bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to grow single-crystalline and epitaxial NiTi films in (100)- and (111)-orientation
Authors: Lünser Klara , Undisz Andreas , Nielsch Kornelius , Fähler Sebastian
Published: May 2023

Understanding the martensitic microstructure in nickel–titanium (NiTi) thin films helps to optimize their properties for applications in microsystems. Epitaxial and single-crystalline films can serve as model systems to understand the microstructure, as well as to exploit the anisotropic mechanical properties of NiTi. Here, we analyze the growth of NiTi on single-crystalline MgO(100) and Al2O3(0001) substrates and optimize film and buffer deposition conditions to achieve epitaxial films in (100)- and (111)-orientation. On MgO(100), we compare the transformation behavior and crystal quality of (100)-oriented NiTi films on different buffer layers. We demonstrate that a vanadium buffer layer helps to decrease the low-angle grain boundary density in the NiTi film, which inhibits undesired growth twins and leads to higher transformation temperatures. On Al2O3(0001), we analyze the orientation of a chromium buffer layer and find that it grows (111)-oriented only in a narrow temperature range around 500 ∘C. By depositing the Cr buffer below the NiTi film, we can prepare (111)-oriented, epitaxial films with transformation temperatures above room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy confirms a martensitic microstructure with Guinier Preston-zone precipitates at room temperature. We identify the deposition conditions to approach the ideal single crystalline state, which is beneficial for the analysis of the martensitic microstructure and anisotropic mechanical properties in different film orientations.
Enhanced electrodynamic gating in two-dimensional transistors using ferroelectric capping
Authors: Jaiswal Hemendra Nath , Liu Maomao , Shahi Simran , Cabanillas Anthony , Wei Sichen , Fu Yu , Chakravarty Anindita , Ahmed Asma , Muhigirwa Joel , Yao Fei , Li Huamin
Published: May 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as semiconductors and ferroelectrics are promising for future energy-efficient logic devices because of their extraordinary electronic properties at atomic thickness. In this work, we investigated a van der Waals heterostructure composited of 2D semiconducting MoS2 and 2D ferroelectric CuInP2S6 (CIPS) and NiPS3. Instead of using 2D ferroelectrics as conventional gate dielectric layers, here we applied CIPS and NiPS3 as a ferroelectric capping layer, and investigated a long-distance coupling effect with the gate upon the sandwiched 2D MoS2 channels. Our experimental results showed an outstanding enhancement of the electrodynamic gating in 2D MoS2 transistors, represented by a significant reduction of subthreshold swing at room temperature. This was due to the coupling-induced polarization of 2D ferroelectrics at 2D semiconductor surface which led to an effective and dynamic magnification of the gate capacitance. Meanwhile, the electrostatic gating was remained steady after adding the ferroelectric capping layer, providing ease and compatibility for further implementation with existing circuit and system design. Our work demonstrates the long-distance coupling effect of 2D ferroelectrics in a capping architecture, reveals its impacts from both electrodynamic and electrostatic perspectives, and expands the potential of 2D ferroelectrics to further improve the performance of energy-efficient nanoelectronics.
The Chow rings of the moduli spaces of curves of genus 7, 8, and 9
Authors: Canning Samir , Larson Hannah
Published: May 2023

The rational Chow ring of the moduli space

M

g

\mathcal {M}_g

of curves of genus

g
g

is known for

g
≤
6

g \leq 6

. Here, we determine the rational Chow rings of

M

7

,

M

8

\mathcal {M}_7, \mathcal {M}_8

, and

M

9

\mathcal {M}_9

by showing they are tautological. The key ingredient is intersection theory on Hurwitz spaces of degree

4
4

and

5
5

covers of

P

1

\mathbb {P}^1

via their associated vector bundles. The main focus of this paper is a detailed geometric analysis of special tetragonal and pentagonal covers whose associated vector bundles on

P

1

\mathbb {P}^1

are highly unbalanced, expanding upon previous work of the authors in the more balanced case. In genus

9
9

, we use work of Mukai to present the locus of hexagonal curves as a global quotient stack, and, using equivariant intersection theory, we show its Chow ring is generated by restrictions of tautological classes.
Association of kidney function and albuminuria with frailty worsening and death in very old adults
Authors: Mielke Nina , Schneider Alice , Barghouth Muhammad Helmi , Ebert Natalie , van der Giet Markus , Huscher Dörte , Kuhlmann Martin K , Schaeffner Elke
Published: May 2023

Background and objectives

Studies analysing the association of albuminuria and prevalent frailty in community-dwelling very old adults are scarce and lack information on incident frailty. We investigated the association of kidney function decline and increase of albuminuria with frailty worsening or death in very old adults.

Design

Longitudinal analyses with biennial visits of the Berlin Initiative (cohort) Study and a frailty follow-up of 2.1 years.

Setting/subjects

1,076 participants with a mean age of 84.3 (5.6) years of whom 54% were female.

Methods

Partial proportional odds models were used to assess the association of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline and/or albuminuria (albumin creatinine ratio, ACR) with frailty worsening or death.

