bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depiction rate of feeding arteries of renal cell carcinoma on four-dimensional computed tomography angiography
Authors: Munetomo Kazuaki , Matsui Yusuke , Tomita Koji , Uka Mayu , Umakoshi Noriyuki , Kawabata Takahiro , Morimitsu Yusuke , Iguchi Toshihiro , Hiraki Takao
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate the depiction rate of feeding arteries in biopsy-proven clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) on four-dimensional computed tomography angiography (4D-CTA) images.

Materials and methods

This study included 22 patients with 22 CCRCC and 30 feeding arteries treated with transcatheter renal artery embolization. The depiction rate of the feeding arteries on preprocedural 4D-CTA was evaluated. Images were acquired by 320-row multi-detector computed tomography (CT) 15‒36 s after starting to inject a contrast agent (600 mg/kg iodine) intravenously into patients at 2.1 s intervals (11 phases). Two board-certified radiologists retrospectively assessed the feeder depiction rate in all 11 phases with reference to the procedural images as the gold standard. Discrepancies were resolved by consultation with a third radiologist.

Results

Among the feeders, 11 (36.7%) were segmental or lobar, and 19 (63.3%) were interlobar or arcuate arteries. The feeder depiction rate was the highest (25 [83.3%] of 30) in the 5th phase (delay, 23.4 s) where the gap in contrast enhancement between the renal artery and cortex was the largest. This was followed by the 6th (23 [76.7%] of 30), 4th (22 [73.3%] of 30]), and 7th (21 [70.0%] of 30) phases. The overall rate of depicting feeding arteries in the 11 phases of 4D-CTA was 28 (93.3%) of 30.

Conclusions

The depiction rate of CCRCC feeding arteries including lobar or smaller artery branches by 4D-CTA was favorable. The feeding arteries were optimally visualized during the phase with the largest contrast gap between the renal artery and cortex.
Seminal vesicle metastasis from transverse colon adenocarcinoma: a unique case report
Authors: Arenas Hoyos Juliana , Serrano Giraldo Julian , Gutierrez Rojas Andres Felipe
Published: February 2024

Background

Seminal vesicle metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma is very rare, with only two case reports in the literature. Also, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging in the diagnosis of seminal vesicle tumors seems to have a promising role in its detection, but there have been few reports about its use, in part due to the rarity of the disease.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 64-year-old male patient with colon adenocarcinoma who at 6 years after the diagnosis presented with metastasis to the seminal vesicles, which responded remarkably to chemotherapy, but 2 years later had a relapse at the seminal vesicles. Imaging with PET/CT was helpful for the diagnosis of this case.

Conclusion

Our case is unique, as there are no previous reports in the literature on the relapse of metastatic colon adenocarcinoma in the seminal vesicles. Imaging with PET/CT showed compromise of the seminal vesicles in our case; hence, this imaging technique seems to have a promising role in detecting metastatic seminal vesicle tumors.
Identification and quantification of projectile impact marks on bone: new experimental insights using osseous points
Authors: Yeshurun Reuven , Doyon Luc , Tejero José-Miguel , Walter Rudolf , Huber Hannah , Andrews Robin , Kitagawa Keiko
Published: February 2024

Shifts in projectile technology potentially document human evolutionary milestones, such as adaptations for different environments and settlement dynamics. A relatively direct proxy for projectile technology is projectile impact marks (PIM) on archaeological bones. Increasing awareness and publication of experimental data sets have recently led to more identifications of PIM in various contexts, but diagnosing PIM from other types of bone-surface modifications, quantifying them, and inferring point size and material from the bone lesions need more substantiation. Here, we focus on PIM created by osseous projectiles, asking whether these could be effectively identified and separated from lithic-tipped weapons. We further discuss the basic question raised by recent PIM research in zooarchaeology: why PIM evidence is so rare in archaeofaunal assemblages (compared to other human-induced marks), even when they are explicitly sought. We present the experimental results of shooting two ungulate carcasses with bone and antler points, replicating those used in the early Upper Paleolithic of western Eurasia. Half of our hits resulted in PIM, confirming that this modification may have been originally abundant. However, we found that the probability of a skeletal element to be modified with PIM negatively correlates with its preservation potential, and that much of the produced bone damage would not be identifiable in a typical Paleolithic faunal assemblage. This quantification problem still leaves room for an insightful qualitative study of PIM. We complement previous research in presenting several diagnostic marks that retain preservation potential and may be used to suggest osseous, rather than lithic, projectile technology.
A Comparison of Statistical Methods for Studying Interactions of Chemical Mixtures
Authors: Kundu Debamita , Kim Sungduk , Ward Mary H. , Albert Paul S.
Published: February 2024

