bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect mechanism of freeze–thaw cycles on browning of “Nanguo” pears peel
Authors: Bai Ge , Cao Xuehui , Zhu Danshi , Li Jianrong
Published: March 2023

Freezing is an effective way to prolong the storage period of “Nanguo” pears, but the pear peel would browning during thawing. The browning mechanism of “Nanguo” pears peel under different freeze–thaw cycles was studied in this paper. The membrane lipid peroxidation products, fatty acid content and related enzyme activities of peel browning during freeze–thaw cycles were determined. The results showed that the browning of ‘Nanguo’ pears peel induced by freeze–thaw cycles might be caused by the increased of lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, the decreased of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the degradation of unsaturated fatty acids. Then destroyed the integrity of cell membrane structure and resulted in the loss of cell partition, thus leading to the browning of “Nanguo” pears peel. This caused polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxide (POD) to came into contact with the phenolic substrate and subsequently oxidized the phenolic to formed a brown polymer, leading to browning.

Practical Applications

During the storage and transportation of frozen fruits and vegetables, freezing–thawing phenomenon occurs frequently due to temperature fluctuation, which affects their frozen quality. Freezing and thawing experiments were used to simulate the storage and transportation process to study the effect mechanism of repeated freezing and thawing on ‘Nanguo’ pears peel browning. The results provided a theoretical basis for maintaining the quality of ‘Nanguo’ pears during storage. And it is beneficial to the industrialized production of frozen pear in northeast China.
Hurdle effect of thermosonication and non‐thermal processing on the quality characteristics of fruit juices: An overview
Authors: Krishnan Kesavan Radha , Begum Sehnaj , Das Puja , Nayak Prakash Kumar
Published: March 2023

Traditional thermal processing technologies are widely used to extend the shelf life of fruit juices. However, its detrimental effect on the nutritional and sensory properties of fruit juices paved the way for alternative food processing technologies. Non‐thermal processing methods can be a substitute for thermal methods because they have no/minimal effect on the nutritive and sensory qualities of fruit juices and improve their storage quality by deactivating enzymes and eliminating microorganisms. In this review article, combined use of thermosonication (TS) with other non‐thermal processing technologies in fruit juice processing has been detailed. Additionally, the impact of TS on the various qualities of fruit juices as well as the TS mechanism have been covered. TS, one of the emerging non‐thermal technologies have been preferred in fruit juice and beverage processing industries over the past few years, due to consumer's preference towards high quality and nutritious food products. When TS is employed in combination with other non‐thermal processing methods, it reduces processing time, improves process efficiency, and reduces power consumption. The content of this review paper might be beneficial for upcoming research and the commercialization of this hurdle‐based approach.

Practical Applications

Generally, fruit juices were treated using thermal methods (e.g., pasteurization) for extending the shelf life by inactivating microbial and enzymatic activities. But it shows negative impact on the nutritional and sensorial attributes of fruit juices. Non‐thermal technologies like, TS has been preferred as an alternative method for the processing of juices due to their less/no effect on the quality parameters of juices. The benefits of TS as compared with thermal treatments include less flavor loss, significant energy savings, and increased homogeneity. TS reduces the processing temperature and time required for pasteurization of juices and it can be used to make high‐quality fruit juices that are additive‐ and preservative‐free. In the review, the effect of TS on fruit juice quality as well as its combined effect with high pressure processing and pulse electric field processing has been summarized. The finding of this review paper might be helpful for the further exploration of these technologies in the large‐scale food industries.
Child circulation in disaster contexts: The case of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
Authors: Kulstad‐González Tess M.
Published: March 2023

This article examines how disasters and epidemics affect childrearing practices. Specifically, it looks at how the 2010 earthquake and cholera epidemic in Haiti affected transnational child circulation practices along the Haiti‐Dominican Republic border. Foster children and orphans were prominent in international humanitarian aid efforts. Our findings from ethnographic research conducted on the Haiti‐Dominican Republic border from 2004–2010 show that decontextualized child‐rescue focused interventions were more detrimental to children and families than the earthquake and epidemic themselves. While well‐intentioned, child‐focused measures increased the vulnerability of thousands of children and their families. They also restricted the pre‐existing transborder movement of children that characterized the area.
Burning mouth disorder and Parkinson's disease: A scoping review of the literature
Authors: O Guru , Balasubramaniam Ramesh , Klasser Gary D.
Published: March 2023

Background

Burning mouth disorder (BMD) is a complex medical condition characterized by a burning sensation in the mouth of fluctuating intensity. BMD is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, as oral burning can occur secondary to local or systemic conditions. Parkinson's disease (PD) is one such condition.

Objective

To provide a scoping review of the literature by assessing all articles written in English that investigated the relationship between BMD and PD.

Materials and Methods

Various databases (PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Science Direct and Scopus) and a search platform (EBSCOhost) were searched following similar investigative approaches. Duplicates were removed and reference lists of original studies were scrutinized for additional articles. Any decision about the inclusion/exclusion in the review was by consensus among the co‐authors.

Results

Twenty‐five original articles and one supplemental article were included in the final review, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. These were further divided into five categories based on the study design/article, which included Prevalence studies (n = 6), Letter to the editor (n = 1), Incidence study (n = 1), Case reports (n = 2) and Experimental studies (n = 3). Strongest data was provided by epidemiological studies, which suggest BMD and PD are poorly associated.

