bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrode Surface‐Modified Strategy for Improving the Voltage of Aqueous Supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Shan , Du Xianfeng , Guo Yuan , Liang Zhongshuai , Ma Mingbo , Sun Xiaofei , Xiong Lilong
Published: December 2023

Endowing aqueous supercapacitors (SCs) with high voltage is of great practical significance, but it is restricted by the water decomposition reaction occurring in the electrodes. Here, a novel surface treatment strategy is proposed to inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction/oxygen evolution reaction at the cathode and anode by forming a passivation layer at the whole electrode surface, which widens the electrochemical stability window of the electrode and working voltage of the aqueous SCs. In addition, the cathode overpotential is increased from −1.3 to −1.48 V, and the anode is expanded from 1.42 to 1.59 V. Importantly, the aqueous SCs can work stably at 3 V operating voltage, enabling the coulombic efficiency and capacitance retention of the optimized SCs is 97% and 96% after 5000 cycles, respectively. This strategy of surface modification provides effective guidance to achieve high‐voltage aqueous energy storage devices.
A comparative analysis of deep learning models for soil temperature prediction in cold climates
Authors: Imanian Hanifeh , Mohammadian Abdolmajid , Farhangmehr Vahid , Payeur Pierre , Goodarzi Danial , Hiedra Cobo Juan , Shirkhani Hamidreza
Published: December 2023

Accurate soil temperature prediction in cold climates is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices, hydrological processes, water resource management, minimizing frost damage, and mitigating flood risks. The capacity of deep learning methods to capture intricate patterns and relationships in climate data enhances the accuracy of soil temperature predictions and offers substantial benefits for reducing climate change impacts. In the present study, a comparative analysis of different deep learning techniques, including long short-term memory (LSTM), convolutional neural network (CNN), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP), for predicting the soil temperature is provided. The study examined cold climate areas across Canada, from snowy regions to Arctic conditions. Input datasets were considered both as time series and shuffled order. To comprehensively evaluate the predictive approaches for soil temperature, four machine learning (ML) models—CNN, LSTM, MLP in time series, and MLP on shuffled data—were employed. The results showed ML models using input data as time series have struggled with accurate soil temperature prediction, especially in very cold and polar climates, likely due to the presence of ice layers on the soil, limiting fluctuations near the freezing point. The normalized RMSE (NRMSE) for the CNN, LSTM, and MLP was calculated to be 8.6%. 7.4%, and 6.9%, respectively, and the scatter index (SI) for CNN, LSTM, and MLP was calculated to be 1.0%, 0.9%, and 0.9%, respectively. On the other hand, MLP-shuffled that employs shuffled input data outperformed others with an NRMSE of 5.4% and an SI of 0.7%, by creating a generalized data representation, free from presentation sequence bias. This study showed that predicting soil temperature in very cold climates poses a challenge for machine learning, yet the MLP-shuffled model excels, attaining superior accuracy through the creation of a generalized data representation independent of the sample sequence.
Infrared Laser-Based Selected Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Banana (Musa spp.) Tissue—New Method for Detection and Spatial Localization of Metabolites in Food
Authors: Nizioł Joanna , Misiorek Maria , Krupa Zuzanna , Ruman Tomasz
Published: December 2023

In this study, for the first time, we present the application of an infrared (IR) laser ablation-remote-electrospray ionization (LARESI) platform coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode for targeted metabolite imaging in intact plant tissues. We examined the distribution of specific metabolites in two banana varieties: Red Dacca and Cavendish. To support MSI results, an extensive analysis of banana tissue extracts was conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-UHRMS). In the Cavendish banana, 12 metabolites were successfully identified, while Red Dacca bananas were found to contain 16 amino acids. The spatial distribution of some of these compounds found in bananas was presented for the first time. This approach eliminates the need for high vacuum conditions and the pretreatment of biological materials, making it an efficient and promising tool for studying metabolites in plant tissues.
Student–Athletes’ Academic and Athletic Motivation Scale (SAAMS) for adolescents in secondary school: development, evaluation, and psychometric properties
Authors: Niehues Maike , Sallen Jeffrey , Gerlach Erin
Published: December 2023

Previous dual-career (DC) research focused on measuring student–athletes’ motivation in the academic and athletic contexts. Existing measurement instruments are insufficient for adolescent student–athletes and countries with independent education and sport systems. The Student–Athletes’ Academic and Athletic Motivation Scale (SAAMS) was developed based on the expectancy–value framework (EVF) with its dimensions ability beliefs, expectations, importance, interest, usefulness, and cost. The development of the SAAMS followed three phases: (1) item development, (2) scale development, and (3) scale evaluation. The initial version was tested with 346 student–athletes (mean age = 17.3 years; females = 47.7%). A revision phase resulted in a final SAAMS tested with 497 student–athletes (mean age = 17.0 years; females = 42.9%). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for the evaluation. Several models were tested with the best results for a six-factor model as assumed by the EVF. The SAAMS is suitable for an extensive range of research and practical applications.
The handball referee’s personality through the lens of players and coaches
Authors: Dodt Marcus , Memmert Daniel
Published: December 2023

