bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
p21-activated kinase 4 controls the aggregation of α-synuclein by reducing the monomeric and aggregated forms of α-synuclein: involvement of the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4-1
Authors: Won So-Yoon , Park Jung-Jin , You Soon-Tae , Hyeun Jong-A , Kim Hyong-Kyu , Jin Byung Kwan , McLean Catriona , Shin Eun-Young , Kim Eung-Gook
Published: June 2022

Aggregation of misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) is a central player in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the regulatory mechanism underlying α-synuclein aggregation has been intensively studied in Parkinson’s disease (PD) but remains poorly understood. Here, we report p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) as a key regulator of α-synuclein aggregation. Immunohistochemical analysis of human PD brain tissues revealed an inverse correlation between PAK4 activity and α-synuclein aggregation. To investigate their causal relationship, we performed loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies using conditional PAK4 depletion in nigral dopaminergic neurons and the introduction of lentivirus expressing a constitutively active form of PAK4 (caPAK4; PAK4S445N/S474E), respectively. For therapeutic relevance in the latter setup, we injected lentivirus into the striatum following the development of motor impairment and analyzed the effects 6 weeks later. In the loss-of-function study, Cre-driven PAK4 depletion in dopaminergic neurons enhanced α-synuclein aggregation, intracytoplasmic Lewy body-like inclusions and Lewy-like neurites, and reduced dopamine levels in PAK4DAT-CreER mice compared to controls. Conversely, caPAK4 reduced α-synuclein aggregation, as assessed by a marked decrease in both proteinase K-resistant and Triton X100-insoluble forms of α-synuclein in the AAV-α-synuclein-induced PD model. Mechanistically, PAK4 specifically interacted with the NEDD4-1 E3 ligase, whose pharmacological inhibition and knockdown suppressed the PAK4-mediated downregulation of α-synuclein. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of PD and suggest PAK4-based gene therapy as a potential disease-modifying therapy in PD.
Simple synthesis of massively parallel RNA microarrays via enzymatic conversion from DNA microarrays
Authors: Schaudy Erika , Hölz Kathrin , Lietard Jory , Somoza Mark M.
Published: June 2022

RNA catalytic and binding interactions with proteins and small molecules are fundamental elements of cellular life processes as well as the basis for RNA therapeutics and molecular engineering. In the absence of quantitative predictive capacity for such bioaffinity interactions, high throughput experimental approaches are needed to sufficiently sample RNA sequence space. Here we report on a simple and highly accessible approach to convert commercially available customized DNA microarrays of any complexity and density to RNA microarrays via a T7 RNA polymerase-mediated extension of photocrosslinked methyl RNA primers and subsequent degradation of the DNA templates.
Facile and general electrochemical deuteration of unactivated alkyl halides
Authors: Li Pengfei , Guo Chengcheng , Wang Siyi , Ma Dengke , Feng Tian , Wang Yanwei , Qiu Youai
Published: June 2022

Herein, a facile and general electroreductive deuteration of unactivated alkyl halides (X = Cl, Br, I) or pseudo-halides (X = OMs) using D2O as the economical deuterium source was reported. In addition to primary and secondary alkyl halides, sterically hindered tertiary chlorides also work very well, affording the target deuterodehalogenated products with excellent efficiency and deuterium incorporation. More than 60 examples are provided, including late-stage dehalogenative deuteration of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and their derivatives, all with excellent deuterium incorporation (up to 99% D), demonstrating the potential utility of the developed method in organic synthesis. Furthermore, the method does not require external catalysts and tolerates high current, showing possible use in industrial applications.
An essential role for tungsten in the ecology and evolution of a previously uncultivated lineage of anaerobic, thermophilic Archaea
Authors: Buessecker Steffen , Palmer Marike , Lai Dengxun , Dimapilis Joshua , Mayali Xavier , Mosier Damon , Jiao Jian-Yu , Colman Daniel R. , Keller Lisa M. , St. John Emily , Miranda Michelle , Gonzalez Cristina , Gonzalez Lizett , Sam Christian , Villa Christopher , Zhuo Madeline , Bodman Nicholas , Robles Fernando , Boyd Eric S. , Cox Alysia D. , St. Clair Brian , Hua Zheng-Shuang , Li Wen-Jun , Reysenbach Anna-Louise , Stott Matthew B. , Weber Peter K. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Dekas Anne E. , Hedlund Brian P. , Dodsworth Jeremy A.
Published: June 2022

Trace metals have been an important ingredient for life throughout Earth’s history. Here, we describe the genome-guided cultivation of a member of the elusive archaeal lineageCaldarchaeales(syn.Aigarchaeota),Wolframiiraptor gerlachensis, and its growth dependence on tungsten. A metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) ofW. gerlachensisencodes putative tungsten membrane transport systems, as well as pathways for anaerobic oxidation of sugars probably mediated by tungsten-dependent ferredoxin oxidoreductases that are expressed during growth. Catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescence in-situ hybridization (CARD-FISH) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) show thatW. gerlachensispreferentially assimilates xylose. Phylogenetic analyses of 78 high-qualityWolframiiraptoraceaeMAGs from terrestrial and marine hydrothermal systems suggest that tungsten-associated enzymes were present in the last common ancestor of extantWolframiiraptoraceae. Our observations imply a crucial role for tungsten-dependent metabolism in the origin and evolution of this lineage, and hint at a relic metabolic dependence on this trace metal in early anaerobic thermophiles.
Primitive noble gases sampled from ocean island basalts cannot be from the Earth’s core
Authors: Li Yunguo , Vočadlo Lidunka , Ballentine Chris , Brodholt John P.
Published: June 2022

