bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of biomarkers and sex differences in the placenta of fetal growth restriction
Authors: Zhu Sha , Liu Niying , Gong Hongjun , Liu Fulin , Yan Ge
Published: July 2023

Aim

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) can lead to short‐term and long‐term impairments in the fetus. The placenta functions as an exchanger for substance transport, playing a critical role in fetal growth. However, the mechanism from the placental standpoint is still not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms in the placenta that mediated the development of FGR and sex differences.

Methods

We analyzed the gene expression profiles of GSE100415 containing specific normotensive FGR placental samples and GSE114691 with canonical samples using three different methods, differentially expressed gene analysis, weighted gene co‐expression network analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis. Gene enrichment was performed, including the gene ontology and pathway from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The important process was then validated in pregnant Wistar rats subcutaneously administered dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg/d) or saline from gestation Day 9 to 21.

Results

Our results revealed little difference between the comparison of normal and normotensive FGR placental samples but confirmed the sex difference. Further analyses of the canonical samples identified the occurrence of vascular dysfunction, which was validated by the calculation of the vascular lumen area, showing that the vascular lumen in the FGR group was more than in the control. We also discovered 17 significantly expressed genes from the involved eigengenes.

Conclusion

Our study provides an important theoretical and experimental basis to reevaluate the development of FGR from the placental standpoint and suggests a series of biomarkers for future clinical use.
Family Control, Political Risk and Employment Security: A Cross‐National Study
Authors: Gómez‐Mejía Luis R. , Sanchez‐Bueno Maria J. , Miroshnychenko Ivan , Wiseman Robert M. , Muñoz‐Bullón Fernando , De Massis Alfredo
Published: July 2023

Combining insights from the socioemotional wealth and institutional perspectives, we hypothesize that firms controlled by families offer greater job security to employees relative to non‐family firms, and this positive employment effect is amplified in riskier institutional environments around the world. Using an unbalanced panel of 3181 listed firms from 33 countries over a 10‐year period, we provide strong support for our hypotheses: family‐controlled firms on average are less likely to reduce their workforce compared to their non‐family counterparts, and this differential effect is magnified in weak institutional environments characterized by high political risk. These findings indicate that socioemotional wealth in family firms has a positive impact on employee welfare and that the use of a cross‐country design serves to bridge discrepancies or inconsistencies in single country studies that have been done in the past. From a practical perspective we conclude that the beneficial role of socioemotional wealth on employment relations is more evident when it is needed the most, namely under a dysfunctional institutional environment.
Increasing access to ephemeral prints: How to construct and analyze a dataset from the Golden Age of literature in nineteenth‐century Denmark
Authors: Berg Holger
Published: July 2023

“Archives” and “distant reading” have become common concepts in literary criticism following the mass digitization of books and newspapers. Though these two sources provide gigantic amounts of data available in digitized collections and catalogues, they rarely encompass all printed texts preserved from any given period. A third type is mostly left out: ephemeral prints. This poses a problem for literary bibliographies. The major Danish collection holds 6 kilometers of rarely registered prints. The article shows how to catalogue and then analyze metadata from 825 printed songs circulating in what was then a major venue in the Danish public sphere: the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Association. Following Katherine Bode's proposals for writing data‐rich literary history, I first sum up collection policies in Scandinavian national libraries. The following questions are then examined: How did ephemera circulate inside the association and in the broader public? Which agents were involved in song‐production? How many of these occasional songs entered the authoritative Collected Works on which scholars often rely—and in which forms? Might political contexts explain fluctuations in the number of songs printed and the choice of foreign melodies? In most cases, the overview gained by quantitative analysis facilitates the subsequent closer, qualitative analysis.
Characterization of resistance to angular leaf spot of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding line SPS50HB
Authors: Firew Tigist , Rezene Yayis , Demissie Hewan
Published: July 2023

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) makes an important contribution to the human diet, particularly in Africa and Latin America. Because angular leaf spot (ALS), caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudocercospora griseola, is one of the most severe foliar diseases of the bean plant, an important priority is to identify genes encoding resistance. The present study focused on the resistance shown by the Mesoamerican common bean breeding line SPS50HB. From the pattern of segregation for resistance displayed in an F2 population bred from a cross between SPS50HB and the ALS‐susceptible Ethiopian variety Red Wolaita, it was concluded that the resistance of SPS50HB is controlled by two unlinked dominant genes. An allelism test indicated that one of these genes was either identical with, allelic to, or closely linked to the major gene Phg‐2 carried by variety Mexico 54. The sequence‐characterized amplified region assays OPEO4 and PF13, which are diagnostic for an ALS resistance gene carried by the germplasm accession G10909, both tracked a possible second gene present in SPS50HB.
Cow and management factors and their association with estimates of uterine size and position at the time of insemination of dairy cattle
Authors: Palacín‐Chauri Roger J. , Garcia‐Ispierto Irina
Published: July 2023

