bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crustal Block and Muted Ring Development During the Formation of Mercury's Caloris Megabasin
Authors: Gosselin G. J. , Freed A. M. , Johnson B. C.
Published: September 2023

In contrast to multiring basins, megabasins lack clear ring structures and display crustal profiles characterized by a thin layer of crust at their center that gradually increases in thickness to the surrounding region. The 1,550‐km‐diameter Caloris basin on Mercury is often speculated to be a multiring basin; however, its crustal structure is indicative of a megabasin, perhaps explaining the lack of discernible rings. Here, we model the formation of Caloris basin using iSALE‐2D under a range of preimpact thermal conditions to determine whether the processes responsible for its megabasin crustal structure could lead to the formation of basin rings. We find that thermal gradients between 22 and 30 K/km—hotter than previously inferred—facilitate the reproduction of Caloris basin's crustal structure through crustal flowback, though such preimpact thermal structures preclude its formation as a multiring basin. Instead, repeated thrusting and necking events during transient crater collapse induce instances of fault reactivation, which diminish initial fault offsets and produce a series of discrete crustal blocks. Models assuming cooler thermal gradients lead to overly thin or non‐existent crust at the basin center, in contrast to observations. Even if crustal deficits were made up via a differentiating melt pool, the crust elsewhere would be overly thick, supporting the idea that the crustal structure of megabasins is primarily associated with transient crater collapse. We conclude that the transition to a megabasin morphology on terrestrial planetary surfaces, like the multiring transition, is dependent upon the size of the basin compared to the lithospheric thickness.
Impact of Pressure Waves on Water Imbibition and Flow in Unsaturated Porous Media
Authors: Kalisman Doron , Yakirevich Alexander , Sorek Shaul , Kamai Tamir
Published: September 2023

The wetting front dynamics during water imbibition in dry porous media affect the ultimate water distribution pattern. In this study, we investigate the impact of pressure pulses that emit waves in the water phase on the water distribution and imbibition patterns in porous media. We present experimental results of water spatial distribution in sand columns following infiltration under abrupt pressured‐water pulses and compare them with those of continuous inflow. Applying pressure waves during infiltration increases pressure gradients behind the wetting front, which can overcome capillary and gravitational forces, leading to uniform imbibition. To simulate the process, we developed a pore‐network model incorporating an analytical solution of pressure wave attenuation to predict the imbibition pattern. Our results demonstrate that the amplitude of the pressure wave is associated with a sharp wetting front, resulting in higher water content compared to Darcy‐type continuous flow. The findings suggest that pressure waves have the potential to achieve high water content in unsaturated media and provide insights into the spatial extent of their impact on water distribution.
Elevated FBXL6 expression in hepatocytes activates VRK2-transketolase-ROS-mTOR-mediated immune evasion and liver cancer metastasis in mice
Authors: Zhang Jie , Lin Xiao-Tong , Yu Hong-Qiang , Fang Lei , Wu Di , Luo Yuan-Deng , Zhang Yu-Jun , Xie Chuan-Ming
Published: September 2023

Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most lethal malignancy and lacks effective treatment. FBXL6 is overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but whether this change drives liver tumorigenesis and lung metastasis in vivo remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to identify FBXL6 (F-Box and Leucine Rich Repeat Protein 6) as a key driver of HCC metastasis and to provide a new paradigm for HCC therapy. We found that elevated FBXL6 expression in hepatocytes drove HCC lung metastasis and was a much stronger driver than Kras mutation (KrasG12D/+;Alb-Cre), p53 haploinsufficiency (p53+/-) or Tsc1 loss (Tsc1fl/fl;Alb-Cre). Mechanistically, VRK2 promoted Thr287 phosphorylation of TKT and then recruited FBXL6 to promote TKT ubiquitination and activation. Activated TKT further increased PD-L1 and VRK2 expression via the ROS-mTOR axis, leading to immune evasion and HCC metastasis. Targeting or knockdown of TKT significantly blocked FBXL6-driven immune evasion and HCC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the level of active TKT (p-Thr287 TKT) was increased and was positively correlated with the FBXL6 and VRK2 expression levels in HCC patients. Our work provides novel mechanistic insights into FBXL6-driven HCC metastasis and suggests that targeting the TKT-ROS-mTOR-PD-L1/VRK2 axis is a new paradigm for treating patients with metastatic HCC with high FBXL6 expression.
Scalable production of tissue-like vascularized liver organoids from human PSCs
Authors: Harrison Sean P. , Siller Richard , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Chollet Maria Eugenia , de la Morena-Barrio María Eugenia , Xiang Yangfei , Patterson Benjamin , Andersen Elisabeth , Bravo-Pérez Carlos , Kempf Henning , Åsrud Kathrine S. , Lunov Oleg , Dejneka Alexandr , Mowinckel Marie-Christine , Stavik Benedicte , Sandset Per Morten , Melum Espen , Baumgarten Saphira , Bonanini Flavio , Kurek Dorota , Mathapati Santosh , Almaas Runar , Sharma Kulbhushan , Wilson Steven R. , Skottvoll Frøydis S. , Boger Ida C. , Bogen Inger Lise , Nyman Tuula A. , Wu Jun Jie , Bezrouk Ales , Cizkova Dana , Corral Javier , Mokry Jaroslav , Zweigerdt Robert , Park In-Hyun , Sullivan Gareth J.
Published: September 2023

