bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum in the Equatorial Pacific as Revealed in a Coupled Ocean GCM‐Ecosystem Model
Authors: Shi Qidong , Zhang Rong‐Hua , Tian Feng
Published: March 2023

A coupled ocean general circulation model (OGCM)‐ocean ecosystem model is used to investigate the effects of the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) on the ocean state in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Climatological and interannual three‐dimensional (3‐D) chlorophyll (CHL) fields are captured well in control runs using the coupled ocean physics‐ecosystem model forced by prescribed atmospheric fields. Further sensitivity experiments are performed to assess the effects of 3‐D CHL structure using the OGCM with the prescribed CHL fields taken from the control runs: CHLclim and are runs in which climatological DCM effect is included or only surface CHL effect is included; CHLinter and are runs with interannually varying DCM effects included or not. The differences in the simulated ocean conditions are analyzed to explore DCM effects on sea surface temperature (SST) and amplitude of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Two competing mechanisms responsible for the DCM effects are revealed: an ocean biology‐induced direct heating (OBH) effect, and an indirect cooling effect due to dynamic processes associated with vertical mixing and shallow meridional overturning circulation. There are three major findings: (a) DCM acts to reduce mean SST by around 0.2°C in the eastern equatorial Pacific, being larger than the surface CHL effects. (b) DCM interannual variability increases the ENSO amplitude to a comparable degree as the surface CHL effects. (c) The total net impact of vertical mixing, currents, and net surface heat flux makes SST drop more under the DCM effect than the surface CHL effect in the eastern Pacific. These findings provide a new insight into the feedback mechanisms for the bioclimate interactions.
A Non‐Column Based, Fully Unstructured Implementation of Kessler's Microphysics With Warm Rain Using Continuous and Discontinuous Spectral Elements
Authors: Tissaoui Yassine , Marras Simone , Quaini Annalisa , de Brangaca Alves Felipe A. V. , Giraldo Francis X.
Published: March 2023

Numerical weather prediction is pushing the envelope of grid resolution at local and global scales alike. Aiming to model topography with higher precision, a handful of articles introduced unstructured vertical grids and tested them for dry atmospheres. The next step toward effective high‐resolution unstructured grids for atmospheric modeling requires that also microphysics is independent of any vertical columns, in contrast to what is ubiquitous across operational and research models. In this paper, we present a non‐column based continuous and discontinuous spectral element implementation of Kessler's microphysics with warm rain. We test the proposed algorithm against standard three‐dimensional benchmarks for precipitating clouds and show that the results are comparable with those presented in the literature across all of the tested effective resolutions. While presented for both continuous and discontinuous spectral elements in this paper, the method that we propose can be adapted to any numerical method used in other codes, as long as the code can already handle vertically unstructured grids.
“Revolutionary” Instrument to Watch North American Skies
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: March 2023

TEMPO, scheduled for launch this April, will monitor ozone and other pollutants during hourly daytime scans, providing data for better air quality forecasts and atmospheric models.
Impact Induced Oxidation and Its Implications for Early Mars Climate
Authors: Pan Lu , Deng Zhengbin , Bizzarro Martin
Published: March 2023

H2 in a CO2 atmosphere may serve as a potential solution to the early Mars climate paradox, but its unknown sources cast doubts on the proposed mechanism. Impact cratering is an energetic process that may modify the surface redox budget. Here, we investigate the potential influence of impact‐related melt oxidation and serpentinization on global climate conditions. We show that impact melt and the projectile's significant oxidizing potential during basin‐forming impacts (Basin size ≥1,250 km) result in sufficient H2 to raise the global mean temperature to above 273K, which lasts for up to 105 − 106 yr considering rate‐limited regime. Impact‐induced serpentinization has limited consequences on the global climate in comparison. Episodic warming after large impacts may have enabled the presence of liquid water for up to several million years in the Noachian, resulting in the chemical evolution of the planet's surface co‐evolving with the planetary atmosphere in an episodic manner.
Bottom marine heatwaves along the continental shelves of North America
Authors: Amaya Dillon J. , Jacox Michael G. , Alexander Michael A. , Scott James D. , Deser Clara , Capotondi Antonietta , Phillips Adam S.
Published: March 2023

Recently, there has been substantial effort to understand the fundamental characteristics of warm ocean temperature extremes—known as marine heatwaves (MHWs). However, MHW research has primarily focused on the surface signature of these events. While surface MHWs (SMHW) can have dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems, extreme warming along the seafloor can also have significant biological outcomes. In this study, we use a high-resolution (~8 km) ocean reanalysis to broadly assess bottom marine heatwaves (BMHW) along the continental shelves of North America. We find that BMHW intensity and duration varies strongly with bottom depth, with typical intensities ranging from ~0.5 °C–3 °C. Further, BMHWs can be more intense and persist longer than SMHWs. While BMHWs and SMHWs often co-occur, BMHWs can also exist without a SMHW. Deeper regions in which the mixed layer does not typically reach the seafloor exhibit less synchronicity between BMHWs and SMHWs.
Gas phase synthesis of the C40 nano bowl C40H10
Authors: Tuli Lotefa B. , Goettl Shane J. , Turner Andrew M. , Howlader A. Hasan , Hemberger Patrick , Wnuk Stanislaw F. , Guo Tianjian , Mebel Alexander M. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: March 2023