Noble gas isotopes in plumes require a source of primitive volatiles largely isolated in the Earth for 4.5 Gyrs. Among the proposed reservoirs, the core is gaining interest in the absence of robust geochemical and geophysical evidence for a mantle source. This is supported by partitioning data showing that sufficient He and Ne could have been incorporated into the core to source plumes today. Here we perform ab initio calculations on the partitioning of He, Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe between liquid iron and silicate melt under core forming conditions. For He our results are consistent with previous studies allowing for substantial amounts of He in the core. In contrast, the partition coefficient for Ne is three orders of magnitude lower than He. This very low partition coefficient would result in a3He/22Ne ratio of ~103in the core, far higher than observed in ocean island basalts (OIBs). We conclude that the core is not the source of noble gases in OIBs.
Multisite learning of high-dimensional heterogeneous data with applications to opioid use disorder study of 15,000 patients across 5 clinical sites
Authors: Liu Xiaokang , Duan Rui , Luo Chongliang , Ogdie Alexis , Moore Jason H. , Kranzler Henry R. , Bian Jiang , Chen Yong
Published: June 2022

Integrating data across institutions can improve learning efficiency. To integrate data efficiently while protecting privacy, we proposeAone-shot, summary-statistics-based,DistributedAlgorithm for fittingPenalized (ADAP) regression models across multiple datasets. ADAP utilizes patient-level data from a lead site and incorporates the first-order (ADAP1) and second-order gradients (ADAP2) of the objective function from collaborating sites to construct a surrogate objective function at the lead site, where model fitting is then completed with proper regularizations applied. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method using both simulation and a real-world application to study risk factors for opioid use disorder (OUD) using 15,000 patient data from the OneFlorida Clinical Research Consortium. Our results show that ADAP performs nearly the same as the pooled estimator but achieves higher estimation accuracy and better variable selection than the local and average estimators. Moreover, ADAP2 successfully handles heterogeneity in covariate distributions.
Degradation of gaseous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a novel UV-ozone technology
Authors: Oliva G. , Comia J. R. , Senatore V. , Zarra T. , Ballestreros F. , Belgiorno V. , Naddeo V.
Published: June 2022

In this study, a UV-assisted ozonation (UV/O3) process for the degradation of VOCs emissions with a final scrubbing phase was implemented to evaluate the removal efficiency of toluene and to prevent the release of polluting intermediates of the single-step process. Inlet toluene concentration and applied voltage were varied in order to investigate several operating conditions. The results highlighted that at higher inlet concentration the abatement of toluene was lower, while increase in ozone concentration led to an increase of the degradation efficiencies. The additional water scrubbing step enhanced the abatement of UV/O3 up to 98.5%, due to the solubilisation of ozone and by-products in the process water and, thus, the further oxidation of the contaminants within this phase. A maximum Elimination Capacity (ECmax) of 22.6 g m−3 h−1 was achieved with the UV/O3 + Scrubbing. The combined system boosted higher performance and stability compared to the stand-alone (UV/O3) process along with a more economical and environmental sustainability.
Accurate 3D hand mesh recovery from a single RGB image
Authors: Pemasiri Akila , Nguyen Kien , Sridharan Sridha , Fookes Clinton
Published: June 2022

This work addresses hand mesh recovery from a single RGB image. In contrast to most of the existing approaches where parametric hand models are employed as the prior, we show that the hand mesh can be learned directly from the input image. We propose a new type of GAN called Im2Mesh GAN to learn the mesh through end-to-end adversarial training. By interpreting the mesh as a graph, our model is able to capture the topological relationship among the mesh vertices. We also introduce a 3D surface descriptor into the GAN architecture to further capture the associated 3D features. We conduct experiments with the proposed Im2Mesh GAN architecture in two settings: one where we can reap the benefits of coupled groundtruth data availability of the images and the corresponding meshes; and the other which combats the more challenging problem of mesh estimation without the corresponding groundtruth. Through extensive evaluations we demonstrate that even without using any hand priors the proposed method performs on par or better than the state-of-the-art.
Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls
Authors: Rootman Joseph M. , Kiraga Maggie , Kryskow Pamela , Harvey Kalin , Stamets Paul , Santos-Brault Eesmyal , Kuypers Kim P. C. , Walsh Zach
Published: June 2022

Psilocybin microdosing involves repeated self-administration of mushrooms containing psilocybin at doses small enough to not impact regular functioning. Microdose practices are diverse and include combining psilocybin with substances such as lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus; HE) and niacin (vitamin-B3). Public uptake of microdosing has outpaced evidence, mandating further prospective research. Using a naturalistic, observational design, we followed psilocybin microdosers (n = 953) and non-microdosing comparators (n = 180) for approximately 30 days and identified small- to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health that were generally consistent across gender, age and presence of mental health concerns, as we all as improvements in psychomotor performance that were specific to older adults. Supplementary analyses indicated that combining psilocybin with HE and B3 did not impact changes in mood and mental health. However, among older microdosers combining psilocybin, HE and B3 was associated with psychomotor improvements relative to psilocybin alone and psilocybin and HE. Our findings of mood and mental health improvements associated with psilocybin microdosing add to previous studies of psychedelic microdosing by using a comparator group and by examining the consistency of effects across age, gender, and mental health. Findings regarding the combination of psilocybin, HE and B3 are novel and highlight the need for further research to confirm and elucidate these apparent effects.
Unique metabolism of different glucosinolates in larvae and adults of a leaf beetle specialised on Brassicaceae
Authors: Friedrichs Jeanne , Schweiger Rabea , Müller Caroline
Published: June 2022

