bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐acne activity of carnitine salicylate and magnolol through the regulation of exfoliation, lipogenesis, bacterial growth and inflammation
Authors: Kwon Koo Chul , Won Jong Gu , Kim Mi‐Sun , Shin Yong Won , Park Sang‐Wook , Song Young‐Sook
Published: July 2023

Background

Salicylic acid has been used as an anti‐acne agent with its comedolytic property and antimicrobial activity. However, there is a limit to use for leave‐on cosmetics because of the transient skin irritation and low efficacy at neutral pH condition. We prepared a salicylic acid‐based ionic pair with L‐carnitine (we named, IP‐BHA) overcoming the limitation of salicylic acid. We examined the effect of IP‐BHA as well as the combination effect with magnolol, a bioactive organic lignan, in order to clarify their efficacy as anti‐acne agents.

Methods

After verifying the structure of IP‐BHA, we confirmed anti‐acne activities including the regulation of exfoliation, lipogenesis, bacterial growth, and inflammation with IP‐BHA and/or magnolol.

Results

The antibacterial activity of IP‐BHA and magnolol was evaluated by determining the minimum antibacterial inhibitory concentration. Magnolol showed strong activity against Cutibacterium acnes, which was better than a medical antibiotic acne drug, clindamycin. The combined application with IP‐BHA was more effective in antibacterial activity by 2.5 times. It was confirmed that testosterone‐induced lipogenesis was significantly inhibited by treatment with IP‐BHA and magnolol, while single treatment had no significant inhibitory effect. Interestingly, MMP‐1 and VEGF were induced by C. acnes lysate in human keratinocytes. We found that these inflammatory molecules were completely inhibited by combined application of IP‐BHA and magnolol. Through ex vivo test, the dose‐dependent exfoliation effect of IP‐BHA was confirmed at pH 5.5, and the synergic exfoliation effect was shown in the combined application of IP‐BHA and magnolol. When topically applied, the emulsion containing IP‐BHA and magnolol relieved the sodium dodecyl sulfate‐induced erythema and improved inflamed acne with papule and pustule.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that the ionic paired salicylic acid with L‐carnitine can overcome the limitations of salicylic acid at low concentration and natural skin pH. Based on the dual administration effects, we suggest that IP‐BHA and magnolol may be the potential agent for acne by improving inflammatory skin condition.
Genomic sequence of the HLA‐A*01:432, HLA‐C*07:1068 and HLA‐DQB1*02:213 alleles
Authors: Loginova Maria , Smirnova Daria , Paramonov Igor
Published: July 2023

The sequences of HLA‐A*01:432, HLA‐C*07:1068 and HLA‐DQB1*02:213 alleles are reported.
Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology: A comprehensive review of a global public health problem
Authors: Rao Indu Ramachandra , Bangera Ashika , Nagaraju Shankar Prasad , Shenoy Srinivas Vinayak , Prabhu Ravindra Attur , Rangaswamy Dharshan , Bhojaraja Mohan Varadanayakanahalli
Published: July 2023

The term chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) refers to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the absence of diabetes, long‐standing hypertension, glomerulonephritis, obstructive uropathy or other apparent causes. An increasing number of CKDu cases have been reported from Latin America, Sri Lanka, India and others over the last two decades. These regional nephropathies share the following common attributes: (a) they affect low‐to‐middle income countries with tropical climates, (b) involve predominantly rural agricultural communities, (c) male predilection, (d) absence of significant proteinuria and hypertension, and (e) chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis on kidney biopsy. The current body of literature suggests that CKDu may be caused by heat stress, agrochemicals, contaminated drinking water or heavy metals; however, considerable regional disparities in CKDu research make it difficult to establish a common causal link. In the absence of a definite aetiology, specific preventive and therapeutic interventions are lacking. Improvement of working conditions of farmers and labourers, provision of safe drinking water and changes in agricultural practices are some of the measures that have been implemented; however, there is lack of data to assess their impact on the incidence and progression of CKDu. There is a need for a concerted global effort to address the current knowledge gaps, and to develop effective and sustainable strategies to tackle this devastating disease.
GoSTR, a negative modulator of stem trichome formation in cotton
Authors: Xu Biyu , Zhang Jun , Shi Yue , Dai Fan , Jiang Tao , Xuan Lisha , He Ying , Zhang Zhiyuan , Deng Jieqiong , Zhang Tianzhen , Hu Yan , Si Zhanfeng
Published: July 2023

