bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Providing the missing links in fern life history: Insights from a phenological survey of the gametophyte stage
Authors: Quinlan Alexandria , Lee Pei‐Hsuan , Tang Te‐Yen , Huang Yao‐Moan , Chiou Wen‐Liang , Kuo Li‐Yaung
Published: April 2022

Premise

The entire life cycle of ferns has been documented, yet their life histories are still poorly understood. In particular, the phenology of fern gametophytes remains largely unknown. To address this issue, we demonstrated a new ecological approach to explore the phenological link between spore release and gametophyte maturation within the life history of a tree fern species.

Methods

We conducted a serial survey of Alsophila podophylla gametophyte abundance in the field, and recorded the time of its spore release. Every two months for one year, all terrestrial fern gametophytes in an unsampled subplot were collected and identified using tissue‐direct PCR.

Results

We found temporal differences in gametophyte abundances, with a sevenfold difference between the highest and lowest months. The number of spores released was linked to the gametophyte abundance two months later. The switch from gametophyte to juvenile sporophyte was found to be most correlated with precipitation.

Discussion

The observed fluctuation in gametophyte abundance and population structure was likely associated with the phenology of spore release and environmental factors. Importantly, these findings provide the first evidence of phenological links between different developmental stages in a fern's life history.
A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout
Authors: Mantzalas Jane , Richdale Amanda L. , Dissanayake Cheryl
Published: April 2022

Early qualitative research indicates that autistic burnout is commonly experienced by autistic people and is associated with significant, negative consequences for their mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life, including suicidality. Findings to date suggest that factors associated with being autistic and the widespread lack of autism awareness and acceptance within society contribute to the onset and recurrence of autistic burnout. Based on autistic adults' descriptions of their lived experiences, a Conceptual Model of Autistic Burnout (CMAB) is proposed, which describes a series of hypothesized relationships between identified risk and protective factors that may contribute to, or buffer against, autistic burnout. The theoretical framework for the CMAB is based on the Social‐Relational model of disability and neurodiversity paradigm, and the Job Demands‐Resources model of burnout, and Conservation of Resources theory. The CMAB offers a holistic perspective for understanding individual, social, and environmental factors that can influence autistic burnout via various direct and indirect pathways. Autistic burnout research is in its infancy and the CMAB provides a foundation for future investigations about this condition.

Lay Summary

Although many autistic people describe experiencing autistic burnout, there has been little research on this topic. Based on descriptions of autistic peoples' lived experiences, we developed a conceptual model to explore how various risk and protective factors may interact to contribute to, or prevent, autistic burnout.
Playful punctuation in primary children’s writing
Authors: Burrell Andrew , Beard Roger
Published: April 2022

The writing of three attainment groups of 10‐ to 11‐year‐old children was used to investigate their use of ludic (playful) punctuation in the composition of an advertisement for a new dessert. Framed within a consideration of language play in general, and children’s use of punctuation in particular, the investigation revealed the ways in which primary children use playful punctuation in order to achieve their persuasive aims. There were clear differences between the attainment groups in both the content and range of these uses. The findings suggest that such uses—like language play as a whole—warrant further attention in educational research. Children use playful punctuation in distinctive ways without being prompted to do so. Future work needs to identify the writing tasks that enable the use of playful punctuation to flourish.
Multifaceted targeted protein degradation systems for different cellular compartments
Authors: Zorca Cornelia E. , Fallahi Armaan , Luo Sophie , Eldeeb Mohamed A.
Published: April 2022

Selective protein degradation maintains cellular homeostasis, but this process is disrupted in many diseases. Targeted protein degradation (TPD) approaches, built upon existing cellular mechanisms, are promising methods for therapeutically regulating protein levels. Here, we review the diverse palette of tools that are now available for doing so throughout the gene expression pathway and in specific cellular compartments. These include methods for directly removing targeted proteins via the ubiquitin proteasome system with proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) or dephosphorylation targeting chimeras (DEPTACs). Similar effects can also be achieved through the lysosomal system with autophagy‐targeting chimeras (AUTACs), autophagosome tethering compounds (ATTECs), and lysosome targeting chimeras (LYTACs). Other methods act upstream to degrade RNAs (ribonuclease targeting chimeras; RIBOTACs) or transcription factors (transcription factor targeting chimeras; TRAFTACs), offering control throughout the gene expression process. We highlight the evolution and function of these methods and discuss their clinical implications in diverse disease contexts.
Confluence of law enforcement, mental health, and race
Authors: Bailey Rahn K. , Barker Chikira H. , Grover Amit
Published: April 2022

Disparities in victimization by law enforcement for both people of color and individuals with mental health disorders is gaining national attention following the deaths of George Floyd, Sandra Bland, TAmir Rice, and many others. Despite this, the discussion around the intersectionality of race, psychiatric illness, and law enforcement is still in its infancy, the purpose of this article is to discuss the confluence of race and psychiatric illness as vulnerabilities in various contacts with law enforcement in order to further highlight this issue and to ignite further needed research on this topic. Possible solutions such as police‐hiring practices, bias training, and trauma‐informed policing will be discussed.
Transplantation of neuron‐inducing grafts embedding positively charged gold nanoparticles for the treatment of spinal cord injury
Authors: Ko Wan‐Kyu , Kim Seong Jun , Han Gong Ho , Lee Daye , Jeong Dabin , Lee Sang Jin , Han In‐Bo , Hong Je Beom , Sheen Seung Hun , Sohn Seil
Published: April 2022

