bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of precipitation products in a Brazilian watershed: Tocantins-Araguaia watershed case study
Authors: Pereira Débora R. , Oliveira Ana R. , Costa Maurício S. , Ramos Tiago B. , Rollnic Marcelo , Neves Ramiro J. J.
Published: July 2024

Precipitation plays a vital role in various fields, including hydroclimatic modeling, climate change studies, agricultural optimization, and water resources management. Precipitation data can be obtained through observational measurements using the rain gauge approach or as Gridded precipitation products (GPP) derived from satellites or atmospheric models. GPPs provide optimized global estimates of climate data without spatial or temporal gaps, making them a valuable solution for areas with sparse or nonexistent rain gauges. However, it is essential to assess their reliability and limitations across different time scales and regions before usage. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of two specific GPP datasets, ERA5 and MERRA-2, in comparison with two observational datasets, focusing on the Tocantins-Araguaia watershed and Pará river estuary in Brazil. The results show that both GPPs, ERA5 and MERRA-2, captured the overall precipitation regime for the analyzed period. However, discrepancies emerged, particularly at the daily and annual scales, with better agreement observed at monthly and climatology scales when compared to observational datasets. ERA5 demonstrated a higher number of acceptable stations compared to MERRA-2. Although both reanalysis products showed good agreement in climatological analysis, a more detailed evaluation revealed shortcomings in simulating precipitation during the dry season. While GPPs offer consistent time series with higher temporal and spatial resolutions, the observational precipitation data is deemed the most suitable input for hydrological-hydrodynamic modeling in the Tocantins-Araguaia watershed. Its widespread coverage, numerous rain gauges, and accurate representation of reality make it an ideal choice for hydrological modeling in the region.
Prioritizing drug targets in systemic lupus erythematosus from a genetic perspective: a druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhou Youtao , Lin Zikai , Chen Fengzhen , Wu Haiyang , Peng Chusheng , Xie Yingying
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with an unsatisfactory state of treatment. We aim to explore novel targets for SLE from a genetic standpoint.

Methods

Cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) for whole blood from 31,684 samples provided by the eQTLGen Consortium as well as two large SLE cohorts were utilized for screening and validating genes causally associated with SLE. Colocalization analysis was employed to further investigate whether changes in the expression of risk genes, as indicated by GWAS signals, influence the occurrence and development of SLE. Targets identified for drug development were evaluated for potential side effects using a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS). Based on the multiple databases, we explored the interactions between drugs and genes for drug prediction and the assessment of current medications.

Results

The analysis comprised 5427 druggable genes in total. The two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) in the discovery phase identified 20 genes causally associated with SLE and validated 8 genes in the replication phase. Colocalization analysis ultimately identified five genes (BLK, HIST1H3H, HSPA1A, IL12A, NEU1) with PPH4 > 0.8. PheWAS further indicated that drugs acting on BLK and IL12A are less likely to have potential side effects, while HSPA1A and NEU1 were associated with other traits. Four genes (BLK, HSPA1A, IL12A, NEU1) have been targeted for drug development in autoimmune diseases and other conditions.

Conclusions

.This study identified five genes as therapeutic targets for SLE. Repurposing and developing drugs targeting these genes is anticipated to improve the existing treatment state for SLE.

Key Points

• We identified five gene targets of priority for the treatment of SLE, with BLK and IL12A indicating fewer side effects.• Among the existing drugs that target these candidate genes, Ustekinumab, Ebdarokimab, and Briakinumab (targeting the IL12 gene) and CD24FC (targeting HSPA1A) may potentially be repurposed for the treatment of SLE.
Anti-α-1,4-D-polygalacturonic acid antibodies as a new biomarker for juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Huang Jiqian , Wu Zhijing , Quan Wei , Ye Xiaohua , Dai Xiaolong , Luo Jiangtao , Han Xiao , Li Xiaozhong , Zheng Wenjie
Published: July 2024

Objective

Diagnosing juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is challenging. Our study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of anti-α-1,4-D-polygalacturonic acid (PGA) antibodies in JIA, focusing on their role in diagnosis and assessing disease activity.

Methods

In this prospective case–control study, we examined variations in serum levels of PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG among children with different types of JIA and healthy controls. Serum PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG levels were assessed concurrently in children with active and inactive JIA.

Results

This study included 126 patients diagnosed with JIA, 13 neonates, and 76 healthy children. Serum PGA-IgA and PGA-IgG levels were assessed, which revealed significant differences in PGA-IgA levels between various JIA subtypes and controls. An analysis of PGA-IgA levels in various JIA states revealed a statistically significant difference. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated the robust predictive capability of PGA-IgA, with an AUC of 0.879 (p < 0.001), along with a specificity of 0.842 and sensitivity of 0.848.

