bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of a decelerating bar on transforming bulge orbits into disc-like orbits
Authors: Li Chengdong , Yuan Zhen , Monari Giacomo , Martin Nicolas F. , Siebert Arnaud , Famaey Benoit , Chiba Rimpei , Kordopatis Georges , Ibata Rodrigo A. , Hill Vanessa
Published: August 2024

Aims. The most metal-poor tail of the Milky Way ([Fe/H] ≤ −2.5) contains a population of stars on very prograde planar orbits, whose origins and evolution remain puzzling. One possible scenario is that they are shepherded by the bar from the inner Galaxy, where many of the old and low-metallicity stars in the Galaxy are located.

Methods. To investigate this scenario, we used test-particle simulations with an axisymmetric background potential plus a central bar model. The test particles were generated by an extended distribution function (EDF) model based on the observational constraints of bulge stars.

Results. According to the simulation results, a bar with a constant pattern speed is not efficient in terms of helping bring stars from the bulge to the solar vicinity. In contrast, when the model includes a decelerating bar, some bulge stars can gain rotation and move outwards as they are trapped in the bar’s resonance regions. The resulting distribution of shepherded stars heavily depends on the present-day azimuthal angle between the bar and the Sun. The majority of the low-metallicity bulge stars driven outwards are distributed in the first and fourth quadrants of the Galaxy with respect to the Sun and about 10% of them are within 6 kpc from us.

Conclusions. Our experiments indicate that the decelerating bar perturbation can be a contributing mechanism that may partially explain the presence of the most metal-poor stars with prograde planar orbits in the Solar neighbourhood, but it is unlikely to be the only one.
Electron-impact double ionization cross sections and rate coefficients for Be-like ions: B+ to Ne6+
Authors: Song Yunliang , Bao Runjia , Li Bowen , Chen Ximeng
Published: August 2024

We report a detailed analysis of the electron-impact double ionization process for Be-like ions, spanning charge states from B+ to Ne6+. We considered both direct and indirect double ionization processes. For direct double ionization, we calculated the cross sections by considering three different processes: ionization-ionization (II), excitation-ionization-ionization (EII), and ionization-excitation-ionization (IEI). Our results show excellent agreement between the measured cross sections for Be-like-B and Be-like-O ions. The agreement is slightly weaker for Be-like-Ne ions when we take the potential of ionized ions in the distorted-wave method. For other ions for which experimental data are not available, our calculations should provide the missing data. We have summarized the trends of electron-impact double ionization cross sections with atomic number for isoelectronic sequences. Finally, we have provided the Maxwellian and non-Maxwellian rate coefficients for these Be-like ions. The data obtained should be useful for both equilibrium and non-equilibrium charge-state distributions in astrophysical research.
Supermassive black hole formation via collisions in black hole clusters
Authors: Gaete B. , Schleicher D. R. G. , Lupi A. , Reinoso B. , Fellhauer M. , Vergara M. C.
Published: August 2024

More than 300 supermassive black holes have been detected at redshifts larger than six, and they are abundant in the centers of local galaxies. Their formation mechanisms, however, are still rather unconstrained. A possible origin of these supermassive black holes could be mergers in dense black hole clusters, forming as a result of mass segregation within nuclear star clusters at the center of galaxies. In this study, we present the first systematic investigation of the evolution of such black hole clusters in which the effect of an external potential is taken into account. Such a potential could be the result of gas inflows into the central region; for example, as a result of galaxy mergers. We show here that the efficiency of the formation of a massive central object is mostly regulated by the ratio of cluster velocity dispersion divided by the speed of light, potentially reaching efficiencies of 0.05–0.08 in realistic systems. Our results show that this scenario is potentially feasible and may provide black hole seeds of at least 103 M⊙. We conclude that the formation of seed black holes via this channel should be taken into account in statistical assessments of the black hole population.
Euclid: Early Release Observations. A glance at free-floating newborn planets in the sigma Orionis cluster
Authors: Martín Eduardo L.
Published: August 2024

We provide an early assessment of the imaging capabilities of the space mission to deeply probe nearby star-forming regions and associated very young open clusters, and in particular, to determine to which extent it can shed light into the newborn free-floating planet population. This paper focusses on a low-reddening region observed in just one pointing. The dust and gas has been cleared out from the region by the hot sigma \,Orionis star. One late-M and six known spectroscopically confirmed L-type ultracool members in the sigma \,Orionis cluster were used as benchmarks to provide a high-purity procedure to select new candidate members with The exquisite angular resolution and depth delivered by the instruments allowed us to focus on bona fide point sources. A cleaned sample of sigma \,Orionis cluster substellar members was produced, and the initial mass function (IMF) was estimated by combining and Gaia data. Our sigma \,Orionis substellar IMF is consistent with a power-law distribution without a significant steepening at the planetary-mass end. No evidence of a low-mass cutoff is found down to the detection limit of this study at 4 Jupiter masses in the very young sigma \,Orionis open cluster.
Prospects of fast radio bursts and large-scale 21 cm power spectra in constraining the Epoch of Reionization
Authors: Maity Barun
Published: August 2024

