bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Fe(III) Reduction to Soil Carbon Mineralization in Montane Meadows Depends on Soil Chemistry, Not Parent Material or Microbial Community
Authors: Reed Cody C. , Dunham‐Cheatham Sarrah M. , Castle Sarah C. , Vuono David C. , Sullivan Benjamin W.
Published: May 2023

The long‐term stability of soil carbon (C) is strongly influenced by organo‐mineral interactions. Iron (Fe)‐oxides can both inhibit microbial decomposition by providing physicochemical protection for organic molecules and enhance rates of C mineralization by serving as a terminal electron acceptor, depending on redox conditions. Restoration of floodplain hydrology in montane meadows has been proposed as a method of sequestering C for climate change mitigation. However, dissimilatory microbial reduction of Fe(III) could lead to C losses under increased reducing conditions. In this study, we explored variations in Fe‐C interactions over a range of redox conditions and in soils derived from two distinct parent materials to elucidate biochemical and microbial controls on soil C cycling in Sierra Nevada montane meadows. Soils derived from basalt showed greater rates of Fe(III)‐reduction at increasing soil moisture levels than granitic soils. Increases in Fe(III) reduction, however, were only associated with elevated rates of C mineralization in one basalt soil. Known Fe(III)‐reducing taxa were present in all samples but neither the relative abundance nor richness of Fe(III)‐reducers corresponded with measured rates of Fe(III) reduction. Under reducing conditions, Fe(III)‐reduction was only coupled to C mineralization in the soil with the greatest amount of Fe‐oxide bound C. However, Fe‐oxide ‐bound C was below theoretical limits for C sorption onto Fe‐oxides and not detectable in all soils. Overall, our results suggest that “what's there” in terms of soil chemistry may be a more important driver of C mineralization coupled to Fe(III) reduction than “who's there” in the microbial community.
EZH2-Myc driven glioblastoma elicited by cytomegalovirus infection of human astrocytes
Authors: El Baba Ranim , Pasquereau Sébastien , Haidar Ahmad Sandy , Monnien Franck , Abad Marine , Bibeau Frédéric , Herbein Georges
Published: May 2023

Mounting evidence is identifying human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as a potential oncogenic virus. HCMV has been detected in malignant gliomas. EZH2 and Myc play a potential oncogenic role, correlating with the glioma grade. Herewith, we present the first experimental evidence for HCMV as a reprogramming vector, straight through the dedifferentiation of mature human astrocytes, and generation of CMV-Elicited Glioblastoma Cells (CEGBCs) possessing glioblastoma-like traits. HCMV counterparts the progression of the perceived cellular and molecular mechanisms succeeding the transformation and invasion processes with CEGBCs involved in spheroid formation and invasiveness. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) biopsies were characterized by an elevated EZH2 and Myc expression, possessing a strong positive correlation between the aforementioned markers in the presence of HCMV. From GBM tissues, we isolated HCMV clinical strains that transformed HAs toward CEGBCs exhibiting upregulated EZH2 and Myc. Spheroids generated from CEGBCs possessed invasion potential and were sensitive to EZH2 inhibitor, ganciclovir, and temozolomide triple therapy. HCMV clinical strains transform HAs and fit with an HCMV-induced glioblastoma model of oncogenesis, and supports the tumorigenic properties of Myc and EZH2 which might be highly pertinent in the pathophysiology of astrocytic brain tumors and thereby paving the way for new therapeutic strategies.
Ferricyanide photo-aquation pathway revealed by combined femtosecond Kβ main line and valence-to-core x-ray emission spectroscopy
Authors: Reinhard Marco , Gallo Alessandro , Guo Meiyuan , Garcia-Esparza Angel T. , Biasin Elisa , Qureshi Muhammad , Britz Alexander , Ledbetter Kathryn , Kunnus Kristjan , Weninger Clemens , van Driel Tim , Robinson Joseph , Glownia James M. , Gaffney Kelly J. , Kroll Thomas , Weng Tsu-Chien , Alonso-Mori Roberto , Sokaras Dimosthenis
Published: May 2023

Reliably identifying short-lived chemical reaction intermediates is crucial to elucidate reaction mechanisms but becomes particularly challenging when multiple transient species occur simultaneously. Here, we report a femtosecond x-ray emission spectroscopy and scattering study of the aqueous ferricyanide photochemistry, utilizing the combined Fe Kβ main and valence-to-core emission lines. Following UV-excitation, we observe a ligand-to-metal charge transfer excited state that decays within 0.5 ps. On this timescale, we also detect a hitherto unobserved short-lived species that we assign to a ferric penta-coordinate intermediate of the photo-aquation reaction. We provide evidence that bond photolysis occurs from reactive metal-centered excited states that are populated through relaxation of the charge transfer excited state. Beyond illuminating the elusive ferricyanide photochemistry, these results show how current limitations of Kβ main line analysis in assigning ultrafast reaction intermediates can be circumvented by simultaneously using the valence-to-core spectral range.
The importance of a charge transfer descriptor for screening potential CO2 reduction electrocatalysts
Authors: Ringe Stefan
Published: May 2023

