bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of theEpictia goudotiiSpecies complex (Serpentes: Leptotyphlopidae: Epictinae) in Middle America and northern South America
Authors: McCranie James R. , Hedges S. Blair
Published: January 2016

Here we review the systematics of the threadsnakes of theEpictia goudotiiSpecies complex in Middle and northern South America using external morphology and molecular data. Two species,Epictia goudotiiandE. magnamaculata, are currently recognized from that region, but we provide evidence for recognizing, as species, three other nominal forms usually treated as subspecies ofE. goudotii:E. ater, E. bakewelli, andE. phenops. Thus, together withE. columbi(Bahamas), we recognize six species in theEpictia goudotiiSpecies complex. BecauseE. albifronsfrom northern South America has been confused withE. goudotiiin the past, we also briefly discuss the taxonomic status of that species and its apparent close relativeE. tenella, which are not members of theE. goudotiicomplex.
Historical and current introgression in a Mesoamerican hummingbird species complex: a biogeographic perspective
Authors: Jiménez Rosa Alicia , Ornelas Juan Francisco
Published: January 2016

The influence of geologic and Pleistocene glacial cycles might result in morphological and genetic complex scenarios in the biota of the Mesoamerican region. We tested whether berylline, blue-tailed and steely-blue hummingbirds,Amazilia beryllina,Amazilia cyanuraandAmazilia saucerottei, show evidence of historical or current introgression as their plumage colour variation might suggest. We also analysed the role of past and present climatic events in promoting genetic introgression and species diversification. We collected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data and microsatellite loci scores for populations throughout the range of the threeAmaziliaspecies, as well as morphological and ecological data. Haplotype network, Bayesian phylogenetic and divergence time inference, historical demography, palaeodistribution modelling, and niche divergence tests were used to reconstruct the evolutionary history of thisAmaziliaspecies complex. An isolation-with-migration coalescent model and Bayesian assignment analysis were assessed to determine historical introgression and current genetic admixture. mtDNA haplotypes were geographically unstructured, with haplotypes from disparate areas interdispersed on a shallow tree and an unresolved haplotype network. Assignment analysis of the nuclear genome (nuDNA) supported three genetic groups with signs of genetic admixture, corresponding to: (1)A. beryllinapopulations located west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; (2)A. cyanurapopulations between the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Nicaraguan Depression (Nuclear Central America); and (3)A. saucerotteipopulations southeast of the Nicaraguan Depression. Gene flow and divergence time estimates, and demographic and palaeodistribution patterns suggest an evolutionary history of introgression mediated by Quaternary climatic fluctuations. High levels of gene flow were indicated by mtDNA and asymmetrical isolation-with-migration, whereas the microsatellite analyses found evidence for three genetic clusters with distributions corresponding to isolation by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and the Nicaraguan Depression and signs of admixture. Historical levels of migration between genetically distinct groups estimated using microsatellites were higher than contemporary levels of migration. These results support the scenario of secondary contact and range contact during the glacial periods of the Pleistocene and strongly imply that the high levels of structure currently observed are a consequence of the limited dispersal of these hummingbirds across the isthmus and depression barriers.
The influence of mature oak stands and spruce plantations on soil-dwelling click beetles in lowland plantation forests
Authors: Loskotová Tereza , Horák Jakub
Published: January 2016

Most European forests have been converted into forest plantations that are managed for timber production. The main goal of this paper was to determine the difference between mature native sessile oak (Quercus petraea) stands and non-indigenous Norway spruce (Picea abies) plantations, with respect to communities ofAthousclick beetles in approximately 6,500 ha of lowland plantation forest area in the Czech Republic.Athous subfuscuswas the most abundant and widespread species, followed byA. zebeiandA.haemorrhoidalis, whileA. vittatuswas considered rare. Spatial analysis of environmental variables inside studied patches showed that the species composition ofAthousbeetles best responded to a 20 m radius surrounding traps. The species’ responses to the environment showed thatA. vittatusandA. haemorrhoidalispreferred oak stands, whileA. zebeiandA. subfuscuswere associated with spruce plantations. In addition, oak stands showed higher diversity of beetle communities. The studied species are important for their ecosystem services (e.g. predation on pests or bioturbation) and seem to tolerate certain degrees of human disturbances, which is especially beneficial for forest plantations managed for timber production.
Facet Engineering Boosts Interfacial Compatibility of Inorganic‐Polymer Composites
Authors: Yu Kun , Ye Guangli , Zhang Jun , Fu Liangjie , Dong Xiongbo , Yang Huaming
Published: September 2024