This study examines factors affecting uterine size and position determined at 30–36 days postpartum in dairy cattle. The final study population consisted of 328 dairy cows, all calving during the warm season. Uterus position (pelvic, pelvic‐abdominal, abdominal) and uterus size (small, medium, large) was measured by ultrasound on Day 30–36 postpartum. Multiparous cows had a larger uterus positioned in the abdominal cavity (p = .03) and a male newborn was associated with a larger uterus (p = .022). The number of cows with the uterus in the abdominal cavity was higher among multiparous and high producer (p < .0001) cows. High producers were 0.41 times more likely to have a small uterus in a pelvic position. The most important finding of this study was that the delivery of a male dairy, rather than beef, calf was related to the least optimal maternal uterus size and position.
Influence of season and conditions of surrogate sows on efficiency of somatic cell cloning production
Authors: Huang Tian , Li Zhiwei , Lv Peiru , Zhou Jin , Ye Chongyuan , Li Aimin , Yuan Manman , Liu Hongbo , Cao Gengsheng
Published: July 2023

This study was focused on the effects of ovary acquisition season, embryo transfer season, and conditions of surrogate sows on cloning efficiency, with the objective of improving the production of cloned pigs. The statistical analysis documented that cloning efficiency was highest when ovary extraction and embryo transfer occurred in the spring, and lowest when such operations occurred in the autumn. This was evidenced by the higher number of recovered oocytes (3.2 ± 0.47 vs. 2.5 ± 0.51), rate of mature oocytes (57.4 ± 0.07% vs. 48.9 ± 0.06%), rate of developed cloned blastocysts (35.7 ± 0.12% vs. 34.4 ± 0.07%), pregnancy rate of surrogate sows (73.5% vs. 33.3%), delivery rate (67.6% vs. 16.7%), litter size (6.9 ± 2.3 vs. 2.3 ± 2.5), and the number of alive newborns (5.7 ± 2.2 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2). Cloning efficiency was little affected by the ovulatory status of the surrogate sow prior to embryo transfer. The length of pregnancy, the parity, and the length of labor of the surrogate sow significantly affected the efficiency of generating pigs cloned from somatic cells. Specifically, when length of pregnancy ranged from 111 to 117 days, surrogate sows with shorter gestation period had larger litter size (8.9 ± 2.8) and a higher number of stillbirths per litter (2.1 ± 2.0). Moreover, statistical analysis indicated that selecting sows with 2–4 parities as surrogates led to increased litter size (7.7 ± 3.0) and the number of alive newborns (6.4 ± 3.1). In comparison with naturally breeding sows, the surrogate sows spent more time giving birth and suffered higher rates of stillbirth. The data obtained in this study provide valuable insights for improving the production efficiency of somatic cell cloned pigs.
A recruitment niche framework for improving seed‐based restoration
Authors: Larson Julie E. , Agneray Alison C. , Boyd Chad S. , Bradford John B. , Kildisheva Olga A. , Suding Katharine N. , Copeland Stella M.
Published: July 2023

As larger tracts of land experience degradation, seed‐based restoration (SBR) will be a primary tool to reestablish vegetation and ecosystem function. SBR has advanced in terms of technical and technological approaches, yet plant recruitment remains a major barrier in some systems, notably drylands. There is an unmet opportunity to test science‐based approaches to seed mix design and application, based not only on diversity or local provenance, but on the unique recruitment strategies of species. We lay out a framework that uses a quantitative representation of species' recruitment niches to match them to targeted goals (e.g. drought or invasion resistance) and methods (e.g. precision tools and technologies) in SBR. We first describe how to quantify the recruitment niche with seed and seedling traits tied to observed recruitment responses to environmental factors. We then show how a quantified recruitment niche framework can serve as the foundation to address three major restoration challenges: (1) designing forward‐looking seed mixes that increase resilience to future climate and disturbance, (2) accounting for natural recovery in SBR planning, and (3) applying precision seeding practices to maximize restoration success. Finally, we demonstrate these ideas with existing data and discuss key challenges to adoption in SBR practice. While the ideas in this framework are based in ecological theory, they will require substantial testing and refinement by scientists engaged in SBR efforts. If this framework is integrated into research agendas, we believe it has the potential to unify and advance diverse elements of seed‐based restoration ecology and improve restoration outcomes.
Interpersonal facilitators of complicated grief and depression in the aftermath of suicide loss: The mediated roles of suicide‐related shame and guilt
Authors: Levi‐Belz Yossi
Published: July 2023

Background

Suicide‐loss survivors (SLSs) are recognized as an at‐risk population for several mental health complications, including complicated grief (CG) and depression. Recent studies have emphasized the contribution of interpersonal factors as well as suicide‐related shame and guilt as facilitators of CG and depression among SLSs. In this 6 year longitudinal design study, we examined interpersonal variables as predictors of CG and depression, with suicide‐related guilt and shame as mediators.

Method

Participants were 152 SLSs aged 18–70 who completed questionnaires assessing thwarted belongingness, self‐disclosure, and social support at index measurement (T1); suicide‐related shame and guilt and CG and depression were assessed 6 years later (T2).