Refereeing in handball is a complex exercise involving numerous decisions and interactions among players and coaches. To meet the demands of officiating a game, (e.g., withstand the pressure generated by spectators or managing critical situations), referees need to have a certain personality type. Since the sport of handball faces an acute shortage of referees and the recruitment of suitable individuals becomes increasingly difficult, personality research can provide practical guidance for the identification of potential candidates. When determining the personality characteristics necessary for refereeing, taking an external perspective and collecting information from others can provide a more objective assessment of an individual’s personality than self-assessment. For this reason, an online qualitative survey was conducted to collect data from 89 German handball players and 35 coaches. Based on the principles of qualitative content analysis, a large part of the responses could first be structured and assigned to the five-factor model. The remaining responses were then categorised, which allowed four categories to emerge: (i) character and leadership, (ii) judgement and decision-making, (iii) game management, and (iv) physical fitness and cognitive demands. The findings contribute to expanding knowledge about the crucial personality characteristics that shape handball referees’ personality and suggest that the performance profile of handball referees shows similarities to that of other team sports officials. In our conclusion, we outline research directions with high practical relevance for the recruitment and development of referees, e.g., the study of referees’ assertiveness, need for evaluation, preference for consistency, or self-efficacy.
Electrospun Polysulfone Hybrid Nanocomposite Fibers as Membrane for Separating Oil/Water Emulsion
Authors: Ponnamma Deepalekshmi , Elgawady Yara , Hassan Mohamed K. , Adham Samer , Al-Maas Mashael , Alamgir Karim , Al-Maadeed Mariam Al Ali
Published: December 2023

Commercial polymer membranes are largely utilized to separate oil/water mixtures; however, membrane fouling, flux decline, and short lifetime often inhibit their high performance. In order to resolve these drawbacks of the commercial membranes, we introduce a surface modification strategy following the electrospinning method. Electrospun fibers of polysulfone (PSf)/iron oxide (FeO)/halloysite nanotubes (HNT) nanocomposite are applied to modify the polyether sulfone (PES) standard membrane support surface for developing highly efficient oil/water emulsion separating membranes. This facile and simple spinning process for shorter periods ensures nanocomposite coatings on the standard PES membranes and allows a better oil/water separation. We analyze the structural and morphological characteristics of the modified membrane surface using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies and hydrophilicity from contact angle studies. FeO nanoparticles of 2–5 nm and HNTs of < 50 nm size mixed in PSf produce fibers of 531 ± 162 nm average diameter at a relatively lower applied electrical voltage of 14.5 kV, compared to PSf. Underwater and under-oil contact angle values are used to prove the surface characteristics of the membranes and total organic content (TOC) values for the emulsion separation performance. From PES support to PSf and PSf/HNT-FeO, the TOC values respectively change from 67 to 75 and 79%. We find moderately hydrophilic membranes (PSf/HNT-FeO) resulting in a higher permeate flux (28,447 Lm−2·h−1) and quicker separation performance. We believe this study provides a notable solution to modify the surface of commercial membranes for better emulsion separation performance.
Bio-analysis of Saliva Using Paper Devices and Colorimetric Assays
Authors: Narasimhan Adhan , Jain Harshil , Muniandy Kowshika , Chinnappan Raja , Mani Naresh Kumar
Published: December 2023

In light of the evolving nature of various diseases, time becomes a crucial factor in diagnosis and identifying the underlying causes. A point-of-care device provides a rapid diagnosis of a disease without using complex and advanced instruments, which are costly and difficult to transport. A paper-based device is a relatively frugal solution wherein the paper is used as a substratum in which the reactions are carried out. These methods are non-invasive, and the sample collection is relatively easy. Saliva is one such body fluid in which various biomarkers are present for numerous diseases. Bioanalysis of saliva has attracted more attention recently due to its non-invasiveness and robustness. Exploiting the discovery of clinical biomarkers from salivary analysis has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector by providing crucial information to monitor the health status of individuals and disease progression which enables personalized treatment. This review provides the limitation of the traditional methods in clinical applications and highlights the significance of saliva as a non-invasive biological fluid that is a source of multiple biomarkers associated with various diseases. It also provides insights into the different paper-based colorimetric microfluidic devices developed against salivary biomarkers in the past decade. The major challenges in the point-of-care application and the future prospects have been discussed as well. Further, we also emphasize the importance of this approach in dental disease diagnosis which is least explored and holds potential applications.
Comorbidity of Sleep Disorders, Mental Illness, and Migraine or Headaches
Authors: Merrill Ray M. , Gibbons Ian S.
Published: December 2023

