bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy inputs imprint seasonality and fractal structure on river metabolic regimes
Authors: Shin Yuseung , Jawitz James W. , Cohen Matthew J.
Published: June 2024

The temporal structures of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) vary across time scales in response to complex interactions among dynamic drivers (e.g., flow, light, temperature, organic matter supply). To explore emergent patterns of river metabolic variation, we applied frequency‐domain analysis to multiyear records of metabolism across 87 US rivers. We observed a dominant annual periodicity in metabolic variation and universal fractal scaling (i.e., power spectral density inversely correlated with frequency) at subannual frequencies, suggesting these are foundational temporal structures of river metabolic regimes. Frequency‐domain patterns of river metabolism aligned best with drivers related to energy inputs: benthic light for GPP and GPP for ER. Simple river metabolism models captured frequency‐domain patterns when parameterized with appropriate energy inputs but neglecting temperature controls. These results imply that temporal variation of energy supply imprints directly on metabolic signals and that frequency‐domain patterns provide benchmark properties to predict river metabolic regimes.
Estuarine residency and habitat preferences of Atlantic Tripletail in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Ushakow David , Briell Elliot , Olsen Zachary , Anderson Joel , Hartman Leslie
Published: June 2024

Objective

The Atlantic Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis is a globally distributed subtropical and tropical fish species that inhabits estuaries throughout the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), particularly during warm months. Little is known about distribution and residency patterns within estuaries, as the species is rarely caught in the recreational fishery, and virtually no commercial fishery exists for the species in the GOM.

Methods

We used data from a long-term fishery-independent gill-net survey to model estuarine distribution throughout Texas and to relate environmental variables to the Atlantic Tripletail catch.

Result

Although there were no observable temporal trends in catch over the time series (1990–2022), the most recent 6 years included record catch in six of the 10 major Texas estuaries, possibly indicating a recent pulse in abundance. Catch throughout the time series was spatially aggregated in a small number of “hot spots” observed coastwide. Latitude was the best predictor of catch, although wind fetch and wind aspect (wind direction in relation to shoreline direction) were important predictors, and catch was highest near GOM inlets. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department gill-net sampling program caught a range of Atlantic Tripletail between 171 and 880 mm total length, indicating a potential gear bias against juveniles.

Conclusion

Despite this gear bias, these data shed light on the factors that drive Atlantic Tripletail estuarine distribution and abundance in the northwestern GOM. Wind-driven passive movements in the estuary, combined with active selection of polyhaline habitats near GOM inlets, might be primary drivers of Atlantic Tripletail catch, thus supporting findings from previous studies.
Poly (adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase inhibitors in the treatment of triple‐negative breast cancer with homologous repair deficiency
Authors: Yuan Peng , Ma Nan , Xu Binghe
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly heterogeneous disease, and the presence of germline breast cancer gene mutation (gBRCAm) is associated with a poor prognosis. Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a BC subtype, characterized by the absence of hormone and growth factor receptor expression, making therapeutic decisions difficult. Defects in the DNA damage response pathway due to mutation in breast cancer genes (BRCA 1/2) lead to homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). However, in HRD conditions, poly (adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins repair DNA damage and lead to tumor cell survival. Biological understanding of HRD leads to the development of PARP inhibitors (PARPi), which trap PARP proteins and cause genomic instability and tumor cell lysis. HRD assessment can be an important biomarker in identifying gBRCAm patients with BC who could benefit from PARPi therapy. HRD can be identified by homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene‐based assays, genomic‐scarring assays and mutational signatures, transcription and protein expression profiles, and functional assays. However, gold standard methodologies that are robust and reliable to assess HRD are not available currently. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop accurate biomarkers identifying HRD tumors to guide targeted therapies such as PARPi in patients with BC. HRD assessment has shown fruitful outcomes in chemotherapy studies and preliminary evidence on PARPi intervention as monotherapy and combination therapy in HRD‐stratified patients. Furthermore, ongoing trials are exploring the potential of PARPi in BC and clinically complex TNBC settings, where HRD testing is used as an adjunct to stratify patients based on BRCA mutations.
Homozygous TNNI3 frameshift variant in a consanguineous family with lethal infantile dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kraoua Lilia , Louati Assaad , Ahmed Sarra Ben , Abida Nesrine , Khemiri Monia , Menif Khaled , Mrad Ridha , Zaffran Stéphane , Jaouadi Hager
Published: June 2024

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by dilatation of the left ventricle, systolic dysfunction, and normal or reduced thickness of the left ventricular wall. It is a leading cause of heart failure and cardiac death at a young age. Cases with neonatal onset DCM were correlated with severe clinical presentation and poor prognosis. A monogenic molecular etiology accounts for nearly half of cases.

Family description

Here, we report a family with three deceased offspring at the age of 1 year old. The autopsy of the first deceased infant revealed a DCM. The second infant presented a DCM phenotype with a severely reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) of 10%. Similarly, the third infant showed a severe DCM phenotype with LVEF of 30% as well, in addition to eccentric mitral insufficiency.