Conclusion

Increased levels of anti-PGA antibodies, particularly PGA-IgA, were significantly associated with JIA. PGA-IgA may serve as a sensitive biomarker for disease activity in JIA and could potentially aid in the diagnosis of JIA.

Key Points• This study found a significant correlation between blood levels of PGA-IgA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which may provide valuable diagnostic insights.• PGA-IgA shows potential as a sensitive biomarker for the assessment of disease activity in JIA patients, helping to determine disease activity.
Efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Authors: Ye Xiangrong , Li Ye , Luo Feng , Xu Zhibin , Kasimu Kaidirina , Wang Juan , Xu Peihang , Tan Chunjiang , Yi Hui , Luo Yifeng
Published: July 2024

In the realm of acute respiratory infections, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), poses a global public health challenge. The application of corticosteroids (CSs) in COVID-19 remains a contentious topic among researchers. Accordingly, our team performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to meticulously evaluate the safety and efficacy of CSs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. To explore efficacy of CSs in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, we meticulously screened RCTs across key databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as China's CNKI and Wanfang Data. We focused on assessing the 28 days mortality rates. We evaluated the data heterogeneity using the Chi-square test and I2 values, setting significance at 0.1 and 50%. Data from 21 RCTs involving 5721 participants were analyzed. The analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between CSs intervention and the 28 days mortality risk in hospitalized COVID-19 patients (relative risk [RR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.84–1.03; P = 0.15). However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in 28 days mortality among patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (RR at 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76–0.95; P = 0.004). Specifically, short-term CS administration (≤ 3 days) was associated with a substantial improvement in clinical outcomes (RR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09–0.63; P = 0.004), as was longer-term use (≥ 8 days) (RR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.77–0.99; P = 0.04). Additionally, in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, the administration of dexamethasone increased the number of 28 days ventilator-free days (Mean Difference = 1.92; 95% CI: 0.44–3.40; P = 0.01). Methylprednisolone also demonstrated significant benefits in improving clinical outcomes (RR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09–0.63; P = 0.004). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that although there is no significant difference in 28 days mortality rates among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, the use of CSs may be beneficial in improving clinical outcomes in moderate or severe COVID-19 patients. There was no significant increase in the occurrence of adverse events associated with the use of CSs. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that while CSs may not be suitable for all COVID-19 patients, they could be effective and safe in severely ill COVID-19 patients. Consequently, it is recommended to administer CSs for personalized treatments in COVID-19 cases to improve the clinical outcomes while minimizing adverse events.
An update to experimental and clinical aspects of tumor-associated macrophages in cancer development: hopes and pitfalls
Authors: Salmaninejad Arash , Layeghi Sepideh Mehrpour , Falakian Zeinab , Golestani Shahin , Kobravi Sepehr , Talebi Samaneh , Yousefi Meysam
Published: July 2024

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) represent one of the most abundant tumor-infiltrating stromal cells, and their normal function in tumor microenvironment (TME) is to suppress tumor cells by producing cytokines which trigger both direct cell cytotoxicity and antibody-mediated immune response. However, upon prolonged exposure to TME, the classical function of these so-called M1-type TAMs can be converted to another type, “M2-type,” which are recruited by tumor cells so that they promote tumor growth and metastasis. This is the reason why the accumulation of TAMs in TME is correlated with poor prognosis in cancer patients. Both M1- and M2-types have high degree of plasticity, and M2-type cells can be reprogrammed to M1-type for therapeutic purposes. This characteristic introduces TAMs as promising target for developing novel cancer treatments. In addition, inhibition of M2-type cells and blocking their recruitment in TME, as well as their depletion by inducing apoptosis, are other approaches for effective immunotherapy of cancer. In this review, we summarize the potential of TAMs to be targeted for cancer immunotherapy and provide an up-to-date about novel strategies for targeting TAMs.
Novel Vpx virus-like particles to improve cytarabine treatment response against acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Nair Ramya , Salinas-Illarena Alejandro , Sponheimer Monika , Wullkopf Inès , Schreiber Yannick , Côrte-Real João Vasco , del Pozo Ben Augusto , Marterer Helena , Thomas Dominique , Geisslinger Gerd , Cinatl Jindrich , Subklewe Marion , Baldauf Hanna-Mari
Published: July 2024

Knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia has advanced in recent years. Despite novel treatment options, acute myeloid leukemia remains a survival challenge for elderly patients. We have recently shown that the triphosphohydrolase SAMHD1 is one of the factors determining resistance to Ara-C treatment. Here, we designed and tested novel and simpler virus-like particles incorporating the lentiviral protein Vpx to efficiently and transiently degrade SAMHD1 and increase the efficacy of Ara-C treatment. The addition of minute amounts of lentiviral Rev protein during production enhanced the generation of virus-like particles. In addition, we found that our 2nd generation of virus-like particles efficiently targeted and degraded SAMHD1 in AML cell lines with high levels of SAMHD1, thereby increasing Ara-CTP levels and response to Ara-C treatment. Primary AML blasts were generally less responsive to VLP treatment. In summary, we have been able to generate novel and simpler virus-like particles that can efficiently deliver Vpx to target cells.
Signal drift in diffusion MRI of the brain: effects on intravoxel incoherent motion parameter estimates
Authors: Jalnefjord Oscar , Rosenqvist Louise , Warsame Amina , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Signal drift has been put forward as one of the fundamental confounding factors in diffusion MRI (dMRI) of the brain. This study characterizes signal drift in dMRI of the brain, evaluates correction methods, and exemplifies its impact on parameter estimation for three intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) protocols.

