Browse Articles

Landscape conservation and orchard management influence carob tree yield through changes in pollinator communities

Worldwide pollinator declines are a major problem for agricultural production. However, understanding how landscape characteristics and local management influence crop production through its pollinators is still a challenge. The carob tree ( Ceratonia siliqua ) is a pollinator-dependent Mediterranean crop of high economic importance in food and pharmaceutical industries. To understand how crop production can be enhanced in a sustainable manner, we evaluated the effects of landscape (habitat loss) and orchard local management (farming system: conventional vs. ecological; male-to-female ratio) on pollinator communities and crop production using data on 20 carob tree orchards across Mallorca Island (Spain). We found that orchards surrounded by a greater proportion of natural landcover received more visits by wild bees and butterflies and fewer by honeybees. Overall pollinator abundance was slightly higher in ecological than conventional orchards, but the difference was not significant. High male-to-female ratio enhanced overall pollinator abundance and shaped pollinator composition, by increasing hoverfly abundance and decreasing wasp and fly abundance. Male-to-female ratio showed hump-shaped relationships with fruit and seed production per female tree (peak at 0.7 males/female), although this quadratic relationship was lost when the most male-biased orchards were removed from the analyses. Total orchard production maximized with 25-30% of males. Seed weight (farmer’s highest economic value) increased in conserved landscapes where wild pollinators prevailed, and with overall pollinator abundance; however, it decreased with male-to-female ratio, likely due to seed number-size trade-offs. Management strategies to enhance carob production may optimize sex ratios and favor wild pollinators by preserving natural landscapes.

Light scattering in liquid mixtures as a test of the critical point universality principle

The principle of critical point universality is thought to govern critical phenomena in systems as disparate as ferromagnets, super-fluids, superconductors, and binary liquid mixtures exhibiting a critical point of solution. Among these, the binary mixtures have solvent properties that can be exploited in order to search for critical effects in physicochemical systems, which have so far included solubility, adsorption, and ion exchange. In addition to these effects, strong light scattering, known as critical opalescence, can be observed at the critical point of solution. On the microscopic scale, light scattering has its origin in refractive index distortions caused by fluctuations in composition having spatial dimensions of the order of the wavelength of light. Using a diverse selection of mixtures and solutes, we show that turbidity expected in a binary mixture is quenched upon the addition of a completely soluble third component. We suggest that the third component serves to limit the spatial extent of the fluctuations. By combining statistical thermodynamics with an advanced version of the Gibbs phase rule, we show that this interpretation is completely consistent with the universality principle. We fit the temperature dependence of the dimensionless transmitted intensity (turbidity) to a rigorously derived expression having two adjustable scaling parameters and a critical exponent set equal to the Ising model value of 1.241.

Mapping facade materials utilizing zero-shot segmentation for applications in urban microclimate research

Effect of prenatal alcohol consumption on dental enamel formation in offspring—An animal study protocol

Background The etiology of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) remains incompletely understood. Prenatal alcohol exposure has been proposed as a potential risk factor for DDE. Animal studies suggest that in utero ethanol exposure can disrupt ameloblast function, leading to enamel abnormalities. This study aims to: (1) Assess the impact of prenatal alcohol consumption on the clinical and structural properties of dental enamel in offspring; and (2) Investigate the underlying mechanisms of these alterations through histological and molecular analyses. Pregnant Wistar rats will be assigned to two groups: one exposed to ethanol and a control group with no alcohol exposure. Ethanol exposure will follow a binge drinking model, with rats receiving 3 g/kg of ethanol (30% w/v) for 3 consecutive days, followed by 4 days of rest each week. This regimen will begin one week prior to conception and continue throughout pregnancy. The incisors and molars of offspring will be evaluated on the 10th (n = 22 per group) and 28th (n = 22 per group) days of life. Visible enamel changes will be documented through photographs. Enamel volume, thickness, and density will be assessed using micro-CT imaging. Mechanical properties will be evaluated using the Knoop microhardness test, while chemical composition will be analyzed through Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The area of the organic enamel matrix will be quantified in histological sections. Genes Amelx, Enam, Ambn, Mmp2, Mmp9, Mmp20, Klk4, Cldn3, Cldn16, and Cldn19 will be evaluated in ameloblasts using real-time RT-PCR and protein synthesis will be confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Gelatinolytic activity in the ameloblast layer will be assessed by in situ zymography.