Conclusions

A scoping review of the existing literature does not suggest that PD patients are any more at risk of developing BMD compared to the general population. While there may be a link through the dopaminergic system as determined by imaging studies, it is unlikely that the pathogenesis of PD disease shares significant commonality with BMD.
LINC00173 blocks GATA6‐mediated transcription of COL5A1 to affect malignant development of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Dong Chen , Zhao Yanmei , Yang Song , Jiao Xiaohui
Published: March 2023

Background

Aberrant expression of collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1) has been linked to several forms of human cancers. In this work, we focused on the interaction of the LINC00173/GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6)/COL5A1 axis in the malignant property of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells.

Methods

We analyzed six publicly accessible datasets GSE160042, GSE74530, GSE138206, GSE23558, GSE31853 and GSE146483 to identify aberrantly expressed genes in OSCC. The expression of COL5A1 in OSCC tissues and cell lines was examined by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction and/or immunohistochemistry. The regulatory mechanism responsible for COL5A1 transcription was predicted via bioinformatics systems, and the interactions of LINC00173, GATA6, and COL5A1 were identified by immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays. Overexpression or downregulation of COL5A1, GATA6, and LINC00173 were induced in OSCC cell lines to determine their roles in the malignant phenotype of the OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Results

COL5A1 showed elevated expression in OSCC tissues and cells. The COLA51 knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasiveness, apoptosis resistance, and pro‐angiogenic ability of OSCC cells, and it suppressed the growth and dissemination of xenograft tumors in vivo. GATA6 bound to COL5A1 promoter to activate its transcription, whereas LINC00173 bound to GATA6 to block this transcriptional activation. Overexpression of GATA6 or COL5A1 promoted the malignant phenotype of the OSCC cells, which were blocked upon LINC00173 upregulation.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that LINC00173 blocks GATA6‐mediated transcription of COL5A1 to affect malignant development of OSCC.
Open‐mindedness and ajar‐mindedness in history of philosophy
Authors: Beaney Michael
Published: March 2023

There was once a princess called Sophia,

whose philosophy museum was superior.

But most of the stores

became locked behind doors,

which led to collective amnesia.

Then along came a band of ajar‐minders,

who decided to issue reminders

of the treasures inside

that hadn't yet died,

and opened the doors to all finders.
The Arabidopsis xylosyltransferases, XXT3, XXT4, and XXT5, are essential to complete the fully xylosylated glucan backbone XXXG‐type structure of xyloglucans
Authors: Zhang Ning , Julian Jordan D. , Yap Cheng Ern , Swaminathan Sivakumar , Zabotina Olga A.
Published: March 2023

Although most xyloglucans (XyGs) biosynthesis enzymes have been identified, the molecular mechanism that defines XyG branching patterns is unclear. Four out of five XyG xylosyltransferases (XXT1, XXT2, XXT4, and XXT5) are known to add the xylosyl residue from UDP‐xylose onto a glucan backbone chain; however, the function of XXT3 has yet to be demonstrated.

Single xxt3 and triple xxt3xxt4xxt5 mutant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants were generated using CRISPR‐Cas9 technology to determine the specific function of XXT3.

Combined biochemical, bioinformatic, and morphological data conclusively established for the first time that XXT3, together with XXT4 and XXT5, adds xylosyl residue specifically at the third glucose in the glucan chain to synthesize XXXG‐type XyGs. We propose that the specificity of XXT3, XXT4, and XXT5 is directed toward the prior synthesis of the acceptor substrate by the other two enzymes, XXT1 and XXT2. We also conclude that XXT5 plays a dominant role in the synthesis of XXXG‐type XyGs, while XXT3 and XXT4 complementarily contribute their activities in a tissue‐specific manner.

The newly generated xxt3xxt4xxt5 mutant produces only XXGG‐type XyGs, which further helps to understand the impact of structurally deficient polysaccharides on plant cell wall organization, growth, and development.
Respiratory Function Tolerance of Rats with Vaying Degrees of Thoracic Volume Reduction
Authors: Deng Jiuxu , Chen Xiao‐Kun , Guo Fu‐Zheng , Huang Wei , Zhu Feng‐Xue , Wang Tian‐Bing , Jiang Bao‐Guo
Published: March 2023

Objective

To compare the effects of respiratory function on different degrees of reduced thoracic volume and evaluate the tolerance of rats with reduced thoracic volume, and to assess the feasibility of thoracic volume as a measure of the severity of rib fractures.

Methods

A total of 24 10‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group) according to the displacement degree of bilateral rib fractures (2, 4, 6, and 8 mm). The respiratory function of the rats（Tidal volume, Inspiration time, Expiration time, Breath rate, Minute volume, Peak inspiration flow) measured via whole‐body barometric plethysmography before and after operation for 14 consecutive days. Respiratory function parameters of each group were analyzed. Chest CT scans were performed before and 14 days after operation, after that we reconstructed three‐dimensional of the thoracic and lung and measured their volumes by computer software. We calculated the percentage of thoracic and lung volume reduction after operation.

