bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioprospecting of endophytic fungi from semidesert candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphiliticaZucc): Potential for extracellular enzyme production
Authors: Núñez‐García Itzel C. , Martínez‐Ávila Guillermo Cristian G. , González‐Herrera Silvia M. , Tafolla‐Arellano Julio C. , Rutiaga‐Quiñones O. Miriam
Published: May 2024

Endophytic microbial communities colonize plants growing under various abiotic stress conditions. Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphiliticaZucc.) is a shrub that develops functionally in arid and semi‐arid zones of Mexico; these conditions generate an association between the plant and the microorganisms, contributing to the production of enzymes as a defense mechanism for resistance to abiotic stress. The objective of this research was to isolate and identify endophyte fungi of candelilla and bioprospection of these endophytic fungi for enzyme production using candelilla by‐products. Fungi were isolated and identified using ITS1/ITS4 sequencing. Their potency index (PI) was evaluated in producing endoglucanase, xylanase, amylase, and laccase. Fermentation was carried out at 30°C for 8 days at 200 rpm, with measurements every 2 days, using candelilla by‐products as substrate. All fungi exhibited higher cellulase, amylase, and laccase activities on the 2nd, 6th, and 8th day of fermentation, respectively, of fermentation. The fungusAspergillus nigerITD‐IN4.1 showed the highest amylase activity (246.84 U/mg), the genusNeurosporashowed the highest cellulase activity, reaching up to 13.45 FPU/mg, and the strainNeurosporasp. ITD‐IN5.2 showed the highest laccase activity (3.46 U/mg). This work provides the first report on the endophytic diversity ofE. antisyphiliticaand its potential role in enzyme production.
Signal‐to‐noise ratio versus field strength for small surface coils
Authors: Pohmann Rolf , Avdievich Nikolai I. , Scheffler Klaus
Published: May 2024

The increasing signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) is the main reason to use ultrahigh field MRI. Here, we investigate the dependence of the SNR on the magnetic field strength, especially for small animal applications, where small surface coils are used and coil noise cannot be ignored. Measurements were performed at five field strengths from 3 to 14.1 T, using 2.2‐cm surface coils with an identical coil design for transmit and receive on two water samples with and without salt. SNR was measured in a series of spoiled gradient echo images with varying flip angle and corrected for saturation based on a series of flip angle and T1 measurements. Furthermore, the noise figure of the receive chain was determined and eliminated to remove instrument dependence. Finally, the coil sensitivity was determined based on the principle of reciprocity to obtain a measure for ultimate SNR. Before coil sensitivity correction, the SNR increase in nonconductive samples is highly supralinear with B01.6–2.7, depending on distance to the coil, while in the conductive sample, the growth is smaller, being around linear close to the surface coil and increasing up to a B02.0 dependence when moving away from the coil. After sensitivity correction, the SNR increase is independent of loading with B02.1. This study confirms the supralinear increase of SNR with increasing field strengths. Compared with most human measurements with larger coil sizes, smaller surface coils, as mainly used in animal studies, have a higher contribution of coil noise and thus a different behavior of SNR at high fields.
Association of Safety‐Net Hospital Status With Outcomes Following Head and Neck Cancer Operations
Authors: Madrigal Josef , Mukdad Laith , Verma Arjun , Benharash Peyman , St. John Maie A.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To assess perioperative and readmission outcomes of patients undergoing head and neck cancer (HNCA) surgery at safety‐net hospitals (SNHs) in a modern cohort.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), 2010 to 2019.

Methods

All elective adult (≥18 years) admissions involving HNCA resection were identified from the NRD. To calculate safety‐net burden, the proportion of Medicaid or uninsured patients admitted to each hospital for any indication was tabulated annually, with centers in the highest quartile defined as SNHs. To perform risk adjustment in assessing perioperative and readmission outcomes, multivariable regression models were developed.

