bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Citizen science facilitates first ever genetic detection of wolf‐dog hybridization in Indian savannahs
Authors: Tyagi Abhinav , Godbole Mihir , Vanak Abi Tamim , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: May 2023

Human demographic expansion has confined wildlife to fragmented habitats, often in proximity to human‐modified landscapes. Such interfaces facilitate increased interactions between feral or domesticated animals and wildlife, posing a high risk to wild species. This is especially relevant for free‐ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and wild canids like gray wolves (Canis lupus) and golden jackals (Canis aureus). Wolf–dog hybridization may lead to a significant reduction of specific adaptations in wolves that could result in the decline of wolf populations. Detection and genetic discrimination of hybrids between dogs and wolves are challenging because of their complex demographic history and close ancestry. Citizen scientists identified two phenotypically different‐looking individuals and subsequently collected non‐invasive samples that were used by geneticists to test wolf‐dog hybridization. Genomic data from shed hair samples of suspected hybrid individuals using double‐digest restriction‐site‐associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing resulted in 698 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. We investigated the genetic origin of these two individuals analyzed with genetically known dogs, wolves, and other canid species including jackals and dholes (Cuon alpinus). Our results provide the first genetic evidence of one F2 hybrid and the other individual could be a complex hybrid between dogs and wolves. Our results re‐iterate the power of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) for non‐invasive samples as an efficient tool for detecting hybrids. Our results suggest the need for more robust monitoring of wolf populations and highlight the tremendous potential for collaborative approaches between citizens and conservation scientists to detect and monitor threats to biodiversity.
Employing Click Chemistry to Expand the Scope of the Metal‐Free Donor‐Acceptor‐Type Photocatalyst 4CzIPN
Authors: Münch Angela , Weihrich Lorenz , Knoblauch Niclas , Seibel Jürgen
Published: May 2023

The design of a versatile alkyne‐bearing derivative of the donor‐acceptor fluorophore 2,4,5,6‐tetrakis(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl) isophthalonitrile (4CzIPN) suitable for further targeted modifications by copper‐catalysed Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) is reported. The newly synthesised photoredox catalyst notably exhibits analogously unique photoelectronic and steric features as the well‐established carbazolyl dicyanobenzene motif and performs equally in a C−C‐Coupling model reaction. Furthermore, the variability of this donor‐acceptor system was demonstrated by the generation of a library of fourteen photoredox catalysts with electron‐withdrawing and ‐donating groups as well as residues with high steric demands in one simple and selective CuAAC reaction. The modified catalysts feature a broad scope of reducing and oxidising powers in their excited states (span of reducing powers over more than 1 V) and were also successfully applied in the photoredox and nickel‐catalysed decarboxylative cross coupling model reaction. This work represents a method to overcome the limitations in the flexibility of metal‐free donor‐acceptor fluorophores required for the targeted application in organic synthesis and paves the way for the design of customised catalysts with multiple functionalities.
Esterification of oleic acid to biodiesel using biowaste‐based solid acid catalyst under microwave irradiation
Authors: Kushwaha Tribhuvan , Ao Supongsenla , Ngaosuwan Kanokwan , Assabumrungrat Suttichai , Gurunathan Baskar , Rokhum Samuel Lalthazuala
Published: May 2023

A novel carbon‐based solid catalyst was synthesized from waste biomass of watermelon peel (Citrullus lanatus) by one pot carbonization and functionalization with H2SO4 for biodiesel production. Oleic acid was utilized as a test substrate in this study given that it is a key component for majority of feedstocks used for biodiesel production. Synthesized catalyst was extensively characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–EDX and Brunauer–Emmett Teller analysis. The catalyst revealed aromatic structure, hydrophilic OH and COOH groups as well as a high density of SO3H active centres with a total acidity of 3.6 mmol g−1. Using the optimized reaction condition (MeOH: oleic acid molar ratio 20:1, catalyst loading 8 wt.%, temperature 100°C and reaction time of 60 min) under microwave irradiation (50 W, 100 psi) a conversion as high as 94.36 ± 0.3% of oleic acid to biodiesel was reported. Activation energy of the esterification was found to be 38.16 kJ mol−1. Catalyst recovery was probed to over five reaction cycles, with a modest loss in activity (81.73 ± 0.4% conversion in the fifth cycle) resulting from limited active site leaching.
Adsorption of Direct Orange 46 and phosphate ions on waste tomato stem ash used as a bio‐based adsorbent
Authors: Eskikaya Ozan , Arslan Hudaverdi , Gun Melis , Bouchareb Raouf , Dizge Nadir
Published: May 2023

