bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GRB2 is a BECN1 interacting protein that regulates autophagy
Authors: Montero-Vergara Jetsy , Plachetta Kira , Kinch Lisa , Bernhardt Stephan , Kashyap Kriti , Levine Beth , Thukral Lipi , Vetter Martina , Thomssen Christoph , Wiemann Stefan , Peña-Llopis Samuel , Jendrossek Verena , Vega-Rubin-de-Celis Silvia
Published: January 2024

GRB2 is an adaptor protein of HER2 (and several other tyrosine kinases), which we identified as a novel BECN1 (Beclin 1) interacting partner. GRB2 co-immunoprecipitated with BECN1 in several breast cancer cell lines and regulates autophagy through a mechanism involving the modulation of the class III PI3Kinase VPS34 activity. In ovo studies in a CAM (Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane) model indicated that GRB2 knockdown, as well as overexpression of GRB2 loss-of-function mutants (Y52A and S86A-R88A) compromised tumor growth. These differences in tumor growth correlated with differential autophagy activity, indicating that autophagy effects might be related to the effects on tumorigenesis. Our data highlight a novel function of GRB2 as a BECN1 binding protein and a regulator of autophagy.
Comparative single-cell analysis reveals heterogeneous immune landscapes in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Jierong , Huang Qunsheng , Li Yi-Qi , Li Zhi , Zheng Jiabin , Hu Weixian , Yang Yuesheng , Wu Deqing , Bei Jin-Xin , Gu Bing , Wang Junjiang , Li Yong
Published: January 2024

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) is a type of tumor that arises at the anatomical junction of the esophagus and stomach. Although AEG is commonly classified as a subtype of gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC), the tumor microenvironment (TME) of AEG remains poorly understood. To address this issue, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on tumor and adjacent normal tissues from four AEG patients and performed integrated analysis with publicly available GAC single-cell datasets. Our study for the first time comprehensively deciphered the TME landscape of AEG, where heterogeneous AEG malignant cells were identified with diverse biological functions and intrinsic malignant nature. We also depicted transcriptional signatures and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires for T cell subclusters, revealing enhanced exhaustion and reduced clone expansion along the developmental trajectory of tumor-infiltrating T cells within AEG. Notably, we observed prominent enrichment of tumorigenic cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the AEG TME compared to GAC. These CAFs played a critical regulatory role in the intercellular communication network with other cell types in the AEG TME. Furthermore, we identified that the accumulation of CAFs in AEG might be induced by malignant cells through FGF-FGFR axes. Our findings provide a comprehensive depiction of the AEG TME, which underlies potential therapeutic targets for AEG patient treatment.
Targeting NEDD8 suppresses surgical stress-facilitated metastasis of colon cancer via restraining regulatory T cells
Authors: Jiang Yi , Gao Shenjia , Sun Hao , Wu Xinyi , Gu Jiahui , Wu Han , Liao Yun , Ben-Ami Ronen , Miao Changhong , Shen Rong , Liu Jinlong , Chen Wankun
Published: January 2024

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a key determinant for the immunosuppressive and premetastatic niche for cancer progression after surgery resection. However, the precise mechanisms regulating Tregs function during surgical stress-facilitated cancer metastasis remain unknown. This study aims to unravel the mechanisms and explore potential strategies for preventing surgical stress-induced metastasis by targeting NEDD8. Using a surgical stress mouse model, we found that surgical stress results in the increased expression of NEDD8 in Tregs. NEDD8 depletion abrogates postoperative lung metastasis of colon cancer cells by inhibiting Treg immunosuppression and thereby partially recovering CD8+T cell and NK cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity. Furthermore, Treg mitophagy and mitochondrial respiration exacerbated in surgically stressed mice were attenuated by NEDD8 depletion. Our observations suggest that cancer progression may result from surgery-induced enhancement of NEDD8 expression and the subsequent immunosuppressive function of Tregs. More importantly, depleting or inhibiting NEDD8 can be an efficient strategy to reduce cancer metastasis after surgery resection by regulating the function of Tregs.
BRCA1 mutation promotes sprouting angiogenesis in inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblast of triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Lee Chae Min , Hwang Yeseong , Jeong Jae Woong , Kim Minki , Lee Janghee , Bae Soong June , Ahn Sung Gwe , Fang Sungsoon
Published: January 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with inferior outcomes owing to its low treatment response and high invasiveness. Based on abundant cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and frequent mutation of breast cancer-associated 1 (BRCA1) in TNBC, the characteristics of CAFs in TNBC patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to wild-type were investigated using single-cell analysis. Intriguingly, we observed that characteristics of inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs) were enriched in patients with BRCA1 mutation compared to the wild-type. iCAFs in patients with BRCA1 mutation exhibited outgoing signals to endothelial cells (ECs) clusters, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). During CXCL signaling, the atypical chemokine receptor 1 (ACKR1) mainly interacts with CXCL family members in tumor endothelial cells (TECs). ACKR1-high TECs also showed high expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes, such as ANGPT2, MMP1, and SELE, which might lead to EC migration. Furthermore, iCAFs showed VEGF signals for FLT1 and KDR in TECs, which showed high co-expression with tip cell marker genes, including ZEB1 and MAFF, involved in sprouting angiogenesis. Moreover, BRCA1 mutation patients with relatively abundant iCAFs and tip cell gene expression exhibited a limited response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including cisplatin and bevacizumab. Importantly, our study observed the intricate link between iCAFs-mediated angiogenesis and chemoresistance in TNBC with BRCA1 mutation.
Ionizing radiation induces cells with past caspase activity that contribute to the adult organ in Drosophila and show reduced Loss of Heterozygosity
Authors: Colon Plaza Sarah , Su Tin Tin
Published: January 2024