Results

The integrated model revealed that the interpersonal factors of social support and self‐disclosure at T1 significantly and negatively predict CG and depression (respectively) at T2. Thwarted belongingness was found to significantly and positively predict both CG and depression through the mediation of suicide‐related shame levels.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the critical role of interpersonal factors in facilitating CG and depression among SLSs. Theoretical implications relating to healing processes are discussed, as well as focused clinical recommendations, including psychoeducational interventions for addressing interpersonal difficulties and suicide‐related shame in the aftermath of suicide loss.
A registry‐based population study of the HLA in Québec, Canada
Authors: Lemieux William , Richard Lucie , Nunes José Manuel , Sanchez‐Mazas Alicia , Renaud Christian , Sapir‐Pichhadze Ruth , Lewin Antoine
Published: July 2023

As part of the worldwide effort to better characterize HLA diversity in populations, we have studied the population of Québec in Canada. This province has been defined by a complex history with multiple founder effects and migration patterns. We analyzed the typing data of 3806 individuals registered in Héma‐Québec's Registry, which covered most administrative regions in Québec. Typing information was resolved at the second field level of resolution by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) or by Sanger sequencing. We used the HLA‐net.eu GENE[RATE] tools to estimate allele and two‐locus haplotype frequencies for HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DQB1, and ‐DPB1, as well as Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), selective neutrality, and linkage disequilibrium. The chord genetic distance was also calculated between administrative regions and was visualized using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. While most individual regions were in HWE, HWE was rejected for the province considered as a whole. Some regions exhibited signatures of selection, mostly toward an excess of heterozygotes. Allele and haplotype frequencies revealed outlier regions that strongly differed from the other regions. NMDS plots also showed differences between regions. The administrative regions of the province of Québec displayed heterogeneity in their HLA profiles. This heterogeneity was attributable to differing allele and haplotype specificities by region. In particular, regions 02‐Saguenay‐Lac‐Saint‐Jean and 01‐Bas‐St‐Laurent diverged from the rest of the regions. The urban regions 06‐Montréal and 13‐Laval were very diversified in their HLA profiles. Together, these results will help optimize donor recruitment strategies in Québec.
Sensory Ecology, Bioeconomy, and the Age of COVID: A Parallax View of Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge
Authors: Shepard Glenn H. , Daly Lewis
Published: July 2023

Drawing on original ethnobotanical and anthropological research among Indigenous peoples across the Amazon, we examine synergies and dissonances between Indigenous and Western scientific knowledge about the environment, resource use, and sustainability. By focusing on the sensory dimension of Indigenous engagements with the environment—an approach we have described as “sensory ecology” and explored through the method of “phytoethnography”—we promote a symmetrical dialogue between Indigenous and scientific understandings around such phenomena as animal–plant mutualisms, phytochemical toxicity, sustainable forest management in “multinatural” landscapes, and the emergence of new diseases like the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19). Drawing examples from our own and other published works, we explore the possibilities and limitations of a “parallax view” attempting to hold Indigenous and scientific knowledge in focus simultaneously. As the concept of “bioeconomy” emerges as a key alternative for sustainable development of the Amazon, we encourage a critical and urgent engagement between dominant Western conceptions and Indigenous Amazonian knowledge, practices, and cultural values. Cognitive science, which has long contributed to studies of Indigenous categorization and conceptualization of the natural world, continues to play an important role in building bridges of mutual communication and respect between Indigenous and scientific approaches to sustainability and biodiversity conservation.
Radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of a jejunal torsion‐volvulus in a dog
Authors: Ehrhardt Caryn , Alas Oscar , Scheuermann Logan , Adin Christopher A. , Vilaplana Grosso Federico R.
Published: July 2023

A 1.5‐year‐old male neutered, 5 kg, Dachshund was referred for anorexia and vomiting for several days’ duration. Radiographs revealed concern for a small intestinal obstruction. Ultrasonography revealed a severely distended segment of jejunum containing echogenic fluid that abruptly narrowed, twisted, and transitioned into normal jejunum, along with the presence of a distinct “whirl sign” that resulted from the intestinal segments twisting around themselves. This, in addition to the absence of flow on power Doppler interrogation, was compatible with a focal jejunal torsion‐volvulus. The torsion‐volvulus was surgically confirmed, a resection and anastomosis was performed, and the dog recovered uneventfully.
Travesías de la interculturalidad en el sistema universitario peruano
Authors: Yangali Vargas Jorge Luis
Published: July 2023

El presente artículo tiene el propósito de analizar el devenir del enfoque intercultural en el sistema educativo peruano, en especial en la formación universitaria. Se aborda la problemática en tres prácticas: la enseñanza de idiomas, las condiciones de admisión y la labor de comunicación científica. En estas primeras dos décadas del siglo XXI se han formalizado cuatro universidades interculturales, las mismas que fueron creadas siguiendo la lógica moderno/colonial de integrar a la educación superior universitaria y por ende al modelo laboral y económico a las poblaciones originarias que habitan el suelo peruano. Desde que se promulgó la Ley Universitaria 30220, el 2014, las universidades han dado cabida a la perspectiva intercultural en sus modelos y prácticas académicas. Observamos que de un lado existe el interés por aprender a comunicarse con las poblaciones nativas; y del otro, que este aprendizaje se ve limitado cuando se trata de incorporar los saberes de los pueblos originarios en los perfiles profesionales y de incluir sus lenguas en el discurso académico.
Simulating the Effect of Electric Bias Voltages on the Electrical Characteristics of Oxyfuel Preheat Flame Using Reduced Combustion Mechanism
Authors: Rahman S. M. Mahbobur , Warrier Rohith , Untaroiu Alexandrina , Martin Christopher R.
Published: July 2023

