bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relating soil physical properties to other soil properties and crop yields
Authors: Sainju Upendra M. , Liptzin Daniel , Jabro Jalal D.
Published: December 2022

Soil physical properties can be related to other soil properties and crop yields, but their evaluations as soil health indicators relating to extensive soil properties and long-term crop yields need further exploration. We evaluated the long-term (14 and 36 year) effect of cropping systems and N fertilizations on selected soil physical properties and related them to 66 soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and mean crop yields across years at two dryland farming sites in the semiarid region of the northern Great Plains, USA. Treatments were rotations of no-tillage and conventional tillage spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fallow with or without N fertilization. Soil samples collected in April 2019 were analyzed for physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and mean crop yields were determined. The average slake aggregate (ASA), wet aggregate stability index (WASI), and intact core available water holding capacity (IAWHC) were associated with most soil physical, chemical, biological, and biochemical properties and clay concentration was associated with nutrient concentrations. These parameters were also better related to mean crop yields across years than other soil physical properties. Because of the enhanced relationship with soil properties and crop yields and simple and inexpensive measurement, ASA can be used as a potential soil health indicator in dryland cropping systems in semiarid regions.
Where do we stand in AI for endoscopic image analysis? Deciphering gaps and future directions
Authors: Ali Sharib
Published: December 2022

Recent developments in deep learning have enabled data-driven algorithms that can reach human-level performance and beyond. The development and deployment of medical image analysis methods have several challenges, including data heterogeneity due to population diversity and different device manufacturers. In addition, more input from experts is required for a reliable method development process. While the exponential growth in clinical imaging data has enabled deep learning to flourish, data heterogeneity, multi-modality, and rare or inconspicuous disease cases still need to be explored. Endoscopy being highly operator-dependent with grim clinical outcomes in some disease cases, reliable and accurate automated system guidance can improve patient care. Most designed methods must be more generalisable to the unseen target data, patient population variability, and variable disease appearances. The paper reviews recent works on endoscopic image analysis with artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasises the current unmatched needs in this field. Finally, it outlines the future directions for clinically relevant complex AI solutions to improve patient outcomes.
Motor generated torque drives coupled yawing and orbital rotations of kinesin coated gold nanorods
Authors: Sugawa Mitsuhiro , Maruyama Yohei , Yamagishi Masahiko , Cross Robert A. , Yajima Junichiro
Published: December 2022

Kinesin motor domains generate impulses of force and movement that have both translational and rotational (torque) components. Here, we ask how the torque component influences function in cargo-attached teams of weakly processive kinesins. Using an assay in which kinesin-coated gold nanorods (kinesin-GNRs) translocate on suspended microtubules, we show that for both single-headed KIF1A and dimeric ZEN-4, the intensities of polarized light scattered by the kinesin-GNRs in two orthogonal directions periodically oscillate as the GNRs crawl towards microtubule plus ends, indicating that translocating kinesin-GNRs unidirectionally rotate about their short (yaw) axes whilst following an overall left-handed helical orbit around the microtubule axis. For orientations of the GNR that generate a signal, the period of this short axis rotation corresponds to two periods of the overall helical trajectory. Torque force thus drives both rolling and yawing of near-spherical cargoes carrying rigidly-attached weakly processive kinesins, with possible relevance to intracellular transport.
Dickkopf1 fuels inflammatory cytokine responses
Authors: Jaschke Nikolai P. , Pählig Sophie , Sinha Anupam , Adolph Timon E. , Colunga Maria Ledesma , Hofmann Maura , Wang Andrew , Thiele Sylvia , Schwärzler Julian , Kleymann Alexander , Gentzel Marc , Tilg Herbert , Wielockx Ben , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Rauner Martina , Göbel Andy , Rachner Tilman D.
Published: December 2022

Many human diseases, including cancer, share an inflammatory component but the molecular underpinnings remain incompletely understood. We report that physiological and pathological Dickkopf1 (DKK1) activity fuels inflammatory cytokine responses in cell models, mice and humans. DKK1 maintains the elevated inflammatory tone of cancer cells and is required for mounting cytokine responses following ligation of toll-like and cytokine receptors. DKK1-controlled inflammation derives from cell-autonomous mechanisms, which involve SOCS3-restricted, nuclear RelA (p65) activity. We translate these findings to humans by showing that genetic DKK1 variants are linked to elevated cytokine production across healthy populations. Finally, we find that genetic deletion of DKK1 but not pharmacological neutralization of soluble DKK1 ameliorates inflammation and disease trajectories in a mouse model of endotoxemia. Collectively, our study identifies a cell-autonomous function of DKK1 in the control of the inflammatory response, which is conserved between malignant and non-malignant cells. Additional studies are required to mechanistically dissect cellular DKK1 trafficking and signaling pathways.
Exploring the direction-dependency of conductive filament formation and oxygen vacancy migration behaviors in HfO2-based RRAM
Authors: Zhang Donglan , Wang Jiong , Wu Qing , Du Yong
Published: December 2022

Oxygen vacancy (VO) defects play an essential role in governing the conductivity of semiconductor materials.
Correction: POPs in Antarctic ecosystems: is climate change affecting their temporal trends?
Authors: Corsolini Simonetta , Ademollo Nicoletta
Published: December 2022

