bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired SUMOylation of FoxA1 promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through down-regulation of Sirt6
Authors: Zou Dongmei , Liao Jinwen , Xiao Min , Liu Liang , Dai Dongling , Xu Mingguo
Published: September 2024

Abnormal SUMOylation is implicated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. Forkhead box protein A1 (FoxA1) has been shown to protect liver from steatosis, which was down-regulated in NAFLD. This study elucidated the role of FoxA1 deSUMOylation in NAFLD. NAFLD models were established in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice and palmitate acid (PAL)-treated hepatocytes. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated by biochemical and histological methods. Lipid droplet formation was determined by BODIPY and Oil red O staining. Target molecule levels were analyzed by RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry staining. SUMOylation of FoxA1 was determined by Ni-NTA pull-down assay and SUMOylation assay Ultra Kit. Protein interaction and ubiquitination were detected by Co-IP. Gene transcription was assessed by ChIP and dual luciferase reporter assays. Liver FoxA1 knockout mice developed severe liver steatosis, which could be ameliorated by sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) overexpression. Nutritional stresses reduced Sumo2/3-mediated FoxA1 SUMOylation at lysine residue K6, which promoted lipid droplet formation by repressing fatty acid β-oxidation. Moreover, Sirt6 was a target gene of FoxA1, and Sirt6 transcription activity was restrained by deSUMOylation of FoxA1 at site K6. Furthermore, nutritional stresses-induced deSUMOylation of FoxA1 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of FoxA1 with assistance of murine double minute 2 (Mdm2). Finally, activating FoxA1 SUMOylation delayed the progression of NAFLD in mice. DeSUMOylation of FoxA1 at K6 promotes FoxA1 degradation and then inhibits Sirt6 transcription, thereby suppressing fatty acid β-oxidation and facilitating NAFLD development. Our findings suggest that FoxA1 SUMOylation activation might be a promising therapeutic strategy for NAFLD.
Gain control of sensory input across polysynaptic circuitries in mouse visual cortex by a single G protein-coupled receptor type (5-HT2A)
Authors: Barzan Ruxandra , Bozkurt Beyza , Nejad Mohammadreza M. , Süß Sandra T. , Surdin Tatjana , Böke Hanna , Spoida Katharina , Azimi Zohre , Grömmke Michelle , Eickelbeck Dennis , Mark Melanie D. , Rohr Lennard , Siveke Ida , Cheng Sen , Herlitze Stefan , Jancke Dirk
Published: September 2024

Response gain is a crucial means by which modulatory systems control the impact of sensory input. In the visual cortex, the serotonergic 5-HT2A receptor is key in such modulation. However, due to its expression across different cell types and lack of methods that allow for specific activation, the underlying network mechanisms remain unsolved. Here we optogenetically activate endogenous G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling of a single receptor subtype in distinct mouse neocortical subpopulations in vivo. We show that photoactivation of the 5-HT2A receptor pathway in pyramidal neurons enhances firing of both excitatory neurons and interneurons, whereas 5-HT2A photoactivation in parvalbumin interneurons produces bidirectional effects. Combined photoactivation in both cell types and cortical network modelling demonstrates a conductance-driven polysynaptic mechanism that controls the gain of visual input without affecting ongoing baseline levels. Our study opens avenues to explore GPCRs neuromodulation and its impact on sensory-driven activity and ongoing neuronal dynamics.
Longitudinal genomic analysis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmission dynamics in Australia
Authors: Taouk Mona L. , Taiaroa George , Duchene Sebastian , Low Soo Jen , Higgs Charlie K. , Lee Darren Y. J. , Pasricha Shivani , Higgins Nasra , Ingle Danielle J. , Howden Benjamin P. , Chen Marcus Y. , Fairley Christopher K. , Chow Eric P. F. , Williamson Deborah A.
Published: September 2024

N. gonorrhoeae, which causes the sexually transmissible infection gonorrhoea, remains a significant public health threat globally, with challenges posed by increasing transmission and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The COVID-19 pandemic introduced exceptional circumstances into communicable disease control, impacting the transmission of gonorrhoea and other infectious diseases. Through phylogenomic and phylodynamic analysis of 5881 N. gonorrhoeae genomes from Australia, we investigated N. gonorrhoeae transmission over five years, including a time period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a novel cgMLST-based genetic threshold, we demonstrate persistence of large N. gonorrhoeae genomic clusters over several years, with some persistent clusters associated with heterosexual transmission. We observed a decline in both N. gonorrhoeae transmission and genomic diversity during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggestive of an evolutionary bottleneck. The longitudinal, occult transmission of N. gonorrhoeae over many years further highlights the urgent need for improved diagnostic, treatment, and prevention strategies for gonorrhoea.
Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of polygenic risk score-stratified screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Kelemen M. , Danesh J. , Di Angelantonio E. , Inouye M. , O’Sullivan J. , Pennells L. , Roychowdhury T. , Sweeting M. J. , Wood A. M. , Harrison S. , Kim L. G.
Published: September 2024

