bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population genomics unveils the century-old invasion of the Seagrass Halophila stipulacea in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: García-Escudero Catalina A. , Tsigenopoulos Costas S. , Manousaki Tereza , Tsakogiannis Alexandros , Marbà Núria , Vizzini Salvatrice , Duarte Carlos M. , Apostolaki Eugenia T.
Published: December 2023

The tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea invaded the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in the late nineteenth century and progressively spread throughout the basin ever since. Its spread is expected to continue north-westward as the Mediterranean Sea becomes warmer, potentially changing the seagrass biogeography of the basin. Given the power of genomics to assess invasion dynamics in non-model species, we report the first ddRAD-seq study of H. stipulacea and small-scale population genomic analysis addressing its century-old Mediterranean invasion. Based on 868 SNPs and 35 genotyped native (Red Sea) and exotic (from Cyprus, Greece, and Italy) samples, results suggest that genetic structure was high, especially between major geographic discontinuities, and that exotic populations maintain comparably lower genetic diversity than native populations, despite 130 years of invasion. The evidence of high heterozygosity excess, coupled with previously reported male-dominated and rare flowering records in the exotic range, suggests that clonal propagation likely played a pivotal role in the successful colonization and spread of H. stipulacea in the Mediterranean. This shift in reproductive strategy, particularly evident in the Italian populations located closest to the western boundary and representing more recent establishments, underscores the importance of this cost-effective mode of reproduction, especially during the initial stages of invasion, raising questions about the species future expansion trajectory. Our findings serve as a catalyst for future research into the species’ invasion dynamics, including deciphering the intricate roles of acclimatization and rapid adaptation, important for a comprehensive assessment of invasion risks and improving management strategies aimed at conserving seagrass ecosystems.
Predicting postoperative coronal alignment after fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty using a new morphological assessment method: the arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle
Authors: Nakano Naoki , Tsubosaka Masanori , Kamenaga Tomoyuki , Kuroda Yuichi , Ishida Kazunari , Hayashi Shinya , Kuroda Ryosuke , Matsumoto Tomoyuki
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Only a few reports have been published so far on factors that predict postoperative coronal alignment after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between the arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle (aHKA) and postoperative coronal alignment after medial fixed-bearing UKA.

Methods

One hundred and one consecutive patients (125 knees) who underwent medial fixed-bearing UKA were assessed. Pre- and postoperative coronal HKA angles, lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and the thickness of the tibial and femoral bone cut were measured. aHKA was calculated as 180° − LDFA + MPTA. Correlations between postoperative HKA angle and aHKA, LDFA, and MPTA were investigated by single regression analysis. After the patients were divided into three groups according to the postoperative HKA angle, i.e., HKA angle > 180°, 175° < HKA angle ≤ 180°, and HKA angle ≤ 175°, aHKA, LDFA, MPTA, preoperative HKA angle, and the thickness of the distal femoral as well as tibial bone cut were compared among the three groups.

Results

aHKA and MPTA were positively correlated with postoperative HKA angle, while no correlation was found between postoperative HKA angle and LDFA. Among the three groups classified by postoperative HKA angle, significant differences were found in aHKA, MPTA, and preoperative HKA angle, while no significant difference was found in LDFA and the amount of distal femoral and tibial osteotomies.

Conclusions

aHKA was correlated with postoperative HKA angle after medial fixed-bearing UKA, which was probably due to the influence of MPTA.
A neural network model for detection and classification of lumbar spinal stenosis on MRI
Authors: Tumko Vladislav , Kim Jack , Uspenskaia Natalia , Honig Shaun , Abel Frederik , Lebl Darren R. , Hotalen Irene , Kolisnyk Serhii , Kochnev Mikhail , Rusakov Andrej , Mourad Raphaël
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To develop a three-stage convolutional neural network (CNN) approach to segment anatomical structures, classify the presence of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) for all 3 stenosis types: central, lateral recess and foraminal and assess its severity on spine MRI and to demonstrate its efficacy as an accurate and consistent diagnostic tool.

Methods

The three-stage model was trained on 1635 annotated lumbar spine MRI studies consisting of T2-weighted sagittal and axial planes at each vertebral level. Accuracy of the model was evaluated on an external validation set of 150 MRI studies graded on a scale of absent, mild, moderate or severe by a panel of 7 radiologists. The reference standard for all types was determined by majority voting and in case of disagreement, adjudicated by an external radiologist. The radiologists’ diagnoses were then compared to the diagnoses of the model.

Results

The model showed comparable performance to the radiologist average both in terms of the determination of presence/absence of LSS as well as severity classification, for all 3 stenosis types. In the case of central canal stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity and AUROC of the CNN were (0.971, 0.864, 0.963) for binary (presence/absence) classification compared to the radiologist average of (0.786, 0.899, 0.842). For lateral recess stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity and AUROC of the CNN were (0.853, 0.787, 0.907) compared to the radiologist average of (0.713, 0.898, 805). For foraminal stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity and AUROC of the CNN were (0.942, 0.844, 0.950) compared to the radiologist average of (0.879, 0.877, 0.878). Multi-class severity classifications showed similarly comparable statistics.

