bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A photo-controlled, all-solid, and frequency-tunable ultra-wideband pulse generator
Authors: Niu X. , Wang R. , Zeng L. , Liu F. , Gu Y. , Yao J. , Wang L. , Xun T.
Published: October 2023

With the continuous exploration of the bioelectric effect, nanosecond and picosecond pulsed electric fields used in cancer therapy and drug introduction have attracted great attention. In this paper, an ultrashort pulsed electric field generator is proposed, which connects two photoconductive semiconductor switches in parallel to generate unipolar and bipolar pulses. We described the experimental scheme of the generator and the simulation of the radio frequency combiner. A 532 nm laser with pulse widths of 1 ns and 500 ps is used to trigger the photoconductive semiconductor switches. The experimental results show that the scheme can achieve adjustments of 357 and 720 MHz for the center frequency and the 3 dB bandwidth, respectively. The results confirm that this proposed scheme can be used for unipolar/bipolar frequency-adjustable ultra-wideband pulse generation.
Turning catalytically active pores into active pumps
Authors: Antunes G. C. , Malgaretti P. , Harting J.
Published: October 2023

We develop a semi-analytical model of self-diffusioosmotic transport in active pores, which includes advective transport and the inverse chemical reaction that consumes solute. In previous work [Antunes et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 188003 (2022)], we have demonstrated the existence of a spontaneous symmetry breaking in fore-aft symmetric pores that enables them to function as a micropump. We now show that this pumping transition is controlled by three timescales. Two timescales characterize advective and diffusive transport. The third timescale corresponds to how long a solute molecule resides in the pore before being consumed. Introducing asymmetry to the pore (either via the shape or the catalytic coating) reveals a second type of advection-enabled transition. In asymmetric pores, the flow rate exhibits discontinuous jumps and hysteresis loops upon tuning the parameters that control the asymmetry. This work demonstrates the interconnected roles of shape and catalytic patterning in the dynamics of active pores and shows how to design a pump for optimum performance.
Quantum heat valve and entanglement in superconducting LC resonators
Authors: Liu Yu-qiang , Yang Yi-jia , Ma Ting-ting , Yu Chang-shui
Published: October 2023

Quantum superconducting circuit with flexible coupler has been a powerful platform for designing quantum thermal machines. In this Letter, we employ the tunable coupling of two superconducting resonators to realize a heat valve by modulating magnetic flux using a superconducting quantum interference device. It is shown that a heat valve can be realized in a wide parameter range. We find a consistent relation between the heat current and quantum entanglement, which indicates the dominant role of entanglement on the heat valve. It provides an insightful understanding of quantum features in quantum heat machines.
Design and simulation of multilayer coatings for a multi-channel Wolter-like x-ray imager with large field of view and high resolution
Authors: Ravinet N. , Meltchakov E. , Lejars A. , Troussel Ph. , Do A. , Kozioziemski B. , Delmotte F.
Published: October 2023

X-ray diagnostics are key instruments for understanding the physics behind inertial confinement fusion experiments. We report on the multilayer design optimization for the Toroidal X-ray Imager (TXI), a hard x-rays microscope instrument designed by Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA) and Laboratoire Charles Fabry (LCF) to be installed on the National Ignition Facility. TXI includes six channels designed for three different energy bands centered on 8.7, 13, and 17.5 keV. Each channel is made up of two toroidal mirrors arranged in a Wolter-like configuration. The required field of view is 800 × 400 µm2, and the resolution should be better than 5 µm. In addition, we seek to estimate the spatial distribution of the temperature, which requires no spectral overlap of the different energy bands and a good spectral homogeneity of the image produced. The development of the multilayer coatings was performed in a two-step method. First, the coatings were optimized to obtain proper energy bands. Then, an x-ray tracing code was used to calculate the integrated optical response of each channel and adjust the response of the mirror to fulfill the requirements. To fulfill all the specifications, we propose an original design using a combination of two aperiodic coatings, one with a narrow bandwidth and the other one with a larger bandwidth.
Elucidating protein–ligand binding kinetics based on returning probability theory
Authors: Kasahara Kento , Masayama Ren , Okita Kazuya , Matubayasi Nobuyuki
Published: October 2023

The returning probability (RP) theory, a rigorous diffusion-influenced reaction theory, enables us to analyze the binding process systematically in terms of thermodynamics and kinetics using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Recently, the theory was extended to atomistically describe binding processes by adopting the host–guest interaction energy as the reaction coordinate. The binding rate constants can be estimated by computing the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reactive state existing in the binding processes. Here, we propose a methodology based on the RP theory in conjunction with the energy representation theory of solution, applicable to complex binding phenomena, such as protein–ligand binding. The derived scheme of calculating the equilibrium constant between the reactive and dissociate states, required in the RP theory, can be used for arbitrary types of reactive states. We apply the present method to the bindings of small fragment molecules [4-hydroxy-2-butanone (BUT) and methyl methylthiomethyl sulphoxide (DSS)] to FK506 binding protein (FKBP) in an aqueous solution. Estimated binding rate constants are consistent with those obtained from long-timescale MD simulations. Furthermore, by decomposing the rate constants to the thermodynamic and kinetic contributions, we clarify that the higher thermodynamic stability of the reactive state for DSS causes the faster binding kinetics compared with BUT.
Mechanistic studies of Yb2O3/HAT-CN connection electrode in tandem semiconductor devices
Authors: Chen Nan , Man Jiaxiu , Shi Changsheng , Hu Juntao , Wang Dengke , Lu Zheng-Hong
Published: October 2023

