bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of point and nonpoint source controls on total phosphorus load trends across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA
Authors: Zhang Qian , Bostic Joel T , Sabo Robert D
Published: November 2023

Reduction of total phosphorus (TP) loads has long been a management focus of Chesapeake Bay restoration, but riverine monitoring stations have shown mixed temporal trends. To better understand the regional patterns and drivers of TP trends across the Bay watershed, we compiled and analyzed TP load data from 90 non-tidal network stations using clustering and random forest (RF) approaches. These stations were categorized into two distinct clusters of short-term (2013–2020) TP load trends, i.e. monotonic increase (n = 35) and monotonic decline (n = 55). RF models were developed to identify likely regional drivers of TP trend clusters. Reductions in point sources and agricultural nonpoint sources (i.e. fertilizer) both contributed to water-quality improvement in our period of analysis, thereby demonstrating the effectiveness of nutrient management and the importance of continuing such efforts. In addition, declining TP trends have a larger chance to occur in carbonate areas but a smaller chance in Coastal Plain areas, with the latter likely reflecting the effect of legacy P. To provide spatially explicit information, TP trend clusters were predicted for the entire watershed at the scale of river segments, which are more directly relevant to watershed planning. Among the 975 river segments, 544 (56%) and 431 (44%) were classified as ‘monotonic increase’ and ‘monotonic decrease’, respectively. Furthermore, these predicted TP trend clusters were paired with our previously published total nitrogen (TN) trend clusters, showing that TP and TN both declined in 185 segments (19%) and neither declined in 337 segments (35%). Broadly speaking, large-scale nutrient reduction efforts are underway in many regions to curb eutrophication. Water-quality responses and drivers may differ among systems, but our work provides important new evidence on the effectiveness of management efforts toward controlling point and nonpoint sources.
Modulation instability, periodic anomalous wave recurrence, and blow up in the Ablowitz–Ladik lattices
Authors: Coppini F , Santini P M
Published: November 2023

The Ablowitz–Ladik equations, hereafter calledAL+andAL−, are distinguished integrable discretizations of respectively the focusing and defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equations. In this paper we first study the modulation instability of the homogeneous background solutions ofAL±in the periodic setting, showing in particular that the background solution ofAL−is unstable under a monochromatic perturbation of any wave number if the amplitude of the background is greater than 1, unlike its continuous limit, the defocusing NLS. Then we use Darboux transformations to construct the exact periodic solutions ofAL±describing such instabilities, in the case of one and two unstable modes, and we show that the solutions ofAL−are always singular on curves of spacetime, if they live on a background of sufficiently large amplitude, and we construct a different continuous limit describing this regime: a NLS equation with a nonlinear and weak dispersion. At last, using matched asymptotic expansion techniques, we describe in terms of elementary functions how a generic periodic perturbation of the background solution (i) evolves according toAL+into a recurrence of the above exact solutions, in the case of one and two unstable modes, and (ii) evolves according toAL−into a singularity in finite time if the amplitude of the background is greater than 1. The quantitative agreement between the analytic formulas of this paper and numerical experiments is perfect.
Semiclassical study of single-molecule magnets and their quantum phase transitions
Authors: Lohr-Robles D S , López-Moreno E , Hess P O
Published: November 2023

We present a study on systems of single-molecule magnet systems using semiclassical analysis and catastrophe theory. Separatrices in the parameter space are constructed, which are useful for determining the structure of the Hamiltonian energy levels. In particular the Maxwell set separatrix determines the behaviour of the ground state of the system. We consider an external magnetic field with two components: one parallel to the easy magnetisation axis of the molecule and the other perpendicular to it. Using fidelity and heat capacity we were able to detect the signals of the quantum phase transitions as a function of the magnetic field components.
The scaling law of the arrival time of spin systems that present pretty good transmission
Authors: Serra Pablo , Ferrón Alejandro , Osenda Omar
Published: November 2023

The pretty good transmission (PGT) scenario implies that the probability of sending one excitation from one extreme of a spin chain to the other can reach values arbitrarily close to the unity just by waiting a time long enough. The conditions that ensure the appearance of this scenario are known for chains with different interactions and lengths. Sufficient conditions for the presence of PGT depend on the spectrum of the Hamiltonian of the spin chain. Some works suggest that the time t

ɛ
at which the PGT takes place scales as

1

/

(

|

ε

|

)

f
(
N
)

, where ɛ is the difference between the probability that a single excitation propagates from one extreme of the chain to the other and the unity, while f(N) is an unknown function of the chain length. In this paper, we show that the exponent is not a simple function of the chain length but a power law of the number of linearly independent irrational eigenvalues of the one-excitation block of the Hamiltonian that enter into the expression of the probability of transmission of one excitation. We explicitly provide examples of a chain showing that the exponent changes when the couplings between the spins change while the length remains fixed. For centrosymmetric spin chains the exponent is at most

N

/

2

.
Folic acid-decorated vitamin E Poly(ethylene glycol) monoplatinum ester with disulfide bond as theranostic nanoparticle for drug resistant tumor diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Li Zhuoran , Yang Huikang , Xu Fan , Zeng Xuwen , Huang Haowei , Jiang Xinqing
Published: November 2023

