bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Subway Station Proximity on Apartment Prices in Shiraz
Authors: Kashkooli Hamed Najafi , Hajipoor Khalil , Arasteh Mojtaba , Soltani Ali
Published: April 2024

Proximity to public transportation, such as subway stations is often considered as one of the main factors affecting urban land value and housing prices. However, the magnitude and direction of this impact may vary depending on the context and characteristics of each city. This paper aims to investigate the effect of subway station proximity on apartment prices in Shiraz, a major city in Iran with a population of over 1.8 million people. Using a hedonic price model and regression technique, we analyzed a dataset of 128 apartment transactions, controlling for apartment size, location, age, and other characteristics. The results differ from previous studies which suggested being closer to the transit station affects the property price due to accessibility. The findings suggest that distance to subway stations has an insignificant effect on apartment prices in Shiraz, with property size, location, and age being key determinants of apartment prices. The possible reasons for this result were discussed and recommendations were made for the development of further studies.
Building a Fully-Automatized Active Learning Framework for the Semantic Segmentation of Geospatial 3D Point Clouds
Authors: Kölle Michael , Walter Volker , Sörgel Uwe
Published: April 2024

In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing supervised Machine Learning (ML) systems like Convolutional Neural Networks. However, it’s crucial to recognize that the performance of these systems heavily relies on the quality of labeled training data. To address this, we propose a shift in focus towards developing sustainable methods of acquiring such data instead of solely building new classifiers in the ever-evolving ML field. Specifically, in the geospatial domain, the process of generating training data for ML systems has been largely neglected in research. Traditionally, experts have been burdened with the laborious task of labeling, which is not only time-consuming but also inefficient. In our system for the semantic interpretation of Airborne Laser Scanning point clouds, we break with this convention and completely remove labeling obligations from domain experts who have completed special training in geosciences and instead adopt a hybrid intelligence approach. This involves active and iterative collaboration between the ML model and humans through Active Learning, which identifies the most critical samples justifying manual inspection. Only these samples (typically $$\ll 1{\%}$$

≪
1
%

of Passive Learning training points) are subject to human annotation. To carry out this annotation, we choose to outsource the task to a large group of non-specialists, referred to as the crowd, which comes with the inherent challenge of guiding those inexperienced annotators (i.e., “short-term employees”) to still produce labels of sufficient quality. However, we acknowledge that attracting enough volunteers for crowdsourcing campaigns can be challenging due to the tedious nature of labeling tasks. To address this, we propose employing paid crowdsourcing and providing monetary incentives to crowdworkers. This approach ensures access to a vast pool of prospective workers through respective platforms, ensuring timely completion of jobs. Effectively, crowdworkers become human processing units in our hybrid intelligence system mirroring the functionality of electronic processing units.
Is sarcopenia a real concern in ankylosing spondylitis? A systematic literature review
Authors: Ceolin Chiara , Papa Mario Virgilio , Scagnellato Laura , Doria Andrea , Sergi Giuseppe , Ramonda Roberta
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Sarcopenia is a condition defined as loss of muscle mass and strength, associated with poor functional performance and disability. Sarcopenia can be exacerbated or worsened in presence of inflammation, sedentary lifestyle and cytokine imbalance, thus it frequently occurs in people affected by rheumatic diseases. This systematic literature review aims to explore the association between sarcopenia and spondyloarthritis (SpA) and its most frequent manifestation, i.e. ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

The Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles on muscle mass, muscle strength and axial SpA, from any date to November 2023. Only studies written in English were considered. The methodological quality of the studies included in the review was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scales for observational studies and for case–control studies.

Results

190 papers were retrieved from the searches, 14 of which met the inclusion criteria. Rather than diagnosis of sarcopenia, pre-sarcopenia or probable sarcopenia were frequent in people with AS, with a great reduction especially of muscle strength. The pre-sarcopenia status appears to be related to high AS disease activity, suggesting that chronic inflammation resulting in pain, less movement and decreased physical activity could play a role in the muscle heath of AS patients.

Conclusions

Our review confirms the existence of an association between AS and loss of muscle strength—likely sarcopenia—already at a young age. Preventive and early strategies should be adopted to ensure successful aging for individuals with AS.
Optimization of barrel temperature and feed moisture content for better physicochemical and sensory properties of extruded snacks from blends of finger millet, sweet potato, and soybean composite flour using response surface methodology
Authors: Mohammed Ibrahim , Forsido Sirawdink Fikreyesus , Kuyu Chala G.
Published: April 2024

