bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Climate Change and Anthropogenic Impacts on the Salinization of Low‐Lying Coastal Groundwater Systems
Authors: Seibert Stephan L. , Greskowiak Janek , Oude Essink Gualbert H. P. , Massmann Gudrun
Published: August 2024

Fresh coastal groundwater is a valuable water resource of global significance, but its quality is threatened by saltwater intrusion. Excessive groundwater abstraction, sea‐level rise (SLR), land subsidence and other climate‐related factors are expected to accelerate this process in the future. The objective of this study is to (a) quantify the impact of projected climate change and (b) explore the role of individual hydrogeological boundaries on groundwater salinization of low‐lying coastal groundwater systems until 2100 CE. We employ numerical density‐dependent groundwater flow and salt transport modeling for this purpose, using Northwestern Germany as a case. Separate model variants are constructed and forced with climate data, that is, projected SLR and groundwater recharge, as well as likely ranges of other hydrogeological boundaries, including land subsidence, abstraction rates and drain levels. We find that autonomous salinization in the marsh areas, resulting from non‐equilibrium of the present‐day groundwater salinity distribution with current boundary conditions, is responsible for >50% of the salinization increase until 2100 CE. Sea‐level rise, land subsidence and drain levels are the other major factors controlling salinization. We further show that salinization of the water resources is a potential threat to coastal water users, including water suppliers and the agrarian sector, as well as coastal ecosystems. Regional‐scale uplifting of drain levels is identified as an efficient measure to mitigate salinization of deep and shallow groundwater in the future. The presented modeling approach highlights the consequences of climate change and anthropogenic impacts for coastal salinization, supporting the timely development of mitigation strategies.
Distinct Changes in the Influence of North Tropical Atlantic SST on ENSO Under Greenhouse Warming: A Comparison of CMIP5 and CMIP6
Authors: Kim Ji‐Gwang , Jo Hyun‐Su , Ham Yoo‐Geun , Park Jae‐Heung
Published: August 2024

Sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the North Tropical Atlantic (NTA) during the early boreal spring can trigger El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events in the following boreal winter. However, the future changes in the impact of the NTA on ENSO remain controversial. Here, we show distinct changes in the strength of the NTA−ENSO relationship due to global warming by comparing models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) 5 and CMIP6. The impact of the NTA on ENSO under greenhouse warming is notably enhanced in CMIP6 compared to CMIP5. A wetter mean state over the subtropical eastern North Pacific and increased oceanic sensitivity over the equatorial central Pacific are key factors that enhance the impact of the NTA SST on ENSO. Therefore, differences in the mean state under greenhouse warming between the CMIP5 and CMIP6 models can modulate the strength of the NTA−ENSO relationship.
Evolution Characteristics of Convective Clouds With Relatively Small Scales Over South China
Authors: Yang Yikun , Zhao Chuanfeng , Wang Yang , Sun Yue , Fan Hao , Zhao Xin , Zhou Yue
Published: August 2024

As a crucial element in the Earth's system, development of convective clouds is still insufficiently understood and simulated in both weather and climate models, particularly for small‐scale regional convective clouds. In this study, a series of convective clouds cases with relatively small scales are selected over south China, and the evolution characteristics of those convective clouds are investigated using high spatiotemporal resolution geostationary satellite data. Statistical results show that the shorter the life cycle or the smaller the area, the higher the proportion of convective clouds. Notably, approximately 79.23% of convective clouds have a life cycle of less than 3 hr, and 63.81% have an area of less than 500 km2 for selected cases. In addition, there are significant differences in the cloud characteristics and meteorological parameters during various convective cloud stages and durations. Nevertheless, the relative proportions of convective clouds at three identified stages remain relatively constant with almost no dependence on duration of convective clouds, which are 33.50%, 23.92%, and 42.58% for the developing, mature, and dissipation stages, respectively. In addition, we find that the cloud‐top cooling rate during the developing stage also affects the characteristics of the later stage of convective clouds. Quantitatively, the average cloud area and duration changed by 157.03 km2 and 0.17 hr when the cloud‐top cooling rate varies by 15 K/h.
How Does Regional Convection‐Permitting Modeling Improve the Simulation of the Atmospheric Water Cycle in Spring Over the Tibetan Plateau?
Authors: Zou Liwei , Zhou Tianjun , Zhao Yin
Published: August 2024

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) provides vital water resources for downstream regions, with spring precipitation contributing considerably to the annual totals over the southeastern TP. The added value of convection‐permitting modeling in simulating the spring climate over the TP is uncertain. Here, we conducted and compared decade‐long regional convection‐permitting (3.3 km) and convection‐parameterized (13.2 km) Icosahedral Nonhydrostatic Weather and Climate Model (ICON) simulations to reproduce the atmospheric water cycle in spring over the TP. Results indicated that 3.3 km mesh ICON (ICON_3.3 km) exhibited notable added value in simulating the spring atmospheric water cycle over the TP. ICON_3.3 km reduced the wet biases of precipitation in the ERA5 reanalysis and 13.2 km mesh ICON (ICON_13.2 km) simulations, and improved the simulation of surface evaporation over the central and eastern TP. The reduction in the simulated precipitation in ICON_3.3 km was primarily followed by a decrease in surface evaporation from March to May, second by a reduction in water vapor flux convergence in May due to decreased water vapor inflow from the southeastern TP. Furthermore, compared to ICON_13.2 km, ICON_3.3 km alleviated the “drizzling” bias, leading to drier surface soils and decreased evaporation, and lead to 3% decrease in the fraction of evaporation converted into precipitation. Sensitivity experiments conducted at resolution of 13.2 km but turning off the convection parameterization demonstrated that both explicit representation of convection and enhanced horizontal resolution were crucial for accurately representing the spring atmospheric water cycle over the TP. Our results highlighted the need to develop kilometer‐scale models for successfully reproducing the climate characteristics across the TP.
The Role of Lower Crustal Rheology on Surface Deformation During Oblique Extension: Insights From Sandbox Modeling
Authors: Mao Yuqiong , Li Yiquan , Jia Dong , Wang Xianyan , Chen Yingying , Li Qin , Li Rui
Published: August 2024

