bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do the Short-Term Water Diversion from Yangtze River Increase Phosphorus Bioavailability in the Water-Receiving Area?
Authors: Tian Fuwei , Dai Jiangyu , Xu Jiayi , Wu Xiufeng , Wu Shiqiang , Zhang Yu , Wang Fangfang , Gao Ang
Published: February 2023

Water diversion projects have an important role in coping with water shortage and improving water quality, but they also have an impact on the ecological environment of lakes that cannot be ignored. As an important biogenic element for evaluating the primary productivity and eutrophication of lake water bodies, the influence of phosphorus by water diversion activities and its impact on the production and elimination of phytoplankton is lacking attention. In this study, we analyzed the phosphorus composition and bioavailability of the water channel and the Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu under the influence of seasonal water diversion, revealed the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of phytoplankton communities in the water receiving river and lake, and analyzed the contribution of phosphorus to the variations of phytoplankton communities and their quantitative coupling relationships. The results showed that short-term water diversion in autumn and winter did not significantly increase the concentrations of particulate phosphorus in the receiving waters, but there was a risk of increasing the concentration of dissolved reactive phosphorus and dissolved organic phosphorus. The difference in total phosphorus concentrations between the diversion and non-diversion periods in Gonghu Bay was an important environmental factor influencing the phytoplankton community, and the bioavailable phosphorus could better fit the logarithm of algal cell density in all seasons, which was significantly and positively correlated with the phytoplankton cell densities. This study implies that the control of bioavailable phosphorus in the water channel can reduce the ecological risks of the water diversion project on the cyanobacterial blooms to some extent.
Ecological Evaluation of Waterways Based on Modified Neural Networks
Authors: Wu Teng , Qin Jie , Guo Runzhuo
Published: February 2023

The ecological condition of waterways has attracted increasing public attention in recent years, and the evaluation of the ecological status of waterways is of practical and scientific significance. To carry out an objective and credential evaluation of the ecological condition of waterways, this study compares the performance of two artificial neural networks (ANN) models, including the traditional Back Propagation (BP)-ANN model and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-BP-ANN model. The traditional BP-ANN model is characterized by a local search strategy and usually converges to local minima. This study combined the PSO algorithm with the BP-ANN model to improve the performance of the latter. An evaluation indicator system was established first based on the main features of waterway ecology, which includes 13 indicators in four aspects including the transportation function, the ecological function, the landscape function, and the economic function. A waterway ecology dataset was then established based on major waterways in China. The results show that the prediction accuracy of the BP-ANN is around 0.6 and unstable due to its local searching strategy. In contrast, the coefficient of determination of the PSO-BP-ANN model reaches 0.98, indicating the high prediction accuracy of the model. On this basis, this study further analyzed the relative importance of the four functions using the PSO-BP-ANN model. Results showed that the evaluation grades can be significantly improved by advancing the landscape function and the transportation function, and the improvement of these two scores can greatly reduce the probability of the lowest rating. The highest rating requires all four functions to be greater than certain threshold values.
Environmental Impact Assessment of Watershed Plan Under the “Three Lines and One List” Environmental Governance
Authors: Cheng Runhe , Cheng Jinxiang
Published: February 2023

Rapid and large-scale watershed development activities have imposed tremendous challenges to the sustainable development while driving economic prosperity in the areas along the watershed in China. Improving effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) of watershed planning has become a top priority for river ecological civilization. In this regard, the “three lines and one list” (TLOL) environmental governance, was proposed in the latest Chinese environmental management policy, consisting of an ecological conservation red line, an environmental quality bottom line and a resource utilization upper limit line and an environmental permit list are to be taken into account when assessing the potential effects of a watershed development plan. In this paper, an indicator system was established based on the TLOL requirements, and the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) was adopt to asses watershed development alternatives. In an application of this methodology, the Jinjiang watershed development planning in Fujian province was taken as a case study to recommend an optimal alternative. Six alternatives were assessed by conducting a comprehensive comparison. The results showed that, the Alternative 2 is preferred because it has relative advantages in terms of allocating water resource in a reasonable way, safeguarding the ecological water use at downstream, controlling the small scaled hydropower generations. This research shows that the EIA of watershed planning on the basis of the TLOL governance policy is an effective way of integrating environmental management and river ecological civilization requirements into watershed development planning. It proposes not only a universal process for assessing watershed development alternatives, but also a feasible method of maximize the trade-off between water conservancy and hydropower, and other watershed development activities and river ecological protection.
Knowledge About Sediment Transport Obtained Through Multiple Operations at Ports in Japan
Authors: Kachi Tomohiko , Itui Minoru , Naruke Tatsunori , Sugiura Yukihiko
Published: February 2023

At a port located at the estuary in Japan, 800,000 m3/year of sediment is accumulated annually in navigation channel and basin. In order to consider effective countermeasures, it is necessary to elucidate sediment dynamics due to waves and tidal currents of the target port. Therefore, we are conducting a field observation of sediment transport and deposition. In addition, we have developed a numerical simulation model based on the results of the field survey for evaluated the countermeasure against the port sedimentation. We introduce the knowledge about sediment transport obtained through multiple operations.
3HDM with ∆(27) symmetry and its phenomenological consequences
Authors: Kalinowski J. , Kotlarski W. , Rebelo M. N. , de Medeiros Varzielas I.
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive analysis of a version of the 3-Higgs doublet model whose scalar potential is invariant under a global ∆(27) discrete symmetry and where the three scalar doublets are chosen to transform as a triplet under this discrete group. For each of the known tree-level minima we study the mass spectra and use the oblique parameters STU as well as perturbative unitarity to constrain the parameter space of the model. We then discuss phenomenological consequences of some leading order flavour mixing quark Yukawa couplings by considering the flavour violation process b → sγ.

