bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3 in 1: Förderung von Sprache, Vorläuferfähigkeiten und frühem Lesen
Authors: Egert Franziska , Cordes Anne-Kristin , Hartig Fabienne
Published: February 2022

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die (schrift–)‌sprachlichen Fähigkeiten von Kindern gelten als Schlüssel für den individuellen Bildungserfolg, und ihre Förderung ist ein zentraler Auftrag von Kindertageseinrichtungen. Fragestellung: Die Metaanalyse untersucht die Wirksamkeit von E-Books mit Vorlesefunktion, Texttracking und animierten Bildern zur simultanen Förderung von Wortschatzerwerb, phonologischer Bewusstheit und frühem Wortlesen in Kindertagesstätten (Kitas). Methode: Die Daten von 11 E-Book-Interventionen wurden mittels random-effect Modellen aggregiert. Ergebnisse: Es fand sich ein großer Effekt auf den Wortschatz, ein kleiner für Aspekte der phonologischen Bewusstheit und keiner für das frühe Wortlesen im Vergleich zum Kita-Alltag. Mit einer Wörterbuchfunktion und mit mehreren Fördereinheiten erhöhte sich der Wortschatzeffekt. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die Befunde bieten Ansätze für die E-Book-Entwicklung und ihre Nutzung in Kitas, beziehen sich jedoch auf nichtkommerzielle Applikationen.
Can We Improve the Realism of Gravity Wave Parameterizations by Imposing Sources at All Altitudes in the Atmosphere?
Authors: Ribstein B. , Millet C. , Lott F. , de la Cámara A.
Published: February 2022

A multiwave non‐orographic gravity wave (GW) scheme is adapted to represent waves of small intrinsic phase speed, inertial waves, and wave emission from all altitudes. This last change removes the launching altitude parameter, an arbitrary parameter systematically used in GW schemes. In offline calculations using reanalysis fields, these changes impose larger amplitude, saturated waves everywhere in the middle atmosphere, which produces more realistic GW vertical spectra than in previous configurations. The same scheme, tested online in the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique Zoom (LMDz) general circulation model, performs at least as well as the operational non‐orographic GW scheme. Some modest benefits are seen, for instance, in the equatorial tilt with altitude of the winter jets in the middle atmosphere. Although the scheme includes the effects of inertial waves, which are detected in the mesosphere by different observational platforms, the configuration that gives a reasonable climatology in LMDz hinders their vertical propagation and limits their presence at mesospheric altitudes.
Last Millennium ENSO Diversity and North American Teleconnections: New Insights From Paleoclimate Data Assimilation
Authors: Luo Xinyue , Dee Sylvia , Stevenson Samantha , Okumura Yuko , Steiger Nathan , Parsons Luke
Published: February 2022

El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability affects year‐to‐year changes in North American hydroclimate. Extra‐tropical teleconnections are not always consistent between El Niño events due to stochastic atmospheric variability and diverse sea surface temperature anomalies, making it difficult to quantify teleconnections using only instrumentally‐based records. Here we use two paleoclimate data assimilation (DA) products spanning the Last Millennium (LM) to compare changes in amplitudes and frequencies of diverse El Niño events during the pre‐industrial period and 20th century, and to assess the stationarity of their North American hydroclimate impacts on multi‐decadal to centennial timescales. Using several definitions for Central Pacific (CP) and Eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño, we find a marked increase in 20th century EP El Niño intensity, but no significant changes in CP or EP El Niño frequencies in response to anthropogenic forcing. The associated hydroclimate anomalies indicate (a) dry conditions across the eastern‐central and northwestern U.S. during CP El Niño and wetter conditions in the same regions during EP El Niño; (b) wet conditions over the southwestern U.S. for both El Niño types. The magnitude of regional hydroclimate teleconnections also shows large natural variability on multi‐decadal to centennial timescales. However, when the entire LM is considered, mean hydroclimate anomalies in North America during CP or EP El Niño are consistent in terms of sign (wet vs. dry). Results are sensitive to proxy data and model priors used in DA products. Inconsistencies between El Niño classification methods underscore the need for improved ENSO diversity classification when assessing precipitation teleconnections.
Impact of Common Reflecting and Absorbing Building Materials on THz Multipath Channels
Authors: Gomez‐Ponce Jorge , Abbasi Naveed A. , Kondaveti Revanth , Kumar Ashish , Abu‐Surra Shadi , Xu Gary , Zhang Charlie , Molisch Andreas F.
Published: February 2022

THz band communication has the potential to meet the high data rate demands of many current and future applications. However, before these networks are realized, extensive channel measurements are needed in order to characterize the wireless channel at these frequencies, in order to inform system design and deployment. In the current paper, we present a set of double‐directional channel measurements that are conducted in several relevant indoor and outdoor scenarios. Our aim is to see the effect of common building materials that might be particularly reflective or absorptive (such as energy‐saving glass, window blinds, or metallic reflectors), and how their presence changes the channel characteristics. Among other effects we find that ‐ depending on the considered dynamic range ‐ presence/absence of these materials can increase the required equalizer length by an order of magnitude.
Moving Beyond the Business Case for Diversity
Authors: Haacker Rebecca , Burt Melissa , Vara Marissa
Published: February 2022

Efforts to diversify the geosciences must evolve from transactional to transformational, emphasizing the inclusion of and equity for individuals over the benefits they bring to institutions.
Sociodemographic trends in a UK temporomandibular joint disorder clinic
Authors: Camfield Daniel , Wilson Claire L. , Loescher Alison
Published: February 2022

Introduction Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a common source of facial pain, resulting from an interaction of biopsychosocial factors. However, social risk factors related to TMD have been researched very little, particularly in patients attending a tertiary care service.