The lack of physiological parity between 2D cell culture and in vivo culture has led to the development of more organotypic models, such as organoids. Organoid models have been developed for a number of tissues, including the liver. Current organoid protocols are characterized by a reliance on extracellular matrices (ECMs), patterning in 2D culture, costly growth factors and a lack of cellular diversity, structure, and organization. Current hepatic organoid models are generally simplistic and composed of hepatocytes or cholangiocytes, rendering them less physiologically relevant compared to native tissue. We have developed an approach that does not require 2D patterning, is ECM independent, and employs small molecules to mimic embryonic liver development that produces large quantities of liver-like organoids. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate a liver-like cellular repertoire, a higher order cellular complexity, presenting with vascular luminal structures, and a population of resident macrophages: Kupffer cells. The organoids exhibit key liver functions, including drug metabolism, serum protein production, urea synthesis and coagulation factor production, with preserved post-translational modifications such as N-glycosylation and functionality. The organoids can be transplanted and maintained long term in mice producing human albumin. The organoids exhibit a complex cellular repertoire reflective of the organ and have de novo vascularization and liver-like function. These characteristics are a prerequisite for many applications from cellular therapy, tissue engineering, drug toxicity assessment, and disease modeling to basic developmental biology.
Drug conjugates for targeting regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment: guided missiles for cancer treatment
Authors: Yang Juwon , Bae Hyunsu
Published: September 2023

Within the tumor microenvironment (TME), regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in suppressing anticancer immune responses; therefore, various strategies targeting Tregs are becoming important for tumor therapy. To prevent the side effects of nonspecific Treg depletion, such as immunotherapy-related adverse events (irAEs), therapeutic strategies that specifically target Tregs in the TME are being investigated. Tumor-targeting drug conjugates are efficient drugs in which a cytotoxic payload is assembled into a carrier that binds Tregs via a linker. By allowing the drug to act selectively on target cells, this approach has the advantage of increasing the therapeutic effect and minimizing the side effects of immunotherapy. Antibody–drug conjugates, immunotoxins, peptide–drug conjugates, and small interfering RNA conjugates are being developed as Treg-targeting drug conjugates. In this review, we discuss key themes and recent advances in drug conjugates targeting Tregs in the TME, as well as future design strategies for successful use of drug conjugates for Treg targeting in immunotherapy.
Structure-based drug discovery of a corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 antagonist using an X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Kim Hoyoung , Lim Taehyun , Ha Go Eun , Lee Jee-Young , Kim Jun-Woo , Chang Nienping , Kim Si Hyun , Kim Ki Hun , Lee Jaeick , Cho Yongju , Kim Byeong Wook , Abrahamsson Alva , Kim Sung Hwan , Kim Hyo-Ji , Park Sehan , Lee Sang Jae , Park Jaehyun , Cheong Eunji , Kim B. Moon , Cho Hyun-Soo
Published: September 2023

Thus far, attempts to develop drugs that target corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF1R), a drug target in stress-related therapy, have been unsuccessful. Studies have focused on using high-resolution G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structures to develop drugs. X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), which prevent radiation damage and provide access to high-resolution compositions, have helped accelerate GPCR structural studies. We elucidated the crystal structure of CRF1R complexed with a BMK-I-152 antagonist at 2.75 Å using fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography. The results revealed that two unique hydrogen bonds are present in the hydrogen bond network, the stalk region forms an alpha helix and the hydrophobic network contains an antagonist binding site. We then developed two antagonists—BMK-C203 and BMK-C205—and determined the CRF1R/BMK-C203 and CRF1R/BMK-C205 complex structures at 2.6 and 2.2 Å, respectively. BMK-C205 exerted significant antidepressant effects in mice and, thus, may be utilized to effectively identify structure-based drugs against CRF1R.
A novel mutation in intron 1 of Wnt1 causes developmental loss of dopaminergic neurons in midbrain and ASD-like behaviors in rats
Authors: Li Yongyi , Zhu Mingwei , Chen Wen-Xiong , Luo Jing , Li Xin , Cao Yangyang , Zheng Meng , Ma Shanshan , Xiao Zhilan , Zhang Yani , Jiang Linyan , Wang Xiumin , Tan Ting , Li Xia , Gong Qian , Xiong Xiaoli , Wang Jun , Tang Mingxi , Li Mingtao , Tang Ya-Ping
Published: September 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with a strong genetic liability. Despite extensive studies, however, the underlying pathogenic mechanism still remains elusive. In the present study, we identified a homozygous mutation in the intron 1 of Wnt1 via large-scale screening of ASD risk/causative genes and verified that this mutation created a new splicing donor site in the intron 1, and consequently, a decrease of WNT1 expression. Interestingly, humanized rat models harboring this mutation exhibited robust ASD-like behaviors including impaired ultrasonic vocalization (USV), decreased social interactions, and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Moreover, in the substantia nigra compacta (SNpc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of mutant rats, dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons were dramatically lost, together with a comparable decrease in striatal DAergic fibers. Furthermore, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that the decreased DAergic neurons in these midbrain areas might attribute to a shift of the boundary of the local pool of progenitor cells from the hypothalamic floor plate to the midbrain floor plate during the early embryonic stage. Moreover, treatments of mutant rats with levodopa could attenuate the impaired USV and social interactions almost completely, but not the restricted and repetitive behaviors. Our results for the first time documented that the developmental loss of DAergic neurons in the midbrain underlies the pathogenesis of ASD, and that the abnormal progenitor cell patterning is a cellular underpinning for this developmental DAergic neuronal loss. Importantly, the effective dopamine therapy suggests a translational significance in the treatment of ASD.
Microbial gene expression in Guaymas Basin subsurface sediments responds to hydrothermal stress and energy limitation
Authors: Mara Paraskevi , Zhou Ying-Li , Teske Andreas , Morono Yuki , Beaudoin David , Edgcomb Virginia
Published: September 2023

