bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave radiation induces neuronal autophagy through miR-30a-5p/AMPKα2 signal pathway
Authors: Hao Yanhui , Li Wenchao , Wang Hui , Zhang Jing , Wang Haoyu , Dong Ji , Yao Binwei , Xu Xinping , Zhao Li , Peng Ruiyun
Published: March 2022

The potential health hazards of microwaves have attracted much more attention. Our previous study found that 2856 MHz microwave radiation damaged synaptic plasticity and activated autophagy in neurons. However, the mechanisms underlying microwave-induced autophagy were still unclear. In the present study, we established neuronal damage models by exposing rat hippocampal neurons and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell-derived neuron-like cells to 30 mW/cm2 microwaves, which resulted in miR-30a-5p (‘miR-30a’ for short) down-regulation and autophagy activation in vivo and in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted, and Beclin1, Prkaa2, Irs1, Pik3r2, Rras2, Ddit4, Gabarapl2 and autophagy-related gene 12 (Atg12) were identified as potential downstream genes of miR-30a involved in regulating autophagy. Based on our previous findings that microwave radiation could lead to abnormal energy metabolism in neurons, Prkaa2, encoding adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α2 (AMPKα2, an important catalytic subunit of energy sensor AMPK), was selected for further analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay results showed that Prkaa2 was a downstream gene of miR-30a. Moreover, microwave radiation increased the expression of AMPKα2 and the phosphorylation of AMPKα (Thr172) both in vivo and in vitro. The transfection of PC12 cells with miR-30a mimics increased miR-30a levels, reduced AMPKα2 expression, suppressed AMPKα (Thr172) phosphorylation, and inhibited autophagy occurrence in neuron-like cells. Importantly, miR-30a overexpression abolished microwave-activated autophagy and inhibited microwave-induced AMPKα2 up-regulation and AMPKα (Thr172) phosphorylation. In conclusion, microwave radiation promoted the occurrence of autophagy in neurons through the miR-30a/AMPKα2 signal pathway.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy versus duodenal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction: an international, multicenter, propensity score-matched comparison
Authors: van Wanrooij Roy L. J. , Vanella Giuseppe , Bronswijk Michiel , de Gooyer Peter , Laleman Wim , van Malenstein Hannah , Mandarino Francesco Vito , Dell’Anna Giuseppe , Fockens Paul , Arcidiacono Paolo G. , van der Merwe Schalk W. , Voermans Rogier P.
Published: March 2022

Background Endoscopic duodenal stenting is the current standard treatment for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in patients with limited life expectancy. However, duodenal stenting is prone to stent dysfunction. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel technique with potentially superior stent patency. We compared clinical success, safety, and stent dysfunction of EUS-GE and duodenal stenting in patients with malignant GOO using propensity score matching.

Methods This international, multicenter, retrospective study analyzed consecutive patients undergoing EUS-GE or duodenal stenting for GOO between 2015 and 2021 in three European centers. Primary outcomes were clinical success (GOO scoring system [GOOSS] ≥ 2) and stent dysfunction (GOOSS ≤ 1 after initial clinical success). A propensity score matching (1:1) analysis was performed using age, sex, underlying disease, disease stage, ascites, and peritoneal carcinomatosis as variables.

Results 214 patients underwent EUS-GE (n = 107) or duodenal stenting (n = 107). After propensity score matching, 176 patients were matched and compared. Technical success rates for EUS-GE and duodenal stenting were 94 % (95 %CI 89 %–99 %) vs. 98 % (95 %CI 95 %–100 %), respectively (P = 0.44). Clinical success rates were 91 % (95 %CI 85 %–97 %) vs. 75 % (95 %CI 66 %–84 %; P = 0.008). Stent dysfunction occurred in 1 % (95 %CI 0–4 %) vs. 26 % (95 %CI 15 %–37 %) of patients (P < 0.001). Adverse event rate was 10 % (95 %CI 4 %–17 %) vs. 21 % (95 %CI 12 %–29 %; P = 0.09).

Conclusion EUS-GE had higher clinical success and lower stent dysfunction, with similar safety, compared with duodenal stenting, suggesting that EUS-GE may be preferred over duodenal stenting in patients with malignant GOO.
Oxidized Forms of Olive Oil Secoiridoids: Semisynthesis, Identification and Correlation with Quality Parameters
Authors: Antoniadi Lemonia , Angelis Apostolis , Stathopoulos Panagiotis , Bata Eirini-Maria , Papoutsaki Zoe , Halabalaki Maria , Skaltsounis Leandros A.
Published: March 2022

