bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of oxide films on a curved aluminium surface upon anodic oxidation
Authors: Tzaneva B , Videkov V , Bankova A , Mitov M , Dobrev D
Published: April 2022

The aluminium oxide obtained by anodization in acidic solutions has a highly ordered nanoporous structure consisting of straight parallel pores. The oxide layer has good electrical insulating properties on planar surfaces. However, the electrochemical formation of nanoporous film on convex surface induces effects such as crack formation and deterioration of the insulating properties. The present work is focused on investigating the conditions of growth of a thick oxide layer on aluminium wires with a diameter of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. In order to prevent cracking, the oxide growth was carried out by reducing the anodization voltage according to a mathematical model in view of obtaining conical pores. In this study, the minimum thickness at which a crack-free oxide layer grows was determined.
Optical properties of nanostructured bimetallic films from the Ag-In and Ag-Sb systems and their surface-enhanced fluorescence application
Authors: Katrova V , Hristova-Vasileva T , Atanasova A , Strijkova V , Todorov R
Published: April 2022

The possibility for tuned excitation of surface plasmon resonance in Ag-In and Ag-Sb films with different compositions and thicknesses was studied in terms of preparation and microstructural and optical properties. The analyses show that plasmon excitation can be achieved both by changing the thickness of the deposited bimetallic films and by varying their composition. The imaginary ε'' part of the complex permittivity of the thin films has a maximum due to the transverse oscillations of free electrons in the range of 1 eV to 3.5 eV. The films’ applicability as amplifying substrates in surface-enhanced fluorescence was tested. Tryptophan and Cu (II)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) dye were used to analyze the efficiency of the localized surface plasmon resonance excitation in the ultraviolet spectral region. Amplification enhancing coefficient of 4.17 times was obtained in the case of CuPc dye.
Structure and phase composition study of thin TiO2:C films deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering
Authors: Milenov T , Karaivanova D , Angelov O , Terziyska P , Avdeev G , Karashanova D , Georgieva B , Genkov K , Dimov D , Ivanov K , Kolev S , Valcheva E
Published: April 2022

Thin films of TiO2 doped with carbon were deposited on 15×25×1 mm3 glass substrates by r.f. magnetron co-sputtering of TiO2 target and carbon plates on their erosion zone in Ar + air atmosphere (0.5 Pa and 0.6 Pa, respectively). Two different process parameters were varied in different experiments: the total area of the carbon plates (84 mm2, 560 mm2, 830 mm2 or 1480 mm2) and the radial distance from the center of the circle of the erosion zone with maximum rate of sputtering (2 cm or 4 cm). The as-deposited and annealed (air, 400 °C, 1 h) thin films with thicknesses of 40 - 60 nm were studied by ellipsometry, grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GIXRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). The ellipsometric studies revealed the band gap, as well as the tail states and optical constants of the thin films obtained. The GIXRD patterns revealed a mix of amorphous and nanocrystalline anatase and rutile TiO2 phases in all thin films. The Raman study confirmed this conclusion, but the TEM study showed the presence of some nanocrystalline C20O14Ti3, together with the other TiO2 phases - brookite and nonstoichiometric TiOx phases (anatase and rutile). The effects of annealing at 400 °C in air for 60 min are also discussed.
Characterization of the aerosol field over Sofia, Bulgaria, using contact and passive-remote-sensing methods and instruments
Authors: Evgenieva Ts , Kolev N , Savov P , Gurdev L , Grigorov I , Dreischuh T
Published: April 2022

The atmospheric aerosol particles, called also atmospheric particulate matter, that include also fine dust particles (FDP), are an important factor conditioning many physical processes in the atmosphere, affecting the climate and the air quality, and posing serious potential risks to the human health. In this regard, the regular observation of the atmospheric aerosol load and its dynamics is a valuable source of scientific information concerning these processes, while also allowing the relevant institutions to undertake preventive measures in cases of a dangerous FDP concentration increase. This work is devoted to estimating experimentally, by passive optical sensing and contact measurements, some important integral microphysical and optical characteristics and their dynamics of the aerosol ensembles over Sofia, Bulgaria. The results obtained outline the springtime values of the aerosol number and mass concentration in the near-ground urban atmosphere, the depth of the atmospheric boundary layer, the aerosol optical depth at different optical wavelengths, the water vapor content, and the Ångström exponent at the wavelengths of 440/870 nm.
Duplex surface modification of tool steel - deposition of a WN film and subsequent electron-beam modification
Authors: Valkov S , Ormanova M , Ivanov N , Dechev D , Bezdushnyi R , Petrov P
Published: April 2022

In this study, we demonstrate a combined treatment technique of R18 high-speed tool steel comprising deposition of a WN coating followed by electron-beam surface treatment (EBT). In order to understand the influence of the deposited WN coating on the resultant structure and properties, an uncoated specimen was directly electron-beam treated under the same EBT technological conditions. The structure of the specimens was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The microhardness was also investigated. The phase composition consisted of a double phase structure of Fe and M6C carbides in both cases. The microstructure was significantly finer in the case of an EBT of the steel with WN coating, leading to a much higher microhardness in comparison with the case without WN.
Depth profiling of very thin HfO2/Al2O3 stacks by ellipsometry
Authors: Karmakov Y , Paskaleva A , Spassov D
Published: April 2022

