bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Oligo-MM-Modell in der Darmmikrobiomforschung
Authors: Weiss Anna S. , Burrichter Anna , Stecher Bärbel
Published: February 2023

The mammalian gut microbiome is a dynamic and complex community of microorganisms that provides its host with a number of health benefits. Understanding the key factors that shape community composition, stability and ecology is essential to maintain or establish a functional microbiome. Studying the ecology of synthetic model communities, like the Oligo-Mouse-Microbiota (OMM12) consortium, can help to elucidate mechanisms of inter-bacterial and host-bacterial interactions that shape microbiome function.
Exzellente Exkremente: Biogas und Papierprodukte aus Tierdung
Authors: Mautner Andreas , Wintner Senta , Weiland Kathrin , Bismarck Alexander
Published: February 2023

Growing demand for animal products caused by a growing population and improved living-standards also yields large quantities of manure constituting an eminent problem. Herbivore manure can be utilized as fertilizer or for biogas production, which, however, disregards the full potential of manure as feedstock for lignocellulosics. Thus, an integrated process combining biogas production and isolation of natural fibres next to providing fertilizer precursors would constitute a major leap forward.
Funktionelle Genomik von intrazellulären Bakterien beim Getreideplattkäfer
Authors: Engl Tobias
Published: February 2023

The flavobacterium Shikimatogenerans and the alpha-proteobacterium Wolbachia both influence the ecology and evolution of the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis. Genome analyses, phylogenetic inference and manipulation of the three-partite association revealed two very different ways of supporting the beetle’s establishment and adaptation as a global grain storage pest: the synthesis of aromatic amino acid precursors and a change of the mode of reproductive manipulation.
A systematic literature review of data envelopment analysis implementation in agriculture under the prism of sustainability
Authors: Kyrgiakos Leonidas Sotirios , Kleftodimos Georgios , Vlontzos George , Pardalos Panos M.
Published: February 2023

Safeguarding natural resources and energy is essential to ensure food security for future generations. Given the increase of published papers in the agricultural field applying Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), this review seeks to address the special requirements of this methodology when implemented in the agricultural sector as well as to classify papers under sustainability aspects (economic, environmental, social). More specifically, 120 papers from Scopus and Web of Science databases were included in this review by using PRISMA methodology, and they were tested in the following groups (i) General information, (ii) DEA implementation, (iii) DEA extensions, (iv) Data type, (v) Data collection and processing, and (vi) Sustainability dimensions. Results indicate that there is a great need for weights use when performing DEA in the agricultural sector, to acquire results with greater explanatory power. Moreover, systematic data collection of multiple factors could lead to the implementation of complex methodologies, providing feasible solutions to the involved stakeholders. Lastly, the social aspect is the least represented dimension out of the three aspects of sustainability, indicating the need for the integration of social factors in such analyses, especially when DEA is used to create a policy framework in a specific area.
ESG performance, herding behavior and stock market returns: evidence from Europe
Authors: Gavrilakis Nektarios , Floros Christos
Published: February 2023

This paper tests how financial performance indicators and combined ESG score for large-cap stocks impact on stock return. In particular, we examine how market capitalization, price to book value, Sharpe ratio and ESG score of large-cap firms in Europe are related to their stock performance. We consider a panel data consisting of six European countries—Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Germany—for the period 2010–2020. For Greek and French firms, a firm’s size tends to negatively affect its stock returns. The investors in European countries (except Italy) do not jeopardize their returns by investing in highly ESG scoring firms. We argue that the benefit of not investing in highly ESG-scoring firms might lead investors to select smaller size companies with a higher price to book value and higher Sharpe ratio, as it is more likely to generate higher returns. Moreover, Italian firms are more susceptible to ESG issues, as ESG performance and stock return seem to have a significant negative correlation. This valuable result was confirmed by conducting a robustness test for Europe as a whole using the Euronext100 index. Finally, we find no evidence that ESG motivates herding in our selected sample (this is not the case for Greece and France), while we report evidence of ESG herding behavior during the Covid-19 outbreak in Portugal, Italy and Greece.
Reactivity and good data in qualitative data collection
Authors: Zahle Julie
Published: February 2023

Reactivity in qualitative data collection occurs when a researcher generates data about a situation with reactivity, that is, a situation in which the ongoing research affects the research participants such that they, say, diverge from their routines when the researcher is present, or tell the researcher what they think she wants to hear. In qualitative research, there are two basic approaches to reactivity. The traditional position maintains that data should ideally be collected in situations without any reactivity. In other words, good data are reactivity free. By contrast, the more recent view holds that data from situations with reactivity are fine as long as the researcher is aware of the occurring reactivity so that she can take it into account when interpreting her data. In this fashion, good data are reactivity transparent. In this paper, I first spell out and defend the more recent approach to reactivity. I argue that qualitative data are reactivity transparent when conjoined with true reactivity assumptions and that, thus supplemented, data are informative about social life independently of its being studied. Next, I examine various issues raised by the requirement to put forth true reactivity assumptions. Lastly, I use my discussion of reactivity transparency as a basis for providing a framework for thinking about good qualitative data.
Development of thin film coatings with polypyrrole (ppy) by physical plasma deposition technique (PAPVD) for electrochemical capacitor
Authors: Espinosa-Lagunes F. I. , Torres-González Julieta
Published: February 2023

