bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface premelting of ice far below the triple point
Authors: Lin Yulin , Zhou Tao , Rosenmann Nathan D. , Yu Lei , Gage Thomas E. , Banik Suvo , Neogi Arnab , Chan Henry , Lei Aiwen , Lin Xiao-Min , Holt Martin , Arslan Ilke , Wen Jianguo
Published: October 2023

Premelting of ice, a quasi-liquid layer (QLL) at the surface below the melting temperature, was first postulated by Michael Faraday 160 y ago. Since then, it has been extensively studied theoretically and experimentally through many techniques. Existing work has been performed predominantly on hexagonal ice, at conditions close to the triple point. Whether the same phenomenon can persist at much lower pressure and temperature, where stacking disordered ice sublimates directly into water vapor, remains unclear. Herein, we report direct observations of surface premelting on ice nanocrystals below the sublimation temperature using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Similar to what has been reported on hexagonal ice, a QLL is found at the solid-vapor interface. It preferentially decorates certain facets, and its thickness increases as the phase transition temperature is approached. In situ TEM reveals strong diffusion of the QLL, while electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms its amorphous nature. More significantly, the premelting observed in this work is thought to be related to the metastable low-density ultraviscous water, instead of ambient liquid water as in the case of hexagonal ice. This opens a route to understand premelting and grassy liquid state, far away from the normal water triple point.
North American pollen records provide evidence for macroscale ecological changes in the Anthropocene
Authors: Stegner M. Allison , Spanbauer Trisha L.
Published: October 2023

Recent global changes associated with anthropogenic activities are impacting ecological systems globally, giving rise to the Anthropocene. Critical reorganization of biological communities and biodiversity loss are expected to accelerate as anthropogenic global change continues. Long-term records offer context for understanding baseline conditions and those trajectories that are beyond the range of normal fluctuation seen over recent millennia: Are we causing changes that are fundamentally different from changes in the past? Using a rich dataset of late Quaternary pollen records, stored in the open-access and community-curated Neotoma database, we analyzed changes in biodiversity and community composition since the end Pleistocene in North America. We measured taxonomic richness, short-term taxonomic loss and gain, first/last appearances (FAD/LAD), and abrupt community change. For all analyses, we incorporated age-model uncertainty and accounted for differences in sample size to generate conservative estimates. The most prominent signals of elevated vegetation change were seen during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition and since 200 calendar years before present (cal YBP). During the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, abrupt changes and FADs were elevated, and from 200 to −50 cal YBP, we found increases in short-term taxonomic loss, FADs, LADs, and abrupt changes. Taxonomic richness declined from ~13,000 cal YBP until about 6,000 cal YBP and then increased until the present, reaching levels seen during the end Pleistocene. Regionally, patterns were highly variable. These results show that recent changes associated with anthropogenic impacts are comparable to the landscape changes that took place as we moved from a glacial to interglacial world.
Ferromagnetic ordering correlated strong metal–oxygen hybridization for superior oxygen reduction reaction activity
Authors: Li Jisi , Zheng Caiyan , Zhao Erling , Mao Jing , Cheng Yahui , Liu Hui , Hu Zhenpeng , Ling Tao
Published: October 2023

The efficiency of transition-metal oxide materials toward oxygen-related electrochemical reactions is classically controlled by metal–oxygen hybridization. Recently, the unique magnetic exchange interactions in transition-metal oxides are proposed to facilitate charge transfer and reduce activation barrier in electrochemical reactions. Such spin/magnetism-related effects offer a new and rich playground to engineer oxide electrocatalysts, but their connection with the classical metal–oxygen hybridization theory remains an open question. Here, using the Mn
x
V
y
O
z
family as a platform, we show that ferromagnetic (FM) ordering is intrinsically correlated with the strong manganese (Mn)–oxygen (O) hybridization of Mn oxides, thus significantly increasing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. We demonstrate that this enhanced Mn–O hybridization in FM Mn oxides is closely associated with the generation of active Mn sites on the oxide surface and obtaining favorable reaction thermodynamics under operating conditions. As a result, FM-Mn
2
V
2
O
7
with a high degree of Mn–O hybridization achieves a record high ORR activity. Our work highlights the potential applications of magnetic oxide materials with strong metal–oxygen hybridization in energy devices.
An intact pituitary vasopressin system is critical for building a robust circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshiaki , Maekawa Yota , Kabashima Kyohei , Mizuno Takanobu , Tainaka Motomi , Suzuki Toru , Dojo Kumiko , Tominaga Takeichiro , Kuroiwa Sayaka , Masubuchi Satoru , Doi Masao , Tominaga Keiko , Kobayashi Kazuto , Yamagata Satoshi , Itoi Keiichi , Abe Manabu , Schwartz William J. , Sakimura Kenji , Okamura Hitoshi
Published: October 2023

