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The effect of cadmium ions introduced into fluorophosphate glass on the growth and photoluminescence (PL) of the CsPb1–xCdxBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) is systematically studied. The x-ray diffraction patterns have shown that cadmium ions are really incorporated into the NCs that results in a decrease in the lattice constant from 5.85 (x = 0) to 5.75 Å (x = 0.45). At the large cadmium content in the glass (x > 0.38), simultaneous formation of the perovskite CsPb1–xCdxBr3 NCs and the non-luminescent CsCdBr3 NCs in the hexagonal phase is found. It is also found that the lattice contraction leads to an increase in the bandgap energy and a noticeable shift of the PL band to the blue region of the spectrum (from 2.42 to 2.68 eV) with a drop in quantum yield from 85% for CsPbBr3 NCs down to 4% for CsPb0.55Cd0.45Br3 NCs. It is shown that the PL quantum yield decreases due to the formation of deep trap states, which manifest themselves as a PL band in the energy range of 1.6–2.5 eV at cryogenic temperatures. A simple model explaining the behavior of the PL band as a function of temperature in the range from 30 to 300 K is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Among flowering plants, genome size varies remarkably, by >2200‐fold, and this variation depends on the loss and gain of noncoding DNA sequences that form distinct heterochromatin complexes during interphase. In plants with giant genomes, most chromatin remains condensed during interphase, forming a dense network of heterochromatin threads called interphase chromonemata. Using super‐resolution light and electron microscopy, we studied the ultrastructure of chromonemata during and after replication in root meristem nuclei of Nigella damascena L. During S‐phase, heterochromatin undergoes transient decondensation locally at DNA replication sites. Due to the abundance of heterochromatin, the replication leads to a robust disassembly of the chromonema meshwork and a general reorganization of the nuclear morphology visible even by conventional light microscopy. After replication, heterochromatin recondenses, restoring the chromonema structure. Thus, we show that heterochromatin replication in interphase nuclei of giant‐genome plants induces a global nuclear reorganization. Significant Statement: The replication of giant plant genomes requires a global chromatin reorganization in interphase nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oomycete Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary is a causative agent of the most harmful potato disease, late blight. The pathogenicity of P. infestans is associated with (a)virulence genes (Avr genes). Changes in the composition and nucleotide sequence of these genes lead to the emergence of new races of the pathogen, which affect potato varieties previously considered resistant. Therefore, to successfully combat late blight, it is important to study polymorphisms in Avr genes in populations of this pathogen. We conducted a large‐scale molecular and phytopathological study of P. infestans strains collected in European Russia. In this study, polymorphisms of 11 Avr genes were analysed using SSCP analysis and sequencing. The genes included Avr1, Avr2, Avr2‐like, Avr3a, Avr3b, Avr4, Avr8, Avr‐Smira1, Avr‐blb1, Avr‐blb2 and Avr‐vnt1. As a result, the allelic composition of Avr genes was studied and new alleles unique to Russia were identified in Russian populations of P. infestans for all studied Avr genes, with the exception of Avr4 and Avr8. The vast majority of the Avr1, Avr2‐like, Avr3a, Avr4, Avr‐vnt1 and Avr‐Smira1 gene sequences correspond to known virulence variants of these genes that avoid recognition by the corresponding potato resistance genes. The Avr‐blb2 gene was represented by approximately equal amounts of virulent and avirulent variants. Predominantly avirulent variants were found for the Avr‐blb1 gene. The Avr2, Avr3b and Avr8 genes were represented only by avirulent variants. Summarising the results of our study, we can conclude that the populations of the European territory of Russia differ from the populations of Europe and the USA in the allelic composition of virulence genes. We failed to detect a dominant clonal lineage in the territory of Russia, and the Russian population of P. infestans is highly diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, skin blemish diseases of potato (including black dot (BD) caused by Colletotricum coccodes) have begun to be important for global potato marketing, since consumers often reject tubers with an imperfect appearance, which results in financial losses caused by the disposal of unwanted potatoes. Like for many non-fatal plant diseases, BD severity may depend on the immune status of plants influenced by other infectious agents. Using a set of 98 potato cultivars differing in their late blight (LB) resistance, we examined the correlation between the intensity of their infection with LB determined by their LB resistance and the occurrence of the BD disease under field conditions with a high background level of both diseases. Using LB-susceptible (Arizona) and moderately susceptible (Sante) cultivars, we also evaluated the effect of a crop protection against LB on BD development under the same field conditions. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.81, p < 0.05) between the LB resistance and the BD occurrence has been revealed. An experiment using the two cultivars, chemically protected against LB, showed a significant reduction in BD occurrence of 30% (cv. Arizona) and 20% (cv. Sante) compared to the untreated controls; the total yield and marketability of potatoes increased by 103.6 and 62.5% for cv. Arizona and by 65.9 and 43.8% for cv. Sante. The reduction in the LB affection of potato is one of the key factors improving the immune status of potato cultivars in relation to BD infection, so methods of LB protection should be included in a complex approach to BD control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resident macrophages of various mammalian organs are characterized by several distinctive features in their gene expression profile and phenotype, including involvement in the regulation of organ functions, as well as reduced sensitivity to proinflammatory activation factors. The reasons for the formation of such a specific phenotype remain the subject of intensive research. Some papers emphasize the role of the origin of organ macrophages. Other studies indicate that monocytes that develop in the red bone marrow are also able to form resident macrophages with a phenotype characteristic of a particular organ, but this requires appropriate