bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workers’ Compliance with Covid-19 Prevention and Control Protocols in X Mining Company
Authors: Noorleta Putri Rizky , Jaladara Vena , Supriyati Supriyati
Published: November 2023

The mining sector presents various risks that can contribute to the spread of Covid-19, such as confined work areas and high worker mobility. The Indonesian government has made several efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including the implementation of health protocols as mitigation measures in workplaces. Employee compliance is a crucial factor in the successful implementation of health protocols in the workplace. The purpose of this study is to analyze the determinant factors of employee compliance in implementing Covid-19 health protocols at Company X. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2022 with a self-administered questionnaire. The sample of the study was drawn from mining workers in Company X as research subjects. The finding reveals that out of 185 respondents, 91.4% exhibited high compliance in implementing health protocols in the workplace. There is a relationship between knowledge, attitude, company support, vaccination history, and the level of employee compliance in implementing health protocols in the working environment of Company X. This study revealed that company support was the most dominant factor influencing worker compliance. Therefore, good company support is necessary for ensuring employees’ safety and health compliance behavior.
Akupunktur
Authors: Klein Friederike
Published: November 2023

Etwa 40–50 % der onkologischen Patient*innen nutzen Maßnahmen der komplementären und alternativen Medizin. Einige der Verfahren sind inzwischen evidenzbasiert, wenn auch mit unterschiedlich guter Datenbasis.
Indolente Non-Hodgkin-Lymphome
Authors: Freye Reimund
Published: November 2023

Einen Blick in die Zukunft bei der Therapie der indolenten Non-Hodgkin-Lymphome (iNHL) warf Dr. Jessica Okosun, London (England). Weil es sich bei iNHL um eine Gruppe von niedrigmalignen Lymphomen mit differenter Symptomatik und genetischer Signatur handelt, wird jedwede Behandlung erschwert.
UV-Filter
Authors: Bubenzer Rainer H.
Published: November 2023

Mit einigem Vergnügen für die Zuhörer versuchte der Chemiker Dr. Christian Cremer, Grenzach-Wyhlen, einige der gängigen Mythen rund um UV-Filter aufzulösen. Nach einer kurzen Darstellung unrealistischer Medienmeldung aus jüngster Zeit, etwa der Forderung, Sonnencremes dünner aufzutragen, um Umweltschäden zu reduzieren, beschäftigte er sich mit einigen Fehleinschätzungen.
Ophthalmology Residency Program Director Survey on Pass/Fail U.S. Medical Licensing Exam Step 1 Scoring
Authors: Fujihashi Ayaka , Patel Om U. , Yadav Ishant , Burge Kaitlin , Haynes William , Zaniewski Ryan , Wagoner Nicholas Van , Grant Maria B.
Published: November 2023

Background Beginning January 26, 2022, the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step 1 changed from a numerical score to pass/fail (P/F). The purpose of this study was to determine the perspective of ophthalmology program directors regarding this change in evaluating applicants.

Methods After institutional review board approval, a survey was sent out to program directors of all 125 ophthalmology programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Survey questions asked for program demographics, the utility of USMLE Step 1 and 2 Clinical Knowledge scores in assessing applicants, and the importance of 16 different applicant metrics before and after Step 1 becomes P/F. The metrics examined were: letters of recommendation; clerkship grades; class ranking; Alpha Omega Alpha Membership; Gold Humanism Honor Society Membership; Dean's Letter; involvement and leadership; personal statement; number of abstracts, presentations, and publications; mean number of research experiences in the specialty; Step 2 Clinical Knowledge score; volunteering; preclinical grades; away rotation in the specialty; the applicant having another graduate degree; and graduation from a top 40 National Institutes of Health-funded program. Data were analyzed using nonoverlapping 95% confidence intervals.

Results The survey was completed by 50 (40%) program directors. Sixty-eight percent of respondents stated a student's ranking would be considered more after USMLE Step 1 scores become P/F, and 60% stated medical schools should share clerkship shelf exam scores with residency programs. There were no significant differences in program directors' rankings of applicant metrics following the transition to P/F Step 1.

Conclusion Based on our data, program directors will likely not place a greater emphasis on Step 2 scores, despite it being the only remaining objective measure for all applicants following the switch to a P/F Step 1. Nevertheless, program directors expressed an interest in receiving other objective measures, such as shelf exam scores and class ranking, as part of the application process. Notably, we found no significant changes in the rankings of various applicant metrics before and after the transition to P/F Step 1, indicating that the metrics that were important to program directors prior to the change remain just as critical in the new era of admissions.
Protection of rights and legal remedies for surrogate mothers in China
Authors: Zhao Yue
Published: November 2023

Surrogacy has grown significantly as an underground industry in China over the last two decades. Accordingly, an increasing number of surrogate mothers are being bound by surrogacy contracts. As surrogacy contracts are unregulated in China, the contractual obligations of surrogacy may cause serious harm to surrogate mothers due to the infringement of their rights and increased risk of injury. Sociocultural concerns and financial considerations have made surrogate mothers hesitant to seek legal remedies. Additionally, gaps in the legislative and judicial rules make it difficult for surrogate mothers to receive sufficient compensation after suffering injuries. This study examines the infringement of the rights of surrogate mothers and potential injuries to them during surrogacy transactions and contract fulfillment. Furthermore, it presents the current legal framework of surrogacy regulation and remedies for preserving the rights of surrogate mothers. The causes of the current dilemma of protecting rights are analyzed, and regulative and legislative suggestions for preventing injury and providing legal remedies are offered.
Anti-cancer, antibacterial airway stent
Authors: Shapiro Maura
Published: November 2023