A three-dimensional computational model is presented in this paper that illustrates the detailed electrical characteristics, and the current–voltage (i–v) relationship throughout the preheating process of premixed methane-oxygen oxyfuel cutting flame subject to electric bias voltages. As such, the equations describing combustion, electrochemical transport for charged species, and potential are solved through a commercially available finite volume computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code. The reactions of the methane-oxygen (CH4–O2) flame were combined with a reduced mechanism, and additional ionization reactions that generate three chemi-ions, H3O+, HCO+, and e−, to describe the chemistry of ions in flames. The electrical characteristics such as ion migrations and ion distributions are investigated for a range of electric potential, V ∈ [−5 V, +5 V]. Since the physical flame is comprised of twelve Bunsen-like conical flames, inclusion of the third dimension imparts the resolution of fluid mechanics and the interaction among the individual cones. It was concluded that charged “sheaths” are formed at both torch and workpiece surfaces, subsequently forming three distinct regimes in the i–v relationship. The i–v characteristics obtained from this study have been compared to the previous experimental and two-dimensional computational model for premixed flame. In this way, the overall model generates a better understanding of the physical behavior of the oxyfuel-cutting flames, along with more validated i–v characteristics. Such understanding might provide critical information toward achieving an autonomous oxyfuel-cutting process.
Description of four new species, two new records, and mitochondrial COI gene of eriophyoid mites from Nanning, China (Acari: Eriophyoidea)
Authors: REN LIMEI , GUAN KAIHUA , TAN MENGCHAO , YANG JUAN , WANG GUOQUAN
Published: July 2023

Four new species and two new records of eriophyoid mite species from Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China are described and illustrated: Disella chromolaena sp. nov. infesting Chromolaena odorata (Linnaeus) R. M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae); Abacarus oxalis sp. nov. from Oxalis corniculata L. (Oxalidaceae); Tetra radermachera sp. nov. infesting Radermachera sinica (Hance) Hemsl. (Bignoniaceae); Tegonotus microcarpae sp. nov. from Ficus macrocarpa L. f. 'Golden Leaves'. (Moraceae); Aculops morindae Ghosh & Chakrabarati, 1989 rec. nov. from Paederia foetida L. (Rubiaceae); Shevtchenkella longitubercula Mo, Tan & Wang, 2017 rec. nov. from Dimocarpus longan Lour. (Sapindaceae). All mites are vagrants causing no apparent damage to their host plants. We provided mitochondrial COI sequences for Abacarus oxalis sp. nov. (GenBank accession numbers OQ571329 and OQ571330), Aculops morindae Ghosh & Chakrabarati, 1989 rec. nov. (OQ571325–OQ571328), and Tegonotus microcarpa sp. nov. (OQ571323 and OQ571324). A list of eriophyoid mites known from Guangxi University is given.
The central role of density functional theory in the AI age
Authors: Huang Bing , von Rudorff Guido Falk , von Lilienfeld O. Anatole
Published: July 2023

Density functional theory (DFT) plays a pivotal role in chemical and materials science because of its relatively high predictive power, applicability, versatility, and computational efficiency. We review recent progress in machine learning (ML) model developments, which have relied heavily on DFT for synthetic data generation and for the design of model architectures. The general relevance of these developments is placed in a broader context for chemical and materials sciences. DFT-based ML models have reached high efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and transferability and pave the way to the routine use of successful experimental planning software within self-driving laboratories.
Control of histone demethylation by nuclear-localized α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
Authors: Huang Fei , Luo Xiao , Ou Yang , Gao Zhaoxu , Tang Qiming , Chu Zhenzhen , Zhu Xinguang , He Yuehui
Published: July 2023

Methylations on nucleosomal histones play fundamental roles in regulating eukaryotic transcription. Jumonji C domain–containing histone demethylases (JMJs) dynamically control the level of histone methylations. However, how JMJ activity is generally regulated is unknown. We found that the tricarboxylic acid cycle–associated enzyme α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) dehydrogenase (KGDH) entered the nucleus, where it interacted with various JMJs to regulate α-KG–dependent histone demethylations by JMJs, and thus controlled genome-wide gene expression in plants. We show that nuclear targeting is regulated by environmental signals and that KGDH is enriched at thousands of loci in
Arabidopsis thaliana
. Chromatin-bound KGDH catalyzes α-KG decarboxylation and thus may limit its local availability to KGDH-coupled JMJs, inhibiting histone demethylation. Thus, our results uncover a regulatory mechanism for histone demethylations by JMJs.
Using machine learning to decode animal communication
Authors: Rutz Christian , Bronstein Michael , Raskin Aza , Vernes Sonja C. , Zacarian Katherine , Blasi Damián E.
Published: July 2023

