bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drained Shear Strength Parameters Of Saprock From A Weathering Profile Over Porphyritic Biotite Granite At Km 31 Of The Kuala Lumpur - Karak Highway, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Kuna Raj John
Published: December 2022

Three broad zones can be differentiated at the weathering profile; an upper, 9.4 m thick, pedological soil (zone I), an intermediate, 31.7 m thick, saprock (zone II) and the bottom bedrock (zone III). The saprock (zone II) comprises gravelly silty sands that distinctly preserve the minerals, textures and structures of the original bedrock and can be separated into sub-zones II A, II B, II C and II D based on differences in preservation of relict structures and content of litho-relicts (core-boulders). To characterize the drained strength of saprock, samples were collected from sub-zones II B, II C and II D, and their physical and soil index properties determined before consolidated, drained triaxial tests were carried out on remolded specimens. Three individual specimens from each sub-zone were consolidated for 24 hours and compressed at a rate of 0.152 mm/min under confining pressures of 138 kPa, 207 kPa and 276 kPa. The tests yielded effective cohesions (c’) of 30.6 kPa, 9.5 kPa, and 20.2 kPa, and friction angles of 33.2o, 31.4o and 34.4o, for the samples from sub-zones II B, II C and II D, respectively. Regression analyses show effective cohesions (c’) to increase with increasing moisture contents retained at 4.19 pF (1,500 kPa) suction; a feature indicating the influence of negative pore water pressures (matric suction). Regression analyses also show effective friction angles to increase with increasing sand, and sand and gravel, contents; a feature indicating increased inter-locking and resistance to displacement of coarse particles during shear. It is concluded that the saprock is characterized by an average effective cohesion of 14.5 kPa, and friction angle of 34.3o; these parameters influenced by the moisture content retained at 1,500 kPa suction, and the sand and gravel contents.
Mixed mismatch model predicted interfacial thermal conductance of metal/semiconductor interface
Authors: Zong Zhi-Cheng , Pan Dong-Kai , Deng Shi-Chen , Wan Xiao , Yang Li-Na , Ma Deng-Ke , Yang Nuo ,   School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China,   School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China,   School of Physics and Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210000, China
Published: December 2022

The acoustic mismatch model and diffuse mismatch model are widely used to calculate interfacial thermal conductance. These two models are respectively based on the assumption of extremely smooth and rough interfaces. Owing to the great difference between the actual interface structure and the two hypotheses, the predictions of these two models deviate greatly from the actual interfacial thermal conductance. The recently proposed mixed mismatch model considers the effect of interface structure on the ratio of phonon specular transmission to diffuse scattering transmission, and the prediction accuracy is improved. However, this model requires molecular dynamics simulation to obtain phonon information at the interface. In this work, the mixed mismatch model is simplified by introducing the measured roughness value, and the influence of interface structure on the contact area is taken into account to achieve a simple, fast and accurate prediction of interface thermal conductance. Based on this model, the interfacial thermal conductances of metals (aluminum, copper, gold) and semiconductors (silicon, silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, gallium nitride) are calculated and predicted. The results of Al/Si interface are in good agreement with the experimental results. This model is helpful not only in understanding the mechanism of interface heat conduction, but also in comparing with the measurement results.
Adaptation of Drosophila larva foraging in response to changes in food resources
Authors: Wosniack Marina E , Festa Dylan , Hu Nan , Gjorgjieva Julijana , Berni Jimena
Published: December 2022

All animals face the challenge of finding nutritious resources in a changing environment. To maximize lifetime fitness, the exploratory behavior has to be flexible, but which behavioral elements adapt and what triggers those changes remain elusive. Using experiments and modeling, we characterized extensively how Drosophila larvae foraging adapts to different food quality and distribution and how the foraging genetic background influences this adaptation. Our work shows that different food properties modulated specific motor programs. Food quality controls the traveled distance by modulating crawling speed and frequency of pauses and turns. Food distribution, and in particular the food–no food interface, controls turning behavior, stimulating turns toward the food when reaching the patch border and increasing the proportion of time spent within patches of food. Finally, the polymorphism in the foraging gene (rover–sitter) of the larvae adjusts the magnitude of the behavioral response to different food conditions. This study defines several levels of control of foraging and provides the basis for the systematic identification of the neuronal circuits and mechanisms controlling each behavioral response.
Longitudinal analysis of invariant natural killer T cell activation reveals a cMAF-associated transcriptional state of NKT10 cells
Authors: Kane Harry , LaMarche Nelson M , Ní Scannail Áine , Garza Amanda E , Koay Hui-Fern , Azad Adiba I , Kunkemoeller Britta , Stevens Brenneth , Brenner Michael B , Lynch Lydia
Published: December 2022

