bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotyping blastoderms of avian eggs
Authors: Teltscher Kim , Kempenaers Bart
Published: December 2023

Undeveloped eggs occur frequently in birds and are often considered infertile, and discarded. However, the majority of undeveloped eggs may in fact have been fertilised and embryos might have died at an early stage. Such eggs contain valuable information, for example about offspring sex and paternity, and level of inbreeding. Obtaining such information may also give insight into the patterns and causes of early embryo mortality. Here we describe a simple technique for removing embryo cells from the blastoderm to obtain DNA to genotype the offspring and unequivocally ascertain fertilisation status, while retaining the overlying perivitelline layer (PVL) for sperm counts over the entire membrane. We tested this method on freshly collected eggs (high‐quality material), as well as on eggs from abandoned clutches and unhatched eggs (potentially deteriorated material) of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We sampled a total of 707 eggs from a wild population of blue tits, extracted DNA from the eggs' blastoderm using a Qiagen kit, and genotyped the samples with 14 polymorphic microsatellite markers, plus one sexing marker. Overall, we successfully genotyped 97% of all eggs. Our study is the most extensive dataset of genotyped undeveloped eggs to date and demonstrates that one can reliably genotype undeveloped fertile eggs as well as retain the PVL for observations of sperm and embryo cells.
When secrets come to mind: Preoccupation, suppression and engagement
Authors: Davis Christopher G. , Wright George P. , McMillan Cassandra
Published: December 2023

When secrets come to mind, do people try to suppress them or do they engage with them? Whereas earlier research suggested that people try to suppress secrets, recent work suggests that people often engage with their secrets. Although thought suppression tends to be associated with greater distress, engagement may be ameliorative. In two longitudinal studies of 653 adults (55% women; Mage = 41.3, SD = 12.4) keeping a secret from their partner, we show that engagement with and suppression of secrets are highly positively related. Like suppression, the more people engage with secrets, the more negative affect and guilt they report feeling. Longitudinal analyses indicate that whereas changes over time in engagement and suppression both predicted reduced secret preoccupation, reductions in suppression (but not engagement) mediated reductions in guilt and negative affect. These results indicate that suppression and engagement are more intimately connected than previously thought. We found no evidence that engagement was ameliorative.
Food waste leachate valorization for sustainable biomass production from Arthrospira maxima
Authors: Gaytán Katty Shcarlen Hernández , García Gómez Celestino , Vázquez Santiago Iván Suárez , de Jesús Carballo Méndez Fernando , Reyes Julia Mariana Márquez , Santoscoy Rocio Alejandra Chávez
Published: December 2023

Arthrospira has the ability to tolerate effluents from domestic to farm wastewater. Food leachate coming from fruits and vegetables can be toxic in water discharge due to high dissolved oxygen and nutrient demands. Thus, pretreatment is required before passing through wastewater treatment plants, which generates higher costs and contamination in water bodies. In this work, leachate from fruits and vegetables was used in different percentages to produce Arthrospira maxima using airlift‐type bioreactors with continuous air flow, two photoperiods, and two inoculums. The treatment with 3% leachate (T1) reached 5.23 g/L after 16 days, while the control reached 3.81 g/L (T0). An optimization of the biomass production was carried out seeking to use the maximum percentage of the leachate, resulting in the best treatment of 9% of leachate (T8) achieving 4.88 g/L. After optimization, three cell disruption methods were applied to the obtained biomass, quantifying amino acids and hydrolysis grade (GH), being the ultrasonication treatment the most important reaching 80% GH and a concentration of 25 mg/g of amino acids, while the unbroken biomass contain 13 mg/g. The Arthrospira maxima species is an algae that can be widely used as a bioremediation method, since it managed to reduce the concentrations of COD and orthophosphates, in addition to containing some of the nutrients that plants require for their development, given that plants require amino acids. During its growth, it is proposed to apply the biomass generated from leachates as a plant biostimulant.
Discovering individual fingerprints in resting‐state functional connectivity using deep neural networks
Authors: Lee Juhyeon , Lee Jong‐Hwan
Published: December 2023

Non‐negligible idiosyncrasy due to interindividual differences is an ongoing issue in resting‐state functional MRI (rfMRI) analysis. We show that a deep neural network (DNN) can be employed for individual identification by learning important features from the time‐varying functional connectivity (FC) of rfMRI in the Human Connectome Project. We employed the trained DNN to identify individuals from an independent dataset acquired at our institution. The results revealed that the DNN could successfully identify 300 individuals with an error rate of 2.9% using 15 s time‐window and 870 individuals with an error rate of 6.7%. A trained DNN with nonlinear hidden layers led to the proposal of the “fingerprint of FC” (fpFC) as representative edges of individual FC. The fpFCs for individuals exhibited commonly important and individual‐specific edges across time‐window lengths (from 5 min to 15 s). Furthermore, the utility of our model for another group of subjects was validated, supporting the feasibility of our technique in the context of transfer learning. In conclusion, our study offers an insight into the discovery of the intrinsic mode of the human brain using whole‐brain resting‐state FC and DNNs.
Remdesivir therapy for severe pediatric COVID‐19 in Singapore: A single‐center retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Seah Valerie Xue Fen , Ong Rina Yue Ling , Kam Kai Qian , Thoon Koh Cheng , Tan Natalie Woon Hui , Li Jiahui , Nadua Karen Donceras , Chong Chia Yin , Yung Chee Fu
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims

There is a paucity of information on remdesivir (RDV) use in severe pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We aimed to explore the effectiveness of RDV as the cumulative proportion of pediatric COVID‐19 patients deescalated from Day 5 of high dependency or intensive care unit (HD/ICU).

