bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Conversion of Cellulose into 5-HMF by Transition-Metal Doped Montmorillonite Catalyst in Water
Authors: Tunç Ebru , Hoşgün Emir Zafer , Hoşgün Halit L. , Bozan Berrin
Published: May 2023

Catalysts are very important in the use of cellulose, the main component of biomass, as a raw material for the large-scale production of liquid fuels and chemicals. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is an extremely important intermediate in the fine chemical industry. HMF can be synthesized by acid-catalyzed dehydration of fructose, glucose, cellulose, or sucrose. The conversion of cellulose to HMF is challenging due to its chemical structure. The objective of the present study was to devise a more facile synthesis method using transition metal-doped montmorillonite catalysts (10Cr-Mnt, 10Cu-Mnt, 10Fe-Mnt, and 10Zn-Mnt) by wet impregnation. Samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, specific surface area, and NH3-TPD analyses. The synthesized catalysts were used for the conversion of cellulose to 5-HMF in an aqueous medium. Among the metals studied, Cr showed the greatest catalytic activity. With the use of this catalyst, efficient conversion of cellulose to 5-HMF was achieved, affording a conversion yield of 93.47% and 5-HMF yield of 9.07% within 6 h at 200°C. The study described here could be useful for the efficient conversion of cellulose into 5-HMF, as well as into other biomass-derived chemicals.
What do contracts do to facilitate relationships?
Authors: Itoh Hideshi
Published: May 2023

I demonstrate that transacting parties may expend resources on ex ante contracting, which may not be legally enforceable, to help build and maintain their long-term relationships. I first introduce three legal concepts, namely scaffolding, managerial provisions, and formal relational contracts, which highlight the recent trend towards more detailed contracts. These concepts indicate that the role of detailed contracts is not to improve judicial contract enforcement, but to enhance clarity and alignment of interests and to reduce renegotiation costs, which ultimately support the parties’ relationships. I then proceed to present and analyze a simple reduced-form model, which demonstrates that the parties’ efforts for ex ante contracting are not necessarily monotonic with the level of alignment of their interests. Furthermore, I discuss recent contracting practices in Japan and attempt to provide an explanation for the lack of change observed in these practices.
Interfering small ubiquitin modifiers (SUMO) improves the thermotolerance of apple by facilitating the activity of MdDREB2A
Authors: Liu Zeyuan , Bian Ningning , Guo Jianyan , Zhao Shuang , Khan Abid , Chu Baohua , Ma Ziqing , Niu Chundong , Ma Fengwang , Ma Ming , Guan Qingmei , Li Xuewei
Published: May 2023

Heat stress, which is caused by global warming, threatens crops yield and quality across the world. As a kind of post-translation modification, SUMOylation involves in plants heat stress response with a rapid and wide pattern. Here, we identified small ubiquitin modifiers (SUMO), which affect drought tolerance in apple, also participated in thermotolerance. Six isoforms of SUMOs located on six chromosomes in apple genome, and all the SUMOs were up-regulated in response to heat stress condition. The MdSUMO2 RNAi transgenic apple plants exhibited higher survival rate, lower ion leakage, higher catalase (CAT) activity, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content under heat stress. MdDREB2A, the substrate of MdSUMO2 in apple, was accumulated in MdSUMO2 RNAi transgenic plants than the wild type GL-3 at the protein level in response to heat stress treatment. Further, the inhibited SUMOylation level of MdDREB2A in MdSUMO2 RNAi plants might repress its ubiquitination, too. The accumulated MdDREB2A in MdSUMO2 RNAi plants further induced heat-responsive genes expression to strengthen plants thermotolerance, including MdHSFA3, MdHSP26.5, MdHSP18.2, MdHSP70, MdCYP18-1 and MdTLP1. In summary, these findings illustrate that interfering small ubiquitin modifiers (SUMO) in apple improves plants thermotolerance, partly by facilitating the stability and activity of MdDREB2A.
Delayed Compression Paralysis Following an Iliopsoas Hematoma 30 Days After Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus sochureki) Envenoming: A Case Report
Authors: Kachhwaha Arjun , Kumar Akhilesh , Garg Pawan , Sharma Ankur , Garg Mahendra K. , Gopalakrishnan Maya
Published: May 2023

Snakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease disproportionately affecting the rural and marginalized population in low-middle-income countries. The saw-scaled viper ( Echis carinatus) is a clinically important snake that causes serious morbidity and mortality in the Indian subcontinent. Even though it is within the so-called big-four snakes against which polyvalent antivenom is available throughout India, reports of antivenom ineffectiveness are emerging in saw-scaled viper envenoming, especially around Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. This case report highlights a patient with saw-scaled viper envenoming with an ineffective antivenom response complicated by acute kidney injury as well as local and systemic bleeding complications, which subsequently resulted in a pelvic hematoma that compressed the lumbosacral nerves, causing lower-limb weakness and sensory deficits. He was successfully managed with hematoma aspiration and supportive care. This case brings into focus the challenges of managing saw-scaled viper envenoming in this region with antivenom ineffectiveness, resulting in delayed and significant coagulopathy and its complications leading to prolonged hospital stay and morbidity. Our report spotlights less emphasized aspects of long-term morbidity in snakebite survivors, such as loss of working days and productivity. We also highlight the need for an organized system of long-term follow-up of snakebite survivors to screen for possible complications and manage them early.
The Gas Mask in Interwar Germany
Authors: Thompson Peter
Published: May 2023

