bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indolepropionic acid reduces obesity‐induced metabolic dysfunction through colonic barrier restoration mediated via tuft cell‐derived IL‐25
Authors: Chen Lu , Yang Yuxuan , Sun Siyu , Xie Yuan , Pan Cailong , Li Maining , Li Chen , Liu Yu , Xu Zhipeng , Liu Wentao , Ji Minjun
Published: May 2022

Previous studies have indicated that indolepropionic acid (IPA), derived from dietary tryptophan via gut microbiota conversion, is negatively correlated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and systemic low‐grade inflammation. However, the effects of IPA administration on obesity, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. In the present study, we observed that obesity leads to a dramatic reduction in IPA levels in both the serum and colonic mucosa, and IPA supplementation exerted beneficial effects on weight, as well as on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In adipose tissue, IPA treatment had no direct effect on adipocyte differentiation, but it significantly ameliorated adipose inflammation, thus preventing adipocyte enlargement. Moreover, IPA administration promoted gut integrity, increased the expression of tight junction proteins, and downregulated colonic inflammation; these effects were demonstrated to have a poor relationship with gut microbiota composition. Mechanistically, IPA significantly promoted the expansion of the tuft cell lineage in the gut and increased the secretion of interleukin‐25 both in vivo and ex vivo, which contributes to the integrity of the gut barrier. This may partly depend on the free fatty acid receptor 3 pathway in tuft cells. Overall, our results demonstrate that IPA supplementation prevents the development of high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and metabolic disorders by restoring tuft cell‐interleukin‐25‐mediated colonic barrier integrity; hence, IPA could be a potential agent for treatment of obesity.
Understanding pre‐teen consumers social media engagement
Authors: Lichy Jessica , McLeay Fraser , Burdfield Claire , Matthias Olga
Published: May 2022

Social media (SM) platforms are frequently used by pre‐teen (8–12‐year old) consumers for curating their self‐identity, developing social relationships and for learning. This paper identifies the building blocks that drive pre‐teen SM engagement. We use the Gioia method to analyse interview data collected from 32 pre‐teens and parents, in France. Findings show that the primary building blocks areFoMO (Fear of Missing Out) and social inclusive experience, being noticed online,multiplicity, excessive use (without guidelines)andself‐regulation. Identity constructs (self‐identity and social‐identity) are used to explain SM engagement – and to empirically define core conceptual building blocks (aggregate dimensions) that drive SM engagement. We contribute to consumer theory by developing a holistic research framework to examine pre‐teen SM engagement. Self‐identity and social‐identity theories help explain the factors that drive pre‐teen SM engagement and explain push/pull influences of parents and schools in encouraging or discouraging certain behaviour. We build on current research into SM usage, drawing from the fragmented existing literature, to reveal causes of both excessive screen‐time and SM usage among pre‐teen consumers, which may indicate antecedents of future adult behaviour. Practical and regulatory policy issues are considered and addressed.
A novel intelligent film with high stability based on chitosan/sodium alginate and coffee peel anthocyanin for monitoring minced beef freshness
Authors: Hu Dongsheng , Liu Xiaogang , Qin Yuyue , Yan Jiatong , Yang Qiliang
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to develop a novel pH‐sensitive intelligent film for monitoring minced beef freshness based on chitosan/sodium alginate (CS–SA) and coffee peel anthocyanin (CPA). The different CPA content effects on the internal structure, physical properties and pH sensitivity of the CS–SA films were investigated. The results showed low contents of CPA (≤2%) could be evenly distributed within the CS–SA matrix with good compatibility. The addition of CPA significantly improved the physical properties and pH sensitivity of the CS–SA films. The CS–SA film containing 2% CPA (CS–SA–CPA2) showed the best tensile strength, water vapour barrier performance and most noticeable colour change. Moreover, this film exhibited good colour stability after 120 days. The CS–SA–CPA2 film changed colour from light yellow to brown to dark brown during minced beef storage, successfully indicating freshness. Therefore, the CS–SA–CPA2 film has the potential to be a pH‐sensitive material for monitoring minced beef freshness.
Effect of microwave heating time on the gel properties of chicken myofibrillar proteins and their formation mechanism
Authors: Wei Sumeng , Xu Yining , Kong Baohua , Wang Meijuan , Zhang Jingming , Liu Qian , Yang Yuling
Published: May 2022

The present work was conducted to illustrate the mechanism of gel formation of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) under different microwave heating times. The results showed that the denaturation enthalpy (ΔH) of the MPs significantly decreased when the heating time increased from 3 to 9 s and then completely disappeared as the heating time progressed, indicating that the MPs gradually denatured and subsequently aggregated with increasing heating time, which was further verified by the changes in the secondary structure, electrophoretic bands, and gel properties (e.g., water holding capacity and textural profiles) of the MPs. Microstructural images indicated that the MP gel formed under 12 s had the most compact network, indicating that extended microwave heating time could induce quality deterioration of MP gels. Moreover, the hydrophobic forces, electrostatic forces, and disulphide bonds of the MPs gradually intensified with increasing microwave heating time, suggesting that both non‐covalent and covalent bonds could promote molecular denaturation and subsequent aggregation of MPs. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the changes in the molecular conformation of MPs induced by different microwave heating times could effectively regulate the formation of MP gels and their related properties.
Growth potential of Salmonella enterica in thirty‐four different RTE vegetable salads during shelf‐life
Authors: Alegbeleye Oluwadara , Sant’Ana Anderson S.
Published: May 2022

