bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leading an urban invasion: risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy
Authors: Breen Alexis J , Deffner Dominik
Published: February 2024

In the unpredictable Anthropocene, a particularly pressing open question is how certain species invade urban environments. Sex-biased dispersal and learning arguably influence movement ecology, but their joint influence remains unexplored empirically, and might vary by space and time. We assayed reinforcement learning in wild-caught, temporarily-captive core-, middle- or edge-range great-tailed grackles—a bird species undergoing urban-tracking rapid range expansion, led by dispersing males. We show: across populations, both sexes initially perform similarly when learning stimulus-reward pairings, but, when reward contingencies reverse, male—versus female—grackles finish ‘relearning’ faster, making fewer choice-option switches. How do male grackles do this? Bayesian cognitive modelling revealed male grackles’ choice behaviour is governed more strongly by the ‘weight’ of relative differences in recent foraging payoffs—i.e., they show more pronounced risk-sensitive learning. Confirming this mechanism, agent-based forward simulations of reinforcement learning—where we simulate ‘birds’ based on empirical estimates of our grackles’ reinforcement learning—replicate our sex-difference behavioural data. Finally, evolutionary modelling revealed natural selection should favour risk-sensitive learning in hypothesised urban-like environments: stable but stochastic settings. Together, these results imply risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy for urban-invasion leaders, underscoring the potential for life history
and
cognition to shape invasion success in human-modified environments.
Trophic diversity and evolution in Enantiornithes: a synthesis including new insights from Bohaiornithidae
Authors: Miller Case Vincent , Bright Jen A. , Wang Xiaoli , Zheng Xiaoting , Pittman Michael
Published: February 2024

The “opposite birds” Enantiornithines were the dominant birds of the Mesozoic, but our understanding of their ecology is still tenuous. In particular, diets of enantiornithine species have remained speculative until recently. While this new work has been effective at determining diet within groups of enantiornithines, diet data thus far has been too sparse to comment on larger trends in the diversity and evolution of enantiornithine ecology. We introduce new data on the enantiornithine family Bohaiornithidae, famous for their large size and strong teeth and claws. In tandem with previously-published data on the earlier-diverging pengornithids and later-diverging longipterygids, we comment on the breadth of enantiornithine ecology and potential patterns in which it evolved. Body mass, jaw mechanical advantage, finite element analysis of the jaw, and traditional morphometrics of the claws and skull are compared between bohaiornithids and living birds. The sample size for living bird body mass is over ten times larger than previous studies on longipterygid and pengornithid diet, with implications in interpreting their results. We find bohaiornithids to be ecologically diverse:
Bohaiornis
and
Parabohaiornis
are similar to living plant-eating birds;
Longusunguis
resembles raptorial carnivores;
Zhouornis
is similar to both fruit-eating birds and generalist feeders; and
Shenqiornis
and
Sulcavis
plausibly ate fish, plants, or a mix of both. This ecological diversity is wider than any other enantiornithine family studied previously, which may be driven by strengthening of the jaw relative to other early birds. This strong jaw would allow bohaiornithids to eat harder foods than other birds at the time, but their jaws were weaker than most “strong-jawed” living birds. With these reconstructions of diet in Bohaiornithidae, there is quantitative support for enantiornithines inhabiting nearly every trophic level. By combining these reconstructions with past dietary predictions for Longipterygidae and Pengornithidae, we predict the ancestral enantiornithine bird to have been a generalist which ate a wide variety of foods. This would suggest that the ecological diversity of enantiornithine birds represents specialisation in taking foods their ancestors were already eating, rather than many dramatic changes in diet. However, more quantitative data from across the enantiornithine tree is needed to refine this prediction. By the Early Cretaceous, enantiornithine birds had diversified into a variety of ecological niches in a similar way to crown birds after the K-Pg extinction, adding to the body of evidence that traits unique to crown birds (e.g. a toothless beak or cranial kinesis) cannot completely explain their ecological success.
Noncanonical usage of stop codons in ciliates expands proteins with structurally flexible Q-rich motifs
Authors: Chuang Chi-Ning , Liu Hou-Cheng , Woo Tai-Ting , Chao Ju-Lan , Chen Chiung-Ya , Hu Hisao-Tang , Hsueh Yi-Ping , Wang Ting-Fang
Published: February 2024

Serine(S)/threonine(T)-glutamine(Q) cluster domains (SCDs), polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts and polyglutamine/asparagine (polyQ/N) tracts are Q-rich motifs found in many proteins. SCDs often are intrinsically disordered regions that mediate protein phosphorylation and protein-protein interactions. PolyQ and polyQ/N tracts are structurally flexible sequences that trigger protein aggregation. We report that due to their high percentages of STQ or STQN amino acid content, four SCDs and three prion-causing Q/N-rich motifs of yeast proteins possess autonomous protein expression-enhancing activities. Since these Q-rich motifs can endow proteins with structural and functional plasticity, we suggest that they represent useful toolkits for evolutionary novelty. Comparative Gene Ontology (GO) analyses of the near-complete proteomes of 26 representative model eukaryotes reveal that Q-rich motifs prevail in proteins involved in specialized biological processes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA-mediated transposition and pseudohyphal growth, Candida albicans filamentous growth, ciliate peptidyl-glutamic acid modification and microtubule-based movement, Tetrahymena thermophila xylan catabolism and meiosis, Dictyostelium discoideum development and sexual cycles, Plasmodium falciparum infection, and the nervous systems of Drosophila melanogaster, Mus musculus and Homo sapiens. We also show that Q-rich-motif proteins are expanded massively in 10 ciliates with reassigned TAAQ and TAGQ codons. Notably, the usage frequency of CAGQ is much lower in ciliates with reassigned TAAQ and TAGQ codons than in organisms with expanded and unstable Q runs (e.g. D. melanogaster and H. sapiens), indicating that the use of noncanonical stop codons in ciliates may have coevolved with codon usage biases to avoid triplet repeat disorders mediated by CAG/GTC replication slippage.
Piezo1 mechanosensing regulates integrin-dependent chemotactic migration in human T cells
Authors: Liu Chinky Shiu Chen , Mandal Tithi , Biswas Parijat , Hoque Md Asmaul , Bandopadhyay Purbita , Sinha Bishnu Prasad , Sarif Jafar , D'Rozario Ranit , Sinha Deepak Kumar , Sinha Bidisha , Ganguly Dipyaman
Published: February 2024