Analyses of gene expression of subsurface bacteria and archaea provide insights into their physiological adaptations to in situ subsurface conditions. We examined patterns of expressed genes in hydrothermally heated subseafloor sediments with distinct geochemical and thermal regimes in Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California, Mexico. RNA recovery and cell counts declined with sediment depth, however, we obtained metatranscriptomes from eight sites at depths spanning between 0.8 and 101.9 m below seafloor. We describe the metabolic potential of sediment microorganisms, and discuss expressed genes involved in tRNA, mRNA, and rRNA modifications that enable physiological flexibility of bacteria and archaea in the hydrothermal subsurface. Microbial taxa in hydrothermally influenced settings like Guaymas Basin may particularly depend on these catalytic RNA functions since they modulate the activity of cells under elevated temperatures and steep geochemical gradients. Expressed genes for DNA repair, protein maintenance and circadian rhythm were also identified. The concerted interaction of many of these genes may be crucial for microorganisms to survive and to thrive in the Guaymas Basin subsurface biosphere.
Mapping epigenetic modifications by sequencing technologies
Authors: Chen Xiufei , Xu Haiqi , Shu Xiao , Song Chun-Xiao
Published: September 2023

The “epigenetics” concept was first described in 1942. Thus far, chemical modifications on histones, DNA, and RNA have emerged as three important building blocks of epigenetic modifications. Many epigenetic modifications have been intensively studied and found to be involved in most essential biological processes as well as human diseases, including cancer. Precisely and quantitatively mapping over 100 [1], 17 [2], and 160 [3] different known types of epigenetic modifications in histone, DNA, and RNA is the key to understanding the role of epigenetic modifications in gene regulation in diverse biological processes. With the rapid development of sequencing technologies, scientists are able to detect specific epigenetic modifications with various quantitative, high-resolution, whole-genome/transcriptome approaches. Here, we summarize recent advances in epigenetic modification sequencing technologies, focusing on major histone, DNA, and RNA modifications in mammalian cells.
Local symmetry distortion induced anomalous thermal conduction in thermoelectric layered oxyselenides
Authors: Wei Bin , Li Jiale , Yang Yueyang , Li Wang , Zhou Zhifang , Zheng Yunpeng , Zhang Wenyu , Chai Yifan , Chang Zheng , Nan Ce-Wen , Lin Yuan-Hua
Published: September 2023

Polyhedral distortion, associated closely with the atomic arrangement and interatomic interactions, drives many unique behaviors in solids, such as phase transition and negative thermal expansion. In thermoelectric heteroanionic oxides, the anionic polyhedra are widely present, but their effect on thermal transport is rarely investigated. Here, we report an anomalous thermal conduction induced by local symmetry distortion in layered oxyselenides via solving the Boltzmann transport equation based on first-principles calculations. We found interestingly that lighter BiCuSeO exhibits lower thermal conductivity than heavier BiAgSeO. Due to the different distorted degrees of CuSe4 and AgSe4 tetrahedrons, Cu prefers the in-plane vibration, while Ag has more tendency of out-of-plane vibration. Thus, the heat-carrying phonons dominated by the rattling-like vibration of Cu are significantly suppressed, resulting in lower thermal conductivity of BiCuSeO. This study highlights the importance of polyhedral distortion in regulating thermal conduction in layered heteroanionic materials.
Complex Ga2O3 polymorphs explored by accurate and general-purpose machine-learning interatomic potentials
Authors: Zhao Junlei , Byggmästar Jesper , He Huan , Nordlund Kai , Djurabekova Flyura , Hua Mengyuan
Published: September 2023

Ga2O3 is a wide-band gap semiconductor of emergent importance for applications in electronics and optoelectronics. However, vital information of the properties of complex coexisting Ga2O3 polymorphs and low-symmetry disordered structures is missing. We develop two types of machine-learning Gaussian approximation potentials (ML-GAPs) for Ga2O3 with high accuracy for β/κ/α/δ/γ polymorphs and generality for disordered stoichiometric structures. We release two versions of interatomic potentials in parallel, namely soapGAP and tabGAP, for high accuracy and exceeding speedup, respectively. Both potentials can reproduce the structural properties of all the five polymorphs in an exceptional agreement with ab initio results, meanwhile boost the computational efficiency with 5 × 102 and 2 × 105 computing speed increases compared to density functional theory, respectively. Moreover, the Ga2O3 liquid-solid phase transition proceeds in three different stages. This experimentally unrevealed complex dynamics can be understood in terms of distinctly different mobilities of O and Ga sublattices in the interfacial layer.
Skin-interfaced colorimetric microfluidic devices for on-demand sweat analysis
Authors: Liu Weiyi , Cheng Huanyu , Wang Xiufeng
Published: September 2023

