bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing support for the prevention of adverse childhood experiences and substance use: Implementation of narrative change strategies in local health departments
Authors: Harper Christopher R. , Tan‐Schriner Cheribeth , Royster Jordan , Morgan Karie L. , Burnett Vanessa , Treves‐Kagan Sarah , Bradford Joivita , Ettman Leah , Espinosa Oscar , Marziale Erin
Published: February 2024

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic but preventable experiences that occur before the ages of 18, including child abuse, witnessing violence, and parental substance use. ACEs have been linked with increased risk for substance use, along with a variety of other negative health outcomes. However, there is limited evidence of community‐level strategies that link ACEs and substance to increase awareness of prevention efforts. This article reports on a $2.9 million program to promote health equity and inform narratives for the prevention of ACEs and substance use within three Midwestern communities. Program partners sought to create new transformational narratives that linked ACEs and substance use, while underscoring the importance of addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) that lead to disparities in ACEs and substance use. A mixed‐methods evaluation design included document review, in‐depth interviews with program staff (N = 8) and community liaisons (N = 2), and site reports from program staff (N = 8) and their community partners (N = 17). Analyses showed that successful implementation efforts had early leadership buy‐in and support, set clear and manageable expectations at the outset of implementation, and developed strong relationships with organizations that engage in health equity work. Training and technical assistance were critical to helping community partners build trust, recognize each other's perspectives, broaden and reframe their world view, and better understand narrative efforts for the primary prevention of ACEs and substance use.
Splenic irradiation for myelofibrosis prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation: A global collaborative analysis
Authors: Gagelmann Nico , Hobbs Gabriela S. , Campodonico Edoardo , Helbig Grzegorz , Novak Polona , Schroeder Thomas , Schneider Artur , Rautenberg Christina , Reinhardt Hans Christian , Bosques Linette , Heuser Michael , Panagiota Victoria , Thol Felicitas , Gurnari Carmelo , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Ciceri Fabio , Rathje Kristin , Robin Marie , Pagliuca Simona , Rubio Marie‐Thérèse , Rocha Vanderson , Funke Vaneuza , Hamerschlak Nelson , Salit Rachel , Scott Bart L. , Duarte Fernando , Mitrus Iwona , Czerw Tomasz , Greco Raffaella , Kröger Nicolaus
Published: February 2024

Splenomegaly is the clinical hallmark of myelofibrosis. Splenomegaly at the time of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is associated with graft failure and poor graft function. Strategies to reduce spleen size before HCT especially after failure to Janus kinase (JAK) inhibition represent unmet clinical needs in the field. Here, we leveraged a global collaboration to investigate the safety and efficacy of splenic irradiation as part of the HCT platform for patients with myelofibrosis. We included 59 patients, receiving irradiation within a median of 2 weeks (range, 0.9–12 weeks) before HCT. Overall, the median spleen size prior to irradiation was 23 cm (range, 14–35). Splenic irradiation resulted in a significant and rapid spleen size reduction in 97% of patients (57/59), with a median decrease of 5.0 cm (95% confidence interval, 4.1–6.3 cm). The most frequent adverse event was thrombocytopenia, with no correlation between irradiation dose and hematological toxicities. The 3‐year overall survival was 62% (95% CI, 48%–76%) and 1‐year non‐relapse mortality was 26% (95% CI, 14%–38%). Independent predictors for survival were severe thrombocytopenia and anemia before irradiation, transplant‐specific risk score, higher‐intensity conditioning, and present portal vein thrombosis. When using a propensity score matching adjusted for common confounders, splenic irradiation was associated with significantly reduced relapse (p = .01), showing a 3‐year incidence of 12% for splenic irradiation versus 29% for patients with immediate HCT and 38% for patients receiving splenectomy. In conclusion, splenic irradiation immediately before HCT is a reasonable approach in patients experiencing JAK inhibition failure and is associated with a low incidence of relapse.
The effect of power stretchers on occupational injury rates in an urban emergency medical services system
Authors: Pryce Rob , Weldon Erin , McDonald Neil , Sneath Ryan
Published: February 2024

Background

To examine occupational injury rates in a dual‐response emergency medical services (EMS) system before and after implementation of a power‐lift stretcher system.

Methods

The seasonally‐adjusted occupational injury rate was estimated relative to medical call volume (per 1000 calls) and workers (per 100 FTEs) from 2009 to 2019, and stratified by severity (lost‐time, healthcare only), role (EMS, FIRE) and type (patient‐handling). Power‐lift stretchers were adopted between 2013 and 2015. Preinjury versus postinjury rates were compared using binomial tests. Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to estimate the trend and change in injuries related to patient‐handling, with occupational illnesses serving as control.

Results

Binomial tests revealed varied results, with reductions in the injury rate per 1000 calls (−14.0%) and increases in the rate per 100 FTEs (+14.1%); rates also differed by EMS role and injury severity. ITS analysis demonstrated substantial reductions in patient‐handling injuries following implementation of power‐lift stretchers, both in the injury rate per 1000 calls (−50.4%) and per 100 FTEs (−46.6%), specifically among individuals deployed on the ambulance. Injury rates were slightly elevated during the winter months (+0.8 per 100 FTEs) and lower during spring (−0.5 per 100 FTEs).

