bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Über 15 Jahre „Kein Täter werden“ – mehr Schaden als Nutzen?
Authors: König Andrej
Published: October 2023

Der verursacherbezogene Dunkelfeldansatz des Präventionsnetzwerkes „Kein Täter werden“ bietet seit über einem Jahrzehnt nichtstrafverfolgten pädophilen und/oder hebephilen Hilfesuchenden therapeutische Unterstützung zur Verhinderung von sexualisierter Gewalt gegen Minderjährige an. Kritiker bemängeln jedoch methodische Schwächen in den durchgeführten Selbstevaluationsstudien der Projektverantwortlichen, die die kriminalpräventive Wirksamkeit infrage stellen. Die selbstberichtete Kriminalitätsbelastung liegt in einer aktuellen Follow-up-Untersuchung im Vergleich zu kriminologischen Hellfeldstudien mit Sexualstraftätern deutlich höher. Aus forensisch-kriminologischer Sicht lässt der in Berlin etablierte verursacherbezogene Dunkelfeldansatz erhebliche Zweifel an seiner kriminalpräventiven Wirksamkeit aufkommen.
Exploiting Electronic Data to Advance Knowledge and Management of Severe Infections
Authors: Laupland Kevin B. , Tabah Alexis , White Kyle C. , Ramanan Mahesh
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

To identify opportunities and recent advances in the use of multicentric digital data sources and networks to investigate the epidemiology and management of patients with infections admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

Recent Findings

Electronic surveillance systems for a range of serious infections have been reported from large cohorts with evident improvements in efficiency, objectivity, and comprehensiveness of coverage as compared to traditional methods. Electronic data, most notably from electronic health records, has been used to define the epidemiology and outcomes of severe infections in several settings and conditions and has facilitated population-based evaluation. Automated alerts and notifications hold promise to identify patients at risk for sepsis and bloodstream infection although demonstration of efficacy in interventional trials is needed.

Exploitation of electronic data in ICUs has led to a better understanding of the epidemiology of severe infections and holds promise for future interventional clinical trials.
“Land-sparing benefits biodiversity while land-sharing benefits ecosystem services”: Stakeholders’ perspectives on biodiversity conservation strategies in boreal forests
Authors: Löfroth Therese , Merinero Sonia , Johansson Johanna , Nordström Eva-Maria , Sahlström Emma , Sjögren Jörgen , Ranius Thomas
Published: October 2023

Biodiversity conservation and economic profit from forests can be combined by various land-sparing and land-sharing approaches. Using a semi-structured survey, we evaluated support for scenarios representing contrasting conservation strategies in a managed boreal forest landscape. Land-sparing approaches were supported by the conservation organisation, regional administrations and the forest company, mainly motivated by the benefit for biodiversity based on ecological theory. Land-sharing approaches were supported by one recreational organisation, some municipalities and the forest owners’ association, mainly motivated by the delivery of ecosystem services. Stakeholder groups using certain ecosystem services had motivations that we related to an anthropocentric mindset, while others focused more on species conservation, which can be related both to an anthropocentric or an ecocentric mindsets. Forest conservation planning should consider stakeholders’ preferences to handle land-use conflicts. Since reaching consensus among multiple stakeholders seems unfeasible, a combination of land-sparing and land-sharing approaches is probably the best compromise.
Optimizing the number of crews working in parallel and their work sequence to minimize project duration and cost for repetitive construction projects
Authors: Abdelbasset Emad , Hassan Abbas , Amer Nabil H. , Khalifa Yasser A.
Published: October 2023

Scheduling repetitive construction projects poses a significant challenge in optimally utilizing multiple concurrent crews and sequencing their work to minimize project duration and cost. To address this challenge, this study presents the development of a multi-objective scheduling optimization model for repetitive construction projects consisting of three modules. First, a scheduling module ensures the harmonious coordination of multiple concurrent crews for each activity while considering varying productivity rates, work continuity constraints, and project precedence relationships. Second, a cost module incorporates various contractual cost components to enable a thorough evaluation of project costs and provides flexibility to contractors encountering different contract terms. Third, an optimization module utilizes a genetic algorithm to identify optimal combinations of crews working in parallel and their optimal work sequence, to simultaneously minimize project duration and cost. An application example from the literature was analyzed to validate the model and demonstrate its superiority over previous models. The results showed significant reductions of 8% and 0.78% in project duration and overall costs, respectively, compared to previous models. Furthermore, the capabilities of the model were demonstrated through a real-life case study involving a highway development and renovation project, highlighting its practical benefits and effectiveness in a real-world construction scenario.
Change point detection in text data
Authors: Preis Axel , Schwaar Stefanie
Published: October 2023

The analysis of text data using artificial intelligence and statistical methods has become increasingly important in recent years. One application is the automatic assignment of documents. For this purpose, a classification model is trained on the basis of historical data. If the structure of the texts to be classified changes over time, the quality of the classification will decrease. Change point detection algorithms can counteract this. Such algorithms automatically detect changes in the structure of the texts and indicate that the trained classification model has to be adapted. However, the undesired influence of the length of the document needs to be handled when modeling the text data. We present a multinomial change-point model detecting changes in text structures. The results are supported by simulation studies.
GIS-assisted Flood-risk Potential Mapping of Ilorin and its Environs, Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Alimi S. A. , Oriola E. O. , Senbore S. S. , Alepa V. C. , Ologbonyo F. J. , Idris F. S. , Ibrahim H. O. , Olawale L. O. , Akinlabi O. J. , Ogungbade O.
Published: October 2023

