bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature diagnostics of chromospheric fibrils
Authors: Kriginsky M. , Oliver R. , Kuridze D.
Published: February 2023

Context. Chromospheric fibrils are thin and elongated structures that connect nearby photospheric magnetic field concentrations of opposite polarities.

Aims. We assess the possibilities and drawbacks related to the use of current instrumentation and inversion techniques to infer the thermodynamic structure of chromospheric fibrils.

Methods. We employed spectroscopic observations obtained in the Ca II 854.2 nm line with the CRISP instrument at the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope and in coordination with observations in the ultraviolet Mg II h & k lines taken with the IRIS satellite. We studied the temperature sensitivity of these chromospheric lines to properly invert their spectral profiles with the Stockholm inversion Code and determine the temperature, line-of-sight velocity, and microturbulent velocity of manually traced chromospheric fibrils present in the field of view.

Results. Fibril-like structures show a very particular dependence of their temperature as a function of the position along their length. Their temperatures at the detected footpoints are, on average, 300 K higher than the temperature at the midpoint. The temperature variation appears to be almost symmetrical in shape, with partially traced fibrils showing a similar trend for the temperature variation. Additionally, the response of the Ca II 854.2 nm line core to variations of the temperature for the inverted models of the atmosphere in fibril areas seems to be insufficient to properly resolve the aforementioned temperature structure. Only the addition of more temperature sensitive lines such as the Mg II h & k lines would make it possible to properly infer the thermodynamic properties of chromospheric fibrils. Comparisons between the results obtained here and in previous studies focused on bright Ca II K fibrils yield great similarities between these structures in terms of their temperature.
A 600 kpc complex radio source at the center of Abell 3718 discovered by the EMU and POSSUM surveys
Authors: Loi F. , Brienza M. , Riseley C. J. , Rudnick L. , Boschin W. , Lovisari L. , Carretti E. , Koribalski B. , Stuardi C. , O’Sullivan S. P. , Bonafede A. , Filipović M. D. , Hopkins A.
Published: February 2023

Context. Multifrequency studies of galaxy clusters are crucial for inferring their dynamical states and physics. Moreover, these studies allow us to investigate cluster-embedded sources, whose evolution is affected by the physical and dynamical condition of the cluster itself. So far, these kinds of studies have been preferentially conducted on clusters visible from the northern hemisphere due to the high-fidelity imaging capabilities of ground-based radio interferometers located there.

Aims. In this paper, we conducted a multifrequency study of the poorly known galaxy cluster Abell 3718. We investigated the unknown origin of an extended radio source with a length of ∼612 kpc at 943 MHz detected in images from the Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) and POlarisation Sky Survey of the Universe’s Magnetism (POSSUM) surveys.

Methods. We analyzed optical and X-ray data to infer the dynamical state of the cluster and, in particular, the merger activity. We conducted a radio spectral index study from 943 MHz up to 9 GHz. We also evaluated the polarization properties of the brightest cluster-embedded sources to understand if they are related to the radio emission observed on larger scales.

Results. The cluster appears to be in a relaxed dynamical state, but there is clear asymmetry of the X-ray surface brightness distribution perpendicular to the direction of the largest angular extension of the radio source. The morphology of the cluster radio emission observed from 900 MHz to 9 GHz shows a system composed of a northern compact radio source and a southern radio galaxy whose jets are bent in the direction of an ultra-steep (α ≈ 3.6), thin (few tens of kpc) arc of radio emission between the first two radio sources. The spectral index gradient along the radio source and the polarization images at high frequency suggest that the thin arc is an extension of the southern radio galaxy, which may have been energized by interacting with the X-ray gas. An additional structure extending to the northwest from the southern radio galaxy may be an unusual truncated radio jet that either failed to expand or faded away due to energy losses. Deeper X-ray and radio observations are needed to better constrain the physics at play in this cluster.
Analyzing the environmental evolution of the Tibetan Plateau based on open-source data
Authors: Zou Kai , Gu Xinyue
Published: February 2023

The conflict between humanity and nature has recently gained prominence due to the ongoing development of human society and rising tensions caused by man-made conditions. Therefore, the Tibetan Plateau, known as the ecological environment’s treasure house, is now experiencing environmental degradation and losing biodiversity, which has increased its ecological vulnerability. This study quantitatively analyses the environmental evolution and driving factors of the ecological vulnerability of the Tibetan Plateau from 2005 to 2020. The three aspects chosen for evaluation factors are social economy, natural environment, and social response. The weights of the parameters that were chosen using the AHP method are then evaluated using a PSR model that is constructed. The vulnerability map for the local ecological environment is then created using the GIS model. Additionally, the GeoDetector method is used in the study to examine how the spatial-temporal differences change and the variables that influence those changes. The findings demonstrate that the interaction between vegetation cover, altitude, precipitation, and local human activities is the primary factor causing ecological vulnerability. And this study will advance ecological protection and development of the Tibetan Plateau, and make new strides in the study of topics.
Research Progress on Risk Assessment of Emerging Contaminants in Aquatic Environment
Authors: Lin Xiaohu , Fu Shengjie , Zhang Baohua , Li Shiyi , Fang Haifeng , Zhou Wenming , Ying Feng , Xu Jingcheng
Published: February 2023

