bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Hybrid Models for Precipitation Forecasting by Combining Nonlinear Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Parviz Laleh , Rasouli Kabir , Torabi Haghighi Ali
Published: May 2023

Precipitation forecast is key for water resources management in semi-arid climates. The traditional hybrid models simulate linear and nonlinear components of precipitation series separately. But they do not still provide accurate forecasts. This research aims to improve hybrid models by using an ensemble of linear and nonlinear models. Preprocessing configurations and each of the Gene Expression Programming (GEP), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) models were used as in the traditional hybrid models. They were compared against the proposed hybrid models with a combination of all these three models. The performance of the hybrid models was improved by different methods. Two weather stations of Tabriz and Rasht in Iran with respectively annual and monthly time steps were selected to test the improved models. The results showed that Theil’s coefficient, which measures the inequality degree to which forecasts differ from observations, improved by 9% and 15% for SVR and GMDH relative to GEP for the Tabriz station. The applied error criteria indicated that the proposed hybrid models have a better representation of observations than the traditional hybrid models. Mean square error decreased by 67% and Nash Sutcliffe increased by 5% in the Rasht station when we combined the three machine learning models using genetic algorithm instead of SVR. Generally, the representation of the nonlinear models within the improved hybrid models showed better performance than the traditional hybrid models. The improved models have implications for modeling highly nonlinear systems using the full advantages of machine learning methods.
Report on the impact of anthropogenic factors on the properties and functions of soils from a selected area of Central European Lowland province
Authors: Jaworska Hanna , Klimek Joanna
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The study aims to assess the impact of human activity on the content and migration of trace elements in soil profiles of various physico-chemical properties. The research hypothesis assumed that human impact related to the functioning of buildings, agriculture, industry and communication negatively affected the trace element contents and physico-chemical properties of soils in a selected urban area (the Grudziądz Basin).

Materials and methods

Seven soil exposures were made in areas that differed in land use and soil type over an area totalling approx. 200 ha. In the soil profiles, samples of soil of disturbed structure were taken from each genetic horizon. Selected physico-chemical properties of soils were determined: soil texture, soil pH, TOC, CaCO3 content. The total content of heavy metals in the soils was determined by AAS after digestion in hydrofluoric acid and bioavailable forms in 1 M DTPA. The sources of elements in the studied soils were assessed using the following indices: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) and Contamination Factor (CF).

Results and discussion

The sand fraction dominated the examined soil profiles, with its content ranging widely and averaging 64.7%. In general, the humus horizons had lower pH values than the deeper layers and parent rock horizons. The organic carbon content ranged from 0.07 to 4.64%. The vertical decomposition of total N was strongly related to the decomposition of organic carbon. The highest metal contents in the soil samples were for zinc, and then for nickel. Conversely, the lowest concentrations were for mercury. Most of the profiles had higher contents of the analysed elements in their upper horizons. The humus horizons were characterised by the accumulation of Cr, Hg, Zn and Fe. The samples from the soil profiles were highest in bioavailable forms of zinc and nickel.

Conclusions

The assessment of human impact on the concentrations and migration of trace elements in profiles of agricultural soils found the contents of heavy metals to be variable. Only in a few profiles were EF values for Cd, Pb and Ni found to indicate the effects of human activity. Likewise, CF and Igeo attest to only slight contamination in the research area.
P300 Wave Alterations and Cognitive Impairment in Cerebellum Lesions
Authors: Nanda Sourav , Lapeña-Motilva José , Misra Amar Kumar , Guha Gautam , Ghosh Sinjan , Manna Akash , Roy Soumit , Benito-León Julián
Published: May 2023

Patients with cognitive deficits have a prolonged latency and reduced amplitude of the P300 wave. However, no study has correlated P300 wave alterations with the cognitive performance of patients with cerebellar lesions. We aimed to determine if the cognitive status of these patients was associated with P300 wave alterations. We recruited 30 patients with cerebellar lesions from the wards of the N.R.S. Medical College, Kolkata, in West Bengal (India). The Kolkata Cognitive Screening Battery tasks and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) were used to assess the cognitive status and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) for cerebellar signs. We compared the results with the normative data of the Indian population. Patients had P300 wave alterations with a significant increase in latency and a non-significant trend in amplitude. In a multivariate model, P300 wave latency was positively associated with the ICARS kinetic subscale (p = 0.005) and age (p = 0.009), regardless of sex and years of education. In the model that included cognitive variables, P300 wave latency was negatively associated with performance in phonemic fluency (p = 0.035) and construction (p = 0.009). Furthermore, P300 wave amplitude was positively associated with the FAB total score (p < 0.001). In closing, patients with cerebellar lesions had an increase in latency and a decrease in the amplitude of the P300 wave. These P300 wave alterations were also associated with worse cognitive performance and some of the subscales of the ICARS, reinforcing that the cerebellum has motor, cognitive, and affective functions.
The importance of financial education for the effective use of formal financial services
Authors: Ansar Saniya , Klapper Leora , Singer Dorothe
Published: May 2023