Innate T cells, including CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, are characterized by their rapid activation in response to non-peptide antigens, such as lipids. While the transcriptional profiles of naive, effector, and memory adaptive T cells have been well studied, less is known about the transcriptional regulation of different iNKT cell activation states. Here, using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we performed longitudinal profiling of activated murine iNKT cells, generating a transcriptomic atlas of iNKT cell activation states. We found that transcriptional signatures of activation are highly conserved among heterogeneous iNKT cell populations, including NKT1, NKT2, and NKT17 subsets, and human iNKT cells. Strikingly, we found that regulatory iNKT cells, such as adipose iNKT cells, undergo blunted activation and display constitutive enrichment of memory-like cMAF+ and KLRG1+ populations. Moreover, we identify a conserved cMAF-associated transcriptional network among NKT10 cells, providing novel insights into the biology of regulatory and antigen-experienced iNKT cells.
Modular UBE2H-CTLH E2-E3 complexes regulate erythroid maturation
Authors: Sherpa Dawafuti , Mueller Judith , Karayel Özge , Xu Peng , Yao Yu , Chrustowicz Jakub , Gottemukkala Karthik V , Baumann Christine , Gross Annette , Czarnecki Oliver , Zhang Wei , Gu Jun , Nilvebrant Johan , Sidhu Sachdev S , Murray Peter J , Mann Matthias , Weiss Mitchell J , Schulman Brenda A , Alpi Arno F
Published: December 2022

The development of haematopoietic stem cells into mature erythrocytes – erythropoiesis – is a controlled process characterized by cellular reorganization and drastic reshaping of the proteome landscape. Failure of ordered erythropoiesis is associated with anaemias and haematological malignancies. Although the ubiquitin system is a known crucial post-translational regulator in erythropoiesis, how the erythrocyte is reshaped by the ubiquitin system is poorly understood. By measuring the proteomic landscape of in vitro human erythropoiesis models, we found dynamic differential expression of subunits of the CTLH E3 ubiquitin ligase complex that formed maturation stage-dependent assemblies of topologically homologous RANBP9- and RANBP10-CTLH complexes. Moreover, protein abundance of CTLH’s cognate E2 ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2H increased during terminal differentiation, and UBE2H expression depended on catalytically active CTLH E3 complexes. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated inactivation of CTLH E3 assemblies or UBE2H in erythroid progenitors revealed defects, including spontaneous and accelerated erythroid maturation as well as inefficient enucleation. Thus, we propose that dynamic maturation stage-specific changes of UBE2H-CTLH E2-E3 modules control the orderly progression of human erythropoiesis.
VPS9D1-AS1 overexpression amplifies intratumoral TGF-β signaling and promotes tumor cell escape from CD8+ T cell killing in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Lei , Dong Xichen , Liu Zheng , Tan Jinjing , Huang Xiaoxi , Wen Tao , Qu Hao , Wang Zhenjun
Published: December 2022

Efficacy of immunotherapy is limited in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) because high expression of tumor-derived transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathway molecules and interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) promotes tumor immune evasion. Here, we identified a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), VPS9D1-AS1, which was located in ribosomes and amplified TGF-β signaling and ISG expression. We show that high expression of VPS9D1-AS1 was negatively associated with T lymphocyte infiltration in two independent cohorts of CRC. VPS9D1-AS1 served as a scaffolding lncRNA by binding with ribosome protein S3 (RPS3) to increase the translation of TGF-β, TGFBR1, and SMAD1/5/9. VPS9D1-AS1 knockout downregulated OAS1, an ISG gene, which further reduced IFNAR1 levels in tumor cells. Conversely, tumor cells overexpressing VPS9D1-AS1 were resistant to CD8+ T cell killing and lowered IFNAR1 expression in CD8+ T cells. In a conditional overexpression mouse model, VPS9D1-AS1 enhanced tumorigenesis and suppressed the infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Treating tumor-bearing mice with antisense oligonucleotide drugs targeting VPS9D1-AS1 significantly suppressed tumor growth. Our findings indicate that the tumor-derived VPS9D1-AS1/TGF-β/ISG signaling cascade promotes tumor growth and enhances immune evasion and may thus serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Long term intrinsic cycling in human life course antibody responses to influenza A(H3N2): an observational and modeling study
Authors: Yang Bingyi , García-Carreras Bernardo , Lessler Justin , Read Jonathan M , Zhu Huachen , Metcalf C Jessica E , Hay James A , Kwok Kin O , Shen Ruiyun , Jiang Chao Q , Guan Yi , Riley Steven , Cummings Derek A
Published: December 2022

Background:

Over a life course, human adaptive immunity to antigenically mutable pathogens exhibits competitive and facilitative interactions. We hypothesize that such interactions may lead to cyclic dynamics in immune responses over a lifetime.

Methods:

To investigate the cyclic behavior, we analyzed hemagglutination inhibition titers against 21 historical influenza A(H3N2) strains spanning 47 years from a cohort in Guangzhou, China, and applied Fourier spectrum analysis. To investigate possible biological mechanisms, we simulated individual antibody profiles encompassing known feedbacks and interactions due to generally recognized immunological mechanisms.

Results:

We demonstrated a long-term periodicity (about 24 years) in individual antibody responses. The reported cycles were robust to analytic and sampling approaches. Simulations suggested that individual-level cross-reaction between antigenically similar strains likely explains the reported cycle. We showed that the reported cycles are predictable at both individual and birth cohort level and that cohorts show a diversity of phases of these cycles. Phase of cycle was associated with the risk of seroconversion to circulating strains, after accounting for age and pre-existing titers of the circulating strains.

