bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning/Kalman filter-based underwater localization in VLC systems
Authors: Salama Wessam M. , Aly Moustafa H. , Amer Eman S.
Published: January 2023

There is a huge importance for the localization system in underwater visible light communication (VLC) systems as in petroleum, military and diving fields. To enhance the localization system, we use the Kalman filter (KF) algorithm with average received signal strength (RSS) method to obtain the nearest estimated positions. In this paper, two channel modeling weighted double Gamma functions (WDGF) are applied and a combination exponential arbitrary power function (CEAPF) for enhancing localization in VLC underwater systems. Using the proposed KF enhances the localization by ~ 60% as compared to the than average RSS technique for WDGF channel modeling and ~ 78% for the CEAPF channel modeling. Based on the estimate of received signal strength (RSS) by deep learning models (DLMs), underwater localization utilizing VLC is introduced. Our proposed framework is categorized into two phases. First, data collection is collected based on MATLAB software. Second, the training and testing of DLMs, SSD, RetinaNet, ResNet50V2 and InceptionResNetV2 techniques are applied. The channel gains are the DLMs’ input data set, while the DLMs’ output is the RSS intensity technique coordinates for each detector. The DLMs are then developed and trained using Python software. The ResNet50V2 based on average RSS technique hybrid with KF in CEAPF channel model achieves 99.98% accuracy, 99.97% area under the curve, 98.99% precision, 98.88% F1-score, 0.101 RMSE and 0.32 s testing time.
Light-induced changes of far-red excited chlorophyll fluorescence: further evidence for variable fluorescence of photosystem I in vivo
Authors: Schreiber Ulrich
Published: January 2023

Recently, the long-standing paradigm of variable chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence (Fv)in vivooriginating exclusively from PSII was challenged, based on measurements with green algae and cyanobacteria (Schreiber and Klughammer 2021, PRES 149, 213-231). Fv(I) was identified by comparing light-induced changes of Fv > 700 nm and Fv < 710 nm. The Fv(I) induced by strong light was about 1.5 × larger in Fv > 700 nm compared to Fv < 710 nm. In the present communication, concentrating on the model green algaChlorella vulgaris, this work is extended by comparing the light-induced changes of long-wavelength fluorescence (> 765 nm) that is excited by either far-red light (720 nm, mostly absorbed in PSI) or visible light (540 nm, absorbed by PSI and PSII). Polyphasic rise curves of Fv induced by saturating 540 nm light are measured, which after normalization of the initial O-I1rises, assumed to reflect Fv(II), display a 2 × higher I2-P transient with 720 nm excitation (720ex) compared with 540ex. Analysis of the Fo(I) contributions to Fo(720ex) and Fo(540ex) reveals that also Fo(I)720ex is 2 × higher than Fo(I)540ex, which supports the notion that the whole I2-P transient is due to Fv(I). The twofold increase of the excitation ratio of F(I)/F(II) from 680 to 720 nm is much smaller than the eight–tenfold increase of PSI/PSII known from action spectra. It is suggested that the measured F > 765 nm is not representative for the bulk chlorophyll of PSI, but rather reflects a small fraction of far-red absorbing chlorophyll forms (“red Chls”) with particular properties. Based on the same approach (comparison of polyphasic rise curves measured with 720ex and 540ex), the existence of Fv(I) is confirmed in a variety of other photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria, moss, fern, higher plant leaves).
Truncated Poisson–Dirichlet approximation for Dirichlet process hierarchical models
Authors: Zhang Junyi , Dassios Angelos
Published: January 2023

The Dirichlet process was introduced by Ferguson in 1973 to use with Bayesian nonparametric inference problems. A lot of work has been done based on the Dirichlet process, making it the most fundamental prior in Bayesian nonparametric statistics. Since the construction of Dirichlet process involves an infinite number of random variables, simulation-based methods are hard to implement, and various finite approximations for the Dirichlet process have been proposed to solve this problem. In this paper, we construct a new random probability measure called the truncated Poisson–Dirichlet process. It sorts the components of a Dirichlet process in descending order according to their random weights, then makes a truncation to obtain a finite approximation for the distribution of the Dirichlet process. Since the approximation is based on a decreasing sequence of random weights, it has a lower truncation error comparing to the existing methods using stick-breaking process. Then we develop a blocked Gibbs sampler based on Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method to explore the posterior of the truncated Poisson–Dirichlet process. This method is illustrated by the normal mean mixture model and Caron–Fox network model. Numerical implementations are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of our algorithm.
Preclinical Identification Of Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Using a Multimodal Non-invasive In vivo Imaging Approach
Authors: Knopf Philipp , Stowbur Dimitri , Hoffmann Sabrina H. L. , Fransen Marieke F. , Schwenck Johannes , Pichler Bernd J. , Kneilling Manfred
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Resection of the tumor-draining lymph -node (TDLN) represents a standard method to identify metastasis for several malignancies. Interestingly, recent preclinical studies indicate that TDLN resection diminishes the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor-based cancer immunotherapies. Thus, accurate preclinical identification of TDLNs is pivotal to uncovering the underlying immunological mechanisms. Therefore, we validated preclinically, and clinically available non-invasive in vivo imaging approaches for precise TDLN identification.

