bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redistributive effects of tax-benefit policies in the EU. Simulation of reform proposals
Authors: Granell Rafael , Fuenmayor Amadeo , Savall Teresa
Published: September 2024

Inequality is one of the main current economic problems, affecting not just developing countries, but also major developed economies. Although inequality is generated by differences in market income, the public sector plays a key role in reducing it through the redistributive effect of the tax-benefit system. The first objective of this article is to understand and analyse the redistributive effect of tax-benefit systems in EU countries using the EUROMOD microsimulation model. The main result attained is the enormous redistributive impact of tax-benefit systems in all EU countries, reducing inequality by more than 20 percentage points. From the analysis of the different types of policies and countries it is possible to attain diverse patterns of behaviour by groups of countries and the best cases in terms of redistributive effect. Following this analysis of all EU countries, improvement measures are proposed for the specific case of one country, Spain. Three reforms that could improve the final income distribution of Spanish households are proposed: reforms in family policy, social exclusion and social security contributions. The three proposed reforms, based on policies used in other European countries, would have a significant cost, but would also achieve a much greater redistributive effect.
Design your own universe: a physics-informed agnostic method for enhancing graph neural networks
Authors: Shi Dai , Han Andi , Lin Lequan , Guo Yi , Wang Zhiyong , Gao Junbin
Published: September 2024

Physics-informed Graph Neural Networks have achieved remarkable performance in learning through graph-structured data by mitigating common GNN challenges such as over-smoothing, over-squashing, and heterophily adaption. Despite these advancements, the development of a simple yet effective paradigm that appropriately integrates previous methods for handling all these challenges is still underway. In this paper, we draw an analogy between the propagation of GNNs and particle systems in physics, proposing a model-agnostic enhancement framework. This framework enriches the graph structure by introducing additional nodes and rewiring connections with both positive and negative weights, guided by node labeling information. We theoretically verify that GNNs enhanced through our approach can effectively circumvent the over-smoothing issue and exhibit robustness against over-squashing. Moreover, we conduct a spectral analysis on the rewired graph to demonstrate that the corresponding GNNs can fit both homophilic and heterophilic graphs. Empirical validations on benchmarks for homophilic, heterophilic graphs, and long-term graph datasets show that GNNs enhanced by our method significantly outperform their original counterparts.
Concurrent Functional Linear Regression Via Plug-in Empirical Likelihood
Authors: Chang Hsin-wen , McKeague Ian W.
Published: September 2024

Functional data with non-smooth features (e.g., discontinuities in the functional mean and/or covariance) and monotonicity arise frequently in practice. This paper develops simultaneous inference for concurrent functional linear regression in this setting. We construct a simultaneous confidence band for a functional covariate effect of interest. Along with a Wald-type formulation, our approach is based on a powerful nonparametric likelihood ratio method. Our procedures are flexible enough to allow discontinuities in the coefficient functions and the covariance structure, while accounting for discretization of the observed trajectories under a fixed dense design. A simulation study shows that the proposed likelihood ratio-based procedure outperforms the Wald-type procedure in moderate sample sizes. We apply the proposed methods to studying the effect of age on the occupation time curve derived from wearable device data obtained in an NHANES study.
Evaluating the SEND eHealth Application to Improve Patients’ Secure Message Writing
Authors: Alpert Jordan M. , Amin Tithi B. , Zhongyue Zhang , Markham Merry Jennifer , Murphy Martina , Bylund Carma L.
Published: September 2024

Secure messaging (SM) is an important aspect of communication for patients with cancer. SM fosters patient-clinician communication and helps patients with symptom management and treatment support. However, patients are uncertain about how to phrase messages appropriately and have expressed the need for guidance. In response, we designed a user-centered, web-based application named SEND The application focuses on specificity, expression, needs, and directness through interactive video tutorials and quizzes. Our objective was to comprehensively evaluate SEND based on its levels of engagement, satisfaction, acceptability, and appropriateness. We recruited 101 patients with various cancer diagnoses to use SEND and then fill out a survey 1 to 2 weeks later about their experience. Patients’ mean age was 64 years; most were male (55%), white (83%), diagnosed with cancer in 2020 with high levels of self-efficacy, and 51% had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 65% were engaged in the application, and respondents spent an average of 15 min interacting with SEND Satisfaction was 90.4%, 85.4% found it acceptable, and 88.6% appropriate. There were no statistically significant differences across age, sex, race, education, or year of diagnosis. Results underscore the potential of eHealth interventions, like SEND, in enhancing patient-clinician communication in cancer care. By empowering patients with effective message-writing techniques, SEND has the potential to improve the quality of SM, which can lead to faster response times and more patient-centered responses.
Challenges in coffee fermentation technologies: bibliometric analysis and critical review
Authors: Cortés Valeria Hurtado , Bahamón Monje Andrés Felipe , Bustos Vanegas Jaime Daniel , Guzmán Nelson Gutiérrez
Published: September 2024