As sweat biomarker levels are continuously changing over metabolism and daily activities, pathological and physiological processes can be dynamically analyzed by wearable devices. The colorimetric skin-interfaced microfluidic devices that do not have external circuit modules exhibit enhanced deformability with a small footprint. However, it is difficult to achieve sampling over time and self-feedback for closed-loop systems. This review summarizes recent advances in microfluidic valves for biofluid management and chrono-sampling, as well as active triggers in microfluidics self-feedback. After enumerating the current limitations in temporal resolution and reliability, we further point out a few potential feasible strategies for future developments.
Mutational spectrum and clinical features of GBA1 variants in a Chinese cohort with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zhou Yangjie , Wang Yige , Wan Juan , Zhao Yuwen , Pan Hongxu , Zeng Qian , Zhou Xun , He Runcheng , Zhou Xiaoxia , Xiang Yaqin , Zhou Zhou , Chen Bin , Sun Qiying , Xu Qian , Tan Jieqiong , Shen Lu , Jiang Hong , Yan Xinxiang , Li Jinchen , Guo Jifeng , Tang Beisha , Wu Heng , Liu Zhenhua
Published: September 2023

GBA1 variants are important risk factors for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Most studies assessing GBA1-related PD risk have been performed in European-derived populations. Although the coding region of the GBA1 gene in the Chinese population has been analyzed, the sample sizes were not adequate. In this study, we aimed to investigate GBA1 variants in a large Chinese cohort of patients with PD and healthy control and explore the associated clinical characteristics. GBA1 variants in 4034 patients and 2931 control participants were investigated using whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. The clinical features of patients were evaluated using several scales. Regression analysis, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze GBA1 variants and the clinical symptoms of different groups. We identified 104 variants, including 8 novel variants, expanding the spectrum of GBA1 variants. The frequency of GBA1 variants in patients with PD was 7.46%, higher than that in the control (1.81%) (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 4.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.26–5.89). Among patients, 176 (4.36%) had severe variants, 34 (0.84%) carried mild variants, three (0.07%) had risk variants, and 88 (2.18%) carried unknown variants. Our study, for the first time, found that p.G241R (P = 0.007, OR = 15.3, 95% CI: 1.25–261.1) and p.S310G (P = 0.005, OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.52–28.04) variants increased the risk of PD. Patients with GBA1 variants exhibited an earlier onset age and higher risk of probable rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder, olfactory dysfunction, depression, and autonomic dysfunction than patients without GBA1 variants.
Contrasting allelic effects for pistachio salinity tolerance in juvenile and mature trees
Authors: Sheikhi Abdollatif , Arab Mohammad M. , Davis Matthew , Palmer William J. , Michelmore Richard , Brown Pat J.
Published: September 2023

Breeding perennial tree crops often requires prediction of mature performance from juvenile data. To assess the utility of juvenile screens to predict salinity tolerance of mature pistachio trees, we compared performance of 3-month ungrafted seedlings and 4-year-old grafted rootstocks under salinity stress. The QTL allele associated with higher salt exclusion from seedling leaves conferred lower growth in saline field conditions, suggesting that mapping QTL in seedlings may be easier than discerning the optimal allele for field performance.
Accuracy and stability of accommodation and vergence responses during sustained near tasks in uncorrected hyperopes
Authors: Ntodie Michael , Saunders Kathryn , Little Julie-Anne
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the accuracy and stability of accommodative and vergence functions in children with and without hyperopia while engaged in two sustained near tasks. The sustained accommodative and vergence characteristics of participants without refractive correction (n = 92, aged 5–10 years) with and without hyperopia (defined as cycloplegic retinoscopy ≥  + 1.00D and less than + 5.00D) were measured using eccentric infrared photorefraction (PowerRef 3; PlusOptix, Germany). Binocular measures of accommodation and eye position were recorded while participants engaged in 2 tasks at 25 cm for 15 min each: (1) reading small print on an Amazon Kindle and (2) watching an animated movie on liquid crystal display screen. Comprehensive visual assessment, including measurement of presenting visual acuity, amplitude of accommodation, and stereoacuity was conducted. The magnitude of accommodative and vergence responses was not related to refractive error (P > 0.05). However, there were inter-task differences in the accuracy and stability of the accommodative responses across refractive groups (P < 0.05). The relationship between accommodation and vergence was not significant in both tasks (P > 0.05). However, increased accommodative and vergence instabilities were associated with total accommodative response (P < 0.05). Despite having greater accommodative demand, uncorrected hyperopes accommodate comparably to emmetropic controls. However, uncorrected hyperopes have increased instabilities in their accommodative and vergence responses, which may adversely impact their visual experience.
Predicting climate heating impacts on riverine fish species diversity in a biodiversity hotspot region
Authors: Makki Toktam , Mostafavi Hossein , Matkan Ali Akbar , Valavi Roozbeh , Hughes Robert M. , Shadloo Shabnam , Aghighi Hossein , Abdoli Asghar , Teimori Azad , Eagderi Soheil , Coad Brian W.
Published: September 2023

