bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization, Legacies of Elite Capture, and Multi-Dimensional Exclusions in Ghana: Towards Just Housing and Neighborhood Policies in African Cities
Authors: Boateng Festival Godwin , Klopp Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2024

Persisting housing challenges in Africa’s cities are often theorized as driven by rapid demographic expansion outstripping housing supply or by the urbanization of poverty which puts the cost of adequate and serviced housing beyond the reach of many urban dwellers. This theorization links the problem of inadequate supply and low quality of housing to ahistorical, apolitical factors such as the size and income/poverty characteristics of Africa’s urban population and ignores legacies of elite capture and multi-dimensional exclusions reflected in policies and practices. Yet these policies and practices shape urban governance and who gains access to land, housing finance and ultimately serviced housing and neighborhoods. Drawing on a review of policies, media sources and literature on housing in Ghana and taking a critical postcolonial institutional theoretic approach, we argue that a more complete conceptualization of Africa’s urban housing crises should involve a close look at the regressive historical patterns of urban investments and persisting elite biases in institutions managing land, finance and housing. This re-framing of housing problems creates a more holistic framework and better articulates the unjust foundations of regressive and exclusionary policies and practices. Further, it highlights elite capture and multi-dimensional exclusions that perpetuate current housing and service failure in African cities. An explicit focus on power, exclusion and injustice is necessary to formulate and advocate alternative policies that are more likely to produce inclusive livable housing and neighborhoods. These include moratoriums on evictions, expanded slum upgrading, progressive property and land taxation, more inclusive planning systems, better regulation of rental housing and improved delivery of land and finance for transit oriented affordable public and rental housing.
Trajectories and predictors of emotional exhaustion in clinical nurses in the context of healthcare crisis: a case study in Xi’an, China
Authors: Wu Chao , He Chunyan , Zhang Hongli , Lin Yawei , Li Lu , He Jing , Cheng Feixia , Ji Zhaohua , Lang Hongjuan
Published: May 2024

This study investigated the growth trajectory of emotional exhaustion and its predictors in clinical nurses in the context of healthcare crisis in the post pandemic era. A total of 422 Chinese clinical nurses were followed up three times over two months from December 2022 to January 2023, and data from the final 358 clinical nurses were analyzed. The growth mixed model was used to identify the trajectory categories, and the predictive factors of the trajectory types were analyzed by logistic regression. The relationship of the trajectory types of emotional exhaustion with psychological capital were analyzed by variance analysis. The best-fit growth mixture modeling revealed three class models: Class 1 characterized by high and increasing levels of emotional exhaustion, Class 2 characterized by moderate and decreasing levels of emotional exhaustion, and Class 3 characterized by low and decreasing levels of emotional exhaustion. These classes accounted for 9.78%, 83.52%, and 6.70% of clinical nurses, respectively. The results of the univariate analysis indicated that age, years of working experience, gender, past participation in emergency public health event rescue, and sleep quality were associated with the trajectory of emotional exhaustion. Logistic regression analysis revealed that gender, past participation in emergency public health event rescue, and sleep quality were independent predictors of the emotional exhaustion trajectory. The variance analysis of the four dimensions of psychological capital showed that there were statistically significant differences in scores of self-efficacy and hope dimensions among the three groups of emotionally exhausted individuals. Our study demonstrated the heterogeneity of emotional exhaustion among clinical nursing personnel in coping with healthcare system overload. The psychological capital of nursing staff with different categories of emotional exhaustion varies. Managers should actively pay attention to the predictive role of gender, past participation in emergency public health event rescue, and sleep quality on the development of emotional exhaustion in clinical nurses.
An Earthen Sill as a Measure to Mitigate Salt Intrusion in Estuaries
Authors: Hendrickx Gijs G. , Manuel Laura A. , Pearson Stuart G. , Aarninkhof Stefan G. J. , Meselhe Ehab A.
Published: May 2024

At a global scale, deltas are vital economic hubs, in part due to the combination of their access to inland regions via river systems with their proximity to sea. However, with the sea in close vicinity also comes the threat of freshwater contamination by saline seawater, especially during droughts. This study explores the potential of a mitigation measure to estuarine salt intrusion, namely the construction of a (temporary) earthen sill—a measure implemented in the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans (LA, USA). This study suggests design guidelines on how a sill can be used to mitigate estuarine salt intrusion: the design should focus on the longitudinal placement and the height of the sill, and the mitigating efficiency of the sill reduces with increasing tidal range. Overall, a (temporary) sill has great potential to reduce salt intrusion in salt wedge estuaries if there is sufficient water depth available.
Extracellular Vesicles to Predict Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation – a Prospective, Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Wilimski Radosław , Budzianowski Jan , Łomiak Michał , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Pieniak Katarzyna , Jędrzejczyk Szymon , Domaszk Olaf , Chudzik Magdalena , Filipiak Krzysztof J. , Hiczkiewicz Jarosław , Faron Wojciech , Urbanowicz Tomasz , Jemielity Marek , Grygier Marek , Grabowski Marcin , Kuśmierczyk Mariusz , Rymuza Bartosz , Huczek Zenon , Kochman Janusz , van der Pol Edwin , Nieuwland Rienk , Gąsecka Aleksandra
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an established treatment for aortic stenosis (AS) in patients at intermediate and high surgical risk. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles involved in cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to (i) determine the effect of TAVI on plasma concentrations of five EV subtypes and (ii) evaluate the predictive value of EVs for post-TAVI outcomes.