Correction for ‘POPs in Antarctic ecosystems: is climate change affecting their temporal trends?’ by Simonetta Corsolini et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2022, 24, 1631–1642, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EM00273F.
Effects of mixtures of ethanol–calcium chloride–carboxymethylcellulose on the bovine milk whey freeze concentration process
Authors: Duarte Camilla Soares , Rodrigues Adrise Aparecida , Meira Ana Cristina Freitas de Oliveira , de Abreu Luiz Ronaldo , Costa Fabiano Freire , de Resende Jaime Vilela
Published: December 2022

A process with two stages and intermediate ethanol concentrations resulted in greater effectiveness of freeze concentration. The ethanol used in the freeze concentration is of low cost and is easily eliminated in the drying process.
A transcriptome based approach to predict candidate drug targets and drugs for Parkinson's disease using an in vitro 6-OHDA model
Authors: Yiğit Esra Nur , Sönmez Ekin , Yüksel İsa , Aksan Kurnaz Işıl , Çakır Tunahan
Published: December 2022

Transcriptomic data from an in vitro model is used to predict candidate drug targets for Parkinson’s disease, which are further validated using a drug repurposing approach.
Eco-friendly screen printing of silver nanowires for flexible and stretchable electronics
Authors: Shukla Darpan , Liu Yuxuan , Zhu Yong
Published: December 2022

This paper reports an eco-friendly method for screen printing of silver nanowires on a diverse range of substrates with high resolution and high electric conductivity. A low annealing temperature makes the method compatible with plastic substrates.
Curvature effects on the bifunctional oxygen catalytic performance of single atom metal–N–C
Authors: Zhou Xuyan , Jin Zeyu , Zhang Jingzi , Hu Kailong , Liu Sida , Qiu Hua-Jun , Lin Xi
Published: December 2022

A prediction model based on the curvature (K), d electrons (Nd) of the metal element, and the electronegativity (χ) of the metal atom and its coordinated atoms is developed to evaluate the ORR and OER catalytic activities of curved MN4 catalysts.
A copper nitride nanocube catalyst for highly efficient hydroboration of alkynes
Authors: Xu Hang , Yamaguchi Sho , Mitsudome Takato , Mizugaki Tomoo
Published: December 2022

Copper nitride nanocubes were employed as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the hydroboration of alkynes under additive-free and mild reaction conditions.
Chemical synthesis and antifouling activity of monoterpene–furan hybrid molecules
Authors: Takamura Hiroyoshi , Kinoshita Yuya , Yorisue Takefumi , Kadota Isao
Published: December 2022

Hybridization of monoterpene and furan structural scaffolds increased antifouling activity.
Triboelectric behaviour of selected MOFs in contact with metals
Authors: Šutka Andris , Shieh Fa-Kuen , Kinka Martynas , Lapčinskis Linards , Chang Chien-Chun , Lam Phuc Khanh , Pudzs Kaspars , Verners Osvalds
Published: December 2022

MOFs have been effectively used to magnify the triboelectric charge of polymers.
Efficient carrier transfer induced by Au nanoparticles for photoelectrochemical nitrogen reduction
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Zhang Fengying , Wu Haoran , Jiang Yuman , Yang Peng , Zhang Wei , Guo Heng , Cao Yuehan , Yang Guidong , Zhou Ying
Published: December 2022

The smaller Au NPs on TiO2 optimized the carrier transfer and promoted the enhancement of ammonia yield in the PEC-NRR.
Mechanobiological tissue instability induced by stress-modulated growth
Authors: Huang Wei-Zhi , Li Bo , Feng Xi-Qiao
Published: December 2022

A core–shell cylinder with stress-modulated growth can buckle into patterns with up-down asymmetry, in contrast to the buckling pattern driven by homogeneous growth.
A Z-scheme heterojunction of porphyrin-based core–shell Zr-MOF@Pro-COF-Br hybrid materials for efficient visible-light-driven CO2 reduction
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Dai Zhongke , Wang Lizhi , Zhang Du , Wang You , Li Jiawei , Zhou Fa , Huang Jianhan
Published: December 2022

Converting CO2 to high value-added products through “artificial photosynthesis” under mild conditions is a promising strategy.
Understanding the role of Zn vacancy induced by sulfhydryl coordination for photocatalytic CO2reduction on ZnIn2S4
Authors: Nie Yu , Bo Tingting , Zhou Wei , Hu Huilin , Huang Xiang , Wang Huaiyuan , Tan Xin , Liu Lequan , Ye Jinhua , Yu Tao
Published: December 2022

Zn vacancy ZnIn2S4tuned Gibbs free energy of *COOH which is the rate determining step of phototcatalytic CO2reduction from endothermic to exothermic process.
Safety assessment of new nanodiamonds@corrole hybrids addressed by the response of RAW-264.7 macrophages
Authors: Santos Carla I. M. , Cicuéndez Mónica , Gonçalves Gil , Rodríguez-Pérez Laura , Portolés M. Teresa , Faustino M. Amparo F. , Herranz M. Ángeles , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Martinho José M. G. , Maçôas Ermelinda M. S. , Martín Nazario
Published: December 2022

