bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ir-Sn pair-site triggers key oxygen radical intermediate for efficient acidic water oxidation
Authors: Zheng Xiaobo , Yang Jiarui , Li Peng , Wang Qishun , Wu Jiabin , Zhang Erhuan , Chen Shenghua , Zhuang Zechao , Lai Weihong , Dou Shixue , Sun Wenping , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: October 2023

The anode corrosion induced by the harsh acidic and oxidative environment greatly restricts the lifespan of catalysts. Here, we propose an antioxidation strategy to mitigate Ir dissolution by triggering strong electronic interaction via elaborately constructing a heterostructured Ir-Sn pair-site catalyst. The formation of Ir-Sn dual-site at the heterointerface and the resulting strong electronic interactions considerably reduce
d
-band holes of Ir species during both the synthesis and the oxygen evolution reaction processes and suppress their overoxidation, enabling the catalyst with substantially boosted corrosion resistance. Consequently, the optimized catalyst exhibits a high mass activity of 4.4 A mg
Ir
−1
at an overpotential of 320 mV and outstanding long-term stability. A proton-exchange-membrane water electrolyzer using this catalyst delivers a current density of 2 A cm
−2
at 1.711 V and low degradation in an accelerated aging test. Theoretical calculations unravel that the oxygen radicals induced by the π* interaction between Ir 5
d
-O 2
p
might be responsible for the boosted activity and durability.
Stabilized hole-selective layer for high-performance inverted p-i-n perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Zhen , Sun Xianglang , Zheng Xiaopeng , Li Bo , Gao Danpeng , Zhang Shoufeng , Wu Xin , Li Shuai , Gong Jianqiu , Luther Joseph M. , Li Zhong’an , Zhu Zonglong
Published: October 2023

P-i-n geometry perovskite solar cells (PSCs) offer simplified fabrication, greater amenability to charge extraction layers, and low-temperature processing over n-i-p counterparts. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) can enhance the performance of p-i-n PSCs but ultrathin SAMs can be thermally unstable. We report a thermally robust hole-selective layer comprised of nickel oxide (NiO
x
) nanoparticle film with a surface-anchored (4-(3,11-dimethoxy-7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazol-7-yl)butyl)phosphonic acid (MeO-4PADBC) SAM that can improve and stabilize the NiO
x
/perovskite interface. The energetic alignment and favorable contact and binding between NiO
x
/MeO-4PADBC and perovskite reduced the voltage deficit of PSCs with various perovskite compositions and led to strong interface toughening effects under thermal stress. The resulting 1.53–electron-volt devices achieved 25.6% certified power conversion efficiency and maintained >90% of their initial efficiency after continuously operating at 65 degrees Celsius for 1200 hours under 1-sun illumination.
W. Jason Morgan (1935—2023)
Authors: Hey Richard , Morgan Jason Phipps
Published: October 2023

Discoverer of plate tectonics and mantle plumes
After the flood
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: October 2023

As the world's largest dam removal takes shape, restoration ecologists are poised to transform a landscape
In Other Journals
Authors: Ash Caroline , Szuromi Phil , Lempriere Sarah A. , Hurtley Stella M. , Uzogara Ekeoma , Suleymanov Yury , Wible Brad
Published: October 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Enhancing anatomy education through cooperative learning: harnessing virtual reality for effective gross anatomy learning
Authors: Wang Chao-Ying , Yin Ti , Ma Kuo-Hsing , Shyu Jia-Fwu , Cheng Chia-Pi , Wang Yu-Chiao , Huang Yun-Ling , Chiang Ming-Hsien
Published: October 2023

The advent of virtual reality (VR) in education offers unique possibilities for facilitating cooperative learning strategies, particularly in fields demanding intricate spatial understanding, such as gross anatomy. This study investigates the impact of integrating cooperative learning strategies within a VR-based gross anatomy curriculum, focusing on enhancing students’ anatomy knowledge and skills. We analyzed the performance of two cohorts of first-year nursing students across five semesters (2016–2020), where traditional learning methods were used in the first three semesters (2016–2018), and a VR-based cooperative learning approach was adopted in the last two semesters (2019–2020). Our findings suggest that the VR-based cooperative learning group achieved significantly higher scores in their gross anatomy laboratory courses compared to their counterparts learning through traditional methods. This research provides valuable insights into how the integration of VR technology and cooperative learning strategies can not only enhance learning outcomes but also improve the VR learning experience by reducing motion sickness. It accentuates the potential of VR-based cooperative learning as an impactful educational tool in anatomy education. Future research should further explore the optimal integration of VR and cooperative learning strategies in diverse course types and their potential to enhance educational outcomes and the learning experience.
The amount of Nck rather than N-WASP correlates with the rate of actin-based motility of Vaccinia virus
Authors: Basant Angika , Way Michael
Published: October 2023