Advancements in coffee processing technologies have led to improved efficiency in field operations, but challenges still exist in their practical implementation. Various alternatives and solutions have been proposed to enhance processing efficiency and address issues related to safety, standardization, and quality improvement in coffee production. A literature review using SciMAT and ScientoPy software highlighted advancements in fermentation tanks and the emergence of novel fermentation methodologies. However, these innovations lack sufficient scientific evidence. Researchers are now focusing on systematic approaches, such as controlled fermentations and evaluating the influence of microorganisms and process conditions on sensory attributes and coffee composition. Brazil is the leader in coffee bean fermentation research, but the number of published papers in the field has recently decreased. Despite this, efforts continue to improve process control and optimize product quality. The study emphasizes the need for further innovation in coffee fermentation technologies to increase efficiency, sustainability, and profitability while minimizing environmental impact. Implementing these advancements promises a more sustainable and quality-driven future for the coffee industry.
Investigation on performance of multiple AI-based auto-contouring systems in organs at risks (OARs) delineation
Authors: Kim Young Woo , Biggs Simon , Claridge Mackonis Elizabeth
Published: September 2024

Manual contouring of organs at risk (OAR) is time-consuming and subject to inter-observer variability. AI-based auto-contouring is proposed as a solution to these problems if it can produce clinically acceptable results. This study investigated the performance of multiple AI-based auto-contouring systems in different OAR segmentations. The auto-contouring was performed using seven different AI-based segmentation systems (Radiotherapy AI, Limbus AI version 1.5 and 1.6, Therapanacea, MIM, Siemens AI-Rad Companion and RadFormation) on a total of 42 clinical cases with varying anatomical sites. Volumetric and surface dice similarity coefficients and maximum Hausdorff distance (HD) between the expert’s contours and automated contours were calculated to evaluate their performance. Radiotherapy AI has shown better performance than other software in most tested structures considered in the head and neck, and brain cases. No specific software had shown overall superior performance over other software in lung, breast, pelvis and abdomen cases. Each tested AI system was able to produce comparable contours to the experts’ contours of organs at risk which can potentially be used for clinical use. A reduced performance of AI systems in the case of small and complex anatomical structures was found and reported, showing that it is still essential to review each contour produced by AI systems for clinical uses. This study has also demonstrated a method of comparing contouring software options which could be replicated in clinics or used for ongoing quality assurance of purchased systems.
Extracellular vesicles as drug delivery systems in therapeutics: current strategies and future challenges
Authors: Lu Xiaolin , Fan Siyuan , Cao Meng , Liu Dongmei , Xuan Kun , Liu Anqi
Published: September 2024

Background

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nanometer-sized vesicles enclosed by lipid membranes, are secreted by most cells and contain lipids, proteins, and various nucleic acid species from the source cell. Due to their natural origin, high biocompatibility, stability, targeting ability, multifunctionality, and low immunogenicity, EVs have been increasingly explored as potential drug delivery system (DDS) agents, offering new strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer and many other diseases. However, there are several challenges facing EVs as drug delivery systems, such as the low drug loading efficiency and the need for consensus on ideal cell types as sources for EVs at the clinical level.

Area Covered

This article briefly reviews the physiological characteristics of EVs and discusses the applicable conditions for endogenous and exogenous drug loading in EVs, as well as the delivery modes of EVs as carriers. Finally, the challenges of EVs stability and drug encapsulation efficiency of EVs as future DDS are also described.

Expert Opinion

This article mainly focused on the different methods of endogenous and exogenous drug loading, described the delivery modes of EVs as carriers in drug delivery, and the challenges of stability and drug encapsulation efficiency facing in the future in detail and deeply.
Catalyzing Success: How Enthusiastic Leaders Drive Performance through Group Satisfaction and Positive Emotions
Authors: Gonçalves Gabriela , Sousa Cátia , Veras Catarina , Santos Joana
Published: September 2024

Effective leaders employ a blend of transformational and transactional leadership styles to collaborate with their employees, working towards achieving organizational objectives. While the significance of enthusiasm in leadership is acknowledged, its specific role remains largely unexplored within the realm of leadership studies. We contend that enthusiasm assumes a pivotal and influential role in successful leadership, ultimately enhancing overall productivity. This study is dedicated to investigating how leader enthusiasm impacts perceived performance among team members and examine the mediation of group satisfaction and positive emotions in the relationship between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. By analyzing data collected from a participant pool of 311 individuals, our research yields compelling evidence that leader enthusiasm exerts a positive influence on perceived performance. A noteworthy revelation emerging from our research is found in the mediation analysis. This analysis sheds light on the pivotal roles of group satisfaction and positive emotions as key mediators in the link between leader enthusiasm and perceived performance. This underscores the concept that leader enthusiasm indirectly shapes how employees perceive their own performance, primarily through its profound impact on group satisfaction and the positive emotions experienced by individual team members. In summary, our study underscores the vital and transformative role of leader enthusiasm in cultivating a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. This, in turn, exerts a positive influence on follower emotions and their perceptions of performance. Our findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms through which leader enthusiasm contributes to shaping employees’ perceptions of their performance.
A p-Multigrid Hybrid-Spectral Model for Nonlinear Water Waves
Authors: Melander Anders , Engsig-Karup Allan P.
Published: September 2024