microenvironmental conditions. In this article, we studied the possibility of differentiation of monocyte‐derived macrophages into cells with a Kupffer‐like phenotype under the influence of the main stromal components of Kupffer cells macrophage niche: Ito cells, liver sinusoid endotheliocytes and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). It was found that Kupffer cells are characterized by several features, including increased expression of transcription factors Spic and Id3, as well as MUP family genes, Clusterin and Ngp genes. In addition, Kupffer cells were characterized by a higher proliferative activity. The expression of marker genes of Kupffer cells (i.e. Id3, Spic, Marco and Timd4) increased in monocyte‐derived macrophages during coculture with Ito cells, liver sinusoid endothelial cells, macrophage colony–stimulating factor and HGF cells only by 3 days. However, the expression level of these genes was always higher in Kupffer cells. In addition, a complete coincidence of the expressed gene profile in monocyte‐derived macrophages and Kupffer cells did not occur even after 3 days of culturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last years, there has been considerable interest in inverse spectral problems for functional-differential operators with frozen argument. Until now, however, no aspects of their stability have been studied. One of the difficulties here is caused by the non-standard characterization of the spectra of such operators. In the present paper, we eliminate this gap and introduce a natural metric that allows us to obtain the Lipschitz stability on each ball of finite radius. Along with the previous results, this brings a final missing piece to the well-posedness of the inverse problem under consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato virus Y, an important viral pathogen of potato, has several genetic variants and geographic distributions which could be affected by environmental factors, aphid vectors, and reservoir plants. PVY is transmitted to virus-free potato plants by aphids and passed on to the next vegetative generations through tubers, but the effects of tuber transmission in PVY is largely unknown. By using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated PVY populations transmitted to potato plants by aphids in different climate zones of Russia, namely the Moscow and Astrakhan regions. We analyzed sprouts from the tubers produced by field-infected plants to investigate the impact of tuber transmission on PVY genetics. We found a significantly higher diversity of PVY isolates in the Astrakhan region, where winters are shorter and milder and summers are warmer compared to the Moscow region. While five PVY types, NTNa, NTNb, N:O, N-Wi, and SYR-I, were present in both regions, SYRI-II, SYRI-III, and 261-4 were only found in the Astrakhan region. All these recombinants were composed of the genome sections derived from PVY types O and N, but no full-length sequences of such types were present. The composition of the PVY variants in the tuber sprouts was not always the same as in their parental plants, suggesting that tuber transmission impacts PVY genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The search for new classes of fungicides has long been important in plant protection due to the development of fungal resistance to currently used agrochemicals. Organic peroxides have long been regarded as exotic and unstable compounds. The discovery of the antimalarial activity of the peroxide natural product Artemisinin, an achievement that was recently recognized with the Nobel Prize, has brought organic peroxides into the medicinal and agrochemistry. In this paper, fungicidal activity of synthesized organic peroxides—geminal bishydroperoxide, bridged 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes, and tricyclic monoperoxides—were tested in vitro against an important species of phytopathogenic fungi (F. culmorum, R. solani, A. solani, P. infestans, C. coccodes). We discovered that substituted bridged 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes exhibit fungicidal activity comparable or superior to azoxystrobin and superior to geminal bishydroperoxide and tricyclic monoperoxides. The contact mode of action was demonstrated for the bridged 1,2,4,5-tetraoxane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applications of DNA-containing nanomaterials (DNA-NMs) in science and technology are currently attracting increasing attention in the fields of medicine, environment, engineering, etc. Such objects have become important for various branches of science and industries due to their outstanding characteristics such as small size, high controllability, clustering actions, and strong permeability. For these reasons, DNA-NMs deserve a review with respect to their recent advancements. On the other hand, precise cluster control, targeted drug distribution in vivo, and cellular micro-nano operation remain as problems. This review summarizes the recent progress in DNA-NMs and their crossover and integration into multiple disciplines (including in vivo/in vitro, microcircles excisions, and plasmid oligomers). We hope that this review will motivate relevant practitioners to generate new research perspectives and boost the advancement of nanomanipulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently reported that the restoration of cervical vertebral arterial blood flow access (measured as systolic peak (PS)) to the rhomboid fossa leads to the recovery of the HbA1c level in the case of patients with a pre-Diabetes Mellitus (pre-DM) condition. The theory of centralized aerobic–anaerobic energy balance compensation (TCAAEBC) provides a successful theoretical explanation for this observation. It considers the human body as a dissipative structure. Reported connections between arterial hypertension (AHT) and the level of HbA1c are linked through OABFRH. According to the TCAAEBC, this delivers incorrect information about blood oxygen availability to the cerebellum. The restoration of PS normalizes AHT in 5–6 weeks and HbA1c in 12–13 weeks. In the current study, we demonstrate the model which fits the obtained experimental data. According to the model, pathways of onset and recovery from pre-DM are different. The consequence of these differences is discussed. The great significance of the TCAAEBC for medical practice forces the creation of an appropriate mathematical model, but the required adjustment of the model needs experimental data which can only be obtained from an animal model(s). The essential part of this study is devoted to the analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of widely available common mammalian models