Ellipsometry (VASE and MAIE) with appropriate algorithms for experimental data interpretation was applied for quantitative characterization of thin Al2O3/HfO2 multilayers formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) applicable to the fabrication of charge-trapping nonvolatile memories. A substantial benefit of the algorithms is the depth profiling of the stacks. In this work, the depth profiles were retrieved of the HfO2 constituent in very thin (Al2O3:HfO2) stacks embedded in thin Al2O3 surrounding layers. The peculiarities in the achieved depth profiles are used to determine the bi-layer blocks and their sub-layer thicknesses. The influence of a rapid thermal annealing in O2 on the depth profile and the sub-layer thicknesses is studied; substantial changes are thus revealed in the thickness and composition of the stacks. This information could be used in optimizing the dielectric and electrical properties of the stacks and multilayers.
Comparative study of the sidewall shape and proximity effect of the AR-N 7520 negative electron beam resist
Authors: Kostic I , Vutova K , Koleva E , Bencurova A , Konecnikova A , Andok R
Published: April 2022

This paper deals with the performance of the AR-N7520 (Allresist) negative electron beam resist (EB resist) which was selected as an etch mask for the fabrication of gratings on GaAs substrates. The developed resist sidewall shape is crucial for this purpose. The required near-to-vertical sidewall shape can be achieved by optimizing the electron beam lithography (EBL) process based on experimental investigations and computer simulations. The sidewall shape dependence on the EBL parameters (exposure dose, resist pattern, etc.) and the proximity effect are studied.
Finiteness and the swampland
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Montero Miguel , Vafa Cumrun , Valenzuela Irene
Published: April 2022

We view and provide further evidence for a number of swampland criteria, including the weak gravity conjecture, distance conjecture and bounds on the finiteness of the quantum gravity vacua from the prism of the finiteness of black hole entropy. Furthermore we propose that at least all of these swampland statements may be more fundamentally a consequence of the finiteness of quantum gravity amplitudes.
Synthesis and Investigation of Ferroelectric Curie Transition in BaTiO3
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Naskar Sudip , Mandal Dipankar
Published: April 2022

Ferroelectric phase comprising BaTiO3 nanoparticles and nanorods have been prepared by high temperature sintering. The XRD spectra of sintered powder was used to confirm the ferroelectric phase crystallisation. The non-ferroelectric cubic phase to ferroelectric tetragonal phase transition of BaTiO3 was studied by temperature dependent dielectric study. The Curie temperature of 105 °C in sintered nanoparticles was observed from dielectric study of tetragonal phase BaTiO3.
Optoelectronic, microstructural, ecofriendly and photo-catalytic evaluation of Aspartic acid cross-linked Poly (vinyl alcohol)/Copper Oxidenanotubescomposite films
Authors: Amaregouda Yamanappagouda , Gasti Tilak , Kamanna Kantharaju
Published: April 2022

The present work describes design and preparation of aspartic acid (Asp) cross-linked Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Copper oxide nanotubes (CuO NTs) composite filmsvia solution casting method.The CuO NTswere prepared by novel biogenic method usingRobiniaPseudoacaciaLeaf Extract.Theprepared CuO NTs and PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite filmsarecharacterized by various techniques.The adsorption and photo-catalytic efficiencies of PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite films were compared with pristine CuO NTs. The adsorption capacity of PVA/CuO/Asp nanocomposite films showed higher due to presence of active sites, high surface activity and semiconducting nature of CuO NTs and Asp embedded in PVA matrix. The comparative photocatalytic activities of the CuO NTsand PVA/CuO NTs/Asp nanocomposite filmsare examinedagainst methylene blue (MB) as a substrate degradation, and film PVA/CuO NTs/Asp showed highest (up to 77%) degradation compared to other films. The improved photocatalytic behavior of PVA nanocomposite film attributed to its narrower band gapreduces the recombination rate of exited electron-hole, enhanced UV-Vis absorption intensity, extinction coefficient and refractive index, improved utilization of sunlight and enhanced adsorption of dye due to functional groups, biodegradable, surface wettability, hydrophilic surface and self-cleaning nature.
An Investigative Study on the effect of Dopants on Manganese Based Mixed Nano Ferrites Synthesized through Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Jose Dhanya , Mildred Sruthy , Mary Sebastian Rintu , Xavier Sheena
Published: April 2022