The interfacial compatibility between inorganic particles and polymer is crucial for ensuring high performance of composites. Current efforts to improve interfacial compatibility preferentially rely on organic modification of inorganic particles, leading to their complex process, high costs, and short lifespans due to aging and decomposition of organic modifiers. However, the fabrication of inorganic particles free from organic modification that is highly compatible in polymer still remains a great challenge. Herein, a novel facet‐engineered inorganic particle that exhibit high compatibility with widely used polymer interface without organic modification is reported. Theoretical calculations and experimental results show that (020) and (102) facets of inorganic particles modulate local coordination environment of Ca atoms, which in turn regulate d‐orbital electron density of Ca atoms and electron transfer paths at interfaces between polymer and inorganic particles. This difference alters the molecular diffusion, orientation of molecular chains on surface of inorganic particles, further modulating interfacial compatibility of composites. Surprisingly, the facet‐engineered inorganic particles show exceptional mechanical properties, especially for tensile strain at break, which increases by 395%, far superior to state‐of‐the‐art composites counterparts. Thus, the method can offer a more benign approach to the general production of high‐performance and low‐cost polymer‐inorganic composites for diverse potential applications.
Gate Engineering Effect in Ferroelectric Field‐Effect Transistors with Al‐Doped HfO2 Thin Film and Amorphous Indium‐Gallium‐Zinc‐Oxide Channel
Authors: Lee Jae Hoon , Lee Yonghee , Han Joon‐Kyu , Kim Kyung Do , Byun Seung Ryong , Park Hyeon Woo , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: September 2024

This work investigates the mechanism for the memory window (MW) suppression of the ferroelectric‐thin film transistors (FETFTs) with an amorphous indium‐gallium‐zinc (a‐IGZO) channel. a‐IGZO generally has an n‐type character with a high bandgap (>3 eV) and a high density of gap states, hindering the carrier type inversion. Therefore, the negative ferroelectric (FE) bound charges at the FE layer/a‐IGZO interface must be compensated by the positive charges of the oxygen vacancy in the a‐IGZO layer. In contrast, accumulated electrons can compensate for the positive FE‐bound charges. Such a bound charge compensation mechanism complicates the FETFT operation and precise understanding. Experiments and simulations confirm that feasible FE switching in the bottom‐TiN or P++‐Si/Al‐doped HfO2/a‐IGZO/top‐TiN structure can occur only when the countercharges in the a‐IGZO layer compensate the positive and negative bound charges. More importantly, the Al‐doped HfO2/a‐IGZO interface generally involves electron trapping, which hinders FE switching and achieving a MW for the TiN gate case. When replacing the TiN gate with the P++‐Si gate, the suppressed FE polarization by the depolarization effect from the SiO2 interface layer can mitigate electron accumulation. Consequently, the P++‐Si bottom electrode (BE) is more advantageous than the TiN BE regarding a MW of FETFT.
Abiotic Foldamer Quaternary Structures
Authors: Wang Shuhe , Allmendinger Lars , Huc Ivan
Published: September 2024

Abiotic aromatic foldamer sequences have been previously shown to fold in helix‐turn‐helix motifs in organic solvents. Using simple computational tools, a new helix‐turn‐helix motif was designed that bears additional hydrogen bond donor OH groups to promote its aggregation into a genuine, trimeric, abiotic quaternary structure. This sequence was synthesized and its self‐assembly in solution was investigated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Circular Dichroism (CD) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. The existence of two stable discrete aggregates was evidenced, one assigned to the initially designed trimer, the other to a dimer including multiple water molecules. The two species may be quantitatively interconverted upon changing the water content of the solution or the temperature. These results represent important steps in the design of protein‐like abiotic architectures.
Biogenic synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous extract of Lepidagathis cristata along with their antibacterial and antineoplastic activity to combat breast cancer cells (MCF‐7)
Authors: Manogaran Punithavathi , Krishnamoorthy Prabu , Murugesan Sivakumar , Vijayavarma Devi , Al‐Ansari Mysoon M. , Mari Kavitharani , Vatin Nikolai Ivanovich , Vijayakumar Sabari
Published: September 2024

Lepidagathis cristata (L. cristata) plant produces reducing and capping agents; this study utilized microwave‐assisted biogenic synthesis to manufacture silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using this plant. The structure, morphology, and crystallinity phases of prepared nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV‐viz), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biologically synthesized AgNPs were treated against pathogenic bacteria species including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and its highest zone of inhibition 10 ± 1.45 mm, 10 ± 0.74 mm, and 6 ± 0.43 mm, respectively, at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. The cytotoxic activity of AgNPs against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells revealed significant growth inhibition by inhibiting cell viability, inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) of NPs observed at 55.76 μg/mL concentration. Finally, our findings concluded that the L. cristata‐mediated biosynthesized AgNPs proved its potential antibacterial and neoplastic properties against MCF cells by endorsing the inhibition of cell proliferation especially with low concentration.
Gut microbiota derived short‐chain fatty acids in physiology and pathology: An update
Authors: Archana  , Gupta Abhijeet Kumar , Noumani Ashab , Panday Dharmendra Kumar , Zaidi Fareen , Sahu Gaurav Kumar , Joshi Gunjan , Yadav Manisha , Borah Shikha Jyoti , Susmitha Vanne , Mohan Anand , Kumar Anil , Solanki Pratima R.
Published: September 2024