for TCAAEBC cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the validation of modeled total electron content (TEC) from 14 ionospheric models, including empirical, physics‐based, and data assimilation (DA) models, hosted by the NASA/NSF Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC), NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This study aims to assess the current progress and capability of the CCMC‐hosted ionospheric models in capturing the storm time ionosphere during the low and moderate solar flux years. We focus on the low‐latitude ionosphere (i.e., ±40° in magnetic latitude) and compare the modeled TEC with the Madrigal TEC during the 2013 March and 2021 November storms. Multiple metrics are used to quantitatively assess the models' accuracy, precision, association, bias, and capability in capturing the TEC changes in response to the storms. The skill score based on the metric scores is further proposed to evaluate the overall performance of ionospheric models against the reference model (International Reference Ionosphere 2016; IRI‐2016). The results indicate that the DA model GLObal Total Electron Content and JPL Global Ionospheric Map models show good performance in modeling the TEC and reasonably reflect the storm time TEC changes spatially and temporally. The empirical models IRI‐2016 and 2020 show relatively good performance compared with the physics‐based models regarding the model‐data comparison; however, it is difficult to characterize the TEC changes caused by storms. The physics‐based models can simulate the storm effect in spatial and temporal TEC variations better than the empirical model. The performance of ionospheric models in capturing the storm time TEC anomaly is presented and discussed. Plain Language Summary: The Earth's ionosphere is highly variable due to atmospheric variations and solar activity. Forecasting the ionosphere is of particular importance because the ionosphere significantly impacts our daily lives. Scientists have developed multiple numerical models, such as empirical, physics‐based, data‐assimilation, and machine learning models, to improve our capability in capturing space weather and understanding the underlying physics responsible for ionospheric variability. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) hosts an extensive suite of state‐of‐the‐art ionospheric models, providing the community access to these modern models to support space weather and space physics research. CCMC also acts as an unbiased evaluator to validate models for eventual use in space weather forecasting. This paper aims to validate the performance of recently onboarded CCMC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory ionospheric models during the geomagnetic storms, providing a baseline for users and modelers to understand the recent progress of ionosphere models. Key Points: Validation of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) by the state‐of‐the‐art ionospheric models hosted by NASA Community Coordinated Modeling Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)Multiple metrics and skill scores are used to assess the performance of ionospheric models in capturing storm time TEC anomalyGLObal Total Electron Content and JPL Global Ionospheric Map perform best, and physics‐based models perform better than the empirical model in capturing storm TEC variations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with a new type of inverse spectral problems for second‐order quadratic differential pencils when one of the boundary conditions involves arbitrary entire functions of the spectral parameter. Although various aspects of the inverse spectral theory for the pencils have been of a special interest during the last decades, such settings were considered before only in the particular case of a Sturm–Liouville equation. We develop an approach covering also the quadratic dependence on the spectral parameter in the differential equation, which is based on the completeness and basisness of certain functional systems. By this approach, we obtain a uniqueness theorem and an algorithm for solving the inverse problem along with sufficient properties of the mentioned systems. The presented results give a universal tool for studying a number of important specific situations, including various Hochstadt–Lieberman‐type inverse problems both on an interval and on geometrical graphs, which is illustrated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serious problems of conventional breast cancer therapy strategies such as drug resistance, severe side effects, and lack of selectivity prompted the development of various cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) devices. Due to its advanced technology, CAP can produce a unique environment rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), photons, charged ions, and an electric field, making it a promising revolutionary platform for cancer therapy. Despite substantial technological successes, CAP‐based therapeutic systems are encounter with distinct limitations, including low control of the generated RONS, poor knowledge about its anticancer mechanisms, and challenges concerning designing, manufacturing, clinical translation, and commercialization, which must be resolved. The latest developments in CAP‐based therapeutic systems for breast cancer treatment are discussed in this review. More significantly, the integration of CAP‐based medicine approaches with other breast cancer therapies, including chemo‐ and nanotherapy is thoroughly addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reduction in next-generation sequencing (NGS) costs allows for using this method for newborn screening for monogenic diseases (MDs). In this report, we describe a clinical case of a newborn participating in the EXAMEN project (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05325749). Methods: The child presented with convulsive syndrome on the third day of life. Generalized convulsive seizures were accompanied by electroencephalographic patterns corresponding to epileptiform activity. Proband WES expanded to trio sequencing was performed. Results: A differential diagnosis was made between symptomatic (dysmetabolic, structural, infectious) neonatal seizures and benign neonatal seizures. There were no data in favor of the dysmetabolic, structural, or infectious nature of seizures. Molecular karyotyping and whole exome sequencing were not informative. Trio WES revealed a de novo variant in the KCNJ9 gene (1:160087612T > C, p.Phe326Ser, NM_004983), for which, according to the OMIM database, no association with the disease has been described to date. Three-dimensional modeling was used to predict the