bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Straw return-enhanced soil carbon and nitrogen fractions and nitrogen use efficiency in a maize–rice rotation system
Authors: Wang Yanwen , Qin Mingguang , Zhan Ming , Liu Tianqi , Yuan Jinzhan
Published: January 2024

Considering straw resource utilization and air pollution prevention, straw return has been commonly practiced in China. However, the practicability of plenty straw return in an emerging maize–rice rotation and their effects on soil C and N pools have not been extensively investigated. This study has been conducted to examine the effects of straw return on soil nutrients, soil functional C and N fractions, and then to figure out their relationships with yield and N use efficiency. Two treatments of straw return (S2Nck) and without straw return (S0Nck) were compared in 3-year field experiment, and subplots without N application were added in their respective plots in the third year. The results showed that, relative to the control (S0Nck), straw return significantly increased soil mineralized nitrogen (Nmin), available P, and exchange K content by 11.7%, 41.1%, and 17.4% averaged across 3-year experiments, respectively. Straw return substantially increased soil dissolved organic C, microbial biomass C, and microbial biomass N content by 73.0%, 25.2%, and 36.8%, respectively. Furthermore, straw return markedly increased C and N retention in particulate organic matter in microaggregates (iPOM) and mineral associated organic matter within microaggregates (intra-SC), but significantly reduced in free mineral associated organic matter (free-SC) fraction. The structural equation modeling analysis showed that yield and the partial factor productivity of N were positively correlated with labile and slow soil C and N fractions. Consequently, straw incorporation significantly increased grain yields of maize by 14.7% and rice by 15.1%. The annual potential reduction proportion in fertilizer-N induced by straw return was estimated to be 25.7% in the third year. This study suggests that the incorporation of straws is an effective way to enhance soil nutrients and regulate soil C and N pools to improve crop production and has the potential to reduce N fertilizer application under maize–rice rotation in subtropical regions.
Revisiting the Right in Zimbabwe of a Subrogated Insurer to Proceed against a Third Party in the Name of the Insured: Lessons from South Africa
Authors: Maringe Noah
Published: January 2024

The doctrine of subrogation, like many other legal principles in Zimbabwean insurance law, has evolved with changing times. The position in Zimbabwe (which was adopted from English law) is that a subrogated insurer who intends to enforce the insured's right to recover compensation for the insured loss from a third party can only do so in the name of the insured. The reason is that the insured is the custodian of legal rights against the third party; the insurer's rights only relate to the insured and not the third party. This research discusses legal developments in South African law and how they may be adopted in Zimbabwe in order to advance the rights of the parties in subrogation proceedings.
Learning a specialized register: An English for Specific Purposes research agenda
Authors: Basturkmen Helen
Published: January 2024

Increased work connectivity and study mobility over national boundaries in recent decades has led to a shift in the kind of English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction implemented in many educational institutions. Instruction to develop learners’ general English language proficiency may appear as a time-consuming and abstract endeavour. Instead, many institutions implement English for Specific Purposes (ESP), including English for Academic Purposes (EAP) type instruction. In ESP, the aim is to help students develop the specialized academic and work-related linguistic registers they need to function in target settings where English is used as a medium of instruction or in businesses and workplace communication. A great deal of ESP research has now been conducted to build linguistic descriptions of specialized registers. Rather less research has focused on the learning of such specialized registers. This article identifies areas for a research agenda to develop an understanding of learning a specialized register. It sets out two sites for enquiry, namely, learning in a target workplace or disciplinary study setting and learning in instructed ESP, and four topics for enquiry, namely, processes of learning, conditions for learning, learning trajectories, and transfer of learning. Example tasks are suggested for research into learning in target settings.
Environmental effects on reproduction in a managed population of the harvested and Endangered Saker Falcon Falco cherrug
Authors: Zhang Yuke , Gu Zhongru , Bold Batbayar , Davaasuren Batmunkh , Galtbalt Batbayar , Gungaa Amarkhuu , Purev-Ochir Gankhuyag , Batbayar Nyambayar , Rahman Lutfor , Li Xinhai , Dai Qiang , Zhan Xiangjiang , Dixon Andrew
Published: January 2024

We report how artificial nests can be utilised at scale in nest site-limited areas of Mongolia to create a managed population of Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug), an “Endangered” species that is harvested for international trade. The provision of 5,000 artificial nests created an average annual saker population of 602 (SE ± 59) breeding pairs, producing an estimated 1,735 (SE ± 272) fledglings per annum over the period 2013–2015. Our regular monitoring enabled us to identify the effects of climate and vegetation on breeding performance. A warm and dry climate prior to breeding was associated with earlier egg-laying dates, while warmer conditions during the breeding season increased fledging success. Greater vegetation biomass in the previous growth season was positively related to breeding density and earlier clutch initiation, which was associated with larger clutch size and larger fledged brood size. Furthermore, using small mammal remains from saker pellets collected at artificial nest sites, we found that higher breeding density, earlier egg laying, larger clutch size, and increased nest survival were associated with areas with a higher proportion of small mammal prey in the diet. Our results provided evidence of the role of temporal and spatial variation in climate and prey availability on breeding performance, demonstrating the requirement for dynamic modelling of variable demographic parameters to be incorporated within an adaptive management framework for the sustainable management of the Saker Falcon.
HUME ON THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND THE RISE OF ENGLISH COMMERCIAL SPIRIT
Authors: Matson Erik W.
Published: January 2024