Methods

All children ≤18 years admitted to Singapore's largest pediatric hospital from January 1, 2020 to March 18, 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were included if they were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, required oxygen, and HD/ICU care. The characteristics and outcomes of those who received RDV or not (no‐RDV) were compared.

Results

We reviewed 15 children with a median age of 2.5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.8–11.0), of which 7 (46.7%) received RDV. There was no difference in cumulative proportion of children deescalated from Day 5 of HD/ICU care in the RDV versus the no‐RDV group (5/7, 70% vs. 7/8, 87.5%, p = 0.57). The RDV versus no‐RDV group had higher disease severity, that is, WHO Ordinal Scale scores (median 6, IQR: 5–7 vs. 5, IQR: 4–5, p = 0.03), higher procalcitonin levels (ug/L) (median 4.31, IQR: 0.8–24.2 vs. 0.12, IQR: 0.09–0.26, p = 0.02), and longer HD/ICU care days (median 5, IQR: 4–9, vs. 1, IQR: 1–4, p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in hospitalization days. There were no adverse events directly attributable to RDV. None died from COVID‐19 infection.

Conclusion

Our observational analysis was unable to detect any clear benefit of RDV in terms of reducing duration in HD/ICU. RDV was well‐tolerated in children with severe COVID‐19.
Testing standard basis sets for direct ionizations: H+ + H at ELab = 0.1–100 keV
Authors: Kim Hyunsik , Morales Jorge A.
Published: December 2023

With the simplest‐level electron nuclear dynamics (SLEND) method, we test standard Slater‐type‐orbital/contracted‐Gaussian‐functions (STO/CGFs) basis sets for the simulation of direct ionizations (DIs), charge transfers (CTs), and target excitations (TEs) in H+ + H at ELab = 0.1–100 keV. SLEND is a time‐dependent, variational, on‐the‐fly, and nonadiabatic method that treats nuclei and electrons with classical dynamics and a Thouless single‐determinantal state, respectively. While previous tests for CTs and TEs exist, this is the first SLEND/STO/CGFs test for challenging DIs. Spin‐orbitals with negative/positive energies are treated as bound/unbound states for bound‐to‐bound (CT and TE) and bound‐to‐unbound (DI) transitions. SLEND/STO/CGFs simulations correctly reproduce all the features of DIs, CTs and TEs over all the considered impact parameters and energies. SLEND/STO/CGFs simulations correctly predict CT integrals cross‐sections (ICSs) over all the considered energies and predict satisfactory DI and TE ICSs within some energy ranges. Strategies to improve SLEND/STO/CGFs for DI predictions are discussed.
Exact values for some unbalanced Zarankiewicz numbers
Authors: Chen Guangzhou , Horsley Daniel , Mammoliti Adam
Published: December 2023

For positive integers , , and , the Zarankiewicz number is defined to be the maximum number of edges in a bipartite graph with parts of sizes and that has no complete bipartite subgraph containing vertices in the part of size and vertices in the part of size . A simple argument shows that, for each , when . Here, for large , we determine the exact value of in almost all of the remaining cases where . We establish a new family of upper bounds on which complement a family already obtained by Roman. We then prove that the floor of the best of these bounds is almost always achieved. We also show that there are cases in which this floor cannot be achieved and others in which determining whether it is achieved is likely a very hard problem. Our results are proved by viewing the problem through the lens of linear hypergraphs and our constructions make use of existing results on edge decompositions of dense graphs.
Ants in restoration ecology: Why, what's and the way forward
Authors: De Almeida Tania , Arnan Xavier , Capowiez Yvan , Hedde Mickaël , Mesléard François , Dutoit Thierry , Blight Olivier
Published: December 2023

Global changes call for more nature‐based solutions, especially in nature conservation involving ecological restoration. Current methods essentially based on civil engineering are both expensive and costly in non‐renewable energy consumption and pollution terms. The non‐sustainability of these techniques is leading to the direct use of certain species to restore degraded ecosystems. Ants, because of their central role in ecosystem functioning and their occurrence on almost all terrestrial ecosystems, are promising candidates for environmental monitoring and such ecological restoration projects. We provide here a narrative review of the ecological functions performed by ants, and we take stock of how ants are currently considered in passive and active restoration. We then propose a trait‐based approach to facilitate their use by practitioners in future restoration projects. We list and discuss both life‐history traits relevant for environmental monitoring and functional traits known to affect abiotic (physical and chemical soil properties) and biotic (plant and fauna communities) components.
Synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinyl pyridine) nanocomposites for column adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of para nitrophenol from water
Authors: Datta Barnali , Ray Samit Kumar
Published: December 2023

