bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A numerical experiment of cold front induced circulation in Wax Lake Delta: evaluation of forcing factors
Authors: Feizabadi Sajjad , Li Chunyan , Hiatt Matthew
Published: September 2023

The effects of passing atmospheric cold fronts with different orientations and moving directions on the hydrodynamics of the Wax Lake Delta (WLD) were analyzed by considering the influence of river discharge, cold front moving direction, wind magnitude, and Coriolis effect. The study employs numerical simulations using the Delft-3D model and an analytical model to explore water volume transport, water level variations, water circulation, and particle trajectories during nine cold front events. Results indicate that cold fronts cause a decrease in the average contribution of the water transport through western channels and an increase of that in central and eastern channels. A westerly cold front with an average wind speed of ~12 m/s can increase water transport through eastern channels by about 35%. During the passage of a cold front, the intertidal islands between the main channels and East Bay experience the largest fluctuations in subtidal water levels, which can be attributed to the influence of local wind stress. For example, a westerly cold front can result in a water level variation of approximately 0.45 m over some of the intertidal Islands and 0.65 m in the East Bay. Results also show that the subtidal water circulation in the WLD is correlated with the Wax Lake Outlet (WLO) discharge and wind magnitude. The findings illustrate that when WLO discharge is low, the impact of cold fronts is more pronounced, and cold fronts from the west have a greater impact compared to those from the northwest and north. This study identifies the significance of WLO discharge and Coriolis force by the trajectories of particles in the water column. The results of the simulations indicate that under low WLO discharge (less than 2000 m3/s), the majority of particles are found to exit through Campground Pass instead of Gadwall because of the dominance of Coriolis force. To summarize, this study assesses the impact of cold fronts on the hydrodynamics of the Wax Lake Delta, underscoring the contributions of multiple factors, including the cold front moving direction, river discharge, wind strength, and Coriolis force.
Assessing the activity of mud volcanism using boron isotope ratios in pore water from surface sediments of mud volcanoes off Tanegashima (SW Japan)
Authors: Mitsutome Yuki , Agena Ko , Toki Tomohiro , Song Ke-Han , Shinjo Ryuichi , Ijiri Akira
Published: September 2023

Mud volcanoes can cause various geohazards, so it is very important to know their activity level and their distribution. Surface sediments were collected from four submarine mud volcanoes (MVs) off Tanegashima (SW Japan), namely, MV1, MV2, MV3, and MV14. We extracted pore water from the surface sediments and investigated its chemical and isotopic compositions. The sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl-) concentrations decreased and the boron (B) and lithium (Li) concentrations increased with increasing depth, suggesting that some fluids with lower Na and Cl- concentrations and higher B and Li concentrations than seawater were supplied upward from the deep sub-seafloor. The fluid advection velocities estimated from the pore-water profiles differed for each MV, and those of MV3 were the fastest (14 cm/yr) in this study. The estimated equilibrium temperature with clay minerals using Na and Li concentrations were 93-134°C, corresponding to the temperature of environments around 3.7 to 5.3 km below the seafloor. This indicates that these components originated from these depths and that the origin depth did not reach the plate boundary in this area. The B isotope ratio in the pore water was extremely high up to +57 ‰, suggesting that it was strongly affected by adsorption onto the surface of the sediments. A higher B isotope ratio (+57 ‰) was detected in MV3, which was considered to be more active, indicating that more B was adsorbed onto clay minerals supplied from deeper depths.
Multi-pinhole collimator design in different numbers of projections for brain SPECT
Authors: Huang Wenbo , Mok Greta S. P.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

High resolution and sensitivity brain SPECT is promising for the accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Multi-pinhole (MPH) collimators with a good performance in imaging small field-of-view (FOV) could be better used for brain SPECT. In this study, we aim to evaluate the impact of varying the number of pinholes and the number of projections on the performance of MPH brain SPECT.

Methods

The system design was based on a commercial clinical dual-head SPECT/CT scanner, with target spatial resolutions of 12 mm and 8 mm for AD and PD SPECT, respectively. In total, 1–25 pinholes were modeled for 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2 projections. The 3D NURBS-based HUman Brain (NHUB) phantom was used in the analytical simulation to model99mTc-HMPAO and99mTc-TRODAT distributions. The 2D Derenzo hot-rod phantom and star phantom were used in Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the spatial resolution and angular sampling performance of MPH. The influence of different detector positions was also evaluated for 2, 4, and 6 angular views. The projections were reconstructed using the 3D MPH ML-EM method. Normalized mean square error, coefficient of variation, and image profiles were evaluated.