Conclusions

The CNN showed comparable performance to radiologist subspecialists for the detection and classification of LSS. The integration of neural network models in the detection of LSS could bring higher accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and post-hoc interpretability in diagnostic practices.
Covid-19 Lockdown Loneliness and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Basic Need Satisfaction Across Different Age Groups
Authors: van der Sloot Racine Jo Aleida , Vauclair Christin-Melanie
Published: December 2023

Covid-19 and its lockdown measures have uniquely challenged people’s wellbeing and numerous studies have been carried out to understand the effects of such lockdown measures on mental health. Yet, to date most of these studies do not assess psychological pathways and conditional effects. By drawing on self-determination theory, the present study tested whether the relationship between lockdown loneliness and mental health is mediated via basic needs satisfaction (relatedness, autonomy, and competence) and whether these associations are exacerbated for younger age groups. A total of 339 Portuguese residents completed an anonymous web-based survey during the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2021. The results corroborate a significant link between perceived loneliness and anxiety as well as depression. Parallel mediation analyses showed that competence consistently mediated the lockdown loneliness-mental health link. Moderated mediated analyses also confirmed that the psychosocial pathway applied most strongly to younger age groups. These findings highlight the role of social factors for competence need satisfaction and mental health among younger people during the Covid-19 lockdown in Portugal. The results also point to potential avenues for future prevention measures to mitigate the harmful effects that social exclusion can bring about.
Urban geochemistry of heavy metals in road dust from Cairo megacity, Egypt: enrichment, sources, contamination, and health risks
Authors: Mostafa Mouataz Tarek , El-Nady Habash , Gomaa Ramadan Mohammed , Abdelgawad Hany Fathy , Abdelhafiz Mahmoud A. , Salman Salman Abd Elraouf , Khalifa Ibrahim Hussein
Published: December 2023

Traffic emissions, overpopulation, and poor urban planning have degraded the environmental quality of the Greater Cairo megacity. As road dust is considered the main sink of pollutants in urban environments, thirty road dust samples from six major roads were collected. ICP-OES was used to analyze the samples in order to determine the contamination grade using the pollution indices, decipher metal sources and geochemical associations using multivariate analysis, and evaluate the ecological and human health risks. The average contents of heavy metals were arranged in decreasing order: Fe (1181.12), Zn (201.36), Pb (66.10), Ni (32.42), Cu (26.07), Cr (26.00), Co (14.78), As (2.76), and Hg (0.93) mg/kg. The spatial pattern showed that new urban communities exhibited lower contamination levels compared to unplanned old districts, especially for traffic elements (Pb, Zn, and Cu). The highest Igeo mean value was observed for Hg (3.34) followed by Zn (1.34), Pb (1.24), Ni (0.10), As (− 0.19), Co (− 0.24), Cu (− 0.73), and Cr (− 1.05). Additionally, CF values indicated very high contamination levels for Pb and Zn, whereas the highest PLI value was observed at Ramses Street. All EF values were higher than 1.5, indicating the anthropogenic enrichment of metals. RI values classified Cairo as a region with considerable ecological risk, observing that Hg was the main contributor. Correlation analysis and PCA showed that Pb and Zn originated from vehicle exhaust, Hg, Cu, and As from domestic and industrial activities, and Fe and Co from natural origin. Cr and Ni exhibited potential carcinogenic risks for children through ingestion; conversely, the non-carcinogenic risks were within safe levels. As a result, the use of clean energy is recommended to mitigate the accumulation of heavy metals in road dust and to improve the quality of life.
Functionalized gold nanorods turn-on chemosensor for selective detection of Cd2+ ions, bio-imaging, and antineoplastic evaluations
Authors: El-Nahass Marwa N. , Bakr Eman A. , Fayed Tarek A. , Hamada Wafaa M. , Salem Maha M. , Radwan Aliaa M.
Published: December 2023

A colorimetric turn-on chemosensor based on gold nanorods, Au NRs, has been developed to enable rapid, facile, and simultaneous detection of hazardous metal ions. This study involved the functionalization of gold nanorods with (9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydro-anthracen-1-yl)-dithiocarbamic acid (DTAD) through the utilization of synthetic photo-irradiation and ultrasound techniques. Various spectroscopic methods were employed to characterize both the synthesized gold nanorods and the chemosensor. The optical response of this sensor was investigated with respect to a range of metal ions, including Mg2+, K+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+. The results reveal that the DTAD-functionalized gold nanorods chemosensor effectively discriminates all the investigated metal ions, with Cd2+ ions exhibiting higher sensitivity and selectivity compared to the other metal ions. Moreover, the anticancer impact of both gold nanorods and DTAD-functionalized gold nanorods was investigated on a panel of cell lines as breast cancer (MCF-7), liver cancer (HepG-2), and colon cancer (Caco-2) using MTT assay. Further, the morphological features and Annexin V using flow cytometry were carried. Comparative analysis with a free chemosensor showed that fluorescence images of living cells were notably brighter in the presence of Cd2+, highlighting the efficacy of DTAD-functionalized gold nanorods as a fluorescent biosensor for Cd2+ ions. Additionally, the in vitro anticancer study showed that gold nanorods significantly inhibited the growth of all cancer cells than DTAD-functionalized gold nanorods with best antiproliferative effect on HepG-2 hepatocellular carcinoma with IC50 values equal to 1.971 ± 1.28, 40.95 ± 2.56 µg/mL, respectively, compared to DOX. Also, the alteration in the HepG-2 morphological shape and Annexin V results confirmed the great antineoplastic effect of Au NRs than DTAD-Au NRs.
“Lies My Teacher Told Me”
Authors: Warner Mark S. , Rivers Cofield Sara
Published: December 2023