The negative pro-inflammatory response of nanodiamonds-corrole hybrids incorporated to macrophages offers a big promise for biomedical applications.
High quantum yield carbon dots and nitrogen-doped carbon dots as fluorescent probes for spectroscopic dopamine detection in human serum
Authors: Tiwari Ashish , Walia Sidharth , Sharma Shradha , Chauhan Sunidhi , Kumar Manish , Gadly Trilochan , Randhawa Jaspreet Kaur
Published: December 2022

Spectroscopic detection of dopamine using fluorescent carbon dots and nitrogen doped carbon dots.
Solvent-free temperature gradient melt formation of efficient visible-to-UV photon upconversion organic films with subsolar threshold and over 100 h photostability in air
Authors: Enomoto Riku , Murakami Yoichi
Published: December 2022

Organic films formed by temperature-gradient solidification up-convert visible light of subsolar intensity into UV light in air with record-long photostability.
Optical resolution of pseudo-para-disubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane: a chiral building block for optically active helicene-stacked molecules emitting circularly polarized luminescence
Authors: Yanagawa Asuka , Tsuchiya Motoki , Inoue Ryo , Morisaki Yasuhiro
Published: December 2022

Optical resolution of pseudo-para-disubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane was achieved by the diastereomer method. Enantiopure optically active molecules emitting circularly polarized luminescence were synthesized.
Tunable and enhanced mechanoluminescence in LiYGeO4:Tb3+via Bi3+ → Tb3+ energy transfer
Authors: Shao Peishan , Xiong Puxian , Jiang Dongliang , Chen Zhicong , Xiao Yao , Sun Yongsheng , Chen Dongdan , Yang Zhongmin
Published: December 2022

Enhanced tunable mechanoluminescence (ML) is obtained in orthorhombic phase compound LiYGeO4:Bi3+,Tb3+. An anti-counterfeiting device is designed, which demonstrates the potential application prospects in the dynamic anti-counterfeiting field.
Comparison of dynamical and kinematic reference frames via pulsar positions from timing, Gaia, and interferometric astrometry
Authors: Liu N. , Zhu Z. , Antoniadis J. , Liu J.-C. , Zhang H. , Jiang N.
Published: December 2022

Context. Pulsars are special objects whose positions can be determined independently from timing, radio interferometric, and Gaia astrometry at sub-milliarcsecond (mas) precision; thus, they provide a unique way to monitor the link between dynamical and kinematic reference frames.

Aims. We aim to assess the orientation consistency between the dynamical reference frames represented by the planetary ephemerides and the kinematic reference frames constructed by Gaia and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) through pulsar positions.

Methods. We identified 49 pulsars in Gaia Data Release 3 and 62 pulsars with VLBI positions from the PSRπ and MSPSRπ projects and searched for the published timing solutions of these pulsars. We then compared pulsar positions measured by timing, VLBI, and Gaia to estimate the orientation offsets of the ephemeris frames with respect to the Gaia and VLBI reference frames by iterative fitting.

Results. We found orientation offsets of ~10 mas in the DE200 frame with respect to the Gaia and VLBI frame. Our results strongly depend on the subset used in the comparison and they could be biased by underestimated errors in the archival timing data, reflecting the limitation of using the literature timing solutions to determine the frame rotation.
Study of oxygen-rich post-AGB stars in the Milky Way as a means to explain the production of silicates among evolved stars
Authors: Dell’Agli F. , Tosi S. , Kamath D. , Ventura P. , Van Winckel H. , Marini E. , Marchetti T.
Published: December 2022

Context. The study of post-asymptotic giant branch (post-AGB) stars is a valuable tool in improving our understanding of poorly known aspects of the evolution of the stars throughout the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). This can be done thanks to the availability of more accurate determinations of their surface chemical composition and the peculiar shape of their spectral energy distribution (SED): the emission from the central star can be easily disentangled from the contribution from the dusty shell, which can then be characterized.

Aims. The goal of the present study is to reconstruct the dust formation process and, more generally, the late phases of evolution for oxygen-rich stars across the AGB phase. This is performed by studying oxygen-rich, post-AGB stars and analyzing them in terms of their luminosity, effective temperature, and infrared excess.

Methods. We studied sources classified as single, oxygen-rich, post-AGB stars in the Galaxy that exhibit a double-peaked (shell-type) SED. We used results from stellar evolution modeling, combined with dust formation and radiative transfer modeling, to reconstruct late AGB phases and the initial contraction to the post-AGB phase. We also determined the mass-loss and dust-formation rates for stars of different masses and chemical compositions.

Results. The analysis of the IR excess of the post-AGB, oxygen-rich stars examined in this study outlines an interesting complexity with regard to the correlation between the dust in the surroundings of the stars, the evolutionary status, and the progenitor’s mass. The sources descending from massive AGBs (> 3 M⊙, depending on metallicity) are generally characterized by higher infrared excess than the lower mass counterparts, owing to the more intense dust formation taking place during the final AGB phases. From the determination of the location of the dusty regions, we can deduce that the expanding velocities of the outflow change significantly from star to star. We also discuss the possibility that radiation pressure is not able of accelerating the wind in the faintest objects.
Higher metal abundances do not solve the solar problem
Authors: Buldgen G. , Eggenberger P. , Noels A. , Scuflaire R. , Amarsi A. M. , Grevesse N. , Salmon S.
Published: December 2022

Context. The Sun acts as a cornerstone of stellar physics. Thanks to spectroscopic, helioseismic and neutrino flux observations, we can use the Sun as a laboratory of fundamental physics in extreme conditions. The conclusions we draw are then used to inform and calibrate evolutionary models of all other stars in the Universe. However, solar models are in tension with helioseismic constraints. The debate on the ‘solar problem’ has hitherto led to numerous publications discussing potential issues with solar models and abundances.

