bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving precipitation estimates for Turkey with multimodel ensemble: a comparison of nonlinear artificial neural network method with linear methods
Authors: Mesta Buket , Akgun O. Burak , Kentel Elcin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEnsemble analysis is proven to provide advantages in climate change impact assessment based on outputs from climate models. Ensembled series are shown to outperform single-model assessments through increased consistency and stability. This study aims to test the improvement of precipitation estimates through the use of ensemble analysis for south and southwestern Turkey which is known to have complex climatic features due to varying topography and interacting climate forcings. The analysis covers an evaluation of the performance of eight regional climate models (RCMs) from the EUR-11 domain available from the CORDEX database. The historical outputs are evaluated for their representativeness of the current climate of the Mediterranean region and its surroundings in Turkey through a comparison with long-term monthly precipitation time series obtained from ground-based precipitation observations by the use of statistical performance indicators and Taylor diagrams. This is followed by a comparative evaluation of three ensemble methodologies, simple average of the models, multiple linear regression for superensemble, and artificial neural networks (ANN). The analysis results show that the overall performance of ensembled time series is better compared to individual RCMs. ANN generally provided the best performance when all RCMs are used as inputs. Improvement in the performance of ensembling due to the use of nonlinear models is further confirmed by fuzzy inference systems (FIS). Both ANN and FIS generated monthly precipitation time series with higher correlations with those of observations. However, extreme events are poorly represented in the ensembled time series, and this may result in inefficiency in the design of various water structures such as spillways and storm water drainage systems that are based on high return period events.
Measurement uncertainty from sampling and its role in validation of measurement procedures
Authors: Ramsey Michael H. , Rostron Peter D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIt is now widely accepted that the measurement process usually begins when the primary sample is taken. The uncertainty of measurement (MU) must therefore include contributions that arise from the primary sampling, and also from any physical preparation of the sample which often occurs before the sample reaches the laboratory. Guidance on how to estimate MU that includes that arising from sampling (UfS) has been widely applied to a wide range of application sectors (e.g. food, feed, water, sediment, soil, gases). Recent revision of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (https://www.iso.org/standard/66912.html) has also recognised the inclusion of sampling within the measurement process. This recognition has implications for the validation of measurement procedures that include sampling (VaMPIS). The scope of method (or procedure) validation has therefore to be expanded and reassessed, in order to include all of these components. The uncertainty of the measurement value (MU) is a key parameter that encompasses the effects of all the other operating characteristics of the analytical procedure that is traditionally considered during its validation. It has the further advantage that it can also incorporate the uncertainty due to sampling and physical sample preparation, thus providing a single value of uncertainty that derives from the entire measurement procedure. The fitness for purpose (FnFP) of the whole measurement procedure, which is required for validation, can be judged by comparing the estimated MU (including UfS), against a Target MU, however that is set. A case study for the determination of nitrate in glasshouse lettuce shows how this VaMPIS approach can be applied to a whole measurement procedure. The experimental MU is estimated using the Duplicate Method and compared against a Target MU set using the Optimised Uncertainty (OU) method. The measurement procedure published in EU guidance is shown not to be fit for purpose (FFP). However, this approach identifies how that sampling procedure can be modified to achieve FnFP for the whole procedure, by increasing the number of sample increments per batch from 10 to 40.
Therapist perspectives on telehealth-based virtual reality exposure therapy
Authors: Ong Triton , Ivanova Julia , Soni Hiral , Wilczewski Hattie , Barrera Janelle , Cummins Mollie , Welch Brandon M. , Bunnell Brian E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) can enhance mental health care. In particular, the effectiveness of VR-based exposure therapy (VRET) has been well-demonstrated for treatment of anxiety disorders. However, most applications of VRET remain localized to clinic spaces. We aimed to explore mental health therapists’ perceptions of telehealth-based VRET (tele-VRET) by conducting semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 18 telemental health therapists between October and December 2022. Interview topics included telehealth experiences, exposure therapy over telehealth, previous experiences with VR, and perspectives on tele-VRET. Therapists described how telehealth reduced barriers (88.9%, 16/18), enhanced therapy (61.1%, 11/18), and improved access to clients (38.9%, 7/18), but entailed problems with technology (61.1%, 11/18), uncontrolled settings (55.6%, 10/18), and communication difficulties (50%, 9/18). Therapists adapted exposure therapy to telehealth by using online resources (66.7%, 12/18), preparing client expectations (55.6%, 10/18), and adjusting workflows (27.8%, 5/18). Most therapists had used VR before (72.2%, 13/18) and had positive impressions of VR (55.6%, 10/18), but none had used VR clinically. In response to tele-VRET, therapists requested interactive session activities (77.8%, 14/18) and customizable interventions components (55.6%, 10/18). Concerns about tele-VRET included risks with certain clients (77.8%, 14/18), costs (50%, 9/18), side effects and privacy (22.2%, 4/18), and inappropriateness for specific forms of exposure therapy (16.7%, 3/18). These results reveal how combining telehealth and VRET may expand therapeutic options for mental healthcare providers and can help inform collaborative development of immersive health technologies.