Conclusions

These results support the implementation of power‐lift stretchers for injury prevention in EMS systems and demonstrate advantages of ITS analysis when data span long preintervention and postintervention periods.
Creating 3D Nanoparticle Structural Space via Data Augmentation to Bidirectionally Predict Nanoparticle Mixture's Purity, Size, and Shape from Extinction Spectra
Authors: Tan Emily Xi , Tang Jingxiang , Leong Yong Xiang , Phang In Yee , Lee Yih Hong , Pun Chi Seng , Ling Xing Yi
Published: February 2024

Nanoparticle (NP) characterization is essential because diverse shapes, sizes, and morphologies inevitably occur in as‐synthesized NP mixtures, profoundly impacting their properties and applications. Currently, the only technique to concurrently determine these structural parameters is electron microscopy, but it is time‐intensive and tedious. Here, we create a three‐dimensional (3D) NP structural space to concurrently determine the purity, size, and shape of 1000 sets of as‐synthesized Ag nanocubes mixtures containing interfering nanospheres and nanowires from their extinction spectra, attaining low predictive errors at 2.7–7.9 %. We first use plasmonically‐driven feature enrichment to extract localized surface plasmon resonance attributes from spectra and establish a lasso regressor (LR) model to predict purity, size, and shape. Leveraging the learned LR, we artificially generate 425,592 augmented extinction spectra to overcome data scarcity and create a comprehensive NP structural space to bidirectionally predict extinction spectra from structural parameters with <4 % error. Our interpretable NP structural space further elucidates the two higher‐order combined electric dipole, quadrupole, and magnetic dipole as the critical structural parameter predictors. By incorporating other NP shapes and mixtures′ extinction spectra, we anticipate our approach, especially the data augmentation, can create a fully generalizable NP structural space to drive on‐demand, autonomous synthesis‐characterization platforms.
Making Plasticized Polymer Electrolytes Stable Against Sodium Metal for High‐Energy Solid‐State Sodium Batteries
Authors: Zou Peichao , Wang Chunyang , He Yubin , Xin Huolin L.
Published: February 2024

Solid polymer electrolytes based on plastic crystals are promising for solid‐state sodium metal (Na0) batteries, yet their practicality has been hindered by the notorious Na0‐electrolyte interface instability issue, the underlying cause of which remains poorly understood. Here, by leveraging a model plasticized polymer electrolyte based on conventional succinonitrile plastic crystals, we uncover its failure origin in Na0 batteries is associated with the formation of a thick and non‐uniform solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and whiskery Na0 nucleation/growth. Furthermore, we design a new additive‐embedded plasticized polymer electrolyte to manipulate the Na0 deposition and SEI formulation. For the first time, we demonstrate that introducing fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive into the succinonitrile‐plasticized polymer electrolyte can effectively protect Na0 against interfacial corrosion by facilitating the growth of dome‐like Na0 with thin, amorphous, and fluorine‐rich SEIs, thus enabling significantly improved performances of Na//Na symmetric cells (1,800 h at 0.5 mA cm−2) and Na//Na3V2(PO4)3 full cells (93.0 % capacity retention after 1,200 cycles at 1 C rate in coin cells and 93.1 % capacity retention after 250 cycles at C/3 in pouch cells at room temperature). Our work provides valuable insights into the interfacial failure of plasticized polymer electrolytes and offers a promising solution to resolving the interfacial instability issue.
Study on the equilibrium constants and initial formation temperature of NH4HSO4 and (NH4)2SO4 in coal‐fired flue gas
Authors: Yu Xinfeng , Chen Zhuo , Du Wentao , Shao Rongyu , Zhou Hao
Published: February 2024

With the development and utilization of high‐sulfur coal, generating ammonium bisulfate (ABS) and ammonium sulfate (AS) during the coal combustion process has garnered increasing attention. This study examined the formation of ABS and AS under varying temperatures and different initial reactant ratios of SO3 and NH3 by establishing a self‐constructed experimental setup. Based on the experimental data, the equilibrium constant change diagram for the ternary reactions leading to ABS and AS formation was derived. The initial temperatures for forming gaseous ABS and AS were estimated to be approximately 416.33°C and 393.56°C, respectively. Consequently, this study fills the data gap of the equilibrium constant of gaseous ABS formed at high temperatures and furnishes the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with quantifiable and notably expedient means of technical analysis.
Estimating the proportion of true null hypotheses and adaptive false discovery rate control in discrete paradigm
Authors: Biswas Aniket , Chattopadhyay Gaurangadeb
Published: February 2024

Storey's estimator for the proportion of true null hypotheses, originally proposed under the continuous framework, has been modified in this work under the discrete framework. The modification results in improved estimation of the parameter of interest. The proposed estimator is used to formulate an adaptive version of the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. Control over the false discovery rate by the proposed adaptive procedure has been proved analytically. The proposed estimate is also used to formulate an adaptive version of the Benjamini–Hochberg–Heyse procedure. Simulation experiments establish the conservative nature of this new adaptive procedure. Substantial amount of gain in power is observed for the new adaptive procedures over the standard procedures. For demonstration of the proposed method, two important real life gene expression data sets, one related to the study of HIV and the other related to methylation study, are used.
Surface modification of perforated separator for more robust and thinner all‐solid‐state electrolyte membrane
Authors: Kim Dohwan , Choi Seungyeop , Bak Cheol , Roh Youngjoon , Dzakpasu Cyril Bubu , Lee Yong Min
Published: February 2024

