bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Martian Gravity Waves Observed by the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) During Northern Summer
Authors: Battalio J. Michael , Heavens Nicholas , Pankine Alexey , Wright Corwin , Cowart Aster
Published: February 2023

Martian gravity waves (GW) greatly impact the atmospheric circulation and formation of clouds, but many GW observations of the lower atmosphere are confined to specific orientations and wavelengths, leaving many gaps in the continuum of waves. To overcome the issue, we analyze eight Mars years of data during the season of Ls = 120°–150° from Band 10 (14.9 µm) of the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), sensitive to GWs at ∼25 km altitude. All horizontal orientations at wavelengths below ∼40 km are detectable, with the potential to detect north‐south oriented GWs up to ∼1,000 km in length. Most THEMIS observations have brightness temperature variances compatible with GW disturbances. Intense GW activity concentrates poleward of 60°S, with normalized magnitudes up to 10−4 K2 K−2; activity decreases toward the equator and remains low throughout the northern hemisphere. The interannual intensity of GWs varies by latitude within three regimes of GW length: short (<20 km), medium (20–100 km), and long (>100 km). Gravity wave orientations that are detectable in all directions do not favor a single direction; that is, Martian GWs at 25 km altitude are isotropic. Finally, interannual variability seems to emerge from interactions with dust storms, orography, and planetary waves.
Dynamics of Dual‐Mode Bedload Transport With Three‐Dimensional Alternate Bars Migration in Subcritical Flow: Experiments and Model Analysis
Authors: Li ZhiPeng , Kiani Oshtorjani Mehrdad , Chen Dong , Zhang Yong , Sun HongGuang
Published: February 2023

Bedload transport often exhibits dual‐mode behavior due to interactions of spatiotemporal controlling factors with the migrating three‐dimensional bedforms (characterized by the fully developed patterns in the bed, such as alternate bars, pools, and clusters). This study explores dual‐mode bedload transport based on experimental measurements and develops Einstein's exponential‐based model to characterize large fluctuations of bedload sediment discharge. The particle waiting time, particle flux, and bed elevation are measured in a series of well‐controlled laboratory experiments. Flume experiments show that the waiting time distribution of sediments gives a bimodal characteristic, two distinct modes can be identified from the measured data. This study encapsulates this dual‐mode bedload transport behavior in a hyperexponential distribution of sediment resting times and introduces it into the continuous time random walk (CTRW) framework. Considering the scaling limit of the thin/heavy‐tailed CTRW processes, a single‐rate mass transfer (SRMT) and fractional‐derivative SRMT (F‐SRMT) models are obtained, and the model parameters are determined from the hyperexponential distribution. Further analyses reveal that the dual‐mode bedload transport behavior is controlled by mass exchange between the mobile and immobile zones, and a dimensionless index η can quantify the intensity of dual‐mode behavior. Applications show that the dual‐mode bedload transport models are much more accurate in characterizing bedload transport in a mixed‐size gravel bed than the traditional exponential‐based model, and the nonlocal movement of bedload sediments is significant in the mixed‐size gravel bed. Further investigations will focus on the applicability test of the dual‐mode models to other flow regimes and conditions.
Comprehensive Radar Mapping of Malaspina Glacier (Sít' Tlein), Alaska—The World's Largest Piedmont Glacier—Reveals Potential for Instability
Authors: Tober B. S. , Holt J. W. , Christoffersen M. S. , Truffer M. , Larsen C. F. , Brinkerhoff D. J. , Mooneyham S. A.
Published: February 2023

Malaspina Glacier, located on the coast of southern Alaska, is the world's largest piedmont glacier. A narrow ice‐cored foreland zone undergoing rapid thermokarst erosion separates the glacier from the relatively warm waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Glacier‐wide thinning rates for Malaspina are greater than 1 m/yr, and previous geophysical investigations indicated that bed elevation exceeds 300 m below sea level in some places. These observations together give rise to the question of glacial stability. To address this question, glacier evolution models are dependent upon detailed observations of Malaspina's subglacial topography. Here, we map 2,000 line‐km of the glacier's bed using airborne radar sounding data collected by NASA's Operation IceBridge. When compared to gridded radar measurements, we find that glaciological models overestimate Malaspina's volume by more than 30%. While we report a mean bed elevation 100 m greater than previous models, we find that Malaspina inhabits a broad basin largely grounded below sea level. Several subglacial channels dissect the glacier's bed: the most prominent of these channels extends at least 35 km up‐glacier from the terminus toward the throat of Seward Glacier. Provided continued foreland erosion, an ice‐ocean connection may promote rapid retreat along these overdeepened subglacial channels, with a global sea‐level rise potential of 1.4 mm.
Can Offshore Meteoric Groundwater Generate Mechanical Instabilities in Passive Continental Margins?
Authors: Micallef Aaron , Person Mark , Gupta Shubhangi , Saadatkhah Nader , Camille Adrien , Gratacós Òscar
Published: February 2023