To improve both scale and fidelity of numerical water wave simulations to study the evolution of wave fields within offshore engineering, it is of key practical interest to achieve high numerical efficiency. We propose a p-multigrid accelerated time-domain scheme for efficient and $${\mathcal {O}}(n \log n)$$

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-scalable solution of a hybrid-spectral model for the simulation of highly nonlinear and highly dispersive water waves, the accurate calculation of wave kinematics and taking into account varying water depth. To achieve low numerical dispersive and dissipate errors, a high-order hybrid-spectral collocation scheme is implemented to solve the fully nonlinear potential flow (FNPF) equations, and utilizing a p-multigrid iterative solver scheme for solving the Laplace problem. Hereby, the numerical scheme combines the high accuracy of spectral methods, high efficiency of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm, and multigrid methods. Numerical analysis is performed to evaluate the performance and confirm the spectral accuracy of the scheme. Numerical experiments are considered for steady nonlinear wave propagation. A Fourier-continuation technique is used to extend the scheme from a periodic domain setup to perform benchmarks in a finite domain setup for numerical wave tanks utilizing conventional techniques for wave generation and absorption, and with results in excellent agreement with experimental measurements.
Effects of live and pasteurized forms of Lactobacillus casei Zhang on acute kidney injury and chronic renal fibrosis
Authors: Wang Xiuru , Shi Mengxia , Cao Chujin , Zeng Rui , Yao Ying
Published: September 2024

Lactobacillus casei Zhang (Lac.z), isolated from traditional sour horse milk in Inner Mongolia, can alleviate various diseases and promote health. Our previous studies found that pretreatment with live Lac.z (L-Lac.z) could significantly attenuate acute kidney injury and delay the progression of chronic renal fibrosis. However, it is unknown whether these effects could be maintained by pasteurized Lac.z (P-Lac.z). Mouse models of acute kidney injury and chronic renal fibrosis induced by renal bilateral ischemia-reperfusion (BIR) surgery were treated with L-Lac.z or P-Lac.z by gavage. Serum and kidney samples were collected to analyze the extent of renal injury and fibrosis, and proteomics was used to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the differences in the effects of the two forms of Lac.z. The results revealed that treatment with L-Lac.z led to a reduction in serum urea nitrogen levels and in less renal tubular injury and subsequent renal fibrosis after BIR-induced renal injury, whereas these effects were not observed in the P-Lac.z group. Proteomic analysis revealed 19 up-regulated proteins and 39 down-regulated proteins in the P-Lac.z group, and these gene products were associated with growth and stress resistance. The specific nephroprotective effects of L-Lac.z may be independent of the interaction of live probiotics with the host.
Considering a more sustainable gluten-free diet? Gluten-free cereals in European dietary practice
Authors: Kókai Zsuzsanna L. , Remijnse Wineke , Takács Johanna , Veresné Bálint Márta
Published: September 2024

Background

The inclusion of minor and pseudo-cereals enhances the nutritional quality of a gluten-free diet. Yet, affordability determines practical implementation. Environmental concerns should also be considered as moving towards a more sustainable diet. How do these aspects of sustainability manifest themselves in a special diet, such as gluten-free?

Methods

An international pilot survey among practicing dietitians was conducted during the Congress of The European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD, Budapest, 2023). Respondents marked their recommendation for eight gluten-free cereals based on five criteria, including nutritional quality, accessibility/price, and climate change. Differences were analysed using Cohran’s Q and pairwise post-hoc tests (N = 38).

Results

There were significant differences in the recommendation for cereals (p < 0.05 for each grain), with quinoa (89.5%), gluten-free oats (89.5%), rice (86.8%), and corn (65.8%) being the most recommended. Buckwheat (55.3%), millet (50.0%), amaranth (44.7%) and sorghum (26.3%) were less recommended. Although gluten-free oats were recommended overall, quinoa was recommended for its nutritional content, and rice and corn were recommended for accessibility/price. No cereal received a high recommendation for climate change.