Properly assessing the effects of environmental chemical exposures on disease risk remains a challenging problem in environmental epidemiology. Various analytic approaches have been proposed, but there are few papers that have compared the performance of different statistical methods on a single dataset. In this paper, we compare different regression-based approaches for estimating interactions between chemical mixture components using data from a case–control study on non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. An analytic challenge is the high percentage of exposures that are below the limit of detection (LOD). Using imputation for LOD, we compare different Bayesian shrinkage prior approaches including an approach that incorporates the hierarchical principle where interactions are only included when main effects exist. Further, we develop an approach where main and interactive effects are represented by a series of distinct latent functions. We also fit the Bayesian kernel machine regression to these data. All of these approaches show little evidence of an interaction among the chemical mixtures when measurements below the LOD were imputed. The imputation approach makes very strong assumptions about the relationship between exposure and disease risk for measurements below the LOD. As an alternative, we show the results of an analysis where we model the exposure relationship with two parameters per mixture component; one characterizing the effect of being below the LOD and the other being a linear effect above the LOD. In this later analysis, we identify numerous strong interactions that were not identified in the analyses with imputation. This case study demonstrated the importance of developing new approaches for mixtures when the proportions of exposure measurements below the LOD are high.
Hydrothermally synthetized WO3 coated stainless steel mesh for oil–water separation purposes
Authors: Nouri Mohammad , Sadeghi Mohammad Taghi , Rashidi AliMorad , Norouzbeigi Reza
Published: February 2024

To separate oil–water mixtures especially in oil field operations, new energy-efficient methods are urgently required. Conventional separation techniques using demulsifiers for separation of oil–water mixtures or even use of membranes usually suffered from high cost and energy consumption, composition dependency of demulsifiers and fouling or inability of a single membrane to separate all types of oil–water mixtures. This research aimed to synthesize tungsten oxide-coated stainless steel mesh using the hydrothermal method, with a focus on evaluating its effectiveness in oil–water separation. The coating procedure was carried out using hydrothermal techniques, with an emphasis on investigating the impact of precursor concentration, pH levels, reaction temperature and duration, on the separation efficiency of the optimal coating solution. The hydrothermally coated stainless steel mesh was created within a polytetrafluoroethylene reaction vessel, submerged in a 150 ml aqueous solution containing 0.0094 mol of sodium tungstate di-hydrate at pH 3.0, achieved through the addition of hydrochloric acid. Additionally, 1 g of oxalic acid, acting as a chelating agent, was introduced. Subsequently, the mesh underwent a 4 h reaction at 220 °C and was subsequently annealed for 30 min in a 350 °C furnace. Remarkably, the resultant mesh exhibited an exceptional water separation flux of 9870 ± 15 L/hr/m2 when exposed to 1:1 v/v oil–water mixtures. This performance significantly outperformed previous filters designed for similar oil–water separation tasks. The mesh efficiently facilitated the passage of water through the oil–water mixture, achieving an efficiency rate exceeding 98 ± 1%. To gauge its wetting behavior, the hydrophilic/underwater oleophobic filter underwent static contact angle measurements. The filter's wetting mechanism was primarily attributed to its hierarchical surface structure, which enhanced surface hydrophilicity and roughness. Analytical techniques such as XRD, FTIR, and FE-SEM were employed to scrutinize the fabricated filter's composition. These analyses confirmed the successful creation of a nanostructured WO3 coating on both sides of the stainless steel mesh. Moreover, the utilization of commercially available chemicals and straightforward fabrication techniques underscores the promising potential of this approach for large-scale applications.
Large Language Models, Agency, and Why Speech Acts are Beyond Them (For Now) – A Kantian-Cum-Pragmatist Case
Authors: Gubelmann Reto
Published: February 2024

This article sets in with the question whether current or foreseeable transformer-based large language models (LLMs), such as the ones powering OpenAI’s ChatGPT, could be language users in a way comparable to humans. It answers the question negatively, presenting the following argument. Apart from niche uses, to use language means to act. But LLMs are unable to act because they lack intentions. This, in turn, is because they are the wrong kind of being: agents with intentions need to be autonomous organisms while LLMs are heteronomous mechanisms. To conclude, the article argues, based on structural aspects of transformer-based LLMs, that these LLMs have taken a first step away from mechanistic artificiality to autonomous self-constitution, which means that these models are (slowly) moving into a direction that someday might result in non-human, but equally non-artificial agents, thus subverting the time-honored Kantian distinction between organism and mechanism.
Die israelische Justizreform im Kontext der Verfassungsentwicklungen im Nahen Osten
Authors: Demmelhuber Thomas , Lintl Peter
Published: February 2024

In Zeiten politischer Veränderungen wird um Verfassungen besonders gerungen. Der Nahe Osten und Nordafrika bietet hierfür insbesondere seit den politischen Umbrüchen ab 2010 zahlreiche Beispiele. Vorliegender Beitrag zeigt zunächst die Bedeutung von Verfassungen unabhängig des Regimetypus auf und veranschaulicht, wie auch in autokratischen Ordnungen um Verfassungen gestritten wird und sie für unterschiedliche Herrschaftszwecke instrumentalisiert werden. Am Fallbeispiel der israelischen Demokratie und ihrem Ringen um eine Verfassung zeigen wir einerseits, wie das Fehlen einer Verfassung auch zu Legitimationsproblemen der de facto vorliegenden Verfassungsorgane führt. Andererseits untersuchen wir, wie sich das Ringen um die Justizreform in Israel in unterschiedliche Prozesse der Staatenbildung, Verfassungsentwicklung und politischer Umbrüche in der Region des Nahen Ostens einbetten lässt.
Effect of Statins for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease According to the Fatty Liver Index
Authors: Yoo Joonsang , Jeon Jimin , Baik Minyoul , Kim Jinkwon
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the primary preventive effect of statins on CVD according to the level of fatty liver index (FLI), which is a marker of NAFLD.