Extruded snacks are commonly made with cereals with good expansion properties but low in essential nutrients such as protein and vitamins. The incorporation of legume and vegetable crops into cereal improves the nutritional value of cereal-based extruded snacks. This study aimed to develop a nutrient-rich optimized extruded snack by incorporating orange-fleshed sweet potato, finger millet, and soybean flour. The extrusion processing conditions were barrel temperature (90–130 °C) and feed moisture content (20–26%). Thirteen treatment combinations were generated for this experiment using a face-centered central composite design. Standard methods were used to evaluate the effect of barrel temperature and feed moisture content on extruded snacks' nutritional, anti-nutritional, physical, functional, and sensory acceptability. The data were analyzed, and processing conditions were optimized using the response surface methodology of Design Expert software version 13. Multiple regression analysis showed significant effects (p < 0.05) of the independent variables on moisture, protein, fat, beta-carotene, bulk density (BD), hardness, expansion ratio (ER), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), and overall acceptability of the extrudates. The optimum response of 14.06% protein, 3.26% ash, 69.12% carbohydrate, 6.477 mg/100 g beta-carotene, 0.36 g/ml bulk density, 2.72 Expansion ratio, 87.28 N hardness, 4.34 g/g Water absorption index, 22.34% Water solubility index, and overall acceptability of 3.30 was achieved at an optimal barrel temperature of 114.5 °C and feed moisture content of 20%. The obtained result suggests that barrel temperature and feed moisture content had a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the measured quality properties of the extrudates.
A comprehensive review of phytochemicals of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) as antiviral therapeutics
Authors: Ozeer Fathima Zahraa , Nagandran Saraswathi , Wu Yuan Seng , Wong Ling Shing , Stephen Annatasha , Lee Michelle Felicia , Kijsomporn Jureerat , Guad Rhanye Mac , Batumalaie Kalaivani , Oyewusi Habeebat Adekilekun , Verma Amita , Yadav Ekta , Afzal Sheryar , Sekar Mahendran , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Fuloria Neeraj Kumar , Fuloria Shivkanya , Sarker Md. Moklesur Rahman
Published: April 2024

Viruses have caused millions and billions of infections and high mortality rates without successful immunization due to a lack of antiviral drugs approved for clinical use. Therefore, the discovery of novel antiviral drugs is impertinent and natural products are excellent alternative sources. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) is recognized as one of the most significant herbs in the Ayurvedic system and it had been utilized in various biological actions for more than 3000 years. This review aimed to discuss the therapeutic effects and associated molecular mechanisms of Withania somnifera (WS) and its phytochemicals, withanolides against various viruses in preclinical and clinical settings towards developing potential inhibitors which could target virus proteins or their respective host cell receptors. WS was reported to attenuate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), serve as a potential ligand against the herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA polymerase, suppress Alzheimer’s disease progression by inhibiting the cytotoxicity induced by the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-activated beta-amyloid (Aβ), and attenuate the neuraminidase activity of H1N1 influenza. WS root extracts have also reduced the mortality rates and stress levels in tilapia infected with tilapia lake virus (TiLV), and stimulated antiviral nitric oxide formation in chicks infected with infectious bursal disease (IBD). With increasing evidence from previous literatures, further in vitro and in vivo investigations of WS against other viral infections may provide promising results.

Graphical Abstract
PLA-HA/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles loaded with curcumin: physicochemical characterization and toxicity evaluation in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Bourang Shima , Asadian Sina , Noruzpour Mehran , Mansuryar Atefeh , Azizi Solmaz , Ebrahimi Hossein Ali , Amani Hooshyar Vahid
Published: April 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common, harmful, and universal cancer and the second lethal type. This paper discusses the therapeutic potential of curcumin, a significant curcuminoid found in the substructure of plant Curcuma longa (turmeric), against CRC. Curcumin has the ability to disrupt a variety of cellular signaling pathways and has been validated in several preclinical and clinical studies, but suffers from low solubility and bioavailability. Despite the widespread use of curcumin (CU) against colorectal cancer, it presents limitations, such as low solubility and bioavailability. Due to these drawbacks, researchers focused on new methods to carry CU into cells to overcome the limits of treatments with CU. One of the leading solutions is bioanalytical methods, which are based on using CU in combination with nanoparticles, especially magnetic nanoparticles, which cause the targeted transfer of the drug to cancer cells. To address these issues, PLA-HA/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded with curcumin. The average size and zeta potential of the nanoparticles and the magnetic properties were measured. The drug encapsulation efficiency and cumulative release of curcumin from the nanoparticles under acidic and neutral pH (4.8, 6, and 7.4) values were evaluated, as well as the cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles on HCT116 colorectal cancer cells. According to the results of DLS and TEM analysis, PLA/Fe3O4/curcumin nanoparticles had a spherical structure with an average size of 208 Å ± 12.8 nm and a Zeta potential of − 18 (mV). The drug encapsulation efficiency in PLA-HA/Fe3O4 nanoparticles was 24.8 ± 4.6 percent. The drug's release rate was influenced by acidic and neutral pH levels. After 14 days, the highest release rate was 98% at pH 4.8 and over 94% at pH 6 (typical of cancer cells). In contrast, the drug's release at pH 7.4 (typical of healthy cells) after 14 days was only 59%. The results demonstrated that nanoparticles have a high degree of biocompatibility and the ability to carry Curcumin medications. HCT116 cells with 200 μg/ml PLA-HA/Fe3O4/Curcumin nanoparticles have 58.63 ± 3.7% percent cell viability. Ultimately, PLA-HA, Fe3O4, and Curcumin's physicochemical characteristics and impact on cell viability render them valuable instruments for precisely delivering drugs to colorectal cancer cells. The PLA-HA/Fe3O4–curcumin nanoparticles demonstrated a well-targeted drug delivery system for upcoming colorectal cancer treatments, as evidenced by their strong cytotoxic effects on colorectal cancer cells and negligible toxicity towards non-cancerous cells.