Thirty‐four different ready‐to eat (RTE) vegetable salads were inoculated with a cocktail of three Salmonella enterica strains, and stored under a modified atmosphere for up to 168 h at 4, 7, 12 and 16°C. Eighteen (18) of the salad samples comprised of two or more vegetable ingredients (also referred to as MV RTE salads), and 16 were made up of single vegetable ingredients (SV RTE salads). Generally, the growth potential of inoculated S. enterica varied depending on temperature and type of RTE vegetable salad. The higher temperature was generally more favourable for the growth of S. enterica. Among all 34 salad samples, 5, 11, 18 and 24 salad samples supported the growth of Salmonella at 4, 7, 12 and 16°C, respectively. All salads consisting of multiple vegetable ingredients except two: one comprised of carrots, lettuce and beetroot and another comprised of white cabbage and purple cabbage, supported the growth of Salmonella at high temperatures (either 12 or 16 or both 12 and 16°C). Although the growth of Salmonella was variable in the different types of RTE salads, and growth was generally low at 4°C, Salmonella exhibited consistently minimal growth in some vegetable salads such as those comprised of carrots, lettuce and beetroot, carrots, beetroots, cabbage and cucumber, as well as one comprised of beetroot and corn at all temperature conditions tested.
Effects of rice bran fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum on palatability, volatile profiles, and antioxidant activity of brown rice noodles
Authors: Yi Cuiping , Xie Lan , Cao Zhongfu , Quan Ke , Zhu Hong , Yuan Jieyao
Published: May 2022

Brown rice noodles (RN) are typical whole‐grain products with health benefits. This study investigated the effects of rice bran fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum on palatability, volatile profiles, and antioxidant activity of brown RN. Three kinds of RN, including RN, brown RN (BRN), and bran fermented RN (BFRN), were involved in this study. The results indicated that bran fermentation reduced the cooking loss of BFRN and improved the elongation and the sensory attributes of brown RN. After fermentation, aldehydes were significantly decreased while alcohols increased, and more pleasant flavours were shown in BFRN. Fermentation increased the content of free phenolics and decreased the content of bound phenolics. Among the four major phenolics detected in this study, ferulic acid was the most abundant one in all three RN samples. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and the ferric reducing antioxidant power of free phenolics in BFRN increased significantly compared to BRN. This study proved that rice bran fermentation is an effective approach to improve palatability, enrich the flavour as well as enhance the antioxidant activity of brown RN, which may facilitate the development of processing technology for brown RN.
Effect of solvents and supercritical‐CO2 extraction of lipids on physico‐chemical, functional, pasting and rheological properties of hard, medium hard and soft wheat varieties
Authors: Awasthi Tamanna , Singh Narpinder , Virdi Amardeep S. , Singh Anju M. , Ahlawat Arvind K.
Published: May 2022

This study was conducted to compare the effect of lipids removal using supercrital‐CO2 extraction and organic solvents (hexane and isopropanol) from hard and soft wheat flour varieties. Flours were evaluated for physicochemical properties (protein, ash, hunter colour), sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, foaming properties, water and oil absorption capacity, pasting, farinographic and dynamic rheology. Protein content of flours increased after defatting and supercritical fluid extracted (SCE) wheat flours showed the highest increase. SCE flours showed higher peak viscosity than native and hexane extracted (HE) and isopropyl alcohol extracted (IPAE) flours. Functional properties improved upon defatting and the highest increase in functional properties was observed for SCE flours. Empirical and fundamental rheological measurements were affected by defatting and SCE flours showed the highest change in visco‐elasticity. SC‐CO2 was proved better alternative technique over conventional organic solvent methods to remove lipids from flours that brought desirable changes in some functional properties.
Effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the outcome and mortality of patients with diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Rubin Guy , Feldman Guy , Dimri Inon , Shapiro Arthur , Rozen Nimrod
Published: May 2022

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) led to events that significantly impaired the treatment and management of patients with chronic diabetes. Therefore, elective treatments at hospitals were cancelled and patients with chronic ailments were instructed to stay at home and minimise the time spent in public areas. The second was due to COVID‐19‐induced anxiety that deterred many patients from seeking care and adhering to periodic out‐patient visits. In this study, we examined the short‐term effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients with chronic diabetes who suffered from contaminated diabetic ulcers. We conducted a retrospective study with patients who had undergone amputations following diabetic ulcers during 2019‐2020. The research group included diabetic amputees during the COVID‐19 outbreak period ranging from March 2020 to December 2020. The control group included diabetic amputees from the corresponding period in 2019. Using the Wagner Scale, we measured the difference in the severity of ulcers upon the patient's initial admission. Additionally, we examined patient survival rates based on the size of amputations, by specifically focusing on the period between 1‐ and 6‐months post‐surgery. The results failed to suggest a clear and statistically significant worsening trend in the condition of patients in the research and control groups. Due to public lockdowns, transportation restrictions, scarcity of healthcare staff, and reduced adherence to exposure anxiety, patients with diabetic foot ulcers received inferior medical care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, this study could not find a statistically significant difference in the mortality and major amputation rates in patients with diabetic ulcer before and during the pandemic. The health system should incorporate the existing institutional and technological recommendations to facilitate care and follow‐up of patients with diabetic foot ulcers during the current and future pandemics.
Reimagining care for young adults living with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Morrissey Eimear C , Dinneen Sean F , Lowry Michelle , de Koning Eelco JP , Kunneman Marleen
Published: May 2022