Nanobowls represent vital molecular building blocks of end-capped nanotubes and fullerenes detected in combustion systems and in deep space such as toward the planetary nebula TC-1, but their fundamental formation mechanisms have remained elusive. By merging molecular beam experiments with electronic structure calculations, we reveal a complex chain of reactions initiated through the gas-phase preparation of benzocorannulene (C24H12) via ring annulation of the corannulenyl radical (C20H9•) by vinylacetylene (C4H4) as identified isomer-selectively in situ via photoionization efficiency curves and photoion mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectra. In silico studies provided compelling evidence that the benzannulation mechanism can be expanded to pentabenzocorannulene (C40H20) followed by successive cyclodehydrogenation to the C40 nanobowl (C40H10) – a fundamental building block of buckminsterfullerene (C60). This high-temperature pathway opens up isomer-selective routes to nanobowls via resonantly stabilized free-radical intermediates and ring annulation in circumstellar envelopes of carbon stars and planetary nebulae as their descendants eventually altering our insights of the complex chemistry of carbon in our Galaxy.
Secreted protease PRSS35 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma by disabling CXCL2-mediated neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Wang Ting , Zhou Yingli , Zhou Zilong , Zhang Pinggen , Yan Ronghui , Sun Linchong , Ma Wenhao , Zhang Tong , Shen Shengqi , Liu Haiying , Lu Hui , Ye Ling , Feng Junru , Chen Zhaolin , Zhong Xiuying , Wu Gao , Cai Yongping , Jia Weidong , Gao Ping , Zhang Huafeng
Published: March 2023

Hepatocytes function largely through the secretion of proteins that regulate cell proliferation, metabolism, and intercellular communications. During the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the hepatocyte secretome changes dynamically as both a consequence and a causative factor in tumorigenesis, although the full scope of secreted protein function in this process remains unclear. Here, we show that the secreted pseudo serine protease PRSS35 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that active PRSS35 is processed via cleavage by proprotein convertases. Active PRSS35 then suppresses protein levels of CXCL2 through targeted cleavage of tandem lysine (KK) recognition motif. Consequently, CXCL2 degradation attenuates neutrophil recruitment to tumors and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, ultimately suppressing HCC progression. These findings expand our understanding of the hepatocyte secretome’s role in cancer development while providing a basis for the clinical translation of PRRS35 as a therapeutic target or diagnostic biomarker.
The structural flexibility of MAD1 facilitates the assembly of the Mitotic Checkpoint Complex
Authors: Chen Chu , Piano Valentina , Alex Amal , Han Simon J. Y. , Huis in ’t Veld Pim J. , Roy Babhrubahan , Fergle Daniel , Musacchio Andrea , Joglekar Ajit P.
Published: March 2023

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) safeguards the genome during cell division by generating an effector molecule known as the Mitotic Checkpoint Complex (MCC). The MCC comprises two subcomplexes: BUBR1:BUB3 and CDC20:MAD2, and the formation of CDC20:MAD2 is the rate-limiting step during MCC assembly. Recent studies show that the rate of CDC20:MAD2 formation is significantly accelerated by the cooperative binding of CDC20 to the SAC proteins MAD1 and BUB1. However, the molecular basis for this acceleration is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate that the structural flexibility of MAD1 at a conserved hinge near the C-terminus is essential for catalytic MCC assembly. This MAD1 hinge enables the MAD1:MAD2 complex to assume a folded conformation in vivo. Importantly, truncating the hinge reduces the rate of MCC assembly in vitro and SAC signaling in vivo. Conversely, mutations that preserve hinge flexibility retain SAC signaling, indicating that the structural flexibility of the hinge, rather than a specific amino acid sequence, is important for SAC signaling. We summarize these observations as the ‘knitting model’ that explains how the folded conformation of MAD1:MAD2 promotes CDC20:MAD2 assembly.
Mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction
Authors: Jin Hui , Xu Zhewei , Hu Zhi-Yi , Yin Zhiwen , Wang Zhao , Deng Zhao , Wei Ping , Feng Shihao , Dong Shunhong , Liu Jinfeng , Luo Sicheng , Qiu Zhaodong , Zhou Liang , Mai Liqiang , Su Bao-Lian , Zhao Dongyuan , Liu Yong
Published: March 2023

The design of Pt-based nanoarchitectures with controllable compositions and morphologies is necessary to enhance their electrocatalytic activity. Herein, we report a rational design and synthesis of anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires for high-efficient electrocatalysis. The catalyst has a uniform core-shell structure with an ultrathin atomic-jagged Pt nanowire core and a mesoporous Pt-skin Pt3Ni framework shell, possessing high electrocatalytic activity, stability and Pt utilisation efficiency. For the oxygen reduction reaction, the anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires demonstrated exceptional mass and specific activities of 6.69 A/mgpt and 8.42 mA/cm2 (at 0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode), and the catalyst exhibited high stability with negligible activity decay after 50,000 cycles. The mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire configuration combines the advantages of three-dimensional open mesopore molecular accessibility and compressive Pt-skin surface strains, which results in more catalytically active sites and weakened chemisorption of oxygenated species, thus boosting its catalytic activity and stability towards electrocatalysis.
Evaluation of the immunization effectiveness of bOPV booster immunization and IPV revaccination
Authors: Yu-ping Zhao , Jing Li , Teng Huang , Zhi-fang Ying , Ting Zhao , Yan-chun Che , Zhi-mei Zhao , Yu-ting Fu , Jun-hui Tao , Qing-hai Yang , Ding-kai Wei , Guo-liang Li , Xiao-lei Yang , Li Yi , Hong-bo Chen , Jian-feng Wang , Rui-ju Jiang , Lei Yu , Wei Cai , Wei Yang , Ming-xue Xie , Qiong-zhou Yin , Jing Pu , Li Shi , Chao Hong , Yan Deng , Lu-kui Cai , Jian Zhou , Yu Wen , Hong-sen Li , Wei Huang , Zhao-jun Mo , Chang-gui Li , Qi-han Li , Jing-si Yang
Published: March 2023

