bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating sea sand into self-compacting concrete: a systematic review
Authors: Sindhurashmi B. M. , Nayak Gopinatha , Adesh N. D. , Rao Vidya , Dubey Sandhya Parasnath
Published: April 2024

The increasing demand for river sand, driven by infrastructure development, poses environmental challenges. The study aims to address the depletion of river sand by integrating sea sand as a fine aggregate in the production of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) through a Systematic Literature Review. Furthermore, it includes an in-depth bibliographic analysis of relevant literature using VOSviewer to generate network visualizations of author-co-citation and country-wise citations. The article offers diverse options for sustainable solutions to mitigate environmental impacts while meeting infrastructure demands. It focuses on assessing the durability of SCC incorporating sea sand through real-time monitoring with the Internet of Things (IoT) and employing artificial intelligence methods like PointRend and neural networks to study the properties of SCC utilizing sea sand. Subsequently, the study emphasizes the need to address river sand shortages in infrastructure development and provides insights for further research on enhancing the properties of SCC with sea sand.
Motivation und Intention zum Sporttreiben in der Freizeit. Ist das Trainer*innenverhalten bedeutsamer oder die Motivation im Schulsport?
Authors: Fischer Britta , Brückner Jan-Peter
Published: April 2024

Die Motivation, und insbesondere die autonom regulierte Motivation, gilt als ein wichtiger Einflussfaktor auf das Sporttreiben von Menschen, welchem bei Kindern und Jugendlichen ein besonderer Stellenwert hinsichtlich ihrer Entwicklung zugesprochen wird. Mit Bezug auf eine abnehmende Sportteilnahme in der Adoleszenz – zumindest im formellen, vereinsgebundenen Sport – wird die Frage aufgeworfen, welche Bedeutung das Trainer*innenverhalten im Verhältnis zur Motivation aus dem schulsportlichen Kontext hat. Letztgenannter wird eine Wirkung auch auf den Freizeitsport zugesprochen. Befragt wurden 187 Vereinssportler*innen im Alter von 14,1 Jahren (SD = 2,33) zu ihrer autonomen Motivation im Schul- und Freizeitsport, zum autonomiefördernden Trainer*innenverhalten und zur Intention zum Sporttreiben bzw. zum Dropout. Regressionsanalysen zeigen signifikante (p < 0,05) Zusammenhänge zwischen Trainer*innenverhalten (β = 0,23), Motivation zum Schulsport (β = 0,33) und freizeitsportbezogener Motivation. Diese hängt wiederum signifikant mit der Intention zum Sporttreiben (r = 0,26) und zum Dropout (r = −0,23) zusammen. Die schulsportbezogene Motivation hat eine höhere Erklärungskraft als das Trainer*innenverhalten, was die Relevanz des Schulsports im Hinblick auf die Motivationsförderung zu freizeitsportlicher Aktivität belegt. Eine abnehmende Schulsportmotivation stellt damit eine pädagogische Herausforderung in Bezug auf lebenslanges Sporttreiben dar.
The Science of Our Changing Climate
Authors: Box Michael A. , Box Gail P.
Published: April 2024

This compelling textbook provides a broad overview of the science underpinning our understanding of our climate, and how it is changing. Presented in clear and accessible language, and requiring only minimal algebra, it enables students to understand how our planet “behaves” under “normal conditions” and how human activity has moved us away from that normal. It walks the student comprehensively through the basic science, including how greenhouse gases absorb radiation and, crucially, a chapter on aerosols, major players in climate change. Diverse case studies and examples illuminate the impact and connections to real world events while review questions and exercises consolidate knowledge. Including the latest results from the IPCC 6th Assessment Report, it concludes by exploring climate modelling, equipping students with an understanding of how to simulate both past climate changes and projections of future climate change. Online resources include lecture slides, solutions and Excel code.
A thin-plate approximation for ocean wave interactions with an ice shelf
Authors: Bennetts Luke G. , Williams Timothy D. , Porter Richard
Published: April 2024

A variational principle is proposed to derive the governing equations for the problem of ocean wave interactions with a floating ice shelf, where the ice shelf is modelled by the full linear equations of elasticity and has an Archimedean draught. The variational principle is used to form a thin-plate approximation for the ice shelf, which includes water–ice coupling at the shelf front and extensional waves in the shelf, in contrast to the benchmark thin-plate approximation for ocean wave interactions with an ice shelf. The thin-plate approximation is combined with a single-mode approximation in the water, where the vertical motion is constrained to the eigenfunction that supports propagating waves. The new terms in the approximation are shown to have a major impact on predictions of ice shelf strains for wave periods in the swell regime.
Aquinas on Separated Souls’ Natural Cognition
Authors: Wong Wai-Kin
Published: April 2024

The debate concerning whether Aquinas changed his view on the perfection of the separated soul’s natural cognition, i.e., the cognition not elevated by God’s supernatural grace, remains to be settled. Anton Pegis has argued that according to Aquinas’s earlier view, a separated soul ‘will function perfectly as a separate substance’. However, according to Aquinas’s mature view, it ‘does not have the intellectual power to function properly as a separate substance’, so Aquinas changed his view. In contrast, John Wippel has denied that Pegis showed any radical change in Aquinas’s works on this issue. In this paper, I intend to advance this debate by arguing that, in his Commentary on Sentences IV (1252–56) d. 49, q. 1, a. 4, qc1, Aquinas expounded a view on the perfection of the separated soul’s natural cognition that is incompatible with his view in Summa Theologiae I (1265–68), q. 89, a. 1, co. I will also identify two markedly different views on the implication of the human soul-body union for the perfection of the separated soul’s cognition in these two texts. I contend that the incompatibility between the views in these two texts suggests that Aquinas changed his view.
An alternative approach to solenoidal Lipschitz truncation
Authors: Schiffer Stefan
Published: April 2024