Results

Along with the decrease in the number of projections, more pinholes are required to achieve the optimum performance. For 32 projections, 9- and 7-pinhole collimators provide the best normalized mean square error (NMSE) to the coefficient of variation (COV) trade-off for99mTc-HMPAO and99mTc-TRODAT, respectively. Detector positions substantially affect the image quality for MPH SPECT for 2 and 4 angular views. The smallest rod size for the Derenzo hot-rod phantom, which could be resolved, is 7.9 mm for the MPH general purpose collimator (MPGP) with more than 16 projections and 6.4 mm for MPH high-resolution collimator (MPHR) with more than 8 projections.

Conclusion

The number of pinholes affects the performance of the MPH collimator, especially when the projection views become fewer. More pinholes are required for fewer projections to provide better angular sampling in MPH for complex activity distributions. Detector positions affect the image quality of MPH SPECT for 2 and 4 angular views, where L-mode acquisition is slightly superior to H-mode. MPH collimators exhibited improved spatial resolution and angular sampling compared with both LEHR and single pinhole collimators.
Microbially mediated fossil concretions and their characterization by the latest methodologies: a review
Authors: Dhami Navdeep K. , Greenwood Paul F. , Poropat Stephen F. , Tripp Madison , Elson Amy , Vijay Hridya , Brosnan Luke , Holman Alex I. , Campbell Matthew , Hopper Peter , Smith Lisa , Jian Andrew , Grice Kliti
Published: September 2023

The study of well-preserved organic matter (OM) within mineral concretions has provided key insights into depositional and environmental conditions in deep time. Concretions of varied compositions, including carbonate, phosphate, and iron-based minerals, have been found to host exceptionally preserved fossils. Organic geochemical characterization of concretion-encapsulated OM promises valuable new information of fossil preservation, paleoenvironments, and even direct taxonomic information to further illuminate the evolutionary dynamics of our planet and its biota. Full exploitation of this largely untapped geochemical archive, however, requires a sophisticated understanding of the prevalence, formation controls and OM sequestration properties of mineral concretions. Past research has led to the proposal of different models of concretion formation and OM preservation. Nevertheless, the formation mechanisms and controls on OM preservation in concretions remain poorly understood. Here we provide a detailed review of the main types of concretions and formation pathways with a focus on the role of microbes and their metabolic activities. In addition, we provide a comprehensive account of organic geochemical, and complimentary inorganic geochemical, morphological, microbial and paleontological, analytical methods, including recent advancements, relevant to the characterization of concretions and sequestered OM. The application and outcome of several early organic geochemical studies of concretion-impregnated OM are included to demonstrate how this underexploited geo-biological record can provide new insights into the Earth’s evolutionary record. This paper also attempts to shed light on the current status of this research and major challenges that lie ahead in the further application of geo-paleo-microbial and organic geochemical research of concretions and their host fossils. Recent efforts to bridge the knowledge and communication gaps in this multidisciplinary research area are also discussed, with particular emphasis on research with significance for interpreting the molecular record in extraordinarily preserved fossils.
Recent insights of obesity-induced gut and adipose tissue dysbiosis in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Patra Debarun , Banerjee Dipanjan , Ramprasad Palla , Roy Soumyajit , Pal Durba , Dasgupta Suman
Published: September 2023

An imbalance in microbial homeostasis, referred to as dysbiosis, is critically associated with the progression of obesity-induced metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes (T2D). Alteration in gut microbial diversity and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria disrupt metabolic homeostasis and potentiate chronic inflammation, due to intestinal leakage or release of a diverse range of microbial metabolites. The obesity-associated shifts in gut microbial diversity worsen the triglyceride and cholesterol level that regulates adipogenesis, lipolysis, and fatty acid oxidation. Moreover, an intricate interaction of the gut-brain axis coupled with the altered microbiome profile and microbiome-derived metabolites disrupt bidirectional communication for instigating insulin resistance. Furthermore, a distinct microbial community within visceral adipose tissue is associated with its dysfunction in obese T2D individuals. The specific bacterial signature was found in the mesenteric adipose tissue of T2D patients. Recently, it has been shown that in Crohn’s disease, the gut-derived bacterium Clostridium innocuum translocated to the mesenteric adipose tissue and modulates its function by inducing M2 macrophage polarization, increasing adipogenesis, and promoting microbial surveillance. Considering these facts, modulation of microbiota in the gut and adipose tissue could serve as one of the contemporary approaches to manage T2D by using prebiotics, probiotics, or faecal microbial transplantation. Altogether, this review consolidates the current knowledge on gut and adipose tissue dysbiosis and its role in the development and progression of obesity-induced T2D. It emphasizes the significance of the gut microbiota and its metabolites as well as the alteration of adipose tissue microbiome profile for promoting adipose tissue dysfunction, and identifying novel therapeutic strategies, providing valuable insights and directions for future research and potential clinical interventions.
Glutamatergic synaptic deficits in the prefrontal cortex of the Ts65Dn mouse model for Down syndrome
Authors: Thomazeau Aurore , Lassalle Olivier , Manzoni Olivier J.
Published: September 2023