Conclusions

According to this pilot survey, nutritional content and accessibility/price were the most important criteria for evaluating gluten-free grains. Dietitians were willing to integrate climate change considerations into practice, but more information is needed. The recommendation for minor and pseudo-cereals contradicted the importance emphasised by the literature. Further research is needed to integrate these aspects, helping dietitians formulate recommendations.
Investigation on Phenomics of Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Diabetes
Authors: Zhang Boxun , Zhou Lijuan , Chen Keyu , Fang Xinyi , Li Qingwei , Gao Zezheng , Lian Fengmei , Li Min , Tian Jiaxing , Zhao Linhua , Tong Xiaolin
Published: September 2024

With thousands of years of application history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the prevention of various chronic diseases, and in recent years, the development of TCM has presented a situation where opportunities and challenges coexist. Phenomics is an emerging area of life science research, which has numerous similarities to the cognitive perspective of TCM. Thus, how to carry out the interdisciplinary research between TCM and phenomics deserves in-depth discussion. Diabetes is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases around the world, and TCM plays an important role in all stages of diabetes treatment, but the molecular mechanisms are difficult to elucidate. Phenomics research can not only reveal the hidden scientific connotations of TCM, but also provide a bridge for the confluence and complementary between TCM and Western medicine. Facing the challenges of the TCM phenomics research, we suggest applying the State-target theory (STT) to overall plan relevant researches, namely, focusing on the disease development, change trends, and core targets of each stage, and to deepen the understanding of TCM disease phenotypes and the therapeutic mechanisms of herbal medicine.
Ensuring fundamental rights compliance and trustworthiness of law enforcement AI systems: the ALIGNER Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment
Authors: Casaburo Donatella , Marsh Irina
Published: September 2024

Artificial intelligence systems can expand the capabilities and enhance the efficiency of law enforcement agencies preventing, investigating, detecting, and prosecuting criminal offences in the European Union. At the same time, the deployment of artificial intelligence in the security domain often raises numerous legal and ethical concerns. The ALIGNER Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment is an operational tool, rooted in fundamental rights and in the principles of AI ethics, ready to be integrated in the AI governance measures of European law enforcement agencies to inform their decision-making processes and ensure compliance with the recently adopted Artificial Intelligence Act. This paper first introduces the main tensions between law enforcement AI and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; then, it gives an overview of the main developments and best practices in AI governance and their relationship with fundamental rights as well as AI ethics; and finally, it describes the structure of the ALIGNER Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment.
Evaluating the impact of veterans expanded care legislation: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Stephens Michela , Mohamed Ahmed , Ward Ralph , Pope Charlene , Mauldin Patrick , Axon R. Neal
Published: September 2024

Background

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) provides healthcare to over 9 million enrollees, and the desire to further access to healthcare for Veterans led to the passage of multiple new laws over the past decade including the Choice Act (2014) and the MISSION Act (2018), which have collectively expanded Veteran eligibility for VA-paid care delivered in community settings. This systematic review summarizes available evidence regarding patient and provider perceptions of these expanded care initiatives.

Objectives

To synthesize findings on (1) the attitudes and perceptions of VA patients and clinicians towards the Choice and MISSION Acts and (2) impact of this legislation on access to care.

Design

A qualitative systematic review as an evidence synthesis of relevant qualitative studies.

Method

Searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase and APA PsycINFO electronic databases returned 1249 records, of which 23 met the inclusion criteria for this review using the Cochrane approach to qualitative evidence synthesis.

Results

The synthesis of findings reveals significant insights into the healthcare landscape for veterans. Key results include challenges faced by Veterans in navigating community care, such as complex scheduling and billing issues. Primary Care Physicians highlighted difficulties in care continuity due to administrative challenges. Positive aspects of the Choice and MISSION Acts included enhanced access to care, especially for rural veterans, although disparities persisted. Provider burnout was noted, particularly among those facing care coordination challenges. Satisfaction levels among Veterans varied, with factors like the provider-patient relationship and facility environment influencing care choices. Notably, Choice implementation led to improvements in some access respects but presented communication and scheduling challenges.

Conclusion

This systematic review underscores the importance of understanding healthcare access and experiences for veterans within the VA system and its programs. The findings shed light on areas that require attention, such as addressing geographic disparities and improving coordination between VA and community care providers. Policymakers, healthcare administrators, and researchers can leverage these insights to inform decision-making, enhance program efficacy, and ultimately ensure that veterans receive optimal healthcare services.
Uncertainty quantification and confidence intervals for naive rare-event estimators
Authors: Bai Yuanlu , Lam Henry
Published: September 2024

We consider the estimation of rare-event probabilities using sample proportions output by naive Monte Carlo or collected data. Unlike using variance reduction techniques, this naive estimator does not have an a priori relative efficiency guarantee. On the other hand, due to the recent surge of sophisticated rare-event problems arising in safety evaluations of intelligent systems, efficiency-guaranteed variance reduction may face implementation challenges which, coupled with the availability of computation or data collection power, motivate the use of such a naive estimator. In this paper we study the uncertainty quantification, namely the construction, coverage validity, and tightness of confidence intervals, for rare-event probabilities using only sample proportions. In addition to the known normality, Wilson, and exact intervals, we investigate and compare them with two new intervals derived from Chernoff’s inequality and the Berry–Esseen theorem. Moreover, we generalize our results to the natural situation where sampling stops by reaching a target number of rare-event hits. Our findings show that the normality and Wilson intervals are not always valid, but they are close to the newly developed valid intervals in terms of half-width. In contrast, the exact interval is conservative, but safely guarantees the attainment of the nominal confidence level. Our new intervals, while being more conservative than the exact interval, provide useful insights into understanding the tightness of the considered intervals.
Testing Paleomagnetic Dating on Pre‐Historic Flank Eruptions From SE Slope of Etna Volcano
Authors: Magli Andrea , Speranza Fabio , Branca Stefano , Corsaro Rosa Anna , Coltelli Mauro , Malaguti Arianna Beatrice , Giordano Guido
Published: September 2024

