bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contributions of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases and Aerosol Emissions to Changes in Summer Precipitation Over Southern China
Authors: Xu Huiwen , Chen Huopo , He Wenyue , Chen Lefeng
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the anthropogenic contribution to the summer precipitation changes over southern China and the underlying physical mechanisms. Observations show a wetting trend over southeastern China (SEC) but a drying trend over southwestern China (SWC) in summer of 1961–2014. The dipole pattern can be reasonably reproduced by the anthropogenic forcing simulations of CMIP6 models but with weak trends under the external natural forcing simulations, suggesting the vital human contribution to the observed changes. Particularly, anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHG) dominate the wetting trend over SEC, while the drying trend over SWC is primarily attributed to anthropogenic aerosol (AA) emissions. Further analysis shows that the GHG concentrations enhance the subtropical high over the western North Pacific (WNP) via the heterogeneous warming of the sea surface temperature, decrease the sea level pressure over eastern China, and increase the atmospheric moisture, facilitating the moisture flux convergence (MFC) and the precipitation over SEC. The GHG‐induced wetting trend is somewhat offset by the inhibited evaporation due to the AA forcing. For SWC, the decreased precipitation is influenced by the anomalous high pressure from India to WNP, which is closely associated with the enhanced Asian AA emission and the interhemispheric asymmetrical distribution of AA emissions. In the upper troposphere, the uneven AA emissions between South and East Asia and Europe weaken the East Asian summer subtropical jet, resisting the western moisture to SWC. Both factors in the low‐and‐high levels suppress the MFC and precipitation over SWC, counteracted by the thermodynamical effects of GHG forcing.
Magma Chamber Depressurization and the Creation of Concentric Graben and Late‐Stage Flow Units at Sapas Mons, Venus
Authors: O’Hara Sean T. , McGovern Patrick J. , vonLembke Danielle
Published: June 2024

Sapas Mons is a large shield volcano in Atla Regio on Venus. Its summit region is partially encircled by a system of pits and extensional faults (graben). The existence and configuration of this system have been attributed to stresses generated above the margin of a magma chamber spanning the region beneath the summit. The proposed stress‐generating mechanism includes either withdrawal of magma from or solidification of magma within such a chamber (Keddie & Head, 1994, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00644896). To explore these hypotheses, we calculate Finite Element Method models of stresses and deformations resulting from magma chamber depressurization beneath a Sapas Mons‐sized edifice with axisymmetric geometry. For a range of magma chamber depths and vertical thicknesses, we determine the minimum under pressure that produces a stress state predicting failure in circumferential normal mode at the observed position of the graben system. We also determine maximum under pressure under two conditions: (1) no failure (thrust fault mode) predicted at the summit, and (2) predicted failure (thrust fault mode) limited to within 10 km of the summit. We find that successful models require sill‐like chamber geometry with vertical thicknesses <1.5 km (diameter to thickness aspect ratios >66:1), and chamber depth <8 km beneath the summit. Calculated reductions in chamber volume are comparable to volumes of late‐stage eruptive units mapped at Sapas Mons, favoring the magma withdrawal hypothesis for graben system formation. Evidence that unit 5 of Keddie and Head (1994, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00644896) overlapped in time with, but largely postdated, the graben forming event renders it the most likely destination for magma removed from the chamber.
Constraining Plio‐Pleistocene Shifts in Northwest African Hydroclimate, Ecosystem Distributions, and Marine Productivity: New Paleo‐Records Across the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition
Authors: O’Mara Nicholas A. , Skonieczny Charlotte , McGee David , Winckler Gisela , Bory Aloys J.‐M. , Bradtmiller Louisa I. , Malaizé Bruno , Polissar Pratigya J.
Published: June 2024

Northwest Africa transitioned from a wet/vegetated landscape toward drier/sparser conditions sometime between the late‐Pliocene and the late‐Pleistocene. However, our understanding of the precise timing and nature of this transition is hampered by a paucity of paleo‐records which bridge these two intervals. Here we report new plant‐wax isotope as well as dust and opal flux records from the relatively brief interval ∼1.1–1.0 million years ago (Ma) to evaluate the astronomical timescale controls of Northwest African hydroclimate and vegetation during the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition (MPT) and, in context with published records, the drivers of long‐term climate and ecological trends over the Plio‐Pleistocene. The tempo and amplitude of the Northwest African monsoon rainfall swings closely track low latitude insolation forcings over the last 5 Ma. However, we demonstrate that a pronounced mean state decline in monsoon strength likely occurred following the MPT most likely instigated by increasing Atlantic meridional sea surface temperature gradients or declines in the strength of the meridional overturning circulation. The northward extent of vegetation does not track changes in monsoon strength over the Plio‐Pleistocene and thus may be more strongly influenced by changes in monsoon rainfall extent or ecosystem disturbances. Progressively diminished dust fluxes following a decline in monsoon strength after 1.0 Ma is consistent with reduced production and subsequent depletion of fine‐grained sediments in the Sahara. Synchroneity between dust and opal fluxes across timescales suggests nutrient delivery to the surface ocean via dust plays a key role in marine primary productivity off the coast of Northwest Africa.
Structural Evolution, Exhumation Rates, and Rheology of the European Crust During Alpine Collision: Constraints From the Rotondo Granite—Gotthard Nappe
Authors: Ceccato A. , Behr W. M. , Zappone A. S. , Tavazzani L. , Giuliani A.
Published: June 2024