It is necessary to use adsorbents derived from natural materials, such as biosorbents since they do not any damage to the environment, for pollutants elimination that contaminate the aquatic environment. Since the deficiency in the literature was determined in the study in which only the adsorbent obtained from tomato stem was used before this study, a waste material with tomato stem was selected as a natural adsorbent without chemical compounds. Phosphate and dye contaminants, which are often present in industrial and municipal wastewater, were eliminated by adsorption process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), x‐ray fluorescence (XRF), Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive x‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy were used to analyze tomato stems. The tomato stems resulted in high pollutants removal efficiencies recording 99.31% of phosphate () removal efficiency and 99.44% of Direct Orange 46 (DO 46) dye removal efficiency at optimal conditions. The best conditions for phosphate adsorption were pH = 6.0, 2.0 g/L of tomato stems concentration, 50 mg/L initial phosphate concentration and a contact time of 120 min resulting in an adsorption capacity of 4.24 mg/g. The best conditions for DO 46 adsorption were pH = 12, 2.0 g/L of adsorbent concentration, initial dye of 200 mg/L concentration and a contact time of 120 min (q = 13.76 mg/g). For both adsorption experiments, the adsorbent size was chosen to be less than 500 μm. As a result of the adsorption experiments on tomato stem ash, Freundlich isotherm (R2: 0.94) was suitable for DO 46 dye adsorption and Temkin isotherm (R2: 0.99) was suitable for elimination. The phosphate (R2: 0.97) and dye (R2: 1) adsorption onto tomato stem ash was explained using a pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. It has been determined that the adsorption of the DO 46 dye with the tomato stem ash is an exothermic (∆H: −3.174) process that occurs naturally due to its nature (∆G: −8.41). On the other hand, it was determined that the adsorption of was spontaneous (∆G: −5.21) and endothermic (∆H: 5.7357). According to the adsorption results obtained in this study, it is appropriate to use the tomato stem, which is generated as waste, as an adsorbent. It is thought that obtaining from bio‐based waste in the removal of pollutants such as dye and phosphate in water will both reduce the cost and create an advantage in terms of biodegradability.
Effects of under‐clothing airflow on thermal protective performance and thermal aging behaviors of flame‐retardant fabric
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Tian Miao , Huang Wanrong , Su Yun , Li Jun
Published: May 2023

To investigate the effects of under‐clothing airflows on the thermal protection performance (TPP) and thermal aging of flame‐retardant fabrics, we constructed an under‐clothing air‐gap ventilation device based on the TPP tester. This device can generate different levels of airflow velocities such as 0.17, 1.0, and 2.0 m/s. The flame‐retardant fabrics were exposed to a heat flux of 30 kW/m2 to simulate an indoor fire scene. The impacts of under‐clothing airflows on the heat transfer behaviors of fabrics were analyzed with the temperature rise measured by thermocouples. The thermal aging behavior of the fabric was investigated based on the outer‐shell morphology, mass loss, and residual tensile strength. The results of this study indicated that the under‐clothing airflow enhanced the TPP of flame‐retardant fabric and the best TPP was achieved under the airflow of 1.0 m/s. Under‐clothing airflow increased the post‐thermal‐exposure mass loss of the fabric but did not further decrease the tensile strength. Higher severity thermal aging occurred for 2.0 m/s airflow than for 1.0 m/s airflow. The findings of this study are important for TPP prediction for firefighters' clothing and will help optimize firefighters' clothing design.
Impact of various extraction methods on fatty acid profile, physicochemical properties, and nutritional quality index of Pangus fish oil
Authors: Rahman Nahidur , Hashem Shaharior , Akther Shireen , Jothi Jakia Sultana
Published: May 2023

Marine fish are high in essential omega‐3 fatty acids, which are important for human health. This study evaluated the effects of four extraction methods (soxhlet extraction, SE; wet rendering, WR; acid silage, AS; microwave‐assisted extraction, MAE) on the oil yield, physicochemical properties, fatty acid profile, and nutritional quality index (NQI) of pangus fish oil. The oil yield ranged from 13.50% to 21.80%, with MAE having the highest yield. Furthermore, MAE oil has the lowest free fatty acid (0.70%), peroxides (2.08 Meq/kg), and saponification (287.27 mg/g KOH) value. There were no significant differences (p > .05) in the refractive index and melting point of oils among extraction techniques. A total of 25 fatty acids were identified. However, the maximum PUFA, MUFA, and SFA recovery was observed in the SE (19.15 mg/100 g), MAE (7.99 mg/100 g), and AS (17.33 mg/100 g), respectively. In terms of NQI, SE had higher PUFA/SFA, HH, and LA/ALA ratios, while AS had higher EPA + DHA, n‐3/n‐6, AI, TI, and FLQ indices. Furthermore, the MAE approach yielded better ratios of n‐3/n‐6 and HPI index, whereas the WR method yielded a higher AI index. Therefore, MAE would be the most efficient method for extracting pangus fish oil by considering both technical feasibility and quality indices including extraction yield, best physical properties, oxidative stability, and fatty acid contents.
The Weight Stigma Heat Map: A tool to identify weight stigma in public health and health promotion materials
Authors: Willer Fiona
Published: May 2023

Issues Addressed

Public health campaigns and health promotion endeavours have been criticised for perpetuating weight stigma by reinforcing misinformation and using deficits‐based narratives about larger‐bodied people. The aim of this project was to develop a ‘heat map’ tool to appraise existing health policy and resources for elements that promote weight stigma.