The incessant reoccurrence of flooding disasters across Nigeria has mandated an urgent outlook on flood-risk management techniques. Ilorin and its environs have suffered immensely from annual flood reoccurrence. This study aims to assess flood risk within Ilorin and its environs and proffer adequate flood mitigation strategies that governments and policymakers can adopt to placate future flooding events within the state. Satellite imagery data were acquired and analyzed for flood-risk assessment of the area. Ten highly influential flood causative factors were synergized using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making techniques in this research; they are Land Surface Temperature, Elevation, Soil Moisture Index, and Distance to Stream, Drainage Density, Stream Power Index, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Land Use Land Cover, Slope, and Topographic Wetness Index. Findings showed that approximately 47.2% of the study area had low flood risk, while moderate and high flood-risk zones occupied 33.5% and 19.29%, respectively. Most parts of Ilorin and its environs are safe from flood disasters; only about one-quarter of the total area under investigation lies in the high flood-risk zones; these areas mostly fall within the shores of major streams, rivers, and dams within the state. A plot of previous flood cases in the state placed the affected areas in the high and moderate zones of flood risk, confirming the efficacy of geospatial techniques in flood-risk assessment. It is hoped that this study's findings and recommendations can be implemented to prevent future devastating flooding occurrences within the state.
Molecular layer deposition of hybrid silphenylene-based dielectric film
Authors: Li Xinzhi , Vehkamäki Marko , Chundak Mykhailo , Mizohata Kenichiro , Vihervaara Anton , Putkonen Matti , Leskelä Markku , Ritala Mikko
Published: October 2023

Molecular layer deposition (MLD) offers molecular level control in deposition of organic and hybrid thin films. This article describes a new type of inorganic–organic silicon-based MLD process where Aluminium chloride (AlCl3) and 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTEB) were used as precursors. Hybrid films were deposited at a temperature range of 300 to 500 °C and high growth per cycle (GPC) up to 1.94 Å was obtained. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the appearance of the film surface. The hybrid film was amorphous in low-magnification FESEM images but some particulates appeared in high-magnification FESEM images (200 k). Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Time-of-flight elastic recoil detection analysis (ToF-ERDA), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to analyze the structure and composition of the hybrid film. The ratio of Al/Si in the hybrid film was 0.8. The storage environment of the films affected their capacitance, dielectric constant, leakage performance, and breakdown voltage. A film stored in a high vacuum (10–6 mbar) environment had low leakage current density (< 10–6 A × cm−2 at an applied voltage of 28 V) and a dielectric constant of 4.94, which was much smaller than after storing in a humid ambient environment.

Graphical abstract
Influence of pH on the Hydrothermal Synthesis of Al-Substituted Smectites (Saponite, Beidellite, and Nontronite)
Authors: Criouet I. , Viennet J. C. , Baron F. , Balan E. , Buch A. , Delbes L. , Guillaumet M. , Remusat L. , Bernard S.
Published: October 2023

Smectitic clay minerals are unique indicators of paleoenvironmental conditions and exhibit a unique reactivity in the mineral world. Smectites may exhibit tetrahedral substitutions (Al3+, and sometimes Fe3+, can substitute for Si4+ in tetrahedral sites), resulting in a layer-charge increase, thereby impacting their properties (e.g. swelling and sorption capacities, catalytic properties, expandable abilities). The objective of the present study was to determine the influence of pH conditions on the hydrothermal production of smectite end-members exhibiting tetrahedral Al substitutions (saponite, beidellite, and nontronite), using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) methods. The results of a series of syntheses conducted at various pH values allowed discussion of the crystallization pathways of these smectites from a mechanistic point of view. Altogether, the present study provided easily reproducible protocols for the hydrothermal production of pure saponite, nontronite, or beidellite (i.e. with no other mineral). The successful synthesis of pure saponite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 230°C for 4 days in solutions at pH ranging from 5.5 to 14. The successful synthesis of pure beidellite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 230°C for 9 days in a solution at pH 12. The successful synthesis of pure nontronite was achieved by exposing the starting gels to 150°C for 2.5 days in a solution at pH 12.5. Although extrapolating experimental results to natural settings remains difficult, the results of the present study may be of great help to constrain better the geochemical conditions existing or having existed on extraterrestrial planetary bodies.
Nonlinear dynamics and acoustic radiation of coherent structures consisting of multiple ring–helical modes in the near-nozzle region of a subsonic turbulent circular jet
Authors: Zhang Zhongyu , Wu Xuesong
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the nonlinear evolution and acoustic radiation of coherent structures (CS) in the near-nozzle region of a subsonic turbulent circular jet. A CS is taken to be a wavepacket consisting of multiple ring/helical modes, which are considered to be inviscid instability waves supported by the mean-flow profile. As the three-dimensionality of helical modes is weak in the near-nozzle region, the ring and helical modes with the same frequency have nearly the same growth rates and critical levels. They coexist and interact with each other in their common critical layer at high Reynolds numbers. The self and mutual quadratic interactions generate a mean-flow distortion and streaks, which act back on the fundamental components through the cubic interaction. The amplitude of the CS is governed by an integro-partial-differential equation, a significant feature of which is that differentiations with respect to the azimuthal coordinate appear in the history-dependent nonlinear terms. The non-parallelism of the mean flow as well as the impact of fine-scale turbulence on CS are taken into account and found to affect the nonlinear terms. By solving the amplitude equation, the development of the constituting modes, streamwise vortices and streaks are described. For CS consisting of frequency sideband, low-frequency components are excited nonlinearly and amplify to reach a considerable level. By analysing the large-distance asymptote of the perturbation, the low-frequency acoustic waves are found to be emitted by the temporally–spatially varying mean-flow distortion and streaks generated by the nonlinear interactions of the CS, and are thereby determined on the basis of first principles. Interestingly, the energetic part of the streaky structure that contributes to the nonlinear dynamics does not radiate directly, and instead the Reynolds stresses driving the subdominant radiating components represent the true physical sources.
RETRACTED – Reynolds-number scaling and convergence time scale in two-dimensional Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Lindborg Erik
Published: October 2023