The circadian clock is a biological timekeeping system that oscillates with a circa-24-h period, reset by environmental timing cues, especially light, to the 24-h day–night cycle. In mammals, a “central” clock in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) synchronizes “peripheral” clocks throughout the body to regulate behavior, metabolism, and physiology. A key feature of the clock’s oscillation is resistance to abrupt perturbations, but the mechanisms underlying such robustness are not well understood. Here, we probe clock robustness to unexpected photic perturbation by measuring the speed of reentrainment of the murine locomotor rhythm after an abrupt advance of the light–dark cycle. Using an intersectional genetic approach, we implicate a critical role for arginine vasopressin pathways, both central within the SCN and peripheral from the anterior pituitary.
Complete miRNA-15/16 loss in mice promotes hematopoietic progenitor expansion and a myeloid-biased hyperproliferative state
Authors: Ng Anita , Lovat Francesca , Shih Andrew J. , Ma Yuhong , Pekarsky Yuri , DiCaro Frank , Crichton Lita , Sharma Esha , Yan Xiao Jie , Sun Daqian , Song Tengfei , Zou Yong-Rui , Will Britta , Croce Carlo M. , Chiorazzi Nicholas
Published: October 2023

Dysregulated apoptosis and proliferation are fundamental properties of cancer, and microRNAs (miRNA) are critical regulators of these processes. Loss of miR-15a/16-1 at chromosome 13q14 is the most common genomic aberration in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Correspondingly, the deletion of either murine miR-15a/16-1 or miR-15b/16-2 locus in mice is linked to B cell lymphoproliferative malignancies. However, unexpectedly, when both miR-15/16 clusters are eliminated, most double knockout (DKO) mice develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, in patients with AML, significantly reduced expression of miR-15a, miR-15b, and miR-16 associates with progression of myelodysplastic syndrome to AML, as well as blast crisis in chronic myeloid leukemia. Thus, the miR-15/16 clusters have a biological relevance for myeloid neoplasms. Here, we demonstrate that the myeloproliferative phenotype in DKO mice correlates with an increase of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) early in life. Using single-cell transcriptomic analyses, we presented the molecular underpinning of increased myeloid output in the HSPC of DKO mice with gene signatures suggestive of dysregulated hematopoiesis, metabolic activities, and cell cycle stages. Functionally, we found that multipotent progenitors (MPP) of DKO mice have increased self-renewing capacities and give rise to significantly more progeny in the granulocytic compartment. Moreover, a unique transcriptomic signature of DKO MPP correlates with poor outcome in patients with AML. Together, these data point to a unique regulatory role for miR-15/16 during the early stages of hematopoiesis and to a potentially useful biomarker for the pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasms.
Molecular basis for C-degron recognition by CRL2APPBP2ubiquitin ligase
Authors: Zhao Shidong , Olmayev-Yaakobov Diana , Ru Wenwen , Li Shanshan , Chen Xinyan , Zhang Jiahai , Yao Xuebiao , Koren Itay , Zhang Kaiming , Xu Chao
Published: October 2023

E3 ubiquitin ligases determine the specificity of eukaryotic protein degradation by selective binding to destabilizing protein motifs, termed degrons, in substrates for ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The exposed C-terminal residues of proteins can act as C-degrons that are recognized by distinct substrate receptors (SRs) as part of dedicated cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) complexes. APPBP2, an SR of Cullin 2-RING ligase (CRL2), has been shown to recognize R-x-x-G/C-degron; however, the molecular mechanism of recognition remains elusive. By solving several cryogenic electron microscopy structures of active CRL2APPBP2bound with different R-x-x-G/C-degrons, we unveiled the molecular mechanisms underlying the assembly of the CRL2APPBP2dimer and tetramer, as well as C-degron recognition. The structural study, complemented by binding experiments and cell-based assays, demonstrates that APPBP2 specifically recognizes the R-x-x-G/C-degron via a bipartite mechanism; arginine and glycine, which play critical roles in C-degron recognition, accommodate distinct pockets that are spaced by two residues. In addition, the binding pocket is deep enough to enable the interaction of APPBP2 with the motif placed at or up to three residues upstream of the C-end. Overall, our study not only provides structural insight into CRL2APPBP2-mediated protein turnover but also serves as the basis for future structure-based chemical probe design.
Membrane remodeling properties of the Parkinson’s disease protein LRRK2
Authors: Wang Xinbo , Espadas Javier , Wu Yumei , Cai Shujun , Ge Jinghua , Shao Lin , Roux Aurélien , De Camilli Pietro
Published: October 2023

Mutations in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are responsible for late-onset autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease. LRRK2 has been implicated in a wide range of physiological processes including membrane repair in the endolysosomal system. Here, using cell-free systems, we report that purified LRRK2 directly binds acidic lipid bilayers with a preference for highly curved bilayers. While this binding is nucleotide independent, LRRK2 can also deform low-curvature liposomes into narrow tubules in a guanylnucleotide-dependent but Adenosine 5′-triphosphate-independent way. Moreover, assembly of LRRK2 into scaffolds at the surface of lipid tubules can constrict them. We suggest that an interplay between the membrane remodeling and signaling properties of LRRK2 may be key to its physiological function. LRRK2, via its kinase activity, may achieve its signaling role at sites where membrane remodeling occurs.
The impact of farming on prehistoric culinary practices throughout Northern Europe
Authors: Lucquin Alexandre , Robson Harry K. , Oras Ester , Lundy Jasmine , Moretti Giulia , González Carretero Lara , Dekker Joannes , Demirci Özge , Dolbunova Ekaterina , McLaughlin T. Rowan , Piezonka Henny , Talbot Helen M. , Adamczak Kamil , Czekaj-Zastawny Agnieszka , Groß Daniel , Gumiński Witold , Hartz Sönke , Kabaciński Jacek , Koivisto Satu , Linge Trond Eilev , Meyer Ann-Katrin , Mökkönen Teemu , Philippsen Bente , Piličiauskas Gytis , Visocka Vanda , Kriiska Aivar , Raemaekers Daan , Meadows John , Heron Carl , Craig Oliver E.
Published: October 2023

