bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Modeling for Intelligent Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Design and Experimental Schemes for Real‐Time Plasmonic Biosensing: A Review
Authors: Das Chandreyee Manas , Yang Fan , Yang Zhenxu , Liu Xiaochen , Hoang Quang Thien , Xu Zhejun , Neermunda Shabana , Kong Kien Voon , Ho Ho‐Pui , Ju Lining Arnold , Xiong Jiaqing , Yong Ken‐Tye
Published: July 2023

The spectacular physical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is the essence of present‐day plasmonic sensors. Meanwhile, the unique properties of the interaction between light and matter have been carved out into the development of modern‐day diagnostic biosensors. Plasmons, in simple terms, are oscillating free electrons in metallic nano‐structures triggered by an incoming electromagnetic (EM) wave. With the advantages of real‐time and label‐free bio‐sensing, plasmonic sensors are being utilized in multiple diverse areas of food technology, the bio‐medical diagnostic sector, and even the chemical industry. Although this review will be brief, readers can gain a comprehensive picture of the essential elements by taking a broader look into the exploration of SPR sensor design via simulated studies and representative experimental plasmonic schemes developed for bio‐sensing. In short, the various SPR sensing schemes that researchers have explored to realize enhanced SPR sensitivity are reviewed and summarized. Different experimental plasmonic sensors are also examined in which new SPR excitation schemes have been adopted. These "unconventional" designs, specifically those involving hybrid localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)‐SPR excitation, may inspire those in the plasmonic field.
The NLRP11 Protein Bridges the Histone Lysine Acetyltransferase KAT7 to Acetylate Vimentin in the Early Stage of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Rui , Peng Weilin , Shi Shuai , Peng Xiong , Cai Qidong , Zhao Zhenyu , He Boxue , Tu Guangxu , Yin Wei , Chen Yichuan , Zhang Yuqian , Liu Fang , Wang Xiang , Xiao Desheng , Tao Yongguang
Published: July 2023

Accumulation of vimentin is the core event in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Post‐translational modifications have been widely reported to play crucial roles in imparting different properties and functions to vimentin. Here, a novel modification of vimentin, acetylated at Lys104 (vimentin‐K104Ac) is identified, which is stable in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. Mechanistically, NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain‐containing protein 11 (NLRP11), a regulator of the inflammatory response, bind to vimentin and promote vimentin‐K104Ac expression, which is highly expressed in the early stages of LUAD and frequently appears in vimentin‐positive LUAD tissues. In addition, it is observed that an acetyltransferase, lysine acetyltransferase 7 (KAT7), which binds to NLRP11 and vimentin, directly mediates the acetylation of vimentin at Lys104 and that the cytoplasmic localization of KAT7 can be induced by NLRP11. Malignant promotion mediated by transfection with vimentin‐K104Q is noticeably greater than that mediated by transfection with vimentin‐WT. Further, suppressing the effects of NLRP11 and KAT7 on vimentin noticeably inhibited the malignant behavior of vimentin‐positive LUAD in vivo and in vitro. In summary, these findings have established a relationship between inflammation and EMT, which is reflected via KAT7‐mediated acetylation of vimentin at Lys104 dependent on NLRP11.
Inhibition of CDK1 Overcomes Oxaliplatin Resistance by Regulating ACSL4‐mediated Ferroptosis in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zeng Kaixuan , Li Weihao , Wang Yue , Zhang Zifei , Zhang Linjie , Zhang Weili , Xing Yue , Zhou Chi
Published: July 2023

Oxaliplatin is a widely used chemotherapy drug for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC); however, frequent drug resistance limits its therapeutic efficacy in patients. Here, this work identifies cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) as a critical contributor to oxaliplatin resistance via in vitro and in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 screening. CDK1 is highly expressed in oxaliplatin‐resistant cells and tissues due to the loss of N6‐methyladenosine modification. Genetic and pharmacological blockade of CDK1 restore the susceptibility of CRC cells to oxaliplatin in vitro and in cell/patient‐derived xenograft models. Mechanistically, CDK1 directly binds to and phosphorylates Acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family 4 (ACSL4) at S447, followed by recruitment of E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR5 and polyubiquitination of ACSL4 at K388, K498, and K690, which leads to ACSL4 protein degradation. Reduced ACSL4 subsequently blocks the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acid containing lipids, thereby inhibiting lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis, a unique iron‐dependent form of oxidative cell death. Moreover, treatment with a ferroptosis inhibitor nullifies the enhancement of CRC cell sensitivity to oxaliplatin by CDK1 blockade in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, the findings indicate that CDK1 confers oxaliplatin resistance to cells by suppressing ferroptosis. Therefore, administration of a CDK1 inhibitor may be an attractive strategy to treat patients with oxaliplatin‐resistant CRC.
Evolution from Bioinert to Bioresorbable: In Vivo Comparative Study of Additively Manufactured Metal Bone Scaffolds
Authors: Zhou Juncen , Georgas Elias , Su Yingchao , Zhou Jiayi , Kröger Nadja , Benn Felix , Kopp Alexander , Qin Yi‐Xian , Zhu Donghui
Published: July 2023

