bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoporous graphene-based thin-film microelectrodes for in vivo high-resolution neural recording and stimulation
Authors: Viana Damià , Walston Steven T. , Masvidal-Codina Eduard , Illa Xavi , Rodríguez-Meana Bruno , del Valle Jaume , Hayward Andrew , Dodd Abbie , Loret Thomas , Prats-Alfonso Elisabet , de la Oliva Natàlia , Palma Marie , del Corro Elena , del Pilar Bernicola María , Rodríguez-Lucas Elisa , Gener Thomas , de la Cruz Jose Manuel , Torres-Miranda Miguel , Duvan Fikret Taygun , Ria Nicola , Sperling Justin , Martí-Sánchez Sara , Spadaro Maria Chiara , Hébert Clément , Savage Sinead , Arbiol Jordi , Guimerà-Brunet Anton , Puig M. Victoria , Yvert Blaise , Navarro Xavier , Kostarelos Kostas , Garrido Jose A.
Published: January 2024

One of the critical factors determining the performance of neural interfaces is the electrode material used to establish electrical communication with the neural tissue, which needs to meet strict electrical, electrochemical, mechanical, biological and microfabrication compatibility requirements. This work presents a nanoporous graphene-based thin-film technology and its engineering to form flexible neural interfaces. The developed technology allows the fabrication of small microelectrodes (25 µm diameter) while achieving low impedance (∼25 kΩ) and high charge injection (3–5 mC cm−2). In vivo brain recording performance assessed in rodents reveals high-fidelity recordings (signal-to-noise ratio >10 dB for local field potentials), while stimulation performance assessed with an intrafascicular implant demonstrates low current thresholds (<100 µA) and high selectivity (>0.8) for activating subsets of axons within the rat sciatic nerve innervating tibialis anterior and plantar interosseous muscles. Furthermore, the tissue biocompatibility of the devices was validated by chronic epicortical (12 week) and intraneural (8 week) implantation. This work describes a graphene-based thin-film microelectrode technology and demonstrates its potential for high-precision and high-resolution neural interfacing.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Luminescent solar concentrator efficiency enhanced via nearly lossless propagation pathways
Authors: Park Kyoungwon , Yi Jeongmin , Yoon Suk-Young , Park Seong Min , Kim Jiyong , Shin Hyun-Beom , Biswas Swarup , Yoo Gang Yeol , Moon Sang-Hwa , Kim Jiwan , Oh Min Suk , Wedel Armin , Jeong Sohee , Kim Hyeok , Oh Soong Ju , Kang Ho Kwan , Yang Heesun , Han Chul Jong
Published: January 2024

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) have the potential to serve as energy-harvesting windows in buildings. Although recent advances in nanotechnology have led to the emergence of novel fluorophores such as quantum dots, perovskites and others, the commercialization of such functional glass remains immature due to an insufficient power conversion efficiency. In other words, improvements in fluorophores alone cannot fully maximize the potential of LSCs. Here we introduce a new laminated type of LSC structure where a patterned low-refractive-index medium acts as an optical ‘guard rail’, providing a practically non-decaying path for guiding photons. We also propose the design rules regarding the dimensions of LSCs and the spectral characteristics of fluorophores. Once these rules were applied, we achieved record-high LSC performance. The measured external quantum efficiencies at 450 nm are 45% for a 100 cm2 area and 32% for the LSC with an edge aspect ratio of 71. The device efficiency is 7.6%, the highest value ever reported, to the best of our knowledge. These findings may have industrial implications and could accelerate the commercialization of LSCs.
Occupant behavior, thermal environment, and appliance electricity use of a single-family apartment in China
Authors: Wang Chuang , Li Xiaoyan , Sun Wei , An Jingjing , Gao Shufang
Published: January 2024

The household is the basic unit of a residential community or building. High-resolution, long-term open data are necessary to help study residential electricity consumption, smart home technologies, and electricity flexibility technologies at household level. This paper introduces an IoT-based data collection platform (IDCP) consisting of gateways, sensors, and cloud servers. This platform can collect data on the occupant presence, indoor environment, window-opening states, and appliance electricity consumption simultaneously. This study deployed the IDCP in a single-family apartment in Beijing, China, and compiled a dataset, namely, CN-OBEE, including data on the per-minute occupant behavior, thermal environment, and appliance electricity use of the apartment for an entire year (from May 31, 2021, to May 31, 2022), and hourly meteorological data collected by the nearest national weather station during the same period. This dataset is the first detailed and publicly available occupant behavior and electricity use dataset for Chinese homes. As a regional feature, the dataset compiled by this study includes window-opening behavior and the use of split air conditioners (ACs).
Fingerprinting hyperglycemia using predictive modelling approach based on low-cost routine CBC and CRP diagnostics
Authors: Tahir Amna , Asghar Kashif , Shafiq Waqas , Batool Hijab , Khan Dilawar , Chughtai Omar , Chaudhary Safee Ullah
Published: January 2024