Aims. Using the recently suggested high-metallicity abundances for the Sun, we compute standard solar models as well as models with macroscopic transport that reproduce the solar surface lithium abundances, and we analyze their properties in terms of helioseismic and neutrino flux observations.

Methods. We compute solar evolutionary models and combine spectroscopic and helioseismic constraints as well as neutrino fluxes to investigate the impact of macroscopic transport on these measurements.

Results. When high-metallicity solar models are calibrated to reproduce the measured solar lithium depletion, tensions arise with respect to helioseismology and neutrino fluxes. This is yet another demonstration that the solar problem is also linked to the physical prescriptions of solar evolutionary models and not to chemical composition alone.

Conclusions. A revision of the physical ingredients of solar models is needed in order to improve our understanding of stellar structure and evolution. The solar problem is not limited to the photospheric abundances if the depletion of light elements is considered. In addition, tighter constraints on the solar beryllium abundance will play a key role improving of solar models.
Hellinger–Kantorovich barycenter between Dirac measures
Authors: Bonafini Mauro , Minevich Olga , Schmitzer Bernhard
Published: December 2022

The Hellinger-Kantorovich (HK) distance is an unbalanced extension of the Wasserstein-2 distance. It was shown recently that the HK barycenter exhibits a much more complex behaviour than the Wasserstein barycenter. Motivated by this observation we study the HK barycenter in more detail for the case where the input measures are an uncountable collection of Dirac measures, in particular the dependency on the length scale parameter of HK, the question whether the HK barycenter is discrete or continuous and the relation between the expected and the empirical barycenter. The analytical results are complemented with numerical experiments that demonstrate that the HK barycenter can provide a coarse-to-fine representation of an input pointcloud or measure.
Disability-sensitive occupational risk assessment
Authors: Trifu Alina , Badea Daniel Onut , Darabont Doru , Foggorasy Paul , Ivan Iulian
Published: December 2022

This paper presents the findings of an ongoing National Institute for Research and Development in Occupational Safety “Alexandru Darabont” INCDPM project developed in collaborations with BAUM Engineering SRL that addresses the occupational safety issues related to workers with disabilities, with emphasis on disability-sensitive risk assessment. In our project we developed a method of occupational risk assessment that is disability-sensitive, in order to help employer and safety professionals. The disability-sensitive risk assessment method will identify all the risk factors in the system that can be the ultimate cause of injury and/or professional illness by means of predefined control lists and quantifying the risk based on the combination of gravity and probability of risk factor manifestation. The main steps in applying the method will be: establishment of the assessment team; description of the analysed system (workplace, installation); identification of risk factors in the system; assessment of the risks of occupational injury and illness; prioritizing risks and establishing prevention priorities; proposing prevention measures. Every step mentioned before will be disability-sensitive, taking account of individual workers’ differences and avoiding discrimination at the same time.
The use of computational fluid dynamics applications to various flow problems
Authors: Șimon-Marinică Adrian Bogdan , Păsculescu Vlad Mihai , Manea Florin , Vass Zoltan
Published: December 2022

To deal with any such applications, it is a must to understand the basic form and nature of the governing equations of fluid dynamics. It is imperious to fully understand the basic of numerical discretization that can be applied in equations. This paper aims to present some CFD tools that are the starting point in solving problems related to the field of fluid dynamics. During this work, we will note that anyone CFD technique will not be appropriate for all problems and the diverse mathematical nature of partial differential equations will ensure that some algorithms will best work for hyperbolic equations and others will do best for elliptic equations. In addition, this paper examines precisely how CFD techniques can be used to solve various flow problems. In other words, CFD applications requires the simultaneous knowledge of some major aspects, such as the governing flow equations and their mathematical behavior, aspects of numerical discretization of partial differential equations, also known as finite differences or of integral equations, known as finite volumes. Computational fluid dynamics has a major impact on airplane design and soon to be a critical technology for aerodynamic design with the purpose to enhance the design process for any machine that deals with fluid flow.
Management of occupational safety and health in the commissioning of defective work equipment in the manufacturing industry
Authors: Antonov Anca Elena , Buică Georgeta , Beiu Constantin , Dobra Remus
Published: December 2022

Work equipment must provide compliance with the essential safety and health requirements applicable from the design and manufacturing stage to ensure a high level of protection of social interests, safety and health at work, and environmental protection. Non-conformities are discovered during the initial commissioning of work equipment in some circumstances due to incorrect design and/or manufacture, resulting in unsafe and non-compliant equipment that is defective when placed on the market and marketed. The purpose of this article is to present the research findings. The goal was to assess the risks associated with the security aspects of digital paper and cardboard printing machinery, to ensure compliance with current safety and health regulations, and to limit the risk of operating defective products. The study offered research results on the establishment of safety and compliance conditions, in order to design a methodology for assessment and technical inspection of work equipment, based on risk assessment and taking into account the usual and anticipated use of the work equipment. Introduction on the market, to improve the efficiency of technical inspection and market surveillance operations by detecting and generating risk profiles for work equipment manufacturer non-conformity.
Points of intersection between sustainability and project management
Authors: Banaduc Gabriela , Mirea Nicoleta , Draghici Anca
Published: December 2022

