bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARROW’S THEOREM, ULTRAFILTERS, AND REVERSE MATHEMATICS
Authors: EASTAUGH BENEDICT
Published: February 2024

This paper initiates the reverse mathematics of social choice theory, studying Arrow’s impossibility theorem and related results including Fishburn’s possibility theorem and the Kirman–Sondermann theorem within the framework of reverse mathematics. We formalise fundamental notions of social choice theory in second-order arithmetic, yielding a definition of countable society which is tractable in

${\mathsf {RCA}}_0$

. We then show that the Kirman–Sondermann analysis of social welfare functions can be carried out in

${\mathsf {RCA}}_0$

. This approach yields a proof of Arrow’s theorem in

${\mathsf {RCA}}_0$

, and thus in

$\mathrm {PRA}$

, since Arrow’s theorem can be formalised as a

$\Pi ^0_1$

sentence. Finally we show that Fishburn’s possibility theorem for countable societies is equivalent to

${\mathsf {ACA}}_0$

over

${\mathsf {RCA}}_0$

.
Hydroclimatic Vulnerability of Wetlands to Upwind Land Use Changes
Authors: Fahrländer Simon Felix , Wang‐Erlandsson Lan , Pranindita Agnes , Jaramillo Fernando
Published: February 2024

Despite their importance, wetland ecosystems protected by the Ramsar Convention are under pressure from climate change and human activities. These drivers are altering water availability in these wetlands, changing water levels or surface water extent, in some cases, beyond historical variability. Attribution of the effects of human and climate activities is usually focused on changes within the wetlands or their upstream surface and groundwater inputs. However, the reliance of wetland water availability on upwind atmospheric moisture supply is less understood. Here, we assess the vulnerability of 40 Ramsar wetlands to precipitation changes caused by land use and hydroclimatic change occurring in their upwind moisture‐supplying regions. We use moisture flows from a Lagrangian tracking model, atmospheric reanalysis data, and historical land use change (LUC) data to assess and quantify these changes. Our analyses show that historical LUC has decreased precipitation and terrestrial moisture recycling in most wetland hydrological basins, decreasing surface water availability (precipitation minus evaporation). The most substantial effects on wetland water availability occurred in the tropic subtropical regions of Central Europe and Asia. Overall, we found wetlands in Central Asia and South America to be the most vulnerable by a combination of LUC‐driven effects on runoff, high terrestrial precipitation recycling, and recent decreases in surface water availability. This study stresses the need to incorporate upwind effects of land use changes in the restoration, management, and conservation of the world's wetlands.
Unlocking the Mystery of Aerosol Phase Transitions Governed by Relative Humidity History Through an Advanced Outdoor Nephelometer System
Authors: Qiao Hongqin , Kuang Ye , Yuan Fengling , Liu Li , Zhai Miaomiao , Xu Hanbing , Zou Yu , Deng Tao , Deng Xuejiao
Published: February 2024

This study introduces an innovative outdoor nephelometer system designed to monitor the dynamic hygroscopic behavior of aerosols in ambient air. Field measurements conducted in the Pearl River Delta region of China unveil significant roles of relative humidity (RH) swings on aerosol phase states. Highlighting the occurrence of aerosol crystallization in the afternoon followed by gradual deliquescence as RH increases, particularly when minimum afternoon RH drops below 35%, with no such behavior observed when it exceeds 40%. Emphasizing that aerosol phase states are shaped not only by RH and chemical composition but also by their RH history, illustrating that RH levels of 70% in the morning or evening may correspond to fully dissolved metastable or partially dissolved metastable states of ambient aerosols. These findings underscore the need to account for RH history when predicting aerosol phase states and have broader implications for comprehending aerosol behavior and its atmospheric impacts.
High‐Resolution Imaging of the Alaska‐Aleutian Megathrust Using P‐to‐S Mode Conversions From Local In‐Slab Earthquakes
Authors: Daly Kiara A. , Abers Geoffrey A.
Published: February 2024

The top of the subducting plate is a thick, complex zone where the heterogeneous structure likely controls earthquake rupture processes. Imaging this heterogeneous channel typically involves active‐source methods with limited depth penetration, or low‐resolution teleseismic methods. To access short wavelengths at greater depth, we use high‐frequency P‐to‐S (PS, 1–15 Hz) mode‐converted arrivals from nearby earthquakes >50 km deep to image the plate interface at vertical scales <1 km. We use 37 broadband stations in southcentral Alaska between 2007 and 2008 at 10–15 km spacing, spanning the great 1964 earthquake rupture zone and adjacent deeper slow slip and tremor regions. The central 21 stations record high‐amplitude PS arrivals converting from the megathrust region, at depths corresponding to the top of a prominent low‐velocity zone (LVZ) in receiver function images. The PS/P amplitude ratio (APS_P) varies along strike and with depth of the conversion point but is independent of earthquake location and varies slowly between adjacent stations. APS_P changes with slab depth, indicating changes in lithology or fluid content of the plate interface, consistent with transitions in slip behavior from locked to slow slip. High APS_P cannot be explained by a velocity step or a single low‐velocity, high Vp/Vs layer, but requires several alternating high and low‐velocity layers. These observations indicate that the LVZ is a highly heterogeneous channel at multiple scales, resembling a subduction channel or sheared zone of metasediment and altered crust as observed in many exhumed subduction zones.
Turbulent Diffusivity Profiles on the Shelf and Slope at the Southern Edge of the Canada Basin
Authors: Yee Ruby , Musgrave Ruth , Fine Elizabeth , Nash Jonathan , St. Laurent Louis , Pickart Robert
Published: February 2024