Vitamin E Poly(ethylene glycol) monoplatinum ester (TPGS) nanoparticles have attracted much attention in recent years for overcome multidrug resistance. Herein, a well-defined folic acid (FA)-conjugated and disulfide bond-linked polymer (FA-SS-TPGS) was synthesized. These polymer nanoparticles were utilized as theranostic agents for tumor-targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and chemotherapy. By loading doxorubicin (DOX) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles into TPGS nanoparticles, FA-SS-TPGS@DOX/SPIO nanoparticles are obtained. In vitro drug release studies revealed that under a reducing environment in the presence of glutathione (GSH), approximately 100% of the doxorubicin (DOX) was released from the disulfide bond-linked theranostic nanoparticles within 24 h. DOX and SPIO were efficiently delivered into HepG2-ADM cells due to the folate receptor-mediated endocytosis process of the nanoparticles. Additionally, the presence of glutathione (GSH) triggered the cleaving of the disulfide bonds, further facilitating the delivery of DOX and SPIO into the cells. Furthermore, the FA-SS-TPGS @DOX-SPIO nanoparticles exhibited strong MRI contrast enhancement properties. In conclusion, FA-SS-TPGS@DOX/SPIO are potential nanoparticles for tumor-targeted MRI and chemotherapy, which can also overcome multidrug resistance.
Laboratory observation of electron energy distribution near three-dimensional magnetic nulls
Authors: HE 何 Renchuan 任川 , XU 徐 Tianchao 田超 , YANG 杨 Xiaoyi 肖易 , XIAO 肖 Chijie 池阶 , ZHANG 张 Zuyu 祖煜 , YUAN 袁 Ruixin 瑞鑫 , WANG 王 Xiaogang 晓钢 , GUO 郭 Zhibin 志彬 , YU 余 Xiuming 修铭 , GE 盖 Yue 跃
Published: November 2023

The acceleration of electrons near three-dimensional (3D) magnetic nulls is crucial to the energy conversion mechanism in the 3D magnetic reconnection process. To explore electron acceleration in a 3D magnetic null topology, we constructed a pair of 3D magnetic nulls in the PKU Plasma Test (PPT) device and observed acceleration of electrons near magnetic nulls. This study measured the plasma floating potential and ion density profiles around the 3D magnetic null. The potential wells near nulls may be related to the energy variations of electrons, so we measured the electron distribution functions (EDFs) at different spatial positions. The axial variation of EDF shows that the electrons deviate from the Maxwell distribution near magnetic nulls. With scanning probes that can directionally measure and theoretically analyze based on curve fitting, the variations of EDFs are linked to the changes of plasma potential under 3D magnetic null topology. The kinetic energy of electrons accelerated by the electric field is 6 eV (

) and the scale of the region where accelerating electrons exist is in the order of serval electron skin depths.
A synthetic diagnostics platform for microwave imaging diagnostics in tokamaks
Authors: LI 李 Zihan 子涵 , YANG 杨 Shangchuan 尚川 , XU 徐 Xinhang 新航 , ZHANG 张 Lifu 立夫 , QU 渠 Chengming 承明 , LI 李 Chengpu 诚普 , ZHUANG 庄 Ge 革 , XIE 谢 Jinlin 锦林
Published: November 2023

Interpreting experimental diagnostics data in tokamaks, while considering non-ideal effects, is challenging due to the complexity of plasmas. To address this challenge, a general synthetic diagnostics (GSD) platform has been established that facilitates microwave imaging reflectometry and electron cyclotron emission imaging. This platform utilizes plasma profiles as input and incorporates the finite-difference time domain, ray tracing and the radiative transfer equation to calculate the propagation of plasma spontaneous radiation and the external electromagnetic field in plasmas. Benchmark tests for classical cases have been conducted to verify the accuracy of every core module in the GSD platform. Finally, 2D imaging of a typical electron temperature distribution is reproduced by this platform and the results are consistent with the given real experimental data. This platform also has the potential to be extended to 3D electromagnetic field simulations and other microwave diagnostics such as cross-polarization scattering.
Effect of ion stress on properties of magnetized plasma sheath
Authors: CHEN 陈 Long 龙 , CUI 崔 Zuojun 作君 , GAO 高 Weifu 维富 , DUAN 段 Ping 萍 , KAN 阚 Zichen 子晨 , TAN 檀 Congqi 聪琦 , (陈俊宇) Junyu CHEN
Published: November 2023