Additively manufactured scaffolds offer significant potential for treating bone defects, owing to their porous, customizable architecture and functionalization capabilities. Although various biomaterials have been investigated, metals – the most successful orthopedic material – have yet to yield satisfactory results. Conventional bio‐inert metals, such as titanium (Ti) and its alloys, are widely used for fixation devices and reconstructive implants, but their non‐bioresorbable nature and the mechanical property mismatch with human bones limit their application as porous scaffolds for bone regeneration. Advancements in additive manufacturing have facilitated the use of bioresorbable metals, including magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and their alloys, as porous scaffolds via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L‐PBF) technology. This in vivo study presents a comprehensive, side‐by‐side comparative analysis of the interactions between bone regeneration and additively manufactured bio‐inert/bioresorbable metal scaffolds, as well as their therapeutic outcomes. The research offers an in‐depth understanding of the metal scaffold‐assisted bone healing process, illustrating that Mg and Zn scaffolds contribute to the bone healing process in distinct ways, but ultimately deliver superior therapeutic outcomes compared to Ti scaffolds. These findings suggest that bioresorbable metal scaffolds hold considerable promise for the clinical treatment of bone defects in the near future.
Anisotropic Plasmonic Metasurfaces with Linear Polarization‐Dependent Focusings
Authors: Zhang Heyi , Zhang Runxuan , He Canhui , Li Changqing , Song Zhengyong
Published: July 2023

As a burgeoning approach to modulate electromagnetic waves, metasurfaces fascinate many researchers. However, it is a persistent problem to realize independent wavefront tailoring in different polarization states. In this work, anisotropic plasmonic metasurfaces are presented with linear polarization‐dependent focusings. The designed plasmonic meta‐atoms consist of cross‐shaped gold, silica spacer, and gold substrate. Phase modulation in different polarization channels is independently achieved by adjusting the dimensions of cross‐shaped gold in x‐ and y‐directions. Three metasurfaces are presented to verify linear polarization‐dependent focusings at 200 THz. First, a focusing metasurface is designed with focal lengths of 5.2 µm under x‐polarized incidence and 6.5 µm under y‐polarized incidence. Second, by applying convolution operation, the second metasurface exhibits different focusings with different deflection angles at opposite directions under orthogonally polarized incidences. Finally, a multi‐focal metasurface is demonstrated, which switches between dual‐ and quad‐focal points depending on polarization state. The work may provide a novel platform for near‐infrared integrated photonics.
Catalytic Photochemical Deracemization via Short‐Lived Intermediates
Authors: Großkopf Johannes , Bach Thorsten
Published: July 2023

Upon irradiation in the presence of a suitable chiral catalyst, racemic compound mixtures can be converted into enantiomerically pure compounds with the same constitution. The process is called photochemical deracemization and involves the formation of short‐lived intermediates. By opening different reaction channels for the forward reaction to the intermediate and for the re‐constitution of the chiral molecule, the entropically disfavored process becomes feasible. Since the discovery of the first photochemical deracemization in 2018, the field has been growing rapidly. This review comprehensively covers the research performed in the area and discusses current developments. It is subdivided according to the mode of action and the respective substrate classes. The focus of this review is on the scope of the individual reactions and on a discussion of the mechanistic details underlying the presented reaction.
The development of a pilot ‘thinking about relationships prompt sheet’ within an alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation programme
Authors: Anderson Bella , Furlong Mark
Published: July 2023

This paper documents the development of a programme component within an alcohol and other drugs residential service. Designed to improve relational competence, this pilot component was designed to have multiple levels of function: from the specific, for example, stimulating residents to formulate and monitor relationally oriented goals, to the more pacific, for example, embedding relationally focused learning as an ongoing rehabilitative concern. Development of the component began with a literature review. After finalising a set of relationship types (friends, siblings, etc.), this review identified three domains: ‘values’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘skills’. To create an initial draft, these categories were populated by items selected from a multi‐stage inspection of the relevant literature. This draft was then reviewed by multiple stakeholder groups. Feedback from these consultations resulted in substantial modifications to the initial draft. In addition to the component having a broad‐spectrum interventive purpose, the authors propose that this component could play a role in (i) pre‐admission assessment and (ii) programme evaluation insofar as data concerning individual residents are aggregated and analysed.
Command filter‐based adaptive control of flexible‐joint manipulator with input saturation and output constraints
Authors: Shi Miao , Yu Jianjiang , Zhang Tianping
Published: July 2023