The present article investigates the effect of different dopants on manganese based mixed nano ferrites synthesized through sol-gel method.MnF, MnCoF and MnCoMgF (MnFe2O4, Mn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4andMn0.5Co0.25Mg0.25Fe2O4) were synthesized by Sol-gel method. The structural, magnetic and optical properties of the samples were analysed through XRD(X-RayDiffractometer), VSM (Vibrating Sample Magnetometer,) and UV-Visible Spectroscopy. The phase identification and lattice parameter determination were carried out by using X-RayDiffraction and hence the crystallite size and X-Ray density were calculated. Peaks (220), (311), (400), (511), and (440) were obtained from the XRDpattern of the samples, which confirmed their single-phase cubic spinel structure. It was observed that because of the large ionic radius of Co2+ (0.745 Å) ions as compared to that of Fe3+ (0.645 Å) ions, lattice parameter of MnCoF increased in comparison with that of MnF but, the substitution of Mg2+ to MnCoF sample decreased the lattice constant. By investigating the hysteresis loops produced by the samples in the VSM analyses, it was found that the MnF have low coercivity and moderate saturation magnetization amongst the three. The substitution of Mg2+ in MnCoF sample decreased the value of saturation magnetization. UV-Visible analysis was used to determine bandgap energy of three samples.From the Tauc plot, we can observe bandgap energies of 3.202 eV, 3.180 eV and 3.239 eV, for MnF, MnCoF and MnCoMgF respectively.On substituting with the Co2+ in MnF the band gap of sample decreases indicating quantum confinement phenomenon.When substitution was done both Co2+ and Mg2+, the band gap energy value increases.
Effect of plant extracts on structural & morphological features of CuO nano structured material
Authors: Rotti Rajeshwari B. , Ramya M , Venkatesha Babu K R , Sunitha D.V.
Published: April 2022

Cupper oxide (CuO) nano structured material has been synthesized by using eco-friendly simple solution method using plant leaf extracts(Mangifera indica, Carica papaya and Azadirachta indica) as a reducing agent. The obtained material is subjected to calcination at 500 °C for further studies. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier transmittance Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed for the structural confirmation of the calcined CuO samples.The CuO prepared by using Mangifera indica, Carica papaya and Azadirachta indica leaf extracts exhibited flake shape, irregular and spherical structures respectively in scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs.In addition, the UV-Visible absorption spectrum was recorded and the energy gap determined by using Tauc relation was 3.5, 3.75 and 3.9eV for Mangifera indica, Carica papaya and Azadirachta indica respectively.
Low Cost Synthesis and Characterization of Donor P3HT Polymer for Fabrication of Organic Solar Cell
Authors: D S Suresh , Vandana M , Veeresh S , Ganesh H , Nagaraju Y S , Vijeth H , Basappa M , Devendrappa H
Published: April 2022

Over the years, the conjugated polymers acts as electron donor material in the active layer of Organic solar cells (OSCs). By altering means of doping, prepare a composite with suitable materials from Poly (p-phenylene vinylene) PPV polymer toPM6 polymer which gives Power conversion efficiency (PCE) can vary from ~ 2% to ~15%. But these are expensive, complicated synthetic procedure and less availability. To overcome this,the conjugated polymer Poly (3-Hexyl Thiophene)(P3HT) synthesized through oxidative coupling of 3-HT monomer and Ferric chloride (FeCl3) as an oxidant which is low cost, available and very easy method of synthesis. We investigated synthesized P3HT material that shows the Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR) peaks shows that intramolecular interactions from thiophene ring, alkyl chain and polymer chain, FESEM Images reveals morphology consists of condensed layers in micrometer dimensions and Cyclic voltammetry studies gives oxidation and reduction potentials to promote the higher ionization potential of the compound to use as donor material in OSCs.
The optimized combination of aCompCor and ICA-AROMA to reduce motion and physiologic noise in task fMRI data
Authors: Van Schuerbeek P , De Wandel L , Baeken C
Published: April 2022

One of the main challenges in fMRI processing is filtering the task BOLD signals from the noise. Independent component analysis with automatic removal of motion artifacts (ICA-AROMA) reduces motion artifacts by identifying ICA noise components based on their location at the brain edges and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), high frequency content and correlation with motion regressors. In anatomical component correction (aCompCor), physiological noise regressors extracted from CSF were regressed out from the fMRI time series. In this study, we compared three methods to combine aCompCor and ICA-AROMA denoising in one denoising step. In the first analysis, we regressed the temporal signals of the ICA components identified as noise by ICA-AROMA together with the noise signals determined by aCompCor from the fMRI signals. For the second and third analyses, the correlation between the temporal signals of the ICA components and the aCompCor noise signals was used as an additional criterion to identify the noise components. In the second analysis, the temporal signals of the ICA components classified as noise were regressed from the fMRI signals. In the third analysis, the noise components were removed. To compare the denoising strategies, we examined the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and the overlap between the contrast maps. Our results revealed that including the aCompCor noise signals as regressors in ICA-AROMA resulted in more correctly identified noise components, higher fALFF values, and larger activation maps. Moreover, combining the temporal signals of the noise components identified by ICA-AROMA with the aCompCor signals in a noise regression matrix resulted in deactivations. These results suggest that using the correlation between the ICA component temporal signals and the aCompCor signals as noise identification criteria in ICA-AROMA is the best approach for combining both denoising methods.
Fabrication methods of glass fibre composites—a review
Authors: Kulhan Taniya , Kamboj Arun , Gupta Nitin Kumar , Somani Nalin
Published: April 2022

