bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viral and Bacterial Profiles in Endemic Influenza A Virus Infected Swine Herds Using Nanopore Metagenomic Sequencing on Tracheobronchial Swabs
Authors: Vereecke Nick , Zwickl Sophia , Gumbert Sophie , Graaf Annika , Harder Timm , Ritzmann Mathias , Lillie-Jaschniski Kathrin , Theuns Sebastiaan , Stadler Julia
Published: February 2023

To date, no comprehensive diagnostics for the study of polymicrobial infections that are associated with porcine respiratory disease have been offered. This precludes the proper understanding of the entire disease landscape, thereby hampering effective preventive and therapeutic actions.
Pan-Chromosome and Comparative Analysis of
Agrobacterium fabrum
Reveal Important Traits Concerning the Genetic Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics, and Niche Adaptation of the Species
Authors: Du Yuhui , Zou Jinrong , Yin Zhiqiu , Chen Tingjian
Published: February 2023

Agrobacterium
spp. live in diverse plant-associated niches such as soil, the rhizosphere, and vegetation, which are challenged by multiple stressors such as diverse energy sources, plant defenses, and microbial competition. They have evolved the ability to utilize diverse resources, escape plant defenses, and defeat competitors.
Managing seismic hazard from induced earthquakes in central Arkansas through cooperation between scientific and regulatory agencies
Authors: Horton Stephen P. , Ausbrooks Scott M. , Ogwari Paul O.
Published: February 2023

After the first saltwater disposal (SWD) wells associated with the development of the Fayetteville Shale became operational in April 2009, central Arkansas experienced an increase in the rate of earthquakes with M ≤4.7. This seismic activity in the Fayetteville Shale development area (FSDA) included both natural and induced earthquakes that often occurred in spatial and temporal clusters. The Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) and the Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) closely monitored the area using a permanent network of seismograph stations, augmented by portable real-time broadband stations, to focus on specific sites of suspected induced seismicity. Any concerns were communicated directly to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC), the agency charged with regulating SWD wells in the state.

The largest and most significant cluster of induced earthquakes in the FSDA occurred between August 2010 and July 2011, when thousands of earthquakes (M ≤4.7) occurred on the Guy-Greenbrier fault, which had not been mapped prior to the earthquakes. Since a 13-km-long fault can potentially produce a M 6 earthquake if it slips as a single event, CERI and AGS staff testified at an AOGC hearing in July 2011 that continued fluid injection into SWD wells near the fault could potentially trigger a damaging earthquake. Operators voluntarily shut down and plugged three nearby SWD wells. Another SWD well operator was ordered (by the AOGC) to shut down and plug their well. Earthquake activity dramatically decreased on the Guy-Greenbrier fault and ceased soon after shut-in, thus providing strong supporting evidence that the earthquakes were induced. The AOGC also established a moratorium that prohibited SWD well operations in the area surrounding the fault and rules governing proximity of new SWD wells to mapped faults and proximity of SWD wells to each other. When the price of natural gas rises to make development cost effective, we anticipate the new rules will help to minimize the occurrence of felt and potentially damaging earthquakes.

Although the Guy-Greenbrier earthquake sequence ended in 2011, earthquakes still occurred within the FSDA. While some of these earthquakes were within 10 km of active SWD wells, many other earthquakes were not close to any SWD well. We identified 156 earthquakes M ≤3.4 from the regional catalog that occurred between 2012 and 2016 that were within 5 km of a natural-gas production well during the hydraulic fracturing window posted by the AOGC. This suggests that these earthquakes may have been induced by hydraulic fracturing.
The Pandemic Treaty, the Pandemic Fund, and the Global Commons: our scepticism
Authors: Evaborhene Nelson Aghogho , Udokanma Echezona Ejike , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo , Okorie Chinonso Emmanuel , Kafuko Zacharia , Conde Hawa Marguerite , Waliaula Cynthia , Mburu Sheila
Published: February 2023

