bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple sediment source infill in a low-accommodation basin: implications for the late Paleozoic sediment routing system in the southeastern Ordos Basin
Authors: Fu Chao , Yu Xinghe , Li Shunli
Published: October 2023

Late Paleozoic strata in the southeastern Ordos Basin comprise targeted reservoirs for tight gas exploration. As a typical intracratonic basin, the Ordos Basin is characterized by low-accommodation space and a complex sediment infilling process, which attracts much attention. During the early Permian, the southeast area was fed by sediments from multiple sediment sources, which makes it difficult to identify the pinch-out of the sand bodies and reconstruct the sediment routing system. In this study, we reconstruct the paleo-topography of the late Paleozoic setting using high-resolution 2D and 3D seismic data. Thus, we identify two types of topography: the eastern block is presented as a semiclosed depression, and the western block is observed as a flat platform. Based on detrital zircon U–Pb data and heavy mineral assemblages, we reconstruct the provenance area and show that early Permian sediments originate from the northern margin of the Ordos Basin and from the northern Qinling orogenic belt in the south. By integrating the trace element contents, carbon and oxygen isotope data and sedimentary structure from core samples, we can observe the paleoenvironment and the corresponding facies associations in these blocks. The eastern block was infilled by a prograding delta; the western block was infilled by a tide-dominated delta or a wavy-dominated delta. By using stratigraphic forward modelling, we find that most sediments in the semiclosed setting are progradational and intensely interacted. In contrast, the sediments in the western block present an open setting, infilled and gently interacted. The fine-grained deposits were not easily preserved due to tidal or wave reworking processes in the shallow-water marine setting, and they were transported into deep-water areas. Furthermore, to explore the dominant factors in a pattern of fluvial–deltaic sand bodies formed in the low-accommodation basin, we rebuild the sediment routing system parameters and plot them on a bubble chart. According to the fitness between the depositional volume and the above parameters, we determine the key factors in the routing systems that formed. The results show that the sediment supply has a high relevance to the depositional volume in a semiclosed setting, such as the eastern block, while the terrain height may drive sedimentation in an open marine setting, such as the western block. We demonstrate that two different infill patterns and different sand-body stacking patterns with multiple sediment sources in a low-accommodation basin may serve as a model for similar settings.
Design and construction of the MUSE permanent magnet stellarator
Authors: Qian T.M. , Chu X. , Pagano C. , Patch D. , Zarnstorff M.C. , Berlinger B. , Bishop D. , Chambliss A. , Haque M. , Seidita D. , Zhu C.
Published: October 2023

This paper documents the design and construction of MUSE, the world's first permanent magnet (PM) stellarator and the first quasi-axisymmetric experiment. The purpose of MUSE is to develop and assess a new way of building optimised stellarators that uses simple planar coils PMs. Our PM optimisation algorithm consists of initialising a geometry to pack dipoles densely, running the FAMUS code to minimise surface field error subject to PM constraints and applying discrete jumps to reach a physically realisable solution. FAMUS treats the PM system as a set of ideal point dipoles. From there we construct finite-volume magnet towers to be housed in 3D-printed PM holders. We describe the design of the PM holders, which were validated by laser metrology. We analyse the effects of finite permeability, sensitivity to perturbations and magnetostatic forces. An exact analytic formula for the magnetic field from a finite-volume PM tower is presented to compute PM–PM forces and stress on the PM holder. Stellarator construction is complete and experiments are underway.
Sleep deprivation in development of obesity, effects on appetite regulation, energy metabolism, and dietary choices
Authors: Akhlaghi Masoumeh , Kohanmoo Ali
Published: October 2023

Sleep deprivation, which is a decrease in duration and quality of sleep, is a common problem in today’s life. Epidemiological and interventional investigations have suggested a link between sleep deprivation and overweight/obesity. Sleep deprivation affects homeostatic and non-homoeostatic regulation of appetite, with the food reward system playing a dominant role. Factors such as sex and weight status affect this regulation; men and individuals with excess weight seem to be more sensitive to reward-driven and hedonistic regulation of food intake. Sleep deprivation may also affect weight through affecting physical activity and energy expenditure. In addition, sleep deprivation influences food selection and eating behaviours, which are mainly managed by the food reward system. Sleep-deprived individuals mostly crave for palatable energy-dense foods and have low desire for fruit and vegetables. Consumption of meals may not change but energy intake from snacks increases. The individuals have more desire for snacks with high sugar and saturated fat content. The relationship between sleep and the diet is mutual, implying that diet and eating behaviours also affect sleep duration and quality. Consuming healthy diets containing fruit and vegetables and food sources of protein and unsaturated fats and low quantities of saturated fat and sugar may be used as a diet strategy to improve sleep. Since the effects of sleep deficiency differ between animals and humans, only evidence from human subject studies has been included, controversies are discussed and the need for future investigations is highlighted.
Contemporary transesophageal echocardiography practice patterns among paediatric cardiology centres in the United States and Canada
Authors: Wilson Hunter C. , Ferguson M. Eric , Border William L. , Sachdeva Ritu
Published: October 2023

Objective:

To characterise transesophageal echocardiography practice patterns among paediatric cardiac surgical centres in the United States and Canada.

