bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracture-based modeling of heat-treated AZ91/AZE911 magnesium alloys for estimating high-cycle fatigue lifetime by Paris crack growth rate and striations spacing
Authors: Oliya Ahmad Yousefi Parchin , Parast Mohammad Sadegh Aghareb , Azadi Mohammad , Mokhtarishirazabad Mehdi
Published: July 2023

In the present research, the fracture behavior of the AZ91 magnesium alloy is analyzed based on the striations spacing on the fracture surface for predicting the fatigue High-Cycle Fatigue lifetime. At first, equations and relations were extracted based on the Paris law. Then, striations spacing was measured using ImageJ software and field emission scanning electron microscope images of fracture surfaces of heat-treated Mg–Al–Zn alloys, containing and non-containing 1% rare earth elements (1% RE). Finally, constants of the Paris law were calculated and calibrated. Results showed that a 1% RE addition decreased the striations spacing and enhanced the fatigue resistance (between 14 and 40%). In addition, the lifetime scatter band and mean error decreased from ± 2.7X to ± 1.5X and from 150 to 33%, respectively, as the accuracy of the recommended model. Heat-treating transformed the continuous precipitations to blade-shaped precipitations on the Mg-matrix and decreased the grain size remarkably. The addition of 1% RE formed the new Al11RE3 phase and created a better distribution between the cast defects. In addition, fatigue striations in AZ91 alloy had more curvature and discontinuity and were more significant and coarser than those in AZE911 + 1% RE (AZE911) alloy.

Graphical abstract
Diversity, community structure, and quantity of eukaryotic phytoplankton revealed using 18S rRNA and plastid 16S rRNA genes and pigment markers: a case study of the Pearl River Estuary
Authors: Xu Shumin , Li Guihao , He Cui , Huang Yi , Yu Dan , Deng Huiwen , Tong Zhuyin , Wang Yichong , Dupuy Christine , Huang Bangqin , Shen Zhuo , Xu Jie , Gong Jun
Published: July 2023

Understanding consistencies and discrepancies in characterizing diversity and quantity of phytoplankton is essential for better modeling ecosystem change. In this study, eukaryotic phytoplankton in the Pearl River Estuary, South China Sea were investigated using nuclear 18S rRNA and plastid 16S or 23S rRNA genes and pigment analysis. It was found that 18S abundance poorly explained the variations in total chlorophyll a (Chl-a). However, the ratios of log-transformed 18S abundance to Chl-a in the major phytoplankton groups were generally environment dependent, suggesting that the ratio has potential as an indicator of the physiological state of phytoplankton. The richness of 18S-based operational taxonomic units was positively correlated with the richness of 16S-based amplicon sequence variants of the whole phytoplankton community, but insignificant or weak for individual phytoplankton groups. Overall, the 18S based, rather than the 16S based, community structure had a greater similarity to pigment-based estimations. Relative to the pigment data, the proportion of haptophytes in the 18S dataset, and diatoms and cryptophytes in the 16S dataset, were underestimated. This study highlights that 18S metabarcoding tends to reflect biomass-based community organization of eukaryotic phytoplankton. Because there were lower copy numbers of plastid 16S than 18S per genome, metabarcoding of 16S probably approximates cell abundance-based community organization. Changes in biomass organization of the pigment-based community were sensitive to environmental changes. Taken together, multiple methodologies are recommended to be applied to more accurately profile the diversity and community composition of phytoplankton in natural ecosystems.
The History and Methodology of Expected Utility
Authors: Moscati Ivan
Published: July 2023

This Element offers an accessible but technically detailed review of expected utility theory (EU), which is a model of individual decision-making under uncertainty that is central for both economics and philosophy. The Element's approach falls between the history of ideas and economic methodology. At the historical level, it reviews EU by following its conceptual evolution from its original formulation in the eighteenth century through its transformations and extensions in the mid-twentieth century to its more recent supersession by post-EU theories such as prospect theory. In reconstructing the history of EU, it focuses on the methodological issues that have accompanied its evolution, such as whether the utility function and the other components of EU correspond to actual mental entities. On many of these issues, no consensus has yet been reached, and in this Element the author offers his view on them.
La cause de foi dans l’Inquisition espagnole
Authors: Dedieu Jean-Pierre , Knutsen Gunnar W.
Published: August 2023