In this work, we present an alternative approach to obtain a solenoidal Lipschitz truncation result in the spirit of D. Breit, L. Diening and M. Fuchs [Solenoidal Lipschitz truncation and applications in fluid mechanics. J. Differ. Equ. 253 (2012), 1910–1942.]. More precisely, the goal of the truncation is to modify a function

$u \in W^{1,p}(\mathbb {R}^N;\mathbb {R}^N)$

that satisfies the additional constraint

$\operatorname {div} u=0$

, such that its modification

$\tilde {u}$

is Lipschitz continuous and divergence-free. This approach is different to the approaches outlined in the aforementioned work and D. Breit, L. Diening and S. Schwarzacher [Solenoidal Lipschitz truncation for parabolic PDEs. Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 23 (2013), 2671–2700, Section 4] and is able to obtain the rather strong bound on the difference between

$u$

and

$\tilde {u}$

from the former article. Finally, we outline how the approach pursued in this work may be generalized to closed differential forms.
Querying ‘Global’ Music History: Significant Geographies between Goswami Pannalal and Queen Victoria
Authors: Williams Richard David
Published: April 2024

Global music history projects have become increasingly popular in recent years. Going global has its advantages: it develops conversations between researchers working on disparate regions; it sheds light on larger frameworks that are less evident on smaller scales of analysis; it decentres how we teach music history; and it retraces a global hinterland for music systems that have conventionally been called ‘Western’. At the same time, the global history approach raises challenges for researchers working on the world beyond Europe. In particular, there is the danger of unintentionally reinstating Eurocentrism, either by uncritically exporting research questions based on the European experience to the wider world, or by narrowing our focus onto those musicians and scholars who engaged with European ideas and practices, especially in colonial settings. This work is valuable, but it also comes with risks. This essay considers these problems through a case study: a largely forgotten music scholar, Goswami Pannalal, who travelled and taught across north India in the late nineteenth century. Examining his musicological study in Hindi, the Nād Binod (‘Sonic Delight’, 1896), I consider how far asking ‘global’ questions might shed light on his work, and offer an alternative reading based on a ‘significant geographies’ approach.
Asymptotic quasisymmetric high-beta three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria near axisymmetry
Authors: Sengupta Wrick , Nikulsin Nikita , Gaur Rahul , Bhattacharjee Amitava
Published: April 2024

Quasisymmetry (QS), a hidden symmetry of the magnetic field strength, is known to support nested flux surfaces and provide superior particle confinement in stellarators. In this work, we study the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equilibrium and stability of high-beta plasma in a large-aspect-ratio stellarator. In particular, we show that the lowest-order description of a near-axisymmetric equilibrium vastly simplifies the problem of three-dimensional quasisymmetric MHD equilibria, which can be reduced to a standard elliptic Grad–Shafranov equation for the flux function. We show that any large-aspect-ratio tokamak, deformed periodically in the vertical direction, is a stellarator with approximate volumetric QS. We discuss exact analytical solutions and numerical benchmarks. Finally, we discuss the ideal ballooning and interchange stability of some of our equilibrium configurations.
Does urban agriculture contribute to food security, and how might this be achieved?
Authors: Mead Bethan R. , Duncombe Tracey , Gillespie Rebecca , Pugh Nina , Hardman Charlotte A.
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Food system challenges exacerbate inequalities in access to fresh healthy food and threaten food security. Lack of food security, referred to as food insecurity, is associated with poorer physical and mental health outcomes and has been identified as a key challenge to address by calls for food system transformation. Increasing food production through urban agriculture, the production of fruit and vegetables in urban areas, has been identified as a potentially effective contributor to food system transformation, but the effect of this on household or UK-level food security is unclear. This paper reviews international evidence of urban agriculture’s impact on food security.

Design:

Narrative review.

Setting:

This paper reviews international evidence of urban agriculture’s impact on food security.

Participants:

Previously published international research.

Results:

Whilst findings are mixed, available evidence suggests that urban agriculture makes a modest, yet positive, contribution to food security by facilitating the availability of and access to fresh fruit and vegetables to food insecure households.