Aims To review sociodemographic trends among patients referred to a UK tertiary TMD clinic for specialist management. To provide an insight into the sociodemographic risk factors associated with TMD in patients referred for specialist input and to discuss the surrounding literature.

Methods Retrospective review of notes of patients referred to a UK tertiary TMD clinic. Trends in areas of deprivation from which patients came from were quantified into deciles using the English Multiple Indices of Deprivation.

Results The mean age of patients was 41.1 years, with women being overrepresented compared to men. Most patients were referred by their general dental practitioner, although a variety of secondary care specialties also referred to this service. A disproportionate number of patients came from the highest decile of deprivation, a trend seen throughout the entire sample and in patients seen by dental professionals specifically. There was no apparent association between this and longer symptom duration.

Conclusion Women and those from areas with the highest levels of deprivation were overrepresented in this tertiary clinic setting. Dentists should maintain an awareness of the risk factors for TMD development as well as those which may complicate its management in cases requiring specialist input.
A mammalian methylation array for profiling methylation levels at conserved sequences
Authors: Arneson Adriana , Haghani Amin , Thompson Michael J. , Pellegrini Matteo , Kwon Soo Bin , Vu Ha , Maciejewski Emily , Yao Mingjia , Li Caesar Z. , Lu Ake T. , Morselli Marco , Rubbi Liudmilla , Barnes Bret , Hansen Kasper D. , Zhou Wanding , Breeze Charles E. , Ernst Jason , Horvath Steve
Published: February 2022

Infinium methylation arrays are not available for the vast majority of non-human mammals. Moreover, even if species-specific arrays were available, probe differences between them would confound cross-species comparisons. To address these challenges, we developed the mammalian methylation array, a single custom array that measures up to 36k CpGs per species that are well conserved across many mammalian species. We designed a set of probes that can tolerate specific cross-species mutations. We annotate the array in over 200 species and report CpG island status and chromatin states in select species. Calibration experiments demonstrate the high fidelity in humans, rats, and mice. The mammalian methylation array has several strengths: it applies to all mammalian species even those that have not yet been sequenced, it provides deep coverage of conserved cytosines facilitating the development of epigenetic biomarkers, and it increases the probability that biological insights gained in one species will translate to others.
Hyperuniformity and phase enrichment in vortex and rotor assemblies
Authors: Oppenheimer Naomi , Stein David B. , Zion Matan Yah Ben , Shelley Michael J.
Published: February 2022

Ensembles of particles rotating in a two-dimensional fluid can exhibit chaotic dynamics yet develop signatures of hidden order. Such rotors are found in the natural world spanning vastly disparate length scales — from the rotor proteins in cellular membranes to models of atmospheric dynamics. Here we show that an initially random distribution of either driven rotors in a viscous membrane, or ideal vortices with minute perturbations, spontaneously self assemble into a distinct arrangement. Despite arising from drastically different physics, these systems share a Hamiltonian structure that sets geometrical conservation laws resulting in prominent structural states. We find that the rotationally invariant interactions isotropically suppress long-wavelength fluctuations — a hallmark of a disordered hyperuniform material. With increasing area fraction, the system orders into a hexagonal lattice. In mixtures of two co-rotating populations, the stronger population will gain order from the other and both will become phase enriched. Finally, we show that classical 2D point vortex systems arise as exact limits of the experimentally accessible microscopic membrane rotors, yielding a new system through which to study topological defects.
In vivo CRISPR screens reveal a HIF-1α-mTOR-network regulates T follicular helper versus Th1 cells
Authors: Huang Bonnie , Phelan James D. , Preite Silvia , Gomez-Rodriguez Julio , Johansen Kristoffer H. , Shibata Hirofumi , Shaffer Arthur L. , Xu Qin , Jeffrey Brendan , Kirby Martha , Anderson Stacie , Yang Yandan , Gossa Selamawit , McGavern Dorian B. , Staudt Louis M. , Schwartzberg Pamela L.
Published: February 2022

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells provide signals to initiate and maintain the germinal center (GC) reaction and are crucial for the generation of robust, long-lived antibody responses, but how the GC microenvironment affects Tfh cells is not well understood. Here we develop an in vivo T cell-intrinsic CRISPR-knockout screen to evaluate Tfh and Th1 cells in an acute viral infection model to identify regulators of Tfh cells in their physiological setting. Using a screen of druggable-targets, alongside genetic, transcriptomic and cellular analyses, we identify a function of HIF-1α in suppressing mTORC1-mediated and Myc-related pathways, and provide evidence that VHL-mediated degradation of HIF-1α is required for Tfh development; an expanded in vivo CRISPR screen reveals multiple components of these pathways that regulate Tfh versus Th1 cells, including signaling molecules, cell-cycle regulators, nutrient transporters, metabolic enzymes and autophagy mediators. Collectively, our data serve as a resource for studying Tfh versus Th1 decisions, and implicate the VHL-HIF-1α axis in fine-tuning Tfh generation.
Comparative metabolomics with Metaboseek reveals functions of a conserved fat metabolism pathway in C. elegans
Authors: Helf Maximilian J. , Fox Bennett W. , Artyukhin Alexander B. , Zhang Ying K. , Schroeder Frank C.
Published: February 2022