Conclusions:

Our findings reveal the existence of long-term periodicities in individual antibody responses to A(H3N2). We hypothesize that these cycles are driven by preexisting antibody responses blunting responses to antigenically similar pathogens (by preventing infection and/or robust antibody responses upon infection), leading to reductions in antigen-specific responses over time until individual’s increasing risk leads to an infection with an antigenically distant enough virus to generate a robust immune response. These findings could help disentangle cohort effects from individual-level exposure histories, improve our understanding of observed heterogeneous antibody responses to immunizations, and inform targeted vaccine strategy.

Funding:

This study was supported by grants from the NIH R56AG048075 (DATC, JL), NIH R01AI114703 (DATC, BY), the Wellcome Trust 200861/Z/16/Z (SR), and 200187/Z/15/Z (SR). This work was also supported by research grants from Guangdong Government HZQB-KCZYZ-2021014 and 2019B121205009 (YG and HZ). DATC, JMR and SR acknowledge support from the National Institutes of Health Fogarty Institute (R01TW0008246). JMR acknowledges support from the Medical Research Council (MR/S004793/1) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/N014499/1). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Multi-omics analyses reveal that the gut microbiome and its metabolites promote milk fat synthesis in Zhongdian yak cows
Authors: Liu Lily , Wu Peifu , Chen Fenfen , Zhou Jielong , Guo Aiwei , Shi Kerong , Zhang Qin
Published: December 2022

Background

Yak cows produce higher quality milk with higher concentrations of milk fat than dairy cows. Recently, studies have found the yak milk yield and milk fat percentage have decreased significantly over the past decade, highlighting the urgency for yak milk improvement. Therefore, we aimed to analyze how the gut microbiome impacts milk fat synthesis in Zhongdian yak cows.

Methods

We collected milk samples from Zhongdian yak cows and analyzed the milk fat percentage, selecting five Zhongdian yak cows with a very high milk fat percentage (>7%, 8.70 ± 1.89%, H group) and five Zhongdian yak cows with a very low milk fat percentage (<5%, 4.12 ± 0.43%, L group), and then obtained gut samples of these ten Zhongdian yak cows through rectal palpation. Gut metagenomics, metabolomics, and conjoint metagenomics and metabolomics analyses were performed on these samples, identifying taxonomic changes, functional changes, and changes in gut microbes-metabolite interactions within the milk fat synthesis-associated Zhongdian yak cows gut microbiome, to identify potential regulatory mechanisms of milk fat at the gut microbiome level in Zhongdian yak cows.

Results

The metagenomics analysis revealed Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were significantly more abundant in the gut of the high-milk fat Zhongdian yak cows. These bacteria are involved in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids, leading to greater efficiency in converting energy to milk fat. The metabolomics analysis showed that the elevated gut metabolites in high milk fat percentage Zhongdian yak cows were mainly enriched in lipid and amino acid metabolism. Using a combined metagenomic and metabolomics analysis, positive correlations between Firmicutes (Desulfocucumis, Anaerotignum, Dolosiccus) and myristic acid, and Proteobacteria (Catenovulum, Comamonas, Rubrivivax, Marivita, Succinimouas) and choline were found in the gut of Zhongdian yak cows. These interactions may be the main contributors to methanogen inhibition, producing less methane leading to higher-efficient milk fat production.

Conclusions

A study of the gut microbe, gut metabolites, and milk fat percentage of Zhongdian yak cows revealed that the variations in milk fat percentage between yak cows may be caused by the gut microbes and their metabolites, especially Firmicutes-myristic acid and Proteobacteria-choline interactions, which are important to milk fat synthesis. Our study provides new insights into the functional roles of the gut microbiome in producing small molecule metabolites and contributing to milk performance traits in yak cows.
Contribution of a Bodaboda Transport Business to the Level of Income: A Case of Bodaboda Riders in Dodoma City-Tanzania
Authors: Hussein Ibrahim A. , Mpeta Innocent Fabiano , Mkoba Stanslaus Paul
Published: December 2022

The study assessed the contribution of the bodaboda business to income improvement among riders in Dodoma City Council found in the central part of Tanzania. The focus was to identify the level of income of bodaboda riders after employing themselves in this transport business. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, and structured questionnaire to interview 73 bodaboda business riders in the study area. Analysis of data was done using Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) software Version 20. A simple descriptive analysis was done to show the characteristics of respondents. Paired Sample T-test was conducted to test whether there was a substantial change in levels of income among riders before and after becoming bodaboda riders. The eta squared statistic indicated a large effect size in the level of income brought about by the bodaboda transport business in the study area, the activity also enabled riders to initiate new income-generating activities and strengthen the already existing ones. The study concludes that bodaboda transport business activity increased significantly the level of income for the riders and helped to reduce unemployment in the study area, especially among youth. The study recommends the City Council of Dodoma to create enabling environment to reduce the negative effects of the bodaboda transport to allow more youth to engage in business as a way to minimize the unemployment rate among them and improve individual as well as the national economy.
Isolation and Characterization of Yeasts from Jackfruit and Beet Root Juices
Authors: Ashiwini G. , Narayanaswamy B.
Published: December 2022

Aim: Yeasts are present as natural microflora on surface of fruits and vegetables that have eminent importance from deputing as biocontrol agents to reduce pathogens of fruits and vegetables to the health benefits of humans.