Methods

We conducted a nested case–control study on the basis of a nationwide health screening cohort in Korea. The participants were divided into tertiles (T1, T2, and T3) according to their FLI score. Cases were defined as individuals who developed CVD (composite of myocardial infarction and stroke). Three controls were matched to each case and multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

Within a cohort of 206,263 participants without prior CVD, 7044 individuals suffered the primary outcome. For the nested case–control study, we selected these 7044 cases along with their corresponding 20,641 matched controls. Individuals in the T3 tertiles of FLI had a higher risk of CVD than those in the T1 tertile [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.40, P < 0.001]. In sub-analyses based on FLI tertiles, statin therapy was associated with a lower risk of CVD (adjusted OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61–0.85, P < 0.001) in the T3 tertile but not in the T1 and T2 tertiles.

Conclusions

Statin therapy was associated with a reduced risk of CVD in individuals with high FLI but not in those with low FLI. Further research is needed to determine the pathophysiologic mechanism between statin and NAFLD.
The Names of the Gods in Ancient Mediterranean Religions
Authors: Rutherford Ian
Published: February 2024

From Greece to Palmyra, Tyre or Babylon, the names of the gods, like 'Thundering Zeus', 'Three-faced Moon', 'Baal of the Force' or the enigmatic YHWH, reveal their history, family ties, fields of competence and capacity for action. Shared or specific, these names bring to light networks of gods: the Saviour gods, the Ancestral gods, the gods of a city or a family. Names tell stories about the relationship between men and gods, gods and places, places and cultures and so on. They show how gods travel and spread, how they appear and disappear, how they participate in the political, social, intellectual history of each community. Through the study of divine names, the twelve chapters of this book unfold a gallery of portraits that reveal the changing aspects of the divine throughout the ancient Mediterranean.
Temperature fluctuations and ventilation dynamics induced by atmospheric pressure variations in Lamalunga Cave (Apulia, Italy) and their influences on speleothem growth
Authors: Borsato Andrea , Samadelli Marco , Martimucci Vincenzo , Manzi Giorgio
Published: February 2024

Lamalunga Cave (Altamura, Southern Italy) is renowned for the discovery in 1993 of an excellently preserved Neanderthal skeleton. Given the importance of the findings and the potential use of Lamalunga speleothems for paleoclimate reconstructions, a detailed monitoring program was undertaken to investigate the connections between microclimate parameters and speleothem growth. The cave air temperature is characterized by annual sinusoidal cycles with increasing phase shift and decreasing thermal amplitude from ± 2.1°C to ± 0.04°C as a function of increasing rock overburden, and daily to sub-daily cycles induced by surface air pressure (SAP) variations characterized by strong 24-hour and 12-hour solar harmonic frequencies, with thermal amplitude decreasing from 0.0054°C to 0.0021°C in the deeper parts of the cave. The ventilation regime is mainly controlled by SAP fluctuations. Fast SAP rises can trigger “emptying events” during which most of the cave air is replaced and the CO2 concentration falls towards near-atmospheric values. The steady and gentle ventilation created by SAP fluctuations also influences the growth and morphology of calcite coralloids, with larger popcorn assemblages concentrated in the northern galleries and delicate branching morphologies prevailing along the South Gallery where stable temperature and relative humidity conditions occur. The study is a seminal example of how high-precision measurements of cave air temperature can provide a wealth of information on cave ventilation and thermal regime and provide valuable support for robust paleoclimate reconstruction from speleothems.
Turbulence spreading effects on the ELM size and SOL width
Authors: Li Nami , Xu X.Q. , Diamond P.H. , Wang Y.F. , Lin X. , Yan N. , Xu G.S.
Published: February 2024

BOUT++ turbulence simulations were performed to investigate the impact of turbulence spreading on the edge localized mode (ELM) size and divertor heat flux width

$({\lambda _q})$

broadening in small ELM regimes. This study is motivated by EAST experiments. BOUT++ linear simulations of a pedestal radial electric field (Er) scan show that the dominant toroidal number mode (n) shifts from high-n to low-n, with a narrow mode spectrum, and the maximum linear growth rate increases as the pedestal Er well deepens. The nonlinear simulations show that as the net E × B pedestal flow increases, the pressure fluctuation level and its inward penetration beyond the top of the pedestal both increase. This leads to a transition from small ELMs to large ELMs. Both inward and outward turbulence spreading are sensitive to the scrape-off-layer (SOL) plasma profiles. The inward turbulence spreading increases for the steep SOL profiles, leading to increasing pedestal energy loss in the small ELM regime. The SOL width

$({\lambda _q})$

is significantly broadened progressing from the ELM-free to small ELM regime, due to the onset of strong radial turbulent transport. The extent of the SOL width

$({\lambda _q})$

broadening depends strongly on outward turbulence spreading. The fluctuation energy intensity flux

