bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-inflammatory effects of myristic acid mediated by the NF-κB pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 microglial cells
Authors: Huang Qiong , Chen Chunyan , Zhang Zhongxiao , Xue Qun
Published: July 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a serious neurodegenerative disorder wherein changes in metabolites related to lipids, glutathione, and energy metabolism occur.
Synthesis of AgBr/Ti3C2@TiO2 ternary composite for photocatalytic dehydrogenation of 1,4-dihydropyridine and photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride
Authors: Wu Hanliu , Quan Yan , Liu Meiling , Tian Xuemei , Ren Chunguang , Wang Zhonghua
Published: July 2023

AgBr/Ti3C2@TiO2 ternary composite showed enhanced catalytic activity for photooxidation of 1,4-DHP and TCH due to the formation of p–n junction between AgBr and TiO2 and the excellent conductivity of Ag nanoparticles and Ti3C2 nanosheets.
A novel nanocomposite containing zinc ferrite nanoparticles embedded in carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel plus carbon nitride nanosheets with multifunctional bioactivity
Authors: Ganjali Fatemeh , Gorab Mostafa Ghafori , Moghim Aliabadi Hooman Aghamirza , Rahmati Saman , Cohan Reza Ahangari , Eivazzadeh-Keihan Reza , Maleki Ali , Ghafuri Hossein , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: July 2023

A novel and biologically active nanobiocomposite is synthesized based on carbon nitride nanosheet (g-C3N4) and carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels with embedded zinc ferrite nanoparticles.
Toxicological evaluation of bisphenol analogues: preventive measures and therapeutic interventions
Authors: Akash Muhammad Sajid Hamid , Rasheed Sumbal , Rehman Kanwal , Imran Muhammad , Assiri Mohammed A.
Published: July 2023

Schematic representation of pathways of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure, excretion, and metabolites in the human body.
Fundamental insight into enhanced activity of Pd/CeO2thin films in hydrogen oxidation reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Luneau Mathilde , Strandberg Linnéa , Montserrat-Sisó Gerard , Shokhen Victor , Mohan Roopathy , Grönbeck Henrik , Wickman Björn
Published: July 2023

In situelectrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (E-QCM) provides new insight into enhanced activity of palladium supported on ceria (Pd/CeO2) in hydrogen oxidation reaction.
Multifunctional molecule interface modification for high-performance inverted wide-bandgap perovskite cells and modules
Authors: Yang Yang , Chang Qing , Yang Yuyao , Jiang Yuhui , Dai Zhiyuan , Huang Xiaofeng , Huo Jiangwei , Guo Pengfei , Shen Hui , Liu Zhe , Chen Ruihao , Wang Hongqiang
Published: July 2023

A multifunctional molecule at interface was explored to inhibit phase separation and passivate defects, producing perovskite solar cells with efficiencies of 21.82% (0.05 cm2) and 18.05% (1.92 cm2) at 1.67 eV bandgap with excellent stability.
L’enceinte de confinement, bien plus que du béton et de l’acier
Authors: Masson Benoît
Published: July 2023

L’enceinte de confinement est un élément non remplaçable de la centrale. L’ultime barrière de confinement fait, comme la cuve du réacteur, l’objet d’un suivi attentif et régulier afin d’identifier et de comprendre les mécanismes de son vieillissement.
Die Rolle von Schlafproblemen in der muskuloskelettalen
Physiotherapie – Teil 2: Insomnie
Authors: Runge Nils , Suckow Melanie
Published: July 2023

Insomnie ist die am häufigsten vorkommende Schlaferkrankung in der
Allgemeinbevölkerung und bei Menschen mit chronischen Schmerzen. Da die
momentane Studienlage einen deutlichen Zusammenhang zwischen Schlafproblemen und
Schmerzen zeigt, ist es relevant, dass Physiotherapeut*innen ein
Basiswissen zu dieser Problematik haben, um Patient*innen mit
chronischen Schmerzen optimal zu betreuen. In diesem Artikel stellen die
Autor*innen ein Grundlagenmodell zur Entstehung und Chronifizierung der
Insomnie vor und geben Einblicke in die nicht medikamentöse Therapie
dieses Krankheitsbildes. Ziel ist es, Physiotherapeut*innen für
dieses Thema zu sensibilisieren und aufzuzeigen, welche Rolle die Physiotherapie
bei der Behandlung der Insomnie spielen könnte.
Feasibility and Safety of Bedside Percutaneous Catheter Drainage of Necrotic Pancreatic Fluid Collections in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Gupta Pankaj , Sehgal Shreya , Gupta Jyoti , Samanta Jayanta , Mandavdhare Harshal , Sharma Vishal , Dutta Usha , Kochhar Rakesh , Sandhu Manavjit Singh
Published: July 2023

Purpose Critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) in this group is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of bedside percutaneous ultrasound (USG)-guided interventions in necrotic PFC in ICU patients.

