bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of a wearable intelligent sleep monitor and polysomnography monitor for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Xu Yanxia , Ou Qiong , Cheng Yilu , Lao Miaochan , Pei Guo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Due to the lack of an objective population-based screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a large number of patients with potential OSA have not been identified in the general population. Our study compared an objective wearable sleep monitoring device with polysomnography (PSG) to provide a reference for OSA screening in a large population.

Methods

Using a self-control method, patients admitted to our sleep center from July 2020 to March 2021 were selected for overnight PSG and wearable intelligent sleep monitor (WISM) at the same time. The sensitivity and specificity of the device for the diagnosis of OSA were evaluated.

Results

A total of 196 participants (mean age: 45.1 ± 12.3 years [18–80 years]; 168 men [86%]) completed both PSG and WISM monitoring. Using an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/h as the diagnostic criterion, the sensitivity, specificity, kappa value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the WISM for OSA diagnosis were 93%, 77%, 0.6, and 0.95, respectively. Using an AHI ≥ 15 events/h as the diagnostic criterion for moderate-to-severe OSA, these values were 92%, 89%, 0.8, and 0.95, respectively. The mean difference in the AHI between PSG and the artificial intelligence oxygen desaturation index from the WISM was 6.8 events/h (95% confidence interval: − 13.1 to 26.7).

Conclusion

Compared with the PSG, WISM exhibits good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of OSA. This small, simple, and easy-to-use device is more suitable for OSA screening in a large population because of its single-step application procedure.
Preparation and characterization of N-doped ZnO and N-doped TiO2 beads for photocatalytic degradation of phenol and ammonia
Authors: Mandor Hagar , Amin Nevine K. , Abdelwahab Ola , El-Ashtoukhy El-Sayed Z.
Published: March 2022

N-doped ZnO beads (NZB) and N-doped TiO2 beads (NTB) were synthesized via a modified sol–gel technique utilizing chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel beads as basic support for photocatalyst. Urea was used as a source of nitrogen in the preparation of N-doped ZnO beads, while ammonium acetate, CH3COONH4, was used as a nitrogen source in the production of N-doped TiO2 beads. The characteristics of synthesized beads were identified by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, BET surface area, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurements, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) studies. The use of the nitrogen doping method for photocatalyst was performed to adjust the bandgap and electrical properties of ZnO and TiO2 by establishing acceptor defects. NZB and NTB with the intrinsic donor defect of oxygen vacancy and the nitrogen-to-oxygen acceptor defect could be activated by a less-energy UV consumption for efficient pollutant degradation. The results indicated that the as-synthesized NZB achieved much higher degradation activity than NTB, commercial ZnO, and TiO2 in the decomposition of a binary mixture composed of ammonia and phenol under UV light irradiation.
Phenotype of Gambling Disorder Patients with Lotteries as a Preferred Form of Gambling
Authors: Granero Roser , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Mena-Moreno Teresa , del Pino-Gutierrez Amparo , Codina Ester , Gómez-Peña Mónica , Moragas Laura , Aymamí Neus , Mestre-Bach Gemma , Steward Trevor , Agüera Zaida , Hakånsson Anders , Vintró-Alcaraz Cristina , Lozano-Madrid María , Casalé-Salayet Gemma , López-González Hibai , Valenciano-Mendoza Eduardo , Mora-Maltas Bernat , Rivas-Pérez Sandra , Menchón José M. , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: March 2022

Lottery gambling can become an addictive behavior which can significantly interfere with daily functioning. The objectives of this work were to estimate the prevalence of lottery gambling, to assess the profile related to this gambling type in a large clinical sample of patients who met criteria for gambling disorder (GD), and to compare this profile with the other two non-strategic forms of gambling (slot-machines and bingo). Sample included n = 3,531 patients consecutively attended for treatment-seeking due to gambling-related problems. All the participants met criteria for GD and were into the range of 18 to 85 years old. Sociodemographic variables, GD severity, psychopathological state, and personality traits were assessed. Statistical comparisons between the groups defined by the patients’ gambling preference (lotteries versus other gambling activities) were conducted, with chi-square test and analysis of variance. The prevalence of lotteries as the only gambling activity was 2.5%, 8.9% for lottery gambling as primary activity with other secondary gambling types, and 20.6% for lotteries as primary or secondary gambling activity. Lottery gambling and bingo gambling were more prevalent among women (bingo included the highest percentage of women). Compared to slot machine gambling, lotteries and bingo grouped older patients and those with later age of onset of the gambling-related problems. Bingo gambling showed the highest psychological distress and the most dysfunctional personality traits. This study shows the high frequency of lottery gambling among treatment-seeking for GD patients, and it provides empirical evidence about the profile associated with this gambling activity compared to other non-strategic gambling forms. The likelihood of lottery gambling is higher for women, patients married or living with a stable partner, and those within higher social position indexes.
Understanding the Influence and Impact of Stakeholder Engagement in Patient-centered Outcomes Research: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Maurer Maureen , Mangrum Rikki , Hilliard-Boone Tandrea , Amolegbe Andrew , Carman Kristin L. , Forsythe Laura , Mosbacher Rachel , Lesch Julie Kennedy , Woodward Krista
Published: March 2022

Background

Engaging patients and other stakeholders as partners in research offers promise in improving the relevance and usefulness of research findings.