New methods promise transformative insights and conservation benefits
Experimental evidence on the productivity effects of generative artificial intelligence
Authors: Noy Shakked , Zhang Whitney
Published: July 2023

We examined the productivity effects of a generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the assistive chatbot ChatGPT, in the context of midlevel professional writing tasks. In a preregistered online experiment, we assigned occupation-specific, incentivized writing tasks to 453 college-educated professionals and randomly exposed half of them to ChatGPT. Our results show that ChatGPT substantially raised productivity: The average time taken decreased by 40% and output quality rose by 18%. Inequality between workers decreased, and concern and excitement about AI temporarily rose. Workers exposed to ChatGPT during the experiment were 2 times as likely to report using it in their real job 2 weeks after the experiment and 1.6 times as likely 2 months after the experiment.
Biasing the quantum vacuum to control macroscopic probability distributions
Authors: Roques-Carmes Charles , Salamin Yannick , Sloan Jamison , Choi Seou , Velez Gustavo , Koskas Ethan , Rivera Nicholas , Kooi Steven E. , Joannopoulos John D. , Soljačić Marin
Published: July 2023

Quantum field theory suggests that electromagnetic fields naturally fluctuate, and these fluctuations can be harnessed as a source of perfect randomness. Many potential applications of randomness rely on controllable probability distributions. We show that vacuum-level bias fields injected into multistable optical systems enable a controllable source of quantum randomness, and we demonstrated this concept in an optical parametric oscillator (OPO). By injecting bias pulses with less than one photon on average, we controlled the probabilities of the two possible OPO output states. The potential of our approach for sensing sub–photon-level fields was demonstrated by reconstructing the temporal shape of fields below the single-photon level. Our results provide a platform to study quantum dynamics in nonlinear driven-dissipative systems and point toward applications in probabilistic computing and weak field sensing.
Quantum vortices of strongly interacting photons
Authors: Drori Lee , Das Bankim Chandra , Zohar Tomer Danino , Winer Gal , Poem Eilon , Poddubny Alexander , Firstenberg Ofer
Published: July 2023

Vortices are topologically nontrivial defects that generally originate from nonlinear field dynamics. All-optical generation of photonic vortices—phase singularities of the electromagnetic field—requires sufficiently strong nonlinearity that is typically achieved in the classical optics regime. We report on the realization of quantum vortices of photons that result from a strong photon-photon interaction in a quantum nonlinear optical medium. The interaction causes faster phase accumulation for copropagating photons, producing a quantum vortex-antivortex pair within the two-photon wave function. For three photons, the formation of vortex lines and a central vortex ring confirms the existence of a genuine three-photon interaction. The wave function topology, governed by two- and three-photon bound states, imposes a conditional phase shift of π per photon, a potential resource for deterministic quantum logic operations.
Engineering ligand reactivity enables high-temperature operation of stable perovskite solar cells
Authors: Park So Min , Wei Mingyang , Xu Jian , Atapattu Harindi R. , Eickemeyer Felix T. , Darabi Kasra , Grater Luke , Yang Yi , Liu Cheng , Teale Sam , Chen Bin , Chen Hao , Wang Tonghui , Zeng Lewei , Maxwell Aidan , Wang Zaiwei , Rao Keerthan R. , Cai Zhuoyun , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Pham Jonathan T. , Risko Chad M. , Amassian Aram , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Graham Kenneth R. , Grätzel Michael , Sargent Edward H.
Published: July 2023

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) consisting of interfacial two- and three-dimensional heterostructures that incorporate ammonium ligand intercalation have enabled rapid progress toward the goal of uniting performance with stability. However, as the field continues to seek ever-higher durability, additional tools that avoid progressive ligand intercalation are needed to minimize degradation at high temperatures. We used ammonium ligands that are nonreactive with the bulk of perovskites and investigated a library that varies ligand molecular structure systematically. We found that fluorinated aniliniums offer interfacial passivation and simultaneously minimize reactivity with perovskites. Using this approach, we report a certified quasi–steady-state power-conversion efficiency of 24.09% for inverted-structure PSCs. In an encapsulated device operating at 85°C and 50% relative humidity, we document a 1560-hour
T
85
at maximum power point under 1-sun illumination.
In Science Journals
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Osborne Ian S. , Szuromi Phil , Jiang Di , Uzogara Ekeoma , Ross Sarah H. , Stajic Jelena , Seale Madeleine , Funk Michael A. , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Charneski Catherine
Published: July 2023

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
India plans to invigorate science with hefty new funding agency
Authors: Pawar Pratik
Published: July 2023

Proposed National Research Foundation would spend $6 billion over 5 years, but is drawing mixed reactions
Scientists mourn Arecibo’s impending shutdown
Authors: Lloreda Claudia López
Published: July 2023