T cells are crucial for efficient antigen-specific immune responses and thus their migration within the body, to inflamed tissues from circulating blood or to secondary lymphoid organs, plays a very critical role. T cell extravasation in inflamed tissues depends on chemotactic cues and interaction between endothelial adhesion molecules and cellular integrins. A migrating T cell is expected to sense diverse external and membrane-intrinsic mechano-physical cues, but molecular mechanisms of such mechanosensing in cell migration are not established. We explored if the professional mechanosensor Piezo1 plays any role during integrin-dependent chemotaxis of human T cells. We found that deficiency of Piezo1 in human T cells interfered with integrin-dependent cellular motility on ICAM-1-coated surface. Piezo1 recruitment at the leading edge of moving T cells is dependent on and follows focal adhesion formation at the leading edge and local increase in membrane tension upon chemokine receptor activation. Piezo1 recruitment and activation, followed by calcium influx and calpain activation, in turn, are crucial for the integrin LFA1 (CD11a/CD18) recruitment at the leading edge of the chemotactic human T cells. Thus, we find that Piezo1 activation in response to local mechanical cues constitutes a membrane-intrinsic component of the ‘outside-in’ signaling in human T cells, migrating in response to chemokines, that mediates integrin recruitment to the leading edge.
Clinical phenotypes in acute and chronic infarction explained through human ventricular electromechanical modelling and simulations
Authors: Zhou Xin , Wang Zhinuo Jenny , Camps Julia , Tomek Jakub , Santiago Alfonso , Quintanas Adria , Vazquez Mariano , Vaseghi Marmar , Rodriguez Blanca
Published: February 2024

Sudden death after myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with electrophysiological heterogeneities and ionic remodelling, which are reflected as variable phenotypes. Low ejection fraction (EF) is used in risk stratification, but its mechanistic links with the post-MI pro-arrhythmic heterogeneities are unknown. We aim to provide a mechanistic explanation of clinical phenotypes in acute and chronic MI, from ionic remodeling to ECG and EF, using human electromechanical modelling and simulation to augment experimental and clinical investigations.A human ventricular electromechanical modelling and simulation framework is constructed and validated with rich experimental and clinical datasets. Abnormalities caused by scar and border zone ionic remodeling are introduced in varying degrees as reported in experimental data obtained in acute and chronic infarction. Simulations enabled reproducing and explaining clinical phenotypes post-MI, from ionic remodelling to ECGs and pressure-volume loops. In acute MI, T-wave inversion and Brugada phenocopy were explained by up to 57 ms of local APD prolongation and activation failure due to the inhibition of potassium, sodium and calcium channels in the border zone. In chronic MI, upright tall T-waves highlight large repolarisation dispersion caused by uneven potassium channel expression in border and remote zones, which promoted ectopic propagation at fast pacing. Post-MI ionic remodelling reduced EF by up to 10% through inhibition of calcium transient amplitude due to weaker calcium currents or SERCA activity, but the EF at resting heart rate was not sensitive to the extent of repolarisation heterogeneity and the risk of repolarisation abnormalities at fast pacing.Multi-scale modelling and simulation coherently integrates experimental and clinical data at subcellular, tissue, and organ scales to unravel electromechanical disease mechanisms in MI. In acute post-MI, ionic remodelling and its effect on refractoriness and propagation failure in the BZ have a strong impact on phenotypic ECG variability, whereas in chronic post-MI, the repolarisation dispersion across the BZ is crucial. T-wave and QT abnormalities are better indicators of repolarisation heterogeneities than EF in post-MI.
Working memory gating in obesity is moderated by striatal dopaminergic gene variants
Authors: Herzog Nadine , Hartmann Hendrik , Janssen Lieneke Katharina , Kanyamibwa Arsene , Waltmann Maria , Kovacs Peter , Deserno Lorenz , Fallon Sean , Villringer Arno , Horstmann Annette
Published: February 2024

