bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Heritability Estimates for Growth, Carcass and Precocity in Snails Cornu aspersum maximum (Synonym Helix aspersa maxima)
Authors: Leôncio Thamires Aparecida , da Silva Natalia Costa , de Paiva José Teodoro , Carrara Eula Regina , de Fátima Miranda Claudiana , Freitas Felipe André Oliveira , Kelles Kelvin Rodrigues , Lourenço Matheus Aparecido Salviano , Santos Fernanda Larissa Cesar , Tarôco Graziela , Reis Aricia Chaves Zanetti , de Souza Patrícia Lombardi , de Genova Gaya Leila
Published: December 2024

The aim was to estimate the heritabilities for accumulated weight gain between 60 and 90 days (WG1), 90 and 120 days (WG2) and 120 and 150 days of age (WG3), pre‐slaughter body weight (PRE), meat‐to‐shell ratio (MS), carcass yield (CY) and age at first oviposition (AFO) in a population of snails Cornu aspersum maximum. Single (for heritabilities) and bi‐trait (for genetic correlations) analyses were performed using Bayesian inference. The animal model included the random effect of animal and systematic effects of contemporary groups and covariates. The heritability estimates for WG1, WG2 and WG3 were 0.59, 0.60 and 0.32, respectively. Heritabilities for PRE, MS, CY and AFO ranged from 0.22 to 0.51. Environmental factors mostly influenced PRE among the studied traits. However, for carcass traits and age at first oviposition, the 95% HPD intervals of estimates were large. Only the genetic correlations between weight gains reached chain convergence. The correlation between WG1 and WG2 was 0.74, between WG2 and WG3 was 0.57, and between WG1 and WG3 was 0.22 (not statistically significant). In this sense, WG1 appears to be the optimal period for evaluating the body performance of snails. Genetic improvement in WG2 may be obtained by direct selection for WG1 in this population of Cornu aspersum maximum.
Nomogram for predicting diabetes insipidus following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery in pituitary adenomas
Authors: Yu Xinming , Xu Guangming , Qiu Peng
Published: December 2024

Postoperative diabetes insipidus (DI) frequently complicates endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) in pituitary adenoma (PA) patients, yet reliable predictive methods for DI risk remain lacking. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with DI following endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of PA and to develop a predictive nomogram for assessing postoperative DI risk. This study involved 600 PA patients underwent endoscopic TSS at Shandong Provincial Hospital from 2021 to 2023. Among these patients, 82 developed postoperative DI while 518 did not. The cohort was randomly divided into training (n = 360) and validation (n = 240) groups at 6:4 ratios by R software. Clinical parameters and radiographic features were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression to construct a predictive nomogram for post‐endoscopic TSS DI risk. Model performance was assessed using ROC curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analysis. Subgroup analysis was used to evaluate the model's ability to discriminate between transient and permanent DI. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses on the training group identified several independent risk factors for post‐endoscopic TSS DI, including maximum tumor diameter, Knosp grade, Esposito grade, recurrent PA, and pituitary stalk deviation angle. A nomogram was developed based on these factors, demonstrating robust predictive accuracy with ROC areas under curve of 0.840 for the training group and 0.815 for the validation group. Calibration plots indicated excellent agreement between predicted and observed probabilities of postoperative DI. DCA curves highlighted the nomogram's efficacy in guiding clinical decision‐making. Subgroup analysis showed that the model was able to discriminate between transient and permanent DI, and the AUC was 0.652 (95% CI 0.525–0.794). This study presents a nomogram designed to predict postoperative DI risk in patients undergoing endoscopic TSS for PA. Internal and external validations underscored the model's high accuracy, calibration, and clinical utility. Simultaneously, the model can also assess the development risk of permanent DI. This predictive tool offers clinicians valuable support in identifying high‐risk DI patients, optimizing postoperative care strategies, and tailoring treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.
Hindlimb biomechanics of Lagosuchus talampayensis (Archosauria, Dinosauriformes), with comments on skeletal morphology
Authors: Otero Alejandro , Bishop Peter J. , Hutchinson John R.
Published: December 2024

Lagosuchus talampayensis is a small‐bodied (~0.5 m long) Late Triassic dinosauriform archosaur from Argentina. Lagosuchus long has been a pivotal taxon for reconstructing the evolution of form and function on the dinosaur lineage. This importance is because it has a mix of ancestral archosaurian traits, such as a small pelvis with a mostly closed acetabulum lacking prominences that would restrict hip mobility much, with derived “dinosaurian” traits such as bipedalism, proximally shifted thigh muscle insertions, elongate hindlimbs, “advanced mesotarsal” ankle joints and digitigrade feet. Here, to quantify key functional traits related to the locomotor biomechanics of Lagosuchus, we build a three‐dimensional musculoskeletal model, focussing on morphofunctional analysis of the pelvic limb. We survey skeletal material that we have digitised, pointing out hitherto undescribed features and elements, many of which are from taxa other than Lagosuchus. Next, we select ideal elements amongst these to construct a composite model, and articulate adjacent body segments into joints, then estimate body shape including centre of mass, and add muscle paths to create a musculoskeletal model. Finally, we use two methods to quantify the hindlimb muscle parameters (“architecture”) in the model. We find that they produce similar estimates of force‐generating capacities, and compare these data to the few available data from other archosaurs in an evolutionary context, to reconstruct fundamental patterns of changes in muscle architecture and pelvic limb morphology. Our model forms a valuable basis for future quantitative analyses of locomotor function and its evolution in early archosaurs, and an example of how to navigate decision‐making for modelling problematic specimens.
Occupational aspirations and academic achievement: Rethinking the direction of effects and the role of socioeconomic status in middle childhood and adolescence
Authors: Park Jeongeun , Rose Jo , McKeown Shelley , Washbrook Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

