bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-source information contrastive learning collaborative augmented conversational recommender systems
Authors: Liu Huaiyu , Cao Qiong , Huang Xianying , Liu Fengjin , Zhang Chengyang , An Jiahao
Published: May 2024

Conversational Recommender Systems (CRS) aim to provide high-quality items to users in fewer conversation rounds using natural language. Despite various attempts that have been made, there are still some problems: Previous CRS only learned item representations in a single knowledge graph and ignored item tags; information gaps exist in the same items from different knowledge graphs and information popularity both affect user preferences; system generated responses lack descriptiveness and diversity. To address these problems and fully utilize external knowledge, we propose a Multi-source Information Contrastive Learning Collaborative Augmented method ($$\textbf{MCCA}$$
MCCA
), which aims to mine the potential tag preferences of users in dialogues as well as enhance the accuracy of item representation and user preference modeling. Specifically, we utilize the obtained items and their tags to construct a new knowledge graph that incorporates movie tags. We design a Multi-source Item Fusion mechanism ($$\textbf{MIF}$$
MIF
) to bridge the information gaps between items from different knowledge graphs and then utilize unsupervised contrastive learning to enhance the items’ representation capability after MIF. Additionally, a Multi-Tag Fusion mechanism ($$\textbf{MTF}$$
MTF
) is designed to combine user-perceived information (i.e., tag popularity) and keywords obtained from reviews to co-enhance user preference representations through items and tags, and to incorporate fused item and tag features into the conversation module. Extensive experiments on two datasets show that MCCA significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods. The source code will be available at https://github.com/lhy-cqut/MCCA.
Surrogate-assisted sine Phasmatodea population evolution algorithm applied to 3D coverage of mobile nodes
Authors: Chu Shu-Chuan , Liang LuLu , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Kong LingPing , Zhao Jia
Published: May 2024

Deploying static wireless sensor nodes is prone to network coverage gaps, resulting in poor network coverage. In this paper, an attempt is made to improve the network coverage by moving the locations of the nodes. A surrogate-assisted sine Phasmatodea population evolution algorithm (SASPPE) is used to evaluate the network coverage. A$$50 \times 50$$50×50hill simulation environment was tested for the number of nodes of 30 and 40 and radii of 3, 5 and 7, respectively. The results show that the SASPPE algorithm has the highest coverage, which can be up to 23.624% higher than the PPE algorithm, and up to 5.196% higher than the PPE algorithm, ceteris paribus. The SASPPE algorithm mixes the GSAM with LSAMs, which balances the computational cost of the algorithm and the algorithm’s ability to find optimal results. The use of hierarchical clustering enhances the stable type of the LSAMs. In addition, LSAMs are easy to fall into local optimality when they are modeled with local data, and the use of sine Phasmatodea population evolution algorithm (Sine-PPE) for searching in LSAMs alleviates the time for the algorithm to fall into local optimality. On 30D, 50D, and 100D, the proposed algorithm was tested by 7 test functions. The results show that the algorithm has significant advantages on most functions.
Understanding the social construction of juvenile delinquency: insights from semantic analysis of big-data historical newspaper collections
Authors: Zhang Yu , Davies Adam , Zhai ChengXiang
Published: May 2024

Massive historical newspaper collections contain rich information about the historical development of social issues and constitute a unique resource for studying the social construction of issues such as juvenile delinquency. However, manual analysis of millions of pages of newspaper articles is infeasible. In this paper, we propose a suite of computational methods, including cross-context lexical analysis, dynamic semantic analysis, and valence analysis, to facilitate the study of historical social construction. We apply these methods to ProQuest Historical Newspapers$$^{\textrm{TM}}$$

TM

collection in the period of 1790–2006 to study the social construction of juvenile delinquency over this period. Our results show that the proposed methods are effective in revealing insights regarding the social construction of juvenile delinquency, leading to a better understanding of this complex issue and specific hypotheses for further study. Overall, our study shows the great promise of leveraging natural language processing techniques for analyzing historical news data to study social construction of societal issues.
The coordination network toolkit: a framework for detecting and analysing coordinated behaviour on social media
Authors: Graham Timothy , Hames Sam , Alpert Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces and evaluates the Coordination Network Toolkit, an open-source software package and methodological framework designed to detect and analyse coordinated behaviour on social media platforms. As the dynamics of online communication continue to evolve, coordination analysis has emerged as an important field of study with significant implications for understanding online influence, digital astroturfing, and online activism. Recognising the absence of a comprehensive, open-source tool for constructing coordination networks, our approach fills this gap, catering to multiple behaviors across diverse social media platforms. Our approach synthesises and significantly enhances various methods to provide a methodological framework for ‘multi-behaviour’ coordination detection, utilising weighted, directed multigraphs to capture intricate coordination dynamics. We evaluate our approach by revisiting a case study of the 2020 #ReopenAmerica Covid protest movement on Twitter. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for future work, emphasising the need for a tailored statistical framework for coordination analysis and a deeper exploration into the motives behind online coordination.
The Living Word and Its Death Threats
Authors: Sinclair Christine
Published: May 2024