Extensive researches have been conducted on the relationship between surface deformation and the properties of upper crust. However, the link between surface deformation and lower crustal rheology, especially in a three‐dimensional context, remains unclear. In this study, we utilize sandbox modeling to investigate the impact of lower crustal rheology on surface deformation during oblique extension. Under the same conditions, six models with different lower crustal viscosities, both with and without syn‐kinematic deposits, are conducted. The results indicate that a decrease in lower crustal viscosity may contribute to an increase in: (a) graben width, (b) graben length, (c) graben spacing, (d) the number of isolated rifts and (e) topographic relief of oblique extensional systems, while also leading to a reduction in the total number of grabens. Notably, there exists a negative linear correlation between graben spacing and lower crustal viscosity. In map view, the angle between fault strike and the direction of pre‐existing discontinuities increases as the viscosity of the lower crust decreases. Furthermore, the frequency of large rakes (>50°) decreases with decreasing lower crustal viscosity. These findings align with natural examples such as the East African Rift System, Weihe Graben and the South Tibetan Rift in terms of geomorphology, tectonics, and crustal rheology. Through a comprehensive comparison of the graben width, spacing, and the angle between fault strike and the direction of pre‐existing discontinuities, our study provides valuable insights into the rheology of the lower crust in natural settings.
Nicotine reduces discrimination between threat and safety in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and amygdala
Authors: Mueller Madeleine , Fadai Tahmine , Rauh Jonas , Haaker Jan
Published: August 2024

Nicotine intake is linked to the maintenance and development of anxiety disorders and impairs adaptive discrimination of threat and safety in rodents and humans. Yet, it is unclear if nicotine exerts a causal pharmacological effect on the affective and neural mechanisms that underlie aversive learning. We conducted a pre-registered, pseudo-randomly and double-blinded pharmacological fMRI study to investigate the effect of acute nicotine on Fear Acquisition and Extinction in non-smokers (n = 88). Our results show that nicotine administration led to decreased discrimination between threat and safety in subjective fear. Nicotine furthermore decreased differential (threat vs. safety) activation in the hippocampus, which was functionally coupled with Nucleus Accumbens and amygdala, compared to placebo controls. Additionally, nicotine led to enhanced physiological arousal to learned threats and overactivation of the ventral tegmental area. This study provides mechanistic evidence that single doses of nicotine impair neural substrates of adaptive aversive learning in line with the risk for the development of pathological anxiety.
Ferroptosis and inflammation are modulated by the NFIL3-ACSL4 axis in sepsis associated-acute kidney injury
Authors: Xiao Zhong , Zhang Jie , Qiu Zhimin , Liu Hongbing , Ding Hua , Li Hi , Liu Yuanxin , Zou Xiaohua , Long Juan
Published: August 2024

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) increases the risk of death in patients with sepsis, and its major pathological change is the death of renal tubular cells. However, the mechanism of its occurrence remains unclear. Sepsis can lead to circadian dysregulation, and the rhythm gene NFIL3 has been reported to regulate lipid metabolism. There is compelling evidence that has demonstrated that lipid peroxidation can cause cellular ferroptosis. In this study, we established the in vitro and in vivo models of SA-AKI and confirmed the presence of ferroptosis of the renal tubular epithelial cells in SA-AKI. In addition, analysis of the GEO database showed that NFIL3 was highly expressed in sepsis patients and was highly correlated with the key molecule of ferroptosis, ACSL4. The in vitro and in vivo data suggested that NFIL3 was involved in ferroptosis and inflammation in SA-AKI. Subsequently, loss-of-function experiments revealed that NFIL3 knockdown attenuated ferroptosis and inflammation in renal tubular epithelial cells by downregulating ACSL4 expression, thus protecting SA-AKI. In conclusion, this study is the first to illustrate the involvement of the rhythm gene NFIL3 in SA-AKI, providing new insights and potential therapeutic targets for SA-AKI.
HDAC3 genetic and pharmacologic inhibition radiosensitizes fusion positive rhabdomyosarcoma by promoting DNA double-strand breaks
Authors: Cassandri Matteo , Porrazzo Antonella , Pomella Silvia , Noce Beatrice , Zwergel Clemens , Aiello Francesca Antonella , Vulcano Francesca , Milazzo Luisa , Camero Simona , Pajalunga Deborah , Spada Massimo , Manzi Valeria , Gravina Giovanni Luca , Codenotti Silvia , Piccione Michela , Tomaciello Miriam , Signore Michele , Barillari Giovanni , Marchese Cinzia , Fanzani Alessandro , De Angelis Biagio , Quintarelli Concetta , Vakoc Christopher R. , Chen Eleanor Y. , Megiorni Francesca , Locatelli Franco , Valente Sergio , Mai Antonello , Rota Rossella , Marampon Francesco
Published: August 2024

