bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reintroduction of at-risk forest tree species using biotechnology depends on regulatory policy, informed by science and with public support
Authors: Jacobs Douglass F. , Dumroese R. Kasten , Brennan Andrea N. , Campbell Faith T. , Conrad Anna O. , Delborne Jason A. , Fitzsimmons Sara , Flores David , Giardina Christian P. , Greenwood Leigh , Martín Juan A. , Merkle Scott A. , Nelson C. Dana , Newhouse Andrew E. , Powell William A. , Romero-Severson Jeanne , Showalter David N. , Sniezko Richard A. , Strauss Steven H. , Westbrook Jared , Woodcock Paul
Published: June 2023

Introduced pests (insects and pathogens) have rapidly increased the numbers of at-risk native forest tree species worldwide. Some keystone species have been functionally extirpated, resulting in severe commercial and ecological losses. When efforts to exclude or mitigate pests have failed, researchers have sometimes applied biotechnology tools to incorporate pest resistance in at-risk species to enable their reintroduction. Often erroneously equated solely with genetic engineering, biotechnology also includes traditional and genome informed breeding—and may provide a holistic approach toward applying genomic-based information and interventions to increase tree species’ pest resistance. Traditional tree breeding is responsible for successes to date, but new technologies offer hope to increase the efficiency of such efforts. Remarkable recent progress has been made, and for some at-risk species, novel biotechnological advances put reintroduction within reach. The high costs of reintroduction of at-risk species at necessary scale, however, will initially limit the pursuit to a few species. Successful deployment of pest resistant material may require improved species-specific knowledge and should integrate into and leverage existing reforestation systems, but these operations are sometimes rare where pest threats are greatest. While use of some biotechnologies, such as traditional tree breeding, are commonplace, others such as genetic engineering are controversial and highly regulated, yet may be the only viable means of achieving reintroduction of some at-risk species. Efforts to modify policy toward allowing the use of appropriate biotechnology, especially genetic engineering, have lagged. Provided that risk-benefits are favorable, policy is likely to follow with public opinion; in some countries, society is now increasingly open to using available biotechnologies. Continued engagement using the most recent advances in social science to build public trust, combined with a science-based collaboration among land managers and regulators, will generate the collective momentum needed to motivate policymakers to act rapidly given the speed at which forest health threats unfold and the large areas they affect.
Terahertz cancer imaging and sensing: open research challenges and opportunities
Authors: Gezimati Mavis , Singh Ghanshyam
Published: June 2023

There has been a rapid development of THz technology—sources, detectors and various THz imaging and sensing techniques. The THz technology demonstrates great potential as a modality for early, label free, non-ionizing and non-invasive detection of cancer. Some progressive technological development milestones have been achieved in this regard, however, to become clinically competitive and to provide the sought after real operational convenience, there is need for further research and development to overcome the existing challenges. This paper provides recent trends and perspectives through identification of existing challenges for the development of THz imaging and sensing systems that can evolve into actual medical modalities. We provide an overview of various aspects of THz technology, including techniques for imaging and sensing, mechanisms for THz image contrast and models for tissue dielectric responses to THz waves. The THz imaging application for detection of various cancers is briefed. The advantages of THz cancer imaging and sensing as well as the existing challenges are identified, with recommendations provided in contribution to future research. Further, some recent THz imaging and sensing developments such as the near-field methods to break the diffraction limit including waveguides, resonance and plasmonic metasurfaces are discussed. We emphasize the contribution of analytical algorithms that are based on machine learning, in particular, deep learning for the development of THz technology.

Graphical abstract
Age-related decline of various cognitive functions in well-experienced male rats treated with the putative anti-aging compound (2R)-1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-N-propylpentane-2-amine ((-)BPAP)
Authors: Ernyey Aliz Judit , Kassai Ferenc , Kozma Kata , Plangár Imola , Somfai Zsuzsa , Miklya Ildikó , Gyertyán István
Published: June 2023

Aging-associated cognitive disorders lack proper medication. To meet this need translation-wise, modification of the animal models is also required. In the present study, effect of the putative anti-aging compound (2R)-1-(1-benzofuran-2-yl)-N-propylpentane-2-amine ((-)BPAP, a deprenyl derivative) on age-related cognitive decline was investigated in experienced, aged Long-Evans rats. During their lifetime, animals had acquired knowledge in various cognitive assays. Their performance in these tests was then parallel followed from the age of 27 months until their death meanwhile half of them were treated with BPAP. Cognitive performance in various tasks showed different sensitivities/resistances to age-related impairment. Pot jumping performance (motor skill-learning) started to impair first, at 21 months of age, followed by decreasing performance in five-choice serial reaction time task (attention) at 26 months. Navigation performance in Morris water maze (spatial learning) started to decline at 31 months. Performance in a cooperation task (social cognition) started to decline the latest, at 34 months. Our findings suggest that in this process, the primary factor was the level of motivation to be engaged with the task and not losing the acquired knowledge. The average lifespan of the tested rat population was 36 months. BPAP could not improve the cognitive performance; neither could it prolong lifespan. A possible reason might be that dietary restriction and lifelong cognitive engagement had beneficial effects on cognitive capabilities and lifespan creating a “ceiling effect” for further improvement. The results confirmed that experienced animals provide a translationally relevant model to study age-related cognitive decline and measure the effect of putative anti-aging compounds.
Erwartete Schulprobleme als Folge der Corona-Schulschließungen im Frühjahr 2020 – Empirische Evidenz zur Bedeutung familialer Ressourcen mittels nichtlinearer Modellierung
Authors: Lorenz Jennifer , Ike Sina , Dammann Lea Maria , Becker Dominik , Säfken Benjamin , Silbersdorff Alexander
Published: June 2023

