bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is syllable repetitions a song parameter important for male-male interactions in Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)?
Authors: Darolová Alžbeta , Krištofík Ján , Rubáčová Lucia , Knauer Felix , Hoi Herbert
Published: February 2024

Song complexity has been identified as one song characteristic important in female choice, whereas its role in male-male interactions is less clear and not much is known which song characteristics are specifically important for territorial defense. In Acrocephalus warblers, males seem to increase song complexity towards females but reduce it during territorial disputes. One possibility to reduce song complexity could be achieved by repeating individual syllables. In this context here we examined the importance of males repeating syllables in male-male interactions. We hypothesis that repeating syllables signals a males general fighting ability, aggressive status or willingness to attack. In a playback experiment we investigated the behavioral response of unmated, territorial Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) males towards two simultaneously singing intruders whereby the song of the two simulated intruders differs in the degree of syllable repetitions. The response of the territory owner was determined by using several behavioral parameters. Our results revealed that males approached faster and stayed significantly longer near the song with few syllable repetitions. However, the proportion of males approaching the song with high or low syllable repetitions first, as well as the minimal distance to which males approach to the two song types did not differ as well. Thus, the weaker response towards the high repetitive song playback suggests territorial males to be more intimidated by the aggressive nature of that song type.
Maternal pheochromocytoma and childbirth in Sweden 1973–2015: a population-based study on short and long-term outcome
Authors: Gunnesson Lisa , Ragnarsson Oskar , Nilsson Maria , Sengpiel Verena , Elfvin Anders , Elias Erik , Muth Andreas
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Data guiding management of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) in pregnant women is limited, and long-term effects on the child are unknown. The aim of this retrospective registry-based case-cohort study was to assess how maternal PPGL and treatment impacts maternal and fetal outcome, including long-term outcome for the child. The main outcomes were maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity at delivery and relative healthcare consumption in children born by mothers with PPGL during pregnancy.

Methods

The National Birth Register identified 4,390,869 pregnancies between 1973–2015. Data was crosslinked with three Swedish national registers to identify women diagnosed with pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma within one year before or after childbirth. Hospital records were reviewed and register data was collected for five age-matched controls for each child until age 18.

Results

21 women and 23 children were identified (incidence 4.8/1.000.000 births/year), all women with adrenal pheochromocytomas (Pc). The majority (71%) were diagnosed post-partum. Nine women (43%) were hypertensive during pregnancy. Preterm delivery was more common in Pc patients compared to controls (30% vs 6%, p < 0.001). There was no maternal or fetal mortality. Timing of tumor removal did not affect gestational weight or APGAR scores. There was no observed difference in hospital admissions between children affected by maternal Pc and controls.

Conclusion

Pc was commonly diagnosed after delivery and raised the risk of pre-term delivery, suggesting a need for an increased awareness of this diagnosis. However, reassuringly, there was no fetal or maternal mortality or any observed long-term impact on the children.
Review: de rol van psychische stoornissen bij precisiegeneeskunde voor diabetes
Authors: Kremers Sanne , Elders P.J.M. , Doedes E. , de Wit M. , Pouwer F. , Beulens J. , Rutters F.
Published: February 2024

Samenvatting

In deze review onderzoeken we wat de potentiële waarde is van precisiegeneeskunde op basis van psychische stoornissen binnen diabetespreventie en -behandeling. Dit doen we aan de hand van de vier componenten van precisiegeneeskunde. Als eerste presenteren we een overzicht van de beschikbare literatuur over de rol van psychische stoornissen bij het ontstaan van diabetes, ofwel precisiepreventie en diabetesgerelateerde complicaties ofwel precisieprognose. Vervolgens beschrijven we de mogelijke interventies voor het behandelen van psychische stoornissen bij mensen met diabetes en de waargenomen effecten hiervan, ofwel precisiebehandeling. Ook bespreken we hoe psychische stoornissen te meten en volgen over de tijd met behulp van mobiele gezondheidsapplicaties, ofwel precisiemonitoring. Als laatste beschouwen we recente ontwikkelingen in wetenschappelijk onderzoek en de praktijk. Ook bespreken we suggesties voor toekomstig onderzoek en de uitdagingen die ons staan te wachten.

We laten zien dat verschillende psychische stoornissen geassocieerd zijn met een hoger risico op type 2-diabetes en bijbehorende complicaties, waarbij dus een basis is voor precisiepreventie en precisieprognose. Ook zijn er aanwijzingen dat het behandelen van psychische stoornissen kan bijdragen aan preventie van diabetes en de ziekte-uitkomsten van mensen met diabetes kan verbeteren, kortom precisiebehandeling. Ook voor precisiemonitoring lijkt een basis, met mobiele gezondheidsapplicaties die effectief lijken te zijn in het opsporen van psychische stoornissen en daarmee het identificeren van patiënten die baat kunnen hebben bij de behandeling hiervan. Maar we laten in onze review ook zien dat er nog aanzienlijke kennislacunes bestaan, die nu verhinderen dat we precisiegeneeskunde kunnen toepassen op basis van psychische stoornissen voor diabetes. Samengevat laat deze review zien dat precisiegeneeskunde op basis van psychische stoornissen voor diabetes kan bijdragen aan de verbetering van diabetespreventie, evenals diabeteszorg en ziekte-uitkomsten.