Trichomes, the outward projection of plant epidermal tissue, provide an effective defense against stress and insect pests. Although numerous genes have been identified to be involved in trichome development, the molecular mechanism for trichome cell fate determination is not well enunciated. Here, we reported GoSTR functions as a master repressor for stem trichome formation, which was isolated by map‐based cloning based on a large F2 segregating population derived from a cross between TM‐1 (pubescent stem) and J220 (smooth stem). Sequence alignment revealed a critical G‐to‐T point mutation in GoSTR's coding region that converted codon 2 from GCA (Alanine) to TCA (Serine). This mutation occurred between the majority of Gossypium hirsutum with pubescent stem (GG‐haplotype) and G. barbadense with glabrous stem (TT‐haplotype). Silencing of GoSTR in J220 and Hai7124 via virus‐induced gene silencing resulted in the pubescent stems but no visible change in leaf trichomes, suggesting stem trichomes and leaf trichomes are genetically distinct. Yeast two‐hybrid assay and luciferase complementation imaging assay showed GoSTR interacts with GoHD1 and GoHOX3, two key regulators of trichome development. Comparative transcriptomic analysis further indicated that many transcription factors such as GhMYB109, GhTTG1, and GhMYC1/GhDEL65 which function as positive regulators of trichomes were significantly upregulated in the stem from the GoSTR‐silencing plant. Taken together, these results indicate that GoSTR functions as an essential negative modulator of stem trichomes and its transcripts will greatly repress trichome cell differentiation and growth. This study provided valuable insights for plant epidermal hair initiation and differentiation research.
A cross‐sectional study ofAngiostrongylus malaysiensisin rats and gastropod hosts from recreational parks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Detection, risk factors and pathology
Authors: Low Suey Yee , Lau Seng Fong , Ahmad Nur Indah , Sharma Reuben Sunil Kumar , Rosli Muhammad Zahin , Mohd‐Taib Farah Shafawati , Ajat Mohd Mokrish Md. , Kamaludeen Juriah , Syed Hussain Sharifah Salmah , Wan Kiew‐Lian , Salleh Annas , Aziz Nor Azlina Abdul
Published: July 2023

Angiostrongylus malaysiensisis a potential zoonotic parasite, which reported to co‐occur withA. cantonensisin human cerebrospinal fluid. It is a heteroxenous nematode that primarily develops through the early larval stages in gastropods and attains sexual maturity within rats. This study was conducted to determine the host species responsible for the reservoir ofA. malaysiensisand investigate the risk factor for transmission among the hosts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sampling was conducted in six recreational parks. The rats were trapped alive using steel wire traps with bait, while the gastropods were collected by active searching. The rats were euthanized and dissected to collect any adult worms observed. The molecular detection ofA. malaysiensiswas performed by PCR on gastropod tissue samples. Biotic and landscape factors were recorded for risk factor analysis. In total, 82 rats and 330 gastropods were collected throughout the study. Overall, 3.64% of gastropods and 32.9% of rats were infected withA. malaysiensis.Rattus tiomanicus(Malayan wood rat) andParmarion martensi(Yellow‐shelled semi‐slug) were found as important hosts forA. malaysiensis. Host species, sampling site and macrohabitat type are risk factors associated with the prevalence ofA. malaysiensisinfection in rats. For gastropods, host species and sampling site are risk factors that correlate with the parasite detection. In total, 128 adultA. malaysiensiswere recovered from the infected rats. The mean intensity of infection with adultA. malaysiensiswas 4.65 forRattus rattuscomplex and 4.90 forR. tiomanicus. Adult worms were found in the pulmonary artery or right ventricle, while eggs and first‐stage larvae were found in capillaries of the caudal lung lobe. Infected lungs showed extravasated red blood cells in the alveolar spaces. The pulmonary arteries in the infected lung lobe were thickened. Kepong Metropolitan Park is the hotspot area forA. malaysiensisin Kuala Lumpur. These results provide essential information for public health officials to develop targeted interventions to reduce the transmission ofA. malaysiensisin urban areas, particularly in recreational parks.
Evaluating the COVID-19 Preventive Measures Practised at Two Petrol Stations in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Jais Syaza Izni Inarah , Norazahar Norafneeza
Published: July 2023

In conjunction with the pandemic situation of COVID-19 around the world, the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced the first Movement Control Order (MCO) in March 2020 which forbade mass gatherings activities and international travels. The MCO imposed the closure of most sectors and premises except for essential sectors and services, including petrol pump stations as listed by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs of Malaysia under strict standard operating procedures (SOPs). The transmission of COVID-19 at petrol pump stations is one of the biggest concerns due to the high traffic and frequent visits by many individuals. The existing COVID-19 preventive measures at petrol pump stations were compared with safe work procedures for the prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace from the literature review from various sources. The results conclude that workers at Station A have better safe practices on COVID-19 preventive measures compared to those at Station B with a higher percentage of safe practices for most of the questions listed. The analysed data collected through the observations were used as input to evaluate the practicality of existing COVID-19 preventive measures at petrol pump stations among workers and customers based on the frequency of safe and unsafe practices conducted. The activities with a high frequency of unsafe practices were used as input to propose a framework of COVID-19 preventive measures specifically for petrol pump stations in Malaysia to increase the practicality of such measures.
Determination of the Chemical Content in Goat’s Milk Based on Dielectric Properties for the Purpose of Standardisation Process in Yogurt Production
Authors: Hassim Mimi Haryani , H. Hanafi Nur , F. Ismail Ahmad K. , Kamaruddin Mohd J. , A. Mahmood Nik A. Nik , Mohd Jusoh Yanti M. , Zainal Alam Muhd Nazrul Hisham , Samsudin Sani Amril , Johari Anwar
Published: July 2023