Angesichts der Schulschließungen im Zuge der Coronapandemie standen Schulen, Familien und Kinder in Deutschland im Frühjahr 2020 vor der großen Herausforderung, den Unterricht zu Hause fortzuführen. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Erwartungen der Eltern, dass innerhalb der kommenden sechs Monate Schulprobleme als Folge des Homeschoolings auftreten werden. In explorativer Herangehensweise werden zur Analyse nichtlineare Modelle eingesetzt. Im Zuge dessen werden nichtlineare Modelle vorgestellt und erläutert, um den Mehrwert im Vergleich zu den in der empirischen Bildungsforschung üblicherweise verwendeten Methoden hervorzuheben. Für die Analyse werden die verwendeten Daten des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NEPS) mit zusätzlichen Datenquellen wie dem COVID-19-Dashboard des Robert Koch-Instituts (RKI) kombiniert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die elterlichen Erwartungen zukünftiger Schulprobleme insbesondere unter jenen Eltern verbreitet waren, deren Kinder eine niedrige Lesekompetenz und eine geringe Sorgfältigkeit als Teilaspekt der schulischen Anstrengungsbereitschaft aufwiesen. Des Weiteren findet sich ein Zusammenhang zwischen einem niedrigeren beruflichen Status (ISEI) der Eltern und einer zunehmenden Erwartung von Schulproblemen. Weiterhin weisen die kurzfristigen und die langfristigen Sorgen der Eltern hinsichtlich Corona eine positive Assoziation auf und machen Schulprobleme in den Augen der Eltern wahrscheinlicher. Das Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, neben der erstmaligen Anwendung und Erläuterung von nichtlinearen Modellen in der empirischen Bildungsforschung, die Erwartung hinsichtlich Problemen des Homeschoolings im ersten Lockdown aus Elternsicht zu analysieren und Variablen zu explorieren, die diese elterlichen Erwartungen beeinflussen.
Increased hexosamine biosynthetic pathway flux alters cell–cell adhesion in INS-1E cells and murine islets
Authors: Lofrumento Dario Domenico , Miraglia Alessandro , La Pesa Velia , Treglia Antonella Sonia , Chieppa Marcello , De Nuccio Francesco , Nicolardi Giuseppe , Miele Claudia , Beguinot Francesco , Garbi Corrado , Di Jeso Bruno
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In type 2 Diabetes, β-cell failure is caused by loss of cell mass, mostly by apoptosis, but also by simple dysfunction (dedifferentiation, decline of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion). Apoptosis and dysfunction are caused, at least in part, by glucotoxicity, in which increased flux of glucose in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway plays a role. In this study, we sought to clarify whether increased hexosamine biosynthetic pathway flux affects another important aspect of β-cell physiology, that is β-cell–β-cell homotypic interactions.

Methods

We used INS-1E cells and murine islets. The expression and cellular distribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin was evaluated by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot. Cell–cell adhesion was examined by the hanging-drop aggregation assay, islet architecture by isolation and microscopic observation.

Results

E-cadherin expression was not changed by increased hexosamine biosynthetic pathway flux, however, there was a decrease of cell surface, and an increase in intracellular E-cadherin. Moreover, intracellular E-cadherin delocalized, at least in part, from the Golgi complex to the endoplasmic reticulum. Beta-catenin was found to parallel the E-cadherin redistribution, showing a dislocation from the plasmamembrane to the cytosol. These changes had as a phenotypic consequence a decreased ability of INS-1E to aggregate. Finally, in ex vivo experiments, glucosamine was able to alter islet structure and to decrease surface abundandance of E-cadherin and β-catenin.

Conclusion

Increased hexosamine biosynthetic pathway flux alters E-cadherin cellular localization both in INS-1E cells and murine islets and affects cell–cell adhesion and islet morphology. These changes are likely caused by alterations of E-cadherin function, highlighting a new potential target to counteract the consequences of glucotoxicity on β-cells.
Examining the Relationship between Subjective Well-being and Psychological Well-being among 12-Year-Old-Children from 30 Countries
Authors: Moreta-Herrera Rodrigo , Oriol-Granado Xavier , González-Carrasco Mònica , Vaca-Quintana Diego
Published: June 2023