Radiotherapy (RT) plays a critical role in the management of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the prevalent soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. The high risk PAX3-FOXO1 fusion-positive subtype (FP-RMS) is often resistant to RT. We have recently demonstrated that inhibition of class-I histone deacetylases (HDACs) radiosensitizes FP-RMS both in vitro and in vivo. However, HDAC inhibitors exhibited limited success on solid tumors in human clinical trials, at least in part due to the presence of off-target effects. Hence, identifying specific HDAC isoforms that can be targeted to radiosensitize FP-RMS is imperative. We, here, found that only HDAC3 silencing, among all class-I HDACs screened by siRNA, radiosensitizes FP-RMS cells by inhibiting colony formation. Thus, we dissected the effects of HDAC3 depletion using CRISPR/Cas9-dependent HDAC3 knock-out (KO) in FP-RMS cells, which resulted in Endoplasmatic Reticulum Stress activation, ERK inactivation, PARP1- and caspase-dependent apoptosis and reduced stemness when combined with irradiation compared to single treatments. HDAC3 loss-of-function increased DNA damage in irradiated cells augmenting H2AX phosphorylation and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and counteracting irradiation-dependent activation of ATM and DNA-Pkcs as well as Rad51 protein induction. Moreover, HDAC3 depletion hampers FP-RMS tumor growth in vivo and maximally inhibits the growth of irradiated tumors compared to single approaches. We, then, developed a new HDAC3 inhibitor, MC4448, which showed specific cell anti-tumor effects and mirrors the radiosensitizing effects of HDAC3 depletion in vitro synergizing with ERKs inhibition. Overall, our findings dissect the pro-survival role of HDAC3 in FP-RMS and suggest HDAC3 genetic or pharmacologic inhibition as a new promising strategy to overcome radioresistance in this tumor.
A testis-specific lncRNA functions as a post-transcriptional regulator of MDM2 and stimulates apoptosis of testicular germ cell tumor cells
Authors: Ito Saya , Ueno Akihisa , Ueda Takashi , Ogura Ryota , Sako Satoshi , Gabata Yusuke , Murashita Junki , Takahashi Hikaru , Ukimura Osamu
Published: August 2024

Germ cells preferentially induce apoptosis in response to DNA damage to avoid genomic mutations. Apoptosis of germ cells is closely related to cancer development and chemotherapy resistance; however, its regulatory mechanism is unclear. Here, we suggest that testis-specific lncRNA LINC03074 is involved in male germ cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of the proto-oncogene MDM2. LINC03074 is highly expressed in the sperm of healthy adult testes and cancer cells of testes with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). LINC03074 binds to MDM2 mRNA via an Alu element, thereby reducing MDM2 protein levels. LINC03074 stimulates STAU1-mediated nuclear export of MDM2 mRNA by increasing STAU1 binding to MDM2 mRNA in the cell nucleus, thereby promoting PKR-mediated translational repression in the cytoplasm. The induction of apoptosis in TGCT cells and their responsiveness to the anticancer drug cisplatin is enhanced by LINC03074. Notably, LINC03074 increased E2F1 expression without increasing p53, the primary target of MDM2, and upregulated the apoptotic gene p73, the target gene of E2F1. LINC03074-mediated regulation of apoptosis contributes to the responsiveness of TGCTs to anticancer drug-induced DNA damage.
The evolution of democratic peace in animal societies
Authors: Hunt K. L. , Patel M. , Croft D. P. , Franks D. W. , Green P. A. , Thompson F. J. , Johnstone R. A. , Cant M. A. , Sankey D. W. E.
Published: August 2024

A major goal in evolutionary biology is to elucidate common principles that drive human and other animal societies to adopt either a warlike or peaceful nature. One proposed explanation for the variation in aggression between human societies is the democratic peace hypothesis. According to this theory, autocracies are more warlike than democracies because autocratic leaders can pursue fights for private gain. However, autocratic and democratic decision-making processes are not unique to humans and are widely observed across a diverse range of non-human animal societies. We use evolutionary game theory to evaluate whether the logic of democratic peace may apply across taxa; specifically adapting the classic Hawk-Dove model to consider conflict decisions made by groups rather than individuals. We find support for the democratic peace hypothesis without mechanisms involving complex human institutions and discuss how these findings might be relevant to non-human animal societies. We suggest that the degree to which collective decisions are shared may explain variation in the intensity of intergroup conflict in nature.
Stability of ecologically scaffolded traits during evolutionary transitions in individuality
Authors: Doulcier Guilhem , Takacs Peter , Hammerschmidt Katrin , Bourrat Pierrick
Published: August 2024