Everyday life requires an adaptive balance between distraction-resistant maintenance of information and the flexibility to update this information when needed. These opposing mechanisms are proposed to be balanced through a working memory gating mechanism. Prior research indicates that obesity may elevate the risk of working memory deficits, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Dopaminergic alterations have emerged as a potential mediator. However, current models suggest these alterations should only shift the balance in working memory tasks, not produce overall deficits. The empirical support for this notion is currently lacking, however. To address this gap, we pooled data from three studies (N = 320) where participants performed a working memory gating task. Higher BMI was associated with overall poorer working memory, irrespective of whether there was a need to maintain or update information. However, when participants, in addition to BMI level, were categorized based on certain putative dopamine-signaling characteristics (single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]; specifically, Taq1A and DARPP-32), distinct working memory gating effects emerged. These SNPs, primarily associated with striatal dopamine transmission, appear to be linked with differences in updating, specifically, among high-BMI individuals. Moreover, blood amino acid ratio, which indicates central dopamine synthesis capacity, combined with BMI shifted the balance between distractor-resistant maintenance and updating. These findings suggest that both dopamine-dependent and dopamine-independent cognitive effects exist in obesity. Understanding these effects is crucial if we aim to modify maladaptive cognitive profiles in individuals with obesity.
Large pan-cancer cell screen coupled to (phospho-)proteomics underscores high-dose vitamin C as a potent anti-cancer agent
Authors: Vallés-Martí Andrea , Böttger Franziska , Yau Elysia , Tejjani Khadija , Meijs Loes , Sharma Sugandhi , Mumtaz Madiha , Le Large Tessa Y. S. , Erozenci Ayse , Dekker Daniëlle , Schelfhorst Tim , Medema Jan Paul , Bijnsdorp Irene V , Knol Jaco C , Piersma Sander R , Pham Thang V. , Giovannetti Elisa , Jiménez Connie R
Published: February 2024

Increasing preclinical and clinical evidence has positioned high-dose vitamin C as a promising anti-cancer treatment that merits more clinical attention. Multiple cytotoxicity mechanisms have been described, including pro-oxidant effects. To contribute to the preclinical understanding of the broad pan-cancer effects of high-dose vitamin C in a global manner, we determined the IC50 of a large panel of cancer cell lines (n=51) representing 7 solid tumour types and generated proteome data. The majority of cell lines were highly sensitive (IC50 range 0.036-10mM, mean 1.7 ± 0.4 mM), well below a clinically achievable dose. The proteome data (>5000 proteins per sample), showed that high sensitivity is associated with proliferation, as indicated by functional enrichment of cell cycle, RNA splicing and chromatin organization, while lower sensitivity is linked to extracellular vesicles, glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism and mitochondria. Moreover, (phospho-)proteome analysis of on-treatment vitamin C effects on four pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells dosed at a range of IC50 values (Hs766 T, 2 mM; Capan-2, 0.6 mM; PANC-1, 0.14 mM and Suit-2, 0.1 mM) revealed, next to cell line specific effects, down-modulation of AKT-MTOR signalling and immune suppressive signalling, while IFN-α response was enhanced upon vitamin C. Altogether, our comprehensive pharmacological and (phospho-)proteome analysis is the first to assess cancer vulnerabilities and effects of vitamin C on a large cancer cell line panel and underscores the potential of high-dose vitamin C as an anti-cancer agent.
RBM7 deficiency promotes breast cancer metastasis by coordinating MFGE8 splicing switch and NF-kB pathway
Authors: Huang Fang , Dai Zhenwei , Yu Jinmiao , Wang Kainan , Chen Chaoqun , Chen Dan , Zhang Jinrui , Zhao Jinyao , Li Mei , Zhang Wenjing , Li Xiaojie , Qi Yangfan , Wang Yang
Published: February 2024

Aberrant alternative splicing is well-known to be closely associated with tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, the intricate mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis driven by deregulated splicing events remain largely unexplored. Here, we unveiled that RBM7 is decreased in lymph node and distant organ metastases of breast cancer as compared to primary lesions and low expression of RBM7 is correlated with the reduced disease-free survival of breast cancer patients. Breast cancer cells with RBM7 depletion exhibited an increased potential for lung metastasis compared to scramble control cells. The absence of RBM7 stimulated breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, RBM7 controlled the splicing switch of MFGE8, favoring the production of the predominant isoform of MFGE8, MFGE8-L. This resulted in the attenuation of STAT1 phosphorylation and alterations in cell adhesion molecules. MFGE8-L exerted an inhibitory effect on the migratory and invasive capability of breast cancer cells, while the truncated isoform MFGE8-S, which lack the second F5/8 type C domain had the opposite effect. In addition, RBM7 negatively regulates the NF-κB cascade and an NF-κB inhibitor could obstruct the increase in HUVEC tube formation caused by RBM7 silencing. Clinically, we noticed a positive correlation between RBM7 expression and MFGE8 exon7 inclusion in breast cancer tissues, providing new mechanistic insights for molecular-targeted therapy in combating breast cancer.
RBM7 deficiency promotes breast cancer metastasis by coordinating MFGE8 splicing switch and NF-kB pathway
Authors: Huang Fang , Dai Zhenwei , Yu Jinmiao , Wang Kainan , Chen Chaoqun , Chen Dan , Zhang Jinrui , Zhao Jinyao , Zhang Wenjing , Qi Yangfan , Wang Yang
Published: February 2024

