bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cross‐sectional study of university students' pocket money variance and its relationship with digital health literacy and subjective well‐being in Ghana
Authors: Quansah Frank , Ankomah Francis , Agormedah Edmond Kwesi , Ntumi Simon , Hagan John Elvis , Srem‐Sai Medina , Dadaczynski Kevin , Okan Orkan , Schack Thomas
Published: February 2023

Background

Mental health concerns of university students are gaining more attention since the emergence of the coronavirus disease. Consequently, scholars in education, health and psychology‐related fields have attributed the dwindling subjective well‐being (SWB) of students to their low levels of digital health literacy (DHL). However, little attention has been paid to an important variable like pocket money (PM) which might serve as a buffer against reduced levels of SWB. In this study, we explored the dynamics of PM and its linkage with DHL and SWB among university students in Ghana.

Methods

With a cross‐sectional design, a convenient sample of 1160 students was obtained from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. The COVID‐DHL and WHO‐5 Well‐being instruments were used for the data collection for a 2 months period (February–March, 2021). Chi‐square test, multivariate regression, simple linear regression, and PROCESS mediation analyses were performed with the use of SPSS software version 25.

Results

The study found that while most of the students were financially supported by their parents (n = 715, 61.6%), a larger proportion of them reported that their PM was either less sufficient or not sufficient (n = 550; 76.9%). Findings revealed a positive relationship between PM and SWB (B = −36.419, p < 0.001; B = −13.146, p = 0.012; B = −10.930, p = 0.043), with this relationship mediated by DHL (B = −1.139, confidence interval [CI] [−2.073, −0.263] vs. −2.300, CI [−4.290, −0.532] vs. −8.366, CI [−14.863, −1.908]).

Conclusions

Students with little to insufficient PM were vulnerable to mental health problems, although this could be buffered by the high DHL levels. In practical terms, not only should the PM of university students be increased, but the sources of PM should be complemented since the sufficiency level of PM was associated with the source of finance. More importantly, parents should be empowered through job creation so that sufficient levels of PM can be provided to university students.
Effects of remote facilitation on ankle joint movement: Focusing on occlusal strength and balance
Authors: Yamada Yuki , Hirabayashi Ryo , Okada Yoshiyuki , Yokota Hirotake , Sekine Chie , Edama Mutsuaki
Published: February 2023

Background

Remote facilitation refers to teeth occlusion‐activated spinal cord activity resulting in increased trunk and limb muscle strength. Facilitation depends on dentition‐related pressure during occlusion and masticatory muscle contraction strength.

Aims

This study aimed to clarify the neurophysiological phenomenon and mechanisms by which occlusal strength and balance affect leg muscle activity and smooth joint movement execution.

Materials & Methods

To examine occlusal strength, three conditions were set: no contact between teeth and Moderate‐ and Maximum‐strength occlusion (No‐bite, Moderate, and Max conditions, respectively). To assess occlusal balance, we measured occlusal forces and calculated the left‐right force ratio. We designated the sides with higher and lower occlusal pressure as hypertonic and hypotonic, respectively. We assessed ankle dorsiflexion movements with joint movement and isometric tasks.

Results

The rate of joint development and peak ankle dorsiflexion torque were significantly higher under occlusion (moderate and max compared to No‐bite conditions), and the joint movement performance time was significantly shorter under Moderate compared to No‐bite conditions. The joint movement execution time change rate from No‐bite to Moderate condition was significantly lower on the Hypertonic side. Joint movement function was most improved under Moderate conditions.

Discussion

While remote facilitation improves with higher occlusal strength, leading to increased muscle strength, there is optimal occlusion intensity in joint movement. Moreover, an occlusal balance‐dependent imbalance exists in remote facilitation between the Hyper‐ and Hypotonic sides.

Conclusion

Thus, low‐intensity occlusion is optimal for smooth joint movement, and unbalanced occlusion results in asymmetrical motor function facilitation.
Influence of the 2021 Brood X cicada emergence on near surface hydrology in forested and urban landscapes
Authors: Ficklin Darren L. , Kelleher Christa , Bergan Ellen V. , Myers Daniel T. , Adelsperger Seth , Hardman Erin
Published: February 2023

The 2021 emergence of the 17‐year Brood X cicadas (Magicicada septendecim,M. cassinii, andM. septendecula) saw billions of cicadas emerge from the soil throughout the midwestern and eastern United States. The emergence left connected burrows visible at the surface, which are hypothesized to affect near surface hydrologic processes. To investigate these processes, we used single‐ring, dual head infiltrometers to measure field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs,n = 70) across patterns of emergence and land use in south‐central Indiana, USA. Our experimental design included locations with and without cicada burrows in forested (undisturbed) and urbanized (disturbed) areas. Across undisturbed sites, we found a significant 80.8% increase inKfsbetween soils with (median = 14.1 cm/h;n = 20) and without (median = 7.8 cm/h;n = 20) cicada burrows. At disturbed sites, we found no significant difference inKfsbetween sites with (median = 4.2 cm/h;n = 18) and without (median = 4.4 cm/h;n = 12) cicada burrows. We found a significant correlation between the number of burrows present at the surface andKfsrates for undisturbed sites ( = 0.42;p = 0.008), while no correlation was found for the disturbed sites ( = −0.09;p = 0.62). Our measurements suggest that the effect of burrows onKfsis minimized in urbanized areas, potentially due to compaction and other impacts from human disturbance that mitigate the presence of macropores left by cicadas. In contrast, surface‐connected macroporosity from Brood X cicada burrows in undisturbed areas act as a conduit for precipitation into the soil profile and bypass flow into deeper horizons and the shallow groundwater table, with implications for runoff dynamics, soil and groundwater recharge and quality, and nutrient cycling.
Infant placement and language exposure in daily life
Authors: Malachowski Lauren G. , Salo Virginia C. , Needham Amy Work , Humphreys Kathryn L.
Published: February 2023