Research into the relation between occupational aspirations and academic achievement has substantially grown. What remains unclear, however, is whether and how this relation, including the direction of effects, (1) unfolds dynamically in middle childhood and adolescence and (2) varies by socioeconomic status (SES). The present study aimed to address this, using the contemporary and nationally representative data from England through the UK's Millennium Cohort Study (Analytic N = 5517) and applying random intercept cross‐lagged panel modelling. Results showed that achievement unidirectionally and positively predicted aspirations in middle childhood. Achievement and aspirations predicted each other cyclically in adolescence, although their magnitudes varied. Moderation analysis demonstrated that this cyclical relation in adolescence was only significant amongst high and medium SES groups. For the low SES group, aspirations did not significantly predict achievement at any age point, despite relatively high aspirations. We discuss theoretical and practical implications, especially the differential effect of occupational aspirations in driving academic outcomes by SES.
Sound Symbolism in the Lexicon: A Review of Iconic‐Systematicity
Authors: Sidhu David M.
Published: December 2024

Sound symbolism refers to associations between language sounds (i.e., phonemes) and particular properties (e.g., certain shapes). For example, phonemes like /m/ are associated with roundness, while phonemes like /k/ are associated with spikiness. In this paper I review the accumulating evidence that different instances of sound symbolism can be observed as patterns in real words in existing lexicons (e.g., /m/ occurring more frequently in words for round things). The properties examined include shape, size, texture, valence and arousal. Such effects are an instance of both iconicity (words whose forms resemble their meanings) and systematicity (largescale patterns in the forms of related words in a language). I also discuss open questions on the topic, including how such patterns emerge, and their effects on language processing.
A call to unify cost and economic impact research of health professions education
Authors: Yaros Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Yaros argues that advancing evidence on the costs and economic impacts of student‐led clinics requires joining forces to build towards conceptual and methodological unity across all health professions education economic research.
Validation and application of stable isotope analysis of dugong tusks to determine long‐term shifts in foraging patterns
Authors: Lanyon Janet M. , Dawson Lilly C. , Baublys Kim
Published: December 2024

Understanding the capacity of animals to shift diet in times of food shortage is crucial in assessing their resilience to climate change. Dugongs are specialist herbivores that live in genetically discrete populations and forage locally. This study validated the use of stable isotope analysis of collagen from the permanent, continuously growing tusks of dugongs to assess potential trophic and/or spatial shifts in foraging. Tusks were accessed from museum collections and included five locations spanning the dugong's Australian subtropical to tropical distribution. Collagen from tusk growth layers deposited during three life stages (nursing calf, subadult, and adult) and two seasons (winter, summer) were analyzed for δ15N and δ13C. In tropical Australia, mean δ15N values decreased significantly from calves to adults reflecting the ontogenetic dietary shift from milk to seagrass. In contrast, δ15N was significantly enriched in adult dugongs in subtropical Moreton Bay suggesting omnivory. δ13C values in tusks did not change with geographic location. Season did not appear to have a significant impact on δ15N or δ13C values in either tropical or subtropical locations, but dietary variation was greatest in the subtropics. Stable isotope analysis of tusks appears to be a useful method of investigating dietary/trophic shifts over a dugong's lifetime.
Unpacking sublinear growth: diversity, stability and coexistence
Authors: Aguadé‐Gorgorió Guim , Lajaaiti Ismaël , Arnoldi Jean‐Francois , Kéfi Sonia
Published: December 2024

How can so many species coexist in natural ecosystems remains a fundamental question in ecology. Classical models suggest that competition for space and resources should maintain the number of coexisting species far below the staggering diversity commonly found in nature. To overcome this paradox, theoretical studies have long highlighted a number of mechanisms that can favour species coexistence, from the distribution of interaction strengths between species to the shape of population growth functions. In particular, a family of mathematical models finds that, when sublinear population growth (SG) rates are coupled with competition between species, species diversity can stabilize community dynamics. This could suggest that SG may explain the stable coexistence of many species in natural ecosystems. Here we clarify why SG models do not solve the paradox of species coexistence. This is because, in the SG model, coexistence emerges from an unrealistic property, in which population per capita growth rates tend to infinity at low abundance, preventing species from ever going extinct due to competitive exclusion. Infinite growth at low abundance can be regularized by assuming a minimal abundance threshold, below which a species goes extinct or follows non‐infinite growth curves. When this is done, the SG model recovers the classical result: increasing the diversity of the species pool leads to competitive exclusion and species extinctions.
Genetic engineering of RuBisCO by multiplex CRISPR editing small subunits in rice
Authors: Zhou Yujie , Shi Lifang , Li Xia , Wei Shaobo , Ye Xiangyuan , Gao Yuan , Zhou Yupeng , Cheng Lin , Cheng Long , Duan Fengying , Li Mei , Zhang Hui , Qian Qian , Zhou Wenbin
Published: December 2024

Ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) is required for photosynthetic carbon assimilation, as it catalyses the conversion of inorganic carbon into organic carbon. Despite its importance, RuBisCO is inefficient; it has a low catalytic rate and poor substrate specificity. Improving the catalytic performance of RuBisCO is one of the key routes for enhancing plant photosynthesis. As the basic subunit of RuBisCO, RbcS affects the catalytic properties and plays a key role in stabilizing the structure of holoenzyme. Yet, the understanding of functions of RbcS in crops is still largely unknown. Toward this end, we employed CRISPR‐Cas9 technology to randomly edit five rbcS genes in rice (OsrbcS1–5), generating a series of knockout mutants. The mutations of predominant rbcS genes in rice photosynthetic tissues, OsrbcS2–5, conferred inhibited growth, delayed heading and reduced yield in the field conditions, accompanying with lower RuBisCO contents and activities and significantly reduced photosynthetic efficiency. The retarded phenotypes were severer caused by multiple mutations. In addition, we revealed that these mutants had fewer chloroplasts and starch grains and a lower sugar content in the shoot base, resulting in fewer rice tillers. Further structural analysis of the mutated RuBisCO enzyme in one rbcs2,3,5 mutant line uncovered no significant differences from the wild‐type protein, indicating that the mutations of rbcS did not compromise the protein assembly or the structure. Our findings generated a mutant pool with genetic diversities, which offers a valuable resource and novel insights into unravelling the mechanisms of RuBisCO in rice. The multiplex genetic engineering approach of this study provides an effective and feasible strategy for RuBisCO modification in crops, further facilitate the photosynthesis improvement and sustainable crop production.
Natural mutation in Stay‐Green (OsSGR) confers enhanced resistance to rice sheath blight through elevating cytokinin content
Authors: Xie Wenya , Xue Xiang , Wang Yu , Zhang Guiyun , Zhao Jianhua , Zhang Huimin , Wang Guangda , Li Lei , Wang Yiqin , Shan Wenfeng , Zhang Yafang , Chen Zongxiang , Chen Xijun , Feng Zhiming , Hu Keming , Sun Mingfa , Chu Chengcai , Zuo Shimin
Published: December 2024

Sheath blight (ShB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani, is a highly destructive disease in many crops worldwide and no major resistance genes are available. Here, we identified a sbr1 (sheath blight resistance 1) rice mutant, which shows enhanced ShB resistance and maintains wildtype agronomic traits including yield, but carries an undesired stay‐green phenotype. Through map‐based cloning and transgenic validation, we found that an insertion disrupting the Stay‐Green (OsSGR) gene is responsible for sbr1 phenotypes. Mechanistically, the sbr1/Ossgr mutants reduce the expression of most OsCKX genes, which function in cytokinin (CK) degradation, to accumulate CK leading to ShB resistance. Importantly, knockout of OsCKX7, predominantly expressed in the leaf sheath and highly induced by R. solani, significantly enhances ShB resistance without stay‐green phenotype nor yield penalty, showing high application potential. Thus, our study reveals novel insights that OsSGR and cytokinin play key roles in rice‐R. solani interaction and generates a valuable ShB‐resistant germplasm.
A Simplified Estimation of Spindle Dynamic Compliance From Current Measurement for Contactless Electromagnetic Excitation
Authors: Iwai Kai , Yamato Shuntaro , Matsubara Atsushi
Published: December 2024

Dynamic stiffness during spindle rotation is important in the performance evaluation of machine tools. A method for measuring dynamic compliance, which is the reciprocal of dynamic stiffness, using a load generator in uniaxial and unidirectional was investigated. An electromagnetic force generation model was experimentally constructed using static coil current and load measurements. Using this model, the vibratory force was calculated. The excitation conditions without gap effect were set, and the dynamic compliance was estimated by conducting actual vibration experiments. The estimated dynamic compliance was in good agreement with the dynamic compliance obtained from the force measurement, indicating that the proposed method can perform the measurement efficiently.
HPV16 entry requires dynein for minus-end transport and utilizes kinesin Kif11 for plus-end transport along microtubules during mitosis
Authors: Keiffer Timothy R. , DiGiuseppe Stephen , Guion Lucile , Bienkowska-Haba Malgorzata , Zwolinska Katarzyna , Siddiqa Abida , Kushwaha Anand , Sapp Martin J.
Published: December 2024

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) travel from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the condensed (mitotic) chromosomes during mitosis. Partially uncoated HPV capsids utilize a unique vesicular structure for trafficking and nuclear import, which is directed by the minor capsid protein L2. However, it is still unknown which precise factors facilitate post-TGN HPV trafficking to the nucleus. Herein, we analyzed HPV16-infected mitotic cells using high-resolution microscopy, coupled with motor protein inhibition, to further elaborate on post-TGN trafficking by tracking the location and/or quantification of EdU-labeled HPV pseudogenomes on microtubules, certain kinesins, and mitotic chromosomes. We also adapted a knocksideways approach to determine if L2 and Kif11 interact in infected cells. We visualized dynein co-localization with HPV pseudogenomes along mitotic microtubules and measured HPV pseudogenome accumulation after short-term dynein inhibition. Additional inhibitor studies implicated a specific kinesin, Kif11, as participating in HPV pseudogenome delivery to the nucleus. Short-term inhibition of Kif11 decreased HPV pseudogenome accumulation at mitotic chromatin. In addition, Kif11, along with kinesins Kif18a and Kif25, were in proximity to L2 during infection. While we were unable to determine a direct interaction between L2 and Kif11, we were able to show via knocksideways approach that relocalization of exogenous Kif11 decreased HPV pseudogenome accumulation to the mitotic chromatin. Our data support a model whereby HPV16 utilizes dynein for minus-end trafficking along mitotic microtubules and utilizes Kif11 for plus-end movement in the late stage of viral entry.

