bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kyanite and Cordierite‐Andalusite occurrences in parts of Barrow's Staurolite zones – The effects of high ferric iron
Authors: Harte Ben
Published: August 2024

George Barrow's maps (1893, 1912) of the metamorphic zones named after him in the south‐eastern Scottish Highlands, show a prominent staurolite zone running from the west of Glen Clova to the North Sea coast near Stonehaven in the east. Pelitic mica schists throughout this zone commonly show principal mineral assemblages of staurolite+biotite+garnet+muscovite +quartz (St + Bt + Grt), with sodic plagioclase, ilmenite and sometimes magnetite as common accessories; these schists have bulk compositions corresponding with those of common Dalradian metasediments. However, the mineral assemblages on the low‐ and high‐grade margins of the staurolite zone show evidence of changes from west to east. Lower grade assemblages near Stonehaven include chloritoid+biotite, which has not been found further west in the classic ‘Barrovian’ sequence; whilst the higher grade assemblages near Stonehaven lack kyanite, which is widely seen further west. The Stonehaven area has been suggested to have under gone metamorphism at lower pressure (P) than the classic region of the ‘Glens’ inland to the west.

This paper describes the occurrence at middle grade in the broad staurolite zone, of unusual bulk rock compositions showing high ratios of Fe2O3/(Fe2O3 + FeO) and MgO/(MgO + FeO) (abbreviated to M/FM). The high M/FM assemblages are distinct from those of the common St‐Bt‐Grt schists. The high ratios of ferric to ferrous iron are thought to result from original sedimentary protolith compositions, that led to metamorphism at relatively high conditions of oxygen fugacity (ƒo2), and resulted in the formation of haematite‐bearing assemblages, rather than ones carrying accessory ilmenite and magnetite as in the common St + Bt + Grt rocks.

In the west (Glen Lethnot), the haematite‐bearing pelites show the occurrence of kyanite at a distinctly lower grade than the common (haematite‐free) pelites, and a transition from staurolite‐biotite (St + Bt) through staurolite–kyanite‐biotite (St + Ky + Bt) to kyanite‐biotite (Ky‐Bt) assemblages occurs with increasing abundance of haematite and higher bulk M/FM values. In all bulk compositions, the upgrade formation of kyanite may be associated with the movement of the St + Ky + Bt assemblage to lower M/FM bulk compositions with increasing temperature (T). The difference in the temperature of lowest‐grade kyanite formation in haematite‐rich schists, compared with that in common haematite‐free schists may approach 50°C.

In the east (Stonehaven section), the haematite‐bearing assemblages are much rarer than in Glen Lethnot, but those found so far are very distinctive in showing large porphyroblasts of probable cordierite (typically altered to chlorite and sericite). Occasional assemblages of andalusite‐cordierite‐biotite (And‐Crd‐Bt) also occur in the haematite‐bearing rocks and confirm lower pressures of metamorphism near Stonehaven than those seen further west in Glens Clova, Lethnot and Esk.
Holistic investigation of the anti‐wrinkle and repair efficacy of a facial cream enriched with C‐xyloside
Authors: Zang Shanshan , Chen Juanjuan , Chevalier Cyril , Zhang Ji , Li Shumei , Wang Hequn , Li Jing , Chen Yangdong , Xu Hongling , Sheng Le , Zhang Zhiming , Qiu Jie
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate the repairing and anti‐wrinkle efficacy of the facial cream enriched with C‐xyloside, aiming at comprehensively evaluating its skin anti‐ aging effect and clarify its potential mechanism of action.

Methods

The repairing efficacy was studied on 3D epidermis skin model and the antiaging efficacy was studied on ex‐vivo human skin. Two clinical studies were conducted with Chinese females. In the first study, 49 subjects aged between 30 and 50 with wrinkle concerns were recruited and instructed to apply the investigational cream containing C‐xyloside for 8 weeks. Wrinkles attributes were assessed by dermatologist. Instrumental measurements on skin hydration, trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin elasticity were also conducted. In the second study, 30 subjects aged between 25 and 60 with self‐declared sensitive skin and facial redness were recruited and instructed to apply the cream for 4 weeks. Biomarker analysis of the stratum corneum was conducted through facial tape strips.

Results

The cream improved the histomorphology of the 3D epidermis skin model after SLS stimulation, and significantly increase the expression of LOR and FLG. On human skin, the cream improved the histopathology induced by UV, and significantly increased the protein content of COL I and COL III, collagen density and the number of Ki‐67 positive cell of skin compared with model group (n = 3, p < 0.01). The results from the first clinical study demonstrate a significant increased the skin hydration and elasticity by 21.90%, 13.08% (R2) and 12.30% (R5), respectively (n = 49, p < 0.05), and the TEWL values decreased by 33.94% (n = 49, p < 0.05), after 8 weeks application of the cream. In addition, the scores for nasolabial folds, glabellar wrinkle, underneath eye wrinkles, crow's feet wrinkle and forehead wrinkle in the volunteers exhibited a significant reduction of 34.02%, 43.34%, 50.03%, 33.64% and 55.81% respectively (n = 49, p < 0.05). The (rCE)/(fCE) ratio of volunteers based on tape stripping significant increased after using the sample cream (n = 30, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The cream containing C‐xyloside showed improvement of skin wrinkles and enhancement of skin barrier function. These efficacies may be attributed to the fact that the sample cream can increase the expression of skin barrier related proteins LOR and FLG, promote the maturation of cornified envelope, enhance collagen I and III protein expression and stimulate skin cell proliferation, to provide sufficient evidence supporting its antiaging efficacy of skin.
Predictive factors for the duration of subsyndromal delirium in the intensive care unit
Authors: Song Chunmei , Wang Shufang , Liu Jianping , Xu Wen , Yang Yang , Li Xing
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the duration of subsyndromal delirium (SSD) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and the factors associated with SSD duration.

