bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying effectiveness and best practices for bumblebee identification from photographs
Authors: Colgan A. M. , Hatfield R. G. , Dolan A. , Velman W. , Newton R. E. , Graves T. A.
Published: January 2024

Understanding pollinator networks requires species level data on pollinators. New photographic approaches to identification provide avenues to data collection that reduce impacts on declining bumblebee species, but limited research has addressed their accuracy. Using blind identification of 1418 photographed bees, of which 561 had paired specimens, we assessed identification and agreement across 20 bumblebee species netted in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota by people with minimal training. An expert identified 92.4% of bees from photographs, whereas 98.2% of bees were identified from specimens. Photograph identifiability decreased for bees that were wet or matted; bees without clear pictures of the abdomen, side of thorax, or top of thorax; bees photographed with a tablet, and for species with more color morphs. Across paired specimens, the identification matched for 95.1% of bees. When combined with a second opinion of specimens without matching identifications, data suggested a similar misidentification rate (2.7% for photographs and 2.5% specimens). We suggest approaches to maximize accuracy, including development of rulesets for collection of a subset of specimens based on difficulty of identification and to address cryptic variation, and focused training on identification that highlights detection of species of concern and species frequently confused in a study area.
Establishment and evaluation of a nomogram prediction model for the risk of vascular calcification in stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients
Authors: Yang Yan , Liang Wenxue , Gong Wenyu , Li Shishi , Chen Sining , Yang Zhiqian , Kuang Chaoying , Zhong Yuzhen , Yang Demao , Liu Fanna
Published: January 2024

Vascular calcification (VC) is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that has a detrimental effect on patients' survival and prognosis. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a practical and reliable prediction model for VC in CKD5 patients. The medical records of 544 CKD5 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for vascular calcification in patients with CKD5 and then created a nomogram prediction model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), Hosmer–Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess model performance. The patients were split into groups with normal and high serum uric acid levels, and the factors influencing these levels were investigated. Age, BUN, SUA, P and TG were independent risk factors for vascular calcification in CKD5 patients in the modeling group (P < 0.05). In the internal validation, the results of model showed that the AUC was 0.917. No significant divergence between the predicted probability of the nomogram and the actual incidence rate (x2 = 5.406, P = 0.753) was revealed by the calibration plot and HL test, thus confirming that the calibration was satisfactory. The external validation also showed good discrimination (AUC = 0.973). The calibration chart and HL test also demonstrated good consistency. Besides, the correlation analysis of serum uric acid levels in all CKD5 patients revealed that elevated uric acid levels may be related to gender, BUN, P, and TG.
Exploring uranium bioaccumulation in the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum: insights from multi-scale spectroscopy and imaging
Authors: Zerbini Micol , Solari Pier Lorenzo , Orange Francois , Jeanson Aurélie , Leblanc Catherine , Gomari Myriam , Auwer Christophe Den , Beccia Maria Rosa
Published: January 2024

Legacy radioactive waste can be defined as the radioactive waste produced during the infancy of the civil nuclear industry’s development in the mid-20th Century, a time when, unfortunately, waste storage and treatment were not well planned. The marine environment is one of the environmental compartments worth studying in this regard because of legacy waste in specific locations of the seabed. Comprising nearly 70% of the earth’s service, the oceans are the largest and indeed the final destination for contaminated fresh waters. For this reason, long-term studies of the accumulation biochemical mechanisms of metallic radionuclides in the marine ecosystem are required. In this context the brown algal compartment may be ecologically relevant because of forming large and dense algal beds in coastal areas and potential important biomass for contamination. This report presents the first step in the investigation of uranium (U, an element used in the nuclear cycle) bioaccumulation in the brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum using a multi-scale spectroscopic and imaging approach. Contamination of A. nodosum specimens in closed aquaria at 13 °C was performed with a defined quantity of U(VI) (10–5 M). The living algal uptake was quantified by ICP-MS and a localization study in the various algal compartments was carried out by combining electronic microscopy imaging (SEM), X-ray Absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and micro X-ray Florescence (μ-XRF). Data indicate that the brown alga is able to concentrate U(VI) by an active bioaccumulation mechanism, reaching an equilibrium state after 200 h of daily contamination. A comparison between living organisms and dry biomass confirms a stress-response process in the former, with an average bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 10 ± 2 for living specimens (90% lower compared to dry biomass, 142 ± 5). Also, these results open new perspectives for a potential use of A. nodosum dry biomass as uranium biosorbent. The different partial BAFs (bioaccumulation factors) range from 3 (for thallus) to 49 (for receptacles) leading to a compartmentalization of uranium within the seaweed. This reveals a higher accumulation capacity in the receptacles, the algal reproductive parts. SEM images highlight the different tissue distributions among the compartments with a superficial absorption in the thallus and lateral branches and several hotspots in the oospheres of the female individuals. A preliminary speciation XAS analysis identified a distinct U speciation in the gametes-containing receptacles as a pseudo-autunite phosphate phase. Similarly, XAS measurements on the lateral branches (XANES) were not conclusive with regards to the occurrence of an alginate-U complex in these tissues. Nonetheless, the hypothesis that alginate may play a role in the speciation of U in the algal thallus tissues is still under consideration.
CHART: a novel system for detector evaluation against toxic chemical aerosols
Authors: Durán Jiménez Dinesh , Venema Tom , de Bruin-Hoegée Mirjam , Alkema Duurt P. W. , Busker Ruud W. , van Wuijckhuijse Arjan L.
Published: January 2024