Methods This retrospective study comprised consecutive patients with AP in the ICU who underwent bedside USG-guided interventions for necrotic PFC. Indications for intervention, technical success, clinical success, and complications were recorded. The site, number, and size of catheters were recorded. Clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results Thirty-three patients (mean age, 38.1 years, 15 females) were included. All patients had nonresolving organ failure and were on mechanical ventilation. The mean pain to percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD interval was 42.2 days (range, 7–167 days). All the procedures were technically successful, and none of the patients required shifting to the interventional radiology suite for computed tomography guidance. PCD was clinically successful in 40% of the patients. There were no major complications. The mean length of hospital stay and ICU stay was 35 days (range, 6–69 days) and 13 days (range, 1–63 days), respectively. Six (17.1%) patients underwent necrosectomy. Sixteen (45.7%) patients died in the hospital.

Conclusion USG-guided bedside PCD can be performed safely with high technical success in the ICU setting.
Production of H− ions by thermal desorption process
Authors: Leung Ka-Ngo
Published: July 2023

H− or D− ion current extracted from a hydrogen or deuterium discharge plasma can be substantially enhanced by introducing a small quantity of an alkaline metal, such as cesium, into the extraction region of the ion source. The increase in the extractable H− or D− current is accompanied by a large reduction in the electron output current. This phenomenon of H− or D− enhancement only occurs when the temperature of the plasma electrode is above 50 °C and reaches a maximum around 300 °C. New experimental results here demonstrate that thermal desorption of H atoms from the surface of an electrode together with a reduction of its surface work-function can account for the increase in H− output current observed in the cesium-seeded volume H− ion sources.
Calculating fire danger of cured grasslands in temperate climates – the elements of the Grassland Fire Index (GLFI)
Authors: Wittich K.-P. , Böttcher C. , Stammer P. , Herbst M.
Published: July 2023

Background Increasing extreme weather events due to climate change require updated environmental monitoring and prediction systems in Germany. Aim The Grassland Fire Index (GLFI), developed by the German Meteorological Service ~15 years ago for temperate climates, was revised to improve fire-danger predictions during the fire season. Our paper gives insight into the new model version. Methods The former fire-behaviour core, i.e. Fosberg’s Fire Weather Index (FWI), is replaced by the standardised fire-reaction intensity, a different fuel-moisture of extinction term, and a replica of the fire-spread rate of the Canadian FFBP-System. A standardised ease-of-ignition index is added as a measure of ignition success. The fire module is supplied with diurnal dead-grass fuel-moisture calculations based on the water-budget and energy-balance concept. Key results The GLFI output is compared with diurnal fuel-moisture measurements and results of Wotton’s Grass-Fuel-Moisture model, Fosberg’s FWI, and Cheney’s rate of spread equation. The GLFI computes periods with a high fuel moisture more realistically, whereas it exceeds Cheney’s rate-of-fire spread systematically at lower wind speeds, which leads to higher danger ratings during calm-air conditions (as requested by users). Conclusions and Implications The GLFI estimates dead-fuel moisture and fire danger on open, horizontal topography according to the current scientific level. Model extensions are necessary to run the model on complex topography under varying greenness and occasional frost conditions.
Detecting dynamic domains and local fluctuations in complex molecular systems via timelapse neighbors shuffling
Authors: Crippa Martina , Cardellini Annalisa , Caruso Cristina , Pavan Giovanni M.
Published: July 2023

It is known that the behavior of many complex systems is controlled by local dynamic rearrangements or fluctuations occurring within them. Complex molecular systems, composed of many molecules interacting with each other in a Brownian storm, make no exception. Despite the rise of machine learning and of sophisticated structural descriptors, detecting local fluctuations and collective transitions in complex dynamic ensembles remains often difficult. Here, we show a machine learning framework based on a descriptor which we name Local Environments and Neighbors Shuffling (LENS), that allows identifying dynamic domains and detecting local fluctuations in a variety of systems in an abstract and efficient way. By tracking how much the microscopic surrounding of each molecular unit changes over time in terms of neighbor individuals, LENS allows characterizing the global (macroscopic) dynamics of molecular systems in phase transition, phases-coexistence, as well as intrinsically characterized by local fluctuations (e.g., defects). Statistical analysis of the LENS time series data extracted from molecular dynamics trajectories of, for example, liquid-like, solid-like, or dynamically diverse complex molecular systems allows tracking in an efficient way the presence of different dynamic domains and of local fluctuations emerging within them. The approach is found robust, versatile, and applicable independently of the features of the system and simply provided that a trajectory containing information on the relative motion of the interacting units is available. We envisage that “such a LENS” will constitute a precious basis for exploring the dynamic complexity of a variety of systems and, given its abstract definition, not necessarily of molecular ones.
Investigating the performance of susceptibility-weighted images in Fricke gel dosimeter reading and optimizing the related imaging parameters
Authors: Elmtalab Soheil , Ghazi Mir Saeid Seyedeh Fereshteh , Rad Hamidreza Saligheh , Geraily Ghazale
Published: July 2023