All-in-one device can repair airflow, prevent infection, and threat the cancer that caused the obstruction.
Breathing cluster in complex neuron–astrocyte networks
Authors: Wang Ya , Wang Liang , Fan Huawei , Ma Jun , Cao Hui , Wang Xingang
Published: November 2023

Brain activities are featured by spatially distributed neural clusters of coherent firings and a spontaneous slow switching of the clusters between the coherent and incoherent states. Evidences from recent in vivo experiments suggest that astrocytes, a type of glial cell regarded previously as providing only structural and metabolic supports to neurons, participate actively in brain functions by regulating the neural firing activities, yet the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, introducing astrocyte as a reservoir of the glutamate released from the neuron synapses, we propose the model of the complex neuron–astrocyte network, and investigate the roles of astrocytes in regulating the cluster synchronization behaviors of networked chaotic neurons. It is found that a specific set of neurons on the network are synchronized and form a cluster, while the remaining neurons are kept as desynchronized. Moreover, during the course of network evolution, the cluster is switching between the synchrony and asynchrony states in an intermittent fashion, henceforth the phenomenon of “breathing cluster.” By the method of symmetry-based analysis, we conduct a theoretical investigation on the synchronizability of the cluster. It is revealed that the contents of the cluster are determined by the network symmetry, while the breathing of the cluster is attributed to the interplay between the neural network and the astrocyte. The phenomenon of breathing cluster is demonstrated in different network models, including networks with different sizes, nodal dynamics, and coupling functions. The findings shed light on the cellular mechanism of astrocytes in regulating neural activities and give insights into the state-switching of the neocortex.
Machine discovery of partial differential equations from spatiotemporal data: A sparse Bayesian learning framework
Authors: Yuan Ye , Li Xiuting , Li Liang , Jiang Frank J. , Tang Xiuchuan , Zhang Fumin , Goncalves Jorge , Voss Henning U. , Ding Han , Kurths Jürgen
Published: November 2023

This study presents a general framework, namely, Sparse Spatiotemporal System Discovery (S3d), for discovering dynamical models given by Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) from spatiotemporal data. S3d is built on the recent development of sparse Bayesian learning, which enforces sparsity in the estimated PDEs. This approach enables a balance between model complexity and fitting error with theoretical guarantees. The proposed framework integrates Bayesian inference and a sparse priori distribution with the sparse regression method. It also introduces a principled iterative re-weighted algorithm to select dominant features in PDEs and solve for the sparse coefficients. We have demonstrated the discovery of the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation from a traveling-wave convection experiment, as well as several other PDEs, including the important cases of Navier–Stokes and sine-Gordon equations, from simulated data.
Cavity formation at metal–water interfaces
Authors: Eggert Thorben , Hörmann Nicolas G. , Reuter Karsten
Published: November 2023

The free energy cost of forming a cavity in a solvent is a fundamental concept in rationalizing the solvation of molecules and ions. A detailed understanding of the factors governing cavity formation in bulk solutions has inter alia enabled the formulation of models that account for this contribution in coarse-grained implicit solvation methods. Here, we employ classical molecular dynamics simulations and multistate Bennett acceptance ratio free energy sampling to systematically study cavity formation at a wide range of metal–water interfaces. We demonstrate that the obtained size- and position-dependence of cavitation energies can be fully rationalized by a geometric Gibbs model, which considers that the creation of the metal–cavity interface necessarily involves the removal of interfacial solvent. This so-called competitive adsorption effect introduces a substrate dependence to the interfacial cavity formation energy that is missed in existing bulk cavitation models. Using expressions from scaled particle theory, this substrate dependence is quantitatively reproduced by the Gibbs model through simple linear relations with the adsorption energy of a single water molecule. Besides providing a better general understanding of interfacial solvation, this paves the way for the derivation and efficient parametrization of more accurate interface-aware implicit solvation models needed for reliable high-throughput calculations toward improved electrocatalysts.
The effects of magnetic field and negative DC voltage on the capacitive argon discharge
Authors: Yang Shali , Yan Minghan , Lin Hanlei , Wu Huanhuan , Wu Hao , Peng Yanli
Published: November 2023

A one-dimensional implicit particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulation was employed to study the effects of a uniform weak magnetic field and negative direct-current (DC) voltage on a radio frequency capacitively coupled plasma (CCP). The simulation results indicate that the application of a magnetic field to RF/DC hybrid power-driven CCP discharge can increase the plasma density and cause it to exhibit an asymmetric distribution. When the magnetic field strength increases, pronounced striations can be observed within the DC sheath in the spatiotemporal plots of an electron heating rate and an ionization rate. This is attributed to the generation of a large number of secondary electrons by the DC electrode. These secondary electrons are accelerated by the sheath voltage and undergo E × B drift motion. When the energy of these electrons reaches the ionization threshold of an argon gas, ionization occurs. At this point, the electrons are still situated within the DC sheath, and hence, they repeatedly undergo this process until they exit the DC sheath. Additionally, the electron energy distribution function reveals that an increase in a magnetic field can cause a transition from stochastic heating to ohmic heating. The simulation results of magnetized CCP discharge under the influence of negative DC voltage show that increasing negative DC voltage can effectively improve plasma density. The application of negative DC voltage and magnetic field strength has similar effects on the heating stripe phenomenon. As the negative DC voltage increases, the striation phenomenon becomes more pronounced.
Highly accurate σ- and τ-functionals for beyond-RPA methods with approximate exchange kernels
Authors: Lemke Yannick , Ochsenfeld Christian
Published: November 2023