Concern over the possibility of deliberate dispersion of chemical warfare agents and highly toxic pharmaceutical based agents as persistent aerosols has raised the need for experimental assessment of current and future defensive capabilities of armed forces and law enforcement agencies. Therefor we herewith present the design, realization and validation of the Chemical Hot Aerosol Research Tool (CHART) as a validated and safe experimental set-up for performance evaluation of chemical detection and identification equipment against chemical warfare agents and other highly toxic compounds. In the CHART liquid and solid compounds in solution or suspension are being dispersed as aerosols in a nebulization chamber. A broad dynamic particle size range can be generated, including particles known to be able to reach the lower respiratory tract. The aerosol generated is presented to the detection system-under-test while being monitored and characterized in real-time, using an optical particle counter and a time-of-flight aerosol analyzer, respectively. Additionally, the chemical composition of the aerosol is ex situ measured by analytical chemical methods. Evidently, in the design of the CHART significant emphasis was placed on laboratory safety and containment of toxic chemicals. The CHART presented in this paper has proven to be an indispensable experimental tool to study detectors and fieldable identification equipment against toxic chemical aerosols.
Volcanic unrest as seen from the magmatic source: Reyðarártindur pluton, Iceland
Authors: Rhodes Emma , Burchardt Steffi , Greiner Sonja H. M. , Mattsson Tobias , Sigmundsson Freysteinn , Schmiedel Tobias , Barker Abigail K. , Witcher Taylor
Published: January 2024

How the Earth’s crust accommodates magma emplacement influences the signals that can be detected by monitoring volcano seismicity and surface deformation, which are routinely used to forecast volcanic eruptions. However, we lack direct observational links between deformation caused by magma emplacement and monitoring signals. Here we use field mapping and photogrammetry to quantify deformation caused by the emplacement of at least 2.5 km3 of silicic magma in the Reyðarártindur pluton, Southeast Iceland. Our results show that magma emplacement triggered minor and local roof uplift, and that magma reservoir growth was largely aseismic by piecemeal floor subsidence. The occurrence and arrangement of fractures and faults in the reservoir roof can be explained by magmatic overpressure, suggesting that magma influx was not fully accommodated by floor subsidence. The tensile and shear fracturing would have caused detectable seismicity. Overpressure eventually culminated in eruption, as evidenced by exposed conduits that are associated with pronounced local subsidence of the roof rocks, corresponding to the formation of an asymmetric graben at the volcano surface. Hence, the field observations highlight processes that may take place within silicic volcanoes, not accounted for in widely used models to interpret volcanic unrest.
Fabrication and properties evaluation of chitosan/BaTiO3 composite membranes for the periodontitis treatment
Authors: Houshyar Aydin , Ahmadian Mehdi , Azizian-Kalandaragh Yashar , Amirpour Noushin , Salehi Hossein
Published: January 2024

Periodontitis gradually damages the hard and soft tissues surrounding the tooth, leading to tooth loss. In recent years, the use of biomaterials in periodontitis treatment has expanded, including gels, nanoparticles, microparticles, fibers, and membranes. Among these, membranes have more clinical applications. Due to the ability of the piezoelectric material to regenerate damaged tissues, the aim of this study was to create piezoelectric composite membranes. To achieve this, Barium titanate powder (BaTiO3 powder)—a piezoelectric substance—was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Four types of membranes were fabricated using solvent casting method: three composite membranes with chitosan matrix and BaTiO3 fillers (at 3%, 6%, and 9% weight), and one chitosan membrane without BaTiO3. The microstructure of the membrane surfaces, agglomeration of BaTiO3 in membranes, and hydrophilicity, antibacterial, and electrical properties of the membrane were also investigated. The results indicated that membranes containing 3 and 6% BaTiO3 had suitable surface structure for the periodontitis treatment. Agglomeration of BaTiO3 particles was higher in the membrane containing 9% BaTiO3. The large amount of BaTiO3 improved the antibacterial properties of the membranes. Additionally, the membranes containing BaTiO3 had high electrical properties, especially those with 3% and 6% BaTiO3. Therefore, composite membranes containing BaTiO3, especially membranes containing 6% BaTiO3, are more favorable options than those without BaTiO3 for periodontitis treatment.
Impact of weather and climate advisories on agricultural outcomes in Pakistan
Authors: Nepal Mani , Ashfaq Muhammad , Sharma Bibek Raj , Shrestha Mandira Singh , Khadgi Vijay Ratan , Bruno Soares Marta
Published: January 2024