Graphical abstract
A feasibility study on the adoption of a generative denoising diffusion model for the synthesis of fundus photographs using a small dataset
Authors: Kim Hong Kyu , Ryu Ik Hee , Choi Joon Yul , Yoo Tae Keun
Published: April 2024

The generative diffusion model has been highlighted as a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technique for image synthesis. Here, we show that a denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM) can be used for a domain-specific task generating fundus photographs based on a limited training dataset in an unconditional manner. We trained the DDPM based on U-Net backbone architecture, which is the most popular form of the generative diffusion model. After training, serial multiple denoising U-Nets can generate FPs using random noise seeds. A thousand healthy retinal images were used to train the diffusion model. The input image size was set to a pixel resolution of 128 × 128. The trained DDPM successfully generated synthetic fundus photographs with a resolution of 128 × 128 pixels using our small dataset. We failed to train the DDPM for 256-by-256-pixel images due to the limited computation capacity using a personal cloud platform. In a comparative analysis, the progressive growing generative adversarial network (PGGAN) model synthesized more sharpened images than the DDPM in the retinal vessels and optic discs. The PGGAN (Frechet inception distance [FID] score: 41.761) achieved a better FID score than the DDPM (FID score: 65.605). We used a domain-specific generative diffusion model to synthesize fundus photographs based on a relatively small dataset. Because the DDPM has disadvantages with a small dataset, including difficulty in training and low image quality compared with generative adversarial networks such as PGGAN, further studies are needed to improve diffusion models for domain-specific medical tasks with small numbers of samples.
Fejér–Riesz factorization in the QRC-subalgebra and circularity of the quaternionic numerical range
Authors: van der Merwe Alma , van Straaten Madelein , Woerdeman Hugo J.
Published: April 2024

We provide a characterization when the quaternionic numerical range of a matrix is a closed ball with center 0. The proof makes use of Fejér–Riesz factorization of matrix-valued trigonometric polynomials within the algebra of complex matrices associated with quaternion matrices.
Promising the future, encoding the past: AI hype and public media imagery
Authors: Vrabič Dežman Dominik
Published: April 2024

In recent years, “AI hype” has taken over public media, oscillating between sensationalism and concerns about the societal implications of AI growth. The latest historical wave of AI hype indexes a period of increased research, investment, and speculation on machine learning, centred around generative AI, a novel class of machine learning that can generate original media from textual prompts. In this paper, I dive into the production of AI hype in online media, with the aim of prioritising the normative and political dimension of AI hype. Formulating AI as a promise reframes it as a normative project, centrally involving the formation of public and institutional confidence in the technology. The production and dissemination of images, in this context, plays a pivotal role in reinforcing these normative commitments to the public. My argument is divided into four sections. First, I examine the political relevance of stock images as the dominant imagery used to convey AI concepts to the public. These stock images encode specific readings of AI and circulate through public media, significantly influencing perceptions. Second, I look at the dominant images of AI as matters of political concern. Third, as generative AI increasingly contributes to the production of stock imagery, I compare the epistemic work performed by AI-generated outputs and stock images, as both encode style, content, and taxonomic structures of the world. I employ an entity relationship diagram (ERD) to investigate the political economy of AI imagery in digital media, providing a snapshot of how AI hype is materialised and amplified online. With this study, I reaffirm AI’s normative character at the forefront of its political and ethical discourse.
Mechanistic insight into the C1 product selectivity for the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 over metal-doped graphene
Authors: Chen Hao-ze , Liu Ji , Hu Bin , Liu Xin-ru , Wang Hao-yu , Li Ji-Hong , Lu Qiang
Published: April 2024

The conversion of CO2 into fuels and valuable chemicals presents a viable path toward carbon neutrality. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of metal-doped graphene catalysts in the reduction of CO2 to C1 products. 20 typical M-graphene (M = metal) catalysts were established based on DFT calculations. Six candidate catalysts, i.e., V-, Cr-, Mn-, Ni-, Mo-, and Ta-graphene catalysts, were selected by combining the hydrogen dissociation ability and the energy band gap of the catalysts. Subsequently, the adsorption characteristics and hydrogenation reactions of CO2 over the six candidates were explored. CO2 tends to adsorb at the M site through vertical adsorption and carbon–oxygen co-adsorption. V- and Cr-graphene catalysts promote the production of intermediate COOH, whereas Mn-, Ni-, Mo-, and Ta-doped surfaces are more favorable for HCOO formation. Concerning the hydrogenation to CO and HCOOH, V-, Cr-, Ni- and Mo-graphene catalysts preferentially yield CO from COOH, whereas Ta-doped graphene favors the formation of HCOOH. In total, the competitive hydrogenation of CO2 reveals the selectivity of the C1 products. Cr- and Ni-graphene favor the production of HCOOH and CH3OH, whereas V-, Mn-, Mo-, and Ta-graphene primarily yield CH3OH.