Objective

To explore the influence and impact of patient and other stakeholder engagement on the planning and conduct of comparative effectiveness research studies.

Design

Qualitative study with virtual, hour-long semi-structured interviews.

Participants

Fifty-eight researchers and fifty-one partners from a diverse purposeful sample of fifty-eight studies funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).

Approach

Content and thematic analysis of interview data.

Key Results

Described as an integral, long-term part of the research process, engagement influenced all aspects of the design and execution of studies. Partner influence was also dynamic and iterative, taking different forms over the course of the study. Across studies, we identified 387 discrete examples of influence and classified each as one of five types of influence, derived inductively from the interview data: co-producing, redirecting, refining, confirming, and limited. Most projects exhibited multiple types of influence, with 50 researchers and 41 partners reporting two or more types of influence within a project. Of the 387 examples of stakeholder influence, 306 had at least one reported impact on the study. Such impacts included changes to reflect the needs and preferences of patients or clinicians, as well as impacts on study feasibility, study quality, engagement scope or quality, and study relevance. Both researchers and partners identified multiple types of impact within projects, with 42 researchers and 38 partners reporting two or more types within a project. Because of these observable impacts, researchers and partners described engagement as worthwhile.

Conclusions

Findings provide insights for funders and institutions supporting engagement, measurement efforts, and clinical researchers aiming to conduct engaged research and observe similar influences and impacts in their own studies.
A Raman-Structure Model for the Viscosity of SiO2-CaO-Al2O3 System
Authors: Haghdani Shokouh , Tangstad Merete , Einarsrud Kristian Etienne
Published: March 2022

The relationship between structure and viscosity of molten slags is investigated using the Raman spectroscopy technique. To this end, a group of 20 synthetic slags in the SiO2-CaO-Al2O3 ternary system is considered. The slag compositions are close to industrial slags in silicon and ferrosilicon production, namely SiO2 contents of 35 to 75 wt pct, CaO contents of 10 to 40 wt pct, and Al2O3 contents of 5 to 40 wt pct. Using a green source laser with 532 nm wavelength, the Raman spectra are measured within the wavenumbers on the order of 200 to 1300 cm−1. To model viscosity using the Raman spectroscopy data, the ratio of low and high wavenumber vibrational bands is introduced as a structure-related Raman parameter (R). The Arrhenius equation is employed for the temperature dependency of the slag viscosity, where its parameters are linked to the R parameter through curve fitting. To model the relationship between structure and viscosity, experimental viscosity data are adopted from the literature. Comparing the model predictions and experiments, a good agreement is found between the model and measured values of viscosity.
3D printed patient-specific prostate cancer models to guide nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a systematic review
Authors: Coles-Black Jasamine , Ong Sean , Teh Jiasian , Kearns Paul , Ischia Joseph , Bolton Damien , Lawrentschuk Nathan
Published: March 2022

Precise knowledge of each patient’s index cancer and surrounding anatomy is required for nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (NS-RARP). Complementary to this, 3D printing has proven its utility in improving the visualisation of complex anatomy. This is the first systematic review to critically assess the potential of 3D printed patient-specific prostate cancer models in improving visualisation and the practice of NS-RARP. A literature search of PubMed and OVID Medline databases was performed using the terms “3D Printing”, “Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy” and related index terms as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eight articles were included; six were identified via database searches, to which a further two articles were located via a snowballing approach. Eight papers were identified for review. There were five prospective single centre studies, one case series, one technical report and one letter to the editor. Of these articles, five publications (62.5%) reported on the utility of 3D printed models for NS-RARP planning. Two publications (25%) utilised 3D printed prostate models for simulation and training, and two publications (25%) used the models for patient engagement. Despite the nascency of the field, 3D printed models are emerging in the uro-oncological literature as a useful tool in visualising complex anatomy. This has proven useful in NS-RARP for preoperative planning, simulation and patient engagement. However, best practice guidelines, the future regulatory landscape, and health economic considerations need to be addressed before this synergy of new technologies is ready for the mainstream.
Inter-organizational social capital of firms in developing economies and industry 4.0 readiness: the role of innovative capability and absorptive capacity
Authors: ul zia Najam , Burita Ladislav , Yang Yumei
Published: March 2022

The globalization of markets provides opportunities for firms to collaborate on various activities. These collaborations are the resource of social capital for firms to achieve sustainable competitiveness. This study aims to investigate how social capital (i.e., structural, relational, and cognitive social capital) between firms in a developing economy and developed economy strengthens their innovation capability and enhance their industry 4.0 readiness. Using Smart PLS-SEM to analyse the data collected from 320 managers representing 81 manufacturing firms in Pakistan, we found that social capital is positively associated with industry 4.0 readiness, and innovative capability mediates this relationship. The study contributes to the existing knowledge of understanding industry 4.0 readiness and provides useful insights for firms in developing economy to improves their innovation capability during the industry 4.0 era. This study likewise reveals the significance of three dimensions of social capital, which can facilitate to bring in digital knowledge from developed economies to developed economies to get ready for the fourth industrial revolution.
A Forgotten Figure: Hans L. Zetterberg at Columbia and the Transfer of Knowledge Between the United States and Sweden
Authors: Velásquez Paolo
Published: March 2022