In this study, new polypyrrole films (ppy) were synthesized using a physical plasma deposition (PAPVD) system; where the equipment design and methodology for plasma-assisted pyrrole polymerization were improvement. The morphology, functional groups, and thermal stability of the polymer network films were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques, respectively. The electrochemical properties of the films as capacitor were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results observed by SEM showed that the ppy 100W-1 and ppy 100W-2 films present uniformity in their structure. The analyses of TGA and DSC confirmed the improvement in stability; meanwhile for 100W-1 film, the presence of ppy bonds was corroborated by XPS. Plasma-activated ppy 100W-1 film exhibited higher capacitance and minor Rct resistance than that obtained for ppy 100W-2 film. The specific capacitances values of ppy 100W-1 and ppy 100w-2 films are 196 and 150 F/g in 1 M KCl. After charging and discharging tests of 1000 cycles at 5 mA cm−2 current density of ppy 100W-1 film retains 89% of its initial capacitance. Therefore, ppy 100W-1 film showed to be a promising material for use as an electrochemical capacitor.
The Influence of ESG Ratings On Idiosyncratic Stock Risk: The Unrated, the Good, the Bad, and the Sinners
Authors: Horn Matthias
Published: February 2023

This study analyzes whether stocks of companies with environmental social governance (ESG) rating show lower idiosyncratic risk. The main analysis covers 898,757 company-month observations of US stocks in the period from 1991 to 2018 and controls for stocks’ exposure to liquidity, mispricing, innovations in volatility risk, investor sentiment, and analysts’ forecast divergence. The main finding is that the receipt of an ESG rating decreases idiosyncratic stock risk. The effect is stronger for stocks that receive a higher ESG rating. Nevertheless, even when companies receive a lower ESG rating, they show significantly lower idiosyncratic risk than stocks without an ESG rating. Furthermore, stocks subject to a negative screen show lower idiosyncratic risk during recessions than comparable stocks with an ESG rating but without a negative screen. The results support the notion that the receipt of an ESG rating decreases uncertainty regarding future stock risk and return and show that ESG ratings and negative screens individually influence stock risk and, therefore, should be considered separately.
Long-term clinical outcomes of Er:YAG or Er,Cr:YSGG lasers utilized as monotherapy or as adjuncts to mechanical therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a systematic review
Authors: Vagdouti Triantafyllia , Theodoridis Charis , Tseleki Georgia , Vouros Ioannis
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The aim of the present systematic review was to address the following focused question: In patients with generalized chronic periodontitis, what is the long-term effect of the Er:YAG or Er,Cr:YSGG lasers, as monotherapy or as adjuvant to mechanical therapy, on the following clinical outcomes: probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and gingival index (GI).

Methods

A thorough electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Ovid databases according to PRISMA guidelines. The screening process and data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers. A quality assessment using Cochrane Collaboration Methodology for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed.

Results

Eight eligible RCTs fulfilled the criteria. Two RCTs utilising Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and six RCTs using Er:YAG laser in conjunction with non-surgical periodontal therapy. The primary outcome was PPD, while the secondary outcomes were CAL, BOP, and GI. When evaluating CAL benefits, two out of two of the included studies, which assessed Er:YAG as monotherapy in 24 months, indicated a significant difference in favor of Erbium lasers compared to SRP. It seems that Erbium lasers perform better in terms of PPD reduction compared to SRP in both 12-month and 24-month follow-up periods, especially with regard to moderate and deep periodontal pockets. The quality assessment revealed that four studies were presented with some concerns, while the rest of the studies were judged to be at low risk of bias.

Conclusion

It may be advocated that Er:YAG and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers as monotherapy or as adjunct to SRP seem to perform better in terms of CAL and PPD reduction in the long term, especially in deep pockets ≥ 7 mm; nevertheless, limited evidence for appropriate comparability is available in the existing literature.
The market values of Chinese energy firms during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shi Lu
Published: February 2023

This paper studies the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Chinese energy firms’ market values by using event study approach. First, we find that the cumulative abnormal return (CAR) of energy firms significantly decreases 2.7–10.6% on average due to the negative shock of COVID-19 on energy market. Second, we present that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance could significantly reduce the negative market reaction of energy firms during COVID-19. Finally, in using the intervention policy of various cities as exogenous shocks, we provide evidence that stock returns of energy firms significantly increase after cities where firms located in issued lockdown policies.
K-THEORY OF NON-ARCHIMEDEAN RINGS II
Authors: KERZ MORITZ , SAITO SHUJI , TAMME GEORG
Published: February 2023

We study fundamental properties of analytic K-theory of Tate rings such as homotopy invariance, Bass fundamental theorem, Milnor excision, and descent for admissible coverings.
Extending linear growth functionals to functions of bounded fractional variation
Authors: Schönberger Hidde
Published: February 2023

