bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shadow Coaching Improves Patient Experience for English-Preferring Patients but not for Spanish-Preferring Patients
Authors: Quigley Denise D. , Elliott Marc N. , Slaughter Mary E. , Talamantes Efrain , Hays Ron D.
Published: February 2023

Background

Shadow coaching, a type of one-on-one provider counseling by trained peers, is an effective strategy for improving provider behaviors and patient interactions, but its effects on improving patient experience for English- and Spanish-preferring patients is unknown.

Objective

Assess effects of shadow coaching on patient experience for English- and for Spanish-preferring patients.

Design

We analyzed 2012–2019 Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) data (n=46,089) from an urban Federally Qualified Health Center with 44 primary care practices and 320 providers. One-third (n=14,631) were Spanish-preferring patients. We fit mixed-effects regression models with random effects for provider (the level of treatment assignment) and fixed effects for time (a linear spline for time with a knot and “jump” at coaching date), patient characteristics, and site indicators, stratified by preferred language.

Participants

The 74 providers who had a 6-month average top-box score on the CAHPS overall provider rating below 90 (on a 100-point scale) were shadow coached. Similar percentages of English-preferring (45%) and Spanish-preferring patients (43%) were seen by coached providers.

Intervention

Trained providers observed patient care by colleagues and provided suggestions for improvement. Verbal feedback was provided immediately after the observation and the participant received a written report summarizing the comments and recommendations from the coaching session.

Main Measures

CG-CAHPS Visit Survey 2.0 provider communication composite and overall provider rating (0–100 scoring).

Key Results

We found a statistically significant 2-point (small) jump in CAHPS provider communication and overall provider rating among English-preferring patients of coached providers. There was no evidence of a coaching effect on patient experience for Spanish-preferring patients.

Conclusions

Coaching improved care experiences for English-preferring patients but may not have improved patient experience for Spanish-preferring patients. Selection and training of providers to communicate effectively with Spanish-preferring patients is needed to extend the benefits of shadow coaching to Spanish-preferring patients.
Omega-3 fatty acids in heart disease—why accurately measured levels matter
Authors: von Schacky C. , Kuipers R. S. , Pijl H. , Muskiet F. A. J. , Grobbee D. E.
Published: February 2023

Current guidelines barely support marine omega‑3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cardiology, mainly because results of large trials were equivocal. Most large trials have tested EPA alone or EPA + DHA combined as a drug, thereby disregarding the relevance of their blood levels. These levels are frequently assessed with the Omega‑3 Index (percentage of EPA + DHA in erythrocytes), which is determined using a specific standardised analytical procedure. EPA and DHA are present in every human being at unpredictable levels (even in the absence of intake), and their bioavailability is complex. Both facts need to be incorporated into trial design and should direct clinical use of EPA and DHA. An Omega‑3 Index in the target range of 8–11% is associated with lower total mortality, fewer major adverse cardiac and other cardiovascular events. Moreover, functions of organs such as the brain benefit from an Omega‑3 Index in the target range, while untoward effects, such as bleeding or atrial fibrillation, are minimised. In pertinent intervention trials, several organ functions were improved, with improvements correlating with the Omega‑3 Index. Thus, the Omega‑3 Index is relevant in trial design and clinical medicine, which calls for a widely available standardised analytical procedure and a discussion on possible reimbursement of this test.
Photodegradation of Amido Black 10b Dye Under Visible Light Using Ni and Zn Ferrite Catalysts Prepared by a Simple Modified Sol–Gel Method
Authors: El-Salamony Radwa A. , Aboutaleb Wael A. , Dhmees Abdelghaffar S.
Published: February 2023

The pure α-Fe2O3, NiFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4 were prepared by a simple modified sol–gel method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, surface area, Zeta potential and optical techniques. The ferrite structure of samples is confirmed. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated toward Amido black 10b dye degradation under visible light at different pHs of 4, 8, and 10 for 90 min irradiation time. The photodegradation toward Amido black b10 dye reached maximum value at pH 8, and it reaches 92%, 89%, and 85% over ZnFe2O4, Fe2O3, and NiFe2O4 photocatalysts; respectively. The increased photoactivity of the ZnFe2O4 sample can also be attributed to its lower bandgap of 2 eV, the formation of the −OH-surface group. Since –OH can interact with the photoexcited holes that were originally formed on the catalyst surface, hydroxyl radicals are produced that have strong oxidizing properties. Whereas; the dye photodegradation is negligible in the case of Fe2O3, and NiFe2O4 catalysts at pH 10, due to the electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged catalyst surface and dye ions at high basic medium. While, in case of ZnFe2O4, the photodegradation reached only 40%.
First principles study of optical properties of Ni- and Pd-doped TiO2 as visible light catalyst
Authors: Dorothy A. Angeline , Panigrahi Puspamitra
Published: February 2023