The main purpose of this paper is to provide a biographical sketch of the late Hans L. Zetterberg and a historical background to a translation of an essay based on a lecture given by Zetterberg in Stockholm in 1995. In it, he recounts his time at the Department of Sociology at Columbia University in the years 1953–1964. This essay is full of insights into an inspiring and formative period for Zetterberg in the United States, particularly in the stimulating milieu that was Columbia, at this time the center of American sociology led by Robert K. Merton and Paul Lazarsfeld. In the introduction to this translated essay, I give a brief overview of the establishment of sociology as a discipline in Sweden, and the transfer of knowledge between the United States and Sweden (and Europe, more broadly), embodied in Hans Zetterberg. In the post-WWII years, American sociology, which had a strong positivistic imprint, played an important role in shaping the beginnings of Swedish sociology. However, the transfer of knowledge went both ways, with Zetterberg, a semi-central and often neglected figure, being both a significant contributor to sociology at Columbia in its period of greatest prominence, and in his native Sweden.
Indigenous Perspectives of Immigration Policy in a Settler Country
Authors: Bauder Harald , Breen Rebecca
Published: March 2022

The immigration policies in settler colonial countries rarely consider Indigenous perspectives or solicit their input—a reality that is particularly problematic given the key role that immigration policies have played and continue to play in the colonialization process. In this paper, we use Canada as a case study to examine the intersection of Indigenous experiences and the country’s immigration policy, and why and how Indigenous voices have been excluded from decision-making about immigrant selection. In addition, we review the academic and grey literature to investigate what the Indigenous perspectives that have been shared surrounding immigration policy currently are. Some perspectives affirm the need and desire for new immigrants while simultaneously engaging with the Canadian state’s problematic treatment of temporary migrants. Other perspectives fundamentally challenge the Westphalian state and its claim to regulate human mobility in the name of sovereignty. We connect these perspectives with academic open borders and no border debates.
All-solid anti-resonant single crystal fibers
Authors: Ding Jinmin , Meng Fanchao , Zhao Xiaoting , Wang Xin , Lou Shuqin , Sheng Xinzhi , Yang Luyun , Tao Guangming , Liang Sheng
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a novel all-solid anti-resonant single crystal fiber (AR-SCF) with high refractive index tubes cladding is proposed. By producing the cladding tubes with high refractive index material, the AR guiding mechanism can be realized for the SCF, which can reduce the mode number to achieve single-mode or few-mode transmission. The influences of different materials and structures on the confinement loss and effective guided mode number for wavelengths of 2–3 μm are investigated. Then, the optimal AR-SCF structures for different wavelengths are determined. Furthermore, the influences of different fabrication errors are analyzed. This work would provide insight to new opportunities in the novel design of SCFs by AR, which would greatly impact the fields of laser application, supercontinum generation, and SCF sensors.

Graphical Abstract
Example of a Highly Branching CD Space
Authors: Magnabosco Mattia
Published: March 2022

In Ketterer and Rajala (Potential Anal 42:645–655, 2014) showed an example of metric measure space, satisfying the measure contraction property $$\mathsf {MCP}(0,3)$$

MCP
(
0
,
3
)

, that has different topological dimensions at different regions of the space. In this article I propose a refinement of that example, which satisfies the $$\mathsf {CD}(0,\infty )$$

CD
(
0
,
∞
)

condition, proving the non-constancy of topological dimension for CD spaces. This example also shows that the weak curvature dimension bound, in the sense of Lott–Sturm–Villani, is not sufficient to deduce any reasonable non-branching condition. Moreover, it allows to answer to some open question proposed by Schultz in (Calc Var Partial Differ Equ 57:1–11, 2018), about strict curvature dimension bounds and their stability with respect to the measured Gromov–Hausdorff convergence.
Blutgefäße aus dem Labor – neue Matrixeigenschaften zur Gefäßneubildung
Authors: Weiß Martin , Günther Patrick , Schröter Inka , Trappmann Britta
Published: March 2022

Successful vascularization is a key requirement for implantable materials. In order to determine the material design criteria that are needed to support the formation of blood vessels from the surrounding host tissue, we have developed the first biomimetic model of angiogenesis in a tunable 3D synthetic hydrogel environment. Using this model, we could show that matrix stiffness, adhesiveness and degradability regulate the collective migration of endothelial cells and importantly, vascular lumen formation.
LGBTQI + Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Mental Health: A Qualitative Systematic Review
Authors: Nematy Azadeh , Namer Yudit , Razum Oliver
Published: March 2022

Introduction

LGBTQI + refugees and asylum seekers experience enormous distress during their lifespan. Ill-effects of socio-cultural stigma, systemic violence, and forced migration due to sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) are not their only challenge. The cumbersome asylum process in host countries negatively affects their mental health and well-being. The objective of this systematic review was to retrieve, critically evaluate and synthesize the evidence from qualitative data relating to mental health conditions of LGBTQI + forced migrants before, during, and after resettlement.