σ-Functionals are promising new developments for the Kohn–Sham correlation energy based upon the direct Random Phase Approximation (dRPA) within the adiabatic connection formalism, providing impressive improvements over dRPA for a broad range of benchmarks. However, σ-functionals exhibit a high amount of self-interaction inherited from the approximations made within dRPA. Inclusion of an exchange kernel in deriving the coupling-strength-dependent density–density response function leads to so-called τ-functionals, which – apart from a fourth-order Taylor series expansion – have only been realized in an approximate fashion so far to the best of our knowledge, most notably in the form of scaled σ-functionals. In this work, we derive, optimize, and benchmark three types of σ- and τ-functionals including approximate exchange effects in the form of an antisymmetrized Hartree kernel. These functionals, based on a second-order screened exchange type contribution in the adiabatic connection formalism, the electron–hole time-dependent Hartree–Fock kernel (eh-TDHF) otherwise known as RPA with exchange (RPAx), and an approximation thereof known as approximate exchange kernel (AXK), are optimized on the ASCDB database using two new parametrizations named A1 and A2. In addition, we report a first full evaluation of σ- and τ-functionals on the GMTKN55 database, revealing our exchange-including functionals to considerably outperform existing σ-functionals while being highly competitive with some of the best double-hybrid functionals of the original GMTKN55 publication. In particular, the σ-functionals based on AXK and τ-functionals based on RPAx with PBE0 reference stand out as highly accurate approaches for a wide variety of chemically relevant problems.
Dissociation of ultracold cesium Rydberg-ground molecules
Authors: Bai Jingxu , Jiao Yuechun , Song Rong , Li Zhenhua , Zhao Jianming , Jia Suotang
Published: November 2023

We report the experimental measurements of the decay rate of polar cesium nD5/2 − 6S1/2 Rydberg-ground molecules with a large principal quantum number range of 35 ≤ n ≤ 40. Rydberg molecules are prepared employing the method of two-photon photoassociation and the molecular (atomic) ions, due to autoionization (blackbody photoionization), are detected with a microchannel plate detector. The decay rate Γ of the vibrational ground state of the deep and shadow bound molecules for triplet (TΣ) and mixed singlet-triplet (S,TΣ) are measured by fitting the molecular population with the exponential function. Comparing with the parent atom, the decay rate of the polar Rydberg-ground molecule shows an obvious increase with a magnitude of a few μs. The possible dissociation mechanism of polar Rydberg-ground molecules including a collisional decay, blackbody induced decay, and coupling of adjacent Rydberg states and tunneling decay are discussed in detail. The theoretical model is induced to simulate the measurements, showing agreement.
An intrinsic model of rock damage creep based on the derivative order of variable fractals
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Zhang Shuguang
Published: November 2023

To better characterize the rheological properties of rock nonlinearities, a modified fractal dashpot is used instead of the conventional Abel dashpot and Newton dashpot with fractional order derivatives. The fractal derivative order of a fractal dashpot is constructed as a function of time by treating the fractal derivative order as a function of time. In turn, a creep model is developed for the fractal derivative order to time degradation. The validation results of the test data under different stress levels show that the proposed fractal damage creep model has wide applicability for describing the primary creep and steady-state creep deformation of rocks based on triaxial creep tests and can well characterize the viscoelastic–plastic creep properties of rocks. At the same time, it also compensates for the shortcomings of the traditional model that cannot describe the accelerated creep. Through the comparison and analysis with the classical component model, it is found that the fractal damage creep model has the advantages of few parameters, high accuracy, and high computational efficiency. The conclusions of the study can provide a reference for the prediction of surrounding rock deformation in practical engineering.
A binary Darboux transformation for multi-component nonlinear Schrödinger equations and dark vector soliton solutions
Authors: Ye Rusuo , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2023

By taking the plane wave potentials as the seed solutions, we harness a binary Darboux transformation to generate dark vector soliton solutions for multi-component nonlinear Schrödinger equations. We introduce a generalized Darboux matrix such that the eigenvalues could equal the adjoint eigenvalues. The method which is purely algebraic could be useful and convenient, particularly in the construction of dark soliton solutions of integrable systems.
Frauen in Wirtschaft und Politik der griechisch-römischen Antike
Authors: Schäfer Christoph
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this paper is to deal with the role of
women in Hellenistic and Roman societies in general, both in the private and
public spheres. In doing so, the author focuses on specific examples, drawn mainly
from literary and epigraphic sources, in conjunction with specifically
juridical texts.
Consent in Greek and Roman marriage
Authors: Calzada González Mª Aránzazu
Published: November 2023

The final mention in Achilles Thacius’ story “Leucippe
and Clitophon" of the paternal decision for the daughter to marry allows us
to compare nuptial consent in Greek and Roman law, as well as the different
legal consideration of the bride’s will in each of them.
Egyptian feminine anthroponyms in ancient Greek novels?
Authors: Blasco Torres Ana Isabel
Published: November 2023