The Epoch of Reionization (EoR) is a crucial link through which the complete evolutionary history of the Universe can be grasped. Several attempts with a variety of observables have been used to understand the thermal and ionization evolution of the intergalactic medium during EoR. In this study, we explore the simultaneous prospects of two important observables that are expected to be available in the near future, that is, the dispersion measure (DM) of high-redshift fast radio bursts (FRBs) and large-scale 21 cm power spectra. For this purpose, we used a previously developed explicitly photon conserving seminumerical model, SCRIPT, which includes realistic recombination and radiative feedback effects. We verified that the DM evolution of 100 mock FRBs at high redshift (7.0 ≤ ɀ ≤ 15.0) is sufficient to recover the underlying reionization model, while 1000 FRB mocks at this redshift range can constrain the reionization timeline within the percentage level uncertainties at the 68% confidence limit. Furthermore, we studied the effect of including large-scale 21 cm power spectra (using only a single bin, k ~ 0.14 h/cMpc) at three redshifts along with the FRB DM distribution. The joint exploration using these two observables can significantly improve the constraints on the various parameters ( an uncertainty of ≲8% for the reionization interval and midpoint at the 95% confidence), alleviate the degeneracies, and can narrow down the thermal history of the Universe by discarding some of the extreme heating models.
DIES: Parallel dust radiative transfer program with the immediate re-emission method
Authors: Juvela Mika
Published: August 2024

Context. Radiative transfer (RT) modelling is a necessary tool in the interpretation of observations of the thermal emission of interstellar dust. It is also often part of multi-physics modelling. In this context, the efficiency of radiative transfer calculations is important, even for one-dimensional models.

Aims. We investigate the use of the so-called immediate re-emission (IRE) method for fast calculation of one-dimensional spherical cloud models. We wish to determine whether weighting methods similar to those used in traditional Monte Carlo simulations can speed up the estimation of dust temperature.

Methods. We present the program DIES, a parallel implementation of the IRE method, which makes it possible to do the calculations also on graphics processing units (GPUs). We tested the program with externally and internally heated cloud models, and examined the potential improvements from the use of different weighted sampling schemes.

Results. The execution times of the program compare favourably with previous programs, especially when run on GPUs. On the other hand, weighting schemes produce only limited improvements. In the case of an internal radiation source, the basic IRE method samples the re-emission well, while traditional Monte Carlo requires the use of spatial importance sampling. Some noise reduction could be achieved for externally heated models by weighting the initial photon directions. Only in optically very thin models does weighting – such as the proposed method of forced first interaction – result in noise reduction by a factor of several.

Conclusions. The IRE method performs well for both internally and externally heated models, typically without the need for any additional weighting schemes. With run times of the order of one second for our test models, the DIES program is suitable even for larger parameter studies.
Die COST-Action MedPlants4Vet integriert Tradition und Aktuelles in
die moderne Veterinärmedizin
Authors: Schlittenlacher Theresa , Mendel Marta , Walkenhorst Michael
Published: August 2024

Weltweit werden Arzneipflanzen zur Prophylaxe und Behandlung von Tierkrankheiten
eingesetzt und die Nachfrage nach natürlichen Produkten, die die Gesundheit und
das Wohlergehen von Tieren unterstützen, steigt. Insbesondere auch, um den
Einsatz von antimikrobiellen Mitteln, Antiparasitika oder hochaktiven
synthetische Monosubstanzen auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren. Das internationale
und interdisziplinäre Netzwerk, die COST-Action MedPlants4Vet möchte
verschiedene Informationslücken zum Einsatz von Arzneipflanzen bei Tieren
schließen.
Zur Messung von Behinderung in der Teilhabebefragung und
Teilhabeberichterstattung
Authors: Schäfers Markus
Published: August 2024

Die „Repräsentativbefragung zur Teilhabe von Menschen mit Behinderungen“ (kurz:
Teilhabebefragung) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales
soll im Zusammenspiel mit der Teilhabeberichterstattung dabei helfen, die
Entwicklung der Teilhabe von Menschen mit Behinderungen in Deutschland zu
beurteilen. Teilhabeberichterstattung und Teilhabebefragung nehmen für sich in
Anspruch, Beeinträchtigung und Behinderung gemäß der Internationalen
Klassifikation der Funktionsfähigkeit, Behinderung und Gesundheit (ICF) der
Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) zu operationalisieren. Eine kritische Analyse
des Messkonzepts offenbart methodologische Problemstellen: 1) Das Messkonzept
orientiert sich nicht konsistent an der ICF, weil es Beeinträchtigungen nicht
eindeutig als „impairments“ konzipiert, Umweltfaktoren bei der Bestimmung von
Behinderung nicht hinreichend berücksichtigt und Beeinträchtigung als ursächlich
für Behinderung sieht. 2) Die Abgrenzung zwischen Beeinträchtigung und
Behinderung erfolgt hauptsächlich auf pragmatischer Basis, ohne stimmige
konzeptionelle Begründung. 3) Die gewählte Operationalisierung kann die
angestrebte internationale Vergleichbarkeit nicht gewährleisten. Vorgeschlagen
wird die Integration des „Model Disability Survey“ von WHO und Weltbank in die
Erhebungsinstrumente der deutschen Teilhabebefragung, um eine stärkere
ICF-Orientierung und bessere internationale Vergleichbarkeit zu erreichen. Ein
alternativer Messvorschlag, der mit den vorliegenden Daten umsetzbar ist,
besteht darin, eine Gruppeneinteilung ausschließlich nach der
Beeinträchtigungsstärke vorzunehmen, unter Verzicht auf die a priori
Unterscheidung zwischen Beeinträchtigung und Behinderung. Diese Herangehensweise
nimmt den Grundgedanken der ICF auf, Behinderung als situatives statt als
persönliches Merkmal zu begreifen.
Der Mozart-Effekt bei der Behandlung von Menschen mit Epilepsie: Was
ist dran?
Authors: Rösche Johannes
Published: August 2024