Exploring the history of the gas mask in Germany from 1915 to the eve of the Second World War, Peter Thompson traces how chemical weapons and protective technologies like the gas mask produced new relationships to danger, risk, management and mastery in the modern age of mass destruction. Recounting the apocalyptic visions of chemical death that circulated in interwar Germany, he argues that while everyday encounters with the gas mask tended to exacerbate fears, the gas mask also came to symbolize debates about the development of military and chemical technologies in the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich. He underscores how the gas mask was tied into the creation of an exclusionary national community under the Nazis and the altered perception of environmental danger in the second half of the twentieth century. As this innovative new history shows, chemical warfare and protection technologies came to represent poignant visions of the German future.
Ancient Greek Texts and Modern Narrative Theory
Authors: Grethlein Jonas
Published: May 2023

The taxonomies of narratology have proven valuable tools for the analysis of ancient literature, but, since they were mostly forged in the analysis of modern novels, they have also occluded the distinct quality of ancient narrative and its understanding in antiquity. Ancient Greek Texts and Modern Narrative Theory paves the way for a new approach to ancient narrative that investigates its specific logic. Jonas Grethlein's sophisticated discussion of a wide range of literary texts in conjunction with works of criticism sheds new light on such central issues as fictionality, voice, Theory of Mind and narrative motivation. The book provides classicists with an introduction to ancient views of narrative but is also a major contribution to a historically sensitive theory of narrative.
Engineering Mathematics for Marine Applications
Authors: Korde Umesh A. , Ertekin R. Cengiz
Published: May 2023

Gaining expertise in marine floating systems typically requires access to multiple resources to obtain the knowledge required, but this book fills the long-felt need for a single cohesive source that brings together the mathematical methods and dynamic analysis techniques required for a meaningful analysis, primarily, of large and small bodies in oceans. You will be introduced to fundamentals such as vector calculus, Fourier analysis, and ordinary and partial differential equations. Then you'll be taken through dimensional analysis of marine systems, viscous and inviscid flow around structures surface waves, and floating bodies in waves. Real-life applications are discussed and end of chapter problems help ensure full understanding. Students and practicing engineers will find this an invaluable resource for developing problem solving and design skills in a challenging ocean environment through the use of engineering mathematics.
Pandemic Populism: Explaining Support for the People's Party of Canada in the 2021 Federal Election
Authors: Medeiros Mike , Gravelle Timothy B.
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen opponents of public health mandates deploy a range of populist and anti-elite arguments. The 2021 Canadian federal election was an exceptional “pandemic election” in which the COVID-19 health crisis took centre stage. But the election campaign also saw the populist People's Party of Canada (PPC) rise to prominence by opposing pandemic-related public health restrictions. While the party failed to win a seat, it did manage to triple its vote share (1.6 per cent to 4.9 per cent). It is unclear, however, what factors led to the rise in support for the PPC. To explore this issue, we draw on an original post-election survey (n = 18,950) and focus on populist attitudes and opposition to COVID-19-related public health restrictions. Results from regression models and structural equation models (SEMs) indicate that opposition to public health restrictions was a much stronger factor than populism in shaping support for the PPC.
Design, modeling, and manufacturing of a novel robust gripper-based climbing robot: KharazmBot
Authors: Boomeri Vahid , Tourajizadeh Hami , Askarian Hamid Reza , Pourebrahim Sina
Published: May 2023

There are a lot of high-height structures that should be inspected or manipulated frequently due to maintenance purposes. According to the safety considerations and time or cost limitations, substituting the human operator with an automatic robot is inevitable. The main objective of this paper is to design and manufacture a novel climbing robot equipped with grip-based locomotion system which can climb through scaffold structures and trusses to accomplish inspectional and operational tasks. The proposed robot has good maneuverability and stability. The proposed robot is manufactured in order to verify the simulation results with experimental data. The chassis and its corresponding grippers are designed first, and the corresponding model of the system is extracted. This model is used then for designing the controlling strategy of the system. The path planning of the robot is conducted to realize the climbing process by the robot during several steps in an optimum way. The prototype of the proposed robot is manufactured at Kharazmi University called KharazmBot. Experimental results not only show the capability of the manufactured robot toward ascending the mentioned structures but also prove its high stability as a result of its designed gripper and also its good maneuverability as a result of its over-actuated mechanism. Thus, it is concluded that the designed and manufactured climbing robot of this paper can successfully ascend through the pipes and trusses and perform a desired inspectional or operational task with good accuracy and safety while its stability is also satisfied.
A low-cost indoor positioning system based on data-driven modeling for robotics research and education
Authors: Ou Junlin , Hong Seong Hyeon , Kyzer Tristan , Yang Haizhou , Zhou Xianlian , Wang Yi
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a low-cost, accurate indoor positioning system that integrates image acquisition and processing and data-driven modeling algorithms for robotics research and education. Multiple overhead cameras are used to obtain normalized image coordinates of ArUco markers, and a new procedure is developed to convert them to the camera coordinate frame. Various data-driven models are proposed to establish a mapping relationship between the camera and the world coordinates. One hundred fifty data pairs in the camera and world coordinates are generated by measuring the ArUco marker at different locations and then used to train and test the data-driven models. With the model, the world coordinate values of the ArUco marker and its robot carrier can be determined in real time. Through comparison, it is found that a straightforward polynomial regression outperforms the other methods and achieves a positioning accuracy of about 1.5 cm. Experiments are also carried out to evaluate its feasibility for use in robot control. The developed system (both hardware and algorithms) is shared as an open source and is anticipated to contribute to robotic studies and education in resource-limited environments and underdeveloped regions.
Control of port-Hamiltonian differential-algebraic systems and applications
Authors: Mehrmann Volker , Unger Benjamin
Published: May 2023

