bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classic indicators and diel dissolved oxygen versus trend analysis in assessing eutrophication of potable‐water reservoirs
Authors: Burkholder JoAnn M. , Kinder Carol A. , Dickey David A. , Reed Robert E. , Arellano Consuelo , James Jennifer L. , Mackenzie Linda M. , Allen Elle H. , Lindor Nicole L. , Mathis Joshua G. , Thomas Zachary T.
Published: January 2022

Potable source‐water reservoirs are the main water supplies in many urbanizing regions, yet their long‐term responses to cultural eutrophication are poorly documented in comparison with natural lakes, creating major management uncertainties. Here, long‐term discrete data (June 2006–June 2018) for classical eutrophication water quality indicators, continuous depth‐profile data for dissolved oxygen (DO), and an enhanced hybrid statistical trend analysis model were used to evaluate the eutrophication status of a potable source‐water reservoir. Based on classical indicators (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P concentrations and ratios; phytoplankton biomass as chlorophyll a, chl a; and trophic state indices), the reservoir was eutrophic to hypereutrophic and stoichiometrically imbalanced. Anoxia/hypoxia occurred for 7–8 months annually systemwide, even throughout the water column for days to weeks in some years; and elevated total ammonia (up to ~900 μg tNH3 L−1) in surface waters from late summer/fall through late winter/early spring suggested substantial internal legacy nutrient loading. These surprising DO and tNH3 phenomena may characterize many reservoirs in urbanizing areas, and the associated cascade of negative impacts may increasingly affect them under global warming. Total organic carbon (TOC), seasonally influenced by phytoplankton biomass, commonly exceeded 6 mg L−1, which is problematic for potable‐water treatment, and significantly trended up over time. Wet‐year inflow dilution influenced an apparent decreasing trend in nutrients within the hypereutrophic upper reservoir, which receives most tributary inputs. Nevertheless, significant reservoirwide trends (increasing total phosphorus [TP], phytoplankton chl a, TOC) and mid‐ and/or lower region trends (increasing total nitrogen [TN], tNH3, decreasing TN:TP ratios) suggest that water quality degradation from eutrophication has worsened over time. These findings support broadly applicable recommendations to strengthen protection of potable source‐water reservoirs in urbanizing watersheds: (1) protective numeric water quality criteria are needed for TOC as well as TN, TP, and chl a; (2) continuous diel data capture more realistic DO conditions than traditional sampling, and can provide important insights for water treatment managers; and (3) assessment of reservoir eutrophication status to track management progress over time should emphasize classic indicators equally as statistical trends, which are highly sensitive to short‐term meteorological forcing
Similar cost of Hamiltonella defensa in experimental and natural aphid‐endosymbiont associations
Authors: Kaech Heidi , Jud Stephanie , Vorburger Christoph
Published: January 2022

Endosymbiont‐conferred resistance to parasitoids is common in aphids, but comes at a cost to the host in the absence of parasitoids. In black bean aphids (Aphis fabae), costs in terms of reduced lifespan and lifetime reproduction were demonstrated by introducing 11 isolates of the protective symbiont Hamiltonella defensa into previously uninfected aphid clones. Transfection of H. defensa isolates into a common genetic background allows to compare the costs of different endosymbiont isolates unconfounded by host genetic variation, but has been suggested to overestimate the realized costs of the endosymbiont in natural populations, because transfection creates new and potentially maladapted host–symbiont combinations that would be eliminated by natural selection in the field. In this experiment, we show that removing H. defensa isolates from their natural host clones with antibiotics results in a fitness gain that is comparable to the fitness loss from their introduction into two new clones. This suggests that estimating cost by transfecting endosymbiont isolates into a shared host genotype does not lead to gross overestimates of their realized costs, at least not in the two recipient genotypes used here. By comparing our data with data reported in previous publications using the same lines, we show that symbiont‐induced costs may fluctuate over time. Thus, costs estimated after extended culture in the laboratory may not always be representative of the costs at the time of collection in the field. Finally, we report the accidental observation that two isolates from a distinct haplotype of H. defensa could not be removed by cefotaxime treatment, while all isolates from two other haplotypes were readily eliminated, which is suggestive of variation in susceptibility to this antibiotic in H. defensa.
Light and thermal niches of ground‐foraging Amazonian insectivorous birds
Authors: Jirinec Vitek , Rodrigues Patricia F. , Amaral Bruna R. , Stouffer Philip C
Published: January 2022