Results

At frailty baseline, 1,076 participants with an eGFR of 50 (13) ml/min/1.73 m2, 48% being prefrail and 31% frail were included. After median 2.1 years, 960 (90%) participants had valid information on frailty transition: 187 (17.5%) worsened and 111 (10.3%) died. In the multivariable model, the odds of frailty worsening for participants with albuminuria in combination with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 were elevated [OR (95% CI): 2.47 (1.41–4.31)] compared to participants without albuminuria and eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 as there was a rapid eGFR decline of ≥3 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year [1.55 (1.04–2.33)] and albuminuria trajectories six years prior [1.53 (1.11–2.10)] to frailty baseline. The odds of death for each exposure were even higher.

Conclusions

In older adults, advanced stages of CKD and albuminuria alone were associated with 2-fold odds of frailty worsening independent of death.
Outcome measures from international older adult care home intervention research: a scoping review
Authors: Kelly Sarah , Cowan Andy , Akdur Gizdem , Irvine Lisa , Peryer Guy , Welsh Silje , Rand Stacey , Lang Iain A , Towers Ann-Marie , Spilsbury Karen , Killett Anne , Gordon Adam Lee , Hanratty Barbara , Jones Liz , Meyer Julienne , Goodman Claire , Burton Jennifer Kirsty
Published: May 2023

Background

Care homes are increasingly important settings for intervention research to enhance evidence-informed care. For such research to demonstrate effectiveness, it is essential that measures are appropriate for the population, setting and practice contexts.

Objective

To identify care home intervention studies and describe the resident outcome measures used.

Design

Scoping review.

Methods

We reviewed international care home research published from 2015 to August 2022. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and ASSIA. We included any intervention study conducted in a care home, reporting resident outcomes. We extracted resident outcome measures, organised these using the domains of an adapted framework and described their use.

Results

From 7,330 records screened, we included 396 datasets reported in 436 publications. These included 12,167 care homes and 836,842 residents, with an average of 80 residents per study. The studies evaluated 859 unique resident outcomes 2,030 times using 732 outcome measures. Outcomes were evaluated between 1 and 112 times, with 75.1% of outcomes evaluated only once. Outcome measures were used 1–120 times, with 68.4% of measures used only once. Only 14 measures were used ≥20 times. Functional status, mood & behaviour and medications were the commonest outcome domains assessed. More than half of outcomes were assessed using scales, with a fifth using existing records or administrative data.

Conclusions

There is significant heterogeneity in the choice and assessment of outcomes for intervention research in care homes. There is an urgent need to develop a consensus on useful and sensitive tools for care homes, working with residents, families and friends and staff.
IgA nephropathy in adults with epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Hunjan Manrup K , Bardhan Ajoy , Harper Natasha , Balacco Dario Leonardo , Langman Gerald , Suresh Vijay , Heagerty Adrian
Published: May 2023

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a devastating genetic condition caused by mutations in genes that give rise to aberrant proteins. There are 16 different such proteins implicated in EB that are important in maintaining the integrity of the dermoepidermal junction. It is classified into four major subtypes: (i) EB simplex; (ii) junctional EB (JEB); (iii) dystrophic EB (DEB); and (iv) Kindler EB. Renal disease is a recognized complication of EB and the aetiology is complex. We describe our experience of managing five patients with EB and IgA nephropathy. We recommend that patients with recessive DEB and JEB routinely have the following monitored: renal function, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, urine analysis, serum albumin levels and immunoglobulins; specifically serum IgA. Management of IgA nephropathy in the context of EB should be tailored to the individual and be carried out within a specialist multidisciplinary team. Our case series provides important insights into the treatment of IgA nephropathy in patients with EB and will help inform treatment in this rare genetic disease. Case series and reports like ours are key in gaining real-life data to quantify the actual risk of morbidity and mortality from each of the treatment modalities discussed.
MASP2 inhibition by narsoplimab suppresses endotheliopathies characteristic of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy:in vitroandex vivoevidence
Authors: Elhadad Sonia , Redmond David , Huang Jenny , Tan Adrian , Laurence Jeffrey
Published: May 2023

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is an endotheliopathy complicating up to 30% of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (alloHSCT). Positive feedback loops among complement, pro-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and coagulation cascade likely assume dominant roles at different disease stages. We hypothesized that mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP2), principal activator of the lectin complement system, is involved in the microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) injury characteristic of TA-TMA through pathways that are susceptible to suppression by anti-MASP2 monoclonal antibody narsoplimab. Pre-treatment plasmas from 8 of 9 TA-TMA patients achieving a complete TMA response in a narsoplimab clinical trial activated caspase 8, the initial step in apoptotic injury, in human MVEC. This was reduced to control levels following narsoplimab treatment in 7 of the 8 subjects. Plasmas from 8 individuals in an observational TA-TMA study, but not 8 alloHSCT subjects without TMA, similarly activated caspase 8, which was blocked in vitro by narsoplimab. mRNA sequencing of MVEC exposed to TA-TMA or control plasmas with and without narsoplimab suggested potential mechanisms of action. The top 40 narsoplimab-affected transcripts included upregulation of SerpinB2, which blocks apoptosis by inactivating procaspase 3; CHAC1, which inhibits apoptosis in association with mitigation of oxidative stress responses; and pro-angiogenesis proteins TM4SF18, ASPM, and ESM1. Narsoplimab also suppressed transcripts encoding pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory proteins ZNF521, IL1R1, Fibulin-5, aggrecan, SLC14A1, and LOX1, and TMEM204, which disrupts vascular integrity. Our data suggest benefits to narsoplimab use in high-risk TA-TMA and provide a potential mechanistic basis for the clinical efficacy of narsoplimab in this disorder.
Southeast Asia amid Sino-US Competition: Power Shift and Regional Order Transition
Authors: Zha Wen
Published: May 2023