structure of the KCNJ9 protein using the known structure of its homologs. According to the predictions, Phe326Ser change possibly disrupts the hydrophobic contacts with the valine side chain. Destabilization of the neighboring structures may undermine the formation of GIRK2/GIRK3 tetramers necessary for their proper functioning. Conclusions: We believe that the identified variant may be the cause of the disease in this patient but further studies, including the search for other patients with the KCNJ9 variants, are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is accumulating evidence that mitochondria and mitochondrial STAT3 are involved in the activation of mast cells. The mitochondria-targeted curcuminoids Mitocur-1 and Mitocur-3 have been suggested to reduce antigen-dependent mast cell activation by inhibiting mitochondrial STAT3. The aim of the current work was to investigate the mechanisms of action of these mitocurcuminoids on mast cells and mitochondrial functions. The pretreatment of rat basophilic leukemia cells RBL-2H3 with Mitocur-1 and Mitocur-3 decreased antigen-dependent degranulation but did not affect spontaneous degranulation. Both compounds caused mitochondrial fragmentation and increased mitochondrial ROS. Inhibition of Drp1 prevented mitochondrial fragmentation induced by Mitocur-3 but not by Mitocur-1. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited mitochondrial fission induced by Mitocur-1 but not Mitocur-3. Mitochondrial fragmentation caused by Mitocur-3 but not Mitocur-1 was accompanied by activation of Drp1 and AMPK. These data suggest a distinct mechanism of action of mitocurcuminoids on the mitochondria of RBL-2H3 cells: Mitocur-3 stimulated AMPK and caused Drp1-dependent mitochondrial fragmentation, while Mitocur-1-induced mitochondrial fission was ROS-dependent. This difference may contribute to the higher toxicity of Mitocur-3 compared to Mitocur-1. The findings contribute to further drug development for inflammatory and allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim/Purpose The main purpose is to study the experience of using virtual team building as a means of forming educational and research teams in the context of the development of online education and its effect among students and teachers of higher educational institutions. Background Methods ensuring effective engagement of students in learning are critical to the success of online education. The most obvious problems in higher educational institutions are procrastination, academic dishonesty due to easy access to electronic resources, decreased attendance, and insufficient interaction between teachers and students. Methodology The research methodology is based on an empirical approach, which is a research survey using a questionnaire to collect data based on closed-ended questions. For quantitative analysis, the independent sample t-test was used. The survey was conducted among students and teachers of two educational institutions in the Russian Federation. Contribution This study is of practical and scientific importance as it can contribute to the introduction of virtual team building in the modern education system. Findings Based on the analysis of the data obtained, it can be concluded that students and teachers approximately equally assess the impact of team building on the ability to get to know each other better, improve communication skills, and psychoemotional intimacy. Despite the need and sometimes no alternative to virtual team building (for example, during a pandemic), half of the sample of students (50.8%) agreed that team building was more effective in an offline environment while 64.3% of teachers believe that the effectiveness could have been higher in the offline environment. The respondents assessed the positive effect of team building on their interest and motivation to study or work. Recommendations for Practitioners These findings can contribute to a broader and faster implementation of virtual team-building practices in the education system of the Russian Federation and other countries of the world. The results of this study can be applied by higher educational institutions that are interested in increasing team cohesion, interest, and motivation to study or work, as well as the creation of closer and trusting relationships, and an atmosphere of psycho-emotional safety. Recommendations for Researchers This topic requires more observations to verify the influence of student personality on the effectiveness of virtual team building in intelligent collaborative learning environments. Impact on Society The study highlights the importance of communication between the student and the teacher, as well as between students, as psycho-emotional well-being in the micro-society results in a better academic performance. Future Research Further research can be aimed at studying the difference in the effectiveness of team building in online and offline learning environments, as well as the impact of team building on the teaching staff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore how well the models of bounded rationality explain price dispersion observed in Internet price-comparison sites. This paper considers three hypotheses about the strategic origin of price dispersion in homogeneous product online sales. Two of them are e-equilibrium and quantal-response equilibrium (QRE) in a pure Bertrand setting, they involve the bounded rationality of sellers. The third hypothesis introduces the fraction of loyal consumers into the model and assumes the sellers are rational. These behavioral models earlier were proposed in the literature as possible explanations of high price dispersion in online markets. They were supported by experimental lab data, but not tested on real prices. We test the hypotheses on real data for 30 models of household appliances collected from the largest Russian online marketplace Market.Yandex.ru, which organizes e-competition in the closest to the Bertrand setting way. We found no support for e-equilibrium hypothesis and only limited support for loyal consumer hypothesis. QRE showed the best performance on the data. For most of the products it predicts central tendency, i.e. the mean and the median, remarkably well. The shape of the observed price distributions is explained accurately enough in comparison with the two other hypotheses and random behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious gestational complication affecting the life of a mother and child. The immunophenotype and gene expression profile of isolated blood monocyte subpopulations of pregnant women with PE have not been studied before. In this work, we assessed changes in CD14++ and CD16++ monocyte subpopulations in PE and physiological pregnancy (n = 33). Immunophenotyping, immunomagnetic sorting of monocytes and analysis of the transcriptional profile of their genes were carried out. The percentage of classical monocytes was significantly lower, while the intermediate fraction of monocytes was significantly higher in late-onset PE compared to control. Transcriptome analysis of late-onset PE classical CD14++ monocytes revealed significant activation of inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathways; apoptosis; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter in response to stress and others. The most suppressed signalling pathways were associated with T cell activation and selection. In CD16++ monocytes of late-onset PE cases, positive regulation of cell–cell adhesion, integrin signalling pathway, blood coagulation cascade were the most activated ones. The inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signalling pathway and p53 pathway were the most down-regulated in CD16++ monocytes. The obtained results indicate profound changes occurring to two most polar monocyte subpopulations in PE and their different roles in the pathogenesis of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper studies wave propagation in 1 D bimodular media. Four cases are investigated: two cases with an external step load applied to a prestressed bimodular rod and two cases with a sign-alternating pulse applied to an unloaded bimodular rod. Shock wave formation and energy dissipation are observed in two cases. Analytical solutions showing the distortion of a wave profile due to shock wave formation for all cases are derived. A method of suppressing an arbitrary tensile pulse in a bimodular rod by creating a compressive pulse is proposed. Validation by numerical modeling using a Godunov-type explicit difference scheme is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creative thinking and scientific knowledge are essential components of twenty-first-century learning. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of an inquiry-based interdisciplinary course of study, complemented by training that stimulates the development of creative and research skills. The main sample, which provided the most complete data set, consisted of 175 students. Participants filled out a questionnaire created by the authors and presented in Appendix A to get the participants' assessment of the characteristics of the training course. The analysis was carried out using the Atlas.ti software. The study of Pearson's correlation between the variables of the questionnaire, as well as the variables of the questionnaire and the estimates of the 'creative and search process' according to the results of the described analysis was carried out. A significant correlation was revealed between such factors as 'satisfaction with the training course' and 'usefulness of the training course' (r = 0.85), 'usefulness of the training course' and 'research process' (r = 0.72), 'satisfaction with the training course' and 'creative process' (r = 0.62). The research results can be implemented in colleges and universities to create specialised training courses or training elements in order to increase creativity and improve the scientific thinking of students with usage of electronic educational environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the microwave-assisted synthesis of heterojunctions based on bismuth niobate (BiNbO4) and tungsten oxide (WO3). These architectures have been used as photoanodes for water splitting under simulated AM1.5G solar light. We show for the first time that by controlling temperature and irradiation power it is possible to tune the fraction of orthorhombic and triclinic phases in BiNbO4 nanoparticles, with strong consequences on the photocatalytic capabilities of the resulting heterojunctions. XRD patterns show that lower temperatures and irradiation power favor the formation of triclinic BiNbO4 arrangements, whereas the morphology of WO3 films is straightforwardly controlled by the addition of weak acids in the reactional medium that enable the formation of wrinkle-rod or cube-like particles. The orthorhombic symmetry of BiNbO4 is shown to decrease the bandgap energy, whereas wrinkle-rod nanoparticles of WO3 provides a rough surface that enhances the interaction between the semiconductors. This strategy leads to heterojunction able to generate photocurrent densities more than one order of magnitude higher than of bare WO3 film. Our findings demonstrate that the microwave-assisted route is a very attractive alternative to directly control crystalline structure and ultimately the photocatalytic performance of bismuth niobate- and tungsten oxide-based heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early recurrences of atrial arrhythmias (ERAA) after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation do not predict procedural failure. A well-demarcated homogeneous lesion delivered by cryoballoon is less arrhythmogenic, and the recommended three-months blanking period may not refer to cryoballoon ablation (CBA).Objective: We aimed to evaluate the predictive role of ERAA after second-generation CBA using an implantable loop recorder.Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 100 patients (58 males, median age 58) with paroxysmal/persistent AF undergoing pulmonary vein (PV) CBA using second-generation cryoballoon with simultaneous ECG loop recorder implantation. The duration of follow-up was 12 months, with scheduled visits at 3, 6 and 12 months.Results: 99 patients from 100 completed the 12-month follow-up period. ERAA occurred in 31.3 % of patients. 83.9 % of patients with ERAA also developed late recurrences. The 12-month freedom from AF in patients with ERAA was significantly lower than in those without ERAA (p < 0.0001). Non-paroxysmal AF and longer arrhythmia history were associated with increased risk of both early (HR 3.27; 95 % CI 1.32-8.08; p = 0.010 and HR 1.0147; 95 % CI 1.008-1.086; p = 0.015, respectively) and late recurrences (HR 3.89; 95 % CI 1.67-9.04; p = 0.002 and HR 1.0142; 95 % CI 1.007-1.078; p = 0.019, respectively) of AF. ERAA were another predictor for procedural failure (HR 15.2; 95 % CI (6.42-35.99; p = 0.019).Conclusions: ERAA occurred in the third of the patients after PV second-generation CBA and are strongly associated with procedural failure. Longer duration of AF history and persistent AF are independent predictors of AF's early and late recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), raising and reducing the function of Th17 and Treg cells, respectively, elicit hyperinflammation and disease progression. The current study aimed to