bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oncological right hemicolectomy in a trimodal comparison: open surgery versus laparoscopic procedures with extra- and intracorporeal anastomosis technique
Authors: Kerber Kerstin M. , Hetjens Svetlana , Reißfelder Christoph , Herrle Florian , Seyfried Steffen
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the surgical short- and mid-term outcomes, as well as the impact on quality of life and recovery, following oncological right hemicolectomy. To accomplish this, three patient cohorts were examined, which included laparotomy OA), laparoscopy with intracorporeal anastomosis (LIA), and laparoscopy with extracorporeal anastomosis (LEA). Our hypothesis was that the group undergoing intracorporeal anastomosis would demonstrate superior outcomes compared to the other cohorts.

Methods

The analysis included a total of 135 patients who were enrolled between 2015 and 2020. In addition to retrospectively collected data, we conducted follow-up surveys using a validated Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. These surveys were conducted between July and September 2021 to gather comprehensive information regarding the patients’ quality of life.

Results

The study cohort was divided into OA (n = 67), LEA (n = 14), and LIA (n = 54). The duration of surgery was significantly longer in the laparoscopic groups (median = 200.5 (LEA) and 184.0 (LIA) min vs 170.0 min (OA); p = 0.007), while the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (median = 6.0 and 7.0 days vs 9.0 days; p = 0.005). The overall postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in the laparotomy group compared to the intracorporeal group (64.2% vs 35.2%; p = 0.006), with the extracorporeal group having a rate of 42.9%. Reoperation within 30 days occurred exclusively in the open surgery group (n = 9; 13.43%; p = 0.007). The overall response rate to the survey was 75%. Overall, the GIQLI score was comparable among the three groups, and there were no significant differences in the questions related to recovery, regained function, and contentment.

Conclusion

The laparoscopic approaches demonstrated significantly lower complication rates compared to laparotomy, while no significant differences were observed between the two laparoscopic techniques.
Differences in PPD- and mitogen-induced T-cell activation marker expression characterize immunopathology in acute tuberculosis patients
Authors: Acheampong Isaac , Minadzi Difery , Laing Edwin F. , Frimpong Michael , Vivekanandan Monika M. , Yeboah Augustine , Adankwah Ernest , Aniagyei Wilfred , Arthur Joseph F. , Lamptey Millicent , Abass Mohammed K. , Kumbel Francis , Osei-Yeboah Francis , Gawusu Amidu , Debrah Linda Batsa , Owusu Dorcas O. , Debrah Alexander , Mayatepek Ertan , Seyfarth Julia , Phillips Richard O. , Jacobsen Marc
Published: January 2024

Impaired T-cell responses to mitogens and high T-cell activation marker (TAM) expression on Mycobacterium tuberculosis–specific T-cells characterize immunopathology in patients with tuberculosis (TB). In a study of patients with TB (n = 60) and asymptomatic contacts (controls, n = 37), we found that TB patients had higher CD38+ T-cell proportions specific for M. tuberculosis protein (PPDMtb), yet total proportions of PPDMtb-specific T-cells were comparable. Notably, both activated (CD38+) and total IFN-γ+ T-cells from TB patients had lower mitogen (phytohemagglutinin, PHA)-induced responses. This impaired mitogen response improved the classification efficacy of the TAM-TB assay, especially employing the PPD/PHA-induced T-cell ratio.
Risk adjustment for regional healthcare funding allocations with ensemble methods: an empirical study and interpretation
Authors: Holster Tuukka , Ji Shaoxiong , Marttinen Pekka
Published: January 2024

We experiment with recent ensemble machine learning methods in estimating healthcare costs, utilizing Finnish data containing rich individual-level information on healthcare costs, socioeconomic status and diagnostic data from multiple registries. Our data are a random 10% sample (553,675 observations) from the Finnish population in 2017. Using annual healthcare cost in 2017 as a response variable, we compare the performance of Random forest, Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) to linear regression. As machine learning methods are often seen as unsuitable in risk adjustment applications because of their relative opaqueness, we also introduce visualizations from the machine learning literature to help interpret the contribution of individual variables to the prediction. Our results show that ensemble machine learning methods can improve predictive performance, with all of them significantly outperforming linear regression, and that a certain level of interpretation can be provided for them. We also find individual-level socioeconomic variables to improve prediction accuracy and that their effect is larger for machine learning methods. However, we find that the predictions used for funding allocations are sensitive to model selection, highlighting the need for comprehensive robustness testing when estimating risk adjustment models used in applications.
A problem of gendered injustice? Objective and subjective poverty among older women and men across European welfare regimes
Authors: Härtull Camilla , Nygård Mikael
Published: January 2024