In this article, the Egyptian feminine anthroponyms
occurring in the ancient Greek novels and in the papyrological fragments of
lost novels, along with some aspects related to reality they may reflect,
are examined.
The reality of women in ancient popular literature
Authors: Karla Grammatiki
Published: November 2023

The paper centers around the methodological question of
whether “open texts” could be viewed as representing an image of
extra-textual reality at a certain point in time. Assuming a positive answer
to the question, it then proceeds to investigate, as a case study, the role
of three women in the Alexander Romance, namely that of
Olympias, Rodogoune and Candace. Curiously enough, the representation of
Olympias in the work is in stark contrast with her depiction in
historiographical sources (e.g. Plutarch, Arrian, Diodorus, Justin), as well
as with the representation of the other two female characters of the
Romance. One way to interpret this incongruity is to
attribute it to a narrative technique aiming to present Alexander as a
completely independent heroic character, without human weaknesses. On the
other hand, the depiction of women in the Romance can be
related to the assumed author’s social standing and stereotypes, and
probably reflects quite faithfully the reality of the majority of women of
the period.
Algunos aspectos de la mujer en la hagiografía bizantina
Authors: Cavallero Pablo
Published: November 2023

Women feature prominently in hagiography, either as
authors or as protagonists or minor characters. Their social, economic, and
cultural condition vary greatly in these works as well as their work and
family situations. This diversity seems to be a reflection of “reality”,
even in stories that aim at moral and spiritual development. Women occur
both in private and public contexts and in both instances they may reach
holiness, even though some circumstances require a supposedly manly
strength. Women’s potentialities and values are depicted in a positive light
by hagiography.
De opere illicito
Authors: Puche López Carmen
Published: November 2023

In this paper we have analyzed a miracle of Saint Andrew
that Iacobus de Voragine included in his Legenda aurea (LA,
II §§ 58–75). In this miracle, the motif of the trial for incest appears,
together with the motif of Potiphar. We put it in relation to a story
contained in Apuleius’ Metamorphoses (X, 2–12), since both
stories share many common elements. Our comparative analysis reveals how the
hagiographic story draws on certain novelistic elements and adapts them,
giving them a new meaning to highlight the power of the saint.
Semejanzas y diferencias entre las heroínas de la novela griega antigua y
en la tradición sánscrita del Ramayana
Authors: Ballesteros Castañeda Blanca
Published: November 2023

In this paper, I present the common context of Kallirhoe
in Charito of Aphrodisias’ Kallirhoe with Sita,
Rama’s wife in the Ramayana. The ancient Greek novel and
the Sanskrit epic share several passages with Greek novel: the marriage,
maybe an adultery, the lost of the husband or lover, the abduction by
another man and the slanders from other women or citizens that marks the
moral of the moment, the rumours that shake the marriage or relationship or
the fight for power. But everything ends happily because the power of their
love.
Spectral number of 3-Bernoulli convolutions on
R
and Sierpinski-type measures on
R2
Authors: Fu Xiao-Ye , Yan Zhi-Hui , Zhu Meng
Published: November 2023

Let

μ

R
,

D

be a class of Sierpinski-type measures generated by a pair

(
R
,

D

)

, where

R
=

b
1

0

0

b
2

with

b
i

∈

R

and

b

i

>
1
,
i
=
1
,
2

and

D

=

0
0

,

1
0

,

0
1

. And let µ

b
be the 3-Bernoulli convolutions on

R

determined by the pair

(
b
,
{
0
,
1
,
2
}
)

with

1
<
b
∈

R

. It has been shown that

μ

R
,

D

and µ

b
admit an infinitely many exponential mutually orthogonal system if and only if

b
i

=

3

k
i

q
i

r
i

with

gcd
(

q
i

,
3

k
i

)
=
1

,

i
=
1
,
2

and

b
=

3
k

q

r

with

gcd
(
3
k
,
q
)
=
1

respectively. In this paper, we will study the maximal number of exponentials of orthogonal sets of

L
2

(

μ

R
,

D

)

and

L
2

(

μ
b

)

which we call the spectral number of

μ

R
,

D

or µ

b
. In view of the connection of orthogonality between Sierpinski-type measures

μ

R
,

D

on

R

2

and 3-Bernoulli convolutions µ

b
on

R

, we study the spectral number of µ

b
according to the cut-off point

b
=

3
k

q

r

. Based on the results for µ

b
, we give a classification on the spectral number of all Sierpinski-type measures

μ

R
,

D

except for the case that at least one

b
i

∉

Q

and it is not in the form of

p
i

q
i

r
i

with

gcd
(

p
i

,

q
i

)
=
1

. In addition, we provide a structure theorem on the exponential orthogonal sets in

L
2

(

μ

R
,

D

)

for

b
i

=

3

k
i

q
i

r
i

,

i
=
1
,
2

and at least one

b
i

=

p
i

3

k
i

r
i

and that in

L
2

(

μ
b

)

for

b
=

3
k

q

r

and

b
=

p

3
k

r

. To the end, we give an explicit representation on the maximal orthogonal set of exponentials for a class of Moran measures µ

w
by defining a mixed tree map over a symbol space. As an application, all maximal orthogonal sets of exponentials of