Dit artikel is een aangepaste versie van: Kremers SHM, Wild SH, Elders PJM, Beulens JWJ, Campbell DJT, Pouwer F, Lindekilde N, de Wit M, Loyd C, Rutters F, The role of mental disorders in precision medicine for diabetes: a narrative review. Diabetologia Special issue on precision medicine (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-022-05738-x
Enhancing medical text detection with vision-language pre-training and efficient segmentation
Authors: Li Tianyang , Bai Jinxu , Wang Qingzhu
Published: February 2024

Detecting text within medical images presents a formidable challenge in the domain of computer vision due to the intricate nature of textual backgrounds, the dense text concentration, and the possible existence of extreme aspect ratios. This paper introduces an effective and precise text detection system tailored to address these challenges. The system incorporates an optimized segmentation module, a trainable post-processing method, and leverages a vision-language pre-training model (oCLIP). Specifically, our segmentation head integrates three essential components: the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) module, which combines a residual structure and channel attention mechanism; the Efficient Feature Enhancement Module (EFEM); and the Multi-Scale Feature Fusion with RSEConv (MSFM-RSE), designed specifically for multi-scale feature fusion based on RSEConv. By introducing a residual structure and channel attention mechanism into the FPN module, the convolutional layers are replaced with RSEConv layers that employ a channel attention mechanism, further augmenting the representational capacity of the feature maps. The EFEM, designed as a cascaded U-shaped module, incorporates a spatial attention mechanism to introduce multi-level information, thereby enhancing segmentation performance. Subsequently, the MSFM-RSE adeptly amalgamates features from various depths and scales of the EFEM to generate comprehensive final features tailored for segmentation purposes. Additionally, a post-processing module employs a differentiable binarization strategy, allowing the segmentation network to dynamically determine the binarization threshold. Building on the system’s improvement, we introduce a vision-language pre-training model that undergoes extensive training on various visual language understanding tasks. This pre-trained model acquires detailed visual and semantic representations, further reinforcing both the accuracy and robustness in text detection when integrated with the segmentation module. The performance of our proposed model was evaluated through experiments on medical text image datasets, demonstrating excellent results. Multiple benchmark experiments validate its superior performance in comparison to existing methods. Code is available at: https://github.com/csworkcode/VLDBNet.
DPSIR framework to evaluate and analyze Iran's energy security
Authors: Esmaeili Hanif , Almassi Morteza , Ghahderijani Mohammad
Published: February 2024

Energy security has become an increasing concern for many countries, policymakers, and decision-makers. Beyond the environmental challenges of fossil energy sources, energy security remains a prominent concern for economic development. Therefore, evaluating energy security can be a valuable tool for policy formulation. This article models the energy security of Iran using the DPSIR framework (driving forces, pressures, states, impacts, and responses). The period under study is from 2012 to 2021. The dimensions of this framework include five aspects: driving forces, pressures, status, impacts, and responses. The TOPSIS model with entropy weighting is used to calculate the weights of indices and ultimately determine the final energy security. The research findings indicate that throughout the examined period, there have been fluctuations in the trend. However, Iran's energy security has been bullish and has reached 0.61 in 2021 from 0.38 in 2012. The indicators of driving forces and impacts have enhanced energy security threats. International sanctions, population growth, urbanization, reliance on fossil fuel consumption, and the emission of environmental pollutants were the most influential factors contributing to decreased energy security. Iran requires the implementation of suitable strategies for long-term control of these factors.
Nanogenosensors based on aptamers and peptides for bioelectrochemical cancer detection: an overview of recent advances in emerging materials and technologies
Authors: Kangarshahi Babak Mikaeeli , Naghib Seyed Morteza
Published: February 2024

Electrochemical biosensors fabricated based on nucleic acids have shown great potential for cancer recognition because of their low cost, fast feedback, high sensitivity, and easy operation. This review will demonstrate the impression of recent advances and applications of electrochemical biosensors that are nucleic acid-based for cancer detection. We compare electrochemical biosensors formulated on nucleic acids with those formed on antibodies and highlight some examples of electrochemical biosensors developed on nucleic acids for cancer detection, such as biosensors that use DNA or RNA aptamers to detect prostate-specific antigens, microRNA-21, or carcinoembryonic antigens. We discuss the rewards and drawbacks of these biosensors and the challenges they face, such as stability, reproducibility, interference, and standardization. We also suggest some possible directions and opportunities for future research and development, such as developing novel nucleic acid recognition elements, exploring new transducer materials and configurations, designing new signal amplification strategies, integrating electrochemical biosensors with microfluidic devices or portable instruments, and evaluating electrochemical biosensors in clinical settings with actual samples from cancer patients or healthy donors. Overall, we believe that electrochemical biosensors that are nucleic acid-based offer an auspicious alternative to conventional methods for cancer detection and have great potential to contribute to early diagnosis and effective cancer treatment.