${\varGamma _\varepsilon }$

at the separatrix can be enhanced by increasing either pedestal Er flow shear or local SOL pressure gradient. The

${\lambda _q}$

is broadened as the fluctuation energy intensity flux

${\varGamma _\varepsilon }$

at the last close flux surface (LCFS) increases. Local SOL E × B flow shear will restrain outward turbulence spreading and the associated heat flux width broadening. Operating in H-mode with small ELMs has the potential to solve two critical problems: reducing the ELM size and broadening the SOL width.
TH-stopping in Philadelphia Puerto Rican English
Authors: Patchell Abigail E. , Berry Grant M.
Published: February 2024

Analyzing data from the Puerto Rican English in Philadelphia (PREP) corpus, we investigate participation in TH-stopping, a socially stigmatized yet stable variable documented in Philadelphia. While previous studies have been impressionistic and have considered voiced and voiceless tokens to pattern together, this work validates novel, acoustically based stopping indices: mean harmonics-to-noise ratio for voiced tokens and skewness for voiceless tokens. We apply these indices to the corpus data and analyze stopping under a Bayesian framework, and we compare results from a model built from impressionistic coding of a subset of the same data. We find convergent evidence that TH-stopping is a stable variable in the Puerto Rican English data as well. Findings are compared with those of existing studies, noting future directions for research on the variable and underscoring the importance of establishing demographically representative baselines for linguistic research in diverse urban centers.
Taking stock to move forward: Where the field of developmental psychopathology might be heading
Authors: Fonagy Peter , Luyten Patrick , Allison Elizabeth , Campbell Chloe
Published: February 2024

In this paper, dedicated to Dante Cicchetti’s contributions and enduring influence, we explore the prospective directions of developmental psychopathology. Our focus centers on key domains where Cicchetti’s significant achievements have continually shaped our evolving thinking about psychological development. These domains include (a) the concepts of equifinality and multifinality, along with the challenges in predicting developmental trajectories, (b) the imperative to integrate wider sociocultural viewpoints into developmental psychopathology frameworks, (c) the interplay of genetic and environmental influences in developmental courses, (d) the significance of mental state language, and (e) the progress, or its absence, in the development of prevention and intervention tactics for children, adolescents, and their caregivers. While many of our forecasts regarding the future of developmental psychopathology may not materialize, we maintain optimistic that the essential ideas presented will influence the research agenda in this field and contribute to its growth over the next fifty years.
Developmental trajectories of adolescent internalizing symptoms and parental responses to distress
Authors: Jones Jason D. , Fraley R. Chris , Stern Jessica A. , Lejuez Carl W. , Cassidy Jude
Published: February 2024

Parents’ responses to their children’s negative emotions are a central aspect of emotion socialization that have well-established associations with the development of psychopathology. Yet research is lacking on potential bidirectional associations between parental responses and youth symptoms that may unfold over time. Further, additional research is needed on sociocultural factors that may be related to the trajectories of these constructs. In this study, we examined associations between trajectories of parental responses to negative emotions and adolescent internalizing symptoms and the potential role of youth sex and racial identity. Adolescents and caregivers (N = 256) completed six assessments that spanned adolescent ages 13–18 years. Multivariate growth models revealed that adolescents with higher internalizing symptoms at baseline experienced increasingly non-supportive parental responses over time (punitive and distress responses). By contrast, parental responses did not predict initial levels of or changes in internalizing symptoms. Parents of Black youth reported higher minimization and emotion-focused responses and lower distress responses compared to parents of White youth. We found minimal evidence for sex differences in parental responses. Internalizing symptoms in early adolescence had enduring effects on parental responses to distress, suggesting that adolescents may play an active role in shaping their emotion socialization developmental context.
Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003: a remarkable marine archosauromorph from the Middle Triassic of southwestern China
Authors: SPIEKMAN Stephan N.F. , WANG Wei , ZHAO Lijun , RIEPPEL Olivier , FRASER Nicholas C. , LI Chun
Published: February 2024

The non-archosauriform archosauromorph Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was first described from the Upper Member of the Guanling Formation (late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of Guizhou Province by Li in 2003 on the basis of a complete articulated skull and the first three cervical vertebrae exposed in dorsal to right lateral view. Since then, additional specimens have been discovered in southwestern China. Here, five newly discovered specimens are described for the first time, and redescriptions of the holotype IVPP V13767 and another referred specimen, IVPP V13898, are provided. Together, these permit the description of the complete skeleton of this remarkable long-necked marine reptile. The postcranial skeleton is as much as 6 metres long, and characterised by its long tail and even longer neck. The appendicular skeleton exhibits a high degree of skeletal paedomorphosis recalling that of many sauropterygians, but the skull and neck are completely inconsistent with sauropterygian affinities. The palate does not extend back over the basisphenoid region and lacks any development of the closed condition typical of sauropterygians. The arrangement of cranial elements, including the presence of narial fossae, is very similar to that seen in another long-necked archosauromorph, Tanystropheus hydroides, which at least in part represents a convergence related to an aquatic piscivorous lifestyle. The long and low cervical vertebrae support exceptionally elongate cervical ribs that extend across multiple intervertebral joints and contribute to a ‘stiffening bundle of ribs’ extending along the entire ventral side of the neck, as in many other non-crocopodan archosauromorphs. The functional significance of the extraordinarily elongate neck is hard to discern but it presumably played a key role in feeding, and it is probably analogous to the elongate necks seen in pelagic, long-necked plesiosaurs. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was almost certainly a fully marine reptile and even gave birth at sea.
Das Potenzial der frequenzspezifischen Neuromodulation für die Untersuchung und Verbesserung der Sprachverarbeitung im Gehirn
Authors: Preisig Basil C.
Published: February 2024

