bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic targeting of gut‐originating regulatory B cells in neuroinflammatory diseases
Authors: Neziraj Tradite , Siewert Lena , Pössnecker Elisabeth , Pröbstel Anne‐Katrin
Published: August 2023

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are immunosuppressive cells that support immunological tolerance by the production of IL‐10, IL‐35, and TGF‐β. Bregs arise from different developmental stages in response to inflammatory stimuli. In that regard, mounting evidence points towards a direct influence of gut microbiota on mucosal B cell development, activation, and regulation in health and disease. While an increasing number of diseases are associated with alterations in gut microbiome (dysbiosis), little is known about the role of microbiota on Breg development and induction in neuroinflammatory disorders. Notably, gut‐originating, IL‐10‐ and IgA‐producing regulatory plasma cells have recently been demonstrated to egress from the gut to suppress inflammation in the CNS raising fundamental questions about the triggers and functions of mucosal‐originating Bregs in systemic inflammation. Advancing our understanding of Bregs in neuroinflammatory diseases could lead to novel therapeutic approaches.

Here, we summarize the main aspects of Breg differentiation and functions and evidence about their involvement in neuroinflammatory diseases. Further, we highlight current data of gut‐originating Bregs and their microbial interactions and discuss future microbiota‐regulatory B cell‐targeted therapies in immune‐mediated diseases.
Development and validation of a custom panel including 114 InDels using massively parallel sequencing for forensic application
Authors: Yang Chengliang , He Meiyun , Liu Changhui , Liu Xueyuan , Lun Miaoqiang , Su Qin , Han Xiaolong , Liu Hong , Wang Mengge , Chen Ling , Liu Chao
Published: August 2023

Insertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels) have particular characteristics, such as a relatively low mutation rate, small amplicon size, and no stutter artifacts when genotyped via the capillary electrophoresis platform. It would be an important complementary tool for individual identification and certain kinship analyses. At present, massively parallel sequencing (MPS) has shown excellent application value in forensic studies. Therefore, in this study, we developed a custom MPS InDel panel that contains 114 InDels [77 autosomal InDels (A‐InDels), 32 X‐chromosomal InDels (X‐InDels), and 5 Y‐chromosomal InDels) based on previous studies. To assess this panel's performance, several validation experiments were performed, including sensitivity, inhibitor, degraded DNA testing, species specificity, concordance, repeatability, case‐type samples, and population studies. The results showed that the lowest DNA input was 0.25 ng. All genotypes were obtained in the presence of 80 ng/µL humic acid, 2000 µmol/L calcium, 3000 µmol/L EDTA and indigo. In degraded DNA testing, 90% of loci could be detected for 16‐day‐old formalin‐fixed hearts. In addition, this panel has good species specificity. The values of combined power of discrimination and the combined power of exclusion for 77 A‐InDels were 1–3.9951 × 10−32 and 1–4.2956 × 10−7, respectively. The combined mean exclusion chance for 32 X‐InDels was 0.99999 in trios and 0.99904 in duos. The validation results indicate that this newly developed MPS multiplex system is a robust tool for forensic applications.
Numerical modeling reveals improved organelle separation for dielectrophoretic ratchet migration
Authors: Koh Domin , Sonker Mukul , Arriaga Edgar A. , Ros Alexandra
Published: August 2023

Organelle size varies with normal and abnormal cell function. Thus, size‐based particle separation techniques are key to assessing the properties of organelle subpopulations differing in size. Recently, insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) has gained significant interest as a technique to manipulate sub‐micrometer‐sized particles enabling the assessment of organelle subpopulations. Based on iDEP, we recently reported a ratchet device that successfully demonstrated size‐based particle fractionation in combination with continuous flow sample injection. Here, we used a numerical model to optimize the performance with flow rates a factor of three higher than previously and increased the channel volume to improve throughput. We evaluated the amplitude and duration of applied low‐frequency DC‐biased AC potentials improving separation efficiency. A separation efficiency of nearly 0.99 was achieved with the optimization of key parameters—improved from 0.80 in previous studies (Ortiz et al. Electrophoresis, 2022;43;1283–1296)—demonstrating that fine‐tuning the periodical driving forces initiating the ratchet migration under continuous flow conditions can significantly improve the fractionation of organelles of different sizes.
Effect of vitamin D3 on lipid droplet growth in adipocytes of mice with HFD‐induced obesity
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Zhang Yuanfan , Zhou Yong , Zhao Wenxin , Li Jialu , Yang Dan , Xiang Lian , Du Tingwan , Ma Ling
Published: August 2023