The call to strengthen global health governance against future outbreaks through a binding treaty on pandemics has attracted global attention and opinion. Yet, few of these perspectives have reflected the voices from early career global health professionals in Africa. We share our perspectives on the Pandemic Treaty, and specifically our scepticism on the limitations of the current top-down approach of the treaty, and the need for the treaty to centre equity, transparency and fairness to ensure equitable and effective cooperation in response to global health emergencies. We also highlight the challenges intergovernmental organisations for health faced in coordinating nation states during the COVID-19 crisis and how a Pandemic Treaty would address these challenges. We argue that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic provide a critical opportunity to strengthen regional institutions in Africa—particularly in a multipolar world with huge disparities in power and resources. However, addressing these challenges and achieving this transformation may not be easy. Fiscal space in many countries remains constrained now more than ever. New tools such as the Pandemic Fund should be designed in ways that consider the specific needs and capacities of countries. Therefore, strengthening countries’ capacities overall requires an increase in domestic investment. This paper calls for wider structural reforms such as debt restructuring among other tools to strengthen countries’ capacities.
Afatinib in combination with GEMOX chemotherapy as the adjuvant treatment in patients with ErbB pathway mutated, resectable gallbladder cancer: study protocol for a ctDNA-based, multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled, phase II trial
Authors: Yang Mao , Zhao Yuhao , Li Yongsheng , Cui Xuya , Liu Fatao , Wu Wenguang , Wang Xu-An , Li Maolan , Liu Yun , Liu Yingbin
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive type of digestive system cancer with a dismal outcome. Given the lack of effective treatment options, the disease rapidly reoccurs and 5-year survival rate is <5%. Our team previously found that a significant percentage of GBC tissues harboured mutations of the ErbB-related pathway. Afatinib is a chemically synthesised drug specifically targeting the ErbB pathway mutations. However, its efficacy in the treatment of patients with GBC remains unknown. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) refers to a proportion of cell-free DNA in the blood which is released by apoptotic and necrotic cells from tumours in situ, metastatic foci or circulating tumour cells. ctDNA-based liquid biopsy is a non-invasive pathological detection method that offers additional value to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of antitumour drugs.

Methods and analysis

We conduct a multicentre and randomised study on afatinib combined with gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GEMOX) in patients with ErbB pathway mutated GBC. Clinical and biological evaluation involving ErbB pathway ctDNA detection will be made during the 3-year follow-up after participation. The primary objective of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of afatinib. Disease-free survival is the primary end point and will be correlated with plasma ctDNA of patients in the treatment with afatinib. In addition, we will evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of plasma ctDNA for monitoring tumour recurrence and progression. Finally, we will assess the safety of afatinib by keeping an eye on the safety indicators.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the medical-ethical review committee of Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The clinical trials results, even inconclusive, will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04183712.
Smartphone-supported behavioural weight loss treatment in adults with severe obesity: study protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled trial (SmartBWL)
Authors: Hilbert Anja , Juarascio Adrienne , Prettin Christiane , Petroff David , Schlögl Haiko , Hübner Claudia
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Behavioural weight loss (BWL) treatment is the standard evidence-based treatment for severe obesity (SO; body mass index ≥40.0 kg/m2or ≥35.0 kg/m2with obesity-related comorbidity), leading to moderate weight loss which often cannot be maintained in the long term. Because weight loss depends on patients’ use of weight management skills, it is important to support them in daily life. In an ecological momentary intervention design, this clinical trial aims to adapt, refine and evaluate a personalised cognitive-behavioural smartphone application (app) in BWL treatment to foster patients’ weight management skills use in everyday life. It is hypothesised that using the app is feasible and acceptable, improves weight loss and increases skills use and well-being.

Methods and analysis

In the pilot phase, the app will be adapted, piloted and optimised for BWL treatment following a participatory patient-oriented approach. In the subsequent single-centre, assessor-blind, exploratory randomised controlled trial, 90 adults with SO will be randomised to BWL treatment over 6 months with versus without adjunctive app. Primary outcome is the amount of weight loss (kg) at post-treatment (6 months), compared with pretreatment, derived from measured body weight. Secondary outcomes encompass feasibility, acceptance, weight management skills use, well-being and anthropometrics assessed at pretreatment, midtreatment (3 months), post-treatment (6 months) and 6-month follow-up (12 months). An intent-to-treat linear model with randomisation arm, pretreatment weight and stratification variables as covariates will serve to compare arms regarding weight at post-treatment. Secondary analyses will include linear mixed models, generalised linear models and regression and mediation analyses. For safety analysis (serious) adverse events will be analysed descriptively.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Leipzig (DE-21-00013674) and notified to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Registration

This study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00026018), www.drks.de.

Trial registration number

DRKS00026018
Existing gaps and missed opportunities in delivering quality nutrition services in primary healthcare: a descriptive analysis of patient experience and provider competence in 11 low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Ramadan Marwa , Muthee Tonny B , Okara Latifat , Feil Cameron , Villar Uribe Manuela
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To assess the competence of primary healthcare (PHC) providers in delivering maternal and child nutrition services at the PHC level and patients’ experience in receiving the recommended components of care.

Design

Observational cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

Healthcare facilities in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) with available service provision assessment surveys (Afghanistan (2018), Democratic Republic of Congo (2018), Haiti (2017), Kenya (2010), Malawi (2013–2014), Namibia (2009), Nepal (2015), Rwanda (2007), Senegal (2018), Tanzania (2015) and Uganda (2007).

