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Correction for Orellana et al., Childhood maltreatment influences adult brain structure through its effects on immune, metabolic, and psychosocial factors

Computational and experimental approaches to explore defense related enzymes conferring resistance in Fusarium infected chilli plants by regulating plant metabolism through nutritional products

Nutritional status being the first line of defense for host plants, determines their susceptibility or resistance against invading pathogens. In recent years, the applications of plant nutrient related products have been documented as one of the best performers and considered as alternatives or/and supplements in plant disease management compared to traditional chemicals. However, knowledge about application of plant nutrient related products for the management of destructive fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. capsici and their impact on the components of the antioxidant defense system, especially in chilli plants, still needs to be discovered. Therefore, in this current study, we aimed to evaluate two nutrient fertilizers viz. Krystafeed and Micro Plus at three different concentrations by soil drenching method for their effects against the Fusarium wilt of chilli and investigate the components of the antioxidant defense system of chilli plants. Correlation and computational analysis on the components of antioxidant defense system in various pathways were performed to predict the suitable binding sites of mineral ions. Results indicated that the combination of Krystafeed and Micro Plus was found the most effective with (27.01, 26.59%) disease incidence, followed by Micro Plus (29.56, 32.35%) and Krystafeed (38.21, 41.15%), both in greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. Moreover, the combination of Krystafeed and Micro Plus significantly increased the concentration of SOD (27.53, 108.96)%, POD (37.29, 45.65)%, CAT (19.33, 95.33)%, H2O2 (22.13, 118.98)%, TPC (27.39, 17.37)%, chlorophyll a (21.80, 35.74)%, chlorophyll b (57.57, 18.25)%, total chlorophyll (30.21, 19.83)%, Tocopherol (13.08, 33.66)%, TrxR (5.03, 36.56)%, MDA (13.84, 54.79)%, ascorbate (4.72, 17.28)%, Proline (5.94, 59.31)%, and phytoalexin (Capsidiol) (11.33, 55.08)% in the treated plants of resistant and susceptible chilli varieties, respectively, as compared to the untreated plants. Pearson’s correlation heat-map analysis showed that all the enzymes of antioxidant defense system were found positively correlated with each other. It is concluded that the improvement of crop resistance by the application of plant nutrient related products may be viable alternatives to synthetic chemicals for managing Fusarium wilt disease of chilli and potentially other pathogens.

Effect of electron–electron interactions on the emission characteristics of ultracold, nanoscale photoemission-based electron sources

For nearly 60 years, cold field emitters have been the source of choice for electron microscopy due to their high brightness and relatively low energy spread. In this paper, we have examined an alternative: nanoscale electron sources based on near-threshold photoemission. While these sources have not yet been realized, they hold the potential to produce significantly brighter beams than cold field emitters. We model electron–electron Coulomb interactions in beams emitted from such sources to calculate the impact of these interactions on the brightness and the energy spread. Our results show that these sources can theoretically deliver more than an order of magnitude brighter electron beams compared to cold field emitters along with more than an order of magnitude smaller energy spread, before being limited by the Coulomb interactions. Electron sources with such high brightness and low energy spread would be transformational for electron microscopy, enabling electron energy loss-based vibrational spectroscopy at the sub-nanometer scale.

Multidimensional well-being and income inequality in Central and Eastern Europe: A comparative analysis of CEE North and CEE Continental countries

Central Eastern European countries (CEEc) are characterized both by huge diversity in income inequality and, on average, by lower levels of well-being than in the other European Union (EU) countries. Given that income inequality may affect well-being negatively, the present study aims to explore the links between income inequalities and different dimensions of well-being in the eight CEEc, i.e. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The analysis is conducted in the two groups of CEEc regarding low and high inequality in income distribution, namely CEE Continental group and CEE North group (corresponding to post-socialist corporatist and post-socialist liberal, respectively). The multidimensional concept of well-being is applied, enabling deep exploration of its links with income inequalities in the following dimensions: subjective well-being (happiness) and objective well-being (material, health, educational, and environmental dimensions). We estimate the vector autoregression (VAR) models based on annual data disaggregated into quarterly data covering 2004 to 2020. The empirical results of Granger causality testing, which was used to investigate the links between income inequality and multidimensional well-being, indicated that not only are there differences between the groups in the studied patterns of interconnectedness, but also the groups of CEE North and CEE Continental countries are not homogeneous in those links.