IMPORTANCE

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) utilize a unique vesicular structure to shield their genomes from detection during trafficking from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the nucleus during mitosis. The exact cellular factors responsible for trafficking these HPV genome containing vesicles along mitotic microtubules via the L2 minor protein remain unknown. We show via high-resolution microscopy that pharmacological inhibition of dynein and the kinesin Kif11 significantly decreases HPV pseudogenome accumulation on mitotic chromatin. Several kinesins were detected in proximity to incoming HPV pseudogenomes. Finally, using a novel knocksideways approach, we show reduced HPV pseudogenome accumulation on mitotic chromatin upon Kif11 relocalization to the mitochondria. Herein, our data suggest HPV utilizes minus- and plus-end mediated trafficking along mitotic microtubules to complete its genome trafficking to the nucleus.
Influence of Anisotropy on the Study of the Critical Behavior of Spin Models by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Sukhoverkhova D. D. , Shchur L. N.
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we applied a deep neural network to study the issue of knowledge transferability between statistical mechanics models. The following computer experiment was conducted. A convolutional neural network was trained to solve the problem of binary classification of snapshots of the Ising model’s spin configuration on a two-dimensional lattice. During testing, snapshots of the Ising model spins on a lattice with diagonal ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic connections were fed to the input of the neural network. Estimates of the probability of samples belonging to the paramagnetic phase were obtained from the outputs of the tested network. The analysis of these probabilities allowed us to estimate the critical temperature and the critical correlation length exponent. It turned out that at weak anisotropy the neural network satisfactorily predicts the transition point and the value of the correlation length exponent. Strong anisotropy leads to a noticeable deviation of the predicted values from the precisely known ones. Qualitatively, strong anisotropy is associated with the presence of oscillations of the correlation function above the Stefenson disorder temperature and further approach to the point of the fully frustrated case.
Method for the detection and quantification of viral contamination during the preparation of gene therapy drugs in a hospital pharmacy
Authors: Deramoudt Laure , Pinturaud Marine , Bouquet Peggy , Goffard Anne , Simon Nicolas , Odou Pascal
Published: December 2024

Objective

The objective of the present study was to develop a method for sampling and detecting an adenovirus-derived gene therapy (GT) vector on isolator worksurfaces.

Methods

We used a quantitative PCR (q-PCR) to detect the viral genome in standard dilutions of pure GT product and extracts of sampled surfaces. We compared three devices for surface sampling (a cotton compress, a cotton swab and a polyester flocked swab) and performed positive control, negative control and induced contamination tests for each.

Results

Our results showed that the GT pure product is detected by the q-PCR assay and is amplified throughout the range of dilutions. The mean difference between the expected and measured number of vector particles in the q-PCR assay was 1.27 log. The numbers of particles in the total extracted volume were 4.66×10
8
for the polyester swab (7.8% of the initial quantity), 3.82×10
8
for a cotton compress (6.4%) and 2.88×10
7
for a cotton swab (4.8%).

Conclusion

These initial results suggest that viral monitoring of worksurfaces is feasible and will help us to validate the GT product supply chain.
Differences in HIV risk factors between South African adolescents and adult women and their association with sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Mkhize Pamela , Mehou-Loko Celia , Maphumulo Nokuthula , Radzey Nina , Abrahams Andrea G , Sibeko Sengeziwe , Harryparsad Rushil , Manhanzva Monalisa , Meyer Bahiah , Radebe Phumla , Liebenberg Lenine J P , Ngcapu Sinaye , Ahmed Nadia , Busakwe Funeka , Mqaba Noluthando , Archary Derseree , Sivro Aida , Samsunder Natasha , Potloane Disebo , Horsnell William , Jordan Christine , Abdool Karim Quarraisha , Bekker Linda-Gail , Passmore Jo-Ann , Jaspan Heather , Humphries Hilton , Masson Lindi
Published: December 2024

Objectives

In sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 86% of HIV infections in adolescents aged 15–19 years occur among girls. Their heightened susceptibility is likely influenced by converging sociobehavioural and biological factors, although the relative contributions remain unclear. To address this, we compared known and hypothesised risk factors for HIV between cisgender adolescent girls and adult women in South Africa and evaluated the relationships between these factors and sexually transmitted infection (STI) status.

Methods

This cross-sectional observational study included adolescent (n=305; 14–19 years) and adult females (n=114; 25–35 years) in two South African provinces (Western Cape (WC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)). Demographic and sociobehavioural data were collected by questionnaire. Colposcopy was conducted to identify cervicovaginal abnormalities, and tests for bacterial vaginosis (BV),Chlamydia trachomatis,Neisseria gonorrhoeaeandTrichomonas vaginaliswere performed.

