bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence and Sensor Innovations: Enhancing Livestock Welfare with a Human-Centric Approach
Authors: Neethirajan Suresh
Published: November 2023

In the wake of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor technologies, a new horizon of possibilities has emerged across diverse sectors. Livestock farming, a domain often sidelined in conventional AI discussions, stands at the cusp of this transformative wave. This paper delves into the profound potential of AI and sensor innovations in reshaping animal welfare in livestock farming, with a pronounced emphasis on a human-centric paradigm. Central to our discourse is the symbiotic interplay between cutting-edge technology and human expertise. While AI and sensor mechanisms offer real-time, comprehensive, and objective insights into animal welfare, it’s the farmer’s intrinsic knowledge of their livestock and environment that should steer these technological strides. We champion the notion of technology as an enhancer of farmers’ innate capabilities, not a substitute. Our manuscript sheds light on: Objective Animal Welfare Indicators: An exhaustive exploration of health, behavioral, and physiological metrics, underscoring AI’s prowess in delivering precise, timely, and objective evaluations. Farmer-Centric Approach: A focus on the pivotal role of farmers in the adept adoption and judicious utilization of AI and sensor technologies, coupled with discussions on crafting intuitive, pragmatic, and cost-effective solutions tailored to farmers' distinct needs. Ethical and Social Implications: A discerning scrutiny of the digital metamorphosis in farming, encompassing facets like animal privacy, data safeguarding, responsible AI deployment, and potential technological access disparities. Future Pathways: Advocacy for principled technology design, unambiguous responsible use guidelines, and fair technology access, all echoing the fundamental principles of human-centric computing and analytics. In essence, our paper furnishes pioneering insights at the crossroads of farming, animal welfare, technology, and ethics. It presents a rejuvenated perspective, bridging the chasm between technological advancements and their human beneficiaries, resonating seamlessly with the ethos of the Human-Centric Intelligent Systems journal. This comprehensive analysis thus marks a significant stride in the burgeoning domain of human-centric intelligent systems, especially within the digital livestock farming landscape, fostering a harmonious coexistence of technology, animals, and humans.
Effect of thermal oxidation on the dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of CP-Ti on CP-Ti tribopairs
Authors: Sun Yong , Bailey Richard , Zhang Jin , Lian Yong , Ji Xiulin
Published: November 2023

Thermal oxidation (TO) has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient technique to engineer the surfaces of titanium and its alloys to achieve enhanced surface properties. The benefits of TO treatment in enhancing the tribological properties of titanium have been demonstrated by many investigators. However, most of the reported tribological studies have been based on the contact between a TO treated titanium specimen and a counter-body made of other materials, mainly ceramics, steels and polymers. Very few studies have been reported on the friction and wear behaviour of TO treated titanium sliding against TO treated titanium. In this work, the effect of thermal oxidation on the dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of commercially pure Ti (CP-Ti) on CP-Ti tribopairs was investigated under loading conditions ranging from elastic contact to plastic contact. Comparisons were made among three contact pairs: (1) untreated Ti on untreated Ti (Ti–Ti), (2) untreated Ti on TO treated Ti (Ti-TO) and (3) TO treated Ti on TO treated Ti (TO-TO). The results show that the TO-TO contact pair presents an ideal material combination to achieve the best tribological performance in terms of low friction and superior wear resistance. On the other hand, the Ti–Ti pair presents the worst combination in terms of tribological performance. While the Ti-TO pair performs better than the Ti–Ti pair tribologically, it is not as good as the TO-TO pair. It is essential to thermally oxidize both specimens in order to achieve optimal tribological performance. It is the oxide layer-on-oxide layer contact that imparts the excellent tribological performance. Failure of the oxide layer in one of the contact bodies can lead to high and unstable friction and increased wear from both contacting bodies. The tribological performance of the three contact pairs and the failure mechanism of the oxide layer are discussed in the paper. The results of this work suggest that the TO treated Ti on TO treated Ti contact pair would have potential tribological applications in engineering.
Accurate determination of stability characteristics of spatially modulated shear layers
Authors: Panday S. , Floryan J.M.
Published: November 2023

We present a method for accurately determining the stability characteristics of spatially modulated shear layers. The algorithm can handle arbitrary commensurate states, which are not accessible to classical direct-numerical-simulation-based approaches. It uses spectral discretization of the field equations to handle field modulations and the spectrally accurate immersed boundary conditions method to handle the geometry modulations. The algorithm can deal with pattern interaction effects driven by modulations of different physical origins. Various tests demonstrate that the algorithm delivers spectral accuracy for eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. The algorithm can be easily extended to analyse many sources and patterns of modulation with minimal commitment to the user's time.
A model for the dissipation rate in linear unsteady flow through porous media
Authors: Unglehrt Lukas , Manhart Michael
Published: November 2023

We present a model for the volume-averaged dissipation rate in linear unsteady flow through porous media. The model is derived by blending a new small-time asymptotic expression for the dissipation rate obtained from boundary layer theory with the known large-time asymptotic expression obtained from Darcy's law. The resulting model is a second-order Volterra functional of the volume-averaged acceleration. We validate the model with an analytical solution for transient flow through a porous medium composed of circular tubes and with numerical simulations of transient and oscillatory flow through a cylinder array and through a hexagonal sphere pack.
Exact Riemann solver for non-convex relativistic hydrodynamics
Authors: Berbel M. , Serna S. , Marquina A.
Published: November 2023

