bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitosan decorated cobalt zinc ferrite nanoferrofluid composites for potential cancer hyperthermia therapy: anti-cancer activity, genotoxicity, and immunotoxicity evaluation
Authors: Sharifi Esmaeel , Reisi Fatemeh , Yousefiasl Satar , Elahian Fatemeh , Barjui Shahrbanou Parchami , Sartorius Rossella , Fattahi Najmeh , Zare Ehsan Nazarzadeh , Rabiee Navid , Gazi Elham Pahlevani , Paiva-Santos Ana Cláudia , Parlanti Paola , Gemmi Mauro , Mobini Gholam-Reza , Hashemzadeh-Chaleshtori Morteza , De Berardinis Piergiuseppe , Sharifi Ibrahim , Mattoli Virgilio , Makvandi Pooyan
Published: October 2023

Cancer, as the leading cause of death worldwide, has been constantly increasing in mortality every year. Among several therapeutics, nanoscale compounds showed promising results in overcoming cancer diseases. There are numerous types of research on the paramagnetic nanoparticles of iron oxide, which cause apoptosis and cancer cell death. In this study, cobalt/zinc/ferrite nanoferrofluid composites (~ 39 nm) were synthesized and decorated with chitosan to enhance the cell entry for potential applications in cancer therapy. The neat and chitosan-adorned cobalt zinc ferrite nanoferrofluid composites (~ 94 nm) displayed superparamagnetic properties. The nanocomposite exhibited anti-cancer activity against WEHI164 cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The chitosan-coated nanocomposite was found to induce oxidative stress in WEHI164 cancer cells, as indicated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, DNA damage was indicated in WEHI164 cancer cells after exposure to chitosan-coated nanocomposites. Chitosan-coated nanocomposites promoted dendritic cell maturation by inducing the release of interleukin-6 proinflammatory cytokines. According to the results and ancillary studies, superparamagnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan can be considered an effective and promising treatment for the destruction of cancer cells.

Graphical Abstract

Summary: Chitosan decorated cobalt zinc ferrite nanoferrofluid composites was fabricated for potential cancer hyperthermia therapy with high biocompatibility.
Effect of high temperature annealing on the microstructure evolution and hardness behavior of the Inconel 625 superalloy additively manufactured by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Dubiel Beata , Gola Kewin , Staroń Sylwia , Pasiowiec Hubert , Indyka Paulina , Gajewska Marta , Zubko Maciej , Kalemba-Rec Izabela , Moskalewicz Tomasz , Kąc Sławomir
Published: October 2023

Additive manufacturing of Inconel 625 components attracts great interest due to its ability to produce parts with complex geometries that are needed for high-temperature applications in the aerospace, energy, automotive and chemical industries. To take full advantage of the potential of additive manufacturing, an in-depth understanding of the effects of prolonged high-temperature annealing on microstructure and hardness evolution is needed. Previous research in this field has mainly focused on a limited range of temperature and time. This study aims to determine the effect of prolonged high-temperature annealing on the evolution of intermetallic phases and carbides, as well as changes in the dislocation substructure of Inconel 625 superalloy additively manufactured by laser powder bed fusion subjected to stress relief annealing and subsequent isothermal annealing at a temperature up to 800 °C for 5–500 h. The microstructure development is correlated with hardness behaviour. It is determined that the microstructure evolution proceeds in four stages with temperature and time increase. In the initial stress-relieved condition, a cellular microstructure with nano-sized precipitates of the Laves phase and NbC carbides at the cell walls occurs, and hardness is equal to 300 HV10. In the 1st stage of the microstructure evolution, the γ'' phase particles precipitate on the cell walls, which results in hardening up to 383 HV10 in the specimen annealed at 700 °C for 5 h. The 2nd stage involves the precipitation of the γ'' phase both on the cell walls and inside the cells, as well as the formation of dislocation networks, which contribute to the softening effect and hardness drop to 319 HV10. In the 3rd stage, at temperature 700 and 800 °C, the δ phase, M23C6 carbides, and the Laves phase precipitate and grow, and the subgrain boundaries are formed. The hardness is in the range of 340–350 HV10 and is higher than in the 2nd stage. In the 4th stage, as the annealing time is increased at a temperature of 800 °C, the δ phase and M23C6 carbides coagulate, and the Laves phase particles spheroidize or partially dissolve. Very intense precipitation and growth of the hard δ phase particles provide an increase in hardness to 402 HV10. As a result of systematic studies, the various strengthening and softening mechanisms acting during high-temperature annealing are determined.

