bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Look in to look out: strategy and family business identity during COVID-19
Authors: Alguera Kleine Rebecca , Ge Bingbing , De Massis Alfredo
Published: December 2023

COVID-19 challenges the value systems of family firms and urges them to adapt their behaviors, affecting their identities. This study aims to explore how and why family businesses strategically respond to challenges to their identity during COVID-19. Based on a qualitative case study of six German family firms, we propose a process model of family business identity variations during COVID-19 with three propositions, highlighting the interplay between strategy and identity. Counterintuitively, we found that an exogenous shock like COVID-19 can have a positive effect on family business identity, leading to identity clarification or consolidation. We contribute to the growing stream of research investigating the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs, as well as research on family business identity heterogeneity and organizational identity literature by illustrating the interplay between strategy and identity.
Statistical inference for discretely sampled stochastic functional differential equations with small noise
Authors: Nemoto Hiroki , Shimizu Yasutaka
Published: December 2023

Estimating parameters of drift and diffusion coefficients for multidimensional stochastic delay equations with small noise are considered. The delay structure is written as an integral form with respect to a delay measure. Our contrast function is based on a local-Gauss approximation to the transition probability density of the process. We show consistency and asymptotic normality of the minimum-contrast estimator when a small dispersion coefficient $$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$

ε
→
0

and sample size $$n\rightarrow \infty $$

n
→
∞

simultaneously.
Claiming ecological grief: Why are we not mourning (more and more publicly) for ecological destruction?
Authors: Varutti Marzia
Published: December 2023

Eco-anxiety, grief and despair are increasing, yet these emotions tend to remain private, rarely expressed in public. Why is it important and necessary to grieve for ecological loss? Why are we not—as individuals and societies—coming together to express and share our grief for ecological destruction? I address these questions from three angles. Firstly, I draw on recent literature on ecological grief and prior work on grief for human lives, to argue for the importance and urgency of grieving publicly for ecological loss. Building on this, I identify perceptual, cognitive, affective, ritual and political obstacles to ecological mourning; these obstacles point at critical intersections between emotions, practices, disciplines, public and private realms, which can turn into fruitful venues for further research, debate and action on ecological grief (and its absence). In closing, I propose a set of ‘ecological skills’ that might help us overcome these obstacles, and lead us to embrace ecological grief and mourning as acts of ethical responsibility and care for the planet.
Intraoperative bacterial cultures fail to reliably predict the bacterial spectrum encountered during infectious complications after appendicitis
Authors: Strohäker Jens K. H. , Brüschke Martin J. , Bachmann Robert , Mihaljevic André L. , Ladurner Ruth , Beltzer Christian R.
Published: December 2023

Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. Complicated appendicitis usually warrants perioperative antibiotic treatment in order to prevent infectious complications. Whether routine microbiological testing benefits the individual patient is a topic of debate. The goal of our study was to assess perioperative antibiotic prescriptions as well as the benefit of microbiological testing during the appendectomy as a predictor for bacteria encountered in infectious complications. This is a retrospective analysis of 1218 consecutive patients that underwent appendectomy at a tertiary referral center between 2014 and 2021. The patient charts were systematically analyzed regarding intraoperative outcome, microbiologic results, and postoperative infectious complications. 1218 patients were included in this study of which 768 were uncomplicated appendicitis (UA) and 450 were complicated appendicitis (CA). Microbiological testing was performed in 39.2% of UA cases (33.6% of which grew bacteria) compared to 74.9% of CA cases (78.6% positive cultures). The strongest individual predictors for SSI were gangrenous and perforated appendicitis. A total of 58 surgical-site infections developed, of which 49 were intra-abdominal fluid collections or abscesses. Thirty-two patients had revision surgery or CT-guided drainage for SSI. In the cases where microbiological testing was done both during the appendectomy and the SSI, 13/18 showed different bacteria on culture testing. The infectious outcome was favorable in 98.3%. While microbiological testing offers insights into resistance patterns, it is of little benefit for the individual patient, given the low predictive value for bacteria found during SSI. Achieving source control combined with empiric antibiotic coverage leads to favorable outcomes independent of culture results.
Enhancing the Chinese identity of young people in Hong Kong and Macao based on the creation of cinematic virtual reality art, taking the cinematic virtual reality work I love being me: in my place, my home as an example
Authors: Lei Zhiyun , Zhou Wen , Yang Xifan , Zhou Jiongsheng
Published: December 2023

The subject of this paper is the use of cinematic virtual reality (CVR) to study the issue of Chinese identity. Guided by theories of immersion and presence, taking a cultural perspective (collective memory) on the context of the relationship between mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, we created a CVR work titled I Love Being Me: in my Place, my Home. We used CVR as a stimulus for an experiment with the aim of proving that CVR has a significant effect on enhancing the sense of Chinese identity in young people in Hong Kong and Macao. Based on the results of the experiment, we draw the following two conclusions: (1) CVR provides participants with a greater sense of immersion and presence compared to traditional 2D films; (2) CVR should be tailored to local culture—identity, history, language and politics—to maximize participants’ sense of identity and immersion.
A practical guide to adopting Bayesian analyses in clinical research
Authors: Gunn-Sandell Lauren B. , Bedrick Edward J. , Hutchins Jacob L. , Berg Aaron A. , Kaizer Alexander M. , Carlson Nichole E.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Bayesian statistical approaches are extensively used in new statistical methods but have not been adopted at the same rate in clinical and translational (C&T) research. The goal of this paper is to accelerate the transition of new methods into practice by improving the C&T researcher’s ability to gain confidence in interpreting and implementing Bayesian analyses.