This paper focuses on the topic of adaptive neural tracking control for flexible‐joint manipulator systems with output restrictions and input saturation. With the aid of the error compensation mechanism, command filter‐based adaptive neural control is proposed for robotic systems driven by permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM). An auxiliary signal produced by the first‐order linear system designed by the property of unmodeled dynamics is used to erase the dynamical uncertainties. The input saturation of system is estimated by
‐function with mathematical transformation. Using barrier Lyapunov function (BLF), each component constraint of output is tackled. During the virtual control design phase, radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) may reliably assess the unknown nonlinear continuous function. All the variables in the closed‐loop system are proved to be semiglobally uniform ultimate bounded (SGUUB) by integrating all compensation signals into the overall Lyapunov function and using the defined compact set in the stability analysis of dynamic surface control (DSC). An applied example on robotic system is used to verify the effectiveness of the constructed design idea.
Engineering T cell receptor fusion proteins using nonviral CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Shu Runzhe , Hammett Maree , Evtimov Vera , Pupovac Aleta , Nguyen Nhu‐Y , Islam Rasa , Zhuang Junli , Lee Seyeong , Kang Tae‐hun , Lee Kyujun , Nisbet Ian , Hudson Peter , Lee Jae Young , Boyd Richard , Trounson Alan
Published: July 2023

Manufacture of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells usually involves the use of viral delivery systems to achieve high transgene expression. However, it can be costly and may result in random integration of the CAR into the genome, creating several disadvantages including variation in transgene expression, functional gene silencing and potential oncogenic transformation. Here, we optimized the method of nonviral, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing using large donor DNA delivery, knocked‐in an anti‐tumor single chain variable fragment (scFv) into the N‐terminus of CD3ε and efficiently generated fusion protein (FP) T cells. These cells displayed FP integration within the TCR/CD3 complex, lower variability in gene expression compared to CAR‐T cells and good cell expansion after transfection. CD3ε FP T cells were predominantly CD8+ effector memory T cells, and exhibited anti‐tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. Dual targeting FP T cells were also generated through the incorporation of scFvs into other CD3 subunits and CD28. Compared to viral‐based methods, this method serves as an alternative and versatile way of generating T cells with tumor‐targeting receptors for cancer immunotherapy.
DreamWalk: Dynamic remapping and multiperspectivity for large‐scale redirected walking
Authors: Xiong Yuan , Chen Tong , Li Tianjing , Zhou Zhong
Published: July 2023

Redirected walking (RDW) provides an immersive user experience in virtual reality applications. In RDW, the size of the physical play area is limited, which makes it challenging to design the virtual path in a larger virtual space. Mainstream RDW approaches rigidly manipulate gains to guide the user to follow predetermined rules. However, these methods may cause simulator sickness, boundary collision, and reset. Static mapping approaches warp the virtual path through expensive vertex replacement in the stage of model pre‐processing. They are restricted to narrow spaces with non‐looping pathways, partition walls, and planar surfaces. These methods fail to provide a smooth walking experience for large‐scale open scenes. To tackle these problems, we propose a novel approach that dynamically redirects the user to walk in a non‐linear virtual space. More specifically, we propose a Bezier‐curve‐based mapping algorithm to warp the virtual space dynamically and apply multiperspective fusion for visualization augmentation. We conduct comparable experiments to show its superiority over state‐of‐the‐art large‐scale redirected walking approaches on our self‐collected photogrammetry dataset.
Quinolinones Alkaloids with AChE Inhibitory Activity from Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Penicillium citrinum YX‐002
Authors: Liu Yayue , Xue Xinyi , Zhou Longjian , Yang Wencong , She Zhigang , Liao Qingnan , Feng Yunkai , Chen Xiaokun , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2023

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity‐guided studies on the mangrove‐derived endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum YX‐002 led to the isolation of nine secondary metabolites, including one new quinolinone derivative, quinolactone A (1), a pair of epimers quinolactacin C1 (2) and 3‐epi‐quinolactacin C1 (3), together with six known analogs (4–9). Their structures were elucidated based on extensive mass spectrometry (MS) and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses, and compared with data in the literature. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–3 was determined by combination of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and X‐Ray single crystal diffraction technique using CuKα radiation. In bioassays, compounds 1, 4 and 7 showed moderate AChE inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 27.6, 19.4 and 11.2 μmol/L, respectively. The structure‐activity relationships (SARs) analysis suggested that the existence of carbonyl group on C‐3 and the oxygen atom on the five‐membered ring were beneficial to the activity. Molecular docking results showed that compound 7 had a lower affinity interaction energy (−9.3 kcal/mol) with stronger interactions with different sites in AChE activities, which explained its higher activities.
Development of an Optimized Method to Obtain a Limonene‐Rich Concentrate from the Discarded Lemon Peels
Authors: Balci‐Torun Ferhan , Toprakçı İrem , Deniz Nahide Gulşah , Ortaboy Sinem , Torun Mehmet , Şahin Selin
Published: July 2023

In this study, lemon peels were used as volatile component source. Automatic solvent extraction has been used for the recovery of limonene rich citrus volatile extract for the first time. The process parameters (amount of raw material, immersion time and washing time) were analyzed to optimize the process by means of Box‐Behnken design via response surface methodology. The optimum conditions were achieved by ~10 g fresh lemon peel, and ~15 min immersion time and ~13 min washing time. The difference between the actual (89.37 mg/g limonene) and predicted (90.85 mg/g limonene) results was satisfactory (<2 %). α‐Terpinene, β‐pinene, citral, ɣ‐terpinene and linalool were determined as other major volatiles in the peel extract. FT‐IR and1H‐ and13C‐NMR spectroscopies were applied to verify the identified volatile compounds.
Spontaneous tension pneumomediastinum with pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of COVID‐19 disease
Authors: Aghajanzadeh Manouchehr , Alavi Foumani Ali , Tangestaninejad Azita , Haghighi Mohammad , Pourahmadi Yousha , Jafroudi Ehsan Hajipour , Mousazadeh Mahsa , Asli Rastin Hosseinzadeh
Published: July 2023