Fricke gel dosimeters are especially useful in small-field dosimetry and validation of treatment delivery in three-dimensional space with features such as tissue equivalence, non-toxicity, high spatial resolution, non-dependence on energy, and dose rate. The use of basic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocols (T1- and T2-Weighted) for reading Fricke gel dosimeters has always been considered the dominant method in many studies. However, the development and application of advanced MRI techniques for more accurate readings of Fricke gel dosimeters can be useful. Considering that in the main structure of Fricke gel, there are conversions of iron ions to each other, this study aimed to investigate the performance of Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging (SWI) and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) based on magnetic susceptibility in the reading of Fricke gel dosimeters and to optimize the related imaging parameters. For this purpose, a Fricke-Xylenol orange-gelatin was made at five concentrations of iron ammonium sulfate. To obtain gel dosimeter calibration curves, vials containing gel were subjected to irradiation at three different doses by a linear accelerator. The reading of gel dosimeters was performed using MRI imaging in three protocols, T1W, T2W, and SWI, and analyzed with a method unique to each one. Finally, the results obtained from the three protocols were compared with each other. The comparison of calibration curves in three imaging protocols shows that the sensitivity of calibration curves in SWI was about three times its value in T2W, and on the other hand, the reported sensitivity in T1W was very small compared to the other two protocols. The linearity factor was similar between SWI and T1W protocols and higher in T2W. Therefore, it is concluded that in addition to the relaxometry techniques that have been used as a conventional method for reading Fricke gel dosimeter, SWI imaging has high sensitivity and specificity for reading dosimeter gel based on iron.
Quantum chip design optimization and automation in superconducting coupler architecture
Authors: Li Fei-Yu , Jin Li-Jing
Published: July 2023

Superconducting coupler architecture demonstrates great potential for scalable and high-performance quantum processors, yet how to design efficiently and automatically ‘Qubit–Coupler–Qubit (QCQ)’ of high performance from the layout perspective remains obscure. In this work, this issue is studied for the first time resulting in three key findings. Firstly, we acquire the crucial zero-coupling condition that is only dependent on the geometric design of the layout. Secondly, the upper bound of the qubit–qubit effective coupling is found as

0.0822
 

ω
l

/

β
s
2

which surprisingly depends only on the artificially pre-decided quantities

ω
l

,

β
s

instead of specific layouts. Thirdly, we propose an optimal layout design procedure to reach the very upper bound, leading to efficient and high-performance layout design. The effectiveness of the procedure has been demonstrated scrupulously using electromagnetic simulation experiments. As a stirring application, we report a state-of-the-art 3202 um long-range and scalable QCQ layout that is especially crucial to quantum error correction. Our work provides practical guides to optimize the performance of the existing coupler architecture, find out novel layouts, and further advance the progress of quantum chip design automation.
Addendum for: “Solar cell parameter accuracy improvement, via refinement of the Co-Content function. Part 2: Discussion on the experimental application” (2022 Eng. Res. Express
4 015020)
Authors: Rangel-Kuoppa Victor Tapio
Published: July 2023

This paper is an addendum to reference (Rangel-Kuoppa 2022 Eng. Res. Express 4 015020), in which the deduction of the five solar cell parameters, through the polynomial fitting of Co-content function

CC

V
,
I

=

∫

0

V

I
−

I

sc

dV

(

I

sc

=
I
(
V
=
0
)

), was reported, as a function of a constant percentage noise (

p

n

) of the maximum measured constant, i.e., I

max
, and the number of measured points per voltage (

P

V

). In this addendum, the extraction of the five solar cell parameters is researched, in the 0 V to open-circuit voltage range, for the illumination case, as a function of

P

V

,

and a p

n
of the

I

sc

.
Two birds with one stone: integrated assessment of coronary physiology and plaque vulnerability from a single angiographic view—a case report
Authors: Fezzi Simone , Huang Jiayue , Wijns William , Tu Shengxian , Ribichini Flavio
Published: July 2023

Background

Physiology-guided coronary revascularization was shown to improve clinical outcomes in multiple patient subsets, whilst in those presenting with acute coronary syndromes, it seems to be associated with an excess of cardiovascular events. One of the major drawbacks in this setting is the potential deferral of non–flow-limiting but ‘vulnerable’ coronary plaques.

Case summary

A 40-year-old patient presented with a myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI). At the invasive coronary angiography (ICA) a sub-occlusive stenosis on his left circumflex artery was detected and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The treatment of a concomitant intermediate eccentric focal stenosis on the right coronary artery (RCA) was deferred after a negative pressure wire–based physiological assessment. The patient was re-admitted 9 months later due to a recurrent NSTEMI, and a severe progression of the deferred RCA lesion was found at the ICA. In retrospect, an angiography-based assessment of physiological severity and plaque vulnerability of the non-culprit RCA stenosis by means of Murray’s law–based QFR (μQFR) and radial wall strain (RWS) was performed. At baseline, μQFR value (0.90) corroborated the non-ischaemic findings of wire-based assessment. However, RWS analysis showed a marked hotspot (maximum RWS value 27.7%), indicating the presence of a vulnerable plaque.