The use of polymer composite has been implemented since 3400 B.C, the very first known composite’s application is attributed to the Mesopotamians. These ancient people fabricated plywood with glued wood strips placed at various distinct angles and in the late 1930s glass fiber thin strands have been developed. Glass fibre polymer composites have a wide scope in various engineering structures submarines, spacecraft, airplanes, automobiles, sports, and many more, over traditional materials because of their superior properties including lightweight, high fracture toughness, corrosion, fatigue, wear & fire resistance, high strength to weight ratio, high modulus and low coefficient of expansion. Various technologies have been developed so far to create different types of polymer composites in accordance with their properties and applications. Glass fiber possesses better properties as great strength, better flexibility, stiffness, and chemical corrosion resistance. Glass fibers are generally in the form of cut-up strand, fabrics and mats. Every kind of glass fibers has different properties and has various applications as in polymer composites. The aim of this review paper is to provide updated technological insights regarding the evolution of composite, classification of gass fibre polymer composites, development methodology in contrast with various applications, advantages and limitations and their behavioral properties.
On Donkin’s tilting module conjecture I: lowering the prime
Authors: Bendel Christopher , Nakano Daniel , Pillen Cornelius , Sobaje Paul
Published: April 2022

In this paper the authors provide a complete answer to Donkin’s Tilting Module Conjecture for all rank

2
2

semisimple algebraic groups and

SL

4

⁡
(
k
)

\operatorname {SL}_{4}(k)

where

k
k

is an algebraically closed field of characteristic

p
>
0

p>0

. In the process, new techniques are introduced involving the existence of

(
p
,
r
)

(p,r)

-filtrations, Lusztig’s character formula, and the

G

r

G_{r}

T-radical series for baby Verma modules.
Lifting the Mouth Corner: A Systematic Review of Techniques, Clinical Outcomes, and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: van der Sluis Nanouk , Gülbitti Haydar A , van Dongen Joris A , van der Lei Berend
Published: April 2022

Background

Mouth corners are an essential part of the centrofacial area for perception of attractiveness and emotions. Downturned mouth corners are a result of aging or have a congenital origin. Different mouth corner lifting techniques are described in the literature.

Objectives

This review was performed to systematically assess and compare invasive and noninvasive mouth corner lifting techniques and their effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects.

Methods

MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (OvidSP), and the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials databases were searched for clinical and observational studies published in peer-reviewed academic journals with abstracts available (searched from May 18, 2019, to December 18, 2021). Outcomes of interest were aesthetic mouth corner lifting techniques, the degree of lift as well as the longevity of the lifting effect, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects. Techniques were subdivided in invasive techniques and noninvasive techniques.

Results

Out of 968 studies found from the search, 11 were included in the qualitative analysis. In general, surgical techniques seem to have a better mouth corner lifting effect than nonsurgical techniques; however, objective evidence is weak, and surgery inevitably results in a scar. Reported patient satisfaction was good for both surgical and nonsurgical techniques and no severe complications have been described.

Conclusions

Surgical techniques seem to have a better lifting effect on mouth corners than nonsurgical techniques. Nevertheless, objective evidence is weak, and a scar is inevitable.

Level of Evidence: 4
Paternal obesity induces placental hypoxia and sex-specific impairments in placental vascularization and offspring metabolism
Authors: Jazwiec Patrycja A , Patterson Violet S , Ribeiro Tatiane A , Yeo Erica , Kennedy Katherine M , Mathias Paulo C F , Petrik Jim J , Sloboda Deborah M
Published: April 2022

Paternal obesity predisposes offspring to metabolic dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether this metabolic dysfunction is associated with changes in placental vascular development and is fueled by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated changes in fetal hepatic development. We also determined whether paternal obesity indirectly affects the in utero environment by disrupting maternal metabolic adaptations to pregnancy. Male mice fed a standard chow or high fat diet (60%kcal fat) for 8–10 weeks were time-mated with female mice to generate pregnancies and offspring. Glucose tolerance was evaluated in dams at mid-gestation (embryonic day (E) 14.5) and late gestation (E18.5). Hypoxia, angiogenesis, endocrine function, macronutrient transport, and ER stress markers were evaluated in E14.5 and E18.5 placentae and/or fetal livers. Maternal glucose tolerance was assessed at E14.5 and E18.5. Metabolic parameters were assessed in offspring at ~60 days of age. Paternal obesity did not alter maternal glucose tolerance but induced placental hypoxia and altered placental angiogenic markers, with the most pronounced effects in female placentae. Paternal obesity increased ER stress-related protein levels (ATF6 and PERK) in the fetal liver and altered hepatic expression of gluconeogenic factors at E18.5. Offspring of obese fathers were glucose intolerant and had impaired whole-body energy metabolism, with more pronounced effects in female offspring. Metabolic deficits in offspring due to paternal obesity may be mediated by sex-specific changes in placental vessel structure and integrity that contribute to placental hypoxia and may lead to poor fetal oxygenation and impairments in fetal metabolic signaling pathways in the liver.
The ectodysplasin-A receptor is a candidate gene for lateral plate number variation in stickleback fish
Authors: Laurentino Telma G , Boileau Nicolas , Ronco Fabrizia , Berner Daniel
Published: April 2022

