bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowering student self‐regulated learning and science education through ChatGPT: A pioneering pilot study
Authors: Ng Davy Tsz Kit , Tan Chee Wei , Leung Jac Ka Lok
Published: March 2024

In recent years, AI technologies have been developed to promote students' self‐regulated learning (SRL) and proactive learning in digital learning environments. This paper discusses a comparative study between generative AI‐based (SRLbot) and rule‐based AI chatbots (Nemobot) in a 3‐week science learning experience with 74 Secondary 4 students in Hong Kong. The experimental group used SRLbot to maintain a regular study habit and facilitate their SRL, while the control group utilized rule‐based AI chatbots. Results showed that SRLbot effectively enhanced students' science knowledge, behavioural engagement and motivation. Quantile regression analysis indicated that the number of interactions significantly predicted variations in SRL. Students appreciated the personalized recommendations and flexibility of SRLbot, which adjusted responses based on their specific learning and SRL scenarios. The ChatGPT‐enhanced instructional design reduced learning anxiety and promoted learning performance, motivation and sustained learning habits. Students' feedback on learning challenges, psychological support and self‐regulation behaviours provided insights into their progress and experience with this technology. SRLbot's adaptability and personalized approach distinguished it from rule‐based chatbots. The findings offer valuable evidence for AI developers and educators to consider generative AI settings and chatbot design, facilitating greater success in online science learning.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

AI technologies have been used to support student self‐regulated learning (SRL) across subjects.

SRL has been identified as an important aspect of student learning that can be developed through technological support.

Generative AI technologies like ChatGPT have shown potential for enhancing student learning by providing personalized guidance and feedback.

What this paper adds

This paper reports on a case study that specifically examines the effectiveness of ChatGPT in promoting SRL among secondary students.

The study provides evidence that ChatGPT can enhance students' science knowledge, motivation and SRL compared to a rule‐based AI chatbot.

The study offers insights into how ChatGPT can be used as a tool to facilitate SRL and promote sustained learning habits.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The findings of this study suggest that educators should consider the potential of ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies to support student learning and SRL.

Educators and students should be aware of the limitations of AI technologies and ensure that they are used appropriately to generate desired responses.

It is also important to equip teachers and students with AI competencies to enable them to use AI for learning and teaching.
Debate: The experience of involuntary psychiatric hospitalisation for children and young people
Authors: Mitchell Lizzie , Walker Susan
Published: March 2024

Involuntary treatment has been reported to be traumatic, stigmatising and frightening, as well as sometimes lifesaving. However, there has been little research into the experiences of people who have been hospitalised involuntarily prior to the age of 18. A greater understanding of this may help us to make changes which could improve the experience of involuntary psychiatric treatment for children and young people. Lizzie Mitchell is an expert by experience who was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in England under the Mental Health Act (MHA) when she was 16 years old. Here, in discussion with Susan Walker, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Lizzie reflects on her own experiences alongside wider reflections around the involuntary hospitalisation of young people, including the potential short and long‐term impact on mental health, education, friendships, family and identity.
How Do Child Welfare Workers Understand and Practice Child Participation?
Authors: Skauge Berit , Storhaug Anita S.
Published: March 2024

Child participation is strongly emphasized as a value and a right in the Norwegian child welfare (CW) system. Based on focus group interviews with 24 CW employees, we explore how CW workers understand and practice child participation in various work phases: assessment; supportive measures in the home; out‐of‐home placements. Two main forms of participation were identified: indirect participation, where the child is observed or communicates with other professionals, and direct participation, where the child speaks to a CW worker. The topics of conversations with children are divided into two categories: general topics regarding the child's everyday life and CW‐related topics, associated with the case and the child's situation. CW workers' understandings of children's participation provide the basis for the form and content of participation offered and lead to the child being assigned various positions. This ranges from direct participation where the child is positioned as the primary participant in direct interaction about their situation to indirect participation where the child is represented or observed by adults. We argue for a more nuanced understanding of what child participation implies and increased awareness of how different forms and contexts affect opportunities for children's participation.
The drivers of plant turnover change across spatial scales in the Azores
Authors: Leo María , Rigal François , Ronquillo Cristina , Borges Paulo A. V. , Brito de Azevedo Eduardo , Santos Ana M. C.
Published: March 2024