In this paper we consider the minimization of a novel class of fractional linear growth functionals involving the Riesz fractional gradient. These functionals lack the coercivity properties in the fractional Sobolev spaces needed to apply the direct method. We therefore utilize the recently introduced spaces of bounded fractional variation and study the extension of the linear growth functional to these spaces through relaxation with respect to the weak* convergence. Our main result establishes an explicit representation for this relaxation, which includes an integral term accounting for the singular part of the fractional variation and features the quasiconvex envelope of the integrand. The role of quasiconvexity in this fractional framework is explained by a technique to switch between the fractional and classical settings. We complement the relaxation result with an existence theory for minimizers of the extended functional.
Validation of the 2 × 24 h recall method and a 7-d web-based food diary against doubly labelled water in Danish adults
Authors: Biltoft-Jensen Anja , Ygil Karin Hess , Knudsen Lenette , Matthiessen Jeppe , Fagt Sisse , Trolle Ellen , Nielsen Trine Holmgaard , Hansen Diane McIntosh , Licht Cecilie Löe , Martens Maurice , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Christensen Tue
Published: February 2023

The European Food Safety Authority has suggested that EU countries implement the 2 × 24 h diet recall (2 × 24 h DR) method and physical activity (PA) measurements for national dietary surveys. Since 2000, Denmark has used 7 d food diaries (7 d FD) with PA questionnaires and measurements. The accuracy of the reported energy intakes (EI) from the two diet methods, pedometer-determined step counts and self-reported time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were compared with total energy expenditure measured by the doubly labelled water (TEEDLW) technique and with PA energy expenditure (PAEE), respectively. The study involved fifty-two male and sixty-eight female volunteers aged 18–60 years who were randomly assigned to start with either the 24 h DR or the web-based 7 d FD, and wore a pedometer for the first 7 d and filled in a step diary. The mean TEEDLW (11·5 MJ/d) was greater than the mean reported EI for the 7 d FD (9·5 MJ/d (P < 0·01)) but the same as the 2 × 24 h DR (11·5 MJ/d). The proportion of under-reporters was 34 % (7 d FD) and 4 % (2 × 24 h DR). Most participants preferred the 7 d DR as it was more flexible, despite altering their eating habits. Pearson’s correlation between steps corrected for cycling and PAEE was r = 0·44, P < 0·01. Spearman’s correlation for self-reported hours spent in MVPA and PAEE was r = 0·58, P < 0·01. The 2 × 24 h DR performs better than the existing 7 d FD method. Pedometer-determined steps and self-reported MVPA are good predictors of PAEE in adult Danes.
Intake and sources of dietary fibre and dietary fibre fractions in Finnish children
Authors: Salo Tuuli E. I. , Niinistö Sari , Korhonen Tuuli E. , Pastell Helena , Reinivuo Heli , Takkinen Hanna-Mari , Ilonen Jorma , Toppari Jorma , Knip Mikael , Veijola Riitta , Virtanen Suvi M.
Published: February 2023

The current definition of dietary fibre was adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2009, but implementation requires updating food composition databases with values based on appropriate analysis methods. Previous data on population intakes of dietary fibre fractions are sparse. We studied the intake and sources of total dietary fibre (TDF) and dietary fibre fractions insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), dietary fibre soluble in water but insoluble in 76 % aqueous ethanol (SDFP) and dietary fibre soluble in water and soluble in 76 % aqueous ethanol (SDFS) in Finnish children based on new CODEX-compliant values of the Finnish National Food Composition Database Fineli. Our sample included 5193 children at increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes from the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention birth cohort, born between 1996 and 2004. We assessed the intake and sources based on 3-day food records collected at the ages of 6 months, 1, 3 and 6 years. Both absolute and energy-adjusted intakes of TDF were associated with age, sex and breast-feeding status of the child. Children of older parents, parents with a higher level of education, non-smoking mothers and children with no older siblings had higher energy-adjusted TDF intake. IDF was the major dietary fibre fraction in non-breastfed children, followed by SDFP and SDFS. Cereal products, fruits and berries, potatoes and vegetables were major food sources of dietary fibre. Breast milk was a major source of dietary fibre in 6-month-olds due to its human milk oligosaccharide content and resulted in high SDFS intakes in breastfed children.
An end-to-end neural framework using coarse-to-fine-grained attention for overlapping relational triple extraction
Authors: Su Huizhe , Wang Hao , Luo Xiangfeng , Xie Shaorong
Published: February 2023

In recent years, the extraction of overlapping relations has received great attention in the field of natural language processing (NLP). However, most existing approaches treat relational triples in sentences as isolated, without considering the rich semantic correlations implied in the relational hierarchy. Extracting these overlapping relational triples is challenging, given the overlapping types are various and relatively complex. In addition, these approaches do not highlight the semantic information in the sentence from coarse-grained to fine-grained. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end neural framework based on a decomposition model that incorporates multi-granularity relational features for the extraction of overlapping triples. Our approach employs an attention mechanism that combines relational hierarchy information with multiple granularities and pretrained textual representations, where the relational hierarchies are constructed manually or obtained by unsupervised clustering. We found that the different hierarchy construction strategies have little effect on the final extraction results. Experimental results on two public datasets, NYT and WebNLG, show that our mode substantially outperforms the baseline system in extracting overlapping relational triples, especially for long-tailed relations.
Processing Speed in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Steiner Michelle , Lidzba Karen , Bigi Sandra
Published: February 2023

Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Information processing speed (IPS) is a central construct of neuropsychology and a mediator for a range of cognitive functions. In adults, the negative effects of TBI on IPS are well documented. This review qualitatively describes the impact of TBI on IPS in children and adolescents and examines various influencing factors. We included a total of 37 studies in the review that explored IPS using various clinical assessments. These clinical assessments often examine other neuropsychological functions besides IPS. In 29 of these studies, we found a negative effect of TBI on IPS. While injury severity has small but consistent effects on IPS, the effects of age at injury, time since injury, and gender were less evident. Because it is a central construct of neuropsychological functions, IPS should be assessed after TBI.
Validation of a Nonverbal Version of the Questionnaire of Experienced Attention Deficits (FEDA)
Authors: Rader Lena , Thelen Nadine , Fimm Bruno
Published: February 2023

Abstract: Although objective attention deficits have been well established in aphasia patients, there is little evidence of subjective attention deficits since these are mostly assessed with rating scales and questionnaires that are often confounded by the language deficits of aphasic patients. To overcome this limitation, we developed a nonverbal version of the Questionnaire of Experienced Attention Deficits (FEDA) and assessed its preliminary reliability and validity in 70 healthy controls and 18 aphasia patients. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factorial structure with good model fit in confirmatory factor analysis as well as good internal consistency (﻿ω﻿ = .89) and discriminant validity. We consider the NFEDA to be a valuable diagnostic tool to assess subjective attention deficits in patients with language impairments such as aphasia.
Alcohol-Induced Retrograde Facilitation?
Authors: Quevedo Pütter J. , Erdfelder E.
Published: February 2023

Abstract. Somewhat counterintuitively, alcohol consumption following learning of new information has been shown to enhance performance on a delayed subsequent memory test. This phenomenon has become known as the retrograde facilitation effect ( Parker et al., 1981 ). Although conceptually replicated repeatedly, serious methodological problems are associated with most previous demonstrations of retrograde facilitation. Moreover, two potential explanations have been proposed, the interference and the consolidation hypothesis. So far, empirical evidence for and against both hypotheses is inconclusive ( Wixted, 2004 ). To scrutinize the existence of the effect, we conducted a pre-registered replication that avoided common methodological pitfalls. In addition, we used Küpper-Tetzel and Erdfelder’s (2012) multinomial processing tree (MPT) model to disentangle encoding, maintenance, and retrieval contributions to memory performance. With a total sample size of N = 93, we found no evidence for retrograde facilitation in overall cued or free recall of previously presented word pairs. In line with this, MPT analyses also showed no reliable difference in maintenance probabilities. However, MPT analyses revealed a robust alcohol advantage in retrieval. We conclude that alcohol-induced retrograde facilitation might exist and be driven by an underlying retrieval benefit. Future research is needed to investigate potential moderators and mediators of the effect explicitly.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Geologic Slip Rates, Cucamonga Fault, California, USA: Implications for Along‐Strike Applications and Multi‐Fault Rupture
Authors: McPhillips Devin , Scharer Katherine
Published: February 2023

To constrain fault processes and hazard, fault slip rates may be extrapolated over different fault lengths or time intervals. Here, we investigate slip rates for the Cucamonga Fault (CF). The CF is located at the junction of the Transverse Range fault system with the San Andreas and San Jacinto Faults, and it is hypothesized to connect with these faults, promoting the propagation of large, multi‐fault earthquakes. Previous work has shown that CF displacements on late Quaternary alluvial fan surfaces are highly variable along strike. We present two new 10Be surface exposure ages from depth profiles on the alluvial fans. Slip rates are consistent with a rate of 1.4 ± 0.3 m/kyr over time intervals of ∼20, ∼30, and ∼40 kyr. If the CF participates in multi‐fault ruptures, then these earthquakes occur either rarely or with sufficient regularity to maintain apparently steady rates over multiple intervals. We also explore along‐strike fault displacement variability using a calibrated morphological model. The model successfully reproduces scarp profiles and indicates that fault displacement variability can be explained in part by scarp age but not uplift rate. We infer that both erosion by ephemeral gullying and distributed deformation contribute to fault displacement variability, although both are difficult to detect confidently without excavations across the scarp. These investigations show that better characterization of cumulative‐slip variability along strike may improve accuracy and precision of slip rates. Slip rates that do not consider epistemic uncertainties may not be suitable for extrapolation over longer fault sections.
Future Projections of EURO‐CORDEX Raw and Bias‐Corrected Daily Maximum Wind Speeds Over Scandinavia
Authors: Michel Clio , Sorteberg Asgeir
Published: February 2023