Graphical Abstract
Slime mold algorithm for topology optimization: metagratings inverse design
Authors: Edee Kofi , Granet Gerard , Bonnet Pierre
Published: February 2024

In this paper we discuss the use of a metaheuristic (MH) gradient-free optimization method, specifically the slime mold algorithm (SMA), combined with the topology optimization (TO) method to design metasurfaces using a spectral modal method. The motivation behind using a MH approach comes from the drawbacks associated with traditional gradient-based methods. Normally, gradient-based methods require the calculation of the electromagnetic (EM) field at certain nodes within the computation domain. However, in spectral modal methods, this is unnecessary since these methods can compute the EM response without the need for field component values. Second, optimizing metagratings often involves a multimodal objective function with multiple local minimums and gradient-based methods might struggle with finding the global optimum. So to overcome these drawbacks, we propose using a MH approach, specifically the slime mold algorithm (SMA). We apply SMA to a metasurface design, especially in the context of TO and spectral methods, which is relatively unexplored. By coupling both TO with SMA, we successfully design metagratings capable of deflecting incident waves into a desired transmission angle.
Antifungal activity of Carya illinoinensis extracts against Alternaria alternata pathogen and their cytotoxicity effects on HEK-293T cells: HPLC analysis of bioactive compounds
Authors: Achilonu Conrad Chibunna , Gryzenhout Marieka , Marais Gert Johannes , Johar Dina , Ghosh Soumya , Hassanin Soha Osama
Published: February 2024

Derivatives ofCarya illinoinensis(pecan) are used as dietary supplements and their leaf and nuts-in-shuck extracts are used in the treatment of various pathologies due to their significant composition in phenolic compounds that act as natural antifungal and anticancer agents. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of acetone extracts (AEs) from leaves (L) and nuts-in-shucks (S) of cultivars (cv.) Wichita (Wic) and Ukulinga (Uku) of South AfricanC. illinoinensisagainstA. alternatapathogen. The AEs of Wic-L and Uku-L showed higher antifungal efficacy against all testedA. alternataisolates, with inhibition zones ranging from 11 to 39 mm. Acetone crude extracts of cv. Wichita and cv. Ukulinga showed efficacy against the isolates and were significantly different (p < 0.001). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed major morphological damages on the conidia from assayed cultures, which resulted in inhibition. We further evaluated the in vitro cytotoxic effects ofCarya illinoinensison human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293T) cell lines with methanolic extracts (MEs). HEK-293T cell lines (10 × 103cells/well) were treated with each sample of the extracts at various concentration (1.56, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) and cell viability was quantitated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay after 48 h. The HEK-293 cell viabilities when exposed to MEs of Wic-L, Wic-S, and Uku-L were 88.2%, 75.2%, and 86.3% respectively, confirming non-toxic properties in accordance with International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) norms. However, the viability of cell culture after the treatment with MEs of Uku-S was 37% and was as toxic. We further used High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to investigate individual phenolic constituents and total phenolic content in the leaves and shucks of both cultivars. Twelve individual phenols were detected through HPLC analysis in the respective extracts. The total phenolic content was higher in the extracts of Wic-L (102.19 mg GAE/g) and Uku-L (110.13 mg GAE/g) relative to the Wic-S (62.03 mg GAE/g) and Uku-S (85.07 mg GAE/g) extracts. Finally, these findings highlighted the possibility of pecan leaf extracts as a potential natural bioactive antifungal agent against black spot disease on pecans in South Africa.
Insect species dynamics and associated losses in on-farm stored sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) seeds in major sesame growing areas in Ethiopia
Authors: Berhe Muez , Subramanyam Bhadriraju , Demissie Girma , Chichaybelu Mekasha , Abera Fetien Abay , Mahroof Rizana , Harvey Jagger
Published: February 2024