This study assesses the comorbidity of mental illness, sleep disorders, and migraine/headaches among employees in a large organization in the USA. The comorbidity of migraine/headaches and sleep disorders or mental illness has been well studied. However, simultaneous comorbidity of all three is less well known. Analyses were based on the Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrator employee database, derived from billing codes for employees and their families during the years 2017–2021. Statistical analyses were performed and adjusted for age, sex, marital status, dependent children, annual household income, and year. The claims rate for migraine is 2.2% and for headache is 0.95%. The claims rate for sleep disorder is 12.2%, with 34.6% having comorbid mental illness, primarily in the form of depression (18.4%), anxiety (18.0%), and ADHD (4.0%). The claims rate for mental illness is 18.4%, with comorbid sleep disorders 22.9%: 17.5% with sleep apnea, 6.5% with insomnia, and 2.2% with hypersomnia. Those with a sleep disorder are 130% times more likely to have migraine and 91% more likely to have headaches. Corresponding values for mental illness are 160% and 116%. Those with a sleep disorder only, mental illness only, or both (versus neither) are 133%, 162%, and 289% more likely to experience migraine, respectively. Corresponding values for headache are 92%, 118%, and 187%. Sleep and mental disorders positively associate with migraine and headache, more so when both are involved. The positive associations are stronger for migraine than headache.
Improving Energy Management in Deep-Level Mines by Integrating Advanced M&V with Operational Changes
Authors: Matthee F. J. L. , Pascoe J. , van Laar J. H. , Marais J. H.
Published: December 2023

Advanced measurement and verification (M&V) is a process where the impact of an energy initiative is determined in real time. Data prediction models can be used to predict and compare energy consumption with a predetermined baseline. Deep-level mines can benefit from advanced M&V as the impact of operational changes can be identified in real time. Ultimately, this can ensure that informed decisions are made regarding energy management based on the impact and severity of the occurrence.

Previous studies on advanced M&V do not account for operational changes to the model’s baseline. These changes can significantly impact the performance of both the mine and related activities. The aim of this study is to propose a method that can accurately predict the energy consumption of a deep-level mine regardless of operational changes. To achieve this objective, nine different data predictive modelling techniques were considered.

The proposed method is based on the Moving Average (MA) modelling technique due to its simplicity, flexibility, and rapid development time. The coefficient of variation for the root mean square error (CV(RMSE)) was used to statistically analyse the modelling error. If the predictions exhibit an unsatisfactory CV(RMSE), the model dynamically adjusts to reduce the prediction error.

The model was developed to adapt to operational changes in scenarios where the standard model becomes irrelevant. The method developed in this study was able to predict the future energy consumption of deep-level mines with an accuracy of 99%, improving the mine’s energy and finance management.
Machine learning models reveal how biochar amendment affects soil microbial communities
Authors: Lei Chaotang , Lu Tao , Qian Haifeng , Liu Yuxue
Published: December 2023

The biochar amendment plays a vital role in maintaining soil health largely due to its effects on soil microbial communities. However, individual cases and the variability in biochar properties are not sufficient to draw universal conclusions. The present study aimed to reveal how the biochar application affects soil microbial communities. Metadata of 525 ITS and 1288 16S rRNA sequencing samples from previous studies were reanalyzed and machine learning models were applied to explore the dynamics of soil microbial communities under biochar amendment. The results showed that biochar considerably changed the soil bacterial and fungal community composition and enhanced the relative abundances of Acidobacteriota, Firmicutes, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota. Biochar enhanced the robustness of the soil microbial community but decreased the interactions between fungi and bacteria. The random forest model combined with tenfold cross-validation were used to predict biomarkers of biochar response, indicating that potentially beneficial microbes, such as Gemmatimonadetes, Microtrichales, Candidatus_Kaiserbacteria, and Pyrinomonadales, were enriched in the soil with biochar amendment, which promoted plant growth and soil nutrient cycling. In addition, the biochar amendment enhanced the ability of bacteria to biosynthesize and led to an increase in fungal nutrient patterns, resulting in an increase in the abundance and diversity of saprophytic fungi that enhance soil nutrient cycling. The machine learning model more accurately revealed how biochar affected soil microbial community than previous independent studies. Our study provides a basis for guiding the reasonable use of biochar in agricultural soil and minimizing its negative effects on soil microecosystem.

Graphical Abstract
Tribological properties of Ti/Pb-MoS2-Graphene composite films under high environment temperature
Authors: Yang Rui-kai , She Ding-shun , Zhu Li-na , Liu Mei , Zhang Jie , Fu Zhi-qiang , Kang Jia-jie , Feng Mei-gui
Published: December 2023