Vitamin D‐regulating action of PPARγ on obesity has been confirmed on adipocyte differentiation. However, it is not clear whether vitamin D affects the morphological size of mature adipocytes by influencing the expression of PPARγ in vivo. Our hypothesis was that Vitamin D3 (VitD3) inhibits the growth of adipocyte size by suppressing PPARγ expression in white adipocytes of obese mice. Five‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal diet and high‐fat diet groups. After 10 weeks, the body weight between the two groups differed by 26.91%. The obese mice were randomly divided into a high‐fat diet, solvent control, low‐dose VitD3 (5000 IU/kg·food), medium‐dose VitD3 (7500 IU/kg·food), high‐dose VitD3 (10,000 IU/kg·food), and PPAR γ antagonist group, and the intervention lasted for 8 weeks. Diet‐induced obesity (DIO) mice fed high‐dose VitD3 exacerbated markers of adiposity (body weight, fat mass, fat mass rate, size of white and brown adipocytes, mRNA, and protein levels of ATGL and Fsp27), and the protein level of ATGL and Fsp27 decreased in the low‐dose group. In conclusion, high‐dose VitD3 possibly via inhibiting the ATGL expression, thereby inhibiting lipolysis, increasing the volume of adipocytes, and decreasing their fat‐storing ability resulted in decreased Fsp27 expression. Therefore, long‐term high‐dose oral VitD3 may not necessarily improve obesity, and we need more clinical trials to explore the intervention dose and duration of VitD3 in the treatment of VitD3 deficiency in obese patients.
Wogonin inhibits hepatoma cell proliferation by targeting miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis
Authors: Ma Ming‐Yue , Wang Qian , Wang Shou‐Mei , Feng Xiao‐Jun , Xian Zhi‐Hong , Zhang Shu‐Hui
Published: August 2023

Wogonin (5,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐methoxyflavone), a natural flavonoid compound in herbal plants, can suppress growth in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles that are influenced by wogonin have not been thoroughly described. To explore the novel miRNAs and the biological mechanism underlying the effect of wogonin on HCC cells. The effect of wogonin on Huh7 cell growth was assessed both in vitro and in vivo. The expression profiles of miRNAs were obtained by small RNA sequencing. Luciferase reporter experiment and bioinformatics analysis were conducted to determine whether tyrosine 3‐monooxygenase/tryptophan 5‐monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ) can bind to miR‐27b‐5p. Effects of the ectopic expression of YWHAZ and miR‐27b‐5p on Huh7 cells proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. Furthermore, the cell cycle, apoptosis and multiple signaling pathway‐related molecules were detected by Western blot analysis. Wogonin substantially inhibited the growth of Huh7 cells both in vitro and in vivo. Seventy miRNAs exhibited greater than twofold changes in wogonin‐treated cells. Upregulation of miR‐27b‐5p inhibited Huh7 cell proliferation, and the anticancer effect of wogonin was reversed after miR‐27b‐5p knockdown. miR‐27b‐5p directly targeted YWHAZ in HCC cells. The proliferation‐inhibiting effect of miR‐27b‐5p was revoked by YWHAZ overexpression. Meanwhile, inhibition of HCC growth was achieved by downregulating YWHAZ. Wogonin exerted antitumor activity through multiple signaling molecules, such as focal adhesion kinase, protein kinase B, mammalian target of rapamycin and molecules related to apoptosis and cell cycle by upregulating miR‐27b‐5p and downregulating YWHAZ. Our findings suggest that miR‐27b‐5p/YWHAZ axis contributes to the inhibitory effect of wogonin in HCC by targeting related genes and multiple signaling pathways.
Association of inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination with maternal coagulation function in early pregnancy
Authors: Zhao Yan , Zhao Yongbo , Zhu Jianlong , Lei Lei , Zhang Baohua , Xu Xianghong , Jin Liping
Published: August 2023

Reports of rare but severe thrombotic events after receiving some COVID‐19 vaccines brought concerns for the possibility of vaccine‐induced coagulation abnormality. However, no study has reported the impacts of COVID‐19 vaccination on coagulation function in pregnant women. We aimed to explore whether vaccination with inactivated COVID‐19 vaccines before pregnancy was associated with coagulation changes in pregnant women. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary‐care hospital in Shanghai, China. A total of 5166 pregnant women were included, of whom 2721 (52.7%) completed vaccination before conception. Compared with unvaccinated women, the mean serum levels of prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen (FIB) were lower in vaccinated women by 0.09 (β = −0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.13, −0.05) mg/L and 0.11 (β = −0.11, 95% CI, −0.15, −0.07) mg/L, and the mean D‐Dimer (D‐D) levels were higher by 0.12 (β = 0.12, 95% CI, 0.09, 0.15) mg/L. However, no significant association was observed between COVID‐19 vaccination and serum levels of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) or thrombin time (TT). Our findings suggested that inactivated COVID‐19 vaccination before conception resulted in a small change in maternal coagulation function, but this might not have clinical significance.
How does grassland degradation affect soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation in saline‐alkaline meadow?
Authors: Yang Jingjing , Wu Xuefeng , Ruan Hang , Song Yueqing , Xu Man , Wang Shengnan , Wang Deli , Wu Donghui
Published: August 2023