This paper examines global data on unbanked and underbanked consumers to highlight the role improved financial literacy and capability could play in motivating and enabling the safe and beneficial use of financial services. The paper uses Global Findex data, a demand-side survey on ownership and use of accounts at formal financial institutions, such as a bank or similar financial institution, or a mobile money service provider. The paper reviews the self-reported barriers to account ownership and use cited by unbanked adults and identifies the challenges faced by account owners who could not use an account without help. Together, these issues point to the importance of financial education to improve digital and financial literacy skills, in addition to product design that considers customer abilities, and strong consumer safeguards to ensure that customers benefit from financial access.
COFINALITY QUANTIFIERS IN ABSTRACT ELEMENTARY CLASSES AND BEYOND
Authors: BONEY WILL
Published: May 2023

The cofinality quantifiers were introduced by Shelah as an example of a compact logic stronger than first-order logic. We show that the classes of models axiomatized by these quantifiers can be turned into an Abstract Elementary Class by restricting to positive and deliberate uses. Rather than using an ad hoc proof, we give a general framework of abstract Skolemizations. This method gives a uniform proof that a wide rang of classes are Abstract Elementary Classes.
Maternal magnesium intake and childhood wheezing in offspring at 3 years of age: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Murata Tsuyoshi , Kyozuka Hyo , Fukuda Toma , Imaizumi Karin , Isogami Hirotaka , Yasuda Shun , Yamaguchi Akiko , Sato Akiko , Ogata Yuka , Shinoki Kosei , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Yasumura Seiji , Hashimoto Koichi , Nishigori Hidekazu , Fujimori Keiya ,   The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) Group
Published: May 2023

This study evaluated the association between maternal magnesium intake (MMI) and childhood wheezing incidence in 3-year-old offspring. We hypothesised that higher MMI imparts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that decrease childhood wheezing incidence in offspring. Data of 79 907 women (singleton pregnancy, ≥ 22 weeks) from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (enrolled between 2011 and 2014) were analysed. Participants were categorised into quintiles of MMI (< 148·00, 148·00–187·99, 188·00–228·99, 229·00–289·99 and ≥ 290·00 mg/d), quintiles of adjusted MMI for daily energy intake (aMMI) (< 0·107, 0·107–0·119, 0·120–0·132, 0·133–0·149 and ≥ 0·150 mg/kcal) and MMI levels either below or above the ideal value (< 310·00 or ≥ 310·00 mg/d). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate OR for the incidence of childhood wheezing in offspring among participants in each MMI category, with the lowest MMI group considered the reference group. Maternal demographic, socio-economic, medical and other nutrient intake backgrounds were considered potential confounding factors. The adjusted OR (aOR) for childhood wheezing in the offspring of women with the highest MMI was 1·09 (95 % CI, 1·00, 1·20), whereas that calculated based on aMMI categories and offspring of women with above-ideal MMI levels remained unchanged. The highest MMI was associated with slightly increased childhood wheezing incidence in the offspring. MMI during pregnancy had an insignificant clinical impact on this incidence; moreover, modifying MMI would not significantly improve childhood wheezing incidence in offspring. Therefore, further studies should clarify the association between other prenatal factors and childhood wheezing incidence in offspring.
The hard problem of ‘pure’ consciousness: Sāṃkhya dualist ontology
Authors: O'Brien-Kop Karen
Published: May 2023

This article addresses the theme of ‘death and immortality’ from the perspective of consciousness, and takes as its starting point a root text of Hindu philosophy, the Sāṃkhyakārikā by Īśvarakṛṣṇa (c. fourth century ce). The text posits a dualist ontology in which consciousness is separate and autonomous from a material reality that includes body and mind. The goal is to be ontologically situated in a ‘pure’ consciousness (non-objective), which signifies existential liberation. There are mundane ways to understand this claim, such as referring to cognitive states that produce affective dissociation, or more radical interpretations, such as a post-death state. This article explores the question of what Sāṃkhya's consciousness is like: it is said to be immortal, plural, individuated, and contentless. What is the motivation for and implication of engagement with a system that describes an existential freedom that may only be known in a dualist reality or after death? And how can Sāṃkhya's concepts be brought into conversation with contemporary investigations into mind–body questions? Sāṃkhya rationality counters the argument of eternal oblivion or of consciousness as an illusion confined to the brain. Yet there are resonances with Chalmers's notion of consciousness as fundamental. This article concludes that contemporary Anglo-American philosophy of religion can be enhanced by adding Sāṃkhya thought to its purview.
Challenges of quantitative phase analysis of iron and steel slags: a look at sample complexity
Authors: Lyza Jessica E. , Fawcett Timothy G. , Page Sarah N. , Cook Kelly L.
Published: May 2023

