bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Less‐invasive autopsy for early pregnancy loss
Authors: Simcock Ian C. , Lamouroux Audrey , Sebire Neil J. , Shelmerdine Susan C. , Arthurs Owen J.
Published: May 2023

Autopsy investigations provide valuable information regarding fetal death that can assist in the parental bereavement process, and influence future pregnancies, but conventional autopsy is often declined by parents because of its invasive approach. This has led to the development of less‐invasive autopsy investigations based on imaging technology to provide a more accessible and acceptable choice for parents when investigating their loss. Whilst the development and use of more conventional clinical imaging techniques (radiographs, CT, MRI, US) are well described in the literature for fetuses over 20 weeks of gestational age, these investigations have limited diagnostic accuracy in imaging smaller fetuses. Techniques such as ultra‐high‐field MRI (>3T) and micro‐focus computed tomography have been shown to have higher diagnostic accuracy whilst still being acceptable to parents. By further developing and increasing the availability of these more innovative imaging techniques, parents will be provided with a greater choice of acceptable options to investigate their loss, which may in turn increase their uptake. We provide a narrative review focussing on the development of high‐resolution, non‐invasive imaging techniques to evaluate early gestational pregnancy loss.
Mit B‐Mesonen auf der Suche nach neuer Physik
Authors: Seuthe Alex , Albrecht Johannes
Published: May 2023

Zurzeit ist die Flavour‐Physik mit der Untersuchung von Zerfällen von B‐Mesonen ein interessanter Bereich der experimentellen Teilchenphysik, da sie wichtige Tests des Standardmodells ermöglicht. Das kürzlich überarbeitete LHCb‐Experiment wurde neu gestartet und soll eine bisher unerreichte Präzision in der Vermessung der Eigenschaften der B‐Mesonen liefern.
Schärfer als das Mikroskop erlaubt
Authors: Helmerich Dominic Andreas , Beliu Gerti , Sauer Markus
Published: May 2023

Mit Hilfe der hochauflösenden Fluoreszenzmikroskopie lassen sich Bilder mit einer räumlichen Auflösung von rund 20 nm, weit unterhalb der Beugungsgrenze, aufnehmen. Eine weitere Verbesserung der räumlichen Auflösung bis in den molekularen Bereich ist jedoch durch die Interaktion der Farbstoffe miteinander erschwert. Bei Abständen unterhalb von 10 nm führen verschiedene Energietransferprozesse zu einer schlechteren Lokalisationswahrscheinlichkeit, was die erreichbare strukturelle Auflösung stark einschränkt. Eine genaue zeitaufgelöste Analyse des Fluoreszenzsignals ermöglicht es, die Anzahl der interagierenden Farbstoffe und deren Abstände zu ermitteln. Durch die zeitaufgelöste Analyse des Photoswitching‐Fingerprints ist es uns gelungen, Abstände von 5 nm an Membranrezeptoren zu identifizieren.
Universelle thermische Ausdehnung in Gläsern
Authors: Lunkenheimer Peter , Loidl Alois , Riechers Birte , Samwer Konrad
Published: May 2023

Die thermische Ausdehnung spielt eine Schlüsselrolle beim Verständnis des Schmelzens kristalliner Materialien. Die mikroskopischen Vorgänge beim Übergang von Gläsern in die flüssige Phase, und umgekehrt, sind allerdings noch weitgehend unverstanden. Durch die Analyse der thermischen Ausdehnungskoeffizienten und Glasübergangstemperaturen von mehr als 200 glasbildenden Materialien hat unser Forschungsteam nun unerwartet universelle Korrelationen dieser Größen aufgedeckt – ein Hinweis auf die wichtige Rolle kooperativer Teilchenbewegungen beim Glasübergang.
Glühlampenkennlinie mit der PhET‐Simulation
Authors: Vogt Patrik , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: May 2023

Das Projekt PhET (Physics Education Technology) der University of Colorado Boulder wurde von dem Physiknobelpreisträger Carl Wieman ins Leben gerufen. Zuerst entwickelte die Initiative interaktive Simulationen nur für den Physikunterricht, heute sind alle mathematisch‐naturwissenschaftlichen Fächer vertreten. Aktuell bietet PhET eine sehr breite Palette an Simulationen unterschiedlicher Niveaustufen.
Revealing a notable interaction in the binding of type II statins to HMG‐CoA reductase: Stacked cation–π interaction
Authors: Ahmadi Aliakbar , Ayoubi‐Chianeh Mojgan , Kassaee Mohamad Z. , Fattahi Alireza
Published: May 2023

This study has centered on potentially important enzyme‐ligand interaction currently not incorporated: stacked cation–π interaction between the guanidinium group of arginine 590 residues in the HMG‐CoA reductase active site and the 4‐fluorophenyl group of type II statins. The geometry of interaction between these planar groups has been considered based on the X‐ray crystallographic structures already available in the protein data bank (PDB) archive. Electronic interaction energies between this residue and statins have been acquired by M06 and MP2 methods. In addition, stacking interaction and hydrogen bonding as two important investigated interactions are verified through prominent analyses: (1) quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis; (2) plotting and quantitative molecular surface analyses such as electrostatic potential (ESP) analysis, Hirshfeld surface (HS) and Becke surface (BS) analyses; (3) visual study methods such as noncovalent interaction (NCI), independent gradient model (IGM) analyses; and (4) localized orbital locator integrated pi over plane (LOLIPOP) index.