Variation in lateral plating in stickleback fish represents a classical example of rapid and parallel adaptation in morphology. The underlying genetic architecture involves polymorphism at the ectodysplasin-A gene (EDA). However, lateral plate number is influenced by additional loci that remain poorly characterized. Here, we search for such loci by performing genome-wide differentiation mapping based on pooled whole-genome sequence data from a European stickleback population variable in the extent of lateral plating, while tightly controlling for the phenotypic effect of EDA. This suggests a new candidate locus, the EDA receptor gene (EDAR), for which additional support is obtained by individual-level targeted Sanger sequencing and by comparing allele frequencies among natural populations. Overall, our study illustrates the power of pooled whole-genome sequencing for searching phenotypically relevant loci and opens opportunities for exploring the population genetics and ecological significance of a new candidate locus for stickleback armor evolution.
A rare frameshift mutation inSYCP1is associated with human male infertility
Authors: Nabi Soheila , Askari Masomeh , Rezaei-Gazik Maryam , Salehi Najmeh , Almadani Navid , Tahamtani Yaser , Totonchi Mehdi
Published: April 2022

Proper assembly of the synaptonemal complex is essential for successful meiosis, and impairments in the process lead to infertility. Meiotic transverse filament proteins encoded by the SYCP1 (synaptonemal complex protein 1) gene are one of the main components of the synaptonemal complex and play an important role in correct synapsis and recombination. Family-based whole-exome sequencing revealed a rare homozygous SYCP1 frameshift mutation (c.2892delA: p.K967Nfs*1) in two men with severe oligozoospermia, followed by validation and segregation through Sanger sequencing. This single nucleotide deletion not only changes lysine 967 (K) into asparagine (N) but also causes a premature stop codon, which leads to deletion of 968–976 residues from the end of the C-tail region of the SYCP1 protein. Although, sycp1 knockout male mice are reported to be sterile with a complete lack of spermatids and spermatozoa, to date no SYCP1 variant has been associated with human oligozoospermia. HADDOCK analysis indicated that this mutation decreases the ability of the truncated SYCP1 protein to bind DNA. Immunodetection of ϒH2AX signals in SYCP1 mutant semen cells, and a 40% DNA fragmentation index might indicate that a small number of DNA double-strand breaks, which require SYCP1 and/or synapsis to be repaired, are not efficiently repaired, resulting in defects in differentiation of germline cells and appearance of the oligozoospermia phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a homozygous SYCP1 mutation that decreases sperm count. Further studies are required to determine the function of the SYCP1 mutation, which is potentially associated with human oligozoospermia.
Partially functional NARROW LEAF1 balances leaf photosynthesis and plant architecture for greater rice yield
Authors: Ouyang Xiang , Zhong Xiaoyu , Chang Shuoqi , Qian Qian , Zhang Yuzhu , Zhu Xinguang
Published: April 2022

NARROW LEAF1 (NAL1) is an elite gene in rice (Oryza sativa), given its close connection to leaf photosynthesis, hybrid vigor, and yield-related agronomic traits; however, the underlying mechanism by which this gene affects these traits remains elusive. In this study, we systematically measured leaf photosynthetic parameters, leaf anatomical parameters, architectural parameters, and agronomic traits in indica cultivar 9311, in 9311 with the native NAL1 replaced by the Nipponbare NAL1 (9311-NIL), and in 9311 with the NAL1 fully mutated (9311-nal1). Leaf length, width, and spikelet number gradually increased from lowest to highest in 9311-nal1, 9311, and 9311-NIL. In contrast, the leaf photosynthetic rate on a leaf area basis, leaf thickness, and panicle number gradually decreased from highest to lowest in 9311-nal1, 9311, and 9311-NIL. RNA-seq analysis showed that NAL1 negatively regulates the expression of photosynthesis-related genes; NAL1 also influenced expression of many genes related to phytohormone signaling, as also shown by different leaf contents of 3-Indoleacetic acid, jasmonic acid, Gibberellin A3, and isopentenyladenine among these genotypes. Furthermore, field experiments with different planting densities showed that 9311 had a larger biomass and yield advantage under low planting density compared to either 9311-NIL or 9311-nall. This study shows both direct and indirect effects of NAL1 on leaf photosynthesis; furthermore, we show that a partially functional NAL1 allele helps maintain a balanced leaf photosynthesis and plant architecture for increased biomass and grain yield in the field.
13C-labeling reveals how membrane lipid components contribute to triacylglycerol accumulation in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Young Danielle Yvonne , Pang Na , Shachar-Hill Yair
Published: April 2022