Participants

18 644 antenatal visits and 23 262 sick child visits in 8458 facilities across 130 subnational areas in 11 LMICs from 2007 to 2019.

Outcomes

(1) Provider competence assessed as the direct observations of actions performed during antenatal care (ANC) and sick child visits; and (2) patients’ experience defined as the self-reported awareness of the nutrition services received during ANC and sick child visits and provider effectiveness in delivering these services.

Results

Except for DRC, all countries scored below 50% on patients’ experience and provider competence. More than 70% of clients were advised on taking iron supplements during pregnancy; however, less than 32% of patients were advised on iron side effects in all the studied countries. Across all countries, providers commonly took anthropometric measurements of expectant mothers and children; however, such assessments were rarely followed up with advice or counselling about growth patterns. In addition, less than 20% of observed providers advised on early/immediate breast feeding in all countries with available data.

Conclusion

The 11 assessed countries demonstrated the delivery of limited nutrition services; nonetheless, the apparent deficiency in the extent and depth of questions asked for the majority of tracer activities revealed significant opportunities for improving the quality of nutrition service delivery at the PHC level.
Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Joshi Rinku , Subedi Prativa , Yadav Gopal Kumar , Khadka Sitaram , Rijal Thaneshwar , Amgain Kapil , Rajbhandari Sabin
Published: February 2023

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and determine the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors associated with CKD.

Design and settings

Cross-sectional study among diabetic outpatients of a tertiary hospital in Nepal.

Participants

201 patients with T2DM above 18 years of age.

Intervention

Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their socioeconomic information and underwent pertinent physical and haematological examinations.

Primary and secondary outcomes measure

The prevalence and risk factors of CKD among patients with T2DM.

Results

The prevalence of CKD in T2DM was 86.6%. In univariable analysis, the variables like age (p=0.026), hypertension status (p=0.002), duration of diabetes (p=0.009) and haemoglobin levels (p=0.027) were significantly associated with CKD among the participants with T2DM. Kruskal-Wallis H test showed that age was significantly different between various CKD stages. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between CKD with age (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3, 95% CI 1.1 to 8.8) and literacy status (AOR 5.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 24.6)

Conclusion

Advancing age, concomitant hypertension, increasing duration of T2DM and presence of anaemia were found to be important risk factors of CKD. Age is the most important predictor of CKD showing increasing prevalence in the elderly population. Periodic screening tests are essential at an early age to identify kidney diseases at incipient stages, thereby preventing progression to end-stage renal disease.
Protocol of a randomised controlled trial to assess medical staff’s inhalation exposure to infectious particles exhaled by patients during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and the efficacy of surgical masks in this context
Authors: Zhang Shengyu , Yan Zhiyu , Zhang Yuheng , Wu Xi , Liu Li , Yang Aiming , Duan Mengjie
Published: February 2023

Background

Aerosol-generating procedures such as oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) result in infectious particles being exhaled by patients. This substantially increases the medical staff’s risk of occupational exposure to pathogenic particles via airway inhalation and facial mucosal deposition. Infectious particles are regarded as a key route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and, thus, represents a major risk factor for medical staff during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There is a need for quantitative evidence on medical staff’s risk of multiroute exposure to infectious particles exhaled by patients during OGD to enable the development of practical, feasible and economical methods of risk-reduction for use in OGD and related procedures. This randomised controlled trial (RCT)—Personal protective EquiPment intervention TrIal for oesophagogastroDuodEnoscopy (PEPTIDE)—aims to establish a state-of-the-art protocol for quantifying the multiroute exposure of medical staff to infectious particles exhaled by patients during real OGD procedures.

Method and analysis

PEPTIDE will be a prospective, two-arm, RCT using quantitative methods and will be conducted at a tertiary hospital in China. It will enrol 130 participants (65 per group) aged over 18. The intervention will be an anthropomorphic model with realistic respiratory-related morphology and respiratory function that simulates a medical staff member. This model will be used either without or with a surgical mask, depending on the group allocation of a participant, and will be placed beside the participants as they undergo an OGD procedure. The primary outcome will be the anthropomorphic model’s airway dosage of the participants’ exhaled infectious particles with or without a surgical mask, and the secondary outcome will be the anthropomorphic model’s non-surgical mask-covered facial mucosa dosage of the participants’ exhaled infectious particles. Analyses will be performed in accordance with the type of data collected (categorical or quantitative data) using SPSS (V.26.0) and RStudio (V.1.3.959).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this RCT was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (ZS-3377). All of the potential participants who agree to participate will provide their written informed consent before they are enrolled. The results will be disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05321056.
Brief self-guided digital intervention versus a comprehensive therapist-guided online cognitive behavioural therapy for atopic dermatitis: a trial protocol for a randomised non-inferiority trial
Authors: Kern Dorian , Ljótsson Brjánn , Lönndahl Louise , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Bradley Maria , Lindefors Nils , Kraepelien Martin
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Our aim is to investigate whether a shortened digital self-care intervention is non-inferior to, and cost-effective compared with, a comprehensive and therapist-guided cognitive behavioural therapy treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods and analysis