To provide a basis for further optimization of the polio sequential immunization schedule, this study evaluated the effectiveness of booster immunization with one dose of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) at 48 months of age after different primary polio immunization schedules. At 48 months of age, one dose of bOPV was administered, and their poliovirus types 1–3 (PV1, PV2, and PV3, respectively)-specific neutralizing antibody levels were determined. Participants found to be negative for any type of PV-specific neutralizing antibody at 24, 36, or 48 months of age were re-vaccinated with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The 439 subjects who received a bOPV booster immunization at the age of 48 months had lower PV2-specific antibody levels compared with those who received IPV. One dose of IPV during basic polio immunization induced the lowest PV2-specific antibody levels. On the basis of our findings, to ensure that no less than 70% of the vaccinated have protection efficiency, we recommend the following: if basic immunization was conducted with 1IPV + 2bOPV (especially Sabin strain-based IPV), a booster immunization with IPV is recommended at 36 months of age, whereas if basic immunization was conducted with 2IPV + 1bOPV, a booster immunization with IPV is recommended at 48 months of age. A sequential immunization schedule of 2IPV + 1bOPV + 1IPV can not only maintain high levels of antibody against PV1 and PV3 but also increases immunity to PV2 and induces early intestinal mucosal immunity, with relatively good safety. Thus, this may be the best sequential immunization schedule for polio in countries or regions at high risk for polio.
Agrimonia: a dataset on livestock, meteorology and air quality in the Lombardy region, Italy
Authors: Fassò Alessandro , Rodeschini Jacopo , Fusta Moro Alessandro , Shaboviq Qendrim , Maranzano Paolo , Cameletti Michela , Finazzi Francesco , Golini Natalia , Ignaccolo Rosaria , Otto Philipp
Published: March 2023

The air in the Lombardy region, Italy, is one of the most polluted in Europe because of limited air circulation and high emission levels. There is a large scientific consensus that the agricultural sector has a significant impact on air quality. To support studies quantifying the role of the agricultural and livestock sectors on the Lombardy air quality, this paper presents a harmonised dataset containing daily values of air quality, weather, emissions, livestock, and land and soil use in the years 2016–2021, for the Lombardy region. The daily scale is obtained by averaging hourly data and interpolating other variables. In fact, the pollutant data come from the European Environmental Agency and the Lombardy Regional Environment Protection Agency, weather and emissions data from the European Copernicus programme, livestock data from the Italian zootechnical registry, and land and soil use data from the CORINE Land Cover project. The resulting dataset is designed to be used as is by those using air quality data for research.
Urinary exosomal miRNA-663a shows variable expression in diabetic kidney disease patients with or without proteinuria
Authors: Sinha Nisha , Puri Veena , Kumar Vivek , Nada Ritambhra , Rastogi Ashu , Jha Vivekanand , Puri Sanjeev
Published: March 2023

Heterogeneity in the Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) diagnosis makes its rational therapeutics challenging. Although albuminuria characterizes DKD, reports also indicate its prevalence among non-proteinuric. Recent understanding of disease progression has thus inclined the focus on proximal tubular cell damage besides the glomeruli. A non-invasive approach exploiting exosomal miRNA derived from human kidney proximal tubular cell line was, hence, targeted. Upon miRNA profiling, three miRNAs, namely, hsa-miR-155-5p, hsa-miR-28-3p, and hsa-miR-425-5p were found to be significantly upregulated, while hsa-miR-663a was downregulated under diabetic conditions. Among these, hsa-miR-663a downregulation was more pronounced in non-proteinuric than proteinuric DKD subjects and was thus selected for the bioinformatics study. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) narrowed on to IL-8 signaling and inflammatory response as the most enriched ‘canonical pathway’ and ‘disease pathway’ respectively, during DKD. Further, the putative gene network generated from these enriched pathways revealed experimentally induced diabetes, renal tubular injury, and decreased levels of albumin as part of mapping under ‘disease and function’. Genes target predictions and annotations by IPA reiterated miR-663a’s role in the pathogenesis of DKD following tubular injury. Overall, the observations might offer an indirect reflection of the underlying mechanism between patients who develop proteinuria and non-proteinuria.
Tranexamic acid for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage: the TAPPH-1 pilot randomized trial and lessons learned for trials in Canadian obstetrics
Authors: Alam Asim Q. , Barrett Jon , Callum Jeannie , Kaustov Lilia , Au Shelly , Fleet Andrew , Kiss Alex , Choi Stephen
Published: March 2023