Aberrant alternative splicing is well-known to be closely associated with tumorigenesis of various cancers. However, the intricate mechanisms underlying breast cancer metastasis driven by deregulated splicing events remain largely unexplored. Here, we unveiled RBM7 as a novel regulator of alternative splicing that plays a crucial role in counteracting the metastatic potential of breast cancer. Through bioinformatics analysis and IHC staining validation, we revealed that RBM7 is decreased in lymph node and distant organ metastases of breast cancer as compared to primary lesions. Furthermore, we found that low expression of RBM7 is correlated with the reduced disease-free survival of breast cancer patients. Breast cancer cells with RBM7 depletion exhibited an increased potential for lung metastasis compared to scramble control cells. The absence of RBM7 stimulated breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Mechanistically, RBM7 regulates the splicing of MFGE8 directly, favoring the production of the predominant MFGE8-L isoform. This results in the attenuation of STAT1 phosphorylation and alterations in cell adhesion molecules. The MFGE8-L isoform exerted an inhibitory effect on the migratory and invasive capability of breast cancer cells, while the MFGE8-S isoform had the opposite effect. Particularly, the ectopic expression of MFGE8-L significantly reversed the pro-invasion effect of RBM7 silencing, but did not contribute to the promotion of angiogenesis-related secreted proteins. In RBM7 depleted cells, a gene set enrichment analysis revealed a significant amplification of the NF-κB cascade. Concordantly, RBM7 negatively regulates p65 phosphorylation. Furthermore, an NF-κB inhibitor could obstruct the increase in HUVEC tube formation caused by RBM7 silencing. Clinically, we noticed a positive correlation between RBM7 expression, MFGE-8 exon7 inclusion, and p65 downstream targets. Therefore, our study not only offer mechanistic insights into how abnormal splicing contributes to the aggressiveness of breast cancer, but also provide a new approach for molecular-targeted therapy in combating breast cancer.
Diffusion models in text generation: a survey
Authors: Yi Qiuhua , Chen Xiangfan , Zhang Chenwei , Zhou Zehai , Zhu Linan , Kong Xiangjie
Published: February 2024

Diffusion models are a kind of math-based model that were first applied to image generation. Recently, they have drawn wide interest in natural language generation (NLG), a sub-field of natural language processing (NLP), due to their capability to generate varied and high-quality text outputs. In this article, we conduct a comprehensive survey on the application of diffusion models in text generation. We divide text generation into three parts (conditional, unconstrained, and multi-mode text generation, respectively) and provide a detailed introduction. In addition, considering that autoregressive-based pre-training models (PLMs) have recently dominated text generation, we conduct a detailed comparison between diffusion models and PLMs in multiple dimensions, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. We believe that integrating PLMs into diffusion is a valuable research avenue. We also discuss current challenges faced by diffusion models in text generation and propose potential future research directions, such as improving sampling speed to address scalability issues and exploring multi-modal text generation. By providing a comprehensive analysis and outlook, this survey will serve as a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners interested in utilizing diffusion models for text generation tasks.
Does carrying heavy loads impact ground reaction forces and plantar pressures in intervention police officers?
Authors: Kasović Mario , Rožac Davor , Štefan Andro , Vespalec Tomaš , Štefan Lovro
Published: February 2024

Background

The main purpose of the study was to examine whether heavier loads might have an effect on ground reaction forces and plantar pressures.

Methods

Ninety-six elite intervention police officers were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Ground reaction forces and plantar pressures beneath the different foot regions were evaluated using Zebris FDM pressure platform, while a graduate increase in load carriage was as following: (i) ‘no load’, (ii) ‘a 5-kg load’, (iii) ‘a 25-kg load’ and (iv) ‘a 45-kg load’.

Results

Carrying heavier loads increased ground reaction forces beneath forefoot and hindfoot regions of both feet, and midfoot region for the right foot. For plantar pressures, increases beneath the hindfoot region of both feet and midfoot region of the right foot were observed, while carrying heavier loads.

Conclusion

This study shows significant increases in both ground reaction forces and plantar pressures, especially beneath the forefoot and hindfoot regions of both feet. Since the largest forces and pressures are produced beneath the hindfoot and forefoot, future research should pay special attention to these regions and their ground absorptions, additionally preventing from muscle and joint injuries.
In silico prediction of candidate gene targets for the management of African cassava whitefly (Bemisia tabaci, SSA1-SG1), a key vector of viruses causing cassava brown streak disease
Authors: Kaweesi Tadeo , Colvin John , Campbell Lahcen , Visendi Paul , Maslen Gareth , Alicai Titus , Seal Susan
Published: February 2024

Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci sensu lato) have a wide host range and are globally important agricultural pests. In Sub-Saharan Africa, they vector viruses that cause two ongoing disease epidemics: cassava brown streak disease and cassava mosaic virus disease. These two diseases threaten food security for more than 800 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts are ongoing to identify target genes for the development of novel management options against the whitefly populations that vector these devastating viral diseases affecting cassava production in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to identify genes that mediate osmoregulation and symbiosis functions within cassava whitefly gut and bacteriocytes and evaluate their potential as key gene targets for novel whitefly control strategies. The gene expression profiles of dissected guts, bacteriocytes and whole bodies were compared by RNAseq analysis to identify genes with significantly enriched expression in the gut and bacteriocytes. Phylogenetic analyses identified three candidate osmoregulation gene targets: two α-glucosidases, SUC 1 and SUC 2 with predicted function in sugar transformations that reduce osmotic pressure in the gut; and a water-specific aquaporin (AQP1) mediating water cycling from the distal to the proximal end of the gut. Expression of the genes in the gut was enriched 23.67-, 26.54- and 22.30-fold, respectively. Genome-wide metabolic reconstruction coupled with constraint-based modeling revealed four genes (argH, lysA, BCAT & dapB) within the bacteriocytes as potential targets for the management of cassava whiteflies. These genes were selected based on their role and essentiality within the different essential amino acid biosynthesis pathways. A demonstration of candidate osmoregulation and symbiosis gene targets in other species of the Bemisia tabaci species complex that are orthologs of the empirically validated osmoregulation genes highlights the latter as promising gene targets for the control of cassava whitefly pests by in planta RNA interference.
Drop it all: extraction-free detection of targeted marine species through optimized direct droplet digital PCR
Authors: Scriver Michelle , von Ammon Ulla , Youngbull Cody , Pochon Xavier , Stanton Jo-Ann L. , Gemmell Neil J. , Zaiko Anastasija
Published: February 2024