Untargeted metabolomics via high-resolution mass spectrometry can reveal more than 100,000 molecular features in a single sample, many of which may represent unidentified metabolites, posing significant challenges to data analysis. We here introduce Metaboseek, an open-source analysis platform designed for untargeted comparative metabolomics and demonstrate its utility by uncovering biosynthetic functions of a conserved fat metabolism pathway, α-oxidation, usingC. elegansas a model. Metaboseek integrates modules for molecular feature detection, statistics, molecular formula prediction, and fragmentation analysis, which uncovers more than 200 previously uncharacterized α-oxidation-dependent metabolites in an untargeted comparison of wildtype and α-oxidation-defectivehacl-1mutants. The identified metabolites support the predicted enzymatic function of HACL-1 and reveal that α-oxidation participates in metabolism of endogenous β-methyl-branched fatty acids and food-derived cyclopropane lipids. Our results showcase compound discovery and feature annotation at scale via untargeted comparative metabolomics applied to a conserved primary metabolic pathway and suggest a model for the metabolism of cyclopropane lipids.
The microbiome of the buffalo digestive tract
Authors: Tong Feng , Wang Teng , Gao Na L. , Liu Ziying , Cui Kuiqing , Duan Yiqian , Wu Sicheng , Luo Yuhong , Li Zhipeng , Yang Chengjian , Xu Yixue , Lin Bo , Yang Liguo , Pauciullo Alfredo , Shi Deshun , Hua Guohua , Chen Wei-Hua , Liu Qingyou
Published: February 2022

Buffalo is an important livestock species. Here, we present a comprehensive metagenomic survey of the microbial communities along the buffalo digestive tract. We analysed 695 samples covering eight different sites in three compartments (four-chambered stomach, intestine, and rectum). We mapped ~85% of the raw sequence reads to 4,960 strain-level metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and 3,255 species-level MAGs, 90% of which appear to correspond to new species. In addition, we annotated over 5.8 million nonredundant proteins from the MAGs. In comparison with the rumen microbiome of cattle, the buffalo microbiota seems to present greater potential for fibre degradation and less potential for methane production. Our catalogue of microbial genomes and the encoded proteins provides insights into microbial functions and interactions at distinct sites along the buffalo digestive tract.
Glutaredoxin 1 controls monocyte reprogramming during nutrient stress and protects mice against obesity and atherosclerosis in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Ahn Yong Joo , Wang Luxi , Tavakoli Sina , Nguyen Huynh Nga , Short John D. , Asmis Reto
Published: February 2022

High-calorie diet-induced nutrient stress promotes thiol oxidative stress and the reprogramming of blood monocytes, giving rise to dysregulated, obesogenic, proatherogenic monocyte-derived macrophages. We report that in chow-fed, reproductively senescent female mice but not in age-matched male mice, deficiency in the thiol transferase glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) promotes dysregulated macrophage phenotypes as well as rapid weight gain and atherogenesis. Grx1 deficiency derepresses distinct expression patterns of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species generators in male versus female macrophages, poising female but not male macrophages for increased peroxynitrate production. Hematopoietic Grx1 deficiency recapitulates this sexual dimorphism in high-calorie diet-fed LDLR-/-mice, whereas macrophage-restricted overexpression of Grx1 eliminates the sex differences unmasked by high-calorie diet-feeding and protects both males and females against atherogenesis. We conclude that loss of monocytic Grx1 activity disrupts the immunometabolic balance in mice and derepresses sexually dimorphic oxidative stress responses in macrophages. This mechanism may contribute to the sex differences reported in cardiovascular disease and obesity in humans.
Unraveling the rate-limiting step of two-electron transfer electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Deng Wanyu , Zhang Peng , Seger Brian , Gong Jinlong
Published: February 2022

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2ER) has received significant attention due to its potential to sustainably produce valuable fuels and chemicals. However, the reaction mechanism is still not well understood. One vital debate is whether the rate-limiting step (RLS) is dominated by the availability of protons, the conversion of water molecules, or the adsorption of CO2. This paper describes insights into the RLS by investigating pH dependency and kinetic isotope effect with respect to the rate expression of CO2ER. Focusing on electrocatalysts geared towards two-electron transfer reactions, we find the generation rates of CO and formate to be invariant with either pH or deuteration of the electrolyte over Au, Ag, Sn, and In. We elucidate the RLS of two-electron transfer CO2ER to be the adsorption of CO2 onto the surface of electrocatalysts. We expect this finding to provide guidance for improving CO2ER activity through the enhancement of the CO2 adsorption processes by strategies such as surface modification of catalysts as well as careful control of pressure and interfacial electric field within reactors.
SM-Omics is an automated platform for high-throughput spatial multi-omics
Authors: Vickovic S. , Lötstedt B. , Klughammer J. , Mages S. , Segerstolpe Å , Rozenblatt-Rosen O. , Regev A.
Published: February 2022