Cet article se fonde, en premier lieu, sur des manuels manuscrits produits
et/ou utilisés par les inquisiteurs en Espagne pour leur usage quotidien. Il
s’appuie ensuite sur les traités latins que ces manuels citent en références,
qui nous ont permis d’avoir accès à l’arrière-plan théorique, théologique,
pastoral et philosophique sur lequel se fondait la pratique. Nous avons
également comparé la structure procédurale des procès originaux aux relations de
cause, ces rapports d’activité qui les résument où les inquisiteurs doivent
justifier leurs décisions auprès de leurs supérieurs. Nous établissons grâce à
cette double voie que la « cause de foi », qui est au cœur du travail
inquisitorial, doit être formalisée à deux niveaux : d’une part une procédure
judiciaire, qui commande la succession des opérations du procès ; d’autre part
un niveau sous-jacent – moins visible pour un lecteur actuel, mais fortement
articulé par l’appareil conceptuel décrit par les traités latins –, qui vise à
produire, non pas une vérité judiciaire, comme le premier, mais une vérité
pénitentielle. Le premier niveau est répressif, une fois le délit prouvé dans
les formes judiciaires. Le second niveau est intégratif, ecclésiastique et non
séculier ; il vise à réintégrer l’accusé au sein de l’Église catholique, même
lorsque le délit d’hérésie est judiciairement établi. Les inquisiteurs jouaient
sur ces deux niveaux avec souplesse, ce dont nous avions jusqu’ici du mal à
rendre compte. Envisagé sous cet angle, le souci que l’Inquisition exprime sans
cesse pour le bien-être spirituel de l’accusé ne peut plus être interprété comme
simple hypocrisie. Le procès de foi inquisitorial, commandé par une double
logique, est en équilibre instable, ce qui le rend particulièrement sensible aux
choix personnels, en termes techniques à l’« arbitraire », des juges. Nous
constatons qu’au fil du temps l’aspect pénitentiel prend de plus en plus
d’importance au détriment de la logique purement judiciaire. De nombreux indices
indiquent qu’une double logique de ce type commande également les procès
criminels d’autres juridictions – un aspect dont la prise en compte éclairerait
sans doute le fonctionnement global des institutions de résolution des conflits
à l’époque moderne.
Submesoscale Motions Driven by Down‐Front Wind Around an Anticyclonic Eddy With a Cold Core
Authors: Shang Xuekun , Shu Yeqiang , Wang Dongxiao , Yu Jiancheng , Mao Huabin , Liu Danian , Qiu Chunhua , Tang Haibo
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the dynamics and diurnal variations of submesoscale motions around an anticyclonic eddy with a cold core using observations and simulations. Glider observations reveal vigorous submesoscale motions within the mixed layer (ML) at the eddy periphery due to strong frontal structure. The main driving force behind these motions is external atmospheric forcing, especially down‐front wind, which injects negative Ertel potential vorticity (PV) into the ML, triggering frontal instability in the low‐PV layer. Observations indicate a regular diurnal cycle of submesoscale motions at the eddy periphery in the absence of strong daytime winds. During the night, cooling and winds inject negative PV, leading to instability, while daytime heating and weak winds contribute to restratification. However, the presence of strong down‐front winds during the day disrupts the regular diurnal cycle, causing frontal instability even during daylight hours. The observed eddy periphery is reconstructed in a turbulence‐resolving large‐eddy simulation, confirming and extending the observations. The combined results emphasize the crucial impact of atmospheric forcing, particularly down‐front wind, on the diurnal variations of submesoscale motions around abnormal anticyclonic eddies. Diurnal heat fluxes play a key role in maintaining the diurnal cycle of these motions, while transient strong down‐front winds are essential for breaking the regular cycle and rapidly triggering frontal instability.
Quantification of the Volcanic Carbon Dioxide in the Air of Vulcano Porto by Stable Isotope Surveys
Authors: Di Martino Roberto M. R. , Gurrieri Sergio
Published: August 2023

Injecting volcanic gas into the air leads to an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) levels compared with background concentrations and may establish gas hazard conditions. This study reports the results of five stable isotope (i.e., δ13C‐CO2 and δ18O‐CO2) surveys of airborne CO2 on Vulcano from August 2020 to November 2021. To measure CO2 in the air, a mobile laboratory was equipped with a laser‐based spectrophotometer that can selectively detect different CO2 isotopologues. Volcanic CO2 has a different isotopic signature than atmospheric CO2 and both δ13C‐CO2 and δ18O‐CO2 can help trace the injections of volcanic gases into the air. An isotopic mass balance model was developed for partitions CO2 between atmospheric background and volcanic CO2. The results of these studies show that volcanic CO2 emissions and atmospheric circulation deeply affected the concentration of CO2 in the air at Vulcano Porto. Studies of δ13C‐CO2 and δ18O‐CO2 provide an estimate of volcanic CO2 in the air. These results help identify spatially some points of interest for mitigating volcanic gas emission‐related hazards on Vulcano.
Isolating the Surface Type Influence on Arctic Low‐Clouds
Authors: Taylor Patrick C. , Monroe Emily
Published: August 2023

Interactions between sea ice and clouds represent a mechanism through which sea ice influences climate. We composite cloud properties for ice‐free, marginal ice zone (MIZ), and ice‐covered surfaces during MIZ crossing events to analyze the cloud property differences between surface types. Restricting the analysis to MIZ crossing events enables the isolation of the sea ice effect on clouds from meteorological factors. We find larger cloud fraction (CF) and total water concentration below ∼1.5 km over ice‐free relative to ice‐covered surfaces during non‐summer months. During summer, the results suggest larger CF and total water concentration over ice‐free surfaces, however differences do not exceed observational uncertainty. Cloud property differences are linked to atmospheric thermodynamic profile differences, namely ice‐free surfaces are warmer, moister, less stable, and have more positive surface turbulent fluxes than ice‐covered surfaces. Ice‐free minus ice‐covered cloud property differences scale with surface temperature differences and are only found in the presence of a surface temperature difference. Our results suggest a 0.02 CF and 0.005 g m−3 total water concentration increase (∼5%) at the level of maximum CF between 2000 and 2021 due to the observed Arctic sea ice decline in fall, corresponding to ∼2 W m−2 increase in the net surface radiative flux. Our results support a positive sea ice‐cloud radiative feedback in fall and winter and a negative sea ice‐cloud radiative feedback in spring. We propose an updated conceptual model where the average surface type influence on cloud properties is mediated by surface temperature differences between ice‐free and ice‐covered surfaces.
Microbial Models for Simulating Soil Carbon Dynamics: A Review
Authors: Chandel Aneesh Kumar , Jiang Lifen , Luo Yiqi
Published: July 2023