Solid electrolytes (SEs) play an essential role in the development of all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) due to their exceptional ionic conductivity. However, conventional pelletized SEs with hundreds of micrometers result in highly reduced energy density and suffer from mechanical brittleness, which delay the commercialization of ASSBs. In this study, we present an innovative approach to fabricate SE membranes with perforated Al2O3 nanolayer‐coated polyethylene (PE) separator as a mechanical supporter. Al2O3‐coated separators exhibit better adhesion with LPSCl particles and better thermal stability. As a result, the SE membrane exhibits thickness of 35 μm while maintaining a superior mechanical tensile strength. Furthermore, when the SE membrane is applied to Li||LiNi0.7Co0.15Mn0.15O2 full‐cells, stable cycling performance over 250 cycles, which is comparable to thick LPSCl pellet cell, can be achieved even with higher conductance (>150 mS). Our results highlight the potential of thin and durable SE membranes in contributing to the commercialization of ASSBs.
The working relationship between people in marginalised situations and street outreach workers
Authors: Rauwerdink‐Nijland Evelien , van den Dries Linda , Metz Judith , Verhoeff Arnoud , Wolf Judith
Published: February 2024

A good working relationship between clients and professionals increases the chances of better intervention outcomes for clients. A longitudinal cohort study was carried out amongst clients who were in touch with professionals from a Dutch social street work (SSW) organisation. We used a questionnaire to examine client perspectives (n = 332) on the relational and goal‐oriented part of the working relationship after a minimum of 8 months of contact with SSW. We furthermore examined to what extent both parts of the working relationship were influenced by client characteristics and SSW metrics. Clients were asked to reflect on the relational part and the goal‐oriented part of the working relationship. Clients who only met SSW professionals in public areas perceived a weaker working relationship in both aspects. A stronger relational and goal‐oriented working relationship was perceived when receiving more practical support. Clients who had been in contact with an SSW professional for a long period of time perceived a weaker goal‐oriented working relationship. This study shows that a working relationship, with both relational and goal‐oriented aspects, can be established between workers and marginalised people in their daily environment. Frequent contact and providing practical support can improve both parts of the working relationship. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Solid‐State Synthesis of Liquorice‐Stabilized Copper‐Based Nanoparticles: Structural and Catalytic Studies
Authors: Maize Mai S. , Alnassar H. , Zeid A. M. Abou , Eisa W. H. , Ali Z. I.
Published: February 2024

A large‐scale quantity of copper oxalate nanoparticles were successfully obtained via a facile and green solid‐state chemical reaction. Copper oxalate nanoparticles were obtained by ball‐milling between copper chloride, Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and ascorbic acid at ambient conditions. The size and morphology of copper oxalate nanoparticles powder were studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The prepared nanoparticles were semi‐spherical in shape and ranged from 5 to 15 nm in size. UV/Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were carried out to characterize the prepared samples. Copper oxalate nanoparticles were evaluated as a catalyst in the catalytic degradation of 4‐nitrophenol, bromophenol blue, reactive yellow, and a mixture of the three pollutants. The present study combined solid‐state reaction and green requirements for the mass production of nanomaterials. The proposed reaction is performed in simple steps, inexpensive, low energy consuming, solvent‐free, and minimizes the emission of secondary wastes.
Expanding Rutinosidase Versatility: Acylated Quercetin Glucopyranosides as Substrates
Authors: Brodsky Katerina , Petrásková Lucie , Kutý Michal , Bojarová Pavla , Pelantová Helena , Křen Vladimír
Published: February 2024

Rutinosidase is a diglycosidase that catalyzes the cleavage of rutinose (α‐l‐Rhap‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐Glcp) from rutin or other rutinosides. It is also able to cleave β‐glucopyranosides, e. g., isoquercitrin. This enzyme has a strong transglycosylation activity and a remarkable substrate specificity. We have shown that rutinosidase from Aspergillus niger (AnRut) is able to cleave β‐glucopyranosides acylated at C‐6 of glucose (6′‐O‐acylisoquercitrin) with acetyl, benzoyl, phenylacetyl, phenylpropanoyl, cinnamoyl, vanillyl, galloyl, 4‐hydroxybenzoyl and 3‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)propanoyl. The release of the respective 6‐acylglucopyranoses was confirmed by HPLC/MS and NMR methods. Selected compounds, i. e., 6′‐O‐acetyl, 6′‐O‐benzoyl, and 6′‐O‐cinnamyl derivatives of isoquercitrin, were also tested as transglycosylation substrates. Only 6′‐acetylisoquercitrin and 6′‐O‐benzoylisoquercitrin underwent transglycosylations by AnRut to produce n‐butyl 6‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside and n‐butyl 6‐benzoyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside. Isoquercitrin 6′‐O‐cinnamate yielded on hydrolytic product. Molecular modeling based on the crystal structure of AnRut showed that large aromatic moieties at C‐6′ of isoquercitrin block the side tunnel of AnRut leading into its active site and thus hinder the entry of the acceptor substrate for transglycosylation. This study demonstrates the great substrate flexibility of rutinosidase at the glycone site.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Sulfonamide Derivatives: Electrosynthesis Conditions and Reaction Pathways
Authors: Talebi Mohammad Reza , Nematollahi Davood
Published: February 2024

