bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of compassion-based interventions among cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fan Ya-Chi , Hsiao Fei-Hsiu , Hsieh Chia-Chen
Published: November 2022

Objectives

This study examined the effects of compassion-based intervention on mental health in cancer patients by using systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Eleven bibliographic databases were searched from their earliest data available date up to March 1, 2022. The databases were PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, WOS, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest Dissertations, Airiti Library, and the National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan.

Results

Ten studies from 2015 to 2021 were included with a total of 771 cancer patients. Most were targeted at women with breast cancer. Brief compassion-based interventions of approximately 30 minutes were conducted by audio file, paper, and web-based self-guided writing prompts. Most were conducted after the completion of active treatment. Anxiety was the most measured outcome. Constructive compassion-based interventions with 4- to 12-week sessions were conducted by a trained facilitator. Most were conducted for patients who had undergone treatment, and depression was the most measured outcome. The meta-analysis indicated that compassion-based interventions had a significant effect of reducing depression and increasing self-compassion. Moderation analysis indicated that constructive intervention showed more benefits of increased self-compassion than brief intervention. Both face-to-face and non-face-to-face web-delivered formats had benefits for increasing self-compassion compared with the control condition.

Significance of results

Compassion-based interventions might provide an effective strategy for improving self-compassion and depression among patients with breast cancer. Suggestions for further research and health-care providers follow.
Low-profile high gain circularly polarized CRLH transmission line inspired antenna with artificial magnetic conductor for wearable applications
Authors: Abbas Mohammad Hussain , Singh Shamsher , Sharma Ankit , Gangwar Deepak
Published: November 2022

In this work, a compact, wideband, circularly polarized wearable antenna is proposed using asymmetric coplanar strip feeding for wireless health monitor applications in the ISM frequency band. The proposed antenna consists of a composite right/left transmission line (CRLH TL) inspired structure to achieve compactness and a rectangular ring slot is created in the metallic ground to enhance the CP radiation of the antenna. A 5 × 5 artificial magnetic conductor unit cell-based metasurface is designed which is operating at 2.4 GHz as a ground plane for the CRLH-based CP antenna. Implementation of AMC-based metasurface as a ground plane results in enhancement of radiation characteristics of CRLH TL antenna. The proposed antenna has a small footprint of 50 × 50 mm2 with measured impedance bandwidth of 2.3–3.2 GHz. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of the proposed antenna is 2.36–2.78 GHz with peak gain of 5.89 dBi. Simulation and experimental results show that proposed AMC-based antenna is robust in terms of structural deformation. Further, to validate the performance of the antenna for biomedical applications, we have simulated the proposed antenna with human phantom model. The proposed antenna exhibits stable scattering and radiation characteristics with the phantom body environment and due to the inclusion of AMC structure, the proposed design satisfies maximum specific absorption rate value given as per the IEEE standard safety guidelines.
Salt Transport Regimes Caused by Tidal and Subtidal Processes in Narrow Estuaries
Authors: Dijkstra Yoeri M. , Schuttelaars Henk M. , Kranenburg Wouter M.
Published: November 2022

Tidally averaged transport of salt in estuaries is controlled by various subtidal and tidal processes. In this study, we show the relative importance of various subtidal and tidal transport processes in a width‐averaged sense. This is done for a large range of forcing and geometric parameters, which describe well‐mixed to salt wedge estuaries. To this end, we develop a width‐averaged process‐based model aimed at conducting and analyzing a large number of experiments (∼40,000). We find that the salt transport is dominated by one of seven salt transport balances, or regimes. Four of these regimes are dominated by subtidal processes, while the other three are dominated by tidal processes. Which regime occurs in a part of an estuary depends on four dimensionless parameters, representing local geometry, and forcing conditions. One of the regimes features salt import by correlations between the depth‐averaged tidal velocity and salinity. While this mechanism was previously only associated with along‐channel geometric variations, we find it can also be a dominant mechanism in a significant part of the parameter space due to river‐induced tidal asymmetry, independent of river geometry. We apply our classification to a case study of part of the Dutch Rhine delta and compare to decomposition results of a fully realistic three‐dimensional model. We find the estuary features two regimes, with import dominated by subtidal shear transport in the seaward part of the estuary and by depth‐averaged tidal correlations in the landward part of the estuary.
Short‐Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Hospital Admissions for Sequelae of Stroke in Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Wang Rui , Xu Ruijun , Wei Jing , Liu Tingting , Ye Yunshao , Li Yingxin , Lin Qiaoxuan , Zhou Yun , Huang Suli , Lv Ziquan , Tian Qi , Liu Yuewei
Published: November 2022

