bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local feedback and ENSO govern decadal changes in variability and seasonal synchronization of the Indian Ocean Dipole
Authors: Park Hyo-Jin , An Soon-Il , Park Jae-Heung , Stuecker Malte F. , Liu Chao , Yeh Sang-Wook
Published: July 2024

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), characterized by an interannual fluctuation in zonal dipole pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies along the tropical Indian Ocean, has a large socioeconomic impact on neighboring countries. Here, we investigate the decadal modulations of IOD variability over the last 123 years (1900–2022), by analyzing the observational reanalysis data in conjunction with a low-order IOD model that accounts for both stochastic forcing and the remote impact of ENSO. The observed decadal changes in IOD variability are primarily attributed to the local air–sea coupled feedback, and secondarily to ENSO. The local feedback during the late winter has intensified since the late-1970s due to the Indian Ocean warming, the suppressed westerly winter monsoon in the southeastern Indian Ocean, the shallowing of the mean thermocline in the southeastern Indian Ocean, and the decrease in mean upwelling in the western Indian Ocean. Each of these enhances the convective instability, anomalous evaporative cooling, and oceanic vertical thermal advections, respectively. Intensified local feedback increases the likelihood of the early onset of IOD events in the late winter. Additionally, ENSO, which has strengthened since the mid-twentieth century, has extended the peak phase of IOD into the late fall in recent decades.
Hexafluoroisopropanol-assisted selective intramolecular synthesis of heterocycles by single-electron transfer
Authors: Xie Jiale , Zhang Jiayu , Kasemthaveechok Sitthichok , López-Resano Sara , Cots Eric , Maseras Feliu , Pérez-Temprano Mónica H.
Published: July 2024

Intramolecular amination of remote aliphatic C–H bonds via hydrogen-atom transfer reactions has become a powerful tool for accessing saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycles. However, the formation of six-membered rings or oxa-heterocycles remains a formidable challenge for Hofmann–Löffler–Freytag reactions. Here we show how by simply combining bench-stable (bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo)benzene and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) we can switch from the well-established Hofmann–Löffler–Freytag mechanism to a different versatile reaction pathway that enables selective C(sp3)–H bond functionalization. We have exploited the facile formation of radical cations via single-electron transfer, in the presence or absence of light, to synthesize pyrrolidines and piperidines, including drug-type molecules, along with O-heterocycles. Experimental and computational mechanistic studies support two distinct mechanistic pathways, depending on the electron density of the substrate, in which the HFIP plays a multifunctional role.
Intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces for high-contrast ultra-fast power limiting and optical switching
Authors: Cotrufo Michele , Krakofsky Jonas H. , Mann Sander A. , Boehm Gerhard , Belkin Mikhail A. , Alù Andrea
Published: July 2024

Nonlinear intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces support one of the strongest known ultrafast nonlinear responses in the mid-infrared frequency range across all condensed matter systems. Beyond harmonic generation and frequency mixing, these nonlinearities can be leveraged for ultrafast optical switching and power limiting, based on tailored transitions from strong to weak polaritonic coupling. Here, we demonstrate synergistic optimization of materials and photonic nanostructures to achieve large reflection contrast in ultrafast polaritonic metasurface limiters. The devices are based on optimized semiconductor heterostructure materials that minimize the intersubband transition linewidth and reduce absorption in optically-saturated nanoresonators, achieving a record-high reflection contrast of 54% experimentally. We also discuss opportunities to further boost the metrics of performance of this class of ultrafast limiters, showing that reflection contrast as high as 94% may be realistically achieved using all-dielectric intersubband polaritonic metasurfaces.
Optimizing the liver transplant candidate
Authors: Kasia Christopher , Duarte-Rojo Andres
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this review is to highlight common and best practices in liver transplant evaluation and management, particularly on how to best optimize a patient to become a successful recipient. There is an increasing armamentarium of pharmacologic, procedural, and behavioral interventions that has grown in body of evidence and use in clinical practice to best prepare patients for liver transplant. This includes tools in the management of common decompensations in liver disease, such as hepatic encephalopathy or ascites, as well as associated medical comorbidities that are also encountered in the general population. Aside from management of decompensations, a holistic approach to pre-operative care, including prehabilitation, is becoming increasingly more important to improve sarcopenia, frailty, and quality of life through an exercise program and nutritional modifications. Social determinants of health have become an increasingly recognized barrier to equitable LT access and have garnered increasing attention in the last several years. The road to liver transplantation is a multi-disciplinary patient-centered journey. The complications of decompensated disease require thoughtful decision making as it pertains to management and is a careful balance to avoid the creation of iatrogenic complications which can impact clinical stability and candidacy. Further investment in the management of behavioral modifications and lifestyle is an essential part of the treatment process.
Oestrogen Compounds Induce Oxidative Stress in Male Reproduction
Authors: Fida Mehwish , Brinkworth Martin H. , Anderson Diana , Habas Khaled
Published: July 2024

