Special Pattern Research Articles

Chimera states and eigen microstates of nonidentical power-law coupled oscillators with heterogeneous phase lag

Chimera state is a special spatiotemporal patterns where coherent and incoherent states coexist, not only related to neuronal evolution but also to diseases such as parkinson, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. In many studies of biological networks, the interaction patterns between individuals often exhibit a scale-free heavy-tailed distribution. Hence, researches into chimera state within scale-free structures may help to understand the close relationship between function and structure in biological systems. Especially in neural systems, interactions between neurons depend on both electrical and chemical signals, naturally involving heterogeneous delay effects. In this study, we introduce power-law coupling, nonidentical natural frequency, and heterogeneous phase delay into the phase oscillator model, exploring the relationship between oscillator coupled strength, power-law exponent, and the emergence of chimera state. Other important thing is that we extend the Eigen Microstate (EM) method to investigate the criticality, attempting to reveal the mechanism of chimera state emergence through the mesoscopic structure of eigen microstate. We find that the critical analysis results of the EM method, relying solely on phase data, are entirely consistent with those obtained by the mean-field method, revealing the inevitable relationship between the emergence of chimera state and the structure–power law coupling. In addition, the spatiotemporal patterns of eigen microstate provide insights into the mesoscopic structure, can be used to distinguish spatial distribution of synchronization, chimera state, and disorder state, as well as their characteristic dynamics of oscillators. This expansion research of the EM method will advance the exploration of criticality in real oscillatory systems.

Identification of VvAGL Genes Reveals Their Network's Involvement in the Modulation of Seed Abortion via Responding Multi-Hormone Signals in Grapevines.

The formation of seedless traits is regulated by multiple factors. AGLs, which belong to the MADS-box family, were reported to be important regulators in this process; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we identified the VvAGL sub-family genes during the seed abortion process in seedless grapevine cv. 'JingkeJing' and found 40 differentially expressed VvAGL members and 1069 interacting proteins in this process. Interestingly, almost all members and their interacting proteins involved in the tryptophan metabolic pathway (K14486) and participated in the phytohormone signalling (KO04075) pathway, including the growth hormone (IAA), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), cytokinin (CTK), and ethylene signalling pathways. The promoters of AGL sub-family genes contain cis-elements in response to hormones such as IAA, ABA, CTK, SA, and ETH, implying that they might respond to multi-hormone signals and involve in hormone signal transductions. Further expression analysis revealed VvAGL6-2, VvAGL11, VvAGL62-11, and VvAGL15 had the highest expression at the critical period of seed abortion, and there were positive correlations between ETH-VvAGL15-VvAGL6-2, ABA-VvAGL80, and SA-VvAGL62 in promoting seed abortion but negative feedback between IAA-VvAGL15-VvAGL6-2 and CTK-VvAGL11. Furthermore, many genes in the IAA, ABA, SA, CTK, and ETH pathways had a special expressional pattern in the seed, whereby we developed a regulatory network mediated by VvAGLs by responding to multihormonal crosstalk during grape seed abortion. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory network of VvAGLs in multi-hormone signalling to regulate grape seed abortion, which could be helpful in the molecular breeding of high-quality seedless grapes.

Do national innovation policies lead to technological specialization or diversification? The role of path dependence and spatial spillovers

Although most national innovation policy aim to promote urban innovation, their impact on technological specialization and diversification has not been thoroughly explored. This paper examines the impact of the National Innovation City Pilot Policy (NICPP) on technological specialization and diversification in Chinese cities, utilizing data from 282 cities between 2006 and 2019, and employing the difference-in-differences (DID) method. The results indicate that NICPP increases technological specialization while decreasing diversification in cities. The pathways to these outcomes include innovation path dependence, agglomeration effects, and a reduction in breakthrough innovations. Additionally, the policy's spatial spillovers contributed to technological specialization in peripheral areas. The study highlights the heterogeneity of policy effects, suggesting that cities with higher levels of initial specialization are more significantly impacted by these policies, while differences in resource endowment, geographical location, and city size lead to varying patterns of specialization. Moreover, the study verifies the synergistic effect of NICPP with other policies, where initiatives promoting high technology and environmental regulation work in conjunction with NICPP to enhance specialization in corresponding industries. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted impacts of NICPP, delivering theoretical insights and empirical evidence for strategic policy deployment, enhancing regional cooperation, and fostering synergies among policies.

