.
Workplace nomophobia: a systematic literature review
Authors: Hessari Hassan , Daneshmandi Fatemeh , Busch Peter , Smith Stephen
Published: July 2024

Nomophobia, or the fear of being without one’s smartphone, is a growing concern in workplaces around the world. This phenomenon affects both employee well-being and organizational productivity. Despite its prevalence, there is a notable lack of systematic reviews investigating nomophobia in workplace, as well as the factors that intensify or inhibit it in workplace settings. This paper bridges this gap by conducting a systematic literature review of workplace nomophobia, drawing insights from 15,009 observations across 36 studies. Our review uncovers the widespread nature of nomophobia, its antecedents, symptoms, and the significant consequences it has in professional settings, such as increased anxiety, work stress, and frequent work interruptions. Demographic factors like age, gender, and education level influence the severity of nomophobia, with younger and more educated employees being especially vulnerable. The findings highlight the urgent need for interventions and organizational strategies to mitigate the negative effects of nomophobia and foster healthier digital habits at work. This study enriches the theoretical understanding of nomophobia and offers practical insights for future research and organizational practice.
Estimation of static Young’s modulus of sandstone types: effective machine learning and statistical models
Authors: Liu Na , Sun Yan , Wang Jiabao , Wang Zhe , Rastegarnia Ahmad , Qajar Jafar
Published: July 2024

The elastic modulus is one of the important parameters for analyzing the stability of engineering projects, especially dam sites. In the current study, the effect of physical properties, quartz, fragment, and feldspar percentages, and dynamic Young’s modulus (DYM) on the static Young’s modulus (SYM) of the various types of sandstones was assessed. These investigations were conducted through simple and multivariate regression, support vector regression, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, and backpropagation multilayer perceptron. The XRD and thin section results showed that the studied samples were classified as arenite, litharenite, and feldspathic litharenite. The low resistance of the arenite type is mainly due to the presence of sulfate cement, clay minerals, high porosity, and carbonate fragments in this type. Examining the fracture patterns of these sandstones in different resistance ranges showed that at low values of resistance, the fracture pattern is mainly of simple shear type, which changes to multiple extension types with increasing compressive strength. Among the influencing factors, the percentage of quartz has the greatest effect on SYM. A comparison of the methods' performance based on CPM and error values in estimating SYM revealed that SVR (R2 = 0.98, RMSE = 0.11GPa, CPM =  + 1.84) outperformed other methods in terms of accuracy. The average difference between predicted SYM using intelligent methods and measured SYM value was less than 0.05% which indicates the efficiency of the used methods in estimating SYM.
Data-driven landfill suitability mapping in Lagos State using GIS-based multi-criteria decision making
Authors: Tella A. , Mustafa M. R. U. , Animashaun G. , Adebisi N. , Okolie C. J. , Balogun A.-L. , Pham Q. B. , Alani R.
Published: July 2024

Careful selection of landfill sites is essential because improper dumping of wastes can negatively impact health and degrade the environment. Therefore, this research presents a Geographic Information System based—Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process multicriteria decision-making approach for landfill zonation in Lagos State, Nigeria. Due to the rapid urbanisation leading to urban expansion and conversion of the landfills to built-up areas in Lagos State, the functioning landfills have been reduced. After a comprehensive literature review, this study considers nine factors: slope, elevation, land use and land cover, lithology, soil type, Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, the distances to roads, distance to settlements, and distance to water bodies. From the decision matrix, the distance to water bodies, distance to roads, distance to settlements, and land use and land (LULC) cover were ranked with percentage weights of 22%, 19%, 17% and 11%, respectively. Afterwards, potential landfill sites were mapped and classified into five classes: very low (626.48 km2, 16.66%), low (1277.56 km2, 33.97%), moderate (1227.97 km2, 32.65%), high (500.52 km2, 13.31%), and very high (128.13 km2, 3.41%). The low and moderate suitability classes have the highest areal coverage due to the state's increased population and urbanisation. A large percentage of the high to very high suitability classes are located in Epe, Ikorodu, and Ibeju-Lekki local government areas (LGAs) which have lower urbanisation levels compared to most of the other LGAs. Therefore, governments and stakeholders should explore these areas for siting of landfills.
Lower serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio associated with increased incidence of frailty in community-dwelling elderly men but not in elderly women
Authors: Zhou Shixian , Wang Peixia , Sun Linlin , Zhao Xinxiu , Gong Caixia , Yang Yichen , Ren Wen , Yang Yunmei , Zhang Qin , Jiang JingJin
Published: July 2024