Lipid metabolism in microalgae has attracted much interest due to potential utilization of lipids as feedstocks for biofuels, nutraceuticals, and other high-value compounds. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a model organism for characterizing the synthesis of the neutral lipid triacylglycerol (TAG), from which biodiesel is made. While much of TAG accumulation under N-deprivation is the result of de novo fatty acid (FA) synthesis, recent work has revealed that approximately one-third of FAs, especially polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs), come from preexisting membrane lipids. Here, we used 13C-isotopic labeling and mass spectrometry to analyze the turnover of glycerol backbones, headgroups, FAs, whole molecules, and molecular fragments of individual lipids. About one-third of the glyceryl backbones in TAG are derived from preexisting membrane lipids, as are approximately one-third of FAs. The different moieties of the major galactolipids turn over synchronously, while the FAs of diacylglyceryltrimethylhomoserine (DGTS), the most abundant extraplastidial lipid, turn over independently of the rest of the molecule. The major plastidic lipid monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), whose predominant species is 18:3α/16:4, was previously shown to be a major source of PUFAs for TAG synthesis. This study reveals that MGDG turns over as whole molecules, the 18:3α/16:4 species is present in both DAG and TAG, and the positional distribution of these PUFAs is identical in MGDG, DAG, and TAG. We conclude that headgroup removal with subsequent acylation is the mechanism by which the major MGDG species is converted to TAG during N-deprivation. This has noteworthy implications for engineering the composition of microalgal TAG for food, fuel, and other applications.
Development of the Warwick Axial Spondyloarthritis faTigue and Energy questionnaire (WASTEd)—a new patient-reported outcome measure
Authors: Pearson Nathan A , Tutton Elizabeth , Martindale Jane , Strickland George , Thompson Jean , Packham Jonathan C , Creamer Paul , Haywood Kirstie L
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim was to co-produce and test a potential new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM), the Warwick Axial Spondyloarthritis faTigue and Energy questionnaire (WASTEd), providing vital qualitative confirmation of conceptual relevance, clarity and acceptability.

Methods

Informed by measurement theory, we collaborated with patient partners throughout a three-stage, iterative process of PROM development. In stage 1, informed by patient interviews, reviews exploring patients’ fatigue experiences and existing PROMs of fatigue, an initial measurement framework of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) fatigue and energy and candidate items were defined. In stage 2, the relevance and acceptability of the measurement framework and candidate items were assessed qualitatively by focus group participants. In stage 3, patients participated in pre-testing interviews to assess item comprehensiveness, relevance, acceptability and comprehensibility.

Results

Stage 1 informed the development of an initial five-domain measurement framework with 59 candidate items. In stage 2, five patients and seven health-care professionals participated in four focus groups to derive a 40-item model of fatigue and energy. Collaborative engagement with patient research partners supported refinement of questionnaire structure and content further. Pre-testing with ten patients across two interview rounds in stage 3 produced a four-domain, 30-item long-form questionnaire.

Conclusion

An active collaboration with patients and health-care professionals has supported the co-production of a potential new PROM of axSpA fatigue, underpinned by strong evidence of face and content validity. The WASTEd extends the assessment of fatigue beyond severity, highlighting the importance of symptom frequency, energy and self-management. Future research will involve psychometric evaluation, supporting item reduction, structural refinement and confirmation of PROM validity.
Safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in Sjögren’s syndrome: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Price Elizabeth , Bombardieri Michele , Kivitz Alan , Matzkies Franziska , Gurtovaya Oksana  , Pechonkina Alena , Jiang Wendy , Downie Bryan , Mathur Anubhav , Mozaffarian Afsaneh , Mozaffarian Neelufar , Gottenberg J Eric
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to characterize the safety and efficacy of filgotinib, lanraplenib and tirabrutinib in patients with active SS.

Methods

This multicentre, double-blind study randomized patients with active primary or secondary SS [EULAR SS disease activity index (ESSDAI) ≥5) to receive filgotinib 200 mg (Janus kinase-1 inhibitor), lanraplenib 30 mg (spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor), tirabrutinib 40 mg (Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor), or placebo. The composite primary end point was the week-12 proportion of patients fulfilling protocol-specified improvement criteria (based on CRP and SS-related symptoms). The EULAR SS patient-reported index (ESSPRI) and the ESSDAI change from baseline (CFB) were secondary end points. Exploratory end points included disease-related biomarkers. Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) represented safety outcomes.

Results

The mean of the baseline ESSDAI was 10.1, and of ESSPRI was 6.2 in the 150 patients who were treated; 125 completed the 24-week placebo-controlled treatment period. At week 12, 43.3% of the filgotinib group achieved the primary end point (P = 0.17 vs placebo) vs 42.3% (P = 0.16), 34.7% (P = 0.33), and 26.7% of lanraplenib, tirabrutinib, and placebo groups, respectively. Neither secondary end point was met. Biomarker reductions included immunoglobulins classically associated with SS disease activity. Filgotinib ESSDAI CFB appeared more pronounced in subgroups with baseline ESSDAI ≥14 or without DMARDs/CSs. Most AEs were Grade 1 or 2.