Methods:

We developed a Bayesian data analysis plan and implemented that plan for a two-arm clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of a new opioid in reducing time to discharge from the post-operative anesthesia unit and nerve block usage in surgery. Through this application, we offer a brief tutorial on Bayesian methods and exhibit how to apply four Bayesian statistical packages from STATA, SAS, and RStan to conduct linear and logistic regression analyses in clinical research.

Results:

The analysis results in our application were robust to statistical package and consistent across a wide range of prior distributions. STATA was the most approachable package for linear regression but was more limited in the models that could be fitted and easily summarized. SAS and R offered more straightforward documentation and data management for the posteriors. They also offered direct programming of the likelihood making them more easily extendable to complex problems.

Conclusion:

Bayesian analysis is now accessible to a broad range of data analysts and should be considered in more C&T research analyses. This will allow C&T research teams the ability to adopt and interpret Bayesian methodology in more complex problems where Bayesian approaches are often needed.
The Key to Authentic Pre-Columbian Fakes: The Racial Myth of the Natural Man and Its Mise-en-Scène
Authors: Balán Laura
Published: December 2023

Since the end of the nineteenth century, the Alzate family, of Medellín, Colombia, grasped the magnetism of the Natural Man (a malleable myth with porous edges that combines both the Edenic and the cannibalistic visions of indigenous peoples) and its economic potential and orchestrated a family craft business of fake pre-Columbian pottery. They created pieces that would engage in dialogue with collectors’, anthropologists’, museums’, and tourists’ desires and imaginaries, as well as authenticity criteria, about indigenous pre-Columbian peoples. This article shows the relationship between these forgeries’ production, circulation, and consumption and the ways Latin American indigenous peoples have been conceived of by others. Moreover, this research stresses how authentic fakes, together with official and popular discourses and images, certain exhibition and validation rhetorics, and other mises-en-scène construct what is sacralized as uncontaminated, original, and traditional. Such fakes operate politically by undermining social hierarchies linked to essentialized race and identity.
Posjudaísmo en Buenos Aires: Deconstruir comunidad para consumir identidad
Authors: Peña Jiménez Lorena
Published: December 2023

Este artículo analiza la propuesta teórica del posjudaísmo articulada por el proyecto YOK en respuesta a la crisis del judaísmo institucionalizado en Buenos Aires, Argentina. Contrario a cualquier forma de pensar lo judío en términos tradicionales y normativos, el proyecto posjudío se planteó como una deconstrucción capaz de derribar los muros del judaísmo tradicional y, con el mismo movimiento, dar voz a aquellos judíos que no encuentran acomodo en las infraestructuras institucionales de la comunidad. Nuestra hipótesis es que su arquitectura conceptual, cuyo objetivo es conseguir la total liberación de las formas identitarias judías, termina legitimando una nueva servidumbre, esta es: la adaptación de lo identitario a la fluidez del mercado. Para demostrarlo, me detendré en reflexionar sobre cómo el posjudaísmo repiensa, desde el andamiaje de las filosofías posmodernas, la comunidad tradicional con el fin de proponer un judaísmo en las antípodas de este, un judaísmo basado en un trabajo de autocreación incesante que apele a lo plural, a lo abierto y a lo emancipado de toda norma y de todo dogma. Esto me permitirá demostrar cómo la autocreación es fruto de las dinámicas posmodernas de transformación de la subjetividad cimentadas sobre la emoción y la individualidad creadora.
The Barthlott effect
Authors: Vonna Laurent
Published: December 2023

In 1997, Barthlott and Neinhuis published a groundbreaking article entitled "Purity of the sacred lotus, or escape from contamination in biological surfaces" that caused a true paradigm shift in surface science. In this article, they explained the water-repellent and self-cleaning properties of plants, attributing the superhydrophobicity to nano- and micrometric wax textures on the surface of the leaves. This became known as the "Lotus Effect". In the late 1980s, Barthlott already demonstrated the microtexture of plant surfaces and its effect on wetting. However, this knowledge remained confined to botany until the 1997 article popularized it. The dissemination of this knowledge to the materials science community led to the development of countless synthetic superhydrophobic surfaces and a better understanding of wetting mechanisms. The story of this discovery and its consequences demonstrates the relevance of atypical approaches and emphasizes the urgency of respecting biodiversity.
Unbundling the State: Legal Development in an Era of Global, Private Governance
Authors: Allen Michael O.
Published: December 2023

What happens to a public, domestic institution when its authority is delegated to a privately run, transnational institution? I argue that outsourcing traditionally national legal responsibilities to transnational bodies can lead to the stagnation of domestic institutional capacity. I examine this through a study of international commercial arbitration (ICA), a widely used system of cross-border commercial dispute resolution. I argue that ICA provides commercial actors an “exit option” from weak public institutions, reducing pressure on the state to invest in capacity-enhancing reform. I find that the enactment of strong protections for ICA leads to the gradual erosion of the capacity of domestic legal institutions, particularly in countries with already weak legal systems. I test the mechanism driving this dynamic using dispute data from the International Chamber of Commerce. I find that pro-arbitration laws increase the use of international arbitration by national firms, suggesting that firms use ICA as an escape from domestic institutions. This article contributes to debates on globalization and development as well as work on the second-order effects of global governance institutions.
Improving otitis externa management in secondary care through a standardised treatment algorithm
Authors: Hasan Waseem , Kennett Jessica , Bentounsi Zineb , Amir-Ghasemi Aria , Jones Huw , Biggs Timothy
Published: December 2023

Objective

Otitis externa is a common condition managed by junior doctor-led ENT clinics in secondary/tertiary care, but no national guidelines exist for presentations in these settings. The aim of this study was to implement a treatment algorithm to support junior doctors and improve otitis externa management.