Brassicaceae plants contain glucosinolates, which are hydrolysed by myrosinases to toxic products such as isothiocyanates and nitriles, acting as defences. Herbivores have evolved various detoxification strategies, which are reviewed here. Larvae of Phaedon cochleariae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) metabolise hydrolysis products of benzenic glucosinolates by conjugation with aspartic acid. In this study, we investigated whether P. cochleariae uses the same metabolic pathway for structurally different glucosinolates, whether the metabolism differs between adults and larvae and which hydrolysis products are formed as intermediates. Feeding experiments were performed with leaves of watercress (Nasturtium officinale, Brassicaceae) and pea (Pisum sativum, non-Brassicaceae), to which glucosinolates with structurally different side chains (benzenic, indole or aliphatic) or their hydrolysis products were applied. Samples were analysed by UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS or TD–GC–MS. The same aspartic acid conjugates as previously identified in larvae were also detected as major metabolites of benzenic glucosinolates in adults. Indol-3-ylmethyl glucosinolate was mainly metabolised to N-(1H-indol-3-ylcarbonyl) glutamic acid in adults and larvae, while the metabolism of 2-propenyl glucosinolate remains unclear. The metabolism may thus proceed primarily via isothiocyanates rather than via nitriles, while the hydrolysis occurs independently of plant myrosinases. A detoxification by conjugation with these amino acids is not yet known from other Brassicaceae-feeders.
Unsupervised-learning-based method for chest MRI–CT transformation using structure constrained unsupervised generative attention networks
Authors: Matsuo Hidetoshi , Nishio Mizuho , Nogami Munenobu , Zeng Feibi , Kurimoto Takako , Kaushik Sandeep , Wiesinger Florian , Kono Atsushi K. , Murakami Takamichi
Published: June 2022

The integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) scanner simultaneously acquires metabolic information via PET and morphological information using MRI. However, attenuation correction, which is necessary for quantitative PET evaluation, is difficult as it requires the generation of attenuation-correction maps from MRI, which has no direct relationship with the gamma-ray attenuation information. MRI-based bone tissue segmentation is potentially available for attenuation correction in relatively rigid and fixed organs such as the head and pelvis regions. However, this is challenging for the chest region because of respiratory and cardiac motions in the chest, its anatomically complicated structure, and the thin bone cortex. We propose a new method using unsupervised generative attentional networks with adaptive layer-instance normalisation for image-to-image translation (U-GAT-IT), which specialised in unpaired image transformation based on attention maps for image transformation. We added the modality-independent neighbourhood descriptor (MIND) to the loss of U-GAT-IT to guarantee anatomical consistency in the image transformation between different domains. Our proposed method obtained a synthesised computed tomography of the chest. Experimental results showed that our method outperforms current approaches. The study findings suggest the possibility of synthesising clinically acceptable computed tomography images from chest MRI with minimal changes in anatomical structures without human annotation.
Thermo-mechanical properties prediction of Ni-reinforced Al2O3 composites using micro-mechanics based representative volume elements
Authors: Shahzamanian M. M. , Akhtar S. S. , Arif A. F. M. , Basirun W. J. , Al-Athel K. S. , Schneider M. , Shakelly N. , Hakeem Abbas Saeed , Abubakar Abba A. , Wu P. D.
Published: June 2022

For effective cutting tool inserts that absorb thermal shock at varying temperature gradients, improved thermal conductivity and toughness are required. In addition, parameters such as the coefficient of thermal expansion must be kept within a reasonable range. This work presents a novel material design framework based on a multi-scale modeling approach that proposes nickel (Ni)-reinforced alumina (Al2O3) composites to tailor the mechanical and thermal properties required for ceramic cutting tools by considering numerous composite parameters. The representative volume elements (RVEs) are generated using the DREAM.3D software program and the output is imported into a commercial finite element software ABAQUS. The RVEs which contain multiple Ni particles with varying porosity and volume fractions are used to predict the effective thermal and mechanical properties using the computational homogenization methods under appropriate boundary conditions (BCs). The RVE framework is validated by the sintering of Al2O3-Ni composites in various compositions. The predicted numerical results agree well with the measured thermal and structural properties. The properties predicted by the numerical model are comparable with those obtained using the rules of mixtures and SwiftComp, as well as the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) based computational homogenization method. The results show that the ABAQUS, SwiftComp and FFT results are fairly close to each other. The effects of porosity and Ni volume fraction on the mechanical and thermal properties are also investigated. It is observed that the mechanical properties and thermal conductivities decrease with the porosity, while the thermal expansion remains unaffected. The proposed integrated modeling and empirical approach could facilitate the development of unique Al2O3-metal composites with the desired thermal and mechanical properties for ceramic cutting inserts.
Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide abrogates autophagy dysregulation in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Venkatesan Shalini , Fan Liang , Tang Hua , Konduru Nagarjun V. , Shetty Sreerama
Published: June 2022