Der in den späten 90er-Jahren propagierte Mozart-Effekt wurde in 29 Arbeiten
bezüglich Epilepsie näher untersucht, wobei im Allgemeinen der 1. Satz der
Sonate für 2 Klavier KV 448 in häufiger Wiederholung zum Einsatz kam. Damit
wurde bei mindestens einem Fünftel der Patienten eine Reduktion der
Anfallsfrequenz um mehr als 50% erreicht. Patienten mit okzipitalen
epilepsietypischen Mustern sprachen nur selten an. Bezüglich des Wirkmechanismus
scheinen ansonsten melodische Aspekte eine besondere Rolle zu spielen.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography for the Interventional Oncologist: A Practical Approach
Authors: May Benjamin J. , Charalel Resmi A.
Published: August 2024

Transarterial treatment of liver tumors is becoming increasingly common and is considered first- or second-line therapy for many tumor types and stages. Such therapies are heavily dependent on imaging during the procedures; while angiography remains the mainstay of intraprocedural therapies, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is becoming increasingly commonly used to guide therapy. This article describes the role of CBCT during transarterial therapies and offers guidance as to how CBCT can be optimally used for these procedures.
Prostate Artery Embolization with 4D-CT
Authors: Bibok Andras , Kis Bela , Parikh Nainesh
Published: August 2024

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a technically challenging angiographic therapy that has been shown to have excellent clinical outcomes for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms. Although clinical outcomes have been well documented, several questions remain regarding various technical details of the procedure. This article is a brief review of indications and technical parameters of PAE as well as commonly debated topics throughout the literature. Finally, the article serves to report tips and tricks from a high-volume center.
CodiReal-PT: National Survey on Current Practices in Right Colon Oncological Surgery
Authors: Azevedo José Gonçalves Moreira de , Sousa Maria João Morais do Carmo Couto de , Cunha Miguel Fernandes da Conceição , Fernandez Laura Melina , Rama Nuno José Gomes , Quintanilha Rui Paulo de Medeiros
Published: August 2024

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent tumor. Right colon cancer (RCC) comprises one-third of CRC cases and is associated with poorer outcomes, emphasizing the need for optimized treatment strategies. The present study aims to explore the nuances in the management of RCC across Portugal, focusing on surgical approaches and multidisciplinary treatment.

Materials and Methods The CodiReal-PT was a cross-sectional survey-based study adhering to the guidelines of the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES), focusing on current practices in RCC oncological surgery. The survey comprised 31 questions divided into 4 sections (demographics, multidisciplinary approach, surgery practices regarding RCC, and postoperative management). It was made available via e-mail to all active members of the Portuguese Society of Surgery (Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia, SPCIR, in Portuguese), and data collection lasted from November to December 2022.

Results Data from 69% of Portuguese public hospitals was obtained. All the participant hospitals had multidisciplinary team meetings to manage CRC cases. However, 17% (n = 6) did not discuss all elective-setting cases during their meetings. Dedicated colorectal surgical teams were present in 86% (n = 31) of hospitals. Furthermore, the presence of these dedicated teams was associated with better practices, namely a higher volume of right colectomies (mean: 51.8 ± 32.6 versus 23.8 ± 4.8; p = 0.001), a preference for the laparoscopic approach (93.5 versus 60.0%; p = 0.021), and standardization of anastomotic techniques (83.9 versus 40.0%; p = 0.029).

Conclusion The present nationwide survey-based study provides a comprehensive landscape of RCC management practices across Portugal, underscoring the significant role of dedicated colorectal surgical teams and the need for further practice standardization. Nevertheless, multidisciplinary team meetings in all surveyed hospitals are an important indicator of improved RCC care. Future research should focus on the impact of specific surgical techniques on oncological outcomes and the potential benefits of centralizing care to high-volume centers.
Interventional Management of Variceal Bleeding: Techniques and Emerging Concepts
Authors: Patel Ranjan Kumar , Tripathy Taraprasad , Mukund Amar , Panigrahi Manas Kumar , Pattnaik Bramhadatta , Behera Srikant , Nayak Hemanta Kumar
Published: August 2024

