bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EXITitis in the UK: Gravity Estimates in the Aftermath of Brexit
Authors: Brakman Steven , Garretsen Harry , Kohl Tristan
Published: April 2023

The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union has had disruptive effects on international trade. As part of its ‘Global Britain’ strategy in the wake of Brexit, the UK is pursuing a series of Free Trade Agreements with countries around the world, including Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and possibly the United States. Closer to home, the UK is under mounting pressure to dissuade Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales from seeking independence to regain the severed ties with the EU. We analyze the economic consequences of these scenarios with a state-of-the-art structural gravity model for major economies around the world. We find that ‘Global Britain’ yields insufficient trade creation to compensate for Brexit-induced trade losses. Our results also reveal that secession from the UK in itself would inflict greater post-Brexit economic harm on the devolved nations of Great Britain. Nevertheless, these effects could be offset when secession from the UK is combined with regained EU membership.
Analysis of the Importance of the Filling Material Characteristics Injected Around the Precast Concrete Lining in the Microtunnelling Technology
Authors: Benato A. , Gaida E. , Oggeri C. , Oreste P.
Published: April 2023

Microtunnelling is an excavation technique capable of positioning underground pipes with considerable advantages from the point of view of the environment, safety, construction times and also total costs, when the lengths are significant. The technology used is now reliable and is suitable for use in different types of soils and rocks without particular problems. The installation of the concrete lining of the micro-tunnel takes place behind the excavation machine starting from a thrust shaft. A filling material must be injected between the outer surface of the lining and the tunnel wall. This filling material plays a very important role, because it conditions the overall stiffness of the support system and, therefore, influences the radial load applied by the ground to the support system. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the presence of the filling material in order to correctly size the support system of the micro-tunnel. This paper illustrates a new procedure for analyzing the behavior of the micro-tunnel support system, based on widely used and tested analytical calculation methods. This procedure was applied to a real case, underway in Northern Italy. The results obtained were then compared with those of numerical modeling, which made it possible to simulate the micro-tunnel in detail. From the comparison it was possible to note how the analytical calculation procedure leads to stress states similar (slightly higher) to those of numerical modeling; the first, therefore, can be effectively used in the preliminary stages of the design of micro-tunnels to obtain useful information on the characteristics of the support systems to be adopted to ensure the stability.
Hardware Trojan Detection Method Based on Dual Discriminator Assisted Conditional Generation Adversarial Network
Authors: Tang Wenjing , Su Jing , Gao Yuchan
Published: April 2023

Hardware Trojans are usually implanted by making malicious changes to a chip circuit, which can destroy chip functions or expose sensitive information once activated. The hardware Trojan detection method based on side channel information has now become one of the most widely used detection methods. However, due to the influence of the deviation of the acquisition equipment and the noise of the actual chip working environment, insufficient acquisition of useful information of the collected side channel information occurs, affecting the final results. To address the problem, this paper proposes a detection method based on a dual discriminator assisted conditional generation adversarial network (D2ACGAN), which combines the benefits of CGAN, ACGAN, and D2GAN models and can learn a variety of valid information of the tested chip. It can distinguish between side channel data with and without hardware Trojan and classify hardware Trojan using the extended data. Furthermore, to compare the performance of the proposed model, we use the existing CGAN and ACGAN models equally for side channel information expansion and hardware Trojan detection. Finally, the designed hardware Trojan is implanted in an encryption chip for generating data quality evaluation experiments and model method performance experiments. The results show that the average detection accuracy of the D2ACGAN-based hardware Trojan classification model can reach 97.08%, which is better than the detection models based on CNN, SVM, etc. The D2ACGAN model also outperforms the CGAN and ACGAN models in terms of generated data and hardware Trojan classification.
Hypotension Prediction Index guided Goal Directed therapy and the amount of Hypotension during Major Gynaecologic Oncologic Surgery: a Randomized Controlled clinical Trial
Authors: Frassanito Luciano , Giuri Pietro Paolo , Vassalli Francesco , Piersanti Alessandra , Garcia Manuel Ignacio Monge , Sonnino Chiara , Zanfini Bruno Antonio , Catarci Stefano , Antonelli Massimo , Draisci Gaetano
Published: April 2023

Intraoperative hypotension (IOH) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI) is a machine learning derived algorithm that predicts IOH shortly before it occurs. We tested the hypothesis that the application of the HPI in combination with a pre-defined Goal Directed Therapy (GDT) hemodynamic protocol reduces IOH during major gynaecologic oncologic surgery. We enrolled women scheduled for major gynaecologic oncologic surgery under general anesthesia with invasive arterial pressure monitoring. Patients were randomized to a GDT protocol aimed at optimizing stroke volume index (SVI) or hemodynamic management based on HPI guidance in addition to GDT. The primary outcome was the amount of IOH, defined as the timeweighted average (TWA) mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 65 mmHg. Secondary outcome was the TWA-MAP < 65 mmHg during the first 20 min after induction of GA. After exclusion of 10 patients the final analysis included 60 patients (30 in each group). The median (25–75th IQR) TWA-MAP < 65 mmHg was 0.14 (0.04–0.66) mmHg in HPI group versus 0.77 (0.36–1.30) mmHg in Control group, P < 0.001. During the first 20 min after induction of GA, the median TWA-MAP < 65 mmHg was 0.53 (0.06–1.8) mmHg in the HPI group and 2.15 (0.65–4.2) mmHg in the Control group, P = 0.001. Compared to a GDT protocol aimed to SVI optimization, a machine learning-derived algorithm for prediction of IOH combined with a GDT hemodynamic protocol, reduced IOH and hypotension after induction of general anesthesia in patients undergoing major gynaecologic oncologic surgery.