To investigate changes in culinary practices associated with the arrival of farming, we analysed the organic residues of over 1,000 pottery vessels from hunter-gatherer-fisher and early agricultural sites across Northern Europe from the Lower Rhine Basin to the Northeastern Baltic. Here, pottery was widely used by hunter-gatherer-fishers prior to the introduction of domesticated animals and plants. Overall, there was surprising continuity in the way that hunter-gatherer-fishers and farmers used pottery. Both aquatic products and wild plants remained prevalent, a pattern repeated consistently across the study area. We argue that the rapid adaptation of farming communities to exploit coastal and lagoonal resources facilitated their northerly expansion, and in some cases, hunting, gathering, and fishing became the most dominant subsistence strategy. Nevertheless, dairy products frequently appear in pottery associated with the earliest farming groups often mixed with wild plants and fish. Interestingly, we also find compelling evidence of dairy products in hunter-gatherer-fisher Ertebølle pottery, which predates the arrival of domesticated animals. We propose that Ertebølle hunter-gatherer-fishers frequently acquired dairy products through exchange with adjacent farming communities prior to the transition. The continuity observed in pottery use across the transition to farming contrasts with the analysis of human remains which shows substantial demographic change through ancient DNA and, in some cases, a reduction in marine consumption through stable isotope analysis. We postulate that farmers acquired the knowledge and skills they needed to succeed from local hunter-gatherer-fishers but without substantial admixture.
Slow-release synthesis of Cu single-atom catalysts with the optimized geometric structure and density of state distribution for Fenton-like catalysis
Authors: Gu Chao-Hai , Wang Song , Zhang Ai-Yong , Liu Chang , Jiang Jun , Yu Han-Qing
Published: October 2023

Single-atom Fenton-like catalysis has attracted significant attention, yet the quest for controllable synthesis of single-atom catalysts (SACs) with modulation of electron configuration is driven by the current disadvantages of poor activity, low selectivity, narrow pH range, and ambiguous structure–performance relationship. Herein, we devised an innovative strategy, the slow-release synthesis, to fabricate superior Cu SACs by facilitating the dynamic equilibrium between metal precursor supply and anchoring site formation. In this strategy, the dynamics of anchoring site formation, metal precursor release, and their binding reaction kinetics were regulated. Bolstered by harmoniously aligned dynamics, the selective and specific monatomic binding reactions were ensured to refine controllable SACs synthesis with well-defined structure–reactivity relationship. A copious quantity of monatomic dispersed metal became deposited on the C
3
N
4
/montmorillonite (MMT) interface and surface with accessible exposure due to the convenient mass transfer within ordered MMT. The slow-release effect facilitated the generation of targeted high-quality sites by equilibrating the supply and demand of the metal precursor and anchoring site and improved the utilization ratio of metal precursors. An excellent Fenton-like reactivity for contaminant degradation was achieved by the Cu
1
/C
3
N
4
/MMT with diminished toxic Cu liberation. Also, the selective ·OH-mediated reaction mechanism was elucidated. Our findings provide a strategy for regulating the intractable anchoring events and optimizing the microenvironment of the monatomic metal center to synthesize superior SACs.
Biphasic decay of intact SHIV genomes following initiation of antiretroviral therapy complicates analysis of interventions targeting the reservoir
Authors: Kumar Mithra R. , Fray Emily J. , Bender Alexandra M. , Zitzmann Carolin , Ribeiro Ruy M. , Perelson Alan S. , Barouch Dan H. , Siliciano Janet D. , Siliciano Robert F.
Published: October 2023

The latent reservoir for HIV-1 in resting CD4
+
T cells persists despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) and precludes cure. Reservoir-targeting interventions are evaluated in ART-treated macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Efficacy is determined by reservoir measurements before and after the intervention. However, most proviruses persisting in the setting of ART are defective. In addition, intact HIV-1 and SIV genomes undergo complex, multiphasic decay observable when new infection events are blocked by ART. Intervention-induced elimination of latently infected cells must be distinguished from natural decay. Here, we address these issues for SHIV. We describe an intact proviral DNA assay that allows digital counting of SHIV genomes lacking common fatal defects. We show that intact SHIV genomes in circulating CD4
+
T cells undergo biphasic decay during the first year of ART, with a rapid first phase (t
1/2
= 30.1 d) and a slower second phase (t
1/2
= 8.1 mo) that is still more rapid that the slow decay observed in people with HIV-1 on long-term ART (t
1/2
= 3.7 y). In SHIV models, most interventions are tested during 2nd phase decay. Natural 2nd phase decay must be considered in evaluating interventions as most infected cells present at this time do not become part of the stable reservoir. In addition, for interventions tested during 2nd phase decay, a caveat is that the intervention may not be equally effective in people with HIV on long-term ART whose reservoirs are dominated by latently infected cells with a slower decay rate.
Culture-specific variation in interpretations of nations as
bodies metaphors by English and German L1 speakers
Authors: Musolff Andreas
Published: October 2023

One of the key-metaphor complexes in conceptualizing national
identity is that of the nation as a body or a person. Nation -embodiment and -personalization have had a long conceptual history and still figure
prominently in present-day political discourse. However, the
socio-psychological impact of these metaphors is still in question: does the
occurrence of embodied and personalized nation-depictions in public
discourse mean that recipients understand and interpret international
relations in terms of inter-body or inter-personal relationships?

