bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derived Electron Densities from Linear Polarization Observations of the Visible-Light Corona During the 14 December 2020 Total Solar Eclipse
Authors: Edwards Liam , Bunting Kaine A. , Ramsey Brad , Gunn Matthew , Fearn Tomos , Knight Thomas , Muro Gabriel Domingo , Morgan Huw
Published: December 2023

A new instrument was designed to take visible-light (VL) polarized brightness ($\mathit{pB}$
pB
) observations of the solar corona during the 14 December 2020 total solar eclipse. The instrument, called the Coronal Imaging Polarizer (CIP), consisted of a 16 MP CMOS detector, a linear polarizer housed within a piezoelectric rotation mount, and an f-5.6, 200 mm DSLR lens. Observations were successfully obtained, despite poor weather conditions, for five different exposure times (0.001 s, 0.01 s, 0.1 s, 1 s, and 3 s) at six different orientation angles of the linear polarizer ($0^{\circ}$

0
∘

, $30^{\circ}$

30
∘

, $60^{\circ}$

60
∘

, $90^{\circ}$

90
∘

, $120^{\circ}$

120
∘

, and $150^{\circ}$

150
∘

). The images were manually aligned using the drift of background stars in the sky and images of different exposure times were combined using a simple signal-to-noise ratio cut. The polarization and brightness of the local sky were also estimated and the observations were subsequently corrected. The $\mathit{pB}$
pB
of the K-corona was determined using least-squares fitting and radiometric calibration was done relative to the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) K-Cor $\mathit{pB}$
pB
observations from the day of the eclipse. The $\mathit{pB}$
pB
data was then inverted to acquire the coronal electron density, $n_{e}$

n
e

, for an equatorial streamer and a polar coronal hole, which agreed very well with previous studies. The effect of changing the number of polarizer angles used to compute the $\mathit{pB}$
pB
is also discussed and it is found that the results vary by up to $\approx 13\%$
≈
13
%
when using all six polarizer angles versus only a select of three angles.
Anaemia in South American camelids – an overview of clinical and laboratory diagnostics
Authors: Wagener Matthias Gerhard , Marahrens Hannah , Ganter Martin
Published: December 2023

South American camelids (SACs) play an increasing role in veterinary care in Europe. Many alpacas or llamas presented to veterinarians suffer from anaemia, regularly with a packed cell volume (PCV) below 0.10 l/l, which is a life-threatening condition for the animals. This review article presents clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of anaemia in SACs. Clinical identification of anaemic animals can be performed by assessing the FAMACHA© score and the Body Condition Score (BCS), since anaemia in alpacas and llamas correlates with pale mucous membranes and a lowered BCS. Haematological examination of a blood sample can provide a more differentiated diagnosis of anaemia in SACs. A common finding is regenerative anaemia with an increased number of reticulocytes that is often caused by blood loss due toHaemonchus contortus. Changes in a blood smear from an alpaca or llama with regenerative anaemia may include normoblasts (nucleated red blood cells), anisocytosis, poikilocytosis, polychromasia, Howell-Jolly bodies or basophilic stippling. Furthermore, non-regenerative anaemia, often caused by trace element deficiency or cachexia, can also occur.
Recent innovations in fertilization with treated digestate from food waste to recover nutrients for arid agricultural fields
Authors: Skrzypczak Dawid , Trzaska Krzysztof , Mironiuk Małgorzata , Mikula Katarzyna , Izydorczyk Grzegorz , Polomska Xymena , Wiśniewski Jerzy , Mielko Karolina , Moustakas Konstantinos , Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

This study aims to explore the development of sustainable fertilizers from waste materials of a biogas plant and a brewery. These wastes, rich in organic carbon and nitrogen, were processed with sulfuric(VI) and phosphoric(V) acid mixture, facilitating the production of free amino acids and achieving waste sanitization. This treatment produced by-products, which extended the range of possible applications. The highest concentration of free amino acids (360 mg/l) was achieved through hydrolyzing with a 40% concentration medium over 24 h. In this case, the maximum levels were recorded for beta-alanine (69.3 mg/l), glycine (46.8 mg/l), isoleucine (43.5 mg/l), proline (36.2 mg/l), and valine (31.5 mg/l). The study presents two fertilizer technologies, with and without micronutrients, that satisfy European Parliament Regulation 2019/1009 (Ntot > 2%, Norg > 0.5%, Corg > 3%). Bioavailability of nutrients in the formulations ranged from 60 to 100%. The efficacies of these fertilizers were evaluated in 30-day pot trials with various plant species, with both single application and fertigation tested. Multielement analysis confirmed high nutrient transfer in the soil-plant system, and the inclusion of micronutrients led to biofortification of plant biomass in Cu (48.3 ± 7.2 mg/kg), Mn (249 ± 37 mg/kg), Zn (164 ± 25 mg/kg), and Fe (211 ± 32 mg/kg). These sustainable fertilizers present an alternative to traditional, non-renewable fertilizers and offer promising solutions for precision agriculture and environmentally conscious production.

