bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MIND your language(s): Recognizing Minority, Indigenous, Non-standard(ized), and Dialect variety usage in “monolinguals”
Authors: Kirk Neil W.
Published: December 2022

While Psychology research in general has been criticized for oversampling from WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) populations, Psycholinguistics has a problem with conducting a large amount of research on a relatively small number of languages. Yet even within WEIRD environments, the experiences of speakers of Minority, Indigenous, Non-standard(ized), and Dialect (MIND) varieties are not always captured alongside their use of a more prestigious standard language.

This position piece will provide a case study of one such variety: Scots, a Germanic variety spoken in Scotland, which is often considered “bad English.” However, its speakers display cognitive characteristics of bilingualism despite often regarding themselves as monolingual due to sociolinguistic factors. Such factors include social prestige and language ideology, as well as linguistic distance. In doing so, this paper introduces a new acronym encouraging researchers to MIND their language – by developing more inclusive ways of capturing the linguistic experiences of MIND speakers, to move away from binary distinctions of “bilingual” and “monolingual,” and to recognize that not all varieties are afforded the status of language, nor do many multilinguals consider themselves as anything other than monolingual.
The bunkbed conjecture holds in the limit
Authors: Hutchcroft Tom , Kent Alexander , Nizić-Nikolac Petar
Published: December 2022

Let
$G=(V,E)$
be a countable graph. The Bunkbed graph of
$G$
is the product graph
$G \times K_2$
, which has vertex set
$V\times \{0,1\}$
with “horizontal” edges inherited from
$G$
and additional “vertical” edges connecting
$(w,0)$
and
$(w,1)$
for each
$w \in V$
. Kasteleyn’s Bunkbed conjecture states that for each
$u,v \in V$
and
$p\in [0,1]$
, the vertex
$(u,0)$
is at least as likely to be connected to
$(v,0)$
as to
$(v,1)$
under Bernoulli-
$p$
bond percolation on the bunkbed graph. We prove that the conjecture holds in the
$p \uparrow 1$
limit in the sense that for each finite graph
$G$
there exists
$\varepsilon (G)\gt 0$
such that the bunkbed conjecture holds for
$p \geqslant 1-\varepsilon (G)$
.
The role of drought during the Hunnic incursions into central-east Europe in the 4th and 5th c. CE
Authors: Hakenbeck Susanne E. , Büntgen Ulf
Published: December 2022

The Hunnic incursions into eastern and central Europe in the 4th and 5th c. CE have historically been considered one of the key factors in bringing the Roman Empire to an end. However, both the origins of the Huns and their impact on the late Roman provinces remain poorly understood. Here we provide a new, combined assessment of the archaeological, historical, and environmental evidence. Hunnic raids and warfare within the Roman provinces are most intensely attested for the first half of the 5th c. We propose that severe drought spells in the 430s to 450s CE disrupted the economic organization of the incomers and local provincial populations, requiring both to adopt strategies to buffer against economic challenges. We argue that the Huns’ apparently inexplicable violence may have been one strategy for coping with climatic extremes within a wider context of the social and economic changes that occurred at the time.
Role of Thermal Tides and Gravity Waves in Mars Equatorial Mesospheric Cloud Formation Revealed by Mars Climate Sounder Observations
Authors: Slipski M. , Kleinböhl A. , Kass D. M.
Published: December 2022

Mesospheric CO2‐ice clouds form in one of the coldest regions of Mars's atmosphere, but to date links between the broader thermal structure, dynamical phenomena, and the global and seasonal structure of mesospheric clouds have been tentative due to a limited sample of cloud observations. Combining a comprehensive set of cloud identifications and temperature observations from the Mars Climate Sounder onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, we demonstrate for the first time that the spatial distribution and seasonal evolution—including the well‐known yet unexplained solstitial pause—of the aphelion mesospheric cloud population are governed by the interplay of thermal tides and gravity waves. In addition, we present the first investigation of the nighttime cloud distribution and our approach successfully explains the observed day‐to‐night differences. The significant day‐to‐night variability in observed cloud occurrence rates and likelihoods of subcondensation temperatures point toward larger nighttime particle sizes possibly due to more favorable growth conditions.
Love Wave Tomography of the United States
Authors: Hariharan Anant , Dalton Colleen A.
Published: December 2022

Love wave phase velocity maps provide essential constraints on radial anisotropy and deformation in the crust and upper mantle. However, the phenomenon of overtone interference causes scatter and systematic bias in the velocity measurements and impedes efforts to image small‐scale anisotropic variations. We develop an approach for identifying Love wave measurements that are biased by overtone interference, demonstrate its efficacy with EarthScope USArray data, and determine the first earthquake‐derived Love wave phase velocity maps for the entire conterminous U.S. in the period range 35–75 s. We show that radial anisotropy in parts of the crust and most of the lithospheric mantle is necessary to reconcile these maps with Rayleigh wave phase velocities. Our results convey the impact and geographic variability of overtone interference, offer an easy‐to‐implement method to ameliorate this impact, and present high‐resolution constraints on radial anisotropy beneath North America.
Radar Attenuation in the Shallow Martian Subsurface: RIMFAX Time‐Frequency Analysis and Constant‐Q Characterization Over Jezero Crater Floor
Authors: Eide Sigurd , Casademont Titus M. , Berger Tor , Dypvik Henning , Shoemaker Emileigh S. , Hamran Svein‐Erik
Published: December 2022