Methods

Ten themes were identified from literature using inductive analytic review methodology including pictorial/photographic representation, weight‐health beliefs, body weight modifiability and financial concerns. Each theme was divided into four appraisal categories: the demonstration of weight stigma (via negative stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination that limits access to opportunities or services), weight bias (via presenting smaller bodies as normal/natural/healthy/good/desirable), bias‐neutral (via representation of people of all shapes and sizes and accurate and nuanced health information about larger‐bodied and smaller‐bodied people) and finally an anti‐stigma approach (via use of strengths‐based narratives and overtly positive representation of and leadership by larger‐bodied people).

Results

A colour coding schema (the ‘heat map’) to visualise stigmatising elements across materials and a scoring system was devised for future quantitative evaluation. To demonstrate the use of the Weight Stigma Heat Map (WSHM), the Australian National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 was appraised.

Conclusions

It is likely that weight stigmatisation is an important but under‐recognised factor influencing the effectiveness of campaigns and interventions promoting behaviour change.

So What?

Public health and health promotion professionals should consider using the WSHM as a framework for the development of less stigmatising policies, campaigns and resources and to direct reviews of existing materials.
Sustainable production of bread wheat using laser land levelling and sowing methods as potent regulators of carbon sequestration, fuel consumption and water use in the arid environment of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Saleem Muhammad Farrukh , Saleem Amna , Anjum Shakeel Ahmad , Hussain Arshad
Published: May 2023

Excessive use of water in wheat is associated with high fuel consumption and the emission of carbon dioxide into the environment. This study was conducted with the objectives to decrease water use and the associated fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions and to improve the productivity of wheat on a sustainable basis using LASER levelling and sowing methods as potent modulators of these adversities. The experiment was conducted in the research area of the Agronomic Research Station Bahawalpur over 3 years using a split‐plot experimental design and four replications. Treatments contained LASER levelling in the main plot (L0 = no LASER levelling, L1 = LASER levelling) and sowing methods in split plots (S1 = broadcast, S2 = ridge sowing and S3 = drill sowing). Less water use, fuel consumption and emission of carbon dioxide were quantified under ‘LASER levelling’ and under ‘ridge sowing’ compared to other treatments. Regarding wheat crop productivity, the same treatment combination (LASER levelling and ridge sowing) resulted in more fertile tillers, grains per spike, 1000‐grain weight and grain yield. Therefore, we concluded that ‘LASER levelling’ and ‘ridge sowing’ have the potential to reduce the cost involved and environmental pollution (by reducing fuel consumption) and improve water use efficiency, grain yield and yield components of wheat compared to other treatments. Moreover, strong negative associations of water use, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions with the grain yield of wheat were recorded.
In vitro biocompatibility of polylactide and polybutylene succinate blends for urethral tissue engineering
Authors: Sartoneva Reetta , Lyyra Inari , Juusela Maiju , Sharma Vipul , Huhtala Heini , Massera Jonathan , Kellomäki Minna , Miettinen Susanna
Published: May 2023

Surgical treatment of urothelial defects with autologous genital or extragenital tissue grafts is susceptible to complications. Tissue engineering utilizing novel biomaterials and cells such as human urothelial cells (hUC) for epithelial regeneration and adipose stromal cells (hASC) for smooth muscle restoration might offer new treatment options for urothelial defects. Previously, polylactide (PLA) has been studied for urethral tissue engineering, however, as such, it is too stiff and rigid for the application. Blending it with ductile polybutylene succinate (PBSu) could provide suitable mechanical properties for the application. Our aim was to study the morphology, viability and proliferation of hUC and hASC when cultured on 100/0 PLA/PBSu, 75/25 PLA/PBSu blend, 50/50 PLA/PBSu blend, and 0/100 PLA/PBSu discs. The results showed that the hUCs were viable and proliferated on all the studied materials. The hUCs stained pancytokeratin at 7 and 14 days, suggesting maintenance of the urothelial phenotype. The hASCs retained their viability and morphology and proliferated on all the other discs, except on PLA. On the PLA, the hASCs formed large aggregates with each other rather than attached to the material. The early smooth muscle cell markers SM22α and α‐SMA were stained in hASC at 7 and 14 day time points on all PBSu‐containing materials, indicating that hASCs maintain their smooth muscle differentiation potential also on PBSu. As a conclusion, PBSu is a highly potential biomaterial for urothelial tissue engineering since it supports growth and phenotypic maintenance of hUC and smooth muscle differentiation of hASC.
Assessment of the skin with 2D‐shear wave elastography in the systemic scleroderma and its correlation with pulmonary involvement
Authors: Tanyeri Ahmet , Çildağ Mehmet Burak
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the skin involvement in systemic scleroderma patients (SSc) with 2D‐Shear Wave Elastography (2D‐SWE) and to review the corelation between skin elasticity and pulmonary involvement.

Methods

Thirty SSc patients and 30 controls were examined using 2D‐SWE. The demographics matched both groups. B‐mode ultrasound (US) and 2D‐SWE assessed skin thickness and elastography from the ventral side of the right forearm in each subjective. ROC analysis determined optimal group separation cut‐off values. A rheumatologist applied mRSS for SSc patients. US, mRSS, and pulmonary involvement correlations were reviewed.