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are essential molecules produced by gut bacteria that fuel intestinal cells and may also influence overall health. An imbalance of SCFAs can result in various acute and chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity and colorectal cancer (CRC). This review delves into the multifaceted roles of SCFAs, including a brief discussion on their source and various gut‐residing bacteria. Primary techniques used for detection of SCFAs, including gas chromatography, high‐performance gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance and capillary electrophoresis are also discussed through this article. This review study also compiles various synthesis pathways of SCFAs from diverse substrates such as sugar, acetone, ethanol and amino acids. The different pathways through which SCFAs enter cells for immune response regulation are also highlighted. A major emphasis is the discussion on diseases associated with SCFA dysregulation, such as anaemia, brain development, CRC, depression, obesity and diabetes. This includes exploring the relationship between SCFA levels across ethnicities and their connection with blood pressure and CRC. In conclusion, this review highlights the critical role of SCFAs in maintaining gut health and their implications in various diseases, emphasizing the need for further research on SCFA detection, synthesis and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers. Future studies of SCFAs will pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for optimizing gut health and preventing diseases associated with SCFA dysregulation.
Dual‐noise autoencoder combining pseudo‐labels and consistency regularization for process fault classification
Authors: Guo Xiaoping , Guo Qingyu , Li Yuan
Published: September 2024

In the classification of industrial process faults, the collected process fault data has the problem of having more irrelevant fault information, limited labels, and a significant impact of noise, which affects the prediction accuracy of the classification model. To address these problems, this paper proposes a semi‐supervised dual‐noise autoencoder method that integrates pseudo‐labels and consistency regularization (PR‐SNAE). Based on normal samples, the differences between faulty samples and normal samples are enhanced through dissimilarity analysis. Two types of noise are introduced into the enhanced samples to improve the robustness of the model. A stacked supervised autoencoder (SSAE) network is trained using a small amount of labelled data. The deep feature information is extracted to establish a preliminary fault classification model. Pseudo‐labels are generated for unlabelled samples to overcome the problem of insufficient labels for fault data. In the adjustment stage of the classification model, a loss function that integrates pseudo‐labels and consistency regularization is proposed to prevent overfitting and poor robustness of the model. Simulation experiments were conducted on the Tennessee Eastman (TE) benchmark process and three‐phase flow process, and the results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
CircFAM188A Regulates Autophagy via miR‐670‐3p and ULK1 in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Yong Min , Zeng Yuhua , Yao Yuqin , Yang Miyuan , Tang Furong , Zhu Hongtao , Hu Jianguo
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

CircRNAs and autophagy are closely involved in the physiological and pathological processes of ovarian cancer; however, their exact mechanisms are still undetermined. This investigation aimed to elucidate the function and associated pathways of circFAM188A, which modulates proliferation, autophagy, and invasion in ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

The expression of circFAM188A in the tissues of EOC patients was assessed via RT‐PCR. To elucidate proliferation, invasion, and autophagy in the tumor cells, Transwell, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU), and mRFP‐GFP‐LC3 reporter assays were conducted. The binding sites between circ‐FAM188A and the miR‐670‐3p, miR‐670‐3p and YY1 were predicted using bioinformatics and verified by dual‐luciferase reporter assays. Pulldown assays demonstrated binding between ULK1 and circ‐FAM188A. ULK1 was found to be crucial in the initial stage of autophagy. Moreover, an in vivo xenograft model was established by subcutaneous injection of nude mice with EOC cells.

Result

Expression of circ‐FAM188A was increased in EOC tissues relative to normal ovarian tissues and circ‐FAM188A overexpression promoted proliferation, invasion, and autophagy; these effects were reversed by circ‐FAM188A silencing. miR‐670‐3p and circ‐FAM188A co‐localized in the cytoplasm. circ‐FAM188A enhanced YY1 expression by sponging miR‐670‐3p and was also shown to interact with ULK1.

Conclusion

It is thus suggested that circ‐FAM188A modulates autophagy by sponging miR‐670‐3p as well as interacting with ULK1.
Assessing the suitability of a one‐time sampling event for close‐kin mark‐recapture: A caribou case study
Authors: Merriell Brandon D. , Manseau Micheline , Wilson Paul J.
Published: September 2024