It has been over twenty years since the linear scaling of reaction intermediate adsorption energies started to coin the fields of heterogeneous and electrocatalysis as a blessing and a curse at the same time. It has established the possibility to construct activity volcano plots as a function of a single or two readily accessible adsorption energies as descriptors, but also limited the maximal catalytic conversion rate. In this work, it is found that these established adsorption energy-based descriptor spaces are not applicable to electrochemistry, because they are lacking an important additional dimension, the potential of zero charge. This extra dimension arises from the interaction of the electric double layer with reaction intermediates which does not scale with adsorption energies. At the example of the electrochemical reduction of CO2 it is shown that the addition of this descriptor breaks the scaling relations, opening up a huge chemical space that is readily accessible via potential of zero charge-based material design. The potential of zero charge also explains product selectivity trends of electrochemical CO2 reduction in close agreement with reported experimental data highlighting its importance for electrocatalyst design.
Acoel single-cell atlas reveals expression dynamics and heterogeneity of adult pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Hulett Ryan E. , Kimura Julian O. , Bolaños D. Marcela , Luo Yi-Jyun , Rivera-López Carlos , Ricci Lorenzo , Srivastava Mansi
Published: May 2023

Adult pluripotent stem cell (aPSC) populations underlie whole-body regeneration in many distantly-related animal lineages, but how the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms compare across species is unknown. Here, we apply single-cell RNA sequencing to profile transcriptional cell states of the acoel wormHofstenia miamiaduring postembryonic development and regeneration. We identify cell types shared across stages and their associated gene expression dynamics during regeneration. Functional studies confirm that the aPSCs, also known as neoblasts, are the source of differentiated cells and reveal transcription factors needed for differentiation. Subclustering of neoblasts recovers transcriptionally distinct subpopulations, the majority of which are likely specialized to differentiated lineages. One neoblast subset, showing enriched expression of the histone variantH3.3, appears to lack specialization. Altogether, the cell states identified in this study facilitate comparisons to other species and enable future studies of stem cell fate potentials.
KK-LC-1 as a therapeutic target to eliminate ALDH+ stem cells in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Bu Jiawen , Zhang Yixiao , Wu Sijin , Li Haonan , Sun Lisha , Liu Yang , Zhu Xudong , Qiao Xinbo , Ma Qingtian , Liu Chao , Niu Nan , Xue Jinqi , Chen Guanglei , Yang Yongliang , Liu Caigang
Published: May 2023

Failure to achieve complete elimination of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem cells after adjuvant therapy is associated with poor outcomes. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a marker of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs), and its enzymatic activity regulates tumor stemness. Identifying upstream targets to control ALDH+ cells may facilitate TNBC tumor suppression. Here, we show that KK-LC-1 determines the stemness of TNBC ALDH+ cells via binding with FAT1 and subsequently promoting its ubiquitination and degradation. This compromises the Hippo pathway and leads to nuclear translocation of YAP1 and ALDH1A1 transcription. These findings identify the KK-LC-1-FAT1-Hippo-ALDH1A1 pathway in TNBC ALDH+ cells as a therapeutic target. To reverse the malignancy due to KK-LC-1 expression, we employ a computational approach and discover Z839878730 (Z8) as an small-molecule inhibitor which may disrupt KK-LC-1 and FAT1 binding. We demonstrate that Z8 suppresses TNBC tumor growth via a mechanism that reactivates the Hippo pathway and decreases TNBC ALDH+ cell stemness and viability.
Coordinated regulation of vegetative phase change by brassinosteroids and the age pathway in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhou Bingying , Luo Qing , Shen Yanghui , Wei Liang , Song Xia , Liao Hangqian , Ni Lan , Shen Tao , Du Xinglin , Han Junyou , Jiang Mingyi , Feng Shengjun , Wu Gang
Published: May 2023

Vegetative phase change in plants is regulated by a gradual decline in the level of miR156 and a corresponding increase in the expression of its targets, SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes. Gibberellin (GA), jasmonic acid (JA), and cytokinin (CK) regulate vegetative phase change by affecting genes in the miR156-SPL pathway. However, whether other phytohormones play a role in vegetative phase change remains unknown. Here, we show that a loss-of-function mutation in the brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthetic gene, DWARF5 (DWF5), delays vegetative phase change, and the defective phenotype is primarily attributable to reduced levels of SPL9 and miR172, and a corresponding increase in TARGET OF EAT1 (TOE1). We further show that GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE3 (GSK3)-like kinase BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE2 (BIN2) directly interacts with and phosphorylates SPL9 and TOE1 to cause subsequent proteolytic degradation. Therefore, BRs function to stabilize SPL9 and TOE1 simultaneously to regulate vegetative phase change in plants.
Quantum corrections to the magnetoconductivity of surface states in three-dimensional topological insulators
Authors: Shi Gang , Gao Fan , Li Zhilin , Zhang Rencong , Gornyi Igor , Gutman Dmitri , Li Yongqing
Published: May 2023

The interplay between quantum interference, electron-electron interaction (EEI), and disorder is one of the central themes of condensed matter physics. Such interplay can cause high-order magnetoconductance (MC) corrections in semiconductors with weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC). However, it remains unexplored how the magnetotransport properties are modified by the high-order quantum corrections in the electron systems of symplectic symmetry class, which include topological insulators (TIs), Weyl semimetals, graphene with negligible intervalley scattering, and semiconductors with strong SOC. Here, we extend the theory of quantum conductance corrections to two-dimensional (2D) electron systems with the symplectic symmetry, and study experimentally such physics with dual-gated TI devices in which the transport is dominated by highly tunable surface states. We find that the MC can be enhanced significantly by the second-order interference and the EEI effects, in contrast to the suppression of MC for the systems with orthogonal symmetry. Our work reveals that detailed MC analysis can provide deep insights into the complex electronic processes in TIs, such as the screening and dephasing effects of localized charge puddles, as well as the related particle-hole asymmetry.
Hybrids of RNA viruses and viroid-like elements replicate in fungi
Authors: Forgia Marco , Navarro Beatriz , Daghino Stefania , Cervera Amelia , Gisel Andreas , Perotto Silvia , Aghayeva Dilzara N. , Akinyuwa Mary F. , Gobbi Emanuela , Zheludev Ivan N. , Edgar Robert C. , Chikhi Rayan , Turina Massimo , Babaian Artem , Di Serio Francesco , de la Peña Marcos
Published: May 2023