Hyperglycemia is an outcome of dysregulated glucose homeostasis in the human body and may induce chronic elevation of blood glucose levels. Lifestyle factors such as overnutrition, physical inactivity, and psychosocials coupled with systemic low-grade inflammation have a strong negative impact on glucose homeostasis, in particular, insulin sensitivity. Together, these factors contribute to the pathophysiology of diabetes (DM) and expanding landscape of its prevalence regionally and globally. The rapid rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, therefore, underscores the need for its early diagnosis and treatment. In this work, we have evaluated the discriminatory capacity of different diagnostic markers including inflammatory biomolecules and RBC (Red Blood Cell) indices in predicting the risk of hyperglycemia and borderline hyperglycemia. For that, 208,137 clinical diagnostic entries obtained over five years from Chugtai Labs, Pakistan, were retrospectively evaluated. The dataset included HbA1c (n = 142,011), complete blood count (CBC, n = 84,263), fasting blood glucose (FBG, n = 35,363), and C-reactive protein (CRP, n = 9035) tests. Our results provide four glycemic predictive models for two cohorts HbA1c and FBG) each having an overall predictive accuracy of more than 80% (p-value < 0.0001). Next, multivariate analysis (MANOVA) followed by univariate analysis (ANOVA) was employed to identify predictors with significant discriminatory capacity for different levels of glycemia. We show that the interplay between inflammation, hyperglycemic-induced derangements in RBC indices, and altered glucose homeostasis could be employed for prognosticating hyperglycemic outcomes. Our results then conclude a glycemic predictor with high sensitivity and specificity, employing inflammatory markers coupled with RBC indices, to predict glycemic outcomes (ROC p-value < 0.0001). Taken together, this study outlines a predictor of glycemic outcomes which could assist as a prophylactic intervention in predicting the early onset of hyperglycemia and borderline hyperglycemia.
Resveratrol attenuates high glucose-induced inflammation and improves glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells
Authors: Tshivhase Abegail Mukhethwa , Matsha Tandi , Raghubeer Shanel
Published: January 2024

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by impaired glucose and insulin metabolism, resulting in chronic hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia-induced inflammation is linked to the onset and progression of diabetes. Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenol phytoalexin, is studied in diabetes therapeutics research. This study evaluates the effect of RES on inflammation and glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells exposed to high glucose. Inflammation and glucose metabolism-related genes were investigated using qPCR. Further, inflammatory genes were analyzed by applying ELISA and Bioplex assays. High glucose significantly increases IKK-α, IKB-α, and NF-kB expression compared to controls. Increased NF-kB expression was followed by increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-β, and COX2. RES treatment significantly reduced the expression of NF-kB, IKK-α, and IKB-α, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines. High glucose levels reduced the expression of TGFβ1, while treatment with RES increased the expression of TGFβ1. As glucose levels increased, PEPCK expression was reduced, and GCK expression was increased in HepG2 cells treated with RES. Further, HepG2 cells cultured with high glucose showed significant increases in KLF7 and HIF1A but decreased SIRT1. Moreover, RES significantly increased SIRT1 expression and reduced KLF7 and HIF1A expression levels. Our results indicated that RES could attenuate high glucose-induced inflammation and enhance glucose metabolism in HepG2 cells.
Spatiotemporal lake area changes influenced by climate change over 40 years in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Cho Myung Sik , Park Jinwoo
Published: January 2024

Water resources in lakes of the Korean Peninsula play a significant role in society and ecosystems in both South and North Korea. This study characterized spatiotemporal changes in the lake area during the dry season (March–May) in the Korean Peninsula over the last 40 years. The satellite images (Landsat 5–9) were used to derive annual areas of 975 lakes during the dry season from 1984 to 2023. Our analysis indicated that the MNDWI is the optimal remote sensing-based index for delineating lake areas in the Korean Peninsula, with an overall accuracy of 92.3%. Based on the selected index, the total lake areas of the dry seasons have increased from 1070.7 km2 in 1984 to 1659.3 km2 in 2023, mainly due to newly constructed dam reservoirs. While the detailed changes in lake area vary, we found divergent results based on their sizes. The large lakes (> 10 km2) showed their area increased by 0.0473 km2 (0.1%) every year and have more influences from climate change. On the contrary, the small lakes (≤ 10 km2) have area decreases by 0.0006–0.006 km2 (0.15–0.5%) every year and have less influence from climate change. This study shows that the spatiotemporal lake area changes are determined by either climate change or human activity.
Transcranial static magnetic field stimulation over hMT+ inhibits visual motion discriminability
Authors: Takami Ayaka , Kawajiri Toshitaka , Komiyama Takaaki , Aoyama Chisa , Shimegi Satoshi
Published: January 2024

Visuomotor performance acting on a moving target is fundamentally based on visual motion discriminability, and its neural basis is presumed to be human MT (hMT+), a motion vision center of the dorsal visual pathway. In this study, we investigated whether and how the accuracy and speed of motion discrimination are affected by applying transcranial static magnetic field stimulation (tSMS) to hMT+, which reduces cortical excitability. Sixteen participants performed a motion direction discrimination (MDD) task using a random dot kinematogram before (Pre-test) and during (During-test) application of the tSMS over left hMT+. The correct rate of the MDD task was significantly lower in the During-test compared to the Pre-test, an effect not seen with the sham condition. The inhibition effects were observed only for the right visual field corresponding to hMT+ in the stimulated hemisphere. On the other hand, no modulatory effect of tSMS was observed in the reaction time. We, therefore, demonstrated the inhibitory effect of tSMS on the left hMT+ impairs the accuracy but not the speed of motion information processing in the contralateral visual field.
Association of cartilage metabolism biomarkers and 25(OH)D levels with muscle biomechanical functions in professional rowers and canoeists
Authors: Ogurkowska Małgorzata , Podgórski Tomasz , Nowak Alicja
Published: January 2024