Co-occurring biodiversity and global heating crises are systemic threats to life on Earth as we know it, especially in relatively rare freshwater ecosystems, such as in Iran. Future changes in the spatial distribution and richness of 131 riverine fish species were investigated at 1481 sites in Iran under optimistic and pessimistic climate heating scenarios for the 2050s and 2080s. We used maximum entropy modeling to predict species’ potential distributions by hydrologic unit (HU) occupancy under current and future climate conditions through the use of nine environmental predictor variables. The most important variable determining fish occupancy was HU location, followed by elevation, climate variables, and slope. Thirty-seven species were predicted to decrease their potential habitat occupancy in all future scenarios. The southern Caspian HU faces the highest future species reductions followed by the western Zagros and northwestern Iran. These results can be used by managers to plan conservational strategies to ease the dispersal of species, especially those that are at the greatest risk of extinction or invasion and that are in rivers fragmented by dams.
Spatial–temporal evolution and spatial spillover of the green efficiency of urban construction land in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China
Authors: Zhou Jialiang
Published: September 2023

There are urgent ecological and environmental problems in the process of the utilization of urban construction land, promoting green utilization of construction land is conducive to urban sustainable development and high-quality economic development. Based on the panel data of 108 prefecture-level and above cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China from 2003 to 2017, this paper uses the super-efficiency SBM model to measure the green efficiency of urban construction land (GEUCL), analyzes its spatial–temporal evolution characteristics, and constructs the spatial autoregressive model to study its spatial spillover effects from the perspective of urban hierarchy. It is found that, in terms of temporal variation, the average efficiency value shows a fluctuating upward trend during the study period, rising from 0.27 in 2003 to 0.39 in 2017, the cumulative growth rate is 44.44%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.14%. In terms of spatial distribution characteristics, during the study period, the number of medium-efficiency and high-efficiency cities increases significantly, while the number of low-efficiency cities decreases sharply; high-efficiency cities always present scattered distribution, while medium-efficiency cities change from scattered distribution to agglomeration distribution. In addition, GEUCL has significantly positive spatial spillover effects between neighboring cities of different grades and between neighboring cities of the same grade, among them, the increase of GEUCL in higher-grade cities has significantly positive spatial spillover effects on that in adjacent lower-grade cities; the increase of GEUCL in lower-grade cities has significantly positive spatial spillover effects on that in neighboring higher-grade cities; GEUCL has significantly positive spatial spillover effects between neighboring cities of the same grade.
Acceptorless cross-dehydrogenative coupling for C(sp3)-H heteroarylation mediated by a heterogeneous GaN/ketone photocatalyst/photosensitizer system
Authors: Kang Hyotaik , Tan Lida , Han Jing-Tan , Huang Chia-Yu , Su Hui , Kavun Aleksei , Li Chao-Jun
Published: September 2023

Alkanes are naturally abundant chemical building blocks that contain plentiful C(sp3)-H bonds. While inert, the activation of C(sp3)-H via hydrogen atom abstraction (HAT) stages an appealing approach to generate alkyl radicals. However, prevailing shortcomings include the excessive use of oxidants and alkanes that impede scope. We herein show the use of gallium nitride (GaN) as a non-toxic, recyclable, heterogeneous photocatalyst to enable alkyl C(sp3)-H in conjunction with the catalytic use of simple photosensitizer, benzophenone, to promote the desired alkyl radical generation. The dual photocatalytic cycle enables cross-dehydrogenative Minisci alkylation under mild and chemical oxidant-free conditions.
Entanglement-enhanced optomechanical sensor array with application to dark matter searches
Authors: Brady Anthony J. , Chen Xin , Xia Yi , Manley Jack , Dey Chowdhury Mitul , Xiao Kewen , Liu Zhen , Harnik Roni , Wilson Dalziel J. , Zhang Zheshen , Zhuang Quntao
Published: September 2023

Squeezed light has long been used to enhance the precision of a single optomechanical sensor. An emerging set of proposals seeks to use arrays of optomechanical sensors to detect weak distributed forces, for applications ranging from gravity-based subterranean imaging to dark matter searches; however, a detailed investigation into the quantum-enhancement of this approach remains outstanding. Here, we propose an array of entanglement-enhanced optomechanical sensors to improve the broadband sensitivity of distributed force sensing. By coherently operating the optomechanical sensor array and distributing squeezing to entangle the optical fields, the array of sensors has a scaling advantage over independent sensors (i.e., $$\sqrt{M}\to M$$

M

→
M
, where M is the number of sensors) due to coherence as well as joint noise suppression due to multi-partite entanglement. As an illustration, we consider entanglement-enhancement of an optomechanical accelerometer array to search for dark matter, and elucidate the challenge of realizing a quantum advantage in this context.
Seasonal stratification and complex local dynamics control the sub-surface structure of marine heatwaves in Eastern Australian coastal waters
Authors: Schaeffer Amandine , Sen Gupta Alex , Roughan Moninya
Published: September 2023