As the heritability of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is high and AAA partially shares genetic architecture with other cardiovascular diseases, genetic information could help inform AAA screening strategies. Exploiting pleiotropy and meta-analysing summary data from large studies, we construct a polygenic risk score (PRS) for AAA. Leveraging related traits improves PRS performance (R2) by 22.7%, relative to using AAA alone. Compared with the low PRS tertile, intermediate and high tertiles have hazard ratios for AAA of 2.13 (95%CI 1.61, 2.82) and 3.70 (95%CI 2.86, 4.80) respectively, adjusted for clinical risk factors. Using simulation modelling, we compare PRS- and smoking-stratified screening with inviting men at age 65 and not inviting women (current UK strategy). In a futuristic scenario where genomic information is available, our modelling suggests inviting male current smokers with high PRS earlier than 65 and screening female smokers with high/intermediate PRS at 65 and 70 respectively, may improve cost-effectiveness.
The paradox of senescent-marker positive cancer cells: challenges and opportunities
Authors: O’Sullivan Emily A. , Wallis Ryan , Mossa Federica , Bishop Cleo L.
Published: September 2024

Senescence is an anti-tumour mechanism and hallmark of cancer. Loss or mutation of key senescence effectors, such as p16INK4A, are frequently observed in cancer. Intriguingly, some human tumours are both proliferative and senescent-marker positive (Sen-Mark+). Here, we explore this paradox, focusing on the prognostic consequences and the current challenges in classifying these cells. We discuss future strategies for Sen-Mark+ cell detection together with emerging opportunities to exploit senescence for cancer.
Understanding the rationales and information environments for early, late, and nonadopters of the COVID-19 vaccine
Authors: Singh Lisa , Bao Le , Bode Leticia , Budak Ceren , Pasek Josh , Raghunathan Trivellore , Traugott Michael , Wang Yanchen , Wycoff Nathan
Published: September 2024

Anti-vaccine sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic grew at an alarming rate, leaving much to understand about the relationship between people’s vaccination status and the information they were exposed to. This study investigated the relationship between vaccine behavior, decision rationales, and information exposure on social media over time. Using a cohort study that consisted of a nationally representative survey of American adults, three subpopulations (early adopters, late adopters, and nonadopters) were analyzed through a combination of statistical analysis, network analysis, and semi-supervised topic modeling. The main reasons Americans reported choosing to get vaccinated were safety and health. However, work requirements and travel were more important for late adopters than early adopters (95% CI on OR of [0.121, 0.453]). While late adopters’ and nonadopters’ primary reason for not getting vaccinated was it being too early, late adopters also mentioned safety issues more often and nonadopters mentioned government distrust (95% CI on OR of [0.125, 0.763]). Among those who shared Twitter/X accounts, early adopters and nonadopters followed a larger fraction of highly partisan political accounts compared to late adopters, and late adopters were exposed to more neutral and pro-vaccine messaging than nonadopters. Together, these findings suggest that the decision-making process and the information environments of these subpopulations have notable differences, and any online vaccination campaigns need to consider these differences when attempting to provide accurate vaccine information to all three subpopulations.
Effect of aortic valve replacement on myocardial perfusion and exercise capacity in patients with severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Aslam Saadia , Dattani Abhishek , Alfuhied Aseel , Gulsin Gaurav S. , Arnold Jayanth R. , Steadman Christopher D. , Jerosch-Herold Michael , Xue Hui , Kellman Peter , McCann Gerry P. , Singh Anvesha
Published: September 2024

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) leads to reverse cardiac remodeling in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The aim of this secondary pooled analysis was to assess the degree and determinants of changes in myocardial perfusion post AVR, and its link with exercise capacity, in patients with severe AS. A total of 68 patients underwent same-day echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with adenosine stress pre and 6–12 months post-AVR. Of these, 50 had matched perfusion data available (age 67 ± 8 years, 86% male, aortic valve peak velocity 4.38 ± 0.63 m/s, aortic valve area index 0.45 ± 0.13cm2/m2). A subgroup of 34 patients underwent a symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to assess maximal exercise capacity (peak VO2). Baseline and post-AVR parameters were compared and linear regression was used to determine associations between baseline variables and change in myocardial perfusion and exercise capacity. Following AVR, stress myocardial blood flow (MBF) increased from 1.56 ± 0.52 mL/min/g to 1.80 ± 0.62 mL/min/g (p < 0.001), with a corresponding 15% increase in myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) (2.04 ± 0.57 to 2.34 ± 0.68; p = 0.004). Increasing severity of AS, presence of late gadolinium enhancement, lower baseline stress MBF and MPR were associated with a greater improvement in MPR post-AVR. On multivariable analysis low baseline MPR was independently associated with increased MPR post-AVR. There was no significant change in peak VO2 post-AVR, but a significant increase in exercise duration. Change in MPR was associated with change in peak VO2 post AVR (r = 0.346, p = 0.045). Those with the most impaired stress MBF and MPR at baseline demonstrate the greatest improvements in these parameters following AVR and the magnitude of change in MPR correlated with improvement in peak VO2, the gold standard measure of aerobic exercise capacity.
The impact of buckwheat and paulownia (Paulownia elongata × P. fortunei) intercropping on beekeeping value and buckwheat yield
Authors: Chorbiński Paweł , Liszewski Marek , Bąbelewski Przemysław , Jama-Rodzeńska Anna
Published: September 2024