Molecular biomonitoring programs increasingly use environmental DNA (eDNA) for detecting targeted species such as marine non-indigenous species (NIS) or endangered species. However, the current molecular detection workflow is cumbersome and time-demanding, and thereby can hinder management efforts and restrict the “opportunity window” for rapid management responses. Here, we describe a direct droplet digital PCR (direct-ddPCR) approach to detect species-specific free-floating extra-cellular eDNA (free-eDNA) signals, i.e., detection of species-specific eDNA without the need for filtration or DNA extraction, with seawater samples. This first proof-of-concept aquarium study was conducted with three distinct marine species: the Mediterranean fanworm Sabella spallanzanii, the ascidian clubbed tunicate Styela clava, and the brown bryozoan Bugula neritina to evaluate the detectability of free-eDNA in seawater. The detectability of targeted free-eDNA was assessed by directly analysing aquarium marine water samples using an optimized species-specific ddPCR assay. The results demonstrated the consistent detection of S. spallanzanii and B. neritina free-eDNA when these organisms were present in high abundance. Once organisms were removed, the free-eDNA signal exponentially declined, noting that free-eDNA persisted between 24–72 h. Results indicate that organism biomass, specimen characteristics (e.g., stress and viability), and species-specific biological differences may influence free-eDNA detectability. This study represents the first step in assessing the feasibility of direct-ddPCR technology for the detection of marine species. Our results provide information that could aid in the development of new technology, such as a field development of ddPCR systems, which could allow for automated continuous monitoring of targeted marine species, enabling point-of-need detection and rapid management responses.
Global Climate Change Analysis based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathway Scenarios and Disaster Damage Analysis Using Hazards-US (HAZUS)
Authors: Lee Jihee , Oh Seunghee , Jung Haiyoung
Published: February 2024

In this study, a global temperature rise by +1.9 to 5.2 ℃ was expected at the end of the 21st century due to greenhouse gas emissions based on a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a 1.6 ℃ increase in annual average temperature in Korea over the last 109 years (1912 to 2020) was confirmed. These climate changes have increased heat waves and extreme climate indices worldwide, and natural disasters have increased in Korea due to irregular changes in heat waves and precipitation. In addition, this study on disaster damage estimation was conducted using Hazards-US-Multi-Hazard (HAZUS-MH), a disaster damage assessment platform used in the United States. HAZUS-MH was selected because it is stable and robust for various disaster scenarios as well as specific geographical and climate conditions and is reliable for disaster management and response even though it has difficulty reflecting specific domestic environments. The results showed that seismic damage reduction costs can be significantly decreased through the integration of early warning and preventive measures under the scenario of Pohang earthquake magnitude 5.4. This study provides insight into domestic climate change and disaster management and emphasizes the need for future response and model development. An effective response to climate change is expected to play an important role in ensuring national and regional safety and stability.
Development of a Photoelectric Smoke Detector with a Built-in Function to Prevent False Alarms Owing to Humidity
Authors: Kim Sikuk
Published: February 2024

In this study, a photoelectric smoke detector with a built-in function was developed to prevent false alarms owing to humidity. Smoke-detector sensitivity characteristics were analyzed through room-scale false alarm experiments and by generating humidity conditions measured using a type approval sensitivity tester. The results showed that when humidity was generated, more light scattering occurred as the humidity flowed into the detector chamber along with the smoke, increasing the smoke concentration of the smoke detector. It was found that smoke concentrations increased at a relative humidity of 85 %RH or higher. The findings confirm that false alarms occur owing to high concentrations of humidity in the summer. False alarms that occur owing to high concentrations of water vapor in summer can be prevented by detecting fires using a humidity + smoke concentration fire-detection algorithm that has been quantified through experiments.
Study on the Smoke and CO Alarm Concentrations to Develop a Smoke & CO Combination Detector
Authors: Kim Sikuk
Published: February 2024

In this study, we studied smoke and CO alarm concentrations to develop a combination detector for both smoke and CO. The derivation of smoke and CO alarm concentrations involved examining CO concentrations by smoke concentration using a sensitivity tester, typically employed for the type approval of photoelectric smoke detectors. Fire alarm and false alarm tests were performed to analyze smoke and CO concentrations further. In the fire alarm test conducted with polyurethane foam, generating black smoke with a reduced light scattering effect in the smoke chamber, no fire alarm was triggered, although the fire alarm concentration of the existing photoelectric smoke detector of sensitivity type 2 was set at 15 %/m. The measured smoke concentration reached only up to 10.2 %/m. Conversely, in the false alarm test with sliced pork belly and mackerel, false alarms occurred as the smoke concentration exceeded 15 %/m. The determined smoke and CO alarm concentrations for the combination detectors were established at 7.5 %/m for smoke (continuously for 10 s) and 15 ppm for CO (continuously for 10 s). Applying these concentrations in subsequent tests revealed an improved performance. In the polyurethane foam fire, where the existing smoke detector failed to operate, a fire alarm was issued at 328 s with the newly derived concentrations. For smoldering wood, the combination detector issued a fire alarm 305 s faster than the existing smoke detector. Furthermore, in the false alarm test with hamburger patty, sliced pork belly, and mackerel, the adaptability of false alarms was enhanced.
Influence of Zinc and Boron on Growth and Yield of Rice
Authors: Vasu Pappala , Singh Shikha , Nawhal Anu
Published: February 2024

