bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projection methods for finding the greatest element of the intersection of max-closed convex sets
Authors: Dlask Tomáš
Published: July 2024

We focus on the problem of finding the greatest element of the intersection of max-closed convex sets. For this purpose, we analyze the famous method of cyclic projections and show that, if this method is suitably initialized and applied to max-closed convex sets, it converges to the greatest element of their intersection. Moreover, we propose another projection method, called the decreasing projection, which turns out both theoretically and practically preferable to Euclidean projections in this particular case. Next, we argue that several known algorithms, such as Bellman-Ford and Floyd-Warshall algorithms for shortest paths or Gauss-Seidel variant of value iteration in Markov decision processes, can be interpreted as special cases of iteratively applying decreasing projections onto certain max-closed convex sets. Finally, we link decreasing projections (and thus also the aforementioned algorithms) to bounds consistency in constraint programming.
Universal Finite Functorial Semi-norms
Authors: Löh Clara , Witzig Johannes
Published: July 2024

Functorial semi-norms on singular homology measure the “size” of homology classes. A geometrically meaningful example is the $$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

-semi-norm. However, the $$\ell ^1$$

ℓ
1

-semi-norm is not universal in the sense that it does not vanish on as few classes as possible. We show that universal finite functorial semi-norms do exist on singular homology on the category of topological spaces that are homotopy equivalent to finite CW-complexes. Our arguments also apply to more general settings of functorial semi-norms.
A morphogenetic characterisation of a potentially dominant African marine species in Europe
Authors: Rius Marc , Turon Xavier , Morán Paloma , Pérez Jacinto , Almón Bruno , Pahad Govan , Teske Peter R. , Vázquez Elsa
Published: July 2024

Studying the early stages of the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) is crucial as it allows immediate management actions aimed at preventing NIS spread at a time when these actions are more likely to be effective. Recent species introductions present unique opportunities to study key aspects of the invasion process. However, comprehensive information on how and when NIS are first introduced remains rare. We assessed the characteristics of the introduction of a member of the widespread Pyura stolonifera species group (Chordata, Tunicata) in Europe. These ascidians are important bioengineer species that can attain amongst the highest benthic biomass per surface area ever reported. We collected introduced individuals on the coast of the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, an area with high shipping traffic and one of the world’s most important mussel farming regions. The specimens were analysed using taxonomic and genetic tools. Both field surveys and taxonomic analysis showed that one of the African members of the species group, Pyura herdmani, has recently been introduced to Europe and, although it does not yet form the large aggregates found in the native range, it is already well-established. Genetic data revealed that only the northwest African lineage of P. herdmani has been introduced to Europe. Considering the low dispersal capabilities of the early life-history stages of P. herdmani, the introduction of this species into Europe can only be explained via human mediated transport of NIS. In order to prevent any detrimental effects on both native biota and/or economically-important anthropogenic activities, regular monitoring of recent NIS introductions is urgently required.
Evaluating outlier probabilities: assessing sharpness, refinement, and calibration using stratified and weighted measures
Authors: Röchner Philipp , Marques Henrique O. , Campello Ricardo J. G. B. , Zimek Arthur
Published: July 2024

An outlier probability is the probability that an observation is an outlier. Typically, outlier detection algorithms calculate real-valued outlier scores to identify outliers. Converting outlier scores into outlier probabilities increases the interpretability of outlier scores for domain experts and makes outlier scores from different outlier detection algorithms comparable. Although several transformations to convert outlier scores to outlier probabilities have been proposed in the literature, there is no common understanding of good outlier probabilities and no standard approach to evaluate outlier probabilities. We require that good outlier probabilities be sharp, refined, and calibrated. To evaluate these properties, we adapt and propose novel measures that use ground-truth labels indicating which observation is an outlier or an inlier. The refinement and calibration measures partition the outlier probabilities into bins or use kernel smoothing. Compared to the evaluation of probability in supervised learning, several aspects are relevant when evaluating outlier probabilities, mainly due to the imbalanced and often unsupervised nature of outlier detection. First, stratified and weighted measures are necessary to evaluate the probabilities of outliers well. Second, the joint use of the sharpness, refinement, and calibration errors makes it possible to independently measure the corresponding characteristics of outlier probabilities. Third, equiareal bins, where the product of observations per bin times bin length is constant, balance the number of observations per bin and bin length, allowing accurate evaluation of different outlier probability ranges. Finally, we show that good outlier probabilities, according to the proposed measures, improve the performance of the follow-up task of converting outlier probabilities into labels for outliers and inliers.
Biology and pathogenicity of fungi causing husk rot of macadamia in South Africa
Authors: Twiddy Dee I. , Fouché Arista , Akinsanmi Olufemi A. , Fourie Gerda
Published: July 2024