For purpose of enhancing the tribological properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) films, Ti/Pb doping and graphene dripping have been synchronously introduced to restrain the oxidation and wear under the environment temperature of 25, 100, 200, 300 and 400 °C. The MoS2, Ti-MoS2, Pb-MoS2 and Ti/Pb-MoS2 films have been prepared on the GCr15 steel substance by magnetron sputtering; and then graphene has been doped on the surface of the MoS2-based films to investigate the synergistic effects of graphene and MoS2-based films on the tribological performances tested by the UMT multifunctional friction and wear tester. Experimental results show the friction coefficient and wear rate of the MoS2-based films increase with the rising of the environment temperature. Wear mechanisms of tested under various temperatures are the co-action of oxidation wear and abrasive wear. Comparing the MoS2-graphene composite film, the Ti, Pb or Ti/Pb doped MoS2-graphene composite films tested under the environment temperature of below 400 ℃ show a low friction coefficient (less than 0.1) and a low wear rate, which is owing to the redox reaction of graphene and metal (Ti and Pb).
Resilience of metro tunnel structures: monitoring deformation due to surrounding engineering activities and effect of remediation treatment
Authors: Lu Yong , Han Tianran
Published: December 2023

Long term performance of urban metro tunnels requires that the tunnel structure maintains not only a sound structural state, i.e., free from significant damages, but also a minimal change in the physical shape. Over-deformation can cause structural damage but more importantly can affect the safe operation of the metro lines, therefore is a primary target of monitoring and intervention where it becomes necessary. This paper presents an overview of recent developments in field monitoring and assessment of metro tunnels in soft soil concerning over-deformation. In particular, the over-deformation of shield tunnel rings due to nearby construction activities, especially deep excavation, and its rectification using grout treatment is discussed on the basis of relevant field experiment and numerical modelling reported in recent publications. Key considerations in the development of a Material Point Method (MPM) based numerical modelling framework for simulating explicitly the grouting operations are highlighted, and the general performance of the numerical model is examined with reference to the field test data and characteristic parametric observations. Further research needs in terms of more rigorous assessment and design of grouting treatment, in conjunction with the continued development of numerical modelling capabilities, are discussed.
The Metamorphosis of the Amazon
Authors: Feichtner Maximilian Fritz
Published: December 2023

The Metamorphosis of the Amazon sheds new light on the complex history of the Ecuadorian rainforest, revealing how oil development and its social and ecological repercussions triggered its metamorphosis. When international oil giants such as Shell and Texaco started to dig for oil in remote rainforest locations, a process was born that eventually altered the fabric of the Amazon forever. Oil infrastructure paved way for a disastrous industrial and agricultural landscape polluted by the hazardous waste management of the oil industry. Adopting a unique approach, Maximilian Feichtner does not recount the established narrative of oil companies vs. suffering local communities, he instead centers the rainforest ecosystem itself – its rivers, animals, and climate conditions – and the often neglected actors of this history: the oilmen and their experiences as people affected by a pollution they perpetrated and witnessed. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
The impact of environmental cleaning protocol featuring PX-UV in reducing the incidence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative healthcare-associated infection and colonization in intensive care units in Thailand
Authors: Vaivoothpinyo Supavit , Sathitakorn Ornnicha , Jantarathaneewat Kittiya , Weber David J. , Apisarnthanarak Piyaporn , Rutjanawech Sasinuch , Tantiyavarong Pichaya , Apisarnthanarak Anucha
Published: December 2023

In this quasi-experimental study, implementing PX-UV to the standard environmental cleaning protocol was associated with a reduction in the overall incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative organisms (P = .01) and MDR Acinetobacter baumannii (P = .001) in intervention intensive care units. However, the intervention did not reduce patient length of stay and 30-day mortality.
Partial Presidential Vetoes and Executive–Legislative Bargaining: Chile, 1990–2018
Authors: Belmar Soto Jorge , Navia Patricio , Osorio Rodrigo
Published: December 2023

Defined as a credible threat that strengthens the bargaining position of the executive, presidential vetoes, widely understudied, carry a stigma of confrontation between state powers. But under some institutional setups, partial vetoes can be an additional step in the executive–legislative bargaining process. After a discussion of whether partial vetoes are a proactive legislative tool or a bargaining tool to induce executive–legislative cooperation, we test four hypotheses using the 2,346 bills introduced in Chile between 1990 and 2018 that reached a vetoable stage. We identified 97 partial vetoes (4.2 percent) and one total veto. Presidents are more likely to veto bills with more complex legislative processes and when they have stronger support in at least one chamber, but more popular presidents do not veto more bills. As most presidential vetoes in Chile are partial, they are an additional executive–legislative bargaining step in the lawmaking process rather than evidence of hyperpresidentialism.
Virtual reality as a technology of memory: Immersive presence in Polish politics of memory
Authors: Kazlauskaitė Rūta
Published: December 2023

Experiences that take place in virtual reality (VR) become part of users’ autobiographical memory. As memories can impact users’ self-perception, personal beliefs, and social interactions, storyliving in VR narratives can be used to manipulate memory and mould users’ self according to the preferences of the VR narrative creators. Poland's Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has, in recent years, generously invested in the production of VR films that depict events from the Polish historical canon. VR is a spatial technology that positions users ‘inside’ a virtual storyworld and leverages users’ sense of body position and movement to enhance memory and a sense of presence. Three dimensions of presence – self, social, and spatial – are relevant to understanding the role of VR in the politics of memory. The article interrogates a recent Polish VR production, Wiktoria 1920 (2020, dir. Tomasz Dobosz), and argues that VR representations exploit a sense of presence to shape users’ memory, perspective, and emotions in relation to the past.
Trace contracts
Authors: MOY CAMERON , FELLEISEN MATTHIAS
Published: December 2023