Discussion

Radial wall strain is a novel biomechanical deformation index derived from coronary angiography. Segments with high RWS are associated with lipid-rich plaques that are prone to progression and plaque rupture. Therefore, the identification of RWS hotspots might potentially improve the risk stratification of non-culprit lesions and empower secondary prevention strategies.
Chromosome-level reference genomes of two imperiled desert fishes: spikedace (Meda fulgida) and loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis)
Authors: Alexandre Nicolas M , Cameron Alexander C , Tian David , Chatla Kamalakar , Kolora Sree R R , Whiteman Noah K , Turner Thomas F , Reinthal Peter N
Published: July 2023

North American minnows (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae) comprise a diverse taxonomic group, but many members, particularly those inhabiting deserts, face elevated extinction risks. Despite conservation concerns, leuciscids remain under sampled for reference assemblies relative to other groups of freshwater fishes. Here, we present 2 chromosome-scale reference genome assemblies spikedace (Meda fulgida) and loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) using PacBio, Illumina and Omni-C technologies. The complete assembly for spikedace was 882.1 Mb in total length comprised of 83 scaffolds with N50 = 34.8 Mb, L50 = 11, N75 = 32.3 Mb, and L75 = 18. The complete assembly for loach minnow was 1.3 Gb in total length comprised of 550 scaffolds with N50 = 48.6 Mb, L50 = 13, N75 = 42.3 Mb, and L75 = 20. Completeness assessed via Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologues (BUSCO) metrics using the Actinopterygii BUSCO database showed ∼97% for spikedace and ∼98% for loach minnow of complete BUSCO proportions. Annotation revealed approximately 32.58 and 29.04% of spikedace and loach minnow total genome lengths to be comprised of protein-coding genes, respectively. Comparative genomic analyses of these endangered and co-distributed fishes revealed widespread structural variants, gene family expansions, and evidence of positive selection in both genomes.
Quantifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer center clinical trial operations
Authors: George Thomas J , Lin Tara L , Adrales Bentz Tricia , Grant Stefan , Houston Collette M , Nashawati Melissa A , Pappu Bhanu , Peck Helen , Zafirovski Alex , Kerstann Kimberly , LoRusso Patricia , Schnatterly Anne , Hofacker Janie , Cameron Kendra , Honeycutt Hailey , Werner Theresa L
Published: July 2023

Background

Oncology clinical trials are complex, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions in 2020.

Methods

Using its networking and sharing of best practices, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, comprising 105 cancer centers, solicited a longitudinal series of voluntary surveys from members to assess how clinical trial office operations were affected. The surveys showed that centers were able to keep oncology trials available to patients while maintaining safety. Data were collected regarding interventional clinical trial accruals for the calendar years 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Results

Data demonstrated a sizeable decrease in interventional treatment trial accruals in both 2020 and 2021 compared with prepandemic figures in 2019. No cancer center reported an increase in interventional treatment trial accruals in 2020 compared with 2019, with most centers reporting a moderate decrease. In mid-2022, 15% of respondents reported an increasing trend, 31% reported no significant change, and 54% continued to report a decrease.

Conclusions

The pandemic necessitated rapid adoption of trial operations, with the emergence of several best practices, including remote monitoring, remote consenting, electronic research charts, and work-from-home strategies for staff. The national infrastructure to conduct trials was significantly affected by the pandemic, with noteworthy resiliency, evidenced by improvements in efficiencies and patient-centered care delivery but with residual capacity challenges that will be evident for the foreseeable future.
Ureteral reconstruction with appendiceal interposition graft following resection of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Williams Taylor R , Diallo Ismael , Issa Muta , Massarweh Nader N
Published: July 2023

Ureteral defects can be repaired using a variety of different techniques that depend on the length and position of the defect. Here we describe a case where a long, upper-ureteral defect was successfully reconstructed using an appendiceal interposition graft. A 60-year-old female patient underwent resection of a right-sided retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma that was encasing the entire upper ureter and obstructing the right kidney. The mass was resected en bloc, leaving behind an 11 cm ureteral defect. The defect was successfully reconstructed with an appendiceal interposition graft. Appendiceal interposition grafts are a feasible and effective approach for ureteral reconstruction in adults following oncologic resection. We describe various technical aspects that optimize the success of ureteral reconstruction.
Random feature models for learning interacting dynamical systems
Authors: Liu Yuxuan , McCalla Scott G. , Schaeffer Hayden
Published: July 2023

Particle dynamics and multi-agent systems provide accurate dynamical models for studying and forecasting the behaviour of complex interacting systems. They often take the form of a high-dimensional system of differential equations parameterized by an interaction kernel that models the underlying attractive or repulsive forces between agents. We consider the problem of constructing a data-based approximation of the interacting forces directly from noisy observations of the paths of the agents in time. The learned interaction kernels are then used to predict the agents’ behaviour over a longer time interval. The approximation developed in this work uses a randomized feature algorithm and a sparse randomized feature approach. Sparsity-promoting regression provides a mechanism for pruning the randomly generated features which was observed to be beneficial when one has limited data, in particular, leading to less overfitting than other approaches. In addition, imposing sparsity reduces the kernel evaluation cost which significantly lowers the simulation cost for forecasting the multi-agent systems. Our method is applied to various examples, including first-order systems with homogeneous and heterogeneous interactions, second-order homogeneous systems, and a new sheep swarming system.
Current and emerging deep-learning methods for the simulation of fluid dynamics
Authors: Lino Mario , Fotiadis Stathi , Bharath Anil A. , Cantwell Chris D.
Published: July 2023