μ

R
,

D

with the rational

R
=

3

k
1

q
1

0

0

3

k
2

q
2

can be explicitly expressed. This result improves the characterization of maximal orthogonal set of exponentials for the integral matrix

R
=

3

k
1

0

0

3

k
2

to that for the rational matrix

R
=

3

k
1

q
1

0

0

3

k
2

q
2

.
Pulse-adding of temporal dissipative solitons: resonant homoclinic points and the orbit flip of case B with delay
Authors: Giraldo Andrus , Ruschel Stefan
Published: November 2023

We numerically investigate the branching of temporally localised, two-pulse solutions from one-pulse periodic solutions with non-oscillating tails in delay differential equations (DDEs) with large delay. Solutions of this type are commonly referred to as temporal dissipative solitons (TDSs) (Yanchuk et al 2019 Phys. Rev. Lett.
123 53901) in applications, and we adopt this term here. We show by means of a prototypical example that—analogous to travelling pulses in reaction–diffusion partial differential equations (Yanagida 1987 J. Differ. Equ.
66 243–62)—the branching of two-pulse TDSs from one-pulse TDSs with non-oscillating tails is organised by codimension-two homoclinic bifurcation points of a real saddle equilibrium (Homburg and Sandstede 2010 Handbook of Dynamical Systems Elsevier) in a corresponding profile equation. We consider a generalisation of Sandstede’s model (Sandstede 1997 J. Dyn. Differ. Equ.
9 269–88) (a prototypical model for studying codimension-two homoclinic bifurcation points in ordinary differential equations) with an additional time-shift parameter, and use Auto07p (Doedel 1981 Congr. Numer.
30 265–84; Doedel and Oldeman 2010 AUTO-07P: Continuation and Bifurcation Software for Ordinary Differential Equations Concordia University) and DDE-BIFTOOL (Sieber et al 2014 arXiv:1406.7144) to compute numerically the unfolding of these bifurcation points in the resulting DDE. We then interpret this model as the profile equation for TDSs in a DDE with large delay by exploiting the reappearance of periodic solutions in DDEs (Yanchuk and Perlikowski 2009 Phys. Rev. E 79 046221). In doing so, we identify both the non-orientable resonant homoclinic bifurcation and the orbit flip bifurcation of case B as organising centres for the existence of two-pulse TDSs in the DDE with large delay. We study the bifurcation curves emanating from these codimension-two points beyond a local neighbourhood in parameter space. In this way, we are able to discuss how folds of homoclinic bifurcations in an extended system bound the existence region of TDSs in the DDE with large delay. We also discuss the relation between a reduced multivalued-map (in the limit of infinite delay) and the existence of TDSs.
Examples of relatively Ding unstable Calabi dream manifolds
Authors: Nitta Yasufumi , Saito Shunsuke
Published: November 2023

The Mabuchi constant is a holomorphic invariant of Fano manifolds, which obstructs the existence of Mabuchi’s generalized Kähler-Einstein metrics and relative Ding semistability. In this study, we give a formula for the Mabuchi constant of produtcs of Fano manifolds. As an application, we present examples of Fano manifolds which admit Calabi’s extremal Kähler metrics in every Kähler class, but are relatively Ding unstable.
Washed Ashore at High Tide: Music in Contemporary Science Fiction
Authors: Weisbard Eric
Published: November 2023

Music, with its strong role in the politics of memory, has socialized the linguistically speculative, giving science fiction a groove that bends prose for queer, Black, and indie-minded futurity.
Population genomics of the Isoetes appalachiana (Isoetaceae) complex supports a ‘diploids-first’ approach to conservation
Authors: Wickell David , Landis Jacob , Zimmer Elizabeth , Li Fay-Wei
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

Allopolyploidy is an important driver of diversification and a key contributor to genetic novelty across the tree of life. However, many studies have questioned the importance of extant polyploid lineages, suggesting that the vast majority may constitute evolutionary ‘dead ends’. This has important implications for conservation efforts where polyploids and diploid progenitors often compete for wildlife management resources. Isoetes appalachiana is an allotetraploid that is broadly distributed throughout the eastern USA alongside its diploid progenitors, I. valida and I. engelmannii. As such, this species complex provides an excellent opportunity to investigate the processes that underpin the formation and survival of allopolyploid lineages.

Methods

Here we utilized RADseq and whole-chloroplast sequencing to unravel the demographic and evolutionary history of hybridization in this widespread species complex. We developed a modified protocol for phasing RADseq loci from an allopolyploid in order to examine each progenitor’s genetic contribution independently in a phylogenetic context. Additionally, we conducted population-level analyses to examine genetic diversity and evidence of gene flow within species.

Key Results

Isoetes appalachiana is the product of multiple phylogenetic origins, suggesting that formation and establishment of allopolyploids are common in this group. Hybridization appears to be unidirectional, with I. engelmannii consistently being the maternal progenitor. Additionally, we find that polyploid lineages are genetically isolated, rarely if ever experiencing gene flow between geographically distinct populations.

