bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meritocracy as Authoritarian Co-Optation: Political Selection and Upward Mobility in China
Authors: LIU HANZHANG
Published: December 2023

Why does an authoritarian regime adopt meritocracy in its political selection? I argue that meritocracy can be used to co-opt large numbers of ordinary citizens by providing them with an opportunity of socioeconomic advancement instead of income redistribution, as long as the selection process is viewed as inclusive and rule-based. Focusing on the civil service examination in contemporary China, I examine how this meritocratic selection has shaped the relationship between college graduates and the Chinese regime. Exploiting a spatial-cohort variation in applicant eligibility, I find that the exam boosts college graduates’ perceived upward mobility, which in turn weakens their demand for redistribution even in the face of growing inequality. These findings point to an alternative mode of authoritarian co-optation and highlight the role of upward mobility in regime stability.
Methodological approaches to assessing population-level impacts of bird collisions with wind turbines: a critical perspective
Authors: Chambert Thierry , Duriez Olivier , Besnard Aurélien
Published: December 2023

Wind energy is a source of collision fatalities for birds and bats. To evaluate the risk that wind power development projects might pose to the conservation of protected species, it is essential to quantify the impact of collisions on the dynamics of wild populations. To address this challenge, two approaches are primarily employed: potential biological removal (PBR) and population projection analysis (PPA). PBR is a decision rule designed to calculate a sustainable fatality limit for a given population, whereas PPA relies on simulation-based modelling to forecast a population’s future trajectory under various scenarios. In the context of environmental impact assessments (EIAs), we argue that PPA offers a more suitable method than PBR for evaluating population-level impacts resulting from collisions with wind turbines. Unlike PBR, PPA can be focused on a single source of disturbance, aligning with the perspective of the EIA process. By contrast, PBR necessarily adopts a population-centred perspective and is therefore only relevant when considering all sources of mortality that jointly affect a population. Furthermore, robust utilization of the PBR approach requires the definition of quantitative conservation objectives and the implementation of a comprehensive management strategy evaluation, neither of which is ever undertaken within the context of an EIA.
Droughts and controlled rivers: how Belo Monte Dam has affected the food security of Amazonian riverine communities
Authors: Lopes Priscila FM , Cousido-Rocha Marta , Silva Monalisa RO , Carneiro Cristiane C , Pezzuti Juarez CB , Martins Eduardo G , De Paula Eder MS , Begossi Alpina , Pennino Maria G
Published: December 2023

The Neotropics have vast river catchments with untapped hydroelectric potential, but there are multiple expected negative impacts of dams, including those on local food security and livelihoods. Yet, monitoring of dam effects on subsistence is rare, particularly during initial implementation. Our study assessed changes in human fish consumption near the Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian Amazon during the period 2012–2021, which covers construction, operation and a severe El Niño-induced drought. Over time, fish became less common and were consumed in smaller amounts, even though fewer people shared meals. The largest changes occurred between 2013 and 2016 (post-construction but prior to full operation), resulting in a downward trend in fish consumption, particularly during the drought season. Adding more fish species to the diet did not increase consumption per person. These changes in fish consumption suggest that they stem from environmental impacts of the project (e.g., reduced river level), despite secondary effects from climatic events. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive assessments of the social and ecological impacts of large infrastructure projects in the Amazon, along with sustainable and equitable management strategies to ensure food security and meet the needs of local communities.
Sequential Polarization: The Development of the Rural-Urban Political Divide, 1976–2020
Authors: Brown Trevor E. , Mettler Suzanne
Published: December 2023

As recently as the early 1990s, Americans living in rural and urban areas voted similarly in presidential elections, yet in the decades since, they have diverged sharply as rural people in all regions of the country have increasingly supported the Republican Party. We seek to explain the sources of this growing cleavage by examining two interrelated processes of change: political-economic transformation that elevated many urban areas and marginalized rural ones, and the nationalization of policy goals. Our analytical approach is developmental, probing the timing and sequencing of trends across more than four decades. It is also comprehensive, testing theories related to economic decline, the educational gap, organizational mobilization, and racism and racial and ethnic threat. Our analysis reveals that while rural and urban counties resembled each other in several respects in the 1970s, they have since moved apart. We examine how key trends relate to political change in presidential voting. We find that in the 1990s and early 2000s, rural dwellers in places experiencing population loss or economic stagnation began to support Republican candidates. Then from 2008 to 2020, those in areas with higher percentages of less-educated residents, a higher presence of evangelical congregations per capita, and higher levels of anti-Black racism, each more prevalent in rural areas than urban areas, shifted their support to Republicans. Through sequential processes of polarization, with political-economic forces leading the way and activating rural resistance to the nationalization of policy goals subsequently, the rural-urban political divide emerged as a major fault line in the nation’s politics.
Lower Crust Viscosity in Central Tibet Inferred From InSAR Derived Deformation Around Siling Co Lake After Its Rapid Expansion in the 2000s
Authors: Fan Wenzhi , Wang Teng , Shi Xuhua
Published: December 2023