Children's daily contexts shape their experiences. In this study, we assessed whether variations in infant placement (e.g., held, bouncy seat) are associated with infants' exposure to adult speech. Using repeated survey sampling of mothers and continuous audio recordings, we tested whether the use of independence‐supporting placements was associated with adult speech exposure in a Southeastern U.S. sample of 60 4‐ to 6‐month‐old infants (38% male, predominately White, not Hispanic/Latinx, from higher socioeconomic status households). Within‐subject analyses indicated that independence‐supporting placements were associated with exposure to fewer adult words in the moment. Between‐subjects analyses indicated that infants more frequently reported to be in independence‐supporting placements that also provided posture support (i.e., an exersaucer) were exposed to relatively fewer adult words and less consistent adult speech across the day. These findings indicate that infants' opportunities for exposure to adult speech ‘in the wild’ may vary based on immediate physical context.
Research Advances Through Activity‐Based Lipid Hydrolase Profiling
Authors: Honeder Sophie Elisabeth , Tomin Tamara , Schinagl Maximilian , Pfleger Raphael , Hoehlschen Julia , Darnhofer Barbara , Schittmayer Matthias , Birner‐Gruenberger Ruth
Published: February 2023

Activity‐based proteomic profiling (ABPP) enables the functional study of enzymes by employing small molecule probes that bind covalently to the active site of an enzyme. Activity‐based probes can penetrate cells and tissues and thereby allow enzymes to be targeted/labelled in their native state. Probes can be designed to target individual enzymes or whole enzyme groups, which makes ABPP a versatile protein profiling technique. In this review, we give an overview of research advances through ABPP in the context of lipid hydrolase research. We report of lipid hydrolases that were discovered and characterized through ABPP, and aim to give an overview of commonly used probes as well as inhibitors that were discovered and characterized by competitive ABPP. Lastly, this review aims to raise caveats and current limitations of this protein profiling technique.
Combining PropSeg and a convolutional neural network for automatic spinal cord segmentation in pediatric populations and patients with spinal cord injury
Authors: Blanc Colline , Shahrampour Shiva , Mohamed Feroze B. , de Leener Benjamin
Published: February 2023

Segmentation of the spinal cord is an essential process for the accurate delineation of spinal cord structures but can be a tedious task for experts when using manual or semi‐automated tools. On the other hand, existing automatic segmentation algorithms have not been developed with the pediatric or injured spinal cord in mind. This study presents a novel automated segmentation method that combines the flexibility of deterministic approaches and the powerfulness of neural networks, applied to pediatric and injured spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The method first applies the PropSeg algorithm several times on small patches of the spinal cord MRI with various initialization parameters. Then, a convolutional neural network concatenates all these small segmentations with the original MR images to compute a final segmentation. Our results demonstrate good performances on the whole spinal cord (Dice score = 0.88 vs. 0.9) while outperforming existing methods on spinal cord injury regions (0.8 vs. 0.63).
Effect of installing a screen filter in front of and behind a pump on filtering performance in a microirrigation system
Authors: Yuan Jiwang , Gao Sasa , Zhu Delan , Sun Shaobo , Zhuang Dongling , Liu Changxin
Published: February 2023

The installation location (prepump and postpump) of the filter influences both the head loss and the filtering effectiveness. To understand the difference in the influence, we take the screen filter as the research object, set up two filtration methods and five fertilizer concentrations and then use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations and experiments to compare and analyse the head loss, intercepted volume, particle size and gradation of intercepted impurities of the filter. We also develop calculation methods for the head loss. Our study shows that (1) when the water is clear, the flow velocity in the local upstream surface of the filter under prepump filtration (PRPF) is larger and changes more dramatically. The head loss under PRPF increases by 50%–88% compared to postpump filtration (POPF). (2) When the fertilized solution is applied, more fine particles pass through the filter under PRPF compared to POPF influenced by pump suction, the maximum head loss is reduced by 15%, and the interception volume is reduced by 55%. It follows that fewer fine particles are intercepted. (3) We develop fitting equations for the two filtration methods that reflect the relationship between the head loss and two factors, the relative effective water‐crossing area and the fertilizer concentrations, and R2 > 0.83. The study provides a reference for the installation and utilization of filters in microirrigation systems.
Comparing sexual orientation identity development in plurisexual versus monosexual latinx sexual minority youth
Authors: Hainsworth Sydney , Toomey Russell B. , Anhalt Karla
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Plurisexual individuals represent 50% of sexual minority adolescent communities. However, most studies of sexual minority adolescents analyze this population as a homogeneous group rather than attending to plausible differences between plurisexual and monosexual sexual minority youth. This study examined whether plurisexual Latinx youth differed from monosexual youth on three facets of sexual orientation identity (SOI) development (exploration, resolution, and affirmation). Further, we examined whether plurisexual (vs. monosexual) identity moderated the relationship between SOI development and depressive symptoms and self‐esteem.