Results

At the 14th day after the operation, the decline of thoracic volume rates of in the 2, 4, 6, and 8 mm groups were 5.20%, 9.01%, 16.67%, and 20.74%, respectively. The 8 mm group showed a significant reduction in lung volume. The postoperative tidal volumes were lower in each of the groups than the baseline values before the operation. The tidal volume of the 2 mm group gradually recovered after the operation and returned to a normal level (1.54 ± 0.07 mL) at 14th day after the operation. The tidal volume of the 4, 6, and 8 mm groups recovered gradually after the operation, but did not return to baseline level at the 14th day. In particular, the tidal volume of the 8 mm group was significantly lower than that of the other groups during the 14 days (1.23 ± 0.12 mL, p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the inspiratory and expiratory times, peak inspiratory and expiratory flows, respiratory rate, and minute ventilation during the 14 days after the operation in each group.

Conclusions

Displaced rib fractures lead to thoracic collapse and reduced thoracic volume, which can affect tidal volume in rats. The greater the decrease of thoracic volume, the more obvious the decrease of early tidal volume. The thoracic volume can be used as an objective parameter to evaluate the severity of multiple rib fractures. Early operation to restore thoracic volume may improve early respiratory function. Decreased thoracic volume affected respiratory function and can be compensated and recovered in the long term.
A subset of highly responsive transcription factors upon tomato infection by pepino mosaic virus
Authors: Tsitsekian D. , Daras G. , Templalexis D. , Avgeri F. , Lotos L. , Orfanidou C. G. , Ntoukakis V. , Maliogka V. I. , Rigas S.
Published: March 2023

Plants have evolved well‐tuned surveillance systems, including complex defence mechanisms, to constrain pathogens. TFs are master regulators of host molecular responses against plant pathogens. While PepMV constitutes a major threat to the global tomato production, there is still a lack of information on the key TFs that regulate host responses to this virus.

A combinatorial research approach was applied relying on tomato transcriptome analysis, RT‐qPCR validation, phylogenetic classification, comparative analysis of structural features, cis‐regulatory element mining and in silico co‐expression analysis to identify a set of 11 highly responsive TFs involved in the regulation of host responses to PepMV.

An endemic PepMV isolate, generating typical mosaic symptoms, modified expression of ca. 3.3% of tomato genes, resulting in 1,120 DEGs. Functional classification of 502 upregulated DEGs revealed that photosynthesis, carbon fixation and gene silencing were widely affected, whereas 618 downregulated genes had an impact mainly on plant defence and carotenoid biosynthesis. Strikingly, all 11 highly responsive TFs carried abiotic stress response cis‐regulatory elements, whereas five of them were better aligned with rice than with Arabidopsis gene homologues, suggesting that plant responses against viruses may predate divergence into monocots and dicots. Interestingly, tomato C2H2 family TFs, ZAT1‐like and ZF2, may have distinct roles in plant defence due to opposite response patterns, similar to their Arabidopsis ZAT10 and ZAT12 homologues.

These highly responsive TFs provide a basis to study in‐depth molecular responses of the tomato–PepMV pathosystem, providing a perspective to better comprehend viral infections.
Association of revision of Money Lending Business Act and suicide rate in Japan: An interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Fukuya Yoshifumi , Nawa Nobutoshi , Morita Ayako , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: March 2023

Objective

Debt problems are associated with suicide. In Japan, the Money Lending Business (MLB) Act was revised in December 2006 and fully enforced in June 2010 to reduce multiple debt problems. This study aimed to examine the association between the full enforcement of the revised act and suicide rates.

Methods

An interrupted time series analysis was used to the national registry data of death records between January 2000 and December 2016. Stratified analysis was conducted to assess the differences between gender and age groups.

Results

The effects of the full enforcement on the suicide rate were the greatest among men aged 40–64 years; after the enforcement, there was a significant decrease of −0.3085 per 100,000 persons in the level of the suicide rate (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.529 to −0.0881) and −0.0165 per 100,000 persons (95% CI −0.0215 to −0.0115) in the trend. Among women aged 40–64 and ≥65 years, an increase in the level of the suicide rate was observed after the enforcement.

Conclusions

The full enforcement of the revised MLB Act was associated with decreased suicide rates, particularly among middle‐aged men. Policy interventions for addressing debt problems may have the potential to prevent suicide.
A portmanteau test for the iid hypothesis
Authors: Bórquez Ricardo
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we introduce a new portmanteau test for the iid hypothesis, where the elements of the sample are allowed to take values in a general space (e.g., a function space). We study the finite sample properties of our test, evaluating its performance in terms of empirical size and power. In particular, we compare the empirical power of our test with the power of other tests in the literature designed to work in a specific data setting, as the one‐way analysis of variance test used in experimental data analysis and three portmanteau tests used in time series analysis. In every case, we found conditions where our test outperformed in power to the competing test. Finally, to illustrate the usefulness of our test, we implement it on two real‐world applications based on function‐valued data.
Iris angiography in ADAMTS10 mutant dogs with open‐angle glaucoma (ADAMTS10‐OAG)
Authors: Pytak Richard A. , Pirie Christopher G. , Harman Christine D. , Anderson Amanda L. , Yao Shay Xuejing , Komáromy András M.
Published: March 2023

Objective

To evaluate anterior segment angiographic findings in hypertensive ADAMTS10‐open‐angle glaucoma (ADAMTS10‐OAG) eyes as compared to normotensive control eyes.

