bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First record of Diapterus brevirostris (Teleostei: Gerridae) in Atlantic European waters: a case of introduced species
Authors: Arronte Juan Carlos , Antolínez Ana , Bañón Rafael , Heredia José , de Carlos Alejandro
Published: July 2024

Diapterus brevirostris (Sauvage, 1879) is a fish of the family Gerreidae, native to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific coast of America. A specimen of this species was captured off the coast of Asturias, Spain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of the genus Diapterus in the North Atlantic. Given its small size (6.4 cm), it is likely that the species was present in the area for a relatively short time. Although the introduction pathway is unknown, the species' native area and the proximity of a major port to the site of capture suggest that ship's ballast water is the most likely vector of introduction.
Lina Ceballos-Bonilla: Living in the Clouds
Authors: Palmer Jane
Published: July 2024

A meteorologist puts her training into action to coordinate an early-warning system for flooding around Medell�n, Colombia.
Sediment Resuspension Accelerates the Recycling of Terrestrial Organic Carbon at a Large River‐Coastal Ocean Interface
Authors: Sun Xueshi , Hu Limin , Fan Dejiang , Wang Houjie , Yang Zuosheng , Guo Zhigang
Published: July 2024

Widespread sediment resuspension and transport processes on continental margins can modify deposits and influence the preservation of particulate organic carbon (POC) in marine sediments. However, it remains unclear how post‐depositional processes interact with physical mineral protection to affect the transport and fate of terrestrial POC along the river‐estuary‐shelf paths. Here, we synthesized literature data and newly obtained results from multiple analyses of sedimentology, mineralogy, and inorganic and organic geochemical tracers. Our goal was to quantitatively evaluate the impact of sediment reworking on the redistribution and further transformations of terrestrial POC at the Yangtze River‐ocean interface. Our results reveal that sediment resuspension resulting from physical forces along with mineral protection of phyllosilicates plays a crucial role in regulating the recycling and fate of terrestrial POC during its transport across the coastal ocean continuum. Physical processes lead to the resuspension of sequestered POC from suboxic/anoxic muddy sediments into the overlying water column. Concurrently, the interplay of energetic forcing and elevated oxygen levels has the potential to disrupt the organo‐mineral associations. The decrease in mineral‐carbon stabilization increases the likelihood that reactive POC inclusion/aggregation with minerals becomes accessible to surrounding microorganisms, making it susceptible to microbial/oxidative degradation. Consequently, mostly phyllosilicate‐protected 14C‐depleted POC (primarily soil‐derived) in <63 μm suspended sediment (>90% of the total mass) remains available for export and reburial in continental shelf sediments. The lateral transport of resuspended sediments from estuaries, previously underestimated, represents a potential contributor to the remobilized millennial‐aged POC components involved in active biogeochemical cycling on continental margins.
Contrasted Trends in Chlorophyll‐a Satellite Products
Authors: Pauthenet Etienne , Martinez Elodie , Gorgues Thomas , Roussillon Joana , Drumetz Lucas , Fablet Ronan , Roux Maïlys
Published: July 2024

Phytoplankton sustains marine ecosystems and influences the global carbon cycle. This study analyzes trends in surface chlorophyll‐a concentration (Schl), a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, using six of the most widely used merged satellite products. Significant regional variations are observed, with contrasting trends observed among different products. To assess if these trends can be related to changes in the environment or to bias in radiometric products, a convolutional neural network is used to examine the relationship between physical ocean variables versus Schl. The results suggest that the merging algorithm of Globcolour‐GSM is not reliable for trend detection and that observed changes in Schl after 2012/2016 are not supported by changes of the physical ocean. These results emphasize the need for careful interpretation of satellite‐derived Schl trends and highlight the potential of machine learning in understanding the complex interactions in marine ecosystems.
A Novel Crossed Hysteresis Response Pattern of Sap Flux to Solar Radiation
Authors: Wan Liuliu , Zhang Quan , Arain M. Altaf , Cheng Lei
Published: July 2024

The hysteresis response of tree sap flux (SF) to its main driving factor of incoming short‐wave radiation (Rsi) has been widely reported, affecting the accuracy of sap flux and transpiration estimates in forest ecosystems. The diurnal cycle of SF usually lags the Rsi cycle by certain hours, thereby generating a closed counterclockwise hysteresis pattern. However, a few studies have reported that diurnal SF cycle may advance Rsi cycle, and such a response pattern has not been fully explored. In this study, we reported a rarely seen crossed hysteresis response pattern of SF to Rsi in 1/3 trees of a young temperate pine forest. We found that the diurnal SF cycle advances Rsi cycle especially in the morning induced by the early stomatal closure, thereby generating the crossed hysteresis response of SF to Rsi. We also proposed a method to quantify the magnitude of hysteresis (Ahys) for both the crossed and closed hystereses. Our analysis suggests that a lower Ahys of two time series results in (a) a larger crossing degree of hysteresis, and (b) a stronger linear correlation between the two time series. The seasonal variation of soil water content can explain the variation in Ahys for the hysteresis response of SF to Rsi, and the crossed hysteresis of SF is more likely to occur under water stress conditions. This study contributes to advancing our understanding of forest transpiration and how forests may respond to drought stress, which are expected to become more frequent and longer under future climate change.
Compulsive avoidance in youths and adults with OCD: an aversive pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer study
Authors: Marzuki Aleya A. , Banca Paula , Garofalo Sara , Degni Luigi A. E. , Dalbagno Daniela , Badioli Marco , Sule Akeem , Kaser Muzaffer , Conway-Morris Anna , Sahakian Barbara J. , Robbins Trevor W.
Published: July 2024