The spatial organization of cells and molecules plays a key role in tissue function in homeostasis and disease. Spatial transcriptomics has recently emerged as a key technique to capture and positionally barcode RNAs directly in tissues. Here, we advance the application of spatial transcriptomics at scale, by presenting Spatial Multi-Omics (SM-Omics) as a fully automated, high-throughput all-sequencing based platform for combined and spatially resolved transcriptomics and antibody-based protein measurements. SM-Omics uses DNA-barcoded antibodies, immunofluorescence or a combination thereof, to scale and combine spatial transcriptomics and spatial antibody-based multiplex protein detection. SM-Omics allows processing of up to 64 in situ spatial reactions or up to 96 sequencing-ready libraries, of high complexity, in a ~2 days process. We demonstrate SM-Omics in the mouse brain, spleen and colorectal cancer model, showing its broad utility as a high-throughput platform for spatial multi-omics.
Whole-cell modeling in yeast predicts compartment-specific proteome constraints that drive metabolic strategies
Authors: Elsemman Ibrahim E. , Rodriguez Prado Angelica , Grigaitis Pranas , Garcia Albornoz Manuel , Harman Victoria , Holman Stephen W. , van Heerden Johan , Bruggeman Frank J. , Bisschops Mark M. M. , Sonnenschein Nikolaus , Hubbard Simon , Beynon Rob , Daran-Lapujade Pascale , Nielsen Jens , Teusink Bas
Published: February 2022

When conditions change, unicellular organisms rewire their metabolism to sustain cell maintenance and cellular growth. Such rewiring may be understood as resource re-allocation under cellular constraints. Eukaryal cells contain metabolically active organelles such as mitochondria, competing for cytosolic space and resources, and the nature of the relevant cellular constraints remain to be determined for such cells. Here, we present a comprehensive metabolic model of the yeast cell, based on its full metabolic reaction network extended with protein synthesis and degradation reactions. The model predicts metabolic fluxes and corresponding protein expression by constraining compartment-specific protein pools and maximising growth rate. Comparing model predictions with quantitative experimental data suggests that under glucose limitation, a mitochondrial constraint limits growth at the onset of ethanol formation—known as the Crabtree effect. Under sugar excess, however, a constraint on total cytosolic volume dictates overflow metabolism. Our comprehensive model thus identifies condition-dependent and compartment-specific constraints that can explain metabolic strategies and protein expression profiles from growth rate optimisation, providing a framework to understand metabolic adaptation in eukaryal cells.
dCas9-based gene editing for cleavage-free genomic knock-in of long sequences
Authors: Wang Chengkun , Qu Yuanhao , Cheng Jason K. W. , Hughes Nicholas W. , Zhang Qianhe , Wang Mengdi , Cong Le
Published: February 2022

Gene editing is a powerful tool for genome and cell engineering. Exemplified by CRISPR–Cas, gene editing could cause DNA damage and trigger DNA repair processes that are often error-prone. Such unwanted mutations and safety concerns can be exacerbated when altering long sequences. Here we couple microbial single-strand annealing proteins (SSAPs) with catalytically inactive dCas9 for gene editing. This cleavage-free gene editor, dCas9–SSAP, promotes the knock-in of long sequences in mammalian cells. The dCas9–SSAP editor has low on-target errors and minimal off-target effects, showing higher accuracy than canonical Cas9 methods. It is effective for inserting kilobase-scale sequences, with an efficiency of up to approximately 20% and robust performance across donor designs and cell types, including human stem cells. We show that dCas9–SSAP is less sensitive to inhibition of DNA repair enzymes than Cas9 references. We further performed truncation and aptamer engineering to minimize its size to fit into a single adeno-associated-virus vector for future application. Together, this tool opens opportunities towards safer long-sequence genome engineering.
A gelation transition enables the self-organization of bipolar metaphase spindles
Authors: Dalton Benjamin A. , Oriola David , Decker Franziska , Jülicher Frank , Brugués Jan
Published: February 2022

The mitotic spindle is a highly dynamic bipolar structure that emerges from the self-organization of microtubules, molecular motors and other proteins. Sustained motor-driven poleward flows of dynamic microtubules play a key role in the bipolar organization of spindles. However, it is not understood how the local activity of motor proteins generates these large-scale coherent poleward flows. Here we show that a gelation transition enables long-range microtubule transport causing the spindles to self-organize into two oppositely polarized microtubule gels. Laser ablation experiments reveal that local active stresses generated at the spindle midplane propagate through the structure, thereby driving global coherent microtubule flows. Simulations show that microtubule gels undergoing rapid turnover can exhibit long stress relaxation times, in agreement with the long-range flows observed in experiments. Finally, our model predicts that in the presence of branching microtubule nucleation, either disrupting such flows or decreasing the network connectivity can lead to a microtubule polarity reversal in spindles. We experimentally confirm this inversion of polarity by abolishing the microtubule transport in spindles. Overall, we uncover a connection between spindle rheology and architecture in spindle self-organization.
A cross-sectional analysis of the association between physical activity, depression, and all-cause mortality in Americans over 50 years old
Authors: Perez-Lasierra Jose Luis , Moreno-Franco Belén , González-Agüero Alejandro , Lobo Elena , Casajus Jose A.
Published: February 2022