Cross-cultural studies on the relationship between subjective and psychological well-being in children are still very limited. Consequently, proposing a model that considers the interaction of these constructs and examining its applicability in several countries would enhance the understanding of these phenomena in childhood. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the latent relationship between subjective and psychological well-being, and to measure invariance in a sample of 12-year-old children from 30 countries. Through a quantitative methodology with a correlational design, we analyze data from 44,358 children who participated in the third wave of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (ISCWeB), using Structural Equations Modeling (SEM). Results suggest that levels of subjective and psychological well-being are moderate and high, respectively, and point to significant differences in well-being indicators by country. In addition, subjective well-being is related to psychological well-being through a general adjustment model with oblique factors. Finally, the model of latent relationships presents metric invariance across nationalities.
Liver Transplantation in Children with Advanced Hepatoblastoma: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lai Yanhua , Wu Dan , Deng Ruihua , Li Jiazhi , Yang Jianrong
Published: June 2023

Surgery is a key factor for the curative treatment of hepatoblastoma. Recent evidence suggests that liver transplantation has a strong effect in treating advanced hepatoblastoma. However, there is no consensus on the effects of liver transplantation. This meta-analysis aims to identify the efficacy and safety of liver transplantation for advanced hepatoblastoma, compared with those of conventional liver resection. Electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published prior to June 2022 to evaluate the survival benefit and safety in patients with advanced hepatoblastoma. The primary outcomes were the overall survival and disease-free survival rates, and the secondary outcomes were the complication and tumor recurrence rates. Five relevant clinical studies with a total of 134 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with aggressive liver resection, liver transplantation had similar overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates after 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years (odds ratio (OR) 1 year = 0.89, 95% CI 0.21–3.79, P = 0.88; OR 3 years = 0.54, 95% CI 0.16–1.81, P = 0.32; OR 5 years = 1.24, 95% CI 0.22–6.82, P = 0.81; OR disease-free 1 year = 2.17, 95% CI 0.56–8.42, P = 0.26; OR disease-free 3 years = 1.42, 95% CI 0.48–4.17, P = 0.53; OR disease-free 5 years = 2.91, 95% CI 0.56–8.52, P = 0.26), tumor recurrence rates (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.24–1.60, P = 0.32), and complication rates (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 0.48–4.49, P = 0.51). Sensitivity analysis also demonstrated the same outcomes in terms of the tumor recurrence rate, complication rate, and overall and disease-free survival rates after 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. The funnel plot indicated a low publication bias. Liver transplantation is an excellent option for advanced hepatoblastoma in children with acceptable perioperative complications, which is not inferior to liver resection. And liver transplantation should be considered the primary curative option when liver resection is not possible.
Impacts of regime shift on the fishery ecosystem in the coastal area of Kyoto prefecture, Sea of Japan, assessed using the Ecopath model
Authors: Inoue Hiroshi , Watari Shingo , Sawada Hideki , Lavergne Edouard , Yamashita Yoh
Published: June 2023

The present study assessed the impact of regime shifts on the ecosystems that support fisheries in the coastal area of Kyoto Prefecture, the Sea of Japan. Ecopath models were constructed during cold (1985) and warm (2013) regime periods, when the fishery structures were different. Both models evaluated by pre-balance diagnostics were reliably constructed. Multiple ecosystem indicator values were compared between the two periods to assess changes in the ecosystem structure and the impact of fisheries on the ecosystem. The major change in catches in the coastal area of Kyoto Prefecture between 1985 and 2013 was that the Japanese sardine drastically declined and Spanish mackerel increased. The primary production requirements of fisheries (%PPR) were higher in 1985, reflecting the greater impact of sardine. The mean trophic level of catch and system omnivory index suggested that stability of trophic network increased after the sharp decline in sardine biomass. The %PPR, the loss of secondary production due to fisheries exploitation and probability analysis of fishery sustainability suggested that the fishery structure in 2013, which was dominated by set nets, contributed to a more sustainable fishery than the structure in 1985, when fishery was dominated by purse seines and set nets.
The increase in streamflows and its impact on the probability of failure by sliding of the Santa Clara HPP dam using Monte Carlo method
Authors: Alberts Ronald , Marques Filho José
Published: June 2023

Rainfall behavior has been affected worldwide, probably because of climate change. In several cases, this modification generated more intense river streamflows. Risk assessment is essential to check the security of existing dams, and it provides guidance for the design of future hydraulic structures. The risk analysis approach helps new projects to comply with safety criteria, or it is a reliable method to guide the need for safety interventions or repairs and to help in the decision to increase their discharge capacity. A case study of the Santa Clara Hydro-Power Plant was carried out to analyze if there were changes in the design flood and the impact that these variations could have on the dam failure probability. The maximum streamflows determined at the time of the dam construction were compared with the streamflows found in the update of the hydrological studies. Analyzing the results, it was possible to find out there was an increase in streamflow rates. The Monte Carlo method was used to establish a curve correlating the affluent streamflow with the probability of failure, allowing to verify the update of the hydrological study of the project implied an increase in the probability of failure of 18.1% for the millennial flood.
Legal recommendations and psychological advice sports administrators can implement in the next pandemic
Authors: Yaacoub Salim , McInman Adrian
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed sports administrators’ lack of crisis management preparedness and athletes, coaches, and support staff’s lack of mental preparedness for a pandemic. Sports administrators were in the unenviable position of having to protect the health of their athletes, staff, and the wider population by preventing the spread of the COVID-19 disease with restrictive policies, such as bio-bubbles and quarantines, while at the same time not restricting anyone’s liberty and unalienable rights to pursue happiness. This article informs sports administrators how to balance health instructions from regulatory bodies with measures protecting individual liberty. It provides sports administrator’s legal recommendations they can follow and psychological advice that they can pass on to their athletes, coaches, and support staff. The article also explains to coaches and support staff how to manage, and athletes how to successfully cope with, future bio-bubbles, quarantines, and the next pandemic.
Lost in Translation: Impact of Language Barriers and Facilitators on the Health Care of Asian Americans Living with HIV
Authors: Chen Wei-Ti , Sun Wenxiu , Huang Feifei , Shiu Cheng-Shi , Kim Boram , Candelario Jury , Toma Lance , Wu Gilbert , Ah-Yune Judy
Published: June 2023