Extensive evidence suggests that ambient air pollution contributes to a higher risk of hospital admissions for cerebrovascular diseases; however, its association with admissions for sequelae of stroke remains unclear. A time‐stratified case‐crossover study was conducted among 31,810 older adults who were admitted to hospital for sequelae of stroke in Guangzhou, China during 2016–2019. For each subject, daily residential exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) was extracted from a validated grid data set. Conditional logistic regression models were used for exposure‐response analyses. In single‐pollutant models, each interquartile range (IQR) increase of lag 04‐day exposure to CO (IQR: 0.25 mg/m3) and lag 3‐day exposure to O3 (69.6 μg/m3) was significantly associated with a 4.53% (95% confidence interval: 1.67%, 7.47%) and 5.63% (1.92%, 9.48%) increase in odds of hospital admissions for sequelae of stroke, respectively. These associations did not significantly vary across age or sex. With further adjustment for each of the other pollutants in 2‐pollutant models, the association for CO did not change significantly, while the association for O3 disappeared. We estimated that 7.72% of the hospital admissions were attributable to CO exposures. No significant or consistent association was observed for exposure to PM2.5, PM10, SO2, or NO2. In conclusion, short‐term exposure to ambient CO, even at levels below the WHO air quality guideline, was significantly associated with an increased odds of hospital admissions for sequelae of stroke, which may lead to considerable excess hospital admissions.
Statistical Study of the Relationship Between Pi1/2‐Band Wave Powers and Firehose Instability Criterion During Fast Flows in the Magnetotail Plasma Sheet
Authors: Wei Jiayun , Wang Guoqiang , Zuo Pingbing
Published: November 2022

Fast flows play a significant role in the transport of magnetic flux, mass, and energy in the terrestrial plasma sheet. Abundant wave activities occur during fast flows, however, what determines their wave powers is not fully understood. Here, we statistically investigate the relation of Pi1‐band (10–40 s) and Pi2‐band (40–150 s) mean wave amplitudes (MWAs) to the threshold of firehose instabilities during fast flows based on observations of the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission. To reduce the effect of dipolarization processes on the MWAs, we only analyze the fast flows with an average BZ < 3 nT, where BZ is the Z component of the magnetic field in the geocentric solar magnetospheric coordinate system. The compressional and transverse components of the magnetic field fluctuations during fast flows are mostly comparable for each frequency range. The probability of reaching firehose unstable condition tends to be larger for the faster fast flow. The Pi1/2‐band MWAs tend to be larger as the probability of the firehose unstable condition near the neutral sheet is larger for the fast flows with a certain average velocity near the neutral sheet, although they have a weak relationship. Our results suggest that the firehose instability is a possible factor to affect the Pi1/2‐band MWAs during the fast flow in the magnetotail current sheet.
Relative Contributions of Open‐Ocean Forcing and Local Wind to Sea Level Variability Along the West Coasts of Ocean Basins
Authors: Lin Wenqiang , Lin Hongyang , Hu Jianyu , Huang Lingfeng
Published: November 2022

This study aims to reconstruct sea level at the coast by quantifying relative contributions of local wind forcing and the penetrated open‐ocean signals, and thus to build a dynamical connection that seamlessly links the ocean basin to the coast. A linear, modified arrested topographic wave (ATW) model is used to examine the transmission of interior sea level across the continental shelf and the role of alongshore wind in determining the coastal sea level. The local wind stress substantially influences the coastal sea level but does not affect the transmission of open‐ocean signals in the linear framework. Increased bottom friction or gentler slope of shelf favors the penetration of open‐ocean signals. This modified ATW model is then applied to the shelf seas of North Pacific and North Atlantic, with model parameters being set according to the realistic features of regional oceanography. The offshore boundary condition is determined by the integrated barotropic and baroclinic ocean responses in the ocean basin and the transmission processes across western boundary currents. Based on the proposed “basin‐to‐coast” dynamical linkage framework, one can estimate the relative contributions of open‐ocean forcing and local wind to the total coastal sea level. According to these partitions, the reconstructed coastal sea levels along the west coasts of North Pacific and North Atlantic on seasonal time scale are in close agreement with tide‐gauge observations. The idea and specific calculations of coastal sea level reconstruction could be readily applied to other coasts of the global ocean.
Do Emergent Constraints on Carbon Cycle Feedbacks Hold in CMIP6?
Authors: Zechlau Sabrina , Schlund Manuel , Cox Peter M. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Eyring Veronika
Published: November 2022

Emergent constraints on carbon cycle feedbacks in response to warming and increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration have previously been identified in Earth system models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) Phase 5. Here, we examine whether two of these emergent constraints also hold for CMIP6. The spread of the sensitivity of tropical land carbon uptake to tropical warming in an idealized simulation with a 1% per year increase of atmospheric CO2 shows only a slight decrease in CMIP6 (−52 ± 35 GtC/K) compared to CMIP5 (−49 ± 40 GtC/K). For both model generations, the observed interannual variability in the growth rate of atmospheric CO2 yields a consistent emergent constraint on the sensitivity of tropical land carbon uptake with a constrained range of −37 ± 14 GtC/K for the combined ensemble (i.e., a reduction of ∼30% in the best estimate and 60% in the uncertainty range relative to the multimodel mean of the combined ensemble). A further emergent constraint is based on a relationship between CO2 fertilization and the historical increase in the CO2 seasonal cycle amplitude in high latitudes. However, this emergent constraint is not evident in CMIP6. This is in part because the historical increase in the amplitude of the CO2 seasonal cycle is more accurately simulated in CMIP6, such that the models are all now close to the observational constraint.
HSPB8 counteracts tumor activity of BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma cells by modulation of RAS-prenylation and autophagy
Authors: Cristofani Riccardo , Piccolella Margherita , Montagnani Marelli Marina , Tedesco Barbara , Poletti Angelo , Moretti Roberta Manuela
Published: November 2022