Beta diversity patterns are essential for understanding how biological communities are structured. Geographical and environmental factors, as well as species dispersal ability, are important drivers of beta diversity, but their relative importance may vary across spatial scales. In this study, we evaluate whether beta diversity changes across geographical scales and analyse how different drivers affect turnover patterns of native seed plants in an oceanic archipelago, the Azores (Portugal). Using a 500 × 500 m resolution grid, we selected cells that are covered by one of the following habitats: native forest, naturalized vegetation and seminatural pastures. We calculated species turnover at three spatial scales: 1) between islands, 2) between cells within each island, and finally 3) between cells of each of the habitats of interest in each island. We then calculated the contribution of dispersal syndromes (endozoochory, epizoochory, hydrochory and anemochory) to turnover at each of the scales. Lastly, we assessed the relationship between geographical and climatic distances and habitat type with turnover. Turnover was higher at the smallest spatial scale, particularly in seminatural pastures, and decreased with increasing spatial scales, a pattern potentially associated with the historical fragmentation and current patchy distribution of native forest and seminatural habitats in the Azores. Dispersal syndromes and habitat type had a negligible effect on turnover at all scales. Geographical distance had a positive effect on turnover at all scales, increasing its importance with scale. The relationship between turnover and climatic distance was only significant at the intermediate and small scales in specific islands and habitats. Therefore, scale plays an important role at determining the effect of the drivers of turnover, in particular geographical and climatic distance. These results highlight the need to carefully select the scale of analysis when studying turnover patterns, as well as identifying the potential drivers associated with each spatial scale.
Do we speak one language on the way to sustainable soil management in Europe? A terminology check via an EU‐wide survey
Authors: Weninger Thomas , Ramler David , Bondi Giulia , Asins Sabina , O'Sullivan Lilian , Assennato Francesca , Astover Alar , Bispo Antonio , Borůvka Luboš , Buttafuoco Gabriele , Calzolari Costanza , Castanheira Nádia , Cousin Isabelle , van den Elsen Erik , Foldal Cecilie , Hessel Rudi , Kadžiulienė Žydrė , Kukk Liia , Molina Maria J. , Montagne David , Oorts Katrien , Pindral Sylwia , Ungaro Fabrizio , Klimkowicz‐Pawlas Agnieszka
Published: March 2024

European soils are under increasing pressure, making it difficult to maintain the provision of soil ecosystem services (SESs). A better understanding of soil processes is needed to counteract soil threats (STs) and to promote sustainable soil management. The EJP SOIL programme of the EU provides a framework for the necessary research. However, different definitions of soil‐related terms potentially lead to varied understandings of concepts. Furthermore, there are numerous indicators available to quantify STs or SESs. As unclear communication is a key barrier that hinders the implementation of research results into practice, this study aimed to answer the question about whether the terminology of large‐scale initiatives is adequately understood within the soil‐science community and non‐research stakeholders. An online questionnaire was used to provide definitions for 33 soil‐related terms in both scientific and plain language, as well as indicators for seven SESs and 11 STs. Participants were asked to rate their agreement with the definitions and indicators on a seven‐grade Likert scale. The level of agreement was calculated as the percentage of ratings above 4, the neutral position. The survey was available from June to September 2023 and was distributed by a snowball approach. More than 260 stakeholders assessed the survey; 70% of respondents were researchers, and 15% were practitioners. Mean agreement levels for the definitions and indicators were generally high, at 85% and 78% respectively. However, it was apparent that the lowest agreement was found for terms that are relatively new, such as Ecosystem Services and Bundle, or unfamiliar for certain subgroups, such as ecological terms for stakeholders working at the farm scale. Due to their distinct majority, the results of this study primarily reflect the opinions of scientists. Thus, broad conclusions can only be drawn by comparing scientists with non‐scientists. In this regard, the agreement was surprisingly high across all types of questions. The combined outcomes indicate that there is still a need to facilitate communication between stakeholders and to improve knowledge distribution strategies. Nevertheless, this study can support and be used by future projects and programmes, especially regarding the harmonization of terminology and methods.
SAFE: Unsupervised image feature extraction using self‐attention based feature extraction network
Authors: Choi Yeoung Je , Lee Gyeong Taek , Kim Chang Ouk
Published: March 2024

The ability to extract high‐quality features from data is critical for machine learning applications. With the development of deep learning, various methods have been developed for image feature extraction, and unsupervised techniques have gained popularity due to their ability to operate without response variables. Autoencoders with encoder–decoder architectures are a common example of such techniques, but they are limited by a lack of proportional relationship between model reconstruction and encoder feature extraction performance. If the decoder is composed of multiple layers and mapping to a higher dimension is easier, the feature extraction performance of the encoder is likely to decrease. However, previous research has not adequately addressed this limitation. This study identifies the limitations of conventional unsupervised feature extraction techniques that utilize the encoder–decoder architecture, and proposes a novel feature extraction technique called SAFE, which utilizes a self‐attention mechanism to eliminate decoder effects and improve the performance of encoder. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, we conducted experiments using diverse datasets (MNIST, Fashion MNIST, SVHN, and WM811K). The results of the experiments demonstrated that our proposed method exhibited, on average, 2%–10% higher performance in terms of accuracy and F‐measure compared to the existing feature extraction techniques in the classification problem. While our research has limitations, specifically in its applicability only to the selection of image features, future studies should be undertaken to explore its potential application in various fields.
Preventing Subsidence Reoccurrence in Tianjin: New Preconsolidation Head and Safe Pumping Buffer
Authors: Wang Kuan , Wang Guoquan , Bao Yan , Su Guangli , Wang Yong , Shen Qiang , Zhang Yongwei , Wang Haigang
Published: March 2024