We present the general analytical solution of the Riemann problem (decay of a jump discontinuity) for non-convex relativistic hydrodynamics. In convex dynamics, an elementary nonlinear wave, i.e. a rarefaction or a shock, originates at the discontinuity and travels towards one of the initial states. Between the left and right waves, an equilibrium state appears represented by a contact discontinuity. The exact solution to the Riemann problem in convex relativistic hydrodynamics was first addressed by Martí & Müller (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 258, 1994, pp. 317–333). In non-convex dynamics, two sequences of elementary nonlinear waves move towards the left and right initial states. Solving the Riemann problem involves determining the types of wave developing and the equilibrium state where they coincide. The procedure consists of constructing the wave curves associated with the nonlinear waves in the pressure–velocity phase space, where the intersection of the wave curves indicates the equilibrium state. We describe the relation between the wave curves, the explicit formulas for their calculation, and the outline of the process for a correct derivation and representation of the waves in the spatial domain. We present examples of the exact solution of a Riemann problem that illustrate the complex phenomena of non-convex dynamics by using the phenomenological non-convex equation of state proposed by Ibáñez et al. (Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., vol. 476, 2017, pp. 1100–1110).
The cultural and linguistic adaptation of the Oxford Cognitive Screen to Tamil
Authors: A. P. Porrselvi , Venkateswaran Prathiksha , Vijayanand Sahasra , Webb Sam S. , Ramkumar Shreya , C. R. Sneha , Demeyere Nele
Published: November 2023

Objective:

The Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS) is a screening tool to assess stroke patients for deficits in attention, executive functions, language, praxis, numeric cognition, and memory. In this study, the OCS was culturally and linguistically adapted to Tamil, for use in India (OCS TA), considering the differences between formal and spoken versions of Tamil and consideration of its phonetic complexity.

Method:

We adopted two-parallel form versions of the OCS and generated normative data for them. We recruited 181 healthy controls (Mean = 39.27 years, SD 16.52) (141 completed version A, 40 completed version B, 33 completed version A and B) and compared the data with the original UK normative sample. In addition, 28 native Tamil-speaking patients who had a stroke in the past three years (Mean = 62.76 years, SD 9.14) were assessed. Convergent validity was assessed with subtasks from Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III).

Results:

We found significant differences between the UK normative group and the OCS TA normative group in age and education. Tamil-specific norms were used to adapt the cutoffs for the memory, gesture imitation, and executive function tasks. When domain-specific scores on the ACE-III were compared, OCS TA exhibited strong convergent validity.

Conclusions:

The OCS TA has shown the potential to be a useful screening tool for stroke survivors among Tamil speakers with the two-parallel forms demonstrating good equivalence. Further empirical evidence from larger studies is required to establish their psychometric performance and clinical validity.
Censoring the Intellectual Public Space in China: What Topics Are Not Allowed and Who Gets Blacklisted?
Authors: Yan Xiaojun , Li La
Published: November 2023

Censorship is one of the main forms of political coercion deployed by modern states to control and regulate public expression. In this article, we examine the political censorship of China’s intellectual public space, which has long been underexplored. We apply unsupervised machine learning to examine the database of a leading intellectual portal website, which serves as an archive of both published and censored intellectual writings between 2000 and 2020 and includes over 740 million Chinese characters. We identify a strategic censorship mechanism that consists of thematic and persona censorship elements. Thematic censorship involves the state filtering out writing that competes with the official policy narrative, historiography, and values. Persona censorship involves the complete muting of individual intellectuals who have previously made derogatory attacks on the supreme leaders of the Communist Party, which represents a symbolic act of open defiance.
More Money, Less Credit? Legislator Gender and the Effectiveness of Congressional Credit Claiming
Authors: McLaughlin Peter T.
Published: November 2023

Bringing home federal spending projects to the district is a common reelection strategy for members of the U.S. Congress, and congresswomen tend to outperform congressmen in securing district spending. However, for legislators to turn distributive benefits into higher approval and electoral rewards, constituents must recognize that public spending has taken place in their community and attribute credit to the correct public official. I theorize that congresswomen face a gender bias when claiming credit for federal projects, and I test this theory through an online survey experiment. Contrary to expectations, I find no evidence that legislator gender influences the public’s reaction to congressional credit claims, indicating that congresswomen can effectively use distributive politics to counter gendered vulnerability in the U.S. Congress. This research advances the literature on gender and politics by investigating whether a gender bias in credit claiming prevents congresswomen from turning their representational efforts into electoral capital.
Fire Histories May Be Written on Grains of Sand
Authors: Wilke Carolyn
Published: November 2023

Tiny bits of quartz record the intensity of fires from hundreds or even thousands of years ago, potentially offering new ways to study historic fires and how heat affects soil.
Detailed Modeling and Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Blue Jet on the Atmospheric Chemistry
Authors: Xu C. , Huret N. , Celestin S. , Qie X.
Published: November 2023