Most observers agree that, for Southeast Asian countries, the prospect of Sino-US competition presents an epic challenge. There is, however, broad disagreement on exactly how great power rivalry would affect the region. This article aims to examine the ongoing debates and discussions and demonstrates that they revolve around four key issues: (1) how the regional balance of power would shift; (2) how Sino-US competition would affect Southeast Asian countries’ strategic choices; (3) what role the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would play in the evolving regional order; and (4) how regional order would evolve. This article argues that certain disagreements may be resolved through rigorous conceptualisation and operationalisation of key variables, such as power and hedging. However, there is profound disagreement over whether China’s economic ascent would continue and whether China can compete with the USA on all fronts. Furthermore, the interplay of systemic and domestic pressure adds uncertainty to these regional countries’ strategic choices, which require further theoretical construction. Most studies agree that ASEAN centrality is likely to diminish due to great power politics and ASEAN’s internal weakness, apparent in a low level of institutionalisation. As to the evolving regional order, however, scholars have offered competing perspectives, ranging from a dual structure to the balance of power, great power concerts, and a hegemonic order dominated either by China or by the USA.
Association between language barrier and inadequate prenatal care utilization among migrant women in the PreCARE prospective cohort study
Authors: Eslier Maxime , Deneux-Tharaux Catherine , Schmitz Thomas , Luton Dominique , Mandelbrot Laurent , Estellat Candice , Radjack Rahmethnissah , Azria Elie
Published: May 2023

Background

Inadequate prenatal care utilization (PCU) is involved in the higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes among migrant vs. native women. Language barrier may be a risk factor for inadequate PCU. We aimed to assess the association between this barrier and inadequate PCU among migrant women.

Methods

This analysis took place in the French multicentre prospective PreCARE cohort study, conducted in four university hospital maternity units in the northern Paris area. It included 10 419 women giving birth between 2010 and 2012. Migrants’ language barrier to communication in French were categorized into three groups: migrants with no, partial or total language barrier. Inadequate PCU was assessed by the date prenatal care began, the proportion of recommended prenatal visits completed and ultrasound scans performed. The associations between these language barrier categories and inadequate PCU were tested with multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Among the 4803 migrant women included, the language barrier was partial for 785 (16.3%) and total for 181 (3.8%). Compared to migrants with no language barrier, those with partial [risk ratio (RR) 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.33] and total (RR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.50) language barrier were at higher risk of inadequate PCU. Adjustment for maternal age, parity and region of birth did not modify these associations, which were noted particularly among socially deprived women.

Conclusion

Migrant women with language barrier have a higher risk of inadequate PCU than those without. These findings underscore the importance of targeted efforts to bring women with language barrier to prenatal care.
Is the neglected tropical disease mass drug administration campaign approach an effective strategy to deliver universal health coverage? A case study of the Liberia neglected tropical disease programme
Authors: Tate Andrew , Kollie Karsor , Senyonjo Laura , Sturrock Hugh , Downs Phil , Bush Simon , Bedell Alex , Molyneux David
Published: May 2023

Background

Access to affordable, quality healthcare is the key element of universal health coverage (UHC). This study examines the effectiveness of the neglected tropical disease (NTD) mass drug administration (MDA) campaign approach as a means to deliver UHC, using the example of the Liberia national programme.

Methods

We first mapped the location of 3195 communities from the 2019 national MDA treatment data reporting record of Liberia. The association between coverage for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis treatment achieved in these communities was then explored using a binomial geo-additive model. This model employed three key determinants for community ‘remoteness’: population density and the modelled travel time of communities to their supporting health facility and to their nearest major settlement.

Results

Maps produced highlight a small number of clusters of low treatment coverage in Liberia. Statistical analysis suggests there is a complex relationship between treatment coverage and geographic location.