Young adults living with type 1 diabetes often struggle to achieve what clinicians consider to be optimal levels of metabolic control. Despite the impact that this can have on a young person's future risk of complications, there are relatively few studies reporting new ways of organizing or delivering care to this cohort. In this article, we explore some of the reasons why young adult diabetes care is challenging, and describe approaches to “re‐imagining” how care might be improved. The work is informed by the ‘Making Care Fit’ collaborative and by a program of research, entitled D1 Now, involving co‐design of a complex person‐centered intervention with young adults.
Movement and habitat use by smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu veloxin a dynamic Ozark Highlands riverscape
Authors: Miller Andrew D. , Brewer Shannon K.
Published: May 2022

Stream fish movement in response to changing resource availability and habitat needs is important for fish growth, survival and reproduction. The authors used radio telemetry to evaluate individual movements, daily movement rates, home ranges and habitat‐use characteristics of adult (278–464 mmLT) Neosho smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu veloxin three Ozark Highlands streams from June 2016 to February 2018. The authors quantified variation in movement and habitat use among seasons and streams and examined relations with select environmental cues (i.e., temperature and discharge), fish size and sex. Maximum movement distances were an order of magnitude greater in the larger Elk River (17.0 km) and Buffalo Creek (12.9 km) than in the smaller Sycamore Creek (1.71 km), were similar in both upstream and downstream directions and typically occurred during the spring. Most movement rates were ≤10 m day−1in all streams and seasons, except for Elk River during spring. Ranking of linear mixed‐effects models using AICcsupported that movement rates were much greater in spring and increased with stream size. Spring movement rate increased with discharge and water temperature; only weak relationships were apparent during other seasons. Increased variation in water temperature had a small negative effect on movement rate. Home range size was highly variable among individuals, ranging 45–15,061 m (median: 773 m), and was not related to fish size, sex, season or stream. Although some fish moved between rivers, this study's tagged fish did not use reservoir or associated interface habitat. Water temperatures used by this study's tagged fish followed seasonal patterns but indicated the use of thermal refugia during summer and winter. Deeper‐water habitats were used in Buffalo Creek and in winter across all study streams, whereas greater velocities used in the Elk River likely reflect the increased use of run habitats. Use of pool habitats predominated among tagged fish, particularly in smaller streams. The results of this study indicate considerable heterogeneity in movement and habitat use within and among lotic populations of Neosho smallmouth bass. These findings suggest that population‐specific management may be appropriate and highlight the importance of natural flow conditions (i.e., spring high flows) and connected habitats for this endemic sport fish, particularly in smaller streams.
Over‐the‐counter hearing aids: How we got here and necessary next steps
Authors: Lin Frank R. , Reed Nicholas S.
Published: May 2022

This editorial comments on the article by Blustein et al. in this issue.
F74 plasmids are major vectors of virulence genes in bovine NTEC2
Authors: Valat C. , Haenni M. , Arnaout Y. , Drapeau A. , Hirchaud E. , Touzain F. , Boyer T. , Delannoy S. , Vorimore F. , Fach P. , Madec J.-Y.
Published: May 2022

Necrotoxigenic Escherichia coli 2 (NTEC2) are defined as E. coli producing the toxin known as cytotoxic necrotizing factor 2 (CNF2), a potent toxin primarily found in bovine but also in humans. NTEC2 are mostly associated with bovine, and cnf2 is known to be carried by pVir-like plasmids. In this study, we looked for NTEC2 in a collection of E. coli collected between 2011 and 2018 in French bovine. Thirty-two isolates, collected from both sick (n = 19) and healthy (n = 13) animals, were identified and characterized using whole-genome sequencing. One F74 plasmid of this bacterial collection was long-read sequenced: its size was 138 121 bp and it carried the cnf2, F17cA-eG, cdtB, iutA, iucC and ompP virulence factors (VFs), but no resistance gene. A large variety of genetic backgrounds was observed, but all cnf2-carrying plasmids belonged to the IncF family, and most of them (78·1%) were of the F74 group. Similar F74 plasmids were also reported from bovine in the United Kingdom and the United States, as identified in the publically available databases. Consequently, these F74 plasmids, which are widely disseminated among E. coli from cattle in the French territory, are vectors of virulence determinants that largely went unnoticed until now.
The East Asian wild apples, Malus baccata (L.) Borkh and Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehder., are additional contributors to the genomes of cultivated European and Chinese varieties
Authors: Chen Xilong , Cornille Amandine , An Na , Xing Libo , Ma Juanjuan , Zhao Caiping , Wang Yibin , Han Mingyu , Zhang Dong
Published: May 2022