Graphical abstract
Hepatitis B virus–associated diffuse large B cell lymphoma: epidemiology, biology, clinical features and HBV reactivation
Authors: Jiayu Zhu , Zhang Qingyuan
Published: October 2023

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of lymphoma in adults with high heterogeneity. Recent studies have manifested that the occurrence and development of DLBCL is related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. As a medium-to-high prevalence area of HBV infection in China, the importance and exact mechanism of HBV infection in the occurrence of DLBCL have attracted considerable attention. HBV-associated DLBCL has unique clinical characteristics, poor treatment effect and inferior prognosis. HBV reactivation caused by DLBCL treatment also needs for constant vigilance. In this review we summarize the current research progress in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, HBV reactivation and antiviral therapies of HBV-associated DLBCL, in order to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
State of the art review on the production and bond behaviour of reinforced geopolymer concrete
Authors: Cui Yifei , Ai Weixia , Tekle Biruk Hailu , Liu Menghua , Qu Shihao , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2023

Geopolymer is produced through the polymerization of active aluminosilicate material with an alkaline activator, leading to the formation of a green, inorganic polymer binder. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) has become a promising low-carbon alternative to traditional Portland cement-based concrete (OPC). GPC-bonded reinforcing bars offer a promising alternative for concrete structures, boasting excellent geopolymer binder/reinforcement bonding and superior corrosion and high-temperature resistance compared to Portland cement. However, due to differences in the production process of GPC, there are distinct engineering property variations, including bonding characteristics. This literature review provides an examination of the manufacturing procedures of GPC, encompassing source materials, mix design, curing regimes, and other factors directly influencing concrete properties. Additionally, it delves into the bond mechanism, bond tests, and corresponding results that represent the bond characteristics. The main conclusions are that GPC generally has superior mechanical properties and bond performance compared to ordinary Portland cement concrete (OPC). However, proper standardization is needed for its production and performance tests to limit the contradictory results in the lab and on site.
Analysis of the Medical Consequences of Global Terrorist Attacks in Turkic States in the Last 50 Years by Weapon and Attack Type
Authors: Çalışkan Cüneyt , Dağ Nihal , Kınık Kerem
Published: October 2023

Objective:

This research aimed to conduct an epidemiological analysis of the terrorist attacks, which took place in the Turkic states between 1970 and 2019, and their medical consequences in terms of weapons and attack types. The data collected from this research will be valuable for the development of preventive systems against attacks on Turkic states and offer insights on how to effectively prepare for potential future attacks.

Methods:

The population of the research consisted of the weapons and types of attacks of the terrorist attacks in the Turkic states drawn from the Global Terrorism Database provided free of charge by START. The number of deaths, injuries, property damage, primary weapons, and types of attacks were analyzed by country.

Results:

Between 1970 and 2019, 4629 terrorist incidents occurred and 7496 people lost their lives and 10 928 people were injured. Among the types of weapons, the number of people who lost their lives was mostly in firearms, whereas the number of the injured was mostly in explosive weapons. Among the types of attacks, the number of people who lost their lives was mostly observed in the armed attack, whereas the injuries occurred mostly in the bombing attacks. Among the Turkic states, Turkey is the country most affected in terms of medical outcomes.

Conclusion:

The terrorist attacks in the Turkic states reached their maximum number in the last 10 years. It is predicted that this number will increase further in the next years and affect more people medically.
Sound wave propagation in rarefied molecular gases
Authors: Li Shaokang , Su Wei , Zhang Yonghao
Published: October 2023

Sound wave propagation in rarefied flows of molecular gases confined in micro-channels is investigated numerically. We first validate the employed kinetic model against the experimental results and then systematically study the gas damping and surface force on the transducer as well as the resonance/anti-resonance in confined space. To quantify the impact of the finite relaxation rates of the translational and internal energies on wave propagation, we examine the roles of bulk viscosity and thermal conductivity in depth over a wide range of rarefactions and oscillation frequencies. It is found that the bulk viscosity only exerts influence on the pressure amplitude and its resonance frequency in the slip regime in high oscillations. In addition, the internal degree of freedom is frozen when the bulk viscosity of a molecular gas is large, resulting in the pressure amplitude of sound waves in the molecular gas being the same as in a monatomic gas. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity has a limited influence on the pressure amplitude in all the simulated flows. In the case of the thermoacoustic wave, we prove that the Onsager–Casimir reciprocal relation also holds for molecular gases, i.e. the pressure deviation induced by the temperature variation is equal to the heat flux induced by the plate oscillation. Our findings enable an enhanced understanding of sound wave propagation in molecular gases, which may facilitate the design of nano-/micro-scale devices.
Resonances and instabilities in a tilted rotating annulus
Authors: Scollo S. , Nobili C. , Villermaux E. , Meunier P.
Published: October 2023

The flow inside a rotating annulus tilted with respect to gravity is characterized experimentally and theoretically. As in the case of a tilted rotating cylinder the flow is forced by the free surface, maintained flat by gravity. It leads to resonances of global inertial modes (Kelvin modes) when the height of fluid is a multiple of half the wavelength of the mode. The divergence of the mode is saturated by viscous effects at the resonance. The maximum amplitude scales as the Ekman number to the power

$-1/2$

when surface Ekman pumping is dominant, and to the power

$-1$

when volumic damping is dominant. An analytical prediction is given with no fitting parameter, in excellent agreement with experimental results. At lower Ekman numbers, the flow destabilizes with respect to a triadic resonance instability, as already observed by Xu & Harlander (Phys. Rev. Fluids, 2020). We provide here a linear stability analysis leading to the viscous threshold of the instability for small tilt angles. For large tilt angles, a centrifugal instability is observed due to the acceleration of the flow by the inner cylinder. Finally, the features of the turbulent flow and its mixing efficiency are characterized experimentally. We underline the potential interest of this configuration for bioreactors.
Mikhuspa Ukyaspa Ima Tinkuyku: Food and Drinks as Mediators of Encounters in Andean Festivals
Authors: Tello Barreda Carlos A.
Published: October 2023