In this study, we aimed to investigate the recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) by inducing cellular differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons. We dissociated NSCs from the spinal cords of Fisher 344 rat embryos. An injectable gel crosslinked with glycol chitosan and oxidized hyaluronate was used as a vehicle for NSC transplantation. The gel graft containing the NSC and positively charged gold nanoparticles (pGNP) was implanted into spinal cord lesions in Sprague–Dawley rats (NSC‐pGNP gel group). Cellular differentiation of grafted NSCs into neurons (stained with β‐tubulin III [also called Tuj1]) was significantly increased in the NSC‐pGNP gel group (***p < 0.001) compared to those of two control groups (NSC and NSC gel groups) in the SCI conditions. The NSC‐pGNP gel group showed the lowest differentiation into astrocytes (stained with glial fibrillary acidic protein). Regeneration of damaged axons (stained with biotinylated dextran amines) within the lesion was two‐fold higher in the NSC‐pGNP gel group than that in the NSC gel group. The highest locomotor scores were also found in the NSC‐pGNP gel group. These outcomes suggest that neuron‐inducing pGNP gel graft embedding embryonic spinal cord‐derived NSCs can be a useful type of stem cell therapy after SCI.
The effect of anterior uterocervical angle and cervical length on the development of pelvic inflammatory disease
Authors: Aksakal Sezin E. , Pay Ramazan Erda , Kose Caner , Altınbas Sadıman K. , Tapisiz Omer L. , Engin‐Ustun Yaprak
Published: April 2022

This study aims to compare the uterine body longitudinal axis, uterine body transverse axis, uterine cervix longitudinal axis and anterior cervical axis angle measured ultrasonographically between women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and healthy controls. Women aged 18–45 years with PID and healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, uterine body long axis, uterine body transverse axis, uterine cervix long axis and anterior cervical axis angle of PID patients and healthy controls were evaluated. Gravida, parity, history of smoking were significantly higher in the PID group (n = 75) than the control group (n = 74). The uterine body longitudinal axis (p = 0.001) and transverse axis (p = 0.005) were significantly lower, and the cervix longitudinal axis (p < 0.001) and the anterior uterocervical angle (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the PID group than the control group. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that uterine body (UTX) longitudinal axis (p = 0.005), uterine cervix longitudinal axis (p < 0.001) and UCA (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of PID. Uterine body longitudinal axis, uterine cervix longitudinal axis, and UCA can be associated to PID.
Movement of the superior mesenteric artery in patients with superior mesenteric artery syndrome: A case‐reference study
Authors: Miyata Jun , Eshak Ehab Salah , Yoshioka Tetsuya , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: April 2022

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is related to the reduction of the aortomesenteric angle on detailed imaging studies; i.e., an expert's ultrasonography or angiography. We aimed to test a simpler imaging finding of SMA syndrome. This cross‐sectional case‐reference study examined whether right movement of the SMA on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) is useful for the diagnosis of SMA syndrome. We reviewed hospital records of patients admitted in 2008–2018. Each case was matched to one non‐case patient of the same age and sex. On unenhanced CT scans, we identified the shortest distance between the parallel line that passes through the center of the aorta to the line that bisects the spine and SMA. A negative number of the distance means that the SMA is on the left side of the above‐described parallel line. There was a total of 14 cases and 14 non‐cases (men, 57.1%) with mean age 78.7 years. Mean body mass index of cases and non‐cases were 19.2 and 22.2 kg/m2, respectively. The more prevalent side of the SMA was the right side. The mean shortest distance was 10.5 mm in cases and 0.7 mm in non‐cases (p for independent t test = 0.043). For comparing the observations in SMA cases at several time points, the mean shortest distance at pre‐onset was −2.7 mm, with a significant difference from that at onset (p for paired t test = 0.030). In conclusion, right movement of the SMA diagnosed by unenhanced CT is associated with SMA syndrome.
Pan‐cancer analysis of mutations in open chromatin regions and their possible association with cancer pathogenesis
Authors: Kikutake Chie , Suyama Mikita
Published: April 2022

Background

Open chromatin is associated with gene transcription. Previous studies have shown that the density of mutations in open chromatin regions is lower than that in flanking regions because of the higher accessibility of DNA repair machinery. However, in several cancer types, open chromatin regions show an increased local density of mutations in activated regulatory regions. Although the mutation distribution within open chromatin regions in cancer cells has been investigated, only few studies have focused on their functional implications in cancer. To reveal the impact of highly mutated open chromatin regions on cancer, we investigated the association between mutations in open chromatin regions and their possible functions.

Methods

Whole‐genome sequencing data of 18 cancer types were downloaded from the PanCancer Analysis of Whole Genomes and Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer. We quantified the mutations located in open chromatin regions defined by The Cancer Genome Atlas and classified open chromatin regions into three categories based on the number of mutations. Then, we investigated the chromatin state, amplification, and possible target genes of the open chromatin regions with a high number of mutations. We also analyzed the association between the number of mutations in open chromatin regions and patient prognosis.