Methods

This retrospective study included adult patients admitted to the ICU of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between December 2019 and June 2020. All patients with Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale scores of ≥−2 were evaluated every 8 h using the confusion assessment method of the intensive care unit (CAM‐ICU) until the patients with SSD were negative, progressed to delirium, fell into a coma, died, or were discharged from the ICU. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with SSD duration.

Results

Of the 388 patients, 53.6% had SSD, and 20.7% progressed from SSD to delirium. The duration of SSD ranged from 8 to 248 h, and the median duration was 48 h (interquartile range, 24–72). Age (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.985, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.971–0.999, p = 0.035), surgery or not (HR = 0.514; 95% CI, 0.310–0.850; p = 0.010), duration of ventilation (HR = 1.003; 95% CI, 1.000–1.006; p = 0.044), duration of hypoxia (HR = 0.212; 95% CI, 0.103–0.438; p < 0.001), and adapted cognitive exam scores (HR = 1.057; 95% CI, 1.030–1.085; p < 0.001) were independently associated with the duration of SSD.

Conclusions

The duration of SSD was associated with age, surgery, duration of ventilation, duration of hypoxia, and cognitive function. SSD has a high incidence among ICU patients, and many patients progress to delirium.

Patient or Public Contribution

The study team met with public members of the evaluation teams throughout the project in a series of workshops. Workshops informed study design, data collection tools and data interpretation.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

ICU staff should pay attention to SSD patients with older age, history of surgery, longer duration of ventilation, prolonged duration of hypoxia, and lower ACE scores.
Developing a rural paediatrician workforce: Using social network analysis to examine influence on reasons to go rural
Authors: Shiikha Yulia , Ford Timothy J , Wright Helen
Published: August 2024

Aim

This pilot study examines how rural and remote junior doctors' career decisions are influenced by collegial relationships within the discipline of general paediatrics.

Methods

Social network analysis (SNA) was undertaken by structured interviews with 10 paediatricians working in regional towns in Western Australia. UNICET software was used to determine the interactions between individual networks to look for overlap and common influencers.

Results

Ten rural paediatricians were interviewed. An individual was found to have key measures of centrality at the core of the entire social network of rural general paediatricians. This included a high degree of ‘betweenness’ (connections within social networks), and a high broker index (connections between separate areas of a network or between networks) demonstrated by that person combining three disconnected networks into a single coherent network. This central individual was a recently appointed consultant with links to senior paediatricians, peers and junior trainees, and may be instrumental in recruitment and retention in the rural paediatric workforce.

Conclusion

Improving understanding of the impact of social networks, and decision‐making processes that influence rural career choices, can inform innovative solutions to develop sustainable strategies for recruiting and retaining the rural paediatric workforce. Applying this model on a larger scale may provide more data to support evidence‐based programmes that enable this within the Australian context.
Attitudes and responses of Victorian paediatric intensive care doctors to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment
Authors: Butlinski Anna K , Butt Warwick W
Published: August 2024

Aim

To determine the attitudes and responses of Victorian paediatric intensive care doctors to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment.

Methods

A prospective study conducted in a 30‐bed paediatric intensive care unit of a university teaching hospital using data collected from a questionnaire completed by paediatric intensive care consultants and registrars. The questionnaire covered the following domains – doctors' knowledge of Victorian mandatory reporting legislation, doctors' history of reporting and doctors' current role in the detection and reporting of child maltreatment.

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 37 doctors. All but one doctor considered their role in the detection and reporting of all six forms of maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence and grooming to facilitate later sexual activity with a child) very important or somewhat important. Thirty‐two percent of doctors did not feel adequately trained to detect child maltreatment while 51% did not feel adequately trained to report maltreatment. If a doctor wanted to make a report to Child Protection about the physical or sexual abuse of a child, only one would likely make Child Protection their first point of contact.