We discuss the modelling framework of port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems and their use in numerical simulation and control. The structure is ideal for automated network-based modelling since it is invariant under power-conserving interconnection, congruence transformations and Galerkin projection. Moreover, stability and passivity properties are easily shown. Condensed forms under orthogonal transformations present easy analysis tools for existence, uniqueness, regularity and numerical methods to check these properties.

After recalling the concepts for general linear and nonlinear descriptor systems, we demonstrate that many difficulties that arise in general descriptor systems can be easily overcome within the port-Hamiltonian framework. The properties of port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems are analysed, and time discretization and numerical linear algebra techniques are discussed. Structure-preserving regularization procedures for descriptor systems are presented to make them suitable for simulation and control. Model reduction techniques that preserve the structure and stabilization and optimal control techniques are discussed.

The properties of port-Hamiltonian descriptor systems and their use in modelling simulation and control methods are illustrated with several examples from different physical domains. The survey concludes with open problems and research topics that deserve further attention.
Improving school lunch menus with multi-objective optimisation: nutrition, cost, consumption and environmental impacts
Authors: Stern Alexandra L , Levine Stephen , Richardson Scott A , Blackstone Nicole Tichenor , Economos Christina , Griffin Timothy S
Published: May 2023

Objective:

To support school foods programmes by evaluating the relationship between nutritional quality, cost, student consumption and the environmental impacts of menus.

Design:

Using linear programming and data from previously served menu items, the relationships between the nutritional quality, cost, student consumption and the environmental impacts of lunch menus were investigated. Optimised lunch menus with the maximum potential student consumption and nutritional quality and lowest costs and environmental impacts were developed and compared with previously served menus (baseline).

Setting:

Boston Public Schools (BPS), Boston Massachusetts, USA.

Participants:

Menu items served on the 2018–2019 BPS lunch menu (n 142).

Results:

Using single-objective models, trade-offs were observed between most interests, but the use of multi-objective models minimised these trade-offs. Compared with the current weekly menus offered, multi-objective models increased potential caloric intake by up to 27 % and Healthy Eating Index scores by up to 19 % and reduced costs and environmental impacts by up to 13 % and 71 %, respectively. Improvements were made by reducing the frequency of beef and cheese entrées and increasing the frequency of fish and legume entrées on weekly menus.

Conclusions:

This work can be extrapolated to monthly menus to provide further direction for school districts, and the methods can be employed with different recipes and constraints. Future research should test the implementation of optimised menus in schools and consider the broader implications of implementation.
Identity, memory, and homeland: in conversation with Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, a Tibetan author and poet in exile
Authors: D'Rozario Priyanka
Published: May 2023

The annexation of Tibet into the People's Republic of China in the 1950s led to an exodus of nearly 80,000 Tibetans along with the fourteenth Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. Since then, thousands of Tibetans have taken refuge in the neighboring countries. Many live as refugees in different parts of the world today. Although the Tibetan refugee community has emerged as a successful model for other displaced communities, the individual struggles of these refugees in foreign lands cannot be underestimated. Dhompa's book A Home in Tibet shines a light on this other side of their exilic existence by raising questions about identity, home, country, and memory. It outlines the hardships, confusion, and contestations that Tibetans face on a daily basis. After a short introduction to provide context, this article reports a conversation with Tsering Wangmo Dhompa, which grippingly addresses these issues.
Determination of Spatial Scale in Martian Landscape Images Acquired by the Curiosity Rover, and Viewing Image Scale and Target Chemistry Using the ASIC Website
Authors: Goetz Walter , Bruns Michael , Thoma Stephan , Pardowitz Iancu , Stein Thomas C.
Published: May 2023

In this paper we describe a method to compute spatial scales for images acquired by NASA's Mars Curiosity rover (Mars Science Laboratory, MSL). The method is based on the assumption that the rover stands on an infinite plane that may have any orientation with respect to the local gravity vector. While not new, it is the first time that this method is systematically applied to Martian images acquired by a lander. A continuously run software pipeline processes the images acquired by the rover within a 20 m radius, adds approximate scalebars to the raw images, and generates, whenever possible, rectified (warped) versions of those images. The products of this software pipeline and the chemical compositions of relevant rover science targets from NASA's Planetary Data System archive, are made available to the public via the Approximate Scale for Images and Chemistry website, which has been developed in collaboration with the Planetary Data System Analyst's Notebook for the MSL mission. Hyperlinks connect the two resources.
Assessing Three Perfect Prognosis Methods for Statistical Downscaling of Climate Change Precipitation Scenarios
Authors: Legasa M. N. , Thao S. , Vrac M. , Manzanas R.
Published: May 2023