Twenty historical and future Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment ensemble for Europe simulations are bias corrected to investigate the future changes in the daily maximum wind speed over Scandinavia. We use quantile mapping to adjust the wind for the historical period (1985–2014) and quantile delta mapping for two future periods (2041–2070, 2071–2100, RCP8.5) with the 3‐km spatial resolution NORA3 hindcast as the reference data set. Decomposing the variance, we find that most of the inter‐model spread in the bias and the response to climate change is due to the regional climate model over land and mainly to the general climate model over sea. On average, the mean daily maximum wind speed is projected to increase everywhere except along the western coast of Norway and Denmark. In summer, we see an opposite sign over Sweden and Finland. The Norwegian Sea experiences weaker mean and high wind whereas the Baltic Sea experiences a strengthening. Bias correction influences the amplitude of the response, not the response pattern. Wind speed distributions can have different shapes in the future, with, for example, a flattening of the distribution off the coast of Norway with more frequent weak and very strong winds. Apart from a few locations in Norway, we find an increase in the number of days in the local highest historical wind category. Overall, summer exhibits opposite signals compared to the three other seasons. At country scale, the sign of the change in the mean and 98th percentile varies greatly depending on the region and among the simulations, especially for Norway.
An Examination of Soil Crusts on the Floor of Jezero Crater, Mars
Authors: Hausrath E. M. , Adcock C. T. , Bechtold A. , Beck P. , Benison K. , Brown A. , Cardarelli E. L. , Carman N. A. , Chide B. , Christian J. , Clark B. C. , Cloutis E. , Cousin A. , Forni O. , Gabriel T. S. J. , Gasnault O. , Golombek M. , Gómez F. , Hecht M. H. , Henley T. L. J. , Huidobro J. , Johnson J. , Jones M. W. M. , Kelemen P. , Knight A. , Lasue J. A. , Le Mouélic S. , Madariaga J. M. , Maki J. , Mandon L. , Martinez G. , Martínez‐Frías J. , McConnochie T. H. , Meslin P.‐Y. , Zorzano M.‐P. , Newsom H. , Paar G. , Randazzo N. , Royer C. , Siljeström S. , Schmidt M. E. , Schröder S. , Sephton M. A. , Sullivan R. , Turenne N. , Udry A. , VanBommel S. , Vaughan A. , Wiens R. C. , Williams N. ,   the SuperCam team and the Regolith working group
Published: February 2023

Martian soils are critically important for understanding the history of Mars, past potentially habitable environments, returned samples, and future human exploration. This study examines soil crusts on the floor of Jezero crater encountered during initial phases of the Mars 2020 mission. Soil surface crusts have been observed on Mars at other locations, starting with the two Viking Lander missions. Rover observations show that soil crusts are also common across the floor of Jezero crater, revealed in 45 of 101 locations where rover wheels disturbed the soil surface, two out of seven helicopter flights that crossed the wheel tracks, and four of eight abrasion/drilling sites. Most soils measured by the SuperCam laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument show high hydrogen content at the surface, and fine‐grained soils also show a visible/near infrared (VISIR) 1.9 μm H2O absorption feature. The Planetary Instrument for X‐ray Lithochemistry (PIXL) and SuperCam observations suggest the presence of salts at the surface of rocks and soils. The correlation of S and Cl contents with H contents in SuperCam LIBS measurements suggests that the salts present are likely hydrated. On the “Naltsos” target, magnesium and sulfur are correlated in PIXL measurements, and Mg is tightly correlated with H at the SuperCam points, suggesting hydrated Mg‐sulfates. Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer (MEDA) observations indicate possible frost events and potential changes in the hydration of Mg‐sulfate salts. Jezero crater soil crusts may therefore form by salts that are hydrated by changes in relative humidity and frost events, cementing the soil surface together.
Effects of Storm Surge Barrier Closures on Estuary Saltwater Intrusion and Stratification
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Orton Philip M.
Published: February 2023

Gated storm surge barriers have been constructed or proposed in many estuaries worldwide for coastal flood risk reduction. Past studies have shown that, even when open, a barrier system's fixed infrastructure can increase estuary stratification and salt intrusion, potentially affecting water quality and ecological processes. However, surge barrier closures could have a much stronger influence on estuary conditions by temporarily blocking the tidal exchange. In this project, we use an existing regional three‐dimensional hydrodynamic model, with modifications to simulate surge barrier closure and reopening, to study the effects on estuarine salt intrusion and stratification of the Hudson River. Across a range of modeled scenarios of gate closure frequencies, durations and river streamflows, we evaluate the changes caused by gate closures, as well as the recovery time to normal conditions. Our results for the Hudson show long‐duration gate closures (three or more days) with low streamflows temporarily lead to salt intrusion and stratification beyond recent historical extremes. Moreover, monthly frequency closures, which could occur as soon as 2070 under realistic scenarios of sea‐level rise and barrier management, do not allow for recovery under low streamflow conditions and could lead to durable changes to estuary physical conditions. As a result, long duration closures and high‐frequency closures both constitute a threat to municipal water supplies. This study demonstrates a framework for understanding the potential impacts of any proposed surge barrier system and can help improve our understanding of corresponding ecological impacts.
Grain for Green Project May Not Threaten Ecosystem Sustainability by Degrading Water Availability in Humid Karst Landscapes
Authors: Yi Ruzhou , Xu Xianli , Zhang Yaohua , Ye Zongda , Wang Kelin
Published: February 2023