New empirical evidence from a metaphor interpretation survey
conducted in 30 countries suggest that such conceptualizations do indeed
occur and lead to creative elaboration and inter-metaphor blendings.
Moreover, it can be shown that the elicited metaphor interpretations relate
to culture-specific discourse traditions. The chapter compares data from the
English and German L1 survey samples and discusses their implications for
the analysis of metaphor understanding.
Conceptualising presidential elections
Authors: Jäkel Olaf
Published: October 2023

This contribution investigates the metaphorical conceptualisation
of US-presidential elections. A solid onomasiological metaphor study (cf.
Jäkel 2003) brings out
alternative and even competing models. One point of this paper is to decide
which approach to the analysis of political metaphor is better suited for a
critical discourse analysis: Steen’s
(2008, 2011a) concept of deliberate metaphor on
the one hand, or Charteris-Black’s
(2012) purposeful metaphor on the other
hand. This is discussed on the basis of authentic discourse data from the
US-presidential campaign of 2016 and the 2018 midterm elections. Following a
concise analysis of some conventional metaphors instatiating standard
alternative models in the public media domain, Donald Trump’s and Hillary
Clinton’s uses of metaphor are compared to results of an investigation of
former US-president Barack Obama’s metaphorical language in a corpus of
eight of his major speeches held between 2008 and 2012 (cf. Jäkel 2012).
Opening the thinkgates?
Authors: Reif Monika
Published: October 2023

This corpus study investigates the uptake and (non-)continuation
of metaphors and metaphor scenarios related to migration/migrants in news
reader comment sections of selected British broadsheets and tabloids. It is
shown how scenarios are modified and aspects of the source domain
foregrounded/backgrounded in order to serve the argumentative interests of
the respective writers. At the same time, potential correlations between
specific conceptual metaphors and argumentative topoi are analysed, with a
particular focus on mixed metaphors. It is argued that the combinations of
conceptual metaphors found in instances of mixed metaphor often create
cognitive dissonance, but that the wish for dramatic effect through
exaggeration appears to justify the merger of two seemingly incompatible
metaphors. The argumentative aim thus seems to be more important than the
internal coherence of the mixed metaphor itself. With regard to the use of
concrete metaphorical linguistic expressions, the corpus data further reveal
that language users repeatedly draw on specific lexical items linked to a
restricted area of the source domain. It is not surprising, therefore, that
the discourse surrounding the topic of migration comes across as highly
conventionalised at times, especially within socio-political echo
chambers.
Conceptualization of goat in West African Englishes
Authors: Keškic Kader Bas
Published: October 2023

This chapter takes a Cultural Linguistics approach to research on
World Englishes and is primarily concerned with the use and variation of
animal metaphors in West African Englishes, namely Nigerian and Ghanaian
English. In order to provide a sound basis for the aspects of variation,
other varieties of English such as British English, Tanzanian English, and
Kenyan English will be included as points of reference. In this way, this
research intends to reveal the role of different cultural settings on the
usage of figurative language in general and variation of animal metaphors in
particular, taking the conceptualization of goat as the immediate
case in point. The current dataset includes the components of the Corpus of
Global Web-based English (GloWbE) and the International Corpus of English
(ICE) pertaining to the aforementioned varieties of English. Therefore, the
main methodological approach follows corpus linguistic analyses of the data.
The results show both similarities and differences in the ways that goats
are conceptualized in these varieties. Close examinations of figurative
usages of goat expressions further contribute to the study of metaphor
variation in Englishes spoken around the world.
Cooking verbs and the cultural conceptualization of cooking processes in
Japanese
Authors: Tsujimura Natsuko
Published: October 2023

This chapter provides a semantic analysis of Japanese cooking
verbs in comparison with English counterparts. It will be shown that some of
the semantic components that are lexicalized (or incorporated) to form a
verb’s meaning reflects a cultural conceptualization of food preparation.
Building upon Lehrer’s (1972)
analysis of Japanese cooking verbs but further revising it, the chapter will
showcase relevant aspects of a culturally constructed conceptualization of
food preparation reflected in the Japanese language. Interestingly, a
comparison between Japanese and English appears to show a relatively meager
inventory of cooking verbs in Japanese. However, while Japanese may have a
more limited number of cooking verbs in which semantic components are
lexicalized, the language makes available other linguistic means such as use
of mimetics and compounding that detail the cooking process. These
additional mechanisms help maintain the broad range of fine-grained
descriptions pertinent to the cooking process, while simultaneously
preserving a culturally constructed conceptualization of food
preparation.
Wellness
Authors: Scott Penelope
Published: October 2023

