bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Variability of Winter Northern Pacific Atmospheric River Flavors
Authors: Zhou Yang , O’Brien Travis A. , Collins William D. , Shields Christine A. , Loring Burlen , Elbashandy Abdelrahman A.
Published: November 2022

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are intensive poleward moisture transport events that are essential to the global hydrological cycle and are often linked to extreme weather events. We categorize the winter North Pacific ARs into two “flavors”: wind‐dominated (windy ARs) and moisture‐dominated (wet ARs) using 40 years of hourly data from fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis. We compare the differences between windy ARs and wet ARs including the lifecycle characteristics (such as genesis locations and changes of meteorological elements through the lifecycle), overall AR frequency, landfall impacts, and variability. The windy ARs are more likely to occur in the midlatitudes, while wet ARs are more active in the subtropics. Windy ARs are associated with intensive surface pressure lows, where the strong pressure gradient can support the strong wind within ARs. Due to larger size and longer lifetime, wet ARs are more likely to produce more precipitation over a lifecycle. By scaling the landfalling ARs, we show that wet ARs dominate the high‐category ARs (Category 4 and 5) with higher spatial frequency and more precipitation, and windy ARs have higher contributions in the lower AR categories especially over British Columbia. Windy ARs are modulated by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections via the anomalous geopotential height and extended subtropical jet. Wet ARs are affected by the anomalous sea surface temperature over the midlatitudes related to ENSO. Sensitivity analysis with an alternate AR detection algorithm shows consistent results on AR flavors but with disagreement on the amplitude.
Coherent Indian Summer Monsoon and Sahel Rainfall Variability Revealed by Ethiopian Rainfall δ18O
Authors: Midhun M. , Lekshmy P. R. , Thirumalai Kaustubh , Ramesh R.
Published: November 2022

Coherent fluctuations in Sahel and Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall influence the socio‐economic welfare of several densely populated regions. Here we identify a common mode of interannual rainfall variability over the Sahel and Indian regions and demonstrate the influence of both Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures (SST) in inducing such a large‐scale response. The principal component of the leading mode of precipitation variability (PC1) over these regions correlates independently well with both ISM and Sahel rainfall indices. Here we show that this global SST‐driven dominant mode of Indo‐Sahel rainfall variability is well captured in present‐day rainfall δ18O and speleothem δ18O of the Ethiopian region. We use a ∼40‐year‐long monthly observational record of precipitation stable isotopes at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to show that episodic isotopic depletions in rainfall at this site occur during the wet phases of PC1. These isotopic anomalies are associated with eastward intrusions of moisture initiating from the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Finally, we demonstrate decadal‐scale co‐variability between PC‐1 and a century‐long δ18O record from an actively growing Ethiopian speleothem to highlight the potential of rainfall isotopic records from this region to capture fluctuations in the coupled variability of the Indo‐African boreal monsoons.
Evaluation of Environmental Controls on Terrestrial Net Ecosystem Exchange of CO2: A Global Perspective From the FLUXNET Sites
Authors: Kong Zhe , Wang Tiejun , Han Qiong , Dai Yibin , Wang Lichun , Chen Xi
Published: November 2022

Net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 is a key process modulating carbon exchanges between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere; however, it remains a grand challenge to elucidate how the interactions of NEE with environmental variables vary among ecosystems and climate regimes across timescales. The FLUXNET and AmeriFlux data sets were used to diagnose the environmental controls on NEE. Based on the sites with long‐term observations (≥7 years), the results showed that the couplings between NEE and surrounding environments were stronger at daily and monthly scales than at annual scales, highlighting the temporal dependence of environmental variables influencing NEE. Moreover, the boosted regression tree method was applied to quantify the relative impacts of environmental controls on daily NEE variations. It revealed that leaf area index (LAI) and shortwave radiation (Rs) were the major divers of daily NEE variations at most sites with the average contribution of 35.5% and 27.8%, respectively. Particularly, LAI was the principal control in deciduous broadleaf forested, non‐forested, and arid sites, while Rs was the leading factor in evergreen forested sites. Meanwhile, air temperature (Ta), soil water content (SWC), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) exerted smaller influences with the average contribution of 14.6%, 13.2%, and 8.9%, respectively. The relative impacts of LAI, Rs, SWC, and VPD also varied with aridity index, and mean annual precipitation and Ta. Furthermore, NEE was more sensitive to vegetation dynamics in drier climate regions. This study provides additional understanding of how environmental factors regulate NEE dynamics across diverse land surface and climatic conditions.
Diverse Deformation Mechanisms and Lithologic Controls in an Active Orogenic Wedge: Structural Geology and Thermochronometry of the Eastern Greater Caucasus
Authors: Tye A. R. , Niemi N. A. , Cowgill E. , Kadirov F. A. , Babayev G. R.
Published: November 2022