Methods

Seven Databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Taylor, and Francis online as well as MEDLINE, PSYNDEX, PsycINFO, and PsycArticles via EBSCO) were queried with relevant search terms between January and April 2020. To be included in the analysis, studies had to be qualitative and published in peer-reviewed journals between 2002 and 2020. Of 410 records, 23 of them met the inclusion criteria. Two low-score records were removed after critical evaluation with the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Program). Data from 21 studies were extracted. Qualitative meta-aggregation was implemented as the data synthesis strategy.

Results

Four emerged themes were linked to distress: Violence/discrimination, mental healthcare access barriers, asylum system challenges, and unaddressed mental health difficulties. Coping strategies and support resources were two other relevant themes across and within the data.

Conclusions

Experiencing violence and deprivation of equitable mental health services in countries of origin due to SOGIESC status, difficulties in the asylum process, limited care in detention centers, cultural and financial barriers in host countries, and finally, discrimination based on multiple marginalized identities explain how the mental health condition of LGBTQI + forced migrants is inextricably intertwined with structural discrimination.

Policy Implications

Host countries need to ensure migrant and local communities are aware of state equality and LGBTQI + anti-discrimination policies. Service providers in both asylum and health systems need to be trained for affirmative, culturally sensitive, and intersectional approaches in their practice and avoid treating queer clients against their expectations and stereotypes. Also, they should address the authentic accounts of resilience and resistance of LGBTQI + forced migrants.
A transformative mission for prioritising nature in Australian cities
Authors: Frantzeskaki Niki , Oke Cathy , Barnett Guy , Bekessy Sarah , Bush Judy , Fitzsimons James , Ignatieva Maria , Kendal Dave , Kingsley Jonathan , Mumaw Laura , Ossola Alessandro
Published: March 2022

Australia is experiencing mounting pressures related to processes of urbanisation, biodiversity loss and climate change felt at large in cities. At the same time, it is cities that can take the leading role in pioneering approaches and solutions to respond to those coupling emergencies. In this perspective piece we respond to the following question: What are the required transformations for prioritising, valuing, maintaining and embracing nature in cities in Australia? We adopt the mission framework as an organising framework to present proposed pathways to transform Australian cities as nature-positive places of the future. We propose three interconnected pathways as starting actions to steer urban planning, policy and governance in Australian cities: First, cities need to establish evidence-based planning for nature in cities and mainstream new planning tools that safeguard and foreground urban nature. Second, collaborative planning needs to become a standard practice in cities and inclusive governance for nature in cities needs to prioritise Aboriginal knowledge systems and practices as well as look beyond what local governments can do. Third, for progressing to nature-positive cities, it is paramount to empower communities to innovate with nature across Australian cities. Whilst we focus on Australian cities, the lessons and pathways are broadly applicably globally and can inspire science-policy debates for the post COP15 biodiversity and COP26 climate change implementation processes.
COSMIC-2 soundings impacts on a RO-based NOAA microwave satellite data quality monitoring system
Authors: Iacovazzi Robbie , Liu Quanhua , Zhou Xinjia , Kireev Stanislav , Sun Ninghai , Ho Shu-peng
Published: March 2022

The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate-2/Formosa Satellite Mission 7 (COSMIC-2) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Radio Occultation (RO) constellation is the follow-on to the highly successful COSMIC-1 program. The GNSS RO atmospheric soundings have historically been used to generate Community Radiative Transfer Model simulated background (B) microwave (MW) brightness temperature data needed to monitor NOAA operational MW sounding instrument observed (O) antenna temperature (Ta) product quality. This study is motivated by the need to determine the impact of COSMIC-2 RO soundings on this critical long-term monitoring capability. This study is based on individual MW sensor O-B Ta bias (∆Ta) statistics and "double-difference" inter-sensor Ta bias (δTa) statistics for two time periods. Time Period 1 (TP1—May 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019) exclusively uses COSMIC-1 and Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-5 soundings, while Time Period 2 (TP2—October 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020) expands the analysis with COSMIC-2 soundings. The TP1 and TP2∆Tastatistics comparisons indicate COSMIC-2 data population augmentation and latitudinal distribution impact the MW sounder performance monitoring tool transition from TP1 to TP2. COSMIC-2 competently supports long-term MW individual sensor and inter-sensor product monitoring for MW radiometer channels with weighting functions that peak between 8 and 30 km. Individual sensor∆Tamonitoring for other microwave channels that depend on COSMIC-2 data below 8 km and from 30 km to 60 has limitations, but these limitations are shown not to inhibit criticalδTamonitoring.
Investigating the promise and pitfalls of pulse surveys
Authors: Brown Matt I.
Published: March 2022