Materials and methods

dMRI of the brain was acquired in ten healthy subjects using protocols designed to enable retrospective characterization and correction of signal drift. All scans were acquired twice for repeatability analysis. Three temporal polynomial correction methods were evaluated: (1) global, (2) voxelwise, and (3) spatiotemporal. Effects of acquisition order were simulated using estimated drift fields.

Results

Signal drift was around 2% per 5 min in the brain as a whole, but reached above 5% per 5 min in the frontal regions. Only correction methods taking spatially varying signal drift into account could achieve effective corrections. Altered acquisition order introduced both systematic changes and differences in repeatability in the presence of signal drift.

Discussion

Signal drift in dMRI of the brain was found to be spatially varying, calling for correction methods taking this into account. Without proper corrections, choice of protocol can affect dMRI parameter estimates and their repeatability.
Home range overlaps of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): implications for disease transmission
Authors: Tobajas Jorge , Richardson Kyle S. , French Nigel P. , Buddle Bryce , Jewell Christopher , Tompkins Daniel M. , Rouco Carlos
Published: July 2024

Understanding how bovine tuberculosis (TB) is maintained in wildlife reservoirs is critical for the management of this disease impacting cattle in many countries. For the primary wildlife reservoir of the disease in New Zealand, the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), transmission of this contagious bacterial disease among possums is often assumed to be linked to home range overlap. Identifying drivers of possum home range, and home range overlap between individuals, is thus important for informing wildlife reservoir TB management in New Zealand. We monitored four sub-populations of free-living possums in New Zealand native forests during 10 consecutive months using live trapping, to give the first direct insight into how the frequency and area of overlaps alters with density, sex and age. A total of 832 individuals were captured (average 9.3, range from 1 to 40 captures per animal with a median value of 7) and 35,820 home range overlaps were recorded. Both the number and area of overlaps were significantly associated with age class, with 66.6% of overlaps occurring between adults, 30% between adults and juveniles, and only 3.4% between juveniles. Overall, adult males showed significantly higher numbers of overlaps than expected, while adult and juvenile females showed significantly lower numbers of overlaps than expected and no differences were observed in juvenile males. In addition, males exhibited more and larger overlaps than females. The number and size of overlaps per individual decreased with increasing local population density. Understanding shared areas of activity among individuals can provide insights into the interactions occurring and potential pathways for diseases transmitted by contact such as TB. These results can inform to develop effective strategies for the control of diseases carried and dispersed by possums.
Efficacy and safety of topical azithromycin therapy in patients with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Shimazaki Jun , Kito Gakushi , Kamoi Mizuka , Satake Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To assess the effects of 1% azithromycin ophthalmic solution (AZM) in patients with bacterial blepharitis accompanied by meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Study design

A multicenter, single arm, prospective interventional study.

Methods

AZM was administered to the affected eyes twice daily for the first 2 days and once daily for the subsequent 12 days. Lid margin hyperaemia/redness, collarette at the root of the eyelashes, conjunctival hyperaemia, foreign body sensation, and epiphora were assessed on Days 1, 14, and 28. The Dry Eye-related Quality of Life Score (DEQS) and objectives related to MGD, including lid vascularity, lid margin irregularity, foaming, lid plugging, keratoconjunctival disorders, Marx line, meibum grade, and tear breakup time, were also assessed. Bacterial culture of the conjunctival sac and meibum was performed on Days 1 and 14.

