bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pesticide concentrations in agricultural storm drainage inlets of a small Swiss catchment
Authors: Schönenberger Urs T. , Beck Birgit , Dax Anne , Vogler Bernadette , Stamm Christian
Published: February 2022

Agricultural pesticides transported to surface waters pose a major risk for aquatic ecosystems. Modelling studies indicate that the inlets of agricultural storm drainage systems can considerably increase the connectivity of surface runoff and pesticides to surface waters. These model results have however not yet been validated with field measurements. In this study, we measured discharge and concentrations of 51 pesticides in four out of 158 storm drainage inlets of a small Swiss agricultural catchment (2.8 km2) and in the receiving stream. For this, we performed an event-triggered sampling during 19 rain events and collected plot-specific pesticide application data. Our results show that agricultural storm drainage inlets strongly influence surface runoff and pesticide transport in the study catchment. The concentrations of single pesticides in inlets amounted up to 62 µg/L. During some rain events, transport through single inlets caused more than 10% of the stream load of certain pesticides. An extrapolation to the entire catchment suggests that during selected events on average 30 to 70% of the load in the stream was transported through inlets. Pesticide applications on fields with surface runoff or spray drift potential to inlets led to increased concentrations in the corresponding inlets. Overall, this study corroborates the relevance of such inlets for pesticide transport by establishing a connectivity between fields and surface waters, and by their potential to deliver substantial pesticide loads to surface waters.
Hypofunction of directed brain network within alpha frequency band in depressive patients: a graph-theoretic analysis
Authors: Liu Shuang , Chen Sitong , Huang Zhenni , Liu Xiaoya , Li Meijuan , Su Fangyue , Hao Xinyu , Ming Dong
Published: February 2022

Directed brain networks may provide new insights into exploring physiological mechanism and neuromarkers for depression. This study aims to investigate the abnormalities of directed brain networks in depressive patients. We constructed the directed brain network based on resting electroencephalogram for 19 depressive patients and 20 healthy controls with eyes closed and eyes open. The weighted directed brain connectivity was measured by partial directed coherence for α, β, γ frequency band. Furthermore, topological parameters (clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and et al.) were computed based on graph theory. The correlation between network metrics and clinical symptom was also examined. Depressive patients had a significantly weaker value of partial directed coherence at alpha frequency band in eyes-closed state. Clustering coefficient and characteristic path length were significantly lower in depressive patients (both p < .01). More importantly, in depressive patients, disruption of directed connectivity was noted in left-to-left (p < .05), right-to-left (p < .01) hemispheres and frontal-to-central (p < .01), parietal-to-central (p < .05), occipital-to-central (p < .05) regions. Furthermore, connectivity in LL and RL hemispheres was negatively correlated with depression scale scores (both p < .05). Depressive patients showed a more randomized network structure, disturbed directed interaction of left-to-left, right-to-left hemispheric information and between different cerebral regions. Specifically, left-to-left, right-to-left hemispheric connectivity was negatively correlated with the severity of depression. Our analysis may serve as a potential neuromarker of depression.
Optimal Formula of Angelica sinensis Ameliorates Memory Deficits in β-amyloid Protein-induced Alzheimer’s Disease Rat Model
Authors: Wang Hu-ping , Wu Hong-yan , Ma Chun-lin , Zeng Qing-tao , Zhu Kai-min , Cui Shu-mei , Li Hai-long , Wu Guo-tai , Wu Zhi-wei , He Jian-zheng
Published: February 2022

Objective

Angelica (A.) sinensis is used as a traditional medical herb for the treatment of neurodegeneration, aging, and inflammation in Asia. A. sinensis optimal formula (AOF) is the best combination in A. sinensis that has been screened to rescue the cognitive ability in β-amyloid peptide (Aβ25–35)-treated Alzheimer’s disease (AD) rats. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of AOF on the learning and memory of AD rats as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were infused with Aβ25–35 for AD model induction or saline (negative control). Five groups of AD rats were fed on AOF at 20, 40, or 80 mL/kg every day, donepezil at 0.9 mg/kg every day (positive control), or an equal volume of water (AD model) intragastrically once a day for 4 weeks, while the negative control rats were fed on water. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the rats. The Aβ accumulation, cholinergic levels, and antioxidative ability were detected by ELISA. Additionally, the candidate mechanism was determined by gene sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The results showed that AOF administration significantly ameliorated Aβ25–35-induced memory impairment. AOF decreased the levels of amyloid-β precursor protein and Aβ in the hippocampus, rescued the cholinergic levels, increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, and decreased the malondialdehyde level. In addition, AOF inhibited the expression of IL1b, Mpo, and Prkcg in the hippocampus.

