bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulfate runoff processes during rainfall events in a small forested catchment on the sea of Japan side recovering from acidification under climate change
Authors: Yotsuyanagi Hiroki , Morohashi Masayuki , Takahashi Masaaki , Ohizumi Tsuyoshi , Inomata Yayoi , Yabusaki Shiho , Tayasu Ichiro , Okochi Hiroshi , Sase Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChanges in rainfall patterns due to climate change may accelerate the runoff of sulfate (SO42−), which is anthropogenically emitted and deposited as an air pollutant, cycled in forest ecosystems, and partly accumulated in forest soils. A forested catchment on the Sea of Japan side in central Japan is significantly affected by transboundary air pollution from the Asian continent due to northwesterly seasonal winds in winter. In this study, intensive 24‐h observations were conducted every hour eight times from 2019 to 2020 to clarify changes in stream water quality and runoff processes during rainfall events. The pH, electrical conductivity, and SO42− concentration in stream water decreased with increasing hourly average discharge rate (L sec−1). The SO42− concentration was negatively correlated with discharge rate. Hydrograph separations using the water isotopic parameter (deuterium excess, d‐excess = δ2H – 8 × δ18O) showed that most of the stream flow during the rain events was derived from pre‐storm water. A significant negative correlation between the d‐excess and stream water discharge was found for all six events where the water isotope analysis was applied. However, the S isotope ratio (δ34S) in stream water was not correlated with discharge rate during rainfall events and was obviously different (>1.5‰) from rainwater δ34S in the same month. This suggests that rainwater SO42− during rainfall events did not directly flow to the stream but was retained in the forest ecosystem. The isotopically well homogenized internal SO42− appeared to be mainly released into the stream during rainfall events. Future climate change may further accelerate SO42− runoff from forest catchments and disrupt material cycles in the ecosystem if warming causes more intense rainfall.
Impact assessment of agricultural droughts on water use efficiency in different climatic regions of Punjab Province Pakistan using MODIS time series imagery
Authors: Farhan Muhammad , Yang Jingyu , Wu Taixia , Wang Shudong , Zhao Xiangqian , Tariq Aqil 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDrought is the most destructive phenomenon that distresses the terrestrial carbon cycle balance and crop production. The variation in evapotranspiration (ET) and gross primary productivity (GPP) is a significant cause of agricultural drought effects on water use efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the impact of agricultural drought on WUE and it's anomalies in different climate regions. The standard vegetation index was used to measure the extent of agricultural drought. WUE was calculated using the ratio of ET, GPP, and climate classification using the De Martonne method. This study was conducted over the last 22 years, from 2001 to 2022. Meanwhile, 2001, 2002, 2014, and 2018 were considered high drought years based on a 22‐year analysis. According to remote sensing analysis of ET and GPP, the WUE increased throughout drought in all climate regions and more strongly in the arid zone than in humid regions. Humid areas were more vital due to drought than arid ones. WUE anomalies badge with increased drought severity across all climates except the very humid zone. Humid climates saw faster recovery times than arid ones, and areas experienced severe droughts. The findings of this research are essential for understanding the carbon and water cycles for agriculture management. The analysis of drought severity and WUE across arid climate regions helped analyse the varying impact of drought on WUE due to climate change. The significance of this study includes informing agricultural, water resource, and drought management planning in the Punjab Province, an agricultural region vulnerable to climate change. This study holds important learnings for agricultural regions worldwide. It has practical and scientific importance regarding agricultural systems' specific stresses and responses to droughts.