Mikhuspa ukyaspa ima tinkuyku is Quechua for “eating and drinking, we encounter one another.” Food and drinks have historically been important mediators in the development and renewal of relationships of reciprocity in the Andean region. This article demonstrates how contemporary Andean people continue to use food and drinks to mediate encounters where knowledge transmission and community building take place. In particular, the article explains how members of a dance troupe in Cusco, Peru, use food and drinks to integrate its new members into the dance troupe, teach them the traditions of the group, and explore and (re)define their relationships of reciprocity. By sharing food and drinks, dancers connect their Quechua heritage with their lived experiences to explore and (re)shape their own identities. The article employs a research methodology that centers local epistemology, particularly the Quechua concept of tinkuy, defined as an encounter of different elements that creates something new.
Microplastics: A threat for developing and repairing organs?
Authors: Hofstede Lars T. , Vasse Gwenda F. , Melgert Barbro N.
Published: October 2023

Plastic production has greatly increased in the past decades and has become central to modern human life. Realization is dawning that plastics break down into smaller pieces resulting in micro- or nanoplastics (MNP) that can enter humans directly via the environment. Indeed, MNP have been detected in every part of the human body, including the placenta, which is concerning for development. Early developmental stages are crucial for proper growth and genome programming. Environmental disruptors in MNP can have detrimental effects during this critical window as well and can increase the risk of developing disease and dysfunction. In addition, MNP may impact situations in which developmental pathways are reactivated after birth such as during organ repair. Currently, there is no overview of how MNP can impair (human) development and repair. Therefore, we provide an extensive overview of available evidence on MNP impacting developmental and regenerative processes in various organs in humans and rodent models. In addition, we have included the impact of some additives that can leach from these MNP. We conclude that MNP and their additives can have modulating effects on developing and regenerating organs.
Resolving Debates about Scientific Realism: The Challenge from Stances
Authors: Chakravartty Anjan
Published: October 2023

Epistemic stances are collections of attitudes, values, aims, and policies relevant to assessing evidence, eventuating in belief or agnosticism regarding the output of scientific investigations. If, in some cases, conflicting stances promoting scientific realism and antirealism, respectively, are rationally permissible, this would seem to undermine the possibility of resolving certain debates between realists and antirealists. In this article I reply to two concerns about this conception of stances, to the effect that: (1) a stance underlying realism is, in fact, rationally obligatory for realists, given certain natural assumptions; and (2) this sort of permissivism would validate pseudoscience and science denialism.
Do Machine Learning Models Represent Their Targets?
Authors: Sullivan Emily
Published: October 2023

I argue that machine learning (ML) models used in science function as highly idealized toy models. If we treat ML models as a type of highly idealized toy model, then we can deploy standard representational and epistemic strategies from the toy model literature to explain why ML models can still provide epistemic success despite their lack of similarity to their targets.
The Importance of Breaking Even: How Local and Aggregate Returns Make Politically Feasible Policies
Authors: Gerber Alan S. , Huber Gregory A. , Tucker Patrick D. , Cho John J.
Published: October 2023

Policies that promote the common good may be politically infeasible if legislators representing ‘losing’ constituencies are punished for failing to promote their district's welfare. We investigate how varying the local and aggregate returns to a policy affects voter support for their incumbent. In our first study, we find that an incumbent who favours a welfare-enhancing policy enjoys a discontinuous jump in support when their district moves from losing to at least breaking even, while the additional incremental political returns for the district doing better than breaking even are modest. This feature of voter response, which we replicate, has significant implications for legislative politics generally and, in particular, how to construct politically feasible social welfare-enhancing policies. In a second study, we investigate the robustness of this finding in a competitive environment in which a challenger can call attention to a legislator's absolute and relative performance in delivering resources to their district.
Anti-Toxoplasma gondii screening of MMV pandemic response box and evaluation of RWJ-67657 efficacy in chronically infected mice
Authors: dos Santos Bruna Ramos , Ramos Amanda Bruno da Silva Bellini , de Menezes Renata Priscila Barros , Scotti Marcus Tullius , Colombo Fábio Antônio , Marques Marcos José , Reimão Juliana Quero
Published: October 2023