Background

Sarcopenia has been reported to play an important role in frailty syndrome. The serum creatinine/serum cystatin C ratio (Scr/Cys C ratio) has recently been recognized as a valuable indicator for assessing sarcopenia. However, few studies have examined the association between serum creatinine/serum cystatin C ratio and frailty. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the serum creatinine/serum cystatin C ratio and frailty among older adults residing in the community.

Methods and materials

A Total of 1926 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 60 years in the 2011 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. The participants’ frailty status was determined using a 39 item frailty index (FI), which classified individuals as “robust” (FI ≤ 0.1), “pre-frailty” (0.1 < FI < 0.25), or “frailty” (FI ≥ 0.25). The Scr/Cys C ratio was determined by dividing the serum creatinine level (mg/dL) by the cystatin C level (mg/L). The one-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Chi-squared test (χ2)were applied to compare the differences between the 3 groups. Both linear regression and logistic regression models were used to further investigate the relationship between Scr/Cys C ratio and frailty.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the study revealed that participants in the Q1 quartile of Scr/Cys C ratio had increased odds of frailty (Q1vs.Q4: OR = 1.880, 95% CI 1.126–3.139, p = 0.016) compared with those in the Q4 quartile group. In fully adjusted logistic regression models, male participants in the Q2 quartile of Scr/Cys C ratio were significantly correlated with higher odds of pre-frailty (Q2 vs.Q4: OR = 1.693, 95%CI 1.040–2.758, p = 0.034). However, this correlation was not observed in females (OR = 0.984, 95% CI 0.589–1.642, p = 0.950,). Additionally, the study observed an increase in both the frailty index and the incidence of frailty as age increased in both males and females.

Conclusion

Among community-dwelling older adults, lower Serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio were found to be associated with increased odds of frailty prevalence in males.
First report of Botrytis cinerea in South African blueberry orchards
Authors: Foster Bryce J. , Wilson Ida , Jacobs Karin
Published: July 2024

The South African blueberry industry has grown consistently over the past few years due to an increase in local and international demand. Like many other crops, blueberries are susceptible to grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea, resulting in significant reductions in yield. In this study, Botrytis isolates were recovered from symptomatic blueberry fruit, flowers, leaves and undifferentiated buds, but were not found as endophytes in healthy tissues. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60) and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit II (RPB2) genes identified 88 isolates as B. cinerea strains as well as a single B. pelargonii strain. The results presented in this study are the first to contribute towards the characterisation of B. cinerea populations in South African blueberry orchards.
Continuous preparation and reaction of nonaflyl azide (NfN3) for the synthesis of organic azides and 1,2,3-triazoles
Authors: Green Sebastian P. , Broderick Hannah C. , Wheelhouse Katherine M. P. , Hallett Jason P. , Miller Philip W. , Bull James A.
Published: July 2024

Organic azides are widely used in organic synthesis. Continuous flow processing can be used to bypass their isolation, and can therefore be useful in mitigating the hazards associated with these potentially toxic and explosive reagents. Nonaflyl azide has been reported as an effective, bench-stable, and relatively safe diazo transfer reagent that can be useful in the preparation of azides from amines and so avoid the use of alkyl halides. Here we demonstrate the synthesis and purification of nonaflyl azide in continuous flow with isolation of the neat, pure reagent by membrane filtration. The neat reagent was used in the preparation of organic azides from primary amines, and then applied to the synthesis of triazoles. A variety of triazoles, including the antiseizure drug Rufinamide, were prepared from primary amines and alkynes via the CuAAC click reaction in a semi-batch parallel array without isolation of alkyl azide intermediates. A telescoped two-stage continuous flow process was also designed and demonstrated to form triazoles via the same CuAAC reaction, which avoids the handling of the intermediate reactive azides.
Soil Properties and Stoichiometry as Influenced by Land Use, Enclosures and Seasonality in a Semi-arid Dryland in Kenya
Authors: Wasonga Oliver V. , Mganga Kevin Z. , Ngugi Robinson K. , Nyangito Moses M. , Nyariki Dickson M.
Published: July 2024