This is a single-blind, randomised clinical non-inferiority trial at Karolinska Institutet, a medical university in Stockholm, Sweden. We will recruit 174 adult participants with AD through self-referral. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to the two experimental conditions. Participants randomised to guided care will receive internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for 12 weeks. Participants randomised to digital self-care will have access to this self-guided intervention for 12 weeks. At post-treatment (primary endpoint), non-inferiority will be tested and resource use will be compared between the two treatment groups. Cost-effectiveness will be explored at 1-year follow-up. Potential mediators will be investigated. Data will be analysed intention to treat. We define non-inferiority as a three-point difference on the primary outcome measure (Patient-oriented Eczema Measure). Recruitment started in November 2022.

Ethics and dissemination

This study is approved by the Swedish ethics authority (reg. no 2021-06704-01) and is preregistered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The study will be reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement for non-pharmacological trials. The results of the study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and disseminated to patient organisations and media.

Trial registration number

NCT05517850.
Characterising the speech phenotype in individuals with craniofacial microsomia: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kinter Sara , Kotlarek Katelyn , Meehan Anna , Heike Carrie
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Asymmetric mandibular hypoplasia, microtia, tongue and laryngeal anomalies, and soft palate and facial nerve dysfunction are clinical features observed in children with craniofacial microsomia (CFM). Despite involvement of all these structures in hearing and speech, there is limited evidence reporting speech outcomes in this population. Systematic reviews of clinical and surgical interventions related to CFM have been published, but no methodological review of speech outcomes exists. This scoping review will summarise what is known about speech production in individuals with CFM as well as illustrate gaps in the existing body of literature that will guide future research.

Methods/analysis

This review will follow the methodological framework for scoping reviews first reported by Arksey & O’Malley and revised by Levac and others. Databases searched will include Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and grey literature. Articles reporting any parameter of speech production in individuals with CFM will be considered for inclusion. Articles published in a language other than English will be excluded. Articles will be screened in three stages: (1) title review, (2) abstract review and (3) full text review. Ten per cent of articles will be rescreened by a second reviewer. Reference lists will be hand reviewed to identify additional relevant articles. Data charting will capture article metadata, study population and design, CFM diagnostic criteria, speech outcome measurement and key findings. The Preferred Reporting Systems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols-Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist will guide reporting of results. Descriptive analysis and data visualisation strategies will be used.

Ethics and dissemination

Institutional review board approval is not required for a scoping review, as it does not directly involve human subjects. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication as well as conference presentation.
Venetoclax improves CD20 immunotherapy in a mouse model of MYC/BCL2 double-expressor diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Melchor Javier , Garcia-Lacarte Marcos , Grijalba Sara C. , Arnaiz-Leché Adrián , Pascual Marién , Panizo Carlos , Blanco Oscar , Segura Victor , Novo Francisco J. , Valero Juan Garcia , Pérez-Galán Patricia , Martinez-Climent Jose A. , Roa Sergio
Published: February 2023

Background

Approximately one-third of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients exhibit co-expression of MYC and BCL2 (double-expressor lymphoma, DEL) and have a dismal prognosis. Targeted inhibition of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 with venetoclax (ABT-199) has been approved in multiple B-cell malignancies and is currently being investigated in clinical trials for DLBCL. Whether BCL2 anti-apoptotic function represents a multifaceted vulnerability for DEL-DLBCL, affecting both lymphoma B cells and T cells within the tumor microenvironment, remains to be elucidated.

Methods

Here, we present novel genetically engineered mice that preclinically recapitulate DEL-DLBCL lymphomagenesis, and evaluate their sensitivity ex vivo and in vivo to the promising combination of venetoclax with anti-CD20-based standard immunotherapy.

Results

Venetoclax treatment demonstrated specific killing of MYC+/BCL2+lymphoma cells by licensing their intrinsically primed apoptosis, and showed previously unrecognized immunomodulatory activity by specifically enriching antigen-activated effector CD8 T cells infiltrating the tumors. Whereas DEL-DLBCL mice were refractory to venetoclax alone, inhibition of BCL2 significantly extended overall survival of mice that were simultaneously treated with a murine surrogate for anti-CD20 rituximab.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the combination of anti-CD20-based immunotherapy and BCL2 inhibition leads to cooperative immunomodulatory effects and improved preclinical responses, which may offer promising therapeutic opportunities for DEL-DLBCL patients.
Spatial multi-omics revealed the impact of tumor ecosystem heterogeneity on immunotherapy efficacy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with bispecific antibody
Authors: Song Xinyu , Xiong Anwen , Wu Fengying , Li Xuefei , Wang Jing , Jiang Tao , Chen Peixin , Zhang Xiaoshen , Zhao Zhikai , Liu Huifang , Cheng Lei , Zhao Chao , Wang Zhehai , Pan Chaohu , Cui Xiaoli , Xu Ting , Luo Haitao , Zhou Caicun
Published: February 2023