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. While tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces bleeding and transfusion requirements in established PPH, we sought to determine the feasibility of conducting a fully powered trial assessing the effect of prophylactic tranexamic acid, prior to PPH onset, in a Canadian Obstetric setting. With institutional and Health Canada approval, consenting, eligible parturients (singleton, > 32 weeks gestation, vaginal or caesarian delivery) were randomly assigned to receive TXA (1 g intravenously) or placebo (0.9% saline) prior to delivery. Participants, investigators, data collectors/adjudicators, and analysis was blinded. The primary outcome was administration of study intervention to > 85% of randomized individuals. Secondary outcomes included recruitment rate (feasibility) and safety outcomes. Over 8 months, 611 were approached, 35 consented, and 27 randomized (14 TXA, 13 placebo). 89% of randomized participants received the assigned intervention. Recruitment fell below feasibility (23% target). No serious adverse outcomes occurred. Our pilot trial in a Canadian Obstetric setting was unable to demonstrate feasibility to conduct a large, multicentre trial to examine prophylactic use of tranexamic for PPH secondary to the complex regulatory requirements associated with a trial for an off-label, but commonly utilized intervention. These challenges should inform stakeholders on the resources and challenges of conducting future trials using off-label interventions.

Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03069859 (03/03/2017).
Biomimetic ion substituted and Co-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticle synthesis using Serratia Marcescens
Authors: Paramasivan Mareeswari , Sampath Kumar T. S. , Kanniyappan Hemalatha , Muthuvijayan Vignesh , Chandra T. S.
Published: March 2023

Biomimicry is becoming deep-rooted as part of bioceramics owing to its numerous functional advantages. Naturally occurring hydroxyapatite (HA) apart from primary nano structures are also characterised by various ionic substitutions. The ease of accommodating such key elements into the HA lattice is known to enhance bone healing properties of bioceramics. In this work, hydroxyapatite synthesized via biomimetic approach was substituted with individual as well as multiple cations for potential applications in bone repair. Ion substitutions of Sr, Mg and Zn was carried out on HA for the first time by using Serratia grown in a defined biomineralization medium. The individual ions of varying concentration substituted in Serratia HA (SHA) (Sr SHA, Mg SHA and Zn SHA) were analysed for crystallinity, functional groups, morphology and crystal size. All three showed decreased crystallinity, phase purity, large agglomerated aggregates and needle-shaped morphologies. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra indicated increased carbonate content of 5.8% resembling that of natural bone. Additionally, the reduced O–H intensities clearly portrayed disruption of HA lattice and subsequent ion-substitution. The novelty of this study lies primarily in investigating the co-substitution of a combination of 1% Sr, Zn and Mg in SHA and establishing the associated change in bone parameters. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images clearly illustrated uniform nano-sized agglomerates of average dimensions of 20–50 nm length and 8–15 nm width for Sr SHA; 10–40 nm length and 8–10 nm width for both Zn SHA and Mg SHA and 40–70 nm length and 4–10 nm width in the case of 1% Sr, Zn, Mg SHA. In both individual as well as co-substitutions, significant peak shifts were not observed possibly due to the lower concentrations. However, cell volumes increased in both cases due to presence of Sr2+ validating its dominant integration into the SHA lattice. Rich trace ion deposition was presented by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). In vitro cytotoxicity studies in three cell lines viz. NIH/3T3 fibroblast cells, MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages showed more than 90% cell viability proving the biocompatible nature of 1% Sr, Zn and Mg in SHA. Microbial biomineralization by Serratia produced nanocrystals of HA that mimicked “bone-like apatite” as evidenced by pure phase, carbonated groups, reduced crystallinity, nano agglomerates, variations in cell parameters, rich ion deposition and non-toxic nature. Therefore ion-substituted and co-substituted biomineralized nano SHA appears to be a suitable candidate for applications in biomedicine addressing bone injuries and aiding regeneration as a result of its characteristics close to that of the human bone.
Bioinformatics analysis of rheumatoid arthritis tissues identifies genes and potential drugs that are expressed specifically
Authors: He Qingshan , Ding Hanmeng
Published: March 2023

Studies have implicated necroptosis mechanisms in orthopaedic-related diseases, since necroptosis is a unique regulatory cell death pattern. However, the role of Necroptosis-related genes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not been well described. We downloaded RA-related data information and Necroptosis-related genes from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) database, and Genome Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), respectively. We identified 113 genes associated with RA-related necroptosis, which was closely associated with the cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, necroptosis and programmed necrosis. Subsequently, FAS, MAPK8 and TNFSF10 were identified as key genes among 48 Necroptosis-associated differential genes by three machine learning algorithms (LASSO, RF and SVM-RFE), and the key genes had good diagnostic power in distinguishing RA patients from healthy controls. According to functional enrichment analysis, these genes may regulate multiple pathways, such as B-cell receptor signaling, T-cell receptor signaling pathways, chemokine signaling pathways and cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and play corresponding roles in RA. Furthermore, we predicted 48 targeted drugs against key genes and 31 chemical structural formulae based on targeted drug prediction. Moreover, key genes were associated with complex regulatory relationships in the ceRNA network. According to CIBERSORT analysis, FAS, MAPK8 and TNFSF10 may be associated with changes in the immune microenvironment of RA patients. Our study developed a diagnostic validity and provided insight to the mechanisms of RA. Further studies will be required to test its diagnostic value for RA before it can be implemented in clinical practice.
Lightweight saliency detection method for real-time localization of livestock meat bones
Authors: Xu Tao , Zhao Weishuo , Cai Lei , Shi Xiaoli , Wang Xinfa
Published: March 2023