Zusammenfassung: Das akustische Sprachsignal lässt sich nicht eindeutig in einzelne Wörter unterteilen und ähnelt eher einem kontinuierlichen Lautstrom. Dennoch gibt es zeitliche Regelmäßigkeiten, die möglicherweise bei der Wahrnehmung genutzt werden. Die Dauer von Sprachelementen wie Phonemen, Silben und prosodischen Phrasen spiegelt sich in der Hirnaktivität bei der Sprachwahrnehmung wider. Trotzdem ist nicht klar, ob tatsächlich ein kausaler Zusammenhang zwischen der neuronalen Antwort und der Qualität der Sprachwahrnehmung besteht. Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel präsentiert einleitend die relevanten Bestandteile des akustischen Sprachsignals, beschreibt die neuronale Antwort auf Sprachreize im Gehirn und zeigt auf, welche neurophysiologischen Veränderungen mit Sprachfunktionsstörungen einhergehen. Es werden verschiedene Verfahren der nichtinvasiven Neuromodulation vorgestellt und erste Ergebnisse präsentiert, welche darauf hindeuten, dass sich durch gezielte Neuromodulation die Sprachfunktionen verbessern lassen können.
Online Only – The Next Big Thing for Zeitschrift für Psychologie
Authors: Bosnjak Michael , Dimbleby Robert , Hilbig Benjamin E. , Kiesel Andrea , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana , Pohl Steffi , Schober Barbara , Schyns Birgit , Spiel Christiane , Stern Elsbeth
Published: February 2024

Abstract: The Zeitschrift für Psychologie is the oldest psychological journal in Europe and the second oldest in the world. It was founded in 1890 by Hermann Ebbinghaus, Arthur König, and colleagues 3 years after the American Journal of Psychology and is a publication organ for all fields of empirical psychology. Until 2006, it was published in German. In 2007, the journal took a decisive step toward internationalization by publishing all contributions exclusively in English. The editors are convinced that the time has now come to take another step and make the journal appear exclusively online. Various advantages for authors and readers are being sketched, namely fast publication times, enhanced replicability and reproducibility, and extended impact assessment.
On Different Operationalizations and Conceptualizations of the Tendency to Believe in Conspiracy Theories
Authors: Pummerer Lotte
Published: February 2024

Abstract: This commentary in response to Nera (2024, this issue) offers an overview of different operationalizations and conceptualizations of the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories. It distinguishes Conspiracy Mentality (the disposition to believe in any kind of conspiracy theory) from the Belief in Conspiracy Theories (described as latent variable or monological network underlying the belief in many popular and scientifically unwarranted conspiracy theories, sometimes also called conspiracy ideation or generalized conspiracy belief) and the belief in a specific conspiracy theory (for example surrounding the Apollo moonlanding or COVID-19). It emphasizes the need for researchers to be clear about their operationalization and conceptualization of the tendency to believe in conspiracy theories, especially when making causal statements about its impact on the belief in specific conspiracy theories.
Hydrodynamic Modeling of Stratification and Mixing in a Shallow, Tropical Floodplain Lake
Authors: Zhou Wencai , Melack John M. , MacIntyre Sally , Barbosa Pedro M. , Amaral Joao H. F. , Cortés Alicia
Published: February 2024

Floodplain lakes are widespread and ecologically important throughout tropical river systems, however data are rare that describe how temporal variations in hydrological, meteorological and optical conditions moderate stratification and mixing in these shallow lakes. Using time series measurements of meteorology and water‐column temperatures from 17 several day campaigns spanning two hydrological years in a representative Amazon floodplain lake, we calculated surface energy fluxes and thermal stratification, and applied and evaluated a 3‐dimensional hydrodynamic model. The model successfully simulated diel cycles in thermal structure characterized by buoyancy frequency, depth of the actively mixing layer, and other terms associated with the surface energy budget. Diurnal heating with strong stratification and nocturnal mixing were common; despite considerable heat loss at night, the strong stratification during the day meant that mixing only infrequently extended to the bottom at night. Simulations indicated that the diurnal thermocline up and downwelled creating lake‐wide differences in near‐surface temperatures and mixing depths. Infrequent full mixing creates conditions conducive to anoxia in these shallow lakes given their warm temperatures.
Spatial Variation in Transit Time Distributions of Groundwater Discharge to a Stream Overlying the Northern High Plains Aquifer, Nebraska, USA
Authors: Humphrey C. Eric , Solomon D. Kip , Gilmore Troy E. , MacNamara Markus R. , Genereux David P. , Mittelstet Aaron R. , Zeyrek Caner , Zlotnik Vitaly A. , Jensen Craig R.
Published: February 2024

