bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning with fetal ECG recognition
Authors: Zhong Wei , Luo Jiahui , Du Wei
Published: November 2023

Objective. Independent component analysis (ICA) is widely used in the extraction of fetal ECG (FECG). However, the amplitude, order, and positive or negative values of the ICA results are uncertain. The main objective is to present a novel approach to FECG recognition by using a deep learning strategy. Approach. A cross-domain consistent convolutional neural network (CDC-Net) is developed for the task of FECG recognition. The output of the ICA algorithm is used as input to the CDC-Net and the CDC-Net identifies which channel’s signal is the target FECG. Main results. Signals from two databases are used to test the efficiency of the proposed method. The proposed deep learning method exhibits good performance on FECG recognition. Specifically, the Precision, Recall and F1-score of the proposed method on the ADFECGDB database are 91.69%, 91.37% and 91.52%, respectively. The Precision, Recall and F1-score of the proposed method on the Daisy database are 97.85%, 97.42% and 97.63%, respectively. Significance. This study is a proof of concept that the proposed method can automatically recognize the FECG signals in multi-channel ECG data. The development of FECG recognition technology contributes to automated FECG monitoring.
Josephson junction oscillator embedded in the microcontroller: Pseudo-random number generation and combination synchronization
Authors: Sriram Gokulakrishnan , Awilo Petros , Donald Dongmo Eric , Kilari Naveen , Rajagopal Karthikeyan , Kingni Sifeu Takougang
Published: November 2023

Dynamical scrutiny of the resistive capacitive inductive shunted Josephson junction (JJ) oscillator (RCLSJJO), microcontroller realization, pseudo-random number generation (PRNG) and combination synchronization are achieved in this paper. Numerical probing led to the establishment that the RCLSJJO is characterized by regular behaviors, bistable periodic-2-oscillations, periodic bursting characteristics and various shapes of chaotic dynamics. Thereafter, the vast dynamical characteristics obtained theoretically are realized by the microcontroller realization with qualitative agreements. Moreover, a chaos-based PRNG is designed by using chaotic RCLSJJO and linear feedback shift register (LFSR) as post-processing unit. Satisfactory results are obtained from the NIST 800–22 test suite and the randomness of binary data generated from the proposed RCLSJJO-based PRNG is confirmed for chaos-based digital applications. Lastly, the combination chaos synchronization of two drive and one response RCLSJJO is proven thanks to the theoretical analysis.
Spin wave resonance frequency in ferromagnetic thin film with the biquadratic exchange interaction
Authors: Zhang Xiaojie , Rong Jianhong , Wang Huan , Wang Yuting
Published: November 2023

Spin wave resonance (SWR) frequency in ferromagnetic thin film with the biquadratic exchange interaction, interlayer exchange coupling, film thickness, surface anisotropy field, and the external magnetic field has been investigated by using the linear spin-wave approximation and Green’s function techniques. In comparison to previous studies without considering the biquadratic exchange interaction, the SWR frequency behaviors of the energetically mid-higher modes were found to be highly sensitive to biquadratic exchange interaction. SWR frequencies of all modes are linearly proportional to external magnetic field. However, the SWR frequency has nonlinear dependence on the interlayer exchange coupling and surface anisotropy field. Moreover, the biquadratic exchange interaction enabled a considerable improvement in the effects of surface anisotropy field, interlayer exchange coupling, and external magnetic field on SWR frequency. Our results also reveal that a decrease in the SWR frequency of the corresponding mid-lower modes as the thickness of film is increased while the almost the same frequency gap between the energetically highest mode and lowest mode is obtained for the thicker film. These results could help improve the understanding of magnetic properties and promote magnetic materials applications in spintronic devices.
Growth of self-aligned ZnO nanorods by hydrothermal process
Authors: Al-Rasheedi Asmaa , Khammar M , Abdel-Daiem A M , Aida M S , Abdel-wahab Mohamed Sh
Published: November 2023

The present paper discuss the growth mechanisms of ZnO nanorods thin-films using the hydrothermal process. This was achieved on a ZnO seed layer prepared by sputtering and spray pyrolysis. ZnO nanorods were prepared using various precursors, including zinc nitrate [Zn(NO3)2.6H2O], zinc chloride [ZnCl2], and zinc acetate [Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O, to investigate the effect of salt source. The morphological and structural properties of ZnO NRs were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The deposited film consist of highly oriented crystalline ZnO NRs along the [002] axis. We found that the seed layer preparation method alters the nanorods alignment. SEM observation revealed that, regardless of the seed layer preparation method, the nature of salt source play a key role in the nanorods size. We concluded that the ZnO nanorods diameter increases in the following order with respect to zinc salt source: ZnAc <zinc nitride <zinc chloride. The mechanism of of ZnO nanorods formation is correlated with bath solution viscosity and surface tension properties. We emphasized that, in a solution with a larger viscosity and surface tension, such as zinc chloride, the motion and transfer towards the substrate, of species participating in ZnO formation, is hindered by the friction force due to the viscosity. When using a solution with lower viscosity and surface tension, such as zinc acetate, the species forming the ZnO nanorods can easily reach the substrate, which leads to a larger nucleation center, yielding low-diameter ZnO nanorods.
JCAP 20th anniversary special issue: editorial
Authors: Mukhanov Viatcheslav , Verde Licia
Published: November 2023