Using European Social Survey data, this article studies the prevalence of objective and subjective poverty among older women and men (60+ years) in 21 European countries. Objective poverty refers to whether one’s disposable income falls below the poverty line, whereas subjective poverty relates to the capacity to make ends meet. It analyzes gender differences in these two dimensions of poverty and the role of gender as an explanation to these phenomena while controlling for other individual-level variables as well as the role of welfare state regimes. The results show that older women are more exposed to objective poverty than men, and that female gender remains strongly and positively correlated with this kind of poverty even when controlling for other variables. They also show that other individual-level variables, such as partnership, paid work and education curbs objective poverty, while the type of welfare regime does not matter. As to subjective poverty, on the other hand, there is no significant association with female gender, nor with the type of welfare regime, while individual-level variables such as subjective health, partnership and paid work are negatively correlated with this dimension of poverty. Subjective poverty is somewhat more influenced by contextual factors than objective poverty although the type of welfare state regime is not significantly associated with subjective or objective poverty.
How loneliness increased among different age groups during COVID-19: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Köster Fiona , Lipps Oliver
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic entailed restrictions that hampered face-to-face interactions and social gatherings. In this paper, we examine whether loneliness increased to different extents among age groups due to these restrictions, and if these differences were mediated by specific life course conditions. Based on longitudinal data from the Swiss Household Panel, our results show that loneliness increased disproportionately among younger individuals during the pandemic. This finding aligns with the social convoy model and the socioemotional selectivity theory, which postulate a decline of social network size over the life course. It also corresponds to findings indicating a decrease in contact frequency with increasing age. Individuals aged 30 years and above experienced a lower increase in loneliness when they lived in shared households; however, this protective effect was not observed for younger individuals. Living together with a partner, being male, and not anticipating health complications in case of a COVID-19 infection moderated the increases of loneliness, but they were independent of age.
Occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma. A review of the epidemiologic literature with meta-analysis focusing on particular methodological aspects
Authors: Wendt Andrea , Möhner Matthias
Published: January 2024

Background

Numerous epidemiologic studies and a few systematic reviews have investigated the association between occupational solar exposure and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, previous reviews have several deficits with regard to included and excluded studies/risk estimates and the assessment of risk of selection bias (RoSB). Our aim was to review epidemiologic studies with a focus on these deficits and to use meta-(regression) analyses to summarize risk estimates.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed (including MEDLINE) and Embase for epidemiologic studies. Study evaluation considered four main aspects of risk of bias assessments, i.e. Selection of subjects (selection bias); Exposure variables; Outcome variables; Data analysis.

Results

Of 56 identified references, 32 were used for meta-(regression) analyses. The overall pooled risk estimate for BCC comparing high/present vs. low/absent occupational solar exposure was 1.20 (95% CI 1.02–1.43); among studies without major deficits regarding data analysis, it was 1.10 (95% CI 0.91–1.33). Studies with low and high RoSB had pooled risk estimates of 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.93) and 1.95 (95% CI 1.42–2.67), respectively. The definitions of exposure and outcome variables were not correlated with study risk estimates. Studies with low RoSB in populations with the same latitude or lower than Germany had a pooled risk estimate of 1.01 (95% CI 0.88–1.15).

Conclusion

Due to the different associations between occupational solar exposure and BCC among studies with low and high RoSB, we reason that the current epidemiologic evidence base does not permit the conclusion that regular outdoor workers have an increased risk of BCC.
A 360° video as visual training support for independent movement acquisition—benefit evaluation with the TAM
Authors: Rosendahl Philipp , Müller Marcus , Wagner Ingo
Published: January 2024

A 360° video combines the potential of conventional video technology with immersive–interactive design opportunities. The multi-perspective viewing option within a 360° video also enables possible applications as visual training support for motor learning. There are already first methodological–didactic approaches to movement learning; nevertheless, research on 360° video technology can largely be classified as exploratory. This article presents the use of 360° video as a visual training aid for the independent movement acquisition of various fascial movement exercises. In an intervention study, two randomized groups (N = 48) were used to evaluate the subjective benefit. Following the technology acceptance model, subjective benefit perception and rating of format were compared after two crossover interventions with 360° videos and/or conventional training videos. No significant differences were found for perceived usefulness (z = −1.014, p = 0.31, r = 0.105) or perceived ease of use (z = −1.278, p = 0.201, r = 0.132). The same applies for intensity of use (z = −0.247, p = 0.805, r = 0.025) and overall subjective rating (z = −1.745, p = 0.081, r = 0.18). Although no significant differences were found in the evaluation of benefits, the participants tended to use 360° videos as visual training support (M = 3.4, SD = 1.581) on a 7-point scale (1 = 360° videos). Although a generalized statement on 360° videos as visual training support is not possible due to low effect strengths, it can be stated that 360° videos are perceived at least as useful as visual training tools.
Body Composition Changes in Adolescents Who Underwent Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Bezerra Andréa , Boppre Giorjines , Freitas Laura , Battista Francesca , Duregon Federica , Faggian Sara , Busetto Luca , Ermolao Andrea , Fonseca Hélder
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review and meta-analysis is to characterize the changes in body composition of children and adolescents who underwent bariatric surgery and identify possible negative effects of performing this procedure during pediatric ages.