Under the perfect prognosis approach, statistical downscaling methods learn the relationships between large‐scale variables from reanalysis and local observational records. These relationships are subsequently applied to downscale future global climate model (GCM) simulations in order to obtain projections for the local region and variables of interest. However, the capability of such methods to produce future climate change signals consistent with those from the GCM, often referred to as transferability, is an important issue that remains to be carefully analyzed. Using the EC‐Earth GCM and focusing on precipitation, we assess the transferability of generalized linear models, convolutional neural networks and a posteriori random forests (APRFs). We conclude that APRFs present the best overall performance for the historical period, and future local climate change signals consistent with those projected by EC‐Earth. Moreover, we show how a slight modification of APRFs can greatly improve the temporal consistency of the downscaled series.
Nitrous Oxide Dynamics in the Siberian Arctic Ocean and Vulnerability to Climate Change
Authors: Wild Birgit , Ray Nicholas E. , Lett Céline , Davies Amelia Jane , Kirillova Elena , Holmstrand Henry , Klevantceva Elizaveta , Osadchiev Alexander , Gangnus Ivan , Yakushev Evgeniy , Kosmach Denis , Dudarev Oleg , Gustafsson Örjan , Semiletov Igor , Brüchert Volker
Published: May 2023

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a strong greenhouse gas and stratospheric ozone‐depleting substance. Around 20% of global emissions stem from the ocean, but current estimates and future projections are uncertain due to poor spatial coverage over large areas and limited understanding of drivers of N2O dynamics. Here, we focus on the extensive and particularly data‐lean Arctic Ocean shelves north of Siberia that experience rapid warming and increasing input of land‐derived nitrogen with permafrost thaw. We combine water column N2O measurements from two expeditions with on‐board incubation of intact sediment cores to assess N2O dynamics and the impact of land‐derived nitrogen. Elevated nitrogen concentrations in water column and sediments were observed near large river mouths. Concentrations of N2O were only weakly correlated with dissolved nitrogen and turbidity, reflecting particulate matter from rivers and coastal erosion, and correlations varied between river plumes. Surface water N2O concentrations were on average close to equilibrium with the atmosphere, but varied widely (N2O saturation 38%–180%), indicating strong local N2O sources and sinks. Water column N2O profiles and low sediment‐water N2O fluxes do not support strong sedimentary sources or sinks. We suggest that N2O dynamics in the region are influenced by water column N2O consumption under aerobic conditions or in anoxic microsites of particles, and possibly also by water column N2O production. Changes in biogeochemical and physical conditions will likely alter N2O dynamics in the Siberian Arctic Ocean over the coming decades, in addition to reduced N2O solubility in a warmer ocean.
On Body and Off‐Body Performance Analysis of an Ashoka Tree Shaped Wearable Textile Antenna for Biomedical and Military Applications
Authors: Mulaparti Meena Kumari , Ratnakumari U. V. , Satyannarayana M.
Published: May 2023

In this paper an Ashoka tree shaped wearable textile antenna for biomedical and military applications working at 2.4 GHz, 9.04 GHz is investigated and analyzed. The designed antenna has the size of 34 × 40 × 1 mm3. To obtain a wide bandwidth 0.5 × 40 mm2 partial ground plane is used. The lightweight jean material is employed as a non‐conductive dielectric substance with a εr of 1.7 and a substrate height of 1 mm to define the wearable applications. Examining the surface current and actualizing the conductivity of the radiating elements are performed. Full‐wave EM simulation and experimental results are carried out at 30°,60°, and 90° under various bending conditions, both in free space and close to the human body. The suggested antenna performs satisfactorily in terms of gain and specific absorption rate. When worn on the body, the final design offers a peak gain of 7.6 dBi and an efficiency of 94.7%. Findings from simulations using CST Microwave Studio and measurements are quite close. These characteristics show that the suggested antenna is a solid contender for wearable applications that are both off‐ and on‐body. Due to its compatibility, adaptability in structure design and shape, excellent performance at various angles, human safety, miniaturization, power consumption, etc., this Ashoka tree‐shaped antenna can be significantly used in military jackets and in biomedical applications.
Revealing the Extent of Submarine Permafrost and Gas Hydrates in the Canadian Arctic Beaufort Sea Using Seismic Reflection Indicators
Authors: Grob H. , Riedel M. , Duchesne M. J. , Krastel S. , Bustamante J. , Fabien‐Ouellet G. , Jin Y. K. , Hong J. K.
Published: May 2023

The Canadian Arctic Southern Beaufort Sea is characterized by prominent relict submarine permafrost and gas hydrate occurrences formed by subaerial exposure during extensive glaciations in Pliocene and Pleistocene. Submarine permafrost is still responding to the thermal change as a consequence of the marine transgression that followed the last glaciation. Submarine permafrost is still underexplored and is currently the focus of several research projects as its degradation releases greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In this study, seismic reflection indicators are used to investigate the presence of submarine permafrost and gas hydrates on the outer continental shelf where the base of permafrost is expected to cross‐cut geological layers. To address the challenges of marine seismic data collected in shallow water environments, we utilize a representative synthetic model to assess the data processing and the detection of submarine permafrost and gas hydrate by seismic data. The synthetic model allows us to minimize the misinterpretation of acquisition and processing artifacts. In the field data, we identify features along with characteristics arising from the top and base of submarine permafrost and the base of the gas hydrate stability zone. This work shows the distribution of the present submarine permafrost along the southern Canadian Beaufort Sea region and confirms its extension to the outer continental shelf. It supports the general shape suggested by previous works and previously published numerical models.
Detections of Infrasound Waves From Water Discharges at a Hydroelectric Dam: Implementation of Timely Warnings for Unexpected Discharge Events
Authors: Che Il‐Young , Kim Inho , Park Junghyun , Kim Byung‐Il , Kim Kwangsu
Published: May 2023