Testing the validity of Adam–Gibbs equation

The Adam–Gibbs (AG) equation may be one of the most influential models in the study of α-relaxation. In this paper, we derived mathematical relationships governing changes in the potential barrier and configurational entropy from a series of nonlinearly scaled potential energy landscapes. By integrating these relationships with molecular dynamics simulations, we revisited the renowned AG model, which establishes a direct correlation between the α-relaxation time, configurational entropy, and potential barrier. Our findings confirm that the AG model effectively depicts the temperature dependence of the α-relaxation time. Additionally, we reassessed other widely used models for α-relaxation, including the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann model, the shoving model, the Mauro–Yue–Ellison–Gupta–Allan model, and various quadratic-form models, to evaluate their applicability under varying potential barriers. Our results indicate that the potential barrier plays a critical role in these relaxation models. These models perform well when the average potential barrier is high. However, discrepancies arise when the average potential barrier decreases. This research provides an in-depth analysis of α-relaxation, offering new insights into the dynamics of supercooled liquids.

Combined loss of brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C and tenascin-R leads to impaired fear retrieval due to perineuronal net loss

Abstract In conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction and spinal cord injuries, restricted synaptic plasticity hinders the formation of new neuronal connections, preventing the compensation and treatment of adverse behaviors. Perineuronal nets (PNNs) significantly restrict synaptic plasticity by inhibiting synapse formation. The digestion of PNNs has been associated with short-term cognitive improvements and reduced long-term memory, offering potential therapeutic benefits in PTSD. This study investigates the correlation between PNNs and fear memory processes in extracellular matrix (ECM) mutant mice, particularly focusing on the amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) circuit, which is crucial for fear memory generation and maintenance. Fear conditioning was conducted on mice lacking four key ECM-molecules: brevican, neurocan, tenascin-C and tenascin-R (4x KO). These mice exhibited severe impairments in memory consolidation, as evident by their inability to retrieve previously learned fear memories, coupled with reduced PNN density and disturbed synaptic integrity along their PNNs. Additionally, changes in neural activity in the basolateral amygdala (BL) and reductions in VGAT+ synaptic puncta in the amygdala-mPFC circuit were observed. In contrast, tenascin single KOs showed intact fear behavior and memory compared to their control groups. Impaired fear memory consolidation can be advantageous in certain conditions, such as PTSD, making the 4x KO mice an intriguing model for future fear conditioning studies and highlighting brevican, neurocan, Tnc, and Tnr as compelling targets for further investigation. This study underscores the significance of ECM regulation for synaptic organization and the potential of PNN modulation as a therapeutic target for fear memory-related conditions.

Whole metagenome sequencing and 16S rRNA gene amplicon analyses reveal the complex microbiome responsible for the success of enhanced in-situ reductive dechlorination (ERD) of a tetrachloroethene-contaminated Superfund site

The North Railroad Avenue Plume (NRAP) Superfund site in New Mexico, USA exemplifies successful chlorinated solvent bioremediation. NRAP was the result of leakage from a dry-cleaning that operated for 37 years. The presence of tetrachloroethene biodegradation byproducts, organohalide respiring genera (OHRG), and reductive dehalogenase (rdh) genes detected in groundwater samples indicated that enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) was the remedy of choice. This was achieved through biostimulation by mixing emulsified vegetable oil into the contaminated aquifer. This report combines metagenomic techniques with site monitoring metadata to reveal new details of ERD. DNA extracts from groundwater samples collected prior to and at four, 23 and 39 months after remedy implementation were subjected to whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon (16S) analyses. The response of the indigenous NRAP microbiome to ERD protocols is consistent with results obtained from microcosms, dechlorinating consortia, and observations at other contaminated sites. WMS detects three times as many phyla and six times as many genera as 16S. Both techniques reveal abundance changes in Dehalococcoides and Dehalobacter that reflect organohalide form and availability. Methane was not detected before biostimulation but appeared afterwards, corresponding to an increase in methanogenic Archaea. Assembly of WMS reads produced scaffolds containing rdh genes from Dehalococcoides, Dehalobacter, Dehalogenimonas, Desulfocarbo, and Desulfobacula. Anaerobic and aerobic cometabolic organohalide degrading microbes that increase in abundance include methanogenic Archaea, methanotrophs, Dechloromonas, and Xanthobacter, some of which contain hydrolytic dehalogenase genes. Aerobic cometabolism may be supported by oxygen gradients existing in aquifer microenvironments or by microbes that produce O2 via microbial dismutation. The NRAP model for successful ERD is consistent with the established pathway and identifies new taxa and processes that support this syntrophic process. This project explores the potential of metagenomic tools (MGT) as the next advancement in bioremediation.