A major problem in collections management is the lack of training about collections in all facets of archaeology. Ignorance about both ethical obligations and practical steps associated with collections is arguably the leading contributor to the ongoing curation crisis. This work summarizes shortcomings in collections training in academia and in cultural resource management, and it proceeds to identify some steps that can be taken to provide training for students and professional archaeologists. The overriding argument is that more training in all aspects of collections is absolutely essential to addressing and beginning to mitigate the overwhelming problems the discipline faces in caring for archaeological collections.
Quantifying racial disparities in risk of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infection in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, during the 2020–2021 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Kaur Singh Herveen , Prakash-Asrani Radhika , Pall Allison , Ray Susan M. , Tobin-D’Angelo Melissa , Fridkin Scott K.
Published: December 2023

We estimated the racial disparity in rates of invasive S. aureus infections based on community coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rates at the county level. Our data suggest that COVID-19 infection burden (1) affects not only hospital-onset MRSA invasive infection risk but also community-onset S. aureus invasive infection risk and (2) affects Black residents ∼60% more than White residents.
On local isotropy and scale dependence of pair dispersion in turbulent canopy flows
Authors: Shnapp Ron , Liberzon Alex , Bohbot-Raviv Yardena , Fattal Eyal
Published: December 2023

Canopy flows in the atmospheric surface layer play important economic and ecological roles, governing the dispersion of passive scalars in the environment. The interaction of high-velocity fluid and large-scale surface-mounted obstacles in canopy flows produces drag and causes intense, inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulence. In this work, we focus on the turbulent dispersion of passive scalars by studying the ‘pair dispersion’ – a statistical measure of relative motion between particles. We analyse the results of a three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry experiment in a wind-tunnel canopy flow, focusing on small scales. We confirm the existence of local isotropy of pair dispersion at scales smaller than a characteristic shear length scale

$L_\varGamma =(\epsilon /\varGamma ^3)^{1/2}$

, where

$\epsilon$

and

$\varGamma$

are the mean dissipation rate and shear rate, respectively. Furthermore, we show that pair dispersion in this locally isotropic regime is a scale-dependent super-diffusive process, similar to what occurs in homogeneous isotropic turbulent flows. In addition, we measure the pair relative velocity correlation function, showing that its de-correlation occurs in the locally isotropic regime, and discuss the implications of this observation for modelling pair dispersion. Thus, our study extends the fundamental understanding of turbulent pair dispersion to the anisotropic inhomogeneous turbulent canopy flow, bringing valuable information for modelling scalar dispersion in the atmospheric surface layer.
Imbibition and collapse between swelling fibres
Authors: Van de Velde Pierre , Dervaux Julien , Duprat Camille , Protière Suzie
Published: December 2023

While capillary imbibition in tubes or porous materials has been studied extensively in the past, less attention has been paid to imbibition into a swellable porous material. However, swelling is commonly observed when a polymeric network, such as the cellulose composing paper fibres or sponges, absorbs a solvent. The incompressibility of the fluid leads to an elastic expansion of the polymeric matrix. In a porous material, swelling can affect the geometry of the pores, thus affecting the capillary flow. To describe this complex problem, we propose a model experiment, namely the capillary imbibition in a model pore composed of two parallel and stretched elastomeric fibres. In this configuration, one can observe both the progression of a capillary meniscus and the swelling of the fibres. We show that swelling enables a capillary imbibition for fibres placed further apart than the critical distance existing for non-swelling fibres. In this swelling-dominated regime, we identify a new imbibition dynamic at constant velocity which we rationalize using a linear poro-elastic theory. Finally, we describe the elastocapillary collapse of our model pore which is observed when capillary forces overcome the restoring tension force within the fibres.
Stew in silence or boil up gradually? A process model of employees’ remedial voice
Authors: Zheng Xiaotao , Wu Bingqing , Park Haesang , Yu MingChuan , Yang Xiaoling
Published: December 2023

Prior studies have treated employees’ remedial voice as a single-stage phenomenon. However, it is problematic because, in reality, employees often respond to mistreatment in a sequence. This paper aims to add new insights by empirically testing a three-stage process model to explain employees’ remedial voice. Also, this study intends to test important factors in the employees’ remedial voice decision-making process. Based on data obtained by surveying 382 Chinese employees, we found that mistreatment severity, mistreatment source, and employees’ external job opportunities are related to employees’ remedial voice. Our data provides support for a three-stage-process model for remedial voice. We contribute to the gaps in the existing research which largely views employees’ remedial voice as a single ‘snapshot.’ The study also deepens understanding of what factors affect employees’ remedial voice.
The Onomastics of Characters in the Kabyle Tullist Genre
Authors: Mohand Saidi Saida
Published: December 2023

