bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences between mates at the TLR1Lb locus are associated with lower reproductive success in a long-lived seabird
Authors: Gousy-Leblanc Marianne , Merkling Thomas , Colston-Nepali Lila , Lachance Linklater Emma , Elliott Kyle H. , Friesen Vicki L.
Published: December 2024

Genetic diversity can influence fitness components such as survival and reproductive success. Yet the association between genetic diversity and fitness based on neutral loci is sometime very weak and inconsistent, with relationships varying among taxa due to confounding effects of population demography and life history. Fitness-diversity relationships are likely to be stronger and more consistent for genes known to influence phenotypic traits, such as immunity-related genes, and may also depend on the genetic differences between breeding partners. We recorded breeding success of individuals and breeding pairs over 20 years to evaluate the relationships between reproductive success and both neutral genetic variation (using 7,830 single nucleotide polymorphisms) and functional variation (four toll-like receptor [TLRs] loci) with reproductive success in thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia). Individual genetic diversity (both neutral and functional) was unrelated to reproductive success, but surprisingly, successful multi-year reproductive success decreased with the genetic difference between breeding partners at TLR1Lb. This result may be due to an advantage of specific alleles at TLR1Lb. This study is one of few addressing both individual genetic variation and genetic similarity between mates at both neutral and functional variation in a long-lived bird.
A deep transfer learning based convolution neural network framework for air temperature classification using human clothing images
Authors: Ahmed Maqsood , Zhang Xiang , Shen Yonglin , Ali Nafees , Flah Aymen , Kanan Mohammad , Alsharef Mohammad , Ghoneim Sherif S. M.
Published: December 2024

Weather recognition is crucial due to its significant impact on various aspects of daily life, such as weather prediction, environmental monitoring, tourism, and energy production. Several studies have already conducted research on image-based weather recognition. However, previous studies have addressed few types of weather phenomena recognition from images with insufficient accuracy. In this paper, we propose a transfer learning CNN framework for classifying air temperature levels from human clothing images. The framework incorporates various deep transfer learning approaches, including DeepLabV3 Plus for semantic segmentation and others for classification such as BigTransfer (BiT), Vision Transformer (ViT), ResNet101, VGG16, VGG19, and DenseNet121. Meanwhile, we have collected a dataset called the Human Clothing Image Dataset (HCID), consisting of 10,000 images with two categories (High and Low air temperature). All the models were evaluated using various classification metrics, such as the confusion matrix, loss, precision, F1-score, recall, accuracy, and AUC-ROC. Additionally, we applied Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) to emphasize significant features and regions identified by models during the classification process. The results show that DenseNet121 outperformed other models with an accuracy of 98.13%. Promising experimental results highlight the potential benefits of the proposed framework for detecting air temperature levels, aiding in weather prediction and environmental monitoring.
Assessment of resilient modulus of soil using hybrid extreme gradient boosting models
Authors: Duan Xiangfeng
Published: December 2024

Accurate estimation of the soil resilient modulus (MR) is essential for designing and monitoring pavements. However, experimental methods tend to be time-consuming and costly; regression equations and constitutive models usually have limited applications, while the predictive accuracy of some machine learning studies still has room for improvement. To forecast MR efficiently and accurately, a new model named black-winged kite algorithm-extreme gradient boosting (BKA-XGBOOST) is proposed. In BKA-XGBOOST, XGBOOST captures the many-to-one nonlinear relationship between geotechnical factors and MR, while BKA provides the optimal hyperparameters for XGBOOST. By combining them, XGBOOST has stable and accurate predictive capabilities for different combinations of soil data. Comparisons with nine models show that the proposed model outperforms other models in terms of MR prediction accuracy, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.995 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.975 MPa. In addition, an efficient MR prediction software is developed based on the model to improve its practicality and interactivity, which is promising for assisting engineers in evaluating pavement properties.
The critical role of emotional communication for motivated reasoning
Authors: Wolf Ingo , Schröder Tobias
Published: December 2024

Persuasive appeals frequently prove ineffective or produce unintended outcomes, due to the presence of motivated reasoning. Using the example of electric cars adoption, this research delves into the impact of emotional content, message valence, and the coherence of pre-existing attitudes on biased information evaluation. By conducting a factorial survey (N = 480) and incorporating a computational model of attitude formation, we aim to gain a deeper insight into the cognitive-affective mechanisms driving motivated reasoning. Our experimental findings reveal that motivated reasoning is most pronounced when persuasive appeals employ a combination of emotional and rational elements within a negatively valenced argument. Furthermore, our computational model, which estimates belief and affect adjustments underlying attitude changes, elucidates how message framing influences cognitive-affective processes through emotional coherence. The results provide support for a negative correlation between shifts in coherence in response to new information and the propensity for motivated reasoning. The research contributes to computational models of opinion dynamics and social influence, offering a psychologically realistic framework for exploring the impact of individual reasoning on population-level dynamics, particularly in policy contexts, where it can enhance communication and informed policy discussions.
Surface electromyography evaluation for decoding hand motor intent in children with congenital upper limb deficiency
Authors: Battraw Marcus A. , Fitzgerald Justin , Winslow Eden J. , James Michelle A. , Bagley Anita M. , Joiner Wilsaan M. , Schofield Jonathon S.
Published: December 2024