Graphical abstract
Wohlbefinden nach dem Wechsel an weiterführende Schulen während der Coronapandemie
Authors: Vockert Theres , Nickl Johanna , Wedler Anna , Rathmann Katharina
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Der Übergang an die weiterführende Schule nach der Grundschulzeit bietet vielfältige Entwicklungschancen und kann zugleich ein kritisches Lebensereignis für Schulkinder sowie deren Wohlbefinden darstellen. Schulkinder, die in Zeiten der Coronapandemie die Schule wechselten, sahen sich zusätzlich zum Übergang mit weiteren Herausforderungen wie sozialer Distanzierung, Hygienemaßnahmen und Schulschließungen konfrontiert.

Ziel

Die Studie untersucht, unter Berücksichtigung der Perspektive der Schulkinder, Eltern und des Lehrpersonals welche Erfahrungen Schulkinder während des Übergangs an die weiterführende Schule in Zeiten der Coronapandemie im Hinblick auf das Wohlbefinden berichten. Weiterhin werden dabei mögliche Unterschiede im Wohlbefinden der Schulkinder zwischen den Schulformen und dem Geschlecht berücksichtigt.

Methodik

Im Rahmen des qualitativen Studiendesigns wurden leitfadengestützte Dialog- und Einzelinterviews mit 13 Schulkindern der 5. Klasse, 12 Eltern und 14 Lehrpersonen weiterführender Schulen in Hessen geführt (Erhebungszeitraum 2. Halbjahr 2020/2021). Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels strukturierender und zusammenfassender qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz.

Ergebnisse

Der Übergang während der Coronapandemie wurde vornehmlich positiv von Schulkindern wahrgenommen. Für das Wohlbefinden der Schulkinder waren Hygienemaßnahmen und Distanzlernen von größerer Bedeutung als der Übergang selbst. Hygienemaßnahmen und Distanzlernen erschwerten das Finden von Freunden an der neuen Schule, was sich wiederum negativ auf das Wohlbefinden der Schulkinder auswirkte. Etwaige Unterschiede zwischen den Geschlechtern oder Schulkindern unterschiedlicher Schulformen hinsichtlich des Wohlbefindens zeigen sich nicht.

Schlussfolgerung

Insbesondere in der ersten Zeit an einer neuen Schule ist die physische Anwesenheit in der Schule von großer Bedeutung. Damit Schulkinder ein hohes Wohlbefinden empfinden, bedarf es der Schule als sozialer Raum. Schule ist nicht nur Ort zur Vermittlung von Wissen, sondern insbesondere Übergangsprogramme unterstützen das Vernetzen und Kennenlernen der Schulkinder und fördern folglich das Wohlbefinden der Schulkinder.
The Evolution of Human Sociality. Categorizations, Emotions, and Friendship
Authors: Windzio Michael
Published: December 2023

This overview describes the ambivalent result of humans’ evolution towards a social and cooperative species. The evolution of friendship, based on commitment rituals and norms, solved the problem of defection in reciprocal altruism. The social brain implies the cognitive capacity of “mentalizing” and of keeping track of the reputation of group members, but, equally as importantly, generates strong emotions depending on the degree of social integration or social exclusion. Strong emotions linked to categories of social relationships, in particular to friends who we regard as almost irreplaceable, generate commitment and reduce social transactions costs and thereby facilitate cooperation. A multilevel perspective on social categorizations reveals, however, that a similar mechanism applies between cultural groups, owing to cultural group-level selection. Humans apply categorical distinctions within and between groups. They distinguish in-group and out-group members by cultural markers, and, in addition, between friends and others. In this perspective, cultural markers generate categorizations and emotions that facilitate unconditional support if required, but can also result in out-group rejection, and, in combination with neurochemicals, in dehumanization as well.
Rethinking organized crime in Africa
Authors: Klantschnig Gernot , Frowd Philippe M. , Apard Elodie , Ike Tarela , Antonopoulos Georgios A.
Published: December 2023

Much of the existing research on organized crime in Africa has emphasised its development and proliferation from state and security perspectives. Such research often relies upon inflated facts for captivating public attention, is fuelled by sensationalist media reports and draws from conceptualisations that give an incomplete picture of the significance of illicit activities, both for the state and their role in enabling and sustaining people’s livelihoods. In contrast, this special issue proposes that more empirical research and analysis is needed to reveal the disjunctures between state and on-the-ground perceptions. Greater attention to a bottom-up vision of illicit activities can demonstrate how defining and understanding these practices through such binary terms as legal/illegal does not necessarily indicate how those engaged in them perceive them. Through bringing together a range of contributions from different disciplinary, theoretical and empirical perspectives, this special issue explores the space between official, policy-driven narratives of crime and the realities of the everyday nature of these practices, in a bid to rethink and challenge the ‘organized crime’ lens through which these activities are increasingly framed.
Optimization, Formulation, and Stability of Topical Rapamycin Used for Rare Tuberous Sclerosis Disease: from Ointment to Liposomes
Authors: Cortell-Fuster Clara , Martínez-Gómez María Amparo , Cercós-Lleti Ana Cristina , Climente-Martí Mónica
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Topical rapamycin has been established as an effective and safe therapy for facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis. Different formulations have been tested for this skin disease, most using an ointment as a vehicle.

Purpose

To improve the classical formulation of topical rapamycin and to determine the validity period of the proposed options based on chemical, physical, and microbiological stability studies.

Methods

Four different 0.4% rapamycin formulations were prepared (ointment, emulsion, gel, and liposomes). The stability studies for each formulation over 56 days were as follows: (1) chemical: extraction with different solvents and high-performance liquid chromatography assay; (2) physical: pH, uniformity, extensibility, absence of crystals, absence of phase separation, and only for liposomal formulation, particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency were determined; and (3) microbiological: culture samples in blood-agar media.