This chapter presents a Cultural Linguistic analysis of the
conceptualisation of wellness as found in contemporary internet language.
It considers how cultural conceptualisations found in the discourses of
health, wellness and detoxification intersect with other conceptualisations including
for example the notions of sacredness and purity associated with religion
(Douglas 1966). wellness is
structured by three broad cultural models: the ‘detox’ model, which
incorporates aspects of Beck’s
(1992) notion of ‘Risk Society’, a ‘medical countercultural’
model, and a ‘whole health’ model. This chapter also considers how knowledge
of the cultural conceptualisations for wellness affects responses to medical
advice from different sources. The analysis takes account of the cultural
schemas (Quinn 1987; Sharifian 2011), image schemas
(Johnson 1987) and conceptual
metaphors (Lakoff & Johnson
1980) underpinning this view of health and demonstrates the value
of Cultural Linguistic approaches in Medical and Health Humanities.
Beyond explicit references
Authors: Pu Ming-Ming
Published: October 2023

The present study explores the use of zero anaphor in discourse from
a cognitive-functional perspective. Although zero anaphora is
commonly considered to be a dividing parameter of linguistic
typology between languages like Chinese and English, the study
argues that it is a discourse phenomenon that manifests highest
degree of cognitive accessibility and figures prominently in coding
topicality and signaling maximum coherence in discourse processing.
The study proposes a general zero-anaphor principle and
demonstrates that, using text data from Chinese and English, zero
anaphora is indeed a function of topicality and thematic coherence,
and its use in discourse is remarkably similar between these two
languages that are considered typologically very different.
L1 effects in acquisition of the Japanese OPC by L1 English and
L1 Spanish speakers
Authors: Okuma Tokiko
Published: October 2023

This paper provides evidence for the Full Transfer/Full Access Hypothesis (FT/FA; Schwartz & Sprouse, 1994, 1996) through an investigation of the interpretation of the Japanese pronoun kare ‘he’ by intermediate and advanced L1 English and L1 Spanish speakers of L2 Japanese. The intermediate English group was not sensitive to the referential/quantified antecedent asymmetry in interpreting pronouns, while the intermediate Spanish group was. This difference is attributable to their L1s: English does not observe the Overt Pronoun Constraint (OPC), while Spanish, like Japanese, does. Moreover, the advanced English and Spanish groups showed evidence of the target-like grammar. As the OPC is underdetermined in input, these results suggest that Universal Grammar (UG) is operative in L2 acquisition, supporting the FT/FA.
Measures of anaphoric-reflexive acquisition in
Chinese
Authors: Sperlich Darcy
Published: October 2023

This chapter investigates the second language acquisition of the
Chinese reflexive ziji ‘self’ by
English and Korean speakers. The aim is to utilize cognitive and behavioural measures in order to investigate the hypothesis that Chinese and
Korean reflexives are pragmatically regulated, while English
reflexives are syntactically governed. The measures
used are reaction timing, confidence levels and knowledge source
attribution. The experiment specifically examines how a processing
account of reflexives can support a pragmatic/syntactic distinction
of reflexive regulation in linguistic theory by observing how
long-distance and local binding is achieved in neutral and biased
contexts. Results reveal that English and Korean learners of Chinese
have differing sources of language transfer affecting their
interpretation of Chinese ziji.
Overall, the measures obtained shows their power in understanding what underlies traditional antecedent judgements.
The use of null subjects by Greek-Italian bilingual
children
Authors: Andreou Maria , Torregrossa Jacopo , Bongartz Christiane
Published: October 2023

It has been shown that Greek and Italian vary in the use of null
subjects (Torregrossa, Bongartz
& Tsimpli 2015; Torregrossa, Andreou & Bongartz 2020): while
Italian null subjects tend to refer to the subject of the preceding
clause, Greek null subjects show a less restricted distribution. The
aim of this study is to show how this cross-linguistic difference is
reflected in the use of null subjects by Greek-Italian bilingual
children. Thirty-seven (N = 37) children ranging in age from 8;0 to
12;0 participated in the study. The production of null subjects was
observed in narrative context and analyzed according to syntactic
and discourse factors. The results show that the Greek pattern of
use of null subjects is transferred to Italian and this effect is
modulated by dominance, as measured by means of a sentence
repetition task administered in both languages and background
questionnaires.
MRCK ensures cortex-chromatin “social distancing” to enable egg spindle rotation
Authors: Totsuka Takaya , Akera Takashi , Olson Michael F.
Published: October 2023

During the second meiotic cell division, egg cells discard one set of chromatids to the polar body to produce a large haploid gamete. Meiotic spindle rotation is a critical step to ensure proper polar body extrusion. In this issue, Bourdais et al. (2023. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202211029) have identified MRCKβ as an essential kinase for efficient spindle rotation. MRCK activates cortical myosin II rings overlying the spindle to prevent the notoriously sticky interaction between the cell cortex and chromatin to facilitate spindle rotation. Furthermore, Bourdais et al. found that the same MRCK-myosin II pathway also operates in zygotes to promote parental genome unification.
CD8+ lymphocytes are critical for early control of tuberculosis in macaques
Authors: Winchell Caylin G. , Nyquist Sarah K. , Chao Michael C. , Maiello Pauline , Myers Amy J. , Hopkins Forrest , Chase Michael , Gideon Hannah P. , Patel Kush V. , Bromley Joshua D. , Simonson Andrew W. , Floyd-O’Sullivan Roisin , Wadsworth Marc , Rosenberg Jacob M. , Uddin Rockib , Hughes Travis , Kelly Ryan J. , Griffo Josephine , Tomko Jaime , Klein Edwin , Berger Bonnie , Scanga Charles A. , Mattila Joshua , Fortune Sarah M. , Shalek Alex K. , Lin Philana Ling , Flynn JoAnne L.
Published: October 2023