We show that perturbative unitarity significantly constrains parameters of the model while, conversely, the beyond the Standard Model contributions to the b → sγ decay are automatically tamed by the symmetry.
A large muon EDM from dark matter
Authors: Khaw Kim Siang , Nakai Yuichiro , Sato Ryosuke , Shigekami Yoshihiro , Zhang Zhihao
Published: February 2023

Abstract

We explore a model of dark matter (DM) that can explain the reported discrepancy in the muon anomalous magnetic moment and predict a large electric dipole moment (EDM) of the muon. The model contains a DM fermion and new scalars whose exclusive interactions with the muon radiatively generate the observed muon mass. Constraints from DM direct and indirect detection experiments as well as collider searches are safely evaded. The model parameter space that gives the observed DM abundance and explains the muon g – 2 anomaly leads to the muon EDM of dμ ≃ (4-5) × 10−22e cm that can be probed by the projected PSI muEDM experiment. Another viable parameter space even achieves $$ {d}_{\mu }=\mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-21}\right) $$

d
μ

=
O

10

−
21

e cm reachable by the ongoing Fermilab Muon g − 2 experiment and the future J-PARC Muon g − 2/EDM experiment.
Weak decays of antitriplet charmed baryons from the perspective of flavor symmetry
Authors: Zhong Huiling , Xu Fanrong , Wen Qiaoyi , Gu Yu
Published: February 2023

Abstract

In this work, we carry out a global fit for the two-body weak decays of antitriplet charmed baryons in both SU(3) respected and broken scenarios incorporating all the available data up to date. In the SU(3) irreducible representation approach (IRA), more amplitudes for irreducible representation terms are taken into account and the ranges for their coefficients in each scenarios are predicted. By a comparison among various fitting schemes in this work, experimental data prefer the SU(3) symmetry breaking scenario. Observables of interest, branching fractions and decay asymmetries of all the Cabibbo-favored (CF), singly Cabibbo-suppressed (SCS) and doubly Cabibbo-suppressed (DCS) channels are calculated in the chosen fitting scheme. Most of our predictions are consistent well with experimental data. We further propose more ways to explore the SU(3) symmetry in charmed baryon decays: (i) A clear measurement of branching fraction on CF mode $$ {\Xi}_c^0\to {\Xi}^0{\pi}^0 $$

Ξ
c
0

→

Ξ
0

π
0

as a large difference exists between SU(3) respected and broken scenarios. (ii) The decay asymmetries of the five yet-to-be measured CF decay modes, $$ {\Xi}_c^0\to {\Lambda}^0{K}_S $$

Ξ
c
0

→

Λ
0

K
S

, Σ0KS, Ξ0π0, Ξ0η, Ξ0η′, for their opposite signs in the two different cases. (iii) The future measurement on branching fraction ratios indicated from eq. (2.10) and presented on table 7. An improved measurement for $$ \alpha \left({\Lambda}_c^{+}\to p{K}_S\right) $$
α

Λ
c
+

→
p

K
S

is called for since predictions from both fittings, including the one in current work and earlier works, and the pole model calculation prefer an opposite sign from previous experimental value. Given branching fractions of most of the CF modes and part of the SCS modes being measured, predictions for the remaining channels, including the DCS modes as well as more decay asymmetries, are anticipated to be checked by the upcoming experiments in BESIII, Belle/Belle-II and LHCb.
Catoids and modal convolution algebras
Authors: Fahrenberg Uli , Johansen Christian , Struth Georg , Ziemiański Krzysztof
Published: February 2023

We show how modal quantales arise as convolution algebras $$Q^X$$

Q
X

of functions from catoids X, multisemigroups equipped with source and target maps, into modal quantales value or weight quantales Q. In the tradition of boolean algebras with operators we study modal correspondences between algebraic laws in X, Q and $$Q^X$$

Q
X

. The catoids introduced generalise Schweizer and Sklar’s function systems and single-set categories to structures isomorphic to algebras of ternary relations, as they are used for boolean algebras with operators and substructural logics. Our correspondence results support a generic construction of weighted modal quantales from catoids. This construction is illustrated by many examples. We also relate our results to reasoning with stochastic matrices or probabilistic predicate transformers.
Mono-ADP-ribosylation by PARP10 inhibits Chikungunya virus nsP2 proteolytic activity and viral replication
Authors: Krieg Sarah , Pott Fabian , Potthoff Laura , Verheirstraeten Maud , Bütepage Mareike , Golzmann Alexandra , Lippok Barbara , Goffinet Christine , Lüscher Bernhard , Korn Patricia
Published: February 2023