Fungal diseases of macadamia fruit in South Africa have the potential to cause notable economic damage in this rapidly growing industry. To improve our understanding of the species involved in husk rot in macadamia orchards, a survey was conducted over two consecutive growing seasons to identify Colletotrichum, Diaporthe and Calonectria spp. that are associated with husk rot-infected macadamia fruits, and to investigate the occurrence of these fungi in asymptomatic and symptomatic fruits at the four stages of fruit development. Of the 425 fungal isolates obtained from the survey, Colletotrichum and Diaporthe were the most frequently isolated genera confirming the important role that these causal agents play in the husk rot epidemics. The detection of Calonectria species was low, only from symptomatic fruits and limited to a few locations in the main macadamia-producing provinces in South Africa. Colletotrichum and Diaporthe species were detected throughout the season at different stages of fruit development and in both symptomatic and asymptomatic fruits. The study confirmed that three fungal pathogens cause husk rot of macadamia in South Africa, with Colletotrichum and Diaporthe species that may have a latent phase in macadamia fruit. Studies of the growth characteristics of the husk rot pathogens revealed varied optimal growth temperatures, which may influence their prevalence in the different provinces in South Africa where macadamia is grown. The significance of the varied prevalence and biology of the causal agents in husk rot epidemics are discussed, which may be helpful management strategies.
European screen locations in the Indian film industry: evolutionary, spatial, and collaborative perspectives
Authors: Kozina Jani , Stachowiak Krzysztof , Ciglič Rok , Gašperič Primož , Urbanc Mimi
Published: July 2024

India has long been known for its film industry and remains by far the largest film producer in the world, surpassing other film-producing superpowers like the US and China. A major factor in India’s dominance in the global media landscape is the outsourcing of film production, especially within Europe. Although there are studies trying to explain the context and mechanisms of foreign settings being incorporated into Indian filmmaking, this knowledge remains scattered and unsystematic. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively examine the evolutionary, spatial, and collaborative dynamics of Indian filmmaking in Europe by analysing statistical data from IMDb as the world’s largest film database. Our findings show that Indian filmmakers appeared relatively infrequently in Europe until the mid-1990s. The British Isles and Western Europe, with London and the Swiss Alps as the main centres, became the first and most popular destinations for outsourcing Indian films. However, this trend has changed in the last two decades, with the focus shifting to other areas in Southern, Central, Eastern, and Northern Europe as well in recent decades. The initial wave of Bollywood productions has gradually been followed by other regional cinematographies. The increasing presence of Indian film shooting in Europe has also led to growing co-production between filmmakers on both (sub)continents. The paper provides a solid basis for further exploration of socio-economic linkages between India and Europe, especially in terms of job creation, local economic development, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Detailed characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus (Poey, 1861)
Authors: Kamal Sadia A. , Baeza J. Antonio
Published: July 2024

Background

The oceanic whitetip shark Carcharhinus longimanus (family Carcharhinidae) is one of the largest sharks inhabiting all tropical and subtropical oceanic regions. Due to their life history traits and mortality attributed to pelagic longline fishing practices, this species is experiencing substantial population decline. Currently, C. longimanus is considered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as “vulnerable” throughout its range and “critically endangered” in the western north Atlantic. This study sequences and describes the complete mitochondrial genome of C. longimanus in detail.

Methods and results

The mitochondrial genome of C. longimanus was assembled through next-generation sequencing and then analyzed using specialized bioinformatics tools. The circular, double-stranded AT-rich mitogenome of C. longimanus is 16,704 bp long and contains 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein coding genes and a 1,065 bp long control region (CR). Out of the 22 tRNA genes, only one (tRNA-Ser1) lacked a typical ‘cloverleaf’ secondary structure. The prevalence of TTA (Leu), ATT (Ile) and CTA (Leu) codons in the PCGs likely contributes to the AT-rich nature of this mitogenome. In the CR, ten microsatellites were detected but no tandem repeats were found. Stem-and-loop secondary structures were common along the entire length of the CR. Ka/Ks values estimated for all PCGs were < 1, indicating that all the PCGs experience purifying selection. A phylomitogenomic analysis based on translated PCGs confirms the sister relationship between C. longimanus and C. obscurus. The analysis did not support the monophyly of the genus Carcharhinus.

Conclusions

The assembled mitochondrial genome of this pelagic shark can provide insight into the phylogenetic relationships in the genus Carcharhinus and aid conservation and management efforts in the Central Pacific Ocean.
Exploring a New Geometric-mechanical Artefact for Calculus
Authors: Maschietto Michela , Milici Pietro
Published: July 2024

We introduce a geometric-mechanical artefact designed for laboratory activities related to Calculus topics (3D models and construction instructions are freely available online). With new capabilities and a new design, this instrument adopts some mechanisms historically introduced to solve inverse tangent problems (that analytically correspond to solving differential equations). By such an instrument, besides materially revealing the tangent to a curve (tangent mode), it is possible to trace the graph of exponential functions and parabolas starting from the geometrical properties of their tangent (curvigraph mode). Furthermore, one can perform transformations as derivatives and integrals (transformation mode). Our research project aims to study the use of this artefact mainly for secondary school students. In this paper, we present the analysis of its semiotic potential, referring to the instrumental approach and the Theory of Semiotic Mediation. We also focus on a secondary school teacher manipulating the artefact to identify exploration processes and gestures of usage. The analysis supports the choice of starting the exploration in the tangent mode and suggests that the artefact fosters the emergence of the idea of the tangent line.
Body composition and aging: cross-sectional results from the INSPIRE study in people 20 to 93 years old
Authors: Briand Marguerite , Raffin Jeremy , Gonzalez-Bautista Emmanuel , Ritz Patrick , Abellan Van Kan Gabor , Pillard Fabien , Faruch-Bilfeld Marie , Guyonnet Sophie , Dray Cédric , Vellas Bruno , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Rolland Yves
Published: July 2024