Down syndrome (DS), the most prevalent cause of intellectual disability, stems from a chromosomal anomaly resulting in an entire or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This leads to intellectual disability and a range of associated symptoms. While there has been considerable research focused on the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS, particularly in the context of the hippocampus, the synaptic underpinnings of prefrontal cortex (PFC) dysfunction in DS, including deficits in working memory, remain largely uncharted territory. In a previous study featuring mBACtgDyrk1a mice, which manifest overexpression of the Dyrk1a gene, a known candidate gene linked to intellectual disability and microcephaly in DS, we documented adverse effects on spine density, alterations in the molecular composition of synapses, and the presence of synaptic plasticity deficits within the PFC. The current study aimed to enrich our understanding of the roles of different genes in DS by studying Ts65Dn mice, which overexpress several genes including Dyrk1a, to compare with our previous work on mBACtgDyrk1a mice. Through ex-vivo electrophysiological experiments, including patch-clamp and extracellular field potential recordings, we identified alterations in the intrinsic properties of PFC layer V/VI pyramidal neurons in Ts65Dn male mice. Additionally, we observed changes in the synaptic plasticity range. Notably, long-term depression was absent in Ts65Dn mice, while synaptic or pharmacological long-term potentiation remained fully expressed in these mice. These findings provide valuable insights into the intricate synaptic mechanisms contributing to PFC dysfunction in DS, shedding light on potential therapeutic avenues for addressing the neurocognitive symptoms associated with this condition.
Visibility graph analysis for brain: scoping review
Authors: Sulaimany Sadegh , Safahi Zhino
Published: September 2023

In the past two decades, network-based analysis has garnered considerable attention for analyzing time series data across various fields. Time series data can be transformed into graphs or networks using different methods, with the visibility graph (VG) being a widely utilized approach. The VG holds extensive applications in comprehending, identifying, and predicting specific characteristics of time series data. Its practicality extends to domains such as medicine, economics, meteorology, tourism, and others. This research presents a scoping review of scholarly articles published in reputable English-language journals and conferences, focusing on VG-based analysis methods related to brain disorders. The aim is to provide a foundation for further and future research endeavors, beginning with an introduction to the VG and its various types. To achieve this, a systematic search and refinement of relevant articles were conducted in two prominent scientific databases: Google Scholar and Scopus. A total of 51 eligible articles were selected for a comprehensive analysis of the topic. These articles categorized based on publication year, type of VG used, rationale for utilization, machine learning algorithms employed, frequently occurring keywords, top authors and universities, evaluation metrics, applied network properties, and brain disorders examined, such as Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Alcoholism, Sleep disorders, Fatigue, Depression, and other related conditions. Moreover, there are recommendations for future advancements in research, which involve utilizing cutting-edge techniques like graph machine learning and deep learning. Additionally, the exploration of understudied medical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and Parkinson’s disease is also suggested.
Genetic determinants of Vitamin D deficiency in the Middle Eastern Qatari population: a genome-wide association study
Authors: Hendi Nagham Nafiz , Al-Sarraj Yasser , Ismail Umlai Umm-Kulthum , Suhre Karsten , Nemer Georges , Albagha Omar
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Epidemiological studies have consistently revealed that Vitamin D deficiency is most prevalent in Middle Eastern countries. However, research on the impact of genetic loci and polygenic models related to Vitamin D has primarily focused on European populations.

Methods

We conducted the first genome-wide association study to identify genetic determinants of Vitamin D levels in Middle Easterners using a whole genome sequencing approach in 6,047 subjects from the Qatar Biobank (QBB) project. We performed a GWAS meta-analysis, combining the QBB cohort with recent European GWAS data from the UK Biobank (involving 345,923 individuals). Additionally, we evaluated the performance of European-derived polygenic risk scores using UK Biobank data in the QBB cohort.

Results

Our study identified an association between a variant in a known locus for the group-specific component gene (GC), specifically rs2298850 (p-value = 1.71 × 10−08, Beta = −0.1285), and Vitamin D levels. Furthermore, our GWAS meta-analysis identified two novel variants at a known locus on chromosome 11, rs67609747 and rs1945603, that reached the GWAS significance threshold. Notably, we observed a moderately high heritability of Vitamin D, estimated at 18%, compared to Europeans. Despite the lower predictive performance of Vitamin D levels in Qataris compared to Europeans, the European-derived polygenic risk scores exhibited significant links to Vitamin D deficiency risk within the QBB cohort.

