bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal management and valuation of a natural resource: the case of optimal harvesting
Authors: Gaïgi M'hamed , Kharroubi Idris , Lim Thomas
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we consider the problem of sustainable harvesting. We explain how the manager maximizes his/her profit according to the quantity of natural resource available in a harvesting area and under the constraint of penalties and fines when the quota is exceeded. We characterize the optimal values and some optimal strategies using a verification result. We then show by numerical examples that this optimal strategy is better than naive ones. Moreover, we define a level of fines which insures the double objective of the sustainable harvesting: a remaining quantity of available natural resource to insure its sustainability and an acceptable income for the manager.
Variability in native and nonnative language: An ERP study of semantic and grammar processing
Authors: Grey Sarah
Published: March 2022

This study examined individual-level variability in N400 and P600 ERP correlates of native and nonnative language sentence processing of semantic and grammar information. Twenty-six native English-speaking learners of Spanish as a second language were tested. Participants completed sentence reading tasks in English and Spanish during EEG recording. The group-level results for grammar showed P600s in the native and nonnative language. For semantics, there was an N400 only in the native language. Individual-level ERP patterns revealed that, for native language semantics, about two thirds of participants showed N400s, but approximately one-third showed P600s. For native language grammar, approximately one third of participants exhibited N400s instead of P600s. Individual-level ERPs showed similar variability in the nonnative language for semantics and grammar, and N400/P600 variability in Spanish related to Spanish verbal fluency and grammar knowledge. This contributes knowledge of how nonnative and native language neurocognition compare regarding the processing routes that individuals use during comprehension.
Transmission of COVID-19 among healthcare workers-an epidemiological study during the first phase of the pandemic in Sweden
Authors: Mathabire Rücker Sekai Chenai , Gustavsson Catharina , Rücker Fredrik , Lindblom Anders , Hårdstedt Maria
Published: March 2022

During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, concerns were raised that healthcare workers (HCWs) were at high risk of infection. The aim of this study was to explore the transmission of COVID-19 among HCWs during a staff outbreak at an inpatient ward in Sweden 1 March to 31 May 2020. A mixed-methods approach was applied using several data sources. In total, 152 of 176 HCWs participated. The incidence of COVID-19 among HCWs was 33%. Among cases, 48 (96%) performed activities involving direct contact with COVID-19 patients. Contact tracing connected 78% of cases to interaction with another contagious co-worker. Only a few HCW cases reported contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at home (n = 6; 12%) or in the community (n = 3; 6%). Multiple logistic regression identified direct care of COVID-19 patients and positive COVID-19 family contact as risk factors for infection (adjusted OR 8.4 and 9.0 respectively). Main interventions to stop the outbreak were physical distancing between HCWs, reinforcement of personal hygiene routines and rigorous surface cleaning. The personal protective equipment used in contact with patients was not changed in response to the outbreak. We highlight HCW-to-HCW transmission of COVID-19 in a hospital environment and the importance of preventing droplet and contact transmission between co-workers.
Perfluoroalkyl acid and bisphenol-A exposure via food sources in four First Nation communities in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Dubeau Claudelle , Aker Amira , Caron-Beaudoin Élyse , Ayotte Pierre , Blanchette Caty , McHugh Nancy Gros-Louis , Lemire Mélanie
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To document perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) and bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure in four First Nation communities in northern Quebec compared with the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS Cycle 5 2016–2017) and examine the associations between dietary consumption and chemical exposure.

Design:

We used cross-sectional data from the JES-YEH! project conducted in collaboration with four First Nation communities in 2015. A FFQ collected information on diet, and PFAA and BPA were measured in biological samples. We used generalised linear models to test the associations between food intake and chemical biomarkers.

Setting:

Northern Quebec.

Participants:

Youth aged 3–19 years (n 198).

Results:

Mean perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) levels were significantly higher in JES-YEH! than CHMS, and BPA levels were higher among those aged 12–19 years compared with CHMS. Dairy products were associated with PFNA among Anishinabe and Innu participants (geometric mean ratio 95 % CI: 1·53 (95 % CI 1·03, 2·29) and 1·52 (95 % CI 1·05, 2·20), respectively). PFNA was also associated with ultra-processed foods (1·57 (95 % CI 1·07, 2·31)) among Anishinabe, and with wild fish and berries (1·44 (95 % CI 1·07, 1·94); 1·75 (95 % CI 1·30, 2·36)) among Innu. BPA was associated with cheese (1·72 (95 % CI 1·19, 2·50)) and milk (1·53 (95 % CI 1·02, 2·29)) among Anishinabe, and with desserts (1·71 (95 % CI 1·07, 2·74)), processed meats (1·55 (95 % CI 1·00, 2·38)), wild fish (1·64 (95 % CI 1·07, 2·49)) and wild berries (2·06 (95 % CI 1·37, 3·10)) among Innu.