Existing salient object detection networks are large, have many parameters, are bulky and take up a lot of computational resources. Seriously hinder its application and promotion in boning robot. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a lightweight saliency detection algorithm for real-time localization of livestock meat bones. First, a lightweight feature extraction network based on multi-scale attention is constructed in the encoding stage. To ensure that more adequate salient object features are extracted with fewer parameters. Second, the fusion of jump connections is introduced in the decoding phase. Used to capture fine-grained semantics and coarse-grained semantics at full scale. Finally, we added a residual refinement module at the end of the backbone network. For optimizing salient target regions and boundaries. Experimental results on both publicly available datasets and self-made Pig leg X-ray (PLX) datasets show that. The proposed method is capable of ensuring first-class detection accuracy with 40 times less parameters than the conventional model. In the most challenging SOD dataset. The proposed algorithm in this paper achieves a value of Fωβ of 0.699. And the segmentation of livestock bones can be effectively performed on the homemade PLX dataset. Our model has a detection speed of 5fps on industrial control equipment.
A comprehensive quantitative bottom-up analysis of fiber-reinforced recycled-aggregate concrete behavior
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Maedeh , Dehestani Mehdi , Samadvand Hojjat
Published: March 2023

This study provides a more profound understanding of the influence of the phases of fiber-reinforced recycled-aggregate concrete (FRRAC), on its elastic properties, in particular Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio. Multi-scale modeling analyses of mortar and FRRAC were conducted to assess the effect of variations in the fiber content, fiber elastic modulus, RA content, and water-to-cement ratio (w/c) on the elastic properties at each scale. Thus, the analytic Mori–Tanaka (MT) homogenization algorithm developed in Python programming language and the three-dimensional finite element (FE) homogenization scheme were applied to evaluate the elastic properties of FRRAC. As such, different fiber types including steel, basalt, glass, and propylene, at a volume fraction range of 0–2%, along with the variations in fiber elastic modulus, and different RA replacement levels ranging from 0 to 100% were incorporated in the modeling process at different w/c ratio. Based on the results, the Poisson’s ratio of steel FRRAC in the MT approach surges with increasing fiber content. Furthermore, the elastic modulus of FRRAC is highly susceptible to an increase in Young’s modulus of polypropylene fiber, among other fiber types. The elastic modulus of concrete experiences a sharp decrease with increasing w/c for all fiber types in both FE and MT approaches.
Phase behavior of single and multi-component liquid hydrocarbons in real reservoir rocks
Authors: Al-Kindi Ilyas , Babadagli Tayfun
Published: March 2023

Phase-alteration phenomenon has a considerable influence on the dynamics and distribution of fluids in porous media. One of the major factors affecting the phase behaviour of fluids in reservoirs is the capillarity effect, which becomes unavoidably significant as the media becomes tighter (confinement effect) and contains more pores at nano sizes. Comprehending the nature of vaporization and condensation of hydrocarbon in such confined media is important for accurate modelling of two-phase envelopes and thereby the performance of energy production from hydrocarbon reservoirs. This paper studies the vaporization of single- and multicomponent hydrocarbons in different types of rocks (namely sandstones, limestones, tight sandstones, and shales). The vaporization temperatures were measured experimentally in each rock type and compared with boiling points measured at bulk conditions to investigate the deviation between the phase-change temperatures in capillary media and bulk values. The deviation between the measured vaporization temperatures and the bulk measurements ranged from 4.4% (1.6% in Kelvin unit) to 19.7% (5.2% in Kelvin unit) with single-component solvents and 1.4% (0.4% in Kelvin unit) to 27.6% (5.3% in Kelvin unit) with the hydrocarbon mixtures. The vaporization temperatures, obtained from the experiments, were also compared with the computed two-phase envelopes, calculated by the classical Peng-Robinson Equation of State. The deviation percentages of measured vaporization temperatures from the computed values were at least 4.4% (1.6% in Kelvin unit) with single-component solvents and 2.1% (0.7% in Kelvin unit) with the hydrocarbon mixtures.
Pollinator sex matters in competition and coexistence of co-flowering plants
Authors: Nakazawa Takefumi , Kishi Shigeki
Published: March 2023

Male and female pollinators often exhibit sex-specific preferences for visiting different flowers. Recent studies have shown that these preferences play an important role in shaping the network structure of pollination mutualism, but little is known about how they can mediate plant-plant interactions and coexistence of competing plants. The ecological consequences of sex-specific pollination can be complex. Suppose that a plant is favoured by female pollinators. They produce male pollinators, who may prefer visiting other competing plants and intensify the negative effects of inter-plant competition. Here, we analysed a simple two plant-one pollinator model with the sex structure of the pollinator. We observed that (i) sex-specific pollination can have complex consequences for inter-plant competition and coexistence (e.g. the occurrence of non-trivial alternative stable states in which one plant excludes or coexists with the other depending on the initial conditions), (ii) male and female pollinators have distinct ecological consequences because female pollinators have a demographic impact owing to reproduction, and (iii) plants are likely to coexist when male and female pollinators prefer different plants. These results suggest that sex-specific pollination is crucial for competition and coexistence of co-flowering plants. Future, pollination research should more explicitly consider the sex-specific behaviour of pollinating animals.
Tropical surface urban heat islands in east Africa
Authors: Garuma Gemechu Fanta
Published: March 2023