Toxoplasmosis is a significant public health concern with limited therapeutic options. The medicines for malaria venture (MMV) developed the pandemic response box (PRB) containing 400 drug-like molecules with broad pathogen activity. The aim of this work is to evaluate PRB compounds for their anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity and identify promising candidates for further evaluation. Screening identified 42 selective compounds with half effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 2.4 to 913.1 nm and half cytotoxic concentration (CC50) ranging from 6 μm to >50 μm. Selectivity index (SI) values (CC50/EC50) ranged from 11 to 17 708. Based on its in silico and in vitro profile and its commercial availability, RWJ-67657 was selected for further studies. Molecular docking analysis showed RWJ-67657 is predicted to bind to T. gondii p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (TgMAPK). Oral administration of RWJ-67657 (20 mg kg day−1/10 days) significantly reduced parasite burden in chronically infected mice compared to mock-treated group (P < 0.01). These findings highlight the PRB as a promising source for anti-T. gondii compounds, with several showing favourable drug properties, including MMV1634492, MMV002731, MMV1634491, MMV1581551, MMV011565, MMV1581558, MMV1578577, MMV233495 and MMV1580482, firstly described here as anti-T. gondii agents. RWJ-67657 emerges as a valuable drug candidate for experimental chronic cerebral toxoplasmosis therapy.
Methods matter: the influence of method on infection estimates of the bumblebee parasite Crithidia bombi
Authors: Wolmuth-Gordon Hannah S. , Sharmin Anisah , Brown Mark J. F.
Published: October 2023

The bumblebee gut parasite, Crithidia bombi, is widespread and prevalent in the field. Its interaction with Bombus spp. is a well-established epidemiological model. It is spread faecal-orally between colonies via the shared use of flowers when foraging. Accurately measuring the level of infection in bumblebees is important for assessing its distribution in the field, and also when conducting epidemiological experiments. Studies generally use 1 of 2 methods for measuring infection. One approach measures infection in faeces whereas the other method measures infection in guts. We tested whether the method of measuring infection affected the estimation of infection. Bumblebees were inoculated with a standardized inoculum and infection was measured 1 week later using either the faecal or gut method. We found that when the gut method was used to measure infection intensity estimates were significantly different to and approximately double those from the faecal method. These results have implications for the interpretation of previous study results and for the planning of future studies. Given the importance of bumblebees as pollinators, the impact of C. bombi on bumblebee health, and its use as an epidemiological model, we call on researchers to move towards consistent quantification of infections to enable future comparisons and meta-analyses of studies.
Using machine learning with passive wearable sensors to pilot the detection of eating disorder behaviors in everyday life
Authors: Ralph-Nearman C. , Sandoval-Araujo L. E. , Karem A. , Cusack C. E. , Glatt S. , Hooper M. A. , Rodriguez Pena C. , Cohen D. , Allen S. , Cash E. D. , Welch K. , Levinson C. A.
Published: October 2023

Background

Eating disorders (ED) are serious psychiatric disorders, taking a life every 52 minutes, with high relapse. There are currently no support or effective intervention therapeutics for individuals with an ED in their everyday life. The aim of this study is to build idiographic machine learning (ML) models to evaluate the performance of physiological recordings to detect individual ED behaviors in naturalistic settings.

Methods

From an ongoing study (FinalN= 120), we piloted the ability for ML to detect an individual's ED behavioral episodes (e.g. purging) from physiological data in six individuals diagnosed with an ED, all of whom endorsed purging. Participants wore an ambulatory monitor for 30 days and tapped a button to denote ED behavioral episodes. We built idiographic (N= 1) logistic regression classifiers (LRC) ML trained models to identify onset of episodes (~600 windows) v. baseline (~571 windows) physiology (Heart Rate, Electrodermal Activity, and Temperature).

Results

Using physiological data, ML LRC accurately classified on average 91% of cases, with 92% specificity and 90% sensitivity.

Conclusions

This evidence suggests the ability to build idiographic ML models that detect ED behaviors from physiological indices within everyday life with a high level of accuracy. The novel use of ML with wearable sensors to detect physiological patterns of ED behavior pre-onset can lead to just-in-time clinical interventions to disrupt problematic behaviors and promote ED recovery.
Childhood trauma moderates schizotypy-related brain morphology: analyses of 1182 healthy individuals from the ENIGMA schizotypy working group
Authors: Quidé Yann , Watkeys Oliver J. , Tonini Emiliana , Grotegerd Dominik , Dannlowski Udo , Nenadić Igor , Kircher Tilo , Krug Axel , Hahn Tim , Meinert Susanne , Goltermann Janik , Gruber Marius , Stein Frederike , Brosch Katharina , Wroblewski Adrian , Thomas-Odenthal Florian , Usemann Paula , Straube Benjamin , Alexander Nina , Leehr Elisabeth J. , Bauer Jochen , Winter Nils R. , Fisch Lukas , Dohm Katharina , Rössler Wulf , Smigielski Lukasz , DeRosse Pamela , Moyett Ashley , Houenou Josselin , Leboyer Marion , Gilleen James , Thomopoulos Sophia I. , Thompson Paul M. , Aleman André , Modinos Gemma , Green Melissa J.
Published: October 2023

Background

Schizotypy represents an index of psychosis-proneness in the general population, often associated with childhood trauma exposure. Both schizotypy and childhood trauma are linked to structural brain alterations, and it is possible that trauma exposure moderates the extent of brain morphological differences associated with schizotypy.