Fast calculation methods for the magnetic field of particle lattices

With the rise of 3D printing and composite materials, components comprising dispersed magnetic particles have become more interesting due to the possibility to design magnetic elements of any shape with varying amounts of the actual magnetic material. However, quick and easy calculation methods are needed to design these components enabling the selection of the optimum required percentage of magnetic particles (millimeter parts contain billions of micro-sized particles). This work proposes a semi-analytical iterative method for the estimation of the magnetic field generated by magnetic composites formed by embedded magnetic particles. The model is compared in terms of accuracy and calculation speed with finite element analysis and the average magnetization model of the magnetic composite. The results are finally supported by the comparison with experimental measurements of the weak magnetic field generated by a magnetic particle lattice.

The epidemiological study of family-based Helicobacter pylori screening and its benefits: a cross-sectional study

A subnational socioeconomic assessment of family planning levels, projections, and disparities among married women of reproductive age in Cameroon

Background Local-level socioeconomic gradients significantly influence access to reproductive health services in developing countries. This study examines disparities in family planning use among married women of reproductive age across Cameroon’s subnational territories, highlighting inequities often overlooked in national analyses. Furthermore, it incorporates HIV status (a key yet frequently omitted covariate) into the assessment of family planning determinants. Methods A Bayesian hierarchical model incorporated with Cameroon Demographic and Health Survey cross-sectional data (between 1991 and 2018) was employed to generate estimates of family planning indicators per residence, wealth, and education categories within each region. Slope index of inequality was used to quantify disparities. The determinants analysis involved Bayesian logistic regression. Results Estimates for 2023 revealed that the Centre region’s urban and rural areas had the highest modern contraceptive prevalence rate overall, with 49.0% (24.9–73.8) and 28.2% (12.4–52.3), respectively. The rural Far North had the least estimate [3.9% (1.5–10.5)]. Demand satisfied with modern methods was highest among Adamawa region’s richest quintile [82.9% (58.1 to 94.4)] and higher educated [85.9% (69.5 to 94.2)], and lowest among the East region’s poorest [5.3% (1.5 to 16.5)] and Far North’s none-educated [8.6% (3.3 to 20.4)]. Unmet need for modern methods was lowest among the West region’s richest [5.1% (1.8 to 13.5)] and highest among the Littoral’s poorest [23.1% (9.4 to 47.4)]. 2030 projections show the widest wealth- and education-based gaps for demand satisfied with modern methods in the Adamawa [27.0 percentage points (%p) (2.3 to 51.6) and 79.3%p (73.9 to 84.7), respectively]. Age ≥  20 years, higher education level, practising Catholic/Christian religion, having ≥  one living child(ren), and higher household wealth quintile, were associated with increased odds of modern contraceptive use. Conclusion Increased focus is essential on rural, poorer, and less educated populations, particularly in the Northern regions, to effectively address family planning inequities across Cameroon.

Effect of particle size on acoustic vortex manipulation of Mie particles

An acoustic vortex with orbit angular momentum can manipulate a particle in a single beam and multiple freedom manner, gaining increasing interest in recent years. We studied the performance of acoustic vortex trapping of wavelength-scale Mie particles with a negative acoustic contrast factor. It was found that there was a particle-size dependence of the trapping position in an acoustic vortex field: (1) particles with a radius less than 0.69 λ were trapped in the vortex ring; (2) particles with a radius larger than 0.76 λ were trapped in the vortex center. The physical mechanism originated from the competition between the gradient force induced by an incident acoustic field and the scattering force from scattered waves by the particles, and those high-order scattering terms over the fourth order will play significant roles with the increase of the particle size. The experimental results of two polydimethylsiloxane particles with radii of 500 μm and 1.2 mm validated the prediction under a synthesized vortex beam via a planar ultrasonic array with 256 elements and a working frequency of 1.04 MHz. This investigation will increase the physical insight of the interaction between acoustic vortex beam and matter and pave the way to developing acoustical tweezers to manipulate large objects for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Random forest algorithm for predicting postoperative hypotension in oral cancer resection and free flap reconstruction surgery