Abundance estimation is frequently an objective of conservation and monitoring initiatives for threatened and other managed populations. While abundance estimation via capture–mark–recapture or spatially explicit capture–recapture is now common, such approaches are logistically challenging and expensive for species such as boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus), which inhabit remote regions, are widely dispersed, and exist at low densities. Fortunately, the recently developed ‘close‐kin mark–recapture’ (CKMR) framework, which uses the number of kin pairs obtained within a sample to generate an abundance estimate, eliminates the need for multiple sampling events. As a result, some caribou managers are interested in using this method to generate an abundance estimate from a single, non‐invasive sampling event for caribou populations. We conducted a simulation study using realistic boreal caribou demographic rates and population sizes to assess how population size and the proportion of the population surveyed impact the accuracy and precision of single‐survey CKMR‐based abundance estimates. Our results indicated that abundance estimates were biased and highly imprecise when very small proportions of the population were sampled, regardless of the population size. However, the larger the population size, the smaller the required proportion of the population surveyed to generate both accurate and reasonably precise estimates. Additionally, we also present a case study in which we used the CKMR framework to generate annual female abundance estimates for a small caribou population in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, from 2006 to 2015 and compared them to existing published capture–mark–recapture‐based estimates. Both the accuracy and precision of the annual CKMR‐based abundance estimates varied across years and were sensitive to the proportion of pairwise kinship comparisons which yielded a mother–offspring pair. Taken together, our study demonstrates that it is possible to generate CKMR‐based abundance estimates from a single sampling event for small caribou populations, so long as a sufficient sampling intensity can be achieved.
The structure of motivation: Assessing readiness to change dimensions and their predictive value with the network validation of the Italian version of the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnarie
Authors: Martini Matteo , Longo Paola , Toppino Federica , De Bacco Carlotta , Preti Antonio , Abbate‐Daga Giovanni , Panero Matteo
Published: September 2024

Objective

Motivation to change is an important predictor for treatment outcomes in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), however, the existence and clinical relevance of distinct motivational dimensions are understudied. This study aimed to structurally validate the AN Stage of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ) in the Italian adult AN population to identify separate motivational dimensions and their association with clinical variables and outcomes.

Method

Inpatients and outpatients with AN (N = 300) completed the ANSOCQ and measures assessing eating and depressive psychopathology. Unique Variable Analysis and Exploratory Graph Analysis were employed to identify dimensions in the network structure of ANSOCQ. Cross‐sectional associations with clinical variables were assessed in the whole sample. Predictive value on weight and psychopathology was assessed in inpatients.

Results

Two dimensions were identified, one comprising items relative to weight gain, and the second items regarding attitudes towards eating, body, and emotional problems. Feelings associated with eating resulted as most central in the network. Higher scores in the first dimension and ANSOCQ total predicted weight gain during hospitalisation. No significant predictors emerged for changes in eating psychopathology.

Discussion

These findings confirm the robust psychometric properties of ANSOCQ and provide support for the use of its subdimensions in clinical practice.
The effects of Iranian traditional music on cervical dilation and labor progress in the active stage of term pregnancy: A nonrandomized controlled trial
Authors: Jahromi Athar Rasekh , Rahmanian Vahid , Kiani Fatemeh , Ansari Asra , Taghipour Nikta
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

Childbirth is a multifaceted and distressing event that can profoundly affect mothers' psychological and physical well‐being. Noninvasive interventions like music therapy have been explored to improve labor outcomes by decreasing pain and anxiety levels, promoting relaxation, and enhancing maternal–fetal health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Iranian traditional music on cervical dilation and labor progress in the active stage of term pregnancy.

Methods

This study was a nonrandomized controlled trial that included pregnant women between 20 and 35, with a gravidity of two or three. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, which received traditional Iranian music therapy during labor, or the control group, which received routine care without the music intervention. The primary outcome was the effect of music therapy on cervical dilation from 4 cm to full dilation (10 cm) during term pregnancy. The secondary outcomes included changes in fetal heart rate, maternal anxiety, and pain scores before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate methods, and the results were reported using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The mean age of the intervention group was 28.32 ± 6.13 years, and that of the control group was 28.31 ± 3.47 years (p = 0.890). The median duration of labor was not significantly different during the active stage, with 120 min in the intervention group and 137 min in the control group (p = 0.505). However, significant differences were observed in fetal heart rate, anxiety score, and pain score changes before and after the intervention between the two groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Using traditional Iranian music therapy as a noninvasive intervention during labor can potentially improve maternal and fetal outcomes by reducing anxiety and pain perception. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of traditional music therapy in clinical settings.
JAMES BUTTLE REVIEW: Interflow, subsurface stormflow and throughflow: A synthesis of field work and modelling
Authors: McGuire Kevin J. , Klaus Julian , Jackson C. Rhett
Published: September 2024