Conclusion

Three drugs with disparate mechanisms were tested, but no significant differences vs placebo in primary or secondary end points were observed. These results may be considered hypothesis-generating, given the drug tolerability, subgroup analysis, and biomarker findings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03100942.
Evolutionary analyses of emerging GII.2[P16] and GII.4 Sydney [P16] noroviruses
Authors: Zheng Guo-li , Zhu Zheng-xi , Cui Jia-le , Yu Jie-mei
Published: April 2022

GII.2[P16] and GII.4 Sydney [P16] are currently the two predominant norovirus genotypes. This study sought to clarify their evolutionary patterns by analyzing the major capsid VP1 and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes. Sequence diversities were analyzed at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. Selective pressures were evaluated with the Hyphy package in different models. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by the maximum likelihood method from full VP1 sequences, and evolutionary rates were estimated by the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach. The results showed that (1) several groups of tightly linked mutations between the RdRp and VP1 genes were detected in the GII.2[P16] and GII.4[P16] noroviruses, and most of these mutations were synonymous, which may lead to a better viral fitness to the host; (2) although the pattern of having new GII.4 variants every 2–4 years has been broken, both the pre- and the post-2015 Sydney VP1 had comparable evolutionary rates to previously epidemic GII.4 variants, and half of the major antigenic sites on GII.4 Sydney had residue substitutions and several caused obvious changes in the carbohydrate-binding surface that may potentially alter the property of the virus; and (3) GII.4 Sydney variants during 2018–21 showed geographical specificity in East Asia, South Asia, and North America; the antigenic sites of GII.2 are strictly conserved, but the GII.2 VP1 chronologically evolved into nine different sublineages over time, with sublineage IX being the most prevalent one since 2018. This study suggested that both VP1 and RdRp of the GII.2[P16] and GII.4 Sydney [P16] noroviruses exhibited different evolutionary directions. GII.4[P16] is likely to generate potential novel epidemic variants by accumulating mutations in the P2 domain, similar to previously epidemic GII.4 variants, while GII.2[P16] has conserved predicted antigenicity and may evolve by changing the properties of nonstructural proteins, such as polymerase replicational fidelity and efficiency. This study expands the understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of GII.2[P16] and GII.4[P16] noroviruses and may predict the emergence of new variants.
Rhizoctonia Resistance Is Negatively Correlated to Early Root Growth Rate in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat Derivatives
Authors: Okubara Patricia A. , Mahoney Aaron K. , Kumar Sonika , Hulbert Scot H.
Published: April 2022

Resistance to the soilborne fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 is desirable in adapted wheat and barley but remains an elusive trait for prebreeders and breeders. In a previous study, we observed that emergence and root growth was faster in the Rhizoctonia-susceptible ‘Scarlet’ than in its resistant counterpart, ‘Scarlet-Rz1’. The objective of the current study was to quantify early root growth rate and total root length in resistant and susceptible synthetic hexaploid wheat lines, including parental lines and 22 recombinant inbred lines derived crosses between parental lines. In Petri dish assays, the susceptible lines displayed a faster rate of root growth during the first 40 h of root emergence compared with resistant lines. This growth differential was observed in 14-day and 48-h greenhouse assays, in which the total root length of susceptible parental lines was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of resistant parental lines. However, the resistant lines sustained less root loss compared with susceptible lines when R. solani AG-8 was present in the soil. Early root growth rate and total root length were not correlated to freezing tolerance in a set of wheat cultivars selected for cold tolerance. The findings indicated that early root growth was negatively correlated to R. solani AG-8 damage in resistant synthetic wheat lines developed for the Pacific Northwest, United States, and suggested that the dynamics of root emergence affect resistance to this soilborne pathogen.
Key individuals catalyse intergroup violence
Authors: Glowacki Luke , McDermott Rose
Published: April 2022

Intergroup violence is challenging to understand: why do individuals cooperate to harm members of other groups when they themselves may be killed or injured? Despite progress in understanding the evolutionary and proximate mechanisms that underlie violence, we still have little insight into the processes that lead to theemergenceof coalitionary aggression. We argue that an overlooked component is the presence of individuals who have a crucial role in initiating violence. In instigating intergroup violence, thesekey individualsmay expect to face lower costs, receive greater benefits, or garner benefits that have a greater value to them than others. Alternatively, key individuals may be motivated by individual traits such as increased boldness, propensity for aggression or exploratory behaviour. Key individuals catalyse the emergence of coalitionary violence through one of several processes including altering the costs and benefits that accrue to others, paying a greater share of the startup costs, signalling privileged knowledge, or providing coordination, among other factors. Here we integrate diverse lines of empirical research from humans and non-human animals demonstrating that inter-individual variation is an important factor in the emergence of intergroup violence. Focusing on the role of key individuals provides new insights into how and why violence emerges.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
The effect of resource availability on interspecific competition between a native and an invasive ant
Authors: Neumann Kevin , Pinter-Wollman Noa
Published: April 2022

Interspecific competition influences the composition of ecological communities. Species may differ in their needs for different resources, therefore resource availability may determine the outcome of interspecific interactions. Species often compete over food, shelter or both. When more than one resource is limited, different species may prioritize different resources. To determine the impact of resource availability on the competitive relationship between an invasive and a native species, we examined interactions between groups of the invasive Argentine ant (
Linepithema humile
) and the native odorous ant (
Tapinoma sessile
) over (1) food, (2) shelter or (3) both simultaneously. We further examined the mechanisms underlying the competitive relationship, asking whether aggressive interactions, exploratory behaviour or the order of arrival at a resource explained resource use. Shelter was preferred by both species when no competitors were present. In a competitive setting,
L. humile
groups controlled shelter through aggressive displacement but lost control over food due to investment of workers in the control of shelter. Thus, there are tradeoffs when competing over multiple resources and aggressive interactions allow invasive species to displace native species from a preferred resource.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Variation between species, populations, groups and individuals in the fitness consequences of out-group conflict
Authors: Morris-Drake Amy , Kennedy Patrick , Braga Goncalves Ines , Radford Andrew N.
Published: April 2022