Conclusions:

These results highlight the importance of better documenting food-processing and packaging methods, particularly for dairy products, and their contribution to endocrine disruptors exposures as well as to promote minimally processed and unpackaged foods to provide healthier food environments for youth in Indigenous communities and beyond.
Malariology and decolonization: Eastern European experts from the League of Nations to the World Health Organization
Authors: Iacob Bogdan C.
Published: March 2022

The article de-centres the global history of disease by examining the agency of Eastern European expertise at international organizations and during decolonization. It challenges accounts of anti-malaria policies at the League of Nations Health Organization and at the World Health Organization written from a Western, particularly North American perspective, or on the basis of local reactions to Western interventions. The contribution proposes an analysis of circulations and ideas across multiple cultural, social and political spaces: post-imperial European states, (post)colonial territories and bureaucracies of international organizations. From the 1920s to the 1960s, Eastern European experts played a crucial role in the transformation of malaria from an imperial disease that tested governance over ‘tropical’ peoples into an issue of global health and nation-state building. However, regional representatives reproduced civilizational hierarchies intrinsic to North–South biomedical relations. The global entanglements of Eastern European malariology show that liberation from disease was less about communism or liberalism, and more about national renewal, statehood and world hierarchies.
The choice between organic and inorganic farming: lessons from Pakistan
Authors: Sabir Muhammad , Ali Yousaf , Abdullah  , Ali Amjad , Khan Jehangir , Ur Rehman Zia-
Published: March 2022

The choice between organic and inorganic farming is an exciting debate in scholarly literature. A large number of studies has enriched the discussion. However, this particular study adds to this debate in unique ways. This study uses a hybrid model based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a methodological contribution to the debate of organic and inorganic farming by using multicriteria decision analysis. Also, this study uses several conflicting criteria (such as health benefits, environmental benefits, soil fertility, consumer awareness, etc.) that have not been combined in a single research study earlier to consider the choice of organic and inorganic farming. The study is based on a questionnaire survey undertaken by consumers, farmers and agriculture experts. After the application of the AHP-TOPSIS based hybrid model, several interesting results have been founded that have important policy implications for farming in Pakistan and other developing countries.
Animals in war: At the vanishing point of international humanitarian law
Authors: Peters Anne , de Hemptinne Jérôme
Published: March 2022

Animals are the unknown victims of armed conflict. They are regularly looted, slaughtered, bombed or starved on a massive scale during such hostilities. Their preservation should become a matter of great concern. However, international humanitarian law (IHL) largely ignores this issue. It only indirectly, and often ambiguously, provides animals with the minimum protection afforded to civilian objects, the environment, and specially protected objects such as medical equipment, objects indispensable for the survival of civilian population or cultural property. This regime neither captures the essence of animals as sentient beings experiencing pain, suffering and distress, nor takes into account their particular needs during wartime. To address these challenges, two strategies are possible: the first strategy would be to apply existing IHL more effectively to animals, if necessary by creative interpretation in line with the animals’ needs. This strategy comprises two options: animals could be included into the categories of combatant/prisoners of war or of civilians. Animals would thus benefit from many guarantees given to human beings in armed conflict. Alternatively, and perhaps more realistically, animals could be equated with “objects” under IHL, while the relevant rules would be reinterpreted to cater for the fact that animals are living beings, experiencing pain, suffering and distress. The second strategy, which could be envisaged as a long-term objective, would be to adopt a new international instrument specifically aimed at granting rights to animals, notably in relation to prohibiting the use of animals as weapons of war.
Protective effect of antioxidants on cardiac function in adult offspring exposed to prenatal overnutrition
Authors: Zhang Jialing , Cao Li , Wang Wenji , Huo Yu , Zheng Yuanzheng , Wu Fang , Gui Yonghao
Published: March 2022

Maternal overnutrition-induced fetal programming predisposes offspring to cardiovascular health issues throughout life. Understanding how these adverse cardiovascular effects are regulated at the maternal–fetal crosstalk will provide insight into the mechanisms of these cardiovascular diseases, which will help in further identifying potential targets for intervention. Here, we uncover a role of oxidative stress caused by prenatal overnutrition in governing cardiac damage. Mice exposed to maternal obesity showed remarkable pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (pmale < 0.001, Cohen’s dmale = 1.77; pfemale < 0.001, Cohen’s dfemale = 1.94), increased collagen content (pmale < 0.001, Cohen’s dmale = 2.13; pfemale < 0.001, Cohen’s dfemale = 2.71), and increased levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) (pmale < 0.001, Cohen’s dmale = 3.02; pfemale < 0.001, Cohen’s dfemale = 4.52), as well as left ventricular dysfunction in adulthood. To cope with increased oxidative stress in the myocardial tissue of offspring from obese mothers, we sought to decrease the effect of oxidative stress and prevent the development of these cardiovascular conditions with use of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine during pregnancy. As predicted, after treatment with the antioxidant, there was greatly mitigated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (pmale < 0.001, Cohen’s dmale = 1.31; pfemale < 0.001, Cohen’s dfemale = 0.82) and cardiac fibrosis, including decreased composition of collagen fibers (pmale < 0.01, Cohen’s dmale = 1.45; pfemale < 0.05, Cohen’s dfemale = 1.23) and reduced levels of TGF-β (pmale < 0.05, Cohen’s dmale = 1.83; pfemale < 0.01, Cohen’s dfemale = 3.81). We also observed improved left ventricle contractile function together with the alleviation of enhanced oxidative stress in the myocardial tissue of offspring. Collectively, these results established a crucial role of oxidative stress in prenatal overnutrition-associated ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Our findings provided an important target for intervention of cardiovascular disease in overnutrition-related fetal programming.
Study of Positive and Negative Affect and Neurocognitive Functioning in Adolescents
Authors: Aritio-Solana Rebeca , Fonseca-Pedrero Eduardo , Pérez-Albéniz Alicia , Mason Oliver , Ortuño-Sierra Javier
Published: March 2022