Language barriers are major obstacles that Asian American immigrants face when accessing health care in the USA. This study was conducted to explore the impact of language barriers and facilitators on the health care of Asian Americans. Qualitative, in-depth interviews and quantitative surveys were conducted with 69 Asian Americans (Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and mixed Asian backgrounds) living with HIV (AALWH) in three urban areas (New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles) in 2013 and from 2017 to 2020. The quantitative data indicate that language ability is negatively associated with stigma. Major themes emerged related to communication, including the impact of language barriers on HIV care and the positive impact of language facilitators—family members/friends, case managers, or interpreters—who can communicate with healthcare providers in the AALWH’s native language. Language barriers negatively impact access to HIV-related services and thus result in decreased adherence to antiretroviral therapy, increased unmet healthcare needs, and increased HIV-related stigma. Language facilitators enhanced the connection between AALWH and the healthcare system by facilitating their engagement with health care providers. Language barriers experienced by AALWH not only impact their healthcare decisions and treatment choices but also increase levels of external stigma which may influence the process of acculturation to the host country. Language facilitators and barriers to health services for AALWH represent a target for future interventions in this population.
Multilayer Graphene-Coated Silicon Carbide Nanowire Formation Under Defocused Laser Irradiation
Authors: Minami Kanon , Kobinata Kyosuke , Yan Jiwang
Published: June 2023

Graphene-coated silicon carbide (SiC@C) core–shell nanostructures have attracted attention in the fields of energy storage and nanoelectronics. In this study, multilayer graphene-coated silicon carbide (SiC) nanowires were obtained through the laser irradiation of a mixture target of graphite powder and silicon (Si) grinding sludge discharged from Si wafer manufacturing. Laser irradiation was performed using an ytterbium (Yb) fiber pulsed laser with a pulse width of 10 ms and a wavelength of 1070 nm with various defocus distances. The effect of laser defocusing on the morphology of the generated nanostructures was investigated. Results showed that nanowires were produced under the defocused conditions, and nanoparticles were observed at the on-focus position. The products obtained under all defocused conditions showed a core–shell structure, and the SiC nanowires were covered by graphene layers. The aspect ratio of the nanowires increased with the defocus distance. Observation of the laser-induced plume using a high-speed camera showed that when the laser was defocused, the plume propagation speed slowed down, and the shape of the plume changed to a swirling vortex. The nanowire formation was closely related to the propagation speed and shape variation of the plume. This successful production of SiC@C core–shell nanowires from Si waste opens up the possibility of the sustainable development of new materials for energy storage and nanoelectronics.
Evaluating mechanism and inconsistencies in hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil using newly proposed biochar conductivity factor
Authors: Garg Ankit , Zhu Hong-Hu , Sarmah Ajit K. , Mei Guoxiong , Gadi Vinay Kumar
Published: June 2023

In the past few decades, numerous studies have been conducted to promote the use of biochar as a soil amendment and most recently, for compacted geo-engineered soils. In general, the definite trends of biochar effects on water retention and fertility of soils have been confirmed. However, the biochar effects on hydraulic conductivity, particularly unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil-biochar mix remain unclear, making it difficult to understand water seepage in both agricultural and geo-engineered infrastructures in semi-arid regions. This study examines the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function derived based on the measurements of soil water characteristic curves of soil with biochar contents of 0%, 5% and 10%. A new parameter “biochar conductivity factor (BCF)” is proposed to evaluate the inconsistency in reported biochar effects on soil hydraulic conductivity and to interpret it from various mechanisms (inter- and intra-  pore space filling, cracking, aggregation, bio-film formation and piping/internal erosion). The impact of biochar content on unsaturated hydraulic conductivity appears to reduce as the soil becomes drier with minimal effect in residual zone. Qualitative comparison of near-saturated hydraulic conductivity with test results in the literature showed that the BCF is generally higher for smaller ratio of sand to fine content (clay and silt). Moreover, the particle size of biochar may have significant influence on soil permeability. Future scope of research has been highlighted with respect to biochar production for its applications in agriculture and geo-environmental engineering. Long term effects such as root decay and growth, aggregation and nutrient supply need to be considered.