Insectivores of the tropical rainforest floor are consistently among the most vulnerable birds to forest clearing and fragmentation. Several hypotheses attempt to explain this pattern, including sensitivity to extreme microclimates found near forest borders, particularly brighter and warmer conditions. Importantly, this “microclimate hypothesis” has additional implications for intact forest under global climate change that could be evaluated through direct assessment of the light and temperature environment of terrestrial insectivores. In this study, we harness novel technology to directly quantify the light and thermal niches of 10 species of terrestrial insectivores in undisturbed Amazonian rainforest. Loggers placed on birds (N = 33) and their environment (N = 9) recorded nearly continuous microclimate data from 2017 to 2019, amassing >5 million measurements. We found that midday light intensity in tree fall gaps (~39,000 lux) was >40 times higher than at the ground level of forest interior (950 lux). Light intensity registered by sensors placed on birds averaged 17.4 (range 3.9–41.5) lux, with species using only 4.3% (0.9%–10.4%) of available light on the forest floor. Birds therefore selected very dark microhabitats—the light environment was >2200 times brighter in tree fall gaps. Bird thermal niche was a function of ambient temperature as well as body temperature, which averaged >40.5°C but varied among species. Forest floor temperature peaked daily at 27.0°C, whereas bird loggers averaged 35.1°C (34.5–35.7°C) at midday. The antpitta Myrmothera campanisona and the antthrush Formicarius colma used thermal conditions closest to their body temperatures, whereas leaftossers (Sclerurus spp.) and Myrmornis torquata occupied relatively cool microclimates. We found no general link between abundance trends and variation in species‐specific light and thermal niches. However, all species occupied markedly dim and cool microclimates. Because such conditions are rare outside the interior of primary forest, these results support the microclimate hypothesis in disturbed landscapes. Moreover, strong avoidance of conditions that are becoming more common under climate change highlights the vulnerability of terrestrial insectivores even in the absence of disturbance and may be the reason for enigmatic declines in Amazonia and elsewhere.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior of Ferrocenyl β‐Ketoamines FcC(O)CH=C(NH(C6H4‐4‐R‘))R
Authors: Mahrholdt Julia , Kovalski Eduard , Rüffer Tobias , Vrček Valerije , Lang Heinrich
Published: January 2022

FcC(O)CH=C(OH)R (1, R=Me; 2, R=Fc; Fc=Fe(η5‐C5H4)(η5‐C5H5)) reacts with 1‐H2N‐4‐R’‐C6H4 (3 a, R‘=Me; 3 b, R‘=OMe; 3 c, R‘=C≡N; 3 d, R‘=F) producing β‐ketoamines FcC(O)CH=C(NH(C6H4‐4‐R‘))R (4 a–d, R=Me; 5 a–d, R=Fc). Electrochemistry shows that 4 a–d possess one (4 a: E°′=90 mV; 4 b: E°′=80 mV; 4 c: E°′=145 mV; 4 d: E°′=95 mV) and 5a–d two (5 a: E°′1,2=90, 305 mV; 5 b: E°′1,2=85, 305 mV; 5 c: E°′1,2=155, 360 mV; 5 d: E°′1,2=105, 325 mV) reversible redox processes. In 5 a–d electrostatic interactions occur among Fc/[Fc]+ as oxidation progresses, as evidenced by UV/vis‐NIR spectroscopy. Compounds 4 a,d and 5 b,c display an irreversible N‐oxidation at 1100–1450 mV, while 4 b owns a reversible event at 910 mV. A linear relationship between the σ Hammett constants and the E°′1 values exists.
A finite difference Hermite RBF‐WENO scheme for hyperbolic conservation laws
Authors: Abedian Rooholah
Published: January 2022

One of the best ideas for controlling the Gibbs oscillations in hyperbolic conservation laws is to apply weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (WENO) schemes. The traditional WENO and Hermite WENO (HWENO) schemes are based on the polynomial interpolation. In this research, a non‐polynomial HENO and HWENO finite difference scheme in order to enhance the local accuracy and convergence is proposed. The idea of the reconstruction in HWENO schemes is derived from traditional WENO schemes, with the difference that in traditional WENO schemes only function values are evolved and used, while in HWENO schemes both the values of the function and the first derivative of the function are evolved in time and used. The Hermite radial basis functions (RBFs) interpolation offers the flexibility to control the local error by optimizing the free parameter. The numerical results demonstrate that the developed Hermite RBF‐ENO and RBF‐WENO schemes enhance the local accuracy and give sharper solution profile than the Hermite ENO and WENO schemes based on the polynomial interpolation.
Intersubject correlation analysis reveals the plasticity of cerebral functional connectivity in the long‐term use of social media
Authors: Hu Bo , Yu Ying , Yan Lin‐Feng , Qi Guo‐Qing , Wu Dong , Li Yu‐Ting , Shi An‐Ping , Liu Chen‐Xi , Shang Yu‐Xuan , Li Ze‐Yang , Cui Guang‐Bin , Wang Wen
Published: January 2022

Owing to the limitations of cross‐sectional studies, it is unclear whether social media induce brain changes, or if individuals with certain biological traits are more likely to use social media. Functional connectivity (FC) can reflect cerebral functional plasticity, and if social media can influence cerebral FC, then the FC of light social media users should be more similar to that of heavy users after they “heavily” used social media for a long period. We combined longitudinal study design and intersubject correlation (ISC) analysis to investigate this similarity. Thirty‐five heavy and 21 light social media users underwent cognitive tests and functional MRIs. The 21 light social media users underwent another functional MRI scan after completing an additional four‐week social media task. We conducted the ISC at the group, individual, and brain‐region levels to investigate the similarity of FC and locate the brain regions most affected by social media. The FC of light social media users was more similar to that of heavy social media users after they completed the four‐week social media task. Then, social media had an impact on half of the brain, involving almost all brain networks. Finally, cerebral FC that mostly affected by social media was associated with selective attention. We concluded that the impact of social media use on cerebral functional connectivity changes is revealed by ISC method and longitudinal design, which may provide guidance for clinical practice. The methods used in the current research could also be applied to similar domains.
Stability analysis on dual solutions of MHD Casson fluid flow with thermal and chemical reaction over a permeable elongating sheet
Authors: Dey Debasish , Borah Rupjyoti , Khound Ardhendu Sekhar
Published: January 2022