Over the last decade, deep learning (DL), a branch of machine learning, has experienced rapid progress. Powerful tools for tasks that have been traditionally complex to automate have been developed, such as image synthesis and natural language processing. In the context of simulating fluid dynamics, this has led to a series of novel DL methods for replacing or augmenting conventional numerical solvers. We broadly classify these methods into physics- and data-driven methods. Physics-driven methods, generally, tune a DL model to provide an analytical and differentiable solution to a given fluid dynamics problem by minimizing the residuals of the governing partial differential equations. Data-driven methods provide a fast and approximate solution to any fluid dynamics problem that shares some physical properties with the observations used when tuning the DL model’s parameters. Meanwhile, the symbiosis of numerical solvers and DL has led to promising results in turbulence modelling and accelerating iterative solvers. However, these methods present some challenges. Exclusively data-driven flow simulators often suffer from poor extrapolation, error accumulation in time-dependent simulations, as well as difficulties in training against turbulent flows. Substantial effort is, therefore, being invested into approaches that may improve the current state of the art.
The θ-formulation of the two-dimensional elastica: buckling and boundary layer theory
Authors: Kozyreff Gregory , Siéfert Emmanuel , Radisson Basile , Brau Fabian
Published: July 2023

The equations of a planar elastica under pressure can be rewritten in a useful form by parameterizing the variables in terms of the local orientation angle,

θ

, instead of the arc length. This ‘

θ

-formulation’ lends itself to a particularly easy boundary layer analysis in the limit of weak bending stiffness. Within this parameterization, boundary layers are located at inflection points, where

θ

is extremum, and they connect regions of low and large curvature. A simple composite solution is derived without resorting to elliptic functions and integrals. This approximation can be used as an elementary building block to describe complex shapes. Applying this theory to the study of an elastic ring under uniform pressure and subject to a set of point forces, we discover a snapping instability. This instability is confirmed by numerical simulations. Finally, we carry out experiments and find good agreement of the theory with the experimental shape of the deformed elastica.
Tensor networks for quantum machine learning
Authors: Rieser Hans-Martin , Köster Frank , Raulf Arne Peter
Published: July 2023

Once developed for quantum theory, tensor networks (TNs) have been established as a successful machine learning (ML) paradigm. Now, they have been ported back to the quantum realm in the emerging field of quantum ML to assess problems that classical computers are unable to solve efficiently. Their nature at the interface between physics and ML makes TNs easily deployable on quantum computers. In this review article, we shed light on one of the major architectures considered to be predestined for variational quantum ML. In particular, we discuss how layouts like matrix product state, projected entangled pair states, tree tensor networks and multi-scale entanglement renormalization ansatz can be mapped to a quantum computer, how they can be used for ML and data encoding and which implementation techniques improve their performance.
Formation of multi-peak gap solitons and stable excitations for double-Lévy-index and mixed fractional NLS equations with optical lattice potentials
Authors: Zhong Ming , Yan Zhenya
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we investigate the new two-Lévy-index fractional nonlinear Schrödinger (FNLS) equations with optical lattices, where two fractional derivative terms are introduced to control the diffractions. Especially, we explore the linear Bloch bandgaps and existence of gap solitons for the two-Lévy-index mixed FNLS equations with optical lattices. We analyse the effects of different coefficients of normal and abnormal diffraction terms on bandgap structures. Families of single-, double-, triple-, as well as quadruple-peak solitons are found in the first gap with the defocusing nonlinearity while such solitons can be found in the semi-infinite gap when it turns to the focusing regime. Meanwhile, we find that the above-obtained gap solitons can be roughly divided into two types, one of which branches out from the band edge, and another one cannot branch out from the band edge. Moreover, the stability of gap solitons is discussed via the linear stability analysis, and then their dynamical behaviours are verified by means of direct simulations. And stable multi-peak solitons can be obtained via analysing the phase structure. Meanwhile, we find the stable excitations of gap solitons via excitations of system parameters. The stable gap solitons are also verified to appear in the two-Lévy-index FNLS equation. These results may pave the way for the study of linear and nonlinear phenomena of two-Lévy-index and mixed FNLS equations or other mixed fractional physical models in optical lattices and the related physical experimental designs.
Seed dispersal syndrome predicts ethanol concentration of fruits in a tropical dry forest
Authors: Casorso Julia G. , DePasquale Allegra N. , Romero Morales Suheidy , Cheves Hernandez Saúl , Lopez Navarro Ronald , Hockings Kimberley J. , Carrigan Matthew A. , Melin Amanda D.
Published: July 2023