The expression ‘the living word’ has wide application, often in preference to an alternative use of language that is likely to threaten it. An enquiry is proposed into the potential utility of the expression for theorizing newer threats such as the use of Large Language Models. The main influence on the enquiry is the theory of dialogism, developed from work by Bakhtin and his colleagues, but other perspectives are included. The paper examines the relationships between the expression and four of its threats: technologization, monologues, static and normative approaches to meaning-making, and monolingualism. The living word appears to survive all such threats, though human thinking, communication, and meaning-making are all transformed in the process, while the perceived threat is assimilated or resisted but does not disappear. There are several contradictions in usage of the term and some resistance to the metaphor of life and death in the context of language. Faith in the living word is likely to depend on careful modulation of its meanings for a specific context through dialogue. The paper concludes that ‘the living word’ might act as a placeholder for our responses to new threats, bearing in mind that we have been continually participating in productive dialogues even when surrounded by static, monologic, and monolingual linguistic practices.
Emerging microalgal feed additives for ruminant production and sustainability
Authors: Zhu Mianmian , Singer Stacy D. , Guan Le Luo , Chen Guanqun
Published: May 2024

The global demand for animal-derived foods has led to a substantial expansion in ruminant production, which has raised concerns regarding methane emissions. To address these challenges, microalgal species that are nutritionally-rich and contain bioactive compounds in their biomass have been explored as attractive feed additives for ruminant livestock production. In this review, we discuss the different microalgal species used for this purpose in recent studies, and review the effects of microalgal feed supplements on ruminant growth, performance, health, and product quality, as well as their potential contributions in reducing methane emissions. We also examine the potential complexities of adopting microalgae as feed additives in the ruminant industry.
The Struggle for Mastery in Ireland, 1442-1540
Authors: Kelly Alan
Published: May 2024

A reassessment of the rivalry between the two great Anglo-Norman magnate families in late medieval and early modern Ireland, putting forward a new interpretation of events.
Anglophone African Detective Fiction 1940-2020
Authors: Christensen Matthew J.
Published: May 2024

Traces detective fiction's history both as a literary form and a mode of critical exploration of the fraught sovereignties of the African state and its citizens.
Contrasting Effects of Urban Land Cover Change and Anthropogenic Heat on Summer Precipitation Over the Yangtze River Delta of China: Analyses From an Atmospheric Moisture Budget Perspective
Authors: Ma Xinyue , Yang Ben , Dai Guoqing , Lin Huijuan , Yang Xuchao , Qian Yun , Zhang Yaocun , Huang Anning
Published: May 2024

Both urban land cover (ULC) change and anthropogenic heat (AH) emission are important causes of urban heat island, but their relative contributions to the changes in urban precipitation and the related mechanism remain unclear. Based on numerical simulations utilizing the latest realistic urban fraction and AH data over the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, we found that ULC and AH resulted in nearly opposite effects on precipitation. Various dynamical and thermodynamic processes were involved according to the atmospheric moisture budget analyses. AH increased precipitation particularly during afternoon, and the increases were stronger during heavy precipitation events because of the enhanced moisture convergence effect together with the release of moisture storage previously accumulated in the atmosphere. Differently, ULC reduced mean precipitation mainly due to suppressed evaporation. During weak precipitation events, the suppressed evaporation was largely balanced by the intensified moisture convergence, but during heavy events, ULC caused more pronounced precipitation reduction because the moisture convergence response disappeared and failed to offset the evaporation effect. The relative contributions of different dynamical and thermodynamic processes such as those related to circulation, moisture gradient, and background moisture availability to the temporal variation in the total moisture convergence were further quantified. Overall, our results help better understand the relative roles of different aspects of urbanization on precipitation, and suggest that compared to ULC, reduction in AH emission that is tightly related to the energy consumption structure could be more efficient for mitigating the risk of extreme precipitation.
Fine Cloud Structures on a Hard Snowball Earth
Authors: Yan Mingyu , Yang Jun
Published: May 2024

Earth may have been globally ice‐covered at least two times during the Cryogenian Period (720–635 Ma). Previous studies showed that clouds could strongly warm a hard snowball Earth and promote its deglaciation. However, the understanding of clouds was largely based on coarse‐resolution global simulations with parameterized convection and clouds, or high‐resolution cloud‐resolving simulations with explicit convection and clouds but limited to a small domain without the effects of large‐scale circulation. Here we present the first global non‐hydrostatic high‐resolution (30 km) simulation to investigate snowball clouds and their radiative effects. We show that spatial‐temporal cloud distributions exhibit clear meanders (patterns of curved lines rather than straight lines along the west‐east direction) and strong variabilities, which result from the tight interactions among the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone, Hadley cells, and baroclinic instability. The net cloud radiative effect is around 20 W m−2 in the tropics, consistent with previous global general circulation model simulations.
Novel Scheme for GPU‐Accelerated Finite‐Difference Time‐Domain Simulation of Electromagnetic Wave Interaction With Magnetic Plasma
Authors: He Shimin , Liu Moran , Feng Ting , Wu Yiyun , Wang Xiang , Zhou Chen , Lan Ting , Qing Haiyin
Published: May 2024