Results

Only liposomes were chemically, physically, and microbiologically stable after 8 weeks. Ointment, emulsion, and gel formulations lost their chemical or physical stability before 56 days.

Conclusions

The authors describe four new formulations to improve the previous treatment for facial angiofibromas in tuberous sclerosis. The liposome-based formulation was the most appropriate according to chemical, physical, and microbiological stability studies. However, it would be necessary to carry out clinical studies to ensure the effectiveness and safety of this formulation and also guarantee an improvement in the quality of life of patients.
Introduction of the potter’s wheel as a reflection of social and economic changes during the La Tène period in Central Europe
Authors: Thér Richard , Mangel Tomáš
Published: December 2023

This study focuses on the introduction of pottery-forming methods employing rotational motion in relation to social and economic conditions and their transformations during the La Tène period in Central Europe. It explores the diversity of technological practices on a broader geographical scale in several regions of the Czech Republic with various demographic, social, and environmental conditions during this period. The study is based on the idea that a technological process is a cultural trait whose adoption is the result of a cultural selection. These interactions are facilitated by the performances of the technological process and its products. The technological analysis relies on a recently developed quantitative analytical technique based on calculating the orientation of components of the ceramic body supplemented by qualitative classification of diagnostic features observed on X-ray images and CT reconstructions. By applying the methodology to an extensive collection of pottery samples, we have obtained a robust picture of the adoption and spread of different variants of the application of rotational motion. Based on this evidence, we proposed evolutionary scenarios that show the unique interplay of the performances of the individual variants of this general innovative idea with specific local socio-cultural conditions.
Study on frictional behavior of SiCf/SiC composite clad tube clamping condition under nuclear irradiation
Authors: Xiao Chenglong , Shen Liangliang , Zhu Tianqi , Tang Jianbo , Xie Ximing , Fan Xinyu , Xu Jian , Ren Zhiying
Published: December 2023

Silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiCf/SiC) composite is the key cladding material of nuclear fuel, which determines the safety and reliability of nuclear fuel storage and transportation. The replacement of its storage and transportation scenario needs to be completed by the manipulator, but the application of SiCf/SiC wear, fracture, and nuclear leakage in the snatching process of brittle-flexible-rigid contact in the irradiation environment has been seriously restricted due to unclear understanding of the damage mechanism. Therefore, the effects of irradiation dose and clamping load on the friction characteristics of the contact interface between SiCf/SiC clad tube are studied in this paper, and the effects of irradiation parameters and clamping force on the static friction coefficient of the contact interface between the clad tube and flexible nitrile are obtained. Based on the Greenwood-Williamson tribological model, a numerical model of the shape and structure of the contact micro-convex at the micro-scale of the clamping interface is constructed by introducing the multi-surface integral, and finally verified by experiments. The research results show that there is a unique “Irradiation suppression zone” under the clamping condition of SiCf/SiC cladding tube under the nuclear irradiation environment, and the growth of static friction coefficient slows down until stagnates after irradiation reaches a certain extent (600 kGy), and there will be a decline when the irradiation dose continues to increase, among which the clamping force of 15.2 N within the irradiation interval of 1,000 kGy can meet the safety of nuclear environment operation. The results of this paper can provide an important theoretical basis and application guidance for the safe operation of SiCf/SiC cladding tubes in the storage and transportation clamping process.
Coarsening effects on k-partite network classification
Authors: Eduardo Althoff Paulo , Demétrius Baria Valejo Alan , de Paulo Faleiros Thiago
Published: December 2023

The growing data size poses challenges for storage and computational processing time in semi-supervised models, making their practical application difficult; researchers have explored the use of reduced network versions as a potential solution. Real-world networks contain diverse types of vertices and edges, leading to using k-partite network representation. However, the existing methods primarily reduce uni-partite networks with a single type of vertex and edge. We develop a new coarsening method applicable to the k-partite networks that maintain classification performance. The empirical analysis of hundreds of thousands of synthetically generated networks demonstrates the promise of coarsening techniques in solving large networks’ storage and processing problems. The findings indicate that the proposed coarsening algorithm achieved significant improvements in storage efficiency and classification runtime, even with modest reductions in the number of vertices, leading to over one-third savings in storage and twice faster classifications; furthermore, the classification performance metrics exhibited low variation on average.
Impact of metformin on hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis activity in women with autoimmune and non-autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism: a pilot study
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Kowalcze Karolina , Okopień Bogusław
Published: December 2023

Background

Metformin reduces plasma TSH levels if these levels are elevated. No study has investigated whether the hormonal effects of metformin are impacted by thyroid autoimmunity. The current study aimed to compare the effect of metformin on hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis activity between subjects with mild hypothyroidism of different origins.

Methods

The study population consisted of two groups of women with prediabetes and mildly elevated TSH levels, matched by age, insulin sensitivity, TSH, and thyroid hormone levels. Group A included 26 women with autoimmune thyroiditis, while group B enrolled 26 individuals with hypothyroidism of non-autoimmune origin. Both groups were treated with metformin (2.55–3 g daily). Circulating levels of TSH, total and free thyroid hormones, glucose, insulin, prolactin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D, concentrations of thyroid antibodies, and structure parameters of thyroid homeostasis were assessed at baseline and 6 months later.