Replication of viruses requires interaction with host cell factors and repression of innate immunity. Recent findings suggest that a subset of intracellular mono-ADP-ribosylating PARPs, which are induced by type I interferons, possess antiviral activity. Moreover, certain RNA viruses, including Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), encode mono-ADP-ribosylhydrolases. Together, this suggests a role for mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation) in host-virus conflicts, but the relevant substrates have not been identified. We addressed which PARP restricts CHIKV replication and identified PARP10 and PARP12. For PARP10, this restriction was dependent on catalytic activity. Replication requires processing of the non-structural polyprotein nsP1-4 by the protease located in nsP2 and the assembly of the four individual nsP1-nsP4 into a functional replication complex. PARP10 and PARP12 inhibited the production of nsP3, indicating a defect in polyprotein processing. The nsP3 protein encodes a macrodomain with de-MARylation activity, which is essential for replication. In support for MARylation affecting polyprotein processing, de-MARylation defective CHIKV replicons revealed reduced production of nsP2 and nsP3. We hypothesized that MARylation regulates the proteolytic function of nsP2. Indeed, we found that nsP2 is MARylated by PARP10 and, as a consequence, its proteolytic activity was inhibited. NsP3-dependent de-MARylation reactivated the protease. Hence, we propose that PARP10-mediated MARylation prevents polyprotein processing and consequently virus replication. Together, our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the role of the viral MAR hydrolase in CHIKV replication.
Gasdermin D membrane pores orchestrate IL-1α secretion from necrotic macrophages after NFS-rich silica exposure
Authors: Leinardi Riccardo , Pochet Amandine , Uwambayinema Francine , Yakoub Yousof , Quesniaux Valérie , Ryffel Bernhard , Broz Petr , Pavan Cristina , Huaux François
Published: February 2023

IL-1α is an intracellular danger signal (DAMP) released by macrophages contributing to the development of silica-induced lung inflammation. The exact molecular mechanism orchestrating IL-1α extracellular release from particle-exposed macrophages is still unclear. To delineate this process, murine J774 and bone-marrow derived macrophages were exposed to increasing concentrations (1–40 cm2/ml) of a set of amorphous and crystalline silica particles with different surface chemical features. In particular, these characteristics include the content of nearly free silanols (NFS), a silanol population responsible for silica cytotoxicity recently identified. We first observed de novo stocks of IL-1α in macrophages after silica internalization regardless of particle physico-chemical characteristics and cell stress. IL-1α intracellular production and accumulation were observed by exposing macrophages to biologically-inert or cytotoxic crystalline and amorphous silicas. In contrast, only NFS-rich reactive silica particles triggered IL-1α release into the extracellular milieu from necrotic macrophages. We demonstrate that IL-1α is actively secreted through the formation of gasdermin D (GSDMD) pores in the plasma membrane and not passively released after macrophage plasma membrane lysis. Our findings indicate that the GSDMD pore-dependent secretion of IL-1α stock from macrophages solely depends on cytotoxicity induced by NFS-rich silica. This new regulated process represents a key first event in the mechanism of silica toxicity, suitable to refine the existing adverse outcome pathway (AOP) for predicting the inflammatory activity of silicas.
Asymptotics Near Extinction for Nonlinear Fast Diffusion on a Bounded Domain
Authors: Choi Beomjun , McCann Robert J. , Seis Christian
Published: February 2023

On a smooth bounded Euclidean domain, Sobolev-subcritical fast diffusion with vanishing boundary trace is known to lead to finite-time extinction, with a vanishing profile selected by the initial datum. In rescaled variables, we quantify the rate of convergence to this profile uniformly in relative error, showing the rate is either exponentially fast (with a rate constant predicted by the spectral gap), or algebraically slow (which is only possible in the presence of non-integrable zero modes). In the first case, the nonlinear dynamics are well-approximated by exponentially decaying eigenmodes up to at least twice the gap; this refines and confirms a 1980 conjecture of Berryman and Holland. We also improve on a result of Bonforte and Figalli by providing a new and simpler approach which is able to accommodate the presence of zero modes, such as those that occur when the vanishing profile fails to be isolated (and possibly belongs to a continuum of such profiles).
Reliable assessment of carbon black nanomaterial of a variety of cell culture media for in vitro toxicity assays by asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation
Authors: Boughbina-Portolés Aaron , Sanjuan-Navarro Lorenzo , Hakobyan Lusine , Gómez-Ferrer Marta , Moliner-Martínez Yolanda , Sepúlveda Pilar , Campíns-Falcó Pilar
Published: February 2023