Room-temperature ferromagnetism of chromium-doped molybdenum disulfide synthesized via chemical vapor deposition

Two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials offer promising prospects for applications in magnetic storage and spin field-effect transistors. However, the inherently low Curie temperatures of intrinsic 2D ferromagnetic semiconductor materials pose significant limitations on their practical device applications. An effective approach to achieving room-temperature ferromagnetism involves doping non-magnetic semiconductors with specific magnetic atoms. Here, we present the room-temperature ferromagnetism of chromium (Cr)-doped molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets synthesized through chemical vapor deposition. The magnetic hysteresis loops, recorded across a temperature span of 10–300 K, underscore the remarkable stability of their magnetic attributes. To gain deeper microscopic insights into the magnetic properties of Cr-doped MoS2, we conducted first-principles calculations, which further validated our experimental findings. This research underscores a promising pathway for the development of 2D ferromagnetic materials with broad application potential in magnetic storage and spin field-effect transistors.

Correction for Mehmood et al., Teacher vaccinations enhance student achievement in Pakistan: The role of role models and theory of mind

Factors influencing secondary school students’ nutrition, mindfulness, and academic performance in Nan Province, Thailand

Academic performance is crucial for future educational endeavors of students. However, there has been a concerning decline over time. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status, environmental factors, mindfulness, and academic performance among students at Bo Kluea School in Nan province, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 350 students in grades 8–11 using questionnaires, measurements, and academic records. Results showed that female students performed significantly better academically compared to males(71.9% vs 56.4% achieving good grades; compared to p < 0.001, OR = 3.583, 95%CI = 1.663–7.719). Age, junk food consumption, BMI, and mindfulness were identified as factors influencing academic performance. Students aged 16–18 years were 2.224 times more likely to achieve good academic performance compared to younger students (p = 0.015, OR = 2.224, 95%CI = 1.164–4.247). Significant associations were found between gender, age, waist circumference, mindfulness, and nutritional status. Female students and those with normal waist circumference or good mindfulness were more likely to have a normal BMI (p = 0.019, OR = 1.794, 95%CI = 1.101–2.922). Positive attitudes towards nutrition were associated with better academic performance (60.1% achieving good grades;p = 0.044, AOR = 1.543, 95%CI = 1.010–2.356). This study highlights the interconnectedness of these factors and their importance in in improving academic results. Further research is need to confirm these findings and overcome study limitations.

A 1 kV sub-nanosecond electrical pulse generated by a linear GaAs photoconductive semiconductor switch and its characterization

The generation of high-voltage ultrafast electrical pulses has significant potential for application in ultrawideband microwave sources, terahertz technology, and inertial confinement fusion. However, there is still a lack of the generation of high-voltage ultrafast electrical pulses with greater peak amplitudes and faster pulse widths and ultrafast characteristics. In this paper, a linear low-temperature gallium arsenide photoconductive semiconductor switch (LT-GaAs PCSS) is developed using the ps-scale carrier lifetime of low-temperature gallium arsenide (LT-GaAs). The generation of ultrafast electrical pulses with a pulse width of 0.5 ns and a voltage amplitude of 1 kV is achieved by triggering a pulsed laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, a single pulse energy of 70 μJ, and a pulse width of 30 ps. The impact of parameters, such as bias electric field, laser pulse energy, and transmission line length, on the ultrafast characteristics of the output electric pulse of the LT-GaAs PCSS is investigated through a synthesis of experimental and simulation approaches. The results show that (1) in linear conditions, the output pulse amplitude is mainly determined by the bias voltage and laser pulse energy, and the output pulse amplitude is also affected by conductor and dielectric attenuation in the transmission line; (2) the falling edge is determined by the carrier lifetime. Because of the absorption depth at 1064 nm and the carrier lifetime of semi-insulating gallium arsenide material, the output electrical pulse has a trailing edge; (3) the bias voltage and laser pulse energy can improve voltage transmission efficiency, and the saturation of voltage transmission efficiency is caused by the saturation of photon absorption in LT-GaAs material.