Results

US parameter values (skin thickness, median kPa, median m/s) were higher in the SSc patient group (1.78 ± 0.36 mm, 22.15 ± 16.26, 2.60 ± 0.82, respectively) compared to the control group (1.55 ± 0.2 mm, 7.45 ± 1.84, 1.56 ± 0.2, respectively, p < 0.05). When the optimal cut‐off SWE values for separating groups was determined as 10.5 kPa and 1.87 m/s, the sensitivity was 93% and the specificity was 97%. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a strong positive correlation between mRSS and median SWE values (kPa, r = 0.626, p = 0.001; m/s, r = 0.638, p < 0.001). There was no correlation between pulmonary involvement of SSc patients with mRSS and US parameters.

Conclusion

2D‐SWE is a promising non‐invasive method to evaluate skin involvement in SSc patient group. For pulmonary involvement we need more data with bigger patient groups.
Family planning needs of young adults with sickle cell disease
Authors: Linton Elizabeth A. , Williams Elizabeth C. , Early Macy L. , Prince Elizabeth , Stewart Rosalyn W. , Lanzkron Sophie , Pecker Lydia H.
Published: May 2023

Sexual and reproductive healthcare standards for adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) are not established. A total of 50 young adults entering adult SCD care completed a Family Planning Survey assessing sexual and reproductive health needs from March 2019 to July 2020. Clinical data were abstracted from respondents’ electronic medical records. Linear and logistic regression was applied to explore associations between clinical characteristics and survey results. Few respondents (8%) wished to be pregnant in the coming year, and 46% answered yes to at least one of four needs assessment questions. Those who were not employed full time were more likely to endorse needing help with getting sickle cell trait testing for a partner (ORadj = 9.59, p‐value = 0.05). Contraceptive use was associated with having an obstetrician–gynecologist (OR = 6.8, p‐value = 0.01). Young adults with SCD entering adult care have diverse reproductive health needs, highlighting opportunities to provide multidisciplinary, SCD‐specific reproductive healthcare.
An in vivo model of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy from early‐stage inflammation to fibrosis
Authors: Burt Kevin G. , Viola Dan C. , Lisiewski Lauren E. , Lombardi Joseph M. , Amorosa Louis F. , Chahine Nadeen O.
Published: May 2023

Multi‐joint disease pathologies in the lumbar spine, including ligamentum flavum (LF) hypertrophy and intervertebral disc (IVD) bulging or herniation contribute to lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a highly prevalent condition characterized by symptomatic narrowing of the spinal canal. Clinical hypertrophic LF is characterized by a loss of elastic fibers and increase in collagen fibers, resulting in fibrotic thickening and scar formation. In this study, we created an injury model to test the hypothesis that LF needle scrape injury in the rat will result in hypertrophy of the LF characterized by altered tissue geometry, matrix organization, composition and inflammation. An initial pilot study was conducted to evaluate effect of needle size. Results indicate that LF needle scrape injury using a 22G needle produced upregulation of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine Il6 at 1 week post injury, and increased expression of Ctgf and Tgfb1 at 8 weeks post injury, along with persistent presence of infiltrating macrophages at 1, 3, and 8 weeks post injury. LF integrity was also altered, evidenced by increases in LF tissue thickness and loss of elastic tissue by 8 weeks post injury. Persistent LF injury also produced multi‐joint effects in the lumbar IVD, including disc height loss at the injury and adjacent to injury level, with degenerative IVD changes observed in the adjacent level. These results demonstrate that LF scrape injury in the rat produces structural and molecular features of LF hypertrophy and IVD height and histological changes, dependent on level. This model may be useful for testing of therapeutic interventions for treatment of LSS and IVD degeneration associated with LF hypertrophy.
Enter the dragon: China and global academic publishing
Authors: Hyland Ken
Published: May 2023

One of the most dramatic changes in global publishing in the last decade has been the emergence of China. China now has more researchers than the United States, outspends the United States and European Union in research and publishes more scientific papers each year than any other nation in the world. The quality of these papers is also increasing, with more appearing in top‐ranked journals and gaining more citations overall. Despite this success, China has gained an unenviable reputation for research misconduct and geopolitical issues threaten its continuation. Given the impact of China's growing presence on editors, publishers and non‐Chinese authors seeking to publish in the same journals, it is important to understand the reasons, directions and outcomes of these changes, their effect on Chinese scholars and local Chinese journals, and where they might be leading. In this review paper I explore the rise of Chinese scholarship, its influence on global publishing and on Chinese scholars, and how the Chinese government is responding to its new role in global academic publishing.
Reconfigurable CRLH‐inspired antenna based on Hilbert curve EBG structure for modern wireless systems
Authors: Ismail Marwa M. , Elwi Taha A. , Salim A. J.
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a novel antenna design with an enhanced gain‐bandwidth product for modern communication networks, including 5G systems. The design is consistent with 17 unit cells of a composite right/left‐hand (CRLH) structure with an electromagnetic band gap of Hilbert inclusions. Therefore, the resulting design occupies an area of 40 × 200 mm2 of a Taconic RF‐43 substrate. The maximum antenna gain is 16 dBi at 5.5 GHz, which is very applicable for long‐range communication systems. Nevertheless, the antenna performance is controlled with optical switches of light‐dependent resistors (LDR) technology. Therefore, the antenna performance is tested with different switching seniors to investigate the possibility of reconfiguration scenarios at various frequency bands. However, the antenna gain is highly affected by changing LDR switching status; for example, at 5.5 GHz, the antenna gain is varied between 7 and 16 dBi. Thus, the proposed antenna is an excellent candidate for direct amplitude modulation. Finally, the antenna simulation results and measurements agree very well with each other.
Resistivity and full‐decay IP inversion for imaging a coastal aquifer prone to saline intrusion: The Pontina Plain case study (Central Italy)
Authors: De Donno Giorgio , Cercato Michele
Published: May 2023