Conclusions:

Capitalising on the potential for urban agriculture to benefit food security requires government investment and support at both the national and local levels; therefore, increasing access to land for food growing, reducing costs of related resources and collaboration with existing community groups to enhance sharing of skills and expertise are identified as avenues for exploration that may help to achieve this. This review also highlights opportunities for future research in this field that may strengthen the quality of the evidence supporting urban agriculture’s impact on food security.
Consensus-based optimisation with truncated noise
Authors: Fornasier Massimo , Richtárik Peter , Riedl Konstantin , Sun Lukang
Published: April 2024

Consensus-based optimisation (CBO) is a versatile multi-particle metaheuristic optimisation method suitable for performing non-convex and non-smooth global optimisations in high dimensions. It has proven effective in various applications while at the same time being amenable to a theoretical convergence analysis. In this paper, we explore a variant of CBO, which incorporates truncated noise in order to enhance the well-behavedness of the statistics of the law of the dynamics. By introducing this additional truncation in the noise term of the CBO dynamics, we achieve that, in contrast to the original version, higher moments of the law of the particle system can be effectively bounded. As a result, our proposed variant exhibits enhanced convergence performance, allowing in particular for wider flexibility in choosing the noise parameter of the method as we confirm experimentally. By analysing the time evolution of the Wasserstein-

$2$

distance between the empirical measure of the interacting particle system and the global minimiser of the objective function, we rigorously prove convergence in expectation of the proposed CBO variant requiring only minimal assumptions on the objective function and on the initialisation. Numerical evidences demonstrate the benefit of truncating the noise in CBO.
Asymptotic speedup via effect handlers
Authors: HILLERSTRÖM DANIEL , LINDLEY SAM , LONGLEY JOHN
Published: April 2024

We study a fundamental efficiency benefit afforded by delimited control, showing that for certain higher-order functions, a language with advanced control features offers an asymptotic improvement in runtime over a language without them. Specifically, we consider the generic count problem in the context of a pure functional base language

${\lambda_{\textrm{b}}}$

and an extension

${\lambda_{\textrm{h}}}$

with general effect handlers. We prove that

${\lambda_{\textrm{h}}}$

admits an asymptotically more efficient implementation of generic count than any implementation in

${\lambda_{\textrm{b}}}$

. We also show that this gap remains even when

${\lambda_{\textrm{b}}}$

is extended to a language

${{{{{{\lambda_{\textrm{a}}}}}}}}$

with affine effect handlers, which is strong enough to encode exceptions, local state, coroutines and single-shot continuations. This locates the efficiency difference in the gap between ‘single-shot’ and ‘multi-shot’ versions of delimited control.

To our knowledge, these results are the first of their kind for control operators.
Relationship between syncopal symptoms and head-up tilt test modes
Authors: Wang Shuo , Peng Yali , Wang Yuwen , Li Fang , Xu Yi , Zheng Huifen , Yuan Heli , Hu Chunyan , Liao Donglei , Cai Hong , Zhang Juan , Li Wen , Ding Yiyi , Zhang Wenhua , Xue Xiaohong , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhu Liping , Liu Deyu , Kang Meihua , Liu Liping , Chu Weihong , Li Xiaoming , Luo Xuemei , Zou Runmei , Wang Cheng
Published: April 2024

Objective:

Head-up tilt test (HUTT) is an important tool in the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope. This research will explore the relationship between syncopal symptoms and HUTT modes in pediatric vasovagal syncope.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 2513 children aged 3–18 years, who were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2021 due to unexplained syncope or pre-syncope. The average age was 11.76 ± 2.83 years, including 1124 males and 1389 females. The patients were divided into the basic head-up tilt test (BHUT) group (596 patients) and the sublingual nitroglycerine head-up tilt test (SNHUT) group (1917 patients) according to the mode of positive HUTT at the time of confirmed pediatric vasovagal syncope.

Results:

(1) Baseline characteristics: Age, height, weight, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and composition ratio of syncope at baseline status were higher in the BHUT group than in the SNHUT group (all P < 0.05). (2) Univariate analysis: Age, height, weight, HR, SBP, DBP, and syncope were potential risk factors for BHUT positive (all P < 0.05). (3) Multivariate analysis: syncope was an independent risk factor for BHUT positive, with a probability increase of 121% compared to pre-syncope (P<0.001).

Conclusion:

The probability of BHUT positivity was significantly higher than SNHUT in pediatric vasovagal syncope with previous syncopal episodes.
Acute suppression of lower limb spasm by sacral afferent stimulation for people with spinal cord injury: A pilot study
Authors: Massey Sarah , Doherty Sean , Duffell Lynsey , Craggs Mike , Knight Sarah
Published: April 2024

Lower limb spasm and spasticity may develop following spinal cord injury (SCI), causing hyper-excitability and increased tone, which can impact function and quality of life. Pharmaceutical interventions for spasticity may cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness and weakness. Invasive and non-invasive electrical stimulation has been shown to reduce spasticity without these side effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sacral afferent stimulation (SAS), through surface electrical stimulation of the dorsal genital nerve (N = 7), and through implanted electrodes on the sacral afferent nerve roots, on lower limb spasm and spasticity (N = 2). Provoked spasms were interrupted with conditional SAS, where stimulation commenced following a provoked spasm, or unconditional stimulation, which was applied continuously. Conditionally and unconditionally applied SAS was shown to suppress acute provoked spasms in people with SCI. There was a statistically significant reduction in area under the curve of quadriceps electromyography during acute spasm with SAS compared to a control spasm. These results show that SAS may provide a safe, low-cost method of reducing acute spasm and spasticity in people living with SCI. SAS through implanted electrodes may also provide an additional function to sacral nerve stimulation devices.
Decadal Evolution of Ice‐Ocean Interactions at a Large East Greenland Glacier Resolved at Fjord Scale With Downscaled Ocean Models and Observations
Authors: Wood M. , Khazendar A. , Fenty I. , Mankoff K. , Nguyen A. T. , Schulz K. , Willis J. K. , Zhang H.
Published: April 2024