Cutaneous melanoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal forms of skin cancer. Some specific driver mutations have been described in multiple oncogenes including BRAF and NRAS that are mutated in 60–70% and 15–20% of melanoma, respectively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Small Heat Shock Protein B8 (HSPB8) on cell growth and migration of both BLM (BRAFwt/NRASQ61R) and A375 (BRAFV600E/NRASwt) human melanoma cell lines. HSPB8 is a member of the HSPB family of chaperones involved in protein quality control (PQC) system and contributes to chaperone assisted selective autophagy (CASA) as well as in the regulation of mitotic spindle. In cancer, HSPB8 has anti- or pro-tumoral action depending on tumor type. In melanoma cell lines characterized by low HSPB8 levels, we demonstrated that the restoration of HSPB8 expression causes cell growth arrest, reversion of EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition)-like phenotype switching and antimigratory effect, independently from the cell mutational status. We demonstrated that HSPB8 regulates the levels of the active prenylated form of NRAS in NRAS-mutant and NRAS-wild-type melanoma cell lines. Consequently, the inhibition of NRAS impairs the activation of Akt/mTOR pathway inducing autophagy activation. Autophagy can play a dual role in regulating cell death and survival. We have therefore demonstrated that HSPB8-induced autophagy is a crucial event that counteracts cell growth in melanoma. Collectively, our results suggest that HSPB8 has an antitumoral action in melanoma cells characterized by BRAF and NRAS mutations.
Loss of myeloid Tsc2 predisposes to angiotensin II-induced aortic aneurysm formation in mice
Authors: Liu Xue , Liu Yan , Yang Rui-xue , Ding Xiang-jiu , Liang Er-shun
Published: November 2022

Rationale

Genetic studies have proved the involvement of Tuberous sclerosis complex subunit 2 (Tsc2) in aortic aneurysm. However, the exact role of macrophage Tsc2 in the vascular system remains unclear. Here, we examined the potential function of macrophage Tsc2 in the development of aortic remodeling and aortic aneurysms.

Methods and results

Conditional gene knockout strategy combined with histology and whole-transcriptomic analysis showed that Tsc2 deficiency in macrophages aggravated the progression of aortic aneurysms along with an upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metallopeptidase-9 in the angiotensin II-induced mouse model. G protein-coupled receptor 68 (Gpr68), a proton-sensing receptor for detecting the extracellular acidic pH, was identified as the most up-regulated gene in Tsc2 deficient macrophages compared with control macrophages. Additionally, Tsc2 deficient macrophages displayed higher glycolysis and glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose treatment partially attenuated the level of Gpr68. We further demonstrated an Tsc2-Gpr68-CREB network in macrophages that regulates the inflammatory response, proteolytic degradation and vascular homeostasis. Gpr68 inhibition largely abrogated the progression of aortic aneurysms caused by Tsc2 deficiency in macrophages.

Conclusions

The findings reveal that Tsc2 deficiency in macrophages contributes to aortic aneurysm formation, at least in part, by upregulating Gpr68 expression, which subsequently drives proinflammatory processes and matrix metallopeptidase activation. The data also provide a novel therapeutic strategy to limit the progression of the aneurysm resulting from Tsc2 mutations.
RACK1 is evolutionary conserved in satellite stem cell activation and adult skeletal muscle regeneration
Authors: Catalani Elisabetta , Zecchini Silvia , Giovarelli Matteo , Cherubini Agnese , Del Quondam Simona , Brunetti Kashi , Silvestri Federica , Roux-Biejat Paulina , Napoli Alessandra , Casati Silvia Rosanna , Ceci Marcello , Romano Nicla , Bongiorni Silvia , Prantera Giorgio , Clementi Emilio , Perrotta Cristiana , De Palma Clara , Cervia Davide
Published: November 2022

Skeletal muscle growth and regeneration involves the activity of resident adult stem cells, namely satellite cells (SC). Despite numerous mechanisms have been described, different signals are emerging as relevant in SC homeostasis. Here we demonstrated that the Receptor for Activated C-Kinase 1 (RACK1) is important in SC function. RACK1 was expressed transiently in the skeletal muscle of post-natal mice, being abundant in the early phase of muscle growth and almost disappearing in adult mature fibers. The presence of RACK1 in interstitial SC was also detected. After acute injury in muscle of both mouse and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (used as alternative in vivo model) we found that RACK1 accumulated in regenerating fibers while it declined with the progression of repair process. To note, RACK1 also localized in the active SC that populate recovering tissue. The dynamics of RACK1 levels in isolated adult SC of mice, i.e., progressively high during differentiation and low compared to proliferating conditions, and RACK1 silencing indicated that RACK1 promotes both the formation of myotubes and the accretion of nascent myotubes. In Drosophila with depleted RACK1 in all muscle cells or, specifically, in SC lineage we observed a delayed recovery of skeletal muscle after physical damage as well as the low presence of active SC in the wound area. Our results also suggest the coupling of RACK1 to muscle unfolded protein response during SC activation. Collectively, we provided the first evidence that transient levels of the evolutionarily conserved factor RACK1 are critical for adult SC activation and proper skeletal muscle regeneration, favoring the efficient progression of SC from a committed to a fully differentiated state.
Unscheduled DNA replication in G1 causes genome instability and damage signatures indicative of replication collisions
Authors: Reusswig Karl-Uwe , Bittmann Julia , Peritore Martina , Courtes Mathilde , Pardo Benjamin , Wierer Michael , Mann Matthias , Pfander Boris
Published: November 2022