Methods

Blood samples were collected 1 day before TAVI and at hospital discharge. Concentrations of EVs were evaluated using flow cytometry.

Results

Concentration of leukocytes EVs decreased after TAVI, compared to the measurement before (p = 0.008). Among 123 patients discharged from the hospital, 19.5% experienced MACCE during the median of 10.3 months. Increased pre-TAVI concentration of phosphatidylserine-exposing EVs was an independent predictor of MACCE in multivariable analysis (OR 5.313, 95% CI 1.164–24.258, p = 0.031).

Conclusions

Patients with increased pre-TAVI concentration of procoagulant, PS-exposing EVs have over fivefold higher odds of adverse outcomes.

Graphical Abstract
Urban flood prediction using ensemble artificial neural network: an investigation on improving model uncertainty
Authors: Dai Weijun , Tang Yanni , Liao Ning , Zou Shujie , Cai Zhiming
Published: May 2024

Reducing the impact of artificial neural networks (ANN) affected by sources of uncertainty is crucial to improving the reliability of the flood prediction model. This study proposes an ensemble artificial neural network (EANN) model to predict the degree of flooding in coastal cities. Combined methods are used to reduce the model’s uncertainty, heuristic neural pathway strength feature selection is used to select inputs, the coupling method is used to optimize network architecture and parameters, and the integration method which paralleling three ANN models with different predicted lead periods ensemble together is used to capture output uncertainty. The EANN model has successfully predicted flooding in the Chinese coastal city of Macao during a typhoon, with convincing accuracy. The study also analyzed the impacts of both long and short training datasets with appropriate time intervals on ANN modeling performance. It was found that the performance of short training datasets, with appropriate time intervals, was similar to or better than models with long training datasets.
Postoperative outcomes of surgical delay in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: de Bock Ellen , Herman Eline S. , Meij Vincent , Burghgraef Thijs A. , Oldenburg Bas , Verheijen Paul M. , Pronk Apollo , Filipe Mando D. , Vriens Menno R. , Richir Milan C.
Published: May 2024

Postponement of surgical inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) care may lead to disease progression. This study aims to determine the influence of delayed surgical IBD procedures on clinical outcomes. This multicenter retrospective cohort study included IBD patients who underwent a surgical procedure during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 16, 2020, to December 31, 2020, and were compared to a pre-COVID-19 cohort. The primary endpoint was determining the number of (major) postoperative complications. Secondary endpoints were the time interval between surgical indication and performance of the surgical procedure and the risk factors of postoperative complications using multivariate analysis. Eighty-one IBD patients who underwent a surgical procedure were included. The median time interval between surgical indication and performance of the surgical procedure did not differ between the COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 cohorts (34 vs. 33.5 days, p = 0.867). Multivariate analysis revealed a longer time interval between surgical indication and surgical procedure significantly correlated with the risk of developing postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR) 1.03, p = 0.034]. Moreover, previous surgery was identified as an independent predictor (OR 4.25, p = 0.018) for an increased risk of developing major postoperative complications. There was no significant surgical delay for patients with IBD in the COVID-19 pandemic cohort compared to the pre-pandemic cohort. However, a longer time interval between surgical indication and surgical procedure significantly correlated with the risk of developing postoperative complications. In the event of future scarcity in healthcare, efforts should be made to continue surgical procedures in IBD patients.
Fiber-Optic Biosensors for Cancer Theranostics: From in Vitro to in Vivo
Authors: Jin Fangzhou , Xu Zhiyuan , Cao Donglin , Ran Yang , Guan Bai-Ou
Published: May 2024

Cancer has been one of the most serious diseases, resulting in more than 10 million deaths every year. Fiber-optic sensors have great potential for diagnosing and treating cancer due to their flexibility, precise positioning, real-time monitoring, and minimally invasive characteristics. Compared to traditional central laboratory examination, fiber-optic biosensors can provide high sensitivity, miniaturization, and versatility, which feature the point-of-care diagnostic capability. Herein, we focus on recent advances in fiber-optic biosensors for cancer theranostics. It is primarily concerned with advancements in the design of various fiber sensing approaches, fiber cancer sensing, and therapy sensors. With fiber-optic biosensors, cancer marker detection, cancerous cell differentiation, ex vivo tumor model validation, and in vivo tumor detection can be achieved. And the medical fiber also can be used to provide photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and combination therapy for solid tumors. Additionally, cancer sensing and therapy can be integrated into the fiber, which demonstrates the multiplexing capabilities of fiber-optic biosensors. Lastly, we systematically summarize the fiber biosensor applications from in vitro to in vivo, and conclude with the challenges in development and prospects.
Racial Differences in Biopsychosocial Pathways to Tobacco and Marijuana Use Among Youth
Authors: Assari Shervin
Published: May 2024

Background

The influence of socioeconomic disparities and multidimensional stressors on youth tobacco and marijuana use is recognized; however, the extent of these effects varies among different racial groups. Understanding the racial differences in the factors influencing substance use is crucial for developing tailored interventions aimed at reducing disparities in tobacco and marijuana use among adolescents.