Styrene (St), 1,4 vinyl pyridine (4VP) monomers and divinyl benzene (DVB) monomer‐cum‐crosslinker at different molar ratios were subjected to emulsion polymerization in the presence of FeCl2, 6H2O/FeCl3⋅4H2O followed by the treatment with an aqueous ammonia solution to produce several iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) impregnated crosslinked copolymer composites. The resulting polymer metal nanocomposites (PMNCs) were characterized by FTIR, proton and 13C NMR, UV–visible spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, DLS, magnetic properties, SEM and TEM. The PMNCs were used for batch and column adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of p‐nitrophenol (PNP) from water. The PMNC4 composite prepared with an styrene:4VP molar ratio of 5:1 (16.7 mol% 4VP), 4 wt.% DVB crosslinker and 0.025/0.05 molar ratios of Fe(II)/Fe(III) salts leads to an optimum batch equilibrium adsorption (qe, mg/g)/removal% of 496.36/99.3 PNP from aqueous PNP of concentration 100 mg/L. The same composite showed an equilibrium PNP adsorption (qe) of 114.2 mg/g polymer and a removal% of 26.8 for an inlet feed concentration (Ci, mg/L)/flow rate (Qt, mL/min)/bed height (h, mm) of 100/30/30 in a fixed bed. The PMNC4 polymer showed a photodegradation efficiency of 98% with a 1st order rate constant of 0.029 min−1 after 70 min of degradation of 100 mg/L PNP in solar light.

Highlights

Copolymer network of styrene, 4 vinyl pyridine and DVB were synthesized.

Iron oxide nanoparticles were introduced into the network in‐situ during synthesis.

The metal polymer nanocomposites (PMNCs) were characterized.

Synthesis parameters were optimized with respect to batch adsorption of PNP.

PMNCs showed excellent fixed bed adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of PNP.
Die faszinierende Topologie rotierender Quanten
Authors: Karle Volker , Lemeshko Mikhail
Published: December 2023

Die Quantenrotation ist ein spannendes Phänomen, das in vielen verschiedenen Systemen auftritt, von Molekülen und Atomen bis hin zu subatomaren Teilchen wie Neutronen und Protonen. Durch den Einsatz von starken Laserpulsen ist es möglich, die mathematisch anspruchsvolle Topologie der Rotation von Molekülen aufzudecken und topologisch geschützte Zustände zu erzeugen, die unerwartetes Verhalten zeigen. Diese Entdeckungen könnten Auswirkungen auf die Molekülphysik und physikalische Chemie haben und die Entwicklung neuer Technologien ermöglichen. Die Verbindung von Quantenrotation und Topologie stellt ein aufregendes, interdisziplinäres Forschungsfeld dar und bietet neue Wege zur Kontrolle und Nutzung von quantenmechanischen Phänomenen.
Well‐defined poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) from a fast Cu(0)‐mediated reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization in water
Authors: Li Zishan , Lyu Jing , Qiu Bei , Johnson Melissa , Zhao Chunyu , Li Yinghao , Geng Qiang , Song Rijian , Yao Liang , Wang Wenxin
Published: December 2023

Copper‐catalyzed reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA) has been a significant challenge, particularly in aqueous environments, such as low yields, broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), and ill‐controlled molecular weights (MWs). In this work, we report the synthesis of well‐defined poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) via a facile Cu(0)‐mediated RDRP in water. The results show that, unlike other acrylamide monomers, for DMA with abundant tertiary amide groups, the sufficient deactivation—the key to realizing control in copper‐catalyzed RDRP—cannot be simply fulfilled by just increasing the amount of deactivator (i.e., CuII species). The enhanced deactivation must be appropriately determined by also considering and selecting other reaction parameters. It is demonstrated that the use of methyl 2‐chloropropionate (MCP) as initiator and copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) as the additional catalyst is an effective combination to simultaneously enhance the deactivation control and facilitate the chain growth in aqueous Cu(0)‐mediated RDRP of DMA. This strategy successfully achieved the fast and well‐controlled synthesis of PDMAs with high monomer conversion, narrow MWDs, and a range of predefined MWs, and the well‐controlled in situ chain extensions.
Analysis of Trapping Effects on AlInN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors with Pulsed Electrical Measurements Under Visible and Infrared Illumination
Authors: Strenaer Raphaël , Guhel Yannick , Gaquière Christophe , Boudart Bertrand
Published: December 2023

The aim of this article is to show that it is possible to rapidly estimate the activation energies of electron traps in AlInN/GaN transistors operating at room temperature by combining pulsed electrical measurements with photoionization techniques using infrared illumination. This technique avoids the time‐consuming task of performing electrical measurements at different temperatures to determine the activation energies of the electron traps using Arrhenius laws. Thus, a deep level at 1.3 eV is detected and attributed to the presence of carbon in GaN buffer of the component. Moreover, we have highlighted that the trapping effect can be screened when the transistors are biased with a high drain‐source voltage during pulsed measurements.
Application accuracy of Neuromate robot‐guided deep brain stimulation procedures using the non‐invasive frameless Neurolocate registration system
Authors: Fontaine Denys , Almairac Fabien , Chiapello Bruno , Leplus Aurélie
Published: December 2023

Objective

to measure the in vivo application accuracy of Neuromate robot‐assisted deep brain stimulation procedures (DBS) using the new, non‐invasive, frameless Neurolocate registration method.

Methods

Neurolocate accuracy was measured in 17 patients undergoing DBS (32 leads). The registration was obtained by automatic recognition of the spatial location of the Neurolocate fiducials, fixed on the robot arm, on 3D intraoperative computerized tomography (CT) images relative to the patient's skull contours. Application accuracy was measured as the Euclidian distance between the points theoretically targeted on preoperative magnetic resonance imagingand the tip of the guiding tube visible on intraoperative CT images after merging images.