Based on graphical processing unit acceleration, a new method of finite‐difference time‐domain scheme is proposed to simulate the interaction between electromagnetic waves and magnetized plasma in two‐dimensional conditions. In this study, transversely electric and transversely magnetic are computed in time to avoid matrix operations involving Lorentz equations of motion. Compared to Young's method, the new method reduces addition and multiplication by about 63% and 66%, respectively. The simulation results of ionospheric wave propagation show that the new method agrees well with Young's method and the calculation speed is improved significantly.
Location and Intensity Changes of the North Equatorial Countercurrent Tied to ITCZ Under Global Warming
Authors: Wang Qing , Song Fengfei , Wu Lixin , Dong Lu , Liu Qinyu
Published: May 2024

Previous studies have suggested that global ocean circulation would be significantly changed under global warming, while the change of North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) and its mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we investigate the location and intensity changes of NECC under global warming based on CESM1 high‐resolution long‐term simulations from the perspective of the Inter‐Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), considering the close connection between NECC and ITCZ and well‐established changes of ITCZ. It is found that the annual‐mean NECC shifts equatorward of 0.39° and weakens by 21.71% in the RCP8.5 scenario at the end of 21st century. The NECC change is seasonally dependent, with maximum shift and weakening during spring, consistent with the changes of ITCZ. Both the location and intensity changes of ITCZ are important in the NECC changes, especially for spring. The weakening and equatorward shift of ITCZ contributes almost equally to the strongest decrease of spring NECC (47.63%).
Next Generation Seismic Source Detection by Computer Vision: Untangling the Complexity of the 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Tan Fengzhou , Kao Honn , Yi Kwang Moo , Nissen Edwin , Goerzen Chet , Hutchinson Jesse , Gao Dawei , Farahbod Amir M.
Published: May 2024

Seismic source locations are fundamental to many fields of Earth and planetary sciences, such as seismology, volcanology and tectonics. However, seismic source detection and location are challenging when events cluster closely in space and time with signals tangling together at observing stations, such as they often do in major aftershock sequences. Though emerging algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) models have made processing high volumes of seismic data easier, their performance is still limited, especially for complex aftershock sequences. In this study, we propose a novel approach that utilizes three‐dimensional image segmentation—a computer vision technique—to detect and locate seismic sources, and develop this into a complete workflow, Source Untangler Guided by Artificial intelligence image Recognition (SUGAR). In our synthetic and real data tests, SUGAR can handle complex, energetic earthquake sequences in near real time better than skillful analysts and other AI and non‐AI based algorithms. We apply SUGAR to the 2016 Kaikōura, New Zealand sequence and obtain five times more events than the analyst‐based GeoNet catalog. The improved aftershock distribution illuminates a continuous fault system with extensive fracture zones beneath the segmented, discontinuous surface ruptures. Our method has broader applicability to non‐earthquake sources and other time series image data sets.
A Frequency Domain Methodology for Quantitative Evaluation of Diffuse Wavefield With Applications to Seismic Imaging
Authors: Yang Bo , Meng Haoran , Gu Ning , Liu Xin , Chen Xiaofei , Ben‐Zion Yehuda
Published: May 2024

Ambient Noise Imaging (ANI) of subsurface structures relies on seismic interferometry of diffuse seismic wavefields. However, the lack of effective methods to quantify and identify highly diffuse waves hampers applications of ANI, particularly in evaluating seismic attenuation and monitoring structural changes with high temporal resolution. Conventional ANI approaches require data normalization, which effectively suppresses the non‐diffuse component with large amplitude but also results in significant loss of amplitude and phase information in the continuous seismic records. In this study, we propose a frequency domain method to quantitatively evaluate the degree of diffuseness of seismic wavefields by analyzing their statistical characteristics of modal amplitudes for stationarity and randomness. Tests on synthetic waveform and field nodal records show that the proposed method can effectively distinguish between diffuse and non‐diffuse waveforms for either single‐ or three‐component data. As an application, we identify a 60‐s‐long diffuse coda of a local M 2.2 earthquake recorded by a dense nodal array on the San Jacinto Fault Zone, and successfully extract high‐quality dispersion curve and Q‐value without performing data normalization. These results are consistent with those obtained by conventional methods that assess the correlation between coherency and the Green's function, and by modeling ballistic waves generated by road traffic. Our proposed method can advance the imaging of subsurface velocity and attenuation structures as well as monitoring temporal changes for scientific studies and engineering applications.
Salt Distribution in the South Pyrenean Central Salient: Insights From Gravity Anomalies
Authors: Santolaria P. , Ayala C. , Soto R. , Clariana P. , Rubio F. M. , Martín‐León J. , Pueyo E. L. , Muñoz J. A.
Published: May 2024