Methods:

A 42-question survey was sent to 80 echocardiography laboratory directors at paediatric cardiology centres with surgical programmes in the United States and Canada. Question domains included transesophageal echocardiography centre characteristics, performance and reporting, equipment use, trainee participation, and quality assurance.

Results:

Fifty of the 80 centres (62.5%) responded to the survey. Most settings were academic (86.0%) with 42.0% of centres performing > 350 surgical cases/year. The median number of transesophageal echocardiograms performed/cardiologist/year was 50 (26, 73). Pre-operative transesophageal echocardiography was performed in most surgical cases by 91.7% of centres. Transesophageal echocardiography was always performed by most centres following Norwood, Glenn, and Fontan procedures and by < 10% of centres following coarctation repair. Many centres with a written guideline allowed transesophageal echocardiography transducer use at weights below manufacturer recommendations (50.0 and 61.1% for neonatal and paediatric transducers, respectively). Most centres (36/37, 97.3%) with categorical fellowships had rotations which included transesophageal echocardiography participation. Large surgical centres (>350 cases/year) had higher median number of transesophageal echocardiograms/cardiologist/year (75.5 [53, 86] versus 35 [20, 52], p < 0.001) and more frequently used anaesthesia for diagnostic transesophageal echocardiography ≥ 67% of time (100.0 versus 62.1%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

There is significant variability in transesophageal echocardiography practice patterns and training requirements among paediatric cardiology centres in the United States and Canada. Findings may help inform programmatic decisions regarding transesophageal echocardiography expectations, performance and reporting, equipment use, trainee involvement, and quality assurance.
Coronary artery dilation in non-hospitalised children with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19
Authors: Gerber Nicole , Lutrario Christopher , Rosenthal Michelle , Platt Shari , Holzer Ralf , Flynn Patrick
Published: October 2023

Introduction:

Infection with Sars-CoV-2 is known to cause cardiac injury and coronary artery changes in moderate to severe acute COVID-19 and post-acute multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). However, little is known about the potential for cardiac involvement, in particular coronary artery dilation, in asymptomatic or mild cases of COVID-19.

Methods:

A retrospective review of children ≤ 18 years of age with a history of asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease who underwent echocardiography after Sars-CoV-2 infection is conducted. Patients were excluded if they had been hospitalised for COVID-19/MIS-C or had a history of cardiac disease that could affect coronary artery dimension. Coronary artery dilation was defined as the Boston Z-score greater than 2.0.

Results:

One hundred and fifty-seven patients met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 9.4 years (+/– 5.4 years). Eighty-four (54%) patients were identified as having COVID-19 through positive antibody testing. All patients underwent electrocardiogram and echocardiogram as part of their cardiology evaluation. One hundred and thirty-five (86%) patients had a normal evaluation or only a minor variant on electrocardiogram, while 22 patients had abnormalities on echocardiogram, 4 of which demonstrated coronary artery dilation based on the Boston Z-score.

Conclusions:

Much of the literature for post-infectious screening and follow-up focuses on patients with a history of moderate to severe COVID-19 disease, emphasising the need for surveillance for the potential development of myocarditis. In this study, 4 out of 157 (2.5%) children with a history of asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 disease without MIS-C were found to have some degree of coronary artery dilation. The significance of this finding currently remains unknown.
Preliminary report of the Japanese version of the International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1
Authors: Ojio Yasutaka , Kawamura Shin , Horiguchi Masanori , Gouttebarge Vincent
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Objective: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) is an athlete-specific screening tool developed to identify mental health symptoms in elite athletes and potential need for referral to care. We aimed to report the prevalence using the Japanese version of the SMHAT-1 in a Japanese sport context. Methods: Web-based anonymous self-report data of 220 competing Japan Rugby Top League rugby players were analyzed. The players answered all screening questionnaires of the SMHAT-1 containing the assessment for multiple mental health symptoms for sport-related psychological distress (step 1), and the following specific symptoms (step2): anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse, substance misuse, and disordered eating. The prevalence of each symptom was calculated. The false-negative rate (FNR) for step 1 identifying athletes that were positively screened on the subsequent step 2, was computed. Results: 65% players experienced the sport-related psychological distress while the prevalence of mental health symptoms ranged from 4.5% for substance misuse to 72.3% for alcohol misuse. Step 1 correctly detected all positive screened cases for anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. In addition, a small proportion of cases were FNR for sleep disturbance (9.1%) and substance misuse (2.6%). 64.9% and 35.1% of cases were FNR for alcohol misuse and disordered eating, respectively. Conclusion: The SMHAT-1 might have acceptable performance in detect anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, however, it should be noted that false negatives also exist for other common mental health symptoms like disordered eating and sleep problems.
Hominin Response to Oscillations in Climate and Local Environments During the Mid‐Pleistocene Climate Transition in Northern China
Authors: Zhou Bin , Wang Zhe , Xu Xiangchun , Pang Yang , Bird Michael I. , Wang Bin , Meadows Michael E. , Taylor David
Published: October 2023

