bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Burial and subsequent growth of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) following strategic deep tillage
Authors: Borger Catherine P. D. , Mwenda George , Collins Sarah J. , Davies Stephen L. , Peerzada Arslan Masood , van Burgel Andrew 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSoil amelioration via strategic deep tillage is occasionally utilized within conservation tillage systems to alleviate soil constraints, but its impact on weed seed burial and subsequent growth within the agronomic system is poorly understood. This study assessed the effects of different strategic deep-tillage practices, including soil loosening (deep ripping), soil mixing (rotary spading), or soil inversion (moldboard plow), on weed seed burial and subsequent weed growth, compared with a no-till control. The tillage practices were applied in 2019 at Yerecoin and Darkan, WA, and data on weed seed burial and growth were collected during the following 3-yr winter crop rotation (2019 to 2021). Soil inversion buried 89% of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) and ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth) seeds to a depth of 10 to 20 cm at both sites, while soil loosening and mixing left between 31% and 91% of the seeds in the top 0 to 10 cm of soil, with broad variation between sites. Few seeds were buried beyond 20 cm despite tillage working depths exceeding 30 cm at both sites. Soil inversion reduced the density of L. rigidum to <1 plant m−2 for 3 yr after strategic tillage. Bromus diandrus density was initially reduced to 0 to 1 plant m−2 by soil inversion, but increased to 4 plants m−2 at Yerecoin in 2020 and 147 plants at Darkan in 2021. Soil loosening or mixing did not consistently decrease weed density. The field data were used to parameterize a model that predicted weed density following strategic tillage with greater accuracy for soil inversion than for loosening or mixing. The findings provide important insights into the effects of strategic deep tillage on weed management in conservational agricultural systems and demonstrate the potential of models for optimizing weed management strategies.
Divergent Impacts of Biomass Burning and Fossil Fuel Combustion Aerosols on Fog‐Cloud Microphysics and Chemistry: Novel Insights From Advanced Aerosol‐Fog Sampling
Authors: Kuang Ye , Xu Weiqi , Tao Jiangchuan , Luo Biao , Liu Li , Xu Hanbin , Xu Wanyun , Xue Biao , Zhai Miaomiao , Liu Pengfei , Sun Yele 
Published: February 2024

AbstractActivation of biomass burning aerosols (BBA) and fossil fuel combustion aerosols (FFA) in fogs and clouds significantly impact regional air quality through aqueous chemistry and climate by affecting cloud microphysics. However, we lack direct observations of how these aerosols behave in fogs and clouds. Using a newly developed aerosol‐cloud sampling system, we conducted observations during fog events and found that BBA, despite their high organic content, effectively contributed to super‐micron interstitial aerosols and fog droplets in low supersaturation fogs. In contrast, FFA, predominantly externally mixed organic, did not grow beyond the super‐micron size in fogs due to their near‐hydrophobic nature. Measurements conducted under supersaturations relevant for cloud formation revealed that portions of FFA could serve as cloud condensation nuclei, but only when supersaturation exceeded ∼0.14%. These findings have broad implications for future investigations into the influence of BBA and FFA on fog and cloud chemistry and their interactions with clouds.
Genetic analysis of the X chromosome in people with Lewy body dementia nominates new risk loci
Authors: Bayram Ece , Reho Paolo , Litvan Irene ,   International LBD Genomics Consortium, Ding Jinhui , Gibbs J. Raphael , Dalgard Clifton L. , Traynor Bryan J. , Scholz Sonja W. , Chia Ruth 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSex influences the prevalence and symptoms of Lewy body dementia (LBD). However, genome-wide association studies typically focus on autosomal variants and exclude sex-specific risk factors. We addressed this gap by performing an X chromosome-wide association study using whole-genome sequence data from 2591 LBD cases and 4391 controls. We identified a significant risk locus within intron 1 of MAP3K15 (rs141773145, odds ratio = 2.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.65–3.56, p-value = 7.0 × 10−6) in female LBD cases conditioned for APOE ε4 dosage. The locus includes an enhancer region that regulates MAP3K15 expression in ganglionic eminence cells derived from primary cultured neurospheres. Rare variant burden testing showed differential enrichment of missense mutations in TEX13A in female LBD cases, that did not reach significance (p-value = 1.34 × 10−4). These findings support the sex-specific effects of genetic factors and a potential role of Alzheimer’s-related risk for females with LBD.