Depression is estimated to be the second leading cause of disability in the United States and is associated with a 52% increased risk of death. Lifestyle components may have an important role in depression pathogenesis. The aims of this study were to analyze the association of meeting the physical activity (PA) recommendation guidelines and depression, and to analyze the all-cause mortality risk of the joint association of PA and depression. This cross-sectional study included 7201 participants from the 2007–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey aged ≥ 50 years and linked to National Death Index records through December 31, 2015. Depression was defined as a score ≥ 10 using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). PA was self-reported, and total PA was used to classify participants as more active (≥ 600 MET-min/week) or less active (< 600 MET-min/week). The odds ratios for depression were examined according to be more active or less active. The hazard ratios (HR) for the association of PA level and depression status with all-cause mortality were examined. Being more active was associated with reduced odds for depression. Compared with less active participants with depression, those who were more active and having depression had HR 0.45 (95% CI 0.22, 0.91, p = 0.026) for all-cause mortality. Being more active is associated with lower odds for depression and seems to be a protective factor against the increased all-cause mortality risk due to depression.
Examining potential confounding factors in gene expression analysis of human saliva and identifying potential housekeeping genes
Authors: Ostheim P. , Alemu S. W. , Tichý A. , Sirak I. , Davidkova M. , Stastna M. Markova , Kultova G. , Schuele S. , Paunesku T. , Woloschak G. , Ghandhi S. A. , Amundson S. A. , Haimerl M. , Stroszczynski C. , Port M. , Abend M.
Published: February 2022

Isolation of RNA from whole saliva, a non-invasive and easily accessible biofluid that is an attractive alternative to blood for high-throughput biodosimetry of radiological/nuclear victims might be of clinical significance for prediction and diagnosis of disease. In a previous analysis of 12 human samples we identified two challenges to measuring gene expression from total RNA: (1) the fraction of human RNA in whole saliva was low and (2) the bacterial contamination was overwhelming. To overcome these challenges, we performed selective cDNA synthesis for human RNA species only by employing poly(A)+-tail primers followed by qRT-PCR. In the current study, this approach was independently validated on 91 samples from 61 healthy donors. Additionally, we used the ratio of human to bacterial RNA to adjust the input RNA to include equal amounts of human RNA across all samples before cDNA synthesis, which then ensured comparable analysis using the same base human input material. Furthermore, we examined relative levels of ten known housekeeping genes, and assessed inter- and intra-individual differences in 61 salivary RNA isolates, while considering effects of demographical factors (e.g. sex, age), epidemiological factors comprising social habits (e.g. alcohol, cigarette consumption), oral hygiene (e.g. flossing, mouthwash), previous radiological diagnostic procedures (e.g. number of CT-scans) and saliva collection time (circadian periodic). Total human RNA amounts appeared significantly associated with age only (P ≤ 0.02). None of the chosen housekeeping genes showed significant circadian periodicity and either did not associate or were weakly associated with the 24 confounders examined, with one exception, 60% of genes were altered by mouthwash. ATP6, ACTB and B2M represented genes with the highest mean baseline expression (Ct-values ≤ 30) and were detected in all samples. Combining these housekeeping genes for normalization purposes did not decrease inter-individual variance, but increased the robustness. In summary, our work addresses critical confounders and provides important information for the successful examination of gene expression in human whole saliva.
Blood and adipose tissue steroid metabolomics and mRNA expression of steroidogenic enzymes in periparturient dairy cows differing in body condition
Authors: Schuh K. , Häussler S. , Sadri H. , Prehn C. , Lintelmann J. , Adamski J. , Koch C. , Frieten D. , Ghaffari M. H. , Dusel G. , Sauerwein H.
Published: February 2022

In high-yielding dairy cows, the rapidly increasing milk production after parturition can result in a negative nutrient balance, since feed intake is insufficient to cover the needs for lactation. Mobilizing body reserves, mainly adipose tissue (AT), might affect steroid metabolism. We hypothesized, that cows differing in the extent of periparturient lipomobilization, will have divergent steroid profiles measured in serum and subcutaneous (sc)AT by a targeted metabolomics approach and steroidogenic enzyme profiles in scAT and liver. Fifteen weeks antepartum, 38 multiparous Holstein cows were allocated to a high (HBCS) or normal body condition (NBCS) group fed differently until week 7 antepartum to either increase (HBCS BCS: 3.8 ± 0.1 and BFT: 2.0 ± 0.1 cm; mean ± SEM) or maintain BCS (NBCS BCS: 3.0 ± 0.1 and BFT: 0.9 ± 0.1 cm). Blood samples, liver, and scAT biopsies were collected at week −7, 1, 3, and 12 relative to parturition. Greater serum concentrations of progesterone, androsterone, and aldosterone in HBCS compared to NBCS cows after parturition, might be attributed to the increased mobilization of AT. Greater glucocorticoid concentrations in scAT after parturition in NBCS cows might either influence local lipogenesis by differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes and/or inflammatory response.
Gadolinium-oxide nanoparticles for cryogenic magnetocaloric applications
Authors: Zeleňáková A. , Hrubovčák P. , Berkutova A. , Šofranko O. , Kučerka N. , Ivankov O. , Kuklin A. , Girman V. , Zeleňák V.
Published: February 2022

The series of advanced nanocomposites consisting of Gd2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded into periodic porous SiO2 matrix have been investigated with respect to their structural and magnetocaloric properties. By means of small angle neutron scattering and transmission electron microscopy, regular nanopores organized in the cubic or hexagonal superlattice have been documented. The pores are occupied by the NPs of progressive concentration within the nanocomposite series. All of the examined systems have exhibited extraordinarily high values of magnetic entropy change (up to 70 J kg−1 K−1) at low temperatures with the absence of thermal hysteresis, indicating their perspective utilization in cryogenic refrigeration. Profound analysis of magnetic entropy change data via scaling laws has been applied to the nanocomposite materials for the very first time. With the aid of scaling analysis, conclusions on magnetic properties and phase transition type have been made, even for the conditions unavailable in the laboratory.
Climate change threatens native potential agroforestry plant species in Brazil
Authors: Lima Valdeir Pereira , de Lima Renato Augusto Ferreira , Joner Fernando , Siddique Ilyas , Raes Niels , ter Steege Hans
Published: February 2022