Compulsive behaviour may often be triggered by Pavlovian cues. Assessing how Pavlovian cues drive instrumental behaviour in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is therefore crucial to understand how compulsions develop and are maintained. An aversive Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigm, particularly one involving avoidance/cancellation of negative outcomes, can enable such investigation and has not previously been studied in clinical-OCD. Forty-one participants diagnosed with OCD (21 adults; 20 youths) and 44 controls (21 adults; 23 youths) completed an aversive PIT task. Participants had to prevent the delivery of unpleasant noises by moving a joystick in the correct direction. They could infer these correct responses by learning appropriate response-outcome (instrumental) and stimulus-outcome (Pavlovian) associations. We then assessed whether Pavlovian cues elicited specific instrumental avoidance responses (specific PIT) and induced general instrumental avoidance (general PIT). We investigated whether task learning and confidence indices influenced PIT strength differentially between groups. There was no overall group difference in PIT performance, although youths with OCD showed weaker specific PIT than youth controls. However, urge to avoid unpleasant noises and preference for safe over unsafe stimuli influenced specific and general PIT respectively in OCD, while PIT in controls was more influenced by confidence in instrumental and Pavlovian learning. Thus, in OCD, implicit motivational factors, but not learnt knowledge, may contribute to the successful integration of aversive Pavlovian and instrumental cues. This implies that compulsive avoidance may be driven by these automatic processes. Youths with OCD show deficits in specific PIT, suggesting cue integration impairments are only apparent in adolescence. These findings may be clinically relevant as they emphasise the importance of targeting such implicit motivational processes when treating OCD.
Ferroptosis is a targetable detrimental factor in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Authors: Peleman Cédric , Hellemans Stig , Veeckmans Geraldine , Arras Wout , Zheng Hao , Koeken Ine , Van San Emily , Hassannia Behrouz , Walravens Magali , Kayirangwa Edissa , Beyene Nateneal Tamerat , Van Herck Mikhaïl Alfons , De Vos Winnok Harald , Pintelon Isabel , van Nassauw Luc , Oosterlinck Baptiste , Smet Annemieke , Vits Lieve , Dirinck Eveline , Verrijken An , De Man Joris , Van Eyck Annelies , Kwanten Wilhelmus Josephus , Vonghia Luisa , Driessen Ann , Augustyns Koen , Toyokuni Shinya , De Winter Benedicte , Van Steenkiste Christophe , Francque Sven , Vanden Berghe Tom
Published: July 2024

There is an unmet clinical need for pharmacologic treatment for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Hepatocyte cell death is a hallmark of this highly prevalent chronic liver disease, but the dominant type of cell death remains uncertain. Here we report that ferroptosis, an iron-catalyzed mode of regulated cell death, contributes to MASLD. Unsupervised clustering in a cohort of biopsy-proven MASLD patients revealed a subgroup with hepatic ferroptosis signature and lower glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. Likewise, a subgroup with reduced ferroptosis defenses was discerned in public transcriptomics datasets. Four weeks of choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet (CDAHFD) induced MASLD with ferroptosis in mice. Gpx4 overexpression did not affect steatohepatitis, instead CDAHFD protected from morbidity due to hepatocyte-specific Gpx4 knockout. The ferroptosis inhibitor UAMC-3203 attenuated steatosis and alanine aminotransferase in CDAHFD and a second model, i.e., the high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHFD). The effect of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids supplementation on ferroptosis susceptibility was assessed in human HepG2 cells. Fat-laden HepG2 showed a drop in ferroptosis defenses, increased phosphatidylglycerol with two polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) lipid tails, and sustained ferroptosis sensitivity. In conclusion, this study identified hepatic ferroptosis as a detrimental factor in MASLD patients. Unexpectedly, non-PUFA supplementation to hepatocytes altered lipid bilayer composition to maintain ferroptosis sensitivity. Based on findings in in vivo models, ferroptosis inhibition represents a promising therapeutic target in MASLD.
Homozygous 6-bp deletion of IGFALS in a prepubertal boy with short stature
Authors: Doi Hibiki , Kageyama Ikuko , Katoh-Fukui Yuko , Hattori Atsushi , Fukami Maki , Shimura Naoto
Published: July 2024

Biallelic IGFALS variants lead to acid‒labile subunit (ALS) deficiency characterized by growth hormone resistance with or without delayed puberty. Here, we report a prepubertal boy with a homozygous 2-amino acid deletion within the fourth N-glycosylation motif (c.1103_1108del, p.N368_S370delinsT) associated with parental consanguinity. He showed short stature consistent with ALS deficiency. This case expands the mutation spectrum of IGFALS to include the elimination of only one N-glycosylation motif of ALS.
A transthalamic pathway crucial for perception
Authors: Mo Christina , McKinnon Claire , Murray Sherman S.
Published: July 2024