The domestication process in long‐lived plant perennials differs dramatically from that of annuals, with a huge amount of genetic exchange between crop and wild populations. Though apple is a major fruit crop grown worldwide, the contribution of wild apple species to the genetic makeup of the cultivated apple genome remains a topic of intense study. We used population genomics approaches to investigate the contributions of several wild apple species to European and Chinese rootstock and dessert genomes, with a focus on the extent of wild–crop gene flow. Population genetic structure inferences revealed that the East Asian wild apples, Malus baccata (L.) Borkh and M. hupehensis (Pamp.), form a single panmictic group, and that the European dessert and rootstock apples form a specific gene pool whereas the Chinese dessert and rootstock apples were a mixture of three wild gene pools, suggesting different evolutionary histories of European and Chinese apple varieties. Coalescent‐based inferences and gene flow estimates indicated that M. baccata – M. hupehensis contributed to the genome of both European and Chinese cultivated apples through wild‐to‐crop introgressions, and not as an initial contributor as previously supposed. We also confirmed the contribution through wild‐to‐crop introgressions of Malus sylvestris Mill. to the cultivated apple genome. Apple tree domestication is therefore one example in woody perennials that involved gene flow from several wild species from multiple geographical areas. This study provides an example of a complex protracted process of domestication in long‐lived plant perennials, and is a starting point for apple breeding programmes.
Telomeres, the loop tying cancer to organismal life‐histories
Authors: Ujvari Beata , Raven Nynke , Madsen Thomas , Klaassen Marcel , Dujon Antoine M. , Schultz Aaron G. , Nunney Leonard , Lemaître Jean‐François , Giraudeau Mathieu , Thomas Frédéric
Published: May 2022

Recent developments in telomere and cancer evolutionary ecology demonstrate a very complex relationship between the need of tissue repair and controlling the emergence of abnormally proliferating cells. The trade‐off is balanced by natural and sexual selection and mediated via both intrinsic and environmental factors. Here, we explore the effects of telomere‐cancer dynamics on life history traits and strategies as well as on the cumulative effects of genetic and environmental factors. We show that telomere‐cancer dynamics constitute an incredibly complex and multifaceted process. From research to date, it appears that the relationship between telomere length and cancer risk is likely nonlinear with good evidence that both (too) long and (too) short telomeres can be associated with increased cancer risk. The ability and propensity of organisms to respond to the interplay of telomere dynamics and oncogenic processes, depends on the combination of its tissue environments, life history strategies, environmental challenges (i.e., extreme climatic conditions), pressure by predators and pollution, as well as its evolutionary history. Consequently, precise interpretation of telomere‐cancer dynamics requires integrative and multidisciplinary approaches. Finally, incorporating information on telomere dynamics and the expression of tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes could potentially provide the synergistic overview that could lay the foundations to study telomere‐cancer dynamics at ecosystem levels.
Wireless SmartVision system for synchronized displacement monitoring of railroad bridges
Authors: V. Shajihan Shaik Althaf , Hoang Tu , Mechitov Kirill , Spencer Billie F.
Published: May 2022

The deflection of railroad bridges under in‐service loads is an important indicator of the structure's health. Over the past decade, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of using vision‐based approaches for displacement tracking of civil infrastructure. These studies have relied primarily on external processing of manually recorded videos of a structure's motion to estimate displacements. To date, vision‐based techniques applied to long‐term structural health monitoring have yet to be proven effective as an alternative to the traditional displacement measurement methods, such as linear variable differential transformers. This paper proposes a wireless SmartVision system (WSVS) that uses edge computing to directly output bridge displacements that can be sent to the end user. The system estimates displacements using both target‐free and target‐based approaches. A synchronized sensing framework is developed for multipoint displacement estimation using several wireless vision‐based nodes for full‐scale displacement‐based modal analysis of structures. Pose estimation using an AprilTag, a fiducial marker, is employed with a modified algorithm for improved displacement tracking of targets installed on a bridge, yielding subpixel accuracy. The robustness of the results in field conditions is enhanced by linking a tracking quality factor to each timestamp to handle vision‐related uncertainties. To meet the need for precise error metrics evaluation, an inexpensive cyber‐physical setup using a synthetic testing environment is also developed in this study. Following laboratory validation, field tests on a cable‐stayed pedestrian bridge were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed WSVS.
The making of suberin
Authors: Serra Olga , Geldner Niko
Published: May 2022

Outer protective barriers of animals use a variety of bio‐polymers, based on either proteins (e.g. collagens), or modified sugars (e.g. chitin). Plants, however, have come up with a particular solution, based on the polymerisation of lipid‐like precursors, giving rise to cutin and suberin. Suberin is a structural lipophilic polyester of fatty acids, glycerol and some aromatics found in cell walls of phellem, endodermis, exodermis, wound tissues, abscission zones, bundle sheath and other tissues. It deposits as a hydrophobic layer between the (ligno)cellulosic primary cell wall and plasma membrane. Suberin is highly protective against biotic and abiotic stresses, shows great developmental plasticity and its chemically recalcitrant nature might assist the sequestration of atmospheric carbon by plants. The aim of this review is to integrate the rapidly accelerating genetic and cell biological discoveries of recent years with the important chemical and structural contributions obtained from very diverse organisms and tissue layers. We critically discuss the order and localisation of the enzymatic machinery synthesising the presumed substrates for export and apoplastic polymerisation. We attempt to explain observed suberin linkages by diverse enzyme activities and discuss the spatiotemporal relationship of suberin with lignin and ferulates, necessary to produce a functional suberised cell wall.
Root trait variation along a sub‐arctic tundra elevational gradient
Authors: Spitzer Clydecia M. , Sundqvist Maja K. , Wardle David A. , Gundale Michael J. , Kardol Paul
Published: May 2022