Astronomers scramble to find work as storied observatory faces uncertain future
Toward a Method for Harmonized Susceptibility Testing of Mycoplasma bovis by Broth Microdilution
Authors: Gütgemann Franziska , Müller Anja , Churin Yury , Kumm Franziska , Braun Ann Sophie , Yue Min , Eisenberg Tobias , Entorf Monika , Peters Thomas , Kehrenberg Corinna
Published: July 2023

Mycoplasma bovis
is a fastidious pathogen of cattle causing massive economic losses in the calf and dairy industries worldwide. Since there is no approved standard method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of
M. bovis
, the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute has requested the development of a suitable method.
Metaproteomic Analysis of Gut Resistome in the Cecal Microbiota of Fattening Pigs Raised without Antibiotics
Authors: Buthasane Pamornya , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Phaonakrop Narumon , Tunsagool Paiboon , Buthasane Wannapol , Am-in Nutthee , Suriyaphol Gunnaporn
Published: July 2023

In order to control and reduce antibiotic use in animals, the Department of Livestock Development, Thailand, has launched a campaign for antibiotic-free livestock production. The present study has shown for the first time that CRISPR-associated endonucleases Cas1 and Cas9, which function to defend against viruses, were markedly observed in
Ruminococcus
and
Lactobacillus
, respectively, in ceca of pigs raised without antibiotics (ABF).
Genetic control and early selection of threeCorymbiaspecies
Authors: Miranda Leticia , Estopa Regiane Abjaud , Paludeto João Gabriel Zanon , Tambarussi Evandro Vagner
Published: July 2023

The main objective of this study was to investigate genetic control for individual volume and genetic and phenotypic correlation between trait measured at two different ages. We also assessed three different selection intensities ( i = 1%, i = 5% and i = 10%) to understand the effects on genetic gain and effective size. Eight progeny tests were evaluated which included three tests of Corymbia citriodora subsp. citriodora (CCT), two tests of C. citriodora subsp. variegata (CCV), and three tests of C. torelliana (CTO). Narrow-sense heritability [Formula: see text] ranged from 0.26 to 0.62 for the CCT tests, from 0.07 to 0.21 for the CCV tests, and from 0.14 to 0.69 for CTO. The coefficients of individual genetic variation ([Formula: see text]) ranged from 22.5% to 63.9% for CCT, from 19.3% to 28.3% for CCV, and from 22.8% to 41.3% for CTO. Considering a selection intensity of 10%, the Neafter selection would range from 31 to 98 for CCT, 36 to 47 for CCV, and 45 to 62 for CTO. For the TP8 CTO test, a selection intensity greater than 10% is recommended. With a selection intensity of 10%, genetic gains ranged from 25 to 107% for CCT, from 14 to 27% for CCV, and from 19 to 64% for CTO.
One informs the other: Unionid species at risk and benthic macroinvertebrate community monitoring data are complementary
Authors: Eveleens Roland A. , Morris Todd J. , Woolnough Daelyn A. , Febria Catherine M.
Published: July 2023

Benthic macroinvertebrate communities, which include unionid freshwater mussels, enhance the health of river ecosystems. Human impacts have driven declines within freshwater mussel communities and due to their complex life cycles, mussel recovery efforts are complex. In Canada, conservation of imperiled species has focused on biodiversity hotspots such as the Sydenham River in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin. In practice, species conservation and habitat monitoring are siloed between federal agencies and local conservation authorities, limiting the potential for alignment of conservation policy and practice. Here we bring together federal, local, and our own survey data to explore patterns of co-occurrences between mussel species and other macroinvertebrate taxa to explore the extent to which knowledge of one benthic community informs the other. Mussel communities (species richness, community composition) differed between sites where imperiled mussel species were present and/or absent. Benthic macroinvertebrate metrics (e.g., family richness, percent Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera taxa) and specific indicator taxa were correlated with mussel species richness and the presence of imperiled mussel species. We show that benthic macroinvertebrate diversity indicators provided insight into imperiled species occurrences that warrant further investigation. These findings underscore support for coordinated watershed monitoring efforts and could be crucial for more successful freshwater mussel conservation.
Self-supporting wormholes in four dimensions with scalar field
Authors: Anand Ankit
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we investigated the space-time obtained by quotients of the $$AdS_4$$

A
d

S
4

space-time. Further quotient with specific $${\mathbb {Z}}_2$$

Z
2

is considered. Taking up the first-order perturbation in metric, we estimated the backreaction of the matter field on space-time geometry. We can calculate the expectation value of the stress-energy tensor by pulling it back onto the covering space. The average null energy becomes negative when the suitable boundary condition is chosen, resulting in a traversable wormhole.
In situ LIBS-XRF analysis as a combined approach to disclose the production technology of unique wall mirrors from Pompeii
Authors: Costantini Ilaria , Veneranda Marco , Prieto-Taboada Nagore , Castro Kepa , Fdez-Ortiz de Vallejuelo Silvia , Etxebarria Román Idoia , de Nigris Bruno , Martellone Alberta , Madariaga Juan Manuel , Arana Gorka
Published: July 2023