Results

In some cancer types, the proportion of promoter or enhancer chromatin state in open chromatin regions with a high number of mutations was significantly higher than that in the regions with a low number of mutations. The possible target genes of open chromatin regions with a high number of mutations were more strongly associated with cancer than those of other open chromatin regions. Moreover, a high number of mutations in open chromatin regions was significantly associated with a poor prognosis in some cancer types.

Conclusions

These results suggest that highly mutated open chromatin regions play an important role in cancer pathogenesis and can be effectively used to predict patient prognosis.
Chemical Modifications for a Next Generation of Nucleic Acid Aptamers
Authors: Chan Kwing Yeung , Kinghorn Andrew Brian , Hollenstein Marcel , Tanner Julian Alexander
Published: April 2022

In the past three decades, in vitro systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) has yielded many aptamers for translational applications in both research and clinical settings. Despite their promise as an alternative to antibodies, the low success rate of SELEX (∼30 %) has been a major bottleneck that hampers the further development of aptamers. One hurdle is the lack of chemical diversity in nucleic acids. To address this, the aptamer chemical repertoire has been extended by introducing exotic chemical groups, which provide novel binding functionalities. This review will focus on how modified aptamers can be selected and evolved, with illustration of some successful examples. In particular, unique chemistries are exemplified. Various strategies of incorporating modified building blocks into the standard SELEX protocol are highlighted, with a comparison of the differences between pre‐SELEX and post‐SELEX modifications. Nucleic acid aptamers with extended functionality evolved from non‐natural chemistries will open up new vistas for function and application of nucleic acids.
Disc‐like lesions in the intestinal tract after renal transplantation
Authors: Kwakernaak Arjan J. , van der Pluijm Rob W. , van der Weerd Neelke C. , Koens Lianne , Westra Wytske M. , Gecse Krisztina B. , Kleinjan Ankie
Published: April 2022

We report a case of intestinal lesions in a patient with a history of lupus nephritis and renal transplantation. Biopsy revealed an EBV‐driven post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD). An EBV‐driven PTLD is a major complication after renal transplantation and is an important differential diagnostic consideration in the follow‐up of renal transplant recipients.
Improvement of depression in a patient with hypothyroidism and deiodinase polymorphism with LT3 Therapy
Authors: Ahmed Ziyan S. , Sherin Rinsha P. V. , Fonseca Tatiana L. , Hoang Thanh D. , Shakir Mohamed K. M.
Published: April 2022

We report a 54‐year‐old man with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) and hypothyroidism who responded to LT3/LT4 combination, rather than LT4 alone. He was able to discontinue all antidepressant medications eventually. Interestingly, the patient has a DIO2 polymorphism.
Solitary pigmented nodule on the trunk: What is your diagnosis?
Authors: Frioui Refka , Zaouak Anissa , Chamli Amal , Fenniche Samy , Hammami Houda
Published: April 2022

The aim of my clinical image is to recall this rare and benign tumor and to emphasize the role of dermoscopy in the diagnosis.
Diabetic myonecrosis, an uncommon presentation of diabetes mellitus in tropical area: A case report
Authors: Imad Taha Mahmoud Ziryab , Abdelrahim Abdalla Yassin , Hamza Salih Boushra , Elsiddig Ahmed Ali Ibrahim , Abd Algadir Sami Ahmed , osman Sohep abdalla
Published: April 2022

Diabetic myonecrosis is an uncommon complication related to long‐standing poorly controlled diabetes. A 33‐year‐old Sudanese male patient with type one diabetes presented with progressive, severe bilateral thigh pain with low‐grade fever. Laboratory results show hyperglycemia with ketonuria and elevated creatine kinase but normal white cell blood count. The patient was diagnosed initially with diabetic ketoacidosis with pyomyositis and received analgesic and insulin; the patient partially improved. After the second evaluation, bilateral thigh MRI was requested and shows diffuse edema involving the medial muscle group of the upper third of the right side with intramuscular facial edema, appearing as low signal in T1 and high signal in T2 and fat suppression images with no evidence of collection or abscess. Diagnosis of diabetic myonecrosis was made. The patient was managed conservatively and discharge on aspirin with full recovery.
Spatially Resolved Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy of Automotive PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Haimerl Felix , Sabawa Jarek P. , Dao Tuan A. , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S.
Published: April 2022