Groundwater transit time distributions (TTDs) describe the spectrum of flow‐weighted apparent ages of groundwater from aquifer recharge to discharge. Regional‐scale TTDs in stream baseflow are often estimated from numerical models with limited calibration from groundwater sampling and suggest much younger groundwater discharge than has been observed by discrete age‐dating techniques. We investigate both local and regional‐scale groundwater TTDs in the Upper Middle Loup watershed (5,440 km2) overlying the High Plains Aquifer in the Nebraska Sand Hills, USA. We determined flow‐weighted apparent ages of groundwater discharging through the streambed at 88 discrete points along a 99 km groundwater‐dominated stream segment using 3H, noble gases, 14C, and groundwater flux measurements at the point‐scale (<7.6 cm diameter). Points were organized in transects across the stream width (3–10 points per transect) and transects were clustered in five sampling areas (10–610 m in stream length) located at increasing distances along the stream. Groundwater apparent ages ranged from 0 to 8,200 years and the mean groundwater transit time along the 99 km stream is >3,000 years. TTDs from upstream sampling areas were best fit by distributions with a narrow range of apparent ages, but when older groundwater from downstream sampling areas is included, the regional TTD is scale dependent and the distribution is better described by a gamma model (α ≈ 0.4) which accommodates large fractions of millennial‐aged groundwater. Observations indicate: (a) TTDs can exhibit spatial variability within a watershed and (b) watersheds can discharge larger fractions of old groundwater (>1,000 years) than commonly assumed.
Satellite Remote Sensing: A Tool to Support Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Recreational Health Advisories in a California Reservoir
Authors: Lopez Barreto Brittany N. , Hestir Erin L. , Lee Christine M. , Beutel Marc W.
Published: February 2024

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can harm people, animals, and affect consumptive and recreational use of inland waters. Monitoring cyanoHABs is often limited. However, chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) is a common water quality metric and has been shown to have a relationship with cyanobacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated their previous 1999 cyanoHAB guidance values (GVs) to be more practical by basing the GVs on chl‐a concentration rather than cyanobacterial counts. This creates an opportunity for widespread cyanoHAB monitoring based on chl‐a proxies, with satellite remote sensing (SRS) being a potentially powerful tool. We used Sentinel‐2 (S2) and Sentinel‐3 (S3) to map chl‐a and cyanobacteria, respectively, classified chl‐a values according to WHO GVs, and then compared them to cyanotoxin advisories issued by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at San Luis Reservoir, key infrastructure in California's water system. We found reasonably high rates of total agreement between advisories by DWR and SRS, however rates of agreement varied for S2 based on algorithm. Total agreement was 83% for S3, and 52%–79% for S2. False positive and false negative rates for S3 were 12% and 23%, respectively. S2 had 12%–80% false positive rate and 0%–38% false negative rate, depending on algorithm. Using SRS‐based chl‐a GVs as an early indicator for possible exposure advisories and as a trigger for in situ sampling may be effective to improve public health warnings. Implementing SRS for cyanoHAB monitoring could fill temporal data gaps and provide greater spatial information not available from in situ measurements alone.
The Tropical Atlantic's Asymmetric Impact on the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation
Authors: van Rensch Peter , McGregor Shayne , Dommenget Dietmar , Bi Daohua , Liguori Giovanni
Published: February 2024

Using observations and Atlantic forced coupled model simulations, we show evidence for an asymmetry in the link between beginning of year tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) and end of the year El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events. We find a greater tendency for warm Atlantic SSTAs to lead to a La Niña than for cold anomalies to lead to El Niño. The model experiments showed that the Atlantic had a greater chance to force the tropical Pacific if the Pacific was initially in a neutral state. In the model, a warm Atlantic from March–May was able to produce an atmospheric response leading to easterly wind anomalies in the western Pacific. This in turn induces a subsurface oceanic response, leading to La Niña at the end of the year. The atmospheric response does not occur for a cold Atlantic, leading to no impacts in the Pacific.
Decadal Prediction of Location of Tropical Cyclone Maximum Intensity Over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Zhang Ruikang , Wang Chao , Wang Bin , Guan Zhaoyong , Wu Liguang , Luo Jingjia
Published: February 2024

Attaining skillful decadal predictions for the western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) emerges as a formidable challenge, mainly stemming from the limited prediction skills of Pacific Decadal Variability (PDV) within the state‐of‐the‐art models. Assessing sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models' retrospective predictions finds that the predictability of PDV transcends the expectations set by raw forecasts featured by constrained temporal skills and low signal‐to‐noise ratio. Employing a refined approach, we selectively identify the models that capture the diverse phases of PDV and subsequently adjust their variances. This tailored approach yields a compelling concordance between the predicted PDV and observation in phases and variances. Anchored in the heightened prediction skill of PDV, we establish a sophisticated statistical model adept at predicting the latitude of TC's lifetime maximum intensity (LMI). The near‐term prediction indicates a sustained poleward migration of LMI latitude by 1.53° during 2020–2027, increasing subtropical East Asia's TC‐related disaster vulnerability in the coming decade.
Seasonal Enhancement in Upper Atmospheric D/H at Mars Driven by Both Thermospheric Temperature and Mesospheric Water
Authors: Cangi E. M. , Chaffin M. S. , Yelle R. V. , Gregory B. S. , Deighan J.
Published: February 2024