Children born with congenital upper limb absence exhibit consistent and distinguishable levels of biological control over their affected muscles, assessed through surface electromyography (sEMG). This represents a significant advancement in determining how these children might utilize sEMG-controlled dexterous prostheses. Despite this potential, the efficacy of employing conventional sEMG classification techniques for children born with upper limb absence is uncertain, as these techniques have been optimized for adults with acquired amputations. Tuning sEMG classification algorithms for this population is crucial for facilitating the successful translation of dexterous prostheses. To support this effort, we collected sEMG data from a cohort of N = 9 children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency as they attempted 11 hand movements, including rest. Five classification algorithms were used to decode motor intent, tuned with features from the time, frequency, and time–frequency domains. We derived the congenital feature set (CFS) from the participant-specific tuned feature sets, which exhibited generalizability across our cohort. The CFS offline classification accuracy across participants was 73.8% ± 13.8% for the 11 hand movements and increased to 96.5% ± 6.6% when focusing on a reduced set of five movements. These results highlight the potential efficacy of individuals born with upper limb absence to control dexterous prostheses through sEMG interfaces.
Initial experience of a novel surgical assist robot “Saroa” featuring tactile feedback and a roll-clutch system in radical prostatectomy
Authors: Iwatani Kosuke , Urabe Fumihiko , Saito Shun , Kawano Shota , Yamasaki Tomoya , Kimura Shoji , Otsuki Hideo , Fujio Kei , Kimura Takahiro , Miki Jun
Published: December 2024

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Saroa Surgical Robot System in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP). We enrolled 60 patients who underwent RARP using either the Saroa (n = 9) or da Vinci Xi (n = 51) systems at Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital from January 2022 to March 2024. We compared preoperative characteristics, perioperative outcomes, complications, and postoperative urinary continence at three months between the two groups. No significant differences were found in preoperative characteristics. The Saroa group had a longer median operative time compared to the da Vinci group. Postoperative urinary continence rates were slightly lower in the Saroa group (77.8 % vs. 84.6%), though not statistically significant. When the tactile feedback function was activated, the organs were grasped with less force compared to when it was off. This study is the first to assess the Saroa system’s effectiveness and safety in RARP. While the system shows promise, especially with tactile feedback that aids in delicate tissue handling, further investigation is needed to evaluate long-term oncological and functional outcomes.
Master S-N curve method to fatigue damage assessment of the high-ply cutter body
Authors: Liu Wenfei , Chen Bo , Zhou Chao , Li Wei , Yu Hengji
Published: December 2024

At present, the cutting fabric thickness of the high-ply cutter can reach 100 mm, which requires high vacuum pressure resistance performance, and the fatigue reliability of the cutter body is an important indicator of cutting performance. In this paper, the cutter body was analyzed by finite element simulation, the equivalent structural stress and Von Mises stress at key positions were calculated separately. Then, the master S-N curve method and traditional method were used to evaluate fatigue damages at key locations of the cutter body, which are compared and analyzed with the fatigue damage of measured dynamic stress. The results show that the maximum fatigue damage calculated by the master S-N curve method is 0.223, which is the safest. it verifies the effectiveness and reliability of the master S-N curve method in evaluating the fatigue damage of the cutter body. Meanwhile, the fatigue damage of the three measuring points calculated by the three methods is all below 0.5, and it indicates that the design of the cutter body is reasonable. In addition, the master S-N curve method and equivalent structural stress method were first applied to the fatigue damage assessment of high-ply cutter body, which provides an efficient and high-precision approach for the anti-fatigue design of cutter body.
Detection of fungal sequences in human brain: rDNA locus amplification and deep sequencing
Authors: Leitao Rodrigo , Wan Iam Ut , Chown Harry , Williams Thomas J. , Fisher Matthew C. , Rhodes Johanna
Published: December 2024

The aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are unknown and tend to manifest at a late stage in life; even though these neurodegenerative diseases are caused by different affected proteins, they are both characterized by neuroinflammation. Links between bacterial and viral infection and AD/PD has been suggested in several studies, however, few have attempted to establish a link between fungal infection and AD/PD. In this study we adopted a nanopore-based sequencing approach to characterise the presence or absence of fungal genera in both human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We observed the presence of small fungal burden DNA in two AD brains and a control case (extensive amyloid angiopathy). This approach would be well-placed to investigate potential links between microbial infection and neurodegenerative disease.
Psychometric properties of the English and Hindi versions of the Brief Inventory of Thriving for use among Indian adolescents
Authors: Syed Usama Ghayas , Dixit Shikha , Kern Margaret L.
Published: December 2024