The main purpose of the present work was to study neurocognitive performance of adolescents at risk for emotional difficulties. The sample included a total of 1,509 adolescents from stratified random cluster sampling. Derived from this sample, a group of high-risk (n = 92) and a comparison group (n = 92) were selected based on the short version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) for comparison on the University of Pennsylvania computerized neuropsychological test battery for children (PENN). A Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed taking the scores on the PENN as dependent variables and the two groups derived from the scores of the PANAS (at risk vs. comparison) as a fixed factor. Adolescents at high risk of presenting affectivity problems showed statistically significant differences in several different neurocognitive domains, in accuracy, λ = .820, F(9, 160,000) = 3.913, p < .01, partial η² = .180; speed, λ = .502, F(5, 88,000)= 17.493, p < .01, partial η² = .498; and efficiency, λ = .485, F(4, 89,000) = 23.599, p <.01, partial η² = .515. The high risk group showed lower neurocognitive performance than the comparison group. In addition, a positive statistically significant correlation was found between all the neurocognitive competences (p < .05). Results found in this study reveal that neurocognitive impairments can be shown in adolescents at psychometric high risk for emotional problems before transition to more severe psychological problems.
Spatial analysis of factors impacting lower limb major amputation	rates in Hungary
Authors: Kolossváry Endre , Kolossváry Márton , Ferenci Tamás , Kováts Tamás , Farkas Katalin , Járai Zoltán
Published: March 2022

Summary: Background: Lower limb major amputations represent a substantial public health burden in Hungary, where previous research revealed markedly high rates with significant spatial variations. Therefore, we aimed to assess to what extent healthcare and socio-economic factors in the local environment explain the regional disparity. Patients and methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis, based on the healthcare administrative data of the Hungarian population, lower limb major amputations were identified from 1st of January 2017 to 31st of December 2019. The permanent residence of the amputees on the local administrative level (197 geographic units) was used to identify potential healthcare (outpatient care, revascularisation activity) and socio-economic (educational attainment, local infrastructure and services, income and employment) determinants of amputations. Spatial effects were modelled using the spatial Durbin error regression model. Results: 10,209 patients underwent 11,649 lower limb major amputations in the observational period. In our spatial analysis, outpatient care was not associated with local amputation rates. However, revascularisation activity in a geographic unit entailed an increased rate of amputations, while revascularisations in the neighbouring areas were associated with a lower rate of amputations, resulting in an overall neutral effect (β=−0.002, 95% CI: −0.05 – 0.04, p=0.96). The local socio-economic environment had a significant direct inverse association with amputations (β=−7.45, 95% CI: −10.50 – −4.42, p<0.0001) . Our spatial model showed better performance than the traditional statistical modelling (ordinary least squares regression), explaining 37% of the variation in amputations rates. Conclusions: Regional environmental factors explain a substantial portion of spatial disparities in amputation practice. While the socio-economic environment shows a significant inverse relationship with the regional amputation rates, the impact of the local healthcare-related factors (outpatient care, revascularisation activity) is not straightforward. Unravelling the impact of the location on amputation practice requires complex spatial modelling, which may guide efficient healthcare policy decisions.
Was Patient_innen an Pflegequalität noch wichtig ist
Authors: Kirchner-Heklau Uta , Meyer Gabriele , Fleischer Steffen
Published: March 2022

Zusammenfassung. Einleitung: In einer Querschnittstudie mit Versicherten einer Krankenkasse wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen der Pflegequalität und der Pflegepersonalausstattung in Akutkrankenhäusern untersucht. Die Beurteilung der Patient_innen von Pflegehandlungen, verhalten und -outcomes wurde anhand eines systematisch entwickelten Instruments erfasst, welches eine offene Frage enthielt, um gegebenenfalls weitere wichtige Aspekte zu ergänzen. Fragestellung: Welche Aspekte der erlebten Pflege waren den Versicherten besonders wichtig und aus ihrer Sicht noch nicht im Fragebogen berücksichtigt? Sind zusätzliche Indikatoren von Pflegequalität ableitbar? Methode: Online-Befragung nach Entlassung aus dem Krankenhaus. Inhaltsanalyse der Freitextangaben zur offenen Frage. Ergebnisse: Insgesamt wurden 212554 Versicherte angeschrieben; 30209 nahmen an der Befragung teil (14,2%), davon beantworteten 12507 (41,4%) die offene Frage. Eine Zufallsauswahl von n=2000 Freitextantworten wurde kodiert und analysiert. Insgesamt 45,1% aller Kodierungen deckten die im Fragebogen erfassten Aspekte der Pflegequalität ab. Von den verbleibenden Kodierungen beinhalteten 35,1% Aussagen zu nicht pflegerischen Qualitätsaspekten des Krankenhausaufenthaltes und 19,8% Aussagen zu den Arbeitsbedingungen in der Pflege. Es konnten keine neuen Indikatoren der Pflegequalität identifiziert werden. Schlussfolgerung/Ausblick: Die Aussagen zu den Arbeitsbedingungen in der Pflege gilt es in einer weitergehenden Analyse zu explorieren. Die Erwartungen von Patient_innen an Pflege sollten in zukünftigen Studien untersucht werden.
Gereizt und grübelnd?
Authors: Pietzonka Manuel , Oberbeck Yvonne
Published: March 2022