Orogenic wedges are common at convergent plate margins and deform internally to maintain a self‐similar geometry during growth. New structural mapping and thermochronometry data illustrate that the eastern Greater Caucasus mountain range of western Asia undergoes deformation via distinct mechanisms that correspond with contrasting lithologies of two sedimentary rock packages within the orogen. The orogen interior comprises a package of Mesozoic thin‐bedded (<10 cm) sandstones and shales. These strata are deformed throughout by short‐wavelength (<1 km) folds that are not fault‐bend or fault‐propagation folds. In contrast, a coeval package of thick‐bedded (up to 5 m) volcaniclastic sandstone and carbonate, known as the Vandam Zone, has been accreted and is deformed via imbrication of coherent thrust sheets forming fault‐related folds of 5–10 km wavelength. Structural reconstructions and thermochronometric data indicate that the Vandam Zone package was accreted between ca. 13  and 3 Ma. Following Vandam Zone accretion, thermal modeling of thermochronometric data indicates rapid exhumation (∼0.3–1 mm/yr) in the wedge interior beginning between ca. 6 and 3 Ma, and a novel thermochronometric paleo‐rotation analysis suggests out‐of‐sequence folding of wedge‐interior strata after ca. 3 Ma. Field relationships suggest that the Vandam Zone underwent syn‐convergent extension following accretion. Together, the data record spatially and temporally variable deformation, dependent on both the mechanical properties of deforming lithologies and perturbations such as accretion of material from the down‐going to the overriding plate. The diverse modes of deformation are consistent with the maintenance of critical taper.
Dispersed Urban‐Stormwater Control Improved Stream Water Quality in a Catchment‐Scale Experiment
Authors: Walsh Christopher J. , Imberger Moss , Burns Matthew J. , Bos Darren G. , Fletcher Tim D.
Published: November 2022

Traditional urban drainage degrades receiving waters. Alternative approaches have potential to protect downstream waters, but widespread adoption requires robust demonstration of their feasibility and effectiveness. We conducted a catchment‐scale experiment over 19 years to assess the effect of dispersed stormwater control measures (SCMs), measured as a reduction in effective imperviousness (EI) on stream water quality in six sites on two streams. We compared changes in those sites over 7 years as EI decreased, to changes in the 12 preceding years, and in three reference and two control streams. SCMs reduced phosphorus concentrations and summer temperature to reference levels in dry weather where EI was sufficiently reduced, but effects were smaller with increased antecedent rain. SCMs also reduced nitrogen concentrations which were influenced by septic tank seepage in all sites. SCMs had no effect on suspended solids concentrations, which were lower in urban than in reference streams. SCMs increased electrical conductivity: along with reduced temperature this is evidence of increased contribution of groundwater to baseflows. This experiment strengthens inference that urban stormwater drainage increases contaminant concentrations in streams, and demonstrates that such impacts are reversible and likely preventable. Variation in degree of water quality improvement among experimental sites suggests that achieving reference water quality would require SCMs with large retention capacity intercepting runoff from nearly all impervious surfaces, thus requiring more downslope space and water demand. EI is a useful metric for predicting stream water quality responses to SCMs, allowing better catchment prioritization and SCM design standards for stream protection.
Uncertainty Quantification of Transient‐Based Leakage Identification: A Frequency Domain Framework
Authors: Duan Huan‐Feng , Keramat Alireza
Published: November 2022

The leak detection methods in the frequency domain have presently become widely established among transient‐based techniques. This study quantifies the uncertainty of the frequency domain multiple leak detection subjected to uncertain Gaussian, independent, and identically distributed measurements. The lower limit of the variances and covariances of the estimated leak locations and sizes are derived via the Cramer‐Rao Lower Bound theory, whose derivation consistency with the Taylor expansion is also revealed. A systematic methodology based on the Monte Carlo simulations and probing waves is carried out to examine and verify the proposed formulations and corresponding outcomes, leading to an in‐depth analysis of interactions between probing waves and leaks. The results justify the formation of points of minimum error in the pipeline corresponding to each specific harmonic wave, which has direct application in detectability using signals of limited bandwidth in actual practice. The findings resolve the reason behind localization failure for some test cases and success for others despite the same noise levels, as illustrated via numerical and experimental test cases. A workflow for efficient leak detection and the approach to estimating the corresponding localization uncertainty is proposed. According to the findings of this study, one may recommend the predicted error‐location results to accompany the wave‐based leak detection outputs to render a measure of accuracy in the identification process.
Influence of Bedform Migration on Nitrate Reduction in Hyporheic Zones of Heterogeneous Sediments
Authors: Ping Xue , Xian Yang , Jin Menggui
Published: November 2022

The transport of sediments induced by river flow leads to the formation and movement of bedforms like ripples, and the exchange flux caused by the interaction between stream and bedforms significantly influences nitrogen dynamics. Previous studies have studied the role of bedform migration on nitrogen cycling in homogeneous sediments, however, how bedform migration affects nitrate reduction in heterogeneous streambeds is still unknown. In this study, we established a series of two‐dimensional numerical models to investigate the role of bedform migration on nitrate removal in physically (permeability) and chemically (particulate organic carbon; POC) heterogeneous sediments. Results from mobile bedforms were compared with matching immobile bedforms and equivalently homogeneous mobile ones. Mobile bedforms create periodic exchange flux fluctuations, reduce solutes penetration depths and residence time, and result in decreased denitrification rate. Both a larger bedform celerity and a smaller silt fraction lead to a lower NO3− removal efficiency. Thus, the bedforms are typically assumed to be immobile potentially making an overestimation of NO3− removal. Moreover, sediment heterogeneity cannot enhance NO3− removal in mobile bedforms, where the penetration depth and the residence timescale of NO3− are suppressed, and the formation of anoxic microzone is inhibited. The finding is significantly different from the previous understanding about sediment heterogeneity that can obviously enhance NO3− removal. This study is useful for understanding nitrate processing in streambed sediments and benefits to the management of watershed nutrients.
IL-18 deficiency ameliorates the progression from AKI to CKD
Authors: Luan Junjun , Fu Jingqi , Jiao Congcong , Hao Xiangnan , Feng Zixuan , Zhu Lingzi , Zhang Yixiao , Zhou Guangyu , Li Hongyu , Yang Wei , Yuen Peter S. T. , Kopp Jeffrey B. , Pi Jingbo , Zhou Hua
Published: November 2022