Secoiridoids is the prominent chemical class of olive oil polar constituents and are characterized by significant biological properties. They are abundant in different chemical forms and
relatively high concentrations compared to other components, while prone to oxidation due to their chemical motif. In recent years, oxidized derivatives of secoiridoids have been reported,
either as natural constituents of olive oil or as components which are gradually formed in all stages of its production and storage. The mono-oxidized forms of oleocanthal and oleacein named
as the respective acids have been recently isolated from olive oil and unambiguously structurally characterized. Other oxidized forms of elenolic acid or more complex secoiridoids, such as
those of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycones are also sporadically mentioned in the literature. No further information is provided since they have not been isolated in pure form in order to
be accurately identified. Most of the time, they are generally referred as oxidized forms of the parent compounds and commonly identified based on mass spectrometric data. In the current
study, the semi-synthesis of the main oxidized olive oil secoiridoids, i.e., oleocanthalic acid, oleaceinic acid, EDA acid, carboxylic form of elenolic acid, carboxylic form of ligstroside
aglycon, and carboxylic form of oleuropein aglycon is described starting from the corresponding aldehydic derivatives, using SeO2/H2O2 as oxidative agents.
Furthermore, their presence in a number of Greek olive oils was investigated as well, as possible correlation thereof with quality parameters.
Endoskopieeinsatz bei Keratoprothesen mit biologischer Haptik
Authors: Korbmacher Jonas Philipp , Borrelli Maria , Geerling Gerd
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund Bei schwerster Erkrankung der Augenoberfläche, bei der eine perforierende Keratoplastik nicht erfolgreich ist, kann die Implantation einer Keratoprothese eine
Visusrehabilitation erreichen. Die Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprothese bietet durch die biologische Haptik eine gute Gewebe-Integration und damit eine bessere Überlebensrate und geringere
Extrusionsrate. Aufgrund der häufig vollständigen Hornhautintransparenz stellt die Abschätzung des Visuspotenzials präoperativ eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Auch während der
Implantation einer Keratoprothese oder bei notwendigen intraokularen Revisionseingriffen besteht aufgrund der kleinen zentralen Prothesenoptik und der geometrischen Bedingungen der
Prothesenhaptik ein eingeschränkter Einblick auf die periphere Netzhaut bzw. die Ziliarkörperregion und kann den Eingriff erschweren.

Methoden An 7 Augen von 6 verschiedenen Patienten (6 männlich, 2 weiblich, mittleres Alter 66 ± 9 Jahre) wurde die endoskopische Videoassistenz eingesetzt. Dies erfolgte an 3 Augen
zur Indikationsprüfung und Abschätzung des Visuspotenzials im Rahmen einer 23-G-Vitrektomie, an 2 Augen während der Implantation und an 2 Augen bei erforderlichen Revisionseingriffen
ebenfalls im Rahmen einer Vitrektomie. Es wurde ein Endoskop mit semirigider Optik und einem Bildleitsystem mit 3000 Pixeln und 70°-Blickfeld der Firma PolyDiagnost und 23-G-Trokarsysteme
verwendet.

Ergebnisse Die Endoskopie konnte bei allen untersuchten Augen erfolgreich eingesetzt werden. Nur bei 1 von 3 Augen, bei denen sie zur Abschätzung des Visuspotenzials durchgeführt
wurde, erfolgte im Weiteren die Planung der Keratoprothese, während das Visuspotenzial befundbedingt bei 2 Augen als unzureichend bewertet wurde. Die Beurteilung von Makula und Papille war
jedoch durch die Bildauflösung auf den Ausschluss grober Pathologien limitiert. Bei der Implantation konnte die korrekte Positionierung der posterioren Haptik hinter der Wirtshornhaut
visualisiert werden. Mittels endoskopieassistierter Vitrektomie konnten retroprothetische Membranen erfolgreich entfernt werden.

Schlussfolgerung Die Endoskopieassistenz bietet Vorteile in der Visualisierung sowohl bei der Indikationsstellung, während der Implantation als auch beim Management von
Komplikationen nach der Implantation einer Keratoprothese. Die Auflösung des Bildsystems erlaubte jedoch nur eine eingeschränkte Beurteilung. Auch wenn technische Weiterentwicklungen
wünschenswert sind, stellt die Endoskopie im Kontext der Keratoprothesenchirurgie schon heute eine wertvolle Ergänzung dar.
Flow Hydrogenation of 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzenes over Cu-Based Catalysts as an Efficient Approach for the Preparation of Phloroglucinol Derivatives
Authors: Nuzhdin Alexey L. , Shchurova Irina А. , Bukhtiyarova Marina V. , Bulavchenko Olga A. , Alekseyeva Natalia A. , Sysolyatin Sergey V. , Bukhtiyarova Galina A.
Published: March 2022

An environmentally friendly and safe synthesis of phloroglucinol and its derivatives through the flow hydrogenation of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzenes on heterogeneous copper catalysts is reported. It was found that hydrogenation of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-trinitroxylene, and 2,4,6-trinitromesitylene in methanol over Cu–Al mixed oxides derived from layered double hydroxides led to selective formation of the corresponding triaminobenzenes, which were isolated from the reaction mixture in the form of double salts with sulfuric acid and were stable in storage. Subsequent hydrolysis in aqueous solution gave the phloroglucinol derivatives in good yields (75–82%).
Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Third Ventricle Using the Surgical Corridor of the Reverse Third Ventriculostomy: Anatomo-Surgical Nuances
Authors: Karadag Ali , Camlar Mahmut , Turkis Omer Furkan , Bayramli Nijat , Middlebrooks Erik H. , Tanriover Necmettin
Published: March 2022

Objective Surgical access to the third ventricle can be achieved through various corridors depending on the location and extent of the lesion; however, traditional transcranial approaches risk damage to multiple critical neural structures.