It is assumed that the unique wall mirrors found at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii (PAP) are made of obsidian. To contribute to the knowledge of those archaeological artefacts, this work proposes in situ elemental analyses in collaboration with PAP seeking to determine, in a total no-destructive way, the composition and provenance of the main mirror preserved at the House of Gilded Cupids. Comparing the geochemical composition of this black glass with that of obsidian samples collected from the main Mediterranean sources, both X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) confirmed an incompatible content of many key elements. LIBS in-depth analysis excluded the potential relation between the higher concentration of Ca and Mg and the presence of alteration products. In addition, XRF analysis missed the detection of Rb, Y, Zr and Nb, which are widely recognized as the elemental fingerprints of obsidian sources. Combined with the detection of a high content of strontium (500–700 ppm), the in situ elemental data proved that, rather than made of obsidian, the analysed mirror was handcrafted by the fusion of coastal sand. Waiting to extend this study to the other mirrors found at Pompeii, the results here presented indicate the history of these unique artefacts needs to be rewritten.
Effect of temperature on the current transfer mechanism in the reverse I–V characteristics of the n-CdS/i-CdSxTe1−x/p-CdTe heterostructure
Authors: Achilov A. S. , Kabulov R. R. , Utamuradova Sh. B. , Muzafarova S. A.
Published: July 2023

In this work, we study the influence of the temperature on the mechanism of current transfer in the reverse branch of the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of n-CdS/p-CdTe heterostructures. The study of the heterostructure, using the technique of on energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, showed that a layer of CdSxTe[Formula: see text] is formed at the boundary of the heterojunction with a varying composition, being equal [Formula: see text] from the side of CdS and [Formula: see text] from the CdTe side. In the studied range of the temperatures and bias voltage, the current-voltage characteristics are described well by a power law [Formula: see text], where the exponent [Formula: see text] changes with the temperature and voltage. Under the influence of the temperature and charge carrier concentration, the mechanism of current transfer in the structure changes from exclusion ([Formula: see text]) to ohmic ([Formula: see text]), and then goes to injection ([Formula: see text]). The inhomogeneous intermediate CdSxTe[Formula: see text] i-layer at the boundary of the n-CdS/p-CdTe heterostructure is characterized by the presence of metastable states that rearrange at high temperatures and certain charge carrier concentrations. As a result of this, the exclusion slows down and electrons are injected from the rear molybdenum contact.
China’s Pro-Russian Neutrality Position in the Ukraine Crisis as Part of Its “Hybrid” Confrontation with the West
Authors: KOZYREV Vitaly
Published: July 2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 consolidated the West which seeks to secure the Putin regime’s strategic defeat in Ukraine. While refraining from a direct support of the Kremlin, China has demonstrated throughout this conflict a “pro-Russian neutrality” declaring a “no limits partnership” with Moscow which might result in a new bipolar confrontation between the West and the non-Western power centre with China and Russia on top of it. Being unable to directly confront the consolidated West, Beijing and Moscow have embarked on the path of a hybrid warfare strategy to modify America’s hegemonic behaviour by shifting global normative narratives, delegitimising the US leadership in the eyes of the broader international community and gaining support among the countries of the Global South.
ReuseKNN: Neighborhood Reuse for Differentially Private KNN-Based Recommendations
Authors: Müllner Peter , Lex Elisabeth , Schedl Markus , Kowald Dominik
Published: July 2023

User-based
KNN
recommender systems (
UserKNN
) utilize the rating data of a target user’s
k
nearest neighbors in the recommendation process. This, however, increases the privacy risk of the neighbors, since the recommendations could expose the neighbors’ rating data to other users or malicious parties. To reduce this risk, existing work applies differential privacy by adding randomness to the neighbors’ ratings, which unfortunately reduces the accuracy of
UserKNN
. In this work, we introduce
ReuseKNN
, a novel differentially private KNN-based recommender system. The main idea is to identify small but highly reusable neighborhoods so that (i) only a minimal set of users requires protection with differential privacy and (ii) most users do not need to be protected with differential privacy since they are only rarely exploited as neighbors. In our experiments on five diverse datasets, we make two key observations. Firstly,
ReuseKNN
requires significantly smaller neighborhoods and, thus, fewer neighbors need to be protected with differential privacy compared with traditional
UserKNN
. Secondly, despite the small neighborhoods,
ReuseKNN
outperforms
UserKNN
and a fully differentially private approach in terms of accuracy. Overall,
ReuseKNN
leads to significantly less privacy risk for users than in the case of
UserKNN
.
A Formal Treatment of Expressiveness and Relevanceof Digital Evidence
Authors: Gruber Jan , Humml Merlin
Published: July 2023