Procedures

For visualization of the lymphatic drainage into the TDLNs by non-invasive in vivo optical imaging, we injected the optical imaging contrast agents Patent Blue V (582.7 g mol−1) and IRDye® 800CW polyethylene glycol (PEG; 25,000–60,000 g mol−1), subcutaneously (s.c.) in close proximity to MC38 adenocarcinomas at the right flank of experimental mice. For determination of the lymphatic drainage and the glucose metabolism in TDLNs by non-invasive in vivo PET/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI), we injected the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer (2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) [181.1 g mol−1]) in a similar manner. For ex vivo cross-correlation, we isolated TDLNs and contralateral nontumor-draining lymph nodes (NTDLNs) and performed optical imaging, biodistribution, and autoradiography analysis.

Results

The clinically well-established Patent Blue V was superior for intraoperative macroscopic identification of the TDLNs compared with IRDye® 800CW PEG but was not sensitive enough for non-invasive in vivo detection by optical imaging. Ex vivo Patent Blue V biodistribution analysis clearly identified the right accessory axillary and the proper axillary lymph node (LN) as TDLNs, whereas ex vivo IRDye® 800CW PEG completely failed. In contrast, functional non-invasive in vivo18F-FDG PET/MRI identified a significantly elevated uptake exclusively within the ipsilateral accessory axillary TDLN of experimental mice and was able to differentiate between the accessory axillary and the proper LN. Ex vivo biodistribution and autoradiography confirmed our in vivo18F-FDG PET/MRI results.

Conclusions

When taken together, our results demonstrate the feasibility of 18F-FDG-PET/MRI as a valid method for non-invasive in vivo, intraoperative, and ex vivo identification of the lymphatic drainage and glucose metabolism within the TDLNs. In addition, using Patent Blue V provides additive value for the macroscopic localization of the lymphatic drainage both visually and by ex vivo optical imaging analysis. Thus, both methods are valuable, easy to implement, and cost-effective for preclinical identification of the TDLN.
Structural elucidation of a Mn(III) derivative anchored with a tetradentate Schiff base precursor: in vitro cytotoxicity study
Authors: Das Kuheli , Shetty Manasa G. , Melanthota Sindhoora K. , Sundara Babitha K. , Kar Sudeshna , Massera Chiara , Garribba Eugenio , Datta Amitabha , Mazumder Nirmal
Published: January 2023

A new mononuclear Mn(III) derivative, [Mn(L)(H2O)2]ClO4(1) was obtained by reacting manganese perchlorate with the tetradentate Schiff base precursor, H2L, [where H2L=C6H3(OMe)(OH)CH=N(CH2)3N=CH(OH)(OMe)C6H3] and characterized by various spectral techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that in 1, the central Mn atom is hexa-coordinated via the NNOO donor sites of the Schiff base precursor and two water molecules, yielding a distorted octahedral geometry. Also, the EPR spectra of1were recorded at the solid state by varying the temperature (from 90 to 300 K) as well as in different organic solvents; DMSO, MeOH and a mixture CH2Cl2/toluene; the results obtained agree with the geometrical environment around the metal. The cytotoxic activity of the Mn(III) derivative was evaluated against normal and cancer cell lines. The derivative exhibited comparatively better cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells compared to SiHa and fibroblast cells.
Physical, optical, thermoanalytical, and radiation response study of Eu2O3-doped zinc fluoro-telluroborate glasses
Authors: Wagh A. , D’Souza A. N. , Karunakara N. , Shailaja H. , Raviprakash Y. , Kamath S. D.
Published: January 2023

In the present study, Eu3+-doped zinc fluoro-telluroborate transparent glasses were prepared by the conventional melt−quench technique. Their density and refractive index values were measured, and using these values, different physical parameters (number density, oxygen packing density, no. of bonds/vol, etc.) were calculated and analysed. The XRD pattern displayed a disordered atomic arrangement in the glass network. The EDS spectra proved the purity of the samples exhibiting only those elements used during the synthesis. The good solubility of Eu3+ ions in zinc fluoro-telluroborate glasses was analysed through fine absorption peaks in the UV−Vis−NIR range. The absorption intensities increased in all samples up to 3.0 mol% of Eu3+-doping concentration. The stabilities of the samples, such as ∆T ~ (144–156) °C and Hr ~ 2.33–4.00, calculated using characteristic temperatures (Tg, Tx, Tc, Tm) from DSC studies exhibited their promising candidature in a high-temperature environment. The Eu7 (Eu3+ with 3.0 mol%) glass confirmed better attenuation properties (LAC, Zeff, HVL, MFP) compared to other composition (0–2.5 mol%) glasses.
Irrational methods suggest indecomposability and emergence
Authors: Tabatabaei Ghomi Hamed
Published: January 2023

This paper offers a practical argument for metaphysical emergence. The main message is that the growing reliance on so-called irrational scientific methods provides evidence that objects of science are indecomposable and as such, are better described by metaphysical emergence as opposed to the prevalent reductionistic metaphysics. I show that a potential counterargument that science will eventually reduce everything to physics has little weight given where science is heading with its current methodological trend. I substantiate my arguments by detailed examples from biological engineering, but the conclusions are extendable beyond that discipline.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Data-driven EUR for multistage hydraulically fractured wells in shale formation using different machine learning methods
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Alarifi Sulaiman A. , Elkatatny Salaheldin
Published: January 2023