Results

Exome sequencing was performed for the trio (the second deceased infant and her parents). Data analysis following the autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance was carried out along with a mitochondrial pathways‐based analysis. We identified a homozygous frameshift variant in the TNNI3 gene (c.204delG; p.(Arg69AlafsTer8)). This variant has been recently reported in the ClinVar database in association with cardiac phenotypes as pathogenic or likely pathogenic and classified as pathogenic according to ACMG.

Conclusion

Genetic counseling was provided for the family and a prenatal diagnosis of choronic villus was proposed in the absence of pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis possibilities. Our study expands the case series of early‐onset DCM patients with a protein‐truncating variant in the TNNI3 gene by reporting three affected infant siblings.
Hopf bifurcation and limit cycle of the two‐variable Oregonator model for Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction
Authors: He Zecen , Zhao Yulin
Published: June 2024

This paper is concerned with a two‐variable Oregonator model for Belousov–Zhabotinsky Reaction. Llibre and Oliveira (2022) proved that Oregonator model with an unstable node or focus has at least one limit cycle in the positive quadrant, and the system has a unique stable limit cycle for some values of the parameters. It is shown in the present paper that the positive equilibrium is not a center, and that if the system has a positive equilibrium which is a weak focus, then its order is at most 2. There exist some parameter values such that system has
small limit cycle around the positive equilibrium.
Quantitative analysis of radiosensitizing effect for magnetic hyperthermia‐radiation combined therapy on prostate cancer cells
Authors: Heo Dan , Lokeshwar Bal L. , Barrett John T. , Mostafaei Farshad , Kwon Sang‐Ho , Huh Chulhaeng
Published: June 2024

Background

Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach in the field of radiation oncology due to its superior precision in controlling temperature and managing the heating area compared to conventional hyperthermia. Recent studies have proposed solutions to address clinical safety concerns associated with MHT, which arise from the use of highly concentrated magnetic nanoparticles and the strong magnetic field needed to induce hyperthermic effects. Despite these efforts, challenges remain in quantifying therapeutic outcomes and developing treatment plan systems for combining MHT with radiation therapy (RT).

Purpose

This study aims to quantitatively measure the therapeutic effect, including radiation dose enhancement (RDE) in the magnetic hyperthermia‐radiation combined therapy (MHRT), using the equivalent radiation dose (EQD) estimation method.

Methods

To conduct EQD estimation for MHRT, we compared the therapeutic effects between the conventional hyperthermia‐radiation combined therapy (HTRT) and MHRT in human prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and LNCaP. We adopted a clonogenic assay to validate RDE and the radiosensitizing effect induced by MHT. The data on survival fractions were analyzed using both the linear‐quadradic model and Arrhenius model to estimate the biological parameters describing RDE and radiosensitizing effect of MHRT for both cell lines through maximum likelihood estimation. Based on these parameters, a new survival fraction model was suggested for EQD estimation of MHRT.

Results

The newly designed model describing the MHRT effect, effectively captures the variations in thermal and radiation dose for both cell lines (R2 > 0.95), and its suitability was confirmed through the normality test of residuals. This model appropriately describes the survival fractions up to 10 Gy for PC3 cells and 8 Gy for LNCaP cells under RT‐only conditions. Furthermore, using the newly defined parameter r, the RDE effect was calculated as 29% in PC3 cells and 23% in LNCaP cells. EQDMHRT calculated through this model was 9.47 Gy for PC3 and 4.71 Gy for LNCaP when given 2 Gy and MHT for 30 min. Compared to EQDHTRT, EQDMHRT showed a 26% increase for PC3 and a 20% increase for LNCaP.

Conclusions

The proposed model effectively describes the changes of the survival fraction induced by MHRT in both cell lines and adequately represents actual data values through residual analysis. Newly suggested parameter r for RDE effect shows potential for quantitative comparisons between HTRT and MHRT, and optimizing therapeutic outcomes in MHRT for prostate cancer.
What students need to navigate academic standing and SAP policies
Authors: Taylor Z. W. , Pauter Sarah
Published: June 2024

As enrollment in higher education continues to decrease in U.S. institutions, enrollment managers need to explore every opportunity to retain the students they have. One process embedded within the academic and financial units of every institution of higher education are academic standing and satisfactory academic progress policies that dictate how students need to maintain certain grade point averages and paces of completion to maintain both academic standing and financial aid eligibility.
Novel chemokine biomarkers in melanoma†
Authors: Giubellino Alessio , Hamilton Sara E
Published: June 2024

The melanoma tumor microenvironment is a complex milieu of cancer, inflammatory, and stromal cells. In this context, chemokines play a pivotal role in recruiting inflammatory cells and influence the tumor, exerting both pro‐tumorigenic and anti‐tumoral roles. Interactions between these cells is what ultimately hold together and transform the tumor into an efficient machine. A recent study found that chemokines CCL8, CCL15, and CCL20 were upregulated in melanoma cells when co‐cultured with macrophages and were associated with poor survival rates. CCL8 and CCL15 also stimulated melanoma cell growth, invasion, and metastasis, and were highly expressed in tumors prone to metastasize, suggesting these chemokines are attractive and independent biomarkers. Understanding the intricated interactions within the tumor microenvironment could lead to prognostic biomarkers and to the development of new therapeutic strategies for melanoma. © 2024 The Author(s). The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
The role of proactive therapeutic drug monitoring in guiding infliximab therapeutic optimization in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease: A retrospective study
Authors: Song Junya , Zhang Huihui , Zhang Huihua , Xu Ximing , Liang Xiaohua , Liu Yongfang , Song Xiaomei , Guo Hong , Zhan Xue , Song Jinlin , Zhou Xiaoqin
Published: June 2024