The optically transparent connecting electrode is much desired in fabrication of tandem optoelectronic devices. Yet, optically transparent materials, such as oxides, are electrically insulating. In this work, we show that low work function oxides Yb2O3 combing with high work function 1,4,5,8,9,11-hexaazatriphenylene-hexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN) molecule can be used as effective connecting electrodes to make high performance tandem organic light emitting diodes with negligible voltage loss. For instance, in a tandem device with two emission zones, yielding a brightness of 100 cd/m2, the voltage required is 5.3 V, which is approximately twice that of a single emission zone device. To gain insights into the band alignment of this electrode, we conducted the measurements, including ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze the electronic structures of occupied valence and gap states and reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy to study the unoccupied states. To understand the charge transport and injection behavior of this electrode, we conducted variable temperature charge transport measurements. Our findings reveal the presence of localized gap states within the Yb2O3/HAT-CN structure. These gap states effectively form a conduction pathway for facilitating the transport of charge carriers. At higher temperatures (≥200 K), charge transport is primarily limited by the Efros–Shklovskii type of hopping conduction through the localized states in the Yb2O3. Conversely, at lower temperatures (<200 K), the electrical current is limited by the properties of HAT-CN. These discoveries suggest that localized gap states at the oxides/organic heterojunctions can be effectively utilized in the fabrication of tandem semiconductor devices.
High pressure decomposition of a sandwich compound
Authors: Fanetti Samuele , Romi Sebastiano , Berretti Enrico , Hanfland Michael , Mijit Emin , Alabarse Frederico , Dalladay-Simpson Philip , Gorelli Federico , Bini Roberto , Santoro Mario
Published: October 2023

While it is widely recognized that purely organic molecular systems with multiple bonds undergo chemical condensation at sufficiently high pressures (from tenths to tens of GPa), the fate of organometallics at extreme conditions remains largely underexplored. We have investigated the high pressure (up to 41 GPa) chemical transformations in a simple molecular system known as nickelocene, (C5H5)2Ni, which serves as a representative example of a class of organometallics called sandwich compounds. Nickelocene decomposed above 13 GPa, at room temperature, while lower pressure thresholds have been observed at higher temperatures (295–573 K). The products were identified as nanocomposite materials, primarily composed of disordered, nickel-rich nanoparticles segregated within an extended, amorphous matrix of hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H). The investigation was conducted by means of diamond anvil cells in combination with optical spectroscopies and microscopy, synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy and diffraction, as well as transmission electron microscopy. Our findings have the potential to stimulate further research into the high-pressure chemical reactivity of organometallics and open up new synthesis routes for the production of metal-based nanoparticles, which find a wide range of applications.
CoNiFe alloy nanoparticles encapsulated into nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes toward superior electrocatalytic overall water splitting in alkaline freshwater/seawater under large-current density
Authors: Wang Yue , Yang Pengfei , Gong Yuecheng , Xiao Zhenyu , Xiao Weiping , Xin Liantao , Wu Zexing , Wang Lei
Published: October 2023

Developing bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting with high activity and durability at high current density remains a challenge. In an attempt to overcome this bottleneck, in this work, unique CoNiFe-layered double hydroxide nanoflowers are in situ grown on nickel-iron (NiFe) foam through a corrosive approach and following a chemical vapor deposition process to generate nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes at the presence of melamine (CoNiFe@NCNTs). The coupling effects between various metal species act a key role in accelerating the reaction kinetics. Moreover, the in situ formed NCNTs also favor promoting electrocatalytic activity and stability. For oxygen evolution reaction it requires low overpotentials of 330 and 341 mV in 1M KOH and 1M KOH + seawater to drive 500 mA cm−2. Moreover, water electrolysis can be operated with CoNiFe@NCNTs as both anode and cathode with small voltages of 1.95 and 1.93 V to achieve 500 mA cm−2 in 1M KOH and 1M KOH + seawater, respectively.
Calibration of terahertz sampling detectors for intense unipolar picosecond current pulses in waveguides
Authors: Díaz Eva , Anadón Alberto , Morassi Martina , Hehn Michel , Lemaître Aristide , Gorchon Jon
Published: October 2023