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common and fatal form of interstitial lung disease. IPF is characterized by irreversible scarring of the lungs leading to lung function decline. Although the etiology remains poorly understood, dysregulated autophagy in alveolar-epithelial cells (AECs) together with interplay between apoptotic-AECs and proliferative-myofibroblasts have been strongly implicated in IPF pathogenesis. Recent studies have revealed that a caveolin-1-derived 7-mer peptide, CSP7, mitigates established PF at least in part by improving AEC viability. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether and how CSP7 regulates autophagy in fibrotic-lung AECs. We found that p53 and autophagic proteins were markedly upregulated in AECs from mice with single/multi-doses of bleomycin—or silica-induced PF. This was abolished following treatment of PF-mice with CSP7. Further, CSP7 abrogated silica- or bleomycin-induced p53 and autophagy proteins in AECs. Immunoprecipitation further revealed that CSP7 abolishes the interaction of caveolin-1 with LC3BII and p62 in AECs. AEC-specific p53-knockout mice resisted silica- or bleomycin-induced changes in autophagy proteins, or CSP7 treatment. Our findings provide a novel mechanism by which CSP7 inhibits dysregulated autophagy in injured AECs and mitigates existing PF. These results affirm the potential of CSP7 for treating established PF, including IPF and silicosis.
Hydrodynamics of spike proteins dictate a transport-affinity competition for SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses
Authors: Moreno Nicolas , Moreno-Chaparro Daniela , Usabiaga Florencio Balboa , Ellero Marco
Published: June 2022

Many viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 or Influenza, possess envelopes decorated with surface proteins (a.k.a. spikes). Depending on the virus type, a large variability is present in the surface-proteins number, morphology and reactivity, which remains generally unexplained. Since viruses’ transmissibility depends on features beyond their genetic sequence, new tools are required to discern the effects of spikes functionality, interaction, and morphology. Here, we postulate the relevance of hydrodynamic interactions in the viral infectivity of enveloped viruses and propose micro-rheological characterization as a platform for virus differentiation. To understand how the spikes affect virion mobility and infectivity, we investigate the diffusivity of spike-decorated structures using mesoscopic-hydrodynamic simulations. Furthermore, we explored the interplay between affinity and passive viral transport. Our results revealed that the diffusional mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 is strongly influenced by the size and distribution of its spikes. We propose and validate a universal mechanism to explain the link between optimal virion structure and maximal infectivity for many virus families.
Lichen speciation is sparked by a substrate requirement shift and reproduction mode differentiation
Authors: Kantelinen Annina , Printzen Christian , Poczai Péter , Myllys Leena
Published: June 2022

We show that obligate lignicoles in lichenizedMicareaare predominately asexual whereas most facultative lignicoles reproduce sexually. Our phylogenetic analyses (ITS, mtSSU,Mcm7) together with ancestral state reconstruction show that the shift in reproduction mode has evolved independently several times within the group and that facultative and obligate lignicoles are sister species. The analyses support the assumption that the ancestor of these species was a facultative lignicole. We hypothezise that a shift in substrate requirement from bark to wood leads to differentiation in reproduction mode and becomes a driver of speciation. This is the first example of lichenized fungi where reproduction mode is connected to substrate requirement. This is also the first example where such an association is demonstrated to spark lichen speciation. Our main hypothesis is that obligate species on dead wood need to colonize new suitable substrata relatively fast and asexual reproduction is more effective a strategy for successful colonization.
Acetone sensing in liquid and gas phases using cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Obeidat Yusra , Rawashdeh Abdel Monem , Hammoudeh Ayman , Al-Assi Rawan , Dagamseh Ahmad , Qananwah Qasem
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the use of cyclic voltammetry to measure acetone concentration in liquid and vapor forms at disposable screen-printed electrodes of platinum working electrode, platinum counter electrode, and silver/silver chloride reference electrode. The main characteristics of the acetone sensor including its linearity, sensitivity, reproducibility, and limit of detection (LOD) were studied by doing different experiments to test both liquid and vapor samples in the physiological range of 1 µM to 10 mM. The change in acetone concentration was monitored by comparing the lineshape of butterfly region before and after injecting the acetone sample in the baseline solution that contains 0.5 M H2SO4. The sensor was shown to have a good sensitivity, reproducibility, and a linear response with respect to the acetone concentration in both liquid and gas phases over a range of 1 µM to 10 mM with R2 > 0.97 and LOD of 0.1 µM. The system stability was improved by building a closed glass system to reduce the exchange of acetone with the surrounding air in an open environment. The closed system was tested using vapor samples and the error bars in the calibration curve were reduced to more than half of their values before using the closed system. The new system will be used extensively in future for an enzyme-based acetone sensor that will be used for diabetes monitoring.
N(6)-methyladenosine methylation-regulated polo-like kinase 1 cell cycle homeostasis as a potential target of radiotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tatekawa Shotaro , Tamari Keisuke , Chijimatsu Ryota , Konno Masamitsu , Motooka Daisuke , Mitsufuji Suguru , Akita Hirofumi , Kobayashi Shogo , Murakumo Yoshiki , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Ishii Hideshi , Ogawa Kazuhiko
Published: June 2022