Tianjin, a coastal metropolis in north China, has grappled with land subsidence for nearly a century. Yet, emerging evidence suggests a notable decrease in subsidence rates across Tianjin since 2019. This trend is primarily attributed to the importation of surface water from the Yangtze River system via the South‐to‐North Water Diversion Project, initiated in December 2014. Utilizing Sentinel‐1A Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data (2014–2023), this study reveals that one‐third of the Tianjin plain has either halted subsidence or experienced land rebound. As a result, the deep aquifer system (~−200 to −450 m) beneath one third of the Tianjin plain has completed a consolidation cycle, leading to the establishment of new, locally specific preconsolidation heads. The identification of the newly established preconsolidation head seeks to answer a crucial question: How can we prevent the reoccurrence of subsidence in areas where it has already ceased? In essence, subsidence will stop when the local hydraulic head elevates to the new preconsolidation head (NPCH), and permanent subsidence will not be reinitiated as long as hydraulic head remains above the NPCH. The difference of the depth between current hydraulic head and the NPCH defines the safe pumping buffer (SPB). This study outlines detailed methods for identifying the NPCHs in the deep aquifer system from long‐term InSAR and groundwater‐level datasets. Determining NPCHs and ascertaining SPBs are crucial for estimating how much groundwater can be safely extracted without inducing permanent subsidence, and for developing sustainable strategies for long‐term groundwater management and conservation.
The expectations and experiences of patients regarding the diagnostic workup at a specialized memory clinic: An interview study
Authors: Aspö Malin , Sundell Maria , Protsiv Myroslava , Wiggenraad Fleur , Rydén Marie , Mangialasche Francesca , Kivipelto Miia , Visser Leonie N. C.
Published: March 2024

Background

Because of the shift towards earlier diagnosis of dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease (AD), increasing numbers of individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are seen in memory clinics. Yet, evidence indicates that there is room for improvement when it comes to tailoring of the diagnostic work‐up to the needs of individual patients. To optimize the quality of care, we explored patients' perspectives regarding the diagnostic work‐up at a specialized memory clinic.

Methods

This interview study was conducted at Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden). The comprehensive diagnostic work‐up for dementia at the memory clinic in Solna is conducted within 1 week. A sample of 15 patients (8 female; mean age = 61 years [range 50–72]; 11 SCD, 1 MCI and 3 AD dementia) was purposively selected for a series of three semistructured interviews, focussing on (1) needs and expectations (during the week of diagnostic testing), (2) experiences (within 2 weeks after test‐result disclosure) and (3) reflections and evaluation (3 months after disclosure). Transcribed audio‐recorded data were analyzed using thematic content analysis (using MaxQDA software).

Results

Three key themes were identified: (1) the expectations and motivations of individuals for visiting the memory clinic strongly impacted their experience; (2) the diagnostic work‐up impacted individuals psychosocially and (3) the diagnostic work‐up provided an opportunity to motivate individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the importance of enquiring about the expectations and needs of individuals referred to a specialized memory clinic, allowing for expectation management and personalization of provided information/advice, and potentially informing the selection of patients in need of a comprehensive diagnostic work‐up. Structural guidance might be needed to support those with SCD and MCI to help them cope with uncertainty, potentially resolve their issues, and/or stimulate brain health.

Patient or Public Contribution

We gathered the perspectives of 15 individuals who had been referred to the memory clinic at three different time points through semistructured interviews, and these interviews were the primary data source.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with pseudo‐Chediak‐Higashi granules in the initial diagnosis and relapse
Authors: Li Rongjie , Xia Shimei , Liao Yingyan , Zhou Bailing
Published: March 2024

Pseudo‐Chediak‐Higashi granules are large cytoplasmic inclusions commonly encountered in myeloblasts or other myeloid precursors in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. However, pseudo‐Chediak‐Higashi granules are rarely found in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We present the case of an 8‐year‐old boy who was diagnosed with ALL with pseudo‐Chediak‐Higashi granules in the initial diagnosis and relapse, acting like a characteristic marker.
Audit partner style and financial statement comparability: New evidence from the US market
Authors: Frost Tracie , He Zhijian Chris , Luo Xin , Stice Derrald
Published: March 2024

We explore the influence of individual audit partner style on financial statement comparability in a US setting using newly available data. We find evidence of an audit partner style effect on comparability incremental to audit firm and audit office effects. Our results are consistent across several comparability measures and are economically significant. For example, the audit partner effect is associated with a 12.59% decrease in the mean difference in abnormal accruals compared with a 4.4% decrease for firm pairs audited by the same Big 4 audit office. We also find that audit partner expertise and experience have a greater influence on comparability than audit office expertise and experience. Our results are consistent in endogeneity and robustness tests including (1) auditor switching tests, (2) entropy balancing, (3) placebo tests and (4) controlling for clients’ economic similarity. Our results suggest that the association between audit partner style and financial statement comparability persists in highly regulatory environments and corroborate the PCAOB's intuition that the role of the engagement partner “is of singular importance” to the outcome of the audit (PCAOB 2011).
Co‐opted cytosolic proteins form condensate substructures within membranous replication organelles of a positive‐strand RNA virus
Authors: Lin Wenwu , Nagy Peter D.
Published: March 2024

Positive‐strand RNA viruses co‐opt organellar membranes for biogenesis of viral replication organelles (VROs). Tombusviruses also co‐opt pro‐viral cytosolic proteins to VROs. It is currently not known what type of molecular organization keeps co‐opted proteins sequestered within membranous VROs.