The results indicate the absolute binding energy for type II statins is overall more than for type I statins.
Top 10 public health challenges to track in 2023: Shifting focus beyond a global pandemic
Authors: Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo , Shomuyiwa Deborah Oluwaseun , Kouwenhoven M. B. N. , Dorji Thinley , Odey Goodness Ogeyi , Miranda Adriana Viola , Ogunkola Isaac Olushola , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo , Huang Junjie , Xu Lin , Obnial Joseph Christian , Huda Aminath , Thepanondh Sarawut , Dayrit Manuel Millar , Evardone Salvador B. , Lamawansa M. D. , Solomon Ethiopia Samrawit , Aziato Lydia , Adongo Philip Baba , Samai Mohamed Hindolo , Garcia Fernando B. , Villaruz Joselito F. , Karunathilake Indika Mahesh , Li Hao , Azanza Patrick Alain , Findlay Ian , Wong Martin C. S.
Published: May 2023

The year 2022 saw COVID‐19 as the primary public health concern, with vaccine rollout and mandates at the forefront. Other viral infectious diseases, such as Monkeypox and Ebola, emerged as public health concerns. Climate change and political conflicts significantly impacted global health, increasing the demand for humanitarian assistance and protection. In 2023, it remains crucial to identify global and public health priority areas to coordinate and implement effective solutions. Through discussions with public health practitioners and researchers, we have identified key priority areas for 2023, namely, health systems, the mental health crisis, substance abuse, infectious diseases, malnutrition and food insecurity, sexual and reproductive health challenges, environmental pollution, the climate crisis, cancer, and diabetes. These priority areas highlight shared concerns that should be addressed to facilitate proactive and innovative health interventions and practices. To achieve universal healthcare targets for 2030, prioritization, financial investment, international cooperation, and collaboration in addressing these global health challenges are crucial. This requires coordination among public health decision‐makers, the private health sector, and opinion leaders to implement country‐specific healthcare financing and food security measures. Research, scientific knowledge, and technical capacities must be leveraged to produce sustainable interventions that effectively reduce health disparities and improve health system responsiveness to prevent these challenges from progressing to public health emergencies.
New insights into the source of the boron memory effect and implications for accurate boron isotope measurements
Authors: Cai Yue , Chen Heng , Li Baichan , Rasbury E. Troy , Halliday Alex N.
Published: May 2023

Rationale

The boron (B) memory effect is a concern for B isotope analysis in inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometry and a potential cause of poor data comparability between laboratories. It is widely assumed that the memory resides in water droplets on the surface of the spray chamber. However, even without the use of the spray chamber, background subtractions are still required to generate accurate data, therefore additional causes for the memory effect exist, which are investigated here.

Methods

Different parts of the mass spectrometer were examined to pinpoint the source of a particularly high B background. After identifying the torch as the source of the background, different parts of the torch were soaked in dilute nitric acid, which was analyzed for B over time.

Results

B was leached out of the tip of the outer quartz tube of the torch in a fashion similar to borosilicate glass, which suggests the incorporation of B into the silica structure of the torch at high temperatures. Running 3% nitric acid washes effectively reduces the background. B background compositions change based on the solutions run beforehand, therefore different blank subtraction methods generate systematic differences. A new background subtraction method that utilizes B isotope ratios improved the precision by up to 0.14‰. The addition of a water wash step before sample elution led to smaller eluent volumes and improved matrix matching without causing a B breakthrough.

Conclusions

An important part of the B memory derives from the torch glass, which incorporates B from sample solutions at high temperatures. Multiple nitric acid washes, matrix matching, blank subtraction, and standard sample bracketing generated accurate B isotope analyses with background/signal ratios as high as 10%, without the need for hazardous chemicals as washes. B isotope values of two sediment standards that represent average post‐Archean continental crust were reported.
Electrodeposited Nickel Sulfide Nanoparticles Incorporated Carbon Nanofibers as Effective Non‐Precious Catalyst for Methanol Electrooxidation in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Salmi Mehdi , Amarray Amina , Samih Youssef , Azzi Mohammed , EL Ghachtouli Sanae
Published: May 2023

For direct methanol fuel cells, developing low‐cost, highly efficient, and long‐term stable electrocatalysts is crucial. In this work, we report easy and single‐step electrodeposition of nickel sulfide thin film incorporating carbon nanofibers on indium tin oxide (denoted as Ni4S3‐CNF/ITO). The electrodeposited materials were characterized by X‐ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity toward Methanol Oxidation Reaction (MOR) was investigated using Cyclic Voltammetry, Chrono‐Amperometry, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The electrocatalyst exhibited good electrocatalytic activity regarding methanol electrooxidation in an alkaline medium with retention of its activity over a significant period of time. These results indicate that the incorporation of carbon nanofibers into nickel sulfide allows the electrocatalyst to gain higher surface area and high tolerance to the catalyst‐poising species generated during MOR. The electrocatalytic activity of electrodeposited Ni4S3‐CNF/ITO makes it a promising electrocatalyst for low‐cost, high‐efficient fuel cells.
A One‐Step Self‐Flowering Method toward Programmable Ultrathin Porous Carbon‐Based Materials for Microwave Absorption and Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ding Rong , Wang Yan‐Qin , Zeng Fu‐Rong , Liu Bo‐Wen , Wang Yu‐Zhong , Zhao Hai‐Bo
Published: May 2023