This paper interprets the interaction between Protestantism and commercial spirit in David Hume’s account of English development, mostly drawing from The History of England. Hume saw Protestant theology—especially the more enthusiastic strains of English Puritanism—as having fortuitously shifted the landscape of political and economic sensibilities in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by affecting believers’ political, social, and economic psychologies. Those shifting psychologies exhibited affinities with concurrent developments, especially the decline of feudalism, the rise of consumerism, and the creation of an independent middle class of merchants. The peculiar synergy between such changes and Protestant theological innovations led to the emergence of England, by the eighteenth century, as a polite and commercial people—a people for whom commerce became, Hume claimed, more honorable than in any other nation. Hume, like Max Weber, saw a distinctive Protestant spirit as having contributed to the modern commercial order.
Multivariate analysis from maturase K (matK) gene-based markers and morphological indices in Indian cashew
Authors: Das Suparna , Ali Md. Nasim , Bandyopadhyay Sayani , Poduval Mini
Published: January 2024

The patterns and extent of genetic variation among 56 cashew germplasm with respect to 32 qualitative and 33 quantitative traits were evaluated for two successive years in the present study. Additionally, maturase K gene-based genetic diversity among those breeding materials was also assessed. The cashew hybrids were developed from five crosses (local parent × 2/9 Dicherla; H-2/15 × red hazari; WBDC-V × JGM-1; BLA-39-4 × H-2/15 and H-2/15 × yellow hazari) involving eight parents of Indian cashew. Different genotype groups (parents and their hybrids) showed significant variation in both the years of assessment based on quantitative characters. The highest Shannon–Weaver diversity (H′) was obtained for the colour of the young leaf (0.96), possibly indicating differential exposure to sunlight, mixing of various pigments and another set of chemicals such as phenolics, carotenoids, etc. in trees. From correlation studies, canopy spread, tree spread, nuts/m2 and nuts/panicle were found to be significantly and positively correlated with nut yield. In the year 2021, nuts/m2, area and tree height were the significant explanatory variables that explained 80% of the variation in the yield, whereas in 2022, nuts/m2, tree area, nuts/panicle, kernel weight, shell thickness, inflorescence breadth and sex ratio explained 86% of the variation. Principal component analysis indicated that the genotypes under study are diverse enough to be exploited for the future cashew improvement programmes.
Mitigating Unemployment Stigma
Authors: Heffner Allen
Published: January 2024

The stigma faced by unemployed Americans places a toll on their wellbeing and decreases their life chances. While all unemployed Americans are subject to stigmatization, the stigma levied on Black Americans may be particularly potent due to racializing stereotypes that associate Blackness with the undeserving poor, including the inability to obtain employment. Given the social and economic challenges Black people face, research elucidating the racial complexities of unemployment stigma is needed. Through in-depth open format face-to-face interviews of unemployed individuals residing in urban and suburban areas, this study produces an alternative perspective on how impression management techniques are connected to both internalization and mitigation of unemployment stigma. This study contributes to employment, race, and stigma literature by providing a theoretical frame that synthesizes Du Boisian and dramaturgical concepts to conceptualize an “unemployed worker-self.” Through this framing, I find variations across race and community type in impression management techniques executed by unemployed people. I conclude with suggestions for future research and potential applications for the theoretical frame developed in this study.
DNA Methylation Mediated the Association of Body Mass Index With Blood Pressure in Chinese Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Yao Jie , Ning Feng , Wang Weijing , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: January 2024

Obesity is an established risk factor for hypertension, but the mechanisms are only partially understood. We examined whether body mass index (BMI)-related DNA methylation (DNAm) variation would mediate the association of BMI with blood pressure (BP). We first conducted a genomewide DNA methylation analysis in monozygotic twin pairs to detect BMI-related DNAm variation and then evaluated the mediating effect of DNAm on the relationship between BMI and BP levels using the causal inference test (CIT) method and mediation analysis. Ontology enrichment analysis was performed for CpGs using the GREAT tool. A total of 60 twin pairs for BMI and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 58 twin pairs for BMI and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were included. BMI was positively associated with SBP (β = 1.86,p= .0004). The association between BMI and DNAm of 85 CpGs reachedp< 1×10–4level. Eleven BMI-related differentially methylated regions (DMRs) withinLNCPRESS1,OGDHL,RNU1-44P,NPHS1,ECEL1P2,LLGL2,RNY4P15,MOGAT3,PHACTR3, andBAI2were found. Of the 85 CpGs, 9 mapped toC10orf71-AS1,NDUFB5P1,KRT80,BAI2,ABCA2,PEX11GandFGF4were significantly associated with SBP levels. Of the 9 CpGs, 2 withinABCA2negatively mediated the association between BMI and SBP, with a mediating effect of −0.24 (95% CI [−0.65, −0.01]). BMI was also positively associated with DBP (β = 0.60,p= .0495). The association between BMI and DNAm of 193 CpGs reachedp< 1×10−4level. Twenty-five BMI-related DMRs withinOGDHL,POU4F2,ECEL1P2,TTC6,SMPD4,EP400,TUBA1CandAGAP2were found. Of the 193 CpGs, 33 mapped toABCA2,ADORA2B,CTNNBIP1,KDM4B,NAA60,RSPH6A,SLC25A19andSTILwere significantly associated with DBP levels. Of the 33 CpGs, 12 withinABCA2,SLC25A19,KDM4B,PTPRN2,DNASE1,TFCP2L1,LMNB2andC10orf71-AS1negatively mediated the association between BMI and DBP, with a total mediation effect of −0.66 (95% CI [−1.07, −0.30]). Interestingly, BMI might also negatively mediate the association between the DNAm of most CpG mediators mentioned above and BP. The mediating effect of DNAm was also found when stratified by sex. In conclusion, DNAm variation may partially negatively mediate the association of BMI with BP. Our findings may provide new clues to further elucidate the pathogenesis of obesity to hypertension and identify new diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for hypertension.
Resolving Multi‐Stage Rupture Process of the 2021 Mw 4.9 Offshore Jeju Island Earthquake From Relative Source Time Functions
Authors: Han Sangwoo , Kim Won‐Young , Lim Hobin , Son Young Oh , Seo Min‐Seong , Park Jun Yong , Kim YoungHee
Published: January 2024

