bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternating patterns of crops can reduce the spread of harmful plant pathogens
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: June 2021

Creative cropping solutions are needed to slow the propagation of the intrusive and dangerous pathogen Phytophthora.
Development of beam emission spectroscopy in the helically symmetric experiment stellarator
Authors: Kobayashi S. , Kumar S. T. A. , Anderson F. S. B. , Deng C. B. , Likin K. M. , Talmadge J. N. , Ohshima S. , Anderson D. T.
Published: June 2021

This study shows the feasibility of a beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostic in the Helically Symmetric eXperiment (HSX) stellarator for obtaining the spatiotemporal structure of density fluctuation. A beam emission simulation was applied to HSX plasmas to design and optimize viewing chords and to estimate the beam emission spectrum. A Doppler-shifted beam emission spectrum was measured from a 30 kV, 4 A diagnostic neutral beam injected into HSX plasmas. The beam emission was measured with a high-time-resolution avalanche photodiode (APD) assembly to determine the feasibility of BES in HSX. For HSX plasmas heated by 28 GHz electron cyclotron heating, a mode around f = 15 kHz was observed in the BES signal. The coherence between the BES signal and the density fluctuation measured by an interferometer system was significant. A plan for improving the BES system to enable the measurement of higher frequency related to turbulent transport is presented. The array of sightlines proposed in this study can be used to measure beam emission with a Doppler shift larger than 3 nm (blue shift), which enables the use of a wide passband interference filter to obtain higher throughput. The adoption of a large objective optics and a chilled APD assembly will improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Characterization and role of deep traps on the radio frequency performances of high resistivity substrates
Authors: Vandermolen Eric , Ferrandis Philippe , Allibert Frédéric , Nabet Massinissa , Rack Martin , Raskin Jean-Pierre , Cassé Mikaël
Published: June 2021

In this study, high-resistivity gold-implanted silicon substrates developed for radio frequency (RF) applications were characterized. By varying PICTS (Photo-Induced Current Transient Spectroscopy) measurement conditions such as the illumination wavelength, we identified the signature and the nature of four dominant traps. Two were electron traps and the others were hole traps. All of the related defects involved gold atoms. RF simulations of coplanar waveguide transmission lines integrated on these substrates were carried out, based on the trap properties extracted from PICTS results. A good agreement between RF experimental data and simulations was achieved by tuning the trap concentrations. Finally, the gold density extracted from the fit was successfully compared with the secondary ion mass spectrometry profile and an explanation of the role of the traps in RF behavior of the substrate was given.
Antenna-integrated silicon–plasmonic graphene sub-terahertz emitter
Authors: Jiang Zhibin , Wang Yilun , Chen Liao , Yu Yu , Yuan Shixing , Deng Wentao , Wang Ruolan , Wang Ziwei , Yan Qizhi , Wu Xiaojun , Zhang Xinliang
Published: June 2021

Photo-mixing with its advantages of ultra-large bandwidth and precise tunability has emerged as an important technique for terahertz (THz) wave generation. Recently, graphene photodetectors exhibiting a large bandwidth are expected to further boost the development of integrated THz emitters. Here, we fabricate a sub-THz emitter based on a large-bandwidth silicon–plasmonic graphene (SPG) photodetector integrated with a broadband rounded bow-tie THz antenna. The SPG sub-THz emitter is experimentally demonstrated to emit sub-THz waves with a radiation spectrum from 50 to 300 GHz. A maximum sub-THz emission power of 5.4 nW is obtained at 145 GHz with only 3 mW input light power. The SPG sub-THz emitter can be fabricated by a CMOS-compatible process, which offers enormous opportunities for its use in a variety of THz applications.
Effects of Coulomb coupling on friction in strongly magnetized plasmas
Authors: Bernstein David J. , Baalrud Scott D.
Published: June 2021

The friction force on a test particle traveling through a plasma that is both strongly coupled and strongly magnetized is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. In addition to the usual stopping power component aligned antiparallel to the velocity, a transverse component that is perpendicular to both the velocity and Lorentz force is observed. This component, which was previously only characterized in weakly coupled plasmas, is found to increase in both absolute and relative magnitude in the strongly coupled regime. Strong coupling is also observed to induce a third component of the friction force in the direction of the Lorentz force. These first-principles simulations reveal novel physics associated with collisions in strongly coupled, strongly magnetized plasmas that are not predicted by existing kinetic theories. The effect is expected to influence macroscopic transport in a number of laboratory experiments and astrophysical plasmas.
Electrical properties of integrated capacitors made of BST and BCTZ material for impedance adaptation applications
Authors: Gardes P. , Diatta M. , Proust M. , Bouyssou E. , Poveda P.
Published: June 2021