Conclusions

Allopolyploid lineages of I. appalachiana appear to form frequently and experience a high degree of genetic isolation following formation. Thus, our results appear to corroborate the hypothesis that the vast majority of recently formed polyploids may represent evolutionary dead ends. However, this does not necessarily lessen the evolutionary importance or ecological impact of polyploidy per se. Accordingly, we propose a conservation strategy that prioritizes diploid taxa, thus preserving downstream processes that recurrently generate allopolyploid diversity.
Differential Viral Dynamics by Sex and Body Mass Index During Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Results From a Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Herbert Carly , Manabe Yukari C , Filippaios Andreas , Lin Honghuang , Wang Biqi , Achenbach Chad , Kheterpal Vik , Hartin Paul , Suvarna Thejas , Harman Emma , Stamegna Pamela , Rao Lokinendi V , Hafer Nathaniel , Broach John , Luzuriaga Katherine , Fitzgerald Katherine A , McManus David D , Soni Apurv
Published: November 2023

Background

There is evidence of an association of severe coroanavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes with increased body mass index (BMI) and male sex. However, few studies have examined the interaction between sex and BMI on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral dynamics.

Methods

Participants conducted RT-PCR testing every 24–48 hours over a 15-day period. Sex and BMI were self-reported, and Ct values from E-gene were used to quantify viral load. Three distinct outcomes were examined using mixed-effects generalized linear models, linear models, and logistic models, respectively: all Ct values (model 1), nadir Ct value (model 2), and strongly detectable infection (at least 1 Ct value ≤28 during their infection) (model 3). An interaction term between BMI and sex was included, and inverse logit transformations were applied to quantify the differences by BMI and sex using marginal predictions.

Results

In total, 7988 participants enrolled in this study and 439 participants (model 1) and 309 (models 2 and 3) were eligible for these analyses. Among males, increasing BMI was associated with lower Ct values in a dose-response fashion. For participants with BMIs greater than 29 kg/m2, males had significantly lower Ct values and nadir Ct values than females. In total, 67.8% of males and 55.3% of females recorded a strongly detectable infection; increasing proportions of men had Ct values <28 with BMIs of 35 and 40 kg/m2.

Conclusions

We observed sex-based dimorphism in relation to BMI and COVID-19 viral load. Further investigation is needed to determine the cause, clinical impact, and transmission implications of this sex-differential effect of BMI on viral load.
Exploration of a Novel Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Approach for Monogenic Disorders Based on Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells
Authors: Li Xiaoge , Zhang Dejun , Zhao Xing , Huang Shasha , Han Mingyu , Wang Guojian , Li Yingzhuo , Kang Dongyang , Zhang Xin , Dai Pu , Yuan Yongyi
Published: November 2023

Background

Due to technical issues related to cell-specific capture methods, amplification, and sequencing, noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on fetal nucleated red blood cells (fNRBCs) has rarely been used for the detection of monogenic disorders.

Methods

Maternal peripheral blood was collected from 11 families with hereditary hearing loss. After density gradient centrifugation and cellular immunostaining for multiple biomarkers, candidate individual fetal cells were harvested by micromanipulation and amplified by whole-genome amplification (WGA). Whole-exome sequencing/whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and Sanger sequencing were performed on the identified fNRBCs to determine the fetal genotype. The impact of single-cell and pooled WGA products on the sequencing quality and results was compared. A combined analysis strategy, encompassing whole-exome sequencing/WGS, haplotype analysis, and Sanger sequencing, was used to enhance the NIPT results.

Results

fNRBCs were harvested and identified in 81.8% (9/11) of families. The results of cell-based-NIPT (cb-NIPT) were consistent with those of invasive prenatal diagnosis in 8 families; the coincidence rate was 88.9% (8/9). The combined analysis strategy improved the success of cb-NIPT. The overall performance of pooled WGA products was better than that of individual cells. Due to a lack of alternative fetal cells or sufficient sequencing data, cb-NIPT failed in 3 families.

Conclusions

We developed a novel fNRBC-based NIPT method for monogenic disorders. By combining multiple analysis strategies and multiple fetal cell WGA products, the problem of insufficient genome information in a single cell was remedied. Our method has promising prospects in the field of NIPT for the detection of monogenic disorders.
Ethnic Variation Trends in the Use of Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Hashash Jana G , Mourad Fadi H , Odah Tarek , Farraye Francis A , Kroner Paul , Stocchi Luca
Published: November 2023

Background

Approximately 15%–20% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) will require surgery during their lifetime. Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgical option, which typically requires access to a specialist experienced in surgery for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Methods

The aims of this study are the assessment of the comparative use of IPAA for UC among different racial/ethnic groups and observe trends over the past decade in the United States as well as the comparative assessment of their respective postoperative outcomes. This was an observational retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2009–2018 dataset. All patients with ICD-9/10CM codes for UC were included. The primary outcome was comparative trends in IPAA construction across races/ethnicities in the past decade, which was compared to White patients as reference. Multivariate regression analyses were used to adjust for age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index, income in patient zip code, insurance status, hospital region, location, size, and teaching status.

Results

The number of patients discharged from US hospitals with an associated diagnosis of UC increased between 2009 and 2018, but the number of patients undergoing an IPAA decreased during that time period. Of 1 153 363 admissions related to UC, 60 688 required surgery for UC, of whom 16 601 underwent IPAA in the study period. Of all the patients undergoing surgery for UC, 2862 (4.7%) were Black, while 44 351 were White. This analysis indicated that Black patients were less likely to undergo IPAA both in 2009 and in 2018 compared to Whites. Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to receive IPAA in 2009 but were no longer less likely to receive IPAA in 2018 when compared to Whites.