Terahertz pulses are nowadays commonly used in many areas of condensed matter physics to access material properties and explore transport phenomena at fast timescales. However, little work has been devoted to the full characterization of such pulses when confined in waveguides. In this work, we fabricate terahertz photoconductive switch detectors, located at various points along a coplanar waveguide, and sample the electrical pulses that pass by the detectors. Two different but consistent methods were developed to calibrate the pulse amplitude. Notably, we synchronize a commercial pulse generator with the laser in order to sample nanosecond-wide pulses with the photoswitch detectors, effectively turning the setup into an on-chip high-frequency sampling oscilloscope. Both methods give identical results on pulse current, voltage, and field amplitudes and enable an absolute characterization of the electrical pulse propagation along the waveguide. These techniques constitute a reliable tool to explore (non-linear) phenomena such as current or field induced magnetization switching or phase transitions, which take place at high THz intensities.
Polarization engineering of two-dimensional electron gas at ε-(AlxGa1–x)2O3/ε-Ga2O3 heterostructure
Authors: Wang Yan , Cao Jiahe , Song Hanzhao , Zhang Chuang , Xie Zhigao , Wong Yew Hoong , Tan Chee Keong
Published: October 2023

In this study, we present an investigation of the spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in the ε-(AlxGa1–x)2O3/ε-Ga2O3 heterostructures using density functional theory calculations. The spontaneous polarization (Psp) was found to increase from 23.93 to 26.34 μC/cm2 when Al-content increase from 0% to 50%. With Al-content increasing, the strain-induced piezoelectric polarization (Ppe) increases, which negates the Psp, causing the total polarization (Ptot) of the epitaxy layer in the AlGaO/GaO heterostructure to remain almost constant across all Al compositions. Additionally, due to the ferroelectric nature of ε-Ga2O3, a high-density polarization-induced two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) can be formed at the interface of polarization reversed ε-(AlxGa1–x)2O3/ε-Ga2O3 when an electric field is applied. Using the 1D Schrödinger–Poisson model, the 2DEG of polarization reversed ε-(Al0.125Ga0.875)2O3/ε-Ga2O3 was found to be 2.05 × 1014 cm−2, which is nearly ten times larger than that of GaN-based structures. Our work indicates that ε-(AlxGa1–x)2O3/ε-Ga2O3 heterostructure could play a key role attributed to the large polarization and capability in modulating the polarization for high-power electronic and radio frequency device applications.
Parameters of clustered suboptimal miRNA biogenesis
Authors: Shang Renfu , Lai Eric C.
Published: October 2023

The nuclear cleavage of a suboptimal primary miRNA hairpin by the Drosha/DGCR8 complex (“Microprocessor”) can be enhanced by an optimal miRNA neighbor, a phenomenon termed cluster assistance. Several features and biological impacts of this new layer of miRNA regulation are not fully known. Here, we elucidate the parameters of cluster assistance of a suboptimal miRNA and also reveal competitive interactions amongst optimal miRNAs within a cluster. We exploit cluster assistance as a functional assay for suboptimal processing and use this to invalidate putative suboptimal substrates, as well as identify a "solo" suboptimal miRNA. Finally, we report complexity in how specific mutations might affect the biogenesis of clustered miRNAs in disease contexts. This includes how an operon context can buffer the effect of a deleterious processing variant, but reciprocally how a point mutation can have a nonautonomous effect to impair the biogenesis of a clustered, suboptimal, neighbor. These data expand our knowledge regarding regulated miRNA biogenesis in humans and represent a functional assay for empirical definition of suboptimal Microprocessor substrates.
B cell–intrinsic Myd88 regulates disease progression in murine lupus
Authors: Tilstra Jeremy S. , Kim Minjung , Gordon Rachael A. , Leibler Claire , Cosgrove Haylee A. , Bastacky Sheldon , Nickerson Kevin M. , Shlomchik Mark J.
Published: October 2023

Nucleic acid–specific Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated in promoting disease pathogenesis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether such TLRs mediate disease onset, progression, or both remains undefined; yet the answer to this question has important therapeutic implications. MyD88 is an essential adaptor that acts downstream of IL-1 family receptors and most TLRs. Both global and B cell–specific Myd88 deficiency ameliorated disease in lupus-prone mice when constitutively deleted. To address whether Myd88 was needed to sustain ongoing disease, we induced B cell–specific deletion of Myd88 after disease onset in MRL.Faslpr mice using an inducible Cre recombinase. B cell–specific deletion of Myd88 starting after disease onset resulted in ameliorated glomerulonephritis and interstitial inflammation. Additionally, treated mice had reduced autoantibody formation and an altered B cell compartment with reduced ABC and plasmablast numbers. These experiments demonstrate the role of MyD88 in B cells to sustain disease in murine lupus. Therefore, targeting MyD88 or its upstream activators may be a viable therapeutic option in SLE.
High-power and efficient vortex Nd:YVO4 laser using annular pumping
Authors: Fan Li , Wang Liming , Sun Ran , Fan Huibo , Zhu Jun
Published: October 2023