Evolutionary transitions in individuality are events in the history of life leading to the emergence of new levels of individuality. Recent studies have described an ecological scaffolding scenario of such transitions focused on the evolutionary consequences of an externally imposed renewing meta-population structure with limited dispersal. One difficulty for such a scenario has been explaining the stability of collective-level traits when scaffolding conditions no longer apply. Here, we show that the stability of scaffolded traits can rely on evolutionary hysteresis: even if the environment is reverted to an ancestral state, collectives do not return to ancestral phenotypes. We describe this phenomenon using a stochastic meta-population model and adaptive dynamics. Further, we show that ecological scaffolding may be limited to Goldilocks zones of the environment. We conjecture that Goldilocks zones—even if they might be rare—could act as initiators of evolutionary transitions and help to explain the near ubiquity of collective-level individuality.
Projected rapid response of stratospheric temperature to stringent climate mitigation
Authors: Romanzini-Bezerra Grasiele , Maycock Amanda C.
Published: August 2024

Deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are required to meet the 2015 Paris Agreement climate target. If the world strengthens efforts toward near-term decarbonisation and undertakes major societal transformation, this will be met with requests from policymakers and the public for evidence that our actions are working and there are demonstrable effects on the climate system. Global surface temperature exhibits large internal variability on interannual to decadal timescales, meaning a reduction in the magnitude of surface warming would not be robustly attributable to climate mitigation for some time. In contrast, global stratospheric temperature trends have much higher signal-to-noise ratios and could offer an early indication of the effects of climate mitigation. Here we examine projected near-term global temperature trends at the surface and in the stratosphere using large ensemble climate models following three future emission scenarios. Under rapid, deep emission cuts following SSP1–1.9, modelled middle and upper stratospheric cooling trends show a detectable weakening within 5 years compared to a scenario approximately representing current climate commitments (SSP2–4.5). Therefore, stratospheric temperature trends could serve as an early indicator to policymakers and the public that climate mitigation is taking effect.
Intermittent cluster dynamics and temporal fractional diffusion in a bulk metallic glass
Authors: Riechers Birte , Das Amlan , Dufresne Eric , Derlet Peter M. , Maaß Robert
Published: August 2024

Glassy solids evolve towards lower-energy structural states by physical aging. This can be characterized by structural relaxation times, the assessment of which is essential for understanding the glass’ time-dependent property changes. Conducted over short times, a continuous increase of relaxation times with time is seen, suggesting a time-dependent dissipative transport mechanism. By focusing on micro-structural rearrangements at the atomic-scale, we demonstrate the emergence of sub-diffusive anomalous transport and therefore temporal fractional diffusion in a metallic glass, which we track via coherent x-ray scattering conducted over more than 300,000 s. At the longest probed decorrelation times, a transition from classical stretched exponential to a power-law behavior occurs, which in concert with atomistic simulations reveals collective and intermittent atomic motion. Our observations give a physical basis for classical stretched exponential relaxation behavior, uncover a new power-law governed collective transport regime for metallic glasses at long and practically relevant time-scales, and demonstrate a rich and highly non-monotonous aging response in a glassy solid, thereby challenging the common framework of homogeneous aging and atomic scale diffusion.
Curriculum learning for ab initio deep learned refractive optics
Authors: Yang Xinge , Fu Qiang , Heidrich Wolfgang
Published: August 2024

Deep optical optimization has recently emerged as a new paradigm for designing computational imaging systems using only the output image as the objective. However, it has been limited to either simple optical systems consisting of a single element such as a diffractive optical element or metalens, or the fine-tuning of compound lenses from good initial designs. Here we present a DeepLens design method based on curriculum learning, which is able to learn optical designs of compound lenses ab initio from randomly initialized surfaces without human intervention, therefore overcoming the need for a good initial design. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by fully automatically designing both classical imaging lenses and a large field-of-view extended depth-of-field computational lens in a cellphone-style form factor, with highly aspheric surfaces and a short back focal length.
Shearo-caloric effect enhances elastocaloric responses in polymer composites for solid-state cooling
Authors: Zhang Shixian , Fu Yuheng , Nie Xinxing , Li Chenjian , Zhou Youshuang , Wang Yaqi , Yi Juan , Xia Wenlai , Song Yiheng , Li Qi , Xiong Chuanxi , Qian Suxin , Yang Quanling , Wang Qing
Published: August 2024

Room-temperature elastocaloric cooling is considered as a zero-global-warming-potential alternative to conventional vapor-compression refrigeration technology. However, the limited entropy and large-deformation features of elastocaloric polymers hinder the creation of the breakthrough in their caloric responses and device development. Herein, we report that the addition of a small amount of inorganic nanofillers into the polymer induces the aggregate of the effective elastic chains via shearing the interlaminar molecular chains, which provides an additional contribution to the entropy in elastocaloric polymers. Consequently, the adiabatic temperature change of −18.0 K and the isothermal entropy change of 187.4 J kg−1 K−1 achieved in the polymer nanocomposites outperform those of current elastocaloric polymers. Moreover, a large-deformation cooling system with a work recovery efficiency of 56.3% is demonstrated. This work opens a new avenue for the development of high-performance elastocaloric polymers and prototypes for solid-state cooling applications.
Ag2Se as a tougher alternative to n-type Bi2Te3 thermoelectrics
Authors: Liu Min , Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Shuxian , Pei Yanzhong
Published: August 2024