Constraining the lithospheric rheology of Tibetan Plateau is important for the physical understanding of its tectonics. Siling Co, the largest high‐altitude lake in the world, has experienced a rapid water level increase in the 2000s. The resulting loading changes stimulate the viscoelastic response of the lower crust, giving access to study the lithospheric rheology in central Tibet. Here, we derive a clear subsidence signal around the lake with peak velocity of 4 mm/yr from two tracks of Sentinel‐1 InSAR images acquired from 2017 to 2022. Our viscoelastic modeling suggests a ductile layer 15 km beneath the surface with a decadal‐scale, steady‐state viscosity of 1–4 × 1019 Pa s. This value is consistent with the viscosity inferred from millennium‐scale shoreline changes, but is about 10 times higher than the viscosities derived from the deformation surrounding Siling Co before 2011, highlighting the role of transient viscosity in controlling the surface deformation.
The Lasting Legacy of Megaflood Boulder Deposition in Mountain Rivers
Authors: Morey S. M. , Shobe C. M. , Huntington K. W. , Lang K. A. , Johnson A. G. , Duvall A. R.
Published: December 2023

Infrequent, large‐magnitude discharge (>106 m3/s) outburst floods—megafloods—can play a major role in landscape evolution. Prehistoric glacial lake outburst megafloods transported and deposited large boulders (≥4 m), yet few studies consider their potential lasting impact on river processes and form. We use a numerical model, constrained by observed boulder size distributions, to investigate the fluvial response to boulder deposition by megaflooding in the Yarlung‐Siang River, eastern Himalaya. Results show that boulder deposition changes local channel steepness (ksn) up to ∼180% compared to simulations without boulder bars, introducing >100 meter‐scale knickpoints to the channel that can be sustained for >20 kyr. Simulations demonstrate that deposition of boulders in a single megaflood can have a greater influence on ksn than another common source of fluvial boulders: incision‐rate‐dependent delivery of boulders from hillslopes. Through widespread boulder deposition, megafloods leave a lasting legacy of channel disequilibrium that compounds over multiple floods and persists for millennia.
Fast Spacecraft Charging Mitigation With Plasma Contactors During High‐Power Electron Beam Emission in the GEO Environment
Authors: Xue Bixi , Zhang Fang , Zhao Qiang , Hao Jianhong , Fan Jieqing , Cao Xiangchun , Dong Zhiwei
Published: December 2023

The emission of artificial electron beams causes an active spacecraft charging effect that poses challenges for electron beam sounding experiments. Plasma contactors have been suggested as a potential solution to this issue based on theoretical and simulation studies, but the impact of these contactors on spacecraft potentials in complex space environments remains unexplored. This paper investigates the fast active charging effect of spacecraft under the action of plasma contactors in the geostationary Earth orbit environment by using a two‐dimensional Particle‐in‐Cell model. We analyze and compare the effects of the “ion emission” process of the plasma contactor and the “electron collection” process of the background plasma on the spacecraft potential at different beam and environment parameters, as well as the coupling effects when both processes occur simultaneously. Our findings indicate that the “ion emission” and “electron collection” processes are the primary factors in determining the spacecraft potential in relatively thin and dense plasma environments, respectively. When the two processes occur together, the contactor plasma cloud increases the “electron collection” return current by expanding the range of the positive potential area around the spacecraft, while the dense background plasma mediates and provides the return current to ensure that the plasma contactor can effectively suppress the active charging effect even after the ion sheath is present. These results suggest that a reasonable adjustment of the contactor parameters based on the relationship between the electron beam and the background environment can effectively extend the normal emission time of the electron beam.
Physics‐Informed Neural Networks for Elliptical‐Anisotropy Eikonal Tomography: Application to Data From the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Chen Yunpeng , de Ridder Sjoerd A. L. , Rost Sebastian , Guo Zhen , Wu Xiaoyang , Li Shilin , Chen Yongshun
Published: December 2023

We develop a novel approach for multi‐frequency, elliptical‐anisotropic eikonal tomography based on physics‐informed neural networks (pinnEAET). This approach simultaneously estimates the medium properties controlling anisotropic Rayleigh waves and reconstructs the traveltimes. The physics constraints built into pinnEAET's neural network enable high‐resolution results with limited inputs by inferring physically plausible models between data points. Even with a single source, pinnEAET can achieve stable convergence on key features where traditional methods lack resolution. We apply pinnEAET to ambient noise data from a dense seismic array (ChinArray‐Himalaya II) in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau with only 20 quasi‐randomly distributed stations as sources. Anisotropic phase velocity maps for Rayleigh waves in the period range from 10–40 s are obtained by training on observed traveltimes. Despite using only about 3% of the total stations as sources, our results show low uncertainties, good resolution and are consistent with results from conventional tomography.
Tidal Variability of Phytoplankton Distribution in the Highly Turbid Changjiang River Estuary: Mechanisms and Implications
Authors: Wang Yihe , Xu Miaomiao , Feng Zhixuan , Zhang Fan , Cao Fang , Wu Hui
Published: December 2023