An equation for the evolution of mean kinetic energy,

$E$

, in a two-dimensional (2-D) or 3-D Rayleigh–Bénard system with domain height

$L$

is derived. Assuming classical Nusselt-number scaling,

$Nu \sim Ra^{1/3}$

, and that mean enstrophy, in the absence of a downscale energy cascade, scales as

$\sim E/L^2$

, we find that the Reynolds number scales as

$Re \sim Pr^{-1}Ra^{2/3}$

in the 2-D system, where

$Ra$

is the Rayleigh number and

$Pr$

the Prandtl number. Using the evolution equation and the Reynolds-number scaling, it is shown that

$\tilde {\tau } \gtrsim Pr^{-1/2}Ra^{1/2}$

, where

$\tilde {\tau }$

is the non-dimensional convergence time scale. For the 3-D system, we make the estimate

$\tilde {\tau } \gtrsim Ra^{1/6}$

for

$Pr = 1$

. It is estimated that the total computational cost of reaching the high

$Ra$

limit in a simulation is comparable between two and three dimensions. The predictions are compared with data from direct numerical simulations.
Exact solutions for the initial stage of dam-break flow on a plane hillside or beach
Authors: Cooker Mark J.
Published: October 2023

Inviscid, incompressible liquid is released from rest by a sudden dam break, accelerating under gravity over a uniformly sloping impermeable plane bed. The liquid flows downhill or up a beach. A linearised model is derived from Euler's equations for the early stage of motion, of duration

$2\sqrt {H/g}$

, where H is the depth scale and

$g$

is the acceleration due to gravity. Initial pressure and acceleration fields are calculated in closed form, first for an isosceles right-angled triangle on a slope of

$45^{\circ }$

. Second, the triangle belongs to a class of finite-domain solutions with a curved front face. Third, an unbounded domain is treated, with a curved face resembling a steep-fronted breaking water wave flowing up a beach. The fluid goes uphill due to a nearshore pressure gradient. In all cases the free-surface-bed contact point is the most accelerated particle, exceeding the acceleration due to gravity. Physical consequences are discussed, and the pressure approximation of shallow water theory is found poor during this early stage, near the steep free surface exposed by a dam break.
Fourier coefficients of and
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: October 2023

Recall that for a 2π-periodic function f , the Fourier coefficients on the interval (–Π, Π) are

and the Fourier series for f is
Various perspectives on a pair of simple inequalities for log x
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: October 2023

The basic inequalities

The inequalities in question are
(1)

and
(2)

for x > 1.
Revisiting the general cubic: a simplification of Cardano's solution
Authors: Liao Hsin-Chieh , Saul Mark , Shiue Peter J.-S
Published: October 2023

Given a polynomial equation x3 + ax2 + bx + c = 0 of degree 3 with real coefficients, we may translate the variable by replacing x with x − to make the quadratic term vanish. We then obtain a simpler equation x3 + px + q = 0 where Therefore, in order to solve a polynomial equation of degree 3, it is sufficient to solve equations of the form x3 + px + q = 0.
Some triangle theorems by complex numbers
Authors: Silvester John R.
Published: October 2023

The following theorems appear in [1, pp. 62-63]: Theorem 1 If similar triangles A1B0C0, A0B1C0, A0B0C1 are erected externally on the sides of ΔA0B0C0, then the circumcircles of these three triangles have a common point, F.
The Dark Informant-Rated Triad (DIRT)
Authors: Walker Sarah A. , MacCann Carolyn , Jonason Peter K.
Published: October 2023

Abstract: The “Dirty Dozen” is a popular, brief, self-report scale to capture individual differences in the Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy). While the scale has good psychometric properties, there has not yet been an examination of informant ratings for this instrument, despite the apparent utility of informant ratings for providing an observer’s perspective on a target’s personality. We present evidence for the validity of an informant-rated version of the Dirty Dozen – the Dark Informant-Rated Triad (DIRT). Across two studies ( nstudy1= 281; nstudy2= 395 dyads), we found evidence for structural validity (i.e., a three-factor model fits the data well), as well as convergent, discriminant, and criterion-related validity of the DIRT, as well as strong self-informant agreement. We propose future research should examine sources of self-informant disagreement and the extent to which informant-reported Dark Triad trait scores may differ depending on the situation (work vs. home) or informant type (colleague vs. spouse).
How You Make Money Matters When It Comes to Carbon Emissions
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: October 2023