Vertical profiles of temperature microstructure at 95 stations were obtained over the Beaufort shelf and shelfbreak in the southern Canada Basin during a November 2018 research cruise. Two methods for estimating the dissipation rates of temperature variance and turbulent kinetic energy were compared using this data set. Both methods require fitting a theoretical spectrum to observed temperature gradient spectra, but differ in their assumptions. The two methods agree for calculations of the dissipation rate of temperature variance, but not for that of turbulent kinetic energy. After applying a rigorous data rejection framework, estimates of turbulent diffusivity and heat flux are made across different depth ranges. The turbulent diffusivity of temperature is typically enhanced by about one order of magnitude in profiles on the shelf compared to near the shelfbreak, and similarly near the shelfbreak compared to profiles with bottom depth >1,000 m. Depth bin means are shown to vary depending on the averaging method (geometric means tend to be smaller than arithmetic means and maximum likelihood estimates). The statistical distributions of heat flux within the surface, cold halocline, and Atlantic water layer change with depth. Heat fluxes are typically <1 Wm−2, but are greater than 50 Wm−2 in ∼8% of the overall data. These largest fluxes are located almost exclusively within the surface layer, where temperature gradients can be large.
Smoke with Induced Rotation and Lofting (SWIRL) Generated by the February 2009 Australian Black Saturday PyroCb Plume
Authors: Allen D. R. , Fromm M. D. , Kablick G. P. , Nedoluha G. E. , Peterson D. A.
Published: February 2024

The discovery of smoke‐induced dynamical anomalies in the stratosphere associated with the 2019/2020 Australian New Year pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) super outbreak initiated a new field of study involving aerosol/weather anomalies. This paper documents the dynamical anomalies associated with the February 2009 Australian Black Saturday pyroCb outbreak. Positive potential vorticity anomalies (indicating anticyclonic rotation) with horizontal extent ∼1000 km and vertical thickness ∼2 km are associated with the plume, which we classify as a Smoke With Induced Rotation and Lofting (SWIRL). The SWIRL initially formed east of Australia, but then moved westward, crossing over Australia, and continuing to Africa. The SWIRL lasted for nearly three weeks (13 February–4 March), traveling ∼27,000 km and rising from potential temperatures of ∼410–500 K (altitudes ∼18–21 km). The altitude of the SWIRL is corroborated with coincident satellite‐based profiles of H2O, CO, HCN, O3, and aerosol extinction. A vertical temperature dipole (±3 K) accompanied the PV anomaly, as verified with coincident Global Navigation Satellite System radio occultation temperatures. The SWIRL dissipated as it passed over Africa. Operational ECMWF forecasts with early initialization (13 February) and late initialization (21 February) are examined. In the early case, the forecasted PV anomaly disappeared within 4 days, as expected due to lack of smoke heating in the forecast model. In the late case, while the forecasted PV anomaly was weaker than in the reanalyzes, a remnant anomaly remained out to 10 days.
County‐Level Evaluation of Large‐Scale Gridded Data Sets of Irrigated Area Over China
Authors: Tian Xin , Dong Jianzhi , Chen Xi , Zhou Jianhong , Gao Man , Wei Lingna , Kang Xiaoqi , Zhao Dexing , Zhang Huiwen , Crow Wade T. , Huang Richao , Shao Wei , Zhou Haoran
Published: February 2024

The reliability of irrigated area (IA) information dominates the performance of irrigation water use and crop modeling accuracy. IA is typically mapped using Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) agricultural census and remote sensing indices. Recent advances in machine learning and sampling techniques further improve IA mapping. However, the relative performances of different IA mapping approaches and their capability in capturing long‐term IA temporal variability remain unknown. Here, 1861 county‐level IA information from Government Censored Data (GCD) during 2000–2021 are collected, cross‐validated, and employed to evaluate commonly used gridded IA data sets. Results show that IA data sets based on the direct interpolation of FAO agricultural census can accurately capture the spatial distribution of IA. However, FAO statistics are only available in a particular year, which cannot capture inter‐annual irrigation variations. In contrast, IA products solely based on vegetation indices are prone to positive biases over humid regions due to the lack of contrast in vegetation dynamics. Overall, the latest GCD‐based machine learning IA data sets are relatively more accurate, but they are also problematic in estimating IA trends due to the use of temporally static training samples. Such biases are tightly related to agricultural suitability (AS calculated using precipitation and potential evapotranspiration). This suggests that AS should be employed as an endogenous variable in future machine learning based IA mapping algorithms.
Environmental and Management Drivers of Carbon Dioxide and Methane Emissions From Actively‐Extracted Peatlands in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Hunter M. L. , Frei R. J. , Strachan I. B. , Strack M.
Published: February 2024