In pancreatic cancer, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, has a favorable effect on tumors and is a risk factor for patients’ prognosis. However, the details of what genes are regulated by METTL3 remain unknown. Several RNAs are methylated, and what genes are favored in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. By epitranscriptomic analysis, we report that polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an important hub gene defining patient prognosis in pancreatic cancer and that RNA methylation is involved in regulating its cell cycle-specific expression. We found that insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) binds to m6A of PLK1 3′ untranslated region and is involved in upregulating PLK1 expression and that demethylation of this site activates the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein pathway by replicating stress and increasing mitotic catastrophe, resulting in increased radiosensitivity. This suggests that PLK1 methylation is essential for cell cycle maintenance in pancreatic cancer and is a new therapeutic target.
Phylogenomic insight into dysploidy, speciation, and plastome evolution of a small Mediterranean genus Reichardia (Cichorieae; Asteraceae)
Authors: Cho Myong-Suk , Yang JiYoung , Mejías José A. , Kim Seung-Chul
Published: June 2022

ReichardiaRoth is a small Mediterranean genus comprising ten homogeneous species with basic chromosome numbers of 7, 8, and 9. To assess the plastid genome evolution and differentiation ofReichardiaspecies, we assembled the complete plastome sequences of sevenReichardiaand twoLaunaeaspecies and conducted various phylogenomic analyses comparatively with nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS sequences.ReichardiaandLaunaeaplastomes were highly conserved in gene content and order, containing 130 genes. Plastid phylogenomic reconstruction strongly suggested thatReichardiawas a sister toLaunaea, and its common ancestor initially diverged into two major lineages: the first containing species with n = 8 chromosomes exclusively, and the other with n = 9, 8, and 7 chromosomes. Although the ancestralReichardiakaryotype was suggested to most likely be n = 9 from ancestral chromosome number reconstruction, the pattern of descending dysploidy indicated by the phylogenetic trees based on nuclear ribosomal DNA ITS was less evident in the trees based on the plastome. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.
A sandponics comparative study investigating different sand media based integrated aqua vegeculture systems using desalinated water
Authors: Sewilam Hani , Kimera Fahad , Nasr Peter , Dawood Mahmoud
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the utilization of fish effluents as irrigation water and nutrient sources to close the crop yield gap and increase Swiss chard productivity in a closed-loop sandponics system. The experiment was operated using desalinated water from a Reverse Osmosis plant. The study followed a completely randomized design with four variants, i.e., an aquaponic system (T1) and three sandponics systems; October (T2), Benu Suef (T3) and Fayoum (T4). Results indicated that T2 and T4 significantly recorded the highest plant heights in all cuts. The number of leaves per plant decreased with the increase in cut number. Leaf area and chlorophyll was significantly different between the treatments. T1 significantly had low biomass yields in cuts one and two, almost 40% less than T3 and T4. The various systems efficiently minimized water consumption ranging from 1.5 to 1.96 L/m2/day. The crop protein content ranged from 11.84 to 18.72 mg/100 g dry weight. Mineral composition in cut one was significantly higher compared to cuts two and three. The study recommends a novel technique for increasing crop production using fish effluents under sandponics systems while increasing water and fertilizer efficiency to close the crop yield gap.
Smart textiles using fluid-driven artificial muscle fibers
Authors: Phan Phuoc Thien , Thai Mai Thanh , Hoang Trung Thien , Davies James , Nguyen Chi Cong , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Lovell Nigel H. , Do Thanh Nho
Published: June 2022

The marriage of textiles with artificial muscles to create smart textiles is attracting great attention from the scientific community and industry. Smart textiles offer many benefits including adaptive comfort and high conformity to objects while providing active actuation for desired motion and force. This paper introduces a new class of programmable smart textiles created from different methods of knitting, weaving, and sticking fluid-driven artificial muscle fibers. Mathematical models are developed to describe the elongation-force relationship of the knitting and weaving textile sheets, followed by experiments to validate the model effectiveness. The new smart textiles are highly flexible, conformable, and mechanically programmable, enabling multimodal motions and shape-shifting abilities for use in broader applications. Different prototypes of the smart textiles are created with experimental validations including various shape-changing instances such as elongation (up to 65%), area expansion (108%), radial expansion (25%), and bending motion. The concept of reconfiguring passive conventional fabrics into active structures for bio-inspired shape-morphing structures is also explored. The proposed smart textiles are expected to contribute to the progression of smart wearable devices, haptic systems, bio-inspired soft robotics, and wearable electronics.
Exposure to bile and gastric juice can impact the aerodigestive microbiome in people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Al-Momani Hafez , Perry Audrey , Nelson Andrew , Stewart Christopher J. , Jones Rhys , Krishnan Amaran , Robertson Andrew , Bourke Stephen , Doe Simon , Cummings Stephen , Anderson Alan , Forrest Tara , Forrest Ian , Griffin Michael , Wilcox Matthew , Brodlie Malcolm , Pearson Jeffrey , Ward Christopher
Published: June 2022