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which use polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), provide a prospect to add to a future of harmful‐emission‐free mobility. However, an in‐depth understanding of degradation mechanisms and contributions to performance losses is needed to commercialize FCEVs further. Most previous PEMFC degradation research has focused on global indicators of the cell condition. Still, failure occurs typically due to inhomogeneities in production or operation, leading to localized regions of high degradation rates. Despite simulations indicating that local degradation effects are significantly more pronounced at larger scales, experimental studies only exist for small‐sized laboratory fuel cells so far. Here, we present the results of a comprehensive study of spatial distributions of essential PEMFC parameters using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy across the cell surface of automotive‐size fuel cells with an active area of 285 cm2. In particular, the results reveal increasing mass transport problems with increasing distance from the air inlet and a tendency of lower proton resistances in the center of the cell. One hundred twenty realistic freeze‐start cycles degenerated the cell performance drastically. The outer cell regions, subject to the lowest temperatures, showed the most substantial degradation rates, partly compensated by central cell regions with slightly higher temperatures. These findings bridge the gap between simulation and experiment and provide valuable insights for future fuel cell design and operating strategies.
Preparation of a Large Amount of Ultrathin Graphdiyne
Authors: Wang Danbo , Zhang Lin , Chen Siqi , Pan Qingyan , Yu Zefang , Jia Xu , He Lixia , Li Chaoqin , Zhao Yingjie
Published: April 2022

We report a facile strategy to prepare a large amount of ultrathin graphdiyne (GDY) with good crystallinity in the mixture of oil–water systems. By simply mixing the solution of GDY monomer in CHCl3 and the copper acetate solution as a catalyst in water and stirring at room temperature, ultrathin GDY films with a thickness of ∼4 nm were obtained in a yield of 95 %. This work provides a feasible path for the substantial preparation of GDY films and may pave the way to the development of substantial preparation of the GDY materials.
Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials for Solar‐Driven Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Lin Jingyi , Pan Hui , Chen Zhixin , Wang Lianzhou , Li Yao , Zhu Shenmin
Published: April 2022

Water splitting through photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical methods is a promising strategy for solar energy utilization. Graphene is widely used in solar‐driven overall water splitting because of its versatile properties. This review summarizes the preparation of graphene‐based photocatalysts and photoelectrodes and the functions of graphene, and highlights the challenges and prospects of the future applications of graphene in solar‐driven water splitting.
Magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging reconstruction of connectomes in a macropod, the quokka (Setonix brachyurus)
Authors: Thittamranahalli Kariyappa Jyothi , Zanoni Simone , Bongers Andre , Tong Lydia , Ashwell Ken W. S.
Published: April 2022

The diversity of the diprotodontids provides an excellent opportunity to study how a basic marsupial cortical plan has been modified for the needs of the mammals living in different habitats. Very little is known about the connections of the cerebral cortex with the deep brain structures (basal ganglia and thalamus) in this evolutionarily significant group of mammals. In this study, we performed mapping of brain regions and connections in a diprotodontid marsupial from data obtained from an excised brain scanned in high‐field (9.4 T) microstructural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument. The analysis was based on two MRI methodologies. First, high‐resolution structural scans were used to map MRI visible brain regions from T1w and T2w images. Second, extensive diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were obtained to elucidate connectivity between brain areas using deterministic diffusion tracking of neuronal brain fibers. From the data, we were able to identify corticostriate connections between the frontal association and dorsomedial isocortex and the head of the caudate, and between the lateral somatosensory cortex and the putamen. We were also able to follow the olfactory and limbic connections by tracing fibers in the fornix, cingulum, intrabulbar part of the anterior commissure, and lateral olfactory tract. There was segregation of fibers in the anterior commissure such that olfactory connections passed through the rostroventral part and successively more dorsal cortical areas connected through more dorsal parts of the commissure. Our findings confirm a common pattern of cortical connectivity in therian mammals, even where brain expansion has occurred independently in diverse groups.
A fuzzy‐based method for cloud service migration using a shark smell optimization algorithm
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Xu Bo , Cheng Bo , Hu Xiaomei , Abnoosian Karlo
Published: April 2022

Computation should develop and become more powerful and flexible as a result of the expansion of apps and the incorporation of novel consumers into the realm of computing systems. The potential of live virtual machine (VM) migration among various clouds is one of the growing study fields in cloud computing. It can be more important when the cloud service quality that a user is presently using deteriorates or when a new cloud service is launched that is superior in performance, quality, and pricing to the existing services. Because this problem is NP‐Hard in nature, this article proposes a method to migrate the load from an over‐loaded VMs to the active machine that is least loaded using a fuzzy‐based shark smell optimization algorithm. This algorithm is based on a shark's ability to discover prey as a strong hunter in nature, based on the shark's smell sense and motion to the odor source. The suggested optimization technique mathematically models diverse shark behaviors in the search environment, which is seawater. The CloudSim is utilized to illustrate the efficiency of the approach compared to others. The outcomes reveal that energy consumption and execution time are better than Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization algorithms.
LncRNA PCAT1 activates SOX2 and suppresses radioimmune responses via regulating cGAS/STING signalling in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Gao Yanping , Zhang Nannan , Zeng Zihang , Wu Qiuji , Jiang Xueping , Li Shuying , Sun Wenjie , Zhang Jianguo , Li Yangyi , Li Jiali , He Fajian , Huang Zhengrong , Zhang Jinfang , Gong Yan , Xie Conghua
Published: April 2022

Background

The expression of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) prostate cancer‐associated ncRNA transcripts 1 (PCAT1) is increased in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It stimulates tumour growth and metastasis, but its role in the radioimmune responses remain unknown. We aimed to explore the impacts of PCAT1 on tumorigenesis and radioimmune responses and the underlying molecular mechanisms in NSCLC.