Doping TiO2 with noble metals, transition metals, cations, anions have yielded very promising results in enhancing photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the visible region and its role in generating alternate forms of energy. Noble metals in general can effectively slow down carrier recombination. However, the study of Pd and Ni as dopant can lead to a reliable and versatile TiO2-modified photocatalyst. In this paper, we explore the optical properties of Pd- and Ni-doped TiO2 by doping with 4.17% Ni and Pd dopant concentrations. The optical properties prove that Ni-doped TiO2 can absorb well in the visible region with an absorption coefficient of 1 × 105 cm−1. Hence, Ni-doped TiO2 can successfully alter the electronic and optical properties of TiO2 for favorable future applications. In the visible region, absorption coefficient of Pd-doped TiO2 supercell is around 1.2 × 105 cm−1 which is comparatively greater than that of pure TiO2 confirming its utility as a versatile and viable visible light photocatalyst. The other optical properties like reflectivity, refractivity, extinction coefficient and electron energy loss spectrum have also been studied.
Multiple targets video tracking based on extended kalman filter in combination with particle swarm optimization for intelligent applications
Authors: Jahantighy Amin , Torabi Hamed , Mohanna Farahnaz
Published: February 2023

Multiple targets tracking is a major issue in the intelligent applications. Numerous methods have been presented for the multiple targets tracking to capture the targets trajectory in a video sequence in order to increase intelligence and reduce human error. In this paper, a method is proposed based on combining the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to construct an intermediate tracker and track targets more accurately. The EKF solves targets collision problem, and PSO reduces the covariance of measured noise. Finally, the Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA) filter is used to reduce the number of multiple hypotheses and create a one-to-one correspondence between targets and measurements. To detect targets, frames subtracting along with background modeling and canny edge detector are used. To reduce running time of the proposed method, number of video frames per second (fps) is reduced from 30 to 10 and the sampling rate is also reduced. Despite of this reduction, simulation reults of the proposed method show the multiple targets tracking with 98% accuracy at an acceptable running time compared to the similar methods. In addition, by using the proposed method, the number of assignment states is reduced in the targets tracking process. Overall, the proposed method not only can be used in the intelligent applications, but also in the video compression applications as well.
Topological approaches to knotted electric charge distributions
Authors: Lipton Max
Published: February 2023

Consider a knot K in $$S^3$$

S
3

with uniformly distributed electric charge. Whilst solutions to the Laplace equation in terms of Dirichlet integrals are readily available, it is still of theoretical and physical interest to understand the qualitative behavior of the potential, particularly with respect to critical points and equipotential surfaces. In this paper, we demonstrate how techniques from geometric topology can yield novel insights from the perspective of electrostatics. Specifically, we show that when the knot is sufficiently close to a planar projection, we get a lower bound on the size of the critical set based on the projection’s crossings, improving a 2021 result of the author. We then classify the equipotential surfaces of a charged knot distribution by tracking how the topology of the knot complement restricts the Morse surgeries associated to the critical points of the potential.
Influence of blend proportion and baking conditions on the quality attributes of wheat, orange-fleshed sweet potato and pumpkin composite flour dough and bread: optimization of processing factors
Authors: Chikpah Solomon Kofi , Korese Joseph Kudadam , Hensel Oliver , Sturm Barbara , Pawelzik Elke
Published: February 2023

Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and pumpkin fruit are underutilized crops with great potential for the production of high-quality bread with health-enhancing properties. However, the incorporation of nonconventional flour in bread formula may influence the dough and bread quality properties. This study investigated the effect of partial substitution of wheat flour with OFSP (10–50%) and pumpkin flour (10–40%), baking temperature (150–200 °C) and baking time (15–25 min) on the quality properties of the composite dough and bread using response surface methodology (RSM). Dough rheological, bread physical and textural properties were analyzed, modelled and optimized using RSM. Satisfactory regression models were developed for the dough and bread quality attributes (R2 > 0.98). The dough development time, crust redness, hardness, and chewiness values increased while optimum water absorption of dough, specific volume, lightness, springiness, and resilience of bread decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing incorporation of OFSP and pumpkin flour in the bread formula. Additionally, the specific volume, crust redness, crumb hardness, and chewiness of the composite bread increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing baking temperature from 150 to 180 °C but reduced at higher baking temperatures (≥ 190 °C). The staling rate declined with increased OFSP and pumpkin flour whereas increasing the baking temperature and time increased the bread staling rate. The optimized formula for the composite bread was 78.5% wheat flour, 11.5% OFSP flour, 10.0% pumpkin flour, and baking conditions of 160 °C for 20 min. The result of the study has potential applications in the bakery industry for the development of functional bread.