Quantitative phase analysis (QPA) of slags is complex due to the natural richness of phases and variability in sample composition. The number of phases frequently exceeds 10, with certain slag types (EAF, BOF, blends, stainless) having extreme peak overlap, making identification difficult. Another convolution arises from the variable crystallite sizes of phases found in slag, as well as the mixture of crystalline and amorphous components specific to each slag type. Additionally, polymorphs are common because of the complexity of the steelmaking and slag cooling processes, such as the cation-doped calcium aluminum silicate (Ca3Al2O6, C3A, Z = 24) supercell in LMF slag. References for these doped variants may not exist or in many cases are not known in advance, therefore it is incumbent on the analyzer to be aware of such discrepancies and choose the best available reference. All issues can compound to form a highly intricate QPA and have prevented previous methods of QPA from accurately measuring phase components in slag. QPA was performed via the internal standard method using 8 wt% ZnO as the internal standard and JADE Pro's Whole Pattern Fitting analysis. For each phase, five variables (lattice parameters, preferred orientation, scale factor, temperature factor, and crystallite size) must be accounted for during quantitation, with a specific emphasis on not refining crystallite sizes for iron oxides and trace phases as they are inclined to over-broaden and interact with the background to improve the goodness of fit (R/E value). Preliminary investigations show somewhat reliable results with the use of custom file sets created within PDF-4+ specifically targeted toward slag minerals to further regulate and normalize the analysis process. The objective of this research is to provide a standard protocol for collecting data, as well as to update methodologies and databases for QPA, to the slag community for implementation in a conventional laboratory setting. Currently, Whole Pattern Fitting “Modified” Rietveld block refinement coupled with the addition of a ZnO internal standard gives the most accurate QPA results, though further research is needed to improve upon the complex issues found in this study of the QPA of slags.
Characterizing food systems to better understand their vulnerabilities: a case study in Québec and São Paulo
Authors: Sabio R. P. , Lehoux P. , Rastoin J. L.
Published: May 2023

Characterizing food systems, i.e., describing their organizational features, can help to generate a better understanding of the structural vulnerabilities that constrain transitions towards sustainable food security. However, their characterization across different economic contexts remains challenging. In this paper, by linking key concepts from research on food regimes, food system vulnerabilities and responsible innovation, we aim to characterize food systems in a developing and a developed economy to identify their shared vulnerabilities. We applied a case study design to characterize food production, processing and distribution in the province of Québec (Canada) and in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). In both cases, the processing and distribution stages have higher economic predominance when compared to the agricultural production stage. Furthermore, we observed concentration in a few activities in both food systems, with a shared focus on export-oriented supply chains. Vulnerabilities in both food systems include: (1) increased interdependence because some supply chains are export-oriented or depend on foreign labor and are, therefore, exposed to external risks; (2) concentration in a few activities, which threatens present and future local food diversity and (3) unequal power relations, making small and medium players vulnerable to decisions made by big players. The characterization developed in this study shows that the two food systems are mainly pursuing economic goals, following the institutional logics of the neoliberal food regime, which are not necessarily aligned with food security goals. It also exposes the presence of characteristics of ‘responsibility’ that may eventually help overcome food systems' vulnerabilities and support transitions toward sustainability.
Anxiety in Later Life and Across the Lifespan
Authors: Pachana Nancy A.
Published: May 2023

Abstract: Research on anxiety in later life has advanced significantly in the last two decades. Within the extant literature, there are both gaps and opportunities for further cross-disciplinary linkages in terms of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of late-life anxiety. Research across cultures and cohorts has increased our understanding of the experience of anxiety across groups and thus has advanced measurement efficacy and diagnostic accuracy. Work on addressing social determinants across the lifespan regarding anxiety symptoms and their sequelae may help address anxiety as a globally growing concern.
The Influence of Learners’ Reading-Related Hope or Hopelessness and Recue Instructions on Text Comprehension and Metacomprehension
Authors: Prinz-Weiß Anja , Schiffer Sarah , Strohmaier Mailine
Published: May 2023

Abstract: In this experimental study with 62 university students, we examined to what extent the hope or hopelessness they experience during reading a text affect their comprehension as well as the magnitude and accuracy of their predictions and postdictions. Moreover, we investigated whether the impact of the emotional state varies with a recue instruction that explicitly indicates the limited validity of emotions as judgment cues. The results showed that the students used their experienced hope or hopelessness to make predictions and postdictions. This effect did not differ depending on whether they had received the recue or a control instruction. However, when students received the control instruction, greater hopelessness impaired comprehension, whereas this was not the case with the recue instruction. Finally, the instruction type did not play a moderating role in the influence of the emotional state on prediction and postdiction accuracy. Yet, concerning postdiction accuracy, students who received the recue instruction were more accurate.
The genetic architecture of fornix white matter microstructure and their involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Ou Ya-Nan , Ge Yi-Jun , Wu Bang-Sheng , Zhang Yi , Jiang Yu-Chao , Kuo Kevin , Yang Liu , Tan Lan , Feng Jian-Feng , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: May 2023