The Brief Inventory of Thriving (BIT) provides a holistic measure of well-being, but has only been validated for adults, and does not have a Hindi version. The present study investigated the unidimensional structure, internal consistency, convergent/discriminant, and criterion validity of both the original English version of the BIT (BIT-E) and its Hindi-translated version (BIT-H) among adolescents in India. Further, we tested measurement invariance across these two language versions, gender, and academic disciplines. A total of 534 adolescents were recruited across two samples (N1 = 224 and N2 = 310) from five schools using convenience sampling. Both versions demonstrated excellent psychometric properties, with unidimensional structure, good internal consistency, convergent/discriminant, and criterion validity with a number of psycho-educational correlates. Partial scalar invariance was achieved across language versions and gender, while strict invariance was established across academic disciplines. The BIT, in both English and Hindi, appears to be an excellent measure of well-being for adolescents. Limitations, directions for future research, and recommendations for using the BIT-E and BIT-H among adolescents in research and applied settings are discussed.
A meta-analytic evaluation of the reliability of work-family and family-work conflict scales
Authors: Ugwu Lawrence Ejike , Idemudia Erhabor Sunday
Published: December 2024

In occupational psychology, measuring the interplay between work and family roles is crucial. The Work-family conflict (WFC) and Family-Work Conflict (FWC) scales are indispensable tools in this endeavour. However, their reliability across diverse geographical locations and work settings, particularly during the global pandemic, requires thorough examination. This meta-analysis evaluates the reliability generalisation of WFC and FWC scales across different studies. Registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024509030), we systematically searched four major databases: EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, yielding 506 potential studies. After deduplication and screening, 44 studies published between 2000 and 2024 were selected. These studies analysed reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) and the impact of geographical location, work setting, and events like the COVID-19 pandemic on scale reliability. The analysis showed high reliability for both scales, with a pooled Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 (95% CI [0.87, 0.95]) indicating strong internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was also high, with a pooled estimate of 0.89 (95% CI: [0.84, 0.93]). Subgroup analyses revealed minimal variability in reliability across sectors, regions, and the pandemic period, with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%), suggesting the scales’ broad applicability. The WFC and FWC scales demonstrate high reliability across various global contexts, underscoring their value in occupational psychology. Their adaptability to different cultural and work scenarios, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights their potential for widespread use. The uniform reliability across studies emphasises their effectiveness in capturing work-family dynamics, supporting their generalizability and relevance for cultural adaptation.
Characterisation of the optical response to seismic waves of submarine telecommunications cables with distributed and integrated fibre-optic sensing
Authors: Fairweather David M. , Tamussino Max , Masoudi Ali , Feng Zitong , Barham Richard , Parkin Neil , Cornelius David , Brambilla Gilberto , Curtis Andrew , Marra Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

We present the first controlled-environment measurements of the optical path-length change response of telecommunication submarine cables to active seismic and acoustic waves. We perform the comparison among integrated (optical interferometry) and distributed (distributed acoustic sensing, DAS) fibre measurements and ground truth data acquired by 58 geophones, 20 three-axis seismometers and 7 microphones. The comparison between different seismic acquisition methods is an essential step towards full validation and calibration of the data acquired using novel cable-based sensing techniques. Our experimental data demonstrates broadside sensitivity of integrated optical phase measurements, in contrast to predictions from the prevailing model for this type of sensing. We also present evidence of a fast-wave arrival, which we attribute to coupled energy propagating through the metal armour of the submarine cables at a considerably faster velocity than the subsurface and acoustic waves measured during our tests. The latter process can greatly affect the detected optical signal. The experimental setup allowed us to also observe how sensing measurements on separate optical fibres within the same cable can lead to significantly different detected waveforms. Constraining the effects of the fibre architecture on recorded signals can identify factors that contribute to the non-linear response of such a sensing system.
Diagnoses of postpartum urinary retention using next-generation non-piezo ultrasound technology: assessing the accuracy and benefits
Authors: Plöger Ruben , Behning Charlotte , Walter Adeline , Gembruch Ulrich , Strizek Brigitte , Recker Florian
Published: December 2024

Postpartum urinary retention has a wide range of publicized incidences, likely caused by frequent misdiagnosis of this puerperal complication. Especially covert postpartum urinary retention has a high number of missed diagnoses due to the lack of symptoms and the time-extensive diagnostics via ultrasound, leading to no treatment and no appropriate follow-up. To simplify the diagnosis and establish a screening tool we analyzed the application of portable handheld-ultrasound devices  (PUD) as used in Point-of-care diagnostics in comparison to established standard ultrasound devices (SUD). This prospective study aimed to evaluate the reliability of non-piezo, chip-based PUD in comparison to the measurement withSUD, containing a piezo transducer, as golden standard for the ultrasound diagnosis of postpartum urinary retention. Randomly, 100 participants between the first and seventh day after delivery in an obstetric ward underwent ultrasound examinations using a EPIQ 5 W (Philips) as SUD and a Butterfly iQ (Butterfly Network) as PUD to compare the accuracy in bladder size after micturition and the estimated post-void residual volume. Intraclass correlation coefficients, Bland-Altman plots, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for analyzing the reliability and agreement between the measurements of these devices and were calculated for subgroups as body mass index, mode of delivery and timepoint of delivery. The results show a near-perfect agreement (0.994) and correlation (r = 0.982) for estimated post-void residual volume and for most measurements between the two types of ultrasound devices. The agreement rate for the diagnosis of covert postpartum urinary retention is 100%. Subgroup analyses lack a significant difference reflected by agreement and correlation rates. These findings affirm the high reliability of PUD for the diagnosis of postpartum urinary retention and supports their integration into daily clinical practice, thereby simplifying regular controls of the bladder by physicians during daily rounds on the ward. This technology may allow a higher diagnosis rate so that patient care can be optimized and the long-term impact on continence and quality of life can be studied and analysed.
Surface reconstruction limited magnetism of the nodal loop semimetal Ca$$_3$$P$$_2$$
Authors: Alassaf Assem , Koltai János , García-Fuente Amador , Oroszlány László
Published: December 2024