Results

All patients completed the study. At baseline, both groups differed in concentrations of thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, hsCRP, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The drug reduced TSH and Jostel’s index, with no difference between the study groups. The improvement in insulin sensitivity, observed in both groups, was more pronounced in group B than in group A. In women with autoimmune hypothyroidism, the drug increased SPINA-GT and decreased hsCRP levels. The remaining markers did not change throughout the study.

Conclusions

The obtained results suggest that, despite differences in thyroid output, the impact of metformin on TSH levels is similar in hypothyroid women with and without thyroid autoimmunity.
Inverse Scattering Problem for the High Order Schrödinger Operator at Fixed Angles Scattering Amplitude
Authors: Huang Hua , Li Huizhen , Zhou Zhigang
Published: December 2023

We consider the inverse scattering problem for the higher order Schrödinger operator $$H=(-\Delta )^m+q(x)$$

H
=

(
-
Δ
)

m

+
q

(
x
)

, $$m=1,2, 3,\ldots$$

m
=
1
,
2
,
3
,
…

. We show that the scattering amplitude of H at fixed angles can uniquely determines the potential q(x) under certain assumptions, which extends the early results on this problem. The uniqueness of q(x) mainly depends on the construction of the Born approximation sequence and its estimation.
Enhanced antioxidant activity and quality of olecranon peach fruits (Prunus persica L.) through synergistic application of exogenous nano-selenium and melatonin
Authors: Miao Peijuan , Dong Qinyong , Zhou Chunran , Li Dong , Yu Huan , Lin Yongxi , Wu Yangliu , Pan Canping
Published: December 2023

Olecranon peach, a significant economic crop in southern China, faces quality degradation due to pests, diseases, and pesticide residues. Melatonin (MT) and nano-selenium (Nano-Se) applied individually have been found to improve crop growth and abiotic stress resistance. However, the impact of different Nano-Se and MT ratios on olecranon peach quality remains uncertain. Plants were foliar sprayed with varying Nano-Se and MT ratios during the fruit set phase. A combined 5 mg/L Nano-Se and 10 mg/L MT (Nano-Se5 + MT10) effect outperformed individual treatments and the control in enhancing fruit quality. Nano-Se5 + MT10 notably increased peroxidase (190.3%) and superoxide dismutase (112.2%) activities, and reduced polyphenol oxidase activity (-13.2%), raised total sugars (33.3%), soluble protein (18.5%), and phenolic contents like apigenin (51.9%), vanillic acid (21.4%), ferulic acid (29.4%), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (317.2%) compared to the control. Correlation analysis linked antioxidant enzymes and phenolics in olecranon peach fruits to nutrient accumulation. Nano-Se5 + MT10 improves sweetness and quality by enhancing antioxidant ability (increased peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, decreased polyphenol oxidase and phenolics), and promoting soluble protein, total sugar, and phenolic accumulation. In conclusion, Nano-Se5 + MT10 application shows promise in enhancing olecranon peach quality and antioxidant attributes.

Graphical Abstract
Selective applications of excisional surgical treatments of cervical precancers
Authors: Wu Minxia , You Zhixue
Published: December 2023

Cervical precancers encompass high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion and adenocarcinoma in situ. Treatment of precancerous lesions can reduce cervical cancer mortality and prevent the development of invasive cervical cancer. The choice of treatment regimen needs to follow the principle of individualization and should be based on a combination of factors, including the patient's age, fertility requirements, pregnancy status, pathological type, type of colposcopic transformation zone, patient's follow-up conditions, and the experience of the treating provider. This article presents an opinion regarding the appropriate indications for excisional surgery and total hysterectomy in the management of precancerous lesions of the cervix, with the aim of establishing standardized therapeutic approaches for the treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix.
Gluing approximable triangulated categories
Authors: Burke Jesse , Neeman Amnon , Pauwels Bregje
Published: December 2023

Given a bounded-above cochain complex of modules over a ring, it is standard to replace it by a projective resolution, and it is classical that doing so can be very useful.

Recently, a modified version of this was introduced in triangulated categories other than the derived category of a ring. A triangulated category isapproximableif this modified procedure is possible. Not surprisingly this has proved a powerful tool. For example: the fact that$\mathsf {D}_{\mathsf {qc}}( X )$is approximable whenXis a quasi compact, separated scheme led to major improvements on old theorems due to Bondal, Van den Bergh and Rouquier.

In this article, we prove that, under weak hypotheses, the recollement of two approximable triangulated categories is approximable. In particular, this shows many of the triangulated categories that arise in noncommutative algebraic geometry are approximable. Furthermore, the lemmas and techniques developed in this article form a powerful toolbox which, in conjunction with the groundwork laid in [16], has interesting applications in existing and forthcoming work by the authors.
Controls on calving at a large Greenland tidewater glacier: stress regime, self-organised criticality and the crevasse-depth calving law
Authors: Benn Douglas I. , Todd Joe , Luckman Adrian , Bevan Suzanne , Chudley Thomas R. , Åström Jan , Zwinger Thomas , Cook Samuel , Christoffersen Poul
Published: December 2023