In the plasma sheath, there is a significant gradient in ion velocity, resulting in strong stress on ions treated as a fluid. This aspect has often been neglected in previous sheath studies. This study is based on the Braginskii plasma transport theory and establishes a 1D3V sheath fluid model that takes into account the ion stress effect. Under the assumption that ions undergo both electric and diamagnetic drift in the presheath region, self-consistent boundary conditions, including the ion Bohm velocity, are derived based on the property of the Sagdeev pseudopotential. Furthermore, assuming that the electron velocity at the wall follows a truncated Maxwell distribution, the wall floating potential is calculated, leading to a more accurate sheath thickness estimation. The results show that ion stress significantly reduces the sheath thickness, enhances ion Bohm velocity, wall floating potential, and ion flux at the wall. It hinders the acceleration of ions within the sheath, leading to notable alterations in the particle density profiles within the sheath. Further research indicates that in ion stress, bulk viscous stress has the greatest impact on sheath properties.
Simulation of ion cyclotron wave heating in the EXL-50U spherical tokamak based on dispersion relations
Authors: MA 马 Haojie 好杰 , XIE 谢 Huasheng 华生 , LI 李 Bo 博
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the single-pass absorption (SPA) of ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating in hydrogen plasma of the EXL-50U spherical tokamak, which is an upgraded EXL-50 device with a central solenoid and a stronger magnetic field. The reliability of the kinetic dispersion equation is confirmed by the one-dimensional full-wave code, and the applicability of Porkolab's simplified theoretical SPA model is discussed based on the kinetic dispersion equation. Simulations are conducted to investigate the heating effects of the fundamental and second harmonic frequencies. The results indicate that with the design parameters of the EXL-50U device, the SPA for second harmonic heating is 63%, while the SPA for fundamental heating is 13%. Additionally, the optimal injection frequencies are 23 MHz at 0.9 T and 31 MHz at 1.2 T. The wave vector of the antenna parallel to the magnetic field, with a value of

, falls within the optimal heating region. Simulations reveal that the ICRF heating system can play an important role in the ion heating of the EXL-50U.
Novel method for identifying the stages of discharge underwater based on impedance change characteristic
Authors: GAO 高 Chong 崇 , KANG 康 Zhongjian 忠健 , GONG 龚 Dajian 大建 , ZHANG 张 Yang 扬 , WANG 王 Yufang 玉芳 , SUN 孙 Yiming 一鸣
Published: November 2023

It is difficult to determine the discharge stages in a fixed time of repetitive discharge underwater due to the arc formation process being susceptible to external environmental influences. This paper proposes a novel underwater discharge stage identification method based on the Strong Tracking Filter (STF) and impedance change characteristics. The time-varying equivalent circuit model of the discharge underwater is established based on the plasma theory analysis of the impedance change characteristics and mechanism of the discharge process. The STF is used to reduce the randomness of the impedance of repeated discharges underwater, and then the universal identification resistance data is obtained. Based on the resistance variation characteristics of the discriminating resistance of the pre-breakdown, main, and oscillatory discharge stages, the threshold values for determining the discharge stage are obtained. These include the threshold values for the resistance variation rate (K) and the moment (t). Experimental and error analysis results demonstrate the efficacy of this innovative method in discharge stage determination, with a maximum mean square deviation of S
cr less than 1.761.
The influence of boundary conditions on the distribution of energetic electrons during collisionless magnetic reconnection
Authors: WANG 王 Lei 磊 , HUANG 黄 Can 灿 , CHEN 陈 Dongke 冬可 , YANG 杨 Zhongwei 忠炜 , DU 杜 Aimin 爱民 , GE 葛 Yasong 亚松
Published: November 2023

We conducted 2-D particle-in-cell simulations to investigate the impact of boundary conditions on the evolution of magnetic reconnection. The results demonstrate that the boundary conditions are crucial to this evolution. Specifically, in the cases of traditional periodic boundary (PB) and fully-opened boundary (OB) conditions, the evolutions are quite similar before the system achieves the fastest reconnection rate. However, differences emerge between the two cases afterward. In the PB case, the reconnection electric field experiences a rapid decline and even becomes negative, indicating a reversal of the reconnection process. In contrast, the system maintains a fast reconnection stage in the OB case. Suprathermal electrons are generated near the separatrix and in the exhaust region of both simulation cases. In the electron density depletion layer and the dipolarization front region, a larger proportion of suprathermal electrons are produced in the OB case. Medium-energy electrons are mainly located in the vicinity of the X-line and downstream of the reconnection site in both cases. However, in the OB case, they can also be generated in the electron holes along the separatrix. Before the reverse reconnection stage, no high-energy electrons are present in the PB case. In contrast, about 20% of the electrons in the thin and elongated electron current layer are high-energy in the OB case.
A bibliometric and visualized analysis of research on air pollution and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Yang Shuran , Li Qianyuan , Xiao Sheng , Cheng Jie , He Quan , Zhang Hongfei , Shao Yujun , He Jirui , Hu Min , Yao Chenjiao
Published: November 2023

A large number of studies have shown that air pollution has a great impact on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, there are few bibliometric studies or visual analyses in this field. The objective of this study was to research trends and hotspots of air pollution and CVD. We used CiteSpace and VOSviewer software to retrieve relevant studies from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) over the past decade. Amount to 4284 documents on air pollution and CVD were included in this study. The past decade saw an upward trend in the number of studies. The analysis of national publications showed that the United States had the highest academic contribution in this field. Peking University, the University of Washington and Harvard University were the main institutions studying the effect of air pollution on CVD. The cooperation among institutions with high publications was very close. Cluster analysis of the keywords listed four categories as follow: (1) oxidative stress and the cardiovascular effects of air pollution; (2) the cardiovascular effects of pollution exposure sources; (3) the relationship between environmental stressors and CVD; (4) personal-level interventions. This study puts forward a comprehensive summary of the trends and development of air pollution and CVD, confirms the research frontier and hotspot direction and could give a meaningful reference for researchers in this field.
On (not) deriving the entropy of barocaloric phase transitions from crystallography and neutron spectroscopy
Authors: Phillips Anthony E , Walker Helen C
Published: November 2023