Zusammenfassung: Die Studie untersucht, welche Merkmale eines Veränderungsprozesses einen Einfluss auf die psychische Beanspruchung der Beschäftigten (kognitive und emotionale Irritation) ausüben und inwiefern diese Zusammenhänge durch Sozialkapitalfaktoren moderiert werden. Als Merkmale des Veränderungsprozesses werden Ausmaß und Nutzen der Veränderungen für die Arbeitseinheit, die Auswirkungen der Veränderungen auf den eigenen Arbeitsplatz sowie der Umfang der Beteiligung am Veränderungsprozess betrachtet. Befragt wurden Beschäftigte einer Organisation, die sich zum Befragungszeitpunkt in einem umfassenden, langfristigen Veränderungsprozess befunden hat (Vollerhebung, n = 219). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sich bestimmte Merkmale eines Veränderungsprozesses bedeutsam auf die psychische Beanspruchung der Beschäftigten auswirken. Die Moderatorenanalysen bestätigen, dass positiv empfundene Mitarbeiterführung (Führungskapital) und ein gutes Beziehungsklima (Netzwerkkapital) die Irritation bei denjenigen abpuffern können, bei denen der Veränderungsprozess besonders große Auswirkungen auf den eigenen Arbeitsplatz hat. Außerdem zeigt sich, dass positiv empfundene Organisationskultur sowie Mitarbeiterführung die Irritationen bei denjenigen abpuffern können, die den konkreten Veränderungsprozess als wenig nützlich empfinden.
We Are All Friends and Family Here!
Authors: Hommelhoff Sabine , Götz Davina
Published: March 2022

Abstract: Organizations trying to attract talents sometimes promise friendships or family-like workplace relations in their job advertisements. This research examined how jobseekers of different ages react to such promises of communal workplace relationships. In two experiments ( N = 292 and N = 343), we found consistent evidence that, compared to conventional exchange-oriented job advertisements, communal job advertisements led jobseekers to assume lower organizational performance standards. However, no differences were apparent in their job-choice intentions. While the jobseekers’ age did not moderate these relationships, we found that older employees generally expected higher organizational performance standards. These experiments combine relationship and recruitment research and contribute to our understanding of how people react to the mingling of different relationship norms in the work context. Practically speaking, the findings suggest that the usage of communal job advertisements might not be in the best interest of organizational performance.
Geostatistics of the Borden Aquifer: High‐Resolution Characterization Using Direct Groundwater Velocity Measurements
Authors: Osorno T. C. , Devlin J. F. , Bohling G. C.
Published: March 2022

In 1986, a seminal data set from the Canadian Forces Base (C.F.B.) Borden aquifer, Ontario, Canada, was published, illustrating, in unprecedented detail, the spatial distribution of hydraulic conductivity (K). Among many contributions attached to that data set was a geostatistical examination of field‐based data for comparison with theoretical predictions of macro‐dispersivity. However,that work treatedKas a static parameter and the sole source of flow variability. Here, point velocity probes (PVPs) are used to extend the earlier work by collecting a novel high‐resolution data set of groundwater velocity (v) measurements in the C.F.B. Borden aquifer. Velocity is a dynamic parameter of fundamental importance, closely tied to solute dispersion. Over 400 velocity measurements were collected along a transect perpendicular to flow, analyzed geostatistically, and compared with the analysis of the B‐B′ cross‐section ofKreported by Sudicky (1986),https://doi.org/10.1029/wr022i013p02069. The PVP measurements exhibited geostatistics similar to those previously estimated by Sudicky (1986),https://doi.org/10.1029/wr022i013p02069. This finding suggests, as implicitly assumed in the previous work, the distribution ofvis primarily controlled byK. PVPs also provided a novel, high‐resolution data set of groundwater flow directions. Since the ultimate objective of aquifer characterization includes the definition of velocity fields, this work not only extends the 1986 work, but also demonstrates a viable alternative for characterizing flow patterns in aquifers—with the advantage thatdirect vmeasurements reflect variability in porosity and hydraulic gradient, as well asK. This could ultimately be advantageous at sites with greater heterogeneity or other dynamic hydrogeological variabilities more pronounced than those at the Borden site.
Attribution of Space‐Time Variability in Global‐Ocean Dissolved Inorganic Carbon
Authors: Carroll Dustin , Menemenlis Dimitris , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Lauderdale Jonathan M. , Adkins Jess F. , Bowman Kevin W. , Brix Holger , Fenty Ian , Gierach Michelle M. , Hill Chris , Jahn Oliver , Landschützer Peter , Manizza Manfredi , Mazloff Matt R. , Miller Charles E. , Schimel David S. , Verdy Ariane , Whitt Daniel B. , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2022

The inventory and variability of oceanic dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is driven by the interplay of physical, chemical, and biological processes. Quantifying the spatiotemporal variability of these drivers is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of the ocean carbon sink and its future trajectory. Here, we use the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean‐Darwin ocean biogeochemistry state estimate to generate a global‐ocean, data‐constrained DIC budget and investigate how spatial and seasonal‐to‐interannual variability in three‐dimensional circulation, air‐sea CO2 flux, and biological processes have modulated the ocean sink for 1995–2018. Our results demonstrate substantial compensation between budget terms, resulting in distinct upper‐ocean carbon regimes. For example, boundary current regions have strong contributions from vertical diffusion while equatorial regions exhibit compensation between upwelling and biological processes. When integrated across the full ocean depth, the 24‐year DIC mass increase of 64 Pg C (2.7 Pg C year−1) primarily tracks the anthropogenic CO2 growth rate, with biological processes providing a small contribution of 2% (1.4 Pg C). In the upper 100 m, which stores roughly 13% (8.1 Pg C) of the global increase, we find that circulation provides the largest DIC gain (6.3 Pg C year−1) and biological processes are the largest loss (8.6 Pg C year−1). Interannual variability is dominated by vertical advection in equatorial regions, with the 1997–1998 El Niño‐Southern Oscillation causing the largest year‐to‐year change in upper‐ocean DIC (2.1 Pg C). Our results provide a novel, data‐constrained framework for an improved mechanistic understanding of natural and anthropogenic perturbations to the ocean sink.
Experimental Constraints on Clumped Isotope Fractionation During BaCO3 Precipitation
Authors: Guo Yangrui , Deng Wenfeng , Wei Gangjian
Published: March 2022