Conclusions

We accept the MDA campaign approach is a valid mechanism to reach geographically marginal communities and, as such, has the potential to deliver UHC. We recognise there are specific limitations requiring further study.
A multicentre, retrospective audit of fosfomycin use for urinary tract infections in Australian children and adolescents
Authors: Purcell Rachael , Yeoh Daniel , Bowen Asha , Britton Philip N , Carr Jeremy P , Chen Ming , Cheung Kaman , Clark Julia , Irwin Adam , Lai Tony , Lorenzen Ulrik , Steer Andrew , Wen Sophie , Williams Phoebe , Yap Natalie , Cooper Celia , Gwee Amanda
Published: May 2023

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to MDR organisms are increasingly common. The lack of paediatric data on efficacious antibiotics makes UTI treatment particularly challenging. Data on the efficacy of fosfomycin use for UTI in children are variable.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective audit of children aged 0–18 years who were treated with fosfomycin for UTI at seven tertiary paediatric hospitals in Australia over a 7 year period, from 2014 to 2020.

Results

Ninety-one children with a median age of 5 years (range 2 months to 18 years) received oral fosfomycin for UTI. The majority (57/91, 63%) had one or more comorbidity, with the most common being renal tract anomalies (24/91, 26%). Fifty-nine (65%) had febrile UTI, 14/91 (15%) had pyelonephritis and 1/91 (1%) was bacteraemic. A majority (80/91, 88%) of urinary cultures had an ESBL-producing Gram-negative pathogen isolated. Fosfomycin susceptibility was evident in all 80 isolates tested. For uncomplicated UTI, the most common dose in children aged <1, 1–12 and >12 years was 1, 2 and 3 g, respectively. For complicated UTI, doses of 2 and 3 g were most common. The median duration of fosfomycin administration was 5 days (range 1–82). Clinical cure was achieved in 84/90 (93%); the six with treatment failure had underlying comorbidities. Overall, 2/91 (2%) children experienced drug-related adverse effects comprising gastrointestinal symptoms in both, which resolved after treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions

Fosfomycin is well tolerated and associated with favourable treatment outcomes in children with UTI. Further research on the optimal dosing strategy is required.
The intratumor microbiome is associated with microsatellite instability
Authors: Byrd Doratha A , Fan Wenyi , Greathouse K Leigh , Wu Michael C , Xie Hao , Wang Xuefeng
Published: May 2023

Intratumoral microbes may have multifunctional roles in carcinogenesis. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is associated with higher tumor immunity and mutational burden. Using whole transcriptome and whole genome sequencing microbial abundance data, we investigated associations of intratumoral microbes with MSI, survival, and MSI-relevant tumor molecular characteristics across multiple cancer types including colorectal cancer (CRC), stomach adenocarcinoma, and endometrial carcinoma. Among 451 CRC patients, our key finding was strong associations of multiple CRC-associated genera, including Dialister and Casatella, with MSI. Dialister and Casatella abundance was associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratiomortality = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.34 to 0.92, and hazard ratiomortality = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.27 to 0.72), respectively, comparing higher relative to lower quantiles. Multiple intratumor microbes were associated with immune genes and tumor mutational burden. Diversity of oral cavity–originating microbes was also associated with MSI among CRC and stomach adenocarcinoma patients. Overall, our findings suggest the intratumor microbiota may differ by MSI status and play a role in influencing the tumor microenvironment.
‘The Great and Miserable Flight’: The Experiences of Refugees in Newsprint during the Thirty Years’ War
Authors: Pert Thomas
Published: May 2023

As the Thirty Years’ War was the greatest demographic crisis in Europe between the Black Death and the two World Wars, it is unsurprising that the conflict created the greatest number of refugees in the continent’s history prior to the twentieth century. However, the limited scholarship on displaced persons between 1618 and 1648 has been exclusively based on micro-level eyewitness accounts, diaries, and memoirs. This article broadens the scope of studies on refugees during the Thirty Years’ War beyond such individualistic sources through an examination of their treatment in newsprint, a source base which has hitherto been entirely overlooked. A case study based on over 200 newspaper reports allows this article to examine how the frequency of appearances of refugees in newsprint, as well as the language and vocabulary used to describe them, can provide a valuable insight into the experiences of displaced persons and the attitudes of contemporaries in mid-seventeenth century Europe.
Anterior spinal separation surgery to allow for stereotactic body radiotherapy: a novel approach permitting radical oncological treatment of oligometastatic disease
Authors: Saha Priyanshu , Ajayi Bisola , Minhas Pawan , Lui Darren F
Published: May 2023

The treatment of spinal cancers has rapidly evolved in the past decade. Often the treatment for spinal metastases required highly morbid surgeries and with palliative outcomes. However, a paradigm shift in surgical oncology has allowed spinal metastases treatment to have curative results. In the state of oligometastatic disease (OMD), the accompaniment of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) as a primary modality or adjuvant treatment to surgery has been shown to excellent survival outcomes, lower morbidities and better pain management. This case report illustrates a novel approach to the treatment of spinal OMD utilizing anterior spinal separation surgery with a custom carbon fibre vertebral body replacement cage followed by postoperative SBRT with excellent radio-oncological outcomes over 30-month follow-up.
A New Method for Dead Time Calibration and a New Expression for Correction of WDS Intensities for Microanalysis
Authors: Donovan John J , Moy Aurélien , von der Handt Anette , Gainsforth Zack , Maner James L , Nachlas William , Fournelle John
Published: May 2023