We consider well-known signatures of disorder in crystallographic and inelastic neutron scattering data. We show that these can arise from different types of disorder, corresponding to different values of the system entropy. Correlating the entropy of a material with its atomistic structure and dynamics is in general a difficult problem that requires correlating information between multiple experimental techniques including crystallography, spectroscopy, and calorimetry. These comments are illustrated with particular reference to barocalorics, but are relevant to a broad range of calorics and other disordered crystalline materials.
Electronic properties of two dimensional PtSSe/SrTiO3 Janus Van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Albar Arwa , Sudheer Anjana E , Murali D , Assa Aravindh S
Published: November 2023

The structural stability and electronic properties of two dimensional PtSSe/SrTiO3 Janus heterostructures were investigated using density functional theory calculations, considering both S and Se terminations into account. Ab-initio thermodynamics simulations revealed that the heterostructure formed with Se/Ti interface termination is more stable with an energy difference of 1.53 eV than the S/Ti termination. In contrast to the semiconducting nature of the free standing monolayers, electronic structure analysis revealed metallic behavior for the PtSSe/SrTiO3 heterostructures. Possible charge transfer scenario is envisaged from SrTiO3 to PtSSe, and type III (broken gap) band alignment is obtained for the heterostructure which is desirable for tunneling applications. The favorable energetic stability of these heterostructures indicate the possibility of realizing them in real-time experimental fabrication, and PtSSe/SrTiO3 heterostructures can be promising for energy-efficient future-generation electronics.
How can we be moved by magic?
Authors: Grassi Pablo R , Plikat Vincent , Wong Hong Yu
Published: November 2023

When engaging with magic, we are moved by seemingly impossible events that contradict what we believe to be possible in the real world. We are surprised, curious, and baffled when we cannot explain how the magic we are witnessing is possible. We generally understand the events to be illusions. But how is it possible to be moved by something we know to be unreal? This problem is related to the paradox of fiction in aesthetics. Here, we introduce the problem in the domain of theatrical magic, discuss possible solutions, and present a tentative account that allows us to accommodate inconsistent, seemingly incompatible beliefs at different representational levels in the viewers’ mind.
Functional heterogeneity facilitates effectual collective task performance in a worker-polymorphic ant
Authors: Sakai Takuto , Planas-Sitjà Isaac , Cronin Adam L
Published: November 2023

Effective coordination of group actions underlies the success of group-living organisms. Recent studies of animal personality have shown that groups composed of individuals with different behavioral propensities can outperform uniform groups in a range of different tasks, but we have only a rudimentary understanding of how differences in individual behavior influence the behavior of the group as a whole. In this study, we use natural variation in behavioral propensity among morphologically distinct worker castes of the small carpenter ant Camponotus yamaokai to shed new light on this. Iterative testing indicated that ants displayed consistent behavioral differences among individuals and between castes, with major workers exhibiting a lower exploratory tendency than minors. By constructing groups of different caste composition and quantifying their performance in the task of colony emigration, we show that group performance is an asymmetric humped function of caste ratio, with optimal performance achieved by groups with natural caste ratios. Using a simulation model based on our empirical data, we demonstrate that interindividual differences in social attraction and exploratory tendency are sufficient to explain the observed patterns. Our results provide new insights into how group performance in collective tasks can vary with group composition.
Predator selection on multicomponent warning signals in an aposematic moth
Authors: Hämäläinen Liisa , Binns Georgina E , Hart Nathan S , Mappes Johanna , McDonald Paul G , O’Neill Louis G , Rowland Hannah M , Umbers Kate D L , Herberstein Marie E
Published: November 2023

Aposematic prey advertise their unprofitability with conspicuous warning signals that are often composed of multiple color patterns. Many species show intraspecific variation in these patterns even though selection is expected to favor invariable warning signals that enhance predator learning. However, if predators acquire avoidance to specific signal components, this might relax selection on other aposematic traits and explain variability. Here, we investigated this idea in the aposematic moth Amata nigriceps that has conspicuous black and orange coloration. The size of the orange spots in the wings is highly variable between individuals, whereas the number and width of orange abdominal stripes remains consistent. We produced artificial moths that varied in the proportion of orange in the wings or the presence of abdominal stripes. We presented these to a natural avian predator, the noisy miner (Manorina melanocephala), and recorded how different warning signal components influenced their attack decisions. When moth models had orange stripes on the abdomen, birds did not discriminate between different wing signals. However, when the stripes on the abdomen were removed, birds chose the model with smaller wing spots. In addition, we found that birds were more likely to attack moths with a smaller number of abdominal stripes. Together, our results suggest that bird predators primarily pay attention to the abdominal stripes of A. nigriceps, and this could relax selection on wing coloration. Our study highlights the importance of considering individual warning signal components if we are to understand how predation shapes selection on prey warning coloration.
gmcoda: Graphical model for multiple compositional vectors in microbiome studies
Authors: Fang Huaying
Published: November 2023