In 2014, the World Health Organization called drug resistance to antibiotics a “major global threat”. Therefore, the ever‐increasing human need for new antibiotics with greater effectiveness and fewer side effects is a necessity. Meanwhile, sulfonamides are among the most widely used antibiotics in the world. In this review, attention has been paid to the key points raised in various papers in the field of electrosynthesis of these compounds, considering their positive and negative aspects, including interaction as much as possible with the principles of green chemistry and the absence of environmental risks, low cost and the versatility and scalability of the method used along with acceptable efficiency. In the following, we will discuss research focused on the synthesis of sulfonamide derivatives based on the oxidation or reduction of various compounds which take place on the working electrode surface.
Liquid metal as an efficient protective layer for lithium metal anodes in all‐solid‐state batteries
Authors: Zhou Shiqiang , Li Mengrui , Wang Peike , Cheng Lukuan , Chen Lina , Huang Yan , Cao Boxuan , Yu Suzhu , Liu Qingju , Wei Jun
Published: February 2024

Lithium metal batteries with inorganic solid‐state electrolytes have emerged as strong and attractive candidates for electrochemical energy storage devices because of their high‐energy content and safety. Nonetheless, inherent challenges of deleterious lithium dendrite growth and poor interfacial stability hinder their commercial application. Herein, we report a liquid metal‐coated lithium metal (LM@Li) anode strategy to improve the contact between lithium metal and a Li6PS5Cl inorganic electrolyte. The LM@Li symmetric cell shows over 1000 h of stable lithium plating/stripping cycles at 2 mA cm−2 and a significantly higher critical current density of 9.8 mA cm−2 at 25°C. In addition, a full battery assembled with a high‐capacity composite LiNbO3@LiNi0.7Co0.2Mn0.1O2 (LNO@NCM721) cathode shows stable cycling performance. Experimental and computational results have demonstrated that dendrite growth tolerance and physical contact in solid‐state batteries can be reinforced by using LM interlayers for interfacial modification.
Small but mighty: Empowering sodium/potassium‐ion battery performance with S‐doped SnO2 quantum dots embedded in N, S codoped carbon fiber network
Authors: He Shengnan , Wu Hui , Li Shuang , Liu Ke , Yang Yaxiong , Pan Hongge , Yu Xuebin
Published: February 2024

SnO2 has been extensively investigated as an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) due to its high Na/K storage capacity, high abundance, and low toxicity. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics, low electronic conductivity, and large volume changes during charge and discharge hinder the practical applications of SnO2‐based electrodes for SIBs and PIBs. Engineering rational structures with fast charge/ion transfer and robust stability is important to overcoming these challenges. Herein, S‐doped SnO2 (S–SnO2) quantum dots (QDs) (≈3 nm) encapsulated in an N, S codoped carbon fiber networks (S–SnO2–CFN) are rationally fabricated using a sequential freeze‐drying, calcination, and S‐doping strategy. Experimental analysis and density functional theory calculations reveal that the integration of S–SnO2 QDs with N, S codoped carbon fiber network remarkably decreases the adsorption energies of Na/K atoms in the interlayer of SnO2–CFN, and the S doping can increase the conductivity of SnO2, thereby enhancing the ion transfer kinetics. The synergistic interaction between S–SnO2 QDs and N, S codoped carbon fiber network results in a composite with fast Na+/K+ storage and extraordinary long‐term cyclability. Specifically, the S–SnO2–CFN delivers high rate capacities of 141.0 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 in SIBs and 102.8 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1 in PIBs. Impressively, it delivers ultra‐stable sodium storage up to 10,000 cycles at 5 A g−1 and potassium storage up to 5000 cycles at 2 A g−1. This study provides insights into constructing metal oxide‐based carbon fiber network structures for high‐performance electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices.
Vacuum‐free lamination via controlled polymer adhesion for selective photogeneration and photodetection
Authors: Kim Min Soo , Lim Jihyun , Jang Woongsik , Wang Dong Hwan
Published: February 2024