Inflammation is an important factor in the progression from acute kidney injury (AKI) to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The role of interleukin (IL)-18 in this progression has not been examined. We aimed to clarify whether and how IL-18 limits this progression. In a folic acid induced renal injury mouse model, we studied the time course of kidney injury and renal IL-18 expression. In wild-type mice following injection, renal IL-18 expression increased. In parallel, we characterized other processes, including at day 2, renal tubular necroptosis assessed by receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase1 (RIPK1) and RIPK3; at day 14, transdifferentiation (assessed by transforming growth factor β1, vimentin and E-cadherin); and at day 30, fibrosis (assessed by collagen 1). In IL-18 knockout mice given folate, compared to wild-type mice, tubular damage and necroptosis, transdifferentiation, and renal fibrosis were attenuated. Importantly, IL-18 deletion decreased numbers of renal M1 macrophages and M1 macrophage cytokine levels at day 14, and reduced M2 macrophages numbers and macrophage cytokine expression at day 30. In HK-2 cells, IL-18 knockdown attenuated necroptosis, transdifferentiating and fibrosis.In patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis, IL-18 protein expression was increased on renal biopsies using immunohistochemistry. We conclude that genetic IL-18 deficiency ameliorates renal tubular damage, necroptosis, cell transdifferentiation, and fibrosis. The renoprotective role of IL-18 deletion in the progression from AKI to fibrosis may be mediated by reducing a switch in predominance from M1 to profibrotic M2 macrophages during the process of kidney repair.
Genuine selective caspase-2 inhibition with new irreversible small peptidomimetics
Authors: Bosc Elodie , Anastasie Julie , Soualmia Feryel , Coric Pascale , Kim Ju Youn , Wang Lily Q. , Lacin Gullen , Zhao Kaitao , Patel Ronak , Duplus Eric , Tixador Philippe , Sproul Andrew A. , Brugg Bernard , Reboud-Ravaux Michelle , Troy Carol M. , Shelanski Michael L. , Bouaziz Serge , Karin Michael , El Amri Chahrazade , Jacotot Etienne D.
Published: November 2022

Caspase-2 (Casp2) is a promising therapeutic target in several human diseases, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the design of an active-site-directed inhibitor selective to individual caspase family members is challenging because caspases have extremely similar active sites. Here we present new peptidomimetics derived from the VDVAD pentapeptide structure, harboring non-natural modifications at the P2 position and an irreversible warhead. Enzyme kinetics show that these new compounds, such as LJ2 or its specific isomers LJ2a, and LJ3a, strongly and irreversibly inhibit Casp2 with genuine selectivity. In agreement with the established role of Casp2 in cellular stress responses, LJ2 inhibits cell death induced by microtubule destabilization or hydroxamic acid-based deacetylase inhibition. The most potent peptidomimetic, LJ2a, inhibits human Casp2 with a remarkably high inactivation rate (k3/Ki~5,500,000 M−1 s−1), and the most selective inhibitor, LJ3a, has close to a 1000 times higher inactivation rate on Casp2 as compared to Casp3. Structural analysis of LJ3a shows that the spatial configuration of Cαat the P2 position determines inhibitor efficacy. In transfected human cell lines overexpressing site-1 protease (S1P), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and Casp2, LJ2a and LJ3a fully inhibit Casp2-mediated S1P cleavage and thus SREBP2 activation, suggesting a potential to prevent NASH development. Furthermore, in primary hippocampal neurons treated with β-amyloid oligomers, submicromolar concentrations of LJ2a and of LJ3a prevent synapse loss, indicating a potential for further investigations in AD treatment.
Novel missense COL2A1 variant in a fetus with achondrogenesis type II
Authors: Kobayashi Yukari , Ito Yuki , Taniguchi Kosuke , Harada Kana , Yamamura Michihiro , Sato Taisuke , Takahashi Ken , Kawame Hiroshi , Hata Kenichiro , Samura Osamu , Okamoto Aikou
Published: November 2022

Achondrogenesis type II (ACG2) is a lethal skeletal disorder caused by pathogenic variants in COL2A1. We present a fetus with cystic hygroma and severe shortening of the limbs at 14 weeks of gestation. We performed postnatal genetic analysis of the parents and fetus to diagnose the disease. A novel missense variant of COL2A1 [NM_001844.5: c.2987G>A, (p. Gly996Asp)] was identified, which led to the ACG2 diagnosis.
High-lying valley-polarized trions in 2D semiconductors
Authors: Lin Kai-Qiang , Ziegler Jonas D. , Semina Marina A. , Mamedov Javid V. , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Bange Sebastian , Chernikov Alexey , Glazov Mikhail M. , Lupton John M.
Published: November 2022