Offshore meteoric groundwater (OMG) has long been hypothesized to be a driver of seafloor geomorphic processes in continental margins worldwide. Testing this hypothesis has been challenging because of our limited understanding of the distribution and rate of OMG flow and seepage, and their efficacy as erosive/destabilizing agents. Here we carry out numerical simulations of groundwater flow and slope stability using conceptual models and evolving stratigraphy—for passive siliciclastic and carbonate margin cases—to assess whether OMG and its evolution during a late Quaternary glacial cycle can generate the pore pressures required to trigger mechanical instabilities on the seafloor. Conceptual model results show that mechanical instabilities using OMG flow are most likely to occur in the outer shelf to upper slope, at or shortly before the Last Glacial Maximum sea‐level lowstand. Models with evolving stratigraphy show that OMG flow is a key driver of pore pressure development and instability in the carbonate margin case. In the siliciclastic margin case, OMG flow plays a secondary role in preconditioning the slope to failure. The higher degree of spatial/stratigraphic heterogeneity of carbonate margins, lower shear strengths of their sediments, and limited generation of overpressures by sediment loading may explain the higher susceptibility of carbonate margins, in comparison to siliciclastic margins, to mechanical instability by OMG flow. OMG likely played a more significant role in carbonate margin geomorphology (e.g., Bahamas, Maldives) than currently thought.
Radiation, Clouds, and Self‐Aggregation in RCEMIP Simulations
Authors: Pope K. N. , Holloway C. E. , Jones T. R. , Stein T. H. M.
Published: February 2023

The responses of tropical anvil cloud and low‐level cloud to a warming climate are among the largest sources of uncertainty in our estimates of climate sensitivity. However, most research on cloud feedbacks relies on either global climate models with parameterized convection, which do not explicitly represent small‐scale convective processes, or small‐domain models, which cannot directly simulate large‐scale circulations. We investigate how self‐aggregation, the spontaneous clumping of convection in idealized numerical models, depends on cloud‐radiative interactions with different cloud types, sea surface temperatures (SSTs), and stages of aggregation in simulations that form part of RCEMIP (the Radiative‐Convective Equilibrium Model Intercomparison Project). Analysis shows that the presence of anvil cloud, which tends to enhance aggregation when collocated with anomalously moist environments, is reduced in nearly all models when SSTs are increased, leading to a corresponding reduction in the aggregating influence of cloud‐longwave interactions. We also find that cloud‐longwave radiation interactions are stronger in the majority of General Circulation Models (GCMs), typically resulting in faster aggregation compared to Cloud‐system Resolving Models (CRMs). GCMs that have stronger cloud‐longwave interactions tend to aggregate faster, whereas the influence of circulations is the main factor affecting the aggregation rate in CRMs.
Correction of the IRD Influence for Paleo‐Current Flow Speed Reconstructions in Hemipelagic Sediments
Authors: Stevenard N. , Govin A. , Kissel C. , Van Toer A.
Published: February 2023

Reconstructions of past changes in deep‐sea current intensities are needed to understand ocean‐climate interactions in the past. The mean size of the sortable silt fraction (10–63 μm, ) is one of the most used proxies in this domain. However, in polar and subpolar environments under relatively low flow speed conditions, the presence of Ice‐Rafted Detritus (IRD) may alter the record and thus bias the interpretation of paleo‐current strength changes. In this paper, we examine the influence of IRD on the record of three sedimentary cores from the subpolar North Atlantic and the Antarctic margin. The influence of unsorted IRD on records is clearly established. To remove this IRD influence on grain‐size distributions (GSDs), we propose a new method based on End‐Member Analysis approach, and for which a MATLAB script is made available. This method characterizes the GSD of the unsorted IRD input, allowing it to be isolated and discarded, and the current sensitive variability to be robustly identified. The method therefore allows the recalculation of a modified sediment GSD free of unsorted IRD influence and the construction of modified and sortable silt percentage (the % of the 10–63 μm in the total <63 μm fraction) records. The application of the method to the three studied cores shows that (a) the unsorted IRD component is correctly removed from the grain‐size signal and (b) the new record is consistent with the XRF‐based ln(Zr/Rb) grain‐size proxy.
The Relationship Between the Global Mean Deep‐Sea and Surface Temperature During the Early Eocene
Authors: Goudsmit‐Harzevoort Barbara , Lansu Angelique , Baatsen Michiel L. J. , von der Heydt Anna S. , de Winter Niels J. , Zhang Yurui , Abe‐Ouchi Ayako , de Boer Agatha , Chan Wing‐Le , Donnadieu Yannick , Hutchinson David K. , Knorr Gregor , Ladant Jean‐Baptiste , Morozova Polina , Niezgodzki Igor , Steinig Sebastian , Tripati Aradhna , Zhang Zhongshi , Zhu Jiang , Ziegler Martin
Published: February 2023