How do different runoff generation mechanisms drive stream network dynamics? Insights from physics‐based modelling
Authors: Zanetti Francesca , Camporese Matteo , Botter Gianluca 
Published: July 2024

AbstractNon‐perennial river catchments are characterized by an ever‐changing spatial configuration of their flowing streams. A combination of empirical data and simplified analytical frameworks has been frequently used in the literature to analyse the co‐evolution of the total active stream length () and the catchment discharge at the outlet (). However, despite the increasing availability of field data, understanding how runoff generation processes drive the spatio‐temporal dynamics of non‐perennial river reaches remains challenging. In this paper we use CATHY, an integrated surface–subsurface hydrological model (ISSHM), to investigate the impact of saturation‐excess (Dunnian) and infiltration‐excess (Hortonian) runoff generation on the stream network dynamics of two virtual catchments with spatially homogeneous subsurface properties but different morphology. The numerical simulations show that when surface runoff is triggered by saturation‐excess mechanisms, the subsurface domain is slowly saturated, and the stream network gradually expands upstream from the outlet towards the catchment divides. In these conditions, the specific inflow per unit contributing area is relatively uniform along the network, thereby implying that and display a monotonically increasing one‐to‐one relationship. On the other hand, infiltration‐excess mechanisms lead to more heterogeneous saturation patterns in the subsurface domain. In particular, during the wetting phase, Hortonian processes originate highly transient conditions and a non‐uniform spatial distribution of the specific inflow along the stream network. This is reflected by a hysteretic relation and a marked asymmetry between the wetting and drying phases of the event. The application of an ISSHM proved to be a useful tool to elucidate the processes that drive stream network expansion and retraction in non‐perennial rivers.
Field measurement of entrapped pore‐air pressure and the effect of rising groundwater level in the soil layer
Authors: Iwagami Sho , Noguchi Shoji , Shimizu Takanori , Kubota Tayoko , Iida Shin'ichi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractUnsaturated soil contains pore air, some of which becomes entrapped in the soil layer during the infiltration process. Such entrapped pore air in the soil layer inhibits infiltration, decreases hydraulic conductivity, and causes erroneous estimates of groundwater response. Experimental studies suggest an effect of compressed entrapped pore air on stream discharge. However, few studies have investigated the behaviour of pore air in the field, and no method for measurement of pore‐air behaviour has been established. We measured pore‐air pressure (Pair) with a simple handmade probe, combined with atmospheric pressure (Patm) and groundwater level. The entrapment and compression of pore air were detected based on the pressure difference (ΔP = Pair – Patm). Observations were conducted for approximately 1 year in two small headwater catchments (TC and HA, which have differences in soil depth and groundwater level dynamics) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Positive responses of ΔP during some rainfall events were confirmed at both TC and HA. Pore‐air entrapment occurred even during weak rainfall events with rainfall intensity of <10 mm/h. During a typhoon event in October 2019, a maximum ΔP of 3.9 kPa was observed at HA. The pore pressure increase recorded by the tensiometer was mostly explained by the increase in ΔP, which was supported by the soil moisture data. Therefore, we concluded that our handmade measurement system could successfully measure Pair and detect pore‐air entrapment in the field. This showed that Pair is not negligible. Total event rainfall was related to the maximum ΔP. It also showed that the rise in the groundwater level plays a significant role in pressurization of the entrapped pore air. We present the first field data demonstrating the effect of groundwater level rise on the pressurization of entrapped Pair.
A framework of workplace yoga for expectant mothers: A comprehensive review of benefits, safety considerations, and future perspectives
Authors: Nadholta Pooja , Saha Pradip Kumar , Anand Akshay 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis review explores the benefits of yoga during pregnancy and considers its implications for working pregnant women, focusing on safety, future directions, and limitations. The physical and psychological changes experienced during pregnancy can lead to increased stress and discomfort, impacting both maternal and fetal health, which may be further augmented by work stress during pregnancy. To address these challenges, various interventions such as yoga, relaxation techniques, and meditation have been proposed. Although there is evidence to support the benefits of yoga at both physical and psychological levels, there is a lack of proper strategies and guidelines for the implications of these interventions among working pregnant women. Incorporating yoga as a safe and cost‐effective intervention for managing work‐related distress during pregnancy can have significant benefits for both maternal and fetal health. However, careful consideration of safety guidelines, further research on working pregnant women, and exploring optimal implementation strategies are essential to fully harness the potential of yoga in this context. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence for the benefits and safety of yoga during pregnancy, with a specific focus on working pregnant women. To ensure the scientific rigor of this review, we conducted a systematic search of the PubMed database for high‐quality research studies published in peer‐reviewed journals.