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary JCAP, the Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle
Physics, presents this special issue including a selection of original research articles authored
by distinguished scientists, many of whom are part of the JCAP Editorial Board. This collection
provides a snapshot of the current status of the field and represents the state of the art in our
understanding of the universe on its largest scales through all its messengers. Being “a journal
by scientists for scientists”, JCAP is community driven: its aims and scope evolve over time to
adapt to changing research trends and is committed to serve the evolving publishing needs of its
community with the same dedication and passion of the past two decades for the years to come.
Orbital precession and hidden symmetries in scalar-tensor theories
Authors: Davis Anne-Christine , Melville Scott
Published: November 2023

We revisit the connection between relativistic orbital precession, the Laplace-Runge-Lenz
symmetry, and the t-channel discontinuity of scattering amplitudes. Applying this to
scalar-tensor theories of gravity, we compute the conservative potential and orbital precession
induced by both conformal/disformal-type couplings at second Post-Minkowskian order (𝒪(GN

2)), complementing the known third/first order Post-Newtonian results. There
is a particular tuning of the conformal coupling for which the precession vanishes at leading PN
order, and we show that this coincides with the emergence of a Laplace-Runge-Lenz symmetry and a
corresponding soft behaviour of the amplitude. While a single scalar field inevitably breaks this
symmetry at higher PN orders, certain supersymmetric extensions have recently been shown to have
an exact Laplace-Runge-Lenz symmetry and therefore classical orbits do not precess at any PN
order. This symmetry can be used to relate scattering amplitudes at different loop orders, and we
show how this may be used to bootstrap the (classically relevant part of the) three-loop 2 → 2
scattering of charged black holes in 𝒩 = 8 supergravity from existing two-loop
calculations.
Constraints on thermalizing surfaces from infrared observations of supermassive black holes
Authors: Carballo-Rubio Raúl , Filippo Francesco Di , Liberati Stefano , Visser Matt
Published: November 2023

Infrared observations of Sgr A* and M87* are incompatible with the assumption that these sources have physical surfaces in thermal equilibrium with their accreting environments. In this paper we discuss a general parametrization of the energy balance in a horizonless object, which permits to quantify how close a horizonless object is in its behavior to a black hole, and analyze the timescale in which its surface can thermalize. We show that the thermalization timescale is unbounded, growing large for objects that mimic closely the behavior of a black hole (and being infinite for the latter). In particular, the thermalization timescale is proportional to the time that energy spends inside the horizonless object due to propagation and interactions with the bulk. Hence, these observations can be used to quantitatively restrict the dynamical behavior of horizonless objects, without being able to discard the existence of a physical surface.
Constraining cosmology with the Gaia-unWISE Quasar Catalog and CMB lensing: structure growth
Authors: Alonso David , Fabbian Giulio , Storey-Fisher Kate , Eilers Anna-Christina , García-García Carlos , Hogg David W. , Rix Hans-Walter
Published: November 2023

We study the angular clustering of Quaia, aGaia- andunWISE-based catalog of over a million quasars with an exceptionally well-defined selection function. With it, we derive cosmology constraints from the amplitude and growth of structure across cosmic time. We divide the sample into two redshift bins, centered atz= 1.0 andz= 2.1, and measure both overdensity auto-correlations and cross-correlations with maps of the Cosmic Microwave Background convergence measured byPlanck. From these data, and including a prior from measurements of the baryon acoustic oscillations scale, we place constraints on the amplitude of the matter power spectrum  σ8= 0.766 ± 0.034, and on the matter density parameter Ωm= 0.343+0.017-0.019. These measurements are in reasonable agreement withPlanckat the ∼ 1.4σlevel, and are found to be robust with respect to observational and theoretical uncertainties. We find that our slightly lower value ofσ8is driven by the higher-redshift sample, which favours a low amplitude of matter fluctuations. We present plausible arguments showing that this could be driven by contamination of the CMB lensing map by high-redshift extragalactic foregrounds, which should also affect other cross-correlations with tracers of large-scale structure beyondz∼ 1.5. Our constraints are competitive with those from state-of-the-art 3×2-point analyses, but arise from a range of scales and redshifts that is highly complementary to those covered by cosmic shear data and most galaxy clustering samples. This, coupled with the unprecedented combination of volume and redshift precision achieved by Quaia, allows us to break the usual degeneracy between Ωmandσ8.
3D correlations in the Lyman-α forest from early DESI data
Authors: Gordon C. , Cuceu A. , Chaves-Montero J. , Font-Ribera A. , González-Morales A.X. , Aguilar J. , Ahlen S. , Armengaud E. , Bailey S. , Bault A. , Brodzeller A. , Brooks D. , Claybaugh T. , de la Cruz R. , Dawson K. , Doel P. , Forero-Romero J.E. , Gontcho S.Gontcho A. , Guy J. , Herrera-Alcantar H.K. , Iršič V. , Karaçaylı N.G. , Kirkby D. , Landriau M. , Le Guillou L. , Levi M.E. , de la Macorra A. , Manera M. , Martini P. , Meisner A. , Miquel R. , Montero-Camacho P. , Muñoz-Gutiérrez A. , Napolitano L. , Nie J. , Niz G. , Palanque-Delabrouille N. , Percival W.J. , Pieri M. , Poppett C. , Prada F. , Pérez-Ràfols I. , Ramírez-Pérez C. , Ravoux C. , Rezaie M. , Ross A.J. , Rossi G. , Sanchez E. , Schlegel D. , Schubnell M. , Seo H. , Sinigaglia F. , Tan T. , Tarlé G. , Walther M. , Weaver B.A. , Yèche C. , Zhou Z. , Zou H.
Published: November 2023