Aging is characterized by several major changes, including altered body composition, which is associated with numerous negative clinical consequences such as sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and frailty. The study is to evaluate body composition parameters depending on age and sex in a population ranging from the young adult to the very old, and to identify break points in the association between body composition and age. In this cross-sectional study, we included the enrolment population of the French INSPIRE-T prospective cohort, accounting for 915 subjects (62% female). Age ranged from 20 to 93 years, median age (years) was 63 (IQR 27). Body composition (lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral content) was assessed with dual-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Different break points in the relationship between age and body composition variables in males and females were identified using a segmented regression analysis adjusted on physical activity, nutritional status, educational level, and comorbidities. Lean mass decreased from the age of 55 years for males (CI 95% 44–66) and 31 years for females (CI 95% 23–39). For fat mass, we observed a trend towards an increase with age for males. For females, we observed an increase with age up to age 75 (CI 95% 62–86), followed by a decreasing trend. In this study, we described the relationship between body composition and age as a function of sex, establishing a foundation for further studies on predictive biomarkers of age-related body composition alteration.
Zinc Deficiency Causes Glomerulosclerosis and Renal Interstitial Fibrosis Through Oxidative Stress and Increased Lactate Metabolism in Rats
Authors: Huang Zixuan , Liao Yajie , Zheng Yunxi , Ye Shang , Zhang Qianyu , Yu Xiaohong , Liu Xiaoxin , Li Ningxu
Published: July 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition characterized by renal fibrosis as its ultimate manifestation. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with CKD, evidenced by its link to renal fibrosis. Recently, local lactic acidosis has been demonstrated to promote renal fibrosis. Under zinc-deficient conditions, mitochondrial function is compromised and abnormal lactate metabolism might be induced potentially. However, it remains unclear whether zinc deficiency leads to renal fibrosis through local lactic acidosis. Zinc deficiency rat models were successfully established by feeding zinc-deficient diet. Western blot, qPCR, IHC, and other experiments were employed to investigate the key markers and molecular mechanisms of glomerulosclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis. Our results indicate that zinc deficiency reduces specific markers of podocytes (podocalyxin, WT1, and nephrin) and activates the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway, a key pathway in podocyte injury. Concurrently, glomerulosclerosis is indicated by increased urinary microalbumin and serum creatinine levels along with histological alteration observed through PAS and Masson staining in zinc-deficient rats. Furthermore, various degrees of upregulation for several markers of interstitial fibrosis including α-SMA, FN1 and collagen III are also revealed. These findings were further confirmed by Masson staining and IHC. Additionally, alterations in four markers in the EMT process, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and snail, were consistent with expectations. We then confirmed the activation of the non-canonical TGF-β1 pathway known as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. An elevation in renal ROS levels accompanied by increased mitochondrial marker cytochrome C expression as well as an elevated NADH/NAD + ratio is also observed within the kidneys. Furthermore, the activity of both MMP/TIMP system and fibrinolytic system was abnormally enhanced under zinc deficiency conditions. Finally, we find zinc supplementation could significantly ameliorate relevant pathological alterations induced by zinc deficiency. These results collectively point that zinc deficiency causes podocyte damage ultimately resulting in glomerulosclerosis via accumulation of ROS and induces interstitial fibrosis via lactic acidosis.
Online news ecosystem dynamics: supply, demand, diffusion, and the role of disinformation
Authors: Gravino Pietro , Prevedello Giulio , Brugnoli Emanuele
Published: July 2024

The digital age provides new challenges as information travels more quickly in a system of increasing complexity. But it also offers new opportunities, as we can track and study the system more efficiently. Several studies individually addressed different digital tracks, focusing on specific aspects like disinformation production or content-sharing dynamics. In this work, we propose to study the news ecosystem as an information market by analysing three main metrics: Supply, Demand, and Diffusion of information. Working on a dataset relative to Italy from December 2019 to August 2020, we validate the choice of the metrics, proving their static and dynamic relations, and their potential in describing the whole system. We demonstrate that these metrics have specific equilibrium relative levels. We reveal the strategic role of Demand in leading a non-trivial network of causal relations. We show how disinformation news Supply and Diffusion seem to cluster among different social media platforms. Disinformation also appears to be closer to information Demand than the general news Supply and Diffusion, implying a potential danger to the health of the public debate. Finally, we prove that the share of disinformation in the Supply and Diffusion of news has a significant linear relation with the gap between Demand and Supply/Diffusion of news from all sources. This finding allows for a real-time assessment of disinformation share in the system. It also gives a glimpse of the potential future developments in the modelisation of the news ecosystem as an information market studied through its main drivers.
Simulation and reconstruction of particle trajectories in the CEPC drift chamber
Authors: Liu Meng-Yao , Li Wei-Dong , Huang Xing-Tao , Zhang Yao , Lin Tao , Yuan Ye
Published: July 2024

The circular electron-positron collider (CEPC) is designed to precisely measure the properties of the Higgs boson, study electroweak interactions at the Z-boson peak, and search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. As a component of the $$4^{\text {th}}$$