Archeological evidence from loess sediments from Shangchen on the southeastern Chinese Loess Plateau indicates a suspension of hominin occupation around the time of the early mid‐Pleistocene climate transition, prompting a re‐assessment of climate‐vegetation‐hominin interactions. Loess deposits with in situ lithic records cover the period of hominin occupation and reveal four distinct climate‐vegetation periods (2.1–1.8, 1.8–1.26, 1.26–0.9, and 0.9–0.6 Ma). Major oscillations in climate superimposed upon an aridification trend and an expansion of C4 herbaceous vegetation from about 1.26 Ma may have driven early humans to move to more hospitable locations in the region. Comparison with the record at Nihewan indicates that large‐scale climate oscillations induced disparate hominin responses due to distinctive local environmental conditions.
Steady‐State Bedrock Channel Width
Authors: Li Tingan , Venditti Jeremy G. , Sklar Leonard S.
Published: October 2023

The increase in bedrock channel width and the decline in bedrock channel slope with increasing drainage area are fundamental characteristics of mountainous landscapes. Compared with slope, little is known about controls on steady‐state bedrock channel width. We model steady‐state bedrock channel width by iteratively solving models for bed and bank erosion by impacting bedload, using measurable physical parameters, including uplift rate, water discharge, sediment supply, grain size, rock strength, and bank angle. The results indicate that width is largely controlled by sediment flux, rather than water discharge. The commonly used width‐discharge scaling relation is an artifact of the covariance of sediment flux and water discharge. Scaling up from cross‐section to drainage basin scales, our model reproduces the width‐drainage area scaling relation and suggests that the scaling exponent is largely controlled by the downstream change in the fraction of total sediment supply transported as bedload.
Mass Extinction Coincided With Expanded Continental Margin Euxinia During the Cambrian Age 4
Authors: Chang Chao , Hu Wenxuan , Huang Kang‐Jun , Wang Zhenfei , Zhang Xingliang
Published: October 2023

Earth's biosphere witnessed the first major extinction event in the Phanerozoic during the Cambrian Age 4, with a genera loss up to ∼45%. The traditional view suggested that marine anoxia was the main cause of the biotic crisis, yet recent geochemical investigations yielded highly debated opinions on marine redox states during the Cambrian Age 4. Herein, we supplement new geochemical evidence for expanded marine euxinia at the extinction intervals on the Yangtze Platform, South China. Most importantly, modern‐level sedimentary δ98Mo (∼+2.34‰) records were most parsimoniously explained by transitory expansion of continental margin euxinia and concomitant intensification of sedimentary Mo sequestration via Fe‒Mn shuttles in the global ocean. The results clarify global marine redox conditions during the Cambrian Age 4, and lend firm support to a causal link between expanded marine euxinia and the extinction event.
Identification of Growth Strata: New Insights From Anisotropy Corrected Paleomagnetic Data
Authors: Sun Xinxin , Tong Yabo , Yang Zhenyu , Pei Junling , Zhang Zijian , Hou Lifu
Published: October 2023

Growth strata are important for understanding regional tectonic evolution. However, it is difficult to identify growth strata in the field, because of subsequent intensive modification and erosion. To address this problem, we studied two paleomagnetic sections at the stable deposition setting and the growth end of the Miocene growth strata of the Gengma Basin. Average inclinations of the two sections show a systematic deviation of 4.7° ± 5.2°. The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility results for the growth end of the section A demonstrate a sedimentary fabric. However, the tilt‐corrected K3 axis deviates to the southwest from the normal direction of the bedding by 5.4° ± 3.8°, the magnetic foliation deviates to the equatorial plane by 5.3° ± 4.7°. The K3 axis is perpendicular to the bedding at the stable deposition setting. The deviation of the K3 axis from the normal direction of bedding is interpreted as the growth angle, which can be used to correct the paleomagnetic inclination data.
Filtering of the Signal of Sediment Export From a Glacier by Its Proglacial Forefield
Authors: Mancini D. , Dietze M. , Müller T. , Jenkin M. , Miesen F. , Roncoroni M. , Nicholas A. P. , Lane S. N.
Published: October 2023

Alpine glaciers are rapidly retreating due to global warming and this has been associated with enhanced supply of subglacially derived sediment to downstream environments. We present the first high frequency quantitative record on how the signal of sediment exported from an Alpine glacier is filtered by its proglacial forefield. The data, covering two climatically distinct glacier melt seasons, show that the signal of subglacial bedload export is strongly filtered over short distances, unlike suspended load whose signal is less impacted. The reason is related to the interplay of short particle advection lengths with strong morphodynamic forcing. The subglacial sediment export signal is thus rapidly replaced by one combining (a) the local forcing by stream hydraulics and (b) the reworking of the proglacial braid plain itself. These findings have implications for estimating subglacial erosion rates, natural hazard mitigation, sediment management for hydropower plants and ecological succession related to rapid glacier retreat.
Ionosphere Heterogeneities at Dawn−Dusk Terminator Related to the Starlink Satellites Launch Disaster on 3−8 February 2022
Authors: Gulyaeva Tamara , Lukianova Renata , Haralambous Haris
Published: October 2023