In this study, we employed tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) and carnation Italian ringspot virus (CIRV) – Nicotiana benthamiana pathosystems to identify biomolecular condensate formation in VROs.

We show that TBSV p33 and the CIRV p36 replication proteins sequester glycolytic and fermentation enzymes in unique condensate substructures associated with membranous VROs. We find that p33 and p36 form droplets in vitro driven by intrinsically disordered region. The replication protein organizes partitioning of co‐opted host proteins into droplets. VRO‐associated condensates are critical for local adenosine triphosphate production to support energy for virus replication. We find that co‐opted endoplasmic reticulum membranes and actin filaments form meshworks within and around VRO condensates, contributing to unique composition and structure. We propose that p33/p36 organize liquid–liquid phase separation of co‐opted concentrated host proteins in condensate substructures within membranous VROs.

Overall, we demonstrate that subverted membranes and condensate substructures co‐exist and are critical for VRO functions. The replication proteins induce and connect the two substructures within VROs.
The miR6445‐NAC029 module regulates drought tolerance by regulating the expression of glutathione S‐transferase U23 and reactive oxygen species scavenging in Populus
Authors: Niu Meng‐Xue , Feng Cong‐Hua , He Fang , Zhang Han , Bao Yu , Liu Shu‐Jing , Liu Xiao , Su Yanyan , Liu Chao , Wang Hou‐Ling , Yin Weilun , Xia Xinli
Published: March 2024

MicroRNAs are essential in plant development and stress resistance, but their specific roles in drought stress require further investigation.

Here, we have uncovered that a Populus‐specific microRNAs (miRNA), miR6445, targeting NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) family genes, is involved in regulating drought tolerance of poplar.

The expression level of miR6445 was significantly upregulated under drought stress; concomitantly, seven targeted NAC genes showed significant downregulation. Silencing the expression of miR6445 by short tandem target mimic technology significantly decreased the drought tolerance in poplar. Furthermore, 5′ RACE experiments confirmed that miR6445 directly targeted NAC029. The overexpression lines of PtrNAC029 (OE‐NAC029) showed increased sensitivity to drought compared with knockout lines (Crispr‐NAC029), consistent with the drought‐sensitive phenotype observed in miR6445‐silenced strains. PtrNAC029 was further verified to directly bind to the promoters of glutathione S‐transferase U23 (GSTU23) and inhibit its expression. Both Crispr‐NAC029 and PtrGSTU23 overexpressing plants showed higher levels of PtrGSTU23 transcript and GST activity while accumulating less reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, poplars overexpressing GSTU23 demonstrated enhanced drought tolerance.

Taken together, our research reveals the crucial role of the miR6445‐NAC029‐GSTU23 module in enhancing poplar drought tolerance by regulating ROS homeostasis. This finding provides new molecular targets for improving the drought resistance of trees.
Characterization of orofacial features in sclerodermatous chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Bajonaid Amal , Guntaka Praveen Kumar , Harper Matthew , Cutler Corey , Duncan Christine , Villa Alessandro , Sroussi Hervé Y. , Woo Sook‐Bin , Treister Nathaniel S.
Published: March 2024

Background

Chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGVHD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). The sclerodermatous form of cGVHD can be particularly debilitating; however, orofacial sclerodermatous involvement remains poorly described.

Objective

To characterize orofacial features of sclerodermatous cGVHD in a single center cohort of patients who underwent alloHCT.

Study Design

Retrospective data were collected from electronic medical records and analyzed descriptively.

Results

There were 39 patients who received alloHCT between 1993 and 2017 and developed orofacial sclerodermatous cGVHD. Concomitant cutaneous sclerodermatous cGVHD was common (n = 20, 51%). Orofacial sclerodermatous cGVHD features included fibrous bands of the buccal mucosa (n = 23, 59%), limited mouth opening (n = 19, 54%), perioral fibrosis (n = 8, 21%), and focal gingival recession (n = 4, 10%). Oral mucosal fibrosis was observed at the site of active or resolved chronic lichenoid inflammation in 30 patients, with all but two also presenting with a history of ulcerations. Management included jaw stretching exercises (n = 10; 6 stable/improved), surgery (n = 3; 2 improved), and intralesional corticosteroid injections (n = 2; 2 improved).

Conclusions

Orofacial involvement with sclerodermatous cGVHD can present with multiple manifestations including fibrous banding, limited mouth opening, perioral fibrosis, and focal gingival recession. Surgical and non‐surgical management strategies may improve clinical function and reduce morbidity.
Investigating the role of salivary Interleukin‐40 levels in diagnosing periodontal diseases
Authors: Babun Fatma Köksel , Kayar Nezahat Arzu , Hatipoğlu Mükerrem
Published: March 2024

Background

The present study aimed to analyze IL‐40, IL‐1β, and MMP‐8 levels in periodontitis as well as gingivitis and periodontal health, and to explore potential correlations between these biomarkers and standard clinical parameters.