We present the first measurements of Lyman-α (Lyα) forest correlations using early data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). We measure the auto-correlation of Lyα absorption using 88 509 quasars at z > 2, and its cross-correlation with quasars using a further 147 899 tracer quasars at z ≳ 1.77. Then, we fit these correlations using a 13-parameter model based on linear perturbation theory and find that it provides a good description of the data across a broad range of scales. We detect the BAO peak with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.8σ, and show that our measurements of the auto- and cross-correlations are fully-consistent with previous measurements by the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS).
Even though we only use here a small fraction of the final DESI dataset, our uncertainties are only a factor of 1.7 larger than those from the final eBOSS measurement. We validate the existing analysis methods of Lyα correlations in preparation for making a robust measurement of the BAO scale with the first year of DESI data.
Thermal quench induced by a composite pellet-produced plasmoid
Authors: Aleynikov Pavel , Arnold Alistair M. , Breizman Boris N. , Helander Per , Runov Aleksey
Published: November 2023

Injecting shattered pellets is the critical concept of the envisaged ITER disruption mitigation system (DMS). Rapid deposition of large amounts of material should presumably result in controlled cooling of the entire plasma. A considerable transfer of thermal energy from the electrons of the background plasma to the ions accompanies a localized material injection due to the ambipolar expansion along the magnetic field line of the cold and dense plasmoid produced by the ablated pellet. Radiation initially plays the dominant role in the energy balance of a composite plasmoid containing high-Z impurities. A competition between the ambipolar expansion and the radiative losses defines the Thermal Quench scenario, including the amount of pre-quench thermal energy radiated on a short collisional timescale—possibly detrimental for the plasma-facing components. The present work quantifies plasmoid energy balance for disruption mitigation parameters. For pure hydrogen injection, up to 90% of the pre-pellet electron thermal energy may go to the newly injected ions. We also demonstrate that a moderate high-Z impurity content within the plasmoid can reduce highly localized radiation at the beginning of the expansion. The thermal energy will then dissipate on the much longer ion collisional timescale, which would be attractive for ITER DMS.
Data analytics improves the diagnostic accuracy of serum free light chain results for detecting monoclonal gammopathy
Authors: Treger Rebecca S , Mathias Patrick C , Cowan Andrew J , Green Damian , Hutchinson Kathleen , Bryan Andrew , Chaudhary Anu , Fink Susan L , Wener Mark H , Morishima Chihiro
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the real-world performance and reference intervals of the Binding Site Freelite serum free light chain (SFLC) assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific), a global standard for diagnosis, prognostication, and response assessment for monoclonal gammopathies.

Methods

An informatics-based approach was used to retrospectively evaluate concordance between SFLC and the orthogonal Sebia HYDRASYS immunofixation assay results in a large clinical data set consecutively reported between 2010 and 2020.

Results

Among patients with monoclonal-negative results by both SFLC and Sebia HYDRASYS immunofixation assays, 25% (1226/5057) had κ/λ ratios (KLRs) outside the manufacturer-defined and International Myeloma Working Group–cited normal reference interval of 0.26 to 1.65. These results were consistent over the study period and were not affected by sex, age, impaired kidney function, or assay antisera lot variation. Assay drift, in addition to other potential factors, affected the KLR distribution. Using International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, kidney function data, and the central 95% of KLR values generated on the Optilite platform (Thermo Fisher Scientific), we derived a new reference interval of 0.67 to 2.13, reducing the KLR false-positive rate to 8%. However, normal KLR persisted among 16% (14/85) of samples with free λ chains by immunofixation, warranting caution during interpretation.

Conclusions

Our analysis indicated that revision of Freelite SFLC reference intervals improves assay interpretation and should prompt reconsideration of Freelite reference intervals worldwide.
Applicability of the cobas 6800 System for Epstein-Barr viral load quantitation using whole-blood specimens
Authors: Song Junhyup , Kim Sinyoung , Kwak Eunmin , Park Younhee
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of the cobas 6800 System (Roche Diagnostics) and assess the feasibility of using whole-blood specimens instead of plasma.

Methods

The analytical performance of the cobas EBV test (Roche Diagnostics) was evaluated. Thereafter, 120 clinical samples were collected to compare the cobas EBV test and the artus EBV RG PCR Kit (Qiagen). The results of the cobas EBV test conducted using paired plasma as well as 5× and 10× diluted whole-blood specimens were compared with those of the artus EBV RG PCR Kit performed using whole blood.

Results

The precision of the cobas EBV test was acceptable, and its linearity was confirmed to be within the range of 2.85 to 6.89 log IU/mL. Cross-reactivity was not observed. The best qualitative agreement (Cohen κ = 0.733) was observed using 5× diluted whole blood; the best quantitative correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.6865) was observed using 10× diluted whole blood.