Despite the growing popularity and marketing of pulse surveys, there is little research concerning this practice. To this end, this practice forum reports the results of a four-wave pulse survey that was conducted in a health care organization. Pulse surveys provided reliable estimates of overall engagement, but scores remained stable across 8 months. Practically no differences in group scores or trends could be found despite high participation (≍ 50%). Item responses displayed little differences between groups, ICC(1) ranging from .03 to .18, and poor discriminant validity. Based on these results, pulse surveys may be adequate for estimating overall employee sentiment but not useful for detecting change over time or differences between groups. These limitations should be considered when designing or implementing pulse surveys.
Ibadi Muslim schools in post-revolutionary Zanzibar
Authors: Wortmann Kimberly T.
Published: March 2022

This article examines how the schools of the Ibadi-Omani diaspora have had an impact on religious education and Afro-Arab relations in post-revolutionary Zanzibar. Much of the existing literature about Ibadism and the Omani diaspora in Zanzibar centres on the island’s economic history, stories of Arab elites under sultanate rule and the politics of the 1964 revolution. Little work explores how Ibadis in Zanzibar today distinguish themselves from other Muslims by marrying within the Omani community, running religious charities, wearing Omani clothing, attending Ibadi mosques, and enrolling their children in Ibadi schools. This research offers a fresh perspective on Ibadism and Oman–Zanzibar relations under neoliberalism through an examination of the lived experiences of Ibadis and non-Ibadis affiliated with the schools of the Istiqama Muslim community and organization.
The relationship between dimensions of the Eustachian tube and acquired attic cholesteatoma
Authors: Cetinkaya E A , Yavuz A , Ozturk G , Ay S , Aydenizoz D , Selcuk O T , Eyigor H
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study investigated the relationship between physical dimensions of the Eustachian tube and the emergence of primary attic cholesteatoma.

Methods

A total of 31 patients with unilateral attic cholesteatoma were selected for radiological comparison. Standard point measurements as well as specific measurements were performed using imaging software. The length, narrowest diameter and bony segment volume, and pharyngeal orifice diameter of both sides of the Eustachian tube (attic cholesteatoma and healthy control ears) were measured and compared.

Results

Comparison of the values did not reveal any statistically significant difference between the attic cholesteatoma ears and the healthy control ears in terms of: Eustachian tube height, narrowest diameter, bony segment volume or pharyngeal orifice diameter.

Conclusion

No statistically significant difference was found between the cholesteatoma ears and the healthy control ears in terms of the osseous Eustachian tube size. The findings indicate that the Eustachian tube bony segment dimensions and pharyngeal orifice diameter are not factors in attic cholesteatoma development.
The Role of Soil Temperature Feedbacks for Summer Air Temperature Variability Under Climate Change Over East Asia
Authors: Li Kai , Zhang Jingyong , Wu Lingyun , Yang Kai , Li Suosuo
Published: March 2022

The ongoing climate change has posed severe threat to the natural system and human society. However, how soil temperature feedbacks matter for climate change projections is not yet well explored. In this study, we assess the role of soil temperature feedbacks for summer air temperature variability over East Asia under global warming. Regional climate model simulations with and without soil temperature‐atmosphere interactions were performed to isolate the role of soil temperature feedbacks under historical (1976–2005) and future (2071–2100) warming conditions. Results indicate that soil temperature feedbacks can largely enhance interannual variability of summer daily mean and minimum surface air temperatures over East Asia, with strongest impacts over Mongolia and many areas of northern Tibetan Plateau and northern China, in the historical period. The soil temperature feedback strength below 925‐hPa mainly depends on changes in longwave radiation, surface heat flux partitioning, and temperature advections, while it is largely determined by the diabatic heating processes in the lower troposphere. The spatial distribution of soil temperature feedbacks is projected to change notably over East Asia under future warming condition. In particular, the impacts of soil temperature feedbacks on summer temperature are shown to be stronger in the lower troposphere under future condition. These results imply the important role of soil temperature feedbacks on air temperature variability for regional climate modeling especially in the context of climate change.
Improved Water Savings and Reduction in Moist Heat Stress Caused by Efficient Irrigation
Authors: Ambika Anukesh Krishnankutty , Mishra Vimal
Published: March 2022

Intensive agriculture and irrigation play a crucial role in the food security of India. However, irrigation has considerably impacted regional climate and groundwater sustainability. Notwithstanding the profound implications of irrigation on dry and moist heat and groundwater depletion, the role of efficient irrigation on moist heat stress reduction and water savings remains unexplored. Here, we use observations and simulations from the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model to examine the impact of efficient (drip) irrigation on moist heat stress and water savings over the Indo‐Gangetic Plain. Irrigated area has increased more than 20% over the Indo‐Gangetic Plain during the 1970–2005 period. As a result, irrigation water use has increased dramatically over the region. The irrigation expansion partly contributed to the rise of 0.46°C (P‐value < 0.05) in the summer (April–May) season wet‐bulb temperature over the Indo‐Gangetic Plain, which is a measure of moist heat stress. The Indo‐Gangetic plain exhibited a strong land‐atmospheric coupling between soil moisture and dry and moist heat. WRF simulations conducted using ERA5 as boundary conditions show that switching from the conventional (channel) to the efficient (drip) irrigation leads to a moderate warming (∼0.2°C) and a significant decrease in specific humidity over the Indo‐Gangetic Plain. The reduction in specific humidity due to efficient irrigation significantly lowers the moist heat stress (wet‐bulb temperature) and increases water savings. Our findings show the double benefits of efficient irrigation to curb the rapidly declining groundwater and increase moist heat stress in the region.
Autocorrelation Infrasound Interferometry on Mars
Authors: Ortiz Hugo D. , Matoza Robin S. , Tanimoto Toshiro
Published: March 2022