Estimates of global mean near‐surface air temperature (global SAT) for the Cenozoic era rely largely on paleo‐proxy data of deep‐sea temperature (DST), with the assumption that changes in global SAT covary with changes in the global mean deep‐sea temperature (global DST) and global mean sea‐surface temperature (global SST). We tested the validity of this assumption by analyzing the relationship between global SST, SAT, and DST using 25 different model simulations from the Deep‐Time Model Intercomparison Project simulating the early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) with varying CO2 levels. Similar to the modern situation, we find limited spatial variability in DST, indicating that local DST estimates can be regarded as a first order representative of global DST. In line with previously assumed relationships, linear regression analysis indicates that both global DST and SAT respond stronger to changes in atmospheric CO2 than global SST by a similar factor. Consequently, this model‐based analysis validates the assumption that changes in global DST can be used to estimate changes in global SAT during the early Cenozoic. Paleo‐proxy estimates of global DST, SST, and SAT during EECO show the best fit with model simulations with a 1,680 ppm atmospheric CO2 level. This matches paleo‐proxies of EECO atmospheric CO2, indicating a good fit between models and proxy‐data.
Ants Aren’t Adapting to Warmer Temperatures
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2023

Foraging in hotter-than-desired temperatures could negatively affect ants’ biology and the forest ecosystems that they support.
No signs of neurodegenerative effects in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variant carriers in the UK Biobank
Authors: Boen Rune , Kaufmann Tobias , Frei Oleksandr , van der Meer Dennis , Djurovic Srdjan , Andreassen Ole A. , Selmer Kaja K. , Alnæs Dag , Sønderby Ida E.
Published: February 2023

The 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variant (CNV) is associated with altered brain morphology and risk for atypical development, including increased risk for schizophrenia and learning difficulties for the deletion. However, it is still unclear whether differences in brain morphology are associated with neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative processes. This study derived morphological brain MRI measures in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletion (n = 124) and duplication carriers (n = 142), and matched deletion-controls (n = 496) and duplication-controls (n = 568) from the UK Biobank study to investigate the association with brain morphology and estimates of brain ageing. Further, we examined the ageing trajectory of age-affected measures (i.e., cortical thickness, surface area, subcortical volume, reaction time, hand grip strength, lung function, and blood pressure) in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV carriers compared to non-carriers. In this ageing population, the results from the machine learning models showed that the estimated brain age gaps did not differ between the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV carriers and non-carriers, despite deletion carriers displaying thicker cortex and lower subcortical volume compared to the deletion-controls and duplication carriers, and lower surface area compared to the deletion-controls. Likewise, the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV carriers did not deviate from the ageing trajectory on any of the age-affected measures examined compared to non-carriers. Despite altered brain morphology in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV carriers, the results did not show any clear signs of apparent altered ageing in brain structure, nor in motor, lung or heart function. The results do not indicate neurodegenerative effects in 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 CNV carriers.
Early postnatal defects in neurogenesis in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Liu Yubing , Bilen Maria , McNicoll Marie-Michelle , Harris Richard A. , Fong Bensun C. , Iqbal Mohamed Ariff , Paul Smitha , Mayne Janice , Walker Krystal , Wang Jing , Figeys Daniel , Slack Ruth S.
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia. The hippocampus, which is one of the sites where neural stem cells reside and new neurons are born, exhibits the most significant neuronal loss in AD. A decline in adult neurogenesis has been described in several animal models of AD. However, the age at which this defect first appears remains unknown. To determine at which stage, from birth to adulthood, the neurogenic deficits are found in AD, we used the triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg). We show that defects in neurogenesis are present as early as postnatal stages, well before the onset of any neuropathology or behavioral deficits. We also show that 3xTg mice have significantly fewer neural stem/progenitor cells, with reduced proliferation and decreased numbers of newborn neurons at postnatal stages, consistent with reduced volumes of hippocampal structures. To determine whether there are early changes in the molecular signatures of neural stem/progenitor cells, we perform bulk RNA-seq on cells sorted directly from the hippocampus. We show significant changes in the gene expression profiles at one month of age, including genes of the Notch and Wnt pathways. These findings reveal impairments in neurogenesis very early in the 3xTg AD model, which provides new opportunities for early diagnosis and therapeutic interventions to prevent neurodegeneration in AD.
An open label, non-randomized study assessing a prebiotic fiber intervention in a small cohort of Parkinson’s disease participants
Authors: Hall Deborah A. , Voigt Robin M. , Cantu-Jungles Thaisa M. , Hamaker Bruce , Engen Phillip A. , Shaikh Maliha , Raeisi Shohreh , Green Stefan J. , Naqib Ankur , Forsyth Christopher B. , Chen Tingting , Manfready Richard , Ouyang Bichun , Rasmussen Heather E. , Sedghi Shahriar , Goetz Christopher G. , Keshavarzian Ali
Published: February 2023

A pro-inflammatory intestinal microbiome is characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Prebiotic fibers change the microbiome and this study sought to understand the utility of prebiotic fibers for use in PD patients. The first experiments demonstrate that fermentation of PD patient stool with prebiotic fibers increased the production of beneficial metabolites (short chain fatty acids, SCFA) and changed the microbiota demonstrating the capacity of PD microbiota to respond favorably to prebiotics. Subsequently, an open-label, non-randomized study was conducted in newly diagnosed, non-medicated (n = 10) and treated PD participants (n = 10) wherein the impact of 10 days of prebiotic intervention was evaluated. Outcomes demonstrate that the prebiotic intervention was well tolerated (primary outcome) and safe (secondary outcome) in PD participants and was associated with beneficial biological changes in the microbiota, SCFA, inflammation, and neurofilament light chain. Exploratory analyses indicate effects on clinically relevant outcomes. This proof-of-concept study offers the scientific rationale for placebo-controlled trials using prebiotic fibers in PD patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04512599.
Twin-field quantum key distribution without optical frequency dissemination
Authors: Zhou Lai , Lin Jinping , Jing Yumang , Yuan Zhiliang
Published: February 2023

