bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modular synthesis of the pheromone (2S,7S)‐2,7‐nonanediyl dibutyrate and its racemate and their field efficacy to control orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Li Changkai , Wu Yuqing , Yin Xinming , Gong Zhongjun , Xing Hongxia , Miao Jin , Wang Shuzhi , Liu Jia , Na Risong , Li Qing X.
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

Sudden outbreaks of the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) cause huge wheat yield losses. Use of sex pheromones is more efficient than laborious egg counting to monitor these hidden‐concealed insects. Quick synthesis of the sex pheromones is therefore required to meet the sudden outbreak needs.

RESULTS

A synthetic approach of stereospecific and racemic S. mosellana pheromones was presented. This method afforded the stereospecific and racemic S. mosellana pheromones in three steps and high enantioselectivity (> 98% ee for (2S,7S)‐2,7‐nonanediyl dibutyrate) in less than 1 day with 74% and 73% overall yields, respectively, whereas most conventional methods require longer synthesis time with less than 40% yield. The synthesis routes could quickly and economically afford the pheromones, starting from synthon (S)‐but‐3‐yn‐2‐ol (1a) or but‐3‐yn‐2‐ol (1b), through the same three‐step processes of coupling, reduction, and esterification. The Y‐tube olfactometer results showed significant attractiveness of the synthetic stereospecific and racemic sex pheromones to S. mosellana males relative to the blank control (P < 0.001). Field trials also demonstrated significant attractiveness of the synthetic stereospecific and racemic sex pheromones relative to the blank control (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This modular approach is conducive to the deployment of field traps and timely responses to S. mosellana outbreaks and can be a time‐saving and cost‐effective tool to manage S. mosellana. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Resveratrol reverses TGF‐β1‐mediated invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells via the SIRT3/AMPK/autophagy signal axis
Authors: Wang Jia , Huang Ping , Pan Xiafang , Xia Chunhua , Zhang Hong , Zhao Han , Yuan Zhao , Liu Jianming , Meng Chao , Liu Fanglan
Published: September 2022

Resveratrol (Resv) has antitumorigenic and antimetastatic activities; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of Resv on the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells are still a subject of debate. In our study, we demonstrated that Resv inhibited tumor cell proliferation and tumor growth. It also suppressed invasion and pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer by reversing the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1)‐mediated EMT process. Meanwhile, the anticarcinogenic effects of Resv were abolished by the autophagy blocker 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) or Beclin 1 small interfering RNA. Moreover, Resv upregulated autophagy‐related genes and protein levels and induced the formation of autophagosomes in 4T1 breast cancer cells and xenograft mice, suggesting that autophagy was involved in the anticarcinogenic activities of Resv in both models. In addition, Resv‐induced autophagy by increasing the expression of SIRT3 and phosphorylated AMPK. SIRT3 knockdown reduced AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy‐related proteins levels, and suppressed the anticancer effects of Resv, demonstrating that the inhibitory effects of Resv on tumor progression were mediated via the SIRT3/AMPK/autophagy pathway. Taken together, our study provided novel insight into the anticancer effects of Resv and revealed that targeting the SIRT3/AMPK/autophagy pathway can serve as a new therapeutic target against breast cancer.
Lutein ameliorates high‐fat diet‐induced obesity, fatty liver, and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Gopal Sowmya Shree , Sukhdeo Shinde Vijay , Vallikannan Baskaran , Ponesakki Ganesan
Published: September 2022

Obesity is a multi‐factorial metabolic syndrome that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. We recently demonstrated the antiadipogenic efficacy of lutein using a 3 T3‐L1 cell culture model. This study aimed to examine the antiobesity efficacy of lutein on high‐fat (60% kcal fat) diet‐induced C57BL/6J obese mice model. Lutein (300 and 500 μM), Orlistat (30 mg/kg body weight ‐ positive control), and its combination (orlistat, 15 mg/kg body weight+lutein, 300 μM) were administered in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice every other day for 24 weeks. The effect on serum and hepatic lipid parameters was estimated using biochemical assay kits. The adipose tissue expression of adipocyte differentiation markers at gene and protein levels was analyzed by RT‐PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that lutein administration and drug significantly reduced epididymal and abdominal adipose tissue weights. Further, lutein reduced the serum cholesterol and LDL‐C concentration compared to the HFD group. The HFD‐induced elevation in the hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol levels were significantly blocked by lutein and its combination with the drug. Similarly, lutein and its drug combination efficiently lowered the HFD‐mediated elevated blood glucose levels. Lutein downregulated the expression of CEBP‐α, PPAR‐γ, and FAS in the epididymal adipose tissue. Thus, supplementation of lutein may control diet‐induced obesity and associated complications in the human population.
Explore the key factors of sustainable development: A bibliometric and visual analysis of technological progress
Authors: Ren Wenhan , Ni Jing , Jiao Wen , Li Yan
Published: September 2022

