bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Writing Joseph Bologne into Musical History vis-à-vis Mozart: The Symphonie Concertante from Paris to Salzburg
Authors: CLARK CARYL
Published: November 2024

This article amplifies current understanding of the Afro-diasporic composer-violinist Joseph Bologne, Le Chevalier de Saint-George, by exploring his 1770s musical career in relation to Mozart. Director of the progressive Concert des amateurs during Mozart’s visit to Paris in 1778, Bologne was one of the leading exponents of a virtuosic style of symphonie concertante writing that became a touchstone for Mozart following his return to provincial Salzburg. A comparison of the musical spheres inhabited by Bologne and Mozart nuances our understanding of developments in ‘concertante’ composition and the performative dimensions of the medium, enabling a broader, more inclusive history to emerge.
Association between total vitamin C intake and hypothyroidism among Hashimoto thyroiditis: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2012
Authors: Chen Lin , Mao Yaqian , Chen Gang
Published: November 2024

Oxidative stress may be involved in the progression of hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). Vitamin C is a well-known powerful antioxidant. To our knowledge, whether vitamin C intake relates to hypothyroidism in patients with HT remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007–2012, we aimed to explore the relationship between total vitamin C intake and hypothyroidism in patients with HT, using multivariate logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses. Our results showed a significant negative linear association between total vitamin C intake (log10-transformed data) and hypothyroidism in HT. Compared with those with the lowest quartile of total vitamin C intake (log10-transformed), participants with the highest quartile were at lower odds of having hypothyroidism (adjusted OR 0·40, 95 % CI: 0·18, 0·88, Ptrend = 0·027). This association was consistent in subgroups stratified by sex (Pfor interaction = 0·084) and age (≥ 60 years and < 60 years, Pfor interaction = 0·330). This study revealed that total vitamin C intake was inversely associated with hypothyroidism among individuals with HT, indicating that higher vitamin C intakes (4·57–1258·9 mg/d) may be associated with a lower likelihood of hypothyroidism among HT participants.
Origin of the internal basement massif of the Guatemala Suture Zone: evidence from U-Pb geochronology and Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotope systematics
Authors: Maldonado Roberto , Solari Luigi A. , Morán-Chen Helen , Ortiz-Joya Guillermo A.
Published: November 2024

The origin of eclogite-bearing granitoid gneisses and metapelites of the Chuacús Complex is investigated. This complex represents the internal basement massif of the Guatemala Suture Zone, a part of the western North America–Caribbean plate boundary. LA-ICP-MS U-Pb and trace element zircon data are combined with whole-rock Sm-Nd and Lu-Hf isotopes to re-evaluate granitoid petrogenesis and inquire into the sedimentary record. New granitoid ages of ca. 1030–1010 Ma are reported, adding to those already known of ca. 1100, 990 and 225 Ma. Stenian A-type granitoids within the bimodal Cubulco unit formed by mixing of magmas derived from late Palaeoproterozoic crust and mantle-derived melts produced in an extensional setting during Rodinia assembly. During the Tonian, an extended (or later) period of extensional tectonics produced peraluminous granitoids (Pachajob gneiss) by anatexis of rejuvenated late Mesoproterozoic crust. After a hiatus encompassing most of the Neoproterozoic, marine sedimentation occurred between the Ediacaran and the early Palaeozoic as recorded by the Palibatz schist, a sequence formed by detritus sourced from peri-Gondwanan continental areas. No evidence of middle to late Palaeozoic magmatism or sedimentation was found in the studied area. Late Triassic granitoids (Agua Caliente unit) were produced by mixing melts from late Mesoproterozoic crust with enriched mantle magmas in response to post-collisional thinning during the western Pangea breakup. This extensional stage led to considerable thinning of the Chuacús crust and its evolution into a passive margin that would be prone to subduct during the Cretaceous.
Self-organization in collisionless, high-β turbulence
Authors: Majeski S. , Kunz M.W. , Squire J.
Published: November 2024

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations, as a collisional fluid model that remains in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE), have long been used to describe turbulence in myriad space and astrophysical plasmas. Yet, the vast majority of these plasmas, from the solar wind to the intracluster medium (ICM) of galaxy clusters, are only weakly collisional at best, meaning that significant deviations from LTE are not only possible but common. Recent studies have demonstrated that the kinetic physics inherent to this weakly collisional regime can fundamentally transform the evolution of such plasmas across a wide range of scales. Here, we explore the consequences of pressure anisotropy and Larmor-scale instabilities for collisionless,

$\beta \gg 1$

, turbulence, focusing on the role of a self-organizational effect known as ‘magneto-immutability’. We describe this self-organization analytically through a high-

$\beta$

, reduced ordering of the Chew–Goldberger–Low-MHD (CGL-MHD) equations, finding that it is a robust inertial-range effect that dynamically suppresses magnetic-field-strength fluctuations, anisotropic-pressure stresses and dissipation due to heat fluxes. As a result, the turbulent cascade of Alfvénic fluctuations continues below the putative viscous scale to form a robust, nearly conservative, MHD-like inertial range. These findings are confirmed numerically via Landau-fluid CGL-MHD turbulence simulations that employ a collisional closure to mimic the effects of microinstabilities. We find that microinstabilities occupy a small (