This article highlights, through a poetic approach, the onomastics of the character in a genre called tullist in the Amazigh language. The article works through the first ten collections of texts designated by the terms Tullizt / Tullist that mark the beginnings of this genre (1998–2008). An in-depth analysis then reveals the different naming processes that Kabyle writers use in assigning names to their characters. The article concludes by offering a brief sociological discussion on the semantics of the assigned names.
Report on Osark 2022: A Congress Dedicated to Ottoman Studies
Authors: Gündüz-Polat İrem
Published: December 2023

The third meeting of OSARK, an international Ottoman Studies conference founded by members of the Sakarya University History Department, was hosted and coordinated by Istanbul Medeniyet University between September 7 and 9, 2022. It was supported by TİKA (Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency), YTB (Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities), the Üsküdar Municipality, and Turkish Airlines.
To Be or Not to Be A Nomad: The Limits of Iconoclasm in Si Mohand U'Mhand's Poetry
Authors: Chouiten Lynda
Published: December 2023

The nineteenth-century Kabyle poet Si Mohand U'Mhand is often celebrated as an icon of freedom and unconventionality. Questioning this myth, the purpose of this article is to demonstrate that this bard was rather a liminal figure that oscillated between iconoclasm and conservatism. Drawing on Gilles Deleuze's and Felix Guattari's A Thousand Plateaus and Mikhaïl Bakhtin's concept of the carnivalesque, the article argues that despite Si Mohand's being a notorious wanderer, he was not a nomad in that his poetry betrays a longing for the “State.” Indeed, the poet lamented his nomadic and unconventional lifestyle as the mark of a social and moral decline forced on him by the colonial intrusion, which stripped his family of their lands following his father's execution. In addition, the poet perpetuates the hierarchized and prejudiced traditional representations of his society's different social classes and racial components.
Comparison of methods to detect interspecific competition among parasites in depauperate communities
Authors: Barger M.A.
Published: December 2023

Because conducting experimental coinfections is intractable in most parasite systems, inferences about the presence and strength of interspecific interactions in parasite communities are often made from analyses of field data. It is unclear whether methods used to test for competition are able to detect competition in field-collected datasets. Data from a study of the intestinal helminth communities of creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) were used to explore the potential of commonly available methods to detect negative interactions among parasite species in species-poor, low-intensity communities. Model communities were built in the absence of competition and then modified by four modes of competition. Both parametric and null model approaches were utilized to analyze modelled parasite communities to determine the conditions under which competitive interactions were discerned. Correlations had low Type I error rates but did not reliably detect competition, when present, at a statistically significant level. Results from logistical regressions were similar but showed improved statistical power. Results from null model approaches varied. Envelope analyses had near ideal properties when parasite prevalence was high but had high Type I error rates in low prevalence communities. Co-occurrence analyses demonstrated promising results with certain co-occurrence metrics and randomization algorithms, but also had many more cases of failure to detect competition when present and/or reject competition when it was absent. No analytical approach was clearly superior, and the variability observed in the present investigation mirrors similar efforts, suggesting that clear guidelines for detecting competition in parasite communities with observational data will be elusive.
Intermittency of density fluctuations and zonal-flow generation in MAST edge plasmas
Authors: Sladkomedova A. , Cziegler I. , Field A.R. , Schekochihin A.A. , Dunai D. , Ivanov P.G. ,   the MAST-U Team and the EUROfusion MST1 Team
Published: December 2023

The properties of the edge ion-scale turbulence are studied using the beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostic on MAST. Evidence of the formation of large-scale high-amplitude coherent structures, filamentary density blobs and holes, 2–4 cm inside the plasma separatrix is presented. Measurements of radial velocity and skewness of the density fluctuations indicate that density holes propagate radially inwards, with the skewness profile peaking at 7–10 cm inside the separatrix. Poloidal velocities of the density fluctuations measured using cross-correlation time delay estimation (CCTDE) are found to exhibit an intermittent behaviour. Zonal-flow analysis reveals the presence of poloidally symmetric coherent oscillations – low-frequency (LF) zonal flows and geodesic acoustic modes (GAM). Shearing rates of the observed zonal flows are found to be comparable to the turbulence decorrelation rate. The observed bursts in density-fluctuation power are followed by quiescent periods with a transient increase in the power of sheared flows. Three-wave interactions between broadband turbulence and a GAM are illustrated using the autobispectral technique. It is shown that the zonal flows and the density-fluctuation field are nonlinearly coupled and LF zonal flows mediate the energy transfer from high- to low-frequency density fluctuations.
Opportunistic observation effort and seasonal-spatial fidelity: a qualitative approach, applied to an Orcinus orca first record
Authors: Melville Guy E.
Published: December 2023