Methods

Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify immunosuppressive lncRNAs involved with tumour invasion in NSCLC. The expression levels of PCAT1 were analysed by in situ hybridisation in 55 paired NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Both loss‐ and gain‐of‐function assays were performed to examine the effects of PCAT1 and SOX2 on NSCLC cell behaviours in vivo and in vitro. Bioinformatic analyses, chromatin isolation by RNA purification (ChIRP) and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were applied to validate the regulatory effects of PCAT1 on SOX2 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase and rescue assays were utilised to identify the relationship between SOX2 and the cGAS/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signalling.

Results

PCAT1 was immunosuppressive and related with NSCLC invasion. Increased PCAT1 was negatively correlated with immune cell infiltration in NSCLC. PCAT1 knockdown restrained proliferation, increased apoptosis, and repressed cell metastasis in vivo and in vitro. PCAT1 activated SOX2 that accelerated tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. SOX2 promoted tumour growth through inhibiting cytotoxic T‐cell immunity. Moreover, SOX2 restrained cGAS transcription and hampered downstream type I interferon (IFN)‐induced immune responses. Inhibition of PCAT1/SOX2 in collaboration with radiation further inhibited tumour growth, and initiated the cGAS/STING signalling pathway, which enhanced the immune responses of radiotherapy in NSCLC.

Conclusions

PCAT1/SOX2 axis promoted tumorigenesis and immunosuppression through inhibition of cGAS/STING signalling‐mediated T‐cell activation. Inhibition of PCAT1 and SOX2 synergised with radiotherapy to activate the immune response and could serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Insulin secretion and action affect glucose variability in the early stages of glucose intolerance
Authors: Dimova Rumyana , Chakarova Nevena , Daniele Giuseppe , Bianchi Cristina , Dardano Angela , Del Prato Stefano , Tankova Tsvetalina
Published: April 2022

Aims

Since it is unknown whether glucose variability (GV) is increased and whether this is related to worsening of insulin secretion and action in prediabetes, we have assessed insulin secretion and sensitivity, and daily GV in early stages of dysglycemia.

Materials and Methods

Twenty subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; age 45.0 ± 9.5 years; BMI 31.1 ± 6.4 kg/m2), 25 with NGT and 1hrOGTT>8.6 mmol/L (1hrOGTT; 45.7 ± 8.5 years; 32.4 ± 7.0 kg/m2), and 59 with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (iIGT; 47.7 ± 11.2 years; 31.3 ± 6.1 kg/m2) underwent OGTT and MMTT. CGM was performed with blinded FreeStyle Libre Pro for 24 h under standard conditions. Parameters of beta‐cell function, insulin sensitivity and GV were calculated.

Results

Overall insulin secretion and action as well as GV progressively worsened across glucose tolerance categories. On a matrix analysis, GV parameters were inversely related to ISSI‐2; r = −0.37 to −0.52; p < 0.0001; and IGI; r = −0.28 to −0.48; p < 0.0001 for CV, SD, J‐index, LI, HBGI and MAGE. Insulin secretion (IGI) and b‐cell function (ISSI‐2) emerged as independent contributors to GV in early stage of dysglycemia accounting for about 16%–38% of its variability.

Conclusions

Our results show that daily GV worsens already with mild impairment of glucose tolerance. The increase in GV is inversely related to insulin secretion and action.
Seed Menus: An integrated decision‐support framework for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Shryock Daniel F. , DeFalco Lesley A. , Esque Todd C.
Published: April 2022

The combination of ecosystem stressors, rapid climate change, and increasing landscape‐scale development has necessitated active restoration across large tracts of disturbed habitats in the arid southwestern United States. In this context, programmatic directives such as the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration have increasingly emphasized improved restoration practices that promote resilient, diverse plant communities, and enhance native seed reserves. While decision‐support tools have been implemented to support genetic diversity by guiding seed transfer decisions based on patterns in local adaptation, less emphasis has been placed on identifying priority seed mixes composed of native species assemblages. Well‐designed seed mixes can provide foundational ecosystem services including resilience to disturbance, resistance to invasive species, plant canopy structure to facilitate natural seedling recruitment, and habitat to support wildlife and pollinator communities. Drawing from a newly developed dataset of species distribution models for priority native plant taxa in the Mojave Desert, we created a novel decision support tool by pairing spatial predictions of species habitat with a database of key species traits including life history, flowering characteristics, pollinator relationships, and propagation methods. This publicly available web application, Mojave Seed Menus, helps restoration practitioners generate customized seed mixes for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert based on project locations. Our application forms part of an integrated Mojave Desert restoration program designed to help practitioners identify species to include in local seed mixes and nursery stock development while accounting for local adaptation by identifying appropriate seed source locations from key restoration species.
Individual small in‐stream barriers contribute little to strong local population genetic structure five strictly aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa
Authors: Weiss Martina , Weigand Hannah , Leese Florian
Published: April 2022