Conclusions

Paediatric intensive care doctors show a strong intent to detect and report child maltreatment across a broad range of maltreatment types. Doctors are likely to contact one or more members of a child's care team and/or one or more relevant hospital/community services before making a report to Child Protection about the physical or sexual abuse of a child. Opportunities exist for the further education of doctors in regards to the detection and reporting of child maltreatment.
A phylogenomic approach to disentangling the evolution of the large and diverse daisy tribe Anthemideae (Asteraceae)
Authors: Criado‐Ruiz David , Vallès Joan , Bayer Randall J. , Palazzesi Luis , Pellicer Jaume , Lorenzo Iván Pérez , Maurin Olivier , Françoso Elaine , Roy Shyamali , Leitch Ilia J. , Forest Félix , Baker William J. , Pokorny Lisa , Hidalgo Oriane , Nieto Feliner Gonzalo
Published: August 2024

The daisy tribe Anthemideae Cass. is one of the largest and most diverse tribes within Asteraceae. We analyzed a data set including 61 out of 111 Anthemideae genera, and all but four of the 19 currently recognized subtribes (Inulantherinae, Lapidophorinae, Lonadinae, and Vogtiinae) using a targeted high‐throughput sequencing approach, the first focused on the tribe. We followed different phylogenomic approaches, using nuclear and plastid data, as well as additional analytical methods to estimate divergence times and diversification rates, to unravel the evolutionary history and classification of this tribe. Our results reinforce the phylogenetic backbone of the Anthemideae advanced in previous studies and further reveal the possible occurrence of ancient hybridization events, plastid capture, and/or incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), suggesting that complex evolutionary processes have played an important role in the evolution of this tribe. The results also support the merging of subtribe Physmasperminae into Athanasiinae and subtribe Matricariinae into Anthemidinae and clarify previously unresolved relationships. Furthermore, the study provides additional insights into the biogeographic patterns within the tribe by identifying three main groups: the Southern African Grade, the Asian Clade, and the circum‐Mediterranean Clade. These groups partially coincide with previously identified ones. Overall, this research provides a more detailed understanding of the Anthemideae tribe and improves its classification. The study also emphasizes the importance of phylogenomic approaches for deciphering the evolutionary dynamics of large and diverse plant lineages.
Impact of uncertainty on economic growth: The role of pro‐market institutions in developing countries
Authors: Gomado Kwamivi Mawuli
Published: August 2024

Various shocks, including the Gulf War, the US recession, the 9/11 attacks, financial credit crunch, and domestic political shocks like coups, and revolutions, have contributed to the persistence of high uncertainty. This uncertainty has direct implications for economic activity, affecting both business investment and household consumption decisions. This article explores the mediating role of the quality of pro‐market institutions in the relationship between economic performance and changes in the uncertainty. It also investigates whether reforming pro‐market institutions during a period of uncertainty can mitigate the negative effects of the uncertainty on economic performance, while analyzing the channels through which the mediating effect of reforms during uncertainty manifests. Using a sample of 61 developing countries over the period 1990–2014, our results, robust to various tests, indicate that higher quality of pro‐market institutions significantly reduces the negative effects of uncertainty on economic performance. Indeed, the reduction in GDP growth due to a change in uncertainty decreases by 93 percentage points with higher levels of pro‐market institutional quality, and this variation depends on the nature of the pro‐market institutions considered. Furthermore, implementing pro‐market institutional liberalization reforms during a period of uncertainty could not only alleviate the negative effects of uncertainty but also contribute to medium‐term economic growth. The analysis of channels suggests that this effect is mediated by the impact of reforms on household consumption and business investment. These results highlight how pro‐market institutions and reforms in these institutions can enhance the resilience of economies facing high uncertainty or unexpected and substantial economic shocks.
Deep Roots, Bama Soil: Narrative multimodal anthropology and fugitive histories
Authors: Campbell Tylar
Published: August 2024

This article explores the concept of fugitive histories through narrative multimodal anthropology in Black memory spaces. The aim of this research was to understand how multimodal anthropology and fugitive histories can be used to preserve and re‐imagine narratives that counteract erasure. This article presents a narrative multimodal podcast I produced exploring my personal connection to racial violence, in conversation with a visit to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and Legacy Museum to consider the ways in which narrative multimodal production and curation may benefit the health and well‐being of Black communities, with a focus on Black fugitivity refusal, and reclamation as a strategic application of the Black Radical Tradition.
Genomic selection in western redcedar: from proof of concept to operational application
Authors: Gamal El‐Dien Omnia , Shalev Tal J. , Yuen Macaire M. S. , Van der Merwe Lise , Kirst Matias , Yanchuk Alvin D. , Ritland Carol , Russell John H. , Bohlmann Joerg
Published: August 2024

Forests face many threats. While traditional breeding may be too slow to deliver well‐adapted trees, genomic selection (GS) can accelerate the process. We describe a comprehensive study of GS from proof of concept to operational application in western redcedar (WRC, Thuja plicata).

Using genomic data, we developed models on a training population (TrP) of trees to predict breeding values (BVs) in a target seedling population (TaP) for growth, heartwood chemistry, and foliar chemistry traits. We used cross‐validation to assess prediction accuracy (PACC) in the TrP; we also validated models for early‐expressed foliar traits in the TaP.

Prediction accuracy was high across generations, environments, and ages. PACC was not reduced to zero among unrelated individuals in TrP and was only slightly reduced in the TaP, confirming strong linkage disequilibrium and the ability of the model to generate accurate predictions across breeding generations. Genomic BV predictions were correlated with those from pedigree but displayed a wider range of within‐family variation due to the ability of GS to capture the Mendelian sampling term.