The earth is warming, and the frequency of extreme weather events have been rapidly growing globally with unprecedented consequences to farming communities. In principle, weather and climate information services (WCIS) can help farmers better manage their activities and farm level outcomes by supporting their decision-making with relevant and usable information to address the potential impacts of expected changing climate conditions. But, in practice, can the availability and use of WCIS help improve agricultural outcomes given the weather and climate related uncertainties? To understand the use and impact of WCIS in the cotton-wheat cropping areas of Pakistan, we conducted a multistage stratified clustered random sample of 612 farm households in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Over 55% of the farm households in the sample indicated that they used WCIS provided by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and other sources for making their agricultural decisions. Our analysis, however, suggests that the impact of using WCIS on major farm outcomes (i.e. farm revenue, costs, profits, and input usage) is not statistically significant when compared with those farm households not using WCIS (null result). This result is robust to different estimation techniques (i.e. ordinary least squares, instrumental variable approach, and propensity score matching method). From the focus group discussions, we gathered that farmers perceived WCIS as less reliable, often unclear, and difficult to understand as this information is not translated and transmitted in local languages. Addressing these issues can help reduce the impact of climate and weather variability on farm outcomes in those provinces as well as in Pakistan more generally. Our study suggests that, under uncertainty, emphasis should be on WCIS that farmers can rely on for making farming related decisions.
Triglyceride-glucose body mass index predicts prognosis in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Ming , Pan Jianyuan , Meng Ke , Wang Yuwei , Sun Xueqing , Ma Likun , Yu Xiaofan
Published: January 2024

Triglyceride glycemic-body mass index (TyG-BMI) is a simple and reliable surrogate for insulin resistance (IR). However, it is still unclear if TyG-BMI has any predictive value in patients having percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to examine the TyG-BMI index's prognostic significance and predictive power in patients with STEMI. The study comprised a total of 2648 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent PCI. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the combination of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and coronary revascularization. The TyG-BMI index was formulated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dL)/2] × BMI. 193 patients in all experienced MACE over a median follow-up of 14.7 months. There was a statistically significant difference between the Kaplan–Meier survival curves for the TyG-BMI index tertiles (log-rank test, p = 0.019) for the cumulative incidence of MACE. The adjusted HRs for the incidence of MACE in the middle and highest quartiles of the TyG-BMI index compared with the lowest quartile were 1.37 (95% CI 0.92, 2.03) and 1.53 (95% CI 1.02, 2.29), respectively, in the fully adjusted Cox regression model. At six months, one year, and three years, the TyG-BMI area under the curve (AUC) for predicting MACE was 0.691, 0.666, and 0.637, respectively. Additionally, adding the TyG-BMI index to the risk prediction model enhanced outcome prediction. In STEMI patients undergoing PCI, TyG-BMI was independently linked to MACE. TyG-BMI could be a simple and solid way to assess MACE risk and prognosis.
Subject-specific sensitivity of several biomechanical features to fatigue during an exhaustive treadmill run
Authors: Chalitsios Christos , Nikodelis Thomas , Mavrommatis Georgios , Kollias Iraklis
Published: January 2024

The aim of the present study was to examine the sensitivity of several movement features during running to exhaustion in a subject-specific setup adopting a cross-sectional design and a machine learning approach. Thirteen recreational runners, that systematically trained and competed, performed an exhaustive running protocol on an instrumented treadmill. Respiratory data were collected to establish the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) in order to obtain a reference point regarding the gradual accumulation of fatigue. A machine learning approach was adopted to analyze kinetic and kinematic data recorded for each participant, using a random forest classifier for the region pre and post the second ventilatory threshold. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis was used to explain the models’ predictions and to provide insight about the most important variables. The classification accuracy value of the models adopted ranged from 0.853 to 0.962. The most important feature in six out of thirteen participants was the angular range in AP axis of upper trunk C7 (RTAPu) followed by maximum loading rate (RFDmaxD) and the angular range in the LT axis of the C7. SHAP dependence plots also showed an increased dispersion of predictions in stages around the second ventilatory threshold which is consistent with feature interactions. These results showed that each runner used the examined features differently to cope with the increase in fatigue and mitigate its effects in order to maintain a proper motor pattern.
Viewing angle matters in British Sign Language processing
Authors: Watkins Freya , Abdlkarim Diar , Winter Bodo , Thompson Robin L.
Published: January 2024

The impact of adverse listening conditions on spoken language perception is well established, but the role of suboptimal viewing conditions on signed language processing is less clear. Viewing angle, i.e. the physical orientation of a perceiver relative to a signer, varies in many everyday deaf community settings for L1 signers and may impact comprehension. Further, processing from various viewing angles may be more difficult for late L2 learners of a signed language, with less variation in sign input while learning. Using a semantic decision task in a distance priming paradigm, we show that British Sign Language signers are slower and less accurate to comprehend signs shown from side viewing angles, with L2 learners in particular making disproportionately more errors when viewing signs from side angles. We also investigated how individual differences in mental rotation ability modulate processing signs from different angles. Speed and accuracy on the BSL task correlated with mental rotation ability, suggesting that signers may mentally represent signs from a frontal view, and use mental rotation to process signs from other viewing angles. Our results extend the literature on viewpoint specificity in visual recognition to linguistic stimuli. The data suggests that L2 signed language learners should maximise their exposure to diverse signed language input, both in terms of viewing angle and other difficult viewing conditions to maximise comprehension.
Examples of atoms absorbing photon via Schrödinger equation and vacuum fluctuations
Authors: Zhang Yongjun
Published: January 2024