Tunable materials, which exhibit in same time, a non-linear variation of their dielectric permittivity (ɛr) under an external electric field and low dielectric losses, are widely used in electronics for tunable applications. Single capacitors and a network of capacitors and resistors have been manufactured for an exhaustive electric characterization of three paraelectric materials. The first one is a Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3 (BST) thin film prepared by RF sputtering technique. The second one is a film of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 doped with Cu0.5%Mn1% prepared by using sol-gel processing technique. The third one is a Ba0.94Ca0.06Ti0.84Zr0.16O3 (BCTZ) thin film prepared by sol-gel technique. The first electrical parameter extracted is the breakdown voltage of the capacitors to define the maximum electric field applicable for the following characterizations. These three films have a high relative permittivity, up to 680 for the BST sputtered, 870 for the BST sol-gel, and 570 for the BCTZ sol-gel. They are also characterized by a very high dielectric tunability with 6.7:1 for the BST sputtered, 9.3:1 for the BST sol-gel and 7.6:1 for the BCTZ sol-gel. The quality factor of these paraelectric films is measured at 150 for the BST sputtered, 140 for the BST sol-gel, and 45 for the BCTZ sol-gel. These very high electrical properties are obtained with no compromise on the capacitor lifetime. In conclusion, these three paraelectric films could be used and the choice of either films is driven by which parameters would be the most important in the targeted tunable application.
Drag on a spherical particle at the air–liquid interface: Interplay between compressibility, Marangoni flow, and surface viscosities
Authors: Pourali Meisam , Kröger Martin , Vermant Jan , Anderson Patrick D. , Jaensson Nick O.
Published: June 2021

We investigate the flow of viscous interfaces carrying an insoluble surface active material, using numerical methods to shed light on the complex interplay between Marangoni stresses, compressibility, and surface shear and dilatational viscosities. We find quantitative relations between the drag on a particle and interfacial properties as they are required in microrheology, i.e., going beyond the asymptotic limits. To this end, we move a spherical particle probe at constant tangential velocity, symmetrically immersed at either the incompressible or compressible interface, in the presence and absence of surfactants, for a wide range of system parameters. A full three-dimensional finite element calculation is used to reveal the intimate coupling between the bulk and interfacial flows and the subtle effects of the different physical effects on the mixed-type velocity field that affects the drag coefficient, both in the bulk and at the interface. For an inviscid interface, the directed motion of the particle leads to a gradient in the concentration of the surface active species, which in turn drives a Marangoni flow in the opposite direction, giving rise to a force exerted on the particle. We show that the drag coefficient at incompressible interfaces is independent of the origin of the incompressibility (dilatational viscosity, Marangoni effects or a combination of both) and that its higher value can not only be related to the Marangoni effects, as suggested earlier. In confined flows, we show how the interface shear viscosity suppresses the vortex at the interface, generates a uniform flow, and consequently increases the interface compressibility and the Marangoni force on the particle. We mention available experimental data and provide analytical approximations for the drag coefficient that can be used to extract surface viscosities.
Fluid–structure interaction of a flexible membrane under movement-induced excitation (MIE), extraneously induced excitation (EIE), and coupled MIE–EIE
Authors: Deng Yifan , Tang Yuchao , Wang Peng , Liu Yingzheng
Published: June 2021

This study comprises an extensive analysis of the fluid–structure dynamics of a flapping membrane under three different excitation mechanisms: movement-induced excitation (MIE), extraneously induced excitation (EIE), and coupled MIE–EIE. Using a data acquisition system at 51.2 kHz and a high-speed camera at 1 kHz, the temporal voltage variations and the deformation shapes of the membrane were, respectively, determined. By the analysis of voltage fluctuations, two characteristic frequencies were observed under coupled MIE–EIE, corresponding to the flapping frequency of the membrane under MIE and the shedding frequency of the cylinder wake under EIE. The EIE frequency is four times larger than the MIE frequency, which indicates that four consecutive shedding periods of the cylinder wake occur during one flapping period of the membrane. Then, three distinct flapping behaviors of the membrane were observed with different excitation mechanisms. The flapping dynamics of the membrane exhibit a second-harmonic-order shape with a single neck under MIE, but a first-order shape with a narrow flapping range under EIE. In contrast, the membrane shows a superimposed second-order behavior with a confined flapping amplitude and the backward movement of the single neck position under coupled MIE–EIE. Subsequently, the flow dynamics around the membrane were examined in terms of time-averaged and statistical flow quantities. Finally, using event-driven particle imaging velocimetry measurements, the spatiotemporal evolutions of the high-resolution flow behaviors surrounding the flapping membrane were determined. The flow dynamics behind the membrane shows that the fluid flow with high turbulence always bifurcates toward both sides under MIE or distributes in the central region under EIE, whereas under the coupled excitation it spreads evenly and widely. This study will offer an important reference for improving the performance of fluid-induced membrane vibrations in industry applications.
The cost of solar energy production has plunged, but it needs to fall further
Authors: Kramer David
Published: June 2021

The Department of Energy has lowered its 2030 targets for the price of energy from photovoltaics and concentrated solar power. But the low-hanging fruits have been picked.
Productivity of diverse forage brassica genotypes exceeds that of oats across multiple environments within Australia’s mixed farming zone
Authors: Watt Lucinda J. , Bell Lindsay W. , Cocks Brett D. , Swan Anthony D. , Stutz Rebecca S. , Toovey Andrew , De Faveri Joanne
Published: June 2021