Ultrathin 2D porous carbon‐based materials offer numerous fascinating electrical, catalytic, and mechanical properties, which hold great promise in various applications. However, it remains a formidable challenge to fabricate these materials with tunable morphology and composition by a simple synthesis strategy. Here, a facile one‐step self‐flowering method without purification and harsh conditions is reported for large‐scale fabrication of high‐quality ultrathin (≈1.5 nm) N‐doped porous carbon nanosheets (NPC) and their composites. It is demonstrated that the layered tannic/oxamide (TA/oxamide) hybrid is spontaneously blown, exfoliated, bloomed, in situ pore‐formed, and aromatized during pyrolysis to form flower‐like aggregated NPC. This universal one‐step self‐flowering system is compatible with various precursors to construct multiscale NPC‐based composites (Ru@NPC, ZnO@NPC, MoS2@NPC, Co@NPC, rGO@NPC, etc.). Notably, the programmable architecture enables NPC‐based materials with excellent multifunctional performances, such as microwave absorption and hydrogen evolution. This work provides a facile, universal, scalable, and eco‐friendly avenue to fabricate functional ultrathin porous carbon‐based materials with programmability.
Stacking Order Induced Anion Redox Regulation for Layer‐Structured Na0.75Li0.2Mn0.7Cu0.1O2 Cathode Materials
Authors: Ma Cui , Abulikemu Aierxiding , Bao Jian , Uchiyama Tomoki , Xia Yong‐Yao , Li Xun‐Lu , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Zhou Yong‐Ning
Published: May 2023

Stacking order plays a key role in defining the electrochemical behavior and structural stability of layer‐structured cathode materials. However, the detailed effects of stacking order on anionic redox in layer‐structured cathode materials have not been investigated specifically and are still unrevealed. Herein, two layered cathodes with the same chemical formula but different stacking orders: P2‐Na0.75Li0.2Mn0.7Cu0.1O2 (P2‐LMC) and P3‐Na0.75Li0.2Mn0.7Cu0.1O2 (P3‐LMC) are compared. It is found that P3 stacking order is beneficial to improve the oxygen redox reversibility compared with P2 stacking order. By using synchrotron hard and soft X‐ray absorption spectroscopies, three redox couples of Cu2+/Cu3+, Mn3.5+/Mn4+, and O2−/O− are revealed to contribute charge compensation in P3 structure simultaneously, and two redox couples of Cu2+/Cu3+ and O2−/O− are more reversible than those in P2‐LMC due to the higher electronic densities in Cu 3d and O 2p orbitals in P3‐LMC. In situ X‐ray diffraction reveals that P3‐LMC exhibits higher structural reversibility during charge and discharge than P2‐LMC, even at 5C rate. As a result, P3‐LMC delivers a high reversible capacity of 190.3 mAh g−1 and capacity retention of 125.7 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles. These findings provide new insight into oxygen‐redox‐involved layered cathode materials for SIBs.
Immobilization of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐90 onto modified stainless steel wire via covalent bonding for solid‐phase microextraction of biomarkers in exhalation of lung cancer patients
Authors: Hao Qi‐Long , Wang Shuo‐Wen , Yu Li‐Qing , Yang Xiao‐Qin , Lv Yun‐Kai
Published: May 2023

The improvement of the strong force between the coating and the substrate is important to make the coating for solid‐phase microextraction with good stability, durability, and reproducibility during thermal and solvent desorption. In this paper, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks‐90 coating was immobilized on the stainless‐steel fiber via the chemical‐bonded method with the help of polydopamine. The fiber was used for the solid‐phase microextraction of lung cancer biomarkers prior to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. Several extraction and desorption conditions were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the established method exhibited high enrichment factors (434–7560), low limits of detection (2.6–4.2 ng/L), wide linear ranges (0.02–30 μg/L), good repeatability (3.46%–9.37% for intra‐day, 4.11%–9.18% for inter‐day, n = 6) and reproducibility (5.37%–7.02%, n = 3). Moreover, the coated fiber is thermally stable and can be reused at least 100 cycles of extraction/desorption/conditioning without significant loss of extraction efficiency and precision. Eventually, the self‐made coated fiber combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry was successfully applied to the extraction and detection of five biomarkers of lung cancer from real breath samples with a satisfactory recovery (96.6%–117.6%).
The Acoustic Wound: Reflections on the Crystal-Song in Five American Films
Authors: Powrie Phil
Published: May 2023