Methods

The sample included 365 Latinx sexual minority youth (14–24 years) living in the United States or US Territory. The majority of participants identified as monosexual (84.1%); 15.9% were plurisexual. The sample was 75.6% male, 19.5% female, and 2.0% transgender. Participants were asked to complete an online, cross‐sectional survey that asked questions pertaining to ethnicity and sexual orientation. This data was collected in the fall of 2014.

Results

Latinx plurisexual youth had higher levels of SOI affirmation, exploration, and resolution than monosexual youth. SOI affirmation and exploration and were positively associated with self‐esteem for all youth. SOI affirmation was significantly negatively associated with depressive symptoms for monosexual youth but not for plurisexual youth. SOI exploration and resolution were not significantly associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that there are significant differences between plurisexual and monosexual Latinx adolescent populations in reference to identity affirmation, exploration, and resolution, and that these sexual orientations should be treated distinctly in future research. In addition, all three aspects of identity development were significantly related to higher self‐esteem for all youth regardless of identity, providing evidence for the importance of developing these three factors.
Hydrothermal alkaline defluorination rate of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs)
Authors: Endo Jun , Funazukuri Toshitaka
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Although perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), are used for various industrial and consumer products, they can cause serious damage to human health. Various defluorination/destruction methods have been investigated on the decomposition/removal of PFASs under low‐concentration conditions. These methods are not suitable for treating large amounts of contaminants or waste liquids with a high PFAS concentration. The hydrothermal alkaline defluorination (HAD) method has advantages, such as a relatively high reaction rate and a high recovery of halide ions in the aqueous phase. However, a few studies on the HAD method have been reported and they did not recover all the fluorine atoms/fluoride ions. Also, the reaction kinetics over a wide range of experimental conditions have not been studied.

RESULTS

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and PFCAs having 4 to 12 carbon atoms to 12 were subjected to aqueous NaOH solution under hydrothermal conditions, and the defluorination rates were found to be expressed by the second‐order reaction kinetics with respect to each concentration of OH− and fluorinated compound. The defluorination rate constants of both 4 to 12 carbon atom PFCAs at 553 K and PFOA at 513–573 K fall along a straight line in logarithmic plot. This suggests that the mass transfer of PFCAs or PFOA between the vapor and liquid phases can strongly affect the defluorination reactions.

CONCLUSION

The HAD rates of PFCAs were determined and suggested to be significantly affected by mass transfer of PFCAs between vapor and liquid phases. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Transesterification method of microalgae biomass to produce fatty acid methyl esters
Authors: Yasin Nur Hidayah Mat , Aziz Nur Nadiah Che , Azmai Muhammad Badrun Amin , Hanapi Mohamad Fitri Mohd
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of different solvents on the production of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from Chlorella vulgaris using two different methods of transesterification: direct transesterification (d‐trans) and extraction transesterification (ext‐trans). Different solvents were expected to lead to different amounts of FAMEs. Two solvents (methanol and ethanol) with volumes of each of 10, 12 and 14 mL were selected to produce higher amounts of FAMEs.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that the highest amounts of palmitic and palmitoleic acids were extracted in 12 mL of methanol, but none of the components of FAMEs was discovered in ethanol when FAMEs were produced using d‐trans. It is shown that FAMEs that are extracted by methanol contain more components as compared to FAMEs extracted by ethanol based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. Overall, the highest amount of FAMEs was produced when extracted using 12 mL of methanol for both methods. For ext‐trans, palmitic acid was found in all components of FAMEs that were extracted using both solvents.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that d‐trans showed a higher FAME amount than ext‐trans which is explained by the presence of free fatty acids and glycerides that resulted in higher yield of FAMEs in the d‐trans process. Overall, dry biomass is the best substrate for the d‐trans process to produce a higher amount of FAMEs than wet biomass because directly transesterified algal biomass, including water, resulted in losses of FAME composition. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli isolated from cleaned and disinfected poultry houses prior to day‐old chick placement
Authors: Benameur Qada , Gervasi Teresa , Dahloum Lahouari , Rechidi‐Sidhoum Nadra , Boutaiba Benklaouz Meki , Yakubu Abdulmojeed
Published: February 2023