Reliable temperature reconstruction by carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) thermometry requires isotopic equilibrium during carbonate growth. However, many carbonate minerals grow at high rates and exhibit disequilibrium isotopic states. Carbonate Δ47 disequilibrium arising from kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) specific to carbonate growth still remains unclear, and requires experimental constraints. Here we present a series of rapid witherite (BaCO3) precipitation experiments intended to constrain bulk carbon, oxygen and clumped isotopic fractionation during unidirectional precipitation of BaCO3 from dissolved inorganic carbon solutions under various pH and temperature conditions. We found that rapid BaCO3 growth can lead to lower δ13C, δ18O, and Δ47 values in HCO3−‐dominated solutions, especially at low temperatures. Our experiments provide constraints on kinetic fractionation factors (KFFs) associated with the rapid carbonate growth and their temperature dependence. KFFs for δ13C and δ18O are broadly consistent with previous experimental estimates, although the Δ47 KFF for BaCO3 precipitation from HCO3−‐dominated solution is not consistent with an earlier theoretical estimate, necessitating a re‐evaluation of the current model of the KIE associated with carbonate growth. Our results clearly verify a preference for the CO32− pathway during carbonate precipitation, with important implications for new isotope fractionation models for natural carbonates. The fractionation relationship between Δ47 and δ18O found in this study allows more precise identification of KIEs associated with rapid carbonate growth.
Effects of Hotspot‐Induced Long‐Wavelength Mantle Melting Variations on Magmatic Segmentation at the Reykjanes Ridge: Insights From 3D Geodynamic Modeling
Authors: Zha Caicai , Lin Jian , Zhou Zhiyuan , Xu Min , Zhang Xubo
Published: March 2022

Spatial variations in mantle melting induced by the Iceland hotspot have strong effects on meso‐scale mantle upwelling and crustal production along the slow‐spreading Reykjanes Ridge. The ridge‐hotspot interaction has been recorded by diachronous V‐shaped ridges and troughs extending away from Iceland, as well as by changes in ridge segmentation since 37 Ma. The origins of V‐shaped structures are widely debated, while the causes of the gradual erasion of ridge segments bounded by transform faults are rarely investigated. Through 3D time‐dependent geodynamic modeling, this study investigates how the hotspot‐induced regional mantle melting variations affect ridge segmentation. Periodic temperature perturbations were initially imposed beneath the melting zone to trigger buoyant upwelling cells, which corresponded to the offset ridge segments at the Reykjanes Ridge. Iceland hotspot‐induced long‐wavelength mantle melting variations were generated by applying a regional linear temperature gradient at the bottom of the model domain. Modeling reveals a two‐stage evolution of the buoyant upwelling cells that characterizes the segmentation transition at the Reykjanes Ridge. In Stage 1, the regional mantle melting variations trigger along‐axis pressure‐driven mantle flow, which alters the segment‐scale mantle upwelling and promotes the propagation of segment boundaries away from the region with relatively higher mantle temperature. In Stage 2, buoyant upwelling cells are destroyed progressively as along‐axis mantle flow dominants, leaving V‐shaped diachronous boundaries between the segmented and unsegmented crust. These results advance our understanding of the effects of long‐wavelength mantle melting variations induced by regional mantle heterogeneities on ridge segment evolution at slow‐spreading ridges.
Lakshadweep High Propagation and Impacts on the Somali Current and Eddies During the Southwest Monsoon
Authors: Ernst Paul A. , Subrahmanyam Bulusu , Trott Corinne B.
Published: March 2022

Climatological eddies in the Arabian Sea (AS), including the Lakshadweep High (LH) and the Great Whirl (GW), play major roles in the regional fluxes of upper ocean properties. For the first time, we apply an eddy tracking algorithm to the LH using altimetric sea surface height observations from 1993 through 2019. We additionally analyze the LH's water mass composition throughout its life cycle using the 1/12° Global eddy resolving physical ocean and sea ice reanalysis (GLORYS12). We observe that the second annual downwelling coastal Kelvin wave's (CKW) arrival during the winter monsoon is primarily responsible for generating the LH. In March, Rossby waves propagate along 8°N at the same speed of that of the LH. In 17 of 27 years, the LH maintains coherence across the AS. The LH sustains a shallow lens of lower salinity Bay of Bengal water up to 68°E in these years. In the remaining 10 years, the LH dissipates between 60°E and 70°E or fails to propagate beyond the southwest Indian coast. We attribute the differences between propagation types to fluctuations in the CKW strength, differences in wind stress between the southern tip of India and Sri Lanka, and the variable distribution of wind stress curl around the LH. We also find that longer propagating LH types negatively correlate with the eddy kinetic energy of the Somali Current region during the summer monsoon. We conclude that, upon its arrival in late July, the LH either merges with or replaces the GW, disrupting the cyclone that normally orbits the GW.
Direct Radiative Effect (DRE) of Dust Aerosols on West African and East Asian Monsoon: The Role of Ocean‐Atmosphere Interactions
Authors: Wang Anqi , Xie Xiaoning , Liu Xiaodong , Yin Zhi‐Yong
Published: March 2022