The goal of this paper is to explore the dimension of sustainability in project management through a systematic literature review; more specifically, the article aims at reviewing the approaches to ensure the performance of urban projects performance targeting sustainable objectives. An attempt to explore the way the two fields intersect by means of exchanging both strengths: project management know-how areas, on the one hand, and sustainability tools, a win–win for improving the efficiency of implementing sustenability in every project. The research objective is to define concepts, terminology and conceptual clarifications on the management of sustainable urban development projects, the bibliographic reference, which will present the historical evolution and the current state of knowledge in the field (theories, studies and relationships, good practices, definitions). The scope of this effort is to dive into the maze of a literature review in order to identify the link between project management and sustainability and the transition paved by unique and challenging experiences which shifts towards a green and inclusive future.
COVID 19 – Hospitalisierung in der ersten und zweiten Welle
Authors: Lehmann Mathias , Peeters Sven , Streuter Manuel , Nawrocki Marek , Kösters Katrin , Kröger Knut
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund Analysiert wurden die Patientencharakteristika und Krankheitsverläufe aller Patienten, die mit COVID-19 in der 1. und 2. Welle im HELIOS-Klinikum Krefeld behandelt wurden.

Methoden Eingeschlossen wurden 84 Patienten aus der 1. Welle (11.03.2020–30.06.2020) und 344 Patienten aus der 2. Welle (01.07.2020–31.01.2021).

Ergebnisse Alter, Geschlecht und Komorbiditäten der Patienten waren ähnlich, mit Ausnahme der venösen Thrombose in der Anamnese. Diese lagen in der 1. Welle häufiger vor als in der 2. Welle (6 % vs. 0,3 %, p = 0,001). Bei der Aufnahme gab es keine Unterschiede in den Ergebnissen der initialen Laborwerte (C-reaktives Protein, Leukozyten) und Blutgasanalysen zwischen beiden Gruppen. Die Behandlung unterschied sich in der Anwendung von Dexamethason und Antikoagulation. In der 1. Welle erhielt niemand Dexamethason, in der 2. Welle jedoch 52,6 % der Patienten für eine durchschnittliche Dauer von 3,6 ± 4,1 Tagen. Eine Antikoagulation mit doppelter Standardprophylaxe (2 × 40 mg niedermolekulares Heparin, subkutan) wurde in der 1. Welle bei 7,1 % und in der 2. Welle bei 30,2 % der Patienten (p = 0,002) durchgeführt. In der 1. Welle wurden mehr thromboembolische Ereignisse nach der Aufnahme diagnostiziert (19,0 % gegenüber 7,0 %, p = 0,001). Die Sterblichkeitsrate im Krankenhaus lag in der 1. Welle bei 26,2 % und in der zweiten Welle bei 15,4 % (p = 0,0234). Die meisten Todesfälle waren auf das akute Atemnotsyndrom (ARDS) zurückzuführen.

Schlussfolgerung Die Patientencharakteristika unterschieden sich in der 1. und 2. COVID-19-Welle nicht, aber Antikoagulation und Dexamethason wurden in der 2. Welle häufiger eingesetzt. Darüber hinaus traten in der 2. Welle weniger thromboembolische Komplikationen auf.
Imaging Posterior Instability of the Shoulder
Authors: Rajeswaran Gajan , Basu Subhasis , Funk Lennard
Published: December 2022

Posterior instability of the shoulder is much less common than anterior instability with a clinical presentation that is often less obvious, making the diagnosis more challenging and more easily missed. We describe the imaging findings of posterior instability so the radiologist can make the diagnosis and provide a detailed description, enabling the surgeon to make more informed decisions regarding management and surgery.
Respiratory Viruses and Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Brackenborough Kate , Ellis Huw , Flight William G.
Published: December 2022

The threat of respiratory virus infection to human health and well-being has been clearly highlighted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. For people with cystic fibrosis (CF), the clinical significance of viral infections long predated the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This article reviews the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory virus infection in the context of CF as well as the current understanding of interactions between viruses and other microorganisms in the CF lung. The incidence of respiratory virus infection in CF varies by age with young children typically experiencing more frequent episodes than adolescents and adults. At all ages, respiratory viruses are very common in CF and are associated with pulmonary exacerbations. Respiratory viruses are identified at up to 69% of exacerbations, while viruses are also frequently detected during clinical stability. The full impact of COVID-19 in CF is yet to be established. Early studies found that rates of COVID-19 were lower in CF cohorts than in the general population. The reasons for this are unclear but may be related to the effects of shielding, infection control practices, maintenance CF therapies, or the inflammatory milieu in the CF lung. Observational studies have consistently identified that prior solid organ transplantation is a key risk factor for poor outcomes from COVID-19 in CF. Several key priorities for future research are highlighted. First, the impact of highly effective CFTR modulator therapy on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of viral infections in CF requires investigation. Second, the impact of respiratory viruses on the development and dynamics of the CF lung microbiota is poorly understood and viral infection may have important interactions with bacteria and fungi in the airway. Finally, bacteriophages represent a key focus of future investigation both for their role in transmission of antimicrobial resistance and as a promising treatment modality for multiresistant pathogens.
Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes align under cyclic strain when guided by cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Mostert Dylan , Groenen Bart , Klouda Leda , Passier Robert , Goumans Marie-Jose , Kurniawan Nicholas A. , Bouten Carlijn V. C.
Published: December 2022