Carbon black nanomaterial (CB-NM), as an industrial product with a large number of applications, poses a high risk of exposure, and its impact on health needs to be assessed. The most common testing platform for engineered (E)NMs is in vitro toxicity assessment, which requires prior ENM dispersion, stabilization, and characterization in cell culture media. Here, asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled to UV–Vis and dynamic light scattering (DLS) detectors in series was used for the study of CB dispersions in cell culture media, optimizing instrumental variables and working conditions. It was possible to disperse CB in a non-ionic surfactant aqueous solution due to the steric effect provided by surfactant molecules attached on the CB surface which prevented agglomeration. The protection provided by the surfactant or by culture media alone was insufficient to ensure good dispersion stability needed for carrying out in vitro toxicity studies. On the other hand, cell culture media in combination with the surfactant improved dispersion stability considerably, enabling the generation of shorter particles and a more favourable zeta potential magnitude, leading to greater stability due to electrostatic repulsion. It was demonstrated that the presence of amino acids in the culture media improved the monodisperse nature and stability of the CB dispersions, and resulted in a turn towards more negative zeta potential values when the pH was above the amino acid isoelectric point (IEP). Culture media used in real cell culture scenarios were also tested, and in vitro toxicity assays were developed optimizing the compatible amount of surfactant.

Graphical abstract
Effectiveness and tolerability of camrelizumab combined with molecular targeted therapy for patients with unresectable or advanced HCC
Authors: Li Ting , Guo Jiang , Liu Yushen , Du Zhaoqing , Guo Zhaoyang , Fan Yangwei , Cheng Long , Zhang Yue , Gao Xu , Zhao Yunyu , He Xinyuan , Wu Wenhua , Gao Ning , Wu Yinying , Li Jie , Zhang Yu , Kang Wen , Cai Zhifang , Wang Wenjun , Li Xiaopeng , Zan Ying , Nguyen Mindie H. , Ji Fanpu
Published: February 2023

There is a lack of effective programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)‐targeted immunotherapy with good tolerability in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and severely compromised liver function. We assessed patient outcomes after combined camrelizumab and molecular targeted therapy in a multicenter cohort study in China. The study included 99 patients with advanced HCC (58 Child-Pugh A and 41 Child-Pugh B), 84 of them received camrelizumab combined with molecular targeted therapy from January 10, 2019, to March 31, 2021. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. The median follow-up was 12.1 months. For patients with Child-Pugh B, the OS probability at 12-months, ORR and DCR were 49.7%, 31.7% and 65.9%, respectively, and the median PFS was 5.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.0–7.1], which were comparable with Child-Pugh A patients, although median OS was shorter in Child‐Pugh B patients (20.5 vs.13.4 months, P = 0.12). In multivariate analysis, macrovascular infiltration (MVI), but not sex, age, hepatitis B virus etiology, extrahepatic metastasis, Child-Pugh B, or AFP > 400 ng/ml, was associated with 12-months OS [hazard ratio (HR) 2.970, 95% CI 1.276–6.917, P = 0.012] and ORR (HR 2.906, 95% CI 1.18–7.16, P = 0.020). Grade 3/4 immune-related AEs occurred in 26.8% of Child-Pugh B patients, including one potentially treatment-related death. In both groups, the most common AEs were immune thrombocytopenia and hepatotoxicity. Camrelizumab combined with targeted therapy showed favorable effectiveness and tolerability with manageable toxicities in Chinese HCC patients, regardless of Child-Pugh A/B liver function. MVI was associated with suboptimal immunotherapy response and poor prognosis.

Graphical abstract
Functional gait analysis reveals insufficient hindfoot compensation for varus and valgus osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Rühling Marlene , Kirschbaum Stephanie , Perka Carsten , Graef Frank
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The hindfoot is believed to compensate varus and valgus deformities of the knee by eversion and inversion movements. But these mechanisms were merely found in static radiologic measurements. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess dynamic foot posture during gait using pressure-sensitive wireless insoles in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and frontal knee deformities.

Methods

Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were prospectively included in this study. Patients were clinically and radiologically (mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), hindfoot alignment view angle (HAVA), and talar tilt (TT)) exa mined. Gait line analysis was conducted using pressure-sensitive digital shoe insoles.

Results

Eighty-two patients (varus n = 52, valgus n = 30) were included in this prospective clinical study. Radiologically, the mTFA significantly correlated with the HAVA (cor = −0.72, p < 0.001) and with the TT (Pearson’s cor = 0.32, p < 0.006). Gait analysis revealed that the gait lines in varus knee osteoarthritis were lateralized, despite the hindfoot valgus. In valgus knee osteoarthritis, gait lines were medialized, although the hindfoot compensated by varization.

Conclusions

Functional dynamic gait analysis could demonstrate that the hindfoot is not able to sufficiently compensate for frontal malalignments of the knee joint, contrary to static radiologic findings. This led to a narrowing of the joint space of the ankle medially in varus and laterally in valgus knee osteoarthritis.
Kidney transplantation following iliac revascularization in severe atherosclerosis: a comparative study
Authors: Cyrek Anna E. , Flögel Lena , Pacha Arkadius , Kaths Moritz , Treckmann Jürgen , Paul Andreas , Schulze Maren
Published: February 2023

Background

Kidney transplantation (KT) has become the standard of care for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, as atherosclerosis progresses with time on dialysis, it causes increasing difficulties in implanting the graft. This is a comparative study analyzing complications and graft survival of recipients with iliac revascularization before transplantation.