Marine heatwaves are extreme seawater temperature events that can have severe impacts on marine life. The extent of the ecological damage depends not only on the easily observed surface signature but on the marine heatwave structure at depth. However, due to a paucity of in situ sub-surface observations the vertical structure of marine heatwaves is poorly understood. Here we analyse the sub-surface coherence and controls of marine heatwaves using one of the world’s longest (28 years) records of daily sub-surface ocean temperature off Sydney, Australia. We show that seasonal stratification, large-scale circulation and local downwelling processes control the vertical coherence of coastal marine heatwaves. We define three classes of marine heatwaves which can extend through the water column, form in the shallow surface layer, or sub-surface independently, and are therefore not always evident in surface data. We conclude that sub-surface data need to be considered in monitoring marine heatwaves in coastal areas where maximum biological damage is reported.
High power and low crest factor of direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered optical computing system
Authors: Li Hongyun , Lv Shaobo , Zhang Binbin , Liu Bochao , Yang Jin , Guo Hengyu , Xie Yiyuan , Lin Zhiming
Published: September 2023

A rotational multiple-phase direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator with low crest factor and high performance is presented for powering optical computing device forming the self-powered monitoring system.
A nanoscale study of the structure and electrical response of Sepia eumelanin
Authors: Niyonkuru Dieudonné , Camus Anthony , Reali Manuel , Gao Zhaojing , Shadrack Daniel M. , Butyaev Oleg , Surtchev Marko , Santato Clara
Published: September 2023

Conductive-atomic force microscopy reveals a nanoscale electrical response from films obtained from ink formulations including Sepia melanin, a biopigment of interest for sustainable organic electronics.
Nanobiocatalysts with inbuilt cofactor recycling for oxidoreductase catalysis in organic solvents
Authors: Sahlin Jenny , Wu Congyu , Buscemi Andrea , Schärer Claude , Nazemi Seyed Amirabbas , S. K. Rejaul , Herrera-Reinoza Nataly , Jung Thomas A. , Shahgaldian Patrick
Published: September 2023

Hierarchically structured mesoporous silica nano-architectures have been used to construct nanobiocatalysts. These systems efficiently reduce ketones in neat organic solvents using the activity of an immobilised and protected alcohol dehydrogenase.
A concise approach to 2-pyrrolin-5-one scaffold construction from α-halohydroxamates and β-keto compounds
Authors: Lan Wenjie , Yu Xuan , Li Mengzhu , Lei Rongchao , Qin Zhaohai , Fu Bin
Published: September 2023

A concise approach to the construction of the 2-pyrrolin-5-one scaffold was developed via a one-pot reaction with formal [3 + 2] annulation/elimination between β-keto nitrile/β-keto ester and unsubstituted α-halohydroxamates.
Effect of COF linkage isomerism on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance
Authors: Zhang Mingcai , Wu Xuan , Xie Yangbin , Hao Xiaolong , Wang Qinghao , Zhao Yongqing , Wu Jincai , Pan Xiaobo
Published: September 2023

Linkage isomerism has a significant impact on the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance of COFs photocatalysts.
Enhancement of functional surface and molecular dynamics at Pt-rGO by spacer 1,6-hexanediamine for precise detection of biomolecules: uric acid as a specimen
Authors: Karim Mohammad Razaul , Jayed Mohammad , Laskar Md. Zakariya Rahman , Bhuyan Md Murshed , Islam Md. Saidul , Hayami Shinya , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: September 2023

Hexanediamine (HA) was incorporated in rGO-platinum (Pt) matrices to obtain HA-rGO-Pt with an improved molecular migration track. The HA-rGO-Pt could detect very low concentrations uric acid as the uric acid could migrate through the layers of rGO.
Nanosponges for hydrogen evolution reaction: current trends and future perspectives
Authors: Rabiee Navid , Iravani Siavash
Published: September 2023

Recent advances on the use of nanosponges as electrocatalysts for HER are deliberated, focusing on crucial challenging issues and future perspectives.
Percolation threshold and electrical conductivity of conductive polymer composites filled with curved fibers in two-dimensional space
Authors: Yuan Hui , Chen Huisu , Li Mingqi , Liu Lin , Liu Zhiyong
Published: September 2023

Quantifying the influence of fiber curvature on the percolation behavior of flexible conductive fibers and further on the electrical conductivity of conductive polymer composites (CPCs) is crucial for the design of CPCs.
B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator could be a new player in accelerated atherosclerosis associated with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Dolade Nuria , Rayego-Mateos Sandra , Garcia-Carrasco Alicia , Guerin Maryse , Martín-Ventura Jose-Luis , Ruiz-Ortega Marta , Tharaux Pierre-Louis , Valdivielso Jose Manuel
Published: September 2023

Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular morbi-mortality is higher than in general population. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is accelerated in CKD, but specific CKD-related risk factors for atherosclerosis are unknown.

Methods: CKD patients from the NEFRONA study were used. We performed mRNA array from blood of patients free from atheroma plaque at baseline, with (n=10) and without (n=10) de novo atherosclerotic plaque development 2 years later. Selected mRNA candidates were validated in a bigger sample (n=148). Validated candidates were investigated in vivo in an experimental model of CKD-accelerated atherosclerosis, and in vitro in murine macrophages.