Studying fruit traits and their interactions with seed dispersers can improve how we interpret patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem function and evolution. Mounting evidence suggests that fruit ethanol is common and variable, and may exert selective pressures on seed dispersers. To test this, we comprehensively assess fruit ethanol content in a wild ecosystem and explore sources of variation. We hypothesize that both phylogeny and seed dispersal syndrome explain variation in ethanol levels, and we predict that fruits with mammalian dispersal traits will contain higher levels of ethanol than those with bird dispersal traits. We measured ripe fruit ethanol content in species with mammal- (n= 16), bird- (n= 14) or mixed-dispersal (n= 7) syndromes in a Costa Rican tropical dry forest. Seventy-eight per cent of fruit species yielded measurable ethanol concentrations. We detected a phylogenetic signal in maximum ethanol levels (Pagel'sλ= 0.82). Controlling for phylogeny, we observed greater ethanol concentrations in mammal-dispersed fruits, indicating that dispersal syndrome helps explain variation in ethanol content, and that mammals may be more exposed to ethanol in their diets than birds. Our findings further our understanding of wild fruit ethanol and its potential role as a selective pressure on frugivore sensory systems and metabolism.
Artificial selection for reversal learning reveals limited repeatability and no heritability of cognitive flexibility in great tits (
Parus major
)
Authors: van den Heuvel Krista , Quinn John L. , Kotrschal Alexander , van Oers Kees
Published: July 2023

Cognitive flexibility controls how animals respond to changing environmental conditions. Individuals within species vary considerably in cognitive flexibility but the micro-evolutionary potential in animal populations remains enigmatic. One prerequisite for cognitive flexibility to be able to evolve is consistent and heritable among-individual variation. Here we determine the repeatability and heritability of cognitive flexibility among great tits (
Parus major
) by performing an artificial selection experiment on reversal learning performance using a spatial learning paradigm over three generations. We found low, yet significant, repeatability (
R
= 0.15) of reversal learning performance. Our artificial selection experiment showed no evidence for narrow-sense heritability of associative or reversal learning, while we confirmed the heritability of exploratory behaviour. We observed a phenotypic, but no genetic, correlation between associative and reversal learning, showing the importance of prior information on reversal learning. We found no correlation between cognitive and personality traits. Our findings emphasize that cognitive flexibility is a multi-faceted trait that is affected by memory and prior experience, making it challenging to retrieve reliable values of temporal consistency and assess the contribution of additive genetic variation. Future studies need to identify what cognitive components underlie variation in reversal learning and study their between-individual and additive genetic components.
Allometric wing growth links parental care to pterosaur giantism
Authors: Yang Zixiao , Jiang Baoyu , Benton Michael J. , Xu Xing , McNamara Maria E. , Hone David W. E.
Published: July 2023

Pterosaurs evolved a broad range of body sizes, from small-bodied early forms with wingspans of mostly 1–2 m to the last-surviving giants with sizes of small airplanes. Since all pterosaurs began life as small hatchlings, giant forms must have attained large adult sizes through new growth strategies, which remain largely unknown. Here we assess wing ontogeny and performance in the giantPteranodonand the smaller-bodied anurognathidsRhamphorhynchus,PterodactylusandSinopterus. We show that most smaller-bodied pterosaurs shared negative allometry or isometry in the proximal elements of the fore- and hindlimbs, which were critical elements for powering both flight and terrestrial locomotion, whereas these show positive allometry inPteranodon. Such divergent growth allometry typically signals different strategies in the precocial–altricial spectrum, suggesting more altricial development inPteranodon. Using a biophysical model of powered and gliding flight, we test and reject the hypothesis that an aerodynamically superior wing planform could have enabledPteranodonto attain its larger body size. We therefore propose that a shift from a plesiomorphic precocial state towards a derived state of enhanced parental care may have relaxed the constraints of small body sizes and allowed the evolution of derived flight anatomies critical for the flying giants.
High resolution spatial investigation of intracellular oxygen in muscle cells
Authors: Penjweini Rozhin , Pasut Alessandra , Roarke Branden , Alspaugh Greg , Sackett Dan L. , Knutson Jay R.
Published: July 2023

Molecular oxygen (O2) is one of the most functionally relevant metabolites. O2is essential for mito-chondrial aerobic respiration. Changes in O2affect muscle metabolism and play a critical role in the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass, with lack of sufficient O2resulting in detrimental loss of muscle mass and function. How exactly O2is used by muscle cells is less known, mainly due to the lack of tools to address O2dynamics at the cellular level. Here we discuss a new imaging method for the real time quantification of intracellular O2in muscle cells based on a genetically encoded O2-responsive sensor, Myoglobin-mCherry. We show that we can spatially resolve and quantify intracellular O2concentration in single muscle cells and that the spatiotemporal O2gradient measured by the sensor is linked to, and reflects, functional metabolic changes occurring during the process of muscle differentiation.