Grain for Green project could result in high evapotranspiration (ET), exacerbate water shortage, and intensify conflicts in water demand between ecosystems and humans in many water‐limited areas. However, it is still unclear how vegetation restoration would influence ET in humid karst regions where abundant precipitation but quick leakage. Particularly, it is challenging that existing ET measurement methods are not applicable simultaneously for various ecosystems in such highly heterogeneous and fragmented landscapes. To solve this issue, this study, for the first time, develops a new ET measurement system, by integrating multi‐techniques, to quantify ET for multiple vegetation restoration types and identify their controlling factors in a humid karst region for three consecutive years. The results show that (a) for different succession stages during natural restoration, the ET of secondary forest (680 ± 7 mm yr−1) > shrub (564 ± 16 mm yr−1) > grass (546 ± 12 mm yr−1) > cropland (513 ± 8 mm yr−1) (P < 0.05); (b) ET of all ecosystems are far less than that of precipitation (1,059 ± 63 mm yr−1) but closer to potential ET (849 ± 11 mm yr−1), and soil moisture has been maintained at >0.20 cm3cm−3 in the growing season; (c) solar radiation and vapor pressure deficit are the two predominant factors on the ET (P < 0.01), while there is no significant relationship between ET and soil moisture (P > 0.05). The results suggest that vegetation restoration returned from cropland in humid karst regions increased ET but may not induce water scarcity for vegetation sustainability, at least under normal climatic conditions.
Urban Flood Modeling: Uncertainty Quantification and Physics‐Informed Gaussian Processes Regression Forecasting
Authors: Kohanpur Amir H. , Saksena Siddharth , Dey Sayan , Johnson J. Michael , Riasi M. Sadegh , Yeghiazarian Lilit , Tartakovsky Alexandre M.
Published: February 2023

Estimating uncertainty in flood model predictions is important for many applications, including risk assessment and flood forecasting. We focus on uncertainty in physics‐based urban flooding models. We consider the effects of the model's complexity and uncertainty in key input parameters. The effect of rainfall intensity on the uncertainty in water depth predictions is also studied. As a test study, we choose the Interconnected Channel and Pond Routing (ICPR) model of a part of the city of Minneapolis. The uncertainty in the ICPR model's predictions of the floodwater depth is quantified in terms of the ensemble variance using the multilevel Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method. Our results show that uncertainties in the studied domain are highly localized. Model simplifications, such as disregarding the groundwater flow, lead to overly confident predictions, that is, predictions that are both less accurate and uncertain than those of the more complex model. We find that for the same number of uncertain parameters, increasing the model resolution reduces uncertainty in the model predictions (and increases the MC method's computational cost). We employ the multilevel MC method to reduce the cost of estimating uncertainty in a high‐resolution ICPR model. Finally, we use the ensemble estimates of the mean and covariance of the flood depth for real‐time flood depth forecasting using the physics‐informed Gaussian process regression method. We show that even with few measurements, the proposed framework results in a more accurate forecast than that provided by the mean prediction of the ICPR model.
Nonrandomised controlled trial in recurrent glioblastoma patients: the promise of autologous tumour lysate-loaded dendritic cell vaccination
Authors: Pasqualetti Francesco , Zanotti Sofia
Published: February 2023

Recently, Liau et al. reported the results of Phase 3 clinical trial testing DCVax-L vaccines on patients with glioblastoma. Despite the promising and significant results obtained, the study design and the long-lasting period of recruitment of this work deserve some reflection.
Melatonin-mediated FKBP4 downregulation protects against stress-induced neuronal mitochondria dysfunctions by blocking nuclear translocation of GR
Authors: Kim Min Jeong , Choi Gee Euhn , Chae Chang Woo , Lim Jae Ryong , Jung Young Hyun , Yoon Jee Hyeon , Park Ji Yong , Han Ho Jae
Published: February 2023

The physiological crosstalk between glucocorticoid and melatonin maintains neuronal homeostasis in regulating circadian rhythms. However, the stress-inducing level of glucocorticoid triggers mitochondrial dysfunction including defective mitophagy by increasing the activity of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), leading to neuronal cell death. Melatonin then suppresses glucocorticoid-induced stress-responsive neurodegeneration; however, the regulatory mechanism of melatonin, i.e., associated proteins involved in GR activity, has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated how melatonin regulates chaperone proteins related to GR trafficking into the nucleus to suppress glucocorticoid action. In this study, the effects of glucocorticoid on suppressing NIX-mediated mitophagy, followed by mitochondrial dysfunction, neuronal cell apoptosis, and cognitive deficits were reversed by melatonin treatment by inhibiting the nuclear translocation of GRs in both SH-SY5Y cells and mouse hippocampal tissue. Moreover, melatonin selectively suppressed the expression of FKBP prolyl isomerase 4 (FKBP4), which is a co-chaperone protein that works with dynein, to reduce the nuclear translocation of GRs among the chaperone proteins and nuclear trafficking proteins. In both cells and hippocampal tissue, melatonin upregulated melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) bound to Gαq, which triggered the phosphorylation of ERK1. The activated ERK then enhanced DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)-mediated hypermethylation ofFKBP52promoter, reducing GR-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and cell apoptosis, the effects of which were reversed by knocking downDNMT1. Taken together, melatonin has a protective effect against glucocorticoid-induced defective mitophagy and neurodegeneration by enhancing DNMT1-mediated FKBP4 downregulation that reduced the nuclear translocation of GRs.
The malignancy of chordomas is enhanced via a circTLK1/miR-16-5p/Smad3 positive feedback axis
Authors: Lou Jingbing , Zhang Hongliang , Huang Qingshan , Chen Chenglong , Wang Wei , Niu Jianfang , Xu Jiuhui , Ren Tingting , Huang Yi , Tang Xiaodong , Guo Wei
Published: February 2023