Animals Studied

Nine ADAMTS10‐OAG beagles and four wild‐type control dogs.

Procedures

Anterior segment angiography was performed under general anesthesia following intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG; 1 mg/kg) and sodium fluorescein (SF; 20 mg/kg) using a Heidelberg Spectralis® confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Time to onset of iridal angiographic phases and the presence/severity of dye leakage into the iris stromal and/or aqueous humor were recorded. Group findings were compared, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify potential factor associations with disease status.

Results

Time to onset of all angiographic phases visualized using ICG was significantly prolonged while time to onset of SF leakage into the aqueous humor was significantly reduced in glaucomatous eyes compared to controls. Only glaucomatous eyes (n = 9) demonstrated evidence of SF stromal leakage. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and age were significantly higher, while mean cardiac pulse was significantly lower in glaucomatous eyes compared to controls. Blood pressure and ocular perfusion pressure were not significantly different between groups. Multiple linear regression analysis, controlling for age, IOP, and pulse demonstrated glaucoma, was not predictive of the time to onset of any angiographic phase, stromal, or aqueous humor leakage. However, pulse was a significant factor contributing to the severity of aqueous humor leakage.

Conclusions

A compromised vascular supply to the anterior segment exists in dogs with ADAMTS10‐OAG. These observations warrant further exploration of what role altered perfusion and/or disruption to the blood–aqueous barrier may play.
Isolations of geodesic planes in the frame bundle of a hyperbolic 3-manifold
Authors: Mohammadi Amir , Oh Hee
Published: March 2023

We present a quantitative isolation property of the lifts of properly immersed geodesic planes in the frame bundle of a geometrically finite hyperbolic$3$-manifold. Our estimates are polynomials in the tight areas and Bowen–Margulis–Sullivan densities of geodesic planes, with degree given by the modified critical exponents.
The effect of 4 weeks of high‐intensity interval training and 2 weeks of detraining on cardiovascular disease risk factors in male adolescents
Authors: Kranen Sascha H. , Oliveira Ricardo S. , Bond Bert , Williams Craig A. , Barker Alan R.
Published: March 2023

High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) represents an effective method to improve cardiometabolic health in adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of HIIT followed by 2 weeks of detraining on vascular function and traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adolescent boys. Nineteen male adolescents (13.3 ± 0.5 years) were randomly allocated to either a training (TRAIN, n = 10) or control (CON, n = 9) group. Participants in TRAIN completed 4 weeks of HIIT running with three sessions per week. Macro‐ (flow‐mediated dilatation, FMD) and microvascular (peak reactive hyperaemia, PRH) function, body composition (fat mass, fat free mass, body fat percentage) and blood biomarkers (glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high‐ and low‐density lipoprotein, triacylglycerol) were assessed pre‐, 48 h post‐ and 2 weeks post‐training for TRAIN and at equivalent time points for CON. Following training, FMD was significantly greater in TRAIN compared to CON (9.88 ± 2.40% and 8.64 ± 2.70%, respectively; P = 0.036) but this difference was lost 2 weeks after training cessation (8.22 ± 2.47% and 8.61 ± 1.99%, respectively; P = 0.062). No differences were detected between groups for PRH (P = 0.821), body composition (all P > 0.14) or blood biomarkers (all P > 0.18). In conclusion, 4 weeks of HIIT improved macrovascular function; however, this training period did not measurably change microvascular function, body composition or blood biomarkers. The reversal of the FMD improvement 2 weeks post‐training highlights the importance of the continuation of regular exercise for the primary prevention of CVD.
Field emitter electrostatics: Efficient improved simulation technique for highly precise calculation of field enhancement factors
Authors: Dall’Agnol Fernando F. , de Assis Thiago A. , Forbes Richard G.
Published: March 2023

When solving the Laplace equation numerically via computer simulation, in order to determine the field values at the surface of a shape model that represents a field emitter, it is necessary to define a simulation box and, within this, a simulation domain. This domain must not be so small that the box boundaries have an undesirable influence on the predicted field values. A recent paper discussed the situation of cylindrically symmetric emitter models that stand on one of a pair of well-separated parallel plates. This geometry can be simulated by using two-dimensional domains. For a cylindrical simulation box, formulas have previously been presented that define the minimum domain dimensions (MDD) (height and radius) needed to evaluate the apex value of the field enhancement factor for this type of model, with an error-magnitude never larger than a “tolerance” εtol. This MDD criterion helps to avoid inadvertent errors and oversized domains. The present article discusses (in greater depth than previously) a significant improvement in the MDD method; this improvement has been called the MDD extrapolation technique (MDDET). By carrying out two simulations with relatively small MDD values, it is possible to achieve a level of precision comparable with the results of carrying out a single simulation using a much larger simulation domain. For some simulations, this could result in significant savings of memory requirements and computing time. Following a brief restatement of the original MDD method, the MDDET method is illustrated by applying it to the hemiellipsoid-on-plane and hemisphere-on-cylindrical-post emitter shape models.
A modified convolution model for calculating the far field directivity of a parametric array loudspeaker
Authors: Zhong Jiaxin , Zou Haishan , Lu Jing , Zhang Dong
Published: March 2023