The absorption of photons by atoms encompasses fundamental quantum mechanical aspects, particularly the emergence of randomness to account for the inherent unpredictability in absorption outcomes. We demonstrate that vacuum fluctuations can be the origin of this randomness. An illustrative example of this is the absorption of a single photon by two symmetrically arranged atoms. In the absence of a mechanism to introduce randomness, the Schrödinger equation alone can govern the time evolution of the process initially. Then, it becomes stuck, and an entangled state of the two atoms emerges. This entangled state consists of two components: in one, the first atom is excited by the photon while the second is in the ground state, and in the other, the second atom is excited while the first remains in the ground state. These components form a superposition state characterized by an unbreakable symmetry in the absence of external influences. Consequently, the absorption process remains incomplete. When vacuum fluctuations come into play, they can induce fluctuations in the weights of these components, akin to Brownian motion. Over time, one component diminishes, thereby breaking the entanglement between the two atoms and allowing the photon absorption process to conclude. The remaining component shows which atom completes the photon absorption. Vacuum fluctuations not only introduce randomness but also have the potential to give rise to the Born rule in this context. Furthermore, the Casimir effect, which is closely tied to vacuum fluctuations, presents a promising experimental avenue for validating this mechanism. Similar studies can also be conducted with varying numbers of atoms.
Double migration of the endangered Tricyrtis formosana (Liliaceae) in Japan
Authors: Tsunenari Kaori , Ito Takuro , Yokota Masatsugu , Shibabayashi Mayu , Endo Chiharu , Chung Kuo-Fang , Suyama Yoshihisa , Matsuo Ayumi , Abe Atsushi , Naiki Akiyo , Setoguchi Hiroaki , Makino Takashi , Isagi Yuji
Published: January 2024

The Ryukyu Islands of Japan are a biodiversity hotspot due to geographical and historical factors. Tricyrtis formosana is a perennial herbaceous plant that commonly found in Taiwan. But only a few populations have been identified in a limited habitat on Iriomote Island, while populations of unknown origin occur near human settlements in an area on the main island of Okinawa. To better understand these populations of the phylogenetic uniqueness and intrinsic vulnerability, we conducted comparative analyses including (1) phylogeny and population structure with MIG-seq data, (2) photosynthesis-related traits of plants grown under common conditions and (3) transcriptome analysis to detect deleterious variations. Results revealed that T. formosana was split into two clades by the congeners and that Iriomote and Okinawa populations independently derived from ancestral Taiwanese populations in each clade. Photosynthetic efficiency was lowest in the Iriomote population, followed by Okinawa and Taiwan. Transcriptome analysis showed that the Iriomote population accumulated more deleterious variations, suggesting intrinsic vulnerability. These results indicate that each T. formosana population in Japan is phylogenetically unique and has been independently dispersed from Taiwan, and that the Iriomote population presents a high conservation difficulty with a unique photosynthesis-related characteristic and a larger amount of deleterious variations.
Flavor profiling and gene expression studies of indigenous aromatic rice variety (Mushk Budiji) grown at different altitudes of Highland Himalayan regions
Authors: Fayaz Ufaq , Hussain Syed Zameer , Naseer Bazila , Mahdi Syed Sheraz , Mir Javid Iqbal , Ghosh Alokesh , Jana Arun , Wani Nazrana Rafique , Jabeen Abida , Wani Fehim J. , Manzoor Sobiya
Published: January 2024

Mushk Budiji-an indigenous aromatic rice variety is usually grown at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 7000 ft above mean sea level in Highland Himalayas. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of altitude, soil nitrogen content and climatic conditions (temperature) of the selected locations on the flavor profile of Mushk Budiji using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and electronic nose (E-nose). E-nose being rapid and non-destructive method was used to validate the results of volatile aromatic compounds obtained using GC–MS in Mushk Budiji. Around 35 aromatic compounds were identified in Mushk Budiji rice samples. Highest volatile peak area percentage (105.41%) was recorded for Mushk Budji grown at an altitude of 5216.53 ft. Highest E-nose score (2.52) was obtained at an altitude of 6299.21 ft. Over-expression of fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism genes was observed at higher altitudes, whereas lipid biosynthesis was negatively influenced by higher altitude. Fatty acid degradation and linoleic acid metabolism is responsible for the synthesis of volatile aromatic compounds in Mushk Budiji. This study will therefore be the path finder for investigating the intricate mechanism behind the role of altitude on aroma development in Mushk Budiji rice for future studies.
Quality variations of leachate resulting from cigarette filter recycling as a challenge for its management
Authors: Hossaini Motlagh Amin , Alinejad Navid , Kazembeigi Farogh , Torkashvand Javad , Tashauoei Hamid Reza , Fattahi Mehdi
Published: January 2024