There is increasing recognition that cells may activate apoptotic caspases but not die, instead displaying various physiologically relevant consequences. Mechanisms that underlie the life-or-death decision in a cell that has activated apoptotic caspases, however, are incompletely understood. By optimizing a published reporter for past caspase activity, we were able to visualize cells that survived caspase activation specifically after exposure to ionizing radiation in Drosophila larval wing discs. We found that cells with X-ray-induced past active caspases (XPAC) did not arise at random but were born at specific locations within the developing wing imaginal discs of Drosophila larvae. Inhibiting key components of the apoptotic pathway decreased XPAC number, suggesting that apoptotic signaling is needed to induce XPAC cells. Yet, XPAC cells appeared in stereotypical patterns that did not follow the pattern of IR-induced apoptosis, suggesting additional controls at play. Functional testing identified the contribution of wingless (Drosophila Wnt1) and Ras signaling to the prevalence of XPAC cells. Furthermore, by following irradiated larvae into adulthood, we found that XPAC cells contribute to the adult wing. To address the relationship between XPAC and genome stability, we combined a reporter for past caspase activity with mwh, an adult marker for Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH). We found a lower incidence of LOH among XPAC compared to cells that did not activate the reporter for past caspase activity. In addition, at time points when wing disc cells are finishing DNA repair, XPAC cells show an anti-correlation with cells with unrepaired IR-induced double-stranded breaks. Our data suggest that non-lethal caspase activity safeguards the genome by facilitating DNA repair and reducing LOH after transient exposure to X-rays. These results identify a physiological role for non-lethal caspase activity during recovery from radiation damage.
Compact and wideband nanoacoustic pass-band filters for future 5G and 6G cellular radios
Authors: Giribaldi Gabriel , Colombo Luca , Simeoni Pietro , Rinaldi Matteo
Published: January 2024

Over recent years, the surge in mobile communication has deepened global connectivity. With escalating demands for faster data rates, the push for higher carrier frequencies intensifies. The 7–20 GHz range, located between the 5G sub-6 GHz and the mm-wave spectra, provides an excellent trade-off between network capacity and coverage, and constitutes a yet-to-be-explored range for 5G and 6G applications. This work proposes a technological platform able to deliver CMOS-compatible, on-chip multi-frequency, low-loss, wide-band, and compact filters for cellular radios operating in this range by leveraging the micro-to-nano scaling of acoustic electromechanical resonators. The results showcase the first-ever demonstrated low insertion loss bank of 7 nanoacoustic passband filters in the X-band. Most of the filters showcase fractional bandwidths above 3% and sub-dB loss per stage in an extremely compact form factor, enabling the manufacturing of filters and duplexers for the next generation of mobile handsets operating in the X-band and beyond.
Multistate structures in a hydrogen-bonded polycatenation non-covalent organic framework with diverse resistive switching behaviors
Authors: Chen Shimin , Ju Yan , Yang Yisi , Xiang Fahui , Yao Zizhu , Zhang Hao , Li Yunbin , Zhang Yongfan , Xiang Shengchang , Chen Banglin , Zhang Zhangjing
Published: January 2024

The inherent structural flexibility and reversibility of non-covalent organic frameworks have enabled them to exhibit switchable multistate structures under external stimuli, providing great potential in the field of resistive switching (RS), but not well explored yet. Herein, we report the 0D+1D hydrogen-bonded polycatenation non-covalent organic framework (HOF-FJU-52), exhibiting diverse and reversible RS behaviors with the high performance. Triggered by the external stimulus of electrical field E at room temperature, HOF-FJU-52 has excellent resistive random-access memory (RRAM) behaviors, comparable to the state-of-the-art materials. When cooling down below 200 K, it was transferred to write-once-read-many-times memory (WORM) behaviors. The two memory behaviors exhibit reversibility on a single crystal device through the temperature changes. The RS mechanism of this non-covalent organic framework has been deciphered at the atomic level by the detailed single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, demonstrating that the structural dual-flexibility both in the asymmetric hydrogen bonded dimers within the 0D loops and in the infinite π–π stacking column between the loops and chains contribute to reversible structure transformations between multi-states and thus to its dual RS behaviors.
Secreted IgM modulates IL-10 expression in B cells
Authors: McGettigan Shannon Eileen , Aira Lazaro Emilio , Kumar Gaurav , Ballet Romain , Butcher Eugene C. , Baumgarth Nicole , Debes Gudrun F.
Published: January 2024