To evaluate the impact of a blue jet (BJ) discharge on the chemical system in the whole stratosphere as a function of altitude, we developed a detailed ion‐neutral chemistry model. The BJ discharge is formed as a streamer discharge up to 50 km with a leader part up to 28 km associated with high‐temperature chemistry. The simulations are performed in a 2‐day duration to investigate diurnal variations of chemical perturbations at the altitudes of every 2 km from 20 to 50 km. The specific chemistry processes during the leader (considering the molecular diffusion) and streamer discharges react with the whole stratospheric chemical families (oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and bromine). We systematically compare the simulations with and without the BJ discharge. The results obtained during the first 100 s indicate the ozone enhanced in the middle stratosphere, while no obvious change in the lower and close to the top of the stratosphere. After 2 days, simulations show that the entire neutral chemical stratospheric system is modified with the enhancement of nitrogen oxides, chlorine, and bromine reservoirs. As a consequence, ozone depletion appears in the middle and upper stratosphere due to the catalytic cycle associated with reactive NOx (=NO + NO2). Each chemical family results in a new equilibrium, and the ozone layer appears to be “shifted” to a lower altitude with its maximum less abundance. Due to the long lifetimes of the chlorine and bromine reservoirs in the stratosphere, the chemical perturbations caused by the BJ discharge at all studied altitudes are maintained.
More Frequent Hurricane Passage Across the Bahamian Archipelago During the Little Ice Age
Authors: Winkler T. S. , van Hengstum P. J. , Donnelly J. P. , Wallace E. J. , Albury N. A. , D’Entremont N. , Hawkes A. D. , Maio C. V. , Roberts J. , Sullivan R. M. , Woodruff J. D.
Published: November 2023

The year 2020 Common Era (CE) experienced the highest number of named tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean since 1850 CE, but the short instrumental record makes it challenging to assess if this level of activity is statistically meaningful. Here, we present two near‐annually resolved hurricane reconstructions from sediment archived in two blue holes located only 300 m apart on the northern margin of Grand Bahama. These two blue holes provide a replicated signal of hurricanes passing within a 50–100 km radius over the last 1,800 years, and the long‐term reconstructions document multiple 50‐to‐150‐year intervals when hurricane frequency was significantly higher than it has been over the last 100 years. These two records were first merged into a single stack, and then compiled with five other high‐resolution reconstructions from across the Bahamian Archipelago to form a single 1500‐year record of Bahamian hurricane frequency. This new Bahamian Compilation documents more hurricanes passing ∼75°W from 21°N to 26°N during the Little Ice Age (LIA; 1300–1850 CE) relative to the prior millennium and the last 170 years. The US Eastern Seaboard also experienced heightened hurricane activity during the LIA, whereas the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Caribbean were inactive. This suggests that despite a globally cooler climate, regional climate conditions during the LIA remained favorable for cyclogenesis and intensification along certain Atlantic hurricane pathways. Perhaps heightened Sahel rainfall during the LIA indicates an increase in African Easterly waves, which in turn possibly seeded more tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Main Development Region.
A Nonlinear Model for Evaluating Dynamic Resilience of Water Supply Hydropower Generation‐Environment Conservation Nexus System
Authors: Wu Zhenhui , Liu Dedi , Mei Yadong , Guo Shenglian , Xiong Lihua , Liu Pan , Chen Jie , Yin Jiabo , Zeng Yujie
Published: November 2023

Undesirable disturbances (e.g., extraordinary drought) are prone to cause cascading failures of water supply‐hydropower generation‐environment conservation (WHE) nexus system. Simulating a dynamic resilience of the nexus system can provide opportunities for pre‐disturbance effective prevention and post‐disturbance recovery from the cascading failures. Previous dynamic resilience simulating is often based on the linear assumption which is not applicable for the WHE nexus system that involves nonlinear processes. To improve simulation accuracy of the dynamic resilience of the WHE nexus system, a novel nonlinear dynamic resilience model that incorporates both a WHE nexus model and a second‐order Volterra (SOV) model is proposed. The WHE nexus model simulates amount of impact propagated by an original disturbance event on each subsystem, while the SOV model captures nonlinear relationship between the amount of impact and a corresponding dynamic resilience. The proposed model was applied to the Liuchong River Basin, China, under different dry year scenarios. The results show that the dynamic resilience simulated through the SOV model performs better than that through a first‐order Volterra model which is suitable for a linear system, with Nash‐Sutcliffe efficiencies of water supply, hydropower generation, and environment conservation subsystems increasing by 36.8%, 70.9%, and 17% respectively. Among the WHE nexus system, the water supply subsystem is found to be the least resilient. Moreover, the proposed nonlinear model is more suitable for simulating and predicting dynamic resilience when a severer water resources drought occurs. The proposed model helps to guide resilience management of water resource system by combining nexus and resilience thinking.
Electroacupuncture modulates glutamate neurotransmission to alleviate PTSD-like behaviors in a PTSD animal model
Authors: Cai Mudan , Park Hee Ra , Yang Eun Jin
Published: November 2023