A high‐sensitivity pressure sensor was deployed as part of the Mars Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport lander on Elysium Planitia in November 2018. We use pressure records from 1 October to 31 December 2019 (Sol 301–389) for frequencies between 0.1 and 0.5 Hz to infer relative sound‐speed changes in the Martian atmosphere using the autocorrelation infrasound interferometry method. We find that relative sound‐speed changes are up to ±15%, follow a similar pattern to Martian‐daily variations of atmospheric temperature and horizontal wind velocity, and are similar to those inferred from in‐situ observations and Martian climatology. The relative sound‐speed changes and horizontal wind speed variations are synchronous, while temperature peaks ∼1.88 hr after these time series. The strong and continuous emergence of coherent phases in the autocorrelation codas suggests the presence of continuous infrasound on Mars.
Microbial Blooms Triggered Pyrite Framboid Enrichment and Oxygen Depletion in Carbonate Platforms Immediately After the Latest Permian Extinction
Authors: Chen Zhong‐Qiang , Fang Yuheng , Wignall Paul B. , Guo Zhen , Wu Siqi , Liu Ziliang , Wang Rongqin , Huang Yuangeng , Feng Xueqian
Published: March 2022

Redox variations across the Permian‐Triassic boundary (PTB) have long been debated, especially during the proliferation of PTB microbialites. Here, we report redox fluctuations across the PTB to evaluate links between the two based on pyrite framboid analysis from basin to platform settings in South China. During the end‐Permian extinction, abundant framboids indicate a widespread anoxia that was likely a direct cause of extinction. In the earliest Triassic (Hindeodus parvus conodont zone), pyrite framboids were absent in ramp to basin and shallow, nonmicrobialite platform sections. In contrast, the coeval microbialites yield abundant framboids indicative of dysoxia. The fact that framboids were only confined to PTB microbialites and absent in other habitats indicates that microbe bloom may have stimulated dysoxic watermass and triggered the framboid growth within microbe aggregates. Thus, microbialites were not built in reducing settings, but instead, microbial proliferation caused local, dysoxia within shallow oxygenated platforms after the extinction.
Orbital Forcing of Martian Climate Revealed in a South Polar Outlier Ice Deposit
Authors: Sori Michael M. , Becerra Patricio , Bapst Jonathan , Byrne Shane , McGlasson Riley A.
Published: March 2022

Deciphering paleoclimate on Mars has been a driving goal of Martian science for decades. Most research has addressed this issue by studying Mars' large polar layered deposits (PLDs) as a paleoclimate proxy, but the certainty to which we know the link between climate and orbit is debated. Here, we instead consider the record of other, smaller ice deposits located within craters separated from the PLDs using images from NASA's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera and signal processing techniques. We show that the climate record in Burroughs Crater (72.3°S, 116.6°E) contains robust evidence of orbital forcing, with periodicities that have wavelengths of 15.6 and 6.5 m. The ratio of these dominant wavelengths is 2.4, the same as the ratio between the periods of Mars' obliquity changes and orbital precession. This result suggests orbital control of recent Mars climate, and would imply an average ice accumulation rate of 0.13 mm/yr over 4.5 Myr in this region.
An 8‐Year‐Long Low‐Frequency Earthquake Catalog for Southern Cascadia
Authors: Ducellier Ariane , Creager Kenneth C.
Published: March 2022

Low‐frequency earthquakes (LFEs) are small magnitude earthquakes with typical magnitude less than 2 and reduced amplitudes at frequencies greater than 10 Hz relative to ordinary small earthquakes. Their occurrence is often associated with tectonic tremor and slow‐slip events along the plate boundary in subduction zones and occasionally transform fault zones. They are usually grouped into families with all the earthquakes of a given family originating from the same small patch on the plate interface and recurring more or less episodically in a bursty manner. In this study, we extend the LFE catalog obtained by Plourde et al. (2015), https://doi.org/10.1002/2015gl064363 during an episode of high tremor activity in April 2008 to the 8‐year period 2004–2011. All of the tremors in the Boyarko et al. (2015), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.06.026 catalog south of 42° North have associated LFE activity, but we have identified several smaller episodes of LFEs without associated tremor activity, and extend their catalog forward and backward by a total of about 3 years. As in northern Cascadia, the downdip LFE families have recurrence intervals several times smaller than the updip families. For the April 2008 Episodic Tremor and Slip event, the best recorded LFE families exhibit a strong tidal Coulomb stress sensitivity starting 1.5 days after the rupture front passes by each LFE family. The southernmost LFE family, which has been interpreted to be on the subduction plate boundary, near the updip limit of tremor, has a very short recurrence time. Also, these LFEs tend to occur during times when predicted tidal Coulomb stress is discouraging slip on the plate boundary. Both observations suggest that this LFE family may be on a different fault.
Solute Dispersion From a Continuous Release Source in a Vegetated Flow: An Analytical Study
Authors: Guo Jinlan , Chen Guoqian
Published: March 2022

