bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender, Militarized Masculinity, and Hungarian Illiberalism
Authors: Lehotai Orsolya
Published: August 2023

The article explores how gendered relations of power and masculinity are articulated in the Hungarian illiberal government’s rhetorical, legal, and spatial marking of borders and surrounding right-wing discourses in relation to categories of “East”/“West.” After the Hungarian government declared and gradually normalized its illiberal regime, particularly in response to the European refugee crisis in 2015, it passed various anti-migration, anti-gender, and anti-minority laws and policies in the name of defending Hungarians against both the influence of the “feminine” West and the “hyper-masculine” Eastern Other seeking refuge in Hungary. This article examines how the Hungarian government constructs the illiberal state, negotiates its geopolitical position, and propagates illiberal values as “masculine” to articulate and assert its sovereignty against spheres of the “feminized” international, particularly against the West. In parallel with these processes, subnational competing discourses of masculinized sovereignty emerged between the Hungarian government and the mayor of Ásotthalom. By utilizing an intersectional analytical framework, this article maps how these competing discourses of masculinized sovereignty operate at the national and local levels, against the unfolding of the 2015 humanitarian crisis and its aftermath.
Dietary intervention in gestational diabetes: a qualitative study of the acceptability and feasibility of a novel whole-diet intervention in healthcare professionals
Authors: Kusinski Laura Caroline , Richards Rebecca , Jones Danielle L. , Turner Elizabeth , Hughes Deborah J , Dyson Pamela , Ahern Amy L. , Meek Claire Louise
Published: August 2023

Gestational diabetes is treated with medical nutrition therapy, delivered by healthcare professionals; however, the optimal diet for affected women is unknown. Randomised controlled trials, such as the DiGest (Dietary Intervention in Gestational Diabetes) trial, will address this knowledge gap, but the acceptability of whole-diet interventions in pregnancy is unclear. Whole-diet approaches reduce bias but require high levels of participant commitment and long intervention periods to generate meaningful clinical outcomes. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ views on the acceptability of the DiGest dietbox intervention for women with gestational diabetes and to identify any barriers to adherence which could be addressed to support good recruitment and retention to the DiGest trial. Female healthcare professionals (n 16) were randomly allocated to receive a DiGest dietbox containing 1200 or 2000 kcal/d including at least one weeks’ food. A semi-structured interview was conducted to explore participants’ experience of the intervention. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using NVivo software. Based on the findings of qualitative interviews, modifications were made to the dietboxes. Participants found the dietboxes convenient and enjoyed the variety and taste of the meals. Factors which facilitated adherence included participants having a good understanding of study aims and sufficient organisational skills to facilitate weekly meal planning in advance. Barriers to adherence included peer pressure during social occasions and feelings of deprivation or hunger (affecting both standard and reduced calorie groups). Healthcare professionals considered random allocation to a whole-diet replacement intervention to be acceptable and feasible in a clinical environment and offered benefits to participants including convenience.
Sovereignty and Nationalism in Contemporary Iraq through the Memory of the 1991 Uprising
Authors: Taha Amir
Published: August 2023

Modern nation–states typically strive to define the cultural memory of a society by promoting certain historical narratives through mass media, museums, monuments, education, national holidays, and the like. Although huge differences exist between states in the realm of cultural policies, they usually entail the marginalization of certain groups or collective memories and often mark their exclusion from the imagined national collective. But even if publicly suppressed or silenced, the collective memory of marginal groups continues to thrive in the private sphere or in protected social niches. The dichotomy between public and private memory is not rigid, as state hegemony in the sphere of cultural memory fluctuates and is rarely complete.
Model-free adaptive robust control based on TDE for robot with disturbance and input saturation
Authors: Liu Xia , Wang Lu , Yang Yong
Published: August 2023

A model-free adaptive robust control based on time delay estimation (TDE) is proposed for robot in the presence of disturbance and input saturation. TDE is utilized to estimate the complicated nonlinear terms of the robot including unknown dynamics and disturbance, and a TDE error observer is developed to estimate the inevitable TDE error. When the input torque of the robot exceeds the upper or lower limit of the input saturation, an auxiliary system and a saturation deviation boundary adaptive law are employed to mitigate the negative impact of input saturation on the position tracking. Finally, the robust control law is obtained by backstepping. The stability of the closed-loop system is proved by Lyapunov functions, and the validity of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparative simulations and experiments. Compared with the model-based controllers and other model-free controllers, the proposed method does not necessitate the accurate dynamic model of the complicated system and with lower computation. Moreover, it can guarantee the desired position tracking performance of the robot even subject to disturbance and input saturation simultaneously.
Factors influencing tropical lizard reproduction vary by microhabitat but not forest type
Authors: Swartwout Meredith C. , Willson J. D.
Published: August 2023