Optical vortex lasers that carry orbital angular momentum are of great significance for many applications. A high-power and efficient continuous-wave vortex Nd:YVO4 laser at 1064 nm was demonstrated with annular pumping based on an axicon. The high-quality LG01 vortex beams with maximum output power up to 6.25 W was achieved under the absorbed pump power of 14.4 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 43.4% and a slope efficiency of 44.8%, respectively. Controlling the wavefront handedness of the LG01 beam was simply achieved by carefully adjusting the output coupler and the window inserted in the resonator. This study shows that annular pumping based on an axicon would have great potential in the development of high-power vortex solid-state lasers with simple and compact resonator structure.
The Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Social, Economic, and Environmental Aspects: The Role of the Private Sector in Tourism Villages
Authors: Rina L , Siswati
Published: October 2023

The development of tourism villages is formed from a strong tourism potential factor. This study aims to identify the implementation of sustainable development through the management of the natural tourism potential of Merbabu Park in Kopeng Tourism Village, Semarang Regency. The research method used a descriptive qualitative study with data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and documentation. The research observation unit and the unit of analysis consists of the management of Merbabu Park Nature Tourism, the community, and the local village government. The results showed that the ability to manage the natural tourism of Merbabu Park in Kopeng Tourism Village supports sustainable development goals (SDGs). The formation of mountainous natural resource tourism provides benefits such as income for the village, job creation through community participation, availability of better facilities and infrastructure for tourism villages, and sustainable community empowerment. This realization is a form of joint contribution of the community, government, and private/business parties to develop natural potential in Kopeng Village. The implication of this research is the synergy between the village government, natural tourism organizers, and Kopeng village community in achieving sustainable development through fulfilling social, economic, and environmental aspects.
The Way to Save Environment from Green Consumer Behavior: The Role of Advertising, Media, and Lifestyle
Authors: Mulyono K.B. , Murtini W. , Hindrayani A. , Totalia S.A , Ningsih S.H.
Published: October 2023

The green consumers’ low-rate behavior is often attributed to lifestyles that do not care about the environment. This paper aims to analyze the effect of eco-friendly product advertising and social media on green consumers’ behavior with an eco-friendly lifestyle as a mediator. This research was conducted using a quantitative approach with a unit of analysis of students in the city of Semarang. This research was conducted by distributing questionnaires to the number of samples taken, as many as 161 students using the inverse square root method with a proportional combination of cluster and purposive sampling. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SEM WarpPLS. The result shows that green product advertising and social media positively affected green consumer behavior, lifestyle mediated the impact of green product advertising on consumers’ behavior, and lifestyle mediated the influence of social media on consumers’ behavior. Therefore, students need to realize and understand how important the benefits of green product advertising are so they can pay attention to green product advertising and social media, besides that students need to manage their lifestyle by diverting their free time to activities that are more positive and valuable and are expected to be able to consider the needs especially related to environmentally friendly products as an effort to preserve the surrounding environment.
Spatial Effects of Economic Activity and Environmental Carrying Capacity on Air Quality in Java and Bali Islands
Authors: Nihayah D. M. , Mafruhah I. , Hakim L. , Suryanto S.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this research is to determine the direct effects and spillover effects of environmental carrying capacity, urbanization, and economic activities on air quality in the provinces of Java and Bali Islands. The research contributes academically and practically by providing a spatial-based model design and policy recommendations for improving air quality in the provinces of Java and Bali Islands. The research method used is quantitative, utilizing secondary data from seven provinces in Java and Bali Islands during 2013-2019, obtained from publications and official documents of the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, and Ministry of Finance. The research variables include air quality, urbanization, per capita income, exports, imports, foreign direct investment, and environmental carrying capacity. The analysis technique employed is Spatial Econometrics. The results show that spillover effects occur due to economic activities and the environmental carrying capacity of each region. Policy synergies between regions oriented towards air quality improvement are necessary.
Geometric analysis of metric Legendre foliated cocycles on contact manifolds via SODE structure
Authors: Ahangari Fatemeh
Published: October 2023

This paper is predominantly devoted to thoroughgoing investigation of the Legendre foliated cocycles which are totally compatible with second order ordinary differential equation fields (SODE). For this goal, the spencer theory of formal integrability, relative 1-forms, Bott connection and the Vrăceanu connection, are applied as the prominent tools in order to designate the sufficient conditions for the metric concomitant to the analyzed SODE structure, to extend to a bundle-like metric for the lifted Legendre foliated cocycle on the tangent space of an arbitrary contact manifold. Significantly, the geometric structure of the constructed metric foliated cocycles on the tangent bundle are extensively scrutinized by virtue of the two local invariants corresponding to Legendre foliations comprising a symmetric 2-form and a symmetric 3-form characterizing on the tangent bundle of the foliation. In particular, it is focused on the essence of the metric Legendre foliated cocycles adapted to SODE structure on two specific class of contact metric manifolds including the Sasakian manifolds and

(
k
,
μ
)