Aims

This study aims to explore the differential effects of socioeconomic disparities and multidimensional stressors on tobacco and marijuana use between Black and White adolescents.

Methods

Utilizing longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, this research includes a cohort of pre-youth, monitored from the age of 9–10 years for a period of up to 36 months. We examined the impact of various socioeconomic status (SES) indicators and multidimensional stressors, including trauma, financial stress, racial discrimination, and family stress, alongside baseline average cortical thickness and the subsequent initiation of tobacco and marijuana use over the 36-month follow-up.

Results

Overall, 10,777 participants entered our analysis. This included 8263 White and 2514 Black youth. Our findings indicate significant differences in the pathways from SES indicators through stress types to cortical thickness between Black and White youths. Notably, cortical thickness’s impact on the future initiation of tobacco and marijuana use was present in both groups.

Conclusion

The study suggests that compared to White adolescents, Black adolescents’ substance use and associated cortical thickness are less influenced by stress and SES indicators. This discrepancy may be attributed to the compounded effects of racism, where psychosocial mechanisms might be more diminished for Black youth than White youth. These findings support the theory of Minorities’ Diminished Returns rather than the cumulative disadvantage or double jeopardy hypothesis, highlighting the need for interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Black adolescents.
The Resettlement Journey: Understanding The Role of Social Connectedness on Well-being and Life Satisfaction among (Im)migrants and Refugees: A Systematic Review
Authors: Song Jingyeong , Corcoran Jonathan , Zahnow Renee
Published: May 2024

In the context of rising global migration and/or forced displacement, there is a pressing need to consider the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees during resettlement. Research highlights the importance of social connectedness for (im)migrants and refugees during the resettlement phase. Yet, a critical gap remains in our understanding of the key characteristics through which social connections exert their influence on well-being and life satisfaction. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing international literature on social connectedness and its impact on the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees in post-migration contexts. Our analysis of 43 studies finds that social connectedness, in the form of social support and social networks, is beneficial for well-being and life satisfaction during resettlement. In addition to social support from individual network ties, community engagement can also enhance well-being by facilitating a sense of belonging. All 43 studies focused on psychological well-being and 69.8% relied on cross-sectional data. The findings of this review emphasise the need for longitudinal studies and standardised measurement tools to capture the dynamic interplay between social connectedness and well-being across various domains (psychological, physical, general/subjective) in migrant populations. We draw on the findings to propose a new conceptual model of the dynamic association between social connectedness and well-being/life satisfaction that seeks to explore these relationships in future empirical studies.
Toward a Procedure to Study Rule-Governed Choice: Preliminary Data
Authors: Méndez David Ruiz
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to model a situation that induced choice between following two incompatible rules, each associated with a different rate of reinforcement. In Experiment 1, eight undergraduate students were exposed to a two-component multiple schedule (training). In each component, there was a concurrent variable interval (VI)–extinction (EXT) schedule. Participants were given two rules that instructed them to respond to the VI alternative in the presence of different discriminative stimuli. The side of the VI schedule changed in each component and offered a different reinforcer rate according to the discriminative stimuli in the operation. When both discriminative stimuli were concurrently presented (test), participants favored the alternative previously instructed by the rule, which was associated with the greatest reinforcer rate, whereas indifference was observed in the absence of discriminative stimuli. Experiment 2 tested the effects of reinforcement rate using the same procedure without providing rules. During training, participants gradually developed a preference for the VI alternatives. In the choice test phase, participants favored the alternative associated with the stimuli with the highest reinforcer rate when both discriminative stimuli were present. Unsystematic preference was observed in the absence of discriminative stimuli. Two alternative explanations were provided for the findings.
Seeing the Trees Without the Forest: What and How can Agroforestry and Urban Forestry Learn from Each Other?
Authors: Sousa-Silva Rita , Feurer Mélanie , Morhart Christopher , Sheppard Jonathan P. , Albrecht Stefanie , Anys Markus , Beyer Friderike , Blumenstein Kathrin , Reinecke Sabine , Seifert Thomas , Whitehead Ian , Pauleit Stephan , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: May 2024

Purpose of Review

Agroforestry and urban forestry have evolved mainly as separate disciplines, although they share a long history of tree cultivation in man-made environments. Here, we review their common threads, exploring how trees in both systems interact with and shape their environments. We examine common themes and methodologies – ranging from tree growth dynamics to environmental stressors, ecosystem services provision, and questions of governance – and identify opportunities for synergies between these fields.