Methods

Between January 2006 and December 2015, 1691 kidney transplants were performed at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed eighteen patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the necessity of vascular revascularization before kidney transplantation to protect the inflow to the renal graft and to optimizing blood supply to the extremities. The primary endpoint included patient survival and graft survival. The secondary endpoints evaluate perioperative and early postoperative complication rates after kidney transplantation.

Results

All patients enrolled in this study underwent two consecutive surgical procedures. No patient reported limb loss, and there was no additional perioperative morbidity or mortality related to the vascular procedure. Primary endpoints such as graft survival without dialysis and overall patient survival show 1-month survival of 100%, 1-year survival of 94.1%, and 5-year survival of 84.70%, respectively. One graft failure occurred 8 months after transplantation due to acute rejection, and there were two deaths over follow-up period due to myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Vascular repair before kidney transplantation is safe, and results are suggestive that it prolongs graft survival. These promising results should encourage other centers to address vascular repair before the transplantation to optimize blood supply to the extremity and the future graft. Although, the interpretation of our results must be cautiously because of the small and heterogeneous sample size, and the limitations of retrospective study design. Prospective trials with larger study populations are needed to confirm the results of this study and to identify significant differences.
Transplantation in paediatric patients with MMA requires multidisciplinary approach for achievement of good clinical outcomes
Authors: Paessler Alicia , Cortes-Cerisuelo Miriam , Jassem Wayel , Vilca-Melendez Hector , Deep Akash , Jain Vandana , Pool Andrew , Grunewald Stephanie , Kessaris Nicos , Stojanovic Jelena
Published: February 2023

Background

As modern medicine is advancing, younger, small, and more complex children are becoming multi-organ transplant candidates. This brings up new challenges in all aspects of their care.

Methods

We describe the first report of a small child receiving a simultaneous liver and kidney transplant and abdominal rectus sheath fascia transplant on the background of Williams syndrome and methylmalonic acidaemia. At the time of transplantation, the child was 3 years old, weighed 14.0 kg, had chronic kidney disease stage V, and had not yet started any other form of kidney replacement therapy.

Results

There were many anaesthetic, medical, metabolic, and surgical challenges to consider in this case. A long general anaesthetic time increased the risk of cardiac complications and metabolic decompensation. Additionally, the small size of the patient and the organ size mis-match meant that primary abdominal closure was not possible. The patient’s recovery was further complicated by sepsis, transient CNI toxicity, and de novo DSAs.

Conclusions

Through a multidisciplinary approach between 9 specialties in 4 hospitals across England and Wales, and detailed pre-operative planning, a good outcome was achieved for this child. An hour by hour management protocol was drafted to facilitate transplant and included five domains: 1. management at the time of organ offer; 2. before the admission; 3. at admission and before theatre time; 4. intra-operative management; and 5. post-operative management in the first 24 h. Importantly, gaining a clear and in depth understanding of the metabolic state of the patient pre- and peri-operatively was crucial in avoiding metabolic decompensation. Furthermore, an abdominal rectus sheath fascia transplant was required to achieve abdominal closure, which to our knowledge, had never been done before for this indication. Using our experience of this complex case, as well as our experience in transplanting other children with MMA, and through a literature review, we propose a new perioperative management pathway for this complex cohort of transplant recipients.
Saltwater intrusion management at different coastal aquifers bed slopes considering sea level rise and reduction in fresh groundwater storage
Authors: Abd-Elaty Ismail , Polemio Maurizio
Published: February 2023

Coastal fresh groundwater management is a challenging research topic due to the relevance of these resources and the huge suffered risks due to global change and overpopulation. The geometrical features of coastal aquifers play a control role in saltwater intrusion (SWI). Seawater level rise and the reduction in aquifer fresh groundwater storage are promoting SWI. All these key factors are considered with two different numerical approaches defining schematic management criteria bottom using the numerical code SEAWAT. The former approach adopts the well-known Henry’s problem; the latter is based on the real study case of the Gaza aquifer (Palestine). Different aquifer bed slopes (ABS), and hydraulic and physical methods for SWI management are considered together with SLR, recharge reduction, and over pumping. The results showed that the land side ABS cases show more SWI than sea side and horizontal ABS. Cut-off walls and check dams are effective to manage SWI in horizontal ABS more than in other slopes, also the subsurface dams, earth fill and recharge of freshwater are good methods in land side ABS while the abstraction of brackish water and combination of recharge with abstraction are better to mitigate of SWI in sea side ABS. Useful comparing tables and considerations are defined with the purpose to guide the preliminary selections of new management solutions for reducing the effect of the global change on groundwater resources for different slopes aquifers around the coastal world.