The control and elimination of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli is an important challenge in the poultry industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MDR E. coli in cleaned and disinfected poultry houses before day‐old chick placement to identify potential flock colonization sources. In this study, a total of 104 swab samples, collected from 104 cleaned and disinfected poultry houses, were analyzed for the presence of E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E. coli isolates were determined using the disk diffusion method. Screening for extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases‐encoding genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Out of the 104 samples analyzed, 92 (88.46%) were found to be colonized with E. coli. At least one poultry house per farm was found positive for the presence of E. coli, and one isolate per positive shed was subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. All isolates displayed high resistance rates to most of the antimicrobial agents tested, including commonly used frontline antibiotics in Algeria. All E. coli isolates (100%) exhibited MDR profiles. A single house on four different broiler farms was found to be contaminated with CTX‐M‐1‐producing E. coli. This study suggests the need for the adoption of strict biosecurity measures and the implementation of improved or novel disinfection procedures in all the poultry houses, in order to avoid cross‐contamination of day‐old chicks by MDR E. coli.
Long alkoxy substituted N2S2 porphyrins for liquid crystalline property
Authors: Jana Surajit
Published: February 2023

Porphyrins with long alkoxy chains have assumed importance owing to their use as liquid crystalline materials. There are few reports on regular porphyrins with N4 core having long chains which exhibited liquid crystalline properties. Interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, there is only one report available with core‐modified porphyrins having N2S2 core which showed the liquid crystalline properties. This contribution reports the synthesis of three new N2S2 porphyrins having long octyloxy chains at the meso‐phenyls and the numbers of octyloxy groups were varied from 4 to 8 to 12 and their systematic study on liquid crystalline (LC) behavior. DSC studies indicate that only N2S2 porphyrin having four octyloxy chains showed one LC transition (−18.25°C to 213.47°C) before melting into isotropic liquid (IL). The other two N2S2 porphyrins, that is, porphyrins with 8 and 12 octyloxy chains did not show any LC transition.
Appearance of extrapyramidal symptoms in adolescent psychiatry patients during COVID‐19 infection
Authors: Tonyali Aysegul , Karacetin Gul , Yesilkaya Celal , Arik Feyza Nur Tas , Kayan Ocakoglu Binay
Published: February 2023

Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the incidence of psychiatric morbidity among those infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and those indirectly affected by COVID‐19. There has been a considerable increase in the number of individuals with such psychiatric conditions as depression, acute stress disorders, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). About one‐third of patients with COVID‐19 are reported to have developed short and long‐term neuropsychiatric conditions such as delirium, agitation, altered consciousness, hypoxic encephalopathy encephalitis, dysexecutive syndrome, cerebrovascular complications (e.g., stroke), hypoxic encephalopathy, convulsions, neuromuscular dysfunction, demyelinating processes, or parkinsonism through several pathophysiological mechanisms. Nevertheless, as the pandemic progressed, data on neuropsychiatric manifestations implied that the pathologic capacity of COVID‐19 and its association with the onset and/or exacerbation of psychiatric morbidity indicate that COVID‐19 is potentially related to neuropsychiatric involvement. Patients with existing mental disorders under psychotropic treatment exposed to the COVID‐19 infection have been represented by an increased risk of worsened psychiatric symptoms and expanded drug side effects. The present study aimed to describe five pediatric patients with various psychiatric illness that experienced COVID‐19 infection and had potentially associated neuropsychiatric involvement, such as exacerbation of underlying psychiatric symptoms and extrapyramidal side effects. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to describe adolescents with COVID‐19 infection that presented with a series of manifestations in the form of an increase in extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)  during exacerbation of underlying psychiatric disease.
Association of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use with marginal bone level changes around osseointegrated dental implants: A retrospective study
Authors: Kotsailidi Elli Anna , Gagnon Catherine , Johnson Lucy , Basir Abdul Barmak , Tsigarida Alexandra
Published: February 2023

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for the management of anxiety and depression. Existing evidence shows their negative impact on implant osseointegration, survival rates, and peri‐implant health. Currently, there are limited data on their effect on peri‐implant marginal bone levels. The primary goal of this retrospective study is to evaluate the association between SSRIs use and marginal bone level (MBL) changes around osseointegrated dental implants over time.

Methods

Records from patients who received at least one dental implant between 2010 and 2021 were reviewed. Information related to medical history, SSRI use, and the implant site was obtained from patients’ electronic charts. Mesial and distal MBLs were measured relative to the implant platform on digital intraoral radiographs, taken at the time of prosthesis installation and at the most recent follow‐up visit. MBL changes were calculated.

Results

A total of 152 dental implants from 105 patients were included. The mean follow‐up period was 46.97 ± 21.87 months. The mean MBL change was significantly greater for SSRI users (0.41 ± 0.76 mm) compared to non‐users (0.04 ± 0.65 mm) [MD = 0.37 mm, p = 0.00, 95% CI: (–0.61)–(–0.15 mm)]. Mesial MBL change of 0.42 ± 0.84 mm and 0.02 ± 0.71 mm was noted for SSRI users and non‐users, respectively. The distal MBL change was 0.4 ± 0.93 mm and 0.07 ± 0.73 mm, respectively. Smoking, sex, and implant location did not seem to influence the MBL differences between groups.