Results

Adults reported higher risk sexual behaviour than adolescents across multiple variables, although adolescents were more likely to have STIs than adults (62.8% vs 34.0%, respectively, p=0.0010 for WC; 42.5% vs 16.4%, respectively, p=0.0002 for KZN). Adolescents did, however, report earlier sexual debut (16 years old vs 17 years old, p<0.0001 for both sites) and KZN adolescents were more likely to use intravaginal sexual enhancers than adults (34.6% vs 20.6%, respectively, p=0.0417). Numbers of sexual partners (β-coefficient: 0.34, SE: 0.12, p=0.0054) and sex acts within the previous 3 months (β-coefficient: 0.25, SE: 0.09, p=0.0062) were associated with STIs in adolescents and trended to significance for adults. Intravaginal sexual enhancer use (KZN only; β-coefficient: 0.95, SE: 0.38, p=0.0118) and biological risk factors, including BV Nugent score (β-coefficient: 0.09, SE: 0.04, p=0.0257) and signs of cervicovaginal injury/inflammation (β-coefficient: 1.07, SE: 0.45, p=0.0171), were associated with STIs in adolescents but not adults.

Conclusions

Risk factors for STIs including HIV may differ between age groups of girls and women, and mitigation interventions may need to be tailored accordingly.
Fedeval: Defending Against Lazybone Attack via Multi-dimension Evaluation in Federated Learning
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Haoran , Wang Lu , Xuan Shichang , Zhang Qian
Published: December 2024

Federated learning (FL) has become a prominent paradigm for collaborative model training while ensuring data privacy. However, in resource-constrained environments, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), FL faces a distinct challenge from Lazybone attackers, who compromise system performance by providing low-quality data or conducting minimal local training to reduce their computational burden. In this article, we propose Fedeval, a novel multi-dimensional evaluation framework designed to defend against Lazybone attacks. Fedeval leverages a server-side base validation dataset and a base model to assess the quality and relevance of client contributions through gradient inversion, and it compares client-uploaded gradients with an honest baseline to detect training inconsistencies. By assigning adaptive importance scores based on client contributions, Fedeval enhances the robustness of FL by mitigating the impact of non-contributing participants. We also provide a theoretical analysis of Fedeval’s convergence properties and validate its effectiveness through extensive experiments on four datasets and two attack scenarios. Our results demonstrate that Fedeval significantly accelerates convergence and improves accuracy by up to 13% compared to traditional methods.
Performance of the Liquid Cadmium Cathode Assembly for the Electrodeposition of U and Ce from LiCl-KCl Molten Salt
Authors: Jia Yanhong , Zhang Hong , Çubuk Ahmet Burak , Wu Biao , Guo Shaoqiang
Published: December 2024

A mesh-type assembly and stirrer assembly were developed to improve the performance of liquid cadmium cathodes for the electrodeposition of U and Ce from LiCl-KCl molten salt at 773 K. The thermodynamic basis for electrodepositing U and Ce was established through the calculation of equilibrium potentials and cyclic voltammograms, while also examining the co-deposition of Li. Thereafter, U and Ce electrodeposition was performed by galvanostatic electrolysis, and the current efficiency was determined. It was found that both assemblies effectively hampered the growth of U dendrites and Ce-Cd dendritic alloys. However, the utilization of the mesh-type assembly resulted in a greater current efficiency for U, with the maximum deposited amount attaining 7.7 wt% U/Cd without causing U dendrites formation. In contrast, the current efficiency for Ce was enhanced after using the stirrer assembly due to an improved diffusion flux of Ce ions. Finally, cathode deposits were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, which revealed that disrupted fine U dendrites were randomly scattered in the Cd bulk, and that the CeCd11 dendritic alloys were also damaged, leading to an increased atomic ratio of Ce to Cd at the Cd bottom.
Exploring Interactions Between Vineyard Performance, Grape and Wine Composition and Subregional Boundaries—The Terroir of Barossa Shiraz
Authors: Schmidtke Leigh M. , Bastian Susan E. P. , Bindon Keren , Bonada Marcos , Boss Paul K. , Bramley Robert G. V. , Danner Lukas , Petrie Paul R. , Gonzaga Lira Souza , Collins Cassandra
Published: December 2024

Background and Aims: Viticulturists and winemakers have a considerable interest in understanding the influence of climate, soil, viticultural and winemaking practices on wine sensory outcomes—that is, understanding the terroir concept, which is important for regionality and claims of product distinctiveness. In this investigation, an empirical study of grape and wine composition, including sensory evaluations, was used to inform the delineation of subregional areas of the Barossa Zone geographical indicator (GI).

Methods and Results: A spatiotemporal investigation of Shiraz was undertaken with vineyard zones selected to exemplify maximum heterogeneity within a site. Objective measures of vine performance and grape and wine composition were clustered using the k‐means approach, and up to three clusters of vineyard sites were evident within the dataset. Clusters were associated with vineyard elevation and thus growing temperatures. The most important measures of composition defining each cluster were the volatiles ethyl octanoate, diethyl succinate, 1,8‐cineole and 3‐methyl butyl acetate in grapes. Sensory attribute intensity differences were apparent for wines from some subregions, and projection of the important attributes for clusters defined in this study to key sensory differences shows a high variance in composition related to sensory features from year to year. The spatial outcomes of clusters for vineyard sites align with of some outcomes of prior clustering approaches using data‐rich sources for precision agriculture.