The functional role of CD8+ lymphocytes in tuberculosis remains poorly understood. We depleted innate and/or adaptive CD8+ lymphocytes in macaques and showed that loss of all CD8α+ cells (using anti-CD8α antibody) significantly impaired early control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, leading to increased granulomas, lung inflammation, and bacterial burden. Analysis of barcoded Mtb from infected macaques demonstrated that depletion of all CD8+ lymphocytes allowed increased establishment of Mtb in lungs and dissemination within lungs and to lymph nodes, while depletion of only adaptive CD8+ T cells (with anti-CD8β antibody) worsened bacterial control in lymph nodes. Flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed polyfunctional cytotoxic CD8+ lymphocytes in control granulomas, while CD8-depleted animals were unexpectedly enriched in CD4 and γδ T cells adopting incomplete cytotoxic signatures. Ligand-receptor analyses identified IL-15 signaling in granulomas as a driver of cytotoxic T cells. These data support that CD8+ lymphocytes are required for early protection against Mtb and suggest polyfunctional cytotoxic responses as a vaccine target.
Low voltage drop AlGaN UV-A laser structures with transparent tunnel junctions and optimized quantum wells
Authors: Ghosh Arnob , Dominic Merwin Xavier Agnes Maneesha , Hasan Syed M N , Rahman Sheikh Ifatur , Blackston Alex , Allerman Andrew , Myers Roberto C , Rajan Siddharth , Arafin Shamsul
Published: October 2023

This paper presents the design, material growth and fabrication of AlGaN laser structures grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Considering hole transport to be the major challenge, our ultraviolet-A diode laser structures have a compositionally graded transparent tunnel junction, resulting in superior hole injection and a low contact resistance. By optimizing active region thickness, a five-fold improvement in photoluminescence intensity is obtained compared to that of our own non-optimized test structures. The electrical and optical characteristics of processed devices demonstrate only spontaneous emission with a peak wavelength at 354 nm. The devices operate up to a continuous-wave current density of 11.1 kA cm−2 at room temperature, which is the highest reported for laser structures grown on AlGaN templates. Additionally, they exhibit a record-low voltage drop of 8.5 V to achieve this current density.
GNSS/UWB/INS indoor and outdoor seamless positioning algorithm based on federal filtering
Authors: Yao Linghan , Li Mi , Xu Tianhe , Dai Xiaoji , Jiang Tianyou , Dai Peipei , Wang Sen , Xing Jianping
Published: October 2023

An integrated navigation system plays an important role in the application of indoor and outdoor seamless positioning. Essentially, it is a flexible fusion positioning of multiple sensors with different combinations. The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) can provide high-precision positioning and navigation in an outdoor environment with good observation conditions. Ultra-wide Band (UWB) has the characteristics of great bandwidth and anti-multipath, which can be applied to provide high-precision positioning and navigation indoors. Inertial Navigation System (INS) has independent navigation capabilities that can be tightly combined with GNSS and UWB to enhance positioning robustness. In response to the problem of a single sensor struggling to provide reliable location information for indoor and outdoor seamless positioning, this study applies federal filtering to integrate and construct the GNSS/UWB/INS integrated positioning algorithm based on Horizontal Dilation of Precision (HDOP) of UWB and carrier-to-noise ratio of GNSS weighting. The gross errors are first detected during the data preprocess, and an adaptive weighting approach to reduce the influence of the anomalous observations is constructed. The tight combination of GNSS/INS and UWB/INS is implemented in the subfilter of the federal filtering. In the main filter, the weights of the two subfilters are adjusted based on HDOP and carrier-to-noise ratio weighting, and the information is allocated and fused to reduce the impact of potential poor UWB geometric configuration on the positioning solutions. It is proven that the error in the horizontal direction in the indoor and outdoor seam area is less than 10 cm. Compared with conventional federal filtering and Huber-based Kalman filtering, the algorithm in this study improves the accuracy of the reference point in indoor and outdoor seam area by 46.1% and 15.4%, respectively, which is beneficial for applications in indoor and outdoor seamless activities.
Volumetric feature points integration with bio-structure-informed guidance for deformable multi-modal CT image registration
Authors: Zhang Chulong , He Wenfeng , Liu Lin , Dai Jingjing , Salim Ahmad Isah , Xie Yaoqin , Liang Xiaokun
Published: October 2023