A study was performed to obtain the chemical content of goat’s milk (fat, protein and carbohydrate) using dielectric properties (dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor) for the purpose in developing standard which will be used for yogurt production. The purpose of this study is to standardized the milk to produced the best quality of yogurt. The dielectric properties of goat’s milk with known chemical content were of measured from 201 to 4500 MHz at room temperature using a network analyzer and an open-ended coaxial line probe which then used in creating empirical model. Three samples of commercialize goat’s milk which available in local market were studied for the purpose in creating this empirical formula. Chemical content of four raw goat’s milks samples were then determined using the data of dielectric properties and empirical formula which was created before. The result show that the raw goat’s milk consist of 4.99 to 8.08 wt% of fat content, 4.82 to 6.31 wt% of protein content and 7.12 to 9.15 wt% of carbohydrate content. Twenty standard chemical composition of commercialize plain goat yogurt were used in study and being used to compared with the chemical content of the raw goat’s milk sample. As the raw goat’s milk chemical composition was much higher comparing to the twenty commercialize plain goat yogurt, some action need to be done in decreasing the value of fat, protein and carbohydrate of the raw goat’s milk.
The Compliance Status of Chemical Management among Industries in Malaysia: The USECHH after 20 years
Authors: Yon Hazlina
Published: July 2023

Chemical management plays an important role in the protection of human health and environment. Malaysia through the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) developed chemical related legislations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994 upon tripartite and stakeholder consultation. Effective law enforcement by DOSH is important to ensure compliance to occupational health legislations in order to meet the objectives of OSHA 1994. This paper presents the status of chemical management compliance in Malaysia pertaining to compliance to the Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health) (USECHH) Regulations 2000 among the industries in various economic sectors twenty years after its inception. This paper proposes four steps for investigating the compliance status. The four steps are overview of chemical legislations, enforcement strategies, data analysis and recommendations. There was a total of 9712 workplaces inspected by DOSH officers during the enforcement activities. About 54% workplaces received satisfactory grades while 46% were non satisfactory. USECHH operations for the last five years (2016-2020) revealed that 70% of the total workplaces inspected received satisfactory compliance while another 30% potrayed otherwise. These positive results show significant improvement in the status of compliance of chemical management as compared to the beginning of its introduction in year 2000 where majority of the grades are unsatisfactory. Analysis of each elements found that the worst compliance comes from elements such as medical surveillance, health surveillance, exposure monitoring and chemical health risk assessment The research also prescribes strategies and methods taken by DOSH Malaysia in ensuring chemical management compliance at the workplace. This paper shows an insight of chemical management in Malaysia briefly and provides suggestions and recommendations, measures and outcomes of enforcement. Future measures to be taken by DOSH is also suggested to boost compliance.
Prevalence Of Back Pain Among Food Delivery Riders In Kota Bharu, Kelantan: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Abdul Samad Nurul Izzah , Zainul Maridin Ain Farisha , Hamzah Nurul Ainun , Anua Siti Marwanis , Mamat Mohd Noor , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nasrom
Published: July 2023

The introduction of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the current pandemic has increased the demand for food delivery services. However, riding motorcycles may pose the risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of back pain among food delivery riders. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 39 riders in Kota Bharu. A modified and adapted questionnaire from Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to assess the musculoskeletal symptoms. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square Test. This study found that the highest one-year prevalence of whole body for the food delivery riders was lower back pain (59.0%), followed by neck pain (53.8%), shoulder pain (53.8%), and upper back pain (48.7%). Whereas for seven-days prevalence was led by both lower back pain and shoulder pain (59.0%, respectively). Classification of work and the delivery bag did show significant associations with lower back pain (p<0.05). Meanwhile lifting load and body bending were associated significantly with experiencing upper back pain (p<0.05). In conclusion, work-related characteristics had demonstrated significant associations with back pain. The riders should adopt a good posture while riding to prevent back pain. Measures should also be taken by both the management company and the rider, as to improve the working conditions of these delivery riders.
AEDES SURVEILLANCE AND OVIPOSITION PREFERENCES: A CASE STUDY WITHIN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AND HOSPITAL AREA
Authors: Anua Siti Marwanis , Mohamad Asri Amiratul Aifa , Khairuddin Nurul Nazihah , Mohd Sukery Nur Syahirah , Mahmud @ Mansor Nur Fatin Fatihah , Mohd Nordin Mohd Amierul Aieman , Man Noor Sarahida
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and preference of the Aedes mosquitoes to oviposit based on the container index, types of container and types of water. To achieve the aim, 58 ovitraps consisted two types, modified can and plactic material Aedes Larva Ovitrap (ALOT), each were placed side by side at selected sampling sites within a university campus and teaching hospital area. Five different types of water were used (rain water, tap water, reverse osmosis water, pond water and well water).  The identified Aedes species in this study were more for Aedes Albopictuscompared to Aedes Aegypti, with more mosquito eggs were oviposited in modified can and rain water. In conclusion, Aedes surveillance using ovitrap is the most sensitive, cost-effective and reliable method to detect the presence of Aedes species.
Optimizing the phase sensitivity of Michelson interferometer with two-mode squeezed coherent input in the presence of loss and noise
Authors: Haldar Stav , Barge Pratik J. , Xiao Xiao-Qi , Lee Hwang
Published: July 2023