Technological progress is an important way to realize the coordinated and stable development of economy and environment, and it is also a key factor to promote sustainable development. In the face of a large amount of literature data, traditional qualitative literature analysis methods have certain limitations and cannot objectively show the frontier trends of the research. Therefore, this article uses knowledge graph quantification and bibliometric analysis as research methods to quantitatively analyze technological progress. With the help of CiteSpace bibliometric tool and Web of Science database, this article draws the knowledge map, showing the basic characteristics, evolution logic, and hot frontiers of technological progress in the past 30 years, in order to grasp the new trend of technological progress research. The results show that: the number of studies on technological progress is increasing year by year, and China is the country with the largest number of publications. Research on technological progress mainly focuses on resource labor‐intensive industries on land, while less attention on ocean. The evolution of technological progress is characterized by three stages: theoretical exploration (1997–2005), empirical analysis (2006–2016), and application exploration (2017–2021), and the path analysis and the impact mechanism of technological progress in the field of energy conservation and emission reduction are the focus of scholars at this stage. Finally, this article makes prospects from the aspects of research perspective, theme and content, so as to provide a reference basis for promoting scientific decision‐making of sustainable development.
Biological Activity and Optical Sensor Properties of Green Synthesis Polymer
Authors: Bahçeci Dilek Şenol , Demir Neslihan , Kocaeren Aysel Aydın
Published: September 2022

In this study, 4‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthalene sulfonic acid (Monomer) was converted to its enzyme‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization (Poly‐enz) in dioxane solvent by horseradish peroxidase enzyme (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. For the analysis of the monomer and its synthesized Poly‐enz, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FT‐IR, TGA, and SEM measurements were determined. In addition, the optical ion sensor properties of Poly‐enz against metals such as Ag+, Cd2+, Co2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ were examined with UV‐Vis spectrophotometer. It was observed that Cu metal showed sensory properties. DNA cleavage and DNA binding activities of monomer and Poly‐enz were done using by agarose gel electrophoresis and UV‐Vis methods, respectively. It was seen that the Poly‐enz interacted with DNA electrostatically. This enzymatic polymer was found to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA both hydrolytically and oxidatively as well. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were examined by three different methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) and it was found that the Poly‐enz showed high antioxidant activity compared to its monomer. Antimicrobial activities were studied against various bacterial and yeast cultures by the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) method. It was observed that the antimicrobial activities of the enzymatic polymer in different microorganisms increased depending on the concentration.
Power Conditioner Efficiencies and Annual Performance Analyses with Partially Shaded Photovoltaic Generators Using Indoor Measurements and Shading Simulations
Authors: Allenspach Cyril , Carigiet Fabian , Bänziger Arturo , Schneider Andrin , Baumgartner Franz
Published: September 2022

Partially shaded photovoltaic systems operate with nonuniform conditions within the photovoltaic array, which lead to power losses. Module‐level power electronics can potentially improve the performance of such photovoltaic systems. However, the potential performance increase compared to standard string inverter systems is site specific. To investigate this, power optimizer and string inverter efficiency measurements are conducted in the ZHAW indoor laboratory. With these results, simulations are performed for a module‐level power electronics system with power optimizers at every module and a standard string inverter rooftop photovoltaic system. As a performance comparison, the P370 power optimizer and 3500H inverter are used for the module‐level power electronics system and partial shading by a chimney is considered. For the standard string inverter system, the string inverter SUN2000‐3.68KTL‐L1, without the use of module‐level power electronics, is chosen. The results of the annual simulations show a gain of the module‐level power electronics system between –0.9% and 1.4% (14 modules) or –0.2% and 0.8% (13 modules), depending on the position of the chimney. Furthermore, the shading adaption efficiency, a method of quantifying the annual performance for shading situations by applying weightings to a few indoor measured performance values of power electronic components, is described.
Investigation on the crack formation in carbon concrete for the use in deck caps on cantilever slabs of bridges
Authors: Farwig Kristina , Schulte‐Schrepping Christoph , Curbach Manfred , Breitenbücher Rolf
Published: September 2022

Deck caps of bridges—in Germany shortly known as “bridge caps”—are usually made of steel reinforced concrete to form the anchoring area for the guardrail of bridge deck edges on existing cantilever slabs. Combined with protective devices, the outside arranged deck caps provide safety against lateral breaking or crashes of vehicles. Due to their exposed position in the cross section of bridges and the particularly intensive stresses, the deck caps are considered as wear parts and have to be renewed several times during the service life of a bridge. The decisive factor here is the discrepancy between the frost resistance of the concrete and the crack width restriction. On the one hand, only very small cracks (<0.2 mm) can be accepted to prevent corrosion of the rebars under the strong exposure of these elements. To confine crack widths without applying an excessively high degree of reinforcement, a low concrete compressive strength is advantageous. On the other hand, a sufficient frost resistance requires a correspondingly high compressive strength. With carbon reinforcement, these contrary points could be defused and simultaneously the needed durability could be provided. Therefore, slightly modified deck cap concretes combined with a carbon reinforcement mesh were tested to examine the bond behavior with and without freeze–thaw attack. To prove the characteristics of this combined system, the crack formation and crack distribution were investigated experimentally. The test results were compared to calculated values from a mathematically tool to be able to develop different reinforcement concepts in future that can ensure an optimized crack formation and crack width for deck caps.
ASRpro: A machine‐learning computational model for identifying proteins associated with multiple abiotic stress in plants
Authors: Meher Prabina Kumar , Sahu Tanmaya Kumar , Gupta Ajit , Kumar Anuj , Rustgi Sachin
Published: September 2022