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event. Owing to the relatively low rates of response and remission with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as the primary treatment for PTSD, there is a recognized need for alternative strategies to effectively address the symptoms of PTSD. Dysregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission plays a critical role in various disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, the regulation of glutamate levels holds great promise as a therapeutic target for the treatment of mental disorders. Electroacupuncture (EA) has become increasingly popular as a complementary and alternative medicine approach. It maintains the homeostasis of central nervous system (CNS) function and alleviates symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. This study investigated the effects of EA at the GV29 (Yintang) acupoint three times per week for 2 weeks in an animal model of PTSD. PTSD was induced using single prolonged stress/shock (SPSS) in mice, that is, SPS with additional foot shock stimulation. EA treatment significantly reduced PTSD-like behavior and effectively regulated serum corticosterone and serotonin levels in the PTSD model. Additionally, EA treatment decreased glutamate levels and glutamate neurotransmission-related proteins (pNR1 and NR2B) in the hippocampus of a PTSD model. In addition, neuronal activity and the number of Golgi-impregnated dendritic spines were significantly lower in the EA treatment group than in the SPSS group. Notably, EA treatment effectively reduced glutamate-induced excitotoxicity (caspase-3, Bax, and pJNK). These findings suggest that EA treatment at the GV29 acupoint holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for PTSD, possibly through the regulation of NR2B receptor-mediated glutamate neurotransmission to reduce PTSD-like behaviors.
Atomic scale volume and grain boundary diffusion elucidated by in situ STEM
Authors: Schweizer Peter , Sharma Amit , Pethö Laszlo , Huszar Emese , Vogl Lilian Maria , Michler Johann , Maeder Xavier
Published: November 2023

Diffusion is one of the most important phenomena studied in science ranging from physics to biology and, in abstract form, even in social sciences. In the field of materials science, diffusion in crystalline solids is of particular interest as it plays a pivotal role in materials synthesis, processing and applications. While this subject has been studied extensively for a long time there are still some fundamental knowledge gaps to be filled. In particular, atomic scale observations of thermally stimulated volume diffusion and its mechanisms are still lacking. In addition, the mechanisms and kinetics of diffusion along defects such as grain boundaries are not yet fully understood. In this work we show volume diffusion processes of tungsten atoms in a metal matrix on the atomic scale. Using in situ high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy we are able to follow the random movement of single atoms within a lattice at elevated temperatures. The direct observation allows us to confirm random walk processes, quantify diffusion kinetics and distinctly separate diffusion in the volume from diffusion along defects. This work solidifies and refines our knowledge of the broadly essential mechanism of volume diffusion.
High-resolution temporal profiling of E. coli transcriptional response
Authors: Miano Arianna , Rychel Kevin , Lezia Andrew , Sastry Anand , Palsson Bernhard , Hasty Jeff
Published: November 2023

Understanding how cells dynamically adapt to their environment is a primary focus of biology research. Temporal information about cellular behavior is often limited by both small numbers of data time-points and the methods used to analyze this data. Here, we apply unsupervised machine learning to a data set containing the activity of 1805 native promoters in E. coli measured every 10 minutes in a high-throughput microfluidic device via fluorescence time-lapse microscopy. Specifically, this data set reveals E. coli transcriptome dynamics when exposed to different heavy metal ions. We use a bioinformatics pipeline based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to generate insights and hypotheses from this data. We discovered three primary, time-dependent stages of promoter activation to heavy metal stress (fast, intermediate, and steady). Furthermore, we uncovered a global strategy E. coli uses to reallocate resources from stress-related promoters to growth-related promoters following exposure to heavy metal stress.
Acoustofluidic Interfaces for the Mechanobiological Secretome of MSCs
Authors: He Ye , Yang Shujie , Liu Pengzhan , Li Ke , Jin Ke , Becker Ryan , Zhang Jinxin , Lin Chuanchuan , Xia Jianping , Ma Zhehan , Ma Zhiteng , Zhong Ruoyu , Lee Luke P. , Huang Tony Jun
Published: November 2023

While mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained enormous attention due to their unique properties of self-renewal, colony formation, and differentiation potential, the MSC secretome has become attractive due to its roles in immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory activity, angiogenesis, and anti-apoptosis. However, the precise stimulation and efficient production of the MSC secretome for therapeutic applications are challenging problems to solve. Here, we report on Acoustofluidic Interfaces for the Mechanobiological Secretome of MSCs: AIMS. We create an acoustofluidic mechanobiological environment to form reproducible three-dimensional MSC aggregates, which produce the MSC secretome with high efficiency. We confirm the increased MSC secretome is due to improved cell-cell interactions using AIMS: the key mediator N-cadherin was up-regulated while functional blocking of N-cadherin resulted in no enhancement of the secretome. After being primed by IFN-γ, the secretome profile of the MSC aggregates contains more anti-inflammatory cytokines and can be used to inhibit the pro-inflammatory response of M1 phenotype macrophages, suppress T cell activation, and support B cell functions. As such, the MSC secretome can be modified for personalized secretome-based therapies. AIMS acts as a powerful tool for improving the MSC secretome and precisely tuning the secretory profile to develop new treatments in translational medicine.
Enhancing the sensitivity of atom-interferometric inertial sensors using robust control
Authors: Saywell Jack C. , Carey Max S. , Light Philip S. , Szigeti Stuart S. , Milne Alistair R. , Gill Karandeep S. , Goh Matthew L. , Perunicic Viktor S. , Wilson Nathanial M. , Macrae Calum D. , Rischka Alexander , Everitt Patrick J. , Robins Nicholas P. , Anderson Russell P. , Hush Michael R. , Biercuk Michael J.
Published: November 2023