For half a century, only Bi2Te3-based thermoelectrics have been commercialized for near room temperature applications including both power generation and refrigeration. Because of the strong layered structure, Bi2Te3 in particular for n-type conduction has to be texturized to utilize its high in-plane thermoelectric performance, leaving a substantial challenge in toughness. This work presents the fabrication and performance evaluation of thermoelectric modules based on n-type Ag2Se paring with commercial p-Bi2Te3. Ag2Se mechanically allows an order of magnitude larger fracture strain and thermoelectrically secures the module efficiency quite competitive to that of commercial one for both refrigeration and power generation within ± 50 K of room temperature, enabling a demonstration of a significantly tougher alternative to n-type Bi2Te3 for practical applications.
Learning noise-induced transitions by multi-scaling reservoir computing
Authors: Lin Zequn , Lu Zhaofan , Di Zengru , Tang Ying
Published: August 2024

Noise is usually regarded as adversarial to extracting effective dynamics from time series, such that conventional approaches usually aim at learning dynamics by mitigating the noisy effect. However, noise can have a functional role in driving transitions between stable states underlying many stochastic dynamics. We find that leveraging a machine learning model, reservoir computing, can learn noise-induced transitions. We propose a concise training protocol with a focus on a pivotal hyperparameter controlling the time scale. The approach is widely applicable, including a bistable system with white noise or colored noise, where it generates accurate statistics of transition time for white noise and specific transition time for colored noise. Instead, the conventional approaches such as SINDy and the recurrent neural network do not faithfully capture stochastic transitions even for the case of white noise. The present approach is also aware of asymmetry of the bistable potential, rotational dynamics caused by non-detailed balance, and transitions in multi-stable systems. For the experimental data of protein folding, it learns statistics of transition time between folded states, enabling us to characterize transition dynamics from a small dataset. The results portend the exploration of extending the prevailing approaches in learning dynamics from noisy time series.
Unveiling the global influence of tropical cyclones on extreme waves approaching coastal areas
Authors: Jullien Swen , Aucan Jérôme , Kestenare Elodie , Lengaigne Matthieu , Menkes Christophe
Published: August 2024

Tropical and extra-tropical storms generate extreme waves, impacting both nearby and remote regions through swell propagation. Despite their devastating effects in tropical areas, the contribution of tropical cyclones (TCs) to global wave-induced coastal risk remains unknown. Here, we enable a quantitative assessment of TC’s role in extreme waves approaching global coastlines, by designing twin oceanic wave simulations with and without realistic TC wind forcing. We find that TCs substantially contribute to extreme breaking heights in tropical regions (35-50% on average), reaching 100% in high-density TC areas like the North Pacific. TCs also impact remote TC-free regions, such as the equatorial Pacific experiencing in average 30% of its extreme wave events due to TCs. Interannual variability amplifies TC-induced wave hazards, notably during El Niño in the Central Pacific, and La Niña in the South China Sea, Caribbean Arc, and South Indian Ocean coastlines. This research offers critical insights for global risk management and preparedness.
A systematic review of AI literacy scales
Authors: Lintner Tomáš
Published: August 2024

With the opportunities and challenges stemming from the artificial intelligence developments and its integration into society, AI literacy becomes a key concern. Utilizing quality AI literacy instruments is crucial for understanding and promoting AI literacy development. This systematic review assessed the quality of AI literacy scales using the COSMIN tool aiming to aid researchers in choosing instruments for AI literacy assessment. This review identified 22 studies validating 16 scales targeting various populations including general population, higher education students, secondary education students, and teachers. Overall, the scales demonstrated good structural validity and internal consistency. On the other hand, only a few have been tested for content validity, reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness. None of the scales have been tested for cross-cultural validity and measurement error. Most studies did not report any interpretability indicators and almost none had raw data available. There are 3 performance-based scale available, compared to 13 self-report scales.
Immunogenicity and biodistribution of lipid nanoparticle formulated self-amplifying mRNA vaccines against H5 avian influenza
Authors: Cui Xiaole , Vervaeke Pieter , Gao Ya , Opsomer Lisa , Sun Qing , Snoeck Janne , Devriendt Bert , Zhong Zifu , Sanders Niek N.
Published: August 2024

This study reports on the immunogenicity and biodistribution of H5 hemagglutinin (HA)-based self-amplifying (sa) mRNA vaccines in mice. Four sa-mRNA vaccines encoding either a secreted full-length HA, a secreted HA head domain, a secreted HA stalk domain, or a full-length membrane-anchored HA were investigated. All vaccines elicited an adaptive immune response. However, the full-length HA sa-RNA vaccines demonstrated superior performance compared to head and stalk domain vaccines. The antibody titers positively correlated with the vaccine dose. Cellular immune responses and antigen-specific IgA antibodies in the lungs were also observed. The comparison of the sa-mRNA vaccines encoding the secreted and membrane-anchored full-length HA revealed that anchoring of the HA to the membrane significantly enhanced the antibody and cellular responses. In addition to the injection site, the intramuscularly injected sa-mRNA-LNPs were also detected in the draining lymph nodes, spleen, and to a lesser extent, in the lung, kidney, liver, and heart.
Introducing an indoor object classification dataset including sparse point clouds from mmWave radar
Authors: Kasnesis Panagiotis , Chatzigeorgiou Christos , Doulgerakis Vasileios , Uzunidis Dimitris , Margaritis Evangelos , Patrikakis Charalampos Z. , Mitilineos Stelios A.
Published: August 2024