Optoelectronic functionalities of monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors are characterized by the emergence of externally tunable, correlated many-body complexes arising from strong Coulomb interactions. However, the vast majority of such states susceptible to manipulation has been limited to the region in energy around the fundamental bandgap. We report the observation of tightly bound, valley-polarized, UV-emissive trions in monolayer TMDC transistors: quasiparticles composed of an electron from a high-lying conduction band with negative effective mass, a hole from the first valence band, and an additional charge from a band-edge state. These high-lying trions have markedly different optical selection rules compared to band-edge trions and show helicity opposite to that of the excitation. An electrical gate controls both the oscillator strength and the detuning of the excitonic transitions, and therefore the Rabi frequency of the strongly driven three-level system, enabling excitonic quantum interference to be switched on and off in a deterministic fashion.
Ordovician opabiniid-like animals and the role of the proboscis in euarthropod head evolution
Authors: Pates Stephen , Botting Joseph P. , Muir Lucy A. , Wolfe Joanna M.
Published: November 2022

A crucial step in the evolution of Euarthropoda (chelicerates, myriapods, pancrustaceans) was the transition between fossil groups that possessed frontal appendages innervated by the first segment of the brain (protocerebrum), and living groups with a protocerebral labrum and paired appendages innervated by the second brain segment (deutocerebrum). Appendage homologies between the groups are controversial. Here we describe two specimens of opabiniid-like euarthropods, each bearing an anterior proboscis (a fused protocerebral appendage), from the Middle Ordovician Castle Bank Biota, Wales, UK. Phylogenetic analyses support a paraphyletic grade of stem-group euarthropods with fused protocerebral appendages and a posterior-facing mouth, as in the iconic Cambrian panarthropodOpabinia. These results suggest that the labrum may have reduced from an already-fused proboscis, rather than a pair of arthropodized appendages. If some shared features between the Castle Bank specimens and radiodonts are considered convergent rather than homologous, phylogenetic analyses retrieve them as opabiniids, substantially extending the geographic and temporal range of Opabiniidae.
Cell-specific measurements show nitrogen fixation by particle-attached putative non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Harding Katie J. , Turk-Kubo Kendra A. , Mak Esther Wing Kwan , Weber Peter K. , Mayali Xavier , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: November 2022

Biological nitrogen fixation is a major important source of nitrogen for low-nutrient surface oceanic waters. Nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) cyanobacteria are believed to be the primary contributors to this process, but the contribution of non-cyanobacterial diazotrophic organisms in oxygenated surface water, while hypothesized to be important, has yet to be demonstrated. In this study, we used simultaneous15N-dinitrogen and13C-bicarbonate incubations combined with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis to screen tens of thousands of mostly particle-associated, cell-like regions of interest collected from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. These dual isotope incubations allow us to distinguish between non-cyanobacterial and cyanobacterial nitrogen-fixing microorganisms and to measure putative cell-specific nitrogen fixation rates. With this approach, we detect nitrogen fixation by putative non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs in the oxygenated surface ocean, which are associated with organic-rich particles (<210 µm size fraction) at two out of seven locations sampled. When present, up to 4.1% of the analyzed particles contain at least one active putative non-cyanobacterial diazotroph. The putative non-cyanobacterial diazotroph nitrogen fixation rates (0.76 ± 1.60 fmol N cell−1d−1) suggest that these organisms are capable of fixing dinitrogen in oxygenated surface water, at least when attached to particles, and may contribute to oceanic nitrogen fixation.
Southern Indian Ocean Dipole as a trigger for Central Pacific El Niño since the 2000s
Authors: Jo Hyun-Su , Ham Yoo-Geun , Kug Jong-Seong , Li Tim , Kim Jeong-Hwan , Kim Ji-Gwang , Kim Hyerim
Published: November 2022

Despite decades of effort, predicting the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) since the 2000s has become increasingly challenging. This is due to the weaker coupling between the ENSO and well-known precursors in tropical ocean basins, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Here we show that the Southern Indian Ocean Dipole (SIOD), which is characterized by an east-west-oriented sea surface temperature dipole pattern over the southern Indian Ocean, has become a key precursor of Central Pacific El Niño since the 2000s with a 14-month lead. The role of the SIOD in the subsequent year’s ENSO is distinctive from the equatorial Indian Ocean Dipole mode in that it prolongs the ENSO period. The westward-shifted ENSO has sustained simultaneous SIOD events for longer periods since the 2000s, which leads to weak but persistent westerly anomalies over the western Pacific. This eventually results in the development of the Central Pacific El Niño in the subsequent year.
Validity and reliability of a novel iPhone method to rapidly measure cervical sagittal parameters
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Chunyang , Zhong Weiyang , Zhao Zenghui , Han Fei , Han Zhenghan , Zhang Hang , Huang Tianji , Luo Xiaoji
Published: November 2022