This study formulates a qualitative image-based approach to establishing cetacean sightings’ effort at an ecosystem scale in the Gulf of Maine. As a first step, I investigate a rare set of long-term sightings (2008–2017, the study period) of a male killer whale (Orcinus orca) representing unusually consistent occurrences, without considering observation effort. Largely unknown, killer whale populations in the NW Atlantic are tiny, travelling over vast areas, and at risk of human-caused extinction. The synthesis uses opportunistic observations, reported mainly by recreational mariners and commercial fishers incorporated into data manipulations anonymously. Adding an effort index using the qualitative image-based approach, I then investigate the hypothesis that the killer whale sightings constitute seasonal-spatial fidelity to the greater GoM, the first documentation of fidelity patterns in the western Atlantic hemisphere. The analysis includes comparisons to frequency distributions of single killer whales in the gulf in the historical past as a baseline, i.e. post mid 1940s. Finally, the fidelity analysis reveals a substantial spatial anomaly in the recent sightings data for the northeastern GoM. An explanation for the emergent anomaly is pursued by analyses of indicators of the availability of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) [fisheries landings, Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) chick diets] as potential prey in the NE gulf. With the development of complementary corroborative approaches to the analysis of incidental sightings, it is possible to chip away at impediments to the understanding of ecosystem attractants and deterrents with respect to cetacean distributions.
Chest pain due to coronary artery compression in an adult with CHD
Authors: Warren Matthew , Numan Mohammed , Mallula Kiran , Greenleaf Christopher , Uppu Santosh C.
Published: December 2023

A 47-year-old with repaired ventricular septal defect and pulmonary valve stenosis as a child presents with chronic intermittent chest pain. CT evaluation for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement revealed right coronary artery compression between a sternal wire and dilated right ventricle. Removal of the sternal wire resulted in improved symptoms.
Behavioural drivers of child feeding during and after illness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: results from a qualitative study through the lens of behavioural science
Authors: Zimmerman Emily , Kau Madeline , Tovohasimbavaka Riantsoa Kanto Najaina , Ngandu Augustin , Kangudie Didier Mbayi , Van Lith Lynn , Rajan Radha , Naugle Danielle , Sherburne Lisa
Published: December 2023

Objective:

For young children experiencing an illness, adequate nutrition is critical for recovery and to prevent malnutrition, yet many children do not receive the recommended quantities of food during illness and recuperation. Our research applied a behavioural science lens to identify drivers of feeding behaviours, including barriers inhibiting caregivers from following the feeding guidelines.

Design:

In 2021, we conducted qualitative research informed by the behavioural design process. Data from in-depth interviews and observations were analysed for themes.

Setting:

Research was conducted in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Participants:

Research participants included caregivers of young children, other family members, health workers and other community members.

Results:

Five key findings about behavioural drivers emerged: (1) poverty and scarcity impose practical constraints and a cognitive and emotional burden on caregivers; (2) health providers are distracted and discouraged from counselling on feeding during sick visits; (3) a focus on quality and hesitations about quantity obscure benefits of feeding greater amounts of available foods; (4) perceptions of inappropriate foods limit caregivers’ choices; and (5) deference to a child’s limited appetite leads to missed opportunities to encourage them to eat.

Conclusions:

Each of these behavioural drivers is triggered by one or more addressable features in caregivers’ and health workers’ environment, suggesting concrete opportunities for programmes to support caregivers and health workers to improve feeding of young children during illness and recovery. In other settings where these features of the environment are similar, the insights and programming implications are likely to translate.
Asian Monsoon and Local Valley Wind Caused Transport of Volatile Organic Compounds Episode Across Qinling Mountain in China
Authors: Xue Yonggang , Wang Liqin , Jing Yue , Zhang Ting , He Shan , Ho Kin Fai , Huang Yu , Chen Long , Cui Long , Cao Junji
Published: December 2023

Transport of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their oxidation products enhances ozone (O3) levels in the downwind areas. Qinling Mountain, with high altitude, affects the climate and air quality in China, but its impacts on VOCs transport and regional O3 pollution are poorly understood. The present study measured ambient VOCs at a high‐altitude site in Qinling Mountain in China in summer and winter in 2020, and investigated how the mountain influenced the regional transport of VOCs and O3. Transport of VOCs (formaldehyde up to 5 ppbv) across Qinling Mountain was observed, which caused rapid increase of O3 at night (80–152 ppbv) at the mountain top. In August, southeasterly air masses from surrounding areas were the main sources of oxygenated VOCs, while nonmethane hydrocarbons originated mainly from the Guanzhong Basin (GZB) north of the mountain. High loading of tropospheric formaldehyde was distributed on the pathway of the southeasterly air mass, which verified the transport of VOCs across Qinling Mountain. In December, westerly air masses passing through GZB contributed most to the ambient VOCs. Asian monsoon and local valley wind together drove the accumulation of O3 and VOCs on the mountain top, which exacerbated the O3 pollution in the adjacent areas. This study revealed the transport of O3 and VOCs across Qinling Mountain and highlighted the need for regional collaborative control of air quality in Northwest China.
A Survey of Magnetic Field Line Curvature in Jovian Dawn Magnetodisc
Authors: Gu W. D. , Yao Z. H. , Wei Y. , Qin T. S. , Zhang B. Z. , Xu Y. , Dunn W. R. , Delamere P. A. , Chen Y. N.
Published: December 2023

The Jovian magnetosphere is highly dynamic, influenced by both solar wind and internal processes associated with the rapid planetary rotation and Io's volcanic activities. Accompanying the mass and energy circulations driven by the magnetospheric dynamics, the magnetic configuration also changes dramatically. One of the crucial parameters to characterize the magnetic configuration is magnetic field line curvature (FLC), which generally describes how stretched the field line is. The curvature is pivotal to influence particle behaviors, for example, pitch angle scattering which may lead to auroral particle precipitation. In this work, a method is proposed to investigate the real‐time magnetic FLC in Jovian current sheet using the magnetic field data from the Juno spacecraft. The results indicate that the FLC scattering of ions and relativistic electrons are common in Jovian magnetosphere, providing a crucial insight to understand the particle behaviors.
Structural basis for DNA proofreading
Authors: Buchel Gina , Nayak Ashok R. , Herbine Karl , Sarfallah Azadeh , Sokolova Viktoriia O. , Zamudio-Ochoa Angelica , Temiakov Dmitry
Published: December 2023