We present an analysis of the evolution of the ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) and its variability index Vσ during the Starlink launch disaster on 3–8 February 2022 two‐phase geomagnetic storm. JPL GIM‐TEC global maps with increased spatial (1° in latitude and longitude) and temporal (15 min cadence) resolution as well as SWARM satellite data have been used in the analysis. Comparison of data for five time periods including Starlink launches with geomagnetic Dst index demonstrates thermospheric mass densities increasing by about 50% during the development of the storm on 3–5 February. A spectrum periodogram analysis is applied on TEC at sunrise and sunset solar terminator (STh) at an altitude h = 300 km. Periodicities in the solar terminator TEC generated waves are estimated as 24 hr, 12 hr, 1 hr, 30 min, 20 min, and 15 min. A significant morning−evening asymmetry resulted in the density anomalies concentrated in a certain—evening—sector of terminator when plasma is shifted to the dusk side forming a global asymmetry.
Simultaneous entry as an adaptation to virulence in a novel satellite-helper system infecting Streptomyces species
Authors: deCarvalho Tagide , Mascolo Elia , Caruso Steven M , López-Pérez Júlia , Weston-Hafer Kathleen , Shaffer Christopher , Erill Ivan
Published: October 2023

Satellites are mobile genetic elements that are dependent upon the replication machinery of their helper viruses. Bacteriophages have provided many examples of satellite nucleic acids that utilize their helper morphogenic genes for propagation. Here we describe two novel satellite-helper phage systems, Mulch and Flayer, that infect Streptomyces species. The satellites in these systems encode for encapsidation machinery but have an absence of key replication genes, thus providing the first example of bacteriophage satellite viruses. We also show that codon usage of the satellites matches the tRNA gene content of the helpers. The satellite in one of these systems, Flayer, does not appear to integrate into the host genome, which represents the first example of a virulent satellite phage. The Flayer satellite has a unique tail adaptation that allows it to attach to its helper for simultaneous co-infection. These findings demonstrate an ever-increasing array of satellite strategies for genetic dependence on their helpers in the evolutionary arms race between satellite and helper phages.
Efficacy and safety of using antibiotics to prevent post-operative complications in oral implant treatment: evidence-based review
Authors: Ikram Javed , Shado Rawand , Pereira Ines Novo , Madruga David , Hassan Haidar
Published: October 2023

Aims

To identify and critically appraise available evidence on the efficacy and safety of antibiotics in preventing complications following oral implant placement treatment.

Methods

An electronic search was performed using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases up to July/21 for the purpose of answering the research question: In[healthy adults treated with dental implants]the use of[different antibiotics before or immediately after treatment]in comparison to[treatment without antibiotics]is safe and effective in terms of[infection, pain, swelling, wound dehiscence, soft tissue healing, early/late implant failure]? Following the Best Evidence Topic methodology, the included studies were categorised based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) ratings. The critical appraisal skills programme CASP checklist was used for the methodological analysis. The risk of bias assessment was performed according to the Cochrane Methodology for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

Results

26 of the 245 initially identified articles met our inclusion criteria for analysis after applying rigorous filters. The included human studies demonstrated significant methodological heterogeneity, precluding meta-analysis. These studies spanned evidence levels II to IV, as per OCEBM 2011 classifications, with the United States contributing the most studies (19.2%, n = 5), all at level III. The United Kingdom and Spain followed with three studies each (11.5% each), two from the UK and one from Spain classified at level II. Most studies had less than 1 year of follow-up (21%). Our analysis included 26 studies, with 38 antibiotic patient groups totalling 7459 patients. Amoxicillin was the predominant antibiotic, with various dosage regimens. Complications were observed in studies across different amoxicillin regimens at a cumulative incidence of 5%.

Conclusion

The evidence on antibiotics to prevent implant failure presents uncertain and heterogeneous findings. High-risk bias and underpowered studies were prevalent. Future research should prioritise multicentre, double-blinded RCTs with larger samples and longer follow-ups. Structured methodologies, antibiotic stewardship, and adherence to guidelines are needed. Amoxicillin (2 g) was commonly prescribed, but guidelines recommend 3 g, which results in relatively low complications yet there is limited evidence to support it. Clindamycin was favoured for penicillin allergies, but caution is advised due to potential implant failure risk. Consistent use of antiseptic mouthwash was observed. Future research should explore alternatives to antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship. Establishing a well-funded research consortium could yield conclusive results for clinical practice.
IDO1 facilitates esophageal carcinoma progression by driving the direct binding of NF-κB and CXCL10
Authors: Yao Wenjian , Cui Xiaohai , Peng Haodong , Zhang Yongkang , Jia Xiangbo , Wu Sen , Zhao Jian
Published: October 2023