The fornix is a white matter bundle located in the center of the hippocampaldiencephalic limbic circuit that controls memory and executive functions, yet its genetic architectures and involvement in brain disorders remain largely unknown. We carried out a genome-wide association analysis of 30,832 UK Biobank individuals of the six fornix diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) traits. The post-GWAS analysis allowed us to identify causal genetic variants in phenotypes at the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), locus, and gene levels, as well as genetic overlap with brain health-related traits. We further generalized our GWAS in adolescent brain cognitive development (ABCD) cohort. The GWAS identified 63 independent significant variants within 20 genomic loci associated (P < 8.33 × 10−9) with the six fornix dMRI traits. Geminin coiled-coil domain containing (GMNC) and NUAK family SNF1-like kinase 1 (NUAK1) gene were highlighted, which were found in UKB and replicated in ABCD. The heritability of the six traits ranged from 10% to 27%. Gene mapping strategies identified 213 genes, where 11 were supported by all of four methods. Gene-based analyses revealed pathways relating to cell development and differentiation, with astrocytes found to be significantly enriched. Pleiotropy analyses with eight neurological and psychiatric disorders revealed shared variants, especially with schizophrenia under the conjFDR threshold of 0.05. These findings advance our understanding of the complex genetic architectures of fornix and their relevance in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
UBTF tandem duplications are rare but recurrent alterations in adult AML and associated with younger age, myelodysplasia, and inferior outcome
Authors: Georgi Julia-Annabell , Stasik Sebastian , Eckardt Jan-Niklas , Zukunft Sven , Hartwig Marita , Röllig Christoph , Middeke Jan Moritz , Oelschlägel Uta , Krug Utz , Sauer Tim , Scholl Sebastian , Hochhaus Andreas , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Naumann Ralph , Steffen Björn , Einsele Hermann , Schaich Markus , Burchert Andreas , Neubauer Andreas , Schäfer-Eckart Kerstin , Schliemann Christoph , Krause Stefan W. , Hänel Mathias , Noppeney Richard , Kaiser Ulrich , Baldus Claudia D. , Kaufmann Martin , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Platzbecker Uwe , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Serve Hubert , Ehninger Gerhard , Bornhäuser Martin , Schetelig Johannes , Kroschinsky Frank , Thiede Christian ,   Study Alliance Leukemia (SAL)
Published: May 2023

Tandem-duplication mutations of the UBTF gene (UBTF-TDs) coding for the upstream binding transcription factor have recently been described in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and were found to be associated with particular genetics (trisomy 8 (+8), FLT3-internal tandem duplications (FLT3-ITD), WT1-mutations) and inferior outcome. Due to limited knowledge on UBTF-TDs in adult AML, we screened 4247 newly diagnosed adult AML and higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients using high-resolution fragment analysis. UBTF-TDs were overall rare (n = 52/4247; 1.2%), but significantly enriched in younger patients (median age 41 years) and associated with MDS-related morphology as well as significantly lower hemoglobin and platelet levels. Patients with UBTF-TDs had significantly higher rates of +8 (34% vs. 9%), WT1 (52% vs. 7%) and FLT3-ITD (50% vs. 20.8%) co-mutations, whereas UBTF-TDs were mutually exclusive with several class-defining lesions such as mutant NPM1, in-frame CEBPAbZIP mutations as well as t(8;21). Based on the high-variant allele frequency found and the fact that all relapsed patients analyzed (n = 5) retained the UBTF-TD mutation, UBTF-TDs represent early clonal events and are stable over the disease course. In univariate analysis, UBTF-TDs did not represent a significant factor for overall or relapse-free survival in the entire cohort. However, in patients under 50 years of age, who represent the majority of UBTF-mutant patients, UBTF-TDs were an independent prognostic factor for inferior event-free (EFS), relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS), which was confirmed by multivariable analyses including established risk factors such as age and ELN2022 genetic risk groups (EFS [HR: 2.20; 95% CI 1.52–3.17, p < 0.001], RFS [HR: 1.59; 95% CI 1.02–2.46, p = 0.039] and OS [HR: 1.64; 95% CI 1.08–2.49, p = 0.020]). In summary, UBTF-TDs appear to represent a novel class-defining lesion not only in pediatric AML but also younger adults and are associated with myelodysplasia and inferior outcome in these patients.
Different MRI structural processing methods do not impact functional connectivity computation
Authors: Zhang Lu , Pini Lorenzo , Corbetta Maurizio
Published: May 2023

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has become an increasingly popular technique. This technique can assess several features of brain connectivity, such as inter-regional temporal correlation (functional connectivity), from which graph measures of network organization can be derived. However, these measures are prone to a certain degree of variability depending on the analytical steps during preprocessing. Many studies have investigated the effect of different preprocessing steps on functional connectivity measures; however, no study investigated whether different structural reconstructions lead to different functional connectivity metrics. Here, we evaluated the impact of different structural segmentation strategies on functional connectivity outcomes. To this aim, we compared different metrics computed after two different registration strategies. The first strategy used structural information from the 3D T1-weighted image (unimodal), while the second strategy implemented a multimodal approach, where an additional registration step used the information from the T2-weighted image. The impact of these different approaches was evaluated on a sample of 58 healthy adults. As expected, different approaches led to significant differences in structural measures (i.e., cortical thickness, volume, and gyrification index), with the maximum impact on the insula cortex. However, these differences were only slightly translated to functional metrics. We reported no differences in graph measures and seed-based functional connectivity maps, but slight differences in the insula when we compared the mean functional strength for each parcel. Overall, these results suggested that functional metrics are only slightly different when using a unimodal compared to a multimodal approach, while the structural output can be significantly affected.
Early radial positional information in the cochlea is optimized by a precise linear BMP gradient and enhanced by SOX2
Authors: Thompson Matthew J. , Young Caryl A. , Munnamalai Vidhya , Umulis David M.
Published: May 2023