This study attempts to develop a reproducible thin‐film formation technique called vacuum‐free (VF) lamination, which transfers thin films using elastomeric polymer‐based laminating mediators. Precisely, by controlling the interface characteristics of the mediator based on the work of adhesion, VF lamination is successfully performed for various thicknesses (from 20 to 240 nm) of a conjugated photoactive material composed of poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl‐3‐fluoro)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐bʹ]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1ʹ,3ʹ‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5ʹ,7ʹ‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1ʹ,2ʹ‐c:4ʹ,5ʹ‐cʹ]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (a polymer donor) and 2,2ʹ‐((2Z,2ʹZ)‐((12,13‐bis(2‐butyloctyl)‐3,9‐diundecyl‐12,13‐dihydro‐[1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐e]thieno[2ʹʹ,3ʹʹ:4ʹ,5ʹ]thieno[2ʹ,3ʹ:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2‐g]thieno[2ʹ,3ʹ:4,5]thieno[3,2‐b]indole‐2,10‐diyl)bis(methanylylidene))bis(5,6‐difluoro‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene‐2,1‐diylidene))dimalononitrile (a nonfullerene acceptor). Interestingly, the organic photovoltaic and photodetecting applications, prepared by the VF lamination process, showed superior performance compared to those of devices prepared by conventional spin‐coating. This is due to the overturned surface morphology, which led to enhanced charge transport ability and blocking of the externally injected charge. Thus, the reproducible VF lamination process, exploiting an adhesion‐based elastomeric polymer mediator, is a promising thin‐film formation technique for developing efficient next‐generation organic optoelectronic materials consistent with the solution process.
Family functioning of adolescents with restrictive eating disorders with or without nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: Riva Anna , Bizzi Fabiola , Borgatti Renato , Mensi Martina , Charpentier Mora Simone , Di Guardo Simona , Nacinovich Renata
Published: February 2024

Family influence is a crucial factor in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and restrictive eating disorders (REDs) co‐occur in a significant percentage of subjects but family functioning of these families remains underexplored. This study examines the family functioning perceptions of 80 families with adolescents experiencing RED, comparing those with and without NSSI, alongside a control group, utilising the FACES‐IV assessment. The study also aims to compare the triadic (adolescent–mother–father) perception of family functioning in the three groups. The results reveal distinct family dynamics in adolescents with both RED and NSSI, marked by problematic functioning perceptions from all family members and low parental agreement. A further understanding of the family functioning of adolescents with RED with NSSI can help clinicians in defining the treatment setting.
Crystal Growth and Structural Characterization of Cs2LiLaBr6:Ce Using Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Cai Zhuochen , Yin Ziang , Zhang Xianggang , Yang Fan , Jia Ningbo , Yin Wen , Zhao Qinghua , Wang Chunhai , Luo Fa , Yue Aizhong , Wang Tao
Published: February 2024

Ce‐doped Cs2LiLaBr6(CLLB) scintillator crystals, known for their superior neutron/gamma dual‐mode detection capability and exceptional scintillation properties, have garnered significant attention for both fundamental science and practical applications. The role of Ce3+cations as luminescent centers is pivotal, influencing the scintillation properties as their concentration varies. While the effects of Ce3+concentration on scintillation performance are well‐documented, the ramifications for crystalline structure remain less explored. In this study, high‐quality CLLB:Ce single crystals are fabricated(atomic packing factor of maximum doped Ce is 0.04%) using the vertical Bridgman (VB) method and subsequently characterized their crystalline structure by neutron diffraction, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and elemental analysis. The findings reveal a correlation between Ce3+concentration and the crystal cell parameters, presenting intriguing deviations from Vegard's law. Such observations suggest the potential presence of alternative defects, potentially Li+interstitials, in CLLB:Ce. This work offers critical insights for advancing the understanding and optimization of CLLB:Ce scintillators.
Genetic gains in short‐season corn hybrids: Grain yield, yield components, and grain quality traits
Authors: King Kyle , Ferela Antonella , Vyn Tony J. , Trifunovic Slobodan , Eudy Doug , Hurburgh Charles , Lamkey Kendall R. , Archontoulis Sotirios V.
Published: February 2024

Era studies are important to understand historical changes in maize (Zea mays) germplasm and estimate genetic gains, yet information for short‐season maize hybrids is limited. Here, we determine grain yield genetic gain in Bayer short‐season hybrids (100–105 days) and investigate indirect changes made on 17 secondary traits, including yield components (kernel number, weight, and shelling efficiency), and grain quality traits (oil, protein, starch, ethanol, moisture, and test weight). We evaluated 40 maize hybrids released from 1980 to 2020 across 18 environments in the US Corn Belt. Plant density and N‐fertilizer were held constant within each environment. Results indicated a linear increase in grain yield (from 11.1 to 15.3 Mg ha−1, 105 kg ha−1 year−1, or 0.8% year−1) with no sign of a plateau. The increase in grain yield was attributed more to increased kernels per m2 (0.57% year−1) than kernel weight (0.23% year−1). Grain protein concentration decreased until the late 2000s and plateaued thereafter, while starch and ethanol concentration increased until the early 2000s and plateaued thereafter. However, the total amount of protein, starch, and ethanol increased linearly from 1980 to 2020. We concluded that maize breeding for increased grain yield has indirectly affected many traits at different rates and directions. Our results are encouraging for future progress in grain yield increase, update genetic gain information to 2020 for short‐season hybrids, and can inform plant breeders, crop physiologists, agronomists, and crop modelers.
Fighting flu: novel CD8+ T‐cell targets are required for future influenza vaccines
Authors: Leong Samuel Liwei , Gras Stephanie , Grant Emma J
Published: February 2024