Earth’s life may have originated as self-replicating RNA, and it has been argued that RNA viruses and viroid-like elements are remnants of such pre-cellular RNA world. RNA viruses are defined by linear RNA genomes encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), whereas viroid-like elements consist of small, single-stranded, circular RNA genomes that, in some cases, encode paired self-cleaving ribozymes. Here we show that the number of candidate viroid-like elements occurring in geographically and ecologically diverse niches is much higher than previously thought. We report that, amongst these circular genomes, fungal ambiviruses are viroid-like elements that undergo rolling circle replication and encode their own viral RdRp. Thus, ambiviruses are distinct infectious RNAs showing hybrid features of viroid-like RNAs and viruses. We also detected similar circular RNAs, containing active ribozymes and encoding RdRps, related to mitochondrial-like fungal viruses, highlighting fungi as an evolutionary hub for RNA viruses and viroid-like elements. Our findings point to a deep co-evolutionary history between RNA viruses and subviral elements and offer new perspectives in the origin and evolution of primordial infectious agents, and RNA life.
People are curious about immoral and morally ambiguous others
Authors: Wylie Jordan , Gantman Ana
Published: May 2023

Looking to the popularity of superheroes, true crime stories, and anti-heroic characters like Tony Soprano, we investigated whether moral extremity, especially moral badness, piques curiosity. Across five experiments (N = 2429), we examine moral curiosity, testing under what conditions the moral minds of others spark explanation-seeking behavior. In Experiment 1, we find that among the most widely watched Netflix shows in the US over a five-month period, the more immoral the protagonist, the more hours people spent watching. In Experiments 2a and 2b, we find that when given a choice to learn more about morally good, bad, ambiguous, or average others, people preferred to learn more about morally extreme people, both good and bad. Experiment 3 reveals that people are more curious for explanations about (vs. descriptions of) morally bad and ambiguous people compared to morally good ones. Finally, Experiment 4 tests the uniqueness of curiosity for moral ambiguity. We find that people are more drawn to moral rather than aesthetic ambiguity, suggesting that ambiguity, which is cognitively taxing and sometimes avoided, preferentially engenders information seeking in the moral domain. These findings suggest deviations from moral normativity, especially badness, spur curiosity. People are curious about immorality and agents who differ from the norm.
An evolutionary game study of cockroach control strategies in residential households
Authors: Li Qiuhong , Liu Meide , Liu Ting , Tong Ying , Zhang Yong
Published: May 2023

Cockroach control in Beijing's residential households is supported by the local government previously but now it is paid by the residents themselves. Under the new residential household cockroach control strategy, the evolutionary game theory is applied in this study to construct an evolutionary game model for the choice behaviour of both PCO (Pest Control Operation) enterprises and the local governments under government regulation. The evolutionary stabilization strategies under different situations were suggested and the key factors for the evolutionary game behaviour were analyzed through Matlab simulation. It was found that the benefits and costs of the local governments' promotion for the cockroach eradication activities, the incremental benefits of PCO enterprises through government publicity and the subsidies for the activities, and the additional costs of PCO enterprises to participate in cockroach eradication activities are the key factors. The incremental benefits from the publicity of the activities and the government subsidies can be used to incent the PCO enterprises’ activities, which may be failure without the government promotion. This study confirms the decisive role of the strategic choices of PCO enterprises and the government for effective cockroach eradication activities. Therefore, before the campaign is launched, it is necessary to take into account the economic benefits of PCO enterprises and the public interests of the governments so that the game system can evolve out of the "ineffective" and undesirable "locked" state and evolve towards the ideal state, while would be a basis for other anti- pest efforts.
Genetic dissection of behavioral traits related to successful training of drug detection dogs
Authors: Matsumoto Yuki , Konno Akitsugu , Ishihara Genki , Inoue-Murayama Miho
Published: May 2023

Drug detection dogs play integral roles in society. However, the interplay between their behaviors and genetic characteristics underlying their performance remains uninvestigated. Herein, more than 120,000 genetic variants were evaluated in 326 German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever dogs to profile the genetic traits associated with various behavioral traits related to the successful training of drug detection dogs. Behavioral breed differences were observed in ‘friendliness to humans’ and ‘tolerance to dogs.’ A genome-wide association study within both breeds identified 11 regions potentially associated with drug detection dog characteristics as well as ‘interest in the target’ and ‘friendliness to humans,’ which are related to drug detection abilities. Among them, 63 protein-coding genes, includingAtat1andPfn2known to be associated with anxiety-related or exploration behavior in mice, respectively, were located surrounding the identified candidate polymorphisms. This study highlights genetic characteristics associated with behavioral traits that are important for the successful training of drug detection dogs. Thus, these findings may facilitate improved breeding and training of these dogs.
The temporal dynamics of emotion comparison depends on low-level attentional factors
Authors: Dissegna Andrea , Baldassi Giulio , Murgia Mauro , Costa Francesco Darek , Fantoni Carlo
Published: May 2023