Nodal loop semimetals are topological materials with drumhead surface states characterized by reduced kinetic energy. If the Fermi energy of such a system is near these nondispersive states interaction among charge carriers substantially impacts their electronic structure. The emergence of magnetism in these surface states is one of the possible consequences. Ca$$_3$$P$$_2$$ an already synthesized material possesses a remarkably large nodal loop which is situated exactly at the Fermi level of the bulk system. In the present work, we investigate how surface magnetism is impacted by surface reconstruction and lattice termination in finite slabs in this material. We show that a slight deviation from the stoichiometric occupation of Ca sites results in the stabilization of magnetic patterns.
Microscopic changes in the multifidus muscle in people with low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Purushotham Shilpa , Hodson Nathan , Greig Carolyn , Gardner Adrian , Falla Deborah
Published: December 2024

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common degenerative condition causing low back pain (LBP) due to nerve compression. Previous studies show conflicting findings regarding the multifidus (MF) muscle’s microscopic changes in LDH patients. So, this study aimed to compare the affected MF to the adjacent MF on the ipsilateral and contralateral sides in LDH patients and examined correlations with clinical features of LBP. Four muscle biopsies were collected from each of 30 surgical participants. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections and imaged with an epifluorescence microscope. Data was analysed using a two-way ANOVA for muscle fibre cross-sectional area, perimeter, diameter, and composition, while pathological fibres were analysed using a one-way ANOVA. Pearson’s correlation was employed to examine MF microscopy associations with clinical features. Results revealed no significant differences between the affected MF and MF from other sites, though significantly more pathological fibres were present in the affected MF (p < 0.05). A weak but significant negative correlation was found between type I fibres and LBP clinical features, though no such correlations were observed for type IIA fibres. In conclusion, LDH primarily impacts the pathological status of the MF rather than fibre phenotype or size, and severity of clinical features is associated with the size of type I fibres.
miRNA changes associated with differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into human retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Esmaeili Maryam , Smith Daniel A. , Mead Ben
Published: December 2024

miRNA, short non-coding RNA, are rapidly emerging as important regulators in cell homeostasis, as well as potential players in cellular degeneration. The latter has led to interest in them as both biomarkers and as potential therapeutics. Retinal ganglion cells (RGC), whose axons connect the eye to the brain, are central nervous system cells of great interest, yet their study is largely restricted to animals due to the difficulty in obtaining healthy human RGC. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-based reporter embryonic stem cell line, human RGC were generated and their miRNA profile characterized using NanoString miRNA assays. We identified a variety of retinal specific miRNA upregulated in ESC-derived RGC, with half of the most abundant miRNA also detectable in purified rat RGC. Several miRNA were however identified to be unique to RGC from human. The findings show which miRNA are abundant in RGC and the limited congruence with animal derived RGC. These data could be used to understand miRNA’s role in RGC function, as well as potential biomarkers or therapies in retinal diseases involving RGC degeneration.
Fear of mating out (FOMO): voyeurism does not increase mating propensity in fruit flies
Authors: Vega-Trejo Regina , Sanghvi Krish , Todorova Biliana , Sepil Irem , Bath Eleanor
Published: December 2024

Mate availability and social information can influence mating behaviour in both males and females. Social information obtained from conspecifics can influence mate choice, particularly shown by studies on mate choice copying. However, the role of directly observing conspecific mating on mating behaviour has been less explored. As such, whether conspecifics are copulating or not could inform ‘observers’ about the availability of mates, or even stimulate observers to mate themselves. Using Drosophila melanogaster, we tested whether exposure to the visual cue of a mating pair would increase the mating propensity of an observer pair (i.e., voyeur). We followed a factorial design where a male-female pair (voyeur flies) were placed together with or without visual access to another pair of flies (who were either mating or not mating). We found no evidence that mating latency or duration of mating were affected by whether voyeurs had visual access to a mating or non-mating pair. These results could be due to biological factors (e.g., use of other non-visual cues by flies to acquire information related to sex), or methodological limitations of our study (e.g., flies unable to watch other pairs). Generally, our results suggest that fruit flies do not use visual cues from conspecifics mating to adjust their own mating latency or mating duration.
Mathematical model for managing vector-borne pathogen outbreaks in chickens using impulsive vaccination and drug treatment
Authors: Trachoo Kamonchat , Prathumwan Din , Padasee Darunee , Paopan Supatcha , Chaiya Inthira
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we propose an epidemic mathematical model with an impulsive vaccination strategy to predict outbreaks in chickens caused by vectors. The analysis of the model is divided into two parts: one considering impulsive vaccination and the other without it. We determine the basic reproduction number of disease transmission and analyze the stability conditions of the proposed model for both disease-free and endemic equilibria, addressing both local and global stability. The results reveal that the disease will die out when the basic reproduction number is less than one. Numerical simulations demonstrate that impulsive vaccination significantly reduces the number of exposed and infected chickens, leading to disease eradication in approximately 270 days, compared to over 360 days without impulsive vaccination. The existence and non-negativity of the model solutions are also investigated. The susceptible population is considered to be vaccinated. We find that the periodic solution of the disease-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable under specific conditions outlined in the proposed theorem. This highlights the effectiveness of impulsive vaccination strategies in controlling disease transmission.
Micromorphological features of brown rotted wood revealed by broad argon ion beam milling
Authors: Tsukida Rikako , Hatano Tomohiro , Kojima Yuka , Nakaba Satoshi , Horikawa Yoshiki , Funada Ryo , Goodell Barry , Yoshida Makoto
Published: December 2024