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays an important role in guiding treatment plan adjustments and clinical outcomes in Crohn's disease. To evaluate the role of TDM‐guided optimization of infliximab dosage in patients with pediatric Crohn's disease. Medical records of patients with pediatric Crohn's disease who were treated with infliximab and had proactive TDM from June 2020 to June 2022 at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were included. Baseline influencing factors for infliximab trough concentration (TC) and clinical outcomes before and after the treatment change were analyzed to assess the value of adjusting treatment in the patients. Forty‐six patients (male‐to‐female ratio = 1.55:1, age <18 years) were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that hormone exposure (odds ratio: 0.042, 95% confidence interval: 0.002–0.924, p = 0.044), perianal lesions (5.813, 0.984–34.349, p = 0.052), simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (1.656, 1.065–2.577, p = 0.025), and total protein (TP) (0.851, 0.749–0.967, p = 0.014) were correlated with infliximab TC. Shortening the treatment interval increased the infliximab TC (pre vs. post = 1.69 ± 0.8 vs. 12.03 ± 6.64, p = 0.001, n = 12) after 93.9 ± 37.47 days, decreased the pediatric Crohn's disease activity index and simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease, and increased the biochemical remission, clinical remission, endoscopic remission, and endoscopic response rates; however, there was no statistical significance. Hormone exposure, perianal lesions, simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease, and TP levels before the first infliximab use affected the infliximab TC. Shortening the treatment interval can improve infliximab TC levels and clinical outcomes.
Improving the value of school professionals as partners in efforts to enhance recognition of and responses to youth sex trafficking
Authors: Baker Matthew , Winks Kaitlin M. H. , Rood Corey J. , Quas Jodi A. , Williams Shanna
Published: June 2024

Sex trafficking of minors is a significant problem across North America, with sizeable numbers of youth being directly or indirectly manipulated into being exploited or trafficked. Identification of these youth remains difficult, in part because of a lack of knowledge about common characteristics and in part because of victims' reluctance engaging with and trusting law enforcement enough to disclose their experiences. Given that many youth are trafficked during school‐aged years, school settings may represent an ideal location to target prevention and identification efforts, especially by health‐related school professionals, whose training, professional duties, and often positive relationships with youth may make the professionals trustworthy disclosure recipients. Whether such professionals are effective, though, depends on their knowledge of who is at risk for trafficking, characteristics that distinguish trafficking from other forms of harm, and effective questioning approaches to elicit disclosures from victimized youth. To document whether this knowledge exists, we surveyed 361 school‐based professionals concerning their ability to identify trafficking and knowledge of trafficking, adolescent development, and interviewing youth. Although nearly all (97%) school professionals recognized general student risk in the vignettes, only 18% identified that risk as trafficking. Professionals who had prior experience with trafficked youth were more likely to recognize trafficking than those without such experience. Finally, professionals evidenced some general knowledge about the existence of trafficking, adolescent development, and interviewing, but demonstrated more limited knowledge in the most common characteristics of trafficked minors and nuanced aspects of best‐practice questioning approaches. Results highlight important directions for training of school‐based professionals to improve prevention and identification of a highly vulnerable and often overlooked population of victims, namely trafficked minors.
Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots against Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Abbas Zahraa Neamah , Abdullah Hanaa N. , Hallaji Zahra , Ranjbar Bijan
Published: June 2024

Antimicrobial resistance occurs mostly through the ineffective and unauthorized use of antibiotics in both the environment and health care. Biofilms are a new target in the search for new antibacterial agents. Here, the sol‐gel method is used to produce zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO‐QDs). The ZnO‐QDs show yellow emission at 526 nm under 360 nm excitation. After that, the ability of ZnO‐QDs as an antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is examined. The 100 samples are collected from patients with hospital‐acquired infections between December 2020 and October 2021 from Imamen Kadhmiyan Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (Iraq). Out of these 100 samples, 63 are S. aureus and 20 out of 63 are MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration assay demonstrates the antibacterial activity of ZnO‐QDs on MRSA strains. Also, results show that 80, 5, and 15% of isolated MRSA strains produce strong, moderate, and weak or very weak biofilm, respectively. The effect of ZnO‐QDs on strong and moderate biofilms reveal that QDs could also inhibit and destroy biofilm produced by MRSA. In addition, the antibiofilm effect of ZnO‐QDs is greater than their antibacterial effect. Generally, this work offers new insights into the development of antibacterial and antibiofilm nanomaterials.
Precision medicine approaches in epilepsy: A systematic review of genetic markers and personalized treatment strategies
Authors: Agarwal Aman , Kaur Ravneet , Ashfaque Faiza , Hadi Zeenat , Anis Muhammad Wajeeh , Ali Ahila , Ochani Simran , Hasibuzzaman Md. Al
Published: June 2024