Using predicted TaP BVs in multi‐trait selection, we functionally implemented and integrated GS into an operational tree‐breeding program.
Climate drives body mass changes in a mountain ungulate: shorter winters lead to heavier Alpine ibex
Authors: Brambilla Alice , von Hardenberg Achaz , Bassano Bruno , Ranghetti Luigi , Keller Lukas , Festa‐Bianchet Marco
Published: August 2024

Climate affects seasonality and plant phenology, which can influence seasonal body mass dynamics of herbivores in temperate environments. We investigated long‐term trends of seasonal body mass changes in male Alpine ibex Capra ibex. We used SEM to test direct and indirect relationships between body mass, mass changes and environmental and climatic variables. Individually recognizable Alpine ibex were weighed repeatedly between 2000 and 2022 in Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy). Autumn mass increased substantially over these two decades, up to 15% in some age classes. Over the same time frame, both summer mass gain and winter mass loss decreased, suggesting that heavier autumn body mass was due to the cumulative effects of reduced mass loss over several winters. The environmental factor with the strongest effects on winter mass changes was the starting date of vegetation green‐up at low altitude, where ibex gather after winter to feed on new growth vegetation. Early springs led to lower winter mass loss, likely because ibex relied on stored fat for a shorter period and had greater access to forage. High population density also increased winter mass loss. Environmental conditions and resource availability, possibly also influenced by density in winter and early spring, seem therefore to directly affect the body mass dynamics of male Alpine ibex, while the effect of summer conditions appears less relevant. By affecting seasonal body mass dynamics, climate change may have consequences for life history and population dynamics of mountain herbivores, for example via earlier access of young males to reproduction.
Within‐canopy variation in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters can be well captured by vertical patterns of leaf biophysical and chemical traits
Authors: Zhuang Jie , Wang Quan
Published: August 2024

The strong correlation between chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) parameters and photosynthesis highlights the need for a comprehensive spatial representation of ChlF parameters within the canopy. Such an approach is essential to advance our understanding and to improve the representation and modeling of water and carbon fluxes at scales ranging from the leaf to the canopy level. However, the challenge remains in determining how to effectively describe and track the variability of ChlF parameters within the canopy. In this study, we determined the variation in leaf biophysical and chemical traits and ChlF parameters along the vertical height of the canopy for several species in a temperate deciduous forest. We observed general associations of height with leaf biophysical and chemical traits and ChlF parameters, although these relationships were species‐dependent. In addition, leaf biophysical and chemical traits, particularly light‐harvesting pigments, showed significant effects on ChlF parameters. To effectively track variation in ChlF parameters within the canopy, we used gradient‐boosted regression (GBR) models driven by leaf traits and species, which explained more than 80% of the variation in all ChlF parameters. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing leaf biophysical and chemical traits to predict vertical variation in ChlF parameters and provide supportive data for modeling canopy photosynthesis.
Trade credit, labor employment, and demand for skills: An empirical investigation of Vietnamese small and medium enterprises
Authors: Bach Thang Ngoc , Le Thanh
Published: August 2024

This paper examines the effect of firms' trade credit use on their labor demand and the composition of this labor demand in terms of skilled and unskilled workers. Our analysis is conducted on a rich data set of private manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Vietnam over the period of 2009–2013. We find strong and robust evidence that these firms recruit more workers when they receive trade credit offered from their suppliers. In addition, larger trade credit is associated with firms' higher propensity to hire skilled labor. We also find that the effect of trade credit on firms' labor market decision works through the investment channels, especially through those investment projects leading to the enhancement of firms' innovative capability. These findings highlight the role of trade credit regulations for job creation and economic development.
Does Social Trust Travel? Comparing Resident and Non‐resident Citizens from a High‐Trusting Country
Authors: Vento Isak , Himmelroos Staffan , Bäck Maria
Published: August 2024

In this study, we analyzed the effects of emigration on a high‐trust population's trust in other people. Our object of study was the Swedish‐speaking Finns, a homogenous national language minority of Finland with a relatively high proportion of emigrants. Using two highly comparable random sample surveys, one among Finland‐Swedes who had emigrated and one among Finland‐Swedes residing in Finland, we used emigration as a quasi‐experiment for explaining change in social trust. Theoretically, our aim was to test the symmetry of the experiential theory that, in similar studies but with low‐trust populations emigrating to higher trusting countries, has been found to explain an increase in trust. We distinguished between highly similar destinations and destinations that have lower levels of social trust. With the entropy balancing technique of weighting the covariates of the control group, we constructed two conditionally identical groups. The average difference in outcome of the weighted groups shows that the emigrants lost some of their trust when moving to countries with lower levels of trust. The effect was, however, time indifferent, which casts doubt on the assimilation hypothesis. The findings indicate that the experiential theory can explain also the loss of trust but that this comes with some restrictions.
A Novel Fast Wavenumber Selection Scheme for Line-by-Line Monte Carlo Simulations of High-Temperature Gases
Authors: Alinejad Farid , Bordbar Hadi , Hostikka Simo
Published: August 2024