CircRNAs play crucial roles in various malignancies via an increasing number of reported regulatory mechanisms, including the classic sponging mechanism between circRNAs and micro RNAs (miRNAs). We performed bioinformatic analyses and identified circTLK1 as a regulator of malignant chordoma progression. Moreover, we observed that circTLK1 showed high expression in chordoma cells and tissues, while circTLK1 interference suppressed chordoma cell proliferation and invasion. In addition, circTLK1 directly interacted with miR-16-5p, which has previously been shown to repress chordoma, and circTLK1 knockdown suppressed Smad3 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing further demonstrated that Smad3 acts as a positive regulator by interacting with TLK1, thereby mediating the circTLK1/miR-16-5p/Smad3 positive feedback axis. Taken together, our findings suggested that the disruption of the circTLK1/miR-16-5p/Smad3 positive feedback pathway, particularly via the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3, could be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Customized reaction route for ruthenium oxide towards stabilized water oxidation in high-performance PEM electrolyzers
Authors: Shi Zhaoping , Li Ji , Wang Yibo , Liu Shiwei , Zhu Jianbing , Yang Jiahao , Wang Xian , Ni Jing , Jiang Zheng , Zhang Lijuan , Wang Ying , Liu Changpeng , Xing Wei , Ge Junjie
Published: February 2023

The poor stability of Ru-based acidic oxygen evolution (OER) electrocatalysts has greatly hampered their application in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers (PEMWEs). Traditional understanding of performance degradation centered on influence of bias fails in describing the stability trend, calling for deep dive into the essential origin of inactivation. Here we uncover the decisive role of reaction route (including catalytic mechanism and intermediates binding strength) on operational stability of Ru-based catalysts. Using MRuOx (M = Ce4+, Sn4+, Ru4+, Cr4+) solid solution as structure model, we find the reaction route, thereby stability, can be customized by controlling the Ru charge. The screened SnRuOx thus exhibits orders of magnitude lifespan extension. A scalable PEMWE single cell using SnRuOx anode conveys an ever-smallest degradation rate of 53 μV h−1 during a 1300 h operation at 1 A cm−2.
Rhodobacter capsulatus forms a compact crescent-shaped LH1–RC photocomplex
Authors: Tani Kazutoshi , Kanno Ryo , Ji Xuan-Cheng , Satoh Itsusei , Kobayashi Yuki , Hall Malgorzata , Yu Long-Jiang , Kimura Yukihiro , Mizoguchi Akira , Humbel Bruno M. , Madigan Michael T. , Wang-Otomo Zheng-Yu
Published: February 2023

Rhodobacter (Rba.) capsulatus has been a favored model for studies of all aspects of bacterial photosynthesis. This purple phototroph contains PufX, a polypeptide crucial for dimerization of the light-harvesting 1–reaction center (LH1–RC) complex, but lacks protein-U, a U-shaped polypeptide in the LH1–RC of its close relative Rba. sphaeroides. Here we present a cryo-EM structure of the Rba. capsulatus LH1–RC purified by DEAE chromatography. The crescent-shaped LH1–RC exhibits a compact structure containing only 10 LH1 αβ-subunits. Four αβ-subunits corresponding to those adjacent to protein-U in Rba. sphaeroides were absent. PufX in Rba. capsulatus exhibits a unique conformation in its N-terminus that self-associates with amino acids in its own transmembrane domain and interacts with nearby polypeptides, preventing it from interacting with proteins in other complexes and forming dimeric structures. These features are discussed in relation to the minimal requirements for the formation of LH1–RC monomers and dimers, the spectroscopic behavior of both the LH1 and RC, and the bioenergetics of energy transfer from LH1 to the RC.
Steering carbon dioxide reduction toward C–C coupling using copper electrodes modified with porous molecular films
Authors: Zhao Siqi , Christensen Oliver , Sun Zhaozong , Liang Hongqing , Bagger Alexander , Torbensen Kristian , Nazari Pegah , Lauritsen Jeppe Vang , Pedersen Steen Uttrup , Rossmeisl Jan , Daasbjerg Kim
Published: February 2023

Copper offers unique capability as catalyst for multicarbon compounds production in the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction. In lieu of conventional catalysis alloying with other elements, copper can be modified with organic molecules to regulate product distribution. Here, we systematically study to which extent the carbon dioxide reduction is affected by film thickness and porosity. On a polycrystalline copper electrode, immobilization of porous bipyridine-based films of varying thicknesses is shown to result in almost an order of magnitude enhancement of the intrinsic current density pertaining to ethylene formation while multicarbon products selectivity increases from 9.7 to 61.9%. In contrast, the total current density remains mostly unaffected by the modification once it is normalized with respect to the electrochemical active surface area. Supported by a microkinetic model, we propose that porous and thick films increase both local carbon monoxide partial pressure and the carbon monoxide surface coverage by retaining in situ generated carbon monoxide. This reroutes the reaction pathway toward multicarbon products by enhancing carbon–carbon coupling. Our study highlights the significance of customizing the molecular film structure to improve the selectivity of copper catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reaction.
A molecular atlas reveals the tri-sectional spinning mechanism of spider dragline silk
Authors: Hu Wenbo , Jia Anqiang , Ma Sanyuan , Zhang Guoqing , Wei Zhaoyuan , Lu Fang , Luo Yongjiang , Zhang Zhisheng , Sun Jiahe , Yang Tianfang , Xia TingTing , Li Qinhui , Yao Ting , Zheng Jiangyu , Jiang Zijie , Xu Zehui , Xia Qingyou , Wang Yi
Published: February 2023