Soil enzyme activity and its stoichiometry are excellent representatives of soil microorganisms' response to changing conditions, and act as a good indicator of microbial energy and nutrient demands. However, how soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation will be modified by grassland degradation is not well understood, especially in the saline‐alkaline meadow. Here, we presented how soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation shifted along a well‐characterized gradient of salinized degraded grasslands (non‐degraded, moderately degraded, and severely degraded). Our results showed soil enzyme activity was the highest in moderately degraded grasslands, which was mainly regulated by soil bacterial diversity. Soil microbial community metabolism in alkali‐saline meadow grasslands was limited by both carbon and phosphorus. Microbial carbon limitation showed a hump‐shaped pattern along the grassland degradation gradient, while microbial phosphorus limitation showed a gradually decreasing trend. Soil bacterial diversity is a key regulator of soil microbial carbon limitation, but the structure of the soil bacterial and plant community determines microbial phosphorus limitation. Taken together, our findings, taken together, provide evidence that soil bacteria are direct drivers of soil enzyme activity and microbial nutrient limitation along a grassland degradation gradient with salinization and suggest that these changes are regulated by soil salinity.
MurKy waters: Modeling the succession from r to K strategists (diatoms to dinoflagellates) following a nutrient release from a mining facility in Florida
Authors: Chen Yuren , Li Ming , Glibert Patricia M. , Heil Cynthia
Published: August 2023

The impacts of pulsed nutrient injections or extreme runoff events on marine ecosystems are far less studied than those associated with long‐term eutrophication, particularly in regard to mechanisms regulating the response of plankton community structure. Over 800 million liters of nutrient‐rich water from a fertilizer mine were discharged over a 2‐week period into Tampa Bay, Florida, in 2021, providing a unique opportunity to document the plankton response. A 3D‐coupled hydrodynamic biogeochemical model was developed to investigate this response and to understand the observed succession of a large, short diatom bloom followed by a secondary Karenia brevis bloom that lasted through the summer. The model reproduced the observed changes in nutrient concentration, total chlorophyll a, and diatom and K. brevis biomass in Tampa Bay. With a faster growth rate and spring temperature close to the optimal window of growth, diatoms had an initial competitive advantage, with 2/3 of the nutrient uptake due to ammonium and 1/3 due to nitrate. However, exhaustion of external nutrients led to the rapid decline of the diatom bloom, and the associated particular organic nitrogen sank onto the bay sediment. Enhanced sediment release of ammonium during the weeks following, and summer remineralization of dissolved organic nitrogen provided sufficient regenerated nitrogen to support slow‐growing K. brevis that could capitalize on low nutrient conditions. Modeling analysis largely confirmed Margalef's conceptual model of r to K‐selected species succession and provided additional insights into nutrient cycling supporting the initial diatom bloom and the subsequent bloom of a slow‐growing harmful algal species.
Theory of Hybrid Microwave–Photonic Quantum Devices
Authors: Jirauschek Christian
Published: August 2023

The Maxwell–Lindblad transmission line (MLT) equations are introduced as a model for hybrid photonic and microwave‐electronic quantum devices. The hybrid concept has long enabled high‐bandwidth photodetectors and modulators by using waveguide structures supporting microwave–optical co‐propagation. Extending this technique to quantum‐engineered lasers provides a route for greatly improved short‐pulse and frequency comb operation, as impressively demonstrated for quantum cascade lasers. Even more, the self‐organized formation of coupled microwave and optical oscillation patterns has recently enabled photonics‐based ultralow‐noise microwave generation. The MLT model provides a suitable theoretical description for hybrid quantum devices by combining optical and microwave propagation equations with a Lindblad‐type approach for the quantum active region dynamics. A stable numerical scheme is presented, enabling realistic device simulations in excellent agreement with experimental data. Based on numerical results and analytical considerations, it is demonstrated that the functionality of the investigated hybrid quantum devices does not only rely on local coupling effects, but rather benefits from microwave‐optical co‐propagation, settling an ongoing debate. The MLT equations provide the basis for systematic device development and extension of the concept to other quantum‐engineered hybrid devices based on, for example, quantum dot or interband cascade structures, as well as for simplified analytical models providing additional intuitive insight.
High‐Power AlGaN‐Based Ultrathin Tunneling Junction Deep Ultraviolet Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhou Shengjun , Liao Zhefu , Sun Ke , Zhang Ziqi , Qian Yinzuo , Liu Pengfei , Du Peng , Jiang Jingjing , Lv Zhenxing , Qi Shengli
Published: August 2023

Tunnel junctions (TJs) offer a unique approach to utilizing nonequilibrium tunneling injection of holes and have demonstrated potential applications in ultraviolet (UV) emitters. However, high operating voltage caused by the wide bandgap of the III‐nitrides has impeded the further promotion of TJ. Here, 275 nm n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N/p+‐Al0.5Ga0.5N ultrathin tunnel junction (UTJ) deep‐UV light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are developed for minimizing the electrical losses and achieve, to the current knowledge, the lowest operating voltage (5.7 V) at 300 mA reported to date. This study discovers that Mg‐Si co‐doping occurs in the n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N layer during the growth of n+‐Al0.45Ga0.55N/p+‐Al0.5Ga0.5N UTJ due to the memory and diffusion effect of Mg, which leads to the formation of Ohmic contact between high‐work‐function Ni/Au and Mg‐Si co‐doped n+‐ Al0.45Ga0.55N layer in UTJ. The Zener diode, fluorine resin, and optimally designed glass lens are incorporated into the chip encapsulation to enhance the reliability and optical performance of the device. Furthermore, a high‐efficiency sterilization deep‐UV light source is developed integrated with 120 UTJ deep‐UV LED chips. Complete surface inactivation at a long irradiation distance (20 cm) is achieved within only seconds using the high‐power sterilization deep‐UV light source. These results indicate that UTJ is promising in developing deep UV LEDs and their integrated light sources.
Antimicrobial copper ion‐graphene oxide composite to inhibit Pseudomonas Aeruginosa keratitis in rabbits
Authors: Zhang Min , Huang Yueyue , Zhuang Yangyang , Chen Yan , Zhou Yunlong
Published: August 2023