Implementing line-by-line absorption spectra in the Monte Carlo method provides benchmark solutions for radiative heat transfer in participating media. It is, however, a computationally demanding calculation, and therefore its application is limited to small and medium-scale cases. In gas mixtures, one of the most time-consuming parts is the wavenumber selection for each emission bundle (also known as photon). Due to interdependency of spectral emission of individual species, trial-and-error is needed to obtain the emission wavenumber of species. Doing trial-and-error with tight convergence threshold through large set of data increases the simulation time. This paper presents a novel scheme to select the wavenumber by adding a new dataset which circumvents the need for trial-and-error. The performance of the new scheme is exhibited in four different test cases containing CO2, H2O, and CO. An excellent agreement was observed between the results of the new and old schemes. Compared to the previously published hybrid selection scheme, the wavenumber selection is around seven times faster using the new scheme.
AnnotateXR: An Extended Reality Workflow for Automating Data Annotation to Support Computer Vision Applications
Authors: Chidambaram Subramanian , Jain Rahul , Swarup Reddy Sai , Unmesh Asim , Ramani Karthik
Published: August 2024

Computer vision (CV) algorithms require large annotated datasets that are often labor-intensive and expensive to create. We propose AnnotateXR, an extended reality (XR) workflow to collect various high-fidelity data and auto-annotate it in a single demonstration. AnnotateXR allows users to align virtual models over physical objects, tracked with six degrees-of-freedom (6DOF) sensors. AnnotateXR utilizes a hand tracking capable XR head-mounted display coupled with 6DOF information and collision detection to enable algorithmic segmentation of different actions in videos through its digital twin. The virtual–physical mapping provides a tight bounding volume to generate semantic segmentation masks for the captured image data. Alongside supporting object and action segmentation, we also support other dimensions of annotation required by modern CV, such as human–object, object–object, and rich 3D recordings, all with a single demonstration. Our user study shows AnnotateXR produced over 112,000 annotated data points in 67 min.
Exploratory Factor Analysis for Machining Error Data of Compressor Blades Based on Dimensionality-Reduced Statistical Analysis Method
Authors: Fan Lingsong , Ren Yubin , Tan Miaolong , Wu Baohai , Gao Limin
Published: August 2024

Various machining errors inevitably occur on aero-engine compressor blades, including leading-edge contour error, trailing-edge contour error, camber contour error, and more. The current complexity surrounding the numerous machining error types and their obscure interrelationships imposes immense effort for aerodynamic analysis and hinders overall error control. Thus, elucidating error correlations to achieve error dimensionality reduction is imperative. This study pioneers a dimensionality reduction approach via exploratory factor analysis to conduct a comprehensive statistical analysis of 13 types of blade machining errors. The proposed technique can categorize the 13 errors into three groups, each dominated by a distinct common factor. Furthermore, bootstrap resampling establishes the 95% confidence intervals for the factor scores. Capitalizing on the grouping structure uncovered by exploratory factor analysis, multiple linear regression models are built for the errors within each group, and then, a preliminary conjecture is made about the potential control error types for each group of errors based on the regression coefficients. This hypothesis is then evidenced by the statistical analysis of cross section profile error data of 28 blades. The present work can not only optimize machining processes but also relax tolerance requirements and diminish the effort of aerodynamic analysis.
Diagnosis of rare Loffler endocarditis by cardiac ultrasound: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Li Ping , Gao Maogang , Yin Xiaoxiao , Gao Dongxia , Ji Xiaohui
Published: August 2024

Loffler endocarditis is a rare disease associated with high mortality rates, therefore early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial factors in managing this condition effectively. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific which can lead to misdiagnosis easily. Here we report a case of rare idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with Loffler endocarditis as the first presentation, first suspected acute coronary syndrome, diagnosed correctly by cardiac ultrasound. The purpose is to improve our understanding of the ultrasound manifestations of this disease.
Two new species and supplementary description of two sympatric species of eriophyoid mites from south China (Acari: Eriophyoidea)
Authors: Tan Meng-Chao , Liang Xu-Hui , Tan Fei , Hu Lin
Published: August 2024

Two new species of eriophyoid mites from China, are described and illustrated, namely: Shevtchenkella radermachera sp. nov. on Radermachera sinica (Hance) Hemsl. (Bignoniaceae); Tetra clerodendrum sp. nov. on Clerodendrum fortunatum L. (Lamiaceae). We provided two new combinations—Aculops puerariae (Qin, Wang & Wei, 2008) comb. nov. and Kyllocarus microcarpae (Wang, Wei & Yang, 2009) comb. nov. All new eriophyoid mite species are vagrants, causing no apparent symptom to their host plants.
Selective reactivation of value- and place-dependent information during sharp-wave ripples in the intermediate and dorsal hippocampus
Authors: Jin Seung-Woo , Ha Hee-Seung , Lee Inah
Published: August 2024