Graphical Abstract
Dublin
Authors: Morash Christopher
Published: February 2023

The words of its writers are part of the texture of Dublin, an invisible counterpart to the bricks and pavement we see around us. Beyond the ever-present footsteps of James Joyce's characters, Leopold Bloom or Stephen Dedalus, around the city centre, an ordinary-looking residential street overlooking Dublin Bay, for instance, presents the house where Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney lived for many years; a few blocks away is the house where another Nobel Laureate, W. B. Yeats, was born.  Just down the coast is the pier linked to yet another, Samuel Beckett, from which we can see the Martello Tower that is the setting for the opening chapter of Ulysses. But these are only a few. Step-by-step, Dublin: A Writer's City unfolds a book-lover's map of this unique city, inviting us to experience what it means to live in a great city of literature.  The book is heavily illustrated, and features custom maps.
First-Class and Coach-Class Knowledge
Authors: Paulson Spencer
Published: February 2023

I will discuss a variety of cases such that the subject's believing truly is somewhat of an accident, but less so than in a Gettier case. In each case, this is because her reasons are not ultimately undefeated full stop, but they are ultimately undefeated with certain qualifications. For example, the subject's reasons might be ultimately defeated considered in themselves but ultimately undefeated considered as a proper part of an inference to the best explanation that is undefeated without qualification. In each section of the paper, I consider different qualifications and show how in each case we get an epistemic standing I call “coach-class knowledge”. First-class knowledge requires justifying reasons that are undefeated without qualification. Coach-class knowledge only requires qualified lack of defeat. I will use this distinction to bring debates over knowledge from falsehood and fake barns to an ecumenical resolution. In both cases, the subject enjoys coach-class rather than first-class knowledge. I will also show that the defeasible reasoning tradition can better account for graded accidental truth than safety theories.
Single sidewall cooling modulation on Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Kang Soohyeon , Cheng Shyuan , Hong Liu , Kim Jin-Tae , Chamorro Leonardo P.
Published: February 2023

We experimentally explored the effect of single-sidewall cooling on Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection. Canonical RB was also studied to aid insight. The scenarios shared tank dimensions and bottom and top wall temperatures; the single sidewall cooling had the top wall temperature. Turbulence was explored at two canonical Rayleigh numbers,

$Ra=1.6\times 10^{10}$

and

$Ra=2\times 10^9$

under Prandtl number

$Pr=5.4$

. Particle image velocimetry described vertical planes parallel and perpendicular to the sidewall cooling. The two

$Ra$

scenarios reveal pronounced changes in the flow structure and large-scale circulation (LSC) due to the sidewall cooling. The density gradient induced by the sidewall cooling led to asymmetric descending and ascending flows and irregular LSC. Flow statistics departed from the canonical case, exhibiting lower buoyancy effects, represented by an effective Rayleigh number with effective height dependent on the distance from the lateral cooling. Velocity spectra show two scalings,

$\varPhi \propto f^{-5/3}$

Kolmogorov (KO41) and

$\varPhi \propto f^{-11/5}$

Bolgiano (BO59) in the larger

$Ra$

; the latter was not present in the smaller set-up. The BO59 scaling with sidewall cooling appears at higher frequencies than its canonical counterpart, suggesting weaker buoyancy effects. The LSC core motions allowed us to identify a characteristic time scale of the order of vortex turnover time associated with distinct vortex modes. The velocity spectra of the vortex core oscillation along its principal axis showed a scaling of

$\varPhi _c \propto f^{-5/3}$

for the single sidewall cooling, which was dominant closer there. It did not occur in the canonical case, evidencing the modulation of LSC oscillation on the flow.
Steady, quasi-one-dimensional, internal compressible flow with area change, heat addition and friction
Authors: Oliva Andrew A. , Morris Scott C.
Published: February 2023

A closed-form solution is presented for internal compressible flows with an arbitrary combination of area change, heat addition, friction and non-uniform flow. The approach assumes steady flow of a calorically perfect ideal gas using the integral form of the governing equations. It is shown that the equations reduce to a simple, bi-quadratic equation in exit Mach number. This solution is compared to previously known solutions for Rayleigh flow, Fanno flow, isentropic flow and normal shock relations. Theoretical solutions for sudden expansion, sudden contraction, and supersonic–supersonic two-stream constant area mixing are also presented. These solutions were found to be in agreement with data available in the literature.
A new local indicator of spatial autocorrelation identifies clusters of highrendakufrequency in Japanese place names
Authors: Pellard Thomas , Takemura Akiko , Hwang Hyun Kyung , Vance Timothy J.
Published: February 2023

The methods of spatial statistics have been successfully applied to the study of linguistic variation, especially for detecting the existence of spatial patterns in the geographical distribution of linguistic features. However, the use of local indicators of spatial autocorrelation for detecting spatial clusters have been limited to continuous variables, and we propose to apply the new method of Anselin and Li (2019) for categorical variables to linguistic data. We illustrate this method with the case of Japaneserendaku, or sequential voicing, whose dialectal variation is still poorly documented. Focusing on regional differences in the frequency of rendaku, we examined the occurrence of rendaku for four lexemes in 4,921 place names from all Japan. A statistical analysis of local spatial association and an unsupervised density-based cluster analysis revealed the existence of two cluster areas of high rendaku frequency centered around Wakayama and Fukushima-Yamagata prefectures. This suggests that rendaku is more frequent in those dialects, and we recommend that further studies in the dialectal variation of rendaku start by looking at those areas.
Dispositionalism and Dysfunction
Authors: Conley Brandon A.
Published: February 2023