We introduced a novel method based on the iPhone’s intrinsic photo edit function to measure sagittal parameters of the cervical spine. This study aimed to assess the validity of this new method compared with the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) method (the gold standard) and to test the reliability of this novel technique. One hundred consecutive patients admitted to our hospital diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were retrospectively reviewed. Four angles, including the C0-2 Cobb angle, C2-7 Cobb angle, T1S and neck tilt (NT), were assessed by iPhone and PACS. The validity and reliability were evaluated, and the time taken by both methods was compared. The ICCs of the validity of the C0-2 Cobb angle, C2-7 Cobb angle, T1S and NT were 0.960, 0.976, 0.980 and 0.946, respectively. The ICCs of the intraobserver reliability of the C0-2 Cobb angle, C2-7 Cobb angle, T1S and NT were 0.966, 0.983, 0.971 and 0.951, respectively. The ICCs of the interobserver reliability of the C0-2 Cobb angle, C2-7 Cobb angle, T1S and NT were 0.953, 0.972, 0.957 and 0.929, respectively. The Bland‒Altman plot of validity of the four angles revealed mean differences of 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, and 0.1 degrees with 95% CIs of 4.1, 4.1, 2.9, and 4.3 degrees, respectively. The iPhone measurement time (58.55 ± 4.17 s) was significantly less than that by the PACS (70.40 ± 2.92 s) when compared by the independent-samples T test (P < 0.001). This novel method using the iPhone’s intrinsic photo edit function is accurate, reliable, fast and convenient when measuring cervical sagittal parameters.
Preliminary study of the accuracy and safety of robot-assisted mandibular distraction osteogenesis with electromagnetic navigation in hemifacial microsomia using rabbit models
Authors: Zhang Ziwei , Kim Byeong Seop , Han Wenqing , Sun Mengzhe , Chen Xiaojun , Yan Yingjie , Xu Haisong , Chai Gang , Lin Li
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to investigate the accuracy and safety of mandibular osteotomy and distraction device positioning in distraction osteogenesis assisted by an electromagnetic navigation surgical robot. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups after computed tomography. The control group underwent a procedure based on the preoperative three-dimensional design and clinical experience. Animals in experimental group underwent a procedure with robotic assistance after registration. The accuracies of osteotomy and distraction device positioning were analysed based on distance and angular errors. The change in ramus length after a 1 cm-extension of the distraction device was for assessing distraction effect. The preparation, operative and osteotomy times, intraoperative bleeding, and teeth injury were used for safety assessment. In the experimental group, the distance (t = 2.591, p = 0.011) and angular (t = 4.276, p = 0.002) errors of osteotomy plane, and the errors in distraction device position (t = 3.222, p = 0.009) and direction (t = 4.697, p = 0.001) were lower; the distraction effect was better (t = 4.096, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in the osteotomy time and bleeding; however, the overall operative and preparation times were increased in the experimental group, with a reduced rate of teeth damage. Robot-assisted mandibular distraction osteogenesis with electromagnetic navigation in craniofacial microsomia is feasible, safe, significantly improves surgical precision.
Low net carbonate accretion characterizes Florida’s coral reef
Authors: Morris John T. , Enochs Ian C. , Besemer Nicole , Viehman T. Shay , Groves Sarah H. , Blondeau Jeremiah , Ames Cory , Towle Erica K. , Grove Laura Jay W. , Manzello Derek P.
Published: November 2022

Coral reef habitat is created when calcium carbonate production by calcifiers exceeds removal by physical and biological erosion. Carbonate budget surveys provide a means of quantifying the framework-altering actions of diverse assemblages of marine species to determine net carbonate production, a single metric that encapsulates reef habitat persistence. In this study, carbonate budgets were calculated for 723 sites across the Florida Reef Tract (FRT) using benthic cover and parrotfish demographic data from NOAA’s National Coral Reef Monitoring Program, as well as high-resolution LiDAR topobathymetry. Results highlight the erosional state of the majority of the study sites, with a trend towards more vulnerable habitat in the northern FRT, especially in the Southeast Florida region (− 0.51 kg CaCO3 m−2 year−1), which is in close proximity to urban centers. Detailed comparison of reef types reveals that mid-channel reefs in the Florida Keys have the highest net carbonate production (0.84 kg CaCO3 m−2 year−1) and indicates that these reefs may be hold-outs for reef development throughout the region. This study reports that Florida reefs, specifically their physical structure, are in a net erosional state. As these reefs lose structure, the ecosystem services they provide will be diminished, signifying the importance of increased protections and management efforts to offset these trends.
Use of synthetic images for training a deep learning model for weed detection and biomass estimation in cotton
Authors: Sapkota Bishwa B. , Popescu Sorin , Rajan Nithya , Leon Ramon G. , Reberg-Horton Chris , Mirsky Steven , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar V.
Published: November 2022