In recent decades, the Greenland ice sheet has been losing mass through glacier retreat and ice flow acceleration. This mass loss is linked with variations in submarine melt, yet existing ocean models are either coarse global simulations focused on decadal‐scale variability or fine‐scale simulations for process‐based investigations. Here, we unite these scales with a framework to downscale from a global state estimate (15 km) into a regional model (3 km) that resolves circulation on the continental shelf. We further downscale into a fjord‐scale model (500 m) that resolves circulation inside fjords and quantifies melt. We demonstrate this approach in Scoresby Sund, East Greenland, and find that interannual variations in submarine melt at Daugaard‐Jensen glacier induced by ocean temperature variability are consistent with the decadal changes in glacier ice dynamics. This study provides a framework by which coarse‐resolution models can be refined to quantify glacier submarine melt for future ice sheet projections.
Trends of Sediment Resuspension and Budget in Southern Lake Michigan Under Changing Wave Climate and Hydrodynamic Environment
Authors: Zhu Longhuan , Xue Pengfei , Meadows Guy A. , Huang Chenfu , Ge Jianzhong , Troy Cary D. , Wu Chin H.
Published: April 2024

Sediment suspension and transport driven by waves and currents play a significant role in both the ecological and physical environments of large lakes. Lake Michigan has faced a rapidly increasing water level associated with intensified wind waves in the past decade. To investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and associated coastal sediment budgets in southern Lake Michigan, a 30‐year (1991–2020) hindcast was performed using a coupled wave‐current‐sediment model (SWAN‐FVCOM‐CSTMS). We found that in southern Lake Michigan, the basin‐wide mean SSC increased, and the coastal sediment loss accelerated dramatically, corresponding with intensified waves, currents and lake water level rises over the past decade. The basin‐wide mean SSC, coastal sediment loss, wave height, wind speed, current speed, and water level in southern Lake Michigan are highly correlated. Spatially, the results reveal decreases in coastal SSC and sediment loss in the western portion of the southern basin, while the eastern sectors show an increase in both metrics. This reflects a clear shift in the wave climate and hydrodynamic environment. The alterations in long‐term coastal sediment budgets imply that considerable shoreline transformations are being influenced by modifications in the wave climate. Understanding the spatiotemporal characteristics of SSC and coastal sediment budgets is crucial for strategic water resource management and coastal infrastructure planning.
Methane Distribution, Production, and Emission in the Western North Pacific
Authors: Wang Hao‐Nan , Du Guan‐Xiang , Yu Shu‐Xian , Zhang Hong‐Hai , Song Guo‐Dong , Liu Su‐Mei , Zheng Nan , Zhang Xiao‐Hua , Zhang Gui‐Ling
Published: April 2024

The ocean is a source of atmospheric methane (CH4), but there are still large uncertainties in the estimations of global oceanic CH4 emission due to sparse data coverage. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution and influencing factors of CH4 in the Western North Pacific (WNP) during May–June 2021. High‐resolution continuous underway measurements showed that surface CH4 concentrations indicated an obvious spatial gradient with an increase from the south to the north due to the influence of water mixing between Kuroshio Extension (KE) and Oyashio. Surface water was generally oversaturated with respect to the atmospheric CH4, and high CH4 fluxes occurred in the Kuroshio‐Oyashio transition region due to high productivity and intensive air‐sea interaction, emphasizing the importance of the Kuroshio‐Oyashio transition region in global oceanic CH4 emission. Vertically, subsurface CH4 maximums were observed around 50–300 m due to in situ production through multiple pathways, and their distributions in the water column were affected by subduction of North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) and advective transport. Methylphosphonate (MPn) enrichment experiment and 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that in subtropical region and Kuroshio‐Oyashio transition region, Vibrio spp. might produce CH4 by degrading MPn. Although this process was inhibited by inorganic phosphorus and regulated by iron stress, it might be a potential source of CH4 in the oxygenated water in the WNP. Our results contribute to better constrain the global oceanic CH4 emission, and help understanding the role of biological and physical processes in regulating CH4 emission in the WNP.
Pre-frailty after blood or marrow transplantation and the risk of subsequent mortality
Authors: Balas Nora , Richman Joshua S. , Landier Wendy , Shrestha Sadeep , Bruxvoort Katia J. , Hageman Lindsey , Meng Qingrui , Ross Elizabeth , Bosworth Alysia , Wong F. Lennie , Bhatia Ravi , Forman Stephen J. , Armenian Saro H. , Weisdorf Daniel J. , Bhatia Smita
Published: April 2024