Recent Findings

Bariatric surgery in children and adolescents is an emerging strategy to promote higher and faster body weight and fat mass losses. However, possible negative effects usually observed in surgical patients’ muscle-skeletal system raise a major concern perform this intervention during growth. Despite these possible issues, most experimental studies and reviews analyze bariatric surgery’s effectiveness only by assessing anthropometric outcomes such as body weight and BMI, disregarding the short- and long-term impact of bariatric surgery on all body composition outcomes.

Bariatric surgery is effective to reduce fat mass in adolescents, as well as body weight, waist circumference, and BMI. Significant reduction in lean mass and fat-free mass is also observed. Bone mass seems not to be impaired. All outcomes reduction were observed only in the first 12 months after surgery. Sensitivity analysis suggests possible sex and type of surgery-related differences, favoring a higher fat mass, body weight, and BMI losses in boys and in patients who underwent RYGB.
Association Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
Authors: Al-Hadeethi Tayeb , Charde Priti , Sunil Sruthi , Marouf Nadya , Tamimi Faleh
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

Periodontitis has been linked to various systemic diseases and conditions. Given their shared comorbidities, extensive research has been carried out to explore the link between periodontitis and COVID-19.

Recent Findings

A growing body of evidence suggests that periodontitis could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. It has been suggested that the association between the two diseases could be due to immunological, coagulation, genetic, and microbiological reasons. The effect of periodontitis on the immune system could increase the expression of receptors used by SARS-CoV2 to infect cells (transmembrane protease, serine 2 [TMPRSS2], and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2]) and prime the immune system to an exacerbated immune reaction against the virus. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that periodontitis could also increase the risk of COVID-19 complications by altering the coagulation pathways, and periodontal pathogens were identified in the respiratory system of patients suffering from severe COVID-19. In addition, it was also found that patients suffering from both diseases share some genetic similarities, suggesting that both diseases could be linked through common genetic pathways.

In this review, we discuss the above-mentioned associations and make the case for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection and complications.
Investigation of the effects of ultra-high pressure and temperature on the rheological properties of a novel high-density clear completion fluids using magnesium bromide for applications in HPHT reservoirs
Authors: Singh Ramanand , Sharma R. , Rao G. Ranga
Published: January 2024

High pressure and high temperature (HPHT) reservoirs have challenging environments for a successful completion program. Generally, low to mid-density range brine-based completion fluids (CF) are commonly used in petroleum reservoirs. Nowadays, the oil and gas drilling industry is moving toward clear high-density completion fluids at HPHT reservoir conditions. Completion fluid is used to complete an oil and gas well. It is positioned in the well to ease final operations before the start of production. These operations involve tasks like installing screens, production liners, packers, downhole valves, or performing perforations in the producing zones. We have experimentally investigated the completion fluid for stability, solid free, low viscosity, and low precipitation to ensure that it has all the desired properties. We have formulated a high-density specific gravity (1.61) completion fluid using Magnesium bromide (MgBr2) in an aqueous medium. The results show that the alkaline pH value of 7.18 and solid free fluid system provide a suitable completion fluid to keep corrosion rates acceptably low. The high density of the completion fluid is an essential parameter for pressure maintenance during well control events. Our experimental results are obtained for different ranges of temperature and pressure (i.e. temperature 25–300 °C, pressure up to 30,000 psi) using a new generation ultra HPHT rheometer. This study investigates the effect of ultra-high temperature and pressure on their rheological properties. Rheological results show that the completion fluid has a low value of apparent viscosity (1.89–6.66 mPa s), which is essential for designing completion fluid at HPHT conditions. These works are helpful in maximizing the completion fluid program for HPHT well for providing an early and timely production.
Elaboration and application of the nested multi-coupling model test system for an artificial dam seepage simulation under combined action of dynamic and static loads
Authors: Kong Xiang-song , Huang Jun-wei , Shan Ren-liang , Yang Wei , Fang Jie
Published: January 2024