The D/H ratio in water on Mars, Rwater, is 4–6× the Earth ratio, signifying past water loss to space. Recently, measurements have revealed high values of the D/H ratio in hydrogen, Ratomic, in the thermosphere during southern summer. Here, we use a photochemical model to explore the potential drivers of Ratomic, testing three: thermospheric temperatures, excess mesospheric water, and changing insolation. We find that Ratomic can achieve values between 15× the Earth ratio (due to water) and 23× the Earth ratio (due to temperature). The effects arise because H escape is diffusion‐limited, while D escape is energy‐limited. Our results underscore how Ratomic reflects mesospheric dynamics, and the need for concurrent measurements of mesospheric water, thermospheric temperatures, and Ratomic to understand seasonal changes in the martian water cycle and atmospheric loss.
Constraining the Influence of Callisto's Perturbed Electromagnetic Environment on Energetic Particle Observations
Authors: Liuzzo Lucas , Poppe Andrew R. , Nénon Quentin , Simon Sven , Addison Peter
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on constraining the role that Callisto's perturbed electromagnetic environment had on energetic charged particle signatures observed during the Galileo mission. To do so, we compare data from the Energetic Particle Detector (EPD) obtained during four close encounters of the moon with a model framework that combines hybrid simulations for low‐energy plasma and test‐particle tracing simulations for high‐energy particles. By comparing model results for energetic particle dynamics in both uniform and perturbed electromagnetic fields, we systematically disentangle the role that geometric effects (i.e., absorption of particles by Callisto's solid surface) have on observed energetic particle signatures compared to those associated with Callisto's perturbed electromagnetic environment (generated by the moon's induced magnetic field and plasma interaction currents). We show that observed flux drop‐outs in the energetic ion pitch angle distributions (PADs) are largely driven by their absorption by Callisto's surface: their large gyroradii exceed the size of the moon, facilitating their impact onto the icy surface and preventing their detection by EPD. However, features observed in the energetic electron PADs can only be explained with an accurate representation of the moon's perturbed environment, since electrons closely follow the orientation of the electromagnetic fields. Our findings therefore illustrate the key role that the moon's induced field and magnetospheric plasma interaction have on the dynamics of energetic electrons, emphasizing the importance of accurately modeling Callisto's locally perturbed electromagnetic environment when attempting to interpret data from past and future encounters, including those anticipated from the upcoming JUICE mission.
20th Century Warming in the Western Florida Keys Was Dominated by Increasing Winter Temperatures
Authors: Flannery Jennifer A. , Richey Julie N. , Toth Lauren T. , Mette Madelyn J.
Published: February 2024

Long‐lived Atlantic coral species like Orbicella faveolata are important archives of oceanographic change in shallow, marine environments like the Florida Keys. Not only can coral‐based records extend for multiple centuries beyond the limits of the instrumental record, but they can also provide a more accurate representation of in situ conditions than gridded interpolated sea‐surface temperature (SST) products for nearshore reef environments. We use the coral Sr/Ca paleothermometer to produce a 150‐year (1830–1980 C.E.) monthly SST reconstruction from an O. faveolata colony collected in the Marquesas Keys, FL, USA. An important feature of our record is a significant 20th‐century warming trend in winter SSTs. We hypothesize that the winter warming trend was driven partially by a decrease in upwelling associated cyclonic eddies spinning off the Florida Current. A long‐term weakening of winter Florida Current transport over the 20th century could be responsible for decreased cyclonic eddy formation in the Florida Straits. Another feature of the record is pronounced multidecadal fluctuations of mean annual warming and cooling in the record, which correspond to Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV), with the AMV lagging behind western Florida Keys temperatures by 5–11 years. Strong coherence between coral‐based SST reconstructions in the western Florida Keys with broader scale Atlantic oceanographic trends over the past century suggests a common driver of regional SST variability.
Assessing the Behavior of Microplastics in Fluvial Systems: Infiltration and Retention Dynamics in Streambed Sediments
Authors: Boos Jan‐Pascal , Dichgans Franz , Fleckenstein Jan H. , Gilfedder Benjamin Silas , Frei Sven
Published: February 2024