Recycling is known as a solution for cigarette filter management, but this may cause the release of trapped pollutants in it. Cigarette smoke toxins and chemicals that trapped in the cigarette filter can accumulate in the recycling leachate. In this study, littered cigarette filters and freshly smoked cigarette filters were recycled and the resulting leachate was analyzed. The results showed that the minimum and maximum Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the studied leachates were 2100 mg/L and 11,300 mg/L, respectively. The maximum temporal variation in the studied leachate quality was 74.28%, but the maximum spatial variation was 314.2%. COD in the freshly smoked sample was 2600–9200 mg/L more than the littered samples. The average concentration of chromium, lead, nickel, and cadmium in littered samples was 0.023, 0.024, 0.045, and 0.019 mg/L, respectively. Environmental conditions such as humidity, the efficiency of the urban cleaning system in reducing the resistance of littered filters, the difference in the quality of the filter and tobacco, and the difference in smoking behaviors were effective in this variation. Reducing the toxicity of cigarette smoke and improving the efficiency of the urban cleaning system can lead to the same quality, but leachate treatment is necessary to reduce the environmental risk.
Non-isolated high gain DC–DC converter with ripple-free source current
Authors: Valarmathy A. S. , Prabhakar M.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, an interleaved DC–DC converter with high voltage gain capability is presented. The proposed converter is synthesized from a coupled-inductor (CI) based interleaved boost converter (IBC). For enhancing the voltage gain capability, voltage-lift capacitor, and diode-capacitor multiplier (DCM) cells are employed at the primary and secondary sides of the CIs. The proposed hybrid gain extension concept is practically validated using simulation and experimentation. A 185W prototype version of the proposed converter is switched at 50 kHz under laboratory conditions from a 18 V input to realize 380 V at the output port. The switches in the proposed converter operate at 0.5 duty ratio and experience a very low voltage stress of only 10.5% of the output voltage. Moreover, due to the interleaving mechanism, the input current ripple is just 11% of the total input current and the current rating of the switches is halved. Due to the adopted gain extension mechanism, the voltage stress on almost all the diodes is also significantly reduced. The swift dynamic response of the converter under closed-loop conditions is also practically demonstrated. Further, the beneficial features of the proposed converter are clearly validated by benchmarking its parameters with many state-of-the art converters which are available in literature.
Global land drought hubs confounded by teleconnection hotspots in equatorial oceans
Authors: Chauhan Tejasvi , Chandel Vikram , Ghosh Subimal
Published: January 2024

Emerging data-driven techniques, such as Complex Networks (CNs), can identify spatial linkages between droughts on a global scale and can improve early warning systems. Recent studies used CNs to identify hotspots of global drought teleconnections as land drought hubs; however, these studies excluded the ocean regions in CN, an oversight that can upend the insights gained thus far. Here, using a comprehensive global CN analysis on drought onsets, we show that oceanic regions harbor significantly larger drought hubs than land regions. The Indo-Pacific Warm pool (IPWP) in the Maritime continent emerges as the most significant drought hub having the farthest teleconnections. We show that IPWP, together with a few sub-tropical land and ocean regions, exhibit a ‘rich club phenomenon’ in CN. Further, using a causal network learning algorithm, we demonstrate the confounding role of oceans in modulating drought onsets on land regions. Our study reveals insights on the spatiotemporal linkages of global drought onsets and highlights the role of oceans in driving global drought teleconnections and modulation of land drought hubs.
Open and reusable deep learning for pathology with WSInfer and QuPath
Authors: Kaczmarzyk Jakub R. , O’Callaghan Alan , Inglis Fiona , Gat Swarad , Kurc Tahsin , Gupta Rajarsi , Bremer Erich , Bankhead Peter , Saltz Joel H.
Published: January 2024

Digital pathology has seen a proliferation of deep learning models in recent years, but many models are not readily reusable. To address this challenge, we developed WSInfer: an open-source software ecosystem designed to streamline the sharing and reuse of deep learning models for digital pathology. The increased access to trained models can augment research on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive capabilities of digital pathology.
Raman scattering excitation in monolayers of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Zinkiewicz M. , Grzeszczyk M. , Kazimierczuk T. , Bartos M. , Nogajewski K. , Pacuski W. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Wysmołek A. , Kossacki P. , Potemski M. , Babiński A. , Molas M. R.
Published: January 2024

Raman scattering excitation (RSE) is an experimental technique in which the spectrum is made up by sweeping the excitation energy when the detection energy is fixed. We study the low-temperature (T = 5 K) RSE spectra measured on four high quality monolayers (ML) of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (S-TMDs), i.e. MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2, encapsulated in hexagonal BN. The outgoing resonant conditions of Raman scattering reveal an extraordinary intensity enhancement of the phonon modes, which results in extremely rich RSE spectra. The obtained spectra are composed not only of Raman-active peaks, i.e. in-plane E$${}^{{\prime} }$$

′

and out-of-plane A$${}_{1}^{{\prime} }$$

1

′

, but the appearance of 1st, 2nd, and higher-order phonon modes is recognized. The intensity profiles of the A$${}_{1}^{{\prime} }$$

1

′

modes in the investigated MLs resemble the emissions due to neutral excitons measured in the corresponding PL spectra for the outgoing type of resonant Raman scattering conditions. Furthermore, for the WSe2 ML, the A$${}_{1}^{{\prime} }$$

1

′

mode was observed when the incoming light was in resonance with the neutral exciton line. The strength of the exciton-phonon coupling (EPC) in S-TMD MLs strongly depends on the type of their ground excitonic state, i.e. bright or dark, resulting in different shapes of the RSE spectra. Our results demonstrate that RSE spectroscopy is a powerful technique for studying EPC in S-TMD MLs.
Single-cell sequencing reveals increased LAMB3-positive basal keratinocytes and ZNF90-positive fibroblasts in autologous cultured epithelium
Authors: Lian Weiling , Zeng Xuanhao , Li Jian , Zang Qing , Liu Yating , Lv Haozhen , Chen Shujun , Huang Shiyi , Shen Jiayi , Tang Luyan , Xu Yu , Wu Fuyue , Zhang Qi , Xu Jinhua
Published: January 2024