Outdated coal mining technologies involve considerable mine water resource waste. For coal mines located in water-starved western regions of China, this jeopardizes the sustainable coal mining development, local eco-environment, and agricultural production. Coal mine underground reservoirs furnish conservation and cyclic utilization of water resources in the coal mining process. The weakest links of underground reservoirs are artificial dams that are prone to frequent occurrence of water seepage and instability failures. Aiming to explore the deformation rules of artificial dams under fluid–solid coupling action, this study developed a nested multi-coupling test system comprising a model shelf, a mine pressure simulation device, a water pressure simulation device, and a monitoring system, The maximum size of the model shelf is 1400 mm * 1300 mm * 200 mm. The mine pressure simulation device was composed of static-load and vibration-load oil cylinders of various sizes. A servo motor mainly controlled the water pressure device; with a water pressure sensor and high-precision flowmeter, water pressure could be accurately adjusted. By taking the underground reservoir in the Wulanmulun Coal Mine as an example, the deformation failure characteristics of the MB-1 dam under fluid–solid coupling conditions were simulated to validate the reasonability and feasibility of the developed system. The obtained experimental results indicated that the artificial dam damage was induced by increased mine pressure, leading to shear compression failure. The artificial dam underwent plastic deformation at a water pressure of 11.43 kPa, accompanied with the generation of microfractures, which rapid propagation under vibration loading violated the dam’s stability.
Collaborative design practices in pre-service teacher education for technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK): Group composition matters
Authors: Backfisch Iris , Franke Ulrike , Ohla Kerstin , Scholtz Nina , Lachner Andreas
Published: January 2024

Collaborative design practices, in which pre-service teachers construct lesson plans in small groups, is regarded as beneficial to attain professional development. However, it is largely unclear which factors determine the effectiveness of collaborative design within technology-related teacher education. Against this background, we investigated to which extent the group composition regarding motivational (self-efficacy, utility-value) and knowledge-based heterogeneity affected the quality of designed lesson plans and outcome of professional development interventions. Furthermore, we investigated whether the quality of the lesson plans was related to pre-service teachers’ professional development such as acquisition of technological-pedagogical-content knowledge (TPACK). The data was collected within a larger research project which investigated the effectiveness of a TPACK-intervention within 5 subject pedagogies to foster pre-service teachers’ learning. Lesson plans of N = 68 pre-service teachers nested within k = 23 natural occurring groups were analyzed regarding their instructional quality and technology exploitation. Additionally, we measured pre-service teachers’ technology-related professional knowledge, and their technology-related motivation in a pre-post-test-design. The analyses revealed that motivational group heterogeneity positively affected the quality of the collaboration product (i.e., lesson plans). The quality of the lesson plans was not related to the acquisition of technology-related professional knowledge, but negatively related to pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy and utility-value. Similarly, the heterogeneity regarding prior knowledge was negatively correlated to TPACK knowledge gain. These findings highlight that heterogenous group composition during collaborative design practices in pre-service teacher education may be a double-edged sword to attain professional development.
An Empirical Analysis of a Set of Hybrid Heuristics for the Solution of the Resource Leveling Problem
Authors: Aristotelous Marinos , Nearchou Andreas C.
Published: January 2024

Consideration is given to the heuristic solution of the resource leveling problem (RLP) in project scheduling with limited resources. The objective is to minimize the changes in the level of resource usage from period to period over the planning horizon of the project while keeping the project duration fixed. First, we present two novel greedy schedule algorithms for the RLP solution. The performance of the proposed algorithms is investigated as low-level hybrids in the context of three famous population-based heuristics, namely differential evolution (DE), genetic algorithm (GA), and particle swarm optimization (PSO). Then, we additionally present two new high-level hybridization schemes (HS), referred to herein as parallel and serial HS, respectively, which combine DE, GA, and PSO in a single hybrid solution algorithm. Detailed experimentation over known complex datasets measures the efficiency of the new hybrids. Statistical analysis employed rank the hybrids according to their solution efficiency. Moreover, comparisons between the developed best hybrid and commercial project management software show a substantial higher performance for the former over real-world construction projects.
Design and Implementation of Remote Piano Teaching Based on Attention-Induced Multi-Head Convolutional Neural Network Optimized with Hunter–Prey Optimization
Authors: Song Li
Published: January 2024

The continuous progress of multimedia technology in music educational institutions has led to the recognition of its importance in our country and society. The traditional approach to piano teaching has its limitations, which can be overcome by adopting alternative approaches to the instrument, using advances in science and technology. For pianist, expressing emotions and thoughts through music is crucial, and teachers can now use multimedia tools to exemplify their musical skills to students effectively. This manuscript proposes the Remote Piano Teaching Based on Attention-Induced Multi-Head Convolutional Neural Network Optimized with Hunter–Prey Optimization to improve the piano-teaching quality. At first, input data is taken from Piano Triad Wavset dataset. Afterward, the data are fed to preprocessing stage. The preprocessing stage involve data cleaning or scrubbing that is the process of identifying errors, inconsistencies, and incorrectness in a dataset with the help of adaptive distorted Gaussian matched filter. Then, the preprocessed output is fed to Attention-Induced Multi-Head Convolutional Neural Network (AIMCNN) for effectively predict the piano-teaching quality. The hunter–prey optimization (HPO) algorithm is proposed to optimize the parameters of Attention-Induced Multi-Head Convolutional Neural Network. The performance of the proposed technique is evaluated under performance metrics like accuracy, computational time, learning skill analysis, learning activity analysis, learning behavior analysis; student performance ratio and teaching evaluation analysis are evaluated. The proposed RPT-AIMCNN-HPO attains better prediction accuracy 12.566%, 12.075% and 15.993%, higher learning skill 15.86%, 15.26% and 16.25% compared with existing methods.
Clinicians who primarily practice in nursing homes and outcomes among residents with urinary tract infection or pneumonia
Authors: Riester Melissa R. , Douglas Cody M. , Silva Joe B.B. , Datta Rupak , Zullo Andrew R.
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Assess the association between clinicians who primarily practice in nursing homes (NHs) and 14-day resident outcomes following initial antibiotic dispensing for pneumonia or urinary tract infection (UTI).