Graphical Abstract
Smart and Sustainable Public Transportation - A Need of Developing Countries
Authors: Ashraf Aayesha , Idrisi M. Javed
Published: April 2024

A sustainable transport system is one which offers economical solutions and causes no/little damage to the environment. We usually categorize transport into three sections - roads, airways and water. Such systems need to be set up in order to have a transportation medium or ecosystem with minimum environmental impact. Public buses are an excellent example of sustainable road transportation. They can accommodate a large number of people economically and help ease the financial burden on individuals. Unfortunately, the majority of public buses are powered by non-renewable energy sources such as diesel. This results in the release of hazardous pollutants, leading to a degraded environment. Although the cost of using this form of transportation is relatively affordable, it nonetheless has an adverse effect on the environment. Therefore, it cannot be considered sustainable in that regard. We are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation by introducing new technologies such as IoT, AI, Blockchain and 5G into our smart and sustainable transportation system. This way we can ensure its sustainability from all angles. The impact of transportation on our society is undeniable- both in terms of economic, social and environmental implications. To ensure a better quality of life for all, we must shift to smart and sustainable transport solutions. This research seeks to present a clever and eco-friendly transport system that brings economic and social advantages for developing countries.
Warship 1
Authors: Mulder Jantinus
Published: April 2024

Trapped in the Far East by the over-run of the Netherlands and by the occupancy of the Netherlands East Indies, Tromp's destiny lay in the Indian Ocean and Pacific onslaughts. The ship became one of the highest decorated Dutch warships of World War II. Often referred as to as The Ghost ship, the crew preferred to call her The Lucky ship. Because besides the British Ark royal, there was no other ship more often claimed as to be sunk.
250 Gender Disparities in the Acquisition of Lower Extremity Prosthetics Following Major Limb Amputation
Authors: Levy Julien , Kamdar Neil , Adidharma Widya , Kemp Stephen , Hooper Rachel
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The time between lower extremity amputations and prosthetic acquisition profoundly influences patient rehabilitation and mortality outcomes. Our primary outcome was time to prosthetic acquisition following major limb amputation. We hypothesize that women face an increased time lag between amputation and prosthetic acquisition compared to men. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We used the 2015-2021 Truven Marketscan Medicare and Commercial Claims Administrative dataset to identify individuals with lower extremity amputations based on CPT codes. We excluded patients < 18 years old, those with prior/concurrent major extremity amputations, and those with <= 31 days discontinuity in enrollment. To estimate time to prosthetic acquisition after initial amputation, Weibull Accelerated Failure Time multivariable regression models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted time ratios and 95% confidence intervals comparing men to women. We adjusted models for age, Medicare supplement/commercial payer, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), amputation type, social deprivation index, and Elixhauser comorbidities. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We identified 4,054 patients with major lower extremity amputations (75% below knee and 25% at or above knee). Patients were predominantly male (72%). For patients who received prosthetics, 39.06% of men and 31.28% of women received prosthetics within the first three months of amputation (p<0.001). Time ratios > 1 indicated longer time to prosthetic acquisition between comparison groups. The adjusted time ratio for women compared to men for the time to acquisition of prosthetics was increased; this was statistically significant (TR 1.3281, 95% CI 1.1667, 1.5118). This time ratio suggests that if a man received a prosthetic in 100 days, a women would receive her prosthetic in 133 days. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We found a significant difference in the time to prosthetic acquisition following major limb amputation and acquisition rate in the first three months of amputation among men and women. Successful rehabilitation, quality of life, and healthcare costs are influenced by the timeliness of prosthetic acquisition.
Active control of flow and near-field pressure fluctuations in heated supersonic rectangular twin jets
Authors: Samimy Mo , Katterle Karli , Leahy Ryan , Webb Nathan , Yarlagadda Abhi , Hiler Noah
Published: April 2024

Heated supersonic rectangular twin jets (SRTJ) with a total temperature ratio of 2, using nozzles of design Mach number 1.5 and aspect ratio 2, were investigated in flow regimes from overexpanded to the design condition (Mj = 1.3–1.5). This work complements our recently published work in unheated SRTJ using the same experimental facility (Samimy et al., J. Fluid Mech, vol. 959, 2023, A13). Localized arc filament plasma actuators (LAFPAs) were used to excite the natural instabilities in the jets, thereby controlling the flow and acoustics. The results show that the jets were coupled primarily out-of-phase in overexpanded cases, that the coupling had significant effects on the near-field (NF) pressure fluctuations, and that these fluctuations were considerably higher for in-phase than for out-of-phase coupled cases. The results also revealed that the far-field (FF) overall sound pressure level is significantly higher on the minor axis plane of the SRTJ and that the onset of Mach wave radiation contributes to the increased acoustic radiation at the peak noise direction. The LAFPAs successfully controlled the coupling and were able to reduce the NF pressure fluctuations by 10 dB. However, only 1 to 2 dB FF noise reduction at the peak noise radiation direction was achieved. The overall trends of the baseline results and response of the flow to excitation are qualitatively similar in unheated and heated cases, but the details are significantly different.
Witchcraft Accusations and the Tort of Defamation in Anglophone Africa
Authors: Owusu Emmanuel Sarpong
Published: April 2024