Results

Mean robot inaccuracy was 0.72 mm (SD 0.40; range 0.2–1.7 mm). Inaccuracies ≥1.5 mm were observed in 2/32 cases.

Conclusion

Our study confirms in vivo that the accuracy of the Neurolocate registration is compatible with the accuracy required for DBS procedures.
Effects of Reaction Temperature and Cadmium Source on the Optical, Morphological and Cytotoxic Properties of CdSe/ZnSe Quantum Dots
Authors: Nkaule Anati N. , Kiprotich Sharon , Brandt Leandre B. , Gerber Thomas , Madiehe Abram M. , Botha Nandipha L. , Onani Martin O.
Published: December 2023

The colloidal synthesis of CdSe/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots (QDs) under nitrogen gas flow is presented in this study. The optical, morphology and structural properties of CdSe/ZnSe core/shell QDs are varied by changing the growth temperature and the cadmium source (Cd2+). The Fourier transform infra‐red studies validate that CdSe/ZnSe QDs capped with functional −COOH groups were formed. The morphological and composition studies conducted using high resolution transmission microscope, selected area electron diffraction andenergy dispersive spectroscope confirmed the formation of pure and mono‐disperse QDs while photoluminescence and ultra‐violet visible spectroscopy displayed their improved fluorescent properties. Caco‐2 cell line was cultured from colon cancer and cytotoxic studies were conducted to test for cell viability of various capped 3‐MPA CdSe/ZnSe QDs at various concentrations. The formed CdSe/ZnSe QDs prominently bear the zinc‐blende structure with their particle size lying well below the Bohr excitation radii. Their hydrophilic nature and the availability of functional groups on the CdSe/ZnSe QDs makes them excellent potential labeling and therapeutic agents for the colon cancer disease diagnosis.
Discovery of Hydrazone Scaffolds as Potent and Selective Multitarget‐Directed Ligands for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Younas Muhammad Tayyab , Zaib Sumera , Khan Imtiaz
Published: December 2023

In the current work, new and diverse hydrazone derivatives were designed and synthesized through a facile and multistep synthetic approach. The chemical structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques. In vitro bioactivity analysis demonstrated selective and potent inhibitory potential of hydrazone derivatives against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes. (E)‐3‐chloro‐N′‐(1‐phenylethylidene) benzohydrazide remarkably emerged as a lead candidate exhibiting potent and selective inhibition of AChE with an IC50 value of 0.63±0.01 μM whereas (E)‐3‐chloro‐N′‐(1‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide delivered the strong potency and selective inhibition towards monoamine oxidase A with an IC50 value of 0.89±0.04 μM. Moreover, (E)‐3‐chloro‐N′‐(1‐(4‐methylthiophen‐2‐yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (IC50=2.06±0.01 μM) and (E)‐3‐chloro‐N′‐(1‐(5‐chlorothiophen‐2‐yl)ethylidene)benzohydrazide (IC50=2.06±0.05 μM) were identified as lead inhibitors of monoamine oxidase B. Molecular docking studies of potent and selective inhibitors exhibited various important interactions with amino acid residues in the active pocket of both enzymes, thus strengthening our in vitro results. The kinetics analysis of the most potent compound against AChE revealed non‐competitive mode of inhibition, whereas against monoamine oxidase (A & B), the corresponding lead inhibitors exhibited mixed type of inhibition. Molecular dynamics simulations were also performed to investigate the energetically stable complex formation ability of potent compounds with the target protein. Finally, the results of in silico pharmacokinetic properties showed that the potent compounds have promising pharmacological effects that follow all the parameters of drug‐likeness and could serve as effective drug candidates for future investigations.
“Click” Chemistry Assisted Synthesis of Magnetite‐CNT Nanohybrid Supported Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced Catalytic Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol
Authors: Mondal Imran , Samanta Dipanjan , Salam Shaik Md Abdus , Basu Rajarshi , Bhattacharya Angana , Shaw Manisha , Pathak Amita
Published: December 2023

The magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were strategically tethered over carbon nanotube (CNT) templates by using UV light‐induced thiol‐yne “click” chemistry approach which was followed by immobilization of chitosan stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) onto this surface through electrostatic interactions. Their application as a magnetically recyclable catalyst was explored through the study of the model catalytic reaction of reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) in the presence of an excess of NaBH4. Kinetic studies on the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol revealed Au/Fe3O4−CNT ternary nanohybrids to serve as better catalytic systems compared to Au NPs. The catalytic reduction of 4‐NP was found to occur through the formation of active gold hydride (Au−H) species. The formation of Au−H species was facilitated by Au−Fe3O4 interaction through the transfer of hydride ions via dissociation of the B−H bond of the adsorbed borohydride ions [BH4]− and the heterolytic dissociation of molecular hydrogen (H2), produced on hydrolysis of NaBH4 on the surface of Au/Fe3O4. Moreover, the π–π interactions between the nitroaromatic ring of 4‐NP and the CNT surface are believed to facilitate their proximity. Further, on visible light irradiation, dissociation of H2 on the gold surfaces was enhanced by the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)‐induced hot electrons.
Tuning of the Anion Affinity and Selectivity of Tripyrromethane‐Based Receptors by Simple Structural Modification
Authors: Heo Nam Jung , Yang Ju Ho , Roh Tae‐Ho , Cho Dong‐Gyu , Kim Sung Kuk
Published: December 2023