Investment income is associated with more carbon emissions in the United States.
The Characteristics of the Yangtze Flooding During 1998 and 2020 Based on Atmospheric Water Tracing
Authors: Pan Chen , Zhao Jiuwei , Chen Hao , Kang Zhiming , Chen Shengjie , Jin Xiaoxia
Published: October 2023

The June‐July Yangtze flooding in 1998 and 2020 drew incredible attention owing to the extreme precipitation events and devastating societal/economic damages. However, the quantitative estimation of the moisture transport mechanism is intensely discussed but still unresolved. Here we investigated two events from a unique perspective of Eulerian atmospheric water tracers that tries to explain the two events from model physics. The results showed that the moisture supplies from the Northwest Pacific decreased despite of different inducements, whereas the southwest summer monsoon (SWSM)‐related moisture supplies exhibited conspicuous enhancements in both events, suggesting that the SWSM‐related moisture supplies controlled the occurrence of Yangtze flooding. The physical processes of the two events were further compared. The 2020 flooding was more severe than the 1998 event, which was related to the stronger advective convergences and in‐stratus condensations of the SWSM‐related moisture.
Exciton fine structure in twisted transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures
Authors: Kundu Sudipta , Amit Tomer , Krishnamurthy H. R. , Jain Manish , Refaely-Abramson Sivan
Published: October 2023

Moiré superlattices of transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures give rise to rich excitonic phenomena associated with the interlayer twist angle. Theoretical calculations of excitons in such systems are typically based on model moiré potentials that mitigate the computational cost. However, predictive understanding of the electron-hole coupling dominating the excitations is crucial to realize the twist-induced modifications of the optical selection rules. In this work, we use many-body perturbation theory to evaluate the relation between twist angle and exciton properties in TMD heterostructures. We present an approach for unfolding excitonic states from the moiré Brillouin zone onto the separate-layer ones. Applying this method to a large-angle twisted MoS2/MoSe2 bilayer, we find that the optical spectrum is dominated by mixed electron–hole transitions with different momenta in the separate monolayers, leading to unexpected hybridization between interlayer and intralayer excitons. Our findings offer a design pathway for exciton layer-localization in TMD heterostructures.
The burden of splice-disrupting variants in inherited heart disease and unexplained sudden cardiac death
Authors: Singer Emma S. , Crowe Joshua , Holliday Mira , Isbister Julia C. , Lal Sean , Nowak Natalie , Yeates Laura , Burns Charlotte , Rajagopalan Sulekha , Macciocca Ivan , King Ingrid , Wacker Julie , Ingles Jodie , Weintraub Robert G. , Semsarian Christopher , Bagnall Richard D.
Published: October 2023

There is an incomplete understanding of the burden of splice-disrupting variants in definitively associated inherited heart disease genes and whether these genes can amplify from blood RNA to support functional confirmation of splicing outcomes. We performed burden testing of rare splice-disrupting variants in people with inherited heart disease and sudden unexplained death compared to 125,748 population controls. ClinGen definitively disease-associated inherited heart disease genes were amplified using RNA extracted from fresh blood, derived cardiomyocytes, and myectomy tissue. Variants were functionally assessed and classified for pathogenicity. We found 88 in silico-predicted splice-disrupting variants in 128 out of 1242 (10.3%) unrelated participants. There was an excess burden of splice-disrupting variants in PKP2 (5.9%), FLNC (2.7%), TTN (2.8%), MYBPC3 (8.2%) and MYH7 (1.3%), in distinct cardiomyopathy subtypes, and KCNQ1 (3.6%) in long QT syndrome. Blood RNA supported the amplification of 21 out of 31 definitive disease-associated inherited heart disease genes. Our functional studies confirmed altered splicing in six variants. Eleven variants of uncertain significance were reclassified as likely pathogenic based on functional studies and six were used for cascade genetic testing in 12 family members. Our study highlights that splice-disrupting variants are a significant cause of inherited heart disease, and that analysis of blood RNA confirms splicing outcomes and supports variant pathogenicity classification.
A recombinant virus-like particle vaccine against adenovirus-7 induces a potent humoral response
Authors: Mazboudi Ryan , Mulhall Maasz Hannah , Resch Matthew D. , Wen Ke , Gottlieb Paul , Alimova Aleksandra , Khayat Reza , Collins Natalie D. , Kuschner Robert A. , Galarza Jose M.
Published: October 2023