Perception is largely supported by cortical processing that involves communication among multiple areas, typically starting with primary sensory cortex and then involving higher order cortices. This communication is served in part by transthalamic (cortico-thalamo-cortical) pathways, which ubiquitously parallel direct corticocortical pathways, but their role in sensory processing has largely remained unexplored. Here, we suggest that transthalamic processing propagates task-relevant information required for correct sensory decisions. Using optogenetics, we specifically inhibited the pathway at its synapse in higher order somatosensory thalamus of mice performing a texture-based discrimination task. We concurrently monitored the cellular effects of inhibition in primary or secondary cortex using two-photon calcium imaging. Inhibition severely impaired performance despite intact direct corticocortical projections, thus challenging the purely corticocentric map of perception. Interestingly, the inhibition did not reduce overall cell responsiveness to texture stimulation in somatosensory cortex, but rather disrupted the texture selectivity of cells, a discriminability that develops over task learning. This discriminability was more disrupted in the secondary than primary somatosensory cortex, emphasizing the feedforward influence of the transthalamic route. Transthalamic pathways may therefore act to deliver performance-relevant information to higher order cortex and are underappreciated hierarchical pathways in perceptual decision-making.
Demixing fluorescence time traces transmitted by multimode fibers
Authors: Rimoli Caio Vaz , Moretti Claudio , Soldevila Fernando , Brémont Enora , Ventalon Cathie , Gigan Sylvain
Published: July 2024

Optical methods based on thin multimode fibers (MMFs) are promising tools for measuring neuronal activity in deep brain regions of freely moving mice thanks to their small diameter. However, current methods are limited: while fiber photometry provides only ensemble activity, imaging techniques using of long multimode fibers are very sensitive to bending and have not been applied to unrestrained rodents yet. Here, we demonstrate the fundamentals of a new approach using a short MMF coupled to a miniscope. In proof-of-principle in vitro experiments, we disentangled spatio-temporal fluorescence signals from multiple fluorescent sources transmitted by a thin (200 µm) and short (8 mm) MMF, using a general unconstrained non-negative matrix factorization algorithm directly on the raw video data. Furthermore, we show that low-cost open-source miniscopes have sufficient sensitivity to image the same fluorescence patterns seen in our proof-of-principle experiment, suggesting a new avenue for novel minimally invasive deep brain studies using multimode fibers in freely behaving mice.
Genomic insights into the 2022–2023Vibrio cholerae outbreak in Malawi
Authors: Chaguza Chrispin , Chibwe Innocent , Chaima David , Musicha Patrick , Ndeketa Latif , Kasambara Watipaso , Mhango Chimwemwe , Mseka Upendo L. , Bitilinyu-Bangoh Joseph , Mvula Bernard , Kipandula Wakisa , Bonongwe Patrick , Munthali Richard J. , Ngwira Selemani , Mwendera Chikondi A. , Kalizang’oma Akuzike , Jambo Kondwani C. , Kambalame Dzinkambani , Kamng’ona Arox W. , Steele A. Duncan , Chauma-Mwale Annie , Hungerford Daniel , Kagoli Matthew , Nyaga Martin M. , Dube Queen , French Neil , Msefula Chisomo L. , Cunliffe Nigel A. , Jere Khuzwayo C.
Published: July 2024

Malawi experienced its deadliest Vibrio cholerae (Vc) outbreak following devastating cyclones, with >58,000 cases and >1700 deaths reported between March 2022 and May 2023. Here, we use population genomics to investigate the attributes and origin of the Malawi 2022–2023 Vc outbreak isolates. Our results demonstrate the predominance of ST69 clone, also known as the seventh cholera pandemic El Tor (7PET) lineage, expressing O1 Ogawa (~ 80%) serotype followed by Inaba (~ 16%) and sporadic non-O1/non-7PET serogroups (~ 4%). Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that the Malawi outbreak strains correspond to a recent importation from Asia into Africa (sublineage AFR15). These isolates harboured known antimicrobial resistance and virulence elements, notably the ICEGEN/ICEVchHai1/ICEVchind5 SXT/R391-like integrative conjugative elements and a CTXφ prophage with the ctxB7 genotype compared to historical Malawian Vc isolates. These data suggest that the devastating cyclones coupled with the recent importation of 7PET serogroup O1 strains, may explain the magnitude of the 2022–2023 cholera outbreak in Malawi.
Apelin modulates inflammation and leukocyte recruitment in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Park Hongryeol , Song Jian , Jeong Hyun-Woo , Grönloh Max L. B. , Koh Bong Ihn , Bovay Esther , Kim Kee-Pyo , Klotz Luisa , Thistlethwaite Patricia A. , van Buul Jaap D. , Sorokin Lydia , Adams Ralf H.
Published: July 2024

Demyelination due to autoreactive T cells and inflammation in the central nervous system are principal features of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic and highly disabling human disease affecting brain and spinal cord. Here, we show that treatment with apelin, a secreted peptide ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor APJ/Aplnr, is protective in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Apelin reduces immune cell entry into the brain, delays the onset and reduces the severity of EAE. Apelin affects the trafficking of leukocytes through the lung by modulating the expression of cell adhesion molecules that mediate leukocyte recruitment. In addition, apelin induces the internalization and desensitization of its receptor in endothelial cells (ECs). Accordingly, protection against EAE major outcomes of apelin treatment are phenocopied by loss of APJ/Aplnr function, achieved by EC-specific gene inactivation in mice or knockdown experiments in cultured primary endothelial cells. Our findings highlight the importance of the lung-brain axis in neuroinflammation and indicate that apelin targets the transendothelial migration of immune cells into the lung during acute inflammation.
Unlocking ultra-high holographic information capacity through nonorthogonal polarization multiplexing
Authors: Wang Jie , Chen Jin , Yu Feilong , Chen Rongsheng , Wang Jiuxu , Zhao Zengyue , Li Xuenan , Xing Huaizhong , Li Guanhai , Chen Xiaoshuang , Lu Wei
Published: July 2024