The myocardium is a mechanically active tissue typified by anisotropy of the resident cells [cardiomyocytes (CMs) and cardiac fibroblasts (cFBs)] and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Upon ischemic injury, the anisotropic tissue is replaced by disorganized scar tissue, resulting in loss of coordinated contraction. Efforts to re-establish tissue anisotropy in the injured myocardium are hampered by a lack of understanding of how CM and/or cFB structural organization is affected by the two major physical cues inherent in the myocardium: ECM organization and cyclic mechanical strain. Herein, we investigate the singular and combined effect of ECM (dis)organization and cyclic strain in a two-dimensional human in vitro co-culture model of the myocardial microenvironment. We show that (an)isotropic ECM protein patterning can guide the orientation of CMs and cFBs, both in mono- and co-culture. Subsequent application of uniaxial cyclic strain—mimicking the local anisotropic deformation of beating myocardium—causes no effect when applied parallel to the anisotropic ECM. However, when cultured on isotropic substrates, cFBs, but not CMs, orient away from the direction of cyclic uniaxial strain (strain avoidance). In contrast, CMs show strain avoidance via active remodeling of their sarcomeres only when co-cultured with at least 30% cFBs. Paracrine signaling or N-cadherin-mediated communication between CMs and cFBs was no contributing factor. Our findings suggest that the mechanoresponsive cFBs provide structural guidance for CM orientation and elongation. Our study, therefore, highlights a synergistic mechanobiological interplay between CMs and cFBs in shaping tissue organization, which is of relevance for regenerating functionally organized myocardium.
Precise pulsed magnetic field mapping using a compact pick-up probe for a pulsed sextupole magnet
Authors: Lu Y. , Mitsuda C. , Takaki H. , Obina T. , Kobayashi Y.
Published: December 2022

A pulsed sextupole magnet was used for beam injection at the KEK-Photon Factory (KEK-PF). During the top-up injection, oscillation of the stored beam was observed. To investigate this issue, a compact pick-up probe has been developed for measuring peak fields around the zero-magnetic-field region where the stored beam passes. The probe has two coils: a main coil and a background coil. The width and length of the main coil are only 3.2 and 5.8 mm, respectively. The voltage signal from the background coil is subtracted from that of the main coil to obtain an effective voltage signal. The results show that the peak field of a pulsed magnet can be measured with a sufficient accuracy for magnetic field mapping. A magnetic field signal with an amplitude of 2.2 × 10−4 T was measured clearly. The longitudinal field structure that contains the magnetic field generated by the eddy-current effect was observed, which explains the oscillation of the stored beam at the KEK-PF.
Multiplexing-based control of stochastic resonance
Authors: Semenov Vladimir V. , Zakharova Anna
Published: December 2022

We show that multiplexing (Here, the term “multiplexing” means a special network topology where a one-layer network is connected to another one-layer networks through coupling between replica nodes. In the present paper, this term does not refer to the signal processing issues and telecommunications.) allows us to control noise-induced dynamics of multilayer networks in the regime of stochastic resonance. We illustrate this effect on an example of two- and multi-layer networks of bistable overdamped oscillators. In particular, we demonstrate that multiplexing suppresses the effect of stochastic resonance if the periodic forcing is present in only one layer. In contrast, multiplexing allows us to enhance the stochastic resonance if the periodic forcing and noise are present in all the interacting layers. In such a case, the impact of multiplexing has a resonant character: the most pronounced effect of stochastic resonance is achieved for an appropriate intermediate value of coupling strength between the layers. Moreover, multiplexing-induced enhancement of the stochastic resonance can become more pronounced for the increasing number of coupled layers. To visualize the revealed phenomena, we use the evolution of the dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio on the noise intensity for varying strength of coupling between the layers.
Controlling the creation/annihilation and distribution of magnetic skyrmions by manipulating an externally applied voltage
Authors: Ishikawa Ryo , Goto Minori , Nomura Hikaru , Suzuki Yoshishige
Published: December 2022

Magnetic skyrmions are currently gaining attention owing to their potential to act as information carriers in spintronic devices. However, conventional techniques which rely on modulating the electric current to write or manipulate information using skyrmions are not energy efficient. Therefore, in this study, a Ta/Co–Fe–B/Ta/MgO junction that hosts a skyrmion was utilized to fabricate a device to investigate the effect of applying a voltage in the direction perpendicular to the film plane. Magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy was performed in a polar configuration to observe the difference in the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by observing the behavior of the magnetic domain structure and the skyrmions. Our findings suggest that voltage-induced magnetic domain structure modulation and the creation/annihilation of skyrmions are both possible. Furthermore, manipulation of skyrmions was realized by utilizing repulsive magnetic dipole interaction between the voltage-created skyrmion and skyrmion, exhibiting Brownian motion, outside the top electrode. Thus, our proposed method can enable controlling the creation and annihilation of skyrmions and their positions by manipulating the externally applied voltage. These findings can advance unconventional computing fields, such as stochastic and ultra-low-power computing.
On wave–current interaction with a horizontal cylinder: Load characteristics and vortex pattern
Authors: Zhou Jianjun , Liu Jiabin , Guo Anxin
Published: December 2022