The genetic basis and the diagnostic yield of genetic testing related to nonsyndromic hearing loss in Qatar
Authors: Alkhidir Shaza , El-Akouri Karen , Al-Dewik Nader , Khodjet-El-khil Houssein , Okashah Sarah , Islam Nazmul , Ben-Omran Tawfeg , Al-Shafai Mashael 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHearing loss is the most predominant sensory defect occurring in pediatrics, of which, 66% cases are attributed to genetic factors. The prevalence of hereditary hearing loss increases in consanguineous populations, and the prevalence of hearing loss in Qatar is 5.2%. We aimed to investigate the genetic basis of nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL) in Qatar and to evaluate the diagnostic yield of different genetic tests available. A retrospective chart review was conducted for 59 pediatric patients with NSHL referred to the Department of Adult and Pediatric Medical Genetics at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, and who underwent at least one genetic test. Out of the 59 patients, 39 were solved cases due to 19 variants in 11 genes and two copy number variants that explained the NSHL phenotype. Of them 2 cases were initially uncertain and were reclassified using familial segregation. Around 36.8% of the single variants were in GJB2 gene and c.35delG was the most common recurrent variant seen in solved cases. We detected the c.283C > T variant in FGF3 that was seen in a Qatari patient and found to be associated with NSHL for the first time. The overall diagnostic yield was 30.7%, and the diagnostic yield was significantly associated with genetic testing using GJB2 sequencing and using the hearing loss (HL) gene panel. The diagnostic yield for targeted familial testing was 60% (n = 3 patients) and for gene panel was 50% (n = 5). Thus, we recommend using GJB2 gene sequencing as a first-tier genetic test and HL gene panel as a second-tier genetic test for NSHL. Our work provided new insights into the genetic pool of NSHL among Arabs and highlights its unique diversity, this is believed to help further in the diagnostic and management options for NSHL Arab patients.
Machine learning analysis for the association between breast feeding and metabolic syndrome in women
Authors: Lee Jue Seong , Choi Eun-Saem , Lee Hwasun , Son Serhim , Lee Kwang-Sig , Ahn Ki Hoon 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis cross-sectional study aimed to develop and validate population-based machine learning models for examining the association between breastfeeding and metabolic syndrome in women. The artificial neural network, the decision tree, logistic regression, the Naïve Bayes, the random forest and the support vector machine were developed and validated to predict metabolic syndrome in women. Data came from 30,204 women, who aged 20 years or more and participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2010–2019. The dependent variable was metabolic syndrome. The 86 independent variables included demographic/socioeconomic determinants, cardiovascular disease, breastfeeding duration and other medical/obstetric information. The random forest had the best performance in terms of the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve, e.g., 90.7%. According to random forest variable importance, the top predictors of metabolic syndrome included body mass index (0.1032), medication for hypertension (0.0552), hypertension (0.0499), cardiovascular disease (0.0453), age (0.0437) and breastfeeding duration (0.0191). Breastfeeding duration is a major predictor of metabolic syndrome for women together with body mass index, diagnosis and medication for hypertension, cardiovascular disease and age.