Vaccinia virus exiting from host cells activates Src/Abl kinases to phosphorylate A36, an integral membrane viral protein. Phosphorylated A36 binds the adaptors Nck and Grb2, which recruit N-WASP to activate Arp2/3-driven actin polymerization to promote viral spread. A36 also recruits intersectin, which enhances actin polymerization via AP-2/clathrin and Cdc42. How many viral and host molecules does such a virus-hijacked signaling network engage? To advance our quantitative understanding of this model signaling network, we determined the absolute numbers of the key molecules using fluorescent molecule-counting approaches in live cells. There are 1,156 ± 120 A36 molecules on virus particles inducing actin polymerization in HeLa cells. This number, however, is over 2,000 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), suggesting that A36 levels on the virion are not fixed. In MEFs, viruses recruit 1,032 ± 200 Nck and 434 ± 10 N-WASP molecules, suggesting a ratio of 4:2:1 for the A36:Nck:N-WASP signaling network. Loss of A36 binding to either secondary factor Grb2 or intersectin results in a 1.3- and 2.5-fold reduction in Nck, respectively. Curiously, despite recruiting comparable numbers of the Arp2/3 activator, N-WASP (245 ± 26 and 276 ± 66), these mutant viruses move at different speeds that inversely correlate with the number of Nck molecules. Our analysis has uncovered two unexpected new aspects of Vaccinia virus egress, numbers of the viral protein A36 can vary in the virion membrane and the rate of virus movement depends on the adaptor protein Nck.

IMPORTANCE

Vaccinia virus is a large double-stranded DNA virus and a close relative of Mpox and Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. During infection, Vaccinia hijacks its host’s transport systems and promotes its spread into neighboring cells by recruiting a signaling network that stimulates actin polymerization. Over the years, Vaccinia has provided a powerful model to understand how signaling networks regulate actin polymerization. Nevertheless, we still lack important quantitative information about the system, including the precise number of viral and host molecules required to induce actin polymerization. Using quantitative fluorescence microscopy techniques, we have determined the number of viral and host signaling proteins accumulating on virions during their egress. Our analysis has uncovered two unexpected new aspects of this process: the number of viral proteins in the virion is not fixed and the velocity of virus movement depends on the level of a single adaptor within the signaling network.
Clinical significance of
Nosocomiicoccus ampullae
isolated from blood cultures
Authors: Campodónico Victoria L. , Tekle Tsigereda , Bergman Yehudit , Lu Jennifer , Gisriel Emily , Romagnoli Mark , Bourdas Dimitrios , Hanlon Ann , Manuel Carmila , Humphries Romney , Simner Patricia J. , Carroll Karen C.
Published: October 2023

Nosocomiicoccus
species are infrequently isolated from clinical specimens and their clinical significance has not been evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed five cases in which
Nosocomiicoccus ampullae
was identified in a single blood culture set during routine culture. All patients were admitted for altered mental status and had several comorbidities. Patients improved without antibiotic therapy directed to
N. ampullae
or their condition declined due to underlying conditions, and
N. ampullae
isolation was not considered clinically significant in any case. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and/or 16S rRNA gene Sanger sequencing allowed genus identification, but whole genome sequencing was required for accurate species identification. All strains were susceptible to penicillin, oxacillin, cefoxitin, tetracycline, doxycycline, daptomycin, minocycline, clindamycin, nitrofurantoin, vancomycin, and linezolid; they showed high-level resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin, and inducible resistance to clindamycin, applying Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
Staphylococcus
spp. guidelines with an extended incubation. They frequently carry genes associated with macrolide resistance. In conclusion,
N. ampullae
appears to have low pathogenicity and most probably represents a contaminant when isolated from a single blood culture set.

IMPORTANCE

Nosocomiicoccus
species are recently described as members of the
Staphylococcaceae
family. With their inclusion in commercial matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry databases,
Nosocomiicoccus
species can now be identified when Gram-positive cocci in clusters are detected in positive blood cultures. However, their clinical significance is not known, making it difficult for the clinical microbiology laboratory to decide the extent of work-up. Based on our study,
Nosocomiicoccus
species demonstrate low pathogenicity and opportunistic potential. If isolated from a single blood culture set, limited work-up should be performed to an extent similar to other possible blood culture contaminants.
Plant structural and storage glucans trigger distinct transcriptional responses that modulate the motility of
Xanthomonas
pathogens
Authors: Bonfim Isabela Mendes , Paixão Douglas Alvarez , Andrade Maxuel de Oliveira , Junior Joaquim Martins , Persinoti Gabriela Felix , Giuseppe Priscila Oliveira de , Murakami Mário Tyago
Published: October 2023

Some phytopathogens are outfitted with a broad and diverse repertoire of enzymatic systems that enable the breakdown and utilization of host polysaccharides as a source of carbon, energy, and stimuli. However, the functional assignment of these enzymatic systems and the influence of their products on modulating pathogen behavior during host colonization are yet poorly comprehended. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analyses to provide a comprehensive, genome-wide view of the transcriptional response of the model phytopathogen
Xanthomonas citri
pv.
citri
306 (known as
X. citri
306) to cellobiose, a component of structural β-1,4-glucans (majorly cellulose), and storage α-glucans, seeking to better understand how they are assimilated and the impacts of their sensing on bacterial behavior and physiology. Structural β-1,4-glucans and storage α-glucans (starch) are spatially discretized in the plant cell, therefore representing spatiotemporal references for the bacterium during host colonization. Combining transcriptional and genome mining analyses with gene knockout and cell motility assays, we show that
X. citri
306 harbors molecular systems for the breakdown and assimilation of these carbohydrates, revealing that cellobiose upregulates genes related to flagellum assembly and type IV pili, inducing a higher motility state. In contrast, starch suppresses genes related to chemotaxis, flagellum assembly, and biofilm dispersion, decreasing motility. Taken together, these results unravel that, besides using structural β-glucans and storage α-glucans as sources of carbon and energy,
Xanthomonas
bacteria also sense them, adapting their metabolism and controlling transitions between higher and lower motility states for successful host colonization.