Conclusion

These experimental findings illustrate that AOF prevents the decrease in cognitive function and Aβ deposits in Aβ25–35-treated rats via modulating neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, thus highlighting a potential therapeutic avenue to promote the co-administration of formulas that act on different nodes to maximize beneficial effects and minimize negative side effects.
A scoping review of patient safety research carried out in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: O’Connor Paul , O’Malley Roisin , Kaud Yazeed , Pierre Emily St. , Dunne Rosie , Byrne Dara , Lydon Sinéad
Published: February 2022

Maintaining the highest levels of patient safety is a priority of healthcare organisations. However, although considerable resources are invested in improving safety, patients still suffer avoidable harm. The aims of this study are: (1) to examine the extent, range, and nature of patient safety research activities carried out in the Republic of Ireland (RoI); (2) make recommendations for future research; and (3) consider how these recommendations align with the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) patient safety strategy. A five-stage scoping review methodology was used to synthesise the published research literature on patient safety carried out in the RoI: (1) identify the research question; (2) identify relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) chart the data; and (5) collate, summarise, and report the results. Electronic searches were conducted across five electronic databases. A total of 31 papers met the inclusion criteria. Of the 24 papers concerned with measuring and monitoring safety, 12 (50%) assessed past harm, 4 (16.7%) the reliability of safety systems, 4 (16.7%) sensitivity to operations, 9 (37.5%) anticipation and preparedness, and 2 (8.3%) integration and learning. Of the six intervention papers, three (50%) were concerned with education and training, two (33.3%) with simplification and standardisation, and one (16.7%) with checklists. One paper was concerned with identifying potential safety interventions. There is a modest, but growing, body of patient safety research conducted in the RoI. It is hoped that this review will provide direction to researchers, healthcare practitioners, and health service managers, in how to build upon existing research in order to improve patient safety.
A machine learning model based on readers’ characteristics to predict their performances in reading screening mammograms
Authors: Gandomkar Ziba , Lewis Sarah J. , Li Tong , Ekpo Ernest U. , Brennan Patrick C.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Proposing a machine learning model to predict readers’ performances, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and lesion sensitivity, using the readers’ characteristics.

Methods

Data were collected from 905 radiologists and breast physicians who completed at least one case-set of 60 mammographic images containing 40 normal and 20 biopsy-proven cancer cases. Nine different case-sets were available. Using a questionnaire, we collected radiologists’ demographic details, such as reading volume and years of experience. These characteristics along with a case set difficulty measure were fed into two ensemble of regression trees to predict the readers’ AUCs and lesion sensitivities. We calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between the predicted values by the model and the actual AUC and lesion sensitivity. The usefulness of the model to categorize readers as low and high performers based on different criteria was also evaluated. The performances of the models were evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation.

Results

The Pearson correlation coefficient between the predicted AUC and actual one was 0.60 (p < 0.001). The model’s performance for differentiating the reader in the first and fourth quartile based on the AUC values was 0.86 (95% CI 0.83–0.89). The model reached an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI 0.88–0.93) for distinguishing the readers in the first quartile from the fourth one based on the lesion sensitivity.

Conclusion

A machine learning model can be used to categorize readers as high- or low-performing. Such model could be useful for screening programs for designing a targeted quality assurance and optimizing the double reading practice.
Uncovering the digitalization impact on consumer decision-making for checking accounts in banking
Authors: Dehnert Maik , Schumann Josephine
Published: February 2022

Checking account providers must understand the importance of digital and non-digital service attributes across different customer segments to achieve a product-market fit in digitalization. In particular, various latent personal characteristics influence customer choices in digital banking. However, there is only limited research on banking customer behavior beyond the technology acceptance model, and none that explores customer preferences for checking accounts experimentally. Against this background, we present the results of a discrete choice experiment on customer preferences towards checking accounts in Germany. The outcome of the paper is a detailed quantitative assessment of the relationships between checking account service attributes and a set of latent influencing factors on choice. While customer service experience, the scope of services, and professional expertise are identified as re-occurring critical aspects for customers when choosing their banking service provider, the type of provider and digital product innovation showed little impact on customer choice overall. In multigroup analyses, we reveal the moderating impact of influencing factors on the preference of checking account service attributes. Additional segmentation analyses point to six customer segments from which four still prefer a traditional operating model. The largest segment of traditional product-innovative customers prefers digitalized, i.e., data-driven checking accounts in a mixed-mode with human customer advisory and on-site branch services from a traditional bank. At the other end of the spectrum, a small innovative Fintech customer segment, influenced by non-pragmatism and social norms, prefers a purely digital operating model with data-driven applications in banking.
Informal ready-to-eat food vending: a social practice perspective on urban food provisioning in Nigeria
Authors: Adeosun Kehinde Paul , Greene Mary , Oosterveer Peter
Published: February 2022