This chapter develops the concept of the ‘crystal-song’ which crystallises turning points in a film. It does not illustrate or echo what we see; rather, it articulates a privileged musical moment of intense affect, ‘wounding’ the image/music nexus as does Barthes’s punctum for the photograph. The crystal-song is the piece that stands out from the others by a combination of intensity and critical insistence. The chapter explores such moments in five recent US films. The first is the diegetically performed song that gives its title to the film in American Honey (2016) and Beautiful Boy (2018). The second explores references in the dialogue to the music we hear: a diegetic song that is referred to by the characters but not performed by them (Lady Bird, 2017); the third, a non-diegetic song in a film where performed music is constantly present and talked about (Call Me by Your Name, 2017). The final and more sustained case is a diegetically performed piano piece from La La Land (2016) which demonstrates that the musical moment does not have to be a single song with lyrics, nor the spectacular performance that is usually found in film musicals, La La Land included, but can also be a much-repeated musical motif. All of these musical moments have a critical and focal function, shaping audience affects and our perception of the narrative.
Musical Numbers in Bollywood Cinema’s Homeland and Diaspora
Authors: Dudrah Rajinder
Published: May 2023

How does Bollywood cinema depict ideas about the homeland and diaspora, and what kind of relationships can we track and decipher about diaspora culture as the cinema creates itineraries through its films and related popular cultures? In response, this chapter will use musical numbers in Bollywood cinema to draw attention to a series of representations and cultural politics about the homeland and diaspora relationship as in need of further exploration. It will look at select musical numbers from two broad types of Bollywood films that deal with the diaspora in terms of its relationship to the homeland in actual and imagined ways. The first type of diaspora film might be considered as a dominant ideology of popular Hindi cinema where the relationship between the homeland and the diaspora is represented in limited or conservative ways. In the second type of film, this relationship is shown to be contested, at the very least, and as an imaginative mode of being.
Coworking Places in Hungary During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bálint Dóra , Horeczki Réka , Kalman Judit , Lux Gabor
Published: May 2023

A global pandemic affected the type and place of work in several ways. For coworking places it caused disruptions according to direct (e.g. measures) and indirect (e.g. urban outmigration) reasons. The present chapter focuses on how coworking places in Hungary choose different adaptation strategies to deal with the unprecedented challenge that COVID-19 accounted for. It gives insight into the Hungarian pandemic situation between 2020 and 2022, identifying restrictions and no state financial aid whatsoever which determined the playing field for coworking places. The chapter contains different sections related to the outbreak and the Hungarian coworking landscape as well as coping strategies these alternative workspaces relied on to survive the first two years of the pandemic: location change, size reduction, change of function, and relying on informal networks are the identified ones.
Corporate Communication at the Intersection of Economic and Political Discourse: The Role of the Nation in CSR Communication in the Ukrainian Energy Sector
Authors: Thielemann Nadine , Savych Zlatoslava
Published: May 2023

This paper traces the role of the nation in corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication by Ukrainian state-owned energy companies and reveals a form of political CSR. Political CSR, in this context, refers to corporate communication through which the companies act as political agents and advocate the economic and political orientation towards the European Union (EU). The discourse under analysis is located at the intersection of political and economic discourse and conceptualises Ukraine as a European country.
Who’s afraid of immigration? The effect of economic preferences on tolerance
Authors: Kovacic Matija , Orso Cristina Elisa
Published: May 2023

This paper suggests that intergenerationally transmitted ancestral characteristics have a significant impact on attitudes toward immigration. Using a sub-population of second-generation immigrants from the European Social Survey (ESS), we find that historical and linguistic factors that contributed to weaker long-term orientation and higher risk aversion are associated with a greater concern, especially among medium- and low-skilled workers, about the economic consequences of immigration and the admission of poorer immigrants. The results are robust to alternative sample definitions, estimation methodology, a rich set of geographical controls, and several potential confounding factors at the country of origin level.
Quantification of tropical monsoon precipitation changes in terms of interhemispheric differences in stratospheric sulfate aerosol optical depth
Authors: Roose Shinto , Bala Govindasamy , Krishnamohan K. S. , Cao Long , Caldeira Ken
Published: May 2023

Stratospheric Aerosol Geoengineering (SAG) is one of the solar geoengineering approaches that have been proposed to offset some of the impacts of anthropogenic climate change. Past studies have shown that SAG may have adverse impacts on the global hydrological cycle. Using a climate model, we quantify the sensitivity of the tropical monsoon precipitation to the meridional distribution of volcanic sulfate aerosols prescribed in the stratosphere in terms of the changes in aerosol optical depth (AOD). In our experiments, large changes in summer monsoon precipitation in the tropical monsoon regions are simulated, especially over the Indian region, in association with meridional shifts in the location of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) caused by changes in interhemispheric AOD differences. Based on our simulations, we estimate a sensitivity of − 1.8° ± 0.0° meridional shift in global mean ITCZ and a 6.9 ± 0.4% reduction in northern hemisphere (NH) monsoon index (NHMI; summer monsoon precipitation over NH monsoon regions) per 0.1 interhemispheric AOD difference (NH minus southern hemisphere). We also quantify this sensitivity in terms of interhemispheric differences in effective radiative forcing and interhemispheric temperature differences: 3.5 ± 0.3% change in NHMI per unit (Wm−2) interhemispheric radiative forcing difference and 5.9 ± 0.4% change per unit (°C) interhemispheric temperature difference. Similar sensitivity estimates are also made for the Indian monsoon precipitation. The establishment of the relationship between interhemispheric AOD (or radiative forcing) differences and ITCZ shift as discussed in this paper will further facilitate and simplify our understanding of the effects of SAG on tropical monsoon rainfall.
Three weeks of mental training changes physiological outcomes during a time trial to exhaustion
Authors: VanHaitsma Timothy A. , Gonzalez Stephen P. , Kajitani Sten , Gabriano Emma , Hoiosen Gavin E. , Oldach Michael C. , Kingsley Karly L.
Published: May 2023