To understand mechanisms behind enigmatic declines of tropical reptiles, knowledge of species interactions and how they vary over space and time is important. Some tropical lizard population dynamics can be highly influenced by egg survival. Yet relatively few studies have examined relationships between lizard reproductive success and egg predators across forest and microhabitat types. In this study, we examined variation in probability of egg depredation, predatory ant abundance, prey availability, and the number of lizards and eggs encountered across four different forest types (abandoned agroforestry, abandoned plantation, secondary forest, and old-growth forest) and three microhabitats (buttress, fallen log, and leaf-litter) at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. Based on previous studies, we made three hypotheses about how lizard egg abundance, egg survival, and predatory ant numbers would be related across microhabitat and forest type. Of these hypotheses, only one was supported: we found more lizard eggs in buttress and fallen log microhabitats than leaf-litter. We did not observe any differences in lizard reproduction or numbers of invertebrates by forest type alone. Based on patterns observed in this study, we suggest that future studies investigating tropical leaf-litter lizard declines focus on environmental variation at the microhabitat scale.
Efficacy of meaning-centered group psychotherapy in Chinese patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Shuman , Zhu Yu , Wang Ziying , Zheng Mimi , Li Xiaoru , Zhang Yu , Wan Hongwei
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Meaninglessness is one of the most common psychological problems in cancer patients, which can lead to anxiety, depression and psychological distress, and diminished quality of life. Recent evidence indicates that meaning-centered group psychotherapy (MCGP) effectively enhances the meaning in life among cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of MCGP on the meaning in life, post-traumatic growth, psychological distress, and fear of recurrence among Chinese cancer patients with a favorable prognosis.

Methods

Sixty-six cancer patients were randomly assigned to either the MCGP group (n = 33) or the control group (n = 33). Participants in the MCGP group underwent a 4-week, 8-session MCGP, while those in the control group received usual care. Meaning in life, post-traumatic growth, psychological distress, and fear of recurrence were assessed at both baseline and postintervention to evaluate the impact of the intervention. The intervention outcomes were analyzed using paired t-tests or analysis of covariance, as appropriate.

Results

Patients in the MCGP group demonstrated significant improvements in meaning in life, post-traumatic growth, and fear of recurrence from baseline to postintervention. In comparison to the control group, the MCGP group displayed positive effects on meaning in life and post-traumatic growth following the intervention. However, no significant effects were observed in terms of psychological distress and fear of recurrence.

Significance of results

Our research offers evidence supporting the effectiveness of MCGP in enhancing meaning in life and post-traumatic growth among Chinese cancer patients with a favorable prognosis.
Moving ‘red lines’: The Russian–Ukrainian war and the pragmatic (mis-)use of international law
Authors: dos Reis Filipe , Grzybowski Janis
Published: August 2023

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has widely been seen as a failure of the international legal order, which could neither stop Russia from launching a war of aggression, nor prevent the perpetration of international crimes. In such a reading, great power politics have (once again) trumped international law. We argue instead that international law plays a crucial part in the conflict by providing a semantic infrastructure, which the opposing parties use to justify their actions, try to re-draw limits of permissible action and negotiate changing ‘red lines’ with the enemy. Drawing on the notion of lawfare, we show how the pragmatic (mis-)use of international law flexibly delineates boundaries and stabilizes expectations between adversaries even as they are contested in the current war. We focus on claims about self-determination and self-defence to justify the use of force; categorizations of combatants; and weapons transfers and the status of third states. That international law can be violated or reinterpreted to breaking point does not make it irrelevant. To the contrary, it recalls its important role as a language of conflict and compromise, beyond strictly legalist as well as dismissive realist views.
Decadal Trends in the Oceanic Storage of Anthropogenic Carbon From 1994 to 2014
Authors: Müller Jens Daniel , Gruber N. , Carter B. , Feely R. , Ishii M. , Lange N. , Lauvset S. K. , Murata A. , Olsen A. , Pérez F. F. , Sabine C. , Tanhua T. , Wanninkhof R. , Zhu D.
Published: August 2023

The oceanic uptake and resulting storage of the anthropogenic CO2 (Cant) that humans have emitted into the atmosphere moderates climate change. Yet our knowledge about how this uptake and storage has progressed in time remained limited. Here, we determine decadal trends in the storage of Cant by applying the eMLR(C*) regression method to ocean interior observations collected repeatedly since the 1990s. We find that the global ocean storage of Cant grew from 1994 to 2004 by 29 ± 3 Pg C dec−1 and from 2004 to 2014 by 27 ± 3 Pg C dec−1 (±1σ). The storage change in the second decade is about 15 ± 11% lower than one would expect from the first decade and assuming proportional increase with atmospheric CO2. We attribute this reduction in sensitivity to a decrease of the ocean buffer capacity and changes in ocean circulation. In the Atlantic Ocean, the maximum storage rate shifted from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere, plausibly caused by a weaker formation rate of North Atlantic Deep Waters and an intensified ventilation of mode and intermediate waters in the Southern Hemisphere. Our estimates of the Cant accumulation differ from cumulative net air‐sea flux estimates by several Pg C dec−1, suggesting a substantial and variable, but uncertain net loss of natural carbon from the ocean. Our findings indicate a considerable vulnerability of the ocean carbon sink to climate variability and change.
Effects of Precipitation Latent Heating on Structure and Evolution of Northeast China Cold Vortex: A PV Perspective
Authors: Fan Ziqi , Xue Ming , Zhu Kefeng , Luo Liping , Gao Zongting , Li Shangfeng
Published: August 2023