Graphical abstract
Altered expression of DNA methyltransferases and methylation status of the TLR4 and TNF-α promoters in COVID-19
Authors: Salem Sohair , Mosaad Rehab , Lotfy Randa , Elbadry Mohamed
Published: February 2023

Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in the host's immune response to viral infection. Two epigenetic events, DNA methylation and histone acetylation, are crucial for modifying the chromatin architecture and the location of regulatory elements such as promoters and enhancers. In this case-control study, we evaluated the expression of genes involved in epigenetic machinery (DNMT1, DNMT3A, DNMT3B, HDAC2, and HDAC3) and the degree of methylation of promoters of immune response genes (IFITM1/2/3, TLR3/4, TNF-α, NF-κB, and MYD88) as well as global methylation (LINE-1 and global 5–mC) in blood samples from 120 COVID-19 patients (30 mild, 30 moderate, 30 severe, and 30 critical) and 30 healthy subjects without COVID-19. In contrast to previous reports, DNMT3A and DNMT3B expression was found to be significantly downregulated in COVID-19 cases, whereas DNMT1, HDAC2, and HDAC3 expression did not change. DNMT1 and DNMT3A were negatively correlated with COVID-19 severity. Critically ill patients had lower HDAC3 expression levels. TLR4 and TNF-α had increased promoter methylation, whereas IFITM1/2/3, TLR3, NF-κB, MYD88, and LINE-1 did not differ between cases and controls. Methylation of the TNF-α promoter increased as disease severity increased. Significantly less methylation of the TLR3 promoter was observed in patients with a positive outcome (recovery). We also found a correlation between the expression of DNMT3B and the methylation level of the TLR4 promoter. In milder cases, the global 5–mC levels were lower than that in more severe cases. Our findings suggest the exclusion of DNMTs inhibitors previously recommended for COVID-19 treatment and the need for additional research in this area.
Histidine oxidation in lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase
Authors: Torbjörnsson Magne , Hagemann Marlisa M. , Ryde Ulf , Hedegård Erik Donovan
Published: February 2023

The lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) comprise a super-family of copper enzymes that boost the depolymerisation of polysaccharides by oxidatively disrupting the glycosidic bonds connecting the sugar units. Industrial use of LPMOs for cellulose depolymerisation has already begun but is still far from reaching its full potential. One issue is that the LPMOs self-oxidise and thereby deactivate. The mechanism of this self-oxidation is unknown, but histidine residues coordinating to the copper atom are the most susceptible. An unusual methyl modification of the NE2 atom in one of the coordinating histidine residues has been proposed to have a protective role. Furthermore, substrate binding is also known to reduce oxidative damage. We here for the first time investigate the mechanism of histidine oxidation with combined quantum and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations, with outset in intermediates previously shown to form from a reaction with peroxide and a reduced LPMO. We show that an intermediate with a [Cu–O]+ moiety is sufficiently potent to oxidise the nearest C–H bond on both histidine residues, but methylation of the NE2 atom of His-1 increases the reaction barrier of this reaction. The substrate further increases the activation barrier. We also investigate a [Cu–OH]2+ intermediate with a deprotonated tyrosine radical. This intermediate was previously proposed to have a protective role, and we also find it to have higher barriers than the corresponding a [Cu–O]+ intermediate.

Graphical abstract
Subsoiling for planting trees in dehesa system: long-term effects on soil organic carbon
Authors: Navarro-Rosales Francisco , Fernández-Habas Jesús , Reyna-Bowen Lizardo , Gómez José A. , Fernández-Rebollo Pilar
Published: February 2023

Incorporating trees into agricultural systems, including grasslands, increases the soil organic carbon sequestration and contributes to climate change mitigation. Site preparation for tree establishment is a common practice that can involve a variety of techniques and agricultural implements such as subsoiling. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of subsoiling on soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and stocks in a Mediterranean grassland afforested with holm oaks 22 years ago and now converted into a Dehesa agroforestry system. The study was conducted in a dehesa farm in Southwest Spain. Soil samples were taken at six depths under 10 tree canopies within and outside the original subsoiling line. Subsoiling significantly decreased SOC concentration. Mean SOC concentration in the first 20 cm was 30% lower at the subsoiling line. SOC stocks for the first 60 cm were 2660 g m−2 within the subsoiling line and 4320 g m−2 outside the line. There was a clear reduction in SOC concentration and stock with increasing depth. Root abundance and deeper rooting increased with subsoiling but did not translate into sufficient carbon accumulation in the soil, which is moderate even after 22 years. This study reveals that, in the long term, there is a trade-off in CO2 sequestration between tree planting and soil subsoiling, highlighting the need for further research into the potential benefits and detriments of subsoiling.
Learning vision based autonomous lateral vehicle control without supervision
Authors: Khan Qadeer , Sülö Idil , Öcal Melis , Cremers Daniel
Published: February 2023