We investigate the physical basis of the crevasse-depth (CD) calving law by analysing relationships between glaciological stresses and calving behaviour at Sermeq Kujalleq (Store Glacier), Greenland. Our observations and model simulations show that the glacier has a stable position defined by a compressive arch between lateral pinning points. Ice advance beyond the arch results in calving back to the stable position; conversely, if melt-undercutting forces the ice front behind the stable position, it readvances because ice velocities exceed subaqueous melt rates. This behaviour is typical of self-organising criticality, in which the stable ice-front position acts as an attractor between unstable super-critical and sub-critical regimes. This perspective provides strong support for a ‘position-law’ approach to modelling calving at Sermeq Kujalleq, because any calving ‘rate’ is simply a by-product of how quickly ice is delivered to the critical point. The CD calving law predicts ice-front position from the penetration of surface and basal crevasse fields, and accurately simulates super-critical calving back to the compressive arch and melt-driven calving into the sub-critical zone. The CD calving law reflects the glaciological controls on calving at Sermeq Kujalleq and exhibits considerable skill in simulating its mean position and seasonal fluctuations.
Reforming the Israeli High Court of Justice: Proposed versus Desirable
Authors: Segev Joshua
Published: December 2023

Constitutional courts are expected to operate under certain conditions (independence, transparency, democratic pedigree) and to resolve controversies in accordance with legal rules, principles and procedures. When these expectations are repeatedly frustrated, the legitimacy of the court is damaged and it is perceived as a partisan institution. This article discusses four structural problems in the operation of the Israeli High Court of Justice, which have contributed significantly to the Court's current legitimacy crisis: fact-finding, panel composition, standing, and judicial selection. The article examines the governmental reform plan with regard to these structural problems and proposes practical solutions for each of the problems.
Detection of echinostomatid trematode eggs at the forest–oil palm interface in Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Frias Liesbeth , Manin Benny Obrain , Guerrero-Sánchez Sergio , Sipangkui Symphorosa , Chua Tock H.
Published: December 2023

In this study, we report the occurrence of echinostomatid eggs in feces of wildlife, domestic animals and humans frequenting the forest–oil palm plantation interface in the Kinabatangan (Sabah, Malaysia), and discuss potential implications for public health. Using microscopy, we detected echinostomatid eggs in six host species, including Asian palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus [13/18]), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis [3/4]), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis [1/10]), domestic dogs [3/5] and cats [1/1], and humans [7/9]. Molecular analysis revealed a close genetic proximity of civet echinostomatids to Artyfechinostomum malayanum, a zoonotic parasite of public health relevance. The intermediate hosts for A. malayanum have been reported in at least 3 districts in Sabah, suggesting that all the necessary elements required for the completion of the parasite's life cycle are present. Our findings point at the presence of zoonotic trematodes in an area with high human–wildlife interaction and highlight the potential public and animal health concern of zoonotic trematode infection in the context of Southeast Asia's rapidly changing ecosystems.
RODRIGUES FORMULA AND LINEAR INDEPENDENCE FOR VALUES OF HYPERGEOMETRIC FUNCTIONS WITH VARYING PARAMETERS
Authors: KAWASHIMA MAKOTO
Published: December 2023

In this article, we prove a generalized Rodrigues formula for a wide class of holonomic Laurent series, which yields a new linear independence criterion concerning their values at algebraic points. This generalization yields a new construction of Padé approximations including those for Gauss hypergeometric functions. In particular, we obtain a linear independence criterion over a number field concerning values of Gauss hypergeometric functions, allowing the parameters of Gauss hypergeometric functions to vary.
Choroidal and retinal thinning in chronic kidney disease independently associate with eGFR decline and are modifiable with treatment
Authors: Farrah Tariq E. , Pugh Dan , Chapman Fiona A. , Godden Emily , Balmforth Craig , Oniscu Gabriel C. , Webb David J. , Dhillon Baljean , Dear James W. , Bailey Matthew A. , Gallacher Peter J. , Dhaun Neeraj
Published: December 2023

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), there is an unmet need for novel biomarkers that reliably track kidney injury, demonstrate treatment-response, and predict outcomes. Here, we investigate the potential of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) to achieve these ends in a series of prospective studies of patients with pre-dialysis CKD (including those with a kidney transplant), patients with kidney failure undergoing kidney transplantation, living kidney donors, and healthy volunteers. Compared to health, we observe similar retinal thinning and reduced macular volume in patients with CKD and in those with a kidney transplant. However, the choroidal thinning observed in CKD is not seen in patients with a kidney transplant whose choroids resemble those of healthy volunteers. In CKD, the degree of choroidal thinning relates to falling eGFR and extent of kidney scarring. Following kidney transplantation, choroidal thickness increases rapidly (~10%) and is maintained over 1-year, whereas gradual choroidal thinning is seen during the 12 months following kidney donation. In patients with CKD, retinal and choroidal thickness independently associate with eGFR decline over 2 years. These observations highlight the potential for retinal OCT to act as a non-invasive monitoring and prognostic biomarker of kidney injury.
Chiral, air stable, and reliable Pd(0) precatalysts applicable to asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry
Authors: Huang Jingjun , Keenan Thomas , Richard François , Lu Jingru , Jenny Sarah E. , Jean Alexandre , Arseniyadis Stellios , Leitch David C.
Published: December 2023