The direct radiative effect (DRE) of dust aerosols on the West African and East Asian monsoons is analyzed using the Community Atmosphere Model version 4 containing the dust aerosol parameterization module with and without the coupling of ocean‐atmosphere processes, respectively. The atmospheric model (AM) and the ocean‐atmosphere coupled model (CM) can both capture the major spatial characteristics of dust aerosols and summer monsoons over West Africa and East Asia. Our results show that the DREs on the West African (WASM) and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) are more significant in the CM simulations compared to the AM simulations, causing the strengthening of the WASM and weakening of the EASM. The DRE of dust aerosols induces a negative radiative forcing leading to a surface cooling of the downstream ocean of the dust source region when the coupled ocean feedback is added. The distinct DRE of dust aerosols on the WASM and EASM are resulted from the relative locations of the ocean cooling regions to the respective monsoon regions. This study shows the importance of the coupled ocean‐atmosphere processes in the DRE and its influences on the WASM and EASM systems.
Jupiter's Enigmatic Ionosphere: Electron Density Profiles From the Pioneer, Voyager, and Galileo Radio Occultation Experiments
Authors: Mendillo Michael , Narvaez Clara , Moore Luke , Withers Paul
Published: March 2022

Radio occultation experiments on the Pioneer and Voyager missions obtained the first seven electron density profiles Ne(h) of Jupiter's ionosphere. We use the five complete Ne(h) observations to assess patterns and processes linked to photo‐chemical‐equilibrium (PCE) theory, modeled previously to be the domain below ∼1,000 km. We find that the Ne(h) profiles are highly structured and identification of the maximum electron density and its height do not follow PCE expectations for layers produced by the Sun's soft X‐rays and extreme ultraviolet. Pre‐dawn profiles often show larger electron densities than dusk‐side profiles, inconsistent with simple chemical decay throughout nighttime. We examined total electron content (TEC) values, defined as Ne(h) integrated up to a 3,500 km height, and found statistically significant TEC correlations (correlation coefficient ∼0.85) with solar fluxes over solar cycle time scales. The subsequent set of 25 Ne(h) profiles obtained during the Galileo mission confirmed all of the variability patterns found by Pioneer and Voyager. Most notable was a weaker solar cycle pattern for TEC. Yet, different solar cycle characteristics during the three missions cannot explain their different values for TEC. Average Ne(h) profiles from the early missions (P10‐11; V1‐2) revealed a three‐layer system that was confirmed by average Galileo results. Models using faster electron‐ion recombination caused by vibrationally excited H2 converting atomic ions to molecular ions could lead to enhanced removal of plasma near ∼1,000 km, and thus the topside layer formation that often appears at ∼1,500 km, while XUV radiation likely produces the two lower layers in the PCE domain.
Driving Factors on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Permafrost Region of Daxing'an Mountains, Northeast China
Authors: Gao Weifeng , Gao Dawen , Cai Tijiu , Liang Hong
Published: March 2022

Permafrost regions are an important source of greenhouse gases. However, the effects of different permafrost wetland types on greenhouse gas emissions and the driving factors are still unclear in the permafrost region. Here, we selected three typical permafrost wetlands from the Daxing'an Mountains to investigate the effects of permafrost wetland types on greenhouse gas emissions. The cumulative N2O, CO2, and CH4 emissions were 84–122, 657,942–1,446,121, and 173–16,924 kg km−2, respectively. The linear mixed effects model indicated that N2O emissions were significantly affected by the NO3−‐N content, whereas CO2 emissions were mainly driven by soil temperature, water table level, and NO3−‐N content. CH4 emissions were affected by soil temperature and water table level. Permafrost wetland types significantly affected the average and cumulative N2O, CO2, and CH4 emissions. The cumulative N2O emissions were highest in the Larix gmelinii ‐ Carex appendiculata (LC) wetland and lowest in the Betula fruticosa Pall. (B) wetland, driven by NO3−‐N content. The cumulative CO2 emissions were highest in the B wetland and lowest in the L. gmelinii ‐ Ledum palustre var. dilatatum (LL) wetland. The cumulative CH4 emissions from B wetland were significantly higher than those from LL and LC wetlands. The differences in cumulative CO2 and CH4 emissions were driven by the water table level. Our findings indicate that NO3−‐N content affect the spatial‐temporal variation of N2O emissions, whereas water table level influence the spatial‐temporal variation of CO2 and CH4 emissions in the permafrost region of the Daxing'an Mountains.
Lipids from Europa’s Ocean Could Be Detectable on the Surface
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: March 2022

A super salty spring in the Canadian Arctic provides insights key to detecting life on a distant ocean world.
Extreme Enhancements of Electron Temperature in Low Latitude Topside Ionosphere During the October 2016 Storm
Authors: Zhang Ruilong , Liu Libo , Ma Han , Chen Yiding , Le Huijun , Yoshikawa Akimasa
Published: March 2022

