bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interkulturelle Trainings – digital
Authors: Schumacher Svenja , Kempen Regina , Hollands Lisa , Engel Anna Maria
Published: July 2023

Effektiv gestaltete Online- und Blended-Learning-Formate eröffnen neue Möglichkeiten des interkulturellen Lernens. Durch das digitale Setting verändern sich aber auch die Anforderungen an interkulturelle Trainer:innen. Dieses Buch widmet sich Schlüsselfaktoren, die bei der Gestaltung interkultureller Online-Trainings und von Blended-Learning-Formaten sowie hybriden Formaten zu berücksichtigen sind. Nach einer Einordnung verschiedener Trainingsformate im Kontext einer modernen Weiterbildungslandschaft setzt sich das Buch mit der didaktischen Trainingsgestaltung auseinander und gibt Impulse zur Aufmerksamkeitssteuerung und Motivation der Teilnehmenden. In einer praxisorientierten Schritt-für-Schritt-Anleitung werden anschließend Gestaltungselemente interkultureller Trainings im digitalen Setting präsentiert: von der Auftragsklärung über rechtliche Aspekte im digitalen Raum, die technische Ausstattung und Werkzeuge, die Trainingsplanung, Aspekte der Nutzerfreundlichkeit und eines positiven Trainingserlebnisses bis hin zur Evaluation interkultureller Trainings.
Der Schwerpunkt des Buches liegt auf einem breit aufgestellten Fundus an Methoden zum Einsatz in digitalen interkulturellen Trainings, die von den Autorinnen in der Praxis erprobt und weiterentwickelt wurden. Ausführliche Praxisbeispiele zeigen die vielseitigen Einsatz- und Kombinationsmöglichkeiten der Methoden auf und werden im Hinblick auf besondere Herausforderungen und Erfolgsfaktoren im digitalen Setting diskutiert. Materialien, die bei der Durchführung der Übungen verwendet werden können, und beispielhafte Trainingspläne ergänzen die Inhalte und können nach erfolgter Registrierung von der Hogrefe Website heruntergeladen werden.
The Mindfulness and Character Strengths Workbook
Authors: Niemiec Ryan M.
Published: July 2023

Do we really have all we need within us to be happier, healthier, less stressed, or anxious in life? This book shows you how that can be true – people who apply this book’s practices in their life have been shown to experience these benefits. You will learn how you can build your happiness and manage your stress at the same time!
Dr. Ryan Niemiec, a global leader in character strengths and mindfulness, expertly walks you through how you can develop your best qualities. Some of these qualities – whether it is courage, zest, creativity, mindfulness, hope, self-regulation, or leadership – may be hidden, blocked, or lost. They are awaiting your discovery!
Modern science is revealing new pathways for living a full life. The practices and ideas compiled in this book are some of the best strategies available to help you lead that life of authenticity, peace, strength, and meaning. And, these strategies aren’t just for you – they’re for all of us. They help build stronger relationships and contribute to the greater good.
Packed with stories, practices, tips, and insightful research findings, this book has everything you need to work with your strengths and your mindfulness. What you have here is a toolbox of strategies for life. The toolbox is woven together in a process that you can easily tailor to your current work, family, and social life. This book can be also used in conjunction with participation in the groundbreaking Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice program.
Alerting the Globe of Consequential Earthquakes
Authors: Wald D. J.
Published: July 2023

The primary ingredients on the hazard side of the equation include the rapid characterization of the earthquake source and quantifying the spatial distribution of the shaking, plus any secondary hazards an earthquake may have triggered. On the earthquake impact side, loss calculations require the aforementioned hazard assessments—and their uncertainties—as input, plus the quantification of the exposure and vulnerability of structures, infrastructure, and the affected inhabitants. Lastly, effectively communicating uncertain estimates of the resulting impacts on society requires careful consideration of its function and form. All these aspects of rapid earthquake information delivery entailed wide‐ranging collaborative research and development among seismologists, earthquake engineers, geographers, social scientists, Information Technology professionals, and communication experts, leveraging diverse components and ingredients not achievable without extensive collaboration. I was very fortunate to be able to work on interesting and useful projects with many colleagues who got involved with them. Advances in content, its rapid delivery, and our ability to better communicate uncertain loss estimates greatly expanded the range of users and critical decision‐makers who could directly benefit from rapid post‐earthquake information. Moreover, in the critical user–developer feedback loop, we have intently followed requests from users to develop new ways of delivering the most‐requested post‐earthquake information within the limitations of the science and technology. Such new avenues and tools then motivated and prioritized additional research directions and developments.
Porphyry Copper Deposit Formation: Identifying Garnet and Amphibole Fractionation With REE Pattern Curvature Modeling
Authors: Tatnell Lucas , Anenburg Michael , Loucks Robert
Published: July 2023