IL-10+ B cells are critical for immune homeostasis and restraining immune responses in infection, cancer, and inflammation; however, the signals that govern IL-10+ B cell differentiation are ill-defined. Here we find that IL-10+ B cells expand in mice lacking secreted IgM ((s)IgM–/–) up to 10-fold relative to wildtype (WT) among all major B cell and regulatory B cell subsets. The IL-10+ B cell increase is polyclonal and presents within 24 hours of birth. In WT mice, sIgM is produced prenatally and limits the expansion of IL-10+ B cells. Lack of the high affinity receptor for sIgM, FcμR, in B cells translates into an intermediate IL-10+ B cell phenotype relative to WT or sIgM–/– mice. Our study thus shows that sIgM regulates IL-10 programming in B cells in part via B cell-expressed FcμR, thereby revealing a function of sIgM in regulating immune homeostasis.
Increasing tropical cyclone intensity in the western North Pacific partly driven by warming Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhao Ping , Chan Johnny C. L. , Shi Mingyuan , Yang Chi , Zhao Siyu , Xu Ying , Chen Junming , Du Ling , Wu Jie , Ye Jiaxin , Xing Rui , Wang Huimei , Liu Lu
Published: January 2024

The increase in intense tropical cyclone (TC) activity across the western North Pacific (WNP) has often been attributed to a warming ocean. However, it is essential to recognize that the tropical WNP region already boasts high temperatures, and a marginal increase in oceanic warmth due to global warming does not exert a significant impact on the potential for TCs to intensify. Here we report that the weakened vertical wind shear is the primary driver behind the escalating trend in TC intensity within the summer monsoon trough of the tropical WNP, while local ocean surface and subsurface thermodynamic factors play a minor role. Through observational diagnoses and numerical simulations, we establish that this weakening of the vertical wind shear is very likely due to the increase in temperature of the Tibetan Plateau. With further warming of the Tibetan Plateau under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 scenario, the projected TCs will likely become stronger.
MADS1-regulated lemma and awn development benefits barley yield
Authors: Zhang Yueya , Shen Chaoqun , Li Gang , Shi Jin , Yuan Yajing , Ye Lingzhen , Song Qingfeng , Shi Jianxin , Zhang Dabing
Published: January 2024

Floral organ shape and size in cereal crops can affect grain size and yield, so genes that regulate their development are promising breeding targets. The lemma, which protects inner floral organs, can physically constrain grain growth; while the awn, a needle-like extension of the lemma, creates photosynthate to developing grain. Although several genes and modules controlling grain size and awn/lemma growth in rice have been characterized, these processes, and the relationships between them, are not well understood for barley and wheat. Here, we demonstrate that the barley E-class gene HvMADS1 positively regulates awn length and lemma width, affecting grain size and weight. Cytological data indicates that HvMADS1 promotes awn and lemma growth by promoting cell proliferation, while multi-omics data reveals that HvMADS1 target genes are associated with cell cycle, phytohormone signaling, and developmental processes. We define two potential targets of HvMADS1 regulation, HvSHI and HvDL, whose knockout mutants mimic awn and/or lemma phenotypes of mads1 mutants. Additionally, we demonstrate that HvMADS1 interacts with APETALA2 (A-class) to synergistically activate downstream genes in awn/lemma development in barley. Notably, we find that MADS1 function remains conserved in wheat, promoting cell proliferation to increase awn length. These findings extend our understanding of MADS1 function in floral organ development and provide insights for Triticeae crop improvement strategies.
Nuclear Hsp104 safeguards the dormant translation machinery during quiescence
Authors: Kohler Verena , Kohler Andreas , Berglund Lisa Larsson , Hao Xinxin , Gersing Sarah , Imhof Axel , Nyström Thomas , Höög Johanna L. , Ott Martin , Andréasson Claes , Büttner Sabrina
Published: January 2024

The resilience of cellular proteostasis declines with age, which drives protein aggregation and compromises viability. The nucleus has emerged as a key quality control compartment that handles misfolded proteins produced by the cytosolic protein biosynthesis system. Here, we find that age-associated metabolic cues target the yeast protein disaggregase Hsp104 to the nucleus to maintain a functional nuclear proteome during quiescence. The switch to respiratory metabolism and the accompanying decrease in translation rates direct cytosolic Hsp104 to the nucleus to interact with latent translation initiation factor eIF2 and to suppress protein aggregation. Hindering Hsp104 from entering the nucleus in quiescent cells results in delayed re-entry into the cell cycle due to compromised resumption of protein synthesis. In sum, we report that cytosolic-nuclear partitioning of the Hsp104 disaggregase is a critical mechanism to protect the latent protein synthesis machinery during quiescence in yeast, ensuring the rapid restart of translation once nutrients are replenished.
Radiomic tractometry reveals tract-specific imaging biomarkers in white matter
Authors: Neher Peter , Hirjak Dusan , Maier-Hein Klaus
Published: January 2024