A Michelson-type interferometer with two-mode squeezed coherent state input is considered. Such an interferometer has a better phase sensitivity over the shot-noise limit by a factor of e2r, where r is the squeezing parameter [Phys. Rev. A 102, 022614 (2020)]. We show that when photon loss and noise in the two arms are asymmetric, an optimal choice of the squeezing angle can allow improvement in phase sensitivity without any increase in input or pump power. In particular, when loss occurs only in one arm of the interferometer, we can have improvement in phase sensitivity for photon loss up to 80%. Hence, a significant improvement can be made in several applications such as LiDAR, gyroscopes, and measuring refractive indices of highly absorptive/reflective materials.
The quest for a damage risk criterion for hazardous noise exposure
Authors: Murphy William J. , Flamme Gregory A.
Published: July 2023

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
REVIEWS OF ACOUSTICAL PATENTS
Authors: Fulop Sean A.
Published: July 2023

The purpose of these acoustical patent reviews is to provide enough information for a Journal reader to decide whether to seek more information from the patent itself. Any opinions expressed here are those of the reviewers as individuals and are not legal opinions. Patents are available via the internet at the USPTO website.
Observed transmissions and ocean-ice-acoustic coupled modelling in the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Barclay David R. , Martin Bruce S. , Hines Paul C. , Hamilton James M. , Zykov Mikhail , Deveau Terry , Borys Pablo
Published: July 2023

An ocean-ice-acoustic coupled model is configured for the Beaufort Sea. The model uses outputs from a data assimilating global scale ice-ocean-atmosphere forecast to drive a bimodal roughness algorithm for generating a realistic ice canopy. The resulting range-dependent ice cover obeys observed roughness, keel number density, depth, and slope, and floe size statistics. The ice is inserted into a parabolic equation acoustic propagation model as a near-zero impedance fluid layer along with a model defined range-dependent sound speed profile. Year-long observations of transmissions at 35 Hz from the Coordinated Arctic Acoustic Thermometry Experiment and 925 Hz from the Arctic Mobile Observing System source were recorded over the winter of 2019–2020 on a free-drifting, eight-element vertical line array designed to vertically span the Beaufort duct. The ocean-ice-acoustic coupled model predicts receive levels that reasonably agree with the measurements over propagation ranges of 30–800 km. At 925 Hz, seasonal and sub-seasonal ocean and ice driven variations of propagation loss are captured in the data and reproduced in the model.
Effect of relative masker levels on speech recognition in two-talker maskers with varying perceptual similarity to the target speech
Authors: Thomas Mathew , Galvin John J. , Fu Qian-Jie
Published: July 2023

Speech recognition thresholds were measured as a function of the relative level between two speech maskers that differed in perceptual similarity from the target. Results showed that recognition thresholds were driven by the relative level between the target and perceptually similar masker when the perceptually similar masker was softer, and by the relative level between the target and both maskers when the perceptually similar masker was louder. This suggests that effectiveness of a two-talker masker is primarily determined by the masker stream that is most perceptually similar to the target, but also by the relative levels between the two maskers.
A spiral slotted transducer with high longitudinal-torsional conversion rate
Authors: Yi Yuxian , Han Mingliang , Zhang Guangbin , Zhang Xiaofeng
Published: July 2023

The longitudinal-torsional (L-T) composite piezoelectric transducer has wide applications in material processing, welding, and other fields due to its exceptional machining efficiency. This study introduces a spiral slotted L-T transducer, which is designed to achieve a high L-T conversion rate at low operating frequency. The equivalent spring concept is employed to derive the equivalent circuit of the L-T transducer, which provides a convenient study for the frequency characteristics of the transducer. A finite element model is developed to analyze the performance of the transducer and investigate the effect of the spiral slot parameters on the resonance frequency, amplitude, and the L-T conversion rate of it. Two prototype transducers are constructed and measured experimentally. Theoretical computation results, finite element simulation results, and experimental results are compared to each other. The comparison results demonstrate that the proposed computation model provides accurate prediction of the L-T coupling resonance frequency of the transducer. By adjusting the spiral slot parameters of the transducer, a higher L-T conversion rate can be achieved, which may have more applications in practical engineering.
Competing targets in English sibilant imitation
Authors: Hauser Ivy , Graham Emily , Zhang Xinwen
Published: July 2023

This study investigates imitation of English /s/ to determine whether speakers converge toward normalized or raw acoustic targets. Participants exposed to increased spectral mean (SM) raised SM, converging toward both the raw acoustics of the model talker (who had high baseline SM) and the pattern of increased SM. However, after exposure to decreased SM, direction of shift depended on participant baseline. All participants converged to the raw acoustic values of the model talker, increasing or decreasing their own SM accordingly. These results suggest imitation is not necessarily mediated by perceptual normalization to different talkers, and raw acoustics can be the target of phonetic imitation. This has theoretical implications for the perception-production link and methodological implications for analysis of convergence studies.
Arctic Ocean sediments as important current and future sinks for marine microplastics missing in the global microplastic budget
Authors: Kim Seung-Kyu , Kim Ji-Su , Kim So-Young , Song Nan-Seon , La Hyoung Sul , Yang Eun Jin
Published: July 2023