Recent Findings

We emphasize the potential of agroforestry and urban forestry for enhancing multifunctional landscapes. Geographical divides in research are evident, with agroforestry predominantly studied in the Global South and urban forestry receiving more attention in the Global North. However, significant research gaps provide avenues for collaboration, for instance, addressing challenges in capturing the monetary and socio-cultural value of ecosystem services and environmental justice considerations.

In light of the growing need for integrated approaches in addressing contemporary challenges, from climate change mitigation and adaptation to community well-being, our review explores what these research fields can learn from each other and provides recommendations for fostering greater interdisciplinary dialogue and new avenues for collaborations in a meaningful and synergistic manner, aiming to advance policy, research, and practice in agroforestry and urban forestry.
Reinforcing Institutional Power: The Discourse of Normalcy in European Union Governance
Authors: Agha Petr
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the notion of normalcy within the discourse of the European Union (EU), with a focus on its response to transformative dynamics and challenges, especially post-2008. I analyse how the EU, facing diminishing ideological supremacy, has reinforced its institutional power through the framework of normalcy. By emphasizing constitutionalisation and integration through legal means, bodies such as the European Court of Justice (ECJ) have expanded their roles, promoting "integration through law" to counter alternative political projects invariably labelled as populist, thereby giving rise to anti-populism as a discursive tool. Drawing on crisis discourse and diagnostic practice, this paper explores how normalcy legitimises and perpetuates existing power structures within EU governance, subtly coercing member states and citizens into accepting its norms and values, thus shaping perceptions of normalcy and also inevitability. At the core of this framework lies the rule of law (RoL), which establishes legal boundaries in the first place, but in the same move shapes political contexts.

My paper argues that the exclusive focus on legalistic interpretations obscures the underlying structural factors perpetuating power dynamics and economic disparities among member states, constraining adaptive responses. I examine the narrative of "growing up to democracy" and its impact on the European project discourse, particularly in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. I then scrutinise the roles of experts and the “juristocracy” in reinforcing this narrative while simultaneously masking underlying inequalities and power differentials. Furthermore, the paper explores the strategic deployment of language and discourse by EU institutions during crises, highlighting their implications for public understanding, political action, and outcomes. Finally, it investigates the EU's strategic use of crisis discourse and diagnostic practices, focusing particularly on the ascendancy of the judiciary, but also highlighting how this trajectory may also have negative influence of legislative and executive bodies as their role diminishes in the process.
A multilevel graph approach for IoT-based complex scenario management through situation awareness and semantic approaches
Authors: Casillo Mario , Colace Francesco , Lorusso Angelo , Santaniello Domenico , Valentino Carmine
Published: May 2024

Modern reality and the environments in which we live are characterized by technology components geared toward automatic management through pervasive services. Thanks to the advent of the Internet of Things, such environments can provide information such as pollution levels, public transport conditions, efficiency of energy distribution networks, and identification of suspicious activities by generating complex scenarios. The profitable management of such scenarios can be performed through context modeling and methodologies that can extract and understand environmental information by preventing certain events through artificial intelligence techniques by increasing Situation Awareness. This paper focuses on developing a methodology with predictive capabilities and context adaptability for managing complex scenarios. The use of semantic and graph-based approaches, unlike many approaches used, leads to better integration of knowledge, resulting in improved system performance. In addition, such approaches allow understanding of what is happening in the system at a given time, enabling manipulation and integration of semantic information. Graph-based approaches chosen for this purpose are Ontologies, Context Dimension Trees, and Bayesian Networks, which are able to support the end-user or expert user in handling complex scenarios. The proposed methodology has been validated and applied to real complex scenarios based on the IoT paradigm. The proposed approach validation was conducted using open data from the city of London; a practical scenario case study was conducted in the field of automated management of a Smart Home. In both cases, the system achieved promising results.
Constant-curvature bending response of thin glass: Analytical, numerical and experimental study of “clamp-bending” tests
Authors: Galuppi Laura , Riva Enrica
Published: May 2024

New generation thin, lightweight and damage-resistant glass, having impressively impact resistance and ability to be bent up to small radii, appears to be the optimal material for extremely deformable structural elements. Its structural use and design require an accurate evaluation of its mechanical properties. However, standard methods to test the glass strength, as the Four-Point Bending and the Coaxial Double Ring test, cannot be used for thin glass, due to its high deformability. Here, an innovative test is proposed, consisting into deforming a thin element into a costant-curvature shape, by prescribing a rotation on two opposite edges of a rectangular plate, while allowing the adjustment of the distance between the supporting hinges. This produces a deformation into an arch of a circle and to a constant stress distribution, allowing to determine the thin glass strength with very simple formulas. An innovative experimental setup, recently proposed for twisting tests on thin glass, has been adapted for constant-curvature bending tests, based on the results of both analytical modelling and numerical analyses. This has been used to perform an experimental campaign, comprising 15 destructive tests on chemically tempered thin glass.
Coordinate descent algorithm for generalized group fused Lasso
Authors: Ohishi Mineaki , Okamura Kensuke , Itoh Yoshimichi , Wakaki Hirofumi , Yanagihara Hirokazu
Published: May 2024