Motivation

Microbes are essential components in the ecosystem and participate in most biological procedures in environments. The high-throughput sequencing technologies help researchers directly quantify the abundance of microbes in a natural environment. Microbiome studies explore the construction, stability, and function of microbial communities with the aid of sequencing technology. However, sequencing technologies only provide relative abundances of microbes, and this kind of data is called compositional data in statistics. The constraint of the constant-sum requires flexible statistical methods for analyzing microbiome data. Current statistical analysis of compositional data mainly focuses on one compositional vector such as bacterial communities. The fungi are also an important component in microbial communities and are always measured by sequencing internal transcribed spacer instead of 16S rRNA genes for bacteria. The different sequencing methods between fungi and bacteria bring two compositional vectors in microbiome studies.

Results

We propose a novel statistical method, called gmcoda, based on an additive logistic normal distribution for estimating the partial correlation matrix for cross-domain interactions. A majorization–minimization algorithm is proposed to solve the optimization problem involved in gmcoda. Through simulation studies, gmcoda is demonstrated to work well in estimating partial correlations between two compositional vectors. Gmcoda is also applied to infer cross-domain interactions in a real microbiome dataset and finds potential interactions between bacteria and fungi.

Availability and implementation

Gmcoda is open source and freely available from https://github.com/huayingfang/gmcoda under GNU LGPL v3.
Second term improvement to generalized linear mixed model asymptotics
Authors: Maestrini Luca , Bhaskaran Aishwarya , Wand Matt P
Published: November 2023

A recent article by Jiang et al. (2022) on generalized linear mixed model asymptotics derived the rates of convergence for the asymptotic variances of maximum likelihood estimators. If m denotes the number of groups and n is the average within-group sample size then the asymptotic variances have orders m−1 and (mn)−1, depending on the parameter. We extend this theory to provide explicit forms of the (mn)−1 second terms of the asymptotically harder-to-estimate parameters. Improved accuracy of statistical inference and planning are consequences of our theory.
The role of governance in rewilding the United States to stem the biodiversity crisis
Authors: Carlson Shelby C , Vucetich John A , Elbroch L Mark , Perry Shelby , Roe Lydia A , Butler Tom , Bruskotter Jeremy T
Published: November 2023

A critical but underattended feature of the biodiversity crisis is the contraction of geographic range experienced by most studied terrestrial vertebrates. In the United States, the primary policy tool for mitigating the biodiversity crisis is a federal law, the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For the past two decades, the federal agencies that administer the ESA have interpreted the act in a manner that precludes treating this geographic element of the crisis. Therefore, the burden of mitigating the biodiversity crisis largely falls on wildlife agencies within state government, which are obligated to operate on behalf of the interests of their constituents. We present survey research indicating that most constituents expect state agencies to prioritize species restoration over other activities, including hunting. This prioritization holds even among self-identified hunters, which is significant because state agencies often take the provisioning of hunting opportunity as their top priority. By prioritizing rewilding efforts that restore native species throughout portions of their historic range, state agencies could unify hunting and nonhunting constituents while simultaneously stemming the biodiversity crisis.
Towards a ‘Social Model’ of Mental Capacity for Social Work
Authors: Brown Clare
Published: November 2023

The statutory social work role in England and Wales regularly involves assessment and ‘best interests’ decision making under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. Legal frameworks that permit substitute decision making have, however, been challenged as a contravention of the human rights of people with disabilities. This article aims to answer the question: ‘Can mental capacity be theorised for social work assessment in England and Wales in a way that is compatible with social work ethics and values?’ Findings are that mental capacity is a complex and disputed concept best described using a constructivist ‘social model’ which situates it as a property of an individual’s relationships. Such a model suggests that assessments are a joint endeavour and that the quality of the relationship between assessor and assessed is crucial. The present legal framework disincentivises but does not prevent capacity assessment based on a social model. The existing literature suggests that further research might identify ways in which social work capacity assessment could enhance rather than diminish the autonomy of the people involved. These findings have implications for social work research, education and post qualification training.
Impaired cholinergic integrity of the colon and pancreas in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Okkels Niels , Horsager Jacob , Fedorova Tatyana D , Knudsen Karoline , Skjærbæk Casper , Andersen Katrine B , Labrador-Espinosa Miguel , Vestergaard Karsten , Mortensen Janne K , Klit Henriette , Møller Mette , Danielsen Erik H , Johnsen Erik L , Bekan Goran , Hansen Kim V , Munk Ole L , Damholdt Malene F , Kjeldsen Pernille L , Hansen Allan K , Gottrup Hanne , Grothe Michel J , Borghammer Per
Published: November 2023

Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by a high burden of autonomic dysfunction and Lewy pathology in peripheral organs and components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Parasympathetic terminals may be quantified with 18F-fluoroetoxybenzovesamicol, a PET tracer that binds to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in cholinergic presynaptic terminals. Parasympathetic imaging may be useful for diagnostics, improving our understanding of autonomic dysfunction and for clarifying the spatiotemporal relationship of neuronal degeneration in prodromal disease. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the cholinergic parasympathetic integrity in peripheral organs and central autonomic regions of subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies and its association with subjective and objective measures of autonomic dysfunction. We hypothesized that organs with known parasympathetic innervation, especially the pancreas and colon, would have impaired cholinergic integrity.