ZNF692 drives malignant development of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by promoting ALDOA-dependent glycolysis
Authors: Meng Weiwei , Lu Xiaojuan , Wang Guanglei , Xiao Qingyu , Gao Jing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignancies with the worst prognosis worldwide, in the occurrence and development of which glycolysis plays a central role. This study uncovered a mechanism by which ZNF692 regulates ALDOA-dependent glycolysis in HCC cells. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA in HCC cell lines and a normal liver cell line. The influences of transfection-induced alterations in the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA on the functions of HepG2 cells were detected by performing MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, cell scratch, and colony formation assays, and the levels of glucose and lactate were determined using assay kits. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate the binding of ZNF692 to the KAT5 promoter, and co-IP assays to detect the interaction between KAT5 and ALDOA and the acetylation of ALDOA. ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA were highly expressed in human HCC samples and cell lines, and their expression levels were positively correlated in HCC. ZNF692, ALDOA, or KAT5 knockdown inhibited glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 bound to the KAT5 promoter and promoted its activity. ALDOA acetylation levels were elevated in HCC cell lines. KAT5 bound to ALDOA and catalyzed ALDOA acetylation. ALDOA or KAT5 overexpression in the same time of ZNF692 knockdown, compared to ZNF692 knockdown only, stimulated glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and reduced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 promotes the acetylation modification and protein expression of ALDOA by catalyzing KAT5 transcription, thereby accelerating glycolysis to drive HCC cell development.
Wintering raptor species distribution in a semiarid Mediterranean region: the relevance of lowlands and open habitats as stopover sites
Authors: Álvarez Mario , León-Ortega Mario , Martínez José E. , Calvo José F. , Jiménez-Franco María V. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs land-use cover types affect wintering birds’ strategies, studying their habitat suitability for species conservation is relevant. Predictive spatial models are considered excellent tools for conservation planning and improving our understanding of species distribution. Here we build models to predict the spatial distribution of raptor species that overwinter in SE Spain. We modelled the wintering raptor species distribution based on the presence-only data obtained between 2017 and 2019 and analysed their habitat preferences based on elevation and land-use cover variables. Our results show that altitude and distance to the coastline are the most important environmental factors to affect most species’ habitat suitability. Habitat type-related factors are other important predictors, and raptors subject of this study prefer lowlands and areas close to the coastline for overwintering by selecting open habitats, which include wetlands and irrigated and rainfed crops. This study highlights the importance of the habitat heterogeneity generated by wetlands and herbaceous crops within a low-altitude range as the optimal environment for wintering raptors. Such information should be considered for raptor conservation planning in human-altered landscapes.
A Reformulation of the Browaeys and Chevrot Decomposition of Elastic Maps
Authors: Tape Walter , Tape Carl 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAn elastic map $\mathbf{T}$
T
associates stress with strain in some material. A symmetry of $\mathbf{T}$
T
is a rotation of the material that leaves $\mathbf{T}$
T
unchanged, and the symmetry group of $\mathbf{T}$
T
consists of all such rotations. The symmetry class of $\mathbf{T}$
T
describes the symmetry group but without the orientation information. With an eye toward geophysical applications, Browaeys & Chevrot developed a theory which, for any elastic map $\mathbf{T}$
T
and for each of six symmetry classes $\Sigma $
Σ
, computes the “$\Sigma $
Σ
-percentage” of $\mathbf{T}$
T
. The theory also finds a “hexagonal approximation”—an approximation to $\mathbf{T}$
T
whose symmetry class is at least transverse isotropic. We reexamine their theory and recommend that the $\Sigma $
Σ
-percentages be abandoned. We also recommend that the hexagonal approximations to $\mathbf{T}$
T
be replaced with the closest transverse isotropic maps to $\mathbf{T}$
T
.