Despite technical advancements and disease understanding, variceal bleeding remains the leading cause of mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Endoscopic therapies are the main cornerstone of therapy in variceal bleeding. Interventional radiology (IR) plays a significant role in managing variceal bleeding, especially in cases where endoscopic therapies are not feasible or failed. Cross-sectional imaging is often critical to identify relevant anatomy before IR therapies. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is indicated as salvage therapy in patients with refractory variceal bleeding. Retrograde transvenous variceal embolization (RTO) procedures provide superior bleeding control in patients with gastric and ectopic varices, however, without increasing the risk of hepatic encephalopathy and liver function deterioration. Antegrade transvenous obliteration is a viable alternative when RTO is not feasible. Left-sided portal hypertension is a distinct entity resulting from splenic vein stenosis or occlusion, and variceal bleeding in left-sided portal hypertension does not respond to TIPS, requiring variceal embolization, partial splenic embolization, or splenic vein recanalization. Occasionally, endovascular splenorenal or mesorenal shunt and splenic vein occlusion with distal splenorenal diversion are performed to control variceal bleeding. This article entails the basic concepts and procedural aspects of various interventional radiological procedures performed in patients with variceal bleeding.
From a bad to good reputation: a case study illustrating the re-branding of a stigmatized neighbourhood in Sweden
Authors: Sjöberg Magdalena
Published: August 2024

Neighbourhoods with low social capital and bad reputations are becoming even more deprived, with increased homelessness, poverty and gang violence. In Sweden, and internationally, there is a need for knowledge of ways to stimulate positive regeneration of neighbourhoods with a bad reputation. This ethnographical case study explores regeneration factors in a neighbourhood that was transformed over 14 years from one with low social capital and a bad reputation to one with higher social capital and a good reputation. Three key factors in this positive regeneration and de-stigmatization process of a neighbourhood with an undesirable reputation were identified: the engagement of private sector actors with place branding and spatial anchorage skills; collaborative co-creation; and home-love with emotion-based building. The findings regarding this successful case highlight the importance of collaboration and including actors with re-branding skills when rewriting the narrative of a stigmatized neighbourhood.
Gold-based nanomaterial boosts resolution and sensitivity of imaging cartilage damage
Authors: Liebendorfer Adam
Published: August 2024

Made using an environementally sustainable process of modifying serum bovine albumin, new material provides path forward as contrast agent for multiple imaging modalities.
Low-dispersive silicon nitride waveguide resonators by nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Wang Pei-Hsun , Zheng He-Yuan , Liu Yuan-Hsiu , Hou Nien-Lin , Chen Chien-Hung , Chen Hung-Wen , Wang Chih-Ming
Published: August 2024

In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication of waveguide resonators using nanoimprint technology. Without relying on traditionally costly lithography methods, such as electron-beam lithography or stepper lithography, silicon nitride (Si3N4) resonators with high-quality factors up to the order of 105 can be realized at C-band by nanoimprint lithography. In addition, by properly designing the waveguide geometry, a low-dispersive waveguide can be achieved with waveguide dispersion at around −35 ps/nm/km in the normal dispersion regime, and the waveguide dispersion can be further tuned to be 29 ps/nm/km in the anomalous dispersion regime with the polymer cladding. The tunability of nanoimprinted devices is demonstrated by the aid of microheaters, realizing on-chip optical functionalities. This work offers the potential to fabricate low-dispersive waveguide resonators for integrated modulators and filters in a significantly cost-effective and process-friendly scheme.
Miniaturizing gas sensors combining mid-infrared interband cascade light emitting diodes with substrate-integrated hollow waveguides
Authors: Hlavatsch Michael , Schäfer Nicolas , Weih Robert , Koeth Johannes , Kunsch Johannes , Mizaikoff Boris
Published: August 2024

In this study, we report a compact and versatile gas sensor system combining mid-infrared interband cascade light emitting diodes (MIR-ICLEDs) with substrate-integrated hollow waveguides (iHWGs) toward miniaturized gas sensors. Two readily exchangeable MIR-ICLEDs with center emission wavelengths of 3.4 µm (2941 cm−1) and 5.7 µm (1754 cm−1), respectively, were integrated into a modular sensor system using the iHWG simultaneously as a miniaturized gas cell. The performance of the sensor system for quantitative analysis was evaluated based on calibration functions established for four analytes (i.e., methane, isobutane, acetone, and acetaldehyde) within the respective spectral regions. The utility of such a sensor system as a non-dispersive infrared sensor was tested for various scenarios, including the application of spectral filters, the performance of the individual ICLEDs, and in the analysis of gas mixtures. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the modularity of the sensor design facilitates flexible adaptation to target gas species and available sample volumes, differentiating individual components within gas mixtures.
Turnover factors and retention strategies for chief executive officers in Australian hospitals
Authors: Mathew Nebu , Liu Chaojie (George) , Khalil Hanan
Published: August 2024

Objective Hospital chief executive officers (CEOs) in Australia encounter various challenges such as financial constraints, changing regulations, and the necessity to uphold patient care standards. These challenges can contribute to rates of CEO turnover, which can disrupt healthcare organisations and affect the quality of services provided. This research aims to pinpoint the factors influencing hospital CEO turnover and explore effective strategies for retaining these vital leaders Methods A survey was carried out among hospital CEOs throughout Australia. The survey, distributed through email and online platforms, gathered information on reasons behind turnover and methods for retaining CEOs. Data from 51 CEOs were analysed using statistical regression techniques and thematic analysis. Results The findings from the survey indicated that 82.35% of CEOs identified stress and work-related pressure as the causes of turnover. Other significant factors included managing under-resourced organisations (68.62%), lack of support from the board (66.66%), and facing internal/external criticisms (58.82%). On average, respondents reported 5.16 reasons for leaving their positions with no significant differences found based on sociodemographic characteristics. It was pointed out that key ways to retain CEOs include building respect and trust between CEOs and board chairs, meeting the training and development needs of CEOs, and defining roles within the organisation. The importance of succession planning was also emphasised, with 94.12% of respondents acknowledging its significance for maintaining stability. Conclusion The study underscores the multifaceted nature of CEO turnover in Australian hospitals influenced by organisational dynamics, performance factors, and personal elements. Effective retention strategies necessitate a culture within the organisation, defined roles, sufficient resources, and robust succession planning. Addressing these aspects can bolster leadership continuity and enhance the performance of healthcare organisations.
Enhancing stress resilience in soybeans (Glycine max): assessing the efficacy of priming and cross-priming for mitigating water deficit and waterlogging effects
Authors: Bester Adriano U. , Shimoia Eduardo P. , Da-Silva Cristiane J. , Posso Douglas A. , Carvalho Ivan R. , Corrêa Fernanda M. , de Oliveira Ana C. B. , do Amarante Luciano
Published: August 2024