Materials and Methods: Yeasts were isolated using standard plate count technique. Colony morphology of yeasts isolates were characterized under microscope for their cell shapes and sizes. Biochemical characteristics of yeasts were characterized for presence of effervescence in catalase test and production of acid and gas in Yeast Extact Peptone Dextrose (YEPD) broth. Utilization of carbon sources were evaluated by inoculating yeast isolates in YEPD broth with specific carbon source and phenol indicator. Ethanol tolerance were evaluated inoculating yeast isolates in YEPDA broth having different concentrations of ethanol viz., 0%, 5.0%, 10.0%, 12.5% and 15.0%.

Results: Population of yeast in jackfruit juices varied from 20.5 x 103 to. 70.0 x 103cfu per millilitre. Population of yeast varied in beet root juices from 34.5 x 103 to 43.0 x 103 cfu per millilitre. Juice of Chandra variety of jackfruit recorded the highest yeast population (7.0 x 104) when compared to others. Juice of Detroit red dark variety of beetroot (4.3 x 104) recorded highest yeast population (4.3 x 104) when compared to others. Yeasts were also isolated from different fruits of which BRTY-I, JKFY-I, POMY-I, WATY-I, APLY-I, MUSKY-I and PINY-I were able to grow in jackfruit and beet root juices. The colonies of yeast varied from white to cream and few were pink. The cell shape varied from oval to ellipsoidal. All the yeast isolates were catalase positive. Most of the yeast isolates produced acid and gas. Yeast isolates were able to utilize glucose, galactose and sucrose. None of the yeast were able to utilize lactose. The highest ethanol tolerant yeasts were JCVY-I, JSVY-III, BDVY-I, PGY, Saccharomyces boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus NCIM 3207.
Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Canine Superficial Pyoderma
Authors: Khinchi R. K. , Gaurav Abhishek , Manju . , Sharma S. K. , Solanki Sudeep
Published: December 2022

Out of 205 dogs affected with skin infection, 32 dogs were found positive for superficial pyoderma infections which were subjected for bacterial culture and isolation. A total of 43 bacterial isolates were recovered from the skin of 32 dogs affected with superficial pyoderma. Among the 43 bacterial isolates, S. intermedius, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were identified with the prevalence of 75, 18.75, 6.25, 18.75, 9.38 and 6.25%, respectively. All the isolates were sensitive to cephalexin (100%) followed by amoxicillin clavulanic acid (95.34%), enrofloxacin (86.04%), ceftriaxone (41.86%), gentamicin (30.2%) and tetracycline (9.30%).
MELCs-Based Strategic Intervention Materials (SIMS) for Araling Panlipunan 5
Authors: Ancheta Ricky Mark L. , Rabago Jasper Kim M. , Paguyo Carolyn G.
Published: December 2022

The study developed and validated Strategic Intervention Materials (SIMs) in teaching Araling Panlipunan 5 particularly on Philippine History concepts. The SIMs contain lessons based on the most essential learning competencies (MELCs). The following are provided for in every lesson: objectives and instructional characteristics mainly guide card, activities card, assessment card, enrichment card, and reference card. The Research and Development (R & D) method, also known as research-based development methodology, was employed. The following steps were followed: 1) preliminary preparation; 2) detailed writing specifications; 3) writing the SIMs; 4) preparation for the initial draft of the SIMs; 5) content validation of the SIMs to panel of experts; 6) revision of the SIMs based from the evaluators’ comments and suggestions; and 7) final production of the SIMs. Data were gathered using two instruments namely: a) Survey Checklist on the Needs-based Assessment for the Development of Strategic Intervention Materials (SIMs) in Araling Panlipunan 5; and b) Content Validation scale to determine the validity of the Strategic Intervention Materials in teaching Araling Panlipunan 5, Philippine History concepts. The content validity of the SIMs was determined using the weighted mean. The results revealed that the SIMs in teaching Araling Panlipunan 5, Philippine History concepts, met the requirements for developing instructional materials as manifested by the overall mean of 3.993 with descriptive interpretation as highly valid. The Strategic Intervention Materials in Araling Panlipunan 5, Philippine History concepts is recommended for use and to further validate and determine its effectiveness, and so that it can be further revised and refined. Similar research is recommended to continue the development of Strategic Intervention Materials in other grade levels in the Araling Panlipunan Curriculum.
The effect of a multicomponent intervention on occupational fall-related factors in older workers: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Osuka Yosuke , Nofuji Yu , Seino Satoshi , Maruo Kazushi , Oka Hiroyuki , Shinkai Shoji , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Sasai Hiroyuki
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Multicomponent interventions reduce falls among community-dwelling older adults. However, whether this strategy helps reduce occupational falls among older workers is unclear. This pilot trial tested the safety, adherence, and potential effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention for older workers.

Methods

An assessor-blind, parallel-designed randomized controlled trial was conducted in five public employment agencies for seniors in Saitama, Japan. In total, 69 older adults who worked ≥4 days/month were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 35) or control (n = 34) groups. The intervention group was provided a multicomponent intervention consisting of exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial programs once a week for 8 weeks. Safety was evaluated for all adverse events reported by participants. Adherence was assessed by rates for withdrawal/dropout, exercise practice, and nutritional diary completion. The primary outcome was a change in functional strength related to occupational falls. Secondary outcomes included changes in agility, balance, executive function, visuospatial ability, exercise self-efficiency, dietary variety, social network, and functional capacity.