One of the thrust areas of research in plant breeding is to develop crop cultivars with enhanced tolerance to abiotic stresses. Thus, identifying abiotic stress‐responsive genes (SRGs) and proteins is important for plant breeding research. However, identifying such genes via established genetic approaches is laborious and resource intensive. Although transcriptome profiling has remained a reliable method of SRG identification, it is species specific. Additionally, identifying multistress responsive genes using gene expression studies is cumbersome. Thus, endorsing the need to develop a computational method for identifying the genes associated with different abiotic stresses. In this work, we aimed to develop a computational model for identifying genes responsive to six abiotic stresses: cold, drought, heat, light, oxidative, and salt. The predictions were performed using support vector machine (SVM), random forest, adaptive boosting (ADB), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), where the autocross covariance (ACC) andK‐mer compositional features were used as input. With ACC,K‐mer, and ACC +K‐mer compositional features, the overall accuracy of ∼60–77, ∼75–86, and ∼61–78% were respectively obtained using the SVM algorithm with fivefold cross‐validation. The SVM also achieved higher accuracy than the other three algorithms. The proposed model was also assessed with an independent dataset and obtained an accuracy consistent with cross‐validation. The proposed model is the first of its kind and is expected to serve the requirement of experimental biologists; however, the prediction accuracy was modest. Given its importance for the research community, the online prediction application, ASRpro, is made freely available (https://iasri‐sg.icar.gov.in/asrpro/) for predicting abiotic SRGs and proteins.
Gallbladder polyps growth rate is an independent risk factor for neoplastic polyps
Authors: Han Ji Won , Choi Young Hoon , Lee In Seok , Choi Ho Joong , Hong Tae Ho , You Young Kyoung
Published: September 2022

Background

The size of gallbladder (GB) polyps is a representative risk factor for neoplastic polyps. However, whether growth rate during follow‐up is associated with neoplastic polyps remains unclear.

Methods

From 2009 to 2019, a cohort of patients with GB polyps who underwent cholecystectomy was enrolled. We included only patients who underwent at least two abdominal ultrasonography procedures at least 6 months apart prior to cholecystectomy. Performance and optimal cutoff value of polyp growth rate for predicting neoplastic polyps were estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. In addition to growth rate, several other variables considered suitable for predicting neoplastic polyps were also investigated. A nomogram was created to predict neoplastic polyps.

Results

A total of 239 patients with neoplastic polyps (n = 27, 11.3%) and non‐neoplastic polyps (n = 212, 88.7%) were included. The median follow‐up period was 28.5 months. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of polyp growth rate for neoplastic polyps was 0.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.72). The growth rate cutoff value for prediction of neoplastic polyps was 3 mm/year (sensitivity, 37.0%; specificity, 86.3%). Multivariate analysis identified several factors predicting neoplastic polyps: polyp size ≥10 mm (odds ratio [OR], 3.74, p = 0.041), solitary polyp (OR, 3.92, p = 0.004), and polyp growth rate ≥ 3 mm/year (OR, 2.75, p = 0.031). The AUROC of the nomogram using these three significant factors in multivariate analysis was 0.71.

Conclusion

GB polyps with a growth rate of over 3 mm per year on ultrasonography during follow‐up should be considered a risk factor for neoplastic polyps.
Fetal left‐atrial posterior‐space‐to‐diagonal ratio at 17–37 weeks' gestation for prediction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection
Authors: Anuwutnavin S. , Unalome V. , Rekhawasin T. , Tongprasert F. , Thongkloung P.
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To develop normative data for the left‐atrial posterior‐space‐to‐diagonal (LAPSD) ratio and post‐left atrium space (PLAS) index in fetuses from 17 to 37 weeks' gestation, and determine the optimal cut‐offs of the LAPSD ratio and PLAS index to discriminate between normal fetuses and those with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC).

Methods

This was a prospective cross‐sectional assessment of 428 structurally normal fetuses between 17 and 37 weeks' gestation and a retrospective study of 27 TAPVC fetuses. The fetal LAPSD ratio was calculated by dividing the left atrium–descending aorta distance (LDD) by the left atrial diagonal diameter (LA). The PLAS index was calculated as the ratio of the LDD to the descending aorta diameter (DA). Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation of cardiac parameters with gestational age (GA) and fetal somatic growth. The PLAS index and LAPSD ratio were compared between the normal and TAPVC groups to assess their usefulness in the prenatal diagnosis of TAPVC.