Humans are predisposed to attend to emotions conveyed by facial expressions. However, compulsory attraction to emotions gets challenging when multiple emotional stimuli compete for attention, as in the emotion comparison task. In this task, participants are asked to choose which of two simultaneously presented faces displays the most positive (happiest) or negative (angriest) emotion. Participants usually respond faster to the face displaying the most intense emotion. This effect is stronger for face pairs that contain globally positive rather than negative emotional faces. Both effects are consistent with an attentional capture phenomenon driven by the perceptual salience of facial expressions. In the present experiment, we studied the temporal dynamics of attentional capture in the emotion comparison task by tracking participants’ eye movements using gaze-contingent displays and responses. Our results show that, on the first fixation, participants were more accurate and dwelled longer on the left target face when it displayed the most intense emotion within the pair. On the second fixation, the pattern was reversed, with higher accuracy and longer gaze time on the right target face. Overall, our pattern of gazing behavior indicates that the typical results observed in the emotion comparison task arise from the optimal combination over time of two low-level attentional factors: the perceptual salience of emotional stimuli and the scanning habit of participants.
Virus infection of phytoplankton increases average molar mass and reduces hygroscopicity of aerosolized organic matter
Authors: Diaz Ben P. , Gallo Francesca , Moore Richard H. , Bidle Kay D.
Published: May 2023

Viral infection of phytoplankton is a pervasive mechanism of cell death and bloom termination, which leads to the production of dissolved and colloidal organic matter that can be aerosolized into the atmosphere. Earth-observing satellites can track the growth and death of phytoplankton blooms on weekly time scales but the impact of viral infection on the cloud forming potential of associated aerosols is largely unknown. Here, we determine the influence of viral-derived organic matter, purified viruses, and marine hydrogels on the cloud condensation nuclei activity of their aerosolized solutions, compared to organic exudates from healthy phytoplankton. Dissolved organic material derived from exponentially growing and infected cells of well-characterized eukaryotic phytoplankton host-virus systems, including viruses from diatoms, coccolithophores and chlorophytes, was concentrated, desalted, and nebulized to form aerosol particles composed of primarily of organic matter. Aerosols from infected phytoplankton cultures resulted in an increase in critical activation diameter and average molar mass in three out of five combinations evaluated, along with a decrease in organic kappa (hygroscopicity) compared to healthy cultures and seawater controls. The infected samples also displayed evidence of increased surface tension depression at realistic cloud water vapor supersaturations. Amending the samples with xanthan gum to simulate marine hydrogels increased variability in organic kappa and surface tension in aerosols with high organic to salt ratios. Our findings suggest that the pulses of increased dissolved organic matter associated with viral infection in surface waters may increase the molar mass of dissolved organic compounds relative to surface waters occupied by healthy phytoplankton or low phytoplankton biomass.
Evaluation of methods to assess the quality of cryopreserved Solanaceae pollen
Authors: Langedijk Nathalia S. M. , Kaufmann Silvan , Vos Ellen , Ottiger Tanja
Published: May 2023

Solanaceae pollen cryopreservation is a common practice in the hybrid seed production industry worldwide, enabling effective hybridization across geographical and seasonal limitations. As pollination with low quality pollen can result in significant seed yield loss, monitoring the pollen quality has become an important risk management tool. In this study, pollen quality analysis methods were evaluated for their suitability for routine quality control of cryopreserved pollen batches. The assessments, including pollen viability, pollen germinability and pollen vigor analysis, were conducted in two locations on a diverse set of cryopreserved tomato and pepper pollen batches. While the viability obtained by Impedance Flow Cytometry (IFC) can be interpreted as the pollen’s potential to germinate, the in vitro germination assay directly quantifies this functionality under given assay conditions. A linear correlation was found between pollen viability obtained by IFC and in vitro germinability. In conclusion, IFC is the most suitable tool for applications and industries requiring a high degree of automation, throughput, repeatability, and reproducibility. In vitro germination assays are suitable for studies within certain temporal and geographic limitations, due to difficulties in standardization. On the other hand, vigor assessments are not sufficiently addressing the needs of the industry due to poor reproducibility and low throughput.
Modulation of pulmonary desmosomes by inhaler therapy in preterm-born children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Course Christopher W. , Lewis Philip A. , Kotecha Sarah J. , Cousins Michael , Hart Kylie , Watkins W. John , Heesom Kate J. , Kotecha Sailesh
Published: May 2023

Despite evidence demonstrating persistent lung function deficits in preterm-born children, especially in those who had bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infancy, the underlying biological mechanisms explaining these lung function deficits remain poorly understood. We characterised the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) proteome in preterm-born children, with and without BPD; and before and after inhaler treatment. EBC from children aged 7–12 years, from the Respiratory Health Outcomes in Neonates (RHiNO) study, were analysed by Nano-LC Mass Spectrometry with Tandem Mass Tag labelling. Children with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second ≤ 85% were enrolled to a 12-week blinded randomised trial of inhaled corticosteroids alone (ICS) or with long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA) or placebo. EBC was analysed from 218 children at baseline, and 46 children received randomised inhaled therapy. 210 proteins were detected in total. For the 19 proteins present in every sample, the desmosome proteins: desmoglein-1, desmocollin-1 and plakoglobin were significantly decreased, and cytokeratin-6A was increased in preterm-born children with BPD when compared to preterm- and term-born controls. ICS/LABA treatment significantly increased abundance of desmoglein-1, desmocollin-1 and plakoglobin in the BPD group with low lung function, and significantly increased plakoglobin in those without BPD. No differences were noted after ICS treatment. Exploratory analyses of proteins not detected in all samples suggested decreased abundance of several antiproteases. This study provides proteomic evidence of ongoing pulmonary structural changes with decreased desmosomes in school-aged preterm-born children with BPD and low lung function, which was reversed with combined inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonists therapy.
Activity of pemetrexed in pre-clinical chordoma models and humans
Authors: Kesari Santosh , Wang Feng , Juarez Tiffany , Ashili Shashaanka , Patro C. Pawan K. , Carrillo Jose , Nguyen Minhdan , Truong Judy , Levy Joan , Sommer Josh , Freed Daniel M. , Xiu Joanne , Takasumi Yuki , Bouffet Eric , Gill Jaya M.
Published: May 2023