Soils store the largest amount of carbon (C) in the biosphere, and the C pool in soil is critical to the global C balance. Numerous microbial models have been developed over the last few decades to represent microbial processes that regulate the responses of soil organic carbon (SOC) to climate change. However, the representation of microbial processes varies, and how microbial processes are incorporated into SOC models has not been well explored. Here, we reviewed 71 microbial models to characterize the microbial processes incorporated into SOC models and analyzed variations in mechanistic complexity. We revealed that (a) four processes (microbial‐mediated decomposition, mineral interaction, microbial necromass recycling, and active and dormant microbial dynamics) are commonly incorporated in microbial models, (b) ∼48% of models simulate only one microbial process (i.e., microbial‐mediated decomposition) and 35% of models simulate two microbial processes: for example, microbial‐mediated decomposition and mineral interaction, (c) more than 80% microbial models use nonlinear equations, such as forward Michaelis‐Menten kinetics, to represent SOC decomposition, (d) the concept of persistence of SOC due to its intrinsic properties has been replaced by organo‐mineral interaction (∼39% of microbial models) that protects SOC from decomposition, and (e) various temperature and moisture modifiers and pH effects have been used to explain the environmental effect on microbial processes. In the future, to realistically incorporate microbial processes into Earth System Models, it is imperative to identify experimental evidence on rate limitation processes and firmly ground model structure on the field and laboratory data.
Patterns of Wetland Hydrologic Connectivity Across Coastal‐Plain Wetlandscapes
Authors: Lee Esther , Epstein Joshua M. , Cohen Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Depressional wetlands influence the functions of wetlandscapes by storing and releasing water, providing critical habitat, amplifying carbon and nutrient cycling, and influencing microclimate. Despite persistent subsurface connectivity, depressional wetlands are surrounded by uplands so only sporadically connect via surface pathways. However, the frequency, duration, and relative importance of surface connectivity in depressional wetlands remains poorly understood, limiting quantification of their landscape functions. Using multiple years of stage variation in 67 depressional wetlands across four contrasting wetlandscapes, we observed wetland spill elevation is exceeded 10%–40% of the time, with substantial variation within and between wetlandscapes. Moreover, surface connectivity increased water loss rates by 200%–350% on a depth basis and 350%–850% on a volumetric basis compared with subsurface water loss rates. This temporally disproportionate water export suggests that short‐lived surface connectivity is crucial for aggregate landscape export of water‐borne materials and numerous hydrologic and habitat services. Contrasting water loss rates above and below spill thresholds create homeostatic feedback that stabilizes water levels near the thresholds. We explored geomorphic, climatic, and vegetative influences on hydrologic connectivity, quantified as nighttime recession rates below the spill threshold for groundwater connectivity and percent time above thresholds for surface connectivity. Groundwater connectivity was consistently greater in deeper wetlands and wetlandscape identity was the primary factor explaining variation in surface and subsurface connectivity. Our results highlight the critical role of surface connectivity in coastal plain wetlands, illustrate the heterogeneity of those wetland functions within and across wetlandscapes, and provide hydrologic benchmarks for evaluating restoration of aggregate landscape functions.
Olfactory modulation of stress-response neural circuits
Authors: Shin Min-Gi , Bae Yiseul , Afzal Ramsha , Kondoh Kunio , Lee Eun Jeong
Published: August 2023

Stress responses, which are crucial for survival, are evolutionally conserved throughout the animal kingdom. The most common endocrine axis among stress responses is that triggered by corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons (CRHNs) in the hypothalamus. Signals of various stressors are detected by different sensory systems and relayed through individual neural circuits that converge on hypothalamic CRHNs to initiate common stress hormone responses. To investigate the neurocircuitry mechanisms underlying stress hormone responses induced by a variety of stressors, researchers have recently developed new approaches employing retrograde transsynaptic viral tracers, providing a wealth of information about various types of neural circuits that control the activity of CRHNs in response to stress stimuli. Here, we review earlier and more recent findings on the stress neurocircuits that converge on CRHNs, focusing particularly on olfactory systems that excite or suppress the activities of CRHNs and lead to the initiation of stress responses. Because smells are arguably the most important signals that enable animals to properly cope with environmental changes and survive, unveiling the regulatory mechanisms by which smells control stress responses would provide broad insight into how stress-related environmental cues are perceived in the animal brain.
Intermittent colonic exoperistalsis for chronic constipation in spinal cord-injured individuals. A long-term structured patient feedback survey to evaluate home care use
Authors: Bremer Jana , Bremer Jörn , König Maike , Koßmehl Peter , Kurze Ines , Obereisenbuchner Jeannette , Weinschenk Elisabeth , Herrero-Fresneda Immaculada
Published: July 2023

Study design

Structured patient feedback survey evaluating real-world home care use.