Contemporary studies in polarization multiplexing are hindered by the intrinsic orthogonality constraints of polarization states, which restrict the scope of multiplexing channels and their practical applications. This research transcends these barriers by introducing an innovative nonorthogonal polarization-basis multiplexing approach. Utilizing spatially varied eigen-polarization states within metaatoms, we successfully reconstruct globally nonorthogonal channels that exhibit minimal crosstalk. This method not only facilitates the generation of free-vector holograms, achieving complete degrees-of-freedom in three nonorthogonal channels with ultra-low energy leakage, but it also significantly enhances the dimensions of the Jones matrix, expanding it to a groundbreaking 10 × 10 scale. The fusion of a controllable eigen-polarization engineering mechanism with a vectorial diffraction neural network culminates in the experimental creation of 55 intricate holographic patterns across these expanded channels. This advancement represents a profound shift in the field of polarization multiplexing, unlocking opportunities in advanced holography and quantum encryption, among other applications.
Multimodal locomotion ultra-thin soft robots for exploration of narrow spaces
Authors: Wang Xi , Li Siqian , Chang Jung-Che , Liu Jing , Axinte Dragos , Dong Xin
Published: July 2024

From power plants on land to bridges over the sea, safety-critical built environments require periodic inspections for detecting issues to avoid functional discontinuities of these installations. However, navigation paths in these environments are usually challenging as they often contain difficult-to-access spaces (near-millimetre and submillimetre-high gaps) and multiple domains (solid, liquid and even aerial). In this paper, we address these challenges by developing a class of Thin Soft Robots (TS-Robot: thickness, 1.7 mm) that can access narrow spaces and perform cross-domain multimodal locomotion. We adopted a dual-actuation sandwich structure with a tuneable Poisson’s ratio tensioning mechanism for developing the TS-Robots driven by dielectric elastomers, providing them with two types of gaits (linear and undulating), remarkable output force ( ~ 41 times their weight) and speed (1.16 times Body Length/s and 13.06 times Body Thickness/s). Here, we demonstrated that TS-Robots can crawl, climb, swim and collaborate for transitioning between domains in environments with narrow entries.
Transfer learning guided discovery of efficient perovskite oxide for alkaline water oxidation
Authors: Jiang Chang , He Hongyuan , Guo Hongquan , Zhang Xiaoxin , Han Qingyang , Weng Yanhong , Fu Xianzhu , Zhu Yinlong , Yan Ning , Tu Xin , Sun Yifei
Published: July 2024

Perovskite oxides show promise for the oxygen evolution reaction. However, numerical chemical compositions remain unexplored due to inefficient trial-and-error methods for material discovery. Here, we develop a transfer learning paradigm incorporating a pre-trained model, ensemble learning, and active learning, enabling the prediction of undiscovered perovskite oxides with enhanced generalizability for this reaction. Screening 16,050 compositions leads to the identification and synthesis of 36 new perovskite oxides, including 13 pure perovskite structures. Pr0.1Sr0.9Co0.5Fe0.5O3 and Pr0.1Sr0.9Co0.5Fe0.3Mn0.2O3 exhibit low overpotentials of 327 mV and 315 mV at 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Electrochemical measurements reveal coexistence of absorbate evolution and lattice oxygen mechanisms for O-O coupling in both materials. Pr0.1Sr0.9Co0.5Fe0.3Mn0.2O3 demonstrates enhanced OH- affinity compared to Pr0.1Sr0.9Co0.5Fe0.5O3, with the emergence of oxo-bridged Mn-Co conjugate facilitating charge redistribution and dynamic reversibility of Olattice/VO, thereby slowing down Co dissolution. This work paves the way for accelerated discovery and development of high-performance perovskite oxide electrocatalysts for this reaction.
A TNIP1-driven systemic autoimmune disorder with elevated IgG4
Authors: Medhavy Arti , Athanasopoulos Vicki , Bassett Katharine , He Yuke , Stanley Maurice , Enosi Tuipulotu Daniel , Cappello Jean , Brown Grant J. , Gonzalez-Figueroa Paula , Turnbull Cynthia , Shanmuganandam Somasundhari , Tummala Padmaja , Hart Gemma , Lea-Henry Tom , Wang Hao , Nambadan Sonia , Shen Qian , Roco Jonathan A. , Burgio Gaetan , Wu Phil , Cho Eun , Andrews T. Daniel , Field Matt A. , Wu Xiaoqian , Ding Huihua , Guo Qiang , Shen Nan , Man Si Ming , Jiang Simon H. , Cook Matthew C. , Vinuesa Carola G.
Published: July 2024

Whole-exome sequencing of two unrelated kindreds with systemic autoimmune disease featuring antinuclear antibodies with IgG4 elevation uncovered an identical ultrarare heterozygous TNIP1Q333P variant segregating with disease. Mice with the orthologous Q346P variant developed antinuclear autoantibodies, salivary gland inflammation, elevated IgG2c, spontaneous germinal centers and expansion of age-associated B cells, plasma cells and follicular and extrafollicular helper T cells. B cell phenotypes were cell-autonomous and rescued by ablation of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) or MyD88. The variant increased interferon-β without altering nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling, and impaired MyD88 and IRAK1 recruitment to autophagosomes. Additionally, the Q333P variant impaired TNIP1 localization to damaged mitochondria and mitophagosome formation. Damaged mitochondria were abundant in the salivary epithelial cells of Tnip1Q346P mice. These findings suggest that TNIP1-mediated autoimmunity may be a consequence of increased TLR7 signaling due to impaired recruitment of downstream signaling molecules and damaged mitochondria to autophagosomes and may thus respond to TLR7-targeted therapeutics.
The application of bronchoscopy in the assessment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonitis severity and recurrence
Authors: Guo Cuiyan , Zhang Qi , Zhou Peining , Cheng Yuan , Nie Ligong , Wang Guangfa
Published: July 2024