Trial registration number: NCT04547491. Date of registration: 10/09/2020.
Culture Models to Investigate Mechanisms of Milk Production and Blood-Milk Barrier in Mammary Epithelial Cells: a Review and a Protocol
Authors: Kobayashi Ken
Published: May 2023

Mammary epithelial cells (MECs) are the only cell type that produces milk during lactation. MECs also form less-permeable tight junctions (TJs) to prevent the leakage of milk and blood components through the paracellular pathway (blood-milk barrier). Multiple factors that include hormones, cytokines, nutrition, and temperature regulate milk production and TJ formation in MECs. Multiple intracellular signaling pathways that positively and negatively regulate milk production and TJ formation have been reported. However, their regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In addition, unidentified components that regulate milk production in MECs likely exist in foods, for example plants. Culture models of functional MECs that recapitulate milk production and TJs are useful tools for their study. Such models enable the elimination of indirect effects via cells other than MECs and allows for more detailed experimental conditions. However, culture models of MECs with inappropriate functionality may result in unphysiological reactions that never occur in lactating mammary glands in vivo. Here, I briefly review the physiological functions of alveolar MECs during lactation in vivo and culture models of MECs that feature milk production and less-permeable TJs, together with a protocol for establishment of MEC culture with functional TJ barrier and milk production capability using cell culture inserts.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION USE IN PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES IN A CHANGING CONTEXT
Authors: Jorge Susana , Nogueira Sónia , Jesus Maria Antónia
Published: April 2023

Applying quantitative and qualitative content and sentiment analysis, this study investigates the use of financial information by politicians in the Portuguese parliament, in a changing context.

There is clear preference for Budgetary Information. A change in the political majority in Parliament and an improvement in the country’s economic and financial situation affect the intensity and intentions of using financial information by politicians – the use with positive sentiments of those government-related, to legitimize their policies, and with negative sentiments when they pass to the opposition, using it as ammunition or to divert attention from measures implemented when they were in power.
Diagnostic accuracy of MRI for evaluating myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer: a comparison of MUSE-DWI, rFOV-DWI, and DCE-MRI
Authors: Ota Takashi , Tsuboyama Takahiro , Onishi Hiromitsu , Nakamoto Atsushi , Fukui Hideyuki , Yano Keigo , Honda Toru , Kiso Kengo , Tatsumi Mitsuaki , Tomiyama Noriyuki
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To compare the image quality of high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using multiplexed sensitivity encoding (MUSE) versus reduced field-of-view (rFOV) techniques in endometrial cancer (EC) and to compare the diagnostic performance of these techniques with that of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI for assessing myometrial invasion of EC.

Methods

MUSE-DWI and rFOV-DWI were obtained preoperatively in 58 women with EC. Three radiologists assessed the image quality of MUSE-DWI and rFOV-DWI. For 55 women who underwent DCE-MRI, the same radiologists assessed the superficial and deep myometrial invasion using MUSE-DWI, rFOV-DWI, and DCE-MRI. Qualitative scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic performance.

Results

Artifacts, sharpness, lesion conspicuity, and overall quality were significantly better with MUSE-DWI than with rFOV-DWI (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of MUSE-DWI, rFOV-DWI, and DCE-MRI for the assessment of myometrial invasion were not significantly different except for significantly higher AUC of MUSE-DWI than that of DCE-MRI for superficial myometrial invasion (0.76 for MUSE-DWI and 0.64 for DCE-MRI, p = 0.049) and for deep myometrial invasion (0.92 for MUSE-DWI and 0.80 for DCE-MRI, p = 0.022) in one observer, and that of rFOV-DWI for deep myometrial invasion in another observer (0.96 for MUSE-DWI and 0.89 for rFOV-MRI, p = 0.048).

Conclusion

MUSE-DWI exhibits better image quality than rFOV-DWI. MUSE-DWI and rFOV-DWI shows almost equivalent diagnostic performance compared to DCE-MRI for assessing superficial and deep myometrial invasion in EC although MUSE-DWI may be helpful for some radiologists.
Formation of the Heart: Defining Cardiomyocyte Progenitors at Single-Cell Resolution
Authors: Tyser Richard C. V.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of Review

Formation of the heart requires the coordinated addition of multiple progenitor sources which have undergone different pathways of specification and differentiation. In this review, I aim to put into context how recent studies defining cardiac progenitor heterogeneity build on our understanding of early heart development and also discuss the questions raised by this new insight.