Materials and methods

We collected saliva samples from 120 systemically healthy, non‐smoking individuals aged between 18 and 63 years. These individuals were divided into three groups: healthy controls [S], gingivitis [G], and stage III grade B periodontitis [P]. IL‐40, IL‐1β, and MMP‐8 levels in saliva samples were analyzed by ELISA.

Results

We observed significantly elevated salivary IL‐40 levels in the G group compared to the S group (p = 0.003). We found significantly higher salivary IL‐1β levels in the P group compared to both the S and G groups (p = 0.000). Salivary MMP‐8 levels were significantly higher in the P group than in the S group (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our study suggests that IL‐40 and IL‐1β may serve as effective salivary biomarkers for diagnosing gingivitis, while MMP‐8 and IL‐1β may be effective for distinguishing periodontitis. Based on our study's findings, it can be stated that IL‐40 may serve as a new and effective biomarker for distinguishing individuals with gingivitis from healthy ones.
Identification and functional study of a novel variant of PAX9 causing tooth agenesis
Authors: Lei Rong , Qiu Xili , Han Ying , Li Fenghua , Dong Xin , Pei Saimin , Zeng Ting , Ge Minmin , Hu Zhengmao , Tian Qi , Peng Ling , Huang Junhui
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To search for pathogenic gene of a family with non‐syndromic tooth agenesis, and explore the possible pathogenesis.

Materials and Methods

A Chinese family with non‐syndromic tooth agenesis was recruited and screened for the pathogenic variants by whole exome sequencing technology and co‐segregation analysis. The subcellular localization of wild‐type and mutant protein was detected by immunofluorescence assay. Cycloheximide chase assay was performed to examine the difference in degradation rate between mutant protein and wild‐type one. Dual‐luciferase reporter assays were conducted to explore the alterations of mutant protein in the regulation of downstream target genes.

Results

A novel missense variant of PAX9 (c.296C>A:p.A99D) was found in this family. Bioinformatics software showed β‐return and the random coil were shortened in the p.A99D. The variant did not affect the subcellular localization of PAX9, but the degradation rate of p.A99D was accelerated (p < 0.05). p.A99D inhibited the activation of downstream target gene BMP4 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This novel variant expands the pathogenic gene spectrum. The variant impaired the protein structure, accelerated the degradation of protein, and inhibited the activation of the downstream target gene BMP4, an upstream molecule in the TGF‐β/BMP pathway, which may contribute to tooth agenesis in this family.
Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism during anther development in a thermo‐sensitive genic male‐sterile wheat line
Authors: Gao Huanting , Li Dongxiao , Hu Haiyan , Zhou Feng , Yu Yongang , Wei Qichao , Liu Qili , Liu Mingjiu , Hu Ping , Chen Eryong , Song Puwen , Su Xiaojia , Guan Yuanyuan , Qiao Mei , Ru Zhengang , Li Chengwei
Published: March 2024

Bainong sterility (BNS) is a thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile wheat line, characterised by anther fertility transformation in response to low temperature (LT) stress during meiosis, the failure of vacuole decomposition and the absence of starch accumulation in sterile bicellular pollen. Our study demonstrates that the late microspore (LM) stage marks the transition from the anther growth to anther maturation phase, characterised by the changes in anther structure, carbohydrate metabolism and the main transport pathway of sucrose (Suc). Fructan is a main storage polysaccharide in wheat anther, and its synthesis and remobilisation are crucial for anther development. Moreover, the process of pollen amylogenesis and the fate of the large vacuole in pollen are closely intertwined with fructan synthesis and remobilisation. LT disrupts the normal physiological metabolism of BNS anthers during meiosis, particularly affecting carbohydrate metabolism, thus determining the fate of male gametophytes and pollen abortion. Disruption of fructan synthesis and remobilisation regulation serves as a decisive event that results in anther abortion. Sterile pollen exhibits common traits of pollen starvation and impaired starch accumulation due to the inhibition of apoplastic transport starting from the LM stage, which is regulated by cell wall invertase TaIVR1 and Suc transporter TaSUT1.
Unraveling root and rhizosphere traits in temperate maize landraces and modern cultivars: Implications for soil resource acquisition and drought adaptation
Authors: Wild Andreas J. , Steiner Franziska A. , Kiene Marvin , Tyborski Nicolas , Tung Shu‐Yin , Koehler Tina , Carminati Andrea , Eder Barbara , Groth Jennifer , Vahl Wouter K. , Wolfrum Sebastian , Lueders Tillmann , Laforsch Christian , Mueller Carsten W. , Vidal Alix , Pausch Johanna
Published: March 2024