Objectives

To assess the long-term effectiveness, tolerability, and satisfaction with the intermittent colonic exoperistalsis (ICE) treatment device MOWOOT in spinal cord-injured (SCI) individuals with chronic constipation.

Setting

Four specialized German hospitals.

Methods

SCI individuals with chronic constipation were invited to use MOWOOT 10–20 min daily and answer a questionnaire about their bowel situation before treatment (feedback 1, F1) and after ≥10 months of use (feedback 2, F2). Collected variables were device use, bowel function effectiveness, chronic constipation symptoms, concomitant use of laxatives and evacuation aids, and satisfaction with bowel function and management, which were compared between time points. At F2, participants reported efficacy, tolerability/side effects, and ease of use.

Results

Eleven participants used the device for a mean (SD) of 13.27 (4.03) months. From F1 to F2, mean time per evacuation decreased by 24.5 min (p = 0.0076) and the number of failed attempts to evacuate/week, by 1.05 (p = 0.0354) with a tendency toward increased bowel movements and softer stool consistency, and decreased incomplete bowel movements. Participants experienced decreased difficulty/strain (p = 0.0055), abdominal pain (p = 0.0230), bloating (p = 0.0010), abdominal cramps (p = 0.0019), and spasms (p = 0.0198), without significant changes in the use of laxatives and evacuation aids. Satisfaction with bowel function and management improved (p = 0.0095) and more participants reported being very satisfied/satisfied (p = 0.0300). Most reported tolerability, efficacy, and ease of use as very good/good.

Conclusion

Long-term in-home ICE treatment improved bowel function and chronic constipation symptoms in SCI individuals, providing clinical benefits to this population.

Sponsorship (MOWOOT devices lending)

4 M Medical GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany.
Electrosynthesis of ethylene glycol from C1 feedstocks in a flow electrolyzer
Authors: Xia Rong , Wang Ruoyu , Hasa Bjorn , Lee Ahryeon , Liu Yuanyue , Ma Xinbin , Jiao Feng
Published: July 2023

Ethylene glycol is a widely utilized commodity chemical, the production of which accounts for over 46 million tons of CO2 emission annually. Here we report a paired electrocatalytic approach for ethylene glycol production from methanol. Carbon catalysts are effective in reducing formaldehyde into ethylene glycol with a 92% Faradaic efficiency, whereas Pt catalysts at the anode enable formaldehyde production through methanol partial oxidation with a 75% Faradaic efficiency. With a membrane-electrode assembly configuration, we show the feasibility of ethylene glycol electrosynthesis from methanol in a single electrolyzer. The electrolyzer operates a full cell voltage of 3.2 V at a current density of 100 mA cm−2, with a 60% reduction in energy consumption. Further investigations, using operando flow electrolyzer mass spectroscopy, isotopic labeling, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, indicate that the desorption of a *CH2OH intermediate is the crucial step in determining the selectively towards ethylene glycol over methanol.
Rapid gene content turnover on the germline-restricted chromosome in songbirds
Authors: Schlebusch Stephen A. , Rídl Jakub , Poignet Manon , Ruiz-Ruano Francisco J. , Reif Jiří , Pajer Petr , Pačes Jan , Albrecht Tomáš , Suh Alexander , Reifová Radka
Published: July 2023

The germline-restricted chromosome (GRC) of songbirds represents a taxonomically widespread example of programmed DNA elimination. Despite its apparent indispensability, we still know very little about the GRC’s genetic composition, function, and evolutionary significance. Here we assemble the GRC in two closely related species, the common and thrush nightingale. In total we identify 192 genes across the two GRCs, with many of them present in multiple copies. Interestingly, the GRC appears to be under little selective pressure, with the genetic content differing dramatically between the two species and many GRC genes appearing to be pseudogenized fragments. Only one gene, cpeb1, has a complete coding region in all examined individuals of the two species and shows no copy number variation. The acquisition of this gene by the GRC corresponds with the earliest estimates of the GRC origin, making it a good candidate for the functional indispensability of the GRC in songbirds.
Partition complex structure can arise from sliding and bridging of ParB dimers
Authors: Connolley Lara , Schnabel Lucas , Thanbichler Martin , Murray Seán M.
Published: July 2023

In many bacteria, chromosome segregation requires the association of ParB to the parS-containing centromeric region to form the partition complex. However, the structure and formation of this complex have been unclear. Recently, studies have revealed that CTP binding enables ParB dimers to slide along DNA and condense the centromeric region through the formation of DNA bridges. Using semi-flexible polymer simulations, we demonstrate that these properties can explain partition complex formation. Transient ParB bridges organize DNA into globular states or hairpins and helical structures, depending on bridge lifetime, while separate simulations show that ParB sliding reproduces the multi-peaked binding profile observed in Caulobacter crescentus. Combining sliding and bridging into a unified model, we find that short-lived ParB bridges do not impede sliding and can reproduce both the binding profile and condensation of the nucleoprotein complex. Overall, our model elucidates the mechanism of partition complex formation and predicts its fine structure.
Topological solitonic macromolecules
Authors: Zhao Hanqing , Malomed Boris A. , Smalyukh Ivan I.
Published: July 2023