The installation of drainage ditches and removal of vegetation in preparation for vacuum harvesting alters the carbon dynamics of peatlands. However, we lack the measurements to understand the spatial distribution and environmental and substrate quality controls of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions, as well as how these factors change over the 20–30 year extraction period. For three summers, we measured CO2 and CH4 emissions using the closed chamber method at three actively extracted peatlands near Drayton Valley, Alberta, ranging from 2 to 28 years since the start of extraction. Measurements were made in the ditches, and on segments of peat (fields) between adjacent ditches. Field emissions did not change with distance from ditches, likely due to the observed homogeneity of volumetric water content (VWC) and temperature across the fields. Understanding carbon dynamics in the ditches will be important, as they emitted on average two and 10 times, respectively, the amount of CO2 and CH4 per square meter of the fields. We found moderate to weak relationships between carbon emissions and soil temperature, VWC and ditch water level, though ditch emissions were significantly reduced when there was standing water present. Altering conventional site management, such as increasing ditch spacing, could substantially reduce CH4 emissions from the managed area. Emissions did not decrease with time since start of extraction. We suggest that Canadian emission factor calculations for land‐based emissions consider both peat quality variations among sites, and a site's extraction duration, which has been important in other studies.
Metabolic memory: mechanisms and diseases
Authors: Dong Hao , Sun Yuezhang , Nie Lulingxiao , Cui Aimin , Zhao Pengfei , Leung Wai Keung , Wang Qi
Published: February 2024

Metabolic diseases and their complications impose health and economic burdens worldwide. Evidence from past experimental studies and clinical trials suggests our body may have the ability to remember the past metabolic environment, such as hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia, thus leading to chronic inflammatory disorders and other diseases even after the elimination of these metabolic environments. The long-term effects of that aberrant metabolism on the body have been summarized as metabolic memory and are found to assume a crucial role in states of health and disease. Multiple molecular mechanisms collectively participate in metabolic memory management, resulting in different cellular alterations as well as tissue and organ dysfunctions, culminating in disease progression and even affecting offspring. The elucidation and expansion of the concept of metabolic memory provides more comprehensive insight into pathogenic mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases and complications and promises to be a new target in disease detection and management. Here, we retrace the history of relevant research on metabolic memory and summarize its salient characteristics. We provide a detailed discussion of the mechanisms by which metabolic memory may be involved in disease development at molecular, cellular, and organ levels, with emphasis on the impact of epigenetic modulations. Finally, we present some of the pivotal findings arguing in favor of targeting metabolic memory to develop therapeutic strategies for metabolic diseases and provide the latest reflections on the consequences of metabolic memory as well as their implications for human health and diseases.
CREB5 promotes the proliferation and self-renewal ability of glioma stem cells
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jin , Jeon Hye-Min , Batara Don Carlo , Lee Seongsoo , Lee Suk Jun , Yin Jinlong , Park Sang-Ik , Park Minha , Seo Jong Bae , Hwang Jinik , Oh Young Joon , Suh Sung-Suk , Kim Sung-Hak
Published: February 2024

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most fatal form of brain cancer in humans, with a dismal prognosis and a median overall survival rate of less than 15 months upon diagnosis. Glioma stem cells (GSCs), have recently been identified as key contributors in both tumor initiation and therapeutic resistance in GBM. Both public dataset analysis and direct differentiation experiments on GSCs have demonstrated that CREB5 is more highly expressed in undifferentiated GSCs than in differentiated GSCs. Additionally, gene silencing by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) of CREB5 has prevented the proliferation and self-renewal ability of GSCs in vitro and decreased their tumor forming ability in vivo. Meanwhile, RNA-sequencing, luciferase reporter assay, and ChIP assay have all demonstrated the closely association between CREB5 and OLIG2. These findings suggest that targeting CREB5 could be an effective approach to overcoming GSCs.
An anti-CRISPR that represses its own transcription while blocking Cas9-target DNA binding
Authors: Deng Xieshuting , Sun Wei , Li Xueyan , Wang Jiuyu , Cheng Zhi , Sheng Gang , Wang Yanli
Published: February 2024

AcrIIA15 is an anti-CRISPR (Acr) protein that inhibits Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 (SaCas9). Although previous studies suggested it has dual functions, the structural and biochemical basis for its two activities remains unclear. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of AcrIIA15 in complex with SaCas9-sgRNA to reveal the inhibitory mechanism of the Acr’s C-terminal domain (CTD) in mimicking dsDNA to block protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) recognition. For the N-terminal domain (NTD), our crystal structures of the AcrIIA15-promoter DNA show that AcrIIA15 dimerizes through its NTD to recognize double-stranded (ds) DNA. Further, AcrIIA15 can simultaneously bind to both SaCas9-sgRNA and promoter DNA, creating a supercomplex of two Cas9s bound to two CTDs converging on a dimer of the NTD bound to a dsDNA. These findings shed light on AcrIIA15’s inhibitory mechanisms and its autoregulation of transcription, enhancing our understanding of phage-host interactions and CRISPR defense.
Tuning light-driven oxidation of styrene inside water-soluble nanocages
Authors: Ghosal Souvik , Das Ankita , Roy Debojyoti , Dasgupta Jyotishman
Published: February 2024