Triassic evaporites represent the regional décollement of the Pyrenees and form two salt provinces north and south of the South Pyrenean Central Salient (SPCS). We present an updated Bouguer and residual Bouguer anomaly map built upon the homogenization of available gravity data of the SPCS together with four new and representative cross‐sections, constrained by geological data acquired in the field, seismic, well, and gravity data (gravity forward modeling). Gravity anomaly maps and cross‐sections are used to characterize the present‐day uneven distribution of Triassic evaporites. Outcropping Triassic evaporites is not necessarily associated with an underlying evaporite accumulation and the absence of it at surface does not involves its non‐existence at depth. Northwest of the salient, a major accumulation of Triassic evaporites floors a thick syn‐orogenic Upper Cretaceous basin. South of it, Triassic rocks core salt‐detached anticlines related to the Pyrenean orogeny. Along the southernmost (and youngest) thrust sheet of the salient, diapirs, and evaporite accumulations are associated with a salt‐inflated area.
Azimuthal rotation-controlled nanoinscribing for continuous patterning of period- and shape-tunable asymmetric nanogratings
Authors: Lee Useung , Kim Hyein , Oh Dong Kyo , Lee Nayeong , Park Jonggab , Park Jaewon , Son Hyunji , Noh Hyunchan , Rho Junsuk , Ok Jong G.
Published: May 2024

We present an azimuthal-rotation-controlled dynamic nanoinscribing (ARC-DNI) process for continuous and scalable fabrication of asymmetric nanograting structures with tunable periods and shape profiles. A sliced edge of a nanograting mold, which typically has a rectangular grating profile, slides over a polymeric substrate to induce its burr-free plastic deformation into a linear nanopattern. During this continuous nanoinscribing process, the “azimuthal angle,” that is, the angle between the moving direction of the polymeric substrate and the mold’s grating line orientation, can be controlled to tailor the period, geometrical shape, and profile of the inscribed nanopatterns. By modulating the azimuthal angle, along with other important ARC-DNI parameters such as temperature, force, and inscribing speed, we demonstrate that the mold-opening profile and temperature- and time-dependent viscoelastic polymer reflow can be controlled to fabricate asymmetric, blazed, and slanted nanogratings that have diverse geometrical profiles such as trapezoidal, triangular, and parallelogrammatic. Finally, period- and profile-tunable ARC-DNI can be utilized for the practical fabrication of diverse optical devices, as is exemplified by asymmetric diffractive optical elements in this study.
Spatial mapping of hepatic ER and mitochondria architecture reveals zonated remodeling in fasting and obesity
Authors: Parlakgül Güneş , Pang Song , Artico Leonardo L. , Min Nina , Cagampan Erika , Villa Reyna , Goncalves Renata L. S. , Lee Grace Yankun , Xu C. Shan , Hotamışlıgil Gökhan S. , Arruda Ana Paula
Published: May 2024

The hepatocytes within the liver present an immense capacity to adapt to changes in nutrient availability. Here, by using high resolution volume electron microscopy, we map how hepatic subcellular spatial organization is regulated during nutritional fluctuations and as a function of liver zonation. We identify that fasting leads to remodeling of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) architecture in hepatocytes, characterized by the induction of single rough ER sheet around the mitochondria, which becomes larger and flatter. These alterations are enriched in periportal and mid-lobular hepatocytes but not in pericentral hepatocytes. Gain- and loss-of-function in vivo models demonstrate that the Ribosome receptor binding protein1 (RRBP1) is required to enable fasting-induced ER sheet-mitochondria interactions and to regulate hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Endogenous RRBP1 is enriched around periportal and mid-lobular regions of the liver. In obesity, ER-mitochondria interactions are distinct and fasting fails to induce rough ER sheet-mitochondrion interactions. These findings illustrate the importance of a regulated molecular architecture for hepatocyte metabolic flexibility.
The greenbeard gene tgrB1 regulates altruism and cheating in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Katoh-Kurasawa Mariko , Lehmann Peter , Shaulsky Gad
Published: May 2024

Greenbeard genetic elements encode rare perceptible signals, signal recognition ability, and altruism towards others that display the same signal. Putative greenbeards have been described in various organisms but direct evidence for all the properties in one system is scarce. ThetgrB1-tgrC1allorecognition system ofDictyostelium discoideumencodes two polymorphic membrane proteins which protect cells from chimerism-associated perils. During development, TgrC1 functions as a ligand-signal and TgrB1 as its receptor, but evidence for altruism has been indirect. Here, we show that mixing wild-type and activatedtgrB1cells increases wild-type spore production and relegates the mutants to the altruistic stalk, whereas mixing wild-type andtgrB1-null cells increases mutant spore production and wild-type stalk production. ThetgrB1-null cells cheat only on partners that carry the sametgrC1-allotype. Therefore, TgrB1 activation confers altruism whereas TgrB1 inactivation causes allotype-specific cheating, supporting the greenbeard concept and providing insight into the relationship between allorecognition, altruism, and exploitation.
Unconventional magnetism mediated by spin-phonon-photon coupling
Authors: Pantazopoulos Petros Andreas , Feist Johannes , García-Vidal Francisco J. , Kamra Akashdeep
Published: May 2024