Porphyry copper ore‐forming intrusions are distinguished from barren arc magmas by high oxidation state and “adakitic” high Sr/Y and La/Yb. Controversy over petrogenesis of adakites has centered on ambiguities in interpretation of their steep rare earth element (REE) patterns, and on whether garnet participates in their petrogenesis. Lambda (λ) coefficients deconvolute subtle differences in REE pattern curvature, providing a more quantitative method to explore mineral fractionation processes. Here, we use trace element and numerical λ coefficient modeling to assess the relative influence of amphibole, garnet, and plagioclase in the petrogenesis of porphyry ore‐forming intrusions. We find that garnet‐fractionation trends are not evident in REE patterns of many adakitic porphyry‐forming intrusions. Instead, porphyry‐forming intrusions in the western Pacific and Eocene porphyry‐forming intrusions in northern Chile have REE patterns consistent with a garnet‐free, amphibole‐dominated cumulate. Traditional element ratios such at Dy/Dy*, LaN/YbN, and DyN/YbN are poor discriminants for garnet or amphibole fractionation.
Estimation of the Snow Water Equivalent Using Muon Scattering Radiography
Authors: Orio‐Alonso Aitor , Alonso‐González Esteban , Díez‐González Carlos , Gómez‐García Pablo , Martínez‐Ruiz del Árbol Pablo
Published: July 2023

Despite the important hydrological and ecological implications of the snowpack, its real time monitoring remains challenging. This is particularly relevant in relation to the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), as the available technologies which measure it, exhibit a number of limitations that hinder their operational implementation. In this work, we explore the potential of a new technology, Muon Scattering Radiography, to infer the SWE. We coupled snowpack simulations generated by the SNOWPACK model, with a muon scattering simulation program based on GEANT4. The SWE is modeled as a function of the muon scattering distributions. Predictions of the SWE along the year are provided showing a root‐mean‐square error of 12 mm for 5 hr continuous measurements. We also performed laboratory measurements using ice samples, confirming the SWE estimation capabilities and the potential of the technique to operate as a SWE monitoring tool.
LRO‐LAMP Lunar South Pole Cold Traps: Assessment of H2O and Potential CO2 and NH3 Reserves
Authors: Magaña L. O. , Retherford K. D. , Byron B. D. , Hendrix A. R. , Grava C. , Mandt K. E. , Raut U. , Czajka E. , Hayne P. O. , Hurley D. M. , Gladstone G. R. , Poston M. J. , Greathouse T. K. , Pryor W. , Cahill J. T. , Stickle A.
Published: July 2023

Nighttime Lyman Alpha Mapping Project (LAMP) observations are used to investigate condensed volatiles at the south polar region of the Moon. This study incorporates LAMP data from the first ∼7 years of the mission and Diviner annual maximum temperatures to search for volatile signatures associated with H2O, NH3, and CO2. Other stable potential species, for example, SO2 and H2S, are not identifiable with the ultraviolet ratio‐temperature techniques and are not directly addressed in this study. We confidently detect a ∼20% increase in normalized Off‐band (175–190 nm) to On‐band (148–162 nm) albedo ratios (consistent with condensed surface volatiles) at temperatures below ∼115 K. Elevated normalized ratios extend to temperatures capable of supporting pure aforementioned ices over geologically long time scales. Although ∼115 K is consistent with H2O lifetimes of ∼1‐Myr, the presence of CO2 and NH3 are not uniquely delineated by the data trends with temperature. Future spectral modeling to appropriately identify the composition and abundance of these condensed volatiles remains necessary. Normalized albedo ratios are further analyzed for candidate species via maximum temperatures to inform the likelihood of ice signatures: H2O (70 K < T ≤ 115 K), NH3 + H2O (60 K < T ≤ 70 K), and CO2 + NH3 + H2O (T ≤ 60 K). We compare normalized albedo ratios across seven regions of interest (ROI), including Faustini, Shoemaker, Haworth, Cabeus, Amundsen, Nobile, and an unnamed region. Such comparisons allow for characterization of relative abundances of volatiles across the ROI important for their utilization in future crewed and robotic missions to the Moon.
A Model of High Latitude Ionospheric Convection Derived From SuperDARN EOF Model Data
Authors: Lam M. M. , Shore R. M. , Chisham G. , Freeman M. P. , Grocott A. , Walach M.‐T. , Orr L.
Published: July 2023

Forecasting of the effects of thermospheric drag on satellites will be improved significantly with better modeling of space weather effects on the high‐latitude ionosphere, in particular the Joule heating arising from electric field variability. We use a regression analysis to build a model of the ionospheric convection drift velocity which is driven by relatively few solar and solar wind variables. The model is developed using a solar cycle's worth (1997–2008 inclusive) of 5‐min resolution Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) patterns derived from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) line‐of‐sight observations of the convection velocity across the high‐latitude northern hemisphere ionosphere. At key stages of development of the model, we use the percentage of explained variance P to see how well the model reproduces the EOF data. The final model is driven by four variables: (a) the interplanetary magnetic field component By, (b) the solar wind coupling parameter epsilon ε, (c) a trigonometric function of day‐of‐year, and (d) the monthly F10.7 index. The model can reproduce the EOF velocities with a characteristic P = 0.7. The model and EOF data compare best around the solar maximum of 2001. is lower around solar minimum, due to occasional limitations in the geographical and temporal coverage of the SuperDARN measurements. This may indicate the need to modify our model around the minimum of the solar cycle. Our model has the potential to be used to forecast the ionospheric electric field using the real‐time solar wind data available from spacecraft located upstream of the Earth.
A Regional Model of Topside Ionospheric Effective Scale Heights Derived From Ionosonde and GNSS TEC
Authors: Jiang Chunhua , Liu Zhichao , Zhao Cong , Liu Tongxin , Yang Guobin , Shen Hua , Huang Wengeng
Published: July 2023