Agropastoralism and nomadic pastoralism constitute the main land use systems in semi-arid drylands in Kenya. However, limited studies have investigated how land use and management practices and seasonality affect soil properties that alter C, N, and P biogeochemical cycling in African drylands systems. Thus, this study was conducted to determine effects of: (1) sedentary agropastoral land-use system (SAL), (2) semi-nomadic pastoral land-use system (SNL)), (3) pasture enclosures and (4) seasonality on selected soil chemical properties and total C, N, and P stoichiometry in a semi-arid landscape in Kenya. Land use, enclosures, and seasonality affected chemical properties of soils and C, N, and P stoichiometry. Generally, Na, K, Ca, Mg and cation exchange capacity were higher in the dry than wet period. Soil C:N ratios were less than 5, while N:P and C:P ratios were 5–56 and 16–177, respectively. However, ratios of C:N, N:P and C:P were significantly higher in SNL than SAL. The C:P and N:P ratios in both land use systems were highly correlated (r2 > 0.70). During the wet season, C:N ratios of soils were higher inside enclosures in both land uses. Higher soil N:P and C:P ratios were observed during dry compared to wet seasons. The N:P and C:P ratios of soils were higher inside and outside enclosures in SAL and SNL, respectively. Land use, enclosures and seasonality exhibited different effects on chemical properties of soils and C:N:P stoichiometry ratios. Perennial vegetation cover in enclosures has a great potential to enhance soil health necessary to support pastoral land-use systems in semi-arid African drylands.
Evidence for Low‐Pressure Crustal Anatexis During the Northeast Atlantic Break‐Up
Authors: Morris A. M. , Lambart S. , Stearns M. A. , Bowman J. R. , Jones M. T. , Mohn G. , Andrews G. , Millett J. , Tegner C. , Chatterjee S. , Frieling J. , Guo P. , Jolley D. W. , Cunningham E. H. , Berndt C. , Planke S. , Alvarez Zarikian C. A. , Betlem P. , Brinkhuis H. , Christopoulou M. , Ferré E. , Filina I. Y. , Harper D. T. , Longman J. , Scherer R. P. , Varela N. , Xu W. , Yager S. L. , Agarwal A. , Clementi V. J.
Published: July 2024

While basaltic volcanism is dominant during rifting and continental breakup, felsic magmatism may be a significant component of some rift margins. During International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 396 on the continental margin of Norway, a graphite‐garnet‐cordierite bearing dacitic unit (the Mimir dacite) was recovered in two holes within early Eocene sediments on Mimir High (Site U1570), a marginal high on the Vøring Transform Margin. Here, we present a comprehensive textural, petrological, and geochemical study of the Mimir dacite in order to assess its origin and discuss the geodynamic implications. The major mineral phases (garnet, cordierite, quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar) are hosted in a fresh rhyolitic, vesicular, glassy matrix that is locally mingled with sediments. The major element chemistry of garnet and cordierite, the presence of zircon inclusions with inherited cores, and thermobarometric calculations all support an upper crustal metapelitic origin. While most magma‐rich margin models favor crustal anatexis in the lower crust, thermobarometric calculations performed here show that the Mimir dacite was produced at upper‐crustal depths (<5 kbar, 18 km depth) and high temperature (750–800°C) with up to 3 wt% water content. In situ U‐Pb analyses on zircon inclusions give a magmatic crystallization age of 54.6 ± 1.1 Ma, consistent with emplacement that post‐dates the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum. Our results suggest that the opening of the Northeast Atlantic was associated with a phase of low‐pressure, high‐temperature crustal anatexis preceding the main phase of magmatism.
Emerging Hotspots of Surface Chlorophyll Trend in the Tropical Oceans
Authors: Tian Feng , Zhang Rong‐Hua
Published: July 2024