Twin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) has rapidly risen as the most viable solution to long-distance secure fibre communication thanks to its fundamentally repeater-like rate-loss scaling. However, its implementation complexity, if not successfully addressed, could impede or even prevent its advance into real-world. To satisfy its requirement for twin-field coherence, all present setups adopted essentially a gigantic, resource-inefficient interferometer structure that lacks scalability that mature QKD systems provide with simplex quantum links. Here we introduce a technique that can stabilise an open channel without using a closed interferometer and has general applicability to phase-sensitive quantum communications. Using locally generated frequency combs to establish mutual coherence, we develop a simple and versatile TF-QKD setup that does not need service fibre and can operate over links of 100 km asymmetry. We confirm the setup’s repeater-like behaviour and obtain a finite-size rate of 0.32 bit/s at a distance of 615.6 km.
Conformational changes in the human Cx43/GJA1 gap junction channel visualized using cryo-EM
Authors: Lee Hyuk-Joon , Cha Hyung Jin , Jeong Hyeongseop , Lee Seu-Na , Lee Chang-Won , Kim Minsoo , Yoo Jejoong , Woo Jae-Sung
Published: February 2023

Connexin family proteins assemble into hexameric hemichannels in the cell membrane. The hemichannels dock together between two adjacent membranes to form gap junction intercellular channels (GJIChs). We report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of Cx43 GJICh, revealing the dynamic equilibrium state of various channel conformations in detergents and lipid nanodiscs. We identify three different N-terminal helix conformations of Cx43—gate-covering (GCN), pore-lining (PLN), and flexible intermediate (FIN)—that are randomly distributed in purified GJICh particles. The conformational equilibrium shifts to GCN by cholesteryl hemisuccinates and to PLN by C-terminal truncations and at varying pH. While GJIChs that mainly comprise GCN protomers are occluded by lipids, those containing conformationally heterogeneous protomers show markedly different pore sizes. We observe an α-to-π-helix transition in the first transmembrane helix, which creates a side opening to the membrane in the FIN and PLN conformations. This study provides basic structural information to understand the mechanisms of action and regulation of Cx43 GJICh.
Electrolyte design principles for developing quasi-solid-state rechargeable halide-ion batteries
Authors: Yang Xu , Zhang Bao , Tian Yao , Wang Yao , Fu Zhiqiang , Zhou Dong , Liu Hao , Kang Feiyu , Li Baohua , Wang Chunsheng , Wang Guoxiu
Published: February 2023

Rechargeable halide-ion batteries (HIBs) are good candidates for large-scale due to their appealing energy density, low cost, and dendrite-free features. However, state-of-the-art electrolytes limit the HIBs’ performance and cycle life. Here, via experimental measurements and modelling approach, we demonstrate that the dissolutions in the electrolyte of transition metal and elemental halogen from the positive electrode and discharge products from the negative electrode cause the HIBs failure. To circumvent these issues, we propose the combination of fluorinated low-polarity solvents with a gelation treatment to prevent dissolutions at the interphase, thus, improving the HIBs’ performance. Using this approach, we develop a quasi-solid-state Cl-ion-conducting gel polymer electrolyte. This electrolyte is tested in a single-layer pouch cell configuration with an iron oxychloride-based positive electrode and a lithium metal negative electrode at 25 °C and 125 mA g–1. The pouch delivers an initial discharge capacity of 210 mAh g–1and a discharge capacity retention of almost 80% after 100 cycles. We also report assembly and testing of fluoride-ion and bromide-ion cells using quasi-solid-state halide-ion-conducting gel polymer electrolyte.
Advances in device-independent quantum key distribution
Authors: Zapatero Víctor , van Leent Tim , Arnon-Friedman Rotem , Liu Wen-Zhao , Zhang Qiang , Weinfurter Harald , Curty Marcos
Published: February 2023

Device-independent quantum key distribution (DI-QKD) provides the gold standard for secure key exchange. Not only does it allow for information-theoretic security based on quantum mechanics, but it also relaxes the need to physically model the devices, thereby fundamentally ruling out many quantum hacking threats to which non-DI QKD systems are vulnerable. In practice though, DI-QKD is very challenging. It relies on the loophole-free violation of a Bell inequality, a task that requires high quality entanglement to be distributed between distant parties and close to perfect quantum measurements, which is hardly achievable with current technology. Notwithstanding, recent theoretical and experimental efforts have led to proof-of-principle DI-QKD implementations. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art of DI-QKD by highlighting its main theoretical and experimental achievements, discussing recent proof-of-principle demonstrations, and emphasizing the existing challenges in the field.
A modified apical resection model with high accuracy and reproducibility in neonatal mouse and rat hearts
Authors: Bei Yihua , Chen Chen , Hua Xuejiao , Yin Mingming , Meng Xiangmin , Huang Zhenzhen , Qi Weitong , Su Zhuhua , Liu Chang , Lehmann H. Immo , Li Guoping , Huang Yu , Xiao Junjie
Published: February 2023