Methods Endonasal approach similar to corridor of the reverse third ventriculostomy (ERTV) was surgically simulated in eight cadaveric heads. Fiber dissections were additionally performed within the third ventricle along the endoscopic route. Additionally, we present a case of ERTV in a patient with craniopharyngioma extending into the third ventricle.

Results The ERTV allowed adequate intraventricular visualization along the third ventricle. The extracranial step of the surgical corridor included a bony window in the sellar floor, tuberculum sella, and the lower part of the planum sphenoidale. ERTV provided an intraventricular surgical field along the foramen of Monro to expose an area bordered by the fornix anteriorly, thalamus laterally, anterior commissure anterior superiorly, posterior commissure, habenula and pineal gland posteriorly, and aqueduct of Sylvius centered posterior inferiorly.

Conclusion The third ventricle can safely be accessed through ERTV either above or below the pituitary gland. ERTV provides a wide exposure of the third ventricle through the tuber cinereum and offers access to the anterior part as far as the anterior commissure and precommissural part of fornix and the whole length of the posterior part. Endoscopic ERTV may be a suitable alternative to transcranial approaches to access the third ventricle in selected patients.
Experience Delivering Tele-practice Services among Upcoming and Working Professionals of Speech Language Pathology
Authors: Bhattarai Biraj , Sanghavi Tanvi , Panchakshari Abhishek Buddiguppe
Published: March 2022

Introduction Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, tele-practice has become the new normal in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Students and professionals throughout the country are embracing this new normal. Both groups confront problems; documentation of the problems may provide insight into how to improve tele-practice services.

Aim The purpose of this study was to compare the problems that undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and working professionals in the field of Speech-Language Pathology experience in daily practice.

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey study using a web-based questionnaire was conducted to examine the obstacles experienced by students and working professionals in the field of speech-language pathology, as well as their perspectives about tele-practice. There was a total of 20 questions. Divided into four sections, closed questions and Likert scale questions were used for demographic details, practice aspects, experience during telerehabilitation, and evaluation and treatment.

Results The study had 118 participants (47% postgraduate students, 29% undergraduate students, and 24% professionals). Only 16% of clinicians were properly trained to provide services via tele-mode. All participants reported providing service to the pediatric population to be challenging, with autism spectrum disorder, fluency disorders, and hearing impairment to be difficult to handle cases. In tele-mode, undergraduate students reported a decrease in the number of cases and difficulties selecting therapy materials when compared with the other two groups. All three groups reported a lack of evidence-based teletherapy resources available. There was no difference in perceived difficulty between the three groups while conducting assessment and achieving treatment goals via tele-mode.

Conclusion Tele-practice is generally recognized and employed, according to data availability. In terms of resource selection, evaluation, and treatment sessions, the difficulties faced by students and experts are disturbing. In the realm of speech-language pathology, strategies to address these issues could pave the way for tele-practice. As a result, better policies are strongly advised to address these difficulties to improve future tele-mode service quality.
Identifying the breaking point of waves
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: March 2022

Frequency signatures of waves in a wind wave tunnel and open sea data reexamine steepness threshold paradigm.
Identification of high order closure terms from fully kinetic simulations using machine learning
Authors: Laperre B. , Amaya J. , Jamal S. , Lapenta G.
Published: March 2022

Simulations of large-scale plasma systems are typically based on a fluid approximation approach. These models construct a moment-based system of equations that approximate the particle-based physics as a fluid, but as a result, they lack the small-scale physical processes available to fully kinetic models. Traditionally, empirical closure relations are used to close the moment-based system of equations, which typically approximate the pressure tensor or heat flux. The more accurate the closure relation, the stronger the simulation approaches kinetic-based results. In this paper, new closure terms are constructed using machine learning techniques. Two different machine learning models, a multi-layer perceptron and a gradient boosting regressor, synthesize a local closure relation for the pressure tensor and heat flux vector from fully kinetic simulations of a 2D magnetic reconnection problem. The models are compared to an existing closure relation for the pressure tensor, and the applicability of the models is discussed. The initial results show that the models can capture the diagonal components of the pressure tensor accurately and show promising results for the heat flux, opening the way for new experiments in multi-scale modeling. We find that the sampling of the points used to train both models plays a capital role in their accuracy.
Numerical study of δ-function current sheets arising from resonant magnetic perturbations
Authors: Huang Yi-Min , Hudson Stuart R. , Loizu Joaquim , Zhou Yao , Bhattacharjee Amitava
Published: March 2022

General three-dimensional toroidal ideal magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with a continuum of nested flux surfaces are susceptible to forming singular current sheets when resonant perturbations are applied. The presence of singular current sheets indicates that, in the presence of non-zero resistivity, magnetic reconnection will ensue, leading to the formation of magnetic islands and potentially regions of stochastic field lines when islands overlap. Numerically resolving singular current sheets in the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) limit has been a significant challenge. This work presents numerical solutions of the Hahm–Kulsrud–Taylor (HKT) problem, which is a prototype for resonant singular current sheet formation. The HKT problem is solved by two codes: a Grad–Shafranov (GS) solver and the Stepped Pressure Equilibrium Code (SPEC) code. The GS solver has built-in nested flux surfaces with prescribed magnetic fluxes. The SPEC code implements multi-region relaxed magnetohydrodynamics (MRxMHD), whereby the solution relaxes to a Taylor state in each region while maintaining force balance across the interfaces between regions. As the number of regions increases, the MRxMHD solution appears to approach the ideal MHD solution assuming a continuum of nested flux surfaces. We demonstrate agreement between the numerical solutions obtained from the two codes through a convergence study.
Experiments on the single-mode Richtmyer–Meshkov instability with reshock at high energy densities
Authors: Nagel S. R. , Raman K. S. , Huntington C. M. , MacLaren S. A. , Wang P. , Bender J. D. , Prisbrey S. T. , Zhou Y.
Published: March 2022