The purpose of the study was to assess the association of cartilage metabolism biomarkers and vitamin D metabolite levels with muscle biomechanical functions in professional rowers and canoeists. The serum levels of aggrecan, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were determined in elite male sweep-oar rowers (n = 24) and canoeists (n = 15). This was followed by a biomechanical study consisting in isometric measurement of peak torque (PT) of muscles involved in the rowing cycle in the athletes. There were found significant correlations of COMP with the ratio of trunk PT flexor to extensor (p < 0.05) and 25(OH)D with trunk PT—left rotators (p < 0.05), knee joints PT—left and right flexor (p ≤ 0.01), ratio of knee joint PT—right flexor to knee joint PT—right extensor (p < 0.05) in rowers and aggreccan with elbow joint PT of the right flexor (p ≤ 0.01) and extensor (p = 0.05) in canoeists. The correlations of COMP and aggrecan levels with PT of the muscle groups studied in rowers and canoeists indicate the importance of stabilizing the muscular system in cartilage metabolism. The relationship between 25(OH)D status and biomechanical parameters confirm that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining skeletal muscle health.
Gut microbial metabolites reveal diet-dependent metabolic changes induced by nicotine administration
Authors: Ohue-Kitano Ryuji , Banno Yukika , Masujima Yuki , Kimura Ikuo
Published: January 2024

The gut microbiota has emerged as an important factor that potentially influences various physiological functions and pathophysiological processes such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Accumulating evidence from human and animal studies suggests that gut microbial metabolites play a critical role as integral molecules in host–microbe interactions. Notably, several dietary environment-dependent fatty acid metabolites have been recognized as potent modulators of host metabolic homeostasis. More recently, nicotine, the primary active molecule in tobacco, has been shown to potentially affect host metabolism through alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites. However, the mechanisms underlying the interplay between host nutritional status, diet-derived microbial metabolites, and metabolic homeostasis during nicotine exposure remain unclear. Our findings revealed that nicotine administration had potential effects on weight regulation and metabolic phenotype, independent of reduced caloric intake. Moreover, nicotine-induced body weight suppression is associated with specific changes in gut microbial composition, including Lactobacillus spp., and KetoB, a nicotine-sensitive gut microbiota metabolite, which could be linked to changes in host body weight, suggesting its potential role in modulating host metabolism. Our findings highlight the remarkable impact of the interplay between nutritional control and the gut environment on host metabolism during smoking and smoking cessation.
Transcription factor FoxO1 regulates myoepithelial cell diversity and growth
Authors: Tokumasu Rino , Yasuhara Rika , Kang Seya , Funatsu Takahiro , Mishima Kenji
Published: January 2024

Salivary gland myoepithelial cells regulate saliva secretion and have been implicated in the histological diversity of salivary gland tumors. However, detailed functional analysis of myoepithelial cells has not been determined owing to the few of the specific marker to isolate them. We isolated myoepithelial cells from the submandibular glands of adult mice using the epithelial marker EpCAM and the cell adhesion molecule CD49f as indicators and found predominant expression of the transcription factor FoxO1 in these cells. RNA-sequence analysis revealed that the expression of cell cycle regulators was negatively regulated in FoxO1-overexpressing cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that FoxO1 bound to the p21/p27 promoter DNA, indicating that FoxO1 suppresses cell proliferation through these factors. In addition, FoxO1 induced the expression of ectodysplasin A (Eda) and its receptor Eda2r, which are known to be associated with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and are involved in salivary gland development in myoepithelial cells. FoxO1 inhibitors suppressed Eda/Eda2r expression and salivary gland development in primordial organ cultures after mesenchymal removal. Although mesenchymal cells are considered a source of Eda, myoepithelial cells might be one of the resources of Eda. These results suggest that FoxO1 regulates myoepithelial cell proliferation and Eda secretion during salivary gland development in myoepithelial cells.
Pinch force sense test–retest reliability evaluation using contralateral force matching task
Authors: Li Lin , Li Shuwang
Published: January 2024

A high test–retest reliability in measurement of pinch force sense is required to assess a clinical parameter accurately over a longitudinal study. Ipsilateral reproduction (IR) task and contralateral matching (CM) task have commonly been used for the assessment of force sense. To date, there has been little research on the test–retest reliability of pinch force sense utilizing the contralateral force matching task. This research aimed to explore this phenomenon across a spectrum of reference force levels (10, 30, and 50 percent maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)) using a contralateral matching task. Every participant in the study was tested twice by the same skilled experts, with each session separated by one week. Although normalized variable error indicated a poor level of reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = − 0.25 to 0.05) for these force sense tests, normalized constant error (ICC = 0.76–0.85) and normalized absolute error (ICC = 0.61–0.81) results indicated a fair to good of reliability. The lower bound of 95% CI of ICC for NAE and NCE indicated fair test–retest reliability (0.41–0.69). These findings suggest that investigators can reasonably obtain a fair to good test–retest reliability when investigating pinch force sense using the contralateral matching task. The Bland–Altman plots, SEM, and MDD95% were lower at these lower reference force level (10% MVIC) compared to the level of higher reference forces (30% and 50% MVIC). Therefore, when the reference force level increases, the participant needs a larger NAE or NCE decrease to show that their pinch force sense has indeed improved.
A high-performance polymer composite column for coronavirus nucleic acid purification
Authors: Zarouri Akli , Barnes Aaron M. T. , Aboubakr Hamada , Thekkudan Novi Vinni , Dong Qiuchen , Nelson Andrew , Goyal Sagar , Abbas Abdennour
Published: January 2024