Results

LDD, LA and DA measures showed moderate to strong positive correlation, whereas both the LAPSD ratio and PLAS index showed a slight decrease with increasing GA and biometric variables. The fetal LAPSD ratio and PLAS index in TAPVC cases were significantly greater compared with those of fetuses with a normal heart (both P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the PLAS index and LAPSD ratio between the isolated and complex TAPVC groups (both P = 1). No significant associations of the PLAS index and LAPSD ratio with fetal gender, four‐chamber view type (apical, basal or lateral) or TAPVC type were found. Using values of ≥ 0.35 for the LAPSD ratio and of ≥ 1 for the PLAS index exhibited similar excellent diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 97.0% or 95.1% for detecting TAPVC.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that the LAPSD ratio is a practical and effective screening tool for diagnosing fetal TAPVC, similar to the PLAS index. Incorporating these parameters into routine cardiac scanning may enhance the prenatal detection of TAPVC. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Feasibility and efficacy of an online compassion‐focused imagery intervention for veterinarian self‐reassurance, self‐criticism and perfectionism
Authors: Wakelin Katherine E. , Perman Gemma , Simonds Laura M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Veterinarians report high levels of psychological distress and self‐criticism. However, there is minimal research investigating psychological interventions for veterinarians. Evidence suggests that compassion‐focused therapy is effective at reducing distress in those with high self‐criticism. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 2‐week online compassionate imagery intervention for veterinarians.

Methods

A one‐group repeated measures design was used with 128 veterinarians. Participants completed measures of perfectionism, self‐criticism, self‐reassurance and fears of compassion four times, at 2‐week intervals (at baseline, pre‐intervention, post‐intervention and 2‐week follow‐up). Participants answered written questions about their intervention experience post‐intervention.

Results

Content analysis of the qualitative data found the intervention to be acceptable and beneficial to participants. Overall, study attrition was 50.8%, which is reasonable for a low‐cost intervention. Minimal differences were found between participants who dropped out compared to those who completed the intervention. Perfectionism, work‐related rumination and self‐criticism were significantly reduced post‐intervention, and these effects were maintained at follow‐up. Resilience and self‐reassurance remained unchanged. Fears of compassion reduced over the baseline period and pre–post intervention, questioning the validity of the measure.

Conclusion

Overall, in the context COVID‐19, the intervention showed impressive feasibility and preliminary effectiveness. Randomised control trials are recommended as the next step for research to establish the intervention's effectiveness.
Neurolymphomatosis in a cat with diffuse neuromuscular signs including cranial nerve involvement
Authors: van Koulil Quinten , Santifort Koen M. , Beukers Martijn , Ioannidis Marianthi , Van Soens Iris
Published: September 2022

This case report describes the clinical signs, electrodiagnostic findings, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid results and histopathology in a cat with neurolymphomatosis. A 7‐year‐old domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of subacute progressive signs of tetraparesis, ataxia and anorexia. Neurological examination was consistent with a diffuse neuromuscular localisation with cranial nerve involvement. Electrodiagnostic test results were suggestive of denervation due to axonopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical spinal cord showed severe enlargement and contrast‐enhancement of both trigeminal nerves, brachial plexi and the right C2 and C3 spinal nerves. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology was consistent with lymphoma. Histopathology confirmed infiltration of malignant lymphoid cells in both trigeminal nerves, the spinal nerve roots of C6–T2, meninges and choroid plexi. Immunohistochemistry results were consistent with a diagnosis of T‐cell lymphoma. Although not frequently observed, lymphoma is a differential diagnosis in cats with diffuse neuromuscular signs and/or cranial nerve deficits.
River otter chemical immobilization and field surgery using nonscheduled drugs
Authors: Gettelman Tatiana E. , Nielsen Clayton K. , Scimeca Joseph M. , Schauber Eric M.
Published: September 2022

Radiotelemetry provides valuable information about wildlife populations that is often unattainable using other methods. Many vertebrate species can carry radiotransmitters on collars or harnesses, but radiotelemetry can be more problematic for other species. River otters (Lontra canadensis) are typically radiomarked by surgically implanting intra‐abdominal transmitters under general anesthesia. However, surgical requirements and restrictions on some immobilizing drugs may limit options for implanting river otters with radiotransmitters in the field. To address these issues, we developed a protocol for chemically immobilizing live‐captured river otters with nonscheduled drugs (by estimated weight class; dexmedetomidine 0.06 mg/kg and nalbuphine 1.2 mg/kg) and conducting field surgeries at capture sites. We surgically implanted 23 river otters with radiotransmitters in southern Illinois during November 2018−March 2020. A plane of anesthesia suitable for surgery was maintained with isoflurane (1−4%). After surgery, capture drugs were reversed with atipamezole and river otters were typically released in 30−60 min. We recorded one surgery‐related mortality and one post‐surgery mortality. Our surgical method for radiomarking river otters minimized stress and handling time without compromising their health and demonstrated the efficacy of less‐restricted chemical immobilization agents for river otters.
Understanding Risks and Moral Emotions in the Context of COVID-19 Policy Making: The Case of the Netherlands
Authors: Roeser Sabine
Published: September 2022