evaluate the responses of Th17 and Treg cells in COVID‐19 patients compared with the control group. Forty COVID‐19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients were compared with 40 healthy controls. The frequency of cells, gene expression of related factors, as well as the secretion levels of cytokines, were measured by flow cytometry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay techniques, respectively. The findings revealed a significant increase in the number of Th17 cells, the expression levels of related factors (RAR‐related orphan receptor gamma [RORγt], IL‐17, and IL‐23), and the secretion levels of IL‐17 and IL‐23 cytokines in COVID‐19 patients compared with controls. In contrast, patients had a remarkable reduction in the frequency of Treg cells, the expression levels of correlated factors (Forkhead box protein P3 [FoxP3], transforming growth factor‐β [TGF‐β], and IL‐10), and cytokine secretion levels (TGF‐β and IL‐10). The ratio of Th17/Treg cells, RORγt/FoxP3, and IL‐17/IL‐10 had a considerable enhancement in patients compared with the controls and also in dead patients compared with the improved cases. The findings showed that enhanced responses of Th17 cells and decreased responses of Treg cells in 2019‐n‐CoV patients compared with controls had a strong relationship with hyperinflammation, lung damage, and disease pathogenesis. Also, the high ratio of Th17/Treg cells and their associated factors in COVID‐19‐dead patients compared with improved cases indicates the critical role of inflammation in the mortality of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep neural networks are a powerful tool for computer-assisted learning and have achieved significant success in numerous computer vision and image processing tasks. This paper discusses several new neural network structures that have better performance than the traditional feedforward neural network structure. A method of network structure optimization based on gradient descent and heavy-ball algorithms has been proposed. Furthermore, an approach based on the concept of sparse representation for simultaneous training and optimizing the network structure has been presented. According to CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100 dataset classification tasks and experimental results, the optimization of ResNet and DenseNet structures using gradient descent and heavy-ball algorithms, accordingly, has been shown to result in better performance with increased depth of neural network. A neural network based on a sparse representation is shown to have the highest performance in all datasets. This strategy encourages quick data adaptation at each iteration. The results obtained can be used to design deeper neural networks with no loss of precision and computing speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: PWS is challenging to diagnose prenatally due to a lack of precise and well‐characterized fetal phenotypes and noninvasive markers. Here we present the case of prenatal diagnosis of Prader‐Willi syndrome, which was suspected with whole‐genome NIPS. Methods: Whole‐genome noninvasive prenatal screening showed a high risk for trisomy 15. Amniocentesis followed by FISH analysis and SNP‐based chromosomal microarray was performed. Results: Simultaneous analysis of maternal and fetal samples with SNP microarrays demonstrated maternal uniparental disomy (UPD). Conclusion: The presented case is the first case of PWS described in detail, which was suspected by NIPS results. It demonstrates that the choice of confirmation methods concerning the time needed is crucial for the right diagnosis. We suppose that prenatal testing of UPD is essential for chromosome regions, which play a key role in the appearance of various gene‐imprinting failure syndromes like PWS or AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonspecific immunosuppressive therapy for graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is often accompanied by severe side effects such as opportunistic infections and cancers. Several approaches have been developed to suppress transplantation reactions using tolerogenic cells, including induction of FoxP3+ Tregs with antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DCs) and induction of CD4+IL-10+ cells with interleukin IL-10-producing DCs. Here, we assessed the effectiveness of both approaches in the suppression of graft rejection and GVHD.Methods: IL-10-producing DCs were generated by the transfection of DCs with DNA constructs encoding mouse IL-10. Antigen-loaded DCs from C57BL/6 mice were generated by transfection with DNA constructs encoding antigenic determinants from the H2 locus of CBA mice which differ from the homologous antigenic determinants of C57BL/6 mice.Results: We found that both IL-10-producing DCs and antigen-loaded immature DCs could suppress graft rejection and GVHD but through distinct nonspecific and antigen-specific mechanisms, respectively. Discussion. We provide data that the novel approach for DCs antigen loading using DNA constructs encoding distinct homologous determinants derived from major histocompatibility complex genes is effective in antigen-specific suppression of transplantation reactions. Such an approach eliminates the necessity of donor material use and may be useful in immunosuppressive therapy side effects prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the inverse problem of recovering the potential q(x) from the spectrum of the operator - y ′ ′ (x) + q (x) y (a) , y (α) (0) = y (β) (1) = 0 , where α , β ∈ { 0 , 1 } and a ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] is an arbitrary fixed rational number. We completely describe the cases when the solution of the inverse problem is unique and non-unique. In the last case, we describe sets of iso-spectral potentials and provide various restrictions on the potential under which the uniqueness holds. Moreover, we obtain an algorithm for solving the inverse problem along with necessary and sufficient conditions for its solvability in terms of characterization of the spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of T cell receptor (TCR) diversity in infectious disease susceptibility is not well understood. We use a systems immunology approach on three cohorts of herpes zoster (HZ) patients and controls to investigate whether TCR diversity against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) influences the risk of HZ. We show that CD4+ T cell TCR diversity against VZV glycoprotein E (gE) and immediate early 63 protein (IE63) after 1-week culture is more restricted in HZ patients. Single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing of VZV-specific T cells shows