During the last 20 kyr, the Etna volcano has been characterized by almost continuous summit eruptions and by less frequent—yet definitely more destructive—flank eruptions issuing at <1,000 m asl altitudes and reaching the Ionian Sea. The chronological framework of pre‐historic (pre‐2,750 yr BP) flank eruptions is supported only by few radiometric and paleomagnetic ages. Here we paleomagnetically investigated 15 Holocene lava flows from SE Etna lower slopes and dated 12 of them. Paleomagnetic dating at Etna relies on best method pre‐requisites: European location where reference geomagnetic models are well defined, and detailed stratigraphic evidence is available. We sampled 45 sites (450 oriented cores) from lavas loosely constrained in the 19,000–2,000 yr BP age window. Ten eruptions yielded a minimum 40% refinement with respect to initial age constraints, with four lava flows achieving refinement up to 90%. We obtained 620–1,398 yr (998 yr on average) dating accuracy for three flows bracketed in relatively short (1,398–1,644 yr) independent age constraints. By contrast, five flows characterized by longer 6,567–7,439 yr initial age windows yielded multiple age solutions. Finally, four lava flows with 1,644–6,567 yr‐long initial age windows were tightly dated with 120–680 yr age ranges. We conclude that at volcanoes where best paleomagnetic dating pre‐requisite are fulfilled, singular solutions are expected for 30% of the analyzed flows and, significant refinements for the others. Seven kyr seems to represent an independent age window threshold length to get or not significant dating refinements.
Autogenic Formation of Bimodal Grain Size Distributions in Rivers and Its Contribution to Gravel‐Sand Transitions
Authors: An Chenge , Parker Gary , Venditti Jeremy G. , Lamb Michael P. , Hassan Marwan A. , Miwa Hiroshi , Fu Xudong
Published: September 2024

Riverbeds often fine downstream, with a gravel‐bedded reach, a relatively abrupt gravel‐sand transition (GST), and a sand‐bedded reach. Underlying this behavior, bed grain size distributions are often bimodal, with a relative paucity (gap) around the range 1–5 mm. There is no general morphodynamic model capable of producing the grain size gap and gravel‐sand transition autogenically from a unimodal sediment supply. Here we use a one‐dimensional morphodynamic model including size‐specific bedload and suspended load transport, to show that bimodality readily evolves autogenically even under unimodal sediment feed. A GST forms when we include a floodplain width that abruptly increases at some point. Upstream of the transition, non‐gap gravel ceases to move and gap sediment is preferentially transported. At the transition, non‐gap sand rapidly deposits from suspension, enhancing gap sediment mobility and diluting its presence on the bed.
SubAuroral Red Arcs Generated by Inner Magnetospheric Heat Flux and by SubAuroral Polarization Streams
Authors: Lin Dong , Wang Wenbin , Fok Mei‐Ching , Pham Kevin , Yue Jia , Wu Haonan
Published: September 2024

Subauroral red (SAR) arcs are commonly observed ionospheric red line emissions. They are usually attributed to subauroral electron heating by inner magnetospheric heat flux (IMHF). However, the role of IMHF in changing the ionosphere‐thermosphere (IT) still remains elusive. We conduct controlled numerical experiments with the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). Coulomb collisional heat flux derived with the Comprehensive Inner Magnetosphere Ionosphere (CIMI) model and empirical subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are implemented in TIEGCM. The heat flux causes electron temperature enhancement, electron density depletion, and consequently SAR arcs formed in the dusk‐to‐midnight subauroral ionosphere region. SAPS cause more substantial plasma and neutral heating and plasma density variations in a broader region. The maximum enhancement of subauroral red line emission rate is comparable to that caused by the heat flux. However, the visibility of SAR arcs also depends on the relative enhancement to the background brightness.
Electron Acceleration via Secondary Reconnection in the Separatrix Region of Magnetopause Reconnection
Authors: Fu X. S. , Zhong Z. H. , Zhou M. , Ma W. Q. , Pang Y. , Song L. J. , Ou X. J. , Jin R. Q. , Deng X. H.
Published: September 2024