Methods

We addressed this question using data from a total of 1182 healthy adults (age range: 18–65 years old, 647 females/535 males), pooled from nine sites worldwide, contributing to the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Schizotypy working group. All participants completed both the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief version (SPQ-B), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and underwent a 3D T1-weighted brain MRI scan from which regional indices of subcortical gray matter volume and cortical thickness were determined.

Results

A series of multiple linear regressions revealed that differences in cortical thickness in four regions-of-interest were significantly associated with interactions between schizotypy and trauma; subsequent moderation analyses indicated that increasing levels of schizotypy were associated with thicker left caudal anterior cingulate gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus and insula, and thinner left caudal middle frontal gyrus, in people exposed to higher (but not low or average) levels of childhood trauma. This was found in the context of morphological changes directly associated with increasing levels of schizotypy or increasing levels of childhood trauma exposure.

Conclusions

These results suggest that alterations in brain regions critical for higher cognitive and integrative processes that are associated with schizotypy may be enhanced in individuals exposed to high levels of trauma.
Acquisition of the feature [+spread glottis] in Icelandic
Authors: MÁSDÓTTIR Thora , BERNHARDT Barbara May , STEMBERGER Joseph Paul , HANSSON Gunnar Ólafur
Published: October 2023

The feature [+spread glottis] ([+s.g.]) denotes that a speech sound is produced with a wide glottal aperture with audible voiceless airflow. Icelandic is unusual in the degree to which [+spread glottis] is involved in the phonology: in /h/, pre-aspirated and post-aspirated stops, voiceless fricatives and voiceless sonorants. The ubiquitousness of the feature could potentially affect the rate and process of its acquisition. This paper investigates the development of [+s.g.] in Icelandic, both in general and in a range of contexts, in a cross-sectional study of 433 typically developing Icelandic-speaking children aged two to seven years. As a feature, [+s.g.] is acquired early in Icelandic, although specific sound classes lag behind due to other output constraints. Children reach mastery of [+s.g.] by age three except in word-initial post-aspirated stops and voiceless nasals. Findings are interpreted in light of the literature on the feature and its development.
Between commodification and data protection: Regulatory models governing cross-border information transfers in regional trade agreements
Authors: Słok-Wódkowska Magdalena , Mazur Joanna
Published: October 2023

The subject of this analysis is the role that regional trade agreements (RTAs) play in balancing between personal data commodification and protection of privacy and personal data, approached from the perspective of Karl Polanyi’s theory of double movement. We analyse provisions on cross-border information transfers and data protection in order to establish the models for balancing between the ideas of personal data commodification and social protection, understood as allowing for the use of measures that ensure privacy and personal data protection. Our analysis indicates that there are two general models concerning the liberalization of cross-border information transfers: one model restricts states’ ability to restrict data flows while the other is more open to such measures. Next, we identify three primary models governing how data protection is treated in the agreements that liberalize data flows: one that is based on the inclusion of substantive standards of protection in the content of the given agreement; one that uses international standards as a proxy for establishing certain level of protection; and one that is based on national data protection laws. Combining identified models of liberalizing data flows with identified models of ensuring data protection allows us to show that the inclusion of seemingly similar provisions on cross-border data transfers in various RTAs has resulted in developing several different models for balancing between commodification of personal data and data protection.
Leveraging memory effects and gradient information in consensus-based optimisation: On global convergence in mean-field law
Authors: Riedl Konstantin
Published: October 2023

In this paper, we study consensus-based optimisation (CBO), a versatile, flexible and customisable optimisation method suitable for performing nonconvex and nonsmooth global optimisations in high dimensions. CBO is a multi-particle metaheuristic, which is effective in various applications and at the same time amenable to theoretical analysis thanks to its minimalistic design. The underlying dynamics, however, is flexible enough to incorporate different mechanisms widely used in evolutionary computation and machine learning, as we show by analysing a variant of CBO which makes use of memory effects and gradient information. We rigorously prove that this dynamics converges to a global minimiser of the objective function in mean-field law for a vast class of functions under minimal assumptions on the initialisation of the method. The proof in particular reveals how to leverage further, in some applications advantageous, forces in the dynamics without loosing provable global convergence. To demonstrate the benefit of the herein investigated memory effects and gradient information in certain applications, we present numerical evidence for the superiority of this CBO variant in applications such as machine learning and compressed sensing, which en passant widen the scope of applications of CBO.
What Works Best for Whom?
Authors: Talić Irma , Winter Wolfgang , Renner Karl-Heinz
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) mostly address changes in trait-like measures of subjective well-being. Addressing psychobiological state change, the present study employed experience sampling and smartwatch sensing to evaluate the effects of self-selected PPIs on real-world psychological and biological indicators and the moderating role of the Big Five personality traits. In linear mixed effect models, we analyzed data of N = 27 participants in a four-week study, yielding NESM= 2317 measurement points of psychological stress and well-being, and NBio= 433 measurement points for biological stress values as registered by a smartwatch. The results indicate PPI effects on mostly psychological, but not biological indicators with agreeableness and neuroticism as moderators. Across participants, the psychobiological correspondence was weak, yet stronger for more conscientious and more neurotic persons. The present study highlights the contrast between psychological and biological states and the need for personalized interventions that are evaluated on different effectiveness indicators.
An Updated Geomagnetic Index‐Based Model for Determining the Latitudinal Extent of Energetic Electron Precipitation
Authors: Babu E. M. , Nesse H. , Hatch S. M. , Olsen N. , Salice J. A. , Richardson I. G.
Published: October 2023