IMPORTANCE

Pathogenic
Xanthomonas
bacteria can affect a variety of economically relevant crops causing losses in productivity, limiting commercialization and requiring phytosanitary measures. These plant pathogens exhibit high level of host and tissue specificity through multiple molecular strategies including several secretion systems, effector proteins, and a broad repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Many of these CAZymes act on the plant cell wall and storage carbohydrates, such as cellulose and starch, releasing products used as nutrients and modulators of transcriptional responses to support host colonization by mechanisms yet poorly understood. Here, we reveal that structural and storage β-glucans from the plant cell function as spatial markers, providing distinct chemical stimuli that modulate the transition between higher and lower motility states in
Xanthomonas citri
, a key virulence trait for many bacterial pathogens.
Proteomics and metabolomics analyses of camptothecin-producing
Aspergillus terreus
reveal the integration of PH domain-containing proteins and peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase in restoring the camptothecin biosynthesis
Authors: Rady Amgad M. , El-Sayed Ashraf S. A. , El-Baz Ashraf F. , Abdel-Fattah Ghada G. , Magdeldin Sameh , Ahmed Eman , Osama Aya , Hassanein Sameh E. , Saed Hend , Yassin Marwa
Published: October 2023

Attenuating the expression of fungal camptothecin biosynthetic genes with subculturing is the challenge that halts their further implementation. The camptothecin productivity of the subcultured
Aspergillus terreus
has been restored upon addition of
Ficus elastica
indigenous microbiome; however, the identity of triggering signals of
A. terreus
camptothecin biosynthesis remains ambiguous. In this study, differential proteomics and metabolomics analyses were implemented to unravel the differentially abundant proteins and metabolites associated with the weakening/restoration of the biosynthetic machinery of camptothecin by
A. terreus
. The functional proteins, namely, ribosomal proteins, ATP, metal ion, and GTP binding proteins, were abolished by the seventh culture of
A. terreus
; however, the expression of these proteins was completely restored upon addition of
F. elastica
microbiome. Among the proteins of highly altered abundance, Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing protein, peptidylprolyl
cis
/
trans
isomerase, 60S ribosomal protein, and So-Cu domain-containing proteins were significantly decreased with subculturing of
A. terreus
and strikingly restored upon addition of
F. elastica
microbiome. The metabolites 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethoxy-4H-chromen and glutaric acid of
A. terreus
were significantly decreased with subculturing and completely restored upon addition of
F. elastica
microbiome. The most differentially abundant metabolites were involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle, mevalonate pathway, terpenoids and shikimate synthesis, and ultimately with camptothecin biosynthesis. Thus, overexpression of PH domain-containing protein and peptidylprolyl
cis
/
trans
isomerase could be a new avenue for a metabolically stable camptothecin producing
A. terreus
.

IMPORTANCE

Decreasing the camptothecin productivity by fungi with storage and subculturing is the challenge that halts their further implementation to be an industrial platform for camptothecin (CPT) production. The highest differentially abundant proteins were Pleckstrin homology (PH) domain-containing proteins and Peptidyl-prolyl
cis
/
trans
isomerase that fluctuated with the subculturing of
A. terreus
with a remarkable relation to CPT biosynthesis and restored with addition of
F. elastica
microbiome.
Petrogenesis of Paleocene−Eocene gabbros in the Gangdese belt: Geochemical tracking of transitioning from oceanic subduction to continental collision related magmatism in southern Tibet
Authors: Hu Zhaoping , Zeng Lingsen , Dilek Yildirim , Förster Michael W. , Gao Li-E , Wang Yaying , Madayipu Nuerkanati , Li Huan
Published: October 2023