Insufficient storage practices and frequent infestations of insect pests pose significant obstacles to sesame production and storage, adversely affecting the quality and quantity of seeds. This forces farmers and traders to sell their crops at lower prices immediately after threshing to avoid market rejection caused by pests and mold damage during storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the insect species dynamics and the losses of on-farm-stored sesame seeds during the 2017- 2018 production year. Sesame seed samples obtained from randomly selected 431farm households in five districts were analyzed to determine the insect species present, insect density, seed weight loss, seed damage, germination percentage, and dockage using R software version 4.2.2. Biophysical parameters such as inter-granular temperature, seed moisture, and relative humidity were also recorded. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with the 431 farm households to gather information on their seed storage methods, practices for controlling insect pests, and the varieties of sesame they produce and store. The findings revealed the presence of 13 arthropod species from four orders (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera) which belongs to eight families (Tenebrionidae, Silvanidae, Bostrichidae, Curculionidae, Carabidae, Coreidae, Formicidae, and Pyralidae) in the stored sesame seeds at the study site. The most prevalent species was the flour beetle (Tribolium spp.), accounting for 44.26% of the infestation, followed by the rice moth, lesser grain borer, and rice weevil, which constituted 28.2%, 15.72%, and 4.88% of the infestation, respectively. The farmers grew and stored nine different cultivars along with one improved sesame variety called setit-1. On average, there was a 1.97% loss in seed weight, with insect pests causing damage to 8.3% of the seeds. The study districts exhibited an average of 3.79 insects per kilogram of sesame seeds, and the seeds showed a mean germination rate of 77%, which was significantly influenced by the extent of insect damage. The study underscores the significant challenges faced by sesame production and storage in Ethiopia due to inadequate storage practices and infestation by insect pests, resulting in diminished seed quality and quantity. To mitigate the losses incurred from storing sesame on farms, effective measures should be implemented, including improved storage practices and efficient pest control methods.
Athens and Boiotia
Authors: van Wijk Roy
Published: February 2024

Were Athenians and Boiotians natural enemies in the Archaic and Classical period? The scholarly consensus is yes. Roy van Wijk, however, re-evaluates this commonly held assumption and shows that, far from perpetually hostile, their relationship was distinctive and complex. Moving between diplomatic normative behaviour, commemorative practice and the lived experience in the borderlands, he offers a close analysis of literary sources, combined with recent archaeological and epigraphic material, to reveal an aspect to neighbourly relations that has hitherto escaped attention. He argues that case studies such as the Mazi plain and Oropos show that territorial disputes were not a mainstay in diplomatic interactions and that commemorative practices in Panhellenic and local sanctuaries do not reflect an innate desire to castigate the neighbour. The book breaks new ground by reconstructing a more positive and polyvalent appreciation of neighbourly relations based on the local lived experience. This title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Corporate Tax Law
Authors: Harris Peter
Published: February 2024

New edition taking account of the substantial developments of the last decade. It considers the Trump US tax reforms of late 2017 and then the Biden reforms of 2022. It recognises the economic rise of China by incorporating its corporate tax system for comparison. This creates increased balance, introducing a second civil law jurisdiction. This edition also incorporates many changes resulting from international tax developments including the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting reports and the current Two Pillar approach. The edition documents how corporate and international tax systems are increasingly integrated. This is particularly the case with minimum taxes, hybrid financial instruments and excessive debt financing. The interface between corporate tax base and financial accounts is another area of particular interest. Countries continue to tinker with the use of corporate losses, corporate tax rates and dividend relief. Other areas of development include corporate tax subjects, buy backs and dividend stripping.
Dispute Settlement Reports 2022
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: February 2024

These are the WTO's authorized and paginated reports in English. They are an essential addition to the library of all practising trade lawyers and a useful tool for students and academics worldwide working in the field of international economic or trade law. DSR 2022: Volume I contains the panel report on 'European Union – Safeguard Measures on Certain Steel Products' (WT/DS595).
Towards a New European Impetus Post-Brexit
Authors: Aernoudt Rudy
Published: February 2024

Europe is neither a deus ex machina nor a scapegoat, but can make a real difference to European citizens in their daily life. Those citizens are the real stakeholders in the European story. Europe has proven that it can realize what was considered by many as impossible. The internal market and the euro have become feats that others envy. Processes can be slow and errors have been made, such as the decoupling of monetary and economic policy, but the European project has proven to be solid and able to navigate through turbulent waters and crises. Moreover, crises often appeared to act as an accelerator for the European integration process. COVID-19 is a prime example. The next-generation project is an unprecedented injection into the real economy. Financing through European loans would never have been possible without COVID-19. Other examples, such as space policy and the monetary union, showcase Europe's standing on the world stage. However, Europe is under attack. Populism and nationalism are rampant, the United Kingdom has left the Union and public confidence in Europe is waning. How should it move forward? With that question, the author takes the reader behind the scenes and delves into the story of Europe: a story of ambitions and illusions. With his unique, personal insights from his experiences working in European institutions, he explores the future of Europe and proposes twelve priorities for action at a European level, which he calls the 'Twelve Labours of Hercules'.
The African Continental Free Trade Area and the Future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement in Africa
Authors: Kebe Mouhamed
Published: February 2024

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement is at the forefront of current African business, trade and legal discussions. The future of African development, on a continental level, is largely tied to the success or failure of this agreement. One of the primary concerns of legal professionals and the international business community is the dispute settlement mechanism that will be built into the agreement. African nations are also acutely aware of the importance of developing a dispute settlement system that strikes the right balance between the interests of international investors and the needs of local populations. However, to date, there has been very little published on this topic as it pertains to the AfCFTA. While several articles look at individual components of the complex topic of African dispute settlement, there are few publications that bring together the various aspects. Individuals shaping this discussion, particularly the legal practitioners working to influence the conversation on how disputes should be carried out under the agreement, will benefit from the comprehensive look provided within the book. Not only does the author provide sound foundational knowledge as to the current landscape of dispute settlement on the continent, but he also presents a clear path forward for the negotiation of the dispute settlement provision of the AfCFTA.
Defragmentation of Law
Authors: Ondrejek Pavel
Published: February 2024