This study proposes the use of different machine learning techniques to predict the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) as a function of the hydraulic fracturing design. A set of data includes 200 well production data, and completion designs were collected from oil production wells in the Niobrara shale formation. The completion design parameters include the lateral length, the number of stages, the total injected proppant and slurry volumes, and the maximum treating pressure measured during the fracturing operations. The data set was randomly split into training and testing with a ratio of 75:25. Different machine learning methods were to predict EUR from the completion design including linear regression, random forest (RF), and decision tree (DT) in addition to gradient boosting regression (GBR). EUR prediction from the completion data showed a low accuracy. As result, an intermediate step of estimating the well IP30 (the initial well production rate for the first month) from the completion data was carried out; then, the IP30 and the completion design were used as input parameters to predict the EUR. The linear regression showed some linear relationship between the output and the inputs, where the EUR can be predicted with a linear relationship with anR-value of 0.84. In addition, a linear correlation was developed based on the linear regression model. Moreover, the other ML tools including RF, DT, and GBR presented high accuracy of EUR prediction with correlation coefficient (R) values between actual and predicted EUR from the ML model higher than 0.9. This study provides ML application with an empirical correlation to predict the EUR from the completion design parameters at an early time without the need for complex numerical simulation analysis. Unlike the available empirical DCA models that require several months of production to build a sound prediction of EUR, the main advantage of the developed models in this study is that it requires only an initial flow rate along with the completion design to predict EUR with high certainty.
Early post-transplant recurrence of ANCA vasculitis while on belatacept maintenance immunosuppression
Authors: Agrawal Amogh , Chong Grace Yun , Fidler Mary Elizabeth , Cramer II Carl Henry , Amer Hatem , Bentall Andrew John
Published: January 2023

Post-transplant recurrence of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is infrequent, with recurrence within weeks of transplantation being even rarer. We describe an unusual case of AAV recurrence within 2 weeks post-transplant. Our patient received a deceased donor kidney transplant (KDPI 60%) after 6 years on hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease from AAV. She was induced with thymoglobulin and steroids, and maintained on belatacept, mycophenolate and prednisone. Time-zero biopsy showed acute tubular injury. Due to persistent delayed graft function by post-operative day 14, she underwent repeat biopsy, which showed focal segmental necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis, with positive MPO, PR3 and negative anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies. As her findings were in keeping with recurrent AAV, she underwent induction with rituximab, prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin, with repeat rituximab 14 days later because of increasing B-lymphocyte counts. Belatacept was replaced with tacrolimus due to concerns with autoimmunity. Fortunately, renal function began to recover 4 days after treatment. In addition to highlighting potential immunologic mechanisms in AAV and the use of rituximab in post-transplant recurrence, our case suggests that for systemic autoimmune disease, patients maintained on belatacept must be monitored closely for recurrence, particularly in the setting of delayed graft function.

Graphical Abstract
A Thermoregulatory Flexible Phase Change Nonwoven for All-Season High-Efficiency Wearable Thermal Management
Authors: Liu Hanqing , Zhou Feng , Shi Xiaoyu , Sun Keyan , Kou Yan , Das Pratteek , Li Yangeng , Zhang Xinyu , Mateti Srikanth , Chen Ying , Wu Zhong-Shuai , Shi Quan
Published: January 2023

Phase change materials have a key role for wearable thermal management, but suffer from poor water vapor permeability, low enthalpy value and weak shape stability caused by liquid phase leakage and intrinsic rigidity of solid–liquid phase change materials. Herein, we report for the first time a versatile strategy for designed assembly of high-enthalpy flexible phase change nonwovens (GB-PCN) by wet-spinning hybrid graphene-boron nitride (GB) fiber and subsequent impregnating paraffins (e.g., eicosane, octadecane). As a result, our GB-PCN exhibited an unprecedented enthalpy value of 206.0 J g−1, excellent thermal reliability and anti-leakage capacity, superb thermal cycling ability of 97.6% after 1000 cycles, and ultrahigh water vapor permeability (close to the cotton), outperforming the reported PCM films and fibers to date. Notably, the wearable thermal management systems based on GB-PCN for both clothing and face mask were demonstrated, which can maintain the human body at a comfortable temperature range for a significantly long time. Therefore, our results demonstrate huge potential of GB-PCN for human-wearable passive thermal management in real scenarios.
Co-occurrence patterns and habitat selection of the mountain hare, European hare, and European rabbit in urban areas of Sweden
Authors: Bach Henriette , Escoubet Hannah , Mayer Martin
Published: January 2023

Assessing the underlying mechanisms of species co-occurrence patterns can be challenging as biotic and abiotic factors are hard to disentangle. To date, few studies have investigated co-occurrence patterns of mammals within urban areas. As urban areas are increasingly used as habitat by wildlife, there is a need for a better understanding of urban ecology to facilitate human-wildlife co-existence. Here, we investigated co-occurrence patterns and habitat selection of the European hare (Lepus europaeus), mountain hare (L. timidus),and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) inside urban areas of Sweden, using joint species distribution models and generalized linear mixed models based on citizen science observations. All three species were observed within urban areas, but European hares and rabbits appear to be more successful urban colonizers compared to mountain hares. Overall, our findings suggested that urban occurrence by all three lagomorphs was related to suitable conditions within the distribution of each species (e.g., climate and elevation), rather than by the presence of other lagomorph species or specific land cover types within urban areas. On a finer spatial scale, European hares and rabbits generally selected for green urban areas and mountain hares for residential gardens, which likely constitute suitable foraging sites. Moreover, overlap in activity times between European hares and rabbits was mediated by land cover type and sympatry. Our findings contribute to the understanding of urban ecology and provide insights for management measures of the three lagomorphs in urban areas of Sweden.
Cold War Decolonization
Authors: Taunton Matthew
Published: January 2023