Design:

Retrospective cohort.

Setting:

U.S. NHs.

Participants:

NH residents aged ≥65 years who were prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia or UTI between 1 January 2016 and 30 November 2018.

Methods:

Medicare fee-for-service claims were linked to Minimum Data Set data. Clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs prescribed ≥90% of Part D dispensings to NH residents. Outcomes included death, all-cause and infection-specific hospitalization, and subsequent antibiotic dispensing. Adjusted risk ratios were estimated using inverse-probability-of-treatment-weighted (IPTW) modified Poisson regression models adjusting for 53 covariates.

Results:

The study population included 28,826 resident-years who were prescribed antibiotics for pneumonia and 106,354 resident-years who were prescribed antibiotics for UTI. Among the pneumonia group, clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs were associated with a greater risk of death (RR 1.3; 95%CLs 1.0, 1.6), lower risks of all-cause (RR 0.9; 95%CLs 0.8, 0.9) and infection-specific hospitalization (RR 0.8; 95%CLs 0.7, 0.9), and similar risk of subsequent antibiotic dispensing (RR 1.0; 95%CLs 1.0, 1.1) after IPTW. No meaningful associations were observed between clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs and outcomes among the UTI group.

Conclusions:

Clinicians who primarily practiced in NHs were associated with a lower risk of hospitalization but greater risk of mortality for NH residents with pneumonia. Further examination is needed to better understand drivers of differences in infection-related outcomes based on clinicians’ training and primary practice setting.
Current evidence on the effectiveness of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Foods in children with moderate acute malnutrition: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Teshome Melese Sinaga , Lema Tefera Belachew , Abessa Teklu Gemechu , Mingels Sarah , Granitzer Marita , Rameckers Eugene , Verbecque Evi
Published: January 2024

Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) is defined by a weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) between −3 and −2 of the WHO reference or by a mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of ≥11⋅5 and <12⋅5 cm. This study aimed to synthesise the evidence for the effectiveness of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) compared to other dietary interventions or no intervention on functioning at different levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) among children with MAM between 2 and12 years old. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched (last update: 20 November 2022). Pooled estimates of effect were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses. The level of evidence was estimated with the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. Seven studies were included. RUSF had a significant small-sized better effect (pooled mean: 0⋅38; 95 % CI = [0⋅10, 0⋅67], P = 0⋅01, I² = 97 %) on different anthropometric measurements compared to other dietary interventions among MAM children (n 6476). Comparing RUSF with corn–soy blend Plus Plus (CSB++) showed that RUSF had a small-sized but significantly better effect on the children's anthropometric measures compared to children who received CSB++ (pooled mean: 0⋅16; 95 % CI = [0⋅05, 0⋅27], P = 0⋅01; I2 = 35 %). MAM children treated with RUSF had a better recovery rate compared to those treated with CSB++ (pooled risk difference: 0⋅11; 95 % CI = [0⋅06, 0⋅11], P < 0⋅001; I2 = 0 %). The RUSF intervention seems promising in improving MAM children's nutritional outcomes and recovery rate compared to other dietary interventions.
Scrolling back: Remediation within and through digital memory work
Authors: Annabell Taylor
Published: January 2024

This article explores how the concept of remediation is part of digital memory work performed by young women on Instagram. While remediation has been used to make sense of the ways sites of memory are represented across time and through different media, mnemonic media practices and forms are remediated in digital memory work. This article draws on interviews, observations of Instagram activities, and focus group data to analyse how other media practices and forms are integrated into digital memory work on Instagram and mobilised by young women to make sense of their mnemonic use of the platform. The analysis focuses on how practices of digital memory work use direct remediation of material objects and remediation of the functionality of mnemonic media practices. It addresses how the comparisons participants make to other mnemonic media practices reveal how digital memory work involves negotiation of personal and public, private and professional, and the authentic and staged. In addition, it grapples with the way that sharing happy experiences and moments to produce a ‘highlight reel’ or ‘hall of fame’ in postfeminist digital culture has valuable and potentially harmful implications.
A new species of Versteria (Cestoda: Taeniidae) parasitizing Neogale vison and Lontra canadensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) from Western Canada
Authors: Shanebeck K.M. , Bennett J. , Green S.J. , Lagrue C. , Presswell B.
Published: January 2024