Bioactive silver nanoparticles fabricated using Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum seed extracts: anticancer and antibacterial efficiency
Authors: Alburae Najla , Alshamrani Rahma , Mohammed Afrah E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractApplying extracts from plants is considered a safe approach in biomedicine and bio-nanotechnology. The present report is considered the first study that evaluated the seeds of Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum as biogenic agents in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) which had bioactivity against cancer cells and bacteria. Assessment of NPs activity against varied cell lines (colorectal cancer HCT116 and breast cancer MDA MBA 231 and MCF 10A used as control) was performed beside the antibacterial efficiency. Different techniques (DLS, TEM, EDX and FTIR) were applied to characterize the biosynthesized AgNPs. The phytochemicals from both L. scindicus and Panicum turgidum were identified by GC–MS analysis. Spherical monodisperse NPs at average diameters of 149.6 and 100.4 nm were obtained from seed extract of L. scindicus (L-AgNPs) and P. turgidum, (P-AgNPs) respectively. A strong absorption peak at 3 keV is observed by the EDX spectrum in the tested NPs. Our study provided effective NPs in mitigating the tested cell lines and the lowest IC50 were 7.8 and 10.30 for MDA MB231 treated by L-AgNPs and P-AgNPs, respectively. Both fabricated NPs might differentially target the MDA MB231 cells compared to HCT116 and MCF10A. Ultrastructural changes and damage for the NPs-treated MDA MB231 cells were studied using TEM and LSM analysis. Antibacterial activity was also observed. About 200 compounds were identified in L. scindicus and P. turgidum by GC–MS analysis might be responsible for the NPs reduction and capping abilities. Efficient NPs against cancer cells and microbes were obtained, however large-scale screening is needed to validate our findings.
Stress and strain relations of RC circular, square and rectangular columns externally wrapped with fiber ropes
Authors: Hussain Qudeer , Ruangrassamee Anat , Jirawattanasomkul Tidarut , Zhang Dawei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study explores the potential use of low-cost natural fiber reinforced rope polymers (FRRP) to improve the compressive behavior of circular, square, and rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) specimens. A total of 42 specimens were tested under monotonic axial compression in three groups. Groups were formed to differentiate specimens with different cross-sectional shapes such as circular, square, and rectangular. The findings demonstrate that FRRP can effectively boost the compressive behavior of RC columns. Circular specimens with three-layer hemp FRRP exhibited a 200% increase in compressive strength and a 270% improvement in corresponding strain. Cotton FRRP provided a 117% boost in compressive strength and a 233% enhancement in strain. In square specimens, three-layer hemp FRRP resulted in a 110% rise in compressive strength and a 186% increase in strain, while cotton confinement yielded improvements of 95% and 144%, respectively. For the square and rectangular specimens, the improvement in the compressive behavior was reduced compared to the circular specimens because of stress concentrations near corners. Moreover, the study showed that the hemp FRRP confinement outperformed the cotton confinement. The investigation also revealed that the existing analytical models were inadequate in predicting the mechanical properties of RC confined with natural FRRP. Therefore, the study introduces novel equations to predict the compressive strength and corresponding strain for both hemp and cotton confined concrete in various cross-sectional types. These proposed equations exhibit a good level of accuracy in predicting the compressive strength and corresponding strain.
Global tropical cyclone extreme wave height climatology
Authors: Grossmann-Matheson Guisela , Young Ian R. , Meucci Alberto , Alves Jose-Henrique 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA global study of extreme value (1 in 100-year return period) tropical cyclone generated waves is conducted across all tropical cyclone basins. The study uses a 1000 year tropical cyclone synthetic track database to force a validated parametric wave model. The resulting distributions of extreme significant wave height show that values in the North Atlantic and Western Pacific basins are the largest globally. This is partly due to the relative intensities and frequencies of occurrence of storms in these basins but also because the typical velocities of forward movement of storms are larger and hence can sustain the generation of larger waves. These larger values of velocity of forward movement tend to occur at higher latitudes. As a result, in both of these basins the largest extreme waves occur at higher latitudes than the maximum tropical cyclone winds. In all other tropical cyclone basins, storms tend to propagate more east–west and hence the maximum values of extreme significant wave height and wind speed occur at comparable latitudes.