Background

Immunotherapy for malignant tumors has made great progress, but many patients do not benefit from it. The complex intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) hindered the in-depth exploration of immunotherapy. Conventional bulk sequencing has masked intratumor complexity, preventing a more detailed discovery of the impact of ITH on treatment efficacy. Hence, we initiated this study to explore ITH at the multi-omics spatial level and to seek prognostic biomarkers of immunotherapy efficacy considering the presence of ITH.

Methods

Using the segmentation strategy of digital spatial profiling (DSP), we obtained differential information on tumor and stromal regions at the proteomic and transcriptomic levels. Based on the consideration of ITH, signatures constructed by candidate proteins in different regions were used to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Results

Eighteen patients treated with a bispecific antibody (bsAb)-KN046 were enrolled in this study. The tumor and stromal areas of the same samples exhibited distinct features. Signatures consisting of 11 and 18 differentially expressed DSP markers from the tumor and stromal areas, respectively, were associated with treatment response. Furthermore, the spatially resolved signature identified from the stromal areas showed greater predictive power for bsAb immunotherapy response (area under the curve=0.838). Subsequently, our stromal signature was validated in an independent cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing immunotherapy.

Conclusion

We deciphered ITH at the spatial level and demonstrated for the first time that genetic information in the stromal region can better predict the efficacy of bsAb treatment.

Trial registration number

NCT03838848.
Using a validated case mix tool for use in the telephone-assisted triage of patients in a specialist palliative care community setting: a consecutive case series
Authors: Hough Emer , Lucey Michael , O'Reilly Martina , Featherstone Hannah , Twomey Feargal , Coffey Siobhan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Allocating resources in palliative care is challenging due to the nature of life-limiting illness coupled with the propensity for significant physical symptoms and psychological distress. At present, there is no established system for triaging referrals and prioritising resource allocation.

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a case mix assessment tool for telephone-assisted triaging of referrals to a specialist palliative care service. This assessed a patient’s phase of illness, Problem Severity Score (PSS) for complexity of symptom burden and psychological distress, and functional status.

Methods

Using a prospective consecutive case series approach, 450 referrals to community palliative care over a 6-month period were assessed. Scores for phase of illness, PSS and functional status were assessed at triage, as was the triage category of urgency of response.

Results

Analysis demonstrated that phase of illness corresponds with triage category, with terminal or unstable phase patients significantly associated with urgent (category 1) referrals and highest priority for review. Decreased functional status and high PSS were useful predictors for increased urgency of referral.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that this case mix tool could assist in the telephone assessment and triage of referrals to community palliative care.
Soil drainage-class influences on the distribution of witness trees (1664–1700) in Wicomico County, Maryland, USA
Authors: Folkoff Michael E. , Harris Daniel W. , Briand Christopher H.
Published: February 2023

Given the long-term human habitation and prolific land use change trajectories in the eastern United States, few remnants of the pre-European settlement Mid-Atlantic forest remain on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This study utilized metes and bounds witness tree locations and descriptions produced during colonial land subdivision to understand the relationships between tree types and biogeographic environments for an area on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Using correspondence analysis, we reveal habitat partitioning among witness tree species based on soil drainage characteristics, that enable the visualization of a pre-European settlement reconstructed forest. Our research finds that oak ( Quercus), most often white oak ( Quercus alba), was the dominant genus for most of the study area underlain by well-drained soils. To a much smaller extent, gums were also associated with these well-drained soils. Areas of poor drainage most often contained pine ( Pinus) and an assemblage of different oaks ( Quercus spp.). Hickory ( Carya), also noted in the witness tree record in small numbers, was found across all soil drainages.
Mapping and analysis of structural lineaments using SRTM radar data and Landsat-8 OLI image: an example from the Telouet–Tighza area, Marrakech High Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Maryam Errami , Ahmed Algouti , Abdellah Algouti , Abdelouhed Farah
Published: February 2023