Selective functionalization of innate sp2 C-H bonds under ambient conditions is a grand synthetic challenge in organic chemistry. Here we combine host-guest charge transfer-based photoredox chemistry with supramolecular nano-confinement to achieve selective carbonylation of styrene by tuning the dioxygen concentration. We observe exclusive photocatalytic formation of benzaldehyde under excess O2 (>1 atm) while Markovnikov addition of water produced acetophenone in deoxygenated condition upon photoexcitation of confined styrene molecules inside a water-soluble cationic nanocage. Further by careful tuning of the nanocage size, electronics, and guest preorganization, we demonstrate rate enhancement of benzaldehyde formation and a complete switchover to the anti-Markovnikov product, 2-phenylethan-1-ol, in the absence of O2. Raman spectroscopy, 2D 1H-1H NMR correlation experiments, and transient absorption spectroscopy establish that the site-selective control on the confined photoredox chemistry originates from an optimal preorganization of styrene molecules inside the cavity. We envision that the demonstrated host-guest charge transfer photoredox paradigm in combination with green atom-transfer reagents will enable a broad range of sp2 carbon-site functionalization.
Geographic range of plants drives long-term climate change
Authors: Gurung Khushboo , Field Katie J. , Batterman Sarah A. , Poulton Simon W. , Mills Benjamin J. W.
Published: February 2024

Long computation times in vegetation and climate models hamper our ability to evaluate the potentially powerful role of plants on weathering and carbon sequestration over the Phanerozoic Eon. Simulated vegetation over deep time is often homogenous, and disregards the spatial distribution of plants and the impact of local climatic variables on plant function. Here we couple a fast vegetation model (FLORA) to a spatially-resolved long-term climate-biogeochemical model (SCION), to assess links between plant geographical range, the long-term carbon cycle and climate. Model results show lower rates of carbon fixation and up to double the previously predicted atmospheric CO2 concentration due to a limited plant geographical range over the arid Pangea supercontinent. The Mesozoic dispersion of the continents increases modelled plant geographical range from 65% to > 90%, amplifying global CO2 removal, consistent with geological data. We demonstrate that plant geographical range likely exerted a major, under-explored control on long-term climate change.
Field-free spin–orbit torque switching in ferromagnetic trilayers at sub-ns timescales
Authors: Yang Qu , Han Donghyeon , Zhao Shishun , Kang Jaimin , Wang Fei , Lee Sung-Chul , Lei Jiayu , Lee Kyung-Jin , Park Byong-Guk , Yang Hyunsoo
Published: February 2024

Current-induced spin torques enable the electrical control of the magnetization with low energy consumption. Conventional magnetic random access memory (MRAM) devices rely on spin-transfer torque (STT), this however limits MRAM applications because of the nanoseconds incubation delay and associated endurance issues. A potential alternative to STT is spin-orbit torque (SOT). However, for practical, high-speed SOT devices, it must satisfy three conditions simultaneously, i.e., field-free switching at short current pulses, short incubation delay, and low switching current. Here, we demonstrate field-free SOT switching at sub-ns timescales in a CoFeB/Ti/CoFeB ferromagnetic trilayer, which satisfies all three conditions. In this trilayer, the bottom magnetic layer or its interface generates spin currents with polarizations in both in-plane and out-of-plane components. The in-plane component reduces the incubation time, while the out-of-plane component realizes field-free switching at a low current. Our results offer a field-free SOT solution for energy-efficient scalable MRAM applications.
Synthesis and superconductivity in yttrium-cerium hydrides at high pressures
Authors: Chen Liu-Cheng , Luo Tao , Cao Zi-Yu , Dalladay-Simpson Philip , Huang Ge , Peng Di , Zhang Li-Li , Gorelli Federico Aiace , Zhong Guo-Hua , Lin Hai-Qing , Chen Xiao-Jia
Published: February 2024

Further increasing the critical temperature and/or decreasing the stabilized pressure are the general hopes for the hydride superconductors. Inspired by the low stabilized pressure associated with Ce 4f electrons in superconducting cerium superhydride and the high critical temperature in yttrium superhydride, we carry out seven independent runs to synthesize yttrium-cerium alloy hydrides. The synthetic process is examined by the Raman scattering and X-ray diffraction measurements. The superconductivity is obtained from the observed zero-resistance state with the detected onset critical temperatures in the range of 97-141 K. The upper critical field towards 0 K at pressure of 124 GPa is determined to be between 56 and 78 T by extrapolation of the results of the electrical transport measurements at applied magnetic fields. The analysis of the structural data and theoretical calculations suggest that the phase of Y0.5Ce0.5H9 in hexagonal structure with the space group of P63/mmc is stable in the studied pressure range. These results indicate that alloying superhydrides indeed can maintain relatively high critical temperature at relatively modest pressures accessible by laboratory conditions.
Data leakage inflates prediction performance in connectome-based machine learning models
Authors: Rosenblatt Matthew , Tejavibulya Link , Jiang Rongtao , Noble Stephanie , Scheinost Dustin
Published: February 2024

Predictive modeling is a central technique in neuroimaging to identify brain-behavior relationships and test their generalizability to unseen data. However, data leakage undermines the validity of predictive models by breaching the separation between training and test data. Leakage is always an incorrect practice but still pervasive in machine learning. Understanding its effects on neuroimaging predictive models can inform how leakage affects existing literature. Here, we investigate the effects of five forms of leakage–involving feature selection, covariate correction, and dependence between subjects–on functional and structural connectome-based machine learning models across four datasets and three phenotypes. Leakage via feature selection and repeated subjects drastically inflates prediction performance, whereas other forms of leakage have minor effects. Furthermore, small datasets exacerbate the effects of leakage. Overall, our results illustrate the variable effects of leakage and underscore the importance of avoiding data leakage to improve the validity and reproducibility of predictive modeling.
Prediction of ambient pressure conventional superconductivity above 80 K in hydride compounds
Authors: Sanna Antonio , Cerqueira Tiago F. T. , Fang Yue-Wen , Errea Ion , Ludwig Alfred , Marques Miguel A. L.
Published: February 2024