DNA polymerase (DNAP) can correct errors in DNA during replication by proofreading, a process critical for cell viability. However, the mechanism by which an erroneously incorporated base translocates from the polymerase to the exonuclease site and the corrected DNA terminus returns has remained elusive. Here, we present an ensemble of nine high-resolution structures representing human mitochondrial DNA polymerase Gamma, Polγ, captured during consecutive proofreading steps. The structures reveal key events, including mismatched base recognition, its dissociation from the polymerase site, forward translocation of DNAP, alterations in DNA trajectory, repositioning and refolding of elements for primer separation, DNAP backtracking, and displacement of the mismatched base into the exonuclease site. Altogether, our findings suggest a conserved ‘bolt-action’ mechanism of proofreading based on iterative cycles of DNAP translocation without dissociation from the DNA, facilitating primer transfer between catalytic sites. Functional assays and mutagenesis corroborate this mechanism, connecting pathogenic mutations to crucial structural elements in proofreading steps.
Longitudinal imaging of murine atherosclerosis with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose and [18F]-sodium fluoride in genetically modified Apolipoprotein E knock-out and wild type mice
Authors: Khare Harshvardhan A. , Binderup Tina , Hag Anne Mette Fisker , Kjaer Andreas
Published: December 2023

In a longitudinal design, four arterial segments in mice were followed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. We aimed to determine how the tracers reflected the development of atherosclerosis via the uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) for imaging inflammation and [18F]-sodium fluoride (Na[18F]F) for imaging active microcalcification in a murine model of atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE) mice and C57 BL/6NtaC (B6) mice were divided into four groups. They received either normal chow (N = 7, ApoE mice and N = 6, B6 mice) for 32 weeks or a high-fat diet (N = 6, ApoEHFD mice and N = 9, B6HFD mice) for 32 weeks. The mice were scanned with [18F]FDG and Na[18F]F using a dedicated small animal PET/CT scanner at three timepoints. The tracer uptakes in four aortic segments (abdominal aorta, aortic arch, ascending aorta, and thoracic aorta) were measured and reported as SUVmax values. The uptake of [18F]FDG (SUVmax: 5.7 ± 0.5 vs 1.9 ± 0.2, 230.3%, p =  < 0.0001) and Na[18F]F (SUVmax: 9.6 ± 1.8 vs 4.0 ± 0.3, 175%, p = 0.007) was significantly increased in the abdominal aorta of ApoEHFD mice at Week 32 compared to baseline abdominal aorta values of ApoEHFD mice. [18F]FDG uptake in the aortic arch, ascending aorta and the thoracic aorta of B6HFD mice at Week 32 showed a robust resemblance to the abdominal aorta uptake whereas the Na[18F]F uptake only resembled in the thoracic aorta of B6HFD mice at Week 32 compared to the abdominal aorta. The uptake of both [18F]FDG and Na[18F]F increased as the disease progressed over time, and the abdominal aorta provided a robust measure across mouse strain and diet. Therefore, it seems to be the preferred region for image readout. For [18F]FDG-PET, both B6 and ApoE mice provide valuable information and either mouse strain may be used in preclinical cardiovascular studies, whereas for Na[18F]F -PET, ApoE mice should be preferred.
Comparing accuracy in voice-based assessments of biological speaker traits across speech types
Authors: Sorokowski Piotr , Groyecka-Bernard Agata , Frackowiak Tomasz , Kobylarek Aleksander , Kupczyk Piotr , Sorokowska Agnieszka , Misiak Michał , Oleszkiewicz Anna , Bugaj Katarzyna , Włodarczyk Małgorzata , Pisanski Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

Nonverbal acoustic parameters of the human voice provide cues to a vocaliser’s sex, age, and body size that are relevant in human social and sexual communication, and also increasingly so for computer-based voice recognition and synthesis technologies. While studies have shown some capacity in human listeners to gauge these biological traits from unseen speakers, it remains unknown whether speech complexity improves accuracy. Here, in over 200 vocalisers and 1500 listeners of both sexes, we test whether voice-based assessments of sex, age, height and weight vary from isolated vowels and words, to sequences of vowels and words, to full sentences or paragraphs. We show that while listeners judge sex and especially age more accurately as speech complexity increases, accuracy remains high across speech types, even for a single vowel sound. In contrast, the actual heights and weights of vocalisers explain comparatively less variance in listener’s assessments of body size, which do not vary systematically by speech type. Our results thus show that while more complex speech can improve listeners’ biological assessments, the gain is ecologically small, as listeners already show an impressive capacity to gauge speaker traits from extremely short bouts of standardised speech, likely owing to within-speaker stability in underlying nonverbal vocal parameters such as voice pitch. We discuss the methodological, technological, and social implications of these results.
Obesity-induced PARIS (ZNF746) accumulation in adipose progenitor cells leads to attenuated mitochondrial biogenesis and impaired adipogenesis
Authors: Hachiya Kazuki , Deguchi Yusuke , Hirata Takuro , Arikawa Tomoya , Fukai Hiroto , Esashi Tatsuhiro , Nagasawa Kota , Mizunoe Yuhei , Nozaki Yuka , Kobayashi Masaki , Higami Yoshikazu
Published: December 2023