We used local P and S waves, and regional Lg waves to investigate the Mw 4.9 Offshore Jeju Island earthquake, whose records show evidence of a complex rupture. This earthquake provides a rare window to understand the seismogenesis of moderate‐sized earthquakes on the southern Korea–East China Sea continental shelf. We computed the relative source time functions (RSTFs) by aligning the signals on the origin time of the main and its empirical Green's function (EGF) events, allowing us to use them as differential times of the EGF pair. We determined subevent locations using direct‐wave RSTFs, and captured the rupture variability of the two large subevents using waveform inversion of stacked Lg‐wave RSTFs. The first subevent rupture started by two weak nucleation phases and propagated slowly and bilaterally. Then the second subevent ruptured westward. Our analysis demonstrates that the Lg‐wave train observed at regional distances is useful in investigating detailed slip history.
Machine Learning for Online Sea Ice Bias Correction Within Global Ice‐Ocean Simulations
Authors: Gregory William , Bushuk Mitchell , Zhang Yongfei , Adcroft Alistair , Zanna Laure
Published: January 2024

In this study, we perform online sea ice bias correction within a Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory global ice‐ocean model. For this, we use a convolutional neural network (CNN) which was developed in a previous study (Gregory et al., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023ms003757) for the purpose of predicting sea ice concentration (SIC) data assimilation (DA) increments. An initial implementation of the CNN shows systematic improvements in SIC biases relative to the free‐running model, however large summertime errors remain. We show that these residual errors can be significantly improved with a novel sea ice data augmentation approach. This approach applies sequential CNN and DA corrections to a new simulation over the training period, which then provides a new training data set to refine the weights of the initial network. We propose that this machine‐learned correction scheme could be utilized for generating improved initial conditions, and also for real‐time sea ice bias correction within seasonal‐to‐subseasonal sea ice forecasts.
The effect of bariatric surgery type on cardiac reverse remodelling
Authors: Henry J. A. , Abdesselam I. , Deal O. , Lewis A. J. , Rayner J. , Bernard M. , Dutour A. , Gaborit B. , Kober F. , Soghomonian A. , Sgromo B. , Byrne J. , Bege T. , Borlaug B. A. , Neubauer S. , Rider O. J.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Bariatric surgery is effective in reversing adverse cardiac remodelling in obesity. However, it is unclear whether the three commonly performed operations; Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) and Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band (LAGB) are equal in their ability to reverse remodelling.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients underwent CMR to assess left ventricular mass (LVM), LV mass:volume ratio (LVMVR) and LV eccentricity index (LVei) before and after bariatric surgery (26 RYGB, 22 LSG and 10 LAGB), including 46 with short-term (median 251–273 days) and 43 with longer-term (median 983–1027 days) follow-up. Abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) were also assessed.

Results

All three procedures resulted in significant decreases in excess body weight (48–70%). Percentage change in VAT and EAT was significantly greater following RYGB and LSG compared to LAGB at both timepoints (VAT:RYGB −47% and −57%, LSG −47% and −54%, LAGB −31% and −25%; EAT:RYGB −13% and −14%, LSG –16% and −19%, LAGB −5% and −5%). Patients undergoing LAGB, whilst having reduced LVM (−1% and −4%), had a smaller decrease at both short (RYGB: −8%, p < 0.005; LSG: −11%, p < 0.0001) and long (RYGB: −12%, p = 0.009; LSG: −13%, p < 0.0001) term timepoints. There was a significant decrease in LVMVR at the long-term timepoint following both RYGB (−7%, p = 0.006) and LSG (−7%, p = 0.021), but not LAGB (−2%, p = 0.912). LVei appeared to decrease at the long-term timepoint in those undergoing RYGB (−3%, p = 0.063) and LSG (−4%, p = 0.015), but not in those undergoing LAGB (1%, p = 0.857). In all patients, the change in LVM correlated with change in VAT (r = 0.338, p = 0.0134), while the change in LVei correlated with change in EAT (r = 0.437, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