Conclusions: Subregional zones within the Barossa can be identified where sufficient variations between vineyard elevations exist that impart grape compositional differences, which in turn translate into wine sensory attributes.

Significance of the Study: This empirical study provides some evidence for regionality within the Barossa with up to three subregions identified in some vintages.
In Vitro Antiviral Effect of Compound Chinese Herbal Medicine and Probiotic Fermentation Effect on Siniperca chuatsi
Authors: Tang Jiang-Yi , Zhu Xue-Zhi , Chen Jian-Chou , Wang Yue , Zhang De-Feng , Liu Li-Yan , Wang Qing , Shi Cun-Bin , Wang Ying-Ying , Wang Ya-Jun
Published: December 2024

Siniperca chuatsi is an economically important carnivorous fish. The efficient commercial culture of this fish is hindered by suboptimal nutrient utilization and the emergence of diseases, specifically viral diseases. Compound Chinese herbal medicine (CCHM) and probiotics can be used to enhance disease resistance and improve digestion. We have previously isolated Bacillus velezensis, a probiotic with a desirable effect on S. chuatsi. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antiviral effect of a CCHM compound at the cellular level by conducting animal tests to investigate the synergistic effect of CCHM and B. velezensis GY65 in a simulated S. chuatsi culture. The animal experiments were divided into four groups: control group (G0); CCHM group (G1); B. velezensis GY65 group (G2); and Chinese herbal medicine compound probiotic group (CHCP) (G3). CCHM showed significant blocking and killing effects on the largemouth bass virus (LMBV) (p < 0.05), while the inhibiting effect was not significant. In animal tests, CCHM significantly improved S. chuatsi growth, while CHCP reduced S. chuatsi mortality. Regarding biochemical and nonspecific immune parameters, CHCP reduced serum lipid and hepatic malondialdehyde levels and increased serum lysozyme and hepatic catalase activities (p < 0.05). CCHM and B. velezensis GY65 increased the serum glutathione transaminase levels (p < 0.05). Digestive enzymes in the intestine of S. chuatsi improved in all groups, and the best result was observed in the CHCP group. Additionally, the intestinal development improved in all groups, but the best intestinal development was observed in the CCHM group. However, in the kidney, only TNF‐α was significantly upregulated in the CHCP group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, CCHM exerted significant blocking and killing effects on LMBV. CHCP effectively protected the growth and immunity of S. chuatsi. Our findings provide preliminary data and lay the foundation for the practical application of herbal medicines and probiotics in aquaculture.
Bitcoin’s Energy Consumption, Price Volatility, and Environmental Pollution: Contagion and Causality Dynamics Under Heteroskedasticity and Nonlinearity
Authors: Bildirici Melike E. , Ersin Özgür Ömer
Published: December 2024

Bitcoin’s (BT) energy demand due to the proof of work mining algorithm and transaction methods has been criticized in recent literature because of BT’s global energy consumption (EC) being equal to or even greater than that of some industrialized economies. This study explores the contagion and causality dynamics under nonlinearity and heteroskedasticity with Markovian‐type regime switches among BT price volatility, EC from BT, and its effects on the global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions with a daily sample of January 2, 2012–December 24, 2023. In the empirical methodology, following the preliminary tests that indicated nonlinearity and heteroskedasticity, this study employed novel Markov‐switching‐based nonlinear volatility copula and causality models to capture the marginal distributions of BT, its EC and CO2 emissions, and their joint distributions for contagion and tail dependence and determine nonlinear and asymmetric causality relations in distinct regimes of high and low volatility governed by Markov chains. The empirical results indicate significant and positive copula parameters with high magnitudes demonstrating asymmetric contagion and tail dependence occurring at the extreme levels of BT price volatility in the upper and lower tails during both regimes. Novel Markov‐switching‐based copula causality tests designated unidirectional causality from BT to CO2, as well as from BT’s EC to CO2 emissions during each regime coupled with existent bidirectional causality confirming cyclical feedback effects between BT prices and its EC in both regimes. For robustness and comparison, single‐regime copula models were employed, and their findings confirmed the results concerning significant and positive tail dependence and contagion. However, the single‐regime approach led to a set of inconsistencies in causality results owing to omitting nonlinearity while capturing heteroskedasticity and confirming the nonrejection of causality between BT, EC, and CO2 emissions. Important policy recommendations include green alternatives to cryptocurrency‐mining algorithms.
Optimizing Coal Wettability via Anionic Surfactants: An Integrated Experimental and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation
Authors: Li Hongmei , Zhao Yun , Deng Jie , Xie Jing , Zhou Weiqi , Liu Yiting , Li Luming , Xia Futing , Qi Rui
Published: December 2024