To better understand unexpectedly low plastic loads at the ocean’s surface compared with inputs, unidentified sinks must be located. Here, we present the microplastic (MP) budget for multi-compartments in the western Arctic Ocean (WAO) and demonstrate that Arctic sediments serve as important current and future sinks for MPs missing from the global budget. We identified an increase of 3% year
−1
in MP deposition from sediment core observations. Relatively elevated MP abundances were found in seawater and surface sediments around the summer sea ice retreat region, implying enhanced MP accumulation and deposition facilitated by the ice barrier. We estimate 15.7 ± 2.30 × 10
16
N and 0.21 ± 0.14 MT as total MP loads in the WAO with 90% (by mass) buried in the post-1930 sediments, which exceeds the global average of the current marine MP load. The slower increase in plastic burial versus production implies a lag in plastic delivery to the Arctic, indicating more pollution in the future.
Constraining the contribution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to Last Interglacial sea level
Authors: Barnett Robert L. , Austermann Jacqueline , Dyer Blake , Telfer Matt W. , Barlow Natasha L. M. , Boulton Sarah J. , Carr Andrew S. , Creel Roger C.
Published: July 2023

Polar temperatures during the Last Interglacial [LIG; ~129 to 116 thousand years (ka)] were warmer than today, making this time period an important testing ground to better understand how ice sheets respond to warming. However, it remains debated how much and when the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets changed during this period. Here, we present a combination of new and existing absolutely dated LIG sea-level observations from Britain, France, and Denmark. Because of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), the LIG Greenland ice melt contribution to sea-level change in this region is small, which allows us to constrain Antarctic ice change. We find that the Antarctic contribution to LIG global mean sea level peaked early in the interglacial (before 126 ka), with a maximum contribution of 5.7 m (50th percentile, 3.6 to 8.7 m central 68% probability) before declining. Our results support an asynchronous melt history over the LIG, with an early Antarctic contribution followed by later Greenland Ice Sheet mass loss.
Non-Hermitian topology in static mechanical metamaterials
Authors: Wang Aoxi , Meng Zhiqiang , Chen Chang Qing
Published: July 2023

The combination of broken Hermiticity and band topology in physical systems unveils a novel bound state dubbed as the non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE). Active control that breaks reciprocity is usually used to achieve NHSE, and gain and loss in energy are inevitably involved. Here, we demonstrate non-Hermitian topology in a mechanical metamaterial system by exploring its static deformation. Nonreciprocity is introduced via passive modulation of the lattice configuration without resorting to active control and energy gain/loss. Intriguing physics such as the reciprocal and higher-order skin effects can be tailored in the passive system. Our study provides an easy-to-implement platform for the exploration of non-Hermitian and nonreciprocal phenomena beyond conventional wave dynamics.
Discrete magma injections drive the 2021 La Palma eruption
Authors: Ubide Teresa , Márquez Álvaro , Ancochea Eumenio , Huertas María José , Herrera Raquel , Coello-Bravo Juan Jesús , Sanz-Mangas David , Mulder Jack , MacDonald Alice , Galindo Inés
Published: July 2023

Understanding the drivers of the onset, evolution, and end of eruptions and their impact on eruption style is critical in eruption forecasting and emergency management. The composition of erupted liquids is a key piece of the volcano puzzle, but untangling subtle melt variations remains an analytical challenge. Here, we apply rapid, high-resolution matrix geochemical analysis on samples of known eruption date spanning the entire 2021 La Palma eruption. Sr isotope signatures reveal distinct pulses of basanite melt driving the onset, restart, and evolution of the eruption. Elemental variations in matrix and microcrysts track progressive invasion, and draining, of a subcrustal crystal mush. Associated variations in lava flow rate, vent development, seismicity, and SO
2
emission demonstrate that volcanic matrix resolves eruption patterns that could be expected in future basaltic eruptions globally.
Single-molecule visualization determines conformational substate ensembles in β-sheet–rich peptide fibrils
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Wang Ruonan , Liu Mingwei , Li Shucong , Vokoun Asher E. , Deng Weichen , Dupont Robert L. , Zhang Feiyi , Li Shuyuan , Wang Yang , Liu Zhenyu , Zheng Yongfang , Liu Shuli , Yang Yanlian , Wang Chen , Yu Lanlan , Yao Yuxing , Wang Xiaoguang , Wang Chenxuan
Published: July 2023

An understanding of protein conformational ensembles is essential for revealing the underlying mechanisms of interpeptide recognition and association. However, experimentally resolving multiple simultaneously existing conformational substates remains challenging. Here, we report the use of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to analyze the conformational substate ensembles of β sheet peptides with a submolecular resolution (in-plane <2.6 Å). We observed ensembles of more than 10 conformational substates (with free energy fluctuations between several
k
B
T
s) in peptide homoassemblies of keratin (KRT) and amyloidal peptides (−5Aβ42 and TDP-43 341–357). Furthermore, STM reveals a change in the conformational ensemble of peptide mutants, which is correlated with the macroscopic properties of peptide assemblies. Our results demonstrate that the STM-based single-molecule imaging can capture a thorough picture of the conformational substates with which to build an energetic landscape of interconformational interactions and can rapidly screen conformational ensembles, which can complement conventional characterization techniques.
I/Pu reveals Earth mainly accreted from volatile-poor differentiated planetesimals
Authors: Liu Weiyi , Zhang Yigang , Tissot François. L. H. , Avice Guillaume , Ye Zhilin , Yin Qing-Zhu
Published: July 2023