Elevational gradients are useful for predicting how plant communities respond to global warming, because communities at lower elevations experience warmer temperatures. Fine root traits and root trait variation could play an important role in determining plant community responses to warming in cold‐climate ecosystems where a large proportion of plant biomass is allocated belowground. Here, we investigated the effects of elevation‐associated temperature change on twelve chemical and morphological fine root traits of plant species and plant communities in a Swedish subarctic tundra. We also assessed the relative contributions of plant species turnover and intraspecific variation to the total amount of community‐level root trait variation explained by elevation. Several root traits, both at the species and whole community levels, had significant linear or quadratic relationships with elevation, but the direction and strength of these relationships varied among traits and plant species. Further, we found no support for a unidirectional change from more acquisitive root trait values at the lower elevations towards trait values associated with greater nutrient conservation at the higher elevations, either at the species or community level. On the other hand, root trait coefficients of variation at the community level increased with elevation for several root traits. Further, for a large proportion of the community‐level traits we found that intraspecific variation was relatively more important than species turnover, meaning that trait plasticity is important for driving community‐level trait responses to environmental factors in this tundra system. Our findings indicate that with progressing global warming, intraspecific trait variation may drive plant community composition but this may not necessarily lead to shifts in root resource–acquisition strategy for all species.
Natal dispersal does not entail survival costs but is linked to breeding dispersal in a migratory shorebird, the southern dunlinCalidris alpina schinzii
Authors: Pakanen Veli‐Matti , Koivula Kari , Doligez Blandine , Flodin Lars‐Åke , Pauliny Angela , Rönkä Nelli , Blomqvist Donald
Published: May 2022

The costs and benefits of dispersal are often assessed by comparing fitness between dispersing and non‐dispersing individuals. Importantly, individuals that disperse between their natal and first breeding site may subsequently be more likely to disperse between breeding sites compared to those that remained philopatric to their natal site. Such within‐individual consistency in dispersal behaviour can bias local survival estimation, and thus the survival comparison between dispersing and non‐dispersing individuals, if breeding dispersal leads to permanent emigration from the study area. We examined whether adult survival correlates with natal dispersal in a migratory shorebird, the southern dunlinCalidris alpina schinzii, in two isolated patchy populations where permanent emigration is expected to be extremely rare. To assess whether local adult survival could be biased by non‐random breeding dispersal, we analysed between‐patch breeding dispersal probability and quantified within‐individual consistency in dispersal. Among females, natal dispersers were more likely to disperse again as adults compared to non‐dispersers, while no difference was observed in males which were always highly site faithful. Yet, adult survival did not differ between natal dispersing and non‐dispersing individuals in either sex. Breeding dispersal probability was higher in failed compared to successful breeders. Breeding dispersal often resulted in dispersal back to the natal patch, i.e. delayed natal philopatry. Our results suggest no survival costs of dispersal after first reproduction. Despite individual consistency, survival estimates of dispersing individuals were not biased because nearly all available breeding habitat was covered. We show that consistency in dispersal can occur even in site faithful species like the southern dunlin. Studies of the effects of dispersal on survival should therefore account for within‐individual consistency in dispersal if not all available breeding habitat is monitored in open populations. In particular, delayed natal philopatry may lead to biased local survival estimates for immigrants when compared with philopatric individuals.
Development of a near‐infrared spectroscopy calibration for Hagberg falling number assessment of barley (Hordeum vulgare): A comparison of methods
Authors: Gerisch Nils , Guerreiro Ricardo , Wespel Franziska , Stich Benjamin
Published: May 2022

Climate change leads to increased risks of reduced Hagberg falling numbers (HFN). The objectives of this study were to (i) compare partial least square (PLS) with deep learning methods with respect to establishing near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations for HFN in spring barley, (ii) compare the accuracy of NIRS calibrations for metric versus categorical response variables and (iii) discuss the usefulness of the developed NIRS calibrations in the context of barley breeding programmes. This study was based on 560 samples from the preapplication trial of a commercial spring barley breeding programme and the double round robin population of barley. Across all the examined preprocessing combinations, the lowest root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) in the calibration set was observed with 59.95 s for PLS regression where that of the best deep learning method was higher. The accuracies to predict HFN from NIR spectra observed in our study indicated that they cannot replace the HFN reference method, but their use for selection in early generations of barley breeding programmes are promising.
Collective Narcissism as a Basis for Nationalism
Authors: Federico Christopher M. , Golec De Zavala Agnieszka , Bu Wen
Published: May 2022