Reactivating place cells during sharp-wave ripples in the hippocampus is important for memory consolidation. However, whether hippocampal reactivation is affected by the values of events experienced by the animal is largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether place cells in the dorsal (dHP) and intermediate hippocampus (iHP) of rats are differentially reactivated depending on the value associated with a place during the learning of places associated with higher-value rewards in a T-maze. Place cells in the iHP representing the high-value location were reactivated significantly more frequently than those representing the low-value location, characteristics not observed in the dHP. In contrast, the activities of place cells in the dHP coding the routes leading to high-value locations were replayed more than those in the iHP. Our findings suggest that value-based differential reactivation patterns along the septotemporal axis of the hippocampus may play essential roles in optimizing goal-directed spatial learning for maximal reward.
Cell-specific cross-talk proteomics reveals cathepsin B signaling as a driver of glioblastoma malignancy near the subventricular zone
Authors: Norton Emily S. , Whaley Lauren A. , Jones Vanessa K. , Brooks Mieu M. , Russo Marissa N. , Morderer Dmytro , Jessen Erik , Schiapparelli Paula , Ramos-Fresnedo Andres , Zarco Natanael , Carrano Anna , Rossoll Wilfried , Asmann Yan W. , Lam TuKiet T. , Chaichana Kaisorn L. , Anastasiadis Panos Z. , Quiñones-Hinojosa Alfredo , Guerrero-Cázares Hugo
Published: August 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor. GBM proximal to the lateral ventricles (LVs) is more aggressive, potentially because of subventricular zone contact. Despite this, cross-talk between GBM and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) is not well understood. Using cell-specific proteomics, we show that LV-proximal GBM prevents neuronal maturation of NSCs through induction of senescence. In addition, GBM brain tumor–initiating cells (BTICs) increase expression of cathepsin B (CTSB) upon interaction with NPCs. Lentiviral knockdown and recombinant protein experiments reveal that both cell-intrinsic and soluble CTSB promote malignancy-associated phenotypes in BTICs. Soluble CTSB stalls neuronal maturation in NPCs while promoting senescence, providing a link between LV-tumor proximity and neurogenesis disruption. Last, we show LV-proximal CTSB up-regulation in patients, showing the relevance of this cross-talk in human GBM biology. These results demonstrate the value of proteomic analysis in tumor microenvironment research and provide direction for new therapeutic strategies in GBM.
Algicidal bacteria-derived membrane vesicles as shuttles mediating cross-kingdom interactions between bacteria and algae
Authors: Li Yixin , Wang Yuezhou , Lin Xiaolan , Sun Shuqian , Wu Anan , Ge Yintong , Yuan Menghui , Wang Jianhua , Deng Xianming , Tian Yun
Published: August 2024

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are crucial biological vehicles for facilitating interspecies and interkingdom interactions. However, the extent and mechanisms of BMV involvement in bacterial-algal communication remain elusive. This study provides evidence of BMVs delivering cargos to targeted microalgae. Membrane vesicles (MVs) from
Chitinimonas prasina
LY03 demonstrated an algicidal profile similar to strain LY03. Further investigation revealed Tambjamine LY2, an effective algicidal compound, selectively packaged into LY03-MVs. Microscopic imaging demonstrated efficient delivery of Tambjamine LY2 to microalgae
Heterosigma akashiwo
and
Thalassiosira pseudonana
through membrane fusion. In addition, the study demonstrated the versatile cargo delivery capabilities of BMVs to algae, including the transfer of MV-carried nucleic acids into algal cells and the revival of growth in iron-depleted microalgae by MVs. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which algicidal bacteria store hydrophobic algicidal compounds in MVs to trigger target microalgae death and highlight BMV potency in understanding and engineering bacterial-algae cross-talk.
Epitranscriptomic m
5
C methylation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA regulates viral replication and the virulence of progeny viruses in the new infection
Authors: Wang Hongyun , Feng Jiangpeng , Fu Zhiying , Xu Tianmo , Liu Jiejie , Yang Shimin , Li Yingjian , Deng Jikai , Zhang Yuzhen , Guo Ming , Wang Xin , Zhang Zhen , Huang Zhixiang , Lan Ke , Zhou Li , Chen Yu
Published: August 2024

While the significance of N6-methyladenosine (m
6
A) in viral regulation has been extensively studied, the functions of 5-methylcytosine (m
5
C) modification in viral biology remain largely unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that m
5
C is more abundant than m
6
A in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and provide a comprehensive profile of the m
5
C landscape of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Knockout of NSUN2 reduces m
5
C levels in SARS-CoV-2 virion RNA and enhances viral replication.
Nsun2
deficiency mice exhibited higher viral burden and more severe lung tissue damages. Combined RNA-Bis-seq and m
5
C-MeRIP-seq identified the NSUN2-dependent m
5
C-methylated cytosines across the positive-sense genomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2, and the mutations of these cytosines enhance RNA stability. The progeny SARS-CoV-2 virions from
Nsun2
deficiency mice with low levels of m
5
C modification exhibited a stronger replication ability. Overall, our findings uncover the vital role played by NSUN2-mediated m
5
C modification during SARS-CoV-2 replication and propose a host antiviral strategy via epitranscriptomic addition of m
5
C methylation to SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
The origins of mammal growth patterns during the Jurassic mammalian radiation
Authors: Newham Elis , Corfe Ian J. , Brewer Philippa , Bright Jen A. , Fernandez Vincent , Gostling Neil J. , Hoffmann Simone , Jäger Kai R. K. , Kague Erika , Lovric Goran , Marone Federica , Panciroli Elsa , Schneider Philipp , Schultz Julia A. , Suhonen Heikki , Witchell Alex , Gill Pamela G. , Martin Thomas
Published: August 2024