Phytoplankton distribution in macrotidal estuaries varies strongly due to highly dynamic conditions, contributing to the complexity of aquatic environments and marine ecosystems. Here the Changjiang River Estuary was analyzed as an example to explore this issue, based on field data collected through multiple cruises (including one covering a complete spring‐neap tidal cycle) and a fully coupled hydrodynamics‐sediment‐ecosystem numerical model. The composite analysis of all cruise data clearly showed that the chlorophyll concentrations were relatively low on lunar days 14–17 and 28–2, which corresponded to spring tides. Mechanistic analysis indicated that during spring tides, the river plume front retracts upstream with enhanced vertical mixing. This process restricts the transport of fluvial nutrients while increasing sediment resuspension, and therefore inhibiting net phytoplankton growth. During non‐spring tides, sediment resuspension was reduced but the river plume was further extended with slowed tidal currents, which enhanced the onshore light availability and offshore nutrient conditions and hence stimulated phytoplankton blooms in a larger area. The onshore shifting trend of the chlorophyll maximum region could last till the following neap tide with improved onshore light conditions and activate more conservative nutrients. The non‐conservation of nutrients augments the uncertainty of biomass variations during non‐spring periods. Besides in the spring‐neap tidal cycle, the phytoplankton variability between the perigean and apogean spring tides was also revealed. This study contributes to an improved understanding of intertidal variations of phytoplankton bloom and underlying physical‐sedimentological‐biological coupling mechanisms in tidal estuaries.
Monte Carlo Evaluation of Uncertainties of UV Spectra Measured With Brewer Spectroradiometers
Authors: González C. , Vilaplana J. M. , Serrano A.
Published: December 2023

Precise spectral ultraviolet (UV) measurements are needed to ensure human protection as well as to support scientific research. Quantifying the uncertainty of the UV spectra recorded is crucial to evaluate the quality of the measurements which is needed, in turn, for the assessment of their reliability. However, for double‐monochromator spectroradiometers, the analytical derivation of this uncertainty is a challenging task due to the difficulties involved in propagating individual uncertainties. Under these circumstances, a Monte Carlo simulation is a reliable alternative as it does not require the calculation of partial derivatives and considers both nonlinear effects and correlations in the data. In the present study, the uncertainty of the spectral UV irradiance measured by a Brewer MKIII spectrophotometer is evaluated using a Monte Carlo approach. This instrument belongs to the National Institute of Aerospace Technology and has successfully participated in several international campaigns, which ensures its precise calibration. The average expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of the global UV irradiance measured by this instrument varies between 10% at 300 nm and 7% at 363 nm. At shorter wavelengths, it increases sharply due to thermal and electronic noise as well as wavelength misalignment. The results indicate that a Brewer spectrophotometer is suitable for climatological studies and model validation. Nevertheless, a substantial reduction of these uncertainties might be required for accurately detecting long‐term UV trends. Although the study focused on a Brewer spectrometer, the methodology used for the uncertainty analysis is general and can be adapted to most UV spectroradiometers.
Atmospheric Ionizations by Solar X‐Rays, Solar Protons, and Radiation Belt Electrons in September 2017 Space Weather Event
Authors: Murase Kiyoka , Kataoka Ryuho , Nishiyama Takanori , Sato Kaoru , Tsutsumi Masaki , Tanaka Yoshimasa , Ogawa Yasunobu , Sato Tatsuhiko
Published: December 2023

Energetic particles from space deposit their energies on the Earth's atmosphere and contribute to variations in the concentration of neutral components such as ozone which controls the atmospheric temperature balance. Comprehensive understandings of their global impact on the atmosphere require whole pictures of spatiotemporal ionization distributions due to them. We first attempt to evaluate and summarize the altitude profiles of ionization for the September 2017 space weather event with cutting‐edge space‐borne and ground‐based observations of different types of particle inputs. In early September 2017, the Sun showed notable activity, including X‐class flares and solar proton events. During this period, ground‐based radar observations have confirmed atmospheric ionization events by energetic particle precipitations of solar flare X‐rays, solar protons, and radiation belt electrons, the main sources of ionization into the Earth's atmosphere. We estimate the altitude profiles of the ionization rate by using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) with the input of the particle fluxes obtained by satellites. The estimates are then compared with measurements of the ionization altitude, ionization intensity, and electron density by the radars in the polar region, such as the PANSY radar at Syowa Station and the EISCAT in Tromsø, Norway. We conclude that the PHITS simulation results reasonably reproduce (within the error of a factor of two) those ionizations measured by ground‐based instruments with inputs of observed ionization sources by satellites.
Modulation of intestinal TLR4 expression in infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
Authors: Barnett Rebecca C. , Lewis Angela N. , Gong Qingqing , Preston Deborah L. , Frazer Lauren C. , Werthammer Joseph W. , Good Misty
Published: December 2023

Objective

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) has been associated with the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in term and late-preterm neonates. In this study, we used stool gene expression to determine if an increase in baseline inflammation in the intestine of infants with NOWS is associated with these findings.

Study design

Stool samples were prospectively collected between days 1–3 and days 4–9 after delivery for opioid-exposed ( n = 9) or non-exposed neonates (n = 8). Stool gene expression for TLR4 and HMGB1 was determined via real-time PCR.