Chordomas are rare slow growing tumors, arising from embryonic remnants of notochord with a close predilection for the axial skeleton. Recurrence is common and no effective standard medical therapy exists. Thymidylate synthase (TS), an intracellular enzyme, is a key rate-limiting enzyme of DNA biosynthesis and repair which is primarily active in proliferating and metabolically active cells. Eighty-four percent of chordoma samples had loss of TS expression which may predict response to anti-folates. Pemetrexed suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting enzymes involved in folate metabolism, resulting in decreased availability of thymidine which is necessary for DNA synthesis. Pemetrexed inhibited growth in a preclinical mouse xenograft model of human chordoma. We report three cases of metastatic chordoma that had been heavily treated previously with a variety of standard therapies with poor response. In two cases, pemetrexed was added and objective responses were observed on imaging with one patient on continuous treatment for > 2 years with continued shrinkage. One case demonstrated tumor growth after treatment with pemetrexed. The two cases which had a favorable response had a loss of TS expression, whereas the one case with progressive disease had TS present. These results demonstrate the activity of pemetrexed in recurrent chordoma and warrant a prospective clinical trial which is ongoing (NCT03955042).
Effect of pterygium on corneal astigmatism, irregularity and higher-order aberrations: a comparative study with normal fellow eyes
Authors: Yoon Chang Ho , Seol Bo Ram , Choi Hyuk Jin
Published: May 2023

Pterygium is an abnormal growth of fibrous conjunctival tissue that invades the cornea, resulting in corneal distortion, astigmatism, and increased higher-order aberrations (HOAs). However, few studies have compared eyes with pterygium to normal fellow eyes when interpreting HOAs and there is no study that revealed the effect of the thickness or grading of the pterygium on the change of HOAs. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of nasal pterygium by comparing the normal fellow eye of 59 patients. The pterygium significantly increased with-the-rule corneal astigmatism and corneal irregularity. Trefoils, horizontal coma, and quatrefoils were significantly induced by the pterygium. The grading of the pterygium was not correlated with its characteristics except for the thickness. In multiple linear regression analysis, pterygium-induced corneal astigmatic/irregularity values and horizontal trefoil/quatrefoil were associated with the area of the pterygium. The length of the pterygium was an independent inducer of oblique trefoil/quatrefoil, while horizontal coma was independently associated with both its length and width. The thickness was not correlated with any optical parameters. Together, the results demonstrate that nasal pterygium significantly induces corneal astigmatism, irregularity and some HOAs. These pterygium-associated changes in optical parameters could be predicted by the length, width and area of the pterygium.
Physical and chemical properties of Coarse Woody Debris submitted to the natural process of decomposition in a Secondary Atlantic Forest Fragment in Brazil
Authors: Villanova Paulo Henrique , Torres Carlos Moreira Miquelino Eleto , Jacovine Laércio Antônio Gonçalves , de Cássia Oliveira Carneiro Angélica , Ballotin Fabiane Carvalho , Schettini Bruno Leão Said , da Rocha Samuel José Silva Soares , Rufino Maria Paula Miranda Xavier , de Freitas Mariany Filipini , Castro Renato Vinícius Oliveira
Published: May 2023

Coarse Woody Debris (CWDs) are constantly exposed to the natural decomposition process of wood, which can lead to a change in its physical–chemical properties. However, these changes have not yet been fully elucidated, requiring further studies to help to understand the effect of this process on CWDs degradation. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (i) verify if the decomposition affects the physical–chemical properties of the CWDs; (ii) verify if the structural chemical composition of the CWDs is altered as a function of decomposition, using immediate chemical and thermogravimetric analysis. Wood samples were collected from the CWDs to carry out these analyses, considering pieces with diameters ≥ 5 cm separated into 4 decay classes. The results indicated that the average apparent density decreased as a function of the increase of CWDs decomposition (0.62–0.37 g cm−3). The averages contents of Carbon and Nitrogen suffered less impact with the increase of CWDs decompositions, ranging from 49.66 to 48.80% and 0.52 to 0.58%, respectively. Immediate chemical and thermogravimetric analysis indicated a loss of holocelluloses and extractives and an increase in the concentration of lignin and ash throughout the decomposition process. The weight loss analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis was greater for less decomposed CWDs and with larger diameters. The use of these analyzes removes the subjectivity of CWDs decay classes, reducing the number of tests to determine CWDs physical–chemical properties and increasing the studies accuracy focused on the carbon cycle of these materials.
NK cell marker gene-based model shows good predictive ability in prognosis and response to immunotherapies in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Juan , Li Yi , Li Fulei , Xu Lixia
Published: May 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of malignancy worldwide, and its progression is influenced by the immune microenvironment. Natural killer (NK) cells are essential in the anti-tumor response and have been linked to immunotherapies for cancers. Therefore, it is important to unify and validate the role of NK cell-related gene signatures in HCC. In this study, we used RNA-seq analysis on HCC samples from public databases. We applied the ConsensusClusterPlus tool to construct the consensus matrix and cluster the samples based on their NK cell-related expression profile data. We employed the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis to identify the hub genes. Additionally, we utilized the CIBERSORT and ESTIMATE web-based methods to perform immune-related evaluations. Our results showed that the NK cell-related gene-based classification divided HCC patients into three clusters. The C3 cluster was activated in immune activation signaling pathways and showed better prognosis and good clinical features. In contrast, the C1 cluster was remarkably enriched in cell cycle pathways. The stromal score, immune score, and ESTIMATE score in C3 were much higher than those in C2 and C1. Furthermore, we identified six hub genes: CDC20, HMOX1, S100A9, CFHR3, PCN1, and GZMA. The NK cell-related genes-based risk score subgroups demonstrated that a higher risk score subgroup showed poorer prognosis. In summary, our findings suggest that NK cell-related genes play an essential role in HCC prognosis prediction and have therapeutic potential in promoting NK cell antitumor immunity. The six identified hub genes may serve as useful biomarkers for novel therapeutic targets.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking and ghost states in two-dimensional fractional nonlinear media with non-Hermitian potential
Authors: Zhong Ming , Yan Zhenya
Published: May 2023