Mental training (MT) can increase endurance performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the minimum dose of mental training needed to increase performance and elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying this improvement. In a randomized between groups pre-test–post-test design, 33 participants visited the lab on 6 separate days. A VO2peak with ventilatory threshold (VT) was performed on day 1. The subsequent visits consisted of time trials to exhaustion (TTE) performed at 10% above VT. Between visit 3 and 6, the MT group (n = 16) watched a video for 10–15 min each day for 3 weeks, while the control group (CON; n = 17) did no mental training. Heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), VAS scores for pain and fatigue, electromyography, and metabolic and neuromuscular data were collected and recorded during the time trials. The GRIT-S and CD-RISC 10 surveys were completed before study days 3 and 6. TTE increased significantly for MT beginning after 2 weeks (10.0 ± 13.1%) with no further change after 3 weeks (10.4 ± 13.2). TTE also significantly decreased during the last TTE for CON (−10.3 ± 12.7). VO2, ventilation, and frequency of breathing were significantly reduced in the latter stages of the TTE for MT. EMG was also significantly decreased for MT as compared for CON throughout the trial. Three weeks of mental training improves performance by reducing EMG, decreasing activation of the muscle and reducing metabolic factors during the latter stages of exercise.
Transformative adaptation through nature-based solutions: a comparative case study analysis in China, Italy, and Germany
Authors: Scolobig Anna , Linnerooth-Bayer JoAnne , Pelling Mark , Martin Juliette G. C. , Deubelli Teresa M. , Liu Wei , Oen Amy
Published: May 2023

This paper explores how claims for transformative adaptation toward more equitable and sustainable societies can be assessed. We build on a theoretical framework describing transformative adaptation as it manifests across four core elements of the public-sector adaptation lifecycle: vision, planning, institutional frameworks, and interventions. For each element, we identify characteristics that can help track adaptation as transformative. Our purpose is to identify how governance systems can constrain or support transformative choices and thus enable targeted interventions. We demonstrate and test the usefulness of the framework with reference to three government-led adaptation projects of nature-based solutions (NBS): river restoration (Germany), forest conservation (China), and landslide risk reduction (Italy). Building on a desktop study and open-ended interviews, our analysis adds evidence to the view that transformation is not an abrupt system change, but a dynamic complex process that evolves over time. While each of the NBS cases fails to fulfill all the transformation characteristics, there are important transformative elements in their visions, planning, and interventions. There is a deficit, however, in the transformation of institutional frameworks. The cases show institutional commonalities in multi-scale and cross-sectoral (polycentric) collaboration as well as innovative processes for inclusive stakeholder engagement; yet, these arrangements are ad hoc, short-term, dependent on local champions, and lacking the permanency needed for upscaling. For the public sector, this result highlights the potential for establishing cross-competing priorities among agencies, cross-sectoral formal mechanisms, new dedicated institutions, and programmatic and regulatory mainstreaming.
Altered Distribution of SNARE Proteins in Primary Neurons Exposed to Different Alpha-Synuclein Proteoforms
Authors: Brolin Emma , Ingelsson Martin , Bergström Joakim , Erlandsson Anna
Published: May 2023

Growing evidence indicates that the pathological alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) starts at the synapses. Physiologic α-syn is involved in regulating neurotransmitter release by binding to the SNARE complex protein VAMP-2 on synaptic vesicles. However, in which way the SNARE complex formation is affected by α-syn pathology remains unclear. In this study, primary cortical neurons were exposed to either α-syn monomers or preformed fibrils (PFFs) for different time points and the effect on SNARE protein distribution was analyzed with a novel proximity ligation assay (PLA). Short-term exposure to monomers or PFFs for 24 h increased the co-localization of VAMP-2 and syntaxin-1, but reduced the co-localization of SNAP-25 and syntaxin-1, indicating a direct effect of the added α-syn on SNARE protein distribution. Long-term exposure to α-syn PFFs for 7 d reduced VAMP-2 and SNAP-25 co-localization, although there was only a modest induction of ser129 phosphorylated (pS129) α-syn. Similarly, exposure to extracellular vesicles collected from astrocytes treated with α-syn PFFs for 7 d influenced VAMP-2 and SNAP-25 co-localization despite only low levels of pS129 α-syn being formed. Taken together, our results demonstrate that different α-syn proteoforms have the potential to alter the distribution of SNARE proteins at the synapse.