Out-group conflict is rife in the natural world, occurring from primates to ants. Traditionally, research on this aspect of sociality has focused on the interactions between groups and their conspecific rivals, investigating contest function and characteristics, which group members participate and what determines who wins. In recent years, however, there has been increasing interest in the consequences of out-group conflict. In this review, we first set the scene by outlining the fitness consequences that can arise immediately to contest participants, as well as a broader range of delayed, cumulative and third-party effects of out-group conflict on survival and reproductive success. For the majority of the review, we then focus on variation in these fitness consequences of out-group conflict, describing known examples both between species and between populations, groups and individuals of the same species. Throughout, we suggest possible reasons for the variation, provide examples from a diverse array of taxa, and suggest what is needed to advance this burgeoning area of social evolution.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Male services during between-group conflict: the ‘hired gun’ hypothesis revisited
Authors: Bshary Redouan , Richter Xiang-Yi Li , van Schaik Carel
Published: April 2022

In many group-living mammals, philopatric females form the stable core of the group and defend food or shelter against other groups of females. Where males are larger, their participation could give their female group the edge. How can females secure the contribution of males that are neither the father of current infants, nor the dominant male expecting to sire the next generation of infants? It has been proposed that females recruit these males as ‘hired guns’, receiving social support and copulations in exchange for fighting, against the interests of the dominant male. We first develop the logic of this hypothesis in unprecedented detail by considering the potential pay-off consequences for females and males. We then provide empirical evidence for the existence of hired guns in this context in several primate species. The game-theoretical aspects of the phenomenon remain to be studied, as is the distribution across contexts (e.g. predation avoidance) and species of the hired gun phenomenon.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Wins and losses in intergroup conflicts reflect energy balance in red-tailed monkeys
Authors: Brown Michelle , Steinitz Ronnie , Emery Thompson Melissa
Published: April 2022

The energetic costs and benefits of intergroup conflicts over feeding sites are widely hypothesized to be significant, but rarely quantified. In this study, we use short-term measures of energy gain and expenditure to test whether winning an intergroup encounter is associated with greater benefits, and losing with greater costs. We also test an alternative perspective, where groups fight for access to large food sources that are neither depletable nor consistently monopolizable: in this case, a group that has already fed on the resource and is willing to leave first (the loser) is supplanted by a newly arrived group (the winner). We evaluate energy balance and travel distance during and after encounters for six groups of red-tailed monkeys in Kibale National Park, Uganda. We find that winning groups experience substantial energetic benefits, but do so to recoup from earlier deficits. Losing groups, contrary to predictions, experience minimal energetic costs. Winners and losers are predictable based upon their use of the contested resource immediately before the encounter. The short-term payoffs associated with these stressful conflicts compensate for any associated costs and support the perception that between-group contests are an important feature of social life for species that engage in non-lethal conflicts.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Are strangers just enemies you have not yet met? Group homogeneity, not intergroup relations, shapes ingroup bias in three natural groups
Authors: Doğan Gönül , Glowacki Luke , Rusch Hannes
Published: April 2022

Humans often favour ingroup members over others, a bias that drives discrimination and intergroup conflicts. Hostile relations between groups and homogeneity within groups may affect such ingroup bias. In an experiment with members of three natural groups in Ethiopia, we vary intergroup relations (neutral versus enmity) and exploit the natural variation in the homogeneity of groups (homogeneous versus heterogeneous) to identify their effect on in- and outgroup concerns. We find that ingroup bias largely manifests as positive concern for ingroup members combined with no concern for outgroup members. Enmity has no effect on ingroup bias, whereas ingroup concern is amplified in homogeneous groups. Group homogeneity, thus, is the primary driver of concerns for others in our study’s context. Our results are relevant to understanding the consequences of exclusionary group identities.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Intergroup conflict across taxa’.
Predicting the future development of diabetic retinopathy using a deep learning algorithm for the analysis of non-invasive retinal imaging
Authors: Rom Yovel , Aviv Rachelle , Ianchulev Sean , Dvey-Aharon Zack
Published: April 2022

Aims

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common cause of vision loss in the working age. This research aimed to develop a machine learning model which can predict the development of referrable DR from fundus imagery of otherwise healthy eyes.

Methods

Our researchers trained a machine learning algorithm on the EyePacs dataset, consisting of 156,363 fundus images. Referrable DR was defined as any level above mild on the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy scale.

Results

The algorithm achieved 0.81 Area Under Receiver Operating Curve (AUC) when averaging scores from multiple images on the task of predicting development of referrable DR, and 0.76 AUC when using a single image.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that risk of DR may be predicted from fundus photography alone. Prediction of personalized risk of DR may become key in treatment and contribute to patient compliance across the board, particularly when supported by further prospective research.

Synopsis

The deep learning algorithm our researchers developed was able to predict the development of referrable diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients with otherwise healthy eyes with 0.81 AUC.