Magnetic order typically emerges due to the short-range exchange interaction between the constituent electronic spins. Recent discoveries have found a crucial role for spin-phonon coupling in various phenomena from optical ultrafast magnetization switching to dynamical control of the magnetic state. Here, we demonstrate theoretically the emergence of a biquadratic long-range interaction between spins mediated by their coupling to phonons hybridized with vacuum photons into polaritons. The resulting ordered state enabled by the exchange of virtual polaritons between spins is reminiscent of superconductivity mediated by the exchange of virtual phonons. The biquadratic nature of the spin-spin interaction promotes ordering without favoring ferro- or antiferromagnetism. It further makes the phase transition to magnetic order a first-order transition, unlike in conventional magnets. Consequently, a large magnetization develops abruptly on lowering the temperature which could enable magnetic memories admitting ultralow-power thermally-assisted writing while maintaining a high data stability. The role of photons in the phenomenon further enables an in-situ static control over the magnetism. These unique features make our predicted spin-spin interaction and magnetism highly unconventional paving the way for novel scientific and technological opportunities.
Effects of SPI1-mediated transcriptome remodeling on Alzheimer’s disease-related phenotypes in mouse models of Aβ amyloidosis
Authors: Kim Byungwook , Dabin Luke Child , Tate Mason Douglas , Karahan Hande , Sharify Ahmad Daniel , Acri Dominic J. , Al-Amin Md Mamun , Philtjens Stéphanie , Smith Daniel Curtis , Wijeratne H. R. Sagara , Park Jung Hyun , Jucker Mathias , Kim Jungsu
Published: May 2024

SPI1 was recently reported as a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in large-scale genome-wide association studies. However, it is unknown whether SPI1 should be downregulated or increased to have therapeutic benefits. To investigate the effect of modulating SPI1 levels on AD pathogenesis, we performed extensive biochemical, histological, and transcriptomic analyses using both Spi1-knockdown and Spi1-overexpression mouse models. Here, we show that the knockdown of Spi1 expression significantly exacerbates insoluble amyloid-β (Aβ) levels, amyloid plaque deposition, and gliosis. Conversely, overexpression of Spi1 significantly ameliorates these phenotypes and dystrophic neurites. Further mechanistic studies using targeted and single-cell transcriptomics approaches demonstrate that altered Spi1 expression modulates several pathways, such as immune response pathways and complement system. Our data suggest that transcriptional reprogramming by targeting transcription factors, like Spi1, might hold promise as a therapeutic strategy. This approach could potentially expand the current landscape of druggable targets for AD.
The deubiquitinating enzyme USP4 regulates BRCA1 stability and function
Authors: Guo Xueyuan , Ma Yanfang , Zhang Ting , Liu Runyu , Chang Fen , Yan Xingyue , Yu Tianyun , Wu Pengfei , Li Qin , Xu Luzheng , Duan Junyi , Li Li , Su Yanrong , Shao Genze
Published: May 2024

BRCA1 plays a suppressive role in breast tumorigenesis. Ubiquitin-dependent degradation is a common mechanism that regulates BRCA1 protein stability, and several ubiquitin ligases involved have been identified. However, the deubiquitinating enzyme for BRCA1 remains less defined. Here, we report that the deubiquitinase USP4 interacts with, deubiquitinates and stabilizes BRCA1, maintaining the protein level of BRCA1. USP4 knockdown results in a decreased BRCA1 protein level, impairment in homologous recombination mediated double-stranded break repair, and increased genome instability, and confers resistance to DNA damage-inducing agents and PARP inhibitors. Ectopic expression of USP4 stabilizes BRCA1 and reverse the effects caused by USP4 knockdown. Moreover, USP4 is low expressed in human breast cancer tissues and its low expression correlates with poorer survival of patients. Furthermore, we identified several loss-of-function mutations of USP4 in human gynecological cancers, the catalytic activity of which or their interaction with BRCA1 is disrupted. Together, we reveal that USP4 is a deubiquitinase for BRCA1. USP4 positively regulates the stability and function of BRCA1 through de-ubiquitination, and plays important role in the suppression of breast cancer.
Corrosion behavior of austenitic stainless steel and nickel-based welded joints in underwater wet welding
Authors: Vaccari Leandro , Scheithauer Thomas , Lendiel Ivan , Klett Jan , Hassel Thomas , Maier Hans Jürgen
Published: May 2024

Marine structures such as ports, bridges, pipelines, vessels, and platforms are an essential part of modern infrastructure, where the use of higher-strength steel provides savings in logistics and construction. However, the repair of higher-strength steels can be challenging, especially underwater. Wet shielded metal arc welding is the most widely used and least expensive method for underwater welding repairs, but is very susceptible to hydrogen-induced cracking. Thus, researchers and welding engineers aim to reduce the amount of hydrogen in the weld material. Recent success has been achieved through the use of austenitic welding consumables, such as austenitic stainless steel and nickel-based electrodes. The use of these consumables drastically reduces the amount of diffusible hydrogen in the weld metal. However, these austenitic materials usually have different corrosion potential as compared to the structural steel the weld beads are applied to. This creates the risk of severe galvanic corrosion. In the presented study, the corrosion behavior of welds created with austenitic stainless steel and nickel-based electrodes were studied. Samples were aged for 1.5 years in the Baltic Sea. Simultaneously, the effectiveness of corrosion protection systems such as coating and Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) were evaluated. Localized corrosion occurred in the heat-affected zone when austenitic electrodes were used in the corrosive environment. The localized corrosion depth after 1.5 years in the Baltic Sea and in the salt spray layer was approximately 250 µm and 390 µm, respectively. The ICCP system and the use of a coating were effective in preventing localized corrosion. The low pitting corrosion density of 2.5 × 103 m−2 corresponds to grade A1 according to the standard and was found to be negligible as compared to the localized corrosion in the heat-affect zone.
De novo transcriptome assembly database for 100 tissues from each of seven species of domestic herbivore
Authors: Wang Yifan , Huang Yiming , Zhen Yongkang , Wang Jiasheng , Wang Limin , Chen Ning , Wu Feifan , Zhang Linna , Shen Yizhao , Bi Congliang , Li Song , Pool Kelsey , Blache Dominique , Maloney Shane K. , Liu Dongxu , Yang Zhiquan , Li Chuang , Yu Xiang , Zhang Zhenbin , Chen Yifei , Xue Chun , Gu Yalan , Huang Weidong , Yan Lu , Wei Wenjun , Wang Yusu , Zhang Jinying , Zhang Yifan , Sun Yiquan , Wang Shengbo , Zhao Xinle , Luo Chengfang , Wang Haodong , Ding Luoyang , Yang Qing-Yong , Zhou Ping , Wang Mengzhi
Published: May 2024