The rapid industrialization process has brought about explosive growth in the types of chemicals and the widespread and extensive usage of chemicals. These chemicals enter into the aquatic environment with their application in industry and daily life, posing a security threat to natural water bodies and public health. It is necessary and urgent to carry out risk assessment of these new pollutants or micro-pollutants in water. Therefore, this paper reviewed the research progress and development direction of health risk assessment and ecological risk assessment of emerging contaminants in aquatic environment, and prospected the research and application in China. This paper proposes that it is necessary to deeply study the public health effects, environmental effects and migration and transformation characteristics of these emerging contaminants in water, and to understand their toxicological effects, so as to establish a sound risk assessment benchmark and method as soon as possible to help water resources management and water security.
Performance evaluation of a typical sewage system remediation project in Yangtze River protection
Authors: Lin Xiaohu , Li Shiyi , Fang Haifeng , Fu Shengjie , Zhou Wenming , Wang Jianguang , Ge Qing , An Dong , Ying Feng
Published: February 2023

The Yangtze River protection is an important environmental protection strategy for China, and the quality and efficiency of the sewage system is also one of the environmental protection actions that China is working hard to implement in recent years. As the first batch of pilot cities for the protection of the Yangtze River, Wuhu City has significantly improved its sewage system through a series of comprehensive sewage system improvement engineering measures. This paper briefly described the general situation and measures of the sewage system renovation project in the CD area of Wuhu City, and based on the systematic thinking of “source-network-plant-river”, the performance of improving the quality and efficiency of the sewage system was evaluated. With the implementation of the sewage system remediation project, the water quality at the source and discharge outlet as well as the water quantity of sewage collected had been greatly improved. The sewage collection volume had been increased from 10,000 m3/d to 42,000 m3/d and the COD concentration of the influent has increased significantly. The introduction and analysis of this project may provide some reference for other similar sewage system remediation projects in China and other countries and regions.
Study on Selective Insulation On-line Monitoring Technology for Mine Power Network
Authors: Lia Zhong-Kui , Wang Le-Jun
Published: February 2023

In this paper, by studying the change rule of zero sequence voltage when single-phase leakage occurs, the detection method of insulation decline of mine cables is studied, especially the additional low-frequency signal sampling technology of power cables. Combined with the conventional leakage protection technology, the online monitoring equipment and supporting software for the insulation parameters of power cables are developed to realize the online monitoring of the insulation of each branch cable of the mine low-voltage power supply system and achieve the purpose of selective leakage protection.
Considerations on Deploying Systems Engineering to Accelerate the R&D of New Nuclear Fuels
Authors: Li Mingyang , Qian Yueqing , Liu Wei , Yang Yong
Published: February 2023

A project for the research and development (R&D) of new nuclear fuels is a system with the following characteristics: having large number of stakeholders, progressing through a set of life cycle stages, validated by advanced measures of effectiveness, integrating multiple disciplines and specialty groups, and facilitated by enabling systems, thus can be effectively managed with the approach of systems engineering (SE). In this paper, the deployment of SE in global nuclear industry including Russia, the U.S., France, Korea and China is reviewed. By learning the experience of SE deployment in global nuclear industry, the SE characteristics of projects for the R&D of new nuclear fuels are analysed based on systems science. The R&D projects of medical cobalt adjuster rod assemblies and mobile nuclear reactor in China North Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. (CNNFC) are discussed as SE practices. It is proposed that in order to accelerate the R&D of new nuclear fuels in nuclear fuel manufacturing plant, SE should be enhanced in the following aspects: adhering to systems science, making good use of SE engineers, introducing SE tools, and exploring SE characteristics.
Design of Sewage Treatment Process of Shaowu Second Sewage Treatment Plant Based on the Modified Carrousel Oxidation Ditch
Authors: Duan Aochuan
Published: February 2023