In most countries, including the Netherlands, decision-making about the COVID-19 policy measures was initially based on medical information, and only later did it also include insights from social sciences. However, ethical implications of COVID-19 policy measures have not frequently been explicitly considered. As a result, critical ethical issues have been overlooked, and values, concerns, and emotions have not been considered appropriately. In this chapter, I will argue that emotions can help to make important moral dilemmas around decision-making about COVID-19 explicit and to make ethically justified decisions. I will do so by zooming in specifically on how the Netherlands has handled the pandemic so far. My discussion aims to contribute to morally better and more socially acceptable decision-making about the challenges that COVID-19 poses, as well as to hopefully learn lessons for possible future pandemics.
Values as Hypotheses and Messy Institutions: What Ethicists Can Learn from the COVID-19 Crisis
Authors: Pesch Udo
Published: September 2022

In this chapter, the COVID-19 crisis is examined as an episode that reveals various complications in the relation between values and institutions. I argue that these complications cannot be addressed satisfactorily by ethics, as this field is characterised by a gap between the identification of values worth pursuing and the effectuation of these values in society through politics. This chapter aims to bridge this gap between ethics and politics by outlining the dialectical relation between values and institutions. It will do so by first presenting values as collectively held understandings that emerge in public deliberation. Second, these values are safeguarded by setting up appropriate institutions, which, at the same time, also allows the further substantiation of these values. However, it also needs to be acknowledged that institutions are not mere instrumental solutions to further societal values. On the contrary, they have their own morally laden dynamics. As such, they should also be susceptible to adjustment following societal demand.
Designing in Times of Uncertainty: What Virtue Ethics Can Bring to Engineering Ethics in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Bergen Jan Peter , Robaey Zoë
Published: September 2022

Our world is changing in rapid and unanticipated ways. Given technology’s central role in those changes, engineers face difficult design decisions. In dominant consequentialist and deontological engineering ethics paradigms, making design choices implies having sufficient information on those choices and their trade-offs, which is often lacking. Some scholars have pointed to virtue ethics as an alternative approach to engineering ethics, but how can virtue ethics support engineers in situations of uncertainty? In this chapter, we explore how virtue ethics is conducive to sound engineering in different conditions of uncertainty.
Flavor probes of axion-like particles
Authors: Bauer Martin , Neubert Matthias , Renner Sophie , Schnubel Marvin , Thamm Andrea
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Axions and axion-like particles (ALPs) are well-motivated low-energy relics of high-energy extensions of the Standard Model (SM). We investigate the phenomenology of an ALP with flavor-changing couplings, and present a comprehensive analysis of quark and lepton flavor-changing observables within a general ALP effective field theory. Observables studied include rare meson decays, flavor oscillations of neutral mesons, rare lepton decays, and dipole moments. We derive bounds on the general ALP couplings as a function of its mass, consistently taking into account the ALP lifetime and branching ratios. We further calculate quark flavor-changing effects that are unavoidably induced by running and matching between the new physics scale and the scale of the measurements. This allows us to derive bounds on benchmark ALP models in which only a single (flavorless or flavor-universal) ALP coupling to SM particles is present at the new physics scale, and in this context we highlight the complementarity and competitiveness of flavor bounds with constraints derived from collider, beam dump and astrophysical measurements. We find that searches for ALPs produced in meson decays provide some of the strongest constraints in the MeV-GeV mass range, even for the most flavorless of ALP models. Likewise, we discuss the interplay of flavor-conserving and flavor-violating couplings of the ALP to leptons, finding that constraints from lepton flavor-violating observables generally depend strongly on both. Additionally, we analyze whether an ALP can provide an explanation for various experimental anomalies including those observed in rare B-meson decays, measurements at the ATOMKI and KTeV experiments, and in the anomalous magnetic moments of the muon and the electron.
Measuring the anomalous quartic gauge couplings in the W+W− → W+W− process at muon collider using artificial neural networks
Authors: Yang Ji-Chong , Han Xue-Ying , Qin Zhi-Bin , Li Tong , Guo Yu-Chen
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The muon collider provides a unique opportunity to study the vector boson scattering processes and dimension-8 operators contributing to anomalous quartic gauge couplings (aQGCs). Because of the cleaner final state, it is easier to decode subprocess and certain operator couplings at a muon collider. We attempt to identify the anomalous WWWW coupling in the exclusive WW → WW scattering in this paper. Since one aQGC can be induced by multiple dimension-8 operators, the study of one coupling can help to confine different operators. Meanwhile, singling out the WW → WW process can help to study the unitarity bounds. The vector boson scattering process corresponding to the anomalous WWWW coupling is μ+μ− → $$ \nu \nu \overline{\nu}\overline{\nu } $$
νν

ν
¯

ν
¯

ℓ+ℓ−, with four (anti-)neutrinos in the final state, which brings troubles in phenomenological studies. In this paper, the machine learning method is used to tackle this problem. We find that, the artificial neural network is helpful to extract the W+W− → W+W− contribution, and reconstruct the center of mass energy of the subprocess which is important in the study of the Standard Model effective field theory. The sensitivities and the expected constraints on the dimension-8 operators at the muon collider with $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 30 TeV are presented. We demonstrate that the artificial neural networks exhibit great potential in the phenomenological study of processes with multiple neutrinos in the final state.
On Wendel’s equality for intersections of balls
Authors: Fodor Ferenc , Pinzón Nicolás A. Montenegro , Vígh Viktor
Published: September 2022