This study provides the first evaluation of the potential of both the Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensor images and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data for automated lineament extraction in the south side of the Marrakech High Atlas (Telouet–Tighza area). After image corrections, enhancement methods such as principal component analysis, band composite (BC), and directional filtering were adopted to create new images that provided high visibility of linear structures. The new Landsat BC image used in this study was selected based on the calculation of the optimum index factor and correlation index. In addition to the Landsat image, the SRTM DEM was used to detect structural lineaments in the area by generating shaded relief images. Multisource data, such as band ratio image, geological maps, and fieldwork, were used to eliminate the nongeological lineaments extracted. The results indicate that an automated method was applied successfully for lineament mapping in this area, by detailing the main tectonic faults. Moreover, new lineaments are identified and are validated by fieldwork. Structural lineaments extracted show compatibility in their direction, length, distribution, and density with the tectonic evolution of the study area. A total of 2945 lineaments were extracted with major ENE–WSW and predominant E–W directions. The new structural map shows more structural information compared with the geological map of this area and exemplifies the performance of Landsat-8 OLI bands and SRTM data in this kind of study.
Robustness of quantum reinforcement learning under hardware errors
Authors: Skolik Andrea , Mangini Stefano , Bäck Thomas , Macchiavello Chiara , Dunjko Vedran
Published: February 2023

Variational quantum machine learning algorithms have become the focus of recent research on how to utilize near-term quantum devices for machine learning tasks. They are considered suitable for this as the circuits that are run can be tailored to the device, and a big part of the computation is delegated to the classical optimizer. It has also been hypothesized that they may be more robust to hardware noise than conventional algorithms due to their hybrid nature. However, the effect of training quantum machine learning models under the influence of hardware-induced noise has not yet been extensively studied. In this work, we address this question for a specific type of learning, namely variational reinforcement learning, by studying its performance in the presence of various noise sources: shot noise, coherent and incoherent errors. We analytically and empirically investigate how the presence of noise during training and evaluation of variational quantum reinforcement learning algorithms affect the performance of the agents and robustness of the learned policies. Furthermore, we provide a method to reduce the number of measurements required to train Q-learning agents, using the inherent structure of the algorithm.
Study on the physiochemical behavior of PE and epoxy composites immersed in an NaOH solution for a long period
Authors: Park Choong Yong , Park Dong Hyun , Park Soo Jeong , Lee Seung Hyo , Kim Yun Hae
Published: February 2023

A seawater electrolyzer solution has high alkalinity owing to the presence of scale-like hydroxide compounds, Ca(OH)2, and Mg(OH)2 generated from a dimensionally stable anode during electrolysis. This study proposes four different types of composite materials to replace the existing ballast piping materials that are vulnerable to high alkalinity. To this end, composite specimens were prepared and immersed in an NaOH solution for 720 h. Furthermore, their suitability as ballast pipe materials was confirmed through a physical property analysis of the immersed specimens. The results show that all four types of composite specimens deteriorated, but they had different interfacial bonding mechanisms. For specimens with low interfacial bond strength between fibers and resins, the deterioration initiated and propagated from the surface and the internal penetration of the NaOH solution occurred rapidly, resulting in the rapid deterioration of their physical properties. The mechanisms of good and bad interfacial bonding between fibers and resins were determined based on the interfacial bonding force. Thus, this study will help understand the deterioration mechanisms of composite materials immersed in chemical solutions such as NaOH or acid in the future.
YOLOv5s-Cherry: Cherry Target Detection in Dense Scenes Based on Improved YOLOv5s Algorithm
Authors: Gai Rongli , Li Mengke , Wang Zumin , Hu Lingyan , Li Xiaomei
Published: February 2023

Intelligent agriculture has become the development trend of agriculture in the future, and it has a wide range of research and application scenarios. Using machine learning to complete basic tasks for people has become a reality, and this ability is also used in machine vision. In order to save the time in the fruit picking process and reduce the cost of labor, the robot is used to achieve the automatic picking in the orchard environment. Cherry target detection algorithms based on deep learning are proposed to identify and pick cherries. However, most of the existing methods are aimed at relatively sparse fruits and cannot solve the detection problem of small and dense fruits. In this paper, we propose a cherry detection model based on YOLOv5s. First, the shallow feature information is enhanced by convolving the feature maps sampled by two times down in BackBone layer of the original network model to the input end of the second and third CSP modules. In addition, the depth of CSP module is adjusted and RFB module is added in feature extraction stage to enhance feature extraction capability. Finally, Soft- Non-Maximum Suppression (Soft-NMS) is used to minimize the target loss caused by occlusion. We test the performance of the model, and the results show that the improved YOLOv5s-cherry model has the best detection performance for small and dense cherry detection, which is conducive to intelligent picking.
Strike-slip influenced stratigraphic and structural development of the Foula Sandstone Group, Shetland: implications for offshore Devonian basin development on the northern UK continental shelf
Authors: Utley T. A. G. , Holdsworth R. E. , Blackbourn G. A. , Dempsey E. , Strachan R. A. , McCaffrey K. J. W. , Morton A. C. , Bird A. F. , Jones R. R. , Saßnowski A. , Walker R. J.
Published: February 2023