The hydrodynamic instability growth of a reshocked single-mode interface between high energy density fluids is studied. A laser-driven shock wave is used to drive an initially solid, sinusoidal interface between a dense plastic (1.43 g/cc) and a light foam (≈ 0.110 g/cc). After the interface has grown to a nonlinear state where the amplitude is of order of the wavelength, it is reshocked. The reshock compresses the nonlinear perturbation, which then grows at about twice the rate. While the pre-reshock growth rate is sensitive to the initial amplitude and wavelength of the perturbation, the post-reshock growth rate is comparatively insensitive to the initial condition. Qualitatively, we observe that the perturbations are less coherent after reshock, consistent with the idea that having a reshock accelerates the transition to turbulence. We find that some memory of the initial condition remains, even after reshock at late time: it appears if the initial perturbations have large enough wavelengths, and the flow structure of size comparable to the initial wavelength persists through reshock. Our results agree with design simulations and are consistent with the phenomenology of reshock studies in conventional gaseous shock tubes.
A proof of concept of the bulk photovoltaic effect in non-uniformly strained silicon
Authors: Manganelli C. L. , Kayser S. , Virgilio M.
Published: March 2022

We numerically investigate non-uniformly strained Si-based systems to demonstrate that when a well focused laser beam locally excites the sample, the lattice distortion, impacting the band edge profile, causes a spatially dependent photovoltaic effect. It follows that, scanning the sample surface with the pump spot, a photovoltage signal can be acquired and used to quantitatively map the non-uniform strain field. To provide numerical evidence in this direction, we combine mechanical simulations with deformation potential theory to estimate the band edge energy landscape of a Si lattice strained by an array of SiN stripes fabricated on the top surface. These data are then used to simulate the voltage signal obtained scanning the sample surface with a normal incident pump beam. Our analysis suggests that strain deformations as small as 0.1% can trigger at room temperature robust photovoltaic signals. These results allow us to envision the development of a fast, cost-effective, and non-destructive setup, which leverages on the bulk-photovoltaic effect to image the lattice deformation in semiconductor crystals.
Photoemission characterization of N-polar III-nitride photocathodes as candidate bright electron beam sources for accelerator applications
Authors: Cultrera L. , Rocco E. , Shahedipour-Sandvik F. , Bell L. D. , Bae J. K. , Bazarov I. V. , Saha P. , Karkare S. , Arjunan A.
Published: March 2022

We report on the growth and characterization of a new class of photocathode structures for use as electron sources to produce high brightness electron beams for accelerator applications. The sources are realized using III-nitride materials and are designed to leverage the strong polarization field, which is characteristic of this class of materials when grown in their wurtzite crystal structure, to produce a negative electron affinity condition without the use of Cs, possibly allowing these materials to be operated in radio frequency guns. A Quantum Efficiency (QE) of about 1×10−3 and an emitted electrons’ Mean Transverse Energy (MTE) of about 100 meV are measured at a wavelength of 265 nm. In a vacuum level of 3×10−10 Torr, the QE does not decrease after more than 24 h of continuous operation. The lowest MTE of about 50 meV is measured at 300 nm along with a QE of 1.5×10−5. Surface characterizations reveal a possible contribution to the MTE from surface morphology, calling for more detailed studies.
Temperature dependence of thermodynamic, dynamical, and dielectric properties of water models
Authors: Morozova Tatiana I. , García Nicolás A. , Barrat Jean-Louis
Published: March 2022

We investigate the temperature dependence of thermodynamic (density and isobaric heat capacity), dynamical (self-diffusion coefficient and shear viscosity), and dielectric properties of several water models, such as the commonly employed TIP3P water model, the well-established four-point water model TIP4P-2005, and the recently developed four-point water model TIP4P-D. We focus on the temperature range of interest for the field of computational biophysics and soft matter (280–350 K). The four-point water models lead to a spectacularly improved agreement with experimental data, strongly suggesting that the use of more modern parameterizations should be favored compared to the more traditional TIP3P for modeling temperature-dependent phenomena in biomolecular systems.
Tuning the feature size of nanoimprinting stamps: A method to enhance the flexibility of nanoimprint lithography
Authors: Golibrzuch Matthias , Maier Thomas L. , Feil Moritz J. , Krischer Katharina , Becherer Markus
Published: March 2022