Fragmentation is currently discussed mainly in the context of international law; this book shows that the complexity of regulations and multiplicity of institutions in a non-hierarchical order lead to fragmentation in national legal systems as well as in international law. However, the aim of the book is not merely to describe contemporary fragmented law, but rather to offer arguments for strengthening the systemic character of law. The book explores methods of pro-systemic interpretation, the principle of proportionality, legal pluralism, and these analyses result in the conception of normative coherentism. While the vast majority of scholarship associates coherentism with epistemological issues, such as the coherence theory of truth, this work emphasises the importance of an approach to law that focuses on the underlying principles and doctrines that form its foundations, as well as the connections between the various elements of the legal system that need to be discovered through the doctrinal study of law. The axiological, not axiomatic, nature of law, complexity theory and common foundations of simultaneously applicable legal systems are described as the basic premises of normative coherentism. The author outlines manifestations of normative coherentism in various processes in law, especially in law- and decision-making.
Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, Princess Isabel and the Ending of Servile Labour in Russia and Brazil
Authors: O'Rourke Shane
Published: February 2024

Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna of Russia and Princess Isabel of Brazil were active participants in the struggle to end servile labor in their respective countries. They acted in defiance of political conventions which excluded women from any political activity. Both women were determined to do all in their power to further the cause of emancipation and to determine the terms under which serfs and slaves were emancipated. This book examines the political activities of the two royal women within the context of their respective societies and adopts a comparative approach.
Epistemic Complicity
Authors: Boult Cameron
Published: February 2024

There is a widely accepted distinction between being directly responsible for a wrongdoing versus being somehow indirectly or vicariously responsible for the wrongdoing of another person or collective. Often this is couched in analyses of complicity, and complicity's role in the relationship between individual and collective wrongdoing. Complicity is important because, inter alia, it allows us to make sense of individuals who may be blameless or blameworthy to a relatively low degree for their immediate conduct, but are nevertheless blameworthy to a higher degree for their implication in some larger (or another person's) wrongdoing. In this paper, I argue that there is a distinctively epistemic kind of complicity. First, I motivate the distinction between direct and vicarious responsibility with three interlocking arguments, respectively appealing to: (i) the structure of rational agency; (ii) linguistic considerations; (iii) the role of ‘principal' vs. ‘accomplice’ in legal doctrine. I show how these arguments naturally extend to the epistemic domain, motivating an epistemic form of vicarious responsibility. I then examine complicity as a mechanism of vicarious epistemic responsibility. To fill this out, I engage with an epistemic analogue of the debate about the role of intention versus causal contribution in complicity. I propose a Casual Account of Epistemic Complicity, arguing that it accommodates a wide range of cases, and enables fine-grained explanations of degrees of culpability for epistemic complicity. With an adequate account of epistemic complicity on hand, we can explain what is objectionable about an important class of epistemic agent who, on an individual level, may be epistemically blameless or blameworthy to a relatively low degree, but whose relation to other individuals or collectives nevertheless makes them epistemically blameworthy to a higher degree. I explore some broader implications of this result.
On a critical time-harmonic Maxwell equation in nonlocal media
Authors: Yang Minbo , Ye Weiwei , Zhang Shuijin
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we study the existence of solutions for a critical time–harmonic Maxwell equation in nonlocal media

\[ \begin{cases} \nabla\times(\nabla\times u)+\lambda u=\left(I_{\alpha}\ast|u|^{2^{{\ast}}_{\alpha}}\right)|u|^{2^{{\ast}}_{\alpha}-2}u & \mathrm{in}\ \Omega,\\ \nu\times u=0 & \mathrm{on}\ \partial\Omega, \end{cases} \]

where

$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^{3}$

is a bounded domain, either convex or with

$\mathcal {C}^{1,1}$

boundary,

$\nu$

is the exterior normal,

$\lambda <0$

is a real parameter,

$2^{\ast }_{\alpha }=3+\alpha$

with

$0<\alpha <3$

is the upper critical exponent due to the Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequality. By introducing some suitable Coulomb spaces involving curl operator

$W^{\alpha,2^{\ast }_{\alpha }}_{0}(\mathrm {curl};\Omega )$

, we are able to obtain the ground state solutions of the curl–curl equation via the method of constraining Nehari–Pankov manifold. Correspondingly, some sharp constants of the Sobolev-like inequalities with curl operator are obtained by a nonlocal version of the concentration–compactness principle.
Postprandial plasma amino acid and appetite responses with ingestion of a novel salmon-derived protein peptide in healthy young adults
Authors: Prosser Sophie , Fava Mia , Rogers Lucy M. , Liaset Bjørn , Breen Leigh
Published: February 2024