The horn of Africa is susceptible to droughts because of the persistent heat waves and insufficient precipitation. The growth of urban population and built-up urban environments exacerbate the overheating problems due to the urban heat island effects. Understanding the impacts of anthropogenic activities in such dry environments is important to control or mitigate extreme heat leading to droughts. This is required to preserve soil moisture, pothole waters, lakes and rivers that are required for pasture and drinking water. Nonetheless, the intensity and duration of the urban heat island effects have not been investigated in this region resulting in the underestimation of the intensity and severity of the extreme heat events. This study therefore performs the quantitative analyses of the intensity, duration and causality of the tropical surface urban heat islands (TSUHIs) for the first time using earth observation information at a regional to local scale. It also identifies the factors that control TSUHIs, considering background climate, population, vegetation and the impervious urban fractions. Results showed that the TSUHI in the capital cities of tropical east Africa varies from 1 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C in Dodoma to 4 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C in Kampala and reaches up to 8 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C in Khartoum. The mean temperature contribution to regional climate from 2000 to 2020 is 0.64 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C during the day and 0.34 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C during the night, a mean total of around 0.5 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C, a 0.25 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C increase per decade. This is a quarter of the increase in global surface temperature, which is $$\approx$$
≈
1.09 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C from 2011 to 2020 compared to the 1850–1900 level. Most of these capital cities in this region exhibited high TSUHIs from late summer to winter and are dependent on mainly population, vegetation, evapotranspiration and soil moisture in different proportions. This urban induced additional temperature has been intensifying droughts in tropical east Africa. Therefore, urban planners are advised to consider the impacts of TSUHIs to reduce the severity of droughts in the tropical east Africa region.
The design of a point of care FET biosensor to detect and screen COVID-19
Authors: Alnaji Nisreen , Wasfi Asma , Awwad Falah
Published: March 2023

Graphene field effect transistor (FET) biosensors have attracted huge attention in the point-of-care and accurate detection. With the recent spread of the new emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the need for rapid, and accurate detection & screening tools is arising. Employing these easy-to-handle sensors can offer cheap, rapid, and accurate detection. Herein, we propose the design of a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) FET biosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The main objective of this work is to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigen on spot selectively and rapidly. The sensor consists of rGO channel, a pair of golden electrodes, and a gate underneath the channel. The channel is functionalized with COVID-19 spike protein antibodies to achieve selectivity, and with metal nanoparticles (MNPs) such as copper and silver to enhance the bio-sensing performance. The designed sensor successfully detects the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and shows singular electrical behavior for detection. The semi-empirical modeling approach combined with none-equilibrium Green’s function were used to study the electronic transport properties of the rGO-FET biosensor before and after the addition of the target molecules. The sensor’s selectivity is also tested against other viruses. This study provides a promising guide for future practical fabrication.
Modeling the time-dependent transmission rate using gaussian pulses for analyzing the COVID-19 outbreaks in the world
Authors: Setianto Setianto , Hidayat Darmawan
Published: March 2023

In this work, an SEIR epidemic model with time-dependent transmission rate parameters for the multiple waves of COVID-19 infection was investigated. It is assumed that the transmission rate is determined by the superposition of the Gaussian pulses. The interaction of these dynamics is represented by recursive equations. Analysis of the overall dynamics of disease spread is determined by the effective reproduction numberRe(t) produced throughout the infection period. The study managed to show the evolution of the epidemic over time and provided important information about the occurrence of multiple waves of COVID-19 infection in the world and Indonesia.
Infarct growth velocity predicts early neurological outcomes in single subcortical infarction
Authors: Nam Ki-Woong , Kwon Hyung-Min , Lee Yong-Seok
Published: March 2023

In single subcortical infarction (SSI), changes in lesion size are a major determinant of early neurological deterioration. We evaluated the association between END and infarct growth velocity (IGV) in patients with SSI. We included consecutive patients with SSI who underwent MRI within 24 h of symptom onset between 2010 and 2020. END was defined as an increase of ≥ 2 in the total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or ≥ 1 in the motor NIHSS score. IGV was calculated using the following formula: IGV (mL/h) = diffusion-weighted imaging volume (mL)/time to MRI (h). A total of 604 patients with SSI were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that IGV remained significant after adjusting for confounders (aOR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.12–1.61). In a subgroup analysis based on the type of SSI, only patients with distal SSI showed an association between IGV and END (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.24–2.16). In patients with proximal SSI, IGV did not show any statistical association with END. In conclusion, IGV was positively associated with END in patients with SSI. IGV should be interpreted differently in clinical settings depending on the location of the SSI lesion.
A dynamic clamping approach using in silico IK1 current for discrimination of chamber-specific hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Altomare Claudia , Bartolucci Chiara , Sala Luca , Balbi Carolina , Burrello Jacopo , Pietrogiovanna Nicole , Burrello Alessio , Bolis Sara , Panella Stefano , Arici Martina , Krause Rolf , Rocchetti Marcella , Severi Stefano , Barile Lucio
Published: March 2023