Interflow, throughflow and subsurface stormflow are interchangeable terms that refer to the lateral subsurface flow above a restricting layer of lower hydraulic conductivity that occurs during and following storm events. Interflow (used here) is a more dominant process in steeper catchments with high infiltration capacity soils overlying a more impermeable soil or geologic layer. Interflow as a runoff process was first recognised in the early 1900s, yet hydrologists still struggle to predict its occurrence, persistence, importance, interaction with other streamflow generation processes, and potential to connect to valleys and streams during and following storms. We review the history of interflow research and address some of the challenges in understanding its role in runoff production. We argue that characterising the controls on interflow initiation and occurrence relies on detailed field observations of subsurface properties, which exist only in limited experimental settings. This data shortcoming contributes to our inability to predict interflow or determine its contribution to streamflow more broadly. There remain many opportunities to advance our understanding of interflow that include both modelling and experimental or observational approaches in hydrology.
Meta‐analysis of social and emotional learning interventions delivered by school counselors
Authors: Lemberger‐Truelove Matthew E. , Li Dan , Kim Hyunhee , Wills LeAnn , Thompson Kaleb , Lee Yung‐Yu
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to examine the effectiveness of school counselor‐led social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions, including an exploration of the moderators that could influence variations in these effect sizes. Drawing from 28 published articles over the last 20 years in school counseling‐affiliated academic journals, results indicated that school counseling SEL interventions result in a small to moderate significant mean effect size (Hedges's g = 0.308). While the moderator analyses did not yield statistically significant results, the different magnitudes of the effect sizes across the subgroups based on these moderators have implications for school counseling practice, research, and policymaking.
Application value of P‐selectin and Clara cell secretory protein 16 expression in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia
Authors: Yuan Lin , Yang Yunyan , Huang Jingjing , Zhuo Zhiqiang , Wu Xingdong
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the roles of P‐selectin and Clara cell secretory protein 16 (CC16) levels in the pathogenesis of severe adenovirus (ADV) pneumonia in children and evaluated their ability to predict disease. Fifty‐one children (age, 1–5 years) with ADV pneumonia who were admitted to Xiamen Children's Hospital were included in this study and divided into the mild group (24 patients) and severe group (27 patients). A control group comprising healthy children of the same age who underwent routine physical examinations during the same period (30 patients) was also included. The univariate analysis demonstrated that the levels of the white blood cell count and C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin, d‐dimer, and P‐selectin were increased in a severe group compared with a mild group, while CC16 levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis revealed that P‐selectin and CC16 levels were independent risk factors for severe ADV pneumonia in children. The areas under the ROC curves suggested that P‐selectin and CC16 exhibited high predictive value for severe ADV pneumonia. P‐selectin values more than 898.58 pg/mL and CC16 values less than 11.355 ng/mL predicted severe ADV pneumonia. P‐selectin and CC16 levels are correlated with the severity of ADV pneumonia in children.
Whole genome sequencing and genome characterization of Aichivirus isolated from Korean adults
Authors: Woo Seoyoung , Hossain Md Iqbal , Jung Soontag , Yeo Daseul , Yoon Danbi , Hwang Seongwon , Doh Huijeong , Eyun Seong‐il , Choi Changsun
Published: September 2024

The whole‐genome sequence (WGS) analysis of Aichivirus (AiV) identified in Korea was performed in this study. Using Sanger and Nanopore sequencing, the 8228‐nucleotide‐long genomic sequence of AiV (OQ121963) was determined and confirmed to belong to genotype A. The full‐length genome of OQ121963 consisted of a 7296 nt open reading frame (ORF) that encodes a single polyprotein, and 5′ UTR (676 nt) and 3′ UTR (256 nt) at 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. The ORF consisted of leader protein (L), structural protein P1 (VP0, VP1, and VP3), and nonstructural protein P2 (2A, 2B, and 2C) and P3 (3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D). The secondary structure analysis of the 5′ UTR identified only stem‐loop C (SL–C) and not SL–A and SL–B. The variable region of the AiV genome was analyzed by MegAlign Pro and reconfirmed by SimPlot analysis using 16 AiV whole genomes known to date. Among the entire regions, structural protein region P1 showed the lowest amino acid identity (96.07%) with reference sequence AB040749 (originated in Japan; genotype A), while the highest amino acid identity (98.26%) was confirmed in the 3D region among nonstructural protein region P2 and P3. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis of the WGS of OQ121963 showed the highest homology (96.96%) with JX564249 (originated in Taiwan; genotype A) and lowest homology (90.14%) with DQ028632 (originated in Brazil; genotype B). Therefore, the complete genome characterization of OQ121963 and phylogenetic analysis of the AiV conducted in this study provide useful information allowing to improve diagnostic tools and epidemiological studies of AiVs.
A temperature snapshot from MIS 5c in southeastern Alaska
Authors: Wilcox PAUL S. , Spötl Christoph , Edwards R.L.
Published: September 2024

Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5c, between ~106 000 and ~93 000 years ago, represents an important warm period in which the current anthropogenic warming can be contextualized. Although viewed as a pronounced interstadial, its climate expression is regionally disparate, with different regions on Earth showing evidence of either cooler or warmer conditions than modern‐day. It is therefore important to expand temperature reconstructions to different regions on Earth to gain a better picture of climate dynamics during MIS 5c. In Alaska, there are no quantitative temperature reconstructions for MIS 5c, limiting our knowledge of temperature changes in this climatically sensitive high‐latitude region. Here, we fill this gap by providing the first quantitative temperature estimates from MIS 5c in Alaska using hydrogen isotopes of fluid inclusions in precisely dated speleothems. We find that regional temperatures during MIS 5c were within error of the modern‐day reference period (1929–1989 ce) temperatures, possibly representing the most recent time period that regional temperatures were as high as modern‐day.
Pedagogical challenges at clinical skills centres in nursing education: A phenomenographic study
Authors: Tiger Axelsson Malin , Oscarsson Marie , Swahnberg Katarina , Årestedt Liselott
Published: September 2024

Aim

To describe educators' conceptions of the pedagogical challenges involved in teaching practical topics to nursing students at clinical skills centres (CSCs).