Key Clinical Message

Recently spontaneous tension pneumomediastinum (STM), were reported as infrequent complications in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients but pneumothorax (PT), and subcutaneous emphysema (SE) are more frequently seen in COVID‐19 patients. PT and SE may present after PTM in COVID‐19. The aim of this presentation is to show the complications of STM in an Iranian patients with COVID‐19 disease with PT and SE, who were hospitalized in Arya hospital, Rasht, Iran. For 3 months, we followed these patients and their condition was good. STM are uncommon complications in COVID‐19 patients and were reported frequently in male patients. Early diagnosis and treatment could save the patients as these complications are related to poor prognosis and prolonged hospitalization. Patients with mild COVID‐19 and mild pulmonary damage may have a favorable outcome.
Coexistence of ipsilateral acute‐on‐chronic subdural hematoma and acute extradural hematoma: A case report
Authors: Basit Jawad , Javed Saad , Shahzad Faizan , Yaqoob Eesha , Saeed Sajeel , Anand Ayush
Published: July 2023

Chronic subdural hematomas are typically observed in elderly patients receiving antithrombotic and/or anticoagulant therapy. In contrast, acute subdural and extradural hematomas are often observed in young people with traumatic brain injury. The coexistence of ipsilateral chronic subdural and extradural hematomas is rare. Depending on the Glasgow Coma Scale and neuroimaging findings, early surgical intervention is mandatory, as seen in our patient. Early surgical evacuation of a traumatic extradural and chronic subdural hematoma should be done. Also, antithrombotic drug use can lead to chronic subdural hematoma.
Antimalarial Agents Derived from Metal‐Amodiaquine Complexes with Activity in Multiple Stages of the Plasmodium Life Cycle
Authors: Colina‐Vegas Legna , da Cruz B. Silva Mariana , de Souza Pereira Caroline , Isis Barros Ariane , Araújo Nobrega Joaquim , Navarro Maribel , Rottmann Matthias , D'Alessandro Sarah , Basilico Nicoletta , Azevedo Batista Alzir , Moreira Diogo R. M.
Published: July 2023

Malaria is the one of the deadliest infectious diseases worldwide. Chemically, quinolines are excellent ligands for metal coordination and are deployed as drugs for malaria treatment. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that metal complexes can be conjugated with antimalarial quinolines to be used as chemical tools to overcome the disadvantages of quinolines, improving their bioactive speciation, cellular distribution, and subsequently broadening the spectrum of activity to multiple stages of the complex Plasmodium life cycle. In this study, four novel complexes of ruthenium(II)‐ and gold(I)‐containing amodiaquine (AQ) were synthesized, and a careful chemical characterization revealed the precise coordination site of AQ to the metals. Their speciation in solution was investigated, demonstrating the stability of the quinoline‐metal bond. RuII‐ and AuI‐AQ complexes were demonstrated to be potent and efficacious in inhibiting parasite growth in multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle as assayed in vitro and in vivo. These properties could be attributed to the ability of the metal‐AQ complexes to reproduce the suppression of heme detoxification induced by AQ, while also inhibiting other processes in the parasite life cycle; this can be attributed to the action of the metallic species. Altogether, these findings indicate that metal coordination with antimalarial quinolines is a potential chemical tool for drug design and discovery in malaria and other infectious diseases susceptible to quinoline treatment.
On the correlation analysis of stocks with zero returns
Authors: Raïssi Hamdi
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this article is to study serial correlations, allowing for unconditional heteroscedasticity and time‐varying probabilities of zero financial returns. Depending on the set‐up, we investigate how the standard autocorrelations can be accommodated to deliver an accurate representation of the serial correlations of stock price changes. We shed light on the properties of the different serial correlations measures by means of Monte Carlo experiments. Theoretical results are also illustrated on shares from the Chilean stock market and Facebook stock intraday data.
Screening and Synthesis of Tetrazole Derivatives that Inhibit the Growth of Cryptococcus Species
Authors: Nakada Nana , Miyazaki Taiga , Mizuta Satoshi , Hirayama Tatsuro , Nakamichi Seiko , Takeda Kohsuke , Mukae Hiroshi , Kohno Shigeru , Tanaka Yoshimasa
Published: July 2023