Increasing crop diversity is a way for agriculture to transition towards a more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly system. Growing buckwheat intercropped with paulownia can contribute not only to mitigating climate change but can also enrich the environment with species of agricultural importance, without causing a decline in pollinators, since buckwheat is pollinated mainly by the honeybee. In a field experiment comparing growing buckwheat with paulownia against a monoculture crop, we investigated differences in flower visitation and beekeeping value, as well as the associated impact on crop yields. We analysed the effect of intercropping on the beekeeping value of buckwheat in terms of bee population size and the sugar mass in buckwheat flowers, nectar mass in buckwheat flowers, the quality of the delivered raw sugar and biometric characteristics. We found significant differences in the number of branches on the main shoot and the total number of branches. Significantly higher parameters were obtained in sites with buckwheat monoculture. The cultivation method variant did not cause differentiation in either the structure elements or the yield itself. Yields ranged from 0.39 (2021) to 1.59 (2023) t·ha−1. The average yield in intercropping was slightly lower (0.02 t·ha−1) than in the monoculture system of buckwheat (0.93 t·ha−1). More flowers per plant per day of observation and more flowers in millions of flowers per hectare per day of observation were observed in the intercropping of buckwheat with paulownia. Based on our experiment, we concluded that growing buckwheat in monoculture significantly increased the number of flowers, resulting in an increase in pollinator density and an increased number of pollinators per unit area.
Past, present and future of the two-spotted stink bug (Perillus bioculatus) in Europe revealed by citizen science
Authors: Kóbor Péter , Brhane Daniel
Published: September 2024

The introduction of the Nearctic predaceous stink bug species, (Perillus bioculatus) was attempted multiple times in various countries throughout Europe to mitigate the damage caused by the invasive and harmful pest species, the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Though these attempts were thought to be unsuccessful for decades, more recent data elucidated that the species have established small self-sustaining populations in the Balkans Peninsula, Southern Russia, and Türkiye and recently began to expand. In the past years, the European range of the species reached Eastern Europe. After the first individuals were found in Hungary in October 2023 a citizen science campaign was launched to investigate the distribution of the species in the country. By June 2024 it became evident that the species is established throughout the country. Furthermore, observations regarding beetle larvae and moth caterpillars as alternative prey were reported supporting the previous assumptions that the naturalization and expansion of the species in Europe is facilitated by dietary drift. Here, we summarize the knowledge on the European presence of the two-spotted stink bug and formulate hypotheses regarding its future distribution and the impact of the species on the insect communities of the newly colonized areas.
Carbohydrate accumulation patterns in mangrove and halophytic plant species under seasonal variation
Authors: Mehta Dhruvisha , Gamit Sandip , Dudhagara Dushyant , Parmar Vijay , Patel Ashish , Vyas Suhas
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the impact of carbohydrate accumulation in mangrove and halophytic plants on their response to abiotic stress. Using soil analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy, key species (Sueda nudiflora, Aeluropus lagopoides, Avicennia marina) were examined for seasonal changes in sugar content (reducing sugars, total soluble sugars, starch). The elevated carbohydrate levels may serve as an indication of the plant’s ability to adapt to different environmental conditions throughout the year. This accumulation enables plants to adapt to variations in their environment, assuring their survival and functionality during periods of environmental fluctuation. Halophytic plants’ sugar content peaked during the monsoon, suggesting biotic adaptations. The mangrove Avicennia marina had year-round sugar levels. PCA and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis revealed sugar accumulation trends across species and seasons. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis revealed correlations between soil characteristics and sugar content, suggesting plant-microbe interactions. K-means clustering and correlation analysis of FT-IR data revealed sugar composition and resource allocation trade-offs. These findings shed light on the role of carbohydrate metabolism in enabling coastal plants to endure stress. Gaining insight into these mechanisms can enhance sustainable agriculture in challenging environments and shed light on plant adaptations to evolving environmental conditions, especially biotic interactions.
Dual parameter smart sensor for nitrogen and temperature sensing based on defect-engineered 1T-MoS2
Authors: Ali Mir Sahanur , Ali Mir Sahidul , Mallick Subhasish , Bhandari Shubhranshu , Ali Mir Intaj , Hazra Subhenjit , Roy Bodhishatwa , Chattopadhyay Sanatan , Karmakar Srikanta , Chattopadhyay Dipankar
Published: September 2024

In general, defects are crucial in designing the different properties of two-dimensional materials. Therefore large variations in the electric and optical characteristics of two-dimensional layered molybdenum disulphide might be attributed to defects. This study presents the design of a temperature and nitrogen sensor based on few-layer molybdenum disulfide sheets (FLMS), which was developed from bulk MoS2 (BMS) through an exfoliation approach. The produced sulfur defect, molybdenum defect, line defect, and plane defect were characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), which substantially impacts the sensing characteristics of the resulting FLMS. Our theoretical analysis validates that the sulfur vacancies of the MoS2 lattice improve sensing performance by promoting effective charge transfer and surface interactions with target analytes. The FLMS-based sensor showed a high sensitivity for detecting nitrogen gas with a detection limit (LOD) of ~ 0.18 ppm. Additionally, temperature-detecting capabilities were assessed over various temperatures, showing outstanding stability and repeatability. To the best of our knowledge, this material is the first of its kind, demonstrating visible N2 gas sensing with chromic behaviour.
Consistent FFP2-masking as part of reducing viral respiratory infections on medical wards for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Richardson T. , Schütte D. , Feyer K. , Grass L. , Hallek M. , Scheid C. , Simon F. , Braun T. , Fürstenau M. , Gödel P. , Holtick U.
Published: September 2024

Patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) are highly susceptible to infections. The consequent use of masks on wards for allo-HSCT has been controversial in the past decades and was not common before the COVID-19 pandemic. We retrospectively compared incidence and outcomes of viral respiratory infections during allo-HSCT on our specialized ward between 01/2018 and 09/2020 to the era of FFP2 masking between 10/2020 and 10/2022 covering similar seasons of the year. Each group consisted of 150 matched patients. The usage of FFP2 masks reduced the incidence of viral respiratory infections from 20,7% to 2,0% (p < 0.001). This reduced the time on ward from a median of 26 days to 23.5 days (p = 0.002). It also resulted in less use of CT-scans (p = 0.003) and bronchoalveolar lavage procedures (p = 0.057). Median time to proof of infection was 21 days after admission in both groups. No difference was detected in progression free survival, hospital survival or non-relapse mortality (p = 0.78). Our retrospective results indicate that FFP2 masks worn by patients and hospital staff may help to significantly reduce the incidence of viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19, shorten the in-hospital time, and reduce costs without affecting survival.
Dynamic layer-specific processing in the prefrontal cortex during working memory
Authors: Degutis Jonas Karolis , Chaimow Denis , Haenelt Daniel , Assem Moataz , Duncan John , Haynes John-Dylan , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Lorenz Romy
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is reliably engaged in working memory (WM) and comprises different cytoarchitectonic layers, yet their functional role in human WM is unclear. Here, participants completed a delayed-match-to-sample task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at ultra-high resolution. We examine layer-specific activity to manipulations in WM load and motor response. Superficial layers exhibit a preferential response to WM load during the delay and retrieval periods of a WM task, indicating a lamina-specific activation of the frontoparietal network. Multivariate patterns encoding WM load in the superficial layer dynamically change across the three periods of the task. Last, superficial and deep layers are non-differentially involved in the motor response, challenging earlier findings of a preferential deep layer activation. Taken together, our results provide new insights into the functional laminar circuitry of the dlPFC during WM and support a dynamic account of dlPFC coding.
Sexual behavior is linked to changes in gut microbiome and systemic inflammation that lead to HIV-1 infection in men who have sex with men
Authors: Lin Huang , Chen Yue , Abror-Lacks Grace , Price Meaghan , Morris Alison , Sun Jing , Palella Frank , Chew Kara W. , Brown Todd T. , Rinaldo Charles R. , Peddada Shyamal D.
Published: September 2024

Pathogenic changes in gut microbial composition precede the onset of HIV-1 infection in men who have sex with men (MSM). This process is associated with increased levels of systemic inflammatory biomarkers and risk for AIDS development. Using mediation analysis framework, in this report we link the effects of unprotected receptive intercourse among MSM prior to primary HIV-1 infection to higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines sCD14 and sCD163 in plasma and a significant decrease in the abundance of A. muciniphila, B. caccae, B. fragilis, B. uniformis, Bacteroides spp., Butyricimonas spp., and Odoribacter spp., and a potential increase in the abundance of Dehalobacterium spp. and Methanobrevibacter spp. in stools of MSM with the highest number of sexual partners. These differences in microbiota, together with a reduction in the pairwise correlations among commensal and short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria with a number of sexual partners, support an increase in gut dysbiosis with the number of sexual partners. These results demonstrate the interconnectedness of sexual behavior, immune response, and microbiota composition, notably among MSM participating in high-risk sexual behaviors.
Sexually dimorphic renal expression of mouse Klotho is directed by a kidney-specific distal enhancer responsive to HNF1b
Authors: Jankowski Jakub , Lee Hye Kyung , Liu Chengyu , Wilflingseder Julia , Hennighausen Lothar
Published: September 2024

Transcription enhancers are genomic sequences regulating common and tissue-specific genes and their disruption can contribute to human disease development and progression. Klotho, a sexually dimorphic gene specifically expressed in kidney, is well-linked to kidney dysfunction and its deletion from the mouse genome leads to premature aging and death. However, the sexually dimorphic regulation of Klotho is not understood. Here, we characterize two candidate Klotho enhancers using H3K27ac epigenetic marks and transcription factor binding and investigate their functions, individually and combined, through CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering. We discovered that only the distal (E1), but not the proximal (E2) candidate region constitutes a functional enhancer, with the double deletion not causing Klotho expression to further decrease. E1 activity is dependent on HNF1b transcription factor binding site within the enhancer. Further, E1 controls the sexual dimorphism of Klotho as evidenced by qPCR and RNA-seq. Despite the sharp reduction of Klotho mRNA, unlike germline Klotho knockouts, mutant mice present normal phenotype, including weight, lifespan, and serum biochemistry. Lastly, only males lacking E1 display more prominent acute, but not chronic kidney injury responses, indicating a remarkable range of potential adaptation to isolated Klotho loss, especially in female E1 knockouts, retaining renoprotection despite over 80% Klotho reduction.
High-temperature Brown-Zak oscillations in graphene/hBN moiré field effect transistor fabricated using molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Makarovsky Oleg , Hill Richard J. A. , Cheng Tin S. , Summerfield Alex , Taniguchi Takeshi , Watanabe Kenji , Mellor Christopher J. , Patanè Amalia , Eaves Laurence , Novikov Sergei V. , Beton Peter H.
Published: September 2024