Design

A qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

The study used a phenomenographic approach. Data were collected through individual qualitative interviews with 17 educators teaching at CSCs, between November 2020 and March 2021. The checklist called Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research for qualitative research was used.

Results

Three categories of description emerged regarding the educators' conceptions of the pedagogical challenges: teaching with credibility, teaching with confidence and creating a conducive learning environment. These conceptions were interrelated based on the way that the teaching was performed. Further, the results indicate that educators had to manage two different professional areas, that is, nursing and pedagogy, which both needed to be integrated in order to create the right learning environment.

Conclusion

To increase competence and confidence, it is recommended to develop educational course for the educators at the clinical skills centre where pedagogy and nursing are intertwined.

Implications for the Profession

This study indicated the need for educators to be prepared with credibility and confidence when teaching at CSCs to create a conducive learning environment. In order to develop this, it is key to provide support through formal and informal mentoring and entail the need for educators to combine the two roles of nursing and pedagogy.

Reporting Method

Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).

Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
“I was very scared when I found out my son had sickle cell”: Caregiver knowledge and attitudes toward early intervention for young children with sickle cell disease: Implications for policy and practice from a multi‐site study
Authors: Hoyt Catherine R. , MacArthur Erin , Leaver Hayes , Wilson Ashley L. , Davis Kandace , Harris Kelly M. , Damiano Riley , Moore Hunter , Housten Ashley J. , Britts Rosemary , Hankins Jane Silva , King Allison A. , Heitzer Andrew M.
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study characterized caregivers’ beliefs related to early intervention services for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) to gain an indepth understanding of caregivers' experiences and desires for early intervention services.

Methods

Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from caregivers of children aged 0–4 years with SCD across two sites in the United States. Caregivers completed the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory, a custom survey about their experiences with early intervention, and a qualitative interview.

Results

A total of 127 caregivers were approached, 47 participated in surveys, and 20 completed interviews. Caregivers expressed varying levels of confidence and understanding of developmental milestones across sites. Interviews highlighted three main themes: fear of SCD‐related complications, variable buy‐in to early intervention, and the importance of provider–caregiver relationships. While some caregivers appreciated early intervention, others questioned its necessity. Caregivers communicated interest in connecting with other families facing similar challenges, emphasizing the need for increased awareness of available resources.

Conclusions

Fear about their child's well‐being was expressed by many caregivers, emphasizing the need for a supportive healthcare team that can help families connect with preventive interventions. While about a quarter of children had been referred to rehabilitation services, caregivers were unaware of the elevated risk for developmental delay, which diminished caregiver interest in participating in programs like early intervention. This study underscores the importance of addressing knowledge gaps and overcoming barriers to enhance care for families affected by SCD.
Antipsychotic‐associated breast cancer
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: September 2024

Research data suggest an association between antipsychotic‐induced hyperprolactinemia and higher risk of breast cancer (Rahman et al., 2022; also, see “Breast cancer risk with antipsychotic use linked to prolactin levels;” https://doi.org/10.1002/pu.30853). This is likely secondary to the anti‐dopaminergic properties of antipsychotics, especially those of first‐generation agents.
Enhanced health states recognition for electric rudder system using optimized twin support vector machine
Authors: Guo Chenxia , Qin Hao , Yang Ruifeng
Published: September 2024

Safety and reliability represent indispensable prerequisites for electric rudder systems (ERS), while health states recognition serves as a potent technology that fortifies and optimizes these essential aspects. To address this problem, we present a health‐state recognition muti‐class model BAFAO‐IPBT‐TWSVM for ERS considering several typical operating parameters obtained from intelligent electric rudder system test platform. The twin support vector machine (TWSVM) not only possesses the ability of traditional fault diagnosis methods based on SVM to handle unbalanced data, but also introduces two non‐parallel hyperplanes to replace single hyperplane of traditional SVM. Traditional TWSVM simplifies and streamlines the problem‐solving, but it is limited to binary classification problem. Therefore, the improved separability principle weighting intra‐class distance and inter‐class distance generates the best decision tree structure named improved partial binary tree (IPBT) is to effectively decompose multi‐classification problem into multiple binary classification problems. A novel intelligent algorithms called bat algorithm‐based fruit fly optimization algorithm (BAFOA) is utilized to self‐adaptively optimize the parameters of each sub‐classifier TWSVMi. This strategic integration makes the model more flexible in adapting to the characteristics of electric rudder system and enhances the accuracy and robustness of the model. The performance of the proposed model is validated under real‐world datasets by the results of health states recognition experiments. The Accuracy, Precision, TPR, TNR, F1‐score, G‐mean, and Kappa of the BAFOA‐IPBT‐TWSVM are 0.972, 0.987, 0.982, 0.959, 0.985, 0.970, and 0.954 respectively. The reserved BAFOA‐IPBT‐TWSVM is capable of recognizing the health status with preferable performance compared with other nine models, which could introduce a novel idea for future rudder maintenance approaches.
Design and Analysis of a Push Shovel‐Type Hull‐Cleaning Wall‐Climbing Robot
Authors: Yang Pei , Jia Jidong , Sun Lingyu , Zhang Minglu , Lv Delong
Published: September 2024