My aim here is (1) to argue that the usual argument for thinking that dysfunction has no place in a dispositionalist approach to functions is deeply flawed and (2) to develop a positive account of the explanatory role dysfunction attributions play in dispositionalist-style functional analysis. I also argue that while my account undermines one common motivation for preferring an etiological over a dispositionalist approach, perhaps more interestingly, it also blurs the boundary between the two and opens a path to unifying them.
Deep Learning Opacity in Scientific Discovery
Authors: Duede Eamon
Published: February 2023

While philosophers have focused on epistemological and ethical challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) in science, scientists have focused largely on opportunities. I argue that this disconnect between philosophical pessimism and scientific optimism is driven by failures to critically examine the practice of AI-infused science. To appreciate the epistemic justification for AI-powered breakthroughs, philosophers must analyze the role of AI as part of a wider process of discovery. I demonstrate the importance of this with two cases from the scientific literature, and show that epistemic opacity need not diminish AI’s capacity to lead scientists to significant and justifiable breakthroughs.
Infusion of ICT into Nigeria's Corporate Democracy: A Proposal for a New Reform Initiative
Authors: Bolodeoku Ige Omotayo
Published: February 2023

This article examines the infusion of information communication technology (ICT) into Nigeria's new company legislation to promote corporate democracy. While the initiative is laudable, especially in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, the article argues that the reform is of limited value, as only private companies are empowered to deploy ICT in the conduct of general meetings. By excluding public companies, the article argues, inter alia, that the reform overlooks the role that ICT could play in addressing the assumed passivity of latent, large groups, which typify the shareholders of public companies. In making a case for inclusive reform, the article examines the reforms already undertaken by some countries in the common law jurisdictions, whose templates on the subject may inform the changes Nigeria needs to effect in her law.
Social determinants of blood pressure control in a middle-income country in Latin America
Authors: Zanuzzi Matias G. , Garzon Maria E. , Cornavaca Maria Teresita , Bernabeu Francisco , Albertini Ricardo A. , Ellena Gustavo , Romero Cesar A.
Published: February 2023

Blood pressure (BP) control is a key intervention to decrease cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the main cause of death in low and middle-income countries (MIC). Scarce data on the determinants of BP control in Latin America are available. Our objective is to explore the role of gender, age, education, and income as social determinants of BP control in Argentina, a MIC with a universal health care system. We evaluated 1184 persons in two hospitals. Blood pressure was measured using automatic oscillometric devices. We selected those patients treated for hypertension. The average BP of less than 140/90 mmHg was considered a controlled BP. We found 638 hypertensive individuals, of whom 477 (75%) were receiving antihypertensive drugs, and of those, 248 (52%) had controlled BP. The prevalence of low education was more frequent in uncontrolled patients (25.3% vs. 16.1%;P< .01). We did not find association between household income, gender, and BP control. Older patients had less BP control (44% of those older than 75 years vs. 60.9% of those younger than 40; test for trendP< .05). Multivariate regression indicates low education (OR 1.71 95% CI [1.05, 2.79];P= .03) and older age (OR 1.01; 95% IC [1.00, 1.03]) as independent predictors of the lack of BP control. We conclude that rates of BP control are low in Argentina. In a MIC with a universal health care system low education and old age but not household income are independent predictors of the lack of BP control.
The grey zones of antiquarian pursuits: The 1938 Barger expedition to the princely state of Swat
Authors: Khan Rafiullah
Published: February 2023

This article discusses and analyses the Barger archaeological expedition of 1938 to the princely state of Swat. It argues that archaeology in princely, as well as in British, India did not originate and develop in a unilinear manner. This understanding is in line with the recent realization of variations in the historiography of native India. Given this, an attempt has been made to situate the Swat state in relation to British paramountcy. Miangul Abdul Wadud, the first British-recognized ruler of the state, was aware of colonial power relations and had a friendly attitude towards the British. He dealt with Swat’s archaeology with political and dynastic expediencies in mind. Since there was no proper legal and institutional dispensation in place in the area, the Frontier government officials and the political administration at Malakand treated the Barger expedition as a local matter, beyond the legal jurisdiction and disciplinary apparatuses of the colonial state. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the related laws were, thus, kept out of the entire enterprise. All this ensured a smooth transfer of antiquities to England at a time when strong legal-institutional and ethical dimensions to archaeology were in place within British India and in some princely states.
Strategic forgetting: Britain, China, and the South China Sea, 1894–1938
Authors: Hayton Bill
Published: February 2023

This article clarifies a mythologized episode in the early development of the South China Sea disputes and shows how it was later ‘forgotten’ by British policymakers for strategic reasons. Using documents from the UK National Archives it confirms, for the first time, that Qing/Chinese officials did deny responsibility for the Paracel Islands in 1898/1899. It then shows how this correspondence was strategically ignored by British officials during the 1930s in the context of renewed disputes between China, France, and Japan over the sovereignty of the islands. It argues that during the 1930s, British officials sought to bolster the Chinese position in the South China Sea because of a concern that France would remain neutral in any forthcoming conflict. This resulted in Britain taking a view on the sovereignty disputes that was at odds with the evidence in its own archives but which provided useful political support for the Republic of China.
Intercontinental comparisons of subterranean host–parasite communities using bipartite network analyses
Authors: Dursahinhan Altangerel T. , Botero-Cañola Sebastian , Gardner Scott L.
Published: February 2023