Being ubiquitous, solitons have particle-like properties, exhibiting behaviour often associated with atoms. Bound solitons emulate dynamics of molecules, though solitonic analogues of polymeric materials have not been considered yet. Here we experimentally create and model soliton polymers, which we call “polyskyrmionomers”, built of atom-like individual solitons characterized by the topological invariant representing the skyrmion number. With the help of nonlinear optical imaging and numerical modelling based on minimizing the free energy, we reveal how topological point defects bind the solitonic quasi-atoms into polyskyrmionomers, featuring linear, branched, and other macromolecule-resembling architectures, as well as allowing for encoding data by spatial distributions of the skyrmion number. Application of oscillating electric fields activates diverse modes of locomotion and internal vibrations of these self-assembled soliton structures, which depend on symmetry of the solitonic macromolecules. Our findings suggest new designs of soliton meta matter, with a potential for the use in fundamental research and technology.
AI powered, automated discovery of polymer membranes for carbon capture
Authors: Giro Ronaldo , Hsu Hsianghan , Kishimoto Akihiro , Hama Toshiyuki , Neumann Rodrigo F. , Luan Binquan , Takeda Seiji , Hamada Lisa , Steiner Mathias B.
Published: July 2023

The generation of molecules with artificial intelligence (AI) or, more specifically, machine learning (ML), is poised to revolutionize materials discovery. Potential applications range from development of potent drugs to efficient carbon capture and separation technologies. However, existing computational discovery frameworks for polymer membranes lack automated training data creation, generative design, and physical performance validation at meso-scale where complex properties of amorphous materials emerge. The methodological gaps are less relevant to the ML design of individual molecules such as the monomers which constitute the building blocks of polymers. Here, we report automated discovery of complex materials through inverse molecular design which is informed by meso-scale target features and process figures-of-merit. We have explored the multi-scale discovery regime by computationally generating and validating hundreds of polymer candidates designed for application in post-combustion carbon dioxide filtration. Specifically, we have validated each discovery step, from training dataset creation, via graph-based generative design of optimized monomer units, to molecular dynamics simulation of gas permeation through the polymer membranes. For the latter, we have devised a representative elementary volume (REV) enabling permeability simulations at about 1000× the volume of an individual, ML-generated monomer, obtaining quantitative agreement. The discovery-to-validation time per polymer candidate is on the order of 100 h using one CPU and one GPU, offering a computational screening alternative prior to lab validation.
Pit growth kinetics in aluminum: effects of salt loading and relative humidity
Authors: Noell Philip J. , Pham Benjamin T. , Campbell Ian , Donohoe Brendan , Maestas Demitri , Schindelholz Eric J. , Melia Michael A. , Katona Ryan M.
Published: July 2023

The growth kinetics of localized corrosion, e.g. pits, in corrosive environments often controls the service life of metallic components. Yet, our understanding of these kinetics is largely based on coupon-level, e.g. mass-loss, studies which provide limited insights into the evolution of individual damage events. It is critical to relate observed cumulative loss trends, such as links between changing humidity and mass loss rates, to the growth kinetics of individual pits. Towards this goal, we leverage in-situ X-ray computed tomography to measure the growth rates of over sixty pits in aluminum in four different humid, chloride environments over ≈3 days of exposure. Pit growth rates and final volumes increased with increasing droplet volume, which was observed to increase with increasing humidity and salt loading. Two factors, droplet spreading and oxide jacking, dramatically increased pit growth rates and final volumes.
A chromosome-level reference genome assembly of the Reeve’s moray eel (Gymnothorax reevesii)
Authors: Zhang Kai , Huang Yu , Zhang Yuxuan , Liang Rishen , Li Qingqing , Li Ruihan , Zhao Xiaomeng , Bian Chao , Chen Yongnan , Wu Jinhui , Shi Qiong , Lin Li
Published: July 2023

Due to potentially hostile behaviors and elusive habitats, moray eels (Muraenidae) as one group of apex predators in coral reefs all across the globe have not been well investigated. Here, we constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly for the representative Reeve’s moray eel (Gymnothorax reevesii). This haplotype genome assembly is 2.17 Gb in length, and 97.87% of the sequences are anchored into 21 chromosomes. It contains 56.34% repetitive sequences and 23,812 protein-coding genes, of which 96.77% are functionally annotated. This sequenced marine species in Anguilliformes makes a good complement to the genetic resource of eel genomes. It not only provides a genetic resource for in-depth studies of the Reeve’s moray eel, but also enables deep-going genomic comparisons among various eels.
Multimodal neuroimaging data from a 5-week heart rate variability biofeedback randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yoo Hyun Joo , Nashiro Kaoru , Min Jungwon , Cho Christine , Mercer Noah , Bachman Shelby L. , Nasseri Padideh , Dutt Shubir , Porat Shai , Choi Paul , Zhang Yong , Grigoryan Vardui , Feng Tiantian , Thayer Julian F. , Lehrer Paul , Chang Catie , Stanley Jeffrey A. , Head Elizabeth , Rouanet Jeremy , Marmarelis Vasilis Z. , Narayanan Shrikanth , Wisnowski Jessica , Nation Daniel A. , Mather Mara
Published: July 2023