that T cell activation pathways are significantly decreased after stimulation with VZV peptides in convalescent HZ patients. TCR clustering indicates that TCRs from HZ patients co-cluster more often together than TCRs from controls. Collectively, our results suggest that not only lower VZV-specific TCR diversity but also reduced functional TCR affinity for VZV-specific proteins in HZ patients leads to lower T cell activation and consequently affects the susceptibility for viral reactivation. [Display omitted] • T cell phenotypes did not significantly differ between HZ patients and controls • CD4+ TCR diversity against VZV gE and IE63 after culture was broader in controls • T cell activation pathways after VZV peptide stimulation were lower in HZ patients • TCRs from HZ patients co-clustered more often together than TCRs from controls Boeren et al. demonstrate that susceptibility for shingles, caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation, correlates with reduced T cell receptor (TCR) diversity against several VZV proteins. Their results indicate that reduced T cell activation correlates with reduced affinity between VZV proteins and the VZV-specific TCR repertoire in shingles patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We document the geographic concentration patterns of Russian manufacturing using detailed microgeographic data. About 80% of three‐digit industries are significantly agglomerated, and a similar share of three‐digit industry pairs is significantly coagglomerated. Industry pairs with stronger buyer–supplier links—as measured using Russian input–output tables—tend to be slightly more coagglomerated. This result is robust to instrumental variable estimation using either Canadian or US instruments. Using Canadian ad valorem transport costs as a proxy for transport costs in Russia, we further find that industries with higher transport costs are more dispersed, and industry pairs with higher transport costs are less coagglomerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove local solvability and stability for the inverse problem of recovering a complex-valued square integrable potential in the Sturm–Liouville equation on a finite interval from spectra of two boundary value problems with one common boundary condition. For this purpose we generalize classical Borg's method to the case of multiple spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Community Coordinated Modeling Center has been leading community‐wide space science and space weather model validation projects for many years. These efforts have been broadened and extended via the newly launched International Forum for Space Weather Modeling Capabilities Assessment (https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/assessment/). Its objective is to track space weather models' progress and performance over time, a capability that is critically needed in space weather operations and different user communities in general. The Space Radiation and Plasma Effects Working Team of the aforementioned International Forum works on one of the many focused evaluation topics and deals with five different subtopics (https://ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/assessment/topics/radiation‐all.php) and varieties of particle populations: Surface Charging from tens of eV to 50‐keV electrons and internal charging due to energetic electrons from hundreds keV to several MeVs. Single‐event effects from solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays (several MeV to TeV), total dose due to accumulation of doses from electrons (>100 keV) and protons (>1 MeV) in a broad energy range, and radiation effects from solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays at aviation altitudes. A unique aspect of the Space Radiation and Plasma Effects focus area is that it bridges the space environments, engineering, and user communities. The intent of the paper is to provide an overview of the current status and to suggest a guide for how to best validate space environment models for operational/engineering use, which includes selection of essential space environment and effect quantities and appropriate metrics. Plain Language Summary: In order to track space weather models' progress and performance over time, user‐focused metrics using proper physical quantities are critically needed. This paper summarizes the working team's initial efforts of defining two types of interlinked physical quantities from both science and engineering perspectives in the subject of space radiation and plasma effects on space assets. Key Points: Providing an overview of the current status and proposing a guide for how to best validate space environment models for operational useTwo types of physical quantities for both science and engineering purposes have been identifiedProper metrics are needed for evaluating space environment models for different application purposes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Spacecraft surface charging during geomagnetically disturbed times is one of the most important causes of satellite anomalies. Predicting the surface charging environment is one prevalent task of the geospace environment models. Therefore, the Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) Focus Group "Inner Magnetosphere Cross‐energy/Population Interactions" initiated a community‐wide challenge study to assess the capability of several inner magnetosphere ring current models in determining surface charging environment for the Van Allen Probes orbits during the 17 March 2013 storm event. The integrated electron flux between 10 and 50 keV is used as the metrics. Various skill scores are applied to quantitatively measure the modeling performance against observations. Results indicate that no model consistently perform the best in all of the skill scores or for both satellites. We find that from these simulations the ring current model with observational flux boundary condition and Weimer electric potential driver generally reproduces the most realistic flux level around the spacecraft. A simple and weaker Volland‐Stern electric field is not capable of effectively transporting the same plasma at the boundary toward the Earth. On the other hand, if the ring current model solves the electric field self‐consistently and obtains similar strength and pattern in the equatorial plane as the Weimer model, the boundary condition plays another crucial role in determining the electron flux level in the inner region. When the boundary flux spectra based on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model/empirical model deviate from the shape or magnitude of the observed distribution function, the simulation produces