Based on potential vorticity (PV) thinking, northeast China cold vortex (NCCV) corresponds to an upper‐level high PV anomaly from stratospheric PV downward intrusion. Within a vortex, latent heating from precipitation would produce a vertical dipole of PV anomalies that would affect structures and evolution of the vortex. In this paper, three‐dimensional structures and evolution of NCCV and, effects of latent heating from precipitation along bent‐back, cold and warm fronts on them are investigated based on convection‐allowing simulations for an intense NCCV case during 8–17 June 2012. Trajectory analysis shows that the negative upper‐level diabatic PV anomaly from bent‐back frontal precipitation, near the vortex center, is the dominant contributor to erosion of high PV in the vortex core region as it is advected in, leading to the weakening of the vortex. The negative PV anomalies along the cold and warm fronts, at the east‐to‐southeast side of the vortex, are mostly advected downstream away from the NCCV. In the middle troposphere, positive PV anomalies are primarily generated along fronts and the accumulated positive PV anomalies filling the vortex region help to reinforce the low‐level cyclonic circulation. The lower‐level PV is affected by surface heating and cooling through their effects on static stability, but such effects are periodic and create mainly diurnal variations. The NCCV eventually decays as the upper‐level vortex weakens due to significant PV erosion.
Advancing translational research for colorectal immuno-oncology
Authors: Thomas Elaine M. , Wright Josephine A. , Blake Stephen J. , Page Amanda J. , Worthley Daniel L. , Woods Susan L.
Published: August 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and deadly disease. Unfortunately, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) fail to elicit effective anti-tumour responses in the vast majority of CRC patients. Patients that are most likely to respond are those with DNA mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) and microsatellite instability (MSI) disease. However, reliable predictors of ICI response are lacking, even within the dMMR/MSI subtype. This, together with identification of novel mechanisms to increase response rates and prevent resistance, are ongoing and vitally important unmet needs. To address the current challenges with translation of early research findings into effective therapeutic strategies, this review summarises the present state of preclinical testing used to inform the development of immuno-regulatory treatment strategies for CRC. The shortfalls and advantages of commonly utilised mouse models of CRC, including chemically induced, transplant and transgenic approaches are highlighted. Appropriate use of existing models, incorporation of patient-derived data and development of cutting-edge models that recapitulate important features of human disease will be key to accelerating clinically relevant research in this area.
Body composition from birth to 2 years
Authors: Hills Andrew P. , Norris Shane A. , Byrne Nuala M. , Jayasinghe Sisitha , Murphy-Alford Alexia J. , Loechl Cornelia U. , Ismail Leila I. Cheikh , Kurpad Anura V. , Kuriyan Rebecca , Nyati Lukhanyo H. , Santos Ina S. , Costa Caroline S. , Wickramasinghe V. Pujitha , Lucas M. Nishani , Slater Christine , Yameen Ayesha , Ariff Shabina ,   Multi-center Infant Body Composition Reference Study (MIBCRS)
Published: August 2023

Providing all infants with the best start to life is a universal but challenging goal for the global community. Historically, the size and shape of infants, quantified by anthropometry and commencing with birthweight, has been the common yardstick for physical growth and development. Anthropometry has long been considered a proxy for nutritional status during infancy when, under ideal circumstances, changes in size and shape are most rapid. Developed from data collected in the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS), WHO Child Growth Standards for healthy infants and children have been widely accepted and progressively adopted. In contrast, and somewhat surprisingly, much less is understood about the ‘quality’ of growth as reflected by body composition during infancy. Recent advances in body composition assessment, including the more widespread use of air displacement plethysmography (ADP) across the first months of life, have contributed to a progressive increase in our knowledge and understanding of growth and development. Along with stable isotope approaches, most commonly the deuterium dilution (DD) technique, the criterion measure of total body water (TBW), our ability to quantify lean and fat tissue using a two-compartment model, has been greatly enhanced. However, until now, global reference charts for the body composition of healthy infants have been lacking. This paper details some of the historical challenges associated with the assessment of body composition across the first two years of life, and references the logical next steps in growth assessments, including reference charts.
Effector-dependent structural transformation of a crystalline framework with allosteric effects on molecular recognition ability
Authors: Hayashi Ryunosuke , Tashiro Shohei , Asakura Masahiro , Mitsui Shinya , Shionoya Mitsuhiko
Published: August 2023

Structurally flexible porous crystals that combine high regularity and stimuli responsiveness have received attracted attention in connection with natural allostery found in regulatory systems of activity and function in biological systems. Porous crystals with molecular recognition sites in the inner pores are particularly promising for achieving elaborate functional control, where the local binding of effectors triggers their distortion to propagate throughout the structure. Here we report that the structure of a porous molecular crystal can be allosterically controlled by local adsorption of effectors within low-symmetry nanochannels with multiple molecular recognition sites. The exchange of effectors at the allosteric site triggers diverse conversion of the framework structure in an effector-dependent manner. In conjunction with the structural conversion, it is also possible to switch the molecular affinity at different recognition sites. These results may provide a guideline for the development of supramolecular materials with flexible and highly-ordered three-dimensional structures for biological applications.
HIV-1-induced nuclear invaginations mediated by VAP-A, ORP3, and Rab7 complex explain infection of activated T cells
Authors: Santos Mark F. , Rappa Germana , Karbanová Jana , Diana Patrizia , Cirrincione Girolamo , Carbone Daniela , Manna David , Aalam Feryal , Wang David , Vanier Cheryl , Corbeil Denis , Lorico Aurelio
Published: August 2023

The mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) nuclear entry, required for productive infection, is not fully understood. Here, we report that in HeLa cells and activated CD4+ T cells infected with HIV-1 pseudotyped with VSV-G and native Env protein, respectively, Rab7+ late endosomes containing endocytosed HIV-1 promote the formation of nuclear envelope invaginations (NEIs) by a molecular mechanism involving the VOR complex, composed of the outer nuclear membrane protein VAP-A, hyperphosphorylated ORP3 and Rab7. Silencing VAP-A or ORP3 and drug-mediated impairment of Rab7 binding to ORP3-VAP-A inhibited the nuclear transfer of the HIV-1 components and productive infection. In HIV-1-resistant quiescent CD4+ T cells, ORP3 was not hyperphosphorylated and neither VOR complex nor NEIs were formed. This new cellular pathway and its molecular players are potential therapeutic targets, perhaps shared by other viruses that require nuclear entry to complete their life cycle.
High resolution cryo-EM and crystallographic snapshots of the actinobacterial two-in-one 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase
Authors: Yang Lu , Wagner Tristan , Mechaly Ariel , Boyko Alexandra , Bruch Eduardo M. , Megrian Daniela , Gubellini Francesca , Alzari Pedro M. , Bellinzoni Marco
Published: August 2023

Actinobacteria possess unique ways to regulate the oxoglutarate metabolic node. Contrary to most organisms in which three enzymes compose the 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (ODH), actinobacteria rely on a two-in-one protein (OdhA) in which both the oxidative decarboxylation and succinyl transferase steps are carried out by the same polypeptide. Here we describe high-resolution cryo-EM and crystallographic snapshots of representative enzymes from Mycobacterium smegmatis and Corynebacterium glutamicum, showing that OdhA is an 800-kDa homohexamer that assembles into a three-blade propeller shape. The obligate trimeric and dimeric states of the acyltransferase and dehydrogenase domains, respectively, are critical for maintaining the overall assembly, where both domains interact via subtle readjustments of their interfaces. Complexes obtained with substrate analogues, reaction products and allosteric regulators illustrate how these domains operate. Furthermore, we provide additional insights into the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of this enzymatic machinery by the signalling protein OdhI.
Evolutionary genomics of camouflage innovation in the orchid mantis
Authors: Huang Guangping , Song Lingyun , Du Xin , Huang Xin , Wei Fuwen
Published: August 2023

The orchid mantises achieve camouflage with morphological modifications in body color and pattern, providing an interesting model for understanding phenotypic innovation. However, a reference genome is lacking for the order Mantodea. To unveil the mechanisms of plant-mimicking body coloration and patterns, we performed de novo assembly of two chromosome-level genomes of the orchid mantis and its close relative, the dead leaf mantis. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the Scarlet gene plays an important role in the synthesis of xanthommatin, an important pigment for mantis camouflage coloration. Combining developmental transcriptomic analysis and genetic engineering experiments, we found that the cuticle was an essential component of the ‘petal-like’ enlargement, and specific expression in the ventral femur was controlled by Wnt signaling. The prolonged expression of Ultrabithorax (Ubx) accompanied by femoral expansion suggested that Ubx determines leg remodeling in the early developmental stage. We also found evidence of evolution of the Trypsin gene family for insectivory adaptation and ecdysone-dependent sexual dimorphism in body size. Overall, our study presents new genome catalogs and reveals the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the unique camouflage of the praying mantis, providing evolutionary developmental insights into phenotypic innovation and adaptation.
In situ synthesis and dynamic simulation of molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticles on a micro-reactor system
Authors: Erdem Özgecan , Eş Ismail , Saylan Yeşeren , Atabay Maryam , Gungen Murat Alp , Ölmez Kadriye , Denizli Adil , Inci Fatih
Published: August 2023

Current practices in synthesizing molecularly imprinted polymers face challenges—lengthy process, low-productivity, the need for expensive and sophisticated equipment, and they cannot be controlled in situ synthesis. Herein, we present a micro-reactor for in situ and continuously synthesizing trillions of molecularly imprinted polymeric nanoparticles that contain molecular fingerprints of bovine serum albumin in a short period of time (5-30 min). Initially, we performed COMSOL simulation to analyze mixing efficiency with altering flow rates, and experimentally validated the platform for synthesizing nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 52-106 nm. Molecular interactions between monomers and protein were also examined by molecular docking and dynamics simulations. Afterwards, we benchmarked the micro-reactor parameters through dispersity and concentration of molecularly imprinted polymers using principal component analysis. Sensing assets of molecularly imprinted polymers were examined on a metamaterial sensor, resulting in 81% of precision with high selectivity (4.5 times), and three cycles of consecutive use. Overall, our micro-reactor stood out for its high productivity (48-288 times improvement in assay-time and 2 times improvement in reagent volume), enabling to produce 1.4-1.5 times more MIPs at one-single step, and continuous production compared to conventional strategy.
River export of macro- and microplastics to seas by sources worldwide
Authors: Strokal Maryna , Vriend Paul , Bak Mirjam P. , Kroeze Carolien , van Wijnen Jikke , van Emmerik Tim
Published: August 2023