The process of natural silk production in the spider major ampullate (Ma) gland endows dragline silk with extraordinary mechanical properties and the potential for biomimetic applications. However, the precise genetic roles of the Ma gland during this process remain unknown. Here, we performed a systematic molecular atlas of dragline silk production through a high-quality genome assembly for the golden orb-weaving spider Trichonephila clavata and a multiomics approach to defining the Ma gland tri-sectional architecture: Tail, Sac, and Duct. We uncovered a hierarchical biosynthesis of spidroins, organic acids, lipids, and chitin in the sectionalized Ma gland dedicated to fine silk constitution. The ordered secretion of spidroins was achieved by the synergetic regulation of epigenetic and ceRNA signatures for genomic group-distributed spidroin genes. Single-cellular and spatial RNA profiling identified ten cell types with partitioned functional division determining the tri-sectional organization of the Ma gland. Convergence analysis and genetic manipulation further validated that this tri-sectional architecture of the silk gland was analogous across Arthropoda and inextricably linked with silk formation. Collectively, our study provides multidimensional data that significantly expand the knowledge of spider dragline silk generation and ultimately benefit innovation in spider-inspired fibers.
LSM1-mediated Major Satellite RNA decay is required for nonequilibrium histone H3.3 incorporation into parental pronuclei
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Chen Kang , Sun Yu H. , Ye Wen , Liu Juntao , Zhang Dandan , Su Nan , Wu Li , Kou Xiaochen , Zhao Yanhong , Wang Hong , Gao Shaorong , Kang Lan
Published: February 2023

Epigenetic reprogramming of the parental genome is essential for zygotic genome activation and subsequent embryo development in mammals. Asymmetric incorporation of histone H3 variants into the parental genome has been observed previously, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we discover that RNA-binding protein LSM1-mediated major satellite RNA decay plays a central role in the preferential incorporation of histone variant H3.3 into the male pronucleus. Knockdown of Lsm1 disrupts nonequilibrium pronucleus histone incorporation and asymmetric H3K9me3 modification. Subsequently, we find that LSM1 mainly targets major satellite repeat RNA (MajSat RNA) for decay and that accumulated MajSat RNA in Lsm1-depleted oocytes leads to abnormal incorporation of H3.1 into the male pronucleus. Knockdown of MajSat RNA reverses the anomalous histone incorporation and modifications in Lsm1-knockdown zygotes. Our study therefore reveals that accurate histone variant incorporation and incidental modifications in parental pronuclei are specified by LSM1-dependent pericentromeric RNA decay.
Parabrachial tachykinin1-expressing neurons involved in state-dependent breathing control
Authors: Arthurs Joseph W. , Bowen Anna J. , Palmiter Richard D. , Baertsch Nathan A.
Published: February 2023

Breathing is regulated automatically by neural circuits in the medulla to maintain homeostasis, but breathing is also modified by behavior and emotion. Mice have rapid breathing patterns that are unique to the awake state and distinct from those driven by automatic reflexes. Activation of medullary neurons that control automatic breathing does not reproduce these rapid breathing patterns. By manipulating transcriptionally defined neurons in the parabrachial nucleus, we identify a subset of neurons that express theTac1, but notCalca, gene that exerts potent and precise conditional control of breathing in the awake, but not anesthetized, state via projections to the ventral intermediate reticular zone of the medulla. Activating these neurons drives breathing to frequencies that match the physiological maximum through mechanisms that differ from those that underlie the automatic control of breathing. We postulate that this circuit is important for the integration of breathing with state-dependent behaviors and emotions.
Mutation in Smek2 regulating hepatic glucose metabolism causes hypersarcosinemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in rats
Authors: Tanaka Yasutake , Kawano Michio , Nakashima Sawako , Yamaguchi Chisato , Asahina Makoto , Sakamoto Mai , Shirouchi Bungo , Tashiro Kousuke , Imaizumi Katsumi , Sato Masao
Published: February 2023

Suppressor of mek1 (Dictyostelium) homolog 2 (Smek2), was identified as one of the responsible genes for diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (DIHC) of exogenously hypercholesterolemic (ExHC) rats. A deletion mutation in Smek2 leads to DIHC via impaired glycolysis in the livers of ExHC rats. The intracellular role of Smek2 remains obscure. We used microarrays to investigate Smek2 functions with ExHC and ExHC.BN-Dihc2BN congenic rats that harbor a non-pathological Smek2 allele from Brown-Norway rats on an ExHC background. Microarray analysis revealed that Smek2 dysfunction leads to extremely low sarcosine dehydrogenase (Sardh) expression in the liver of ExHC rats. Sarcosine dehydrogenase demethylates sarcosine, a byproduct of homocysteine metabolism. The ExHC rats with dysfunctional Sardh developed hypersarcosinemia and homocysteinemia, a risk factor for atherosclerosis, with or without dietary cholesterol. The mRNA expression of Bhmt, a homocysteine metabolic enzyme and the hepatic content of betaine (trimethylglycine), a methyl donor for homocysteine methylation were low in ExHC rats. Results suggest that homocysteine metabolism rendered fragile by a shortage of betaine results in homocysteinemia, and that Smek2 dysfunction causes abnormalities in sarcosine and homocysteine metabolism.