Ionospheric scale height is critical for the structure of electron density profile in the ionosphere. However, mostly, the effective scale heights (fitted with mathematical functions) instead of topside ionospheric scale heights were used to reconstruct the topside profile. In this study, a new method was proposed to estimate topside ionospheric effective scale heights from ionosonde and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) vertical total electron content (TEC). First, the bottomside electron density profile can be estimated from ionograms. Then, combined the parameters of the F2 layer and effective scale heights, topside electron density profile can be estimated by Epstein Layer. Furthermore, ionosonde TEC can be compared with GNSS vertical TEC by adjusting effective scale heights to obtain best‐fit ionosonde TEC and effective scale heights. In this study, ionosonde and GNSS TEC data recorded at Zhangye station (39.40°N, 100.13°E) were used to test the performance. Results show that diurnal and seasonal characteristics of effective scale heights are consistent with previous studies. Furthermore, the Empirical Orthogonal Function technique was used to build a regional and empirical model of effective scale heights. Results show that the accuracy (between ±2.5 TECU) of ionosonde TEC are about 91.26% by comparing with GNSS TEC. Considered that the traditional methods mostly underestimated TEC, it indicates that the accuracy of ionosonde TEC can be improved significantly by the new model of effective scale heights. Furthermore, results show that the topside electron densities estimated by the proposed method are comparable with in situ observations measured by Swarm B.
Real-time full-color meta fiber endoscopy
Authors: Yu Changyuan , Cheng Zhi , Qu Jiaqi
Published: July 2023

The remarkable capacity of metasurfaces to exert precise control over the propagation of light has ushered in a realm of unprecedented possibilities for “Lab-on-fiber”, and in this work, showcased real-time full-color imaging in a meta-optical fiber endoscope.
Intermediate filaments associate with aggresome-like structures in proteostressed C. elegans neurons and influence large vesicle extrusions as exophers
Authors: Arnold Meghan Lee , Cooper Jason , Androwski Rebecca , Ardeshna Sohil , Melentijevic Ilija , Smart Joelle , Guasp Ryan J. , Nguyen Ken C. Q. , Bai Ge , Hall David H. , Grant Barth D. , Driscoll Monica
Published: July 2023

Toxic protein aggregates can spread among neurons to promote human neurodegenerative disease pathology. We found that in C. elegans touch neurons intermediate filament proteins IFD-1 and IFD-2 associate with aggresome-like organelles and are required cell-autonomously for efficient production of neuronal exophers, giant vesicles that can carry aggregates away from the neuron of origin. The C. elegans aggresome-like organelles we identified are juxtanuclear, HttPolyQ aggregate-enriched, and dependent upon orthologs of mammalian aggresome adaptor proteins, dynein motors, and microtubule integrity for localized aggregate collection. These key hallmarks indicate that conserved mechanisms drive aggresome formation. Furthermore, we found that human neurofilament light chain (NFL) can substitute for C. elegans IFD-2 in promoting exopher extrusion. Taken together, our results suggest a conserved influence of intermediate filament association with aggresomes and neuronal extrusions that eject potentially toxic material. Our findings expand understanding of neuronal proteostasis and suggest implications for neurodegenerative disease progression.
Enhancing reactivity of SiO+ ions by controlled excitation to extreme rotational states
Authors: Venkataramanababu Sruthi , Li Anyang , Antonov Ivan O. , Dragan James B. , Stollenwerk Patrick R. , Guo Hua , Odom Brian C.
Published: July 2023

Optical pumping of molecules provides unique opportunities for control of chemical reactions at a wide range of rotational energies. This work reports a chemical reaction with extreme rotational excitation of a reactant and its kinetic characterization. We investigate the chemical reactivity for the hydrogen abstraction reaction SiO+ + H2 → SiOH+ + H in an ion trap. The SiO+ cations are prepared in a narrow rotational state distribution, including super-rotor states with rotational quantum number (j) as high as 170, using a broad-band optical pumping method. We show that the super-rotor states of SiO+ substantially enhance the reaction rate, a trend reproduced by complementary theoretical studies. We reveal the mechanism for the rotational enhancement of the reactivity to be a strong coupling of the SiO+ rotational mode with the reaction coordinate at the transition state on the dominant dynamical pathway.
In situ assembly of bioresorbable organic bioelectronics in the brain
Authors: Hjort Martin , Mousa Abdelrazek H. , Bliman David , Shameem Muhammad Anwar , Hellman Karin , Yadav Amit Singh , Ekström Peter , Ek Fredrik , Olsson Roger
Published: July 2023