Behavioral software contracts allow programmers to strengthen the obligations and promises that they express with conventional types. They lack expressive power, though, when it comes to invariants that hold across several function calls. Trace contracts narrow this expressiveness gap. A trace contract is a predicate over the sequence of values that flow through function calls and returns. This paper presents a principled design, an implementation, and an evaluation of trace contracts.
About time: neurocognitive correlates of stimulus-bound and other time setting errors in the Clock Drawing Test
Authors: Soffer Matan , Butters Meryl A. , Herrmann Nathan , Black Sandra E. , Kumar Sanjeev , Pugh Bradley , Rajji Tarek K. , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Tang-Wai David F. , Freedman Morris
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Previous findings suggest that time setting errors (TSEs) in the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) may be related mainly to impairments in semantic and executive function. Recent attempts to dissociate the classic stimulus-bound error (setting the time to “10 to 11” instead of “10 past 11”) from other TSEs, did not support hypotheses regarding this error being primarily executive in nature or different from other time setting errors in terms of neurocognitive correlates. This study aimed to further investigate the cognitive correlates of stimulus-bound errors and other TSEs, in order to trace possible underlying cognitive deficits.

Methods:

We examined cognitive test performance of participants with preliminary diagnoses associated with mild cognitive impairment. Among 490 participants, we identified clocks with stimulus-bound errors (n = 78), other TSEs (n = 41), other errors not related to time settings (n = 176), or errorless clocks (n = 195).

Results:

No differences were found on any dependent measure between the stimulus-bound and the other TSErs groups. Group comparisons suggested TSEs in general, to be associated with lower performance on various cognitive measures, especially on semantic and working memory measures. Regression analysis further highlighted semantic and verbal working memory difficulties as being the most prominent deficits associated with these errors.

Conclusion:

TSEs in the CDT may indicate underlying deficits in semantic function and working memory. In addition, results support previous findings related to the diagnostic value of TSEs in detecting cognitive impairment.
A Kushan royal inscription among the Almosi rock inscriptions recently discovered in Tajikistan
Authors: Cribb Joe
Published: December 2023

An inscription in the name of a Kushan king, Wima Takto (circa90–113 CE), has recently been discovered by the archaeologist Muhsin Bobomulloev of the National Museum of Tajikistan and his colleagues. The new inscription, found in the Almosi Gorge with other inscriptions in an ‘unknown script’, confirms the identity of Wima Takto, the second king of the Kushan Dynasty, which ruled a large territory stretching from Central Asia to North India in the first four centuries CE. The history of this dynasty is pieced together from inscriptions, coins, and archaeology, and fleeting references in Chinese sources. Each new inscription adds another piece to the jigsaw of Kushan history, revealing a powerful state in control of the central lands of the ancient Silk Road. This article positions the new inscription within the current understanding of Kushan history and the status of Wima Takto.
The Musical Text: Theorizing Openness after Structuralism
Authors: RIDOUT SAM
Published: December 2023

This article attends to the conjuncture in the early 1970s of post-Cagean musical practice and poststructuralist theory associated with the journal Musique en jeu and the music department of the Centre universitaire expérimental de Vincennes. Reading the theoretical writing of figures including Daniel Charles and Ivanka Stoïanova alongside the music of Costin Miereanu, the article elaborates the account of the open work that emerges there, before turning to an LP by Miereanu, Luna cinese (1975), which grapples with the aporetic figure of the open record and in so doing takes the ‘openness’ of post-Cagean experimentalism in new directions. In conclusion, I begin to theorize what Miereanu's open record suggests about the listening that records call for and the fixity of records in general.
Two‐Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Large Wood Transport in Bended Channels Considering Secondary Current Effects
Authors: Innocenti L. , Bladé E. , Sanz‐Ramos M. , Ruiz‐Villanueva V. , Solari L. , Aberle J.
Published: December 2023

The modeling of large wood (LW) transport in rivers has received increasing interest from researchers in the last decade due to the widely recognized role of LW concerning flooding risk. For this purpose, few 2D depth‐averaged hydraulic models have been coupled with LW transport models. However, such models usually neglect the effects of secondary currents on LW trajectories in river bends. In this work, the model Iber‐Wood was enhanced to simulate the effects of secondary currents in river bends on LW trajectories. The proposed methodology presents a new formulation for considering secondary current effects on the flow field derived from the Manning formula and considers a new approach for reproducing the surface flow field that develops at channel bends. The enhanced model was tested to reproduce a series of laboratory experiments on wood transport in a sharp channel bend. The methodology introduces two new parameters in the model related to the secondary current effects, that is, the secondary current intensity and the adaptation length. These parameters were calibrated using available data from laboratory experiments. The good agreement between observed and simulated dowel trajectories in a sharp channel bend validated the proposed approach to simulate LW transport in the case of secondary currents.
A Transformative Carbon Sink in the Ocean?
Authors: Reusch Doug , Brisard Kayleigh , Hamilton Gil , Theriault Carson
Published: December 2023