Objective. Medical image registration represents a fundamental challenge in medical image processing. Specifically, CT-CBCT registration has significant implications in the context of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). However, traditional iterative methods often require considerable computational time. Deep learning based methods, especially when dealing with low contrast organs, are frequently entangled in local optimal solutions. Approach. To address these limitations, we introduce a registration method based on volumetric feature points integration with bio-structure-informed guidance. Surface point cloud is generated from segmentation labels during the training stage, with both the surface-registered point pairs and voxel feature point pairs co-guiding the training process, thereby achieving higher registration accuracy. Main results. Our findings have been validated on paired CT-CBCT datasets. In comparison with other deep learning registration methods, our approach has improved the precision by 6%, reaching a state-of-the-art status. Significance. The integration of voxel feature points and bio-structure feature points to guide the training of the medical image registration network has achieved promising results. This provides a meaningful direction for further research in medical image registration and IGRT.
Effect of dilution gas on the distribution characteristics of capacitively coupled plasma by comparing SiH4/He and SiH4/Ar
Authors: Kim Ho Jun , Lee Kyungjun , Park Hwanyeol
Published: October 2023

In this study, we focus on the difference in the spatial distribution of the plasma parameters between SiH4/He capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) and SiH4/Ar CCP. The SiH4/He mixture is modeled using the chemical reactions that were successfully derived in our previous studies. The chemical reaction model of the SiH4/Ar mixture built in this study is based on the detailed set of chemical reactions in Ar. The spatial distribution of the plasma parameters is examined with the aid of a 2D fluid model. The electron and radical densities of SiH4/Ar CCP are higher than those of SiH4/He CCP. In addition, dilution with Ar results in more uniform reaction rates, which leads to a more uniform deposition profile. Because helium requires higher threshold energies for excitation and ionization, dilution with He had little effect on the precursor production. As a result, the concentration of Si2H6 observed in the inter-electrode region when using Ar for dilution was observed to be about ten times higher than the concentration of Si2H6 observed for He. This high concentration played a large role in influencing the formation of important radicals that determine the deposition rate as well as the difference in the deposition rate profile between Ar and He as diluents. The higher concentration of Si2H6 when using Ar means that the production rate of Si2H5 is higher in Ar. An examination of the effect of the dilution gas on the deposition rate profile indicated that the deposition rate profile with Ar is 100% more uniform and the deposition rate nearly 87% higher than for dilution with He.
Electrochemo-poromechanics of ionic polymer metal composites: identification of the model parameters
Authors: Bardella Lorenzo , Panteghini Andrea
Published: October 2023

We propose a procedure to identify the parameters of a model for the multiphysics response of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs). Aiming at computational efficiency and accuracy, the procedure combines analytical structural mechanics and fully-coupled electrochemo-poromechanics, additionally resorting to an evolutionary algorithm. Specifically, we consider the finite-deformation electrochemo-poromechanical theory recently developed by our group, which couples the linear momentum balance, the mass balances of solvent and mobile ions, and the Gauss law. Remarkably, the theory constitutively accounts for the cross-diffusion of solvent and mobile ions. This, in conjunction with a generalised finite element implementation that we have recently proposed, allows us to accurately capture the boundary layers of ions and solvent concentrations occurring at the membrane–electrode interfaces, which govern the IPMC behaviour in actuation and short-circuit sensing. Thus, we can explore the IPMC behaviour under external actions consistent with applications and obtain accurate predictions with a reasonable computational cost for wide ranges of model parameters. We focus on experimental data from the literature that are concerned with Nafion™-Pt IPMCs of variable membrane thickness and subjected to peak voltage drop across the electrodes ranging from 2 to 3.5 V (under alternating current). Importantly, the considered tests deal with both the tip displacement of cantilever IPMCs and the blocking force of propped-cantilever IPMCs. Overall, the adopted theory and the proposed procedure allow unprecedented agreement between predictions and experimental data, thus marking a step forward in the IPMC characterisation.
Self-induced Q-switched fiber laser using tantalum aluminum carbide as a passive modulator
Authors: Anuar S A , Rahman M F A , Nasir A M M , Latiff A A , Rusdi M F M , Harun S W
Published: October 2023

A self-induced Q-switched erbium-doped fiber laser operating at 1563 nm was achieved by integrating a passive modulator based on tantalum aluminum carbide (Ta2AlC) MAX phase film embedded into polyynyl alcohol. The modulator, serving as a saturable absorber (SA), established a modulation depth of 9% and a saturation intensity of 0.3 MW cm−2. Upon integration of the film SA, a stable Q-switched fiber laser was obtained, generating pulses with a minimum width of 7.6 µs at a repetition rate of 45.1 kHz, within a pump power range of 24.9–59.7 mW. The corresponding maximum average output power, maximum pulse energy, and highest peak power were determined at 1.6 mW, 36.2 nJ, and 4.7 mW, respectively. The RF fundamental spectrum exhibited a good signal-to-noise ratio of 61 dB, indicating excellent pulse signal quality. This demonstration of Ta2AlC MAX phase film Q-switched laser may open promising possibilities for scientific applications such as material processing.
Erratum: Corrigendum to "Effect of dark energy models on the energy content of charged and rotating black holes" [Chinese Phys. C, 46 (2022) 015101]
Authors: Liaqat Asia , Hussain Ibrar
Published: October 2023

In Liaqat and Hussain (2022) it was proved that the effect of dark energy with

, causes a reduction in the energy content of the quintessential charged-Kerr spacetime. This result needs correction as it is observed that the contribution of dark energy first decreases the total energy of the underlying spacetime for smaller values of radial coordinate r and then increases the energy for comparatively larger values of r.
Mach probe diagnostic for determining positive ion fluxes in H- ion sources
Authors: Wolf V. , Zielke D. , Rauner D. , Briefi S. , Wimmer C. , Fantz U.
Published: October 2023