${\sim }5\,\%$

) volume-filling fraction of the plasma, even when the pressure anisotropy is driven strongly towards its instability thresholds. We discuss these results in the context of recent predictions for ion-vs-electron heating in low-luminosity accretion flows and observations implying suppressed viscosity in ICM turbulence.
Temperature anisotropy instabilities driven by intermittent velocity shears in the solar wind
Authors: Opie Simon , Verscharen Daniel , Chen Christopher H.K. , Owen Christopher J. , Isenberg Philip A. , Sorriso-Valvo Luca , Franci Luca , Matteini Lorenzo
Published: November 2024

Where and under what conditions the transfer of energy between electromagnetic fields and particles takes place in the solar wind remains an open question. We investigate the conditions that promote the growth of kinetic instabilities predicted by linear theory to infer how turbulence and temperature-anisotropy-driven instabilities are interrelated. Using a large dataset from Solar Orbiter, we introduce the radial rate of strain, a novel measure computed from single-spacecraft data, which we interpret as a proxy for the double-adiabatic strain rate. The solar wind exhibits high absolute values of the radial rate of strain at locations with large temperature anisotropy. We measure the kurtosis and skewness of the radial rate of strain from the statistical moments to show that it is non-Gaussian for unstable intervals and increasingly intermittent at smaller scales with a power-law scaling. We conclude that the velocity field fluctuations in the solar wind contribute to the presence of temperature anisotropy sufficient to create potentially unstable conditions.
Nest secondary plants and their associations with haemosporidian blood parasites in blue tit females
Authors: García-Campa Jorge , González-Braojos Sonia , Morales Judith
Published: November 2024

Avian nests often contain aromatic plant fragments, which has led to propose among others that they repel ectoparasites or vectors of blood parasites (‘nest protection hypothesis’). To date, the relationship between secondary plant provisioning and the parent's blood parasites remains unexplored. We investigated whether the presence of secondary plants in nests during different reproductive stages (before incubation, during incubation and nestling period) was associated with the presence of nest-dwelling ectoparasites and females’ blood-parasite infections in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) during chick rearing. In this species, females are highly exposed to parasites, particularly at the beginning of the breeding season, since they build the nest and incubate alone. They also brood the nestlings while the male assists with provisioning. We found that females that provided fewer plants before incubation were more likely to be infected by Plasmodium. Specifically, Females that did not provide Achillea herbs before incubation were more likely to be infected by both Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, reinforcing the ‘nest protection’ hypothesis. Thus, secondary plants may create an early environment that masks the odour of hosts or repels vectors. Surprisingly, the presence of Lavandula during the nestling period was positively related to Leucocytozoon infection. Given its fastest development among haemosporidians, we speculate that Lavandula herbs are provided by females to reduce mother-to-offspring transmission or as a self-medication strategy. Finally, the number of plant fragments provided before incubation was negatively associated with the number of (Protocalliphora azurea) larvae, whereas there were no associations with the presence of mites (Dermanyssus gallinoides).
ARBITRARILY LARGE p-TORSION IN TATE-SHAFAREVICH GROUPS
Authors: Flynn E. Victor , Shnidman Ari , Fisher Tom
Published: November 2024

We show that, for any prime p, there exist absolutely simple abelian varieties over
$\mathbb {Q}$
with arbitrarily large p-torsion in their Tate-Shafarevich groups. To prove this, we construct explicit
$\mu _p$
-covers of Jacobians of curves of the form
$y^p = x(x-1)(x-a)$
which violate the Hasse principle. In the appendix, Tom Fisher explains how to interpret our proof in terms of a Cassels-Tate pairing.
ON ODA’S PROBLEM AND SPECIAL LOCI
Authors: Collas Benjamin , Philip Séverin
Published: November 2024

Oda’s problem, which deals with the fixed field of the universal monodromy representation of moduli spaces of curves and its independence with respect to the topological data, is a central question of anabelian arithmetic geometry. This paper emphasizes the stack nature of this problem by establishing the independence of monodromy fields with respect to finer special loci data of curves with symmetries, which we show provides a new proof of Oda’s prediction.
Robots in drinking water: A pipe dream?
Authors: Shrimpton Elisabeth A. , Hunt Dexter , Rogers Chris D.F.
Published: November 2024

This study addresses the regulatory impacts on an innovative project seeking to introduce autonomous robots into the potable water network, Pipebots. It does so through the lens of adaptive governance, principally the under-explored area of adaptive governance and formal law. Through this study, suggestions are made to improve the regulatory regime, including a separate authorisation process for novel or complex products, built-in feedback loops to encourage learning and reflection and the need for early engagement by innovators in the regulatory process. Further, the analysis exposes a wider, serious tension: How do we encourage the innovation and flexibility we need to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our systems and at the same time safeguard strict human and environmental protections? The Pipebots project is used to explore the law’s role within adaptive governance, and suggestions to improve water governance are proposed.
Spectral discrimination of crops and weeds using deep learning assisted by wavelet transform and statistical preprocessing
Authors: Mohammadi Vahid , Minaei Saeid , Gouton Pierre , Mahdavian Ali Reza , Khoshtaghaza Mohammad Hadi
Published: November 2024