Domesticated herbivores are an important agricultural resource that play a critical role in global food security, particularly as they can adapt to varied environments, including marginal lands. An understanding of the molecular basis of their biology would contribute to better management and sustainable production. Thus, we conducted transcriptome sequencing of 100 to 105 tissues from two females of each of seven species of herbivore (cattle, sheep, goats, sika deer, horses, donkeys, and rabbits) including two breeds of sheep. The quality of raw and trimmed reads was assessed in terms of base quality, GC content, duplication sequence rate, overrepresented k-mers, and quality score distribution with FastQC. The high-quality filtered RNA-seq raw reads were deposited in a public database which provides approximately 54 billion high-quality paired-end sequencing reads in total, with an average mapping rate of ~93.92%. Transcriptome databases represent valuable resources that can be used to study patterns of gene expression, and pathways that are related to key biological processes, including important economic traits in herbivores.
Deep learning-based classification of anti-personnel mines and sub-gram metal content in mineralized soil (DL-MMD)
Authors: Minhas Shahab Faiz , Shah Maqsood Hussain , Khaliq Talal
Published: May 2024

De-mining operations are of critical importance for humanitarian efforts and safety in conflict-affected regions. In this paper, we address the challenge of enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of mine detection systems. We present an innovative Deep Learning architecture tailored for pulse induction-based Metallic Mine Detectors (MMD), so called DL-MMD. Our methodology leverages deep neural networks to distinguish amongst nine distinct materials with an exceptional validation accuracy of 93.5%. This high level of precision enables us not only to differentiate between anti-personnel mines, without metal plates but also to detect minuscule 0.2-g vertical paper pins in both mineralized soil and non-mineralized environments. Moreover, through comparative analysis, we demonstrate a substantial 3% and 7% improvement (approx.) in accuracy performance compared to the traditional K-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Machine classifiers, respectively. The fusion of deep neural networks with the pulse induction-based MMD not only presents a cost-effective solution but also significantly expedites decision-making processes in de-mining operations, ultimately contributing to improved safety and effectiveness in these critical endeavors.
Phytosynthesis and characterization of tin-oxide nanoparticles (SnO2-NPs) from Croton macrostachyus leaf extract and its application under visible light photocatalytic activities
Authors: Tasisa Yonas Etafa , Sarma Tridib Kumar , Sahu Tarun Kumar , Krishnaraj Ramaswamy
Published: May 2024

Nanotechnology is rapidly becoming more and more important in today's technological world as the need for industry increases with human well-being. In this study, we synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using an environmentally friendly method or green method from Croton macrostachyus leaf extract, leading to the transformation of UV absorbance to visible absorbance by reducing the band gap energy. The products underwent UV, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, XPS, BET, and DLS for characterization. Characterization via UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed the shift in absorbance towards the visible spectrum, indicating the potential for enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. The energy band gap for as-synthesized nanoparticles was 3.03 eV, 2.71 eV, 2.61 eV, and 2.41 eV for the 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 sample ratios, respectively. The average crystal size of 32.18 nm and very fine flakes with tiny agglomerate structures of nanoparticles was obtained. The photocatalytic activity of the green-synthesized SnO2 nanoparticles was explored under visible light irradiation for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB), which were widespread fabric pollutants. It was finally confirmed that the prepared NPs were actively used for photocatalytic degradation. Our results suggest the promising application of these green-synthesized SnO2 NPs as efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation with low energy consumption compared to other light-driven processes. The radical scavenging experiment proved that hydroxyl radicals (_OH) are the predominant species in the reaction kinetics of both pollutant dyes under visible light degradation.
Maternal gastrointestinal nematode infection alters hippocampal neuroimmunity, promotes synaptic plasticity, and improves resistance to direct infection in offspring
Authors: Noel Sophia C. , Madranges Jeanne F. , Gothié Jean-David M. , Ewald Jessica , Milnerwood Austen J. , Kennedy Timothy E. , Scott Marilyn E.
Published: May 2024