Scoping review protocol: The chrononutrition factors in association with glycemic outcomes in adult population

Chrononutrition, which examines the relationship between circadian rhythms and nutrition, has been associated with glycemic outcomes in adults. However, published data on delayed meal timing, increased meal frequency and frequent breakfast skipping have shown inconsistent glycemic outcomes due to variations in methodologies and populations studied. This review presents the scoping review protocol designed to map the evidence on the association between chrononutrition factors and glycemic outcomes in adults. The methodology framework from Arksey and O’Malley will be adapted for this scoping review. Relevant publications will be searched on databases including PubMed, EBSCO Host, ProQuest Central, MEDLINE & Ovid, Scopus and Web of Science. This review focuses on original articles published from January 2014 to 2024, involving participants aged 18 years and older, published in English, and encompassing experimental and observational studies. A comprehensive keyword search strategy will be developed to identify relevant articles. Two reviewers will independently screen the abstracts and titles to determine the eligibility. Subsequently, the full text of potentially eligible articles will be reviewed by additional independent reviewer for final inclusion, with full text screening being verified by two reviewers, and interrater reliability will be conducted. Data from the included articles will be extracted, collated and charted to summarize the relevant methods, outcomes and key findings. This Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist will be used to guide the development of protocol. This scoping review represents a novel approach to summarize the association between chrononutrition factors and glycemic outcomes among adults. We anticipate the findings of the review will provide stakeholder with crucial evidence-based information for development of effective intervention to manage glycemic outcome in adults. This protocol has been prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/PA9BU).

Computational screening of complex oxides for next-generation thermal barrier coatings

Thermal barrier coatings are crucial for industries like aerospace and energy that rely on high temperatures, shielding metal, ceramic, or composite components from heat damage. Yttria-stabilized zirconia is one of the best thermal barrier coating (TBC) material due to its high-temperature stability and oxidation resistance, but it has drawbacks such as thermal phase transition at 1150-1200°C and high oxygen conductivity limit the number of thermal cycles and operating temperature at 1200°C. Thus, it is essential to find new TBC materials with low thermal conductivity, high thermal expansion coefficient, high phase, and thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability under oxidizing conditions to enhance performance and efficiency. In this study, using advanced computational methods, including AI and molecular dynamics simulations, we proposed several promising complex oxides with suitable structures, thermal and mechanical properties that could be further studied experimentally as TBC materials. Having calculated thermophysical properties of complex oxides with structures of perovskite, pyrochlore, garnet, and their derivatives. Using rigorous criteria, we have identified 14 new compounds with potential TBC applications. Overall, this research highlights the importance of computational techniques in material discovery for TBC applications.

Multi-step ahead forecasting of daily streamflow based on the transform-based deep learning model under different scenarios

Energy-environmental evaluation of conventional and variable rate technology sprayer; application of Life Cycle Assessment

The objective of this research was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the energy and environmental efficiency of a smart sprayer with a variable rate in orange production. The smart sprayer was developed from a standard orchard sprayer with a fixed rate using different equipment. Energy indicators, encompassing energy efficiency, energy productivity, energy intensity and net energy gain, were calculated. Environmental indicators, including global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication and human toxicity potentials, were estimated using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method in 15 midpoint and 4 endpoint categories. The findings demonstrated that the smart sprayer with a variable rate held a significant advantage over the conventional sprayer with a fixed rate in terms of reducing the pesticide deposition on the trees, lowering pesticide consumption, increasing the energy efficiency and productivity and mitigating the environmental impacts. The maximum pesticide lowering was 46%, achieved at a speed of 1.6 km.hr-1. The energy efficiency and productivity changed from 0.594 to 0.650 and from 0.313 to 0.342 kg.MJ-1, respectively. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) declined from 422.860 to 407.573 kg CO2 eq per ton of orange production. The reduction of chemical pesticide, diesel fuel and agricultural machinery consumption contributed to the decrease in environmental emissions. Consequently, the smart sprayer with a variable rate emerged as a significantly more sustainable and efficient solution for orange production.