The way people access food in Nigeria is of central relevance for food security, health and sustainability. One key trend is the shift from household-based to primarily out-of-home food consumption as an increasing majority of the urban poor derive their daily nutrient intake from street foods. However, few studies have yet explored the role of the ready-to-eat food vending sector in urban food systems and the diets of the urban poor. This paper investigates the interrelations between these practices and the diversity of food groups provisioned among the urban poor in developing city contexts. A social practice approach is employed to explore differentiation among informal-ready-to-eat food vending practices in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria, in terms of their daily activities, competences and resources. Applied methods include GIS mapping, food log diaries, in-depth interviews and participant observation to map and classify informal-ready-to-eat food vending practices according to the nature of food provisioned and explore the everyday performances of different informal-ready-to-eat food vending practice initiatives and their relation to dietary diversity. The results reveal three key categories among these practices: traditional, processed and unprocessed—with varying levels of diversity in the food groups on offer. Traditional food vendors offer more diversified food compared to processed food vendors and unprocessed food vendors. The results reveal that material infrastructure, cooking bargaining and purchasing skills and nutritional knowledge are key to the diversity of food groups provisioned. The paper concludes by considering the wider relevance of these findings for urban food science and policy.
Zein and lignin-based nanoparticles as soybean seed treatment: translocation and impact on seed and plant health
Authors: Kacsó Tímea , Hanna Eban A. , Salinas Fallon , Astete Carlos E. , Bodoki Ede , Oprean Radu , Price Paul P. , Doyle Vinson P. , Bonser Colin A. R. , Davis Jeffrey A. , Sabliov Cristina M.
Published: February 2022

Zein nanoparticles (ZNPs) were synthesized with a cationic surfactant, didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (122.9 ± 0.8 nm, + 59.7 ± 4.4 mV) and a non-ionic surfactant, Tween 80 (118.7 ± 1.7 nm, + 26.4 ± 1.1 mV). Lignin-graft-poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (LNPs) were made without surfactants (52.9 ± 0.2 nm, − 54.9 ± 0.5 mV). Both samples were applied as antifungal seed treatments on soybeans, and their impact on germination and plant health was assessed. Treated seeds showed high germination rates (> 90% for all treatment groups), similar to the control group (100%). Root and stem lengths and the dry biomass of treated seeds were not statistically distinguishable from the control. Foliage from seed-treated plants was fed to larvae of Chrysodeixis includens with no differences in mortality between treatments. No translocation of fluorescently tagged particles was observed with fluorescence microscopy following seed treatment and germination. Nano-delivered azoxystrobin provided ~ 100% protection when LNPs were used. Results suggest ZNPs and LNPs are safe and effective delivery systems of active compounds for seed treatments.
Statistical properties of the MetaCore network of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Kotelnikova Ekaterina , Frahm Klaus M. , Lages José , Shepelyansky Dima L.
Published: February 2022

The MetaCore commercial database describes interactions of proteins and other chemical molecules and clusters in the form of directed network between these elements, viewed as nodes. The number of nodes goes beyond 40 thousands with almost 300 thousands links between them. The links have essentially bi-functional nature describing either activation or inhibition actions between proteins. We present here the analysis of statistical properties of this complex network applying the methods of the Google matrix, PageRank and CheiRank algorithms broadly used in the frame of the World Wide Web, Wikipedia, the world trade and other directed networks. We specifically describe the Ising PageRank approach which allows to treat the bi-functional type of protein–protein interactions. We also show that the developed reduced Google matrix algorithm allows to obtain an effective network of interactions inside a specific group of selected proteins. In addition to already known direct protein–protein interactions, this method allows to infer non trivial and unknown interactions between proteins arising from the summation over all the indirect pathways passing via the global bi-functional network. The developed analysis allows to establish an average action of each protein being more oriented to activation or inhibition. We argue that the described Google matrix analysis represents an efficient tool for investigation of influence of specific groups of proteins related to specific diseases.
Inversion of damage inducement of wharf pile foundation under heaped load based on parametric model
Authors: Zuo Liangdong , Cao Shibao , Zhou Shiliang , Wu Jun
Published: February 2022

Uneven stowage of wharf is one of the main external loads during its service period. The main load-bearing structure of the overhead vertical wharf is the lower pile foundation. Under the action of the upper pile load, the pile foundation will be damaged to varying degrees, and the local damage may cause adverse effects on the overall structural safety of the wharf. In order to realize the inversion analysis of the adverse damage inducement of wharf stowage, the stress detection results of the lower pile foundation are taken as inversion data samples, and 10,000 sets of stress data are obtained by establishing a parameterized numerical calculation model. After normalization and dimension reduction, they are input into the established neural network model, and the action position and strength of stowage damage inducement are identified. The results show that the inversion analysis samples obtained by the parameterized model in this paper have higher accuracy and generalization in the calculation of neural network model.

Article Highlights

The difference of recognition indexes between training samples and test samples is small, and there is no lack of fitting ability, and the generalization ability is strong.

The regression learner network has two hidden layers, and the number of nodes is 10 and 4, respectively. The parameter setting with the activation function as identity can meet the inversion needs of the heap damage inducement.