Results

TLR4 expression was higher in the stool of the non-exposed group in both time periods, between days 1–3 (P < 0.0001) and days 4–9 (P < 0.05) after delivery. No significant difference in HMGB1 expression was found at either time point (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings point to an important interplay between opioid exposure and/or NOWS and the inflammatory milieu of the neonatal intestine.
Giant adiabatic temperature change and its direct measurement of a barocaloric effect in a charge-transfer solid
Authors: Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Nakagawa Kosuke , Yoshikiyo Marie , Namai Asuka , Imoto Kenta , Nagane Yugo , Jia Fangda , Stefanczyk Olaf , Tokoro Hiroko , Wang Junhao , Sugahara Takeshi , Chiba Kouji , Motodohi Kazuhiko , Isogai Kazuo , Nishioka Koki , Momiki Takashi , Hatano Ryu
Published: December 2023

Solid refrigerants exhibiting a caloric effect upon applying external stimuli are receiving attention as one of the next-generation refrigeration technologies. Herein, we report a new inorganic refrigerant, rubidium cyano-bridged manganese–iron–cobalt ternary metal assembly (cyano-RbMnFeCo). Cyano-RbMnFeCo shows a reversible barocaloric effect with large reversible adiabatic temperature changes of 74 K (from 57 °C to −17 °C) at 340 MPa, and 85 K (from 88 °C to 3 °C) at 560 MPa. Such large reversible adiabatic temperature changes have yet to be reported among caloric effects in solid–solid phase transition refrigerants. The reversible refrigerant capacity is 26000 J kg−1 and the temperature window is 142 K. Additionally, cyano-RbMnFeCo shows barocaloric effects even at low pressures, e.g., reversible adiabatic temperature change is 21 K at 90 MPa. Furthermore, direct measurement of the temperature change using a thermocouple shows +44 K by applying pressure. The temperature increase and decrease upon pressure application and release are repeated over 100 cycles without any degradation of the performance. This material series also possesses a high thermal conductivity value of 20.4 W m−1 K−1. The present barocaloric material may realize a high-efficiency solid refrigerant.
Plasmid-encoded toxin defence mediates mutualistic microbial interactions
Authors: Moraïs Sarah , Mazor Michael , Tovar-Herrera Omar , Zehavi Tamar , Zorea Alvah , Ifrach Morya , Bogumil David , Brandis Alexander , Walter Jens , Elia Natalie , Gur Eyal , Mizrahi Itzhak
Published: December 2023

Gut environments harbour dense microbial ecosystems in which plasmids are widely distributed. Plasmids facilitate the exchange of genetic material among microorganisms while enabling the transfer of a diverse array of accessory functions. However, their precise impact on microbial community composition and function remains largely unexplored. Here we identify a prevalent bacterial toxin and a plasmid-encoded resistance mechanism that mediates the interaction between Lactobacilli and Enterococci. This plasmid is widespread across ecosystems, including the rumen and human gut microbiota. Biochemical characterization of the plasmid revealed a defence mechanism against reuterin, a toxin produced by various gut microbes, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri. Using a targeted metabolomic approach, we find reuterin to be prevalent across rumen ecosystems with impacts on microbial community structure. Enterococcus strains carrying the protective plasmid were isolated and their interactions with L. reuteri, the toxin producer, were studied in vitro. Interestingly, we found that by conferring resistance against reuterin, the plasmid mediates metabolic exchange between the defending and the attacking microbial species, resulting in a beneficial relationship or mutualism. Hence, we reveal here an ecological role for a plasmid-coded defence system in mediating a beneficial interaction.
Thermal-plex: fluidic-free, rapid sequential multiplexed imaging with DNA-encoded thermal channels
Authors: Hong Fan , Kishi Jocelyn Y. , Delgado Ryan N. , Jeong Jiyoun , Saka Sinem K. , Su Hanquan , Cepko Constance L. , Yin Peng
Published: December 2023

Multiplexed fluorescence imaging is typically limited to three- to five-plex on standard setups. Sequential imaging methods based on iterative labeling and imaging enable practical higher multiplexing, but generally require a complex fluidic setup with several rounds of slow buffer exchange (tens of minutes to an hour for each exchange step). We report the thermal-plex method, which removes complex and slow buffer exchange steps and provides fluidic-free, rapid sequential imaging. Thermal-plex uses simple DNA probes that are engineered to fluoresce sequentially when, and only when, activated with transient exposure to heating spikes at designated temperatures (thermal channels). Channel switching is fast (<30 s) and is achieved with a commercially available and affordable on-scope heating device. We demonstrate 15-plex RNA imaging (five thermal × three fluorescence channels) in fixed cells and retina tissues in less than 4 min, without using buffer exchange or fluidics. Thermal-plex introduces a new labeling method for efficient sequential multiplexed imaging.
Use of Ranibizumab for evaluating focal laser combination therapy for refractory diabetic macular edema patients: an exploratory study on the RELAND trials
Authors: Hatano Makoto , Wakuta Makiko , Yamamoto Kazutaka , Arai Eika , Enoki Miho , Fujimoto Kazushi , Yamauchi Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Keijiro , Sonoda Koh-Hei , Kimura Kazuhiro
Published: December 2023

