A document by Daniël van Denderen. Click on the document to view its contents.

A document by Aleah N Sommers. Click on the document to view its contents.

Climate feedbacks over the historical period (1850–2014) have been investigated in large ensembles of historical, hist-ghg, hist-aer, and hist-nat experiments, with 47 members for each experiment. Across the historical ensemble with all forcings, a range in estimated Effective Climate Sensitivity (EffCS) between approximately 3–6 K is found, a considerable spread stemming solely from initial condition uncertainty. The spread in EffCS is associated with varying Sea Surface Temperature (SST) patterns seen across the ensemble due to their influence on different feedback processes. For example, the level of polar amplification is shown to strongly control the amount of sea ice melt per degree of global warming. This mechanism is responsible for the large spread in shortwave clear-sky feedbacks and is the main contributor to the different forcing efficacies seen across the different forcing agents, although in HadGEM3-GC3.1-LL these differences in forcing efficacy are shown to be small. The spread in other feedbacks is also investigated, with the level of tropical SST warming shown to strongly control the longwave clear-sky feedbacks, and the local surface-air-temperatures and large scale tropospheric temperatures shown to influence cloud feedbacks. The metrics used to understand the spread in feedbacks can also help to explain the disparity between feedbacks seen in the historical experiment simulations and a more accurate modeled estimate of the feedbacks seen in the real world derived from an atmosphere-only experiment prescribed with observed SSTs (termed amip-piForcing).

Background Previous research indicates disparities in atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence and complications following catheter ablation in women; however, long-term outcomes based on gender remain underexplored. Objective This study evaluated the long-term rates of AF recurrence and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) following catheter ablation, investigating gender-related risk factors to inform clinical practice improvement. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a prospectively observational registry of AF ablation procedures at our institution from 2015 to 2020. Patients were followed up for MACCE and AF recurrence. The risk factors of AF recurrence and MACCE were further explored. Results The study cohort consisted of 2,293 patients, including 1,441 males and 852 females, and had an average follow-up duration of 50.36 months. After catheter ablation, females exhibited a notably higher rate of recurrence compared to males, with a hazard ratio of 1.305 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 1.101 to 1.547, which was statistically significant (p=0.0014). Gender differences in AF recurrence persisted regardless of early versus late intervention (both p<0.05). No significant difference in MACCE rates was observed between genders. Independent risk factors for AF recurrence included female gender, diabetes, left atrial diameter ≥40 mm. Conclusions Gender differences significantly impact the long-term outcomes of AF recurrence, but not MACCE rates post-catheter ablation. The study highlights the necessity to integrate gender considerations into AF management strategies.

The development of cost-effective, highly efficient, and durable electrocatalysts has been a paramount pursuit for advancing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a simplified synthesis protocol was designed to achieve a self-standing electrode, composed of activated carbon paper embedded with Ru single-atom catalysts and Ru nanoclusters (ACP/RuSAC+C) via acid activation, immersion, and high-temperature pyrolysis. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations are employed to gain a more profound understanding of the impact of acid activation on carbon paper. Furthermore, the coexistence states of the Ru atoms are confirmed via aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that introducing a Ru single atom site adjacent to the Ru nanoclusters induces a synergistic effect, tuning the electronic structure and thereby significantly enhancing their catalytic performance. Notably, the ACP/RuSAC+C exhibits a remarkable turnover frequency (TOF) of 18 s-1 and an exceptional mass activity (MA) of 2.2 A mg-1, surpassing the performance of conventional Pt electrodes. The self-standing electrode, featuring harmoniously coexisting Ru states, stands out as a prospective choice for advancing HER catalysts, enhancing energy efficiency, productivity, and selectivity.