Literary culture after 1945 took shape in a context where a handful of colonial empires were replaced by (at present count) nearly two hundred sovereign nation-states whose domestic politics, foreign policy, and cultural life were profoundly shaped by their relationship to the Cold War superpowers. One of the striking features of the historiography of this post-1945 world is that its two most salient themes—the Cold War, and decolonization—have so often been treated in isolation from each other. Postcolonialism and Cold War studies have, as Monica Popescu tells us, followed “separate, largely non-intersecting paths” (6). Yet even a superficial summary of the key geopolitical developments of the postwar period suggests that the Cold War and decolonization are not just interconnected, but mutually determining. When you take into account the decolonizing world, in some places afflicted by devastating proxy wars in this period, it must be said (it has often been said) that the Cold War was cruelly misnamed. This dual history has shaped our political language. A term like the West, as it is used in academic debates as well as in political, journalistic, and policymaking fields, developed its particular set of associations by contrast with the communist Eastern bloc on the one hand and with the (post)colonial global south on the other. Yet these two versions of the non-Western don’t always line up: although anticolonial movements often sought to align themselves with the international communist movement, many proudly independent postcolonial nation-states were explicitly anti-communist (like the neoliberal regimes in Singapore and South Korea). Other postcolonies grappled with the Soviet Union or the People’s Republic of China as a colonial power.
Low-quality protein modulates inflammatory markers and the response to lipopolysaccharide insult: the case of lysine
Authors: El-Mallah Carla , Ragi Marie-Elizabeth E. , Eid Assaad , Obeid Omar A.
Published: January 2023

The relationship between non-communicable diseases and eating behaviour has long been attributed to a surplus of food and energy. However, the increase in the prevalence of non-communicable disease and their underlying low-grade inflammatory milieu among people of low socio-economic status has highlighted the existence of a confounding factor. In this work, we aim to study the effect of lysine deficiency on some inflammatory markers in the absence or presence of an inflammatory insult (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)). For this purpose, thirty-two 5-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly distributed into four groups: (1) control diet, (2) control diet+LPS, (3) lysine-deficient diet and (4) lysine-deficient diet + LPS. Groups were only allowed their experimental diets for 4 weeks, during which LPS (50 µg/kg) or saline injections were administered intraperitoneally three times per week. The study showed that lysine deficiency blunted growth and body compartments development, decreased albumin production and elevated liver C-reactive protein (CRP) expression, independently of IL-6 and IL-1β, the main precursors of CRP. Also, the insufficient levels of lysine in the diet increased hyperactivity and triggered an anxiety-like behaviour, exacerbated with LPS. This work presents evidence that various physiological changes are associated with the absence of a sufficient amount of lysine in the diet and can potentially increase the risk factor for diseases. Thus, the increment in non-communicable disease among the low socio-economic status populations, who heavily rely on cereals as a main source of protein, can be, at least partially, blamed on low lysine availability in diets.
Epidemiology of protozoan and helminthic parasites in wild passerine birds of Britain and Ireland
Authors: Parsa Fatemeh (Rose) , Bayley Sam , Bell Fraser , Dodd Stephen , Morris Ray , Roberts Jean , Wawman Denise , Clegg Simon R. , Dunn Jenny C.
Published: January 2023

Avian endoparasites play important roles in conservation, biodiversity and host evolution. Currently, little is known about the epidemiology of intestinal helminths and protozoans infecting wild birds of Britain and Ireland. This study aimed to determine the rates of parasite prevalence, abundance and infection intensity in wild passerines. Fecal samples (n= 755) from 18 bird families were collected from 13 sites across England, Wales and Ireland from March 2020 to June 2021. A conventional sodium nitrate flotation method allowed morphological identification and abundance estimation of eggs/oocysts. Associations with host family and age were examined alongside spatiotemporal and ecological factors using Bayesian phylogenetically controlled models. Parasites were detected in 20.0% of samples, with corvids and finches having the highest prevalences and intensities, respectively.Syngamus(33%) andIsospora(32%) were the most prevalent genera observed. Parasite prevalence and abundance differed amongst avian families and seasons, while infection intensity varied between families and regions. Prevalence was affected by diet diversity, while abundance differed by host age and habitat diversity. Infection intensity was higher in birds using a wider range of habitats, and doubled in areas with feeders present. The elucidation of these patterns will increase the understanding of parasite fauna in British and Irish birds.
LMOOC research 2014 to 2021: What have we done and where are we going next?
Authors: Zhang Yining , Sun Ruoxi
Published: January 2023