Automatic detection and removal of weeds is a challenging task that requires precise sensors. While crops and weeds possess similar features in terms of appearance, they can be discriminated based on spectral information. This can be done because any object has its own specific spectral signature based on its physical structure and chemical contents. This study examined the use of wavelet transform and deep learning for discrimination of weeds from crops. A total of 626 spectral reflectances in the range of 380 to 1,000 nm were obtained for three crops (cucumber [Cucumis sativus L.], tomato [Solanum lycopersicum L.], and bell pepper [Capsicum annuum L.]) and five different weeds (bindweed [Convolvulus spp.], purple nutsedge [Cyperus rotundus L.], narrowleaf plantain [Plantago lanceolata L.], common cinquefoil [Potentilla simplex Michx.], and garden sorrel [Rumex acetosa L.]). Morse wavelet was employed to decompose the spectra and extract the scalograms, which are the RGB representations of the spectral data. Two deep convolutional neural networks (i.e., GoogLeNet and SqueezNet) were employed for the recognition of crops and weeds. In addition, six common classifiers, including linear discriminant analysis, quadratic discriminant analysis, linear support vector machine, quadratic support vector machine, artificial neural networks, and k-nearest neighbors classifier (KNN), were used for the task of crop/weed discrimination to build the comparison with the proposed method. The error of prediction gradually decreased, and a 100% correct classification was achieved after 258 iterations. Analysis showed that SqueezNet provided classification of 100% accuracy, while GoogLeNet’s accuracy was 97.8% for the test set. Among the common classifiers, KNN provided the highest accuracy (i.e., 100%). This study showed that the proposed method can be successfully utilized for classification of crops and weeds.
Emergence of multiple resistance to EPSPS and ALS herbicides in smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus): a growing concern in Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Claudia , M. Mathioni Sandra , Witter Ana Paula Werkhausen , Nalin Daniel , N. Lemes Lúcio , G. Ozorio Eduardo , Storniolo Adegas Fernando , Silvério de Oliveira Rubem
Published: November 2024

Recently, farmers in Brazil have observed a decline in efficacy of glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr control of smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.). The objectives of this study were to quantify the resistance of Amaranthus in Brazil to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicides, elucidate the mechanism of resistance, and assess the frequency of shifts in sensitivity to glyphosate and chlorimuron in Brazil. Dose–response assays were conducted in a greenhouse with glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. This was followed by sequencing of the EPSPS and ALS genes. Additionally, 740 Amaranthus populations across several Brazilian states were monitored over 4 yr, subjected to a single discriminatory dose of glyphosate and chlorimuron. The populations BR18Asp051 and BR21Asp205 were resistant to glyphosate, chlorimuron, and imazethapyr. The elevated resistance level to glyphosate in these populations is attributed to multiple amino acid substitutions (TAP-IVS) in the EPSPS gene; and cross-resistance to sulfonylureas and imidazolinones is conferred by the Trp-574-Leu substitution in the ALS gene in both populations. Overall, resistance distribution indicated that 88% of the sampled populations were considered sensitive to glyphosate, while 66% were sensitive to chlorimuron. Furthermore, 10% of the samples demonstrated multiple resistance to both active ingredients. A shift in glyphosate sensitivity was observed in four states in Brazil; however, sensitivity shifts to chlorimuron were more widely dispersed in Brazilian agricultural regions.
Effects of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) competition on strawberry growth and yield
Authors: Buzanini Ana C. , Boyd Nathan S.
Published: November 2024

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] is one of the most problematic weeds in plasticulture strawberry [Fragaria × ananassa (Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (pro sp.) [chiloenis × virginiana]] production systems in Florida. A 2-yr trial was implemented to evaluate the effects of different E. indica densities on strawberry growth and yield. Eleusine indica densities evaluated were 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.9, 2.7, and 3.8 plants m−2 equally distributed on the plastic-mulched bed top within the strawberry transplant holes. Eleusine indica density did not affect E. indica height or biomass. However, E. indica seed production was positively correlated with E. indica density in Season 1 and negatively correlated with E. indica density in Season 2. A negative linear regression was observed between E. indica density and strawberry yield in both seasons. For each increase in E. indica plants per square meter, strawberry yield was reduced by 316 and 2,356 kg ha−1 for Seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of achieving adequate E. indica management to minimize yield losses.
Efficient Model Calibration Using Submodels
Authors: Vermeulen P. T. M. , Janssen G. M. C. M. , Kroon T.
Published: November 2024

Groundwater models tend to become increasingly detailed to accommodate increasing data availability and higher accuracy demands from stakeholders. As runtimes increase almost quadratically with the number of model cells, this makes the models ever more computationally demanding. This high computational demand introduces challenges for the history‐matching (calibration) process as this is an algorithmic process that needs hundreds or thousands of model‐runs to obtain the model sensitivities needed to estimate parameters. Model runs may take hours or days to complete which in fact, is often a reason to discard the history‐matching all together. As a solution, we present a practical approach to use sub‐modeling in combination with parallelization for automatic history‐matching. Therefore a large model is subdivided into smaller models to carry out the sensitivity simulations. With a realistic case the method is elaborated, after which the method is demonstrated in the history‐matching of the transient Dutch National Groundwater Flow model. In this manner the model, which consisted of over 12 million model cells, could be optimized using 416 sub‐models and altogether 2,188 parameters in 1 week. This would take years to complete in a conventional way.
Toward a Universal Model of Hyporheic Exchange and Nutrient Cycling in Streams
Authors: Monofy Ahmed , Grant Stanley B. , Boano Fulvio , Rippy Megan A. , Gomez‐Velez Jesus D. , Kaushal Sujay S. , Hotchkiss Erin R. , Shelton Sydney
Published: November 2024