Tract-specific microstructural analysis of the brain’s white matter (WM) using diffusion MRI has been a driver for neuroscientific discovery with a wide range of applications. Tractometry enables localized tissue analysis along tracts but relies on bare summary statistics and reduces complex image information along a tract to few scalar values, and so may miss valuable information. This hampers the applicability of tractometry for predictive modelling. Radiomics is a promising method based on the analysis of numerous quantitative image features beyond what can be visually perceived, but has not yet been used for tract-specific analysis of white matter. Here we introduce radiomic tractometry (RadTract) and show that introducing rich radiomics-based feature sets into the world of tractometry enables improved predictive modelling while retaining the localization capability of tractometry. We demonstrate its value in a series of clinical populations, showcasing its performance in diagnosing disease subgroups in different datasets, as well as estimation of demographic and clinical parameters. We propose that RadTract could spark the establishment of a new generation of tract-specific imaging biomarkers with benefits for a range of applications from basic neuroscience to medical research.
A weakly solvating electrolyte towards practical rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Shi Xin , Xie Jinhao , Wang Jin , Xie Shilei , Yang Zujin , Lu Xihong
Published: January 2024

Structure deterioration and side reaction, which originated from the solvated H2O, are the main constraints for the practical deployment of both cathode and anode in aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Here we formulate a weakly solvating electrolyte to reduce the solvating power of H2O and strengthen the coordination competitiveness of SO42− to Zn2+ over H2O. Experiment results and theoretical simulations demonstrate that the water-poor solvation structure of Zn2+ is achieved, which can (i) substantially eliminate solvated-H2O-mediated undesirable side reactions on the Zn anode. (ii) boost the desolvation kinetics of Zn2+ and suppress Zn dendrite growth as well as structure aberration of the cathode. Remarkably, the synergy of these two factors enables long-life full cells including Zn/NaV3O8·1.5H2O, Zn/MnO2 and Zn/CoFe(CN)6 cells. More importantly, practical rechargeable AA-type Zn/NVO cells are assembled, which present a capacity of 101.7 mAh and stability of 96.1% capacity retention after 30 cycles at 0.66 C.
Multiresistance states in ferro- and antiferroelectric trilayer boron nitride
Authors: Lv Ming , Wang Jiulong , Tian Ming , Wan Neng , Tong Wenyi , Duan Chungang , Xue Jiamin
Published: January 2024

Stacking two atomic layers together can induce interlayer (sliding) ferroelectricity that is absent in their naturally occurring crystal forms. With the flexibility of two-dimensional materials, more layers could be assembled to give rise to even richer polarization states. Here, we show that three-layer boron nitride can host ferro- and antiferroelectric domains in the same sample. When used as a tunneling junction, the polarization of these domains could be switched in a layer-by-layer procedure, producing multiple resistance states. Theoretical investigation reveals an important role played by the interaction between the trilayer boron nitride and graphene substrate. These findings reveal the great potential and unique properties of 2D sliding ferroelectric materials.
Tail-tape-fused virion and non-virion RNA polymerases of a thermophilic virus with an extremely long tail
Authors: Chaban Anastasiia , Minakhin Leonid , Goldobina Ekaterina , Bae Brain , Hao Yue , Borukhov Sergei , Putzeys Leena , Boon Maarten , Kabinger Florian , Lavigne Rob , Makarova Kira S. , Koonin Eugene V. , Nair Satish K. , Tagami Shunsuke , Severinov Konstantin , Sokolova Maria L.
Published: January 2024

Thermus thermophilus bacteriophage P23-45 encodes a giant 5,002-residue tail tape measure protein (TMP) that defines the length of its extraordinarily long tail. Here, we show that the N-terminal portion of P23-45 TMP is an unusual RNA polymerase (RNAP) homologous to cellular RNAPs. The TMP-fused virion RNAP transcribes pre-early phage genes, including a gene that encodes another, non-virion RNAP, that transcribes early and some middle phage genes. We report the crystal structures of both P23-45 RNAPs. The non-virion RNAP has a crab-claw-like architecture. By contrast, the virion RNAP adopts a unique flat structure without a clamp. Structure and sequence comparisons of the P23-45 RNAPs with other RNAPs suggest that, despite the extensive functional differences, the two P23-45 RNAPs originate from an ancient gene duplication in an ancestral phage. Our findings demonstrate striking adaptability of RNAPs that can be attained within a single virus species.
Molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying avoidance of rapid cooling stimuli in C. elegans
Authors: Lin Chenxi , Shan Yuxin , Wang Zhongyi , Peng Hui , Li Rong , Wang Pingzhou , He Junyan , Shen Weiwei , Wu Zhengxing , Guo Min
Published: January 2024

The mechanisms by which animals respond to rapid changes in temperature are largely unknown. Here, we found that polymodal ASH sensory neurons mediate rapid cooling-evoked avoidance behavior within the physiological temperature range in C. elegans. ASH employs multiple parallel circuits that consist of stimulatory circuits (AIZ, RIA, AVA) and disinhibitory circuits (AIB, RIM) to respond to rapid cooling. In the stimulatory circuit, AIZ, which is activated by ASH, releases glutamate to act on both GLR-3 and GLR-6 receptors in RIA neurons to promote reversal, and ASH also directly or indirectly stimulates AVA to promote reversal. In the disinhibitory circuit, AIB is stimulated by ASH through the GLR-1 receptor, releasing glutamate to act on AVR-14 to suppress RIM activity. RIM, an inter/motor neuron, inhibits rapid cooling-evoked reversal, and the loop activities thus equally stimulate reversal. Our findings elucidate the molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying the acute temperature stimuli-evoked avoidance behavior.
Circulating tumour mutation detection in triple-negative breast cancer as an adjunct to tissue response assessment
Authors: Zaikova Elena , Cheng Brian Y. C. , Cerda Viviana , Kong Esther , Lai Daniel , Lum Amy , Bates Cherie , den Brok Wendie , Kono Takako , Bourque Sylvie , Chan Angela , Feng Xioalan , Fenton David , Gurjal Anagha , Levasseur Nathalie , Lohrisch Caroline , Roberts Sarah , Shenkier Tamara , Simmons Christine , Taylor Sara , Villa Diego , Miller Ruth , Aguirre-Hernandez Rosalia , Aparicio Samuel , Gelmon Karen
Published: January 2024

Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) detection via liquid biopsy is an emerging alternative to tissue biopsy, but its potential in treatment response monitoring and prognosis in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is not yet well understood. Here we determined the prevalence of actionable mutations detectable in ctDNA using a clinically validated cancer gene panel assay in patients with TNBC, without recurrence at the time of study entry. Sequencing of plasma DNA and validation of variants from 130 TNBC patients collected within 7 months of primary treatment completion revealed that 7.7% had detectable residual disease with a hotspot panel. Among neoadjuvant treated patients, we observed a trend where patients with incomplete pathologic response and positive ctDNA within 7 months of treatment completion were at much higher risk of reduced progression free survival. We propose that a high risk subset of early TNBC patients treated in neoadjuvant therapy protocols may be identifiable by combining tissue response and sensitive ctDNA detection.
Deep learning approaches for instantaneous laser absorptance prediction in additive manufacturing
Authors: Jiang Runbo , Smith John , Yi Yu-Tsen , Sun Tao , Simonds Brian J. , Rollett Anthony D.
Published: January 2024

The quantification of absorbed light is essential for understanding laser-material interactions and melt pool dynamics in order to minimize defects in additively manufactured metal components. The geometry of a vapor depression formed during laser melting is closely related to laser energy absorption. This relationship has been observed by the state-of-the-art in situ high-speed synchrotron X-ray visualization and integrating sphere radiometry. These two techniques create a temporally resolved dataset consisting of vapor depression images and corresponding laser absorptance. In this work, we propose two different approaches to predict instantaneous laser absorptance. The end-to-end approach uses deep convolutional neural networks to learn implicit features of X-ray images automatically and predict the laser energy absorptance. The two-stage approach uses a semantic segmentation model to engineer geometric features and predict absorptance using classical regression models. While having distinct advantages, both approaches achieved a consistently low mean absolute error of less than 3.3%.
Constant inner potential DFT for modelling electrochemical systems under constant potential and bias
Authors: Melander Marko M. , Wu Tongwei , Weckman Timo , Honkala Karoliina
Published: January 2024

Electrochemical systems play a decisive role in, e.g. clean energy conversion but understanding their complex chemistry remains an outstanding challenge. Constant potential and grand canonical ensemble (GCE) simulations are indispensable for unraveling the properties of electrochemical processes as a function of the electrode potential. Currently, GCE calculations performed at the density functional theory (DFT) level require fixing the Fermi level within the simulation cell. Here, we illustrate that this method is inadequate when modeling outer sphere reactions and a biased two-electrode cell. For these systems, the Fermi level obtained from DFT calculations does not accurately present the experimentally controlled electrode potential or describe the thermodynamic independent variable in GCE-DFT. To address this limitation, we developed and implemented a constant inner potential (CIP) method offering a more robust and general approach to conducting GCE-DFT simulations of electrochemical systems under constant potential or bias conditions. The primary advantage of CIP is that it uses the local electrode inner potential as the thermodynamic parameter for the electrode potential, as opposed to the global Fermi level. Through numerical and analytical studies, we demonstrate that the CIP and Fermi level GCE-DFT approaches are equivalent for metallic electrodes and inner-sphere reactions. However, CIP proves to be more versatile, as it can be applied to outer-sphere and two-electrode systems, addressing the limitations of the constant Fermi-level approach in these scenarios. Altogether, the CIP approach stands out as a general and efficient GCE-DFT method simulating electrochemical interfaces from first principles.
Pure-water-fed, electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethylene beyond 1,000 h stability at 10 A
Authors: She Xiaojie , Zhai Lingling , Wang Yifei , Xiong Pei , Li Molly Meng-Jung , Wu Tai-Sing , Wong Man Chung , Guo Xuyun , Xu Zhihang , Li Huaming , Xu Hui , Zhu Ye , Tsang Shik Chi Edman , Lau Shu Ping
Published: January 2024

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction at near-ambient temperatures requires a complex inventory of protons, hydroxyls, carbonate ions and alkali-metal ions at the cathode and anode to be managed, necessitating the use of ion-selective membranes to regulate pH. Anion-exchange membranes provide an alkaline environment, allowing CO2 reduction at low cell voltages and suppression of hydrogen evolution while maintaining high conversion efficiencies. However, the local alkaline conditions and the presence of alkali cations lead to problematic carbonate formation and even precipitation. Here we report a pure-water-fed (alkali-cation-free) membrane–electrode–assembly system for CO2 reduction to ethylene by integrating an anion-exchange membrane and a proton-exchange membrane at the cathode and anode side, respectively, under forward bias. This system effectively suppresses carbonate formation and prevents salt precipitation. A scaled-up electrolyser stack achieved over 1,000 h stability without CO2 and electrolyte losses and with 50% Faradaic efficiency towards ethylene at a total current of 10 A.
Optimized spatial information for 1990, 2000, and 2010 U.S. census microdata
Authors: Fowler Christopher S. , Gaboardi James D. , Schroeder Jonathan P. , Van Riper David C.
Published: January 2024