The endeavor of this study is to explore the nature of dual solutions (steady and unsteady) for the Casson fluid flow with the simultaneous consequences of both thermal and mass transmissions. The flow passes above an absorbent elongating sheet in the existence of a constant magnetic field. The supported leading equations are remodeled into a set of solvable forms with the assist of suitable similarity variables and hence deciphered utilizing the “MATLAB routine bvp4c scheme.” Due to the sudden changes in the surface with time, the temperature and flow behavior over the sheet also change, and hence dual‐type flow solutions exist. Stability scrutiny is implemented to examine the less (more) stable and visually achievable solutions. From this study, we have achieved many interesting facts, among them, we can use magnetic and Casson fluid parameters to control the motion of the fluid and to enlarge of thermal transmission of the fluid. This flow model has many important applications in different physical fields, such as engineering sciences, medical sciences, and different industrial processes. One of the most important results, which has been achieved from this investigation, is that the Prandtl number enriches the heat transfer rate of the fluid at the surface during the time‐independent case under the suction environment. Also, the chemical reaction parameter helps to enhance the mass accumulation rate of the fluid in both cases.
The effect of Economic Policy Uncertainty on the credit risk of US commercial banks
Authors: Orden‐Cruz Carmen , Paule‐Vianez Jessica , Lobão Júlio
Published: January 2022

This article analyses the impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) on the credit risk of US commercial banks considering their size, profitability and solvency. To achieve this goal, a sample of 2994 US commercial banks was selected for the period 2017–2019. Using panel data, the results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between EPU and credit risk of US commercial banks. Banks of less profitability and less solvency were found to be more vulnerable to the effect of EPU on credit risk. No conclusive results were found regarding the impact of bank size on vulnerability to EPU. Overall, our evidence suggests that policy makers and bank managers should consider the effect of EPU on their decisions.
Tunable Ru‐Ru2P heterostructures with charge redistribution for efficient pH‐universal hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chen Ding , Yu Ruohan , Lu Ruihu , Pu Zonghua , Wang Pengyan , Zhu Jiawei , Ji Pengxia , Wu Dulan , Wu Jinsong , Zhao Yan , Kou Zongkui , Yu Jun , Mu Shichun
Published: January 2022

Designing synergistic heterogeneous catalytic interfaces is the key to developing highly compatible pH‐universal electrocatalysts for complex chemical environments. Our theoretical calculation results demonstrate that the Ru‐Ru2P heterointerface can not only promote the redistribution of charges, but also reduce the d‐band center, and then enhances the adsorption capacity of the key intermediate. However, in situ and facile synthesis of Ru‐Ru2P heterostructures is severely limited by thermodynamic obstacles. Herein, we propose a molten salt‐assisted catalytic synthesis scheme, and successfully build a series of homologous metallic Ru‐Ru2P heterostructure catalysts with different molar ratios of Ru to P under atmospheric pressure and low‐temperature (400°C). The resultant Ru‐Ru2P with rich heterostructures show the Pt‐like HER performance in different pH media. Particularly, it is prominent under alkaline conditions (18 mV @ 10 mA cm−2), which outperforms the Pt catalyst (37 mV @ 10 mA cm−2). Furthermore, Ru‐Ru2P heterostructures also show certain potential in the electrolysis of seawater to produce hydrogen. This work represents a significant supplement of high‐efficiency pH‐universal HER catalysts, and provides a new light on interface engineering in energy technology fields and beyond.
Versatile core–shell magnetic fluorescent mesoporous microspheres for multilevel latent fingerprints magneto‐optic information recognition
Authors: Yu Bingjie , Liu Shude , Xie Wenhe , Pan Panpan , Zhou Peng , Zou Yidong , Yue Qin , Deng Yonghui
Published: January 2022

Latent fingerprints are extremely vital for personal identification and criminal investigation, and potential information recognition techniques have been widely used in the fields of information and communication electronics. Although physical powder dusting methods have been frequently employed to develop latent fingerprints and most of them are carried out by using single component powders of micron‐sized fluorescent particles, magnetic powders, or metal particles, there is still an enormous challenge in producing high‐resolution image of latent fingerprints at different backgrounds or substrates. Herein, a novel and effective nanoimpregnation method is developed to synthesize bifunctional magnetic fluorescent mesoporous microspheres for latent fingerprints visualization by growth of mesoporous silica (mesoSiO2) on magical Fe3O4 core and then deposition of fluorescent YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles in the mesopores. The obtained Fe3O4@mesoSiO2@YVO4:Eu3+ microspheres possess spatially isolated magnetic core and fluorescent shell which were insulated by mesoporous silica layer. Due to their small particle size of submicrometer scale, high magnetization and low magnetic remanence as well as the combined magnetic and fluorescent properties, the microspheres show superior performance in visual latent fingerprint recognition with high contrast, high anti‐interference, and sensitivity as well as good retention on multifarious substrates regardless of surface permeability, roughness, refraction, colorfulness, and background fluorescence interference, and it makes them ideal candidates for practical application in fingerprint visualization and even magneto‐optic information storage.