This study assessed postprandial plasma aminoacidemia, glycemia, insulinemia and appetite responses to ingestion of a novel salmon-derived protein peptide (Salmon PP) compared with milk protein isolate (Milk PI). In a randomised, participant-blind crossover design, eleven healthy adults (M = 5, F = 6; mean ± sd age: 22 ± 3 years; BMI: 24 ± 3 kg/m2) ingested 0·3 g/kg/body mass of Salmon PP or Milk PI. Arterialised blood samples were collected whilst fasted and over a 240-min postprandial period. Appetite sensations were measured via visual analogue scales. An ad libitum buffet-style test meal was administered after each trial. The incremental AUC (iAUC) plasma essential amino acid (EAA) response was similar between Salmon PP and Milk PI. The iAUC plasma leucine response was significantly greater following Milk PI ingestion (P < 0·001), whereas temporal and iAUC plasma total amino acid (P = 0·001), non-essential amino acid (P = 0·002), glycine (P = 0·0025) and hydroxyproline (P < 0·001) responses were greater following Salmon PP ingestion. Plasma insulin increased similarly above post-absorptive values following Salmon PP and Milk PI ingestion, whilst plasma glucose was largely unaltered. Indices of appetite were similarly altered following Salmon PP and Milk PI ingestion, and total energy and macronutrient intake during the ad libitum meal was similar between Salmon PP and Milk PI. The postprandial plasma EAA, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline response to Salmon PP ingestion suggest this novel protein source could support muscle and possibly connective tissue adaptive remodelling, which warrants further investigation, particularly as the plasma leucine response to Salmon PP ingestion was inferior to Milk PI.
On the Non‐Linear Nature of Long‐Term Sea Surface Temperature Global Trends
Authors: Martinez‐Lopez B. , Quintanar A. I. , Cabos‐Narvaez W. D. , Moreles E.
Published: February 2024

The year‐to‐year rate and acceleration of the changes in global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) for 1870–2022 are determined using non‐linear techniques. Our methodology identifies the non‐linear, long‐term tendencies of the warming, revealing subtle but essential features of the SST changes that are impossible to identify by linear techniques. Our analysis identifies inhomogeneous patterns of SST evolution. For instance, in most equatorial regions, including the western Pacific, the acceleration of the warming is positive, and sustained warming replaces the cooling at the beginning of the records. On the contrary, the warming acceleration in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific is negative, indicating a sustained warming at the beginning of the record that weakens over the years, resulting in a stagnated warming or even a cooling in recent years. We identify a strong warming with a negative acceleration for the North Atlantic. We hypothesize that this warming is part of the multidecadal variability of SST rather than a long‐term trend.
Past and Projected Future Droughts in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: McCabe Gregory J. , Wolock David M. , Gangopadhyay Subhrendu
Published: February 2024

Drought has affected much of the western United States since about the year 2000, including the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). Using a time series of UCRB streamflow derived from a tree‐ring based reconstruction of UCRB streamflow for the years 1 CE through 1905 CE, together with naturalized UCRB streamflow values for 1906 CE through 2021 CE, we identify 51 drought events, including the 2000–2021 drought. Although the recent 2000–2021 drought has been relatively severe, it is not the most severe of the UCRB drought events we identified. Results also indicate that natural variability combined with projected climate warming can result in UCRB drought events that are more severe than any drought since 1 CE.
East Asia Atmospheric River Forecast With a Deep Learning Method: GAN‐UNet
Authors: Tian Yuan , Zhao Yang , Li Jianping , Chen Bin , Deng Lin , Wen Dawei
Published: February 2024

Accurate forecasting of atmospheric rivers (ARs) holds significance in preventing losses from extreme precipitation. However, traditional numerical weather prediction (NWP) models are computationally expensive and can be limited in accuracy due to inaccurate physical parameter settings. To overcome these limitations, we propose a deep learning (DL) model, called GAN‐UNet, to forecast the AR occurrence, position, and intensity in East Asia. GAN‐UNet can capture the complex nonlinear relationship between the inputs at the past moment, including the vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT), zonal wind at 850 hPa (U850), and meridional wind at 850 hPa (V850), and the forecast output (IVT, U850, or V850), whose results are comparable to NWP models. In addition, the average model (AM) by integrating the results generated by GAN‐UNet and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) outperforms all the NWP models selected in this study, demonstrating its potential to improve the performance of NWP through the DL method. Specifically, the 5‐day average F1 scores of the AM are 0.777 and 0.845, whose values are significantly better than those obtained by ECMWF (0.712 and 0.794) in the two key regions of East Asia; The AM 5‐day average intersection over unions are 0.706 and 0.688 while the values of ECMWF are 0.675 and 0.64; in terms of intensity forecast, GAN‐UNet and AM exhibited lower differences in most of the intensity bins, except for the final bin with IVT more than 825 kg m−1 s−1. With this thorough analysis, GAN‐UNet is shown as an effective model to forecast ARs.
Introducing Pour Points: Characteristics and Hydrological Significance of a Rainfall‐Concentrating Mechanism in a Water‐Limited Woodland Ecosystem
Authors: Kunadi Ashvath S. , Lardner Tim , Silberstein Richard P. , Leopold Matthias , Callow Nik , Veneklaas Erik , Puri Aryan , Sydney Eleanor , Thompson Sally E.
Published: February 2024