RIS-assisted near-field localization using practical phase shift model
Authors: Hassouna Saber , Jamshed Muhammad Ali , Ur-Rehman Masood , Imran Muhammad Ali , Abbasi Qammer H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOur research focuses on examining the problem of localizing user equipment (UE) in the uplink scenario using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) based lens. We carry out a thorough analysis of the Fisher information matrix (FIM) and assess the influence of various RIS-based lens configurations using an actual RIS phase-dependent amplitude variations model. Furthermore, to reduce the complexity of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator, a simple localization algorithm-based angular expansion is presented. Simulation results show superior localization performance when prior location information is available for directional and positional channel configurations. The position error bound (PEB) and the root mean square error (RMSE) are studied to evaluate the localization accuracy of the user utilizing the realistic RIS phase-dependent amplitude model in the near-field region. Furthermore, the achievable data rate is obtained in the same region using the realistic RIS phase-dependent amplitude model. It is noticed that adopting the actual RIS phase-dependent amplitude model under the near-field channel increases the localization error and degrades the data rate performance for amplitude value less than one so, the unity assumption of the RIS phase shift model used widely in the literature is inaccurate.
A continuum of amorphous ices between low-density and high-density amorphous ice
Authors: Eltareb Ali , Lopez Gustavo E. , Giovambattista Nicolas 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAmorphous ices are usually classified as belonging to low-density or high-density amorphous ice (LDA and HDA) with densities ρLDA ≈ 0.94 g/cm3 and ρHDA ≈ 1.15−1.17 g/cm3. However, a recent experiment crushing hexagonal ice (ball-milling) produced a medium-density amorphous ice (MDA, ρMDA ≈ 1.06 g/cm3) adding complexity to our understanding of amorphous ice and the phase diagram of supercooled water. Motivated by the discovery of MDA, we perform computer simulations where amorphous ices are produced by isobaric cooling and isothermal compression/decompression. Our results show that, depending on the pressure employed, isobaric cooling can generate a continuum of amorphous ices with densities that expand in between those of LDA and HDA (briefly, intermediate amorphous ices, IA). In particular, the IA generated at P ≈ 125 MPa has a remarkably similar density and average structure as MDA, implying that MDA is not unique. Using the potential energy landscape formalism, we provide an intuitive qualitative understanding of the nature of LDA, HDA, and the IA generated at different pressures. In this view, LDA and HDA occupy specific and well-separated regions of the PEL; the IA prepared at P = 125 MPa is located in the intermediate region of the PEL that separates LDA and HDA.
Major changes in fish thermal habitat diversity in Canada’s Arctic lakes due to climate change
Authors: Gillis Daniel P. , Minns Charles K. , Campana Steven E. , Shuter Brian J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractClimate warming is a major disruptor of fish community structure globally. We use large-scale geospatial analyses of 447,077 Canadian Arctic lakes to predict how climate change would impact lake thermal habitat diversity across the Arctic landscape. Increases in maximum surface temperature (+2.4–6.7 °C), ice-free period (+14–38 days), and thermal stratification presence (+4.2–18.9%) occur under all climate scenarios. Lakes, currently fishless due to deep winter ice, open up; many thermally uniform lakes become thermally diverse. Resilient coldwater habitat supply is predicted; however, thermally diverse lakes shift from providing almost exclusively coldwater habitat to providing substantial coolwater habitat and previously absent warmwater habitat. Across terrestrial ecozones, most lakes exhibit major shifts in thermal habitat. The prevalence of thermally diverse lakes more than doubles, providing refuge for coldwater taxa. Ecozone-specific differences in the distribution of thermally diverse and thermally uniform lakes require different management strategies for adapting fish resource use to climate change.