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The roadmap to micro: Generation of micron‐sized polymeric particles using a commercial microfluidic system
Authors: Cruz‐Acuña Melissa , Kakwere Hamilton , Lewis Jamal S.
Published: January 2022

Microfluidic‐assisted particle fabrication provides a route to circumvent the disadvantages associated with traditional methods of polymeric particle generation, such as low drug loading efficiency, challenges in controlling encapsulated drug release rates, batch‐to‐batch variability in particle physical properties and formulation instability. However, this approach primarily produces particles with nanometer size dimensions, which limits drug delivery modalities. Herein, we systematically studied parameters for the generation of micron‐sized poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) particles using a microfluidic system, the NanoAssemblr benchtop. Initially, we used two organic solvents that have been reported suitable for the fabrication of PLGA nanoparticles ‐ acetone and acetonitrile. Subsequently, we methodically manipulated polymer concentration, organic: aqueous flow rate ratios, total flow rate, organic phase composition, and surfactant concentration to develop a route for the fabrication of micron‐sized PLGA particles. Further, we incorporated hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a clinically approved drug for malaria and lymphoma, and measured how its incorporation impacted particle physicochemical properties. Briefly, altering the organic phase composition by including ethyl acetate (less polar solvent), resulted in micron‐scale particles, as well as increased polydispersity indexes (PDIs). Adjusting the surfactant concentration of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) after the addition of these solvent mixtures rendered large particles with lower PDI variability. Moreover, encapsulation of HCQ influenced particle hydrodynamic diameter and PDI in a PVA concentration dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrated that unloaded and HCQ‐loaded microparticles did not affect the viability of RAW 264.7 macrophages. This study provides an itinerary for fabricating biocompatible, drug‐loaded, micron‐sized polymeric particles, particularly when the drug of interest is not readily soluble in conventional organic solvents.
Potential areas of crop residue burning contributing to hazardous air pollution in Delhi during the post‐monsoon season
Authors: Rahman Md. Hafizur , Singh Nimish , Kundu Seema , Datta Arindam
Published: January 2022

Severe daily ambient particulate matter concentrations <2.5 μm (PM2.5) (>400 μg m–3) have been recorded in Delhi, India, for about 50 d in the post‐monsoon season (October–November) from 2016 to 2019. Monthly average ambient PM2.5 concentrations during the period followed the order: September (63.0 ± 3.6 μg m–3) <listp October (145.8 ± 7.3 μg m–3) < November (233.0 ± 11.5 μg m–3). Crop residue burning has been reported as one of the major sources of ambient PM2.5 in Delhi during the period. This study analyzed the effect of meteorological parameters and crop residue burning on the ambient PM2.5 concentration in Delhi during the period using the dataset from one of the official monitoring stations, the Hybrid Single‐Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory air parcel back trajectory model, and a satellite‐based active fire dataset for the years 2016–2019. The study suggests that crop residue burning events at Sangrur, Mansa, Bhatinda, Patiala, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Patiala (0.5° by 0.5° grid size) districts contribute to the severe PM2.5 concentration in Delhi during November. A significant negative relationship of daily PM2.5 concentrations with meteorological parameters (wind speed: r2 = –.36, p < .05; planetary boundary layer height: r2 = –.45, p < .05) and a positive relationship with the crop residue burning event (r2 = .46, p < .05) that occurred 3 d earlier were recorded. This study can help policymakers undertake location‐specific actions based on meteorological forecasts to reduce the cost and improve the effectiveness of policy actions to reduce the effect of crop residue burning on the ambient PM2.5 concentration in Delhi during the post‐monsoon season.
Practical approaches to labelling terminal alkynes with deuterium
Authors: Chan Melanie Y. T. , Anwar Arbab , Lockley William J. S.
Published: January 2022

Base catalysed exchange with sodium hydroxide, calcium oxide or N,N,N,N‐tetramethylguanidine in deuterium oxide is a viable procedure for the preparation of terminally deuterated alkynes for those alkynes stable to strong base. The use of silver perchlorate as a catalyst is an alternative practical option when labelling alkynes which are sensitive to base or contain functionalities which would lead to labelling elsewhere in the molecule. Labelling with this catalyst takes place smoothly at ambient temperature in a mixture of N,N‐dimethylformamide and deuterium oxide.
Three‐dimensional ankle, subtalar, and hindfoot alignment of the normal, weightbearing hindfoot, in bilateral posture
Authors: Stolle Jordan , Lintz Francois , de Cesar Netto Cesar , Bernasconi Alessio , Rincon Maria R. , Mathew Rena , Vispute Dhwanit , Siegler Sorin
Published: January 2022