Witchcraft beliefs are a major cause of violence against vulnerable groups in many African countries. People accused of being witches are often ostracised/banished, physically assaulted, tortured, and/or murdered. However, there are rare instances when persons accused of being witches sue their accusers for defamation. In such cases, the courts are often invited to address whether witchcraft imputations amount to defamation and, if so, under what circumstances. The present study explores the Anglophone African courts’ attitudes towards witchcraft-related defamation claims, examining how various judicial bodies in five countries—Botswana, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania—have navigated the convoluted and sometimes confusing system of legal pluralism since the 1970s. The study shows that courts in various African countries apply several principles when resolving witchcraft-related defamation claims. However, they generally concur that recklessly imputing witchcraft to a person necessarily impairs that person's dignity and is actionable per se.
Debunking the idea of biological optimisation: quantitative biology to the rescue
Authors: Hamant Olivier
Published: April 2024

The idea that plants would be efficient, frugal or optimised echoes the recurrent semantics of ‘blueprint’ and ‘program’ in molecular genetics. However, when analysing plants with quantitative approaches and systems thinking, we instead find that plants are the results of stochastic processes with many inefficiencies, incoherence or delays fuelling their robustness. If one had to highlight the main value of quantitative biology, this could be it: plants are robust systems because they are not efficient. Such systemic insights extend to the way we conduct plant research and opens plant science publication to a much broader framework.
A new species of the genus Hexamermis Steiner, 1924 (Nematoda: Mermithidae) from northern Iran: a nematode with an unusual uterine morphology
Authors: Vazifeh N. , Niknam G. , Camino N.B. , Abootalebi F.
Published: April 2024

Hexamermis zirabi sp. n., recovered from a natural habitat of Mazandaran province, north of Iran, is described based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is characterized by its six cephalic papillae; cuticle with distinct cross fibers; conoid or sharply tapered head; mouth terminal; six hypodermal cords; J-shaped vagina oriented to the anterior end of body; uterus with Z-organs or sclerotized bodies; tail similar in both sexes and bluntly rounded; spicules paired, separate, slightly curved, shorter than body width at cloaca, with rounded tip; and male genital papillae arranged in five rows. In addition to the morphological study, molecular phylogenetic analyses using a partial large subunit (28S D2-D3) were also performed, and the new species formed a highly supported (1.00% Bayesian posterior probability (BPP)) clade with Hexamermis popilliae.
High-Tech Exports and Governance Institutions
Authors: Manzetti Luigi , Osang Thomas
Published: April 2024

There exists substantial evidence that technological innovation and, more specifically, innovation creating high-tech exports is a crucial driver for economic growth. However, there is less consensus about the factors that cause high-tech exports to thrive. Most studies emphasize the crucial role played by research and development expenditures, foreign direct investments, trade openness, human capital, and patents. In this article, we instead examine the role of a different determinant, which usually is overlooked in the scholarly debate about governance institutions. We use government effectives (GE) and rule of law (ROL) as measures of governance. We employ a panel-data approach encompassing more than 100 countries between 2007 and 2019. The panel estimates show a causal relationship linking GE and the ROL with high-tech exports.
Exclusionary Mechanisms of Social Policy Redistribution in Hungary
Authors: Czibere Ibolya , Balogh Karolina , Kovách Imre , Nemes-Zámbó Gabriella
Published: April 2024

In this study the authors examine the impact of social incomes on social inequalities and social integration in the post-2010 populist welfare system in Hungary. A detailed quantitative analysis reveals the structure and distribution of social incomes among different groups in contemporary Hungarian society. This analysis includes factors such educational attainment, demographic structure and income of households, number of children, and deprivation index. The results of the research show that welfare redistribution has lost its ability to reduce inequalities and instead serves as a means of perpetuating social disparities.
Global Projection of Flood Risk With a Bivariate Framework Under 1.5–3.0°C Warming Levels
Authors: Huang Xi , Yin Jiabo , Slater Louise J. , Kang Shengyu , He Shaokun , Liu Pan
Published: April 2024

Global warming increases the atmospheric water‐holding capacity, consequently altering the frequency, and intensity of extreme hydrological events. River floods characterized by large peak flow or prolonged duration can amplify the risk of social disruption and affect ecosystem stability. However, previous studies have mostly focused on univariate flood magnitude characteristics, such as flood peak or volume, and there is still limited understanding of how these joint flood characteristics (i.e., magnitude and duration) might co‐evolve under different warming levels. Here, we develop a systematical bivariate framework to project future flood risk in 11,528 catchments across the globe. By constructing the joint distribution of flood peak and duration with copulas, we examine global flood risk with a bivariate framework under varying levels of global warming (i.e., within a range of 1.5–3.0°C above pre‐industrial levels). The flood projections are produced by driving five calibrated lumped hydrological models (HMs) using the simulations with bias adjustment of five global climate models (GCMs) under three shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585). On average, global warming from 1.5 to 3.0°C tends to amplify flood peak and lengthen flood duration across almost all continents, but changes are not unidirectional and vary regionally around the globe. The joint return period (JRP) of the historical (1985–2014) 50‐year flood event is projected to decrease to a median with 36 years under a medium emission pathway at the 1.5°C warming level. Finally, we evaluate the drivers of these JRP changes in the future climate and quantify the uncertainty arising from the different GCMs, SSPs, and HMs. Our findings highlight the importance of limiting greenhouse gas emission to slow down global warming and developing climate adaptation strategies to address future flood hazards.
Statistical Analysis of Low‐Latitude Boundary of Polar‐Type Medium‐Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by a 630‐nm Airglow Imager at Nyrölä, Finland
Authors: Sato Masaki , Shiokawa Kazuo , Oyama Shin‐ichiro , Otsuka Yuichi , Shinbori Atsuki , Oksanen Arto
Published: April 2024

Medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) are one of the ionospheric plasma density structures and are observable through 630‐nm airglow images. Previous studies using airglow images at Tromsø (69.6°N, 19.2°E; magnetic latitude: 66.7°N), Norway, reported high‐latitude MSTIDs (here we call them as polar‐type MSTIDs) whose propagation direction changes associated with auroral brightening and magnetic field disturbances. However, there has been little statistical analysis on the connection of MSTIDs occurring at high and middle latitudes. In this study, we statistically analyzed the MSTIDs observed by an airglow imager at Nyrölä (62.3°N, 25.5°E; magnetic latitude: 59.4°N), Finland, which is located ∼7° south of Tromsø, corresponding to subauroral latitudes. The period analyzed was from 23 January 2017, to 30 September 2021. We found 11 cases of MSTIDs during this period. Eight cases were found to be the polar‐type MSTIDs whose motion changes associated with auroral brightening and magnetic field disturbances. We found that 9 cases of MSTID show the low‐latitude boundary at 61° ± 2°N for geographic latitude and 58° ± 2°N for magnetic latitude, indicating disconnection between high‐ and mid‐latitude MSTIDs. We also derived occurrence probability, velocity, wavelength, period, wave front direction, and propagation direction of these MSTIDs. The occurrence probability of MSTIDs at Nyrölä is 1.9%, which is much lower than those at high (Tromsoe, more than 50%) and middle (Japan, ∼30%) latitudes. We discuss these MSTID characteristics at subauroral latitudes based on possible difference of generation mechanisms of nighttime MSTIDs at high and middle latitudes.
Dynamic Rupture Simulations of Caldera Collapse Earthquakes: Effects of Wave Radiation, Magma Viscosity, and Evidence of Complex Nucleation at Kı̄lauea 2018
Authors: Wang Taiyi A. , Dunham Eric M. , Krenz Lukas , Abrahams Lauren S. , Segall Paul , Yoder Mark R.
Published: April 2024

All instrumented basaltic caldera collapses have generated Mw > 5 very long period earthquakes. However, previous studies of source dynamics have been limited to lumped models treating the caldera block as rigid, leaving open questions related to how ruptures initiate and propagate around the ring fault, and the seismic expressions of those dynamics. We present the first 3D numerical model capturing the nucleation and propagation of ring fault rupture, the mechanical coupling to the underlying viscoelastic magma, and the associated seismic wavefield. We demonstrate that seismic radiation, neglected in previous models, acts as a damping mechanism reducing coseismic slip by up to half, with effects most pronounced for large magma chamber volume/ring fault radius or highly compliant crust/compressible magma. Viscosity of basaltic magma has negligible effect on collapse dynamics. In contrast, viscosity of silicic magma significantly reduces ring fault slip. We use the model to simulate the 2018 Kı̄lauea caldera collapse. Three stages of collapse, characterized by ring fault rupture initiation and propagation, deceleration of the downward‐moving caldera block and magma column, and post‐collapse resonant oscillations, in addition to chamber pressurization, are identified in simulated and observed (unfiltered) near‐field seismograms. A detailed comparison of simulated and observed displacement waveforms corresponding to collapse earthquakes with hypocenters at various azimuths of the ring fault reveals a complex nucleation phase for earthquakes initiated on the northwest. Our numerical simulation framework will enhance future efforts to reconcile seismic and geodetic observations of caldera collapse with conceptual models of ring fault and magma chamber dynamics.
Turbulence From Tropical Instability Waves in the Equatorial Cold Tongues: Quantification From Multiyear Moored Records
Authors: Iyer Suneil , Moum James N.
Published: April 2024

Tropical instability waves (TIWs) are identified in three multiyear equatorial mooring records in Pacific and Atlantic cold tongues to evaluate how TIWs modulate turbulence. At 0°, 140°W in the Pacific, TIWs are present in 43% of observations, and are associated with elevated vertical shear and a 40% average increase in turbulence dissipation rates (ϵ) above the Equatorial Undercurrent. Zonal shear is greatest when currents are southward while buoyancy is greatest later in the TIW cycle, leading to greater potential for instability and elevated turbulence before and during the southward flow maximum. This suggests that TIW vortex stretching contributes to enhanced shear and turbulence. In the Atlantic, TIWs are found in 38% of observations at 0°, 23°W and 16% of observations at 0°, 10°W. TIWs at 23°W increase ϵ by 18% where turbulence is likely modulated by vortex stretching and, near the surface, by the seasonally wind‐forced equatorial roll. At 23°W and 140°W, TIWs with strong meridional velocity fluctuations are associated with the strongest turbulence. Contributions of seasonal variations are removed by considering only periods when TIWs are climatically active. During these periods, mean values of ϵ in the presence of strong TIWs are elevated by 61% at 140°W, 29% at 23°W, and 36% at 10°W. At 10°W, where our identification scheme may include wind‐forced oscillations in the same frequency band, increases in ϵ are not consistent in the presence of TIWs and do not contribute significantly to multiyear averages.
Brine Pools With Round Caps in the Western Qaidam Basin: Application to Iron Mobility and the Evaporation Formation of the Iron Oxide and Sulfate Assemblage on Mars
Authors: Fang Ziyao , Li Yiliang , He Xiaoqing , Qin Liping
Published: April 2024