This study reviews 71 high-quality studies of massive open online courses focused on languages (LMOOCs) that were published from the inception of LMOOCs to 2021. The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of research and identify fruitful directions for future LMOOC research. First, we reviewed three basic sets of characteristics of these studies: (1) research trends – for example, publication types and years; (2) research contexts – for example, countries in which the studies were conducted, the subjects’ target languages, language-ability levels, skills, and whether the focal courses are for specific purposes; and (3) research design, including data collection, data analysis, and theoretical frameworks. We then utilized a text-mining approach called Latent Dirichlet Allocation that uses machine-learning techniques to identify research-topic commonalities underlying the collected studies. In this way, a total of nine topics were identified. They were: (1) core elements of LMOOCs; (2) interaction and communication in LMOOCs; (3) innovative LMOOC teaching practices; (4) LMOOC standards and quality assurance; (5) LMOOC implementation, participation, and completion; (6) LMOOC teaching plans; (7) LMOOC learning effectiveness and its drivers/obstacles; (8) learners and learning in LMOOCs; and (9) inclusiveness in LMOOCs. These were then diagrammed as a ThemeRiver, which showed the evolutionary trend of the nine identified topics. Specifically, scholarly interest in Topics 5, 7, and 9 increased over time, whereas for Topics 1 and 6, it decreased. Based on our results, we highlighted specific directions for future LMOOC research on each of the identified research topics.
Biotherapeutic microbial supplementation for ameliorating fish health: developing trends in probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics use in finfish aquaculture
Authors: Puri Parul , Sharma Jai Gopal , Singh Ram
Published: January 2023

Nutrition demands in aquaculture can be realized through quality aquafeeds as compounded diets that contribute to the growth and health of aquaculture species. Functional additives in feed, notably probiotics, prebiotics, and their admixture synbiotics, have been recently recognized for their biotherapeutic role as immunostimulants capable of conferring disease resistance, stress tolerance, and gastrointestinal health; counteracting the negative effects of anti-nutrients, pathogenic prevalence, and antimicrobials in finfish aquaculture. Formulated diets based on probiotics, prebiotics, and as a supplemental combination for synbiotics can significantly influence fish gut microbiomes, establishing the modalities of microbial dynamics to maximize host-associated benefits. These microbial functional-feed supplements are acclaimed to be biocompatible, biodegradable, and safe for dietary consumption as well as the environment. In fed fish aquaculture, prebiotic appended probiotic diet ‘synbiotic’ has propounded larger attention for its additional health and nutritional benefits. Synbiotic, prebiotic, and probiotic usage as functional feeds for finfish aquaculture thus provides promising prospects. Developing trends in their intended application are reviewed here forth.
Understanding Peat Soil Deformation and Mechanisms of Peat Collapse Across a Salinity Gradient in the Southwestern Everglades
Authors: Sirianni Matthew J. , Comas Xavier , Mount Gregory J. , Pierce Shelley , Coronado‐Molina Carlos , Rudnick David
Published: January 2023

Saltwater intrusion is a significant threat to the structure and ecology of inland and coastal freshwater wetlands, altering biogeochemical cycling and disrupting important ecosystem services. As sea level rises along the Florida coast, the saltwater interface progressively moves further inland reaching freshwater soils previously unexposed to saltwater. One result of this soil salinization is a phenomenon called peat collapse which is currently observable along the South Florida coastline. While previous studies have proposed conceptual models to explain peat collapse many uncertainties still exist regarding the physical mechanisms that trigger this phenomenon. In this study we use a unique combination of laboratory and field‐based measurements using geophysical methods, deformation rods, gas traps, time‐lapse photography, and hydraulic conductivity measurements to investigate the effects of salinization on the physical properties of peat soils across a salinity gradient in the southwestern Everglades. Our results show that freshwater peat soils have about three times greater degree of pore dilation when compared to peat soils previously exposed to saltwater conditions. Differences in soil surface deformation were also observed and related to differences in the soil matrix physical integrity across the salinity gradient. This work also uses electrical resistivity imaging surveys to image areas of peat collapse and demonstrates: (a) the role of salinity in the development of collapse features; and (b) the apparent lack of evidence to suggest subsurface lithological controls on the development of collapse features. A simplified conceptual framework for better understanding peat collapse and pock formation is presented.
Inhibition of miR338 rescues cleidocranial dysplasia in Runx2 mutant mice partially via the Hif1a-Vegfa axis
Authors: Jin Runze , Zhang Hanshu , Lin Chujiao , Guo Jinqiang , Zou Weiguo , Chen Zhi , Liu Huan
Published: January 2023

Haploinsufficiency of Runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX2) is responsible for cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), a rare hereditary disease with a range of defects, including delayed closure of the cranial sutures and short stature. Symptom-based treatments, such as a combined surgical-orthodontic approach, are commonly used to treat CCD patients. However, there have been few reports of treatments based on Runx2-specific regulation targeting dwarfism symptoms. Previously, we found that the miR338 cluster, a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for postmenopausal osteoporosis, could directly target Runx2 during osteoblast differentiation in vitro. Here, we generated miR338−/−;Runx2+/− mice to investigate whether inhibition of miR338 could rescue CCD defects caused by Runx2 mutation in vivo. We found that the dwarfism phenotype caused by Runx2 haploinsufficiency was recovered in miR338−/−;Runx2+/− mice, with complete bone density restoration and quicker closure of fontanels. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that knockout of miR338 specifically rescued the osteoblast lineage priming ability of bone marrow stromal cells in Runx2+/− femurs, which was further confirmed by Osterix-specific conditional knockout of miR338 in Runx2+/− mice (OsxCre; miR338fl/fl;Runx2+/−). Mechanistically, ablation of the miR338 cluster in Runx2+/− femurs directly rescued the Hif1a-Vegfa pathway in Runx2+/− osteoblasts, as proven by gene expression profiles and ChIP and Re-ChIP assays. Collectively, our data revealed the genetic interaction between Runx2 and the miR338 cluster during osteoblast differentiation and implied that the miR338 cluster could be a potential therapeutic target for CCD.
Dynamic network biomarker identifies cdkn1a-mediated bone mineralization in the triggering phase of osteoporosis
Authors: Guo Weiming , Jin Peng , Li Ruomei , Huang Lu , Liu Zhen , Li Hairui , Zhou Ting , Fang Bing , Xia Lunguo
Published: January 2023