In China, Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua (Huangjing) is known for its medicinal and edible properties. Multiple environmental factors can shape plant-microbiome interactions. The cultivated sample sites were enriched characteristic fungi by Clonostachys divergens and Archaeorhizomycetes spp. whereas wild sample sites were enriched particular by Geminibasidium spp. and Bifiguratus spp. The number of observed species was lower in cultivated soil samples compared with wild ones by alpha diversity analysis. Functional annotation showed that the xylanolysis metabolism pathway was more abundant in rhizosphere microorganisms of cultivated P. cyrtonema Hua. The co-occurrence network showed positively interacted between Mucoromycota and Rozellomycota in the cultivated rhizosphere soil. Moreover, this result indicated that biomass of cultivated plant was significantly greater than that of the wild samples, and the polysaccharide content of the cultivated rhizomes was higher. In this study, we may predict basic and potential microbes that beneficial for the P. cyrtonema Hua rhizosphere improve the productivity and quality.

Biomass supply chain performance is heavily affected by uncertainties stemming from supply, demand, or unexpected disruptions. Unlike petrochemical plants that use crude oil, biorefineries often have to deal with the uneven spatial-temporal distribution of feedstock supply. The modular production strategy provides more flexibility in chemical manufacturing by allowing fast capacity expansion and unit movement. However, modeling and optimizing modular biomass supply chain under uncertainties becomes challenging due to high-dimensionality and the existence of discrete decisions. This work optimizes the multiperiod biomass supply chain using the rolling horizon planning and two-stage stochastic programming framework. We then applied generalized Benders decomposition to reduce the computational complexity of the stochastic mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) supply chain optimization. Furthermore, the solution of the stochastic programming could be used to quantitatively describe the life-cycle assessment uncertainties of the biomass supply chain performance, demonstrating seasonality and random variability.

The global health workforce crisis, simmering for decades, was brought to a rolling boil by the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020. With scarce literature, evidence, or best practices to draw from, countries around the world moved to flex their workforces to meet acute challenges of the pandemic, facing demands related to patient volume, patient acuity, and worker vulnerability and absenteeism. One early hypothesis suggested that the acute, short-term pandemic phase would be followed by several waves of resource demands extending over the longer term. However, as the acute phase of the pandemic abated, temporary workforce policies expired and others were repealed with a view of returning to “normal”. The workforce needs of subsequent phases of pandemic effects were largely ignored despite our new equilibrium resting nowhere near our pre-COVID baseline. In this paper, we describe Canada’s early pandemic workforce response. We report the results of an environmental scan of the early workforce strategies adopted in Canada during the first COVID wave of the COVID 19 pandemic. Within a three-part framework for supporting a sustainable health workforce, we describe 470 strategies and policies that aimed to increase the numbers and flexibility of health workers in Canada, and to maximise their continued availability to work. These strategies targeted all types of health workers and roles, enabling changes to the places health work is done, the way in which care is delivered, and the mechanisms by which it is regulated. Telehealth strategies and virtual care were the most prevalent, followed by role expansion, licensure flexibility, mental health supports for workers, and return to practice of retirees. We explore the degree to which these short-term, acute response strategies might be adapted or extended to support the evolving workforce’s long-term needs.

Human gene editing technology is a technology to accurately modify human genome or transcription products. Its application and development have opened a new journey for human beings to discover and change their own destiny. With the deepening penetration of gene editing technology into human life, it is urgent to strengthen the risk prevention of its technology. This paper holds that gene therapy and gene enhancement should be strictly distinguished in the specific governance measures of human gene editing technology. Gene therapy should generally be allowed. For gene enhancement, it is strictly forbidden to pursue individual gene enhancement with special endowments. The gene editing behavior against human germ cells and embryos should be resisted in principle and allowed only when exceptions are made.