The interception of rainfall by plant canopies alters the depth and spatial distribution of water arriving at the soil surface, and thus the location, volume, and depth of infiltration. Mechanisms like stemflow are known to concentrate rainfall and route it deep into the soil, yet other mechanisms of flow concentration are poorly understood. This study characterizes pour points, formed by the detachment of water flowing under a branch, using a combination of field observations in Western Australian banksia woodlands and rainfall simulation experiments on Banksia menziesii branches. We aim to establish the hydrological significance of pour points in a water‐limited woodland ecosystem, along with the features of the canopy structure and rainfall that influence pour point formation and fluxes. Pour points were common in the woodland and could be identified by visually inspecting trees. Throughfall depths at pour points were up to 15 times greater than rainfall and generally comparable to or greater than stemflow. Soil water content beneath pour points was greater than in adjacent controls, with 20%–30% of the seasonal rainfall volume infiltrated into the top 1 m of soil beneath pour points, compared to 5% in controls. Rainfall simulations showed that pour points amplified the spatial heterogeneity of throughfall, violating assumptions used to close the water balance. The simulation experiments demonstrated that pour point fluxes depend on the interaction of branch angle and foliation for a given branch architecture. Pour points can play a significant part in the water balance, depending on their density and rainfall concentration ability.
Differential responses of hepatopancreas transcriptome between fast and slow growth in giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) fed a plant-based diet
Authors: Phonsiri Khanakorn , Mavichak Rapeepat , Panserat Stephane , Boonanuntanasarn Surintorn
Published: February 2024

Efficient utilisation of plant-based diets in the giant freshwater prawn, Marcrobrachium rosenbergii, varies according to individual, suggesting that it might be associated with differences in physiological and metabolic responses. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the individual differences in the growth response of shrimp fed to a soybean-based diet (SBM). Two hundred shrimp were fed SBM for 90 days, and specific growth rate (SGR) was determined individually. Fast- and slow-growing shrimp (F-shrimp vs. S-shrimp), with the highest and lowest 5% SGRs, respectively, were sampled to determine haemolymph chemistry and carcass composition. The hepatopancreas of these shrimps were used for transcriptome analysis through RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The results showed no significant differences in haemolymph chemistry parameters. In terms of carcass proximate composition, F-shrimp exhibited higher protein composition than did S-shrimp, suggesting that F-shrimp have higher protein anabolism. Using RNA-seq and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression levels of several genes encoding physiologic and metabolic enzymes were found to be upregulated in F-shrimp compared to in S-shrimp, suggesting that these enzymes/proteins mediated the efficient use of SBM-based diets for growth promotion in shrimp. Various DEGs associated with the immune system were observed, indicating a difference in immune processes between F- and S-shrimp. The expression of several housekeeping genes was found to be upregulated in S-shrimp. Collectively, the upregulated expression of several enzymes associated with physiological and/or metabolic processes and increased protein anabolism may be attributed to the efficient use of SBM for maximal growth in shrimp.
The influence of another’s actions and presence on perspective taking
Authors: Lukošiūnaitė Ieva , Kovács Ágnes M. , Sebanz Natalie
Published: February 2024

The ability to take each other’s visuospatial perspective has been linked to people’s capacity to perceive another’s action possibilities and to predict their actions. Research has also shown that visuospatial perspective taking is supported by one’s own mental own-body transformation. However, how these two processes of action perception and visuospatial perspective taking might interact remains largely unknown. By introducing seven angular disparities between participants and the model in the stimuli pictures across “Action” and “No Action” conditions, we investigated whether the observation of a goal-directed action facilitates perspective taking and whether this facilitation depends on the level of mental own-body transformation required to take perspective. The results showed that action observation facilitated performance independently of the level of mental-own body transformation. The processes behind this facilitation could involve anatomical mapping that is independent of the congruency between the participants’ and the model’s perspectives. Further, we replicated previous research findings, showing that participants were more accurate and faster when taking the perspective of a person compared to an inanimate object (a chair). The strongest facilitation effects were seen at the highest angular disparities between participants and the model in the stimuli pictures. Together, these findings enhance our knowledge of the mechanisms behind visuospatial perspective taking.
Controlled synchronization of three co-rotating exciters based on a circular distribution in a vibratory system
Authors: Jia Lei , Tian Yang , Liu Ziliang , Zhang Xin
Published: February 2024