Water-rock reactions in some hydrothermal systems produce both hydrogen, which could be tapped for clean energy, and alkaline solutions that could help draw down atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Lightning‐Produced Nitrogen Oxides Per Flash Length Obtained by Using TROPOMI Observations and the Ebro Lightning Mapping Array
Authors: Pérez‐Invernón Francisco J. , Gordillo‐Vázquez Francisco J. , van der Velde Oscar , Montanyá Joan , López Trujillo Jesús Alberto , Pineda Nicolau , Huntrieser Heidi , Valks Pieter , Loyola Diego , Seo Sora , Erbertseder Thilo
Published: December 2023

Lightning is one of the main sources of NOx in the Earth's atmosphere. However, there is a large variability in NOx production during the lifetime of thunderstorms. In this study, we used the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) cloud and NO2 research products along with Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) measurements to investigate the possible relation between the amount of NOx produced per lightning flash and flash channel length in the Ebro Valley. We found that there is a positive relationship between both variables. In turn, the vertical structure of the analyzed lightning flashes indicates that longer flashes could release more LNOx at lower altitudes than shorter flashes, while higher flash rates produce less LNOx per flash.
Examining the Water Scarcity Vulnerability in US River Basins Due To Changing Climate
Authors: Wolkeba Fitsume T. , Kumar Mukesh , Mekonnen Mesfin M.
Published: December 2023

Accurate assessment of changes in water availability with changing climate is vital for effective mitigation and adaptation. In this research, we employ a parsimonious Budyko curve method to evaluate changes in water availability under low‐ (SSP126) and high‐emission (SSP585) scenarios for 331 river basins in the contiguous United States. We also assess the relative role of changes in precipitation (∆P) and potential evapotranspiration (∆PET) with changing climate on the increase in water availability vulnerability. Results highlight that around 43% (28%) of basins are projected to experience increased vulnerability to changing climate in high‐emission (low‐emission) scenarios. Sub‐humid basins are most often impacted, while arid and semi‐arid basins exhibit lower sensitivity to changes. Intriguingly, ∆PET emerges as the dominant control on vulnerability, surpassing ∆P, particularly under SSP585 scenario. The analysis prompts water managers to focus on long‐term mitigation planning and scientists to further constraint climate and water budget forecasts in affected basins.
Trace Metal Fluxes of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn From the Congo River Into the South Atlantic Ocean Are Supplemented by Atmospheric Inputs
Authors: Liu Te , Hopwood Mark J. , Krisch Stephan , Vieira Lúcia H. , Achterberg Eric P.
Published: December 2023

The Congo River supplies vast quantities of trace metals (TMs) to the South Atlantic Ocean, but TM budgets for the Congo plume derived using radium isotopes for GEOTRACES cruise GA08 suggest additional input other than the river outflow. Considering the tight correlations between most dissolved TMs and salinity in the plume and the high rainfall during the wet season over the Congo shelf, we hypothesized that wet atmospheric deposition is a TM source to the Congo plume. Observed TM concentrations in rainwaters across the Congo shelf were mostly comparable to values from previous work in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Wet deposition contributed the equivalent of 43% dCd, 21% dCu, 20% dPb and 68% dZn of the Congo River fluxes. Our findings show an important role of wet deposition in supplying TMs to the South Atlantic overlapping with the region that receives substantial TM fluxes from the Congo River.
Therapeutic cancer vaccines: advancements, challenges and prospects
Authors: Fan Ting , Zhang Mingna , Yang Jingxian , Zhu Zhounan , Cao Wanlu , Dong Chunyan
Published: December 2023