Climate change is one of the main drivers of species extinction in the twentyfirst-century. Here, we  (1) quantify potential changes in species' bioclimatic area of habitat (BAH) of 135 native potential agroforestry species from the Brazilian flora, using two different climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) and dispersal scenarios, where species have no ability to disperse and reach new areas (non-dispersal) and where species can migrate within the estimated BAH (full dispersal) for 2041–2060 and 2061–2080. We then (2) assess the preliminary conservation status of each species based on IUCN criteria. Current and future potential habitats for species were predicted using MaxEnt, a machine-learning algorithm used to estimate species' probability distribution. Future climate is predicted to trigger a mean decline in BAH between 38.5–56.3% under the non-dispersal scenario and between 22.3–41.9% under the full dispersal scenario for 135 native potential agroforestry species. Additionally, we found that only 4.3% of the studied species could be threatened under the IUCN Red List criteria B1 and B2. However, when considering the predicted quantitative habitat loss due to climate change (A3c criterion) the percentages increased between 68.8–84.4% under the non-dispersal scenario and between 40.7–64.4% under the full dispersal scenario. To lessen such threats, we argue that encouraging the use of these species in rural and peri-urban agroecosystems are promising, complementary strategies for their long-term conservation.
Electrochemical evaluation of proton beam radiation effect on the B16 cell culture
Authors: Onea Melania , Bacalum Mihaela , Radulescu Andreea Luminita , Raileanu Mina , Craciun Liviu , Esanu Tiberiu Relu , Enache Teodor Adrian
Published: February 2022

The interaction of radiation with matter takes place through energy transfer and is accomplished especially by ionized atoms or molecules. The effect of radiation on biological systems involves multiple physical, chemical and biological steps. Direct effects result in a large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within and outside and inside of the cells as well, which are responsible for oxidative stress. Indirect effects are defined as alteration of normal biological processes and cellular components (DNA, protein, lipids, etc.) caused by the reactive oxygen species directly induced by radiation. In this work, a classical design of an electrochemical (EC) three-electrodes system was employed for analyzing the effects of proton beam radiation on melanoma B16 cell line. In order to investigate the effect of proton radiation on the B16 cells, the cells were grown on the EC surface and irradiated. After optimization of the experimental set-up and dosimetry, the radiobiological experiments were performed at doses ranging between 0 and 2 Gy and the effect of proton beam irradiation on the cells was evaluated by the means of cyclic voltammetry and measuring the open circuit potential between working and reference electrodes.
A handy and accessible tool for identification of Sn(II) in toothpaste
Authors: Kundu Shampa , Truong Khai-Nghi , Saha Shrabani , Rissanen Kari , Sahoo Prithidipa
Published: February 2022

An easily accessible colorimetric probe, a carbazole–naphthaldehyde conjugate (CNP), was successfully prepared for the selective and sensitive recognition of Sn(II) in different commercially-available toothpaste and mouth wash samples. The binding mechanism of CNP for Sn2+ was confirmed by UV–Vis, 1H, and 13C NMR titrations. The proposed sensing mechanism was supported by quantum chemical calculations. Selective detection of Sn(II) in the nanomolar range (85 nM), among other interfering metal ions, makes it exclusive. Moreover, Sn2+ can be detected with a simple paper strip from toothpaste, which makes this method handy and easily accessible. The potential application of this system for monitoring Sn2+ can be used as an expedient tool for environmental and industrial purposes.
Physicochemical and antioxidant activity of fruit harvested from eight jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) cultivars at different development stages
Authors: Yan Min , Wang Yan , Watharkar Ritesh Balaso , Pu Yunfeng , Wu Cuiyun , Lin Minjuan , Lu Dengyang , Liu Mingzhe , Bao Jingkai , Xia Yilei
Published: February 2022

Jujube is a crop highly resistant to drought and salinity, making it one of the main fruit trees in Xinjiang. The present study evaluated the changes in the physicochemical and antioxidant activities of jujube fruit of eight different cultivars from Xinjiang, China. The developmental stages were selected according to the days after full bloom and fruit peel colour during ripening; these stages included young (S1), fruit core-hardening (S2), green ripening (S3), half-red maturity (S4) and complete red. In present study, different cultivars of jujube fruit showed similar chemical profiles, but their amounts showed great variation. HZ had the highest content of sugars, and JY had the highest content of cAMP and cGMP, while relatively higher levels of ascorbic acid, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, proanthocyanidin and antioxidant activity were found in ‘FS’ than in other cultivars, indicating that ‘FS’ could be used as a potential natural antioxidant. Regarding the development stages of jujube fruit, the moisture, ascorbic acid, total polyphenol, catechin, epicatechin, proanthocyanidin and rutin contents decreased during the development of all jujube cultivars, while the fructose, glucose, sucrose, cAMP, and cGMP contents greatly increased. The antioxidant activity determined by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging decreased as the fruits matured. Therefore, the results suggest that green jujube (S1) could be used for natural antioxidants (catechin, epicatechin, proanthocyanidin) and that the advanced ripening stage(S5) is the proper picking period for fresh fruit and commercial processing.
Retraction Note: Day-ahead electricity price forecasting using WPT, VMI, LSSVM-based self adaptive fuzzy kernel and modified HBMO algorithm
Authors: Syah Rahmad , Rezaei Mohammad , Elveny Marischa , Nezhad Meysam Majidi , Ramdan Dadan , Nesaht Mehdi , Davarpanah Afshin
Published: February 2022