DNA replicates once per cell cycle. Interfering with the regulation of DNA replication initiation generates genome instability through over-replication and has been linked to early stages of cancer development. Here, we engineer genetic systems in budding yeast to induce unscheduled replication in a G1-like cell cycle state. Unscheduled G1 replication initiates at canonical S-phase origins. We quantifiy the composition of replisomes in G1- and S-phase and identified firing factors, polymerase α, and histone supply as factors that limit replication outside S-phase. G1 replication per se does not trigger cellular checkpoints. Subsequent replication during S-phase, however, results in over-replication and leads to chromosome breaks and chromosome-wide, strand-biased occurrence of RPA-bound single-stranded DNA, indicating head-to-tail replication collisions as a key mechanism generating genome instability upon G1 replication. Low-level, sporadic induction of G1 replication induces an identical response, indicating findings from synthetic systems are applicable to naturally occurring scenarios of unscheduled replication initiation.
Global crop yields can be lifted by timely adaptation of growing periods to climate change
Authors: Minoli Sara , Jägermeyr Jonas , Asseng Senthold , Urfels Anton , Müller Christoph
Published: November 2022

Adaptive management of crop growing periods by adjusting sowing dates and cultivars is one of the central aspects of crop production systems, tightly connected to local climate. However, it is so far underrepresented in crop-model based assessments of yields under climate change. In this study, we integrate models of farmers’ decision making with biophysical crop modeling at the global scale to simulate crop calendars adaptation and its effect on crop yields of maize, rice, sorghum, soybean and wheat. We simulate crop growing periods and yields (1986-2099) under counterfactual management scenarios assuming no adaptation, timely adaptation or delayed adaptation of sowing dates and cultivars. We then compare the counterfactual growing periods and corresponding yields at the end of the century (2080-2099). We find that (i) with adaptation, temperature-driven sowing dates (typical at latitudes >30°N-S) will have larger shifts than precipitation-driven sowing dates (at latitudes <30°N-S); (ii) later-maturing cultivars will be needed, particularly at higher latitudes; (iii) timely adaptation of growing periods would increase actual crop yields by ~12%, reducing climate change negative impacts and enhancing the positive CO2fertilization effect. Despite remaining uncertainties, crop growing periods adaptation require consideration in climate change impact assessments.
A redox switch regulates the assembly and anti-CRISPR activity of AcrIIC1
Authors: Zhao Yanan , Hu Jiaojiao , Yang Shan-Shan , Zhong Jing , Liu Jianping , Wang Shuo , Jiao Yuzhuo , Jiang Fang , Zhai Ruiyang , Ren Bingnan , Cong Hua , Zhu Yuwei , Han Fengtong , Zhang Jixian , Xu Yue , Huang Zhiwei , Zhang Shengnan , Yang Fan
Published: November 2022

Anti-CRISPRs (Acrs) are natural inhibitors of bacteria’s CRISPR-Cas systems, and have been developed as a safeguard to reduce the off-target effects of CRISPR gene-editing technology. Acrs can directly bind to CRISPR-Cas complexes and inhibit their activities. However, whether this process is under regulation in diverse eukaryotic cellular environments is poorly understood. In this work, we report the discovery of a redox switch for NmeAcrIIC1, which regulates NmeAcrIIC1’s monomer-dimer interconversion and inhibitory activity on Cas9. Further structural studies reveal that a pair of conserved cysteines mediates the formation of inactive NmeAcrIIC1 dimer and directs the redox cycle. The redox switch also applies to the other two AcrIIC1 orthologs. Moreover, by replacing the redox-sensitive cysteines, we generated a robust AcrIIC1 variant that maintains potent inhibitory activity under various redox conditions. Our results reveal a redox-dependent regulation mechanism of Acr, and shed light on the design of superior Acr for CRISPR-Cas systems.
A widespread group of large plasmids in methanotrophic Methanoperedens archaea
Authors: Schoelmerich Marie C. , Ouboter Heleen T. , Sachdeva Rohan , Penev Petar I. , Amano Yuki , West-Roberts Jacob , Welte Cornelia U. , Banfield Jillian F.
Published: November 2022

Anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea obtain energy from the breakdown of methane, yet their extrachromosomal genetic elements are little understood. Here we describe large plasmids associated with ANME archaea of the Methanoperedens genus in enrichment cultures and other natural anoxic environments. By manual curation we show that two of the plasmids are large (155,605 bp and 191,912 bp), circular, and may replicate bidirectionally. The plasmids occur in the same copy number as the main chromosome, and plasmid genes are actively transcribed. One of the plasmids encodes three tRNAs, ribosomal protein uL16 and elongation factor eEF2; these genes appear to be missing in the host Methanoperedens genome, suggesting an obligate interdependence between plasmid and host. Our work opens the way for the development of genetic vectors to shed light on the physiology and biochemistry of Methanoperedens, and potentially genetically edit them to enhance growth and accelerate methane oxidation rates.
Cancer cell survival depends on collagen uptake into tumor-associated stroma
Authors: Hsu Kuo-Sheng , Dunleavey James M. , Szot Christopher , Yang Liping , Hilton Mary Beth , Morris Karen , Seaman Steven , Feng Yang , Lutz Emily M. , Koogle Robert , Tomassoni-Ardori Francesco , Saha Saurabh , Zhang Xiaoyan M. , Zudaire Enrique , Bajgain Pradip , Rose Joshua , Zhu Zhongyu , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Cuttitta Frank , Emenaker Nancy J. , Tessarollo Lino , St. Croix Brad
Published: November 2022

Collagen I, the most abundant protein in humans, is ubiquitous in solid tumors where it provides a rich source of exploitable metabolic fuel for cancer cells. While tumor cells were unable to exploit collagen directly, here we show they can usurp metabolic byproducts of collagen-consuming tumor-associated stroma. Using genetically engineered mouse models, we discovered that solid tumor growth depends upon collagen binding and uptake mediated by the TEM8/ANTXR1 cell surface protein in tumor-associated stroma. Tumor-associated stromal cells processed collagen into glutamine, which was then released and internalized by cancer cells. Under chronic nutrient starvation, a condition driven by the high metabolic demand of tumors, cancer cells exploited glutamine to survive, an effect that could be reversed by blocking collagen uptake with TEM8 neutralizing antibodies. These studies reveal that cancer cells exploit collagen-consuming stromal cells for survival, exposing an important vulnerability across solid tumors with implications for developing improved anticancer therapy.
Impact of pulmonary African trypanosomes on the immunology and function of the lung
Authors: Mabille Dorien , Dirkx Laura , Thys Sofie , Vermeersch Marjorie , Montenye Daniel , Govaerts Matthias , Hendrickx Sarah , Takac Peter , Van Weyenbergh Johan , Pintelon Isabel , Delputte Peter , Maes Louis , Pérez-Morga David , Timmermans Jean-Pierre , Caljon Guy
Published: November 2022

Approximately 20% of sleeping sickness patients exhibit respiratory complications, however, with a largely unknown role of the parasite. Here we show that tsetse fly-transmitted Trypanosoma brucei parasites rapidly and permanently colonize the lungs and occupy the extravascular spaces surrounding the blood vessels of the alveoli and bronchi. They are present as nests of multiplying parasites exhibiting close interactions with collagen and active secretion of extracellular vesicles. The local immune response shows a substantial increase of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and γδ and activated αβ T cells and a later influx of neutrophils. Interestingly, parasite presence results in a significant reduction of B cells, eosinophils and natural killer cells. T. brucei infected mice show no infection-associated pulmonary dysfunction, mirroring the limited pulmonary clinical complications during sleeping sickness. However, the substantial reduction of the various immune cells may render individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections, as evident by a co-infection experiment with respiratory syncytial virus. Collectively, these observations provide insights into a largely overlooked target organ, and may trigger new diagnostic and supportive therapeutic approaches for sleeping sickness.
Cesium-mediated electron redistribution and electron-electron interaction in high-pressure metallic CsPbI3
Authors: Ke Feng , Yan Jiejuan , Niu Shanyuan , Wen Jiajia , Yin Ketao , Yang Hong , Wolf Nathan R. , Tzeng Yan-Kai , Karunadasa Hemamala I. , Lee Young S. , Mao Wendy L. , Lin Yu
Published: November 2022

Electron-phonon coupling was believed to govern the carrier transport in halide perovskites and related phases. Here we demonstrate that electron-electron interaction enhanced by Cs-involved electron redistribution plays a direct and prominent role in the low-temperature electrical transport of compressed CsPbI3 and renders Fermi liquid (FL)-like behavior. By compressing δ-CsPbI3 to 80 GPa, an insulator-semimetal-metal transition occurs, concomitant with the completion of a slow structural transition from the one-dimensional Pnma (δ) phase to a three-dimensional Pmn21 (ε) phase. Deviation from FL behavior is observed upon CsPbI3 entering the metallic ε phase, which progressively evolves into a FL-like state at 186 GPa. First-principles density functional theory calculations reveal that the enhanced electron-electron coupling results from the sudden increase of the 5d state occupation in Cs and I atoms. Our study presents a promising strategy of cationic manipulation for tuning the electronic structure and carrier scattering of halide perovskites at high pressure.
Fine-tuned local coordination environment of Pt single atoms on ceria controls catalytic reactivity
Authors: Tan Wei , Xie Shaohua , Le Duy , Diao Weijian , Wang Meiyu , Low Ke-Bin , Austin Dave , Hong Sampyo , Gao Fei , Dong Lin , Ma Lu , Ehrlich Steven N. , Rahman Talat S. , Liu Fudong
Published: November 2022