Bioelectronics can potentially complement classical therapies in nonchronic treatments, such as immunotherapy and cancer. In addition to functionality, minimally invasive implantation methods and bioresorbable materials are central to nonchronic treatments. The latter avoids the need for surgical removal after disease relief. Self-organizing substrate-free organic electrodes meet these criteria and integrate seamlessly into dynamic biological systems in ways difficult for classical rigid solid-state electronics. Here we place bioresorbable electrodes with a brain-matched shear modulus—made from water-dispersed nanoparticles in the brain—in the targeted area using a capillary thinner than a human hair. Thereafter, we show that an optional auxiliary module grows dendrites from the installed conductive structure to seamlessly embed neurons and modify the electrode’s volume properties. We demonstrate that these soft electrodes set off a controlled cellular response in the brain when relaying external stimuli and that the biocompatible materials show no tissue damage after bioresorption. These findings encourage further investigation of temporary organic bioelectronics for nonchronic treatments assembled in vivo.
Synergy of dual-atom catalysts deviated from the scaling relationship for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Fang Cong , Zhou Jian , Zhang Lili , Wan Wenchao , Ding Yuxiao , Sun Xiaoyan
Published: July 2023

Dual-atom catalysts, particularly those with heteronuclear active sites, have the potential to outperform the well-established single-atom catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction, but the underlying mechanistic understanding is still lacking. Herein, a large-scale density functional theory is employed to explore the feasibility of *O-*O coupling mechanism, which can circumvent the scaling relationship with improving the catalytic performance of N-doped graphene supported Fe-, Co-, Ni-, and Cu-containing heteronuclear dual-atom catalysts, namely, M’M@NC. Based on the constructed activity maps, a rationally designed descriptor can be obtained to predict homonuclear catalysts. Seven heteronuclear and four homonuclear dual-atom catalysts possess high activities that outperform the minimum theoretical overpotential. The chemical and structural origin in favor of *O-*O coupling mechanism thus leading to enhanced reaction activity have been revealed. This work not only provides additional insights into the fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms, but also offers a guideline for the accelerated discovery of efficient catalysts.
Continuous estimation of power system inertia using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Linaro Daniele , Bizzarri Federico , del Giudice Davide , Pisani Cosimo , Giannuzzi Giorgio M. , Grillo Samuele , Brambilla Angelo M.
Published: July 2023

Inertia is a measure of a power system’s capability to counteract frequency disturbances: in conventional power networks, inertia is approximately constant over time, which contributes to network stability. However, as the share of renewable energy sources increases, the inertia associated to synchronous generators declines, which may pose a threat to the overall stability. Reliably estimating the inertia of power systems dominated by inverted-connected sources has therefore become of paramount importance. We develop a framework for the continuous estimation of the inertia in an electric power system, exploiting state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques. We perform an in-depth investigation based on power spectra analysis and input-output correlations to explain how the artificial neural network operates in this specific realm, thus shedding light on the input features necessary for proper neural-network training. We validate our approach on a heterogeneous power network comprising synchronous generators, static compensators and converter-interfaced generation: our results highlight how different devices are characterized by distinct spectral footprints - a feature that must be taken into account by transmission system operators when performing online network stability analyses.
Rational use of inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of COPD
Authors: Quint Jennifer K. , Ariel Amnon , Barnes Peter J.
Published: July 2023

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the mainstay of treatment for asthma, but their role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is debated. Recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in patients with COPD and frequent or severe exacerbations demonstrated a significant reduction (~25%) in exacerbations with ICS in combination with dual bronchodilator therapy (triple therapy). However, the suggestion of a mortality benefit associated with ICS in these trials has since been rejected by the European Medicines Agency and US Food and Drug Administration. Observational evidence from routine clinical practice demonstrates that dual bronchodilation is associated with better clinical outcomes than triple therapy in a broad population of patients with COPD and infrequent exacerbations. This reinforces guideline recommendations that ICS-containing maintenance therapy should be reserved for patients with frequent or severe exacerbations and high blood eosinophils (~10% of the COPD population), or those with concomitant asthma. However, data from routine clinical practice indicate ICS overuse, with up to 50–80% of patients prescribed ICS. Prescription of ICS in patients not fulfilling guideline criteria puts patients at unnecessary risk of pneumonia and other long-term adverse events and also has cost implications, without any clear benefit in disease control. In this article, we review the benefits and risks of ICS use in COPD, drawing on evidence from RCTs and observational studies conducted in primary care. We also provide a practical guide to prescribing ICS, based on the latest global treatment guidelines, to help primary care providers identify patients for whom the benefits of ICS outweigh the risks.
Functional annotation of variants of the BRCA2 gene via locally haploid human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Li Hanqin , Bartke Rebecca , Zhao Lei , Verma Yogendra , Horacek Anna , Rechav Ben-Natan Alma , Pangilinan Gabriella R. , Krishnappa Netravathi , Nielsen Rasmus , Hockemeyer Dirk
Published: July 2023

Mutations in the BRCA2 gene are associated with sporadic and familial cancer, cause genomic instability and sensitize cancer cells to inhibition by the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Here we show that human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) with one copy of BRCA2 deleted can be used to annotate variants of this gene and to test their sensitivities to PARP inhibition. By using Cas9 to edit the functional BRCA2 allele in the locally haploid hPSCs and in fibroblasts differentiated from them, we characterized essential regions in the gene to identify permissive and loss-of-function mutations. We also used Cas9 to directly test the function of individual amino acids, including amino acids encoded by clinical BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance, and identified alleles that are sensitive to PARP inhibitors used as a standard of care in BRCA2-deficient cancers. Locally haploid human pluripotent stem cells can facilitate detailed structure–function analyses of genes and the rapid functional evaluation of clinically observed mutations.
Quantization and its breakdown in a Hubbard–Thouless pump
Authors: Walter Anne-Sophie , Zhu Zijie , Gächter Marius , Minguzzi Joaquín , Roschinski Stephan , Sandholzer Kilian , Viebahn Konrad , Esslinger Tilman
Published: July 2023