Stereoselective carbon-carbon bond formation via palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation is a crucial strategy to access chiral natural products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, catalysts based on the privileged Trost and Pfaltz-Helmchen-Williams PHOX ligands often require high loadings, specific preactivation protocols, and excess chiral ligand. This makes these reactions uneconomical, often unreproducible, and thus unsustainable. Here we report several chiral single-component Pd(0) precatalysts that are active and practically-applicable in a variety of asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions. Despite the decades-long history and widespread use of Trost-type ligands, the precatalysts in this work are the only reported examples of stable, isolable Pd(0) complexes with these ligands. Evaluating these precatalysts across nine asymmetric allylic alkylation reactions reveals high reactivity and selectivity at low Pd loading. Importantly, we also report an unprecedented Pd-catalyzed enantioselective allylation of a hydantoin, achieved on gram scale in high yield and enantioselectivity with only 0.2 mol% catalyst.
Incommensurate grain-boundary atomic structure
Authors: Seki Takehito , Futazuka Toshihiro , Morishige Nobusato , Matsubara Ryo , Ikuhara Yuichi , Shibata Naoya
Published: December 2023

Grain-boundary atomic structures of crystalline materials have long been believed to be commensurate with the crystal periodicity of the adjacent crystals. In the present study, we experimentally observed a Σ9 grain-boundary atomic structure of a bcc crystal (Fe-3%Si). It is found that the Σ9 grain-boundary structure is largely reconstructed and forms a dense packing of icosahedral clusters in its core. Combining with the detailed theoretical calculations, the Σ9 grain-boundary atomic structure is discovered to be incommensurate with the adjacent crystal structures. The present findings shed new light on the study of stable grain-boundary atomic structures in crystalline materials.
Early-adult methionine restriction reduces methionine sulfoxide and extends lifespan in Drosophila
Authors: Kosakamoto Hina , Obata Fumiaki , Kuraishi Junpei , Aikawa Hide , Okada Rina , Johnstone Joshua N. , Onuma Taro , Piper Matthew D. W. , Miura Masayuki
Published: December 2023

Methionine restriction (MetR) extends lifespan in various organisms, but its mechanistic understanding remains incomplete. Whether MetR during a specific period of adulthood increases lifespan is not known. In Drosophila, MetR is reported to extend lifespan only when amino acid levels are low. Here, by using an exome-matched holidic medium, we show that decreasing Met levels to 10% extends Drosophila lifespan with or without decreasing total amino acid levels. MetR during the first four weeks of adult life only robustly extends lifespan. MetR in young flies induces the expression of many longevity-related genes, including Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA), which reduces oxidatively-damaged Met. MsrA induction is foxo-dependent and persists for two weeks after cessation of the MetR diet. Loss of MsrA attenuates lifespan extension by early-adulthood MetR. Our study highlights the age-dependency of the organismal response to specific nutrients and suggests that nutrient restriction during a particular period of life is sufficient for healthspan extension.
Copper assisted sequence-specific chemical protein conjugation at a single backbone amide
Authors: Guo Mengzhun , Zhao Kai , Guo Liang , Zhou Rui , He Qiuju , Lu Kuan , Li Tian , Liu Dandan , Chen Jinfeng , Tang Jing , Fu Xin , Zhou Jinyun , Zheng Bei , Mann Samuel I. , Zhang Yongdeng , Huang Jing , Yang Bing , Zhou Ting , Lei Yingjie , Dang Bobo
Published: December 2023

Direct, site-specific methods of protein functionalization are highly desirable for biotechnology. However, such methods are challenging due to the difficulty of chemically differentiating a single site within a large protein. Herein, we propose “metal binding targeting” strategy and develop a Copper Assisted Sequence-specific conjugation Tag (CAST) method to achieve rapid (second order rate 8.1 M−1 s−1), site-specific protein backbone chemical modification with pinpoint accuracy. We demonstrate the versatility of CAST conjugation by preparing various on-demand modified recombinant proteins, including a homogeneous antibody-drug conjugate with high plasma stability and potent efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Thus, CAST provides an efficient and quantitative method to site-specifically attach payloads on large, native proteins.
Ultraflexible, cost-effective and scalable polymer-based phase change composites via chemical cross-linking for wearable thermal management
Authors: Jing Yaoge , Zhao Zhengchuang , Cao Xiaoling , Sun Qinrong , Yuan Yanping , Li Tingxian
Published: December 2023

Phase change materials (PCMs) offer great potential for realizing zero-energy thermal management due to superior thermal storage and stable phase-change temperatures. However, liquid leakage and solid rigidity of PCMs are long-standing challenges for PCM-based wearable thermal regulation. Here, we report a facile and cost-effective chemical cross-linking strategy to develop ultraflexible polymer-based phase change composites with a dual 3D crosslinked network of olefin block copolymers (OBC) and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) in paraffin wax (PW). The C-C bond-enhanced OBC-SEBS networks synergistically improve the mechanical, thermal, and leakage-proof properties of PW@OBC-SEBS. Notably, the proposed peroxide-initiated chemical cross-linking method overcomes the limitations of conventional physical blending methods and thus can be applicable across diverse polymer matrices. We further demonstrate a portable and flexible PW@OBC-SEBS module that maintains a comfortable temperature range of 39–42 °C for personal thermotherapy. Our work provides a promising route to fabricate scalable polymer-based phase change composite for wearable thermal management.
Functional divergence of a bacterial enzyme promotes healthy or acneic skin
Authors: Hajam Irshad A. , Katiki Madhusudhanarao , McNally Randall , Lázaro-Díez María , Kolar Stacey , Chatterjee Avradip , Gonzalez Cesia , Paulchakrabarti Mousumi , Choudhury Biswa , Caldera J. R. , Desmond Trieu , Tsai Chih-Ming , Du Xin , Li Huiying , Murali Ramachandran , Liu George Y.
Published: December 2023