Steady dispersion of solute in flows with submerged vegetation due to a continuous release source is a focus in water resources research. This paper presents a fully analytical effort for a complete description of the steady‐state concentration field. The analytically predicted vertical concentration profiles agree well with both experimental measurements and numerical simulation results. Relations between the steady dispersion for a continuous release source and the transient dispersion due to an instantaneous release source are also discussed. Results show that the mean concentration in the canopy layer is higher than that in the upper water layer and the steady concentration distribution approaches relative uniformity at a dimensionless downstream distance x = 0.5. The solute release position is shown highly remarkably affecting the way in which the downstream state is approached. Moreover, the vertical concentration profiles predicted by a spatially dependent four‐zone turbulent diffusivity model are better than those predicted by a constant single‐zone model. The obtained analytical results contribute essentially to our understanding of solute transport in water flows with submerged vegetation.
Potential Impacts of Future Extreme Precipitation Changes on Flood Engineering Design Across the Contiguous United States
Authors: Coelho Gustavo de A. , Ferreira Celso M. , Johnston Jeremy , Kinter James L. , Dollan Ishrat J. , Maggioni Viviana
Published: March 2022

The intensification of extreme precipitation in a warming climate is expected to increase flood risk. In order to support flood resilience efforts, it is important to anticipate and quantify potential changes in design standards under future climate conditions. This study assessed how extreme precipitation is expected to change over the 21st century in relation to current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 design standards over the contiguous United States (CONUS). We used the Community Earth System Model Version 2 large ensemble (CESM2‐LE) simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 and incorporated future changes into flood engineering design standard with a spatially distributed quantile delta mapping method. Relative changes in extreme daily precipitation were computed for multiple average recurrence intervals (ARIs) up to 100‐year and different planning horizons (2020, 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100). The results indicated an intensification of extreme precipitation by approximately 10%–40% in northern regions and 20%–80% in southern regions by 2100. The current 100‐year ARI with 24‐hr duration from NOAA Atlas 14 is projected to become the 50‐year ARI in the Northern Great Plains, less than the 25‐year ARI in Southwest areas, and approximately the 25‐year ARI in the other regions by 2100. While a nationwide consensus is still needed, this work presents a possible methodology for incorporating climate uncertainty in engineering design. A comparison across major metropolitan areas also illustrates regional variability in projected changes relative to NOAA Atlas 14, suggesting a need for varied local‐scale responses.
Microbial communities of Auka hydrothermal sediments shed light on vent biogeography and the evolutionary history of thermophily
Authors: Speth Daan R , Yu Feiqiao B , Connon Stephanie A , Lim Sujung , Magyar John S , Peña-Salinas Manet E , Quake Stephen R , Orphan Victoria J
Published: March 2022

Hydrothermal vents have been key to our understanding of the limits of life, and the metabolic and phylogenetic diversity of thermophilic organisms. Here we used environmental metagenomics combined with analysis of physicochemical data and 16S rRNA gene amplicons to characterize the sediment-hosted microorganisms at the recently discovered Auka vents in the Gulf of California. We recovered 325 metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) representing 54 phyla, over 30% of those currently known, showing the microbial community in Auka hydrothermal sediments is highly diverse. 16S rRNA gene amplicon screening of 224 sediment samples across the vent field indicates that the MAGs retrieved from a single site are representative of the microbial community in the vent field sediments. Metabolic reconstruction of a vent-specific, deeply branching clade within the Desulfobacterota suggests these organisms metabolize sulfur using novel octaheme cytochrome-c proteins related to hydroxylamine oxidoreductase. Community-wide comparison between Auka MAGs and MAGs from Guaymas Basin revealed a remarkable 20% species-level overlap, suggestive of long-distance species transfer over 400 km and subsequent sediment colonization. Optimal growth temperature prediction on the Auka MAGs, and thousands of reference genomes, shows that thermophily is a trait that has evolved frequently. Taken together, our Auka vent field results offer new perspectives on our understanding of hydrothermal vent microbiology.
Human forebrain organoids reveal connections between valproic acid exposure and autism risk
Authors: Meng Qingtuan , Zhang Wendiao , Wang Xuan , Jiao Chuan , Xu Sheng , Liu Chunyu , Tang Beisha , Chen Chao
Published: March 2022