Recent studies show that climate change signals in the long‐term trend of the tropical ecosystems have emerged earlier than projected by climate models. However, it remains unclear whether tropical ocean surface chlorophyll (SChl) shows a robust trend in the available satellite data era, and what possible physical mechanisms can be responsible for this trend. Here, using combined data from observations, hindcast biogeochemical simulations, and climate model outputs, we document consistently decreasing trends of SChl in the three ocean basins (Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Atlantic Ocean) with varying magnitude from −1.6% to −10.0% per decade during 1998–2020, with tropical ocean SChl showing a decreasing trend of −7.1% per decade. In the Indo‐Pacific Ocean, mechanisms for the two hotspots with significantly decreasing SChl trends are identified. (a) In the northern tropical Pacific, under the anthropogenic forcing, enhanced stratification associated with frequent interannual surface warming overwhelms the Ekman pumping effect due to positive wind stress curl, leading to a decrease in SChl. (b) In the southern tropical Indian Ocean, the downwelling process dominates the decreasing SChl trend due to the Ekman pumping associated with the negative wind stress curl prevailing in the Indian Ocean, while the contribution from the stratification change is negligible. This study identifies two hotspots with consistently decreasing SChl trends in the tropical ocean which are influenced by the complex physical processes under a warmer climate and calls for more comprehensive understanding of the interactions between physical processes and biogeochemical cycles in the tropical ocean ecosystems.
Suppression of Nitrogen Deposition on Global Forest Soil CH4 Uptake Depends on Nitrogen Status
Authors: Cen Xiaoyu , He Nianpeng , Li Mingxu , Xu Li , Yu Xueying , Cai Weixiang , Li Xin , Butterbach‐Bahl Klaus
Published: July 2024

Methane (CH4) is the second most important atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) and forest soils are a significant sink for atmospheric CH4. Uptake of CH4 by global forest soils is affected by nitrogen (N) deposition; clarifying the effect of N deposition helps to reduce uncertainties of the global CH4 budget. However, it remains an unsolved puzzle why N input stimulates soil CH4 uptake in some forests while suppressing it in others. Combining previous findings and data from N addition experiments conducted in global forests, we proposed and tested a “stimulating‐suppressing‐weakened effect” (“three stages”) hypothesis on the changing responses of soil CH4 flux (RCH4) to N input. Specifically, we calculated the response factors (f) of RCH4 to N input for N‐limited and N‐saturated forests across biomes; the phased changes in f values supported our hypothesis. We also estimated the global forest soil CH4 uptake budget to be approximately 11.2 Tg yr−1. CH4 uptake hotspots were predominantly located in temperate forests. Furthermore, we quantified that the current level of N deposition reduced global forest soil CH4 uptake by ∼3%. This suppression effect was more pronounced in temperate forests than in tropical or boreal forests, likely due to differences in N status. The proposed “three stages” hypothesis in this study generalizes the diverse effects of N input on RCH4, which could help improve experimental design. Additionally, our findings imply that by regulating N pollution and reducing N deposition, soil CH4 uptake can be significantly increased in the N‐saturated forests in tropical and temperate biomes.
From movement to motivation: a proposed framework to understand the antidepressant effect of exercise
Authors: Hird E. J. , Slanina-Davies A. , Lewis G. , Hamer M. , Roiser J. P.
Published: July 2024

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, exerting a profound negative impact on quality of life in those who experience it. Depression is associated with disruptions to several closely related neural and cognitive processes, including dopamine transmission, fronto-striatal brain activity and connectivity, reward processing and motivation. Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, reduces depressive symptoms, but the mechanisms driving its antidepressant effects are poorly understood. Here we propose a novel hypothesis for understanding the antidepressant effects of exercise, centred on motivation, across different levels of explanation. There is robust evidence that aerobic exercise decreases systemic inflammation. Inflammation is known to reduce dopamine transmission, which in turn is strongly implicated in effort-based decision making for reward. Drawing on a broad range of research in humans and animals, we propose that by reducing inflammation and boosting dopamine transmission, with consequent effects on effort-based decision making for reward, exercise initially specifically improves ‘interest-activity’ symptoms of depression—namely anhedonia, fatigue and subjective cognitive impairment - by increasing propensity to exert effort. Extending this framework to the topic of cognitive control, we explain how cognitive impairment in depression may also be conceptualised through an effort-based decision-making framework, which may help to explain the impact of exercise on cognitive impairment. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of exercise could inform the development of novel intervention strategies, in particular personalised interventions and boost social prescribing.
Des-acyl ghrelin reduces alcohol intake and alcohol-induced reward in rodents
Authors: Witley Sarah , Edvardsson Christian E. , Aranäs Cajsa , Tufvesson-Alm Maximilian , Stalberga Darta , Green Henrik , Vestlund Jesper , Jerlhag Elisabet
Published: July 2024