Results

Of an estimated 133,018 head and neck surgical patients, 26.5% (n = 35,268) received treatment at a SNH. Utilization of SNHs increased over the decade‐long study period, with 29.8% of individuals treated at these sites in 2019. After multivariable adjustment, several patient factors were noted to be associated with SNHs, including younger age, lower comorbidity burden, and income within the lowest quartile. Although incidence of adverse events decreased at both SNHs and non‐SNHs during the study period, treatment at SNHs remained associated with these events after risk adjustment (adjusted odds ratio: 1.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.08‐1.28, P < .001).

Conclusion

SNHs continue to provide valuable specialty care to underserved populations, often with limited financial resources. Despite promising results from prior decades demonstrating comparable perioperative outcomes, the present study noted increased adverse events following HNCA surgery at these sites. Such findings underscore the need for continued advocacy to secure necessary funding for these centers.
Polyvinyl Chloride‐Based Luminescent Downshifting Film with High Flame Retardancy and Excellent UV Resistance for Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Qiu Shuang , Sun Jun , Gu Xiaoyu , Li Hongfei , Wang Haiqiao , Zhang Sheng
Published: May 2024

Solar power generation, as a clean energy source, has significant potential for development. This work reports the recent efforts to address the challenge of low power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices by proposing the fabrication of a luminescence downshifting layer using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with added fluorescent dots to enhance light utilization. A photoluminescent microsphere (HCPAM) is synthesized by cross‐linking hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene, 2‐iminobenzimidazoline, and polyethyleneimine. Low addition of HCPAM can improve the fire safety of PVC films, raising the limiting oxygen index of PVC to 32.4% and reducing the total heat release and smoke production rate values by 14.5% and 42.9%, respectively. Additionally, modified PVC film remains a transparency of 88% and shows down‐conversion light properties. When the PVC+1%HCPAM film is applied to the solar cell, the short‐circuit current density increases from 42.3 to 43.8 mA cm−2, resulting in a 7.0% enhancement in power conversion efficiency. HCPAM also effectively delays the photooxidative aging of PVC, particularly at a 3% content, maintaining the surface morphology and optical properties of PVC samples during ultraviolet aging. This study offers an innovative strategy to enhance the fire and UV‐resistant performance of PVC films and expand their applications in protecting and efficiently utilizing photovoltaic devices.
Blameworthiness and Causal Outcomes
Authors: Talbert Matthew
Published: May 2024

It is widely held that whether a person is morally responsible for an outcome partly depends on whether certain causal relations obtain between that person and the outcome. This paper argues that, regardless of whether the preceding claim about moral responsibility is true, moral blameworthiness is independent of such causal considerations. This conclusion is motivated by considering cases from Carolina Sartorio and Sara Bernstein. The causal structures of these cases are complex. Sartorio and Bernstein believe that reaching conclusions about moral responsibility and blameworthiness requires wading through this complexity. But it is argued here that getting clear on these causal structures does not help us assess blameworthiness (regardless of the relevance of such considerations for drawing conclusions about moral responsibility). Moral blameworthiness simply does not turn on the considerations relevant to figuring out whether an agent causally contributed to an outcome.
Comparative characterisation of extracellular vesicles from canine and human plasma: a necessary step in biomarker discovery
Authors: Bollard Stephanie Marie , Howard J. , Casalou C. , Mooney L. , Peters S. , Sweeney C. , Ajaykumar A. , Triana K. , McCann A. , Kelly P. A. , Potter S. M.
Published: May 2024