The optimization of coal dust management in fluidized mining environments is of paramount importance, yet it is currently impeded by a gap in understanding chemical dust suppression mechanisms. This study combines indoor experiments with molecular simulation to investigate the mechanisms by which three anionic surfactants with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups (SDBS, SDS, and SLS) influence coal wettability. Using hydrophobic bituminous coal as the experimental subject, basic physical and chemical properties are analyzed through proximate analysis, XRD, and FTIR. The effect of different surfactants on coal wettability is characterized based on sedimentation experiments, while the coal–surfactant–water three‐phase model examines the equilibrium adsorption configuration, water molecule diffusion coefficient, and interaction energy in different adsorption systems. The surface free energy of coal dust and its components is measured before and after surfactant adsorption, verifying the adsorption‐wetting mechanism of surfactants at the coal–water interface. Results show that anionic surfactants enhance wettability through a bidirectional adsorption mechanism at the coal–water interface: the hydrophobic tail adheres to the coal surface via van der Waals forces, while the hydrophilic head faces the water phase, driven by electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions. This coordinated adsorption process alters water diffusion and the surface free energy of coal, thereby improving wettability. SDBS, due to its benzene ring, significantly amplifies the bidirectional adsorption effect, achieving the most substantial improvement in coal dust wettability. The findings provide a robust theoretical framework for developing dust control strategies in fluidized mining operations, advancing the field toward more efficient and sustainable mining practices.
Comprehensive Computational Study on the Influences of Particle Size and Relative Humidity on Aerosol/Droplet Transmission in a Ventilated Room Under Stationary and Dynamic Conditions
Authors: Sadeghi Sadegh , Aminossadati Saiied M. , Leonardi Christopher
Published: December 2024

Given the concerns surrounding the possibility of crosscontamination caused by the airborne transmission of respiratory aerosols (> 5 μm in diameter) and droplets (> 5 μm in diameter) containing infectious viruses, there is a great need for simulations that reliably characterize the behaviour of these particles in real‐world scenarios. This study performs a comprehensive transient CFD analysis to investigate the transmission of virus‐carrying aerosols and droplets released through coughing by a mobile patient within a typical room equipped with a ventilation system. This computational study elaborately examines how particle size and relative humidity impact the dispersion of aerosols and droplets carrying virus in both mobile and stationary conditions of patients. To enhance the accuracy of this study, effective factors such as evaporation of liquid content within aerosols and droplets and random distribution of the particles, along with considerations for buoyancy, drag, lift, Brownian motion, and gravitational forces, are taken into account. To investigate the influence of aerosol and droplet size, this study considers uniform size distributions of 1, 10, and 100 μm in diameter, comprising 98.2% liquid water and 1.8% solid content. Additionally, different relative humidity levels, 0%, 50%, and 90%, are incorporated to indicate their impact on the dispersion pattern and residence time of the particles in both stationary and dynamic scenarios. According to the results, high levels of relative humidity and individuals’ movement significantly affect the turbulence intensity, airflow pattern, travelling distance, residence time and trajectory of particles, air pressure, and density distributions in such environments.
A Wearable Dual‐Band Dual‐Polarized Patch Antenna for ISM Range Applications
Authors: Shams Pouria , Honarvar Mohammad Amin
Published: December 2024

A compact low‐profile dual‐band dual‐polarized wearable patch antenna, capable of working in 2.4 and 5.8 GHz ISM band for either on‐body or off‐body applications with different radiation patterns in each working band, is presented in this paper. The fabricated antenna consists of four layers including modified ground and patch layers and two dielectric layers made of jean fabric, and it has a radius of 30 mm with overall height of 3.4 mm fed by a single probe. The proposed structure is designed in a way that is capable of radiating linearly polarized (LP) waves in lower working frequency and circularly polarized (CP) waves in its upper working band. The ground plane is modified to ensure the dual‐band radiation as well as miniaturization of the antenna. The patch of the antenna benefits from truncated corners and four circular stubs which are practically coupled with antenna’s modified ground to provide desired axial ratio and dual polarization capability. With the help of computer‐based simulations, the antenna is placed on human body tissue and the calculated amount of SAR values in each band for 1 g tissue is 0.15 and 0.89 Wkg, respectively, which guarantee the safety of the human body in close proximity to the antenna.
Concise Analytic Solutions for Random Seismic Response of High‐Rise Structure With Series‐Parallel Inerter System and Tuned Mass Damper
Authors: Deng Lin , Ge Xinguang , Wang Junbo , He Hui
Published: December 2024