Here, we report the development of a novel polymer composite (PC) purification column and kit. The performance of the PC columns was compared to conventional silica gel (SG) columns for the purification of nucleic acids from coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, in 82 clinical samples. The results shows that PC-based purification outperforms silica gel (SG)-based purification by enabling a higher sensitivity (94%), accuracy (97%), and by eliminating false positives (100% specificity). The high specificity is critical for efficient patient triage and resource management during pandemics. Furthermore, PC-based purification exhibits three times higher analytical precision than a commonly used SG-based nucleic acid purification thereby enabling a more accurate quantification of viral loads and higher reproducibility.
Insights into the pattern of choroidal vascularity index changes in idiopathic macular hole
Authors: Xia Huaqin , Yang Jiarui , Hou Qingyi , Wu Xinchun , Wang Changguan , Li Xuemin
Published: January 2024

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the changes in choroidal vascularity index (CVI) before and after surgery for idiopathic macular hole (MH). Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images were analyzed at baseline and at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative visits. A total of 97 patients (97 eyes) were included in the study. At baseline, overall CVI and macular CVI showed negative correlation with axial length (AL) and positive correlation with central corneal thickness (CCT). There were no significant differences in macular CVI or overall CVI between affected and healthy eyes, as well as in subgroup analysis of different stages of macular CVI. Following surgery, there was a significant decrease in CVI at 1 week postoperatively, followed by a gradual recovery to baseline levels over time. The observed changes in CVI may be attributed to factors such as air tamponade, pressure changes, and photoreceptor metabolism. This study provides insights into the pattern of CVI changes associated with MH surgery. The findings suggest that stage 4 MH is associated with decreased macular CVI in affected eyes. These results contribute to a better understanding of the effects of surgery on choroidal blood flow in MH patients.
A single-center experience of non-bioartificial DFAPP support systems among Chinese patients with hyperlipidemic moderate/severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Cheng Xianwen , Zhan Yanrong , Wang Zhendong , Wang Feng , Zeng Xia , Mao Ya , Liu YaoShun
Published: January 2024

To assess the clinical efficacy of Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFAPP), a novel blood purification method, in treating hyperlipidemic moderate/severe pancreatitis (HL-M/SAP). A total of 68 HL-M/SAP patients were enrolled in this study. The observation group, comprising 34 patients, received DFAPP treatment, while the control group underwent CVVH + PA treatment. We compared the efficacy changes between the two groups post-treatment. Patients treated with DFAPP showed significant improvements in clinical outcomes. After 72 h of DFAPP treatment, HL-M/SAP patients exhibited notably lower multiple organ failure scores and a reduced mortality rate compared to those in the CVVH + PA group. Triglyceride levels in HL-M/SAP patients treated with DFAPP for 48 h averaged 3.75 ± 1.95, significantly lower than the 9.57 ± 3.84 levels in the CVVH + PA group (P < 0.05). Moreover, CRP levels decreased markedly, IL-17 levels diminished, IL-10 levels increased, and the decline in IL-35 levels was significantly less pronounced compared to the CVVH + PA group. The recurrence rate of pancreatitis was also significantly lower after 6 months. The early implementation of DFAPP in HL-M/SAP patients effectively reduces triglyceride levels, suppresses pro-inflammatory factors, enhances anti-inflammatory factors, and mitigates cytokine storm-induced sepsis damage. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in the incidence of multiple organ failure, improved patient survival rates, and a reduce the recurrence rate of lipogenic pancreatitis.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2300076066.
Genomic prediction in multi-environment trials in maize using statistical and machine learning methods
Authors: Barreto Cynthia Aparecida Valiati , das Graças Dias Kaio Olimpio , de Sousa Ithalo Coelho , Azevedo Camila Ferreira , Nascimento Ana Carolina Campana , Guimarães Lauro José Moreira , Guimarães Claudia Teixeira , Pastina Maria Marta , Nascimento Moysés
Published: January 2024

In the context of multi-environment trials (MET), genomic prediction is proposed as a tool that allows the prediction of the phenotype of single cross hybrids that were not tested in field trials. This approach saves time and costs compared to traditional breeding methods. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the genomic prediction of single cross maize hybrids not tested in MET, grain yield and female flowering time. We also aimed to propose an application of machine learning methodologies in MET in the prediction of hybrids and compare their performance with Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) with non-additive effects. Our results highlight that both methodologies are efficient and can be used in maize breeding programs to accurately predict the performance of hybrids in specific environments. The best methodology is case-dependent, specifically, to explore the potential of GBLUP, it is important to perform accurate modeling of the variance components to optimize the prediction of new hybrids. On the other hand, machine learning methodologies can capture non-additive effects without making any assumptions at the outset of the model. Overall, predicting the performance of new hybrids that were not evaluated in any field trials was more challenging than predicting hybrids in sparse test designs.
Imaging cancer metabolism using magnetic resonance
Authors: Brindle Kevin M.
Published: January 2024