Seasonal influenza viruses continue to cause severe medical and financial complications annually. Although there are many licenced influenza vaccines, there are billions of cases of influenza infection every year, resulting in the death of over half a million individuals. Furthermore, these figures can rise in the event of a pandemic, as seen throughout history, like the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic (50 million deaths) and the 1968 Hong Kong influenza pandemic (~4 million deaths). In this review, we have summarised many of the currently licenced influenza vaccines available across the world and current vaccines in clinical trials. We then briefly discuss the important role of CD8+ T cells during influenza infection and why future influenza vaccines should consider targeting CD8+ T cells. Finally, we assess the current landscape of known immunogenic CD8+ T‐cell epitopes and highlight the knowledge gaps required to be filled for the design of rational future influenza vaccines that incorporate CD8+ T cells.
A 0D parallel transport model for varying density regimes for use in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence codes
Authors: Renders Olivier , Dekeyser Wouter , Baelmans Martine
Published: February 2024

In this paper, a new model of the parallel transport in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence codes is formulated as a 3‐point model and benchmarked against SOLPS‐ITER. The model allows for the existence of parallel temperature gradients and local recycling near the target. To realize this, the volume of the flux tube is split into two zones: (1) a connection zone extending from the outer midplane to the ionization zone entrance and (2) an ionization zone covering the remaining space until the sheath edge. By assuming a linear increase of the parallel particle and conductive heat fluxes in the connection zone, and assuming an ad‐hoc relation for the electron pressure evolution, expressions for the plasma fields at the entrance of the ionization zone are obtained. The evaluation of the integral balances over the ionization zone leads to an implicit system in terms of the parallel fluxes. To benchmark the model, we compare with reference data from density, current and recycling scans for a flux tube with SOLPS‐ITER. From these scans, one observes that the model predicts well the parallel particle flux in the density and recycling scans. Discrepancies that arise at higher densities for both the conductive heat fluxes and the required floating upstream potential are analyzed and partly explained by the superlinear evolution of the heat fluxes in the SOLPS‐ITER simulations. It is concluded that the model can be used to construct the effective volumetric sink terms in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence models.
Demography and threats to population growth of Cirsium pitcheri, a threatened dune plant, in Wisconsin
Authors: Vitt Pati , Girdler E. Binney , Gorra Jeffrey M. , Knight Tiffany M. , Havens Kayri
Published: February 2024

Multi‐year and multi‐site demographic data for rare plants allow researchers to observe threats and project population growth rates and thus long‐term persistence of the species, generating knowledge, which allows for effective conservation planning. Demographic studies across more than a decade are extremely rare but allow for the effects of threats to be observed and assessed within the context of interannual environmental variation. We collected demographic data on the Threatened plant Cirsium pitcheri in two sites from 2011–2022. These sites were chosen because one exhibited the presence of non‐native seed predators while the other did not, and we hypothesized that we would see declines and potentially extinction of the population threatened by predation. Over the course of our study, we observed additional threats, such as human trampling and high lake levels, which led to significant erosion, sand burial, and storm damage to plants. We find high interannual variation in vital rates and population growth rates for both populations, which mask the overall effects of predation. We observed dramatic declines in plant survivorship and population growth rates in both sites in the years with high lake levels. We conclude that high lake levels, which are expected to become more frequent with climate change, pose a significant threat to all near‐shore populations of C. pitcheri.
Realized thermal niche approach eliminates temperature bias in bioenergetic model estimates
Authors: Ivanova Silviya V. , Fisk Aaron T. , Johnson Timothy B.
Published: February 2024

Bioenergetics models estimate ectotherm growth, production, and prey consumption – all key for effective ecosystem management during changing global temperatures. Based on species‐specific allometric and thermodynamic relationships, these models typically use the species' lab‐derived optimum temperatures (physiological optimum) as opposed to empirical field data (realized thermal niche) that reflect actual thermal experience. Yet, dynamic behavioral thermoregulation mediated by biotic and abiotic interactions may provide substantial divergence between physiological optimum and realized thermal niche temperatures to significantly bias model outcomes. Here, using the Wisconsin bioenergetics model and in‐situ year‐round temperature data, we tested the two approaches and compared the maximum attainable lifetime weight and lifetime prey consumption estimates for two salmonid species with differing life histories. We demonstrate that using the realized thermal niche is the better approach because it eliminates significant biases in estimates produced by the physiological optimum. Specifically, using the physiological optimum, slower‐growing Salvelinus namaycush maximum attainable lifetime weight was underestimated, and consumption overestimated, while fast‐growing Oncorhynchus tshawytscha maximum attainable weight was overestimated. While the physiological optimum approach is useful for theoretical studies, our results demonstrate the critical importance that models used by management utilize up‐to‐date system‐ and species‐specific field data representing actual in‐situ behaviors (i.e., realized thermal niche).
Biparental incubation behaviour under temperature extremes in sandbank nesting black skimmers
Authors: Austad Martin , Sand Sæbø Jørgen , Steen Ronny , Goodenough Katharine S. , Davenport Lisa , Haugaasen Torbjørn
Published: February 2024