Via molecular and morphological analyses, we describe adult specimens of a new species of Versteria (Cestoda: Taeniidae) infecting mink and river otter (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Western Canada, as well as larval forms from muskrat and mink. These sequences closely matched those reported from adult specimens from Colorado and Oregon, as well as larval infections in humans and a captive orangutan. We describe here a new species from British Columbia and Alberta (Canada), Versteria rafei n. sp., based upon morphological diagnostic characteristics and genetic distance and phylogeny. Versteria rafei n. sp. differs from the three other described species of the genus in the smaller scolex and cirrus sac. It also differs from V. mustelae (Eurasia) and V. cuja (South America) by having an armed cirrus, which is covered in hair-like bristles, and in the shape of its hooks, with a long thorn-like blade, and short or long handle (vs. a short sharply curved blade and no difference in handle size in previously described species). The poorly known V. brachyacantha (Central Africa) also has an armed cirrus and similarly shaped hooks. However, it differs from the new species in the number and size of hooks. Phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 and nad1 mitochondrial regions showed that our specimens clustered with isolates from undescribed adults and larval infections in North America, and separate from V. cuja, confirming them to be a distinct species from the American Clade.
Myxomatous degeneration of cardiac valves in a fetus with 6q25.1 (TAB2) deletion
Authors: Karmegaraj Balaganesh
Published: January 2024

Myxomatous degeneration of one or more cardiac valves has been reported in trisomy 18, Noonan, Marfan, and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. 6q25.1 (TAB2) deletion is one of the notable causes for myxomatous degeneration of cardiac valves. Whole exome sequencing must be considered in these subsets of cases for effective prenatal counselling. A 23-week fetus presented with cardiomegaly, redundant myxomatous tricuspid, mitral valve leaflets, thickened pulmonary valve, and bicuspid aortic valves detected to have 6q25.1 (TAB2) deletion was presented with literature review.
Our Favorite Science Stories of 2023
Authors:   AGU
Published: January 2024

What Earth and space science stories stood out this year?
Large‐Scale Summertime Variability of Carbonate Chemistry Across the East Siberian Sea: Primary Production Versus Ikaite Dissolution
Authors: Sun Xiaole , Anderson Leif G. , Dessirier Benoît , Geibel Marc , Mörth Carl‐Magnus , Humborg Christoph
Published: January 2024

Sea‐ice dynamics can affect carbon cycling in polar oceans, with sea‐ice ikaite acting as a potentially important carbon pump. However, there is no large‐scale direct field evidence to support this. Here we used a unique data set that combined continuous measurements of atmospheric and water CO2 concentrations with water chemistry data collected over 1,200 km along the East Siberian Sea, the widest Arctic shelf sea. Our results reveal large spatial heterogeneity of sea‐ice ikaite contents, which directly interact with carbonate chemistry in the water column. Our findings demonstrate that the CO2 drawdown by sea‐ice ikaite dissolution could be as important as that by primary production. We suggest that the role of ikaite in regulating the seasonal carbon cycle on a regional scale could be more important than we previously thought. Effects of the warmer climate on sea ice loss might also play a role in the ikaite inventory.
Zircon U‐Pb‐He Double Dating of Modern Sands From the Inn River Catchment: Assessing Resolution and Potential in a Complex Orogenic Setting
Authors: Dunkl I. , Malis F. , Lünsdorf N. K. , Schönig J. , von Eynatten H.
Published: January 2024

Zircon U‐Pb‐He double dating (ZDD) provides the opportunity to derive high temperature crystallization ages and low temperature cooling ages from the very same mineral grain, making it especially attractive for zircon provenance studies. We present the combination of in situ detrital zircon U‐Pb‐He double dating and Raman spectroscopy‐based heavy mineral analysis on different tributaries of the Inn river system applying a new grain embedding technique. The Inn river catchment drains a well‐studied complex nappe pile of the Eastern Alps exposing Austroalpine and Penninic crystalline basement rocks. Igneous formations of different emplacement ages, as well as various metasedimentary units, have experienced Alpine and diverse pre‐Alpine metamorphic overprints. This makes the area ideally suited for testing the sensitivity and potential of ZDD for fingerprinting various lithologically contrasting units with contrasting thermal histories. Results demonstrate that both high‐ and low‐temperature age distributions reflect the major sources and thermotectonic pulses, respectively. More specifically, the rocks of the Tauern Window with Miocene (U‐Th)/He ages as well as the Permian metagranitoids from the Tauern and the Err‐Bernina nappe in the uppermost Inn valley are recorded in the downstream Inn sample. The main mass of zircons in the lower Inn, however, derives from the Ötztal and Silvretta crystalline basement rock with Cadomian U‐Pb and Cretaceous (U‐Th)/He ages. The abundance of heavy minerals derived from metamafic formations shows no correlation to the area of such lithologies on the catchments and the different zircon fertility resulted in the overrepresentation of zircon U‐Pb ages from the Variscan igneous suites.
The Signature of Climate in Fluvial Suspended Sediment Records
Authors: Chapman W. A. L. , Finnegan N. J.
Published: January 2024