Attenuation of radar waves in the subsurface can be quantified with a constant‐Q approximation through time‐frequency analysis. We implement the centroid frequency‐shift method and study Radar Imager for Mars' Subsurface Exploration (RIMFAX) data acquired along the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover traverse. Attenuation is among key media properties, but quantified estimates need to account for instrument characteristics and limitations in the analysis technique. We ensure accurate constant‐Q characterization and present the first estimates of radar attenuation in the upper 5 m of the shallow Martian subsurface. Over Jezero Crater Floor, constant‐Q is on average 70.4 ± 7.7, which equals an attenuation of −2.6 ± 0.3 dB/m at RIMFAX’ 675 MHz center frequency. Regions comprising the Máaz or Séítah formations have similar attenuation properties that are consistent with magmatic lithologies.
Underthrusting and Pure Shear Mechanisms Dominate the Crustal Deformation Beneath the Core of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis as Inferred From High‐Resolution Receiver Function Imaging
Authors: Xu Qiang , Ding Lin , Pei Shunping , Yuan Xiaohui , Zhao Junmeng , Liu Hongbing , Liu Hanlin , Li Lei , Zuo Hong
Published: December 2022

How the crust in the core of the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis (EHS) deforms responding to the India‐Asia collision remains ambiguous. Here we present the first high‐resolution receiver functions image of crustal structure along a new NW‐SE trending dense nodal array crossing the core of the EHS. Two sets of low velocity zones (LVZs) are clearly observed: one with a flat style beneath the western Lhasa terrane and Higher Himalaya at 18–20 km depth and the other with two west‐dipping shapes below the western Yarlung‐Zangbo suture within 10–30 km depth. These LVZs caused by partial melting and aqueous fluids are disconnected, impeding the formation of crustal flow. A discontinuous east‐dipping intra‐crustal discontinuity and a sharp Moho offset of 7 km under the Aniqiao‐Motuo shear zone are identified, suggesting that the underthrusting of the Indian lower crust and pure shear mechanisms jointly dominate crustal deformation in the core of the EHS.
A Complete Map of Fine‐Scale Slip Rate Distribution and Earthquake Potential Along the Haiyuan Fault System
Authors: Huang Zicheng , Zhou Yu
Published: December 2022

We use Sentinel‐1 Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar observations to derive the first complete map of slip‐rate distribution at km‐scale along the 1,000‐km‐long Haiyuan fault system, and further to analyze its earthquake potential. Rate distribution reveals four highly locked asperities (slip rate <1 mm/yr) and three creeping regions (slip rate ranges from 2 to 5 mm/yr) at depths of 0–20 km. Based on the rate distribution, we estimate seismic moment accumulation rate, and by combining historical earthquake records, we calculate the moment deficits on each fault segment. Results show that many fault segments have accumulated a seismic moment that equates to an Mw > 7.0 earthquake. The westernmost fault segment has been rarely mentioned in previous studies, but our calculations show evidently that it is capable of producing Mw > 7.0 earthquakes given the high seismic moment accumulation rate and a lack of small‐to‐moderate earthquakes.
Prostate-specific antigen response and clinical progression-free survival in Black and White men with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with enzalutamide in a real-world setting
Authors: Freedland Stephen J. , Hong Agnes , El-Chaar Nader , Murty Sharanya , Ramaswamy Krishnan , Coutinho Anna D. , Nimke David , Morgans Alicia K.
Published: December 2022

Background

In the United States, Black men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer (PC)-related mortality than men of other races. Several real-world studies in advanced PC suggest, however, that Black men respond better to novel hormonal therapies than White men. Data on treatment responses to enzalutamide by race are limited. We assessed real-world prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response and clinical progression-free survival (cPFS) of Black vs. White men with chemotherapy-naïve PC treated with enzalutamide.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with PC who initiated enzalutamide treatment from 2014 to 2018 in the IntrinsiQ Specialty Solutions™ database, a collection of electronic medical records from community urology practices. Index date was the date of the first prescription for enzalutamide, used as a proxy for metastatic castration-resistant PC (mCRPC). Patients who had undergone chemotherapy and/or abiraterone therapy were excluded. Kaplan–Meier and Cox models adjusted for baseline characteristics were used to estimate PSA response and cPFS by race.

Results

The study included 214 Black and 1332 White men with chemotherapy-naïve PC presumed to have mCRPC based on the enzalutamide indication during the study period. Black men were younger and had higher baseline median PSA levels than White men. Enzalutamide therapy duration, follow-up time, and number of post-index PSA tests were similar between races. In multivariable analyses, the risk of patients achieving a ≥ 50% PSA decline was similar, whereas a numerically higher trend of ≥90% PSA decline was observed in Black men (HR 1.23; 95% CI 0.93–1.62 [P = 0.14]). In the multivariable analysis, Black men had significantly better cPFS (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.68–0.98 [P = 0.03]).