Water discharges at hydroelectric dams on the Imjin River, which flows through North and South Korea, generate abrupt water level increases downstream. We assessed infrasound signals from water discharges using an infrasound array located ∼32 km from the source and applied infrasound detection in a flash flood alert system. Using infrasound signals, there was a 79% detection rate for 48 water level increase events occurring in the river downstream during a 14‐year period (2008–2021). The detected signals had a low amplitude, long duration, and broad frequency range (0.5–15 Hz). The energy curves of the detected infrasound signals for selected events showed good correlations with the onset times and water level variations in water level records. These results demonstrate that infrasound monitoring can serve as a practical early warning system for impending flash floods resulting from unnoticed water discharges or sudden debris flows in mountainous regions.
Soft X‐Ray Imaging of Earth's Dayside Magnetosheath and Cusps Using Hybrid Simulations
Authors: Ng J. , Walsh B. M. , Chen L.‐J. , Omelchenko Y.
Published: May 2023

Interactions between solar wind ions and neutral hydrogen atoms in Earth's exosphere can lead to the emission of soft X‐rays. Upcoming missions such as SMILE and LEXI aim to use soft X‐ray imaging to study the global structure of the magnetosphere. Although the magnetosheath and dayside magnetopause can often be driven by kinetic physics, it has typically been omitted from fluid simulations used to predict X‐ray emissions. We study the possible results of soft X‐ray imaging using hybrid simulations under quasi‐radial interplanetary magnetic fields, where ion‐ion instabilities drive ultra‐low frequency foreshock waves, leading to turbulence in the magnetosheath, affecting the dynamics of the cusp and magnetopause. We simulate soft X‐ray emission to determine what may be seen by missions such as LEXI, and evaluate the possibility of identifying kinetic structures. While kinetic structures are visible in high‐cadence imaging, current instruments may not have the time resolution to discern kinetic signals.
Undulated Shock Surface Formed After a Shock–Discontinuity Interaction
Authors: Zhou Yufei , Shen Chao , Ji Yong
Published: May 2023

Shock ripples and shock–discontinuity interactions (SDIs) have long been proposed to explain the frequent occurrence of high‐speed jets (HSJs) in the magnetosheath; however, there is no direct observational evidence for either of them occurring near a shock. Herein, we report a large‐scale, long‐duration undulated quasi‐perpendicular shock surface that is capable of generating HSJs. Based on the curvatures estimated for the shock undulation and for a nearby hot flow anomaly (HFA), we suggest that the shock ripple mechanism and the SDI mechanism combine to generate HSJs, that is, during an SDI, shock undulations and an upstream HFA form simultaneously, and the solar wind between them is deflected by the undulation into jets. The HSJs, discontinuity, and HFA are then convected downstream. An HSJ consistent with our mechanism in another event is presented.
Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Induced by the Secondary Gravity Waves From the Tonga Eruption on 15 January 2022: Modeling With MESORAC‐HIAMCM‐SAMI3 and Comparison With GPS/TEC and Ionosonde Data
Authors: Vadas Sharon L. , Figueiredo Cosme , Becker Erich , Huba J. D. , Themens David R. , Hindley Neil P. , Mrak Sebastijan , Galkin Ivan , Bossert Katrina
Published: May 2023

We simulate the gravity waves (GWs) and traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) created by the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai (hereafter “Tonga”) volcanic eruption on 15 January 2022 at ∼04:15 UT. We calculate the primary GWs and forces/heatings generated where they dissipate with MESORAC, the secondary GWs with HIAMCM, and the TIDs with SAMI3. We find that medium and large‐scale TIDs (MSTIDs and LSTIDs) are induced by the secondary GWs, with horizontal phase speeds cH ≃ 100–750 m/s, horizontal wavelengths λH ≃ 600–6,000 km, and ground‐based periods τr ≃ 30 min to 3 hr. The LSTID amplitudes over New Zealand are ≃2–3 TECU, but decrease sharply ≃ 5,000 km from Tonga. The LSTID amplitudes are extremely small over Australia and South Africa because body forces create highly asymmetric GW fields and the GWs propagate perpendicular to the magnetic field there. We analyze the TIDs from SAMI3 and find that a 30 min detrend window eliminates the fastest far‐field LSTIDs. We analyze the GPS/TEC via detrending with 2–3 hr windows, and find that the fastest LSTIDs reach the US and South America at ∼8:30–9:00 UT with cH ≃ 680 m/s, λH ≃ 3,400 km, and τr ≃ 83 min, in good agreement with model results. We find good agreement between modeled and observed TIDs over New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Japan and Norway. The observed F‐peak height, hmF2, drops by ≃ 110–140 km over the western US with a 2.8 hr periodicity from 8:00 to 13:00 UT. We show that the Lamb waves (LWs) observed by AIRS with λH = 380 km have amplitudes that are ≃ 2.3% that of the primary GWs at z ≃ 110 km. We conclude that the observed TIDs can be fully explained by secondary GWs rather than by “leaked” LWs.
Absence of near-ambient superconductivity in LuH2±xNy
Authors: Ming Xue , Zhang Ying-Jie , Zhu Xiyu , Li Qing , He Chengping , Liu Yuecong , Huang Tianheng , Liu Gan , Zheng Bo , Yang Huan , Sun Jian , Xi Xiaoxiang , Wen Hai-Hu
Published: May 2023