Biofilms and their associated infections have posed serious threats to the society from both an economical concern and a healthcare perspective. Graphene oxide (GO) has recently prompted the emergence of applications in the area of antibacterial materials owing to its high biocompatibility and surface functionalization. However, the weak biological interactions with microbial cells limit the antibiotic activity of GO. Herein, by combining GO with currently utilized antibacterial metal ions, copper ion‐graphene oxide composite (Cu2+@GO) with exceptional bactericidal activity is achieved in this work. Cu2+@GO composite possessed more than 95% antimicrobial efficiency of both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) compared with the Cu2+ only group or GO only group. Additionally, the composite inhibits the formation of bacterial biofilms, making it a potential candidate for the development of alternative antimicrobials. Antibacterial mechanism study shows that Cu2+@GO has both bacteria‐binding ability and the property of producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to cause the bacterial destruction. In vivo experiments indicate that Cu2+@GO possess an inhibition effect to P. aeruginosa‐induced keratitis. Overall, this work demonstrates that Cu2+@GO may be promising antibacterial agents for the treatment of bacterial infection, which contributes to designing more antibiotic and safe graphene‐based materials.
Cost‐Effectiveness Analysis of PET‐CT Surveillance After Treatment of Human Papillomavirus‐Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Lin Matthew E. , Castellanos Carlos X. , Acevedo Joseph R. , Yu Jeffrey C. , Kokot Niels C.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To determine the cost‐effectiveness of surveillance imaging with PET/CT scan among patients with human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Study Design

Cost‐effectiveness analysis.

Setting

Oncologic care centers in the United States with head and neck oncologic surgeons and physicians.

Methods

We compared the cost‐effectiveness of 2 posttreatment surveillance strategies: clinical surveillance with the addition of PET/CT scan versus clinical surveillance alone in human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. We constructed a Markov decision model which was analyzed from a third‐party payer's perspective using 1‐year Markov cycles and a 30‐year time horizon. Values for transition probabilities, costs, health care utilities, and their studied ranges were derived from the literature.

Results

The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for PET/CT with clinical surveillance versus clinical surveillance alone was $89,850 per quality‐adjusted life year gained. Flexible fiberoptic scope exams during clinical surveillance would have to be over 51% sensitive or PET/CT scan cost would have to exceed $1678 for clinical surveillance alone to be more cost‐effective. The willingness‐to‐pay threshold at which imaging surveillance was equally cost‐effective to clinical surveillance was approximately $80,000/QALY.

Conclusion

Despite lower recurrence rates of human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal cancer, a single PET/CT scan within 6 months after primary treatment remains a cost‐effective tool for routine surveillance when its cost does not exceed $1678. The cost‐effectiveness of this strategy is also dependent on the clinical surveillance sensitivity (flexible fiberoptic pharyngoscopy), and willingness‐to‐pay thresholds which vary by country.
Multi‐institutional Analysis of Endoscopic Sellar Surgical Volumes During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Salmon Mandy K. , Eide Jacob G. , Kshirsagar Rijul S. , Blue Rachel , Yoshor Daniel , Sean Grady Michael , Lee John Y.K. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: August 2023

Objective

We sought to quantify trends in operative volumes and complications of endoscopic sellar surgery before and after the COVID‐19 pandemic onset.

Study Design

We performed a retrospective analysis.

Setting

TriNetX database analysis.

Methods

All adults undergoing neuroendoscopy for resection of pituitary tumor (Current Procedural Terminology code 62165) with diagnosis of benign/malignant neoplasm of pituitary gland (D35.2/C75.1) or benign/malignant neoplasm of craniopharyngeal duct (D35.3/C75.2) were included using the TriNetX database for 2 years before (pre‐COVID group) and 2 years after (post‐COVID group) February 17, 2020.

Results

A total of 1238 patients in the pre‐COVID group and 1186 patients in the post‐COVID group were compared. Age, gender, and race were statistically similar between the groups (P > .05). Surgical volume decreased by 6% in the post‐COVID group. In 2020 Q2, operative volume decreased by 19%, and in 2021 Q4 (peak COVID‐19 caseload in the United States), operative volumes decreased by 29% compared to 2 years prior. Postoperative complications including meningitis (P = .49), cerebrospinal fluid leak (P = .36), visual field deficits (P = .07), postoperative pneumonia or respiratory failure (P = .42), and 30‐day readmission rates (P = .89) were similar between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

Overall, endoscopic sellar surgery may continue to fluctuate with increased COVID‐19 outbreaks. Patient outcomes do not appear to be worsened by decreased operative volumes or delays in nonurgent surgeries.
Registration of three sweet sorghum lines with high tolerance to sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi)
Authors: Knoll Joseph E. , Uchimiya Minori , Hayes Chad M. , Punnuri Somashekhar M. , Harris‐Shultz Karen R. , Smith J. Spencer
Published: August 2023

Sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] stalks contain sugary juice, which is used to produce syrup and has potential for biofuel production. Since 2013, the sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi, previously known as sugarcane aphid, M. sacchari) has become a major pest of sorghum in North America. GTS1903 (Reg. no GP‐945, PI 702423), GTS1904 (Reg. no. GP‐946, PI 702424), and GTS1905 (Reg. no. GP‐947, PI 702425) represent the first publicly released sorghum aphid‐tolerant sweet sorghum germplasm. All three derive from the initial cross A1N109 × No. 5 Gambela. In four environments GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905 sustained less aphid damage than the check cultivar ‘Top 76‐6’, and in one environment they harbored significantly fewer aphids than Top 76‐6. Under sorghum aphid infestation the juice Brix, an estimate of sugar content, averaged 17.0, 15.9, and 17.0 °Bx for GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905, respectively, all greater than Top 76‐6 (12.7 °Bx). The juice of these three lines also contains greater trans‐aconitic acid concentration (26.8–37.1 mM) than Top 76‐6 (5.5 mM), which may contribute to sorghum aphid tolerance. GTS1903, GTS1904, and GTS1905 flower approximately 74, 89, and 76 days after planting, respectively. GTS1905 is the tallest, averaging 279 cm. All three lines have shown resistance to leaf anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum sublineola). Genetic markers confirmed that all three lines contain the region of SBI‐06 from PI 257599 that is associated with sorghum aphid resistance.
Transcriptomic investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam and the pyrethroid lambda‐cyhalothrin in Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Lira Ewerton C , Nascimento Antonio RB , Bass Chris , Omoto Celso , Cônsoli Fernando L
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Laboratory‐selected resistant strains of Euschistus heros to thiamethoxam (NEO) and lambda‐cyhalothrin (PYR) were recently reported in Brazil. However, the mechanisms conferring resistance to these insecticides in E. heros remain unresolved. We utilized comparative transcriptome profiling and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling of susceptible and resistant strains of E. heros to investigate the molecular mechanism(s) underlying resistance.

RESULTS

The E. heros transcriptome was assembled, generating 91 673 transcripts with a mean length of 720 bp and N50 of 1795 bp. Comparative gene expression analysis between the susceptible (SUS) and NEO strains identified 215 significantly differentially expressed (DE) transcripts. DE transcripts associated with the xenobiotic metabolism were all up‐regulated in the NEO strain. The comparative analysis of the SUS and PYR strains identified 204 DE transcripts, including an esterase (esterase FE4), a glutathione‐S‐transferase, an ABC transporter (ABCC1) and aquaporins that were up‐regulated in the PYR strain. We identified 9588 and 15 043 nonsynonymous SNPs in the PYR and NEO strains. One of the SNPs (D70N) detected in the NEO strain occurs in a subunit (α5) of the nAChRs, the target site of neonicotinoid insecticides. Nevertheless, this residue position in α5 is not conserved among insects.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonicotinoid and pyrethroid resistance in laboratory‐selected E. heros is associated with a potential metabolic resistance mechanism by the overexpression of proteins commonly involved in the three phases of xenobiotic metabolism. Together these findings provide insight into the potential basis of resistance in E. heros and will inform the development and implementation of resistance management strategies against this important pest. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Theory of Center‐Line Slope in 2D Electronic Spectroscopy with Static Disorder
Authors: Sun Zong‐Hao , Yao Yi‐Xuan , Ai Qing , Cheng Yuan‐Chung
Published: August 2023

2D electronic spectroscopy (2DES) is a powerful tool for investigating the dynamics of complex systems. However, analyzing the resulting spectra can be challenging, and thus may require the use of theoretical modeling techniques. The center‐line slope (CLS) method is one of such approaches, which aims to extract the time correlation function (TCF) from 2DES with minimal error. Since static disorder is widely observed in complex systems, it may be interesting to ask whether the CLS approach still work in the presence of the static disorder. In this paper, the effect of the static disorder on the TCF obtained through the CLS method is investigated. It is found that the steady‐state value of the CLS increases monotonically with respect to the static disorder, which suggests that the amplitude of the static disorder can be determined using the CLS in the long‐time limit. Additionally, as the static disorder rises, the decay rate of the CLS first decreases to a certain value and remains at this value until the static disorder is sufficiently large. Afterward, the CLS begins to fluctuate significantly and thus results in obtaining the decay rate through the CLS method unreliable. Based on these discoveries, the authors propose a method to fix the error and obtain the TCF. The findings may pave the way for obtaining reliable system‐bath information by analyzing 2DES in the practical situations.
Evaluating methodological parameters to quantify particle size of organic soil material with laser diffraction
Authors: Colopietro Daniel J. , Pachon Julio , Bacon Allan , Inglett Patrick , Reynolds Laura , Rohal Christine
Published: August 2023