Seas are polluted with macro- (>5 mm) and microplastics (<5 mm). However, few studies account for both types when modeling water quality, thus limiting our understanding of the origin (e.g., basins) and sources of plastics. In this work, we model riverine macro- and microplastic exports to seas to identify their main sources in over ten thousand basins. We estimate that rivers export approximately 0.5 million tons of plastics per year worldwide. Microplastics are dominant in almost 40% of the basins in Europe, North America and Oceania, because of sewage effluents. Approximately 80% of the global population live in river basins where macroplastics are dominant because of mismanaged solid waste. These basins include many African and Asian rivers. In 10% of the basins, macro- and microplastics in seas (as mass) are equally important because of high sewage effluents and mismanaged solid waste production. Our results could be useful to prioritize reduction policies for plastics.
High density lithium niobate photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Li Zihan , Wang Rui Ning , Lihachev Grigory , Zhang Junyin , Tan Zelin , Churaev Mikhail , Kuznetsov Nikolai , Siddharth Anat , Bereyhi Mohammad J. , Riemensberger Johann , Kippenberg Tobias J.
Published: August 2023

Photonic integrated circuits have the potential to pervade into multiple applications traditionally limited to bulk optics. Of particular interest for new applications are ferroelectrics such as Lithium Niobate, which exhibit a large Pockels effect, but are difficult to process via dry etching. Here we demonstrate that diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a superior material for the manufacturing of photonic integrated circuits based on ferroelectrics, specifically LiNbO3. Using DLC as a hard mask, we demonstrate the fabrication of deeply etched, tightly confining, low loss waveguides with losses as low as 4 dB/m. In contrast to widely employed ridge waveguides, this approach benefits from a more than one order of magnitude higher area integration density while maintaining efficient electro-optical modulation, low loss, and offering a route for efficient optical fiber interfaces. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate a III-V/LiNbO3 based laser with sub-kHz intrinsic linewidth and tuning rate of 0.7 PHz/s with excellent linearity and CMOS-compatible driving voltage. We also demonstrated a MZM modulator with a 1.73 cm length and a halfwave voltage of 1.94 V.
Norepinephrine release in the cerebellum contributes to aversive learning
Authors: Stanley Adrien T. , Post Michael R. , Lacefield Clay , Sulzer David , Miniaci Maria Concetta
Published: August 2023

The modulation of dopamine release from midbrain projections to the striatum has long been demonstrated in reward-based learning, but the synaptic basis of aversive learning is far less characterized. The cerebellum receives axonal projections from the locus coeruleus, and norepinephrine release is implicated in states of arousal and stress, but whether aversive learning relies on plastic changes in norepinephrine release in the cerebellum is unknown. Here we report that in mice, norepinephrine is released in the cerebellum following an unpredicted noxious event (a foot-shock) and that this norepinephrine release is potentiated powerfully with fear acquisition as animals learn that a previously neutral stimulus (tone) predicts the aversive event. Importantly, both chemogenetic and optogenetic inhibition of the locus coeruleus-cerebellum pathway block fear memory without impairing motor function. Thus, norepinephrine release in the cerebellum is modulated by experience and underlies aversive learning.
Hdac1 and Hdac2 regulate the quiescent state and survival of hair-follicle mesenchymal niche
Authors: Sibony-Benyamini Hadas , Aamar Emil , Enshell-Seijffers David
Published: August 2023

While cell division is essential for self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells and progenitors, dormancy is required to maintain the structure and function of the stem-cell niche. Here we use the hair follicle to show that during growth, the mesenchymal niche of the hair follicle, the dermal papilla (DP), is maintained quiescent by the activity of Hdac1 and Hdac2 in the DP that suppresses the expression of cell-cycle genes. Furthermore, Hdac1 and Hdac2 in the DP promote the survival of DP cells throughout the hair cycle. While during growth and regression this includes downregulation of p53 activity and the control of p53-independent programs, during quiescence, this predominantly involves p53-independent mechanisms. Remarkably, Hdac1 and Hdac2 in the DP during the growth phase also participate in orchestrating the hair cycle clock by maintaining physiological levels of Wnt signaling in the vicinity of the DP. Our findings not only provide insight into the molecular mechanism that sustains the function of the stem-cell niche in a persistently changing microenvironment, but also unveil that the same mechanism provides a molecular toolbox allowing the DP to affect and fine tune the microenvironment.
Bamboo-like dual-phase nanostructured copper composite strengthened by amorphous boron framework
Authors: Lv Hang , Gao Xinxin , Zhang Kan , Wen Mao , He Xingjia , Wu Zhongzhen , Liu Chang , Chen Changfeng , Zheng Weitao
Published: August 2023