Highlights

Real time quantitation of intracellular oxygen with spatial resolution

Identification of metabolically active sites in single cells

Oxygen metabolism is linked to muscle differentiation
Investigating robust associations between functional connectivity based on graph theory and general intelligence
Authors: Metzen Dorothea , Stammen Christina , Fraenz Christoph , Schlüter Caroline , Johnson Wendy , Güntürkün Onur , DeYoung Colin G. , Genç Erhan
Published: July 2023

Previous research investigating relations between general intelligence and graph-theoretical properties of the brain’s intrinsic functional network has yielded contradictory results. A promising approach to tackle such mixed findings is multi-center analysis. For this study, we analyzed data from four independent data sets (total N > 2000) to identify robust associations amongst samples betweengfactor scores and global as well as node-specific graph metrics. On the global level,gshowed no significant associations with global efficiency in any sample, but significant positive associations with global clustering coefficient and small-world propensity in two samples. On the node-specific level, elastic-net regressions for nodal efficiency and local clustering yielded no brain areas that exhibited consistent associations amongst data sets. Using the areas identified via elastic-net regression in one sample to predictgin other samples was not successful for nodal efficiency and only led to significant predictions between two data sets for local clustering. Thus, using conventional graph theoretical measures based on resting-state imaging did not result in replicable associations between functional connectivity and general intelligence.
Breakthrough infection elicits hypermutated IGHV3-53/3-66 public antibodies with broad and potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants including BQ and XBB lineages
Authors: Li Ling , Chen Xixian , Wang Zuowei , Li Yunjian , Wang Chen , Jiang Liwei , Zuo Teng
Published: July 2023

The rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) calls for efforts to study broadly neutralizing antibodies elicited by infection or vaccination so as to inform the development of vaccines and antibody therapeutics with broad protection. Here, we identified two convalescents of breakthrough infection with relatively high neutralizing titers against all tested viruses including BQ and XBB lineages. Among 50 spike-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) cloned from their B cells, the top 6 neutralizing mAbs (KXD01-06) belong to previously defined IGHV3-53/3-66 public antibodies. Although most antibodies in this class are dramatically escaped by VOCs, KXD01-06 exhibit broad neutralizing capacity with the IC50s of KXD01 ranging from 0.011∼0.059μg/ml. Deep mutational scanning reveals that KXD01-06 target highly conserved sites on RBD including D420, Y421, L455, F456, A475 and N487. Genetic and functional analysis further indicates that the extent of somatic hypermutation is critical for the breadth of IGHV3-53/3-66 public antibodies. Overall, we discovered and characterized IGHV3-53/3-66 public antibodies with broad and potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2, which provides rationale for novel vaccines and antibody therapeutics based on this class of antibodies.
Evolution of spite versus evolution of altruism through a disbandment mechanism
Authors: Kurokawa Shun
Published: July 2023

Altruism and spite are costly to the actor; therefore, from the perspective of natural selection, the existence of them is a mysterious phenomenon and require explanation. If altruistic individuals are more likely to be recipients for altruism than non-altruistic individuals, then altruism can be favored by natural selection. Similarly, if spiteful individuals are less likely to be recipients for spite than non-spiteful individuals, then spite can be favored by natural selection. Spite is altruism’s evil twin or ugly sister of altruism. In some mechanisms (e.g. repeated interaction), if altruism is favored by natural selection, then spite is also favored by natural selection. In contrast, there is a situation which facilitates the evolution of altruism but is unlikely to facilitate the evolution of spite. Population structure is one typical example. Here we focus on the mechanism in which individuals choose to keep the interaction or stop the interaction according to the opponent’s behavior. We, by using evolutionary game theory, investigate the evolution of altruism and the evolution of spite under this mechanism. Our model shows that the evolution of spite is less likely than the evolution of altruism. This main result provides a nice intuition for why altruism is more abundant than spite in general in the real world.
Parsing variance by marker type: Testing biogeographic hypotheses and differential contribution of historical processes to population structure in a desert lizard
Authors: Holmes Iris A. , Monagan Ivan V. , Westphal Michael F. , Johnson Paul J. , Davis Rabosky Alison R.
Published: July 2023

A fundamental goal of population genetic studies is to identify historical biogeographic patterns and understand the processes that generate them. However, localized demographic events can skew population genetic inference. Assessing populations with multiple types of genetic markers, each with unique mutation rates and responses to changes in population size, can help to identify potentially confounding population‐specific demographic processes. Here, we compared population structure and connectivity inferred from microsatellites and restriction site‐associated DNA loci among 17 populations of an arid‐specialist lizard, the desert night lizard, Xantusia vigilis, in central California to test among historical processes structuring population genetic diversity. We found that both marker types yielded generally concordant insights into population genetic structure including a major phylogenetic break maintained between two populations separated by less than 10 km, suggesting that either marker type could be used to understand generalized demographic patterns across the region for management purposes. However, we also found that the effects of demography on marker discordance could be used to elucidate population histories and distinguish among competing biogeographic hypotheses. Our results suggest that comparisons of within‐population diversity across marker types provide powerful opportunities for leveraging marker discordance, particularly for understanding the creation and maintenance of contact zones among clades.
Asian‐type DEL (RHD*DEL1) with an allo‐anti‐D: A paradoxical observation in a healthy multiparous woman
Authors: Ohto Hitoshi , Ito Shoichi , Srivastava Kshitij , Ogiyama Yoshiko , Uchikawa Makoto , Nollet Kenneth Eric , Flegel Willy Albert
Published: July 2023

Background

The DEL phenotype is the D variant expressing the least amounts of D antigen per red cell. Asian‐type DEL (RHD:c:1227G > A) is the most prevalent DEL in East Asia without any anti‐D alloimmunization reported before. We investigated the first observation of an anti‐D in any DEL phenotype, reported in the Japanese language at a 1987 conference, only 3 years after the discovery of DEL.