The challenge in clinical oncology is to select the most appropriate treatment for an individual patient. Transcriptome and metabolite profiling have revealed that tumours can display metabolic subtypes with different therapeutic vulnerabilities1–4. Metabolic imaging has the potential to distinguish these subtypes and therefore those treatment(s) that should be most effective. Moreover, since changes in tumour metabolism can occur early during treatment, metabolic imaging can also be used subsequently to detect early evidence of treatment response. In this Perspective I briefly review and discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of magnetic resonance imaging of tumour metabolism using hyperpolarized 13C- and 2H-labelled substrates.
Theoretical study of catalytic activity modifications in CO2 methanation induced by an electric field in solid-oxide cells
Authors: Wakamatsu Katsuhiro , Yasuda Takaaki , Aratani Masato , Ogura Teppei
Published: January 2024

We performed DFT calculations for hydrocarbon species on Ni(111) with direct electric fields and co-adsorbed O atoms, respectively. The latter effect is dominant in NEMCA mechanism on CO2 methanation and the overall reaction accelerates in SOEC mode.
π-Face strapped monomers enable self-stabilized hyperbranched π-conjugated polymer particles
Authors: Mohanan Manikandan , Zhang Xinran , Gavvalapalli Nagarjuna
Published: January 2024

Cycloalkyl-strapped repeat units hinder inter-chain interactions and guide the imine condensation polymerization of A2 + B3 monomers into solution-dispersible and processable π-conjugated hyperbranched polymers instead of an insoluble network.
Artificial design of organic emitters via a genetic algorithm enhanced by a deep neural network
Authors: Nigam AkshatKumar , Pollice Robert , Friederich Pascal , Aspuru-Guzik Alán
Published: January 2024

An artificial molecular design workflow using a genetic algorithm with molecular strings and artificial neural networks applied to organic molecules with inverted singlet-triplet gaps finds 1000 candidates with appreciable fluorescence rates.
Monte Carlo simulation of the ionization and uptake behavior of cationic oligomers into pH-responsive polyelectrolyte microgels of opposite charge – a model for oligopeptide uptake and release
Authors: Strauch Christian , Schneider Stefanie
Published: January 2024

Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations provide macroscopic and microscopic information about the uptake of cationic oligomers in weak anionic microgels as a model for oligopeptide uptake and release.
From fundamentals to frontiers: a review of memristor mechanisms, modeling and emerging applications
Authors: Thakkar Parth , Gosai Jeny , Gogoi Himangshu Jyoti , Solanki Ankur
Published: January 2024

The escalating demand for artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoTs), and energy-efficient high-volume data processing has brought the need for innovative solutions to the forefront.
Luminescent monitoring the state of dichroic complexes in polaroids based on polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Tyurin A. V. , Zhukov S. A. , Akhmerov A. Yu.
Published: January 2024

In this work, to control the content of dichroic complexes in film polarizers based on polyvinyl alcohol, a luminescent technique is proposed that allows us to estimate: the ratio of molecular and paired iodine centers in H-type polarizers at T = 4.2 K; of dichroic complexes caused by molecular and aggregated forms of the dye in L-type polarizers at T = 300 K. The use of this technique will make it possible in the future to establish the dependence of the properties of polarizers on the structure of dichroic complexes, not only in H-type or L-type film polarizers but also in mixed (H + L)-type polarizers, to create polarizers of various spectral ranges.
Comparative study on the effect of substrates on electrical properties of tin and chromium thin films
Authors: Udachan S. , Kolavekar S. B. , Ayachit N. H. , Udachan L. A. , Siddanna S. , Kolkundi S. S. , Kumar K. Naveen
Published: January 2024

In thin film technology, substrate materials happen to be one of the deposition parameters that determine the physical properties of films. Hence, soda-lime glass and quartz continue to be the widely utilized substrate materials because of their high-frequency performance, price, and surface quality. For certain applications, various substrate materials that provide an acceptable compromise for the work at hand are required. Soda-lime glass and quartz have been chosen as the substrates for the tin and chromium thin films that will be produced via thermal evaporation in a vacuum. A comparative study on the electrical properties of chromium films was made in the light of Fuchs–Sondheimer and Mayadas–Shatzkes theories. Numerous physical properties, including resistivity of infinitely thick film, sticking coefficient, conduction electron mean free, etc., may be determined from resistivity-thickness data.
The influence of the condensation rate on the structure of Cu-Mo pseudoalloys
Authors: Riaboshtan V. , Zubkov A. , Zhadko M. , Zozulya E. , Zubarev E.
Published: January 2024