(k,\mu )

-spaces. Furthermore, the pivotal circumstances regarding the existence and the geometric features of the conjugate Legendre foliated cocycles on the tangent space of the contact metric manifolds which are entirely compatible with the ambient SODE structure are conclusively explored.
Projective-geometric aspects of bi-Hamiltonian structures of KdV type
Authors: Lorenzoni Paolo , Vitolo Raffaele
Published: October 2023

We introduce the problem of classification of bi-Hamiltonian structures of KdV type under projective reciprocal transformations. This problem leads naturally to studying the compatibility of a first order localizable homogeneous Hamiltonian operator with a higher order homogeneous Hamiltonian operator. We study the simplest third-order case where the orbit contains a constant operator. Computations with weakly non local Hamiltonian operators have been made by techniques developed in a previous paper.
Energy functionals and normal forms of knots and plane curves
Authors: Sossinsky A.
Published: October 2023

In this paper, a new theory, called theory of thickened knots, is described. Roughly speaking, a thickened knot is a tube smoothly embedded in Euclidean space considered up to isotopy. The theory depends on a parameter

ε
∈
(
0
,
1
]

\varepsilon \in (0,1]

, which is equal to the diameter of the two-dimensional disk that sweeps out the tube. It is shown that for each fixed

ε
\varepsilon

, there is only a finite number of nonisotopic knots. An approach to the solution of the classification problem of thickened knots, based on the idea of knot energy, is suggested. Concrete energy functionals for thickened knots are proposed, their local minima yield certain positions of the given knot which are called normal forms. Experiments with wire models of thickened knots are described, and they are in agreement with the theory. A number of promising conjectures are formulated.
Mr. Blandingsand the Advertisers’ Dream: The Role of Marketing in the Adaptation Process
Authors: Goncharova Daria
Published: October 2023

This essay examines the role that marketing played in shaping the audience’s reception and interpretation of Eric Hodgins’ Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (originally published in 1946 as a short story titled ‘Mr. Blandings Builds His Castle’) and its 1948 film adaptation. It argues that while the print versions—modeled after Hodgins’ own unfortunate experience with the housing market before the war—relied on the self-deprecating humour to appeal to urban audiences and ultimately promote caution and frugality, the film adaptation, released at the onset of the suburban sprawl, targeted white families newly entering the middle class and promoted equality through mass consumption mythos. Working in conjunction with its massive advertising campaign that involved the construction of seventy-three replicas of the Blandings’ dream house across the United States, the film adaptation blurred the enormous disparity between Blandings’ dream and the suburban reality of baby boomers by creating new sites of middle-class identification. By reading each adaptation of the original story against the period-specific ideological forces, I demonstrate how marketing, by structuring the audience’s interpretation, shapes the process and the product of adaptation.
Factors driving bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) and butterfly (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) use of sheared shrubland and young forest communities of the western Great Lakes
Authors: Keele Emma C , McNeil Darin J , Duchamp Joseph E , Larkin Jeffery L
Published: October 2023

In the northern Great Lakes region, the creation and maintenance of early-successional woody communities as wildlife habitat have increasingly become a conservation priority. The extent to which insect pollinators use these systems remains largely anecdotal. In summer (June–August) of 2021, we surveyed 49 early-successional sites in the western Great Lakes region treated with either shrub-shearing or silviculture (young forest) for bumble bees, butterflies, and habitat components (i.e., structural vegetation and floral resources). Hierarchical distance models predicted pollinator densities (λ^) to be, on average, λ^ = 84 bumble bees/ha and λ^ = 102 butterflies/ha. Although sheared shrubland and young forest communities supported comparable densities of bumble bees and butterflies, density was not equal across all sites. At the microhabitat scale, butterfly density and morphospecies richness were negatively associated with tall shrub cover and butterfly morphospecies richness (but not density) was driven by floral richness. Similarly, bumble bee density was positively associated with metrics of floral resources, underscoring the importance of blooming plants within these woody systems. Landscape covariates explained variation in butterfly density/richness but not bumble bee density. Ultimately, our results demonstrate that blooming plant abundance is an important driver of bumble bee and butterfly densities within these managed early-successional communities. Because early-successional woody communities are dynamic and their herbaceous openings are ephemeral, routine management would ensure that a variety of successional conditions exist on the landscape to meet the needs of bumble bees, butterflies, and potentially other insect pollinators.
Did Captain Beechey see a living Mandarina luhuana, an extinct land snail species?
Authors: Chiba Satoshi
Published: October 2023