Tuned mass damper (TMD) is a single‐terminal damper, while inerter is a two‐terminal one, which are effective control devices. So, a hybrid damper with a series‐parallel inerter system and a TMD (SPIS‐TMD) in series is proposed. The main work of the manuscript is as follows. Firstly, based on the mechanical diagram of SPIS‐TMD and its equipment on the roof of a high‐rise structure, the general form of seismic motion equation was derived using dynamic finite element technology. Secondly, based on the method of quadratic decomposition for power spectrum density function (QD‐PSDF), the concise analytic solutions for zero‐, first‐, and second‐order response spectral moments (ZFSO‐RSMs) of the general response of structure with SPIS‐TMD were deduced. Thirdly, in response to the numerous parameters that affect the safety of high‐rise structures and the varying difficulty for obtaining SPIS‐TMD’s parameters, an optimization analysis technique was proposed, which is constrained by dynamic reliability and SPIS‐TMD’s parameter weights. Finally, three examples were given and results show the following. (1) The proposed analytical solutions for ZFSO‐RSMs are correct and high efficiency and can be extended to analysis of stationary seismic responses of general linear structures. (2) Calculating results of ZFSO‐RSMs of general responses with the number of vibration modes corresponding to a participation weight of 100% is exactly the same as those with all vibration modes, and the calculating time of the case of the participation weight of 100% is less than 1/12 that of the case of all vibration modes. (3) The failure probabilities of the structure with SPIS‐TMD with optimal parameters using the proposed method (with a limit failure probability of 0.1587), the structure only equipped with TMD with the same TMD’s parameters as SPIS‐TMD, and the structure without dampers are 0.1570, 0.7060, and 0.9778, respectively. It indicates that under the same conditions, the hybrid damper SPIS‐TMD has a better damping effect than a single TMD.
Figure 7 from Single-Cell Analysis of Bone Marrow CD8+ T Cells in Myeloid Neoplasms Reveals Pathways Associated with Disease Progression and Response to Treatment with Azacitidine
Authors: Tasis Athanasios , Papaioannou Nikos E. , Grigoriou Maria , Paschalidis Nikolaos , Loukogiannaki Catherine , Filia Anastasia , Katsiki Kyriaki , Lamprianidou Eleftheria , Papadopoulos Vasileios , Rimpa Christina Maria , Chatzigeorgiou Antonios , Kourtzelis Ioannis , Gerasimou Petroula , Kyprianou Ioannis , Costeas Paul , Liakopoulos Panagiotis , Liapis Konstantinos , Kolovos Petros , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Alissafi Themis , Kotsianidis Ioannis , Mitroulis Ioannis
Published: December 2024

TF regulatory network analysis in BM-derived CD8+ T cells. A, UMAP depicting the clustering of CD8+ T cells based on regulons. B, Pie charts illustrating the representation of cells from CR and FAIL patients within each regulon. C, Comparison of cell distribution in regulons between the groups using separate UMAPs for each group. D, Heatmap showing the top differentially activated TFs of each regulon cluster. E and F, Violin plots depicting the activity score of selected TFs per sample type in regulons 5 and 7, respectively.
The Role of Exosomes in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Gao Yu , Song Lili , Xu Jingtao , Li Hangshun
Published: December 2024

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the critical and serious diseases in the cardiovascular system, and reperfusion therapy is the preferred treatment for AMI, but it often worsens cardiac injury and leads to myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI), which can further result in arrhythmia, heart failure, and death. Summary: More and more studies have found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes play an important role in improving the cardiac injury after MIRI, and can exert anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and promotion of endothelial cells and angiogenesis functions. This review summarizes the mechanisms of action of exosomes in the treatment of MIRI and discusses exosomes as a new approach for the treatment of MIRI. Key Messages: 1) Exosomes play a variety of protective roles in MIRI by carrying miRNAs and other bioactive substances. 2) Exosomes can be used as carriers of drugs or active substances for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Characterizing the role of left ventricular indices and biventricular interaction in bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated pulmonary hypertension in extreme prematurity
Authors: Gopagondanahalli Krishna Revanna , Sundararaghavan Sreekanthan , Tan Teng Hong , Yeo Kee Thai , Vora Shrenik Jitendrakumar , Ng Wei Di , Choo Jonathan Tze Liang , Ang Wai Lin , Binte Mohamad Taib Nur Qaiyimah , Han Ying Nishanthi Wijedasa , Rajadurai Victor Samuel , Abdul Haium Abdul Alim
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common respiratory morbidity in preterm infants. The onset of pulmonary hypertension leads to worse respiratory outcomes. The contribution of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in BPD-PH is well reported. We evaluated the serial left ventricular (LV) function and possible ventricular interdependence among BPD-PH.
Methods: Single-centre, prospective observational study. Infants <28 weeks of gestation included.
Results: 80 infants were enrolled. The incidence of BPD-PH was 23%. The BPD-PH group had a high incidence of hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus (83% vs 56%,p <0.018), longer oxygen days (96.2±68.1 vs 59.35±52,p< 0.008), and prolonged hospital stay (133.8±46 vs 106.5±38 days,p<0.005). Serial tissue Doppler imaging showed prolonged left ventricle (LV) isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT)(31.05±3.3 vs 26.8±4.4ms,p<0.001), and myocardial performance index (MPI) (0.43±0.03 vs 0.37±0.04,p<0.001) from 33 weeks. The changes in IVCT (35.9±6.7 vs 27.9±4.5ms, p<0.001), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) (50±6.5 vs 39.9±5.8ms,p <0.001), and MPI (0.48±0.05 vs 0.36±0.03,p <0.001) persisted at 36 weeks. The receiver operator characteristic curve showed LV MPI >40 has 83% sensitivity and 65% specificity (AUC 0.77, p<0.001) in the diagnosis of PH. The BPD-PH group had a higher LV E/E’ ratio (13.1±4.4 vs 11.4±3.4, p <0.02). Pearson correlation test showed a moderate positive correlation between RV MPI and LV MPI (r= 0.585, p <0.001).
Conclusions: Significant LV diastolic dysfunction was observed in BPD-PH. This is the first study to show biventricular strain and possible ventricular interdependence in BPD-PH. The prolonged LV IVRT and MPI may be a novel echocardiographic indicator of BPD-PH.