A recent study demonstrated near-ambient superconductivity in nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride1. This stimulated a worldwide interest in exploring room-temperature superconductivity at low pressures. Here, by using a high-pressure and high-temperature synthesis technique, we have obtained nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride (LuH2±xNy), which has a dark-blue colour and a structure with the space group$$Fm\bar{3}m$$Fm3¯mas evidenced by X-ray diffraction. This structure is the same as that reported in ref. 1, with a slight difference in lattice constant. Raman spectroscopy of our samples also showed patterns similar to those observed in ref. 1. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of nitrogen in the samples. We observed a metallic behaviour from 350 K to 2 K at ambient pressure. On applying pressures from 2.1 GPa to 41 GPa, we observed a gradual colour change from dark blue to violet to pink-red. By measuring the resistance at pressures ranging from 0.4 GPa to 40.1 GPa, we observed a progressively improved metallic behaviour; however, superconductivity was not observed above 2 K. Temperature dependence of magnetization at high pressure shows a very weak positive signal between 100 K and 320 K, and the magnetization increases with an increase in magnetic field at 100 K. All of these are not expected for superconductivity above 100 K. Thus, we conclude the absence of near-ambient superconductivity in this nitrogen-doped lutetium hydride at pressures below 40.1 GPa.
Accelerated waning of the humoral response to COVID-19 vaccines in obesity
Authors: van der Klaauw Agatha A. , Horner Emily C. , Pereyra-Gerber Pehuén , Agrawal Utkarsh , Foster William S. , Spencer Sarah , Vergese Bensi , Smith Miriam , Henning Elana , Ramsay Isobel D. , Smith Jack A. , Guillaume Stephane M. , Sharpe Hayley J. , Hay Iain M. , Thompson Sam , Innocentin Silvia , Booth Lucy H. , Robertson Chris , McCowan Colin , Kerr Steven , Mulroney Thomas E. , O’Reilly Martin J. , Gurugama Thevinya P. , Gurugama Lihinya P. , Rust Maria A. , Ferreira Alex , Ebrahimi Soraya , Ceron-Gutierrez Lourdes , Scotucci Jacopo , Kronsteiner Barbara , Dunachie Susanna J. , Klenerman Paul ,   PITCH Consortium, Park Adrian J. , Rubino Francesco , Lamikanra Abigail A. , Stark Hannah , Kingston Nathalie , Estcourt Lise , Harvala Heli , Roberts David J. , Doffinger Rainer , Linterman Michelle A. , Matheson Nicholas J. , Sheikh Aziz , Farooqi I. Sadaf , Thaventhiran James E. D.
Published: May 2023

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and mortality. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes; however, their effectiveness in people with obesity is incompletely understood. We studied the relationship among body mass index (BMI), hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 among 3.6 million people in Scotland using the Early Pandemic Evaluation and Enhanced Surveillance of COVID-19 (EAVE II) surveillance platform. We found that vaccinated individuals with severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) were 76% more likely to experience hospitalization or death from COVID-19 (adjusted rate ratio of 1.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.60–1.94). We also conducted a prospective longitudinal study of a cohort of 28 individuals with severe obesity compared to 41 control individuals with normal BMI (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). We found that 55% of individuals with severe obesity had unquantifiable titers of neutralizing antibody against authentic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus compared to 12% of individuals with normal BMI (P = 0.0003) 6 months after their second vaccine dose. Furthermore, we observed that, for individuals with severe obesity, at any given anti-spike and anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibody level, neutralizing capacity was lower than that of individuals with a normal BMI. Neutralizing capacity was restored by a third dose of vaccine but again declined more rapidly in people with severe obesity. We demonstrate that waning of COVID-19 vaccine-induced humoral immunity is accelerated in individuals with severe obesity. As obesity is associated with increased hospitalization and mortality from breakthrough infections, our findings have implications for vaccine prioritization policies.
The impact of metabolic stressors on mitochondrial homeostasis in a renal epithelial cell model of methylmalonic aciduria
Authors: Schumann Anke , Brutsche Marion , Havermans Monique , Grünert Sarah C. , Kölker Stefan , Groß Olaf , Hannibal Luciana , Spiekerkoetter Ute
Published: May 2023

Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA-uria) is caused by deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MUT). MUT deficiency hampers energy generation from specific amino acids, odd-chain fatty acids and cholesterol. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a well-known long-term complication. We exposed human renal epithelial cells from healthy controls and MMA-uria patients to different culture conditions (normal treatment (NT), high protein (HP) and isoleucine/valine (I/V)) to test the effect of metabolic stressors on renal mitochondrial energy metabolism. Creatinine levels were increased and antioxidant stress defense was severely comprised in MMA-uria cells. Alterations in mitochondrial homeostasis were observed. Changes in tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites and impaired energy generation from fatty acid oxidation were detected. Methylcitrate as potentially toxic, disease-specific metabolite was increased by HP and I/V load. Mitophagy was disabled in MMA-uria cells, while autophagy was highly active particularly under HP and I/V conditions. Mitochondrial dynamics were shifted towards fission. Sirtuin1, a stress-resistance protein, was down-regulated by HP and I/V exposure in MMA-uria cells. Taken together, both interventions aggravated metabolic fingerprints observed in MMA-uria cells at baseline. The results point to protein toxicity in MMA-uria and lead to a better understanding, how the accumulating, potentially toxic organic acids might trigger CKD.
Neuromuscular activation of the quadriceps femoris, including the vastus intermedius, during isokinetic knee extensions
Authors: Akima Hiroshi , Maeda Kazuhiro , Shima Norihiro
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to compare the neuromuscular activation patterns of the individual muscles of the quadriceps femoris (QF), including the vastus intermedius (VI), during isokinetic concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) contractions. Thirteen healthy men performed maximum isokinetic CON and ECC knee extensions at angular velocities of 30, 90, and 120°/sec at knee joint angles from 80 to 180° (180° = full extension). The surface electromyographic (EMG) activities of the four individual muscles of the QF were recorded. The root mean squares of the EMG signals were normalized by the root mean square (nRMS) during CON contraction at 30°/sec. To investigate the nRMS changes, we classified the range of motion into four subcategories for each CON and ECC contraction. The nRMS of the VI was significantly higher in the flexed position during CON and ECC contractions at all velocities, and gradually decreased toward the extended positions regardless of the type of muscle contraction or angular velocity. These results suggest that the QF undergoes neuromuscular activation in a joint angle-dependent manner. In particular, the VI may contribute greatly during flexed contractions, independent of the type of contraction and angular velocity.
PALB2 germline mutations in a large cohort of Middle Eastern breast-ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Siraj Abdul K. , Bu Rong , Parvathareddy Sandeep Kumar , Iqbal Kaleem , Azam Saud , Qadri Zeeshan , Al-Rasheed Maha , Haqawi Wael , Diaz Mark , Victoria Ingrid G. , Al-Badawi Ismail A. , Tulbah Asma , Al-Dayel Fouad , Ajarim Dahish , Al-Kuraya Khawla S.
Published: May 2023

The PALB2 gene is a breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) predisposition gene involved in the homologous recombination repair pathway. However, the prevalence and clinicopathological association of PALB2 pathogenic/likely pathogenic (PV/LPV) variants in Middle East is still not fully explored. Total 918 BC/OC patients from Saudi Arabia were selected for PALB2 mutations screening using capture sequencing technology. Five heterozygous PVs or LPVs were identified in six cases, accounting for 0.65% (6/918) of entire cohort. Two cases (33.3%) harbored PVs and four cases (66.7%) carried LPVs. Four PVs/LPVs (80%) were frameshift along with one novel splicing LPV (c.2835-2_2835-1delinsTT). One recurrent LPV (c.3425delT: p.L1142fs) was identified in two cases. All six affected carriers have breast cancer diagnosis with median age of 39.5 years (range 34–49 years). Only two cases (33%) have documented family history of cancer. Breast cancer phenotype was invasive ductal unilateral cancer in all cases with 66.7% of hormone receptor positive and 16% of triple negative tumors. Germline PVs/LPVs in the PALB2 gene were observed in low frequency of 0.65% in Saudi BC and/or OC. Our study confirms one recurrent LPV and one novel LPV in Saudi breast cancer patients.
Maternal separation leads to dynamic changes of visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Hu Chenmin , Yan Chenxi , Tao Enfu , Zhu Zhenya , Shu Xiaoli , Guo Rui , Jiang Mizu
Published: May 2023

We assessed dynamic changes in visceral hypersensitivity and fecal metabolomics through a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from childhood to adulthood. A mouse model of IBS was constructed with maternal separation (MS) in early life. Male mice aged 25, 40, and 70 days were used. Visceral sensitivity was assessed by recording the reaction between the abdominal withdrawal reflex and colorectal distension. Metabolomics was identified and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The visceral sensitivity of the MS group was significantly higher than that of the non-separation (NS) group in the three age groups. The top four fecal differential metabolites in the different age groups were lipids, lipid molecules, organic heterocyclic compounds, organic acids and derivatives, and benzenoids. Five identical differential metabolites were detected in the feces and ileal contents of the MS and NS groups at different ages, namely, benzamide, taurine, acetyl-L-carnitine, indole, and ethylbenzene. Taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were the most relevant pathways at P25, whereas histidine metabolism was the most relevant pathway at P40 and P70. Visceral hypersensitivity in the MS group lasted from childhood to adulthood. The different metabolites and metabolic pathways detected in MS groups of different ages provide a theoretical basis for IBS pathogenesis.
Numerical analysis of hafnium oxide and phase change material-based multi-layered infrared and visible frequency sensor for biomolecules sensing application
Authors: Aliqab Khaled , Sorathiya Vishal , Alsharari Meshari , Dave Kavan , Armghan Ammar
Published: May 2023