Conclusions

A significant discrepancy was observed in the results obtained from the 2 assays because of the different specimens used. We observed, however, that diluting whole blood before conducting the cobas EBV test effectively resolved polymerase chain reaction inhibition and viscosity issues, leading to an acceptable correlation with the results from the artus EBV RG PCR Kit conducted using whole blood.
Selection Bias Requires Selection: The Case of Collider Stratification Bias
Authors: Lu Haidong , Gonsalves Gregg S , Westreich Daniel
Published: November 2023

In epidemiology, collider stratification bias, the bias resulting from conditioning on a common effect of two causes, is oftentimes considered a type of selection bias, regardless of the conditioning methods employed. In this commentary, we distinguish between two types of collider stratification bias: collider restriction bias due to restricting to one level of a collider (or a descendant of a collider) and collider adjustment bias through inclusion of a collider (or a descendant of a collider) in a regression model. We argue that categorizing collider adjustment bias as a form of selection bias may lead to semantic confusion, as adjustment for a collider in a regression model does not involve selecting a sample for analysis. Instead, we propose that collider adjustment bias can be better viewed as a type of overadjustment bias. We further provide two distinct causal diagram structures to distinguish collider restriction bias and collider adjustment bias. We hope that such a terminological distinction can facilitate easier and clearer communication.
‘Robocops’ in the Making: Reframing Police–Citizen Interactions Through the Lens of Body-Worn Cameras
Authors: Campeau Holly , Keesman Laura D
Published: November 2023

This paper examines new meanings that police–citizen interactions take on when officers make sense of them through the lens of body-worn cameras (BWCs). Drawing on 30 interviews with frontline police officers in a large Canadian city, we analyse the embodied character of BWCs to show how officers reframe their role and the subtleties of their approach in dealing with the public as more robotic. First, the participants believe BWCs curb their ability to build rapport with citizens, and therefore dehumanize interactions. Second, they report a need to operate more mechanically to follow protocol for case-building and use-of-force. Still, 100 per cent of participants remain in favour of BWC use—in an era of high visibility and pressure for accountability, video recording technology offers protection.
Early-stage clinical evaluation of real-time artificial intelligence assistance for laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Mascagni Pietro , Alapatt Deepak , Lapergola Alfonso , Vardazaryan Armine , Mazellier Jean-Paul , Dallemagne Bernard , Mutter Didier , Padoy Nicolas
Published: November 2023

Lay Summary

The growing availability of surgical digital data and developments in analytics such as artificial intelligence (AI) are being harnessed to improve surgical care. However, technical and cultural barriers to real-time intraoperative AI assistance exist. This early-stage clinical evaluation shows the technical feasibility of concurrently deploying several AIs in operating rooms for real-time assistance during procedures. In addition, potentially relevant clinical applications of these AI models are explored with a multidisciplinary cohort of key stakeholders.
Racialized Subjects in Transit in Post-9/11 America: Salwa and Jassim’s Perpetual Quest for Belonging in Laila Halaby’sOnce in a Promised Land
Authors: Lamghari Rachid
Published: November 2023

This article focuses on the identity construction of Arab Americans in the post-9/11 moment in Laila Halaby’s Once in a Promised Land. Drawing on postcolonial feminism and intersectionality, the article examines the cumulative ways in which race, gender, religion, and class intersect to determine the experiences of the characters Salwa and Jassim and their perpetual quest for belonging, which is further problematized by the ambiguity of Arabs in American ethno-racial discourses. A neo-orientalist discourse came to the surface after the 9/11 attacks, to justify discriminatory treatment of Arabs and denial of their heterogeneity—labeling them instead as if identical. Its manifestation is illustrated in the transformation of the lives of Salwa and Jassim when they fall under suspicion after the attacks.
The Set of Destabilizing Curves for Deformed Hermitian Yang–Mills and Z-Critical Equations on Surfaces
Authors: Khalid Sohaib , Sjöström Dyrefelt Zakarias
Published: November 2023

We show that on any compact Kähler surface existence of solutions to the Z-critical equation can be characterized using a finite number of effective conditions, where the number of conditions is bounded above by the Picard number of the surface. This leads to a first PDE analogue of the locally finite wall-chamber decomposition in Bridgeland stability. As an application we characterize optimally destabilizing curves for Donaldson’s J-equation and the deformed Hermitian Yang–Mills equation, prove a non-existence result for optimally destabilizing test configurations for uniform J-stability, and remark on improvements to convergence results for certain geometric flows.
Substantial Burden of Nonmedically Attended RSV Infection in Healthy-Term Infants: An International Prospective Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Hak Sarah F , Venekamp Roderick P , Billard Marie-Noëlle , van Houten Marlies A , Pollard Andrew J , Heikkinen Terho , Cunningham Steve , Millar Margaret , Martinón-Torres Federico , Dacosta-Urbieta Ana , Bont Louis J , Wildenbeest Joanne G ,   PROMISE Investigators, Hak Sarah , Venekamp Roderick , Wildenbeest Joanne , Billard Marie-Noëlle , van Houten Marlies , Bont Louis , Pollard Andrew , Dacosta-Urbieta Ana , Martinón-Torres Federico , Heikkinen Terho , Cunningham Steve , Nair Harish , Miller Margaret , Openshaw Peter , Beutels Philippe , Nohynek Hannah , Teirlinck Anne , Paget John , Kragten Leyla , Giaquinto Carlo , Diez-Domingo Javier , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Dos Santos Gael , Htar Tin Tin , Aerssens Jeroen , Vernhes Charlotte , Kramer Rolf , Kumar Veena , Ahani Bahar , Molero Eva
Published: November 2023

Background

During the first year of life, 1 in 4 infants develops a symptomatic respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, yet only half seek medical attention. The current focus on medically attended RSV therefore underrepresents the true societal burden of RSV. We assessed the burden of nonmedically attended RSV infections and compared with medically attended RSV.