The first goal of this study was to develop reliable three‐dimensional definitions of alignment for the ankle, subtalar, and hindfoot joints. These alignments are based on three‐dimensional morphological features derived from renderings of the bones obtained from weightbearing computer tomography. The second goal was to establish a database quantifying the alignment of the ankle, subtalar, and hindfoot joints in a healthy population during weightbearing bilateral standing. This level 1 study was performed on 95 normal subjects in which random subjects were recruited into a control group. Weightbearing computed tomography scans of the leg were collected in neutral, bilateral, standing posture. In 30 of the subjects, both the left and right leg was scanned. Six alignment parameters for each joint were calculated from morphological measurements conducted on three‐dimensional renderings of the bones. Intra‐ and intertester reliability was assessed from repeated measurements by several testers. Analysis of variance statistics of the alignment parameters showed no statistical differences due to age, gender, or foot side. Intraclass correlation coefficient analysis showed excellent inter‐ and intratester reliability. It was concluded that the alignment process is comprehensive and reliable. Therefore, without classification by gender or age, it may be used as a foundation for quantifying abnormal alignment associated with various ankle deformities. Clinical significance: The alignment methodology and control database may be used to diagnose ankle, subtalar, and hindfoot misalignment. It can also serve as basis for surgical planning designed to restore normal alignment in various hindfoot pathologies, such as ankle realignment in total ankle replacement.
Toxicity studies on sediments near hydropower plants on the Ślęza and Bystrzyca rivers, Poland, to establish their potential for use for soil enrichment
Authors: Tomczyk Paweł , Gałka Bernard , Wiatkowski Mirosław , Wdowczyk Aleksandra , Gruss Łukasz
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study is to analyze the toxicity of the sediments accumulated in the vicinity of hydropower plants (HPs) on the Ślęza and Bystrzyca rivers in Poland and the possibility of using these sediments for soil enrichment purposes. Thus far, there has been little comprehensive research related to the analysis of the impact of HPs on the properties of sediments. The analysis of the granulometric composition, physicochemical properties, heavy metals (HMs) content in sediments, and the growth of three plant species was carried out, including toxicity (HMs) and germination indices (plants). Most parameters were significant between the points upstream and downstream of the analyzed HPs. It has been shown that the most dangerous toxic factor is the high concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn in the sediments upstream of the HP on the Ślęza. In most cases, the HMs content was observed to decrease downstream of the HPs (e.g., Cu in Ślęza River: average of 13.44‐times), a result of changes in the particle size composition and accumulation of sediments at the site of the dam wall. Typically, the sediments tested stimulated growth in the plant species studied in comparison with the control groups (e.g., germination index for Sorghum saccharatum, Bystrzyca: 273.5% downstream of HPs). The C:N ratio increased downstream of the HPs by an average of 37.11% for the Ślęza River and 10.88% for the Bystrzyca River. The requirements for composting material were not met; however, the sediment could be used to enrich soils with an excessively wide C:N ratio.
Net ecosystem dissolution and respiration dominate metabolic rates at two western Atlantic reef sites
Authors: Meléndez Melissa , Salisbury Joseph , Gledhill Dwight , Langdon Chris , Morell Julio M. , Manzello Derek , Sutton Adrienne
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Ocean acidification is changing surface water chemistry, but natural variability due to nearshore processes can mask its effects on ecosystem responses. We present an approach of quantitatively resolving net ecosystem metabolism from an array of long‐term time series stations, offering perhaps the longest record of such processes over a reef to date. We used 8 and 6 yr of in situ, high‐quality frequency observations to characterize the changes in dissolved inorganic carbon and oxygen in La Parguera, Puerto Rico and Cheeca Rocks, Florida, respectively. Net respiration and net dissolution are the dominant metabolic processes at both systems, with a narrow window of ~ 4 months under net calcification. The annual mean net ecosystem calcification (NEC) rates for La Parguera (−0.68 ± 0.91 kg CaCO3 m−2 yr−1) and Cheeca Rocks (−0.48 ± 0.89 kg CaCO3 m−2 yr−1) were on the lower end of typical NEC ranges determined for other reef areas using chemistry‐ and census‐based approaches. At Cheeca Rocks, 53% of the variance in NEC can be explained by net ecosystem production (NEP) and 30% by aragonite saturation state (Ωarag). At La Parguera, NEC is primarily driven by changes in NEP. The linear relationship between NEC and NEP showed a significant slope (± standard error) of 1.00 ± 0.005 and 0.88 ± 0.04 for La Parguera and Cheeca Rocks, respectively. These results suggest that NEP appears to play a prominent role on NEC, and Ωarag probably is not the most informative measure to monitor when attempting to resolve the long‐term impacts of ocean acidification.
Towards Real‐World Quantum Networks: A Review
Authors: Wei Shi‐Hai , Jing Bo , Zhang Xue‐Ying , Liao Jin‐Yu , Yuan Chen‐Zhi , Fan Bo‐Yu , Lyu Chen , Zhou Dian‐Li , Wang You , Deng Guang‐Wei , Song Hai‐Zhi , Oblak Daniel , Guo Guang‐Can , Zhou Qiang
Published: January 2022

Quantum networks play an extremely important role in quantum information science, with application to quantum communication, computation, metrology, and fundamental tests. One of the key challenges for implementing a quantum network is to distribute entangled flying qubits to spatially separated nodes, at which quantum interfaces or transducers map the entanglement onto stationary qubits. The stationary qubits at the separated nodes constitute quantum memories realized in matter while the flying qubits constitute quantum channels realized in photons. Dedicated efforts around the world for more than 20 years have resulted in both major theoretical and experimental progress toward entangling quantum nodes and ultimately building a global quantum network. Here, the development of quantum networks and the experimental progress over the past two decades leading to the current state of the art for generating entanglement of quantum nodes based on various physical systems such as single atoms, cold atomic ensembles, trapped ions, diamonds with nitrogen‐vacancy centers, and solid‐state host doped with rare‐earth ions are reviewed. Along the way, the merits are discussed and the potential of each of these systems toward realizing a quantum network is compared.
Ultrasensitive and Broadband Optical Toroidal Modes in all‐Dielectric Nanostructures
Authors: Hsiao Hui‐Hsin , Liu Ai‐Yin
Published: January 2022