Atom-interferometric quantum sensors could revolutionize navigation, civil engineering, and Earth observation. However, operation in real-world environments is challenging due to external interference, platform noise, and constraints on size, weight, and power. Here we experimentally demonstrate that tailored light pulses designed using robust control techniques mitigate significant error sources in an atom-interferometric accelerometer. To mimic the effect of unpredictable lateral platform motion, we apply laser-intensity noise that varies up to 20% from pulse-to-pulse. Our robust control solution maintains performant sensing, while the utility of conventional pulses collapses. By measuring local gravity, we show that our robust pulses preserve interferometer scale factor and improve measurement precision by 10× in the presence of this noise. We further validate these enhancements by measuring applied accelerations over a 200 μg range up to 21× more precisely at the highest applied noise level. Our demonstration provides a pathway to improved atom-interferometric inertial sensing in real-world settings.
The heat shock protein LarA activates the Lon protease in response to proteotoxic stress
Authors: Omnus Deike J. , Fink Matthias J. , Kallazhi Aswathy , Xandri Zaragoza Maria , Leppert Axel , Landreh Michael , Jonas Kristina
Published: November 2023

The Lon protease is a highly conserved protein degradation machine that has critical regulatory and protein quality control functions in cells from the three domains of life. Here, we report the discovery of a α-proteobacterial heat shock protein, LarA, that functions as a dedicated Lon regulator. We show that LarA accumulates at the onset of proteotoxic stress and allosterically activates Lon-catalysed degradation of a large group of substrates through a five amino acid sequence at its C-terminus. Further, we find that high levels of LarA cause growth inhibition in a Lon-dependent manner and that Lon-mediated degradation of LarA itself ensures low LarA levels in the absence of stress. We suggest that the temporal LarA-dependent activation of Lon helps to meet an increased proteolysis demand in response to protein unfolding stress. Our study defines a regulatory interaction of a conserved protease with a heat shock protein, serving as a paradigm of how protease activity can be tuned under changing environmental conditions.
A study of the wave dynamics of the space–time fractional nonlinear evolution equations of beta derivative using the improved Bernoulli sub-equation function approach
Authors: Podder Anamika , Arefin Mohammad Asif , Akbar M. Ali , Uddin M. Hafiz
Published: November 2023

The space–time fractional nonlinear Klein-Gordon and modified regularized long-wave equations explain the dynamics of spinless ions and relativistic electrons in atom theory, long-wave dynamics in the ocean, like tsunamis and tidal waves, shallow water waves in coastal sea areas, and also modeling several nonlinear optical phenomena. In this study, the improved Bernoulli sub-equation function method has been used to generate some new and more universal closed-form traveling wave solutions of those equations in the sense of beta-derivative. Using the fractional complex wave transformation, the equations are converted into nonlinear differential equations. The achieved outcomes are further inclusive of successfully dealing with the aforementioned models. Some projecting solitons waveforms, including, kink, singular soliton, bell shape, anti-bell shape, and other types of solutions are displayed through a three-dimensional plotline, a plot of contour, and a 2D plot for definite parametric values. It is significant to note that all obtained solutions are verified as accurate by substituting the original equation in each case using the computational software, Maple. Additionally, the results have been compared with other existing results in the literature to show their uniqueness. The proposed technique is effective, computationally attractive, and trustworthy to establish more generalized wave solutions.
Morphological, histological and gene-expression analyses on stolonization in the Japanese Green Syllid, Megasyllis nipponica (Annelida, Syllidae)
Authors: Nakamura Mayuko , Oguchi Kohei , Sato Daisuke S. , Kato Sumika , Okanishi Masanori , Hayashi Yoshinobu , Aguado M. Teresa , Miura Toru
Published: November 2023

Benthic annelids belonging to the family Syllidae (Annelida, Errantia, Phyllodocida) exhibit a unique reproduction mode called “schizogamy” or “stolonization”, in which the posterior body part filled with gametes detaches from the original body, as a reproductive unit (stolon) that autonomously swims and spawns. In this study, morphological and histological observations on the developmental processes during stolonization were carried out in Megasyllis nipponica. Results suggest that the stolon formation started with maturation of gonads, followed by the formation of a head ganglion in the anteriormost segment of the developing stolon. Then, the detailed stolon-specific structures such as stolon eyes and notochaetae were formed. Furthermore, expression profiles of genes involved in the anterior–posterior identity (Hox genes), head determination, germ-line, and hormone regulation were compared between anterior and posterior body parts during the stolonization process. The results reveal that, in the posterior body part, genes for gonadal development were up-regulated, followed by hormone-related genes and head-determination genes. Unexpectedly, Hox genes known to identify body parts along the anterior–posterior axis showed no significant temporal expression changes. These findings suggest that during stolonization, gonad development induces the head formation of a stolon, without up-regulation of anterior Hox genes.
Prediction of blood pressure changes during surgical incision using the minimum evoked current of vascular stiffness value under sevoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Shorin Daiki , Kamiya Satoshi , Nakamura Ryuji , Ishibashi Ayaka , Saeki Noboru , Tsuji Toshio , Tsutsumi Yasuo M.
Published: November 2023