Inversion calculation of wharf damage incentives needs to establish samples with large data space, while materialization model calculation takes up a lot of computer memory and takes time.
An adaptive fuzzy PID controller for speed control of brushless direct current motor
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wang Hongzhi , Hu Huangshui , Lu Xiaofan , Zhao Siyuan
Published: February 2022

Aiming at the problems of the poor adaptive ability in the current control methods for brushless DC motor, an adaptive fuzzy proportional integral derivative controller (AFPID) is proposed to realize the better control performance of speed for brushless DC motor. AFPID includes a conventional PID controller (C-PID) and PI + PD architectures with a configurable fuzzy logic controller (C-PID-FLC). The FLC in C-PID-FLC consists of two fuzzy inference engines, one is used to self-tune the parameters for PI control, the other is for the scaling factor self-tuning of PI control parameters. The PD structure in C-PID-FLC is mainly to reduce oscillation, overcome overshoot and speed up system response while effectively eliminating static errors. When the system reaches a certain stable state of rotation, AFPID adjusts the C-PID controller ground on the speed error, which saves control costs under the premise of ensuring control performance. AFPID adaptively realizes the respective advantages of C-PID and C-PID-FLC. Compared with other control methods, the merits of the proposed controller are highlighted. The results show that the AFPID controller has a better control performance regardless of changes in load disturbance and parameter variations. And through the change of mechanical parameters of brushless DC motor, the sensitivity of AFPID is analyzed.
The COVID-19 emergency as an opportunity to co-produce an innovative approach to health services provision: the women's antenatal classes move on the web
Authors: Bonciani Manila , Corazza Ilaria , De Rosis Sabina
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has strongly affected healthcare organizations, leading to the need for reorganizing also maternal care services during pregnancy. The Regional Health Authorities in Tuscany (Italy) promoted the creation of online antenatal classes (ACs). This study illustrates the innovative approach to deliver ACs online and discusses how the collaborative approach in co-producing this innovative solution co-creates value in healthcare. The action research design was based, on one hand, on the indirect involvement of users by analyzing qualitative data collected through a continuous survey to pregnant women and, on the other one, on the direct involvement of managers and health professionals in meetings and workshops. The authors encompassed all necessary changes in organizational practices and facilitated the collaborative process implementation and analysis. The main findings are that moving ACs online has been a relevant choice, since the need of pregnant women to share information and receive emotional support increased in times of crisis. Additionally, in the perspective of health professionals, the new online ACs model emerged as a valuable solution not only for the contingent situation, but also in a long-term perspective to reach more women during pregnancy and to early support them throughout the maternal care pathway. This study shows that the collaborative approach to co-innovate healthcare services provision, such as with ACs online, facilitates the creation of, long-lasting, and integrated solutions in healthcare, to be used also after pandemic period. Finally, despite this action-research is context-specific, the findings presented in this paper may help other healthcare organizations innovate their own strategies in ACs’ provision.
Microbiome engineering and plant biostimulants for sustainable crop improvement and mitigation of biotic and abiotic stresses
Authors: Lau Su-Ee , Teo Wee Fei Aaron , Teoh Ee Yang , Tan Boon Chin
Published: February 2022

Globally, despite the intense agricultural production, the output is expected to be limited by emerging infectious plant diseases and adverse impacts of climate change. The annual increase in agricultural output to sustain the human population at the expense of the environment has exacerbated the current climate conditions and threatened food security. The demand for sustainable agricultural practice is further augmented with the exclusion of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, the application of plant microbiome engineering and (natural) biostimulants has been at the forefront as an environment-friendly approach to enhance crop production and increase crop tolerance to adverse environmental conditions. In this article, we explore the application of microbiome engineering and plant biostimulants as a sustainable approach to mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses and improving nutrient use efficiency to promote plant growth and increase crop yield. The advancement/understanding in plant-biostimulant interaction relies on the current scientific research to elucidate the extent of benefits conferred by these biostimulants under adverse conditions.
Ozone‐Forced Southern Annular Mode During Antarctic Stratospheric Warming Events
Authors: Jucker M. , Goyal R.
Published: February 2022

Southern Hemisphere (SH) Stratospheric Warming Events (SWEs) are usually associated with a negative phase of the tropospheric Southern Annular Mode (SAM) during the following summer. In contrast, using ensemble climate model simulations we show that the anomalously high ozone concentrations typically occurring during SWEs can force periods of persistent positive tropospheric SAM in austral spring by increasing lower stratospheric static stability and changing troposphere‐to‐stratosphere wave propagation. Eventually, the tropospheric SAM switches sign to its negative phase in late spring/early summer, but this ‘downward propagation’ of the stratospheric signal does not occur in simulations without seasonal cycle. We find that the downward propagation is forced both dynamically by adiabatic heating and radiatively by increased shortwave absorption by ozone due to the seasonal cycle. Capturing this ozone forcing mechanism in models requires the inclusion of interactive ozone, which has important implications for the predictive skill of current seasonal forecasting systems.
The Extraordinary Equatorial Atlantic Warming in Late 2019
Authors: Richter Ingo , Tokinaga Hiroki , Okumura Yuko M.
Published: February 2022

Sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern equatorial Atlantic are subject to variability on interannual timescales but during the last 20 years, this variability has shown comparatively little activity. In late 2019, however, the warmest event in the satellite observation period developed. Analysis suggests that zonal wind stress anomalies in the western equatorial Atlantic contributed to the development of the warm SST anomalies. Furthermore, wind stress curl anomalies north of the equator generated downwelling Rossby waves that propagated to the western boundary and were reflected into downwelling Kelvin waves that helped to precondition the event. Neither the contemporaneous positive Indian Ocean Dipole nor the El Niño Modoki appears to have contributed substantially to the Atlantic warming, though some uncertainty remains. Based on large‐scale multidecadal variability patterns, a return to enhanced variability is not imminent but careful monitoring will be important.
First Observations of G‐Band Radar Doppler Spectra
Authors: Courtier Benjamin M. , Battaglia Alessandro , Huggard Peter G. , Westbrook Chris , Mroz Kamil , Dhillon Ranvir S. , Walden Christopher J. , Howells Gareth , Wang Hui , Ellison Brian N. , Reeves Richard , Robertson Duncan A. , Wylde Richard J.
Published: February 2022