RYGB and LSG appear to result in greater decreases in visceral adiposity, and greater reverse LV remodelling with larger reductions in LVM, concentric remodelling and pericardial restraint than LAGB.
Allometric versus traditional body-shape indices and risk of colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Rontogianni Marina O. , Bouras Emmanouil , Aglago Elom Kouassivi , Freisling Heinz , Murphy Neil , Cotterchio Michelle , Hampe Jochen , Lindblom Annika , Pai Rish K. , Pharoah Paul D. P. , Phipps Amanda I. , van Duijnhoven Franzel J. B. , Visvanathan Kala , van Guelpen Bethany , Li Christopher I. , Brenner Hermann , Pellatt Andrew J. , Ogino Shuji , Gunter Marc J. , Peters Ulrike , Christakoudi Sofia , Tsilidis Konstantinos K.
Published: January 2024

Background

Traditional body-shape indices such as Waist Circumference (WC), Hip Circumference (HC), and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but are correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI), and adjustment for BMI introduces a strong correlation with height. Thus, new allometric indices have been developed, namely A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Hip Index (HI), and Waist-to-Hip Index (WHI), which are uncorrelated with weight and height; these have also been associated with CRC risk in observational studies, but information from Mendelian randomization (MR) studies is missing.

Methods

We used two-sample MR to examine potential causal cancer site- and sex-specific associations of the genetically-predicted allometric body-shape indices with CRC risk, and compared them with BMI-adjusted traditional body-shape indices, and BMI. Data were obtained from UK Biobank and the GIANT consortium, and from GECCO, CORECT and CCFR consortia.

Results

WHI was positively associated with CRC in men (OR per SD: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.39) and in women (1.15, 1.06–1.24), and similarly for colon and rectal cancer. ABSI was positively associated with colon and rectal cancer in men (1.27, 1.03–1.57; and 1.40, 1.10–1.77, respectively), and with colon cancer in women (1.20, 1.07–1.35). There was little evidence for association between HI and colon or rectal cancer. The BMI-adjusted WHR and HC showed similar associations to WHI and HI, whereas WC showed similar associations to ABSI only in women.

Conclusions

This large MR study provides strong evidence for a potential causal positive association of the allometric indices ABSI and WHI with CRC in both sexes, thus establishing the association between abdominal fat and CRC without the limitations of the traditional waist size indices and independently of BMI. Among the BMI-adjusted traditional indices, WHR and HC provided equivalent associations with WHI and HI, while differences were observed between WC and ABSI.
Prescribing practices of inhaled corticosteroids for premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Tang Monica , Ibrahim Anna , Laughon Christopher , Moore Kaila , Tejada Angibel , Tran Dean , Kilpatrick Ryan , Greenberg Rachel G. , Hornik Christoph P. , Zimmerman Kanecia , Laughon Matthew M. , Clark Reese H. , Lang Jason E.
Published: January 2024

Objective

Despite limited safety and efficacy data, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are prescribed to premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We examined contemporary use and risk factors for ICS use in the NICU.

Study design

Infants <33 weeks gestational age and <1500 gm birth weight discharged from Pediatrix Medical Group NICUs between 2010 and 2020 were included. We evaluated the association between ICS prescription and clinical characteristics using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 74,123 infants from 308 NICUs, 9253 (12.5%) were prescribed ICS: budesonide, fluticasone, or beclomethasone. Diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), earlier gestational age, male sex, longer mechanical ventilation, oxygen support, and systemic steroids were independent risk factors for ICS prescription.

Conclusions

Use of ICS is common in many NICUs and is associated with a diagnosis of BPD and healthcare utilization. Prospective trials are needed to establish the safety, efficacy, and optimal indication in this vulnerable population.
A new route towards polarized luminescence: 0D/2D nanocomposites
Authors: Meijerink Andries
Published: January 2024

Combining wide bandgap 2D inorganic materials and blue-light-emitting 0D carbon dots in 0D/2D heterojunction nanocomposites was shown to give rise to unique optical properties and a multifunctional prototype device was developed, capable of polarized light luminescence, modulation and detection.
Correlated optical convolutional neural network with “quantum speedup”
Authors: Sun Yifan , Li Qian , Kong Ling-Jun , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: January 2024

Compared with electrical neural networks, optical neural networks (ONNs) have the potentials to break the limit of the bandwidth and reduce the consumption of energy, and therefore draw much attention in recent years. By far, several types of ONNs have been implemented. However, the current ONNs cannot realize the acceleration as powerful as that indicated by the models like quantum neural networks. How to construct and realize an ONN with the quantum speedup is a huge challenge. Here, we propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally a new type of optical convolutional neural network by introducing the optical correlation. It is called the correlated optical convolutional neural network (COCNN). We show that the COCNN can exhibit “quantum speedup” in the training process. The character is verified from the two aspects. One is the direct illustration of the faster convergence by comparing the loss function curves of the COCNN with that of the traditional convolutional neural network (CNN). Such a result is compatible with the training performance of the recently proposed quantum convolutional neural network (QCNN). The other is the demonstration of the COCNN’s capability to perform the QCNN phase recognition circuit, validating the connection between the COCNN and the QCNN. Furthermore, we take the COCNN analog to the 3-qubit QCNN phase recognition circuit as an example and perform an experiment to show the soundness and the feasibility of it. The results perfectly match the theoretical calculations. Our proposal opens up a new avenue for realizing the ONNs with the quantum speedup, which will benefit the information processing in the era of big data.
Amelioration of the brain structural connectivity is accompanied with changes of gut microbiota in a tuberous sclerosis complex mouse model
Authors: Hsieh Christine Chin-jung , Lo Yu-Chun , Wang Hsin-Hui , Shen Hsin-Ying , Chen You-Yin , Lee Yi-Chao
Published: January 2024