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected ubiquitously in fluvial systems and advective transfer has been proposed as a potential mechanism for the transport of (sub‐) pore‐scale MPs from surface waters into streambed sediments. However, the influence of particle and sediment properties, as well as the hydrodynamic flow regime, on the infiltration behavior and mobility of MPs in streambed sediments remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of flume experiments to investigate the effect of particle size (1–10 μm), sediment type (fine and coarse sand), and flow regime (high/low flow) on particle infiltration dynamics in a rippled streambed. Quantification of particles in the flume compartments (surface flow, streambed interface, and in the streambed) was achieved using continuous fluorescence techniques. Results indicated that the maximum infiltration depth into the streambed decreased with increasing particle size (11, 10, and 7 cm for 1, 3, and 10 μm). The highest particle retardation was observed in the fine sediment experiment, where 22% of the particles were still in the streambed at the end of the experiment. Particle residence times were shortest under high flow conditions, suggesting that periods of increased discharge can effectively flush MPs from streambed sediments. This study provides novel insights into the complex dynamics of MP infiltration and retention in streambed sediments and contributes to a better understanding of MPs fate in fluvial ecosystems. Quantitative data from this study can improve existing modeling frameworks for MPs transport and assist in assessing the exposure risk of MPs ingestion by benthic organisms.
Variation in communication of side effects in prostate cancer treatment consultations
Authors: Daskivich Timothy J. , Naser-Tavakolian Aurash , Gale Rebecca , Luu Michael , Friedrich Nadine , Venkataramana Abhi , Khodyakov Dmitry , Posadas Edwin , Sandler Howard , Spiegel Brennan , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: February 2024

Background

Effective communication of treatment side effects (SE) is critical for shared decision-making (SDM) in localized prostate cancer. We sought to qualitatively characterize how physicians communicate SE in consultations.

Methods

We transcribed 50 initial prostate cancer treatment consultations across nine multidisciplinary providers (Urologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists) at our tertiary referral, academic center. Coders identified quotes describing SE and used an inductive approach to establish a hierarchy for granularity of communication: (1) not mentioned, (2) name only, (3) generalization(“high”), (4) average incidence without timepoint, (5) average incidence with timepoint, and (6) precision estimate. We reported the most granular mode of communication for each SE throughout the consultation overall and across specialty and tumor risk.

Results

Among consultations discussing surgery (n = 40), erectile dysfunction (ED) and urinary incontinence (UI) were omitted in 15% and 12%, not quantified (name only or generalization) in 47% and 30%, and noted as average incidence without timeline in 8% and 8%, respectively. In only 30% and 49% were ED and UI quantified with timeline (average incidence with timeline or precision estimate), respectively. Among consultations discussing radiation (n = 36), irritative urinary symptoms, ED, and other post-radiotherapy SE were omitted in 22%, 42%, and 64–67%, not quantified in 61%, 33%, and 23–28%, and noted as average incidence without timeline in 8%, 22%, and 6–8%, respectively. In only 3–8% were post-radiotherapy SE quantified with timeline. Specialty concordance (but not tumor risk) was associated with higher granularity of communication, though physicians frequently failed to quantify specialty-concordant SE.

Conclusions

SE was often omitted, not quantified, and/or lacked a timeline in treatment consultations in our sample. Physicians should articulate, quantify, and assign a timeline for SE to optimize SDM.
Causal influences of neuropsychiatric disorders on Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Zhao Qian , Cao Hongbao , Chandhoke Vikas , Zhang Fuquan
Published: February 2024

Previous studies have observed a significant comorbidity between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and some other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the mechanistic connections between neuropsychiatric disorders and AD are not well understood. We conducted a Mendelian randomization analysis to appraise the potential influences of 18 neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders on AD. We found that four disorders are causally associated with increased risk for AD, including bipolar disorder (BD) (OR: 1.09), migraine (OR: 1.09), schizophrenia (OR: 1.05), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) (OR: 1.07), while attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was associated with a decreased risk for AD (OR: 0.80). In case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (OR: 1.04) and Tourette’s syndrome (OR: 1.05), there was suggestive evidence of their causal effects of on AD. Our study shows that genetic components predisposing to BD, migraine, schizophrenia, and PD may promote the development of AD, while ADHD may be associated with a reduced risk of AD. The treatments aimed at alleviating neuropsychiatric diseases with earlier onset may also influence the risk of AD-related cognitive decline, which is typically observed later in life.
A multi-cohort study of the hippocampal radiomics model and its associated biological changes in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Xia Huwei , Luan Xiaoqian , Bao Zhengkai , Zhu Qinxin , Wen Caiyun , Wang Meihao , Song Weihong
Published: February 2024

There have been no previous reports of hippocampal radiomics features associated with biological functions in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This study aims to develop and validate a hippocampal radiomics model from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data for identifying patients with AD, and to explore the mechanism underlying the developed radiomics model using peripheral blood gene expression. In this retrospective multi-study, a radiomics model was developed based on the radiomics discovery group (n = 420) and validated in other cohorts. The biological functions underlying the model were identified in the radiogenomic analysis group using paired MRI and peripheral blood transcriptome analyses (n = 266). Mediation analysis and external validation were applied to further validate the key module and hub genes. A 12 radiomics features-based prediction model was constructed and this model showed highly robust predictive power for identifying AD patients in the validation and other three cohorts. Using radiogenomics mapping, myeloid leukocyte and neutrophil activation were enriched, and six hub genes were identified from the key module, which showed the highest correlation with the radiomics model. The correlation between hub genes and cognitive ability was confirmed using the external validation set of the AddneuroMed dataset. Mediation analysis revealed that the hippocampal radiomics model mediated the association between blood gene expression and cognitive ability. The hippocampal radiomics model can accurately identify patients with AD, while the predictive radiomics model may be driven by neutrophil-related biological pathways.