Priming enables plants to respond more promptly, minimise damage, and survive subsequent stress events. Here, we aimed to assess the efficacy of priming and cross-priming in mitigating the stress caused by waterlogging and/or dehydration in soybeans (Glycine max). Soybean plants were cultivated in a greenhouse in plastic pots in which soil moisture was maintained at pot capacity through irrigation. The first stress was applied in plants at the vegetative stage for 5 days and involved either dehydration or waterlogging, depending on the treatment. Subsequently, the plants were irrigated or drained and maintained at pot capacity until the second stress. For the second stress, the conditions were repeated in plants at the reproductive stage. We then evaluated the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), lipid peroxidation, total soluble sugars (TSS), amino acids, proline, and starch, and the activity of antioxidant, fermentative, and aminotransferase enzymes. Under waterlogging and dehydration, priming and cross-priming significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of TSS, amino acids, and proline while reducing H2O2 concentration and lipid peroxidation. Under waterlogging, priming suppressed fermentative activity and increased carbohydrate content. This demonstrates that soybean plants activate their defence systems more promptly when subjected to priming.
On the role of small estuaries in retaining buoyant particles
Authors: Bo Tong , Ralston David K. , Geyer W. Rockwell , McWilliams James C.
Published: August 2024

Estuaries, as connectors between land and ocean, have complex interactions of river and tidal flows that affect the transport of buoyant materials like floating plastics, oil spills, organic matter, and larvae. This study investigates surface-trapped buoyant particle transport in estuaries by using idealized and realistic numerical simulations along with a theoretical model. While river discharge and estuarine exchange flow are usually expected to export buoyant particles to the ocean over subtidal timescales, this study reveals a ubiquitous physical transport mechanism that causes retention of buoyant particles in estuaries. Tidally varying surface convergence fronts affect the aggregation of buoyant particles, and the coupling between particle aggregation and oscillatory tidal currents leads to landward transport at subtidal timescales. Landward transport and retention of buoyant particles is greater in small estuaries, while large estuaries tend to export buoyant particles to the ocean. A dimensionless width parameter incorporating the tidal radian frequency and lateral velocity distinguishes small and large estuaries at a transitional value of around 1. Additionally, higher river flow tends to shift estuaries toward seaward transport and export of buoyant particles. These findings provide insights into understanding the distribution of buoyant materials in estuaries and predicting their fate in the land–sea exchange processes.
Conserved 5-methyluridine tRNA modification modulates ribosome translocation
Authors: Jones Joshua D. , Franco Monika K. , Giles Rachel N. , Eyler Daniel E. , Tardu Mehmet , Smith Tyler J. , Snyder Laura R. , Polikanov Yury S. , Kennedy Robert T. , Niederer Rachel O. , Koutmou Kristin S.
Published: August 2024

While the centrality of posttranscriptional modifications to RNA biology has long been acknowledged, the function of the vast majority of modified sites remains to be discovered. Illustrative of this, there is not yet a discrete biological role assigned for one of the most highly conserved modifications, 5-methyluridine at position 54 in tRNAs (m
5
U54). Here, we uncover contributions of m
5
U54 to both tRNA maturation and protein synthesis. Our mass spectrometry analyses demonstrate that cells lacking the enzyme that installs m
5
U in the T-loop (TrmA in
Escherichia coli
, Trm2 in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
) exhibit altered tRNA modification patterns. Furthermore, m
5
U54-deficient tRNAs are desensitized to small molecules that prevent translocation in vitro. This finding is consistent with our observations that relative to wild-type cells,
trm2Δ
cell growth and transcriptome-wide gene expression are less perturbed by translocation inhibitors. Together our data suggest a model in which m
5
U54 acts as an important modulator of tRNA maturation and translocation of the ribosome during protein synthesis.
Splice modulation strategy applied to deep intronic variants in
COL7A1
causing recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Pironon Nathalie , Bourrat Emmanuelle , Prost Catherine , Chen Mei , Woodley David T. , Titeux Matthias , Hovnanian Alain
Published: August 2024