This paper is designed for the sewage treatment process of Shaowu City Second Sewage Treatment Plant, focusing on the modified card oxidation ditch process. This sewage treatment plant is mainly purified by living sewage in Shaowu City, and the processing scale is 10,000 m3d-1. According to the sewage quality and the reality of urban development, this paper selects the hydrolyzate + oxidation ditch + concrete precipitation process. The sewage first hydrolyzedate the acidified tank before entering the secondary treatment to increase the sewage’s sewage, then remove the main organic matter in the water and complete the nitrogen removal phosphorus. Finally, further remove the suspension in water. The material and total phosphorus have enabled water quality to meet the “Sewage Treatment Plant Pollutant Emission Standard” (GB18918-2002). The project is expected to invest 3001,500 yuan, and the wastewater operating cost of the equivalent is 0.57 yuan/ton.
A hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for the fully coupled time-dependent Stokes/Darcy-transport problem
Authors: Cesmelioglu Aycil , Pham Dinh Dong , Rhebergen Sander
Published: February 2023

We present a high-order hybridized discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method for the fully coupled time-dependent Stokes–Darcy-transport problem where the fluid viscosity and source/sink terms depend on the concentration and the dispersion/diffusion tensor depends on the fluid velocity. This HDG method is such that the discrete flow equations are compatible with the discrete transport equation. Furthermore, the HDG method guarantees strong mass conservation in the Hdiv sense and naturally treats the interface conditions between the Stokes and Darcy regions via facet variables. We employ a linearizing decoupling strategy where the Stokes/Darcy and the transport equations are solved sequentially by time-lagging the concentration. We prove well-posedness and optimal a priori error estimates for the velocity and the concentration in the energy norm. We present numerical examples that respect compatibility of the flow and transport discretizations and demonstrate that the discrete solution is robust with respect to the problem parameters.
Maßnahmen der ersteintreffenden Rettungskräfte beim Massenanfall von Verletzten
Authors: Faißt Maik , Stuhr Markus , Kerner Thoralf
Published: February 2023

Die Bewältigung von Großschadensfällen stellt insbesondere für die ersteintreffenden Einsatzkräfte eine große Herausforderung dar. Es ist daher wichtig, in dieser Situation ruhig, überlegt,
rasch und zielorientiert zu handeln. Neben einer ersten Lageeinschätzung, Kontaktaufnahme zur Einsatzleitung und einer ersten alarmierenden Rückmeldung stellen die (Vor-)Sichtung,
Raumordnung und die Organisation der Einsatzstelle die wichtigsten Handlungsfelder dar. Neben dem Eigenschutz der Einsatzkräfte ist es das wichtigste Ziel, die schwer verletzten und am
dringendsten zu behandelnden Patienten der Sichtungskategorie I schnell zu identifizieren, notfallmedizinisch zu versorgen und zu transportieren.
Ernährung bei Lipödem – Ein Evidenzupdate
Authors: Kabisch Stefan
Published: February 2023

Etwa zehn Prozent der weiblichen Gesamtbevölkerung haben ein Lipödem. Hierbei verteilt sich das Körperfett überproportional an den Extremitäten, während der Körperstamm häufig schlank bleibt. Neben operativen Behandlungsmethoden wird auch der Ernährungstherapie eine immer größere Bedeutung zugesprochen. Auch wenn die Datenlage noch dünn ist, lohnt sich ein aktueller Blick auf diese Therapieform.
Association Between the Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance and
Hypertension in Adults: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rao Kunrui , Yang Jun , Wu Mengbo , Zhang Huang , Zhao Xiangtao , Dong Yifei
Published: February 2023

The metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) is a recently developed
parameter for screening of metabolic disorder. However, the association between
METS-IR and risk of hypertension in general adult population remains not fully
determined. A meta-analysis was therefore performed. Observational studies
evaluating the association between METS-IR and hypertension in adults were
retrieved by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from
inception to October 10, 2022. A random-effects model, which incorporates the
potential influence of heterogeneity, was used to pool the results. Eight
studies with 305 341 adults were included in the meta-analysis, and 47 887
(15.7%) of them had hypertension. Pooled results showed that a higher
METS-IR was associated with hypertension after adjusting for multiple
conventional risk factors [relative risk (RR) for highest versus lowest category
of METS-IR: 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.53 to 1.83,
p<0.001, I2=8%]. The results were consistent in subgroup
analyses according to study design, source of the cohort, age, sex, body mass
index of the participants, and quality scores of the study (p for subgroup
difference all>0.05). Results of meta-analysis with METS-IR analyzed in
continuous variables also showed that METS-IR was associated with the risk of
hypertension (RR for 1-unit increment of METS-IR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 to
1.23, p<0.001, I2=79%). In conclusion, a high METS-IR is
associated with hypertension in general adult population. Measuring METS-IR may
be useful for screening participants at high risk of hypertension.
Recent Advances in the Preparation and Asymmetric Transformation of α-Haloboron Compounds
Authors: XU Tao , Wang Dong
Published: February 2023

α-Haloboron compounds are very versatile synthons in organic synthesis. They can be transformed into several kinds of skeletons via Matteson homologation reaction, cross-coupling or other strategies based on the carbon–halo or carbon–boron bond. In recent years, many important advances have been achieved in the upstream and downstream chemistry of these compounds. This review comprehensively summarizes their current synthetic methods and asymmetric couplings with nickel catalysts.