To achieve these aims, we conducted a cross-sectional comparison study including 23 newly diagnosed non-diabetic subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (74 ± 6 years, 83% male) and 21 elderly control subjects (74 ± 6 years, 67% male). We obtained whole-body images to quantify PET uptake in peripheral organs and brain images to quantify PET uptake in regions of the brainstem and hypothalamus. Autonomic dysfunction was assessed with questionnaires and measurements of orthostatic blood pressure.

Subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies displayed reduced cholinergic tracer uptake in the pancreas (32% reduction, P = 0.0003) and colon (19% reduction, P = 0.0048), but not in organs with little or no parasympathetic innervation. Tracer uptake in a region of the medulla oblongata overlapping the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = −0.54, P = 0.0077) and changes in orthostatic blood pressure (rs = 0.76, P < 0.0001). Tracer uptake in the pedunculopontine region correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = −0.52, P = 0.0104) and a measure of non-motor symptoms (rs = −0.47, P = 0.0230).

In conclusion, our findings provide the first imaging-based evidence of impaired cholinergic integrity of the pancreas and colon in dementia with Lewy bodies. The observed changes may reflect parasympathetic denervation, implying that this process is initiated well before the point of diagnosis. The findings also support that cholinergic denervation in the brainstem contributes to dysautonomia.
miR-1304 targets KLK11 to regulate gastric cancer cell proliferation through the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Ding Yi , Wang Zehua , Chen Chen , Li Dongyu , Wang Wenjia , Jia Yongxu , Qin Yanru
Published: November 2023

Objective

Gastric cancer (GC) is prevalent worldwide but has a dismal prognosis, and its molecular and pathogenic pathways remain unknown. Kallikrein 11 (KLK11) has a reduced expression in GC and may be a promising biomarker.

Method

Herein, the function of KLK11 in GC and its regulatory mechanism was studied. Gene sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the expression of KLK11 in GC and precancerous lesions. Cell function tests and flow cytometry were conducted to determine the proliferative capacity and cell cycle of GC cells, respectively. A luciferase reporter test confirmed the interaction between RNA molecules. The mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway was analyzed using western blotting.

Result

KLK11 has a suppressed expression in GC samples. KLK11 decreased the proliferative capacity of GC cells, by inhibiting the degree of mTOR/4E-BP1 phosphorylation. In contrast, miR-1304 increased GC cell proliferation by inhibiting KLK11. Moreover, KLK11 was able to limit in vivo GC cell proliferation.

Conclusion

These findings reveal a promising strategy to prevent and treat GC by targeting the KLK11-mediated mTOR/4E-BP1 cascade.
Exploring the effectiveness of node attacks based on combined centrality measures in scale-free networks
Authors: Divya P B , Johnson T P , Balakrishnan Kannan , Azad N
Published: November 2023

This article introduces a novel method for targeting complex networks that involves using a hybrid centrality score to rank nodes and carry out attacks. Unlike previous studies that have focused on using individual centrality measures, this approach takes into consideration the varying significance of nodes across different centrality measures. The study utilizes simulations on scale-free networks to demonstrate that the proposed strategy can be highly effective in inducing network failure, and certain combinations of centrality measures can result in greater attack severity than using individual measures alone. Overall, the research offers valuable insights into improving node-attack strategies for complex networks, which are typically resilient to random failures but susceptible to targeted attacks.
Dose Escalation of Biologics in Biologic-Naïve Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: Outcomes From the ODESSA-UC Study
Authors: Ghosh Sabyasachi , Kathe Niranjan , Umashankar Kandavadivu , Mirchandani Kirti , Hait Arunima , Paul Riyanka , Candela Ninfa , Fan Tao
Published: November 2023

Background

Dose escalation of biologics may regain treatment response in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, dose escalation rates and associated outcomes and costs are not well characterized in biologic-naïve patients receiving antitumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti–TNF-α) treatments, such as infliximab or adalimumab or vedolizumab.

Methods

ODESSA-UC, a retrospective cohort study investigating dose escalation in patients with UC who had received first-line biologics, used data from IBM MarketScan databases. Adults with UC and ≥1 claim for an index drug (adalimumab, infliximab, or vedolizumab) were eligible. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the adjusted rate of dose escalation. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds of experiencing adverse outcomes (corticosteroid use, infection, sepsis, or inflammatory bowel disease–related hospitalization) and incurring index drug costs.