Geometric properties of wave functions can explain the appearance of topological invariants in many condensed-matter and quantum systems1. For example, topological invariants describe the plateaux observed in the quantized Hall effect and the pumped charge in its dynamic analogue—the Thouless pump2–4. However, the presence of interparticle interactions can affect the topology of a material, invalidating the idealized formulation in terms of Bloch waves. Despite pioneering experiments in different platforms5–9, the study of topological matter under variations in interparticle interactions has proven challenging10. Here we experimentally realize a topological Thouless pump with fully tuneable Hubbard interactions in an optical lattice and observe regimes with robust pumping, as well as an interaction-induced breakdown. We confirm the pump’s robustness against interactions that are smaller than the protecting gap for both repulsive and attractive interactions. Furthermore, we identify that bound pairs of fermions are responsible for quantized transport at strongly attractive interactions. However, for strong repulsive interactions, topological pumping breaks down, but we show how to reinstate it by modifying the pump trajectory. Our results will prove useful for further investigations of interacting topological matter10, including edge effects11 and interaction-induced topological phases12–15.
m5C regulator-mediated methylation modification phenotypes characterized by distinct tumor microenvironment immune heterogenicity in colorectal cancer
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Li Quanfa , Lin Yilin , Lin Suyong , Gao Ji , Chen Shaoqin
Published: July 2023

The RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification has been demonstrated to be an important epigenetic regulator and to impact colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. However, the potential roles of m5C modification in immune cell infiltration in the CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unknown. The m5C modification phenotypes were comprehensively evaluated based on 14 m5C regulators in a meta-CRC cohort of 1792 patients and systematically correlated with the m5C modification phenotypes, immune cell infiltration characteristics and known biological processes. The m5Cscore model was constructed by principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms to quantify the m5C modification phenotypes of individual CRC samples and was used to predict the immunotherapy response. We identified three m5C modification phenotypes associated with distinct clinical outcomes and biological processes among the 1792 meta-CRC patients. Three phenotypes with a highly consistent TME landscape and characteristics were revealed: immune excluded, immune desert and immune inflammation. The meta-CRC patients were divided into high and low m5Cscore subgroups based on the m5Cscore. The m5Cscore was confirmed to have a negative correlation with infiltrating immune cells and PD-L1 expression and a positive correlation with tumor mutation burden (TMB), mutation rate and microsatellite instability (MSI) score. Moreover, patients in the low m5Cscore group had better immunotherapy responses and significant durable survival benefits in independent anti-PD-1/L1 immunotherapy cohorts for the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapeutic strategy. This study revealed that m5C modification plays a crucial role in TME composition and complexity. Comprehensive evaluation of the m5C modification phenotypes of individual patients will enhance our understanding of TME characteristics and promote the application of more appropriate and personalized treatment strategies.
Intrinsic brain connectivity alterations despite intact pain inhibition in subjects with neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury: a pilot study
Authors: Huynh Vincent , Lütolf Robin , Rosner Jan , Luechinger Roger , Curt Armin , Kollias Spyridon , Michels Lars , Hubli Michèle
Published: July 2023

Endogenous pain modulation in humans is frequently investigated with conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Deficient pain inhibition is a proposed mechanism that contributes to neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI). Recent studies have combined CPM testing and neuroimaging to reveal neural correlates of CPM efficiency in chronic pain. This study investigated differences in CPM efficiency in relation to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between 12 SCI-NP subjects and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Twelve and 11 SCI-NP subjects were included in psychophysical and rsFC analyses, respectively. All HC were included in the final analyses. Psychophysical readouts were analysed to determine CPM efficiency within and between cohorts. Group differences of rsFC, in relation to CPM efficiency, were explored with seed-to-voxel rsFC analyses with pain modulatory regions, e.g. ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and amygdala. Overall, pain inhibition was not deficient in SCI-NP subjects and was greater in those with more intense NP. Greater pain inhibition was associated with weaker rsFC between the vlPAG and amygdala with the visual and frontal cortex, respectively, in SCI-NP subjects but with stronger rsFC in HC. Taken together, SCI-NP subjects present with intact pain inhibition, but can be differentiated from HC by an inverse relationship between CPM efficiency and intrinsic connectivity of supraspinal regions. Future studies with larger cohorts are necessary to consolidate the findings in this study.
Detection, visualization and quantification of protein complexes in human Alzheimer’s disease brains using proximity ligation assay
Authors: Romero-Fernandez Wilber , Carvajal-Tapia Cristian , Prusky Alex , Katdare Ketaki A. , Wang Emmeline , Shostak Alena , Ventura-Antunes Lissa , Harmsen Hannah J. , Lippmann Ethan S. , Fuxe Kjell , MacGurn Jason A. , Borroto-Escuela Dasiel O. , Schrag Matthew S.
Published: July 2023