The far field directivity is a straightforward indicator to describe the radiation pattern of the audio sound generated by a parametric array loudspeaker (pal), but its accurate and computationally efficient prediction is still challenging at present. This paper derives two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and 3D axisymmetric convolution models for calculating the far field directivity based on the quasilinear solution of Westervelt equation. The obtained expressions are expressed as linear and spherical convolutions of the ultrasound directivity and Westervelt directivity for 2D and 3D models, respectively. To improve prediction accuracy, the obtained expression is multiplied by an effective directivity resulted from the aperture factor of audio sound. The calculated directivities are compared against the exact solution obtained using the cylindrical and spherical wave expansions for 2D and 3D models, respectively. Numerical results with piston, apodized, and steerable profiles in both 2D and 3D models show that the proposed modified convolution model agrees well with the exact solution. It is also found that sidelobes appear in the audio sound directivity at large aperture sizes and high audio frequencies due to the aperture factor of audio sound, which can be predicted with the proposed method with a relatively low computational expenditure.
Diversification of the ruminant skull along an evolutionary line of least resistance
Authors: Rhoda Daniel P. , Haber Annat , Angielczyk Kenneth D.
Published: March 2023

Clarifying how microevolutionary processes scale to macroevolutionary patterns is a fundamental goal in evolutionary biology, but these analyses, requiring comparative datasets of population-level variation, are limited. By analyzing a previously published dataset of 2859 ruminant crania, we find that variation within and between ruminant species is biased by a highly conserved mammalian-wide allometric pattern, CREA (craniofacial evolutionary allometry), where larger species have proportionally longer faces. Species with higher morphological integration and species more biased toward CREA have diverged farther from their ancestors, and Ruminantia as a clade diversified farther than expected in the direction of CREA. Our analyses indicate that CREA acts as an evolutionary “line of least resistance” and facilitates morphological diversification due to its alignment with the browser-grazer continuum. Together, our results demonstrate that constraints at the population level can produce highly directional patterns of phenotypic evolution at the macroevolutionary scale. Further research is needed to explore how CREA has been exploited in other mammalian clades.
Shear shock waves mediate haptic holography via focused ultrasound
Authors: Reardon Gregory , Dandu Bharat , Shao Yitian , Visell Yon
Published: March 2023

Emerging holographic haptic interfaces focus ultrasound in air to enable their users to touch, feel, and manipulate three-dimensional virtual objects. However, current holographic haptic systems furnish tactile sensations that are diffuse and faint, with apparent spatial resolutions that are far coarser than would be theoretically predicted from acoustic focusing. Here, we show how the effective spatial resolution and dynamic range of holographic haptic displays are determined by ultrasound-driven elastic wave transport in soft tissues. Using time-resolved optical imaging and numerical simulations, we show that ultrasound-based holographic displays excite shear shock wave patterns in the skin. The spatial dimensions of these wave patterns can exceed nominal focal dimensions by more than an order of magnitude. Analyses of data from behavioral and vibrometry experiments indicate that shock formation diminishes perceptual acuity. For holographic haptic displays to attain their potential, techniques for circumventing shock wave artifacts, or for exploiting these phenomena, are needed.
Multidecadal trend of increasing iron stress in Southern Ocean phytoplankton
Authors: Ryan-Keogh Thomas J. , Thomalla Sandy J. , Monteiro Pedro M. S. , Tagliabue Alessandro
Published: March 2023

Southern Ocean primary productivity is principally controlled by adjustments in light and iron limitation, but the spatial and temporal determinants of iron availability, accessibility, and demand are poorly constrained, which hinders accurate long-term projections. We present a multidecadal record of phytoplankton photophysiology between 1996 and 2022 from historical in situ datasets collected by Biogeochemical Argo (BGC-Argo) floats and ship-based platforms. We find a significant multidecadal trend in irradiance-normalized nonphotochemical quenching due to increasing iron stress, with concomitant declines in regional net primary production. The observed trend of increasing iron stress results from changing Southern Ocean mixed-layer physics as well as complex biological and chemical feedback that is indicative of important ongoing changes to the Southern Ocean carbon cycle.
Low-temperature upcycling of polyolefins into liquid alkanes via tandem cracking-alkylation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kim Sungmin , Wahl Lennart , Khare Rachit , Hale Lillian , Hu Jianzhi , Camaioni Donald M. , Gutiérrez Oliver Y. , Liu Yue , Lercher Johannes A.
Published: March 2023

Selective upcycling of polyolefin waste has been hampered by the relatively high temperatures that are required to cleave the carbon-carbon (C–C) bonds at reasonably high rates. We present a distinctive approach that uses a highly ionic reaction environment to increase the polymer reactivity and lower the energy of ionic transition states. Combining endothermic cleavage of the polymer C–C bonds with exothermic alkylation reactions of the cracking products enables full conversion of polyethylene and polypropylene to liquid isoalkanes (C
6
to C
10
) at temperatures below 100°C. Both reactions are catalyzed by a Lewis acidic species that is generated in a chloroaluminate ionic liquid. The alkylate product forms a separate phase and is easily separated from the reactant catalyst mixture. The process can convert unprocessed postconsumer items to high-quality liquid alkanes with high yields.
Will war in Ukraine escalate the global land rush?
Authors: Dell’Angelo Jampel , Rulli Maria Cristina , D’Odorico Paolo
Published: March 2023