The rheology of crystalline units controls the large‐scale deformation geometry and dynamics of collisional orogens. Defining a time‐constrained rheological evolution of such units may help unravel the details of collisional dynamics. Here, we integrate field analysis, pseudosection calculations and in situ garnet U–Pb and mica Rb–Sr geochronology to define the structural and rheological evolution of the Rotondo granite (Gotthard nappe, Central Alps). We identify a sequence of four (D1–D4) deformation stages. Pre‐collisional D1 brittle faults developed before Alpine peak metamorphism, which occurred at 34–20 Ma (U–Pb garnet ages) at 590 ± 25°C and 0.9 ± 0.1 GPa. The reactivation of D1 structures controlled the rheological evolution, from D2 reverse mylonitic shearing at amphibolite facies (520 ± 40°C and 0.8 ± 0.1 GPa) at 18–20 Ma (white mica Rb–Sr ages), to strike‐slip, brittle‐ductile shearing at greenschist‐facies D3 (395 ± 25°C and 0.4 ± 0.1 GPa) at 14–15 Ma (white mica and biotite Rb–Sr ages), and then to D4 strike‐slip faulting at shallow conditions. Although highly misoriented for the Alpine collisional stress orientation, D1 brittle structures controlled the localization of D2 ductile mylonites accommodating fast (∼3 mm/yr) exhumation rates due to their weak shear strength (<10 MPa). This structural and rheological evolution is common across External Crystalline Massifs (e.g., Aar, Mont Blanc), suggesting that the European upper crust was extremely weak during Alpine collision, its strength controlled by weak ductile shear zones localized on pre‐collisional deformation structures, that in turn controlled localized exhumation at the scale of the orogen.
Crust‐Derived CO2 Production From a Shallow Pluton in Limestone Is Driven by Metamorphic Decarbonation, Not Assimilation
Authors: Morris R. A. , Canil D.
Published: June 2024

Traditionally, it is assumed that contributions of crust‐derived CO2 emissions at arc settings are minor, but this requires well‐constrained field studies to determine the extent of magma‐carbonate reaction and concomitant C released. The Jurassic Bonanza arc on Vancouver Island (Canada) was built on a Triassic limestone platform and makes for an ideal setting to examine arc magma‐carbonate interactions beneath an island arc. We examine how km‐scale magma bodies might react with carbonate from a well‐constrained study of a gabbro pluton that intrudes limestone. The pluton shows muted to nil carbonate interaction preserving primary igneous 87Sr/86Sr values (∼0.703) except for a thin (<2 m wide) marginal gabbro (∼0.706) in contact with a decarbonized metamorphic aureole. A lack of 87Sr/86Sr or δ18Ocpx enrichment in gabbro ∼10 to >1,000 m from the contact suggests that any reaction with limestone wallrock is limited to at most the outer ∼10 m of the pluton. More enhanced magma‐carbonate interaction and CO2 production occurs via a network of shallow dikes and sills (<0.2 GPa) compared to deeper plutons, consistent with experimental data showing increased carbonate assimilation at shallower depths (≤0.5 GPa). Plutons are an important heat source to release CO2 from carbonate wallrock by contact metamorphism, where >89% of crust‐derived CO2 is liberated by wallrock decarbonation and <11% is liberated by magma that assimilated limestone. Nonetheless, we show that neither magmatic nor metamorphic crust‐derived CO2 contributions compare to mantle‐derived CO2. Our study places realistic and quantitative limits on arc‐derived CO2 from upper crustal limestone sources.
Evaluation of the Planetary Boundary Layer Height From ERA5 Reanalysis With MOSAiC Observations Over the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Xi Xingya , Yang Qinghua , Liu Changwei , Shupe Matthew D. , Han Bo , Peng Shijie , Zhou Shaohui , Chen Dake
Published: June 2024

The planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) is a crucial indicator reflecting the region of the atmosphere characterized by continuous turbulence. Here, we use radiosonde and surface meteorological observations (4–7 times per day, year‐round measurements) during the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition to derive the PBLH (PBLHMOSAiC), and further evaluate the PBLH from the ERA5 reanalysis (PBLHERA5). Comparisons between PBLHMOSAiC and PBLHERA5 from different perspectives reveal that: (a) The overestimation of PBLHERA5 when the sea ice concentration is >90% is significant with the centered root mean squared error reaching up to 201 m; (b) The difference between the two products is notably pronounced in cold seasons, while it is comparatively diminished in warm seasons; (c) In neutral boundary layers, differences in PBLHERA5 are larger compared with stable and convective boundary layers. In addition, the analysis of error sources indicates that the bias of PBLHERA5 is sensitive to the bias of vertical thermal structure and wind speed profiles in ERA5 data sets in all conditions. Finally, we find a Random Forest model effectively reduces the bias of PBLHERA5 with the index of agreement reaching up to 0.71 in the test data set, while a multiple linear regression demonstrates comparable performance to the Random Forest model.
Widespread occurrence of pesticides in low-income housing
Authors: Vaezafshar Sara , Siegel Jeffrey A. , Jantunen Liisa , Diamond Miriam L.
Published: June 2024

Background

Low socioeconomic status (SES) residents living in social housing, which is subsidized by government or government-funded agencies, may have higher exposures to pesticides used in indoor residences since pesticides are applied due to structural deficiencies, poor maintenance, etc.