Graphical Abstract
Acute toxicity assessment of nine organic UV filters using a set of biotests
Authors: Marcin Stec , Aleksander Astel
Published: June 2023

UV filters in environmental compartments are a source of concern related to their ecotoxicological effects. However, little is known about UV filters’ toxicity, particularly those released into the environment as mixtures. Acute toxicity of nine organic UV filters benzophenone-1, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3, 4-methoxy benzylidene camphor, octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate, and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane was determined. UV filter solutions were tested as single, binary, and ternary mixtures of various compositions. Single solutions were tested using a set of bio tests, including tests on saline crustaceans (Artemia franciscana), freshwater crustaceans (Daphnia magna), marine bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri), and freshwater plants (Lemna minor). The tests represent different stages of the trophic chain, and hence their overall results could be used to risk assessment concerning various water reservoirs. The toxicity of binary and ternary mixtures was analyzed using the standardized Microtox® method. Generally, organic UV filters were classified as acutely toxic. Octocrylene was the most toxic for Arthemia franciscana (LC50 = 0.55 mg L–1) and Daphnia magna (EC50 = 2.66–3.67 mg L–1). The most toxic against freshwater plants were homosalate (IC50 = 1.46 mg L–1) and octocrylene (IC50 = 1.95 mg L–1). Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EC50 = 1.38–2.16 mg L–1) was the most toxic for marine bacteria. The least toxic for crustaceans and plants were benzophenone-1 (EC50 = 6.15–46.78 mg L–1) and benzophenone-2 (EC50 = 14.15–54.30 mg L–1), while 4-methoxy benzylidene camphor was the least toxic for marine bacteria (EC50 = 12.97–15.44 mg L–1). Individual species differ in their sensitivity to the tested organic UV filters. An assessment of the toxicity of mixtures indicates high and acute toxicity to marine bacteria after exposition to a binary mixture of benzophenone-2 with octocrylene, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, or homosalate. The toxicity of mixtures was lower than single solutions predicting antagonistic interaction between chemicals.

Graphical abstract
Teaching Difficult Stories: Trauma-Informed Teaching in the Classics Classroom
Authors: Swallow Peter
Published: June 2023

Every textbook has its strengths, and each its own quirks and idiosyncrasies. Apart from any pedagogical concerns about the old Cambridge Latin Course textbook series, for example, was the question of how it represented problematic aspects of the ancient world, such as the role of women and the institution of slavery (see Hunt, 2016). The de Romanis Latin course (Radice et al., 2020a and 2020b), which we use at my school at Key Stage 3, takes a much more detached approach to the teaching of Roman culture, presenting its reading exercises as individual stories grouped around each chapter's centralised theme rather than as a narrative told from the perspective of one group of fictionalised characters. But difficult subjects still arise and need to be handled sensitively by the teacher – particularly given the age group (11–14) the textbook is aimed at. This paper shows one way in which this might be achieved.
Facilitating justification, disconfirmation, and transparency in diagnostic argumentation
Authors: Bauer Elisabeth , Sailer Michael , Kiesewetter Jan , Fischer Martin R. , Gurevych Iryna , Fischer Frank
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Teachers need to learn complex skills in higher education, such as diagnostic argumentation. We suggest that relations between the argumentation facets justification, disconfirmation, and transparency are a relevant indicator for the quality of diagnostic argumentation. In an experimental study, we investigated whether automatic adaptive feedback – based on natural language processing – compared to static feedback facilitates relations between the argumentation facets in preservice teachers' diagnostic argumentation when learning with case-based simulations. A sample of N = 60 preservice teachers received adaptive or static feedback on their written explanations concerning simulated cases of pupils having behavioral or reading and writing problems. Using Epistemic Network Analysis, we analyzed learners' written explanations and found that adaptive feedback compared to static feedback facilitates relations between justification, disconfirmation, and transparency in preservice teachers' diagnostic argumentation. The results confirm that adaptivity is an important feature of effective feedback, which can be automated by methods of natural language processing.
Simulation of Dawn‐To‐Dusk Electric Field in the Jovian Inner Magnetosphere via Region 2‐Like Field‐Aligned Current
Authors: Nakamura Yuki , Terada Koichiro , Tao Chihiro , Terada Naoki , Kasaba Yasumasa , Leblanc François , Kita Hajime , Nakamizo Aoi , Yoshikawa Akimasa , Ohtani Shinichi , Tsuchiya Fuminori , Kagitani Masato , Sakanoi Takeshi , Murakami Go , Yoshioka Kazuo , Kimura Tomoki , Yamazaki Atsushi , Yoshikawa Ichiro
Published: June 2023