We report on the results of a numerical investigation into a phase transition material and hafnium (IV) oxide-based refractive index sensor with a wide spectral range, including both the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The sensor relies on hafnium (IV) oxide and a phase transition material (HfO2). Three layered versions of the proposed structure are studied; each configuration is built from alternating layers of HfO2, silica, Ge2Sb2Te5(GST), and silver. The three different arrangements have all been studied. The reflectance response of such multilayer structures is discussed in this manuscript for refractive indices ranging from 1 to 2.4. In addition, we have investigated how the varying heights of the materials affect the overall performance of the structure. Finally, we have supplied several formulae for resonating traces that may be used to calculate the sensing behaviour across a specific wavelength range and refractive index values. The corresponding equations are shown below. We have computed numerous equation traces throughout this inquiry to calculate the wavelength and refractive index values. Computational methods may be used to analyze the proposed structure, which might aid in creating biosensors for detecting a wide variety of biomolecules and biomarkers, such as saliva-cortisol, urine, glucose, cancerous and cancerous, and hemoglobin.
Precise targeting for 3D cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy volume imaging of tissues using a FinderTOP
Authors: de Beer Marit , Daviran Deniz , Roverts Rona , Rutten Luco , Macías-Sánchez Elena , Metz Juriaan R. , Sommerdijk Nico , Akiva Anat
Published: May 2023

Cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryoCLEM) is a powerful strategy to high resolution imaging in the unperturbed hydrated state. In this approach fluorescence microscopy aids localizing the area of interest, and cryogenic focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (cryoFIB/SEM) allows preparation of thin cryo-lamellae for cryoET. However, the current method cannot be accurately applied on bulky (3D) samples such as tissues and organoids. 3D cryo-correlative imaging of large volumes is needed to close the resolution gap between cryo-light microscopy and cryoET, placing sub-nanometer observations in a larger biological context. Currently technological hurdles render 3D cryoCLEM an unexplored approach. Here we demonstrate a cryoCLEM workflow for tissues, correlating cryo-Airyscan confocal microscopy with 3D cryoFIB/SEM volume imaging. Accurate correlation is achieved by imprinting a FinderTOP pattern in the sample surface during high pressure freezing, and allows precise targeting for cryoFIB/SEM volume imaging.
Magnetic delivery and ultrasound-responsive release of chelating microcapsules for selective removal of urolithiasis
Authors: Kaang Byung Kwon , Lee Sunjae , Piao JunJie , Cho Hyuk Jin , Kim Dong-Pyo
Published: May 2023

A novel strategy of urolithiasis treatment by magnetically delivering chelator encapsulated microcapsules to urolithiasis, followed by responsive release.
All-electrical antibiotic susceptibility and resistance profiling of electrogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Rafiee Zahra , Choi Seokheun
Published: May 2023

This work develops an all-electrical, reliable, rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing device to monitor antibiotic efficacy in bacterial biofilms that can be practically translatable to clinical settings and industrial antibiotic developments.
H-bond interaction traps vibrating fluorophore in polyurethane matrix for bifunctional environmental monitoring
Authors: Li Wen , Qiao Mengyuan , Chen Ziyu , Jin Xin , Su Yonghao , Chen Xuanying , Guo Lifang , Zhang Zhiyun , Su Jianhua
Published: May 2023

A luminescent material for the bifunctional sensing of ambient organic vapour and temperature is made by doping a vibration-induced emission fluorophore (DPAC-OH) into a polyurethane matrix.
Biogenetic space-guided synthesis of rearranged terpenoids
Authors: Alekseychuk Mykhaylo , Heretsch Philipp
Published: May 2023

Biogenetic space-guided synthesis is a tool to design efficient chemical syntheses of complex terpenoids by evaluating their surrounding biogenetic space.
Nickel-catalyzed stereoselective reductive cross-coupling of gem-difluoroalkenes with alkenyl electrophiles
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Li Yuxiu , Shan Wenlong , Wang Zemin , Liu Ruihua , Zhang Zhong , Li Xiangqian , Shi Dayong
Published: May 2023

A Ni-catalyzed stereoselective defluorinative cross-electrophile coupling of gem-difluoroalkenes with alkenyl electrophiles is developed.
Breaking the barrier: a MnWO4 photocatalyst enables solar chlorine production from seawater without noble metals
Authors: Han Shuiquan , Wang Yi , Zhang Dun , Cong Hailin
Published: May 2023

We report for the first time a noble metal-free photocatalyst capable of independent photocatalytic production of HClO.
Improving the performance of ternary organic solar cells using metal oxides as charge-transport layers
Authors: Liu Zhihai , Wang Lei , Xie Xiaoyin , Chen Ping
Published: May 2023

We simultaneously improved the efficiency and stability of ternary organic solar cells using NiOx and SnO2 as the charge-transport layers.
Incorporation of a bromine atom into DNA-related molecules changes their electronic properties
Authors: Hirato Misaki , Yokoya Akinari , Baba Yuji , Mori Seiji , Fujii Kentaro , Wada Shin-ichi , Izumi Yudai , Haga Yoshinori
Published: May 2023

To understand the mechanism underlying the high radio-sensitisation of living cells possessing brominated genomic DNA, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to study brominated and nonbrominated nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides.
Exploring electrolyte effects on metal–alkyl bond stability: impact and implications for electrosynthesis
Authors: Boucher Dylan G. , Nguyen Zachary A. , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: May 2023

We explore the often neglected impact of supporting electrolyte on homogeneous electrocatalytic mechanisms using the catalytic reduction of benzyl chlorides via Co and Fe tetraphenylporphyrins as a model reaction.