Results: mRNA array analysis showed 92 up-regulated and 67 down-regulated mRNAs in samples from CKD patients with de novo plaque development. The functional analysis pointed to a paramount role of the immune response. The validation in a bigger sample confirmed that B- and T-lymphocyte co-inhibitory molecule (BTLA) down-regulation was associated with de novo plaque presence after 2 years. However, BTLA down-regulation was not found to be associated with atherosclerotic progression in patients with plaque already present at baseline. In a model of CKD-accelerated atherosclerosis, mRNA and protein expression levels of BTLA were significantly decreased in blood samples and atheroma plaques. Plaques from animals with CKD were bigger, had more infiltration of inflammatory cells, higher expression of IL6 and IL17 and less presence of collagen than plaques from control animals. Incubation of macrophages with rat uremic serum decreased BTLA expression.

Conclusions: BTLA could be a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for atherosclerosis incidence in CKD patients.
The Effect of a Specialized Training Program on the Knowledge of First Responders About People With Communication Disabilities
Authors: Rang Mariesa , Mankey Sharon , Dirette Diane Powers
Published: September 2023

Purpose:

Individuals with disabilities experience emergencies more often than those without disabilities; people with complex communication needs are even more at risk. Emergency first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, do not receive adequate training to respond to emergencies for this vulnerable community.

Method:

Using a retrospective analysis of pre- and posttests, data from 692 participants were analyzed to determine knowledge change following a 90-min training session on how emergency first responders should communicate with individuals who have complex communication needs. An analysis was first conducted at the whole group level followed by an analysis controlling for occupation.

Results:

Descriptive and inferential statistics revealed a statistically significant difference in change in knowledge across all participants, though controlling for occupation did not reveal a statistically significant change.

Conclusions:

These results indicated the training was successful across all participants regardless of occupation and should be evaluated in other geographical areas. Future research should include a qualitative exploration of emergency first responders' lived experiences in working with this particular group of individuals to ensure the training adequately addresses their needs.
CROCODILE
Authors: Hayoz J. , Cugno G. , Quanz S. P. , Patapis P. , Alei E. , Bonse M. J. , Dannert F. A. , Garvin E. O. , Gebhard T. D. , Konrad B. S. , Sartori L. F.
Published: September 2023

Context.The investigation of the atmospheres of closely separated, directly imaged gas giant exoplanets is challenging due to the presence of stellar speckles that pollute their spectrum. To remedy this, the analysis of medium- to high-resolution spectroscopic data via cross-correlation with spectral templates (cross-correlation spectroscopy) is emerging as a leading technique.

Aims.We aim to define a robust Bayesian framework combining, for the first time, three widespread direct-imaging techniques, namely photometry, low-resolution spectroscopy, and medium-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy in order to derive the atmospheric properties of close-in directly imaged exoplanets. Current atmospheric characterisation frameworks are indeed either not compatible with all three observing techniques or they lack the commitment to efficient sampling strategies that allow high-dimensional forward models.

Methods.Our frameworkCROCODILE(cross-correlation retrievals of directly imaged self-luminous exoplanets) naturally combines the three techniques by adopting adequate likelihood functions. To validate our routine, we simulated observations of gas giants similar to the well-studiedβPictoris b planet and we explored the parameter space of their atmospheres to search for potential biases.

Results.We obtain more accurate measurements of atmospheric properties when combining photometry, low- and medium-resolution spectroscopy into atmospheric retrievals than when using the techniques separately as is usually done in the literature. Indeed, the combined fit is, on average, 20% more accurate than fitting only medium-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy. We find that medium-resolution (R≈ 4000)K-band cross-correlation spectroscopy alone is not suitable to constrain the atmospheric properties of our synthetic datasets; however, this problem disappears when simultaneously fitting photometry throughout theYandMbands and low-resolution (R≈ 60) spectroscopy between theYandHbands. Our thorough testing demonstrates that free chemistry is a suitable forward model to retrieve the atmospheric thermal and chemical properties of cloudless gas giants at chemical equilibrium.

Conclusions.CROCODILEprovides a robust statistical framework to interpret medium-resolution spectroscopic data of close-in directly imaged exoplanets, where speckles originating from stellar stray light render the extraction of the continuum difficult. Our framework allows the atmospheric characterisation of directly imaged exoplanets using the high-quality spectral data that will be provided by the new generation of instruments such as the Enhanced Resolution Imager and Spectrograph (ERIS) at the Very Large Telescope, the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) aboard theJames WebbSpace Telescope, and in the future the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph (METIS) at the Extremely Large Telescope.
CoCCoA: Complex Chemistry in hot Cores with ALMA
Authors: Chen Y. , van Gelder M. L. , Nazari P. , Brogan C. L. , van Dishoeck E. F. , Linnartz H. , Jørgensen J. K. , Hunter T. R. , Wilkins O. H. , Blake G. A. , Caselli P. , Chuang K.-J. , Codella C. , Cooke I. , Drozdovskaya M. N. , Garrod R. T. , Ioppolo S. , Jin M. , Kulterer B. M. , Ligterink N. F. W. , Lipnicky A. , Loomis R. , Rachid M. G. , Spezzano S. , McGuire B. A.
Published: September 2023

Context. Complex organic molecules (COMs), especially the oxygen-bearing species, have been observed to be abundant in the gas phase toward low-mass and high-mass protostars. Deep line surveys have been carried out only for a limited number of well-known star-forming regions using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which has unprecedented resolution and sensitivity, and statistical studies on oxygen-bearing COMs (O-COMs) in a large sample of high-mass protostars using ALMA are still lacking.