We examined the prevalence, risk factors, and association between pre-frailty and subsequent mortality after blood or marrow transplantation (BMT). Study participants were drawn from the BMT Survivor Study (BMTSS) and included 3346 individuals who underwent BMT between 1974 and 2014 at one of three transplant centers and survived ≥2 years post-BMT. Participants completed the BMTSS survey at a median of 9 years from BMT and were followed for subsequent mortality for a median of 5 years after survey completion. Closest-age and same-sex biological siblings also completed the survey. Previously published self-reported indices (exhaustion, weakness, low energy expenditure, slowness, unintentional weight loss) classified participants as non-frail (0–1 indices) or pre-frail (2 indices). National Death Index was used to determine vital status and cause of death. Overall, 626 (18.7%) BMT survivors were pre-frail. BMT survivors had a 3.2-fold higher odds of being pre-frail (95% CI = 1.9–5.3) compared to siblings. Compared to non-frail survivors, pre-frail survivors had higher hazards of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4–2.0). Female sex, pre-BMT radiation, smoking, lack of exercise, anxiety, and severe/life-threatening chronic health conditions were associated with pre-frailty. The novel association between pre-frailty and subsequent mortality provides evidence for interventions as pre-frail individuals may transition back to their robust state.
Variation in the mu-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) moderates the influence of maternal sensitivity on child attachment
Authors: Tchalova K. , Lydon J. E. , Atkinson L. , Fleming A. S. , Kennedy J. , Lecompte V. , Meaney M. J. , Moss E. , O’Donnell K. A. , O’Donnell K. J. , Silveira P. P. , Sokolowski M. B. , Steiner M. , Bartz J. A.
Published: April 2024

The endogenous opioid system is thought to play an important role in mother-infant attachment. In infant rhesus macaques, variation in the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is related to differences in attachment behavior that emerges following repeated separation from the mother; specifically, infants carrying at least one copy of the minor G allele of the OPRM1 C77G polymorphism show heightened and more persistent separation distress, as well as a pattern of increased contact-seeking behavior directed towards the mother during reunions (at the expense of affiliation with other group members). Research in adult humans has also linked the minor G allele of the analogous OPRM1 A118G polymorphism with greater interpersonal sensitivity. Adopting an interactionist approach, we examined whether OPRM1 A118G genotype and maternal (in)sensitivity are associated with child attachment style, predicting that children carrying the G allele may be more likely to develop an ambivalent attachment pattern in response to less sensitive maternal care. The sample consisted of 191 mothers participating with their children (n = 223) in the Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment (MAVAN) project, a community-based, birth cohort study of Canadian mothers and their children assessed longitudinally across the child’s development. Maternal sensitivity was coded from at-home mother-child interactions videotaped when the child was 18 months of age. Child attachment was assessed at 36 months using the Strange Situation paradigm. As predicted, G allele carriers, but not AA homozygotes, showed increasing odds of being classified as ambivalently attached with decreasing levels of maternal sensitivity. Paralleling earlier non-human animal research, this work provides support for the theory that endogenous opioids contribute to the expression of attachment behaviors in humans.
Recent advances in functional materials and devices for Zn-Ion hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Fan Weijia , Wang Faxing , Xiong Xiaosong , Song Bingyan , Wang Tao , Cheng Xinbing , Zhu Zhi , He Jiarui , Liu Yankai , Wu Yuping
Published: April 2024

Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) are attracting significant attention due to their high energies/power densities, safety, and low cost. In this review, recent advances in the development of ZHSCs are summarized. Particular emphasis is placed on state-of-the-art cathodes (including carbon, metal oxides, MXenes, and redox-active polymers), anodes (including Zn-based composites and Zn-free materials) and electrolytes for ZHSCs. Furthermore, the latest research on functional ZHSC devices with miniaturized ZHSCs, fiber-shaped ZHSCs, self-chargeable ZHSCs and self-healing devices is reported. Finally, further developments with ZHSCs are envisaged for future research in this thriving field.
Subcellular pathways through VGluT3-expressing mouse amacrine cells provide locally tuned object-motion-selective signals in the retina
Authors: Friedrichsen Karl , Hsiang Jen-Chun , Lin Chin-I , McCoy Liam , Valkova Katia , Kerschensteiner Daniel , Morgan Josh L.
Published: April 2024

VGluT3-expressing mouse retinal amacrine cells (VG3s) respond to small-object motion and connect to multiple types of bipolar cells (inputs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs, outputs). Because these input and output connections are intermixed on the same dendrites, making sense of VG3 circuitry requires comparing the distribution of synapses across their arbors to the subcellular flow of signals. Here, we combine subcellular calcium imaging and electron microscopic connectomic reconstruction to analyze how VG3s integrate and transmit visual information. VG3s receive inputs from all nearby bipolar cell types but exhibit a strong preference for the fast type 3a bipolar cells. By comparing input distributions to VG3 dendrite responses, we show that VG3 dendrites have a short functional length constant that likely depends on inhibitory shunting. This model predicts that RGCs that extend dendrites into the middle layers of the inner plexiform encounter VG3 dendrites whose responses vary according to the local bipolar cell response type.
DeepDOF-SE: affordable deep-learning microscopy platform for slide-free histology
Authors: Jin Lingbo , Tang Yubo , Coole Jackson B. , Tan Melody T. , Zhao Xuan , Badaoui Hawraa , Robinson Jacob T. , Williams Michelle D. , Vigneswaran Nadarajah , Gillenwater Ann M. , Richards-Kortum Rebecca R. , Veeraraghavan Ashok
Published: April 2024