Brown rot fungi, the major decomposers in the boreal coniferous forests, cause a unique wood decay pattern but many aspects of brown rot decay mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, decayed wood samples were prepared by cultivation of the brown rot fungi Gloeophyllum trabeum and Coniophora puteana on Japanese coniferous wood of Cryptomeria japonica, and the cutting planes were prepared using broad ion beam (BIB) milling, which enables observation of intact wood, in addition to traditional microtome sections. Samples were observed using field-emission SEM revealing that areas inside the end walls of ray parenchyma cells were the first to be degraded. Osmium reaction precipitates were observed in the degraded regions, as well as in plasmodesmata. In the cell wall where ray parenchyma cells contacted with the tracheids, specific degradation of cross-field pits and hyphal elongation into this area was observed in degradation by both fungi. Other pit types were also degraded as noted in previous studies. Delamination between the S1 and S2 layers of tracheids, and cracks in the tracheid cell walls were observed. These findings provide new insights into the cell wall degradation mechanisms during the incipient stages of brown rot decay.
Revealing and mitigating the inhibitory effect of serotonin on HRP-mediated protein labelling
Authors: Chan Zora Chui-Kuen , Qi Cheng , Cai Yuanhong , Li Xin , Ren Jing
Published: December 2024

Proximity-dependent biotinylation coupled with mass spectrometry enables the characterization of subcellular proteomes. This technique has significantly advanced neuroscience by revealing sub-synaptic protein networks, such as the synaptic cleft and post-synaptic density. Profiling proteins at this detailed level is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms of neuronal connectivity and transmission. Despite its recent successful application to various neuronal types, proximity labelling has yet to be employed to study the serotonin system. In this study, we uncovered an unreported inhibitory mechanism of serotonin on horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-based biotinylation. Our result showed that serotonin significantly reduces biotinylation levels across various Biotin-XX-tyramide (BxxP) concentrations in HEK293T cells and primary neurons, whereas dopamine exerts minimal interference, highlighting the specificity of this inhibition. To counteract this inhibition, we demonstrated that Dz-PEG, an aryl diazonium compound that consumes serotonin through an azo-coupling reaction, restores biotinylation efficiency. Label-free quantitative proteomics confirmed that serotonin inhibits biotinylation, and that Dz-PEG effectively reverses this inhibition. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for neurotransmitter interference in proximity-dependent biotinylation studies, especially for cell-type specific profiling in neuroscience. Additionally, we provided a potential strategy to mitigate these challenges, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of such studies.
Study on the determination method of excitation load in electrical signal simulation for piezoelectric ultrasonic internal inspection of pipelines
Authors: Xu Guangli , Liu Jianwen , Wen Qiang , Zheng Yuejun , Cai Liangxue
Published: December 2024

Accurately determining the initial acoustic field excitation load of a piezoelectric ultrasonic probe is essential for simulating electrical signals and calculating wall thickness during ultrasonic internal inspection of pipelines. A new method for determining the initial excitation load of the acoustic field is proposed, incorporating the focusing effect of the curved surface of pipelines on the ultrasonic signal from the piezoelectric ultrasonic probe. Finite element models were established for the new and old methods using COMSOL software, facilitating the analysis of the initial acoustic field distribution and associated electrical signal characteristics. Scenarios considered included pipelines with and without inner wall defects, and with or without a deviation angle between the pipeline and the probe. The pipeline wall thickness was calculated inversely for each condition. Comparisons with actual wall thickness revealed that the initial excitation load determined by the new method significantly improved accuracy in wall thickness inversion, compared to the published existing method. This indicates that considering the focusing effect of the curved surface of pipelines on ultrasonic signals enhances the accuracy of simulation for piezoelectric ultrasonic internal inspection. This lays the groundwork for developing a digital research and development platform tailored for the ultrasonic internal detectors of pipeline.
Nitrogen use efficiency underlies cross-ecosystem variation in marine primary production
Authors: Chan Francis , Nielsen Karina J. , Lubchenco Jane , Menge Bruce A.
Published: December 2024