Positional information encoded in signaling molecules is essential for early patterning in the prosensory domain of the developing cochlea. The sensory epithelium, the organ of Corti, contains an exquisite repeating pattern of hair cells and supporting cells. This requires precision in the morphogen signals that set the initial radial compartment boundaries, but this has not been investigated. To measure gradient formation and morphogenetic precision in developing cochlea, we developed a quantitative image analysis procedure measuring SOX2 and pSMAD1/5/9 profiles in mouse embryos at embryonic day (E)12.5, E13.5, and E14.5. Intriguingly, we found that the pSMAD1/5/9 profile forms a linear gradient up to the medial ~ 75% of the PSD from the pSMAD1/5/9 peak in the lateral edge during E12.5 and E13.5. This is a surprising activity readout for a diffusive BMP4 ligand secreted from a tightly constrained lateral region since morphogens typically form exponential or power-law gradient shapes. This is meaningful for gradient interpretation because while linear profiles offer the theoretically highest information content and distributed precision for patterning, a linear morphogen gradient has not yet been observed. Furthermore, this is unique to the cochlear epithelium as the pSMAD1/5/9 gradient is exponential in the surrounding mesenchyme. In addition to the information-optimized linear profile, we found that while pSMAD1/5/9 is stable during this timeframe, an accompanying gradient of SOX2 shifts dynamically. Last, through joint decoding maps of pSMAD1/5/9 and SOX2, we see that there is a high-fidelity mapping between signaling activity and position in the regions that will become Kölliker’s organ and the organ of Corti. Mapping is ambiguous in the prosensory domain precursory to the outer sulcus. Altogether, this research provides new insights into the precision of early morphogenetic patterning cues in the radial cochlea prosensory domain.
Learning dispatching rules via novel genetic programming with feature selection in energy-aware dynamic job-shop scheduling
Authors: Sitahong Adilanmu , Yuan Yiping , Li Ming , Ma Junyan , Ba Zhiyong , Lu Yongxin
Published: May 2023

The incorporation of energy conservation measures into production efficiency is widely recognized as a crucial aspect of contemporary industry. This study aims to develop interpretable and high-quality dispatching rules for energy-aware dynamic job shop scheduling (EDJSS). In comparison to the traditional modeling methods, this paper proposes a novel genetic programming with online feature selection mechanism to learn dispatching rules automatically. The idea of the novel GP method is to achieve a progressive transition from exploration to exploitation by relating the level of population diversity to the stopping criteria and elapsed duration. We hypothesize that diverse and promising individuals obtained from the novel GP method can guide the feature selection to design competitive rules. The proposed approach is compared with three GP-based algorithms and 20 benchmark rules in the different job shop conditions and scheduling objectives considered energy consumption. Experiments show that the proposed approach greatly outperforms the compared methods in generating more interpretable and effective rules. Overall, the average improvement over the best-evolved rules by the other three GP-based algorithms is 12.67%, 15.38%, and 11.59% in the meakspan with energy consumption (EMS), mean weighted tardiness with energy consumption (EMWT), and mean flow time with energy consumption (EMFT) scenarios, respectively.
Magneto-strain effects in 2D ferromagnetic van der Waal material CrGeTe$$_3$$
Authors: Vijay Kritika , Vavilapalli Durga Sankar , Arya Ashok , Srivastava S. K. , Singh Rashmi , Sagdeo Archna , Jha S. N. , Kumar Kranti , Banik Soma
Published: May 2023

The idea of strain based manipulation of spins in magnetic two-dimensional (2D) van der Waal (vdW) materials leads to the development of new generation spintronic devices. Magneto-strain arises in these materials due to the thermal fluctuations and magnetic interactions which influences both the lattice dynamics and the electronic bands. Here, we report the mechanism of magneto-strain effects in a vdW material CrGeTe$$_3$$

3

across the ferromagnetic (FM) transition. We find an isostructural transition in CrGeTe$$_3$$

3

across the FM ordering with first order type lattice modulation. Larger in-plane lattice contraction than out-of-plane give rise to magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The signature of magneto-strain effects in the electronic structure are shift of the bands away from the Fermi level, band broadening and the twinned bands in the FM phase. We find that the in-plane lattice contraction increases the on-site Coulomb correlation ($$U_{eff}$$

U

eff

) between Cr atoms resulting in the band shift. Out-of-plane lattice contraction enhances the $$d-p$$

d
-
p

hybridization between Cr–Ge and Cr–Te atoms which lead to band broadening and strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in FM phase. The interplay between $$U_{eff}$$

U

eff

and SOC out-of-plane gives rise to the twinned bands associated with the interlayer interactions while the in-plane interactions gives rise to the 2D spin polarized states in the FM phase.
Application of quality-by-design for adopting an environmentally green fluorogenic determination of benoxinate hydrochloride in eye drops and artificial aqueous humour
Authors: El Hamd Mohamed A. , El-Maghrabey Mahmoud , Magdy Galal , Mahdi Wael A. , Alshehri Sultan , Bass Amr K. A. , Batakoushy Hany A.
Published: May 2023