Necessary and sufficient opioids should be administered for safe and stable anesthesia. However, opioid sensitivity varies among individuals. We previously reported that sympathetic responses to nociceptive stimuli under propofol anesthesia could be predicted by measuring the minimum evoked current of the vascular stiffness value (MECK). However, this result has only been proven under propofol anesthesia. We propose that MECK could be used under anesthesia with a volatile anesthetic. Thirty patients undergoing laparotomy with sevoflurane anesthesia received 0.7 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) sevoflurane and intravenous remifentanil at a constant concentration of 2 ng/mL, followed by tetanic stimulation, to measure MECK. After tetanic stimulation, the same anesthetic conditions were maintained, and the rate of change in systolic blood pressure (ROCBP) during the skin incision was measured. The correlation coefficient between the MECK and ROCBP during skin incision under sevoflurane anesthesia was R =  − 0.735 (P < 0.01), similar to that in a previous study with propofol (R =  − 0.723). Thus, a high correlation was observed. The slope of the linear regression equation was − 0.27, similar to that obtained in the study on propofol (− 0.28). These results suggest that, as with propofol anesthesia, MECK can be used as a predictive index for ROCBP under 0.7 MAC sevoflurane anesthesia.

Clinical trial registration: Registry, University hospital Medical Information Network; registration number, UMIN000047425; principal investigator’s name, Noboru Saeki; date of registration, April 8, 2022.
TREYESCAN: configuration of an eye tracking test for the measurement of compensatory eye movements in patients with visual field defects
Authors: Faraji Yasmin , van Rijn Joris W. , van Nispen Ruth M. A. , van Rens Ger H. M. B. , Melis-Dankers Bart J. M. , Koopman Jan , van Rijn Laurentius J.
Published: November 2023

The Traffic Eye Scanning and Compensation Analyzer (TREYESCAN) is introduced as an innovative eye tracking test designed to measure compensatory eye movements in individuals with visual field defects. The primary objective of the test is to quantitatively assess and analyze the compensatory eye movements employed by patients with visual field defects while viewing videos of various traffic scenes from the viewpoint of a driver of a passenger car. The filming process involved capturing a wide range of driving conditions and hazards, aiming to replicate real-world scenarios. Specific dynamic areas of interest within these scenes were selected and assessed by a panel of experts on medical and practical fitness to drive. Pilot measurements were conducted on a sample of 20 normally-sighted individuals during two different measurement sessions. The results provide valuable insights into how individuals without visual impairment view the dynamic scenes presented in the test. Moving forward, the TREYESCAN will be used in a case–control study involving glaucoma patients and control subjects, with the goal of further investigating and understanding the mechanisms employed by individuals with glaucoma to compensate for their visual field defects.
Plant-based production of a protective vaccine antigen against the bovine parasitic nematode Ostertagia ostertagi
Authors: Zwanenburg Laurens , Borloo Jimmy , Decorte Bregt , Bunte Myrna J. M. , Mokhtari Sanaz , Serna Sonia , Reichardt Niels-C. , Seys Leen J. M. , van Diepen Angela , Schots Arjen , Wilbers Ruud H. P. , Hokke Cornelis H. , Claerebout Edwin , Geldhof Peter
Published: November 2023

The development of effective recombinant vaccines against parasitic nematodes has been challenging and so far mostly unsuccessful. This has also been the case for Ostertagia ostertagi, an economically important abomasal nematode in cattle, applying recombinant versions of the protective native activation-associated secreted proteins (ASP). To gain insight in key elements required to trigger a protective immune response, the protein structure and N-glycosylation of the native ASP and a non-protective Pichia pastoris recombinant ASP were compared. Both antigens had a highly comparable protein structure, but different N-glycan composition. After mimicking the native ASP N-glycosylation via the expression in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, immunisation of calves with these plant-produced recombinants resulted in a significant reduction of 39% in parasite egg output, comparable to the protective efficacy of the native antigen. This study provides a valuable workflow for the development of recombinant vaccines against other parasitic nematodes.
Distributions of easy axes and reversal processes in patterned MRAM arrays
Authors: Frost William , Carpenter Robert , Couet Sebastien , O’Grady Kevin , Vallejo Fernandez Gonzalo
Published: November 2023