The Chromosome-level Genome Provides Insights into the Evolution and Adaptation of Extreme Aggression.

Extremely aggressive behavior, as the special pattern, is rare in most species and characteristic as contestants severely injured or killed ending the combat. Current studies of extreme aggression are mainly from the perspectives of behavioral ecology and evolution, while lacked the aspects of molecular evolutionary biology. Here, a high-quality chromosome-level genome of the parasitoid Anastatus disparis was provided, in which the males exhibit extreme mate-competition aggression. The integrated multiomics analysis highlighted that neurotransmitter dopamine overexpression, energy metabolism (especially from lipid), and antibacterial activity are likely major aspects of evolutionary formation and adaptation for extreme aggression in A. disparis. Conclusively, our study provided new perspectives for molecular evolutionary studies of extreme aggression as well as a valuable genomic resource in Hymenoptera.

MoTion: A new declarative object matching approach in Pharo

Pattern matching is an expressive way of matching data and extracting pieces of information from it. The recent inclusion of pattern matching in the Java and Python languages highlights that such a facility is more and more adopted by developers for everyday development. Other main stream programming languages also offer pattern matching capabilities as part of the language (Rust, Scala, Haskell, and OCaml), with different degrees of expressivity in what can be matched. In the meantime, in graphs, pattern matching takes a slightly different turn; it enhances the expressivity of the patterns that can be defined. Smalltalk currently offers little pattern matching capability to find specific objects inside a large graph of objects using a declarative pattern. In Pharo, the closest library to classical pattern matching that exists is the RBParseTreeSearcher, which allows to express specialized patterns over a Pharo Abstract Syntax Tree to find some inner node. The question arises of what features a flexible pattern matching language should have. In this paper, we review the features found in different existing pattern matching languages, both in General Purpose Languages (like Java) and in declarative graph pattern matching languages. We then describe MoTion, a new pattern matching engine for Pharo smalltalk, combining all these features. We discuss some aspects of MoTion’s implementation and illustrate its use with real case examples.

Compressive stochastic subspace identification: A modal parameter identification method suitable for compressive sampling

Stochastic subspace identification (SSI) and its variants are widely used in conventional structural health monitoring (SHM) owing to their high computation robustness and estimation accuracy. Conventional SHM is based on a Nyquist (high-rate and uniform) sampling dictated by Shannon–Nyquist sampling theorem. As data quantity of SHM is increasing with duration and equipment at an ever-growing rate and new applications of SHM with strict constricts on sampling are emerging one by one, sub-Nyquist sampling, also known as compressive sampling has increasingly been used in SHM in recent years. Therefore, despite the success of SSI method and its algorithmic variants, a significant drawback lies in their handling of sub-Nyquist data. To overcome this drawback, we set out to extend the applicable scenarios of SSI from Nyquist (high-rate/uniform) sampling to sub-Nyquist (low-rate/nonuniform) sampling. In this paper, we propose a compressive stochastic subspace identification (CSSI) which can identify modal parameters from sub-Nyquist/compressed data. Specifically, CSSI involves two aspects: covariance matrix reconstruction and system parameter identification. We find the complete covariance matrix in classic SSI can also be estimated/reconstructed by sub-Nyquist samples. More importantly, this reconstruction can be physically guaranteed through special sampling patterns without sparsity prior. Based on the above findings, we develop a compressed covariance sensing-based covariance matrix reconstruction technique and derive the optimal sub-Nyquist sampling pattern such that the reconstruction is hassle-free and efficient. Then, we perform modal parameter identification on the basis of the reconstructed covariance matrix. Finally, the effectiveness of CSSI is validated by simulations and experiments. In short, CSSI, as a new extension of SSI, can extract modal parameters at lower sampling rates than what is prescribed by the classic SSI. The implication of this is the possibility that CSSI for operational modal analysis will require fewer measurements thus it would reduce the storage requirement and the bandwidth for transmitting data.