We deal with a model with discrete varying coefficients to consider modeling for heterogeneity and clustering for homogeneity, and estimate the varying coefficients by generalized group fused Lasso (GGFL). GGFL allows homogeneous groups to be joined together based on one-to-many relationships among groups. This makes GGFL a powerful technique, but to date there has been no effective algorithm for obtaining the solutions. Here we propose an algorithm for obtaining a GGFL solution based on the coordinate descent method, and show that a solution for each coordinate direction converges to the optimal solution. In a simulation, we show our algorithm is superior to ADMM, which is one of the popular algorithms. We also present an application to a spatial data analysis.
Ethische, rechtliche und soziale Aspekte (ELSA) der Gestaltung von KI-Systemen: Systematisierung der Betrachtung durch Vorgehensmodelle und Leitfäden
Authors: Alpers Sascha , Krings Bettina-Johanna , Becker Christoph , Rill Maria , Weinreuter Maria
Published: May 2024

Wesentliche Erfolgsfaktoren für die rechtlich angemessene und menschengerechte Nutzung von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) basieren auf der breiten Reflexion rechtlicher, ethischer und sozialer Aspekte (ELSA) im Rahmen organisatorischen Prozesse in Unternehmen und Institutionen. Künftig bedarf es aufgrund der Vielzahl zu erwartender KI-Vorhaben einer systematischen Betrachtung. Eine Möglichkeit dies zu Verankern sind Vorgehensmodelle inkl. Eines entsprechenden Referenzprozessmodells. Eine Ergänzung stellen Leitfäden dar. Ausgewählte Aspekte werden hierbei seit einigen Jahren in interdisziplinären und transdisziplinären Forschungsprojekten intensiv diskutiert und angewandt. Der folgende Beitrag ist im Rahmen des KARL-Projekt entstanden und erörtert relevante Bezugspunkte im Rahmen der Implementierung von KI in zukünftige Arbeitsumgebungen. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird die Frage bearbeitet, welche Herausforderungen Informatiker/-innen im Gestaltungsprozess selbst adressieren können und zu welchen Fragen weitere Akteur/-innen (Rechtswissenschaftler/-innen, Ethik-Expert/-innen sowie Expert/-innen der sozialen Technikgestaltung) einbezogen werden sollten. Insgesamt plädieren die Autor/-innen für einen prozessorientierten Ansatz, in dem unterschiedliche Aspekte der Technikgestaltung systematisch berücksichtigt werden.

Praktische RelevanzDie Arbeitswissenschaft wird zunehmend mit Fragestellungen der Integration von KI in verschiedene Arbeitsprozesse konfrontiert. Die Betrachtung von ELSA ist eine Teilaufgabe in der Gestaltung und Reflektion dieser Entwicklung.
Mindfulness as a Moderator Between the Association of Moral Disengagement and Cyberbullying
Authors: Bussey Kay , Luo Aileen
Published: May 2024

Cyberbullying has increased in recent years due to the uptake of internet use by youth. One psychological process that has been consistently related to cyberbullying is moral disengagement. It is a process that is used to justify cyberbullying behavior as it enables the perpetration of cyberbullying without the perpetrator feeling guilt or remorse. A factor that may mitigate the use of moral disengagement is self-reflection and calmness that characterizes mindfulness. To address this possibility, this study investigated the role of mindfulness as a moderator of the association between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration. Participants were 586 ethnically diverse youth aged between 10 and 16 years of age. Results revealed that mindfulness moderated the association between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration. The relationship between moral disengagement and cyberbullying perpetration was weaker at high than at low levels of mindfulness. The findings suggest the potential benefits of including mindfulness training in anti-bullying intervention programs to decrease the prevalence of cyberbullying perpetration.
Enhancing the epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 using Sanger sequencing to identify circulating variants and recombinants
Authors: Silva Thaís , Oliveira Eneida , Oliveira Alana , Menezes André , Jeremias Wander de Jesus , Grenfell Rafaella FQ , Monte-Neto Rubens Lima do , Pascoal-Xavier Marcelo A. , Campos Marco A. , Fernandes Gabriel , Alves Pedro
Published: May 2024