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare and most often severe genetic disease characterized by recurrent blistering and erosions of the skin and mucous membranes after minor trauma, leading to major local and systemic complications. The disease is caused by loss-of-function variants in
COL7A1
encoding type VII collagen (C7), the main component of anchoring fibrils, which form attachment structures stabilizing the cutaneous basement membrane zone. Alterations in C7 protein structure and/or expression lead to abnormal, rare or absent anchoring fibrils resulting in loss of dermal-epidermal adherence and skin blistering. To date, more than 1,200 distinct
COL7A1
deleterious variants have been reported and 19% are splice variants. Here, we describe two RDEB patients for whom we identified two pathogenic deep intronic pathogenic variants in
COL7A1
. One of these variants (c.7795-97C > G) promotes the inclusion of a pseudoexon between exons 104 and 105 in the
COL7A1
transcript, while the other causes partial or complete retention of intron 51. We used antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) mediated exon skipping to correct these aberrant splicing events in vitro. This led to increased normal mRNA splicing above 94% and restoration of C7 protein expression at a level (up to 56%) that should be sufficient to reverse the phenotype. This first report of exon skipping applied to counteract deep intronic variants in
COL7A1
represents a promising therapeutic strategy for personalized medicine directed at patients with intronic variants at a distance of consensus splice sites.
Evidence of association between higher cardiorespiratory fitness and higher cerebral myelination in aging
Authors: Faulkner Mary E. , Gong Zhaoyuan , Bilgel Murat , Laporte John P. , Guo Alex , Bae Jonghyun , Palchamy Elango , Kaileh Mary , Bergeron Christopher M. , Bergeron Jan , Church Sarah , D’Agostino Jarod , Ferrucci Luigi , Bouhrara Mustapha
Published: August 2024

Emerging evidence suggests that altered myelination is an important pathophysiologic correlate of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases. Thus, improving myelin integrity may be an effective intervention to prevent and treat age-associated neurodegenerative pathologies. It has been suggested that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) may preserve and enhance cerebral myelination throughout the adult lifespan, but this hypothesis has not been fully tested. Among cognitively normal participants from two well-characterized studies spanning a wide age range, we assessed CRF operationalized as the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO
2
max) and myelin content defined by myelin water fraction (MWF) estimated through our advanced multicomponent relaxometry MRI method. We found significant positive correlations between VO
2
max and MWF across several white matter regions. Interestingly, the effect size of this association was higher in brain regions susceptible to early degeneration, including the frontal lobes and major white matter fiber tracts. Further, the interaction between age and VO
2
max exhibited i) a steeper positive slope in the older age group, suggesting that the association of VO
2
max with MWF is stronger at middle and older ages and ii) a steeper negative slope in the lower VO
2
max group, indicating that lower VO
2
max levels are associated with lower myelination with increasing age. Finally, the nonlinear pattern of myelin maturation and decline is VO
2
max-dependent with the higher VO
2
max group reaching the MWF peak at later ages. This study provides evidence of an interconnection between CRF and cerebral myelination and suggests therapeutic strategies for promoting brain health and attenuating white matter degeneration.
Functional dissection of mosquito humidity sensing reveals distinct Dry and Moist Cell contributions to blood feeding and oviposition
Authors: Tang Ruocong , Busby Rachel , Laursen Willem J. , T. Keane Geoffrey , Garrity Paul A.
Published: August 2024

Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes are major vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and other arboviral diseases.
Ae. aegypti
’s capacity to reproduce and to spread disease depends on the female mosquitoes’ ability to obtain blood meals and find water-filled containers in which to lay eggs (oviposit). While humidity sensation (hygrosensation) has been implicated in these behaviors, the specific hygrosensory pathways involved have been unclear. Here, we establish the distinct molecular requirements and anatomical locations of
Ae. aegypti
Dry Cells and Moist Cells and examine their contributions to behavior. We show that Dry Cell and Moist Cell responses to humidity involve different ionotropic receptor (IR) family sensory receptors, with dry air-activated Dry Cells reliant upon the IR
Ir40a
, and humid air-activated Moist Cells upon
Ir68a
. Both classes of hygrosensors innervate multiple antennal sensilla, including sensilla ampullacea near the antennal base as well as two classes of coeloconic sensilla near the tip. Dry Cells and Moist Cells each support behaviors linked to mosquito reproduction but contribute differently:
Ir40a
-dependent Dry Cells act in parallel with
Ir68a
-dependent Moist Cells to promote blood feeding, while oviposition site seeking is driven specifically by
Ir68a-
dependent Moist Cells. Together these findings reveal the importance of distinct hygrosensory pathways in blood feeding and oviposition site seeking and suggest
Ir40a-
dependent Dry Cells and
Ir68a-
dependent Moist Cells as potential targets for vector control strategies.
A Rutherford MgB2 cable with resistive NbTi barriers and a CuNi30 sheath
Authors: Kováč P , Berek D , Kováč J , Búran M , Hain M , Melišek T , Hušek I
Published: August 2024

The Rutherford cable here was made of 12 single-core MgB2
in-situ wires with an NbTi resistive barrier and a CuNi outer sheath. The uniformity of the wires and cables was analyzed using x-ray microtomography. The critical currents of the wire and cable samples were measured at 4.2 K in the outer fields from 4.0 to 8.0 T, and at 15 K–25 K in fields from 1.0 to 5.5 T. Magnetization AC losses were measured at temperatures of 20 K–40 K, external fields of 0.001–0.1 T and frequencies of 72 and 144 Hz. The obtained results show high engineering current density and reduced losses in the MgB2 cable, which can be especially interesting for windings of superconducting motors or generators.
Optical tomography and coherence of a cavity interacting with two time-dependent position qubits
Authors: Mohamed A-B A , Eleuch H
Published: August 2024