Birds nesting on riverine beaches are exposed to large temperature fluctuations, while changing water levels pose flooding risks. We used miniature temperature loggers (iButtons®) placed in nests and on the beach surface combined with time‐lapse photography to study incubation behaviour in the black skimmer (Rynchops niger) on the Manu River, Peru. Since the species exhibits sexual size dimorphism, we could identify partner switches in images and the contribution to incubation effort by each pair member. Results of the study documented that nest temperature was less affected by ambient temperature and fluctuated less than the surroundings. Despite shorter incubation bouts at midday, black skimmers maintained a close to constant presence at the nest by more frequent nest exchanges. In fact, while female black skimmers generally incubated more and for longer than males, pairs shared incubation most consistently during the hottest part of the day. Incubation probability decreased around dusk, a peak foraging time for the species and a time when beach temperature overlapped with nest temperature. A biparental incubation strategy across the diel cycle appears to allow black skimmers breeding at the Manu River to incubate in challenging thermal conditions, but further studies are needed to determine proximity to thermal limits.
The reproductive biology of Ellochelon vaigiensis from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Dinh Quang Minh , Truong Ngon Trong , Nguyen Ton Huu Duc , Lam Tran Thi Huyen , Nguyen Tien Thi Kieu , Jaafar Zeehan
Published: February 2024

The Squaretail mullet, Ellochelon vaigiensis, is a commercial fish species distributed throughout the Indo‐Pacific region. This species tolerates wide variations in salinity, having been reported from both freshwater and marine habitats. Although economically significant, there is little information on its reproduction, especially in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), where it is heavily extracted. Our study elucidates the breeding pattern, seasonality, first length at maturity, as well as potential and relative fecundity of this species. Fish specimens were collected by trawl nets from November 2020 to October 2021 at four estuarine sites within the VMD. We found this species to be a synchronous spawner, with peaks in reproductive activity from June to September. In the populations we surveyed, there was significant dominance of males (1.26:1.00) based on 942 fish samples (526 males and 416 females). The length at 50% maturity for females was significantly higher than for males at all sites and ranged from 10.6 to 19.3 cm. The diameter of the eggs examined for this species exhibited slight variation, from 0.43 to 0.54 mm. The potential fecundity ranged from 246,254 ± 35,878 to 411,970 ± 54,370 eggs, corresponding to female length and weight of 26.7–32.6 cm and 102.97–234.19 g, respectively. Relative fecundity values were highest at Thanh Phu, Ben Tre (6388 ± 605 eggs), and Dong Hai, Bac Lieu (6461 ± 637 eggs), followed by Tran De, Soc Trang (4729 ± 408), and were found to be lowest at Duyen Hai, Tra Vinh (3117 ± 223 eggs). Information on reproductive behavior in this species has far‐reaching impacts on sustainable extractions, stock conservation, and aquaculture.
Predicting the potential distribution of 12 threatened medicinal plants on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, with a maximum entropy model
Authors: Yang Lucun , Zhu Xiaofeng , Song Wenzhu , Shi Xingping , Huang Xiaotao
Published: February 2024

Climate change is a vital driver of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, understanding how organisms respond to climate change will shed light on the conservation of endangered species. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential suitable area of 12 threatened medicinal plants in the QTP (Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau) under the current and future (2050s, 2070s) three climate scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). The results showed that the climatically suitable habitats for the threatened medicinal plants were primarily found in the eastern, southeast, southern, and some parts of the central regions on the QTP. Moreover, 25% of the threatened medicinal plants would have reduced suitable habitat areas within the next 30–50 years in the different future global warming scenarios. Among these medicinal plants, RT (Rheum tanguticum) would miss the most habitat (98.97%), while the RAN (Rhododendron anthopogonoides) would miss the least habitat (10.15%). Nevertheless, 33.3% of the threatened medicinal plants showed an increase in their future habitat area because of their physiological characteristics which are more adaptable to a wide range of climates. The climatic suitable habitat for 50% of the threatened medicinal plants would migrate to higher altitudes or higher latitudes regions. This study provides a data foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and wild medicinal plants on the QTP.
Environmental context shapes the relationship between grass consumption and body size in African herbivore communities
Authors: Abraham Joel O. , Rowan John , O'Brien Kaedan , Sokolowski Kathryn G. , Faith J. Tyler
Published: February 2024

Though herbivore grass dependence has been shown to increase with body size across herbivore species, it is unclear whether this relationship holds at the community level. Here we evaluate whether grass consumption scales positively with body size within African large mammalian herbivore communities and how this relationship varies with environmental context. We used stable carbon isotope and community occurrence data to investigate how grass dependence scales with body size within 23 savanna herbivore communities throughout eastern and central Africa. We found that dietary grass fraction increased with body size for the majority of herbivore communities considered, especially when complete community data were available. However, the slope of this relationship varied, and rainfall seasonality and elephant presence were key drivers of the variation—grass dependence increased less strongly with body size where rainfall was more seasonal and where elephants were present. We found also that the dependence of the herbivore community as a whole on grass peaked at intermediate woody cover. Intraspecific diet variation contributed to these community‐level patterns: common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) ate less grass where rainfall was more seasonal, whereas Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) grass consumption were parabolically related to woody cover. Our results indicate that general rules appear to govern herbivore community assembly, though some aspects of herbivore foraging behavior depend upon local environmental context.
Atmospheric pressure argon plasma jets I – Measurements of spatial distribution for visible emission spectrum and vacuum ultraviolet
Authors: Suzuki Susumu , Teranishi Kenji , Itoh Haruo
Published: February 2024