The presence of the dawn‐to‐dusk electric field of about 4 mV/m in the Jovian inner magnetosphere and its response to the enhancement of the solar wind dynamic pressure are still a mystery of the rotation‐dominated Jovian magnetosphere. Previous studies have suggested that magnetosphere‐ionosphere (M‐I) coupling via Region 2‐like (R2‐like) field‐aligned current (FAC) could be the origin of the Jovian dawn‐to‐dusk electric field. This study investigates whether the dawn‐to‐dusk electric field is formed from this scenario by using a Jovian ionosphere model and a two‐dimensional ionospheric potential solver. Our results show that the dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the ionospheric potential form even at middle latitudes and that the dawn‐to‐dusk electric field is induced in the inner magnetosphere if the electric potential is mapped to the magnetospheric equatorial plane. Around the Io orbit, the calculated electric field strength for the ionosphere without meteoroid influx is too large, 200 mV/m at dawn and 88 mV/m at dusk. One of the solutions is to consider long‐lived meteoric ions in the Jovian ionosphere, which reduce the electric field strength to 15 mV/m at dawn and 12 mV/m at dusk. The model also shows that the electric field strength increases with the intensity of R2‐like FAC, consistent with its response to the solar wind dynamic pressure observed by the Hisaki satellite.
Sound Velocity Anisotropy and Single‐Crystal Elastic Moduli of MgO to 43 GPa
Authors: Zhang Xinze , Li Chenhui , Xu Feng , Zhang Jinqiang , Gao Chang , Cheng Zhikang , Wu Ye , Liu Xun , Zerr Andreas , Huang Haijun
Published: June 2023

Seismic anisotropy in the Earth's lower mantle likely results from a combination of elastic anisotropy and lattice preferred orientations of its main constituent minerals. As the second most abundant component of the lower mantle, ferropericlase has been widely studied, and the experimental results demonstrated, in general, a growing with pressure elastic anisotropy up to 1 Mbar. However, the unique measurements on the endmember (MgO) at comparable pressure conditions contradict the above observations and theoretical results. Here, time‐domain Brillouin scattering was applied to measure longitudinal sound velocities in single crystals of MgO compressed in diamond anvil cell. Velocities along two specific crystallographic directions, [100] and [111], were independently collected to 43 GPa. Applying the known bulk modulus, a complete set of single‐crystal elastic moduli, elastic anisotropy and aggregate shear modulus were derived. Our results revealed a steadily increasing with pressure elastic anisotropy at P > 20 GPa, consistent with the previous theoretical predictions and measurements on ferropericlase with moderate amounts of iron.
The Impact of Meteorological Forcing Uncertainty on Hydrological Modeling: A Global Analysis of Cryosphere Basins
Authors: Tang Guoqiang , Clark Martyn P. , Knoben Wouter J. M. , Liu Hongli , Gharari Shervan , Arnal Louise , Beck Hylke E. , Wood Andrew W. , Newman Andrew J. , Papalexiou Simon Michael
Published: June 2023

Meteorological forcing is a major source of uncertainty in hydrological modeling. The recent development of probabilistic large‐domain meteorological data sets enables convenient uncertainty characterization, which however is rarely explored in large‐domain research. This study analyzes how uncertainties in meteorological forcing data affect hydrological modeling in 289 representative cryosphere basins by forcing the Structure for Unifying Multiple Modeling Alternatives (SUMMA) and mizuRoute models with precipitation and air temperature ensembles from the Ensemble Meteorological Data set for Planet Earth (EM‐Earth). EM‐Earth probabilistic estimates are used in ensemble simulation for uncertainty analysis. The results reveal the magnitude, spatial distribution, and scale effect of uncertainties in meteorological, snow, runoff, soil water, and energy variables. There are three main findings. (a) The uncertainties in precipitation and temperature lead to substantial uncertainties in hydrological model outputs, some of which exceed 100% of the magnitude of the output variables themselves. (b) The uncertainties of different variables show distinct scale effects caused by spatial averaging or temporal averaging. (c) Precipitation uncertainties have the dominant impact for most basins and variables, while air temperature uncertainties are also nonnegligible, sometimes contributing more to modeling uncertainties than precipitation uncertainties. We find that three snow‐related variables (snow water equivalent, snowfall amount, and snowfall fraction) can be used to estimate the impact of air temperature uncertainties for different model output variables. In summary, this study provides insight into the impact of probabilistic data sets on hydrological modeling and quantifies the uncertainties in cryosphere basin modeling that stem from the meteorological forcing data.
Surface Physicochemical Properties of Smectite‐Rich Fault Gouge: A Case Study of the Japan Trench Plate‐Boundary Fault
Authors: Nakamoto Keisuke , Kamei Motoki , Kameda Jun
Published: June 2023

The frontal part of the Japan Trench plate‐boundary fault is enriched in low‐strength smectite, and this material characteristic is thought to be a factor for the large fault slip during the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku‐oki earthquake. In this study, we evaluated the surface physicochemical properties of the particles that constitute the fault zone and examined their effect on the rheological properties of the fault. Measurements of the zeta potential, surface free energy and pore size distribution indicate that the interparticle interaction in the in situ state is very weak. This means that the viscous resistance is low, which may have contributed to the large fault slip during the earthquake. The interparticle distance appears be longer than the energetically stable state, which may reflect a transitory state after the earthquake. Changes in microscopic interparticle interactions during coseismic and interseismic periods may influence the rheological behaviors of the Japan Trench plate‐boundary fault.
Auroral Morphological Changes to the Formation of Auroral Spiral During the Late Substorm Recovery Phase: Polar UVI and Ground All‐Sky Camera Observations
Authors: Nowada Motoharu , Miyashita Yukinaga , Partamies Noora , Degeling Alexander William , Shi Quan‐Qi
Published: June 2023