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P). The treatments consist of three levels of zinc and three levels of boron and one control was used. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments each replicated thrice. The results showed that growth parameters viz., plant height (116.77 cm), number of tillers per hill (31.13), dry weight (106.07 g/hill) and yield attributes viz., number of effective tillers per hill (9.53), number of filled grains per panicle (129.33), test weight (15.87 g), grain yield (5.57 t/ha) straw yield (8.77 t/ha) and harvest index (38.44 %) were recorded significantly higher with the application of zinc 15 kg/ha along with boron 6 kg/ha. Maximum gross returns (155166.77 INR/ha), Net returns (102889.22 INR/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1.97) were also recorded in treatment-9.
comportamento eleitoral nas eleições municipais de Alagoinhas na Ditadura Civil-Militar (1964–1985)
Authors: Dos Santos Caliel Alves
Published: February 2024

O comportamento eleitoral é um dos escopos de pesquisa da Ciência Política no Brasil e no mundo. Diversas teorias foram criadas para investigar o fenômeno, mas, não consideraram a influência das diferentes temporalidades. Baseado no aporte teórico do historiador Fernand Braudel, o artigo buscou traçar uma nova proposta com abordagem serial-quantitativa, através de uma análise agregada sob fatores sócio-históricos e políticos. O universo de análise é o município baiano de Alagoinhas, na vigência da Ditadura Civil-Militar (1964–1985). Os estudos mostraram que a cidade seguiu a tendência histórica de realinhamento eleitoral constante e estadual de inclinação de votos a ARENA.
Anisotropy and Dynamic Ranges in Effective Properties of Sheared Nematic Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Forest M. G. , Zheng X. , Zhou R. , Wang Q. , Lipton R.
Published: November 2005

Nematic, or liquid‐crystalline, polymer nanocomposites (NPNCs) are composed of large aspect ratio, rod‐like or platelet, rigid macromolecules in a matrix or solvent, which itself may be aqueous or polymeric. NPNCs are engineered for high‐performance material applications, ranging across mechanical, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal, and barrier properties. The rods or platelets possess enormous property contrasts relative to the solvent, yet the composite properties are strongly affected by the orientational distribution of the nanophase. Nematic polymer film processing flows are shear‐dominated, for which orientational distributions are well known to be highly sensitive to shear rate and volume fraction of the nematogens, with unsteady response being the most expected outcome at typical low shear rates and volume fractions. The focus of this article is a determination of the ranges of anisotropy and dynamic fluctuations in effective properties arising from orientational probability distribution functions generated by steady shear of NPNC monodomains. We combine numerical databases for sheared monodomain distributions[1,2] of thin rod or platelet dispersions together with homogenization theory for low‐volume‐fraction spheroidal inclusions[3] to calculate effective conductivity tensors of steady and oscillatory sheared mesophases. We then extract maximum scalar conductivity enhancement and anisotropy for each type of sheared monodomain (flow‐aligned, tumbling, kayaking, and chaotic).
Cover Picture: Anisotropy and Dynamic Ranges in Effective Properties of Sheared Nematic Polymer Nanocomposites (Adv. Funct. Mater. 12/2005)
Authors: Forest M. G. , Zheng X. , Zhou R. , Wang Q. , Lipton R.
Published: November 2005

Forest and co‐workers report on p. 2029 that nematic polymer nanocomposite (NPNC) films can be processed in steady shear flows, which generate complex orientational distributions of the nanorod inclusions. Distribution functions for a benchmark NPNC (11 vol.‐% of 1 nm × 200 nm rods) are computed for a range of shear rates, yielding a bifurcation diagram with steady states at very low (logrolling) and high (flow‐aligning) shear rates, and limit cycles (tumbling, wagging, kayaking) at intermediate shear rates. The orientational distributions dictate the effective conductivity tensor of the NPNC film, which is computed for all distribution functions, and extract the maximum principal conductivity enhancement (Emax, averaged in time for periodic distributions) relative to the matrix. The result is a “property bifurcation diagram” for NPNC films, which predicts an optimal shear rate that maximizes Emax.

Nematic, or liquid‐crystalline, polymer nanocomposites (NPNCs) are composed of large aspect ratio, rod‐like or platelet, rigid macromolecules in a matrix or solvent, which itself may be aqueous or polymeric. NPNCs are engineered for high‐performance material applications, ranging across mechanical, electrical, piezoelectric, thermal, and barrier properties. The rods or platelets possess enormous property contrasts relative to the solvent, yet the composite properties are strongly affected by the orientational distribution of the nanophase. Nematic polymer film processing flows are shear‐dominated, for which orientational distributions are well known to be highly sensitive to shear rate and volume fraction of the nematogens, with unsteady response being the most expected outcome at typical low shear rates and volume fractions. The focus of this article is a determination of the ranges of anisotropy and dynamic fluctuations in effective properties arising from orientational probability distribution functions generated by steady shear of NPNC monodomains. We combine numerical databases for sheared monodomain distributions[1,2] of thin rod or platelet dispersions together with homogenization theory for low‐volume‐fraction spheroidal inclusions[3] to calculate effective conductivity tensors of steady and oscillatory sheared mesophases. We then extract maximum scalar conductivity enhancement and anisotropy for each type of sheared monodomain (flow‐aligned, tumbling, kayaking, and chaotic).
Water Oligomers in Crystal Hydrates—What's News and What Isn't?
Authors: Mascal Mark , Infantes Lourdes , Chisholm James
Published: November 2005