In this paper we demonstrate that several ubiquitous hyporheic exchange mechanisms can be represented simply as a one‐dimensional diffusion process, where the diffusivity decays exponentially with depth into the streambed. Based on a meta‐analysis of 106 previously published laboratory measurements of hyporheic exchange (capturing a range of bed morphologies, hydraulic conditions, streambed properties, and experimental approaches) we find that the reference diffusivity and mixing length‐scale are functions of the permeability Reynolds Number and Schmidt Number. These dimensionless numbers, in turn, can be estimated for a particular stream from the median grain size of the streambed and the stream's depth, slope, and temperature. Application of these results to a seminal study of nitrate removal in 72 headwater streams across the United States, reveals: (a) streams draining urban and agricultural landscapes have a diminished capacity for in‐stream and in‐bed mixing along with smaller subsurface storage zones compared to streams draining reference landscapes; (b) under steady‐state conditions nitrate uptake in the streambed is primarily biologically controlled; and (c) median reaction timescales for nitrate removal in the hyporheic zone are 0.5 and 20 hr for uptake by assimilation and denitrification, respectively. While further research is needed, the simplicity and extensibility of the framework described here should facilitate cross‐disciplinary discussions and inform reach‐scale studies of pollutant fate and transport and their scale‐up to watersheds and beyond.
Storms Are Knocking Down More and More Trees in the Amazon
Authors: Scharping Nathaniel
Published: November 2024

Windthrows have increased nearly fourfold in the region, likely because of stronger storms.
Measurements of F1‐ Region Ionosphere State Variables at Arecibo Through Quasi Height‐Independent Exhaustive Fittings of the Incoherent Scatter Ion‐Line Spectra
Authors: Li Yanlin , Zhou Qihou
Published: November 2024

We discuss an exhaustive search approach to fit the incoherent scatter spectrum (ISS) in the F1‐region for molecular ion fraction (fm), ion temperature (Ti), and electron temperature (Te). The commonly used “full profile” approach for F1‐region measurements parameterizes the molecular ion fraction as a function of altitude and fits all the related heights for the state variables. In our approach, we fit the ISS at each height for fm, Ti, Te, and ion velocity (Vi) independently. Our exhaustive search method finds all the major local minima at each altitude. Although a parameterized function is used to guide the algorithm in finding the best solution, the fitting parameters retain their local characteristics. Despite that fitting fm, Ti, and Te without constraints requires Doppler shift to be accurately determined and the ISS signal‐to‐noise ratio higher than the full‐profile method, simulations show that Ti, Te, and fm can be recovered within a few percent accuracy with a moderate signal‐to‐noise ratio. We apply the exhaustive search approach to the Arecibo high‐resolution incoherent scatter radar data taken on 13 September 2014. The derived ion and electron temperatures are sensitive enough to reveal thermosphere gravity waves commonly seen in the electron density previously. Our method is more robust than previous height‐independent fitting methods. Comparison with another Arecibo program indicates our results are likely more accurate. Simultaneous high‐resolution measurements of Ti, Te, fm, Vi, and electron concentration (Ne) in our approach open new opportunities for synergistic studies of the F1‐region dynamics and chemistry.
Significant Midlatitude Plasma Density Peaks and Dual‐Hemisphere SED During the 10–11 May 2024 Super Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Aa Ercha , Zhang Shun‐Rong , Lei Jiuhou , Huang Fuqing , Erickson Philip J. , Coster Anthea J. , Luo Bingxian , Kerr Robert B.
Published: November 2024

This study investigates midlatitude ionospheric variations during the super geomagnetic storm on 10–11 May 2024, utilizing multi‐instrument data from ground‐based sources (Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers and a Fabry–Perot Interferometer) and space‐based measurements (Swarm and DMSP). We observed several distinct density gradient structures in the midlatitude ionosphere, with the main findings summarized as follows: (a) Significant zonal plasma density enhancements developed continuously in local dusk across the American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors around geomagnetic latitude. These midlatitude peaks exhibited a wide longitudinal extension exceeding 150 and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hr during the late main phase and early recovery phase of the storm. (b) Strong storm‐enhanced density (SED) was observed in both hemispheres yet with different longitudinal and universal time preferences. In the Northern Hemisphere, significant SED occurred over the American longitude sector during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10. In the Southern Hemisphere, pronounced SED was observed not only in the American longitudes during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10 but also in the Australian longitude sector during 02:00–04:00 UT on May 11.
The Neoproterozoic Mozambique Belt in the Gol Mountains (N Tanzania): Structural Analysis of Amphibolite and Granulite‐Facies Nappe Tectonites From a Crustal Orogenic Channel
Authors: Eguíluz L. , Puelles P. , Tarriño A. , Ábalos B.
Published: November 2024

A structural analysis of the Gol Mountains of North Tanzania is presented in which we identify and characterize a sheet‐like deformation‐localization zone of regional scale. Syn‐metamorphic rock‐deformation within the localization zone gave rise to widespread tectonite development under high‐T in lower‐mid crustal realms. Regional foliations and mineral/stretching lineations, and associated non‐coaxial mineral petrofabrics can be correlated with ductile flow shear planes. At the macro‐scale these structures are genetically connected with tangential movement zones involving large a‐type and sheath folds, thrusts and ductile shear zones, and hydrothermal quartz megaveins plastically deformed. The dimension of the area affected by this structural style is c. 30 km across the Mozambique Belt and >50 km parallel to it. The associated tectonic displacements likely attained several tens of km in the context of an overall W‐directed tectonic vergence transversal to the Mozambique Belt orogenic trend. It is interpreted as a segment of a mid‐lower crustal orogenic channel active during late Ediacaran amalgamation of the Congo‐Tanzania Archean Craton (and its discontinuous fringe of Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic orogens) with the amalgamated arcs and terranes of the Arabian‐Nubian Shield.
Physiological and pathological roles of the transcriptional kinases CDK12 and CDK13 in the central nervous system
Authors: Pitolli Consuelo , Marini Alberto , Sette Claudio , Pagliarini Vittoria
Published: November 2024