The ultraviolet imager (UVI) of the Polar spacecraft and an all‐sky camera at Longyearbyen contemporaneously detected an auroral vortex structure (so‐called “auroral spiral”) on 10 January 1997. From space, the auroral spiral was observed as a “small spot” (one of an azimuthally aligned chain of similar spots) in the poleward region of the main auroral oval from 18 to 24 hr magnetic local time. These auroral spots were formed while the substorm‐associated auroral bulge was subsiding and several poleward‐elongated auroral streak‐like structures appeared during the late substorm recovery phase. During the spiral interval, the geomagnetically north‐south and east‐west components of the geomagnetic field, which were observed at several ground magnetic stations around Svalbard island, showed significant negative and positive bays caused by the field‐aligned currents related with the aurora spiral appearance. The negative bays were reflected in the variations of local geomagnetic activity index (SML) which was provided from the SuperMAG magnetometer network at high latitudes. To pursue the spiral source region in the magnetotail, we trace each UVI image along field lines to the magnetic equatorial plane of the nightside magnetosphere using an empirical magnetic field model. Interestingly, the magnetotail region corresponding to the auroral spiral covered a broad region from Xgsm ∼ −40 to −70 RE at Ygsm ∼ 8 to 12 RE. The appearance of this auroral spiral suggests that extensive areas of the magnetotail (but local regions in the ionosphere) remain active even when the substorm almost ceases, and geomagnetic conditions are almost stable.
Effects of Mesoscale Eddies on the Intensity of Cyclones in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Jangir Babita , Mishra Alok Kumar , Strobach Ehud
Published: June 2023

The Mediterranean Sea is a relatively small basin with complex, unique topography and has long been considered a hot spot for cyclones. This sea is also characterized by intense mesoscale eddy activity. Although eddies are known to play important roles in cyclones in other regions, their effects on Mediterranean cyclones have not received much research attention. Here, we analyzed how warm‐core eddies (WCEs) and cold‐core eddies (CCEs) interact with Mediterranean cyclones. We considered eight Mediterranean cyclones: four that passed over WCEs and four that passed over CCEs. In general, we observed sudden drops in Mean Sea level (MSL) pressure and increased wind speeds over the WCEs and increased MSL pressure and decreased wind speeds above the CCEs. The temperature of the mixed layer decreased after a cyclone passed over an eddy, but this occurred to a lesser extent for CCEs. In contrast, mixed‐layer salinity decreased in the case of WCEs and increased in the case of CCEs. Larger amounts of precipitation were observed over WCEs, as compared to CCEs. The amount of precipitation associated with a WCE seemed to depend on the area and intensity of the eddy; larger, more intense eddies were associated with larger amounts of precipitation. Also, higher latent and sensible heat fluxes were observed over WCEs, as compared to CCEs, which could be responsible for the sudden increases in cyclone intensity. Interestingly, only one persistent WCE was found in the winter; whereas no persistent CCEs were found in the summer, calling for further case‐by‐case detailed investigation.
Hydrogel electrodes with conductive and substrate-adhesive layers for noninvasive long-term EEG acquisition
Authors: Xue Hailing , Wang Dongyang , Jin Mingyan , Gao Hanbing , Wang Xuhui , Xia Long , Li Dong’ang , Sun Kai , Wang Huanan , Dong Xufeng , Zhang Chi , Cong Fengyu , Lin Jiaqi
Published: June 2023

Noninvasive brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) show great potential in applications including sleep monitoring, fatigue alerts, neurofeedback training, etc. While noninvasive BCIs do not impose any procedural risk to users (as opposed to invasive BCIs), the acquisition of high-quality electroencephalograms (EEGs) in the long term has been challenging due to the limitations of current electrodes. Herein, we developed a semidry double-layer hydrogel electrode that not only records EEG signals at a resolution comparable to that of wet electrodes but is also able to withstand up to 12 h of continuous EEG acquisition. The electrode comprises dual hydrogel layers: a conductive layer that features high conductivity, low skin-contact impedance, and high robustness; and an adhesive layer that can bond to glass or plastic substrates to reduce motion artifacts in wearing conditions. Water retention in the hydrogel is stable, and the measured skin-contact impedance of the hydrogel electrode is comparable to that of wet electrodes (conductive paste) and drastically lower than that of dry electrodes (metal pin). Cytotoxicity and skin irritation tests show that the hydrogel electrode has excellent biocompatibility. Finally, the developed hydrogel electrode was evaluated in both N170 and P300 event-related potential (ERP) tests on human volunteers. The hydrogel electrode captured the expected ERP waveforms in both the N170 and P300 tests, showing similarities in the waveforms generated by wet electrodes. In contrast, dry electrodes fail to detect the triggered potential due to low signal quality. In addition, our hydrogel electrode can acquire EEG for up to 12 h and is ready for recycled use (7-day tests). Altogether, the results suggest that our semidry double-layer hydrogel electrodes are able to detect ERPs in the long term in an easy-to-use fashion, potentially opening up numerous applications in real-life scenarios for noninvasive BCI.
Single-cell landscape of primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Nianping , Jiang Chen , Yao Xinfeng , Fang Minghao , Qiao Xiaolong , Zhu Lin , Yang Zongcheng , Gao Xuyuan , Ji Ying , Niu Chaoshi , Cheng Chuandong , Qu Kun , Lin Jun
Published: June 2023