1 Introduction

2 The Preparation of α-Haloboron Compounds

3 The Asymmetric Transformation of α-Haloboron Compounds

4 Conclusion
CFD modelling of WUI fire behaviour in historical fire cases according to different fuel management scenarios
Authors: Ganteaume Anne , Guillaume Bruno , Girardin Bertrand , Guerra Fabien
Published: February 2023

Background In most wildland–urban interface (WUI) fires, damage to buildings results from poor surrounding vegetation management. No simulation had been conducted yet on historical WUI fires with Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling. Aims It was interesting to check the feasibility of this modelling in simulating past fire cases for different scenarios of vegetation management and fire propagation. Methods We studied three cases of WUI dwellings surrounded by gardens (subject to French regulations on fuel reduction) adjacent to forest affected by a past fire. The 3D fire propagation was assessed using the Fire Dynamic Simulator model (FDS) and taking into account accurate fire environment (fine vegetation distribution, terrain, etc.). Key results Results showed that, in the current model state, brush-clearing mitigated fire intensity and propagation and damage to ornamental vegetation. However, it sometimes highlighted that this measure could be strengthened when the effects of topography and wind were combined. Conclusions FDS modelling at the WUI scale using accurate vegetation distribution proved to be functionally satisfactory, exhibiting realistic fire behaviour. Implications Once validated, this modelling will ultimately help to assess when fuel reduction is efficient in fire mitigation and to pinpoint possible limitations.
Activism or slacktivism?
Authors: Scotto di Carlo Giuseppina
Published: February 2023

Online activism can be expressed through many forms. While advocates claim that it is a fully-fledged form of
activism, opponents state that it is no more than vain ‘slacktivism’. Against this background, this work analyses the
‘#ChallengeAccepted’ movement, which went ‘viral’ in July 2020 to raise awareness about femi(ni)cides in Turkey, in the aftermath
of the murder of the female student Pinar Gültekin. Focusing on the use of the hashtag via Twitter, the work embraces the perspective of online
activism as a “continuum of participation”, composed of several levels. The results show how hashtag activism has worked as a means
of knowledge dissemination and action, and that also slacktivism has contributed to the cause, thanks to the “oxygen of
amplification” effect, which made users inform and get informed, refocus the campaign towards its original purpose when it digressed,
and distribute its message.
Identifying the discursive trajectory of social change – a systematic discourse theoretical framework
Authors: Sulehry Rizwan Sarwar , Wallace Derek
Published: February 2023

This article has two main objectives. One, to advance methodological development in both discourse theory and
media and communications research by proposing an eclectic, replicable methodology. Two, to demonstrate how to apply that
methodology to furnish both ontic and ontological explanations for the contingent origins of a discourse using the editorials of
the Pakistani newspaper The Nation on the Pakistan Steel Mills privatization case as a case study. An earlier
study had identified the surprising conclusion that this traditionally conservative paper had from the outset fully endorsed the
radical opposition to the government’s suspension of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan which led to an uprising
known as the Lawyers’ Movement. This article locates the origins of that shift in the newspaper’s reaction to the Pakistan Steel
Mills privatization issue. The article has implications for the fields of discourse theory, media and communication studies, and
political science.
Rapid profiling of DNA replication dynamics using mass spectrometry–based analysis of nascent DNA
Authors: Ashour Mohamed E. , Byrum Andrea K. , Meroni Alice , Xia Jun , Singh Saurabh , Galletto Roberto , Rosenberg Susan M. , Vindigni Alessandro , Mosammaparast Nima
Published: February 2023

The primary method for probing DNA replication dynamics is DNA fiber analysis, which utilizes thymidine analog incorporation into nascent DNA, followed by immunofluorescent microscopy of DNA fibers. Besides being time-consuming and prone to experimenter bias, it is not suitable for studying DNA replication dynamics in mitochondria or bacteria, nor is it adaptable for higher-throughput analysis. Here, we present mass spectrometry–based analysis of nascent DNA (MS-BAND) as a rapid, unbiased, quantitative alternative to DNA fiber analysis. In this method, incorporation of thymidine analogs is quantified from DNA using triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. MS-BAND accurately detects DNA replication alterations in both the nucleus and mitochondria of human cells, as well as bacteria. The high-throughput capability of MS-BAND captured replication alterations in an E. coli DNA damage-inducing gene library. Therefore, MS-BAND may serve as an alternative to the DNA fiber technique, with potential for high-throughput analysis of replication dynamics in diverse model systems.
Length and polarity dependent saturation of the electromechanical response of piezoelectric semiconducting nanowires
Authors: Lopez Garcia Andrés Jenaro , Mouis Mireille , Jalabert Thomas , Cresti Alessandro , Ardila Gustavo
Published: February 2023