Antimicrobial peptide glatiramer acetate targets Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides to breach membranes without altering lipopolysaccharide modification
Authors: Murphy Ronan A. , Pizzato Jade , Cuthbertson Leah , Sabnis Akshay , Edwards Andrew M. , Nolan Laura M. , Vorup-Jensen Thomas , Larrouy-Maumus Gerald , Davies Jane C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key components of innate immunity across all domains of life. Natural and synthetic AMPs are receiving renewed attention in efforts to combat the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis and the loss of antibiotic efficacy. The gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most concerning infecting bacteria in AMR, particularly in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) where respiratory infections are difficult to eradicate and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Cationic AMPs exploit the negatively charged lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on P. aeruginosa to bind and disrupt bacterial membrane(s), causing lethal damage. P. aeruginosa modifies its LPS to evade AMP killing. Free-LPS is also a component of CF sputum and feeds pro-inflammatory cycles. Glatiramer acetate (GA) is a random peptide co-polymer—of glycine, lysine, alanine, tyrosine—used as a drug in treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS); we have previously shown GA to be an AMP which synergises with tobramycin against CF P. aeruginosa, functioning via bacterial membrane disruption. Here, we demonstrate GA’s direct binding and sequestration/neutralisation of P. aeruginosa LPS, in keeping with GA’s ability to disrupt the outer membrane. At CF-relevant LPS concentrations, however, membrane disruption by GA was not strongly inhibited. Furthermore, exposure to GA did not result in increased Lipid A modification of LPS or in increased gene expression of systems involved in AMP sensing and LPS modification. Therefore, despite the electrostatic targeting of LPS by GA as part of its activity, P. aeruginosa does not demonstrate LPS modification in its defence.
A mosquito salivary protein-driven influx of myeloid cells facilitates flavivirus transmission
Authors: Wang Zhaoyang , Nie Kaixiao , Liang Yan , Niu Jichen , Yu Xi , Zhang Oujia , Liu Long , Shi Xiaolu , Wang Yibaina , Feng Xuechun , Zhu Yibin , Wang Penghua , Cheng Gong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMosquitoes transmit many disease-relevant flaviviruses. Efficient viral transmission to mammalian hosts requires mosquito salivary factors. However, the specific salivary components facilitating viral transmission and their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Here, we show that a female mosquito salivary gland-specific protein, here named A. aegypti Neutrophil Recruitment Protein (AaNRP), facilitates the transmission of Zika and dengue viruses. AaNRP promotes a rapid influx of neutrophils, followed by virus-susceptible myeloid cells toward mosquito bite sites, which facilitates establishment of local infection and systemic dissemination. Mechanistically, AaNRP engages TLR1 and TLR4 of skin-resident macrophages and activates MyD88-dependent NF-κB signaling to induce the expression of neutrophil chemoattractants. Inhibition of MyD88-NF-κB signaling with the dietary phytochemical resveratrol reduces AaNRP-mediated enhancement of flavivirus transmission by mosquitoes. These findings exemplify how salivary components can aid viral transmission, and suggest a potential prophylactic target.
Characteristics of Lexical Stress in Hebrew-Speaking Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Authors: Tubi Rachel , Ben-David Avivit , Segal Osnat 
Published: February 2024

Purpose:
The purpose of the present study was to explore the ability of Hebrew-speaking children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) to produce lexical stress.

Method:
A total of 36 children aged between 4 and 7 years, 18 children with CAS, and 18 typically developing (TD) children participated in the study. All children completed language and speech assessments. The children imitated 20 weak–strong and strong–weak target words within short sentences and in isolation. Acoustic analysis of the vowels in the stressed and unstressed syllables of the target words and perceptual judgment of the words by six speech-language pathologists were conducted.

Results:
The acoustic analysis showed significant differences in duration, fundamental frequency, and amplitude between stressed and unstressed vowels in weak–strong and strong–weak words and in both groups of children. The total duration for both the stressed and weak syllables was longer in children with CAS compared to TD children. Rated on a Likert scale of 1–5, where 5 indicates correct production, the productions of lexical stress in the CAS group were judged as above 4 on average but were significantly worse compared to the TD group. The target productions of children with CAS were judged as including excessive, equal, or misplaced stress in 10.8% of the productions, whereas 5.8% of the target productions of the TD children were judged as having inappropriate stress.

Conclusions:
The present findings suggest that Hebrew-speaking children with CAS produce the acoustic characteristics of lexical stress similarly to their peers, and their productions are perceived as having relatively good lexical stress (above 4), although not as good as TD children.