Methods

We performed active RSV surveillance until the age of 1 year in a cohort (n = 993) nested within the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in EUrope (RESCEU) prospective birth cohort study enrolling healthy term-born infants in 5 European countries. Symptoms, medication use, wheezing, and impact on family life were analyzed.

Results

For 97 of 120 (80.1%) nonmedically attended RSV episodes, sufficient data were available for analysis. In 50.5% (49/97), symptoms lasted ≥15 days. Parents reported impairment in usual daily activities in 59.8% (58/97) of episodes; worries, 75.3% (73/97); anxiety, 34.0% (33/97); and work absenteeism, 10.8% (10/93). Compared with medically attended RSV (n = 102, 9 hospital admissions), Respiratory Syncytial Virus NETwork (ReSViNET) severity scores were lower (3.5 vs 4.6, P < .001), whereas duration of respiratory symptoms and was comparable.

Conclusions

Even when medical attendance is not required, RSV infection poses a substantial burden to infants, families, and society. These findings are important for policy makers when considering the implementation of RSV immunization.

Clinical Trials Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03627572).
Composition, functional, and niche differentiation of fungal communities in the rhizosphere and root endosphere of Cinnamomum migao in southwestern China
Authors: Zhang Lan , Huang Xiaolong , Tong Bingli , Chen Meng , Huang Luting , Liu Jiming
Published: November 2023

Aims

Roots are key parts of plant material circulation and energy flow, creating two distinct niches for the plant microbiome, such as the rhizosphere and root endosphere, which interact to maintain plant growth and health. In this study, two niches of plant rhizosphere and root endosphere were selected to study the composition and differences of fungi communities in order to better understand how differences in the structure and function of plant fungi communities affect plant health.

Methods and results

The community structure, diversity, and ecological function of fungi in the rhizosphere and root endosphere of Cinnamomum migao were studied using high-throughput sequencing techniques, traditional culture methods, and the FUNGuild database. The results of the analysis of alpha diversity showed that the diversity of rhizosphere fungal communities in C. migao was much higher than that of root endosphere communities. Some similarities and differences were noted between the two niche fungal communities, and some fungi had niche preferences. Functional prediction results demonstrated that fungi in the rhizosphere and root endosphere adopt multiple trophic modes, mostly saprophytic fungi.

Conclusions

This study provided a basis for an in-depth understanding of the structural variation, niche differentiation, and function of plant root-related fungal microbiota. We believe that it could provide guidance on the subsequent development of beneficial fungi.
Recent progress in unraveling the biosynthesis of natural sunscreens mycosporine-like amino acids
Authors: Chen Manyun , Jiang Yujia , Ding Yousong
Published: November 2023

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a known risk factor for skin cancer, which can be notably mitigated through the application of sun care products. However, escalating concerns regarding the adverse health and environmental impacts of synthetic anti-UV chemicals underscore a pressing need for the development of biodegradable and eco-friendly sunscreen ingredients. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) represent a family of water-soluble anti-UV natural products synthesized by various organisms. These compounds can provide a two-pronged strategy for sun protection as they not only exhibit a superior UV absorption profile but also possess the potential to alleviate UV-induced oxidative stresses. Nevertheless, the widespread incorporation of MAAs in sun protection products is hindered by supply constraints. Delving into the biosynthetic pathways of MAAs can offer innovative strategies to overcome this limitation. Here, we review recent progress in MAA biosynthesis, with an emphasis on key biosynthetic enzymes, including the dehydroquinate synthase homolog MysA, the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-grasp ligases MysC and MysD, and the nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzyme MysE. Additionally, we discuss recently discovered MAA tailoring enzymes. The enhanced understanding of the MAA biosynthesis paves the way for not only facilitating the supply of MAA analogs but also for exploring the evolution of this unique family of natural sunscreens.

One-Sentence Summary

This review discusses the role of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) as potent natural sunscreens and delves into recent progress in their biosynthesis.
Chemodynamical models of our Galaxy
Authors: Binney James , Vasiliev Eugene
Published: November 2023

A chemodynamical model of our Galaxy is fitted to data from DR17 of the APOGEE survey supplemented with data from the StarHorse catalogue and Gaia DR3. Dynamically, the model is defined by action-based distribution functions for dark matter and six stellar components plus a gas disc. The gravitational potential jointly generated by the model’s components is used to examine the Galaxy’s chemical composition within action space. The observational data probably cover all parts of action space that are populated by stars. The overwhelming majority of stars have angular momentum Jϕ > 0 implying that they were born in the Galactic disc. High-α stars dominate in a region that is sharply bounded by $J_\phi \lesssim J_\phi (\hbox{solar})$. Chemically the model is defined by giving each stellar component a Gaussian distribution in ([Fe/H],[Mg/Fe]) space about a mean that is a linear function of the actions. The model’s 47 dynamical parameters are chosen to maximize the likelihood of the data given the model in 72 three-dimensional velocity spaces while its 70 chemical parameters are similarly chosen in five-dimensional chemodynamical space. The circular speed falls steadily from $237\, \mathrm{km\, s}^{-1}$ at $R=4\, \mathrm{kpc}$ to $218\, \mathrm{km\, s}^{-1}$ at $R=20\, \mathrm{kpc}$. Dark matter contributes half the radial force on the Sun and has local density $0.011\, {\rm M}_\odot \, \mathrm{pc}^{-3}$, there being $24.5\, {\rm M}_\odot \, \mathrm{pc}^{-2}$ in dark matter and $26.5\, {\rm M}_\odot \, \mathrm{pc}^{-2}$ in stars within $1.1\, \mathrm{kpc}$ of the plane.
Modelling a hot horizon in global 21-cm experimental foregrounds
Authors: Pattison Joe H N , Anstey Dominic J , de Lera Acedo Eloy
Published: November 2023