To explore the role of bronchoscopy for the assessment of checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP), a retrospective single-center study was conducted to assess patients diagnosed with CIP at grade 2 or above and also underwent bronchoscopy between January 2020 and December 2022. Clinical data and bronchoscopic findings were recorded. The treatment data and prognosis information were collected. Twenty-one patients who underwent bronchoscopy and were diagnosed with CIP were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis. Of them, T lymphocyte subsets of BALF were tested in 15 cases. Transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) was performed in 8 patients, and transbronchial lung biopsy was performed in 5 patients. 3 patients developed pneumothorax after TBCB and all recovered without serious compilations.14 patients experienced grade 2 CIP, while 7 patients ≥ grade 3 CIP. Symptoms were improved in 19 (90.5%) patients after standard treatment adhering to CIP guidelines. However, 5 patients relapsed during steroid tapering. Factors related to the severity and recurrence of CIP were analyzed. Patients with previous interstitial lung disease (ILD) were more likely to develop high grade CIP than those without [83.3% (5/6) versus 15.4% (3/15), P = 0.011].The odds ratio (OR) was 32.5 (95% CI 2.284–443.145, P = 0.009). Increased BALF lymphocyte percentage was associated with high grade CIP, OR 1.095 (95% CI 1.001–1.197, P = 0.047), and higher possibility of CIP relapse, OR 1.123 (95% CI, 1.005–1.225, P = 0.040). Lymphocyte subsets were tested in 15 patients. CD4/CD8 > 1 was found in 80% (4/5) of relapsed patients and 20% (2/10) of patients without relapse (P = 0.047). The OR was 16.00 (95% CI 1.093–234.24, P = 0.043). In this retrospective study, patients with previous ILD was more likely to develop high grade CIP. Higher lymphocyte percentage in BALF was associated with high grade CIP and susceptibility to relapse during treatment of CIP. A CD4/CD8 ratio greater than 1 in lymphocyte subsets of BALF was associated with higher possibility of CIP relapse. We found that TBCB is a safe procedure in CIP patients.
Mapping of the exterior architecture of the mesocephalic canine brain
Authors: Al Aiyan Ahmad , Balan Rinsha , Ghebrehiwot Even , Mihreteab Yotam , Zerom Simona , Gebreigziabiher Senit , AlDarwich Adnan , Willingham Arve Lee , Kishore Uday
Published: July 2024

Despite extensive studies published on the canine brain, inconsistencies and disagreements in the nomenclature and representation of various cerebral structures continue to exist. This study aimed to create a comprehensive mapping of the external architecture of the mesocephalic canine brain with a focus on the major gyri and sulci. Standardized dissection techniques were used on 20 ethically sourced brains obtained from 6 to 10-year-old dogs that were free of neurological disorders. Distinct gyri and sulci with unique locations and bordering structures were observed. Thus, it was possible to identify the often-ignored subprorean gyrus. In addition, this study was able to illustrate the unique locations and bordering structures of gyri and sulci. The findings can contribute to a consensus among researchers on the canine brain anatomy and assist in clarifying the inconsistencies in cerebral structure representation. Furthermore, the results of this study may hold significant implications for veterinary medicine and neuroscience and serve as a foundation for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for various neurological diseases in dogs. Our findings offer valuable insights into the unique evolutionary adaptations and specialized behaviors of the canine brain, thereby increasing awareness about the neural structures that enable dogs to demonstrate their unique traits.
Iterative embedding and reweighting of complex networks reveals community structure
Authors: Kovács Bianka , Kojaku Sadamori , Palla Gergely , Fortunato Santo
Published: July 2024

Graph embeddings learn the structure of networks and represent it in low-dimensional vector spaces. Community structure is one of the features that are recognized and reproduced by embeddings. We show that an iterative procedure, in which a graph is repeatedly embedded and its links are reweighted based on the geometric proximity between the nodes, reinforces intra-community links and weakens inter-community links, making the clusters of the initial network more visible and more easily detectable. The geometric separation between the communities can become so strong that even a very simple parsing of the links may recover the communities as isolated components with surprisingly high precision. Furthermore, when used as a pre-processing step, our embedding and reweighting procedure can improve the performance of traditional community detection algorithms.
Explaining the mechanisms behind niche dimensionality and light-driving species diversity based on functional traits
Authors: Ren Zhengwei , Zhao Wei , Chen Ning , Zhou Xiaolong
Published: July 2024

Two prevalent ecological mechanisms, niche dimensionality and light asymmetry, may well explain species loss with fertilization gradients in grassland communities. Although there is still controversy surrounding the two competitive mechanisms that maintain species coexistence, few studies have examined the patterns of change in dissimilarity in species composition (β-diversity) and the relative explanatory contributions of plant functional traits to α- and β-diversity when multiple resources are added. To clarify this knowledge gap, we conducted a 6-year experiment of resource addition in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to assess how species richness and spatial β-diversity are affected by increasing numbers of added resources (NAR) and light limitation. Our results found that both NAR and light limitation led to decreased species richness, suggesting that niche dimensionality and light asymmetry may contribute equally to species loss, rather than either alone. Moreover, NAR is the primary factor responsible for the increase in β-diversity, which exhibits a negative relationship with species richness. Furthermore, the increase in height is the most likely explanation for β-diversity, while the increase in SLA is the most likely explanation for species richness, thereby indicating the changes in species richness and composition can be effectively explained by the response of certain morphological functional traits with the addition of multiple resources. Future research should focus on the complex interactions of different ecological mechanisms that contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity in grassland ecosystems all over the world.
Insight into catalytic effects of alkali metal salts addition on bamboo and cellulose pyrolysis
Authors: Chen Wei , Tao Xuan , Shi Xiaolei , Guo Wenjuan , Wang Yurou , Liu Biao , Yang Haiping
Published: July 2024