A holistic understanding of plant strategies to acquire soil resources is pivotal in achieving sustainable food security. However, we lack knowledge about variety‐specific root and rhizosphere traits for resource acquisition, their plasticity and adaptation to drought. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to phenotype root and rhizosphere traits (mean root diameter [Root D], specific root length [SRL], root tissue density, root nitrogen content, specific rhizosheath mass [SRM], arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF] colonization) of 16 landraces and 22 modern cultivars of temperate maize (Zea mays L.). Our results demonstrate that landraces and modern cultivars diverge in their root and rhizosphere traits. Although landraces follow a ‘do‐it‐yourself’ strategy with high SRLs, modern cultivars exhibit an ‘outsourcing’ strategy with increased mean Root Ds and a tendency towards increased root colonization by AMF. We further identified that SRM indicates an ‘outsourcing’ strategy. Additionally, landraces were more drought‐responsive compared to modern cultivars based on multitrait response indices. We suggest that breeding leads to distinct resource acquisition strategies between temperate maize varieties. Future breeding efforts should increasingly target root and rhizosphere economics, with SRM serving as a valuable proxy for identifying varieties employing an outsourcing resource acquisition strategy.
Are outliers more disruptive? Technological niche, disruptive innovation, and recombinant capability
Authors: Qu Guannan , Chen Kaihua , Wang Luyao , Yang Yayu , Zhang Ruhao
Published: March 2024

Whether disruptive technologies are more likely to emerge at the margin or the core of industry has been a long‐debated issue. We theorize the relationship between technological niches and the generation of disruptive innovations. Introducing the main path analysis, we develop a novel indicator to depict firms' technological niche in a focal industry's technological landscape and link it to their performance of disruptive innovation. Further, we investigate its boundary condition by taking firms' recombinant capabilities into consideration. A sample of 29,655 USPTO patents of the electric communication industry (H04W/L) for the period 1995–2019 is used to test our hypotheses. Our research reveals an inverted U‐shaped relationship between a firm's technological niche and its disruptive innovation performance. Besides, firms' recombinant capability could moderate the relationship by steepening the curvilinear. This paper helps reconcile the long debated question of ‘Are Outliers More Disruptive’ by providing a contingency perspective and identifying a non‐monotonic relationship.
Relatedness, Complexity and Regional Diversification in the European Union: The Role of Co‐inventor Networks
Authors: Qiao Yibo , Wu Di
Published: March 2024

We investigate the role of both internal and external co‐inventor networks in regional diversification. The impact of co‐inventor networks on regional technological diversification is tested for a data set containing 1,495,699 patents in 643 technologies in 290 European regions at the NUTS‐2 level, between 1987 and 2016. Our results show that both internal co‐inventor network connectivity and external co‐inventor network linkages could benefit regional technology entry and prevent regional technology exit. However, too inwardly oriented or outwardly connected co‐inventor networks would hamper patent production. Regarding regional diversification, we find that both internal and external co‐inventor networks could facilitate the entry of related technologies and restrain the exit of complex technologies. This paper contributes to the literature by initiating the integration of the complexity dimension into analysing the role of co‐inventor networks in regional diversification. This research bears significant policy implications for the advancement of Smart Specialization Strategy in the European Union.
High Gain Compact Antenna-in-Package Solution Using Like Mushroom Electromagnetic Band Gap for Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Band
Authors: Hajlaoui El Amjed , Almohaimeed Ziyad M. , Almohaimeed Abdullah , Abdulkawi Wazie
Published: March 2024

A single-feed circularly polarized antenna with electromagnetic band gap (EBG) has been developed for the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands. The proposed antenna features a square patch with eight slits on each side and corner, along with a cross-slot in the middle. To prevent surface wave excitation caused by the patch antenna's thick substrate, new grounded like-mushroom EBG structures will surround the antenna. The frequency band gap characteristics of the EBG unit cells have been optimized at 5.8 GHz. A row of EBGs squares is 4.73 mm (0.063λo) away from the antenna square patch and surrounds it on all four sides. The proposed mushroom-like structure design improves the antenna's directivity by 43.31%, gain by 32.93%, reflection coefficient by 93%, and radiation efficiency by 35.22%. This topology enables a wide variety of wireless communications applications. Computer simulation technologies (CSTs) were used to generate simulation figures for the proposed antenna, operating at 5.8 GHz. Furthermore, the new Like-Mushroom EBG antenna simulation, experimental results, and other reported works confirm that our approach meets the studied objectives regarding polarization purity, radiation efficiency, high directivity, and gain.
Nanofluids and Nanocomposite Membranes for Enhanced CO2 Capture: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Aletan Dirar , Shirif Ezeddin , Jacob Muthu SD
Published: March 2024

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gasses in Earth's atmosphere is a critical concern, of which 75% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are from the combustion of fossil fuels. This rapid increase in emissions led to irredeemable damages to ecosystems, such as climate change and acid rain. As a result, industries and academia have focused on developing innovative and cost-effective technologies for CO2 capture and storage (CCS). Physical/chemical absorption using amine and membrane-based technologies is generally used in CCS systems. However, the inherent technical and cost-effective limitations of these techniques directed their attention toward applying nanotechnologies for CCS systems. Here, the researchers have focused on infusing nanoparticles (NPs) into existing CCS technologies. The NPs could either be suspended in a base fluid to create nanofluids (NFs) or infused with membrane base materials to create nanocomposite membranes for enhanced carbon capture capabilities. This review paper investigates the manufacturing methods, characterization techniques, and various mechanisms to analyze the impact of nanoparticles-infused nanofluids and nanocomposite membranes for CO2 capture. Finally, the paper summarizes the factors associated with the two technologies and then outlines the drawbacks and benefits of incorporating NPs for CCS applications.
One-Way Fluid–Structure Interaction Simulation of the Added Damping of T(0,1) Modes of Two Partially Overlapped Identical Plates in Still Water
Authors: Ming Zhang , Qing-Guang Chen , Jun Li
Published: March 2024