Positive Transfer of Third Language Acquisition in English and French Sentence Patterns

Language takes sentences as the basic unit and sentence structures in different languages have their own characteristics. At present, with the in-depth development of economic globalization and the rapid enhancement of the demand for cross language communication, there are more and more trilingual users. Therefore, third language acquisition, as an emerging field of international and domestic research in recent years, has attracted extensive attention. As is known to all, the two languages, English and French, are closely related but different. Hence, in the process of learning French as a second foreign language, the positive and negative transfer of English to French is inevitable. Under the framework of third language acquisition and based on language transfer theory, this paper analyzes the positive transfer of sentence structure in the process of third language acquisition through the comparative analysis of four special sentence patterns in English and French, which is helpful for English majors to learn French as a second foreign language more concisely and efficiently.

Investigations for increasing the 3D-forming potential of high-density fiberboards

The trend in modern interior design leans towards curved and shaped surfaces. This cannot be achieved with flat materials without additional effort. Materials from renewable resources, such as wood-based materials, are material- and energy-intensively processed to enable larger deformations. Therefore, this study deals with methods to increase the deformation potential of adhesive-free, high-density fiberboards. One method is plasticizing in a saturated steam atmosphere, which is well known from the bending of solid wood. The second is the application of a special kerf pattern that geometrically increases the deformability. The combination of both methods was also investigated. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed to evaluate the deformation potential of the methods used. The strain along and transverse to the tensile direction, as well as the modulus of elasticity and Poisson’s ratio, were determined as results. All the methods investigated lead to an increase in the maximum strain along the tensile load: steaming by a factor of 2, kerf patterning by a factor of 4, and the combination by a factor of 10 as compared to solid fiberboard. The application of the kerf pattern causes an auxetic material behavior with a negative Poisson’s ratio. The combination of both methods reduces the modulus of elasticity by a factor of more than 100. Overall, the investigated methods are suitable for increasing the deformation potential of fiberboards with regard to the forming of 3D-shaped surfaces.

Europe's orchard: The role of irrigation on the Spanish agricultural production

In the latter half of the twentieth century, Spanish agriculture witnessed sustained production growth, aligning with Western European levels after a period of lag in both production and productivity. This growth predominantly occurred in the warm, sunny provinces of southern and eastern Spain, which specialized in high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and olive oil. Various factors have been identified in the scientific literature as contributors to this transformation, including technological innovations, the internationalization of Spanish agriculture, domestic development, and advancements in irrigation. This paper aims to examine the impact of irrigation on Spanish agricultural production, focusing on the creation of regional and productive disparities since the mid-twentieth century. These diverse effects have been crucial in shaping the regional and product-specific specialization patterns that characterize the historical dynamism of Spanish agriculture. To that aim, we have compiled a comprehensive database containing detailed information on agricultural production values, irrigated and rainfed area and yields. The level of disaggregation of data, both in terms of production and regional breakdowns, enables us to identify specific regional and crop patterns. Additionally, this study highlights the significant and regionally varied transformations within the Spanish agricultural sector over the long term, which have had profound effects on rural areas.

Enhancing algal bloom forecasting: A novel framework for machine learning performance evaluation during periods of special temporal patterns

The evaluation of algal bloom forecasting models typically relies on error metrics that quantify the forecasting performance over the whole test set as a single number. Furthermore, the comparison with simple baseline methods is often omitted. To address this, we introduce a novel framework for Model performance Analysis and Visualization of time series forecasting (MAVts). MAVts incorporates novel algorithms for the automatic identification and visualization of time series periods of interest where the forecasting models are evaluated and compared with simple baseline methods. The application of MAVts on evaluating algal bloom forecasting models composed of sophisticated machine learning (ML) methods, reveals that in 85% of experiments a single error metric is not enough and only in 12.5% of experiments a ML model outperforms all baselines on all metrics and periods of interest. Thus, MAVts emerges as a valuable tool for analyzing and comparing ML models, advancing environmental management and protection.

The reverse TRBV30 gene of mammals: a defect or superiority in evolution?