Results

Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients (10 men/14 women, mean age 72.3 ± 13.2) were included. On Days 14 and 28, the total score, lid vascularity, lid plugging, and meibum grade showed significant improvement (p < 0.05). On Day 1, 71 strains were isolated from 22 of the 24 eyes (91.7%). Cutibacterium acnes, Corynebacterium spp., and Staphylococci were detected at high frequencies. The overall disappearance rates of the bacteria in the conjunctival sac and meibum at the end of treatment were 65.7% and 58.3%, respectively. No serious ocular or systemic adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Fourteen-day treatment with AZM was effective in patients with blepharitis accompanied by MGD, and the efficacy of AZM persisted for a period after the treatment.
When is it acceptable to break the rules? Knowledge representation of moral judgements based on empirical data
Authors: Awad Edmond , Levine Sydney , Loreggia Andrea , Mattei Nicholas , Rahwan Iyad , Rossi Francesca , Talamadupula Kartik , Tenenbaum Joshua , Kleiman-Weiner Max
Published: July 2024

Constraining the actions of AI systems is one promising way to ensure that these systems behave in a way that is morally acceptable to humans. But constraints alone come with drawbacks as in many AI systems, they are not flexible. If these constraints are too rigid, they can preclude actions that are actually acceptable in certain, contextual situations. Humans, on the other hand, can often decide when a simple and seemingly inflexible rule should actually be overridden based on the context. In this paper, we empirically investigate the way humans make these contextual moral judgements, with the goal of building AI systems that understand when to follow and when to override constraints. We propose a novel and general preference-based graphical model that captures a modification of standard dual process theories of moral judgment. We then detail the design, implementation, and results of a study of human participants who judge whether it is acceptable to break a well-established rule: no cutting in line. We then develop an instance of our model and compare its performance to that of standard machine learning approaches on the task of predicting the behavior of human participants in the study, showing that our preference-based approach more accurately captures the judgments of human decision-makers. It also provides a flexible method to model the relationship between variables for moral decision-making tasks that can be generalized to other settings.
SRGAN-enhanced unsafe operation detection and classification of heavy construction machinery using cascade learning
Authors: Kim Bubryur , An Eui-Jung , Kim Sungho , Sri Preethaa K. R. , Lee Dong-Eun , Lukacs R. R.
Published: July 2024

In the inherently hazardous construction industry, where injuries are frequent, the unsafe operation of heavy construction machinery significantly contributes to the injury and accident rates. To reduce these risks, this study introduces a novel framework for detecting and classifying these unsafe operations for five types of construction machinery. Utilizing a cascade learning architecture, the approach employs a Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Network (SRGAN), Real-Time Detection Transformers (RT-DETR), self-DIstillation with NO labels (DINOv2), and Dilated Neighborhood Attention Transformer (DiNAT) models. The study focuses on enhancing the detection and classification of unsafe operations in construction machinery through upscaling low-resolution surveillance footage and creating detailed high-resolution inputs for the RT-DETR model. This enhancement, by leveraging temporal information, significantly improves object detection and classification accuracy. The performance of the cascaded pipeline yielded an average detection and first-level classification precision of 96%, a second-level classification accuracy of 98.83%, and a third-level classification accuracy of 98.25%, among other metrics. The cascaded integration of these models presents a well-rounded solution for near-real-time surveillance in dynamic construction environments, advancing surveillance technologies and significantly contributing to safety management within the industry.
Exploring the long-term impact of a cadmium pollution accident on microbial communities in river ecosystems
Authors: Wang Min , Wang Yuannan , Wu Yanli , Ma Qianli , Huang Jilin , He Tao , Huang Shan , Chen Chen
Published: July 2024

The large leakage accidents of heavy metals from industrial facilities pose a serious environmental problem; however, not enough studies have been conducted to assess the long-term ecological risk associated with such accidents. This study evaluated changes in the bacterial communities within river sediment and identified the key functional microorganisms responding to the 2012 cadmium contamination incident in the Long River, Guangxi Province, China. Results revealed that after a prolonged period of pollution accidents, cadmium pollution still had a discernible effect on the bacterial communities of the river sediment. In comparison to the control site (S1), the bacterial α-diversity in sediments from the accident area (S3) and its downstream (S5) showed a significant increase following the incident. In the control site, Burkholderiaceae was dominant, while in S3 and S5, Pedosphaeraceae, Nitrosomonadaceae, Nitrospiraceae and Geobacteraceae were significantly increased. Sulfur bacteria were found to be more responsive to this cadmium contamination than other bacteria. At site S3, the abundances of Sulfuricurvum, Sulfurifustis, Thioalkalispira, Desulfobacteraceae and Desulfarculaceae were hundreds of times higher than at site S1, indicating an intensification of sulfur cycling processes. The functional prediction implied that cadmium pollution may promote methane oxidation coupled with sulfate reduction reactions and altered the processes of nitrification and denitrification. Environmental factors influencing the microbial community included the levels of metals (cadmium, arsenic, iron) in sediment, as well as other sediment characteristics like temperature and electrical conductivity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the long-term ecological consequences of environmental pollution in river ecosystems.