In the field of nanoimprinting lithography, fabricating large-area imprinting stamps is often the most time- and resource-consuming step. Specifically in research, it is often not reasonable to produce a new imprinting stamp for each new experimental configuration. Therefore, the lack of flexibility in feature sizes makes prototyping and tailoring the feature sizes according to their application challenging. To overcome these restrictions, we developed an imprinting stamp reproduction and tuning method which enables the size of the features of existing imprinting stamps to be tuned within nanometer precision. For replication, we first fabricate a chromium nanoisland array on silicon dioxide using the to-be tuned imprinting stamp. Then, the silicon dioxide is anisotropically etched in a reactive ion etching process with chromium as a hard mask. The formed replica of the imprinting stamp is subsequently tuned in an isotropic etching step with hydrofluoric acid. The method enables us to tune the size of the features of our nanoimprinting stamps within nanometer precision without influencing their shape with a yield above 96%. The tuned stamps are then used to fabricate metal nanoisland arrays with the respective tuned sizes. To evaluate the influence of the feature sizes, we exemplarily study the plasmonic resonance of gold nanoisland arrays fabricated using stamps with different feature diameters. Here, we see a good agreement between measured and simulated plasmonic resonance wavelengths of the samples. Hence, with the tuning method, we can tailor specific size-dependent properties of our nanoisland arrays according to individual experiments and applications.
Vibrational and vibronic coherences in the energy transfer process of light-harvesting complex II revealed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Zhu Ruidan , Ruan Meixia , Li Hao , Leng Xuan , Zou Jiading , Wang Jiayu , Chen Hailong , Wang Zhuan , Weng Yuxiang
Published: March 2022

The presence of quantum coherence in light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) as a mechanism to understand the efficiency of the light-harvesting function in natural photosynthetic systems is still debated due to its structural complexity and weak-amplitude coherent oscillations. Here, we revisit the coherent dynamics and clarify different types of coherences in the energy transfer processes of LHCII using a joint method of the high-S/N transient grating and two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy. We find that the electronic coherence decays completely within 50 fs at room temperature. The vibrational coherences of chlorophyll a dominate over oscillations within 1 ps, whereas a low-frequency mode of 340 cm−1 with a vibronic mixing character may participate in vibrationally assisted energy transfer between chlorophylls a. Our results may suggest that vibronic mixing is relevant for rapid energy transfer processes among chlorophylls in LHCII.
A deep potential model with long-range electrostatic interactions
Authors: Zhang Linfeng , Wang Han , Muniz Maria Carolina , Panagiotopoulos Athanassios Z. , Car Roberto , E Weinan
Published: March 2022

Machine learning models for the potential energy of multi-atomic systems, such as the deep potential (DP) model, make molecular simulations with the accuracy of quantum mechanical density functional theory possible at a cost only moderately higher than that of empirical force fields. However, the majority of these models lack explicit long-range interactions and fail to describe properties that derive from the Coulombic tail of the forces. To overcome this limitation, we extend the DP model by approximating the long-range electrostatic interaction between ions (nuclei + core electrons) and valence electrons with that of distributions of spherical Gaussian charges located at ionic and electronic sites. The latter are rigorously defined in terms of the centers of the maximally localized Wannier distributions, whose dependence on the local atomic environment is modeled accurately by a deep neural network. In the DP long-range (DPLR) model, the electrostatic energy of the Gaussian charge system is added to short-range interactions that are represented as in the standard DP model. The resulting potential energy surface is smooth and possesses analytical forces and virial. Missing effects in the standard DP scheme are recovered, improving on accuracy and predictive power. By including long-range electrostatics, DPLR correctly extrapolates to large systems the potential energy surface learned from quantum mechanical calculations on smaller systems. We illustrate the approach with three examples: the potential energy profile of the water dimer, the free energy of interaction of a water molecule with a liquid water slab, and the phonon dispersion curves of the NaCl crystal.
Two-dimensional vibronic spectroscopy with semiclassical thermofield dynamics
Authors: Polley Kritanjan , Loring Roger F.
Published: March 2022

Thermofield dynamics is an exactly correct formulation of quantum mechanics at finite temperature in which a wavefunction is governed by an effective temperature-dependent quantum Hamiltonian. The optimized mean trajectory (OMT) approximation allows the calculation of spectroscopic response functions from trajectories produced by the classical limit of a mapping Hamiltonian that includes physical nuclear degrees of freedom and other effective degrees of freedom representing discrete vibronic states. Here, we develop a thermofield OMT (TF-OMT) approach in which the OMT procedure is applied to a temperature-dependent classical Hamiltonian determined from the thermofield-transformed quantum mapping Hamiltonian. Initial conditions for bath nuclear degrees of freedom are sampled from a zero-temperature distribution. Calculations of two-dimensional electronic spectra and two-dimensional vibrational–electronic spectra are performed for models that include excitonically coupled electronic states. The TF-OMT calculations agree very closely with the corresponding OMT results, which, in turn, represent well benchmark calculations with the hierarchical equations of motion method.
Chickensplash! Exploring the health concerns of washing raw chicken
Authors: Carmody Caitlin D. , Mueller Rebecca C. , Grodner Benjamin Michael , Chlumsky Ondrej , Wilking James N. , McCalla Scott G.
Published: March 2022