Dynamic toroidal dipole (TD) with its peculiar characteristic of broken space‐inversion and time‐reversal symmetries plays an important role in the fundamental physics of light–matter interaction. Here, TD metamaterials comprised of amorphous silicon nanopillar arrays embedded in spin‐on‐glass layer are experimentally demonstrated. Upon normal incidence of plane wave, the transverse toroidal moment and the associated anapole‐like state are excited in optical regime. The strong TD response stems from a complete head‐to‐tail configuration of the magnetic dipole moments within each individual nanopillar. Both the experimental and simulation results show that such TD mode sustains a large structural tolerance and can be spectrally tuned by elongating the cylindrical axis perpendicular to the light polarization, corresponding to a cross‐sectional variation from circular to elliptical shapes. The excited TD mode is found to exhibit ultrahigh refractive index sensitivity compared to other multipoles, resulting in a sensitivity of 459 nm (470 nm) per external refractive index change in the experiment (calculation). This approach provides a simple and straightforward path in realizing toroidal metamaterials and establishes a new flat‐optics platform for realizing active metadevices, sensors, and nonlinear nanophotonics.
Shapeshifting Diffractive Optical Devices
Authors: Oscurato Stefano L. , Reda Francesco , Salvatore Marcella , Borbone Fabio , Maddalena Pasqualino , Ambrosio Antonio
Published: January 2022

In optical devices like diffraction gratings and Fresnel lenses, light wavefront is engineered through the structuring of device surface morphology, within thicknesses comparable to the light wavelength. Fabrication of such diffractive optical elements involves highly accurate multistep lithographic processes that in fact set into stone both the surface morphology and optical functionality, resulting in intrinsically static devices. In this work, this fundamental limitation is overcome by introducing shapeshifting diffractive optical elements directly written on an erasable photoresponsive material, whose morphology can be changed in real time to provide different on‐demand optical functionalities. First a lithographic configuration that allows writing/erasing cycles of aligned optical elements directly in the light path is developed. Then, the realization of complex diffractive gratings with arbitrary combinations of grating vectors is shown. Finally, a shapeshifting diffractive lens that is reconfigured in the light‐path in order to change the imaging parameters of an optical system is demonstrated. The approach leapfrogs the state‐of‐the‐art realization of optical Fourier surfaces by adding on‐demand reconfiguration to the potential use in emerging areas in photonics, like transformation and planar optics.
Optical Archimedes Screw Along Arbitrary Trajectories
Authors: Zhalenchuck Keren , Hadad Barak , Bahabad Alon
Published: January 2022

Optical conveyors of airborne particles were previously demonstrated using different techniques allowing particles to be conveyed along straight trajectories either down or upstream the laser radiation direction. Here, the operation of an optical conveyor which has the geometry of an Archimedes screw whose central axis is a predefined arbitrary trajectory in 3D space allowing to convey particles along any desired paraxial trajectory, is demonstrated.
Next‐Generation Nonviral Vectors for mRNA Vaccine Delivery
Authors: Chen Minglong , Hu Xianglong , Liu Shiyong
Published: January 2022

Vaccination is one of the most promising approaches to protect individuals from serious illness and complications of vaccine‐preventable diseases. Currently, several mRNA therapeutic pipelines have been established to prevent and treat various diseases, including infectious diseases, heart disease, fibrosis, etc.; note that BNT162b2 and mRNA‐1273 are now in clinical application against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which marks an unprecedented development for mRNA application. However, some drawbacks of mRNA vaccination such as restricted transfection efficiency, potential adverse effects, and fast degradation severely limit their clinical application. Therefore, additional in‐depth research is required to optimize the delivery systems for the improvement of safety, effectiveness, and stability of mRNA vaccines. In this perspective, the design principles of biomaterials for mRNA targeted delivery are summarized and proposed, and an outlook for the tendency and opportunities of mRNA vaccines is given.
Myo‐Inositol in Fermented Sugar Matrix Improves Human Macrophage Function
Authors: Ghosh Nandini , Das Amitava , Biswas Nirupam , Mahajan Sanskruti P. , Madeshiya Amit K. , Khanna Savita , Sen Chandan K. , Roy Sashwati
Published: January 2022

Scope

Reactive oxygen species production by innate immune cells plays a central role in host defense against invading pathogens at wound‐site. A weakened host‐defense results in persistent infection leading to wound chronicity. Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP), a complex sugar matrix, bolsters respiratory burst activity and improves wound healing outcomes in chronic wound patients. The objective of the current study was to identify underlying molecular factor/s responsible for augmenting macrophage host defense mechanisms following FPP supplementation.

Methods and Results

In depth LC‐MS/MS analysis of cells supplemented with FPP led to identification of myo‐inositol as a key determinant of FPP activity towards improving macrophage function. Myo‐inositol, in quantities that is present in FPP, significantly improved macrophage respiratory burst and phagocytosis via de novo synthesis pathway of ISYNA1. In addition, myo‐inositol transporters, HMIT and SMIT1, played a significant role in such activity. Blocking these pathways using siRNA attenuated FPP‐induced improved macrophage host defense activities. FPP supplementation emerged as a novel approach to increase intracellular myo‐inositol levels. Such supplementation also modified wound microenvironment in chronic wound patients to augment myo‐inositol levels in wound fluid.