At the 3’ end of the C2 gene in the mammalian TRB locus, a distinct reverse TRBV30 gene (named TRBV31 in mice) has been conserved throughout evolution. In the fully annotated TRB locus of 14 mammals (including six orders), we observed noteworthy variations in the localization and quality of the reverse V30 genes and Recombination Signal Sequences (RSSs) in the gene trees of 13 mammals. Conversely, the forward V29 genes and RSSs were generally consistent with the species tree of their corresponding species. This finding suggested that the evolution of the reverse V30 gene was not synchronous and likely played a crucial role in regulating adaptive immune responses. To further investigate this possibility, we utilized single-cell TCR sequencing (scTCR-seq) and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to analyze TCRβ CDR3 repertoires from both central and peripheral tissues of Primates (Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta), Rodentia (Mus musculus: BALB/c, C57BL/6, and Kunming mice), Artiodactyla (Bos taurus and Bubalus bubalis), and Chiroptera (Rhinolophus affinis and Hipposideros armige). Our investigation revealed several novel observations: (1) The reverse V30 gene exhibits classical rearrangement patterns adhering to the ‘12/23 rule’ and the ‘D-J rearrangement preceding the V-(D-J) rearrangement’. This results in the formation of rearranged V30-D2J2, V30-D1J1, and V30-D1J2. However, we also identified ‘special rearrangement patterns’ wherein V30-D rearrangement preceding D-J rearrangement, giving rise to rearranged V30-D2-J1 and forward Vx-D2-J. (2) Compared to the ‘deletional rearrangement’ (looping out) of forward V1-V29 genes, the reverse V30 gene exhibits preferential utilization with ‘inversional rearrangement’. This may be attributed to the shorter distance between the V30 gene and D gene and the ‘inversional rearrangement’ modes. In summary, in the mammalian TRB locus, the reverse V30 gene has been uniquely preserved throughout evolution and preferentially utilized in V(D)J recombination, potentially serving a significant role in adaptive immunity. These results will pave the way for novel and specialized research into the mechanisms, efficiency, and function of V(D)J recombination in mammals.

Probe Specification and Agreement Variation: Evidence from the Algonquian Inverse

The distribution of a special agreement pattern known as the “inverse” varies across the Algonquian languages. This article shows that, under an interaction-and-satisfaction model of ϕ-agreement (Deal 2015, 2021), twelve distinct distributions of inverse agreement can be derived simply by varying the interaction and satisfaction conditions of the probe on Infl. This syntax-based approach to agreement variation has strong predictive power: it not only accounts for the twelve attested patterns but also rules out the unattested patterns, a result that a less restrictive postsyntactic approach cannot deliver. The Algonquian data thus provide support for a syntactic model of agreement patterns in general, and for the interaction-and-satisfaction model in particular.

Optoelectronic Strain-Measurement System Demonstrated on Scaled-Down Flywheels.

Monitoring the strain in the rotating flywheel in a kinetic energy storage system is important for safe operation and for the investigation of long-term effects in composite materials like carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics. An optoelectronic strain-measurement system for contactless deformation and position monitoring of a flywheel was investigated. The system consists of multiple optical sensors measuring the local relative in-plane displacement of the flywheel rotor. A special reflective pattern, which is necessary to interact with the sensors, was applied to the surface of the rotor. Combining the measurements from multiple sensors makes it possible to distinguish between the deformation and in-plane displacement of the flywheel. The sensor system was evaluated using a low-speed steel rotor for single-sensor performance investigation as well as a scaled-down high-speed rotor made from PVC plastic. The PVC rotor exhibits more deformation due to centrifugal stresses than a steel or aluminum rotor of the same dimensions, which allows experimental measurements at a smaller flywheel scale as well as a lower rotation speed. Deformation measurements were compared to expected deformation from calculations. The influence of sensor distance was investigated. Deformation and position measurements as well as derived imbalance measurements were demonstrated.