With the development and regulatory approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, cancer immunotherapy has undergone a profound transformation over the past decades. Recently, therapeutic cancer vaccines have shown promise by eliciting de novo T cell responses targeting tumor antigens, including tumor-associated antigens and tumor-specific antigens. The objective was to amplify and diversify the intrinsic repertoire of tumor-specific T cells. However, the complete realization of these capabilities remains an ongoing pursuit. Therefore, we provide an overview of the current landscape of cancer vaccines in this review. The range of antigen selection, antigen delivery systems development the strategic nuances underlying effective antigen presentation have pioneered cancer vaccine design. Furthermore, this review addresses the current status of clinical trials and discusses their strategies, focusing on tumor-specific immunogenicity and anti-tumor efficacy assessment. However, current clinical attempts toward developing cancer vaccines have not yielded breakthrough clinical outcomes due to significant challenges, including tumor immune microenvironment suppression, optimal candidate identification, immune response evaluation, and vaccine manufacturing acceleration. Therefore, the field is poised to overcome hurdles and improve patient outcomes in the future by acknowledging these clinical complexities and persistently striving to surmount inherent constraints.
Elevated peripheral levels of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and IL-8 as biomarkers of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Wei Jun , Li Min , Ye Zhi , Hu Xinqian , He Xiaoyan , Wang Jia , Chen Gaofeng , Zou Chengyu , Xu Daichao , Zhang Hongbing , Yuan Junying , Zha Yunhong
Published: December 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating fatal neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) has been proposed to mediate pathogenesis of ALS. Primidone has been identified as an old drug that can also inhibit RIPK1 kinase. We conducted a drug-repurposing biomarker study of primidone as a RIPK1 inhibitor using SOD1G93A mice and ALS patients. SOD1G93A mice treated with primidone showed significant delay of symptomatic onset and improved motor performance. One-hundred-sixty-two ALS participants dosed daily with primidone (62.5 mg) completed 24-week follow-up. A significant reduction was showed in serum levels of RIPK1 and IL-8, which were significantly higher in ALS patients than that of healthy controls (P < 0.0001). Serum RIPK1 levels were correlated positively with the severity of bulbar symptoms (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that serum levels of RIPK1 and IL-8 in peripheral can be used as clinical biomarkers for the activation of RIPK1 in central nervous system in human ALS patients. Repurposing primidone may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for ALS. The effect of primidone for the treatment of other inflammatory diseases may also be considered, since the activation of RIPK1 has been implicated in mediating a variety of inflammatory diseases including COVID-19-associated cytokine release syndrome (CRS). (ChiCTR2200060149).
DPPIV+ fibro-adipogenic progenitors form the niche of adult skeletal muscle self-renewing resident macrophages
Authors: Babaeijandaghi Farshad , Kajabadi Nasim , Long Reece , Tung Lin Wei , Cheung Chun Wai , Ritso Morten , Chang Chih-Kai , Cheng Ryan , Huang Tiffany , Groppa Elena , Jiang Jean X. , Rossi Fabio M. V.
Published: December 2023

Adult tissue-resident macrophages (RMs) are either maintained by blood monocytes or through self-renewal. While the presence of a nurturing niche is likely crucial to support the survival and function of self-renewing RMs, evidence regarding its nature is limited. Here, we identify fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) as the main source of colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) in resting skeletal muscle. Using parabiosis in combination with FAP-deficient transgenic mice (PdgfrαCreERT2× DTA) or mice lacking FAP-derived CSF1 (PdgfrαCreERT2× Csf1flox/null), we show that local CSF1 from FAPs is required for the survival of both TIM4- monocyte-derived and TIM4+ self-renewing RMs in adult skeletal muscle. The spatial distribution and number of TIM4+ RMs coincide with those of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)+ FAPs, suggesting their role as CSF1-producing niche cells for self-renewing RMs. This finding identifies opportunities to precisely manipulate the function of self-renewing RMs in situ to further unravel their role in health and disease.
Atypical flagella assembly and haploid genome coiling during male gamete formation in Plasmodium
Authors: Hair Molly , Moreira-Leite Flávia , Ferguson David J. P. , Zeeshan Mohammad , Tewari Rita , Vaughan Sue
Published: December 2023

Gametogenesis in Plasmodium spp. occurs within the Anopheles mosquito and is essential for sexual reproduction / differentiation and onwards transmission to mammalian hosts. To better understand the 3D organisation of male gametogenesis, we used serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM) and serial-section cellular electron tomography (ssET) of P. berghei microgametocytes to examine key structures during male gamete formation. Our data reveals an elaborate organisation of axonemes coiling around the nucleus in opposite directions forming a central axonemal band in microgametocytes. Furthermore, we discover the nucleus of microgametes to be tightly coiled around the axoneme in a complex structure whose formation starts before microgamete emergence during exflagellation. Our discoveries of the detailed 3D organisation of the flagellated microgamete and the haploid genome highlight some of the atypical mechanisms of axoneme assembly and haploid genome organisation during male gamete formation in the malaria parasite.
Accessing gold p-acid reactivity under electrochemical anode oxidation (EAO) through oxidation relay
Authors: Zhang Shuyao , Wei Jingwen , Ye Xiaohan , Perez Angel , Shi Xiaodong
Published: December 2023

The gold π-acid activation under electrochemical conditions is achieved. While EAO allows easy access to gold(III) intermediates over alternative chemical oxidation under mild conditions, the reported examples so far are limited to coupling reactions due to the rapid AuIII reductive elimination. Using aryl hydrazine-HOTf salt as precursors, the π-activation reaction mode was realized through oxidation relay. Both alkene and alkyne di-functionalization were achieved with excellent functional group compatibility and regioselectivity, which extended the versatility and utility of electrochemical gold redox chemistry for future applications.
Selenium-based metabolic oligosaccharide engineering strategy for quantitative glycan detection
Authors: Tian Xiao , Zheng Lingna , Wang Changjiang , Han Yida , Li Yujie , Cui Tongxiao , Liu Jialin , Liu Chuanming , Jia Guogeng , Yang Lujie , Hsu Yi , Zeng Chen , Ding Lijun , Wang Chu , Cheng Bo , Wang Meng , Xie Ran
Published: December 2023