Examination of healthy and diseased human brain is essential to translational neuroscience. Protein–protein interactions play a pivotal role in physiological and pathological processes, but their detection is difficult, especially in aged and fixed human brain tissue. We used the in-situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) to broaden the range of molecular interactions assessable in-situ in the human neuropathology. We adapted fluorescent in-situ PLA to detect ubiquitin-modified proteins in human brains with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including approaches for the management of autofluorescence and quantification using a high-content image analysis system. We confirmed that phosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau (Serine202, Threonine205) aggregates were modified by ubiquitin and that phospho-tau-ubiquitin complexes were increased in hippocampal and frontal cortex regions in AD compared to non-AD brains. Overall, we refined PLA for use in human neuropathology, which has revealed a profound change in the distribution of ubiquitin in AD brain and its association with characteristic tau pathologies.
The genome of antibiotic-producing colonies of the Pelagophyte alga Chrysophaeum taylorii reveals a diverse and non-canonical capacity for secondary metabolism
Authors: Davison Jack R. , Rajwani Rahim , Zhao Gengxiang , Bewley Carole A.
Published: July 2023

Chrysophaeum taylorii is a member of an understudied clade of marine algae that can be responsible for harmful coastal blooms and is known to accumulate bioactive natural products including antibiotics of the chrysophaentin class. Whole genome sequencing of laboratory-cultivated samples revealed an extensive and diverse complement of secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes in C. taylorii, alongside a small microbiome with a more limited biosynthetic potential. 16S microbiome analysis of laboratory cultured alongside wild-collected samples revealed several common taxa; however, analysis of biosynthetic genes suggested an algal origin for the chrysophaentins, possibly via one of several non-canonical polyketide synthase genes encoded within the genome.
Stability and repeatability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of normal pancreas on 5.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Authors: Jiang Zhiyong , Sun Wenbo , Xu Dan , Yu Hao , Mei Hao , Song Xiaopeng , Xu Haibo
Published: July 2023

To explore the stability and repeatability of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of normal pancreas with different field of views (FOV) on 5.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Twenty healthy subjects underwent two sessions of large FOV (lFOV) and reduced FOV (rFOV) DWI sequence scanning. Two radiologists measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the pancreatic head, body, and tail on DWI images, simultaneously, using a 5-point scale, evaluate the artifacts and image quality. One radiologist re-measured the ADC on DWI images again after a 4-week interval. The test-retest repeatability of two scan sessions were also evaluated. Intra-observer and inter-observer at lFOV and rFOV, the ADC values were not significantly different (P > 0.05), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficient of variations were excellence (ICCs 0.85–0.99, CVs < 8.0%). The ADC values were lower with rFOV than lFOV DWI for the head, body, tail, and overall pancreas. The consistency of the two scan sessions were high. The high stability and repeatability of pancreas DWI has been confirmed at 5.0 T. Scan durations are reduced while resolution and image quality are improved with rFOV DWI, which is more preferable than lFOV for routine pancreas imaging.
Blood transcriptome analysis in a buck-ewe hybrid points towards an nuclear factor-kappa B lymphoproliferative autoimmune disorder
Authors: Falker-Gieske Clemens , Tetens Jens
Published: July 2023

Mammal hybridization is a speciation mechanism and an evolutionary driver. Goat-sheep, especially buck-ewe hybrids, are very rare with only one case reported in 2016, which is the subject of the work presented here. Blood transcriptome analysis revealed that the hybrid largely deviated from imprinting schemes previously described in sheep and other mammals. Furthermore, transcriptome regulation seems to differ from the parent transcriptomes, which is most likely a product of partially incompatible imprinting mechanisms from two closely related species. To gain a deeper understanding of hybridization in mammals we re-analyzed the RNA sequencing data of the buck-ewe hybrid and its parents. We found parent-of-origin-specific expression of genes that functionally clustered, which we explain with the Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibility (DMI) model. According to the DMI model, proteins which interact have a high probability of being barrier loci and hence are prone to monoallelic expression. We discovered enrichment of genes uniquely expressed by the buck-ewe hybrid, which implicate that it suffered from an NF-κB lymphoproliferative autoimmune disorder. Similar findings were reported in the F1 generation of hybrid mice. We propose that hybridization of two related species may lead to an autoimmune phenotype, due to immunoglobulin incompatibilities and incomplete silencing of barrier loci.
Influence of nanoparticle encapsulation and encoding on the surface chemistry of polymer carrier beads
Authors: Scholtz Lena , Tavernaro Isabella , Eckert J. Gerrit , Lutowski Marc , Geißler Daniel , Hertwig Andreas , Hidde Gundula , Bigall Nadja C. , Resch-Genger Ute
Published: July 2023