The cyclin-dependent kinases 12 (CDK12) and 13 (CDK13) govern several steps of gene expression, including transcription, RNA processing and translation. The main target of CDK12/13 is the serine 2 residue of the carboxy-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), thus influencing the directionality, elongation rate and processivity of the enzyme. The CDK12/13-dependent regulation of RNAPII activity influences the expression of selected target genes with important functional roles in the proliferation and viability of all eukaryotic cells. Neuronal cells are particularly affected by the loss of CDK12/13, as result of the high dependency of neuronal genes on RNAPII processivity for their expression. Deregulation of CDK12/13 activity strongly affects brain physiology by influencing the stemness potential and differentiation properties of neuronal precursor cells. Moreover, mounting evidence also suggest the involvement of CDK12/13 in brain tumours. Herein, we discuss the functional role(s) of CDK12 and CDK13 in gene expression regulation and highlight similarities and differences between these highly homologous kinases, with particular attention to their impact on brain physiology and pathology. Lastly, we provide an overview of CDK12/13 inhibitors and of their efficacy in brain tumours and other neoplastic diseases.
Structural basis of MICAL autoinhibition
Authors: Horvath Matej , Schrofel Adam , Kowalska Karolina , Sabo Jan , Vlasak Jonas , Nourisanami Farahdokht , Sobol Margarita , Pinkas Daniel , Knapp Krystof , Koupilova Nicola , Novacek Jiri , Veverka Vaclav , Lansky Zdenek , Rozbesky Daniel
Published: November 2024

MICAL proteins play a crucial role in cellular dynamics by binding and disassembling actin filaments, impacting processes like axon guidance, cytokinesis, and cell morphology. Their cellular activity is tightly controlled, as dysregulation can lead to detrimental effects on cellular morphology. Although previous studies have suggested that MICALs are autoinhibited, and require Rab proteins to become active, the detailed molecular mechanisms remained unclear. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human MICAL1 at a nominal resolution of 3.1 Å. Structural analyses, alongside biochemical and functional studies, show that MICAL1 autoinhibition is mediated by an intramolecular interaction between its N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal coiled-coil domains, blocking F-actin interaction. Moreover, we demonstrate that allosteric changes in the coiled-coil domain and the binding of the tripartite assembly of CH-L2α1-LIM domains to the coiled-coil domain are crucial for MICAL activation and autoinhibition. These mechanisms appear to be evolutionarily conserved, suggesting a potential universality across the MICAL family.
Multimodal scanning of genetic variants with base and prime editing
Authors: Belli Olivier , Karava Kyriaki , Farouni Rick , Platt Randall J.
Published: November 2024

Mutational scanning connects genetic variants to phenotype, enabling the interrogation of protein functions, interactions and variant pathogenicity. However, current methodologies cannot efficiently engineer customizable sets of diverse genetic variants in endogenous loci across cellular contexts in high throughput. Here, we combine cytosine and adenine base editors and a prime editor to assess the pathogenicity of a broad spectrum of variants in the epithelial growth factor receptor gene (EGFR). Using pooled base editing and prime editing guide RNA libraries, we install tens of thousands of variants spanning the full coding sequence of EGFR in multiple cell lines and assess the role of these variants in tumorigenesis and resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Our EGFR variant scan identifies important hits, supporting the robustness of the approach and revealing underappreciated routes to EGFR activation and drug response. We anticipate that multimodal precision mutational scanning can be applied broadly to characterize genetic variation in any genetic element of interest at high and single-nucleotide resolution.
Computational investigation of the effect of BODIPY labelling on peptide-membrane interaction
Authors: de Jong-Hoogland Dominique , Ulmschneider Jacob , Ulmschneider Martin
Published: November 2024

Optical monitoring of peptide binding to live cells is hampered by the abundance of naturally occurring fluorophores such as tryptophan. Unnatural amino acids incorporating synthetic fluorophores such as BODIPY overcome these optical limitations. A drawback to using fluorophores in lipid binding peptide design is their propensity to override other interactions, potentially causing the peptides to lose their binding selectivity. Here, the binding strength of a selection of peptides incorporating a variety of BODIPY derivatized amino acids has been studied via molecular dynamics simulations to quantify the impact of BODIPY incorporation on peptide-membrane binding behaviour.
Energy saving analysis for pump-motor set in water purification plant using variable speed drive
Authors: Salama Mohamed Adel Esmaeel , El-Naggar Nada Mohamed , Abu-Zaid Salama
Published: November 2024