Cryptococcosis has become a major health problem worldwide and caused morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, especially those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite the global distribution of cryptococcosis, the number and types of the available antifungals are limited, and the treatment outcomes in HIV patients are generally poor. In this study, we screened a compound library and identified one tetrazole derivative as an efficient inhibitor of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. We further designed and synthesized a series of tetrazole derivatives and determined their structure‐activity relationship, demonstrating that tetrazole backbone‐containing compounds could be developed as novel antifungal drugs with distinct mechanisms against Cryptococcus spp. Our findings provide a starting point for novel target identification and structural optimization to develop a distinct class of therapeutics for patients with cryptococcosis.
Disparities in prostate cancer screening, diagnoses, management, and outcomes between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous men in a universal health care system
Authors: Kiciak Alex , Clark Wayne , Uhlich Maxwell , Letendre Angeline , Littlechild Randy , Lightning Patrick , Vasquez Catalina , Singh Raja , Broomfield Stacey , Martin Anais Medina , Huang Guocheng , Fairey Adrian , Kolinsky Michael , Wallis Christopher J. D. , Fung Christopher , Hyndman Eric , Yip Steven , Bismar Tarek A. , Lewis John , Ghosh Sunita , Kinnaird Adam
Published: July 2023

Background

Indigenous Peoples have higher morbidity rates and lower life expectancies than non‐Indigenous Canadians. Identification of disparities between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous men regarding prostate cancer (PCa) screening, diagnoses, management, and outcomes was sought.

Methods

An observational cohort of men diagnosed with PCa between June 2014 and October 2022 was studied. Men were prospectively enrolled in the province‐wide Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative. The primary outcomes were tumor characteristics (stage, grade, and prostate‐specific antigen [PSA]) at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were PSA testing rates, time from diagnosis to treatment, treatment modality, and metastasis‐free, cancer‐specific, and overall survivals.

Results

Examination of 1,444,974 men for whom aggregate PSA testing data were available was performed. Men in Indigenous communities were less likely to have PSA testing performed than men outside of Indigenous communities (32 vs. 46 PSA tests per 100 men [aged 50–70 years] within 1 year; p < .001). Among 6049 men diagnosed with PCa, Indigenous men had higher risk disease characteristics: a higher proportion of Indigenous men had PSA ≥ 10 ng/mL (48% vs. 30%; p < .01), TNM stage ≥ T2 (65% vs. 47%; p < .01), and Gleason grade group ≥ 2 (79% vs. 64%; p < .01) compared to non‐Indigenous men. With a median follow‐up of 40 months (interquartile range, 25–65 months), Indigenous men were at higher risk of developing PCa metastases (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2–4.2; p < .01) than non‐Indigenous men.

Conclusions

Despite receiving care in a universal health care system, Indigenous men were less likely to receive PSA testing and more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive tumors and develop PCa metastases than non‐Indigenous men.
Organization of descending neurons in the brain of the desert locust
Authors: Staudacher Erich M. , Cigan Michel‐Leon , Wenz Felix , Pollun Aleksandra , Beck Sascha , Beck Marius , Reh Fabienne , Haas Judith , Homberg Uwe
Published: July 2023

In most animals, multiple external and internal signals are integrated by the brain, transformed and, finally, transmitted as commands to motor centers. In insects, the central complex is a motor control center in the brain, involved in decision‐making and goal‐directed navigation. In desert locusts, it encodes celestial cues in a compass‐like fashion indicating a role in sky‐compass navigation. While several descending brain neurons (DBNs) including two neurons transmitting sky compass signals have been identified in the locust, a complete analysis of DBNs and their relationship to the central complex is still lacking. As a basis for further studies, we used Neurobiotin tracer injections into a neck connective to map the organization of DBNs in the brain. Cell counts revealed a maximum of 324 bilateral pairs of DBNs with somata distributed in 14 ipsilateral and nine contralateral groups. These neurons invaded most brain neuropils, especially the posterior slope, posterior and ventro‐lateral protocerebrum, the antennal mechanosensory and motor center, but less densely the lateral accessory lobes that are targeted by central‐complex outputs. No arborizations were found in the central complex and only few processes in the mushroom body, antennal lobe, lobula, medulla, and superior protocerebrum. Double label experiments provide evidence for the presence of GABA, dopamine, tyramine, but not serotonin, in small sets of DBNs. The data show that some DBNs may be targeted directly by central‐complex outputs, but many others are likely only indirectly influenced by central‐complex networks, in addition to input from multiple other brain areas.
Sandwich Fibrous PEG Encapsulations for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Yang Kai , Zhang Xiuling , Venkataraman Mohanapriya , Wiener Jakub , Tan Xiaodong , Zhu Guocheng , Yao Juming , Militky Jiri
Published: July 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs) textiles have been developed for personal thermal management (PTM) while limited loading amount of PCMs in textiles reduced thermal buffering effect. In this work, we proposed a sandwich fibrous encapsulation to store polyethylene glycol (PEG) with PEG loading amount of 45 wt %, which consisted of polyester (PET) fabrics with hydrophobic coating as protection layers, polyurethane (PU) nanofibrous membranes as barrier layers and PEG‐loaded viscose fabric as a PCM‐loaded layer. The leakage was totally avoided by controlling weak interfacial adhesion between protection layer and melting PEG. The sandwich fibrous PEG encapsulations had an overall melting enthalpy value ranging from 50 J/g to 78 J/g and melting points ranging from 20 °C to 63 °C by using different PEGs. Besides, introduction of Fe microparticles in PCM‐loaded layer enhanced thermal energy storage efficiency. We believe that the sandwich fibrous PEG encapsulation has a great potential in various fields.
Presence of the cloud cover and elevation angle of the sun affect measurements of eggshell coloration and patterning obtained from calibrated digital images
Authors: Szala Klaudia , Tobolka Marcin , Surmacki Adrian
Published: July 2023