The interaction of fractional diffraction and parity-time ($${{{{{\mathcal{PT}}}}}}$$
PT
) symmetric would bring some unique properties to certain physical system. Here we report a spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) phenomenon and ghost states of solitons supported by the two-dimensional (2D) fractional nonlinear Schrödinger (FNLS) equation with focusing and defocusing Kerr media under 2D non-Hermitian $${{{{{\mathcal{PT}}}}}}$$
PT
-symmetric potential. The continuous asymmetric soliton bifurcates out in a SSB way. For the focusing regime, as the power exceeds a critical value, the asymmetric soliton bifurcates from fundamental symmetric solitons, and when it turns to the defocusing regime, the symmetry breaking phenomenon is found in the branch of the first excited state. The symmetric solitons (including fundamental one and first excited state) are destabilized at this point. Intriguingly, the branches of asymmetry solitons are existing with complex conjugate propagation constants (alias ghost states), which is solely in fractional media. Moreover, we investigate the dependence of fractional Lévy index (α) on the symmetry breaking of solitons in detail. And the stabilities of fundamental symmetric soliton, asymmetric solitons, as well as the first excited states are explored. Moreover, The management of optical field propagation is achieved by modulation of the external potential. Meanwhile, we find the stable excitations of solitons via adiabatic excitations of system parameters. These results will provide some theoretical basis for the study of SSB phenomena and related physical experiments in the 2D fractional media with $${{{{{\mathcal{PT}}}}}}$$
PT
-symmetric potentials.
Myeloperoxidase inhibition may protect against endothelial glycocalyx shedding induced by COVID-19 plasma
Authors: Teo Andrew , Chan Louisa L. Y. , Cheung Christine , Chia Po Ying , Ong Sean Wei Xiang , Fong Siew Wai , Ng Lisa F. P. , Renia Laurent , Lye David Chien , Young Barnaby Edward , Yeo Tsin Wen
Published: May 2023

Background

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, is a threat to public health. Evidence suggests increased neutrophil activation and endothelial glycocalyx (EG) damage are independently associated with severe COVID-19. Here, we hypothesised that an increased level of blood neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) is associated with soluble EG breakdown, and inhibiting MPO activity may reduce EG damage.

Methods

Analysing a subset of acute and convalescent COVID-19 plasma, 10 from severe and 15 from non-severe COVID-19 cases, and 9 from pre-COVID-19 controls, we determined MPO levels, MPO activity and soluble EG proteins (syndecan-1 and glypican-1) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro primary human aortic endothelial cells were cultured with plasma untreated or treated with specific MPO inhibitors (MPO-IN-28, AZD5904) to determine EG shedding. We then investigated whether inhibiting MPO activity decreased EG degradation.

Results

In COVID-19 plasma, MPO levels, MPO activity and levels of soluble EG proteins are significantly raised compared to controls, and concentrations increase in proportion to disease severity. Despite clinical recovery, protein concentrations remain significantly elevated. Interestingly, there is a trend of increasing MPO activity in convalescent plasma in both severe and non-severe groups. MPO levels and MPO activity correlate significantly with soluble EG levels and inhibiting MPO activity leads to reduced syndecan-1 shedding, in vitro.

Conclusions

Neutrophil MPO may increase EG shedding in COVID-19, and inhibiting MPO activity may protect against EG degradation. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility of MPO inhibitors as potential therapeutics against severe COVID-19.
Probing the microporosity and 3D spatial distribution of calcium phosphate cement/hydrogel biomaterials using FIB/SEM at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Essani Mouad , Charbonnier Baptiste , Stephant Nicolas , Moussi Hilel , Weiss Pierre , Le Bideau Jean , Abellan Patricia
Published: May 2023

Multidimensional, low dose structural and chemical analysis of CDHA mixed with two different hydrogels achieved by cryo-FIB/SEM tomography in combination with cryo-EDS.
Visible-light-driven oxidation of organosilanes by a charge-transfer complex
Authors: Chen Yi-Xuan , He Jun-Tao , Wu Mei-Chun , Liu Zhi-Lin , Xia Peng-Ju , Chen Kai , Xiang Hao-Yue , Yang Hua
Published: May 2023