Aims. We aim to determine the column density ratios of six O-COMs with respect to methanol (CH3OH) in a sample of 14 high-mass protostellar sources in order to investigate their origin through ice and/or gas-phase chemistry. The selected species are: acetalde-hyde (CH3CHO), ethanol (C2H5OH), dimethyl ether (DME; CH3OCH3), methyl formate (MF; CH3OCHO), glycolaldehyde (GA; CH2OHCHO), and ethylene glycol (EG; (CH2OH)2).

Methods. We fit the spectra of 14 high-mass sources observed as part of the Complex Chemistry in hot Cores with ALMA (CoCCoA) survey and derived the column densities and excitation temperatures of the six selected O-COMs. We used the minor isotopologue of methanol CH318OH to infer the column density of the main isotopologue CH3OH, of which the lines are generally optically thick. We compared our O-COM ratios with those of five low-mass protostars studied with ALMA from the available literature as well as with the results from experiments and simulations.

Results. Although the CoCCoA sources have different morphologies and brightness in their continuum and methanol emission, the O-COM ratios with respect to methanol have very similar values in the high-mass and low-mass samples. The DME and MF have the highest and most constant ratios within one order of magnitude, while the other four species have lower ratios and exhibit larger scatter by one to two orders of magnitude. The ratio between DME and MF is close to one, which agrees well with previous observational findings. Current simulations and experiments can reproduce most observational trends with a few exceptions. For example, they tend to overestimate the abundance of ethanol and GA with respect to methanol.

Conclusions. The constant column density ratios of the selected O-COMs among the low- and high-mass sources suggest that these species are formed in similar environments during star formation, probably on icy dust grains in the pre-stellar stages. Where deviations are found, hypotheses exist to explain the differences between observations, simulations, and experiments, such as the involvement of gas-phase chemistry and different emitting areas of molecules.
Excitation of extraordinary modes inside the source of Saturn’s kilometric radiation
Authors: Ning Hao , Chen Yao , Li Chuanyang , Ye Shengyi , Kuznetsov Alexey , Wu Siyuan
Published: September 2023

The electron cyclotron maser instability (ECMI) of extraordinary mode waves was investigated with the parameters observed in Saturn’s kilometric radiation (SKR) sources. Previous studies employed simplified dispersion relations, and did not consider the excitation of the relativistic (R) mode. This mode is introduced by considering the relativistic effect in plasmas consisting of both cold and hot electrons. Using particle-in-cell simulations, we investigated the excitation of R and X modes based on the measured data. Using the reported value of the density ratio of energetic to total electrons ne/n0 = 24%, the most unstable mode is the R mode. The escaping X-mode emissions are amplified only if the energetic electrons are dominant with ne/n0 ≥ 90%. For these cases, only the X mode is excited and the R mode disappears due to its strong coupling. The results are well in line with the linear kinetic theory of ECMI. The properties of both the R and X modes are consistent with the observed SKR emissions. This raises questions about the nature of the measured electric field fluctuations within “presumed” SKR sources. The study provides new insights into the ECMI process relevant to SKR emission mechanisms.
The Neonatal Heart: Developmental Differences, Response to Ischemia, and Protection during Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Stammers Alfred H. , Bove Edward L.
Published: September 2023

(J. Extra-Corpor. Tech. 18[4] p. 208–218 Winter 1986) Accompanying the advent of open heart surgery was the need to better understand the relationship between ischemic damage and cell viability. Corrective cardiac surgical procedures necessitate a flacid, bloodless field to provide the surgeon optimal exposure. This interruption of blood flow, however, has many deleterious effects. A non-homogeneous cascade of events is produced that, if allowed to proceed unchecked, will ultimately lead to cell death. The time period of interrupted flow to the myocardium is referred to as ischemia, and results in certain cellular perturbations that are dependent on both temporal and temperature related factors. The effects of ischemia have been studied extensively, both clinically and in the laboratory, utilizing various techniques that almost exclusively employ the adult myocardium as a model. The resultant information has been broadly applied in formulating methods of myocardial protection across all ages. Cardiovascular physiology, however, is directly dependent upon the developmental state of the myocyte, showing changes in mechanical function, structure, and response to pharmacologic intervention throughout ontogeny. Therefore, a better understanding of the inherent differential characteristics must be considered in optimizing a plan for the ideal method of myocardial preservation in newborn hearts. This review will attempt to highlight some of the major developmental differences in the neonate, the effects of ischemia on the immature heart, and methods of myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass.
Emergency Portable Pump Oxygenation
Authors: Bowers Warren , Galbraith George D. , Hart James , Williams Dennis
Published: September 2023

(J. Extra-Corpor. Technol. 19[1] p. 228–230 Summer 1987). This report describes the successful use of emergency portable pump oxygenation (EPO) for a patient with critical aortic stenosis and severe hypotension. Portable pump oxygenation was used in the case of an 82-year-old female who manifested marked hypotension (40 mmHg. systolic), ventricular fibrillation, and acute pulmonary edema during a cardiac catheterization procedure. Cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated via femoral cannulation in the catheterization laboratory. The patient was then transported, along with the EPO apparatus, to the surgery suite where she underwent emergency aortic valve replacement. Total EPO time was 45 minutes. After an uneventful hospital stay, the patient was discharged home on postoperative day number 11.