The supply of nitrogen (N) and the efficiency with which it is used by phytoplankton serve as two fundamental controls on the productivity of many marine ecosystems. Shifts in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) can decouple primary production from N-supply but how NUE varies across systems is poorly known. Through a global synthesis of how total N (TN) is apportioned among phytoplankton, particulate, dissolved inorganic, and dissolved organic pools, we demonstrate that NUE underlies broad variations in primary production. Across coastal and open ocean systems, the biomass of autotrophs scales non-linearly with the size of the ecosystem N pool according to a simple equation (chla = 0.004*TN2.38) that captures 68% of the variance in chlorophyll-a (chla) concentration. Such variation in NUE does not arise from organism-level variation in N-use but reflects ecosystem-level shifts in N-distribution among phytoplankton and dissolved organic-N pools. Because these pools differ in their potential for N-retention, shifts in NUE provide a set of common feedback mechanisms that can act to regulate the long-term stock of N in the surface ocean. Cross-system patterns in NUE provide a set of common relationships for predicting how ocean productivity may respond to future perturbations in N-supply.
Assessment of grazing livestock balance on the Eastern Mongolian Plateau based on remote sensing monitoring and grassland carrying capacity evaluation
Authors: Li Menghan , Wang Juanle , Li Kai , Liu Yaping , Ochir Altansukh , Davaasuren Davaadorj
Published: December 2024

Rational utilization of natural resources is crucial in arid and semi-arid areas due to their vulnerable ecosystems and low resource resilience. Achieving a balance between grassland production and livestock grazing, known as the pasture-livestock balance, is essential for the sustainable development of grassland resources on the Mongolian Plateau (MP). This study focuses on the grassland regions of 8 provinces in eastern Mongolia (MNG) and 7 leagues in Inner Mongolia (IMNG), China, during the period from 2018 to 2022. Machine learning methods were employed for land cover classification and above-ground biomass (AGB) estimation. The grassland carrying capacity was assessed using the grassland carrying capacity index (GCC). The results indicate that: (1) The grassland classification accuracy on the MP exceeds 95%, with grassland area accounting for approximately 47% of the total.(2)The AGB of the grasslands exhibits a clear spatial heterogeneity, increasing from southwest to northeast. Additionally, nearly 80% of the grassland productivity is of high quality, reaching up to 250 g/m2.(3) Between 2018 and 2022, the MP exhibited a relatively high grassland carrying capacity, with an average of 1.8 SU/ha. However, the overall grassland carrying condition has gradually deteriorated, primarily due to factors such as grassland fires and an increase in livestock numbers. Based on the varying degrees of grassland degradation, different policy recommendations have been proposed. This study approach, findings and policy suggestions are significant for the development of livestock farming and grassland management on the MP.
The freeze–thaw cycle effect on blood serum autofluorescence, Raman spectroscopy and SERS: implications for sample classification and disease diagnostics
Authors: Nurgalieva Polina K. , Yakimov Boris P. , Parashchuk Olga D. , Cherkasova Olga P. , Tokar Egor A. , Paraschuk Dmitry Yu. , Kukushkin Vladimir I. , Sorokin Nikolay I. , Nesterova Olga Yu. , Varentsov Mikhail G. , Bratchenko Lyudmila A. , Bratchenko Ivan A. , Kamalov Armais A. , Shirshin Evgeny A.
Published: December 2024

The alterations in blood serum optical signal caused by a freeze–thaw cycle do not affect patient classification or disease diagnosis. The freeze–thaw cycle may be performed prior to blood serum optical spectroscopy analysis in clinical diagnostics.
Catalytic resonance theory: forecasting the flow of programmable catalytic loops
Authors: Murphy Madeline A. , Noordhoek Kyle , Gathmann Sallye R. , Dauenhauer Paul J. , Bartel Christopher J.
Published: December 2024

Understanding the complexities of programmable catalytic loops using interpretable machine learning.
Depolymerization by transition metal complexes: strategic approaches to convert polymeric waste into feedstocks
Authors: Dolai Suman , Behera Chinmoy K. , Patra Sanjib K.
Published: December 2024

Conversion of plastic waste into feedstocks by transition metal catalysts: Strategies for converting polymeric waste into feedstocks through catalytic depolymerization by transition metal complexes and organometallic compounds are highlighted.
Breaking the deep-red light absorption barrier of iridium(iii)-based photosensitizers
Authors: Vigueras Gloria , Gasser Gilles , Ruiz José
Published: December 2024

Recent advancements in ligand design and fluorophore functionalization enable Ir(iii) photosensitizers to achieve deep-red/near-infrared absorption, addressing challenges in photodynamic therapy for deep-seated tumors.
Phenylphosphonic acid corroles: corroles that link and bind
Authors: Divoux Gaëlle , Loze Margerie , Rousselin Yoann , Brandès Stéphane , Gros Claude P. , Desbois Nicolas , André Laurie
Published: December 2024