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases globally. We conducted a systematic review of the genetic markers and personalized treatment strategies used in the precision medicine treatment of epilepsy. An exhaustive electronic search was carried out on PubMed and Google Scholar, spanning from inception up to June 2023 on epilepsy and biomarkers. A total of 45 articles from PubMed and 19 articles from Google Scholar were imported and screened based on studies that focused primarily on genetic markers and precision methods for epilepsy subtyping, treatment strategies, outcomes, and adverse effects. Reviews and studies not in English were excluded. Full‐text data extraction, coding, and analysis were carried out with Microsoft Excel. For the risk of bias assessment of the final included studies, the Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist was used. A total of 19 studies were analyzed in the review. The SLC35A2 gene saw a reduction in seizure frequency with d‐galactose treatment while the KCNQ2 gene saw improvement with phenytoin, carbamazepine, and retigabine. GRIN2D gene saw varying improvements with memantine. KCNT1 gene saw improvement with only a combination of quinidine and topiramate, quinidine was not useful when used alone. Other studies involved the identification of different markers using gene and exome sequencing. These studies collectively provide a diverse range of insights into epilepsy, with variations in study design, sample size, age groups, and diagnostic criteria, highlighting the multifaceted nature of epilepsy research. These studies contribute to our understanding of epilepsy diagnosis and management in different clinical settings, however, there were some limitations such as QT prolongation was observed with specific medications and participant heterogeneity. Small sample sizes reduced statistical power and brief durations of studies limited their ability for long‐term analysis. Although most studies had a low risk of bias, two studies demonstrated some reporting bias. Fianlly, the absence of biomarkers is a limitation that impedes the study's capacity to explore underlying biological mechanisms.
Impact of obesity and roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass on the pharmacokinetics of (R)‐ and (S)‐omeprazole and intragastric pH
Authors: Pippa Leandro F. , Vozmediano Valvanera , Mitrov‐Winkelmolen Lieke , Touw Daan , Soliman Amira , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Salgado Junior Wilson , de Moraes Natalia Valadares
Published: June 2024

This study employed physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamics (PBPK/PD) modeling to predict the effect of obesity and gastric bypass surgery on the pharmacokinetics and intragastric pH following omeprazole treatment. The simulated plasma concentrations closely matched the observed data from non‐obese, morbidly obese, and post‐gastric bypass populations. Obesity significantly reduces CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 activities, as reflected by the metabolic ratio [omeprazole sulphone]/[omeprazole] and [5‐hydroxy‐omeprazole]/[omeprazole]. The morbidly obese model accounted for the down‐regulation of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 to recapitulate the observed data. Sensitivity analysis showed that intestinal CYP3A4, gastric pH, small intestine bypass, and the delay in bile release do not have a major influence on omeprazole exposure. Hepatic CYP3A4 had a significant impact on the AUC of (S)‐omeprazole, while hepatic CYP2C19 affected both (R)‐ and (S)‐omeprazole AUC. After gastric bypass surgery, the activity of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 is restored. The PBPK model was linked to a mechanism‐based PD model to assess the effect of omeprazole on intragastric pH. Following 40 mg omeprazole, the mean intragastric pH was 4.3, 4.6, and 6.6 in non‐obese, obese, and post‐gastric bypass populations, and the daily time with pH >4 was 14.7, 16.4, and 24 h. Our PBPK/PD approach provides a comprehensive understating of the impact of obesity and weight loss on CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 activity and omeprazole pharmacokinetics. Given that simulated intragastric pH is relatively high in post‐RYGB patients, irrespective of the dose of omeprazole, additional clinical outcomes are imperative to assess the effect of proton pump inhibitor in preventing marginal ulcers in this population.
Thermoelectric Properties of Line‐Node Dirac Semimetal and Topological Insulating Phase in Hexagonal Pnictide CaAgAs
Authors: Kumar Narender , Sheoran Nisha , Saini Hardev S.
Published: June 2024

The structural, electronic, and transport properties of CaAgAs, a recently predicted topological nodal line semimetal, are investigated using density‐functional theory with spin–orbit coupling (SOC) and Boltzmann transport theory. The material exhibits a topological phase transition from a nodal line semimetal to a topological insulator (TI) phase as a result of the SOC effect. The Voigt–Reuss–Hill approximation is used to compute various mechanical properties. The calculated Seebeck coefficient ≈153.19 μV K−1, power factor ≈5.9 × 1011 W m−1 K−2 s−1, and lattice thermal conductivity ≈6.20 W m−1 K−1 suggest that CaAgAs have superior thermoelectric performance compared to other well‐known predicted thermoelectric materials. The calculated value of figure of merit for without (NSOC) is 0.34, which increases to 0.43 with SOC at 500 K. In these findings, the potential of CaAgAs is reflected as a thermoelectric material, attributed to the topological phase transition induced by SOC.
The Task‐Sharing Path to Safe and Accessible Anaesthesia Care in India: The Role of Professional Associations in Health Policy Reform
Authors: Roy Nobhojit , Bhushan Pranav , Mohan Monali , Paonaskar Amal
Published: June 2024