The testis is a complex organ that serves two important functions, namely, synthesis of steroids and production of spermatozoa to attain fertility, which are coordinated by gonadotrophins and various locally synthesized factors. The function of oestrogen in the male reproductive system has been a matter of ongoing debate. The testes produce significant amounts of oestrogenic hormones through the enzyme aromatase and oestrogen receptors (ERs), namely ERα (ESR1) and ERβ (ESR2). These receptors are selectively expressed in the cells of the testis as well as the epididymal epithelium. The importance of oestrogen signalling in male fertility is indicated by the adverse effects of selected oestrogen-like compounds, and their interaction with oestrogen receptors was proven to cause pathologies. The aim of this chapter is to review the current knowledge on oestrogen signalling and adverse effects on spermatogenesis and how they are linked to the induction of germ cell DNA damage and apoptosis.
J0011+3217: A peculiar radio galaxy with a one-sided secondary lobe and misaligned giant primary lobes
Authors: Kumari Shobha , Pal Sabyasachi , Hardcastle Martin J. , Horton Maya A.
Published: July 2024

From the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey second data release (LoTSS DR2) at 144 MHz, we identified a peculiar radio galaxy, J0011+3217. It has a large, one-sided diffuse secondary wing that stretches up to 0.85 Mpc (roughly 85% of the size of the primary lobe). The linear size of the primary lobe of the galaxy is 0.99 Mpc. This peculiar source is a giant radio galaxy with a misaligned primary lobe. There is an optical galaxy 16 kpc (7 arcsec) from the host active galactic nucleus of J0011+3217. J0011+3217 has a radio luminosity of 1.65 × 1026 W Hz−1 at 144 MHz with a spectral index of −0.80 between 144 and 607 MHz. J0011+3217 is located 1.2 Mpc from the centre of the Abell 7 cluster. The Abell 7 cluster has a redshift of 0.104 and a mass (M500) of 3.71 × 1014 M⊙. The cluster is associated with strong X-ray emission. We studied the X-ray emission around the cluster and from the region surrounding J0011+3217 using an XMM-Newton image of J0011+3217, and we analysed the velocity structure and spatial distribution of galaxies in the cluster, showing that J0011+3217 inhabits an offset group of galaxies that are moving with respect to Abell 7. The off-axis distortion, or bending, of the primary lobe of J0011+3217 in the outer edges has a strong effect on the relative motion of the surrounding medium; this in turn causes the bending of the jets in the opposite direction of the cluster (like wide-angle tailed sources). We suggest that the morphology of J0011+3217 is influenced by ram pressure created by the Abell 7 cluster, highlighting the complex interactions between the source and the surrounding cluster environment.
VELOcities of CEpheids (VELOCE)
Authors: Shetye Shreeya S. , Viviani Giordano , Anderson Richard I. , Mowlavi Nami , Eyer Laurent , Evans Nancy R. , Szabados László
Published: July 2024

Classical Cepheids provide valuable insights into the evolution of stellar multiplicity among intermediate-mass stars. Here, we present a systematic investigation of single-lined spectroscopic binaries (SB1s) based on high-precision velocities measured by the VELOcities of CEpheids (VELOCE) project. We detected 76 (29%) SB1 systems among the 258 Milky Way Cepheids in the first VELOCE data release, 32 (43%) of which were not previously known to be SB1 systems. We determined 30 precise and three tentative orbital solutions, 18 (53%) of which are reported for the first time. This large set of Cepheid orbits provides a detailed view of the eccentricity e and orbital period Porb distribution among evolved intermediate-mass stars, ranging from e ∈ [0.0, 0.8] and Porb ∈ [240, 9000] d. The orbital motion on timescales exceeding the 11 yr VELOCE baseline was investigated using a template-fitting technique applied to literature data. Particularly interesting objects include (a) R Cru, the Cepheid with the shortest orbital period in the Milky Way (∼238 d); (b) ASAS J103158−5814.7, a short-period overtone Cepheid exhibiting time-dependent pulsation amplitudes as well as orbital motion; and (c) 17 triple systems with outer visual companions, among other interesting objects. Most VELOCE Cepheids (21/23) that exhibit evidence of a companion based on a Gaia proper motion anomaly are also spectroscopic binaries, whereas the remaining do not exhibit significant (> 3σ) orbital radial velocity variations. Gaia quality flags, notably the renormalized unit weight error (RUWE), do not allow Cepheid binaries to be identified reliably although statistically the average RUWE of SB1 Cepheids is slightly higher than that of non-SB1 Cepheids. A comparison with Gaia photometric amplitudes in G-, Bp, and Rp also does not allow one to identify spectroscopic binaries among the full VELOCE sample, indicating that the photometric amplitudes in this wavelength range are not sufficiently informative of companion stars.
Mapping the anisotropic Galactic stellar halo with blue horizontal branch stars
Authors: Amarante João A. S. , Koposov Sergey E. , Laporte Chervin F. P.
Published: July 2024