Site-specific treatment of weeds in agricultural landscapes has been gaining importance in recent years due to economic savings and minimal impact on the environment. Different detection methods have been developed and tested for precision weed management systems, but recent developments in neural networks have offered great prospects. However, a major limitation with the neural network models is the requirement of high volumes of data for training. The current study aims at exploring an alternative approach to the use of real images to address this issue. In this study, synthetic images were generated with various strategies using plant instances clipped from UAV-borne real images. In addition, the Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) technique was used to generate fake plant instances which were used in generating synthetic images. These images were used to train a powerful convolutional neural network (CNN) known as "Mask R-CNN" for weed detection and segmentation in a transfer learning mode. The study was conducted on morningglories (MG) and grass weeds (Grass) infested in cotton. The biomass for individual weeds was also collected in the field for biomass modeling using detection and segmentation results derived from model inference. Results showed a comparable performance between the real plant-based synthetic image (mean average precision for mask-mAPm: 0.60; mean average precision for bounding box-mAPb: 0.64) and real image datasets (mAPm: 0.80; mAPb: 0.81). However, the mixed dataset (real image  + real plant instance-based synthetic image dataset) resulted in no performance gain for segmentation mask whereas a very small performance gain for bounding box (mAPm: 0.80; mAPb: 0.83). Around 40–50 plant instances were sufficient for generating synthetic images that resulted in optimal performance. Row orientation of cotton in the synthetic images was beneficial compared to random-orientation. Synthetic images generated with automatically-clipped plant instances performed similarly to the ones generated with manually-clipped instances. Generative Adversarial Networks-derived fake plant instances-based synthetic images did not perform as effectively as real plant instance-based synthetic images. The canopy mask area predicted weed biomass better than bounding box area with R2values of 0.66 and 0.46 for MG and Grass, respectively. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for guiding future endeavors oriented towards using synthetic images for weed detection and segmentation, and biomass estimation in row crops.
The role of peak serum estradiol level in the prevention of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin stimulated intrauterine insemination cycles
Authors: Bouet Pierre-Emmanuel , Bruand Mariette , Bellaïche Kevin , Vielle Bruno , Legendre Guillaume , Descamps Philippe , Corroenne Romain , May-Panloup Pascale , El Hachem Hady
Published: November 2022

The objective was to assess whether the measurement of serum estradiol (E2) level on trigger day in controlled ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (COS-IUI) cycles helps lower the multiple pregnancy (MP) rate. We performed a unicentric observational study. We included all patients who underwent COS-IUI and had a subsequent clinical pregnancy (CP) between 2011 and 2019. Our main outcome measure was the area under Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. We included 455 clinical pregnancies (CP) obtained from 3387 COS-IUI cycles: 418 singletons, 35 twins, and 2 triplets. The CP, MP, and live birth rates were respectively 13.4%, 8.1% and 10.8%. The area under ROC curve for peak serum E2 was 0.60 (0.52–0.69). The mean E2 level was comparable between singletons and MP (260.1 ± 156.1 pg/mL vs. 293.0 ± 133.4 pg/mL, p = 0.21, respectively). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that E2 level was not predictive of MP rate (aOR: 1.13 (0.93–1.37) and 1.06 (0.85–1.32), respectively). Our study shows that, when strict cancelation criteria based on the woman’s age and follicular response on ultrasound are applied, the measurement of peak serum E2 levels does not help reduce the risk of MP in COS-IUI cycles.
Adverse events following administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqahtani Saleh , Jokhdar Hani , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Al-Otaibi Salah , Assiri Abdullah , Almudarra Sami , Alabdulkareem Khaled , Haji Alhan
Published: November 2022

Previous studies investigated the frequency of different adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines. However, this study compares these adverse events between the two main COVID-19 vaccines used in Saudi Arabia (Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca) using telemedicine technology. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 958 individuals, 7 days after receiving either Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines during June 2021. Immediate adverse events were reported by 1.04% and 2.09% for Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, respectively, with no serious events. Recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had a higher percentage of local adverse events (24.8% versus 9.8% in AstraZeneca vaccine). The most common reported systemic adverse events in both vaccines respectively were general fatigue (23.1% and 25.1%), fever (18.5% and 27.2%), myalgia (20.6% and 20.3%), and headache (15.2% and 17.2%). No significant difference was recorded between both vaccines regarding overall systemic adverse events; however, they were more frequent following the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine compared to Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, while the reverse was observed for the second dose. Adverse events were more frequent in females and younger age groups for both vaccines. Most of systemic and local adverse events were mild in nature. Further cohort studies are recommended to investigate the long-term adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines.
Comparative analysis of proximate compositions, mineral and functional chemical groups of 15 different seaweed species
Authors: Premarathna Amal D. , Tuvikene Rando , Fernando P. H. P. , Adhikari Ranjith , Perera M. C. N. , Ranahewa T. H. , Howlader Md Musa , Wangchuk Phurpa , Jayasooriya Anura P. , Rajapakse R. P. V. J.
Published: November 2022

Seaweed is a popular edible source and is associated with many foods and pharmaceutical industries around the world. The current research aims to provide information on the chemical composition of 15 seaweed species, consisted of Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta/Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyta macroalgae, collected from coastal areas of Sri Lanka. Seaweed samples were subjected to the analysis of lipids, proteins, ash and macro, micro, trace and ultra-trace elements. The highest protein content was recorded in the brown algae. Maximum dietary fiber and ash contents were recorded from green algae. The highest predominant fatty acids were observed from green seaweeds (Caulerparacemosa); however, linoleic acid (C18:2n6) is the dominant fatty acid of all macroalgae. Mineral contents were highest in the red macroalga; however, copper, zinc and magnesium were also comparatively higher in green algaUlvalactuca. In conclusion, 15 seaweed species belonging to the three different classes of seaweeds are investigated in details to obtain their biochemical, mineral and fatty acid compositions for the synthesis of novel therapeutic agents. In order to explore biorefinery processes for these seaweeds, as well as how they can potentially be cultivated, more extensive studies are required. Studying and determining the nutritional values of seaweeds will be beneficial with the potentials for future industrial uses and research.
Potential effects of nano-cellulose and nano-silica/polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposites in the strengthening of dyed paper manuscripts with madder: an experimental study
Authors: Abdel-Hamied Mostafa , Hassan Rushdya Rabee Ali , Salem Mohamed Z. M. , Ashraf Toka , Mohammed Merihan , Mahmoud Nariman , El-din Yasmin Saad , Ismail Sameh H.
Published: November 2022