The identification of predictive markers to determine the triggering phase prior to the onset of osteoporosis is essential to mitigate further irrevocable deterioration. To determine the early warning signs before osteoporosis, we used the dynamic network biomarker (DNB) approach to analyze time-series gene expression data in a zebrafish osteoporosis model, which revealed that cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 A (cdkn1a) is a core DNB. We found that cdkn1a negatively regulates osteogenesis, as evidenced by loss-of-function and gain-of-function studies. Specifically, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated cdkn1a knockout in zebrafish significantly altered skeletal development and increased bone mineralization, whereas inducible cdkn1a expression significantly contributed to osteoclast differentiation. We also found several mechanistic clues that cdkn1a participates in osteoclast differentiation by regulating its upstream signaling cascades. To summarize, in this study, we provided new insights into the dynamic nature of osteoporosis and identified cdkn1a as an early-warning signal of osteoporosis onset.
A flexible pressure sensor with highly customizable sensitivity and linearity via positive design of microhierarchical structures with a hyperelastic model
Authors: Xu Zhenjin , Wu Dezhi , Chen Zhiwen , Wang Zhongbao , Cao Cong , Shao Xiangyu , Zhou Gang , Zhang Shaohua , Wang Lingyun , Sun Daoheng
Published: January 2023

The tactile pressure sensor is of great significance in flexible electronics, but sensitivity customization over the required working range with high linearity still remains a critical challenge. Despite numerous efforts to achieve high sensitivity and a wide working range, most sensitive microstructures tend to be obtained only by inverting naturally existing templates without rational design based on fundamental contact principles or models for piezoresistive pressure sensors. Here, a positive design strategy with a hyperelastic model and a Hertzian contact model for comparison was proposed to develop a flexible pressure sensor with highly customizable linear sensitivity and linearity, in which the microstructure distribution was precalculated according to the desired requirement prior to fabrication. As a proof of concept, three flexible pressure sensors exhibited sensitivities of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.3 kPa−1 over a linear region of up to 200 kPa, with a low sensitivity error (<5%) and high linearity (~0.99), as expected. Based on the superior electromechanical performance of these sensors, potential applications in physiological signal recognition are demonstrated as well, and such a strategy could shed more light on demand-oriented scenarios, including designable working ranges and linear sensitivity for next-generation wearable devices.
Implications and prognostic impact of mass spectrometry in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Mai Elias K. , Huhn Stefanie , Miah Kaya , Poos Alexandra M. , Scheid Christof , Weisel Katja C. , Bertsch Uta , Munder Markus , Berlanga Oscar , Hose Dirk , Seckinger Anja , Jauch Anna , Blau Igor W. , Hänel Mathias , Salwender Hans J. , Benner Axel , Raab Marc S. , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Weinhold Niels
Published: January 2023

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a promising tool for monitoring monoclonal protein in plasma cell dyscrasias. We included 480 transplant-eligible newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients from the GMMG-MM5 trial (EudraCT No. 2010-019173-16) and performed a retrospective MS analysis at baseline (480 patients) and at the pre-defined, consecutive time points after induction (444 patients), prior to maintenance (305 patients) and after one year of maintenance (227 patients). We found that MS negativity was significantly associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) even in patients with complete response (CR) at all investigated follow-up time points. The prognostic impact was independent of established risk factors, such as the revised International Staging System. Combining MS and baseline cytogenetics improved the prediction of outcome: MS-positive patients with high-risk cytogenetics had a dismal PFS of 1.9 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–2.3 years) from the start of maintenance. Testing the value of sequential MS prior to and after one year of maintenance, patients converting from MS positivity to negativity had an excellent PFS (median not reached) while patients converting from MS negativity to positivity progressed early (median 0.6 years, 95% CI: 0.3-not reached). Among patients with sustained MS positivity, the baseline high-risk cytogenetic status had a significant impact and defined a group with poor PFS. Combining minimal residual disease (MRD) in the bone marrow and MS allowed the identification of double negative patients with a favorable PFS (median 3.33 years, 95% CI: 3.08-not reached) and no overall survival events. Our study provides strong evidence that MS is superior to conventional response monitoring, highlighting the potential of MS to become a new standard. Our data indicate that MS should be performed sequentially and combined with baseline disease features and MRD to improve its clinical value.