This study performed a two-dimensional experiment to reveal the load characteristics of a submerged horizontal cylinder with vortex patterns in the wake region under wave–current flows. Wave–current conditions were tested with both following and opposing currents. Instantaneous representations of the velocity field, streamline topology, and vorticity patterns, obtained using particle image velocimetry, provided insight into the origin of the unsteady loading of the cylinder. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the pressure distribution on the cylinder were analyzed using Fourier series expansion across the circumference of the cylinder. The results demonstrate that, unlike the action of current only, the presence of waves modifies the frequency and position of vortex shedding, resulting in three distinct modes in the frequency domain of the vertical force on the cylinder, where each mode exhibits a distinct mode of vortex shedding. The variation in frequency domain of Fourier coefficients of pressure around the cylinder is consistent with the force corresponding to different modes. Moreover, velocity rate β and the frequency relationship between the wave and current-induced vortex shedding play important roles in the frequency characteristics of the vertical force.
Investigation of flow characteristics on porous gas diffusion layer microstructure that generated with binder and polytetrafluoroethylene distribution
Authors: Li Zhihao , Ke Zhaoqing , Huang Yichen , Wu Wei , Zhang Ying , Li Peisheng
Published: December 2022

The drainage properties of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) are essential factors in the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The GDL consisting of a three-dimensional (3D) carbon paper microstructure was developed and meshed with pore-scale reconstruction models in this paper. Localized binder and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) structures were added to the carbon paper microstructure through 3D morphological imaging processing. The monitoring data of 1000 planes were multi-peaky fitted as a function of gas permeability and height to amend the macroscopic porous medium model. We analyzed drainage properties under different contact angles (θ) for the carbon paper with binder and PTFE. We described the mutual intrusion of moisture and air in GDL under different pressure differences. The results show that the pore-scale reconstruction model has the advantages of describing the flow in GDL accurately and with details, detecting low-flow resistance channels that spontaneously formed in GDL, and describing the variation of permeability as a function of location. In a hydrophobic environment, the liquid film connected to a GDL is challenging to split spontaneously. At the same time, the splitting motion of discrete droplets is more prominent than that of the liquid film. The pressure that enables complete water intrusion into the GDL is between 1 and 10 MPa.
Evolution and control of multiscale vortical structures in a wall-mounted cube wake
Authors: Li Jiawei , Rinoshika Hiroka , Han Xiaolei , Dong Lin , Zheng Yan , Rinoshika Akira
Published: December 2022

In this study, multiscale flow features in a wall-mounted cube wake are investigated experimentally based on two-dimensional time-resolved particle image velocimetry measurements and wavelet transform. Moreover, the control mechanism of the horizontal control hole (HCH) on the cube wake is studied. The width of the cube model is D = 50 mm, and the corresponding Reynolds number is ReD=7800. The flow control cases include nine kinds of HCHs with three different diameters and three different heights. The results show that the shear layer contains a continuous merging process of multiscale vortices, which leads to the momentum deficit. Particularly, the evolution of large-scale vortices causes exponential growth of momentum deficit. In the xy-plane, the large spanwise vortices cause fluctuations in the near wake (x/D ≲ 3), which are stronger than those in the shear layer but are not present in the xz-plane. The downstream wake is anisotropic due to its strong downwash flows and weak inward flow. The HCH issuing flow weakens the intermediate- and large-scale vortices in the shear layer and hinders the interacting shear flows in the wake, thus reducing the momentum deficit in the near wake. In the downstream wake, the effect of HCH is also anisotropic: in xz-plane, the momentum recovery is slow due to the decrease in the downwash flow by HCH; in the xy-plane, the momentum recovery is fast due to the increase in the range of the inward flow by HCH.
Phorodon cannabis Passerini. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Phorodon cannabis Passerini. Hemiptera: Aphididae. Host: hemp (
Cannabis sativa
).
Stenocranus pacificus Kirkaldy. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Stenocranus pacificus Kirkaldy. Hemiptera: Delphacidae. Main host: corn (
Zea mays
), also rice (
Oryza sativa
), sugarcane (
Saccharum
sp.) and other grasses.
Tessaratoma papillosa (Drury). [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Tessaratoma papillosa (Drury). Hemiptera: Tessaratomidae. Main hosts: litchi (
Litchi chinensis
), longan (
Dimocarpus longan
), also
Citrus
spp.
PACAP and acetylcholine cause distinct Ca2+ signals and secretory responses in chromaffin cells
Authors: Morales Alina , Mohan Ramkumar , Chen Xiaohuan , Coffman Breanna L. , Bendahmane Mounir , Watch Lester , West Joshua L. , Bakshi Shreeya , Traynor John R. , Giovannucci David R. , Kammermeier Paul J. , Axelrod Daniel , Currie Kevin P.M. , Smrcka Alan V. , Anantharam Arun
Published: December 2022