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, more than 12,000 mutations in the virus have been identified. These could cause changes in viral characteristics and directly impact global public health. The emergence of variants is a great concern due to the chance of increased transmissibility and infectivity. Sequencing for surveillance and monitoring circulating strains is extremely necessary as the early identification of new variants allows public health agencies to make faster and more effective decisions to contain the spread of the virus. In the present study, we identified circulating variants in samples collected in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and detected a recombinant lineage using the Sanger method. The identification of lineages was done through gene amplification of SARS-CoV-2 by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). By using these specific fragments, we were able to differentiate one variant of interest and five circulating variants of concern. We were also able to detect recombinants. Randomly selected samples were sequenced by either Sanger or Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Our findings validate the effectiveness of Sanger sequencing as a powerful tool for monitoring variants. It is easy to perform and allows the analysis of a larger number of samples in countries that cannot afford NGS.
Machine Learning for Identifying Emergent and Floating Aquatic Vegetation from Space: A Case Study in the Dniester Delta, Ukraine
Authors: Alagialoglou Leonidas , Manakos Ioannis , Katsikis Eleftherios , Medinets Sergiy , Gazyetov Yevgen , Medinets Volodymyr , Delopoulos Anastasios
Published: May 2024

Monitoring aquatic vegetation, including both floating and emergent types, plays a crucial role in understanding the dynamics of freshwater ecosystems. Our research focused on the Lower Dniester Basin in Southern Ukraine, covering approximately 1800 square kilometers of steppe plains and wetlands. We applied traditional machine learning algorithms, specifically random forest and boosting trees, to analyze Sentinel-2 satellite imagery for segmenting aquatic vegetation into emergent and floating types. Our methodology was validated against detailed in-situ field measurements collected annually over a 5-year study period. The machine learning classifiers achieved an F1-score of 0.88 ± 0.03 in classifying floating vegetation, outperforming our previously suggested histogram-based thresholding methodology for the same task. While emergent vegetation and open water were easily identifiable from satellite imagery, the robustness and temporal transferability of our methodology included accurately delineating floating vegetation as well. Additionally, we explored the significance of various features through the Minimum Redundancy - Maximum Relevance algorithm. This study highlights advancements in aquatic vegetation mapping and demonstrates a valuable tool for ecological monitoring and future research endeavors.
Accurate and efficient evaluation of the ionization potentials of extreme ultraviolet photoresists using density functionals and semi-empirical methods
Authors: Du Kun , Ying Jiafeng , Han Lixin , Xue Jie , Xin Hanshen , Zhang Jianhua , Li Haoyuan
Published: May 2024

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photoresists have become the core materials in lithography with nanometer-sized patterns and are actively explored on the path to realizing smaller critical dimensions. These photoresists can be small molecule-, polymer-, or organic–inorganic hybrid-based, with the full molecular working mechanism under investigation. For the rational design of EUV photoresists, theoretical guidance using tools like first-principle calculations and multi-scale simulations can be of great help. Considering the extremely high standard of accuracy in EUV lithography, it is critical to ensure the adoption of the appropriate methodologies in the theoretical evaluation of EUV photoresists. However, it is known that density functionals and semi-empirical methods differ in accuracy and efficiency, without a universal rule across materials. This poses a challenge in developing a reliable theoretical framework for calculating EUV photoresists. Here, we present a benchmark investigation of density functionals and semi-empirical methods on the three main types of EUV photoresists, focusing on the ionization potential, a key parameter in their microscopic molecular reactions. The vertical detachment energies (VDE) and adiabatic detachment energies (ADE) were calculated using 12 functionals, including pure functionals, hybrid functionals, Minnesota functionals, and the recently developed optimally tuned range-separated (OTRS) functionals. Several efficient semi-empirical methods were also chosen, including AM1, PM6, PM7, and GFN1-xTB in the extended tight-binding theoretical framework. These results guide the accurate and efficient calculation of EUV photoresists and are valuable for the development of multi-scale lithography protocols.

Graphical Abstract
Role of streak secondary instabilities on free-stream turbulence-induced transition
Authors: Faúndez Alarcón José M. , Cavalieri André V.G. , Hanifi Ardeshir , Henningson Dan S.
Published: May 2024

We study the stability of a zero-pressure gradient boundary layer subjected to free-stream disturbances by means of local stability analysis. The dataset under study corresponds to a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a flat plate with a sharp leading edge in realistic wind tunnel conditions, with a turbulence level of 3.45 % at the leading edge. We present a method to track the convective evolution of the secondary instabilities of streaks by performing sequential stability calculations following the wave packet, connecting successive unstable eigenfunctions. A scattered nature, in time and space, of secondary instabilities is seen in the stability calculations. These instabilities can be detected before they reach finite amplitude in the DNS, preceding the nucleation of turbulent spots, and whose appearance is well correlated to the transition onset. This represents further evidence regarding the relevance of secondary instabilities of streaks in the bypass transition in realistic flow conditions. Consistent with the spatio-temporal nature of this problem, our approach allows us to integrate directly the local growth rates to obtain the spatial amplification ratio of the individual instabilities, where it is shown that instabilities reaching an$N$-factor in the range [2.5,4] can be directly correlated to more than 65 % of the nucleation events. Interestingly, it is found that high amplification is not only attained by modes with high growth rates, but also by instabilities with sustained low growth rates for a long time.
The blood pressure control effect of the sodium-restricted dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet: a systematic review
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Jeong Ha Na , Choi-Kwon Smi
Published: May 2024