We present data from the Heart Rate Variability and Emotion Regulation (HRV-ER) randomized clinical trial testing effects of HRV biofeedback. Younger (N = 121) and older (N = 72) participants completed baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including T1-weighted, resting and emotion regulation task functional MRI (fMRI), pulsed continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS). During fMRI scans, physiological measures (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and end-tidal CO2) were continuously acquired. Participants were randomized to either increase heart rate oscillations or decrease heart rate oscillations during daily sessions. After 5 weeks of HRV biofeedback, they repeated the baseline measurements in addition to new measures (ultimatum game fMRI, training mimicking during blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) and PCASL fMRI). Participants also wore a wristband sensor to estimate sleep time. Psychological assessment comprised three cognitive tests and ten questionnaires related to emotional well-being. A subset (N = 104) provided plasma samples pre- and post-intervention that were assayed for amyloid and tau. Data is publicly available via the OpenNeuro data sharing platform.
Coordination of canonical and noncanonical Hedgehog signalling pathways mediated by WDR11 during primordial germ cell development
Authors: Lee Jiyoung , Kim Yeonjoo , Ataliotis Paris , Kim Hyung-Goo , Kim Dae-Won , Bennett Dorothy C. , Brown Nigel A. , Layman Lawrence C. , Kim Soo-Hyun
Published: July 2023

WDR11, a gene associated with Kallmann syndrome, is important in reproductive system development but molecular understanding of its action remains incomplete. We previously reported that Wdr11-deficient embryos exhibit defective ciliogenesis and developmental defects associated with Hedgehog (HH) signalling. Here we demonstrate that WDR11 is required for primordial germ cell (PGC) development, regulating canonical and noncanonical HH signalling in parallel. Loss of WDR11 disrupts PGC motility and proliferation driven by the cilia-independent, PTCH2/GAS1-dependent noncanonical HH pathway. WDR11 modulates the growth of somatic cells surrounding PGCs by regulating the cilia-dependent, PTCH1/BOC-dependent canonical HH pathway. We reveal that PTCH1/BOC or PTCH2/GAS1 receptor context dictates SMO localisation inside or outside of cilia, respectively, and loss of WDR11 affects the signalling responses of SMO in both situations. We show that GAS1 is induced by PTCH2-specific HH signalling, which is lost in the absence of WDR11. We also provide evidence supporting a role for WDR11 in ciliogenesis through regulation of anterograde intraflagellar transport potentially via its interaction with IFT20. Since WDR11 is a target of noncanonical SMO signalling, WDR11 represents a novel mechanism by which noncanonical and canonical HH signals communicate and cooperate.
Sharing of proximal fibers by the anterolateral and lateral collateral ligaments in the human knee: a cadaveric study
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh , Raza Khursheed , Krishna Hare , Narayan Ravi K. , Jha Rakesh K. , Kumari Chiman , Asghar Adil , Kumar Tarun , Agrawal Prabhat
Published: July 2023

Literature is highly inconsistent in describing the proximal attachment of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) and its relationship with the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in human knees. This observational study aims to investigate that lacuna. The gross dissection was performed in the lower limbs (n = 83) from the donated adult-age (> 18 years) embalmed cadavers from medical institutions in the north and east India. The dissected knee specimens were first examined macroscopically. Further routine and special staining and microscopic examinations were performed. The ALL was absent in approximately 20.4% of the studied knee specimens (17/83). In remaining, the sharing of ALL and LCL proximal fibers was observed as a consistent finding (~ 97%) with rare exceptions. The mean length of the tibial and meniscal limbs of ALL was 1.57 ± 0.8 cm [Range (R) 0.5–4 cm] and 0.73 ± 0.47 cm [Range (R) 0.1–1.6 cm], respectively. In addition, multiple variations in its presentation were observed. We propose that the proximal sharing of LCL-ALL fibers is a dominant feature in the studied population. The sharing of the fibers may impact the biomechanics and injury mechanisms for both ligaments. The possibility of ethnic variations in the ALL morphology should be a concern during reconstruction surgery.
High-resolution Raman spectroscopy reveals compositional differences between pigmented incisor enamel and unpigmented molar enamel in Rattus norvegicus
Authors: Shah Furqan A.
Published: July 2023

Dental enamel is a peculiar biological tissue devoid of any self-renewal capacity as opposed to bone. Thus, a thorough understanding of enamel composition is essential to develop novel strategies for dental enamel repair. While the mineral found in bone and dental enamel is generally viewed as the biologically-produced equivalent of hydroxy(l)apatite, the formation of these bioapatites is controlled by different organic matrix frameworks—mainly type-I collagen in bone and amelogenin in enamel. In lower vertebrates, such as rodents, two distinct types of enamel are produced. Iron-containing pigmented enamel protects the continuously growing incisor teeth while magnesium-rich unpigmented enamel covers the molar teeth. Using high-resolution Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, this work explores the differences in acid phosphate (HPO42−), carbonate (CO32−), hydroxyl (OH−), iron, and magnesium content of pigmented incisor enamel and unpigmented molar enamel of Sprague Dawley rats. Bundles of hydroxy(l)apatite nanowires comprise the enamel prisms, where prisms in pigmented enamel are wider and longer than those in unpigmented molars. In contrast to magnesium-rich unpigmented enamel, higher mineral crystallinity, and higher HPO42− and OH− levels are hallmark features of iron-rich pigmented enamel. Furthermore, the apparent absence of iron oxides or oxy(hydroxides) indicates that iron is introduced into the apatite lattice at the expense of calcium, albeit in amounts that do not alter the Raman signatures of the PO43− internal modes. Compositional idiosyncrasies of iron-rich pigmented and nominally iron-free unpigmented enamel offer new insights into enamel biomineralisation supporting the notion that, in rodents, ameloblast function differs significantly between the incisors and the molars.
Sulfated and non-sulfated chondroitin affect the composition and metabolism of human colonic microbiota simulated in an in vitro fermentation system
Authors: Inokuma Kentaro , Sasaki Daisuke , Kurata Kaoru , Ichikawa Megumi , Otsuka Yuya , Kondo Akihiko
Published: July 2023