How does one find out whether an interesting water aggregate observed in an organic crystal structure is novel? The first place to look is in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). The data are there, but analysis is difficult and it is not routinely done. The result? Many of the water chains, rings, sheets, and clusters reported as novel in the recent literature are actually redundant with published structures in the CSD.
Regenerative medicine and developmental biology: The role of the extracellular matrix
Authors: Badylak Stephen F.
Published: November 2005

The principles and ultimate goals of regenerative medicine and developmental biology involve a complex sequence of events, culminating in the formation of structurally and functionally normal tissues and organs. The molecular composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in cellular migration and differentiation events. Mammalian ECM, derived from various tissues and organs, has been used as a biologic scaffold for therapeutic regenerative applications. Hundreds of thousands of human patients have benefited from the use of biologic scaffolds composed of naturally occurring ECM. The mechanisms by which ECM induces constructive remodeling instead of scar tissue formation are only beginning to be understood. This article reviews composition of mammalian ECM, its poorly understood role in developmental biology, and the clinical applications that have resulted from the use of this naturally occurring scaffold. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 287B:36–41, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limb regeneration in higher vertebrates: Developing a roadmap
Authors: Han Manjong , Yang Xiaodong , Taylor Gail , Burdsal Carol A. , Anderson Rosalie A. , Muneoka Ken
Published: November 2005

We review what is known about amphibian limb regeneration from the prospective of developing strategies for the induction of regeneration in adult mammals. Prominent in urodele amphibian limb regeneration is the formation of a blastema of undifferentiated cells that goes on to reform the limb. The blastema shares many properties with the developing limb bud; thus, the outgrowth phase of regeneration can be thought of as cells going through development again, i.e., redevelopment. Getting to a redevelopment phase in mammals would be a major breakthrough given our extensive understanding of limb development. The formation of the blastema itself represents a transition phase in which limb cells respond to injury by dedifferentiating to become embryonic limb progenitor cells that can undergo redevelopment. During this phase, rapid wound closure is followed by the dedifferentiation of limb cells to form the blastema. Thus, the regeneration process can be divided into a wound‐healing/dedifferentiation phase and a redevelopment phase, and we propose that the interface between the wound‐healing response and gaining access to developmentally regulated programs (dedifferentiation) lies at the heart of the regeneration problem in mammals. In urodele amphibians, dedifferentiation can occur in all of the tissues of the limb; however, numerous studies lead us to focus on the epidermis, the dermis, and muscle as key regulators of regeneration. Among higher vertebrates, the digit tip in mammals, including humans, is regeneration‐competent and offers a unique mammalian model for regeneration. Recent genetic studies in mice identify the Msx1 gene as playing a critical role in the injury response leading to digit tip regeneration. The results from regeneration studies ranging from amphibians to mammals can be integrated to develop a roadmap for mammalian regeneration that has as its focus understanding the phenomenon of dedifferentiation. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 287B:14–24, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Eye on regeneration
Authors: Call Mindy K. , Grogg Matthew W. , Tsonis Panagiotis A.
Published: November 2005

Lens regeneration in newts is a remarkable process, whereby a lost tissue is replaced by transdifferentiation of adult tissues that only a few organisms possess. In this review, we will touch on the approaches being used to study this phenomenon, recent advances in the field of lens regeneration, similarities and differences between development and regeneration, as well as the potential role stem cells may play in understanding this process. Anat Rec (Part B: New Anat) 287B:42–48, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Die rot‐goldenen Schuhe: Weihnachtsmärchen
Authors: Schnepf Eberhard
Published: November 2005

Der Blick durch ein Mikroskop zeigt, wie phantastisch die Wirklichkeit ist. Man kann jedoch nicht nur reale Dinge sehen, sondern auch in neue, eigenartige Welten eintauchen – Welten mit leuchtenden Würmern, Rüsselwachhunden und Tänzerinnen. Unser Autor hat die folgende Geschichte für seine Enkelkinder geschrieben und einige seiner schönsten Aufnahmen genutzt, um das mikroskopische Abenteuer passend zu illustrieren. Das Weihnachtsmärchen eignet sich zum Schmökern ebenso wie zum Vorlesen – vor allem, wenn junge Zuhörer die Zaubersprüche mitsprechen. In den Legenden finden Sie Angaben über die echten Objekte und die Vergrößerungen, die zu den Aufnahmen führten.
Biogasanlagen: Ein Beitrag zur umweltfreundlichen Energieversorgung
Authors: Gassen Hans Günter
Published: November 2005

Biogasanlagen bieten eine Möglichkeit zur Entsorgung von biologischen Abfällen und Versorgung mit regenerativer Energie und sind ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie angewandte Biologie in wirtschaftliches Handeln umgesetzt werden kann. Hofanlagen, die besonders der Güllebeseitigung dienen, haben bereits einen hohen technischen Reifegrad erreicht. Damit die Fermentation von biologischem Material auch einen essenziellen Beitrag zur Energieversorgung leisten kann, müssen die anaerobe Fermentation verbessert und die Züchtung und der Anbau von Energiepflanzen forciert werden. Die Gewinnung von Wasserstoff aus “biologischem Methan” ist ein faszinierender Beitrag zu dem schadstofffreien Verbrennungsmotor.
Der Beweis der Prionenhypothese: Die lange Suche nach der Natur eines Krankheitserregers
Authors: Dumpitak Christian , Riesner Detlev
Published: November 2005