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is highly effective in controlling blood pressure (BP). Although Na restriction is not a primary focus within the DASH diet, it is recommended that it be added to control BP. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the characteristics and BP-lowering effects of Na-restricted DASH diet interventions. We searched thirteen databases, namely, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, KoreaMed, KISS, KMbase, RISS, CINAHL, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Grey Literature Report, OpenGrey and PQDT Global, for articles published through May 2023. The randomised controlled trials assessing the BP-lowering effect of the Na-restricted DASH diet in adults aged 18 years and older were included. The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO registry (CRD42023409996). The risk of bias in the included studies was also assessed. Nine articles were included in this review. Interventions were categorised into three types: feeding, provision and education, and the study results were compared by intervention type. BP was significantly reduced in two of the three feeding studies, one of the three provisional studies and none of the educational studies. In eight studies, effect sizes varied among both systolic BP (–7·7 to −2·4) and diastolic BP (–8·3 to 0·1). Six studies showed an overall high risk of bias. In conclusion, Na-restricted DASH may have beneficial effects on BP control. Additionally, compared with control interventions, feeding interventions appeared to have a greater BP-lowering effect. Further high-quality studies are needed to improve the quality of the evidence.
A randomised controlled intervention trial to study the effect of a personalised lifestyle programme on cancer-related fatigue among colorectal cancer survivors: protocol for the SoFiT study
Authors: de Vries-ten Have Judith , Manusama Koen , Verkaar Auke J. C. F. , Beijer Sandra , Sommeijer Dirkje W. , Kampman Ellen , Winkens Laura H. H. , Winkels Renate M.
Published: May 2024

Observational studies suggest that a healthy diet in combination with ample physical activity is associated with a lower prevalence of cancer-related fatigue. The SoFiT trial (SoFiT: Study on Fatigue: a lifestyle intervention among colorectal cancer survivors) will assess the effect of a personalised lifestyle programme on cancer-related fatigue in a randomised study. We designed a programme that aims to increase adherence to lifestyle recommendations on diet and physical activity. The programme was person-centred with regard to the lifestyle and personal characteristics of participants, to the determinants of behaviour of that participant, and to the preferences, opportunities and barriers of the participant. The effect of the programme was tested in the SoFiT trial: a two-armed, parallel, randomised controlled trial among adult stage I–III colorectal cancer survivors, who experience cancer-related fatigue after treatment completion; intended sample size n=184. Participants randomised to the intervention group received the personalised lifestyle programme. During 6 months, participants in the intervention group had individual sessions with a lifestyle coach of which four sessions were face-to-face and eight sessions were remote. After 6 months, participants randomised to the control group had access to two lifestyle coaching sessions and to the same materials that the intervention group also received. The primary endpoint of the trial is cancer-related fatigue. Secondary endpoints are sleep quality and duration, health-related quality of life, physical performance, depression and anxiety, skeletal muscle echo intensity and cross-sectional area, and gut microbiota composition. This trial will show the effects of a personalised lifestyle programme on cancer-related fatigue and on an extensive set of secondary outcomes. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05390398.
Recreational agroecosystem service value evidenced by mobile phone data: implications for incentive enhancement in terraced paddy land
Authors: Mameno Kota , Arnberger Arne , Shoji Yasushi , Kubo Takahiro
Published: May 2024

Farmland abandonment contributes to agroecosystem degradation and food crises. Sustainable farmland use requires a well-designed agri-environmental policy to provide farmers with incentives, including agroecosystem services apart from food production. One of these is recreation. Here, we focus on a Japanese terraced paddy land. We assessed seasonal changes in the value of recreational ecosystem services by integrating mobile phone big data of on-site visitors, collected between 2018 and 2020, into a valuation method. The application of mobile data enables the precise and consistent analysis of non-market agroecosystem services. The recreational value of the paddy land varied with season but overall was high. Sustainable farmland use provides social benefits, and we support the validity of agri-environmental policies that relate to economic incentives for agroecosystem conservation. However, the results show that the incentives provided by the public/government may be insufficient in comparison to this recreational value. Our findings provide information regarding the appropriate amount of economic support required to achieve sustainable agricultural land use in this setting.
A New Perspective on Estimation of Gas Flaring Volume From Space: OLI/TIRS, VIIRS, and TROPOMI
Authors: Asadi‐Fard Elmira , Falahatkar Samereh , Tanha Ziarati Mahdi , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: May 2024