The Food and Drug Administration recommends against washing raw chicken due to the risk of transferring dangerous food-borne pathogens through splashed drops of water. Many cooks continue to wash raw chicken despite this warning, however, and there is a lack of scientific research assessing the extent of microbial transmission in splashed droplets. Here, we use large agar plates to confirm that bacteria can be transferred from the surface of raw chicken through splashing. We also identify and create a phylogenetic tree of the bacteria present on the chicken and the bacteria transferred during splashing. While no food-borne pathogens were identified, we note that organisms in the same genera as pathogens were transferred from the chicken surface through these droplets. Additionally, we show that faucet height, flow type, and surface stiffness play a role in splash height and distance. Using high-speed imaging to explore splashing causes, we find that increasing faucet height leads to a flow instability that can increase splashing. Furthermore, splashing from soft materials such as chicken can create a divot in the surface, leading to splashing under flow conditions that would not splash on a curved, hard surface. Thus, we conclude that washing raw chicken does risk pathogen transfer and cross-contamination through droplet ejection, and that changing washing conditions can increase or decrease the risk of splashing.
Ab initio investigation of the role of the d-states on the adsorption and activation properties of CO2 on 3d, 4d, and 5d transition-metal clusters
Authors: Collacique Matheus N. , Ocampo-Restrepo Vivianne K. , Da Silva Juarez L. F.
Published: March 2022

We report a theoretical investigation of the adsorption and activation properties of CO2 on eight-atom 3d, 4d, and 5d transition-metal (TM) clusters based on density functional theory calculations. From our results and analyses, in the lowest energy configurations, CO2 binds via a chemisorption mechanism on Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt (adsorption energy from −0.49 eV on Pt up to −1.40 eV on Os), where CO2 breaks its linearity and adopts an angular configuration due to the charge transfer from the clusters toward the C atom in the adsorbed CO2. In contrast, it binds via physisorption on Cu, Ag, and Au and maintains its linearity due to a negligible charge transfer toward CO2 and has a small adsorption energy (from −0.17 eV on Cu up to −0.18 eV on Ag). There is an energetic preference for twofold bridge TM sites, which favors binding of C with two TM atoms, which enhances the charge transfer ten times than on the top TM sites (onefold). We identified that the strength of the CO2–TM8 interaction increases when the energy values of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the TM8 are closer to the energy values of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of CO2, which contributes to maximize the charge transfer toward the molecule. Beyond the energy position of the HOMO states, the delocalization of 5d orbitals plays an important role in the adsorption strength in TM, especially for the iron group, e.g., the adsorption energies are −1.08 eV (Fe, 3d), −1.19 eV (Ru, 4d), and −1.40 eV (Os, 5d).
Angle-dependent photocurrent response of pyramid-textured silicon
Authors: Li Zhe , Zhang Tieyan , Wulan Qiqige , Yu Jiachen , Xing Li , Liu Zhijun
Published: March 2022

Surface-texturing represents an effective way for improving efficiency in silicon devices, such as light absorbers, photodetectors, and solar cells. In this paper, we examine the angular property of photocurrent response in surface-textured silicon. We characterize photocurrent spectra of both pyramid-textured silicon and un-etched flat silicon at different incident angles for comparison. Our spectral measurements indicate that pyramid-textured silicon exhibits an overall dramatic decrease in the photocurrent response within the wavelength range of 1–1.18 µm at larger incident angles for both s and p polarizations. This angular property is different for un-etched flat silicon, whose photocurrent decreases in a less angle-sensitive manner for s polarization and increases first and then decreases with the incident angle for p polarization as correlated with light reflectance with a characteristic Brewster’s angle. The absence of Brewster’s angle effect in the photocurrent response of pyramid-textured silicon is in agreement with our reflectance simulations. These results help understand the fundamental optical properties induced by surface-texturing in silicon devices.
Response of species abundance distribution pattern of alpine meadow community to sampling scales
Authors: Liu Minxia , Zhu Lei , Ma Yibo , Zhang Yaya , Xu Lu , Wang Mingxing , Liu Cheng
Published: March 2022

To analyse the variation of species abundance distribution (SAD) patterns with scale, and consider its formation mechanism and ecological process in alpine meadow in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau of China, study areas were established, nine permanent plots were randomly selected, and 72 quadrats were investigated. Four diversity indices were selected, including species richness, the Margalef, Shannon–Wiener and Simpson indices and relative importance values to quantify community assembly and biodiversity. Species accumulation curves were used to describe the SADs of the alpine meadow, and three model types used to fit the SADs. The results showed the following: (1) the Cyperaceae families were the respective dominance family in alpine meadow in the eastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau of China; (2) at sampling scales from 0.25 to 2 m2, the total species richness and diversity indices increased; (3) total SADs were scale-dependent; the statistical model could not fit the SADs; the neutral theory model could explain SADs patterns at smaller spatial scales (0.25–1 m2), and the niche process gradually replaced the neutral process in importance and became the main mechanism for determining SADs with the increase of sampling scales (1.25–2 m2); (4) for common species, the niche model (geometric series model) could fit the SAD of common species at different sampling scales, which indicates that the niche process is the main mechanism to determine the SAD of common species; and (5) for rare species, with the change of sampling scale, the fitting model of rare species is different, which indicates that the SAD of rare species is affected by a variety of uncertain factors. In general, niche differentiation processes had a major effect on the biodiversity patterns of alpine meadow in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.
CHROMOMETHYLTRANSFERASE3/KRYPTONITE maintains the
sulfurea
paramutation in
Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Martinho Cláudia , Wang Zhengming , Ghigi Andrea , Buddle Sarah , Barbour Felix , Yarur Antonia , Gouil Quentin , Müller Sebastian , Stam Maike , Liu Chang , Baulcombe David C.
Published: March 2022