Results

No adverse events were reported by participants. The median withdrawal/dropout, exercise practice, and nutritional diary completion rates were 0%, 80.4%–93.7%, and 100%, respectively. In the adjusted general linear model, the intervention group showed a non-significant but clinically important improvement in functional strength (P value: .081, Cohen's d: 0.57) and significant improvements in agility, balance, and dietary variety compared to the control group.

Conclusions

A multicomponent intervention for older workers would be a safe, acceptable, and effective strategy for improving risk factors for occupational falls.
Respiratory motion prediction based on deep artificial neural networks in CyberKnife system: A comparative study
Authors: Samadi Miandoab Payam , Saramad Shahyar , Setayeshi Saeed
Published: December 2022

Background

In external beam radiotherapy, a prediction model is required to compensate for the temporal system latency that affects the accuracy of radiation dose delivery. This study focused on a thorough comparison of seven deep artificial neural networks to propose an accurate and reliable prediction model.

Methods

Seven deep predictor models are trained and tested with 800 breathing signals. In this regard, a nonsequential‐correlated hyperparameter optimization algorithm is developed to find the best configuration of parameters for all models. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error, normalized RMSE, and statistical F‐test are also used to evaluate network performance.

Results

Overall, tuning the hyperparameters results in a 25%–30% improvement for all models compared to previous studies. The comparison between all models also shows that the gated recurrent unit (GRU) with RMSE = 0.108 ± 0.068 mm predicts respiratory signals with higher accuracy and better performance.

Conclusion

Overall, tuning the hyperparameters in the GRU model demonstrates a better result than the hybrid predictor model used in the CyberKnife VSI system to compensate for the 115 ms system latency. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the tuned parameters have a significant impact on the prediction accuracy of each model.
3D Bioelectronics with a Remodellable Matrix for Long‐Term Tissue Integration and Recording
Authors: Boys Alexander J. , Carnicer‐Lombarte Alejandro , Güemes‐Gonzalez Amparo , van Niekerk Douglas C. , Hilton Sam , Barone Damiano G. , Proctor Christopher M. , Owens Róisín M. , Malliaras George G.
Published: December 2022

Bioelectronics hold the key for understanding and treating disease. However, achieving stable, long‐term interfaces between electronics and the body remains a challenge. Implantation of a bioelectronic device typically initiates a foreign body response, which can limit long‐term recording and stimulation efficacy. Techniques from regenerative medicine have shown a high propensity for promoting integration of implants with surrounding tissue, but these implants lack the capabilities for the sophisticated recording and actuation afforded by electronics. Combining these two fields can achieve the best of both worlds. Here, the construction of a hybrid implant system for creating long‐term interfaces with tissue is shown. Implants are created by combining a microelectrode array with a bioresorbable and remodellable gel. These implants are shown to produce a minimal foreign body response when placed into musculature, allowing one to record long‐term electromyographic signals with high spatial resolution. This device platform drives the possibility for a new generation of implantable electronics for long‐term interfacing.
Quenching‐Induced Defects Liberate the Latent Reversible Capacity of Lithium Titanate Anode
Authors: Su Zhong , Li Shunning , Ma Lu , Liu Tongchao , Li Meng , Wu Tianpin , Zhang Qinghua , Dong Cheng , Lai Chao , Gu Lin , Lu Jun , Pan Feng , Zhang Shanqing
Published: December 2022

Interest in defect engineering for lithium‐ion battery (LIB) materials is sparked by its ability to tailor electrical conductivity and introduce extra active sites for electrochemical reactions. However, harvesting excessive intrinsic defects in the bulk of the electrodes rather than near their surface remains a long‐standing challenge. Here, a versatile strategy of quenching is demonstrated, which is exercised in lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO), a renowned anode for LIBs, to achieve off‐stoichiometry in the interior region. In situ synchrotron analysis and atomic‐resolution microscopy reveal the enriched oxygen vacancies and cation redistribution after ice‐water quenching, which can facilitate the native unextractable Li ions to participate in reversible cycling. The fabricated LTO anode delivers a sustained capacity of 202 mAh g−1 in the 1.0–2.5 V range with excellent rate capability and overcomes the poor cycling stability seen in conventional defective electrodes. The feasibility of tuning the degree of structural defectiveness via quenching agents is also proven, which can open up an intriguing avenue of research to harness the intrinsic defects for improving the energy density of rechargeable batteries.
Melt Electrowriting of Liquid Crystal Elastomer Scaffolds with Programmed Mechanical Response
Authors: Javadzadeh Mehrzad , del Barrio Jesús , Sánchez‐Somolinos Carlos
Published: December 2022