The coexistence of sulfates and iron oxides is widespread on Mars, including at Meridiani Planum, the Opportunity rover's landing site. However, the formation mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we report evaporitic iron oxyhydroxides and gypsum deposited as round caps in the center of brine pools in a playa area of the western Qaidam Basin in the northern Tibetan Plateau. Geochemical and mineralogical analyses indicate that the gypsum is precipitated in situ by strong evaporation of subsurface percolating brine containing dissolved iron. We suggest that the transport of iron from the anoxic subsurface and the evaporation of upwelling groundwater in an oxidized and hyperarid environment may have led to the co‐deposition of sulfates and iron oxides at Meridiani Planum and other similar sites on Mars. Our results also suggest that the subsurface water cycle could be an important source of iron mobility even under an oxidizing atmosphere and cold climatic conditions on Mars. Groundwater evaporation during the desiccation of Mars after the late Noachian may have contributed to the heterogeneous distribution of iron and the widespread coexistence of sulfates and iron oxides on the martian surface.
Shifting Depth Distributions of Deep‐Sea Corals in the Southwest Pacific: Implications for Deglacial Dynamics of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Thresher Ronald E. , Fallon Stewart J.
Published: April 2024

We compare depth and temporal distributions of sub‐fossil assemblages of two cold‐water scleractinian corals on seamounts in the Southwest Pacific to help define the temporal variations of water mass properties in the Southern Ocean (SO) during deglaciation. Peaks in the deep‐water abundance of the two species complement one another, with Desmophyllum dianthus peaking around the Antarctic Cold Reversal (ACR), and Solenosmilia variabilis briefly during the late Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1) and during the Younger Dryas (YD). Environmental tolerances of the two species and the geochemistry of S. variabilis carbonate skeletons suggest that their secular distributions reflect complementary effects of temperature (higher at Antarctic Intermediate Water/Upper Circumpolar Deep Water depths during the YD and late HS1) and surface productivity (lower during the YD and HS1). Higher temperatures at depth we interpret as evidence of increased Zonal West Wind (ZWW)‐driven Ekman pumping during the late HS1 and YD, whereas coeval low surface production reflects poleward expansion of sub‐tropical water masses as a result of correlated poleward shifts of the ZWW belt and the Intertropical Convergence Zone. More broadly, a continuous deep coral population in the southwest Pacific that spans two species and three deglacial periods (HS1, ACR and the YD) and an early Holocene shift in coral distribution from deeper to shallower habitats appear to reflect large‐scale changes during deglaciation in SO temperature profiles and productivity.
Attribution of Terrestrial Near‐Surface Wind Speed Changes Across China at a Centennial Scale
Authors: Zha Jinlin , Chuan Ting , Wu Jian , Zhao Deming , Luo Meng , Feng Jinming , Fan Wenxuan , Shen Cheng , Jiang Huiping
Published: April 2024

Near‐surface wind speed (NSWS) over China shows multiple time‐scale changes at a centennial scale, but the contributions of internal variability (IV), anthropogenic forcing (ANT), and natural forcing (NAT) to those changes remain unknown. This study investigated the contributions of IV, ANT, and NAT to NSWS changes at a centennial scale. Results show that the NSWS changes were attributed mainly to IV. IV not only modulated the interannual changes in NSWS but also determined the interdecadal transition in NSWS. The relative contributions of IV to the interannual and decadal NSWS exceeded 75.0%. ANT contributed particularly to the long‐term reduction in NSWS; especially, it has contributed 55.0% of the reduction in NSWS since 1957, serving as the major contributor to the reduction in NSWS. NAT had a small‐to‐negligible effect on China's NSWS throughout the study period. This study enhances our understanding of NSWS changes at different time scales.
Role of rs2282679 in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and insulin resistance after a sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: de Luis Daniel , Izaola Olatz , Primo David , López Gómez Juan José , Pacheco David
Published: April 2024

Background & aims

Some studies have reported links between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the presence of obesity and some genetic variants. The aim of our design was to evaluate the effects of rs2282679 genetic variant of CG gene on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, weight loss and metabolic parameters after a robotic sleeve gastrectomy in premenopausal females with obesity.

Methods

76 participants were enrolled. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, biochemical evaluation and anthropometric parameters were registered before surgery and after 3, 6 and 12 months follow up. Genotype of rs2282679 CG gene was evaluated.