Metabolic oligosaccharide engineering (MOE) is a classical chemical approach to perturb, profile and perceive glycans in physiological systems, but probes upon bioorthogonal reaction require accessibility and the background signal readout makes it challenging to achieve glycan quantification. Here we develop SeMOE, a selenium-based metabolic oligosaccharide engineering strategy that concisely combines elemental analysis and MOE,enabling the mass spectrometric imaging of glycome. We also demonstrate that the new-to-nature SeMOE probes allow for detection, quantitative measurement and visualization of glycans in diverse biological contexts. We also show that chemical reporters on conventional MOE can be integrated into a bifunctional SeMOE probe to provide multimodality signal readouts. SeMOE thus provides a convenient and simplified method to explore the glyco-world.
Molecular mechanism of phospholipid transport at the bacterial outer membrane interface
Authors: Yeow Jiang , Luo Min , Chng Shu-Sin
Published: December 2023

The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria is an asymmetric lipid bilayer with outer leaflet lipopolysaccharides and inner leaflet phospholipids (PLs). This unique lipid asymmetry renders the OM impermeable to external insults, including antibiotics and bile salts. To maintain this barrier, the OmpC-Mla system removes mislocalized PLs from the OM outer leaflet, and transports them to the inner membrane (IM); in the first step, the OmpC-MlaA complex transfers PLs to the periplasmic chaperone MlaC, but mechanistic details are lacking. Here, we biochemically and structurally characterize the MlaA-MlaC transient complex. We map the interaction surfaces between MlaA and MlaC in Escherichia coli, and show that electrostatic interactions are important for MlaC recruitment to the OM. We further demonstrate that interactions with MlaC modulate conformational states in MlaA. Finally, we solve a 2.9-Å cryo-EM structure of a disulfide-trapped OmpC-MlaA-MlaC complex in nanodiscs, reinforcing the mechanism of MlaC recruitment, and highlighting membrane thinning as a plausible strategy for directing lipids for transport. Our work offers critical insights into retrograde PL transport by the OmpC-Mla system in maintaining OM lipid asymmetry.
A rule-free workflow for the automated generation of databases from scientific literature
Authors: Gilligan Luke P. J. , Cobelli Matteo , Taufour Valentin , Sanvito Stefano
Published: December 2023

In recent times, transformer networks have achieved state-of-the-art performance in a wide range of natural language processing tasks. Here we present a workflow based on the fine-tuning of BERT models for different downstream tasks, which results in the automated extraction of structured information from unstructured natural language in scientific literature. Contrary to existing methods for the automated extraction of structured compound-property relations from similar sources, our workflow does not rely on the definition of intricate grammar rules. Hence, it can be adapted to a new task without requiring extensive implementation efforts and knowledge. We test our data-extraction workflow by automatically generating a database for Curie temperatures and one for band gaps. These are then compared with manually curated datasets and with those obtained with a state-of-the-art rule-based method. Furthermore, in order to showcase the practical utility of the automatically extracted data in a material-design workflow, we employ them to construct machine-learning models to predict Curie temperatures and band gaps. In general, we find that, although more noisy, automatically extracted datasets can grow fast in volume and that such volume partially compensates for the inaccuracy in downstream tasks.
MELD-Na score may underestimate disease severity and risk of death in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)
Authors: Yardeni David , Shiloh Adi , Lipnizkiy Inna , Nevo-Shor Anat , Abufreha Naim , Munteanu Daniela , Novack Victor , Etzion Ohad
Published: December 2023

Portal hypertension often precedes the development of advanced fibrosis in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and may accelerate disease progression to cirrhosis. We aimed to evaluate whether prioritization tools accurately predict survival in patients with MASLD and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with esophageal or gastric varices (EGV). Laboratory results, endoscopy reports and outcomes of patients with MASLD were compared to patients with advanced stage chronic liver disease (CLD) of other etiologies. During the study period 326 patients were diagnosed with EGV. 88 (26.9%) had MASLD, 113 (34.6%) viral hepatitis (VH), 63 (19.3%) alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and 62 (19%) both VH and ALD (VHALD). EGV bleeding events were significantly more frequent in patients with MASLD (36.3%), compared to VH (28.3%), ALD (30.1%) and VHALD (25.8%), respectively (p < 0.01). Mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD)-Na score surrounding 1 year of first event of EGV bleeding was significantly lower in MASLD patients compared to all other etiologies (p = 0.02). At a MELD-Na score of 11–20, cumulative survival rate was significantly lower in MASLD patients compared to all other etiologies (log rank p < 0.01). MASLD patients present with EGV bleeding at lower MELD-Na scores compared to other etiologies of CLD. MELD-Na score may therefore underestimate disease severity and risk of death in patients with MASLD and CSPH.