Understanding tumor heterogeneity and immune infiltrates within the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) is essential for the innovation of immunotherapies. Here, combining single-cell transcriptomics and chromatin accessibility sequencing, we profile the intratumor heterogeneity of malignant cells and immune properties of the TIME in primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS DLBCL) patients. We demonstrate diverse malignant programs related to tumor-promoting pathways, cell cycle and B-cell immune response. By integrating data from independent systemic DLBCL and follicular lymphoma cohorts, we reveal a prosurvival program with aberrantly elevated RNA splicing activity that is uniquely associated with PCNS DLBCL. Moreover, a plasmablast-like program that recurs across PCNS/activated B-cell DLBCL predicts a worse prognosis. In addition, clonally expanded CD8 T cells in PCNS DLBCL undergo a transition from a pre-exhaustion-like state to exhaustion, and exhibit higher exhaustion signature scores than systemic DLBCL. Thus, our study sheds light on potential reasons for the poor prognosis of PCNS DLBCL patients, which will facilitate the development of targeted therapy.
What matters to parents? A scoping review of parents’ service experiences and needs regarding genetic testing for rare diseases
Authors: Crellin Erin , Martyn Melissa , McClaren Belinda , Gaff Clara
Published: June 2023

Patient care experiences are key to promoting better outcomes and are an essential consideration for successful implementation of genomics in paediatric care. To understand parents’ service experiences and needs regarding testing of their child for rare diseases, we conducted a scoping review. Five databases were searched (2000–2022), with 29 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Experiences of care wholly delivered by genetic services were most commonly reported (n = 11). Results were synthesised by mapping extracted data to adapted Picker principles of person-centred care. Parents especially valued and emphasised the importance of feeling ‘cared for’, continuous relationships with clinicians, empathic communication, being kept informed while awaiting genetic test results, linkage with informational and psychosocial resources following results disclosure, and follow-up. Strategies were often proposed by authors to address long-standing unmet needs but evidence from the literature regarding their potential effectiveness was rarely provided. We conclude that ‘what matters’ to parents regarding genetic testing is not dissimilar to other aspects of care. Paediatric medical specialists have existing skill sets, trusted relationships and can apply familiar principles of ‘good’ care to enhance experiences of genetic testing. The lack of evidence for service improvement strategies highlights the pressing need to undertake rigorous design and testing of interventions alongside mainstreaming of genomics into paediatric care.
Collective excitations of a bound-in-the-continuum condensate
Authors: Grudinina Anna , Efthymiou-Tsironi Maria , Ardizzone Vincenzo , Riminucci Fabrizio , Giorgi Milena De , Trypogeorgos Dimitris , Baldwin Kirk , Pfeiffer Loren , Ballarini Dario , Sanvitto Daniele , Voronova Nina
Published: June 2023

Spectra of low-lying elementary excitations are critical to characterize properties of bosonic quantum fluids. Usually these spectra are difficult to observe, due to low occupation of non-condensate states compared to the ground state. Recently, low-threshold Bose-Einstein condensation was realised in a symmetry-protected bound state in the continuum, at a saddle point, thanks to coupling of this electromagnetic resonance to semiconductor excitons. While it has opened the door to long-living polariton condensates, their intrinsic collective properties are still unexplored. Here we unveil the peculiar features of the Bogoliubov spectrum of excitations in this system. Thanks to the dark nature of the bound-in-the-continuum state, collective excitations lying directly above the condensate become observable in enhanced detail. We reveal interesting aspects, such as energy-flat parts of the dispersion characterized by two parallel stripes in photoluminescence pattern, pronounced linearization at non-zero momenta in one of the directions, and a strongly anisotropic velocity of sound.
Atomic model for core modifying region of human fatty acid synthase in complex with Denifanstat
Authors: Hasan S. M. Naimul , Lou Jennifer W. , Keszei Alexander F. A. , Dai David L. , Mazhab-Jafari Mohammad T.
Published: June 2023

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) catalyzes the de novo synthesis of palmitate, a 16-carbon chain fatty acid that is the primary precursor of lipid metabolism and an important intracellular signaling molecule. FASN is an attractive drug target in diabetes, cancer, fatty liver diseases, and viral infections. Here, we develop an engineered full-length human FASN (hFASN) that enables isolation of the condensing and modifying regions of the protein post-translation. The engineered protein enables electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM) structure determination of the core modifying region of hFASN to 2.7 Å resolution. Examination of the dehydratase dimer within this region reveals that unlike its close homolog, porcine FASN, the catalytic cavity is close-ended and is accessible only through one opening in the vicinity of the active site. The core modifying region exhibits two major global conformational variabilities that describe long-range bending and twisting motions of the complex in solution. Finally, we solved the structure of this region bound to an anti-cancer drug, Denifanstat (i.e., TVB-2640), demonstrating the utility of our approach as a platform for structure guided design of future hFASN small molecule inhibitors.