Recent Findings

With the development of sequencing technologies and imaging approaches, it has been possible to define, at high temporal resolution, the molecular profile and anatomical location of cardiac progenitors at the single-cell level, during the formation of the mammalian heart.

Given the recent progress in our understanding of early heart development and technical advances in high-resolution time-lapse imaging and lineage analysis, we are now in a position of great potential, allowing us to resolve heart formation at previously impossible levels of detail. Understanding how this essential organ forms not only addresses questions of fundamental biological significance but also provides a blueprint for strategies to both treat and model heart disease.
Identity and Belonging: Emotional Assimilation in Two Immigrant Communities in Germany
Authors: Hansen Michael A. , Olsen Jonathan
Published: April 2023

In this article, we analyze emotional assimilation (host country identification) within Germany’s two largest immigrant communities—ethnic Germans from the former Soviet Union and those German citizens with an ethnic Turkish migration background. Specifically, we investigate the strength of emotional assimilation among these two communities and the differences that might exist between them. To what degree have these two large immigrant communities cultivated a sense of host country identification or German national identity? What factors shape emotional assimilation in these two communities? We find that ethnic German citizens with a background from the former Soviet Union have a stronger German identity than do citizens with a Turkish background. Nevertheless, the difference between these two groups is substantively small, perhaps because the transformation of immigration rules, citizenship laws, integration policies, and social norms in Germany over the last two decades has led to a greater identification with Germany and its emerging multicultural society.
Where Is the Rural Creative Class? A Systematic Literature Review About Creative Industries in Low-Density Areas
Authors: Silva Sofia R. , Marques Carla S. E. , Galvão Anderson R.
Published: May 2023

Research in creative industries is mostly focused on urban and metropolitan areas. However, various authors have approached the creative industries from a regional, rural, or remote point of view. The objective of this study is to map and analyze research on creative industries in low-density areas and to identify the main theories and current and future trends within this theme. For data collection, only articles published in the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were used, from which a set of 152 documents was obtained. For this study, we used R Bibliometrix software to assist in result analysis and VOSViewer software, to create a reference co-citation’s map, which allowed us to identify three clusters, whose themes we analyzed in detail. The results allowed to show (i) an increase in investigations into creative industries in low-density areas in recent years, (ii) the main journals and authors that have contributed the most to this theme, (iii) the identification of the theories most used in these studies, and (iv) finally, the identification of three clusters: remoteness and place relations with the creative industries (cluster 1), critical perspectives and the spatial distribution of talent (cluster 2), and cultural policies and the genesis of the creative class (cluster 3). This study contributes to mapping and critically summarizing the existing literature linking the creative industries and low-density areas. In addition, the study made it possible to identify current and future trends in order to enhance new lines of investigation.
Properties of least squares estimator in estimation of average treatment effects
Authors: Hahn Jinyong
Published: April 2023

Treatment effects are often estimated by the least squares estimator controlling for some covariates. This paper investigates its properties. When the propensity score is constant, it is a consistent estimator of the average treatment effects if it is viewed as a semiparametric partially linear regression estimator, but it is not necessarily more efficient than the simple difference-of-means estimator. If it is literally viewed as a least squares estimator with a finite number of controls, it is equal to the weighted average of conditional average treatment effects with potentially negative weights, although the negative weight issue does not exist under semiparametric interpretation. It is shown that the negative weight issue can be avoided by use of logit specification.
Chromite ore addition to serpentinized magnesite mining wastes for the production of refractory products following thermal treatment
Authors: Kalaitzidou K. , Pagona E. , Skyfta G. , Tzamos E. , Zouboulis A. , Mitrakas M.
Published: April 2023

Taking a circular approach to mining facilities requires the further exploitation of produced solid wastes, which are now considered as potential raw materials. This research aims to the re-utilization of specific mining wastes, containing mainly geologically degraded serpentinized minerals, produced during the minerals’ enrichment process of extractive magnesite industry, combined with the addition of chromite ore, aiming to the upgrading of refractory properties of the product, by applying the appropriate thermal treatment. A representative sample examined, corresponding to the proper blending of different mineral waste samples from several waste piles of mining area, combined with various chromite ore’s content, followed by the investigation of optimum thermal treatment, considering the applied temperature and time. The scope was to maximize the (desired) forsterite mineral phase in the product and, hence, to improve its refractory properties. The optimum results (e.g., considering the firing shrinkage level and the mechanical strength) achieved by the application of thermal treatment at 1300 °C and after heating time for 120–240 min. The refractory properties generally improved after mixing of examined mining wastes and chromite ore, due to the achievement of the best molar ratio of constituents [MgO]/[SiO2] = 2.2, regarding the additive, enhancing the formation of forsterite, whereas the application of heating temperatures over 1300 °C led to the melting of enstatite mineral phase, resulting to the degradation of product. The obtained results reveal that the produced sintered products can exhibit better refractory properties, and can be used as refractory raw materials for relevant applications up to 1300 °C.
Coping with Administrative Workload: a Pilot Study in the Usefulness of a Workshop for Psychiatric Trainees
Authors: Deschamps Peter , Seker Asilay , van der Schaaf Marieke , Piot Marie-Aude
Published: May 2023

Objective

Administrative workload may have detrimental effects on medical postgraduate trainee satisfaction, capacity, and quality of care. Best-practice guidelines to help trainees cope have yet to be developed. This study explores perceptions of factors that influence the experience or amount of administrative workload at the personal and workplace level and evaluates the usefulness of a workshop on coping with this workload.