Graphical abstract
A robust second-order low-rank BUG integrator based on the midpoint rule
Authors: Ceruti Gianluca , Einkemmer Lukas , Kusch Jonas , Lubich Christian
Published: July 2024

Dynamical low-rank approximation has become a valuable tool to perform an on-the-fly model order reduction for prohibitively large matrix differential equations. A core ingredient is the construction of integrators that are robust to the presence of small singular values and the resulting large time derivatives of the orthogonal factors in the low-rank matrix representation. Recently, the robust basis-update & Galerkin (BUG) class of integrators has been introduced. These methods require no steps that evolve the solution backward in time, often have favourable structure-preserving properties, and allow for parallel time-updates of the low-rank factors. The BUG framework is flexible enough to allow for adaptations to these and further requirements. However, the BUG methods presented so far have only first-order robust error bounds. This work proposes a second-order BUG integrator for dynamical low-rank approximation based on the midpoint quadrature rule. The integrator first performs a half-step with a first-order BUG integrator, followed by a Galerkin update with a suitably augmented basis. We prove a robust second-order error bound which in addition shows an improved dependence on the normal component of the vector field. These rigorous results are illustrated and complemented by a number of numerical experiments.
Legitimating Organizational Secrecy
Authors: Clarke Nicholas , Higgs Malcolm , Garavan Thomas
Published: July 2024

This paper brings into focus the concept of organizational secrecy by senior managers in the context of a major strategic change program. Underpinned by legitimation theory and utilizing a narrative methodology and a longitudinal investigation, we draw upon data from 52 interviews with 13 senior managers conducted at 3 months intervals over the course of 12 months. Our findings reveal that senior managers utilized seven discursive legitimation strategies to justify keeping secret that the organization intended to downsize, and they used a different mix of legitimation strategies as the change process evolved. We labeled these discursive legitimation strategies as (1) Naturalization, (2) Rationalization, (3) Moralization, (4) Authorization, (5) Proceduralization, (6) Valorization, and (7) Demonization. Theoretically we bring a temporal perspective to understanding organizational secrecy and the central role that discursive legitimation plays. We show that the use of these discursive legitimation strategies are anchored to meta-narratives describing work practices and values associated with the organization’s culture. And that managers use discursive legitimation to manage the ethical implications of secrecy.
Poietic symbiosis or algorithmic subjugation: generative AI technology in marketing communications education
Authors: Karimova Gulnara Z. , Kim Yevgeniya D. , Shirkhanbeik Amir
Published: July 2024

This exploratory study investigates the convergence of marketing communications and AI-powered technology in higher education, adopting a perspective on student interactions with generative AI tools. Through a comprehensive content analysis of learners’ responses, we employed a blend of manual scrutiny, Python-generated Word Cloud, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to expose the nature of interaction between learners and AI tools. Our findings indicate that learners predominantly adhere to the perception of AI as a tool resembling a ‘brush’ in the creative process, rather than as an active co-creator – the percaption that is aligned with the conventional tool-user dynamic. Students articulated a dual narrative regarding AI: they acknowledged its utility in enhancing creativity, yet expressed concerns about overreliance potentially eroding their own creative skills. Heidegger’s exploration of different modes of ‘revealing’ and Deleuze and Guattari’s notions of desiring machines and machinic enslavement suggest an alternative perspective where technology, and by extension AI-empowered technology, can contribute to a deeper existential understanding. This study points out the possibility of moving beyond a simple tool-user model, suggesting the emergence of more complex plausible scenarios of interaction: poietic symbiosis or algorithmic subjugation.
Integrating theories for insight: an amalgamated model for gamified virtual reality adoption by science teachers
Authors: Ateş Hüseyin , Kölemen Cansu Şahin
Published: July 2024

This study examines the factors influencing science teachers’ intentions to adopt gamified virtual reality (VR) in educational settings, employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as theoretical frameworks. We investigate how perceived threats, benefits, and motivational and cognitive factors impact these intentions, focusing on science teachers. By integrating TPB and PMT, the study aims to provide a comprehensive model that elucidates the roles of attitude, subjective norm, perceived severity, vulnerability, self-efficacy, response efficacy, and response costs in the decision to adopt gamified VR. The structural analysis conducted on a sample of 1645 science teachers revealed that our amalgamated model demonstrates a robust predictive capacity for their intentions to adopt gamified VR. This model outperformed traditional theories in predicting adoption intentions. The research also demonstrates significant relationships between these factors and the intention to use gamified VR, with differences noted across teacher groups by professional status and gender. This enhanced understanding of adoption barriers and facilitators informs strategies for better integration of VR in science education, potentially enriching teaching practices and improving student engagement and learning outcomes.
Projection of the Airborne CO2 Concentration by Land/Ocean Absorption Dynamics and Fossil-Fuel Reserve Depletion
Authors: Canuto Enrico , Mazza Daniele , Novara Carlo
Published: July 2024