Conclusions

Black and White men with presumed chemotherapy-naïve mCRPC had similar PSA responses when treated with enzalutamide, but Black men had better cPFS than White men. Further research is warranted to validate these findings.
Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator
Authors: Liu Ruiheng , Xing Yunfei , Liao Jincheng , Xia Xugui , Wang Chao , Zhu Chenxi , Xu Fangfang , Chen Zhi-Gang , Chen Lidong , Huang Jian , Bai Shengqiang
Published: December 2022

Unsatisfied electrode bonding in half-Heusler devices renders thermal damage and large efficiency loss, which limits their practical service at high temperatures. Here, we develop a thermodynamic strategy to screen barrier layer elements. Theoretically, we found that the interface between VIIB elements and half-Heuslers possesses near-zero interfacial reaction energy and large atomic diffusion barrier. Experimentally, such an interphase proves to be the atomic direct bonding and has high thermal stability at 1073 K, leading to ideal ohmic contact. Such thermally inert and ohmic contact interface enable modules stably to work at elevated temperature up to 1100 K, which releases the peak performance of half-Heuslers and in turn boosts the energy conversion efficiencies to the records of 11.1% and 13.3% for half-Heusler single-stage and half-Heusler/Bi2Te3 segmented modules. This design strategy provides a feasible solution for the high-temperature half-Heusler generators and gives enlightenment for other package interconnection design of electronic devices.
Genetic architecture of heart failure with preserved versus reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Joseph Jacob , Liu Chang , Hui Qin , Aragam Krishna , Wang Zeyuan , Charest Brian , Huffman Jennifer E. , Keaton Jacob M. , Edwards Todd L. , Demissie Serkalem , Djousse Luc , Casas Juan P. , Gaziano J. Michael , Cho Kelly , Wilson Peter W. F. , Phillips Lawrence S. ,   VA Million Veteran Program, Huffman Jennifer E. , O’Donnell Christopher J. , Sun Yan V.
Published: December 2022

Pharmacologic clinical trials for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction have been largely unsuccessful as compared to those for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Whether differences in the genetic underpinnings of these major heart failure subtypes may provide insights into the disparate outcomes of clinical trials remains unknown. We utilize a large, uniformly phenotyped, single cohort of heart failure sub-classified into heart failure with reduced and with preserved ejection fractions based on current clinical definitions, to conduct detailed genetic analyses of the two heart failure sub-types. We find different genetic architectures and distinct genetic association profiles between heart failure with reduced and with preserved ejection fraction suggesting differences in underlying pathobiology. The modest genetic discovery for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (one locus) compared to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (13 loci) despite comparable sample sizes indicates that clinically defined heart failure with preserved ejection fraction likely represents the amalgamation of several, distinct pathobiological entities. Development of consensus sub-phenotyping of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is paramount to better dissect the underlying genetic signals and contributors to this highly prevalent condition.
Unexpected limitation of tropical cyclone genesis by subsurface tropical central-north Pacific during El Niño
Authors: Gao Cong , Zhou Lei , Wang Chunzai , Lin I.-I. , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: December 2022

The vast tropical Pacific is home to the majority of tropical cyclones (TCs) which threaten the rim countries every year. The TC genesis is nourished by warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs). During El Niño, the western Pacific warm pool extends eastward. However, the number of TCs does not increase significantly with the expanding warm pool and it remains comparable between El Niño and La Niña. Here, we show that the subsurface heat content change counteracts the favorable SSTs in the tropical central-north Pacific. Due to the anomalous positive wind stress curl, the 26 °C isotherm shoals during El Niño over this region and the heat content diminishes in the tropical central-north Pacific, even though warm SST anomalies prevail. This negative correlation between SST and 26 °C isotherm depth anomalies is opposite to the positive correlation in the tropical eastern and western Pacific. This is critical because quantifying the dynamics of the subsurface ocean provides insight into TC genesis. The trend in TC genesis continues to be debated. Future projections must account for the net effect of the surface-subsurface dynamics on TCs, especially given the expected El Niño-like pattern over the tropical Pacific under global warming.
Ovarian cancer mutational processes drive site-specific immune evasion
Authors: Vázquez-García Ignacio , Uhlitz Florian , Ceglia Nicholas , Lim Jamie L. P. , Wu Michelle , Mohibullah Neeman , Niyazov Juliana , Ruiz Arvin Eric B. , Boehm Kevin M. , Bojilova Viktoria , Fong Christopher J. , Funnell Tyler , Grewal Diljot , Havasov Eliyahu , Leung Samantha , Pasha Arfath , Patel Druv M. , Pourmaleki Maryam , Rusk Nicole , Shi Hongyu , Vanguri Rami , Williams Marc J. , Zhang Allen W. , Broach Vance , Chi Dennis S. , Da Cruz Paula Arnaud , Gardner Ginger J. , Kim Sarah H. , Lennon Matthew , Long Roche Kara , Sonoda Yukio , Zivanovic Oliver , Kundra Ritika , Viale Agnes , Derakhshan Fatemeh N. , Geneslaw Luke , Issa Bhaloo Shirin , Maroldi Ana , Nunez Rahelly , Pareja Fresia , Stylianou Anthe , Vahdatinia Mahsa , Bykov Yonina , Grisham Rachel N. , Liu Ying L. , Lakhman Yulia , Nikolovski Ines , Kelly Daniel , Gao Jianjiong , Schietinger Andrea , Hollmann Travis J. , Bakhoum Samuel F. , Soslow Robert A. , Ellenson Lora H. , Abu-Rustum Nadeem R. , Aghajanian Carol , Friedman Claire F. , McPherson Andrew , Weigelt Britta , Zamarin Dmitriy , Shah Sohrab P.
Published: December 2022