The structure and microhardness of Cu-0.3 at. % Mo vacuum condensates obtained at different deposition rates, both in the initial state and after isothermal annealings carried out up to 800 °C, were studied in the work. It has been established that molybdenum has a dispersing effect on the grain structure of the copper matrix, which consists of the blocking effect of monoatomic molybdenum adsorption layers formed on the surface of growing copper grains during the condensation of a two-component vapor. The structure of Cu-0.3 at. % Mo condensates demonstrates increased thermal stability, retaining the size of the original grain upon annealing up to 800 °C. The thermal stabilization of the grain structure of condensates is explained by the influence of grain-boundary segregations of molybdenum atoms and particles, which reduce the free energy of grain boundaries and the rate of their migration.
Transcriptome-based analysis of candidate gene markers associated with resistance mechanism to Phytophthora melonis that causes root and crown rot in pumpkin
Authors: Najafi Mohammadhadi , Nasr-Esfahani Mehdi , Vatandoost Jafar , Hassanzade-Khankahdani Hamed , Jami Moeini Matin
Published: January 2024

Root and crown rot incited by an oomycete, Phytophthora melonis, causes significant yield losses in commercial pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) production worldwide. Currently, resistant cultivars and knowledge of molecular mechanism of C. pepo against P. melonis are scarce. Here, we analysed the quantitative gene expression changes of 10 candidate gene markers (bHLH87, ERF014, HSF, MYB, PR-1, WRKY21, CPI, POD, PSK, SGT) in pumpkin roots and leaves at three time points (h post-inoculation, hpi) following inoculation with P. melonis in two resistant (Ghelyani and Tanbal), and two susceptible (Marmari and Khoreshti) varieties of pumpkin. Gene expression using quantitative real time PCR along a time course revealed the strongest transcriptomic response at 48 and 72 hpi in resistant genotypes, 1.1–2.7-fold in roots and leaves, respectively, with a high significant correlation (r = 0.857**−0.974**). We also found that CPI, PSK, SGT1 and POD act as a dual regulator that similarly modulate immunity not only against P. melonis, but also against other diseases such as early blight (Alternaria cucumerina), powdery mildew (Podosphaera xanthii), downy mildews (Pseudoperonospora cubensis), and pathogenic plant nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica). Furthermore, significantly higher activities of the ROS scavenging defence enzymes, catalase (1.6-fold increase) and peroxidase (6-fold increase) were observed in the roots of resistant cultivars at different hpi compared with non-inoculated controls. In addition, the biomass growth parameters including leaf and root length, stem and root diameter, root fresh weight and volume were significantly different among studied genotypes. Cumulatively, the transcriptome data provide novel insights into the response of pumpkins for improving pumpkin breeding to P. melonis.
A pedagogical note on teaching L2 prosody and speech sounds using hand gestures
Authors: Li Peng , Baills Florence , Alazard-Guiu Charlotte , Baqué Lorraine , Prieto Pilar
Published: January 2024

This paper reports the pedagogical decisions in Li et al. (2023) “The
effectiveness of embodied prosodic training in L2 accentedness and vowel accuracy” published in Second Language
Research. The study revealed that embodied prosodic training improved the overall pronunciation skills of
Catalan-speaking learners of French and the pronunciation accuracy of front rounded vowels more than training without hand
gestures. Three main pedagogical innovations were key in obtaining the positive results. First, the hand gestures performed by the
instructor closely mimicked the prosodic structure (i.e., the melodic and rhythmic features) of the target sentences. Second, the
sentences used for training were embedded in meaningful communicative dialogues. Third, the challenging L2 sounds were embedded in
multiple occasions and in various prosodic positions. Therefore, in the hope of encouraging L2 teachers to incorporate such
techniques in teaching practice, we provide a full description of the materials and procedures in Li et al. (2023).
The effectiveness of pronunciation instruction
Authors: Levis John
Published: January 2024

This editorial argues that, despite strong evidence that pronunciation teaching leads to improvement, the field
needs to question whether teaching techniques and pedagogical approaches to pronunciation teaching are all similarly
effective.
Cluster profiles from beyond-the-QE CMB lensing mass maps
Authors: Saha Sayan , Legrand Louis , Carron Julien
Published: January 2024

Clusters of galaxies, being the largest collapsed structures in the universe, offer valuable insights into the nature of cosmic evolution. Precise calibration of the mass of clusters can be obtained by extracting their gravitational lensing signal on the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) fluctuations. We extend and test here the performance achieved on cluster scales by the parameter-free, maximum a posteriori (MAP) CMB lensing reconstruction method, which has been shown to be optimal in the broader context of CMB lensing mass map and power spectrum estimation. In the context of cluster lensing, the lensing signal of other large-scale structures acts as an additional source of noise. We show here that by delensing the CMB fluctuations around each and every cluster, this noise variance is reduced according to expectations. We also demonstrate that the well-known bias in the temperature quadratic estimator in this regime, sourced by the strong non-Gaussianity of the signal, is almost entirely mitigated without any scale cuts. Being statistically speaking an optimal and blind lensing mass map reconstruction, the MAP estimator is a promising tool for the calibration of the masses of clusters.
Emergent topological ordered phase for the Ising-XY model revealed by cluster-updating Monte Carlo method
Authors: Ma 马 Heyang 赫阳 , Zhang 张 Wanzhou 万舟 , Tian 田 Yanting 彦婷 , Ding 丁 Chengxiang 成祥 , Deng 邓 Youjin 友金
Published: January 2024