To address the problem of difficulty in removing marine biofouling due to the variable curvature of the ship wall, this study proposed a marine biofouling removal wall‐climbing robot equipped with an adaptive variable curvature wall cleaning module. The robot includes a mobile module, a cleaning module, and a magnetic module. The cleaning module uses push shovel cleaning technology to scrape away marine biofouling. It adopts a rigid‐flexible coupling mechanism design and can passively adapt to ship walls with different curvatures. A barnacle stress model was established, and the front angle of the push shovel was selected to be 60° through numerical simulation. On this basis, a robot adsorption failure model was established, and the minimum magnetic force required by the robot when the safety factor was 1.5 was obtained to be 1084 N. Based on the structure size of the robot, Ansys was used to conduct a comparative analysis on the adsorption efficiency of four Halbach Array magnetic circuit structures and determined that the magnetic force generated by the five‐magnetic circuit structure is relatively higher. Based on this, the structural dimensions of the magnetic module were designed, and the effects of air gap and wall thickness on magnetic force were analyzed. It was found that when the wall thickness exceeds 6 mm, the impact on magnetic force is small, and the air gap should be set within 10 mm. A robot prototype was built, and its performance was tested. The experimental results show that the robot has good motion performance; it can reach about 5 m underwater and move stably, and has good waterproof performance; when the robot moves circumferentially on the wall, the cleaning module can adapt to surfaces with a curvature of 3 m or more, and has good surface self‐adaptation ability; it is effective in removing marine biofouling.
Comparative Evaluation of Nano and Bulk Fe‐Porphyrins in Aerobic Oxidation of Alkenes
Authors: Pournaser Niloofar , Rayati Saeed
Published: September 2024

Aerobic oxidation of olefins without any co‐reductant and high temperature was studies in the presence of nano and bulky Fe‐porphyrin in a comparative manner. Nano‐particles of Fe‐porphyrin were obtained via ultrasound irradiation. The results show higher catalytic efficiency of nano‐catalyst (turnover number of 1300) with respect to the bulk catalyst (turnover number of 600) in the oxidation of cyclohexene with molecular oxygen at room temperature.
Particle Size Segregation during Charging and Discharging Processes in Bell‐Less Blast Furnace with Serial‐Type Hoppers
Authors: Zeng Wang , Zou Desheng , Wang Guangliang , Zheng Wen , Zhang Yichi , Zhang Tianxiang , Zhou Heng , Wu Shengli , Kou Mingyin
Published: September 2024

Burden distribution in a blast furnace not only determines the distribution of gas flow but also affects the thermal efficiency and fuel consumption of the blast furnace. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the burden segregation behaviors during the charging and discharging processes in blast furnaces. Herein, a 3D model of a 1:1 bell‐less top blast furnace with serial‐type hoppers is established based on the discrete element method. The model is used to simulate the entire process of the burden falling from the belt until it leaves the weighing hopper. The results show that the particle size segregation in the upper hopper is more severe than that in the weighing hopper, which also seriously affects the size segregation in the weighing hopper. Changing the charging sequence will reduce the segregation degree in two hoppers, but it cannot change the trend of particle size segregation in the final stage of the discharging process. The small particles are found to gather at the end of the discharging process, so the chute angle should be increased in the last few revolutions of the charging matrix to decrease the accumulation of small particles.
Negative Charge Carbon Dots Manufacturing Electrostatic Shielding Layer for Stable Zinc Anode
Authors: Wang Kai , Gao Jinqiang , Liu Huaxin , Jian Weishun , Huang Jiangnan , Hu XinYu , Lai Siyuan , Li Yafei , Zou Guoqiang , Hou Hongshuai , Deng Wentao , Ji Xiaobo
Published: September 2024