The question of the length dependence of the electromechanical response of semiconducting (SC) piezoelectric nanowires (NWs) was explored. We identified a new physical mechanism of piezoresponse saturation, which originates from the combination of the influence of interface traps and piezoelectric polarization in the depleted NW. Our results are in better qualitative agreement with experimental observations than presently existing theories. To do so, we used the finite element method to simulate the coupled set of equations describing mechanical, piezoelectric and SC properties. In order to reduce the number of parameters, simulations focused on the case of uniform ZnO NWs grown along the c-axis. Saturation was explained by the incapacity of surface traps to maintain depletion along the whole NW beyond a certain length, as a result of the electric potential shift induced by piezoelectric polarization. An analytical model was developed to support this analysis. It provided the dependence trends of saturation length and piezoresponse as a function of NW dimensions, doping level, surface traps density and crystal polarity, as well as with external pressure, in fair agreement with simulation results. Moreover, we discovered that one consequence of this mechanism was that crystal polarity had an impact on the smoothness of the radius-dependent transition between high and low piezoresponse under axial stress. These results have important implications for the optimization of electromechanical sensors and nanogenerators based on piezoelectric SC NWs and related composite materials.
Investigation of the water desorption from components newly installed in a dry gas distribution system
Authors: Jang Eun-Jeong , Lee Young-Suk , Choi Byung-Il , Choi Yoonseuk , Lee Sang-Wook
Published: February 2023

Moisture in industrial gas affects the quality of products, and thus, studies on the water desorption behaviours of the components are necessary for industries to keep their gas distribution system extremely dry. In this study, the water desorption characteristics of a gas filter was evaluated, when it was newly installed in a setup operating in the trace-moisture regime. The desorption kinetics of the water based on the Arrhenius equation was utilized for analysing the experimental observations. The characteristics of water desorption from the filter were examined under a dried N2 gas flow with varying environmental conditions, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate and preconditioning relative humidity. For practical applications, a drying time of the filter, taken until the water vapour fraction reaches a target concentration (10 nmol·mol−1), was measured under varying conditions. Finally, the uncertainty budget on the drying time was evaluated. The findings of this study provide a practical insight on the water desorption behaviour, which would be useful for maintaining dry gas supply lines.
The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) Experiment at FAIR – Physics, Status and Prospects
Authors: Agarwal Kshitij
Published: February 2023

The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment is one of the major scientific pillars of the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR). The physics programme of CBM is centred around the exploration of the QCD phase diagram and nuclear matter equation-of-state in the region of high baryon densities. The respective rare probes will be accessed by using nucleus-nucleus collisions in the energy range √sNN = 2.9 - 4.9 GeV at peak interaction rates of up to 10 MHz and a trigger-less data acquisition scheme. This article reviews CBM physics goals with the experimental observables. The progress and current status of the comprising detector sub-systems, including their performance in FAIR Phase-0 experiments will also be presented.
Quantification of the atomic surfaces and volumes of a metal cluster based on the molecular surface model
Authors: Yu Yifan , Cui Junzhi
Published: February 2023

The atomic volume and surface are important geometric quantities for calculating various macroscopic physical quantities from atomistic models. This paper proposes a new analytical method to calculate the atomic volumes and surfaces of a metal cluster. This method adopts metallic radii to describe atom sizes and constructs the overall volume/surface by the molecular surface (MS) model. It divides cluster atoms into two types: interior atoms and boundary atoms. For an interior atom, the method defines a variational Voronoi cell as its volume. For a boundary atom, the method defines the intersection of the overall cluster volume and its variational Voronoi cell as its volume. The atomic surfaces are calculated along with the volume calculations. Compared with other methods, the new method considers the effect of atom sizes and does not rely on the size and location of the simulation box. Therefore, the new method can accurately calculate the overall volume of a metal cluster of arbitrary shape and the individual atomic volumes. This method provides computational support for multiscale coupled calculations from the microscale to macroscale.
Calculation of rescaling factors and nuclear multiplication of muons in extensive air showers
Authors: Cheminant Kevin Almeida , Góra Dariusz , Borodai Nataliia , Engel Ralph , Pierog Tanguy , Pȩkala Jan , Roth Markus , Unger Michael , Veberič Darko , Wilczyński Henryk
Published: February 2023