The composition of the sub-arc mantle and the mode and nature of geodynamic processes during the India-Asia collision that controlled the melt evolution beneath the Gangdese belt (southern Tibet) are still unclear. Here, we present new U-Pb ages and Hf isotopes of zircon, and whole-rock geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic data of the Paleocene−Eocene Najinla gabbros from the East Gangdese magmatic belt, aiming to track the transitioning magmatism formed from oceanic subduction to continental collision in the region. Zircon U-Pb analyses of these mafic rocks yield emplacement ages of 54 ± 1 Ma and 63 ± 1 Ma. The gabbros are characterized by variable SiO2 (45.87−55.44 wt%), MgO (1.03−8.18 wt%), FeOT (3.74−12.33 wt%), and Al2O3 (13.45−25.45 wt%) contents. Most samples exhibit high Al2O3 (17.15−25.45 wt%) and relatively low MgO (1.03−6.11 wt%), similar to typical high-alumina basalts and high-alumina basaltic andesites. The Najinla gabbros show characteristic subduction-related signatures with enriched large-ion lithophile elements and depleted high field strength elements. They have depleted Sr-Nd isotopic compositions with low and relatively homogeneous initial 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios of 0.7045−0.7049 and positive εNd(t) ratios of +2.2 to +3.2. The Najinla gabbroic rocks also have positive zircon εHf(t) values, ranging from +5.6 to +10.9. These results collectively suggest that magmas of the gabbros formed by partial melting of the asthenosphere with negligible crustal contamination during their emplacement. We propose that the mantle source of the Najinla gabbros was strongly influenced and metasomatized by subducted Neotethyan oceanic crust-derived fluids in the mantle wedge. Rollback of the subducted Neotethyan slab in the early Eocene led to partial melting of the subduction-modified mantle and the formation of these gabbros.
CCDC66
mutations are associated with high myopia through affected cell mitosis
Authors: Chen Xiaozhen , Tong Ping , Jiang Ying , Cheng Zhe , Zang Liyu , Yang Zhikuan , Lan Weizhong , Xia Kun , Hu Zhengmao , Tian Qi
Published: October 2023

Background

High myopia (HM) refers to an eye refractive error exceeding −5.00 D, significantly elevating blindness risk. The underlying mechanism of HM remains elusive. Given the extensive genetic heterogeneity and vast genetic base opacity, it is imperative to identify more causative genes and explore their pathogenic roles in HM.

Methods

We employed exome sequencing to pinpoint the causal gene in an HM family. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm and analyse the gene mutations in this family and 200 sporadic HM cases. Single-cell RNA sequencing was conducted to evaluate the gene’s expression patterns in developing human and mouse retinas. The CRISPR/Cas9 system facilitated the gene knockout cells, aiding in the exploration of the gene’s function and its mutations. Immunofluorescent staining and immunoblot techniques were applied to monitor the functional shifts of the gene mutations at the cellular level.

Results

A suspected nonsense mutation (c.C172T, p.Q58X) in
CCDC66
was found to be co-segregated with the HM phenotype in the family. Additionally, six other rare variants were identified among the 200 sporadic patients.
CCDC66
was consistently expressed in the embryonic retinas of both humans and mice. Notably, in CCDC66-deficient HEK293 cells, there was a decline in cell proliferation, microtube polymerisation rate and ace-tubulin level. Furthermore, the mutated CCDC66 failed to synchronise with the tubulin system during Hela cell mitosis, unlike its wild type counterpart.

Conclusions

Our research indicates that the
CCDC66
variant c.C172T is associated with HM. A deficiency in CCDC66 might disrupt cell proliferation by influencing the mitotic process during retinal growth, leading to HM.
Families’ perception of proposed nutrition screening on admission to pediatric hospitals: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Kocel Sarah , Carter Laura E. , Atkins Marlis
Published: October 2023

Nutrition screening is the first step in most acute care pediatric nutrition care pathways. However, there is a lack of understanding of patient and families’ perception of nutrition screening in pediatric populations. The objective of this study was to explore the potential perceptions, feelings, and opinions of families if pediatric nutrition screening were to be completed during hospital admission. Nine members of the Family Advisory Council at the Alberta Children's Hospital participated in a focus group to discuss questions around nutrition screening practices, malnutrition, and the pediatric nutrition screening tool. Transcripts were analyzed using MAXQDA and thematic analysis using the Braun and Clarke methodology. Two major themes emerged: screening may raise sensitive emotions and understanding the purpose of nutrition screening and the questions. Participants agreed discussions around growth and nutrition are vital to comprehensive medical care; however, the timing and approach of nutrition screening can lead to anxiety and feelings of judgement. A lack of understanding of the purpose of screening, next steps, and benefit to the individual patient could limit acceptance of nutrition screening. The findings of this study can inform training and education of healthcare professionals involved in nutrition screening.
High-intensity interval training attenuates impairment in regulatory protein machinery of mitochondrial quality control in skeletal muscle of diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Tincknell James B. , Kugler Benjamin A. , Spicuzza Haley , Berger Nicolas , Yan Huimin , You Tongjian , Zou Kai
Published: October 2023

Mitochondrial quality control processes are essential in governing mitochondrial integrity and function. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of 10 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the regulatory protein machinery of skeletal muscle mitochondrial quality control and whole-body glucose homeostasis in diet-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to low-fat diet (LFD) or high-fat diet (HFD) group. After 10 weeks, HFD-fed mice were divided into sedentary and HIIT (HFD + HIIT) groups for another 10 weeks ( n = 9/group). Graded exercise test, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, mitochondrial respiration, and protein markers of mitochondrial quality control processes were determined. HFD-fed mice exhibited lower ADP-stimulated mitochondrial respiration ( p < 0.05). However, 10 weeks of HIIT prevented this impairment ( p < 0.05). Importantly, the ratio of Drp1(Ser616) over Drp1(Ser637) phosphorylation, an indicator of mitochondrial fission, was significantly higher in HFD-fed mice ( p < 0.05), but such increase was attenuated in HFD-HIIT compared to HFD (−35.7%, p < 0.05). Regarding autophagy, skeletal muscle p62 content was lower in the HFD group than the LFD group (−35.1%, p < 0.05); however, such reduction was disappeared in the HFD + HIIT group. In addition, LC3B II/I ratio was higher in the HFD group than the LFD group (15.5%, p < 0.05) but was ameliorated in the HFD + HIIT group (−29.9%, p < 0.05). Overall, our study demonstrated that 10 weeks of HIIT was effective in improving skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration and the regulatory protein machinery of mitochondrial quality control in diet-induced obese mice through the alterations of mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 phosphorylations and p62/LC3B-mediated regulatory machinery of autophagy.
The July 1996 Saguenay Flood: geotechnical aspects
Authors: Leroueil Serge , Bouchard Régis , Demers Denis , Perret Didier
Published: October 2023