Grain boundary engineering is a versatile tool for strengthening materials by tuning the composition and bonding structure at the interface of neighboring crystallites, and this method holds special significance for materials composed of small nanograins where the ultimate strength is dominated by grain boundary instead of dislocation motion. Here, we report a large strengthening of a nanocolumnar copper film that comprises columnar nanograins embedded in a bamboo-like boron framework synthesized by magnetron sputtering co-deposition, reaching the high nanoindentation hardness of 10.8 GPa among copper alloys. The boron framework surrounding copper nanograins stabilizes and strengthens the nanocolumnar copper film under indentation, benefiting from the high strength of the amorphous boron framework and the constrained deformation of copper nanocolumns confined by the boron grain boundary. These findings open a new avenue for strengthening metals via construction of dual-phase nanocomposites comprising metal nanograins embedded in a strong and confining light-element grain boundary framework.
Potential factors for and the prognostic impact of ascites after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kubo Hiroyuki , Imataki Osamu , Fukumoto Tetsuya , Kawanaka Yui , Ishida Tomoya , Kubo Yukiko Hamasaki , Kida Jun-ichiro , Uemura Makiko , Fujita Haruyuki , Kadowaki Norimitsu
Published: August 2023

Ascites is sometimes detected after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT); however, since limited information is currently available, its clinical meaning remains unclear. Therefore, we herein examined potential factors for and the impact of ascites on the prognosis of patients after allo-HSCT at our institutes. Fifty-eight patients developed ascites within 90 days of allo-HSCT (small in 34 (16%), moderate-large in 24 (11%)). A multivariate analysis identified veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (p = 0.01) and myeloablative conditioning (p = 0.01) as significant potential factors for the development of small ascites. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) (p < 0.01) was a significant potential factor for moderate-large ascites. The incidence of both small and moderate-large ascites correlated with lower overall survival (p = 0.03 for small ascites and p < 0.01 for moderate-large ascites) and higher non-relapse mortality rates (p = 0.03 for small ascites and p < 0.01 for moderate-large ascites). Lower OS and higher NRM rates correlated with the incidence of both small and moderate-large ascites. Further investigation is warranted to establish whether the clinical sign of ascites improves the diagnostic quality of TMA in a large-scale study.
Impact of meteorological and demographic factors on the influenza epidemic in Japan: a large observational database study
Authors: Ito Genta , Takazono Takahiro , Hosogaya Naoki , Iwanaga Naoki , Miyazawa Shogo , Fujita Satoki , Watanabe Hideaki , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

Factors affecting the start date of the influenza epidemic season and total number of infected persons per 1,000,000 population in 47 prefectures of Japan were evaluated. This retrospective observational study (September 2014–August 2019; N = 472,740–883,804) evaluated data from a Japanese health insurance claims database. Single and multiple regression analyses evaluated the time to start of the epidemic or total infected persons per 1,000,000 population with time to absolute humidity (AH) or number of days with AH (≤ 5.5, ≤ 6.0, ≤ 6.5, and ≤ 7.0), total visitors (first epidemic month or per day), and total population. For the 2014/15, 2015/16, and 2016/17 seasons, a weak-to-moderate positive correlation (R2: 0.042–0.417) was observed between time to start of the epidemic and time to first day with AH below the cutoff values. Except in the 2016/17 season (R2: 0.089), a moderate correlation was reported between time to start of the epidemic and the total population (R2: 0.212–0.401). For all seasons, multiple regression analysis showed negative R2 for time to start of the epidemic and total visitors and population density (positive for time to AH ≤ 7.0). The earlier the climate becomes suitable for virus transmission and the higher the human mobility (more visitors and higher population density), the earlier the epidemic season tends to begin.
Serological evaluation of risk factors for exposure to malaria in a pre-elimination setting in Malaysian Borneo
Authors: Byrne Isabel , William Timothy , Chua Tock H. , Patterson Catriona , Hall Tom , Tan Mark , Chitnis Chetan , Adams John , Singh Susheel K. , Grignard Lynn , Tetteh Kevin K. A. , Fornace Kimberly M. , Drakeley Chris J.
Published: August 2023

Malaysia has reported no indigenous cases of P. falciparum and P. vivax for over 3 years. When transmission reaches such low levels, it is important to understand the individuals and locations where exposure risks are high, as they may be at greater risk in the case of a resurgence of transmission. Serology is a useful tool in low transmission settings, providing insight into exposure over longer durations than PCR or RDT. We ran blood samples from a 2015 population-based survey in northern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo on a multiplex bead assay. Using supervised machine learning methods, we characterised recent and historic exposure to Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax and found recent exposure to P. falciparum to be very low, with exposure to both species increasing with age. We performed a risk-factor assessment on environmental, behavioural, demographic and household factors, and identified forest activity and longer travel times to healthcare as common risk-factors for exposure to P. falciparum and P. vivax. In addition, we used remote-sensing derived data and geostatistical models to assess environmental and spatial associations with exposure. We created predictive maps of exposure to recent P. falciparum in the study area and showed 3 clear foci of exposure. This study provides useful insight into the environmental, spatial and demographic risk factors for P. falciparum and P. vivax at a period of low transmission in Malaysian Borneo. The findings would be valuable in the case of resurgence of human malarias in the region.
Dendrite inhibited and dead lithium activated dual-function additive for lithium metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Erlei , Tian Huijie , Li Meng , Le Shiru , Li Bingjiang , Wu Lijun , Zhang Qixian , Fan Lishuang
Published: August 2023