Prionkrankheiten sind übertragbare, tödlich verlaufende Erkrankungen des Nervensystems bei Mensch und Tier. Die Natur des Erregers blieb über mehr als 200 Jahre rätselhaft. Im Jahr 1982 wurde von Stanley B. Prusiner die Hypothese aufgestellt, dass der Erreger ein proteinartiges Partikel sei und keine Erbsubstanz besitze. Damit wurde eine neuartige Form von Krankheitserreger postuliert, die so genannten Prionen. Da diese einem zentralen Dogma der Biologie widersprachen, wonach Vermehrung nur mithilfe von Erbsubstanz möglich sei, erregte das Prionenmodell viel Widerspruch. Weltweit wurden Forschungsergebnisse zusammengetragen, die das Prionenmodell stützten, der endgültige Beweis gelang jedoch erst 2004, als man synthetische Prionen herstellen und damit im Reagenzglas Infektiosität erzeugen konnte. So wurde das 1997 mit dem Nobelpreis gewürdigte Prionenmodell zweifelsfrei bewiesen.
Red Tide: Alarmstufe “Rot” für Meeressäuger
Authors: Kronberg Inge
Published: November 2005

Planktonalgen können sich bei günstigen Licht‐ und Temperaturbedingungen und guter Mineralstoffversorgung so stark vermehren, dass man von Planktonblüten spricht. Die Massenvermehrung von Dinoflagellaten verleiht dem Meerwasser in Küstennähe eine charakteristische Rotfärbung. Solche Red Tides sind berüchtigt, denn bestimmte Dinoflagellaten (beispielsweise Karenia brevis) synthetisieren starke Gifte, die sie auch in das umgebende Wasser abgeben. Das von den Planktonalgen gebildete Brevitoxin lähmt das Atmungssystem von Fischen. Muscheln und andere filtrierende Meerestiere akkumulieren das Gift, so dass es in das Nahrungsnetz eingespeist wird. Auf diesem Wege können auch Meeressäuger und Menschen vergiftet werden.
Das Deutsche Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung (RZPD)
Authors: Maurer Johannes
Published: November 2005

Das Deutsche Ressourcenzentrum für Genomforschung (RZPD) mit Sitz in Berlin und Heidelberg ist Europas größtes Servicezentrum für die funktionelle Genomforschung. Der zentrale Baustein des RZPD ist die weltweit umfangreichste öffentlich zugängliche Klonsammlung: Mehr als 35 Millionen Klone ruhen in Tiefkühlschränken, um bei Bedarf an Forscher versandt zu werden. Zusätzlich stellt das RZPD standardisiertes Referenzmaterial, Hochdurchsatztechnologien und Automatisierungslösungen bereit.
Landlebende Krebstiere – die Kletterkünstler der Malediven
Authors: Clauss Wolfgang , Clauss Cornelia , Kikinger Reinhard , Kikinger Lilly
Published: November 2005

Würden Sie mit dem Gewicht eines Kühlschranks auf dem Rücken auf einen Baum klettern? Genau das machen einige landlebende Krebse. Ihr Bewegungsverhalten wird in einem Forschungsprojekt auf der Malediveninsel Kuramathi untersucht.
Vogelzug als Infektionsherd?
Authors: Irsch Wilhelm
Published: November 2005

Die Vogelgrippe sorgt für Schlagzeilen. Dabei geriet auch der Vogelzug als möglicher Übertragungsweg in die Diskussion. Doch trotz intensiver Koinfektion von humanem und aviärem Influenza‐Virus in Asien seit bereits acht Jahren ist bisher kein “Killervirus” entstanden. Dass dies gerade bei uns geschehen soll, ist noch unwahrscheinlicher. Zudem ist noch kein einziger Fall von Mensch zu Mensch‐Übertragung des H5N1‐Virus bekannt geworden.
Wilhelm Roux begründet die Entwicklungsmechanik
Authors: Penzlin Heinz
Published: November 2005

Nachdem im 19. Jahrhundert das Interesse am Studium des Formwechsels der Tiere vorübergehend zugunsten der Morphologie, Systematik und phylogenetischer Betrachtungen in den Hintergrund gedrängt worden war, begründete der Hallenser Anatom Wilhelm Roux im Jahre 1905 die “Entwicklungsmechanik der Organismen” als einen zentralen Zweig der biologischen Wissenschaft.

Er formulierte nicht nur die theoretischen und begrifflichen Grundlagen dieser neuen Wissenschaftsdisziplin, sondern entwarf auch die Richtlinien zur Analyse der Gesetze der Formbildung und setzte diese Richtlinien in eigenen experimentellen Beiträgen um. Die Entwicklungsmechanik fand noch zu Lebzeiten Rouxs hervorragende Bearbeiter und wuchs schnell zu einem für die Biologie zentralen Wissensgebiet heran, das in unseren Tagen im Rahmen der Molekularbiologie noch an Bedeutung gewinnt.
Springende Gene lassen sich zähmen
Authors: Kronberg Inge
Published: November 2005

Als Barbara McClintock im Jahre 1947 bestimmte Farbabweichungen in Maiskörnern mit mobilen genetischen Elementen erklärte, konnte niemand so recht etwas mit diesen “springenden Genen” anfangen, denn man hielt die Position von Genen im Genom für unveränderlich. Ihre Entdeckung wurde erst 1983 mit einem Nobelpreis gewürdigt. Inzwischen sind Transposons, also bewegliche DNA‐Sequenzen, bei vielen Pflanzen und Tieren nachgewiesen worden und man versteht allmählich ihre Rolle im Genom.