The worldwide anaesthesia workforce shortage is a concern and ‘shared responsibility’ for all the national or state anaesthetic societies and Ministries of Health. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery estimated the need for 143 million additional surgeries each year globally. These would be included in the World Health Organization's (WHO) 44 essential surgeries to be performed at district hospitals. However, insufficient availability of safe anaesthesia is a key barrier. The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) recommends at least five specialist physician‐anaesthesia providers per 100,000 population. India requires at least 60,000 additional physician‐anaesthesiologists over the next 10 years. This paper discusses the two‐decade journey of a policy initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in India to create a new category of a physician with Life Saving Anaesthetic Skills (LSAS). This addressed the shortage of anaesthetists specifically for the dire emergency obstetric situations at the First Referral hospitals. The annual training capacity for physicians for LSAS training was 40–100 in 5 of the poorest states of India, with the maximum shortages of anaesthetists. On following up a sample of 838 LSAS physicians, only about two‐thirds were able to practice their life‐saving skills. The MoHFW innovated further by pairing a physician trained in Emergency Obstetric Care with an LSAS‐physician (buddy‐pairing) as a functioning team. For comparison, we discuss the midwife model supported by the professional association of obstetricians in India. The flexible, ‘team‐based’ task‐sharing approach optimizes anaesthesia care within available resources. Leadership and vision from the professional societies of anaesthesiology are key to policy reform in India. National engagement can be facilitated through support for district‐level non‐specialist physician provider with life‐saving anaesthesia skills training, engagement in research and formulation of the national surgical and anaesthesia plans to achieve universal healthcare in India.
Is a more physical representation of aerosol chemistry needed for fog forecasting?
Authors: Bhowmik Moumita , Hazra Anupam , Ghude Sachin D. , Wagh Sandeep , Chowdhury Rituparna , Parde Avinash N. , Govardhan Gaurav , Gultepe Ismail , Rajeevan M.
Published: June 2024

With the changing climate, the study of fog formation is essential due to the impact of the complexity of natural and anthropogenic aerosols. The evolution of the droplet size distribution in the presence of different aerosol species remains poorly understood. To make progress towards reducing the uncertainty of fog forecasts, the Eulerian–Lagrangian particle‐based small‐scale model for the diffusional growth of droplets is used to better understand the droplet activation and growth. The small‐scale model simulations are performed using observed data from the Winter Fog Experiment study over Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The microphysical properties, such as droplet number concentrations (Nd) and liquid water content (LWC), important for fog simulation, are evaluated to gain more insights. The small‐scale simulations have shown the droplet microphysical properties at different evolutionary stages. The Nd and effective radius change with variations in LWC for different aerosol chemistries (i.e., organics, mix, and inorganic). The calculated visibility at small scale is also shown with the variation of Nd and LWC. This study compared visibility from an existing parametrization with parcel–direct numerical simulation calculation. The hygroscopicity , which is highly related to the activation of aerosols to condensation nuclei, is taken into account to demonstrate the contribution of aerosol chemistry to fog droplet formation. The results highlight that hygroscopicity is essential in the numerical model for fog and visibility prediction as the microphysical properties of fog are regulated by aerosol species.
A moisture budget perspective on Australian rainfall variability
Authors: Pariyar Sunil Kumar , Liguori Giovanni , Jakob Christian , Singh Martin S. , Reeder Michael J. , Barnes Michael A.
Published: June 2024

Rainfall variability over Australia is revisited from the viewpoint of the atmospheric moisture budgets in three regions: the extratropics, Subtropics, and Tropics. The budgets are calculated using three‐hourly European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) and ERA5‐Land data between 1979 and 2022. The use of the moisture budget at short time‐scales enables the investigation of the relationship between synoptic weather‐scale processes and the longer term variability of the rainfall climate. The total variability in the vertically integrated moisture flux divergence (VIMD) is significantly larger than the evaporation minus precipitation (E − P), to a large extent due to the sub‐daily time‐scales. E − P is related more closely to moisture flux convergence in winter (summer) over south (north) Australia, suggesting a clear seasonality in the relationship between the two budget terms. The E − P–VIMD relationship is nearly in phase in the Tropics, whereas VIMD leads E − P by 9–15 hr with eastward‐propagating signals in the extratropics and Subtropics. Such seasonal and regional discrepancies in the relationship are attributed to the background state of moisture availability and temperature as represented by relative humidity and lifting condensation levels. The variability of the budget imbalance and its seasonality are dominated by the variability in VIMD. The imbalance reduces rapidly with temporal smoothing, with the storage term approaching zero at approximately 20 days, which can be thought of as making a transition time‐scale from high‐frequency weather‐related variability into slow‐varying background conditions. Weather‐related variability (cyclones, fronts, and thunderstorms) dominates the overall E − P variability in the extratropics and Subtropics, whereas slow‐varying background conditions contribute equally to the total variability in the Tropics.
A Scalable Quantum Gate‐Based Implementation for Causal Hypothesis Testing
Authors: Kundu Akash , Acharya Tamal , Sarkar Aritra
Published: June 2024