Conclusions

Use of SSRIs is associated with greater marginal bone loss around osseointegrated dental implants in function for a mean period of 3.8 years.
Plant–insect interactions in the Quaternary fossil record of the Azores Archipelago (Portugal)
Authors: Pokorný Richard , Borges Paulo A. V.
Published: February 2023

The fossil record of the Azores still lacks evidence of terrestrial invertebrates. Based on a study of the collections of Quaternary fossil plant imprints from the Azores, located in the depositories of public collections and also newly conducted field research, several samples of fossil leaves with traces of plant–animal interactions were found. These are evidence of marginal feeding (Phagophytichnus ekowskii) and anophionome mine (Cuniculonomus isp.). One specimen with traces of boring in fossil wood (Xylonichnus trypetus), previously only briefly mentioned in the literature, was also described in detail. In addition to a detailed description of the found traces, the present study also discusses the possible trace‐makers, using a comparison with the recent phytophagous fauna in relation to the original vegetation of the Azores (that includes laurisilva forest). It is thus possible to consider butterfly caterpillars (group Macrolepidoptera) or locust larvae (Orthoptera/Caelifera) as possible originators of marginal feeding. The ophionome mine could have been caused by the larvae of leaf‐miner flies (Agromyzidae) or moths from the group Microlepidoptera (Gracillariidae). Wood‐destroying beetles could be the cause of the boring in fossil wood.
An improved Bayesian approach to estimating the reference interval from a meta‐analysis: Directly monitoring the marginal quantiles and characterizing their uncertainty
Authors: Siegel Lianne , Chu Haitao
Published: February 2023

Reference intervals, or reference ranges, aid medical decision‐making by containing a pre‐specified proportion (e.g., 95%) of the measurements in a representative healthy population. We recently proposed three approaches for estimating a reference interval from a meta‐analysis based on a random effects model: a frequentist approach, a Bayesian posterior predictive interval, and an empirical approach. Because the Bayesian posterior predictive interval becomes wider to incorporate estimation uncertainty, it may systematically contain greater than 95% of measurements when the number of studies is small or the between study heterogeneity is large. The frequentist and empirical approaches also captured a median of less than 95% of measurements in this setting, and 95% confidence or credible intervals for the reference interval limits were not developed. In this update, we describe how one can instead use Bayesian methods to summarize the appropriate quantiles (e.g., 2.5th and 97.5th) of the marginal distribution of individuals across studies and construct a credible interval describing the estimation uncertainty in the lower and upper limits of the reference interval. We demonstrate through simulations that this method performs well in capturing 95% of values from the marginal distribution and maintains a median coverage of near 95% of the marginal distribution even when the number of studies is small, or the between‐study heterogeneity is large. We also compare the results of this method to those obtained from the three previously proposed methods in the original case study of the meta‐analysis of frontal subjective postural vertical measurements.
Comparative study of the properties of lutein nanoliposomes coated with chitosan/(−)‐epigallocatechin‐ 3‐gallate (EGCG) complexes
Authors: Yan Hongxu , Xu Yayuan , Dai Zhuqing , Zhang Zhongyuan , Bao Yihong , Li Da‐jing
Published: February 2023

BACKGROUND

Numerous positive effects have been attributed to lutein, a lipophilic nutrient, including resisting ultraviolet radiation and protecting retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells against blue light damage. It also has preventive effects against cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, its use could be limited by its poor stability and low bioaccessibility in the human digestive system. An encapsulation delivery system was therefore developed to resolve these limitations. In this study, chitosan‐modified lutein nanoliposomes (CS‐LNLs), chitosan‐EGCG covalently modified lutein nanoliposomes (C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs), and chitosan‐EGCG noncovalently modified lutein nanoliposomes (non‐C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs) were designed. The average particle size, ζ‐potential, and retention of lutein during storage were measured to indicate the physicochemical stability of the modified lutein nanoliposomes. The bioaccessibility of modified lutein nanoliposomes was also investigated to demonstrate the availability of lutein in the human digestive system.

RESULTS

First, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified that covalent bonds between chitosan and EGCG were formed. Subsequently, ζ‐potential results revealed that C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs had a relatively stable structure in comparison with lutein nanoliposomes (LNLs). The retention rate of lutein in CS‐LNLs, C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs, and non‐C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs was improved, especially in C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs (at around 70% of lutein in initial system). An in vitro digestion experiment illustrated that CS‐LNLs, C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs, and non‐C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs presented relatively higher bioaccessibility, especially in C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs (at around 33% of luein in initial system), which increased 2.5 and 1.65 times in comparison with free lutein and LNLs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results showed that C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs presented greater physicochemical stability and bioaccessibility than LNLs, CS‐LNLs, and non‐C‐CS‐EGCG‐LNLs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The sensitivity and evolutionary trajectory of the mountain cryosphere: Implications for mountain geomorphic systems and hazards
Authors: Knight Jasper , Harrison Stephan
Published: February 2023