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy is the first-line treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), but is less effective in some patients. We conducted a prospective study to determine whether laser combination therapy with anti-VEGF was more effective than Ranibizumab monotherapy in anti-VEGF-resistant DME patients. There was no significant difference in the improvement of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between the laser combination therapy and Ranibizumab monotherapy groups (3.2 letters and -7.5 letters, p = 0.165). BCVA did not significantly change between visits 1 and 7 (the laser combination group, 64.3 letters 70.3 letters, respectively, p = 0.537; the Ranibizumab monotherapy group, 72.3 letters and 64.8 letters, respectively, p = 0.554), with no significant improvements in central foveal retinal thickness (the laser combination therapy group, 9.3%: the Ranibizumab monotherapy groups, − 7.3%; p = 0.926). There was no significant difference in the number of Ranibizumab intravitreal therapy (IVT) sessions between the groups (laser combination therapy, 5.2; ranibizumab monotherapy, 6.0; p = 0.237). This study did not show that laser combination therapy was significantly more effective for anti-VEGF-resistant DME than anti-VEGF monotherapy alone. Therefore, for anti-VEGF-resistant DME, alternative therapeutic approaches beyond combined laser therapy may be considered.
Robust acceleration of Earth system heating observed over the past six decades
Authors: Minière Audrey , von Schuckmann Karina , Sallée Jean-Baptiste , Vogt Linus
Published: December 2023

Global heating of the Earth system is unequivocal. However, detecting an acceleration of Earth heating has remained elusive to date, despite suggestive evidence of a potential increase in heating rates. In this study, we demonstrate that since 1960, the warming of the world ocean has accelerated at a relatively consistent pace of 0.15 ± 0.05 (W/m2)/decade, while the land, cryosphere, and atmosphere have exhibited an accelerated pace of 0.013 ± 0.003 (W/m2)/decade. This has led to a substantial increase in ocean warming, with a magnitude of 0.91 ± 0.80 W/m2 between the decades 1960–1970 and 2010–2020, which overlies substantial decadal-scale variability in ocean warming of up to 0.6 W/m2. Our findings withstand a wide range of sensitivity analyses and are consistent across different observation-based datasets. The long-term acceleration of Earth warming aligns qualitatively with the rise in CO2 concentrations and the decline in aerosol concentration during the same period, but further investigations are necessary to properly attribute these changes.
Impact of various high fat diets on gene expression and the microbiome across the mouse intestines
Authors: Martinez-Lomeli Jose , Deol Poonamjot , Deans Jonathan R. , Jiang Tao , Ruegger Paul , Borneman James , Sladek Frances M.
Published: December 2023

High fat diets (HFDs) have been linked to several diseases including obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer. In this study, we examined the impact on intestinal gene expression of three isocaloric HFDs that differed only in their fatty acid composition—coconut oil (saturated fats), conventional soybean oil (polyunsaturated fats) and a genetically modified soybean oil (monounsaturated fats). Four functionally distinct segments of the mouse intestinal tract were analyzed using RNA-seq—duodenum, jejunum, terminal ileum and proximal colon. We found considerable dysregulation of genes in multiple tissues with the different diets, including those encoding nuclear receptors and genes involved in xenobiotic and drug metabolism, epithelial barrier function, IBD and colon cancer as well as genes associated with the microbiome and COVID-19. Network analysis shows that genes involved in metabolism tend to be upregulated by the HFDs while genes related to the immune system are downregulated; neurotransmitter signaling was also dysregulated by the HFDs. Genomic sequencing also revealed a microbiome altered by the HFDs. This study highlights the potential impact of different HFDs on gut health with implications for the organism as a whole and will serve as a reference for gene expression along the length of the intestines.
Statistical analysis of synonymous and stop codons in pseudo-random and real sequences as a function of GC content
Authors: Wesp Valentin , Theißen Günter , Schuster Stefan
Published: December 2023

Knowledge of the frequencies of synonymous triplets in protein-coding and non-coding DNA stretches can be used in gene finding. These frequencies depend on the GC content of the genome or parts of it. An example of interest is provided by stop codons. This is relevant for the definition of Open Reading Frames. A generic case is provided by pseudo-random sequences, especially when they code for complex proteins or when they are non-coding and not subject to selection pressure. Here, we calculate, for such sequences and for all 25 known genetic codes, the frequency of each amino acid and stop codon based on their set of codons and as a function of GC content. The amino acids can be classified into five groups according to the GC content where their expected frequency reaches its maximum. We determine the overall Shannon information based on groups of synonymous codons and show that it becomes maximum at a percent GC of 43.3% (for the standard code). This is in line with the observation that in most fungi, plants, and animals, this genomic parameter is in the range from 35 to 50%. By analysing natural sequences, we show that there is a clear bias for triplets corresponding to stop codons near the 5′- and 3′-splice sites in the introns of various clades.
Fucoxanthin diminishes oxidative stress damage in human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells through the PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 pathway
Authors: Suwanmanee Gunticha , Tantrawatpan Chairat , Kheolamai Pakpoom , Paraoan Luminita , Manochantr Sirikul
Published: December 2023

Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) have therapeutic potential in various clinical contexts due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, with increasing age or extensive in vitro culture, their viability and function are gradually lost, thus restricting their therapeutic application. The primary cause of this deterioration is oxidative injury from free radicals. Therefore, enhancing cell viability and restoring cellular repair mechanisms of PL-MSCs in an oxidative stress environment are crucial in this context. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid derived from brown seaweed, demonstrates antioxidant activity by increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes and lowering the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study aimed to determine whether fucoxanthin protects PL-MSCs from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress. After characterization, PL-MSCs were co-treated with fucoxanthin and H2O2 for 24 h (co-treatment) or pre-treated with fucoxanthin for 24 h followed by H2O2 for 24 h (pre-treatment). The effects of fucoxanthin on cell viability and proliferation were examined using an MTT assay. The expression of antioxidant enzymes, PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 and intracellular ROS production were investigated in fucoxanthin-treated PL-MSCs compared to the untreated group. The gene expression and involvement of specific pathways in the cytoprotective effect of fucoxanthin were investigated by high-throughput NanoString nCounter analysis. The results demonstrated that co-treatment and pre-treatment with fucoxanthin restored the viability and proliferative capacity of PL-MSCs. Fucoxanthin treatment increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes in PL-MSCs cultured under oxidative stress conditions and decreased intracellular ROS accumulation. Markedly, fucoxanthin treatment could restore PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 expression in H2O2-treated PL-MSCs. High-throughput analysis revealed up-regulation of genes involved in cell survival pathways, including cell cycle and proliferation, DNA damage repair pathways, and down-regulation of genes in apoptosis and autophagy pathways. This study demonstrated that fucoxanthin protects and rescues PL-MSCs from oxidative stress damage through the PI3K/Akt/Nrf-2 pathway. Our data provide the supporting evidence for the use of fucoxanthin as an antioxidant cytoprotective agent to improve the viability and proliferation capacity of PL-MSCs both in vitro and in vivo required to increase the effectiveness of MSC expansion for therapeutic applications.
An abrupt shift in gross primary productivity over Eastern China-Mongolia and its inter-model diversity in land surface models
Authors: Lee Danbi , Kim Jin-Soo , Park So-Won , Kug Jong-Seong
Published: December 2023

The terrestrial ecosystem in East Asia mainly consists of semi-arid regions that are sensitive to climate change. Therefore, gross primary productivity (GPP) in East Asia could be highly variable and vulnerable to climate change, which can significantly affect the local carbon budget. Here, we examine the spatial and temporal characteristics of GPP variability in East Asia and its relationship with climate factors over the last three decades. We detect an abrupt decrease in GPP over Eastern China-Mongolia region around the year 2000. This is attributed to an abrupt decrease in precipitation associated with the phase shift of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). We also evaluate the reproducibility of offline land surface models to simulate these abrupt changes. Of the twelve models, eight were able to simulate this abrupt response, while the others failed due to the combination of an exaggerated CO2 fertilization effect and an underrated climate impact. For accurate prediction, it is necessary to improve the sensitivity of the GPP to changes in CO2 concentrations and the climate system.
Young’s double-slit experiment with undulator vortex radiation in the photon-counting regime
Authors: Wada Shin-Ichi , Ohta Hiroyuki , Mano Atsushi , Takashima Yoshifumi , Fujimoto Masaki , Katoh Masahiro
Published: December 2023

Young’s double-slit interference experiments with undulator vortex radiation were conducted, focusing on photon-counting regime. To isolate the second harmonic radiation in the ultraviolet range emitted from the helical undulator and achieve successful counting measurements, an ultranarrow bandpass filter was utilized under an extremely low-current mode of the electron storage ring. It was observed that the photon spots on the detector, after passing through the double slits, appeared to be randomly distributed. However, upon integrating these photon spots, it was confirmed that interference fringes with characteristic features of optical vortices, such as dark and broken/distorted stripes in the center, were formed. The reproducibility of these interference fringes was confirmed by calculating the optical path difference for the optical vortex reaching the double slits, as well as the optical path difference resulting from normal double-slit interference. Consequently, these findings indicate that even in the state of a single photon, the radiation emitted spontaneously by a high-energy electron in spiral motion possesses the nature of an optical vortex, characterized by a spiral wavefront.
Biological sex does not influence the peak cardiac output response to twelve weeks of sprint interval training
Authors: Bostad William , Williams Jennifer S. , Van Berkel Emily K. , Richards Douglas L. , MacDonald Maureen J. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: December 2023

Sprint interval training (SIT) increases peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) but the mechanistic basis is unclear. We have reported that 12 wk of SIT increased V̇O2peak and peak cardiac output (Q̇peak) and the changes in these variables were correlated. An exploratory analysis suggested that Q̇peak increased in males but not females. The present study incorporated best practices to examine the potential influence of biological sex on the Q̇peak response to SIT. Male and female participants (n = 10 each; 21 ± 4 y) performed 33 ± 2 sessions of SIT over 12 wk. Each 10-min session involved 3 × 20-s ‘all-out’ sprints on an ergometer. V̇O2peak increased after SIT (3.16 ± 1.0 vs. 2.89 ± 1.0 L/min, η2p = 0.53, p < 0.001) with no sex × time interaction (p = 0.61). Q̇peak was unchanged after training (15.2 ± 3.3 vs. 15.1 ± 3.0 L/min, p = 0.85), in contrast to our previous study. The peak estimated arteriovenous oxygen difference increased after training (204 ± 30 vs. 187 ± 36 ml/L, p = 0.006). There was no effect of training or sex on measures of endothelial function. We conclude that 12 wk of SIT increases V̇O2peak but the mechanistic basis remains unclear. The capacity of inert gas rebreathing to assess changes in Q̇peak may be limited and invasive studies that use more direct measures are needed.
3D-printed low-cost choke corrugated Gaussian profile horn antenna for Ka-band
Authors: Zárate Yair D. , Torres Francisco , Rodriguez Mauricio , Pizarro Francisco
Published: December 2023