Recent work suggests that collective narcissism—an exaggerated, unrealistic belief in an ingroup's greatness that demands constant external validation—is a strong predictor of a variety of political attitudes. In the present study, we use nationally representative panel data from Poland to examine the relationship between national collective narcissism and nationalism, a belief that the national ingroup is superior and should dominate other nations. We first demonstrate that national collective narcissism, nationalism, and mere satisfaction with national ingroup are distinct. In turn, in both cross‐sectional and panel analyses, we find that (1) national collective narcissism is positively related to nationalism, whereas satisfaction with the national ingroup is not; and (2) national collective narcissism is a stronger predictor of nationalism than national ingroup satisfaction is in absolute terms. Our analyses thus provide evidence that nationalism may be rooted in narcissistic exaggeration of the greatness of the national ingroup rather than nonnarcissistic national ingroup satisfaction.
Down But Not Yet Out: Depression, Political Efficacy, and Voting
Authors: Bernardi Luca , Mattila Mikko , Papageorgiou Achillefs , Rapeli Lauri
Published: May 2022

Depression is one of the most common health problems in the developed world. Previous research has primarily investigated the relationship between depression and voting, largely overlooking its cognitive foundations. We turn to political efficacy as a key political attitude and precondition for political engagement. We build on research into the cognitive aspects of depression to construct arguments linking depression, political efficacy, and voting. Using cross‐sectional (European Social Survey) and longitudinal (U.K. Household Longitudinal Study) data, we find evidence for a negative relationship between depression and political efficacy, that depression reduces external but not necessarily internal political efficacy, and for an accumulation effect of depression on (external) political efficacy. We also show that political efficacy is a crucial mechanism for the depression–voting gap. Our research has important implications for political representation.
Microstratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental implications of a Late Quaternary high‐altitude lacustrine record in the subtropical Andes
Authors: Guerra Lucía , Martini Mateo A. , Vogel Hendrik , Piovano Eduardo L. , Hajdas Irka , Astini Ricardo , De Haller Antoine , Moscariello Andrea , Loizeau Jean‐Luc , Ariztegui Daniel
Published: May 2022

High‐mountain lake records in semiarid foreland settings, such as the central Andes of North‐western Argentina, are highly restricted and often deprived of well‐preserved microstratigraphic information to analyze palaeoenvironmental changes and their causes, particularly for periods prior to the Last Glacial Maximum. Laguna La Salada Grande (23°S/65°W, 4063 metres above sea‐level) is a closed shallow lake located at Cordillera Oriental, North‐western Argentina with a unique depositional record, including geomorphic and stratigraphic evidence of palaeoenvironmental changes since the Late Pleistocene. In order to understand the depositional dynamics of this mountain lacustrine system at different timescales, limnogeological multiproxy analyses together with a radiocarbon and 210Pb‐based chronology were applied on massive and laminated sediments from La Salada Grande. Laminated deposits were further analyzed using novel sub‐centimetric mineralogical, textural and geochemical automated methods (including a combination of micro‐X‐ray fluorescence and quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN®). Thick laminated microfacies at the beginning of the sequence record a deep and organic matter productive palaeolake prior to ca 34 ka (1 ka = 1000 years before 1950), that changed into a highly fluctuating shallower‐palaeolake with frequent detrital influxes after ca 34 ka. Microstratigraphy of the coarser‐grained detrital laminae between 31 ka and 25 ka reveals irregular and probably sub‐centennial high‐energy discharge events, pointing to convective atmospheric activity as the main trigger. After ca 21 ka the lake evolved to deeper water‐level conditions resulting in fine‐grained deposits with limited delivery of coarse‐grained sediments, followed by an abrupt lake level drop and incision. The multi‐millennial palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of La Salada Grande, and its correlation with other palaeoclimate records, shows a close link between the lacustrine depositional processes and palaeoclimate changes associated with the South American summer monsoon dynamics. This multifocal research in such an understudied environment provides key knowledge about lacustrine functioning and discharge events−climate interactions of mountain lakes of semi‐arid climates.
The Paybacks of Using Online Multimedia in Training for Resident Doctors
Authors: Lu Dinggui , Li Lantian , Zhao Jingjie , Lu Meijiao , Lin Jiajie , Zhang Weiyang , Wei Jihua , Meng Lingzhang
Published: May 2022

This paper analyses the use of multimedia technology in training orthopaedic residents and assesses how such aids can improve residents’ ability to master treatments in orthopaedic surgery. To this end, a total of 120 resident trainees who had recently graduated from clinical medicine were recruited for this study, and were classified into two groups.  Based on which, the new teaching model using multimedia aids was studied and compared with traditional teaching model (mainly with oral presentation). . The results show that resident trainees with the new teaching model could be more active in thinking ability and interest, and have improved learning outcomes, compared with those with traditional teaching models. Meanwhile, the former trainees showed reduced passive, thereby their understating of key points was strengthened. Overall, the use of multimedia images improved the quality of teaching, transformed the teacher-centred clinical teaching model, and increased trainees’ level of satisfaction with the teaching methods. Therefore, this paper concludes that the use of multimedia images can significantly improve the quality of clinical teaching for resident trainees and should be widely promoted.
Materialidad, escritura y contemporaneidad en La filial (2012) de Matías Celedón y Chilean Electric (2015) de Nona Fernández
Authors: De los Ríos Valeria
Published: May 2022