Global climate change gives rise to changing spatial patterns of snow and ice, especially over mountain blocks where orographic and synoptic circulation effects play significant roles in creating patterns of precipitation and glacier development. The presence of snow and ice results in heat balance changes and other land surface feedbacks that have implications for patterns of mountain glacier retreat and the dynamics of mountain geomorphic systems. This study considers the sensitivity of the mountain cryosphere (snow, ice, permafrost) to global climate change, and the implications of this sensitivity analysis for evaluating mountain surface stability, geomorphic change, and the generation of mountain geohazards. Consideration of these issues is informed by evidence from case studies reported in the literature and by field observations of mountain system dynamics worldwide. Results show that ‘sensitivity’ to climate forcing has been interpreted and defined in different ways in mountain snow, ice, and permafrost systems, with respect to properties such as albedo, mass balance or rapidity of system change. There are also significant spatial differences in sensitivity between different mountain blocks for snow, ice and permafrost, and these regions are therefore likely to follow different trajectories of geomorphic change in response to climate forcing, related to their physiographic properties and the extent of cryospheric coverage. Within glaciated mountains in particular, the relative timing of different geomorphic events, and the interplay between slope, glacier front, and proglacial sediment sources and environments, may vary depending on glacier size, geomorphic setting, and microclimate. By contrast, responses to permafrost warming (increased surface instability and mass movements) and changes in snow patterns (avalanche risk, floods) may have quite different spatial and temporal patterns and influenced by different environmental controls. An integrated evolutionary model for mountain system development under a changing cryosphere is proposed, highlighting the critical role of energy balance as a forcing factor that then triggers downstream mountain system responses. This suggests that different elements of mountain systems exhibit different sensitivities, and furthermore that these sensitivities change over time and space through the period of anthropogenic global warming and paraglacial relaxation.
Contrasting distribution and speciation of sedimentary organic phosphorus among different basins of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Rydin Emil , Broman Elias , Reitzel Kasper , Lukkari Kaarina , Hermans Martijn , Kumblad Linda , Karlsson Magnus , Apler Anna , Ek Bo , Sjöberg Per J. R.
Published: February 2023

Recycling of phosphorus (P) from deoxygenated sediments perpetuates eutrophic conditions in parts of the Baltic Sea. Sedimentary organic P is a major source of dissolved P to the water column, but also a sink for permanent P burial. The mechanisms behind these two pathways are, however, largely unknown. Using new methods, we determined P in DNA and phospholipids, which are both found in all organisms. We also identified inositol phosphates that are particularly important in eukaryotes. Sediment cores were collected from contrasting basins in the Baltic Sea to study their relative contribution to the total P pool. We found high DNA‐P/phospholipid‐P ratios in surface sediments from the Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea. However, these ratios were low throughout profiles in euxinic Baltic Proper sediments. The elevated ratios present in sediments overlain by oxic bottom waters might indicate the presence of a microbial community stimulated by bioturbation, whereas the low DNA‐P/phospholipid‐P ratios in Baltic Proper sediments likely indicate an energy‐limited microbial community, typical to the “deep biosphere” environment. Inositol‐P was almost absent in euxinic Baltic Proper sediments that had a low total P amount compared to those in the other basins. We suggest that variability in the composition of sedimentary microbial communities among the Baltic Sea basins might cause differences in organic P forms that in turn affects its turnover.
Characterizing coastal phytoplankton seasonal succession patterns on the West Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Nardelli Schuyler C. , Gray Patrick C. , Stammerjohn Sharon E. , Schofield Oscar
Published: February 2023

In coastal West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) waters, large phytoplankton blooms in late austral spring fuel a highly productive marine ecosystem. However, WAP atmospheric and oceanic temperatures are rising, winter sea ice extent and duration are decreasing, and summer phytoplankton biomass in the northern WAP has decreased and shifted toward smaller cells. To better understand these relationships, an Imaging FlowCytobot was used to characterize seasonal (spring to autumn) phytoplankton community composition and cell size during a low (2017–2018) and high (2018–2019) chlorophyll a year in relation to physical drivers (e.g., sea ice and meteoric water) at Palmer Station, Antarctica. A shorter sea ice season with early rapid retreat resulted in low phytoplankton biomass with a low proportion of diatoms (2017–2018), while a longer sea ice season with late protracted retreat resulted in the opposite (2018–2019). Despite these differences, phytoplankton seasonal succession was similar in both years: (1) a large‐celled centric diatom bloom during spring sea ice retreat; (2) a peak summer phase comprised of mixotrophic cryptophytes with increases in light and postbloom organic matter; and (3) a late summer phase comprised of small (< 20 μm) diatoms and mixed flagellates with increases in wind‐driven nutrient resuspension. In addition, cell diameter decreased from November to April with increases in meteoric water in both years. The tight coupling between sea ice, meltwater, and phytoplankton species composition suggests that continued warming in the WAP will affect phytoplankton seasonal dynamics, and subsequently seasonal food web dynamics.
Groundwater‐stream connections shape the spatial pattern and rates of aquatic metabolism
Authors: Lupon Anna , Gómez‐Gener Lluís , Fork Megan L. , Laudon Hjalmar , Martí Eugènia , Lidberg William , Sponseller Ryan A.
Published: February 2023