Correction for Tran-Kiem and Bedford, Estimating the reproduction number and transmission heterogeneity from the size distribution of clusters of identical pathogen sequences

A twofold perspective on the quality of research publications: The use of ICTs and research activity models

Previous studies have highlighted the inherent subjectivity, complexity, and challenges associated with research quality leading to fragmented findings. We identified determinants of research publication quality in terms of research activities and the use of information and communication technologies by employing an interdisciplinary approach. We conducted web-based surveys among academic scientists and applied machine learning techniques to model behaviors during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using model-agnostic explanations, we identified the determinants of research publication quality across 66 activity models. These models reflect the variety of behaviors among academic scientists during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our two-fold perspective distinguishes between research activities of academic scientists who increase research publication quality and those who maintain it. Notably, our findings reveal a diversity within activity models in shaping research publication quality. Academic institutions can apply our approach to analyze research staff behavior, stimulate activities, and ensure alignment with institutional objectives, thereby fostering individual and team complementarity.

Evaluation of arc quenching ability for SF6 replacements based on time-dependent Elenbaas–Heller and Boltzmann equations

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), a widely used arc quenching medium in the power industry, has been designated as a greenhouse gas, necessitating its reduction and replacement. Identifying eco-friendly alternatives to SF6 is a complex and expensive process, particularly since these alternatives often consist of gas mixtures that may function at varying pressures. In this work, we propose an efficient method for evaluating the arc quenching performance of gases or gas mixtures using the time-dependent Elenbaas–Heller and Boltzmann equations, which circumvents the computational costs associated with traditional 2D or 3D magnetohydrodynamic arc models. We segment the arc quenching process into four distinct stages: the thermal recovery stage, pre-dielectric recovery stage, post-dielectric recovery stage, and residual-gas cooling stage. To quantitatively assess arc quenching performance, we introduce two key parameters: recovery rate and recovery strength. The recovery rate is defined as the harmonic mean of thermal, pre-dielectric, and post-dielectric recovery rates. The recovery strength is characterized by the harmonic mean of the average recovery voltage, maximum critical electric field strength, and room-temperature dielectric strength. Our method is validated using several SF6 alternatives, including SF6 mixtures, C4F8, C4F7N, C5F10O, and their mixtures with CO2, N2, and O2. The results demonstrate that the coupling of the time-dependent Elenbaas–Heller and Boltzmann equations well describes the arc decaying process. Moreover, the proposed recovery rate and recovery strength metrics effectively quantify the arc quenching ability, enabling a systematic and efficient evaluation of various gas mixtures for arc interruption performance.

A networked station system for high-resolution wind nowcasting in air traffic operations: A data-augmented deep learning approach

This study introduces a high-resolution wind nowcasting model designed for aviation applications at Madeira International Airport, a location known for its complex wind patterns. By using data from a network of six meteorological stations and deep learning techniques, the produced model is capable of predicting wind speed and direction up to 30-minute ahead with 1-minute temporal resolution. The optimized architecture demonstrated robust predictive performance across all forecast horizons. For the most challenging task, the 30-minute ahead forecasts, the model achieved a wind speed Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.78 m/s and a wind direction MAE of 33.06°. Furthermore, the use of Gaussian noise concatenation to both input and label training data yielded the most consistent results. A case study further validated the model’s efficacy, with MAE values below 0.43 m/s for wind speed and between 33.93° and 35.03° for wind direction across different forecast horizons. This approach shows that combining strategically deployed sensor networks with machine learning techniques offers improvements in wind nowcasting for airports in complex environments, possibly enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Angle-resolved Raman scattering study of anisotropic two-dimensional tellurium nanoflakes