The recognition that texture is a “master soil property” points toward the need for actual quantification of particle size in organic soil material. Using a multi‐wave particle size analyzer, fibric and sapric soil samples were circulated in deionized water through a closed aqueous loop at 9.6 L min−1, and the following methodological parameters were investigated: pre‐treatment, circulation time, and refractive index. Our results show that pre‐treatment for organic soil samples is dependent upon the degree of decomposition; the intact and dispersed PSDs for fibrous samples were similiar, whereas the PSDs for sapric samples showed a shift from 500–2000 (intact) μm to 5–100 (dispersed) μm. Circulation time was investigated using mean particle diameter and specific surface area. We demonstrated that as circulation time increased, the mean particle diameter decreased and the specific surface area increased out to 30 min as mechanical dispersion and/or fragmentation of organic particles occurred. However, circulation time after 5 min is not significantly different in terms of mean particle diameter. To investigate refractive index, 12 optical models were created. When determined across all intact samples, uncertainty was low within individual bins, with a maximum value of 0.07 ± 0.04% v/v. For dispersed samples, uncertainty increased within the silt sized region and had a maximum value of 0.17 ± 0.07% v/v. This study demonstrates that the particle diameter of organic soil material can be measured by LD with comparable certainty as that of mineral soil material using the methodological approach used in this study.
An ImprovedD2GAN‐based oversampling algorithm for imbalanced data classification
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqiang , Yao Qinglei
Published: August 2023

To address the problems of pattern collapse, uncontrollable data generation and high overlap rate when generative adversarial network (GAN) oversamples imbalanced data, we propose an imbalanced data oversampling algorithm based on improved dual discriminator generative adversarial nets (D2GAN). First, we integrate the positive class attribute information into the generator and the discriminator to ensure that the generator only generates the samples for positive class samples, which overcomes the problem of uncontrollable data generation by the generator. Second, we introduce a classifier into D2GAN for discriminating the generated samples and the original data, which avoids the overlap among the generated samples and the negative class samples, and ensures the diversity of the generated samples, the problem of pattern collapse is solved. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on 9 datasets by using SVM and neural network classification algorithm for oversampling experiments, the results show that the proposed algorithm effectively improve the classification performance of imbalanced data.
Catalysing sustainable development through regional food system governance: Strengthening the translation of regional food system policy guidance to national level in the Pacific
Authors: Patay Dori , Ravuvu Amerita , Iese Viliamu , Wilson Dorah , Mauli Seno , Maelaua Josephine , Reeve Erica , Farmery Anna , Farrell Penny , Johnson Ellen , Thow Anne Marie
Published: August 2023

Recent food system shocks and increasing climate change exposures highlight the urgency of strengthening food systems at different scales, including global, regional and national, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This paper investigated opportunities to strengthen the translation of regional food system policy guidance to the national level in the Pacific Island region. We applied a theory‐informed, empirical study design, based on interview data. We found that inadequate regional–national translation of food system policy guidance arises from (i) competing demands on limited resources, exacerbated by challenges of financing multisectoral initiatives; (ii) often weak regional–national dialogue; and (iii) perceived tension of economic, social and environmental priorities in dominant policy paradigms. These barriers may be addressed by establishing a regional food system governance structure and accountability mechanisms as well as a paradigm shift to balance focus between food system priorities. Current drives to implementNational Food System Transformation Pathwaysmay provide necessary impetus to realise these opportunities.
Development of a Cyanide‐free and Scalable Route for the ADAMTS‐5 Inhibitor GLPG1972: Synthesis of an Advanced Key Chiral Intermediate
Authors: Kumar G Charan , S Anusooya , Rajendra Gaikwad , Ganesh Krithika , Selvaraj Ramaraj , Rajulu G Govinda , Sambasivam Ganesh , Karthik C S
Published: August 2023

In this study we report a mild, efficient, scalable, cyanide‐free and environmentally‐benign procedure for synthesizing 5,5‐disubstituted hydantoins starting from alkylnitriles and diethyl carbonate. Synthesis of 5,5‐disubstituted hydantoins is typically carried out under harsh conditions with transition metal catalysts that are not preferable from a sustainability perspective. This procedure illustrates an elegant cyanide‐free synthesis of cyclopropyl‐substituted 5,5‐hydantoins starting from alkylnitriles that circumvent cyanide reagents. This process holds great synthetic relevance owing to the great potential shown by 5,5‐cyclopropyl substituted hydantoins towards treating human osteoarthritis.
From Li to Na: Exploratory Analysis of Fe‐Based Phosphates Polyanion‐Type Cathode Materials by Mn Substitution
Authors: Chen Yilong , Zeng Guifan , Zhang Baodan , Chen Leiyu , Yin Jianhua , Yan Yawen , Zhang Haitang , Zhu Yuanlong , Yu Xiaoyu , Fang Kai , Liu Tingting , Kuai Xiaoxiao , Qiao Yu , Sun Shi‐Gang
Published: August 2023

Both LiFePO4(LFP) and NaFePO4(NFP) are phosphate polyanion‐type cathode materials, which have received much attention due to their low cost and high theoretical capacity. Substitution of manganese (Mn) elements for LFP/NFP materials can improve the electrochemical properties, but the connection between local structural changes and electrochemical behaviors after Mn substitution is still not clear. This study not only achieves improvements in energy density of LFP and cyclic stability of NFP through Mn substitution, but also provides an in‐depth analysis of the structural evolutions induced by the substitution. Among them, the substitution of Mn enables LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4to achieve a high energy density of 535.3 Wh kg−1, while NaFe0.7Mn0.3PO4exhibits outstanding cyclability with 89.6% capacity retention after 250 cycles. Specifically, Mn substitution broadens the ion‐transport channels, improving the ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, LiFe0.5Mn0.5PO4maintains a more stable single‐phase transition during the charge/discharge process. The transition of NaFe0.7Mn0.3PO4to the amorphous phase is avoided, which can maintain structural stability and achieve better electrochemical performance. With systematic analysis, this research provides valuable guidance for the subsequent design of high‐performance polyanion‐type cathodes.
High‐Energy‐Density Cathode Achieved via the Activation of a Three‐Electron Reaction in Sodium Manganese Vanadium Phosphate for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Yuxiang , Li Qingping , Wang Peng , Liao Xiangyue , Chen Ji , Zhang Xiaoqin , Zheng Qiaoji , Lin Dunmin , Lam Kwok‐ho
Published: August 2023