Extracellular Vesicles (EV) have become an interesting focus as novel biomarkers of disease and are increasingly reported upon in humans and other species. The Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018) guidelines were published to improve rigor and standardisation within the EV field and provide a framework for the reliable isolation and characterisation of EV populations. However, this rigor and standardisation has been challenging in the area of comparative medicine. Herein we present the successful isolation of EVs from human and canine plasma using Size Exclusion Chromatography and characterise these EVs according to best international practice. This study provides evidence for the reliable comparison of human and canine EVs isolated by this approach, and a baseline description of the EVs from healthy dogs to inform future biomarker studies. This work also demonstrates that the MISEV2018 guidelines can be successfully applied to EVs isolated from canine plasma.
Eco-friendly building materials: full-scale replacement of mineral aggregates with rice husk
Authors: Chabi Edem , Doko Valéry Kouandété , Adjovi Edmond Codjo
Published: May 2024

In a context where sustainable construction and ecology are increasingly central, the construction industry is constantly seeking alternative materials that are both economical and eco-friendly. Concurrently, global rice production generates significant amounts of rice husks, often considered as low-value waste. This study deviates from traditional approaches that favor the use of rice husk ash (RHA) as a mineral additive, to explore the potential of rice husks themselves as a complete substitute for sand in concrete formulations. After meticulous characterization of the physicochemical properties of rice husks, several concrete formulations were designed and subjected to a battery of tests. The results are promising. They show that concrete based on rice husks exhibits satisfactory mechanical properties for a wide range of applications, from slabs to load-bearing walls. The compressive strength varies between 0.56 MPa and 5.41 MPa depending on the composition, while the thermal conductivity falls within a range of 0.070 W m−1 K−1 to 0.129 W m−1 K−1, which is comparable to other agro-concretes. This research highlights the promising potential of rice husks as a sand substitute material in concrete. It thus paves the way for more ecologically responsible and economically viable construction alternatives, while proposing a value-added solution for a widely available agricultural byproduct.
How Government Built America
Authors: Shapiro Sidney A. , Tomain Joseph P.
Published: May 2024

How Government Built America challenges growing, anti-government rhetoric by highlighting the role government has played in partnering with markets to build the United States. Sidney A. Shapiro and Joseph P. Tomain explore how markets can harm and fail the country, and how the government has addressed these extremes by restoring essential values to benefit all citizens. Without denying that individualism and small government are part of the national DNA, the authors demonstrate how democracy and a people pursuing communal interests are equally important. In highly engaging prose, the authors describe how the government, despite the complexity of markets, remains engaged in promoting economic prosperity, protecting people, and providing an economic safety net. Each chapter focuses on a historical figure, from Lincoln to FDR to Trump, to illustrate how the government-market mix has evolved over time. By understanding this history, readers can turn the national conversation back to what combination of government and markets will best serve the country.
Holy War in the Baltic and the Battle of Lyndanise 1219
Authors: Jensen Carsten Selch
Published: May 2024

In June 1219 Danish crusaders fought a vicious battle against local pagan warriors at the place in northern Estonia where Tallinn now lies. The battle - known then as the Battle of Lyndanise - was a narrow victory for the crusaders and eventually turned out to be a pivotal event in the national histories of both Denmark and Estonia as a milestone in the overall military conquest of the entire region by (mostly) western military powers. The main scope of this book is to present a study of this military conquest of Estonia around 1200 with a special focus on the Scandinavian involvement, enabling us to better understand the intense political, military, and religious changes that came to influence the region and its many people from the early high medieval period onwards.
Medievalisms and Russia
Authors: Smelyansky Eugene
Published: May 2024

This new monograph devoted to a detailed exploration of the ways in which the medieval past has been wielded to propagandic effect in Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet Russia.

From politicians' speeches to popular culture, from Orthodox Christianity to neo-paganism, the medieval Russian past remains crucial in constructing national identity, mobilizing society during times of crisis, and providing alternative models of communal belonging. Frequent appeals to a medieval Slavic past, its heroes and myths, have provided - and continue to provide - a particularly powerful tool for animating imperialist and populist sentiments.