Magnetic reconnection is a fundamental process known to play a crucial role in electron acceleration and heating, however, the mechanism of electron energization during reconnection is still not fully understood. This study introduces a novel electron acceleration mechanism in which electrons can be accelerated by secondary reconnection in the separatrix region. The secondary reconnection occurs in a thin current sheet resulted from the shear of the out‐of‐plane Hall magnetic fields of the primary magnetopause reconnection. It results in the intense electron energy fluxes toward the primary X‐line. This mechanism will likely be an important piece in the puzzle of particle acceleration by reconnection.
Slab Segmentation and Stacking in Mantle Transition Zone Controls Disparate Surface and Lower Mantle Subducting Rates and Complex Slab Morphology
Authors: Li Keqing , Hu Jiashun , Li Yida , Zhou Hao , Zhang Haijiang
Published: September 2024

The contradiction of high subducting plate rate (ranging from 4 to 9 cm/yr on Earth's surface) and low slab sinking rate (about 1 and 2 cm/yr in lower mantle) calls for significant slab deformation in the middle mantle. However, mechanisms that can account for both the deformation and the rate discrepancy have not been fully explored. Here, using 2‐D numerical models that incorporate grain size evolution, we propose a new slab deformation mode, slab segmentation and stacking, to accommodate the differential slab sinking rates. Our results show that the segmented slab due to faulting and grain‐size reduction may further break off and stack over itself as it encounters the high‐viscosity lower mantle. Stacked slabs slowly sink in the lower mantle, while periodic slab tearing hinders upward stress transmission, allowing shallow plates to subduct at a higher rate. This discovered mode also provides an alternative explanation for slab thickening in the lower mantle.
Anthropogenic Climate Change and Urbanization Exacerbate Risk of Hybrid Heat Extremes in China
Authors: Luo Sijia , Gu Xihui , Guan Yansong , Zheng Yanhui , Wang Lunche , Zhang Xiang , Cao Qian , Kong Dongdong , Li Jianfeng
Published: September 2024

Dry‐ and wet‐bulb temperature (Td and Tw) are usually to define heatwaves (HWs) which have been enhanced under anthropogenic climate change (ACC) and urbanization. However, responses of various types of HWs (i.e., dry HWs, only high Td; humid HWs, only high Tw; hybrid HWs, both high Td and Tw; total HWs, high Td or Tw), to ACC and urbanization remain unknown. In this study, both observations and simulations show significantly increasing occurrence probability of total HWs over China during 1971–2020, whereas this increase is mainly reflected in hybrid HWs, followed by dry HWs and humid HWs. 68.2%–93.0% of the observed increases in the above four types of HWs can be attributed to ACC; on the other hand, urbanization tends to suppress humid HWs but enhance dry HWs, as a result of contributing to the increase of hybrid HWs by 10.9%. Under future ACC, total HWs are projected to be more frequent as expected, which is mainly sourced from the increasing hybrid HWs because dry/humid HWs are projected to be steady/downward. As a consequence, urban population exposure to ACC‐induced total HWs would remarkably increase to 83.55 billion person‐days by the 2090s, 89.5% of which can be attributed to hybrid HWs. Urbanization would amplify this population exposure of ACC‐induced hybrid HWs from 74.79 billion person‐days to 110.9 billion person‐days. Our results underscore the importance of improving understanding of hybrid HWs in urban areas and developing targeted adaptation planning on a warmer planet.
Sediment Storage and Fluvial Sediment Transport Linkages Across an Experimental Flood Sequence
Authors: Hassan Marwan A. , Pierce J. Kevin , Chartrand Shawn M.
Published: September 2024

River channels are maintained by coordination between flow hydraulics, sediment supply, riparian vegetation, and sediment transport. This coordination is challenging to understand in natural flow regimes, where climatic and environmental drivers produce episodic flood and sediment supply events. To better understand the response of channels to flood sequences, we have undertaken laboratory flume experiments on sediment storage and export across a sequence of alternating hydrographs. Our experiments indicate that accumulated sediment storage before floods predicts sediment transport during floods, with sediment storage depletion during floods causing a nonlinear variation of sediment‐transport rates through time. Likewise, sediment storage between floods follows a growth‐to‐saturation pattern, whereby the sediment transport gradually increases toward the sediment feed rate depending on the occupation of available sediment storage zones. To describe these non‐linear variations, we developed a mathematical model which represents sediment transport and storage as a coupled dynamical system. This work highlights the crucial role that within‐channel sediment storage and its history play in determining sediment export in rivers.
Reduced ENSO Variability During the Onset of the 4.2 ka Event
Authors: Dang Shaohua , Liu Zhongfang , Yu Kefu , Tao Shichen , Zhang Huiling , Wang Shaopeng , Lan Haimao
Published: September 2024