Methods

A workshop was developed based on the Job Demands-Resources model, including a survey on perceptions of administrative workload; presentation on coping at personal (e.g., time management) and workplace (e.g., dealing with institutional rules) levels; personal plan of change during a group discussion; and reflective questionnaire after the session and again after 2 months. Perceptions of psychiatry trainee participants (N = 48) were collected.

Results

Trainees estimated they spent half their time on administration (average 50%, SD = 15%). They wanted to spend less time (average 23%, SD = 11%) on most administrative duties, except for health record keeping. Personal factors that trainees experienced as helpful to cope included time management and analytical skills. Perfectionism was perceived as impeding. Supportive job factors included helpful supervisors, competent administrative staff, trust in a team, allocated timeslots, and information technology support. High workload and cumbersome procedures were mentioned as impeding. On average, trainees rated the workshop quality and the likelihood of bringing change to their practice with a 7 out of 10.

Conclusion

Psychiatry trainees’ participation in a workshop on coping with administrative load during their training may be a worthwhile investment in the long term.
Influential Spanish Politicians’ Discourse of Climate Change on Twitter: A Corpus-Assisted Discourse Study
Authors: Osama Ghoraba Mai
Published: April 2023

This piece of research explores language use in a sample of unprecedentedly studied discourse which is that of climate change communication by influential Spanish politicians via Twitter. For that purpose, we created a specialized corpus composed of tweets tackling climate change that were posted by influential Spanish politicians during the past decade. Our aim was to reveal prominent linguistic patterns that are susceptible of conveying a specific worldview (i.e.: the wording of reality) of climate change to Twitter users. Our analysis started with keywords analysis in order to gather quantitative data about the lexical choices deployed in our corpus, then by means of qualitative analysis based on semantic classification of keywords and the examination of their concordances we were able to point out distinctive features of our corpus’ discourse. Our results have revealed the prevalence of specific linguistic patterns, metaphors and frames that contribute to create a narrative of climate change as a villain and the human race, specifically political leaders, as the saviour.
Cervical mobility and cervical proprioception in relation to fall risk among older adults: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Roman de Mettelinge Tine , Desimpelaere Patrick , Cambier Dirk
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Age-related decreases in cervical mobility and proprioception have previously been demonstrated. Potential associations of these deteriorations with fall risk have not been investigated so far. This study aims to compare cervical mobility and proprioception between fallers and non-fallers and prospectively assess the contribution of these parameters in fall risk identification among healthy older adults.

Methods

95 community-dwelling older adults underwent a cervical screening. Active cervical range of motion (aCROM) was measured using a digital inclinometer and cervical proprioception was assessed by determining joint position error (JPE). Fear of falling was identified through the Iconographical Falls Efficacy Scale (iconFES). Falls were prospectively recorded during a 1-year follow-up period using monthly calendars. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between these parameters and falls occurrence.

Results

Baseline measurements revealed reduced cervical performance (i.e., smaller aCROM and larger JPE) among individuals who reported at least one fall during the following year (“fallers”). The multivariate logistic regression model contained eight independent variables (age, sex, walking aid, fall history, iconFES, aCROM F, aCROM E and JPE) and correctly classified 77.8% of cases.

Conclusion

Although the contribution of cervical parameters to fall risk identification seems to be rather small compared to well-known (though often unmodifiable) major risk factors, further research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms of cervical functions in relation to falls. Second, it would be interesting to develop a targeted fall preventive cervical exercise program and assess its effectiveness in terms of falls occurrence.
Implementing Post-quantum Cryptography for Developers
Authors: Hekkala Julius , Muurman Mari , Halunen Kimmo , Vallivaara Visa
Published: April 2023

Widely used public key cryptography is threatened by the development of quantum computers. Post-quantum algorithms have been designed for the purpose of protecting sensitive data against attacks with quantum computers. National Institute of Standards and Technology has recently reached the end of the third round of post-quantum standardization process and has published three digital signatures and one key encapsulation mechanism for standardization. Three of the chosen algorithms are based on lattices. When implementing complex cryptographic algorithms, developers commonly use cryptographic libraries in their solutions to avoid mistakes. However, most of the open-source cryptography libraries do not yet have post-quantum algorithms integrated in them. We chose a C++ cryptography library, Crypto++, and created a fork where we integrated four lattice-based post-quantum algorithms. We analyzed the challenges in the process as well as the performance, correctness and security of the implemented algorithms. The performance of the integrated algorithms was overall good, but the integration process had its challenges, many of which were caused by the mathematical complexity of lattice-based algorithms. Different open-source implementations of post-quantum algorithms will be essential to their easier use for developers. Usability of the implementations is also important to avoid possible mistakes when using the algorithms.
Using Marine Data to Estimate the Accuracy of Free Air Gravity Anomaly Models Derived From Satellite Altimetry
Authors: Rouxel D. , Sarzeaud O. , Lequentrec‐lalancette M. F.
Published: May 2023