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disease that causes benign tumors and dysfunctions in many organs, including the brain. Aside from the brain malformations, many individuals with TSC exhibit neuropsychiatric symptoms. Among these symptoms, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common co-morbidities, affecting up to 60% of the population. Past neuroimaging studies strongly suggested that the impairments in brain connectivity contribute to ASD, whether or not TSC-related. Specifically, the tract-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis provides information on the fiber integrity and has been used to study the neuropathological changes in the white matter of TSC patients with ASD symptoms. In our previous study, curcumin, a diet-derived mTOR inhibitor has been shown to effectively mitigate learning and memory deficits and anxiety-like behavior in Tsc2+/− mice via inhibiting astroglial proliferation. Recently, gut microbiota, which is greatly influenced by the diet, has been considered to play an important role in regulating several components of the central nervous system, including glial functions. In this study, we showed that the abnormal social behavior in the Tsc2+/− mice can be ameliorated by the dietary curcumin treatment. Second, using tract-based DTI analysis, we found that the Tsc2+/− mice exhibited altered fractional anisotropy, axial and radial diffusivities of axonal bundles connecting the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, hypothalamus, and amygdala, indicating a decreased brain network. Third, the dietary curcumin treatment improved the DTI metrics, in accordance with changes in the gut microbiota composition. At the bacterial phylum level, we showed that the abundances of Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Tenericutes were significantly correlated with the DTI metrics FA, AD, and RD, respectively. Finally, we revealed that the expression of myelin-associated proteins, myelin bassic protein (MBP) and proteolipid protein (PLP) was increased after the treatment. Overall, we showed a strong correlation between structural connectivity alterations and social behavioral deficits, as well as the diet-dependent changes in gut microbiota composition.
High-throughput computational stacking reveals emergent properties in natural van der Waals bilayers
Authors: Pakdel Sahar , Rasmussen Asbjørn , Taghizadeh Alireza , Kruse Mads , Olsen Thomas , Thygesen Kristian S.
Published: January 2024

Stacking of two-dimensional (2D) materials has emerged as a facile strategy for realising exotic quantum states of matter and engineering electronic properties. Yet, developments beyond the proof-of-principle level are impeded by the vast size of the configuration space defined by layer combinations and stacking orders. Here we employ a density functional theory (DFT) workflow to calculate interlayer binding energies of 8451 homobilayers created by stacking 1052 different monolayers in various configurations. Analysis of the stacking orders in 247 experimentally known van der Waals crystals is used to validate the workflow and determine the criteria for realisable bilayers. For the 2586 most stable bilayer systems, we calculate a range of electronic, magnetic, and vibrational properties, and explore general trends and anomalies. We identify an abundance of bistable bilayers with stacking order-dependent magnetic or electrical polarisation states making them candidates for slidetronics applications.
DeepFocus: fast focus and astigmatism correction for electron microscopy
Authors: Schubert P. J. , Saxena R. , Kornfeld J.
Published: January 2024

High-throughput 2D and 3D scanning electron microscopy, which relies on automation and dependable control algorithms, requires high image quality with minimal human intervention. Classical focus and astigmatism correction algorithms attempt to explicitly model image formation and subsequently aberration correction. Such models often require parameter adjustments by experts when deployed to new microscopes, challenging samples, or imaging conditions to prevent unstable convergence, making them hard to use in practice or unreliable. Here, we introduce DeepFocus, a purely data-driven method for aberration correction in scanning electron microscopy. DeepFocus works under very low signal-to-noise ratio conditions, reduces processing times by more than an order of magnitude compared to the state-of-the-art method, rapidly converges within a large aberration range, and is easily recalibrated to different microscopes or challenging samples.
Nanoconfinement-triggered oligomerization pathway for efficient removal of phenolic pollutants via a Fenton-like reaction
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Tang Jingjing , Wang Lingling , Wang Chuan , Chen Lei , Chen Xinqing , Qian Jieshu , Pan Bingcai
Published: January 2024

Heterogeneous Fenton reaction represents one of the most reliable technologies to ensure water safety, but is currently challenged by the sluggish Fe(III) reduction, excessive input of chemicals for organic mineralization, and undesirable carbon emission. Current endeavors to improve the catalytic performance of Fenton reaction are mostly focused on how to accelerate Fe(III) reduction, while the pollutant degradation step is habitually overlooked. Here, we report a nanoconfinement strategy by using graphene aerogel (GA) to support UiO-66-NH2-(Zr) binding atomic Fe(III), which alters the carbon transfer route during phenol removal from kinetically favored ring-opening route to thermodynamically favored oligomerization route. GA nanoconfinement favors the Fe(III) reduction by enriching the reductive intermediates and allows much faster phenol removal than the unconfined analog (by 208 times in terms of first-order rate constant) and highly efficient removal of total organic carbon, i.e., 92.2 ± 3.7% versus 3.6 ± 0.3% in 60 min. Moreover, this oligomerization route reduces the oxidant consumption for phenol removal by more than 95% and carbon emission by 77.9%, compared to the mineralization route in homogeneous Fe2++H2O2 system. Our findings may upgrade the regulatory toolkit for Fenton reactions and provide an alternative carbon transfer route for the removal of aqueous pollutants.
Collective total synthesis of stereoisomeric yohimbine alkaloids
Authors: Tang Meiyi , Lu Haigen , Zu Liansuo
Published: January 2024