White adipose tissue (WAT) is critical for whole-body energy metabolism, and its dysfunction leads to various metabolic disorders. In recent years, many studies have suggested that impaired mitochondria may contribute to obesity-related decline in adipose tissue function, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these mechanisms, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of WAT from mice with diet-induced obesity. We discovered the transcription factor Parkin interactive substrate (PARIS or ZNF746), which suppresses the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, to be accumulated in adipose progenitor cells from obese mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with overexpression of PARIS protein exhibited decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and impaired adipogenesis. Our results suggest that the accumulation of PARIS protein may be a novel component in the pathogenesis of obesity-related dysfunction in WAT.
Real-time multi-contrast magnetic particle imaging for the detection of gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Mohn Fabian , Szwargulski Patryk , Kaul Michael G. , Graeser Matthias , Mummert Tobias , Krishnan Kannan M. , Knopp Tobias , Adam Gerhard , Salamon Johannes , Riedel Christoph
Published: December 2023

Gastrointestinal bleeding, as a potentially life-threatening condition, is typically diagnosed by radiation-based imaging modalities like computed tomography or more invasively catheter-based angiography. Endoscopy enables examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract and the colon but not of the entire small bowel. Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) enables non-invasive, volumetric imaging without ionizing radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of detecting gastrointestinal bleeding by single- and multi-contrast MPI using human-sized organs. A 3D-printed small bowel phantom and porcine small bowel specimens were prepared with a defect within the bowel wall as the source of a bleeding. For multi-contrast MPI, the bowel lumen was filled with an intestinal tracer representing an orally administered tracer. MPI was performed to evaluate the fluid exchange between the vascular compartment of the bowel wall and the lumen while a blood pool tracer was applied. Leakage of the blood pool tracer was observed to the bowel lumen. Multi-contrast MPI enabled co-registration of both tracers at the same location within the bowel lumen indicating gastrointestinal bleeding. Single- and multi-contrast MPI are feasible to visualize gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, MPI might emerge as a useful tool for radiation-free detection of bleeding within the entire gastrointestinal tract.
A novel double-sheath negative-pressure versus conventional minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy for large kidney stone
Authors: Tuoheti Kuer-Ban , Wang Xing-Huan , Wang Ting , Wang Yong-Zhi , Liu Tong-Zu , Wu Zhong-Hua
Published: December 2023

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel double-sheath negative-pressure minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (D-mPCNL) compared to conventional minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (C-mPCNL) for large kidney stones. A total of 132 patients diagnosed with large kidney stones in our hospital were included in the study. Among them, sixty-eight patients underwent D-mPCNL, while sixty-four underwent C-mPCNL. Parameters such as operative duration, stone-free rate, incidence of postoperative complications, and the need for auxiliary procedures were evaluated between the two groups. Compared to the C-mPCNL group, the D-mPCNL group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time (41.97 ± 8.24 min vs. 52.30 ± 13.72 min; P < 0.000), lower rates of auxiliary procedures (5.9% vs. 17.2%; P = 0.041), and lower fever rates (2.9% vs. 14.1%; P = 0.021). The group also had a significantly higher primary stone-free rate (85.3% vs. 70.3%; P = 0.038). However, there were no statistically significant advantages in terms of the final stone-free rate, hemoglobin drops, and stone composition in the D-mPCNL group (P > 0.05). D-mPCNL is a novel surgical method that is safe and effective, reducing operative time, improving stone-free efficiency, and decreasing postoperative complications.
The thrombin generation capability of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus): implications for haemostatic disease models
Authors: Joubert J. , Meiring S. M. , Janse van Rensburg W. J.
Published: December 2023

Baboon models are often used to investigate haemostatic diseases, such as acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or bacterial sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation, and their potential treatment with novel drugs. Thrombin generation is vital for these models, and an important potential therapeutic target. We investigated the thrombin generation profile of the Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus – a common pre-clinical model) including the effects of sex and ABO blood group. Thrombin generation curves, lag times, peak heights, times-to-peak, velocity indexes and Endogenous Thrombin Potentials (ETPs) of 40 adult Chacma baboons were assessed and compared with normal human plasma, using a low concentration of tissue factor (1 pM) and phospholipids. Reference intervals were calculated, and results compared between O and non-O ABO blood groups, and between males and females. Lag times of all baboons fell within the human reference interval. Most animals (n = 32; 80%) had times-to-peak above, and velocity indexes and peak heights markedly below (n = 27; 68%) the human range. However, 97.5% of baboons had an ETP above the human reference interval, indicating greater overall thrombin generation. ABO blood group had no effect, but males (n = 14; 35%) had less potent thrombin generation than females (n = 26; 65%), with significantly longer lag times (p = 0.0475), lower peak thrombin concentrations (p = 0.0203), and lower ETPs (p = 0.0238). Chacma baboons have greater overall endogenous thrombin generation potentials than humans, which is even more prominent in females. This should be considered when designing future baboon model experiments involving the haemostatic system, or when evaluating novel therapies in these animals.
A novel deep learning model for a computed tomography diagnosis of coronary plaque erosion
Authors: Park Sangjoon , Yuki Haruhito , Niida Takayuki , Suzuki Keishi , Kinoshita Daisuke , McNulty Iris , Broersen Alexander , Dijkstra Jouke , Lee Hang , Kakuta Tsunekazu , Ye Jong Chul , Jang Ik-Kyung
Published: December 2023