Graphene placed on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) has received significant interest due to its excellent electrical performance and physics phenomena, such as superlattice Dirac points. Direct molecular beam epitaxy growth of graphene on hBN offers an alternative fabrication route for hBN/graphene devices. Here, we investigate the electronic transport of moiré field effect transistors (FETs) in which the conducting channel is monolayer graphene grown on hexagonal boron nitride by high temperature molecular beam epitaxy (HT-MBE). Alignment between hBN and HT-MBE graphene crystal lattices gives rise to a moiré-fringed hexagonal superlattice pattern. Its electronic band structure takes the form of a “Hofstadter butterfly”. When a strong magnetic field B is applied perpendicular to the graphene layer, the electrical conductance displays magneto-oscillations, periodic in B−1, over a wide range of gate voltages and temperatures up to 350 K. We attribute this behaviour to the quantisation of electronic charge and magnetic flux within each unit cell of the superlattice, which gives rise to so-called Brown-Zak oscillations, previously reported only in high-mobility exfoliated graphene. Thus, this HT-MBE graphene/hBN heterostructure provides a platform for observation of room temperature quantum effects and device applications.
Impact of coating type on structure and magnetic properties of biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles: insights into cluster organization and oxidation stability
Authors: Nasser Amal , Qdemat Asma , Unterweger Harald , Tietze Rainer , Sun Xiao , Landers Joachim , Kopp Juri , Wu Baohu , Appavou Marie-Sousai , Murmiliuk Anastasiia , Gilbert Elliot Paul , Petracic Oleg , Feoktystov Artem
Published: September 2024

This research investigates the impact of various coatings on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The coatings stabilize the nanoparticles, influencing their magnetic behaviour, agglomeration, and oxidation stability.
In situfabrication of a plasmonic Bi@Bi2O2CO3core–shell heterostructure for photocatalytic CO2reduction: structural insights into selectivity modulation
Authors: Zhou Yannan , Jiang Jingyun , Yin Hang , Zhang Shouren
Published: September 2024

A plasmonic Bi@Bi2O2CO3core–shell heterostructure featuring a large Bi sphere with a thin epitaxially grown Bi2O2CO3shell enables full-spectrum light harvesting and effective charge separation.
Advanced mesoporous adsorbents and catalysts for CO2, NOx, and VOC removal: mechanisms and applications
Authors: Hu Sile , Li Chen , Li Kexun , Teng Wei , Li Fukuan , Zhang Peng , Wang Hao
Published: September 2024

Mesoporous materials are promising adsorbents and catalysts for gas removal (CO2, NOx, and VOCs) due to their advantages including exceptionally high surface area, interconnected pore networks, and superior mass transfer capabilities.
Discovery of selective LATS inhibitors via scaffold hopping: enhancing drug-likeness and kinase selectivity for potential applications in regenerative medicine
Authors: Issabayeva Guldana , Kang On-Yu , Choi Seong Yun , Hyun Ji Young , Park Seong Jun , Jeung Hei-Cheul , Lim Hwan Jung
Published: September 2024

Using scaffold hopping aided by docking studies and AI-assisted metabolic stability predictions, we identified a novel LATS inhibitor with potent kinase activity, high selectivity, and superior oral pharmacokinetic profiles.
Ferrovalleytricity in a two-dimensional antiferromagnetic lattice
Authors: Chai Shuyan , Feng Yangyang , Dai Ying , Huang Baibiao , Kou Liangzhi , Ma Yandong
Published: September 2024

Through employing Zeeman fields, we present a general mechanism for extending the ferrovalleytricity paradigm to antiferromagnetic lattices to achieve spin control over valley physics.
Engineering hierarchical interfaces in high-temperature polymer dielectrics for electrostatic supercapacitors
Authors: Fan Xu , Li Zhicheng , Zhang Yu , Wang Peng , Liu Jinjun , Yu Jinhong , Zhai Jiwei , Li Weiping , Pan Zhongbin
Published: September 2024

Heterojunction interface engineering effectively increases energy levels and reduces conduction losses, achieving ultrahigh discharged energy density and charge–discharge efficiency over a broad temperature range.
Bactericidal behavior of silver nanoparticle decorated nano-sized magnetic hydroxyapatite
Authors: Sadeghi Ebrahim , Taghavi Reza , Hasanzadeh Amir , Rostamnia Sadegh
Published: September 2024

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common cause of acute bacterial arthritis.
Synthesis of annulated rosarins via iminium activation
Authors: Nguyen Duong D. , Labella Jorge , Gómez-Gómez Marta , Torres Tomás , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: September 2024

Herein, we demonstrate that iminium activation increases the yield of expanded porphyrin synthesis by enhancing the reactivity of aldehydes used in macrocyclization.
Rigid and flexible dual-network polymer electrolytes with enhanced interfacial interaction to accelerate Li+ transfer
Authors: Lv Qing , Sun Yuanyuan , Jiang Sisi , Ren Hao , Lin Yan , Li Qi , Lu Liping , Wu Mingbo , Li Zhongtao
Published: September 2024

Rigid–flexible composite electrolytes were successfully prepared via the in situ thermal polymerization of CPTP on an PAN electrospun film. Through the interaction of CPTP and PAN, the ionic conductivity and stability of Li metal electrodes improved.
Chemically bonded interface construction of the covalent organic framework/CsPbBr3 heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction driven by visible light
Authors: Zhou Min , Wang Zhiqing , Mei Aohan , Chen Keqiang , Zeng Jianrong , Liu Yueli , Chen Wen
Published: September 2024