Methods

We contacted the proband 35 years after the initial report. Standard hemagglutination, adsorption/elution, and flow cytometry tests were performed, as was nucleotide sequencing for the RHD, RHCE, and HLA class I and class II genes.

Results

The healthy multiparous Japanese woman, a regular blood donor, still had the anti‐D of titer 8 representing an alloantibody by standard serologic methods. Unexpectedly, she carried an Asian‐type DEL without any additional RHD gene variation. All 12 HLA alleles identified were known in the Japanese population. Interestingly, one of her HLA‐DRB1 and a variant of her HLA‐DQB1 alleles had previously been associated with anti‐D immunization.

Conclusion

We described an allo‐anti‐D, maintained for more than three decades, in an Asian‐type DEL. The combination of two implicated HLA alleles were rare and could have contributed to the anti‐D immunization. Continued monitoring of anti‐D immunization events in patients with DEL is warranted, and we discuss possible mechanisms for further study. As only this single observation has been recognized in the last 35 years, the current recommendation is affirmed: Individuals with Asian‐type DEL should be treated as Rh D‐positive for transfusion and Rh immune prophylaxis purposes.
Assessing trends and reasons for unsuccessful implant discontinuation in Burkina Faso and Kenya between 2016 and 2020: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tumlinson Katherine , Senderowicz Leigh , Bullington Brooke W , Chung Stephanie , Goland Emilia , Zimmerman Linnea , Gichangi Peter , Thiongo Mary , Guiella Georges ,   PMA Principal Investigators Group, Karp Celia
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Contraceptive implant use has grown considerably in the last decade, particularly among women in Burkina Faso and Kenya, where implant use is among the highest globally. We aim to quantify the proportion of current implant users who have unsuccessfully attempted implant removal in Burkina Faso and Kenya and document reasons for and location of unsuccessful removal.

Methods

We use nationally representative data collected between 2016 and 2020 from a cross-section of women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso and Kenya to estimate the prevalence of implant use, proportion of current implant users who unsuccessfully attempted removal and proportion of all removal attempts that have been unsuccessful. We describe reasons for and barriers to removal, including the type of facility where successful and unsuccessful attempts occurred.

Findings

The total number of participants ranged from 3221 (2017) to 6590 (2020) in Burkina Faso and from 5864 (2017) to 9469 (2019) in Kenya. Over a 4 year period, the percentage of current implant users reporting an unsuccessful implant discontinuation declined from 9% (95% CI: 7% to 12%) to 2% (95% CI: 1% to 3%) in Kenya and from 7% (95% CI: 4% to 14%) to 3% (95% CI: 2% to 6%) in Burkina Faso. Common barriers to removal included being counselled against removal by the provider or told to return a different day.

Conclusion

Unsuccessful implant discontinuation has decreased in recent years. Despite progress, substantial numbers of women desire having their contraceptive implant removed but are unable to do so. Greater attention to health systems barriers preventing implant removal is imperative to protect reproductive autonomy and ensure women can achieve their reproductive goals.
Association between hypoproteinaemia with massive proteinuria and small for gestational age in pre-eclampsia: a single-centre, retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching
Authors: Lv Yanxiang , Zhou Ying , Hu Rui , Liang Yan , Lian Yanan , Wang Jun , Wei Yang , Zhang Yanmei , Qiao Yuan , He Tongqiang
Published: July 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between hypoproteinaemia with massive proteinuria and the incidence of small for gestational age in pre-eclampsia.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using propensity score matching.

Setting

Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Shaanxi Province, China, using data from January 2016 to December 2021.

Participants

Patients diagnosed with pre-eclampsia were grouped into the massive proteinuria group if the maximum proteinuria was >3.5 g/day and the minimum serum albumin was <30 g/L; otherwise, they were placed in the control group.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was the incidence of small for gestational age infants. Secondary outcomes included fetal death, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, a 5 min APGAR score <7, severe small for gestational age, fetal growth restriction, birth weight, premature birth, and maternal outcomes such as eclampsia, encephalopathy, placental abruption, haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet syndrome, heart failure and retinal detachment.

Results

In total, 468 patients (234 from each group) were included, and the groups were well matched. The incidences of small for gestational age (33.76% vs 20.51%, OR 1.646, 95% CI 1.208 to 2.243, p=0.001), severe small for gestational age (14.70% vs 7.69%, OR 1.833, 95% CI 1.063 to 3.162, p=0.026), fetal growth restriction (23.93% vs 16.24%, OR 1.474, 95% CI 1.018 to 2.133, p=0.038), and the numbers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (67.52% vs 58.55%, OR 1.153, 95% CI 1.003 to 1.326, p=0.044) were significantly higher in patients with hypoproteinaemia and massive proteinuria than in the control group. In addition, the median birth weight was significantly lower in the massive proteinuria group. There were no significant differences in maternal outcomes except for renal parameters, which were worse in the massive proteinuria group.

Conclusion

Hypoproteinaemia with massive proteinuria was associated with fetal growth and a higher incidence of small for gestational age infants in pre-eclampsia.