The mechanisms contributing to alcohol use disorder (AUD) are complex and the orexigenic peptide ghrelin, which enhances alcohol reward, is implied as a crucial modulator. The major proportion of circulating ghrelin is however the non-octanoylated form of ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin (DAG), whose role in reward processes is unknown. As recent studies show that DAG decreases food intake, we hypothesize that DAG attenuates alcohol-related responses in animal models. Acute and repeated DAG treatment dose-dependently decreased alcohol drinking in male and female rats. In these alcohol-consuming male rats, repeated DAG treatment causes higher levels of dopamine metabolites in the ventral tegmental area, an area central to reward processing. The role of DAG in reward processing is further supported as DAG prevents alcohol-induced locomotor stimulation, reward in the conditioned place preference paradigm, and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens in male rodents. On the contrary, DAG does not alter the memory of alcohol reward or affect neurotransmission in the hippocampus, an area central to memory. Further, circulating DAG levels are positively correlated with alcohol drinking in female but not male rats. Studies were conducted in attempts to identify tentative targets of DAG, which currently are unknown. Data from these recombinant cell system revealed that DAG does not bind to either of the monoamine transporters, 5HT2A, CB1, or µ-opioid receptors. Collectively, our data show that DAG attenuates alcohol-related responses in rodents, an effect opposite to that of ghrelin, and contributes towards a deeper insight into behaviors regulated by the ghrelinergic signaling pathway.
Vitamin D, chronic pain, and depression: linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: Bassett Emily , Gjekmarkaj Eva , Mason Amy M. , Zhao Sizheng Steven , Burgess Stephen
Published: July 2024

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to various chronic pain conditions. However, randomized trials of vitamin D supplementation have had mixed results. In contrast, systematic reviews of randomized trials indicate a protective effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression. We undertake a Mendelian randomization investigation in UK Biobank, a study of UK residents aged 40-65 at recruitment. We perform linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses for four outcomes: fibromyalgia, clinical fatigue, chronic widespread pain, and probable lifetime major depression. We use genetic variants from four gene regions with known links to vitamin D biology as instruments. In linear analyses, genetically-predicted levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a clinical marker of vitamin D status, were not associated with fibromyalgia (odds ratio [OR] per 10 nmol/L higher 25(OH)D 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93, 1.12), clinical fatigue (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94, 1.05), chronic widespread pain (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89, 1.02), or probable lifetime major depression (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.93, 1.01). In non-linear analyses, an association was observed between genetically-predicted 25(OH)D levels and depression in the quintile of the population with the lowest 25(OH)D levels (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59, 0.94); associations were null in other strata. Our findings suggest that population-wide vitamin D supplementation will not substantially reduce pain or depression; however, targeted supplementation of deficient individuals may reduce risk of depression.
Game-based learning in orthodontic education: a systematic review
Authors: Sipiyaruk Kawin , Reynolds Patricia A. , Nakornnoi Theerasak , Santiwong Peerapong , Chintavalakorn Rochaya
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate educational impact of game-based learning (GBL) in orthodontic education.

Methods

A systematic search was undertaken across four databases (Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, and Google Scholar) to identify relevant articles published from January 2000 to December 2023. Additionally, the reference lists of identified literature were examined to further search for relevant literature. The last search was performed on 28 January 2024.