Acne is a dermatologic disease with a strong pathologic association with human commensal Cutibacterium acnes. Conspicuously, certain C. acnes phylotypes are associated with acne, whereas others are associated with healthy skin. Here we investigate if the evolution of a C. acnes enzyme contributes to health or acne. Two hyaluronidase variants exclusively expressed by C. acnes strains, HylA and HylB, demonstrate remarkable clinical correlation with acne or health. We show that HylA is strongly pro-inflammatory, and HylB is modestly anti-inflammatory in a murine (female) acne model. Structural and phylogenic studies suggest that the enzymes evolved from a common hyaluronidase that acquired distinct enzymatic activity. Health-associated HylB degrades hyaluronic acid (HA) exclusively to HA disaccharides leading to reduced inflammation, whereas HylA generates large-sized HA fragments that drive robust TLR2-dependent pathology. Replacing an amino acid, Serine to Glycine near the HylA catalytic site enhances the enzymatic activity of HylA and produces an HA degradation pattern intermediate to HylA and HylB. Selective targeting of HylA using peptide vaccine or inhibitors alleviates acne pathology. We suggest that the functional divergence of HylA and HylB is a major driving force behind C. acnes health- and acne- phenotype and propose targeting of HylA as an approach for acne therapy.
Phox2b-expressing neurons contribute to breathing problems in Kcnq2 loss- and gain-of-function encephalopathy models
Authors: Soto-Perez J. , Cleary C. M. , Sobrinho C. R. , Mulkey S. B. , Carroll J. L. , Tzingounis A. V. , Mulkey D. K.
Published: December 2023

Loss- and gain-of-function variants in the gene encoding KCNQ2 channels are a common cause of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, a condition characterized by seizures, developmental delays, breathing problems, and early mortality. To understand how KCNQ2 dysfunction impacts behavior in a mouse model, we focus on the control of breathing by neurons expressing the transcription factor Phox2b which includes respiratory neurons in the ventral parafacial region. We find Phox2b-expressing ventral parafacial neurons express Kcnq2 in the absence of other Kcnq isoforms, thus clarifying why disruption of Kcnq2 but not other channel isoforms results in breathing problems. We also find that Kcnq2 deletion or expression of a recurrent gain-of-function variant R201C in Phox2b-expressing neurons increases baseline breathing or decreases the central chemoreflex, respectively, in mice during the light/inactive state. These results uncover mechanisms underlying breathing abnormalities in KCNQ2 encephalopathy and highlight an unappreciated vulnerability of Phox2b-expressing ventral parafacial neurons to KCNQ2 pathogenic variants.
Secretory GFP reconstitution labeling of neighboring cells interrogates cell–cell interactions in metastatic niches
Authors: Minegishi Misa , Kuchimaru Takahiro , Nishikawa Kaori , Isagawa Takayuki , Iwano Satoshi , Iida Kei , Hara Hiromasa , Miura Shizuka , Sato Marika , Watanabe Shigeaki , Shiomi Akifumi , Mabuchi Yo , Hamana Hiroshi , Kishi Hiroyuki , Sato Tatsuyuki , Sawaki Daigo , Sato Shigeru , Hanazono Yutaka , Suzuki Atsushi , Kohro Takahide , Kadonosono Tetsuya , Shimogori Tomomi , Miyawaki Atsushi , Takeda Norihiko , Shintaku Hirofumi , Kizaka-Kondoh Shinae , Nishimura Satoshi
Published: December 2023

Cancer cells inevitably interact with neighboring host tissue-resident cells during the process of metastatic colonization, establishing a metastatic niche to fuel their survival, growth, and invasion. However, the underlying mechanisms in the metastatic niche are yet to be fully elucidated owing to the lack of methodologies for comprehensively studying the mechanisms of cell–cell interactions in the niche. Here, we improve a split green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based genetically encoded system to develop secretory glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored reconstitution-activated proteins to highlight intercellular connections (sGRAPHIC) for efficient fluorescent labeling of tissue-resident cells that neighbor on and putatively interact with cancer cells in deep tissues. The sGRAPHIC system enables the isolation of metastatic niche-associated tissue-resident cells for their characterization using a single-cell RNA sequencing platform. We use this sGRAPHIC-leveraged transcriptomic platform to uncover gene expression patterns in metastatic niche-associated hepatocytes in a murine model of liver metastasis. Among the marker genes of metastatic niche-associated hepatocytes, we identify Lgals3, encoding galectin-3, as a potential pro-metastatic factor that accelerates metastatic growth and invasion.
Electrochemical nitrate reduction in acid enables high-efficiency ammonia synthesis and high-voltage pollutes-based fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Rong , Li Chuan , Cui Huilin , Wang Yanbo , Zhang Shaoce , Li Pei , Hou Yue , Guo Ying , Liang Guojin , Huang Zhaodong , Peng Chao , Zhi Chunyi
Published: December 2023