This document introduces the RadIOCD, which is a dataset that contains sparse point cloud representations of indoor objects, collected by subjects wearing a commercial off-the-shelf mmWave radar. In particular, RadIOCD includes the recordings of 10 volunteers moving towards 5 different objects (i.e., backpack, chair, desk, human, and wall), placed in 3 different environments. RadIOCD includes sparse 3D point cloud data, together with their doppler velocity and intensity provided by the mmWave radar. A total of 5,776 files are available, with each one having an approximate duration of 8s. The scope of RadIOCD is the availability of data for the recognition of objects solely recorded by the mmWave radar, to be used in applications were the vision-based classification is cumbersome though critical (e.g., in search and rescue operation where there is smoke inside a building). Furthermore, we showcase that this dataset after being segmented into 76,821 samples contains enough data to apply Machine Learning-based techniques, ensuring that they could generalize in different environments and “unseen“ subjects.
The natural variance of Arabidopsis secondary metabolism on extended darkness
Authors: Zhu Feng , Ahchige Micha Wijesingha , Wen Weiwei , Cheng Yunjiang , Alseekh Saleh , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: August 2024

In plants due to their sessile nature, secondary metabolites are important components against different abiotic and biotic stress, such as extended darkness. For this reason, the variation of secondary metabolite content of the Arabidopsis thaliana HapMap natural population following 0-and 6-d darkness treatment were detected and the raw data of different accessions at two timepoints were deposited in the Zenodo database. Moreover, the annotated secondary metabolites of these samples are presented in this data descriptor, which we believe will be a usefully re-usable resource for future integrative analysis with dark-treated transcripts, proteins or other phenotypic data in order to comprehensively illustrate the multiomic landscape of Arabidopsis in response to the stresses exerted by extended darkness.
Piperine enhances doxorubicin sensitivity in triple-negative breast cancer by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and cancer stem cells
Authors: Hakeem Andrew N. , El-Kersh Dina M. , Hammam Olfat , Elhosseiny Aliaa , Zaki Amr , Kamel Kohinour , Yasser Lidia , Barsom Marina , Ahmed Menatallah , Gamal Mohamed , Attia Yasmeen M.
Published: August 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks an actionable target with limited treatment options beyond conventional chemotherapy. Therapeutic failure is often encountered due to inherent or acquired resistance to chemotherapy. Previous studies implicated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in cancer stem cells (CSCs) enrichment and hence chemoresistance. The present study aimed at investigating the potential effect of piperine (PIP), an amide alkaloid isolated from Piper nigrum, on enhancing the sensitivity of TNBC cells to doxorubicin (DOX) in vitro on MDA-MB-231 cell line and in vivo in an animal model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma solid tumor. Results showed a synergistic interaction between DOX and PIP on MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the combination elicited enhanced suppression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling that paralleled an upregulation in this pathway’s negative regulator, PTEN, along with a curtailment in the levels of the CSCs surrogate marker, aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH-1). Meanwhile, in vivo investigations demonstrated the potential of the combination regimen to enhance necrosis while downregulating PTEN and curbing PI3K levels as well as p-Akt, mTOR, and ALDH-1 immunoreactivities. Notably, the combination failed to change cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase levels suggesting a pro-necrotic rather than pro-apoptotic mechanism. Overall, these findings suggest a potential role of PIP in decreasing the resistance to DOX in vitro and in vivo, likely by interfering with the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and CSCs.
Comparison of colostrum and milk extracellular vesicles small RNA cargo in water buffalo
Authors: Mecocci Samanta , Pietrucci Daniele , Milanesi Marco , Capomaccio Stefano , Pascucci Luisa , Evangelista Chiara , Basiricò Loredana , Bernabucci Umberto , Chillemi Giovanni , Cappelli Katia
Published: August 2024

Recently, much interest has been raised for the characterization of signaling molecules carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are particularly enriched in milk (mEVs). Such interest is linked to the capability of EVs to cross biological barriers, resist acidification in the gastric environment, and exert modulation of the immune system, mainly through their microRNA (miRNA) content. We characterized the small-RNA cargo of colostrum EVs (colosEVs) and mEVs from Italian Mediterranean buffalo through next generation sequencing. Colostrum (first milking after birth) and milk (day 50 of lactation) were sampled from seven subjects from five farms. ColosEVs and mEVs were subjected to morphological characterization, followed by high-depth sequencing of small RNA libraries produced from total RNA. The main difference was the amount of EV in the two samples, with colostrum showing 10 to 100-fold higher content than milk. For both matrices, miRNA was the most abundant RNA species (95% for colosEVs and 96% for mEVs) and three lists were identified: colosEV-specific, mEV-specific and shared most expressed. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis on miRNA targets highlighted many terms related to the epigenetic, transcriptional and translational regulations across the three lists, with a higher number of enriched terms for colosEV-specific miRNAs. Terms specific to colosEVs were related to “cell differentiation” and “microvillus assembly”, while for mEV “cardiac and blood vessel development” and “mitochondria” emergerd. Immune modulation terms were found for both sample-specific miRNAs. Overall, both matrices carry a similar molecular message in terms of biological processes potentially modulated into receiving cells, but there is significant difference in the abundance, with colostrum containing much more EVs than milk. Moreover, colosEVs carry molecules involved in signal transduction, cell cycle and immune response, as for mEVs and EVs of other previously characterized species, but with a special enrichment for miRNAs with epigenetic regulation capacities. These beneficial characteristics of colosEVs and mEVs are essential for the calf and could also be exploited for the therapeutic purposes in humans, although further studies are necessary to measure the sanitization treatment impact on EV conservation, especially in buffalo where milk is consumed almost exclusively after processing.
Passively sensing smartphone use in teens with rates of use by sex and across operating systems
Authors: Alexander Jordan D. , Linkersdörfer Janosch , Toda-Thorne Katherine , Sullivan Ryan M. , Cummins Kevin M. , Tomko Rachel L. , Allen Nicholas B. , Bagot Kara S. , Baker Fiona C. , Fuemmeler Bernard F. , Hoffman Elizabeth A. , Kiss Orsolya , Mason Michael J. , Nguyen-Louie Tam T. , Tapert Susan F. , Smith Calen J. , Squeglia Lindsay M. , Wade Natasha E.
Published: August 2024