Conclusion

This novel study reveals the genetic architecture contributing to Vitamin D deficiency in the Qatari population, emphasizing the genetic heterogeneity across different populations.
Many-body theory calculations of positron scattering and annihilation in noble-gas atoms via the solution of Bethe–Salpeter equations using the Gaussian-basis code EXCITON+
Authors: Hofierka J. , Rawlins C. M. , Cunningham B. , Waide D. T. , Green D. G.
Published: September 2023

Scattering phase shifts and annihilation rates for low-energy positrons interacting with noble gas atoms are calculated ab initio using many-body theory implemented in the Gaussian-orbital code EXCITON+. Specifically, we construct the positron–atom correlation potential (self-energy) as the sum of three classes of infinite series describing the screened polarization, virtual positronium formation, and positron-hole repulsion found via the solution of Bethe–Salpeter equations for the two-particle propagators. The normalization of the continuum states is determined using the shifted pseudostates method [A. R. Swann and G. F. Gribakin, Phys. Rev. A 101, 022702 (2020)]. Comparison with the previous sophisticated B-spline many-body approach, which is restricted to atoms [J. Ludlow, D. G. Green, and G. F. Gribakin, Phys. Rev. A 90, 032712 (2014)], validates the EXCITON+ code, which can be used for multicentered targets including molecules, clusters, and condensed matter. Moreover, the relative effects of higher-order diagrams are quantified. It is found that the screening of the electron–positron Coulomb interaction represented by the infinite ring-diagram series (random-phase approximation) is compensated effectively by the additional electron-hole attraction corrections to it (the Bethe–Salpeter equation approximation) and that the use of the screened Coulomb interaction (screened at BSE level) in place of the bare Coulomb interaction in the virtual positronium and positron-hole ladder diagrams has negligible effect on both the phase shifts and Zeff. Our scattering length for Ne and Kr is in improved agreement with the convergent close-coupling result, and for Ar, the scattering length is in better agreement with the experiment compared with the previous B-spline many-body approach.
Opportunities for high-energy neutron- and deuteron-induced measurements for fusion technology at the Soreq applied research accelerator facility (SARAF)
Authors: Mardor I. , Wilsenach H. , Dickel T. , Eliyahu I. , Friedman M. , Hirsh T. Y. , Kreisel A. , Sharon O. , Tessler M. , Vaintraub S. , Uhlemann F. V.
Published: September 2023

The Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) will be based on a 40 MeV, 5 mA CW (continuous wave) proton/deuteron superconducting linear accelerator, currently under construction at Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Yavne, Israel. It is planned to commence operation during 2025. Experiments at SARAF could provide data on high-energy deuteron- and neutron-induced cross-sections, yields and radiation damage, which are invaluable for the design and operation of the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility-DEMO-Oriented NEutron Source (IFMIF-DONES), and fusion technology in general. Pulsed beams (∼1 nsec) of variable energy deuterons will irradiate a lithium target and generate pulsed neutron beams with energy up to ∼55 MeV, which will be used to measure energy-dependent neutron-induced differential cross-sections, utilizing time of flight techniques. Impinging continuous wave (CW) 40 MeV deuteron beams on a unique gallium-indium (GaIn) liquid-jet target, will generate a neutron rate of more than 1 × 1015 n/sec, with energies up to ∼45 MeV. We plan to use this high rate to measure integral neutron-induced reaction yields of all channels simultaneously, employing an original novel method that will identify the reaction-produced nuclei via accurate mass measurement. The neutron-energy dependence of the yields could be deduced by combining measurements at various deuteron energies. The measured cross-sections and yields at SARAF may predict the activation characteristics of construction materials of IFMIF-DONES and future fusion reactors. The deuteron beams will also be used directly to measure cross-sections via in-beam and offline methods. The high neutron and deuteron rates will extend SARAF’s reach to rare materials. The deuteron beam power density on the liquid GaIn target will be 100 kW/cm2(similar to IFMIF-DONES) on a 2 cm2spot. The resulting neutron flux on small secondary samples will be in the 1013 n/cm2/s level, only an order of magnitude less than IFMIF-DONES. Therefore, SARAF may serve as a pilot facility for fusion-related radiation damage studies, providing important information towards the design of IFMIF-DONES.
Inter-patient ECG heartbeat classification for arrhythmia classification: a new approach of multi-layer perceptron with weight capsule and sequence-to-sequence combination
Authors: Zhou Chenchen , Li Xiangkui , Feng Fan , Zhang Jian , Lyu He , Wu Weixuan , Tang Xuezhi , Luo Bin , Li Dong , Xiang Wei , Yao Dengju
Published: September 2023

Objective: The objective of this research is to construct a method to alleviate the problem of sample imbalance in classification, especially for arrhythmia classification. This approach can improve the performance of the model without using data enhancement.

Methods: In this study, we have developed a new Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) block and have used a Weight Capsule (WCapsule) network with MLP combined with sequence-to-sequence (Seq2Seq) network to classify arrhythmias. Our work is based on the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, the original electrocardiogram (ECG) data is classified according to the criteria recommended by the American Association for Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Also, our method’s performance is further evaluated.