Stereoisomeric polycyclic natural products are important for drug discovery-based screening campaigns, due to the close correlation of stereochemistry with diversified bioactivities. Nature generates the stereoisomeric yohimbine alkaloids using bioavailable monoterpene secolaganin as the ten-carbon building block. In this work, we reset the stage by the development of a bioinspired coupling, in which the rapid construction of the entire pentacyclic skeleton and the complete control of all five stereogenic centers are achieved through enantioselective kinetic resolution of an achiral, easily accessible synthetic surrogate. The stereochemical diversification from a common intermediate allows for the divergent and collective synthesis of all four stereoisomeric subfamilies of yohimbine alkaloids through orchestrated tackling of thermodynamic and kinetic preference.
Reaction hijacking inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum asparagine tRNA synthetase
Authors: Xie Stanley C. , Wang Yinuo , Morton Craig J. , Metcalfe Riley D. , Dogovski Con , Pasaje Charisse Flerida A. , Dunn Elyse , Luth Madeline R. , Kumpornsin Krittikorn , Istvan Eva S. , Park Joon Sung , Fairhurst Kate J. , Ketprasit Nutpakal , Yeo Tomas , Yildirim Okan , Bhebhe Mathamsanqa N. , Klug Dana M. , Rutledge Peter J. , Godoy Luiz C. , Dey Sumanta , De Souza Mariana Laureano , Siqueira-Neto Jair L. , Du Yawei , Puhalovich Tanya , Amini Mona , Shami Gerry , Loesbanluechai Duangkamon , Nie Shuai , Williamson Nicholas , Jana Gouranga P. , Maity Bikash C. , Thomson Patrick , Foley Thomas , Tan Derek S. , Niles Jacquin C. , Han Byung Woo , Goldberg Daniel E. , Burrows Jeremy , Fidock David A. , Lee Marcus C. S. , Winzeler Elizabeth A. , Griffin Michael D. W. , Todd Matthew H. , Tilley Leann
Published: January 2024

Malaria poses an enormous threat to human health. With ever increasing resistance to currently deployed drugs, breakthrough compounds with novel mechanisms of action are urgently needed. Here, we explore pyrimidine-based sulfonamides as a new low molecular weight inhibitor class with drug-like physical parameters and a synthetically accessible scaffold. We show that the exemplar, OSM-S-106, has potent activity against parasite cultures, low mammalian cell toxicity and low propensity for resistance development. In vitro evolution of resistance using a slow ramp-up approach pointed to the Plasmodium falciparum cytoplasmic asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (PfAsnRS) as the target, consistent with our finding that OSM-S-106 inhibits protein translation and activates the amino acid starvation response. Targeted mass spectrometry confirms that OSM-S-106 is a pro-inhibitor and that inhibition of PfAsnRS occurs via enzyme-mediated production of an Asn-OSM-S-106 adduct. Human AsnRS is much less susceptible to this reaction hijacking mechanism. X-ray crystallographic studies of human AsnRS in complex with inhibitor adducts and docking of pro-inhibitors into a model of Asn-tRNA-bound PfAsnRS provide insights into the structure-activity relationship and the selectivity mechanism.
Selective replication and vertical transmission of Ebola virus in experimentally infected Angolan free-tailed bats
Authors: Riesle-Sbarbaro S. A. , Wibbelt G. , Düx A. , Kouakou V. , Bokelmann M. , Hansen-Kant K. , Kirchoff N. , Laue M. , Kromarek N. , Lander A. , Vogel U. , Wahlbrink A. , Wozniak D. M. , Scott D. P. , Prescott J. B. , Schaade L. , Couacy-Hymann E. , Kurth A.
Published: January 2024

The natural reservoir of Ebola virus (EBOV), agent of a zoonosis burdening several African countries, remains unidentified, albeit evidence points towards bats. In contrast, the ecology of the related Marburg virus is much better understood; with experimental infections of bats being instrumental for understanding reservoir-pathogen interactions. Experiments have focused on elucidating reservoir competence, infection kinetics and specifically horizontal transmission, although, vertical transmission plays a key role in many viral enzootic cycles. Herein, we investigate the permissiveness of Angolan free-tailed bats (AFBs), known to harbour Bombali virus, to other filoviruses: Ebola, Marburg, Taï Forest and Reston viruses. We demonstrate that only the bats inoculated with EBOV show high and disseminated viral replication and infectious virus shedding, without clinical disease, while the other filoviruses fail to establish productive infections. Notably, we evidence placental-specific tissue tropism and a unique ability of EBOV to traverse the placenta, infect and persist in foetal tissues of AFBs, which results in distinct genetic signatures of adaptive evolution. These findings not only demonstrate plausible routes of horizontal and vertical transmission in these bats, which are expectant of reservoir hosts, but may also reveal an ancillary transmission mechanism, potentially required for the maintenance of EBOV in small reservoir populations.
Ubiquitin ligase RNF20 coordinates sequential adipose thermogenesis with brown and beige fat-specific substrates
Authors: Jeon Yong Geun , Nahmgoong Hahn , Oh Jiyoung , Lee Dabin , Kim Dong Wook , Kim Jane Eunsoo , Kim Ye Young , Ji Yul , Han Ji Seul , Kim Sung Min , Sohn Jee Hyung , Lee Won Taek , Kim Sun Won , Park Jeu , Huh Jin Young , Jo Kyuri , Cho Je-Yoel , Park Jiyoung , Kim Jae Bum
Published: January 2024