Objective

To estimate exposure of residents in low-SES social housing built in the 1970s to legacy and current-use pesticides and to investigate factors related to exposures.

Methods

Twenty-eight particle-phase pesticides were measured in the indoor air of 46 units in seven low-income social housing, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) in Toronto, Canada using portable air cleaners deployed for 1 week in 2017. Pesticides analyzed were legacy and current use in the classes: organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and strobilurins.

Results

At least one pesticide was detected in 89% of the units with detection frequencies (DF) for individual pesticides of up to 50%, including legacy organochlorines and current-use pesticides. Current-use pyrethroids had the highest DF and concentrations, with the highest particle-phase concentration for pyrethrin I at 32,000 pg/m3. Heptachlor, restricted for use in Canada in 1985, had the highest estimated maximum total air (particle plus gas phase) concentration of 443,000 pg/m3. Heptachlor, lindane, endosulfan I, chlorothalonil, allethrin, and permethrin (except in one study) had higher concentrations than those measured in low-income residences reported elsewhere. In addition to the intentional use of pesticides to control pests and their use in building materials and paints, tobacco smoking was significantly correlated with the concentrations of five pesticides used on tobacco crops. The distribution of pesticides with high DF in individual buildings suggested that pest eradication programs by the building management and/or pesticide use by residents were the major sources of measured pesticides.

Impact

Low-income social housing fills a much-needed demand, but the residences are prone to pest infestation and hence pesticide use. We found exposure to at least 1 of 28 particle-phase pesticides in 89% of all 46 units tested, with the highest DF and concentrations for current-use pyrethroids and long-banned organochlorines (e.g., DDT, heptachlor) due to very high persistence indoors. Also measured were several pesticides not registered for use indoors, e.g., strobilurins used to treat building materials and pesticides used on tobacco crops. These results, which are the first Canadian data for most pesticides indoors, show widespread exposure to numerous pesticides.
Mechano-inhibition of endocytosis sensitizes cancer cells to Fas-induced Apoptosis
Authors: Kural Mehmet H. , Djakbarova Umidahan , Cakir Bilal , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Chan Emily T. , Arteaga Muniz Valeria I. , Madraki Yasaman , Qian Hong , Park Jinkyu , Sewanan Lorenzo R. , Park In-Hyun , Niklason Laura E. , Kural Comert
Published: June 2024

The transmembrane death receptor Fas transduces apoptotic signals upon binding its ligand, FasL. Although Fas is highly expressed in cancer cells, insufficient cell surface Fas expression desensitizes cancer cells to Fas-induced apoptosis. Here, we show that the increase in Fas microaggregate formation on the plasma membrane in response to the inhibition of endocytosis sensitizes cancer cells to Fas-induced apoptosis. We used a clinically accessible Rho-kinase inhibitor, fasudil, that reduces endocytosis dynamics by increasing plasma membrane tension. In combination with exogenous soluble FasL (sFasL), fasudil promoted cancer cell apoptosis, but this collaborative effect was substantially weaker in nonmalignant cells. The combination of sFasL and fasudil prevented glioblastoma cell growth in embryonic stem cell-derived brain organoids and induced tumor regression in a xenograft mouse model. Our results demonstrate that sFasL has strong potential for apoptosis-directed cancer therapy when Fas microaggregate formation is augmented by mechano-inhibition of endocytosis.
Overexpression of TBX3 suppresses tumorigenesis in experimental and human cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Deng Shanshan , Lu Xinjun , Wang Xue , Liang Binyong , Xu Hongwei , Yang Doris , Cui Guofei , Yonemura Andrew , Paine Honor , Zhou Yi , Zhang Yi , Simile Maria Maddalena , Urigo Francesco , Evert Matthias , Calvisi Diego F. , Green Benjamin L. , Chen Xin
Published: June 2024

TBX3 behaves as a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein across cancer. However, TBX3 function remains undetermined in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a deadly primary liver malignancy with few systemic treatment options. This study sought to investigate the impact of TBX3 on iCCA. We found that overexpression of TBX3 strongly inhibited human iCCA cell growth. In the Akt/FBXW7ΔF mouse iCCA model, overexpression of Tbx3 reduced cholangiocarcinogenesis in vivo, while inducible genetic knockout of Tbx3 accelerated iCCA growth. RNA-seq identified MAD2L1 as a downregulated gene in TBX3-overexpressing cells, and ChIP confirmed that TBX3 binds to the MAD2L1 promoter. CRISPR-mediated knockdown of Mad2l1 significantly reduced the growth of two iCCA models in vivo. Finally, we found that TBX3 expression is upregulated in ~20% of human iCCA samples, and its high expression is associated with less proliferation and better survival. MAD2L1 expression is upregulated in most human iCCA samples and negatively correlated with TBX3 expression. Altogether, our findings suggest that overexpression of TBX3 suppresses CCA progression via repressing MAD2L1 expression.
USP14 deficiency inhibits neointima formation following vascular injury via degradation of Skp2 protein
Authors: Xia Xiaohong , Liu Xiaolin , Xu Qiong , Gu Jielei , Ling Sisi , Liu Yajing , Li Rongxue , Zou Min , Jiang Siqin , Gao Zhiwei , Chen Canshan , Liu Shiming , Liu Ningning
Published: June 2024

Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have an essential role in the UPS-regulated stability of the substrate; however, the function of DUBs in intimal hyperplasia remains unclear. We screened DUBs to identify a protein responsible for regulating VSMC proliferation and identified USP14 protein that mediates cancer development, inflammation, and foam cell formation. USP14 promotes human aortic smooth muscle cell and A7r5 cell growth in vitro, and its inhibition or deficiency decreases the intimal area in the mice carotid artery ligation model. In addition, USP14 stabilizes Skp2 expression by decreasing its degradation, while Skp2 overexpression rescues USP14 loss-induced issues. The current findings suggested an essential role of USP14 in the pathology of vascular remodeling, deeming it a promising target for arterial restenosis therapy.
DNA methylation as an epigenetic mechanism in the regulation of LEDGF expression and biological response in aging and oxidative stress
Authors: Bhargavan Biju , Chhunchha Bhavana , Kubo Eri , Singh Dhirendra P.
Published: June 2024

The physiological quantum of stress-inducible transcriptional protein, Lens Epithelium-Derived Growth Factor (LEDGF), is vital for the maintenance of cellular physiology. Erratic epigenetic reprogramming in response to oxidative stress or with advancing age is found to be a major cause in the gene silencing, leading to pathobiologies. Using aging human (h) eye lens/lens epithelial cells (LECs) coupled with redox-active Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6)-deficient (Prdx6−/−) mLECs as model systems, herein, we showed that in aging/oxidative stress, the human LEDGF gene was regulated by unique methylation patterns of CGs nucleotides within and around the Sp1 binding site(s) of CpG island of the LEDGF promoter (−170 to −27nts). The process caused the repression of LEDGF and its target, Hsp27, resulting in reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplification and cellular insults. This phenomenon was opposed to the unmethylated promoter in LECs. Clinically, we observed that the loss of LEDGF in the Prdx6−/− mLECs or aging lenses/LECs, correlating with increased expression of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b along with the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Upon oxidative stress, the expression of these molecules was increased with the dramatic reduction in LEDGF expression. While demethylating agent, 5-Aza deoxycytidine (5-AzaC) transposed the aberrant methylation status, and revived LEDGF and Hsp27 expression. Mechanistically, the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene driven by the LEDGF promoter (−170/ + 35) and ChIP assays uncovered that 5-AzaC acted on GC/Sp1 sites to release LEDGF transcription. The data argued, for the first time, that de novo methylation of CGs around and within Sp1 sites of the CpG island directly disrupted Sp1 activity, which ensued in LEDGF repression and its biological functions. The findings should improve our understanding of cellular insults-associated with aberrant DNMTs-mediated LEDGF’s activity, and can offer strategies for therapeutic intervention to halt aging/oxidative stress-induced abnormalities.
Facing the challenges to shorten the diagnostic odyssey: first Whole Genome Sequencing experience of a Colombian cohort with suspected rare diseases
Authors: Velasco Harvy Mauricio , Bertoli-Avella Aida , Jaramillo Carolina Jaramillo , Cardona Danny Styvens , González Leonel Andrés , Vanegas Melisa Naranjo , Arango Juan Pablo Valencia , Buitrago Cesar Augusto , González Jorge Alberto Gutiérrez , Marcello Jonas , Bauer Peter , Moncada Juliana Espinosa
Published: June 2024

Exome and genome sequencing (ES/GS) are routinely used for the diagnosis of genetic diseases in developed countries. However, their implementation is limited in countries from Latin America. We aimed to describe the results of GS in patients with suspected rare genetic diseases in Colombia. We studied 501 patients from 22 healthcare sites from January to December 2022. GS was performed in the index cases using dried blood spots on filtercards. Ancestry analysis was performed under iAdmix. Multiomic testing was performed when needed (biomarker, enzymatic activity, RNA-seq). All tests were performed at an accredited genetic laboratory. Ethnicity prediction data confirmed that 401 patients (80%) were mainly of Amerindian origin. A genetic diagnosis was established for 142 patients with a 28.3% diagnostic yield. The highest diagnostic yield was achieved for pathologies with a metabolic component and syndromic disorders (p < 0.001). Young children had a median of 1 year of diagnostic odyssey, while the median time for adults was significantly longer (15 years). Patients with genetic syndromes have spent more than 75% of their life without a diagnosis, while for patients with neurologic and neuromuscular diseases, the time of the diagnostic odyssey tended to decrease with age. Previous testing, specifically karyotyping or chromosomal microarray were significantly associated with a longer time to reach a definitive diagnosis (p < 0.01). Furthermore, one out of five patients that had an ES before could be diagnosed by GS. The Colombian genome project is the first Latin American study reporting the experience of systematic use of diagnostic GS in rare diseases.
Calibration-independent bound on the unitarity of a quantum channel with application to a frequency converter
Authors: Bock Matthias , Sekatski Pavel , Bancal Jean-Daniel , Kucera Stephan , Bauer Tobias , Sangouard Nicolas , Becher Christoph , Eschner Jürgen
Published: June 2024