The quest for augmenting dropwise condensation heat transfer performance has been the driving force behind the exploration of innovative techniques and approaches to fulfil the desired objective. Recent literature in condensation heat transfer unveils that dropwise condensation heat transfer improvements from Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surfaces (SLIPSs) was central to the study of several researchers because these surfaces have shown excellent droplet mobility due to extremely low adhesion between the condensing liquid and the lubricant infused surface, thereby, promote dropwise condensation. As part of supplementing current research on SLIPSs, for the first time, the present study explores the potential of a semi-solid lubricant impregnated porous surface in enhancing the condensation heat transfer performance of a vertical condenser tube. The results of experiments conducted over a wide range of subcooling (5°C ≤ ΔT ≤ 65°C) in a saturated steam environment signify that Copper tubes with semi-solid lubricant impregnated porous surfaces are potential candidates for enhancing dropwise condensation heat transfer coefficient when compared to an untreated vertical Copper condenser tube. The highest enhancement is found to be 280% at a subcooling of 40°C. Also, the semi-solid lubricant impregnated porous surfaces are proficient in sustaining dropwise condensation for a time period of 72 hours without any degradation in the heat transfer performance. The method devised here for fabricating the semi-solid lubricant impregnated surfaces is simple, less expensive, and less time-consuming compared to the techniques reported earlier for fabricating the SLIPSs. Additionally, in this work an approach based on numerical optimization by a stochastic global optimization technique, namely, Genetic Algorithm, is proposed to retrieve the coefficients and the exponent in the mathematical expression of overall resistance, which in turn is used to compute the tube-side dropwise convection heat transfer coefficient.

This study evaluates the noise resilience of multi-objective Bayesian optimization (MOBO) algorithms in chemical synthesis, an aspect critical for processes like telescoped reactions and heterogeneous catalysis but seldom systematically assessed. Through simulation experiments on amidation, acylation, and SNAr reactions under varying noise levels, we identify the qNEHVI acquisition function as notably proficient in handling noise. Subsequently, qNEHVI is employed to optimize a two-step heterogeneous catalysis for the continuous-flow synthesis of hexafluoroisopropanol. Achieving considerable optimization within just 20 experimental runs, we report an E-factor of 0.3744 and a conversion rate of 76.20%, with optimal conditions set at 5.00 sccm and 35.00℃ for the first step, and 80.00 sccm and 170℃ for the second. This research highlights qNEHVI’s potential in noisy multi-objective optimization and its practical utility in refining complex synthesis processes.

Title:Mohammad Reza Movahed,1,2Department of Medicine, University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, Tucson, AZDepartment of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZCorrespondence to:Mohammad Reza Movahed, MD, PhDClinical Professor of MedicineUniversity of Arizona Sarver Heart Center1501 N. Campbell Ave.Tucson, AZ 85724Email: rmova@aol.comTel: 949 400 0091Key words:Chronic total occlusion; percutaneous coronary intervention; angioplasty; CTO; stenting; stent, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis; interventionConflict of interest: None,

Ski tourism’s popularity is driving a rise in the number of ski resorts. This study aims to present the impact of ski infrastructure on soil erosion processes on the example from a small catchment in the Gubałowskie Foothills in southern Poland, where landscape changes before (since 1879) and after the construction of the ski station (2007) were presented. The analyses of changes in flow accumulation, slope morphometry, and drainage ditches were conducted in the test area. Quantitative analyses were performed using repeated DEMs derived from LiDAR survey and detailed geodetic measurements, complemented by geomorphological mapping done in the field. The study has revealed that the ski infrastructure has not only directly transformed the hillslope by flattening and constructing escarpments (up to 3 m high) but has also created alternating patterns of erosion and accumulation. In the test area, the drainage ditch was poorly designed. It was filled by materials (0.1–0.5 m), and two new outlets formed. The escarpment of the analyzed ski run has been diminished by 0.5 m. An alluvial fan (0.1 to 0.22 m thick) has developed on the flattened surface below the escarpment with drainage ditch outlets. This fan is eroded by subsurface flow that creates a piping system. The gully below the alluvial fan has retreated upslope, accelerated by subsurface erosion. This study enables the presentation of hillslope adjustments and processes in response to the new conditions caused by ski infrastructure. Such results may support more effective land management in regions changed by ski infrastructure.