Results

A year after the start of maintenance, a lower proportion of patients experienced dose escalation with vedolizumab (22.3%) than adalimumab (43.0%). The dose escalation risk was significantly higher for infliximab (hazard ratio [HR], 1.894; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.486–2.413) and adalimumab (HR, 2.120; 95% CI, 1.680–2.675) than for vedolizumab. The odds of experiencing an adverse outcome after dose escalation were higher for anti–TNF-α treatments than for vedolizumab (odds ratio, 2.052; 95% CI, 1.200–3.507). Index drug costs after dose escalation were lowest for vedolizumab.

Conclusions

Patients with UC receiving vedolizumab had a lower risk of dose escalation and lower subsequent costs than patients receiving anti–TNF-α treatments. Our study demonstrates the possible clinical and economic implications of dose escalation.
Data sharing and ontology use among agricultural genetics, genomics, and breeding databases and resources of the Agbiodata Consortium
Authors: Clarke Jennifer L , Cooper Laurel D , Poelchau Monica F , Berardini Tanya Z , Elser Justin , Farmer Andrew D , Ficklin Stephen , Kumari Sunita , Laporte Marie-Angélique , Nelson Rex T , Sadohara Rie , Selby Peter , Thessen Anne E , Whitehead Brandon , Sen Taner Z
Published: November 2023

Over the last couple of decades, there has been a rapid growth in the number and scope of agricultural genetics, genomics and breeding databases and resources. The AgBioData Consortium (https://www.agbiodata.org/) currently represents 44 databases and resources (https://www.agbiodata.org/databases) covering model or crop plant and animal GGB data, ontologies, pathways, genetic variation and breeding platforms (referred to as ‘databases’ throughout). One of the goals of the Consortium is to facilitate FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data management and the integration of datasets which requires data sharing, along with structured vocabularies and/or ontologies. Two AgBioData working groups, focused on Data Sharing and Ontologies, respectively, conducted a Consortium-wide survey to assess the current status and future needs of the members in those areas. A total of 33 researchers responded to the survey, representing 37 databases. Results suggest that data-sharing practices by AgBioData databases are in a fairly healthy state, but it is not clear whether this is true for all metadata and data types across all databases; and that, ontology use has not substantially changed since a similar survey was conducted in 2017. Based on our evaluation of the survey results, we recommend (i) providing training for database personnel in a specific data-sharing techniques, as well as in ontology use; (ii) further study on what metadata is shared, and how well it is shared among databases; (iii) promoting an understanding of data sharing and ontologies in the stakeholder community; (iv) improving data sharing and ontologies for specific phenotypic data types and formats; and (v) lowering specific barriers to data sharing and ontology use, by identifying sustainability solutions, and the identification, promotion, or development of data standards. Combined, these improvements are likely to help AgBioData databases increase development efforts towards improved ontology use, and data sharing via programmatic means.

Database URL: https://www.agbiodata.org/databases
Comparison of strategies for catheter ablation of left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Wei Hui-Qiang , Chen Wanwen , Luo Sini , Liao Zili , Fang Xianhong , Liao Hongtao , Sun Qi , Guo Xiao-Gang , Yang Jian-Du , Liang Jackson J , Wu Shulin , Xue Yumei , Ma Jian , Zhan Xianzhang
Published: November 2023

Aims

Traditional ablation strategies including targeting the earliest Purkinje potential (PP) during left posterior fascicular (LPF) ventricular tachycardia (VT) or linear ablation at the middle segment of LPF during sinus rhythm are commonly used for the treatment of LPF-VT. Catheter ablation for LPF-VT targeting fragmented antegrade Purkinje (FAP) potential during sinus rhythm is a novel approach. We aimed to compare safety and efficacy of different ablation strategies (FAP ablation vs. traditional ablation) for the treatment of LPF-VT.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with electrocardiographically documented LPF-VT referred for catheter ablation received either FAP ablation approach or traditional ablation approach. Electrophysiological characteristics, procedural complications, and long-term clinical outcome were assessed. A total of 189 consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for LPF-VT were included. Fragmented antegrade Purkinje ablation was attempted in 95 patients, and traditional ablation was attempted in 94 patients. Acute ablation success with elimination of LPF-VT was achieved in all patients. Left posterior fascicular block occurred in 11 of 95 (11.6%) patients in the FAP group compared with 75 of 94 (79.8%) patients in the traditional group (P < 0.001). Fragmented antegrade Purkinje ablation was associated with significant shorter procedure time (94 ± 26 vs. 117 ± 23 min, P = 0.03) and fewer radiofrequency energy applications (4.1 ± 2.4 vs. 6.3 ± 3.5, P = 0.003) compared with the traditional group. One complete atrioventricular block and one left bundle branch block were seen in the traditional group. Over mean follow-up of 65 months, 89 (93.7%) patients in the FAP group and 81 (86.2%) patients in the traditional group remained free of recurrent VT off antiarrhythmic drugs (P = 0.157).