Structures with a partially overlapped status in water can be seen in some engineering applications, and the fluid-structure coupling vibration behavior of two partially overlapped identical plates has been studied previously through the experimental method. In this study, the added damping of the T(0,1) modes of two submerged partially overlapped plates is numerically investigated through the one-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method. The relevant numerical settings, like the mesh size, calculated periods, time-step size, and vibration amplitude, were tested first. Then, the numerical results were compared with experimental results, and good agreements were found. Finally, numerical results were analyzed. The vibration status of two plates in the joint abutting area or the overlapped area has an important influence on the added mass variation. When the added mass is higher, the phase difference between modal force and vibration displacement is also greater, which is the main reason for the higher added damping. The relationship between the phase difference and the frequency in water can be approximately fitted to a straight line, which can probably be used to predict the added damping variations caused by fluid boundary changes of submerged structures.
A Numerical Investigation of Mixed Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication in Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing
Authors: Luo Qing , Dong Qingbing , Zhao Bin , Yang Haishi , Wei Jing , Zhao Bo
Published: March 2024

The tilting-pad journal bearing in the cooling system of the nuclear power plant is equipped below the ground and vertically positioned to accomplish its function for water transfer. Usually, the loading conditions are relatively stable since the required water volume almost remains the same level during the operation, but the loading direction cannot be known in advance. Furthermore, the bearing is designed with several separate pads, which allows the bearing to support the loading flexibly. The safety application of nuclear energy requires the bearing to have a reliable ability to maintain the rotating motion of gear sets. This study develops a numerical model to simulate the mixed thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication for the tilting-pad journal bearing in the nuclear plant. The elastic and thermal fields are properly determined, and the induced displacement is taken into account for an accurate description of film thickness. The asperity contact due to misaligned journal is well evaluated in the local area where the lubrication film cannot separate the surfaces. A parametric study is undertaken in detail to reveal the aspects that influence bearing lubrication. The conclusions potentially provide fundamentals for further lubrication optimization of the bearing system.
Sound transmission loss of periodic Mindlin plates with non-uniformly spaced mass attachments
Authors: Hall Andrew J , Sorokin Vladislav , Aghamohammadi Mehrdad , Dodd George , Schmid Gian , Yang Yi , Mace Brian
Published: March 2024

The sound transmission loss (STL) of wall partitions, especially in the coincidence region, is investigated. A Mindlin plate with periodically attached masses in a periodic “supercell” pattern is analyzed theoretically and experimentally for sound attenuation. Modeling the masses as points, analytical expressions for predicting the dispersion relation and frequency bandgaps of the plate are developed. The results show that varying the distances between the masses or the masses themselves can lead to the emergence of additional lower-frequency bandgaps and slightly decrease the bandwidth of the primary complete bandgap. Additionally, a triangular periodic pattern of point masses can provide a larger complete bandgap than the conventional rectangular pattern. The results are validated by numerical analyses using the wave and finite element method. Experimental testing is conducted on large-scale plates (2.4 m × 1 m) with periodically attached masses under diffuse field conditions, demonstrating the benefits of utilizing multiple scattering to increase the STL in the coincidence region of the bare plate. The proposed approach is seen to significantly increase the STL of wall partitions in the coincidence region and provides insights into the fundamental principles of sound and vibration attenuation in complex structures based on multiple scattering.
Chemosensory detection of polyamine metabolites guides
C. elegans
to nutritive microbes
Authors: Brissette Benjamin , Ficaro Lia , Li Chenguang , Jones Drew R. , Ramanathan Sharad , Ringstad Niels
Published: March 2024

Much is known about molecular mechanisms by which animals detect pathogenic microbes, but how animals sense beneficial microbes remains poorly understood. The roundworm
Caenorhabditis elegans
is a microbivore that must distinguish nutritive microbes from pathogens. We characterized a neural circuit used by
C. elegans
to rapidly discriminate between nutritive bacteria and pathogens. Distinct sensory neuron populations responded to chemical cues from nutritive
Escherichia coli
and pathogenic
Enterococcus faecalis
, and these neural signals are decoded by downstream AIB interneurons. The polyamine metabolites cadaverine, putrescine, and spermidine produced by
E. coli
activate this neural circuit and elicit positive chemotaxis. Our study shows how polyamine odorants can be sensed by animals as proxies for microbe identity and suggests that, hence, polyamines might have widespread roles brokering host-microbe interactions.
Intestinal tuft cell immune privilege enables norovirus persistence
Authors: Strine Madison S. , Fagerberg Eric , Darcy Patrick W. , Barrón Gabriel M. , Filler Renata B. , Alfajaro Mia Madel , D’Angelo-Gavrish Nicole , Wang Fang , Graziano Vincent R. , Menasché Bridget L. , Damo Martina , Wang Ya-Ting , Howitt Michael R. , Lee Sanghyun , Joshi Nikhil S. , Mucida Daniel , Wilen Craig B.
Published: March 2024