In this work, a scalable quantum gate‐based algorithm for accelerating causal inference is introduced. Specifically, the formalism of causal hypothesis testing presented in [Nat Commun 10, 1472 (2019)] is considered. Through the algorithm, the existing definition of error probability is generalized, which is a metric to distinguish between two competing causal hypotheses, to a practical scenario. The results on the Qiskit validate the predicted speedup and show that in the realistic scenario, the error probability depends on the distance between the competing hypotheses. To achieve this, the causal hypotheses are embedded as a circuit construction of the oracle. Furthermore, by assessing the complexity involved in implementing the algorithm's subcomponents, a numerical estimation of the resources required for the algorithm is offered. Finally, applications of this framework for causal inference use cases in bioinformatics and artificial general intelligence are discussed.
Highly precise community science annotations of video camera‐trapped fauna in challenging environments
Authors: Arandjelovic Mimi , Stephens Colleen R. , Dieguez Paula , Maldonado Nuria , Bocksberger Gaëlle , Després‐Einspenner Marie‐Lyne , Debetencourt Benjamin , Estienne Vittoria , Kalan Ammie K. , McCarthy Maureen S. , Granjon Anne‐Céline , Städele Veronika , Harder Briana , Hacker Lucia , Landsmann Anja , Lynn Laura K. , Pfund Heidi , Ročkaiová Zuzana , Sigler Kristeena , Widness Jane , Wilken Heike , Buzharevski Antonio , Goffe Adeelia S. , Havercamp Kristin , Luncz Lydia L. , Sirianni Giulia , Wessling Erin G. , Wittig Roman M. , Boesch Christophe , Kühl Hjalmar S.
Published: June 2024

As camera trapping grows in popularity and application, some analytical limitations persist including processing time and accuracy of data annotation. Typically images are recorded by camera traps although videos are becoming increasingly collected even though they require much more time for annotation. To overcome limitations with image annotation, camera trap studies are increasingly linked to community science (CS) platforms. Here, we extend previous work on CS image annotations to camera trap videos from a challenging environment; a dense tropical forest with low visibility and high occlusion due to thick canopy cover and bushy undergrowth at the camera level. Using the CS platform Chimp&See, established for classification of 599 956 video clips from tropical Africa, we assess annotation precision and accuracy by comparing classification of 13 531 1‐min video clips by a professional ecologist (PE) with output from 1744 registered, as well as unregistered, Chimp&See community scientists. We considered 29 classification categories, including 17 species and 12 higher‐level categories, in which phenotypically similar species were grouped. Overall, annotation precision was 95.4%, which increased to 98.2% when aggregating similar species groups together. Our findings demonstrate the competence of community scientists working with camera trap videos from even challenging environments and hold great promise for future studies on animal behaviour, species interaction dynamics and population monitoring.
Bidirectional Voltage Regulation for Integrated Photovoltachromic Device Based on P3HT‐Electrochromic Unit and Perovskite/Organic Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Bai Yiming , Tian Shilei , Guan Yuzhe , Wang Xi , Wang Fuzhi , Li Meicheng , Tan Zhan'ao , Liu Guicheng
Published: June 2024

Integrated electrochromic devices powered by photovoltaic cells have evoked a lot of interest due to their promising commercial prospects. However, their application has been restricted by the voltage adaption between the self‐powered voltage and the color‐changing threshold voltage (Vt). Herein, a strategy of bidirectional voltage regulating is proposed to develop a novel stand‐alone integrated photovoltachromic device (I‐PVCD), which integrates perovskite/organic tandem solar cells (P/O‐TSCs) to drive color‐changing process of conjugated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films. To lower the driving‐voltage of electrochromic layer, C60 is introduced to decrease the onset oxidation potential of P3HT film, and thus leading to a reduced Vt of 0.70 V benefiting from the enhanced highest occupied molecular orbital level and decreased charge transfer resistance from 67.46 to 49.89 Ω. Simultaneously, PBDB‐T is utilized as the hole transport layer in the interconnecting layer of CsPbI2Br/PTB7‐Th:IEICO‐4F P/O‐TSC to improve its open‐circuit voltage (Voc) to 1.85 V. Under their synergetic merits, a I‐PVCD with a wider self‐adaptive voltage range is achieved. This device can undergo fast and reversible chromic transition from beautiful magenta to transparent only under the solar radiation, and demonstrates a coloration efficiency of 351.90 cm2 C−1 and a switching time of 2 s besides its excellent operating reliability.
Strain‐Induced Martensitic Transformation and the Mechanism of Wear and Rolling Contact Fatigue of AISI 301LN Metastable Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Leso Tshenolo P. , Mukarati Tulani W. , Mostert Roelf J. , Siyasiya Charles W.
Published: June 2024