In many areas of Australia’s mixed farming zone, cropping rotations are dominated by cereals and some areas have few suitable broadleaf alternatives. Forage brassicas are widely used in high rainfall livestock systems, but this study shows that several genotypes offer an alternative to forage oats in drier environments within Australia’s mixed farming zone. We compared a diverse set of forage brassica genotypes sown in autumn and winter with benchmark species, principally oats, across 10 experimental site-years. In both early (800–1300 growing degree days after sowing) and late (1600–2100 growing degree days after sowing) grazing windows, several forage brassica genotypes had forage production similar or superior to oats and dual-purpose canola. Many forage brassica genotypes produced higher yields of metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP), particularly in the late grazing window. In the early grazing window, Rival and Green globe turnips and HT-R24 forage rape consistently produced ~15% above the site mean for all productivity measures, whereas kale produced ~40% less than the site mean. In the late grazing window, oats produced the greatest amount of edible biomass (~44% higher than the site mean); however, Goliath and HT-R24 forage rapes, Pallaton raphanobrassica and dual-purpose canola had the highest yields of ME and CP (~16% higher than the site mean). Green globe turnip, Hunter leafy turnip and Regal kale produced ~22% less than the site mean in this late grazing window. Multi-environment analyses revealed no genotype × environment interactions within the early grazing window. In the late grazing window, there were several genotypic adaptations, particularly for Pallaton, which performed better in low–medium production environments than the other genotypes. We show that forage brassicas offer superior yields of ME and CP, indicating that they may be better able to meet the energy and protein demands of grazing livestock than forage oats.
Leptochloa mucronata (mucronate sprangletop).
Authors: Cubiñá Alejandro
Published: June 2021

Leptochloa mucronata is a grass native to the warmer parts of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean; taxonomists disagree over whether the form found in the Caribbean is part of the same species or should be classified separately as Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata. The species is present in a number of countries in south and south-east Asia, in a few countries in Africa, and in Australia; in most of these countries it is considered to be introduced, although it is reported as native in some of them. Little information is available about how it was spread, but it probably involved the accidental movement of seeds. In parts of both its native range and its introduced range it is a significant agricultural weed, and this is the main reason why it is of interest, although there have been some studies of its use as a green manure.
Raffaelea lauricola (Laurel wilt).
Authors: Fraedrich Stephen
Published: June 2021

Laurel wilt is responsible for the death of hundreds of millions of redbay (Persea borbonia sensu lato) trees throughout the southeastern USA, and the disease is also having significant effects on other species such as sassafras (Sassafras albidum) in natural ecosystems and avocado (Persea americana) in commercial production areas of south Florida. Laurel wilt is caused by the pathogen Raffaelea lauricola, a fungal symbiont of the redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus. Thus far, the disease is confined to members of the Lauraceae that are native to the USA, or native to such places as the Caribbean, Central America and Europe and grown in the USA. The beetle and fungus are native to Asia and were likely introduced with untreated solid wood packing material at Port Wentworth, Georgia in the early 2000s. Since that time laurel wilt has spread rapidly in the coastal plains of the southeastern USA, spreading north into central North Carolina, as far west as Texas, and reaching the southernmost counties of Florida. Current models suggest that X. glabratus can tolerate temperature conditions that occur throughout much of the eastern USA, and so the disease threatens sassafras throughout much of this region. The disease poses a threat to lauraceous species indigenous to other areas of the Americas as well as Europe and Africa.
Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (Tomato New Delhi virus).
Authors: Gómez Pedro , Juárez Miguel
Published: June 2021

Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a bipartite, single-stranded DNA virus transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. The virus was first identified in India in 1995 affecting solanaceous crops (Padidam et al., 1995) and thereafter, causing major damage to cucurbit crops on the Indian subcontinent (Zaidi et al., 2017). ToLCNDV was first detected in Europe in 2012, affecting zucchini squash crops in Spain (Juárez et al., 2014), with subsequent detections in Tunisia (Mnari-Hattab et al., 2015), Italy (Panno et al., 2016) and Morocco (Sifres et al., 2018). ToLCNDV is responsible for severe outbreaks of disease in cucurbit crops in the Mediterranean basin (Juárez et al., 2019; Panno et al., 2019) and represents a serious threat to economically important solanaceous crops in the region (Moriones et al., 2017). ToLCNDV appears to be spreading rapidly and is listed as a quarantine pest by EPPO (EPPO, 2019). There are quarantine measures to control its whitefly vector (Bertin et al., 2018).
Peronospora belbahrii (basil downy mildew).
Authors: Crouch Jo Anne
Published: June 2021