Rodents living in a subterranean ecotope face a unique combination of evolutionary and ecological pressures and while host species evolution may be driven by the selective pressure from the parasites they harbour, the parasites may be responding to the selective pressures of the host. Here, we obtained all available subterranean rodent host–parasite records from the literature and integrated these data by utilizing a bipartite network analysis to determine multiple critical parameters to quantify and measure the structure and interactions of the organisms present in host–parasite communities. A total of 163 species of subterranean rodent hosts, 174 parasite species and 282 interactions were used to create 4 networks with data well-represented from all habitable continents. The results show that there was no single species of parasite that infects subterranean rodents throughout all zoogeographical regions. Nevertheless, species representing the genera Eimeria and Trichuris were common across all communities of subterranean rodents studied. Based on our analysis of host–parasite interactions across all communities studied, the parasite linkages show that community connectance (due to climate change or other anthropogenic factors) appears to show degraded linkages in both the Nearctic and Ethiopian regions: in this case parasites are acting as bell-weather probes signalling the loss of biodiversity.
Vast Personal Forces: Thucydides, Populism, and the Liberty of the Ancients
Authors: Jaffe S. N.
Published: February 2023

Modern discussions of freedom focus on negative liberty or nondomination. In his portrait of the Athenian democracy, Thucydides thematizes the psychology of ancient freedom. By focusing on the psychology of the demos, Thucydides shows how democratic imperialism unfolds from the experience of freedom as a kind of felt power. His analysis offers us a way to think about contemporary populism. In representative democracy, the connection between power and freedom has been severed by representation and the modern state, but an experience of power nonetheless remains part of what we mean by freedom today. Modern citizens frequently feel powerless and so unfree, ensnared by impersonal forces. One lure of populism is that it satisfies the longing for freedom as a form of felt power, for a measure of control over one's life.
Prayer, formation, and scriptural interpretation
Authors: Rowlands Jonathan
Published: February 2023

In this article, I argue for the centrality of prayer within Christian interpretation of scripture. This argument is made in two stages. First, Christ on the road to Emmaus is the interpreter of scripturepar excellence, such that scriptural interpretation is fruitfully understood as participation in Christ's interpretation of scripture to and for the church. Second, scriptural interpretation must take prayer as central to an appropriate scriptural hermeneutics, since prayer is one way in which the reader of scripture becomes conformed to person of Christ.
Method-of-moments estimators of a scale parameter based on samples from a coherent system
Authors: Macci Claudio , Navarro Jorge
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we study the estimation of a scale parameter from a sample of lifetimes of coherent systems with a fixed structure. We assume that the components are independent and identically distributed having a common distribution which belongs to a scale parameter family. Some results are obtained as well for dependent (exchangeable) components. To this end, we will use the representations for the distribution function of a coherent system based on signatures. We prove that the efficiency of the estimators depends on the structure of the system and on the scale parameter family. In the dependence case, it also depends on the baseline copula function.
Selective Exclusion of Aromatic Organic Carbon During Lake Ice Formation
Authors: Zhou Yongqiang , Hiller Carolin , Andersson Sara , Jakobsson Elizabeth , Zhou Lei , Hawkes Jeffery A. , Kothawala Dolly N. , Tranvik Lars J.
Published: February 2023

Earth's lakes at northern latitudes are mostly ice‐covered in winter. When lake water freezes, some organic matter dissolved in the water is excluded from the ice. We performed complementary field sampling and laboratory freeze‐up experiments to explore how freeze‐up may impact the partitioning and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in boreal lakes. We found that 16.2 ± 4.7% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was retained in the overlying ice, 81.3 ± 5.7% of DOC was expelled to underlying unfrozen water, and 1.3 ± 0.7% was expelled as flocs. During ice formation, nitrogen (TDN, total dissolved nitrogen), ions (specific conductance), and oxidized and aromatic DOM were preferentially expelled to the underlying water column. The apparent retention factor DOCIce: DOCBefore decreased from clearwater to brownwater lakes, that is, with increasing allochthonous DOC lost from lake ice, indicating that DOM exclusion from the ice cover will become more prevalent as lakes experience browning.
Stratospheric Aerosol and Ozone Responses to the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai Volcanic Eruption
Authors: Lu Jinpeng , Lou Sijia , Huang Xin , Xue Lian , Ding Ke , Liu Tengyu , Ma Yue , Wang Wuke , Ding Aijun
Published: February 2023

The Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai (HTHH) eruption on 15 January 2022 was one of the most explosive volcanic events of the 21st century so far. According to satellite‐based measurements, 0.4 Tg of sulfur dioxide (SO2) was injected into the stratosphere during the eruption. By using observations and model simulations, here we investigate changes in the chemical compositions of the stratosphere 1 year after the HTHH eruption and examine the key physical and chemical processes that influence the ozone (O3) concentrations. Injected SO2 was oxidized into sulfate during the first 2 months, and transported from the tropics to the Antarctic by the Brewer‐Dobson circulation within 1 year. In mid‐to‐low latitudes, enhanced sulfate aerosol increased O3 concentrations in the middle stratosphere but declined in the lower stratosphere. In addition to the chemical processes, sulfate aerosols also reduced polar low‐stratospheric O3 concentrations through enhanced Antarctic upwelling anomalies.
Stratified Subauroral Ion Drift (SSAID)
Authors: Sinevich A. A. , Chernyshov A. A. , Chugunin D. V. , Clausen L. B. N. , Miloch W. J. , Mogilevsky M. M.
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the internal structuring of Polarization Jet (PJ)/Subauroral Ion Drift (SAID) is studied. It is shown that PJ/SAID consists of several Polarization Jet Strata (PJS) of electron density and temperature. A new type of phenomena has been discovered called Stratified Subauroral Ion Drift (SSAID), which is a PJ/SAID containing small‐scale PJS. Internal small‐scale structure of SSAIDs is measured during various geomagnetic events using data from NorSat‐1, DMSP F‐17 and F‐18 satellites. High resolution measurements on the Norsat‐1 satellite make it possible to detect and study small‐scale structures inside the PJ/SAID, that is, SSAID. The data from DMSP satellites is used to determine explicitly the presence of PJ/SAID during the considered geomagnetic events. Results show that SSAID consist of 2–4 large PJS and from a few units to several tens of small PJS. Large PJS have a size of 0.2°–0.3° latitude and small PJS have a size of <0.1°. Several suggestions regarding possible physical mechanisms of production of SSAID and PJS are presented.
Toward Large‐Scale Soil Moisture Monitoring Using Rail‐Based Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing
Authors: Altdorff Daniel , Oswald Sascha E. , Zacharias Steffen , Zengerle Carmen , Dietrich Peter , Mollenhauer Hannes , Attinger Sabine , Schrön Martin
Published: February 2023

Cosmic ray neutron sensing (CRNS) has become a promising method for soil water content (SWC) monitoring. Stationary CRNS offers hectare‐scale average SWC measurements at fixed locations maintenance‐free and continuous in time, while car‐borne CRNS roving can reveal spatial SWC patterns at medium scales, but only on certain survey days. The novel concept of a permanent mobile CRNS system on rails promises to combine the advantages of both methods, while its technical implementation, data processing and interpretation raised a new level of complexity. This study introduced a fully automatic CRNS rail‐borne system as the first of its kind, installed within the locomotive of a cargo train. Data recorded from September 2021 to July 2022 along an ∼9 km railway segment were analyzed, as repeatedly used by the train, supported by local SWC measurements (soil samples and dielectric methods), car‐borne and stationary CRNS. The results revealed consistent spatial SWC patterns and temporary variation along the track at a daily resolution. The observed variability was mostly related to surface features, seasonal dynamics and different responses of the railway segments to wetting and drying periods, while some variations were related to measurement uncertainties. The achieved medium scale of SWC mapping could support large scale hydrological modeling and detection of environmental risks, such as droughts and wildfires. Hence, rail‐borne CRNS has the chance to become a central tool of continuous SWC monitoring for larger scales (≤10‐km), with the additional benefit of providing root‐zone soil moisture, potentially even in sub‐daily resolution.
PPAR-γ activation promotes xenogenic bioroot regeneration by attenuating the xenograft induced-oxidative stress
Authors: Lan Tingting , Bi Fei , Xu Yuchan , Yin Xiaoli , Chen Jie , Han Xue , Guo Weihua
Published: February 2023

Xenogenic organ transplantation has been considered the most promising strategy in providing possible substitutes with the physiological function of the failing organs as well as solving the problem of insufficient donor sources. However, the xenograft, suffered from immune rejection and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), causes massive reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression and the subsequent cell apoptosis, leading to the xenograft failure. Our previous study found a positive role of PPAR-γ in anti-inflammation through its immunomodulation effects, which inspires us to apply PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone (RSG) to address survival issue of xenograft with the potential to eliminate the excessive ROS. In this study, xenogenic bioroot was constructed by wrapping the dental follicle cells (DFC) with porcine extracellular matrix (pECM). The hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced DFC was pretreated with RSG to observe its protection on the damaged biological function. Immunoflourescence staining and transmission electron microscope were used to detect the intracellular ROS level. SD rat orthotopic transplantation model and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) knockout mice subcutaneous transplantation model were applied to explore the regenerative outcome of the xenograft. It showed that RSG pretreatment significantly reduced the adverse effects of H2O2on DFC with decreased intracellular ROS expression and alleviated mitochondrial damage. In vivo results confirmed RSG administration substantially enhanced the host’s antioxidant capacity with reduced osteoclasts formation and increased periodontal ligament-like tissue regeneration efficiency, maximumly maintaining the xenograft function. We considered that RSG preconditioning could preserve the biological properties of the transplanted stem cells under oxidative stress (OS) microenvironment and promote organ regeneration by attenuating the inflammatory reaction and OS injury.
Functional connectivity signatures of NMDAR dysfunction in schizophrenia—integrating findings from imaging genetics and pharmaco-fMRI
Authors: Gaebler Arnim J. , Fakour Nilüfer , Stöhr Felix , Zweerings Jana , Taebi Arezoo , Suslova Mariia , Dukart Juergen , Hipp Joerg F. , Adhikari Bhim M. , Kochunov Peter , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh D. , Forsyth Anna , Eggermann Thomas , Kraft Florian , Kurth Ingo , Paulzen Michael , Gründer Gerhard , Schneider Frank , Mathiak Klaus
Published: February 2023

