bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitalization and economic growth in the new classical and new structural economics perspectives
Authors: Jia Weiping , Collins Alan , Liu Wenge
Published: April 2023

This paper introduces ‘data elements’ into a neoclassical general equilibrium model and the new structural general equilibrium model to study the choice of economic growth paths for developing countries. It derives and compares a general expression for the economic growth rate in equilibrium within the two analytical frameworks following the introduction of digital development comprising primarily the data elements. Additionally, the optimal economic growth path for developing countries before and after the introduction of data elements under both frameworks is identified with important policy implications regarding direct technological progress with respect to the two alternative general equilibrium frame works. This study finds that: (1) No matter what kind of general equilibrium corresponding economic growth path the developing countries choose, the economic growth rate after the introduction of data elements will always be higher than before. (2) Developing countries find the optimal path of economic growth by comparing the different results of economic growth rates under the two analytical frameworks. This paper aligns with a view that when developing countries choose the path of economic growth, they need to combine their own endowment conditions and choose a new structural economics analysis framework for decision-making.
Que vaut un député ?
Authors: Buge Éric , Ollion Étienne
Published: April 2023

Combien perçoivent vraiment les députés français pour leur activité parlementaire ? À cette question en apparence anodine, il est pourtant difficile d’apporter une réponse claire pour la majeure partie du xxe siècle. À partir d’un travail inédit mené dans diverses archives de l’Assemblée nationale, cet article propose une première estimation du revenu que les députés ont pu retirer de leur mandat, du début du xxe siècle à nos jours. Il démontre ainsi la fécondité de ces données pour l’historien, en ce qu’il contribue à répondre à trois interrogations liées : pourquoi est-il si complexe d’accéder à une information normalement publique ? Comment le revenu des parlementaires situe-t-il les élus dans l’échelle des revenus de la population française ? Enfin, que nous disent ces évolutions de l’indemnité (en termes de niveau comme de nature) sur le type d’activité qu’est la députation ? Ce faisant, l’étude éclaire certaines transformations de fond du métier politique.
The next ‘pandemic playbook’ needs to prioritize the needs of children—and a clear roadmap for opening schools
Authors: Branch-Elliman Westyn , Fisher Lloyd , Doron Shira
Published: April 2023

The national influenza pandemic response plan includes short-term school closures as an infection mitigation measure, based on modeling data regarding the role of pediatric populations and schools as drivers of disease spread. Modeled estimates regarding the role of children and their in-school contacts as drivers of community transmission of endemic respiratory viruses were used in part to justify prolonged school closures throughout the United States. However, disease transmission models extrapolated from endemic pathogens to novel ones may underestimate the degree to which spread is driven by population immunity and overestimate the impact of school closures as a means of reducing child contacts, particularly in the longer-term. These errors, in turn, may have caused incorrect estimations about the potential benefits of closing schools on a society level while simultaneously failing to account for the significant harms of long-term educational disruption.

Pandemic response plans need to be updated to include nuances regarding drivers of transmission such as pathogen type, population immunity, and contact patterns, and disease severity in different groups. Expected duration of impact also needs to be considered, recognizing that effectiveness of different interventions, particularly those focused on limiting social interactions, are short-lived. Additionally, future iterations should include risk–benefit assessments. Interventions that are particularly harmful to certain groups, such as school closures are on children, should be de-emphasized and time limited. Finally, pandemic responses should include ongoing and continuous policy re-evaluation and should include a clear plan for de-implementation and de-escalation.
Effects of patient beliefs regarding the need for antibiotics and prescribing outcomes on patient satisfaction in urgent-care settings
Authors: Cziner Michael J. , Park Daniel E. , Hamdy Rana F. , Rogers Laura A. , Turner Monique M. , Liu Cindy M.
Published: April 2023

We studied how patient beliefs regarding the need for antibiotics, as measured by expectation scores, and antibiotic prescribing outcome affect patient satisfaction using data from 2,710 urgent-care visits. Satisfaction was affected by antibiotic prescribing among patients with medium–high expectation scores but not among patients with low expectation scores.
Fr Simon Bordley, eighteenth-century recusant priest, schoolmaster and trader in ‘two-legged cattle’
Authors: Cunningham Jack P.
Published: April 2023

Simon Bordley (1709-1799) was a Catholic priest of humble status in rural Lancashire for much of the eighteenth century. Despite his rural location and apparently humble status, he played an important part in supporting the Catholic seminaries in France and Portugal by supplying them with students, material goods and financial assistance. Bordley left behind him a lively correspondence relating to these activities which provides us with a valuable insight into the world of eighteenth-century priestly training in the English colleges. It also offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of a churchman who laboured with an impressive level of entrepreneurial skill and independence. This article argues that Bordley defies the common image of the seigneurial Catholic curate in service primarily to a family of the landed gentry in the eighteenth century. In doing so he illustrates an example of the type of energetic cleric who provided a crucial lifeline to a church that came to rely less and less on its aristocracy as the century progressed.
Asymptotic ultimate regime of homogeneous Rayleigh–Bénard convection on logarithmic lattices
Authors: Barral Amaury , Dubrulle Berengere
Published: April 2023

We investigate how the heat flux

$Nu$

scales with the imposed temperature gradient

$Ra$

in homogeneous Rayleigh–Bénard convection using one-, two- and three-dimensional simulations on logarithmic lattices. Logarithmic lattices are a new spectral decimation framework which enables us to span an unprecedented range of parameters (