Methods

Baseline data were retrospectively collected for 16 weeks. A standardised otitis externa treatment algorithm was then implemented, and 16 weeks of data prospectively gathered. A second improvement cycle was completed thereafter focusing on topical antibiotics and water precaution advice.

Results

Overall, 202 cases of otitis externa managed between November 2021 to October 2022 were reviewed. Following the interventions, topical antibiotic prescribing improved (p = 0.01) as well as the provision of water precaution advice (p < 0.01). Junior doctors trended towards reviewing patients more frequently but required less senior support.

Conclusion

Our treatment algorithm empowers junior doctors to become more independent in their management of otitis externa and improves overall otitis externa treatment.
Jupiter's Multi‐Year Cycles of Temperature and Aerosol Variability From Ground‐Based Mid‐Infrared Imaging
Authors: Antuñano Arrate , Fletcher Leigh N. , Orton Glenn S. , Melin Henrik , Donnelly Padraig T. , Roman Michael T. , Sinclair James A. , Kasaba Yasumasa , Momary Thomas , Fujiyoshi Takuya
Published: December 2023

We use a long‐term record of ground‐based mid‐infrared (7.9–24.5 μm) observations, captured between 1984 and late 2019 from 3‐m and 8‐m class observatories (mainly NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, ESO's Very Large Telescope, and the Subaru Telescope), to characterize the long‐term, multi‐decade variability of the thermal and aerosol structure in Jupiter's atmosphere. In this study, spectral cubes assembled from images in multiple filters are inverted to provide estimations of stratospheric and tropospheric temperatures and tropospheric aerosol opacity. We find evidence of non‐seasonal and quasi‐seasonal variations of the stratospheric temperatures at 10 mbar, with a permanent hemispherical asymmetry at mid‐latitudes, where the northern mid‐latitudes are overall warmer than southern mid‐latitudes. A correlation analysis between stratospheric and tropospheric temperature variations reveals a moderate anticorrelation between the 10‐mbar and 330‐mbar temperatures at the equator, revealing that upper‐tropospheric equatorial temperatures are coupled to Jupiter’s Equatorial Stratospheric Oscillation. The North and South Equatorial Belts show temporal variability in their aerosol opacity and tropospheric temperatures that are in approximate antiphase with one another, with moderate negative correlations in the North Equatorial Belt and South Equatorial Belt changes between conjugate latitudes at 10°–16°. This long‐term anticorrelation between belts separated by ∼15° is still not understood. Finally we characterize the lag between thermal and aerosol opacity changes at a number of latitudes, finding that aerosol variations tend to lag after thermal variations by around 6 months at multiple latitudes.
Transport of Anthropogenic Carbon From the Antarctic Shelf to Deep Southern Ocean Triggers Acidification
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Wu Yingxu , Cai Wei‐Jun , Cai Wenju , Feely Richard A. , Wang Zhaomin , Tanhua Toste , Wang Yanmin , Liu Chengyan , Li Xichen , Yang Qinghua , Ding Minghu , Xu Zhongsheng , Kerr Rodrigo , Luo Yiming , Cheng Xiao , Chen Liqi , Qi Di
Published: December 2023

Flow of dense shelf water provide an efficient mechanism for pumping CO2 to the deep ocean along the continental shelf slope, particularly around the Antarctic bottom water (AABW) formation areas where much of the global bottom water is formed. However, the contribution of the formation of AABW to sequestering anthropogenic carbon (Cant) and its consequences remain unclear. Here, we show prominent transport of Cant (25.0 ± 4.7 Tg C yr−1) into the deep ocean (>2,000 m) in four AABW formation regions around Antarctica based on an integrated observational data set (1974–2018). This maintains a lower Cant in the upper waters than that of other open oceans to sustain a stronger CO2 uptake capacity (16.9 ± 3.8 Tg C yr−1). Nevertheless, the accumulation of Cant can further trigger acidification of AABW at a rate of −0.0006 ± 0.0001 pH unit yr−1. Our findings elucidate the prominent role of AABW in controlling the Southern Ocean carbon uptake and storage to mitigate climate change, whereas its side effects (e.g., acidification) could also spread to other ocean basins via the global ocean conveyor belt.
Adult dental epithelial stem cell-derived organoids deposit hydroxylapatite biomineral
Authors: Kim Hyun-Yi , Cooley Victoria , Kim Eun-Jung , Li Shujin , Lee Jong-Min , Sheyfer Dina , Liu Wenjun , Klein Ophir D. , Joester Derk , Jung Han-Sung
Published: December 2023