The induction motor is known to be the most reliable motor in the industry and is also the most energy-consuming load worldwide. It is noticeable in some production areas that the use of a high-capacity induction motor is not required at some operating times, and therefore it is important to control the speed of the induction motor to suit the operating requirements and obtain highly efficient performance. This paper presents a case study of a drinking water purification plant that uses a variable speed drive (VSD) as a speed controller for one of its induction motors to drive the pump. The VSD is connected to the motor in question to regulate its speed and maintain the external pressure of the station at an appropriate value that ensures water delivery to all branches of the network. 24-hour power consumption measurements of the respective engine with and without the use of a VSD are studied and analyzed to determine the potential for energy savings. Finally, a case study simulation is presented to compare the simulation results with the actual results.
Genetic remodeling of soil diazotrophs enables partial replacement of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer with biological nitrogen fixation in maize
Authors: Martinez-Feria Rafael , Simmonds Maegen B. , Ozaydin Bilge , Lewis Stacey , Schwartz Allison , Pluchino Alex , McKellar Megan , Gottlieb Shayin S. , Kayatsky Tasha , Vital Richelle , Mehlman Sharon E. , Caron Zoe , Colaianni Nicholas R. , Ané Jean-Michel , Maeda Junko , Infante Valentina , Karlsson Bjorn H. , McLimans Caitlin , Vyn Tony , Hanson Brendan , Verhagen Garrett , Nevins Clayton , Reese Lori , Otyama Paul , Robinson Alice , Learmonth Timothy , Miller Christine M. F. , Havens Keira , Tamsir Alvin , Temme Karsten
Published: November 2024

Increasing biological nitrogen (N) fixation (BNF) in maize production could reduce the environmental impacts of N fertilizer use, but reactive N in the rhizosphere of maize limits the BNF process. Using non-transgenic methods, we developed gene-edited strains of Klebsiella variicola (Kv137-2253) and Kosakonia sacchari (Ks6-5687) bacteria optimized for root-associated BNF and ammonium excretion in N-rich conditions. The aim of this research was to elucidate the mechanism of action of these strains. We present evidence from in vitro, in planta and field experiments that confirms that our genetic remodeling strategy derepresses BNF activity in N-rich systems and increases ammonium excretion by orders of magnitude above the respective wildtype strains. BNF is demonstrated in controlled environments by the transfer of labeled 15N2 gas from the rhizosphere to the chlorophyll of inoculated maize plants. This was corroborated in several 15N isotope tracer field experiments where inoculation with the formulated, commercial-grade product derived from the gene-edited strains (PIVOT BIO PROVEN® 40) provided on average 21 kg N ha-1 to the plant by the VT-R1 growth stages. Data from small-plot and on-farm trials suggest that this technology can improve crop N status pre-flowering and has potential to mitigate the risk of yield loss associated with a reduction in synthetic N fertilizer inputs.
Aspergillus flavipes L-methionine γ-lyase-β-cyclodextrin conjugates with improved stability, catalytic efficiency and anticancer activity
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf S. A. , Shindia Ahmed , Emam Esraa , Labib Mai , El-Deen Eman Nour , Seadawy Mohamed G. , Yassin Marwa A.
Published: November 2024

Aspergillus flavipes L-methionine γ-lyase (MGL) has been authenticated as a powerful anticancer agent towards various solid tumors, however, the catalytic efficiency and stability of this enzyme remains the main challenge for its further in vivo applications. Thus, the objective of this study was to enhance the catalytic efficiency, structural stability of A. flavipes MGL, in addition to boost their anticancer activity, via conjugation with β-cyclodextrin. The purified A. flavipes MGL was (38.1 μmol/mg/min) was conjugated with β-cyclodextrin, with immobilization yield 80%. The conjugation process of MGL with β-cyclodextrin was verified from the FTIR analysis, molecular docking analysis, ensuring the covalent conjugation process via the hydrogen, and hydrophobic interactions with the cyclodextrin hydroxyl groups and MGL surface amino acids residues. The free and CD-MGL have the same optimum reaction temperature 37 °C, reaction pH 7.5 and pH stability pH 6.5–8.0. The CD-MGL conjugates had a significant stability to proteinase K and trypsin digestion. The affinity of CD-MGL was increased by ~ 2 folds to L-methionine (KM 3.1 mM), compared to the free one (KM 7.2 mM), as well as the catalytic efficiency of MGL was increased by 1.8 folds upon cyclodextrin conjugation. The higher affinity of CD-MGL for L-methionine might be due to re-orientation of the MGL to bind with the substrate by multiple interactions hydrogen, hydrophobic and covalent bonds compared to the free one. The thermal stability of MGL was increased by ~ 2 folds for the tested treatments, upon cyclodextrin conjugation. The in vitro anticancer activity of CD-MGL was enhanced by 2 folds against the HCT-116 (IC50 value 13.9 μmol/mg/min) and MCF7 (IC50 value 9.6 μmol/mg/min), compared to the free MGL (~ 21.4 μmol/mg/min). The enzymes displayed a significant activity against the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in vivo, with an obvious improvement on the liver tissues, as revealed from the histopathological sections
A context-based model of collaborative inhibition during memory search
Authors: Angne Hemali , Cornell Charlotte A. , Zhang Qiong
Published: November 2024

Contrary to common intuition, a group of people recalling information together remembers less than the same number of individuals recalling alone (i.e., the collaborative inhibition effect). To understand this effect in a free recall task, we build a computational model of collaborative recall in groups, extended from the Context Maintenance and Retrieval (CMR) model, which captures how individuals recall information alone. We propose that in collaborative recall, one not only uses their previous recall as an internal retrieval cue, but one also listens to someone else’s recall and uses it as an external retrieval cue. Attending to this cue updates the listener’s context to be more similar to the context of someone else’s recall. Over an existing dataset of individual and collaborative recall in small and large groups, we show that our model successfully captures the difference in memory performance between individual recall and collaborative recall across different group sizes from 2 to 16, as well as additional recall patterns such as recency effects and semantic clustering effects. Our model further shows that collaborating individuals reach similar areas in the context space, whereby their contexts converge more than the contexts of individuals recalling alone. This convergence constrains their ability to search memories effectively and is negatively associated with recall performance. We discuss the contributions of our modeling results in relation to previous accounts of the collaborative inhibition effect.
Working memory as a representational template for reinforcement learning
Authors: Shibata Kengo , Klar Verena , Fallon Sean J. , Husain Masud , Manohar Sanjay G.
Published: November 2024