4

th

conceptual CEPC detector, the drift chamber facilitates the measurement of charged particles. This study implemented a Geant4-based simulation and track reconstruction for the drift chamber. For the simulation, detector construction and response were implemented and added to the CEPC simulation chain. The development of track reconstruction involves track finding using the combinatorial Kalman filter method and track fitting using the tool of GenFit. Using the simulated data, the tracking performance was studied. The results showed that both the reconstruction resolution and tracking efficiency satisfied the requirements of the CEPC experiment.
Sandstone mounds from the Ordovician of the Central Iberian Zone, Spain
Authors: Jensen Sören
Published: July 2024

Sandstone mounds (sensu Bradshaw in Sedimentology 7:149–154, 1966) are sedimentary structures formed by fluid erosion of sands consisting of systems of variously shaped mounds, ridges and gullies preserved on the upper surface of sandstone beds. Sandstone mounds are here reported from the Armorican Quartzite Formation and Marjaliza beds, Extremadura, and the Pochico Formation of Ciudad Real. These are the first reports of this sedimentary structure from the Ordovician of the Central Iberian Zone, southwest Spain, adding to the scarce global record of this sedimentary structure. A literature review reveals no reports of sandstone mounds from rocks younger than the Devonian Period, with the majority coming from Ordovician rocks located on the Gondwanan margin of the Rheic Ocean. It is probable that sandstone mounds exist in younger rocks but secular changes in sediment properties and favourable shelf configuration are alternative explanations for this pattern.
Bacterial community composition of Hungarian salt-affected soils under different land uses
Authors: Gangwar Ravi Kumar , Táncsics András , Makádi Marianna , Farkas Milán , Cserháti Mátyás , Michéli Erika , Fuchs Márta , Szegi Tamás
Published: July 2024

Salinization and sodification are serious and worldwide growing threats to healthy soil functions. Although plants developed a plethora of traits to cope with high salinity, soil bacteria are also essential players of the adaptation process. However, there is still lack of knowledge on how other biotic and abiotic factors, such as land use or different soil properties, affect the bacterial community structure of these soils. Therefore, besides soil chemical and physical investigations, bacterial communities of differently managed salt-affected soils were analysed through 16S rRNA gene Illumina amplicon sequencing and compared. Results have shown that land use and soil texture were the main drivers in shaping the bacterial community structure of the Hungarian salt-affected soils. It was observed that at undisturbed pasture and meadow sites, soil texture and the ratio of vegetation cover were the determinative factors shaping the bacterial community structures, mainly at the level of phylum Acidobacteriota. Sandy soil texture promoted the high abundance of members of the class Blastocatellia, while at the slightly disturbed meadow soil showing high clay content was dominated by members of the class Acidobacteriia. The OTUs belonging to the class Ktedonobacteria, which were reported mostly in geothermal sediments, reached a relatively high abundance in the meadow soil.
Confronting the effects of climate change through development plans
Authors: Mahvash Mohammadi Zahra , Barakpour Naser
Published: July 2024

In recent years, climate change as a consequence of global warming, has garnered significant attention. Therefore, serious measures must be considered in the development planning process to adapt to and reduce effects of climate change. This research evaluates six development plans in Isfahan, Iran in the face of climate change effects using a framework consisting of three components of the analytical Awareness-Analysis-Action (A-A-A) approach and using quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods. In fact, the evaluation of the level of attention of the development plans from the perspective of the level of reflection and attention to raising awareness about the issues of climate change, the ability to analyze the available climate information in a useful way to support planning decisions and the level of special actions to deal with these changes. Finally, out of the three elements of the approach, the highest amount of attention in the plans is related to the element of action with 67/70% and the lowest is related to the element of awareness with 39/10%. The overall evaluation of the development plans shows that their role in integrating climate change issues into urban planning in Iran is still limited and insufficient. On the other hand, air pollution and climate change are closely related, as chemicals that cause air quality deterioration often enter together with greenhouse gases. Therefore, it can be said that although indicators of the transportation dimension (A3-J) with 80.66%, resource management have been given special attention under the action component, but carbon sequestration dimension (A2-F) with 14.63%, under the analysis component that seeks to evaluate the amount of air pollutants, classification of the type and sources of emission of pollutants could not reflect more than half of the total percentage in all development plans.
Water Exchange Through the Upper and Middle Luzon Strait Using the Sigma–Pi Diagram
Authors: Zheng Hua , Zhu Xiao‐Hua
Published: July 2024

Water exchange in the Luzon Strait (LS) is critical for layered circulation in the South China Sea (SCS); however, observational evidence of sandwich‐like water exchange is scarce. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the meridional and zonal spatial patterns of water exchange in the upper and middle LS, along with its seasonal variations in a sigma–pi diagram using Argo profiles. As observed viewed from the perspective of SCS, inflow and outflow occur in the upper and middle layers, respectively. Upper‐layer Kuroshio intrudes into the SCS primarily in the northern and central regions of the LS, extending along the continental shelf into the inner SCS. A significant middle‐layer eastward outflow is evident at 26.7–27.56 kg/m3 (500–1,500 m) in the northern part of the strait, extending to 123°E. The Kuroshio intrusion intensifies during the winter, whereas the middle‐layer outflow is most pronounced in the autumn.
Metasurface-integrated elliptically polarized laser-pumped SERF magnetometers
Authors: Liang Zihua , Hu Jinsheng , Zhou Peng , Liu Lu , Hu Gen , Wang Ankang , Ye Mao
Published: July 2024