A longstanding challenge in stream ecology is to understand how landscape configuration organizes spatial patterns of ecosystem function via lateral groundwater connections. We combined laboratory bioassays and field additions of a metabolic tracer (resazurin) to test how groundwater‐stream confluences, or “discrete riparian inflow points” (DRIPs), regulate heterotrophic microbial activity along a boreal stream. We hypothesized that DRIPs shape spatial patterns and rates of aquatic heterotrophic microbial activity by supplying labile dissolved organic matter (DOM) to streams. Laboratory bioassays showed that the potential influence of DRIPs on heterotrophic activity varied spatially and temporally, and was related to their DOM content and composition. At the reach scale, DRIP‐stream confluences elevated the spatial heterogeneity and whole‐reach rates of heterotrophic activity, especially during periods of high land–water hydrological connectivity. Collectively, our results show how the arrangement of lateral groundwater connections influence heterotrophic activity in streams with implications for watershed biogeochemical cycles.
Combined complementary imaging techniques in morphological analysis of Spongilla lacustris (Linnaeus 1759)
Authors: Woźnica Andrzej , Karczewski Jerzy , Gwiazda Robert , Karcz Jagna , Bernaś Tytus , Libera Marcin , Babczyńska Agnieszka , Łozowski Bartosz
Published: February 2023

Sponges, like Spongilla lacustris, as filter feeders, play an essential role in water purification in aquatic ecosystems. The body of this demosponge, in general, consists of both organic soft skeleton and a siliceous scaffold. Their construction of the spicule‐bundling scaffold as mechanical support for skeletal organic mesohyl seems crucial for filtration efficiency. Understanding the structure of the sponge's biosilica‐based scaffold as well as its location within three‐dimensional (3D) skeletal construct requires the introduction of effective analytical methods. The investigations focused on the morphology and architecture of skeletal elements of S. lacustris utilizing the combination of X‐ray computed microtomography (μCT) and scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). The construction details, surface morphology and chemical composition of the sponge scaffold are presented. μCT provided the reconstructed 3D images of skeleton structures, including longitudinally and transversely oriented bundles of overlapping spicules, forming a ladder‐like construction as well as the length, geometric distribution, and the surface of the spicules. Further analyses based on SEM/EDS confirmed the proper identification of the structures and their localization and revealed a high abundance of silicon and a low amount of carbon and oxygen in spicules, high abundance of silicon, carbon and oxygen in layered membranes surrounding the bundles of spicules but predominating carbon in the pinacoderm. Combination of these techniques provides a unique image of the sponge body morphology. Verified set of tools may be used for further analyses of sponge body mechanics.
Spectral Pulsations of Dissipative Solitons in Ultrafast Fiber Lasers: Period Doubling and Beyond
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Coillet Aurélien , Hamdi Saïd , Zhang Zuxing , Grelu Philippe
Published: February 2023

Period doubling is a universal bifurcation of central importance in all disciplines of nonlinear science, which generally signals the existence of chaotic dynamics in the vicinity of the system parameters. Although observed in diverse ultrafast laser configurations, there is still no consensus on its physical origin. Real‐time spectral characterization techniques have recently allowed revisiting pulsating dynamics, from period‐2 to long‐period pulsations. Following a contextual review, this article presents a variety of bifurcation sequences entailing the spectral pulsations of dissipative solitons. These experiments, using ultrafast fiber lasers operated in both chromatic dispersion regimes, are confronted with numerical simulations to demonstrate that self‐phase modulation represents a general mechanism triggering period‐2 bifurcations. In addition, by ramping up the pump power, original sequences of period‐doubling bifurcations intertwined with more complex bifurcations are presented, where entrainment phenomena are unveiled. These findings provide a more general understanding of the period‐doubling bifurcation in ultrafast laser systems while highlighting their potentially intricate combinations with complex bifurcations, which may be exclusively observable from the spectral domain.
Terahertz Semiconductor Dual‐Comb Sources with Relative Offset Frequency Cancellation
Authors: Li Ziping , Ma Xuhong , Zhou Kang , Liu Binbin , Wang Chenjie , Liao Xiaoyu , Guan Wen , Wu Shumin , Liu Han , Zhang Zhenzhen , Cao J. C. , Li Min , Yan Ming , Zeng Heping , Li Hua
Published: February 2023