Adenoviruses (AdVs) cause infections in humans that range from mild to severe, and can cause outbreaks particularly in close contact settings. Several human AdV types have been identified, which can cause a wide array of clinical manifestations. AdV types 4 and 7 (AdV-4 and AdV-7), which are among the most commonly circulating types in the United States, are known to cause acute respiratory disease that can result in hospitalization and rarely, death. Currently, the only vaccines approved for use in humans are live virus vaccines against AdV-4 and AdV-7, though these vaccines are only authorized for use in U.S. military personnel. While they are efficacious, use of these live virus vaccines carries considerable risks of vaccine-associated viral shedding and recombination. Here, we present an alternative vaccination strategy against AdV-7 using the virus-like particle platform (AdVLP-7). We describe the production of stable recombinant AdVLP-7, and demonstrate that AdVLP-7 is structurally analogous to wild-type AdV-7 virions (WT AdV-7). Preclinical immunogenicity studies in mice show that AdVLP-7 elicits a potent humoral immune response, comparable to that observed in mice immunized with WT AdV-7. Specifically, AdVLP-7 induces high titers of antibodies against AdV-7-specific antigens that can effectively neutralize AdV-7.
Erasure conversion in a high-fidelity Rydberg quantum simulator
Authors: Scholl Pascal , Shaw Adam L. , Tsai Richard Bing-Shiun , Finkelstein Ran , Choi Joonhee , Endres Manuel
Published: October 2023

Minimizing and understanding errors is critical for quantum science, both in noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) devices1and for the quest towards fault-tolerant quantum computation2,3. Rydberg arrays have emerged as a prominent platform in this context4with impressive system sizes5,6and proposals suggesting how error-correction thresholds could be significantly improved by detecting leakage errors with single-atom resolution7,8, a form of erasure error conversion9–12. However, two-qubit entanglement fidelities in Rydberg atom arrays13,14have lagged behind competitors15,16and this type of erasure conversion is yet to be realized for matter-based qubits in general. Here we demonstrate both erasure conversion and high-fidelity Bell state generation using a Rydberg quantum simulator5,6,17,18. When excising data with erasure errors observed via fast imaging of alkaline-earth atoms19–22, we achieve a Bell state fidelity of$$\ge 0.997{1}_{-13}^{+10}$$≥0.9971−13+10, which improves to$$\ge 0.998{5}_{-12}^{+7}$$≥0.9985−12+7when correcting for remaining state-preparation errors. We further apply erasure conversion in a quantum simulation experiment for quasi-adiabatic preparation of long-range order across a quantum phase transition, and reveal the otherwise hidden impact of these errors on the simulation outcome. Our work demonstrates the capability for Rydberg-based entanglement to reach fidelities in the 0.999 regime, with higher fidelities a question of technical improvements, and shows how erasure conversion can be utilized in NISQ devices. These techniques could be translated directly to quantum-error-correction codes with the addition of long-lived qubits7,22–24.
Flexible circuit mechanisms for context-dependent song sequencing
Authors: Roemschied Frederic A. , Pacheco Diego A. , Aragon Max J. , Ireland Elise C. , Li Xinping , Thieringer Kyle , Pang Rich , Murthy Mala
Published: October 2023

Sequenced behaviours, including locomotion, reaching and vocalization, are patterned differently in different contexts, enabling animals to adjust to their environments. How contextual information shapes neural activity to flexibly alter the patterning of actions is not fully understood. Previous work has indicated that this could be achieved via parallel motor circuits, with differing sensitivities to context1,2. Here we demonstrate that a single pathway operates in two regimes dependent on recent sensory history. We leverage the Drosophila song production system3 to investigate the role of several neuron types4–7 in song patterning near versus far from the female fly. Male flies sing ‘simple’ trains of only one mode far from the female fly but complex song sequences comprising alternations between modes when near her. We find that ventral nerve cord (VNC) circuits are shaped by mutual inhibition and rebound excitability8 between nodes driving the two song modes. Brief sensory input to a direct brain-to-VNC excitatory pathway drives simple song far from the female, whereas prolonged input enables complex song production via simultaneous recruitment of functional disinhibition of VNC circuitry. Thus, female proximity unlocks motor circuit dynamics in the correct context. We construct a compact circuit model to demonstrate that the identified mechanisms suffice to replicate natural song dynamics. These results highlight how canonical circuit motifs8,9 can be combined to enable circuit flexibility required for dynamic communication.
Genome-wide association analyses of agronomic traits and Striga hermonthica resistance in pearl millet
Authors: Rouamba Armel , Shimelis Hussein , Drabo Inoussa , Mrema Emmanuel , Ojiewo Christopher Ochieng , Mwadzingeni Learnmore , Rathore Abhishek
Published: October 2023