Tripyrromethane‐based tripodal compounds 1–3 were synthesized as anion receptors. It was revealed by 1H NMR spectroscopic analyses carried out in CDCl3 that tripyrromethane 1 with an ester group was capable of recognizing F−, Cl−, Br−, and H2PO4− with relatively high selectivity for F−. By contrast, receptor 2 having an additional hydrogen bond donor of an amide group binds F− and H2PO4− with much improved affinity relative to receptor 1. On the other hand, receptor 3 bearing formyl groups on its two pyrrole subunits showed markedly enhanced selectivity for F− presumably due to the increased acidity of the pyrrolic NHs and the resulting strengthened intermolecular hydrogen bonds. In addition, tripodal receptors 1–3 were found to bind H2PO4−, a tetrahedral oxyanion, more efficiently than 2‐dimensional macrocyclic calix[4]pyrrole 4.
Hyper‐crosslinked Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes with Robust Solvent Resistance and Customized Pore Sizes for Precise Separation
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Shu Zhe , Wei Hongxing , Yan Wentao , Yi Zhuan , Gao Congjie
Published: December 2023

Isoporous block copolymer membranes are viewed as the next‐generation separation membranes for their unique structures and urgent application in precise separation. However, an obvious weakness for such membranes is their poor solvent‐resistance which limits their applications to aqueous solution, and isoporous membranes with superior solvent‐resistance and tunable pore size have been rarely prepared before. Herein, self‐supporting isoporous membranes with excellent solvent resistance are prepared by the facile yet robust hyper‐crosslinking approach which is able to create a rigid network in whole membranes. The hyper‐crosslinking is found to be a novel and non‐destructive approach that does not change pore size and isoporous structure during the reaction, and the resulting hyper‐crosslinked isoporous membranes display superior structural and separation stability to a broad range of solvents with varied polarities for months to years. More importantly, hyper‐crosslinking has proved to be a universal strategy that is applicable to isoporous membranes with varied pore size and pore chemistry, offering an important opportunity to prepare solvent‐resistant isoporous membranes with customizable pore size and pore functionality that are important to realize their accurate separations in organic solvents. This concept is demonstrated finally by precise and on‐demand separation of nanoparticles with the prepared membranes.
On the sustainability of deep learning projects: Maintainers' perspective
Authors: Han Junxiao , Liu Jiakun , Lo David , Zhi Chen , Chen Yishan , Deng Shuiguang
Published: December 2023

Deep learning (DL) techniques have grown in leaps and bounds in both academia and industry over the past few years. Despite the growth of DL projects, there has been little study on how DL projects evolve, whether maintainers in this domain encounter a dramatic increase in workload and whether or not existing maintainers can guarantee the sustained development of projects. To address this gap, we perform an empirical study to investigate the sustainability of DL projects, understand maintainers' workloads and workloads growth in DL projects, and compare them with traditional open‐source software (OSS) projects. In this regard, we first investigate how DL projects grow, then, understand maintainers' workload in DL projects, and explore the workload growth of maintainers as DL projects evolve. After that, we mine the relationships between maintainers' activities and the sustainability of DL projects. Eventually, we compare it with traditional OSS projects. Our study unveils that although DL projects show increasing trends in most activities, maintainers' workloads present a decreasing trend. Meanwhile, the proportion of workload maintainers conducted in DL projects is significantly lower than in traditional OSS projects. Moreover, there are positive and moderate correlations between the sustainability of DL projects and the number of maintainers' releases, pushes, and merged pull requests. Our findings shed lights that help understand maintainers' workload and growth trends in DL and traditional OSS projects and also highlight actionable directions for organizations, maintainers, and researchers.
Solar‐Photoactivated Nanoporous Graphene Aerogel Flowers for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Xingyu , Liu Fenghua , Zhou He , Wang Yue , Gu Yunjiao , Wu Weiping
Published: December 2023

Supercapacitors are gaining popularity as potential energy‐storage devices due to their efficiency and environmentally sustainable features. Among the extensive range of 2D materials utilized in energy storage, graphene is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional physicochemical properties. Graphene aerogels (GAs) have great potential for supercapacitor application due to their porous structure and, as such, are widely researched. However, enhancing the capacity performance with easy and low‐energy processes is still facing challenges. Here, a facile, low‐cost, and environmentally friendly photoactivation method on GAs is proposed to address this problem. Nanoporous GA flowers with higher specific surface area are formed and the corresponding capacitance can be achieved to 264 F g−1. After 10 000 cycles at the current density of 10 A g−1, the measured electrode's cycle efficiency is found to be 80.9%, further emphasizing its remarkable performance. The unparalleled performance confirms the reliability of this method as compared to traditional activation methods while being cost‐effective and environmentally friendly.
Evidence for the evolutionary history and diversity of fossil sweetgums: leaves and associated capitate reproductive structures of Liquidambar from the Eocene of Hainan Island, South China
Authors: Maslova Natalia P. , Kodrul Tatiana M. , Kachkina Vasilisa V. , Hofmann Christa‐Charlotte , Xu Sheng‐Lan , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Jin Jian‐Hua
Published: December 2023