This study explores persuasive - and pervasive - recourse to tropes concerned with the Middle Ages in Imperial, Soviet, and post-Soviet Russia, seeking to explain why an often romanticized medieval past remains potent in Russian politics, society, and culture today.
Fusion of deterministically generated photonic graph states
Authors: Thomas Philip , Ruscio Leonardo , Morin Olivier , Rempe Gerhard
Published: May 2024

Entanglement has evolved from an enigmatic concept of quantum physics to a key ingredient of quantum technology. It explains correlations between measurement outcomes that contradict classical physics and has been widely explored with small sets of individual qubits. Multi-partite entangled states build up in gate-based quantum-computing protocols and—from a broader perspective—were proposed as the main resource for measurement-based quantum-information processing1,2. The latter requires the ex-ante generation of a multi-qubit entangled state described by a graph3–6. Small graph states such as Bell or linear cluster states have been produced with photons7–16, but the proposed quantum-computing and quantum-networking applications require fusion of such states into larger and more powerful states in a programmable fashion17–21. Here we achieve this goal by using an optical resonator22containing two individually addressable atoms23,24. Ring25and tree26graph states with up to eight qubits, with the names reflecting the entanglement topology, are efficiently fused from the photonic states emitted by the individual atoms. The fusion process itself uses a cavity-assisted gate between the two atoms. Our technique is, in principle, scalable to even larger numbers of qubits and is the decisive step towards, for instance, a memory-less quantum repeater in a future quantum internet27–29.
Computationally restoring the potency of a clinical antibody against Omicron
Authors: Desautels Thomas A. , Arrildt Kathryn T. , Zemla Adam T. , Lau Edmond Y. , Zhu Fangqiang , Ricci Dante , Cronin Stephanie , Zost Seth J. , Binshtein Elad , Scheaffer Suzanne M. , Dadonaite Bernadeta , Petersen Brenden K. , Engdahl Taylor B. , Chen Elaine , Handal Laura S. , Hall Lynn , Goforth John W. , Vashchenko Denis , Nguyen Sam , Weilhammer Dina R. , Lo Jacky Kai-Yin , Rubinfeld Bonnee , Saada Edwin A. , Weisenberger Tracy , Lee Tek-Hyung , Whitener Bradley , Case James B. , Ladd Alexander , Silva Mary S. , Haluska Rebecca M. , Grzesiak Emilia A. , Earnhart Christopher G. , Hopkins Svetlana , Bates Thomas W. , Thackray Larissa B. , Segelke Brent W. ,   Tri-lab COVID-19 Consortium, Lyon Emily Z. Alipio , Anderson Penelope S. , Avila-Herrera Aram , Bennett William F. , Bourguet Feliza A. , Chen Julian C. , Coleman Matthew A. , Collette Nicole M. , Davis Anastasiia , Vannest Byron D. , Fong Erika J. , Gilmore Sean , Goncalves Andre R. , Hall Sara B. , Harmon Brooke , He Wei , Hoang-Phou Steven A. , Landajuela Mikel , Laurence Ted A. , Lee Tek Hyung , Da Silva Felipe Leno , Liu Chao , Mundhenk Terrel N. , Mohagheghi Mariam V. , McIlroy Peter R. , Pham Le Thanh Mai , Sanchez Joseph C. , Sinha Anupama , Solomon Emilia A. , Watkins Nicholas , Yang Jiachen , Ye Congwang , Zhang Boya , Lillo Antonietta Maria , Sundaram Shivshankar , Bloom Jesse D. , Diamond Michael S. , Crowe James E. , Carnahan Robert H. , Faissol Daniel M.
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the promise of monoclonal antibody-based prophylactic and therapeutic drugs1–3 and revealed how quickly viral escape can curtail effective options4,5. When the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in 2021, many antibody drug products lost potency, including Evusheld and its constituent, cilgavimab4–6. Cilgavimab, like its progenitor COV2-2130, is a class 3 antibody that is compatible with other antibodies in combination4 and is challenging to replace with existing approaches. Rapidly modifying such high-value antibodies to restore efficacy against emerging variants is a compelling mitigation strategy. We sought to redesign and renew the efficacy of COV2-2130 against Omicron BA.1 and BA.1.1 strains while maintaining efficacy against the dominant Delta variant. Here we show that our computationally redesigned antibody, 2130-1-0114-112, achieves this objective, simultaneously increases neutralization potency against Delta and subsequent variants of concern, and provides protection in vivo against the strains tested: WA1/2020, BA.1.1 and BA.5. Deep mutational scanning of tens of thousands of pseudovirus variants reveals that 2130-1-0114-112 improves broad potency without increasing escape liabilities. Our results suggest that computational approaches can optimize an antibody to target multiple escape variants, while simultaneously enriching potency. Our computational approach does not require experimental iterations or pre-existing binding data, thus enabling rapid response strategies to address escape variants or lessen escape vulnerabilities.
Polyurethane reinforced with micro/nano waste slag as a shielding panel for photons (experimental and theoretical study)
Authors: El-Khatib Ahmed M. , Abbas Mahmoud I. , Mahmoud Mohamed E. , Fayez-Hassan Mohammed , Khalil Mamdouh H. , Abd El Aal Ahmed
Published: May 2024