Alkali metal compounds have vital influence on biomass pyrolysis conversion. In this study, cellulose, and bamboo catalytic pyrolysis with different alkali metal salts catalysts (KCl, K2SO4, K2CO3, NaCl, Na2SO4, and Na2CO3) were investigated in the fixed-bed reaction system. The effects of cations (K+ and Na+) and anions (Cl-, SO42−, and CO32-) on the evolution properties of biochar, bio-oil, and gas products were explored under both in-situ and ex-situ catalytic pyrolysis. Results showed that alkali metal salts facilitated the yields of biochar and gases at the expense of that of bio-oil. Alkali metal chloride and sulfate showed a weaker catalytic effect, while alkali metal carbonate greatly promoted the generation of gas products and increased the condensation degree of biochar. With the addition of K2CO3 and Na2CO3, cyclopentanones content was over 50% from cellulose catalytic pyrolysis, and phenols content (mainly alkylphenols) reached over 80% from bamboo catalytic pyrolysis. Moreover, solid-solid catalytic reactions with K2CO3 and Na2CO3 catalysts had an important role in strikingly promoting conversion of pyrolysis products, and the solid-solid and gas-solid catalytic reactions with alkali metal carbonate catalysts were stronger than those with alkali metal chloride and sulfate catalysts. Furthermore, the possible catalytic pyrolysis mechanism of alkali metal salts on biomass pyrolysis was proposed, which is important to the high-value utilization of biomass.
The impact of zwitterionic surfactants on optode-based nanosensors via different fabrication approaches and sensing mechanisms
Authors: Mendonsa Adrian A. , Sodia Tyler Z. , Cash Kevin J.
Published: July 2024

We studied the impact of zwitterionic surfactants on three different sensing mechanisms, nanomaterial encapsulation, and compatibility with different fabrication approaches.
Two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography purification of underivatized urinary prednisone and prednisolone for compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis
Authors: Li Zhongquan , Liu Bing
Published: July 2024

The gas chromatography-combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) confirmation procedure for prednisone and prednisolone.
High-area alumina supported Cu–Ce atomic species for water–gas shift reaction
Authors: Yu Yiwei , Wang Tie , Yan Ning , Liu Jingyue
Published: July 2024

Atomically dispersed cerium species, anchored to high-area alumina by unsaturated penta-coordinated aluminum, strongly interact with atomically dispersed Cu species to provide active centers for water–gas shift reaction (WGSR).
Enzymatic approaches for diversifying bioproducts from cellulosic biomass
Authors: Arantes Valdeir , Las-Casas Bruno , Dias Isabella K. R. , Yupanqui-Mendoza Sergio Luis , Nogueira Carlaile F. O. , Marcondes Wilian F.
Published: July 2024

Enzyme technologies enable the production of multiple bioproducts from cellulosic biomass.
Rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene-modified surfaces for rapid PFOA/PFOS detection
Authors: Gao Tu-Nan , Yang Zhen , Goed Jesse M. S. , Zuilhof Han , Miloserdov Fedor M.
Published: July 2024

Ammino-functionalized rim-differentiated pillar[5]arene immobilized onto a surface allow rapid contact angle-based detection of perfluoroalkyl acids (LOD down to 10 ng L−1).
Conformational preferences of heparan sulfate to recognize the CXCL8 dimer in aqueous medium: degree of sulfation and hydrogen bonds
Authors: Dhurua Shakuntala , Jana Madhurima
Published: July 2024

Based on the degree of sulfation, three variants of HS favored CXCL8 binding. Heterogeneous relaxation of HW hydrogen bonds depends on sulfation. HS adopts various stable non-linear forms, as shown by the multiple minima of the corresponding FEL.
Elucidating the non-covalent interactions in thiazole–carbon dioxide complexes through rotational spectroscopy and theoretical computations
Authors: Wang Liuting , Yang Tingting , Wang Zhen , Feng Gang
Published: July 2024

The binding topologies of thiazole and CO2 were explored by rotational spectroscopy and quantum chemical computations.
Raman optical activity study of deuterated sugars: deuterium labelling as a tool for structural analysis
Authors: Taniguchi Tohru , Agbo Davidson Obinna , Yang Qin , Kapitán Josef , Wu Tao , Oyama Shuki , Akai Shuji , Sawama Yoshinari , Bouř Petr
Published: July 2024

Experimental and theoretical ROA studies of deuterated glucose derivatives in the C–D stretching region demonstrated the usefulness of ROA signals in this region for stereochemical and conformational analysis.
C-Me-graphene: an ideal two-dimensional nodal line semimetal with ultrahigh Young's modulus
Authors: Kong Weixiang , Xiao Xiaoliang , Wei Juan , Xu Weiwei , Lv Bing , Wang Rui , Wu Xiaozhi
Published: July 2024