We report on a method to certify a unitary operation with the help of source and measurement apparatuses whose calibration throughout the certification process needs not be trusted. As in the device-independent paradigm our certification method relies on a Bell test and requires no assumption on the underlying Hilbert space dimension, but it removes the need for high detection efficiencies by including the single additional assumption that non-detected events are independent of the measurement settings. The relevance of the proposed method is demonstrated experimentally by bounding the unitarity of a quantum frequency converter. The experiment starts with the heralded creation of a maximally entangled two-qubit state between a single 40Ca+ ion and a 854 nm photon. Entanglement preserving frequency conversion to the telecom band is then realized with a non-linear waveguide embedded in a Sagnac interferometer. The resulting ion-telecom photon entangled state is assessed by means of a Bell-CHSH test from which the quality of the frequency conversion is quantified. We demonstrate frequency conversion with an average certified fidelity of ≥84% and an efficiency ≥3.1 × 10−6 at a confidence level of 99%. This ensures the suitability of the converter for integration in quantum networks from a trustful characterization procedure.
A study on interoperability between two Personal Health Train infrastructures in leukodystrophy data analysis
Authors: Welten Sascha , de Arruda Botelho Herr Marius , Hempel Lars , Hieber David , Placzek Peter , Graf Michael , Weber Sven , Neumann Laurenz , Jugl Maximilian , Tirpitz Liam , Kindermann Karl , Geisler Sandra , Bonino da Silva Santos Luiz Olavo , Decker Stefan , Pfeifer Nico , Kohlbacher Oliver , Kirsten Toralf
Published: June 2024

The development of platforms for distributed analytics has been driven by a growing need to comply with various governance-related or legal constraints. Among these platforms, the so-called Personal Health Train (PHT) is one representative that has emerged over the recent years. However, in projects that require data from sites featuring different PHT infrastructures, institutions are facing challenges emerging from the combination of multiple PHT ecosystems, including data governance, regulatory compliance, or the modification of existing workflows. In these scenarios, the interoperability of the platforms is preferable. In this work, we introduce a conceptual framework for the technical interoperability of the PHT covering five essential requirements: Data integration, unified station identifiers, mutual metadata, aligned security protocols, and business logic. We evaluated our concept in a feasibility study that involves two distinct PHT infrastructures: PHT-meDIC and PADME. We analyzed data on leukodystrophy from patients in the University Hospitals of Tübingen and Leipzig, and patients with differential diagnoses at the University Hospital Aachen. The results of our study demonstrate the technical interoperability between these two PHT infrastructures, allowing researchers to perform analyses across the participating institutions. Our method is more space-efficient compared to the multi-homing strategy, and it shows only a minimal time overhead.
Chromosome-level assembly of the synthetic hexaploid wheat-derived cultivar Chuanmai 104
Authors: Liu Zehou , Yang Fan , Deng Cao , Wan Hongshen , Tang Hao , Feng Junyan , Wang Qin , Yang Ning , Li Jun , Yang Wuyun
Published: June 2024

Synthetic hexaploid wheats (SHWs) are effective genetic resources for transferring agronomically important genes from wild relatives to common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dozens of reference-quality pseudomolecule assemblies of hexaploid wheat have been generated, but none is reported for SHW-derived cultivars. Here, we generated a chromosome-scale assembly for the SHW-derived cultivar ‘Chuanmai 104’ based on PacBio HiFi reads and chromosome conformation capture sequencing. The total assembly size was 14.81 Gb with a contig N50 length of 58.25 Mb. A BUSCO analysis yielded a completeness score of 99.30%. In total, repetitive elements comprised 81.36% of the genome and 122,554 high-confidence protein-coding gene models were predicted. In summary, the first chromosome-level assembly for a SHW-derived cultivar presents a promising outlook for the study and utilization of SHWs in wheat improvement, which is essential to meet the global food demand.
Multi-year aboveground data of minirhizotron facilities in Selhausen
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Huu , Lopez Gina , Seidel Sabine J. , Lärm Lena , Bauer Felix Maximilian , Klotzsche Anja , Schnepf Andrea , Gaiser Thomas , Hüging Hubert , Ewert Frank
Published: June 2024