The Pb–N coordination in the TpBpy/CsPbBr3 NCs heterojunction with strong interfacial interactions, acts as a delivery channel that facilitates the migration of photogenerated carriers, improving the efficiency and stability of photocatalytic CO2RR.
Theoretical analysis of optical and thermoelectric characteristics of TinO2n−1
Authors: Hosseini S. Vahid , Abbasnejad Mohaddeseh , Mohammadizadeh Mohammad Reza
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the optical and thermoelectric properties of TinO2n−1 phases including cubic and monoclinic TiO, Ti2O3, α-Ti3O5, β-Ti3O5, γ-Ti3O5, Ti4O7, and Ti5O9, using various functionals including PBE, mBJ, PBE+U, and YS-PBE0.
Near-infrared emitting single- and mixed-ligand MOFs that can be excited in the visible region: synthesis, crystal structures and sensitization of Nd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+
Authors: Psalti Athanasia E. , Andriotou Despoina , Eliseeva Svetlana V. , Hatzidimitriou Antonios , Petoud Stéphane , Lazarides Theodore
Published: September 2024

Near-infrared emitting lanthanide ions are efficiently sensitized with excitation in the visible region through the incorporation of amino-substituted bridging ligands within metal–organic framework scaffolds.
A new analytic approach to infer the cosmic-ray ionization rate in hot molecular cores from HCO+, N2H+, and CO observations
Authors: Luo Gan , Bisbas Thomas G. , Padovani Marco , Gaches Brandt A. L.
Published: September 2024

Context. The cosmic-ray ionization rate (ζ2) is one of the key parameters in star formation, since it regulates the chemical and dynamical evolution of molecular clouds by ionizing molecules and determining the coupling between the magnetic field and gas.

Aims. However, measurements of ζ2 in dense clouds (e.g., nH ≥ 104 cm−3) are difficult and sensitive to the model assumptions. The aim is to find a convenient analytic approach that can be used in high-mass star-forming regions (HMSFRs), especially for warm gas environments such as hot molecular cores (HMCs).

Methods. We propose a new analytic approach to calculate ζ2 through HCO+, N2H+, and CO measurements. By comparing our method with various astrochemical models and with observations found in the literature, we identify the parameter space for which the analytic approach is applicable.

Results. Our method gives a good approximation, to within 50%, of ζ2 in dense and warm gas (e.g., nH ≥ 104 cm−3, T = 50, 100 K) for AV ≥ 4 mag and t ≥ 2 × 104 yr at Solar metallicity. The analytic approach gives better results for higher densities. However, it starts to underestimate ζ2 at low metallicity (Z = 0.1 Z⊙) when the value is too high (ζ2 ≥ 3 × 10−15 s−1). By applying our method to the OMC-2 FIR4 envelope and the L1157-B1 shock region, we find ζ2 values of (1.0 ± 0.3) × 10−14 s−1 and (2.2 ± 0.4) × 10−16 s−1, consistent with those previously reported.

Conclusions. We calculate ζ2 toward a total of 82 samples in HMSFRs, finding that the average value of ζ2 toward all HMC samples (ζ2 = (7.4±5.0)×10−16 s−1) is more than an order of magnitude higher than the theoretical prediction of cosmic-ray attenuation models, favoring the scenario that locally accelerated cosmic rays in embedded protostars should be responsible for the observed high ζ2.
A measurement of the escaping ionising efficiency of galaxies at redshift 5
Authors: Bosman S. E. I. , Davies F. B.
Published: September 2024

The escaping ionising efficiency from galaxies, fescξion, is a crucial ingredient for understanding their contribution to hydrogen reionisation, but both of its components, fesc and ξion, are extremely difficult to measure. We measured the average escaping ionising efficiency ⟨fescξion⟩ of galaxies at z = 5 implied by the mean level of ionisation in the intergalactic medium via the Lyman-α forest. We used the fact that
Nion = ρUV fesc ξion,
the product of the ionising output and the UV density ρUV, can be calculated from the known average strength of the UV background and the mean free path of ionising photons. These quantities, as well as ρUV, are robustly measured at z ≤ 6. We calculated the missing factor of ⟨fescξion⟩ at z = 5 during a convenient epoch after hydrogen reionisation had been completed and the intergalactic medium had reached ionisation equilibrium but before bright quasars began to dominate the ionising photon production. Intuitively, our constraint corresponds to the required escaping ionising production from galaxies in order to avoid over- or under-ionising the Lyman-α forest. We obtained a measurement of log⟨fescξion⟩/erg Hz-1
= 24.28+0.21-0.20
at z = 5 when integrating the ρUV down to a limiting magnitude Mlim = −11. Our measurement of the escaping ionising efficiency of galaxies is in rough agreement with both observations of early galaxies and with most models.
The PAU Survey: The quasar Lyα and UV luminosity functions at 2.7 < z < 5.3
Authors: Torralba-Torregrosa Alberto , Renard Pablo , Spinoso Daniele , Arnalte-Mur Pablo , Gurung-López Siddhartha , Fernández-Soto Alberto , Gaztañaga Enrique , Navarro-Gironés David , Cai Zheng , Carretero Jorge , Castander Francisco J. , Eriksen Martin , Garcia-Bellido Juan , Hildebrandt Hendrik , Hoekstra Henk , Miquel Ramon , Sanchez Eusebio , Tallada-Crespí Pau , De Vicente Juan , Fernandez Enrique
Published: September 2024