Many coastal areas are affected by groundwater salinization due to the unsustainable use of groundwater resources. For a cost‐effective quantitative assessment of groundwater resources, electrical resistivity (ER) tomography is often used as a standalone geophysical technique. In this paper, we present an application of the integration of direct‐current ER and full‐decay‐induced polarization (IP) method at the Pontina Plain (Central Italy). The case study is a coastal area in Central Italy prone to salinization due to both geological and anthropogenic factors. To achieve these goals, we inverted full‐decay time‐domain electrical data for Cole–Cole parameters. The resulting multi‐parameter model provides a first approximation prediction of the permeability, employing well‐established empirical relationships with the electrical parameters. We demonstrated that our approach: (i) can locate highly conductive zones directly related to saline intrusion inland using the resistivity as a fast proxy; (ii) can remove the ambiguity in the detection of clay/silt layers in the near‐surface; and (iii) permit a prediction of the permeability, employing full‐decay inversion of time‐domain electrical data. However, the extremely conductive environment prevents the use of IP data for the reconstruction of deep layers or detection of the salt wedge front. Therefore, this approach can be used for hydro‐geophysical screening and monitoring of salinization‐prone sites, where strong limitations to direct inspection exist due to external constraints (e.g., protected lands).
Mechanochemically‐Assisted Passerini Reactions: A Practical and Convenient Method for the Synthesis of Novel α‐Acyloxycarboxamide Derivatives
Authors: Salami Sodeeq Aderotimi , Safari Justin Bazibuhe , Smith Vincent J. , Krause Rui W. M.
Published: May 2023

A carboxylic acid, an aldehyde, and an isonitrile were combined in a single step (Passerini reaction) under mechanochemical activation to produce several α‐acyloxycarboxamide derivatives in high to excellent yields within 15 min of milling. Mechanochemistry, when combined with the diversity provided by multicomponent reactions, enables the efficient synthesis of the target compounds, with great atom economy, shorter reaction times, and experimental simplicity. The method allows for the rapid production of a vast library of complex compounds from a limited number of substrates.
How does cell‐based non‐invasive prenatal test (NIPT) perform against chorionic villus sampling and cell‐free NIPT in detecting trisomies and copy number variations? A clinical study from Denmark
Authors: Hatt Lotte , Ravn Katarina , Dahl Jeppesen Line , Hestbek Nicolaisen Bolette , Baasch Christensen Inga , Singh Ripudaman , Schelde Palle , Horsholt Thomsen Simon , Christensen Rikke , Sinding Marianne , Vase Laura , Oestergaard Marianne , Bender Ruggard Marie , Jensen Hanne S. , Mogensen Helle , Uldbjerg Niels , Becher Naja , Markholt Sara , Sandager Puk , Henning Pedersen Lars , Vogel Ida
Published: May 2023

Objectives

We aimed to compare cell‐based NIPT (cbNIPT) to chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and to examine the test characteristics of cbNIPT in the first clinical validation study of cbNIPT compared to cell‐free NIPT (cfNIPT).

Material and Methods

Study 1: Women (N = 92) who accepted CVS were recruited for cbNIPT (53 normal and 39 abnormal). Samples were analyzed with chromosomal microarray (CMA). Study 2: Women (N = 282) who accepted cfNIPT were recruited for cbNIPT. cfNIPT was analyzed using sequencing and cbNIPT by CMA.

Results

Study 1: cbNIPT detected all aberrations (32/32) found in CVS: trisomies 13, 18 and 21 (23/23), pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) (6/6) and sex chromosome aberrations (3/3). cbNIPT detected 3/8 cases of mosaicism in the placenta. Study 2: cbNIPT detected all trisomies found with cfNIPT (6/6) and had no false positive (0/246). One of the three CNVs called by cbNIPT was confirmed by CVS but was undetected by cfNIPT, two were false positives. cbNIPT detected mosaicism in five samples, of which two were not detected by cfNIPT. cbNIPT failed in 7.8% compared to 2.8% in cfNIPT.