The distribution of the easy-axes in an array of MRAM cells is a vital parameter to understand the switching and characteristics of the devices. By measuring the coercivity as a function of applied-field angle, and remaining close to the perpendicular orientation, a classic Stoner-Wohlfarth approximation has been applied to the resulting variation to determine the standard deviation,$$\sigma $$σ, of a Gaussian distribution of the orientation of the easy-magnetisation directions. In this work we have compared MRAM arrays with nominal cells sizes of 20 nm and 60 nm and a range of free layer thicknesses. We have found that a smaller diameter cell will have a wider switching-field distribution with a standard deviation$$\sigma = {9.5}^{\circ }$$σ=9.5∘. The MRAM arrays consist of pillars produced by etching a multilayer thin film. This value of$$\sigma $$σis dominated by pillar uniformity and edge effects controlling the reversal, reinforcing the need for ever-improving etch processes. This is compared to larger pillars, with distributions as low as$$\sigma = {5.5}^{\circ }$$σ=5.5∘. Furthermore we found that the distribution broadens from$$\sigma = {5.5}^{\circ }$$σ=5.5∘to$$\sigma = {8.5}^{\circ }$$σ=8.5∘with free layer thickness in larger pillars and that thinner films had a more uniform easy-axis orientation. For the 20 nm pillars the non-uniform size distribution of the pillars, with a large and unknown error in the free-layer volume, was highlighted as it was found that the activation volume for the reversal of the free layer 930 nm$$^3$$3was larger than the nominal physical volume of the free layer. However for the 60 nm pillars, the activation volume was measured to be equal to one fifth of their physical volume. This implies that the smaller pillars effectively reverse as one entity while the larger pillars reverse via an incoherent mechanism of nucleation and propagation.
New Au/chitosan nanocomposite modified carbon paste sensor for voltammetric detection of nicotine
Authors: Shehata M. , Zaki M. , Fekry Amany M.
Published: November 2023

A profoundly touchy voltammetric sensor for detection of nicotine (NIC) in urine and tobacco specimens has been developed in light of the boosted electrochemical response of NIC at gold and chitosan nanocomposite modified carbon paste electrode (ACMCPE). Material characterization techniques Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM & EDX) were utilized to describe the ACMCPE surface material. The impedance spectroscopy technique (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were employed to explore the electrochemical sensing of NIC at ACMCPE. The created sensor exhibits an exceptional electrochemical sensitivity to NIC in a universal Britton–Robinson (B-R) buffer solution with a pH range of 2.0 to 8.0. The sensor shows a linear response over NIC concentration ranges of 4.0–320.0 µM, with the detection limit (LOD) of 7.6 µM. The prepared sensor has been shown to be exceptionally viable in detecting NIC with amazing selectivity and reproducibility. We suggest it as a trustworthy and useful electrochemical sensor for NIC location.
Unveiling the potential role of natriuretic peptide receptor a isoforms in fine-tuning the cGMP production and tissue-specific function
Authors: Ang Wei Fong , Liao Dan , Koh Cho Yeow , Kini R. Manjunatha
Published: November 2023

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a peptide hormone that regulates blood pressure and volume. ANP interacts with natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) to lower the blood pressure through vasodilation, diuresis and natriuresis. Previously, we designed two human ANP analogues, one with exclusively diuretic function (DGD-ANP) and the other with exclusively vasodilatory function (DRD-ANP). Although both ANP analogues interact with NPR-A, their ability to produce cGMP was different. Three alternatively spliced isoforms of NPR-A were previously identified in rodents. Here, we evaluated the putative human isoforms for their cGMP production independently and in combination with WT NPR-A in various percentages. All three NPR-A isoforms failed to produce cGMP in the presence of ANP, DGD-ANP, or DRD-ANP. Co-expression of isoforms with WT NPR-A were found to significantly impair cGMP production. Considering the differential tissue expression levels of all three spliced isoforms in rodents have previously been demonstrated, the existence of these non-functional receptor isoforms may act as negative regulator for ANP/NPR-A activation and fine-tune cGMP production by WT NPR-A to different degree in different tissues. Thus, NPR-A isoforms potentially contribute to tissue-specific functions of ANP.
Modeling fashion as an emergent collective behavior of bored individuals
Authors: Seiler Johannes P.-H. , Rumpel Simon
Published: November 2023

Boredom is an aversive mental state that is typically evoked by monotony and drives individuals to seek novel information. Despite this effect on individual behavior, the consequences of boredom for collective behavior remain elusive. Here, we introduce an agent-based model of collective fashion behavior in which simplified agents interact randomly and repeatedly choose alternatives from a circular space of color variants. Agents are endowed with a memory of past experiences and a boredom parameter, promoting avoidance of monotony. Simulating collective color trends with this model captures aspects of real trends observed in fashion magazines. We manipulate the two parameters and observe that the boredom parameter is essential for perpetuating fashion dynamics in our model. Furthermore, highly bored agents lead future population trends, when acting coherently or being highly popular. Taken together, our study illustrates that highly bored individuals can guide collective dynamics of a population to continuously explore different variants of behavior.
Factors for achieving target serum uric acid levels after initiating urate-lowering therapy in patients with gout: results from the ULTRA registry
Authors: Do Hyunsue , Choi Hyo Jin , Choi Byoongyong , Son Chang-Nam , Kim Sang-Hyon , Choi Se Rim , Kim Ji Hyoun , Kim Min Jung , Shin Kichul , Kim Hyun-Ok , Song Ran , Lee Sung Won , Ahn Joong Kyong , Lee Seung-Geun , Lee Chang Hoon , Son Kyeong Min , Moon Ki Won
Published: November 2023