The electronic properties fluctuate with the distinct carbon phases, spanning from semiconductors to nodal line semimetals, contingent upon whether the lattice is simple or compound.
Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to ammonium ion using Ni(ii) complexes with redox-active di(imino)pyridine ligands
Authors: Norouzinyanlakvan Somayeh , Ovens Jeffrey , Richeson Darrin
Published: July 2024

Human disruption of the nitrogen cycle motivates the exploration into electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite.
Urinary alkylresorcinol metabolites, biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake, are beneficially associated with liver fat and other fat measures
Authors: Sun Zisuo , Shao Yaling , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhou Zhihao , Ye Shu , Liu Mengfei , Lv Yaning , Xie Shaoyu , Cao Hongjun , Zhang Zhuang , Yang Wanshui
Published: July 2024

3-(3,5-Dihydroxyphenyl)-1-propanoic acid (DHPPA) and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) are biomarkers of whole grain wheat and rye intake.
Size-related variability of oxygen consumption rates in individual human hepatic cells
Authors: Botte Ermes , Cui Yuan , Magliaro Chiara , Tenje Maria , Koren Klaus , Rinaldo Andrea , Stocker Roman , Behrendt Lars , Ahluwalia Arti
Published: July 2024

Human hepatocytes confined in microwells cooperate in oxygen sharing and their size-metabolism covariance is lognormal.
Achieving ultra-low contact barriers in MX2/SiH (M = Nb, Ta; X = S, Se) metal–semiconductor heterostructures: first-principles prediction
Authors: Nguyen Son T. , Nguyen Chuong V. , Phuc Huynh V. , Hieu Nguyen N. , Nguyen Cuong Q.
Published: July 2024

Minimizing the contact barriers at the interface, forming between two different two-dimensional metals and semiconductors, is essential for designing high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Structural and spectroscopic study and intermolecular chalcogen bonding interactions in 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Salvador Vallejo L. E. , Jios J. L. , Ulic S. E. , Echeverría G. A. , Piro O. E. , Pis Diez R. , Vázquez C. , Merlo C.
Published: July 2024

Intra- and intermolecular contacts in 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds are dominated by O–H⋯O bonds. When molecules face each other, the unusual intermolecular O⋯O bonds can reinforce adjacent O–H⋯O bonds and form centrosymmetric dimers.
Pathway complexity in aqueous J-aggregation of an ionic BODIPY amphiphile
Authors: Wang Houchen , Liu Jiajun , Pan Hongfei , Chen Zhijian
Published: July 2024

An ionic BODIPY amphiphile exhibited kinetic-controlled and thermodynamic-controlled aggregation pathways in water, which led to the formation of two J-type aggregates with distinct spectroscopic properties and morphologies.
Supramolecular polyplexes from Janus peptide nucleic acids (bm-PNA-G5): self-assembled bm-PNA G-quadruplex and its tetraduplex with DNA
Authors: Todkari Iranna Annappa , Chaudhary Preeti , Kulkarni Mahesh J. , Ganesh Krishna N.
Published: July 2024

Janus like bimodal Peptide Nucleic acids (bm-PNA) can form diverse secondary structures with complementary DNA, ranging from double duplex to triplex of duplex, triple duplex and tetraduplex of tetraplex.
Potent pincer-zinc catalyzed homogeneous α-alkylation and Friedländer quinoline synthesis reaction of secondary alcohols/ketones with primary alcohols
Authors: Jana Debashis , Roy Sima , Naskar Srijita , Halder Supriyo , Kanrar Gopal , Pramanik Kausikisankar
Published: July 2024

Herein, we describe an air- and moisture-stable, homogeneous zinc catalyst stabilised using an electron deficient N^N^N pincer-type ligand.
Advances in active targeting of ligand-directed polymeric nanomicelles via exploiting overexpressed cellular receptors for precise nanomedicine
Authors: Agwa Mona M. , Marzouk Rehab Elsayed , Sabra Sally A.
Published: July 2024

Many of the utilized drugs which already exist in the pharmaceutical sector are hydrophobic in nature.
Towards combining backbone and sugar constraint in 3′-3′ bis-phosphonate tethered 2′-4′ bridged LNA oligonucleotide trimers
Authors: Duchamp Edouard , Vasquez Guillermo , Firoozi Neda , Freestone Graeme C. , Oestergaard Michael , Seth Punit P. , Hanessian Stephen
Published: July 2024

The synthesis of alkylphosphonate-linked locked nucleic acid (LNA) trimers which restrict conformation of the furanose sugar and conformational mobility of the sugar-phosphate backbone across three nucleotide units is described.
Synthesis and characterization of La QDs: sensors for anions and H2O2
Authors: Sahoo Amit , Acharya Achyuta N.
Published: July 2024

The development of sensitive and accurate fluorescence sensors for the detection of anions and reactive oxygen species (ROS, H2O2) is essential as they play significant roles in biological and chemical processes.
Engineering bacterial biomanufacturing: characterization and manipulation of Sphingomonas sp. LM7 extracellular polymers
Authors: van Wijngaarden Ellen W. , Goetsch Alexandra G. , Brito Ilana L. , Hershey David M. , Silberstein Meredith N.
Published: July 2024

Changing the material composition through alternative processing methods reduces production time and enables tuning of material stiffness for bacterial polymers.
Hydrothermal liquefaction of different waste biomass using green solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as extractant and co-solvent
Authors: Lui Yuen Wai , Tsang Sze Ha , Chan Tsz Hin , Chan Ka Hei , Lee Yin Hei , Man Hoi Fung , Lui Matthew Y.
Published: July 2024