Results: The proposed model is evaluated using the inter-patient paradigm. Our proposed method shows an accuracy (ACC) of 99.88% under sample imbalance. For Class N, sensitivity (SEN) is 99.79%, positive predictive value (PPV) is 99.90%, and specificity (SPEC) is 99.19%. For Class S, SEN is 97.66%, PPV is 96.14%, and SPEC is 99.85%. For Class V, SEN is 99.97%, PPV is 99.07%, and SPEC is 99.94%. For Class F, SEN is 97.94%, PPV is 98.70%, and SPEC is 99.99%. When using only half of the training sample, our method shows that the SEN of Class N and V is 0.97% and 5.27% higher than the traditional machine learning algorithm.

Conclusion: The proposed method combines MLP, weight capsule network with Seq2seq network, effectively addresses the problem of sample imbalance in arrhythmia classification, and produces good performance. Our method also shows promising potential in less samples.
Resistance training in humans and mechanical overload in rodents do not elevate muscle protein lactylation
Authors: Mattingly Madison L. , Ruple Bradley A. , Sexton Casey L. , Godwin Joshua S. , McIntosh Mason C. , Smith Morgan A. , Plotkin Daniel L. , Michel J. Max , Anglin Derick A. , Kontos Nicholas J. , Fei Shengyi , Phillips Stuart M. , Mobley C. Brooks , Vechetti Ivan , Vann Christopher G. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: September 2023

Although several reports have hypothesized that exercise may increase skeletal muscle protein lactylation, empirical evidence in humans is lacking. Thus, we adopted a multi-faceted approach to examine if acute and subchronic resistance training (RT) altered skeletal muscle protein lactylation levels. In mice, we also sought to examine if surgical ablation-induced plantaris hypertrophy coincided with increases in muscle protein lactylation. To examine acute responses, participants’ blood lactate concentrations were assessed before, during, and after eight sets of an exhaustive lower body RT bout (n = 10 trained college-aged men). Vastus lateralis biopsies were also taken before, 3-h post, and 6-h post-exercise to assess muscle protein lactylation. To identify training responses, another cohort of trained college-aged men (n = 14) partook in 6 weeks of lower-body RT (3x/week) and biopsies were obtained before and following the intervention. Five-month-old C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 10 days of plantaris overload (OV, n = 8) or served as age-matched sham surgery controls (Sham, n = 8). Although acute resistance training significantly increased blood lactate responses ∼7.2-fold (p < 0.001), cytoplasmic and nuclear protein lactylation levels were not significantly altered at the post-exercise time points, and no putative lactylation-dependent mRNA was altered following exercise. Six weeks of RT did not alter cytoplasmic protein lactylation (p = 0.800) despite significantly increasing VL muscle size (+3.5%, p = 0.037), and again, no putative lactylation-dependent mRNA was significantly affected by training. Plantaris muscles were larger in OV versus Sham mice (+43.7%, p < 0.001). However, cytoplasmic protein lactylation was similar between groups (p = 0.369), and nuclear protein lactylation was significantly lower in OV versus Sham mice (p < 0.001). The current null findings, along with other recent null findings in the literature, challenge the thesis that lactate has an appreciable role in promoting skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
Genome-wide identification of the TCP gene family in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium and its homologs expression patterns during flower development in different Chrysanthemum species
Authors: Wu Xiaoyun , Li Junzhuo , Wen Xiaohui , Zhang Qiuling , Dai Silan
Published: September 2023

TCP proteins, part of the transcription factors specific to plants, are recognized for their involvement in various aspects of plant growth and development. Nevertheless, a thorough investigation of TCPs in Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium, a prominent ancestral species of cultivated chrysanthemum and an excellent model material for investigating ray floret (RF) and disc floret (DF) development in Chrysanthemum, remains unexplored yet. Herein, a comprehensive study was performed to analyze the genome-wide distribution of TCPs in C. lavandulifolium. In total, 39 TCPs in C. lavandulifolium were identified, showing uneven distribution on 8 chromosomes. Phylogenetic and gene structural analyses revealed that ClTCPs were grouped into classes I and II. The class II genes were subdivided into two subclades, the CIN and CYC/TB1 subclades, with members of each clade having similar conserved motifs and gene structures. Four CIN subclade genes (ClTCP24, ClTCP25, ClTCP26, and ClTCP27) contained the potential miR319 target sites. Promoter analysis revealed that ClTCPs had numerous cis-regulatory elements associated with phytohormone responses, stress responses, and plant growth/development. The expression patterns of ClTCPs during capitulum development and in two different florets were determined using RNA-seq and qRT-PCR. The expression levels of TCPs varied in six development stages of capitula; 25 out of the 36 TCPs genes were specifically expressed in flowers. Additionally, we identified six key ClCYC2 genes, which belong to the class II TCP subclade, with markedly upregulated expression in RFs compared with DFs, and these genes exhibited similar expression patterns in the two florets of Chrysanthemum species. It is speculated that they may be responsible for RFs and DFs development. Subcellular localization and transactivation activity analyses of six candidate genes demonstrated that all of them were localized in the nucleus, while three exhibited self-activation activities. This research provided a better understanding of TCPs in C. lavandulifolium and laid a foundation for unraveling the mechanism by which important TCPs involved in the capitulum development.
Mad or mad-mad: conveying subtle emotion with face emoji
Authors: Upadhyay Sri Siddhi N. , Gunraj Danielle N. , Phillips Nicklas C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction: To compensate for the lack of pragmatic information available when communicating via text message, texters make frequent use of texting-specific cues, or textisms, to convey meaning that would otherwise be apparent in spoken conversation. Here, we explore how one such cue, face emoji, can impact the interpretation of text messages.