Constructing single atom catalysts with fine-tuned coordination environments can be a promising strategy to achieve satisfactory catalytic performance. Herein, via a simple calcination temperature-control strategy, CeO2 supported Pt single atom catalysts with precisely controlled coordination environments are successfully fabricated. The joint experimental and theoretical analysis reveals that the Pt single atoms on Pt1/CeO2 prepared at 550 °C (Pt/CeO2-550) are mainly located at the edge sites of CeO2 with a Pt–O coordination number of ca. 5, while those prepared at 800 °C (Pt/CeO2-800) are predominantly located at distorted Ce substitution sites on CeO2 terrace with a Pt–O coordination number of ca. 4. Pt/CeO2-550 and Pt/CeO2-800 with different Pt1-CeO2 coordination environments exhibit a reversal of activity trend in CO oxidation and NH3 oxidation due to their different privileges in reactants activation and H2O desorption, suggesting that the catalytic performance of Pt single atom catalysts in different target reactions can be maximized by optimizing their local coordination structures.
Decarboxylative oxidation-enabled consecutive C-C bond cleavage
Authors: Li Ruining , Dong Ya , Khan Shah Nawaz , Zaman Muhammad Kashif , Zhou Junliang , Miao Pannan , Hu Lifu , Sun Zhankui
Published: November 2022

The selective cleavage of C-C bonds is of fundamental interest because it provides an alternative approach to traditional chemical synthesis, which is focused primarily on building up molecular complexity. However, current C-C cleavage methods provide only limited opportunities. For example, selective C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond cleavage generally relies on the use of transition-metal to open strained ring systems or iminyl and alkoxy radicals to induce β-fragmentation. Here we show that by merging photoredox catalysis with copper catalysis, we are able to employ α-trisubstituted carboxylic acids as substrates and achieve consecutive C-C bond cleavage, resulting in the scission of the inert β-CH2 group. The key transformation relies on the decarboxylative oxidation process, which could selectively generate in-situ formed alkoxy radicals and trigger consecutive C-C bond cleavage. This complicated yet interesting reaction might help the development of other methods for inert C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond cleavage.
A predictable prospect of the South Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Zhang Tuantuan , Jiang Xingwen , Yang Song , Chen Junwen , Li Zhenning
Published: November 2022

Prediction of the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) has remained a challenge for both scientific research and operational climate prediction for decades. By identifying two dominant modes of the SASM, here we show that the unsatisfactory prediction may be due to the fact that the existing SASM indices are mostly related to the less predictable second mode. The first mode, in fact, is highly predictable. It is physically linked to the variation of the Indian monsoon trough coupled with large rainfall anomalies over core monsoon zone and the northern Bay of Bengal. An index is constructed as a physical proxy of this first mode, which can be well predicted one season in advance, with an overall skill of 0.698 for 1979–2020. This result suggests a predictable prospect of the SASM, and we recommend the new index for real-time monitoring and prediction of the SASM.
Theory of non-Hermitian topological whispering gallery
Authors: Pernas-Salomón René , Zheng Li-Yang , Zhang Zhiwang , Gao Penglin , Liu Xiaojun , Cheng Ying , Christensen Johan
Published: November 2022

Topological insulators have taken the condensed matter physics scenery by storm and captivated the interest among scientists and materials engineers alike. Surprisingly, this arena which was initially established and profoundly studied in electronic systems and crystals, has sparked a drive among classical physicists to pursue a wave-based analogy for sound, light and vibrations. In the latest efforts combining valley-contrasting topological sound with non-Hermitian ingredients, B. Hu et al. [Nature 597, 655 (2021)] employed thermoacoustic coupling in sonic lattices whose elementary building blocks are coated with electrically biased carbon nanotube films. In this contribution, we take a theoretical and numerical route towards understanding the complex acoustic interplay between geometry and added acoustic gain as inspired by the aforesaid publication. Besides complex bulk and edge states predictions and computations of mode-split resonances using whispering gallery configurations, we also predict an acoustic amplitude saturation in dependence on the activated coated elements. We foresee that our computational advances may assist future efforts in exploring thermoacoustic topological properties.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in Scotland’s wastewater
Authors: Scorza Livia C. T. , Cameron Graeme J. , Murray-Williams Roisin , Findlay David , Bolland Julie , Cerghizan Brindusa , Campbell Kirsty , Thomson David , Corbishley Alexander , Gally David , Fitzgerald Stephen , Low Alison , McAteer Sean , Roberts Adrian M. I. , Fang Zhou , Mayer Claus-Dieter , Frantsuzova Anastasia , Baby Sumy V. , Zieliński Tomasz , Millar Andrew J.
Published: November 2022