Most current research is devoted to electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction for ammonia synthesis under alkaline/neutral media while the investigation of nitrate reduction under acidic conditions is rarely reported. In this work, we demonstrate the potential of TiO2 nanosheet with intrinsically poor hydrogen-evolution activity for selective and rapid nitrate reduction to ammonia under acidic conditions. Hybridized with iron phthalocyanine, the resulting catalyst displays remarkably improved efficiency toward ammonia formation owing to the enhanced nitrate adsorption, suppressed hydrogen evolution and lowered energy barrier for the rate-determining step. Then, an alkaline-acid hybrid Zn-nitrate battery was developed with high open-circuit voltage of 1.99 V and power density of 91.4 mW cm–2. Further, the environmental sulfur recovery can be powered by above hybrid battery and the hydrazine-nitrate fuel cell can be developed for simultaneously hydrazine/nitrate conversion and electricity generation. This work demonstrates the attractive potential of acidic nitrate reduction for ammonia electrosynthesis and broadens the field of energy conversion.
NONAN GaitPrint: An IMU gait database of healthy young adults
Authors: Wiles Tyler M. , Mangalam Madhur , Sommerfeld Joel H. , Kim Seung Kyeom , Brink Kolby J. , Charles Anaelle Emeline , Grunkemeyer Alli , Kalaitzi Manifrenti Marilena , Mastorakis Spyridon , Stergiou Nick , Likens Aaron D.
Published: December 2023

An ongoing thrust of research focused on human gait pertains to identifying individuals based on gait patterns. However, no existing gait database supports modeling efforts to assess gait patterns unique to individuals. Hence, we introduce the Nonlinear Analysis Core (NONAN) GaitPrint database containing whole body kinematics and foot placement during self-paced overground walking on a 200-meter looping indoor track. Noraxon Ultium MotionTM inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors sampled the motion of 35 healthy young adults (19–35 years old; 18 men and 17 women; mean ± 1 s.d. age: 24.6 ± 2.7 years; height: 1.73 ± 0.78 m; body mass: 72.44 ± 15.04 kg) over 18 4-min trials across two days. Continuous variables include acceleration, velocity, position, and the acceleration, velocity, position, orientation, and rotational velocity of each corresponding body segment, and the angle of each respective joint. The discrete variables include an exhaustive set of gait parameters derived from the spatiotemporal dynamics of foot placement. We technically validate our data using continuous relative phase, Lyapunov exponent, and Hurst exponent—nonlinear metrics quantifying different aspects of healthy human gait.
Emissions of pesticides in the European Union: a new regional-level dataset
Authors: Udias Angel , Galimberti Francesco , Dorati Chiara , Pistocchi Alberto
Published: December 2023

We present a European Union (EU)-wide dataset of estimated quantities of active substances of plant protection product applied on crops (also called “emissions”). Our estimates are derived from data reported by eight EU countries and extrapolated to encompass all EU regions using regression models. These models consider both climate and agricultural land use data. This allows us to spatially represent pesticide use at NUTS Level 3 of the European statistical mapping units, and within various agricultural land cover classes in each region. We compare our estimates with aggregated data provided by EUROSTAT and with independent, detailed data for the United Kingdom, highlighting an error typically within one order of magnitude. Our estimates can provide insights into the distribution and patterns of pesticide use in the EU around the year 2015. The estimate is most reliable for Western and Southern Europe. Outside these regions, data scarcity makes extrapolation more uncertain, potentially limiting the ability to accurate depict regional variations in pesticide use.
Heterogeneous-elasticity theory of instantaneous normal modes in liquids
Authors: Mossa Stefano , Bryk Taras , Ruocco Giancarlo , Schirmacher Walter
Published: December 2023

Since decades, the concept of vibrational density of states in glasses has been mirrored in liquids by the instantaneous-normal-mode spectrum. In glasses instantaneous configurations are believed to be situated close to minima of the potential-energy hypersurface and all eigenvalues of the associated Hessian matrix are positive. In liquids this is no longer true, and modes corresponding to both positive and negative eigenvalues exist. The instantaneous-normal-mode spectrum has been numerically investigated in the past, and it has been demonstrated to bring important information on the liquid dynamics and transport properties. A systematic deeper theoretical understanding is now needed. Heterogeneous-elasticity theory has proven to be particularly successful in explaining many details of the low-frequency excitations in glasses, ranging from the thoroughly studied boson peak, to other anomalies related to the crossover between wave-like and random-matrix-like excitations. Here we present an extension of heterogeneous-elasticity theory to the liquid state, and show that the outcome of the theory agrees well to the results of extensive molecular-dynamics simulations of a model liquid at different temperatures. We find that the spectrum of eigenvalues $$\rho (\lambda )$$

ρ
(
λ
)

has a sharp maximum close to (but not at) $$\lambda =0$$

λ
=
0

, and decreases monotonically with $$|\lambda |$$

|
λ
|

on both its stable and unstable side. We show that the spectral shape strongly depends on temperature, being symmetric at high temperatures and becoming rather asymmetric at low temperatures, close to the dynamical critical temperature. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the theory naturally reproduces a surprising phenomenon, a zero-energy spectral singularity with a cusp-like character developing in the vibrational spectra upon cooling. This feature, known from a few previous numerical studies, has been generally overlooked in the past due to a misleading representation of the data. We provide a thorough analysis of this issue, based on both very accurate predictions of our theory, and computational studies of model liquid systems with extended size.