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) is a nutrient-dense, relatively drought-tolerant cereal crop cultivated in dry regions worldwide. The crop is under-researched, and its grain yield is low (< 0.8 tons ha−1) and stagnant in the major production regions, including Burkina Faso. The low productivity of pearl millet is mainly attributable to a lack of improved varieties, Striga hermonthica [Sh] infestation, downy mildew infection, and recurrent heat and drought stress. Developing high-yielding and Striga-resistant pearl millet varieties that satisfy the farmers’ and market needs requires the identification of yield-promoting genes linked to economic traits to facilitate marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding. The objective of this study was to undertake genome-wide association analyses of agronomic traits and Sh resistance among 150 pearl millet genotypes to identify genetic markers for marker-assisted breeding and trait introgression. The pearl millet genotypes were phenotyped in Sh hotspot fields and screen house conditions. Twenty-nine million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) initially generated from 345 pearl millet genotypes were filtered, and 256 K SNPs were selected and used in the present study. Phenotypic data were collected on days to flowering, plant height, number of tillers, panicle length, panicle weight, thousand-grain weight, grain weight, number of emerged Striga and area under the Striga number progress curve (ASNPC). Agronomic and Sh parameters were subjected to combined analysis of variance, while genome-wide association analysis was performed on phenotypic and SNPs data. Significant differences (P < 0.001) were detected among the assessed pearl millet genotypes for Sh parameters and agronomic traits. Further, there were significant genotype by Sh interaction for the number of Sh and ASNPC. Twenty-eight SNPs were significantly associated with a low number of emerged Sh located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Four SNPs were associated with days-to-50%-flowering on chromosomes 3, 5, 6, and 7, while five were associated with panicle length on chromosomes 2, 3, and 4. Seven SNPs were linked to thousand-grain weight on chromosomes 2, 3, and 6. The putative SNP markers associated with a low number of emerged Sh and agronomic traits in the assessed genotypes are valuable genomic resources for accelerated breeding and variety deployment of pearl millet with Sh resistance and farmer- and market-preferred agronomic traits.
Detecting causal relationship of non-floodplain wetland hydrologic connectivity using convergent cross mapping
Authors: Lee Sangchul , Lee Byeongwon , Lee Junga , Song Jihoon , McCarty Gregory W.
Published: October 2023

The hydrologic connectivity of non-floodplain wetlands (NFWs) with downstream water (DW) has gained increased importance, but connectivity via groundwater (GW) is largely unknown owing to the high complexity of hydrological processes and climatic seasonality. In this study, a causal inference method, convergent cross mapping (CCM), was applied to detect the hydrologic causality between upland NFW and DW through GW. CCM is a nonlinear inference method for detecting causal relationships among environmental variables with weak or moderate coupling in nonlinear dynamical systems. We assumed that causation would exist when the following conditions were observed: (1) the presence of two direct causal (NFW → GW and GW → DW) and one indirect causal (NFW → DW) relationship; (2) a nonexistent opposite causal relationship (DW → NFW); (3) the two direct causations with shorter lag times relative to indirect causation; and (4) similar patterns not observed with pseudo DW. The water levels monitored by a well and piezometer represented NFW and GW measurements, respectively, and the DW was indicated by the baseflow at the outlet of the drainage area, including NFW. To elucidate causality, the DW taken at the adjacent drainage area with similar climatic seasonality was also tested as pseudo DW. The CCM results showed that the water flow from NFW to GW and then DW was only present, and any opposite flows did not exist. In addition, direct causations had shorter lag time than indirect causation, and 3-day lag time was shown between NFW and DW. Interestingly, the results with pseudo DW did not show any lagged interactions, indicating non-causation. These results provide the signals for the hydrologic connectivity of NFW and DW with GW. Therefore, this study would support the importance of NFW protection and management.
Optimal view detection for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block using deep learning approaches
Authors: Jo Yumin , Lee Dongheon , Baek Donghyeon , Choi Bo Kyung , Aryal Nisan , Jung Jinsik , Shin Yong Sup , Hong Boohwi
Published: October 2023

Successful ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block (SCB) requires the understanding of sonoanatomy and identification of the optimal view. Segmentation using a convolutional neural network (CNN) is limited in clearly determining the optimal view. The present study describes the development of a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) system using a CNN that can determine the optimal view for complete SCB in real time. The aim of this study was the development of computer-aided diagnosis system that aid non-expert to determine the optimal view for complete supraclavicular block in real time. Ultrasound videos were retrospectively collected from 881 patients to develop the CADx system (600 to the training and validation set and 281 to the test set). The CADx system included classification and segmentation approaches, with Residual neural network (ResNet) and U-Net, respectively, applied as backbone networks. In the classification approach, an ablation study was performed to determine the optimal architecture and improve the performance of the model. In the segmentation approach, a cascade structure, in which U-Net is connected to ResNet, was implemented. The performance of the two approaches was evaluated based on a confusion matrix. Using the classification approach, ResNet34 and gated recurrent units with augmentation showed the highest performance, with average accuracy 0.901, precision 0.613, recall 0.757, f1-score 0.677 and AUROC 0.936. Using the segmentation approach, U-Net combined with ResNet34 and augmentation showed poorer performance than the classification approach. The CADx system described in this study showed high performance in determining the optimal view for SCB. This system could be expanded to include many anatomical regions and may have potential to aid clinicians in real-time settings.

Trial registration The protocol was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of Korea (KCT0005822, https://cris.nih.go.kr).
Depressive states in healthy subjects lead to biased processing in frontal-parietal ERPs during emotional stimuli
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Yokoyama Mio , Okamoto Daiki , Nakatani Hironori , Yagi Tohru
Published: October 2023