The paper has been suggested by the following observations: (1) the atmospheric growth rate of carbon dioxide concentration is smaller than that ascribed to the emission of fossil-fuel combustion and (2) the fossil-fuel reserves are finite. The first observation leads to a simple dynamic model, based on the balance of CO2 land/ocean absorption and anthropogenic emissions, only limited by the depletion of fossil-fuel reserves, in a business-as-usual scenario. The second observation suggests of projecting the past CO2 emissions to the future, by constraining emissions to the limit of reserve availability. Similar projections are available in the literature, but either driven by heuristics or by complex simulation packages. The paper provides a simple and formal method only driven by historical data, their uncertainty and simple models. The method aims to provide CO2 concentration projections, which being constrained by fossil-fuel finite reserve may be in principle employed as bounds to forecasting exercises. The time–invariant dynamics of the land/ocean absorption is the simplification of a more complex set of equations describing carbon dioxide exchange between different reservoirs. Contribution of other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide has been neglected, since their emissions cannot be projected with the paper methodology. Comparison with recent profiles of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms that the finite-reserve projections of the fossil fuel emissions is close to those of a moderate Shared Socioeconomic Scenario (SSP) like SSP2-4.5—a result in agreement with other authors—but also reveals the limits of the simplified model, when extending the tuned dynamics of the recent mean CO2 exchanges to long-term future. The limits derive from linearity, time invariance, and aggregation assumptions, which allow a more complex model of CO2 exchanges to be simplified and tuned on experimental data.
Sustainability assessment of Sweden’s nuclear power: implications of the new expansion plans
Authors: Krayem Alaa , Thorin Eva
Published: July 2024

Amid the global energy and climate crises, phasing out fossil fuel has become an international priority. Nuclear energy is re-emerging as a fundamental constituent of several countries’ energy mixes. Sweden has updated its policy towards expanding its nuclear energy as a reflection of this global trend, but also due to national political shifts and technological ambitions. In this paper, we explore the current and future nuclear energy’s landscape in Sweden, by examining its historical context and projections. We achieve this by assessing the nuclear energy system through a sustainability lens, considering its four dimensions: feasibility, viability, desirability, and openness. Our analysis shows that, from a feasibility perspective, Sweden’s nuclear energy system must ensure a secure uranium supply and manage its spent fuel. Moreover, it should proactively address climate change impacts, such as sea level rise. From a viability perspective, the system is challenged by long lead times for nuclear plants, though Small Modular Reactors offer a potential solution by reducing costs and risk. Increased public support is in favor of the sector’s desirability, while its reliance on uranium imports puts its security at risk and highlights the critical need to reduce its openness. With a straightforward qualitative assessment, we show the imperative need for a multidisciplinary approach when crafting Sweden’s nuclear policy, to achieve a balance between national energy needs, environmental responsibilities, and the challenges of the global energy market.
The Radiation Field, at the Origin of the Quantum Canonical Operators
Authors: Cetto A. M. , Peña L. de la
Published: July 2024

We show that the electromagnetic radiation field, conventionally introduced as a perturbation in quantum mechanics, is actually at the basis of the operator formalism. We first analyze the linear resonant response of the (continuous) variables x(t), p(t) of a harmonic oscillator to the full radiation field, i.e. the zero-point field plus an applied field playing the role of the driving force, and then extend the analysis to the response of a charged particle bound by a non-linear force, typically an atomic electron. This leads to the establishment of a one-to-one correspondence between the response functions and the respective quantum operators, and to the identification of the quantum commutator with the Poisson bracket of the response functions with respect to the normalized variables of the driving field. To complete the quantum description, a similar procedure is used to obtain the field operators as the response functions to the same normalized variables. The results allow us to draw important conclusions about the physical content of the quantum formalism, in particular about the meaning of the quantum expectation values and the coarse-grained nature of the quantum-mechanical description.
Analysis of human and wildlife coexistence in national parks; the case study of okomu and cross river national parks, Nigeria
Authors: Digun-Aweto Oghenetejiri
Published: July 2024

Human-wildlife conflicts occur in areas where frequent interactions exist between man and wildlife, leading to conflicts. This study undertook a critical analysis of human and wildlife co-existence between two National Parks in Nigeria. Surveys conducted with eight communities shed light on conflicts and how to improve human-wildlife co-existence based on the following criteria: benefit accrued to the community and compensation. A survey was conducted in eight communities to examine the level of conflicts between the communities and wildlife in the area and how to improve human wildlife co-existence based on the adoption of benefit sharing and compensation for crop damage in the management of the two parks. A multistage sampling technique was employed, including a purposive sampling design used to select the communities and a simple random sampling technique used to determine households to participate in the survey. Data was collected from households in communities adjacent to Cross River National Park (n = 203) Okomu National Park (n = 198). The results indicate that to improve co-existence with wildlife, The findings of the research recommend more focus on local social and economic benefits, wildlife compensation, and special attention to reducing conflicts through mitigation strategies.
I would prefer not to: a qualitative investigation of adolescents’ perceptions of dirty work in Switzerland
Authors: Borges André , Toscanelli Cecilia , Massoudi Koorosh
Published: July 2024