The primary challenge in the field of high-temperature superconductivity in hydrides is to achieve a superconducting state at ambient pressure rather than the extreme pressures that have been required in experiments so far. Here, we propose a family of compounds, of composition Mg2XH6 with X = Rh, Ir, Pd, or Pt, that achieves this goal. These materials were identified by scrutinizing more than a million compounds using a machine-learning accelerated high-throughput workflow. We predict that their superconducting transition temperatures are in the range of 45–80 K, or even above 100 K with appropriate electron doping of the Pt compound. These results indicate that, although very rare, high-temperature superconductivity in hydrides is achievable at room pressure.
Integrative temporal multi-omics reveals uncoupling of transcriptome and proteome during human T cell activation
Authors: Weerakoon Harshi , Mohamed Ahmed , Wong Yide , Chen Jinjin , Senadheera Bhagya , Haigh Oscar , Watkins Thomas S. , Kazakoff Stephen , Mukhopadhyay Pamela , Mulvenna Jason , Miles John J. , Hill Michelle M. , Lepletier Ailin
Published: February 2024

Engagement of the T cell receptor (TCR) triggers molecular reprogramming leading to the acquisition of specialized effector functions by CD4 helper and CD8 cytotoxic T cells. While transcription factors, chemokines, and cytokines are known drivers in this process, the temporal proteomic and transcriptomic changes that regulate different stages of human primary T cell activation remain to be elucidated. Here, we report an integrative temporal proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of primary human CD4 and CD8 T cells following ex vivo stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads, which revealed major transcriptome-proteome uncoupling. The early activation phase in both CD4 and CD8 T cells was associated with transient downregulation of the mRNA transcripts and protein of the central glucose transport GLUT1. In the proliferation phase, CD4 and CD8 T cells became transcriptionally more divergent while their proteome became more similar. In addition to the kinetics of proteome-transcriptome correlation, this study unveils selective transcriptional and translational metabolic reprogramming governing CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to TCR stimulation. This temporal transcriptome/proteome map of human T cell activation provides a reference map exploitable for future discovery of biomarkers and candidates targeting T cell responses.
Changes in vaccine attitudes and recommendations among US Healthcare Personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dudley Matthew Z. , Schuh Holly B. , Forr Amanda , Shaw Jana , Salmon Daniel A.
Published: February 2024

A recommendation from healthcare personnel (HCP) is a strong predictor of vaccination. This study aimed to measure how HCP vaccine attitudes and recommendations changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. HCP were surveyed in January 2023 using a double opt-in network panel. Survey responses were summarized and stratified by HCP type and COVID-19 booster status. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted. Comparisons were made to a September 2021 survey, with differences tested for significance (p < 0.05) using Pearson’s χ2 Test. Nearly 82% of the 1207 HCP surveyed had received a COVID-19 booster, most commonly pediatricians (94%), followed by family medicine doctors (87%), pharmacists (74%), and nurses (73%) (p < 0.01). HCP with high trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had nearly 6 times the odds (OR: 5.5; 95%CI: 3.9–7.7) of being boosted compared to HCP with low trust. From September 2021 to January 2023, the proportion of HCP recommending vaccines (COVID-19 and routine) to their patients decreased substantially for nearly all vaccines and patient populations specified. Trust in CDC also decreased (from 79 to 73%, p < 0.01), as did support for HCP COVID-19 vaccine mandates (from 65 to 46%, p < 0.01). HCP interest in additional online resources to improve their vaccine discussions with patients increased from 46 to 66% (p < 0.01). Additional regularly updated online resources from trusted medical sources that clarify progressing science and address dynamic public concerns are needed to improve vaccine confidence among HCP and help them support their patients’ decision-making.
GEOWEALTH-US: Spatial wealth inequality data for the United States, 1960–2020
Authors: Suss Joel , Kemeny Tom , Connor Dylan S.
Published: February 2024

Wealth inequality has been sharply rising in the United States and across many other high-income countries. Due to a lack of data, we know little about how this trend has unfolded across locations within countries. Examining the subnational geography of wealth is crucial because, from one generation to the next, it shapes the distribution of opportunity, disadvantage, and power across individuals and communities. By employing machine-learning-based imputation to link national historical surveys conducted by the U.S. Federal Reserve to population survey microdata, the data presented in this article addresses this gap. The Geographic Wealth Inequality Database (“GEOWEALTH-US”) provides the first estimates of the level and distribution of wealth at various geographical scales within the United States from 1960 to 2020. The GEOWEALTH-US database enables new lines of investigation into the contribution of spatial wealth disparities to major societal challenges including wealth concentration, income inequality, social mobility, housing unaffordability, and political polarization.
City-level livestock methane emissions in China from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Du Mingxi , Kang Xiang , Liu Qiuyu , Du Haifeng , Zhang Jianjun , Yin Yulong , Cui Zhenling
Published: February 2024