Results

The improvements in anthropometric parameters, blood pressure and lipid profile were similar in both genotypes (TT vs TG + GG). Basal insulin levels and HOMA-IR were greater in G allele carriers than non-carriers (Delta: 6.7 ± 1.2 mUI/L; p = 0.01) and (Delta: 1.3 ± 0.1 units; p = 0.02). 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were lower in G allele carriers than non-carriers (Delta: 8.1 ± 1.1 ng/dl; p = 0.03). The levels of insulin and HOMA-IR remained greater in G allele carriers than non-carriers throughout all the visits. The levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D remained lower in G allele carriers than non-G allele. The average level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D at 12 months in non-G allele carriers were above 30 ng/dl (36.0 ± 3.1 ng/dl) and the level in G allele carriers were below (24.9 ± 4.9 ng/dl).

Conclusions

rs 2282679 (GC) was related with low 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels and insulin resistance. In addition, the presence of G allele produced a decrease in the improvement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and insulin resistance after weight loss during 12 months.
Acidovorax temperans skews neutrophil maturation and polarizes Th17 cells to promote lung adenocarcinoma development
Authors: Stone Joshua K. , von Muhlinen Natalia , Zhang Chenran , Robles Ana I. , Flis Amy L. , Vega-Valle Eleazar , Miyanaga Akihiko , Matsumoto Masaru , Greathouse K. Leigh , Cooks Tomer , Trinchieri Giorgio , Harris Curtis C.
Published: April 2024

Change within the intratumoral microbiome is a common feature in lung and other cancers and may influence inflammation and immunity in the tumor microenvironment, affecting growth and metastases. We previously characterized the lung cancer microbiome in patients and identified Acidovorax temperans as enriched in tumors. Here, we instilled A. temperans in an animal model driven by mutant K-ras and Tp53. This revealed A. temperans accelerates tumor development and burden through infiltration of proinflammatory cells. Neutrophils exposed to A. temperans displayed a mature, pro-tumorigenic phenotype with increased cytokine signaling, with a global shift away from IL-1β signaling. Neutrophil to monocyte and macrophage signaling upregulated MHC II to activate CD4+ T cells, polarizing them to an IL-17A+ phenotype detectable in CD4+ and γδ populations (T17). These T17 cells shared a common gene expression program predictive of poor survival in human LUAD. These data indicate bacterial exposure promotes tumor growth by modulating inflammation.
Cerebral blood flow dynamics during cardiac surgery in infants
Authors: Leth-Olsen Martin , Døhlen Gaute , Torp Hans , Nyrnes Siri Ann
Published: April 2024

Background

In this pilot study, we investigated continuous cerebral blood flow velocity measurements to explore cerebrovascular hemodynamics in infants with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

A non-invasive transfontanellar cerebral Doppler monitor (NeoDoppler) was used to monitor 15 infants (aged eight days to nine months) during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Numerical and visual analyses were conducted to assess trends and events in Doppler measurements together with standard monitoring equipment. The mean flow index, calculated as the moving Pearson correlation between mean arterial pressure and time averaged velocity, was utilized to evaluate dynamic autoregulation. Two levels of impaired autoregulation were defined (Mean flow index >0.3/0.45), and percentage of time above these limits were calculated.

Results

High quality recordings were achieved during 90.6% of the monitoring period. There was a significant reduction in time averaged velocity in all periods of cardiopulmonary bypass. All patients showed a high percentage of time with impaired dynamic autoregulation, with Mean flow index >0.3 and 0.45: 73.71% ± 9.06% and 65.16% ± 11.27% respectively. Additionally, the system promptly detected hemodynamic events.

Conclusion

Continuous transfontanellar cerebral Doppler monitoring could become an additional tool in enhancing cerebral monitoring in infants during cardiac surgery.

Impact

This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of continuous transfontanellar Doppler monitoring of cerebral blood flow velocities during cardiac surgery in infants.

It also demonstrates a high proportion of time with impaired cerebral autoregulation during cardiac surgery based on the Mean flow index.

Continuous transfontanellar Doppler could become a useful tool to improve cerebral monitoring and provide new pathophysiological insight.
Shared inflammatory glial cell signature after stab wound injury, revealed by spatial, temporal, and cell-type-specific profiling of the murine cerebral cortex
Authors: Koupourtidou Christina , Schwarz Veronika , Aliee Hananeh , Frerich Simon , Fischer-Sternjak Judith , Bocchi Riccardo , Simon-Ebert Tatiana , Bai Xianshu , Sirko Swetlana , Kirchhoff Frank , Dichgans Martin , Götz Magdalena , Theis Fabian J. , Ninkovic Jovica
Published: April 2024

Traumatic brain injury leads to a highly orchestrated immune- and glial cell response partially responsible for long-lasting disability and the development of secondary neurodegenerative diseases. A holistic understanding of the mechanisms controlling the responses of specific cell types and their crosstalk is required to develop an efficient strategy for better regeneration. Here, we combine spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to chart the transcriptomic signature of the injured male murine cerebral cortex, and identify specific states of different glial cells contributing to this signature. Interestingly, distinct glial cells share a large fraction of injury-regulated genes, including inflammatory programs downstream of the innate immune-associated pathways Cxcr3 and Tlr1/2. Systemic manipulation of these pathways decreases the reactivity state of glial cells associated with poor regeneration. The functional relevance of the discovered shared signature of glial cells highlights the importance of our resource enabling comprehensive analysis of early events after brain injury.