Subthreshold depressive (sD) states and major depression are considered to occur on a continuum, and there are only quantitative and not qualitative differences between depressive states in healthy individuals and patients with depression. sD is showing a progressively increasing prevalence and has a lifelong impact, and the social and clinical impacts of sD are no less than those of major depressive disorder (MDD). Because depression leads to biased cognition, patients with depression and healthy individuals show different visual processing properties. However, it remains unclear whether there are significant differences in visual information recognition among healthy individuals with various depressive states. In this study, we investigated the event-related potentials (ERPs) and event-related spectrum perturbation (ERSP) of healthy individuals with various depressive states during the perception of emotional visual stimulation. We show that different neural activities can be detected even among healthy individuals. We divided healthy participants into high, middle, and low depressive state groups and found that participants in a high depressive state had a lower P300 amplitude and significant differences in fast and slow neural responses in the frontal and parietal lobes. We anticipate our study to provide useful parameters for assessing the evaluation of depressive states in healthy individuals.
Differences of clinical features and outcomes between male and female elderly patients in gastric cancer
Authors: Arakawa Hiroshi , Komatsu Shuhei , Kamiya Hajime , Nishibeppu Keiji , Ohashi Takuma , Konishi Hirotaka , Shiozaki Atsushi , Kubota Takeshi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Otsuji Eigo
Published: October 2023

Although the average life span differs between males and females, little is known about differences in clinical features and short and long-term outcomes between elderly male and female gastric cancer patients. This study was designed to clarify these issues to identify the possibility for sex-based treatment strategies in elderly gastric cancer patients. This study included 295 consecutive elderly gastric cancer patients (75 years or older) who underwent curative gastrectomy between 1997 and 2016. We defined postoperative complications as Clavien–Dindo classification grade II or higher. Comorbidities were present in 67% of all patients. Males tended to have more comorbidities than females (P = 0.077). Male patients had significantly more upper gastric cancers (P = 0.001), a higher incidence of postoperative complications (P = 0.045), and poorer prognoses than females (P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis revealed that being male was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (Odds ratio 2.5, P = 0.045) and a poor prognostic factor (Hazard ratio 1.81, P = 0.008). Patients who underwent limited surgery without postoperative complications tended to have a better prognosis than patients receiving standard surgery with postoperative complications (3-year overall survival: 78% vs. 55%, P = 0.156). Male was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and an independent poor prognostic factor in elderly gastric cancer patients. To avoid postoperative complications, the limited surgery might be justified for high-risk elderly male patients.
Dissociation of perception and motor execution of lower limb in multi-directional movements
Authors: Oku Kyosuke , Tanaka Shinsuke , Kida Noriyuki
Published: October 2023

Estimating the action capability is vital for humans to move their bodies successfully. Researchers have proposed reachability as an overestimation of motor abilities by judging unreachable distances as reachable. The existing literature has mainly investigated the sagittal direction, but multi-directional reachability is unexplored. This study examined the relationship between perception and motor using the reaching of the lower limbs in multiple directions. We asked 16 adults to reach targets projected onto the floor at 21 locations (seven directions and three distances) to estimate the reaching time. We found that the reaching time slowed as the direction increased toward the contralateral side, but the subjective reaching time did not change with direction. Multiple regression analysis showed that the subjective reaching time could be calculated accurately, mainly using the duration from the toe leaving the ground to movement completion. These results suggest that changes in direction may not be perceived precisely by the motor system of the lower limbs and that the subjective reaching time was strongly affected by the time after the toe left the ground. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between motor and perception in multiple directions, which may provide a new strategy for the maximal performance of lower-limb movement.
Slack K+ channels limit kainic acid-induced seizure severity in mice by modulating neuronal excitability and firing
Authors: Skrabak David , Bischof Helmut , Pham Thomas , Ruth Peter , Ehinger Rebekka , Matt Lucas , Lukowski Robert
Published: October 2023

Mutations of the Na+-activated K+ channel Slack (KCNT1) are associated with terrible epilepsy syndromes that already begin in infancy. Here we report increased severity of acute kainic acid-induced seizures in adult and juvenile Slack knockout mice (Slack−/−) in vivo. Fittingly, we find exacerbation of cell death following kainic acid exposure in organotypic hippocampal slices as well as dissociated hippocampal cultures from Slack−/− in vitro. Furthermore, in cultured Slack−/− neurons, kainic acid-triggered Ca2+ influx and K+ efflux as well as depolarization-induced tetrodotoxin-sensitive inward currents are higher compared to the respective controls. This apparent changes in ion homeostasis could possibly explain altered action potential kinetics of Slack−/− neurons: steeper rise slope, decreased threshold, and duration of afterhyperpolarization, which ultimately lead to higher action potential frequencies during kainic acid application or injection of depolarizing currents. Based on our data, we propose Slack as crucial gatekeeper of neuronal excitability to acutely limit seizure severity.
MUC1-C intersects chronic inflammation with epigenetic reprogramming by regulating the set1a compass complex in cancer progression
Authors: Bhattacharya Atrayee , Fushimi Atsushi , Wang Keyi , Yamashita Nami , Morimoto Yoshihiro , Ishikawa Satoshi , Daimon Tatsuaki , Liu Tao , Liu Song , Long Mark D. , Kufe Donald
Published: October 2023