AISI 301LN metastable austenitic stainless steels (MASSs) are known to exhibit high work‐hardening rates attributed to martensite evolution during straining which results in the second‐phase strengthening mechanism. This enhances surface hardness and potentially reduces wear and rolling contact fatigue (RCF). The aim of this study is therefore to evaluate the work hardening, wear, and RCF performance of AISI 301LN metastable austenitic stainless steel as a possible alternative material for rolling and sliding applications by varying the contact conditions such as slip ratio against the standard R350HT rail steel using a twin‐disc simulator. The results show that 301LN MASS has high surface work hardening and increased hardness because of martensitic transformation, while R350HT rail steel has only slightly changed. The formation of a hard martensitic phase is also confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis as well as by two other techniques, indicating a secondary hardening effect. Although it shows potential for work hardening, its susceptibility to wear‐related problems may make it less suitable for rolling and sliding applications due to a cracking and spalling mechanism induced by martensite formation. The surface strains required for the observed martensite formation are calculated and found to be very high, approaching 0.4.
Effect of Calcium Addition on Oxide and Sulfide Inclusions in Heavy Steel Ingot Simulated by Lab Experiments
Authors: Zhu Tanhua , Gao Xiaoyong , Li Yaoqiang , Zhang Lifeng
Published: June 2024

The effect of calcium addition on inclusions (oxides and sulfides) in heavy steel ingot is investigated via lab experiments and thermodynamic calculation. The characteristics (chemistry, size, morphology, and number) of inclusions in the steel samples are investigated by scanning electron microscope with an energy‐dispersive spectrometer. The three‐dimensional morphology of inclusions is investigated by the nonaqueous solution electrolysis method. Inclusions in the fast‐quenched steel are changed from Al2O3 to Al2O3–CaO, Al2O3–CaO–CaS, and CaS after Ca addition. After slow cooling, inclusions in the solid steels are changed from Al2O3, single MnS, and Al2O3–MnS complex inclusions to Al2O3–CaO–CaS–MnS and CaS–MnS. The evolution trajectory of inclusions is Al2O3→Al2O3–CaO→Al2O3–CaO–CaS→Al2O3–CaO–CaS–MnS. With increasing Ca content in the steel, the number density and proportion of single MnS inclusions decrease. The formation mechanism of inclusions after Ca addition is explained by thermodynamic calculation.
Effects of guanidino acetic acid and betaine supplementation on growth, dietary nutrient digestion and intestinal creatine metabolism in sheep
Authors: Ma Chen , Yimamu Mireguli , Zhang Shiqi , Shah Ali Mujtaba , Yang Hao , Cai Wenjie , Li Chaonan , Lu Xuejie , Li Fengming , Yang Kailun
Published: June 2024

Background

The intestine of young ruminants is in the developmental stage and has weaker resistance to the changes of external environment. Improving intestinal health is vital to promoting growth of young ruminants. This study investigated effects of guanidino acetic acid (GAA) and rumen‐protected betaine (RPB) supplementation on growth, dietary nutrient digestion and GAA metabolism in the small intestine of sheep.

Methods

Eighteen healthy Kazakh rams (27.46 ± 0.10 kg of body weight and 3‐month old) were categorized into control, test group I and test group II, which were fed a basal diet, 1500 mg/kg GAA and 1500 mg/kg GAA + 600 mg/kg RPB, respectively.

Results

Compared with control group, test group II had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, plasma creatine level, ether extract (EE) and phosphorus digestibility on day 30. On day 60, the EE apparent digestibility, jugular venous plasma GAA, GAA content in the duodenal mucosa and GAA content in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of test group II were higher (p < 0.05) than other groups. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the duodenal pathways of oxidative phosphorylation and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease were significantly altered in test group II versus test group I (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the jejunum, the MAPK signalling pathway, complement and coagulation cascade and B‐cell receptor signalling pathway were significantly enriched, with ATPase, solute carrier transporter protein, DHFR, SI, GCK, ACACA and FASN being the significantly DEGs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Dietary supplementation of RPB on top of GAA in sheep diets may promote sheep growth and development by improving the body's energy, amino acid, glucose and lipid metabolism capacity.
Effect of silica‐sprayed collection tubes on synovial fluid bacterial culture
Authors: Jimenez Rihuete Pablo , Martin Carolynn , Villarino Nicolas F. , Rubio‐Martínez Luis M.
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Silica‐sprayed tubes (SSTs) are often used to transport synovial fluid samples in equine practice. They promote the coagulation of the sample. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of SST on bacterial culture.

Materials and methods

The study was divided into two parts: sterile saline (Part A) and synovial fluid (Part B). Four common bacteria associated with equine synovial sepsis were used: Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Three collection tubes were used: STT, plain (no‐additives) and brain and heart infusion (BHI) broth. Bacteria were cultured in horse blood agar plates for 48 h. Outcome variables were negative culture, positive culture and total number of colony‐forming units (CFUs). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test, and significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The total number of agar plates read was 1557 (779 saline; 778 synovial fluid). Total negative cultures were 25/779 on saline and 3/778 on synovial fluid. In broth, maximum growth CFU was achieved after 8 h for both saline and synovial fluid for all bacteria. S. pyogenesand E. coli produced a significantly lower number of CFU when in SST compared to plain or broth after 4 h, whereas S. aureus (American Type Culture Collection [ATCC] and MRSA) only after 24 h.