Studies of microbiota reveal inter-relationships between the microbiomes of the gut and lungs. This relationship may influence the progression of lung disease, particularly in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), who often experience extraoesophageal reflux (EOR). Despite identifying this relationship, it is not well characterised. Our hypothesis is that the gastric and lung microbiomes in CF are related, with the potential for aerodigestive pathophysiology. We evaluated gastric and sputum bacterial communities by culture and 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 13 CF patients. Impacts of varying levels of bile acids, pepsin and pH on patient isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) were evaluated. Clonally related strains of Pa and NTM were identified in gastric and sputum samples from patients with symptoms of EOR. Bacterial diversity was more pronounced in sputa compared to gastric juice. Gastric and lung bile and pepsin levels were associated with Pa biofilm formation. Analysis of the aerodigestive microbiomes of CF patients with negative sputa indicates that the gut can be a reservoir of Pa and NTM. This combined with the CF patient’s symptoms of reflux and potential aspiration, highlights the possibility of communication between microorganisms of the gut and the lungs. This phenomenon merits further research.
A novel AI device for real-time optical characterization of colorectal polyps
Authors: Biffi Carlo , Salvagnini Pietro , Dinh Nhan Ngo , Hassan Cesare , Sharma Prateek ,   GI Genius CADx Study Group, Antonelli Giulio , Awadie Halim , Bernhofer Sebastian , Carballal Sabela , Dinis-Ribeiro Mário , Fernández-Clotet Agnès , Esparrach Glòria Fernández , Gralnek Ian , Higasa Yuta , Hirabayashi Taku , Hirai Tatsuki , Iwatate Mineo , Kawano Miki , Mader Markus , Maieron Andreas , Mattes Sebastian , Nakai Tastuya , Ordas Ingrid , Ortigão Raquel , Zúñiga Oswaldo Ortiz , Pellisé Maria , Pinto Cláudia , Riedl Florian , Sánchez Ariadna , Steiner Emanuel , Tanaka Yukari , Cherubini Andrea
Published: June 2022

Accurate in-vivo optical characterization of colorectal polyps is key to select the optimal treatment regimen during colonoscopy. However, reported accuracies vary widely among endoscopists. We developed a novel intelligent medical device able to seamlessly operate in real-time using conventional white light (WL) endoscopy video stream without virtual chromoendoscopy (blue light, BL). In this work, we evaluated the standalone performance of this computer-aided diagnosis device (CADx) on a prospectively acquired dataset of unaltered colonoscopy videos. An international group of endoscopists performed optical characterization of each polyp acquired in a prospective study, blinded to both histology and CADx result, by means of an online platform enabling careful video assessment. Colorectal polyps were categorized by reviewers, subdivided into 10 experts and 11 non-experts endoscopists, and by the CADx as either “adenoma” or “non-adenoma”. A total of 513 polyps from 165 patients were assessed. CADx accuracy in WL was found comparable to the accuracy of expert endoscopists (CADxWL/Exp; OR 1.211 [0.766–1.915]) using histopathology as the reference standard. Moreover, CADx accuracy in WL was found superior to the accuracy of non-expert endoscopists (CADxWL/NonExp; OR 1.875 [1.191–2.953]), and CADx accuracy in BL was found comparable to it (CADxBL/CADxWL; OR 0.886 [0.612–1.282]). The proposed intelligent device shows the potential to support non-expert endoscopists in systematically reaching the performances of expert endoscopists in optical characterization.
Simulating quantum repeater strategies for multiple satellites
Authors: Wallnöfer Julius , Hahn Frederik , Gündoğan Mustafa , Sidhu Jasminder S. , Wiesner Fabian , Walk Nathan , Eisert Jens , Wolters Janik
Published: June 2022

A global quantum repeater network involving satellite-based links is likely to have advantages over fiber-based networks in terms of long-distance communication, since the photon losses in vacuum scale only polynomially with the distance – compared to the exponential losses in optical fibers. To simulate the performance of such networks, we have introduced a scheme of large-scale event-based Monte Carlo simulation of quantum repeaters with multiple memories that can faithfully represent loss and imperfections in these memories. In this work, we identify the quantum key distribution rates achievable in various satellite and ground station geometries for feasible experimental parameters. The power and flexibility of the simulation toolbox allows us to explore various strategies and parameters, some of which only arise in these more complex, multi-satellite repeater scenarios. As a primary result, we conclude that key rates in the kHz range are reasonably attainable for intercontinental quantum communication with three satellites, only one of which carries a quantum memory.
The Angola Gyre is a hotspot of dinitrogen fixation in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Marshall Tanya , Granger Julie , Casciotti Karen L. , Dähnke Kirstin , Emeis Kay-Christian , Marconi Dario , McIlvin Matthew R. , Noble Abigail E. , Saito Mak A. , Sigman Daniel M. , Fawcett Sarah E.
Published: June 2022

Biological dinitrogen fixation is the major source of new nitrogen to marine systems and thus essential to the ocean’s biological pump. Constraining the distribution and global rate of dinitrogen fixation has proven challenging owing largely to uncertainty surrounding the controls thereon. Existing South Atlantic dinitrogen fixation rate estimates vary five-fold, with models attributing most dinitrogen fixation to the western basin. From hydrographic properties and nitrate isotope ratios, we show that the Angola Gyre in the eastern tropical South Atlantic supports the fixation of 1.4–5.4 Tg N.a−1, 28-108% of the existing (highly uncertain) estimates for the basin. Our observations contradict model diagnoses, revealing a substantial input of newly-fixed nitrogen to the tropical eastern basin and no dinitrogen fixation west of 7.5˚W. We propose that dinitrogen fixation in the South Atlantic occurs in hotspots controlled by the overlapping biogeography of excess phosphorus relative to nitrogen and bioavailable iron from margin sediments. Similar conditions may promote dinitrogen fixation in analogous ocean regions. Our analysis suggests that local iron availability causes the phosphorus-driven coupling of oceanic dinitrogen fixation to nitrogen loss to vary on a regional basis.
Synthesis and evaluation of a Zn–Al layered double hydroxide for the removal of ochratoxin A. Greenness assessment
Authors: Ponce María del Valle , Cina Mariel , López Carlos , Cerutti Soledad
Published: June 2022