Conclusion

These observations indicate that myo‐inositol in FPP influences multiple aspects of macrophage function critical for host defense against invading pathogens.
Mycotoxins in Serum and 24‐h Urine of Vegans and Omnivores from the Risks and Benefits of a Vegan Diet (RBVD) Study
Authors: Penczynski Katharina J. , Cramer Benedikt , Dietrich Stefan , Humpf Hans‐Ulrich , Abraham Klaus , Weikert Cornelia
Published: January 2022

Scope: Vegans might have a higher exposure to mycotoxins due to their heightened consumption of typical mycotoxin containing food sources. Yet, data on internal exposure among vegans in comparison to omnivores are currently lacking.

Methods and Results: This cross‐sectional study includes 36 vegans and 36 omnivores (50% females, 30–60 years). A set of 28 and 27 mycotoxins is analyzed in 24‐h urine and serum samples, respectively, by validated multi‐mycotoxin methods (HPLC‐MS/MS). Ochratoxin A (OTA), 2’R‐OTA, and enniatin B in serum as well as deoxynivalenol‐glucuronide in 24‐h urine are quantified in 57–100% of the samples. Serum OTA levels are twofold higher in vegans than in omnivores (median 0.24 ng mL−1 vs 0.12 ng mL−1; p < 0.0001). No further significant differences were observed. Serum OTA levels are associated with intake of “vegan products” (r = 0.50, p < 0.0001) and “pasta & rice” (r = 0.33, p = 0.006). Sensitivity analyses advise cautious interpretation. Furthermore, serum levels of 2’R‐OTA are related to coffee consumption (r = 0.64, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: The results indicate a higher exposure of vegans to OTA, but not to other mycotoxins. However, larger studies with repeated measurements are required to better evaluate the exposure to mycotoxins from plant‐based diets.
Back “Poarch” Politics: States, “States,” and Indigenous Sovereignty in Alabama
Authors: Fayard Kelly
Published: January 2022

The Poarch Band of Creek Indians provides a complex look into the negotiation of heritage from a tribal nation. While Poarch operates a successful gaming business, Alabama has not been supportive of this exertion of sovereignty, particularly given its location in the Bible Belt. While Poarch has always operated legally under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), Alabama has often attempted to deny the Poarch Creeks the rights to gaming that it may freely grant business owners with relationships to state government officials. Given that scholars have argued that there is a shift toward heritage “as a discourse and system of values” (Geismar 78), this paper explores how Poarch has differentiated their system of values from others seeking to operate gaming facilities in Alabama. Through the examination of the PR campaigns put forth by the tribe this paper will consider how each of these examples has contributed to showcasing Poarch Creek heritage and the Poarch Creek system of values to the larger Alabama public. I argue that the Poarch Creeks have been forced to present a type of heritage and values that are palatable in larger Alabamian politics and able to sway public opinion, particularly of the religious right.
Acquisition sequences and reconstruction methods for fast chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zu Tao , Liu Ruibin , Zhou Jinyuan
Published: January 2022

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is an emerging molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that has been developed and employed in numerous diseases. Based on the unique saturation transfer principle, a family of CEST‐detectable biomolecules in vivo have been found capable of providing valuable diagnostic information. However, CEST MRI needs a relatively long scan time due to the common long saturation labeling module and typical acquisition of multiple frequency offsets and signal averages, limiting its widespread clinical applications. So far, a plethora of imaging schemes and techniques has been developed to accelerate CEST MRI. In this review, the key acquisition and reconstruction methods for fast CEST imaging are summarized from a practical and systematic point of view. The first acquisition sequence section describes the major development of saturation schemes, readout patterns, ultrafast z‐spectroscopy, and saturation‐editing techniques for rapid CEST imaging. The second reconstruction method section lists the important advances of parallel imaging, compressed sensing, sparsity in the z‐spectrum, and algorithms beyond the Fourier transform for speeding up CEST MRI.
Editorial
Authors: Lüst Dieter
Published: January 2022

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2021 was awarded for groundbreaking contributions to the understanding of complex systems, jointly to Syukuro Manabe and Klaus Hasselmamm for the physical modelling of the earth's climate and to Giorgio Parisi for his work on the interplay of disorder and fluctuations in physical systems. In fact, complexity and also chaos play an important role in many physical systems, like e.g. in the formations of stars and galaxies.We expect that complexity and chaos will also gain more and more importance for the understanding of quantum gravity, the quantum physics of black holes, holography and also in quantum information theory.

Therefore we invite authors to also submit articles with emphasis on these exciting topics to “Fortschritte der Physik”.

I wish all authors and readers of “Fortschritte der Physik” a happy, healthy and successful new year 2022.