En The Social Life of Things, Arjun Appadurai afirma que si bien puede ser cierto que los actores humanos codifican a las cosas con un significado, desde un punto de vista metodológico, son las cosas en movimiento (things-in-motion) las que iluminan su contexto social y humano. En Vibrant Matter, Jane Bennett describe el “poder de las cosas” como una extraña habilidad de los objetos comunes, creados por la mano del hombre, de exceder su estatus de meros objetos y manifestar trazos de independencia o vitalidad, constituyendo el afuera de nuestra propia experiencia (xvi). En este artículo me propongo abordar La filial de Matías Celedón y Chilean Electric de Nona Fernández bajo el marco propuesto por los nuevos materialismos. En esas obras la materialidad de la luz eléctrica (o su ausencia) es actante y por ello es capaz de provocar los acontecimientos. En estas obras la materialidad se hace palpable en la escritura.
Mechanical Stress Analysis of Zero-Boil-Off Cryostat for a 1.5 T MRI Magnet
Authors: Suman Navneet Kumar , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Kar Soumen
Published: May 2022

A whole-body 1.5 T superconducting MRI magnet is operated in 4.2 K inside a zero-boil-off helium cryogenic vessel, i.e., cryostat. The cryostat has horizontal bore of 850 mm used as the patient bore. The cryostat houses the 1.5 T superconducting magnet in a coaxial position maintaining a high degree of alignment along with the gradient coil, the birdcage RF coil necessary for any MRI scanner. A set of support link having low thermal conductivity and higher mechanical strength would provide structural support to the cold mass at 4.2 K, which includes the superconducting magnet, helium vessel. A two stage 4.2 K G-M cryocooler is used to recondense helium to achieve a “zero boil-off” condition. The helium vessel and the vacuum vessel of the cryostat experience stresses during the normal operation, transportation etc. The ASME B&PV Code and the Finite Element Analysis has been used for the engineering design and stress analysis of cryostat. The modal analysis of the cryostat has been done during the transportation of the cryostat. The seismic behavior of the cryostat has also been analyzed extensively for a 1.5 T MRI cryostat.
Reduction of exposing time in massively-parallel E-beam systems
Authors: Hasan Md Nabid , Lee Soo-Young , Ahn Byung-Sup , Choi Jin , Park Joon-Soo
Published: May 2022

Several writing methods were previously introduced for massively parallel electron-beam systems, e.g., single-row writing and multirow writing. A straightforward application of these methods for realizing nonuniform dose distributions often required for the proximity effect correction (PEC) including line/space patterns would turn off certain beams, sometimes all, selectively in several cycles. Consequently, the utilization of beams is reduced considerably. In this study, two different approaches to increasing the beam utilization and thereby reducing the exposing (writing) time are investigated, i.e., lowering the dose difference among the regions of a feature while implementing the PEC and utilizing the cycles with all the beams turned off. It has been shown that with these methods, the exposing time can be reduced significantly.
Review of recent studies on nanoscale electrical junctions and contacts: Quantum tunneling, current crowding, and interface engineering
Authors: Banerjee Sneha , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2022

The study of charge carrier transport at nanoscale electrical contacts is crucial for the development of next-generation electronics. This paper reviews recent modeling efforts on quantum tunneling, current crowding, and contact resistance across electrical interfaces with nanometer scale dimensions. A generalized self-consistent model for quantum tunneling induced electron transport in metal–insulator–metal (MIM) junctions is summarized. Rectification of a dissimilar MIM junction is reviewed. A modified two-dimensional (2D) transmission line model is used to investigate the effects of spatially varying specific contact resistivity along the contact length. The model is applied to various types of electrical contacts, including ohmic contacts, MIM junction based tunneling contacts, and 2D-material-based Schottky contacts. Roughness engineering is recently proposed to offer a possible paradigm for reducing the contact resistance of 2D-material-based electrical contacts. Contact interface engineering, which can mitigate current crowding near electrical contacts by spatially designing the interface layer thickness or properties, without requiring an additional material or component, is briefly reviewed. Tunneling engineering is suggested to eliminate severe current crowding in highly conductive ohmic contacts by introducing a thin tunneling layer or gap between the contact members. Unsolved problems and challenges are also discussed.
Investigation of the growth mechanism and crystallographic structures of GaSb dots nucleation layer and GaSb thin film grown on Si(001) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Machida Ryuto , Toda Ryusuke , Hara Shinsuke , Watanabe Issei , Akahane Kouichi , Fujikawa Sachie , Kasamatsu Akifumi , Fujishiro Hiroki I.
Published: May 2022