$Ra$

,

$Re$

,

$\Pr$

) and test existing theories using little computational power. We first show that known diverging solutions can be suppressed with a large-scale friction. In the turbulent regime, for

$\Pr \approx 1$

, the heat flux becomes independent of viscous processes (‘asymptotic ultimate regime’,

$Nu\sim Ra ^{1/2}$

with no logarithmic correction). We recover scalings coherent with the theory developed by Grossmann and Lohse, for all situations where the large-scale frictions keep a constant magnitude with respect to viscous and diffusive dissipation. We also identify another turbulent friction-dominated regime at

$\Pr \ll 1$

, where deviations from the Grossmann and Lohse prediction are observed. These two friction-dominated regimes may be relevant in some geophysical or astrophysical situations, where large-scale friction arises due to rotation, stratification or magnetic field.
Dismantling Rights: Forthcoming Independence and the Revocation of US Military Benefits from Filipino WWII Veterans
Authors: Quisumbing King Katrina
Published: April 2023

This article explores the plasticity of rights by examining how the US government promised and revoked naturalization rights and military benefits from Filipino colonial soldiers who served on behalf of the United States in World War II. Rarely have legal scholars of the US military, citizenship, and the welfare state addressed the rights of colonial subjects. Drawing on data collected from six libraries and archives, the Congressional Record, and oral histories, I document how key actors in the US government dismantled the rights of Filipino soldiers. I find that colonialism, war, and a rapidly changing geopolitical situation—forthcoming Philippine independence—allowed members of the US Congress and the administrator of Veterans Affairs to dismantle rights. By arguing that the Philippines was not a colony, that colonial subjects were not entitled to equal treatment, and that Filipino veterans were not US military, members of the US executive and legislative branches casually eroded rights. US state actors thus were able to claim that Filipino veterans’ rights were merely cumbersome and expensive foreign aid. This case suggests that rights are more malleable during times of state transition.
The timing and ecological consequences of Pleistocene megafaunal decline in the eastern Andes of Colombia
Authors: Pym Felix C. , Franco-Gaviria Felipe , Espinoza Ismael G. , Urrego Dunia H.
Published: April 2023

Examining the ecological consequences of the late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions within biodiversity hotspots is crucial for our understanding of the potential consequences of contemporary extinctions. We present the first multi-species record of spores of coprophilous fungi (SCF) from Monquentiva and the high-Andean forests of Colombia to reconstruct Late Pleistocene and Holocene megafaunal abundance. Fossilised pollen and charcoal are used to examine the consequences of megafaunal declines on the surrounding vegetation and fire activity. Our SCF record indicates the presence of Pleistocene megafauna at least since 30,290 BP, with two waves of megafaunal decline at ca. 22,900 BP and 10,990 BP. At Monquentiva, megafaunal decline in the Early Holocene resulted in transitional non-analogue vegetation, loss of some herbivore-dispersed plant taxa, an encroachment of palatable and woody flora, and a rise in fire activity. Differences with other published South-American records suggest that ecological consequences of megafaunal declines were habitat-specific. Overall, we show that ecosystems in the eastern Colombian Cordillera were highly sensitive to the decline of megafaunal populations. Under the current biodiversity crisis, management and conservation efforts must account for the effects of local herbivore declines on plant dispersal, on fire activity, and the potential loss of ecosystem services.
Towards a better knowledge of the molar morphology and ecology of extant and fossil grass rats (Muridae:ArvicanthisLesson, 1842)
Authors: Stoetzel Emmanuelle , Gomes Rodrigues Helder , Cornette Raphaël
Published: April 2023

African rodents of the genusArvicanthisare presently restricted to sub-Saharan savannas and to the Nile Valley. In contrast, their distribution during the Quaternary included most of northern Africa, leading to the emergence of local fossil species. To date, there have been no comprehensive studies ofArvicanthispopulations in northern Africa, neither to clarify their taxonomy nor their paleoecology. The present study aims to explore both morphology and diet of modern and fossilArvicanthisspecies using geometric morphometric and dental microwear analyses on first upper molars. The geometric morphometric analysis efficiently discriminates the studied extant and fossilArvicanthisspecies and allowed for the identification of probable geographical variations within theA.niloticusgroup. Although all extant species of the genusArvicanthisare predominantly grass-eaters, microwear analyses also highlighted diet differences in various modern populations ofA.niloticus, as well as paleodiet inferences in theA.arambourgifossil species, but no clear link between molar size or shape and diet can be established. This work helps set the stage for a complete revision of the fossil remains ofArvicanthisfrom northern African Quaternary deposits, and for a better understanding of the geographical and temporal morphological variability of this genus in Africa.
Tobacco use in first-episode psychosis, a multinational EU-GEI study
Authors: Sánchez-Gutiérrez T. , Rodríguez-Toscano E. , Roldán L. , Ferraro L. , Parellada M. , Calvo A. , López G. , Rapado-Castro M. , La Barbera D. , La Cascia C. , Tripoli G. , Di Forti M. , Murray R. M. , Quattrone D. , Morgan C. , van Os J. , García-Portilla P. , Al-Halabí S. , Bobes J. , de Haan L. , Bernardo M. , Santos J. L. , Sanjuán J. , Arrojo M. , Ferchiou A. , Szoke A. , Rutten B. P. , Stilo S. , D'Andrea G. , Tarricone I. ,   EU-GEI WP2 Group, Díaz-Caneja C. M. , Arango C.
Published: April 2023

Background

Tobacco is a highly prevalent substance of abuse in patients with psychosis. Previous studies have reported an association between tobacco use and schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between tobacco use and first-episode psychosis (FEP), age at onset of psychosis, and specific diagnosis of psychosis.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1105 FEP patients and 1355 controls from the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene–Environment Interactions (EU-GEI) study. We assessed substance use with the Tobacco and Alcohol Questionnaire and performed a series of regression analyses using case-control status, age of onset of psychosis, and diagnosis as outcomes and tobacco use and frequency of tobacco use as predictors. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol, and cannabis use.