In this work, a fully 3D-printed choke corrugated Gaussian profile horn antenna (GPHA) using high-conductive filaments and a low-cost modular 3D-printing technique is implemented. The choke corrugated GPHA operates in the Ka-band, with a central frequency of 28 GHz. Although the antenna can be printed in one piece as its dimensions are within the printing limits, four pieces compose the three sections of the final 3D-printed antenna. The numerical simulations and measurements of the antenna show a good agreement, validating the possibility of cost-effective modular fabrication of this complex type of antennas.
Ubiquinol attenuates γ-radiation induced coronary and aortic changes via PDGF/p38 MAPK/ICAM-1 related pathway
Authors: El-Sabbagh Walaa A. , Fadel Noha A. , El-Hazek Rania M. , Osman Ahmed H. , Ramadan Laila A.
Published: December 2023

Endothelial vascular injury is one of the most pivotal disorders emerging during radiotherapy. It is crucial to rely on strong antioxidants to defend against vascular damage. The current study was carried out to investigate the ameliorative effect of ubiquinol (Ubq) against gamma (γ)-radiation induced aortic and coronary changes, with highlighting its role in suppression of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Exposure to γ-radiation was adopted as a potent detrimental model that induces vascular tissue damage. Concisely, male albino rats were irradiated at a dose level of 7 Gy and treated daily with Ubq (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 7 days pre-and post-irradiation. At the end of the experiment, lipid profile, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), gene expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), p38 MAPK and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were estimated. Exposure to radiation significantly deteriorates aortic and coronary tissues. Conversely, administration of Ubq significantly reduced serum t-cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides (p = 0.001). In addition, Ubq prevented oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG) (p = 0.1) and reduced serum MMP-9 (p = 0.001) which contributed to the endothelial cells damage. The positive impact of Ubq was more apparent in suppression of both PDGF (p = 0.001) and p38 MAPK (p = 0.1) protein concentrations, leading subsequently in reduction of ICAM-1 (p = 0.001) gene expression. As a conclusion, vascular endothelial damage brought on by γ-radiation is one of the leading causes of coronary and aortic deteriorations which could be successfully mitigated by Ubq.
Antithrombotic and prohemorrhagic actions of different concentrations of apixaban in patients exposed to single and dual antiplatelet regimens
Authors: Martinez-Sanchez Julia , Castrillo Leticia , Jerez Didac , Torramade-Moix Sergi , Palomo Marta , Mendieta Guiomar , Zafar M. Urooj , Moreno-Castaño Ana Belén , Sanchez Pablo , Badimon Juan Jose , Diaz-Ricart Maribel , Escolar Gines , Roqué Mercè
Published: December 2023

We evaluated modifications in the hemostatic balance of different concentrations of apixaban (APIX) in 25 healthy donors and 53 patients treated with aspirin (ASA, n = 21), ASA and clopidogrel (ASA + CLOPI, n = 11), or ASA and ticagrelor (ASA + TICA, n = 21). Blood samples from participants were spiked ex vivo with apixaban 0 (APIX0), 40 (APIX40), and 160 ng/mL (APIX160). We assessed the effects of APIX on (1) clot formation, by ROTEM thromboelastometry; (2) thrombin generation primed by platelets; and (3) platelet and fibrin interactions with a thrombogenic surface, in a microfluidic model with circulating blood. APIX caused dose-related prolongations of clotting time with minimal impact on other ROTEM parameters. Thrombin generation was significantly inhibited by APIX160, with ASA + TICA actions showing the strongest inhibition (p < 0.01 vs APIX0). Microfluidic studies showed that APIX160 was more potent at suppressing platelet and fibrin interactions (p < 0.001 vs. APIX0). APIX40 demonstrated a consistent antithrombotic action but with a favorable protective effect on the structural quality of fibrin. APIX potentiated the antithrombotic effects of current antiplatelet regimens. APIX at 40 ng/mL, enhanced the antithrombotic action of single or dual antiplatelet regimens but was more conservative for hemostasis than the 160 ng/mL concentration.
Risk factors of incomplete healing following medial meniscus posterior root tear repair with gracilis tendon
Authors: Liao Xingen , Li Hongbo , Nie Si , Lan Min
Published: December 2023