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CM) constitute a mixed population of ventricular-, atrial-, nodal-like cells, limiting the reliability for studying chamber-specific disease mechanisms. Previous studies characterised CM phenotype based on action potential (AP) morphology, but the classification criteria were still undefined. Our aim was to use in silico models to develop an automated approach for discriminating the electrophysiological differences between hiPSC-CM. We propose the dynamic clamp (DC) technique with the injection of a specific IK1current as a tool for deriving nine electrical biomarkers and blindly classifying differentiated CM. An unsupervised learning algorithm was applied to discriminate CM phenotypes and principal component analysis was used to visualise cell clustering. Pharmacological validation was performed by specific ion channel blocker and receptor agonist. The proposed approach improves the translational relevance of the hiPSC-CM model for studying mechanisms underlying inherited or acquired atrial arrhythmias in human CM, and for screening anti-arrhythmic agents.
Transient interactions drive the lateral clustering of cadherin-23 on membrane
Authors: Srinivas Cheerneni S. , Singaraju Gayathri S. , Kaur Veerpal , Das Sayan , Ghosh Sanat K. , Sagar Amin , Kumar Anuj , Bhatia Tripta , Rakshit Sabyasachi
Published: March 2023

Cis and trans-interactions among cadherins secure multicellularity. While the molecular structure of trans-interactions of cadherins is well understood, work to identify the molecular cues that spread the cis-interactions two-dimensionally is still ongoing. Here, we report that transient, weak, yet multivalent, and spatially distributed hydrophobic interactions that are involved in liquid-liquid phase separations of biomolecules in solution, alone can drive the lateral-clustering of cadherin-23 on a membrane. No specific cis-dimer interactions are required for the lateral clustering. In cells, the cis-clustering accelerates cell-cell adhesion and, thus, contributes to cell-adhesion kinetics along with strengthening the junction. Although the physiological connection of cis-clustering with rapid adhesion is yet to be explored, we speculate that the over-expression of cadherin-23 in M2-macrophages may facilitate faster attachments to circulatory tumor cells during metastasis.
Enhanced excitability but mature action potential waveforms at mossy fiber terminals of young, adult-born hippocampal neurons in mice
Authors: Vyleta Nicholas P. , Snyder Jason S.
Published: March 2023

Adult-born granule neurons pass through immature critical periods where they display enhanced somatic excitability and afferent plasticity, which is believed to endow them with unique roles in hippocampal learning and memory. Using patch clamp recordings in mouse hippocampal slices, here we show that young neuron hyper-excitability is also observed at presynaptic mossy fiber terminals onto CA3 pyramidal neurons. However, action potential waveforms mature faster in the bouton than in the soma, suggesting rapid efferent functionality during immature stages.
Elucidating the reaction mechanism of a palladium-palladium dual catalytic process through kinetic studies of proposed elementary steps
Authors: Ivančič Anže , Košmrlj Janez , Gazvoda Martin
Published: March 2023

In the synergistic dual catalytic process, the kinetics of the catalytic cycles must be balanced for the successful outcome of the reaction. Therefore, the analysis of the kinetics of the independent catalytic cycles is essential for such reactions, as it enables their relational optimization as well as their design. Here we describe an analysis of the mechanism of a catalytic synergistic bimetallic reaction through the experimental study of a palladium-catalysed cross-coupling of aryl halides with terminal alkynes, an example of a monometallic dual catalytic process. The proposed mechanism of the investigated reaction was disassembled into two palladium catalytic cycles and further into elementary reactions, and each step was studied independently. The described mechanistic analysis allowed us to identify the rate-determining step of the catalytic process by comparing the rates of the elementary reactions under similar reaction conditions, balanced kinetics of the palladium catalytic cycles, and also in which step which reagent enters the catalytic cycle and how.
Evidence for late winter biogeochemical connectivity in permafrost soils
Authors: Hirst Catherine , Monhonval Arthur , Mauclet Elisabeth , Thomas Maxime , Villani Maëlle , Ledman Justin , Schuur Edward. A. G. , Opfergelt Sophie
Published: March 2023

The permafrost active layer is a key supplier of soil organic carbon and mineral nutrients to Arctic rivers. In the active layer, sites of soil-water exchange are locations for organic carbon and nutrient mobilization. Previously these sites were considered as connected during summer months and isolated during winter months. Whether soil pore waters in active layer soils are connected during shoulder seasons is poorly understood. In this study, exceptionally heavy silicon isotope compositions in soil pore waters show that during late winter, there is no connection between isolated pockets of soil pore water in soils with a shallow active layer. However, lighter silicon isotope compositions in soil pore waters reveal that soils are biogeochemically connected for longer than previously considered in soils with a deeper active layer. We show that an additional 21% of the 0–1 m soil organic carbon stock is exposed to soil - water exchange. This marks a hot moment during a dormant season, and an engine for organic carbon transport from active layer soils. Our findings mark the starting point to locate earlier pathways for biogeochemical connectivity, which need to be urgently monitored to quantify the seasonal flux of organic carbon released from permafrost soils.
Magmatic addition rates differentiate periods of steady-state versus flare-up magmatism in the Central Andean arc
Authors: Bertin Daniel , de Silva Shanaka L. , Lindsay Jan M. , Cronin Shane J. , Caffe Pablo J. , Connor Charles B. , Grosse Pablo , Báez Walter , Bustos Emilce , Constantinescu Robert
Published: March 2023