Results

After controlling for cannabis use, FEP patients were 2.6 times more likely to use tobacco [p ⩽ 0.001; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.1–3.2]] and 1.7 times more likely to smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day (p = 0.003; AOR 1.7; 95% CI [1.2–2.4]) than controls. Tobacco use was associated with an earlier age at psychosis onset (β = −2.3; p ⩽ 0.001; 95% CI [−3.7 to −0.9]) and was 1.3 times more frequent in FEP patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia than in other diagnoses of psychosis (AOR 1.3; 95% CI [1.0–1.8]); however, these results were no longer significant after controlling for cannabis use.

Conclusions

Tobacco and heavy-tobacco use are associated with increased odds of FEP. These findings further support the relevance of tobacco prevention in young populations.
Musicking assemblages and non-human becomings: Mapping morphogenetic processes and distributed agencies in Wolfgang Buttress’ the Hive
Authors: Szarecki Artur
Published: April 2023

The paper introduces the concept of musicking assemblages to account for the agency of non-human actants in a project by contemporary artist, Wolfgang Buttress, that involved creating a musical soundscape together with bees. Collapsing distinctions between popular music, contemporary art and scientific research, the project exhibits musicking not as a result of human action but as emerging from intensive flows of matter-energy circulating between a multiplicity of actants, both human and non-human. Consequently, it presupposes a materialist ontology that breaks with anthropocentric hierarchies and encourages us to rethink popular music as always already involving ‘becoming with’ non-human others, in a way that overcomes the division between culture and nature, as well as its epistemological corollaries.
Late aortic obstruction due to ductal vasoconstriction on pulmonic end after transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in an extremely low-birth-weight infant
Authors: Padovani Paul , Benbrik Nadir , Baruteau Alban-Elouen
Published: April 2023

Device-induced aortic obstruction is a known rare complication following transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in extremely low-birth-weight infants. Various mechanisms have been proposed. We report the first description of late aortic obstruction due to ductal vasoconstriction on pulmonic end causing device to be gradually pushed out of aortic end in a 980-gram premature infant.
Computer simulation, visualization, and synthesis of a digital antenna array used for transmitting and receiving signals in industrial applications
Authors: Islamov Islam , Hasanov Mehman , Ibrahimov Bayram , Movsumov Agil
Published: April 2023

The article is devoted to computer modeling, visualization, and synthesis of a digital antenna array used for transmitting and receiving signals in industrial applications. The paper proposes an iterative method for the amplitude-phase synthesis of an antenna array according to the requirements for the envelope of the side lobes. The proposed method allows to determine the complex amplitudes of the elements of a digital antenna array for any given weight function, based on the theorems of matrix theory. The difference of the method lies in the iterative procedure for choosing the weight function, taking into account the excess level of the side lobes of the digital antenna array. In this regard, in the course of solving the synthesis problem, a weight function was found that leads to the fulfilment of the requirements for radiation patterns and does not lead to a decrease in the directivity coefficient. The signal-to-noise ratio was used as a criterion. For the first time, an analytical expression is given for the formation of a weight function in the course of an iterative process that takes into account the requirements for the envelope of the side lobes. The operability and convergence of the proposed method was confirmed in the course of numerical studies on the example of a digital antenna array. The performed numerical analysis confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed synthesis method.
Strongly Scattering Medium Along Slow Earthquake Fault Zones Based on New Observations of Short‐Duration Tremors
Authors: Toh A. , Capdeville Y. , Chi W.‐C. , Ide S.
Published: April 2023

Tremors are a type of slow earthquake with long‐duration signals compared to ordinary earthquakes. The long signals have been considered to solely reflect their long source process. However, here, we provide evidence suggesting that the source processes of tremors are not always long. We refer to these observations as short‐duration tremors. They were recorded by ocean‐bottom seismometers placed very close to the source. Although these tremors exhibit a short‐duration signal when recorded near the source, they exhibit a typical long‐duration signal elsewhere. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the features can be captured by considering a strongly scattering medium around their source. One such structure could be small low‐velocity inclusions distributed around the seismic source. The inclusions may represent the seismic expression of geologically detected aquifers in tremor source regions. Furthermore, this medium could be embedded along the slow earthquake fault zone and play a critical role in their source process.
Global Distribution of Discrete and Continuous Spectrum Equatorial Magnetosonic Waves Observed by the Van Allen Probe‐A
Authors: Sun Peiyu , Ouyang Zhihai , Tang Rongxin , Li Haimeng , Chen Zhou , Yu Xiongdong , Yuan Zhigang , Deng Xiaohua
Published: April 2023