Extracellular vesicle isolation methods identify distinct HIV‐1 particles released from chronically infected T‐cells
Authors: Molnar Sebastian M. , Kim Yuriy , Wieczorek Lindsay , Williams Anastasia , Patil Kajal Ashok , Khatkar Pooja , Santos Mark F. , Mensah Gifty , Lorico Aurelio , Polonis Victoria R. , Kashanchi Fatah 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe current study analyzed the intersecting biophysical, biochemical, and functional properties of extracellular particles (EPs) with the human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1) beyond the currently accepted size range for HIV‐1. We isolated five fractions (Frac‐A through Frac‐E) from HIV‐infected cells by sequential differential ultracentrifugation (DUC). All fractions showed a heterogeneous size distribution with median particle sizes greater than 100 nm for Frac‐A through Frac‐D but not for Frac‐E, which contained small EPs with an average size well below 50 nm. Synchronized and released cultures contained large infectious EPs in Frac‐A, with markers of amphisomes and viral components. Additionally, Frac‐E uniquely contained EPs positive for CD63, HSP70, and HIV‐1 proteins. Despite its small average size, Frac‐E contained membrane‐protected viral integrase, detectable only after SDS treatment, indicating that it is enclosed in vesicles. Single particle analysis with dSTORM further supported these findings as CD63, HIV‐1 integrase, and the viral surface envelope (Env) glycoprotein (gp) colocalized on the same Frac‐E particles. Surprisingly, Frac‐E EPs were infectious, and infectivity was significantly reduced by immunodepleting Frac‐E with anti‐CD63, indicating the presence of this protein on the surface of infectious small EPs in Frac‐E. To our knowledge, this is the first time that extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation methods have identified infectious small HIV‐1 particles (smHIV‐1) that are under 50 nm. Collectively, our data indicate that the crossroads between EPs and HIV‐1 potentially extend beyond the currently accepted biophysical properties of HIV‐1, which may have further implications for viral pathogenesis.
Extracellular vesicle isolation and counting system (EVics) based on simultaneous tandem tangential flow filtration and large field‐of‐view light scattering
Authors: Bae Ju‐Hyun , Lee Chan‐Hyeong , Jung Dokyung , Yea Kyungmoo , Song Byoung‐Joon , Lee Hakho , Baek Moon‐Chang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlthough the isolation and counting of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are essential steps in sEV research, an integrated method with scalability and efficiency has not been developed. Here, we present a scalable and ready‐to‐use extracellular vesicle (EV) isolation and counting system (EVics) that simultaneously allows isolation and counting in one system. This novel system consists of (i) EVi, a simultaneous tandem tangential flow filtration (TFF)‐based EV isolation component by applying two different pore‐size TFF filters, and (ii) EVc, an EV counting component using light scattering that captures a large field‐of‐view (FOV). EVi efficiently isolated 50–200 nm‐size sEVs from 15 µL to 2 L samples, outperforming the current state‐of‐the‐art devices in purity and speed. EVc with a large FOV efficiently counted isolated sEVs. EVics enabled early observations of sEV secretion in various cell lines and reduced the cost of evaluating the inhibitory effect of sEV inhibitors by 20‐fold. Using EVics, sEVs concentrations and sEV PD‐L1 were monitored in a 23‐day cancer mouse model, and 160 clinical samples were prepared and successfully applied to diagnosis. These results demonstrate that EVics could become an innovative system for novel findings in basic and applied studies in sEV research.