Global gravity models from satellite altimetry missions have widely contributed to the improvement of the knowledge over the oceans. However, few models are available with a validated accuracy model, as the most recent models V21 to V32 from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). The aim of this paper is to propose a method to estimate the accuracy of any free air gravity anomaly model derived from satellite altimetry from validated marine data sets. The main idea is to correlate the error of the model to the mean roughness of the free air gravity anomaly on precise marine measurement areas. The relationship obtained is then generalized to each point of the model. This error grid is eventually combined with the grid provided by the satellite models, reflecting the errors related to the technology of the different altimetry satellites used. The method has been successfully applied to successive versions of SIO gravity anomaly models (from V18 to V31) to produce continuous accuracy grids over the North Atlantic Ocean. Validation of the results from independent marine data shows that the proposed approach allows to strongly improve the estimation of the used models' accuracy which converges, whatever the tested versions, toward a minimal value of 0.9 mGal over flat areas.
Satellite‐Based Monitoring of Eutrophication in the Earth's Largest Transboundary Lake
Authors: Mozafari Zohra , Noori Roohollah , Siadatmousavi Seyed Mostafa , Afzalimehr Hossein , Azizpour Jafar
Published: April 2023

The world's large lakes and their life‐supporting services are rapidly threatened by eutrophication in the warming climate during the Anthropocene. Here, MODIS‐Aqua level 3 chlorophyll‐a data (2018–2021) were used to monitor trophic state in our planet's largest lake, that is, the Caspian Sea that accounts for approximately 40% of the total lacustrine waters on Earth. We also used the in situ measurements of chlorophyll‐a data (2009–2019) to further verify the accuracy of the data derived from the MODIS‐Aqua and to explore the deep chlorophyll‐a maxima (DCMs) in the south Caspian Sea. Our findings show an acceptable agreement between the chlorophyll‐a data derived from the MODIS‐Aqua and those measured in situ in the coast of Iran (coefficient of determination = 0.71). The oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic states cover 66%, 20%, and 13% of the sea surface area, respectively. The DCMs are dominantly regulated by water transparency and they generally observe at depths of less than 20 and 30 m during the cold (autumn and winter) and warm (spring and summer) seasons, respectively. Our results suggest an ever‐increasing chlorophyll‐a in the shallow zones (i.e., coasts) and even in deep regions of the sea, mainly due to nutrient inputs from the Volga river delta. Alarming increase of chlorophyll‐a in this transboundary lake can amplify eutrophication under the lens of global warming and further threaten the lake ecosystem's health, where almost all legal agreements have not yet been implemented to protect the lake environment and its rich resources.
Size‐Resolved Atmospheric Phosphorus in Shanghai: Seasonal Variations, Sources and Dry Deposition
Authors: Meng Ya , Zhao Yilong , Li Qiong , Li Rui , Wu Xinyuan , Han Yu , Huang Wenkai , Fu Hongbo , Zhang Liwu , Chen Jianmin
Published: April 2023

Atmospheric deposition is an important source for the P biological cycle, especially for P‐limited ecosystems. In the present study, 48 hr size‐segregated aerosol samples were collected at an urban site in Shanghai for one year from May 2019 to June 2020. Total phosphorus (TP) presented a bimodal distribution in four seasons, which was mainly contributed by mineral dust in the coarse mode, and was related to anthropogenic and combustion emissions in the fine mode. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) presented a bimodal distribution in spring and summer, and a unimodal distribution dominated by a fine mode in autumn and winter. Size distributions and correlation analysis showed that DIP in the fine and coarse modes originated from the acid processing of SO42‐ and NO3−, respectively, while DOP was mainly from biomass burning emissions. Positive Matrix Factor analysis showed that phosphorus (P) in atmospheric aerosols in Shanghai was mainly contributed by four sources, including crustal sources, sea‐salt, industry emissions and fossil fuel combustion, and biomass burning. Industry emissions and fossil fuel combustion, as well as biomass burning were important sources of TP in all particle sizes (50%–65%). Biomass burning was the most important source of DOP (>50%). The total deposition flux of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) calculated based on the size‐weighted deposition velocity model averaged 75.2 ± 17.4 μg/m2/d. Assuming that all of TDP is bioavailable, TDP deposition can create a primary production of 8.0 mg C/m2/d, which can support 1.3%–4.4% of the new production in the East China Sea.
Non‐Stationary Lags and Legacies in Ecosystem Flux Response to Antecedent Rainfall
Authors: Cranko Page Jon , De Kauwe Martin G. , Abramowitz Gab , Pitman Andy J.
Published: April 2023