We use synchrotron x-ray tomography of annual growth increments in the dental cementum of mammaliaforms (stem and crown fossil mammals) from three faunas across the Jurassic to map the origin of patterns of mammalian growth patterns, which are intrinsically related to mammalian endothermy. Although all fossils studied exhibited slower growth rates, longer life spans, and delayed sexual maturity relative to comparably sized extant mammals, the earliest crown mammals developed significantly faster growth rates in early life that reduced at sexual maturity, compared to stem mammaliaforms. Estimation of basal metabolic rates (BMRs) suggests that some fossil crown mammals had BMRs approaching the lowest rates of extant mammals. We suggest that mammalian growth patterns first evolved during their mid-Jurassic adaptive radiation, although growth remained slower than in extant mammals.
Water-powered, electronics-free dressings that electrically stimulate wounds for rapid wound closure
Authors: Kaveti Rajaram , Jakus Margaret A. , Chen Henry , Jain Bhavya , Kennedy Darragh G. , Caso Elizabeth A. , Mishra Navya , Sharma Nivesh , Uzunoğlu Baha Erim , Han Won Bae , Jang Tae-Min , Hwang Suk-Won , Theocharidis Georgios , Sumpio Brandon J. , Veves Aristidis , Sia Samuel K. , Bandodkar Amay J.
Published: August 2024

Chronic wounds affect ~2% of the U.S. population and increase risks of amputation and mortality. Unfortunately, treatments for such wounds are often expensive, complex, and only moderately effective. Electrotherapy represents a cost-effective treatment; however, its reliance on bulky equipment limits its clinical use. Here, we introduce water-powered, electronics-free dressings (WPEDs) that offer a unique solution to this issue. The WPED performs even under harsh conditions—situations wherein many present treatments fail. It uses a flexible, biocompatible magnesium-silver/silver chloride battery and a pair of stimulation electrodes; upon the addition of water, the battery creates a radial electric field. Experiments in diabetic mice confirm the WPED’s ability to accelerate wound closure and promote healing by increasing epidermal thickness, modulating inflammation, and promoting angiogenesis. Across preclinical wound models, the WPED-treated group heals faster than the control with wound closure rates comparable to treatments requiring expensive biologics and/or complex electronics. The results demonstrate the WPED’s potential as an effective and more practical wound treatment dressing.
Acousto-dielectric tweezers enable independent manipulation of multiple particles
Authors: Shen Liang , Tian Zhenhua , Yang Kaichun , Rich Joseph , Zhang Jinxin , Xia Jianping , Collyer Wesley , Lu Brandon , Hao Nanjing , Pei Zhichao , Chen Chuyi , Huang Tony Jun
Published: August 2024

Acoustic tweezers have gained substantial interest in biology, engineering, and materials science for their label-free, precise, contactless, and programmable manipulation of small objects. However, acoustic tweezers cannot independently manipulate multiple microparticles simultaneously. This study introduces acousto-dielectric tweezers capable of independently manipulating multiple microparticles and precise control over intercellular distances and cyclical cell pairing and separation for detailed cell-cell interaction analysis. Our acousto-dielectric tweezers leverage the competition between acoustic radiation forces, generated by standing surface acoustic waves (SAWs), and dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, induced by gradient electric fields. Modulating these fields allows for the precise positioning of individual microparticles at points where acoustic radiation and DEP forces are in equilibrium. This mechanism enables the simultaneous movement of multiple microparticles along specified paths as well as cyclical cell pairing and separation. We anticipate our acousto-dielectric tweezers to have enormous potential in colloidal assembly, cell-cell interaction studies, disease diagnostics, and tissue engineering.
Semisynthetic guanidino lipoglycopeptides with potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity
Authors: van Groesen Emma , Mons Elma , Kotsogianni Ioli , Arts Melina , Tehrani Kamaleddin H. M. E. , Wade Nicola , Lysenko Vladyslav , Stel Floor M. , Zwerus Jordy T. , De Benedetti Stefania , Bakker Alexander , Chakraborty Parichita , van der Stelt Mario , Scheffers Dirk-Jan , Gooskens Jairo , Smits Wiep Klaas , Holden Kirsty , Gilmour Peter S. , Willemse Joost , Hitchcock Christopher A. , van Hasselt J. G. Coen , Schneider Tanja , Martin Nathaniel I.
Published: August 2024