Alkaline zinc‐based batteries (AZBs) can yield higher operating voltages due to a more negative electrode potential of zinc metal in alkaline electrolytes compared with neutral electrolytes, delivering high energy density in practical manufacturing applications. However, AZBs also exhibit more pronounced problems due to severe corrosion of the zinc anode by the strongly alkaline electrolyte environment. Combined with the reaction mechanism of alkaline zinc batteries, negatively charged carbon dots are innovatively used to construct a barrier with both physical and chemical effects. Zinc anode exposure to electrolyte is reduced by superior barrier, which assures transmission of zinc ions rather than zincate ions through electrostatic force balance, thus improving the distribution of the electric field for zinc ion deposition as well as avoiding accumulation of zincate ions at the interface. The number of harmful dendrite formation was found to be significantly suppressed by in situ optical microscopy. When coupled with silver oxide cathode for testing, the assembled silver‐zinc battery results in a significant enhancement in its cyclic life. It is believed that this study will propel the development of zinc anode in alkaline batteries and provide new insights for their application.
The Pier Luigi Nervi's concrete structure of Palazzetto dello Sport: Modeling and dynamic characterization
Authors: Ciambella Jacopo , Ranzi Gianluca , Romeo Francesco
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a numerical and experimental study aimed at the modeling and dynamic characterization of the reinforced concrete structure of the Palazzetto dello Sport in Rome, designed and by Pier Luigi Nervi with Annibale Vitellozzi, and built by Nervi & Bartoli contractors in 1956‐57. An experimental dynamic testing campaign has been performed to obtain the modal properties of the structure, identified using operational modal analysis (OMA). The axial symmetry of the Palazzetto's dome, expected to exist in an idealized perfect dome, has been observed to occur experimentally by noting that rotated modes possessed nearly identical frequencies, evidenced by closely spaced double peaks in the power spectral density. This observation recognizes the remarkable precision of Nervi's construction methodology. A numerical 3D model has been developed by relying on detailed information about the structure gathered from various sources, including archival documents, on‐site testing, and surveying. The model has been calibrated by means of modal updating based on the experimental measurements collected in this study. The reconstruction of the dome using laser‐scanning and aerophotogrammetry has revealed a slight asymmetry in its thickness distribution (and consequently its mass distribution) that, when incorporated in the numerical model, has been shown to contribute to the experimentally observed frequency split. It is expected that, by tracking these closely spaced frequencies on top of the typical variations of natural frequencies in a health monitoring approach, further insight might be gained into the detection of possible damages and/or degradation of the structure and its components.
Joint multiscale dynamics in soil–vegetation–atmosphere systems: Multifractal cross‐correlation analysis of arid and semiarid rangelands
Authors: Sanz Ernesto , Almeida‐Ñaulay Andrés F. , Díaz‐Ambrona Carlos G. H. , Mínguez Sergio Zubelzu , Tarquis Ana M.
Published: September 2024

Understanding the dynamics of the soil–vegetation–atmosphere (SVA) system, particularly in arid and semiarid regions, remains challenging due to its intricate and interdependent nature. This system creates problems for rangeland administration, such as insurance and risk management. This paper focuses on the complex interactions within the SVA system, particularly on rangeland ecosystems in Spain's semiarid and arid regions. By employing multifractal detrended cross‐correlation analysis (MFCCA), we explore the joint behavior of key variables, including precipitation (PCP), evapotranspiration (ETP), aridity index (Arid. I.), soil water availability (SWA), biomass (Bio), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Analyzing a 20‐year data series from Madrid and Almeria provinces, we reveal distinct patterns in the studied variables’ persistence, multifractality, and asymmetry. Notably, the differences in the generalized Hurst exponents ((q)) between Madrid and Almeria for SWA with NDVI, SWA with Bio, and NDVI with Bio underscore distinct interactions in these regions. Moreover, multifractal analyses unveil differences in the complexity of joint variables’ behaviors in the two regions. Almeria exhibits higher multifractality across variables, indicating more complex and variable environmental interactions, likely due to its more arid conditions. These findings suggest that Almeria has more sensitivity to changes, requiring adaptive management strategies, while in Madrid, water availability and related variables play a more dominant role in driving vegetation dynamics. These findings shed light through MFCCA on the nuanced dynamics of rangeland ecosystems in semiarid and arid regions, emphasizing the importance of considering complexity‐based approaches to understand the intricate interplay among key variables in the SVA system.
Sonification of Genomic Data to Represent Genetic Load in Zoo Populations
Authors: Martin Edward J. , Speak Samuel A. , Urban Lara , Morales Hernán E. , van Oosterhout Cock
Published: September 2024

Maintaining a diverse gene pool is important in the captive management of zoo populations, especially in endangered species such as the pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri). However, due to the limited number of breeding individuals and relaxed natural selection, the loss of variation and accumulation of harmful variants is inevitable. Inbreeding results in a loss of fitness (i.e., inbreeding depression), principally because related parents are more likely to transmit a copy of the same recessive deleterious genetic variant to their offspring. Genomics‐informed captive breeding can manage harmful variants by artificial selection, reducing the genetic load by avoiding the inheritance of two copies of the same harmful variant. To explain this concept in an interactive way to zoo visitors, we developed a sonification game to represent the fitness impacts of harmful variants by detuning notes in a familiar musical melody (i.e., Beethoven's Für Elise). Conceptually, zoo visitors play a game aiming to create the most optimal pink pigeon offspring in terms of inbreeding depression. They select virtual crosses between pink pigeon individuals and listen for the detuning of the melody, which represents the realised load of the resultant offspring. Here we present the sonification algorithm and the results of an online survey to see whether participants could identify the most and least optimal offspring from three potential pink pigeon offspring. Of our 98 respondents, 85 (86.7%) correctly identified the least optimal offspring, 73 (74.5%) correctly identified the most optimal, and 62 (63.3%) identified both the most and least optimal offspring using only the sonification.