We present the Lyman-α (Lyα) and ultraviolet (UV) luminosity function (LF) in bins of redshift for quasars selected in the Physics of the Accelerating Universe Survey (PAUS). A sample of 915 objects was selected at 2.7 < z < 5.3 within an effective area of ∼36 deg2 observed in 40 narrow-band (NB) filters (FWHM ∼ 120 Å). We cover the intermediate–bright luminosity regime of the LF ($ 10^{43.5} < (L_{\mathrm{Ly}\alpha}/\mathrm{erg\,s}^{-1}) < 10^{45.5} $; −29 < MUV < −24). The continuous wavelength coverage of the PAUS NB set allows very efficient target identification and precise redshift measurements. We show that our method is able to retrieve a relatively complete (C ∼ 85%) and pure (P ∼ 90%) sample of Lyα-emitting quasars for LLyα > 1044 erg s−1. In order to obtain corrections for the LF estimation, and assess the accuracy of our selection method, we produced mock catalogs of 0 < z < 4.3 quasars and galaxies that mimic our target population and their main contaminants. Our results show a clear evolution of the Lyα and UV LFs, with a declining tendency in the number density of quasars toward increasing redshifts. In addition, the faint-end power-law slope of the Lyα LF becomes steeper with redshift, suggesting that the number density of Lyα-bright quasars declines faster than that of fainter emitters. By integrating the Lyα LF, we find that the total Lyα emitted by bright quasars per unit volume rapidly declines with increasing redshift, being subdominant to that of star-forming galaxies by several orders of magnitude by z ∼ 4. Finally, we stack the NB pseudo-spectra of a visually selected “golden sample” of 591 quasars to obtain photometric composite SEDs in bins of redshift, enabling us to measure the mean intergalactic medium absorption using the Lyman-α forest as a function of redshift, yielding results consistent with previous spectroscopic determinations.
A variational approach to stability relative to a set of single-valued and set-valued mappings
Authors: Thinh Vo Duc , Qin Xiaolong , Yao Jen-Chih
Published: September 2024

Based on the limiting normal cone relative to a set, we present in this paper the novel versions of the limiting coderivative relative to a set and subdifferentials relative to a set of multifunctions and singleton mappings, respectively. In addition to giving the necessary and sufficient conditions for the Aubin property relative to a set of multifunctions, the limiting coderivative relative to a set also provides a coderivative criterion for the metric regularity relative to a set of multifunctions. Besides, our study establishes sudifferential characteristics of the metric regularity and the locally Lipschitz continuity relative to a set for single-valued mappings. In finite dimensional spaces, our results are more general than the previous results. Furthermore, we also give examples to illustrate our results.
Stability of KdV equation on a network with bounded and unbounded branches
Authors: Parada Hugo , Crépeau Emmanuelle , Prieur Christophe
Published: September 2024

In this work, we studied the exponential stability of the nonlinear KdV equation posed on a star shaped network with a finite number of branches. On each branch of the network we define a KdV equation posed on a finite domain (0, ℓj) or the half-line (0,∞). We start by proving well-posedness and some regularity results. Then, we state the exponential stability of the linear KdV equation by acting with a damping term on some branches. The main idea is to prove a suitable observability inequality. In the nonlinear case, we obtain two kinds of results: The first result holds for small amplitude solutions, and is proved using a perturbation argument from the linear case but without acting on all edges. The second result is a semiglobal stability result, and it is obtained by proving an observability inequality directly for the nonlinear system, but we need to act with damping terms on all the branches. In this case, we are able to prove the stabilization in weighted spaces.
Distinction between Pneumothorax and Pneumomediastinum Using Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS): Role of Still Lung Point
Authors: Sagaser Anna E. , Reeves Ashley , Arnautovic Tamara , Sanchez-Esteban Juan
Published: September 2024

The rapid identification and management of air leak syndrome in the neonatal intensive care unit is critical to prevent and/or minimize short- and long-term complications. Traditionally, chest X-ray is used to diagnose pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum. However, point-of-care ultrasound is increasingly being used for procedural and diagnostic purposes. Current ultrasound guidelines recommend specific criteria to diagnose pneumothorax in newborns including sharp A-lines, absence of B-lines, lack of shimmering of the pleural line, and the presence of a lung point. Pneumomediastinum may have similar ultrasound characteristics. In this case report, we present two cases of pneumomediastinum in newborns, describe the associated ultrasound findings, and review some of the criteria to differentiate from pneumothorax, including the presence of a still lung point. A high index of suspicion for pneumomediastinum should be maintained when using ultrasound to diagnose air leak given the overlapping sonographic features with pneumothorax. This distinction is of particular importance if evacuation of air by needle thoracentesis or the placement of a chest tube is under consideration.
Valley modulation and topological phase transition in staggered kagome ferromagnets
Authors: Xing 邢 Yuheng 玉恒 , Qiu 邱 Wenjuan 文娟 , Wu 吴 Xinxing 新星 , Tan 谭 Yue 悦
Published: September 2024

Owing to their charge-free property, magnons are highly promising for achieving dissipationless transport without Joule heating, and are thus potentially applicable to energy-efficient devices. Here, we investigate valley magnons and associated valley modulations in a kagome ferromagnetic lattice with staggered exchange interaction and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. The staggered exchange interaction breaks the spatial inversion symmetry, leading to a valley magnon Hall effect. With nonzero Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction in a staggered kagome lattice, the magnon Hall effect can be observed from only one valley. Moreover, reversing the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (D → −D) and exchanging J
1 and J
2 (J
1 ↔ J
2) can also regulate the position of the unequal valleys. With increasing Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, a series of topological phase transitions appear when two bands come to touch and split at the valleys. The valley Hall effect and topological phase transitions observed in kagome magnon lattices can be realized in thin films of insulating ferromagnets such as Lu2V2O7, and will extend the basis for magnonics applications in the future.
Gas encapsulation technology for large volume press
Authors: Du 杜 Minghao 明浩 , He 贺 Duanwei 端威
Published: September 2024