Histopathology plays a critical role in the diagnosis and surgical management of cancer. However, access to histopathology services, especially frozen section pathology during surgery, is limited in resource-constrained settings because preparing slides from resected tissue is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires expensive infrastructure. Here, we report a deep-learning-enabled microscope, named DeepDOF-SE, to rapidly scan intact tissue at cellular resolution without the need for physical sectioning. Three key features jointly make DeepDOF-SE practical. First, tissue specimens are stained directly with inexpensive vital fluorescent dyes and optically sectioned with ultra-violet excitation that localizes fluorescent emission to a thin surface layer. Second, a deep-learning algorithm extends the depth-of-field, allowing rapid acquisition of in-focus images from large areas of tissue even when the tissue surface is highly irregular. Finally, a semi-supervised generative adversarial network virtually stains DeepDOF-SE fluorescence images with hematoxylin-and-eosin appearance, facilitating image interpretation by pathologists without significant additional training. We developed the DeepDOF-SE platform using a data-driven approach and validated its performance by imaging surgical resections of suspected oral tumors. Our results show that DeepDOF-SE provides histological information of diagnostic importance, offering a rapid and affordable slide-free histology platform for intraoperative tumor margin assessment and in low-resource settings.
Decoding early stress signaling waves in living plants using nanosensor multiplexing
Authors: Ang Mervin Chun-Yi , Saju Jolly Madathiparambil , Porter Thomas K. , Mohaideen Sayyid , Sarangapani Sreelatha , Khong Duc Thinh , Wang Song , Cui Jianqiao , Loh Suh In , Singh Gajendra Pratap , Chua Nam-Hai , Strano Michael S. , Sarojam Rajani
Published: April 2024

Increased exposure to environmental stresses due to climate change have adversely affected plant growth and productivity. Upon stress, plants activate a signaling cascade, involving multiple molecules like H2O2, and plant hormones such as salicylic acid (SA) leading to resistance or stress adaptation. However, the temporal ordering and composition of the resulting cascade remains largely unknown. In this study we developed a nanosensor for SA and multiplexed it with H2O2 nanosensor for simultaneous monitoring of stress-induced H2O2 and SA signals when Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis (Pak choi) plants were subjected to distinct stress treatments, namely light, heat, pathogen stress and mechanical wounding. Nanosensors reported distinct dynamics and temporal wave characteristics of H2O2 and SA generation for each stress. Based on these temporal insights, we have formulated a biochemical kinetic model that suggests the early H2O2 waveform encodes information specific to each stress type. These results demonstrate that sensor multiplexing can reveal stress signaling mechanisms in plants, aiding in developing climate-resilient crops and pre-symptomatic stress diagnoses.
A metasurface-based full-color circular auto-focusing Airy beam transmitter for stable high-speed underwater wireless optical communications
Authors: Hu Junhui , Guo Zeyuan , Shi Jianyang , Jiang Xiong , Chen Qinmiao , Chen Hui , He Zhixue , Song Qinghai , Xiao Shumin , Yu Shaohua , Chi Nan , Shen Chao
Published: April 2024

Due to its unique intensity distribution, self-acceleration, and beam self-healing properties, Airy beam holds great potential for optical wireless communications in challenging channels, such as underwater environments. As a vital part of 6G wireless network, the Internet of Underwater Things requires high-stability, low-latency, and high-capacity underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC). Currently, the primary challenge of UWOC lies in the prevalent time-varying and complex channel characteristics. Conventional blue Gaussian beam-based systems face difficulties in underwater randomly perturbed links. In this work, we report a full-color circular auto-focusing Airy beams metasurface transmitter for reliable, large-capacity and long-distance UWOC links. The metasurface is designed to exhibits high polarization conversion efficiency over a wide band (440-640 nm), enabling an increased data transmission rate of 91% and reliable 4 K video transmission in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) based UWOC data link. The successful application of this metasurface in challenging UWOC links establishes a foundation for underwater interconnection scenarios in 6G communication.
Efficient bubble/precipitate traffic enables stable seawater reduction electrocatalysis at industrial-level current densities
Authors: Liang Jie , Cai Zhengwei , Li Zixiao , Yao Yongchao , Luo Yongsong , Sun Shengjun , Zheng Dongdong , Liu Qian , Sun Xuping , Tang Bo
Published: April 2024

Seawater electroreduction is attractive for future H2 production and intermittent energy storage, which has been hindered by aggressive Mg2+/Ca2+ precipitation at cathodes and consequent poor stability. Here we present a vital microscopic bubble/precipitate traffic system (MBPTS) by constructing honeycomb-type 3D cathodes for robust anti-precipitation seawater reduction (SR), which massively/uniformly release small-sized H2 bubbles to almost every corner of the cathode to repel Mg2+/Ca2+ precipitates without a break. Noticeably, the optimal cathode with built-in MBPTS not only enables state-of-the-art alkaline SR performance (1000-h stable operation at –1 A cm−2) but also is highly specialized in catalytically splitting natural seawater into H2 with the greatest anti-precipitation ability. Low precipitation amounts after prolonged tests under large current densities reflect genuine efficacy by our MBPTS. Additionally, a flow-type electrolyzer based on our optimal cathode stably functions at industrially-relevant 500 mA cm−2 for 150 h in natural seawater while unwaveringly sustaining near-100% H2 Faradic efficiency. Note that the estimated price (~1.8 US$/kgH2) is even cheaper than the US Department of Energy’s goal price (2 US$/kgH2).
The effect of a political crisis on performance of community forests and protected areas in Madagascar
Authors: Neugarten Rachel A. , Rasolofoson Ranaivo A. , Barrett Christopher B. , Vieilledent Ghislain , Rodewald Amanda D.
Published: April 2024