Both, pharmacological and genome-wide association studies suggest N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction and excitatory/inhibitory (E/I)-imbalance as a major pathophysiological mechanism of schizophrenia. The identification of shared fMRI brain signatures of genetically and pharmacologically induced NMDAR dysfunction may help to define biomarkers for patient stratification. NMDAR-related genetic and pharmacological effects on functional connectivity were investigated by integrating three different datasets: (A) resting state fMRI data from 146 patients with schizophrenia genotyped for the disease-associated genetic variant rs7191183 of GRIN2A (encoding the NMDAR 2 A subunit) as well as 142 healthy controls. (B) Pharmacological effects of the NMDAR antagonist ketamine and the GABA-A receptor agonist midazolam were obtained from a double-blind, crossover pharmaco-fMRI study in 28 healthy participants. (C) Regional gene expression profiles were estimated using a postmortem whole-brain microarray dataset from six healthy donors. A strong resemblance was observed between the effect of the genetic variant in schizophrenia and the ketamine versus midazolam contrast of connectivity suggestive for an associated E/I-imbalance. This similarity became more pronounced for regions with high density of NMDARs, glutamatergic neurons, and parvalbumin-positive interneurons. From a functional perspective, increased connectivity emerged between striato-pallido-thalamic regions and cortical regions of the auditory-sensory-motor network, while decreased connectivity was observed between auditory (superior temporal gyrus) and visual processing regions (lateral occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus, cuneus). Importantly, these imaging phenotypes were associated with the genetic variant, the differential effect of ketamine versus midazolam and schizophrenia (as compared to healthy controls). Moreover, the genetic variant was associated with language-related negative symptomatology which correlated with disturbed connectivity between the left posterior superior temporal gyrus and the superior lateral occipital cortex. Shared genetic and pharmacological functional connectivity profiles were suggestive of E/I-imbalance and associated with schizophrenia. The identified brain signatures may help to stratify patients with a common molecular disease pathway providing a basis for personalized psychiatry.
Association of the delayed changes in glutamate levels and functional connectivity with the immediate network effects of S-ketamine
Authors: Danyeli Lena Vera , Sen Zümrüt Duygu , Colic Lejla , Kurzweil Lisa , Gensberger-Reigl Sabrina , Macharadze Tamar , Götting Florian , Refisch Alexander , Liebe Thomas , Chand Tara , Kretzschmar Moritz , Wagner Gerd , Opel Nils , Jollant Fabrice , Speck Oliver , Munk Matthias H. J. , Li Meng , Walter Martin
Published: February 2023

Ketamine shows rapid antidepressant effects peaking 24 h after administration. The antidepressant effects may occur through changes in glutamatergic metabolite levels and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) within the default mode network (DMN). A multistage drug effect of ketamine has been suggested, inducing acute effects on dysfunctional network configuration and delayed effects on homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Whether the DMN-centered delayed antidepressant-related changes are associated with the immediate changes remains unknown. Thirty-five healthy male participants (25.1 ± 4.2 years) underwent 7 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) before, during, and 24 h after a single S-ketamine or placebo infusion. Changes in glutamatergic measures and rsFC in the DMN node pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) were examined. A delayed rsFC decrease of the pgACC to inferior parietal lobe (family-wise error corrected p (pFWEc) = 0.018) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC; pFWEc = 0.002) was detected that was preceded by an immediate rsFC increase of the pgACC to medial PFC (pFWEc < 0.001) and dorsomedial PFC (pFWEc = 0.005). Additionally, the immediate rsFC reconfigurations correlated with the delayed pgACC glutamate (Glu) level increase (p = 0.024) after 24 h at trend level (p = 0.067). Baseline measures of rsFC and MRS were furthermore associated with the magnitude of the respective delayed changes (p’s < 0.05). In contrast, the delayed changes were not associated with acute psychotomimetic side effects or plasma concentrations of ketamine and its metabolites. This multimodal study suggests an association between immediate S-ketamine-induced network effects and delayed brain changes at a time point relevant in its clinical context.
Universal non-monotonic drainage in large bare viscous bubbles
Authors: Bartlett Casey , Oratis Alexandros T. , Santin Matthieu , Bird James C.
Published: February 2023