Valproic acid (VPA) exposure as an environmental factor that confers risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its functional mechanisms in the human brain remain unclear since relevant studies are currently restricted to two-dimensional cell cultures and animal models. To identify mechanisms by which VPA contribute to ASD risk in human, here we used human forebrain organoids (hFOs), in vitro derived three-dimensional cell cultures that recapitulate key human brain developmental features. We identified that VPA exposure in hFOs affected the expression of genes enriched in neural development, synaptic transmission, oxytocin signaling, calcium, and potassium signaling pathways, which have been implicated in ASD. Genes (e.g., CAMK4, CLCN4, DPP10, GABRB3, KCNB1, PRKCB, SCN1A, and SLC24A2) that affected by VPA were significantly overlapped with those dysregulated in brains or organoids derived from ASD patients, and known ASD risk genes, as well as genes in ASD risk-associated gene coexpression modules. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that VPA exposure affected the expression of genes in choroid plexus, excitatory neuron, immature neuron, and medial ganglionic eminence cells annotated in hFOs. Microelectrode array further identified that VPA exposure in hFOs disrupted synaptic transmission. Taken together, this study connects VPA exposure to ASD pathogenesis using hFOs, which is valuable for illuminating the etiology of ASD and screening for potential therapeutic targets.
Mesenchymal stem cells protect against ferroptosis via exosome-mediated stabilization of SLC7A11 in acute liver injury
Authors: Lin Feiyan , Chen Wenyi , Zhou Jiahang , Zhu Jiaqi , Yao Qigu , Feng Bing , Feng Xudong , Shi Xiaowei , Pan Qiaoling , Yu Jiong , Li Lanjuan , Cao Hongcui
Published: March 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted interest for their potential to alleviate liver injury. Here, the protective effect of MSCs on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) was investigated. In this study, we illustrated a novel mechanism that ferroptosis, a newly recognized form of regulated cell death, contributed to CCl4-induced ALI. Subsequently, based on the in vitro and in vivo evidence that MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) treatment achieved pathological remission and inhibited the production of lipid peroxidation, we proposed an MSC-based therapy for CCl4-induced ALI. More intriguingly, treatment with MSCs and MSC-Exo downregulated the mRNA level of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2) and lipoxygenases (LOXs) while it restored the protein level of SLC7A11 in primary hepatocytes and mouse liver, indicating that the inhibition of ferroptosis partly accounted for the protective effect of MSCs and MSC-Exo on ALI. We further revealed that MSC-Exo-induced expression of SLC7A11 protein was accompanied by increasing of CD44 and OTUB1. The aberrant expression of ubiquitinated SLC7A11 triggered by CCl4 could be rescued with OTUB1-mediated deubiquitination, thus strengthening SLC7A11 stability and thereby leading to the activation of system XC− to prevent CCl4-induced hepatocyte ferroptosis. In conclusion, we showed that MSC-Exo had a protective role against ferroptosis by maintaining SLC7A11 function, thus proposing a novel therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis-induced ALI.
LPS/Bcl3/YAP1 signaling promotes Sox9+HNF4α+ hepatocyte-mediated liver regeneration after hepatectomy
Authors: Shao Changchun , Jing Yingying , Zhao Shanmin , Yang Xue , Hu Yiming , Meng Yan , Huang Yihua , Ye Fei , Gao Lu , Liu Wenting , Sheng Dandan , Li Rong , Zhang Xiaoren , Wei Lixin
Published: March 2022

Recent reports have demonstrated that Sox9+HNF4α+ hepatocytes are involved in liver regeneration after chronic liver injury; however, little is known about the origin of Sox9+HNF4α+ hepatocytes and the regulatory mechanism. Employing a combination of chimeric lineage tracing, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that Sox9+HNF4α+ hepatocytes, generated by transition from mature hepatocytes, play an important role in the initial phase after partial hepatectomy (PHx). Additionally, knocking down the expression of Sox9 suppresses hepatocyte proliferation and blocks the recovery of lost hepatic tissue. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that Bcl3, activated by LPS, promotes hepatocyte conversion and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, Bcl3 forms a complex with and deubiquitinates YAP1 and further induces YAP1 to translocate into the nucleus, resulting in Sox9 upregulation and mature hepatocyte conversion. We demonstrate that Bcl3 promotes Sox9+HNF4α+ hepatocytes to participate in liver regeneration, and might therefore be a potential target for enhancing regeneration after liver injury.
Empirical prediction of variant-activated cryptic splice donors using population-based RNA-Seq data
Authors: Dawes Ruebena , Joshi Himanshu , Cooper Sandra T.
Published: March 2022

Predicting which cryptic-donors may be activated by a splicing variant in patient DNA is notoriously difficult. Through analysis of 5145 cryptic-donors (versus 86,963 decoy-donors not used; any GT or GC), we define an empirical method predicting cryptic-donor activation with 87% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Strength (according to four algorithms) and proximity to the annotated-donor appear important determinants of cryptic-donor activation. However, other factors such as splicing regulatory elements, which are difficult to identify, play an important role and are likely responsible for current prediction inaccuracies. We find that the most frequently recurring natural mis-splicing events at each exon-intron junction, summarised over 40,233 RNA-sequencing samples (40K-RNA), predict with accuracy which cryptic-donor will be activated in rare disease. 40K-RNA provides an accurate, evidence-based method to predict variant-activated cryptic-donors in genetic disorders, assisting pathology consideration of possible consequences of a variant for the encoded protein and RNA diagnostic testing strategies.