Esophageal carcinoma (EC), one of the most lethal human malignancies, lacks effective targeted therapies. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) plays a key role in a variety of cancers, but its role and mechanism in EC are still unclear. Immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR were used to analyze the expression of IDO1 in EC, and the prognostic value of IDO1 in EC was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier test. The in vitro and in vivo function loss/acquisition tests were performed to evaluate the biological effects of IDO1 in EC. The mechanism of action of IDO1-regulation EC was explored through Firefly luciferase & Renilla luciferase activity reporter, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays. Clinically, IDO1 expression was abnormally elevated in EC and positively correlated with overall survival. Functionally, IDO1 was contributed to the proliferation and migration of EC cells. Mechanically, IDO1 regulated the expression of chemokine C-X-C ligand 10 (CXCL10) by promoting the entry of NF-κB into the nucleus to combine with the promoter of CXCL10. Consistently, IDO1 facilitated EC progression may dependent on the presence of CXCL10. Moreover, NF-κB alleviated the inhibitory effect of IDO1 knockdown on EC. IDO1 drove the progression of EC by directly binding NF-κB and CXCL10, the finding that may provide an effective theoretical basis for precise therapies for EC.
Automated mixing of maximally localized Wannier functions into target manifolds
Authors: Qiao Junfeng , Pizzi Giovanni , Marzari Nicola
Published: October 2023

Maximally localized Wannier functions (MLWFs) are widely used in electronic-structure calculations. We have recently developed automated approaches to generate MLWFs that represent natural tight-binding sets of atomic-like orbitals; these describe accurately both the occupied states and the complementary unoccupied ones. For many applications, it is required to use MLWFs that describe instead certain target groups of bands: the valence or the conduction bands, or correlated manifolds. Here, we start from these tight-binding sets of MLWFs, and mix them using a combination of parallel transport and maximal localization to construct manifold-remixed Wannier functions (MRWFs): these are orthogonal sets of MLWFs that fully and only span desired target submanifolds. The algorithm is simple and robust, and is showcased here in reference applications (silicon, MoS2, and SrVO3) and in a mid-throughput study of 77 insulators.
Data-driven structural analysis of small cell lung cancer transcription factor network suggests potential subtype regulators and transition pathways
Authors: Ozen Mustafa , Lopez Carlos F.
Published: October 2023

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease and challenging to treat due to its mixture of transcriptional subtypes and subtype transitions. Transcription factor (TF) networks have been the focus of studies to identify SCLC subtype regulators via systems approaches. Yet, their structures, which can provide clues on subtype drivers and transitions, are barely investigated. Here, we analyze the structure of an SCLC TF network by using graph theory concepts and identify its structurally important components responsible for complex signal processing, called hubs. We show that the hubs of the network are regulators of different SCLC subtypes by analyzing first the unbiased network structure and then integrating RNA-seq data as weights assigned to each interaction. Data-driven analysis emphasizes MYC as a hub, consistent with recent reports. Furthermore, we hypothesize that the pathways connecting functionally distinct hubs may control subtype transitions and test this hypothesis via network simulations on a candidate pathway and observe subtype transition. Overall, structural analyses of complex networks can identify their functionally important components and pathways driving the network dynamics. Such analyses can be an initial step for generating hypotheses and can guide the discovery of target pathways whose perturbation may change the network dynamics phenotypically.
mRNA vaccine encoding Gn provides protection against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in mice
Authors: Kim Jae-Yong , Jeon Kyeongseok , Park Sang-In , Bang Yoo-Jin , Park Hyeong-Jun , Kwak Hye Won , Kim Do-Hyung , Lee Soo-Yeon , Choi Eun-Jin , Cho Nam-Hyuk , Nam Jae-Hwan
Published: October 2023

We developed a promising mRNA vaccine against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), an infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus that is primarily transmitted through tick bites. Administration of lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA-Gn successfully induced neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses in mice. The vaccinated mice were protected against a lethal SFTS virus challenge, suggesting that this mRNA vaccine may be an effective and successful SFTS vaccine candidate.
Pre-oxidized ultramicroporous carbon cloth with ultrahigh volumetric capacity and ultralong lifespan for capacitive desalination
Authors: Zhao Xinyuan , Zheng Yongshuo , Zheng Zhilong , Guo Zhizhong , Sun Tulai , Qin Jiayi , Qiu Na , Zhang Zhenyu , Wen Wei
Published: October 2023

Capacitive deionization is a promising desalination technique to tackle with freshwater scarcity, due to its facile, energy-efficient and eco-friendly operation. Carbon materials are primary electrode materials in capacitive deionization devices; however, their practical applications are limited by the low salt adsorption capacity and poor cycling stability. Here, we report a pre-oxidized strategy to significantly improve the salt adsorption capacity and cycling lifespan of carbon clothes. By the simple pre-oxidation treatment, it creates abundant ultramicropores and a superhydrophilic surface, which lead to a high salt adsorption capacity (31.5 mg g−1 and 13 mg cm−3) in 0.01 M NaCl aqueous solution. Moreover, the surface of each carbon fiber is oxidized, combined with a high mechanical strength, resulting in a stable surface during the cycling process. The retention rate is 74% even after 5000 adsorption/desorption cycles in diluted seawater. This work provides a new avenue to the design of high-performance, low-cost, and durable electrodes for capacitive deionization applications.
Observation and imitation of object-directed hand movements in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Bek Judith , Gowen Emma , Vogt Stefan , Crawford Trevor J. , Poliakoff Ellen
Published: October 2023