Knowledge about prehuman biotas and the impact of early human contact, particularly on land snails inhabiting oceanic islands, is still poor. One specific example of interest is Mandarina luhuana, which was first collected from the Chichijima Islands of the Ogasawara Archipelago in 1827 during Captain Frederick William Beechey's expedition. The initial description of M. luhuana included an image of a shell with dark brown pigmentation, which contrasts with current understanding, with all known specimens being considered to lack dark colouration. Traditionally, it is believed that M. luhuana represents a fossil species that became extinct on the island before human arrival. However, I propose that the specimen collected for the original description was either recently dead or still alive at the time of collection. Furthermore, I hypothesize that M. luhuana faced extinction after human arrival on Ogasawara, which began during the 17th century. To test this hypothesis, I used accelerator mass spectrometry dating to determine the extinction dates of subfossil samples of M. luhuana. The results of this study suggest that M. luhuana became extinct after the 17th century, with the species having possibly survived until the early 19th century. It is likely that the extinction of M. luhuana occurred shortly after human arrival in the islands. These findings underscore the need for further research to understand the impact of human arrival on island ecosystems and to uncover the original diversity of land snail faunas on islands.
Clinical phenotype classification to predict risk and optimize the management of patients with atrial fibrillation using the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway: a report from the COOL-AF registry
Authors: Krittayaphong R , Treewaree S , Wongtheptien W , Kaewkumdee P , Lip G Y H
Published: October 2023

Background

Phenotypic classification is a method of grouping patients with similar phenotypes.

Aim

We aimed to use phenotype classification based on a clustering process for risk stratification of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) and second, to assess the benefit of the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway.

Methods

Patients with AF were prospectively enrolled from 27 hospitals in Thailand from 2014 to 2017, and followed up every 6 months for 3 years. Cluster analysis was performed from 46 variables using the hierarchical clustering using the Ward minimum variance method. Outcomes were a composite of all-cause death, ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, acute myocardial infarction and heart failure.

Results

A total of 3405 patients were enrolled (mean age 67.8 ± 11.3 years, 58.2% male). During the mean follow-up of 31.8 ± 8.7 months. Three clusters were identified: Cluster 1 had the highest risk followed by Cluster 3 and Cluster 2 with a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of composite outcomes of 2.78 (2.25, 3.43), P < 0.001 for Cluster 1 and 1.99 (1.63, 2.42), P < 0.001 for Cluster 3 compared with Cluster 2. Management according to the ABC pathway was associated with reductions in adverse clinical outcomes especially those who belonged to Clusters 1 and 3 with HR and 95%CI of the composite outcome of 0.54 (0.40, 073), P < 0.001 for Cluster 1 and 0.49 (0.38, 0.63), P < 0.001 for Cluster 3.

Conclusion

Phenotypic classification helps in risk stratification and prognostication. Compliance with the ABC pathway was associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Temporal Dynamics and Dispersal Patterns of the Primary Inoculum of Coniella diplodiella, the Causal Agent of Grape White Rot
Authors: Ji Tao , Languasco Luca , Salotti Irene , Li Ming , Rossi Vittorio
Published: October 2023

Grape white rot can cause considerable yield losses in viticulture areas worldwide and is principally caused by Coniella diplodiella. The fungus overwinters in berry mummies on the soil surface or on the trellis and produces pycnidia and conidia that serve as primary inoculum. However, little is known about the temporal dynamics and dispersal pattern of C. diplodiella conidia. In this study, we investigated the production and dispersal of C. diplodiella conidia from a primary inoculum source, namely, affected mummified berries that overwintered in two vineyards in northern Italy in 2021 and 2022. Conidia of C. diplodiella were repeatedly produced in berry mummies from the budburst of vines to harvesting, with approximately 50 and 75% of the total conidia in a season being produced before fruit set and véraison, respectively. The production dynamics of C. diplodiella conidia over time were described by a Weibull equation in which the thermal time is the independent variable, with a concordance correlation coefficient of ≥0.964. A rainfall cutoff of ≥0.2 mm provided an overall accuracy of ≥0.86 in predicting conidial dispersal through rain splashes from berry mummies on the soil surface, with the number of dispersed conidia increasing with the amount of rainfall. The dispersal of conidia from mummies on the trellis by washing with rain required at least 6.1 mm of rain. The proposed mathematical equations and rain cutoffs can be used to predict periods with a high dispersal risk of C. diplodiella.
Variable Phenotype of Congenital Corneal Opacities in Biallelic CYP1B1 Pathogenic Variants
Authors: Franco Elena , Gagrani Meghal , Scanga Hannah L. , Areaux Raymond G. , Chu Charleen T. , Nischal Ken K.
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to describe the variable phenotype of congenital corneal opacities occurring in patients with biallelic CYP1B1 pathogenic variants.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with congenital corneal opacities and CYP1B1 pathogenic variants seen at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Ophthalmic examination, high-frequency ultrasound, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, histopathologic images, and details of genetic testing were reviewed.