Recent results obtained from leading cosmic ray experiments indicate that simulations using LHC-tuned hadronic interaction models underestimate the number of muons in extensive air showers compared to experimental data. This is the so-called muon deficit problem. Determination of the muon component in the air shower is crucial for inferring the mass of the primary particle, which is a key ingredient in the efforts to pinpoint the sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. In this paper, we present a new method to derive the muon signal in detectors, which uses the difference between the total reconstructed (‘data’) and simulated signals, and is in turn related to the muon signal which is roughly independent of the zenith angle, but depends on the mass of the primary cosmic ray. Such a method offers an opportunity not only to test/calibrate the hadronic interaction models, but also to derive the β exponent, which describes an increase of the number of muons in a shower as a function of the energy and mass of the primary cosmic ray. Detailed simulations show a dependence of the β exponent on hadronic interaction properties, thus the determination of this parameter is important for understanding the muon deficit problem. We validate the method by using Monte-Carlo simulations for the EPOS-LHC and QGSJetII-04 hadronic interaction models, and show that this method allows us to recover the ratio of the muon signal between EPOS-LHC and QGSJetII-04 and the average β exponent for the studied system, within less than a few percent. This is a consequence of the good recovery of the muon signal for each primary included in the analysis.
Isolation and Characterization of Triterpenoids from the Stem of Diospyros gracilis
Authors: Wuttikit S. , Thanakijcharoenpath W.
Published: February 2023

The genus Diospyros comprises numerous plant species, several of which are economically and ethnomedicinally important. Some of them yield valuable timber, and some give commercialized edible fruit. Diospyros plants have long been known for their therapeutic property and employed in folk medicine in different parts of the world. Phytochemical study of these plants might give information beneficial for their utilization. Diospyros gracilis is one of Diospyros species with no previous report on phytochemical investigation. In this study, six pentacyclic triterpenoids, including friedelin, epifriedelanol, lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid, and betulinaldehyde, were isolated from the stem of the plant. Identification of the isolated compounds was mainly based on analysis of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data, confirmed by comparison with the literature values.
Climate-smart infrastructure in the United States—what does it look like and how do we get it built?
Authors: Lashof Daniel , Neuberger Jillian
Published: February 2023

The United States has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 50%–52% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to net-zero emissions by 2050. This is in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 °C. Multiple studies show that achieving these targets is technologically feasible and would have net direct costs of less than 1% of GDP (and possibly negative), not accounting for climate benefits or other externalities. Robust federal, state, and local policies would be needed to ensure that infrastructure to enable decarbonization is built at the required pace and scale. Simultaneous investments in adaptation and resilience infrastructure, including upgrading green and grey infrastructure, will be needed to adapt to the consequences of climate change that can no longer be avoided and increase economic and social resilience to more frequent or severe extreme weather events. These kinds of climate smart infrastructure—infrastructure required to support rapid decarbonization and withstand unavoidable climate change impacts—are expansive and varied. Infrastructure investments to enable decarbonization include renewable and other zero- or near-zero-emissions electricity generation; short- and long-duration energy storage; robust and flexible electricity transmission and distribution; charging and refueling infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles; and clean hydrogen and carbon dioxide capture, transportation and storage. Infrastructure investments in adaptation include supporting infrastructure for extreme heat, drought, and wildfire resilience; coastal and inland flood resilience; and public health resilience. Physically deploying this infrastructure depends on a significant investment focused on addressing the causes and impacts of climate change, as well as an intentional effort to adopt processes and practices at all levels of government to facilitate such large-scale infrastructure deployment and reconstruction. Shifting from a status quo to a transformational approach to infrastructure investment and deployment will be essential to addressing the climate crisis. It will also provide an opportunity to rethink how to design and implement infrastructure in a way that increases equity and delivers for the communities it serves.
Statistical inference for streamed longitudinal data
Authors: Luo Lan , Wang Jingshen , Hector Emily C
Published: February 2023

Modern longitudinal data, for example from wearable devices, may consist of measurements of biological signals on a fixed set of participants at a diverging number of time-points. Traditional statistical methods are not equipped to handle the computational burden of repeatedly analysing the cumulatively growing dataset each time new data are collected. We propose a new estimation and inference framework for dynamic updating of point estimates and their standard errors along sequentially collected datasets with dependence, both within and between the datasets. The key technique is a decomposition of the extended inference function vector of the quadratic inference function constructed over the cumulative longitudinal data into a sum of summary statistics over data batches. We show how this sum can be recursively updated without the need to access the whole dataset, resulting in a computationally efficient streaming procedure with minimal loss of statistical efficiency. We prove consistency and asymptotic normality of our streaming estimator as the number of data batches diverges, even as the number of independent participants remains fixed. Simulations demonstrate the advantages of our approach over traditional statistical methods that assume independence between data batches. Finally, we investigate the relationship between physical activity and several diseases through analysis of accelerometry data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Variability in objective sleep is associated with Alzheimer’s pathology and cognition
Authors: Fenton Laura , Isenberg A Lisette , Aslanyan Vahan , Albrecht Daniel , Contreras Joey A , Stradford Joy , Monreal Teresa , Pa Judy
Published: February 2023