We study the analogue of Wendel’s equality in random polytope models in which the hull of the random points is formed by intersections of congruent balls, called the spindle (or hyper-) convex hull. According to the classical identity of Wendel the probability that the origin is contained in the (linear) convex hull of n i.i.d. random points distributed according to an origin symmetric probability distribution in the d-dimensional Euclidean space $$\mathbb {R}^{d}$$

R

d

that assigns measure zero to hyperplanes is a constant depending only on n and d. While in the classical convex case one gets nonzero probabilities only for $$n\ge d+1$$

n
≥
d
+
1

points in $$\mathbb {R}^{d}$$

R

d

, for the spindle convex hull this happens for all $$n\ge 2$$

n
≥
2

. We study this question for the uniform and normally distributed random models.
Combinatorial properties and dependent choice in symmetric extensions based on Lévy collapse
Authors: Banerjee Amitayu
Published: September 2022

We work with symmetric extensions based on Lévy collapse and extend a few results of Apter, Cody, and Koepke. We prove a conjecture of Dimitriou from her Ph.D. thesis. We also observe that if V is a model of $$\textsf {ZFC}$$
ZFC
, then $$\textsf {DC}_{<\kappa }$$

DC

<
κ

can be preserved in the symmetric extension of V in terms of symmetric system $$\langle {\mathbb {P}},{\mathcal {G}},{\mathcal {F}}\rangle $$

⟨
P
,
G
,
F
⟩

, if $${\mathbb {P}}$$
P
is $$\kappa $$
κ
-distributive and $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
is $$\kappa $$
κ
-complete. Further we observe that if $$\delta <\kappa $$

δ
<
κ

and V is a model of $$\textsf {ZF}+\textsf {DC}_{\delta }$$

ZF
+

DC
δ

, then $$\textsf {DC}_{\delta }$$

DC
δ

can be preserved in the symmetric extension of V in terms of symmetric system $$\langle {\mathbb {P}},{\mathcal {G}},{\mathcal {F}}\rangle $$

⟨
P
,
G
,
F
⟩

, if $${\mathbb {P}}$$
P
is ($$\delta +1$$

δ
+
1

)-strategically closed and $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
is $$\kappa $$
κ
-complete.
Influence of dimension, building position, and orientation on mechanical properties of EBM lattice Ti6Al4V trusses
Authors: Sepe Raffaele , De Luca Alessandro , Giannella Venanzio , Borrelli Rosario , Franchitti Stefania , Di Caprio Francesco , Caputo Francesco
Published: September 2022

The advent of additive manufacturing technologies significantly encouraged the development and usage of lattice structures. This paper aims to experimentally investigate the influence of dimension, building position, and orientation on the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V trusses, manufactured by electron beam melting process, to be used in lattice cells. Specimens were manufactured considering the following parameters: truss diameter (1, 1.5, 2 mm), growth orientation (0°, 45°, 90°), and specimen position inside the building chamber. Trusses with diameter of 1 mm showed inconsistent mechanical properties caused by the poor manufacturing quality. Specimen position was found to influence the analyzed mechanical properties. Unmelted powders were observed to affect the outer surfaces of all specimens and the whole cross-sections of specimens manufactured at 0°. Specimens manufactured at 45° with diameter of 2 mm demonstrated the best performances, whereas specimens manufactured at 90° with diameter of 2 mm displayed the highest elongation at fracture.
ICT, technological diffusion and economic growth in Chinese cities
Authors: Li Qing , Wu Yanrui
Published: September 2022

This study uses a rich city-level dataset to analyse the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and economic growth in Chinese cities during 2001–2016. It is shown that ICT not only improves the aggregate efficiency of a city but also helps the city absorb technological diffusion from the frontier city. In addition, distance plays little role in technological diffusion process associated with ICT. Cities geographically farther away from or closer to the frontier city can equally benefit from technological diffusion as long as they have the same level of ICT development.
Maximal regularity of the heat evolution equation on spatial local spaces and application to a singular limit problem of the Keller–Segel system
Authors: Ogawa Takayoshi , Suguro Takeshi
Published: September 2022

We consider the singular limit problem for the Cauchy problem of the (Patlak–) Keller–Segel system of parabolic-parabolic type. The problem is considered in the uniformly local Lebesgue spaces and the singular limit problem as the relaxation parameter $$\tau $$
τ
goes to infinity, the solution to the Keller–Segel equation converges to a solution to the drift-diffusion system in the strong uniformly local topology. For the proof, we follow the former result due to Kurokiba–Ogawa [20–22] and we establish maximal regularity for the heat equation over the uniformly local Lebesgue and Morrey spaces which are non-UMD Banach spaces and apply it for the strong convergence of the singular limit problem in the scaling critical local spaces.
BREMi—A New Tool for the Evaluation of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Management Effectiveness: Case-study in the Arab Man and Biosphere (ArabMAB) Regional Network
Authors: MATAR Diane A. , ANTHONY Brandon P.
Published: September 2022