Recently, significant advances have been achieved to precisely program the response of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) through extrusion‐based additive manufacturing techniques; however, important challenges remain, especially when well‐defined scaffolds based on ultrafine fibers are required. Here the melt electrowriting of reactive liquid crystalline inks, leading, after ultraviolet‐light‐induced crosslinking, to digitally positioned uniform LCE fibers with diameters ranging from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers is presented, which is hardly accessible with conventional extrusion‐based printing techniques. The electrowriting process induces the preferential alignment of the mesogens parallel to the fiber's axis. Such an alignment, defined by the printing path, determines the mechanical response of the crosslinked material upon stimulation. This manufacturing platform allows the preparation of open square lattice scaffolds with ultrafine fibers (a few micrometers in diameter), periods as small as 90 µm, and well‐defined morphology. Additionally, the combination of accurate fiber stacking (up to 50 layers) and fiber fusion between layers leads to unprecedented microstructures composed of high‐aspect‐ratio LCE thin walls. The possibility of digitally controlling the printing of fibers allows the preparation complex fiber‐based scaffolds with programmed and reversible shape‐morphing, thus opening new avenues to prepare miniaturized actuators and smart structures for soft robotics and biomedical applications.
Room‐Temperature Magnetoelectric Coupling in Atomically Thin ε‐Fe2O3
Authors: Wang Yuzhu , Wang Peng , Wang Hao , Xu Bingqian , Li Hui , Cheng Mo , Feng Wang , Du Ruofan , Song Luying , Wen Xia , Li Xiaohui , Yang Junbo , Cai Yao , He Jun , Wang Zhenxing , Shi Jianping
Published: December 2022

2D multiferroics with magnetoelectric coupling combine the magnetic order and electric polarization in a single phase, providing a cornerstone for constructing high‐density information storages and low‐energy‐consumption spintronic devices. The strong interactions between various order parameters are crucial for realizing such multifunctional applications, nevertheless, this criterion is rarely met in classical 2D materials at room‐temperature. Here an ingenious space‐confined chemical vapor deposition strategy is designed to synthesize atomically thin non‐layered ε‐Fe2O3 single crystals and disclose the room‐temperature long‐range ferrimagnetic order. Interestingly, the strong ferroelectricity and its switching behavior are unambiguously discovered in atomically thin ε‐Fe2O3, accompanied with an anomalous thickness‐dependent coercive voltage. More significantly, the robust room‐temperature magnetoelectric coupling is uncovered by controlling the magnetism with electric field and verifies the multiferroic feature of atomically thin ε‐Fe2O3. This work not only represents a substantial leap in terms of the controllable synthesis of 2D multiferroics with robust magnetoelectric coupling, but also provides a crucial step toward the practical applications in low‐energy‐consumption electric‐writing/magnetic‐reading devices.
Harnessing Particle Size‐Control and DNA‐Oligo Functionalization in ZIF‐76 for Biological Applications
Authors: Deneff Jacob I. , Butler Kimberly S. , Reyes Raphael A. , Sava Gallis Dorina F.
Published: December 2022

Advanced therapeutics require novel nanocarriers to ensure their functionality is preserved during transit. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have emerged as promising materials in this field owing to their combined biocompatibility, high porosity, and tunable chemistry. While a diverse family of ZIFs has been reported, few have been explored beyond the prototypical ZIF‐8. Herein, the size‐controlled synthesis of three distinct ZIF‐76 analogs is demonstrated, overcoming the unique synthetic challenges intrinsic to the lta topology and complex crystallization kinetics associated with the mixed linker approach. This assesses the materials’ platform effectiveness for intracellular delivery first by exploring the structural and colloidal stability in biologically relevant media. To circumvent particle aggregation, fluorescently labeled DNA oligonucleotides are post‐synthetically attached to the ZIF surface. This modification significantly improves the colloidal stability in media and facilitates particle internalization tracking. Finally, the particle‐cell interactions are assessed, revealing rapid cell membrane association with macrophages, but not lung epithelial cells, and ZIF accumulation within macrophages which increased over time. Importantly, this study outlines a generalized approach toward expanding the available library of ZIFs for biological applications, enabling the potential for targeted therapeutic delivery for intracellular infections treatment.
Magnetic Field‐Induced Synthesis of One‐Dimensional Nickel Nanowires for Enhanced Microwave Absorption
Authors: Qian Yong , Meng Xiangfu , Liu Hongji , Wang Xingyu , Lin Yefeng , Shi Xinyi , Sheng Zhigao , Wang Hui
Published: December 2022

One‐dimensional magnetic nanowires have become one of the ideal candidates for microwave absorption (MA) due to their excellent mechanical properties, large aspect ratio, and excellent electron transport properties. Here, we introduce the synthesis of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)‐directed nickel nanowires (PNNWs) by an externally magnetically induced solvothermal method, and the morphology and properties of PNNWs exhibit a magnetic field‐strength‐dependent relationship. The 9T‐PNNW synthesized at 9 T magnetic field has the characteristics of high aspect ratio, large specific surface area, and good magnetic properties, which endow it with excellent MA performance. The minimum reflection loss (RL) reaches −29.82 dB at 4.08 GHz with the thickness of 4.5 mm and the effective absorption bandwidth (fe) can over 3.6 GHz from 14.4 GHz to 18.0 GHz with a thickness of 1.5 mm. Multiple electromagnetic loss mechanisms are induced to attenuate the electromagnetic wave (EW), in which the dielectric loss dominates, and the magnetic loss, current loss, and resonance effect only play an auxiliary role. This work opens up a new avenue for rational design and preparation of nickel nanowires, and more importantly, the regulation of the magnetic field on the performance of absorbers has reference significance.
Recent Progress in the Therapeutic Modulation of Lactate for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Zhao Youbo , Li Menghuan , Luo Zhong , Su Min , Yu Chao
Published: December 2022