Improved understanding of crops’ response to soil water stress is important to advance soil-plant system models and to support crop breeding, crop and varietal selection, and management decisions to minimize negative impacts. Studies on eco-physiological crop characteristics from leaf to canopy for different soil water conditions and crops are often carried out at controlled conditions. In-field measurements under realistic field conditions and data of plant water potential, its links with CO2 and H2O gas fluxes, and crop growth processes are rare. Here, we presented a comprehensive data set collected from leaf to canopy using sophisticated and comprehensive sensing techniques (leaf chlorophyll, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis, canopy CO2 exchange, sap flow, and canopy temperature) including detailed crop growth characteristics based on destructive methods (crop height, leaf area index, aboveground biomass, and yield). Data were acquired under field conditions with contrasting soil types, water treatments, and different cultivars of wheat and maize. The data from 2016 up to now will be made available for studying soil/water-plant relations and improving soil-plant-atmospheric continuum models.
Estimating bee distributions and their functional range to map important areas for protecting bee species and their functions
Authors: Suzuki-Ohno Yukari , Ishihama Fumiko , Yokoyama Jun , Inoue Maki N. , Nakashizuka Tohru , Kawata Masakado
Published: June 2024

The decline of wild bee populations causes the decline of bee-pollinated plant populations through the deterioration of pollination services. Since high bee species richness generally involves high functional group diversity, protecting areas of high bee species richness will help to maintain pollination services for plants. However, those areas do not always include the habitats of bee species with specialized functions that expand the range of plants being pollinated. To map important areas for protecting native bee species and their functions, we estimated the distributions and functional range of 13 bumble bee species and 1 honey bee species in Japan. The distributions were estimated from an ensemble of six species distribution models using bee occurrence data and environmental data. The functional range of bee species was estimated by combining the estimated distributions and proboscis length, which frequently corresponds to the floral shape of the plant species they pollinate. The estimated species richness was high in western Hokkaido and the estimated functional range was wide in central Honshu. Our method is useful to see whether areas important for high species richness of pollinators differ from those for rare species or their functions.
Synergistic and potential antifungal properties of tailored, one pot multicomponent monoterpenes co-delivered with fluconazole encapsulated nanostructure lipid carrier
Authors: Radwan Ibrahim Taha , El-Sherbiny Ibrahim M. , Metwally Nadia Hanafy
Published: June 2024

Frequent and variant infections are caused by the virtue of opportunistic fungi pathogens. Candidiasis, aspergillosis, and mucormycosis are pathogenic microorganisms that give rise to vast fungal diseases that alternate between moderate to fatal in severity. The use of fluconazole as an antifungal drug was limited due to the acquired resistance in some types of Candida and other fungal species. This study aims to consolidate fluconazole’s biological effectiveness against several pathogenic fungi. Six active monoterpenes (MTs) of carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, α-terpinene, citronellal, and nerolidol were selected and encapsulated in nanostructure lipid carrier (NLC) with (NLC-Flu-MTs) and/without (NLC-MTs) fluconazole in one nanoformulation to determine if they will act synergistically or not? The synthesized nanoformulation NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs exhibited very good particle size of 144.5 nm and 138.6 nm for size and zeta potential values of (− 23.5 mV) and (− 20.3 mV), respectively. Transmission electron microscope investigation confirmed that the synthesized NLCs have regular and spherical shape. The abundance and concentration of the six released monoterpenes were determined, as a novel approach, using GC–MS with very good results and validity. In-vitro antifungal screening was done before and after nano co-delivery against seven pathogenic, and aggressive fungi of Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Geotrichum Candidum, Candidaalbicans, Aspergillus Niger, and mucor circinelloides. Inhibition Zone diameter (IZD) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were measured. Nanoformulations NLC-Flu-MTs and NLC-MTs manifested potential and unique biological susceptibility against all the tested microorganisms with reduced (MIC) values, especially against Candida Tropicalis (MIC = 0.97 µg/ml) which represents 16-fold of the value shown by NLC-MTs (MIC = 15.6 µg/ml) and 64-fold of fluconazole free before nanoformulation (MIC = 62.5 µg/ml). The efficiency of nanomaterials, particularly NLC-Flu-MTs, has become evident in the diminishing value of MIC which affirmed the synergism between fluconazole and the other six monoterpenes.
Single and combined toxicity of tadalafil (Cilais) and microplastic in Tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Sabra Mahmoud S. , Sayed Alaa El-Din H. , Idriss Shaimaa K. A. , Soliman Hamdy A. M.
Published: June 2024

The joint impact of tadalafil (Cilais) as a pharmaceutical residue and microplastics on fish is not well comprehended. The current study examined haematological, biochemical, and antioxidant parameters, along with immunohistochemical and histological indications in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) after being exposed to tadalafil, polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs), and their mixtures for 15 days. The fish were distributed into 1st group control group (The fish was maintained in untreated water without any supplements); 2nd group exposed to 10 mg/L PE-MPs;3rd group exposed to 20 mg/l tadalafil (Cilais); 4th group exposed to 20 mg/l tadalafil (Cilais) + 10 mg/LPE-MPs (in triplicate). The levels of creatinine, uric acid, glucose, AST, ALT, and albumin in fish treated with tadalafil alone or in combination with PE-MPs were significantly higher than those in the control group. Fish exposed to PE-MPs, tadalafil, and tadalafil plus PE-MPs showed significantly lower levels of RBCs, Hb, Ht, neutrophils, and lymphocytes compared to the control group. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione (GSH) were notably lowered in fish groups subjected to PE-MPs, tadalafil, and tadalafil + PE-MPs combinations in comparison to the control group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were notably elevated in fish groups subjected to PE-MPs, tadalafil, and tadalafil + PE-MPs combinations compared to the control group. The most severe impact was observed in the tadalafil + PE-MPs combination group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were significantly increased in liver tissues following exposure to both tadalafil and microplastics compared to tissues exposed to only one substance or the control group. Changes in the gills, liver, and renal tissues were seen following exposure to PE-MPs, tadalafil, and tadalafil + PE-MPs combination in comparison to the control group of fish. Ultimately, the mixture of tadalafil and PE-MPs resulted in the most detrimental outcomes. Tadalafil and PE-MPs exhibited showed greater adverse effects, likely due to tadalafil being absorbed onto PE-MPs.
Modeling and forecasting the volatility of some industry development indicators in Ethiopia using multivariate GARCH models
Authors: Dagnew Getachew Abate , Alamneh Birhan Walie , Hailu Wosenie Gebireamanuel
Published: June 2024