Achieving target serum uric acid (SUA) levels is important in gout management. Guidelines recommend lowering SUA levels to < 6 mg/dL; however, many patients fail to reach this target, even with uric acid-lowering therapy (ULT). This study investigated clinical characteristics of target SUA achievers among Korean patients with gout. This study used data from the ULTRA registry, a nationwide inception cohort established in September 2021 that enrolls patients with gout who initiate ULT. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline; the 6-month follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups: target achievers (SUA level < 6 mg/dL at 6 months) and non-achievers. The mean participant (N = 117) age was 56.1 years, and 88.0% were male. At 6 months, 83 patients (70.9%) reached target SUA levels. Target achievers had better drug adherence (≥ 80%) to ULT (97.6% vs. 76.5%; p < 0.01) than non-achievers. Target non-achievers had a higher percentage of a family history of gout (32.4% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.01) and less antihypertensive agent use (38.2% vs. 59.0%; p = 0.03) than target achievers. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that good adherence to ULT, the absence of a family history of gout, and antihypertensive agent use were key factors associated with achieving target SUA levels at 6 months.
Chromosome genomics facilitates the marker development and selection of wheat-Aegilops biuncialis addition, substitution and translocation lines
Authors: Farkas András , Gaál Eszter , Ivanizs László , Blavet Nicolas , Said Mahmoud , Holušová Kateřina , Szőke-Pázsi Kitti , Spitkó Tamás , Mikó Péter , Türkösi Edina , Kruppa Klaudia , Kovács Péter , Darkó Éva , Szakács Éva , Bartoš Jan , Doležel Jaroslav , Molnár István
Published: November 2023

The annual goatgrass, Aegilops biuncialis is a rich source of genes with considerable agronomic value. This genetic potential can be exploited for wheat improvement through interspecific hybridization to increase stress resistance, grain quality and adaptability. However, the low throughput of cytogenetic selection hampers the development of alien introgressions. Using the sequence of flow-sorted chromosomes of diploid progenitors, the present study enabled the development of chromosome-specific markers. In total, 482 PCR markers were validated on wheat (Mv9kr1) and Ae. biuncialis (MvGB642) crossing partners, and 126 on wheat-Aegilops additions. Thirty-two markers specific for U- or M-chromosomes were used in combination with GISH and FISH for the screening of 44 Mv9kr1 × Ae. biuncialis BC3F3 genotypes. The predominance of chromosomes 4M and 5M, as well as the presence of chromosomal aberrations, may indicate that these chromosomes have a gametocidal effect. A new wheat-Ae. biuncialis disomic 4U addition, 4M(4D) and 5M(5D) substitutions, as well as several introgression lines were selected. Spike morphology and fertility indicated that the Aegilops 4M or 5M compensated well for the loss of 4D and 5D, respectively. The new cytogenetic stocks represent valuable genetic resources for the introgression of key genes alleles into wheat.
Topological electromagnetic waves in dispersive and lossy plasma crystals
Authors: Qian Chen , Jiang Yue , Jin Jicheng , Christensen Thomas , Soljačić Marin , Kildishev Alexander V. , Zhen Bo
Published: November 2023

Topological photonic crystals, which offer topologically protected and back-scattering-immune transport channels, have recently gained significant attention for both scientific and practical reasons. Although most current studies focus on dielectric materials with weak dispersions, this study focuses on topological phases in dispersive materials and presents a numerical study of Chern insulators in gaseous-phase plasma cylinder cells. We develop a numerical framework to address the complex material dispersion arising from the plasma medium and external magnetic fields and identify Chern insulator phases that are experimentally achievable. Using this numerical tool, we also explain the flat bands commonly observed in periodic plasmonic structures, via local resonances, and how edge states change as the edge termination is periodically modified. This work opens up opportunities for exploring band topology in new materials with non-trivial dispersions and has potential radio frequency (RF) applications, ranging from plasma-based lighting to plasma propulsion engines.
Plasmonics for neuroengineering
Authors: Mousavi N. S. Susan , Ramadi Khalil B. , Song Yong-Ak , Kumar Sunil
Published: November 2023

The evolving field of plasmonics has enabled the rise of engineered plasmonic nanomaterials to improve neural interface performance. Plasmonic nanostructures such as nanoparticles, if appropriately designed, can act as mediators to efficiently deliver light to target cells for less-invasive modulation with high spatial resolution than common electrical methods. Also, originating from either excitation of surface plasmons alone or in combination with thermoplasmonic effects, they can improve the performances of nanotools in neuroengineering. Here, we review plasmonic-based modalities and explore recent developments, advantages and limitations for minimally invasive neuromodulation, central nervous system disease diagnosis and therapy, and smart carrier-drug delivery toward the brain. The subject of the study stands at the interface of neuroscience and engineering. Thus, within the scope of this study, we provide background information about the nervous system and its underlying basic biology, types of neural interfaces, as well as the physics of surface plasmons and thermoplasmonic phenomena.