Arid regions are often characterized by exceptionally high rates of fluvial sediment transport, but the processes responsible for this apparent connection between climate and sediment transport remain unclear. We examined decades of continuous flow records and suspended sediment concentrations from 71 rivers across the United States by comparing the suspended sediment rating curve behavior, quantified using power law coefficients and exponents, to an aridity index. Results indicate that higher aridity correlates with both greater overall suspended sediment concentration and lower sensitivity of concentration to changes in discharge, demonstrating that rivers in arid locations on average have greater suspended sediment transport efficiency across most discharges, and achieve high transport rates at a relatively lower discharge than rivers in temperate climates. Furthermore, based on additional analyses of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, specific suspended sediment yield, and a hydrograph flashiness index, we attribute the relationships between sediment transport and climate primarily to differences in vegetation density, precipitation, and runoff, variables that all influence both sediment supply and riverbed grain sorting. Finally, we note that the observed contrasts in sediment transport behavior likely represent climate‐driven differences in the magnitude and frequency of sediment supply rather than annual suspended sediment load, which does not depend significantly on climate. This study highlights a critical connection between multiple interrelated climatic factors and sediment transport, an important finding for future hazard mitigation in a changing climate with rapidly shifting vegetation patterns and hydrology.
Assessing Phytoplankton Primary Productivity Variability in the Changjiang Estuary, East China Sea From Coupled Fast Repetition Rate (FRR) Fluorometry and Chlorophyll‐a Measurements
Authors: Zhu Yuanli , Hughes David J. , Feng Yuanyuan , Browning Thomas J. , Du Ping , Meng Qicheng , Wang Shengqiang , Wang Bing , Li Dewang , Jiang Zhibing , Zeng Jiangning
Published: January 2024

Phytoplankton primary productivity (PP) varies significantly over environmental gradients, particularly in physically‐dynamic systems such as estuaries and coastal seas. During summer, runoff peaks in the Changjiang River driving large environmental gradients in both the Changjiang estuary and adjacent East China Sea (ECS), likely driving significant variability in PP. As satellite models of PP often underperform in coastal waters, we aimed to develop a novel approach for assessing net PP variability in such a dynamic environment. Parallel in situ measurements of Fast Repetition Rate (FRR) fluorometry and carbon (C) uptake rates were conducted for the first time in this region during two summer cruises in 2019 and 2021. A series of 13C‐incubations (n = 31) were performed, with measured PP ranging from ∼6 to 1,700 mgC m−3 d−1. Net PP values were significantly correlated with salinity (r = 0.45), phytoplankton chlorophyll a (Chl‐a, r = 0.88), Photosystem II (PSII) functional absorption cross‐section (σPSII, r = −0.76) and maximum PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm, r = 0.59). Stepwise regression analysis showed that Chl‐a and σPSII were the strongest predictors of net PP. A generalized additive model (GAM) was also used to estimate net PP considering nonlinear effects of Chl‐a and σPSII. We demonstrate that GAM outperforms linear modeling approaches in estimating net PP in this study, as evidenced by a lower root mean square error (∼140 vs. 250 mgC m−3 d−1). Our novel approach provides a valuable tool to examine carbon cycling dynamics in this important region.
Iron Snow Ebb and Flow May Cause Magnetic Fields to Come and Go
Authors: Scharping Nathaniel
Published: January 2024

Lab experiments find that iron crystals in planetary cores may form in bursts, causing periodic dynamos.
Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies
Authors: Teng Fei , Cui Tongtong , Zhou Li , Gao Qingqin , Zhou Qi , Li Wei
Published: January 2024

Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
Systemwide energy return on investment in a sustainable transition towards net zero power systems
Authors: Sahin Hasret , Solomon A. A. , Aghahosseini Arman , Breyer Christian
Published: January 2024