We report on the successful completion of a project to upgrade the positional accuracy of every response to the 1990, 2000, and 2010 U.S. decennial censuses. The resulting data set, called Optimized Spatial Census Information Linked Across Time (OSCILAT), resides within the restricted-access data warehouse of the Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC) system where it is available for use with approval from the U.S. Census Bureau. OSCILAT greatly improves the accuracy and completeness of spatial information for older censuses conducted prior to major quality improvements undertaken by the Bureau. Our work enables more precise spatial and longitudinal analysis of census data and supports exact tabulations of census responses for arbitrary spatial units, including tabulating responses from 1990, 2000, and 2010 within 2020 block boundaries for precise measures of change over time for small geographic areas.
Chromosomal-scale genome assembly and annotation of the land slug (Meghimatium bilineatum)
Authors: Sun Shaolei , Han Xiaolu , Han Zhiqiang , Liu Qi
Published: January 2024

Meghimatium bilineatum is a notorious pest land slug used as a medicinal resource to treat ailments in China. Although this no-model species is unique in terms of their ecological security and medicinal value, the genome resource of this slug is lacking to date. Here, we used the Illumina, PacBio, and Hi-C sequencing techniques to construct a chromosomal-level genome of M. bilineatum. With the Hi-C correction, the sequencing data from PacBio system generated a 1.61 Gb assembly with a scaffold N50 of 68.08 Mb, and anchored to 25 chromosomes. The estimated assembly completeness at 91.70% was obtained using BUSCO methods. The repeat sequence content in the assembled genome was 72.51%, which mainly comprises 34.08% long interspersed elements. We further identified 18631 protein-coding genes in the assembled genome. A total of 15569 protein-coding genes were successfully annotated. This genome assembly becomes an important resource for studying the ecological adaptation and potential medicinal molecular basis of M. bilineatum.
Diabetic foot ulcers risk prediction in patients with type 2 diabetes using classifier based on associations rule mining
Authors: Piran Nasrin , Farhadian Maryam , Soltanian Ali Reza , Borzouei Shiva
Published: January 2024

Identifying diabetic patients at risk of developing foot ulcers, as one of the most significant complications of diabetes, is a crucial healthcare concern. This study aimed to develop an associative classification model (CBA) using the Apriori algorithm to predict diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). This retrospective cohort study included 666 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Iran between April 2020 and August 2022, of which 279 (42%) had DFU. Data on 29 specific baseline features were collected, which were preprocessed by discretizing numerical variables based on medical cutoffs. The target variable was the occurrence of DFU, and the minimum support, confidence, and lift thresholds were set to 0.01, 0.7, and 1, respectively. After data preparation and cleaning, a CBA model was created using the Apriori algorithm, with 80% of the data used as a training set and 20% as a testing set. The accuracy and AUC (area under the roc curve) measure were used to evaluate the performance of the model. The CBA model discovered a total of 146 rules for two patient groups. Several factors, such as longer duration of diabetes over 10 years, insulin therapy, male sex, older age, smoking, addiction to other drugs, family history of diabetes, higher body mass index, physical inactivity, and diabetes complications such as proliferative and non-proliferative retinopathy and nephropathy, were identified as major risk factors contributing to the development of DFU. The CBA model achieved an overall accuracy of 96%. Also, the AUC value was 0.962 (95%CI 0.924, 1.000). The developed model has a high accuracy in predicting the risk of DFU in patients with type 2 diabetes. The creation of accurate predictive models for DFU has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of managing recurring ulcers and the need for amputation, which are significant health concerns associated with diabetes.
Peri-implantitis increases the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with osseointegrated implants in rats treated with zoledronate
Authors: Quintão Manhanini Souza Eduardo , Felipe Toro Luan , Franzão Ganzaroli Vinícius , de Oliveira Alvarenga Freire Jéssica , Matsumoto Mariza Akemi , Casatti Cláudio Aparecido , Tavares Ângelo Cintra Luciano , Leone Buchaim Rogério , Mardegan Issa João Paulo , Gouveia Garcia Valdir , Theodoro Leticia Helena , Ervolino Edilson
Published: January 2024