Calibrated digital photography is frequently used in studies focusing on avian eggshell appearance to measure colour and pattern features. Photographs are often taken in natural light conditions, yet little is known to what extent the normalisation process is able to control for varied light. Here, we photographed 36 blown eggs of the Japanese quail Coturnix japonica at five different elevation angles of the sun on both sunny and uniformly overcast days alongside grey standards. We normalised and processed the photographs in the MICA Toolbox software and checked how much noise was introduced by different natural light conditions to the colour and pattern measurements of the same set of eggs. Our results indicate that natural variation of light conditions affects eggshell colour and pattern measurements obtained by means of calibrated digital photography. Depending on a trait, the elevation angle of the sun had similar or even greater effect on the measurement than the presence of the cloud cover. Furthermore, measurements taken in cloudy conditions were more repeatable than those taken in sunny conditions. Based on the results, we propose practical guidelines regarding measuring colour and pattern of eggshells using calibrated digital photography in outdoor conditions.
Species‐specific responses to white‐nose syndrome in the Great Lakes region
Authors: Mallinger Elyse C. , Goodwin Katy R. , Kirschbaum Alan , Shen Yunyi , Gillam Erin H. , Olson Erik R.
Published: July 2023

White‐nose syndrome is a fungal disease that is threatening bat populations across North America. The disease primarily affects cave‐hibernating bats by depleting fat reserves during hibernation and causing a range of other physiological consequences when immune responses are suppressed. Since it was first detected in 2006, the disease has killed millions of bats and is responsible for extensive local extinctions. To better understand the effects of white‐nose syndrome on various bat species, we analyzed summer acoustic survey data collected from 2016 to 2020 at nine US National Parks within the Great Lakes region. We examined the effect that white‐nose syndrome, time of the year relative to pup volancy, habitat type, and regional variation (i.e., park) have on the acoustic abundance (i.e., mean call abundance) of six bat species. As expected, little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) and northern long‐eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), both hibernating species, experienced a significant decline in acoustic abundance following white‐nose syndrome detection. We observed a significant increase in acoustic abundance as white‐nose syndrome progressed for hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) and silver‐haired bats (Lasionycteris noctivagans), both migratory species that are not impacted by the disease. Contrary to our predictions, we observed an increase in big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus; hibernating) acoustic abundance and a decrease in eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis; migratory) acoustic abundance following the detection of white‐nose syndrome. We did not observe any significant changes after the onset of white‐nose syndrome in the seasonal patterns of acoustic activity related to pup volancy, suggesting that production or recruitment of young may not be affected by the disease. Our results suggest that white‐nose syndrome is affecting the acoustic abundance of certain species; however, these changes may not be a result of reduced reproductive success caused by the disease. In addition, species population dynamics may be indirectly affected by white‐nose syndrome as a result of reduced competition or a foraging niche release. We also found that for parks located at higher latitudes, little brown bat and northern long‐eared bat were more likely to experience greater declines in acoustic abundance as a result of white‐nose syndrome. Our work provides insight into species‐specific responses to white‐nose syndrome at a regional scale and examines factors that may facilitate resistance or resiliency to the disease.
How monster storms shape fringing reefs: Observations from the 2020 Middle East Cyclone
Authors: Oron Shai , Akkaynak Derya , Goodman Tchernov Beverly N. , Shaked Yonathan
Published: July 2023

In March 2020, an unusually intense storm system struck the Gulf of Aqaba‐Eilat, resulting in severe shoreline damage. This brief account examines post‐storm observations of inconsistent damage patterns and structural changes along a specific coastal stretch located at the south beach of Eilat. Certain sections of the coastline experienced direct impact from extreme waves on the south‐southeast‐facing shallow reef, resulting in areas where rocks were completely stripped of corals due to sediment backwash. Conversely, areas characterized by ridges and deep troughs saw the loss of branching corals and some massive colonies, while many small corals survived. A neighboring area with a well‐developed fringing reef suffered lesser damage. Between the severely affected shallow reef and the robust fringing reef lies an unconsolidated slope that migrated eastward by at least 2 m following the storm, incorporating numerous coral colonies dislodged by the event. We propose that this slope advances with each major storm occurrence, influencing the characteristics of nearby shores and coral reefs. This case demonstrates how storm events, in conjunction with geomorphology, have a cumulative and significant impact not only on the structure of coral communities but also on the fundamental shape of coral reefs themselves. As climate change amplifies the range, intensity, and frequency of storms, comprehending these processes becomes increasingly crucial.
Species diversity of forest floor biota in non‐native Douglas‐fir stands is similar to that of native stands
Authors: Glatthorn Jonas , Appleby Scott , Balkenhol Niko , Kriegel Peter , Likulunga Likulunga Emmanuel , Lu Jing‐Zhong , Matevski Dragan , Polle Andrea , Riebl Hannes , Rivera Pérez Carmen Alicia , Scheu Stefan , Seinsche Alexander , Schall Peter , Schuldt Andreas , Wingender Severin , Ammer Christian
Published: July 2023