The persistent murine norovirus strain MNV
CR6
is a model for human norovirus and enteric viral persistence. MNV
CR6
causes chronic infection by directly infecting intestinal tuft cells, rare chemosensory epithelial cells. Although MNV
CR6
induces functional MNV-specific CD8
+
T cells, these lymphocytes fail to clear infection. To examine how tuft cells promote immune escape, we interrogated tuft cell interactions with CD8
+
T cells by adoptively transferring JEDI (just EGFP death inducing) CD8
+
T cells into Gfi1b-GFP tuft cell reporter mice. Unexpectedly, some intestinal tuft cells partially resisted JEDI CD8
+
T cell–mediated killing—unlike Lgr5
+
intestinal stem cells and extraintestinal tuft cells—despite seemingly normal antigen presentation. When targeting intestinal tuft cells, JEDI CD8
+
T cells predominantly adopted a T resident memory phenotype with decreased effector and cytotoxic capacity, enabling tuft cell survival. JEDI CD8
+
T cells neither cleared nor prevented MNV
CR6
infection in the colon, the site of viral persistence, despite targeting a virus-independent antigen. Ultimately, we show that intestinal tuft cells are relatively resistant to CD8
+
T cells independent of norovirus infection, representing an immune-privileged niche that can be leveraged by enteric microbes.
C1q enables influenza hemagglutinin stem binding antibodies to block viral attachment and broadens the antibody escape repertoire
Authors: Kosik Ivan , Da Silva Santos Jefferson , Angel Mathew , Hu Zhe , Holly Jaroslav , Gibbs James S. , Gill Tanner , Kosikova Martina , Li Tiansheng , Bakhache William , Dolan Patrick T. , Xie Hang , Andrews Sarah F. , Gillespie Rebecca A. , Kanekiyo Masaru , McDermott Adrian B. , Pierson Theodore C. , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: March 2024

Antigenic drift, the gradual accumulation of amino acid substitutions in the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) receptor protein, enables viral immune evasion. Antibodies (Abs) specific for the drift-resistant HA stem region are a promising universal influenza vaccine target. Although anti-stem Abs are not believed to block viral attachment, here we show that complement component 1q (C1q), a 460-kilodalton protein with six Ab Fc-binding domains, confers attachment inhibition to anti-stem Abs and enhances their fusion and neuraminidase inhibition. As a result, virus neutralization activity in vitro is boosted up to 30-fold, and in vivo protection from influenza PR8 infection in mice is enhanced. These effects reflect increased steric hindrance and not increased Ab avidity. C1q greatly expands the anti-stem Ab viral escape repertoire to include residues throughout the HA, some of which cause antigenic alterations in the globular region or modulate HA receptor avidity. We also show that C1q enhances the neutralization activity of non–receptor binding domain anti–SARS-CoV-2 spike Abs, an effect dependent on spike density on the virion surface. These findings demonstrate that C1q can greatly expand Ab function and thereby contribute to viral evolution and immune escape.
Tartrate fermentation with H
2
production by a new member of
Sporomusaceae
enriched from rice paddy soil
Authors: Pereira-Mora Luciana , Guerrero Leandro D. , Erijman Leonardo , Fernández-Scavino Ana
Published: March 2024

In rice paddies, soil and plant-derived organic matter are degraded anaerobically to methane (CH
4
), a powerful greenhouse gas. The highest rate of methane emission occurs during the reproductive stage of the plant when mostly dicarboxylic acids are exudated by the roots. The emission of methane at this stage depends largely on the cooperative interaction between dicarboxylic acid-fermenting bacteria and methanogenic archaea in the rhizosphere. The fermentation of tartrate, one of the major acids exudated, has been scarcely explored in rice paddy soils. In this work, we characterized an anaerobic consortium from rice paddy soil composed of four bacterial strains, whose principal member (LT8) can ferment tartrate, producing H
2
and acetate. Tartrate fermentation was accelerated by co-inoculation with a hydrogenotrophic methanogen. The assembled genome of LT8 possesses a Na
+
-dependent oxaloacetate decarboxylase and shows that this bacterium likely invests part of the H
2
produced to reduce NAD(P)
+
to assimilate C from tartrate. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, the genome-based classification as well as the average amino acid identity (AAI) indicated that LT8 belongs to a new genus within the
Sporomusaceae
family. LT8 shares a few common features with its closest relatives, for which tartrate degradation has not been described. LT8 is limited to a few environments but is more common in rice paddy soils, where it might contribute to methane emissions from root exudates.

IMPORTANCE

This is the first report of the metabolic characterization of a new anaerobic bacterium able to degrade tartrate, a compound frequently associated with plants, but rare as a microbial metabolite. Tartrate fermentation by this bacterium can be coupled to methanogenesis in the rice rhizosphere where tartrate is mainly produced at the reproductive stage of the plant, when the maximum methane rate emission occurs. The interaction between secondary fermentative bacteria, such as LT8, and methanogens could represent a fundamental step in exploring mitigation strategies for methane emissions from rice fields. Possible strategies could include controlling the activity of these secondary fermentative bacteria or selecting plants whose exudates are more difficult to ferment.