Observed photon count rates must be corrected for detector dead time effects for accurate quantification, especially at high count rates. We present the “constant k-ratio” method, a new approach for calibrating dead time for wavelength dispersive spectrometers by measuring k-ratios as a function of beam current. The method is based on the observation that for a given emission line at a specific take-off angle and electron beam energy, the intensity ratio from two materials containing the element should remain constant as a function of beam current, if the dead time calibration is accurate. The method has the advantage that it does not rely on the linearity of the beam current picoammeter, yet also allows the analyst to evaluate the picoammeter linearity, another critical parameter in EPMA calibration. By simultaneously comparing k-ratios for all spectrometers, one can also ascertain k-ratio consensus, essential for inter-laboratory comparisons. We also introduce improved dead time expressions and provide best practices on how to perform these instrument calibrations using this new “constant k-ratio” method. These improvements enable quantitative analysis of major and minor elements with high accuracy at high beam currents, simultaneously with trace elements with high sensitivity, for point analyses and X-ray mapping.
Testing the Influence of Laser Pulse Energy and Rate in the Atom Probe Tomography Analysis of Minerals
Authors: Cappelli Chiara , Pérez-Huerta Alberto
Published: May 2023

The use of atom probe tomography (APT) for mineral analysis is contributing to fundamental studies in Earth Sciences. Meanwhile, the need for standardization of this technique is becoming evident. Pending the use of mineral standards, the optimization of analysis parameters is needed to facilitate the study of different mineral groups in terms of data collection and quality. The laser pulse rate and energy are variables that highly affect the atom evaporation process occurring during APT analysis, and their testing is important to forecast mineral behavior and obtain the best possible data. In this study, five minerals representative of major groups (albite, As-pyrite, barite, olivine, and monazite) were analyzed over a range of laser pulse energies (10–50 pJ) and rates (100–250 kHz) to assess output parameter quality and evaluate compositional estimate stoichiometry. Among the studied minerals, As-pyrite, with the higher thermal conductivity and lower band gap, was the most affected by the laser pulse variation. Chemical composition estimates equal or close to the general chemical formula were achieved for monazite and As-pyrite. The analysis of multihit events has proved to be the best strategy to verify the efficacy of the evaporation process and to evaluate the best laser pulse setting for minerals.
Bullous Impetigo: A Mimicker of Immune-mediated Dermatoses
Authors: Robinson Carolyn , Jones James , Chachula Laura , Neiner James
Published: May 2023

The differential diagnosis of vesiculobullous lesions can be intimidating to the primary care provider. While some entities such as bullous impetigo may easily be diagnosed clinically if the patient’s demographics as well as the lesion morphology and distribution present classically, atypical presentations may require additional laboratory studies for confirmation. We describe a case of bullous impetigo with characteristics that clinically mimicked two rare immunobullous dermatoses. Although extensive diagnostic testing was performed, we recommend an approach for primary care providers to initiate empiric treatment while maintaining awareness of less common immunobullous entities.
Impact of systematic nuclear uncertainties on composition and decay heat of dynamical and disc ejecta in compact binary mergers
Authors: Kullmann I , Goriely S , Just O , Bauswein A , Janka H-T
Published: May 2023

Theoretically predicted yields of elements created by the rapid neutron capture (r-)process carry potentially large uncertainties associated with incomplete knowledge of nuclear properties and approximative hydrodynamical modelling of the matter ejection processes. We present an in-depth study of the nuclear uncertainties by varying theoretical nuclear input models that describe the experimentally unknown neutron-rich nuclei. This includes two frameworks for calculating the radiative neutron capture rates and 14 different models for nuclear masses, β-decay rates, and fission properties. Our r-process nuclear network calculations are based on detailed hydrodynamical simulations of dynamically ejected material from NS–NS or NS–BH binary mergers plus the secular ejecta from BH–torus systems. The impact of nuclear uncertainties on the r-process abundance distribution and the early radioactive heating rate is found to be modest (within a factor of ∼20 for individual A > 90 abundances and a factor of 2 for the heating rate). However, the impact on the late-time heating rate is more significant and depends strongly on the contribution from fission. We witness significantly higher sensitivity to the nuclear physics input if only a single trajectory is used compared to considering ensembles with a much larger number of trajectories (ranging between 150 and 300), and the quantitative effects of the nuclear uncertainties strongly depend on the adopted conditions for the individual trajectory. We use the predicted Th/U ratio to estimate the cosmochronometric age of six metal-poor stars and find the impact of the nuclear uncertainties to be up to 2 Gyr.
Oxidized organic molecules in the tropical free troposphere over Amazonia
Authors: Zha Qiaozhi , Aliaga Diego , Krejci Radovan , Sinclair Victoria A , Wu Cheng , Ciarelli Giancarlo , Scholz Wiebke , Heikkinen Liine , Partoll Eva , Gramlich Yvette , Huang Wei , Leiminger Markus , Enroth Joonas , Peräkylä Otso , Cai Runlong , Chen Xuemeng , Koenig Alkuin Maximilian , Velarde Fernando , Moreno Isabel , Petäjä Tuukka , Artaxo Paulo , Laj Paolo , Hansel Armin , Carbone Samara , Kulmala Markku , Andrade Marcos , Worsnop Douglas , Mohr Claudia , Bianchi Federico
Published: May 2023