The 21-cm signal from cosmic hydrogen is one of the most propitious probes of the early Universe. The detection of this signal would reveal key information about the first stars, dark matter, and early structure formation. We explore the impact of an emissive and reflective, or ‘hot’, horizon on the recovery of this signal for global 21-cm experiments. It is demonstrated that when using physically motivated foreground models to recover the sky-averaged 21-cm signal one must accurately describe the horizon around the radiometer. Not accounting for the horizon will lead to a signal recovery with residuals an order of magnitude larger than the injected signal, with a log Bayesian evidence of 1600 lower than when one does account for it. Signal recovery is sensitive to incorrect values of soil temperature and reflection coefficient in describing the horizon, with a 10 per cent error in reflectance causing twofold increases in the root mean square error (RMSE) of a given fit. These parameters may be fitted using Bayesian inference to mitigate these issues without overfitting and mischaracterizing a non-detection. Signal recovery is sensitive to errors in measurements of the horizon projection onto the sky, but fitting for soil temperature and reflection coefficients with priors that extend beyond physical expectation can resolve these problems. We show that using an expanded prior range can reliably recover the signal even when the height of the horizon is mismeasured by up to 20 per cent, decreasing the RMSE from the model that does not perform this fitting by a factor of 9.
A general Bayesian framework to account for foreground map errors in global 21-cm experiments
Authors: Pagano Michael , Sims Peter , Liu Adrian , Anstey Dominic , Handley Will , de Lera Acedo Eloy
Published: November 2023

Measurement of the global 21-cm signal during Cosmic Dawn and the Epoch of Reionization is made difficult by bright foreground emission which is 2–5 orders of magnitude larger than the expected signal. Fitting for a physics-motivated parametric forward model of the data within a Bayesian framework provides a robust means to separate the signal from the foregrounds, given sufficient information about the instrument and sky. It has previously been demonstrated that, within such a modelling framework, a foreground model of sufficient fidelity can be generated by dividing the sky into N regions and scaling a base map assuming a distinct uniform spectral index in each region. Using the Radio Experiment for the Analysis of Cosmic Hydrogen as our fiducial instrument, we show that, if unaccounted-for, amplitude errors in low-frequency radio maps used for our base map model will prevent recovery of the 21-cm signal within this framework, and that the level of bias in the recovered 21-cm signal is proportional to the amplitude and the correlation length of the base-map errors in the region. We introduce an updated foreground model that is capable of accounting for these measurement errors by fitting for a monopole offset and a set of spatially dependent scale factors describing the ratio of the true and model sky temperatures, with the size of the set determined by Bayesian evidence-based model comparison. We show that our model is flexible enough to account for multiple foreground error scenarios allowing the 21-cm sky-averaged signal to be detected without bias from simulated observations with a smooth conical log spiral antenna.
Strong constraints on the gravitational law from Gaia DR3 wide binaries
Authors: Banik Indranil , Pittordis Charalambos , Sutherland Will , Famaey Benoit , Ibata Rodrigo , Mieske Steffen , Zhao Hongsheng
Published: November 2023

We test Milgromian dynamics (MOND) using wide binary stars (WBs) with separations of 2–30 kAU. Locally, the WB orbital velocity in MOND should exceed the Newtonian prediction by $\approx 20~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ at asymptotically large separations given the Galactic external field effect (EFE). We investigate this with a detailed statistical analysis of Gaia DR3 data on 8611 WBs within 250 pc of the Sun. Orbits are integrated in a rigorously calculated gravitational field that directly includes the EFE. We also allow line-of-sight contamination and undetected close binary companions to the stars in each WB. We interpolate between the Newtonian and Milgromian predictions using the parameter αgrav, with 0 indicating Newtonian gravity and 1 indicating MOND. Directly comparing the best Newtonian and Milgromian models reveals that Newtonian dynamics is preferred at 19σ confidence. Using a complementary Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis, we find that $\alpha _{\rm {grav}} = -0.021^{+0.065}_{-0.045}$, which is fully consistent with Newtonian gravity but excludes MOND at 16σ confidence. This is in line with the similar result of Pittordis and Sutherland using a somewhat different sample selection and less thoroughly explored population model. We show that although our best-fitting model does not fully reproduce the observations, an overwhelmingly strong preference for Newtonian gravity remains in a considerable range of variations to our analysis. Adapting the MOND interpolating function to explain this result would cause tension with rotation curve constraints. We discuss the broader implications of our results in light of other works, concluding that MOND must be substantially modified on small scales to account for local WBs.
Cross-correlation of cosmic voids with thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich data
Authors: Li Gang , Ma Yin-Zhe , Tramonte Denis , Li Guo-Liang
Published: November 2023