Defined as occupations, tasks, or roles perceived as disgusting or degrading, dirty work results from perceptions of a broad array of actors in society. This study aimed at identifying descriptors adolescents in Switzerland associate with dirty work. The originality of this study stems from investigating dirty work on the basis of adolescents’ perceptions, which represent an outsider group receptive to social norms, and thus informative of social stigmatizations. Responses of 225 adolescents to an open-ended question were analyzed using a consensual qualitative research-modified approach. Participants associated dirty work with adverse working conditions, adverse employment conditions, negative social images, and negative well-being outcomes.
Entering the Classroom: Do Newcomers Experience More Peer Victimization than Their Established Peers?
Authors: Tenhunen Essi-Lotta , Malamut Sarah , McMullin Patricia , Turunen Tiina , Yanagida Takuya , Salmivalli Christina
Published: July 2024

Students changing classrooms or schools may face challenges from entering a new peer context without friends and standing out from the crowd as newcomers. Two studies examined whether newcomer status predicts peer victimization at school, exploring several potential moderating factors (e.g., social anxiety, immigrant background and having good friends in the classroom) (Study 1: n = 6,199; Mage=12.53) and whether being victimized as a newcomer varied based on the different reasons for mobility (e.g., parental dissolution, residential move, previous victimization, changing into a more suitable school) (Study 2: n = 58,738). In both studies, newcomers reported higher peer victimization compared to established students. Having good friends in the classroom was found as a protective factor in Study 1, being the only statistically significant moderator. All reasons for mobility, except changing into a more suitable school, predicted slightly higher peer victimization in Study 2, with the highest risk for those changing schools due to previous peer victimization experiences.
Stability and Validity of Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety in Autistic Youth
Authors: Kim Soo Youn , Lecavalier Luc
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study was to assess test-retest reliability and diagnostic validity of self-report instruments of depression and anxiety in autistic youth. Participants were 55 autistic youth aged 8–17 years presenting with depressive or anxiety symptoms. They were interviewed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (K-SADS-PL) and completed the Children’s Depression Inventory, Second Edition – Self Report Short (CDI 2:SR[S]) and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) twice, separated by a two-week interval. Test-retest reliability was measured with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and diagnostic validity was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with the summary ratings on the K-SADS-PL as the criterion. The effect of participant characteristics was analyzed through a moderation analysis. Generalized anxiety (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SOC) were the two most prevalent disorders in the sample. Test-retest reliability for most of the subscales was good (ICC = 0.74 − 0.87), with the exception of the RCADS obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and GAD. The Adaptive Behavior conceptual score was a significant moderator of the reliability of the CDI 2:SR[S]. The ROC analysis suggested the RCADS SOC and the CDI 2:SR[S] to be good screening tools with inadequate specificity when appropriately sensitive cutoff scores are used. Optimal cutoff scores in this sample were lower than originally published. The findings suggest that autistic youth can provide stable reports of anxiety and depressive symptoms over time. Diagnostic validity varied according to the construct and instrument.
Signs of Dysconscious Racism and Xenophobiaism in Knowledge Production and the Formation of Academic Researchers: A National Study
Authors: Belluigi Dina Zoe
Published: July 2024

The relation of social ethics to knowledge production is explored through a study about academic research enquiry on minoritised and racialised populations. Despite social change related to migration and ethnicity being a feature of contemporary Northern Ireland, local dynamics and actors seemed under-studied by its research-intensive ‘anchor universities’. To explore this, a critical discourse analysis of published research outputs (n = 200) and related authors’ narratives (n = 32) are interpreted within this paper through conceptualisations of consciousness. Insiders’ perspectives on the influences and structures of the research journey demonstrate the ways in which research cultures (mis)shape the politics of representation, authorship and ethicality. Societal and political disregard for the new publics, reproduced within universities’ hidden curriculum, has been negotiated and to some extent resisted in the research practices of those marginalised (such as women academics), those entering the system (migrant academics), and those local-born whose referential frames were developed external to local universities. Of concern is that the few research enablers were characterised by techno-rationality and doublespeak, impoverishing the depth of theorisation, complexity and intellectual debate necessary for challenging the existing dysconscious racism and xenophobiaism of the social imaginary.
Does Childcare Attendance Moderate the Associations Between Mother-Child Depressive Symptoms and Children’s Peer Victimization Experiences?
Authors: Larose Marie-Pier , Barker Edward D. , Ouellet-Morin Isabelle , Salmivalli Christina , Côté Sylvana M.
Published: July 2024