The first Doppler spectra ever acquired by an atmospheric radar at 200 GHz (G‐band) are presented. The observations were taken during a light precipitation event in May (rain rates <2 mm hr−1) at Chilbolton Observatory, UK, with coincident Ka‐band and W‐band Doppler radar measurements. The collected rain spectra agree with Mie theory predictions: at G‐band they show significant reductions in the spectral power return—as compared to theoretical Rayleigh scattering—corresponding to high Doppler velocities (i.e., large raindrops) with the presence of multiple peaks and “Mie notches” in correspondence to the maxima and minima of the raindrop backscattering cross sections. The first two G‐band Mie troughs correspond to smaller velocities/sizes than the first W‐band Mie notch. These features offered by G‐band radars pave the way toward applying, in rain, Mie notch vertical wind retrievals and multifrequency drop size distribution microphysical retrievals to smaller rain rates and smaller characteristic sizes than ever before.
Remote Impact of the Equatorial Pacific on Florida Current Transport
Authors: Dong Shenfu , Volkov Denis L. , Goni Gustavo , Pujiana Kandaga , Tagklis Filippos , Baringer Molly
Published: February 2022

Satellite and in‐situ measurements are used in this study to investigate a possible link between the Florida Current transport (FCT) and temperature changes in the equatorial Pacific. Consistent with the geostrophic nature of the current, the FCT variability shows good correspondence with the changes in sea surface height differences (∆SSH) between the eastern (SSHeast) and western (SSHwest) sides of the Florida Straits. While the variability of SSHwest is mostly associated with seasonal and shorter timescale fluctuations of ∆SSH and FCT, changes in SSHeast are strongly related to the interannual variability of ∆SSH and FCT. A significant correlation is found between the FCT and the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) on interannual timescales, which explains 21% of the interannual FCT variance. The connection of ONI with FCT is through its impact on SSHeast, associated with the anomalous convergence/divergence in the Caribbean region and the Bahamas forced by ONI‐induced wind stress curl changes.
Moisture Sources and Transport for Extreme Precipitation Over Henan in July 2021
Authors: Nie Yanbo , Sun Jianqi
Published: February 2022

Determining the sources of moisture for the devastating precipitation event over Henan in July 2021 helps understand the mechanisms of such extreme precipitation events. In this study, the moisture sources and transport trajectories for the event are investigated using a Lagrangian approach. Moisture is transported to Henan along three routes that are driven by the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), WPSH and the tropical cyclone In‐Fa, as well as WPSH and the tropical cyclone Cempaka, respectively. The WPSH‐In‐Fa‐driven air parcels have the highest moistening and precipitating efficiency among the three routes. Overall, southern China contributes the most to moisture sources (38.1%), followed by the western North Pacific (30.0%). The results indicate that the terrestrial and oceanic moisture over southern China‐western North Pacific are both crucial for the extreme precipitation event over Henan.
Oceanic Mesoscale Cyclones Cluster Surface Lagrangian Material
Authors: Vic Clément , Hascoët Solenne , Gula Jonathan , Huck Thierry , Maes Christophe
Published: February 2022

An asymmetry in the clustering of oceanic surface material has been observed at the submesoscales. Energetic and ephemeral submesoscale cyclonic fronts are associated with convergence zones, hence cluster surface material. Their anticyclonic counterparts do not feature such an effect. Yet, at the mesoscale, literature has been contradictory about such an asymmetry. Here, we combine surface drifter trajectories with an altimetry‐derived mesoscale eddy database in the North Atlantic to show that mesoscale cyclones contain 24% more drifters than anticyclones. A numerical Lagrangian experiment using a mesoscale‐resolving model quantitatively reproduces the observational results. It reveals that particles preferentially cluster in cyclonic regions, both in fronts and eddies. The model further suggests that ageostrophic cyclonic fronts concentrate particles a few days before the eddy formation and detection.
Determinants of Physical Processes and Their Contributions for Uncertainties in Simulated Evapotranspiration Over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Sun Guodong , Mu Mu , Ren Qiujie , Zhang Qiyu , You Qinglong
Published: February 2022