Both sleep duration and sleep efficiency have been associated with risk of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that interventions to promote optimal sleep may be a way to reduce Alzheimer’s disease risk. However, studies often focus on average sleep measures, usually from self-report questionnaires, ignoring the role of intra-individual variability in sleep across nights quantified from objective sleep measures. The current cross-sectional study sought to investigate the role of intra-individual variability in accelerometer-based objective sleep duration and sleep efficiency in relation to in vivo Alzheimer’s disease pathology (β-amyloid and tau) using positron emission tomography imaging and cognition (working memory, inhibitory control, verbal memory, visual memory and global cognition). To examine these relationships, we evaluated 52 older adults (age = 66.4 ± 6.89, 67% female, 27% apolipoprotein E4 carriers) with objective early mild cognitive impairment. Modifying effects of apolipoprotein E4 status were also explored. Less intra-individual variability in sleep duration was associated with lower β-amyloid burden, higher global cognition and better inhibitory control, with a trend for lower tau burden. Less intra-individual variability in sleep efficiency was associated with lower β-amyloid burden, higher global cognition and better inhibitory control, but not with tau burden. Longer sleep duration was associated with better visual memory and inhibitory control. Apolipoprotein E4 status significantly modified the association between intra-individual variability in sleep efficiency and β-amyloid burden, such that less sleep efficiency variability was associated with lower β-amyloid burden in apolipoprotein E4 carriers only. There was a significant interaction between sleep duration and apolipoprotein E4 status, suggesting that longer sleep duration is more strongly associated with lower β-amyloid burden in apolipoprotein E4 carriers relative to non-carriers. These results provide evidence that lower intra-individual variability in both sleep duration and sleep efficiency and longer mean sleep duration are associated with lower levels of β-amyloid pathology and better cognition. The relationships between sleep duration and intra-individual variability in sleep efficiency with β-amyloid burden differ by apolipoprotein E4 status, indicating that longer sleep duration and more consistent sleep efficiency may be protective against β-amyloid burden in apolipoprotein E4 carriers. Longitudinal and causal studies are needed to better understand these relationships. Future work should investigate factors contributing to intra-individual variability in sleep duration and sleep efficiency in order to inform intervention studies.
Cholecystokinin receptor antagonist challenge elicits brain-wide functional connectome modulation with micronetwork hippocampal decreased calcium transients
Authors: Manno Francis A M , An Ziqi , Su Junfeng , Liu Jiaming , He Jufang , Wu Ed X , Feng Yanqiu , Lau Condon
Published: February 2023

The cortical distribution and functional role of cholecystokinin (CCK) are largely unknown. Here, a CCK receptor antagonist challenge paradigm was developed to assess functional connectivity and neuronal responses. Structural–functional magnetic resonance imaging and calcium imaging were undertaken in environmental enrichment (EE) and standard environment (SE) groups (naïve adult male mice, n = 59, C57BL/B6J, P = 60). Functional connectivity network-based statistics and pseudo-demarcation Voronoi tessellations to cluster calcium signals were used to derive region of interest metrics based on calcium transients, firing rate, and location. The CCK challenge elicited robust changes to structural–functional networks, decreased neuronal calcium transients, and max firing rate (5 s) of dorsal hippocampus in SE mice. However, the functional changes were not observed in EE mice, while the decreased neuronal calcium transients and max firing rate (5 s) were similar to SE mice. Decreased gray matter alterations were observed in multiple brain regions in the SE group due to CCK challenge, while no effect was observed in the EE group. The networks most affected by CCK challenge in SE included within isocortex, isocortex to olfactory, isocortex to striatum, olfactory to midbrain, and olfactory to thalamus. The EE group did not experience network changes in functional connectivity due to CCK challenge. Interestingly, calcium imaging revealed a significant decrease in transients and max firing rate (5 s) in the dorsal CA1 hippocampus subregion after CCK challenge in EE. Overall, CCK receptor antagonists affected brain-wide structural–functional connectivity within the isocortex, in addition to eliciting decreased neuronal calcium transients and max firing rate (5 s) in CA1 of the hippocampus. Future studies should investigate the CCK functional networks and how these processes affect isocortex modulation.