Ecosystem function can be affected directly by climate, including by meteorological extremes, and also by sustained lags and legacies on timescales that surpass those of the weather events themselves. However, important gaps remain in our understanding of the influence and timescale of persistence of antecedent climate, known as environmental memory, on terrestrial carbon and water fluxes. Identifying the interactions between the lagged response to climate and the legacies to climate extremes, and whether the influence of memory varies through time, has not been fully explored. Here, we used a novel k‐means clustering plus regression approach to examine timeseries of the sensitivity of terrestrial fluxes to antecedent precipitation at 65 eddy‐covariance sites across a range of ecosystems. Quantifying the sensitivity to past precipitation and temperature reveals that the role of memory in ecosystem fluxes varies across sites and in time. When memory was accounted for in the model, relative improvement in modeled site flux r2 compared to an instantaneous model varied between 0% and 57%, with mean of 12%. Our results show that vegetation type was a stronger predictor of memory importance than site aridity, implying a need to understand vegetation resilience conferred by physiological traits and acclimation capacity. The influence of memory varied strongly through time at many sites, with the role of different timescales exhibiting consistent non‐stationarity. Our results demonstrate the importance of accounting for time‐varying vegetation response to antecedent rainfall in land surface models to accurately predict future terrestrial fluxes.
Isolating the Poroelastic Response of the Groundwater System in InSAR Data From the Central Valley of California
Authors: Kang S. , Knight R.
Published: April 2023

Working with 5 years (2015–2019) of high quality interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data covering the Central Valley of California, we developed a new approach to isolate the poroelastic component in InSAR data by estimating and removing the hydrologic loading component. K‐means clustering was used to identify the InSAR deformation time series dominated by the loading response and those dominated by the poroelastic response. The former time series include seasonal oscillations of uplift and subsidence related to mass changes in snow and ice in the adjacent mountain range, while the latter include interannual deformation and seasonal oscillations related to changing head in the valley. The loading component accounts for, on average, 56 ± 12% of the deformation in the Central Valley. Without correcting for the loading response, the deformation due to the poroelastic response (and therefore any derived estimate of change in head) is underestimated by 50%–60% in areas of the valley.
Insulin signaling is critical for sinoatrial node maintenance and function
Authors: Ock Sangmi , Choi Seong Woo , Choi Seung Hee , Kang Hyun , Kim Sung Joon , Lee Wang-Soo , Kim Jaetaek
Published: May 2023

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) signaling regulate cellular growth and glucose metabolism in the myocardium. However, their physiological role in the cells of the cardiac conduction system has never been explored. Therefore, we sought to determine the spatiotemporal function of insulin/IGF-1 receptors in the sinoatrial node (SAN). We generated cardiac conduction cell-specific inducible IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) knockout (KO) (CSIGF1RKO), insulin receptor (IR) KO (CSIRKO), and IR/IGF-1R double-KO (CSDIRKO) mice and evaluated their phenotypes. Telemetric electrocardiography revealed regular sinus rhythm in CSIGF1RKO mice, indicating that IGF-1R is dispensable for normal pacemaking. In contrast, CSIRKO and CSDIRKO mice exhibited profound sinus bradycardia. CSDIRKO mice showed typical sinus node dysfunction characterized by junctional rhythm and sinus pauses on electrocardiography. Interestingly, the lack of an insulin receptor in the SAN cells of CSIRKO and CSDIRKO mice caused sinus nodal fibrosis. Mechanistically, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 4 (HCN4) protein expression significantly decreased in the CSIRKO and CSDIRKO mice relative to the controls. A patch-clamp study of the SAN cells of CSIRKO mice revealed a significant decrease in the funny current, which is responsible for spontaneous diastolic depolarization in the SAN. This result suggested that insulin receptor loss reduces the heart rate via downregulation of the HCN4 channel. Additionally, HCN1 expression was decreased in CSDIRKO mice, explaining their sinus node dysfunction. Our results reveal a previously unrecognized role of insulin/IGF-1 signaling in sinus node structural maintenance and pacemaker function.
Chronic LCMV infection regulates the effector T cell response by inducing the generation of less immunogenic dendritic cells
Authors: Yoo Seungbo , Jeong Yun Hee , Choi Hong-Hee , Chae Sehyun , Hwang Daehee , Shin Sung Jae , Ha Sang-Jun
Published: May 2023