Youth screen media activity is a growing concern, though few studies include objective usage data. Through the longitudinal, U.S.-based Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, youth (mage = 14; n = 1415) self-reported their typical smartphone use and passively recorded three weeks of smartphone use via the ABCD-specific Effortless Assessment Research System (EARS) application. Here we describe and validate passively-sensed smartphone keyboard and app use measures, provide code to harmonize measures across operating systems, and describe trends in adolescent smartphone use. Keyboard and app-use measures were reliable and positively correlated with one another (r = 0.33) and with self-reported use (rs = 0.21–0.35). Participants recorded a mean of 5 h of daily smartphone use, which is two more hours than they self-reported. Further, females logged more smartphone use than males. Smartphone use was recorded at all hours, peaking on average from 8 to 10 PM and lowest from 3 to 5 AM. Social media and texting apps comprised nearly half of all use. Data are openly available to approved investigators (https://nda.nih.gov/abcd/). Information herein can inform use of the ABCD dataset to longitudinally study health and neurodevelopmental correlates of adolescent smartphone use.
A short-lived peptide signal regulates cell-to-cell communication in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Bejder Benjamin S. , Monda Fabrizio , Gless Bengt H. , Bojer Martin S. , Ingmer Hanne , Olsen Christian A.
Published: August 2024

Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism that regulates group behavior in bacteria, and in Gram-positive bacteria, the communication molecules are often cyclic peptides, called autoinducing peptides (AIPs). We recently showed that pentameric thiolactone-containing AIPs from Listeria monocytogenes, and from other species, spontaneously undergo rapid rearrangement to homodetic cyclopeptides, which hampers our ability to study the activity of these short-lived compounds. Here, we developed chemically modified analogues that closely mimic the native AIPs while remaining structurally intact, by introducing N-methylation or thioester-to-thioether substitutions. The stabilized AIP analogues exhibit strong QS agonism in L. monocytogenes and allow structure–activity relationships to be studied. Our data provide evidence to suggest that the most potent AIP is in fact the very short-lived thiolactone-containing pentamer. Further, we find that the QS system in L. monocytogenes is more promiscuous with respect to the structural diversity allowed for agonistic AIPs than reported for the more extensively studied QS systems in Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The developed compounds will be important for uncovering the biology of L. monocytogenes, and the design principles should be broadly applicable to the study of AIPs in other species.
Cretaceous amber inclusions illuminate the evolutionary origin of tardigrades
Authors: Mapalo Marc A. , Wolfe Joanna M. , Ortega-Hernández Javier
Published: August 2024

Tardigrades are a diverse phylum of microscopic invertebrates widely known for their extreme survival capabilities. Molecular clocks suggest that tardigrades diverged from other panarthropods before the Cambrian, but their fossil record is extremely sparse. Only the fossil tardigrades Milnesium swolenskyi (Late Cretaceous) and Paradoryphoribius chronocaribbeus (Miocene) have resolved taxonomic positions, restricting the availability of calibration points for estimating for the origin of this phylum. Here, we revise two crown-group tardigrades from Canadian Cretaceous-aged amber using confocal fluorescence microscopy, revealing critical morphological characters that resolve their taxonomic positions. Formal morphological redescription of Beorn leggi reveals that it features Hypsibius-type claws. We also describe Aerobius dactylus gen. et sp. nov. based on its unique combination of claw characters. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that Beo. leggi and Aer. dactylus belong to the eutardigrade superfamily Hypsibioidea, adding a critical fossil calibration point to investigate tardigrade origins. Our molecular clock estimates suggest an early Paleozoic diversification of crown-group Tardigrada and highlight the importance of Beo. leggi as a calibration point that directly impacts estimates of shallow nodes. Our results suggest that independent terrestrialization of eutardigrades and heterotardigrades occurred around the end-Carboniferous and Lower Jurassic, respectively. These estimates also provide minimum ages for convergent acquisition of cryptobiosis.
Vaccination with ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike adjuvanted with TLR agonists provides cross-protection against XBB.1
Authors: Lathrop Stephanie K. , Clark Jordan J. , Siram Karthik , Andreata-Santos Robert , Yong Jeremy , Tee Rebekah D. , Davison Clara J. , Singh Gagandeep , Burkhart David , Krammer Florian , Evans Jay T.
Published: August 2024