Land grabbing typically leads to social and environmental harms
Stem cells hint at how bats live with viruses
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: March 2023

Research team hits on formula to create stem cells from tissue of adult bats
Soluble CTLA-4 mutants ameliorate immune-related adverse events but preserve efficacy of CTLA-4– and PD-1–targeted immunotherapy
Authors: Liu Mingyue , Wang Xu , Du Xuexiang , Wu Wei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Peng , Ai Chunxia , Devenport Martin , Su Juanjuan , Muthana Musleh M. , Su Lishan , Liu Yang , Zheng Pan
Published: March 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, not only elicit antitumor responses in a wide range of human cancers but also cause severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including death. A largely unmet medical need is to treat irAEs without abrogating the immunotherapeutic effect of ICIs. Although abatacept has been used to treat irAEs, it risks neutralizing the anti–cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibodies administered for cancer therapy, thereby reducing the efficacy of anti–CTLA-4 immunotherapy. To avoid this caveat, we compared wild-type abatacept and mutants of CTLA-4–Ig for their binding to clinically approved anti–CTLA-4 antibodies and for their effect on both irAEs and immunotherapy conferred by anti–CTLA-4 and anti–PD-1 antibodies. Here, we report that whereas abatacept neutralized the therapeutic effect of anti–CTLA-4 antibodies, the mutants that bound to B7-1 and B7-2, but not to clinical anti-CTLA-4 antibodies, including clinically used belatacept, abrogated irAEs without affecting cancer immunotherapy. Our data demonstrate that anti–CTLA-4–induced irAEs can be corrected by provision of soluble CTLA-4 variants and that the clinically available belatacept may emerge as a broadly applicable drug to abrogate irAEs while preserving the therapeutic efficacy of CTLA-4–targeting ICIs.
Divergent TLR2 and TLR4 Activation by Fungal Spores and Species Diversity in Dust from Waste Sorting Plants
Authors: Afanou Anani K. , Mundra Sunil , Fjeld Estensmo Eva Lena , Pedersen Ine , Liland Jens Rasmus , Eriksen Elke , Graff Pål , Trulssen Hildre Tonje , Nordby Karl-Christian , Straumfors Anne
Published: March 2023

This manuscript presents results on multifactorial characterization of bioaerosol exposure in Norwegian waste sorting plants and the potential of such airborne dust to induce NF-κB reactions through TLR2 and TLR4 activations in an
in vitro
reporter cell model system. Our data revealed that increasing fungal spore levels in the dust is associated with increased activation of TLR2 and TLR4, whereas increasing fungal OTU richness is associated with decreasing activation of these receptors.
Intestinal Tropism of a Betacoronavirus (
Merbecovirus
) in Nathusius’s Pipistrelle Bat (
Pipistrellus nathusii
), Its Natural Host
Authors: Mols Vera C. , Lamers Mart M. , Leijten Lonneke ME. , Breugem Tim I. , van de Bildt Marco WG. , van den Doel Petra B. , Lina Peter HC. , Koopmans Marion PG. , Haagmans Bart L. , Kuiken Thijs , Begeman Lineke
Published: March 2023

Virtually all mammal species circulate coronaviruses. Most of these viruses will infect one host species; however, coronaviruses are known to include species that can infect multiple hosts, for example the well-known virus that caused a pandemic, SARS-CoV-2.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Polynucleobacter
sp. Subcluster PnecA Strains SHI2 and SHI8, Isolated from an Oligotrophic-Dystrophic Lake in Japan
Authors: Ogata Yusuke , Watanabe Keiji , Takemine Shusuke , Kaida Kaoru , Tanokura Maki , Suda Wataru
Published: March 2023

Members of the genus
Polynucleobacter
belonging to the subcluster PnecA comprise freshwater bacterioplankton with worldwide distribution. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two
Polynucleobacter
sp. strains (PnecA), SHI2 and SHI8, isolated from the surface water of an oligotrophic-dystrophic lake in a humid continental climate in Japan.
Genomic Analysis Revealed the International and Domestic Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
in Chinese Pediatric Patients
Authors: Jiang Muxiu , Li Heng , Liu Xiao , Shen Nan , Zhou Yuanjie , Song Wenting , Wang Xing , Cao Qing , Zhou Zhemin
Published: March 2023

Carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(CRKP) infection in pediatric patients differs from that in adults patients in terms of both genetic and phenotypic features, which remain to be elucidated. We present a summary of prevalent CRKP isolates from Chinese pediatric patients over 8 years, demonstrating the prevalence and clinical importance of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase genes in pediatric patients, mainly describing the genomic features of two predominant CRKP clones (ST11 and ST14) in Chinese children, and identifying four carbapenemase-encoding plasmids that contribute to the transmission of most carbapenemase genes in hospitals.
Geology of a Large Intact Extensional Oceanic Arc Crustal Section with Superior Exposures: Cretaceous Alisitos Arc, Baja California (Mexico)
Authors: Busby Cathy J. , Morris Rebecca A. , DeBari Susan M. , Medynski Sarah , Putirka Keith , Andrews Graham D.M. , Schmitt Axel K. , Brown Sarah R.
Published: March 2023