Neonatal mouse heart can regenerate after left ventricle (LV) apical resection (AR). Since current AR rodent method is accomplished by resecting LV apex until exposure of LV chamber, it is relatively difficult to operate reproducibly. We aimed to develop a modified AR method with high accuracy and reproducibility and to investigate whether cardiac regenerative capacity could be replicated in neonatal rats. For 15% AR of whole heart weight in 1-day-old (P1) neonatal mice, a modified 10 μL pipette tip cut to 0.48 mm in internal diameter was connected to a vacuum pump working at 0.06 ± 0.005 MPa and gently kept in touch with LV apex for nearly but no more than 12 s. LV apex was resected by a single incision adjacent to the pipette tip. The modified AR method in P1 mice achieved cardiac structural and functional recovery at 21 days post resection (dpr). Data from different operators showed smaller variation of resected LV apex and higher reproducibility using the modified AR method. Furthermore, we showed that 5% AR of whole heart weight in P1 neonatal rats using a modified 200 μL pipette tip cut to 0.63 mm in internal diameter led to complete regeneration of LV apex and full preservation of cardiac function at 42 dpr. In conclusion, the modified AR rodent model leads to accurate resection of LV apex with high homogeneity and reproducibility and it is practically convenient for the study of structural, functional, and molecular mechanisms of cardiac regeneration in both neonatal mice and rats.
Design of a stabilized non-glycosylated Pfs48/45 antigen enables a potent malaria transmission-blocking nanoparticle vaccine
Authors: Dickey Thayne H. , Gupta Richi , McAleese Holly , Ouahes Tarik , Orr-Gonzalez Sachy , Ma Rui , Muratova Olga , Salinas Nichole D. , Hume Jen C. C. , Lambert Lynn E. , Duffy Patrick E. , Tolia Niraj H.
Published: February 2023

A malaria vaccine that blocks parasite transmission from human to mosquito would be a powerful method of disrupting the parasite lifecycle and reducing the incidence of disease in humans. Pfs48/45 is a promising antigen in development as a transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) against the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The third domain of Pfs48/45 (D3) is an established TBV candidate, but production challenges have hampered development. For example, to date, a non-native N-glycan is required to stabilize the domain when produced in eukaryotic systems. Here, we implement a SPEEDesign computational design and in vitro screening pipeline that retains the potent transmission blocking epitope in Pfs48/45 while creating a stabilized non-glycosylated Pfs48/45 D3 antigen with improved characteristics for vaccine manufacture. This antigen can be genetically fused to a self-assembling single-component nanoparticle, resulting in a vaccine that elicits potent transmission-reducing activity in rodents at low doses. The enhanced Pfs48/45 antigen enables many new and powerful approaches to TBV development, and this antigen design method can be broadly applied towards the design of other vaccine antigens and therapeutics without interfering glycans.
Electrostatic boosting of ionic dye pollutant removal from aquatic environment using a single electrode photoreactor
Authors: Lashgari Mohsen , Naseri-Moghanlou Sepideh , Khanahmadlou Tohid , Hempelmann Rolf
Published: February 2023

A green advanced oxidation (AO) strategy to destroy dye pollutants and remove them from aquatic environments is to utilize sunlight and employ thin-film semiconducting photo-reactors. In this light-driving AO method, besides the type of dye and semiconductor material, attention to the electrostatic interactions between dye and electrode is of great importance. In this paper, a couple of nanostructured, narrow-bandgap, semiconducting photoelectrodes, i.e., hematite (n-type) and pyrite (p-type) were fabricated electrochemically and employed for the elimination of two cationic (malachite green) and anionic (methyl orange) dyes inside a single-electrode photoreactor. It was shown that without applying a faradic potential bias and consuming electricity or changing the pH of medium, the decolorization ability of the fabricated photoelectrodes can be substantially boosted just by their connection to an electrostatic (non-faradic) bias source. Regardless of the type of photoelectrode, in the case of cationic dye, the application of a negative polarity and for the anionic dye, a positive polarity remarkably promoted the reactor activity. These observations were discussed in detail through electrostatic attractive/repulsive forces between ionic dyes and charged photoelectrodes, and finally a mechanistic perspective was put forward for the photo-electrostatic dye removal process.
Portable and cost-effective genetic detection and characterization of Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 using the MinION sequencer
Authors: Sabin Susanna , Jones Sophie , Patel Dhruviben , Subramaniam Gireesh , Kelley Julia , Aidoo Michael , Talundzic Eldin
Published: February 2023