Energetic Electron Precipitation (EEP) from the Earth's plasma sheet and the radiation belts is an important feature of atmospheric dynamics through their destruction of ozone in the lower thermosphere and mesosphere. Therefore, understanding the magnitude of the atmospheric impact of the Sun‐Earth interaction requires a comprehensive understanding of the intensity and location of EEP. This study improves the accuracy of a previous pressure‐corrected Dst model that predicts the equatorward extent of >43, >114, and >292 keV EEP using the measurements from the Medium Energy Proton Electron Detector detector of six National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites and EUMETSAT/METOP satellites. The improvement is achieved through multiple linear regression of pressure‐corrected Dst and pressure‐corrected Ring Current (RC) indices. The RC index mitigates the baseline variation of the Dst index that created an inherent solar cycle bias in the previous model. The new model is then extended to the Southern Hemisphere (SH) after removing the South Atlantic Anomaly longitudes from the data. More than 80% of the residuals lie within ±1.8° Corrected Geomagnetic Latitude (CGMLat) in the Northern Hemisphere and within ±1.98° CGMLat in the SH.
Macrophage polarization and metabolism in atherosclerosis
Authors: Hou Pengbo , Fang Jiankai , Liu Zhanhong , Shi Yufang , Agostini Massimiliano , Bernassola Francesca , Bove Pierluigi , Candi Eleonora , Rovella Valentina , Sica Giuseppe , Sun Qiang , Wang Ying , Scimeca Manuel , Federici Massimo , Mauriello Alessandro , Melino Gerry
Published: October 2023

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the inner walls of vessels. These plaques restrict blood flow and lead to complications such as heart attack or stroke. The development of atherosclerosis is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, genetics, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Atherosclerotic plaques in stable form are characterized by slow growth, which leads to luminal stenosis, with low embolic potential or in unstable form, which contributes to high risk for thrombotic and embolic complications with rapid clinical onset. In this complex scenario of atherosclerosis, macrophages participate in the whole process, including the initiation, growth and eventually rupture and wound healing stages of artery plaque formation. Macrophages in plaques exhibit high heterogeneity and plasticity, which affect the evolving plaque microenvironment, e.g., leading to excessive lipid accumulation, cytokine hyperactivation, hypoxia, apoptosis and necroptosis. The metabolic and functional transitions of plaque macrophages in response to plaque microenvironmental factors not only influence ongoing and imminent inflammatory responses within the lesions but also directly dictate atherosclerotic progression or regression. In this review, we discuss the origin of macrophages within plaques, their phenotypic diversity, metabolic shifts, and fate and the roles they play in the dynamic progression of atherosclerosis. It also describes how macrophages interact with other plaque cells, particularly T cells. Ultimately, targeting pathways involved in macrophage polarization may lead to innovative and promising approaches for precision medicine. Further insights into the landscape and biological features of macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques may offer valuable information for optimizing future clinical treatment for atherosclerosis by targeting macrophages.
YAP nuclear translocation induced by HIF-1α prevents DNA damage under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Chang Heng-Ai , Ou Yang Rui-Zhi , Su Jing-Ming , Nguyen Thi My Hang , Sung Junne-Ming , Tang Ming-Jer , Chiu Wen-Tai
Published: October 2023

Maladaptive repair of acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a high risk of developing chronic kidney disease deemed irremediable even in present days. When AKI arises from ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypoxia usually plays a major role. Although both hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and yes-associated protein (YAP) have been proven to promote renal cell survival under hypoxia, there is a lack of research that studies the crosstalk of the two and its effect on kidney repair. In studying the crosstalk, CoCl2 was used to create a mimetic hypoxic environment. Immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays were performed to verify protein interactions. The results show that HIF-1α interacts with YAP and promotes nuclear translocation of YAP at a high cell density under hypoxic conditions, suggesting HIF-1α serves as a direct carrier that enables YAP nuclear translocation. This is the first study to identify HIF-1α as a crucial pathway for YAP nuclear translocation under hypoxic conditions. Once translocated into a nucleus, YAP protects cells from DNA damage and apoptosis under hypoxic conditions. Since it is unlikely for YAP to translocate into a nucleus without HIF-1α, any treatment that fosters the crosstalk between the two holds the potential to improve cell recovery from hypoxic insults.
Mutant fixation in the presence of a natural enemy
Authors: Wodarz Dominik , Komarova Natalia L.
Published: October 2023