This study evaluated the peri-implant tissues under normal conditions and under the influence of experimental peri-implantitis (EPI) in osseointegrated implants installed in the maxillae of rats treated with oncologic dosage of zoledronate. Twenty-eight senescent female rats underwent the extraction of the upper incisor and placement of a titanium dental implant (DI). After eight weeks was installated a transmucosal healing screw on DI. After nine weeks, the following groups were formed: VEH, ZOL, VEH-EPI and ZOL-EPI. From the 9th until the 19th, VEH and VEH-EPI groups received vehicle and ZOL and ZOL-EPI groups received zoledronate. At the 14th week, a cotton ligature was installed around the DI in VEH-EPI and ZOL-EPI groups to induce the EPI. At the 19th week, euthanasia was performed, and the maxillae were processed so that at the implanted sites were analyzed: histological aspects and the percentage of total bone tissue (PTBT) and non-vital bone tissue (PNVBT), along with TNFα, IL-1β, VEGF, OCN and TRAP immunolabeling. ZOL group presented mild persistent peri-implant inflammation, higher PNVBT and TNFα and IL-1β immunolabeling, but lower for VEGF, OCN and TRAP in comparison with VEH group. ZOL-EPI group exhibited exuberant peri-implant inflammation, higher PNVBT and TNFα and IL-1β immunolabeling when compared with ZOL and VEH-EPI groups. Zoledronate disrupted peri-implant environment, causing mild persistent inflammation and increasing the quantity of non-vital bone tissue. Besides, associated with the EPI there were an exacerbated inflammation and even greater increase in the quantity of non-vital bone around the DI, which makes this condition a risk factor for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws.
Field evaluation of electrophysiologically-active dung volatiles as chemical lures for trapping of dung beetles
Authors: Perera Nisansala N. , Barrow Russell A. , Weston Paul A. , Weston Leslie A. , Gurr Geoff M.
Published: January 2024

Dung beetles are economically important beneficial insects that process dung. To locate this source, they use volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The objectives of the study were to evaluate the attractiveness of ten electrophysiologically-active dung volatiles (phenol, skatole, indole, p-cresol, butanone, butyric acid, eucalyptol, dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide, and toluene) to dung beetles in the field and to investigate how the composition of volatile blends influences efficacy as lures for use in traps. Six combinations of the compounds were compared with field collected cattle dung bait and a negative control, across three seasons. Both dung and synthetic baits captured all exotic dung beetle species present in the study area. A six-compound mix (M1), comprising major dung volatiles, served as an attractive chemical mixture. The addition of dimethyl sulphide, dimethyl disulphide (M2) and toluene (M4) enhanced attractancy of M1 for dung beetles, while eucalyptol (M3) decreased the attractancy. The degree of attraction by various dung beetle species to synthetic baits varied, but baits proved to be effective, especially for summer trapping. The trap design used in this study presented a convenient and practical way to sample dung beetle and other associated scarabs from open pastures. The attraction of introduced dung beetle species to synthetic baits is documented here for the first time in Australia. In addition, necrophagous Omorgus sp. is reported here for the first time to be attracted to synthetic baits. They showed a significant attraction to the mixture containing dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide (M2). The current study represents a promising first step towards formulating a synthetic chemical lure for dung beetles, offering a consistent, standardised, and bio-secure trapping method compared to use of naturally occurring dung baits, especially as a multi-species lure.
Long-term continuous monitoring of methane emissions at an oil and gas facility using a multi-open-path laser dispersion spectrometer
Authors: IJzermans Rutger , Jones Matthew , Weidmann Damien , van de Kerkhof Bas , Randell David
Published: January 2024

A method for methane emissions monitoring at industrial facility level was developed based on a high precision multi-open-path laser dispersion spectrometer combined with Bayesian analysis algorithms using Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) inference. From the methane path-averaged concentrations spatially distributed over the facility under study, together with the wind vector, the analysis allows detection, localization and quantification of fugitive methane emissions. This paper describes the very first long term (3 months), continuous (24 h/7 days) deployment of this monitoring system at an operational gas processing and distribution facility. The continuous monitoring system, made of the combination of the open-path high-precision (<10 ppb) methane concentration analyser and the data analysis method, was evaluated with controlled releases of methane of about 5 kg/h for short periods of time (30–60 min). Quantification was successful, with actual emission rates lying well within the quoted uncertainty ranges. Source localisation was found to lack accuracy, with biases of 30–50 m in the direction of the line of sight of the spectrometer, due to the short duration of the controlled releases, the limited wind vector diversity, and complications from air flows around buildings not accounted for by the transport model. Using longer-term data from the deployment, the MCMC algorithm led to the identification of unexpected low intensity persistent sources (<1 kg/h) at the site. Localisation of persistent sources was mostly successful at equipment level (within ~20 m) as confirmed by a subsequent survey with an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera. Quantification of these individual sources was challenging owing to their low intensity, but a consistent estimate of the total methane emission from the facility could be derived using two different inference approaches. These results represent a stepping stone in the development of continuous monitoring systems for methane emissions, pivotal in driving greenhouse gas reduction from industrial facilities. The demonstrated continuous monitoring system gives promising performance in early detection of unexpected emissions and quantification of potentially time-varying emissions from an entire facility.
Identifying unique spectral fingerprints in cough sounds for diagnosing respiratory ailments
Authors: Ghrabli Syrine , Elgendi Mohamed , Menon Carlo
Published: January 2024