Nationwide, wastewater-based monitoring was newly established in Scotland to track the levels of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA shed into the sewage network, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present a curated, reference dataset produced by this national programme, from May 2020 to February 2022. Viral levels were analysed by RT-qPCR assays of the N1 gene, on RNA extracted from wastewater sampled at 162 locations. Locations were sampled up to four times per week, typically once or twice per week, and in response to local needs. We report sampling site locations with geographical coordinates, the total population in the catchment for each site, and the information necessary for data normalisation, such as the incoming wastewater flow values and ammonia concentration, when these were available. The methodology for viral quantification and data analysis is briefly described, with links to detailed protocols online. These wastewater data are contributing to estimates of disease prevalence and the viral reproduction number (R) in Scotland and in the UK.
Variability of microcirculatory measurements in healthy volunteers
Authors: Bol M. E. , Broddin B. E. K. , Delhaas T. , Sels J. E. M. , van de Poll M. C. G.
Published: November 2022

Reliable assessment of the microcirculation is important to investigate microcirculatory properties in various disease states. The GlycoCheck system automatically analyzes sublingual sidestream dark field images to determine the perfused boundary region (PBR; a measure of glycocalyx thickness), red blood cell filling percentage, and microvascular vessel density. Although GlycoCheck has been used to study the microcirculation in patients, little is known about the reproducibility of measurements in healthy volunteers. We assessed intra- and interobserver agreement by having two experienced observers perform three consecutive microcirculation measurements with the GlycoCheck system in 49 healthy volunteers. Intraobserver agreement of single measurements were poor (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) < 0.4) for PBR, red blood cell filling percentage and microvascular vessel density. ICCs increased to values > 0.6 (indicating good reproducibility) for all parameters when performing and averaging three consecutive measurements. No systematic differences were observed between observers for any parameter. Interobserver variability was fair for PBR (ICC = 0.53) and red blood cell filling percentage (ICC = 0.58) and poor for perfused vessel density (ICC = 0.20). In conclusion, GlycoCheck software can be used with acceptable reliability and reproducibility for microcirculation measurements on a population level when averaging three consecutive measurements. Repeated measurements are preferably performed by the same observer.
The effect of intravitreal brolucizumab on choroidal thickness in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Bae Ki Woong , Kim Dong Ik , Hwang Daniel Duck-Jin
Published: November 2022

In this study we evaluated the effect of intravitreal brolucizumab injections on choroidal thickness in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who previously showed an incomplete response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. A total of thirty-four eyes from 34 patients were included in this study. The patients received an average of 2.4 ± 1.1 brolucizumab injections with the mean follow-up period of 4.9 ± 2.0 months. After their first brolucizumab treatment, the central foveal thickness (CFT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were significantly decreased from 431.6 ± 190.0 μm and 193.9 ± 75.1 μm to 274.6 ± 109.4 μm (P < 0.001) and 169.4 ± 71.1 μm (P < 0.001), respectively. However, there were no improvements in visual acuity. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the number of brolucizumab treatments: one, two, and three or more injections. In all three subgroups, the CFT and SFCT were significantly reduced compared to baseline at all time points of brolucizumab injections. In conclusion, choroidal thickness was significantly reduced after intravitreal brolucizumab injections as a switching treatment in patients with nAMD.
Hydrogen at symmetric tilt grain boundaries in aluminum: segregation energies and structural features
Authors: Lousada Cláudio M. , Korzhavyi Pavel A.
Published: November 2022

Aluminum is envisioned to be an important material in future hydrogen-based energy systems. Here we report an ab initio investigation on the interactions between H-atoms and common grain boundaries (GBs) of fcc Al: Σ9, Σ5, Σ11 and Σ3. We found that upon segregation to the GBs, single H-atoms can cause displacement of Al-atoms. Increasing their concentration revealed large cooperative effects between H-atoms that favor the segregation when other H-atoms are bound at neighboring sites. This makes these GBs able to accommodate high concentrations of H-atoms with considerable segregation energies per atom. Structural analyses derived from Laguerre–Voronoi tessellations show that these GBs have many interstitial sites with higher symmetry than the bulk tetrahedral interstitial site. Many of those sites have also large volumes and higher coordination numbers than the bulk sites. These factors are the increased driving force for H-atom segregation at the studied GBs in Al when compared to other metals. These GBs can accommodate a higher concentration of H-atoms which indicates a likely uniform distribution of H-atoms at GBs in the real material. This suggests that attempting to mitigate hydrogen uptake solely by controlling the occurrence of certain GBs may not be the most efficient strategy for Al.
Visual outcomes and subjective experience with three intraocular lenses based presbyopia correcting strategies in cataract patients
Authors: Zhu Meiyi , Fan Wei , Zhang Guangbin
Published: November 2022

To compare the visual outcomes and subjective experience of three intraocular lenses (IOL) implant strategies. Retrospective comparative study. This study comprised patients who underwent phacoemulsification and bilateral implantation of extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOL (ZXR00; EDOF group), blended implantation of EDOF and bifocal IOL (ZXR00/ZLB00; blended group), and bilateral implantation of trifocal IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP; trifocal group). The outcomes included visual acuity (VA), visual defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, visual quality, quality of life, spectacle independence, and patient satisfaction. Follow-up was performed 3 months after the surgery. This study included 114 eyes of 57 patients (20 in EDOF group; 16 in blended group; 21 in trifocal group). Patients in the three groups had high quality of life, patient satisfaction, and good contrast sensitivity. The EDOF group had the worst near VA, but the visual quality was the best. The blended group had good VA and slight photic disturbance. The trifocal group obtained the best whole range of VA, but the photic disturbance was significantly severe than the EDOF group. Both the blended and trifocal groups achieved high spectacle independence, but some patients in the EDOF group need spectacle when dealing with close-range tasks.
COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates and predictors among the Egyptian general population and Healthcare workers, the intersectionality of age and other factors
Authors: El-Ghitany Engy Mohamed , Ashour Ayat , Omran Eman A. , Farghaly Azza Galal , Hassaan Mahmoud A. , Azzam Nashwa Fawzy Abd El-Moez
Published: November 2022