Conclusion

Left posterior fascicular-ventricular tachycardia ablation utilizing FAP and traditional ablation approaches resulted in similar acute and long-term procedural outcomes. Serious His-Purkinje injury did occur infrequently during traditional ablation. The use of FAP ablation approach was associated with shorter procedure time and fewer radiofrequency energy applications, especially for non-inducible patients.
Divergence in theSaccharomycesSpecies’ Heat Shock Response Is Indicative of Their Thermal Tolerance
Authors: Fay Justin C , Alonso-del-Real Javier , Miller James H , Querol Amparo
Published: November 2023

The Saccharomyces species have diverged in their thermal growth profile. Both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces paradoxus grow at temperatures well above the maximum growth temperature of Saccharomyces kudriavzevii and Saccharomyces uvarum but grow more poorly at lower temperatures. In response to thermal shifts, organisms activate a stress response that includes heat shock proteins involved in protein homeostasis and acquisition of thermal tolerance. To determine whether Saccharomyces species have diverged in their response to temperature, we measured changes in gene expression in response to a 12 °C increase or decrease in temperature for four Saccharomyces species and their six pairwise hybrids. To ensure coverage of subtelomeric gene families, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated a complete S. uvarum genome. In response to heat, the cryophilic species showed a stronger stress response than the thermophilic species, and the hybrids showed a mixture of parental responses that depended on the time point. After an initial strong response indicative of high thermal stress, hybrids with a thermophilic parent resolved their heat shock response to become similar to their thermophilic parent. Within the hybrids, only a small number of temperature-responsive genes showed consistent differences between alleles from the thermophilic and cryophilic species. Our results show that divergence in the heat shock response is mainly a consequence of a strain's thermal tolerance, suggesting that cellular factors that signal heat stress or resolve heat-induced changes are relevant to thermal divergence in the Saccharomyces species.
On the detection of upper mantle discontinuities with radon-transformed receiver functions (CRISP-RF)
Authors: Olugboji Tolulope , Zhang Ziqi , Carr Steve , Ekmekci Canberk , Cetin Mujdat
Published: November 2023

Seismic interrogation of the upper mantle from the base of the crust to the top of the mantle transition zone has revealed discontinuities that are variable in space, depth, lateral extent, amplitude and lack a unified explanation for their origin. Improved constraints on the detectability and properties of mantle discontinuities can be obtained with P-to-S receiver function (Ps-RF) where energy scatters from P to S as seismic waves propagate across discontinuities of interest. However, due to the interference of crustal multiples, uppermost mantle discontinuities are more commonly imaged with lower resolution S-to-P receiver function (Sp-RF). In this study, a new method called CRISP-RF (Clean Receiver-function Imaging using SParse Radon Filters) is proposed, which incorporates ideas from compressive sensing and model-based image reconstruction. The central idea involves applying a sparse Radon transform to effectively decompose the Ps-RF into its underlying wavefield contributions, that is direct conversions, multiples, and noise, based on the phase moveout and coherence. A masking filter is then designed and applied to create a multiple-free and denoised Ps-RF. We demonstrate, using synthetic experiment, that our implementation of the Radon transform using a sparsity-promoting regularization outperforms the conventional least-squares methods and can effectively isolate direct Ps conversions. We further apply the CRISP-RF workflow on real data, including single station data on cratons, common-conversion-point stack at continental margins and seismic data from ocean islands. The application of CRISP-RF to global data sets will advance our understanding of the enigmatic origins of the upper mantle discontinuities like the ubiquitous mid-lithospheric discontinuity and the elusive X-discontinuity.
Ovol2 promoter mutations in mice and human illuminate species-specific phenotypic divergence
Authors: Sunny Sweetu Susan , Lachova Jitka , Kasparek Petr , Palkova Marcela , Spoutil Frantisek , Prochazka Jan , Sedlacek Radislav , Liskova Petra , Kozmik Zbynek
Published: November 2023

Pathogenic variants in the highly conserved OVOL2 promoter region cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) 1 by inducing an ectopic expression of the endothelial OVOL2 mRNA. Here we produced an allelic series of Ovol2 promoter mutations in the mouse model including the heterozygous c.-307T>C variant (RefSeq NM_021220.4) causing PPCD1 in humans. Despite the high evolutionary conservation of the Ovol2 promoter, only some alterations of its sequence had phenotypic consequences in mice. Four independent sequence variants in the distal part of the Ovol2 promoter had no significant effect on endothelial Ovol2 mRNA level or caused any ocular phenotype. In contrast, the mutation c.-307T>C resulted in increased Ovol2 expression in the corneal endothelium. However, only a small fraction of adult mice c.-307T>C heterozygotes developed ocular phenotypes such as irido-corneal adhesions, and corneal opacity. Interestingly, phenotypic penetrance was increased at embryonic stages. Notably, c.-307T>C mutation is located next to the Ovol1/Ovol2 transcription factor binding site. Mice carrying an allele with a deletion encompassing the Ovol2 binding site c.-307_-320del showed significant Ovol2 gene upregulation in the cornea endothelium and exhibited phenotypes similar to the c.-307T>C mutation. In conclusion, although the mutations c.-307T>C and -307_-320del lead to a comparably strong increase in endothelial Ovol2 expression as seen in PPCD1 patients, endothelial dystrophy was not observed in the mouse model, implicating species-specific differences in endothelial cell biology. Nonetheless, the emergence of dominant ocular phenotypes associated with Ovol2 promoter variants in mice implies a potential role of this gene in eye development and disease.