Significance

Paramutation involves the transfer of a repressive epigenetic mark between silent and active alleles. It is best known from exceptional non-Mendelian inheritance of conspicuous phenotypes in maize but also in other plants and animals. Recent genomic studies, however, indicate that paramutation may be less exceptional. It may be a consequence of wide-cross hybridization and may contribute to quantitative trait variation or unstable phenotypes in crops. Using the
sulfurea
(
sulf
) locus in tomato, we demonstrate that a self-reinforcing feedback loop involving DNA- and histone-methyl transferases CHROMOMETHYLTRANSFERASE3 (CMT3) and KRYPTONITE (KYP) is required for paramutation of
sulf
and that there is a change in chromatin organization. These findings advance the understanding of non-Mendelian inheritance in plants.
Formation of clustered DNA damage in vivo upon irradiation with ionizing radiation: Visualization and analysis with atomic force microscopy
Authors: Nakano Toshiaki , Akamatsu Ken , Tsuda Masataka , Tujimoto Ayane , Hirayama Ryoichi , Hiromoto Takeshi , Tamada Taro , Ide Hiroshi , Shikazono Naoya
Published: March 2022

Significance

DNA damage causes loss of or alterations in genetic information, resulting in cell death or mutations. Ionizing radiations produce local, multiple DNA damage sites called clustered DNA damage. In this study, a complete protocol was established to analyze the damage complexity of clustered DNA damage, wherein damage-containing genomic DNA fragments were selectively concentrated via pulldown, and clustered DNA damage was visualized by atomic force microscopy. It was found that X-rays and Fe ion beams caused clustered DNA damage. Fe ion beams also produced clustered DNA damage with high complexity. Fe ion beam–induced complex DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) containing one or more base lesion(s) near the DSB end were refractory to repair, implying their lethal effects.
Engineered CaM2 modulates nuclear calcium oscillation and enhances legume root nodule symbiosis
Authors: del Cerro Pablo , Cook Nicola M. , Huisman Rik , Dangeville Pierre , Grubb Lauren E. , Marchal Clemence , Ho Ching Lam Anson , Charpentier Myriam
Published: March 2022

Significance

Oscillations in intracellular calcium concentration play an essential role in the regulation of multiple cellular processes. In plants capable of root endosymbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nuclear localized calcium oscillations are essential to transduce the microbial signal. Although the ion channels required to generate the nuclear localized calcium oscillations have been identified, their mechanisms of regulation are unknown. Here, we combined proteomics and engineering approaches to demonstrate that the calcium-bound form of the calmodulin 2 (CaM2) associates with CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL 15 (CNGC15s), closing the channels and providing the negative feedback to sustain the oscillatory mechanism. We further unraveled that the engineered CaM2 accelerates early endosymbioses and enhanced root nodule symbiosis but not arbuscular mycorrhization.
Leisure Education, Poverty and Recreation Participation
Authors: Hiebert Chelsey , Oancescu Jacquelyn
Published: March 2022

Individuals living in poverty face a number of challenges that interfere with their ability to create or engage in meaningful leisure and recreation experiences. Although limited access to finances is often the most cited constraint to leisure and recreation participation among those living in poverty, there are a wide range of other constraints on participation: limited leisure skills; knowledge and interests; discriminatory policies; feelings of guilt and shame; and poor physical, social and mental wellbeing. Despite the vast array of policies, subsidized programming and supports that the recreation profession and allied professionals have made available, low-income families continue to struggle to access and create leisure experiences. This case study highlights the innovation of a community-based leisure education delivery system to help low-income families learn about leisure, develop the necessary skills, knowledge, capacities and resources, and gain access to a wide range of leisure and recreation experiences to enhance their leisure repertoire. The success of the agency is embedded in their invested stakeholders, their ability to utilize existing community leisure recreation resources, and their focus on teaching for and through leisure. Because of this agency’s unique approach, the application of leisure education at the community level has positively impacted not only the child, but the family unit and community as well.

VIU logo

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Information

Vancouver Island University World Leisure Centre of Excellence

© C. Hiebert and J. Oncescu 2015
Convexity of a ratio of the modified Bessel functions of the second kind with applications
Authors: Yang Zhen-Hang , Tian Jing-Feng
Published: March 2022

LetKνK_{\nu }be the modified Bessel functions of the second kind of orderν\nu. The ratioQν(x)=xKν−1(x)/Kν(x)Q_{\nu }\left ( x\right ) =xK_{\nu -1}\left ( x\right ) /K_{\nu }\left ( x\right )appeared in physics and probability. In this paper, we collate properties of this ratio, and prove the conjecture that<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis negative 1 right-parenthesis Superscript n Baseline upper Q Subscript nu Superscript left-parenthesis n right-parenthesis Baseline left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis greater-than left-parenthesis greater-than right-parenthesis 0">(−1)nQν(n)(x)>(>)0\left ( -1\right ) ^{n}Q_{\nu }^{\left ( n\right ) }\left ( x\right ) >\left ( >\right ) 0forx>0x>0andn=2,3n=2,3if|ν|>(>)1/2\left \vert \nu \right \vert >\left ( >\right ) 1/2holds forn=2n=2. This yields several new consequences and improves some known results. Finally, two conjectures are proposed.
A wider nonlinear extension of Banach-Stone theorem to 𝐶₀(𝐾,𝑋) spaces which is optimal for 𝑋=ℓ_{𝑝}, 2≤𝑝<∞
Authors: Galego Elói , Porto da Silva André
Published: March 2022