The adrenomedullary chromaffin cell transduces chemical messages into outputs that regulate end organ function throughout the periphery. At least two important neurotransmitters are released by innervating preganglionic neurons to stimulate exocytosis in the chromaffin cell—acetylcholine (ACh) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). Although PACAP is widely acknowledged as an important secretagogue in this system, the pathway coupling PACAP stimulation to chromaffin cell secretion is poorly understood. The goal of this study is to address this knowledge gap. Here, it is shown that PACAP activates a Gαs-coupled pathway that must signal through phospholipase C ε (PLCε) to drive Ca2+ entry and exocytosis. PACAP stimulation causes a complex pattern of Ca2+ signals in chromaffin cells, leading to a sustained secretory response that is kinetically distinct from the form stimulated by ACh. Exocytosis caused by PACAP is associated with slower release of peptide cargo than exocytosis stimulated by ACh. Importantly, only the secretory response to PACAP, not ACh, is eliminated in cells lacking PLCε expression. The data show that ACh and PACAP, acting through distinct signaling pathways, enable nuanced and variable secretory outputs from chromaffin cells.
Photoelectric current generation in a monolayer MoSe2–WS2 lateral heterojunction
Authors: Xu Zhonghui , Yuan Qiuming , Siu Zhuo Bin , Rafi-Ul-Islam S M , Sun Chi , Zhao Shuliang , Jalil Mansoor B A
Published: December 2022

Based on density functional theory calculations and non-equilibrium Green’s function method, we study the photovoltaic effect of monolayer MoSe2–WS2 lateral heterojunction under vertical irradiation. Combined with the differential charge density, it predicts the stability of the MoSe2–WS2 heterojunction and the high possibility of charge transfer from MoSe2 to WS2. As a result, such MoSe2–WS2 lateral heterojunction breaks the spatial inversion symmetry thus leading to a photocurrent. The resultant photocurrent increases from close to zero to a maximum value in the range of photon energy of 1.7 eV–2.8 eV. The photocurrent response fits the cosine function with respect to the polarization angle. The peak photocurrent is obtained when the photon energy is 2.8 eV, and can be attributable to the large density state peaks near −1.3 eV in the valence band and 1.5 eV in the conduction band. Meanwhile, the single-layer MoSe2–WS2 lateral heterojunction exhibits higher polarization sensitivity that is characterized by an extinction ratio of up to 9.6. These results suggest possible applications of the single-layer MoSe2–WS2 lateral heterojunction in next generation optoelectronic devices.
Effect of lattice voids on Rutherford backscattering dechanneling in tungsten
Authors: Jin Xin , Djurabekova Flyura , Sequeira Miguel , Lorenz Katharina , Nordlund Kai
Published: December 2022

The response of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling mode through a dechanneling mechanism to the presence of voids in crystals has been considered to be qualitatively weak. However there is a lack of the validation of its quantitative behavior. In this work, we present an investigation on the dechanneling induced by voids with different shapes in tungsten based on a simulation approach. We observe that dechanneling cross section of large voids is indeed found as a product of the minimum yield and the area projected from the void to the target surface as suggested by analytical models in literature. However, this method overestimates the dechanneling induced by small voids, in which the spatial distribution of incident ions inside a target has a non-negligible effect. We found that an inter-void distance effect is able to further lower dechanneling signals if the inter-void distance is small. When small spherical voids coalesce into a group of larger ones, the dechanneling fraction is not expected to increase. In addition, comparisons between voids and stacking faults show that there are significant discrepancies between these two defects in terms of dechanneling.
Deciphering phase evolution in complex metal oxide thin films via high-throughput materials synthesis and characterization
Authors: Li Ruoshui , Jiang Xuance , Zhou Chenyu , Topsakal Mehmet , Nykypanchuk Dmytro , Attenkofer Klaus , Stacchiola Dario J , Hybertsen Mark S , Stavitski Eli , Qu Xiaohui , Lu Deyu , Liu Mingzhao
Published: December 2022

Discovery of structure-property relationships in thin film alloys of complex metal oxides enabled by high-throughput materials synthesis and characterization facilities is demonstrated here with a case-study. Thin films of binary transition metal oxides (Ti–Zn) are prepared by pulsed laser deposition with continuously varying Ti:Zn ratio, creating combinatorial samples for exploration of the properties of this material family. The atomic structure and electronic properties are probed by spatially resolved techniques including x-ray absorption near edge structures (XANES) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) at the Ti and Zn K-edge, x-ray diffraction, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. The observed properties as a function of Ti:Zn ratio are resolved into mixtures of five distinguishable phases by deploying multivariate curve resolution analysis on the XANES spectral series, under constraints set by results from the other characterization techniques. First-principles computations based on density function theory connect the observed properties of each distinct phase with structural and spectral characteristics of crystalline polymorphs of Ti–Zn oxide. Continuous tuning of the optical absorption edge as a function of Ti:Zn ratio, including the unusual observation of negative optical bowing, exemplifies a functional property of the film correlated to the phase evolution.