Action observation and imitation may facilitate movement in Parkinson’s disease (PD). People with PD have been found to imitate intransitive actions similarly to neurologically healthy older adults, but their imitation of object-directed hand movements has not previously been investigated using kinematic measures. The present study examined observation and imitation of object-directed hand movements in 18 participants with PD and 21 neurologically healthy age-matched control participants. Participants observed and immediately imitated sequences showing a human hand reaching for and transferring an object between horizontal positions. Both groups significantly modulated their finger movements, showing higher vertical amplitude when imitating elevated compared to direct trajectories. In addition, movements were lower in vertical amplitude and higher in velocity when imitating the reaching segment than the transfer segment. Eye-tracking revealed that controls made smaller saccades when observing predictable than unpredictable elevated movements, but no effects of predictability on eye movements were found for the PD group. This study provides quantitative evidence that people with mild to moderate PD can imitate object-directed hand movement kinematics, although their prediction of such movements may be reduced. These findings suggest that interventions targeting object-directed actions may capitalize on the ability of people with PD to imitate kinematic parameters of a demonstrated movement.
A hybrid CNN-Random Forest algorithm for bacterial spore segmentation and classification in TEM images
Authors: Qamar Saqib , Öberg Rasmus , Malyshev Dmitry , Andersson Magnus
Published: October 2023

We present a new approach to segment and classify bacterial spore layers from Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images using a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Random Forest (RF) classifier algorithm. This approach utilizes deep learning, with the CNN extracting features from images, and the RF classifier using those features for classification. The proposed model achieved 73% accuracy, 64% precision, 46% sensitivity, and 47% F1-score with test data. Compared to other classifiers such as AdaBoost, XGBoost, and SVM, our proposed model demonstrates greater robustness and higher generalization ability for non-linear segmentation. Our model is also able to identify spores with a damaged core as verified using TEMs of chemically exposed spores. Therefore, the proposed method will be valuable for identifying and characterizing spore features in TEM images, reducing labor-intensive work as well as human bias.
Effect of multimorbidity on hypertension management
Authors: Ji Eunjeong , Ahn Soyeon , Choi Jung-Yeon , Kim Cheol-Ho , Kim Kwang-il
Published: October 2023

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of multiple health conditions, is associated with functional decline, disability, and mortality. We aimed to investigate the effects of multimorbidity on hypertension treatment and control rates by analyzing data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, which is a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey conducted by the Korean government. Multimorbidity, defined as having two or more chronic diseases, was evaluated by blood pressure measurements, blood chemistry examinations, and questionnaires. We classified the participants according to the number of multimorbidities from 0 to ≥ 6. Association analysis was performed to identify the patterns of multimorbidity related to hypertension control. From 2016 to 2020, 30,271 adults (≥ 20 years) were included in the analysis (age: 52.1 ± 16.8 years, male: 44.0%), and 14,278 (47.2%) had multimorbidity. The number of chronic conditions was significantly higher in older adults, women, and hypertensive patients. Multimorbidity was associated with hypertension treatment. The number of chronic conditions was significantly higher in controlled compared to uncontrolled patients (3.6 ± 1.7 vs 2.9 ± 1.6, p < 0.001). But the control rate of hypertension among treated patients was lower in patients with multimorbidity (75.6% in hypertension only group vs 71.8% in multimorbidity group, p = 0.009). Multimorbidity patterns showed distinct features in treated and controlled hypertensive patients. In conclusion, multimorbidity has a beneficial effect on the treatment of hypertension, but the control rate of systolic blood pressure was lower among the patients with multimorbidity. More attention should be paid to the hypertensive patients with multimorbidity to improve the control rate of hypertension.
A theory of demographic optimality in forests
Authors: Moore Jon , Argles Arthur , Cox Peter
Published: October 2023

Carbon uptake by the land is a key determinant of future climate change. Unfortunately, Dynamic Global Vegetation Models have many unknown internal parameters which leads to significant uncertainty in projections of the future land carbon sink. By contrast, observed forest inventories in both Amazonia and the USA show strikingly common tree-size distributions, pointing to a simpler modelling paradigm. The curvature of these size-distributions is related to the ratio of mortality to growth in Demographic Equilibrium Theory (DET). We extend DET to include recruitment limited by competitive exclusion from existing trees. From this, we find simultaneous maxima of tree density and biomass in terms of respectively the ratio of mortality to growth and the proportion of primary productivity allocated to reproduction, an idea we call Demographic Optimality (DO). Combining DO with the ratio of mortality to growth common to the US and Amazon forests, results in the prediction that about an eighth of productivity should be allocated to reproduction, which is broadly consistent with observations. Another prediction of the model is that seed mortality should decrease with increasing seed size, such that the advantage of having many small seeds is nullified by the higher seed mortality. Demographic Optimality is therefore consistent with the common shape of tree-size distributions seen in very different forests, and an allocation to reproduction that is independent of seed size.
Lacustrine sedimentation by powerful storm waves in Gale crater and its implications for a warming episode on Mars
Authors: Heydari Ezat , Schroeder Jeffrey F. , Calef Fred J. , Parker Timothy J. , Fairén Alberto G.
Published: October 2023