Atmosphere‐ocean dynamics in the tropics play a key role in global climate change. An abrupt cooling event that occurred between 4500 and 3900a BP, known as the 4.2 ka event, has long been believed to be linked to changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) associated with intensified El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. However, the precise timing and amplitude of ENSO variability during the 4.2 ka event remain uncertain, largely due to the lack of resolution in records from the ENSO‐sensitive regions. Here we present a 104‐year‐long monthly resolved coral record from the South China Sea that spans from 4400 to 4300 years BP, corresponding to the onset of the 4.2 ka event. Using the Sr/Ca paleo‐thermometry, we show a significant decrease in ENSO variability during this time interval compared to the modern period. The ENSO events decrease in the frequency from one every 3.5 years during the modern era to one every 5.6 years during the onset of the 4.2 ka event, with weaker magnitude in the latter period. This reduction in ENSO variability is largely associated with an intensification of the Pacific Walker circulation. We therefore suggest that ENSO variability was a response to, not a driver of, the development of the 4.2 ka event.
STAT3 promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation by mediating NLRP3 mitochondrial translocation
Authors: Luo Ling , Wang Fupeng , Xu Xueming , Ma Mingliang , Kuang Guangyan , Zhang Yening , Wang Dan , Li Wei , Zhang Ningjie , Zhao Kai
Published: September 2024

Recognition of the translocation of NLRP3 to various organelles has provided new insights for understanding how the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by different stimuli. Mitochondria have already been demonstrated to be the site of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the latest research suggests that NLRP3 is first recruited to mitochondria, then disassociated, and subsequently recruited to the Golgi network. Although some mitochondrial factors have been found to contribute to the recruitment of NLRP3 to mitochondria, the detailed process of NLRP3 mitochondrial translocation remains unclear. Here, we identify a previously unknown role for Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in facilitating the translocation of NLRP3 to mitochondria. STAT3 interacts with NLRP3 and undergoes phosphorylation at Ser727 in response to several NLRP3 agonists, enabling the translocation of STAT3 and thus the bound NLRP3 to mitochondria. Disruption of the interaction between STAT3 and NLRP3 impairs the mitochondrial localization of NLRP3, specifically suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, we demonstrate that STAT3 acts as a transporter for mitochondrial translocation of NLRP3 and provide new insight into the spatial regulation of NLRP3.
CMTM6 mediates the Warburg effect and promotes the liver metastasis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Shaha Aurpita , Wang Yuanguo , Wang Xianghu , Wang Dong , Guinovart David , Liu Bin , Kang Ningling
Published: September 2024

Liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death among cancer patients. The overexpression of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) and enhanced glucose uptake that are associated with the Warburg effect are frequently observed in CRC liver metastases, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 6 (CMTM6) regulates the intracellular trafficking of programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1); therefore, we investigated whether CMTM6 regulates Glut1 trafficking and the Warburg effect in CRC cells. We found that knocking down of CMTM6 by shRNA induced the lysosomal degradation of Glut1, decreased glucose uptake and glycolysis in CRC cells, and suppressed subcutaneous CRC growth in nude mice and liver metastasis in C57BL/6 mice. Mechanistically, CMTM6 forms a complex with Glut1 and Rab11 in the endosomes of CRC cells, and this complex is required for the Rab11-dependent transport of Glut1 to the plasma membrane and for the protection of Glut1 from lysosomal degradation. Multiomics revealed global transcriptomic changes in CMTM6-knockdown CRC cells that affected the transcriptomes of adjacent cancer-associated fibroblasts from CRC liver metastases. As a result of these transcriptomic changes, CMTM6-knockdown CRC cells exhibited a defect in the G2-to-M phase transition, reduced secretion of 60 cytokines/chemokines, and inability to recruit cancer-associated fibroblasts to support an immunosuppressive CRC liver metastasis microenvironment. Analysis of TCGA data confirmed that CMTM6 expression was increased in CRC patients and that elevated CMTM6 expression was associated with worse patient survival. Together, our data suggest that CMTM6 plays multiple roles in regulating the Warburg effect, transcriptome, and liver metastasis of CRC.
The roles and mechanisms of coding and noncoding RNA variations in cancer
Authors: Kim Sang Yean , Na Min Jeong , Yoon Sungpil , Shin Eunbi , Ha Jin Woong , Jeon Soyoung , Nam Suk Woo
Published: September 2024

Functional variations in coding and noncoding RNAs are crucial in tumorigenesis, with cancer-specific alterations often resulting from chemical modifications and posttranscriptional processes mediated by enzymes. These RNA variations have been linked to tumor cell proliferation, growth, metastasis, and drug resistance and are valuable for identifying diagnostic or prognostic cancer biomarkers. The diversity of posttranscriptional RNA modifications, such as splicing, polyadenylation, methylation, and editing, is particularly significant due to their prevalence and impact on cancer progression. Additionally, other modifications, including RNA acetylation, circularization, miRNA isomerization, and pseudouridination, are recognized as key contributors to cancer development. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these RNA modifications in cancer can enhance our knowledge of cancer biology and facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Targeting these RNA modifications and their regulatory enzymes may pave the way for novel RNA-based therapies, enabling tailored interventions for specific cancer subtypes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the roles and mechanisms of various coding and noncoding RNA modifications in cancer progression and highlights recent advancements in RNA-based therapeutic applications.
Octave-spanning Kerr soliton frequency combs in dispersion- and dissipation-engineered lithium niobate microresonators
Authors: Song Yunxiang , Hu Yaowen , Zhu Xinrui , Yang Kiyoul , Lončar Marko
Published: September 2024