New particle formation (NPF) in the tropical free troposphere (FT) is a globally important source of cloud condensation nuclei, affecting cloud properties and climate. Oxidized organic molecules (OOMs) produced from biogenic volatile organic compounds are believed to contribute to aerosol formation in the tropical FT, but without direct chemical observations. We performed in situ molecular-level OOMs measurements at the Bolivian station Chacaltaya at 5240 m above sea level, on the western edge of Amazonia. For the first time, we demonstrate the presence of OOMs, mainly with 4–5 carbon atoms, in both gas-phase and particle-phase (in terms of mass contribution) measurements in tropical FT air from Amazonia. These observations, combined with air mass history analyses, indicate that the observed OOMs are linked to isoprene emitted from the rainforests hundreds of kilometers away. Based on particle-phase measurements, we find that these compounds can contribute to NPF, at least the growth of newly formed nanoparticles, in the tropical FT on a continental scale. Thus, our study is a fundamental and significant step in understanding the aerosol formation process in the tropical FT.
Predicting new mineral occurrences and planetary analog environments via mineral association analysis
Authors: Morrison Shaunna M , Prabhu Anirudh , Eleish Ahmed , Hazen Robert M , Golden Joshua J , Downs Robert T , Perry Samuel , Burns Peter C , Ralph Jolyon , Fox Peter
Published: May 2023

The locations of minerals and mineral-forming environments, despite being of great scientific importance and economic interest, are often difficult to predict due to the complex nature of natural systems. In this work, we embrace the complexity and inherent “messiness” of our planet's intertwined geological, chemical, and biological systems by employing machine learning to characterize patterns embedded in the multidimensionality of mineral occurrence and associations. These patterns are a product of, and therefore offer insight into, the Earth's dynamic evolutionary history. Mineral association analysis quantifies high-dimensional multicorrelations in mineral localities across the globe, enabling the identification of previously unknown mineral occurrences, as well as mineral assemblages and their associated paragenetic modes. In this study, we have predicted (i) the previously unknown mineral inventory of the Mars analogue site, Tecopa Basin, (ii) new locations of uranium minerals, particularly those important to understanding the oxidation–hydration history of uraninite, (iii) new deposits of critical minerals, specifically rare earth element (REE)- and Li-bearing phases, and (iv) changes in mineralization and mineral associations through deep time, including a discussion of possible biases in mineralogical data and sampling; furthermore, we have (v) tested and confirmed several of these mineral occurrence predictions in nature, thereby providing ground truth of the predictive method. Mineral association analysis is a predictive method that will enhance our understanding of mineralization and mineralizing environments on Earth, across our solar system, and through deep time.
Multisectoral drivers of decarbonizing battery electric vehicles in China
Authors: Wang Fang , Zhang Shaojun , Zhao Yinan , Ma Yunxiao , Zhang Yichen , Hove Anders , Wu Ye
Published: May 2023

China has made great progress in the electrification of passenger cars, and the sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have exceeded 10%. We applied a life-cycle assessment (LCA) method to estimate the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of the past (2015), present (2020), and future (2030) BEVs, incorporating China's carbon peaking and neutrality policies, which would substantially reduce emissions from the electricity, operation efficiency, metallurgy, and battery manufacturing industries. BEVs can reduce cradle-to-grave (C2G) CO2 emissions by ∼40% compared with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) on the national-average level in 2020, far more significant than the benefit in 2015. Improved BEV operating efficiency was the largest factor driving emission reductions from 2015 to 2020. Looking forward to 2030, China's BEVs equipped with nickel–cobalt–manganese (NCM) batteries can achieve a further 43% of CO2 emissions reductions, among which 51 g km−1 of reduction is from the well-to-wheels (WTW) stage majorly owing to the further cleaner electricity mix, while other vehicle-cycle benefits are mainly from the advancement of battery (12 g km−1) and related metal materials (5 g km−1). We highlight the importance of better material efficiency and synchronized decarbonization through the automotive industrial chain in promoting climate mitigation from transport activities.
Bioinspired stability enhancement in deuterium-substituted organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells
Authors: Tong Jinhui , Li Xun , Wang Jianxin , He Haiying , Xu Tao , Zhu Kai
Published: May 2023

In hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs), the reaction of hydrogens (H) located in the amino group of the organic A-site cations with their neighboring halides plays a central role in degradation. Inspired by the retarded biological activities of cells in heavy water, we replaced the light H atom with its abundant, twice-as-heavy, nonradioactive isotope, deuterium (D) to hamper the motion of H. This D substitution retarded the formation kinetics of the detrimental H halides in Pb-based PSCs, as well as the H bond-mediated oxidation of Sn2+ in Sn–Pb-based narrow-bandgap PSCs, evidenced by accelerated stability studies. A computational study indicated that the zero point energy of D-based formamidinium (FA) is lower than that of pristine FA. In addition, the smaller increase in entropy in D-based FA than in pristine FA accounts for the increased formation free energy of the Sn2+ vacancies, which leads to the retarded oxidation kinetics of Sn2+. In this study, we show that substituting active H with D in organic cations is an effective way to enhance the stability of PSCs without sacrificing photovoltaic (PV) performance. This approach is also adaptable to other stabilizing methods.
Pulmonary fibrosis in COVID-19: mechanisms, consequences and targets
Authors: O’Reilly S
Published: May 2023

Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by extracellular deposition in the lung primarily collagen but also other ECM molecules. The primary cell type responsible for this is the myofibroblast, and this can be induced by various stressors and signals. Infections be they bacterial or viral can cause pulmonary fibrosis (PF). In 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan, China, has led to a worldwide pandemic and can lead to acute respiratory distress and lung fibrosis. The virus itself can be cleared, but patients may develop long-term PF, which can be debilitating and life-limiting. There is a significantly perturbed immune response that shapes the fibrotic response leading to fibrosis. Given the importance of PF irrespective of cause, understanding the similarities and differences in pathogenesis caused by SARS-CoV-2-induced PF may yield new therapeutic targets. This review examines the pathology associated with the disease and discusses possible targets.
Mutual Fund Proliferation and Entry Deterrence
Authors: Betermier Sebastien , Schumacher David , Shahrad Ali
Published: May 2023

Why do so few mutual fund families launch so many funds and styles around the world? We argue that launching numerous funds on an increasingly granular style grid allows incumbent families to congest the product space and deter market entry. Key to this argument is the persistently low dimensionality of the mutual fund product space, a fact we establish by analyzing the names of over 40,000 equity funds sold in 91 countries between 1931 and 2015. Over time, the strategy of filling up the style grid has led to the dominance of few families offering large, granular, and similar fund menus.

Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Prevalence of a ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’-Related Strain Designated as New 16SrXII-P Subgroup over ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ in Sugar Beet in Eastern Germany
Authors: Duduk Bojan , Ćurčić Živko , Stepanović Jelena , Böhm Jan Werner , Kosovac Andrea , Rekanović Emil , Kube Michael
Published: May 2023

Two phloem-limited pathogens, ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, threaten sugar beet production in France, Switzerland, and Germany. Previous studies of these pathogens in Germany had focused on its western and southern regions, leaving a knowledge gap about eastern Germany. Despite their importance, this study is the first to investigate phytoplasmas in sugar beet in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. A phytoplasma strain related to ‘Ca. P. solani’ is found predominant in Saxony-Anhalt, unlike in France, where ‘Ca. P. solani’ has a minor role compared with ‘Ca. A. phytopathogenicus’. The phytoplasma strain infecting sugar beet in Saxony-Anhalt was classified into a new subgroup designated as 16SrXII-P. The multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of nonribosomal genes of the novel phytoplasma strain showed that it is significantly different from the reference and all previously reported ‘Ca. P. solani’ strains including the strain from western Germany. Analyses of sugar beet samples from previous years confirmed the presence of the 16SrXII-P strain in sugar beet as early as 2020 and also in Bavaria in southern Germany. Based on 16S rDNA analysis, ‘Ca. A. phytopathogenicus’ in Saxony-Anhalt is identical to strains in sugar beet in other parts of Germany and France, as well as to a strain in potato from Germany. The presence and prevalence of two phytoplasmas in sugar beet in Germany suggest that more attention should be directed toward understanding phytoplasma infection in sugar beet in this country.
Sensitivity to 12 Fungicides and Resistance Mechanism to Trifloxystrobin, Carbendazim, and Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors in Cucumber Corynespora Leaf Spot (Corynespora cassiicola)
Authors: Deng Yunyan , Wang Tao , Zhao Ping , Du Ying , Zhang LuLu , Qi Zhiqui , Ji Mingshan
Published: May 2023

Corynespora cassiicola is the causal agent of cucumber Corynespora leaf spot, which affects many economically important plant species. Chemical control of this disease is hampered by the common development of fungicide resistance. In this study, 100 isolates from Liaoning Province were collected, and their sensitivity to 12 fungicides was determined. All the isolates (100%) were resistant to trifloxystrobin and carbendazim, and 98% were resistant to fluopyram, boscalid, pydiflumetofen, isopyrazam, and fluxapyroxad. However, none were resistant to propiconazole, prochloraz, tebuconazole, difenoconazole, and fludioxonil. The Cytb gene of trifloxystrobin-resistant isolates encoded the G143A mutation, whereas the β-tubulin gene of carbendazim-resistant isolates encoded the E198A and E198A and M163I mutations. Mutations in SdhB-I280V, SdhC-S73P, SdhC-H134R, SdhD-D95E, and SdhD-G109V were associated with resistance to the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs). Trifloxystrobin, carbendazim, and fluopyram were barely effective on the resistant isolates, whereas fludioxonil and prochloraz were effective on the isolates that were resistant to the quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs), SDHIs, and benzimidazoles. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that fungicide resistance seriously threatens the effective control of Corynespora leaf spot.
Bacteria Disinfection of Rice Seeds by Ultraviolet Light Irradiation in a Biosafe Flow Cabinet
Authors: Jia Yulin , Read Quentin D.
Published: May 2023