A novel photo-induced strategy for oxidation of organosilanes to access silanols, promoted by a photoactive charge-transfer complex (CTC) between sodium benzenesulfinate and molecular O2, has been developed.
A two-dimensional borophene monolayer with ideal Dirac nodal-line fermions
Authors: Zhong Chengyong , Li Xuelian , Feng Chunbao , Yu Peng
Published: May 2023

Ideal Dirac nodal line fermions are realized in a completely flat borophene monolayer.
Cluster approximation applied to multisite-occupancy adsorption: configurational entropy of the adsorbed phase for dimers and trimers on triangular lattices
Authors: De La Cruz Feliz Noris M. , Longone Pablo J. , Sanchez-Varretti Fabricio O. , Bulnes Fernando M. , Ramirez-Pastor Antonio J.
Published: May 2023

The configurational entropy per site of dimers and trimers adsorbed on triangular lattices is studied by combining theory and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The theoretical model (CA) is based on exact calculation of states on finite cells.
Non-invasive monitoring of the growth of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) via Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Chong Magdalene W. S. , Parrott Andrew J. , Ashworth David J. , Fletcher Ashleigh J. , Nordon Alison
Published: May 2023

Non-invasive Raman spectroscopy enables in situ monitoring of both solid and solution species in metal–organic framework synthesis. Kinetics derived by this comparably cheaper and accessible technique agree with reported synchrotron diffraction data.
Robust ferroelectricity in low-dimensionalδ-SiX (X = S/Se): a first-principles study
Authors: Dai Yuehua , Wang Xiaoteng , Fang Xiuquan , Qu Zihan , Zhang Jishun , Wu Zuheng , Xu Zuyu , Yang Fei , Zhu Yunlai
Published: May 2023

The room-temperature ferroelectricity of low-dimensional ferroelectric materialsδ-SiX (X = S and Se) has been predicted and it could be tuned by applying a strain. Moreover, magnetism could be introduced in 1D-SiX nanowires by hole doping.
Metadynamics simulations of ligands binding to protein surfaces: a novel tool for rational drug design
Authors: Zuo Ke , Kranjc Agata , Capelli Riccardo , Rossetti Giulia , Nechushtai Rachel , Carloni Paolo
Published: May 2023

Metadynamics simulations (validated against affinity measurements), along with experimental structural information, are instrumental in identifying the poses of ligands on protein surfaces, supporting drug-design campaigns.
Correction: Self-assembly of tripyrazolate-linked [M6L2] cages for the selective sensing of HSO3− and gaseous SO2 by turn-on fluorescence
Authors: Wang Peipei , Tong Jin , Meng Cong , Yuan Qing , Deng Wei , Yu Shu-Yan , Ma Hong-Wei
Published: May 2023

Correction for ‘Self-assembly of tripyrazolate-linked [M6L2] cages for the selective sensing of HSO3− and gaseous SO2 by turn-on fluorescence’ by Peipei Wang et al., Dalton Trans., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/d3dt00083d.
Efficient catalysis of H2O2with ionic liquid molecules to generate hydroxyl radicals and application in green chemistry cotton processes
Authors: Xie Kongliang , Zhuang Xiang , Luo Xiang , Jing Zeye , Song Xiyu , Hou Aiqin , Gao Aiqin
Published: May 2023

IL molecules can efficiently catalyze H2O2 to produce ˙OH radicals at room temperature and very low concentrations, thus the IL/H2O2 system could be applied in cotton cold pad-batch bleaching, achieving combined scouring/bleaching one step process.
Experimental determination of ruthenium L-shell fluorescence yields and Coster–Kronig transition probabilities
Authors: Wauschkuhn Nils , Frenzel Katja , Beckhoff Burkhard , Hönicke Philipp
Published: May 2023

Fluorescence yields and Coster–Kronig factors of the ruthenium L-shell are determined experimentally for the first time with reliable uncertainty budgets.
Dispersive phase microscopy incorporated with droplet-based microfluidics for biofactory-on-a-chip
Authors: Luo Yingdong , Huang Yuanyuan , Li Yani , Duan Xiudong , Jiang Yongguang , Wang Cong , Fang Jiakun , Xi Lei , Nguyen Nam-Trung , Song Chaolong
Published: May 2023

This work presents how the merging of droplet-based microfluidics and dispersive phase microscopy can expedite the evolution of cell towards desired phenotypes. The proposed system holds the potential for biofactory-on-chip applications.
Laser engineering of heterostructured graphitic petals on carbon nanotube forests for robust thermal interface capable of swift heat transfer
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Nian Qiong , Xiong Guoping , Fisher Timothy S. , Cheng Gary J.
Published: May 2023

Laser nanoengineering the CNT/GNP heterogenous structure for robust thermal interface capable of swift heat transfer is presented.
Physicochemical properties of different crystal forms of manganese dioxide prepared by a liquid phase method and their quantitative evaluation in capacitor and battery materials
Authors: Pan Yang , Jiawei Wang , Haifeng Wang , Song Wang , Chunyuan Yang , Yue He
Published: May 2023

Five crystal forms were prepared by liquid phase method.
First-principles examination of two-dimensional Janus quintuple-layer atomic structures XCrSiN2 (X = S, Se, and Te)
Authors: Tran P. T. Linh , Hieu Nguyen V. , Bui D. Hoi , Cuong Q. Nguyen , Hieu Nguyen N.
Published: May 2023