Estimation of the Evapotranspiration (ET) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) still keeps uncertain due to inaccurate physical parameters and processes in numerical models. In this study, the simulated ET is evaluated for 13 sites over the TP during the period of 2001–2017 using the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation related to parameters (CNOP‐P) approach. To find key physical parameters and processes, the sensitivity analysis (SA) method based on the CNOP‐P is employed. The traditional SA method (one‐at‐a‐time, OAT) is also employed to compare to the SA method based on the CNOP‐P for the identification of the key parameters and parameters subset. The numerical results show that the average estimation of the ET for 13 sites could be improved by 37.7 mm year−1 and 62.5 mm year−1 for two data sets using the CNOP‐P‐type parameters perturbations, respectively. Further, the sensitive physical parameters subset includes more vegetation parameters using the SA method based on the CNOP‐P method, which are different to those using the OAT method. This implies that the vegetation transpiration plays a vital role for simulation of the ET over the TP. It is found that the improvement degree (24.6%) of simulation ability of the ET over the TP by reducing more sensitive vegetation parameters identified by the CNOP‐P sensitivity analysis method is larger than that employing the OAT method (21.9%).
Layered Zone Beneath Coral Sea Suggests Ancient Magma Ocean
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: February 2022

Scientists studying South Pacific earthquakes suggest that an ultralow-velocity zone at the core-mantle boundary may be a remnant of a molten early Earth.
Along‐Strike Variation of Convergence Rate and Pre‐Existing Weakness Contribute to Indian Slab Tearing Beneath Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cui Qihua , Li Zhong‐Hai
Published: February 2022

A number of geophysical observations reveal that the underthrusting Indian continental plate beneath the southern Tibetan Plateau is laterally torn and segmented, with contrasting subduction angles along strike. However, the mechanism of such kind of slab tearing remains unclear. Here, a series of 3‐D high‐resolution numerical models are conducted, which suggest that the lateral variation (either gradually or abruptly changing) of boundary convergence rate plays a critical role in the tearing of underthrusting continental slab. The abruptly changing convergence with a large lateral contrast could lead to slab tearing all by itself, whereas the gradually changing convergence should be combined with pre‐existing weakness in the underthrusting block. The structures and properties of overriding block play secondary roles. Finally, we propose that Indian slab tearing could be attributed to the time‐dependent and lateral variation of convergence rate during the Indian‐Asian collision and the pre‐existing Indian lithospheric weakness.
Founder cell configuration drives competitive outcome within colony biofilms
Authors: Eigentler Lukas , Kalamara Margarita , Ball Graeme , MacPhee Cait E , Stanley-Wall Nicola R , Davidson Fordyce A
Published: February 2022

Bacteria can form dense communities called biofilms, where cells are embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Exploiting competitive interactions between strains within the biofilm context can have potential applications in biological, medical, and industrial systems. By combining mathematical modelling with experimental assays, we reveal that spatial structure and competitive dynamics within biofilms are significantly affected by the location and density of the founder cells used to inoculate the biofilm. Using a species-independent theoretical framework describing colony biofilm formation, we show that the observed spatial structure and relative strain biomass in a mature biofilm comprising two isogenic strains can be mapped directly to the geographical distributions of founder cells. Moreover, we define a predictor of competitive outcome that accurately forecasts relative abundance of strains based solely on the founder cells’ potential for radial expansion. Consequently, we reveal that variability of competitive outcome in biofilms inoculated at low founder density is a natural consequence of the random positioning of founding cells in the inoculum. Extension of our study to non-isogenic strains that interact through local antagonisms, shows that even for strains with different competition strengths, a race for space remains the dominant mode of competition in low founder density biofilms. Our results, verified by experimental assays using Bacillus subtilis, highlight the importance of spatial dynamics on competitive interactions within biofilms and hence to related applications.
Biological manganese-dependent sulfide oxidation impacts elemental gradients in redox-stratified systems: indications from the Black Sea water column
Authors: Henkel J V , Schulz-Vogt H N , Dellwig O , Pollehne F , Schott T , Meeske C , Beier S , Jürgens K
Published: February 2022

The reduction of manganese oxide with sulfide in aquatic redox-stratified systems was previously considered to be mainly chemical, but recent isolation of the Black Sea isolate Candidatus Sulfurimonas marisnigri strain SoZ1 suggests an important role for biological catalyzation. Here we provide evidence from laboratory experiments, field data, and modeling that the latter process has a strong impact on redox zonation in the Black Sea. High relative abundances of Sulfurimonas spp. across the redoxcline in the central western gyre of the Black Sea coincided with the high-level expression of both the sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase gene (sqr, up to 93% expressed by Sulfurimonas spp.) and other sulfur oxidation genes. The cell-specific rate of manganese-coupled sulfide oxidation by Ca. S. marisnigri SoZ1 determined experimentally was combined with the in situ abundance of Sulfurimonas spp. in a one-dimensional numerical model to calculate the vertical sulfide distribution. Abiotic sulfide oxidation was too slow to counterbalance the sulfide flux from euxinic water. We conclude that microbially catalyzed Mn-dependent sulfide oxidation influences the element cycles of Mn, S, C, and N and therefore the prevalence of other functional groups of prokaryotes (e.g., anammox bacteria) in a sulfide-free, anoxic redox zone.
Patients’ perceptions on temporomandibular disorder treatment with hydrostatic oral splints - a pilot study
Authors: Sabbagh H. , Sabbagh A. , Heppner A. , Auer C. , Wichelhaus A. , Hoffmann L.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment with a prefabricated, hydrostatic oral splint (HOS) based on self-reported patient’s symptoms using a standardized questionnaire.