Basil downy mildew was first identified from Uganda during 1932 and 1937, resulting in significant crop losses (Hansford, 1933; Hansford, 1939). Following these original outbreaks, the disease was reported sporadically in Africa during the twentieth century: in Tanzania in 1960 (Riley, 1960), then again in Benin during 1998 (Gumedzoe et al., 1998). The disease was first identified outside of Africa in 2001, when it was reported from Switzerland (Belbahri et al., 2005). Unlike the intermittent African outbreaks of the twentieth century, the twenty-first century outbreaks of basil downy mildew are persistent, and the geographic range of P. belbahrii continues to expand. Since 2001, P. belbahrii has spread throughout Europe, North America, Asia, and parts of Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Losses incurred due to basil downy mildew in the USA alone are estimated to reach tens of millions of dollars (Wyenandt et al., 2015).
Plantago asiatica mosaic virus.
Authors: Hammond John
Published: June 2021

PlAMV was first described from the wild/weedy plant Plantago asiatica in the Russian Far East, and a Nandina mosaic isolate from cultivated Nandina domestica in the USA. PlAMV also naturally infects P. asiatica and Rehmannia glutinosa in the Republic of Korea, and N. domestica, Primula sieboldii, Lilium maximowiczii [Lilium leichtlinii var. maximowiczii] and Viola grypoceras in Japan. PlAMV has also been detected in commercially grown lilies in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe, Taiwan, the USA, Republic of Korea, Chile, China, New Zealand, India and Costa Rica. Japanese lily isolates are distinct from 'European-like' lily isolates, suggesting more than one introduction into lilies. Widespread occurrence in cultivated lilies is likely due to international distribution of infected bulbs. Losses of up to 80% have been reported in commercial greenhouse cut-flower production. PlAMV is able to spread readily through soil by uptake (and probably exudation) through the roots and is quite stable in contaminated planting media; no animal vector is known. PlAMV has a wide experimental host range.
Tuberose mild mottle virus (tuberose mild mottle virus).
Authors: Dey Kishore Kumar , Soria Patricia
Published: June 2021

Tuberose mild mottle virus (TuMMoV) is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus that infects tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), an economically important ornamental crop worldwide. TuMMoV was first described in 2001 in China, then reported in India in 2005 and more recently reported in the USA in 2016. The virus is both aphid-transmitted and mechanically transmitted, and causes mild mottling symptoms on tuberose leaves. These undesirable mottling symptoms negatively affect the sale of ornamental tuberose. Commercial cultivation of tuberose occurs worldwide, in countries such as India, China, Bangladesh, Mexico, Kenya, Italy, France, Morocco, the USA (including Hawaii) and South Africa, representing the potential global spread of TuMMoV.
Podosphaera spiraeae (Japanese spiraea powdery mildew).
Authors: Moparthi Swarnalatha , Bradshaw Michael
Published: June 2021

Podosphaera spiraeae is a common fungal pathogen for plants in the genus Spiraea. The pathogen is native to Japan but is most likely widespread throughout the temperate world where viable host plants occur. Identification of powdery mildew on Spiraea spp. can be difficult and its occurrence has not been well documented. Wind dispersal of asexual spores, known as conidia, spreads powdery mildew between viable host plants. The most likely long-distance pathway of invasion is through the nursery industry, which commonly trades Spiraea plants. P. spiraeae can be detrimental to nursery growers as it is unsightly, reduces photosynthesis and flower vigour and causes premature leaf drop. Primary control of the pathogenic fungus requires intricate integrated pest management regimes.
Spectral-angular patterns and energy threshold for linear-to-nonlinear femtosecond laser pulse focusing in air
Authors: Geints Y E , Ionin A A , Mokrousova D V , Pushkarev D V , Rizaev G E , Seleznev L V , Zemlyanov A A , Geints I Y
Published: June 2021

Focused propagation of a high-power ultrashort laser pulse is strongly influenced by optical medium nonlinearity that can significantly affect pulse parameters in the focusing region as compared to the linear focusing regime. We present the results of our experimental study and numerical simulations of frequency-angular patterns and laser plasma distribution of a gigawatt-power femtosecond Ti-sapphire laser pulse propagating in air under various focusing conditions. For the first time to the best of our knowledge, we found experimentally and confirm theoretically the range of pulse numerical aperture (NA), from approximately NA = 2 ⋅ 10−3 to 5 ⋅ 10−3, when both frequency and angular spectra broadening during supercritical laser pulse focusing in air is minimal. We attribute this NA-range to the transition region between quasilinear and nonlinear pulse focusing regimes. Additionally, the energy threshold for different pulse focusing regimes in the wide range of focusing conditions is obtained for the first time through the numerical simulations. This threshold is demonstrated to decrease with pulse NA increase.
Evaluating establishment of conservation practices in the Conservation Reserve Program across the central and western United States
Authors: Vandever Mark W , Carter Sarah K , Assal Timothy J , Elgersma Kenneth , Wen Ai , Welty Justin L , Arkle Robert S , Iovanna Rich
Published: June 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, establishing perennial vegetation on environmentally sensitive lands formerly in agricultural production. Over its 35 year existence, the CRP has evolved to include diverse conservation practices (CPs) while concomitantly meeting its core goals of reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and providing wildlife habitat. Ongoing threats to grasslands and decreased CRP acreage highlighted the need for a national evaluation of the effectiveness in providing the program’s intended benefits. To address this need, we conducted edge-of-field surveys of erosional features, vegetation, and soil cover on 1 786 fields across 10 CPs and 14 central and western states from 2016 to 2018. We grouped practices into three types (grassland, wetland, and wildlife) and states into six regions for analysis. Across practice types, ⩾99% of fields had no evidence of rills, gullies, or pedestaling from erosion, and 91% of fields had <20% bare soil cover, with region being the strongest predictor of bare soil cover. Seventy-nine percent of fields had ⩾50% grass cover, with cover differing by practice type and region. Native grass species were present on more fields in wildlife and wetland practices compared to grassland practices. Forb cover >50% and native forb presence occurred most frequently in wildlife practices, with region being the strongest driver of differences. Federally listed noxious grass and forb species occurred on 23% and 61% of fields, respectively, but tended to constitute a small portion of cover in the field. Estimates from edge-of-field surveys and in-field validation sampling were strongly correlated, demonstrating the utility of the edge-of-field surveys. Our results provide the first national-level assessment of CRP establishment in three decades, confirming that enrolled wildlife and wetland practices often have diverse perennial vegetation cover and very few erosional features.
Evolution of H-O isotopes from fracturing flowback fluids for shale gas wells: A case study in Chongqing, China
Authors: Zhang Haijie , Xu Guiwen , Luo Yuanping , Chen Weiming , Xu Chunbi , Xiao Hui
Published: June 2021

The hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of the fracturing flowback fluids from 3 wells in the Longmaxi Formation in Dazu area of western Chongqing, China provides insights into the source of the flowback fluids. We use the valued of δ2H and δ18O, combined with concentrations of ions to discuss the changing rule of H and O isotopes throughout the flowback period. The values of δ2H and δ18O for Z2 and Z5 wells show different changing trends. But he values of δ2H and δ18O for Z2 and Z5 wells have similar changing trends. There is no obvious correlation between hydrogen and oxygen isotopes for 3 wells. The fracturing fluids, formation brines, meteoric water, and water-rock reaction can change the H and O isotopes for flowback fluids from shale gas wells.
Energy efficiency evaluation of consumer based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method
Authors: Han Shaoyu , Xu Pengcheng , Li Yan , Ji Shuang , Han Dongxu , Yang Le
Published: June 2021

Aiming at the problems of lack of complete evaluation index system and low evaluation accuracy, a consumer energy efficiency evaluation method based on fuzzy comprehensive fuzzy evaluation is proposed. Firstly, establish a consumer energy efficiency index system. Then the weight of the index is determined by the combination of analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method. Finally, the energy efficiency of consumer is evaluated by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Through the analysis of experimental examples, it is verified that the proposed method can evaluate the level of electricity energy efficiency accurately, and improve the residential electricity efficiency effectively.
Preparation of Graphene Oxide-Molecular Sieve Composite Adsorbent and its Adsorption Performance for Heavy Metals in Water
Authors: Xiuling Li
Published: June 2021

Graphene has inherent physical and chemical properties, but there are few reactive sites on the surface of graphene, and its use is limited. In the field of water treatment, especially in the adsorption treatment of heavy metals, it has shown great advantages and good development prospects. Dye wastewater is one of the more difficult industrial wastewaters to treat. Among various processes for removing dye wastewater, adsorption technology is considered to be the most promising method of water purification due to its fast, efficient, and low energy consumption characteristics. Molecular sieves have the characteristics of good adsorption selectivity, stable structure, easy regeneration, low price, and environmental protection. They are widely used as adsorbents. However, the adsorption efficiency of a single molecular sieve on organics is also low. In recent years, molecular sieve composite adsorption materials have begun to enter our field of vision. Hydrothermal treatment technology simply and quickly prepared composite materials with different graphene oxide content through chemical action, and studied the synergistic effect between the two composites on the adsorption performance of pollutants.
The optimal scheme of summer maize in Shandong under the control of water and fertilizer
Authors: Xing Hanbing , Cong Xin , Pang Guibin
Published: June 2021

In order to explore a set of summer corn water and fertilizer management scheme suitable for Shandong region. The effects of dry matter, yield and fertilizer partial productivity management of summer maize under different irrigation amount (69.5 mm,120.5mm, recorded as W1, W2), different nitrogen application (143,190,235 kg/hm 2, recorded as N1, N2, N3) and phosphorus (65, 95, 115 as P1, P2, P3) on yield were significant (0.05), among which the comprehensive score of W2N2P2 was much higher than that of other treatments. According to the above analysis, the W2N2P2 treatment can be used as the best water and fertilizer ratio in this study area.
Characteristics of Heavy Metal Pollution in Farmland Soil along the Lancang River in Lincang, Yunnan
Authors: Jing Wang
Published: June 2021