The island of Foula, located 25 km SW of Shetland, preserves a gently folded, 1.6 km thick sequence of Middle Devonian sandstones spectacularly exposed in kilometre-long cliff sections >350 m high. These rocks unconformably overlie likely Precambrian-age amphibolite facies basement rocks that are intruded by sheeted granites. The onshore succession is similar in age to the nearby Lower Clair Group offshore to the west. New mapping, incorporating the use of drone imagery in the inaccessible cliff sections, uses down-plunge projections to show that growth folding and faulting on Foula were contemporaneous with sedimentation during basin filling. The large-scale structural geometry is consistent with the regional constrictional strain due to the sinistral transtension associated with movements along the Walls Boundary–Great Glen fault zone system during the Mid-Devonian. Detrital zircon provenance studies indicate that the Devonian sequences of Foula (and nearby Melby in western Shetland) show similarities with the Clair Group and Orkney successions. We suggest that NE–SW transtensional fold development contemporaneous with regional subsidence in the Devonian basins of Scotland may be more widespread than previously realized. Large, kilometre-scale folds previously interpreted to be related to Permo-Carboniferous inversion may therefore have initiated earlier in the basin evolution sequence than previously realized.

Supplementary material:
Appendices A, Methodologies; B, Regional stratigraphic correlation table; C, Heavy mineral data; D, Detrital zircon data; and E, 3D virtual outcrop models are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6442552
The p-Arms of Human Acrocentric Chromosomes Play by a Different Set of Rules
Authors: McStay Brian
Published: February 2023

The p-arms of the five human acrocentric chromosomes bear nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) comprising ribosomal gene (rDNA) repeats that are organized in a homogeneous tandem array and transcribed in a telomere-to-centromere direction. Precursor ribosomal RNA transcripts are processed and assembled into ribosomal subunits, the nucleolus being the physical manifestation of this process. I review current understanding of nucleolar chromosome biology and describe current exploration into a role for the NOR chromosomal context. Full DNA sequences for acrocentric p-arms are now emerging, aided by the current revolution in long-read sequencing and genome assembly. Acrocentric p-arms vary from 10.1 to 16.7 Mb, accounting for ∼2.2% of the genome. Bordering rDNA arrays, distal junctions, and proximal junctions are shared among the p-arms, with distal junctions showing evidence of functionality. The remaining p-arm sequences comprise multiple satellite DNA classes and segmental duplications that facilitate recombination between heterologous chromosomes, which is likely also involved in Robertsonian translocations.
In Situ Measurement of Evolving Excited-State Dynamics During Deposition and Processing of Organic Films by Single-Shot Transient Absorption
Authors: Walbrun Zachary S. , Wong Cathy Y.
Published: February 2023

A significant advantage of organic semiconductors over many of their inorganic counterparts is solution processability. However, solution processing commonly yields heterogeneous films with properties that are highly sensitive to the conditions and parameters of casting and processing. Measuring the key properties of these materials in situ, during film production, can provide new insight into the mechanism of these processing steps and how they lead to the emergence of the final organic film properties. The excited-state dynamics is often of import in photovoltaic, electronic, and light-emitting devices. This review focuses on single-shot transient absorption, which measures a transient spectrum in a single shot, enabling the rapid measurement of unstable chemical systems such as organic films during their casting and processing. We review the principles of instrument design and provide examples of the utility of this spectroscopy for measuring organic films during their production.
Influenza virus reduces ubiquitin E3 ligase MARCH10 expression to decrease ciliary beat frequency
Authors: Tsai MuChun , Rayner Rachael E. , Chafin Lexie , Farkas Daniela , Adair Jessica , Mishan Chelsea , Mallampalli Rama K. , Kim Sun Hee , Cormet-Boyaka Estelle , Londino James D.
Published: February 2023

Respiratory viruses, such as influenza, decrease airway cilia function and expression, which leads to reduced mucociliary clearance and inhibited overall immune defense. Ubiquitination is a posttranslational modification using E3 ligases, which plays a role in the assembly and disassembly of cilia. We examined the role of membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH) family of E3 ligases during influenza infection and determined that MARCH10, specifically expressed in ciliated epithelial cells, is significantly decreased during influenza infection in mice, human lung epithelial cells, and human lung tissue. Cellular depletion of MARCH10 in differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) using CRISPR/Cas9 showed a decrease in ciliary beat frequency. Furthermore, MARCH10 cellular knockdown in combination with influenza infection selectively decreased immunoreactive levels of the ciliary component, dynein axonemal intermediate chain 1. Cellular overexpression of MARCH10 significantly decreased influenza hemagglutinin protein levels in the differentiated HBECs and knockdown of MARCH10 increased IL-1β cytokine expression, whereas overexpression had the reciprocal effect. These findings suggest that MARCH10 may have a protective role in airway pulmonary host defense and innate immunity during influenza infection.
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals unique monocyte-derived interstitial macrophage subsets during lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung inflammation
Authors: Moore Peter K. , Anderson Kelsey C. , McManus Shannon A. , Tu Ting-Hui , King Emily M. , Mould Kara J. , Redente Elizabeth F. , Henson Peter M. , Janssen William J. , McCubbrey Alexandra L.
Published: February 2023