Extant species of Liquidambar L. exhibit a disjunct distribution between western and eastern Asia and eastern North America to Central America, with the highest species diversity being in China. In this study, two new species of Liquidambar are described from the Eocene of Hainan Island, South China: L. hainanensis on basis of the leaf fossils, and L. ovoidea based on compressions of infructescences. The co‐occurrences of L. hainanensis leaves, associated infructescences of L. ovoidea and dispersed pantoporate pollen grains have the combination of morphological features peculiar to the genera Liquidambar and former Semiliquidambar and Altingia. This is considered further palaeobotanical justification for the placement of these three genera into a single genus, Liquidambar, proposed earlier based on molecular markers. Our data provide evidence for the occurrence of an ancestral polymorphic group of Liquidambar species (L. maomingensis with associated capitate infructescences, L. bella, L. hainanensis and L. ovoidea) during the Eocene in South China, and corroborate the view that South China could have been a centre of Liquidambar speciation during the Eocene. The morphological similarity of L. hainanensis leaves to those of the extant species L. orientalis from Western Asia and the North American L. styraciflua may support the importance of both the North Atlantic Land Bridge and the Bering Land Bridge for the dispersal of Liquidambar. Analysis of fossil species of Liquidambar from eastern Asia also contributes to further understanding of patterns in the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary history of this genus.
Navigating the polycrisis—governing for transformation: The 2024 agenda for the systems community
Authors: Klein Louis , Buckle Pamela , Nguyen Nam , Preiser Rika , Ison Ray
Published: December 2023

The challenges of the Anthropocene were pre‐empted by systems scholars in the exposition of the ‘global problematique’ and are now made manifest in what systems scholars called the polycrisis. These framings alert us to our human circumstances but to date, have done little to transform our manners of being and doing, as the polycrisis is an outcome of a profound governance crisis. Ongoing reflections, building on the framing offered by the global problematique, in the IFSR Conversations in 2023 addressed these issues. Advocating for more epistemological transparency in systems research was a major theme to emerge. Widening the gaze and embracing the full capacity of the cybersystemic perspective of systems research seeks to allow IFSR members, and cybersystemic scholars more generally, to harness their understandings and praxes to bring fresh momentum to navigating the polycrisis and governing for transformation.
IgG4‐related retroperitoneal fibrosis needs comprehensive treatment and regular long‐term review
Authors: Clark Kristina EN , Jawad Ali SM
Published: December 2023

IgG4‐related retroperitoneal fibrosis is rare but eminently treatable. Here the authors discuss recently published classification criteria and how the disease is managed, including maintenance therapy once patients are in remission.
Concurrences and the Planetary Emergency: Ursula K. Le Guin in the Capitalocene
Authors: Höglund Johan
Published: December 2023

Ursula Le Guin’s prescient 1971 novelThe Lathe of Heavenenvisions a multitude of utopian or dystopian futures made real by dreams its protagonist is made to have by a manipulating psychologist. The chapter analyzes these layered futures with the help of Gunlög Fur’s conceptconcurrences(2017) and Kyle Whyte’s observation that Western speculative writing frequently leaves humanity in dystopian and postapocalyptic futures “that erase Indigenous peoples’ perspectives” (2017, 225). The chapter argues that LeGuin’s vision resists the simplistic and single dystopian vision common in normative climate narratives while at the same time centering the ongoing history of colonialism. The ending of the novel thus envisions a radically multifaceted, concurrent, and imperfect future lived in a world made up as much of hope as of ruins.
Nurse-based counselling on thirst in patients with advanced chronic heart failure
Authors: Wefer Franziska , Möhler Ralph , Dichter Martin N. , Mühring Andrea , Gummert Jan , Köpke Sascha
Published: December 2023

Background

Many patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are critically ill and experience increased thirst. Study aims are to develop and evaluate a nurse-based counselling intervention to promote self-care competencies related to thirst in hospitalised patients with advanced CHF eligible or listed for heart transplantation.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach will be adapted with three study phases: (1) development of the nurse-based counselling intervention, (2) feasibility testing and training of nurses, and (3) implementation of the intervention and, evaluation of initial effects and process measures. In phase (1), interviews with hospitalised patients with advanced CHF listed for heart transplantation (n = 10), focus groups (n = 2) and a Germany-wide survey with nurses will be performed. In phase (2), experts experienced with caring for patients with advanced CHF and patients with advanced CHF will be consulted for content validation and pretest of the counselling intervention. The training concept for nurses will be evaluated using questionnaires. In phase (3), a pilot before–after study will be conducted (n = 60). Primary patient-related outcome for the pilot study is thirst intensity using a numeric rating scale. Furthermore, a process evaluation (interviews with patients [n = 10], survey with nurses and physicians) will be performed. Quantitative data will be analysed descriptively, and qualitative data will be analysed using content analysis. Mean values of thirst intensity of the individual measurement points will be evaluated as interrupted time-series analysis using regression analyses.

Conclusion

The development and implementation of a counselling intervention is influenced by various factors. Therefore, it is important to consider all factors throughout the process from development to evaluation.
Demenz mit Lewy-Körpern: alte und neue Erkenntnisse – Teil 2: Behandlung
Authors: Dodel Richard , Berg Daniela , Duning Thomas , Kalbe Elke , Meyer Philipp T. , Ramirez Alfredo , Storch Alexander , Aarsland Dag , Jessen Frank
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Die Behandlung von Patienten mit Demenz mit Lewy-Körpern (DLK) ist vielschichtig, da motorische Symptome, kognitive Symptome und Verhaltens- und psychische Symptome in unterschiedlichen Konstellationen auftreten können. Zudem ist der Einsatz bestimmter Medikamente nur bedingt möglich (z. B. Neuroleptika).