Autologous cultured epithelium grafting (ACEG) presents a promising treatment for refractory vitiligo, yet concerns regarding infections and immunological reactions hinder its surgical use due to serum and feeder dependencies. Addressing this, we culture autologous epithelium under serum- and feeder-free (SFF) conditions, comparing its safety and efficacy with serum- and feeder-dependent (SFD) conditions in stable vitiligo patients, and we discover no significant differences in repigmentation between the SFF and SFD grafts. Single-cell RNA transcriptomics on SFF- and SFD-cultured epithelium alongside healthy skin reveal increased populations of LAMB3+ basal keratinocytes and ZNF90+ fibroblasts in the SFF sheets. Functional analyses showcase active cellular metabolism in LAMB3+ basal keratinocytes, vital in extracellular matrix homeostasis, while ZNF90+ fibroblasts demonstrate increased differentiation, essential in collagen formation for cell adhesion. Importantly, these cell populations in SFF sheets exhibit enhanced interactions with melanocytes compared to SFD sheets. Further, knockdown experiments of LAMB3 in keratinocytes and ZNF90 in fibroblasts lead to a downregulation in melanocyte ligand-receptor-related genes. Overall, SFF sheets demonstrate comparable efficacy to SFD sheets, offering superior safety. LAMB3+ basal keratinocytes and ZNF90+ fibroblasts act as potential drivers behind repigmentation in ACEG under SFF conditions. This study provides translational insights into ACEG repigmentation and potential therapeutic targets for vitiligo.
CCDC88B interacts with RASAL3 and ARHGEF2 and regulates dendritic cell function in neuroinflammation and colitis
Authors: Olivier Jean-Frederic , Langlais David , Jeyakumar Thiviya , Polyak Maria J. , Galarneau Luc , Cayrol Romain , Jiang Hua , Molloy Kelly R. , Xu Guoyue , Suzuki Harumi , LaCava John , Gros Philippe , Fodil Nassima
Published: January 2024

CCDC88B is a risk factor for several chronic inflammatory diseases in humans and its inactivation causes a migratory defect in DCs in mice. CCDC88B belongs to a family of cytoskeleton-associated scaffold proteins that feature protein:protein interaction domains. Here, we identified the Rho/Rac Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 2 (ARHGEF2) and the RAS Protein Activator Like 3 (RASAL3) as CCDC88B physical and functional interactors. Mice defective in Arhgef2 or Rasal3 show dampened neuroinflammation, and display altered cellular response and susceptibility to colitis; ARHGEF2 maps to a human Chromosome 1 locus associated with susceptibility to IBD. Arhgef2 and Rasal3 mutant DCs show altered migration and motility in vitro, causing either reduced (Arhgef2) or enhanced (Rasal3) migratory properties. The CCDC88B/RASAL3/ARHGEF2 complex appears to regulate DCs migration by modulating activation of RHOA, with ARHGEF2 and RASAL3 acting in opposite regulatory fashions, providing a molecular mechanism for the involvement of these proteins in DCs immune functions.
The serine synthesis pathway drives osteoclast differentiation through epigenetic regulation of NFATc1 expression
Authors: Stegen Steve , Moermans Karen , Stockmans Ingrid , Thienpont Bernard , Carmeliet Geert
Published: January 2024

Bone-resorbing osteoclasts are vital for postnatal bone health, as increased differentiation or activity results in skeletal pathologies such as osteoporosis. The metabolism of mature osteoclasts differs from their progenitor cells, but whether the observed metabolic changes are secondary to the altered cell state or actively drive the process of cell differentiation is unknown. Here, we show that transient activation of the serine synthesis pathway (SSP) is essential for osteoclastogenesis, as deletion of the rate-limiting enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase in osteoclast progenitors impairs their differentiation and results in increased bone mass. In addition, pharmacological phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase inhibition abrogated bone loss in a mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis by blocking bone resorption. Mechanistically, SSP-derived α-ketoglutarate is necessary for histone demethylases that remove repressive histone methylation marks at the nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (Nfatc1) gene locus, thereby inducing NFATc1 expression and consequent osteoclast maturation. Taken together, this study reveals a metabolic–epigenetic coupling mechanism that directs osteoclast differentiation and suggests that the SSP can be therapeutically targeted to prevent osteoporotic bone loss.
Long-term wetland biomonitoring highlights the differential impact of land use on macroinvertebrate diversity in Dongting Lake in China
Authors: Zhang Yan , Huang Daizhong , Jin Xiaowei , Li Liqiang , Wang Chouming , Wang Yeyao , Pellissier Loïc , Johnson Andrew C. , Wu Fengchang , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: January 2024

Freshwater wetlands have experienced disproportionate biodiversity loss due to environmental change. The lack of long-term biological data limits our understanding of wetland biodiversity dynamics and principal drivers. Here, we combine aquatic biomonitoring with satellite-derived imagery and spatial-explicit analysis to assess the changes in macroinvertebrate diversity and driving factors from 1988 to 2017 in Dongting Lake, China. The results revealed declining macroinvertebrate alpha diversity (species richness and functional redundancy) but increased beta diversity (taxonomic and functional dissimilarity). An increase in nutrients due to changes in land-use intensity in the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem was the primary mechanism for the losses of species and functional groups. Alpha diversity changes were most influenced by land-use changes in adjacent land areas 1.5 kilometers from the sampling sites, while beta diversity was affected within 50 meters. Our results highlight a need for attenuating land-use effects by establishing protected buffer areas to protect biodiversity in the future.
Effects of stress on pain in females using a mobile health app in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Authors: Kazlou Aliaksandr , Bornukova Kateryna , Wickham Aidan , Slaykovskiy Vladimir , Peven Kimberly , Klepchukova Anna , Ponzo Sonia , Garfinkel Sarah
Published: January 2024