Herein, a sensitive and selective spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for the determination of the ocular local anesthetic benoxinate hydrochloride (BEN-HCl) in eye drops and artificial aqueous humour. The proposed method is based on the interaction of fluorescamine with the primary amino group of BEN-HCl at room temperature. Following the excitation of the reaction product at 393 nm, the emitted relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) was measured at 483 nm. The key experimental parameters were carefully examined and optimized by adopting an analytical quality-by-design approach. The method used a two-level full factorial design (24 FFD) to obtain the optimum RFI of the reaction product. The calibration curve was linear at the range of 0.10–1.0 μg/mL of BEN-HCl with sensitivity down to 0.015 μg/mL. The method was applied for analyzing the BEN-HCl eye drops and could also assess its spiked levels in artificial aqueous humour with high % recoveries (98.74–101.37%) and low SD values (≤ 1.11). To investigate the green profile of the proposed method, a greenness assessment was performed with the aid of the Analytical Eco-Scale Assessment (ESA) and GAPI. The developed method obtained a very high ESA rating score in addition to being sensitive, affordable, and environmentally sustainable. The proposed method was validated according to ICH guidelines.
Dietary antioxidants and liver enzymes in Rafsanjan, a Region in Southeast Iran
Authors: Khademalhosseini Morteza , Ranjbar Elham , Mohammadi Rezvan , Khalili Parvin , Mehran Mahya , Jalali Nazanin , Rajabi Zohreh , Jamali Zahra
Published: May 2023

Oxidative stress has been considered the main contributor to liver injury. Dietary antioxidants would be expected to improve liver function. The hepatoprotective effects of antioxidants are controversial. In the present study, the associations of some dietary antioxidants and the levels of serum liver enzymes were examined. This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) data as a population-based prospective cohort which is a part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). A total of 9942 participants aged 35–70 years old were included in this study. Among this population, 4631 (46.59%) were male, and 5311 (53.42%) were female. Dietary intakes were collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) with 128 items. Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured by a biotecnica analyzer. Dichotomous logistics regression models were used to investigate the association between the elevated liver enzymes and intake of dietary antioxidants using crude and adjusted models. In the adjusted model, in subjects with higher consumption of Se, Vit A, Vit E, β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin, the odds ratios of elevated ALP were decreased compared to the reference group (ORs 0.79 (0.64–0.96), 0.80 (0.66–0.98), 0.73 (0.60–0.89), 0.79 (0.64–0.96), 0.78 (0.64–0.95), 0.80 (0.66–0.98), and 0.79 (0.64–0.98), respectively). Subjects with higher consumption of Se, Vit A, Vit E, and provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) showed decreased odds of elevated ALP. These findings support the hypothesis that Se, Vit A, Vit E, and provitamin A carotenoids may be associated with improvements in ALP and act as suppressors against the development of liver injury.
Characterization of plasmids carrying blaCTX-M genes among extra-intestinal Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Ethiopia
Authors: Negeri Abebe Aseffa , Mamo Hassen , Gahlot Dharmender K. , Gurung Jyoti M. , Seyoum Eyasu Tigabu , Francis Matthew S.
Published: May 2023

CTX-Ms are encoded by blaCTX-M genes and are widely distributed extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). They are the most important antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanism to β-lactam antibiotics in the Enterobacteriaceae. However, the role of transmissible AMR plasmids in the dissemination of blaCTX-M genes has scarcely been studied in Africa where the burden of AMR is high and rapidly spreading. In this study, AMR plasmid transmissibility, replicon types and addiction systems were analysed in CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates in Ethiopia with a goal to provide molecular insight into mechanisms underlying such high prevalence and rapid dissemination. Of 100 CTX-Ms-producing isolates obtained from urine (84), pus (10) and blood (6) from four geographically distinct healthcare settings, 75% carried transmissible plasmids encoding for CTX-Ms, with CTX-M-15 being predominant (n = 51). Single IncF plasmids with the combination of F-FIA-FIB (n = 17) carried the bulk of blaCTX-M-15 genes. In addition, IncF plasmids were associated with multiple addiction systems, ISEcp1 and various resistance phenotypes for non-cephalosporin antibiotics. Moreover, IncF plasmid carriage is associated with the international pandemic E. coli ST131 lineage. Furthermore, several CTX-M encoding plasmids were associated with serum survival of the strains, but less so with biofilm formation. Hence, both horizontal gene transfer and clonal expansion may contribute to the rapid and widespread distribution of blaCTX-M genes among E. coli populations in Ethiopian clinical settings. This information is relevant for local epidemiology and surveillance, but also for global understanding of the successful dissemination of AMR gene carrying plasmids.
Patients' preferences in therapeutic decision-making in digestive oncology: a single centre cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Nizet Pierre , Grivel Charlotte , Rabeau Pauline , Pecout Solange , Evin Adrien , Labarthe Sonia Prot , Navas Dominique , Feuillet Fanny , Bourdon Marianne , Huon Jean-François
Published: May 2023