Supervised deep learning methods using image data as input have shown promising results in the context of vehicle control. However, these supervised methods have two main disadvantages: 1) They require a copious amount of labeled training data, which is difficult and expensive to collect. 2) Such models do not perform well, when situations that are not in the distribution of the training set are encountered. This includes deviations from the designated driving behavior. We therefore provide a framework to mitigate these problems from merely an unlabeled sequence of images. Visual Odometry is first used to determine the vehicle trajectory. Model Predictive Control (MPC) then uses this trajectory to implicitly infer the steering labels. Meanwhile, synthesized images at deviated trajectories are included in the training distribution for enhanced robustness of the neural network model. Experimental results demonstrate that the performance of our network is at par with methods requiring additional data collection or supervision. Code and supplementary information is available here: https://github.com/idilsulo/nn-driving
Historical and citizen-reported data show shifts in bumblebee phenology over the last century in Sweden
Authors: Blasi Maria , Carrié Romain , Fägerström Christoffer , Svensson Emma , Persson Anna S.
Published: February 2023

Bumblebees are a key taxon contributing to the provision of crop pollination and ecosystem functioning. However, land use and climate change are two of the main factors causing bee decline across the world. In this study, we investigated how the flight period of bumblebee spring queens has shifted over the last century in Sweden, and to what extent such shifts depended on climate change, landscape context, latitude, and the phenology of bumblebee species. We studied ten species of bumblebees and used observations from museum specimens covering 117 years from the southernmost region in Sweden (Scania), combined with citizen-reported observations during the past 20 years across Sweden. We found that the flight period of bumblebees has advanced by 5 days on average during the last 20 years across Sweden. In the agriculture-dominated region of Scania, we found that in the late 2010s bumblebee spring queen activity in simplified landscapes had advanced by on average 14 days, compared to 100 years ago. In addition, in simplified landscapes the flight period of early species was significantly earlier compared to in complex landscapes. Our results provide knowledge on the intraspecific variation of phenological traits, indicating that early species (often common species) exhibit a higher plastic response to the environment, which may facilitate adaptation to both climate and landscape changes, compared to the late species of which many are declining.
Fungal biodegradation of chlorinated herbicides: an overview with an emphasis on 2,4-D in Argentina
Authors: Magnoli Karen , Carranza Cecilia , Aluffi Melisa , Magnoli Carina , Barberis Carla
Published: February 2023

Chlorinated herbicides are one of the main types of pesticide used in agriculture. In Argentina, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is the most applied herbicide for the control of broadleaf weeds, but the risks it poses for the environment and human health are cause for great concern. A promising technology to remove this kind of pollutants, or neutralize them in such a way that they become less or non-toxic, is the use of degrading or detoxifying microorganisms from contaminated sites. Filamentous fungi can bioremediate xenobiotics thanks to their efficient enzymatic machinery. However, most studies on the degradation of 2,4-D have been carried out with bacteria, and little is known about whether it can be efficiently biodegraded by fungi. In the environment, fungal strains and native microbiota may detoxify contaminants through mechanisms like biosorption, bioabsortion, biotransformation, and/or degradation. Whether these processes occur separately or simultaneously depends on the metabolic ability of the strains that conform the microbial community. Another important concern when attempting to introduce detoxifying microorganisms into a contaminated environment is the GRAS (“Generally Recognized As Safe”) assessment or status. These are studies that help predict a biodegrading microorganism’s pathogenicity, toxicity,and infectivity before in situ application. This application, moreover, is regulated by different legal frameworks. The present review aims to outline the main aspects of 2,4-D degradation by fungi, and to summarize the current state of research on the topic in Argentina.
Demographic explanations of neanderthal extinction: a reply to Currie and Meneganzin
Authors: Vaesen Krist
Published: February 2023

In a recent paper, Currie and Meneganzin (Biol Phil, 2022, 37, 50) critically engage with a recent demographic explanation of the demise of Neanderthals (Vaesen et al. 2019). Currie and Meneganzin suggest that, contrary to how it is (supposedly) presented, Vaesen et al.’s explanation is not (and in fact, could never be) ‘stand-alone’, i.e., competition and environmental factors always interfere with demographic ones. Here I argue that Currie and Meneganzin misconstrue what the study in question does and does not purport to show. I conclude that, in the relevant sense, the explanation Vaesen et al. provide is a standalone demographic one.
Ionic liquid dynamics and electrical conductivity under confinement within micro and nanocellulose ionogels
Authors: Kowalczuk Joanna , Bielejewski Michał , Tritt-Goc Jadwiga
Published: February 2023

To investigate the effect of cellulose matrix on the diffusion and conductivity properties of the ionogels formed with the BMIMCl ionic liquid (IL), two types of samples were made with micro (CMC) and nano (CNC) cellulose. The cellulose interactions with IL were studied by 1H and 13C NMR solid-state spectroscopy. The cation [BMIM]+ self-diffusion coefficient was calculated based on Fast Field Cycling 1H NMR relaxation measurements. The ionic conductivity was measured by the thermal scanning conductometry method. The NMR spectra at room temperature revealed that cation in the CNC-based ionogel interacts more strongly with the cellulose chain than in the CMC-based ionogel through the methyl group at the end of the alkyl chain. Despite this, the cellulose matrix's influence on the cations' dynamics and electrical conductivity are comparable in both ionogels. The diffusion coefficient is reduced by about two times and the conductivity by about 30% compared with bulk IL.
A Principled Account of AMR Global Governance Solidarity, Subsidiarity, and Stewardship
Authors: de Campos-Rudinsky Thana C.
Published: February 2023