Working memory (WM) and reinforcement learning (RL) both influence decision-making, but how they interact to affect behaviour remains unclear. We assessed whether RL is influenced by the format of visual stimuli held in WM, either feature-based or unified, object-based representations. In a pre-registered paradigm, participants learned stimulus-action combinations that provided reward through 80% probabilistic feedback. In parallel, participants retained the RL stimulus in WM and were asked to recall this stimulus after each RL choice. Crucially, the format of representation probed in WM was manipulated, with blocks encouraging either separate features or bound objects to be remembered. Incentivising a feature-based WM representation facilitated feature-based learning, shown by an improved choice strategy. This reveals a role of WM in providing sustained internal representations that are harnessed by RL, providing a framework by which these two cognitive processes cooperate.
Determinants of chemoselectivity in ubiquitination by the J2 family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes
Authors: Swarnkar Anuruti , Leidner Florian , Rout Ashok K , Ainatzi Sofia , Schmidt Claudia C , Becker Stefan , Urlaub Henning , Griesinger Christian , Grubmüller Helmut , Stein Alexander
Published: November 2024

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2) play a crucial role in the attachment of ubiquitin to proteins. Together with ubiquitin ligases (E3), they catalyze the transfer of ubiquitin (Ub) onto lysines with high chemoselectivity. A subfamily of E2s, including yeast Ubc6 and human Ube2J2, also mediates noncanonical modification of serines, but the structural determinants for this chemical versatility remain unknown. Using a combination of X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and reconstitution approaches, we have uncovered a two-layered mechanism that underlies this unique reactivity. A rearrangement of the Ubc6/Ube2J2 active site enhances the reactivity of the E2-Ub thioester, facilitating attack by weaker nucleophiles. Moreover, a conserved histidine in Ubc6/Ube2J2 activates a substrate serine by general base catalysis. Binding of RING-type E3 ligases further increases the serine selectivity inherent to Ubc6/Ube2J2, via an allosteric mechanism that requires specific positioning of the ubiquitin tail at the E2 active site. Our results elucidate how subtle structural modifications to the highly conserved E2 fold yield distinct enzymatic activity.
Rapid lung ventilation MRI using parahydrogen-induced polarization of propane gas
Authors: Chowdhury Md Raduanul H. , Oladun Clementinah , Ariyasingha Nuwandi M. , Samoilenko Anna , Bawardi Tarek , Burueva Dudari B. , Salnikov Oleg G. , Kovtunova Larisa M. , Bukhtiyarov Valerii I. , Shi Zhongjie , Luo Kehuan , Tan Sidhartha , Gelovani Juri G. , Koptyug Igor V. , Goodson Boyd M. , Chekmenev Eduard Y.
Published: November 2024

The feasibility of ultrafast (1.7 s) ventilation MRI with a 1 × 1 × 50 mm3 voxel size is demonstrated using hyperpolarized propane gas contrast agent in excised rabbit lungs on a 0.35 T clinical MRI scanner without any scanner modification.
Improved volatiles analysis workflows using automated selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS)
Authors: Langford Vaughan S. , Perkins Mark J.
Published: November 2024

Selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a recent addition to the routine analysis and research laboratory toolkit, primarily as a quantitative tool.
Laccase-catalyzed tyrosine click reaction with 1-methyl-4-arylurazole: rapid labeling on protein surfaces
Authors: Nakane Keita , Fujimura Chizu , Miyano Shogo , Liu Zhengyi , Niwa Tatsuya , Nishi Hafumi , Kadonosono Tetsuya , Taguchi Hideki , Tomoshige Shusuke , Ishikawa Minoru , Sato Shinichi
Published: November 2024

Our study shows efficient tyrosine labeling using 1-methyl-4-arylurazole (MAUra) with laccase under mild conditions. This method achieves a high efficiency (kcat/Km = 7.88 × 104 M−1 s−1), selectively targeting exposed tyrosine sites on proteins.
Ceria-based supported metal catalysts for the low-temperature water–gas shift reaction
Authors: Fu Xin-Pu , Zhao Hui , Jia Chun-Jiang
Published: November 2024

This article reviews the recent advances in ceria-based metal catalysts for the WGS reaction, comprising strategies for fabricating highly active metal–ceria interfaces and mechanistic understanding of the reaction pathway at molecular level.
Breaking the Brownian barrier: models and manifestations of molecular diffusion in complex fluids
Authors: Srinivasan Harish , Sharma Veerendra K. , Mitra Subhankur
Published: November 2024

Molecular diffusion in complex fluids strongly violates laws of Brownian motion. This perspective provides an overview of modelling dynamics beyond the Brownian regime using non-Gaussian and non-Markovian behaviour.
Structure and dynamics of aqueous VOSO4 solutions in conventional flow through cell design: a molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Karmakar Anwesa
Published: November 2024