Magnetosonic (MS) waves can either be discrete or continuous in the time‐frequency spectrogram. Through the observation from Van Allen Probe‐A spacecraft, the global distribution of discrete and continuous spectrum MS waves in the region L ∼ 3–6 is determined. According to our research, the continuous spectrum MS waves are greater in amplitude than discrete spectrum MS waves. Also, the impact of changes in geomagnetic activity on continuous spectrum MS waves is much more significant than discrete spectrum MS waves. Besides, it is also demonstrated that the strong discrete spectrum MS waves have a peak wave amplitude of ∼60 pT and an occurrence rate of ∼50% at the noon sector outside the plasmapause. In comparison, the strong continuous spectrum MS waves have a peak wave amplitude of ∼300 pT and an occurrence rate of ∼60% at the postnoon sector inside the plasmapause.
A Physically Based Model for the Sequential Evolution Analysis of Rainfall‐Induced Shallow Landslides in a Catchment
Authors: Jiang Yuanjun , Hu Xiaobo , Liang Heng , Ning Po , Fan Xiaoyi
Published: April 2023

Predicting the occurrence time, volume, distribution and run‐out length of shallow landslides is critical for assessing the volume of debris flow in a catchment. Recent studies suggest that the landslides hydro‐mechanical triggering (LHT) model based on threshold‐based mechanical interactions can adequately predict rainfall‐induced landslides. However, this model assumes that the soil‐rock interface is the only sliding surface and cannot dynamically determine a sliding surface above the soil‐rock interface. Therefore, by calculating the wetting front depth in the shallow soil layer and using the limit analysis method, the most likely sliding surface can be dynamically calculated to improve the model. Through linking the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT, USDA) model and the depth‐resolved LHT model (D‐LHT), a framework for predicting shallow landslides in a catchment was proposed in this work. This framework considers the effects of antecedent rainfall, the mechanical reinforcement of roots, and the spatial distribution of soil properties on slopes. The D‐LHT model was applied to the Jiangjia gully in Yunnan, China, to adequately predicted the occurrence time, scale and spatial distribution of shallow landslides. In addition, the present and antecedent rainfall effects on the shallow landslide volume were analyzed. The results showed that the average soil moisture content threshold was determined by antecedent and same‐day rainfall, which affect the timing and volume of the shallow landslides. This study provides a new method for predicting shallow landslides. The stability and simplicity of the model make it suitable for early warning systems.
Ibrutinib sensitizes CLL cells to venetoclax by interrupting TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and protein translation
Authors: Kielbassa Karoline , Haselager Marco V. , Bax Danique J. C. , van Driel Bianca F. , Dubois Julie , Levin Mark-David , Kersting Sabina , Svanberg Rebecka , Niemann Carsten U. , Kater Arnon P. , Eldering Eric
Published: April 2023

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells upregulate Bcl-2 proteins within the lymph node (LN) microenvironment. Signaling via B-cell receptor, Toll-like receptors and CD40 collectively reduce sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Time-limited treatment with venetoclax plus the BTK-inhibitor ibrutinib results in deep remissions, but how this combination affects LN-related signaling is not yet completely clear. Therefore, samples obtained from the HOVON141/VISION phase 2 clinical trial were used to analyze this. Two cycles of lead-in ibrutinib monotherapy resulted in decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 proteins in circulating CLL cells. Strikingly, at this timepoint CD40-induced venetoclax resistance was strongly attenuated, as was expression of CD40. Since CD40 signaling occurs within the CLL LN, we tested various LN-related signals that could affect CD40 signaling. While BCR stimulation had only a minor effect, TLR9 stimulation via CpG led to significantly increased CD40 expression and importantly, reverted the effects of ibrutinib treatment on venetoclax sensitivity by inducing overall protein translation. Together, these findings identify a novel effect of ibrutinib: interruption of TLR9-induced CD40 upregulation and translation of pro-survival proteins. This mechanism may potentially further inhibit priming of CLL cells in the LN microenvironment for venetoclax resistance.
A novel integrated approach to predicting cancer immunotherapy efficacy
Authors: Luo Ruihan , Chyr Jacqueline , Wen Jianguo , Wang Yanfei , Zhao Weiling , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: April 2023

Immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment modalities; however, predicting clinical response accurately and reliably remains challenging. Neoantigen load is considered as a fundamental genetic determinant of therapeutic response. However, only a few predicted neoantigens are highly immunogenic, with little focus on intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) in the neoantigen landscape and its link with different features in the tumor microenvironment. To address this issue, we comprehensively characterized neoantigens arising from nonsynonymous mutations and gene fusions in lung cancer and melanoma. We developed a composite NEO2IS to characterize interplays between cancer and CD8+ T-cell populations. NEO2IS improved prediction accuracy of patient responses to immune-checkpoint blockades (ICBs). We found that TCR repertoire diversity was consistent with the neoantigen heterogeneity under evolutionary selections. Our defined neoantigen ITH score (NEOITHS) reflected infiltration degree of CD8+ T lymphocytes with different differentiation states and manifested the impact of negative selection pressure on CD8+ T-cell lineage heterogeneity or tumor ecosystem plasticity. We classified tumors into distinct immune subtypes and examined how neoantigen-T cells interactions affected disease progression and treatment response. Overall, our integrated framework helps profile neoantigen patterns that elicit T-cell immunoreactivity, enhance the understanding of evolving tumor-immune interplays and improve prediction of ICBs efficacy.
Overcoming adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF therapy by targeting CD5L
Authors: LaFargue Christopher J. , Amero Paola , Noh Kyunghee , Mangala Lingegowda S. , Wen Yunfei , Bayraktar Emine , Umamaheswaran Sujanitha , Stur Elaine , Dasari Santosh K. , Ivan Cristina , Pradeep Sunila , Yoo Wonbeak , Lu Chunhua , Jennings Nicholas B. , Vathipadiekal Vinod , Hu Wei , Chelariu-Raicu Anca , Ku Zhiqiang , Deng Hui , Xiong Wei , Choi Hyun-Jin , Hu Min , Kiyama Takae , Mao Chai-An , Ali-Fehmi Rouba , Birrer Michael J. , Liu Jinsong , Zhang Ningyan , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , de Franciscis Vittorio , An Zhiqiang , Sood Anil K.
Published: April 2023