Understanding the effectiveness of conservation interventions during times of political instability is important given how much of the world’s biodiversity is concentrated in politically fragile nations. Here, we investigate the effect of a political crisis on the relative performance of community managed forests versus protected areas in terms of reducing deforestation in Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot. We use remotely sensed data and statistical matching within an event study design to isolate the effect of the crisis and post-crisis period on performance. Annual rates of deforestation accelerated at the end of the crisis and were higher in community forests than in protected areas. After controlling for differences in location and other confounding variables, we find no difference in performance during the crisis, but community-managed forests performed worse in post-crisis years. These findings suggest that, as a political crisis subsides and deforestation pressures intensify, community-based conservation may be less resilient than state protection.
Origin and dispersal history of Hepatitis B virus in Eastern Eurasia
Authors: Sun Bing , Andrades Valtueña Aida , Kocher Arthur , Gao Shizhu , Li Chunxiang , Fu Shuang , Zhang Fan , Ma Pengcheng , Yang Xuan , Qiu Yulan , Zhang Quanchao , Ma Jian , Chen Shan , Xiao Xiaoming , Damchaabadgar Sodnomjamts , Li Fajun , Kovalev Alexey , Hu Chunbai , Chen Xianglong , Wang Lixin , Li Wenying , Zhou Yawei , Zhu Hong , Krause Johannes , Herbig Alexander , Cui Yinqiu
Published: April 2024

Hepatitis B virus is a globally distributed pathogen and the history of HBV infection in humans predates 10000 years. However, long-term evolutionary history of HBV in Eastern Eurasia remains elusive. We present 34 ancient HBV genomes dating between approximately 5000 to 400 years ago sourced from 17 sites across Eastern Eurasia. Ten sequences have full coverage, and only two sequences have less than 50% coverage. Our results suggest a potential origin of genotypes B and D in Eastern Asia. We observed a higher level of HBV diversity within Eastern Eurasia compared to Western Eurasia between 5000 and 3000 years ago, characterized by the presence of five different genotypes (A, B, C, D, WENBA), underscoring the significance of human migrations and interactions in the spread of HBV. Our results suggest the possibility of a transition from non-recombinant subgenotypes (B1, B5) to recombinant subgenotypes (B2 - B4). This suggests a shift in epidemiological dynamics within Eastern Eurasia over time. Here, our study elucidates the regional origins of prevalent genotypes and shifts in viral subgenotypes over centuries.
Activating reversible carbonate reactions in Nasicon solid electrolyte-based Na-air battery via in-situ formed catholyte
Authors: Park Heetaek , Kang Minseok , Lee Donghun , Park Jaehyun , Kang Seok Ju , Kang Byoungwoo
Published: April 2024

Out of practicality, ambient air rather than oxygen is preferred as a fuel in electrochemical systems, but CO2 and H2O present in air cause severe irreversible reactions, such as the formation of carbonates and hydroxides, which typically degrades performance. Herein, we report on a Na-air battery enabled by a reversible carbonate reaction (Na2CO3·xH2O, x = 0 or 1) in Nasicon solid electrolyte (Na3Zr2Si2PO12) that delivers a much higher discharge potential of 3.4 V than other metal-air batteries resulting in high energy density and achieves > 86 % energy efficiency at 0.1 mA cm−2 over 100 cycles. This cell design takes advantage of moisture in ambient air to form an in-situ catholyte via the deliquescent property of NaOH. As a result, not only reversible electrochemical reaction of Na2CO3·xH2O is activated but also its kinetics is facilitated. Our results demonstrate the reversible use of free ambient air as a fuel, enabled by the reversible electrochemical reaction of carbonates with a solid electrolyte.
Modulation of subthalamic beta oscillations by movement, dopamine, and deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Mathiopoulou Varvara , Lofredi Roxanne , Feldmann Lucia K. , Habets Jeroen , Darcy Natasha , Neumann Wolf-Julian , Faust Katharina , Schneider Gerd-Helge , Kühn Andrea A.
Published: April 2024

Subthalamic beta band activity (13–35 Hz) is known as a real-time correlate of motor symptom severity in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is currently explored as a feedback signal for closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS). Here, we investigate the interaction of movement, dopaminergic medication, and deep brain stimulation on subthalamic beta activity in PD patients implanted with sensing-enabled, implantable pulse generators. We recorded subthalamic activity from seven PD patients at rest and during repetitive movements in four conditions: after withdrawal of dopaminergic medication and DBS, with medication only, with DBS only, and with simultaneous medication and DBS. Medication and DBS showed additive effects in improving motor performance. Distinct effects of each therapy were seen in subthalamic recordings, with medication primarily suppressing low beta activity (13–20 Hz) and DBS being associated with a broad decrease in beta band activity (13–35 Hz). Movement suppressed beta band activity compared to rest. This suppression was most prominent when combining medication with DBS and correlated with motor improvement within patients. We conclude that DBS and medication have distinct effects on subthalamic beta activity during both rest and movement, which might explain their additive clinical effects as well as their difference in side-effect profiles. Importantly, subthalamic beta activity significantly correlated with motor symptoms across all conditions, highlighting its validity as a feedback signal for closed-loop DBS.
An integrated metagenomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic survey of Populus across genotypes and environments
Authors: Schadt Christopher , Martin Stanton , Carrell Alyssa , Fortner Allison , Hopp Dan , Jacobson Dan , Klingeman Dawn , Kristy Brandon , Phillips Jana , Piatkowski Bryan , Miller Mark A. , Smith Montana , Patil Sujay , Flynn Mark , Canon Shane , Clum Alicia , Mungall Christopher J. , Pennacchio Christa , Bowen Benjamin , Louie Katherine , Northen Trent , Eloe-Fadrosh Emiley A. , Mayes Melanie A. , Muchero Wellington , Weston David J. , Mitchell Julie , Doktycz Mitchel
Published: April 2024