Results:

Three children were identified. All presented with raised intraocular pressure. Two patients showed bilateral limbus-to-limbus avascular corneal opacification that did not resolve with intraocular pressure control; 1 showed unilateral avascular corneal opacity with a crescent of clear cornea, iridocorneal adhesions, iridolenticular adhesions, and classical features of congenital glaucoma in the fellow eye (enlarged corneal diameter, Haab striae, and clearing of the corneal clouding with appropriate intraocular pressure control). The first 2 patients were visually rehabilitated with penetrating keratoplasty. Histopathology revealed distinct features: a variably keratinized epithelium; a thick but discontinuous Bowman-like layer with areas of disruption and abnormal cellularity; Descemet membrane, when observed, showed reduced endothelial cells; and no pathological changes of Haab striae were identified. Two patients had compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in CYP1B1 causing premature stop codons, whereas 1 was homozygous for a pathogenic missense variant.

Conclusions:

Congenital corneal opacities seen in biallelic CYP1B1 pathogenic variants have a variable phenotype. One is that commonly termed as Peters anomaly type 1 (with iridocorneal adhesions, with or without iridolenticular adhesions) and the other is a limbus-to-limbus opacity, termed CYP1B1 cytopathy. Clinicians should be aware of this phenotypic variability.
Proposal of a novel subspecies: Alicyclobacillus hesperidum subspecies aegles
Authors: Goto Keiichi , Fujii Taichi , Yasui Kazuki , Mochida Kaoru , Kato-Tanaka Yuko , Morohoshi Sho , An Sun-Young , Kasai Hiroaki , Yokota Akira
Published: October 2023

Alicyclobacillus

sp. DSM 11985T was isolated from geothermal soil but had not yet been classified at the species level. The strain produced guaiacol, which is of interest from the viewpoint of food spoilage in the food industry. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DSM 11985T was closely related (99.6 % similarity) to

Alicyclobacillus hesperidum

DSM 12489T. However, strains of

A. hesperidum

did not produce guaiacol; therefore, we performed the taxonomic characterization of strain DSM 11985T. The results showed that strain DSM 11985T and strains of

A. hesperidum

showed different phenotypic characteristics in biochemical/physiological tests including guaiacol production. Average nucleotide identity values between strain DSM 11985T and strain DSM 12489T were 95.4–95.9 %, and the in silico DNA–DNA hybridization value using the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator between strains DSM 11985T and DSM 12489T was 65.5 %. These values showed that strain DSM 11985T was genetically closely related but separated from strains of A. heparidum. From the above results, a novel subspecies of

A. hesperidum

, named

Alicyclobacillus hesperidum

subsp. aegles subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSM 11985T (=FR-12T=NBRC 113041T).
Sphingobium agri sp. nov., isolated from rhizospheric soil of eggplant
Authors: Huq Md. Amdadul , Lee Sun-Young , Moon BoKyung , Ma Juncai , Siddiqi Muhammad Zubair , Srinivasan Sathiyaraj , Rahman Md. Shahedur , Akter Shahina
Published: October 2023

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile bacterial strain, designated MAH-33T, was isolated from rhizospheric soil of eggplant. The colonies were observed to be yellow-coloured, smooth, spherical and 0.1–0.3 mm in diameter when grown on TSA agar medium for 2 days. Strain MAH-33T was found to be able to grow at 10–40 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0 and at 0–3.0 % NaCl (w/v). The strain was found to be positive for both oxidase and catalase tests. The strain was positive for hydrolysis of tyrosine and aesculin. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus

Sphingobium

and to be closely related to

Sphingobium quisquiliarum

P25T (98.4 % similarity),

Sphingobium mellinum

WI4T (97.8 %),

Sphingobium fuliginis

TKPT (97.3 %) and

Sphingobium herbicidovorans

NBRC 16415T (96.9 %). The novel strain MAH-33T has a draft genome size of 3 908 768 bp (28 contigs), annotated with 3689 protein-coding genes, 45 tRNA and three rRNA genes. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MAH-33T and closely related type strains were in the range of 79.8–81.6 % and 23.2–24.5 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 62.2 %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 10. The major fatty acids were identified as C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c). The polar lipids identified in strain MAH-33T were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine; one unknown phospholipid and one unknown lipid. On the basis of digital DNA–DNA hybridization, ANI value, genotypic analysis, chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain MAH-33T represents a novel species within the genus

Sphingobium

, for which the name Sphingobium agri sp. nov. is proposed, with MAH-33T (=KACC 19973T = CGMCC 1.16609T) as the type strain.
Enhanced disease susceptible variant identification via short identity by descent segments
Authors: Wang Chonghao , Veldsman Werner Pieter , Zhang Lu
Published: October 2023