In the present work, the composite cross-linked were used to consolidate the dyed paper manuscripts. Nanocomposites of mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MPSNP)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/PVA, which have never been used before, have been evaluated for the consolidation process of the dyed paper manuscripts with madder extract. Three concentrations 1%, 3%, and 5% have been prepared. Analysis and investigation methods like scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS), X-Ray diffraction Analysis (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and total color difference (ΔE) by spectrophotometer have been used in order to characterize the prepared nano-sized composites and evaluate the treated dyed paper samples before and after the aging process. The results of surface morphology by SEM revealed the effectiveness of MPSNP/PVA core–shell nanocomposite at 5% in the consolidation process, where the improvement of properties of the aged dyed paper samples. The fibers of the treated paper became strong and appeared clearly. The result of ΔE measurements showed that the treated sample with MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 5% gave the lowest ΔE (5.22), while, the treated sample with CNF/PVA nanocomposite at 5% gave the highest ΔE value (11.66). Mechanical measurements (tensile strength and elongation) revealed the efficiency of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 5% in the treatment of the aged dyed paper samples. The treated sample with the mentioned material gave tensile strength and elongation values of 84.8 N/nm2and 1.736%, respectively. In contrast, the treated sample with CNF/PVA nanocomposite at 1% gave the lowest tensile strength and elongation values 38.2 N/nm2, and 1.166%, respectively. FTIR analysis revealed an increase was noticed in the CH2stretching band (refers to the crystallinity of cellulose), where the intensity of the treated sample with MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite was at a 5% increase compared to the control sample. The FTIR results supported the results of mechanical measurements. The intensity of the CH2stretching band, which refers to the crystallinity index of cellulose, was increased with the use of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite at 3% and 5%, which explains the improvement in mechanical properties. This may be due to the nano-mineral particles, which improve the mechanical properties. Additionally, they reduce the effect of accelerated thermal aging on the cellulosic fibers and give them stability. The detailed analysis of analytical methods used for evaluation revealed the novelty of MPSNP/PVA nanocomposite, especially at 5%. It has a potential role in strengthening and improving different properties of the dyed paper manuscripts with madder extract.
Closed-form continuous-time neural networks
Authors: Hasani Ramin , Lechner Mathias , Amini Alexander , Liebenwein Lucas , Ray Aaron , Tschaikowski Max , Teschl Gerald , Rus Daniela
Published: November 2022

Continuous-time neural networks are a class of machine learning systems that can tackle representation learning on spatiotemporal decision-making tasks. These models are typically represented by continuous differential equations. However, their expressive power when they are deployed on computers is bottlenecked by numerical differential equation solvers. This limitation has notably slowed down the scaling and understanding of numerous natural physical phenomena such as the dynamics of nervous systems. Ideally, we would circumvent this bottleneck by solving the given dynamical system in closed form. This is known to be intractable in general. Here, we show that it is possible to closely approximate the interaction between neurons and synapses—the building blocks of natural and artificial neural networks—constructed by liquid time-constant networks efficiently in closed form. To this end, we compute a tightly bounded approximation of the solution of an integral appearing in liquid time-constant dynamics that has had no known closed-form solution so far. This closed-form solution impacts the design of continuous-time and continuous-depth neural models. For instance, since time appears explicitly in closed form, the formulation relaxes the need for complex numerical solvers. Consequently, we obtain models that are between one and five orders of magnitude faster in training and inference compared with differential equation-based counterparts. More importantly, in contrast to ordinary differential equation-based continuous networks, closed-form networks can scale remarkably well compared with other deep learning instances. Lastly, as these models are derived from liquid networks, they show good performance in time-series modelling compared with advanced recurrent neural network models.
A ~700 years perspective on the 21st century drying in the eastern part of Europe based on δ18O in tree ring cellulose
Authors: Nagavciuc Viorica , Ionita Monica , Kern Zoltán , McCarroll Danny , Popa Ionel
Published: November 2022

Numerical simulations indicate that extreme climate events (e.g., droughts, floods, heat waves) will increase in a warming world, putting enormous pressure on society and political decision-makers. To provide a long-term perspective on the variability of these extreme events, here we use a ~700 years tree-ring oxygen isotope chronology from Eastern Europe, in combination with paleo-reanalysis data, to show that the summer drying over Eastern Europe observed over the last ~150 years is to the best of our knowledge unprecedented over the last 700 years. This drying is driven by a change in the pressure patterns over Europe, characterized by a shift from zonal to a wavier flow around 1850CE, leading to extreme summer droughts and aridification. To our knowledge, this is the first and longest reconstruction of drought variability, based on stable oxygen isotopes in the tree-ring cellulose, for Eastern Europe, helping to fill a gap in the spatial coverage of paleoclimate reconstructions.
Community context and pCO2 impact the transcriptome of the “helper” bacterium Alteromonas in co-culture with picocyanobacteria
Authors: Barreto Filho Marcelo Malisano , Lu Zhiying , Walker Melissa , Morris J Jeffrey
Published: November 2022