Dissipative Kerr solitons from optical microresonators, commonly referred to as soliton microcombs, have been developed for a broad range of applications, including precision measurement, optical frequency synthesis, and ultra-stable microwave and millimeter wave generation, all on a chip. An important goal for microcombs is self-referencing, which requires octave-spanning bandwidths to detect and stabilize the comb carrier envelope offset frequency. Further, detection and locking of the comb spacings are often achieved using frequency division by electro-optic modulation. The thin-film lithium niobate photonic platform, with its low loss, strong second- and third-order nonlinearities, as well as large Pockels effect, is ideally suited for these tasks. However, octave-spanning soliton microcombs are challenging to demonstrate on this platform, largely complicated by strong Raman effects hindering reliable fabrication of soliton devices. Here, we demonstrate entirely connected and octave-spanning soliton microcombs on thin-film lithium niobate. With appropriate control over microresonator free spectral range and dissipation spectrum, we show that soliton-inhibiting Raman effects are suppressed, and soliton devices are fabricated with near-unity yield. Our work offers an unambiguous method for soliton generation on strongly Raman-active materials. Further, it anticipates monolithically integrated, self-referenced frequency standards in conjunction with established technologies, such as periodically poled waveguides and electro-optic modulators, on thin-film lithium niobate.
Multifaceted control of focal points along an arbitrary 3D curved trajectory
Authors: Ansari Muhammad Afnan , Ahmed Hammad , Li Yan , Wang Guanchao , Callaghan Jemma E. , Wang Ruoxing , Downing James , Chen Xianzhong
Published: September 2024

Metalenses can integrate the functionalities of multiple optical components thanks to the unprecedented capability of optical metasurfaces in light control. With the rapid development of optical metasurfaces, metalenses continue to evolve. Polarization and color play a very important role in understanding optics and serve as valuable tools for gaining insights into our world. Benefiting from the design flexibility of metasurfaces, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a super metalens that can realize multifaceted control of focal points along any 3D curved trajectory. The wavelengths and polarization states of all focal points are engineered in a desirable manner. The super metalens can simultaneously realize customized 3D positioning, polarization states, and wavelengths of focal points, which are experimentally demonstrated with incident wavelengths ranging from 501 to 700 nm. We further showcase the application of the developed super metalenses in 3D optical distance measurement. The compact nature of metasurfaces and unique properties of the proposed super metalenses hold promise to dramatically miniaturize and simplify the optical architecture for applications in optical metrology, imaging, detection, and security.
Thermo-optical tweezers based on photothermal waveguides
Authors: Li Fuwang , Wei Jian , Qin Xiaomei , Chen Xue , Chen Dawei , Zhang Wentao , Han Jiaguang , Yuan Libo , Deng Hongchang
Published: September 2024

Field-controlled micromanipulation represents a pivotal technique for handling microparticles, yet conventional methods often risk physical damage to targets. Here, we discovered a completely new mechanism for true noncontact manipulation through photothermal effects, called thermal-optical tweezers. We employ a laser self-assembly photothermal waveguide (PTW) for dynamic microparticle manipulation. This waveguide demonstrates superior photothermal conversion and precision control, generating a nonisothermal temperature field. The interaction of thermal convection and thermophoresis within this field creates a microfluidic potential well, enabling noncontact and nondestructive particle manipulation. By varying the path of PTWs in lithography and manipulating laser loading modes, diverse manipulation strategies, such as Z-shaped migration, periodic oscillation, and directional transport, are achievable. Our innovative noninvasive micromanipulation technology minimizes not only physical damage to target objects but also enables precise and diverse manipulation of micro entities, opening up new avenues for the photothermal control of cells and biomolecules.
Circulating tumor cells: from new biological insights to clinical practice
Authors: Gu Xuyu , Wei Shiyou , Lv Xin
Published: September 2024

The primary reason for high mortality rates among cancer patients is metastasis, where tumor cells migrate through the bloodstream from the original site to other parts of the body. Recent advancements in technology have significantly enhanced our comprehension of the mechanisms behind the bloodborne spread of circulating tumor cells (CTCs). One critical process, DNA methylation, regulates gene expression and chromosome stability, thus maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body. Global hypomethylation and locus-specific hypermethylation are examples of changes in DNA methylation patterns that are pivotal to carcinogenesis. This comprehensive review first provides an overview of the various processes that contribute to the formation of CTCs, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), immune surveillance, and colonization. We then conduct an in-depth analysis of how modifications in DNA methylation within CTCs impact each of these critical stages during CTC dissemination. Furthermore, we explored potential clinical implications of changes in DNA methylation in CTCs for patients with cancer. By understanding these epigenetic modifications, we can gain insights into the metastatic process and identify new biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and targeted therapies. This review aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application, highlighting the significance of DNA methylation in the context of cancer metastasis and offering new avenues for improving patient outcomes.