Surface-functionalized polymer beads encoded with molecular luminophores and nanocrystalline emitters such as semiconductor nanocrystals, often referred to as quantum dots (QDs), or magnetic nanoparticles are broadly used in the life sciences as reporters and carrier beads. Many of these applications require a profound knowledge of the chemical nature and total number of their surface functional groups (FGs), that control bead charge, colloidal stability, hydrophobicity, and the interaction with the environment and biological systems. For bioanalytical applications, also the number of groups accessible for the subsequent functionalization with, e.g., biomolecules or targeting ligands is relevant. In this study, we explore the influence of QD encoding on the amount of carboxylic acid (COOH) surface FGs of 2 µm polystyrene microparticles (PSMPs). This is done for frequently employed oleic acid and oleylamine stabilized, luminescent core/shell CdSe QDs and two commonly used encoding procedures. This included QD addition during bead formation by a thermally induced polymerization reaction and a post synthetic swelling procedure. The accessible number of COOH groups on the surface of QD-encoded and pristine beads was quantified by two colorimetric assays, utilizing differently sized reporters and electrostatic and covalent interactions. The results were compared to the total number of FGs obtained by a conductometric titration and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In addition, a comparison of the impact of QD and dye encoding on the bead surface chemistry was performed. Our results demonstrate the influence of QD encoding and the QD-encoding strategy on the number of surface FG that is ascribed to an interaction of the QDs with the carboxylic acid groups on the bead surface. These findings are of considerable relevance for applications of nanoparticle-encoded beads and safe-by-design concepts for nanomaterials.
A new hollow solenoid receiver compatible with the global double-D transmitter for EV inductive charging
Authors: Shaier Ahmed A. , Mohamed Ahmed A. S. , Metwally Hamid , Selem Sameh I.
Published: July 2023

Inductive power transfer (IPT) technology is a promising solution for charging the electric vehicles (EVs) by enabling an EV to charge its energy storage system (battery) without any connecting wires through magnetic coupling. This paper proposes a new receiver design named Hollow Solenoid receiver that is compatible with the standard double-D transmitter defined by the SAE J2954 standard. A deep design analysis for the proposed Hollow Solenoid receiver is presented to define the optimum design parameters for coil (inductances, number of turns, dimensions, wires, etc.) and ferrite core (dimensions, number, arrangement, etc.). Several WPT3 (11.1kVA) solenoid receiver (SR) designs were presented and analyzed based on efficiency, weight, size, volume, and cost. The performance of the proposed SR was compared with the global Double-D receiver (DDR) presented by the SAE J2954 standard under different lateral and rotational alignment and loading conditions considering coupling factor, transmission power and efficiency, and stray electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The entire IPT system including coils, compensation network, power converters, controls, and battery load was modeled and analyzed for both SR and DDR coils. The results reveal that the proposed SR is compatible with the global DD transmitter at different alignment and loading conditions and is able to transmit the desired power (11 kW) at an efficiency > 85%. Hollow SR design shows the highest efficiency and lowest size, weight, and cost compared to DDR and other designs.
Gut microbes predominantly act as living beneficial partners rather than raw nutrients
Authors: da Silva Soares Nuno Filipe , Quagliariello Andrea , Yigitturk Seren , Martino Maria Elena
Published: July 2023

Animals and their gut microbes mutually benefit their health. Nutrition plays a central role in this, directly influencing both host and microbial fitness and the nature of their interactions. This makes nutritional symbioses a complex and dynamic tri-system of diet-microbiota-host. Despite recent discoveries on this field, full control over the interplay among these partners is challenging and hinders the resolution of fundamental questions, such as how to parse the gut microbes’ effect as raw nutrition or as symbiotic partners? To tackle this, we made use of the well-characterized Drosophila melanogaster/Lactiplantibacillus plantarum experimental model of nutritional symbiosis to generate a quantitative framework of gut microbes’ effect on the host. By coupling experimental assays and Random Forest analysis, we show that the beneficial effect of L. plantarum strains primarily results from the active relationship as symbionts rather than raw nutrients, regardless of the bacterial strain. Metabolomic analysis of both active and inactive bacterial cells further demonstrated the crucial role of the production of beneficial bacterial metabolites, such as N-acetylated-amino-acids, as result of active bacterial growth and function. Altogether, our results provide a ranking and quantification of the main bacterial features contributing to sustain animal growth. We demonstrate that bacterial activity is the predominant and necessary variable involved in bacteria-mediated benefit, followed by strain-specific properties and the nutritional potential of the bacterial cells. This contributes to elucidate the role of beneficial bacteria and probiotics, creating a broad quantitative framework for host-gut microbiome that can be expanded to other model systems.
Dynamical system of a time-delayed ϕ6-Van der Pol oscillator: a non-perturbative approach
Authors: Moatimid Galal M. , Amer T. S.
Published: July 2023