Antiangiogenic treatment targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is a powerful tool to combat tumor growth and progression; however, drug resistance frequently emerges. We identify CD5L (CD5 antigen-like precursor) as an important gene upregulated in response to antiangiogenic therapy leading to the emergence of adaptive resistance. By using both an RNA-aptamer and a monoclonal antibody targeting CD5L, we are able to abate the pro-angiogenic effects of CD5L overexpression in both in vitro and in vivo settings. In addition, we find that increased expression of vascular CD5L in cancer patients is associated with bevacizumab resistance and worse overall survival. These findings implicate CD5L as an important factor in adaptive resistance to antiangiogenic therapy and suggest that modalities to target CD5L have potentially important clinical utility.
Smart thrombosis inhibitors without bleeding side effects via charge tunable ligand design
Authors: La Chanel C. , Smith Stephanie A. , Vappala Sreeparna , Adili Reheman , Luke Catherine E. , Abbina Srinivas , Luo Haiming D. , Chafeeva Irina , Drayton Matthew , Creagh Louise A. , de Guadalupe Jaraquemada-Peláez Maria , Rhoads Nicole , Kalathottukaren Manu Thomas , Henke Peter K. , Straus Suzana K. , Du Caigan , Conway Edward M. , Holinstat Michael , Haynes Charles A. , Morrissey James H. , Kizhakkedathu Jayachandran N.
Published: April 2023

Current treatments to prevent thrombosis, namely anticoagulants and platelets antagonists, remain complicated by the persistent risk of bleeding. Improved therapeutic strategies that diminish this risk would have a huge clinical impact. Antithrombotic agents that neutralize and inhibit polyphosphate (polyP) can be a powerful approach towards such a goal. Here, we report a design concept towards polyP inhibition, termed macromolecular polyanion inhibitors (MPI), with high binding affinity and specificity. Lead antithrombotic candidates are identified through a library screening of molecules which possess low charge density at physiological pH but which increase their charge upon binding to polyP, providing a smart way to enhance their activity and selectivity. The lead MPI candidates demonstrates antithrombotic activity in mouse models of thrombosis, does not give rise to bleeding, and is well tolerated in mice even at very high doses. The developed inhibitor is anticipated to open avenues in thrombosis prevention without bleeding risk, a challenge not addressed by current therapies.
Atomically precise gold nanoclusters at the molecular-to-metallic transition with intrinsic chirality from surface layers
Authors: Liu Li-Juan , Alkan Fahri , Zhuang Shengli , Liu Dongyi , Nawaz Tehseen , Guo Jun , Luo Xiaozhou , He Jian
Published: April 2023

The advances in determining the total structure of atomically precise metal nanoclusters have prompted extensive exploration into the origins of chirality in nanoscale systems. While chirality is generally transferrable from the surface layer to the metal–ligand interface and kernel, we present here an alternative type of gold nanoclusters (138 gold core atoms with 48 2,4-dimethylbenzenethiolate surface ligands) whose inner structures are not asymmetrically induced by chiral patterns of the outermost aromatic substituents. This phenomenon can be explained by the highly dynamic behaviors of aromatic rings in the thiolates assembled via π − π stacking and C − H···π interactions. In addition to being a thiolate-protected nanocluster with uncoordinated surface gold atoms, the reported Au138 motif expands the size range of gold nanoclusters having both molecular and metallic properties. Our current work introduces an important class of nanoclusters with intrinsic chirality from surface layers rather than inner structures and will aid in elucidating the transition of gold nanoclusters from their molecular to metallic states.
Photochemically produced SO2 in the atmosphere of WASP-39b
Authors: Tsai Shang-Min , Lee Elspeth K. H. , Powell Diana , Gao Peter , Zhang Xi , Moses Julianne , Hébrard Eric , Venot Olivia , Parmentier Vivien , Jordan Sean , Hu Renyu , Alam Munazza K. , Alderson Lili , Batalha Natalie M. , Bean Jacob L. , Benneke Björn , Bierson Carver J. , Brady Ryan P. , Carone Ludmila , Carter Aarynn L. , Chubb Katy L. , Inglis Julie , Leconte Jérémy , Line Michael , López-Morales Mercedes , Miguel Yamila , Molaverdikhani Karan , Rustamkulov Zafar , Sing David K. , Stevenson Kevin B. , Wakeford Hannah R. , Yang Jeehyun , Aggarwal Keshav , Baeyens Robin , Barat Saugata , de Val-Borro Miguel , Daylan Tansu , Fortney Jonathan J. , France Kevin , Goyal Jayesh M. , Grant David , Kirk James , Kreidberg Laura , Louca Amy , Moran Sarah E. , Mukherjee Sagnick , Nasedkin Evert , Ohno Kazumasa , Rackham Benjamin V. , Redfield Seth , Taylor Jake , Tremblin Pascal , Visscher Channon , Wallack Nicole L. , Welbanks Luis , Youngblood Allison , Ahrer Eva-Maria , Batalha Natasha E. , Behr Patrick , Berta-Thompson Zachory K. , Blecic Jasmina , Casewell S. L. , Crossfield Ian J. M. , Crouzet Nicolas , Cubillos Patricio E. , Decin Leen , Désert Jean-Michel , Feinstein Adina D. , Gibson Neale P. , Harrington Joseph , Heng Kevin , Henning Thomas , Kempton Eliza M.-R. , Krick Jessica , Lagage Pierre-Olivier , Lendl Monika , Lothringer Joshua D. , Mansfield Megan , Mayne N. J. , Mikal-Evans Thomas , Palle Enric , Schlawin Everett , Shorttle Oliver , Wheatley Peter J. , Yurchenko Sergei N.
Published: April 2023