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a family of glycosaminoglycans and have a wide range of applications in dietary supplements and pharmaceutical drugs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of several types of CS, differing in their sulfated positions, on the human colonic microbiota and their metabolites. CS (CSA, CSC, and CSE) and non-sulfated chondroitin (CH) were added into an in vitro human colonic microbiota model with fecal samples from 10 healthy individuals. CS addition showed a tendency to increase the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Faecalibacterium, and CSC and CSE addition significantly increased the total number of eubacteria in the culture of the Kobe University Human Intestinal Microbiota Model. CSE addition also resulted in a significant increase in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels. Furthermore, addition with CSC and CSE increased the levels of a wide range of metabolites including lysine, ornithine, and Ile-Pro-Pro, which could have beneficial effects on the host. However, significant increases in the total number of eubacteria, relative abundance of Bacteroides, and SCFA levels were also observed after addition with CH, and the trends in the effects of CH addition on metabolite concentrations were identical to those of CSC and CSE addition. These results provide novel insight into the contribution of the colonic microbiota to the beneficial effects of dietary CS.
Calanus finmarchicus hydrolysate improves growth performance in feeding trial with European sea bass juveniles and increases skeletal muscle growth in cell studies
Authors: Bøgwald Isak , Østbye Tone-Kari K. , Pedersen Alice Marie , Rønning Sissel Beate , Dias Jorge , Eilertsen Karl-Erik , Wubshet Sileshi Gizachew
Published: July 2023

The world will be dependent on the development of novel feed ingredients from renewable sources to ensure sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry. Zooplankton like Calanus finmarchicus are viable new raw material candidates, as they have optimal nutrient profiles for aquatic animals and may be sustainably harvested in large volumes. In this study, the aim was to investigate if a protein hydrolysate of C. finmarchicus was able to influence the growth performance of fish. The effect of dietary inclusion of hydrolysates was tested in a feeding trial with European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles, benchmarking calanus hydrolysate (CH) against commercially available hydrolysates. The diet with CH inclusion yielded increased growth, with significantly higher body weight than hydrolysates of sardine and tuna fish at the end of the trial. The observed growth-promoting effects were further examined using an in vitro model with skeletal muscle cells from Atlantic salmon. Through bioactivity experiments with muscle cells grown in media containing CH, low-molecular fractions were found to have the greatest positive effect on proliferation, viability, and expression of muscle-specific genes. Characterization of the most potent fraction revealed an abundance of small peptides, along with amino acids and marine metabolites associated with increased muscle growth.
Daily rhythms, light exposure and social jetlag correlate with demographic characteristics and health in a nationally representative survey
Authors: Ujma Péter P. , Horváth Csenge G. , Bódizs Róbert
Published: July 2023

The timing of daily activity in humans have been associated with various demographic and health-related factors, but the possibly complex patterns of confounding and interaction between these has not been systematically explored. We use data from Hungarostudy 2021, a nationally representative survey of 7000 Hungarian adults to assess the relationship between self-reported chronotype, social jetlag (using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire), demographic variables and self-reported health and demographic variables, including ethnic minority membership. Supporting the validity of self-reports, participants with later chronotypes reported the lowest daytime sleepiness at a later clock time. We found that older age, female sex, a more eastward and southward geographical position, residence in a smaller settlement, less education and income, religiousness and cohabiting with small children were associated with an earlier chronotype. Younger age, higher education and income, and cohabiting with small children were associated with increased social jetlag. Of the 48 health-related variables surveyed, the relationship with both chronotype and social jetlag were mostly accounted for by age, sex, and socioeconomic effects, but we identified alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity as predictors of both social jetlag and chronotype, while a number of disorders were either positively or negatively associated with chronotype and social jetlag. Our findings from a large, nationally representative sample indicate that both biological and social factors influence chronotype and identified both demographic and health-related variables as risk factors for social jetlag. Our results, however, do not support a causal relationship between light exposure and mental health.
Role of hybrid nanofiller GNPs/Al2O3 on enhancing the mechanical and tribological performance of HDPE composite
Authors: A. Nabhan , Taha Mohamed , Ibrahim Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud , A. K. Ameer
Published: August 2023