Interstitial macrophages (IMs) reside in the lung tissue surrounding key structures including airways, vessels, and alveoli. Recent work has described IM heterogeneity during homeostasis, however, there are limited data on IMs during inflammation. We sought to characterize IM origin, subsets, and transcriptomic profiles during homeostasis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung inflammation. During homeostasis, we used three complementary methods, spectral flow cytometry, single-cell RNA-sequencing, and gene regulatory network enrichment, to demonstrate that IMs can be divided into two core subsets distinguished by surface and transcriptional expression of folate receptor β ( Folr2/FRβ). These subsets inhabited distinct niches within the lung interstitium. Within FRβ+ IMs we identified a subpopulation marked by coexpression of LYVE1. During acute LPS-induced inflammation, lung IM numbers expand. Lineage tracing revealed IM expansion was due to recruitment of monocyte-derived IMs. At the peak of inflammation, recruited IMs were comprised two unique subsets defined by expression of genes associated with interferon signaling and glycolytic pathways. As recruited IMs matured, they adopted the overall transcriptional state of FRβ− resident IMs but retained expression in several origin-specific genes, such as IL-1β. FRβ+ IMs were of near-pure resident origin. Taken together our data show that during LPS-induced inflammation, there are distinct populations of IMs that likely have unique functions. FRΒ+ IMs comprise a stable, resident population, whereas FRβ− ΙΜs represent a mixed population of resident and recruited IMs.
Analysis of Selected Soil Properties in Relation to Soil and Water Conservation Practices in Sibiya Arera, Soro District, South Central Ethiopia
Authors: Bufebo Belayneh , Beyene Getachew , Addise Temesgen
Published: February 2023

Soil erosion by water is a severe and continuous ecological problem in the south central highlands of Ethiopia. Limited use of soil and water conservation technologies by farmers is one of the major causes that have resulted in accelerated soil erosion. Within this context, significant attention has been given to soil and water conservation practices. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil and water conservation practices on soil physicochemical properties after being practiced continuously for up to 10 years. The physicochemical properties of soil of landscape with physical soil and water conservation structures without biological conservation measures and physical soil and water conservation structures combined with biological conservation measures were compared with soil of landscape without soil and water conservation practices. The result of analysis disclosed that soil and water conservation interventions (both with biological and without biological measures) significantly increased the soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus content than the soil of landscape without soil and water conservation practices. The results of the analysis also showed that the mean value of cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases (K+, Na+,

C
a

2

+

, and

M
g

2

+

) of the soil under nonconserved farm field was significantly lower as compared to the soil of adequately managed farm fields. The findings of this study clarified that there was significant variation in soil properties. This variation could be due to uneven transport of soil particles by runoff. Therefore, soil conservation structures supported with biological measures improves the soil’s physicochemical properties.
[Retracted] Optimization Analysis of Power Coal‐Blending Model and Its Control System Based on Intelligent Sensor Network and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Tao Yadong , Song Wenge , Zhu Ziqi , Wang Bin , Shang Ming , Zhang Sa , Lu Chao
Published: February 2023

Research and optimization of the coal‐blending system can greatly improve the variety diversity and quality stability of finished coal. However, the existing research on the coal‐blending system has some defects, such as fuzzy ash content of coal‐blending warehouse products and excessive error of the coal‐blending ratio determined by artificial experience, which brings many disadvantages and difficulties to the efficient and stable production of the coal preparation plant. The genetic algorithm and intelligent sensor network are relatively advanced technologies at present. Therefore, the optimization analysis of the coal‐blending model and its control system based on the intelligent sensor network and genetic algorithm has become a research hotspot. This paper first introduces the basic theory of the genetic algorithm and intelligent sensor network and their application in coal‐blending research, then establishes an optimized dynamic coal‐blending model based on the intelligent sensor network and genetic algorithm, and analyzes its application effect. The research results show that the coal quality prediction model can be mined from coal quality data and coal‐blending data by using the genetic algorithm and ideas, and the monitoring system based on the intelligent sensor network can monitor the abnormal state anytime and anywhere. Compared with the traditional coal‐blending method, the average error is 3.33%, and the accuracy is improved by 4.82%.