Ameloblasts are specialized cells derived from the dental epithelium that produce enamel, a hierarchically structured tissue comprised of highly elongated hydroxylapatite (OHAp) crystallites. The unique function of the epithelial cells synthesizing crystallites and assembling them in a mechanically robust structure is not fully elucidated yet, partly due to limitations with in vitro experimental models. Herein, we demonstrate the ability to generate mineralizing dental epithelial organoids (DEOs) from adult dental epithelial stem cells (aDESCs) isolated from mouse incisor tissues. DEOs expressed ameloblast markers, could be maintained for more than five months (11 passages) in vitro in media containing modulators of Wnt, Egf, Bmp, Fgf and Notch signaling pathways, and were amenable to cryostorage. When transplanted underneath murine kidney capsules, organoids produced OHAp crystallites similar in composition, size, and shape to mineralized dental tissues, including some enamel-like elongated crystals. DEOs are thus a powerful in vitro model to study mineralization process by dental epithelium, which can pave the way to understanding amelogenesis and developing regenerative therapy of enamel.
Targeting the E2F1/Rb/HDAC1 axis with the small molecule HR488B effectively inhibits colorectal cancer growth
Authors: Duan Namin , Hu Xiaohui , Qiu Huiran , Zhou Rui , Li Yuru , Lu Wenxia , Zhu Yamin , Shen Shuang , Wu Wenhui , Yang Feifei , Liu Ning
Published: December 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer worldwide, remains highly lethal as the disease only becomes symptomatic at an advanced stage. Growing evidence suggests that histone deacetylases (HDACs), a group of epigenetic enzymes overexpressed in precancerous lesions of CRC, may represent promising molecular targets for CRC treatment. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) have gradually become powerful anti-cancer agents targeting epigenetic modulation and have been widely used in the clinical treatment of hematologic malignancies, while only few studies on the benefit of HDACis in the treatment of CRC. In the present study, we designed a series of small-molecule Thiazole-based HDACis, among which HR488B bound to HDAC1 with a high affinity and exerted effective anti-CRC activity both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we revealed that HR488B specifically suppressed the growth of CRC cells by inducing cell cycle G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis via causing mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and DNA damage accumulation. Importantly, we noticed that HR488B significantly decreased the expression of the E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1), which was crucial for the inhibitory effect of HR488B on CRC. Mechanistically, HR488B obviously decreased the phosphorylation level of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), and subsequently prevented the release of E2F1 from the E2F1/Rb/HDAC1 complex, which ultimately suppressed the growth of CRC cells. Overall, our study suggests that HR488B, a novel and efficient HDAC1 inhibitor, may be a potential candidate for CRC therapy in the future. Furthermore, targeting the E2F1/Rb/HDAC1 axis with HR488B provides a promising therapeutic avenue for CRC.
POU5F1 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells by reducing the ubiquitination level of TRAF6
Authors: Yang Wenshuo , Cui Xiaohan , Sun Danping , Sun Guorui , Yan Zhibo , Wei Meng , Wang Zuoyang , Yu Wenbin
Published: December 2023

POU5F1 plays an important role in maintaining the cancer stem cell (CSC) -like properties of gastric cancer (GC) cells. The impact of POU5F1 on the proliferation and metastasis of GC was examined, along with the potential of ATRA as a specific therapeutic agent for GC. The dysregulation of POU5F1 expression in GC tissues was analyzed using public databases and bioinformatics techniques, and the disparity in POU5F1 expression between normal gastric tissues and GC tissues was further assessed through western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of POU5F1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Additionally, the effects of ATRA on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells were examined using in vivo and in vitro approaches. Our findings revealed a significant upregulation of POU5F1 in GC tissues, which was found to be associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with GC. Moreover, POU5F1 was observed to enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells in vitro, as well as promote subcutaneous tumor growth and lung metastasis of GC cells in vivo. The overexpression of POU5F1 mechanistically triggers the process of Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by down-regulating E-Cadherin and up-regulating N-Cadherin and VIM. POU5F1 hinders the ubiquitination of TRAF6 through negative regulation of TRIM59, thereby facilitating the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, the administration of ATRA effectively impedes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells by suppressing the expression of POU5F1. The upregulation of POU5F1 elicits EMT, fosters the initiation of the NF-κB signaling pathway in GC cells, and stimulates the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of GC cells. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) can impede these POU5F1-induced effects, thereby potentially serving as an adjunctive therapeutic approach for GC.
ALOX5 deficiency contributes to bladder cancer progression by mediating ferroptosis escape
Authors: Liu Tianyao , Xu Xinyan , Li Jiazheng , Bai Ming , Zhu Wenjie , Liu Yanqing , Liu Siyang , Zhao Zihan , Li Tianhang , Jiang Ning , Bai Yuhao , Jin Qingyang , Zhang Yulin , Zheng Yufeng , Zhou Shengkai , Zhan Shoubin , Sun Ying , Liang Gaoli , Luo Yang , Chen Xi , Guo Hongqian , Yang Rong
Published: December 2023