Extreme rainfall occurred in July 1996 over the Saguenay Region, some 200 km north of Quebec City. With about 1000 landslides, seven damaged dams, one dike failure, washed out road sections, tens of bridges damaged or destroyed, 1700 properties destroyed or damaged and several casualties, this event was one of the most important natural disasters in Canada. Detailed geotechnical investigations permitted better understanding of the soils involved, mainly sensitive clays and their superficial crust, including their behaviour in landslides, the erosion processes, impacts on infrastructure and sediment deposition.
Density estimates of unmarked mammals: comparing two models and assumptions across multiple species and years
Authors: Fisher J.T. , Dickie M. , Burgar J.M. , Burton A.C. , Serrouya R.
Published: October 2023

Density estimation is a key goal in ecology, but accurate estimates for unmarked animals remain elusive. Camera trap data can bridge this gap, but accuracy, precision, and concordance varies among estimators. We compared estimates from unmarked spatial capture–recapture (spatial count (SC)) models, and time in front of camera (TIFC) models, for four large mammal species in boreal Canada. Species differed in movement rates, behaviours, and sociality—traits related to model assumptions. TIFC densities typically exceeded SC model estimates for all species. Two- to five-fold differences between estimators were common. SC estimates were annually stable for moose and caribou but not for white-tailed deer. TIFC estimates showed high annual variation in some species, sites, and years, and consistency in others. Both models often produced imprecise estimates. Estimates varied from DNA- and aerial survey-based estimates. We contend models diverge, or implausibly vary, due to violations of model assumptions incurred by animal behaviour. Gregarious animals pose challenges to SC, whereas curious animals pose challenges for TIFC models. Simulations can help unravel the role of assumption violations in affecting accuracy of estimates, but field applications across species and landscapes help interpret the outcomes of estimating density from simulated data.
On the two-loop BSM corrections to $$h\longrightarrow \gamma \gamma $$ in the aligned THDM
Authors: Degrassi Giuseppe , Slavich Pietro
Published: October 2023

We compute the two-loop BSM contributions to the $$h\longrightarrow \gamma \gamma $$

h
⟶
γ
γ

decay width in the aligned THDM. We adopt the simplifying assumptions of vanishing EW gauge couplings and vanishing mass of the SM-like Higgs boson, which allow us to exploit a low-energy theorem connecting the $$h\gamma \gamma $$

h
γ
γ

amplitude to the derivative of the photon self-energy w.r.t. the Higgs field. We briefly discuss the numerical impact of the newly-computed contributions, showing that they may be required for a precise determination of $$\Gamma [h\rightarrow \gamma \gamma ]$$

Γ
[
h
→
γ
γ
]

in scenarios where the quartic Higgs couplings are large.
Soft syndrome iterative decoding of quantum LDPC codes and hardware architectures
Authors: Raveendran Nithin , Valls Javier , Pradhan Asit Kumar , Rengaswamy Narayanan , Garcia-Herrero Francisco , Vasić Bane
Published: October 2023

In practical quantum error correction implementations, the measurement of syndrome information is an unreliable step—typically modeled as a binary measurement outcome flipped with some probability. However, the measured syndrome is in fact a discretized value of the continuous voltage or current values obtained in the physical implementation of the syndrome extraction. In this paper, we use this “soft” or analog information to benefit iterative decoders for decoding quantum low-density parity-check (QLDPC) codes. Syndrome-based iterative belief propagation decoders are modified to utilize the soft syndrome to correct both data and syndrome errors simultaneously. We demonstrate the advantages of the proposed scheme not only in terms of comparison of thresholds and logical error rates for quasi-cyclic lifted-product QLDPC code families but also with faster convergence of iterative decoders. Additionally, we derive hardware (FPGA) architectures of these soft syndrome decoders and obtain similar performance in terms of error correction to the ideal models even with reduced precision in the soft information. The total latency of the hardware architectures is about 600 ns (for the QLDPC codes considered) in a 20 nm CMOS process FPGA device, and the area overhead is almost constant—less than 50% compared to min-sum decoders with noisy syndromes.
The People’s Republic of China’s 40-Year Demographic Dividend and Labor Supply: The Quantity Myth
Authors: MENG XIN
Published: October 2023