Livestock constitute the world’s largest anthropogenic source of methane (CH4), providing high-protein food to humans but also causing notable climate risks. With rapid urbanization and increasing income levels in China, the livestock sector will face even higher emission pressures, which could jeopardize China’s carbon neutrality target. To formulate targeted methane reduction measures, it is crucial to estimate historical and current emissions on fine geographical scales, considering the high spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability of livestock emissions. However, there is currently a lack of time-series data on city-level livestock methane emissions in China, despite the flourishing livestock industry and large amount of meat consumed. In this study, we constructed a city-level livestock methane emission inventory with dynamic spatial-temporal emission factors considering biological, management, and environmental factors from 2010 to 2020 in China. This inventory could serve as a basic database for related research and future methane mitigation policy formulation, given the population boom and dietary changes.
A multiomics dataset for the study of RNA modifications in human macrophage differentiation and polarisation
Authors: Pinello Natalia , Song Renhua , Lee Quintin , Calonne Emilie , Larance Mark , Fuks François , Wong Justin J. -L.
Published: February 2024

RNA modifications have emerged as central regulators of gene expression programs. Amongst RNA modifications are N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and RNA 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). While m6A is established as a versatile regulator of RNA metabolism, the functions of RNA 5hmC are unclear. Despite some evidence linking RNA modifications to immunity, their implications in gene expression control in macrophage development and functions remain unclear. Here we present a multi-omics dataset capturing different layers of the gene expression programs driving macrophage differentiation and polarisation. We obtained mRNA-Seq, m6A-IP-Seq, 5hmC-IP-Seq, Polyribo-Seq and LC-MS/MS data from monocytes and resting-, pro- and anti-inflammatory-like macrophages. We present technical validation showing high quality and correlation between samples for all datasets, and evidence of biological consistency of modelled macrophages at the transcriptomic, epitranscriptomic, translational and proteomic levels. This multi-omics dataset provides a resource for the study of RNA m6A and 5hmC in the context of macrophage biology and spans the gene expression process from transcripts to proteins.
Phenotypic characterisation of regulatory T cells in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Ya-nan , Wu Qin , Deng Yi-hui
Published: February 2024

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication that occurs during pregnancy. Emerging evidence suggests that immune abnormalities play a pivotal role in the development of GDM. Specifically, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered a critical factor in controlling maternal–fetal immune tolerance. However, the specific characteristics and alterations of Tregs during the pathogenesis of GDM remain poorly elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the changes in Tregs among pregnant women diagnosed with GDM compared to healthy pregnant women. A prospective study was conducted, enrolling 23 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester and 21 third-trimester women diagnosed with GDM. Participants were followed up until the postpartum period. The proportions of various Treg, including Tregs, mTregs, and nTregs, were detected in the peripheral blood of pregnant women from both groups. Additionally, the expression levels of PD-1, HLA-G, and HLA-DR on these Tregs were examined. The results revealed no significant differences in the proportions of Tregs, mTregs, and nTregs between the two groups during the third trimester and postpartum period. However, GDM patients exhibited significantly reduced levels of PD-1+ Tregs (P < 0.01) and HLA-G+ Tregs (P < 0.05) in the third trimester compared to healthy pregnant women in the third trimester. Furthermore, GDM patients demonstrated significantly lower levels of PD-1+ mTregs (P < 0.01) and HLA-G+ (P < 0.05) mTregs compared to healthy pregnant women in the third trimester. Overall, the proportion of Tregs did not exhibit significant changes during the third trimester in GDM patients compared to healthy pregnant women. Nevertheless, the observed dysregulation of immune regulation function in Tregs and mTregs may be associated with the development of GDM in pregnant women.
Electrically-driven modulation of flow patterns in liquid crystal microfludics
Authors: Fedorowicz Kamil , Prosser Robert
Published: February 2024

The flow of liquid crystals in the presence of electric fields is investigated as a possible means of flow control. The Beris-Edwards model is coupled to a free energy incorporating electric field effects. Simulations are conducted in straight channels and in junctions. Our findings reveal that local flow mediation can be achieved by the application of spatially varying electric fields. In rectangular straight channels, we report a two-stream velocity profile arising in response to the imposed electric field. Furthermore, we observe that the flow rate in each stream scales inversely with the Miesowicz viscosities, leading to the confinement of 70% of the throughput to one half of the channel. Similar flow partitioning is also demonstrated in channel junction geometries, where we show that using external fields provides a novel avenue for flow modulation in microfluidic circuits.
Comprehensive characterization of the structure of Zr-based metallic glasses
Authors: Lahiri Debdutta , Krishna K. V. Mani , Verma Ashok K. , Modak P. , Vishwanadh B. , Chattopadhyay Soma , Shibata Tomohiro , Sharma S. K. , Sarkar Sudip Kumar , Clifton Peter H. , Biswas A. , Garg Nandini , K.Dey G.
Published: February 2024