While dynamic regulation of photosynthesis in fluctuating light is increasingly recognized as an important driver of carbon uptake, acclimation to realistic patterns of light fluctuations is still largely unexplored. We subjected Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) plants to light fluctuations with distinct amplitudes and average irradiance. Using gas-exchange and thermal imaging, we examined how light fluctuations affected leaf structure, photosynthetic capacity, and water relations. We found a wider amplitude of fluctuations produced a stronger acclimation response. Large reductions of leaf mass per area under fluctuating light framed our interpretation of changes in pigment content and photosynthetic capacity, in that photosynthetic investment increased markedly on a mass basis, but only a little on an area basis. Moreover, leaf transpiration rose sharply, being nearly four times under fluctuating light. Our findings indicate that leaves growing under fluctuating light, although thinner, maintained their photosynthetic capacity; suggesting their photosynthesis may be more cost-efficient than those under steady light, but overall may incur increased maintenance costs. This is especially relevant for plant performance globally, because naturally fluctuating light created conflicting acclimation cues for photosynthesis and transpiration that may hinder progress towards ensuring food security under climate-related extremes of water stress.

Objectives: We investigated the molecular underpinnings of miR-205-3p in driving the proliferative behavior of endothelial cells originating from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In our study, reverse transcription quantitative PCR analysis identified a significant upregulation of miR-205-3p in endothelial cells from HCC. This upregulation was consistently observed across various HCC cell lines and tissue samples. Further investigation highlighted the regulatory effect of miR-205-3p on the HINT1 gene. The interaction between miR-205-3p and the 3’ untranslated region of HINT1 was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, experiments involving MTT assays and flow cytometry demonstrated that lentivirus-mediated suppression of HINT1 enhanced cellular proliferation and reduced apoptotic activity in HCC cell models. Results: This study reveals that miR-205-3p contributes to the progression of endothelial cells from HCC by targeting and inhibiting HINT1, a tumor suppressor. Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical foundation suggesting that miR-205-3p may serve as a viable molecular target for gene therapy interventions in clinical settings.

Purpose: Hypertension (HT), dyslipidemia (DL), and diabetes mellitus (DM) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Despite the wide availability of medications to reduce this risk, poor adherence to medications remains an issue. The aim of this study is to evaluate medication adherence of prevalent users in these disease medications (HT, DL, DM) using claims data. Factors associated with non-adherence were also examined. Methods: Of 7,538 participants of the Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study, 3,737（HT: 2,724, DL: 2,137, DM: 665) were identified as prevalent users of these disease medications. Information on lifestyle was collected through a questionnaire. Adherence was assessed by a proportion of days covered (PDC) and participants with PDC ≥ 0.8 were defined as adherent. Predictors of non-adherence were determined by performing multivariable logistic regression. Results: Medication adherence differed by medication groups. Those with DL-only showed the lowest adherence (79.6%), followed by those with DM-only (81.7%) and those with HT-only (89.8%). The associations were observed especially among those with no comorbidities. Determinants associated with non-adherence in each medication group were skipping breakfast and poor understanding of medications among those with HT, females, having comorbidities, having the medical history of stroke, and drinking habit among those with DL, and skipping breakfast among those with DM. Conclusion: While participants showed high medication adherence, differences were observed across medication groups. The identified predictors of non-adherence could help target those in need of adherence support.

Poultry farming has greatly contributed to the global economy and food security by providing highly demanded products that offer unique nutrients to various demographics. With an ever-increasing population, the demand for poultry products will continue to rise. Therefore, an automated approach is necessary to ensure uninterrupted and increased production of these yields. This paper proposes a collaborative approach that integrates internet of things (IoT) and wireless sensor technologies to remotely monitor and control environmental parameters within the poultry farm. The system employs autonomous devices, wireless sensors, and internet-enabled smartphones to measure and benchmark parameters such as humidity, temperature, food availability, water level, illumination level, and presence of ammonia waste against required thresholds. The central mote and cloud receive the results and initiate control actions on the monitored factors. The system provides real-time monitoring and control, and the parameters and corresponding actions can be recorded and viewed over the central hub and web. The evaluation results indicate an accuracy of 93.7% and a delay time of 2s in real-time. The developed model system is robust and intuitive, providing a management solution for poultry farming. Results further shows that the quality of eggs produced were not affected by varying environmental conditions as a result of the real-time monitoring and control system.