This investigation documents that the Rugged Terrain Unit, the Stimson formation, and the Greenheugh sandstone were deposited in a 1200 m-deep lake that formed after the emergence of Mt. Sharp in Gale crater, Mars, nearly 4 billion years ago. In fact, the Curiosity rover traversed on a surface that once was the bottom of this lake and systematically examined the strata that were deposited in its deepest waters on the crater floor to layers that formed along its shoreline on Mt. Sharp. This provided a rare opportunity to document the evolution of one aqueous episode from its inception to its desiccation and to determine the warming mechanism that caused it. Deep water lacustrine siltstones directly overlie conglomerates that were deposited by mega floods on the crater floor. This indicates that the inception phase of the lake was sudden and took place when flood waters poured into the crater. The lake expanded quickly and its shoreline moved up the slope of Mt. Sharp during the lake-level rise phase and deposited a layer of sandstone with large cross beds under the influence of powerful storm waves. The lake-level highstand phase was dominated by strong bottom currents that transported sediments downhill and deposited one of the most distinctive sedimentological features in Gale crater: a layer of sandstone with a 3 km-long field of meter-high subaqueous antidunes (the Washboard) on Mt. Sharp. Bottom current continued downhill and deposited sandstone and siltstone on the foothills of Mt. Sharp and on the crater floor, respectively. The lake-level fall phase caused major erosion of lacustrine strata that resulted in their patchy distribution on Mt. Sharp. Eroded sediments were then transported to deep waters by gravity flows and were re-deposited as conglomerate and sandstone in subaqueous channels and in debris flow fans. The desiccation phase took place in calm waters of the lake. The aqueous episode we investigated was vigorous but short-lived. Its characteristics as determined by our sedimentological study matches those predicted by an asteroid impact. This suggests that the heat generated by an impact transformed Mars into a warm, wet, and turbulent planet. It resulted in planet-wide torrential rain, giant floods on land, powerful storms in the atmosphere, and strong waves in lakes. The absence of age dates prevents the determination of how long the lake existed. Speculative rates of lake-level change suggest that the lake could have lasted for a period ranging from 16 to 240 Ky.
Breast density analysis of digital breast tomosynthesis
Authors: Heine John , Fowler Erin E. E. , Weinfurtner R. Jared , Hume Emma , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: October 2023

Mammography shifted to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the US. An automated percentage of breast density (PD) technique designed for two-dimensional (2D) applications was evaluated with DBT using several breast cancer risk prediction measures: normalized-volumetric; dense volume; applied to the volume slices and averaged (slice-mean); and applied to synthetic 2D images. Volumetric measures were derived theoretically. PD was modeled as a function of compressed breast thickness (CBT). The mean and standard deviation of the pixel values were investigated. A matched case–control (CC) study (n = 426 pairs) was evaluated. Odd ratios (ORs) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. ORs were significant for PD: identical for volumetric and slice-mean measures [OR = 1.43 (1.18, 1.72)] and [OR = 1.44 (1.18, 1.75)] for synthetic images. A 2nd degree polynomial (concave-down) was used to model PD as a function of CBT: location of the maximum PD value was similar across CCs, occurring at 0.41 × CBT, and PD was significant [OR = 1.47 (1.21, 1.78)]. The means from the volume and synthetic images were also significant [ORs ~ 1.31 (1.09, 1.57)]. An alternative standardized 2D synthetic image was constructed, where each pixel value represents the percentage of breast density above its location. Several measures were significant and an alternative method for constructing a standardized 2D synthetic image was produced.
Knowledge-based intervention improves older adult recognition memory for novel activity, but not event segmentation or temporal order memory
Authors: Payne Karissa B. , Brazil Cristiane K. , Apel Maria , Bailey Heather
Published: October 2023

Although episodic memory declines with age, older adults are often able to make use of relevant knowledge to support episodic memory. More specifically, prior knowledge may support the perception of meaningful events through the process of event segmentation. We sought to test whether increasing older adults’ knowledge for novel activities (i.e., Tai chi, making gyozas) would improve segmentation and memory. We conducted an online, pre-registered intervention in which eighty older adults were recruited based on being novices in each of the targeted activities. Participants completed segmentation and memory tests before and after being randomly assigned to one of two interactive virtual workshops (learning how to practice Tai chi or make gyozas). Each workshop consisted of two one-hour sessions during which an expert provided information about the activity and demonstrated it in a step-by-step fashion. We found that the intervention led to increased learning and recognition memory for the trained activity; however, there were no significant improvements in segmentation behavior, free recall, or memory of sequential information. These findings indicate that either more knowledge training is necessary to affect segmentation, or that segmentation is guided by perceptual features in the environment rather than one’s conceptual understanding of the activity.
Biological and substitute parents in Beaker period adult–child graves
Authors: Zedda Nicoletta , Meheux Katie , Blöcher Jens , Diekmann Yoan , Gorelik Alexander V. , Kalle Martin , Klein Kevin , Titze Anna-Lena , Winkelbach Laura , Naish Elise , Brou Laurent , Valotteau François , Le Brun-Ricalens Foni , Burger Joachim , Brami Maxime
Published: October 2023