Scholars and practitioners have been striving to develop straightforward and effective tools to measure protected area management effectiveness (PAME). UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BR), with their unique functional and zonation schemes are monitored according to their compulsory 10-year Periodic Review (PR), which is useful for UNESCO’s evaluation purposes but lacks comprehensiveness and utility for adaptive management. Based on existing PAME methodologies, we develop and propose the first quantitative tool for the evaluation of BR management effectiveness, that would enhance and complement the currently used qualitative PR report, and serve the rapid evaluation needed for BR managers to monitor, evaluate, and adapt their management approach to achieve the three functions of BRs. The tool consists of 65 indicators, embodied within the 6 elements of the World Commission on Protected Areas Framework. We then tested this tool, named Biosphere Reserve Effectiveness of Management index (BREMi) to evaluate management effectiveness across the Arab Man and the Biosphere Reserve network involving 17 BRs spanning 8 countries of the Middle East and North Africa. BREMi scores ranged from 4.43 to 8.65 (on a scale between 0 and 10), with a mean of 6.31 ± 1.040. All indicators were considered valuable measures of progress by our respondents, as well as by independent experts. We discuss our findings in light of available literature concerning the Arab region and through the conceptual frames of adaptive management and resilience. Finally, we discuss where the BREMi tool would be most useful for BR management authorities in the iterative process of evaluation and adaptive management.
Genome Characteristic of Bordetella parapertussis Isolated from Iran
Authors: Safarchi Azadeh , Saedi Samaneh , Tay Chin Yen , Lamichhane Binit , Nakhost Lotfi Masoumeh , Shahcheraghi Fereshteh
Published: September 2022

Pertussis also known as whooping cough is a respiratory infection in humans particularly with severe symptoms in infants and usually caused by Bordetella pertussis. However, Bordetella parapertussis can also cause a similar clinical syndrome. During 2012 to 2015, from nasal swabs sent from different provinces to the pertussis reference laboratory of Pasture Institute of Iran for pertussis confirmation, seven B. parapertussis isolates were identified by bacterial culture, biochemical tests, and the presence of IS1001 insertion in the genome. The expression of pertactin (Prn) as one the major virulence factor for bacterial adhesion was investigated using western blot. Moreover, the genomic characteristic of one recently collected isolate, IRBP134, from a seven-month infant was investigated using Illumina NextSeq sequencing protocol. The results revealed the genome with G+C content 65% and genome size 4.7 Mbp. A total of 81 single nucleotide polymorphisms and 13 short insertions and deletions were found in the genome compared to the B. parapertussis 12822 as a reference genome showing ongoing evolutionary changes. A phylogeny relationship of IRBP134 was also investigated using global B. parapertussis available genomes.
Using a new local high resolution daily gridded dataset for Attica to statistically downscale climate projections
Authors: Varotsos Konstantinos V. , Dandou Aggeliki , Papangelis Giorgos , Roukounakis Nikos , Kitsara Gianna , Tombrou Maria , Giannakopoulos Christos
Published: September 2022

In this study we present a methodological framework to obtain statistically downscaled high resolution climate projections over the Attica region in Greece. The framework relies on the construction of a local daily gridded dataset for temperature variables (maximum, minimum and mean daily temperatures) and daily precipitation sums. To this aim, a mosaic of data that includes observations derived from ground stations and a high resolution simulation, performed by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, for 1 year (1995) are blended using various gridding techniques to produce a 1 km 1 km high resolution daily gridded dataset for the period 1981–2000. The comparison of the gridded dataset against the observations reveals that the produced dataset maintains the observed long term statistical properties over the period 1981–2000 for both temperature and precipitation variables. Consequently, the produced dataset is used to statistically downscale Regional Climate Model simulations from the EURO-CORDEX initiative for the present (1981–2000) and the future climate (2081–2100) under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 climate scenario using two different bias adjustment techniques. The results indicate that the selection of the bias adjustment method is important and can affect the simulated climate change signals in a different way. Thus bias adjustment should be performed with caution and examined thoroughly before any such downscaled climate change projection dataset reach decision and policy makers in order to plan climate change related adaptation strategies.
Association between a new dietary protein quality index and micronutrient intake adequacy: a cross-sectional study in a young adult Spanish Mediterranean cohort
Authors: de la O Víctor , Zazpe Itziar , de la Fuente-Arrillaga Carmen , Santiago Susana , Goni Leticia , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Ruiz-Canela Miguel
Published: September 2022

Purpose

There is no evidence of a dietary index that measures not only the quantity but also the quality of protein. The aim is to investigate the association between a new dietary protein quality index (PQI) and micronutrient intake adequacy in a Mediterranean cohort.

Design

We assessed 17,535 participants’ diet at baseline using a semi-quantitative FFQ. The PQI was calculated according to the ratio of protein (g/d) sources: [fish, seafood, lean meat, pulses, eggs, nuts, low-fat dairy, and whole grains]/[red and ultra-processed meats, whole-fat or semi-skimmed dairy, potatoes and refined grains]. Participants were classified into quintiles of PQI. We evaluated the intakes of Fe, Cr, I, K, Mg, Ca, P, Na, Se, Zn and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E and folic acid. Micronutrient adequacy was evaluated using DRIs. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the micronutrient adequacy according to quintiles of PQI.