Digital investigations are largely concerned with reconstructing past events based on traces in digital systems. Given their importance, many concepts have been established to describe their quality—most of them concerned with procedural aspects, i.e., authenticity and integrity, for example. Besides that, there exist principal concepts that have been overlooked in the past: Two of those criteria are
relevance
and
expressiveness
of digital evidence. Unlike others, those are directly concerned with reaching the investigative goal. Therefore, we approach these two overlooked concepts of digital evidence by giving formal definitions. To illustrate the usefulness, we present two applications: First, we demonstrate that the notions of expressiveness and completeness can be used to guide investigations by presenting the
Facet-oriented Criminalistic Cycle
as a thinking model, which extends the well-established criminalistic cycle. Second, we put the concepts into practice by calculating the expressiveness of facets from a state machine representation of a digital system utilizing temporal logic and a model checker. Furthermore, we sketch out the implications of this improved way of defining relevance and expressiveness. Accordingly, this article aims to improve the understanding of these critical aspects of the overall investigative process.
LAVA: Log Authentication and Verification Algorithm
Authors: Bajramovic Edita , Fein Christofer , Frinken Marius , Rösler Paul , Freiling Felix
Published: July 2023

Log files provide essential information regarding the actions of processes in critical computer systems. If an attacker modifies log entries, then critical digital evidence is lost. Therefore, many algorithms for secure logging have been devised, each achieving different security goals under different assumptions. We analyze these algorithms and identify their essential security features. Within a common system and attacker model, we integrate these algorithms into a single (parameterizable) “meta” algorithm called LAVA that possesses the union of the security features and can be parameterized to yield the security features of former algorithms. We present a security and efficiency analysis and provide a Python module that can be used to provide secure logging for forensics and incident response.
Defect-Engineered MnO2 as Catalyst for the Chemical Mechanical Polishing of Silicon Carbide Wafer
Authors: Guo Wanying , Kong Xue , Wang Mingxuan , Zhang Sipei , Qiao Yi , Wang Zhongran , Zhou Longfei , Chen Mengya , Ma Jialin , Meng Danni , Yang Senlin , Tang Xiaoxue , Du Xinrui , Zhang Yanfeng
Published: July 2023

Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of SiC wafer is challenging due to its extreme hardness and inertness. Catalyst assisted CMP is a cost-effective approach to increase material removal rate (MRR) without sacrificing surface quality. Herein, oxygen-deficient α-MnO2 was prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and the effect of catalyst physiochemical structure on the CMP performance of Si-face SiC wafer was systematically studied. The addition of 1% α-MnO2 catalyst increased MRR by 38.8% to 1.11 μm h−1, much higher than commercial γ-MnO2. The synergy of phase structure, oxygen vacancy and surface area & porosity contributed to the high catalytic activity. α-MnO2 is an outstanding oxidation catalyst due to its stable framework, large tunnel size, rich surface area and porosity, which can facilitate the adsorption, activation and transfer of guest species and intermediates and therefore affects the reaction pathway and reaction kinetics. Mechanochemical synthesis generates nano MnO2 particles with rich oxygen vacancies. The presence of more surface oxygen vacancies can improve oxidizing activity of MnO2 catalyst, facilitating the oxidation of C species on wafer surface. The use of defect-engineered α-MnO2 catalyst is promising for overcoming the present bottlenecks of long processing time and high cost of current CMP of SiC wafer.
A better explanation of countercurrent multiplication in the formation of the corticopapillary osmotic gradient in the outer medulla
Authors: Kuang Serena Y.
Published: July 2023

Countercurrent multiplication is widely accepted as the mechanism for the generation of the corticopapillary osmotic gradient in the outer medulla of mammalian kidneys, but the current explanations of it in textbooks and the literature are inefficient and incomplete, leading to confusion for students. This article shares a modified version of countercurrent multiplication with more understandable explanation as a way of motivating peer discussion, further improvement, and future research.
Modelling the Impacts of the Changing Climate on Streamflow in Didesa Catchment, Abay Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Awetu Amsalu Gudeta , Kenea Tadesse Tujuba
Published: July 2023

The Didesa catchment, which is the second largest subbasin of the Abay basin, significantly contributes to the Blue Nile’s outflow. Understanding the dynamics of water availability under the changing climate in such a basin assists in the proper planning of land use and other development activities. This study presents changes in climatic elements such as rainfall, temperature, and evapotranspiration using observation data and regional climate models (RCMs) under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for three future periods. We use a calibrated hydrological model to further assess climate change’s effects on streamflow. We select three RCMs and their ensemble’s mean by evaluating their performance with respect to observations. We apply the modified Mann–Kendall test to detect trends in each dataset. The result shows that annual mean maximum and minimum temperatures increase in the catchment for the 2021–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100 periods as compared to baseline (1989–2018) under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Annual mean maximum temperature and potential evapotranspiration experienced a significant decreasing trend during the year from 1989 to 2018. Furthermore, there was an increasing trend in annual rainfall from 1989 to 2018, which could be related to the cooling of sea surface temperature over the equatorial Pacific. We detect an increasing trend in temperature in both scenarios and all periods; however, no clear trend pattern is found in rainfall. The result from hydrological model simulations reveals that the mean monthly streamflow slightly increases in the winter season while it decreases during the main rainy season. Further study of detailed weather systems, which affect the subbasin’s climate, is recommended.