Methods

Two hundred fifty-eight questionnaires from patients diagnosed with TMD and subsequently treated with HOS were collected from two independent private practices. Based on patient’s comfort the questionnaire recorded TMD symptoms and symptom regression. Descriptive and comparative statistics was carried out using SPSS.

Results

A total of 221 questionnaires were analyzed. Patients reported TMD symptoms such as pain (93.2%), TMJ clicking (66.1%), headache (25.8%), cervical spine disorders (23.5%), restricted mouth opening (22.6%) and tinnitus (11.8%). For most symptoms, improvement was reported mostly after two weeks, except for tinnitus, where positive effects were usually reported after four weeks.

Conclusion

HOS seem to be effective for immediate treatment of pain and other TMD symptoms. Based on the available data, a treatment period of four weeks can be recommended.
Adjuvant capecitabine-containing chemotherapy benefit and homologous recombination deficiency in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: de Boo Leonora W. , Jóźwiak Katarzyna , Joensuu Heikki , Lindman Henrik , Lauttia Susanna , Opdam Mark , van Steenis Charlaine , Brugman Wim , Kluin Roelof J. C. , Schouten Philip C. , Kok Marleen , Nederlof Petra M. , Hauptmann Michael , Linn Sabine C.
Published: February 2022

Background

The addition of adjuvant capecitabine to standard chemotherapy of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients has improved survival in a few randomised trials and in meta-analyses. However, many patients did not benefit. We evaluated theBRCA1-like DNA copy number signature, indicative of homologous recombination deficiency, as a predictive biomarker for capecitabine benefit in the TNBC subgroup of the FinXX trial.

Methods

Early-stage TNBC patients were randomised between adjuvant capecitabine-containing (TX + CEX: capecitabine-docetaxel, followed by cyclophosphamide-epirubicin-capecitabine) and conventional chemotherapy (T + CEF: docetaxel, followed by cyclophosphamide-epirubicin-fluorouracil). TumourBRCA1-like status was determined on low-coverage, whole genome next-generation sequencing data using an established DNA comparative genomic hybridisation algorithm.

Results

For 129/202 (63.9%) patients theBRCA1-like status could be determined, mostly due to lack of tissue. During a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 35 recurrences and 32 deaths occurred. Addition of capecitabine appears to improve recurrence-free survival more among 61 (47.3%) patients with non-BRCA1-like tumours (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08–0.70) compared to 68 (52.7%) patients withBRCA1-like tumours (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.24–1.81) (P-interaction = 0.17).

Conclusion

Based on our data, patients with non-BRCA1-like TNBC appear to benefit from the addition of capecitabine to adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients withBRCA1-like TNBC may also benefit. Additional research is needed to define the subgroup withinBRCA1-like TNBC patients who may not benefit from adjuvant capecitabine.
Stable growth of (Ce,Gd)3Ga2Al3O12 crystal scintillators by the traveling solvent floating zone method
Authors: Wu Tong , Wang Ling , Shi Yun , Huang Xintang , Xu Tianzhao , Wang Hui , Fang Jinghong , Ni Jinqi , He Huan , Wang Chaoyue , Zhou Zhenzhen , Liu Qian , Wan Bo , Li Qin , Yu Jianding , Yang Mei , Li Huanying , Wu Yuntao , Shichalin Oleg , Papynov E. K.
Published: February 2022

Ce:GGAG is promising as scintillators. We present a traveling solvent floating zone method (TSFZ) to stabilize the molten zone. The obtained Ce:GGAG crystals demonstrate a fast decay (64 ns) with higher ratio of fast component (85%).
Salen-type mononuclear dysprosium complex displays significant single-molecule magnet performance
Authors: Wang Luan , Yao Xu , Zou Xiaoyan , Li Jingfang , Sun Wenbin , Li Guangming
Published: February 2022

The newly isolated salen-type mononuclear lanthanide complex [Dy(5-NO2salcy)(NO3)(CH3OH)2] (1) reveals a uniquely high energy barrier of 64.94 K under zero dc field and a remarkable hysteresis loop at 6 K compared with known salen-type Dy-SIMs.
Molecular engineering of complexation between RNA and biodegradable cationic gemini surfactants: role of the hydrophobic chain length
Authors: Akram Mohd. , Lal Hira , Shakya Sonam , Varshney Rohit , Kabir-ud-Din
Published: February 2022

The effects of the hydrophobic alkyl chain length of Cm-E2O-Cm gemini surfactants (m = 12, 14 and 16) on ribonucleic acid were investigated using different methods. The various calculated parameters revealed that complexation occurs via an intercalative binding mode.
Discovery of novel antifungal resorcylate aminopyrazole Hsp90 inhibitors based on structural optimization by molecular simulations
Authors: Tuo Yan , Li Guangping , Liu Zhou , Yu Na , Li Yuepeng , Yang Li , Liu Haibin , Wang Yuanqiang
Published: February 2022