In this article, an engineering problem of three co-rotating exciters with the circular distribution in a vibrating system is investigated. The dynamical model constructed by the motion differential equations is established. By introducing the small parameter averaged method in the dynamic equation, the synchronization and stability conditions of the electromechanical coupling dynamical model is derived. To illustrate the necessity of the controlling method, the self-synchronization of the vibrating system is firstly analyzed with the theory, numerical simulations and experiments. With the self-synchronization results, it is indicated that the ellipse trajectory which is needed in the industry can’t be realizefd by the self-synchronization motion of the vibrating system. And then, a fuzzy PID controlling method based on the master–slave controlling strategy is introduced in the vibrating system to realize the controlled synchronization. The Lyapunov stability criterion is given to certify the stability of the controlling system. Through some simulations and experiments, the effectiveness of controlled synchronization is illustrated in the discussion. Finally, the present work illuminates the feasibility and practicality for designing some new types of vibrating screens in the industry.
Sub-100 nm carriers by template polymerization for drug delivery applications
Authors: Hashim P. K. , Abdrabou Shimaa Said Mohamed Ali
Published: February 2024

The conceptual expansion of template polymerization within the realm of size-controlled drug delivery systems is examined, with a particular emphasis on its application in RNA delivery.
Dynamics of self-propelled particles in vibrated dense granular media
Authors: Son Kyungmin , Choe Yunsik , Kwon Euijoon , Rigon Leonardo Garibaldi , Baek Yongjoo , Kim Ho-Young
Published: February 2024

We study the motion of self-propelled particles (SPPs) among vibrated granular particles within a circular confinement. A single SPP follows a fractal renewal process, while a small number of SPPs creates a motile boundary cluster.
Microplasma-printed Au-based SERS sensing platform for ultra-sensitive chemical analyte detection
Authors: Zhang Ziyi , Wang Fajun , Hessel Volker , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Wang Wei , Zhang Xu , Lin Liangliang
Published: February 2024

Direct and efficient fabrication of highly sensitive Au-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms is realized by integrating plasma with 3D printing technique.
Displacement smoothness of entropic optimal transport
Authors: Carlier Guillaume , Chizat Lénaïc , Laborde Maxime
Published: February 2024

The function that maps a family of probability measures to the solution of the dual entropic optimal transport problem is known as the Schr¨odinger map. We prove that when the cost function is Ck+1 with k ∈ ℕ* then this map is Lipschitz continuous from the L2-Wasserstein space to the space of Ck functions. Our result holds on compact domains and covers the multi-marginal case. We also include regularity results under negative Sobolev metrics weaker than Wasserstein under stronger smoothness assumptions on the cost. As applications, we prove displacement smoothness of the entropic optimal transport cost and the well-posedness of certain Wasserstein gradient flows involving this functional, including the Sinkhorn divergence and a multi-species system.
Genome-wide identification, phylogeny and expression analysis of the R2R3-MYB gene family in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) under abiotic stress
Authors: Ding Pengcheng , Tang Peng , Li Xiaofen , Haroon Adeela , Nasreen Saima , Noor Hafeez , Attia Kotb A. , Abushady Asmaa M. , Wang Rongzhen , Cui Kaiyuan , Wu Xiangyun , Sun Min , Gao Zhiqiang
Published: February 2024

The MYB transcription factor (TF) are among the largest gene families of plants being responsible for several biological processes. The R2R3-MYB gene family are integral player regulating plant primary and secondary metabolism, growth and development, and responses to hormones and stresses. The phylogenetic analysis combined with gene structure analysis and motif determination resulted in division of R2R3-MYB gene family into 27 subgroups. Evidence generated from synteny analyses indicated that CqR2R3-MYBs gene family is featured by tandem and segmental duplication events. On the basis of RNA-Seq data, the expression patterns of different tissues under salt treatment were investigated resulting CqR2R3-MYB genes high expression both in roots and stem of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) plants. More than half of CqR2R3-MYB genes showed expression under salt stress. Based on this result, CqR2R3-MYBs may regulate quinoa plant growth development and resistance to abiotic stresses. These findings provided comprehensive insights on role of CqR2R3-MYBs gene family members in quinoa and candidate MYB gene family members can be further studies on their role for abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants.
Broadband anti-reflection coating for Si solar cell applications based on periodic Si nanopillar dimer arrays & Si3N4 layer
Authors: Huang Xiaodan , Zhang Bo , Ma Huishu , Shao Guojian
Published: February 2024

A structure of periodic Si nanopillar dimer array & Si3N4 layer which sits on Si substrates is presented to obtain a broadband high transmission and low reflection. We show numerically that the average reflection of this structure can reach 1.8%, and the average transmission can reach 93.1% in the 400–1100 nm range, due to the combined effects of the forward scattering effects of Si nanopillar dimers and Si3N4 layer’s anti-reflection effects. Si nanopillars’ diameter and height, Si3N4 layer’s height, the gap of dimers, and the period of the array have significant impacts on the transmittance and reflection. This work supplies a practicable way for decreasing broadband surface reflection and increasing the absorption of light for Si solar cell applications.