Photochemistry is a fundamental process of planetary atmospheres that regulates the atmospheric composition and stability1. However, no unambiguous photochemical products have been detected in exoplanet atmospheres so far. Recent observations from the JWST Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science Program2,3 found a spectral absorption feature at 4.05 μm arising from sulfur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere of WASP-39b. WASP-39b is a 1.27-Jupiter-radii, Saturn-mass (0.28 MJ) gas giant exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star with an equilibrium temperature of around 1,100 K (ref. 4). The most plausible way of generating SO2 in such an atmosphere is through photochemical processes5,6. Here we show that the SO2 distribution computed by a suite of photochemical models robustly explains the 4.05-μm spectral feature identified by JWST transmission observations7 with NIRSpec PRISM (2.7σ)8 and G395H (4.5σ)9. SO2 is produced by successive oxidation of sulfur radicals freed when hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is destroyed. The sensitivity of the SO2 feature to the enrichment of the atmosphere by heavy elements (metallicity) suggests that it can be used as a tracer of atmospheric properties, with WASP-39b exhibiting an inferred metallicity of about 10× solar. We further point out that SO2 also shows observable features at ultraviolet and thermal infrared wavelengths not available from the existing observations.
Catalytic disconnection of C–O bonds in epoxy resins and composites
Authors: Ahrens Alexander , Bonde Andreas , Sun Hongwei , Wittig Nina Kølln , Hammershøj Hans Christian D. , Batista Gabriel Martins Ferreira , Sommerfeldt Andreas , Frølich Simon , Birkedal Henrik , Skrydstrup Troels
Published: April 2023

Fibre-reinforced epoxy composites are well established in regard to load-bearing applications in the aerospace, automotive and wind power industries, owing to their light weight and high durability. These composites are based on thermoset resins embedding glass or carbon fibres1. In lieu of viable recycling strategies, end-of-use composite-based structures such as wind turbine blades are commonly landfilled1–4. Because of the negative environmental impact of plastic waste5,6, the need for circular economies of plastics has become more pressing7,8. However, recycling thermoset plastics is no trivial matter1–4. Here we report a transition-metal-catalysed protocol for recovery of the polymer building block bisphenol A and intact fibres from epoxy composites. A Ru-catalysed, dehydrogenation/bond, cleavage/reduction cascade disconnects the C(alkyl)–O bonds of the most common linkages of the polymer. We showcase the application of this methodology to relevant unmodified amine-cured epoxy resins as well as commercial composites, including the shell of a wind turbine blade. Our results demonstrate that chemical recycling approaches for thermoset epoxy resins and composites are achievable.
Visualizing the disordered nuclear transport machinery in situ
Authors: Yu Miao , Heidari Maziar , Mikhaleva Sofya , Tan Piau Siong , Mingu Sara , Ruan Hao , Reinkemeier Christopher D. , Obarska-Kosinska Agnieszka , Siggel Marc , Beck Martin , Hummer Gerhard , Lemke Edward A.
Published: April 2023

The approximately 120 MDa mammalian nuclear pore complex (NPC) acts as a gatekeeper for the transport between the nucleus and cytosol1. The central channel of the NPC is filled with hundreds of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) called FG-nucleoporins (FG-NUPs)2,3. Although the structure of the NPC scaffold has been resolved in remarkable detail, the actual transport machinery built up by FG-NUPs—about 50 MDa—is depicted as an approximately 60-nm hole in even highly resolved tomograms and/or structures computed with artificial intelligence4–11. Here we directly probed conformations of the vital FG-NUP98 inside NPCs in live cells and in permeabilized cells with an intact transport machinery by using a synthetic biology-enabled site-specific small-molecule labelling approach paired with highly time-resolved fluorescence microscopy. Single permeabilized cell measurements of the distance distribution of FG-NUP98 segments combined with coarse-grained molecular simulations of the NPC allowed us to map the uncharted molecular environment inside the nanosized transport channel. We determined that the channel provides—in the terminology of the Flory polymer theory12—a ‘good solvent’ environment. This enables the FG domain to adopt expanded conformations and thus control transport between the nucleus and cytoplasm. With more than 30% of the proteome being formed from IDPs, our study opens a window into resolving disorder–function relationships of IDPs in situ, which are important in various processes, such as cellular signalling, phase separation, ageing and viral entry.
A druggable copper-signalling pathway that drives inflammation
Authors: Solier Stéphanie , Müller Sebastian , Cañeque Tatiana , Versini Antoine , Mansart Arnaud , Sindikubwabo Fabien , Baron Leeroy , Emam Laila , Gestraud Pierre , Pantoș G. Dan , Gandon Vincent , Gaillet Christine , Wu Ting-Di , Dingli Florent , Loew Damarys , Baulande Sylvain , Durand Sylvère , Sencio Valentin , Robil Cyril , Trottein François , Péricat David , Näser Emmanuelle , Cougoule Céline , Meunier Etienne , Bègue Anne-Laure , Salmon Hélène , Manel Nicolas , Puisieux Alain , Watson Sarah , Dawson Mark A. , Servant Nicolas , Kroemer Guido , Annane Djillali , Rodriguez Raphaël
Published: April 2023