Graphical Abstract
Linking the effects of nursery light and fertilization and post-transplant first summer irrigation on the field survival and growth of Pinus pinaster seedlings
Authors: Al Pavel Muha Abdullah , Bravo Felipe , Ordóñez Cristóbal , Rodríguez-García Encarna
Published: May 2023

Seedling size-related functional attributes of Mediterranean forest species are critical traits to be considered in nursery practices aimed at improving the survival and performance of seedlings exposed to summer drought in dryland reforestation projects. We looked at how nursery light regimes and nitrogen fertilization affected the survival and performance of Pinus pinaster Ait. under contrasting post-planting watering regimes. Seedlings grown in the nursery for 13 months were given low or high nitrogen doses and exposed to three light regimes (full sun, medium light and low light). After outplanting, half of the seedlings were watered fortnightly during the hottest months of the first summer and the other half were left unwatered. Seedling size-related variables (shoot height, basal diameter, stem volume and sturdiness quotient) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study, and summer drought survival was checked three times. Our results showed that fertilization and the nursery light regime influenced initial seedling quality and transplant stress. Post-planting first summer watering also increased seedling survival probability. The medium-light and especially the full-sunlight regimes in the nursery decreased the probability of seedling mortality after outplanting. However, a low-light regime in the nursery negatively affected plant traits and increased the probability of post-planting seedling mortality. In comparison with low-N seedlings, high-N fertilization increased post-planting stress (evaluated in the change of sturdiness quotient after one field growth season), but did not affect survival.
Judd–Ofelt and luminescence properties of Dysprosium and Terbium doped bismuth-borate glass system
Authors: Ratep Asmaa , Kashif Ismail
Published: May 2023

Absorption spectra of Tb3+ ions from the ground state 7F6 revealed three absorption bands. In addition to the six absorption bands for Dy3+ ions observed in the visible and near-infrared ranges. The optical band gape of sample free from Dy2O3 (4 mol% Tb4O7) smaller than other samples containing Dy2O3. The oscillator strengths and Judd–Ofelt parameters (Ω2, Ω4, Ω6) for reported Dy3+ and Tb3+ absorption transitions are estimated, and they do not follow a same trend depend on the substitution between Dy and Tb. The photoluminescence excitation of the Dy3+ at λem = 575 nm reveals the presence of a Tb3+ peak at 375 nm. The emission spectra of the glasses show that only the λem = 575 nm increases due to the excitation of the Tb3+ at λem = 545 nm, indicating effective energy transfer (ET) from the Tb3+ to Dy3+ in sample containing Dy2O3 up to 2 mol% and then changed from the Dy3+ to Tb3+. An efficient yellow luminescence arises from the activator's emitting centers. ET predicts the sensitizer's luminescence degradation and the activator's luminescence growth. The color coordinates and the correlated color temperature (CCT) indicate that the glass samples are suitable for white, yellow-green, and blue-light emission depend on the energy of excitation.
Mechanism of Insoluble Aggregate Formation in a Reconstituted Solution of Spray-Dried Protein Powder
Authors: Tao Yeqing , Chen Yuan , Howard Wesley , Ibrahim Mariam , Patel Sajal M. , McMahon William P. , Kim Yoen Joo , Delmar Jared A. , Davis Darryl
Published: May 2023

Background

Spray-drying is considered a promising alternative drying method to lyophilization (freeze-drying) for therapeutic proteins. Particle counts in reconstituted solutions of dried solid dosage forms of biologic drug products are closely monitored to ensure product quality. We found that high levels of particles formed after reconstitution of protein powders that had been spray-dried under suboptimal conditions.

Methods

Visible and subvisible particles were evaluated. Soluble proteins in solution before spray-drying and in the reconstituted solution of spray-dried powder were analyzed for their monomer content levels and melting temperatures. Insoluble particles were collected and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), and further analyzed with hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX).

Results

Particles observed after reconstitution were shown not to be undissolved excipients. FTIR confirmed their identity as proteinaceous in nature. These particles were therefore considered to be insoluble protein aggregates, and HDX was applied to investigate the mechanism underlying aggregate formation. Heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 1 (CDR-1) in the aggregates showed significant protection by HDX, suggesting CDR-1 was critical for aggregate formation. In contrast, various regions became more conformationally dynamic globally, suggesting the aggregates have lost protein structural integrity and partially unfolded after spray-drying.

Discussion

The spray-drying process could have disrupted the higher-order structure of proteins and exposed the hydrophobic residues in CDR-1 of the heavy chain, contributing to the formation of aggregate through hydrophobic interactions upon reconstitution of spray-dried powder. These results can contribute to efforts to design spray-dry resilient protein constructs and improve the robustness of the spray-drying process.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza: advances and retreats in our understanding of the ecological functioning of the mother of all root symbioses
Authors: Kuyper Thomas W. , Jansa Jan
Published: May 2023

Background

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis has been referred to as the mother of all plant root symbioses as it predated the evolution of plant roots. The AM research is a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of soil science, mycology, and botany. However, in recent decades the nature and properties of soils, in which the AM symbiosis develops and functions, have received less attention than desired.

Scope

In this review we discuss a number of recent developments in AM research. We particularly cover the role of AM symbiosis in acquisition of phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals and metalloids, as well as water by plants from soil; mycorrhizal effects on plant nutritional stoichiometry and on the carbon cycle; the hyphosphere microbiome; so-called facultative mycorrhizal plants; explanations for lack of mycorrhizal benefit; common mycorrhizal networks; and arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal ecosystems.