Coughing, a prevalent symptom of many illnesses, including COVID-19, has led researchers to explore the potential of cough sound signals for cost-effective disease diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic methods, which can be expensive and require specialized personnel, contrast with the more accessible smartphone analysis of coughs. Typically, coughs are classified as wet or dry based on their phase duration. However, the utilization of acoustic analysis for diagnostic purposes is not widespread. Our study examined cough sounds from 1183 COVID-19-positive patients and compared them with 341 non-COVID-19 cough samples, as well as analyzing distinctions between pneumonia and asthma-related coughs. After rigorous optimization across frequency ranges, specific frequency bands were found to correlate with each respiratory ailment. Statistical separability tests validated these findings, and machine learning algorithms, including linear discriminant analysis and k-nearest neighbors classifiers, were employed to confirm the presence of distinct frequency bands in the cough signal power spectrum associated with particular diseases. The identification of these acoustic signatures in cough sounds holds the potential to transform the classification and diagnosis of respiratory diseases, offering an affordable and widely accessible healthcare tool.
Association between sexual dysfunction and vitamin D in Swedish primary health care patients born in the Middle East and Sweden
Authors: Taloyan Marina , Hjörleifdottir Steiner Kristin , Östenson Claes-Göran , Salminen Helena
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated primary care patients and compared self-reported sexual health in Swedes and Middle Easterners; analysed differences within and between the groups and analysed differences in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels between the groups. 522 patients responded to a health questionnaire that included items on sexual health: 225 Middle Easterners from Iran, Iraq, and Turkey and 297 Swedes. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR). Middle Easterners reported less sexual dysfunction than Swedes, and 75.8% of them and 18.9% of Swedes presented a 25(OH)D of < 50 nmol/L. The crude OR for reporting sexual dysfunction was 70% higher in Swedes compared to Middle Easterners (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.15–2.50). This OR remained significant after adjustment for age, gender, waist circumference, and reported sexual desire. However, the significance disappeared after additional adjustment for 25(OH)D. In both groups, more females than males reported insufficient sexual desire. More female Middle Easterners reported sex life dissatisfaction. More female Swedes reported sexual dysfunction. Vitamin D could explain an association between gender and sex life dissatisfaction in Middle Easterners, and age could explain an association between gender and sexual dysfunction in Swedes. Age, waist circumference, and 25(OH)D levels were significant covariates in the logistic regression models. Results from the present study suggest that 25(OH)D variation partly explains differences in sexual dysfunction between the groups and between genders within the groups. Vitamin D therapy should be investigated to determine if these results are clinically useful.
Impact of maternal first trimester treatment regimen on the outcome of valproate exposed pregnancies: an observational Embryotox cohort study
Authors: Fietz Anne-Katrin , Onken Marlies , Padberg Stephanie , Schaefer Christof , Dathe Katarina
Published: January 2024

Effects of valproate (VPA) dose and treatment discontinuation during the first trimester of pregnancy on the risks of spontaneous abortions (SAB) and major birth defects were analyzed. Pregnancies with first trimester VPA exposure (n = 484) prospectively recorded by the German Embryotox center in 1997–2016 were compared with a randomly selected, non-exposed cohort (n = 1446). The SAB risk was not significantly increased in the VPA cohort [HRadj 1.31 (95% CI 0.85–2.02)] but major birth defects were significantly more frequent [8.7% vs. 3.4%; ORadj 2.61 (95% CI 1.51–4.50)]. Risk was even higher in pregnancies with no VPA discontinuation in first trimester [ORadj 3.66 (95% CI 2.04–6.54)]. Significant ORs were found for nervous system defects in general [ORadj 5.69 (95% CI 1.73–18.78)], severe microcephaly [ORadj 6.65 (95% CI 1.17–37.68)], hypospadias [ORadj 19.49 (95% CI 1.80–211)] and urinary system defects [ORadj 6.51 (95% CI 1.48–28.67)]. VPA dose had a stronger effect than antiepileptic poly- versus monotherapy; for VPA dose ≥ 1500 mg/day the ORadj was 5.41 (95% CI 2.32–12.66)]. A daily dose increase of 100 mg was calculated to raise the risk for major birth defects by 15% [OR 1.15 (95% CI 1.08–1.23)]. Overall, maternal first trimester treatment regimen had a relevant impact on birth defect risk.
Losing ground: projections of climate-driven bloom shifts and their implications for the future of California’s almond orchards
Authors: Orozco Jessica , Lauterman Oren , Sperling Or , Paz-Kagan Tarin , Zwieniecki Maciej A.
Published: January 2024

Climate change is expected to impact the spring phenology of perennial trees, potentially altering the suitability of land for their cultivation. In this study, we investigate the effects of climate change on the bloom timing of almond orchards, focusing on California, the world's leading region for almond production. By analyzing historical climatic data, employing a model that considers hourly temperatures and fall non-structural carbohydrates to predict bloom dates, and examining various Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) scenarios, we assess the potential impacts of climate shifts on plant phenology and, consequently, on land suitability for almond farming. Our findings reveal that, within the next 30 years, the land suitable for almond production will not undergo significant changes. However, under unchanged emission scenarios, the available land to support almond orchard farming could decline between 48 to 73% by the end of the century. This reduction corresponds with an early shift in bloom time from the average Day of Year (DOY) 64 observed over the past 40 years to a projected earlier bloom between DOY 28–33 by 2100. These results emphasize the critical role climate shifts have in shaping future land use strategies for almond production in Central Valley, California. Consequently, understanding and addressing these factors is essential for the sustainable management and preservation of agricultural land, ensuring long-term food security and economic stability in the face of a rapidly changing climate.