Thanks to the presence of a phosphonic acid group, A2B-corroles were covalently linked to the Zr clusters of a PCN-222 MOF. After insertion of Co, the cobalt corroles are able to bind CO with high selectivity vs. CO2, N2, and O2.
Designing a bridging solvation structure using recessive solvents for high energy density aqueous zinc-ion batteries with 88% depth of discharge zinc rechargeability
Authors: Li Qingying , Luo Dan , Ma Qianyi , Zheng Zhuoyi , Li Shibin , Xie Yihan , Xue Linjiang , Lin Meizhu , Nie Yihang , Feng Guo , Dou Haozhen , Chen Jiawen , Wang Xin , Chen Zhongwei
Published: December 2024

The recessive solvent is activated by bridging structure, and further self-assemble into nano-capsule solvation, which promotes rapid Zn deposition and generates a uniform SEI, thus achieving a stable Zn anode at high depth of discharge.
Micromotors for antimicrobial resistance bacteria inactivation in water systems: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Cuntín-Abal Carmen , Jurado-Sánchez Beatriz , Escarpa Alberto
Published: December 2024

A roadmap of micromotors as moving fighters against the spread of antibiotic resistance factors in water.
Nickel-catalyzed transfer hydrogenative cross-coupling of nitriles and amines with B2(OH)4/H2O system
Authors: Wang Xiaosha , Zhang Qiaohui , Guo Yu , Zeng Shihui , Xuan Qingqing , Song Qiuling
Published: December 2024

We describe a Ni-catalyzed transfer hydrogenative reactions of nitriles with amines in a B2(OH)4/H2O system. Under this system, various secondary amines, 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidines and indoles could be obtained via intermolecular reactions.
Rewritable wavelength-selective hydrogel actuators grafted with fluorophores
Authors: Koo Hye Been , Yeon Haemin , Bin Yoon Young , Lee Taek-Jun , Chang Young-Tae , Chang Jae-Byum
Published: December 2024

A novel fabrication method for fluorophore-grafted hydrogel actuators enables rewritable wavelength-selective actuation via photothermal effects and iterative bleaching of fluorophores.
Tuning of the structural, elastic, electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties of TlCrX2 (X = S, Se) for optoelectronic and electronic devices
Authors: Babu Md. Sayedul Islam , Parves Md. Shahazan , Rayhan M. A. , Al-Dmour Hmoud , Rasheduzzaman Md. , Hossen M. Moazzam , Arafat Yasir , Hasan Md. Zahid
Published: December 2024

For the first time, first-principles investigations using density functional theory (DFT) were thoroughly conducted on the structural, mechanical, optical, anisotropic, thermodynamic and electronic properties of TlCrX2 (X = S, Se) materials.
Development of chiral modular bifunctional C2-symmetric bipyridine/phenanthroline-bipyrroloimidazolone ligands and application in noncovalent interaction-assisted enantioselective catalysis
Authors: Wang Xi-Rui , Hu Pan , Jing Hui-Xian , Yu Zhang-Biao , Yao Zhen , Liu Xiong-Wei , Zhang Wen-Jing , Peng Li-Jun , Liu Xiong-Li
Published: December 2024

The first example showed that the Bpy/Phen ligand contained three nitrogen atoms coordinating with the metal, and the additional nitrogen atom acted as a H-bond acceptor.
Synergizing superwetting and architected electrodes for high-rate water splitting
Authors: Ren Qiu , Tran Cassidy , Zhang Kangkang , Zhu Cheng , Li Yat
Published: December 2024

Review of recent advancements in tackling bubble-related issues through the design and implementation of superwetting electrodes, including surface modification techniques and structural optimizations.
Exploring nickel-catalyzed organochalcogen synthesis via cross-coupling of benzonitrile and alkyl chalcogenols with computational tools
Authors: Gómez-Mudarra Francisco A. , Aullón Gabriel , Jover Jesús
Published: December 2024

The reaction mechanism of Ni(0)-catalyzed C–S cross-coupling between benzonitrile and propanethiol has been studied with DFT and validated by microkinetic modeling. The protocol is used to assess its potential usage for building C–Se and C–Te bonds.
Biocompatible synthesis of macrocyclic thiazole peptides from chiral α-amino nitriles
Authors: Shang Minghao , He Junming , Gardiner Michael G. , Nitsche Christoph
Published: December 2024

Chiral α-amino nitriles, derived from their canonical α-amino acids, can be attached to the peptide C-terminus and undergo biocompatible cyclisation with an N-terminal cysteine residue, yielding macrocyclic thiazole peptides after mild oxidation.
Non-conjugated polymer regulated photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Yuan Jiao-Nan , Yan Xian , Zheng Bing-Xiong , Chen Jia-Qi , Xiao Fang-Xing
Published: December 2024

A non-conjugated polymer was unleashed as a hole extraction mediator to significantly boost the charge separation over metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO, WO3), contributing to markedly augmented solar water oxidation activity.
Arenethiolate-catalyzed Caryl–F bond activation: synthesis of oxindoles
Authors: Liu Shengyun , Li Mingying , Xiao Wei , Wu Jie
Published: December 2024