The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 (pfhrp2)-deleted parasites threatens the efficacy of the most used and sensitive malaria rapid diagnostic tests and highlights the need for continued surveillance for this gene deletion. While PCR methods are adequate for determining pfhrp2 presence or absence, they offer a limited view of its genetic diversity. Here, we present a portable sequencing method using the MinION. Pfhrp2 amplicons were generated from individual samples, barcoded, and pooled for sequencing. To overcome potential crosstalk between barcodes, we implemented a coverage-based threshold for pfhrp2 deletion confirmation. Amino acid repeat types were then counted and visualized with custom Python scripts following de novo assembly. We evaluated this assay using well-characterized reference strains and 152 field isolates with and without pfhrp2 deletions, of which 38 were also sequenced on the PacBio platform to provide a standard for comparison. Of 152 field samples, 93 surpassed the positivity threshold, and of those samples, 62/93 had a dominant pfhrp2 repeat type. PacBio-sequenced samples with a dominant repeat-type profile from the MinION sequencing data matched the PacBio profile. This field-deployable assay can be used alone for surveilling pfhrp2 diversity or as a sequencing-based addition to the World Health Organization’s existing deletion surveillance protocol.
Dissipative MHD free convective nanofluid flow past a vertical cone under radiative chemical reaction with mass flux
Authors: Ragulkumar E. , Palani G. , Sambath P. , Chamkha Ali J.
Published: February 2023

Recently, Nanoparticles have supplied diverse challenges to several scientific issues. Nanoparticles dispersed in a variety of conventional fluids can change the flow and heat transmission properties of the fluids. The mathematical technique is used in this work to investigate the MHD water-based nanofluid flow via an upright cone. The heat and mass flux pattern is used in this mathematical model to examine MHD, viscous dissipation, radiation, chemical reactions and suction/injection processes. The finite difference approach was used to find the solution to the basic governing equations. A combination of nanofluids comprising nanoparticles including aluminum oxide (Al$$_{2}$$

2

O$$_{3}$$

3

), silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and titanium dioxide (TiO$$_{2}$$

2

) with a volume fraction of nanoparticles (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04), viscous dissipation ($$\epsilon = 0.4, 0.8$$

ϵ
=
0.4
,
0.8

), MHD (M = 0.5, 1.0), radiation (Rd = 0.4, 1.0, 2.0), chemical reaction ($$\lambda = 0.2, 2.0$$

λ
=
0.2
,
2.0

) and heat source/sink ($$\Delta = -3, -2 ,0.5 , 1$$

Δ
=
-
3
,
-
2
,
0.5
,
1

) . The mathematical findings of velocity, temperature, concentration, skin friction, heat transfer rate as well as Sherwood number distributions are analyzed diagrammatically using non-dimensional flow parameters. It has been discovered that by increasing the value of the radiation parameter, velocity and temperature profiles enhance. The production of safe, high-quality products for consumers across the world depends on vertical cone mixers, from food to medicine, household cleansers to personal hygiene products. Every vertical cone mixer type we provide was especially developed to meet the demands of industry. As the mixer warms up on the slanted surface of the cone while vertical cone mixers are being utilized, the effectiveness of the grinding may be felt. The temperature is transferred along the cone’s slant surface as a consequence of the mixture being mixed quickly and repeatedly. This study describes the heat transmission in these events and their parametric properties. The heated cone’s temperature is then convective to its surroundings.
Prediction of stable radon fluoride molecules and geometry optimization using first-principles calculations
Authors: Kang Jaeeun , Park Ina , Shim Ji Hoon , Kim Duck Young , Um Wooyong
Published: February 2023

Noble gases possess extremely low reactivity because their valence shells are closed. However, previous studies have suggested that these gases can form molecules when they combine with other elements with high electron affinity, such as fluorine. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas, and the formation of radon-fluorine molecules is of significant interest owing to its potential application in future technologies that address environmental radioactivity. Nevertheless, because all isotopes of radon are radioactive and the longest radon half-life is only 3.82 days, experiments on radon chemistry have been limited. Here, we study the formation of radon molecules using first-principles calculations; additionally, possible compositions of radon fluorides are predicted using a crystal structure prediction approach. Similar to xenon fluorides, di-, tetra-, and hexafluorides are found to be stabilized. Coupled-cluster calculations reveal that RnF6 stabilizes with Oh point symmetry, unlike XeF6 with C3v symmetry. Moreover, we provide the vibrational spectra of our predicted radon fluorides as a reference. The molecular stability of radon di-, tetra-, and hexafluoride obtained through calculations may lead to advances in radon chemistry.
Higher throughput workflow with sensitive, reliable and automatic quantification of myelination in vitro suitable for drug screening
Authors: Seiler Sybille , Wälti Ciril Marius , de Barros Vanessa , Barbash Shahar , Foo Lynette C.
Published: February 2023

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Immune-mediated myelin and axonal damage that is accompanied by chronic axonal loss causing destruction of the myelin sheaths are hallmarks of MS. While great strides have been made in understanding the molecular underpinnings of re-/myelination, currently no remyelination therapy is available for MS. As myelination is a complex process that is not fully understood, we sought to develop a systematic, reliable, automated and quantitative higher throughput screening method. We aimed to quantitate myelin sheaths in vitro with high sensitivity at the single cell level suitable for testing small compound libraries. To this end, we miniaturised in vitro retinal ganglion cell-oligodendrocyte precursor cell (RGC–OPC) co-cultures into a multi-well plate format. This allowed us to maintain the reciprocal interaction of live axons and oligodendrocytes (OLs) to ensure compact myelin formation. To quantify our co-cultures, we developed a novel computer vision algorithm to precisely measure myelination. We demonstrated efficacy of our system with known pro-differentiating compounds BQ3020 and XAV939 which exhibited robust, efficient, and dose dependent effects on myelination. Through this combination of experimental and technical advances, we have developed a method allowing systematic and reliable testing of remyelinating compound efficacy.
Necrophagy by insects in Oculudentavis and other lizard body fossils preserved in Cretaceous amber
Authors: Solórzano‑Kraemer Mónica M. , Peñalver Enrique , Herbert Mélanie C. M. , Delclòs Xavier , Brown Brian V. , Aung Nyi Nyi , Peretti Adolf M.
Published: February 2023