The Rosario segment of the Cretaceous Alisitos arc (Baja California, Mexico) is arguably the best-exposed structurally intact and unmetamorphosed oceanic arc crustal section on Earth. The gently tilted, 50-km-long section exposes the transition from upper-crustal volcanic rocks to mid-crustal plutonic rocks, formed in an extensional environment. This book presents a detailed geologic map, based on an exhaustive data set including geochemistry, geochronology, and annotated outcrop photos and photomicrographs. Subsegments within the Rosario segment include a subaerial edifice, a volcano-bounded basin, and a fault-bounded basin, each underpinned by separate plutons. The entire data set is integrated across these subsegments in a time slice reconstruction of arc evolution and the relationships between plutonism and volcanism. The data set provides constraints on the evolution of silicic calderas and tectonic triggers for caldera collapse, caldera resurgence by emplacement of sill complexes and by incremental growth of plutons, and comparison with velocity profiles in modern arcs.
No free lunch: estimating the biomass and ex-vessel value of target catch lost to depredation by odontocetes in the Hawai‘i longline tuna fishery
Authors: Fader Joseph E. , Marchetti Jamie A. , Schick Robert S. , Read Andrew J.
Published: March 2023

Depredation by marine predators causes economic losses and impacts depredating species and fish stocks. To understand these impacts, it is important to accurately estimate catch losses from depredation. Pelagic longline fisheries are susceptible to depredation, and depredation is difficult to quantify, because gear is suspended in the water column away from the vessel for extended periods. In the present study, we used fisheries data and a novel modeling approach to estimate catch removal by odontocetes in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. We estimated annual biomass and economic value lost to depredation of three of the most commonly landed species as approximately 100 t and 1 million USD, respectively, during 2012–2018. The median cost on sets when depredation occurred was $600 USD, with the worst 10% of sets experiencing losses exceeding $2300 USD. We also identified broad-scale spatiotemporal patterns and hotspots of depredation across the range of the fishery. Our findings quantify the ecological and economic implications of this interaction, and our methods can be applied in similar fisheries elsewhere to assess the impacts of depredation.
On isotropic Berwald scalar curvature
Authors: Li Ming
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we establish a closer relation between the Berwald scalar curvature and the [Formula: see text]-curvature. In fact, we prove that a Finsler metric has isotropic Berwald scalar curvature if and only if it has weakly isotropic [Formula: see text]-curvature. For Finsler metrics of scalar flag curvature and of weakly isotropic [Formula: see text]-curvature, they have almost isotropic [Formula: see text]-curvature if and only if the flag curvature is weakly isotropic.
Rational CR maps
Authors: D’Angelo John P.
Published: March 2023

Given a (vector-valued) polynomial numerator, we determine explicit formulas for the denominator of a rational sphere map when the denominator is of degree at most [Formula: see text] and indicate how to obtain them in general.
Sobolev inequality and isoperimetric inequality for submanifolds in a smooth metric measure space
Authors: Ho Pak Tung , Pyo Juncheol
Published: March 2023

Brendle recently proved a sharp Sobolev inequality and logarithmic Sobolev inequality for submanifolds in Euclidean space. From the sharp Sobolev inequality, he achieved a breakthrough in the conjecture of isoperimetric inequality for minimal submanifolds. In this paper, we extend Brendle’s results to submanifolds in a smooth metric measure space. As an application, we prove some new isoperimetric-type inequalities in some smooth metric measure spaces. For example, we obtain a new isoperimetric-type inequality for self-expander.
Scene Text Detection Based on Multi-Dimensional Feature Fusion with Instance-Wise Loss
Authors: Wu Qin , Zhu Peiwen , Guo Guodong
Published: March 2023

Over the past few years, scene text detection has witnessed rapid progress due to the development of deep neural networks. However, segmentation-based methods may fail to detect pixels near boundary well, and scale variations of text instances may lead to small text missing. To tackle these problems, we propose a novel segmentation-based detector for scene text detection, which can improve the quality of the detected texts. Specifically, a Multi-dimensional Feature Fusion module is used to extract structural and spatial text features from the perspective of height, width and channel, which helps to improve the representation ability of the network. In order to obtain more accurate boundaries of the detected text instances, a Boundary Refinement Branch is introduced to strengthen the supervision for pixels adjacent to boundary. Meanwhile, we propose an Instance-wise Loss to deal with text instances of different scales. Extensive ablation studies validate the effectiveness of these proposed modules. Experiments on several benchmark datasets show that our method achieves better results compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
Computational analysis of the effect of flow parameters on friction factor and thermal performance of an artificially broken arc rib solar air heater
Authors: Dwivedi Akash , Khan Mohammad Mohsin , Dey Abhijit , Hajam Mohammad Irfan
Published: March 2023