Many microbial photoautotrophs depend on heterotrophic bacteria for accomplishing essential functions. Environmental changes, however, could alter or eliminate such interactions. We investigated the effects of changing pCO2 on gene transcription in co-cultures of 3 strains of picocyanobacteria (Synechococcus strains CC9311 and WH8102 and Prochlorococcus strain MIT9312) paired with the ‘helper’ bacterium Alteromonas macleodii EZ55. Co-culture with cyanobacteria resulted in a much higher number of up- and down-regulated genes in EZ55 than pCO2 by itself. Pathway analysis revealed significantly different transcription of genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism, stress response, and chemotaxis, with different patterns of up- or down-regulation in co-culture with different cyanobacterial strains. Gene transcription patterns of organic and inorganic nutrient transporter and catabolism genes in EZ55 suggested resources available in the culture media were altered under elevated (800 ppm) pCO2 conditions. Altogether, changing transcription patterns were consistent with the possibility that the composition of cyanobacterial excretions changed under the two pCO2 regimes, causing extensive ecophysiological changes in both members of the co-cultures. Additionally, significant downregulation of oxidative stress genes in MIT9312/EZ55 cocultures at 800 ppm pCO2 were consistent with a link between the predicted reduced availability of photorespiratory byproducts (i.e., glycolate/2PG) under this condition and observed reductions in internal oxidative stress loads for EZ55, providing a possible explanation for the previously observed lack of “help” provided by EZ55 to MIT9312 under elevated pCO2. If similar broad alterations in microbial ecophysiology occur in the ocean as atmospheric pCO2 increases, they could lead to substantially altered ecosystem functioning and community composition.
Investigation of the effect of point defects on the Li-ion conductivity of Li3InCl6
Authors: Kim Eunji , Kim Yongseon
Published: November 2022

The effect of point defects on the performance of the Li3InCl6 solid electrolyte is investigated, which indicates the formation of point defects, such as VCl and In4g, is effective in improving the Li-ion conductivity of Li3InCl6.
A water-stable, light-weight, MOF-based membrane for mitigating polysulfide shuttling in Li–S batteries
Authors: Xu Juan , Lin Zheng , Lei Yuan , Huang Xingrun , Chen Chao
Published: November 2022

A water-stable, light-weight, MOF-based membrane as an interlayer in Li–S batteries for efficient mitigation of polysulfide shuttling and enhanced electrochemical performance.
Adsorption removal of Mn2+ and NH4+–N from electrolytic manganese metal wastewater by modified phosphate ore flotation tailings
Authors: Wu Yuhao , Shu Jiancheng , Cao Wenxing , Li Zihan , Li Bing , Xu Zhonghui , Chen Hongliang , Chen Mengjun , Deng Zongyu
Published: November 2022

Electrolytic metal manganese wastewater (EMMW) is industrial wastewater produced in the process of producing electrolytic metal manganese, which contains Mn2+ and NH4+–N pollutants.
Alkoxy phosphonic acid-functionalized conjugated microporous polymers for efficient and multi-environmental proton conduction
Authors: Yang Kaijie , Wang Yuxiang , Ling Zhiyi , Pan Xiaogang , Zhang Gen , Su Jian
Published: November 2022

With the dense hydrogen-bonding networks formed by the alkoxy phosphonic acid groups and guest H3PO4 molecules, CMP-Cx-P-H exhibit high proton conductivity under both humid and anhydrous conditions as well as wide temperature range (−40 to 130 °C).
Assessing the bio-stability of microRNA-146a conjugated nanoparticles via electroanalysis
Authors: El Ghzaoui Chaimae , Neal Craig J. , Kolanthai Elayaraja , Fu Yifei , Kumar Udit , Hu Junyi , Zgheib Carlos , Liechty Kenneth W. , Seal Sudipta
Published: November 2022

The stability of microRNA-146a conjugated with different nanoparticles in the presence of high oxidative stress was investigated through detailed electroanalysis.
Parallel synthesis of oligonucleotides containing N-acyl amino-LNA and their therapeutic effects as anti-microRNAs
Authors: Takegawa-Araki Tomo , Yasukawa Kai , Iwazaki Norihiko , Maruyama Hideto , Furukawa Hiroyuki , Sawamoto Hiroaki , Obika Satoshi
Published: November 2022

Efficient oligonucleotide synthesis by post elongation modification with direct acylation of 2′-amino-LNA and evaluation of their microRNA inhibitory activity.
In situ generation of imines by the Staudinger/aza-Wittig tandem reaction combined with thermally induced Wolff rearrangement for one-pot three-component β-lactam synthesis
Authors: Paramonova Polina , Lebedev Rodion , Bakulina Olga , Dar'in Dmitry , Krasavin Mikhail
Published: November 2022

A diastereoselective three-component one-pot lactam synthesis involving the in situ generation of imines via the Staudinger/aza-Wittig tandem reaction combined with the Wolff rearrangement and ketene–imine cycloaddition was developed.
Iron-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of (E)-vinyl sulfones mediated by unprotected hydroxylamines
Authors: Zhu Lin , Song Dian , Liu Yi-Han , Chen Meng-Di , Zhang Xin-Ru , You Meng-Yan , Zhan Jun-Long
Published: November 2022

An Fe-catalyzed unprotected hydroxylamine mediated Heck-type coupling between sulfinic acids and alkenes furnished structurally important (E)-vinyl sulfones with moderate to good yields, high atom-economy and regioselectivity.