In this work, we propose novel two-dimensional Janus XCrSiN2 (X = S, Se, and Te) single-layers and comprehensively investigate their crystal structure, electronic properties, and carrier mobility by using a first-principles method.
Anchored and confined Pt nanoparticles in radial mesoporous hollow carbon spheres enhancing oxygen reduction reaction stability
Authors: Cao Lijuan , Zhu Hongwei , Li Yadong , Yang Chen , Wang Xilong , Liang Han-Pu
Published: May 2023

Pt particles were uniformly dispersed on N-doped mesoporous hollow carbon spheres through the synergism of nitrogen anchoring and pore confinement.
From metal nanowires to ultrathin crystalline ALD nanotubes: process development and mechanism revealed by in situ TEM heating experiments
Authors: Vogl Lilian Maria , Schweizer Peter , Pethö Laszlo , Sharma Amit , Michler Johann , Utke Ivo
Published: May 2023

The study describes the creation of high-quality metal oxide nanotubes via a defined heat treatment process of core-shell nanowires. In situ TEM heating experiments and correlative ex situ observations unravel the dynamical processes at small scales.
Triboelectric nanogenerators as self-powered sensors for biometric authentication
Authors: Shi Xue , Han Kai , Pang Yaokun , Mai Wenjie , Luo Jianjun
Published: May 2023

As self-powered sensors, triboelectric nanogenerators can be used to monitor different kinds of biometric characteristics, including sliding behavior, handwriting behavior, keystroke dynamics, gait characteristics, and voice characteristics.
A molecular dynamics perspective on the cyclization efficiency for poly(2-oxazoline)s and poly(2-oxazine)s
Authors: Huettner Nick , Dargaville Tim R. , Gandhi Neha S.
Published: May 2023

Poly(2-n-propyl-2-oxazine) is better solvated and shows higher backbone flexibility than its oxazoline analogue in dichloromethane, resulting in short distances between chain ends and ultimately increased cyclization efficiency.
Magnetic dummy template molecularly imprinted particles functionalized with dendritic nanoclusters for selective enrichment and determination of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) in tobacco products
Authors: Zheng Yani , Dai Yin , Hong Junqiang , Fan Huizhu , Zhang Qing , Jiang Wei , Xu Wei , Fei Jianwen , Hong Junli
Published: May 2023

In this study, a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer functionalized with dendritic nanoclusters was synthesized to selectively recognize NNK via the dummy template imprinting strategy, aiming to avoid residual template leakage and increase the imprinting efficiency.
Organic and inorganic nanomaterials: fabrication, properties and applications
Authors: Alshammari Basmah H. , Lashin Maha M. A. , Mahmood Muhammad Adil , Al-Mubaddel Fahad S. , Ilyas Nasir , Rahman Nasir , Sohail Mohammad , Khan Aurangzeb , Abdullaev Sherzod Shukhratovich , Khan Rajwali
Published: May 2023

ZnO nanomaterials and nanoparticles are a burgeoning field of research and a rapidly expanding technological sector in a wide variety of application domains.
Neutron diffraction and DFT studies of oxygen defect and transport in higher-order Ruddlesden–Popper phase materials
Authors: Yatoo Mudasir A. , Seymour Ieuan D. , Skinner Stephen J.
Published: May 2023

The plot of formation energy for oxygen vacancies at the O1–O5 sites in the Bmab primitive cell structures of La4Ni3O10, La2Pr2Ni3O10 and Pr4Ni3O10, showing oxygen vacancies prefer O1, O2 and O3 crystallographic sites in perovskite layers.
Sputtered anti-reflection layer on transparent polyimide substrate improves adhesion strength to copper layer: effects of layer thickness and sputtering power
Authors: Tsai Yuan-Nan , Chin Shih-Chieh , Chen Hsin-Yo , Yang Ta-I. , Tsai Mei-Hui , Tseng I.-Hsiang
Published: May 2023

In order to shield the electronic circuits on a transparent polyimide (PI) substrate, an anti-reflection (AR) layer was deposited on a PI film via DC reactive magnetron sputtering.
Design, synthesis, and application of some two-dimensional materials
Authors: Zhang Luwei , Wang Ning , Li Yuliang
Published: May 2023

The advances in two-dimensional materials are summarized from a viewpoint of the correlation between the preparation strategy and exhibited properties.
Circularity in polymers: addressing performance and sustainability challenges using dynamic covalent chemistries
Authors: Yan Tianwei , Balzer Alex H. , Herbert Katie M. , Epps Thomas H. , Korley LaShanda T. J.
Published: May 2023

This review provides a multidisciplinary overview of the challenges and opportunities for dynamic covalent chemistry-based macromolecules towards the design of new, sustainable, and recyclable materials for a circular economy.
Copper-catalyzed synthesis of β-boryl cyclopropanesvia1,2-borocyclopropanation of aryl olefins with CO as the C1 source
Authors: Geng Hui-Qing , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: May 2023

A one-pot 1,2-borocyclopropanation of aryl olefins for synthesizing β-boryl cyclopropanes was developed, catalyzed by the inexpensive copper catalyst. Various β-boryl cyclopropanes were produced in moderate to good yields.
Organocatalytic intramolecular (4 + 2) annulation of enals with ynamides: atroposelective synthesis of axially chiral 7-aryl indolines
Authors: Zhang Zhi-Xin , Liu Li-Gao , Liu Yi-Xi , Lin Jian , Lu Xin , Ye Long-Wu , Zhou Bo
Published: May 2023

An organocatalytic intramolecular (4 + 2) annulation of enals with ynamides is disclosed, providing a convenient way to axially chiral indolines. The synthesized axially chiral skeleton was proved to be potentially applicable as a chiral ligand.