A Content Analysis of Exploring Trends and Dynamics of English Language Pedagogy in Engineering Departments

English language pedagogy has shifted from a broad to a specialized pattern in the past several decades. The aim of the present study is to examine the pedagogical landscape of the English language in engineering departments. The study demonstrates a remarkable prevalence of authors, focusing on the significance of independent investigation in the field by assessing various aspects such as authorship, years of publication, involvement of the countries where the studies were conducted, and the methodologies employed in the studies. A temporal analysis reveals an emphasis on studies during 2020-2022, suggesting increased concern and responsiveness to specific issues in English pedagogy in engineering departments. In terms of countries, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia emerge as substantial contributors, highlighting their dynamic involvement in English language instruction in engineering departments. Qualitative methodologies dominate, acknowledging the nuanced nature of language teaching in engineering and enabling a profound exploration of instructional intricacies. In summary, this content analysis provides insights into the distribution, trends, and preferences in teaching English in engineering fields. The prevalence of individual authorship, temporal clustering, geographical concentrations, and the dominance of qualitative methods collectively enrich the understanding of this dynamic research landscape.

Single-cell topographical profiling of the immune synapse reveals a biomechanical signature of cytotoxicity

Immune cells have intensely physical lifestyles characterized by structural plasticity and force exertion. To investigate whether specific immune functions require stereotyped mechanical outputs, we used super-resolution traction force microscopy to compare the immune synapses formed by cytotoxic T cells with contacts formed by other T cell subsets and by macrophages. T cell synapses were globally compressive, which was fundamentally different from the pulling and pinching associated with macrophage phagocytosis. Spectral decomposition of force exertion patterns from each cell type linked cytotoxicity to compressive strength, local protrusiveness, and the induction of complex, asymmetric topography. These features were validated as cytotoxic drivers by genetic disruption of cytoskeletal regulators, live imaging of synaptic secretion, and in silico analysis of interfacial distortion. Synapse architecture and force exertion were sensitive to target stiffness and size, suggesting that the mechanical potentiation of killing is biophysically adaptive. We conclude that cellular cytotoxicity and, by implication, other effector responses are supported by specialized patterns of efferent force.

Effects of infill pattern and compression axis on the compressive strength of the 3D-printed cubic samples

Abstract Structures that are very difficult to produce with classical manufacturing methods have become easily produced with the development of additive manufacturing (AM) technique. AM technique allows creating special infill patterns with gaps in the internal structures of the products to be produced. These special infill patterns ensure that the product has maximum rigidity and strength while also providing minimum mass. For this reason, it is important to investigate the effects of infill patterns produced by AM technique on the mechanical properties of the product. In this study, the compression characteristics of compression test samples produced in five different infill patterns (octet, grid, cubic, quarter cubic, gyroid) using the AM method were experimentally investigated in three different axes. Test samples were produced from PLA material with a 3-dimensional (3D) printer in accordance with the ASTM C365-16 standard. Compression tests were repeated three times at a compression speed of 0.5 mm/min, with five different infill patterns and three different axes for each parameter. According to the results obtained, the octet infill pattern provided the best compressive strength in all three axes. It has been determined that the infill pattern or load axis change greatly affects the compression performance of the product.

Distinctive Pattern of Metal Deposition in Neurologic Wilson Disease: Insights From 7T Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging.