Optical tomography is a widely used method for estimating complex information. It provides a monotonic relation between the coherent field states density and their corresponding probability distributions. This approach is critical for validating any quantum information processing system’s implementation. This paper explores the optical tomography and coherence dynamics for a cavity interacting with two two-level atoms having time-dependent locations. We analyze the dynamics of the photon-field states, as two moving atoms enter a cavity filled with two superposed coherent states. The von-Neumann entropy dynamics illustrates how interaction couplings between the two atoms and cavity can give rise to entangled states under the effects of the atom-field couplings and the time-dependent atomic location parameter. Aside from coherence, the interactions between the cavity and atoms are essential for producing nonclassical proprieties in optical tomography. Furthermore, we investigate the dynamics of optical tomography densities with respect to the couplings between atoms and photons for time-dependent atomic location. Our results show that the couplings between atoms and cavity not only accelerate but also improve the processes involved in generating nonclassical optical tomography and coherence dynamics.
A novel discretization of the Yajima-Oikawa equation: Cauchy matrix approach
Authors: Tian Hong-juan , Silem Abdselam
Published: August 2024

The Cauchy matrix approach, rooted in the Sylvester equation, plays a crucial role in defining the τ functions of nonlinear evolution equations. In this paper, the Cauchy matrix approach is employed to introduce a novel integrable semi-discrete counterpart of the one-dimensional Yajima-Oikawa (YO) system. This new system is linked with the differential-difference Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equation with self-consistent sources (SCS). Based on the Cauchy matrix approach of the KP system, we systematically construct multiple soliton and multiple pole solutions. Furthermore, we analyze and illustrate various examples of soliton solutions for further understanding.
Improved frequency shift compensation technique and pulse sequence for multi-loop atom interference experiments
Authors: Wang Ya-Jie , Lu Xiao-Yu , Zhang Jiao , Wang Ke-Xin , Su Jian-Feng , Shan Feng , Chang Da-Hu , Hu Qiu-Bo , Tang Chun-Juan
Published: August 2024

With the rapid development of atom interference technology, multi-loop atom interferometers are widely used in the high-precision measurement of various physical constants and testing of various gravity-related effects. However, in ground-based multi-loop atom interference experiments, the systematic error contribution by classical effects is an important factor that affects the experimental measurement accuracy and gravitational effect detection. Based on this, we used the atomic wave-function evolution-phase accumulation method to provide a high-order interference phase of multi-loop atom interferometers in an inhomogeneous gravitational field containing Earth’s rotation. Furthermore, we propose a new scheme that combines optimised frequency-shift compensation technology with an improved pulse sequence to eliminate systematic errors due to the gravity gradient, Earth’s rotation, and their coupling effect with the pulse duration, as well as the coupling effect of laser detuning with the pulse duration. This study lays a theoretical foundation for experiments on multi-loop atom interferometers with higher precision.
The comparative study of the empirical and DFT theoretical properties of ZnSnO3 perovskite nanoparticles
Authors: Jafar Aqel Mashot , Hmood Amar Moula , Khalaph Kawther A. , Abdalameer Nisreen Kh. , Ahmed Zaineb Noori
Published: August 2024

The composites of zinc tin oxide (ZTO) are lead-free materials, categorized as piezoelectric nanoparticles, and have a variety of multifunctional applications. These materials exhibit a lot of potential for a range of uses. Therefore, to prepare the aqueous solutions of ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4 and investigate the experimental structural and optical properties of ZTO materials, this work employed two different chemical reaction paths. ZTO materials are created via a straightforward chemical reaction process in which chemical route (I) combines tetravalent tin chloride with divalent zinc chloride. ZTO materials are generated via the employment of divalent zinc chloride and divalent tin chloride in chemical route II. The structural characteristics and composition of the material were investigated using XRD analysis. The materials were discovered to have hexagonal perovskites and a cubic structure. Furthermore, examining the optical characteristics led to estimating the optical energy gap values (Eg = 3.6 and 3.9) eV for the hexagonal and cubic perovskite structures, respectively. The paper also compares experimental results with theoretical findings obtained with the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) software’s Density Function Theory (DFT) approximation. Theoretical and empirical results were closely analyzed and contrasted.
Critical collapse of massless scalar fields in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetime*
Authors: Xin 辛 Li-Jie 李杰 , Shao 邵 Cheng-Gang 成刚
Published: August 2024

We conduct numerical investigations on the critical collapse of spherically symmetric massless scalar fields in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetime. Our primary focus is on the behavior of the critical amplitude under various initial configurations of the scalar field. Through our numerical results, we obtain a formula that determines critical amplitude

in terms of cosmological constant Λ:

, where σ denotes the initial width of the scalar field and

is the initial position of the scalar field. Notably, we highlight that the slope of this linear relationship depends on the initial configuration of the scalar field.
First experiments on RF plasma production at relatively low magnetic fields in the LHD
Authors: Kovtun Yu.V. , Kamio S. , Moiseenko V.E. , Kasahara H. , Seki T. , Saito K. , Seki R. , Masuzaki S. , Brezinsek S. , Dinklage A.
Published: August 2024