A dual‐comb source, employing two frequency combs with a slight difference in repetition frequencies, shows unique advantages in high precision spectroscopy, imaging, ranging, communications, and so on. In the terahertz (THz) frequency range, the electrically pumped quantum cascade laser (QCL) offers the possibility of realizing a compact dual‐comb source due to its semiconductor‐based chip‐scale configuration. Although dual‐comb operation of THz QCLs has been experimentally demonstrated, a full stabilization of THz dual‐comb sources is still challenging. Here, a self‐reference method is proposed for a pure THz QCL system. Without using any external locking components, one dual‐comb line is filtered out and it is beaten with the whole dual‐comb signal, which eliminates the common carrier offset frequency noise and reduces the dual‐comb repetition frequency noise. It is demonstrated that the self‐reference technique can significantly improve the long‐term stability of the dual‐comb signal. A record “maxhold” linewidth of 14.8 kHz (60 s) is obtained by implementing the self‐reference technique, while without the self‐reference, the dual‐comb lines show a “maxhold” linewidth of 2 MHz (15 s). The method provides the simplest way to improve the long‐term stability of THz QCL dual‐comb sources, which can be further adopted for various measurements.
Ray Engineering from Chaos to Order in 2D Optical Cavities
Authors: Xu Chenni , Wang Li‐Gang , Sebbah Patrick
Published: February 2023

Chaos, namely exponential sensitivity to initial conditions, is generally considered a nuisance, inasmuch as it prevents long‐term predictions in physical systems. Here, an easily accessible approach to undo deterministic chaos and tailor ray trajectories in arbitrary 2D optical billiards by introducing spatially varying refractive index therein is presented. A new refractive index landscape is obtained by a conformal mapping, which makes the trajectories of the chaotic billiard fully predictable and the billiard fully integrable. Moreover, trajectory rectification can be pushed a step further by relating chaotic billiards with non‐Euclidean geometries. Two examples are illustrated by projecting billiards built on a sphere as well as the deformed spacetime outside a Schwarzschild black hole, which respectively lead to all periodic orbits and spiraling trajectories remaining away from the boundaries of the transformed 2D billiards/cavities. An implementation of this method is proposed, which enables real‐time control of chaos and can further contribute to a wealth of potential applications in the domain of optical microcavities.
Rare‐Earth‐Ion Doped Bi1.5ZnNb1.5O7 Photochromics: A Fast Self‐Recoverable Optical Storage Medium for Dynamic Anti‐Counterfeiting with High Security
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Lin Hang , Lin Shisheng , Li Peng , Wang Pengfei , Xu Ju , Cheng Yao , Zhang Qiwei , Wang Yuansheng
Published: February 2023

Conventional inorganic photochromic (PC) anti‐counterfeiting material generally require time‐consuming identification of information or response to changes in display information, resulting in low‐level readout and decoding efficiency. In this study, a new type of inorganic PC self‐bleaching material, i.e., rare‐earth‐ion‐doped Bi1.5ZnNb1.5O7 (BZN) ceramic and corresponding mono‐/bi‐crystalline‐phase glass ceramic (GC) composite, are developed. The as‐prepared materials reveal maximum self‐recovery levels of the PC and the PC modulated upconversion luminescence ≈96.61% and 99.55%, respectively, and the self‐bleaching times are less than 20 min to the naked eyes. Unlike conventional thoughts of electrons’ trapping/detrapping with the aid of conduction band/valence band transportation, a new PC mechanism for ferroelectric oxides, involving the state exchanges between defects and color centers via direct electron transfer, is proposed. The proof‐of‐concept experiments demonstrate the unparalleled potentials offered by the self‐driven‐recovery BZN‐based bi‐crystalline‐phase GC composite for encoding, displaying, and erasing of time‐dependent information. The brought dynamical anti‐counterfeiting based on multimode optical storage favors to achieve complexity and concealment of the encrypted information to meet high‐security standard. This finding offers unique insight for designing integrated stimuli‐responsive and time‐dependent smart devices, particularly advanced anti‐counterfeiting technology.
Electro‐Optically Tunable Low Phase‐Noise Microwave Synthesizer in an Active Lithium Niobate Microdisk
Authors: Gao Renhong , Fu Botao , Yao Ni , Guan Jianglin , Zhang Haisu , Lin Jintian , Li Chuntao , Wang Min , Qiao Lingling , Cheng Ya
Published: February 2023

Photonic‐based low‐phase‐noise microwave generation with real‐time frequency tuning is crucial for a broad spectrum of subjects, including next‐generation wireless communications, radar, metrology, and modern instrumentation. Here, for the first time to the best of the authors’ knowledge, narrow‐bandwidth dual‐wavelength microlasers are generated from nearly‐degenerate polygon modes in a high‐Q active lithium niobate microdisk. The record‐high‐Q (≈107) nearly‐degenerate polygon modes formation with independently controllable resonant wavelengths and free spectral ranges is enabled by the weak perturbation of the microdisks using a tapered fiber. Moreover, because a high spatial overlap factor between the pump and the dual‐wavelength laser modes is achieved, the gain competition between the two lasing modes spatially separated with a π‐phase difference is suppressed, leading to stable dual‐wavelength laser generation with low threshold, and in turn, the low noise microwave source. The stable beating signal confirms the low phase‐noise achieved in the tunable laser. Without the need of external phase stabilizers, the measured microwave signal shows a phase noise of −123 dBc Hz−1 and an electro‐optic tuning efficiency of −1.66 MHz V−1. The linewidth of the microwave signal is measured as 6.87 kHz, which is more than three orders of magnitude narrower than current records based on integrated dual‐lasers.