poor skill scores along Van Allen Probes orbits. Key Points: Ring current models participated in GEM challenge to simulate surface charging environment along Van Allen Probes during 17 March 2013Integrated electron flux over 10 keV is used as the major metric and evaluated against observations with various skill scoresEvaluation indicates that no models excel at all skill scores; flux boundary conditions and electric field influence the model performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We give estimates for the magnitude of double Vilenkin{ Fourier coefficients of functions from generalized Holder spaces, some p-uctuational spaces and bounded Λ-Γ-φ-uctuation spaces. For Hölder and p-uctuational spaces we establish the sharpness of these estimates. Also we establish relation between full and partial best approximations and Watari{Efimov type inequality concerning partial best approximation and partial modulus of continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Constantine's Letters / Konštantínove Listy is the property of Institute for Research of Constantine & Methodius's Cultural Heritage and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents preliminary results of a metrics‐based assessment of current modeling capabilities in predicting the ionospheric climatology for two ionospheric characteristics, the foF2 and hmF2. This work is part of the activities of the Ionosphere Working Group of the International Forum for Space Weather Modeling Capabilities Assessment that is facilitated by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center. The results are based on the comparison between modeled and observed monthly medians of the foF2 and hmF2. Modeling formulations considered here include two empirical models (the International Reference Ionosphere [IRI] and Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT] Empirical model), as well as two physics‐based, coupled ionosphere‐thermosphere models (the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics [CTIPe] and Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model [TIE‐GCM]). The comparisons were carried out in year 2012 over seven ionospheric locations distributed worldwide in the Northern Hemisphere. Based on our findings, although significant errors are occasionally obtained from all modeling approaches, empirical models tend to provide systematically better correlation with the observed medians and follow the observed distributions more successfully, offering smaller prediction errors than the physics‐based ones. In case of foF2, the averaged prediction accuracy in terms of root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) ranges around 1.5 MHz for physics‐based models and 0.5 MHz for empirical models. In case of hmF2, it ranges around 30 and 20 km, respectively. The prediction accuracy presents strong seasonal and local time dependence, which differs for different models and ionospheric characteristics (i.e., foF2 or hmF2): it is strong for physics‐based models, weaker for IRI, and very weak for MIT empirical model. This latter outcome may provide suggestive input for future improvements. Key Points: This paper presents assessment of four model performance in predicting the ionospheric climatology for foF2 and hmF2 during moderate/high solar activityModel‐data comparisons were performed over a chain of seven middle‐latitude stations distributed worldwide in the Northern HemisphereStrong seasonal and local time dependence of the models' performance were identified especially for physics‐based models as input for future developments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground‐based magnetometer index of Dst is a commonly used measure of near‐Earth current systems, in particular the storm time inner magnetospheric current systems. The ability of a large‐scale, physics‐based model to reproduce, or even predict, this index is therefore a tangible measure of the overall validity of the code for space weather research and space weather operational usage. Experimental real‐time simulations of the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF) are conducted at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC). Presently, two configurations of the SWMF are running in real time at CCMC, both focusing on the geospace modules, using the Block Adaptive Tree Solar wind‐type Roe Upwind Solver magnetohydrodynamic model, the Ridley Ionosphere Model, and with and without the Rice Convection Model. While both have been running for several years, nearly continuous results are available since April 2015. A 27‐month interval through July 2017 is used for a quantitative assessment of Dst from the model output compared against the Kyoto real‐time Dst. Quantitative measures are presented to assess the goodness of fit including contingency tables and a receiver operating characteristic curve. It is shown that the SWMF run with the inner magnetosphere model is much better at reproducing storm time values, with a correlation coefficient of 0.69, a prediction efficiency of 0.41, and Heidke skill score of 0.57 (for a −50‐nT threshold). A comparison of real‐time runs with and without the inner magnetospheric drift physics model reveals that nearly all of the storm time Dst signature is from current systems related to kinetic processes on closed magnetic field lines. Plain Language Summary: As society becomes more dependent on technologies susceptible to adverse space weather, it is becoming increasingly critical to have numerical models capable of running in real time to nowcast/forecast the conditions in the near‐Earth space environment. One such model is available at the Community Coordinated Modeling Center and has been running for several years, allowing for an assessment of the quality of the result. Comparisons are made against globally compiled index of near‐Earth space storm activity, including numerous statistical quantities and tests. The skill of the model is remarkable, especially when a few hours after each of the cold restarts of the model are removed from the comparison. It is also shown that a global model alone is not that good at reproducing this storm index; a regional model for the inner part of geospace is necessary for good data‐model agreement. Key Points: The SWMF model has been running in experimental real‐time mode at CCMC for several years, and all saved output is availableThe comparison against real‐time Dst is quite good, especially when a few hours after cold restarts are removed from the comparisonIt is necessary to include an inner magnetospheric drift physics model to reproduce Dst; a real‐time run without one does much worse [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]