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by the lethal lipid peroxides. Previous studies have demonstrated that inducing ferroptosis holds great potential in cancer therapy, especially for patients with traditional therapy failure. However, cancer cells can acquire ferroptosis evasion during progression. To date, the therapeutic potential of inducing ferroptosis in bladder cancer (BCa) remains unclear, and whether a ferroptosis escape mechanism exists in BCa needs further investigation. This study verified that low pathological stage BCa cells were highly sensitive to RSL3-induced ferroptosis, whereas high pathological stage BCa cells exhibited obviously ferroptosis resistance. RNA-seq, RNAi-mediated loss-of-function, and CRISPR/Cas9 experiments demonstrated that ALOX5 deficiency was the crucial factor of BCa resistance to ferroptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that ALOX5 deficiency was regulated by EGR1 at the transcriptional level. Clinically, ALOX5 expression was decreased in BCa tissues, and its low expression was associated with poor survival. Collectively, this study uncovers a novel mechanism for BCa ferroptosis escape and proposes that ALOX5 may be a valuable therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker in BCa treatment.
In vivo RNA interactome profiling reveals 3’UTR-processed small RNA targeting a central regulatory hub
Authors: Liu Fang , Chen Ziying , Zhang Shuo , Wu Kejing , Bei Cheng , Wang Chuan , Chao Yanjie
Published: December 2023

Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression in bacteria. Acting in concert with major RNA chaperones such as Hfq or ProQ, sRNAs base-pair with multiple target mRNAs and form large RNA-RNA interaction networks. To systematically investigate the RNA-RNA interactome in living cells, we have developed a streamlined in vivo approach iRIL-seq (intracellular RIL-seq). This generic approach is highly robust, illustrating the dynamic sRNA interactomes in Salmonella enterica across multiple stages of growth. We have identified the OmpD porin mRNA as a central regulatory hub that is targeted by a dozen sRNAs, including FadZ cleaved from the conserved 3’UTR of fadBA mRNA. Both ompD and FadZ are activated by CRP, constituting a type I incoherent feed-forward loop in the fatty acid metabolism pathway. Altogether, we have established an approach to profile RNA-RNA interactomes in live cells, highlighting the complexity of RNA regulatory hubs and RNA networks.
SEMA6A drives GnRH neuron-dependent puberty onset by tuning median eminence vascular permeability
Authors: Lettieri Antonella , Oleari Roberto , van den Munkhof Marleen Hester , van Battum Eljo Yvette , Verhagen Marieke Geerte , Tacconi Carlotta , Spreafico Marco , Paganoni Alyssa Julia Jennifer , Azzarelli Roberta , Andre’ Valentina , Amoruso Federica , Palazzolo Luca , Eberini Ivano , Dunkel Leo , Howard Sasha Rose , Fantin Alessandro , Pasterkamp Ronald Jeroen , Cariboni Anna
Published: December 2023

Innervation of the hypothalamic median eminence by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) neurons is vital to ensure puberty onset and successful reproduction. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying median eminence development and pubertal timing are incompletely understood. Here we show that Semaphorin-6A is strongly expressed by median eminence-resident oligodendrocytes positioned adjacent to GnRH neuron projections and fenestrated capillaries, and that Semaphorin-6A is required for GnRH neuron innervation and puberty onset. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal an unexpected function for Semaphorin-6A, via its receptor Plexin-A2, in the control of median eminence vascular permeability to maintain neuroendocrine homeostasis. To support the significance of these findings in humans, we identify patients with delayed puberty carrying a novel pathogenic variant of SEMA6A. In all, our data reveal a role for Semaphorin-6A in regulating GnRH neuron patterning by tuning the median eminence vascular barrier and thereby controlling puberty onset.
TAD evolutionary and functional characterization reveals diversity in mammalian TAD boundary properties and function
Authors: Okhovat Mariam , VanCampen Jake , Nevonen Kimberly A. , Harshman Lana , Li Weiyu , Layman Cora E. , Ward Samantha , Herrera Jarod , Wells Jackson , Sheng Rory R. , Mao Yafei , Ndjamen Blaise , Lima Ana C. , Vigh-Conrad Katinka A. , Stendahl Alexandra M. , Yang Ran , Fedorov Lev , Matthews Ian R. , Easow Sarah A. , Chan Dylan K. , Jan Taha A. , Eichler Evan E. , Rugonyi Sandra , Conrad Donald F. , Ahituv Nadav , Carbone Lucia
Published: December 2023

Topological associating domains (TADs) are self-interacting genomic units crucial for shaping gene regulation patterns. Despite their importance, the extent of their evolutionary conservation and its functional implications remain largely unknown. In this study, we generate Hi-C and ChIP-seq data and compare TAD organization across four primate and four rodent species and characterize the genetic and epigenetic properties of TAD boundaries in correspondence to their evolutionary conservation. We find 14% of all human TAD boundaries to be shared among all eight species (ultraconserved), while 15% are human-specific. Ultraconserved TAD boundaries have stronger insulation strength, CTCF binding, and enrichment of older retrotransposons compared to species-specific boundaries. CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts of an ultraconserved boundary in a mouse model lead to tissue-specific gene expression changes and morphological phenotypes. Deletion of a human-specific boundary near the autism-related AUTS2 gene results in the upregulation of this gene in neurons. Overall, our study provides pertinent TAD boundary evolutionary conservation annotations and showcases the functional importance of TAD evolution.
Outward-oriented sites within clustered CTCF boundaries are key for intra-TAD chromatin interactions and gene regulation
Authors: Ge Xiao , Huang Haiyan , Han Keqi , Xu Wangjie , Wang Zhaoxia , Wu Qiang
Published: December 2023