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is an archetypal cancer of genomic instability1–4 patterned by distinct mutational processes5,6, tumour heterogeneity7–9 and intraperitoneal spread7,8,10. Immunotherapies have had limited efficacy in HGSOC11–13, highlighting an unmet need to assess how mutational processes and the anatomical sites of tumour foci determine the immunological states of the tumour microenvironment. Here we carried out an integrative analysis of whole-genome sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, digital histopathology and multiplexed immunofluorescence of 160 tumour sites from 42 treatment-naive patients with HGSOC. Homologous recombination-deficient HRD-Dup (BRCA1 mutant-like) and HRD-Del (BRCA2 mutant-like) tumours harboured inflammatory signalling and ongoing immunoediting, reflected in loss of HLA diversity and tumour infiltration with highly differentiated dysfunctional CD8+ T cells. By contrast, foldback-inversion-bearing tumours exhibited elevated immunosuppressive TGFβ signalling and immune exclusion, with predominantly naive/stem-like and memory T cells. Phenotypic state associations were specific to anatomical sites, highlighting compositional, topological and functional differences between adnexal tumours and distal peritoneal foci. Our findings implicate anatomical sites and mutational processes as determinants of evolutionary phenotypic divergence and immune resistance mechanisms in HGSOC. Our study provides a multi-omic cellular phenotype data substrate from which to develop and interpret future personalized immunotherapeutic approaches and early detection research.
Highway traffic flow prediction model with multi-component spatial–temporal graph convolution networks
Authors: Ning Tao , Han Yumeng , Wang Jiayu
Published: December 2022

In order to effectively solve the problems of redundant medical material allocation, unbalanced material allocation, high distribution cost and lack of symmetry caused by unreasonable prediction in the case of sudden epidemic disasters, the prospect theory is introduced to establish a two-stage robust allocation model of medical materials, and the HQDRO based on the two-stage decision model is proposed. Aiming at minimizing the emergency response time and the total number of allocated materials, and taking the dynamic change of medical material demand in the epidemic sealed control area as the constraint condition, a two-stage robust planning model of medical materials based on scenario is established to realize the symmetrical allocation of medical materials under the sudden epidemic situation. Then, the perception model based on demand prediction, symmetry optimization, targeted distribution and psychological expectation of medical materials are constructed. Through the comparative analysis with the fitness of three commonly used algorithms in this field, the effectiveness of the robust configuration model and HQDRO proposed in this paper is verified.
Peristaltic transport characteristics of a second-grade dusty fluid flown with heat transfer through a tube revisited
Authors: Hafez N. M. , Alsemiry Reima D. , Alharbi Sana A. , Abd-Alla A. M.
Published: December 2022

This paper provides a rudimentary insight into the influence of heat transfer on the transport characteristics of a second-grade dusty fluid flown in a flexible tube with walls subjected to the peristaltic motion. Both dust particles and fluid movements were modeled using the coupled differential equations. The effects of different types of parameters such as Reynolds number, Prandtl number, Grashof number, wave number, wave amplitude ratio, second grade parameter as well as nature of the heat source and sink are studies on the dust particles velocity, fluid velocity, temperature, pressure profiles of the fluid and streamline patterns of the fluid. The derived equations were solved analytically via the standard perturbation method to determine the fluid temperature, streamline pattern and velocity of the dust particles as well as fluid. The values in the increase of pressure and frictional forces were calculated numerically using DSolve of the Mathematica 11 software (https://www.wolfram.com/mathematica/new-in-11/). In addition, the trapping mechanisms were ascertained by computing the streamlines and various physical parameters. The obtained results were validated with the state-of-the-art literature reports. It was claimed that our systematic approach may constitute a basis for accurately examining the impact of heat transfer on the peristaltic transport of a complex fluid through narrow tubes, useful for diverse medical applications such as the gastric fluid flow through the small intestine during endoscopy. Numerical results are computed and discussed numerically and presented through graphs. The impacts of pertinent parameters on the aforementioned quantities are examined by plotting graphs on the basis of computational results. The results indicate that the effect of parameters is very pronounced. A suitable comparison has been made with the prior results in the literature as a limiting case of the considered problem.
Sclerostin as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk in women with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Garcia-de los Ríos Carlos , Medina-Casado Marta , Díaz-Chamorro Antonio , Sierras-Jiménez María , Lardelli-Claret Pablo , Cáliz-Cáliz Rafael , Sabio José Mario
Published: December 2022

Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). On the other hand, sclerostin is a reliable and early biomarker of vascular calcification. This study aimed to estimate the association between sclerostin and two markers of cardiovascular risk, carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CP) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), in women with SLE. The presence of CP (determined by carotid artery ultrasound) and PWV were measured in 68 women with SLE and preserved renal function. None of the participants had a history of cardiovascular disease. Serum levels of sclerostin were determined using the ELISA method. Other factors associated with increased cardiovascular risk were also measured. The association between sclerostin, CP and PWV was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate regression models. The area under the ROC curve was 0.785 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.662–0.871) for CP and 0.834 (95% CI 0.729–0.916) for dichotomized PWV. After adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors, it was found that a 10-units increase in sclerostin values was associated with a 44% increase in the odds of CP (95% CI 1–105), but no adjusted association was observed between sclerostin and PWV. Predictive models included age (for both outcomes), hypertension, Framingham risk score and C-reactive protein (for PWV), but not sclerostin. Sclerostin is associated with the presence of CP in women with SLE. Further research should confirm its possible role as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk in these patients.
Adaption and implementation of the engage programme within the early childhood curriculum
Authors: Healey Dione , Milne Barry , Healey Matthew
Published: December 2022

Poor self-regulation has been associated with an array of adverse outcomes including difficulties with school transition, educational attainment, and social functioning in childhood, and employment, mental health, physical health, relationships, and criminal activity in adulthood. Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the Aid of Games and Exercises (ENGAGE) is a play-based intervention fostering the development of self-regulation in pre-schoolers and has led to improvements within the home setting. The aim for this study was to ascertain whether ENGAGE can be implemented within an Early Childhood Education (ECE) group setting and whether this leads to improved self-regulation. This trial has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); trial number ACTRN12622000364774; trial web address: https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12622000364774.aspx. 668 children aged 3–5 years and their teachers, across 28 ECEs participated. Children’s self-regulation skills were assessed via scores on the Hyperactivity, Aggression, and Attention Problems subscales of BASC-2. Results indicted no significant changes in self-regulation skills across a 10-week waitlist period. Following 10 weeks of the ENGAGE programme, significant improvements in self-regulation were reported, and these were maintained at 2- and 6-month follow-up. These findings indicate that ENGAGE translates well into the ECE setting and has the potential to have population-based impacts which could lead to more positive societal outcomes.
In vitro assessment of probiotic attributes for strains contained in commercial formulations
Authors: Mazzantini Diletta , Calvigioni Marco , Celandroni Francesco , Lupetti Antonella , Ghelardi Emilia
Published: December 2022

Although probiotics are often indiscriminately prescribed, they are not equal and their effects on the host may profoundly differ. In vitro determination of the attributes of probiotics should be a primary concern and be performed even before clinical studies are designed. In fact, knowledge on the biological properties a microbe possesses is crucial for selecting the most suitable bacteriotherapy for each individual. Herein, nine strains (Bacillus clausii NR, OC, SIN, T, Bacillus coagulans ATCC 7050, Bifidobacterium breve DSM 16604, Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745) declared to be contained in six commercial formulations were tested for their ability to tolerate simulated intestinal conditions, adhere to mucins, and produce β-galactosidase, antioxidant enzymes, riboflavin, and d-lactate. With the exception of B. breve, all microbes survived in simulated intestinal fluid. L. rhamnosus was unable to adhere to mucins and differences in mucin adhesion were evidenced for L. reuteri and S. boulardii depending on oxygen levels. All microorganisms produced antioxidant enzymes, but only B. clausii, B. coagulans, B. breve, and L. reuteri synthesize β-galactosidase. Riboflavin secretion was observed for Bacillus species and L. rhamnosus, while d-lactate production was restricted to L. reuteri and L. rhamnosus. Our findings indicate that the analyzed strains possess different in vitro biological properties, thus highlighting the usefulness of in vitro tests as prelude for clinical research.
The effects of inhibition and siRNA knockdown of collagen-binding integrins on human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration and tube formation
Authors: Hunter Emma J. , Hamaia Samir W. , Kim Peter S.-K. , Malcor Jean-Daniel M. , Farndale Richard W.
Published: December 2022

Blood vessels in the body are lined with endothelial cells which have vital roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Collagens are major constituents of the extracellular matrix, and many adherent cells express several collagen-binding adhesion receptors. Here, we study the endothelium–collagen interactions mediated by the collagen-binding integrins, α1β1, α2β1, α10β1 and α11β1 expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using qPCR, we found expression of the α10 transcript of the chondrocyte integrin, α10β1, along with the more abundant α2, and low-level expression of α1. The α11 transcript was not detected. Inhibition or siRNA knockdown of the α2-subunit resulted in impaired HUVEC adhesion, spreading and migration on collagen-coated surfaces, whereas inhibition or siRNA knockdown of α1 had no effect on these processes. In tube formation assays, inhibition of either α1 or α2 subunits impaired the network complexity, whereas siRNA knockdown of these integrins had no such effect. Knockdown of α10 had no effect on cell spreading, migration or tube formation in these conditions. Overall, our results indicate that the collagen-binding integrins, α1β1 and α2β1 play a central role in endothelial cell motility and self-organisation.
Ultra-long air-stability of n-type carbon nanotube films with low thermal conductivity and all-carbon thermoelectric generators
Authors: Amma Yuki , Miura Katsuma , Nagata Sho , Nishi Tsuyoshi , Miyake Shugo , Miyazaki Koji , Takashiri Masayuki
Published: December 2022