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Newly detected data from Haestasaurus and review of sauropod skin morphology suggests Early Jurassic origin of skin papillae
Authors: Pittman Michael , Enriquez Nathan J. , Bell Phil R. , Kaye Thomas G. , Upchurch Paul
Published: February 2022

Discovered in 1852, the scaly skin belonging to Haestasaurus becklesii was the first to be described in any non-avian dinosaur. Accordingly, it has played a crucial role in the reconstruction of sauropod integument and dinosaurs more broadly. Here, we reassess this historic specimen using Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence (LSF), revealing extensive, previously unknown regions of skin that augment prior interpretations of its integumentary morphology and taphonomy. Under white light, polygonal–subrounded, convex scales are visible on one side of the block (‘side A’), but LSF reveals extensive smaller and more flattened scales, which are diagenetically fragmented, on the reverse block surface (‘side B’). Contrary to the prior interpretation that the visible scales are the epidermal undersides, the presence of convex, intrascale papilliform textures on side A suggests that the external skin surface is exposed. We define intrascale papillae and provide a review of sauropod skin morphology, which clarifies that intrascale papillae are unique to and widespread across stem Neosauropoda, and likely have an evolutionary origin in the Early Jurassic. Intrascale papillae may ultimately have been integral to the evolution of gigantism in this charismatic clade.
Anapole superconductivity from $${{{{{{{\mathcal{PT}}}}}}}}$$-symmetric mixed-parity interband pairing
Authors: Kanasugi Shota , Yanase Youichi
Published: February 2022

Recently, superconductivity with spontaneous time-reversal or parity symmetry breaking is attracting much attention owing to its exotic properties, such as nontrivial topology and nonreciprocal transport. Particularly fascinating phenomena are expected when the time-reversal and parity symmetry are simultaneously broken. This work shows that time-reversal symmetry-breaking mixed-parity superconducting states generally exhibit an unusual asymmetric Bogoliubov spectrum due to nonunitary interband pairing. For generic two-band models, we derive the necessary conditions for the asymmetric Bogoliubov spectrum. We also demonstrate that the asymmetric Bogoliubov quasiparticles lead to the effective anapole moment of the superconducting state, which stabilizes a nonuniform Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state at zero magnetic fields. The concept of anapole order employed in nuclear physics, magnetic materials science, strongly correlated electron systems, and optoelectronics is extended to superconductors by this work. Our conclusions are relevant for any multiband superconductors with competing even- and odd-parity pairing channels. Especially, we discuss the superconductivity in UTe2.
Quantum communications in a moderate-to-strong turbulent space
Authors: Ghalaii Masoud , Pirandola Stefano
Published: February 2022

Since the invention of the laser in the 60s, one of the most fundamental communication channels has been the free-space optical channel. For this type of channel, a number of effects generally need to be considered, including diffraction, refraction, atmospheric extinction, pointing errors and, most importantly, turbulence. Because of all these adverse features, the free-space optical (FSO) channel is more difficult to study than a stable fiber-based link. For the same reasons, only recently it has been possible to establish the ultimate performances achievable in quantum communications via free-space channels, together with practical rates for continuous variable (CV) quantum key distribution (QKD). Differently from previous literature, mainly focused on the regime of weak turbulence, this work considers the FSO channel in the more challenging regime of moderate-to-strong turbulence, where effects of beam widening and breaking are more important than beam wandering. This regime may occur in long-distance free-space links on the ground, in uplink to high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) and, more interestingly, in downlink from near-horizon satellites. In such a regime we rigorously investigate ultimate limits for quantum communications and show that composable keys can be extracted using CV-QKD.
Intracrine activity involving NAD-dependent circadian steroidogenic activity governs age-associated meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Sasaki Lena , Hamada Yuki , Yarimizu Daisuke , Suzuki Tomo , Nakamura Hiroki , Shimada Aya , Pham Khanh Tien Nguyen , Shao Xinyan , Yamamura Koki , Inatomi Tsutomu , Morinaga Hironobu , Nishimura Emi K. , Kudo Fujimi , Manabe Ichiro , Haraguchi Shogo , Sugiura Yuki , Suematsu Makoto , Kinoshita Shigeru , Machida Mamiko , Nakajima Takeshi , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Okamura Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Yoshiaki , Miyake Takahito , Doi Masao
Published: February 2022

Canonically, hormones are produced in the endocrine organs and delivered to target tissues. However, for steroids, the concept of tissue intracrinology, whereby hormones are produced in the tissues where they exert their effect without release into circulation, has been proposed, but its role in physiology/disease remains unclear. The meibomian glands in the eyelids produce oil to prevent tear evaporation, which reduces with aging. Here, we demonstrate that (re)activation of local intracrine activity through nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent circadian 3β-hydroxyl-steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) activity ameliorates age-associated meibomian gland dysfunction and accompanying evaporative dry eye disease. Genetic ablation of 3β-HSD nullified local steroidogenesis and led to atrophy of the meibomian gland. Conversely, reactivation of 3β-HSD activity by boosting its coenzyme NAD+ availability improved glandular cell proliferation and alleviated the dry eye disease phenotype. Both women and men express 3β-HSD in the meibomian gland. Enhancing local steroidogenesis may help combat age-associated meibomian gland dysfunction.
N,N′-Substituted thioureas and their metal complexes: syntheses, structures and electronic properties
Authors: Al-Riyahee Ali A. A. , Horton Peter N. , Coles Simon J. , Berry Colin , Horrocks Paul D. , Pope Simon J. A. , Amoroso Angelo J.
Published: February 2022