In addition to the role as an anode protection additive, 2-F-5-IPy can also effectively reactivate dead lithium and reduce the consumption of active lithium.
Simulation of conformality of ALD growth inside lateral channels: comparison between a diffusion–reaction model and a ballistic transport–reaction model
Authors: Järvilehto Jänis , Velasco Jorge A. , Yim Jihong , Gonsalves Christine , Puurunen Riikka L.
Published: August 2023

Comparison of saturation profiles generated by a diffusion–reaction model and a ballistic transport–reaction model reveals similar qualitative trends and quantitative differences.
Theoretical exploration on the performance of single and dual-atom Cu catalysts on the CO2 electroreduction process: a DFT study
Authors: Bai Zhongze , Jiang Xi Zhuo , Luo Kai H.
Published: August 2023

Mechanisms of CO2 electroreduction to C1 and C2 chemicals over catalysts CuNC-4-pyridine and CuCuNC-4a.
One-step construction of magnetic biochar with a hierarchical porous structure and its adsorption properties
Authors: Bao Morigen , Liu Morigejile , Zhao Hongye , Zhao Siqin , Asuha Sin
Published: August 2023

Preparation of porous magnetic biochar by low-temperature one-step solid phase method. The combination of hierarchical porous magnetic structure and rich oxygen-containing functional groups guarantees the removal ability of cationic dyes.
Magnetic nanoparticle swarm with upstream motility and peritumor blood vessel crossing ability
Authors: Wang Luyao , Gan Chunyuan , Sun Hongyan , Feng Lin
Published: August 2023

A new drug delivery strategy: using magnetic nanoparticle swarms to cross discontinuous peritumoral vessel Walls.
Lateral surface passivation of CdSe nanoplatelets through crown management
Authors: Liu Huan , Chen Peixian , Zhang Xuanyu , Wang Xiongbin , He Tingchao , Chen Rui
Published: August 2023

Radiative and nonradiative recombination centers are located on the lateral surface of the CdSe nanoplatelets.
High-efficiency visible-light-driven oxidation of primary C–H bonds in toluene over a CsPbBr3 perovskite supported by hierarchical TiO2 nanoflakes
Authors: Yi Jiayu , Ke Sunzai , Lu Suwei , Weng Bo , Shen Lijuan , Yang Xuhui , Xue Hun , Yang Min-Quan , Qian Qingrong
Published: August 2023

A hierarchical CsPbBr3/TiO2 heterostructure is fabricated by in-situ growth of CsPbBr3 nanoparticles on the surface of TiO2 nanoflowers assembled by 2D nanoflake subunits for toluene oxidation, which efficiently produces aldehydes and alcohols under visible light.
New insights into the mechanochemical coupling mechanism of kinesin–microtubule complexes from their high-resolution structures
Authors: Benoit Matthieu P.M.H. , Hunter Byron , Allingham John S. , Sosa Hernando
Published: August 2023

Kinesin motor proteins couple mechanical movements in their motor domain to the binding and hydrolysis of ATP in their nucleotide-binding pocket. Forces produced through this ‘mechanochemical’ coupling are typically used to mobilize kinesin-mediated transport of cargos along microtubules or microtubule cytoskeleton remodeling. This review discusses the recent high-resolution structures (<4 Å) of kinesins bound to microtubules or tubulin complexes that have resolved outstanding questions about the basis of mechanochemical coupling, and how family-specific modifications of the motor domain can enable its use for motility and/or microtubule depolymerization.
A deep learning approach for automated segmentation of magnetic bright points in the solar photosphere
Authors: Yang Peng , Bai Haicheng , Zhao Limin , Gong Xiaoying , Zhong Libo , Yang Yang , Rao Changhui
Published: August 2023

Context. Magnetic bright points (MBPs) are small, bright, and conspicuous magnetic structures observed in the solar photosphere and are widely recognized as tracers of magnetic flux tubes. Previous studies have underscored the significance of MBPs in elucidating the mechanisms of coronal heating. The continuous advancement of solar telescopes and observation techniques has significantly enhanced the resolution of solar images, enabling a more detailed examination of MBP structures. In light of the growing availability of MBP observation images, the implementation of large-scale automated and precise MBP segmentation methods holds tremendous potential to facilitate significant progress in solar physics research.

Aims. The objective of this study is to propose a deep learning network called MBP-TransCNN that enables the automatic and precise pixel-level segmentation of MBPs in large quantities, even with limited annotated data. This network is designed to effectively handle MBPs of various shapes and backgrounds, including those with complex features.