Inflammation is a complex physiological process triggered in response to harmful stimuli1. It involves cells of the immune system capable of clearing sources of injury and damaged tissues. Excessive inflammation can occur as a result of infection and is a hallmark of several diseases2–4. The molecular bases underlying inflammatory responses are not fully understood. Here we show that the cell surface glycoprotein CD44, which marks the acquisition of distinct cell phenotypes in the context of development, immunity and cancer progression, mediates the uptake of metals including copper. We identify a pool of chemically reactive copper(ii) in mitochondria of inflammatory macrophages that catalyses NAD(H) redox cycling by activating hydrogen peroxide. Maintenance of NAD+ enables metabolic and epigenetic programming towards the inflammatory state. Targeting mitochondrial copper(ii) with supformin (LCC-12), a rationally designed dimer of metformin, induces a reduction of the NAD(H) pool, leading to metabolic and epigenetic states that oppose macrophage activation. LCC-12 interferes with cell plasticity in other settings and reduces inflammation in mouse models of bacterial and viral infections. Our work highlights the central role of copper as a regulator of cell plasticity and unveils a therapeutic strategy based on metabolic reprogramming and the control of epigenetic cell states.
Reducing brassinosteroid signalling enhances grain yield in semi-dwarf wheat
Authors: Song Long , Liu Jie , Cao Beilu , Liu Bin , Zhang Xiaoping , Chen Zhaoyan , Dong Chaoqun , Liu Xiangqing , Zhang Zhaoheng , Wang Wenxi , Chai Lingling , Liu Jing , Zhu Jun , Cui Shubin , He Fei , Peng Huiru , Hu Zhaorong , Su Zhenqi , Guo Weilong , Xin Mingming , Yao Yingyin , Yan Yong , Song Yinming , Bai Guihua , Sun Qixin , Ni Zhongfu
Published: April 2023

Modern green revolution varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) confer semi-dwarf and lodging-resistant plant architecture owing to the Reduced height-B1b (Rht-B1b) and Rht-D1b alleles1. However, both Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b are gain-of-function mutant alleles encoding gibberellin signalling repressors that stably repress plant growth and negatively affect nitrogen-use efficiency and grain filling2–5. Therefore, the green revolution varieties of wheat harbouring Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b usually produce smaller grain and require higher nitrogen fertilizer inputs to maintain their grain yields. Here we describe a strategy to design semi-dwarf wheat varieties without the need for Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b alleles. We discovered that absence of Rht-B1 and ZnF-B (encoding a RING-type E3 ligase) through a natural deletion of a haploblock of about 500 kilobases shaped semi-dwarf plants with more compact plant architecture and substantially improved grain yield (up to 15.2%) in field trials. Further genetic analysis confirmed that the deletion of ZnF-B induced the semi-dwarf trait in the absence of the Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b alleles through attenuating brassinosteroid (BR) perception. ZnF acts as a BR signalling activator to facilitate proteasomal destruction of the BR signalling repressor BRI1 kinase inhibitor 1 (TaBKI1), and loss of ZnF stabilizes TaBKI1 to block BR signalling transduction. Our findings not only identified a pivotal BR signalling modulator but also provided a creative strategy to design high-yield semi-dwarf wheat varieties by manipulating the BR signal pathway to sustain wheat production.
Very High Resolution Projections over Italy under different CMIP5 IPCC scenarios
Authors: Raffa Mario , Adinolfi Marianna , Reder Alfredo , Marras Gian Franco , Mancini Marco , Scipione Gabriella , Santini Monia , Mercogliano Paola
Published: April 2023

This paper introduces VHR-PRO_IT (Very High-Resolution PROjections for ITaly), an open access hourly climate projection with a resolution of ≃2.2 km (i.e., Convection Permitting Scale) up to 2050, covering the Italian peninsula and some neighbouring areas. VHR-PRO_IT is produced within the Highlander project (https://highlanderproject.eu/) by dynamically downscaling the Italy8km-CM climate projection (spatial resolution ≃8 km; output frequency = 6 h; driven CMIP5 GCM = CMCC-CM) with the Regional Climate Model COSMO-CLM under the IPCC RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. It covers the 60-year period 1989–2050. VHR-PRO_IT is intended for research purposes in the field of climate studies. For example, it may be included in the ongoing activities to clarify the added value of running climate simulation at the convection-permitting scale.
Insider trading
Authors: Balogh Attila
Published: April 2023