Chronic viral infection impairs systemic immunity in the host; however, the mechanism underlying the dysfunction of immune cells in chronic viral infection is incompletely understood. In this study, we studied the lineage differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during chronic viral infection to elucidate the changes in dendritic cell (DC) differentiation and subsequent impact on T cell functionality using a chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection model. We first investigated the lineage differentiation of HSCs in the bone marrow (BM) to elucidate the modulation of immune cell differentiation and found that the populations highly restrained in their differentiation were common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) and common dendritic cell progenitors (CDPs). Of interest, the main immune cells infected with LCMV Clone 13 (CL13) in the BM were CD11b/c+ myeloid DCs. We next characterized CD11b+ DCs that differentiated during chronic LCMV infection. These DCs displayed a less immunogenic phenotype than DCs in naive or acutely infected mice, showing low expression of CD80 but high expression of PD-L1, B7-H4, IDO, TGF-β, and IL-10. Consequently, these CD11b+ DCs induced less effective CD8+ T cells and more Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Furthermore, CD11b+ DCs generated during CL13 infection could not induce effective CD8+ T cells specific to the antigens of newly invading pathogens. Our findings demonstrate that DCs generated from the BM during chronic viral infection cannot activate fully functional effector CD8+ T cells specific to newly incoming antigens as well as persistent antigens themselves, suggesting a potential cause of the functional alterations in the T cell immune response during chronic viral infection.
Noncanonical role of singleminded-2s in mitochondrial respiratory chain formation in breast cancer
Authors: Wall Steven W. , Sanchez Lilia , Tuttle Kelly Scribner , Pearson Scott J. , Soma Shivatheja , Wyatt Garhett L. , Carter Hannah N. , Jenschke Ramsey M. , Tan Lin , Martinez Sara A. , Lorenzi Philip L. , Gohil Vishal M. , Rijnkels Monique , Porter Weston W.
Published: May 2023

Dysregulation of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of breast cancer progression and is associated with metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Here, we show that the breast tumor suppressor gene SIM2 promotes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) using breast cancer cell line models. Mechanistically, we found that SIM2s functions not as a transcription factor but localizes to mitochondria and directly interacts with the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) to facilitate functional supercomplex (SC) formation. Loss of SIM2s expression disrupts SC formation through destabilization of MRC Complex III, leading to inhibition of electron transport, although Complex I (CI) activity is retained. A metabolomic analysis showed that knockout of SIM2s leads to a compensatory increase in ATP production through glycolysis and accelerated glutamine-driven TCA cycle production of NADH, creating a favorable environment for high cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that SIM2s is a novel stabilizing factor required for SC assembly, providing insight into the impact of the MRC on metabolic adaptation and breast cancer progression.
Rhodopsin-mediated nutrient uptake by cultivated photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota
Authors: Bar-Shalom Rinat , Rozenberg Andrey , Lahyani Matan , Hassanzadeh Babak , Sahoo Gobardhan , Haber Markus , Burgsdorf Ilia , Tang Xinyu , Squatrito Valeria , Gomez-Consarnau Laura , Béjà Oded , Steindler Laura
Published: April 2023

Rhodopsin photosystems convert light energy into electrochemical gradients used by the cell to produce ATP, or for other energy-demanding processes. While these photosystems are widespread in the ocean and have been identified in diverse microbial taxonomic groups, their physiological role in vivo has only been studied in few marine bacterial strains. Recent metagenomic studies revealed the presence of rhodopsin genes in the understudied Verrucomicrobiota phylum, yet their distribution within different Verrucomicrobiota lineages, their diversity, and function remain unknown. In this study, we show that more than 7% of Verrucomicrobiota genomes (n = 2916) harbor rhodopsins of different types. Furthermore, we describe the first two cultivated rhodopsin-containing strains, one harboring a proteorhodopsin gene and the other a xanthorhodopsin gene, allowing us to characterize their physiology under laboratory-controlled conditions. The strains were isolated in a previous study from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and read mapping of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed the highest abundances of these strains at the deep chlorophyll maximum (source of their inoculum) in winter and spring, with a substantial decrease in summer. Genomic analysis of the isolates suggests that motility and degradation of organic material, both energy demanding functions, may be supported by rhodopsin phototrophy in Verrucomicrobiota. Under culture conditions, we show that rhodopsin phototrophy occurs under carbon starvation, with light-mediated energy generation supporting sugar transport into the cells. Overall, this study suggests that photoheterotrophic Verrucomicrobiota may occupy an ecological niche where energy harvested from light enables bacterial motility toward organic matter and supports nutrient uptake.
Regulation of social interaction in mice by a frontostriatal circuit modulated by established hierarchical relationships
Authors: Fetcho Robert N. , Hall Baila S. , Estrin David J. , Walsh Alexander P. , Schuette Peter J. , Kaminsky Jesse , Singh Ashna , Roshgodal Jacob , Bavley Charlotte C. , Nadkarni Viraj , Antigua Susan , Huynh Thu N. , Grosenick Logan , Carthy Camille , Komer Lauren , Adhikari Avishek , Lee Francis S. , Rajadhyaksha Anjali M. , Liston Conor
Published: April 2023