We investigated the growth mechanism and crystallographic structures of GaSb dots as a nucleation layer and GaSb thin films grown on a Si(001) substrate by molecular beam epitaxy using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface morphology of the 100-nm-thick GaSb with GaSb dots drastically changed from that without them. As the GaSb dots gradually grew in size, the coalescence between the adjacent dots was repeated and the space between them was filled, thereby changing the growth mode of GaSb to two-dimensional growth and forming domain structures with terrace surfaces. The high-resolution TEM images and fast Fourier transform patterns revealed that the lattice-mismatched strain in the epitaxial GaSb thin film was almost completely relieved. Because some adatoms were rotated by 60° on the {111} facets and formed a monolayer with a wurtzite structure as a stacking fault in the initial growth stage, twinned GaSb with an inclination of 54.7° from the (001) plane was formed in addition to epitaxial GaSb. The lattice-mismatched strain was nearly relieved in the vicinity of the GaSb/Si interface because of the multiple periodic 90° and 60° misfit dislocation arrays. The formation of GaSb dots, which acted as crystal nuclei and induced periodic misfit dislocation arrays, was useful for the epitaxial growth of GaSb thin films on a Si(001) substrate—a result that will be advantageous for growing high-quality GaSb thin films, with flatter and fewer crystal defects, on a Si(001) substrate in future.
Grouper source levels and aggregation dynamics inferred from passive acoustic localization at a multispecies spawning site
Authors: Wilson Katherine C. , Semmens Brice X. , Gittings Stephen R. , McCoy Croy , Pattengill-Semmens Christy V. , Širović Ana
Published: May 2022

Four species of grouper (family Epinephlidae), Red Hind (Epinephelus guttatus), Nassau (Epinephelus striatus), Black (Mycteroperca bonaci), and Yellowfin Grouper (Mycteroperca venenosa) share an aggregation site in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands and produce sounds while aggregating. Continuous observation of these aggregations is challenging because traditional diver or ship-based methods are limited in time and space. Passive acoustic localization can overcome this challenge for sound-producing species, allowing observations over long durations and at fine spatial scales. A hydrophone array was deployed in February 2017 over a 9-day period that included Nassau Grouper spawning. Passive acoustic localization was used to find positions of the grouper-produced calls recorded during this time, which enabled the measurement of call source levels and evaluation of spatiotemporal aspects of calling. Yellowfin Grouper had the lowest mean peak-to-peak (PP) call source level, and Nassau Grouper had the highest mean PP call source level (143.7 and 155.2 dB re: 1 μPa at 1 m for 70–170 Hz, respectively). During the days that Nassau Grouper spawned, calling peaked after sunset. Similarly, when Red Hind calls were abundant, calls were highest in the afternoon and evening. The measured source levels can be used to estimate communication and detection ranges and implement passive acoustic density estimation for these fishes.
The state of zinc in methanol synthesis over a Zn/ZnO/Cu(211) model catalyst
Authors: Amann Peter , Klötzer Bernhard , Degerman David , Köpfle Norbert , Götsch Thomas , Lömker Patrick , Rameshan Christoph , Ploner Kevin , Bikaljevic Djuro , Wang Hsin-Yi , Soldemo Markus , Shipilin Mikhail , Goodwin Christopher M. , Gladh Jörgen , Halldin Stenlid Joakim , Börner Mia , Schlueter Christoph , Nilsson Anders
Published: May 2022

The active chemical state of zinc (Zn) in a zinc-copper (Zn-Cu) catalyst during carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide (CO
2
/CO) hydrogenation has been debated to be Zn oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, metallic Zn, or a Zn-Cu surface alloy. We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at 180 to 500 millibar to probe the nature of Zn and reaction intermediates during CO
2
/CO hydrogenation over Zn/ZnO/Cu(211), where the temperature is sufficiently high for the reaction to rapidly turn over, thus creating an almost adsorbate-free surface. Tuning of the grazing incidence angle makes it possible to achieve either surface or bulk sensitivity. Hydrogenation of CO
2
gives preference to ZnO in the form of clusters or nanoparticles, whereas in pure CO a surface Zn-Cu alloy becomes more prominent. The results reveal a specific role of CO in the formation of the Zn-Cu surface alloy as an active phase that facilitates efficient CO
2
methanol synthesis.
Quantum optimization of maximum independent set using Rydberg atom arrays
Authors: Ebadi S. , Keesling A. , Cain M. , Wang T. T. , Levine H. , Bluvstein D. , Semeghini G. , Omran A. , Liu J.-G. , Samajdar R. , Luo X.-Z. , Nash B. , Gao X. , Barak B. , Farhi E. , Sachdev S. , Gemelke N. , Zhou L. , Choi S. , Pichler H. , Wang S.-T. , Greiner M. , Vuletić V. , Lukin M. D.
Published: May 2022

Realizing quantum speedup for practically relevant, computationally hard problems is a central challenge in quantum information science. Using Rydberg atom arrays with up to 289 qubits in two spatial dimensions, we experimentally investigate quantum algorithms for solving the maximum independent set problem. We use a hardware-efficient encoding associated with Rydberg blockade, realize closed-loop optimization to test several variational algorithms, and subsequently apply them to systematically explore a class of graphs with programmable connectivity. We find that the problem hardness is controlled by the solution degeneracy and number of local minima, and we experimentally benchmark the quantum algorithm’s performance against classical simulated annealing. On the hardest graphs, we observe a superlinear quantum speedup in finding exact solutions in the deep circuit regime and analyze its origins.