Discussion

Silica‐containing tubes reduced bacterial proliferation, whereas the use of a BHI broth provided the highest bacterial load in the sample. The use of SST may have a negative effect on bacterial proliferation in samples obtained from clinical cases.
Tracking melioidosis in Iran: Utilizing abattoir‐based surveillance as a One Health approach
Authors: Mosavari Nader , Bashashati Mohsen , Dehghanpour Mahdi , Abdolvand Mohsen , Heshmatinia Faezeh , Sabouri Fereshteh , Dashtipour Shojaat , Hosseini Saeid Mohammad , Najafpour Reza , Baradaran‐Seyed Zahra
Published: June 2024

Background

Burkholderia pseudomallei, an environmental saprophyte bacterium, causes melioidosis in humans and animals. It was first discovered in Iran between 1967 and 1976 in small ruminants, equines, environments and humans. No subsequent studies have been conducted to determine the existence and prevalence of this pathogen in the country.

Objectives

The present study aims to monitor the presence of B. pseudomallei in the ruminant population of the Golestan province of Iran, which largely depends on pastures. The ruminants can serve as sentinels to indicate the presence of the bacteria in the environment and its potential impact on human health in the One Health triad.

Methods

Liver and lung abscesses from domestic sheep, cattle and goats in three industrial and three conventional slaughterhouses were sampled and analysed using 23S ribosomal DNA polymerase chain reaction (rDNA PCR) with primers CVMP 23‐1 and CVP‐23‐2 for B. pseudomallei, Burkholderia cepacia and Burkholderia vietnamiensis, as well as B. pseudomallei–specific TTS1 real‐time PCR, along with microbiological and biochemical assays.

Results

Out of the 97 animals sampled, only 14 (15%) tested positive for 23S rDNA PCR. However, the follow‐up evaluation using TTS1 real‐time PCR and microbiological and biochemical assays did not confirm the presence of B. pseudomallei in the samples.

Conclusions

Although B. pseudomallei was not detected in the current survey, conducting abattoir‐based surveillance of ruminants is a cost‐effective One Health approach to monitor pathogenic Burkholderia. Developing standards of clinical and laboratory good practices for Burkholderia infections is crucial for One Health surveillance.
Critical upper gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to pine stall shaving ingestion and mechanical gastritis in a young dog
Authors: Bowen Caitlin M. , Reems Miryam
Published: June 2024

An 8‐month‐old, male, entire Staffordshire terrier was presented for acute lethargy. The patient was severely anaemic. Diagnostic and clinical findings indicated severe upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage of unknown aetiology. Large‐volume transfusion (a total of 64.2 mL/kg of blood product) and medical management resulted in fleeting stabilisation. Serial imaging documented persistent non‐obstructive foreign material within the stomach. Due to continued gastrointestinal haemorrhage, failure to respond to medical management, and the persistent abnormal material within the stomach, surgical exploration was recommended. Exploratory laparotomy and gastrotomy resulted in the removal of a large volume of pine stall shavings. There was gross evidence of diffuse mucosal haemorrhage and mechanical gastritis. No additional blood product was required following gastrotomy. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of a dog with critical bleeding necessitating large‐volume transfusion due to mechanical gastritis from ingestion of pine stall shavings, a material which is typically considered innocuous.
Endoscopic diagnosis of an obstructive fungal ball in the urethra of a dog
Authors: Langton Sarah , Burchell Richard
Published: June 2024

A 1‐year‐old, male, neutered German shepherd dog was presented for a chronic atraumatic non‐healing fracture of the right accessory carpal bone, stranguria and polyuria/polydipsia. Biochemistry and urinalysis showed azotaemia. Ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen both demonstrated bilateral renal infarcts with pyelectasia, bilateral ureteral dilation and bladder distension. Cystoscopy of the bladder identified a fungal ball obstructing the pelvic urethral sphincter, which was adhered to the bladder mucosa in the region of the ureterovesicular junction. The obstruction was traversed endoscopically, but could not be removed transurethrally. The combination of elevated serum galactomannan titres (6.4) and Aspergillus terreus cultured from urine, confirmed a diagnosis of disseminated aspergillosis. The dog was euthanased due to poor quality of life, guarded prognosis and lengthy timeframe before an expected medical response. This is the first case report describing Aspergillus fungal balls in a dog causing partial urethral and bilateral ureteral obstruction, identified using cystoscopy.
Interculturalism
Authors: McIvor Charlotte , Walsh Ian R.
Published: June 2024

In the past twenty-five years Ireland has experienced unprecedented diversification of its population. This led the Republic of Ireland to embrace a series of intercultural policies in the arts sector. The Northern Irish Arts Council also adopted intercultural arts policies, although the context in the North is defined by relations between Catholic/Republicans and Protestant/Loyalist communities in addition to the inclusion and integration of minority ethnic and/or migrant groups. This chapter presents the following three frameworks paired with relevant case studies for studying interculturalism in contemporary Irish theatre:

Interculturalism’s Irish Historical Legacies (Conall Morrison’s The Bacchae of Baghdad (After Euripides)).

Cross-Cultural Collaborative Relationships (Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre’s The Bull).

Contemporary Minority-led interculturalisms (Terra Nova Productions, Arrivals Project: Arrivals 1, Arrivals 2, Arrivals 3D: Mi Mundo).