Cultivation of non‐native tree species is a promising option to adapt managed forests to climate change. However, consequences of non‐native tree species on flora, fauna, and microorganisms that occur in forest ecosystems (forest associates) need to be considered when managing forests. We lack a solid understanding of how cultivating non‐native tree species in pure stands and in mixture with native tree species impacts abundance and species diversity of forest associates. We compared abundance, alpha‐, beta‐ and gamma‐diversity of eight forest‐floor‐associated taxa that are relevant for ecosystem functioning (including fungi, plants, arthropods, and small mammals) between different forest ecosystems. We addressed pure stands of non‐native coniferous Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and two native species, broad‐leaved European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and coniferous Norway spruce (Picea abies), as well as mixed stands of European beech with each conifer in two regions with differing site conditions in temperate Northwest Germany. Diversity indices revealed differences among species groups. Gamma‐diversity and alpha‐diversity of forest associates in Douglas‐fir and spruce stands were usually higher than in beech stands. Estimates of species diversity of mixed stands are intermediate between estimates for the respective pure stands. Differences in the diversity between the two study regions were highly taxon specific with no clear support for a general trend toward a higher or lower species diversity of forest associates depending on site quality. Abundance values show a pattern similar to our diversity estimates, but with a higher statistical uncertainty. Non‐native Douglas‐fir stands provided habitats to support associated species communities of equally high or higher diversity than stands of native beech or spruce. Mixed stands of non‐native and native tree species may be a management option to achieve different goals, that is, to provide habitats for species that are strictly associated with beech and to increase resilience to climate change. However, the overall diversity of forest‐floor‐associated biota is not improved by cultivating Douglas‐fir or spruce in mixture with beech.
Paleometagenomics reveals environmental microbiome response to vegetation changes in northern Siberia over the millennia
Authors: Perfumo Amedea , Çabuk Uğur , Schulte Luise , Courtin Jérémy , Harms Lars , Stoof‐Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Herzschuh Ulrike
Published: July 2023

The study of environmental ancient DNA provides us with the unique opportunity to link environmental with ecosystem change over a millennial timescale. Paleorecords such as lake sediments contain genetic pools of past living organisms that are a valuable source of information to reconstruct how ecosystems were and how they changed in response to climate in the past. Here, we report on paleometagenomics of a sedimentary record in northern Siberia covering the past 6700 years. We integrated taxonomic with functional gene analysis, which enabled to shed light not only on community compositions but also on eco‐physiological adaptations and ecosystem functioning. We reconstructed the presence of an open boreal forest 6700 years ago that over time was gradually replaced by tundra. This vegetation change had major consequences on the environmental microbiome, primarily enriching bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers (e.g., Nitrospira, Nitrosopumilus, and Ca. Nitrosocosmicus) in the tundra ecosystem. We identified a core microbiome conserved through time and largely consisting of heterotrophic bacteria of the Bacteroidetes phylum (e.g., Mucilaginibacter) harboring numerous functional genes for degradation of plant‐biomass and abiotic and biotic stress resistance. Archaea were also a key functional guild, involved in nitrogen and carbon cycling, not only methanogenesis but possibly also degradation of plant material via enzymes such as cellulases and amylases. Overall, the paleo‐perspective offered by our study can have a profound impact on modern climate change biology, by helping to explain and predict the ecological interplay among multiple ecosystem levels based on past experiences.
Whey protein aggregates‐alginate composite gel for astaxanthin‐chia oil encapsulation
Authors: Espinaco Brenda Y. , Niizawa Ignacio , Zorrilla Susana E. , Sihufe Guillermo A.
Published: July 2023

Chia oil (rich in omega‐3 fatty acids) and astaxanthin are associated with various benefits for human health. However, their low solubility and poor stability reduce their direct use as bioactive compounds. Its encapsulation within the appropriate material can be a solution in this case. This work evaluated the effect of whey protein aggregates (WPA) on the storage stability of chia oil‐astaxanthin blends encapsulated in alginate gel beads. Bead characteristics and the stability of encapsulated bioactive compounds stored at 25°C for 30 days were evaluated. High values of encapsulation efficiency (>85%) were observed in the cases studied. The addition of WPA affected some characteristics of the beads and improved the stability of the bioactive compounds compared to pure alginate beads. After 30 days of storage, higher preservation of astaxanthin and lower content of lipid oxidation products were observed in beads with WPA compared to alginate beads.
Electrochemical determination of sulfaguanidine using COOH‐MWCNT coated GC electrode
Authors: Jabrallah Taha Ben , Amal Chaabani , Tahar Noureddine Belhadj
Published: July 2023