As an elemental crystal, anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) tellurium (Te) flakes have recently garnered significant attention due to their exceptional chemical stability, tunable bandgap, low thermal conductivity, and high carrier mobility. To further investigate the anisotropic properties of Te nanoflakes, a rapid and effective method of determining their crystal axes is essential. In this study, it is demonstrated that the intensity of the Raman-active mode in Te nanoflakes exhibits a laser-polarization-dependence, varying periodically with the polarization angle. The crystal axis in two-dimensional Te nanoflakes can be identified using angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, the Raman intensity of the A1 mode is the highest when the incident light is polarized along the [12¯10] direction and the lowest when polarized along the [0001] direction. This identification of the crystal axis via Raman spectroscopy is further verified by transmission electron microscopy measurements. In addition, theoretical simulations reveal that anisotropic Raman scattering is closely associated with the interference effect in a multilayer stacking system, as well as anisotropic absorption and anisotropic electron–phonon coupling in Te nanoflakes. This discovery not only provides a rapid method for locating the crystal axes in Te nanoflakes but also offers new insights into the scattering phenomenon in anisotropic materials beyond Te nanoflakes.

Correction for Jury et al., Experimental coral reef communities transform yet persist under mitigated future ocean warming and acidification

Association of blood urea nitrogen with 28-day mortality in critically ill patients: A multi-center retrospective study based on the eICU collaborative research database

Objective Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is a commonly used biomarker for assessing kidney function and neuroendocrine activity. Previous studies have indicated that elevated BUN levels are associated with increased mortality in various critically ill patient populations. The focus of this study was to investigate the relationship between BUN and 28-day mortality in intensive care patients. Methods This was a multi-centre retrospective cohort study that made use of data from the eICU Collaborative Research Database. The primary exposure variable was BUN, and the outcome was 28-day mortality. The following variables were included as covariates: age, gender, BMI, white blood cell count, creatinine, GCS score, APACHE IV score, and diabetes. The statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate logistic regression, as well as generalized additive modelling, which was employed to assess the non-linear relationship between BUN and mortality. Results A total of 63,757 elderly patients were included in the study, with a 28-day mortality of 6.5%. The univariate analysis indicated that elevated BUN quartiles were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The results of the multivariate analysis further confirmed the non-linear relationship between BUN and mortality. When BUN was less than 32 mg/dL, there was a significant positive association, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.230 (95% CI: 1.154–1.311, p<0.0001) for every 10 mg/dL increase in BUN. However, when BUN was greater than or equal to 32 mg/dL, BUN level had no significant effect on mortality. Conclusion BUN showed a nonlinear, threshold correlation with 28-day mortality in critically ill patients. The higher the BUN, the greater the risk of death if the BUN is below the threshold.

Experimental discrimination of domain switching behaviors within interfacial and bulk layers in the LiNbO3 domain-wall memory

Multilevel resistance states with respect to the volume of the reversed domains in ferroelectric tunneling junctions and erasable conducting domain walls in an insulating ferroelectric matrix enable high-speed and energy-efficient ferroelectric synapses, memories, and transistors. According to the domain nucleation model, the operation speeds of these devices are assumedly limited by domain nucleation time while the subsequent domain growth time is neglected. Unfortunately, these two times cannot be separated from the experiment yet. Here, we observed independent switching behaviors of domain nucleation and growth at two discrete coercive fields for a mesa-like memory cell formed at the surface of a LiNbO3 single crystal. After the application of an in-plane electric field to two side electrodes, we observed the on currents upon antiparallel domain reversals via the creation of conducting domain walls between them. Once the applied electric field is removed, the domains within the interfacial layers between the two side electrodes and the cell are volatile and switch back into their initial orientations automatically, unlike the nonvolatile bulk domain encoding digital information. In consideration of volatile and nonvolatile natures of the two domains, we separately observed their switching behaviors from the measurements of frequency-dependent domain switching hysteresis loops after programing various write and read pulses. It is found that all coercive fields with the involvement of domain nucleation at the interfaces are always frequency-dependent, unlike domain forward growth within the bulk layer that is frequency-independent. This provides the direct evidence that the operation speed of the low-dimensional ferroelectric device is limited by the domain nucleation rate at the interface.