Dieter Lüst (Editor)
Clues to reaction specificity in PLP‐dependent fold type I aminotransferases of monosaccharide biosynthesis
Authors: Srivastava Jaya , Balaji Petety V.
Published: January 2022

Novel functions can emerge in an enzyme family while conserving catalytic mechanism, motif or fold. Pyridoxal 5'‐phosphate‐dependent enzymes have evolved into seven fold‐types and catalyze diverse reactions using the same mechanism for the formation of external aldimine. Nucleotide sugar aminotransferases (which will be henceforth referred to as aminotransferases) belong to fold type I and mediate the biosynthesis of several monosaccharides. They use diverse substrates but are highly selective to the C3 or C4 carbon to which amine group is transferred. Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) were able to identify aminotransferases but could not capture reaction specificity. A search for discriminating features led to the discovery of sequence motifs that are located near the pyranose binding site suggesting their role in imparting reaction specificity. Using a position weight matrix for this motif, we were able to assign reaction specificity to a large number of aminotransferases. Inferences from this analysis set way for future experiments that can shed light on mechanisms of functional diversification in nucleotide sugar aminotransferases of fold type I.
Residential mobility in Hong Kong 1991–2016: Demographics, policies and housing market dynamics
Authors: Li Si‐ming , Du Huimin , Wu Shuang
Published: January 2022

Hong Kong has experienced rounds of property bubble inflation and burst, underscoring heightened market volatility amidst the financialization of the world economy. Irrespective of its fame as an exemplar of laissez faire capitalism, the city's massive public housing programme consisting of public rental housing (PRH) and the Homeownership Scheme (HOS) places the Hong Kong government among the world's biggest landlords and developers. It is within such varying and heavily manipulated choice sets that residential decisions in Hong Kong are exercised. Employing the past five population censuses (by‐censuses), this paper studies the city's changing scenes of residential mobility over the period 1991–2016, juxtaposing against changes in housing and land policies and the broader socioeconomic environment. The results reveal relatively frequent moves in the 1990s, but drastic and consistent declines in the mobility rates thereafter, especially for HOS and PRH residents. Private renters, however, stayed mobile throughout the 25‐year period. Such variations in trend point towards the recent dismantling of the housing ladder with PRH and HOS being major steps in the transition from private renting to owner‐occupation. Particularly affected are the younger generations. Expectedly, recent immigrants from mainland China fare less well in the housing realm. Nevertheless, with the attainment of the permanent resident status in Hong Kong, mainlanders and local born increasingly exhibit similar patterns of residential movements.
Using health administrative data to identify patients with pulmonary hypertension: A single center, proof of concept validation study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Wijeratne Don Thiwanka , Housin Ahmad , Lajkosz Katherine , Lougheed M. Diane , Xiong Ping Yu , Barber David , Doliszny Katharine M. , Archer Stephen L.
Published: January 2022

Real‐world identification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is largely based on the use of administrative databases identified by ICD codes. This approach has not been validated. The aim of this study was to validate a diagnosis of PH and its comorbidities using ICD 9/10 codes. Health records from Kingston Health Sciences Centre (2010 to 2012) were abstracted to identify a diagnosis of PH. Cohort 1 patients (n = 300) were selected because they had attended a cardiology or respirology clinic without knowledge of PH status. Cohort 2 patients (n = 200) were patients with a diagnosis of PH, identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes at the time of hospitalizations (CIHI‐DAD) or emergency department (ED) visits (CIHI‐NACRS). These cohorts were combined and reviewed to validate the diagnosis of PH. These data were securely transferred to the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES). The diagnosis of PH from chart abstraction was used as the gold standard. The classification of PH into WHO groups, based on chart abstraction, was also compared to classification based on ICD code‐defined comorbidities. Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 were merged to yield 449 unique patients in the combined cohort. In the combined cohort, 248 of 449 (55.2%) had a diagnosis of PH by ICD code criteria. The mean age of this PH group was 70 years, and the majority were females (65.5%). One hospitalization or ED visit resulting in a diagnostic code for PH had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 99% for a confirmed PH diagnosis on chart abstraction. When WHO classification by chart abstraction and ICD codes for comorbidities were compared, there was 87% agreement. Identification of PH and its comorbidities using ICD codes is a valid approach, and this single‐center study supports its application to identify PH.
Two‐threshold control limit policy in condition‐based maintenance
Authors: Al Hanbali Ahmad , Saleh Haitham , Ullah Noman
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we consider a component exhibiting a continuous monotone degradation modeled as a Gamma process. The maintenance policy is of condition‐based type with periodic inspections. It follows the two threshold control limit policy with a preventive maintenance limit, a switching limit, and a given failure limit. Our interest is to minimize the annual expected maintenance cost subject to a constraint on the average availability. The decision variables are the preventive limit, the switching limit, and the inspections schedule. We derive exact results for the key performance indicators, but since they are numerically involved, we propose a simple, that is, involving necessary spreadsheet calculations, accurate approximation. We apply our model to a case from the process industry, namely, a carbon steel hydrogen dryer consisting of a cylindrical pressure vessel. This vessel suffers from corrosion with thickness growth modeled as a Gamma process. The optimization results show that although the annual maintenance cost increases with the mean and the coefficient of variation of the yearly corrosion thickness, its mean has a higher impact on cost. Based on the cost sensitivity analysis, we find that the impact of a vast increase of the corrective maintenance cost for the same inspection and preventive costs can be mitigated by appropriately reducing the corrective maintenance probability. Finally, we empirically show that the two threshold policy achieves an annual cost savings up to compared to the single threshold policy.