In mammals, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) execute sequential thermogenesis to maintain body temperature during cold stimuli. BAT rapidly generates heat through brown adipocyte activation, and further iWAT gradually stimulates beige fat cell differentiation upon prolonged cold challenges. However, fat depot-specific regulatory mechanisms for thermogenic activation of two fat depots are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF20 orchestrates adipose thermogenesis with BAT- and iWAT-specific substrates. Upon cold stimuli, BAT RNF20 is rapidly downregulated, resulting in GABPα protein elevation by controlling protein stability, which stimulates thermogenic gene expression. Accordingly, BAT-specific Rnf20 suppression potentiates BAT thermogenic activity via GABPα upregulation. Moreover, upon prolonged cold stimuli, iWAT RNF20 is gradually upregulated to promote de novo beige adipogenesis. Mechanistically, iWAT RNF20 mediates NCoR1 protein degradation, rather than GABPα, to activate PPARγ. Together, current findings propose fat depot-specific regulatory mechanisms for temporal activation of adipose thermogenesis.
Toripalimab plus capecitabine in the treatment of patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a single-arm phase 2 trial
Authors: Cao Xun , Huang Hao-Yang , Liang Chi-Xiong , Lin Zhuo-Chen , Zhou Jia-Yu , Chen Xi , Huang Ying-Ying , Zhan Ze-Jiang , Ke Liang-Ru , Han Lu-Jun , Xia Wei-Xiong , Tang Lin-Quan , Guo Shan-Shan , Liang Hu , Guo Xiang , Lv Xing
Published: January 2024

Patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma after receiving definitive treatment have poor prognoses. Although immune checkpoint therapies have achieved breakthroughs for treating recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, none of these strategies have been assessed for treating residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, we aimed to evaluate the antitumor efficacy and safety of toripalimab (anti-PD1 antibody) plus capecitabine in patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma after definitive treatment (ChiCTR1900023710). Primary endpoint of this trial was the objective response rate assessed according to RECIST (version 1.1). Secondary endpoints included complete response rate, disease control rate, duration of response, progression-free survival, safety profile, and treatment compliance. Between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021, 23 patients were recruited and received six cycles of toripalimab plus capecitabine every 3 weeks. In efficacy analyses, 13 patients (56.5%) had complete response, and 9 patients (39.1%) had partial response, with an objective response rate of 95.7% (95% CI 78.1-99.9). The trial met its prespecified primary endpoint. In safety analyses, 21 of (91.3%) 23 patients had treatment-related adverse events. The most frequently reported adverse event was hand-foot syndrome (11 patients [47.8%]). The most common grade 3 adverse event was hand-foot syndrome (two patients [8.7%]). No grades 4-5 treatment-related adverse events were recorded. This phase 2 trial shows that combining toripalimab with capecitabine has promising antitumour activity and a manageable safety profile for patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Nominally identical microplastic models differ greatly in their particle-cell interactions
Authors: Wieland Simon , Ramsperger Anja F. R. M. , Gross Wolfgang , Lehmann Moritz , Witzmann Thomas , Caspari Anja , Obst Martin , Gekle Stephan , Auernhammer Günter K. , Fery Andreas , Laforsch Christian , Kress Holger
Published: January 2024

Due to the abundance of microplastics in the environment, research about its possible adverse effects is increasing exponentially. Most studies investigating the effect of microplastics on cells still rely on commercially available polystyrene microspheres. However, the choice of these model microplastic particles can affect the outcome of the studies, as even nominally identical model microplastics may interact differently with cells due to different surface properties such as the surface charge. Here, we show that nominally identical polystyrene microspheres from eight different manufacturers significantly differ in their ζ-potential, which is the electrical potential of a particle in a medium at its slipping plane. The ζ-potential of the polystyrene particles is additionally altered after environmental exposure. We developed a microfluidic microscopy platform to demonstrate that the ζ-potential determines particle-cell adhesion strength. Furthermore, we find that due to this effect, the ζ-potential also strongly determines the internalization of the microplastic particles into cells. Therefore, the ζ-potential can act as a proxy of microplastic-cell interactions and may govern adverse effects reported in various organisms exposed to microplastics.
A rechargeable Ca/Cl2 battery
Authors: Geng Shitao , Zhao Xiaoju , Xu Qiuchen , Yuan Bin , Wang Yan , Liao Meng , Ye Lei , Wang Shuo , Ouyang Zhaofeng , Wu Liang , Wang Yongyang , Ma Chenyan , Zhao Xiaojuan , Sun Hao
Published: January 2024