Rare diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide, yet diagnostic yields for them still remain low. Among variant identification approaches, identity by descent (IBD) mapping is used to identify disease susceptible variants originating from a recent common ancestor among affected individuals, but existing IBD detection models struggle to identify these variants in short IBD segments. Here, we introduce SILO, a novel model to detect disease susceptible variants in both short and long IBD segments. SILO employs a two-stage procedure to detect IBD segments. In the first stage, SILO identifies long IBD segments based on common variants. In the second stage, SILO utilizes rare variants to detect short IBD segments using a seed-and-extend algorithm. We evaluated SILO in simulated data and real data from the 1000 Genomes Project. Our results demonstrate that SILO outperforms existing models in detecting disease susceptible variants within short IBD segments, and show comparable performance in longer IBD segments. These findings highlight the potential of SILO to increase diagnostic yields for rare diseases by enhancing the identification of previously overlooked disease susceptible variants in short IBD segments.
Serotonin 1A receptor distribution in treatment-resistant depression during psychopharmacotherapy compared to healthy controls
Authors: Murgaš Matej , Milz Christian , Stöhrmann Peter , Godbersen Godber M. , Unterholzner Jakob , Nics Lukas , Kranz Georg S. , Hahn Andreas , Hacker Marcus , Kasper Siegfried , Lanzenberger Rupert
Published: October 2023

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with a high lifetime prevalence and is a major cause of disability. An additional burden on patients is that up to 60% of the first antidepressant (AD) trials do not provide adequate symptom relief and after two subsequent AD trials, a patient is referred to as treatment-resistant. The serotonin 1A receptor subtype (5-HT1A) has commonly been used to study pathophysiological alteration in MDD. However, PET data on treatment-resistant depression (TRD) populations is still limited.

In this cross-sectional study, 5-HT1Areceptor binding was assessed in 20 TRD patients (9 female, mean age ± SD, 29.0 ± 5.2) and 20 healthy controls (HC) (10 female, mean age ± SD, 33.2 ± 8.2). Positron emission tomography (PET) scans with the radiotracer [carbonyl-11C]WAY-100635 were acquired and 5-HT1Anon-displaceable binding potential (BPND) was quantified using the multilinear reference tissue model 2, with the cerebellar white matter as reference region. Mean regional BPNDin five regions of interest (amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, insula and orbitofrontal cortex) was compared in a repeated measures analysis of covariance (rmANCOVA) with age, sex and group as covariates.

Estimated marginal means showed slightly lower BPNDin TRD group (mean ± SD = 5.464 ± 0.247) than in the HC group (mean ± SD = 5.938 ± 0.245). However, the rmANCOVA showed no significant group difference (p = 0.659).

Studies on 5-HT1Abinding in MDD show heterogeneous results, where the directionality of difference as well as the significance of findings strongly depend on specific outcome measures (BPND, BPFor BPP), reference region or quantification method. Here we showed no significant effect of TRD on BPND, similar to other studies applying the same methodology for MDD cohorts.
Hormonal plasticity to food restriction is heritable
Authors: Ouyang Jenny Q , Lendvai Ádám Z
Published: October 2023

Theoretical and empirical studies agree that populations harbor extensive among-individual variation in phenotypic plasticity, but the mechanisms generating and maintaining this variation are often unknown. Endocrine systems that exhibit plastic changes in response to environmental variation may be subject to natural selection, but their evolution requires heritable variation. It is currently unknown if endocrine plasticity to environmental challenges is heritable. We tested whether glucocorticoid responsiveness to food restriction is heritable in house sparrows,Passer domesticus, by subjecting individuals to a standardized dietary restriction and selecting individuals according to their hormonal responsiveness to the treatments: into high plastic, low plastic, and control groups and let them reproduce. Using a cross-foster design, we compared the parental and the F1 generation to partition the heritability of glucocorticoid responsiveness into genetic and environmental sources of variation. We found moderate heritability (h2>20%) of glucocorticoid plasticity in response to food availability in both restricted and adequate food conditions. Environmental variance played a larger role under restricted than adequate food conditions, whereas residual variance was much higher under adequate food conditions. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the existence of heritable individual variation in glucocorticoid plasticity that selection can act upon, especially in rapidly changing environments.
Quantifying myelin density in the feline auditory cortex
Authors: Robertson Austin , Miller Daniel J. , Hull Adam , Butler Blake E.
Published: October 2023

The cerebral cortex comprises many distinct regions that differ in structure, function, and patterns of connectivity. Current approaches to parcellating these regions often take advantage of functional neuroimaging approaches that can identify regions involved in a particular process with reasonable spatial resolution. However neuroanatomical biomarkers are also very useful in identifying distinct cortical regions either in addition to, or in place of functional measures. For example, differences in myelin density are thought to relate to functional differences between regions, are sensitive to individual patterns of experience, and have been shown to vary across functional hierarchies in a predictable manner. Accordingly, the current study provides quantitative stereological estimates of myelin density for each of the 13 regions that make up the feline auditory cortex. We demonstrate that significant differences can be observed between auditory cortical regions, with the highest myelin density observed in the regions that comprise the auditory core (i.e., the primary auditory cortex and anterior auditory field). Moreover, our myeloarchitectonic map suggests that myelin density varies in a hierarchical fashion that conforms to the traditional model of spatial organization in auditory cortex. Taken together, these results establish myelin as a useful biomarker for parcellating auditory cortical regions, and provide detailed estimates against which other, less invasive methods of quantifying cortical myelination may be compared.