Sodium superionic conductor (NASICON)‐type Na3V2(PO4)3 has attracted considerable interest owing to its stable three‐dimensional framework and high operating voltage; however, it suffers from a low‐energy density due to the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and limited redox couples. Herein, the partial substitution of Mn3+ for V3+ in Na3V2(PO4)3 is proposed to activate V4+/V5+ redox couple for boosting energy density of the cathodes (Na3V2‒xMnx(PO4)3). With the introduction of Mn3+ into Na3V2(PO4)3, the band gap is significantly reduced by 1.406 eV and thus the electronic conductivity is greatly enhanced. The successive conversions of four stable oxidation states (V2+/V3+, V3+/V4+, and V4+/V5+) are also successfully achieved in the voltage window of 1.4–4.0 V, corresponding to three electrons involved in the reversible reaction. Consequently, the cathode with x = 0.5 exhibits a high reversible discharge capacity of 170.9 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C with an ultrahigh energy density of 577 Wh kg−1. Ex‐situ x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the sodium‐storage mechanism for Mn‐doped Na3V2(PO4)3 consists of single‐phase and bi‐phase reactions. This work deepens the understanding of the activation of reversible three‐electron reaction in NASICON‐structured polyanionic phosphates and provides a feasible strategy to develop high‐energy‐density cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries.
Sol–Gel Barium Titanate Nanohole Array as a Nonlinear Metasurface and a Photonic Crystal
Authors: Talts Ülle‐Linda , Weigand Helena C. , Saerens Grégoire , Benedek Peter , Winiger Joel , Wood Vanessa , Leuthold Jürg , Vogler‐Neuling Viola , Grange Rachel
Published: August 2023

The quest of a nonlinear optical material that can be easily nanostructured over a large surface area is still ongoing. Here, we demonstrate a nanoimprinted nonlinear barium titanate 2D nanohole array that shows the optical properties of a 2D photonic crystal and a metasurface, depending on the direction of the optical axis. The challenge of nanostructuring the inert metal‐oxide is resolved by direct soft nanoimprint lithography with sol–gel derived barium titanate enabling critical dimensions of 120 nm with aspect ratios of five. The nanohole array exhibits a photonic bandgap in the infrared range when probed along the slab axis, while lattice resonant states are observed in out‐of‐plane transmission configuration. The enhanced light‐matter interaction from the resonant structure enables to increase in the second‐harmonic generation in the near‐ultraviolet by a factor of 18 illustrating the potential in the flexible fabrication technique for barium titanate photonic devices.
Automatic refactoring of conditions and substitutions for B state transition models
Authors: Cai Cheng‐Hao , Sun Jing , Dobbie Gillian
Published: August 2023

The automation of programming, which lies at the intersection of software engineering and artificial intelligence, enables machines to automatically generate programs that satisfy given requirements. In the context of B formal design modeling, one of the challenges is the refactoring of substitutions in design specifications, which often uses state transitions to describe how program or system statuses change during execution. This paper proposes a condition and substitution refactoring algorithm for the B formal specification language. The aim of the work is to automatically derive B operational predicates based on given transitions. The work has been extremely useful to machine‐driven formal design model repair as well as automated design specification generation. Given a set of state transitions, common relations of their state variables can be discovered and clustered into a number of classes. These relations can be further used to synthesize substitutions that derive new states from existing states. To restrict application domains of the synthesized substitutions, conditions that guard these substitutions are generated using first‐order logic. We have implemented the proposed algorithm as an extension to the ProB model checker. Experiments were conducted based on the B model public dataset. The evaluation results demonstrated that our solution is able to synthesize conditions and substitutions for various sets of state transitions in a wide range of B models.
Use of annatto dye extraction residue as additive in the cassava starch composite foam tray
Authors: Aguilar Guilherme José , Tapia‐Blácido Delia Rita
Published: August 2023