This commentary defines what shared yet differentiated ethical responsibilities to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mean, by introducing a threefold principled account of AMR global governance. It argues that the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, and stewardship can be especially helpful for further justifying some of the universal, differentiated, and individual responsibilities that Van Katwyk et al propose. The upshot of my threefold principled account of AMR global governance is a less ambitious AMR treaty, one that can only justify (i) universal duties of global coordination (as per the principle of solidarity); (ii) differentiated duties to local communities, which bear the primary AMR responsibilities (as per the principle of subsidiarity); and (iii) individualized duties for ensuring truthful, evidence-based, consistent, and timely shared accountable communication (as per the principle of stewardship).
Hydrothermal Treatment of Waste Plastics: An Environmental Impact Study
Authors: Ozoemena Matthew C. , Coles Stuart R.
Published: February 2023

This paper presents the attributional life cycle assessment results of a study of plastic recycling using hydrothermal treatment (HTT), a chemical recycling technology. HTT was investigated due to its potential to address current gaps in the plastic recycling system, largely due to several plastic packaging materials and formats that are currently not processed by traditional mechanical recycling technologies. As society transitions towards a net-zero-based circular economy, assessments should be conducted with a futuristic outlook, preventing costly mistakes by employing the right technologies in the right areas. The results using ReCiPe 2016 impact assessment methodology shows HTT with a GWP of 478 kg CO2 eq. per tonne can generate up to 80% reduction in climate change impacts when compared with comparable end-of-life treatment technologies whilst conserving material with the system. Additionally, the GWP could be reduced by up to 57% by changing how electricity is generated for on-site consumption. This represents a new understanding of the chemical recycling of polymers by establishing a prospective life cycle assessment study that looks to introduce a step-change in the recycling system and highlights the benefits of introducing this technology as opposed to the current model of disposal through incineration or landfill.
Kinetic analysis of non-isothermal volume melting processes by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Blázquez J. S. , Borrego J. M. , Conde C. F.
Published: February 2023

The onset of melting of standard samples, ascribed to surface melting, is generally used for calibration of calorimeters. However, in non-isothermal conditions, nucleation-driven volume melting, which is thermally activated, takes place. In this work, we propose an approximation in the frame of the classical nucleation and growth transformation kinetics to extend to non-isothermal regimes the analysis of processes governed by constant nucleation and interface controlled growth. The approximation allows both to observe the temperature dependence of nucleation activation energy with the overheating and to obtain the surface energy between the liquid nucleus and the surrounding solid phase for pure indium and lead (~ 10 mJ m−2) and for a Fe70B5C5Si3Al5Ga2P10 bulk metallic glass eutectic composition (~ 50 mJ m−2). These values are about 50% lower than the theoretical ones for homogeneous nucleation, which can be ascribed to the random heterogeneous nucleation occurring at the crystals boundaries.
Lagrangian 3-form structure for the Darboux system and the KP hierarchy
Authors: Nijhoff Frank W.
Published: February 2023

A Lagrangian multiform structure is established for a generalisation of the Darboux system describing orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems. It has been shown in the past that this system of coupled PDEs is in fact an encoding of the entire Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) hierarchy in terms so-called Miwa variables. Thus, in providing a Lagrangian description of this multidimensionally consistent system amounts to a new Lagrangian 3-form structure for the continuous KP system. A generalisation to the matrix (also known as non-Abelian) KP system is discussed.
Conception and Interpretation of Interdisciplinarity in Research Practice: Findings from Group Discussions in the Emerging Field of Digital Transformation
Authors: Schmitt Josephine B. , Goldmann Anne , Simon Samuel T. , Bieber Christoph
Published: February 2023

In recent years, we have been observing the phenomenon of an emerging scientific field: digital transformation research (DTR). Due to the diversity and complexity of its object of research digital, transformation is not effectively researchable if confined to the boundaries of individual disciplines. In the light of Scientific/Intellectual Movement theory (Frickel and Gross 2005), we wonder how interdisciplinarity could and should be mobilized to further advance the development of the field of DTR. To answer this question, we (a) need to understand how interdisciplinarity is conceived and (b) how it is considered in research practice by researchers in the emerging field. This is important, as scientists’ application of interdisciplinarity will highly influence an emerging field, shape its growth, consolidation as well as its academic establishment. We conducted six group discussions with 26 researchers from different disciplines and career levels (PhD students, postdocs, professors). The discussions were studied with a structuring qualitative content analysis. The results reflect the vagueness of the concept of interdisciplinarity. Interdisciplinarity is largely conceived as multidisciplinarity. Further, the interviewees mentioned more challenges than opportunities when it comes to interdisciplinary DTR. The present study widens the scientific understanding about how researchers of different career levels perceive, learn, and practice interdisciplinarity in DTR. It further provides valuable indications of how interdisciplinary research in an emerging field can be profitably shaped for practice.