The use of solar air heaters (SAH), which convert solar energy into heat energy, is one of the most efficient methods currently available for capturing the energy of the sun. However, because SAH have lower thermal efficiency, researchers have been concentrating on developing methods to modify the flow field to artificially boost thermal performance. In this work, a numerical investigation that focuses on a SAH that has been deliberately roughened using broken arc ribs is presented. This numerical analysis aims to determine the impact of incorporating broken arc ribs compared to smooth ones and how various roughness factors affect the friction factor and Nusselt number (Nu). The RNG k-[Formula: see text] turbulence model was used for the simulation. To solve the continuity, momentum, and energy equations, version R19.2 of Ansys FLUENT software was used. The results of the CFD study show that the average Nusselt number increases if there is a greater relative roughness pitch, and it achieves its highest value once relative roughness pitch ([Formula: see text]. The friction factor, on the other side, decreases as the Reynolds number (Re) increases, reaching its lowest value when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Maximum value of the thermohydraulic performance factor is observed to be 1.92 when applied to the geometry that corresponds to relative roughness height ([Formula: see text], ([Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text].
A novel approach for prediction of transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional random fiber composites
Authors: Srivalli G. , Sangeetha Y. , Rao B. Raghava , Murthy V. Balakrishna
Published: March 2023

In fiber-reinforced composites, fibers are randomly positioned during the manufacturing process. Most of the theoretical studies assume regular arrangement of fibers in matrix that permits the use of representative volume element (RVE) for prediction of mechanical properties. Theoretical methods established in the literature for random fiber composites are complex and approximate. A simple approach is established in this work to accurately predict the transverse thermal conductivity of unidirectional random fiber-reinforced composites using the principle of electrical analogy (EA). In this study, circular fiber is transformed into an equivalent square fiber that facilitates the application of EA, and predicted the transverse thermal conductivity of random fiber composites. The conductivity of equivalent square fiber is evaluated by back-track approach using an equivalent thermal system. Python code is developed to generate the random location of fibers in the composite. The results obtained in this way are verified and found to be in good agreement with benchmark results over a wide range of fiber composites with varying conductivity ratios, fiber volume fraction, and randomness.
The Book Review Column
Authors: Tran Nicholas
Published: March 2023

I thank my predecessors Fred Green (2015-2022) and Bill Gasarch (1997-2015) for their kind support and assistance in getting me prepared for this new role. I hope to continue and build on their work to make these pages a home for book lovers of the TCS community.
Epigenetic Regulation During Plant Development and the Capacity for Epigenetic Memory
Authors: Hemenway Elizabeth A. , Gehring Mary
Published: March 2023

The establishment, maintenance, and removal of epigenetic modifications provide an additional layer of regulation, beyond genetically encoded factors, by which plants can control developmental processes and adapt to the environment. Epigenetic inheritance, while historically referring to information not encoded in the DNA sequence that is inherited between generations, can also refer to epigenetic modifications that are maintained within an individual but are reset between generations. Both types of epigenetic inheritance occur in plants, and the functions and mechanisms distinguishing the two are of great interest to the field. Here, we discuss examples of epigenetic dynamics and maintenance during selected stages of growth and development and their functional consequences. Epigenetic states are also dynamic in response to stress, with consequences for transposable element regulation. How epigenetic resetting between generations occurs during normal development and in response to stress is an emerging area of research.
New Horizons in Plant Photoperiodism
Authors: Gendron Joshua M. , Staiger Dorothee
Published: March 2023

Photoperiod-measuring mechanisms allow organisms to anticipate seasonal changes to align reproduction and growth with appropriate times of the year. This review provides historical and modern context to studies of plant photoperiodism. We describe how studies of photoperiodic flowering in plants led to the first theoretical models of photoperiod-measuring mechanisms in any organism. We discuss how more recent molecular genetic studies in Arabidopsis and rice have revisited these concepts. We then discuss how photoperiod transcriptomics provides new lessons about photoperiodic gene regulatory networks and the discovery of noncanonical photoperiod-measuring systems housed in metabolic networks of plants. This leads to an examination of nonflowering developmental processes controlled by photoperiod, including metabolism and growth. Finally, we highlight the importance of understanding photoperiodism in the context of climate change, delving into the rapid latitudinal migration of plant species and the potential role of photoperiod-measuring systems in generating photic barriers during migration.
The Game of Timing: Circadian Rhythms Intersect with Changing Environments
Authors: Laosuntisuk Kanjana , Elorriaga Estefania , Doherty Colleen J.
Published: March 2023

Recurring patterns are an integral part of life on Earth. Through evolution or breeding, plants have acquired systems that coordinate with the cyclic patterns driven by Earth's movement through space. The biosystem responses to these physical rhythms result in biological cycles of daily and seasonal activity that feed back into the physical cycles. Signaling networks to coordinate growth and molecular activities with these persistent cycles have been integrated into plant biochemistry. The plant circadian clock is the coordinator of this complex, multiscale, temporal schedule. However, we have detailed knowledge of the circadian clock components and functions in only a few species under controlled conditions. We are just beginning to understand how the clock functions in real-world conditions. This review examines what we know about the circadian clock in diverse plant species, the challenges with extrapolating data from controlled environments, and the need to anticipate how plants will respond to climate change.