We used Legacy Survey photometric data to probe the stellar halo in multiple directions of the sky using a probabilistic methodology to identify blue horizontal branch (BHB) stars. The measured average radial density profile follows a double power law in the range 5 < rgc/kpc < 120, with a density break at rgc ≈ 20 kpc. This description, however, falls short, depending on the chosen line of sight, with some regions showing no signature of a break in the profile and a wide range of density slopes, such as an outer slope −5.5 ≲ αout ≲ −4, pointing towards a highly anisotropic stellar halo. This explains, in part, the wide range of density profiles reported in the literature owing to different tracers and sky coverage. Using our detailed 3D stellar halo density map, we quantified the shape of the Pisces overdensity associated with the transient wake response of the Galaxy’s (dark) halo to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Measured in the LMC’s coordinate system, Pisces stands above the background, is 60° long and 25° wide, and is aligned with the LMC’s orbit. This would correspond to a wake width of ∼32 kpc at ∼70 kpc. We do not find a statistically significant signature of the collective response in density as previously reported in the literature measured with K giant stars, despite our larger numbers. We release the catalogue constructed in this study with 95 446 possible BHB stars and their BHB probability.
Aux origines de l’institut d’optique : la mission scientifique française aux états-unis
Authors: Vest Benjamin
Published: July 2024

Le projet d’un Institut d’Optique trouve ses racines dans le premier conflit mondial. Il est élaboré par Armand de Gramont, qui constate les besoins impérieux de l’armée en instruments d’observation. Il reçoit l’approbation du gouvernement fin 1916. Suite à l’entrée en guerre des Etats-Unis au printemps 1917, une mission scientifique alliée est envoyée outre-Atlantique: de Gramont en est membre, aux côtés de celui qui sera l’autre grand nom des débuts de l’Institut d’Optique : Charles Fabry.
Les armes laser : panorama et développements récents
Authors: Simon-Boisson Christophe
Published: July 2024

Les armes laser présentent un intérêt opérationnel avéré dans le contexte des conflits modernes. Leur développement engagé il y a plusieurs décennies a été fortement accéléré depuis une quinzaine d’années grâce à la disponibilité de nouvelles technologies (lasers à fibre, combinaison de faisceaux) et de nombreux programmes sont en cours dans le monde.
Some new results on rough interval linear programming problems and their application to scheduling and fixed-charge transportation problems
Authors: Allahdadi Mehdi , Rivaz Sanaz
Published: July 2024

This paper focuses on linear programming problems in a rough interval environment. By introducing four linear programming problems, an attempt is being made to propose some results on optimal value of a linear programming problem with rough interval parameters. To obtain optimal solutions of a linear programming problem with rough interval data, constraints of the four proposed linear problems are applied. In this regard, firstly, the largest and the smallest feasible spaces for a linear constraint set with rough interval coefficients and parameters are introduced. Then, a rough interval for optimal value of such problems is obtained. Further, an upper approximation interval and a lower approximation interval as the optimal solutions of linear programming problems with rough interval parameters are achieved. Moreover, two solution concepts, surely and possibly solutions, are defined. Some numerical examples demonstrate the validity of the results. In particular, a scheduling problem and a fixed-charge transportation problem (FCTP) under rough interval uncertainty are investigated.
O agrupamento como alternativa para a gestão dos baldios em Portugal
Authors: Luz Ana Luísa
Published: July 2024

O meio rural interior é hoje caracterizado por uma população escassa e envelhecida, onde o turismo e a conservação da natureza ocupam gradualmente o lugar da função produtiva do espaço. Os incêndios de 2017 evidenciaram as possíveis consequências desta conjuntura, acelerando uma Reforma da Floresta que incluiu medidas há muito reclamadas. Em particular, desde 2019 está em curso um projecto-piloto, a nível nacional, que propõe o agrupamento de baldios como estratégia de gestão destas áreas, com especial foco sobre a sua componente florestal.

Neste trabalho faz-se uma análise da implementação desse projecto que envolve o Governo, as principais federações de baldios (e.g., BALADI) e as comunidades locais.

Realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas a compartes em três contextos diferentes, e a um elemento da BALADI.

Além dos benefícios directos para a gestão local, ligados à rede de partilha e ao apoio técnico, o Agrupamento é valorizado pelo seu papel no fortalecimento das comunidades face à percebida ausência e/ou incompetência das instituições do Estado.
Unlocking Africa’s development potential: insights from the perspective of global hierarchy and competition
Authors: Wang Fanglei , Gao Jianbo , Liu Feiyan
Published: July 2024

Science and technology have had great leaps since World War II. However, many African countries have remained very poor. To understand this issue, we employ a new metric, the revealed comparative wealth (RCW), to critically assess economic development in all African countries. The yearly ranking of RCW for all the countries in the world reveals a global hierarchy with many African countries moving to the lower end of the hierarchy, indicating worsened relative underdevelopment in Africa. Analysis of the temporal variations of RCW reveals a salient mechanism for the underdevelopment in Africa — over 30 African countries have their RCW strongly negatively correlated with advanced economies. One main factor contributing to this phenomenon, inferred from international trade data analysis, is the partition of labor and differences in industrial structure — most African countries are at the very bottom of the various value chains, including only providing raw materials to the better-developed countries. The inferior positions in the global hierarchy for the African nations are found to be partly instigated by colonialism and enhanced by neo-colonialism. To unlock Africa’s development potential, African nations must diversify their economic activity, unleash people’s creativity about economic development, and make the best efforts to accumulate capital to make further development possible. A prerequisite for achieving the last is to use foreign capital and cooperate with multinational corporations more wisely, including securing better deals with profit allocation resulting from foreign investment.
Design and validation of a scale for the assessment of educational competencies in traditional musical games
Authors: Fernández Amat Carmen , Zarza-Alzugaray Francisco Javier , del Barrio Aranda Luis
Published: July 2024