Gas flaring (GF) has the negative impact on the environment, climate, and human health. So, regular monitoring of flares and quantification of their volume is necessary. Iran has many natural oil/gas processing plants and petrochemical companies which are concentrated in the southern region. Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) is an industry part with different kinds of active flares, thus a significant potential source of environmental impacts due to gas flaring. Remotely sensed data are used in gas‐flaring detection, volume estimation, and pollution emission. In this study, we applied day/nighttime radiation and air pollutant data to estimate gas flaring volumes. We developed artificial neural network models (ANN) for finding the relationship between the field measurement of GF volume as the dependent variable and shortwave infrared and thermal infrared bands of Landsat 8, M10 band of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, and air pollutant (NO2, CO, O3, and SO2) of TROPOMI as independent variables. Results showed that R2 values were 0.73 for the ANN model from 2018 to 2019. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the thermal infrared bands of B10 and B11 of Landsat 8 had the most important role in the estimation of gas flaring volume. In contrast, the SWIR bands of Landsat 8 and all TROPOMI products were insignificant. The findings of this research help to shed light on the use of remotely sensed data in estimating the volume of gas flaring at the regional/global scale by integration of the ANN model.
Temporal and Spatial Soil Moisture–Precipitation Coupling Relationships Over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zan Beilei , Wang Huimin , Wei Jiangfeng , Song Yuanyuan
Published: May 2024

Soil moisture can significantly influence weather and climate via land‒atmosphere interactions over the Tibetan Plateau. However, the temporal and spatial preferences of precipitation for soil moisture anomalies and the underlying mechanisms over the plateau have not been determined. Using multiple satellite data sets (including Global Precipitation Measurement precipitation data and Soil Moisture Active Passive and Advanced SCATterometer soil moisture data) and ERA5 reanalysis data, the temporal and spatial soil moisture–precipitation coupling (SMPC) relationships in seven summers during 2015–2021 over the plateau are quantified based on a percentile‐based method. The satellite observations show prevalent positive temporal SMPC across the plateau, indicating that wetter‐than‐normal soil conditions tend to lead to more afternoon precipitation. While ERA5 generally aligns with satellite findings, it underestimates areas with positive temporal SMPC. Both the satellite and ERA5 data show that spatial SMPC relationships are usually statistically insignificant, but a few regions show significant positive relationships, that is, precipitation is more likely to occur over soils wetter than the surrounding soils. Moreover, the satellite observations suggest an inter‐event positive correlation between the temporal and spatial SMPC relationships. ERA5 agrees with the satellite‐based results over the western plateau but shows discrepancies over the eastern plateau. The temporal and spatial variations in soil moisture modulate the partitioning of surface heat fluxes, planetary boundary layer height, and lifting condensation level, promoting moist convection and afternoon precipitation. The findings from this study shed new light on SMPC and have important implications for precipitation forecasting over the plateau.
Top‐Down Control of Ammonia Oxidizers by Grazing in the North Pacific
Authors: Ni Silin , Xu Min Nina , Du Moge , Laws Edward A. , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: May 2024

The impact of grazing pressure on ammonia oxidizers (AO) has never been quantified in the field. Here we develop a new method to quantify the grazing rates on AO in aquatic systems. We introduce 15NH4+ tracer into the traditional dilution experiments to measure AO's apparent growth rates by using the end‐product of 15NH4+ oxidation, that is, 15NOx−. Field studies in the North Pacific revealed that 15NOx− in the end‐product was sensitive enough to detect AO's grazing rates. Experiments from the lower euphotic zone showed NH4+ replete growth rates of 0.40 d−1 and 0.77 d−1 of AO and in situ grazing rates on AO of 0.41 d−1 and 0.45 d−1, respectively, indicating a strong top‐down control by grazing on AO. Compiled data show a vertical decoupling between ammonia oxidation rates and AO abundance within the euphotic zone, indicating that strong grazing may have affected the distribution of AO in the global ocean.
Modeling Heat Transfer for Assessing the Convection Length in Ventilated Caves
Authors: Sedaghatkish Amir , Pastore Claudio , Doumenc Frédéric , Jeannin Pierre‐Yves , Luetscher Marc
Published: May 2024

The present study focuses on heat transfer in ventilated caves for which the airflow is driven by the temperature contrast between the cave and the external atmosphere. We use a numerical model that couples the convective heat transfer due to the airflow in a single karst conduit with the conductive heat transfer in the rock mass. Assuming dry air and a simplified geometry, we investigate the propagation of thermal perturbations inside the karst massif. We perform a parametric study to identify general trends regarding the effect of the air flowrate and conduit size on the amplitude and spatial extent of thermal perturbations. Numerical results support the partition of a cave into three regions: (a) a short (few meters) diffusive region, where heat mainly propagates from the external atmosphere by conduction in the rock mass; (b) a convective region where heat is mainly transported by the air flow; (c) a deep karst region characterized by quasi‐constant temperatures throughout the year. Numerical simulations show that the length of the convective region is approximately proportional to the amplitude of the flowrate annual fluctuations divided by the square root of the cave radius. This result is tested against field data from a mine tunnel and two caves. Our study provides first estimates to identify climate sensitive regions for speleothem science and/or ecosystemic studies.