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) is found to be highly beneficial as the extractant or co-solvent for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) processes.
Electrochemical performance of permanganate as an active material for catholyte in aqueous alkaline flow batteries
Authors: Shin Mingyu , Lim Yejin , Kwon Yongchai
Published: July 2024

Fe–Mn flow batteries using Fe(BIS–TRIS) and MnO4-based electrolytes improve voltage and energy efficiencies, proving MnO4 as an effective alternative to ferrocyanide.
Multinuclear solid-state NMR investigation of structurally diverse low-dimensional hybrid metal halide perovskites
Authors: Hooper Thomas J. N. , Febriansyah Benny , Krishnamoorthy Thirumal , Wong Walter P. D. , Xue Kai , Ager Joel W. , Mathews Nripan
Published: July 2024

Solid state NMR and SCXRD analysis characterises the low-dimensional structures of hybrid metal halide perovskites (MHPs) templated by xylylenediammonium isomer cations, providing insight into the structure and dynamics of archetype 3D MHPs.
Transition metal chalcogenide nanoparticle embedded metal–organic framework nanosheets for high-performance H2O2 electrosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Xinchan , Zhang Chaoqi , Zou Yingying , Bao Tong , Wang Jing , Al-Qaradawi Siham Yousuf , Allam Nageh K. , Yu Chengzhong , Liu Chao
Published: July 2024

Through a partial conversion route using NiFe-MOF nanosheets as precursors, a transition-metal chalcogenide@metal–organic framework (TMC@MOF) composite was fabricated as an efficient 2e-ORR electrocatalyst.
Deformable and highly adhesive poly(ionic liquid)/liquid metal visco-elastomers for thermal management
Authors: Yang Baohao , Zeng Jianhui , Liang Ting , Han Meng , Zhang Chenxu , Xu Jian-Bin , Yao Yimin , Sun Rong
Published: July 2024

This study explores poly(ionic liquid)s' elongation, adhesion, low modulus, thermal stability, self-healing, and reprocessability, making them promising silicone replacements for thermal interface materials.
Promoting effects of potassium on ammonia production from electrochemical nitrate reduction over nano-crystal nickel
Authors: Zhang Chunxia , Xue Zhengying , Jiang Yong , Zhai Yunpu , Zhang Changsen , Li Juexiu , Liu Panpan
Published: July 2024

K+ in the electrolyte promoted the adsorption of NO3− on the nano-crystal nickel catalyst surface and the generation of *H. Consequently, the sluggish NO3− reduction was ameliorated, and elevated performance of NRA was obtained.
Promoting inclusion in science communication through the infusion of art
Authors: Okete Wealth
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for urgency, accuracy and specificity in the way science is communicated to different audiences. However, it also accentuated gaps in current approaches to making science suitable for public consumption. Inclusive science communication attempts to fill these gaps by promoting equity, breaking down barriers and leaving no one behind in the dissemination of scientific knowledge. The barriers to science communication addressed through inclusivity are numerous and diverse, spanning language and culture, educational status, poverty, age, access to technology and disability status. Since traditional science communication methods have failed to adequately address most of these barriers, this article proposes the infusion of art into these methods as key to making science communication more inclusive. It discusses the range of art forms, including drama, music, dance, painting and new media, that may be leveraged for more inclusive science communication and, alongside, addresses the challenges and opportunities to maximizing their potential.
How mass spectrometry can be exploited to study AMPK
Authors: Rider Mark H. , Vertommen Didier , Johanns Manuel
Published: July 2024

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of metabolism and a recognised target for the treatment of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we review how mass spectrometry (MS) can be used to study short-term control by AMPK via protein phosphorylation and long-term control due to changes in protein expression. We discuss how MS can quantify AMPK subunit levels in tissues from different species. We propose hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX)-MS to investigate molecular mechanisms of AMPK activation and thermoproteomic profiling (TPP) to assess off-target effects of pharmacological AMPK activators/inhibitors. Lastly, because large MS data sets are generated, we consider different approaches that can be used for their interpretation.
Validation of the Pediatric Spatial Hearing Questionnaire
Authors: Perreau Ann , Ou Hua , Bramley Amy , Aldridge Ella , Tyler Richard
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

Spatial hearing is necessary for adequate sound awareness and speech perception abilities; however, research indicates that children have difficulties on these spatial hearing tasks that affect functioning in their daily environment. The purpose of this study was to validate a pediatric version of the Spatial Hearing Questionnaire (P-SHQ) for determining binaural hearing benefits and spatial hearing ability in children.

Method:

We recruited parents and guardians of 68 children ages kindergarten through eighth grade to participate. Parents completed the P-SHQ, the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale–Parent version, and a demographic questionnaire. To determine the factor structure of the P-SHQ, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis and reliability was assessed by calculating correlation coefficients.

Results:

Three factors emerged during factor analysis: Factor 1 = sound localization, Factor 2 = speech-in-noise perception, and Factor 3 = speech perception in quiet. The P-SHQ has good internal consistency reliability (α = .97), and high item–total correlations were found. The correlation between scores from the P-SHQ questionnaire and the SSQ-Spatial subscale questionnaire provides evidence for the construct validity of the P-SHQ.

Conclusions:

The P-SHQ is a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess spatial hearing ability in children. This quick-to-administer tool can be incorporated into audiological care to determine the spatial hearing skills of a child and assist in counseling, making it a valuable assessment for hearing health care professionals.