The emergence of biomagnetism imaging has led to the development of ultrasensitive and compact spin-exchange relaxation-free (SERF) atomic magnetometers that promise high-resolution magnetocardiography (MCG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG). However, conventional optical components are not compatible with nanofabrication processes that enable the integration of atomic magnetometers on chips, especially for elliptically polarized laser-pumped SERF magnetometers with bulky optical systems. In this study, an elliptical-polarization pumping beam (at 795 nm) is achieved through a single-piece metasurface, which results in an SERF magnetometer with a high sensitivity reaching 10.61 fT/Hz1/2 by utilizing a 87Rb vapor cell with a 3 mm inner diameter. To achieve the optimum theoretical polarization, our design combines a computer-assisted optimization algorithm with an emerging metasurface design process. The metasurface is fabricated with 550 nm thick silicon-rich silicon nitride on a 2 × 2 cm2 SiO2 substrate and features a 22.17° ellipticity angle (a deviation from the target polarization of less than 2%) and more than 80% transmittance. This study provides a feasible approach for on-chip polarization control of future all-integrated atomic magnetometers, which will further pave the way for high-resolution biomagnetism imaging and portable atomic sensing applications.
Metabolic activity of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 on antidepressant response from 13 clinical studies using genotype imputation: a meta-analysis
Authors: Li Danyang , Pain Oliver , Fabbri Chiara , Wong Win Lee Edwin , Lo Chris Wai Hang , Ripke Stephan , Cattaneo Annamaria , Souery Daniel , Dernovsek Mojca Z. , Henigsberg Neven , Hauser Joanna , Lewis Glyn , Mors Ole , Perroud Nader , Rietschel Marcella , Uher Rudolf , Maier Wolfgang , Baune Bernhard T. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Bondolfi Guido , Domschke Katharina , Kato Masaki , Liu Yu-Li , Serretti Alessandro , Tsai Shih-Jen , Weinshilboum Richard ,   the GSRD Consortium, the Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, McIntosh Andrew M. , Lewis Cathryn M.
Published: July 2024

Cytochrome P450 enzymes including CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 are important for antidepressant metabolism and polymorphisms of these genes have been determined to predict metabolite levels. Nonetheless, more evidence is needed to understand the impact of genetic variations on antidepressant response. In this study, individual clinical and genetic data from 13 studies of European and East Asian ancestry populations were collected. The antidepressant response was clinically assessed as remission and percentage improvement. Imputed genotype was used to translate genetic polymorphisms to metabolic phenotypes (poor, intermediate, normal, and rapid+ultrarapid) of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. CYP2D6 structural variants cannot be imputed from genotype data, limiting the determination of metabolic phenotypes, and precluding testing for association with response. The association of CYP2C19 metabolic phenotypes with treatment response was examined using normal metabolizers as the reference. Among 5843 depression patients, a higher remission rate was found in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers compared to normal metabolizers at nominal significance but did not survive after multiple testing correction (OR = 1.46, 95% CI [1.03, 2.06], p = 0.033, heterogeneity I2 = 0%, subgroup difference p = 0.72). No metabolic phenotype was associated with percentage improvement from baseline. After stratifying by antidepressants primarily metabolized by CYP2C19, no association was found between metabolic phenotypes and antidepressant response. Metabolic phenotypes showed differences in frequency, but not effect, between European- and East Asian-ancestry studies. In conclusion, metabolic phenotypes imputed from genetic variants using genotype were not associated with antidepressant response. CYP2C19 poor metabolizers could potentially contribute to antidepressant efficacy with more evidence needed. Sequencing and targeted pharmacogenetic testing, alongside information on side effects, antidepressant dosage, depression measures, and diverse ancestry studies, would more fully capture the influence of metabolic phenotypes.
Bidirectional microwave-optical transduction based on integration of high-overtone bulk acoustic resonators and photonic circuits
Authors: Blésin Terence , Kao Wil , Siddharth Anat , Wang Rui N. , Attanasio Alaina , Tian Hao , Bhave Sunil A. , Kippenberg Tobias J.
Published: July 2024

Coherent interconversion between microwave and optical frequencies can serve as both classical and quantum interfaces for computing, communication, and sensing. Here, we present a compact microwave-optical transducer based on monolithic integration of piezoelectric actuators on silicon nitride photonic circuits. Such an actuator couples microwave signals to a high-overtone bulk acoustic resonator defined by the silica cladding of the optical waveguide core, suspended to enhance electromechanical and optomechanical couplings. At room temperature, this triply resonant piezo-optomechanical transducer achieves an off-chip photon number conversion efficiency of 1.6 × 10−5 over a bandwidth of 25 MHz at an input pump power of 21 dBm. The approach is scalable in manufacturing and does not rely on superconducting resonators. As the transduction process is bidirectional, we further demonstrate the synthesis of microwave pulses from a purely optical input. Capable of leveraging multiple acoustic modes for transduction, this platform offers prospects for frequency-multiplexed qubit interconnects and microwave photonics at large.
Light-induced Kondo-like exciton-spin interaction in neodymium(II) doped hybrid perovskite
Authors: Xiao Xudong , Latt Kyaw Zin , Gong Jue , Kim Taewoo , Connell Justin G. , Liu Yuzi , Fry H. Christopher , Pearson John E. , Wostoupal Owen S. , Li Mengyuan , Soldan Calvin , Yang Zhenzhen , Schaller Richard D. , Diroll Benjamin T. , Hla Saw Wai , Xu Tao
Published: July 2024