In NNBI ion sources neutral hydrogen atoms and positive ions impact
on low work function grid surfaces where they are converted to negative ions, and
subsequently extracted. Knowledge of the positive ions flux is
crucial for optimizing the negative ion yield, and also for benchmarking numerical
models. To this end a Mach probe (MP) diagnostic can be used, which determines the
direction and magnitude of the positive ion flux. The plasma in ion sources is typically
weakly magnetized, rendering the interpretation of Mach probe data difficult. For
this reason a two step approach is chosen, where at first a previously used Mach
probe is re-commissioned and applied in a well diagnosed and versatile laboratory
scale experiment. From these experiments important insights regarding the design
of a new combined Langmuir- and Mach probe, its calibration procedure, and data
interpretation are obtained.
Conceptual study of a Compton polarimeter for the upgrade of the SuperKEKB collider with a polarized electron beam
Authors: Charlet D. , Ishibashi T. , Martens A. , Masuzawa M. , Mawas F. , Peinaud Y. , Zhou D. , Zomer F.
Published: October 2023

The physics scope of the Belle II experiment currently
acquiring data at the SuperKEKB collider will expand with a
polarized electron beam upgrade, as recently proposed. Among the
required elements for this upgrade, a real time diagnosis of the
polarization is necessary to ensure it is large for all bunches in
the accelerator during its regular operation. This will be realized
by inserting a Compton polarimeter in the accelerator. Its
conceptual design is described and no show-stopper for its
integration has been identified. An estimation of the sensitivity of
the polarimeter is made by means of toy Monte-Carlo studies. The
proposed design accounts for the constraint to preserve the
performance of the SuperKEKB accelerator and to cope with the short
time separation of successive bunches. We show that the polarimeter
will measure for each bunch the polarization within five minutes
with a statistical precision below 1% and systematic
uncertainties below 0.5%. It has the capability of providing this
information online on a similar timescale. This work paves the way
towards future implementation of real-time Compton polarimetry in
several future projects.
Amazonian secondary forests are greatly reducing fragmentation and edge exposure in old-growth forests
Authors: Smith Charlotte C , Barlow Jos , Healey John R , de Sousa Miranda Leonardo , Young Paul J , Schwartz Naomi B
Published: October 2023

Restoration of tropical landscapes through the expansion of secondary forests is crucial for climate change mitigation and offers co-benefits for biodiversity. However, the strength of these benefits is influenced by the position of these secondary forests within the landscape. Recovery of both carbon stocks and biodiversity in secondary forests are enhanced by proximity to old-growth forests, and old-growth forests may benefit from secondary forests in return through buffering of edge effects and reduced fragmentation. However, to date there has been no biome-wide assessment of secondary forest location relative to old-growth forests. We mapped Amazonian secondary forests and explored their proximity to old-growth forests of different conditions. We then calculated the extent to which secondary forests buffer old-growth edge forest (<120 m from an edge) and the influence of secondary forests on fragmentation. In 2020, 41.2% of Amazonian secondary forest was directly adjacent to old-growth forest and 94.1% was within a fragment connected to old growth. However, adjacency and connectedness fell to 20.1% and 57.4% respectively when only considering extensive structurally intact old-growth forest. Secondary forests buffered 41.1% of old-growth edge forest and, when acting as corridors, reduced the total number of old-growth fragments by 2 million. Our results reveal the importance of understanding spatial context when examining the potential benefits of increasing secondary forest cover. Improved understanding of the benefits of locating secondary forests next to old-growth forests could support the development of more effective climate change mitigation and restoration strategies.
Effects of climate factors on wheat and maize under different crop rotations and irrigation strategies in the North China Plain
Authors: Yan Zongzheng , Du Taisheng
Published: October 2023

The North China Plain (NCP) is a crucial agricultural region for grain production in China, primarily focusing on wheat and maize cultivation. However, these crop yields are highly vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, with climate change being a significant factor. This study investigates the impact of climate factors on wheat and maize yields in the NCP under various crop rotations and water supply strategies. Using the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator crop mechanism model, we evaluated the effects of different crop rotations and water supply strategies on wheat and maize yields. A comprehensive analysis of the simulated results determined the yield variation trends and their correlation and sensitivity to different climate factors. The findings revealed that precipitation levels over the past 40 years showed no significant trend, while radiation levels showed a significant decreasing trend, and annual mean maximum and minimum temperatures displayed significant increasing trends. Furthermore, the study found that irrigation practices and crop rotations substantially impact grain yield in the study area, with average yields ranging from 8105.5 kg ha−1 under rainfed conditions to 13 088.8 kg ha−1 under fully irrigated conditions. There was a statistically significant trend of increasing yields for fully irrigated Monocrop-Wheat and decreasing yields for fully irrigated Monocrop-Maize over the past 40 years. Sensitivity analysis also showed that rational rotation and irrigation can reduce grain yield sensitivity to climate change. In conclusion, the prudent use of rotation and irrigation can enhance food production resilience to climate change. These findings have significant implications for developing strategies to optimize crop yields and adapt to climate change in the NCP while considering trade-offs.