Taking the farmland soil along the Lancang River in Lincang as the research object, through soil sampling test and analysis, using single factor evaluation method, Nemeiro comprehensive pollution index method and relative pollution index method, the heavy metals As, Cd, Pb and Zn pollution characteristics and causes in farmland along the Lancang River were analyzed. The results show that according to the national soil environmental quality standards, the Cd in the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang seriously exceeded the standard on a large scale, followed by Pb and Zn, while As did not exceed the standard; the soil single factor pollution index is Cd>Zn>Pb>As. It shows that the relative pollution indexes of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in farmland soil all exceed the standard, and the exceeding rate is Pb>Zn>Cd>As. The pollution of heavy metals in the soil of the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang is not only caused by mine development, but also related to its high background value. The pollution of heavy metals in farmland soil along the north river from upstream to downstream has changed significantly. The correlation between the pollution of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang is significant, the probability of homology is very high, and there is a danger of combined pollution of four heavy metals.
Decomposition rate and interaction of fungi: A random perturbation differential equation approach
Authors: Zhou Wangbao , Jiang Zonglin , Zhang Ying , Zhang Zhao
Published: June 2021

In order to describe the interaction between different fungi and their effects on lignocellulose decomposition, we established a fungal decomposition rate model, a fungal competition model and a dynamic disturbance model. Function fitting was used to represent the effects of different independent variables on the decomposition rate of fungus, and finally the expression and image of two important independent variables on the decomposition rate of Hyphal extension and moisture trade-off were obtained. Fungal interaction is mainly a competitive relationship, on the basis of which the differential relationship is used to establish a model to analyze the situation when the system reaches a stable state, and the stochastic dynamic disturbance equation is added to simulate the influence of environmental change on the system. The final analysis shows that there are four kinds of stable states: extinction, non-equilibrium persistence, weak equilibrium persistence and strong equilibrium persistence.
Functional connectivity of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex predicts cocaine relapse: implications for neuromodulation treatment
Authors: Zhai Tianye , Salmeron Betty Jo , Gu Hong , Adinoff Bryon , Stein Elliot A , Yang Yihong
Published: June 2021

Relapse is one of the most perplexing problems of addiction. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is crucially involved in numerous cognitive and affective processes that are implicated in the phenotypes of both substance use disorders and other neuropsychiatric diseases and has become the principal site to deliver transcranial magnetic stimulation for their treatment. However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is an anatomically large and functionally heterogeneous region, and the specific dorsolateral prefrontal cortex locus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-based functional circuits that contribute to drug relapse and/or treatment outcome remain unknown. We systematically investigated the relationship of cocaine relapse with functional circuits from 98 dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regions-of-interest defined by evenly sampling the entire surface of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a cohort of cocaine dependent patients (n = 43, 5 Fr) following a psychosocial treatment intervention. Cox regression models were utilized to predict relapse likelihood based on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex functional connectivity strength. Functional connectivity from only 3 of the 98 dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci, one in the left and two in the right hemisphere, significantly predicted cocaine relapse with an accuracy of 83.9%, 84.6% and 85.4%, respectively. Combining all three loci significantly improved prediction validity to 87.5%. Protective and risk circuits related to these dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci were identified that have previously been implicated to support ‘bottom up’ drive to use drug and ‘top down’ control over behaviour together with social emotional, learning and memory processing. Three dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-centric circuits were identified that predict relapse to cocaine use with high accuracy. These functionally distinct dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-based circuits provide insights into the multiple roles played by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in cognitive and affective functioning that affects treatment outcome. The identified dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci may serve as potential neuromodulation targets to be tested in subsequent clinical studies for addiction treatment and as clinically relevant biomarkers of its efficacy. Zhai et al. identify three dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC)-centric circuits that predict cocaine relapse with high accuracy, providing insights into the multiple roles of the dlPFC in brain functioning that affects treatment outcome and suggesting the dlPFC loci as potential neuromodulation targets for addiction treatment.
Diagnostic Challenge and Clinical Dilemma: The Long Reach of Clonal Hematopoiesis
Authors: Osman Afaf , Patel Jay L
Published: June 2021

Background

Widespread application of massively parallel sequencing has resulted in recognition of clonal hematopoiesis in various clinical settings and on a relatively frequent basis. Somatic mutations occur in individuals with normal blood counts, and increase in frequency with age. The genes affected are the same genes that are commonly mutated in overt myeloid malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). This phenomenon is referred to as clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP).

Content

In this review, we explore the diagnostic and clinical implications of clonal hematopoiesis. In addition to CHIP, clonal hematopoiesis may be seen in patients with cytopenia who do not otherwise meet criteria for hematologic malignancy, a condition referred to as clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS). Distinguishing CHIP and CCUS from overt myeloid neoplasm is a challenge to diagnosticians due to the overlapping mutational landscape observed in these conditions. We describe helpful laboratory and clinical features in making this distinction. CHIP confers a risk of progression to overt hematologic malignancy similar to other premalignant states. CHIP is also associated with a proinflammatory state with multisystem implications and increased mortality risk due to cardiovascular events. The current approach to follow up and management of patients with clonal hematopoiesis is described.