Tuning the properties of a pair of entangled electron and hole in a light-induced exciton is a fundamentally intriguing inquiry for quantum science. Here, using semiconducting hybrid perovskite as an exploratory platform, we discover that Nd2+-doped CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) perovskite exhibits a Kondo-like exciton-spin interaction under cryogenic and photoexcitation conditions. The feedback to such interaction between excitons in perovskite and the localized spins in Nd2+ is observed as notably prolonged carrier lifetimes measured by time-resolved photoluminescence, ~10 times to that of pristine MAPbI3 without Nd2+ dopant. From a mechanistic standpoint, such extended charge separation states are the consequence of the trap state enabled by the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the light-induced exciton and the localized 4 f spins of the Nd2+ in the proximity. Importantly, this Kondo-like exciton-spin interaction can be modulated by either increasing Nd2+ doping concentration that enhances the coupling between the exciton and Nd2+ 4 f spins as evidenced by elongated carrier lifetime, or by using an external magnetic field that can nullify the spin-dependent exchange interaction therein due to the unified orientations of Nd2+ spin angular momentum, thereby leading to exciton recombination at the dynamics comparable to pristine MAPbI3.
Evidence of a distinct collective mode in Kagome superconductors
Authors: Hu Bin , Chen Hui , Ye Yuhan , Huang Zihao , Han Xianghe , Zhao Zhen , Xiao Hongqin , Lin Xiao , Yang Haitao , Wang Ziqiang , Gao Hong-Jun
Published: July 2024

The collective modes of the superconducting order parameter fluctuation can provide key insights into the nature of the superconductor. Recently, a family of superconductors has emerged in non-magnetic kagome materials AV3Sb5 (A = K, Rb, Cs), exhibiting fertile emergent phenomenology. However, the collective behaviors of Cooper pairs have not been studied. Here, we report a distinct collective mode in CsV3-xTaxSb5 using scanning tunneling microscope/spectroscopy. The spectral line-shape is well-described by one isotropic and one anisotropic superconducting gap, and a bosonic mode due to electron-mode coupling. With increasing x, the two gaps move closer in energy, merge into two isotropic gaps of equal amplitude, and then increase synchronously. The mode energy decreases monotonically to well below $${{2}}{{\Delta }}$$
2
Δ
and survives even after the charge density wave order is suppressed. We propose the interpretation of this collective mode as Leggett mode between different superconducting components or the Bardasis-Schrieffer mode due to a subleading superconducting component.
Experimentally validating sabatier plot by molecular level microenvironment customization for oxygen electroreduction
Authors: Huang Bingyu , Gu Qiao , Tang Xiannong , Lützenkirchen-Hecht Dirk , Yuan Kai , Chen Yiwang
Published: July 2024

Microenvironmental modifications on metal sites are crucial to tune oxygen reduction catalytic behavior and decrypt intrinsic mechanism, whereas the stochastic properties of traditional pyrolyzed single-atom catalysts induce vague recognition on structure-reactivity relations. Herein, we report a theoretical descriptor relying on binding energies of oxygen adsorbates and directly associating the derived Sabatier volcano plot with calculated overpotential to forecast catalytic efficiency of cobalt porphyrin. This Sabatier volcano plot instructs that electron-withdrawing substituents mitigate the over-strong *OH intermediate adsorption by virtue of the decreased proportion of electrons in bonding orbital. To experimentally validate this speculation, we implement a secondary sphere microenvironment customization strategy on cobalt porphyrin-based polymer nanocomposite analogs. Systematic X-ray spectroscopic and in situ electrochemical characterizations capture the pronounced accessible active site density and the fast interfacial/outward charge migration kinetics contributions for the optimal carboxyl group-substituted catalyst. This work offers ample strategies for designing single-atom catalysts with well-managed microenvironment under the guidance of Sabatier volcano map.
Pan-serotype dengue virus inhibitor JNJ-A07 targets NS4A-2K-NS4B interaction with NS2B/NS3 and blocks replication organelle formation
Authors: Kiemel Dominik , Kroell Ann-Sophie Helene , Denolly Solène , Haselmann Uta , Bonfanti Jean-François , Andres Jose Ignacio , Ghosh Brahma , Geluykens Peggy , Kaptein Suzanne J. F. , Wilken Lucas , Scaturro Pietro , Neyts Johan , Van Loock Marnix , Goethals Olivia , Bartenschlager Ralf
Published: July 2024