Patients with acute coronary syndromes caused by plaque erosion might be managed conservatively without stenting. Currently, the diagnosis of plaque erosion requires an invasive imaging procedure. We sought to develop a deep learning (DL) model that enables an accurate diagnosis of plaque erosion using coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). A total of 532 CTA scans from 395 patients were used to develop a DL model: 426 CTA scans from 316 patients for training and internal validation, and 106 separate scans from 79 patients for validation.Momentum Distillation-enhanced Composite Transformer Attention (MD-CTA), a novel DL model that can effectively process the entire set of CTA scans to diagnose plaque erosion, was developed. The novel DL model, compared to the convolution neural network, showed significantly improved AUC (0.899 [0.841–0.957] vs. 0.724 [0.622–0.826]), sensitivity (87.1 [70.2–96.4] vs. 71.0 [52.0–85.8]), and specificity (85.3 [75.3–92.4] vs. 68.0 [56.2–78.3]), respectively, for the patient-level prediction. Similar results were obtained at the slice-level prediction AUC (0.897 [0.890–0.904] vs. 0.757 [0.744–0.770]), sensitivity (82.2 [79.8–84.3] vs. 68.9 [66.2–71.6]), and specificity (80.1 [79.1–81.0] vs. 67.3 [66.3–68.4]), respectively. This newly developed DL model enables an accurate CT diagnosis of plaque erosion, which might enable cardiologists to provide tailored therapy without invasive procedures.

Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04523194.
GPR15-mediated T cell recruitment during acute viral myocarditis facilitated virus elimination and improved outcome
Authors: Stoffers Bastian , Wolf Hanna , Bacmeister Lucas , Kupsch Svenja , Vico Tamara , Marchini Timoteo , Brehm Maria A. , Yan Isabell , Becher P. Moritz , Ardeshirdavani Armin , Escher Felicitas , Kim Sangwon V. , Klingel Karin , Kirchhof Paulus , Blankenberg Stefan , Zeller Tanja , Wolf Dennis , Hilgendorf Ingo , Westermann Dirk , Lindner Diana
Published: December 2023

Viral myocarditis is characterized by infiltration of mononuclear cells essential for virus elimination. GPR15 has been identified as a homing receptor for regulatory T cells in inflammatory intestine diseases, but its role in inflammatory heart diseases is still elusive. Here we show that GPR15 deficiency impairs coxsackievirus B3 elimination, leading to adverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Delayed recruitment of regulatory T cells in GPR15-deficient mice was accompanied by prolonged persistence of cytotoxic and regulatory T cells. In addition, RNA sequencing revealed prolonged inflammatory response and altered chemotaxis in knockout mice. In line, we identified GPR15 and its ligand GPR15L as an important chemokine receptor–ligand pair for the recruitment of regulatory and cytotoxic T cells. In summary, the insufficient virus elimination might be caused by a delayed recruitment of T cells as well as delayed interferon-γ expression, resulting in a prolonged inflammatory response and an adverse outcome in GPR15-deficient mice.
Atomic insight into the effects of precursor clusters on monolayer WSe2
Authors: Zhang Yanxue , Chang Yuan , Zhao Luneng , Liu Hongsheng , Gao Junfeng
Published: December 2023

By controlling the Se/W ratio, the interaction between precursor clusters and WSe2 and the electronic properties of the prepared WSe2 monolayer can be effectively tuned, which is significant for the high-quality growth and applications of WSe2.
Cellular uptake and fate of cationic polymer-coated nanodiamonds delivering siRNA: a mechanistic study
Authors: Majer Jan , Kindermann Marek , Pinkas Dominik , Chvatil David , Cigler Petr , Libusova Lenka
Published: December 2023

Nanodiamonds coated with a random cationic copolymer based on (2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate (DMAEMA) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) enable highly effective cellular delivery of siRNAs. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is the predominant entry mechanism.
Adjusting the perfluorinated side chain length in dual-grafted anion exchange membranes for high performance fuel cells
Authors: Gong Shoutao , Han Long , Zhang Xinli , Jin Quan , He Gaohong , Zhang Fengxiang
Published: December 2023

A series of poly(aryl piperidinium) anion exchange membranes with perfluorinated side chains of different lengths and hydrophilic side chains have been designed and synthesized.
A reverse Schmitt trigger with an adjustable hysteresis window implemented by mesoporous silica electrolyte-gated transistors
Authors: Liang Linzi , Liu Kekang , Luo Zhiyuan , Jiang Zhengdong , Hu Qichang , Liu Yanghui
Published: December 2023

The development of low-voltage, low-power Schmitt triggers will help in further optimizing the performance of portable and wearable electronic devices.