Conclusion

Circulating trophoblasts in the maternal circulation provide the potential of screening for aneuploidies and pathogenic CNVs covering the entire fetal genome.
Herbicides reduce the severity and sporulation of Phakopsora pachyrhizi in soybean with triple herbicide resistance
Authors: Claus Alexandre , Roncatto Eduardo , Barroso Arthur Arrobas Martins , May De Mio Louise Larissa
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Transgenic event DAS44406‐6 (E3) makes soybeans that are herbicide [glyphosate (Gly), 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and glufosinate] and caterpillar resistant. The E3 soybean was commercially released for the 2021/2022 harvest in Brazil. We conducted this study to test whether Gly and 2,4‐D applied alone and in a commercial mixture affect Asian soybean rust (ASR). Assays were conducted in detached leaves and in vivo, in a controlled environment using the herbicides Gly, 2,4‐D and Gly + 2,4‐D, and pathogen inoculation. Disease severity and spore production were evaluated.

RESULTS

Only the herbicides Gly and Gly + 2,4‐D inhibited ASR in detached leaves and in vivo. When applied preventively and curatively in vivo, these herbicides reduced the disease severity and spore production of the fungus. In vivo, inhibition of disease severity reached 87% for Gly + 2,4‐D and 42% for Gly. A synergistic effect was observed with the commercial Gly + 2,4‐D mixture. Application of 2,4‐D alone in the in vivo assays did not reduce or increase disease severity. Gly and Gly + 2,4‐D act residually in inhibiting the disease. Growing E3 soybeans may combine weed and caterpillar management benefits with ASR inhibition.

CONCLUSION

Application of Gly and Gly + 2,4‐D herbicides in resistant E3 soybean shows inhibitory activity for ASR. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Simulation and Fabrication of Higher‐Mode Lamb Wave Acoustic Devices for Sensing Applications
Authors: Bharati Manisha , Rana Lokesh , Gupta Reema , Sharma Anjali , Jha Pradip K. , Tomar Monika
Published: May 2023

Recently Lamb wave devices have originated as an alternate acoustic device for high‐frequency wireless sensing applications. Their potential for sensing devices, including biomedical diagnostics and environmental monitoring as a wireless and passive device, calls for further analysis of the device with higher sensitivity. ZnO‐based sensor has always been of research interest due to its biocompatibility, sensing abilities, and yet cost‐effectivity. A Lamb wave device based on ZnO/SiO2/Si membrane has been theoretically simulated using finite element analysis method (FEM) to study the higher modes, as higher working frequency leads to higher sensitivity of the device toward sensing applications. Optimized properties are identified and utilized for the fabrication of Lamb wave devices. It is observed that for optimized parameters of ZnO/SiO2/Si Lamb device, higher antisymmetric modes are not only advantageous for high sensitivity applications but also more stable within the given operating conditions. Experimentally obtained results indicate close matching with theoretical results.
Online estimation of colored observation‐noise parameters within an ensemble Kalman filtering framework
Authors: Raboudi Naila F. , Ait‐El‐Fquih Boujemaa , Hoteit Ibrahim
Published: May 2023

This work addresses the problem of data assimilation in large‐dimensional systems with colored observation noise of unknown statistics, a scenario that will become more common in the near future with the deployment of denser observational networks of high spatio‐temporal coverage. Here, we are interested in the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) framework, which has been derived around a white observation noise assumption. Recently, colored observation‐noise aware EnKFs in which the noise was modeled as a first‐order autoregressive (AR) model were introduced. This work generalizes the above‐mentioned filters to learn the statistics of the AR model further online. We follow the state augmentation approach first to estimate the state and the AR model transfer matrix simultaneously, then the variational Bayesian approach to estimate the AR model noise covariance parameters further. We accordingly derive two filtering EnKF‐like algorithms, which estimate those statistics together with the system state. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed colored observation‐noise aware filtering schemes and compare their performance based on several numerical experiments conducted with the Lorenz‐96 model.
Surface‐driven amplification of Madden–Julian oscillation circulation anomalies across East Africa and its influence on the Turkana jet
Authors: Talib Joshua , Taylor Christopher M. , Harris Bethan L. , Wainwright Caroline M.
Published: May 2023

In semi‐arid environments, rainfall‐driven soil moisture fluctuations exert a strong influence on surface turbulent fluxes. Intraseasonal rainfall variability can therefore impact low‐level atmospheric temperatures and influence regional circulations. Using satellite observations and an atmospheric reanalysis, we investigate whether rainfall variability induced by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) triggers land–atmosphere feedbacks across East Africa.

We identify that surface fluxes during the East African wet seasons (March–May and October–December) are sensitive to MJO‐induced precipitation variations across low‐lying regions of South Sudan and highland regions of Uganda and southwest Kenya. For example, during MJO phases 6 to 8, when rainfall is suppressed, surface temperatures and sensible heat fluxes increase, whilst evapotranspiration decreases. Spatial variations in the surface flux response to rainfall variability feed back onto the atmosphere through amplifying MJO‐associated pressure anomalies. During dry MJO events for instance, surface warming across the exit region of the Turkana channel increases the low‐tropospheric along‐channel pressure gradient and intensifies the Turkana jet. We conclude that average surface‐driven temperature fluctuations during a single day are responsible for approximately 12% of MJO‐associated variability of the Turkana jet speed. However, we expect that the accumulation of heat over multiple days to the west of the East African Highlands further amplifies anomalies in the pressure gradient and jet intensity. Modelling experiments are required to quantify the accumulated impact of the surface forcing. Surface‐driven Turkana jet variations influence the East African moisture budget and affect the intensity and inland propagation of coastal convection. Not only is this the first study to investigate the importance of intraseasonal land–atmosphere feedbacks across East Africa, but it is also the first to show that Turkana jet characteristics are partly driven by surface conditions. This work motivates an investigation into whether subseasonal forecast models fully harness the predictability from surface‐induced jet variations.
Nodes and Spin Windings for Topological Transitions in Light–Matter Interactions
Authors: Ying Zu‐Jian
Published: May 2023