A metal-free strategy is developed to achieve Caryl–F bond activation through arenethiolate-catalysis to access oxindoles.
Reactivity of a heterobinuclear heme–peroxo–Cu complex with para-substituted catechols shows a pKa-dependent change in mechanism
Authors: Panda Sanjib , Adam Suzanne M. , Phan Hai , Rogler Patrick J. , Hota Pradip Kumar , Helms Joshua R. , Pierce Brad S. , Wijeratne Gayan B. , Karlin Kenneth D.
Published: December 2024

Reactions of para-R-catechols with a cytochrome c oxidase synthetic model compound, a heme-peroxo-copper species, are pKa-dependent, suggesting O–O bond homolysis occurs via a hydrogen-bond assisted stepwise proton/electron transfer pathway.
Chemodynamic covalent adaptable network-induced robust, self-healing, and degradable fluorescent elastomers for multicolor information encryption
Authors: Li Changyang , Su Xing , Cao Chuanbao , Li Xiaodong , Zou Meishuai
Published: December 2024

Demonstration of a high-strength, self-healing, degradable, and luminescent elastomer induced by a chemodynamic covalent adaptation network.
Hollow core–shell heterojunction TAPB-COF@ZnIn2S4 as highly efficient photocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction
Authors: Fan Huitao , Hu Minglin , Duan Yabing , Zuo Luyang , Yu Ronggui , Li Zhuwei , Liu Qi , Li Bo , Wang Liya
Published: December 2024

Hollow core–shell photocatalyst TAPB-COFZ-30 can effectively photoreduce CO2 to CO. This unique photocatalyst is beneficial to promote the separation of photogenerated carriers, reduce the reaction energy barrier, and promote the formation of CO.
Amphiphilic dynamic covalent polymer vectors of siRNA
Authors: García Coll José , Trousselier Pauline , Pawar Sachin Dattram , Bessin Yannick , Lichon Laure , Leblond Chain Jeanne , Sachon Emmanuelle , Bettache Nadir , Ulrich Sébastien
Published: December 2024

Hydrophobization of peptide-based dynamic covalent polymer vectors boosts their siRNA delivery performances.
Enhancing photocatalytic water splitting via GeC/SGaSnP Z-scheme heterojunctions with built-in electric fields
Authors: Lou Wenhua , Liu Gang , Ma Xiaoguang , Yang Chuanlu , Feng Lixun , Liu Ying , Gao Xiaochun
Published: December 2024

This study designs a high-performance GeC/SGaSnP Z-scheme photocatalyst with excellent charge separation, strong visible light absorption, and superior HER/OER activity, making it a promising candidate for efficient water splitting.
Mixed metal conductive MOFs constructed from Trypan blue linked metal nodes: characteristic features and electrochemical performance
Authors: Shukla Shubhangi , Joshi Naveen Narasimhachar , Kadian Sachin , Sahoo Siba Sundar , Narayan Roger J.
Published: December 2024

Scheme shows the incorporation of Trypan blue (Try) as an organic linker in designing bimetallic organic frameworks. Rct values indicate 3d–3d MOFs can achieve a more conductive network compared to 3d–4f MOFs.
Photoelectric memristor based on a PZT/NSTO heterojunction for neuromorphic computing applications
Authors: Wang Jingjuan , Wang Zhaowen , Zhao Wenze , Yan Xiaobing
Published: December 2024

Inspired by the human brain and visual system, neuromorphic computing based on a photoelectric memristor overcomes the limitations of the traditional von Neumann architecture and has attracted the interest of researchers.
The impact of double crosslinking and alkaline activation strategies on the multifaceted characteristics of quaternized poly(vinyl alcohol) anion exchange membranes
Authors: Ng Wei Keat , Wong Chun Yik , Hanna Rosli Nur Adiera , Kannan Kiranraj Vaiyanan , Loh Kee Shyuan , Chua Bee Lin , Wong Wai Yin
Published: December 2024

Dual crosslinking & high KOH activation enhance QPVA membranes. Optimized membranes exhibit improved ionic conductivity, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties, suitable for AEMFCs.
A novel non‐contact voltage measurement based on distribution lines
Authors: Shen Jie , Liu Lina , Li Xiaojun , Tu Yaxin , Liu Bing , Deng Shuyu , Yang Xiaoxiao
Published: December 2024

Currently, for distribution line voltage measurement, there is no effective and convenient dynamic calibration method of coupling capacitance for capacitive coupling‐based sensors. Therefore, a differential non‐contact voltage measurement method based on harmonic injection is proposed in this paper. Based on the single‐probe measurement, a shield is used to reduce the interference of external stray capacitance on the measurement; the probe is improved and a differential circuit structure is introduced, which eliminates the input capacitance of the op‐amp; then harmonics are injected into the measurement circuit, and the discrete Fourier transform is used to extract the fundamental frequency and harmonic components in the response signal, and the coupling capacitance parameter is solved by the ratio of the harmonic source to the harmonic response signal and then substituting it into the fundamental equation to achieve the dynamic calibration of the coupling capacitance and fundamental response signal, and the coupling capacitance dynamic calibration and fundamental response signal dynamic calibration, capacitance dynamic calibration and the measurement of fundamental voltage signal; finally, the measurement method proposed in the article can meet the measurement requirements of a 400 V distribution network as shown in the simulation results, and the maximum voltage measurement error is less than 0.4%.