This paper describes a dataset capturing insider trading activity at publicly traded companies. Investors and investment analysts demand this information because executives, directors and large shareholders are expected to have more intimate knowledge of their company’s prospects than outsiders. Insider stock sales and purchases may reveal information about the firm’s business not disclosed in financial statements. They may also convey new information predictive of stock price movements if insiders can better interpret public information about the firm. Since mid-2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission has made these insider trading reports available to the public in a structured format; however, most academic papers use proprietary commercial databases instead of regulatory filings directly. This makes replication challenging as the data manipulation and aggregation processes are opaque and historical records could be altered by the database provider over time. To overcome these limitations, the presented dataset is created from original regulatory filings; it is updated daily and includes all information reported by insiders without alteration.
Pest scenario of Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) on pigeonpea during future climate change periods under RCP based projections in India
Authors: Srinivasa Rao M. , Rama Rao C. A. , Raju B. M. K. , Subba Rao A. V. M. , Gayatri D. L. A. , Islam Adlul , Prasad T. V. , Navya M. , Srinivas K. , Pratibha G. , Srinivas I. , Prabhakar M. , Yadav S. K. , Bhaskar S. , Singh V. K. , Chaudhari S. K.
Published: April 2023

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) is the major insect pest of pigeonpea and prediction of number of generations (no. of gen.) and generation time (gen. time) using growing degree days (GDD) approach during three future climate change periods viz., Near (NP), Distant (DP) and Far Distant (FDP) periods at eleven major pigeonpea growing locations of India was attempted. Multi-model ensemble of Maximum (Tmax) and Minimum (Tmin) temperature data of four Representative Concentration Pathways viz., RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0 and 8.5 of Coupled Model Inter comparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models was adopted here. The increase in projected Tmax and Tmin are significant during 3 climate change periods (CCPs) viz., the NP, DP and FDP over base line (BL) period under four RCP scenarios at all locations and would be higher (4.7–5.1 °C) in RCP 8.5 and in FDP. More number of annual (10–17) and seasonal (5–8) gens. are expected to occur with greater percent increase in FDP (8 to 38%) over base line followed by DP (7 to 22%) and NP (5to 10%) periods with shortened annual gen. time (4 to 27%) across 4 RCPs. The reduction of crop duration was substantial in short, medium and long duration pigeonpeas at all locations across 4 RCPs and 3 CCPs. The seasonal no.of gen. is expected to increase (5 to 35%) with shortened gen. time (4 to 26%) even with reduced crop duration across DP and FDP climate periods of 6.0 and 8.5 RCPs in LD pigeonpea. More no. of gen. of H. armigera with reduced gen. time are expected to occur at Ludhiana, Coimbatore, Mohanpur, Warangal and Akola locations over BL period in 4 RCPs when normal duration of pigeonpeas is considered. Geographical location (66 to 72%), climate period (11 to 19%), RCPs (5–7%) and their interaction (0.04–1%) is vital and together explained more than 90% of the total variation in future pest scenario. The findings indicate that the incidence of H. armigera would be higher on pigeonpea during ensuing CCPs in India under global warming context.
The effect of claudin-15 deletion on cationic selectivity and transport in paracellular pathways of the cecum and large intestine
Authors: Hempstock Wendy , Nagata Nozomi , Ishizuka Noriko , Hayashi Hisayoshi
Published: April 2023

The large intestine plays a pivotal role in water and electrolyte balance. Paracellular transport may play a role in ion transport mechanisms in the cecum and large intestine; however, these molecular mechanisms and their physiological roles have not been fully studied. Claudin-15 forms a cation channel in tight junctions in the small intestine, but its role in the cecum and large intestine has not been investigated. This study aimed to explore the physiological role of claudin-15 in the cecum and large intestine using claudin-15 (Cldn15) KO mice. Electrical conductance, short-circuit current, Na+ flux, and dilution potential were assessed in isolated tissue preparations mounted in Ussing chambers. The induced short-circuit current of short-chain fatty acids, which are fermentative products in the intestinal tract, was also measured. Compared to wild type mice, the electrical conductance and paracellular Na+ flux was decreased in the cecum, but not the middle large intestine, while in both the cecum and the middle large intestine, paracellular Na+ permeability was decreased in Cldn15 KO mice. These results suggest that claudin-15 is responsible for Na+ permeability in the tight junctions of the cecum and large intestine and decreased Na+ permeability in the cecum may cause impaired absorption function.
Wrist redundancy management during pointing tasks remains stable over time and in presence of a visuomotor perturbation
Authors: Raiano Luigi , Noccaro Alessia , Di Pino Giovanni , Formica Domenico
Published: April 2023

Pointing at a screen using wrist and forearm movements is a kinematically redundant task, and the Central Nervous System seems to manage this redundancy by using a simplifying strategy, named Donders’ Law for the wrist. In this work we investigated (1) whether this simplifying approach is stable over time and (2) whether a visuomotor perturbation provided in the task space influences the strategy used to solve the redundancy problem. We conducted two experiments asking participants to perform the same pointing task in four different days (first experiment), and providing a visual perturbation, i.e. a visuomotor rotation to the controlled cursor (second experiment), while recording their wrist and forearm rotations. Results showed that the participant-specific wrist redundancy management (described by the Donders’ surfaces) (1) neither changes over time (2) nor varies when a visuomotor perturbation is provided in the task space.