The anisotropic quantum Rabi model (QRM) is the fundamental model of light–matter interactions with indispensable counter‐rotating terms in ultra‐strong couplings. By extracting different levels of topological information a new light is shed on the energy spectrum of the anisotropic QRM. Besides conventional topological transitions (TTs) at gap closing, abundant unconventional TTs are unveiled underlying level anticrossings without gap closing by tracking the wave‐function nodes, including a particular unconventional TT which turns out to be universal for different energy levels. On the other hand, it is found that the nodes have a correspondence to spin windings, which not only endows the nodes a more explicit topological character in supporting single‐qubit TTs but also turns the topological information physically detectable. Furthermore, hidden small‐spin‐knot transitions are exposed for the ground state, while more kinds of spin‐knot transitions emerge in excited states including unmatched node numbers and spin winding numbers. Based on node sorting, algebraic formulation is established to decode the topological information encoded geometrically in the wave functions and spin windings.
Event‐triggered model‐free adaptive control for nonlinear systems with output saturation
Authors: Liu Dong , Liu Ning , Li Tieshan
Published: May 2023

In this article, an original event‐triggered model‐free adaptive control is presented for nonlinear systems with output constraints. Firstly, a compact form dynamic linear model for this nonlinear system is established. Based on the output saturated data, the pseudo partial derivative (PPD) parameter is designed to identify the linear model. Then, a novel event‐triggered mechanism is inserted into the controller. The mechanism will be activated only if the event‐triggered error satisfies the predefined condition; Otherwise, it keeps the last triggering state. The purpose is to alleviate the transmission burden and save the communication resources. Varying from the existing studies, the main innovation of this article is that the controller is reconstructed in virtue of saturated data and event‐triggered condition. The present algorithm convergence is proved. Finally, the simulation study illustrates the feasibility of the plan.
Rotational springs for localized crack modeling in structural concrete
Authors: Näsbom Andreas , Thoma Karel , Weber Marius , Kaufmann Walter
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a mechanical and numerical approach to model localized deformations occurring in concrete structures with less than minimum reinforcement. The presented models are based on, and validated against large‐scale experiments conducted in a previous study to investigate the behavior of a less than minimally reinforced slab in the framework of the structural safety assessment of an existing cut and cover tunnel. The model deploys rotational springs embedded in a nonlinear finite element analysis to capture deformations concentrating in an inclined crack. An iterative solution procedure ensures equilibrium and compatibility in the inclined crack section by adjusting the spring stiffnesses, which depend on the acting loads. A case study shows that the localized crack has a minor effect on the global structural behavior. In contrast, localization strongly influences deformations and stress resultants in the crack, and compressive membrane action significantly impacts the load–deformation behavior of the localized crack, which is relevant particularly for the shear strength.
Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors
Authors: Schulz John H. , Totoni Samantha , Stanis Sonja A. Wilhelm , Li Christine Jie , Morgan Mark , Hall Damon M. , Webb Elisabeth B. , Rotman Robin M.
Published: May 2023

The endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is negatively affected by lead poisoning from spent lead‐based hunting ammunition. Because lead poisoning is the primary mortality factor affecting condors, the California Fish and Game Commission banned lead hunting ammunition during 2008 in the southern California condor range followed by a statewide ban implemented in 2019. In contrast, the Arizona Game and Fish Department instituted an outreach and awareness program encouraging voluntary use of nonlead hunting ammunition in the northern portion of the state during 2005 and a similar program was launched in Utah during 2012. The juxtaposition of policy tools provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the intended efforts to mitigate lead exposure in condors and their respective positive and negative effects. Herein we reflect upon the effectiveness of lead policy actions in the 3‐state region on the basis of condor blood‐lead levels, population status, and hunter awareness of the issue and use of nonlead hunting ammunition.
Sanctorius’s Galenism
Authors: Hollerbach Teresa
Published: May 2023

The chapter deals with Sanctorius’s intellectual background and places his book De statica medicina within the framework of contemporary Galenic medicine. Usually, the book is celebrated for its innovative quantitative approach to medicine yet read in isolation from its broader context. However, as I will show, an analysis of this context is crucial to understanding how Sanctorius developed his novel ideas and revised the medical knowledge of his day. Of particular importance in this regard are the dietetic doctrine of the “six non-natural things” and the concept of insensible perspiration, an invisible excretion of the human body. Potential relations of Sanctorius’s notions to the doctrine of the ancient medical school of the Methodists and to corpuscular ideas are also scrutinized. The chapter concludes with an analysis of the De statica medicina itself, focusing on the conceptual backdrop against which Sanctorius developed his weighing procedures, the results of which he presented in the book. References to Sanctorius’s other publications help set his ideas in the broader context of his endeavors and contribute to an understanding of the theoretical context in which the De statica medicina emerged.
Quantification and Certainty
Authors: Hollerbach Teresa
Published: May 2023