The PompeQoL questionnaire: Development and validation of a new measure for children and adolescents with Pompe disease
Authors: Truninger Moritz Ilan , Werner Helene , Landolt Markus Andreas , Hahn Andreas , Hennermann Julia B. , Lagler Florian B. , Möslinger Dorothea , Pfrimmer Charlotte , Rohrbach Marianne , Huemer Martina 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGenetic disorders pose great challenges for affected individuals and their families, as they must cope with the irreversible nature of the disease and a life‐long dependence on medical assistance and treatment. Children and adolescents dealing with Pompe disease (PD) often struggle to keep up with their peers in physical activities. To gain valuable insights into their subjective experiences and better understand their perception and coping related to daily challenges linked to their condition and treatment, the use of standardized questionnaires is crucial. This study introduces the novel PompeQoL 1.0 questionnaire for children and adolescents with PD, designed for comprehensive assessment of both disease‐specific FDH and HRQoL through self‐ and proxy reports. Content validity was ensured through patients' and parents' involvement at the initial stages of development and in subsequent cognitive debriefing process. Participants found the questionnaire easy to understand, answerable, relevant, and comprehensive. Adjustments based on feedback from patients and their parents improved its utility as a patient‐ and observer‐reported outcome measure. After careful item examination, 52 items were selected, demonstrating moderate to excellent test–retest reliability for most scales and initial evidence for satisfactory construct validity. The PompeQoL questionnaire stands as a valuable screening instrument for both clinical and research purposes. Future research should prioritize additional revisions and larger validation studies, focusing on testing the questionnaire in clinical practice and trials. Nevertheless, the PompeQoL 1.0 stands out as the first standardized measure providing insights into disease‐specific FDH and HRQoL among children and adolescents with various forms of PD.
Synthesis of High Mechanical Strength and Thermally Recyclable and Reversible Polyurethane Adhesive by Diels–Alder Reaction
Authors: Xi Jian , Wang Niangui 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRecyclability of polyurethane materials is significant to relieve environmental problems caused by damaged polymers. Inspired by plenty of self‐healing properties based on dynamic covalent bonds. A high mechanical strength and thermally reversible polyurethane adhesive are acquired through co‐polymerization of poly‐1,4‐butylene adipate glycol (PBA), soybean oil‐based polyol (MESO), and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) whose linear polymer chains are constructed by Diels–Alder reaction between furfuryl alcohol (FA) and bismaleimide (BMI), named DAPU. Further, the obtained polyurethane adhesives show great recyclability, mechanical performance (Whose tensile strength can reach 91.7 MPa), and appropriate self‐healing ability through the thermally reversible Diels–Alder covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds between urethane groups, which may pave a way for further development of recyclable materials.
A novel variant c.902C>A (p. A301D) in KCNQ4 associated with non‐syndromic deafness 2A in a Chinese family
Authors: Ren Lingyan , Wu Jiangfen , Kuang Ying , Chen Kun , Jiang Minmin , Zhuo Zhaozhen , Cao Zuwei , Huang Shengwen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundDeafness autosomal dominant 2A (DFNA2A) is related to non‐syndromic genetic hearing impairment. The KCNQ4 (Potassium Voltage‐Gated Channel Subfamily Q Member 4) can lead to DFNA2A. In this study, we report a case of autosomal dominant non‐syndromic hearing loss with six family members as caused by a novel variant in the KCNQ4 gene.MethodsThe whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and pure tone audiometry were performed on the proband of the family. Sanger sequencing was conducted on family members to determine if the novel variant in the KCNQ4 gene was present. Evolutionary conservation analysis and computational tertiary structure protein prediction of the wild‐type KCNQ4 protein and its variant were then performed. In addition, voltage‐gated channel activity of the wild‐type KCNQ4 protein and its variant were tested using whole‐cell patch clamp.ResultsIt was observed that the proband had inherited autosomal dominant, non‐syndromic sensorineural hearing loss as a trait. A novel co‐segregating heterozygous missense variant (c.902C>A, p.Ala301Asp) of the KCNQ4 gene was identified in the proband and other five affected family members. This variant was predicted to cause an alanine‐to‐aspartic acid substitution at position 301 in the KCNQ4 protein. The alanine at position 301 is well conserved across different species. Whole‐cell patch clamp showed that there was a significant difference between the WT protein currents and the mutant protein currents in the voltage‐gated channel activity.ConclusionIn the present study, performing WES in conjunction with Sanger sequencing enhanced the detection of a novel, potentially causative variant (c301 A>G; p.Ala301Asp) in exon 6 of the KCNQ4 gene. Therefore, our findings contributed to the mutation spectrum of the KCNQ4 gene and may be useful in the diagnosis and gene therapy of deafness autosomal dominant 2A.