A remarkable example of how to quantitatively explain the nonlinear performance of many phenomena in physics and engineering is the Van der Pol oscillator. Therefore, the current paper examines the stability analysis of the dynamics of ϕ6-Van der Pol oscillator (PHI6) exposed to exterior excitation in light of its motivated applications in science and engineering. The emphasis in many examinations has shifted to time-delayed technology, yet the topic of this study is still quite significant. A non-perturbative technique is employed to obtain some improvement and preparation for the system under examination. This new methodology yields an equivalent linear differential equation to the exciting nonlinear one. Applying a numerical approach, the analytical solution is validated by this approach. This novel approach seems to be impressive and promising and can be employed in various classes of nonlinear dynamical systems. In various graphs, the time histories of the obtained results, their varied zones of stability, and their polar representations are shown for a range of natural frequencies and other influencing factor values. Concerning the approximate solution, in the case of the presence/absence of time delay, the numerical approach shows excellent accuracy. It is found that as damping and natural frequency parameters increase, the solution approaches stability more quickly. Additionally, the phase plane is more positively impacted by the initial amplitude, external force, damping, and natural frequency characteristics than the other parameters. To demonstrate how the initial amplitude, natural frequency, and cubic nonlinear factors directly affect the periodicity of the resulting solution, many polar forms of the corresponding equation have been displayed. Furthermore, the stable configuration of the analogous equation is shown in the absence of the stimulated force.
Analysis of widefield choroidal thickness maps of healthy eyes using swept source optical coherence tomography
Authors: Hirano Masatoshi , Muraoka Yuki , Kogo Takahiro , Ishikura Masaharu , Nishigori Naomi , Ueda-Arakawa Naoko , Miyata Manabu , Hata Masayuki , Takahashi Ayako , Miyake Masahiro , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: July 2023

We aimed to obtain widefield (WF) swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) data and examine the features of choroidal thickness maps in healthy eyes. The posterior pole choroidal thickness was examined in 127 eyes using enhanced depth imaging of SS-OCT with a viewing angle of 20 (vertical) × 23 (horizontal) mm, and choroidal thickness maps were generated. For SS-OCT image analysis, we developed a grid with inner and outer rings, each divided into superotemporal, inferotemporal, superonasal, and inferonasal quadrants, comprising a total of nine subfields, including the central 3-mm ring. The posterior pole choroidal thicknesses were significantly lower at the periphery than in the central area, in the inferior field than in the superior field, and in the nasal field than in the temporal field (p < 0.001 for all). We also evaluated the effects of age and axial length (AL) on the WF choroidal thickness. The choroidal thickness in all subfields was negatively associated with advanced age (p < 0.05). The choroidal thicknesses in the central and inferonasal inner and outer subfields were negatively associated with AL (p = 0.042, 0.034, and 0.022, respectively). These findings provide insights into the two-dimensional characteristics of choroidal thickness and its association with age and AL.
Static and dynamic adsorption of a gemini surfactant on a carbonate rock in the presence of low salinity water
Authors: Kalam Shams , Abu-Khamsin Sidqi A. , Gbadamosi Afeez Olayinka , Patil Shirish , Kamal Muhammad Shahzad , Hussain Syed Muhammad Shakil , Al-Shehri Dhafer , Al-Shalabi Emad W. , Mohanty Kishore K.
Published: July 2023

In chemical enhanced oil recovery (cEOR) techniques, surfactants are extensively used for enhancing oil recovery by reducing interfacial tension and/or modifying wettability. However, the effectiveness and economic feasibility of the cEOR process are compromised due to the adsorption of surfactants on rock surfaces. Therefore, surfactant adsorption must be reduced to make the cEOR process efficient and economical. Herein, the synergic application of low salinity water and a cationic gemini surfactant was investigated in a carbonate rock. Firstly, the interfacial tension (IFT) of the oil-brine interface with surfactant at various temperatures was measured. Subsequently, the rock wettability was determined under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. Finally, the study examined the impact of low salinity water on the adsorption of the cationic gemini surfactant, both statically and dynamically. The results showed that the low salinity water condition does not cause a significant impact on the IFT reduction and wettability alteration as compared to the high salinity water conditions. However, the low salinity water condition reduced the surfactant’s static adsorption on the carbonate core by four folds as compared to seawater. The core flood results showed a significantly lower amount of dynamic adsorption (0.11 mg/g-rock) using low salinity water conditions. Employing such a method aids industrialists and researchers in developing a cost-effective and efficient cEOR process.
ATP modulation of osmotically activated anionic current in the membrane of Phycomyces blakesleeanus sporangiophore
Authors: Stevanović Katarina S. , Čepkenović Bogdana , Križak Strahinja , Pajić Tanja , Todorović Nataša V. , Živić Miroslav Ž.
Published: July 2023

Ion channels are vital components of filamentous fungi signaling in communication with their environment. We exploited the ability of the apical region of growing sporangiophores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus to form membrane-enveloped cytoplasmic droplets (CDs), to examine ion currents in the filamentous fungi native plasma membrane. In hypoosmotic conditions, the dominant current in the CDs is ORIC, an osmotically activated, anionic, outwardly rectified, fast inactivating instantaneous current that we have previously characterized. Here, we examined the effect of ATP on ORIC. We show that CDs contain active mitochondria, and that respiration inhibition by azide accelerates ORIC inactivation. ATP, added intracellularly, reduced ORIC run-down and shifted the voltage dependence of inactivation toward depolarized potentials, in a manner that did not require hydrolysis. Notably, ATP led to slowing down of ORIC inactivation, as evidenced by an increased time constant of inactivation, τin, and slower decline of τin during prolonged recordings. Flavonoids (genistein and quercetin) had the effect on ORIC opposite to ATP, acting as current inhibitors, possibly by disrupting the stabilizing effect of ATP on ORIC. The integration of osmotic sensing with ATP dependence of the anionic current, typical of vertebrate cells, is described here for the first time in filamentous fungi.