Noninvasive and accurate biomarkers of neurologic Wilson disease (NWD), a rare inherited disorder, could reduce diagnostic error or delay. Excessive subcortical metal deposition seen on susceptibility imaging has suggested a characteristic pattern in NWD. With submillimeter spatial resolution and increased contrast, 7T susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) may enable better visualization of metal deposition in NWD. In this study, we sought to identify a distinctive metal deposition pattern in NWD using 7T SWI and investigate its diagnostic value and underlying pathophysiologic mechanism. Patients with WD, healthy participants with monoallelic ATP7B variant(s) on a single chromosome, and health controls (HCs) were recruited. NWD and non-NWD (nNWD) were defined according to the presence or absence of neurologic symptoms during investigation. Patients with other diseases with comparable clinical or imaging manifestations, including early-onset Parkinson disease (EOPD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), were additionally recruited and assessed for exploratory comparative analysis. All participants underwent 7T T1, T2, and high-resolution SWI scanning. Quantitative susceptibility mapping and principal component analysis were performed to illustrate metal distribution. We identified a linear signal intensity change consisting of a hyperintense strip at the lateral border of the globus pallidus in patients with NWD. We termed this feature "hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign." This feature was detected in 38 of 41 patients with NWD and was negative in all 31 nNWD patients, 15 patients with EOPD, 30 patients with MSA, 15 patients with PSP, and 12 patients with NBIA; 22 monoallelic ATP7B variant carriers; and 41 HC. Its sensitivity to differentiate between NWD and HC was 92.7%, and specificity was 100%. Severity of the hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign measured by a semiquantitative scale was positively correlated with neurologic severity (ρ = 0.682, 95% CI 0.467-0.821, p < 0.001). Patients with NWD showed increased susceptibility in the lenticular nucleus with high regional weights in the lateral globus pallidus and medial putamen. The hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign showed high sensitivity and excellent specificity for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of NWD. It is related to a special metal deposition pattern in the lenticular nucleus in NWD and can be considered as a novel neuroimaging biomarker of NWD. The study provides Class II evidence that the hyperintense globus pallidus rim sign on 7T SWI MRI can accurately diagnose neurologic WD.

Women’s Revenge in Sexual Behavior? An Interpretation About “The Fourth Love” in Chinese Youth Culture From the Perspective of Gender Performativity

In the current era of exploring changing sexual behavior, promoting and supporting the diversity of pleasure, the sexual health and rights of sexual minorities are getting more public attention, among which the “Fourth Love” emerges as a distinctive group within the framework of Chinese culture. Fourth Love refers to a loving relationship between couples of the opposite sex where the woman assumes the traditional male gender role and the man assumes the traditional female gender role, and always accompanied by a special pattern of sexual behavior that women penetrate the men’s anus using their fingers or a device. This theoretical article begins by introducing and discussing the historical background, core concept “Fourth Love” and its related categories. Subsequently, we start from Judith Butler’s gender performativity theory and interpret the Fourth Love from the perspective of “de-naturalization” and argue that the gender performativity theory provides a reasonable explanation for the gender characteristics (female top and male bottom) of the Fourth Love. Finally, we posit a discussion and outlook on the survival and development of the Fourth Love in the fields of sexual health, sexual pleasure, sexual right, and family and marriage, and calls for more understanding and psychological support from the society for them.

Municipality manufacturing agglomerations unveiled: Exploring spatial structural transformation in Mexico under import substitution and trade liberalisation

This paper conducts a comprehensive long-run analysis of the global spatial concentration and locational dynamics of manufacturing agglomerations in Mexico. While prior research on Mexico has examined the impact of trade liberalisation on processes of regional convergence or divergence, effects on the scale, location and dynamics of agglomerations and local specialisation remain underexplored. To address this gap in the literature, we use a newly-collated municipality-level dataset containing more granular data distinct from more frequently used state-level data. Our analysis spans the period 1950–2019, capturing the full extent of the growing importance of the manufacturing sector and providing a nuanced perspective on the evolution of agglomerations and local specialisation patterns. We investigate shifts in agglomeration during import substitution and following the introduction of trade liberalisation, examining whether new agglomerations emerged or existing ones attracted further economic activity and how these changes impacted local specialisation. In extension, we also examine recent trends, assessing the persistence or alteration of agglomeration dominance in the north of the country. In doing so, our analysis provides valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of agglomerations and local specialisation and their significance in shaping regional disparities.

Trade Specialization Dynamics in a Small Open Resource-Based Developing Economy: Empirical Evidence from Botswana

ABSTRACT We analyze trade specialization dynamics in Botswana, applying the Galtonian regression and Markov matrix on the Lafay index for the period of 1998 to 2019. Galtonian regressions reveal de-specialization – Botswana gained a comparative advantage in industries for which it was initially not specialized and became less competitive in industries for which it was initially specialized. The industry hierarchy was altered only slightly due to persistence in trade specialization patterns. The Markov matrix reveals stronger upward industry mobility than downward industry mobility. De-specialization suggests slow-paced economic diversification, induced by import substitution in de-specialized industries, rather than by an expanding export base.