When a vertebrate carcass begins its decay in terrestrial environments, a succession of different necrophagous arthropod species, mainly insects, are attracted. Trophic aspects of the Mesozoic environments are of great comparative interest, to understand similarities and differences with extant counterparts. Here, we comprehensively study several exceptional Cretaceous amber pieces, in order to determine the early necrophagy by insects (flies in our case) on lizard specimens, ca. 99 Ma old. To obtain well-supported palaeoecological data from our amber assemblages, special attention has been paid in the analysis of the taphonomy, succession (stratigraphy), and content of the different amber layers, originally resin flows. In this respect, we revisited the concept of syninclusion, establishing two categories to make the palaeoecological inferences more accurate: eusyninclusions and parasyninclusions. We observe that resin acted as a “necrophagous trap”. The lack of dipteran larvae and the presence of phorid flies indicates decay was in an early stage when the process was recorded. Similar patterns to those in our Cretaceous cases have been observed in Miocene ambers and actualistic experiments using sticky traps, which also act as “necrophagous traps”; for example, we observed that flies were indicative of the early necrophagous stage, but also ants. In contrast, the absence of ants in our Late Cretaceous cases confirms the rareness of ants during the Cretaceous and suggests that early ants lacked this trophic strategy, possibly related to their sociability and recruitment foraging strategies, which developed later in the dimensions we know them today. This situation potentially made necrophagy by insects less efficient in the Mesozoic.
Quantum algorithms for geologic fracture networks
Authors: Henderson Jessie M. , Podzorova Marianna , Cerezo M. , Golden John K. , Gleyzer Leonard , Viswanathan Hari S. , O’Malley Daniel
Published: February 2023

Solving large systems of equations is a challenge for modeling natural phenomena, such as simulating subsurface flow. To avoid systems that are intractable on current computers, it is often necessary to neglect information at small scales, an approach known as coarse-graining. For many practical applications, such as flow in porous, homogenous materials, coarse-graining offers a sufficiently-accurate approximation of the solution. Unfortunately, fractured systems cannot be accurately coarse-grained, as critical network topology exists at the smallest scales, including topology that can push the network across a percolation threshold. Therefore, new techniques are necessary to accurately model important fracture systems. Quantum algorithms for solving linear systems offer a theoretically-exponential improvement over their classical counterparts, and in this work we introduce two quantum algorithms for fractured flow. The first algorithm, designed for future quantum computers which operate without error, has enormous potential, but we demonstrate that current hardware is too noisy for adequate performance. The second algorithm, designed to be noise resilient, already performs well for problems of small to medium size (order 10–1000 nodes), which we demonstrate experimentally and explain theoretically. We expect further improvements by leveraging quantum error mitigation and preconditioning.
First principles and mean field study on the magnetocaloric effect of YFe3 and HoFe3 compounds
Authors: Abu-Elmagd Mohammed Said Mohammed , Hammad Tarek , Abdel-Kader Ahmed , El-Shamy Nesreen , Yehia Sherif , Aly Samy H. , Mohammad Fatema Z.
Published: February 2023

In this work, the magnetothermal characteristics and magnetocaloric effect in YFe3 and HoFe3 compounds are calculated as function of temperature and magnetic field. These properties were investigated using the two-sublattice mean field model and the first-principles DFT calculation using the WIEN2k code. The two-sublattice model of the mean-field theory was used to calculate the temperature and field-dependences of magnetization, magnetic heat capacity, magnetic entropy, and the isothermal change in entropy ∆Sm. We used the WIEN2k code to determine the elastic constants and, subsequently, the bulk and shear moduli, the Debye temperature, and the density-of-states at Ef. According to the Hill prediction, YFe3 has bulk and shear moduli of roughly 99.3 and 101.2 GPa respectively. The Debye temperature is ≈ 500 K, and the average sound speed is ≈ 4167 m/s. In fields up to 60 kOe and at temperatures up to and above the Curie point for both substances, the trapezoidal method was used to determine ∆Sm. For instance, the highest ∆Sm values for YFe3 and HoFe3 in 30 kOe are approximately 0.8 and 0.12 J/mol. K, respectively. For the Y and Ho systems, respectively, the adiabatic temperature change in a 3 T field decreases at a rate of around 1.3 and 0.4 K/T. The ferro (or ferrimagnetic) to paramagnetic phase change in these two compounds, as indicated by the temperature and field dependences of the magnetothermal and magnetocaloric properties, ∆Sm and ∆Tad, is a second-order phase transition. The Arrott plots and the universal curve for YFe3 were also calculated and their features give an additional support to the second order nature of the phase transition.
Wavelets based physics informed neural networks to solve non-linear differential equations
Authors: Uddin Ziya , Ganga Sai , Asthana Rishi , Ibrahim Wubshet
Published: February 2023