The observation that mid-ocean ridge basalts had ~3× higher iodine/plutonium ratios (inferred from xenon isotopes) compared to ocean island basalts holds critical insights into Earth’s accretion. Understanding whether this difference stems from core formation alone or heterogeneous accretion is, however, hindered by the unknown geochemical behavior of plutonium during core formation. Here, we use first-principles molecular dynamics to quantify the metal-silicate partition coefficients of iodine and plutonium during core formation and find that both iodine and plutonium partly partition into metal liquid. Using multistage core formation modeling, we show that core formation alone is unlikely to explain the iodine/plutonium difference between mantle reservoirs. Instead, our results reveal a heterogeneous accretion history, whereby predominant accretion of volatile-poor differentiated planetesimals was followed by a secondary phase of accretion of volatile-rich undifferentiated meteorites. This implies that Earth inherited part of its volatiles, including its water, from late accretion of chondrites, with a notable carbonaceous chondrite contribution.
Intensity interferometry for holography with quantum and classical light
Authors: Thekkadath Guillaume , England Duncan , Bouchard Frédéric , Zhang Yingwen , Kim Myungshik , Sussman Benjamin
Published: July 2023

As first demonstrated by Hanbury Brown and Twiss, it is possible to observe interference between independent light sources by measuring correlations in their intensities rather than their amplitudes. In this work, we apply this concept of intensity interferometry to holography. We combine a signal beam with a reference and measure their intensity cross-correlations using a time-tagging single-photon camera. These correlations reveal an interference pattern from which we reconstruct the signal wavefront in both intensity and phase. We demonstrate the principle with classical and quantum light, including a single photon. Since the signal and reference do not need to be phase-stable nor from the same light source, this technique can be used to generate holograms of self-luminous or remote objects using a local reference, thus opening the door to new holography applications.
Efficient acidic hydrogen evolution in proton exchange membrane electrolyzers over a sulfur-doped marcasite-type electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Long , Yu Peng-Cheng , Su Xiao-Zhi , Hu Shao-Jin , Shi Lei , Wang Ye-Hua , Yang Peng-Peng , Gao Fei-Yue , Wu Zhi-Zheng , Chi Li-Ping , Zheng Ya-Rong , Gao Min-Rui
Published: July 2023

Large-scale deployment of proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers has to overcome a cost barrier resulting from the exclusive adoption of platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts. Ideally, carbon-supported platinum used at cathode should be replaced with PGM-free catalysts, but they often undergo insufficient activity and stability subjecting to corrosive acidic conditions. Inspired by marcasite existed under acidic environments in nature, we report a sulfur doping–driven structural transformation from pyrite-type cobalt diselenide to pure marcasite counterpart. The resultant catalyst drives hydrogen evolution reaction with low overpotential of 67 millivolts at 10 milliamperes per square centimeter and exhibits no degradation after 1000 hours of testing in acid. Moreover, a PEM electrolyzer with this catalyst as cathode runs stably over 410 hours at 1 ampere per square centimeter and 60°C. The marked properties arise from sulfur doping that not only triggers formation of acid-resistant marcasite structure but also tailors electronic states (e.g., work function) for improved hydrogen diffusion and electrocatalysis.
Superconducting Nd

1−
x

Eu

x

NiO
2
thin films using in situ synthesis
Authors: Wei Wenzheng , Vu Dung , Zhang Zhan , Walker Frederick J. , Ahn Charles H.
Published: July 2023

We report on superconductivity in Nd

1−
x

Eu

x

NiO
2
using Eu as a 4f dopant of the parent NdNiO
2
infinite-layer compound. We use an all–in situ molecular beam epitaxy reduction process to achieve the superconducting phase, providing an alternate method to the ex situ CaH
2
reduction process to induce superconductivity in the infinite-layer nickelates. The Nd

1−
x

Eu

x

NiO
2
samples exhibit a step-terrace structure on their surfaces, have a
T
c
onset of 21 K at
x
= 0.25, and have a large upper critical field that may be related to Eu 4f doping.
Synergetic positivity of loss and noise in nonlinear non-Hermitian resonators
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Li Chenhui , Xu Guoqiang , Chen Weijin , Xiong Ze , Jing Hui , Ho John S. , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: July 2023

Loss and noise are usually undesirable in electronics and optics, which are generally mitigated by separate ways in the cost of bulkiness and complexity. Recent studies of non-Hermitian systems have shown a positive role of loss in various loss-induced counterintuitive phenomena, while noise still remains a fundamental challenge in non-Hermitian systems particularly for sensing and lasing. Here, we simultaneously reverse the detrimental loss and noise and reveal their coordinated positive role in nonlinear non-Hermitian resonators. This synergetic effect leads to the amplified spectrum intensity with suppressed spectrum fluctuations after adding both loss and noise. We reveal the underlying mechanism of nonlinearity-induced bistability engineered by loss in the non-Hermitian resonators and noise-loss enhanced coherence of eigenfrequency hopping driven by temporal modulation of detuning. Our findings enrich counterintuitive non-Hermitian physics and lead to a general recipe to overcome loss and noise from electronics to photonics with applications from sensing to communication.
Precision functional MRI mapping reveals distinct connectivity patterns for depression associated with traumatic brain injury
Authors: Siddiqi Shan H. , Kandala Sridhar , Hacker Carl D. , Bouchard Heather , Leuthardt Eric C. , Corbetta Maurizio , Morey Rajendra A. , Brody David L.
Published: July 2023