During the past 40 years, the economy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has achieved miraculous growth, a significant part of which many have attributed to its favorable labor supply resulting from the country’s “demographic dividend”–that is, a relatively large share of the working-age population in the total population (WAPS). Currently, this dividend is slipping away, and many in the PRC are very concerned. Against this background, I set out to examine the contributions of various dimensions of the PRC’s changing WAPS and its impact on economic growth. I show that between 1982 and 2015 the increase in WAPS was offset by a decline in the labor force participation rate, resulting in a very limited increase in the quantity of the labor supply. I then estimate the association between regional variations in economic growth and changes in factors such as population size, WAPS, migration, and education. The results lend little support to the view that an expanding WAPS played a major role in the PRC’s economic growth over this period.
Relating Various Types of Distributed Reaction Systems
Authors: Aman Bogdan
Published: October 2023

A distributed reaction system models a system composed of several reaction systems. Each reaction system has its own set of reactions, while the background set is the same for all reaction systems. At each transition of the distributed reaction system, the environment provides an arbitrary context containing symbols for each reaction system and also it specifies which reaction systems are active. On the other hand, a distributed communicating reaction system with direct communication models a system composed of several reaction systems that are able to communicate products or reactions, while the environment provides a context similar to that for distributed reaction systems. In this paper, it is proved that these distributed variants of reaction systems can be related by establishing translations of distributed reaction systems into distributed communicating reaction systems with direct communication and the other way round.
MHD nanofluid flow through Darcy medium with thermal radiation and heat source
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Shoaib , Muhammad Taseer , Khan Mumtaz , Puneeth V.
Published: October 2023

In this analysis, we have considered heat transmission in two-dimensional steady laminar nanofluid flow past a wedge. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), Brownian motion, viscous dissipation and thermophoresis effects are considered over the porous surface. Similarity transformations have been used to change the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) into nonlinear higher-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Governing ODEs with boundary conditions are then converted to the system of first-order initial value problem. After that the modeled system is solved numerically by RK4 technique. Impact of the magnetic number, Eckert number, Prandtl number, Lewis number, Brownian motion, thermophoresis and permeability parameters on the flow domain is analyzed graphically as well as in tabular form. It is noted that magnitude of Nusselt number for the flow regime increases with the increase of nondimensional parameter [Formula: see text] while opposite behavior is observed in case of R.
Investigation on prospective thermoelectrics — cubic Nd-doped LMO and rhombohedral Cu4Mn2Te4 materials — first principles approach
Authors: Priyadharshini S. , Sundareswari M.
Published: October 2023

Structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of Cu4Mn2Te4 have been reported earlier by the authors, and here, the transport properties of the same are discussed along with the band structure investigation of the neodymium-doped cubic material LMO (LiMn2O4), namely LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 compound, under spin polarized schemes through the First Principles calculations. The Full Potential-Linearized Augumented Plane Wave Method (FP-LAPW) method is adopted to investigate the electronic structures based on the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT). Exchange potentials are treated using the Generalized Gradient Approximations (GGA). Cohesive energy calculations reveal that the ferromagnetic phase of LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 and the antiferromagnetic phase of Cu4Mn2Te4 exhibits a stable phase. Of these, FM-LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 shows a semi-metallic-like behavior in spin-up channel and metallic behavior in spin-down channel whereas antiferromagnetic Cu4Mn2Te4 exhibits a band gap in both spin-up and spin-down channels. Dirac points are identified at −0.0625[Formula: see text]eV in the band structure plot of FM-LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 at its high symmetry points [Formula: see text] and W which is an indication of high electron mobility at ambient condition. The presence of flat and dispersive bands around the Fermi energy level is an indication of high thermopower, and it is present in both the compounds FM-LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 and AFM-Cu4Mn2Te4. From the present computations, at 300[Formula: see text]K, a power factor range of ([Formula: see text] scaled by relaxation time in [Formula: see text]W/msK2) [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is obtained for ferromagnetic LiMn[Formula: see text]Nd[Formula: see text]O4 compounds at up and down spins, respectively. A typical power factor ([Formula: see text]Wm[Formula: see text]s[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text]) of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is obtained for antiferromagnetic Cu4Mn2Te4 at 325[Formula: see text]K required for good thermoelectric performance.
High speed ultra-low-lower lulse-triggered JLFET Flip-Flop
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Panchore Meena , Singh Sangeeta , Singh Jawar
Published: October 2023

Power efficiency and enhancing the speed are two major challenges of traditional D-Flip-Flops (D-FF) for designing energy-efficient IOT (internet of thing) devices. Therefore, the main objective of this research article is to design low power high speed D-FF circuits using emerging nanoscale devices. Hence, the first time, in this paper, a pulse-triggered Junctionless D-Flip-Flop (JLFET D-FF) circuit is presented using 15 nm technology, targeting both power budget and high performance concerns. Here, the D-FF circuit uses a signal feedthrough approach to minimize transition duration when output switches from 0 to 1, which requires only a single JLFET structure. Further, to minimize the delay time for the 1 to 0 transition, the discharging path is optimized by employing only two JLFETs. The novel JLFET D-FF circuit is simulated in the Cadence virtuoso simulator using the Verilog-A model. The simulated results have shown that the average power consumption and delay of the proposed circuit are significantly improved as compared to the earlier reported work. The average power consumption in JLFET D-FF for 25% data switching activity is improved by approximately 56% and 64% than ULPFF and SFT-FF, respectively. Further, the power delay performance (PDP) of JLFET D-FF is improved by 96% and 97% at the same data switching activity as compared to ULPFF and SFT-FF, respectively. The performance of the novel D-FF circuit is measured by considering D to Q delay as key parameter which is improved by 77% and 77.5% than ULPFF and SFT-FF, respectively. The simulation results of this work can give insights into the in-circuit behavior of modern semiconductor devices.
The Fractal Quantum Gravity
Authors: Li Shuming , Huang Lihua Li , Li Shuwei , Li Shuyun
Published: October 2023