Many different platforms have been used to develop highly protective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in humans. However, protection has eroded over time due to the emergence of antigenically diverse viral variants, especially the Omicron subvariants. One successful platform for the generation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are recombinant spike protein vaccines, of which two are licensed in the United States and Europe. Typically, purified recombinant protein antigens are poorly immunogenic and adjuvants must be included in the formulation. Here, we adjuvanted recombinant ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-Hu-1 spike proteins with an emulsion formulation combined with synthetic Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and 7/8 agonists. This combination led to the induction of a Th1-skewed immune response that included high titers of antibodies against Wuhan-Hu-1 spike. These serum antibodies included neutralizing and cross-reactive antibodies that recognized the spike from multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as the receptor binding domain (RBD) from SARS-CoV-1. Despite an absence of robust cross-neutralization, vaccination against Wuhan-Hu-1 spike in the context of TLR-containing emulsions provided complete cross-protection against disease from a lethal challenge with XBB.1 in a stringent K18-hACE2 mouse model. We believe that the combination of recombinant spike antigens with TLR agonist-based emulsion formulations could lead to the development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that provide significant protection from future emerging variants.
Highly efficient cobalt catalysts promoted by CeO2–Al2O3 for ammonia decomposition
Authors: Xu Kai , Jiang Na , Wang Peng , Wang Wei-Wei , Jia Chun-Jiang
Published: August 2024

In this work, the interaction between Co and CeO2–Al2O3 bi-promoters effectively inhibited the aggregation of the Co0 active species, which enormously promoted the catalytic activity and stability of CoCeAlOx.
A surface chemistry-regulated gradient multi-component solid electrolyte interphase for a 460 W h kg−1 lithium metal pouch cell
Authors: Pang Man , Jiang Zhongwei , Luo Chongyang , Yao Ziqing , Fu Tianji , Pan Tao , Guo Qingpeng , Li Yujie , Xiong Shizhao , Zheng Chunman , Sun Weiwei , Zhou Guangmin , Liu Shuangke
Published: August 2024

We present a simple and scalable surface chemical approach of spraying a dilute DFFSA solution on the Li surface to eliminate the native passivation layer and form a multi-component SEI, enabling stable cycling of a 460 W h kg−1 Li metal pouch cell.
Oxygen spillover from RuO2 to MoO3 enhances the activity and durability of RuO2 for acidic oxygen evolution
Authors: Gou Wangyan , Zhang Shishi , Wang Yichen , Tan Xiaohe , Liao Linqing , Qi Zening , Xie Min , Ma Yuanyuan , Su Yaqiong , Qu Yongquan
Published: August 2024

Oxygen spillover strategy of *O intermediate from RuO2 to MoO3 within RuO2/MoO3 catalysts can significantly suppress over-oxidation and dissolution of RuO2, which contributes to both high activity and durability for oxygen evolution in 0.5 M H2SO4.
Dual mechanism with graded energy storage in long-term aqueous zinc-ion batteries achieved using a polymer/vanadium dioxide cathode
Authors: Song Zhihang , Zhao Yi , Wang Huirong , Zhou Anbin , Jin Xiaoyu , Huang Yongxin , Li Li , Wu Feng , Chen Renjie
Published: August 2024

The functional groups on NDA can fix the iodine produced in the oxidation process, forming a graded energy storage structure.
Setting benchmarks for ethylene and propylene oxidation via electrochemical routes: a process design and technoeconomic analysis approach
Authors: Sibal Adam P. , Ghosh Richa , Flaherty David W. , Stillwell Ashlynn S.
Published: August 2024

Electrochemical ethylene and propylene oxidations are economically feasible under different conditions and process advancements.
Engineering Maxwell–Wagner relaxation and interface carrier confinement in Al2O3/TiO2 subnanometric laminates for high-density energy storage applications
Authors: Padhi Partha Sarathi , Rai Sanjay K. , Ajimsha R. S. , Misra Pankaj
Published: August 2024

Enhanced interface confined carrier relaxation and transport in an Al2O3/TiO2 nanolaminate, from a suitable combination of sublayer and cap layer thicknesses, is promising for high density energy storage applications.
Synthesis strategies and cancer therapy applications of PEDOT nanoparticles
Authors: Dias Diogo , Resina Leonor , Ferreira Frederico Castelo , Sanjuan-Alberte Paola , Esteves Teresa
Published: August 2024

PEDOT nanoparticles combine controlled drug release, and photothermal ablation due to their electrical and thermal properties. This review delves into their synthesis methods, characterization and potential in targeted cancer therapies.
The origin and evolution of molecular precursors for quantum dot synthesis
Authors: Green Mark
Published: August 2024

In this review article, we reflect on the origins of some of the molecular precursor chemistry behind modern quantum dot synthesis and how it developed into the modern discipline that is routinely used world-wide.
Imidazolium-based ionic liquids support biosimilar flavin electron transfer
Authors: Anderson Grace I. , Agee Alec A. , Furst Ariel L.
Published: August 2024

The use of imidazolium-containing ionic liquids as electrolytes enables bio-similar electron transfer between electron shuttles and the electrode surface, something not observed with standard inorganic electrolytes.
Optical anti-counterfeiting with cholesteric liquid crystal emulsions: preparation, properties, and applications
Authors: Gollapelli Buchaiah , Potu Supraja , Rajaboina Rakeshkumar , Vallamkondu Jayalakshmi
Published: August 2024

This review highlights recent advancements in cholesteric liquid crystal emulsions, focusing on their preparation, anti-counterfeiting applications, and future prospects. It also covers their role in information storage and encryption techniques.