This report presents n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) films with ultra-long air stability using a cationic surfactant and demonstrates that the n-type Seebeck coefficient can be maintained for more than two years, which is the highest stability reported thus far to the best of our knowledge. Furthermore, the SWCNT films exhibit an extremely low thermal conductivity of 0.62 ± 0.08 W/(m·K) in the in-plane direction, which is very useful for thin-film TEGs. We fabricated all-carbon-nanotube TEGs, which use p-type SWCNT films and the n-type SWCNT films developed, and their air-stability was investigated. The TEGs did not degrade for 160 days and exhibited an output voltage of 24 mV, with a maximum power of 0.4 µW at a temperature difference of 60 K. These results open a pathway to enable the widespread use of carbon nanotube TEGs as power sources in IoT sensors.
Bias in sex ratios and polyandry rate in reproduction of Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Sedláková Vladimíra , Stará Jitka , Čílová Daniela , Melounová Martina , Vašek Jakub , Vejl Pavel , Doležal Petr , Kocourek František , Hausvater Ervín , Sedlák Petr
Published: December 2022

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB,Leptinotarsa decemlineataSlechtd.) is an invasive pest with economic importance worldwide. Sex ratios during egg-hatching and a frequency of polyandry in single-female families were analysed to clarify the reproduction strategy of CPB, which was still known only in fragments. 1296 just hatching 1st instar CPB larvae were collected from 19 single-female families, of which 13 were random families collected from potato fields and 6 were families produced by laboratory farming of naturally fertilised females. All larvae were analysed to detect a sex using a qPCR-based method and to detect polymorphisms in genotypes of 9 microsatellite (SSR) markers. The bias in sex ratio in favour of females was confirmed using linear mixed-effects model in both experimental groups of families: field collections (F = 36.39; P = 0.0001) and laboratory farming (F = 13.74;P = 0.0139). The analysis of diversity in microsatellites proved the polyandry in all progenies as 73% of analysed segregation patterns did not match with the patterns expected for full-sib progenies; on average per locus, 46% of allelic and 49.7% of genotype ratios showed irregular segregation. Both findings contribute toward understanding CPB success rate as an invasive species, as the preferential bearing of females with polyandry has a great potential to keep fitness of progenies, to maintain and operate population diversity, and to accelerate the reproduction of the pest.
Impact of Shiga-toxin encoding gene transduction from O80:H2 Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) on non-STEC strains
Authors: Habets Audrey , Antoine Céline , Wagemans Jeroen , Vermeersch Marjorie , Laforêt Fanny , Diderich Jacob , Lavigne Rob , Mainil Jacques , Thiry Damien
Published: December 2022

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are major foodborne pathogens that cause human diseases ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening complications including hemolytic–uremic syndrome. Virulence of STEC strains and their ability to cause severe diseases are associated with the activity of prophage-encoded Shiga toxins (Stxs). The first objective of this work was to isolate and characterize the Stx2d phage from STEC O80:H2 and to study the transfer of this phage in non-STEC strains. The second objective was to assess the survival of Galleria mellonella larvae inoculated with these transduced strains. Firstly, one bacteriophage isolated from a STEC O80:H2 strain was used to infect six non-STEC strains, resulting in the conversion of three strains. Then, stability assays were performed, showing that this phage was stable in the new STEC strains after three successive subculturing steps, as confirmed by a combination of short and long read genome sequencing approaches. This phage, vB_EcoS_ULI-O80_Stx2d, is resistant to moderate temperature and pH. It belongs to a currently unclassified genus and family within the Caudoviricetes class, shares 98% identity with Stx2_112808 phage and encodes several proteins involved in the lysogenic cycle. The yecE gene was identified at the insertion site. Finally, G. mellonella experiments showed that the transduced strains caused significantly higher mortality rates than the corresponding non-STEC strains. In conclusion, this study showed that stx2d gene from O80:H2 E. coli can be transferred to non-STEC strains and contributes to their virulence.
Synthesis of coumarin derivatives and investigation of their inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell motility
Authors: Zhou Rui , Yu Young Hyun , Kim Hangun , Ha Hyung-Ho
Published: December 2022

Based on the pharmaceutical potentials of coumarins, which have antitumor activity, we synthesized new coumarin derivatives and evaluated their biological activities. The new coumarin derivatives were chemically synthesized from 4-hydroxycoumarin, and their structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance data. Ten of the synthesized compounds were investigated for antimetastatic activity against lung carcinoma cells. Several of the tested compounds showed good to mild inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell motility. There were no cytotoxic effects related to the use of these compounds. 4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives, 4h and 4i, elicited the significant inhibitory effect on lung cancer cell motility by suppressing expression of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers N-cadherin, Snail, and Twist.
Smartphone-based microplate reader for high-throughput quantitation of disease markers in serum
Authors: Deng Rong , Chao Xiaoxin , Li Haiqin , Li Xiaochun , Yang Zehua , Yu Hua-Zhong
Published: December 2022

A smartphone-based portable reader with integrated optics and a customized app for standard microtiter plates (96 wells) has been designed, developed, and demonstrated for high-throughput quantitation of validated biomarkers in serum.
Unravelling the interactions of biodegradable dendritic nucleic acid carriers and neural cells
Authors: Spencer Ana Patrícia , Leiro Victoria , Pêgo Ana Paula
Published: December 2022