The chronic and acute effects of stress can have divergent effects on health; long-term effects are associated with detrimental physical and mental health sequelae, while acute effects may be advantageous in the short-term. Stress-induced analgesia, the attenuation of pain perception due to stress, is a well-known phenomenon that has yet to be systematically investigated under ecological conditions. Using Flo, a women’s health and wellbeing app and menstrual cycle tracker, with a world-wide monthly active usership of more than 57 million, women in Ukraine were monitored for their reporting of stress, pain and affective symptoms before, and immediately after, the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. To avoid potential selection (attrition) or collider bias, we rely on a sample of 87,315 users who were actively logging multiple symptoms before and after the start of the war. We found an inverse relationship between stress and pain, whereby higher reports of stress predicted lower rates of pain. Stress did not influence any other physiological symptoms with a similar magnitude, nor did any other symptom have a similar effect on pain. This relationship generally decreased in magnitude in countries neighbouring and surrounding Ukraine, with Ukraine serving as the epicentre. These findings help characterise the relationship between stress and health in a real-world setting.
Quantum stereodynamics of cold molecular collisions
Authors: Balakrishnan Naduvalath , Jambrina Pablo G. , Croft James F. E. , Guo Hua , Aoiz F. Javier
Published: January 2024

The effect of reactant alignment on the angular distributions of scattered products in atom-molecule scattering.
Palladium-catalyzed allylation and carbonylation: access to allylhydrazones and allyl acylhydrazones
Authors: Liang Qianqian , Cai Yan , Jiang Wenjun , Pang Mengdi , Fan Liming , Zhang Guoying
Published: January 2024

A practical one-pot catalytic tandem multicomponent allylation condensation carbonylation to construct allylhydrazones and allyl acylhydrazones with high atom economy, water as a coproduct and excellent regioselectivity in multicomponent reactions.
A bioorthogonal cell sorting strategy for isolation of desired cell phenotypes
Authors: Dai Liqun , Zhou Siming , Yang Cheng , Li Jie , Wang Yayue , Qin Meng , Pan Lili , Zhang Dan , Qian Zhiyong , Wu Haoxing
Published: January 2024

Introducing a unique cell sorting method utilizing bioorthogonal tetrazine chemistry. This gentle technique preserves cell viability, offering a swift solution for selecting specific cell types in diverse biological and biomedical applications.
Nucleoside modification-based flexizymes with versatile activity for tRNA aminoacylation
Authors: Zhang Xin-Dan , Wang Yi-Shen , Xiang Hua , Bai Li-Wen , Cheng Peng , Li Kai , Huang Rong , Wang Xiaolei , Lei Xinxiang
Published: January 2024

Flexizyme variants derived from 2′-OMe, 2′-F, and 2′-MOE modifications with unique and versatile activities, enabling the charging of tRNAs with a broad range of substrates.
Facile synthesis of dibenzothiophene S-oxides from sulfinate esters
Authors: Kumagai Yukiko , Kobayashi Akihiro , Nakamura Keisuke , Yoshida Suguru
Published: January 2024

An efficient method to prepare dibenzothiophene S-oxides is disclosed. Selective coupling followed by cyclization provides diverse dibenzothiophene S-oxides. Further transformations realize to synthesize functionalized dibenzothiophene derivatives.
Dual-outward contraction-induced construction of 2D hollow carbon superstructures
Authors: Zhang Yaqi , Lou Jiali , Wei Jiamin , Zhou Yajing , Wang Haifeng , Wang Liangbiao , Wang Qing , Li Xiaopeng , Song Xiaokai
Published: January 2024

A highly developed 2D hollow carbon superstructure was fabricated by harnessing the synergy between Foutward1 and Foutward2.
Photoenhanced intrinsic peroxidase-like activity of a metal-free biocompatible borophene photonanozyme for colorimetric sensor assay of dopamine biomolecule
Authors: Borah Pulakesh , Baruah Diksha J. , Mridha Prosenjit , Baishya Rinku , Bora Himangsu K. , Das Manash R.
Published: January 2024

Borophene, a novel 2D nanomaterials without any metallic partners, was established as a Type I photonanozyme and developed a colorimetric sensor assay platform for selectively detecting the Dopamine biomolecule.
Two In-MOFs with gas adsorption and separation capability based on different pyridinyl carboxylate linkers
Authors: Liang Fei , Liang Jiaqi , Gao Dan , Kong Lingheng , Huang Shuo , Guo Yayuan , Liu Changkui , Ding Tao
Published: January 2024

Two In-MOFs (In-MOF 1 and In-MOF 2) were synthesized by using two different pyridine carboxylic acid ligands. The two MOFs have certain gas adsorption and separation capacity, which is determined by the structure, and adjustable porosity.
Uracil–water interaction revisited – in search of single H-bonded secondary minima
Authors: Buczek Aneta , Rzepiela Kacper , Kupka Teobald , Broda Małgorzata A. , Kar Tapas
Published: January 2024