The role of health shocks after age 70 on housing and wealth profiles

We conduct a novel investigation into the effects of uncertain health shocks and medical costs on the life cycle consumption, housing, and saving decisions. Our model aids in understanding the role of health shocks and medical costs after age 70 in explaining the lack of wealth and housing decumulation during retirement. We utilize a comprehensive life-cycle model that includes housing, as well as shocks to house price, labor income, and health. Our model could be useful for policy evaluation and future studies concerning older adults. Our first contribution to the previous literature is modeling the whole adult life-cycle. This enables us to determine whether decisions in youth and middle age are influenced by anticipated health shocks in old age. Our second contribution is modeling housing explicitly with health shocks. Conclusions regarding the savings puzzle may be significantly influenced by the explicit modeling of housing. We develop a more realistic model by relaxing some of the assumptions made in previous studies. We find that health shocks motivate the household to accumulate higher wealth before retirement. Moreover, as health shocks become more severe, individuals reduce their consumption and decumulate less wealth in old age. Health shocks help explain the flat trends observed in the housing and wealth profiles of older adults. The possible health shocks after age 70 affect the decisions in young and middle ages only marginally. The wealth profile in middle and old age is affected by health shocks.

Prediction of neuronal functionality of asymmetric ferroelectric tunneling junction with coupled polarization and thermal dynamics

The performance of neuromorphic computing (NC) in executing data-intensive artificial intelligence tasks relies on hardware network structure and information processing behavior mimicking neural networks in the human brain. The functionalities of synapses and neurons, the key components in neural networks, have been widely pursued in memristor systems. Nevertheless, the realization of neuronal functionalities in a single memristor remains challenging. By theoretical modeling, here we propose asymmetric ferroelectric tunneling junction (AFTJ) as a potential platform to realize neuronal functionalities. The volatility, a necessary property for a memristor to implement a neuron device, is enhanced by the co-effect of polarization asymmetry and Joule heating. The simulated polarization reversal dynamics of the AFTJ memristor under trains of electric pulses reproduces the leaky integrate-and-fire functionality of spiking neurons. Interestingly, multiple spiking behaviors are found by modulating the pulse width and interval of trains of electric pulses, which has not yet been reported in ferroelectric neuron. The influences of several key factors on the neuronal functionalities of AFTJ are further discussed. Our study provides a novel design scheme for ferroelectric neuron devices and inspires further explorations of ferroelectric devices in neuromorphic computing.

Correction for Alboreggia et al., Targeted degradation of Pin1 by protein-destabilizing compounds

Wearable devices may aid the recognition of fluctuation-related pain in Parkinson’s disease—An exploratory, cross-sectional analysis of two prospective observational studies

Fluctuation-related pain (FRP) affects more than one third of people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP, PD) and has a harmful effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but often remains under-reported by patients and neglected by clinicians. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends The Parkinson KinetiGraphTM (the PKGTM) for remote monitoring of motor symptoms. We investigated potential links between the PKGTM-obtained parameters and clinical rating scores for FRP in PwP in an exploratory, cross-sectional analysis of two prospective studies: “The Non-motor International Longitudinal, Real-Life Study in PD—NILS” and “An observational-based registry of baseline PKG™ in PD—PKGReg”. 63 PwP (41.3% female; age: 64.24±9.88 years; disease duration, DD: 6.83±5.63 years; Hoehn and Yahr Stage, H&Y: 2 (1–4); Levodopa Equivalent Daily Dose 535 (0–3230) mg) were included. PwP with FRP (n = 23) had longer DD (8.88 (1.29–19.05) vs. 3.16 (0.34–28.92), p = 0.001), higher severity of motor symptoms (H&Y 3 (1–4) vs. 2 (1–4), p = 0.015; SCOPA Motor total score 21.35±10.19 vs. 13.65±8.99, p = 0.003), more dyskinesia (SCOPA Motor Item 18 ≥1 60.9% vs. 7.5%, p<0.001), and worse HRQoL (PDQ-8 Total Score 10.74±5.98 vs. 6.78±5.13, p = 0.007) then PwP without FRP (n = 40). In the multivariate logistic regression, after the adjustment for DD, H&Y and SCOPA-Motor total score, the presence of FRP was significantly associated with the PKGTM-derived Fluctuation-dyskinesia score (Exp (B) = 1.305, 95% CI for Exp (B) 1.012–1.683, p = 0.040) and the Bradykinesia score (Exp (B) = 0.917, 95% CI for Exp (B) 0.842–0.999, p = 0.048). The PKGTM system may potentially advance the way we screen for, assess, and treat FRP in clinical practice.