Gram-positive bacterial infections present a major clinical challenge, with methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant strains continuing to be a cause for concern. In recent years, semisynthetic vancomycin derivatives have been developed to overcome this problem as exemplified by the clinically used telavancin, which exhibits increased antibacterial potency but has also raised toxicity concerns. Thus, glycopeptide antibiotics with enhanced antibacterial activities and improved safety profiles are still necessary. We describe the development of a class of highly potent semisynthetic glycopeptide antibiotics, the guanidino lipoglycopeptides, which contain a positively charged guanidino moiety bearing a variable lipid group. These glycopeptides exhibited enhanced in vitro activity against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria including clinically relevant methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant strains, showed minimal toxicity toward eukaryotic cells, and had a low propensity for resistance selection. Mechanistically, guanidino lipoglycopeptides engaged with bacterial cell wall precursor lipid II with a higher binding affinity than vancomycin. Binding to both wild-type
d
-Ala-
d
-Ala lipid II and the vancomycin-resistant
d
-Ala-
d
-Lac variant was confirmed, providing insight into the enhanced activity of guanidino lipoglycopeptides against vancomycin-resistant isolates. The in vivo efficacy of guanidino lipoglycopeptide EVG7 was evaluated in a
S. aureus
murine thigh infection model and a 7-day sepsis survival study, both of which demonstrated superiority to vancomycin. Moreover, the minimal to mild kidney effects at supratherapeutic doses of EVG7 indicate an improved therapeutic safety profile compared with vancomycin. These findings position guanidino lipoglycopeptides as candidates for further development as antibacterial agents for the treatment of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant Gram-positive infections.
A self-amplifying RNA vaccine prevents enterovirus D68 infection and disease in preclinical models
Authors: Warner Nikole L. , Archer Jacob , Park Stephanie , Singh Garima , McFadden Kathryn M. , Kimura Taishi , Nicholes Katrina , Simpson Adrian , Kaelber Jason T. , Hawman David W. , Feldmann Heinz , Khandhar Amit P. , Berglund Peter , Vogt Matthew R. , Erasmus Jesse H.
Published: August 2024

The recent emergence and rapid response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was enabled by prototype pathogen and vaccine platform approaches, driven by the preemptive application of RNA vaccine technology to the related Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Recently, the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases identified nine virus families of concern, eight enveloped virus families and one nonenveloped virus family, for which vaccine generation is a priority. Although RNA vaccines have been described for a variety of enveloped viruses, a roadmap for their use against nonenveloped viruses is lacking. Enterovirus D68 was recently designated a prototype pathogen within the family Picornaviridae of nonenveloped viruses because of its rapid evolution and respiratory route of transmission, coupled with a lack of diverse anti-enterovirus vaccine approaches in development. Here, we describe a proof-of-concept approach using a clinical stage RNA vaccine platform that induced robust enterovirus D68–neutralizing antibody responses in mice and nonhuman primates and prevented upper and lower respiratory tract infections and neurological disease in mice. In addition, we used our platform to rapidly characterize the antigenic diversity within the six genotypes of enterovirus D68, providing the necessary data to inform multivalent vaccine compositions that can elicit optimal breadth of neutralizing responses. These results demonstrate that RNA vaccines can be used as tools in our pandemic-preparedness toolbox for nonenveloped viruses.
Engineered exosomes with a photoinducible protein delivery system enable CRISPR-Cas–based epigenome editing in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Han Jihoon , Sul Jae Hoon , Lee Jeongmi , Kim Eunae , Kim Hark Kyun , Chae Minshik , Lim Jeein , Kim Jongho , Kim Chanhee , Kim Jun-Sik , Cho Yoonsuk , Park Jae Hyung , Cho Yong Woo , Jo Dong-Gyu
Published: August 2024

Effective intracellular delivery of therapeutic proteins can potentially treat a wide array of diseases. However, efficient delivery of functional proteins across the cell membrane remains challenging. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles naturally secreted by various types of cells and may serve as promising nanocarriers for therapeutic biomolecules. Here, we engineered exosomes equipped with a photoinducible cargo protein release system, termed mMaple3-mediated protein loading into and release from exosome (MAPLEX), in which cargo proteins can be loaded into the exosomes by fusing them with photocleavable protein (mMaple3)–conjugated exosomal membrane markers and subsequently released from the exosomal membrane by inducing photocleavage with blue light illumination. Using this system, we first induced transcriptional regulation by delivering octamer-binding transcription factor 4 and SRY-box transcription factor 2 to fibroblasts in vitro. Second, we induced in vivo gene recombination in Cre reporter mice by delivering Cre recombinase. Last, we achieved targeted epigenome editing in the brains of 5xFAD and 3xTg-AD mice, two models of Alzheimer’s disease. Administration of MAPLEXs loaded with β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (
Bace1
)–targeting single guide RNA–incorporated dCas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes, coupled with the catalytic domain of DNA methyltransferase 3A, resulted in successful methylation of the targeted CpG sites within the
Bace1
promoter. This approach led to a significant reduction in
Bace1
expression, improved recognition memory impairment, and reduced amyloid pathology in 5xFAD and 3xTg-AD mice. These results suggest that MAPLEX is an efficient intracellular protein delivery system that can deliver diverse therapeutic proteins for multiple diseases.