Assessing the household burdens of infrastructure disruptions in Texas during Winter Storm Uri
Authors: Peterson Sara K. E. , Clark Susan Spierre , Shelly Michael A. , Horn Samantha E. M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn February 2021, severe winter weather conditions associated with Winter Storm Uri triggered an energy infrastructure failure in Texas. Most Texans lost electricity, some lost potable water, natural gas, and suffered other infrastructure-related service disruptions that had profound household consequences. Although several studies have documented the disparities in terms of the types and extent of disruptions Texans experienced during Uri, there is little information about the impact of these disruptions in terms of their burdens on households. Guided by the Capabilities Approach framework, a survey of Texan households was conducted to identify the outage characteristics and capability losses for different household types, as well as the burdens that those disruptions posed to households using both objective and subjective measures. Our results indicate that households that endured longer and constant electricity outages suffered more severe impacts across all measures, including more disrupted household capabilities, increased time, and financial costs to cope during the outages, as well as greater declines in reported life satisfaction. We found that low-income households, households with children, and households with disability challenges suffered more severe objective burdens during the storm, although subjective results for these households were mixed. Households with members over the age of 65 fared better in terms of objective measures, yet suffered more in terms of subjective well-being. Moreover, households that had prior experience with a prolonged outage reported significantly smaller reductions in well-being during the storm than other households, despite not showing any difference in objective measures. Ultimately, our results offer context-specific, post-event information about the impacts and needs of different types of households during Uri that are important for informing emergency management and community resilience planning.
Influence of the industrial pollutant on water quality, radioactivity levels, and biological communities in Ismailia Canal, Nile River, Egypt
Authors: Imam Noha , El-Shamy Amr S. , Abdelaziz Ghada S. , Belal Dalia M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the twenty-first century, numerous forms of pollution have adversely impacted freshwater and the entire aquatic ecosystem. The higher population density in urban areas also contributes to increased releases of substances and thermal contaminants, significantly stressing the ecosystem of industrial companies. This study aimed to assess the potential pressure of industrial and municipal activities on water quality, radioactivity levels, and biological diversity, focusing on the consequences of radionuclides on periphytic diatom communities. Furthermore, the environmental impact of pollutants will be evaluated to monitor the ecological condition of the Ismailia Canal. Chemical analyses employed various instruments and methods to identify and quantify matter, with radionuclide elements measured by gamma spectrometry and diatoms counted and identified by inverted microscopy. Our results revealed that the canal was classified as excellent for irrigation, aquatic life, and drinking water based on FAO, CCME, and EWQS water quality indices, with high nutrient levels at Abu Za’baal fertilizer company. The activity concentration of 226Ra-series, 232Th-series, and 40K in the water and sediment samples for two seasons was within the guideline values, except for a few stations in the zone [B] (the industrial zone). Fertilizer samples (raw material) showed a high value of the 226Ra-series activity. Diatom community structure significantly varied across the different canal locations regarding the presence or absence of industrial activities, with no discernible variations between the study seasons. A specific variety of algal species was found to be predominant at the highest radioactive sites. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed a significant correlation between parameters (pH, Na, TDS, PO4, SO4, SiO2, K, and CO3), radionuclides, environmental conditions, and the composition of the diatom community, especially in the area affected by industrial discharges. Moreover, the radiological hazard index in water and sediment remained below the maximum for two seasons. This research provides valuable data and information for communities and decision-makers, suggesting the strategic use of phycoremediation as a water biotreatment process to protect the valuable economic resources of the Ismailia Canal.
Can rare earth elements be recovered from abandoned mine tailings by means of electrokinetic-assisted phytoextraction?
Authors: Medina-Díaz Hassay Lizeth , López-Bellido Francisco Javier , Alonso-Azcárate Jacinto , Fernández-Morales Francisco Jesús , Rodríguez Luis 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGiven the high impact of traditional mining, the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from hazardous waste materials could become an option for the future in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. In this work, the technical feasibility of REEs recovery from metal mine tailings has been explored using electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Phytoextraction combined with both AC current and DC current with reversal polarity was applied (1 V cm−1, 8 h day−1) to real mine tailings containing a total concentration of REEs (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) of around 146 mg kg−1. Changes in REEs geochemical fractionation and their concentrations in the soil pore water showed the mobilization of REEs caused by plants and electric current; REE availability was increased to a higher extent for combined electrokinetic-assisted phytoextraction treatments showing the relevant role of plants in the process. Our results demonstrated the initial hypothesis that it is feasible to recover REEs from real metal mining waste by phytoextraction and that the performance of this technology can be significantly improved by applying electric current, especially of the AC type, which increased REE accumulation in ryegrass in the range 57–68% as compared to that of the treatment without electric field application.
Echinacea purpurea root extract mitigates hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, and ultrastructural changes induced by hexavalent chromium via oxidative stress suppression
Authors: El-Demerdash Fatma M. , Karhib Mustafa M. , Ghanem Nora F. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , El-Sayed Raghda A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEnvironmental and occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (CrVI) is mostly renowned as a possible hepatotoxic in mammals.Echinacea purpurea(L.) Moench, a phenolic-rich plant, is recurrently used for its therapeutic properties. Therefore, this investigation was done to explore whetherE. purpurea(EP) root extract would have any potential health benefits against an acute dose of CrVI-induced oxidative damage and hepatotoxicity. Results revealed that GC–MS analysis of EP root extract has 26 identified components with a significant amount of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Twenty-four Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, EP (50 mg/kg BW/day for 21 days), CrVI (15 mg/kg BW as a single intraperitoneal dosage), and EP + CrVI, respectively. Rats treated with CrVI displayed a remarkable rise in oxidative stress markers (TBARS, H2O2, PCC), bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase activity, and a marked decrease in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase activities, and serum protein level. Also, CrVI administration induced apoptosis and inflammation in addition to histological and ultrastructural abnormalities in the liver tissue. The examined parameters were improved significantly in rats pretreated with EP and then intoxicated with CrVI. Conclusively, EP had a potent antioxidant activity and could be used in the modulation of CrVI-induced hepatotoxicity.