Pigment extraction from annatto seed results in large amounts of by‐products (~97%) and residual carotenoid content. In this work, composite foam trays containing 90:10 (10AR), 80:20 (20AR), and 70:30 (30AR) cassava starch: annatto residue (AR) ratios were prepared by thermopressing. The physical–chemical properties, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and biodegradability of the composite foam trays and cassava starch foam tray (control) were measured and compared. High AR ratio (20AR and 30AR) yielded thicker (2.1–2.3 mm), denser (0.72–0.74 g/cm3), and less porous (32.5–33%) composite foam trays than the control due to incomplete cassava starch gelatinization and the presence of fibers, lipids, and proteins in AR. Thus, the composite foam trays had lower mechanical resistance (0.4–0.8 MPa) and elongation (0.4%–0.7%) than the control (2.9 MPa and 1.5%). However, addition of high AR ratio increased the foam tray resistance to water and yielded colorful foam trays with antioxidant property as measured by DPPH• (0.11 to 0.52 μM TE/100 g) and ABTS•+ (7.86–53.77 μM TE/100 g). Increasing the AR ratio in the composite foam tray delayed the biodegradation time by 17 days as compared to the control, but all the foam trays were more biodegradable than EPS. Therefore, AR has potential use in the production of bioactive composite foam trays.
Effect of β‐nucleating agents on the crystallization behavior and force‐electric properties of the polypropylene blends
Authors: Gao Junguo , Jiang Qiyuan , Yao Ziheng , Ju Huicheng
Published: August 2023

Polypropylene blends with different crystalline shapes were prepared to explore the effect of crystalline structure on the force and electrical properties of polypropylene‐elastomer blends and the mechanism of influence. The crystallization behaviors of the blends were characterized by x‐ray diffraction (XRD), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The mechanical and dielectric properties of the blends were tested to find the correspondence between crystallization characteristics and properties. The results show that the addition of the β‐nucleating agent changes the crystalline shape of PP blends from α to β crystalline, significantly reduces the crystallite size of the blends, and significantly improves the crystallinity of the blends by forming dense crystalline regions embedded in each other. The appropriate amount of the β‐nucleating agent facilitates thermal vibration between electrons and lattice and hinders the carrier migration, significantly reducing the conductivity and increasing the breakdown field strength from 84.81 to 102.30 kV/mm.

Highlights

The β nucleating agents can alleviate the defects of polypropylene's excessive rigidity and effectively improve the mechanical properties of polypropylene blends.

Appropriate amount of the β nucleating agent can significantly improve the electrical properties of polypropylene blends.

The addition of the β nucleating agent can significantly improve the crystallinity of the blends and construct the dense crystalline region of the interlock.

The small size of the crystals improves the breakdown properties of the polymer by increasing the energy exchange between the electrons and the lattice, which mitigates the impact of high‐energy electrons on the polymer.
Visualising Safety
Authors: Le Coze Jean-Christophe , Reiman Teemu
Published: August 2023

Safety research and practice has struggled with how to describe, define and represent safety in order to improve understanding or to communicate its importance. Though visual representations are widely used, little research on visualisation and its impact has been undertaken. We provide a brief overview of existing work in this area, in areas including cognitive engineering and ethnography, and provide an introduction to the chapters that constitute this volume on the visualisation of safety.
Network Visualisation in Supply Chain Quality and Safety Assurance of a Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project
Authors: Viitanen Kaupo , Reiman Teemu
Published: August 2023

Supply chain quality and safety assurance aims to proactively create and maintain prerequisites for nuclear safety in the supply chain. An important task is being aware of the structure of the entire supply chain and how it affects safety. In this chapter, the authors describe how a network visualisation method was developed and used in supply chain quality and safety assurance of a nuclear power plant construction project.
Drawings, Posters and Metaphors in Safety Science: Some Historical Remarks
Authors: Swuste Paul , Schmitz Peter , van Nunen Karolien , Reniers Genserik
Published: August 2023

Safety visualisations and their influences on safety concepts are presented. Visualisations like safety posters show a clear message of fear and guilt. This changes after World War II, due to a more tolerant atmosphere. Latent, organisational factors as decisive elements of accident processes appear in visualisations. An example shows a method to follow accident scenarios in real time.
Ways of Seeing (and Not Seeing) Safety
Authors: Waterson Patrick
Published: August 2023

This chapter seeks to offer some explanation for the ubiquity of different types of visual representations in safety science. In particular, the chapter focuses on what these tell us about the thinking of safety researchers and practitioners, as well as how diagrams and other visual material influence their use of safety methods and tools.
Representations, Metaphors and Slogans: From Organisational Safety to Societal Resilience
Authors: Haavik Torgeir Kolstø
Published: August 2023

We discuss what it is with representations of safety that makes them so powerful, and what is at stake when representations travel across contexts and scales. The discussion uses the sharp end/blunt end metaphor as a central case.
Visualising for Safety or Visualisation of Safety?
Authors: Hollnagel Erik
Published: August 2023

This chapter considers whether it is possible to visualise safety as a word, a construct, or a concept. It analyses both the instrumental approach of visualising for safety (the use of visual means as a help to make systems safe) and the ontological issue of visualisation of safety (the use of visual means to show what safety is). It is suggested that the answer depends on whether safety is defined as the absence of unacceptable outcomes (Safety-I) or as the presence of acceptable outcomes (Safety-II).
Anticipating Risk (and Opportunity): A Control Theoretic Perspective on Visualization and Safety
Authors: Flach John M.
Published: August 2023

A central challenge in designing stable control systems is to identify the states that must be fed back to enable successful control. The quality of control (including safety) depends on our ability to visualize the state space underlying the functional dynamics of the work being managed. Building concrete visualizations is both a useful tool for knowledge elicitation with domain experts to discover the meaningful functional work constraints that determine this state space, and an essential part of interface design to support safe work in complex systems.