Bubbles will rest at the surface of a liquid bath until their spherical cap drains sufficiently to spontaneously rupture. For large film caps, the memory of initial conditions is believed to be erased due to a visco-gravitational flow, whose velocity increases from the top of the bubble to its base. Consequently, the film thickness has been calculated to be relatively uniform as it thins, regardless of whether the drainage is regulated by shear or elongation. Here, we demonstrate that for large bare bubbles, the film thickness is highly nonuniform throughout drainage, spanning orders of magnitude from top to base. We link the film thickness profile to a universal non-monotonic drainage flow that depends on the bubble thinning rate. These results highlight an unexpected coupling between drainage velocity and bubble thickness profiles and provide critical insight needed to understand the retraction and breakup dynamics of these bubbles upon rupture.
Genomics and biochemical analyses reveal a metabolon key to β-L-ODAP biosynthesis in Lathyrus sativus
Authors: Edwards Anne , Njaci Isaac , Sarkar Abhimanyu , Jiang Zhouqian , Kaithakottil Gemy George , Moore Christopher , Cheema Jitender , Stevenson Clare E. M. , Rejzek Martin , Novák Petr , Vigouroux Marielle , Vickers Martin , Wouters Roland H. M. , Paajanen Pirita , Steuernagel Burkhard , Moore Jonathan D. , Higgins Janet , Swarbreck David , Martens Stefan , Kim Colin Y. , Weng Jing-Ke , Mundree Sagadevan , Kilian Benjamin , Kumar Shiv , Loose Matt , Yant Levi , Macas Jiří , Wang Trevor L. , Martin Cathie , Emmrich Peter M. F.
Published: February 2023

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a rich source of protein cultivated as an insurance crop in Ethiopia, Eritrea, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Its resilience to both drought and flooding makes it a promising crop for ensuring food security in a changing climate. The lack of genetic resources and the crop’s association with the disease neurolathyrism have limited the cultivation of grass pea. Here, we present an annotated, long read-based assembly of the 6.5 Gbp L. sativus genome. Using this genome sequence, we have elucidated the biosynthetic pathway leading to the formation of the neurotoxin, β-L-oxalyl-2,3-diaminopropionic acid (β-L-ODAP). The final reaction of the pathway depends on an interaction between L. sativus acyl-activating enzyme 3 (LsAAE3) and a BAHD-acyltransferase (LsBOS) that form a metabolon activated by CoA to produce β-L-ODAP. This provides valuable insight into the best approaches for developing varieties which produce substantially less toxin.
Oxidized mitochondrial DNA induces gasdermin D oligomerization in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Miao Naijun , Wang Zhuning , Wang Qinlan , Xie Hongyan , Yang Ninghao , Wang Yanzhe , Wang Jin , Kang Haixia , Bai Wenjuan , Wang Yuanyuan , He Rui , Yan Kepeng , Wang Yang , Hu Qiongyi , Liu Zhaoyuan , Li Fubin , Wang Feng , Ginhoux Florent , Zhang Xiaoling , Yin Jianyong , Lu Limin , Wang Jing
Published: February 2023

Although extracellular DNA is known to form immune complexes (ICs) with autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the mechanisms leading to the release of DNA from cells remain poorly characterized. Here, we show that the pore-forming protein, gasdermin D (GSDMD), is required for nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release from neutrophils and lytic cell death following ex vivo stimulation with serum from patients with SLE and IFN-γ. Mechanistically, the activation of FcγR downregulated Serpinb1 following ex vivo stimulation with serum from patients with SLE, leading to spontaneous activation of both caspase-1/caspase-11 and cleavage of GSDMD into GSDMD-N. Furthermore, mtDNA oxidization promoted GSDMD-N oligomerization and cell death. In addition, GSDMD, but not peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 is necessary for extracellular mtDNA release from low-density granulocytes from SLE patients or healthy human neutrophils following incubation with ICs. Using the pristane-induced lupus model, we show that disease severity is significantly reduced in mice with neutrophil-specific Gsdmd deficiency or following treatment with the GSDMD inhibitor, disulfiram. Altogether, our study highlights an important role for oxidized mtDNA in inducing GSDMD oligomerization and pore formation. These findings also suggest that GSDMD might represent a possible therapeutic target in SLE.
Long-term soil warming decreases microbial phosphorus utilization by increasing abiotic phosphorus sorption and phosphorus losses
Authors: Tian Ye , Shi Chupei , Malo Carolina Urbina , Kwatcho Kengdo Steve , Heinzle Jakob , Inselsbacher Erich , Ottner Franz , Borken Werner , Michel Kerstin , Schindlbacher Andreas , Wanek Wolfgang
Published: February 2023

Phosphorus (P) is an essential and often limiting element that could play a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystem responses to climate warming. However, it has yet remained unclear how different P cycling processes are affected by warming. Here we investigate the response of soil P pools and P cycling processes in a mountain forest after 14 years of soil warming (+4 °C). Long-term warming decreased soil total P pools, likely due to higher outputs of P from soils by increasing net plant P uptake and downward transportation of colloidal and particulate P. Warming increased the sorption strength to more recalcitrant soil P fractions (absorbed to iron oxyhydroxides and clays), thereby further reducing bioavailable P in soil solution. As a response, soil microbes enhanced the production of acid phosphatase, though this was not sufficient to avoid decreases of soil bioavailable P and microbial biomass P (and biotic phosphate immobilization). This study therefore highlights how long-term soil warming triggers changes in biotic and abiotic soil P pools and processes, which can potentially aggravate the P constraints of the trees and soil microbes and thereby negatively affect the C sequestration potential of these forests.