Water flow in river networks is frequently regulated by man‐made in‐stream barriers. These obstacles can hinder dispersal of aquatic organisms and isolate populations leading to the loss of genetic diversity. Although millions of small in‐stream barriers exist worldwide, their impact on dispersal of macroinvertebrates remains unclear. Therefore, we, therefore, assessed the effects of such barriers on the population structure and effective dispersal of five macroinvertebrate species with strictly aquatic life cycles: the amphipod crustacean Gammarus fossarum (clade 11), three snail species of the Ancylus fluviatilis species complex and the flatworm Dugesia gonocephala. We studied populations at nine weirs and eight culverts (3 pipes, 5 tunnels), built 33–109 years ago, mainly in the heavily fragmented catchment of the river Ruhr (Sauerland, Germany). To assess fragmentation and barrier effects, we generated genome‐wide SNP data using ddRAD sequencing and evaluated clustering, differentiation between populations up‐ and downstream of each barrier and effective migration rates among sites and across barriers. Additionally, we applied population genomic simulations to assess expected differentiation patterns under different gene flow scenarios. Our data show that populations of all species are highly isolated at regional and local scales within few kilometers. While the regional population structure likely results from historical processes, the strong local differentiation suggests that contemporary dispersal barriers exist. However, we identified significant barrier effects only for pipes (for A. fluviatilis II and III) and few larger weirs (>1.3 m; for D. gonocephala). Therefore, our data suggest that most small in‐stream barriers can probably be overcome by all studied taxa frequently enough to prevent fragmentation. However, it remains to be tested if the strong local differentiation is a result of a cumulative effect of small barriers, or if larger in‐stream barriers, land use, chemical pollution, urbanization, or a combination of these factors impede gene flow.
Single‐Molecule Confinement Induced Intrinsic Multi‐Electron Redox‐Activity to Enhance Supercapacitor Performance
Authors: Yang Su , Wang Meiling , Zhang Yong , He Pinyi , Cong Wenhua , Wang Chongji , Yang Qiankun , Liu Xuguang , Wang Tian , Zhang Xianming , Zhou Jiadong
Published: April 2022

Aggregation of polyoxometalates (POM) is largely responsible for the reduced performance of POM‐based energy‐storage systems. To address this challenge, here, the precise confinement of single Keggin‐type POM molecule in a porous carbon (PC) of unimodal super‐micropore (micro‐PC) is realized. Such precise single‐molecule confinement enables sufficient activity center exposure and maximum electron‐transfer from micro‐PC to POM, which well stabilizes the electron‐accepting molecules and thoroughly activates its inherent multi‐electron redox‐activity. In particular, the redox‐activities and electron‐accepting properties of the confined POM molecule are revealed to be super‐micropore pore size‐dependent by experiment and spectroscopy as well as theoretical calculation. Meanwhile, the molecularly dispersed POM molecules confined steadily in the “cage” of micro‐PC exhibit unprecedented large‐negative‐potential stability and multiple‐peak redox‐activity at an ultra‐low loading of ~11.4 wt%. As a result, the fabricated solid‐state supercapacitor achieves a remarkable areal capacitance, ultrahigh energy and power density of 443 mF cm−2, 0.12 mWh cm−2 and 21.1 mW cm−2, respectively. This work establishes a novel strategy for the precise confinement of single POM molecule, providing a versatile approach to inducing the intrinsic activity of POMs for advanced energy‐storage systems.
Accordion Frameworks Enable Free‐Standing, High Si Content Anode for Li‐ion Batteries
Authors: Zhao Zedong , Dong Lei , Huang Qin , Wu Tianqi , Zhao Fugang , Guo Yixuan , Hu Bo , Ge Yuanhang , Zhang Jiajia , Xie Keyu , Lu Hongbin
Published: April 2022

Implementing high‐performance silicon (Si) anode in actual processing and application is highly desirable for next‐generation, high‐energy Li‐ion batteries. However, high content of inactive matrix (including conductive agent and binder) is often indispensable in order to ensure local conductivity and suppress pulverization tendency of Si particles, which thus cause great capacity loss based on the mass of whole electrode. Here, we designed an accordion‐structured, high‐performance electrode with high Si content up to 95%. Si nanoparticles were well anchored into the interlayer spacings of accordion‐like graphene arrays, and free‐standing electrode was prepared via a simple filtration process without any binder. Conductive accordion framework ensures strong confinement effect of Si nanoparticles and also provides direct, non‐tortuous channels for fast electrochemical reaction kinetics. As a consequence, the accordion Si electrodes exhibit ultrahigh, electrode‐based capacities up to 3149 mAh g−1 (under Si content of 91%), as well as long‐term stability. Also, the accordion electrode can bear extreme condition of over‐lithiation and maintains stable in full‐cell test. This design provides a significant stride in high Si content toward realistic, high‐performance electrodes.
Defect Engineering of Carbons for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications
Authors: Luo Xianyou , Zheng Heng , Lai Wende , Yuan Ping , Li Shengwei , Li De , Chen Yong
Published: April 2022

Sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies are a vital prerequisite for neutral future carbon. To this end, carbon materials with attractive features, such as tunable pore architecture, good electrical conductivity, outstanding physicochemical stability, abundant resource, and low cost, have used as promising electrode materials for energy conversion and storage. Defect engineering could modulate the structures of carbon materials, thereby affecting their electronic properties. The presence of defects on carbons may lead to asymmetric charge distribution, change in geometrical configuration, and distortion of the electronic structure that may result in unexpected electrochemical performances. In this review, recent advances in defects of carbons used for energy conversion and storage were examined in terms of types, regulation strategies, and fine characterization means of defects. The applications of such carbons in supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries, and electrocatalysis were also discussed. The perspectives toward the development of defect engineering carbons were proposed. In all, novel insights related to improvement in high‐performance carbon materials for future energy conversion and storage applications were provided.
Greatly Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Reaction of CoPt Truncated Octahedral Nanoparticles by External Magnetic Fields
Authors: Zhu Mengyuan , Wang Yi , Wu Yanfei , Liu Jialong , Zhang Jingyan , Huang He , Zheng Xinqi , Shen Jianxin , Zhao Ruijie , Zhou Wenda , Wang Shouguo
Published: April 2022

Tunable behavior in electrocatalysis by external multifields, such as magnetic field, thermal field, and electric field, is the most promising strategy to expand the theory, design, and synthesis of state‐of‐the‐art catalysts and the cell in the near future. Here, a systematic investigation for the effect of external magnetic field and thermal field on methanol oxidation reactions (MOR) in magnetic nanoparticles is reported. For Co42Pt58 truncated octahedral nanoparticles (TONPs), the catalytic performance in MOR is greatly increased to the maximum of 14.1% by applying a magnetic field up to 3000 Oe, and it shows a monotonical increase with increasing working temperature. The magnetic enhanced effect is closely related to the Co content of CoxPt100‐x TONPs. Furthermore, the enhancement effect under a magnetic field is more obvious for Co42Pt58 TONPs annealed at 650 °C. First‐principle calculation points out that the magnetic fields can facilitate the dehydrogenation of both methanol and water by suppression of entropy of the electron spin and lowering of the activation barrier, where OHad intermediates on Co sites play a more important role. The application of magnetic fields together with thermal fields in MOR provides a new prospect to manipulate the performance of direct methanol fuel cells, which will accelerate their potential applications.
Study of Different Carbonaceous Materials as Modifiers of Screen‐printed Carbon Electrodes for the Triazid as Potential Antiviral Drug
Authors: Ivoilova Alexandra , Malakhova Nataliya , Mozharovskaia Polina , Nikiforova Alexandra , Tumashov Andrey , Kozitsina Alisa , Ivanova Alla , Rusinov Vladimir
Published: April 2022

In this work a comparative study of Screen‐Printed Carbon Electrodes (SPCE) – bare and modified by drop casting with carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs) as Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT), Carbon Black and Functionalized Carbon Black for voltammetric determination of 5‐methyl‐6‐nitro‐7‐oxo‐4,7‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidinide l‐arginine monohydrate (Triazid) as a potential drug with a broad spectrum of antiviral activity is reported. Bare SPCE and CNMs modified SPCE (SPCE/CNMs) have been characterized morphologically by SEM and electrochemically by cyclic voltammetry/electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− as redox probe. Significant improvement of electrochemical performances is achieved with SPCE/CNMs compared with the bare SPCE. Among SPCE/CNMs studied SPCE modified with MWCNT (SPCE/CNT) is characterized by the best combination of electrochemical properties and electroanalytical performance towards TD. The linear dynamic range is 25–200 mg L−1 (R2=0.9975) with the limit of detection – 2.8 mg L−1 Triazid using SPCE/CNT and Square‐Wave Voltammetry technique. The developed sensor was successfully used for Triazid determination in the Pharmaceutical Substance “TRIAZID”. The results achieved with SPCE/CNMs after chemical binding of dissolved oxygen in 0.04 M Britton‐Robinson buffer+0.04 M Na2SO3 (pH 7.2±0.2) are very useful for further development of cost‐effective and time‐consuming pharmaceutical routine assay.
Field investigation of the fetch effect and essential conditions for saturated sand flow
Authors: Zhang Chunlai , Wang Xuesong , Zou Xueyong , Shen Yaping , Wang Rende , Wang Hongtao
Published: April 2022

Several models of classical aeolian sand transport mechanism have been developed to predict the rate of sand transport. However, the values predicted through modeling almost always display large and significant differences from the measured values. The reason for such discrepancies is not fully understood. By studying the effects of wind velocities and fetch lengths on the C values in the model proposed by Lettau and Lettau in 1978, we found that the saturation level of the measured sand flow can significantly affect the accuracy of the predicted value. To solve this problem, we introduced an index (δ) to represent the saturation level. The closer the δ value is to 1, the greater the chance that the sand flow is saturated. This new approach only requires measurement of the saturated sand flow data to verify the robustness of the aeolian sand transport model, a step that has been neglected by previous researchers. Our results suggest that the value of C = 6.7 proposed in the Lettau and Lettau model is sound and reliable if the sand flow is saturated. We proposed the conditions required for the sand flow to reach saturation and generated an equation to predict the sand transport saturation length (Lsat). Accordingly, we estimated Lsat to be approximately 92 m when
 = 0.47 m s−1 for the studied sand surface, which is also the minimum wind shear velocity at which the sand flow can potentially reach saturation.
Braiding knowledges of braided rivers – the need for place‐based perspectives and lived experience in the science of landscapes
Authors: Koppes Michèle N.
Published: April 2022