The developing brain is vulnerable to maternal bacterial and viral infections which induce strong inflammatory responses in the mother that are mimicked in the offspring brain, resulting in irreversible neurodevelopmental defects, and associated cognitive and behavioural impairments. In contrast, infection during pregnancy and lactation with the immunoregulatory murine intestinal nematode, Heligmosomoides bakeri, upregulates expression of genes associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic networks in the brain of neonatal uninfected offspring, and enhances spatial memory in uninfected juvenile offspring. As the hippocampus is involved in spatial navigation and sensitive to immune events during development, here we assessed hippocampal gene expression, LTP, and neuroimmunity in 3-week-old uninfected offspring born to H. bakeri infected mothers. Further, as maternal immunity shapes the developing immune system, we assessed the impact of maternal H. bakeri infection on the ability of offspring to resist direct infection. In response to maternal infection, we found an enhanced propensity to induce LTP at Schaffer collateral synapses, consistent with RNA-seq data indicating accelerated development of glutamatergic synapses in uninfected offspring, relative to those from uninfected mothers. Hippocampal RNA-seq analysis of offspring of infected mothers revealed increased expression of genes associated with neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and myelination. Furthermore, maternal infection improved resistance to direct infection of H. bakeri in offspring, correlated with transfer of parasite-specific IgG1 to their serum. Hippocampal immunohistochemistry and gene expression suggest Th2/Treg biased neuroimmunity in offspring, recapitulating peripheral immunoregulation of H. bakeri infected mothers. These findings indicate maternal H. bakeri infection during pregnancy and lactation alters peripheral and neural immunity in uninfected offspring, in a manner that accelerates neural maturation to promote hippocampal LTP, and upregulates the expression of genes associated with neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and myelination.
Comparative analysis of midgut bacterial communities in Chikungunya virus-infected and non-infected Aedes aegypti Thai laboratory strain mosquitoes
Authors: Siriyasatien Padet , Intayot Proawpilart , Chitcharoen Suwalak , Sutthanont Nataya , Boonserm Rungfar , Ampol Rinnara , Schmidt-Chanasit Jonas , Phumee Atchara
Published: May 2024

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) poses a significant global health threat, re-emerging as a mosquito-transmitted pathogen that caused high fever, rash, and severe arthralgia. In Thailand, a notable CHIKV outbreak in 2019–2020 affected approximately 20,000 cases across 60 provinces, underscoring the need for effective mosquito control protocols. Previous studies have highlighted the role of midgut bacteria in the interaction between mosquito vectors and pathogen infections, demonstrating their ability to protect the insect from invading pathogens. However, research on the midgut bacteria of Aedes (Ae.) aegypti, the primary vector for CHIKV in Thailand remains limited. This study aims to characterize the bacterial communities in laboratory strains of Ae. aegypti, both infected and non-infected with CHIKV. Female mosquitoes from a laboratory strain of Ae. aegypti were exposed to a CHIKV-infected blood meal through membrane feeding, while the control group received a non-infected blood meal. At 7 days post-infection (dpi), mosquito midguts were dissected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify midgut bacteria, and CHIKV presence was confirmed by E1-nested RT-PCR using mosquito carcasses. The study aimed to compare the bacterial communities between CHIKV-infected and non-infected groups. The analysis included 12 midgut bacterial samples, divided into three groups: CHIKV-infected (exposed and infected), non-infected (exposed but not infected), and non-exposed (negative control). Alpha diversity indices and Bray–Curtis dissimilarity matrix revealed significant differences in bacterial profiles among the three groups. The infected group exhibited an increased abundance of bacteria genus Gluconobacter, while Asaia was prevalent in both non-infected and negative control groups. Chryseobacterium was prominent in the negative control group. These findings highlight potential alterations in the distribution and abundance of gut microbiomes in response to CHIKV infection status. This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between midgut bacteria and CHIKV, underscoring the potential for alterations in bacterial composition depending on infection status. Understanding the relationships between mosquitoes and their microbiota holds promise for developing new methods and tools to enhance existing strategies for disease prevention and control. This research advances our understanding of the circulating bacterial composition, opening possibilities for new approaches in combating mosquito-borne diseases.
Attosecond and nano-Coulomb electron bunches via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism
Authors: Timmis R. J. L. , Paddock R. W. , Ouatu I. , Lee J. , Howard S. , Atonga E. , Ruskov R. T. , Martin H. , Wang R. H. W. , Aboushelbaya R. , Leyen M. W. von der , Gumbrell E. , Norreys P. A.
Published: May 2024

The commissioning of multi-petawatt class laser facilities around the world is gathering pace. One of the primary motivations for these investments is the acceleration of high-quality, low-emittance electron bunches. Here we explore the interaction of a high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse with a mass-limited dense target to produce MeV attosecond electron bunches in transmission and confirm with three-dimensional simulation that such bunches have low emittance and nano-Coulomb charge. We then perform a large parameter scan from non-relativistic laser intensities to the laser-QED regime and from the critical plasma density to beyond solid density to demonstrate that the electron bunch energies and the laser pulse energy absorption into the plasma can be quantitatively described via the Zero Vector Potential mechanism. These results have wide-ranging implications for future particle accelerator science and associated technologies.
The association between pregnancy levels of blood lipids and the risk of preterm birth
Authors: Lv Yao , Xu Liang , He Zhong , Liu Xiaorui , Guo Yuna
Published: May 2024