Dengue fever represents a significant medical and socio-economic burden in (sub)tropical regions, yet antivirals for treatment or prophylaxis are lacking. JNJ-A07 was described as highly active against the different genotypes within each serotype of the disease-causing dengue virus (DENV). Based on clustering of resistance mutations it has been assumed to target DENV non-structural protein 4B (NS4B). Using a photoaffinity labeling compound with high structural similarity to JNJ-A07, here we demonstrate binding to NS4B and its precursor NS4A-2K-NS4B. Consistently, we report recruitment of the compound to intracellular sites enriched for these proteins. We further specify the mechanism-of-action of JNJ-A07, which has virtually no effect on viral polyprotein cleavage, but targets the interaction between the NS2B/NS3 protease/helicase complex and the NS4A-2K-NS4B cleavage intermediate. This interaction is functionally linked to de novo formation of vesicle packets (VPs), the sites of DENV RNA replication. JNJ-A07 blocks VPs biogenesis with little effect on established ones. A similar mechanism-of-action was found for another NS4B inhibitor, NITD-688. In summary, we unravel the antiviral mechanism of these NS4B-targeting molecules and show how DENV employs a short-lived cleavage intermediate to carry out an early step of the viral life cycle.
Boosting electrochemical oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide coupled with organic oxidation
Authors: Sun Yining , Fan Kui , Li Jinze , Wang Lei , Yang Yusen , Li Zhenhua , Shao Mingfei , Duan Xue
Published: July 2024

The electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is appealing due to its sustainability. However, its efficiency is compromised by the competing 4e− ORR pathway. In this work, we report a hierarchical carbon nanosheet array electrode with a single-atom Ni catalyst synthesized using organic molecule-intercalated layered double hydroxides as precursors. The electrode exhibits excellent 2e− ORR performance under alkaline conditions and achieves H2O2 yield rates of 0.73 mol gcat−1 h−1 in the H-cell and 5.48 mol gcat−1 h−1 in the flow cell, outperforming most reported catalysts. The experimental results show that the Ni atoms selectively adsorb O2, while carbon nanosheets generate reactive hydrogen species, synergistically enhancing H2O2 production. Furthermore, a coupling reaction system integrating the 2e− ORR with ethylene glycol oxidation significantly enhances H2O2 yield rate to 7.30 mol gcat−1 h−1 while producing valuable glycolic acid. Moreover, we convert alkaline electrolyte containing H2O2 directly into the downstream product sodium perborate to reduce the separation cost further. Techno-economic analysis validates the economic viability of this system.
Estimating the contribution of setting-specific contacts to SARS-CoV-2 transmission using digital contact tracing data
Authors: Wang Zengmiao , Yang Peng , Wang Ruixue , Ferretti Luca , Zhao Lele , Pei Shan , Wang Xiaoli , Jia Lei , Zhang Daitao , Liu Yonghong , Liu Ziyan , Wang Quanyi , Fraser Christophe , Tian Huaiyu
Published: July 2024

While many countries employed digital contact tracing to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the contribution of cospace-time interaction (i.e., individuals who shared the same space and time) to transmission and to super-spreading in the real world has seldom been systematically studied due to the lack of systematic sampling and testing of contacts. To address this issue, we utilized data from 2230 cases and 220,878 contacts with detailed epidemiological information during the Omicron outbreak in Beijing in 2022. We observed that contact number per day of tracing for individuals in dwelling, workplace, cospace-time interactions, and community settings could be described by gamma distribution with distinct parameters. Our findings revealed that 38% of traced transmissions occurred through cospace-time interactions whilst control measures were in place. However, using a mathematical model to incorporate contacts in different locations, we found that without control measures, cospace-time interactions contributed to only 11% (95%CI: 10%–12%) of transmissions and the super-spreading risk for this setting was 4% (95%CI: 3%–5%), both the lowest among all settings studied. These results suggest that public health measures should be optimized to achieve a balance between the benefits of digital contact tracing for cospace-time interactions and the challenges posed by contact tracing within the same setting.
Ampere-level CO2 electroreduction with single-pass conversion exceeding 85% in acid over silver penetration electrodes
Authors: Li Shoujie , Dong Xiao , Wu Gangfeng , Song Yanfang , Mao Jianing , Chen Aohui , Zhu Chang , Li Guihua , Wei Yiheng , Liu Xiaohu , Wang Jiangjiang , Chen Wei , Wei Wei
Published: July 2024

Synthesis of valuable chemicals from CO2 electroreduction in acidic media is highly desirable to overcome carbonation. However, suppressing the hydrogen evolution reaction in such proton-rich environments remains a considerable challenge. The current study demonstrates the use of a hollow fiber silver penetration electrode with hierarchical micro/nanostructures to enable CO2 reduction to CO in strong acids via balanced coordination of CO2 and K+/H+ supplies. Correspondingly, a CO faradaic efficiency of 95% is achieved at a partial current density as high as 4.3 A/cm2 in a pH = 1 solution of H2SO4 and KCl, sustaining 200 h of continuous electrolysis at a current density of 2 A/cm2 with over 85% single-pass conversion of CO2. The experimental results and density functional theory calculations suggest that the controllable CO2 feeding induced by the hollow fiber penetration configuration primarily coordinate the CO2/H+ balance on Ag active sites in strong acids, favoring CO2 activation and key intermediate *COOH formation, resulting in enhanced CO formation.
Facet sensitivity of iron carbides in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
Authors: Wu Wenlong , Luo Jiahua , Zhao Jiankang , Wang Menglin , Luo Lei , Hu Sunpei , He Bingxuan , Ma Chao , Li Hongliang , Zeng Jie
Published: July 2024