Considering the preferences in Shared Decision Making (SDM) of patients with Digestive Cancer (DC) is crucial to ensure the quality of care. To date, there is limited information on preferences in SDM of patients with DC. The objectives of this study were to describe digestive cancer patients’ preference for involvement in therapeutic decision-making and to identify variables associated with these preferences. An observational prospective study in a French university cancer center has been conducted. Patients completed two questionnaires to qualify and quantify their preference for involvement in therapeutic decision-making: the Control Preference Scale (CPS) and the Autonomy Preference Index (API), which is composed of the Decision Making (DM) score and the Information Seeking (IS) score. Associations between these scores and socio-demographic data, disease-related data, coping strategies (Brief-COPE), physical (QLQ-C30) and psychological (HADS) quality of life were tested. One-hundred fifteen patients returned the questionnaires. The majority of patients reported a passive (49.1%) or a collaborative (43.0%) CPS status. The mean DM score was 39.4 Variables associated with decision-making preferences were occupational status and time since diagnosis. The identification of variables associated with patients' preferences for involvement in decision-making can help make clinicians aware of patients' needs and wishes. However, it can only be determined by interviewing the patient individually.
Variation in mouse chemical signals is genetically controlled and environmentally modulated
Authors: Stopková Romana , Matějková Tereza , Dodoková Alica , Talacko Pavel , Zacek Petr , Sedlacek Radislav , Piálek Jaroslav , Stopka Pavel
Published: May 2023

In most mammals and particularly in mice, chemical communication relies on the detection of ethologically relevant fitness-related cues from other individuals. In mice, urine is the primary source of these signals, so we employed proteomics and metabolomics to identify key components of chemical signalling. We show that there is a correspondence between urinary volatiles and proteins in the representation of genetic background, sex and environment in two house mouse subspecies Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus. We found that environment has a strong influence upon proteomic and metabolomic variation and that volatile mixtures better represent males while females have surprisingly more sex-biased proteins. Using machine learning and combined-omics techniques, we identified mixtures of metabolites and proteins that are associated with biological features.
Respiration organizes gamma synchrony in the prefronto-thalamic network
Authors: Basha Diellor , Chauvette Sylvain , Sheroziya Maxim , Timofeev Igor
Published: May 2023

Multiple cognitive operations are associated with the emergence of gamma oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) although little is known about the mechanisms that control this rhythm. Using local field potential recordings from cats, we show that periodic bursts of gamma recur with 1 Hz regularity in the wake mPFC and are locked to the exhalation phase of the respiratory cycle. Respiration organizes long-range coherence in the gamma band between the mPFC and the nucleus reuniens the thalamus (Reu), linking the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In vivo intracellular recordings of the mouse thalamus reveal that respiration timing is propagated by synaptic activity in Reu and likely underlies the emergence of gamma bursts in the prefrontal cortex. Our findings highlight breathing as an important substrate for long-range neuronal synchronization across the prefrontal circuit, a key network for cognitive operations.
Development of a machine learning-based clinical decision support system to predict clinical deterioration in patients visiting the emergency department
Authors: Choi Arom , Choi So Yeon , Chung Kyungsoo , Chung Hyun Soo , Song Taeyoung , Choi Byunghun , Kim Ji Hoon
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to develop a machine learning-based clinical decision support system for emergency departments based on the decision-making framework of physicians. We extracted 27 fixed and 93 observation features using data on vital signs, mental status, laboratory results, and electrocardiograms during emergency department stay. Outcomes included intubation, admission to the intensive care unit, inotrope or vasopressor administration, and in-hospital cardiac arrest. eXtreme gradient boosting algorithm was used to learn and predict each outcome. Specificity, sensitivity, precision, F1 score, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and area under the precision-recall curve were assessed. We analyzed 303,345 patients with 4,787,121 input data, resampled into 24,148,958 1 h-units. The models displayed a discriminative ability to predict outcomes (AUROC > 0.9), and the model with lagging 6 and leading 0 displayed the highest value. The AUROC curve of in-hospital cardiac arrest had the smallest change, with increased lagging for all outcomes. With inotropic use, intubation, and intensive care unit admission, the range of AUROC curve change with the leading 6 was the highest according to different amounts of previous information (lagging). In this study, a human-centered approach to emulate the clinical decision-making process of emergency physicians has been adopted to enhance the use of the system. Machine learning-based clinical decision support systems customized according to clinical situations can help improve the quality of care.
Introducing machine learning model to response surface methodology for biosorption of methylene blue dye using Triticum aestivum biomass
Authors: Kumari Sheetal , Verma Anoop , Sharma Pinki , Agarwal Smriti , Rajput Vishnu D. , Minkina Tatiana , Rajput Priyadarshani , Singh Surendra Pal , Garg Manoj Chandra
Published: May 2023