Cordilleran arcs are built by long periods of steady-state magmatism punctuated by transient high-flux magmatic episodes or flare-ups. Such flare-ups, manifested as periods of prodigious silicic volcanism and magmatism, result from geodynamic perturbations that cause elevated rates of magma addition to the crust. Questions remain, however, about how magmatic addition rates quantitatively compare between steady-state and flare-up modes of arc magmatism, and how long after the major geodynamic perturbation the flare-up begins. Here, we compute new estimates of erupted volumes over the last 35 Myr for the 22.5–29°S segment of the Central Andes based on a new volcanic geospatial database. These yield magmatic addition rates at least an order of magnitude higher during flare-up compared to steady-state conditions. A lag time of ~8–12 Myr between ocean ridge subduction (the major geodynamic perturbation in the Central Andean arc) and the onset of flare-up conditions is estimated.
DFT characterization of a new possible two-dimensional BN allotrope with a biphenylene network structure
Authors: Han Yang , Hu Tingxiang , Liu Xiaochuang , Jia Shijie , Liu Hangbing , Hu Junyu , Zhang Guolei , Yang Longbin , Hong Guo , Chen Yi-Tung
Published: March 2023

A biphenylene network BN structure (bpn-BN) was proposed theoretically based on the pioneering work on the newly experimentally synthesized biphenylene network C which has triggered a worldwide tide of research on its family material counterparts.
Open honeycomb frameworks of sulphides AHg4Ga5S12(A = Rb, Cs) exhibiting infrared nonlinear optical properties
Authors: Lou Xiao-Yu , Zhou Yu , Chen Wen-Fa , Jiang Xiao-Ming , Liu Bin-Wen , Guo Guo-Cong
Published: March 2023

Crystalline materials AHg4Ga5S12(A = Rb, Cs) with diamond-like anionic frameworks constructed by the aligned arrangement of tetrahedral units exhibit moderate second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) responses and high laser-induced damage thresholds.
An unexplored role of the CrOx shell in an elaborated Rh/CrOx core–shell cocatalyst for photocatalytic water splitting: a selective electron transport pathway from semiconductors to core metals, boosting charge separation and H2 evolution
Authors: Kotani Tetsu , Ogawa Kanta , Suzuki Hajime , Kato Kosaku , Tomita Osamu , Yamakata Akira , Abe Ryu
Published: March 2023

In a Rh/CrOx core–shell cocatalyst for water-splitting photocatalysts, CrOx serves as an electron pathway, transfers the photoexcited electrons from photocatalysts to Rh (reduction site), and improves the H2 evolution activity.
3,4-Ethylenedithio thiophene donor for NIR-II fluorophores with improved quantum yields
Authors: Liu Chunchen , Wang Xinyuan , Zhu Xingfu , Ma Rui , Lin Qihui , Liang Yongye
Published: March 2023

The 3,4-ethylenedithio thiophene donor is used to construct S–D–A–D–S NIR-II nanofluorophores, which can exhibit an improved fluorescent quantum yield and enhanced brightness forin vivoimaging of mouse cerebral vessels.
The effect of magnetic order on the thermal transport properties of the intrinsic two-dimensional magnet 2H-VSe2
Authors: Chen Qiao , Wang Nai-ye , Shen Kai-wen , Sun Jing
Published: March 2023

By using first-principles calculations combined with the phonon Boltzmann transport equation, in this work, we systematically investigate the effect of magnetic order on the phonon and thermal transport properties of the intrinsic two-dimensional magnet 2H-VSe2.
Recent advances in perovskite oxide electrocatalysts for Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Lyu Lulu , Cho Seonyong , Kang Yong-Mook
Published: March 2023

This review provides a timely and comprehensive understanding of recent advances towards perovskite-based catalysts for lithium–oxygen batteries.
Electrocatalytic amino acid synthesis from biomass-derivable keto acids over ball milled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Xiao Yiying , Lim Chia Wei , Chang Jinquan , Yuan Qixin , Wang Lei , Yan Ning
Published: March 2023

Using ball milled CNT catalysts, the electrocatalytic reductive amination of keto acids to amino acids was efficiently conducted. Moderate to high formation rates (up to 180.9 mmol g−1cath−1) and Faradaic efficiencies (up to 90%) were achieved.
Low-power laser manufacturing of copper tracks on 3D printed geometry using liquid polyimide coating
Authors: Abdulrhman Mansour , Kaniyoor Adarsh , Fernández-Posada Carmen M. , Acosta-Mora Pablo , McLean Ian , Weston Nick , Desmulliez Marc P. Y. , Marques-Hueso Jose
Published: March 2023

A low-power laser patterning method enables the production of copper microcracks on 3D surfaces of some important 3D printing polymers, such as ABS and acrylate photopolymer. Tracks as small as 28 μm are produced with a simple 32 mW CV laser diode.
A new surfactin-C17 produced by Bacillus subtilis TD7 with a low critical micelle concentration and high biological activity
Authors: Qin Wan-Qi , Fei Dan , Zhou Lei , Guo Yu-Jia , An Shun , Gong Ou-Hang , Wu Yun-Yang , Liu Jin-Feng , Yang Shi-Zhong , Mu Bo-Zhong
Published: March 2023

A new member of the surfactin family, surfactin-C17, with the longest fatty acid chain showed strong surface and biological activities.