The retention behavior of a dangerous toxin, ochratoxin A (OTA), present in food samples and derivatives was evaluated using Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs).
Accelerating electrochemically catalyzed nitrogen reductions using metalloporphyrin-mediated metal–nitrogen-doped carbon (M–N–C) catalysts
Authors: Dong Xinyi , Zhu Weihua , Liang Xu
Published: June 2022

A series of transition metal coordinated metalloporphyrin-mediated M–N–C catalysts with single and dual metal atoms were prepared and their N2 reduction behaviors were accelerated through electrochemical catalysis.
Rapid one-pot synthesis of magnetically separable Fe3O4–Pd nanocatalysts: a highly reusable catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Authors: Xiao Xiangyun , Lee Sunhee , Ma Hyeonjong , Yang Jiwoong , Han Won-Sik , Yu Taekyung
Published: June 2022

Rapid one-pot synthesis of magnetic Fe3O4–Pd nanocatalysts for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction which can be reused by using an external magnet.
Epitaxial growth and electronic properties of an antiferromagnetic semiconducting VI2 monolayer
Authors: Zhou Xuhan , Wang Zhe , Zhu Han , Liu Zizhao , Hou Yusheng , Guo Donghui , Zhong Dingyong
Published: June 2022

The van der Waals materials down to the monolayer (ML) limit provide a fertile platform for exploring low-dimensional magnetism and developing the novel applications of spintronics.
Sustainable access to benzothiophene derivatives bearing a trifluoromethyl group via a three-component domino reaction in water
Authors: Deng Qingsong , Gu Jun , Zhang Huan , Zhang Youlai , Meng Xiangtai
Published: June 2022

A catalyst-free three-component domino reaction was developed for the synthesis of benzothiophene fused pyrrolidones bearing a CF3 group in water at room temperature.
Organocatalytic orthogonal ATRP and ring-opening polymerization using a single dual-function photocatalyst
Authors: Ma Qiang , Jiang Yu , Lin Junqiang , Zhang Xun , Shao Hui , Liao Saihu
Published: June 2022

Organocatalytic orthogonal atom transfer radical polymerization and ring-opening polymerization have been achieved using a single designer dual-function photocatalyst.
Lanmodulin peptides – unravelling the binding of the EF-Hand loop sequences stripped from the structural corset
Authors: Gutenthaler Sophie M. , Tsushima Satoru , Steudtner Robin , Gailer Manuel , Hoffmann-Röder Anja , Drobot Björn , Daumann Lena J.
Published: June 2022

Taking a closer look at Lanmodulin’s remarkable selectivity for lanthanides (Ln) over Ca(ii) and high Ln/actinide affinities on the amino acid level by investigating the four binding-loops as peptides with Ca(ii), Eu(iii), Tb(iii) and Cm(iii).
Rhodium-catalyzed coupling-cyclization ofo-alkynyl/propargyl arylazides oro-azidoaryl acetylenic ketones with arylisocyanides: synthesis of 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolines, dibenzonaphthyridones and dihydrodibenzo[b,g] [1,8]-naphthyridines
Authors: Yang Ming , Liu Tao , Gong Yue , Ai Qing-Wen , Zhao Yu-Long
Published: June 2022

The developed rhodium-catalyzed coupling-cyclization provides a new strategy for the assembly of 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolines, dibenzonaphthyridones and dihydrodibenzo[b,g] [1,8]-naphthyridines.
Design and synthesis of novel 3-triazolyl-1-thiogalactosides as galectin-1, -3 and -8 inhibitors
Authors: van Klaveren Sjors , Dernovšek Jaka , Jakopin Žiga , Anderluh Marko , Leffler Hakon , Nilsson Ulf J. , Tomašič Tihomir
Published: June 2022

A new series of potent galectin ligands based on the galactose and triazole moieties was designed and synthesised.
Catalytic co-pyrolysis of LDPE and PET with HZSM-5, H-beta, and HY: experiments and kinetic modelling
Authors: Okonsky Sean Timothy , Krishna J. V. Jayarama , Toraman Hilal Ezgi
Published: June 2022

This study determines interaction effects and conducts kinetic modeling for catalytic co-pyrolysis of LDPE and PET with multiple zeolite frameworks.
Multifunctional materials for photo-electrochemical water splitting
Authors: Rajaitha P. Mary , Hajra Sugato , Mistewicz Krystian , Panda Swati , Sahu Manisha , Dubal Deepak , Yamauchi Yusuke , Kim Hoe Joon
Published: June 2022