For samples in the gaseous state at room temperature and ambient pressure, mature technology has been developed to encapsulate them in a diamond anvil cell (DAC). However, the large volume press (LVP) can only treat samples with starting materials in solid or liquid form. We have achieved stable encapsulation and reaction treatment of carbon dioxide in a centimeter sized sample chamber for a long time (over 10 min) under conditions of temperature higher than 1200 °C and pressure over 5 GPa through the use of integrated low-temperature freezing and rapid compression sealing method for LVP cell assemblies. This technology can also be applied to the packaging of other gaseous or liquid samples, such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide, water, etc. in LVP devices.
Atomic-level quantitative analysis of electronic functional materials by aberration-corrected STEM
Authors: Qu 曲 Wanbo 万博 , Zhao 赵 Zhihao 志昊 , Yang 杨 Yuxuan 宇轩 , Zhang 张 Yang 杨 , Guo 郭 Shengwu 生武 , Li 李 Fei 飞 , Ding 丁 Xiangdong 向东 , Sun 孙 Jun 军 , Wu 武 Haijun 海军
Published: September 2024

The stable sub-angstrom resolution of the aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (AC-STEM) makes it an advanced and practical characterization technique for all materials. Owing to the prosperous advancement in computational technology, specialized software and programs have emerged as potent facilitators across the entirety of electron microscopy characterization process. Utilizing advanced image processing algorithms promotes the rectification of image distortions, concurrently elevating the overall image quality to superior standards. Extracting high-resolution, pixel-level discrete information and converting it into atomic-scale, followed by performing statistical calculations on the physical matters of interest through quantitative analysis, represent an effective strategy to maximize the value of electron microscope images. The efficacious utilization of quantitative analysis of electron microscope images has become a progressively prominent consideration for materials scientists and electron microscopy researchers. This article offers a concise overview of the pivotal procedures in quantitative analysis and summarizes the computational methodologies involved from three perspectives: contrast, lattice and strain, as well as atomic displacements and polarization. It further elaborates on practical applications of these methods in electronic functional materials, notably in piezoelectrics/ferroelectrics and thermoelectrics. It emphasizes the indispensable role of quantitative analysis in fundamental theoretical research, elucidating the structure–property correlations in high-performance systems, and guiding synthesis strategies.
Liquid crystal droplets formation and stabilization during phase transition process
Authors: Meng 孟 Xia 霞 , Ye 叶 Jiayao 家耀 , Li 李 Ao 澳 , Zhu 朱 Xudong 徐栋 , Yang 杨 Zhaoyan 朝雁 , Wang 王 Lei 磊 , Li 李 Bingxiang 炳祥 , Lu 陆 Yanqing 延青
Published: September 2024

The study of phase transition processes in liquid crystals (LCs) remains challenging. Most thermotropic LCs exhibit a narrow temperature range and a rapid phase transition from the isotropic (ISO) to the nematic (N) phase, which make it difficult to capture and manipulate the phase transition process. In this study, we observed the evolution of small droplets during the ISO–N phase transition in ferroelectric nematic (NF) LC RM734. After doping with metal nanoparticles (NPs), the temperature range of the phase transition broadened, and the droplets formed during the phase transition remained stable, with their diameter increasing linearly with temperature. In addition, droplets doped with NPs can be well controlled by an external electric field. This discovery not only aids in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of LC phase transitions but also provides a simple alternative method for preparing droplets, which is potentially valuable for applications in optoelectronic devices and sensors.
Determining the tilt of the Raman laser beam using an optical method for atom gravimeters
Authors: Luo 骆 Hua-Qing 华清 , Xu 徐 Yao-Yao 耀耀 , Cui 崔 Jia-Feng 嘉丰 , Deng 邓 Xiao-Bing 小兵 , Zhou 周 Min-Kang 敏康 , Duan 段 Xiao-Chun 小春 , Hu 胡 Zhong-Kun 忠坤
Published: September 2024

The tilt of a Raman laser beam is a major systematic error in precision gravity measurement using atom interferometry. The conventional approach to evaluating this tilt error involves modulating the direction of the Raman laser beam and conducting time-consuming gravity measurements to identify the error minimum. In this work, we demonstrate a method to expediently determine the tilt of the Raman laser beam by transforming the tilt angle measurement into characterization of parallelism, which integrates the optical method of aligning the laser direction, commonly used in freely falling corner-cube gravimeters, into an atom gravimeter. A position-sensing detector (PSD) is utilized to quantitatively characterize the parallelism between the test beam and the reference beam, thus measuring the tilt precisely and rapidly. After carefully positioning the PSD and calibrating the relationship between the distance measured by the PSD and the tilt angle measured by the tiltmeter, we achieved a statistical uncertainty of less than 30 μrad in the tilt measurement. Furthermore, we compared the results obtained through this optical method with those from the conventional tilt modulation method for gravity measurement. The comparison validates that our optical method can achieve tilt determination with an accuracy level of better than 200 μrad, corresponding to a systematic error of 20 μGal in g measurement. This work has practical implications for real-world applications of atom gravimeters.