We provide a measurement of the deficit in the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich Compton-y signal towards cosmic voids, by stacking a catalogue of 97 090 voids constructed with BOSS-DR12 data, on the y-maps built on data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) DR4 and the Planck satellite. We detect the void signal with a significance of $7.3 \sigma$ with ACT and $9.7\sigma$ with Planck, obtaining agreements in the associated void radial y-profiles extracted from both maps. The inner-void profile (for angular separations within the void angular radius) is reconstructed with significances of 4.7σ and 6.1σ with ACT and Planck, respectively; we model such profile using a simple model that assumes uniform gas (under)density and temperature, which enables us to place constraints on the product (−δvTe) of the void density contrast (negative) and the electron temperature. The best-fitting values from the two data sets are $(-\delta _{\rm v}T_{\rm e})=(6.5\pm 2.3)\times 10^{5}\, \text{K}$ for ACT and $(8.6 \pm 2.1)\times 10^{5}\, \text{K}$ for Planck [68 per cent confidence level (CL)], which are in good agreement under uncertainty. The data allow us to place lower limits on the expected void electron temperature at $2.7\times 10^5\, \text{K}$ with ACT and $5.1\times 10^5\, \text{K}$ with Planck (95 per cent CL); these results can transform into upper limits for the ratio between the void electron density and the cosmic mean as $n^{\rm v}_{\rm e}/\bar{n}_{\rm e}\leqslant 0.73$ and 0.49 (95 per cent CL), respectively. Our findings prove the feasibility of using thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich observations to constrain the gas properties inside cosmic voids, and confirm that voids are under-pressured regions compared to their surroundings.
Haemoglobin trajectories in chronic kidney disease and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events
Authors: Le Gall Lisa , Harambat Jérôme , Combe Christian , Philipps Viviane , Proust-Lima Cécile , Dussartre Maris , Drüeke Tilman , Choukroun Gabriel , Fouque Denis , Frimat Luc , Jacquelinet Christian , Laville Maurice , Liabeuf Sophie , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Massy Ziad A , Stengel Bénédicte , Alencar de Pinho Natalia , Leffondré Karen , Prezelin-Reydit Mathilde ,   the CKD-REIN study group, De Pinho Natalia Alencar , Combe Christian , Fouque Denis , Frimat Luc , Hamroun Aghilès , Jacquelinet Christian , Laville Maurice , Liabeuf Sophie , Massy Ziad A , Pascal Christophe , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Stengel Bénédicte , Lange Céline , Lambert Oriane , Metzger Marie , Hannedouche T , Moulin B , Klein A , Combe C , Bourdenx J P , Keller A , Delclaux C , Vendrely B , Deroure B , Lacraz A , Lobbedez T , Landru I , Massy Z , Lang P , Belenfant X , Thervet E , Urena P , Delahousse M , Vela C , Essig M , Clément D , Sekhri H , Smati M , Jamali M , Hacq B , Panescu V , Bellou M , Frimat Luc , Kamar N , Noël C , Glowacki F , Maisonneuve N , Azar R , Hoffmann M , Hourmant M , Testa A , Besnier D , Choukroun G , Lambrey G , Burtey S , Lebrun G , Magnant E , Laville M , Fouque D , Juillard L , Chazot C , Zaoui P , Kuentz F
Published: November 2023

Background

The trajectories of haemoglobin in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been poorly described. In such patients, we aimed to identify typical haemoglobin trajectory profiles and estimate their risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Methods

We used 5-year longitudinal data from the CKD-REIN cohort patients with moderate to severe CKD enrolled from 40 nationally representative nephrology clinics in France. A joint latent class model was used to estimate, in different classes of haemoglobin trajectory, the competing risks of (i) MACE + defined as the first event among cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke or hospitalization for acute heart failure, (ii) initiation of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and (iii) non-cardiovascular death.

Results

During the follow-up, we gathered 33 874 haemoglobin measurements from 3011 subjects (median, 10 per patient). We identified five distinct haemoglobin trajectory profiles. The predominant profile (n = 1885, 62.6%) showed an overall stable trajectory and low risks of events. The four other profiles had nonlinear declining trajectories: early strong decline (n = 257, 8.5%), late strong decline (n = 75, 2.5%), early moderate decline (n = 356, 11.8%) and late moderate decline (n = 438, 14.6%). The four profiles had different risks of MACE, while the risks of KRT and non-cardiovascular death consistently increased from the haemoglobin decline.

Conclusion

In this study, we observed that two-thirds of patients had a stable haemoglobin trajectory and low risks of adverse events. The other third had a nonlinear trajectory declining at different rates, with increased risks of events. Better attention should be paid to dynamic changes of haemoglobin in CKD.
Regulation of L-aspartate oxidase contributes to NADP+ biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Ito Shoki , Watanabe Atsuko , Osanai Takashi
Published: November 2023