In this chapter, I examine the context in which Sanctorius presented his measuring instruments in his publications. In difference to previous studies, which often have focused solely on the Commentary on Avicenna, this being the only work in which Sanctorius included illustrations of his instruments, I analyze the measuring instruments in the light of all that Sanctorius published. Furthermore, I scrutinize the relation of the various instruments to each other and discuss Sanctorius’s possible complementary use of them. Of particular interest in this context is the role of the De statica medicina, which has become a keyword for Sanctorius’s quantitative approach to physiology. These considerations will serve as an introduction to an in-depth study of Sanctorius’s measuring instruments in Chap. 7, and reveal the agenda behind his quantification efforts—to enhance certainty in medicine. Given that the degree of conjecture in medicine was a contested issue in traditional introductory discussions in contemporary works on medicine, I examine Sanctorius’s claim to enhance certainty through quantification, measurements, and instruments against the backdrop of the prevailing discourse(s) therein. While it is immediately obvious that Sanctorius departed from traditional views by introducing new quantitative procedures into medicine, the investigation of the roles that he assigned to logical reasoning, on the one hand, and to experience, empirical knowledge, and his new methods of quantification, on the other, draws a more complex picture regarding the combination of theory and practice in his works.
Hydrodynamics, spin currents and torsion
Authors: Gallegos A. D. , Gürsoy U. , Yarom A.
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We construct the canonical constitutive relations for a fluid description of a system with a spin current, valid in an arbitrary number of dimensions in the absence of parity breaking or time reversal breaking terms. Our study encompasses the hydrostatic partition function, the entropy current, Kubo formula, conformal invariance, and the effect of charge. At some stages of the computation we turn on a background torsion tensor which naturally couples to the spin current.
Engineering apomixis in crops
Authors: Mahlandt Alexander , Singh Dipesh Kumar , Mercier Raphael
Published: May 2023

Apomixis is an asexual mode of reproduction through seeds where progeny are clones of the mother plants. Naturally apomictic modes of reproduction are found in hundreds of plant genera distributed across more than 30 plant families, but are absent in major crop plants. Apomixis has the potential to be a breakthrough technology by allowing the propagation through seed of any genotype, including F1 hybrids. Here, we have summarized the recent progress toward synthetic apomixis, where combining targeted modifications of both the meiosis and fertilization processes leads to the production of clonal seeds at high frequencies. Despite some remaining challenges, the technology has approached a level of maturity that allows its consideration for application in the field.
The probabilistic vs the quantization approach to Kähler–Einstein geometry
Authors: Berman Robert J.
Published: May 2023

In the probabilistic construction of Kähler–Einstein metrics on a complex projective algebraic manifold X—involving random point processes on X—a key role is played by the partition function. In this work a new quantitative bound on the partition function is obtained. It yields, in particular, a new direct analytic proof that X admits a Kähler–Einstein metrics if it is uniformly Gibbs stable. The proof makes contact with the quantization approach to Kähler–Einstein geometry.
Relationship of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) granulocyte clone size to disease burden and risk of major vascular events in untreated patients: results from the International PNH Registry
Authors: Dingli David , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Larratt Loree , Go Ronald S. , Höchsmann Britta , Zu Ke , Gustovic Philippe , Kulagin Alexander D.
Published: May 2023

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is caused by acquired gene mutations resulting in deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)–anchored complement regulatory proteins on the surface of blood cells, leading to terminal complement–mediated intravascular hemolysis and increased risk of major adverse vascular events (MAVEs). Using data from the International PNH Registry, this study investigated the relationship between the proportion of GPI-deficient granulocytes at PNH onset and (1) the risk for MAVEs (including thrombotic events [TEs]) and (2) the following parameters at last follow-up: high disease activity (HDA); lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ratio; fatigue; abdominal pain; and rates of overall MAVEs and TEs. A total of 2813 patients untreated at enrollment were included and stratified by clone size at PNH disease onset (baseline). At last follow-up, higher proportion of GPI-deficient granulocytes (≤ 5% vs. > 30% clone size) at baseline was associated with significantly increased HDA incidence (14% vs. 77%), mean LDH ratio (1.3 vs. 4.7 × upper limit of normal), and rates of MAVEs 1.5 vs. 2.9 per 100 person-years) and TEs (0.9 vs. 2.0 per 100 person-years). Fatigue was evident in 71 to 76% of patients regardless of clone size. Abdominal pain was more frequently reported with clone size > 30%. A larger clone size at baseline appears to indicate a greater disease burden and risk of TEs and MAVEs and may inform decision making among physicians managing PNH patients at risk of experiencing TEs or other MAVEs. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01374360.