A theoretical model has been proposed to study the structure and dynamics of aqueous vanadyl sulfate (VOSO4) solution used in the conventional flow (CF) through cell design operating under varying thermodynamic conditions.
Identifying winner-takes-all emergence in random nanowire networks: an inverse problem
Authors: Duarte F. R. , Mukim S. , Ferreira M. S. , Rocha C. G.
Published: November 2024

By inverting the conductance evolution of a random nanowire network of memristive units, we identify its junction parameters and predict the emergence of a winner-takes-all behaviour.
An annealing approach to form a nanotube from graphdiyne ribbon: a theoretical prediction
Authors: Song Bo , Cai Kun , Shi Jiao , Qin Qing-Hua
Published: November 2024

A precisely controllable heat treatment process is critical for nanofabrication.
Correlating negative thermal expansion and thermal conductivity in two-dimensional carbon-based materials
Authors: Mondal Soumya , Datta Ayan
Published: November 2024

In the family of two dimensional materials, high negative thermal expansion is found to correlate inversely with their thermal conductivity.
Recent advances in the syntheses and emerging applications of 2D borophene-based nanomaterials with a focus on supercapacitors
Authors: Pal Prashanta , Nandi Mahasweta
Published: November 2024

This article focuses on the recent advancements in the synthesis of borophene-based materials and their emerging applications in the field of supercapacitors.
Alleviating hypoxia by integrating MnO2 with metal–organic frameworks coated upconversion nanocomposites for enhanced photodynamic therapy in vitro
Authors: Zhou Junxun , Jiang Mengyue , Zhang Qiangqiang , Jiang Yuan , Wang Haifang , Sun Lining
Published: November 2024

Here, alleviation of hypoxia was achieved by integrating MnO2 with metal–organic framework-coated upconversion nanocomposites and applied for enhanced photodynamic therapy in vitro.
Detailed mechanism of a DNA/RNA nucleobase substituting bridging ligand in diruthenium(ii,iii) and dirhodium(ii,ii) tetraacetato paddlewheel complexes: protonation of the leaving acetate is crucial
Authors: Tolbatov Iogann , Marzo Tiziano , Umari Paolo , La Mendola Diego , Marrone Alessandro
Published: November 2024

Purine nucleobases anchor the bimetallic moiety and unfasten carboxylate groups supported by protonation.
Asymmetric triply bridged lanthanide binuclear clusters with distinctly different magnetic behaviors
Authors: Yang Yue , Wang Yu-Xia , Lei Yu-Zhe , Cheng Peng
Published: November 2024

Isostructural triple bridged binuclear Ln clusters with antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic couplings exhibit SMM behavior and strong magnetothermal entropy, respectively.
Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based bridged BODIPY dimers: synthesis, electrochemistry, and one- and two-photon photophysical properties
Authors: Chai Zhiyong , Gu Tingting , Beau Annaelle , Bolze Frédéric , Gros Claude P. , Liang Xu , Shi Donghai , Xu Haijun
Published: November 2024

Four BODIPY dyes (6a–6d) with electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups at the meso-position were synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling reaction of 2,5-diethynylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene with mono-iodo-BODIPY moieties.
Study of CanUO2(CO3)3(4−2n)− complexes using CE-ICP-MS with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) capillaries
Authors: Sun Ruopei , Dupuis Erwan , Aupiais Jean , Reiller Pascal E.
Published: November 2024

The formation constants of CanUO2(CO3)3(4−2n)− complexes were determined using capillary electrophoresis coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) in 0.1 M NaCl and at room temperature.
Surface-deprotonated ultra-small SnO2 quantum dots for high-performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xiang Wuchen , Gao Yiheng , Yuan Bobo , Xiao Shuping , Wu Rui , Wan Yiran , Liu Zhiqiang , Ma Liang , Chen Xiangbai , Ke Weijun , Fang Guojia , Qin Pingli
Published: November 2024

SnO2 electron transport layers (ETLs) have significantly boosted the recent record efficiencies in perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Oral administration of cranberry-derived exosomes attenuates murine premature ovarian failure in association with changes in the specific gut microbiota and diminution in ovarian granulosa cell PANoptosis
Authors: Cui Zeyu , Liu Te , Wen Yichao , Li Weihao , Xu Jianghong , Chen Yingjuan , Chen Danping , Zhu Ying
Published: November 2024

We confirmed that oral administration of cranberry-derived exosomes attenuated murine POF by modulating the gut microbiota and decreasing ovarian granulosa cell PANoptosis.
Electron-mediator-free efficient photocatalytic regeneration of coenzyme NAD(P)H via direct electron transfer using ultrathin Bi2MoO6 nanosheets
Authors: Chai Yao , Pang Zirui , Jiang Heng , Tsoi Chi Chung , Wan Liang , Du Yu , Jia Huaping , Zhu Yujiao , Liu Detao , Xie Fengjia , Zhou Guangya , Zhang Xuming
Published: November 2024

The direct electron transfer mechanism of single-layer Bi2MoO6 ultrathin nanosheets promotes the efficient regeneration of photocatalytic coenzyme NAD(P)H.
Emerging 2D materials hardware for in-sensor computing
Authors: Shi Yufei , Duong Ngoc Thanh , Ang Kah-Wee
Published: November 2024

This review covers recent advancements and future directions in 2DM-based devices for in-sensor computing, focusing on unique physical mechanisms for sensory responses, biomimetic synaptic features, and potential applications.