Methods: In Experiment 1, we paired neutral text messages with valenced face emoji to determine whether the emoji can alter the meaning of the text. In Experiment 2, we paired valenced text messages with valenced face emoji to determine whether the emoji can modulate the valence of the text.

Results: In Experiment 1, we found that texts paired with positive emoji were rated more positively than texts paired with negative emoji. Furthermore, texts paired with stronger-valenced emoji were rated as less neutral compared to texts paired with milder-valenced emoji. In Experiment 2, we found that slightly positive texts paired with strong positive emoji were rated somewhat similarly to the same texts paired with mild positive emoji; however, slightly negative texts paired with strong negative emoji were rated much more negatively than the same texts paired with mild negative emoji.

Discussion: These results indicate that the presence of face emoji, particularly negative face emoji, can alter the interpretation of text messages, allowing texters to communicate nuanced meaning and subtle emotion.
Interactive effects of sleep and physical activity on depression among rural university students in China
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Zhen , Liu Jia , Cao Hongmin
Published: September 2023

Background

Decreased sleep quality and physical activity among university students have become important concerns, while depressive symptoms are on the rise, especially in rural areas. Previous studies have confirmed the association between sleep quality and physical activity and depressive symptoms, but the effect of their interaction on depressive symptoms has been less studied. For this reason, the present study analyzed the interaction between sleep quality and physical activity on depressive symptoms to provide reference and assistance for mental health promotion and intervention for university students in rural areas of China.

Methods

In this study, we investigated sleep quality, physical activity, and depressive symptoms in 11,423 university students in rural areas of China. The association of sleep quality and physical activity with depressive symptoms was analyzed by using univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. And further analyzed the association between the interaction effect of sleep quality and physical activity and depressive symptoms.

Results

The proportion of university students with depressive symptoms in rural China was 33.3%, with a higher proportion of girls students (36.7%) having depressive symptoms than boys students (28.8%). Logistic regression analysis of the interaction between sleep quality and physical activity and depressive symptoms in university students showed that university students with poor sleep quality and MVPA>60 min/d (OR = 4.40,95% CI: 3.75–5.05) had the highest risk of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). University students with moderate sleep quality and MVPA of 30–60 min/d (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.75–1.61) had the lowest risk of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was no gender difference in this result.

Conclusion

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher among university students in rural areas of China. There was an interaction between sleep quality and MVPA on depressive symptoms, maintaining a good quality of sleep and an appropriate length of MVPA has a contributory effect on mental health, and the same trend was found for both boys and girls students. It is recommended that university students in rural areas of China should first maintain proper sleep quality while maintaining 30–60 min of MVPA per day, which may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.
Interpersonal psychotherapy for traumatic grief following a loss due to COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Abdul Samad Farah Deena , Pereira Xavier Vincent , Chong Siew Koon , Abdul Latif Muhammad Hanif Bin
Published: September 2023

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a highly regarded evidence-based psychotherapy that aims to alleviate the suffering of clients and improve their interpersonal functioning. Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of IPT in depressive, bipolar and eating disorders. IPT also focuses on grief and loss as a problem area to help clients address and process their grief symptoms, leading them to reach a phase of finding meaning. However, traumatic grief which is characterized by someone who has both symptoms of trauma and grief can further complicate treatment. As for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), IPT can be a choice of treatment by addressing perceived isolation and emotional dysregulation through mobilizing adequate social support. This case study highlights the efficacy of IPT in treating complicated grief with traumatic experiences caused by the loss of a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic, without undergoing exposure-based therapy. The treatment course consisted of 12 sessions scheduled twice weekly, and the client received antidepressant medication augmented with antipsychotic medication. After undergoing IPT, the client experienced an improvement in symptoms, gradual recovery of functional disability, and more meaningful interpersonal relationships. The case study presented provides evidence to suggest that IPT is a promising treatment approach for individuals struggling with trauma related to grief.
Bacterial microbiota of three commercially mass-reared predatory mite species (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae): pathogenic and beneficial interactions
Authors: Sumner-Kalkun Jason C. , Baxter Ian , Perotti M. Alejandra
Published: September 2023