This work studies the traditional musical game as a didactic resource in the development of educational competencies in primary school students. The purpose of the study is to validate a scale for the evaluation of essential educational factors in the work of intrinsic competencies in traditional musical games. With a mixed design, the study involves a qualitative approach to the review and discussion of the contributions of social psychology theories: contact theory, cultural values theory, and attitude theory as well as a quantitative approach using an exploratory factor analysis, a parallel analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis of the use of traditional musical games in a sample of 276 primary school students. From an initial questionnaire of 30 items, a final questionnaire of 18 items was obtained, grouped into 4 subscales (Right to Play/Fun and Preferences/Choice of Game Partners/Emotion and Inclusion) derived from the theories of social psychology. The results demonstrate the need for effective tools to measure the educational value of traditional games. This scale could serve as a tool to contribute to the educational research on traditional musical games. Finally, the educational implications that the adoption of traditional games in the classroom can have in terms of integration, equal inclusion, and the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive development of primary school students are discussed.
Cultural capital as a predictor of school success: evidence and gender differences in Chinese middle schools
Authors: Jin Hui , Jiao Shi , Ma Xu , Xia Yunan
Published: July 2024

Cultural capital is vital for equitable educational development. This paper studies the effect of family cultural capital on the performance of middle school students with regard to gender, using a multiple linear regression model. Participants from four representative middle schools, totalling 1036 students, were selected during the online learning period. The study found that institutionalised and objectified cultural capital had a pronounced positive effect on students’ school outcomes, but cultural capital that was embodied had both positive and negative effects. Significant differences in the effects of cultural capital on school success were found between male and female students. The educational level of a mother has a significant impact on the school attainment of female students in Chinese, English, math and overall achievement, whereas a father’s education level has a significant effect on male students’ English achievement and overall achievement. The results of the study showed that cultural capital contributed to the academic success of middle school students in different ways. The results presented above contribute to a better comprehension of the mechanisms of the influence of cultural capital on the school performance of middle school students, which has important implications for students’ educational equity. This study recommends improving the mechanism of collaborative education among schools, families and society, by paying attention to vulnerable groups that lack cultural capital, improving the methods of educational evaluation and providing tailor-made education for all types of students.
Mutual antagonism between CD44 and integrins in glioblastoma cell traction and migration
Authors: Kelly Marcus D. , Pawlak Matthew R. , Zhan Kevin H. , Shamsan Ghaidan A. , Gordon Wendy R. , Odde David J.
Published: July 2024

Cell migration is the major driver of invasion and metastasis during cancer progression. For cells to migrate, they utilize the actin–myosin cytoskeleton and adhesion molecules, such as integrins and CD44, to generate traction forces in their environment. CD44 primarily binds to hyaluronic acid (HA) and integrins primarily bind to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen. However, the role of CD44 under integrin-mediated conditions and vice versa is not well known. Here, we performed traction force microscopy (TFM) on U251 cells seeded on collagen I-coated polyacrylamide gels to assess the functional mechanical relationship between integrins and CD44. Performing TFM on integrin-mediated adhesion conditions, i.e., collagen, we found that CD44KO U251 cells exerted more traction force than wild-type (WT) U251 cells. Furthermore, untreated WT and CD44-blocked WT exhibited comparable results. Conversely, in CD44-mediated adhesive conditions, integrin-blocked WT cells exerted a higher traction force than untreated WT cells. Our data suggest that CD44 and integrins have a mutually antagonistic relationship where one receptor represses the other's ability to generate traction force on its cognate substrate.
Laser-written waveguide-integrated coherent spins in diamond
Authors: Guo Yanzhao , Hadden John P. , Gorrini Federico , Coccia Giulio , Bharadwaj Vibhav , Kavatamane Vinaya Kumar , Alam Mohammad Sahnawaz , Ramponi Roberta , Barclay Paul E. , Chiappini Andrea , Ferrari Maurizio , Kubanek Alexander , Bifone Angelo , Eaton Shane M. , Bennett Anthony J.
Published: July 2024

Quantum emitters, such as the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, are attractive for quantum technologies, such as nano-sensing, quantum information processing, and as a non-classical light source. However, it is still challenging to position individual emitters in photonic structures while preserving the spin coherence properties of the defect. In this paper, we investigate single and ensemble waveguide-integrated nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond fabricated by femtosecond laser writing followed by thermal annealing. Their spin coherence properties are systematically investigated and are shown to be comparable to native nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. This method paves the way for the fabrication of coherent spins integrated within photonic devices.
When cellular systems meet power grids
Authors: Kim Annette , Alexander Tyler , Rubin Harvey , Agarwal Divyansh
Published: July 2024

Although biological energy systems and electrical grids differ in scale and are studied by different disciplines, the strategies from one system could lead to benefits for the other.
What is nuclear energy’s role in mitigating climate change?
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: July 2024