Background: Active Learning with AI-tutoring in Higher Education tackles dropout rates. Objectives: To investigate teaching-learning methodologies preferred by students. ChatGPT-based gamified learning methodology is compared to another active learning methodology and a traditional methodology. Study with Learning Analytics to evaluate alternatives, their implementation, and help students elect the best strategies according to their preferences. Methods: Comparative study of three learning methodologies in a Single-Group counterbalanced with 45 university students. It follows a pretest/post-test approach using AHP and SAM. HRV and GSR used for emotional state estimation. Findings: Criteria related to in-class experiences valued higher than test-related criteria. Chat-GPT integration was well regarded compared to well-established methodologies. Student emotion self-assessment correlated with physiological measures, validating used Learning Analitycs. Conclusions: Proposed model AI-Tutoring classroom integration functions effectively at increasing engagement and avoiding false information. AHP with the physiological measuring allows students to determine preferred learning methodologies, avoiding biases, and acknowledging minority groups.

CASE REPORTNeedle in the Heart: A 17-Year-Old’s Struggle and Survival

Identifying novel variations within Domain Generating Algorithm (DGA) families, have a significant impact on the security of critical infrastructures. Despite existing research, the adaptability of techniques to diverse DGA manifestations is still a major concern.

This paper described the development of a portable security device which can accurately report the GPS coordinates of a victim to the authorities, send SMS messages to a predetermined contact, and sound a loud alarm to alert passersby. When quick assistance is needed, such as in cases of personal safety issues, the device is intended to provide a dependable and efficient method of emergency communication and location tracking. The device makes sure that the precise location information is delivered to a specified contact using GPS technology and SMS capabilities, enabling them to react quickly. The addition of an alarm improves the functionality of the gadget by drawing attention from nearby people, possibly discouraging perpetrators, or helping to locate the user. The analysis of the development of this device offered a reliable and adaptable solution to the increasing insecurities issues in developing countries and other parts of the globe in general This enhances the personal safety of users and their designated contacts peace of mind for emergency danger situations.

A document by Gebeyehu Azibte. Click on the document to view its contents.

Case report: Actinomyces in Hand: An Unusual Cause of OsteomyelitisAlireza Khosravi 1, Alireza Ghanadan2, Alireza Hadizadeh 3, Mohammadsadegh Talebi Kahdouei 4, Fatemeh Aghaei5, Faezeh Salahshour6, Zahra Saffarian7*1. Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Irankhosravi@ut.ac.ir2. Professor of pathology department of dermatopathology, Razi hospital, department of pathology, cancer institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranDermpath101@gmail.com3. Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), Division of Urogynecology, University of Chicago, Northshore University HealthSystem, Skokie, IL, USA4. Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranTalebisadegh41@gmail.com5. Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranFatemehaghaei825@gmail.com6.  Department of Radiology, Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Liver Transplantation Research Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iransalahshour_faeze@yahoo.com faeze.salahshoor@gmail.com f-salahshour@sina.tums.ac.ir7. Assistant professor of dermatology, Dermatology Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranSaffarianz@yahoo.com*Co-responder author:Assistant professor of dermatology, Dermatology Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IranSaffarianz@yahoo.com

The objective of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model of subcutaneously administered bupivacaine in a novel extended release microparticle formulation for postoperative pain management. Bupivacaine was administered subcutaneously in the lower leg to 28 healthy male subjects in doses from 150 to 600 mg in a phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-ascending study with two different compositions of microparticle formulations called LIQ865. Population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models were fitted to plasma concentration-effect-time data using non-linear mixed-effects modeling. The pharmacokinetics were best described by a two-compartment model with biphasic absorption as two parallel absorption processes: a fast, zero-order process and a slower, first-order process with two transit compartments. The slow absorption process was found to be dose-dependent and rate-limiting for bupivacaine clearance at higher doses. Bupivacaine clearance and the transit rate constant describing the slow absorption process both decreased with increasing doses following a power function with a shared covariate effect of dose on the two parameters. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship between plasma concentrations and effect was best described by a linear function. This model gives new insight into the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of microparticle formulations of bupivacaine, and the biphasic absorption seen for several local anesthetics.