Clinical Trials Register: EudraCT No. 2010-019173-16
The Cancer Research UK Stratified Medicine Programme as a model for delivering personalised cancer care
Authors: Cerone Maria Antonietta , Mills Tara C. , Sharpe Rowena , McBride David , MacDonald Moira , MacMahon Suzanne , Mugalaasi Hood , Rehal Pauline , Rettino Alessandro , Roberts Helen , Ross Mark , White Donald Edward , Peden John , Rawlinson Janette , Ho Steffan N. , Hollingsworth Simon , Popat Sanjay , Middleton Gary , Johnson Peter , Swanton Charles ,   the SMP2 consortium, Man Somai , Butler Rachel , White Rhian , Morgan Sian , Wood Sian , Thompson Lisa , Carr Hedley , Subramaniam Sumi , McGuire Cian , Pitman Helen , Chen Isabella , Tunna Kirsty , Rehman Sahar , Middleton Catrin , Alvi Abdullah
Published: January 2023

Genomic screening is routinely used to guide the treatment of cancer patients in many countries. However, several multi-layered factors make this effort difficult to deliver within a clinically relevant timeframe. Here we share the learnings from the CRUK-funded Stratified Medicine Programme for advanced NSCLC patients, which could be useful to better plan future studies.
Spontaneous vortex formation by microswimmers with retarded attractions
Authors: Wang Xiangzun , Chen Pin-Chuan , Kroy Klaus , Holubec Viktor , Cichos Frank
Published: January 2023

Collective states of inanimate particles self-assemble through physical interactions and thermal motion. Despite some phenomenological resemblance, including signatures of criticality, the autonomous dynamics that binds motile agents into flocks, herds, or swarms allows for much richer behavior. Low-dimensional models have hinted at the crucial role played in this respect by perceived information, decision-making, and feedback, implying that the corresponding interactions are inevitably retarded. Here we present experiments on spherical Brownian microswimmers with delayed self-propulsion toward a spatially fixed target. We observe a spontaneous symmetry breaking to a transiently chiral dynamical state and concomitant critical behavior that do not rely on many-particle cooperativity. By comparison with the stochastic delay differential equation of motion of a single swimmer, we pinpoint the delay-induced effective synchronization of the swimmers with their own past as the key mechanism. Increasing numbers of swimmers self-organize into layers with pro- and retrograde orbital motion, synchronized and stabilized by steric, phoretic, and hydrodynamic interactions. Our results demonstrate how even most simple retarded interactions can foster emergent complex adaptive behavior in small active-particle ensembles.
Terahertz waveform synthesis in integrated thin-film lithium niobate platform
Authors: Herter Alexa , Shams-Ansari Amirhassan , Settembrini Francesca Fabiana , Warner Hana K. , Faist Jérôme , Lončar Marko , Benea-Chelmus Ileana-Cristina
Published: January 2023

Bridging the “terahertz gap“ relies upon synthesizing arbitrary waveforms in the terahertz domain enabling applications that require both narrow band sources for sensing and few-cycle drives for classical and quantum objects. However, realization of custom-tailored waveforms needed for these applications is currently hindered due to limited flexibility for optical rectification of femtosecond pulses in bulk crystals. Here, we experimentally demonstrate that thin-film lithium niobate circuits provide a versatile solution for such waveform synthesis by combining the merits of complex integrated architectures, low-loss distribution of pump pulses on-chip, and an efficient optical rectification. Our distributed pulse phase-matching scheme grants shaping the temporal, spectral, phase, amplitude, and farfield characteristics of the emitted terahertz field through designer on-chip components. This strictly circumvents prior limitations caused by the phase-delay mismatch in conventional systems and relaxes the requirement for cumbersome spectral pre-engineering of the pumping light. We propose a toolbox of basic blocks that produce broadband emission up to 680 GHz and far-field amplitudes of a few V m−1 with adaptable phase and coherence properties by using near-infrared pump pulse energies below 100 pJ.
PQBP5/NOL10 maintains and anchors the nucleolus under physiological and osmotic stress conditions
Authors: Jin Xiaocen , Tanaka Hikari , Jin Meihua , Fujita Kyota , Homma Hidenori , Inotsume Maiko , Yong Huang , Umeda Kenichi , Kodera Noriyuki , Ando Toshio , Okazawa Hitoshi
Published: January 2023

Polyglutamine binding protein 5 (PQBP5), also called nucleolar protein 10 (NOL10), binds to polyglutamine tract sequences and is expressed in the nucleolus. Using dynamic imaging of high-speed atomic force microscopy, we show that PQBP5/NOL10 is an intrinsically disordered protein. Super-resolution microscopy and correlative light and electron microscopy method show that PQBP5/NOL10 makes up the skeletal structure of the nucleolus, constituting the granule meshwork in the granular component area, which is distinct from other nucleolar substructures, such as the fibrillar center and dense fibrillar component. In contrast to other nucleolar proteins, which disperse to the nucleoplasm under osmotic stress conditions, PQBP5/NOL10 remains in the nucleolus and functions as an anchor for reassembly of other nucleolar proteins. Droplet and thermal shift assays show that the biophysical features of PQBP5/NOL10 remain stable under stress conditions, explaining the spatial role of this protein. PQBP5/NOL10 can be functionally depleted by sequestration with polyglutamine disease proteins in vitro and in vivo, leading to the pathological deformity or disappearance of the nucleolus. Taken together, these findings indicate that PQBP5/NOL10 is an essential protein needed to maintain the structure of the nucleolus.
Ligand-controlled stereodivergent alkenylation of alkynes to access functionalized trans- and cis-1,3-dienes
Authors: Long Tianyu , Zhu Chen , Li Ling , Shao Liang , Zhu Shengqing , Rueping Magnus , Chu Lingling
Published: January 2023