We use the in‐situ observations of DMSP and SWARM satellites to report the changes of the topside ionospheric electron temperature during the October 2016 storm. Electron temperature in the afternoon sector dramatically increases in low latitudes in the recovery phase of the storm. Furthermore, the temperature enhancements have an obvious dependence on longitude and are mainly centralized around 100°–150°E in different satellite observations. The temperature enhancements attain more than 2,000 K at 840 km and 1,500 K at 450 km around the magnetic equator. The decrease in the electron‐ion collision cooling rate, resulting from the lessened topside electron density, could not fully explain the temperature enhancement. At the same time, the electron densities in crests of the equatorial ionization anomaly are suppressed drastically at 100°–150°E, which cause a less heat conduction effect from the equatorial topside ionosphere to low altitudes via magnetic field lines and heat the topside ionospheric electron temperature. Further analysis indicates that dayside westward disturbance dynamo electric field presents a significant longitude structure and is a primary driver for the topside ionospheric temperature enhancement during the storm.
Toll-like receptor 3 activation promotes joint degeneration in osteoarthritis
Authors: Stolberg-Stolberg Josef , Boettcher Annika , Sambale Meike , Stuecker Sina , Sherwood Joanna , Raschke Michael , Pap Thomas , Bertrand Jessica
Published: March 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation that is induced by inflammation. Sterile inflammation can be caused by damage-associated molecular patterns that are released by chondrocytes and activate pattern recognition receptors. We evaluate the role of toll-like receptor-3-activating RNA in the pathogenesis of OA. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) was detected by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, western blotting and microscopy. Rhodamine-labelled poly(I:C) was used to image uptake in chondrocytes and full-thickness cartilage. The production of IFNβ in chondrocytes after stimulation with poly(I:C) as well as in the synovial fluid of OA patients was measured using ELISA. Chondrocyte apoptosis was chemically induced using staurosporine. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine TLR3 expression and apoptosis in human and murine OA cartilage. RNA in synovial fluid was quantified by RiboGreen assay. Destabilisation of the medial meniscus was performed in TLR3−/− and wildtype mice. OA was assessed after eight weeks using OARSI score. TLR3 expression was confirmed by western blot and RT-PCR. Poly(I:C) was internalised by chondrocytes as well as cartilage and caused an increase of IFNβ production in murine (11.46 ± 11.63 (wo) to 108.7 ± 25.53 pg/ml; N = 6) and human chondrocytes (1.88 ± 0.32 (wo) to 737.6 ± 130.5 pg/ml; N = 3; p < 0.001). OA cartilage showed significantly more TLR3-positive (KL0 = 0.22 ± 0.24; KL4 = 6.02 ± 6.75; N ≥ 15) and apoptotic chondrocytes (KL0 = 0.6 ± 1.02; KL4 = 9.78 ± 7.79; N ≥ 12) than healthy cartilage (p < 0.001). Staurosporine-induced chondrocyte apoptosis causes a dose-dependent RNA release (0 ng/ml = 1090 ± 39.1 ng/ml; 1000 ng/ml=2014 ± 160 ng/ml; N = 4; p < 0.001). Human OA synovial fluid contained increased concentrations of RNA (KL0-2 = 3408 ± 1129 ng/ml; KL4 = 4870 ± 1612ng/ml; N ≥ 7; p < 0.05) and IFNβ (KL0-2 = 41.95 ± 92.94 ng/ml; KL3 = 1181 ± 1865ng/ml; N ≥ 8; p < 0.05). TLR3−/− mice showed reduced cartilage degradation eight weeks after OA induction (OARSI WT = 5.5 ± 0.04; TLR3−/− = 3.75 ± 1.04; N ≥ 6) which was accompanied by gradually decreasing levels of TUNEL-positive cells (WT = 34.87 ± 24.10; TLR3−/ = 19.64 ± 7.89) resulting in decreased IFNβ expression (WT = 12.57 ± 5.43; TLR3−/− = 6.09 ± 2.07) in cartilage (p < 0.05). The release of RNA by apoptotic chondrocytes thus activating TLR3 signalling is one possible way of perpetuating inflammatory cartilage changes. The inhibition of TLR3 could be a possible therapeutic target for OA treatment.
Diffusion interface layer controlling the acceptor phase of bilayer near-infrared polymer phototransistors with ultrahigh photosensitivity
Authors: Han Tao , Wang Zejiang , Shen Ning , Zhou Zewen , Hou Xuehua , Ding Shufang , Jiang Chunzhi , Huang Xiaoyi , Zhang Xiaofeng , Liu Linlin
Published: March 2022

The narrow bandgap of near-infrared (NIR) polymers is a major barrier to improving the performance of NIR phototransistors. The existing technique for overcoming this barrier is to construct a bilayer device (channel layer/bulk heterojunction (BHJ) layer). However, acceptor phases of the BHJ dissolve into the channel layer and are randomly distributed by the spin-coating method, resulting in turn-on voltages (Vo) and off-state dark currents remaining at a high level. In this work, a diffusion interface layer is formed between the channel layer and BHJ layer after treating the film transfer method (FTM)-based NIR phototransistors with solvent vapor annealing (SVA). The newly formed diffusion interface layer makes it possible to control the acceptor phase distribution. The performance of the FTM-based device improves after SVA.Vodecreases from 26 V to zero, and the dark currents decrease by one order of magnitude. The photosensitivity (Iph/Idark) increases from 22 to 1.7 × 107.
CrkII/Abl phosphorylation cascade is critical for NLRC4 inflammasome activity and is blocked by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoT
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed F. , Gupta Kajal , Goldufsky Josef W. , Roy Ruchi , Callaghan Lauren T. , Wetzel Dawn M. , Kuzel Timothy M. , Reiser Jochen , Shafikhani Sasha H.
Published: March 2022

Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS) is a highly conserved virulence structure that plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria, includingPseudomonas aeruginosa. Exotoxin T (ExoT) is the only T3SS effector protein that is expressed in all T3SS-expressingP. aeruginosastrains. Here we show that T3SS recognition leads to a rapid phosphorylation cascade involving Abl / PKCδ / NLRC4, which results in NLRC4 inflammasome activation, culminating in inflammatory responses that limitP. aeruginosainfection in wounds. We further show that ExoT functions as the main anti-inflammatory agent forP. aeruginosain that it blocks the phosphorylation cascade through Abl / PKCδ / NLRC4 by targeting CrkII, which we further demonstrate to be important for Abl transactivation and NLRC4 inflammasome activation in response to T3SS andP. aeruginosainfection.
Vulnerability-oriented directed fuzzing for binary programs
Authors: Yu Lu , Lu Yuliang , Shen Yi , Li Yuwei , Pan Zulie
Published: March 2022

Directed greybox fuzzing (DGF) is an effective method to detect vulnerabilities of the specified target code. Nevertheless, there are three main issues in the existing DGFs. First, the target vulnerable code of the DGFs needs to be manually selected, which is tedious. Second, DGFs mainly leverage distance information as feedback, which neglects the unequal roles of different code snippets in reaching the targets. Third, most of the existing DGFs need the source code of the test programs, which is not available for binary programs. In this paper, we propose a vulnerability-oriented directed binary fuzzing framework named VDFuzz, which automatically identifies the targets and leverages dynamic information to guide the fuzzing. In specific, VDFuzz consists of two components, a target identifier and a directed fuzzer. The target identifier is designed based on a neural-network, which can automatically locate the target code areas that are similar to the known vulnerabilities. Considering the inequality of code snippets in reaching the given target, the directed fuzzer assigns different weights to basic blocks and takes the weights as feedback to generate test cases to reach the target code. Experimental results demonstrate that VDFuzz outperformed the state-of-the-art fuzzers and was effective in vulnerability detection of real-world programs.
A study on sex estimation by using machine learning algorithms with parameters obtained from computerized tomography images of the cranium
Authors: Toy Seyma , Secgin Yusuf , Oner Zulal , Turan Muhammed Kamil , Oner Serkan , Senol Deniz
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study is to test whether sex prediction can be made by using machine learning algorithms (ML) with parameters taken from computerized tomography (CT) images of cranium and mandible skeleton which are known to be dimorphic. CT images of the cranium skeletons of 150 men and 150 women were included in the study. 25 parameters determined were tested with different ML algorithms. Accuracy (Acc), Specificity (Spe), Sensitivity (Sen), F1 score (F1), Matthews correlation coefficient (Mcc) values were included as performance criteria and Minitab 17 package program was used in descriptive statistical analyses. p ≤ 0.05 value was considered as statistically significant. In ML algorithms, the highest prediction was found with 0.90 Acc, 0.80 Mcc, 0.90 Spe, 0.90 Sen, 0.90 F1 values as a result of LR algorithms. As a result of confusion matrix, it was found that 27 of 30 males and 27 of 30 females were predicted correctly. Acc ratios of other MLs were found to be between 0.81 and 0.88. It has been concluded that the LR algorithm to be applied to the parameters obtained from CT images of the cranium skeleton will predict sex with high accuracy.
Large scale validation of an early-age eye-tracking biomarker of an autism spectrum disorder subtype
Authors: Wen Teresa H. , Cheng Amanda , Andreason Charlene , Zahiri Javad , Xiao Yaqiong , Xu Ronghui , Bao Bokan , Courchesne Eric , Barnes Cynthia Carter , Arias Steven J. , Pierce Karen
Published: March 2022

Few clinically validated biomarkers of ASD exist which can rapidly, accurately, and objectively identify autism during the first years of life and be used to support optimized treatment outcomes and advances in precision medicine. As such, the goal of the present study was to leverage both simple and computationally-advanced approaches to validate an eye-tracking measure of social attention preference, the GeoPref Test, among 1,863 ASD, delayed, or typical toddlers (12–48 months) referred from the community or general population via a primary care universal screening program. Toddlers participated in diagnostic and psychometric evaluations and the GeoPref Test: a 1-min movie containing side-by-side dynamic social and geometric images. Following testing, diagnosis was denoted as ASD, ASD features, LD, GDD, Other, typical sibling of ASD proband, or typical. Relative to other diagnostic groups, ASD toddlers exhibited the highest levels of visual attention towards geometric images and those with especially high fixation levels exhibited poor clinical profiles. Using the 69% fixation threshold, the GeoPref Test had 98% specificity, 17% sensitivity, 81% PPV, and 65% NPV. Sensitivity increased to 33% when saccades were included, with comparable validity across sex, ethnicity, or race. The GeoPref Test was also highly reliable up to 24 months following the initial test. Finally, fixation levels among twins concordant for ASD were significantly correlated, indicating that GeoPref Test performance may be genetically driven. As the GeoPref Test yields few false positives (~ 2%) and is equally valid across demographic categories, the current findings highlight the ability of the GeoPref Test to rapidly and accurately detect autism before the 2nd birthday in a subset of children and serve as a biomarker for a unique ASD subtype in clinical trials.