The results of the first experimental series to produce a plasma using the radio frequency discharge (RF) above the ion cyclotron frequency at relatively low magnetic fields (0.5–0.6 T) in the Large Helical Device (LHD) are presented 1.43 MW of RF power produced target plasma with density up to 6 × 1018 m−3 to deuterium. Tangential NBI application into such a plasma increases plasma parameters. Electron temperatures up to ≈0.9 keV and densities up to ≈2.4 × 1019 m−3 had been achieved, and the maximum value of <β
dia> was 2.6%. These experiments open possibilities for new regimes of LHD operation which are also interested to W7-X.
Corrosion behavior of Q345 and Q235 steels in simulated neutral soil solution
Authors: Shi Jiawen , Li Shasha , Lu Yufeng , Wu Hongjian
Published: August 2024

Q345 and Q235 steels are widely used in infrastructure and manufacturing. Examining the corrosion behavior of two types of steel in a neutral soil environment can facilitate the assessment of the service life of the steel machinery, thereby mitigating potential corrosion failures. In order to investigate the corrosion and mechanism of Q345 and Q235 steels in the neutral soil solution, an electrochemical test, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were employed to analyze the corrosion morphology, corrosion product, and electrochemical polarization curves. The results showed that no visible pitting pits were observed on the surfaces of Q345 steel and Q235 steel. The corrosion types were mainly overall corrosion in the simulated neutral soil solution. The microstructure of Q235’s corrosion product exhibits greater compactness, facilitating the formation of Fe3O4. This compound demonstrates excellent binding ability with the metal matrix and hinders the continuous corrosion of the steel. Q235 steel has better corrosion resistance with a lower corrosion rate than Q345 steel in the simulated neutral soil solution. These findings contribute valuable information for material selection considerations in manufacturing machinery in neutral soil environments.
Study on the damage characteristics of single-crystal silicon ablated by 355 nm UV picosecond laser
Authors: Shen Renfeng , Li Yueyang
Published: August 2024

The experimental investigation on picosecond laser ablation of single-crystal silicon is presented in this paper. An ultraviolet (UV) picosecond laser with a wavelength of 355 nm and a pulse width of 10 ps was employed to create single-pulse ablation craters on the surface of single-crystal silicon. The influence of laser power variation on the morphology of single-pulse ablation was analyzed. The diameter of the ablation craters was measured and statistically analyzed. Based on the results, the picosecond laser spot diameter was calculated to be 7.65 μm, and the ablation threshold of single-crystal silicon in this experiment was determined to be 0.212 J/cm2.
Analysis of carbon shell of billets with high casting speed
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Wang Xianghong , Gui Zhonglin
Published: August 2024

The increasing casting speed of billets is beneficial for improving single-machine production efficiency, reducing refractory material consumption, and achieving energy conservation and consumption reduction. However, as the casting speed increases, the probability of steel leakage also increases. An analysis of the thickness of the billet shell under high casting speed allows us to analyze the reasons for steel leakage and propose targeted solutions. This article analyzes the steel leakage billet shell of grade 40 steel and concludes that the thickness of the billet shell is between 8-20 mm at the upper of the mold, and only 5-10 mm at the lower of the mold. At the beginning of its formation, the shell of the cast billet is not uniform, with a maximum difference of up to 8 mm. As the casting progresses, the shell of the billet actually becomes thinner. At a distance of 100-200 mm from the mold, the maximum air gap between the billet shell and the copper tube reaches about 5.5 mm. The air gap reduces the uniformity of heat transfer, resulting in an uneven billet shell. After the liquid steel is injected into the shell, it will cause remelting of the solidification shell, resulting in thinning of the casting shell and causing steel leakage at the outlet of the mold.
Land surface processes response to warming and wetting trend in Northwest China
Authors: Ma Xin , Wang Aihui , Sun Jianqi
Published: August 2024

The climate in Northwest China (NWC) has undergone a warming and wetting trend (WWT) since the 1980s, which has attracted considerable attention from the scientific and policy communities. However, the majority of previous studies have focused on overall effects of WWT, and very few have examined how land surface system responds to climate warming or wetting trend, respectively. For this purpose, this study uses the Community Land Model (CLM5) driven by the Chinese Meteorological Forcing Dataset (CMFD) to conduct four modeling experiments: a control experiment (CTRL) and three sensitivity experiments, in which the annual trend of air temperature (NonWarm), precipitation (NonWet), and both (NonWWT) are removed from the CMFD from 1979 to 2018. Compared to CTRL, the land hydrological variables (i.e. soil moisture, runoff and evapotranspiration) show a visible reduction in magnitude, interannual variability, as well as annual trend in NonWet, while they are enhanced in NonWarm. In both NonWarm and NonWet, the magnitude and trend of both net radiation and sensible heat fluxes increase, with a more pronounced change in NonWWT. Further analysis indicates that the land surface processes are more sensitive to wetting trend than to warming trend. Among all land surface hydrological variables and energy variables, runoff and snow cover fraction are the most susceptible to climate change. Overall, the effects of climate change in Ta and Pr on surface hydrological variables are non-linearly offsetting, while the effects on surface energy budgets are non-linearly superimposed. Compared to warming trend, wetting trend plays a larger impact on the variability of land surface processes in NWC.