Cost, construction time, and safety, security, and proliferation risks all figure in.
Land in limbo: Nearly one third of Indonesia’s cleared old-growth forests left idle
Authors: Parker Diana , Tosiani Anna , Yazid Muhammad , Sari Inggit L. , Kartika Tatik , Kustiyo  , Firmansyah Rizky , Said Zuraidah , Wijaya Arief , Potapov Peter , Tyukavina Alexandra , Stehman Stephen V. , Zalles Viviana , Pickens Amy , Pickering Jeffrey , Turubanova Svetlana , Hansen Matthew C.
Published: July 2024

Indonesia has experienced rapid primary forest loss, second only to Brazil in modern history. We examined the fates of Indonesian deforested areas, immediately after clearing and over time, to quantify deforestation drivers in Indonesia. Using time-series satellite data, we tracked degradation and clearing events in intact and degraded natural forests from 1991 to 2020, as well as land use trajectories after forest loss. While an estimated 7.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) of forest cleared during this period had been planted with oil palms by 2020, another 8.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) remained unused. Of the 28.4 Mha (SE = 0.7) deforested, over half were either initially left idle or experienced crop failure before a land use could be detected, and 44% remained unused for 5 y or more. A majority (54%) of these areas were cleared mechanically (not by escaped fires), and in cases where idle lands were eventually converted to productive uses, oil palm plantations were by far the most common outcome. The apparent deliberate creation of idle deforested land in Indonesia and subsequent conversion of idle areas to oil palm plantations indicates that speculation and land banking for palm oil substantially contribute to forest loss, although failed plantations could also contribute to this dynamic. We also found that in Sumatra, few lowland forests remained, suggesting that a lack of remaining forest appropriate for palm oil production, together with an extensive area of banked deforested land, may partially explain slowing forest loss in Indonesia in recent years.
Activity of DNA polymerase κ across the genome in human fibroblasts
Authors: Torres Mariela C. , Rebok Abbey , Sun Dongxiao , Spratt Thomas E.
Published: July 2024

DNA polymerase κ (Polκ) is a specialized polymerase that has multiple cellular roles such as translesion DNA synthesis, replication of repetitive sequences, and nucleotide excision repair. We have developed a method for capturing DNA synthesized by Polκ utilizing a Polκ–specific substrate,
N
2
-(4-ethynylbenzyl)-2′-deoxyguanosine (EBndG). After shearing of the DNA into 200 to 500 bp lengths, the EBndG-containing DNA was covalently bound to biotin using the Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction and isolated with streptavidin beads. Isolated DNA was then ligated to adaptors, followed by PCR amplification and next-generation sequencing to generate genome-wide repair maps. We have termed this method polymerase κ sequencing. Here, we present the human genome maps for Polκ activity in an undamaged cell line. We found that Polκ activity was enhanced in GC-rich regions, euchromatin regions, the promoter of genes, and in DNA that is replicated early in the S phase.
Acoustic radiation force on a cylindrical composite particle with an elastic thin shell and an internal eccentric liquid column in a plane ultrasonic wave field
Authors: Pan 潘 Rui-Qi 瑞琪 , Du 杜 Zhi-Wei 芷玮 , Wang 王 Cheng-Hui 成会 , Hu 胡 Jing 静 , Mo 莫 Run-Yang 润阳
Published: July 2024

A model with three-layer structure is introduced to explore the acoustic radiation force (ARF) on composite particles with an elastic thin shell. Combing acoustic scattering of cylinder and the thin-shell theorem, the ARF expression was derived, and the longitudinal and transverse components of the force and axial torque for an eccentric liquid-filled composite particle was obtained. It was found that many factors, such as medium properties, acoustic parameters, eccentricity, and radius ratio of the inner liquid column, affect the acoustic scattering field of the particle, which in turn changes the forces and torque. The acoustic response varies with the particle structures, so the resonance peaks of the force function and torque shift with the eccentricity and radii ratio of particle. The acoustic response of the particle is enhanced and exhibits higher force values due to the presence of the elastic thin shell and the coupling effect with the eccentricity of the internal liquid column. The decrease of the inner liquid density may suppress the high-order resonance peaks, and internal fluid column has less effects on the change in force on composite particle at ka > 3, while limited differences exist at ka < 3. The axial torque on particles due to geometric asymmetry is closely related to ka and the eccentricity. The distribution of positive and negative force and torque along the axis ka exhibits that composite particle can be manipulated or separated by ultrasound. Our theoretical analysis can provide support for the acoustic manipulation, sorting, and targeting of inhomogeneous particles.
Disparities and similarities in the spatiotemporal dynamics of flash and slow droughts in China
Authors: Ji Peng , Yuan Xing
Published: July 2024