Precise stereocontrol of functionalized alkenes represents a long-standing research topic in organic synthesis. Nevertheless, the development of a catalytic, easily tunable synthetic approach for the stereodivergent synthesis of bothE-selective and even more challengingZ-selective highly substituted 1,3-dienes from common substrates remains underexploited. Here, we report a photoredox and nickel dual catalytic strategy for the stereodivergent sulfonylalkenylation of terminal alkynes with vinyl triflates and sodium sulfinates under mild conditions. With a judicious choice of simple nickel catalyst and ligand, this method enables efficient and divergent access to bothZ-andE-sulfonyl-1,3-dienes from the same set of simple starting materials. This method features broad substrate scope, good functional compatibility, and excellent chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. Experimental and DFT mechanistic studies offer insights into the observed divergent stereoselectivity controlled by ligands.
Unique ligand and kinase-independent roles of the insulin receptor in regulation of cell cycle, senescence and apoptosis
Authors: Nagao Hirofumi , Jayavelu Ashok Kumar , Cai Weikang , Pan Hui , Dreyfuss Jonathan M. , Batista Thiago M. , Brandão Bruna B. , Mann Matthias , Kahn C. Ronald
Published: January 2023

Insulin acts through the insulin receptor (IR) tyrosine kinase to exert its classical metabolic and mitogenic actions. Here, using receptors with either short or long deletion of the β-subunit or mutation of the kinase active site (K1030R), we have uncovered a second, previously unrecognized IR signaling pathway that is intracellular domain-dependent, but ligand and tyrosine kinase-independent (LYK-I). These LYK-I actions of the IR are linked to changes in phosphorylation of a network of proteins involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix organization, cell cycle, ATM signaling and cellular senescence; and result in upregulation of expression of multiple extracellular matrix-related genes and proteins, down-regulation of immune/interferon-related genes and proteins, and increased sensitivity to apoptosis. Thus, in addition to classical ligand and tyrosine kinase-dependent (LYK-D) signaling, the IR regulates a second, ligand and tyrosine kinase-independent (LYK-I) pathway, which regulates the cellular machinery involved in senescence, matrix interaction and response to extrinsic challenges.
Rapid, label-free histopathological diagnosis of liver cancer based on Raman spectroscopy and deep learning
Authors: Huang Liping , Sun Hongwei , Sun Liangbin , Shi Keqing , Chen Yuzhe , Ren Xueqian , Ge Yuancai , Jiang Danfeng , Liu Xiaohu , Knoll Wolfgang , Zhang Qingwen , Wang Yi
Published: January 2023

Biopsy is the recommended standard for pathological diagnosis of liver carcinoma. However, this method usually requires sectioning and staining, and well-trained pathologists to interpret tissue images. Here, we utilize Raman spectroscopy to study human hepatic tissue samples, developing and validating a workflow for in vitro and intraoperative pathological diagnosis of liver cancer. We distinguish carcinoma tissues from adjacent non-tumour tissues in a rapid, non-disruptive, and label-free manner by using Raman spectroscopy combined with deep learning, which is validated by tissue metabolomics. This technique allows for detailed pathological identification of the cancer tissues, including subtype, differentiation grade, and tumour stage. 2D/3D Raman images of unprocessed human tissue slices with submicrometric resolution are also acquired based on visualization of molecular composition, which could assist in tumour boundary recognition and clinicopathologic diagnosis. Lastly, the potential for a portable handheld Raman system is illustrated during surgery for real-time intraoperative human liver cancer diagnosis.
Surface passivation of intensely luminescent all-inorganic nanocrystals and their direct optical patterning
Authors: Xiao Pengwei , Zhang Zhoufan , Ge Junjun , Deng Yalei , Chen Xufeng , Zhang Jian-Rong , Deng Zhengtao , Kambe Yu , Talapin Dmitri V. , Wang Yuanyuan
Published: January 2023

All-inorganic nanocrystals (NCs) are of great importance in a range of electronic devices. However, current all-inorganic NCs suffer from limitations in their optical properties, such as low fluorescence efficiencies. Here, we develop a general surface treatment strategy to obtain intensely luminescent all-inorganic NCs (ILANs) by using designed metal salts with noncoordinating anions that play a dual role in the surface treatment process: (i) removing the original organic ligands and (ii) binding to unpassivated Lewis basic sites to preserve the photoluminescent (PL) properties of the NCs. The absolute photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) of red-emitting CdSe/ZnS NCs, green-emitting CdSe/CdZnSeS/ZnS NCs and blue-emitting CdZnS/ZnS NCs in polar solvents are 97%, 80% and 72%, respectively. Further study reveals that the passivated Lewis basic sites of ILANs by metal cations boost the efficiency of radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs. While the passivation of Lewis basic sites leads to a high PLQY of ILANs, the exposed Lewis acidic sites provide the possibility for in situ tuning of the functions of NCs, creating opportunities for direct optical patterning of functional NCs with high resolution.