Rechargeable calcium (Ca) metal batteries are promising candidates for sustainable energy storage due to the abundance of Ca in Earth’s crust and the advantageous theoretical capacity and voltage of these batteries. However, the development of practical Ca metal batteries has been severely hampered by the current cathode chemistries, which limit the available energy and power densities, as well as their insufficient capacity retention and low-temperature capability. Here, we describe the rechargeable Ca/Cl2 battery based on a reversible cathode redox reaction between CaCl2 and Cl2, which is enabled by the use of lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate as a key electrolyte mediator to facilitate the dissociation and distribution of Cl-based species and Ca2+. Our rechargeable Ca/Cl2 battery can deliver discharge voltages of 3 V and exhibits remarkable specific capacity (1000 mAh g−1) and rate capability (500 mA g−1). In addition, the excellent capacity retention (96.5% after 30 days) and low-temperature capability (down to 0 °C) allow us to overcome the long-standing bottleneck of rechargeable Ca metal batteries.
Matrix viscoelasticity promotes liver cancer progression in the pre-cirrhotic liver
Authors: Fan Weiguo , Adebowale Kolade , Váncza Lóránd , Li Yuan , Rabbi Md Foysal , Kunimoto Koshi , Chen Dongning , Mozes Gergely , Chiu David Kung-Chun , Li Yisi , Tao Junyan , Wei Yi , Adeniji Nia , Brunsing Ryan L. , Dhanasekaran Renumathy , Singhi Aatur , Geller David , Lo Su Hao , Hodgson Louis , Engleman Edgar G. , Charville Gregory W. , Charu Vivek , Monga Satdarshan P. , Kim Taeyoon , Wells Rebecca G. , Chaudhuri Ovijit , Török Natalie J.
Published: January 2024

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics contribute to cancer development1,2, and increased stiffness is known to promote HCC progression in cirrhotic conditions3,4. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by an accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in the ECM; however, how this affects HCC in non-cirrhotic conditions is unclear. Here we find that, in patients and animal models, AGEs promote changes in collagen architecture and enhance ECM viscoelasticity, with greater viscous dissipation and faster stress relaxation, but not changes in stiffness. High AGEs and viscoelasticity combined with oncogenic β-catenin signalling promote HCC induction, whereas inhibiting AGE production, reconstituting the AGE clearance receptor AGER1 or breaking AGE-mediated collagen cross-links reduces viscoelasticity and HCC growth. Matrix analysis and computational modelling demonstrate that lower interconnectivity of AGE-bundled collagen matrix, marked by shorter fibre length and greater heterogeneity, enhances viscoelasticity. Mechanistically, animal studies and 3D cell cultures show that enhanced viscoelasticity promotes HCC cell proliferation and invasion through an integrin-β1–tensin-1–YAP mechanotransductive pathway. These results reveal that AGE-mediated structural changes enhance ECM viscoelasticity, and that viscoelasticity can promote cancer progression in vivo, independent of stiffness.
Single-photon superradiance in individual caesium lead halide quantum dots
Authors: Zhu Chenglian , Boehme Simon C. , Feld Leon G. , Moskalenko Anastasiia , Dirin Dmitry N. , Mahrt Rainer F. , Stöferle Thilo , Bodnarchuk Maryna I. , Efros Alexander L. , Sercel Peter C. , Kovalenko Maksym V. , Rainò Gabriele
Published: January 2024

The brightness of an emitter is ultimately described by Fermi’s golden rule, with a radiative rate proportional to its oscillator strength times the local density of photonic states. As the oscillator strength is an intrinsic material property, the quest for ever brighter emission has relied on the local density of photonic states engineering, using dielectric or plasmonic resonators1,2. By contrast, a much less explored avenue is to boost the oscillator strength, and hence the emission rate, using a collective behaviour termed superradiance. Recently, it was proposed3 that the latter can be realized using the giant oscillator-strength transitions of a weakly confined exciton in a quantum well when its coherent motion extends over many unit cells. Here we demonstrate single-photon superradiance in perovskite quantum dots with a sub-100 picosecond radiative decay time, almost as short as the reported exciton coherence time4. The characteristic dependence of radiative rates on the size, composition and temperature of the quantum dot suggests the formation of giant transition dipoles, as confirmed by effective-mass calculations. The results aid in the development of ultrabright, coherent quantum light sources and attest that quantum effects, for example, single-photon emission, persist in nanoparticles ten times larger than the exciton Bohr radius.
Activation of recombinases at specific DNA loci by zinc-finger domain insertions
Authors: Mukhametzyanova Liliya , Schmitt Lukas Theo , Torres-Rivera Julia , Rojo-Romanos Teresa , Lansing Felix , Paszkowski-Rogacz Maciej , Hollak Heike , Brux Melanie , Augsburg Martina , Schneider Paul Martin , Buchholz Frank
Published: January 2024

Recombinases have several potential advantages as genome editing tools compared to nucleases and other editing enzymes, but the process of engineering them to efficiently recombine predetermined DNA targets demands considerable investment of time and labor. Here we sought to harness zinc-finger DNA-binding domains (ZFDs) to program recombinase binding by developing fusions, in which ZFDs are inserted into recombinase coding sequences. By screening libraries of hybrid proteins, we optimized the insertion site, linker length, spacing and ZFD orientation and generated Cre-type recombinases that remain dormant unless the insertionally fused ZFD binds its target site placed in the vicinity of the recombinase binding site. The developed fusion improved targeted editing efficiencies of recombinases by four-fold and abolished measurable off-target activity in mammalian cells. The ZFD-dependent activity is transferable to a recombinase with relaxed specificity, providing the means for developing fully programmable recombinases. Our engineered recombinases provide improved genome editing tools with increased precision and efficiency.