CTCF plays an important role in 3D genome organization by adjusting the strength of chromatin insulation at TAD boundaries, where clustered CBS (CTCF-binding site) elements are often arranged in a tandem array with a complex divergent or convergent orientation. Here, using Pcdh and HOXD loci as a paradigm, we look into the clustered CTCF TAD boundaries and find that, counterintuitively, outward-oriented CBS elements are crucial for inward enhancer-promoter interactions as well as for gene regulation. Specifically, by combinatorial deletions of a series of putative enhancer elements in mice in vivo or CBS elements in cultured cells in vitro, in conjunction with chromosome conformation capture and RNA-seq analyses, we show that deletions of outward-oriented CBS elements weaken the strength of long-distance intra-TAD promoter-enhancer interactions and enhancer activation of target genes. Our data highlight the crucial role of outward-oriented CBS elements within the clustered CTCF TAD boundaries in developmental gene regulation and have interesting implications on the organization principles of clustered CTCF sites within TAD boundaries.
A dodecamethoxy[6]cycloparaphenylene consisting entirely of hydroquinone ethers: unveiling in-plane aromaticity through a rotaxane structure
Authors: Narita Naoki , Kurita Yusuke , Osakada Kohtaro , Ide Tomohito , Kawai Hidetoshi , Tsuchido Yoshitaka
Published: December 2023

[n]Cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs, where n is the number of phenylene groups), consisting of 1,4-linked phenylene unit, have attracted much attention due to their cyclic π-conjugated structures and physical properties. However, functionalizing of the benzene rings of smaller [n]CPPs (n < 7) has been a challenge due to ring strain and steric hindrance of the substituents that hampers their synthesis. Here we show successful synthesis of a new [6]CPP derivative with twelve methoxy groups at the 2,5-positions of all benzene rings by utilizing our developed CPP synthesis method via a macrocyclic gold complex. This molecule exhibited a significantly higher oxidation potential caused by the electron-donating ability of the methoxy groups and the tubular molecular conformation, allowing facile oxidation to give dicationic species with in-plane aromaticity. Furthermore, this molecule successfully included with the guest molecules with a flexible alkyl chain in the cavity, enabling the creation of a CPP-based rotaxane, which exploited its mechanically interlocked molecular structure to the first experimental observation that the in-plane aromaticity in the center of the macrocycle.
Photon-phonon collaboratively pumped laser
Authors: Fu Yu , Liang Fei , He Cheng , Yu Haohai , Zhang Huaijin , Chen Yan-Feng
Published: December 2023

In 1917, Einstein considered stimulated photon emission of electron radiation, offering the theoretical foundation for laser, technically achieved in 1960. However, thermal phonons along with heat creation of non-radiative transition, are ineffective, even playing a detrimental role in lasing efficiency. Here, we realize a photon-phonon collaboratively pumped laser enhanced by heat in a counterintuitive way. We observe a laser transition from phonon-free 1064 nm lasing to phonon-pumped 1176 nm lasing in Nd:YVO4 crystal, associated with the phonon-pumped population inversion under high temperatures. Moreover, an additional temperature threshold (Tth) appears besides the photon-pump power threshold (Pth), and a two-dimensional lasing phase diagram is verified with a general relation ruled by Pth = C/Tth (constant C upon loss for a given crystal), similar to Curie’s Law. Our strategy will promote the study of laser physics via dimension extension, searching for highly efficient and low-threshold laser devices via this temperature degree of freedom.
Functional and genomic characterization of a novel probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii KD1 against shrimp WSSV infection
Authors: Dekham Kanokwan , Jones Samuel Merryn , Jitrakorn Sarocha , Charoonnart Patai , Thadtapong Nalumon , Intuy Rattanaporn , Dubbs Padungsri , Siripattanapipong Suradej , Saksmerprome Vanvimon , Chaturongakul Soraya
Published: December 2023

White Spot syndrome virus (WSSV) causes rapid shrimp mortality and production loss worldwide. This study demonstrates potential use of Lactobacillus johnsonii KD1 as an anti-WSSV agent for post larva shrimp cultivation and explores some potential mechanisms behind the anti-WSSV properties. Treatment of Penaeus vannamei shrimps with L. johnsonii KD1 prior to oral challenge with WSSV-infected tissues showed a significantly reduced mortality. In addition, WSSV copy numbers were not detected and shrimp immune genes were upregulated. Genomic analysis of L. johnsonii KD1 based on Illumina and Nanopore platforms revealed a 1.87 Mb chromosome and one 15.4 Kb plasmid. Only one antimicrobial resistance gene (ermB) in the chromosome was identified. Phylogenetic analysis comparing L. johnsonii KD1 to other L. johnsonii isolates revealed that L. johnsonii KD1 is closely related to L. johnsonii GHZ10a isolated from wild pigs. Interestingly, L. johnsonii KD1 contains isolate-specific genes such as genes involved in a type I restriction-modification system and CAZymes belonging to the GT8 family. Furthermore, genes coding for probiotic survival and potential antimicrobial/anti-viral metabolites such as a homolog of the bacteriocin helveticin-J were found. Protein–protein docking modelling suggests the helveticin-J homolog may be able to block VP28–PmRab7 interactions and interrupt WSSV infection.
Abundant chaos in a mixer model with a hysteretic iron core inductance
Authors: Aminou M. , Simo Domguia U. , Oumarou S. A. , Woafo P.
Published: December 2023