Climate warming has induced significant transitions from slowly-developing droughts to rapidly-developing flash droughts in China, causing broad impacts on ecosystems, hydrological regimes, and society. To date, most studies focused on temporal evolution of flash droughts, while neglected the spatial expansion which is essential for understanding their origins and spatial propagations, especially for mega flash droughts. Based on the long-term (1940–2022) dataset of the 5th generation of the European ReAnalysis, here we use a three-dimensional drought identification method to analyze the disparities and similarities in the spatiotemporal dynamics of flash and slow droughts at the subseasonal time scale over China. Although half of the flash and slow droughts are characterized by small areas (<5000 km2), short durations (30–45 d) and short propagation distances of drought centroids (<50 km), the probability of large-scale (>30 000 km2) flash droughts with long propagation distances (>100 km) is twice of slow droughts. Moreover, global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses reveal that South China (SC) and North China are hotspots for large-scale flash and slow droughts, respectively, and they both show significant increasing trends (0.11–0.12 events/decade) during 1940–2022. Without these large-scale droughts, there is no obvious difference in spatial distributions of the frequency of flash and slow droughts. Despite disparities, both large-scale flash and slow droughts show a preferential westward propagation, with 60%–67% of the movements consistent with the pathways of atmospheric water vapor flux anomaly. Our study urges the understanding and prevention of large-scale flash drought events, especially in SC.
Cytotoxic evaluation of Dovyalis Caffra leaf extract-mediated hematite-(Fe2O3) nanoparticles for biological applications
Authors: Adeyemi Jerry O , Ajiboye Timothy O , Oyedeji Adebola O , Singh Moganavelli , Fawole Olaniyi A
Published: July 2024

Although hematite (Fe2O3) nanoparticles are gaining attention for biomedical purposes due to their unique properties, eco-friendly synthesis using plant extracts is being explored due to toxicity concerns of the resulting material. This study explores the use of plant extracts (Dovyalis caffra leaf extracts) for the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles alongside their cytotoxicity profile using human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The physicochemical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were established using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and microscopy techniques, confirming their crystalline nature and spherical morphology with minimal agglomeration. Using the MTT assay approach, the cytotoxicity profile of the nanoparticles revealed dose-dependent cytotoxic effects, with higher specificity towards cancer cells and very low toxicity towards the human cell line, suggesting safe usage as biomedical agents. While the standard drug 5-Fluorouracil possessed significantly higher cytotoxicity, its unwanted high toxicity towards normal human cells makes the Fe2O3 nanoparticles a better choice. These findings suggest the potential of Dovyalis caffra leaf extract-mediated Fe2O3 nanoparticles for biomedical applications, emphasizing their low toxicity towards normal human cells and specificity towards cancer cells.
Bordism for the 2-group symmetries of the heterotic and CHL strings
Authors: Debray Arun
Published: July 2024

In the presence of a nonzero B-field, the symmetries of theE8×E8\mathrm E_8\times \mathrm E_8heterotic string form a22-group, or a categorified group, as do the symmetries of the CHL string. We express the bordism groups of the corresponding tangential structures as twisted string bordism groups, then compute them through dimension1111modulo a few unresolved ambiguities. Then, we use these bordism groups to study anomalies and defects for these two string theories.
Generalized Abelian Turaev–Viro and 𝑈(1) BF theories
Authors: Høssjer Emil , Mathieu Philippe , Thuillier Frank
Published: July 2024

We explain how it is possible to study

U
⁡
(
1
)

\operatorname {U}(1)

BF theory over a connected closed oriented smooth

3
3

-manifold in the formalism of path integral thanks to Deligne–Beilinson cohomology. We show how we can straightforwardly extend the definition to families of theories in any dimension. We then extend the definition of the Turaev–Viro invariant of a connected closed oriented smooth

3
3

-manifold in an Abelian framework to a family of invariants in any dimension. We show that those invariants can be written as discrete BF theories. We explain how the extensions of the

U
⁡
(
1
)

\operatorname {U}(1)

BF theory we defined can be related to the extensions of the Turaev–Viro invariant we constructed.
Global properties of Higgs bundle moduli spaces
Authors: Bradlow Steven
Published: July 2024

The moduli spaces for Higgs bundles associated to real Lie groups and a closed Riemann surface have multiple connected components. This survey provides a compendium of results concerning the counting of these components in cases where the Lie group is a real forms of a complex simple Lie group. In some cases the components can be described quite explicitly.
Moduli of unstable bundles of HN-length two with fixed algebra of endomorphisms
Authors: Brambila-Paz L. , Ríos-Sierra R.
Published: July 2024

Let

X
X

be a smooth, irreducible complex projective curve of genus

g
≥
2

g \geq 2

and

U

μ
1

(
n
,
d
)

U_{{\mu _1}}(n,d)

be the moduli scheme of indecomposable vector bundles over

X
X

with fixed Harder-Narasimhan type

σ
=
(

μ
1

,

μ
2

)

\sigma =(\mu _1, \mu _2)

. In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a vector bundle

E
∈
U

μ
1

(
n
,
d
)

E\in U{{\mu _1}}(n,d)

to have

C

[

x
1

,
…
,

x
k

]

/

(

x
1

,
…
,

x
k

)
2

\mathbb {C}[x_1,\dots , x_k]/(x_1,\dots , x_k)^2

as its algebra of endomorphisms. By fixing the dimension of the algebra of endomorphisms, we obtain a stratification of

U

μ
1

(
n
,
d
)

U {\mu _1} (n, d)

, where each stratum

U

μ
1

(
n
,
d
,
k
)

U {\mu _1} (n, d, k)

is an algebraic variety, moreover, it is a coarse moduli space. A particular case of interest arises when the unstable bundles are simple. In such a case, the moduli space is fine. The topological properties of