The literature about mutant invasion and fixation typically assumes populations to exist in isolation from their ecosystem. Yet, populations are part of ecological communities, and enemy-victim (e.g. predator-prey or pathogen-host) interactions are particularly common. We use spatially explicit, computational pathogen-host models (with wild-type and mutant hosts) to re-visit the established theory about mutant fixation, where the pathogen equally attacks both wild-type and mutant individuals. Mutant fitness is assumed to be unrelated to infection. We find that pathogen presence substantially weakens selection, increasing the fixation probability of disadvantageous mutants and decreasing it for advantageous mutants. The magnitude of the effect rises with the infection rate. This occurs because infection induces spatial structures, where mutant and wild-type individuals are mostly spatially separated. Thus, instead of mutant and wild-type individuals competing with each other, it is mutant and wild-type “patches” that compete, resulting in smaller fitness differences and weakened selection. This implies that the deleterious mutant burden in natural populations might be higher than expected from traditional theory.
Aromatized liposomes for sustained drug delivery
Authors: Li Yang , Ji Tianjiao , Torre Matthew , Shao Rachelle , Zheng Yueqin , Wang Dali , Li Xiyu , Liu Andong , Zhang Wei , Deng Xiaoran , Yan Ran , Kohane Daniel S.
Published: October 2023

Insufficient drug loading and leakage of payload remain major challenges in designing liposome-based drug delivery systems. These phenomena can limit duration of effect and cause toxicity. Targeting the rate-limiting step in drug release from liposomes, we modify (aromatized) them to have aromatic groups within their lipid bilayers. Aromatized liposomes are designed with synthetic phospholipids with aromatic groups covalently conjugated onto acyl chains. The optimized aromatized liposome increases drug loading and significantly decreases the burst release of a broad range of payloads (small molecules and macromolecules, different degrees of hydrophilicity) and extends their duration of release. Aromatized liposomes encapsulating the anesthetic tetrodotoxin (TTX) achieve markedly prolonged effect and decreased toxicity in an application where liposomes are used clinically: local anesthesia, even though TTX is a hydrophilic small molecule which is typically difficult to encapsulate. Aromatization of lipid bilayers can improve the performance of liposomal drug delivery systems.
A conformation-locking inhibitor of SLC15A4 with TASL proteostatic anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Boeszoermenyi Andras , Bernaleau Léa , Chen Xudong , Kartnig Felix , Xie Min , Zhang Haobo , Zhang Sensen , Delacrétaz Maeva , Koren Anna , Hopp Ann-Katrin , Dvorak Vojtech , Kubicek Stefan , Aletaha Daniel , Yang Maojun , Rebsamen Manuele , Heinz Leonhard X. , Superti-Furga Giulio
Published: October 2023

Dysregulation of pathogen-recognition pathways of the innate immune system is associated with multiple autoimmune disorders. Due to the intricacies of the molecular network involved, the identification of pathway- and disease-specific therapeutics has been challenging. Using a phenotypic assay monitoring the degradation of the immune adapter TASL, we identify feeblin, a chemical entity which inhibits the nucleic acid-sensing TLR7/8 pathway activating IRF5 by disrupting the SLC15A4-TASL adapter module. A high-resolution cryo-EM structure of feeblin with SLC15A4 reveals that the inhibitor binds a lysosomal outward-open conformation incompatible with TASL binding on the cytoplasmic side, leading to degradation of TASL. This mechanism of action exploits a conformational switch and converts a target-binding event into proteostatic regulation of the effector protein TASL, interrupting the TLR7/8-IRF5 signaling pathway and preventing downstream proinflammatory responses. Considering that all components involved have been genetically associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and that feeblin blocks responses in disease-relevant human immune cells from patients, the study represents a proof-of-concept for the development of therapeutics against this disease.
Softening of a flat phonon mode in the kagome ScV6Sn6
Authors: Korshunov A. , Hu H. , Subires D. , Jiang Y. , Călugăru D. , Feng X. , Rajapitamahuni A. , Yi C. , Roychowdhury S. , Vergniory M. G. , Strempfer J. , Shekhar C. , Vescovo E. , Chernyshov D. , Said A. H. , Bosak A. , Felser C. , Bernevig B. Andrei , Blanco-Canosa S.
Published: October 2023

Geometrically frustrated kagome lattices are raising as novel platforms to engineer correlated topological electron flat bands that are prominent to electronic instabilities. Here, we demonstrate a phonon softening at the kz = π plane in ScV6Sn6. The low energy longitudinal phonon collapses at ~98 K and q = $$\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{2}$$

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due to the electron-phonon interaction, without the emergence of long-range charge order which sets in at a different propagation vector qCDW = $$\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{3}$$

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. Theoretical calculations corroborate the experimental finding to indicate that the leading instability is located at $$\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{3}\frac{1}{2}$$

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of a rather flat mode. We relate the phonon renormalization to the orbital-resolved susceptibility of the trigonal Sn atoms and explain the approximately flat phonon dispersion. Our data report the first example of the collapse of a kagome bosonic mode and promote the 166 compounds of kagomes as primary candidates to explore correlated flat phonon-topological flat electron physics.
Glycerol-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer nanoprobes allow 19F/1H dual-modality magnetic resonance imaging-guided cancer radiotherapy
Authors: A Rong , Wang Haoyu , Nie Chaoqun , Han Zhaoguo , Zhou Meifang , Atinuke Olagbaju Oluwatosin , Wang Kaiqi , Wang Xiance , Liu Shuang , Zhao Jingshi , Qiao Wenju , Sun Xiaohong , Wu Lina , Sun Xilin
Published: October 2023