Based on the smallest physical constant of the product of space interval, time interval, and energy, the fractal quantum gravity (FQG) theory has demonstrated that every particle or physical system consists of these smallest units in fractal structures. The general relativity is an approximation of the FQG equation when the quantum effect is negligible, while the quantum theory is an approximation of the FQG equation when the interaction between space, time, and energy is very weak or negligible. The stationary-action principle can be derived from the FQG equation. The mass range of possibly existing elementary particles and an accelerating expansion evolution model of the universe can be obtained through the FQG equation. This FQG equation satisfied almost all the requirements of a quantum gravity theory and there is no free constant needed in the FQG theory. It looks promising that the FQG theory may offer a novel way to calculate all the free constants in the Standard Model of particle physics and general relativity.
It Is All about Data: A Survey on the Effects of Data on Adversarial Robustness
Authors: Xiong Peiyu , Tegegn Michael , Sarin Jaskeerat Singh , Pal Shubhraneel , Rubin Julia
Published: October 2023

Adversarial examples are inputs to machine learning models that an attacker has intentionally designed to confuse the model into making a mistake. Such examples pose a serious threat to the applicability of machine learning-based systems, especially in life- and safety-critical domains. To address this problem, the area of adversarial robustness investigates mechanisms behind adversarial attacks and defenses against these attacks. This survey reviews a particular subset of this literature that focuses on investigating properties of training data in the context of model robustness under evasion attacks. It first summarizes the main properties of data leading to adversarial vulnerability. It then discusses guidelines and techniques for improving adversarial robustness by enhancing the data representation and learning procedures, as well as techniques for estimating robustness guarantees given particular data. Finally, it discusses gaps of knowledge and promising future research directions in this area.
End-to-End Target Liveness Detection via mmWave Radar and Vision Fusion for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Wang Shuai , Mei Luoyu , Yin Zhimeng , Li Hao , Liu Ruofeng , Jiang Wenchao , Lu Chris Xiaoxuan
Published: October 2023

The successful operation of autonomous vehicles hinges on their ability to accurately identify objects in their vicinity, particularly living targets such as bikers and pedestrians. However, visual interference inherent in real-world environments, such as omnipresent billboards, poses substantial challenges to extant vision-based detection technologies. These visual interference exhibit similar visual attributes to living targets, leading to erroneous identification. We address this problem by harnessing the capabilities of mmWave radar, a vital sensor in autonomous vehicles, in combination with vision technology, thereby contributing a unique solution for liveness target detection. We propose a methodology that extracts features from the mmWave radar signal to achieve end-to-end liveness target detection by integrating the mmWave radar and vision technology. This proposed methodology is implemented and evaluated on the commodity mmWave radar IWR6843ISK-ODS and vision sensor Logitech camera. Our extensive evaluation reveals that the proposed method accomplishes liveness target detection with a mean average precision of 98.1%, surpassing the performance of existing studies.
Addressing Mass Conservation in Two-dimensional Modeling of Lithium Metal Batteries with Electrochemically Plated/Stripped Interfaces
Authors: Jang Taejin , Mishra Lubhani , Subramaniam Akshay , Uppaluri Maitri , Ramadesigan Venkatasailanathan , Garrick Taylor R. , Subramanian Venkat R.
Published: October 2023

This work investigates convection in liquid electrolytes induced by the movement of the lithium metal surface, modeled as a moving boundary. The back-and-forth motion of the lithium metal surface during the plating and stripping of lithium introduces a weak fluid motion in the liquid electrolyte that should be incorporated in the model equations and corresponding boundary conditions. The results for the electrochemical signatures and morphology evolution thus obtained by solving a coupled fluid model are compared with the case where the velocity distribution in the liquid electrolyte is ignored. This work extends our previously reported perspective on the convective flux correction at moving boundaries in one-dimensional models to two dimensions. This careful implementation of the correct boundary conditions ensures the mass conservation of lithium in two-dimensional simulations for predicting the morphological evolution of lithium metal electrodes over cycles. Additionally, these relative fluxes at the moving and fixed boundaries are sometimes ignored by assuming a bulk concentration condition at the far end, especially at the cathode/separator interface. While it may not affect overpotential signatures at the anode, it leads to mass conservation issues with implications for the accuracy of cycling simulations.
Structural Identification of Impurities in Pioglitazone Hydrochloride Preparations by 2D-UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS and Their Toxicity Prediction
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Wang Weijian , Zhao Haiyun , Wang Song , Yu Mingyan , Zhang Dongmei , Liu Wenkun , Xie Qiangsheng , Chen Dejun
Published: October 2023

Pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies have more and more concerns for impurities in pharmaceuticals and their toxicity. In this work, heart-cutting two-dimensional ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (2D-UHPLC) in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was used, setting HRMS as positive mode of electrospray ionization to identify five impurities in pioglitazone hydrochloride preparations. With the heart-cutting 2D-UHPLC and online desalting technique, the structures of five impurities were deduced in an analysis of MSn data. And three of them, Impurity-2, Impurity-3, and Impurity-5, have never been reported before. The fragmentation patterns of five impurities were proposed on a basis of accurate mass and fragment ions in this study. Since the toxicity of impurities is relevant to their structures, toxicology of all five impurities was predicted by three software tools, and the result showed that these compounds have good safety profile.
Paper Recommendation via Correlation Pattern Mining and Attention Mechanism
Authors: Huang Weiming , Liu Baisong , Wang Zhaoliang
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the matrix factorization method in the paper recommendation system. We mainly address two problems. First, the vectors based on citation networks are undertrained because newly added papers are rarely cited. Second, current algorithms are mainly based on keyword search or global popularity and lack the organic combination of considering personalized interest and global popularity. To address the above two issues for the paper recommender, we propose a matrix factorization model that combines popularity analysis and attention mechanisms. The model effectively fuses the similarity of the citation network and topic using the multiplicative law, which can alleviate the data sparsity problem. Especially for cold‐start papers, we add second‐order neighbor nodes to makeup for the problem that newly joined papers don’t get enough training. We propose a keyword attention mechanism that combines user preferences and global popularity to personalize and balance the popularity of papers. Through comprehensive experiments on the CiteULike dataset, we show that our method can significantly improve the paper recommendation effectiveness.
Effect of Head Nurses’ Workplace Polarity Management Educational Intervention on Their Coaching Behavior
Authors: Sorour Marwa Samir , Hossny Eman Kamel , Mohamed Nadia Taha , Abdelkader Abeer Mohamed , Alotaibi Hammad S. , Obied Heba Kamal
Published: October 2023

Purpose. To maintain the quality of patients care, head nurses (HNs) are confronting various contradicting issues that require the ability to manage polarities and concern coaching behaviors as exploring situations, building alliances, and maintaining communication with nurses. This study aimed to explore the effect of HNs’ workplace polarity management educational intervention on their coaching behaviors. Design. A quasiexperimental (pre-posttest) research design was used. Method. This study was conducted at Tanta International Teaching Hospital, on 12 HNs and 300 nurses using three tools: (I) a polarity management knowledge questionnaire; (II) a polarity map evaluation observational checklist; and (III) a nurses’ perception of the HNs’ coaching leadership behaviors questionnaire. The statistical tests used were as follows: the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the significance of the obtained results was judged at the 5% level; the marginal homogeneity test, ANOVA with repeated measures, the Wilcoxon signed ranks test, and the Friedman test. The study was conducted between end of 2021 and beginning of 2022. The educational intervention included 3 sessions: polarity management and the keys to manage it, polarity map (stability versus change), and head nurses’ role in managing polarity and how it reflects on their coaching leadership behavior. HNs’ ability to practice polarity management was classified into levels according to cutoff points: high >75%, moderate 60–75%, and low <60%. Results. Before intervention (66.7%, 100%) of head nurses had poor knowledge and low practice that changed after 3 months of intervention to be 58.3% and 41.7%, respectively. Before and 3 months after the intervention (70.0%, 33.7%) of nurses perceived that head nurses had a low and a moderate level of coaching, respectively. 70.0% of working nurses reported that they noticed that head nurses' coaching behaviors were low before the educational intervention, but the percentage decreased by half three months after the educational intervention. Conclusion. Implementing the educational intervention for head nurses about workplace polarity management significantly correlated with the nurses’ perception of their HNs’ coaching behaviors.
Self-Regulated Learning Diary Interventions and the Implications for Health Professions Education
Authors: Zarei Hajiabadi Zahra , Gandomkar Roghayeh , Ashrafifard Houra , Sandars John
Published: October 2023

Background. There is increasing interest in the application of self-regulated learning (SRL) to improve academic and clinical performance in health professions education. SRL-learning diary (SRL-LD) interventions have become popular in non-health professions contexts to develop students’ SRL and academic performance. The aim of this systematic review was to identify how SRL-LD interventions have been used in health and non-health professions education, with the intention to provide insights into their use and to inform future implementation and research in health professions education. Methods. Electronic search in ERIC, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted. Two authors independently selected studies based on inclusion criteria and all selected studies were analyzed using a predetermined framework. Results. Of the identified 986 studies, 23 were selected for the review. Most studies were conducted in higher education within a domain-specific context, with only one study in health professions education. Most were justification studies. Five types of intervention were identified (Diary + SRL instruction, Diary + feedback, Diary + SRL instruction + feedback, Diary only, and SRL instruction only). Overall, the combination of a diary with explicit SRL instruction and/or feedback improved more SRL processes than diary only or SRL instruction only interventions. In studies reporting academic outcomes, there was also an improvement in 40% of studies. Conclusion. This systematic review highlights the potential usefulness of SRL-LD interventions in health professions education. Recommendations for implementation and future research are discussed.