Plasmalogens and Octanoylcarnitine Serve as Early Warnings for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
Authors: Wang Chuansen , Li Ying , Feng Jiaqing , Liu Hang , Wang Yuedan , Wan Yuwei , Zheng Mengxue , Li Xuejie , Chen Ting , Xiao Xuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCentral retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a kind of ophthalmic emergency which may cause loss of functional visual acuity. However, the limited treatment options emphasize the significance of early disease prevention. Metabolomics has the potential to be a powerful tool for early identification of individuals at risk of CRAO. The aim of the study was to identify potential biomarkers for CRAO through a comprehensive analysis. We employed metabolomics analysis to compare venous blood samples from CRAO patients with cataract patients for the venous difference, as well as arterial and venous blood from CRAO patients for the arteriovenous difference. The analysis of metabolites showed that PC(P-18:0/22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)), PC(P-18:0/20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)) and octanoylcarnitine were strongly correlated with CRAO. We also used univariate logistic regression, random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) to screen clinical parameters of patients and found that HDL-C and ApoA1 showed significant predictive efficacy in CRAO patients. We compared the predictive performance of the clinical parameter model with combined model. The prediction efficiency of the combined model was significantly better with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.815. Decision curve analysis (DCA) also exhibited a notably higher net benefit rate. These results underscored the potency of these three substances as robust predictors of CRAO occurrence.
Medication review and deprescribing in different healthcare settings: a position statement from an Italian scientific consortium
Authors: Carollo Massimo , Boccardi Virginia , Crisafulli Salvatore , Conti Valeria , Gnerre Paola , Miozzo Simonetta , Omodeo Salè Emanuela , Pieraccini Fabio , Zamboni Mauro , Marengoni Alessandra , Onder Graziano , Trifirò Gianluca ,   the Italian Scientific Consortium on medication review, deprescribing, Antonioni Raffaella , Selleri Margherita , Vitturi Giacomo , Filippelli Amelia , Corrao Salvatore , Medea Gerardo , Nobili Alessandro , Pasina Luca , Salé Emanuela Omodeo , Petraglia Francesco Maria , Poluzzi Elisabetta , Valle Alessandro , Vercellone Adriano , Veronese Nicola 
Published: March 2024

AbstractRecent medical advancements have increased life expectancy, leading to a surge in patients affected by multiple chronic diseases and consequent polypharmacy, especially among older adults. This scenario increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions, highlighting the need for medication review and deprescribing to reduce inappropriate medications and optimize therapeutic regimens, with the ultimate goal to improving patients’ health and quality of life. This position statement from the Italian Scientific Consortium on medication review and deprescribing aims to describe key elements, strategies, tools, timing, and healthcare professionals to be involved, for the implementation of medication review and deprescribing in different healthcare settings (i.e., primary care, hospital, long-term care facilities, and palliative care). Challenges and potential solutions for the implementation of medication review and deprescribing are also discussed.
Vitamin D and risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the SUN project: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Valer-Martinez A. , Sayon-Orea C. , Martinez J. A. , Basterra-Gortari F. J. , Martinez-Gonzalez M. A. , Bes-Rastrollo M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with multiple chronic diseases, including metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the study was to analyze the association between validated predicted serum vitamin D status and the risk of developing T2D in a large prospective cohort based on a Mediterranean population.

Methods
The SUN project is a prospective and dynamic Spanish cohort that gathers university graduates who have answered lifestyle questionnaires, including a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. The association between predicted serum vitamin D and the risk of T2D was assessed through Cox regression models according to quartiles (Q) of predicted vitamin D at baseline. The models were adjusted for potential confounders and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the robustness of our findings.

Results
Our study included a total of 18,594 participants and after a total follow-up of 238,078 person-years (median follow-up of 13.5 years), 209 individuals were diagnosed with incident T2D. We found a significant inverse association between predicted levels of serum vitamin D and the risk of developing T2D, after adjusting for potential confounders and performing different sensitivity analyses (hazard ratio Q4 vs. Q1: 0.48, 95% CI 0.26–0.88; p for trend = 0.032).

Conclusion
The outcomes suggest that higher levels of vitamin D at baseline may be associated with a reduced risk of developing T2D.