U

μ
1

(
n
,
d
,
k
)

U_{\mu _1} (n, d, k)

will depend on the generality of the curve

X
X

. These results differ from the corresponding results for the moduli space of stable bundles, where non-emptiness, irreducibility, dimension are independent of the curve.
Vinberg pairs and Higgs bundles
Authors: García-Prada Oscar
Published: July 2024

We explore the role of Vinberg pairs defined by cyclic gradings of a semisimple complex Lie algebra in the context of Higgs bundle theory.
Prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by Cutibacterium modestum: a case report
Authors: Shikama Nobuaki , Takiguchi Yasuo , Takeda Masahiko , Mori Naoto , Ishio Naoki
Published: July 2024

Background

While Cutibacterium acnes is well known for its potential to cause acne vulgaris, postsurgical infections, and other human infections, few reports have described Cutibacterium modestum infections. Thus, the clinical characteristics of C. modestum as an infectious disease are not well understood. Herein, we describe the characteristics of a case of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by C. modestum.

Case summary

An 81-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, general fatigue, and appetite loss. His past medical history included aortic valve replacement surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting for aortic valve stenosis and angina pectoris. Physical examination on admission revealed a body temperature of 39.0°C, blood pressure of 97/68 mmHg, and pulse rate of 101 b.p.m. Transthoracic echocardiography showed no prosthetic valve destruction or malfunction or obvious vegetation adhesion to the prosthetic or other valves. Bacteria initially identified as C. acnes were detected in two sets of anaerobic blood culture bottles collected upon admission. However, as the samples required 111 and 118 h to become blood culture–positive, the possibility of contaminating bacteria was high. Transoesophageal echocardiography revealed vegetation in the artificial valve. Repeated blood culture revealed the same bacteria; thus, contamination was ruled out, and the diagnosis of infective endocarditis was confirmed. Finally, 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing identified the detected bacteria as C. modestum rather than C. acnes.

Discussion

Including this case, only two cases of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by C. modestum have been reported, the characteristics of which are still poorly understood.
Heme utilization by the enterococci
Authors: Brunson Debra N , Lemos José A
Published: July 2024

Heme consists of a tetrapyrrole ring ligating an iron ion and has important roles in biological systems. While well-known as the oxygen-binding molecule within hemoglobin of mammals, heme is also cofactor for several enzymes and a major iron source for bacteria within the host. The enterococci are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that exist primarily within the gastrointestinal tract of animals. However, some species within this genus can transform into formidable opportunistic pathogens, largely owing to their extraordinary adaptability to hostile environments. Although enterococci cannot synthesize heme nor depend on heme to grow, several species within the genus encode proteins that utilize heme as a cofactor, which appears to increase their fitness and ability to thrive in challenging environments. This includes more efficient energy generation via aerobic respiration and protection from reactive oxygen species. Here, we review the significance of heme to enterococci, primarily the major human pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, use bioinformatics to assess the prevalence of hemoproteins throughout the genus, and highlight recent studies that underscore the central role of the heme–E. faecalis relationship in host–pathogen dynamics and interspecies bacterial interactions.
Care-Resistant Behavior Trajectories During Mouth Care Among Nursing Home Residents With Dementia
Authors: Xiao Chunhong , Puga Frank , Pickering Carolyn , Wang Hsiao-Lan , Geisinger Maria , Cain Cindy , Li Peng , Jablonski Rita
Published: July 2024

Background and Objectives

This study examined day-to-day variation in care-resistant behaviors (CRBs) exhibited by persons living with dementia during mouth healthcare and the potential influence of time of day on CRB trajectories.

Research Design and Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted on a sample of 75 nursing home-dwelling persons living with dementia who exhibited CRBs during mouth care activities. Over 21 days, CRBs were measured using the revised Resistiveness to Care scale (RTC-r) during morning and afternoon mouth care sessions. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify trajectory patterns and assess differences between morning and afternoon CRB patterns.

Results

Three trajectory patterns were identified: morning CRB trajectory patterns showed 50.6% of persons living with dementia had consistently low RTC-r scores, 37.5% of persons living with dementia exhibited fluctuating, moderate RTC-r scores, and 11.9% exhibited RTC-r scores that started high and then decreased over time. Similarly, CRB trajectory patterns during afternoon mouth care showed a consistently low RTC-r score for 54.5% and a fluctuating moderate RTC-r score for 38.6% of persons living with dementia. However, the third CRB trajectory group followed a high-increasing trajectory, with RTC-r scores starting high and continuing to increase for 6.9% of persons living with dementia.