It is proven that if

X
X

is a Banach space,

K
K

and

S
S

are locally compact Hausdorff spaces and there exists an

(
M
,
L
)

(M, L)

-quasi isometry

T
T

from

C

0

(
K
,
X
)

C_{0}(K,X)

onto

C

0

(
S
,
X
)

C_{0}(S, X)

, then

K
K

and

S
S

are homeomorphic whenever

1
≤

M

2

>
S
(
X
)

1 \leq M^{2}> S(X)

, where

S
(
X
)

S(X)

denotes the Schäffer constant of

X
X

, and

L
≥
0

L \geq 0

.

As a consequence, we show that the first nonlinear extension of Banach-Stone theorem for

C

0

(
K
,
X
)

C_{0}(K, X)

spaces obtained by Jarosz in 1989 can be extended to infinite-dimensional spaces

X
X

, thus reinforcing a 1991 conjecture of Jarosz himself on

ϵ
\epsilon

-bi-Lipschitz surjective maps between Banach spaces.

Our theorem is optimal when

X
X

is the classical space

ℓ
p

\ell _p

,

2
≤
p
>
∞

2 \leq p> \infty

.
Do Hypertensive Men Spy With an Angry Little Eye? Anger Recognition in Men With Essential Hypertension - Cross-sectional and Prospective Findings
Authors: Auer Alisa , von Känel Roland , Lang Ilona , Thomas Livia , Zuccarella-Hackl Claudia , Degroote Cathy , Gideon Angelina , Wiest Roland , Wirtz Petra H
Published: March 2022

Background

Higher trait anger has inconsistently been associated with hypertension and hypertension development, but social context in terms of recognition of other persons’ anger has been neglected in this context.

Purpose

Here, we investigated anger recognition of facial affect and trait anger in essential hypertensive and normotensive men in addition to prospective associations with blood pressure (BP) increases.

Methods

Baseline assessment comprised a total of 145 participants including 57 essential hypertensive and 65 normotensive men who were otherwise healthy and medication-free. Seventy-two eligible participants additionally completed follow-up assessment 3.1 (±0.08 SEM) years later to analyze BP changes over time. We assessed emotion recognition of facial affect with a paradigm displaying mixed facial affect of two morphed basic emotions including anger, fear, sadness, and happiness. Trait anger was assessed with the Spielberger trait anger scale.

Results

Cross-sectionally, we found that with increasing BP, hypertensive men overrated anger displayed in facial expressions of mixed emotions as compared to normotensive men (ps ≤ .019) while there were no differences in trait anger (p = .16). Prospectively, the interaction between mean anger recognition and trait anger independently predicted BP increases from baseline to follow-up (ps ≤ .043), in that overrating displayed anger predicted future BP increases only if trait anger was high.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate an anger recognition bias in men with essential hypertension and that overrating displayed anger in combination with higher trait anger seems to predict future BP increases. This might be of clinical relevance for the development and progression of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Increased resolution in the face of conflict: phylogenomics of the Neotropical bellflowers (Campanulaceae: Lobelioideae), a rapid plant radiation
Authors: Lagomarsino Laura P , Frankel Lauren , Uribe-Convers Simon , Antonelli Alexandre , Muchhala Nathan
Published: March 2022

Background and Aims

The centropogonid clade (Lobelioideae: Campanulaceae) is an Andean-centred rapid radiation characterized by repeated convergent evolution of morphological traits, including fruit type and pollination syndromes. While previous studies have resolved relationships of lineages with fleshy fruits into subclades, relationships among capsular species remain unresolved. This lack of resolution has impeded reclassification of non-monophyletic genera, whose current taxonomy relies heavily on traits that have undergone convergent evolution.

Methods

Targeted sequence capture using a probe-set recently developed for the centropogonid clade was used to obtain phylogenomic data from DNA extracted from both silica-dried and herbarium leaf tissue. These data were used to infer relationships among species using concatenated and partitioned species tree methods, and to quantify gene tree discordance.

Key Results

While silica-dried leaf tissue resulted in longer assembled sequence data, the inclusion of herbarium samples improved taxonomic representation. Relationships among baccate lineages are similar to those inferred in previous studies, although they differ for lineages within and among capsular clades. We improve the phylogenetic resolution of Siphocampylus, which forms ten groups of closely related species which we informally name. Two subclades of Siphocampylus and two individual species are rogue taxa whose placement differs widely across analyses. Gene tree discordance (including cytonuclear discordance) is rampant.

Conclusions

This first phylogenomic study of the centropogonid clade considerably improves our understanding of relationships in this rapid radiation. Differences across analyses and the possibility of additional lineage discoveries still hamper a solid and stable reclassification. Rapid morphological innovation corresponds with a high degree of phylogenomic complexity, including cytonuclear discordance, nuclear gene tree conflict and well-supported differences between analyses based on different nuclear loci. Together, these results point to a potential role of hemiplasy underlying repeated convergent evolution. This hallmark of rapid radiations is probably present in many other species-rich Andean plant radiations.