Industrial mixers are equipment used in food, drug, chemical and semiconductor industries. Chaotic mixing has been proposed to improve the degree of homogeneity and reduce the energy consumption. This paper deals with dynamical studies of a mixer model with complex rotational movements. The complexity is generated by an inductance with hysteretic characteristics. Mathematical methods and numerical simulations are used to display the different dynamical states which are period-nT, pulse, bursting and chaotic signals. Good agreement is found between the mathematical and numerical results. In general, it is found that chaos is highly abundant in the model.
Suppression of weed and insect populations by living and straw mulches in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: Azimi Solmaz , Amini Rouhollah , Hosseingolizadeh Majid
Published: December 2023

In order to evaluate the effect of different weed management treatments on weeds, pest and natural enemies populations in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), a 2-year study was conducted in East Azarbaijan, Iran in 2020–2021. The study was conducted based on randomized complete block design with four replications. The weed management treatments consisted of trifluralin use (960 g ai ha−1), wheat straw mulch (WSM), living mulches of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) (FLM), bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia L.) (VLM), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) (CLM) and one-time hand weeding (OHW). The effect of weed management treatment was significant on densities of insect pests, natural enemies and weed and also weed biomass and sesame seed yield. The lowest densities of insect pests including Myzus persicae, Brevicoryne brassicae, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera exigua were observed in CLM treatment. Also, the highest densities of natural enemies Coccinella septompunctata, Coccinella undecimpunctata and Orius niger were observed in CLM treatment. The highest reductions in grass (51.0%), broadleaf (72.0%), and total (62.6%) weed biomasses and highest seed yield (1456 kg ha−1) were obtained in OHW. The seed yields in CLM and WSM treatments were not significantly different with trifluralin treatment and could be recommended in sustainable production of sesame.
Machine learning algorithms for a novel cuproptosis-related gene signature of diagnostic and immune infiltration in endometriosis
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Lu Yiming , Sun Guangyu , Fang Zhihao , Xing Zhiyong , Nong Weihua , Wei Yunbao , Wang Shan , Shi Guiling , Dong Mingyou , Wang Junli
Published: December 2023

Endometriosis (EMT) is an aggressive disease of the reproductive system, also called “benign cancer”. However, effective treatments for EMT are still lacking in clinical practice. Interestingly, immune infiltration is significantly involved in EMT pathogenesis. Currently, no studies have shown the involvement of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in regulating immune infiltration in EMT. This study identified three CRGs such as GLS, NFE2L2, and PDHA1, associated with EMT using machine learning algorithms. These three CRGs were upregulated in the endometrium of patients with moderate/severe EMT and downregulated in patients with infertility. Single sample genomic enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) revealed that these CRGs were closely correlated with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Furthermore, these CRGs were correlated with immune cells such as eosinophils, natural killer cells, and macrophages. Therefore, profiling patients based on these genes aid in a more accurate diagnosis of EMT progression. The mRNA and protein expression levels of GLS, NFE2L2 and PDHA1 were validated by qRT-PCR and WB studies in EMT samples. These findings provide a new idea for the pathology and treatment of endometriosis, suggesting that CRGs such as GLS, NFE2L2 and PDHA1 may play a key role in the occurrence and development of endometriosis.
Study on wind load characteristics of stadium under tornado
Authors: Yuan Zhongya , Zhang Zhibo , Tang Hao
Published: December 2023

The stadium is a wind-sensitive structure, and the tornado has a greater damage to the stadium. The Ward tornado generating device was used to simulate the wind load characteristics of the stadium during tornado action in order to investigate the wind load characteristics of the stadium. The results of this paper are compared with the experimental results to verify the accuracy of the simulation method. The wind load characteristics of the stadium and its most vulnerable location during a tornado are ascertained by examining the wind pressure coefficient and wind speed distribution law of the stadium’s upper and lower surfaces with different swirl ratio. The influence of uniform wind and wind profile on the wind load of the stadium is explored by comparing and analyzing the wind pressure coefficient of the stadium surface with and without wind profile at the entrance of the wind field. The impact of varying ground roughness on the stadium is compared in order to ascertain how it affects the wind speed, stadium wind pressure, and vortex core radius. The vorticity of the stadium in the tornado wind field with different swirl ratios was compared and analyzed, and the influence of the stadium on the vorticity development of the wind field was explored. This study reveals the effects of swirl ratio, ground roughness and wind profile on the wind pressure, wind speed and vorticity of the stadium under tornadoes, and determines the most vulnerable location and the most unfavorable factors. The above research is helpful to provide reference for disaster prevention and mitigation of stadium structure design.
K-means-based heterogeneous tunneling data analysis method for evaluating rock mass parameters along a TBM tunnel
Authors: Wang Ruirui , Zhang Lingli
Published: December 2023

Rapid and accurate judgment of the rock mass condition is the key to guaranteeing the safety and efficiency of tunnel boring machine (TBM) tunneling. This paper proposes a method for evaluating rock mass parameters based on K-means clustering, grouping tunneling areas according to the values of TBM tunneling parameters. A dataset including rock mass and TBM tunneling data is treated by logistic normalization and principal component analysis (PCA), and large volumes of tunneling data with different features are transformed into appropriate volumes of dimensionless data. K-means clustering is used, samples are grouped according to the values of tunneling data, and the specific ranges as defined by clustering are regarded as the unified evaluated results of each group. Based on the C1 part of the Pearl Delta water resources allocation project, 100 training samples and 30 testing samples were field-collected, and the proposed method was realized by the training samples and verified by the testing samples. The evaluation accuracies of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and joint frequency (Jf) were 90%, and 86.7% respectively, demonstrating that the evaluation had acceptable values, and the proposed method was greatly helpful for judging rock conditions.
Photo- and electro-chemical strategies for the activations of strong chemical bonds
Authors: Tian Xianhai , Liu Yuliang , Yakubov Shahboz , Schütte Jonathan , Chiba Shunsuke , Barham Joshua P.
Published: December 2023