Joint inhumations of adults and children are an intriguing aspect of the shift from collective to single burial rites in third millennium BC Western Eurasia. Here, we revisit two exceptional Beaker period adult–child graves using ancient DNA: Altwies in Luxembourg and Dunstable Downs in Britain. Ancestry modelling and patterns of shared IBD segments between the individuals examined, and contemporary genomes from Central and Northwest Europe, highlight the continental connections of British Beakers. Although simultaneous burials may involve individuals with no social or biological ties, we present evidence that close blood relations played a role in shaping third millennium BC social systems and burial practices, for example a biological mother and her son buried together at Altwies. Extended family, such as a paternal aunt at Dunstable Downs, could also act as ‘substitute parents’ in the grave. Hypotheses are explored to explain such simultaneous inhumations. Whilst intercommunity violence, infectious disease and epidemics may be considered as explanations, they fail to account for both the specific, codified nature of this particular form of inhumation, and its pervasiveness, as evidenced by a representative sample of 131 adult–child graves from 88 sites across Eurasia, all dating to the third and second millennia BC.
Fragility of the Schrödinger Cat in thermal environments
Authors: Bera Sandip , Yip Kenny L. S. , John Sajeev
Published: October 2023

We describe the decoherence instability of Schrödinger Cat states in the two-site Bose-Hubbard model with an attractive on-site interaction between particles. For N particles with onsite attractive energy U and hopping amplitude between sites t, Cat states exist for $$u\equiv \frac{UN}{2t}<-1$$

u
≡

UN

2
t

<
-
1

at zero temperature. However, they are increasingly unstable to small thermal fluctuations as the Cat itself is increasingly well-defined and its components become well-separated. For any given $$u<-1$$

u
<
-
1

, the decoherence temperature becomes smaller for large N. The loss of off-diagonal coherence peaks in the equilibrium density matrix is dominated by the thermal admixture of the first excited state of the many-body system with its ground state. Particle number fluctuations, described in the grand canonical ensemble also reduce coherence, but to a lesser degree than thermal fluctuations. The full density matrix of the Schrödinger Cat is obtained by exact numerical diagonalization of the many-body Hamiltonian and a narrow regime in the parameter space of the particle number, temperature, and U/t is identified where small Cat states may survive decoherence in a physical environment.
Universal primers for rift valley fever virus whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Kim Kwan Woo , Lee Banseok , Eom Sujeong , Shin Donghoon , Park Changwoo , Kim Seil , Yi Hana
Published: October 2023

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease causing acute hemorrhagic fever. Accurate identification of mutations and phylogenetic characterization of RVF virus (RVFV) require whole-genome analysis. Universal primers to amplify the entire RVFV genome from clinical samples with low copy numbers are currently unavailable. Thus, we aimed to develop universal primers applicable for all known RVFV strains. Based on the genome sequences available from public databases, we designed eight pairs of universal PCR primers covering the entire RVFV genome. To evaluate primer universality, four RVFV strains (ZH548, Kenya 56 (IB8), BIME-01, and Lunyo), encompassing viral phylogenetic diversity, were chosen. The nucleic acids of the test strains were chemically synthesized or extracted via cell culture. These RNAs were evaluated using the PCR primers, resulting in successful amplification with expected sizes (0.8–1.7 kb). Sequencing confirmed that the products covered the entire genome of the RVFV strains tested. Primer specificity was confirmed via in silico comparison against all non-redundant nucleotide sequences using the BLASTn alignment tool in the NCBI database. To assess the clinical applicability of the primers, mock clinical specimens containing human and RVFV RNAs were prepared. The entire RVFV genome was successfully amplified and sequenced at a viral concentration of 108 copies/mL. Given the universality, specificity, and clinical applicability of the primers, we anticipate that the RVFV universal primer pairs and the developed method will aid in RVFV phylogenomics and mutation detection.
Modes of North Atlantic Western boundary current variability at 36° N
Authors: Mao Shun , He Ruoying , Andres Magdalena
Published: October 2023

The surface-intensified, poleward-flowing Gulf Stream (GS) encounters the equatorward-flowing Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) at 36° N off Cape Hatteras. In this study, daily output from a data-assimilative, high-resolution (800 m), regional ocean reanalysis was examined to quantify variability in the velocity structure of the GS and DWBC during 2017–2018. The validity of this reanalysis was confirmed with independent observations of ocean velocity and density that demonstrate a high level of realism in the model’s representation of the regional circulation. The model’s daily velocity time series across a transect off Cape Hatteras was examined using rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis, and analysis suggests three leading modes that characterize the variability of the western boundary currents throughout the water column. The first mode, related to meandering of the GS current, accounts for 55.3% of the variance, followed by a “wind-forced mode”, which accounts for 12.5% of the variance. The third mode, influenced by the DWBC and upper-ocean eddies, accounts for 7.1% of the variance.