Our fully biodegradable dendritic nanosystem proved to be biocompatible and mediated fast cellular internalization in neuronal cell lines and cortical neurons, showing great potential as a nucleic acid delivery vector for nervous system applications.
Towards frustration in Eu(ii) Archimedean tessellations
Authors: Chen Hua , Manvell Anna S. , Kubus Mariusz , Dunstan Maja A. , Lorusso Giulia , Gracia David , Jørgensen Mike S. B. , Kegnæs Søren , Wilhelm Fabrice , Rogalev Andrei , Evangelisti Marco , Pedersen Kasper S.
Published: December 2022

Self-assembly of Eu(ii) nodes and ditopic ligands leads to 2D frameworks featuring a rare, non-kagome Archimedean tessellation. The topology and Eu(ii)–Eu(ii) antiferromagnetic interactions provide the prerequisites for geometrical spin frustration.
Direct access to functional phenazines via oxidative annulation of anilines and o-phenylenediamines with a reusable cobalt catalyst
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Ci Chenggang , Zhao He , Xie Rong , Jiang HuanFeng , Zhang Min
Published: December 2022

By single electron oxidation (SEO) induced tandem dual C–H amination, a mild approach enabling direct and diverse construction of amino phenazines via oxidative annulation of readily available anilines and o-phenylenediamines is presented.
Rhodium(iii)-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of benzoxazinones with styrenes via C–H activation
Authors: Yang Xifa , Li Song , He Yuhao , Dai Danhua , Bao Mengyao , Luo Ziyang , Liu Xiangyang , Geng Yuehua , Fan Liangxin
Published: December 2022

Reported herein is a Rh(iii)-catalyzed C–H cross-coupling of benzoxazinones and unactivated styrenes to furnish vinylarene scaffolds. Mechanistic studies, gram-scale experiment and further transformations of this method were also demonstrated.
Molecular symmetry effect on the morphology and self-aggregation of semiconducting polymers
Authors: Park Sang Ah , Kim Do Hui , Choi Yelim , Lee Dae Hwan , Park Taiho , Cho Shinuk , Kim Minjun
Published: December 2022

We investigate molecular symmetricity on the physical and photoelectric properties of semiconducting polymers by selectively incorporating different numbers of fluorine atoms at different positions in the donor unit of NDI-based copolymers.
Covalently linked mercaptoacetic acid on ZrO2 coupled cellulose nanofibers for solid phase extraction of Hg(ii): experimental and DFT studies
Authors: Ahmad Hilal , Khan Rais Ahmad , Alsalme Ali
Published: December 2022

Optimized structures for Hg(ii) complexation with mercaptoacetic acid.
Synthesis of bimetal MOFs for rapid removal of doxorubicin in water by advanced oxidation method
Authors: Hu Junhao , Yi Qiong , Xiao Ziyi , Tian Feng , Shu Tingting , Liu Xiaolan , Wang Yingxi , Li Ling , Zhou Jiangang
Published: December 2022

In this study, stable and recyclable cobalt–copper bimetallic MOFs were synthesized by a simple thermal solvent method to promote the efficient removal of doxorubicin hydrochloride.
The influence of saccharin adsorption on NiFe alloy film growth mechanisms during electrodeposition
Authors: Kotelnikova Anna , Zubar Tatiana , Vershinina Tatiana , Panasyuk Maria , Kanafyev Oleg , Fedkin Vladimir , Kubasov Ilya , Turutin Andrei , Trukhanov Sergei , Tishkevich Daria , Fedosyuk Valery , Trukhanov Alex
Published: December 2022

The mechanism of the film surface development was considered from the point of view of saccharin adsorption and its action as an inhibitor of vertical grain growth during direct, pulse and pulse reverse current modes.
2,5-Furandicarboxaldehyde as a bio-based crosslinking agent replacing glutaraldehyde for covalent enzyme immobilization
Authors: Danielli Chiara , van Langen Luuk , Boes Deborah , Asaro Fioretta , Anselmi Serena , Provenza Francesca , Renzi Monia , Gardossi Lucia
Published: December 2022

The bio-based 2,5-furandicarboxaldehyde (diformylfuran, DFF) proved as effective as glutaraldehyde in the covalent immobilization of enzymes on amino-functionalized carriers. The binding is attributed to stable imine bond formation.
Structurally colored aramid fabric construction and its application as a recyclable photonic catalyst
Authors: Shi Qingwen , Li Xue , Fu Yin , Sun Jiuxiao , Tang Tao , Wang Xuyi , Ma Yubin , Tan Haiying
Published: December 2022

Structural colored aramid fabric with bright colors and good photocatalytic properties was constructed.
Origin of high piezoelectricity of a bismuth-based organic–inorganic hybrid crystal
Authors: Zhang Zongyi , Zhang Yifan , Zhao Yue , Zhao Minglei , Zhang Ruyue , Guo Junyi , An Fuhao , Sun Xuan
Published: December 2022

A bismuth-based organic–inorganic hybrid single crystal with a chiral nature is constructed, which has a large shear piezoelectric coefficient of 46.54 pC N−1 with an electromechanical coupling coefficient over 40%.
Strategical design and synthesis of D–A–D-based quinolines for improved WORM memory performance
Authors: Angela Varghese Maria , Harshini Deivendran , Imran Predhanekar Mohamed , Nagarajan Samuthira
Published: December 2022