Peer victimization experiences is suggested to play a mediating role in the transmission of depression symptoms between mothers and children. Childcare attendance has been found to reduce the association between mother and child depressive symptoms. However, it is not clear whether this protective effect unfolds via a reduction of peer victimization experiences in middle childhood. The aims of this study were to test (1) whether peer victimization in middle childhood mediated the association between exposure to maternal depressive symptomatology in early childhood and child depressive symptoms in late childhood, (2) whether childcare attendance moderate the direct associations between maternal depressive symptoms and children’s peer victimization experiences in middle childhood as well as depressive symptoms in late childhood and (3) whether childcare attendance moderates this mediated association. Data come from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Children and Parents (N = 5526) where exposure to maternal depressive symptoms and intensity of childcare attendance were assessed repeatedly during early childhood. Children’s peer victimization and depressive symptoms were self-reported at eight and 10 years of age, respectively. We used weighted structural equation modeling and found that the association between mothers and children’s depression was partially mediated by peer victimization. Childcare attendance did not moderate the indirect effect of maternal depression on child depressive symptoms via peer victimization. However, we found that for children who attended childcare, maternal depression was no longer associated child depressive symptoms in late childhood. In conclusion, peer victimization experiences partly explain the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms, but this mechanism is not altered by children’s childcare attendance. Future research should examine potential socio-emotional and school readiness mechanisms that may break the cycle of depressive symptomatology from mothers to children.
Enhancing patient acceptance of ICD implantation through structured shared decision making: conversation is key
Authors: Lambrakos Litsa K. , Feigofsky Suzanne A. , Wang Ying , Ahmed Fozia Z. , Pachón Marta , Takata Theodore S. , Frazier-Mills Camille G. , Kotschet Emily , Gravelin Laura M. , Hsu Jonathan C.
Published: July 2024

Background

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) are lifesaving treatments for patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. Effective physician–patient communication during the shared decision-making process is essential. Electrophysiologist-patient conversations were targeted to obtain objective data on the interaction, understand the conversation framework, and uncover opportunities for improved communication.

Methods

Individuals previously identified as requiring an ICD/CRT-D but declined implantation were recruited for this four-stage interview and survey-based study. Quantitative analysis of surveys and AI analysis of conversation videos was conducted to evaluate patient participant expectations, analyze feedback about the conversations with study physicians, and gauge willingness for device implantation.

Results

The study included 27 patients (mean age 51 years, 51.9% female) and 9 study physicians. Patients were significantly more willing to undergo ICD/CRT-D implantation after conversing with study physicians compared to their own physicians and pre-conversation surveys (mean scores: 5.0, 3.1, and 4.4 out of 7, respectively; p < 0.001). Patient participants had higher satisfaction with the study conversation, rating study physicians higher in effectiveness of explanations, responsiveness to questions, and overall quality of the conversation compared to their own physicians (all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In a cohort of patients who previously declined ICD/CRT-D implantation, patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo implantation of a guideline-directed device therapy increased significantly following a structured conversation with study physicians. Identified key elements could be integrated into user-friendly tools and educational materials to facilitate these conversations, improving patient engagement with the decision-making process and enhancing informed acceptance of indicated device therapies.

Graphical abstract
Next-generation atrial fibrillation ablation: clinical performance of pulsed-field ablation and very high-power short-duration radiofrequency
Authors: Soubh Nibras , Gronwald Judith , Haarmann Helge , Rasenack Eva , Bengel Philipp , Schlögl Simon , Hasenfuß Gerd , Zabel Markus , Bergau Leonard
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Pulsed-field energy (PFA) and very high-power short-duration radiofrequency (vHPSD-RF) are two novel ablation methods for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Both PFA and vHPSD-RF show promise for improving efficacy, safety, and reducing procedure durations. However, direct comparisons between these two techniques are scarce.

Methods and results

Retrospective analysis of 82 patients with symptomatic AF. Of these, 52 patients received PFA and 30 received vHPSD-RF (90 W, 4 s) as index procedure. At the 6-month follow-up, AF recurrence occurred in 4 patients following PFA and 5 patients following vHPSD-RF (p-value = 0.138). Significant improvements in the EHRA and NYHA stages were evident in both PFA (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047, respectively) and vHPSD-RF groups (p = 0.007 and p = 0.012, respectively). The total procedure duration and the left atrial dwell time were significantly shorter in the PFA group (64 ± 19 min vs. 99 ± 32 min, p < 0.001 and 41 ± 12 min vs. 62 ± 29 min, p < 0.001, respectively). The fluoroscopy time and dose area product were significantly higher in PFA (14 ± 6 vs. 9 ± 5 min, p < 0.001 and 14 ± 9 vs. 11 ± 9 Gy cm2, p = 0.046, respectively). One patient in the vHPSD-RF group suffered a stroke, not directly linked to the procedure (0 vs. 1 major complication, p = 0.366).

Conclusion

Based on this retrospective single-center study, PFA and vHPSD-RF were associated with similar effectiveness and safety profiles. PFA was linked to shorter procedure times and higher radiation exposure compared to vHPSD-RF.

Graphical Abstract