The electrochemical behavior of sulfaguanidine was investigated in PBS buffer aqueous solutions. Cyclic voltammograms have shown that (1) the Sg provided a well‐defined irreversible oxidation peak (2) the signal‐to‐background current ratio is 3 times higher at COOH‐MWCNT coated GCE than that of bare GCE and (3) the modifying GCE surface by COOH‐MWCNT led to a significant improvement (2.7 folds) of the electrochemical response. It has been shown that Sg oxidizes according to a diffusion‐controlled mechanism. A linear calibration curve was obtained for the oxidation of Sg at 10–70 μM. The COOH‐MWCNT coated GCE has also been successfully used for the determination of Sg in real samples.
Trends and future of agricultural irrigation in Michigan and Indiana
Authors: Dong Younsuk , Christenson Catherine , Kelley Lyndon , Miller Steve
Published: July 2023

Irrigation plays a critical role in Michigan and Indiana, USA, supporting various crops such as commercial corn, seed corn, soybeans, potatoes, fruit and vegetables. Irrigated lands in Michigan and Indiana have continuously increased over the last 20 years. As Michigan and Indiana have experienced more erratic precipitation and warmer temperatures, more irrigated lands will be projected. This study focused on understanding the changes in irrigation in Michigan and Indiana using USDA NASS data. The observation of changes from 2002 to 2017 helped to identify the critical considerations for developing future irrigation research and extension programmes in Michigan and Indiana. The study found that continuation of the collaboration with stakeholders, including state regulators, government staff, commodity groups, the irrigation industry and farmers, will be important to disseminate the most up‐to‐date irrigation information effectively to farmers. As more new irrigated lands are expected, outreach programmes for the optimal design of irrigation systems for specific crop types should be developed. Moreover, an easy‐to‐use and affordable irrigation scheduling technology is needed to increase the adoption rate of scheduling tools, ultimately improving irrigation water and energy use efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts.
Intra‐annual snowfall variability in the central United States
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. , Uz Jamie , Loewy Charles
Published: July 2023

Snowfall in the central United States has been shown to be highly variable at interannual timescales and subjected to long‐term linear trends. However, limited understanding is available about the intra‐annual variations and trends in snowfall within this region. Using a selection of GHCN daily snowfall observations and statistical analyses, this study develops a monthly climatology of snowfall characteristics in the central United States from 1948 to 2021. Here we find larger magnitude snowfall events have a greater relative frequency to seasonal snowfall late in the snow season, have increased in frequency in the western and northern regions of the basin, and contribute to a bimodal distribution of monthly snowfall in these sub‐regions. While snowfall has significantly increased over time within the northern and western regions of the domain by as much as 83%, snowfall has significantly decreased by much as 46% in the southern and eastern regions. Further, March snowfall totals and event frequencies have declined across the vast majority of the study domain, with maximum decreases in eastern IA of approximately 50%. When coupled with increases in snowfall and snowfall events in February, this suggests a shift in the snowfall season with time in this portion of the study region. Such results may be of particular interest to snow and water resource managers where integration of the nonstationarity of snowfall events and totals with time into management plans may yield better solutions.
Accounting for time dependency in meta‐analyses of concordance probability estimates
Authors: Schmid Matthias , Friede Tim , Klein Nadja , Weinhold Leonie
Published: July 2023

Recent years have seen the development of many novel scoring tools for disease prognosis and prediction. To become accepted for use in clinical applications, these tools have to be validated on external data. In practice, validation is often hampered by logistical issues, resulting in multiple small‐sized validation studies. It is therefore necessary to synthesize the results of these studies using techniques for meta‐analysis. Here we consider strategies for meta analyzing the concordance probability for time‐to‐event data (“C‐index”), which has become a popular tool to evaluate the discriminatory power of prediction models with a right‐censored outcome. We show that standard meta‐analysis of the C‐index may lead to biased results, as the magnitude of the concordance probability depends on the length of the time interval used for evaluation (defined e.g., by the follow‐up time, which might differ considerably between studies). To address this issue, we propose a set of methods for random‐effects meta‐regression that incorporate time directly as covariate in the model equation. In addition to analyzing nonlinear time trends via fractional polynomial, spline, and exponential decay models, we provide recommendations on suitable transformations of the C‐index before meta‐regression. Our results suggest that the C‐index is best meta‐analyzed using fractional polynomial meta‐regression with logit‐transformed C‐index values. Classical random‐effects meta‐analysis (not considering time as covariate) is demonstrated to be a suitable alternative when follow‐up times are small. Our findings have implications for the reporting of C‐index values in future studies, which should include information on the length of the time interval underlying the calculations.
Localizations of integer‐valued polynomials and of their Picard group
Authors: Spirito Dario
Published: July 2023

We prove a necessary and sufficient criterion for the ring of integer‐valued polynomials to behave well under localization. Then, we study how the Picard group of Int(D) and the quotient group behave in relation to Jaffard, weak Jaffard, and pre‐Jaffard families; in particular, we show that when T ranges in a Jaffard family of D, and study when similar isomorphisms hold when T ranges in a pre‐Jaffard family. In particular, we show that the previous isomorphism holds when D is an almost Dedekind domain such that the ring integer‐valued polynomials behave well under localization and such that the maximal space of D is scattered with respect to the inverse topology.