Industry development indicators refer to a set of measures used to assess the performance and growth of industries. The main aim of this study was to assess the relationship between industry development indicators in Ethiopia using a multivariate GARCH model based on World Bank data from 1982 to 2021. A time series technique using annual data for the period 1982–2021 is utilized, and multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity was performed for volatility modeling. The results of the diagonal BEKK (1, 1)-GARCH model showed that there is strong evidence for a GARCH effect and the presence of a weaker ARCH effect, Equations show a statistically significant co-variation in shocks, which depends more on their lags than on past errors. Consequently, development indicator shocks are influenced by past information. The cross-volatility effects are higher than the own-volatility effects in Industry GDP, manufacturing GDP, and manufacturing exports. However, past volatility shocks in industry growth have less effect on cross-volatility than its own volatility shock. The implication of the study is that both domestic policymakers and development partners should support and motivate the growth of manufacturing sectors and manufacturing exports, since this is a necessary condition for promoting industry growth.
Predicting type 2 diabetes via machine learning integration of multiple omics from human pancreatic islets
Authors: Rönn Tina , Perfilyev Alexander , Oskolkov Nikolay , Ling Charlotte
Published: June 2024

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is the fastest growing non-infectious disease worldwide. Impaired insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells is a hallmark of T2D, but the mechanisms behind this defect are insufficiently characterized. Integrating multiple layers of biomedical information, such as different Omics, may allow more accurate understanding of complex diseases such as T2D. Our aim was to explore and use Machine Learning to integrate multiple sources of biological/molecular information (multiOmics), in our case RNA-sequening, DNA methylation, SNP and phenotypic data from islet donors with T2D and non-diabetic controls. We exploited Machine Learning to perform multiOmics integration of DNA methylation, expression, SNPs, and phenotypes from pancreatic islets of 110 individuals, with ~ 30% being T2D cases. DNA methylation was analyzed using Infinium MethylationEPIC array, expression was analyzed using RNA-sequencing, and SNPs were analyzed using HumanOmniExpress arrays. Supervised linear multiOmics integration via DIABLO based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) achieved an accuracy of 91 ± 15% of T2D prediction with an area under the curve of 0.96 ± 0.08 on the test dataset after cross-validation. Biomarkers identified by this multiOmics integration, including SACS and TXNIP DNA methylation, OPRD1 and RHOT1 expression and a SNP annotated to ANO1, provide novel insights into the interplay between different biological mechanisms contributing to T2D. This Machine Learning approach of multiOmics cross-sectional data from human pancreatic islets achieved a promising accuracy of T2D prediction, which may potentially find broad applications in clinical diagnostics. In addition, it delivered novel candidate biomarkers for T2D and links between them across the different Omics.
Responses of growth and photosynthesis to alkaline stress in three willow species
Authors: Qiao Shenqi , Ma Changming , Li Hongjiao , Zhang Yu , Zhang Minghui , Zhao Wenhao , Liu Bingxiang
Published: June 2024

Investigating differences in resistance to alkaline stress among three willow species can provide a theoretical basis for planting willow in saline soils. Therefore we tested three willow species (Salix matsudana, Salix gordejevii and Salix linearistipularis), already known for their high stress tolerance, to alkaline stress environment at different pH values under hydroponics. Root and leaf dry weight, root water content, leaf water content, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence of three willow cuttings were monitored six times over 15 days under alkaline stress. With the increase in alkaline stress, the water retention capacity of leaves of the three species of willow cuttings was as follows: S. matsudana > S. gordejevii > S. linearistipularis and the water retention capacity of the root system was as follows: S. gordejevii > S. linearistipularis > S. matsudana. The chlorophyll content was significantly reduced, damage symptoms were apparent. The net photosynthetic rate (Pn), rate of transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (Gs) of the leaves showed a general trend of decreasing, and the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of S. matsudana and S. gordejevii first declined and then tended to level off, while the intercellular CO2 concentration of S. linearistipularis first declined and then increased. The quantum yield and energy allocation ratio of the leaf photosystem II (PSII) reaction centre changed significantly (φPo, Ψo and φEo were obviously suppressed and φDo was promoted). The photosystem II (PSII) reaction centre quantum performance index and driving force showed a clear downwards trend. Based on the results it can be concluded that alkaline stress tolerance of three willow was as follows: S. matsudana > S. gordejevii > S. linearistipularis. However, since the experiment was done on young seedlings, further study at saplings stage is required to revalidate the results.
Modified craniotomy procedures and virtual reality technology for accurate localization of the frontal branch of MMA in revascularization surgery
Authors: Chuang-Hong Liu , Hong Xu , Gang Kong
Published: June 2024