Discussion and Implications

CRBs are dynamic and vary within days and over time; however, the time of the day is often not considered in interventions to manage CRBs. Thus, it is important to consider the timing of providing mouth care for persons living with dementia. Based on the characteristics of the trajectories, we suggest that morning mouth activities may be more efficient.
Primary extrarenal papillary type II renal cell carcinoma presenting as a pelvic mass: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Sarafi Aikaterini , Tasis Nikolaos , Mpalampou Eleni , Igoumenidi Maria , Arkoumani Evdokia , Tzovaras Alexandros , Korkolis Dimitrios P , Tsirlis Theodoros
Published: July 2024

We report a case of a 57 years old woman with a solitary mass located in the pelvis diagnosed as an extrarenal papillary renal cell carcinoma, in the absence of a primary renal cancer. The diagnosis was based on cytomorphological features and further confirmed by immunochemistry findings following surgical excision. The hypothesis of a tumor developing in a supernumerary or ectopic kidney was excluded, since no normal renal tissue could be identified in the specimen and in the preoperative computed tomography and MRI images.
Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow) bill size is primarily shaped by thermoregulation on the California Channel Islands
Authors: Gamboa Maybellene P , Ghalambor Cameron K , Sillett T Scott , Funk W Chris , Furbush Ross A , Husak Jerry F , Danner Raymond M
Published: July 2024

Inferring the environmental selection pressures responsible for phenotypic variation is a challenge in adaptation studies as traits often have multiple functions and are shaped by complex selection regimes. We provide indirect evidence that morphology of the multifunctional avian bill is primarily shaped by climate and thermoregulatory ability in Melospiza melodia (Song Sparrow) on the California Channel Islands. Our research builds on a study in M. melodia museum specimens that demonstrated a positive correlation between bill surface area and maximum temperature, suggesting a greater demand for dry heat dissipation in hotter, xeric environments. We sampled contemporary sparrow populations across 3 climatically distinct islands to test the hypotheses that bill morphology is influenced by habitat differences with functional consequences for foraging efficiency and is related to maximum temperature and, consequently, important for thermoregulation. Measurements of >500 live individuals indicated a significant, positive relationship between maximum temperature and bill surface area when correcting for body size. In contrast, maximum bite force, seed extraction time, and vegetation on breeding territories (a proxy for food resources) were not significantly associated with bill dimensions. While we cannot exclude the influence of foraging ability and diet on bill morphology, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that variation in M. melodia need for thermoregulatory capacity across the northern Channel Islands selects for divergence in bill surface area.
Prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture alters serum cytokine levels and inflammatory markers in the F1 mouse ovary
Authors: Fletcher Endia J , Stubblefield Winter S , Huff Justin , Santacruz-Márquez Ramsés , Laws Mary , Brehm Emily , Flaws Jodi A
Published: July 2024

Phthalates are used as plasticizers and solvents in consumer products. Virtually 100% of the US population has measurable exposure levels to phthalates, however, the mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to phthalate mixtures affects reproductive health in the offspring remain unclear. Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to an environmentally relevant phthalate mixture promotes inflammation in F1 ovarian tissue. Pregnant CD-1 dams were dosed orally with vehicle control (corn oil) or phthalate mixture (20 μg/kg/d, 200 μg/kg/d, 200 mg/kg/d, 500 mg/kg/d). Pregnant dams delivered pups naturally and ovaries and sera from the F1 females were collected at postnatal day (PND) 21, PND 60, 3 mo, and 6 mo. Sera were used to measure levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Ovaries and sera were used for cytokine array analysis. RNA was isolated from F1 ovaries and used to quantify expression of selected cytokine genes. Prenatal exposure to the mixture significantly increased the levels of CRP at 200 µg/kg/d on PND 21 compared with controls. The mixture altered 6 immune factors in sera at PND 21 and 33 immune factors in the ovary and sera at 6 mo compared with controls. The mixture increased ovarian expression of cytokines at PND 21 and decreased ovarian expression of cytokines at 6 mo compared with controls. These data suggest that prenatal exposure to a phthalate mixture interferes with the immune response in F1 female mice long after initial exposure.
Red Cell Damage During Extracorporeal Life Support
Authors: Figueroa Villalba Cristina A. , Saifee Nabiha H. , Chandler Wayne L.
Published: July 2024

Sublethal damage to red blood cells (RBCs) during extracorporeal life support (ECLS) may lead to RBC loss. Using flow cytometry, phosphatidylserine-positive (PhS+) RBCs and RBC extracellular vesicles were quantified as measures of sublethal RBC injury in 41 pediatric ECLS runs, stored RBC units, and normal adult subjects. We estimated the clearance half-life of PhS+ RBCs and compared the rates of RBC loss during pediatric ECLS due to phlebotomy, intravascular hemolysis, and extravascular clearance of PhS+ RBCs. Extracorporeal life support patients had 0.9% PhS+ RBCs, sixfold higher than normal subjects (p < 0.0001). Phosphatidylserine-positive RBCs were increased in stored RBC units (twofold in whole blood derived units, p = 0.0013; 12-fold in apheresis RBC units, p < 0.0001). Phosphatidylserine-positive RBCs were cleared with an average half-life of 15 hours. During ECLS, PhS+ RBC clearance accounted for 7% of RBC loss (1–60%), phlebotomy 12%, and intravascular hemolysis 12%. Increasing PhS+ RBCs occurred in 40% of patients that died on ECLS. Red blood cell extracellular vesicles, another marker of red cell injury/activation, were elevated fivefold during ECLS. Phosphatidylserine exposure on RBCs is increased during ECLS, marking these cells for extravascular clearance with a half-life of ~15 hours and accounting for ~7% of RBC loss.