Significance Statement 

Cholecystokinin is a neuropeptide predominately found in the gastrointestinal system. Albeit abundantly expressed in neurons, the role and distribution of cholecystokinin are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate cholecystokinin affects brain-wide structural–functional networks within the isocortex. In the hippocampus, the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist challenge decreases neuronal calcium transients and max firing rate (5 s) in CA1. We further demonstrate that mice in environmental enrichment do not experience functional network changes to the CCK receptor antagonist challenge. Environmental enrichment may afford protection to the alterations observed in control mice due to CCK. Our results suggest that cholecystokinin is distributed throughout the brain, interacts in the isocortex, and demonstrates an unexpected functional network stability for enriched mice.
Standardized naming of microbiome samples in Genomes OnLine Database
Authors: Mukherjee Supratim , Ovchinnikova Galina , Stamatis Dimitri , Li Cindy Tianqing , Chen I-Min A , Kyrpides Nikos C , Reddy T B K
Published: February 2023

The power of next-generation sequencing has resulted in an explosive growth in the number of projects aiming to understand the metagenomic diversity of complex microbial environments. The interdisciplinary nature of this microbiome research community, along with the absence of reporting standards for microbiome data and samples, poses a significant challenge for follow-up studies. Commonly used names of metagenomes and metatranscriptomes in public databases currently lack the essential information necessary to accurately describe and classify the underlying samples, which makes a comparative analysis difficult to conduct and often results in misclassified sequences in data repositories. The Genomes OnLine Database (GOLD) (https:// gold.jgi.doe.gov/) at the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute has been at the forefront of addressing this challenge by developing a standardized nomenclature system for naming microbiome samples. GOLD, currently in its twenty-fifth anniversary, continues to enrich the research community with hundreds of thousands of metagenomes and metatranscriptomes with well-curated and easy-to-understand names. Through this manuscript, we describe the overall naming process that can be easily adopted by researchers worldwide. Additionally, we propose the use of this naming system as a best practice for the scientific community to facilitate better interoperability and reusability of microbiome data.
Successful exclusion of left main trunk coronary artery aneurysm and concomitant HeartMate 3 implantation in a patient with a history of infective endocarditis: a case report
Authors: Kunioka Shingo , Tadokoro Naoki , Fujita Tomoyuki , Fukushima Satsuki
Published: February 2023

Background

Coronary artery embolism is a rare, life-threatening complication in patients with infectious endocarditis. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a common treatment; however, a coronary artery aneurysm may develop at the angioplasty site.

Case summary

A 33-year-old women had been hospitalized in another institution due to cardiopulmonary arrest caused by embolic occlusion in the left main artery and infective endocarditis on mitral valve. Following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation insertion, she underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left main coronary artery and mitral valve replacement. She was transferred to our institution for advanced heart failure care. We immediately upgraded extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to an extracorporeal left ventricular assist device. Despite 6-week adequate medication, her left ventricular function was not improved. She was listed for heart transplantation on post-operative Day 40. Her blood culture showed negative results for 6 weeks. We planned to convert the left ventricular assist device from extracorporeal to implantable. However, pre-operative coronary artery angiography showed a large left main trunk coronary artery aneurysm on the stent site and rapid aneurysm enlargement. Surgery was performed on post-operative Day 48; the aneurysm was left unresected; its inflow and outflow arteries were completely ligated and supplemented by coronary artery bypass grafting. HeartMate 3 was implanted concomitantly, and the post-operative course was uneventful.

Discussion

Coronary artery aneurysm at the angioplasty site was treated with adequate antibiotic therapy and simply ligation of the proximal and distal flow arteries of the aneurysm. Aneurysm ligation reduced invasive surgical procedures and provided time for concomitant surgery.
Understanding medical corruption in China: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Fu Hongqiao , Lai Yi , Li Yuanyuan , Zhu Yishan , Yip Winnie
Published: February 2023

Medical corruption is a significant obstacle to achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals. However, the understanding of medical corruption is limited, especially in developing countries. As the largest developing country, China is also plagued by medical corruption. By employing a mixed-methods design and combining data from three resources, this study attempts to examine patterns of medical corruption in China, explore its key drivers and investigate the perceived effectiveness of recent anti-corruption interventions. Using extracted data from 3546 cases on the China Judgments Online website between 2013 and 2019, we found that bribery, embezzlement and insurance fraud accounted for 68.1%, 22.8% and 9.1% of all medical corruption cases, respectively. Bribery was the major form of medical corruption. Approximately 80% of bribe-takers were healthcare providers, and most bribe-givers were suppliers of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and consumables. Using a nationally representative household survey, we further found that the prevalence of informal payments from patients remained at a low level between 2011 and 2018. In 2018, only 0.4% of outpatients and 1.4% of inpatients reported that they had ever given ‘red envelopes’ to physicians in the past. Finally, we conducted interviews with 17 key informants to explore drivers of medical corruption and investigated the perceived effectiveness of recent anti-corruption interventions in China. Interview results showed that financial pressure and weak oversight were two main reasons for corrupt behaviours. Interview results also suggested that the anti-corruption campaign since 2012, the national volume-based procurement, and the special campaign against medical insurance fraud had reduced opportunities for medical corruption, implying China’s positive progress in combating medical corruption. These findings hold lessons for anti-corruption interventions in China as well as other developing countries.