Cyanobacteria have been promoted as a biomass resource that can contribute to carbon neutrality. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is a model cyanobacterium that is widely used in various studies. NADP+ and NAD+ are electron receptors involved in energy metabolism. The NADP+/NAD+ ratio in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is markedly higher than that in the heterotrophic bacterium Escherichia coli. In Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, NADP+ primarily functions as an electron receptor during the light reaction of photosynthesis, and NADP+ biosynthesis is essential for photoautotrophic growth. Generally, the regulatory enzyme of NADP+ biosynthesis is NAD kinase, which catalyzes the phosphorylation of NAD+. However, a previous study suggested that the regulation of another enzyme contributes to NADP+ biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under photoautotrophic conditions. L-Aspartate oxidase is the first enzyme in NAD(P)+ biosynthesis. In this study, we biochemically characterized Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 L-aspartate oxidase and determined the phenotype of a Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 mutant overexpressing L-aspartate oxidase. The catalytic efficiency of L-aspartate oxidase from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 was lower than that of L-aspartate oxidases and NAD kinases from other organisms. L-Aspartate oxidase activity was affected by different metabolites such as NADP+ and ATP. The L-aspartate oxidase–overexpressing strain grew faster than the wild-type strain under photoautotrophic conditions. The L-aspartate oxidase–overexpressing strain accumulated NADP+ under photoautotrophic conditions. These results indicate that the regulation of L-aspartate oxidase contributes to NADP+ biosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under photoautotrophic conditions. These findings provide insight into the regulatory mechanism of cyanobacterial NADP+ biosynthesis.
DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION581-9 negatively regulates SnRK1 kinase activity
Authors: Bortlik Jennifer , Lühle Jost , Alseekh Saleh , Weiste Christoph , Fernie Alisdair R , Dröge-Laser Wolfgang , Börnke Frederik
Published: November 2023

In plants, sucrose nonfermenting 1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) is a key energy sensor that orchestrates large-scale transcriptional reprograming to maintain cellular homeostasis under energy deficit. SnRK1 activity is under tight negative control, although the exact mechanisms leading to its activation are not well understood. We show that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION (DUF581) protein DUF581-9/FCS-like zinc finger 3 binds to the catalytic SnRK1.1 α subunit (KIN10) to inhibit its activation by geminivirus rep-interacting kinase (GRIK)–dependent T-loop phosphorylation. Overexpression of DUF581-9 in Arabidopsis dampens SnRK1 signaling and interferes with adaptation to dark-induced starvation. The presence of DUF581-9 significantly reduced SnRK1 activity in protoplasts and in vitro. This was accompanied by a reduction in T175 T-loop phosphorylation and also diminished KIN10 auto-phosphorylation. Furthermore, DUF581-9 reduced binding of the upstream activating kinase GRIK2 to KIN10, explaining the reduced KIN10 T-loop phosphorylation. Ectopically expressed DUF581-9 protein was rapidly turned over by the proteasome when Arabidopsis plants were subjected to starvation treatment, likely releasing its inhibitory activity on the SnRK1 complex. Taken together, our results support a model in which DUF581-9 negatively regulates SnRK1 activity under energy sufficient conditions. Turnover of the protein provides a rapid way for SnRK1 activation under energy deficit without the need of de novo protein synthesis.
Type 2 diabetes impairs annulus fibrosus fiber deformation and rotation under disc compression in the University of California Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rat model
Authors: Rosenberg James L , Schaible Eric , Bostrom Alan , Lazar Ann A , Graham James L , Stanhope Kimber L , Ritchie Robert O , Alliston Tamara N , Lotz Jeffrey C , Havel Peter J , Acevedo Claire , Fields Aaron J
Published: November 2023

Understanding the biomechanical behavior of the intervertebral disc is crucial for studying disease mechanisms and developing tissue engineering strategies for managing disc degeneration. We used synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering to investigate how changes to collagen behavior contribute to alterations in the disc’s ability to resist compression. Coccygeal motion segments from 6-month-old lean Sprague-Dawley rats ( n=7) and diabetic obese University of California Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats ( n=6, diabetic for 68±7 days) were compressed during simultaneous synchrotron scanning to measure collagen strain at the nanoscale (beamline 7.3.3 of the Advanced Light Source). After compression, the annulus fibrosus was assayed for nonenzymatic cross-links. In discs from lean rats, resistance to compression involved two main energy-dissipation mechanisms at the nanoscale: (1) rotation of the two groups of collagen fibrils forming the annulus fibrosus and (2) straightening (uncrimping) and stretching of the collagen fibrils. In discs from diabetic rats, both mechanisms were significantly impaired. Specifically, diabetes reduced fibril rotation by 31% and reduced collagen fibril strain by 30% (compared to lean discs). The stiffening of collagen fibrils in the discs from diabetic rats was consistent with a 31% higher concentration of nonenzymatic cross-links and with evidence of earlier onset plastic deformations such as fibril sliding and fibril–matrix delamination. These findings suggest that fibril reorientation, stretching, and straightening are key deformation mechanisms that facilitate whole-disc compression, and that type 2 diabetes impairs these efficient and low-energy elastic deformation mechanisms, thereby altering whole-disc behavior and inducing the earlier onset of plastic deformation.
The Best Chance for Democratic Success: The Role of Well-Organized Actors and External Support
Authors: Yerkes Sarah E
Published: November 2023

Popular Politics and the Path to Durable Democracy makes a compelling case for the importance of well-organized and lengthy popular mobilization movements in contributing to lasting democracy. Through a mixed-methods approach, Mohammad Ali Kadivar draws a correlation between length of a mobilization and electoral democracy. However, his analysis is incomplete, and he fails to account for several important factors, most particularly the role of external actors in supporting (or harming) a democratic transition. And he fails to explain the large variance in his findings—why some of the most well-consolidated democracies lasting a half a century also have some of the shortest periods of mobilization, while some of the most repressive countries had lengthy mobilization periods leading up to their failed transitions.