Results

Following the article selection process, seven articles were included in this systematic review, comprising four randomized control trials and three questionnaire surveys. Six articles were assessed to have a moderate risk of biases, whereas one research exhibited a low risk of bias. GBL interventions assessed in five articles were designed in digital format, while one study implemented evaluated traditional learning, and another employed a card game format. Two RCTs indicated a greater effectiveness of GBL in enhancing learner performance compared to traditional learning methods, while one article found no significant difference. Across all articles, positive perceptions of GBL were consistently highlighted at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Conclusion

This systematic review supports the potential of GBL in orthodontic education. The implementation of GBL is recommended to integrate entertaining and educational elements, fostering learner performance within engaging learning environments. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that the overall quality of evidence is limited, primarily due to the moderate risk of biases identified in six of the included articles. Consequently, further high-quality experimental studies are required to validate the effectiveness of GBL in orthodontic education.
Patient-specific computational models predict prognosis in B cell lymphoma by quantifying pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic signatures from genetic sequencing data
Authors: Norris Richard , Jones John , Mancini Erika , Chevassut Timothy , Simoes Fabio A. , Pepper Chris , Pepper Andrea , Mitchell Simon
Published: July 2024

Genetic heterogeneity and co-occurring driver mutations impact clinical outcomes in blood cancers, but predicting the emergent effect of co-occurring mutations that impact multiple complex and interacting signalling networks is challenging. Here, we used mathematical models to predict the impact of co-occurring mutations on cellular signalling and cell fates in diffuse large B cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Simulations predicted adverse impact on clinical prognosis when combinations of mutations induced both anti-apoptotic (AA) and pro-proliferative (PP) signalling. We integrated patient-specific mutational profiles into personalised lymphoma models, and identified patients characterised by simultaneous upregulation of anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative (AAPP) signalling in all genomic and cell-of-origin classifications (8-25% of patients). In a discovery cohort and two validation cohorts, patients with upregulation of neither, one (AA or PP), or both (AAPP) signalling states had good, intermediate and poor prognosis respectively. Combining AAPP signalling with genetic or clinical prognostic predictors reliably stratified patients into striking prognostic categories. AAPP patients in poor prognosis genetic clusters had 7.8 months median overall survival, while patients lacking both features had 90% overall survival at 120 months in a validation cohort. Personalised computational models enable identification of novel risk-stratified patient subgroups, providing a valuable tool for future risk-adapted clinical trials.
Robotising vitreoretinal surgeries
Authors: Mi Helen , MacLaren Robert E. , Cehajic-Kapetanovic Jasmina
Published: July 2024

The use of robotic surgery in ophthalmology has been shown to offer many potential advantages to current surgical techniques. Vitreoretinal surgery requires complex manoeuvres and high precision, and this is an area that exceeds manual human dexterity in certain surgical situations. With the advent of advanced therapeutics such as subretinal gene therapy, precise delivery and minimising trauma is imperative to optimize outcomes. There are multiple robotic systems in place for ophthalmology in pre-clinical and clinical use, and the Preceyes Robotic Surgical System (Preceyes BV) has also gained the CE mark and is commercially available for use. Recent in-vivo and in-human surgeries have been performed successfully with robotics systems. This includes membrane peeling, subretinal injections of therapeutics, and retinal vein cannulation. There is huge potential to integrate robotic surgery into mainstream clinical practice. In this review, we summarize the existing systems, and clinical implementation so far, and highlight the future clinical applications for robotic surgery in vitreo-retina.
Contextual quantum metrology
Authors: Jae Jeongwoo , Lee Jiwon , Kim M. S. , Lee Kwang-Geol , Lee Jinhyoung
Published: July 2024

We demonstrate that the contextuality of measurement selection can enhance the precision of quantum metrology with a simple linear optical experiment. Contextuality is a nonclassical property known as a resource for various quantum information processing tasks. Recent studies show that contextuality by anomalous weak values can be utilized to enhance metrological precision, unraveling the role of contextuality in quantum metrology. Our contextual quantum metrology (coQM) scheme can elevate the precision of the optical polarimetry as much as 6 times the precision limit given by the Quantum Fisher Information. We achieve the contextuality-enabled enhancement with two mutually complementary measurements, whereas, in the conventional method, some optimal measurements to achieve the precision limit are either theoretically challenging to find or experimentally infeasible to realize. These results highlight that the contextuality of measurement selection is applicable in practice for quantum metrology.