Ziel der Arbeit

In diesem Übersichtsartikel sollen die wichtigsten neuen Erkenntnisse zur Behandlung der DLK zusammengetragen werden.

Ergebnisse

Bisher existiert in Deutschland keine zugelassene Therapieoption für die Behandlung der Patienten mit DLK; die Evidenzbasis für die pharmakologischen und nichtpharmakologischen Behandlungsoptionen ist zudem dürftig. Die derzeit konsentierten Therapieansätze stützen sich auf die Behandlung der motorischen Symptome in Anlehnung an die Therapie bei der Parkinson-Krankheit und bei den Verhaltenssymptomen an die Therapie der Alzheimer-Krankheit.

Diskussion

Die Behandlung der DLK mit ihren verschiedenartigen Symptomen ist schwierig und oftmals erst in enger fachärztlicher Zusammenarbeit adäquat für den Patienten zu erreichen.
Exponentially twisted de Rham cohomology and rigid cohomology
Authors: Li Shizhang , Zhang Dingxin
Published: December 2023

A comparison theorem between exponentially twisted de Rham cohomology and rigid cohomology with coefficients in a Dwork crystal is proved.
Hofer geometry via toric degeneration
Authors: Kawamoto Yusuke
Published: December 2023

The main theme of this paper is to use toric degeneration to study Hofer geometry by producing distinct homogeneous quasimorphisms on the group of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms. We focus on the (complex n-dimensional) quadric hypersurface and the del Pezzo surfaces, and study two classes of distinguished Lagrangian submanifolds that appear naturally in a toric degeneration, namely the Lagrangian torus which is the monotone fiber of a Lagrangian torus fibration, and the Lagrangian spheres that appear as vanishing cycles. For the quadrics, we prove that the group of Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms admits two distinct homogeneous quasimorphisms and derive some superheaviness results. Along the way, we show that the toric degeneration is compatible with the Biran decomposition. This implies that for $$n=2$$

n
=
2

, the Lagrangian fiber torus (Gelfand–Zeitlin torus) is Hamiltonian isotopic to the Chekanov torus, which answers a question of Y. Kim. We prove analogous results for the del Pezzo surfaces. We also discuss applications to $$C^0$$

C
0

symplectic topology.
Unusual pediatric lung infections: imaging findings
Authors: Plut Domen , Winant Abbey J. , Mahomed Nasreen , Sodhi Kushaljit Singh , Kasznia-Brown Joanna , Williams-Weekes Terri , Daltro Pedro , Das Karuna M. , Lee Edward Y.
Published: December 2023

Pediatric lung infections continue to be a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. Although both pediatric and general radiologists are familiar with typical lung infections and their imaging findings in children, relatively rare lung infections continue to present a diagnostic challenge. In addition, the advances in radiological imaging and emergence of several new lung infections in recent years facilitated the need for up-to-date knowledge on this topic. In this review article, we discuss the imaging findings of pediatric lung infections caused by unusual/uncommon and new pathogens. We review the epidemiological, clinical, and radiological imaging findings of viral (coronavirus disease 2019, Middle East respiratory syndrome, bird flu), bacterial (Streptococcus anginosus, Francisella tularensis, Chlamydia psittaci), and parasitic lung infections (echinococcosis, paragonimiasis, amoebiasis). Additional disorders whose clinical course and imaging findings may mimic lung infections in children (hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pulmonary hemorrhage, eosinophilic pneumonia) are also presented, to aid in differential diagnosis. As the clinical presentation of children with new and unusual lung infections is often non-specific, imaging evaluation plays an important role in initial detection, follow-up for disease progression, and assessment of potential complications.

Graphical Abstract
Testing presence of directionality information in female spider silk trails through male trail-following behavior
Authors: Beyer Michelle , Uludag Kardelen Özgün , Lailler Maylis , Wolff Jonas O. , Eberhard Monika J. B. , Czaczkes Tomer J. , Tuni Cristina
Published: December 2023

Mate search is challenging for solitary species. Trails represent a particularly potent, target-oriented means for finding mates, as trail-following increases encounter rates between individuals compared to random search. Embedding directionality information into the trail allows individuals to follow trails correctly to the source. Yet, directionality remains poorly understood. Spiders deposit trails during locomotion consisting of silk lines and substrate-borne chemicals. We conducted multiple experiments to test whether female silk trails convey directionality information, whether directionality is chemically or structurally encoded and depends on female phenotype. We also examined whether males interact with silk in a way that suggests information gathering. We exposed males of the cursorial spider Pisaura mirabilis to female trails deposited unidirectionally and scored their trail-following direction (i.e., same as or opposite to the females’). Tests were repeated after washing trails with a solvent to remove putative chemicals and by sourcing silk from females of different feeding regimes. While we found little evidence for male directional trail-following, we did find that unwashed trails were more likely to be followed than washed trails. Similarly, trails of relatively larger females were more likely to be followed correctly than those of smaller females. Males extensively probed and pulled on silk lines with their appendages, suggesting the gathering of chemical and tactile information. Taken together, results suggest that directional trail-following is selected only under specific contexts in this species. Chemical attributes of trails may convey information on female quality, with directional trail-following reflecting male mate choice in a system characterized by costly male nuptial gifts.