In this study, the applicability of physics informed neural networks using wavelets as an activation function is discussed to solve non-linear differential equations. One of the prominent equations arising in fluid dynamics namely Blasius viscous flow problem is solved. A linear coupled differential equation, a non-linear coupled differential equation, and partial differential equations are also solved in order to demonstrate the method’s versatility. As the neural network’s optimum design is important and is problem-specific, the influence of some of the key factors on the model’s accuracy is also investigated. To confirm the approach’s efficacy, the outcomes of the suggested method were compared with those of the existing approaches. The suggested method was observed to be both efficient and accurate.
Ecological momentary assessment of mind-wandering: meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Kawashima Issaku , Hinuma Tomoko , Tanaka Saori C.
Published: February 2023

Mind-wandering (MW) is a universal human phenomenon and revealing its nature contributes to understanding consciousness. The ecological momentary assessment (EMA), in which subjects report a momentary mental state, is a suitable method to investigate MW in a natural environment. Previous studies employed EMA to study MW and attempted to answer the most fundamental question: How often do we let our minds wander? However, reported MW occupancies vary widely among studies. Further, while some experimental settings may induce bias in MW reports, these designs have not been explored. Therefore, we searched PubMed and Web of Science for articles published until the end of 2020 and systematically reviewed 25 articles, and performed meta-analyses on 17 of them. Our meta-analysis found that people spend 34.504% of daily life in mind-wandering, and meta-regression revealed that using subject smartphones for EMA, frequent sampling, and long experimental duration significantly affect MW reports. This result indicates that EMA using subject smartphones may tend to collect sampling under habitual smartphone use. Furthermore, these results indicate the existence of reactivity, even in MW research. We provide fundamental knowledge of MW and discuss rough standards for EMA settings in future MW studies.
Psychological comorbidities in osteoarthritis in Germany
Authors: Walter Nike , Hinterberger Thilo , Szymski Dominik , Alt Volker , Rupp Markus
Published: February 2023

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease associated with pain, loss of function and reduced quality of life. Concomitant psychological disorders can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to answer the following research questions: (1) How has the incidence of primary coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis developed over the last decade? (2) How high is the prevalence of osteoarthritis patients with concomitant psychological diagnoses? (3) Which psychological comorbidities are most prevalent in coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis patients, respectively? For this cross-sectional study, a dataset provided by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) consisting of annual, Germany-wide ICD-10 diagnosis codes from 2009 to 2019 was analysed. Incidences of the codes “M16.1” and “M17.1”, unilateral primary coxarthrosis and unilateral primary gonarthrosis, were quantified. Prevalence rates of secondary diagnoses of the chapter F of the ICD-10 were determined. Incidences were 230.7/100,000 inhabitants for coxarthrosis and 224.2/100,000 inhabitants for gonarthrosis. Patients with psychological comorbidities constituted 9.0% of coxarthrosis cases and 8.9% of gonarthrosis cases, respectively. Between 2009 through 2019, the proportion of patients with a concomitant “F” diagnoses of the ICD-10 increased by + 37.8% for coxarthrosis and by 17.9% for gonarthrosis. The most prevalent secondary diagnoses were affective disorders (F3), whereby numbers increased over the years. Increasing psychological comorbidities advocate for the implementation of screening tools, prevention strategies, interdisciplinary approaches and psychological support in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Dynamics of working memory process revealed by independent component analysis in an fMRI study
Authors: Fafrowicz Magdalena , Ceglarek Anna , Olszewska Justyna , Sobczak Anna , Bohaterewicz Bartosz , Ostrogorska Monika , Reuter-Lorenz Patricia , Lewandowska Koryna , Sikora-Wachowicz Barbara , Oginska Halszka , Hubalewska-Mazgaj Magdalena , Marek Tadeusz
Published: February 2023

Human memory is prone to errors in many everyday activities but also when cultivating hobbies such as traveling and/or learning a new language. For instance, while visiting foreign countries, people erroneously recall foreign language words that are meaningless to them. Our research simulated such errors in a modified Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm for short-term memory with phonologically related stimuli aimed at uncovering behavioral and neuronal indices of false memory formation with regard to time-of-day, a variable known to influence memory. Fifty-eight participants were tested in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner twice. The results of an Independent Component Analysis revealed encoding-related activity of the medial visual network preceding correct recognition of positive probes and correct rejection of lure probes. The engagement of this network preceding false alarms was not observed. We also explored if diurnal rhythmicity influences working memory processes. Diurnal differences were seen in the default mode network and the medial visual network with lower deactivation in the evening hours. The GLM results showed greater activation of the right lingual gyrus, part of the visual cortex and the left cerebellum in the evening. The study offers new insight into the mechanisms associated with false memories, suggesting that deficient engagement of the medial visual network during the memorization phase of a task results in short-term memory distortions. The results shed new light on the dynamics of working memory processes by taking into account the effect of time-of-day on memory performance.