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and meniscus healing rates of the arthroscopically assisted tendon graft fixation of the medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs), and to identify some independent risk factors correlated with meniscal root healing status. We conducted a retrospective study with 129 patients who received arthroscopically assisted tendon graft fixation of the MMPRTs between January 2018 and September 2021. Functional recovery of the knee was evaluated and meniscal root healing status was assessed. The associations between different clinical factors and meniscal root healing status were analyzed. 98 (76.0%) patients had complete meniscal root healing with a minimum 2-year follow-up, and the Lysholm score, international knee documentation committee score, and visual analogue scale score were significantly improved at final follow-up (P < 0.001; respectively). Binary logistic regression models analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to detect independent risk factors for incomplete healing, and these results indicated that age (OR = 1.095, P = 0.039), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.259, P = 0.018), preoperative meniscus extrusion (OR = 5.181, P < 0.001) and varus degree (OR = 7.764, P < 0.001) were the independent risk factors correlated with incomplete healing in patients with repaired MMPRTs. In conclusion, the arthroscopically assisted tendon graft fixation of the MMPRTs can provide good clinical and radiological outcome. Additionally, we identified age > 37.5 years, BMI > 24.5 kg/m2, preoperative meniscus extrusion > 2.7 mm and varus degree > 3.3° as independent risk factors correlated with incomplete meniscus root healing status.
Protein N-myristoylation plays a critical role in the mitochondrial localization of human mitochondrial complex I accessory subunit NDUFB7
Authors: Harada Haruna , Moriya Koko , Kobuchi Hirotsugu , Ishihara Naotada , Utsumi Toshihiko
Published: December 2023

The present study examined human N-myristoylated proteins that specifically localize to mitochondria among the 1,705 human genes listed in MitoProteome, a mitochondrial protein database. We herein employed a strategy utilizing cellular metabolic labeling with a bioorthogonal myristic acid analog in transfected COS-1 cells established in our previous studies. Four proteins, DMAC1, HCCS, NDUFB7, and PLGRKT, were identified as N-myristoylated proteins that specifically localize to mitochondria. Among these proteins, DMAC1 and NDUFB7 play critical roles in the assembly of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. DMAC1 functions as an assembly factor, and NDUFB7 is an accessory subunit of complex I. An analysis of the intracellular localization of non-myristoylatable G2A mutants revealed that protein N-myristoylation occurring on NDUFB7 was important for the mitochondrial localization of this protein. Furthermore, an analysis of the role of the CHCH domain in NDUFB7 using Cys to Ser mutants revealed that it was essential for the mitochondrial localization of NDUFB7. Therefore, the present results showed that NDUFB7, a vital component of human mitochondrial complex I, was N-myristoylated, and protein N-myrisotylation and the CHCH domain were both indispensable for the specific targeting and localization of NDUFB7 to mitochondria.
StackER: a novel SMILES-based stacked approach for the accelerated and efficient discovery of ERα and ERβ antagonists
Authors: Schaduangrat Nalini , Homdee Nutta , Shoombuatong Watshara
Published: December 2023

The role of estrogen receptors (ERs) in breast cancer is of great importance in both clinical practice and scientific exploration. However, around 15–30% of those affected do not see benefits from the usual treatments owing to the innate resistance mechanisms, while 30–40% will gain resistance through treatments. In order to address this problem and facilitate community-wide efforts, machine learning (ML)-based approaches are considered one of the most cost-effective and large-scale identification methods. Herein, we propose a new SMILES-based stacked approach, termed StackER, for the accelerated and efficient identification of ERα and ERβ inhibitors. In StackER, we first established an up-to-date dataset consisting of 1,996 and 1,207 compounds for ERα and ERβ, respectively. Using the up-to-date dataset, StackER explored a wide range of different SMILES-based feature descriptors and ML algorithms in order to generate probabilistic features (PFs). Finally, the selected PFs derived from the two-step feature selection strategy were used for the development of an efficient stacked model. Both cross-validation and independent tests showed that StackER surpassed several conventional ML classifiers and the existing method in precisely predicting ERα and ERβ inhibitors. Remarkably, StackER achieved MCC values of 0.829–0.847 and 0.712–0.786 in terms of the cross-validation and independent tests, respectively, which were 5.92–8.29 and 1.59–3.45% higher than the existing method. In addition, StackER was applied to determine useful features for being ERα and ERβ inhibitors and identify FDA-approved drugs as potential ERα inhibitors in efforts to facilitate drug repurposing. This innovative stacked method is anticipated to facilitate community-wide efforts in efficiently narrowing down ER inhibitor screening.
Examining the impact of perceived psychological distances of quitting and continuing tobacco smoking on antismoking intention: a cross-sectional study
Authors: File Domonkos , Bőthe Beáta , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: December 2023

To date, little research has been conducted to understand the role of psychological distances on smoking behaviour. Construal Level Theory posits that individuals mentally construe events, objects, or ideas based on their perceived distance in terms of spatial, temporal, social, and hypothetical dimensions, influencing their judgments and decision-making processes. The aim of the current study was (1) to provide a comprehensive exploration of psychological distances of costs and benefits of tobacco smoking and antismoking intention and (2) to examine whether smoking can be attributed to rational behaviour based on the psychological distance weighted balance of perceived costs and benefits of quitting and continuing smoking. Mediation models delineating the relationships among temporal and hypothetical psychological distances, personal relevance and antismoking intention were tested on cross-sectional survey data of 1486 smokers (880 men, Mage = 39.9 years, SD = 13.36). Psychological distances were shown to be important factors in the cognitive evaluation process of smoking behaviour. Perceived temporal distance to smoking continuation/cessation was related to personal importance and hypothetical psychological distances, which were associated with anti-smoking intention. Furthermore, antismoking intention was related to the psychological distance-weighted gain-cost balance of quitting and continuing smoking. The current findings enhance our knowledge of the cognitive evaluation of the outcomes of smoking, indicating that the choice of not quitting smoking may be partially based on a biased rational decision-making process.