Preterm labor, a condition associated with various risk factors such as a history of prior preterm birth (PTB) and multiple pregnancies, has recently seen an increasing focus on its potential link with dyslipidemia. This study aims to investigate the relationship between dyslipidemia in expectant mothers and the risks of PTB. We studied 6963 mothers who gave birth at the International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine in 2020, among which, 437 women had PTB. We extracted clinical and lipid data from electronic records, using multivariable logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models to explore the link between lipid concentrations (by quartiles) in pregnancy stages and PTB risk. The PTB rate was 6.3%. Early pregnancy in the PTB group showed elevated ApoA, ApoB, CHOL, LDL, and TG levels compared to controls (all P < 0.05). Late pregnancy showed no notable lipid differences. Multivariable analysis revealed elevated ApoA, TG, higher age, BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2, hypertension, assisted reproductive technology and gestational diabetes as PTB risk factors (all P < 0.05). After adjustments, higher ApoA, ApoB, CHOL and TG levels correlated with increased PTB risk. Using the lowest quartile, the adjusted ORs for early pregnancy's highest quartile of ApoA, ApoB, CHOL and TG were 1.348, 1.442, 1.442 and 2.156, respectively. Our findings indicate that dyslipemia in early pregnancy, including elevated levels of ApoA, ApoB, CHOL and TG, are associated with PTB. Managing lipid abnormalities during pregnancy may help reduce the risk of PTB.
Flexible processing of distractor stimuli under stress
Authors: Duehnen Imke M. , Vogel Susanne , Alexander Nina , Muehlhan Markus , Löw Andreas , Jacobsen Thomas , Wendt Mike
Published: May 2024

Acute stress is assumed to affect executive processing of stimulus information, although extant studies have yielded heterogeneous findings. The temporal flanker task, in which a target stimulus is preceded by a distractor of varying utility, offers a means of investigating various components involved in the adjustment of information processing and conflict control. Both behavioral and EEG data obtained with this task suggest stronger distractor-related response activation in conditions associated with higher predictivity of the distractor for the upcoming target. In two experiments we investigated distractor-related processing and conflict control after inducing acute stress (Trier Social Stress Test). Although the stressed groups did not differ significantly from unstressed control groups concerning behavioral markers of attentional adjustment (i.e., Proportion Congruent Effect), or event-related sensory components in the EEG (i.e., posterior P1 and N1), the lateralized readiness potential demonstrated reduced activation evoked by (predictive) distractor information under stress. Our results suggest flexible adjustment of attention under stress but hint at decreased usage of nominally irrelevant stimulus information for biasing response selection.
Maternal serum alpha-1 antitrypsin levels in spontaneous preterm and term pregnancies
Authors: Tissarinen Pinja , Tiensuu Heli , Haapalainen Antti M. , Ronkainen Eveliina , Laatio Liisa , Vääräsmäki Marja , Öhman Hanna , Hallman Mikko , Rämet Mika
Published: May 2024

Currently, there are no accurate means to predict spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Recently, we observed low expression of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) in SPTB placentas. Present aim was to compare the concentrations of maternal serum AAT in pregnancies with preterm and term deliveries. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as a reference inflammatory marker. Two populations were studied. The first population comprised women who eventually gave birth spontaneously preterm (SPTB group) or term (control group). The second population included pregnant women shortly before delivery and nonpregnant women. We observed that serum AAT levels were higher in the SPTB group than in the controls, and a similar difference was observed when serum CRP was considered in multivariable analysis. However, the overlap in the AAT concentrations was considerable. No statistical significance was observed in serum AAT levels between preterm and term pregnancies at delivery. However, AAT levels were higher at delivery compared to nonpregnant controls. We did not observe a strong correlation between serum AAT and CRP in early pregnancy samples and at labor. We propose that during early pregnancy, complicated by subsequent SPTB, modest elevation of serum AAT associates with SPTB.
Country-report pattern corrections of new cases allow accurate 2-week predictions of COVID-19 evolution with the Gompertz model
Authors: Villanueva I. , Conesa D. , Català M. , López Cano C. , Perramon-Malavez A. , Molinuevo D. , de Rioja V. L. , López D. , Alonso S. , Cardona P. J. , Montañola-Sales C. , Prats C. , Alvarez-Lacalle E.
Published: May 2024

Accurate short-term predictions of COVID-19 cases with empirical models allow Health Officials to prepare for hospital contingencies in a two–three week window given the delay between case reporting and the admission of patients in a hospital. We investigate the ability of Gompertz-type empiric models to provide accurate prediction up to two and three weeks to give a large window of preparation in case of a surge in virus transmission. We investigate the stability of the prediction and its accuracy using bi-weekly predictions during the last trimester of 2020 and 2021. Using data from 2020, we show that understanding and correcting for the daily reporting structure of cases in the different countries is key to accomplish accurate predictions. Furthermore, we found that filtering out predictions that are highly unstable to changes in the parameters of the model, which are roughly 20%, reduces strongly the number of predictions that are way-off. The method is then tested for robustness with data from 2021. We found that, for this data, only 1–2% of the one-week predictions were off by more than 50%. This increased to 3% for two-week predictions, and only for three-week predictions it reached 10%.