Conclusion

We reflect on what has previously been described as mycorrhizal ‘dogmas’. We conclude that these are in fact generalisations on the AM symbiosis that are well supported by multiple studies, while admitting that there potentially is a geographical bias in mycorrhizal research that developed in temperate and boreal regions, and that research in other ecosystems might uncover a greater diversity of viable mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal strategies than currently acknowledged. We also note an increasing tendency to overinterpret data, which may lead to stagnation of some research fields due to lack of experiments designed to test the mechanistic basis of processes rather than cumulating descriptive studies and correlative evidences.
Back motion in unridden horses in walk, trot and canter on a circle
Authors: Egenvall Agneta , Engström Hanna , Byström Anna
Published: May 2023

Equine back function is of concern to riders, as well as to veterinarians and physiotherapists; these groups may benefit from knowledge about spinal motion on the circle. This descriptive and comparative study aimed to quantify equine neck, back and pelvic motion in walk, trot and canter on a 9 m circle. Sixteen healthy horses in training, of varying breed and conformation, were measured using optical motion capture (150 Hz), with optical markers on the poll, withers, T15, tubera coxae and lumbosacral joint. Cervicothoracic and thoracolumbar flexion–extension and lateral bending, and pelvic roll, pitch and yaw, were statistically evaluated using mixed models. Motion patterns showed distinct differences between gaits, but were generally similar between horses. The thoracolumbar back was bent towards the inside of the circle (stride mean 5-6º for all gaits). The cervicothoracic spine was more flexed in walk (18°), and more extended in canter (-4—-8°), compared to trot (6–7°), whereas the thoracolumbar spine was slightly less extended in canter than in walk. Thoracolumbar flexion–extension range of motion (ROM) increased from walk (4°) to canter (9°), as did pelvic pitch ROM (walk 7° and canter 15–16°), while back lateral bending ROM and pelvic yaw ROM were lowest in trot. Taken together, the study findings suggest that neck and back motion patterns on the circle reflect an interaction between the constraints of circular movement, and the mechanics and characteristics of each gait.
Damages and legal costs under the Enforcement Directive in the light of rulings of the European Court of Justice
Authors: Szczepanowska-Kozłowska Krystyna
Published: May 2023

The possibility of compensation for damage caused by an infringement of intellectual property rights and of claiming the recovery of legal costs and other expenses incurred in connection with enforcing such rights is crucial for the effectiveness of their protection. Uniform rules in this respect have been introduced by Enforcement Directive. (Directive 2004/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29.4.2004 on the enforcement of intellectual property rights [2004] OJ L157/45 (Directive 2004/48).) The purpose of this article is to analyse to what extent the case-law of the European Court of Justice to date has made it possible to give an unambiguous answer regarding the model of implementation of Directive 2004/48 which meets the requirements of proportionality and, at the same time, of the effectiveness of the protective measures envisaged for intellectual property rights.
Evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial potential of honey produced from stimulative diet fed bee colonies
Authors: Kumari Indu , Hajam Younis Ahmad , Thiyagarajan Kalaiyarasan , Giri Arup , Kumar Rajesh
Published: May 2023

Bee's honey is one of the greatest natural gifts to humankind, and Indian Ayurveda emphasises the various applications of honey, viz. obesity, burns, cuts, wounds, dermatitis etc. However, all the applications of honey are based on their chemical composition, but they vary depending upon the botanical, geographical origins, and bee feed. With this background, the current study aimed to evaluate the quality of honey produced by the stimulative diets ingested by honey bees (Apis mellifera). At the onset, stimulative diets were served to honey bees for 1 year, and an adequate volume of honey samples was collected before and after the ingestion of stimulative diets. After that, the honey samples were used to study the antioxidant activity and antibacterial potential as per standard protocol. The results revealed that the antioxidant activity of post-feeding honey samples exhibited a higher rate, i.e., 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (Pre-feeding: 88.06 ± 0.214 and post-feeding: 91.79 ± 0.609 μmol/litre), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (Pre-feeding: 20.55 ± 0.336 and post-feeding: 29.01 ± 1.114%), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) (Pre-feeding: 0.296 ± 0.039 and post-feeding: 0.396 ± 0.001 mg TE/100 gm). Similarly, a high rate of antibacterial efficiency was shown in post-feeding honey samples against E. coli at a concentration of 800 µg/mL. It was shown with considerable antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica as well. Overall, we have demonstrated honey's antioxidant and antibacterial effects and may have therapeutic potential as honey.
The response of aquatic ecosystems to the interactive effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and climate change
Authors: Neale P. J. , Williamson C. E. , Banaszak A. T. , Häder D.-P. , Hylander S. , Ossola R. , Rose K. C. , Wängberg S.-Å. , Zepp R.
Published: May 2023