Phytoseiidae predatory mites are used as biological control agents in glasshouse environments to control pestiferous mites and insects. The influence of the microbiomes on these mites within mass-reared facilities is largely unknown; this study aims to improve our understanding of the Phytoseiidae microbiome. We used Sanger sequencing and traditional culturing methods to characterise the dominant species within the external and internal bacterial microbiotas of three commercially reared predatory mites: Phytoseiulus persimilis, Typhlodromips (=Amblyseius) swirskii, and Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris. The effects of selected bacterial taxa on the survival, voracity, and oviposition of P. persimilis under lab conditions were also examined. A total of 34 different OTUs were found from three phyla (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Firmicutes), 12 families, and 22 genera. N. cucumeris had 17 OTUs, compared to 15 from P. persimilis and 12 from T. swirskii. Significant differences were found between internal and external microbiota for each mite species, suggesting functional differences. Principal component analysis (PCA) of bacterial diversity between mite species showed that T. swirskii and N. cucumeris microbiotas were more similar, compared to P. persimilis. This could be due to the characteristics of the environment in which N. cucumeris and T. swirskii are reared, and the use of factitious Astigmata prey. Phytoseiidae microbiotas were found to contain bacterial taxa previously isolated from Astigmata mites. Also, Acaricomes phytoseiuli was isolated from the integument of P. persimilis and T. swirskii; this bacterium has previously been suggested as a pathogen of P. persimilis. Bacteria from gut extracts and body surfaces were cultured and selected taxa were inoculated onto P. persimilis within controlled leaf disc experiments. Of the seven bacterial species tested, Serratia marcescens significantly reduced mite survival, voracity, and oviposition; however, a closely related species, Serratia odorifera, significantly increased mite voracity. Mites showed the highest survival rates and highest mean ages at death in the presence of Elizabethkingia sp. and Staphylococcus kloosii, but these results were not significantly different to the control. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of benefits to mass rearing and the health of predatory mites in these systems.
The contradictions of youth participation for intergenerational justice in urban environmental planning
Authors: García-Antúnez Oriol , Maurer Megan L. , Gulsrud Natalie M. , Lundmark Sofia , Rodela Romina
Published: September 2023

Intergenerational justice (IGJ) has long been utilized in academic contexts such as philosophy and political theory. However, IGJ has increasingly become politicized. That is, it has been translated into more tangible ideas and discourses for public scrutiny, contestation, and action. This politicization is strongly represented by youth activism, which has utilized the concept to demand urgent political action and to defend the right to be included and represented in decision-making processes, particularly regarding climate change-related issues. The central topic of discussion in this perspective article is the strategic identification of youth inclusion with IGJ, and specifically the risks involved in accepting this identification. In this article we focus on urban environmental planning and argue that it is important to separate the practice of youth inclusion and the concept of IGJ to address these concerns and explore alternative strategies for incorporating IGJ in urban environmental planning. We then proceed to explore potential urban environmental planning approaches that are more intergenerationally just and conclude by critically reflecting on how the current political economy enables or hinders a more intergenerationally just approach to urban environmental planning.
Circular RNAs are associated with the resistance to Newcastle disease virus infection in duck cells
Authors: Fan Lei , Ren Jinlian , Wang Yinchu , Chen Yiyi , Chen Yichun , Chen Libin , Lin Qiuyan , Liao Ming , Ding Chan , Xiang Bin , Ren Tao
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is prevalent worldwide with an extensive host range. Among birds infected with velogenic NDV strains, chickens experience high pathogenicity and mortality, whereas ducks mostly experience mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. Ducks have a unique, innate immune system hypothesized to induce antiviral responses. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are among the most abundant and conserved eukaryotic transcripts. These participate in innate immunity and host antiviral response progression.

Methods

In this study, circRNA expression profile differences post-NDV infection in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) cells were analyzed using circRNA transcriptome sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to reveal significant enrichment of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were used to predict the related functions of circRNAs. Moreover, circ-FBXW7 was selected to determine its effect on NDV infection in DEFs.

Results

NDV infection altered circRNA expression profiles in DEF cells, and 57 significantly differentially expressed circRNAs were identified post-NDV infection. DEF responded to NDV by forming circRNAs to regulate apoptosis-, cell growth-, and protein degradation-related pathways via GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. circRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks demonstrated that DEF cells combat NDV infection by regulating cellular pathways or apoptosis through circRNA-targeted mRNAs and miRNAs. circ-FBXW7 overexpression and knockdown inhibited and promoted viral replication, respectively. DEF cells mainly regulated cell cycle alterations or altered cellular sensing to combat NDV infection.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that DEF cells exert antiviral responses by forming circRNAs, providing novel insights into waterfowl antiviral responses.
Method for Dynamic Load Location Identification Based on FRF Decomposition
Authors: Qin Yuantian , Zhang Yucheng , Silberschmidt Vadim , Zhang Luping
Published: September 2023