Easy-to-use methods to disinfect microbes on seeds are not available. In the present study, rice seeds were irradiated by 274-nm germicidal ultraviolet (UV) protons in a biosafe flow cabinet. Seeds without any barrier, in a sterilized mesh bag, or in a sterilized coin envelope were removed each day with sterilized forceps for 7 days after UV irradiation and placed in nutrient agar media in a dark incubator at 29°C for 3 days, after which the number of seeds contaminated with bacteria and/or fungi were counted. At the same time, 10 seeds each time were removed from each UV treatment and kept in a dark incubator at 40°C for 5 days to determine the germination rate. Both bacterial and fungal infection rates declined significantly over time. The germination rate, with an average of 90 ± 7.1%, did not change significantly over time. There was no significant difference among treatments for germination rate or fungal infection rate. The UV irradiation of seeds in mesh bags had the strongest effect on reducing bacterial infection rates over time, whereas the direct UV irradiation had a weaker effect on bacterial infection rates than the UV irradiation of seeds in mesh bags. We suggest that UV irradiation of seeds in mesh bags be used to reduce seed bacterial contamination.
Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are vulnerable in a mouse model of Down syndrome and their molecular fingerprint is rescued by maternal choline supplementation
Authors: Alldred Melissa J. , Pidikiti Harshitha , Heguy Adriana , Roussos Panos , Ginsberg Stephen D.
Published: May 2023

Basal forebrain cholinergic neuron (BFCN) degeneration is a hallmark of Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current therapeutics in these disorders have been unsuccessful in slowing disease progression, likely due to poorly understood complex pathological interactions and dysregulated pathways. The Ts65Dn trisomic mouse model recapitulates both cognitive and morphological deficits of DS and AD, including BFCN degeneration and has shown lifelong behavioral changes due to maternal choline supplementation (MCS). To test the impact of MCS on trisomic BFCNs, we performed laser capture microdissection to individually isolate choline acetyltransferase‐immunopositive neurons in Ts65Dn and disomic littermates, in conjunction with MCS at the onset of BFCN degeneration. We utilized single population RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) to interrogate transcriptomic changes within medial septal nucleus (MSN) BFCNs. Leveraging multiple bioinformatic analysis programs on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by genotype and diet, we identified key canonical pathways and altered physiological functions within Ts65Dn MSN BFCNs, which were attenuated by MCS in trisomic offspring, including the cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic pathways. We linked differential gene expression bioinformatically to multiple neurological functions, including motor dysfunction/movement disorder, early onset neurological disease, ataxia and cognitive impairment via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. DEGs within these identified pathways may underlie aberrant behavior in the DS mice, with MCS attenuating the underlying gene expression changes. We propose MCS ameliorates aberrant BFCN gene expression within the septohippocampal circuit of trisomic mice through normalization of principally the cholinergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic signaling pathways, resulting in attenuation of underlying neurological disease functions.
Increased tetanic calcium in early fatigue of mammalian muscle fibers is accompanied by accelerated force development despite a decreased force
Authors: Leijding Cecilia , Viken Ida , Bruton Joseph D. , Andersson Daniel C. , Cheng Arthur J. , Westerblad Håkan
Published: May 2023

During the initial phase of fatigue induced by repeated contractions in fast‐twitch muscle fibers, tetanic force decreases despite increasing tetanic free cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]cyt). Here, we hypothesized that the increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt nevertheless has positive effects on force in early fatigue. Experiments on enzymatically isolated mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) fibers showed that an increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt during ten 350 ms contractions required trains of electrical pulses to be elicited at short intervals (≤2 s) and at high frequencies (≥70 Hz). Mechanically dissected mouse FDB fibers showed greater decrease in tetanic force when the stimulation frequency during contractions was gradually reduced to prevent the increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt. Novel analyses of data from previous studies revealed an increased rate of force development in the tenth fatiguing contraction in mouse FDB fibers, as well as in rat FDB and human intercostal fibers. Mouse FDB fibers deficient in creatine kinase showed no increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt and slowed force development in the tenth contraction; after injection of creatine kinase to enable phosphocreatine breakdown, these fibers showed an increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt and accelerated force development. Mouse FDB fibers exposed to ten short contractions (43 ms) produced at short intervals (142 ms) showed increased tetanic [Ca2+]cyt accompanied by a marked (~16%) increase in the developed force. In conclusion, the increase in tetanic [Ca2+]cyt in early fatigue is accompanied by accelerated force development, which under some circumstances can counteract the decline in physical performance caused by the concomitant decrease in maximum force.