Nuanced understanding of clonal hematopoiesis is essential for diagnosis and clinical management of patients with hematologic conditions. Further data are needed to more accurately predict the natural history and guide management of these patients with respect to both malignant progression as well as nonhematologic sequelae.
What Determines Paternity in Wild Lizards? A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Behavior and Morphology
Authors: Johnson Michele A , Kamath Ambika , Kirby Rebecca , Fresquez Carla C , Wang Su , Stehle Chelsea M , Templeton Alan R , Losos Jonathan B
Published: June 2021

Mating behavior in animals can be understood as a sequence of events that begins with individuals encountering one another and ends with the production of offspring. Behavioral descriptions of animal interactions characterize early elements of this sequence, and genetic descriptions use offspring parentage to characterize the final outcome, with behavioral and physiological assessments of mates and mechanisms of copulation and fertilization comprising intermediate steps. However, behavioral and genetic descriptions of mating systems are often inconsistent with one another, complicating expectations for crucial aspects of mating biology, such as the presence of multiple mating. Here, we use behavioral and genetic data from a wild population of the lizard Anolis cristatellus to characterize female multiple mating and the potential for sexual selection through female mate choice in this species. We find that 48% of sampled females bore offspring sired by multiple males. Moreover, spatiotemporal proximity between males and females was associated with whether a male sired a female’s offspring, and if yes, how many offspring he sired. Additionally, male body size, but not display behavior, was associated with reproductive outcomes for male–female pairs. While much remains to be learned about the mechanisms of mating and targets of sexual selection in A. cristatellus, it is clear that female multiple mating is a substantial component of this species’ mating system in nature.
Open the Gate: German Jews, the Foundation of Tel Aviv Port, and the Imagined Power of the Sea in 1936
Authors: Siegel Björn
Published: June 2021

In 1936, the opening of Tel Aviv port for general cargo had an impact not only on the Yishuv in Palestine, but also on German Jewry. Against the background of increasing ethnic-religious tensions in British Mandatory Palestine, and growing persecution and oppression in National Socialist Germany, the opening of this new access point to the sea became a signifier of hope and self-determination. This article explores the evolving idea of a Zionist turn towards the sea, whose first peak was marked by the opening of Tel Aviv port, and discusses the role of key individuals in the processes of nation-building, survival, and maritime renewal. By examining the influence of the Zionist Organization (ZO) and its interplay with German Jews—especially Hamburg-Jewish shipping experts—the article demonstrates how economic, but also ideological arguments became important in the debates about a Zionist conquest of the sea. Moreover, the article shows that the integration of German-Jewish shipping experts as maritime pioneers into discourses of a Zionist maritime renewal expanded not only the scope of action of the Yishuv’s leaders, but also of German Jews. The interplay of these two groups laid the groundwork for the short-lived dream of Tel Aviv port.
Energy Medicine and Sleep Disorders
Authors: Chiasson Ann Marie
Published: June 2021

Energy medicine (EM) refers to a range of techniques and healing modalities that alter the underlying energy field of the body. Energy is stimulated or moved within the body to restore an energy balance through a variety of modalities that include hands-on healing or vibration applied to the body and through movement or sound. Sleep is impaired when the body’s energy is imbalanced and an excess of energy is activated or carried too high in the body. The evidence specifically examining the effect of energy techniques on sleep is limited, with small studies demonstrating benefit with hands-on healing techniques for intensive-care patients and those with cancer and/or chronic pain. There is moderate evidence that energy medicine significantly decreases many types of chronic pain, and it is most utilized in patients with chronic pain syndromes. In addition, weak evidence exists for energy medicine and decreased anxiety. It is extrapolated by many practitioners that the effect on pain and anxiety will result in better sleep. In addition, most energy medicine modalities have techniques specific for improving for sleep that can be done by a practitioner or can be taught to a patient for self-healing. Finding a skilled practitioner or learning self-healing energy techniques for sleep can be valuable additions to a patient’s plan of care.
BIOL-01. THE RELATIONSHIP OF BRAIN ENDOTHELIAL WNT SIGNAL INHIBITION ON BLOOD-TUMOR BARRIER INTEGRITY
Authors: Jackson Sadhana , Vezina Amelie , Kundu Nabanita , Robey Robert
Published: June 2021