Results

In this cross-sectional analysis, a total of 24.2% and 4.3% participants did not to meet DRIs in ≥ 4 and ≥ 8 micronutrients, respectively. The odds of failing to meet ≥ 4 and ≥ 8 DRI were lower in participants in the highest quintile of protein quality (OR = 0.22; IC 95% = 0.18, 0.26; P-trend < 0.001; and OR = 0.08; IC 95% = 0.05, 0.14; P-trend < 0.001, respectively) as compared to participants in the lowest quintile.

Conclusion

Higher PQI was found to be strongly associated with better micronutrient intake adequacy in this Mediterranean cohort. The promotion of high-quality protein intake may be helpful for a more adequate intake of micronutrients. The odds of failing to meet certain numbers of DRIs were lower rather than saying lower risk.
Radial microfibril arrangements in wood cell walls
Authors: Maaß Mona C. , Saleh Salimeh , Militz Holger , Volkert Cynthia A.
Published: September 2022

Main conclusion

TEM and AFM imaging reveal radial orientations and whorl-like arrangements of cellulose microfibrils near the S1/S2 interface. These are explained by wrinkling during lamellar cell growth.

In the most widely accepted model of the ultrastructure of wood cell walls, the cellulose microfibrils are arranged in helical patterns on concentric layers. However, this model is contradicted by a number of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies which reveal a radial component to the microfibril orientations in the cell wall. The idea of a radial component of the microfibril directions is not widely accepted, since it cannot easily be explained within the current understanding of lamellar cell growth. To help clarify the microfibril arrangements in wood cell walls, we have investigated various wood cell wall sections using both transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, and using various imaging and specimen preparation methods. Our investigations confirm that the microfibrils have a radial component near the interface between the S1 and S2 cell wall layers, and also reveal a whorl-like microfibril arrangement at the S1/S2 interface. These whorl-like structures are consistent with cell wall wrinkling during growth, allowing the radial microfibril component to be reconciled with the established models for lamellar cell growth.
Ammonium and nitric oxide condition the establishment of Arabidopsis Ler/Kas-2 immune-related hybrid incompatibility
Authors: Atanasov Kostadin Evgeniev , Díaz-Narváez Lucía C. , Alcázar Rubén
Published: September 2022

Main Conclusion

High ammonium suppresses hybrid incompatibility between Ler and Kas-2 accessions through lowering nitric oxide levels and nitrate reductase activity required for autoimmunity.

The immune-related hybrid incompatibility (HI) between Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Kashmir-2 (Kas-2) accessions is due to a deleterious genetic interaction between the RPP1 (RECOGNITION OF PERONOSPORA PARASITICA1)-like Ler locus and Kas-2 alleles of the receptor-like kinase SRF3 (STRUBBELIG RECEPTOR FAMILY 3). The genetic incompatibility is temperature-dependent and leads to constitutive activation of the salicylic acid (SA) pathway, dwarfism and cell death at 14–16 °C. Here we investigated the effect of nutrition on the occurrence of Ler/Kas-2 HI and found that high ammonium suppresses Ler/Kas-2 incompatible phenotypes independently of the ammonium/nitrate ratio. Ammonium feeding leads to compromised disease resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000, lower total SA, nitric oxide and nitrate reductase activity in Ler/Kas-2 incompatible hybrids. In addition, we find that Ler/Kas-2 incompatibility is dependent on NPR1 (NONEXPRESSER OF PR GENES 1) and nitric oxide production. Overall, this work highlights the effect of nutrition on the expression of incompatible phenotypes independently of temperature.
Hedgerows increase the diversity and modify the composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes
Authors: González Fradejas Guillermo , García de León David , Vasar Martti , Koorem Kadri , Zobel Martin , Öpik Maarja , Moora Mari , Rey Benayas José María
Published: September 2022

Sustainable agriculture is essential to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Hedgerows enhance aboveground biodiversity and provide ecosystem services, but little is known about their impact on soil biota. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the key components of belowground biodiversity. We compared the diversity and composition of AM fungal communities at four farmland sites located in Central Spain, where 132 soil samples in total were collected to assess soil physical and chemical properties and the AM fungal communities. We compared the richness (number of AM fungal taxa), taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, and structure of the AM fungal communities across three farmland habitat types, namely hedgerows, woody crops (olive groves and vineyard), and herbaceous crops (barley, sunflower, and wheat). Our results showed positive effects of hedgerows on most diversity metrics. Almost 60% of the AM fungal taxa were shared among the three farmland habitat types. Hedgerows increased AM fungal taxonomic richness (31%) and alpha diversity (25%), and especially so compared to herbaceous crops (45% and 28%, respectively). Hedgerows harbored elevated proportions of AM fungi with non-ruderal life-history strategies. AM fungal communities were more similar between hedgerows and woody crops than between hedgerows and adjacent herbaceous crops, possibly because of differences in tillage and fertilization. Unexpectedly, hedgerows reduced phylogenetic diversity, which might be related to more selective associations of AM fungi with woody plants than with herbaceous crops. Overall, the results suggest that planting hedgerows contributes to maintain belowground diversity. Thus, European farmers should plant more hedgerows to attain the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.