Variations in stratospheric ozone and changes in the aquatic environment by climate change and human activity are modifying the exposure of aquatic ecosystems to UV radiation. These shifts in exposure have consequences for the distributions of species, biogeochemical cycles, and services provided by aquatic ecosystems. This Quadrennial Assessment presents the latest knowledge on the multi-faceted interactions between the effects of UV irradiation and climate change, and other anthropogenic activities, and how these conditions are changing aquatic ecosystems. Climate change results in variations in the depth of mixing, the thickness of ice cover, the duration of ice-free conditions and inputs of dissolved organic matter, all of which can either increase or decrease exposure to UV radiation. Anthropogenic activities release oil, UV filters in sunscreens, and microplastics into the aquatic environment that are then modified by UV radiation, frequently amplifying adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their environments. The impacts of these changes in combination with factors such as warming and ocean acidification are considered for aquatic micro-organisms, macroalgae, plants, and animals (floating, swimming, and attached). Minimising the disruptive consequences of these effects on critical services provided by the world’s rivers, lakes and oceans (freshwater supply, recreation, transport, and food security) will not only require continued adherence to the Montreal Protocol but also a wider inclusion of solar UV radiation and its effects in studies and/or models of aquatic ecosystems under conditions of the future global climate.

Graphical abstract
Vehicle detection systems for intelligent driving using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Abiyev Rahib , Arslan Murat
Published: May 2023

In the paper, a vision-based vehicle identification system is proposed for autonomous intelligent car driving. The accurate detection of obstacles (vehicles) during intelligent car driving allows avoiding crashes, preventing accidents, saving people’s lives and reducing harm. The vehicle detection system, which uses low-quality images captured by a monocular video camera mounted at the front of the car, is based on convolutional neural networks (CNN). The CNN can extract global features of the images using convolutional layers and achieves more accurate, and faithful contours of vehicles. The CNN structure proposed in the paper provides high-accuracy detection of vehicle images. The experiments that have been performed using GTI dataset demonstrate that the CNN-based vehicle detection system achieves very accurate results and is more robust to different variations of images.
Galdós and Darwin
Authors: Bell T. E.
Published: May 2023

Darwinian theory - the big idea of the nineteenth century - and its impact on the writing of Benito Pérez Galdós.
The Teachings of Mistle Thrush and Kingfisher
Authors: Reason Peter , Gillespie Sarah
Published: May 2023

What would it be like to learn to live in and experience a world of sentient beings rather than inert objects? How can we learn to awarely participate in a world of communication and interaction, in which trees, crows and rivers may grace us with a response to our attention and our call? How do we learn not just to know this intellectually but ‘proved upon our pulses’, as John Keats put it. As artist and writer, we reflect on the contribution our practices can have to the ecological crisis of our times, drawing on living cosmos panpsychism and examples from our practice.
Comparison of quantizations of symmetric spaces: cyclotomic Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov equations and Letzter–Kolb coideals
Authors: De Commer Kenny , Neshveyev Sergey , Tuset Lars , Yamashita Makoto
Published: May 2023

We establish an equivalence between two approaches to quantization of irreducible symmetric spaces of compact type within the framework of quasi-coactions, one based on the Enriquez–Etingof cyclotomic Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov (KZ) equations and the other on the Letzter–Kolb coideals. This equivalence can be upgraded to that of ribbon braided quasi-coactions, and then the associated reflection operators (K-matrices) become a tangible invariant of the quantization. As an application we obtain a Kohno–Drinfeld type theorem on type

$\mathrm {B}$

braid group representations defined by the monodromy of KZ-equations and by the Balagović–Kolb universal K-matrices. The cases of Hermitian and non-Hermitian symmetric spaces are significantly different. In particular, in the latter case a quasi-coaction is essentially unique, while in the former we show that there is a one-parameter family of mutually nonequivalent quasi-coactions.
Higher-order statistics and intermittency of a two-fluid Hall–Vinen–Bekharevich–Khalatnikov quantum turbulent flow
Authors: Zhang Z. , Danaila I. , Lévêque E. , Danaila L.
Published: May 2023

The Hall–Vinen–Bekharevich–Khalatnikov (HVBK) model is widely used to numerically study quantum turbulence in superfluid helium. Based on the two-fluid model of Tisza and Landau, the HVBK model describes the normal (viscous) and superfluid (inviscid) components of the flow using two Navier–Stokes type of equations, coupled through a mutual friction force term. We derive transport equations for the third-order moments for each component of velocity involving the fourth-order moments, which are classical probes for internal intermittency at any scale, and revealing the probability of rare and strong fluctuations. Budget equations are assessed through direct numerical simulations of the HVBK flow. We simulate a forced homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow with Reynolds number of the normal fluid (based on Taylor's microscale) close to 100. Values from 0.1 to 10 are considered for the ratio between the normal and superfluid densities. For these flows, an inertial range is not discernible and the restricted scaling range approach is used to take into account the finite Reynolds number (FRN) effect. We analyse the importance of each term in budget equations and emphasize their role in energy exchange between normal and superfluid components. Some interesting features are observed: (i) transport and pressure-related terms are dominant, similarly to single-fluid turbulence; and (ii) the mathematical signature of the FRN effect is weak despite the low value of the Reynolds number. The flatness of the velocity derivatives is finally studied through the transport equations and their limit for very small scales, and it is shown to gradually increase for lower and lower temperatures, for both normal fluid and superfluid. This similarity highlights the strong locking of the two fluids. The flatness factors are also found in reasonable agreement with classical turbulence.