The promise of COVID-19 vaccines in ending the pandemic can only be achieved by overcoming the challenge of vaccine refusal. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the trusted advisors of vaccination decisions. Recommendations for vaccinating children against COVID-19 are recently gaining more public health attention due to the role of children in disease transmission and associated morbidities. Vaccination is one of the first medical decisions parents or guardians make on behalf of their children. To investigate the determinants associated with vaccine acceptability among the general population through a direct interview questionnaire and assess guardians’ views towards childhood COVID-19 vaccinations. This cross-sectional study included 2919 participants A pre-designed structured questionnaire about COVID-19 vaccination acceptability was completed by trained interviewers and interviewing the participants or their guardians (for those below 18 years old). Nearly two-thirds of participants (66.5%) accepted vaccination, 20.2% were refusing and 13.3% were hesitant. Most participants who were guardians of children below 12 years and from 13 to 17 years reported that they would accept vaccination of their children (72.5% and 70.5%, respectively). The acceptance rate among HCWs was 58.2%. The main reasons beyond vaccine refusal were mistrust of vaccine efficacy (39.5%) and having concerns regarding vaccine safety (38.8%). In a multivariable regression model, being male (OR 1.362, 95% CI 1.082–1.714, p = 0.008) resident in rural area (OR 1.796, 95% CI 1.435–2.247, p = 0.000), and lower education (OR 1.245, 95% CI 1.018–1.523, p = 0.033) were associated with an increased acceptance to be vaccinated. The acceptance rate for vaccinating children reported among their guardians was higher than adults for themselves. Extremes of age showed higher vaccine acceptance compared to young adults. Upper Egypt governorates (Faiyum and Giza) were outpacing Lower Egypt governorates in vaccination acceptance rates.
Comparative environmental RNA and DNA metabarcoding analysis of river algae and arthropods for ecological surveys and water quality assessment
Authors: Miyata Kaede , Inoue Yasuaki , Amano Yuto , Nishioka Tohru , Nagaike Tomohisa , Kawaguchi Takamitsu , Morita Osamu , Yamane Masayuki , Honda Hiroshi
Published: November 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is widely used for species analysis, while the use of environmental RNA (eRNA) metabarcoding is more limited. We conducted comparative eDNA/eRNA metabarcoding of the algae and arthropods (aquatic insects) in water samples from Naka River, Japan, to evaluate their potential for biological monitoring and water quality assessment. Both methods detected various algae and arthropod species; however, their compositions were remarkably different from those in traditional field surveys (TFSs), indicating low sensitivity. For algae, the species composition derived from eDNA and eRNA metabarcoding was equivalent. While TFSs focus on attached algae, metabarcoding analysis theoretically detects both planktonic and attached algae. A recently expanded genomic database for aquatic insects significantly contributed to the sensitivity and positive predictivity for arthropods. While the sensitivity of eRNA was lower than that of eDNA, the positive predictivity of eRNA was higher. The eRNA of terrestrial arthropods indicated extremely high or low read numbers when compared with eDNA, suggesting that eRNA could be an effective indicator of false positives. Arthropod and algae eDNA/eRNA metabarcoding analysis enabled water quality estimates from TFSs. The eRNA of algae and arthropods could thus be used to evaluate biodiversity and water quality and provide insights from ecological surveys.
Tissue factor links inflammation, thrombosis, and senescence in COVID-19
Authors: Nguyen Dayna , Jeon Hye-Min , Lee Jeongwu
Published: November 2022

COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infected lung epithelial cells secrete a group of chemokines and cytokines, which triggers harmful cytokine storms and hyper-thrombotic responses. Recent studies have proposed that viral-induced senescence is responsible for cytokine release and inflammation in COVID-19 patients. However, it is unknown whether cellular senescence is commonly triggered after viral infection and how inflammation and thrombosis, hyper-activated in these patients, are functionally connected. To address these questions, we conducted a bioinformatics-based meta-analysis using single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing datasets obtained from human patient studies, animal models, and cell lines infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses. We found that the senescence phenotype is robustly upregulated in most SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, especially in the infected lung epithelial cells. Notably, the upregulation of Tissue factor (F3), a key initiator of the extrinsic blood coagulation pathway, occurs concurrently with the upregulation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. Furthermore, F3 levels are positively correlated with the senescence and hyper-coagulation gene signatures in COVID-19 patients. Together, these data demonstrate the prevalence of senescence in respiratory viral infection and suggest F3 as a critical link between inflammation, thrombosis, and senescence in these disease states.