Six different N,N′-substituted thiourea ligands were synthesised and their coordination chemistry with Cu(i), Cu(ii), Ni(ii) and Zn(ii) was extensively studied to reveal interesting ligand reactivities, and potential biological activity.
Ternary strategy enabling high-efficiency rigid and flexible organic solar cells with reduced non-radiative voltage loss
Authors: Duan Xiaopeng , Song Wei , Qiao Jiawei , Li Xiaoming , Cai Yunhao , Wu Hongbo , Zhang Jie , Hao Xiaotao , Tang Zheng , Ge Ziyi , Huang Fei , Sun Yanming
Published: February 2022

The addition of ZY-4Cl into the host PM6:BTP-eC9 can result in reduced density of trap states and suppressed non-radiative recombination, thus  enabling the ternary device with an obviously lower voltage loss than either of the binary devices.
Boosting CO2 electroreduction to C2+ products on fluorine-doped copper
Authors: Yan Xupeng , Chen Chunjun , Wu Yahui , Chen Yizhen , Zhang Jianling , Feng Rongjuan , Zhang Jing , Han Buxing
Published: February 2022

CO2 could be efficiently converted into C2+ products over a fluorine doped Cu catalyst, with high faradaic efficiency (70.4%) and current density (above 400 mA cm−2), which benefited from the boost the adsorption of CO intermediate.
Probing the hydration friction of ionic interfaces at the atomic scale
Authors: Li Zibo , Liu Qian , Zhang Deliang , Wang Yin , Zhang Yuge , Li Qiang , Dong Mingdong
Published: February 2022

The hydration layer structures and friction forces at the interface of mica with different hydrated alkali ions are probed at the atomic scale by means of three-dimensional atomic force microscopy and friction force microscopy.
Direct C–H borylation of vinylporphyrins via copper catalysis
Authors: Belyaev Evgeny S. , Kozhemyakin Grigory L. , Tyurin Vladimir S. , Frolova Victoria V. , Lonin Ivan S. , Ponomarev Gelii V. , Buryak Aleksey K. , Zamilatskov Ilya A.
Published: February 2022

A method of direct borylation of vinyl-substituted porphyrinoids (porphyrins and chlorins) has been developed based on the copper catalyzed vinylic C–H activation.
Column to pile transition in quasi-static deposition of granular chains
Authors: Sarate Palash S. , Murthy Tejas G. , Sharma Prerna
Published: February 2022

Granular chains repose into conical piles or stable columns depending on the chain length and the cylinder diameter used for their deposition. The chain columns undergo buckling instabilities when their aspect ratio exceeds a critical aspect ratio.
Experimental synthesis, functionalized modifications and potential applications of monoelemental zero-dimensional boron nanomaterials
Authors: Yang Meng , Jin Hui , Sun Zejun , Gui Rijun
Published: February 2022

This review summarizes recent advances in the experimental synthesis, functionalized modifications and potential applications of monoelemental zero-dimensional boron nanomaterials.
Rapid colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 total antibodies after vaccination
Authors: Ye Liya , Xu Xinxin , Song Shanshan , Xu Liguang , Kuang Hua , Xu Chuanlai
Published: February 2022

A colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay (GICA) was fabricated based on the principle of a double antigen sandwich for the detection of total antibodies in sera.
A diamond-like cuprous coordination polymer based on the [Cu8I6]2+ cluster with multistimuli-responsive luminescence and iodine adsorption behavior
Authors: Zheng Han-Wen , Yang Dong-Dong , Liang Qiong-Fang , Liu Yan-Ping , Shan Jia-Hui , Liu Qian-Qian , Tan Hong-Wei , Chen Ling , Zheng Xiang-Jun
Published: February 2022

A diamond-like cuprous coordination polymer based on the [Cu8I6]2+ cluster has been successfully synthesized. This complex exhibits thermochromic and mechanochromic luminescence properties as well as good performance for the sorption and release of I2.
Correction: Total synthesis and chemical stability of pseudouridimycin
Authors: Cain Christopher F. , Scott Aaron M. , Sarnowski Matthew P. , Del Valle Juan R.
Published: February 2022

Correction for ‘Total synthesis and chemical stability of pseudouridimycin’ by Christopher F. Cain et al., Chem. Commun., 2022, DOI: 10.1039/d1cc07059b.
Two lead borate-nitrates with anion-centered [OPb4] tetrahedra and two types of π-conjugated planar units showing large birefringence
Authors: Bai Shuo , Yang Daqing , Zhang Bingbing , Li Ling , Wang Ying
Published: February 2022

Two borate-nitrates combining [OPb4] tetrahedra, BO3, and NO3 units together were obtained.
Improving the luminescence thermal stability of Ca3Y2Ge3O12:Cr3+ based on cation substitution and its application in NIR LEDs
Authors: Cui Jia , Zheng Yibo , Wang Zhijun , Cao Lingwei , Wang Xuejiao , Yao Yao , Zhang Mengya , Zheng Mingjie , Yang Zhibin , Li Panlai
Published: February 2022

The emission intensity of Ca3Y2Ge3O12:Cr3+ at 150 °C compared to that at room temperature increased from 28% to 68% by introducing larger radius Sr2+ to adjust Ca2+ in the host.