Bridging molecular information to ecosystem-level processes would provide the capacity to understand system vulnerability and, potentially, a means for assessing ecosystem health. Here, we present an integrated dataset containing environmental and metagenomic information from plant-associated microbial communities, plant transcriptomics, plant and soil metabolomics, and soil chemistry and activity characterization measurements derived from the model tree species Populus trichocarpa. Soil, rhizosphere, root endosphere, and leaf samples were collected from 27 different P. trichocarpa genotypes grown in two different environments leading to an integrated dataset of 318 metagenomes, 98 plant transcriptomes, and 314 metabolomic profiles that are supported by diverse soil measurements. This expansive dataset will provide insights into causal linkages that relate genomic features and molecular level events to system-level properties and their environmental influences.
A chromosome-level genome assembly of the spider mite Tetranychus piercei McGregor
Authors: Chen Lei , Yu Xin-Yue , Zhang Feng , Zhang Hua-Meng , Guo Li-Xue , Ren Lu , Hong Xiao-Yue , Sun Jing-Tao
Published: April 2024

Despite the rapid advances in sequencing technology, limited genomic resources are currently available for phytophagous spider mites, which include many important agricultural pests. One of these pests is Tetranychus piercei (McGregor), a serious banana pest in East Asia exhibiting remarkable tolerance to high temperature. In this study, we assembled a high-quality genome of T. piercei using a combination of PacBio long reads and Illumina short reads sequencing. With the assistance of chromatin conformation capture technology, 99.9% of the contigs were anchored into three pseudochromosomes with a total size of 86.02 Mb. Repetitive elements, accounting for 14.16% of this genome (12.20 Mb), are predominantly composed of long-terminal repeats (30.7%). By combining evidence of ab initio prediction, transcripts, and homologous proteins, we annotated 11,881 protein-coding genes. Both the genome and proteins have high BUSCO completeness scores (>94%). This high-quality genome, along with reliable annotation, provides a valuable resource for investigating the high-temperature tolerance of this species and exploring the genomic basis that underlies the host range evolution of spider mites.
Datascape: exploring heterogeneous dataspace
Authors: Rolland Jakez , Boutin Ronan , Eveillard Damien , Delahaye Benoit
Published: April 2024

Data science is a powerful field for gaining insights, comparing, and predicting behaviors from datasets. However, the diversity of methods and hypotheses needed to abstract a dataset exhibits a lack of genericity. Moreover, the shape of a dataset, which structures its contained information and uncertainties, is rarely considered. Inspired by state-of-the-art manifold learning and hull estimations algorithms, we propose a novel framework, the datascape, that leverages topology and graph theory to abstract heterogeneous datasets. Built upon the combination of a nearest neighbor graph, a set of convex hulls, and a metric distance that respects the shape of the data, the datascape allows exploration of the dataset’s underlying space. We show that the datascape can uncover underlying functions from simulated datasets, build predictive algorithms with performance close to state-of-the-art algorithms, and reveal insightful geodesic paths between points. It demonstrates versatility through ecological, medical, and simulated data use cases.
Comparative studies of four cumin landraces grown in Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Abeer A. , Ghoneim Marwa , Ali Mahmoud A. A. , Amer Alia , Głowacka Aleksandra , Ahmed Mohamed A. A.
Published: April 2024

One of the significant aromatic plants applied in food and pharma is cumin. Despite its massive trading in Egypt, there are no comprehensive reports on cumin landraces profile screening. This study aimed to investigate the variation in seeds’ physical and biochemical profiles and genetic diversity as well as assess the efficiency of seeds’ germination under salinity stress. Consequently, during the 2020/2021 growing season, four common cumin seed landraces were gathered from various agro-climatic regions: El Gharbia, El Menia, Assiut, and Qena. Results showed a significant variation in physical profile among the four seeds of landraces. In addition, Assiut had the highest percentage of essential oil at 8.04%, whilst Qena had the largest amount of cumin aldehyde, the primary essential oil component, at 25.19%. Lauric acid was found to be the predominant fatty acid (54.78 to 62.73%). According to ISSR amplification, El Menia presented a negative unique band, whereas other landraces offered a positive band. Additionally, the cumin genotypes were separated into two clusters by the dendrogram, with El Gharbia being located in an entirely separate cluster. There were two sub-clusters within the other cluster: El Menia in one and Assiut and Qena in the other. Moreover, the germination sensitivity to the diverse salinity concentrations (control, 4, 8, 12, and 16 dS/m) findings showed that landraces exhibited varying responses to increased salinity when El Gharbia and El Menia showed a moderate response at four dS/m. Whilst, Qena landraces showed supreme values among other landraces under 12 and 16 dS/m. The majority of the examined features had strong positive associations over a range of salinity levels, according to phenotypic correlation coefficient analysis. To accomplish the aims of sustainable agriculture in Egypt, it would be imperative that the potential breeding program for cumin landraces consider this screening study.