This paper describes the observed position dependent emission spectrum and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to clarify the optical structure of argon atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APJs). Visible emission spectra of argon, nitrogen, and OH molecules were measured as a function of position from the nozzle of plasma jet generator to gas flow direction. From the results, we realized that a certain electric field is required for producing high energy excited atoms of argon in the jet from the high voltage electrode in the device to the ground positioned at downstream side. Moreover, VUV was detected along the plasma jet through the downstream direction. Thus, we could picture that the light pattern of plasma jet of which intensity weaken depend to the distance from the nozzle is sustained by the above two factors with the present steady state experiments.
Prognostic impact of residual pulmonary congestion assessed by remote dielectric sensing system in patients admitted for heart failure
Authors: Izumida Toshihide , Imamura Teruhiko , Koi Takatoshi , Nakagaito Masaki , Onoda Hiroshi , Tanaka Shuhei , Ushijima Ryuichi , Kataoka Naoya , Nakamura Makiko , Sobajima Mitsuo , Fukuda Nobuyuki , Ueno Hiroshi , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: February 2024

Aims

Remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) represents a contemporary non‐invasive technique reliant on electromagnetic energy to quantify pulmonary congestion. Its prognostic significance within the context of heart failure (HF) patients remains elusive. This study aimed to assess the prognostic implications of residual pulmonary congestion, as gauged by the ReDS system, among patients admitted due to congestive HF.

Methods and results

We enrolled hospitalized HF patients who underwent ReDS assessments upon admission and discharge in a blinded manner, independent of attending physicians. We evaluated the prognostic impact of the ReDS ratio between admission and discharge on the primary outcome, which encompassed all‐cause mortality and HF‐related re‐hospitalizations. A cohort of 133 patients (median age 78 [72, 84] years, 78 male [59%]) was included. Over a median observation period of 363 days post‐index discharge, an escalated ReDS group (ReDS ratio > 100%), determined through statistical calculation, emerged as an independent predictor of the primary outcome, exhibiting an adjusted hazard ratio of 4.37 (95% confidence interval 1.13–16.81, P = 0.032). The cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was notably higher in the increased ReDS group compared with the decreased ReDS group (50.1% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.034).

Conclusions

Elevated ReDS ratios detected during the index hospitalization could serve as a promising prognostic indicator in HF patients admitted for treatment. The clinical ramifications of ReDS‐guided HF management warrant validation in subsequent studies.
Facile Synthesis of Fiber‐Reinforced Catalyst for High Performance Ethanol and 2‐Propanol Oxidation
Authors: Bayat Ramazan , Akin Merve , Bekmezci Muhammed , Gules Gamzenur , Isik Iskender , Sen Fatih
Published: February 2024

In this study, Pd@TiO2 nanostructure is formed by using TiO2 fibers obtained by the electrospinning method and chemical reduction method, and this nanostructure is used in C2, and C3 alcohol oxidation studies as an application. In addition, TiO2 is compared with the Pd catalyst to investigate the effect of TiO2. In the results obtained, peak current values of 193 and 66.7 mA cm−2 for ethanol oxidation and 127.38 and 36.18 mA cm−2 for 2‐propanol oxidation are observed for Pd@TiO2 and Pd catalysts, respectively. With the addition of TiO2 to the structure, the electrocatalytic activity of C2 and C3 alcohol oxidations increases 3–3.5 times and contributes to the onset potential at an earlier potential. It also shows higher durability and stability in long‐term tests. Moreover, the addition of TiO2 to the structure enhances the electrocatalytic activity and provides high current density and long‐term stability in alcohol oxidation. These results show that fibrous structures in combination with metals improve the effect of catalysts and exhibit high potential for their application in alcohol fuel cells.
Comparison of DASH diet score and total antioxidant capacity of diet on serum levels of TMPRSS‐2, inflammatory biomarkers, and disease severity in COVID‐19 patients: A case–control study
Authors: Dibaseresht Fatemeh , Alizadeh Mohammad , Moludi Jalal
Published: February 2024

There is evidence that healthy diets improve the immune system and lessen the severity of infectious diseases such as COVID‐19. We have investigated whether the dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) score could be associated with the occurrence and clinical outcomes of COVID‐19. This case–control study included 120 adults who were admitted to the hospital. Dietary TAC and DASH diet scores were determined by a 138‐item semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Inflammation‐related markers including C‐reactive protein (CRP) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS‐2) differential were measured. Also, using chest radiology criteria, the severity of the disease was evaluated. The mean CRP values in the lowest and highest tertiles of either dietary TAC or DASH diet scores were 9.44 ± 11.26 and 3.52 ± 4.83 mg/dL (p = .003) or 9.04 ± 11.23 and 4.40 ± 6.23 mg/dL (p = .013), respectively. Individuals with higher dietary TAC were at a lower risk of COVID‐19 (OR: 0.06, p < ·0001). Individuals with greater DASH diet scores were also at decreased odds of COVID‐19 (OR: 0.12, p < ·0001). No significant associations were found between dietary TAC and DASH diet scores with severity of COVID‐19 disease, CRP, or TMPRSS‐2 (p > 0.05). The study found that adherence to a diet with higher dietary TAC and DASH diet scores may be protective against COVID‐19 and improve outcomes of the disease. More research is needed to corroborate these findings.