Lactate is the end‐product of glycolysis activity, which is universally upregulated in most solid tumor indications. Increasing evidence shows that lactate is also involved in various tumor‐related events, presenting indispensable roles for supporting tumor growth, progression, and invasion. Typically, lactate in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can not only be exploited as an energy source for sustaining cancer cell survival but also function as a messenger modulator for signal transduction via receptor or non‐receptor pathways for cell communications therein. In addition, the presence of lactate substantially suppresses anti‐tumor immunity and mediates the epigenetic upregulation of key oncogenes via lysine lactylation of histone. In this review, a concise yet comprehensive summary on recent studies regarding the myriad roles and functions of lactate on tumor cells and TME is provided, based on which there is further discussion of the emerging antitumor strategies targeting the lactate metabolism including its biosynthesis and transporting. This review may facilitate the development of more effective antitumor therapies.
Shocks, cycles and adjustments: The case of China's Hog Market under external shocks
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Wang Xiaoyang , Yu Xiaohua
Published: December 2022

China's hog market has faced the challenge of several external shocks, which arise from the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, African Swine Fever (ASF) and related global trade uncertainties. This article develops a shocks, cycles and adjustments (SCA) model to evaluate the dynamic impact of different shock scenarios. The SCA model contributes to the existing toolbox for impact evaluation in commodity markets and provides insights into the timing of impact dynamics at refined time intervals. The SCA model is applied to evaluate five sets of shock scenarios, which include a demand shock, a corn price increase, pork import restrictions, a second wave of ASF, and a combination of these shocks. Simulation results demonstrate the reaction of the hog cycle to different shocks with quantitive outcomes. Based on the simulation results, we find that production and economic adjustment lags generate constant and predictable hog cycles, while the external shocks lead hog cycles to be irregular with varying phase and amplitude. [EconLit Citations: Q10, Q11].
Data‐driven coordination of subproblems in enterprise‐wide optimization under organizational considerations
Authors: van de Berg Damien , Petsagkourakis Panagiotis , Shah Nilay , del Rio‐Chanona Ehecatl Antonio
Published: December 2022

While decomposition techniques in mathematical programming are usually designed for numerical efficiency, coordination problems within enterprise‐wide optimization are often limited by organizational rather than numerical considerations. We propose a “data‐driven” coordination framework which manages to recover the same optimum as the equivalent centralized formulation while allowing coordinating agents to retain autonomy, privacy, and flexibility over their own objectives, constraints, and variables. This approach updates the coordinated, or shared, variables based on derivative‐free optimization (DFO) using only coordinated variables to agent‐level optimal subproblem evaluation “data.” We compare the performance of our framework using different DFO solvers (CUATRO, Py‐BOBYQA, DIRECT‐L, GPyOpt) against conventional distributed optimization (ADMM) on three case studies: collaborative learning, facility location, and multiobjective blending. We show that in low‐dimensional and nonconvex subproblems, the exploration‐exploitation trade‐offs of DFO solvers can be leveraged to converge faster and to a better solution than in distributed optimization.
5q35 duplication syndrome: Narrowing the critical region on the distal side and further evidence of intrafamilial variability and expression
Authors: van der Lugt Neeltje Margreth , Weerts Marjolein J. A. , Veenma Danielle C. M. , Lincke Carsten R. , Gischler Saskia J. , Alders Marielle , van Ierland Yvette
Published: December 2022

The key features of patients with a microduplication 5q35.2q35.3 (including the NSD1 gene) are short stature, microcephaly, mild developmental delay, behavioral problems, digital anomalies and congenital anomalies of internal organs. This core phenotype can be viewed as the reversed phenotype of Sotos syndrome, which is caused by a microdeletion in the same chromosomal region or a pathogenic variant in the NSD1 gene, and includes tall stature and macrocephaly, developmental delay, and epilepsy. Here, we report on a patient and his mother, both with a 5q35.2q35.3 duplication, adding a fifth family to the recently published overview of 39 patients of Quintero‐Rivera et al. Our patient had several congenital anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction with a persisting short stature, while his mother was only mildly affected with decreased growth parameters. In addition, he had hemophagogocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) triggered by Haemophilus influenzae and was recently diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. Our cases carry the smallest duplication published (ca 332 kb, arr[hg19] 5q35.2q35.3(176493106‐176824785)x3) further narrowing the distal side of the critical region of the 5q35.2q35.3 duplication. Besides broadening the clinical phenotypic spectrum, our report indicates that the 5q35.2q35.3 microduplication also shows a large intra‐familial variability and expression.
Ecological divergence and calcaneal‐cuboid morphology in gorillas
Authors: Prang Thomas C. , Tocheri Matthew W.
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Gorillas are diverse behaviorally and ecologically with higher frequencies of arboreality and frugivory observed in populations living at lower altitudes compared to those living at higher altitudes. Previous studies have shown that the more arboreal western lowland gorilla has hallucial tarsometatarsal and talocrural joint morphologies associated with enhanced hallucial abduction and foot inversion capabilities whereas the more terrestrial eastern gorilla does not. Here we examine how known ecological and behavioral differences among gorillas relate to variation in calcaneal and cuboid morphology. Specifically, we test whether gorillas that climb more frequently (i.e., western lowland and lowland grauer gorillas) have cuboid‐metatarsal and calcaneocuboid morphologies that facilitate increased foot mobility compared to those that climb less often (i.e., mountain and highland grauer gorillas).