The two-component cold atom systems with anisotropic hopping amplitudes can be phenomenologically described by a two-dimensional Ising-XY coupled model with spatial anisotropy. At low temperatures, theoretical predictions [Phys. Rev. A
72 053604 (2005)] and [arXiv: 0706.1609] indicate the existence of a topological ordered phase characterized by Ising and XY disorder but with 2XY ordering. However, due to ergodic difficulties faced by Monte Carlo methods at low temperatures, this topological phase has not been numerically explored. We propose a linear cluster updating Monte Carlo method, which flips spins without rejection in the anisotropy limit but does not change the energy. Using this scheme and conventional Monte Carlo methods, we succeed in revealing the nature of topological phases with half-vortices and domain walls. In the constructed global phase diagram, Ising and XY-type transitions are very close to each other and differ significantly from the schematic phase diagram reported earlier. We also propose and explore a wide range of quantities, including magnetism, superfluidity, specific heat, susceptibility, and even percolation susceptibility, and obtain consistent and reliable results. Furthermore, we observed first-order transitions characterized by common intersection points in magnetizations for different system sizes, as opposed to the conventional phase transition where Binder cumulants of various sizes share common intersections. The critical exponents of different types of phase transitions are reasonably fitted. The results are useful to help cold atom experiments explore the half-vortex topological phase.
Research of caged dynamics of clusters center atoms in Pd82Si18 amorphous alloy
Authors: Deng 邓 Yong-He 永和 , Chen 陈 Bei 贝 , Qi 祁 Qing-Hua 清华 , Li 李 Bing-Bing 兵兵 , Gao 高 Ming 明 , Wen 文 Da-Dong 大东 , Wang 王 Xiao-Yun 小云 , Peng 彭 Ping 平
Published: January 2024

To date, there is still a lack of a comprehensive explanation for caged dynamics which is regarded as one of the intricate dynamic behaviors in amorphous alloys. This study focuses on Pd82Si18 as the research object to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of caged dynamics from multiple perspectives, including the cage’s lifetime, atomic local environment, and atomic potential energy. The results reveal that Si atoms exhibit a pronounced cage effect due to the hindrance of Pd atoms, resulting in an anomalous peak in the non-Gaussian parameters. An in-depth investigation was conducted on the caged dynamics differences between fast and slow Si atoms. In comparison to fast Si atoms, slow Si atoms were surrounded by more Pd atoms and occupied lower potential energy states, resulting in smaller diffusion displacements for the slow Si atoms. Concurrently, slow Si atoms tend to be in the centers of smaller clusters with coordination numbers of 9 and 10. During the isothermal relaxation process, clusters with coordination numbers 9 and 10 have longer lifetimes, suggesting that the escape of slow Si atoms from their cages is more challenging. The findings mentioned above hold significant implications for understanding the caged dynamics.
Turning kinematics of the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita
Authors: Costello J H , Colin S P , Gemmell B J , Dabiri J O , Kanso E A
Published: January 2024

Scyphomedusae are widespread in the oceans and their swimming has provided valuable insights into the hydrodynamics of animal propulsion. Most of this research has focused on symmetrical, linear swimming. However, in nature, medusae typically swim circuitous, nonlinear paths involving frequent turns. Here we describe swimming turns by the scyphomedusa Aurelia aurita during which asymmetric bell margin motions produce rotation around a linearly translating body center. These jellyfish ‘skid’ through turns and the degree of asynchrony between opposite bell margins is an approximate predictor of turn magnitude during a pulsation cycle. The underlying neuromechanical organization of bell contraction contributes substantially to asynchronous bell motions and inserts a stochastic rotational component into the directionality of scyphomedusan swimming. These mechanics are important for natural populations because asynchronous bell contraction patterns are common in situ and result in frequent turns by naturally swimming medusae.
Mechanical modeling of mechanosensitive insect strain sensors as a tool to investigate exoskeletal interfaces
Authors: Dinges Gesa F , Zyhowski William P , Lucci Anastasia , Friend Jordan , Szczecinski Nicholas S
Published: January 2024

During walking, sensory information is measured and monitored by sensory organs that can be found on and within various limb segments. Strain can be monitored by insect load sensors, campaniform sensilla (CS), which have components embedded within the exoskeleton. CS vary in eccentricity, size, and orientation, which can affect their sensitivity to specific strains. Directly investigating the mechanical interfaces that these sensors utilize to encode changes in load bears various obstacles, such as modeling of viscoelastic properties. To circumvent the difficulties of modeling and performing biological experiments in small insects, we developed 3-dimensional printed resin models based on high-resolution imaging of CS. Through the utilization of strain gauges and a motorized tensile tester, physiologically plausible strain can be mimicked while investigating the compression and tension forces that CS experience; here, this was performed for a field of femoral CS in Drosophila melanogaster. Different loading scenarios differentially affected CS compression and the likely neuronal activity of these sensors and elucidate population coding of stresses acting on the cuticle.
Spatiotemporal variations and its driving factors of ground surface temperature in China
Authors: Gao Xin , Huang Liyan , Zhang Jingwen , Lin Kairong , Li Pengjun
Published: January 2024