Depression associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is believed to be clinically distinct from primary major depressive disorder (MDD) and may be less responsive to conventional treatments. Brain connectivity differences between the dorsal attention network (DAN), default mode network (DMN), and subgenual cingulate have been implicated in TBI and MDD. To characterize these distinctions, we applied precision functional mapping of brain network connectivity to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from five published patient cohorts, four discovery cohorts (
n
= 93), and one replication cohort (
n
= 180). We identified a distinct brain connectivity profile in TBI-associated depression that was independent of TBI, MDD, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression severity, and cohort. TBI-associated depression was independently associated with decreased DAN–subgenual cingulate connectivity, increased DAN-DMN connectivity, and the combined effect of both. This effect was stronger when using precision functional mapping relative to group-level network maps. Our results support the possibility of a physiologically distinct “TBI affective syndrome,” which may benefit from individualized neuromodulation approaches to target its distinct neural circuitry.
Broadly neutralizing antibody treatment maintained HIV suppression in children with favorable reservoir characteristics in Botswana
Authors: Shapiro Roger L. , Ajibola Gbolahan , Maswabi Kenneth , Hughes Michael , Nelson Bryan S. , Niesar Aischa , Pretorius Holme Molly , Powis Kathleen M. , Sakoi Maureen , Batlang Oganne , Moyo Sikhulile , Mohammed Terence , Maphorisa Comfort , Bennett Kara , Hu Zixin , Giguel Francoise , Reeves Jacqueline D. , Reeves Michael A. , Gao Ce , Yu Xu , Ackerman Margaret E. , McDermott Adrian , Cooper Marlene , Caskey Marina , Gama Lucio , Jean-Philippe Patrick , Yin Dwight E. , Capparelli Edmund V. , Lockman Shahin , Makhema Joseph , Kuritzkes Daniel R. , Lichterfeld Mathias
Published: July 2023

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) may provide an alternative to standard antiretroviral treatment (ART) for controlling HIV-1 replication and may have immunotherapeutic effects against HIV-1 reservoirs. We conducted a prospective clinical trial with two HIV-1 bNAbs (VRC01LS and 10-1074) in children (n= 25) who had previously initiated small-molecule ART treatment before 7 days of age and who continued treatment for at least 96 weeks. Both bNAbs were dosed intravenously every 4 weeks, overlapping with ART for at least 8 weeks and then continued for up to 24 weeks or until detectable viremia of HIV-1 RNA rose above 400 copies per milliliter in the absence of ART. Eleven (44%) children maintained HIV-1 RNA below 400 copies per milliliter through 24 weeks of bNAb-only treatment; 14 (56%) had detectable viremia above 400 copies per milliliter at a median of 4 weeks. Archived HIV-1 provirus susceptible to 10-1074, lower birth HIV-1 DNA reservoir in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sustained viral suppression throughout early life, and combined negative qualitative HIV-1 DNA polymerase chain reaction and negative HIV-1 serology at entry were associated with maintaining suppression on bNAbs alone. This proof-of-concept study suggests that bNAbs may represent a promising treatment modality for infants and children living with HIV-1. Future studies using newer bNAb combinations with greater breadth and potency are warranted.
Broadly neutralizing antibodies: “The next thing” to treat children with HIV?
Authors: Mavigner Maud , Chahroudi Ann
Published: July 2023

Monthly treatment with two neutralizing antibodies maintained HIV suppression in almost half of children who received early antiretroviral treatment (Shapiro
et al
.).
Ceftolozane-Tazobactam Versus Ceftazidime-Avibactam for the Treatment of Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Almangour Thamer A. , Ghonem Leen , Alassiri Dareen , Aljurbua Alanoud , Al Musawa Mohammed , Alharbi Aminah , Almohaizeie Abdullah , Almuhisen Sara , Alghaith Jeelan , Damfu Nader , Aljefri Doaa , Alfahad Wafa , Khormi Yaqoub , Alanazi Menyfah Q. , Alsowaida Yazed Saleh
Published: July 2023

Ceftolozane-tazobactam (C-T) and ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) are two novel antimicrobials that retain activity against resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The comparative effectiveness and safety of C-T versus CAZ-AVI remain unknown.
Niche-Specific Restructuring of Bacterial Communities Associated with Submerged Macrophyte under Ammonium Stress
Authors: Hu Siwen , He Rujia , He Xiaowei , Zeng Jin , Zhao Dayong
Published: July 2023

Increasing anthropogenic input of ammonium is accelerating the decline of submerged macrophytes in aquatic ecosystems. Finding efficient ways to release submerged macrophytes from ammonium stress is crucial to maintain their ecological benefits.
Francisella tularensis
disrupts TLR2-MYD88-p38 signaling early during infection to delay apoptosis of macrophages and promote virulence in the host
Authors: Benziger P. Todd , Kopping Erik J. , McLaughlin Patrick A. , Thanassi David G.
Published: July 2023