The blood-tumor barrier (BTB) is the primary site of nutrient and drug transport to tumor cells such as malignant gliomas. Yet, signaling pathways and factors influencing BTB permeability are poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrate the role of WNT/β-catenin signaling in establishing and fortifying blood-brain barrier integrity in a non-diseased state. Additionally, WNT proteins are highly expressed in gliomas and their surrounding vasculature. Thus, we propose inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling at the brain endothelium of malignant glioma can impair BTB integrity to enhance permeability for select cytotoxic agents. We used immortalized mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3), akin to brain tumor endothelium, treated for 24 hours with WNT inhibitors (ICG-001, IWR-1, and LGK974). Inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling was confirmed by gene expression of transcription factors (Tcf4 and Birc5). Cell viability was confirmed by CellTiter Glo®. Brain endothelial cell-cell interaction was evaluated by cell impedance and resistance via the Agilent xCELLigence and ABP TEER24 systems. Using qPCR and flow cytometry, we observed changes in expression and function of Abcb1 and Abcg2 transporters. Using an in vitro BTB (bEnd.3 cells and mouse H3.3WT/K27 glioma cells) we evaluated the effect of WNT inhibition on permeability and glioma viability. We found that all the inhibitors downregulated Tcf4 and Birc5 in brain endothelium dose-dependently. Viability with inhibitors demonstrated an IC50 of 28μM for ICG-001, and 42μM for both IWR-1 and LGK974. Endothelial cell-cell interaction was transiently decreased by approximately 50% with all inhibitors at 30 minutes; increasing closer to baseline after 2-4hrs. All WNT inhibitors dose-dependently decreased Abcg2 transporter expression and function. While In vitro BTB studies are ongoing, preliminary findings demonstrate increasing permeability of BTB amongst H3.3K27 glioma cells. Our results demonstrate potential of WNT inhibitors to modulate BTB integrity and drug efflux function. More studies are warranted to explore WNT/β-catenin signaling inhibition on BTB in vivo.
BIOL-03. PROTEIN TRANSLATION FROM NON-CODING GENOMIC LOCI PRODUCE BIOLOGICALLY-ACTIVE PROTEINS IMPLICATED IN CANCER CELL SURVIVAL IN PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS
Authors: Prensner John , Golub Todd
Published: June 2021

Protein translation is both a fundamental cellular process essential for life as well as an oncogenic mechanism employed by tumors to enact cancer cell biology. While protein translation is most readily manifest in the ~20,000 known human protein coding genes, there are, in fact, several thousand additional regions of the cancer genome that are translated and contribute the complexity of the molecular milieu of cancer. Here, we systematically addressed the question of whether such uncharacterized genomic regions encode truly biologically active proteins and applied these findings to pediatric brain tumors. We experimentally interrogated 553 candidates selected from non-canonical open reading frame (ORF) datasets. Of these, 57 induced viability defects when knocked out in a broad array of human cancer cell lines. Upon ectopic expression, 257 showed evidence of protein expression and 401 induced gene expression changes. CRISPR tiling and start codon mutagenesis indicated that their biological effects required translation as opposed to RNA-mediated effects. We characterized several of these in the context of pediatric brain tumors, where dense CRISPR tiling screens revealed unique functional relevance of dozens of non-canonical ORFs in pediatric brain cancer cell survival. We found that one of these ORFs, ASNSD1 uORF, encodes a well-folded protein whose translation is a selective genetic dependency distinct from the adjacent ASNSD1 annotated protein. In vitro molecular biology assays confirmed the MYC-amplified medulloblastoma cell lines had a heightened dependency on this protein, and that MYC binds to the promoter of this gene, with MYC expression correlating with ASNSD1 in patient tumors. Co-immunoprecipitation assays defined ASNSD1 uORF as a novel member of the prefoldin complex of cytoplasmic protein stability regulators. Overall, our experiments suggest that the abundant protein translation found in the “non-coding” genome may produce biologically active non-canonical ORFs that are potential therapeutic targets.
BIOL-10. DISTRIBUTION AND VULNERABILITY OF TRANSCRIPTIONAL OUTPUTS ACROSS THE GENOME IN MYC-AMPLIFIED MEDULLOBLASTOMA CELLS
Authors: Yang Rui , Wang Wenzhe , Dong Meichen , Roso Kristen , Bao Xuhui , Pirozzi Christopher , Bigner Darell , Yan Hai , Ashley David , Zhabotynsky Vasyl , Zou Fei , He Yiping
Published: June 2021

Myc plays a central role in tumorigenesis by orchestrating the expression of genes essential to numerous cellular processes. While it is well established that Myc functions by binding to its target genes to regulate their transcription, the distribution of the transcriptional output across human genome in Myc-amplified cancer cells, and the susceptibility of such transcriptional outputs to therapeutic interferences remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we analyze the distribution of transcriptional outputs in Myc-amplified medulloblastoma (MB) cells by profiling nascent total RNAs within a temporal context. This profiling reveals a major portion of transcriptional action in these cells was directed at the genes fundamental to cellular infrastructures, including rRNAs and particularly those in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA). Notably, even when Myc protein was depleted by as much as 80%, the impact on transcriptional outputs across the genome was limited, with notable reduction mostly in genes of involved in ribosomal biosynthesis, genes residing in mtDNA or encoding mitochondria-localized proteins, and those encoding histones. In contrast to the limited direct impact of Myc depletion, we found that the global transcriptional outputs were highly dependent on the activity of Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenases (IMPDHs), rate limiting enzymes for de novo guanine nucleotide synthesis and whose expression in tumor cells was positively correlated with Myc’s expression. Blockage of IMPDHs attenuated the global transcriptional outputs with a particularly strong inhibitory effect on the aforementioned infrastructure genes, which was accompanied by the abrogation of MB cell’s proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Together, our findings reveal a real time action of Myc as a transcriptional factor in tumor cells, gain new insight into the pathogenic mechanism underlying Myc-driven tumorigenesis, and support IMPDHs as a therapeutic vulnerability in MB cells empowered by a high level of Myc oncoprotein.