Chronic inflammation promotes epigenetic reprogramming in cancer progression by pathways that remain unclear. The oncogenic MUC1-C protein is activated by the inflammatory NF-κB pathway in cancer cells. There is no known involvement of MUC1-C in regulation of the COMPASS family of H3K4 methyltransferases. We find that MUC1-C regulates (i) bulk H3K4 methylation levels, and (ii) the COMPASSSET1A/SETD1AandWDR5genes by an NF-κB-mediated mechanism. The importance of MUC1-C in regulating the SET1A COMPASS complex is supported by the demonstration that MUC1-C and WDR5 drive expression of FOS, ATF3 and other AP-1 family members. In a feedforward loop, MUC1-C, WDR5 and AP-1 contribute to activation of genes encoding TRAF1, RELB and other effectors in the chronic NF-κB inflammatory response. We also show that MUC1-C, NF-κB, WDR5 and AP-1 are necessary for expression of the (i) KLF4 master regulator of the pluripotency network and (ii) NOTCH1 effector of stemness. In this way, MUC1-C/NF-κB complexes recruit SET1A/WDR5 and AP-1 to enhancer-like signatures in theKLF4andNOTCH1genes with increases in H3K4me3 levels, chromatin accessibility and transcription. These findings indicate that MUC1-C regulates the SET1A COMPASS complex and the induction of genes that integrate NF-κB-mediated chronic inflammation with cancer progression.
‘Passive’ nanoparticles for organ-selective systemic delivery: design, mechanism and perspective
Authors: Fu Liyi , Zhang Yang , Farokhzad Ryan A. , Mendes Bárbara B. , Conde João , Shi Jinjun
Published: October 2023

This review article highlights a unique set of ‘passive’ nanoparticles for organ-selective systemic delivery and discusses the underlying biological mechanisms.
A water-soluble conjugated polyelectrolyte for selective and sensitive detection of carcinogenic chromium(vi)
Authors: Tanwar Arvin Sain , Khatun Mst Nasima , Chanu Moirangthem Anita , Sarmah Tapashi , Im Yeon-Ho , Iyer Parameswar Krishnan
Published: October 2023

A sensitive, selective, and rapid analytical method for carcinogenic hexavalent chromium detection via a water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polyelectrolyte in solution and solid phases is reported.
Kagome-topology 2D covalent organic frameworks assembled from D2h-symmetric and non-centrosymmetric C2-symmetric blocks for photothermal imaging
Authors: Li Jiahao , Chen Guinan , Chen Chunhong , Lou Yuanyuan , Xing Zhihao , Zhang Tao , Gong Chengtao , Peng Yongwu
Published: October 2023

2D COFs with kagome-topology are synthesized using 4-connected D2h-symmetric and 2-connected non-centrosymmetric C2-symmetric building blocks, showcasing remarkable photothermal imaging performance.
Probing local structure of glass with orientation-dependent luminescence
Authors: Tokoro Yuichiro , Nakagawa Tetsuya , Yamamoto Shin-ichi , Koizumi Toshio , Oyama Toshiyuki
Published: October 2023

A rigid glass-former revealed local structures of glass and super-cooled liquid by luminescence related to globally and locally stabilized packing.
Water effect on the band edges of anatase TiO2 surfaces: A theoretical study on charge migration across surface heterojunctions and facet-dependent photoactivity
Authors: Li Jie-Qiong , Hu Jin-Yuan , Cheng Jun
Published: October 2023

The band edges of anatase TiO2/water interfaces were calculated to investigate the charge migration mechanism across surface heterojunctions and the facet-dependent photocatalytic performance.
Orientational dynamics in supercooled glycerol computed from MD simulations: self and cross contributions
Authors: Hénot Marceau , Déjardin Pierre-Michel , Ladieu François
Published: October 2023

The orientational correlation function of a polar liquid has different sensitivity to cross-correlation depending on the rank of the Legendre polynomial.
Synthesis, X-ray characterization and DFT analysis of dicyanidoaurate telluronium salts: on the importance of charge assisted chalcogen bonds
Authors: Ghinato Simone , Giordana Alessia , Diana Eliano , Gomila Rosa M. , Priola Emanuele , Frontera Antonio
Published: October 2023

This manuscript reports the X-ray characterization of two cyanidoaurate telluronium salts, exhibiting three directional and structure-guiding charge assisted chalcogen bonds (CAChBs). These have been studied using DFT calculations.
Selective photo-oxidative coupling of amines to form C–N bonds using post synthetic modification of MIL-68-NH2 with metal acetylacetonate
Authors: El-Shahat Mahmoud , Wassel Ahmed R. , Abdelhameed Reda M.
Published: October 2023

Significant attention has been paid to the conversion of benzylamine into very valuable organic intermediates via selective photocatalytic oxidation using modified MOFs with acetylacetonate linker.
Synthesis of ultra-fine TS-1 catalyst with high titanium content and its performance in phenol hydroxylation
Authors: Bakhodaye Dehghanpour Safoura , Razavi Mansour , Parvizian Fahimeh
Published: October 2023

The study of simultaneous control over framework Ti and particle size was achieved using the incorporation of NH4HCO3 and PVA into the synthesis medium of the TS-1 catalyst.
Intramolecular hydrogen bond activation for kinetic resolution of furanone derivatives by an organocatalyzed [3 + 2] asymmetric cycloaddition
Authors: Valle-Amores Miguel A. , Feberero Claudia , Martin-Somer Ana , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Smith Andrew D. , Fraile Alberto , Alemán José
Published: October 2023

A formal highly enantioselective organocatalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of furanones and azomethine ylides paired to a highly efficient kinetic resolution is presented.