The location identification of dynamic load is an important part of load-identification technology. Traditional methods are mostly aimed at the identification of dynamic load’s amplitude and phase. A new method for dynamic load location identification is proposed in this paper. An amplitude ratio or a phase difference between structural dynamic response signals is only related to the frequency response function (FRF), which is a complex-valued function that implies the location information of the load to be identified. In this method, the amplitude and phase variables of the excitation can be eliminated with symbolic calculations, and the location variables can be extracted from the FRF in a complex-number field. An excitation location can be identified quickly with parameter optimization using a Genetic Algorithm (GA), avoiding the ill-posed problem caused by matrix inversion. Numerical simulations and experiments demonstrate that this method can realize the fast recognition of several excitation positions, and has a high recognition accuracy, a short calculation time and a strong anti-noise ability.
Real-Time Performance Optimization for a Camber Morphing Wing Based on Domain Incremental Model under Concept Drifting
Authors: Jia Sijia , Zhang Zhenkai , Dang Qi , Song Chen , Yang Chao
Published: September 2023

Compared with traditional wings equipped with conventional control surfaces, variable-camber morphing wings have become a hot research topic in the field of aviation due to their ability to maintain a smooth and continuous overall shape while ensuring excellent aerodynamic performance. This study focuses on a high aspect ratio wing with a continuous variable-camber trailing edge. Two precision models were constructed: an aerodynamic model and an aeroelastic model. Based on simulation data obtained from these models, we developed and updated a surrogate model for the wing, with particular emphasis on an incremental modeling approach that takes concept drift into account. Subsequently, using the aforementioned models, we conducted real-time optimization with feedback considerations to reduce drag, lower stress on the main beam, and minimize actuator energy under either steady or slowly varying target lift conditions. Notably, the optimization process resulted in a 4% reduction in drag or a significant decrease of 18.3% in maximum stress. Through computational comparisons, the accuracy of the proposed surrogate model and incremental learning method is demonstrated, along with their efficiency in the context of optimization problems.
Assessment of Airflow Patterns Induced by a Retractable Baffle to Mitigate Heat Stress in a Large-Scale Mechanically Ventilated Barn
Authors: Jung Seunghyeon , Chung Hanwook , Choi Christopher Y.
Published: September 2023

In large-scale dairy farming, heat stress remains a primary concern, and cross-ventilated barns have become increasingly prevalent in order to tackle this issue. Such barns employ energy-intensive electrical fans to enhance airflow and regulate temperature. To optimize this system, air baffles are often placed above the animal-occupied zones (AOZ) to direct airflow toward the cows. Although previous studies have suggested that baffles can substantially amplify the system’s cooling effect, the comprehensive impact of baffles on airflow patterns in a full-scale barn is less understood. Traditional measurement techniques, involving physical sensors, are both technically demanding and costly. Moreover, they often fall short in accounting for the dynamic microenvironmental changes induced by fluctuating weather, animal movement, and operational machinery. This study leverages computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model airflow behaviors within a cross-ventilated barn, specifically examining the influence of a retractable baffle. CFD not only offers a reliable and efficient method for simulations but also allows for accurate assessments by validating the generated data against empirical observations. The results verify that, when properly configured, air baffles can significantly enhance airflow at cows in large barns. Additionally, the study establishes the reliability of CFD for designing large-scale dairy barns.
Rhizosphere Bacteria Biofertiliser Formulations Improve Lettuce Growth and Yield under Nursery and Field Conditions
Authors: Shao Ziyu , Arkhipov Alexander , Batool Maria , Muirhead Sean R. , Harry Muchineripi S. , Ji Xuan , Mirzaee Hooman , Carvalhais Lilia C. , Schenk Peer M.
Published: September 2023

Rhizosphere bacteria can provide multiple benefits to plants, including increased nutrient supply, pathogen/disease control, and abiotic stress tolerance, but results from pot trials do not always translate to field conditions. This study tested whether rhizosphere biocontrol bacteria can also provide plant growth promotion and how benefits can be provided at a commercial farm. Commercial lettuce seeds and plants were treated with rhizosphere biocontrol bacteria Bacillus velezensis UQ9000N, B. amyloliquefaciens 33YE, Brevibacillus laterosporus 4YE, and Pseudomonas azotoformans UQ4510An. 33YE increased the head diameter, plant height, and fresh weight of the Green Moon cultivar, while 33YE, UQ4510An, and UQ9000N increased the fresh and dry weight of Liston, a more heat-tolerant cultivar, via a single seed treatment or repeat root treatments under nursery and field conditions across different inoculation schedules and growth stages. Significant growth promotion was also demonstrated when inoculating field plants after transplanting (in particular for 33YE). Applications of these microbial biostimulants to lettuce seeds or plantlets potentially enable earlier transplanting and earlier harvests. Repeat inoculations using irrigation water and long-lasting formulations may further advance the benefits of these biostimulants as microbial biofertilisers for plant growth promotions in the field.