The compounding societal and environmental crises of the Anthropocene necessitate a more holistic, critical and systems understanding of our relationship to and with the earth surface. We are now aware that every landscape is touched by man, a mosaic of recorded artifacts of historical human activity. These effects emerge from distinct perspectives that require global, local, and complex frameworks of inquiry. In order to address the braided realities of this age, geomorphologists need to embrace diverse ways of knowing, most especially indigenous, local and place‐based knowledges of landscapes and our role in shaping them. We need to examine how a singular, objective standpoint in the scientific process privileges determinism over other ways of seeing and being. In this commentary, I argue that the discipline of geomorphology as it is commonly practiced in the Global North is ill‐suited to address the crises of the Anthropocene. In order to reorient the discipline towards a more ethical and societally‐relevant role, we need to seek and integrate place‐based, local and situated perspectives into the scientific work of understanding the landscapes we are working in, particularly as so many of the communities most impacted by these changing landscapes are the least involved in guiding our scientific efforts and outcomes.
White matter tract strength correlates with therapy outcome in persistent developmental stuttering
Authors: Neef Nicole E. , Korzeczek Alexandra , Primaßin Annika , Wolff von Gudenberg Alexander , Dechent Peter , Riedel Christian Heiner , Paulus Walter , Sommer Martin
Published: April 2022

Persistent stuttering is a prevalent neurodevelopmental speech disorder, which presents with involuntary speech blocks, sound and syllable repetitions, and sound prolongations. Affected individuals often struggle with negative feelings, elevated anxiety, and low self‐esteem. Neuroimaging studies frequently link persistent stuttering with cortical alterations and dysfunctional cortico‐basal ganglia‐thalamocortical loops; dMRI data also point toward connectivity changes of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) and the frontal aslant tract (FAT). Both tracts are involved in speech and language functions, and the FAT also supports inhibitory control and conflict monitoring. Whether the two tracts are involved in therapy‐associated improvements and how they relate to therapeutic outcomes is currently unknown. Here, we analyzed dMRI data of 22 patients who participated in a fluency‐shaping program, 18 patients not participating in therapy, and 27 fluent control participants, measured 1 year apart. We used diffusion tractography to segment the SLF and FAT bilaterally and to quantify their microstructural properties before and after a fluency‐shaping program. Participants learned to speak with soft articulation, pitch, and voicing during a 2‐week on‐site boot camp and computer‐assisted biofeedback‐based daily training for 1 year. Therapy had no impact on the microstructural properties of the two tracts. Yet, after therapy, stuttering severity correlated positively with left SLF fractional anisotropy, whereas relief from the social–emotional burden to stutter correlated negatively with right FAT fractional anisotropy. Thus, posttreatment, speech motor performance relates to the left dorsal stream, while the experience of the adverse impact of stuttering relates to the structure recently associated with conflict monitoring and action inhibition.
Critical factors in achieving fine‐scale functional MRI: Removing sources of inadvertent spatial smoothing
Authors: Wang Jianbao , Nasr Shahin , Roe Anna Wang , Polimeni Jonathan R.
Published: April 2022

Ultra‐high Field (≥7T) functional magnetic resonance imaging (UHF‐fMRI) provides opportunities to resolve fine‐scale features of functional architecture such as cerebral cortical columns and layers, in vivo. While the nominal resolution of modern fMRI acquisitions may appear to be sufficient to resolve these features, several common data preprocessing steps can introduce unwanted spatial blurring, especially those that require interpolation of the data. These resolution losses can impede the detection of the fine‐scale features of interest. To examine quantitatively and systematically the sources of spatial resolution losses occurring during preprocessing, we used synthetic fMRI data and real fMRI data from the human visual cortex—the spatially interdigitated human V2 “thin” and “thick” stripes. The pattern of these cortical columns lies along the cortical surface and thus can be best appreciated using surface‐based fMRI analysis. We used this as a testbed for evaluating strategies that can reduce spatial blurring of fMRI data. Our results show that resolution losses can be mitigated at multiple points in preprocessing pathway. We show that unwanted blur is introduced at each step of volume transformation and surface projection, and can be ameliorated by replacing multi‐step transformations with equivalent single‐step transformations. Surprisingly, the simple approaches of volume upsampling and of cortical mesh refinement also helped to reduce resolution losses caused by interpolation. Volume upsampling also serves to improve motion estimation accuracy, which helps to reduce blur. Moreover, we demonstrate that the level of spatial blurring is nonuniform over the brain—knowledge which is critical for interpreting data in high‐resolution fMRI studies. Importantly, our study provides recommendations for reducing unwanted blurring during preprocessing as well as methods that enable quantitative comparisons between preprocessing strategies. These findings highlight several underappreciated sources of a spatial blur. Individually, the factors that contribute to spatial blur may appear to be minor, but in combination, the cumulative effects can hinder the interpretation of fine‐scale fMRI and the detectability of these fine‐scale features of functional architecture.