Patient‐specific deep learning for 3D protoacoustic image reconstruction and dose verification in proton therapy
Authors: Lang Yankun , Jiang Zhuoran , Sun Leshan , Tran Phuoc , Mossahebi Sina , Xiang Liangzhong , Ren Lei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundProtoacoustic (PA) imaging has the potential to provide real‐time 3D dose verification of proton therapy. However, PA images are susceptible to severe distortion due to limited angle acquisition. Our previous studies showed the potential of using deep learning to enhance PA images. As the model was trained using a limited number of patients' data, its efficacy was limited when applied to individual patients.PurposeIn this study, we developed a patient‐specific deep learning method for protoacoustic imaging to improve the reconstruction quality of protoacoustic imaging and the accuracy of dose verification for individual patients.MethodsOur method consists of two stages: in the first stage, a group model is trained from a diverse training set containing all patients, where a novel deep learning network is employed to directly reconstruct the initial pressure maps from the radiofrequency (RF) signals; in the second stage, we apply transfer learning on the pre‐trained group model using patient‐specific dataset derived from a novel data augmentation method to tune it into a patient‐specific model. Raw PA signals were simulated based on computed tomography (CT) images and the pressure map derived from the planned dose. The reconstructed PA images were evaluated against the ground truth by using the root mean squared errors (RMSE), structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and gamma index on 10 specific prostate cancer patients. The significance level was evaluated by t‐test with the p‐value threshold of 0.05 compared with the results from the group model.ResultsThe patient‐specific model achieved an average RMSE of 0.014 (), and an average SSIM of 0.981 (), out‐performing the group model. Qualitative results also demonstrated that our patient‐specific approach acquired better imaging quality with more details reconstructed when comparing with the group model. Dose verification achieved an average RMSE of 0.011 (), and an average SSIM of 0.995 (). Gamma index evaluation demonstrated a high agreement (97.4% [] and 97.9% [] for 1%/3 and 1%/5 mm) between the predicted and the ground truth dose maps. Our approach approximately took 6 s to reconstruct PA images for each patient, demonstrating its feasibility for online 3D dose verification for prostate proton therapy.ConclusionsOur method demonstrated the feasibility of achieving 3D high‐precision PA‐based dose verification using patient‐specific deep‐learning approaches, which can potentially be used to guide the treatment to mitigate the impact of range uncertainty and improve the precision. Further studies are needed to validate the clinical impact of the technique.
Microwave‐Assisted Tragacanth Gum–Based Grafted Silver Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Sustained Release Formulations of Diclofenac Sodium and Antibacterial Assay
Authors: Chapi Sharanappa , Babaladimath Gangadhar , Murugendrappa M. V. , Raghu Anjanapura V. 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIn this work, novel tragacanth gum‐graft‐poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) (TG‐g‐PAMPS) hydrogel was synthesized via free radical copolymerization of TG, 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid by using ammonium peroxodisulfate and N,N‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide under microwave radiation, resulting in the cross‐linked graft copolymer network. Silver nanoparticles (SNs) were formed and stabilized by the reduction of silver nitrate using tri‐sodium citrate. The TG‐g‐PAMPS gel and its nanocomposite were characterized and confirmed using FTIR, TGA, XRD, SEM, EDS, and TEM techniques. It is observed that the presence of SNs significantly improves the swelling ability of the TG‐g‐PAMPS gel. Degradation studies of both hydrogels were studied using the soil burial method and determining the respective weight loss. The presence of SNs is found to impart significant antibacterial properties to the gel against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bacteria. Further, the TG‐g‐PAMPS gel and TG‐g‐PAMPS‐SN were evaluated as matrix materials for the release of the drug (diclofenac sodium) and the effect of SNs on the release was examined. The in‐vitro released data were analyzed using empirical equations to understand the mechanism of release. Among the various models, the released data were well fitted into the Korsmeyer–Peppas equation and the released kinetics followed non‐Fickian diffusion.