Structure of metallic glasses fascinates as the generic amorphous structural template for ubiquitous systems. Its specification necessitates determination of the complete hierarchical structure, starting from short-range-order (SRO) → medium-range-order (MRO) → bulk structure and free volume (FV) distribution. This link has largely remained elusive since previous investigations adopted one-technique-at-a-time approach, focusing on limited aspects of any one domain. Reconstruction of structure from experimental data inversion is non-unique for many of these techniques. As a result, complete and precise structural understanding of glass has not emerged yet. In this work, we demonstrate the first experimental pathway for reconstruction of the integrated structure, for $${\text{Zr}}_{{{67}}} {\text{Ni}}_{{{33}}}$$

Zr
67

Ni
33

and $${\text{Zr}}_{{{52}}} {\text{Ti}}_{{6}} {\text{Al}}_{{{10}}} {\text{Cu}}_{{{18}}} {\text{Ni}}_{{{14}}}$$

Zr
52

Ti
6

Al
10

Cu
18

Ni
14

glasses. Our strategy engages diverse (× 7) multi-scale techniques [XAFS, 3D-APT, ABED/NBED, FEM, XRD, PAS, FHREM] on the same glass. This strategy complemented mutual limitations of techniques and corroborated common parameters to generate complete, self-consistent and precise parameters. Further, MRO domain size and inter-void separation were correlated to identify the presence of FV at MRO boundaries. This enabled the first experimental reconstruction of hierarchical subset: SRO → MRO → FV → bulk structure. The first ever image of intermediate region between MRO domains emerged from this link. We clarify that determination of all subsets is not our objective; the essence and novelty of this work lies in directing the pathway towards finite solution, in the most logical and unambiguous way.
Low-dose GBCA administration for brain tumour dynamic contrast enhanced MRI: a feasibility study
Authors: Lewis Daniel , Li Ka-Loh , Waqar Mueez , Coope David J. , Pathmanaban Omar N. , King Andrew T. , Djoukhadar Ibrahim , Zhao Sha , Cootes Timothy F. , Jackson Alan , Zhu Xiaoping
Published: February 2024

A key limitation of current dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI techniques is the requirement for full-dose gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration. The purpose of this feasibility study was to develop and assess a new low GBCA dose protocol for deriving high-spatial resolution kinetic parameters from brain DCE-MRI. Nineteen patients with intracranial skull base tumours were prospectively imaged at 1.5 T using a single-injection, fixed-volume low GBCA dose, dual temporal resolution interleaved DCE-MRI acquisition. The accuracy of kinetic parameters (ve, Ktrans, vp) derived using this new low GBCA dose technique was evaluated through both Monte-Carlo simulations (mean percent deviation, PD, of measured from true values) and an in vivo study incorporating comparison with a conventional full-dose GBCA protocol and correlation with histopathological data. The mean PD of data from the interleaved high-temporal-high-spatial resolution approach outperformed use of high-spatial, low temporal resolution datasets alone (p < 0.0001, t-test). Kinetic parameters derived using the low-dose interleaved protocol correlated significantly with parameters derived from a full-dose acquisition (p < 0.001) and demonstrated a significant association with tissue markers of microvessel density (p < 0.05). Our results suggest accurate high-spatial resolution kinetic parameter mapping is feasible with significantly reduced GBCA dose.
Self-reported strategy use in working memory tasks
Authors: Ritakallio Liisa , Fellman Daniel , Salmi Juha , Jylkkä Jussi , Laine Matti
Published: February 2024

Mnemonic strategies can facilitate working memory performance, but our knowledge on strategy use as a function of task characteristics remains limited. We examined self-reported strategy use in several working memory tasks with pretest data from two large-scale online training experiments. A three-level measure of strategy sophistication (no strategy, maintenance, manipulation) was coded based on participants’ open-ended strategy reports. A considerable portion of participants reported some memory strategy, and strategy sophistication was associated with objective task performance. We found a consistent effect of stimulus type: verbal stimuli (letters or digits) elicited higher strategy sophistication than nonverbal ones (colours or spatial positions). In contrast, the association between task paradigm and strategy sophistication was less consistent in the two experiments. The present results highlight the importance of self-generated strategies in understanding individual differences in working memory performance and the role of stimulus characteristics as one of the task-related determinants of strategy use.
Shell shape does not accurately predict self-righting ability in hatchling freshwater turtles
Authors: van Casteren Adam , Sellers William I. , Crossley Dane A. , Costello Leah M. , Codd Jonathan R.
Published: February 2024

Flat hydrodynamic shells likely represent an evolutionary trade-off between adaptation to an aquatic lifestyle and the instability of more rounded shells, thought beneficial for self-righting. Trade-offs often result in compromises, this is particularly true when freshwater turtles, with flatter shells, must self-right to avoid the negative effects of inverting. These turtles, theoretically, invest more biomechanical effort to achieve successful and timely self-righting when compared to turtles with rounded carapaces. This increase in effort places these hatchlings in a precarious position; prone to inversion and predation and with shells seemingly maladapted to the act of self-righting. Here, we examine hatchling self-righting performance in three morphologically distinct freshwater turtle species (Apalone spinifera, Chelydra serpentina and Trachemys scripta scripta) that inhabit similar environmental niches. We demonstrate that these hatchlings were capable of rapid self-righting and used considerably less biomechanical effort relative to adult turtles. Despite differences in shell morphology the energetic efficiency of self-righting remained remarkably low and uniform between the three species. Our results confound theoretical predictions of self-righting ability based on shell shape metrics and indicate that other morphological characteristics like neck or tail morphology and shell material properties must be considered to better understand the biomechanical nuances of Testudine self-righting.
Organic seed priming with curtailed seed rate compensated wheat grains productivity by upgrading anti-oxidant status against terminal drought at flowering and milking
Authors: Nawaz Hamid , Rehman Haseeb-ur , Ihsan Muhammad Zahid , Rizwan Muhammad Shahid , Hussain Nazim , Ali Basharat , Iqbal Rashid , Hasnain Muhammad Usama , Elshikh Mohamed S. , Alkahtani Jawaher , Arslan Muhammad
Published: February 2024