Novel antifungal resorcylate aminopyrazole Hsp90 inhibitors were discovered by 3D-QSAR, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations.
Preparation and electrochemical investigation of single-crystal LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Tian Rong-Zheng , Wang Ze-Xin , Wang Xiao-Qing , Zhang Hong-Zhou , Ma Yue , Song Da-Wei , Shi Xi-Xi , Zhang Lian-Qi
Published: February 2022

Ni-rich layered cathode materials have large reversible capacity.
Metal–organic framework based on flexible ligands and CoII–CoII–CoII system: selective gas adsorption and magnetic properties
Authors: Zhou Tao , Qian Jianlei , Lu Xin , Xu Heng , Chen Lei , Zhang Chuanlei
Published: February 2022

A novel MOF material shows unique magnetic characteristics and selective absorption properties for CO2.
Fabrication of nanoscale core–shell structured lead azide/porous carbon based on a metal–organic framework with high safety performance
Authors: Yan Zhenzhan , Yang Li , Tong Wenchao , Han Ji-Min
Published: February 2022

Carbon-based lead azide with nano-scale lead azide coated with a carbon shell (LA/C) was prepared using a lead-containing MOF material. The prepared LA/C exhibits excellent electrostatic sensitivity (1.84 J), higher LA content (85%), and better ignition ability (22 cm) compared to other reported modified LA materials.
A photoelectric effect integrated scaffold for the wireless regulation of nerve cellular behavior
Authors: Tang Jiajia , Wu Chengheng , Qiao Zi , Pi Jinkui , Zhang Yusheng , Luo Fang , Sun Jing , Dan Wei  , Fan Hongsong
Published: February 2022

We developed a novel light-powered oriented bioactive PCL scaffold by integrating photoelectric P3HT nanoparticles to provide remote and wireless electrical stimulation to prompt the functional expression of nerve cells.
Highly responsive and selective ppb-level NO2 gas sensor based on porous Pd-functionalized CuO/rGO at room temperature
Authors: Bai Haineng , Guo Hui , Feng Cheng , Wang Jin , Liu Bin , Xie Zili , Guo Fuqiang , Chen Dunjun , Zhang Rong , Zheng Youdou
Published: February 2022

Notably, the Pd–CuO/rGO sensor exhibits the highest response compared to the other three sensors (including the CuO, Pd–CuO and CuO/rGO sensors).
Enhanced proton conductivity of Nafion membrane induced by incorporation of MOF-anchored 3D microspheres: a superior and promising membrane for fuel cell applications
Authors: Zhu Liyu , Li Yucheng , Zhao Jingyang , Liu Jing , Wang Luying , Lei Jiandu , Xue Ruisheng
Published: February 2022

A novel MOF-anchored 3D core–shell material was used to promote proton conduction in the Nafion matrix, which can provide a theoretical basis for the design of various proton-conducting membranes for high-efficiency fuel cells.
Expression of concern: Upregulation of lncRNA SUMO1P3 promotes proliferation, invasion and drug resistance in gastric cancer through interacting with the CNBP protein
Authors: Fisher Laura
Published: February 2022

Expression of concern for ‘Upregulation of lncRNA SUMO1P3 promotes proliferation, invasion and drug resistance in gastric cancer through interacting with the CNBP protein’ by Yinmou Guo et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 6006–6016, DOI: 10.1039/C9RA09497K.
Learning to generate emotional music correlated with music structure features
Authors: Ma Lin , Zhong Wei , Ma Xin , Ye Long , Zhang Qin
Published: February 2022

Music can be regarded as an art of expressing inner feelings. However, most of the existing networks for music generation ignore the analysis of its emotional expression. In this paper, we propose to synthesise music according to the specified emotion, and also integrate the internal structural characteristics of music into the generation process. Specifically, we embed the emotional labels along with music structure features as the conditional input and then investigate the GRU network for generating emotional music. In addition to the generator, we also design a novel perceptually optimised emotion classification model which aims for promoting the generated music close to the emotion expression of real music. In order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, both the subjective and objective experiments are conducted to verify that our method can produce emotional music correlated to the specified emotion and music structures.
Adaptive neural network control for image‐based visual servoing of robot manipulators
Authors: Qiu Zhoujingzi , Wu Zhigang
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a novel adaptive neural network control strategy for image‐based visual servoing (IBVS) of robotic manipulators with both eye‐in‐hand and eye‐to‐hand camera configurations in the presence of unknown dynamics and external disturbances. The IBVS method is combined with the adaptive neural network to construct the proposed adaptive neural network controller to solve the visual servoing control problem of robots. The adaptive neural network based IBVS controller is designed based on the depth‐independent interaction matrix, which can be trained on‐line to identify the visual servoing robotic system modeling errors. Moreover, the proposed method can approach the unknown nonlinear dynamics for both eye‐in‐hand and eye‐to‐hand camera configurations without requiring the robot dynamics to be linearly parameterizable, and the exact knowledge of the robot structure is not needed. On the basis of the nonlinear robot dynamics, the Lyapunov stability analysis is given to prove the asymptotical convergence of the image position and velocity errors. Simulation results for both camera configurations are provided to demonstrate the performance of the proposed adaptive neural network based approach.