Monohydrated uracil structures. The lower three structures are double H-bonded structures, and upper four structures represent single H-bonded structures. Single H-bonded structures participating in a double H-bonded arrangement are shown by arrows.
Organoboron flank-substituted donor–acceptor polymer anode with ultra-long cycling stability for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Hao , Liu Ting , Zhang Wenjing , Wang Jiadong , Li Kexuan , Zhou Yitong , Liu Luzun , Bai Yunfei , Pan Xiaobo
Published: January 2024

The tunable structure and other properties of organic materials suggest that they can potentially solve the shortcomings of traditional anodes such as graphite.
Changes in aromaticity of spin-crossover complexes: a signature for non-innocent ligands
Authors: Cunha Ana V. , Milocco Francesca , Otten Edwin , Havenith Remco W. A.
Published: January 2024

Aromaticity of non-innocent ligands is affected when the spin state changes.
Interface engineering toward stable lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Guo Yi , Niu Qian , Pei Fei , Wang Qian , Zhang Yun , Du Liyu , Zhang Yin , Zhang Yunsheng , Zhang Yueying , Fan Ling , Zhang Qianyu , Yuan Lixia , Huang Yunhui
Published: January 2024

The interfaces, interfacial issues, and their impact on lithium–sulfur electrochemistry are overviewed for both coin cells and practical lithium–sulfur batteries.
A novel bio-template route to synthesize enzyme-immobilized MOF/LDH tubular magnetic micromotors and their application in water treatment
Authors: Yang Xiaohan , Liu Chenzhang , Gao Shuo , Zhang Xiaolei , Lan Ziwei , Zuo Min , Li Jia
Published: January 2024

A ramie-templated micromotor loaded with a natural HRP enzyme was constructed, which had a potent peroxidase-like activity driven by decomposition of H2O2 for sensitive detection and degradation of catechol.
Photoinduced arylative formal 4-endo-dig cyclization of propargyl alcohols/amines to access strained heterocycles
Authors: Venka Reddy Pammi , Nagireddy Attunuri , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Sridhar Reddy Maddi
Published: January 2024

A novel synthetic strategy to access strained heterocycles is revealed through photocatalysed annulative formal 4-endo-dig cyclization of propargyl alcohols/amines with benzoquinones under catalyst/reagent-free conditions using non-hazardous solvent.
Tuning CO2 reaction enthalpy via metal complexes for advanced amine technology
Authors: Li Kangkang , Chen Jian , Li Simeng , Liu Yang , Feron Paul , Yu Hai , Liu Hanming , Cai Yong , Jiang Kaiqi
Published: January 2024

A new chemistry was proposed for metal-ion-mediated amine regeneration with tunable CO2 reaction enthalpy via metal complexes enabling a better energy performance of amine-based CO2 capture technology.
Effect of chain architecture and comonomer ratio on the biodegradability and thermal stability of biodegradable copolymers of l-lactide and δ-valerolactone
Authors: Nanthananon Phornwalan , Kwon Yong Ku
Published: January 2024

Novel biodegradable copolymers of ʟ-lactide (LA) and δ-valerolactone (VL) were bulk polymerized using stannous octoate as a catalyst initiated with salicylic acid or benzyl alcohol via ring-expansion or ring-opening polymerization, respectively.
Missing-linker defects in a covalent organic framework photocatalyst for highly efficient synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline
Authors: Zhao Yuling , Zhang Kangna , Zhu Keping , Zhao Yaqin , Zhai Hanping , Qiu Jikuan
Published: January 2024

A unique imine-based covalent organic framework heterogeneous catalyst with missing-linker defects was designed and synthesized, and the catalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for efficient synthesis of tetrahydroquinolines.
Preparation of reusable copper-based biomass-carbon aerogel catalysts and their application in highly selective reduction of maleimides to succinimides with hydrosilane as a hydrogen source
Authors: Lv Shaohuan , Yuan Zhanhong , Zheng Juanjuan , Liu Zirong , Ye Jiawang , Li Jiefang , Xu Shanshan , Xie Feng , Ye Dongdong , Li Bin
Published: January 2024

A novel copper-based biomass-carbon aerogel catalyst was prepared as a highly efficient and selective catalyst for maleimides reduction for the first time with excellent catalytic activity, chemo-selectivity, and recyclability.
Harvesting and manipulating sweat and interstitial fluid in microfluidic devices
Authors: Saha Tamoghna , Mukherjee Sneha , Dickey Michael D. , Velev Orlin D.
Published: January 2024

This review focuses on microfluidic techniques for sampling, sensing, and managing of sweat and interstitial fluid (ISF).
The spatial dependence of intervalence charge transfer in an electroactive metal–organic framework
Authors: Kearns Eleanor R. , Chan Bun , Windsor Hunter J. , Lewis William , D'Alessandro Deanna M.
Published: January 2024

A joint crystallographic and spectroscopic approach has been used to elucidate the structure activity relationships of an intervalence charge transfer in a series of multi-functional metal–organic frameworks.
Emerging potential approaches in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activatable cancer theranostics
Authors: Tyagi Kartikay , Venkatesh V.
Published: January 2024

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), a crucial member of the phosphatase family, can hydrolyze the phosphate group and is found to be overexpressed in various malignancies. Additionally, it also regulates several biological events.