Methods

We quantify the relative areas of articular and nonarticular surfaces, angles between articular surfaces, articular surface curvatures, the relative length and depth of the calcaneocuboid joint, and the relative size of the calcaneal tuber using three‐dimensional models of gorilla calcanei and cuboids (n = 90 and 81, respectively).

Results

Our results, based on univariate and multivariate analyses, show that western and eastern gorillas follow our predicted arboreal‐terrestrial morphocline in terms of their calcaneal and cuboid morphology; however, highland and lowland grauer gorilla populations do not.

Conclusions

This study has implications for understanding gorilla foot function and the evolutionary processes responsible for producing the morphological patterns among living gorilla populations. Future studies of gorilla morphological diversity may provide a useful comparative model for studies of locomotor evolution in extinct clades.
Linear amine‐functionalized frameworks designed as superior bifunctional catalysts for carbon dioxide cycloaddition under co‐catalyst and solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Saghian Mahdie , Dehghanpour Saeed , Sharbatdaran Massoomeh
Published: December 2022

In this work, three bifunctional metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) were constructed through the introduction of various linear amine functional groups within MIL‐101(Cr). The unsaturated chromium metal center was incorporated with three various ligands including ethylene diamine, diethylene triamine, and diamino butane. The resultant prepared MOFs contain unsaturated chromium centers as Lewis acidic centers and amine groups as basic sites. The contemporary existence of basic and acidic centers allowed prepared bifunctional compounds to be highly effectual heterogeneous catalysts for chemical fixation of CO2 with epoxides, affording cyclic carbonates, under relatively mild conditions and in the absence of either solvent or cocatalyst. High tendency of prepared structures toward CO2 adsorption followed by speeding up the nucleophilic attack resulted in gaining excellent conversion, selectivity, and activity for large epoxide as well as bulky ones. The synthesized catalyst outperforms other reported heterogeneous catalysts. High conversion, TON, recyclability, and mild reaction conditions are some distinctive characteristics of the bifunctional synergetic catalysts.
Size matters! Investigating the effects of model size on anatomy learning
Authors: Yang Jack X. , DeYoung Veronica , Xue Yuanxin , Nehru Amit , Hildebrand Alexandra , Brewer‐Deluce Danielle , Wainman Bruce
Published: December 2022

Three‐dimensional (3D) scanning and printing technology has allowed for the production of anatomical replicas at virtually any size. But what size optimizes the educational potential of 3D printing models? This study systematically investigates the effect of model size on nominal anatomy learning. The study population of 380 undergraduate students, without prior anatomical knowledge, were randomized to learn from two of four bone models (either vertebra and pelvic bone [os coxae], or scapula and sphenoid bone), each model 3D printed at 50%, 100%, 200%, and either 300% or 400% of normal size. Participants were then tested on nominal anatomy recall on the respective bone specimens. Mental rotation ability and working memory were also assessed, and opinions regarding learning with the various models were solicited. The diameter of the rotational bounding sphere for the object (“longest diameter”) had a small, but significant effect on test score (F(2,707) = 17.15, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.046). Participants who studied from models with a longest diameter greater than 10 cm scored significantly better than those who used models less than 10 cm, with the exception of the scapula model, on which performance was equivalent across all sizes. These results suggest that models with a longest diameter beyond 10 cm are unlikely to incur a greater size‐related benefit in learning nominal anatomy. Qualitative feedback suggests that there also appear to be inherent features of bones besides longest diameter that facilitate learning.
What potential for improving sub‐seasonal predictions of the winter NAO?
Authors: Kent Chris , Scaife Adam A. , Dunstone Nick
Published: December 2022

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is the leading mode of variability across the Atlantic sector and is a key metric of extratropical forecast performance. Skilful predictions of the NAO are possible at medium‐range (1–2 weeks) and seasonal time scales. However, in a leading dynamical prediction system, we find that sub‐seasonal predictions (1 month NAO with a lead time of 20–30 days) are not statistically significant and represent a gap in forecast skill. In this study, we have investigated the potential for improving predictions using a large ensemble of dynamical hindcasts. First, we find that monthly predictions of the NAO are only weakly related to forecast errors at the medium‐range. This implies that improving medium‐range forecast performance is unlikely to drive significant improvements at longer lead times. Second, the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) is the leading mode of sub‐seasonal variability in the Tropics and projects onto the NAO with a lag of 10–15 days, but its teleconnection is only partially represented in current forecast systems. We, therefore, assess whether improved MJO‐NAO teleconnections are likely to lead to improved monthly NAO predictions. We find that even perfect MJO forecasts and teleconnections lead to only small improvements in NAO prediction skills. This work indicates that monthly timescales may represent a predictability gap for the NAO and hence the Euro‐Atlantic winter climate in which genuine skill improvements are difficult to achieve. Potential progress in this area could stem from currently unknown sources of skill and large initialised climate ensembles will be a vital tool for investigating these.