Francisella tularensis
is a zoonotic pathogen and the causative agent of tularemia.
F. tularensis
replicates to high levels within the cytosol of macrophages and other host cells while subverting the host response to infection. Critical to the success of
F. tularensis
is its ability to delay macrophage apoptosis to maintain its intracellular replicative niche. However, the host-signaling pathway(s) modulated by
F. tularensis
to delay apoptosis are poorly characterized. The outer membrane channel protein TolC is required for
F. tularensis
virulence and its ability to suppress apoptosis and cytokine expression during infection of macrophages. We took advantage of the
F. tularensis
∆
tolC
mutant phenotype to identify host pathways that are important for activating macrophage apoptosis and that are disrupted by the bacteria. Comparison of macrophages infected with wild-type or ∆
tolC F. tularensis
revealed that the bacteria interfere with TLR2-MYD88-p38 signaling at early times post infection to delay apoptosis, dampen innate host responses, and preserve the intracellular replicative niche. Experiments using the mouse pneumonic tularemia model confirmed the
in vivo
relevance of these findings, revealing contributions of TLR2 and MYD88 signaling to the protective host response to
F. tularensis
, which is modulated by the bacteria to promote virulence
.

IMPORTANCE

Francisella tularensis
is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia.
F. tularensis
, like other intracellular pathogens, modulates host-programmed cell death pathways to ensure its replication and survival. We previously identified the outer membrane channel protein TolC as required for the ability of
F. tularensis
to delay host cell death. However, the mechanism by which
F. tularensis
delays cell death pathways during intracellular replication is unclear despite being critical to pathogenesis. In the present study, we address this gap in knowledge by taking advantage of ∆
tolC
mutants of
F. tularensis
to uncover signaling pathways governing host apoptotic responses to
F. tularensis
and which are modulated by the bacteria during infection to promote virulence. These findings reveal mechanisms by which intracellular pathogens subvert host responses and enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of tularemia.
Gene-based microbiome representation enhances host phenotype classification
Authors: Deschênes Thomas , Tohoundjona Fred Wilfried Elom , Plante Pier-Luc , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Raymond Frédéric
Published: July 2023

With the concomitant advances in both the microbiome and machine learning fields, the gut microbiome has become of great interest for the potential discovery of biomarkers to be used in the classification of the host health status. Shotgun metagenomics data derived from the human microbiome is composed of a high-dimensional set of microbial features. The use of such complex data for the modeling of host-microbiome interactions remains a challenge as retaining
de novo
content yields a highly granular set of microbial features. In this study, we compared the prediction performances of machine learning approaches according to different types of data representations derived from shotgun metagenomics. These representations include commonly used taxonomic and functional profiles and the more granular gene cluster approach. For the five case-control datasets used in this study (Type 2 diabetes, obesity, liver cirrhosis, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease), gene-based approaches, whether used alone or in combination with reference-based data types, allowed improved or similar classification performances as the taxonomic and functional profiles. In addition, we show that using subsets of gene families from specific functional categories of genes highlight the importance of these functions on the host phenotype. This study demonstrates that both reference-free microbiome representations and curated metagenomic annotations can provide relevant representations for machine learning based on metagenomic data.

IMPORTANCE

Data representation is an essential part of machine learning performance when using metagenomic data. In this work, we show that different microbiome representations provide varied host phenotype classification performance depending on the dataset. In classification tasks, untargeted microbiome gene content can provide similar or improved classification compared to taxonomical profiling. Feature selection based on biological function also improves classification performance for some pathologies. Function-based feature selection combined with interpretable machine learning algorithms can generate new hypotheses that can potentially be assayed mechanistically. This work thus proposes new approaches to represent microbiome data for machine learning that can potentiate the findings associated with metagenomic data.
Endofungal Bacterial Microbiota Promotes the Absorption of Chelated Inorganic Phosphorus by Host Pine through the Ectomycorrhizal System
Authors: Zhang Ai-Yue , Zhang Mei-Ling , Zhu Jia-Le , Mei Yan , Xu Fang-Ji , Bai Hong-Yan , Sun Kai , Zhang Wei , Dai Chuan-Chao , Jia Yong
Published: July 2023

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) have a limited ability to dissolve chelated inorganic phosphorus, which is the main component of soil phosphorus. In the natural environment, the extraradical hyphae of ECMF alone may not satisfy the phosphorus demand of the plant ectomycorrhizal system.
An Endogenous Staphylococcus aureus CRISPR-Cas System Limits Phage Proliferation and Is Efficiently Excised from the Genome as Part of the SCC
mec
Cassette
Authors: Mikkelsen Kasper , Bowring Janine Zara , Ng Yong Kai , Svanberg Frisinger Frida , Maglegaard Julie Kjærsgaard , Li Qiuchun , Sieber Raphael N. , Petersen Andreas , Andersen Paal Skytt , Rostøl Jakob T. , Høyland-Kroghsbo Nina Molin , Ingmer Hanne
Published: July 2023

CRISPR-Cas is an adaptive immune system protecting bacteria and archaea against mobile genetic elements such as phages. In strains of
Staphylococcus aureus
, CRISPR-Cas is rare, but when present, it is located within the SCC
mec
element, which encodes resistance to methicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics.
Evaluation of Gut Microbiota Stability and Flexibility as a Response to Seasonal Variation in the Wild François’ Langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) in Limestone Forest
Authors: Liu Hongying , Li Yuhui , Liang Jipeng , Nong Dengpan , Li Youbang , Huang Zhonghao
Published: July 2023

François’ langur is a primate that particularly lives in karst regions. The adaptation of wild animals to karst habitats has been a hot topic in behavioral ecology and conservation biology.