Activating inert feedstocks with strong bonds to synthesize value-added complex molecules is a crucial future target for chemistry. Herein, we present photo-, electro- and photoelectrochemical methods for strong carbon-heteroatom bond activations.
In situ Hg2+ improved the peroxidase-like activity and triggered “ON” the oxidase-like activity of yolk–shell Co3S4 microspheres for the detection of Hg2+
Authors: Qin Kang , Chu Ying , Xu Chang , Li Guijiang , Zhu Xixi , Fan Gaochao , Yang Zhongdong , Liu Qingyun
Published: December 2023

Exploring highly active nanozymes is an important task to realize the real-time detection of some heavy metal ions in water.
Recent advances in surface modified gold nanorods and their improved sensing performance
Authors: Bao Ying , Oluwafemi Ayomide
Published: December 2023

Gold nanorods have received tremendous attention recently in the fields of sensing and detection applications due to their unique characteristic of surface plasmon resonance.
Near-infrared II aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence of organic dots
Authors: Gao Hang , Lin Jia-Bao , Wang Shu-Min , Tao Qian-Qian , Tang Ben-Zhong , Chen Hong-Yuan , Xu Jing-Juan
Published: December 2023

The first example of aggregation-induced electrochemiluminescence of organic dots with near-infrared II light emission is demonstrated, which broadens the scope of NIR-II ECL materials.
Trap suppression in ordered organic photovoltaic heterojunctions
Authors: He Dan , Li Yawen , Zhao Fuwen , Lin Yuze
Published: December 2023

High trap density in organic solar cells leads to the localized charge carrier and reduced carrier lifetime, limiting device efficiency. Here we summarize the recent advances of trap suppression by material design and device engineering.
Exploiting the photophysical features of DMAN template in ITQ-51 zeotype in the search for FRET energy transfer
Authors: Oliden-Sánchez Ainhoa , Sola-Llano Rebeca , Pérez-Pariente Joaquín , Gómez-Hortigüela Luis , Martínez-Martínez Virginia
Published: December 2023

The magnesium aluminophosphate Mg-ITQ-51 (IFO structure with extra-large pore) displays blue fluorescent properties from its SDA (1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene). For the first time, bulkier dyes are being co-occluded to activate FRET processes.
Investigating theoretical and experimental cross sections for elastic electron scattering from isoflurane
Authors: Vukalović Jelena , Marinković Bratislav P. , Rosado Jaime , Blanco Francisco , García Gustavo , Maljković Jelena B.
Published: December 2023

Absolute differential cross section for elastic electron scattering from the isoflurane molecule, both experiment and theory, at an incident electron energy of 100 eV. A significant match between the two is evident.
A study on the Si1−xGex gradual buffer layer of III–V/Si multi-junction solar cells based on first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhuang Yu , Aierken Abuduwayiti , Song Qiaogang , Zhang Qin , Dou Youbo , Zhang Qiuli , Zhang Shuyi
Published: December 2023

A new type of Si1−xGex buffer layer model with high electron transport efficiency reducing lattice mismatch in III–V/Si multi-junction solar cells.
Hepatoprotective efficacy and interventional mechanism of the panaxadiol saponin component in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice
Authors: Mi Ai , Hu Qinxue , Liu Ying , Zhao Yanna , Shen Fenglin , Lan Jinjian , Lv Keren , Wang Bolin , Gao Ruilan , Yu Xiaoling
Published: December 2023

PDS-C attenuates NAFLD symptoms and exerts hepatoprotective effects by regulating the AMPK/Nrf2/NFκB signaling axis in vivo and in vitro. In NAFLD, PDS-C has a similar effect to metformin and has good application prospects.
Integrated gut microbiome and metabolome analysis reveals the inhibition effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CBT against colorectal cancer
Authors: Chen Yan-Yan , Fei Fei , Ding Ling-Ling , Wen Shi-Yuan , Ren Cai-Fang , Gong Ai-Hua
Published: December 2023

Preventive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CBT against colorectal tumorigenesis by regulating arginine metabolism in gut microbiota.
Electrooxidation-induced synthesis of 3-thio/selenophosphorylated imidazole: a potent pesticide with good biocompatibility
Authors: Yin Yonghong , Yang Jianjing , Yan Kelu , Zeng Ting , Lin Hongyan , Ling Jing , Wang Shibo , Wen Jiangwei
Published: December 2023

A facile and scalable electrooxidation-induced three-component cross-coupling strategy has been first disclosed for accessing 3-thio/selenophosphorylated imidazoles, which exhibit promising biocompatible pesticides.
Mild hydrolysis of chemically stable valerolactams by a biocatalytic ATP-dependent system fueled by metaphosphate
Authors: Roth Sebastian , Gandomkar Somayyeh , Rossi Federico , Hall Mélanie
Published: December 2023

The biocatalytic hydrolysis of valerolactams was achieved with ATP-dependent oxoprolinases OplAB, coupled to an in situ ATP regeneration using metaphosphate.