Conclusions

The use of IPAA among Black patients requiring surgery for UC remains less common than amongst their White counterparts. Further research is needed to determine if racial disparity is a factor in decreased access to specialized care.
Crosstalk of platelets with macrophages and fibroblasts aggravates inflammation, aortic wall stiffening, and osteopontin release in abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Wagenhäuser Markus U , Mulorz Joscha , Krott Kim J , Bosbach Agnes , Feige Tobias , Rhee Yae H , Chatterjee Madhumita , Petzold Niklas , Böddeker Christopher , Ibing Wiebke , Krüger Irena , Popovic Ana M , Roseman Ann , Spin Joshua M , Tsao Philip S , Schelzig Hubert , Elvers Margitta
Published: November 2023

Aims

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a highly lethal disease with progressive dilatation of the abdominal aorta accompanied by degradation and remodelling of the vessel wall due to chronic inflammation. Platelets play an important role in cardiovascular diseases, but their role in AAA is poorly understood.

Methods and results

The present study revealed that platelets play a crucial role in promoting AAA through modulation of inflammation and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). They are responsible for the up-regulation of SPP1 (osteopontin, OPN) gene expression in macrophages and aortic tissue, which triggers inflammation and remodelling and also platelet adhesion and migration into the abdominal aortic wall and the intraluminal thrombus (ILT). Further, enhanced platelet activation and pro-coagulant activity result in elevated gene expression of various cytokines, Mmp9 and Col1a1 in macrophages and Il-6 and Mmp9 in fibroblasts. Enhanced platelet activation and pro-coagulant activity were also detected in AAA patients. Further, we detected platelets and OPN in the vessel wall and in the ILT of patients who underwent open repair of AAA. Platelet depletion in experimental murine AAA reduced inflammation and ECM remodelling, with reduced elastin fragmentation and aortic diameter expansion. Of note, OPN co-localized with platelets, suggesting a potential role of OPN for the recruitment of platelets into the ILT and the aortic wall.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our data strongly support the potential relevance of anti-platelet therapy to reduce AAA progression and rupture in AAA patients.
Evidence supporting an evolutionary trade-off between material properties and architectural design in Anolis lizard long bones
Authors: Toyama Ken S , Tinius Alexander , Mahler D Luke
Published: November 2023

In biology, “many-to-one mapping” occurs when multiple morphological forms can meet a particular functional demand. Knowledge of this mapping is crucial for understanding how selection on performance shapes the evolution of morphological diversity. Past research has focused primarily on the potential for geometrically alternative morphological designs to produce equivalent performance outcomes. Here, we ask whether the material properties of biological tissues hold similar potential. Through a phylogenetic comparative study of Anolis lizards, we show that the architectural design and mineral density of the femur trade off in a many-to-one functional system, yielding a morphospace featuring parallel isolines in size-relative bending strength. Anole femur evolution has largely tracked a narrow band of strength isolines over phylogenetic timescales, suggesting that geometry and mineral content shape the course of macroevolution through compensatory effects on performance. Despite this conserved evolutionary relationship, insular and continental species evolve strong bones differently, likely reflecting underlying ecological differences. Mainland anoles, which exhibit fast-paced life histories, typically have femora with lower mineralization and thinner walls than island species, which exhibit the opposite strategy. Together, our results reveal an overlooked dimension in the relationship between form and function, expanding our understanding of how many-to-one mapping can shape patterns of phenotypic diversity.
Phylogenetics and biomineralization of a novel magnetotactic Gammaproteobacterium from a freshwater lake in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Rongrong , Liu Peiyu , Wang Yuqin , Roberts Andrew P , Bai Jinling , Liu Yan , Zhu Kelei , Du Zongjun , Chen Guanjun , Pan Yongxin , Li Jinhua
Published: November 2023

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) have the remarkable capability of producing intracellularly membrane-enveloped magnetic nanocrystals (i.e. magnetosomes) and swimming along geomagnetic field lines. Despite more than 50 years of research, bacterial diversity and magnetosome biomineralization within MTB are relatively less known in the Gammaproteobacteria class than other groups. This is incompatible with the status of Gammaproteobacteria as the most diverse class of gram-negative bacteria with a number of ecologically important bacteria. Here, we identify a novel MTB strain YYHR-1 affiliated with the Gammaproteobacteria class of the Pseudomonadota phylum from a freshwater lake. In YYHR-1, most magnetosome crystals are organized into a long chain aligned along the cell long axis; unusually, a few small superparamagnetic crystals are located at the side of the chain, off the main chain axis. Micromagnetic simulations indicate that magnetostatic interactions among adjacent crystals within a chain reduce the Gibbs energy to enhance chain stability. Genomic analysis suggests that duplication of magnetosome gene clusters may result in off-chain magnetosomes formation. By integrating available genomic data from Gammaproteobacteria, the phylogenetic position of MTB in this class is reassigned here. Our new findings expand knowledge about MTB diversity and magnetosome biomineralization, and deepen understanding of the phylogenetics of the Gammaproteobacteria.
High velocity lower crust with anomalous rheological parameters under the Red Sea Passive Margin, SW Saudi Arabia – insight into the evolution of the Hijaz-Asir Escarpment Zone
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Manoj , Mukhopadhyay Basab , Mogren Saad , Ibrahim Elkhedr
Published: November 2023