Ester-flaked quinolines-linked functionalized triarylamines in a D-A-D architecture with different terminal ends resulted in WORM memory devices with electron-donating terminals giving higher on/off ratios and lower threshold voltages.
Decentralized reinforce‐control of renewable dynamic virtual power plant enabling it to offer ancillary services: An attempt towards net‐zero targets
Authors: Kumar Lalit , Ahmed Shehab , Naidoo Raj , Bansal Ramesh Chand
Published: December 2022

This article presents internal model control (IMC) based decentralized reinforce‐control of renewable dynamic virtual power plant (DVPP) so that, it can be integrated into the power system as a substitution of fuel‐based conventional generators. Such grid integration towards net‐zero targets could not be possible without providing additional ancillary service (AS) to the power system, as the traditional AS would fall short with the retirement/substitution of conventional generators. The theory of DVPP from a technical perspective (i.e., TDVPP) is presented in a detailed and simplified manner, including the formulation of a generalized control objective (desired specification) for DVPP integration. The solution approach includes two steps: (1) disaggregation of desired specification and (2) decentralized reinforce‐control to match the disaggregated specification. The theory and solution approach for DVPP integration is presented in a generalized manner enabling the DVPP to offer multiple ASs, but the case study is limited only to frequency control AS (FCAS) in this article. The study is performed on the ‘western system coordinating council (WSCC)’ test system, in which an attempt is made towards net‐zero targets by substituting the largest thermal generator with renewable DVPP ensuring the grid's operation or dynamics safe.
Direct driving of simulated planetary jets by upscale energy transfer
Authors: Böning Vincent G. A. , Wulff Paula , Dietrich Wieland , Wicht Johannes , Christensen Ulrich R.
Published: December 2022

Context. The precise mechanism that forms jets and large-scale vortices on the giant planets is unknown. An inverse cascade has been suggested by several studies. Alternatively, energy may be directly injected by small-scale convection.

Aims. Our aim is to clarify whether an inverse cascade feeds zonal jets and large-scale eddies in a system of rapidly rotating, deep, geostrophic spherical-shell convection.

Methods. We analyze the nonlinear scale-to-scale transfer of kinetic energy in such simulations as a function of the azimuthal wave number, m.

Results. We find that the main driving of the jets is associated with upscale transfer directly from the small convective scales to the jets. This transfer is very nonlocal in spectral space, bypassing large-scale structures. The jet formation is thus not driven by an inverse cascade. Instead, it is due to a direct driving by Reynolds stresses, statistical correlations of velocity components of the small-scale convective flows. Initial correlations are caused by the effect of uniform background rotation and shell geometry on the flows and provide a seed for the jets. While the jet growth suppresses convection, it increases the correlation of the convective flows, which further amplifies the jet growth until it is balanced by viscous dissipation. To a much smaller extent, energy is transferred upscale to large-scale vortices directly from the convective scales, mostly outside the tangent cylinder. There, large-scale vortices are not driven by an inverse cascade either. Inside the tangent cylinder, the transfer to large-scale vortices is even weaker, but more local in spectral space, leaving open the possibility of an inverse cascade as a driver of large-scale vortices. In addition, large-scale vortices receive kinetic energy from the jets via forward transfer. We therefore suggest a jet instability as an alternative formation mechanism of large-scale vortices. Finally, we find that the jet kinetic energy scales approximatively as ℓ−5, the same as for the so-called zonostrophic regime.
Impact of tides on non-coplanar orbits of progenitors of high-mass X-ray binaries
Authors: Simaz Bunzel A. , García F. , Combi J. A. , Fortin F. , Chaty S.
Published: December 2022

Context. An important stage in the evolution of massive binaries is the formation of a compact object in the system. It is believed that in some cases a momentum kick is imparted to the newly born object, changing the orbital parameters of the binary, such as eccentricity and orbital period, and even acquiring an asynchronous orbit between its components. In this situation, tides play a central role in the evolution of these binaries.

Aims. In this work we aim to study how the orbital parameters of a massive binary change after the formation of a compact object when the stellar spin of the non-degenerate companion is not aligned with the orbital angular momentum.

Methods. We used MESA, which we modified to be able to evolve binaries with different values of the inclination between the orbital planes before and just after the formation of the compact object. These modifications to the equations solved by the MESA code are extended to the case of non-solid body rotation.

Results. We find that the impact of having different initial inclinations is mostly present in the evolution towards an equilibrium state that is independent of the inclination. If the binary separation is small enough such that the interaction happens when the star is burning hydrogen in its core, this state is reached before the beginning of a mass-transfer phase, while for a wider binary not all conditions characterizing the equilibrium are met. We also explore the effect of having different initial rotation rates in the stars and how the Spruit-Tayler dynamo mechanism affects the angular momentum transport for a non-coplanar binary.

Conclusions. These findings show that including the inclination in the equations of tidal evolution to a binary after a kick is imparted onto a newly born compact object changes the evolution of some parameters, such as the eccentricity and the spin period of the star, depending on how large this inclination is. Moreover, these results can be used to match the properties of observed X-ray binaries to estimate the strength of the momentum kick.