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a structure-sensitive reaction of which performance is strongly related to the active phase, particle size, and exposed facets. Compared with the full-pledged investigation on the active phase and particle size, the facet effect has been limited to theoretical studies or single-crystal surfaces, lacking experimental reports of practical catalysts, especially for Fe-based catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the facet sensitivity of iron carbides in FTS. As the prerequisite, {202} and {112} facets of χ-Fe5C2 are fabricated as the outer shell through the conformal reconstruction of Fe3O4 nanocubes and octahedra, as the inner cores, respectively. During FTS, the activity and stability are highly sensitive to the exposed facet of iron carbides, whereas the facet sensitivity is not prominent for the chain growth. According to mechanistic studies, {202} χ-Fe5C2 surfaces follow hydrogen-assisted CO dissociation which lowers the activation energy compared with the direct CO dissociation over {112} surfaces, affording the high FTS activity.
Eukaryotic Pif1 helicase unwinds G-quadruplex and dsDNA using a conserved wedge
Authors: Hong Zebin , Byrd Alicia K. , Gao Jun , Das Poulomi , Tan Vanessa Qianmin , Malone Emory G. , Osei Bertha , Marecki John C. , Protacio Reine U. , Wahls Wayne P. , Raney Kevin D. , Song Haiwei
Published: July 2024

G-quadruplexes (G4s) formed by guanine-rich nucleic acids induce genome instability through impeding DNA replication fork progression. G4s are stable DNA structures, the unfolding of which require the functions of DNA helicases. Pif1 helicase binds preferentially to G4 DNA and plays multiple roles in maintaining genome stability, but the mechanism by which Pif1 unfolds G4s is poorly understood. Here we report the co-crystal structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1 (ScPif1) bound to a G4 DNA with a 5′ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) segment. Unlike the Thermus oshimai Pif1-G4 structure, in which the 1B and 2B domains confer G4 recognition, ScPif1 recognizes G4 mainly through the wedge region in the 1A domain that contacts the 5′ most G-tetrad directly. A conserved Arg residue in the wedge is required for Okazaki fragment processing but not for mitochondrial function or for suppression of gross chromosomal rearrangements. Multiple substitutions at this position have similar effects on resolution of DNA duplexes and G4s, suggesting that ScPif1 may use the same wedge to unwind G4 and dsDNA. Our results reveal the mechanism governing dsDNA unwinding and G4 unfolding by ScPif1 helicase that can potentially be generalized to other eukaryotic Pif1 helicases and beyond.
A new encryption algorithm for image data based on two-way chaotic maps and iterative cellular automata
Authors: Alkhonaini Mimouna Abdullah , Gemeay Entesar , Zeki Mahmood Firas Muhammad , Ayari Mohamed , Alenizi Farhan A. , Lee Sangkeum
Published: July 2024

Due to their simplicity of implementation and compliance with the encryption issue, chaotic models are often utilized in picture encryption applications. Despite having many benefits, this approach still has a crucial space issue that makes encryption algorithms based on it susceptible to brute-force assaults. This research’s proposed novel picture encryption technique has a vast key space and great key sensitivity. To achieve this goal, the proposed method combines two-way chaotic maps and reversible cellular automata (RCA). First, this approach uses a two-way chaotic model named spatiotemporal chaos for image confusion. This step includes permuting the image pixels using a chaotic map at the byte level. Then, the RCA model is utilized for image diffusion. In this step, the RCA model iterates over image pixels to modify them at the bit level. The method’s performance in encrypting grayscale images was evaluated using various analysis methods. According to the results, the proposed method is a compelling image encryption algorithm with high robustness against brute-force, statistical, and differential attacks.
Impact of an unprecedented marine heatwave on extremely hot summer over Northern Japan in 2023
Authors: Sato Hirotaka , Takemura Kazuto , Ito Akira , Umeda Takafumi , Maeda Shuhei , Tanimoto Youichi , Nonaka Masami , Nakamura Hisashi
Published: July 2024

Possible local influence of an extreme marine heatwave is investigated on unprecedentedly hot summer around northern Japan in 2023. Sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) and subsurface ocean temperatures around northern Japan were also unprecedentedly high in the summer. This was especially the case off the east coast of Japan, where cool Oyashio water was replaced with much warmer water due to a striking poleward meander of the Kuroshio Extension persistent from the spring. Particularly amplified near-surface air temperature anomalies and even stronger warm anomalies in the subsurface ocean suggest that the marine heatwave acted to sustain the atmospheric heatwave. Anomalous upward of latent and sensible heat fluxes from the warmed sea surface are indicative of local oceanic impact. The warm SST anomalies reduced the lower-tropospheric stratification to maintain unfavourable condition for low-level cloud formation, which in turn led to increased surface insolation for further SST warming as positive feedback. The increased moisture in the warmed lower troposphere contributed to the enhanced surface downward longwave radiation. This enhanced greenhouse effect acted not only as positive feedback on the warm SST anomalies that increased evaporation but also as a contributor for the extreme warmth over northern Japan landmass.