Terminal irrigation drought stress is one of the most drastic abiotic stress to diminish the wheat crop development and grains yield in arid regions of the world. The use of moringa leaf extract (MLE30) via seed priming technique is investigated as an organic and sustainable approach for the mitigation of drought stress along with curtailed seed rate in wheat crop. The study investigated the interaction of organic seed priming: control (dry seeds), hydro-priming, MLE30-priming, seed rate: recommended @ 125 kg ha−1, curtailed @ 25 kg ha−1, and terminal irrigation drought (TID): normal irrigation, mild-TID, severe-TID in wheat crop at agronomic research station, Bahawalpur, Pakistan during the wheat winter season of 2021–2022 and 2022–2023. The application of organic MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity especially total soluble proteins by 15%, superoxide dismutase by 68%, peroxidase by 16%, catalase by 70%, ascorbic acid by 17% and total protein contents by 91% under severe-TID. Yield and yield-related morphological attributes performed better in MLE30-priming as compared to hydro-priming. An effective trend was observed in the plant's chlorophyll contents, K+, and water use efficiency after being treated with MLE30-priming followed by hydro-priming under curtailed seed rate. The higher benefit–cost ratio and net income return were observed with the application of MLE30-priming with curtailed seed rate under mild-TID and severe-TID. So, it is suggested to adopt the MLE30-priming technique along with a curtailed seed rate for improving the crop establishment, stress regulation, and economic return under limited availability of irrigation water. The project findings recommended that the application of exogenous application of organic MLE30-seed priming favored and compensated the maximum wheat grains production under curtailed seed rate @ 25 kg ha−1 and induced terminal drought stress at flowering and milking conditions.
Thickness ranges calculation method of double asphalt overlay on concrete pavement
Authors: Fu Xiang , Huang Jiayu , Ban Yuxin , Duan Jun , Xie Jianuo
Published: February 2024

Asphalt overlay is widely used in maintaining and rehabilitating highway system performance. However, explicit calculation methods for the asphalt overlay thickness range is lacking. Taking stone mastic asphalt (SMA) and asphalt concrete (AC) asphalt overlay on cement concrete pavement as examples, the paper proposed a design method for the asphalt overlay thickness range based on the shear performance of the interlayer. Firstly, the shear stress distribution regularities on the asphalt overlay and Portland cement concrete interlayer was calculated with a multilayer elastic theory. Meanwhile, the shear strength was obtained from a series of direct shear tests. The shear characters of the asphalt overlay met with the Mohr–Coulomb criterion, and the shear strength parameters cohesive force $$c$$
c
and interface friction angle $$\varphi$$
φ
on the interlayer were acquired. Finally, a method for determining the thickness range of double layer asphalt overlay under different traffic conditions was given. The epoxy resin adhesive was recommended for the highway with severe local premature shear failure compared with the modified emulsion asphalt. Therefore, through the above research, the amount of asphalt used is controlled in a reasonable range, thus improving the pavement structure durability and reducing energy consumption.
Trends in diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in French-speaking Switzerland
Authors: Pauli Ariane , de Mestral Carlos , Marques-Vidal Pedro
Published: February 2024

Diabetes is increasing in Switzerland, but whether its management has improved is unknown. We aimed to assess diabetes prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and control in French-speaking Switzerland. Our study used cross-sectional data for years 2005–2019 from a population-based study in Geneva, Switzerland. Overall prevalence (self-reported diagnosis and/or fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7 mmol/L), diagnosed, treated (among diagnosed participants) and controlled diabetes (defined as a fasting plasma glucose FPG < 6.7 mmol/L among treated participants) were calculated for periods 2005–9, 2010–4 and 2015–9. Data from 12,348 participants (mean age ± standard deviation: 48.6 ± 13.5 years, 51.7% women) was used. Between 2005–9 and 2015–9, overall prevalence and frequency of diagnosed diabetes decreased (from 8.7 to 6.2% and from 7.0 to 5.2%, respectively). Among participants diagnosed with diabetes, treatment and control rates did not change from 44.1 to 51.9%, p = 0.251 and from 30.2 to 34.0%, p = 0.830, respectively. A trend towards higher treatment of participants with diabetes was found after multivariable adjustment, while no changes were found for overall prevalence, diagnosis, nor control. Among antidiabetic drugs, percentage of combinations increased from 12 to 23%; percentage of sulfonylureas and biguanides decreased from 15 to 6% and from 63 to 54%, respectively, while no trend was found for insulin. After multivariable analysis, women with diabetes were less likely to be treated but more likely to be controlled, the opposite association being found for obesity. In conclusion, in Canton Geneva, antidiabetic combination therapy is gaining importance, but only half of participants diagnosed with diabetes are treated, and glycaemic control remains poor.