Modeling the charging effect of the hardmask and silicon substrate during plasma etching in advanced nodes

Profile non-idealities after plasma etching negatively affect the performance of advanced node devices. The charging effect is a well-known mechanism affecting the hardmask and substrate profiles. Unfortunately, directly characterizing this phenomenon in practical processes is extremely challenging. In this article, we propose a novel etching model to overcome this challenge by incorporating algorithms that simultaneously account for charging effects and particle reflection mechanisms. The model is able to reproduce the real-time profile evolution of both hardmask and substrate layers in an advanced nanoscale etching process. We calculate the electric field distribution induced by the surface charges accumulated on the hardmask, which affects both the trajectory of individual incident ions and the overall etching profiles. To validate our approach, we perform experiments of Si etching in Cl2 plasma and compare the simulated profiles with scanning electron microscope images. The model also identifies the impact of the charging effect on profile defects, such as mask faceting, substrate bowing, and microtrenching. This work provides insights into the charging effect mechanism and its influence on the etching profile, ultimately providing new knobs for advanced process development and optimization.

Innovative nanocomposite comprising of ZrO2, MnCO3, and CdCO3 for superior crystal violet dye adsorption: synthesis, characterization, and regeneration insights

Global burden of thyroid cancer in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–39 years) from 1990 to 2021: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system and head-and-neck region, yet data on its burden in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) is lacking. This study aimed to estimate the global burden of TC among AYAs from 1990 to 2021. Methods Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, we analyzed age-standardized rates of incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) on global, regional, and national scales. Joinpoint regression was employed to determine average annual percentage change (AAPC), with frontier analysis revealing regions for improvement. Decomposition analysis assessed the impacts of population aging, growth, and epidemiological changes. Projections for disease burden extending to 2040 were generated using the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model. Result In 2021, there were 48.2 thousand incident cases, 436.1 thousand prevalent cases, and 183.5 thousand DALYs worldwide. Meantime, the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR), and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR) were 1.6, 14.3 and 6.1 per 100 000, respectively. From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR, ASPR and ASDR increased with AAPCs of 1.73, 1.77, and 0.38, respectively. Socio-demographic resources in Saudi Arabia, Taiwan (Province of China), Iceland, United Arab Emirates, and United States Virgin Islands have the potential to lower ASDR due to TC among AYAs. Furthermore, 13.3 thousand and 34.9 thousand new cases occurred in the males and females in 2021. Among 5 age groups, the highest numbers of incidence, prevalence, and DALYs, along with ASRs, were observed in the 35–39 age group. Global projections indicated a continuous rise in numbers of incidence, prevalence, and DALYs, with estimates of 60.2 thousand, 558.4 thousand, and 199.7 thousand by 2040, respectively. Conclusion The global burden of TC among AYAs was on the rise, with significant disparities by regions, genders, and age groups, highlighting the necessity for targeted and effective interventions.

On the Czochralski growth of Si<i>x</i>Ge1−<i>x</i> crystals as substrates for strained Ge quantum well heterostructures

This investigation showcases the viability of producing SixGe1−x bulk single crystals via the Czochralski technique. A high Si content in Ge-rich SiGe wafers is highly desirable for various applications in quantum technology, particularly as strain-relaxed buffers for the realization of hole spin qubits in strained Ge quantum well heterostructures. The focus lies on the bulk crystal growth of such materials and their chemical and structural quality. For this, the Czochralski process, starting from a highly pure Ge seed and melt, utilizing continuous feeding by dissolution of Si rods was performed.Si0.16Ge0.86 wafers with a diameter of up to 15 mm obtained from the bulk crystal exhibited homogeneous structural quality in contrast to the conventionally used epitaxial strain-relaxed SiGe buffers. The compositional fluctuations of Si measured throughout the wafer were below 0.4 at. % in addition to a dislocation density below 3 × 106 dislocations/cm2. Interestingly, the central region of the wafer displayed no measurable compositional fluctuations and contained less than 105 dislocations/cm2. Furthermore, the difficulties and limits of growing such SiGe crystals are discussed, such as the continuous dissolution of Si during growth and the formation of oxides in the melt during growth. The current observations indicate significant potential for further enhancement of the crystal quality and to realize higher Si concentrations using the Czochralski technique.