Methods. First, we normalized our sample of MBP images. We then followed this with elastic deformation and rotation translation to enhance the images and expand the dataset. Next, a dual-branch encoder was used to extract the features of the MBPs, and a Transformer-based global attention mechanism was used to extract global contextual information, while a convolutional neural network (CNN) was used to extract detailed local information. Afterwards, an edge aware module was proposed to extract detailed edge features of MBPs, which were used to optimize the segmentation results. Focal loss was used during the training process to address the problem of the small number of MBP samples.

Results. The average values of precision, recall, F1, pixel accuracy, and intersection over union of the MBP-TransCNN are 0.976, 0.827, 0.893, 0.999, and 0.808, respectively. Experimental results show that the proposed MBP-TransCNN deep learning network can quickly and accurately segment the fine structure of MBPs.
Assessment of carbon dioxide propagation in a pipeline emergency
Authors: Pavel Ilushin , Vyatkin Kirill , Kozlov Anton , Rögener Frank
Published: August 2023

One of the most important problems of our time is the annual growth of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. To combat this phenomenon, emission reductions or the development and application of technologies for capturing, storing, using and utilizing carbon dioxide are possible. The need to implement projects for the decarbonization of technological processes is also relevant in connection with the international climate agenda. To reduce emissions, one cannot do without measures aimed at carbon sequestration. Of great interest is the creation and implementation of industrial carbon sequestration technologies that use the existing oil and gas infrastructure and allow obtaining additional benefits by increasing oil and gas recovery. The implementation of this technology largely depends on the environmental and economic feasibility of the project, which is influenced by the selected technologies for capturing and cleaning gas from impurities, the length of the pipeline to the field, a reasonable injection technology, and many other factors. For this reason, scientific and practical research in this direction are of practical importance and are quite relevant. The article presents the results of an analysis of the consequences of a violation of the tightness of a pipeline for pumping carbon dioxide. The calculation of the distribution zone of the release, as well as changes in the concentration in the flow, was carried out. The conclusion is made about the possibility of estimating the time required for the distribution of the carbon dioxide flow in the air volume to reduce its concentration to acceptable values. The work performed is important in terms of profile planning, location and safety measures in the construction and operation of pipelines for carbon dioxide transfer.
Determining the location of damage in electrical networks 35-10-6 kV by an analytical method based on matrix equations of the 3rd degree with respect to voltages
Authors: Soldatov Valeriy , Klimov Nikolai , Yablokov Aleksey
Published: August 2023

The article investigates an analytical method for determining the fault location in 35 kV, 10 kV and 6 kV networks based on thirddegree matrix equations for voltages. The method is remote, with doublesided measurement, according to the emergency mode parameters, the mode parameters are voltages and currents at the beginning and at the end of the line. The case is considered when the errors in determining the location of the damage are calculated theoretical and, as shown by the calculations, are only 1% both for metal closures and for pair closures through the contact resistance. Actual errors will depend on the accuracy classes of current transformers, voltage transformers, voltmeters and ammeters, for example: 0.2 - 0.5 - 2.0 - 5.0. The case is considered with an error of ±5%. The annual economic effect per 1 feeder with a really possible error of 5% is 170 thousand rubles when replacing only the method and 230 thousand rubles when replacing both the method and the device. For 1000 feeders, the annual economic effect will be 170 million rubles and 230 million rubles, respectively. Thus, the considered analytical method for determining the location of damage is effective both from a technical and economic point of view.
Selection of pre-training parameters for synthesizing surrogate models of gas turbine units for gas turbine electro power stations
Authors: Kilin Grigory , Kavalerov Boris , Suslov Artem , Tyatenkov Ilya
Published: August 2023

The article is devoted to the current task of selecting pre-training parameters for the synthesis of surrogate models, which is a key factor in creating high-performance models of complex technological objects. During the study, the authors conduct a systematic analysis of various parameters and their interactions, including determining the optimal number of training iterations, the number of trainable layers, and the number of neurons in these layers. Thanks to this approach, the results of the presented study can significantly improve the accuracy and efficiency of surrogate models, which in turn leads to simplification and acceleration of the process of their development and application in various fields of science and engineering.
Experimental study of the process of hydrogen production by methane pyrolysis in a molten tin layer
Authors: Kerosirov Evgeniy , Grishin Alexey , Pashin Alexey , Popov Maksim , Chudakova Maria , Ilukhina Tatyana , Amirov Timur , Dolgikh Victor , Kudinov Igor
Published: August 2023

The article presents experimental studies on the methane pyrolysis process in a 30 cm layer of molten tin. The experiments were carried out on a specially made setup in the temperature range from 800 °С to 1000 °С, at a pressure of 4.5 atm, and with a gas flow rate of 3 l/h. The dependence of hydrogen concentration, methane, and its derivatives (ethane, ethylene, and acetylene) in the produced mixture of hydrocarbon gases has been obtained.
Evaluation of heat losses of the solar greenhouse during the heating season
Authors: Khusenov A A , Uzakov G N , Rakhimov A Kh , Ergashev Sh H
Published: August 2023

The article presents the results of calculation of heat losses in greenhouses with different coatings, taking into account thermal-physical properties of coatings. In addition, based on the results of changes in external air temperature and solar radiation over time, numerical calculations were made on the heat load of a greenhouse with a useful area of 108 m2 and the thermal power provided by solar energy.