The Glasgow Climate Pact articulated the vital importance of renewables in reducing emissions on the way to net-zero pledges. During the power sector transition, foreseeing conditions affecting the plausibility of pathway options is crucial for specifying an optimal system development strategy. This study examines the net energy performance of nine decarbonisation global energy transition scenarios until 2050 by applying a newly developed systemwide energy return on investment (EROI) model. All scenarios result in an EROI value above the upper limit of the net energy cliff, expected to be around 10. EROI trends heavily depend on transition paths. Once achieving higher renewable energy shares begin requiring significant enabling technologies, EROI continually declines as the shares increase. Shortening the transition period leads to a sharper declining of EROI, which stabilises after achieving 100% renewables. The vulnerability arising from natural gas and oil depletions may have worst impact on EROI of fossil fuels dominated systems.
Higher emissions scenarios lead to more extreme flooding in the United States
Authors: Kim Hanbeen , Villarini Gabriele
Published: January 2024

Understanding projected changes in flooding across the contiguous United States (CONUS) helps increase our capability to adapt to and mitigate against this hazard. Here, we assess future changes in flooding across CONUS using outputs from 28 global climate models and four scenarios of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. We find that CONUS is projected to experience an overall increase in flooding, especially under higher emission scenarios; there are subregional differences, with the Northeast and Southeast (Great Plains of the North and Southwest) showing higher tendency towards increasing (decreasing) flooding due to changes in flood processes at the seasonal scale. Moreover, even though trends may not be detected in the historical period, these projected future trends highlight the current needs for incorporating climate change in the future infrastructure designs and management of the water resources.
Reversible modulation of interlayer stacking in 2D copper-organic frameworks for tailoring porosity and photocatalytic activity
Authors: You Pei-Ye , Mo Kai-Ming , Wang Yu-Mei , Gao Qiang , Lin Xiao-Chun , Lin Jia-Tong , Xie Mo , Wei Rong-Jia , Ning Guo-Hong , Li Dan
Published: January 2024

The properties of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs), including porosity, catalytic activity as well as electronic and optical properties, are greatly affected by their interlayer stacking structures. However, the precise control of their interlayer stacking mode, especially in a reversible fashion, is a long-standing and challenging pursuit. Herein, we prepare three 2D copper-organic frameworks, namely JNM-n (n = 7, 8, and 9). Interestingly, the reversible interlayer sliding between eclipsed AA stacking (i.e., JNM-7-AA and JNM-8-AA) and staggered ABC stacking (i.e., JNM-7-ABC and JNM-8-ABC) can be achieved through environmental stimulation, which endows reversible encapsulation and release of lipase. Importantly, JNM-7-AA and JNM-8-AA exhibit a broader light absorption range, higher charge-separation efficiency, and higher photocatalytic activity for sensitizing O2 to 1O2 and O2•− than their ABC stacking isostructures. Consequently, JNM-8-AA deliver significantly enhanced photocatalytic activities for oxidative cross-coupling reactions compared to JNM-8-ABC and other reported homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.
Programmable adhesion and morphing of protein hydrogels for underwater robots
Authors: Huang Sheng-Chen , Zhu Ya-Jiao , Huang Xiao-Ying , Xia Xiao-Xia , Qian Zhi-Gang
Published: January 2024

Soft robots capable of efficiently implementing tasks in fluid-immersed environments hold great promise for diverse applications. However, it remains challenging to achieve robotization that relies on dynamic underwater adhesion and morphing capability. Here we propose the construction of such robots with designer protein materials. Firstly, a resilin-like protein is complexed with polyoxometalate anions to form hydrogels that can rapidly switch between soft adhesive and stiff non-adhesive states in aqueous environments in response to small temperature variation. To realize remote control over dynamic adhesion and morphing, Fe3O4 nanoparticles are then integrated into the hydrogels to form soft robots with photothermal and magnetic responsiveness. These robots are demonstrated to undertake complex tasks including repairing artificial blood vessel, capturing and delivering multiple cargoes in water under cooperative control of infrared light and magnetic field. These findings pave an avenue for the creation of protein-based underwater robots with on-demand functionalities.
Frequency-hopping wave engineering with metasurfaces
Authors: Takeshita Hiroki , Fathnan Ashif Aminulloh , Nita Daisuke , Nagata Atsuko , Sugiura Shinya , Wakatsuchi Hiroki
Published: January 2024

Wave phenomena can be artificially engineered by scattering from metasurfaces, which aids in the design of radio-frequency and optical devices for wireless communication, sensing, imaging, wireless power transfer and bio/medical applications. Scattering responses vary with changing frequency; conversely, they remain unchanged at a constant frequency, which has been a long-standing limitation in the design of devices leveraging wave scattering phenomena. Here, we present metasurfaces that can scatter incident waves according to two variables—the frequency and pulse width—in multiple bands. Significantly, these scattering profiles are characterized by how the frequencies are used in different time windows due to transient circuits. In particular, by using more than one frequency with coupled transient circuits, we demonstrate variable scattering profiles in response to unique frequency sequences, which can break a conventional linear frequency concept and markedly increase the available frequency channels in accordance with a factorial number of frequencies used. Our proposed concept, which is analogous to frequency hopping in wireless communication, advances wave engineering in electromagnetics and related fields.