Significance statement

In the context of male mate search, following conspecific trails increases the chances of encountering a mating partner, especially if trails provide information about the direction the conspecific went. Yet, trail directionality remains poorly understood. Female spiders deposit silk trails as they walk. We overall show that males follow trails directionally only under a specific context. Males were more likely to follow correctly when trails were unmanipulated (compared to being washed with solvents to remove chemicals) and when they were deposited by relatively larger females (compared to smaller ones). Chemical attributes of trails may potentially indicate directionality, while decoding movement direction from trails of larger females may reflect male preferences for females of higher reproductive value.
Microbiome dynamics of soils covered by plastic and bioplastic mulches
Authors: Santini Giorgia , Probst Maraike , Gómez-Brandón María , Manfredi Carla , Ceccherini Maria Teresa , Pietramellara Giacomo , Santorufo Lucia , Maisto Giulia
Published: December 2023

In recent decades, the use of plastic mulch in agriculture has largely increased to meet the growing demand for food. Despite their potential benefits, it is still unknown the long-term impact of mulches on soil microbiome. In this study, we compared at a mesocosm level the effects of polyethylene (Plastic) and Mater-bi® (Bioplastic) mulches on the soil physico-chemical (i.e., pH, soil water content, Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection-FTIR), microbiological, and biochemical (i.e., microbial respiration, enzymatic activities, abundances and composition of bacterial, fungal and microarthropod communities) properties after 6 and 12 months. The analysis of the microbiome revealed an increase in bacterial richness and diversity in the 12-month-treated bioplastic soils. Members ofSolirubrobacterales,Vicinamibacterales,Nitrososphaerales,Crenarchaeota, andClostridialeswere the most abundant following the bioplastic treatment. While the fungal and microarthropod communities varied over time, neither of them was affected by the type of mulching. Further longer-term research is needed to clarify the impact of bioplastic and plastic mulches on the soil microbiome, including microarthropods, and its dynamics over time.
Cardiac optogenetics: shining light on signaling pathways
Authors: Leemann Siri , Schneider-Warme Franziska , Kleinlogel Sonja
Published: December 2023

In the early 2000s, the field of neuroscience experienced a groundbreaking transformation with the advent of optogenetics. This innovative technique harnesses the properties of naturally occurring and genetically engineered rhodopsins to confer light sensitivity upon target cells. The remarkable spatiotemporal precision offered by optogenetics has provided researchers with unprecedented opportunities to dissect cellular physiology, leading to an entirely new level of investigation. Initially revolutionizing neuroscience, optogenetics quickly piqued the interest of the wider scientific community, and optogenetic applications were expanded to cardiovascular research. Over the past decade, researchers have employed various optical tools to observe, regulate, and steer the membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart. Despite these advancements, achieving control over specific signaling pathways within the heart has remained an elusive goal. Here, we review the optogenetic tools suitable to control cardiac signaling pathways with a focus on GPCR signaling, and delineate potential applications for studying these pathways, both in healthy and diseased hearts. By shedding light on these exciting developments, we hope to contribute to the ongoing progress in basic cardiac research to facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic possibilities for treating cardiovascular pathologies.
Molecular and histopathological characterization of seminoma patients with highly elevated human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the serum
Authors: Seidel Christoph , Paulsen Finn-Ole , Nestler Tim , Cathomas Richard , Hentrich Marcus , Paffenholz Pia , Bokemeyer Carsten , Heidenreich Axel , Nettersheim Daniel , Bremmer Felix
Published: December 2023

Approximately 30% of seminoma (SEM) patients present with moderately elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels at first diagnosis. In case of high hCG serum levels, the presence of a non-SEM component, i.e. choriocarcinoma (CC), may be assumed. To characterize cases described as pure seminoma with high serum hCG levels, tissue samples and DNA were analyzed. Patient files from an international registry were screened for patients with SEM and extraordinarily high hCG serum levels. IHC and qRT-PCR analysis was performed for markers of SEM, embryonal carcinoma (EC) and CC/trophoblast cells. The cell lines TCam-2 (SEM), 2102EP, NCCIT, NT2/D1 (EC) and JAR, JEG3 and BeWo (CC) were included for comparison. Of 1031 SEM patients screened, 39 patients (3.7%) showed hCG serum levels > 1000 U/l. Of these, tumor material for IHC and RNA for qRT-PCR was available from n = 7 patients and n = 3 patients, respectively. Median pre-orchiectomy serum hCG level was 5356 U/l (range: 1224–40909 U/L). Histopathologically, all investigated samples were classified as SEM with syncytiotrophoblast sub-populations. SEM cells were SALL4+ / OCT3/4+ / D2-40+, while syncytiotrophoblast cells were hCG+ / GATA3+ / p63+ and SOX2−/CDX2−. qRT-PCR analysis detected trophoblast stem cell markers CDX2, EOMES and TFAP2C as well as the trophectoderm-specifier TEAD4, but not GATA3. Additionally, SOX17 and PRAME, but not SOX2, were detected, confirming the pure SEM-like gene expression signature of the analyzed samples. In conclusion, excessively increased hCG serum levels can appear in patients with pure SEM. To explain detectable hCG serum levels, it is important to diagnose the subtype of a SEM with syncytiotrophoblasts.