The ground surface temperature (GST) serves as a crucial indicator for understanding land-atmosphere mass and energy exchange. The shift from manual measurement to automated station for GST in China after 2002 introduced inconsistencies at certain stations, potentially distorting research findings. Here, daily automatedly observed GST from 2003 to 2017 at 615 selected meteorological stations were updated by constructing linear regression model based on manually observed air temperature (AT) and GST from 1960 to 2002. Then, the spatiotemporal variations of GST from 1960 to 2017 and its driving factors were investigated. Results indicated that: (1) the AT-GST linear regression model could effectively mitigate the inconsistency caused by the change of GST observation methods, enhancing data reliability. (2) GST in China showed little change from 1960–1980, but increased significantly across all regions from 1980 to 2000, with the increase rate slowed down except in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau (QTP) and southwest China after 2000. Notable GST increase is concentrated in colder regions, including the QTP, northeast (NEC), and northwest China (NWC). (3) Evapotranspiration (ET) and vapor pressure deficit were the primary drivers of annual GST variations at the regional scale, while their contributions to GST variations exhibited notable seasonal variability. Our findings could offer valuable scientific insights for addressing climate change, enhancing surface environmental models, and safeguarding ecological environments.
Quod significat: Vitruvius’ ultimate criterion for (good) architecture
Authors: Lefas Pavlos
Published: January 2024

The present paper proposes a new reading of one of the most obscure passages of De Architectura; in I, 1,3 Vitruvius claims that in architecture there is always a signifier and a signified, but his approach differs from Quintilian’s as presented in the latter’s Institutio Oratoria. Vitruvius’ is closer to Chrysippus approach, but he fails to mention the third constituent, the tynchanon. This omission is probably due to the fact that Vitruvius speaks of designs rather, than of existing buildings. What can successfully signify a proposed building is, according to my reading, the design and erection of a building that is easily recognized by the public as realizing the intentions of the community to erect the proposed building. Such successful signification constitutes the ultimate criterion for good architecture.
methylClass: an R package to construct DNA methylation-based classification models
Authors: Liu Yu
Published: January 2024

DNA methylation profiling is a useful tool to increase the accuracy of a cancer diagnosis. However, a comprehensive R package specially for it is lacking. Hence, we developed the R package methylClass for methylation-based classification. Within it, we provide the eSVM (ensemble-based support vector machine) model to achieve much higher accuracy in methylation data classification than the popular random forest model and overcome the time-consuming problem of the traditional SVM. In addition, some novel feature selection methods are included in the package to improve the classification. Furthermore, because methylation data can be converted to other omics, such as copy number variation data, we also provide functions for multi-omics studies. The testing of this package on four datasets shows the accurate performance of our package, especially eSVM, which can be used in both methylation and multi-omics models and outperforms other methods in both cases. methylClass is available at: https://github.com/yuabrahamliu/methylClass.
Consensus clustering with missing labels (ccml): a consensus clustering tool for multi-omics integrative prediction in cohorts with unequal sample coverage
Authors: Li Chuan-Xing , Chen Hongyan , Zounemat-Kermani Nazanin , Adcock Ian M , Sköld C Magnus , Zhou Meng , Wheelock Åsa M ,   U-BIOPRED study group
Published: January 2024

Multi-omics data integration is a complex and challenging task in biomedical research. Consensus clustering, also known as meta-clustering or cluster ensembles, has become an increasingly popular downstream tool for phenotyping and endotyping using multiple omics and clinical data. However, current consensus clustering methods typically rely on ensembling clustering outputs with similar sample coverages (mathematical replicates), which may not reflect real-world data with varying sample coverages (biological replicates). To address this issue, we propose a new consensus clustering with missing labels (ccml) strategy termed ccml, an R protocol for two-step consensus clustering that can handle unequal missing labels (i.e. multiple predictive labels with different sample coverages). Initially, the regular consensus weights are adjusted (normalized) by sample coverage, then a regular consensus clustering is performed to predict the optimal final cluster. We applied the ccml method to predict molecularly distinct groups based on 9-omics integration in the Karolinska COSMIC cohort, which investigates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 24-omics handprint integrative subgrouping of adult asthma patients of the U-BIOPRED cohort. We propose ccml as a downstream toolkit for multi-omics integration analysis algorithms such as Similarity Network Fusion and robust clustering of clinical data to overcome the limitations posed by missing data, which is inevitable in human cohorts consisting of multiple data modalities. The ccml tool is available in the R language (https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=ccml, https://github.com/pulmonomics-lab/ccml, or https://github.com/ZhoulabCPH/ccml).
Reactions of neutral chromium silylyne complex with alkynes and butadiene: access to homoaromatic compounds and silacyclopentenyl complexes
Authors: Matsuoka Masahiro , Nagata Koichi , Ohno Ryoma , Matsuo Tsukasa , Hashimoto Hisako
Published: January 2024

Reactions of a chromium complex, featuring a Cr≡Si triple bond, with alkynes and butadiene were investigated. The former reaction yielded 4-membered metallasilacycles with a homoaromatic character through [2+2] cycloaddition, while the latter reaction afforded silacyclopentenyl complexes through [2+4] cycloaddition.