Social hierarchies exert a powerful influence on behavior, but the neurobiological mechanisms that detect and regulate hierarchical interactions are not well understood, especially at the level of neural circuits. Here, we use fiber photometry and chemogenetic tools to record and manipulate the activity of nucleus accumbens-projecting cells in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC-NAcSh) during tube test social competitions. We show that vmPFC-NAcSh projections signal learned hierarchical relationships, and are selectively recruited by subordinate mice when they initiate effortful social dominance behavior during encounters with a dominant competitor from an established hierarchy. After repeated bouts of social defeat stress, this circuit is preferentially activated during social interactions initiated by stress resilient individuals, and plays a necessary role in supporting social approach behavior in subordinated mice. These results define a necessary role for vmPFC-NAcSh cells in the adaptive regulation of social interaction behavior based on prior hierarchical interactions.
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction using La-Ni bimetallic sites within a covalent organic framework
Authors: Zhou Min , Wang Zhiqing , Mei Aohan , Yang Zifan , Chen Wen , Ou Siyong , Wang Shengyao , Chen Keqiang , Reiss Peter , Qi Kun , Ma Jingyuan , Liu Yueli
Published: April 2023

The precise construction of photocatalysts with diatomic sites that simultaneously foster light absorption and catalytic activity is a formidable challenge, as both processes follow distinct pathways. Herein, an electrostatically driven self-assembly approach is used, where phenanthroline is used to synthesize bifunctional LaNi sites within covalent organic framework. The La and Ni site acts as optically and catalytically active center for photocarriers generation and highly selective CO2-to-CO reduction, respectively. Theory calculations and in-situ characterization reveal the directional charge transfer between La-Ni double-atomic sites, leading to decreased reaction energy barriers of *COOH intermediate and enhanced CO2-to-CO conversion. As a result, without any additional photosensitizers, a 15.2 times enhancement of the CO2 reduction rate (605.8 μmol·g−1·h−1) over that of a benchmark covalent organic framework colloid (39.9 μmol·g−1·h−1) and improved CO selectivity (98.2%) are achieved. This work presents a potential strategy for integrating optically and catalytically active centers to enhance photocatalytic CO2 reduction.
Structure-forming CAG/CTG repeats interfere with gap repair to cause repeat expansions and chromosome breaks
Authors: Polleys Erica J. , Del Priore Isabella , Haber James E. , Freudenreich Catherine H.
Published: April 2023

Expanded CAG/CTG repeats are sites of DNA damage, leading to repeat length changes. Homologous recombination (HR) is one cause of repeat instability and we hypothesized that gap filling was a driver of repeat instability during HR. To test this, we developed an assay such that resection and ssDNA gap fill-in would occur across a (CAG)70 or (CTG)70 repeat tract. When the ssDNA template was a CTG sequence, there were increased repeat contractions and a fragile site was created leading to large-scale deletions. When the CTG sequence was on the resected strand, resection was inhibited, resulting in repeat expansions. Increased nucleolytic processing by deletion of Rad9, the ortholog of 53BP1, rescued repeat instability and chromosome breakage. Loss of Rad51 increased contractions implicating a protective role for Rad51 on ssDNA. Together, our work implicates structure-forming repeats as an impediment to resection and gap-filling which can lead to mutations and large-scale deletions.
Tethered agonist activated ADGRF1 structure and signalling analysis reveal basis for G protein coupling
Authors: Jones Daniel T. D. , Dates Andrew N. , Rawson Shaun D. , Burruss Maggie M. , Lipper Colin H. , Blacklow Stephen C.
Published: April 2023

Adhesion G Protein Coupled Receptors (aGPCRs) have evolved an activation mechanism to translate extracellular force into liberation of a tethered agonist (TA) to effect cell signalling. We report here that ADGRF1 can signal through all major G protein classes and identify the structural basis for a previously reported Gαq preference by cryo-EM. Our structure shows that Gαq preference in ADGRF1 may derive from tighter packing at the conserved F569 of the TA, altering contacts between TM helix I and VII, with a concurrent rearrangement of TM helix VII and helix VIII at the site of Gα recruitment. Mutational studies of the interface and of contact residues within the 7TM domain identify residues critical for signalling, and suggest that Gαs signalling is more sensitive to mutation of TA or binding site residues than Gαq. Our work advances the detailed molecular understanding of aGPCR TA activation, identifying features that potentially explain preferential signal modulation.
Spatiotemporal distribution of power outages with climate events and social vulnerability in the USA
Authors: Do Vivian , McBrien Heather , Flores Nina M. , Northrop Alexander J. , Schlegelmilch Jeffrey , Kiang Mathew V. , Casey Joan A.
Published: April 2023

Power outages threaten public health. While outages will likely increase with climate change, an aging electrical grid, and increased energy demand, little is known about their frequency and distribution within states. Here, we characterize 2018–2020 outages, finding an average of 520 million customer-hours total without power annually across 2447 US counties (73.7% of the US population). 17,484 8+ hour outages (a medically-relevant duration with potential health consequences) and 231,174 1+ hour outages took place, with greatest prevalence in Northeastern, Southern, and Appalachian counties. Arkansas, Louisiana, and Michigan counties experience a dual burden of frequent 8+ hour outages and high social vulnerability and prevalence of electricity-dependent durable medical equipment use. 62.1% of 8+ hour outages co-occur with extreme weather/climate events, particularly heavy precipitation, anomalous heat, and tropical cyclones. Results could support future large-scale epidemiology studies, inform equitable disaster preparedness and response, and prioritize geographic areas for resource allocation and interventions.