The rise in world pollution and energy demand has aggravated the energy crisis and depletion of non-renewable energy resources. Here, we review multifunctional materials that can be used for photoelectrochemical water splitting for clean energy production.
A general strategy to enhance the electrochemical activity and energy density of energy-storage materials through using sintering aids with redox activity: a case study of Mo4Nb26O77
Authors: Li Songjie , Gao Jiazhe , Ou Yinjun , Wang Wenze , Zhang Qian , Gao Shangfu , Liu Xuehua , Lin Chunfu
Published: June 2022

A general modification for the solid-state reaction preparation of energy-storage materials is explored through using sintering aids with redox activity.
Influence of amorphous carbon interlayers on nucleation and early growth of lithium metal at the current collector-solid electrolyte interface
Authors: Futscher Moritz H. , Amelal Thomas , Sastre Jordi , Müller André , Patidar Jyotish , Aribia Abdessalem , Thorwarth Kerstin , Siol Sebastian , Romanyuk Yaroslav E.
Published: June 2022

Amorphous carbon thin films function as seed layers for Li plating. Placed between current collector and solid electrolyte, carbon thin films provide an increased nucleation site density and promote homogeneous Li plating and stripping.
Advanced solar desalination on superwetting surfaces
Authors: Luo Yu-Qiong , Liu Lan , Zhao Liu-Rui , Ju Jie , Yao Xi
Published: June 2022

This review summarizes recent progress on versatile roles of surface wettability in water vaporization, condensation, transport, and salt nucleation, growth, removal, and the overall energy/mass transfer efficiency in solar desalination systems.
Electrochemistry of rechargeable aqueous zinc/zinc-sulphate/manganese-oxide batteries and methods for preparation of high-performance cathodes
Authors: Gong Wei , Fugetsu Bunshi , Mao Wei , Vipin Adavan Kiliyankil , Sakata Ichiro , Su Lei , Zhang Xueji , Endo Morinobu
Published: June 2022

New insights into the cathode's electrochemistry and a nanomanufacturing strategy to enhance the electrochemical performance of rechargeable aqueous Zn/ZnSO4/MnO2 batteries are described.
A cell membrane repair protein-based nanoformulation with multiple actuators for scarless wound healing
Authors: Sun Jian , Zheng Yin , Tian Dingyuan , Li Dan , Liu Zijun , Zhang Xinge , Wu Zhongming
Published: June 2022

A novel remote light-controlled nanoformulation based on cell membrane repair protein was developed to achieve scarless healing of diabetic wounds.
High-performance stretchable photodetectors based on epitaxial CdTe ultrathin films
Authors: Wu Yupeng , Liu Yunjie , Liu Yingming , Zhao Shirong , Guo Fuhai , Li Siqi , Yu Weizhuo , Liu Guanchu , Hao Jingyi , Hao Lanzhong
Published: June 2022

High-performance stretchable CdTe photodetectors were fabricated for the first time through the epitaxial growth, exfoliation and transfer process of single-crystalline ultrathin 4.6 nm films at a centimeter level.
Optimising conformational effects on thermally activated delayed fluorescence
Authors: Landi Alessandro , Padula Daniele
Published: June 2022

We introduce a rigorous computational protocol based on multiobjective optimisation leading to the systematic identification of the conformations showing the best compromise among all the properties relevant to TADF applications.
Differential astrometry with Gaia
Authors: Abbas U. , Bucciarelli B. , Lattanzi M. G. , Crosta M. , Morbidelli R. , Busonero D. , Bramante L. , Messineo R.
Published: June 2022

Aims. In this paper, we develop a differential astrometric framework that is appropriate for a scanning space satellite such as Gaia. We apply it to the first of the GAREQ fields – the Gaia Relativistic Experiment on Jupiter’s quadrupole – which is the fruit of dedicated efforts within the Gala project focused on measuring the relativistic deflection of light close to Jupiter’s limb. This provides a preliminary assessment of the following: a) the observability of the relativistic deflection of light close to Jupiter and b) Gaia’s astrometric capabilities under extremely difficult conditions such as those around a bright extended object.

Methods. Inputs to our differential astrometric model are the charge-coupled device (CCD) transit times as measured by the intermediate data update (IDU) system, transformed to field angles via astrometric global iterative solution (AGIS) geometric calibrations, and the commanded or nominal spacecraft attitude. Actual attitude rates, including medium and high-frequency effects, were estimated from successive CCD pair observations and used to transfer the field angles onto intermediate tangent planes, finally anchored to a common reference frame by fitting a six-parameter model to a set of suitable reference stars. The best-fit parameters provide the target star’s deflection as a time-varying systematic effect. To illustrate the model, we analyzed Gaia astrometric measurements after their calibration through the latest cyclic early data release EDR3/DR3 processing of the GAREQ event in February 2017. We used observations of the closest bright target star successfully observed several times by Gaia in close proximity to Jupiter and surrounding reference stars brighter than G < 13 mag in transits leading up to the time of closest approach and on subsequent transits.

Results. The relativistic deflection signal is detected with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 50 at closest approach by the target star. This signal is the combined effect due to Jupiter and the Sun, mainly dominated by Jupiter’s monopole, demonstrating Gala’s scientific performance under extreme observational conditions. It is an unprecedented detection for the following reasons: a) it is the closest ever to Jupiter’s limb (~7″) in the optical and b) the highest S/N at any wavelength. Finally, this work sets the stage for investigations into disentangling the relativistic quadrupole deflection due to Jupiter with future Gaia astrometric measurements.