The Red Sea Passive Margin (RSPM) in SW Saudi Arabia is characterized by two morphological provinces; the Red Sea Coastal Plains (RSCP) and the Hijaz-Asir Escarpment Zone (HAEZ) at the Arabian Shield Edge (ASE). Of these, the HAEZ is conspicuous by its seaward-facing heights of > 3 km. Based on the available receiver function analysis (REF) results from 25 seismic stations, we first present the Moho relief map underlying the RSPM to demonstrate that: (i) the transitional crust under the coastal region is 20–25 km thick which steadily increases landward to attain a thickness of ∼40 km below ASE, across an intervening region of depressed Moho with depths of 45–52 km. The latter exhibits significant regional extent and displays a close correlation with the topography of the HAEZ, suggesting a tectonic control on its formation. Eight rheological parameters for the upper as well as the lower crust are computed from the REF data, namely; Vp, Vp/Vs, density (ρ), Lame's first constant (λ), Lame's second constant (μ), Poisson's ratio (σ), bulk modulus (K) and acoustic impedance (AI). Their 2-D distribution for the lower crust unravels, for the first time, a high velocity lower crust (HVLC) underneath the HAEZ. The rheological character of the HVLC is further elucidated by investigating the relations between six rheological parameters: Vp–Vp/Vs, Vp/Vs–lower crustal thickness (hLC), Vs/ρ–hLC, λ–ρ, σ–ρ and λ–μ. The results indicate that lithology of the lower crust varies from diorite–felsic gneiss under RSCP to gabbro–diabase and mafic gneiss under HAEZ. We conjecture that the HVLC is an outcome of the exchange of materials from the subcrust at the hinterland of the RSPM directly underlying the HAEZ. Deep seismic control can only resolve the finer details of such crustal transformation.
Integrated proteomic analysis reveals interactions between phosphorylation and ubiquitination in rose response to Botrytis infection
Authors: Li Rui , Yao Juanni , Ming Yue , Guo Jia , Deng Jingjing , Liu Daofeng , Li Zhengguo , Cheng Yulin
Published: November 2023

As two of the most abundant post-translational modifications, phosphorylation and ubiquitination play a significant role in modulating plant–pathogen interactions and increasing evidence indicates their crosstalk in plant immunity. Rose (Rosa sp.) is one of the most important ornamental plants and can be seriously infected by Botrytis cinerea. Here, integrated proteomics analysis was performed to detect global proteome, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination changes in rose upon B. cinerea infection and investigate the possible phosphorylation and ubiquitination crosstalk. A total of 6165 proteins, 11 774 phosphorylation and 10 582 ubiquitination sites, and 77 phosphorylation and 13 ubiquitination motifs were identified. Botrytis cinerea infection resulted in 169 up-regulated and 122 down-regulated proteins, 291 up-regulated and 404 down-regulated phosphorylation sites, and 250 up-regulated and 634 down-regulated ubiquitination sites. There were 12 up-regulated PR10 proteins and half of them also showed reduced ubiquitination. A lot of kinases probably involved in plant pattern-triggered immunity signaling were up-regulated phosphoproteins. Noticeably, numerous kinases and ubiquitination-related proteins also showed a significant change in ubiquitination and phosphorylation, respectively. A cross-comparison of phosphoproteome and ubiquitylome indicated that both of two post-translational modifications of 104 proteins were dynamically regulated, and many putative pattern-triggered immunity signaling components in the plant plasma membrane were co-regulated. Moreover, five selected proteins, including four PR10 proteins and a plasma membrane aquaporin, were proven to be involved in rose resistance to B. cinerea. Our study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying rose resistance to B. cinerea and also increases the database of phosphorylation and ubiquitination sites in plants.
Rosaceae fruit transcriptome database (ROFT)—a useful genomic resource for comparing fruits of apple, peach, strawberry, and raspberry
Authors: Li Muzi , Mount Stephen M , Liu Zhongchi
Published: November 2023

Rosaceae is a large plant family consisting of many economically important fruit crops including peach, apple, pear, strawberry, raspberry, plum, and others. Investigations into their growth and development will promote both basic understanding and progress toward increasing fruit yield and quality. With the ever-increasing high-throughput sequencing data of Rosaceae, comparative studies are hindered by inconsistency of sample collection with regard to tissue, stage, growth conditions, and by vastly different handling of the data. Therefore, databases that enable easy access and effective utilization of directly comparable transcript data are highly desirable. Here, we describe a database for comparative analysis, ROsaceae Fruit Transcriptome database (ROFT), based on RNA-seq data generated from the same laboratory using similarly dissected and staged fruit tissues of four important Rosaceae fruit crops: apple, peach, strawberry, and red raspberry. Hence, the database is unique in allowing easy and robust comparisons among fruit gene expression across the four species. ROFT enables researchers to query orthologous genes and their expression patterns during different fruit developmental stages in the four species, identify tissue-specific and tissue-/stage-specific genes, visualize and compare ortholog expression in different fruit types, explore consensus co-expression networks, and download different data types. The database provides users access to vast amounts of RNA-seq data across the four economically important fruits, enables investigations of fruit type specification and evolution, and facilitates the selection of genes with critical roles in fruit development for further studies.