The frontal branch of middle meningeal artery (MMA) can easily be damaged during revascularization surgery. To precise locate it and minimize its injury, we propose a set of modified craniotomy procedures combined with simple virtual reality (VR) technology based on three-dimensional (3D) Slicer simply, economically, and efficiently. Patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD) and internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) who received revascularization from January 2015 to December 2022 were divided into two groups based on the methods used to locate the MMA: traditional methods and precise MMA locating with VR technology. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were analyzed to compare the preservation rates of MMA. The distances between this artery and bony anatomical landmarks were also measured to better understand its localization. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. The precise MMA locating group exhibited a significantly higher preservation rate of the frontal branch of MMA (p = 0.037, 91.7% vs. 68.2%). Over 77% of patients had their frontal branch of MMA partially or completely surrounded by bony structures to varying degrees. Therefore, the combination of modified craniotomy procedures, 3D Slicer, and simple VR technology represents an economical, efficient, and operationally simple strategy.
Design and analysis of an interleaved step-up DC–DC converter with enhanced characteristics
Authors: Hosseinpour Majid , Seifi Elham , Seifi Ali , Shahparasti Mahdi
Published: June 2024

In this paper, an interleaved DC–DC step-up converter with improved characteristics based on a voltage multiplier rectifier is presented. The proposed converter is presented and analyzed for two different operating duty regions including operating region 1 (0 < D ≤ 0.5), and operating region 2 (0.5 ≤ D < 1). This converter can be used in various applications such as energy storage, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. This converter is composed of two stages: an interleaved boost stage and a voltage multiplier rectifier stage, which collectively forms its general structure. The interleaved boost stage is a type of two-phase boost converter that transforms the input DC voltage into a high-frequency AC square waveform. This waveform can be readily filtered using smaller capacitors. The square-shaped voltage waveform from the interleaved boost stage is rectified and converted to a high DC voltage by the Voltage Multiplier Rectifier (VMR) stage. The operating regions, the evaluation of the steady-state condition, the voltage gain of the proposed converter's parasitic and ideal models as well as its losses and efficiency analysis have been evaluated. The proposed converter has an efficiency of 97% at the output power of 150 W. The proposed converter is simulated to convert a voltage of 25–159.5 V and to validate the mathematical relationships and simulation results, a laboratory prototype has been developed. The simulation and experimental results show the precision of the performance of the proposed interleaved boost converter.
A 17-level octuple boost switched-capacitor inverter with lower voltage stress on devices
Authors: Hosseinpour Majid , Noori Meysam , Shahparasti Mahdi
Published: June 2024

This paper presents a new structure for switched-capacitor multilevel inverter with octuple voltage gain capability. The proposed inverter utilizes three capacitors, 13 semiconductor switches, three diodes, and an input voltage source to achieve a 17-level output voltage. The switched capacitors naturally achieve voltage balancing without the need for sensors or additional circuits, indicating the ease of control of the proposed structure. To control the inrush current of the switched capacitors, a charge limiting inductor has been utilized in the charging path of the capacitors. This not only reduces the inrush current of the capacitors and the input source current but also enables faster capacitor charging and extends their lifetime. The switches used in the proposed structure can withstand a maximum of 4 times the input voltage value or the half of the maximum output voltage, which is a significant advantage for the proposed structure. A detailed comparison with similar structures is provided to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the suggested inverter. The procedure of self-voltage balancing of the capacitors and the functional modes of the proposed topology has been explained in detail. The proposed structure is suitable for applications such as renewable energy sources transfer to load or grid. The performance of the proposed topology under different conditions is confirmed through simulation in the Matlab\Simulink software and the implementation of the laboratory sample.
Creep level qualitative evaluating of crushed rock based on uncertainty measurement theory and hierarchical analysis
Authors: Wu Shiwei , Mou Qi , Yang Tao
Published: June 2024

A large number of tectonically mixed rock belts and complex tectonic zones are distributed in the southwestern part of China. In these areas, high geostress and tectonic stresses have caused some underground rock layers to be crushed and broken, eventually forming crushed rock zones. Which may undergo creep deformation under long-term loads. The manuscript is based on a typical crushed rock in the southwestern China. Firstly, the factors affecting creep deformation were analysed, and the response law of each influencing factor to rock creep is demonstrated. Then, the theory of uncorroborated measures and hierarchical analysis were used to systematically correlate the factors influencing creep. Thereby, a creep level qualitative evaluating model of crushed rock is established. Finally, this model was used to qualitatively evaluate the creep level of the crushed rock in the study area. It is concluded that the creep level qualitative evaluating of this crushed rock is rated as Class II, which is characterised by a low creep level and small creep deformations (0–10 mm). The research results can provide a reference for the creep analysis of crushed rock and provide a basis for the safe construction of engineering slopes.