The unique mechanical properties and wear resistance of HDPE give it the potential as an alternative to frictional material. The current research focuses on using hybrid nanoparticles with various loading fillers to determine the best additive contents. The mechanical and tribological characteristics were examined and evaluated. The HDPE nanocomposite samples containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% filling content of Al2O3nanoparticles (NPs) and 0.5, and 1.0 wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were fabricated. The results showed a good enhancement in the mechanical and tribological properties of HDPE composites with the presence of nano additives. The HDPE nanocomposites recorded the best performance with a loading amount of 2.0 wt.% with an equal ratio of hybrid nanofiller Al2O3NPs and GNPs.
Nuclear shell-model simulation in digital quantum computers
Authors: Pérez-Obiol A. , Romero A. M. , Menéndez J. , Rios A. , García-Sáez A. , Juliá-Díaz B.
Published: July 2023

The nuclear shell model is one of the prime many-body methods to study the structure of atomic nuclei, but it is hampered by an exponential scaling on the basis size as the number of particles increases. We present a shell-model quantum circuit design strategy to find nuclear ground states by exploiting an adaptive variational quantum eigensolver algorithm. Our circuit implementation is in excellent agreement with classical shell-model simulations for a dozen of light and medium-mass nuclei, including neon and calcium isotopes. We quantify the circuit depth, width and number of gates to encode realistic shell-model wavefunctions. Our strategy also addresses explicitly energy measurements and the required number of circuits to perform them. Our simulated circuits approach the benchmark results exponentially with a polynomial scaling in quantum resources for each nucleus. This work paves the way for quantum computing shell-model studies across the nuclear chart and our quantum resource quantification may be used in configuration-interaction calculations of other fermionic systems.
LXGB: a machine learning algorithm for estimating the discharge coefficient of pseudo-cosine labyrinth weir
Authors: Emami Somayeh , Emami Hojjat , Parsa Javad
Published: July 2023

One of the practical and financial solutions to increase the efficiency of weirs is to modify the geometry of the plan and increase the length of the weir to a specific width. This increases the discharge coefficient (Cd) of the weir. In this study, a new weir referred to pseudo-cosine labyrinth weir (PCLW) was introduced. A hybrid machine learning LXGB algorithm was introduced to estimate theCdof the PCLW. The LXGB is a combination of the linear population size reduction history-based adaptive differential evolution (LSHADE) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) algorithm. Seven different input scenarios were presented to estimate the discharge coefficient of the PCLW weir. To train and test the proposed method, 132 data series, including geometric and hydraulic parameters from PCLW1 and PCLW2 models were used. The root mean square error (RMSE), relative root mean square error (RRMSE), and Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (NSE) indices were used to evaluate the proposed approach. The results showed that the input variables were the ratio of the radius to the weir height (R/W), the ratio of the length of the weir to the weir height (L/W), and the ratio of the hydraulic head to the weir height (H/W), with the average values ofRMSE = 0.009,RRMSE = 0.010, andNSE = 0.977 provided better results in estimating the Cd of PCLW1 and PCLW2 models. The improvement compared to SAELM, ANFIS-FFA, GEP, and ANN in terms ofR2is 2.06%, 3.09%, 1.03%, and 5.15%. In general, intelligent hybrid approaches can be introduced as the most suitable method for estimating the Cd of PCLW weirs.
An innovative ensemble model based on deep learning for predicting COVID-19 infection
Authors: Su Xiaoying , Sun Yanfeng , Liu Hongxi , Lang Qiuling , Zhang Yichen , Zhang Jiquan , Wang Chaoyong , Chen Yanan
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, global public health crises are occurring more frequently, and accurate prediction of these diseases can reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Taking COVID-19 as an example, accurate prediction of infection can assist experts in effectively allocating medical resources and diagnosing diseases. Currently, scholars worldwide use single model approaches or epidemiology models more often to predict the outbreak trend of COVID-19, resulting in poor prediction accuracy. Although a few studies have employed ensemble models, there is still room for improvement in their performance. In addition, there are only a few models that use the laboratory results of patients to predict COVID-19 infection. To address these issues, research efforts should focus on improving disease prediction performance and expanding the use of medical disease prediction models. In this paper, we propose an innovative deep learning model Whale Optimization Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) called WOCLSA which incorporates three models ANN, CNN and LSTM. The WOCLSA model utilizes the Whale Optimization Algorithm to optimize the neuron number, dropout and batch size parameters in the integrated model of ANN, CNN and LSTM, thereby finding the global optimal solution parameters. WOCLSA employs 18 patient indicators as predictors, and compares its results with three other ensemble deep learning models. All models were validated with train-test split approaches. We evaluate and compare our proposed model and other models using accuracy, F1 score, recall, AUC and precision metrics. Through many studies and tests, our results show that our prediction models can identify patients with COVID-19 infection at the AUC of 91%, 91%, and 93% respectively. Other prediction results achieve a respectable accuracy of 92.82%, 92.79%, and 91.66% respectively, f1-score of 93.41%, 92.79%, and 92.33% respectively, precision of 93.41%, 92.79%, and 92.33% respectively, recall of 93.41%, 92.79%, and 92.33% respectively. All of these exceed 91%, surpassing those of comparable models. The execution time of WOCLSA is also an advantage. Therefore, the WOCLSA ensemble model can be used to assist in verifying laboratory research results and predict and to judge various diseases in public health events.