A major environmental problem on a global scale is the contamination of water by dyes, particularly from industrial effluents. Consequently, wastewater treatment from various industrial wastes is crucial to restoring environmental quality. Dye is an important class of organic pollutants that are considered harmful to both people and aquatic habitats. The textile industry has become more interested in agricultural-based adsorbents, particularly in adsorption. The biosorption of Methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions by the wheat straw (T. aestivum) biomass was evaluated in this study. The biosorption process parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach with a face-centred central composite design (FCCCD). Using a 10 mg/L concentration MB dye, 1.5 mg of biomass, an initial pH of 6, and a contact time of 60 min at 25 °C, the maximum MB dye removal percentages (96%) were obtained. Artificial neural network (ANN) modelling techniques are also employed to stimulate and validate the process, and their efficacy and ability to predict the reaction (removal efficiency) were assessed. The existence of functional groups, which are important binding sites involved in the process of MB biosorption, was demonstrated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. Moreover, a scan electron microscope (SEM) revealed that fresh, shiny particles had been absorbed on the surface of the T. aestivum following the biosorption procedure. The bio-removal of MB from wastewater effluents has been demonstrated to be possible using T. aestivum biomass as a biosorbent. It is also a promising biosorbent that is economical, environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective.
Anisotropy of magnetic damping in Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures
Authors: Rana Bivas , Otani YoshiChika
Published: May 2023

Magnetic damping controls the performance and operational speed of many spintronics devices. Being a tensor quantity, the damping in magnetic thin films often shows anisotropic behavior with the magnetization orientation. Here, we have studied the anisotropy of damping in Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures, deposited on thermally oxidized Si substrates, as a function of the orientation of magnetization. By performing ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements based on spin pumping and inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE), we extract the damping parameter in those films and find that the anisotropy of damping contains four-fold and two-fold anisotropy terms. We infer that four-fold anisotropy originates from two-magnon scattering (TMS). By studying reference Ta/CoFeB/MgO films, deposited on LiNbO3 substrates, we find that the two-fold anisotropy is correlated with in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) of the films, suggesting its origin as the anisotropy in bulk spin–orbit coupling (SOC) of CoFeB film. We conclude that when IMA is very small, it’s correlation with two-fold anisotropy cannot be experimentally identified. However, as IMA increases, it starts to show a correlation with two-fold anisotropy in damping. These results will be beneficial for designing future spintronics devices.
Validation of the BOADICEA model for predicting the likelihood of carrying pathogenic variants in eight breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes
Authors: Møller Nanna Bæk , Boonen Desirée Sofie , Feldner Elisabeth Simone , Hao Qin , Larsen Martin , Lænkholm Anne-Vibeke , Borg Åke , Kvist Anders , Törngren Therese , Jensen Uffe Birk , Boonen Susanne Eriksen , Thomassen Mads , Terkelsen Thorkild
Published: May 2023

BOADICEA is a comprehensive risk prediction model for breast and/or ovarian cancer (BC/OC) and for carrying pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer susceptibility genes. In addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2, BOADICEA version 6 includes PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, BARD1, RAD51C and RAD51D. To validate its predictions for these genes, we conducted a retrospective study including 2033 individuals counselled at clinical genetics departments in Denmark. All counselees underwent comprehensive genetic testing by next generation sequencing on suspicion of hereditary susceptibility to BC/OC. Likelihoods of PVs were predicted from information about diagnosis, family history and tumour pathology. Calibration was examined using the observed-to-expected ratio (O/E) and discrimination using the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The O/E was 1.11 (95% CI 0.97–1.26) for all genes combined. At sub-categories of predicted likelihood, the model performed well with limited misestimation at the extremes of predicted likelihood. Discrimination was acceptable with an AUC of 0.70 (95% CI 0.66–0.74), although discrimination was better for BRCA1 and BRCA2 than for the other genes in the model. This suggests that BOADICEA remains a valid decision-making aid for determining which individuals to offer comprehensive genetic testing for hereditary susceptibility to BC/OC despite suboptimal calibration for individual genes in this population.
Cyanophycin and its biosynthesis: not hot but very cool
Authors: Sharon Itai , Hilvert Donald , Schmeing T. Martin
Published: May 2023

Cyanophycin is a widespread natural biopolymer with promising green chemistry applications that is made by an elegant, multifunctional biosynthetic machine.
Synthesis of complex aryl MIDA boronates by Rh-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition
Authors: Halford-McGuff John M. , Cordes David B. , Watson Allan J. B.
Published: May 2023

A Rh-catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition approach for the synthesis of BMIDA-functionalized arenes is reported.
Reducing volume expansion in micro silicon anodes via aramid nanofibers for stable lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Tang Wei , Yang Chen , Cai Wenlong , Chen Feng , Fu Qiang
Published: May 2023

A novel aramid nanofiber network is constructed on micro silicon particles to reduce their volume expansion during repeated (de)lithiation processes.
Rapid post-synthetic modification of porous coordination cages with copper-catalyzed click chemistry
Authors: Dworzak Michael R. , Montone Christine M. , Halaszynski Nicole I. , Yap Glenn P. A. , Kloxin Christopher J. , Bloch Eric D.
Published: May 2023

Novel cobalt calixarene-capped and zirconium-based porous coordination cages were prepared with alkyne and azide functionality to leverage post-synthetic modification by click chemistry.