Recently, radiotherapy (RT) has entered a new realm of precision cancer therapy with the introduction of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guided radiotherapy systems into the clinic. Nonetheless, identifying an optimized radiotherapy time window (ORTW) is still critical for the best therapeutic efficacy of RT. Here we describe pH and O2 dual-sensitive, perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB)-based and glycerol-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) nano-molecular imaging probes (Gly-PFOBs) with dual fluorine and hydrogen proton based CEST MR imaging properties (19F/1H-CEST). Oxygenated Gly-PFOBs ameliorate tumor hypoxia and improve O2-dependent radiotherapy. Moreover, the pH and O2 dual-sensitive properties of Gly-PFOBs could be quantitatively, spatially, and temporally monitored by 19F/1H-CEST imaging to optimize ORTW. In this study, we describe the CEST signal characteristics exhibited by the glycerol components of Gly-PFOBs. The pH and O2 dual-sensitive Gly-PFOBs with19F/1H-CEST MR dual-modality imaging properties, with superior therapeutic efficacy and biosafety, are employed for sensitive imaging-guided lung cancer RT, illustrating the potential of multi-functional imaging to noninvasively monitor and enhance RT-integrated effectiveness.
Highly active, ultra-low loading single-atom iron catalysts for catalytic transfer hydrogenation
Authors: An Zhidong , Yang Piaoping , Duan Delong , Li Jiang , Wan Tong , Kong Yue , Caratzoulas Stavros , Xiang Shuting , Liu Jiaxing , Huang Lei , Frenkel Anatoly I. , Jiang Yuan-Ye , Long Ran , Li Zhenxing , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: October 2023

Highly effective and selective noble metal-free catalysts attract significant attention. Here, a single-atom iron catalyst is fabricated by saturated adsorption of trace iron onto zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) followed by pyrolysis. Its performance toward catalytic transfer hydrogenation of furfural is comparable to state-of-the-art catalysts and up to four orders higher than other Fe catalysts. Isotopic labeling experiments demonstrate an intermolecular hydride transfer mechanism. First principles simulations, spectroscopic calculations and experiments, and kinetic correlations reveal that the synthesis creates pyrrolic Fe(II)-plN3as the active center whose flexibility manifested by being pulled out of the plane, enabled by defects, is crucial for collocating the reagents and allowing the chemistry to proceed. The catalyst catalyzes chemoselectively several substrates and possesses a unique trait whereby the chemistry is hindered for more acidic substrates than the hydrogen donors. This work paves the way toward noble-metal free single-atom catalysts for important chemical reactions.
Nonlinearity synergy: An elegant strategy for realizing high-sensitivity and wide-linear-range pressure sensing
Authors: Chen Rui , Luo Tao , Wang Jincheng , Wang Renpeng , Zhang Chen , Xie Yu , Qin Lifeng , Yao Haimin , Zhou Wei
Published: October 2023

Flexible pressure sensors are indispensable components in various applications such as intelligent robots and wearable devices, whereas developing flexible pressure sensors with both high sensitivity and wide linear range remains a great challenge. Here, we present an elegant strategy to address this challenge by taking advantage of a pyramidal carbon foam array as the sensing layer and an elastomer spacer as the stiffness regulator, realizing an unprecedentedly high sensitivity of 24.6 kPa−1 and an ultra-wide linear range of 1.4 MPa together. Such a wide range of linearity is attributed to the synergy between the nonlinear piezoresistivity of the sensing layer and the nonlinear elasticity of the stiffness regulator. The great application potential of our sensor in robotic manipulation, healthcare monitoring, and human-machine interface is demonstrated. Our design strategy can be extended to the other types of flexible sensors calling for both high sensitivity and wide-range linearity, facilitating the development of high-performance flexible pressure sensors for intelligent robotics and wearable devices.
RING finger protein 13 protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by targeting STING-relayed signaling pathways
Authors: Lin Zhibin , Yang Peijun , Hu Yufeng , Xu Hao , Duan Juanli , He Fei , Dou Kefeng , Wang Lin
Published: October 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disorder worldwide. Recent studies show that innate immunity-related signaling pathways fuel NAFLD progression. This study aims to identify potent regulators of innate immunity during NAFLD progression. To this end, a phenotype-based high-content screening is performed, and RING finger protein 13 (RNF13) is identified as an effective inhibitor of lipid accumulation in vitro. In vivo gain- and loss-of-function assays are conducted to investigate the role of RNF13 in NAFLD. Transcriptome sequencing and immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry are performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. We reveal that RNF13 protein is upregulated in the liver of individuals with NASH. Rnf13 knockout in hepatocytes exacerbate insulin resistance, steatosis, inflammation, cell injury and fibrosis in the liver of diet-induced mice, which can be alleviated by Rnf13 overexpression. Mechanically, RNF13 facilitates the proteasomal degradation of stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING) in a ubiquitination-dependent way. This study provides a promising innate immunity-related target for NAFLD treatment.