This study not only provides an innovative technique for producing rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) composites, but it also offers a way to reuse metallurgical solid waste. Rigid polyurethane (RPUF) composite samples have been prepared with different proportions of iron slag as additives, with a range of 0–25% mass by weight. The process of grinding iron slag microparticles into iron slag nanoparticles powder was accomplished with the use of a high-energy ball mill. The synthesized samples have been characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope. Then, their radiation shielding properties were measured by using A hyper-pure germanium detector using point sources 241Am, 133 BA, 152 EU, 137Cs, and 60Co, with an energy range of 0.059–1.408 MeV. Then using Fluka simulation code to validate the results in the energy range of photon energies of 0.0001–100 MeV. The linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, mean free path, half-value layer and tenth-value layer, were calculated to determine the radiation shielding characteristics of the composite samples. The calculated values are in good agreement with the calculated values. The results of this study showed that the gamma-ray and neutron attenuation parameters of the studied polyurethane composite samples have improved. Moreover, the effect of iron slag not only increases the gamma-ray attenuation shielding properties but also enhances compressive strength and the thermal stability. Which encourages us to use polyurethane iron-slag composite foam in sandwich panel manufacturing as walls to provide protection from radiation and also heat insulation.
Whole-genome sequencing of Ganoderma boninense, the causal agent of basal stem rot disease in oil palm, via combined short- and long-read sequencing
Authors: Utomo Condro , Tanjung Zulfikar Achmad , Aditama Redi , Pratomo Antonius Dony Madu , Buana Rika Fithri Nurani , Putra Hadi Septian Guna , Tryono Reno , Liwang Tony
Published: May 2024

The hemibiotrophic Basidiomycete pathogen Ganoderma boninense (Gb) is the dominant causal agent of oil palm basal stem rot disease. Here, we report a complete chromosomal genome map of Gb using a combination of short-read Illumina and long-read Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing platforms combined with chromatin conformation capture data from the Chicago and Hi-C platforms. The genome was 55.87 Mb in length and assembled to a high contiguity (N50: 304.34 kb) of 12 chromosomes built from 112 scaffolds, with a total of only 4.34 Mb (~ 7.77%) remaining unplaced. The final assemblies were evaluated for completeness of the genome by using Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) v4.1.4, and based on 4464 total BUSCO polyporales group searches, the assemblies yielded 4264 (95.52%) of the conserved orthologs as complete and only a few fragmented BUSCO of 42 (0.94%) as well as a missing BUSCO of 158 (3.53%). Genome annotation predicted a total of 21,074 coding genes, with a GC content ratio of 59.2%. The genome features were analyzed with different databases, which revealed 2471 Gene Ontology/GO (11.72%), 5418 KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) Orthologous/KO (25.71%), 13,913 Cluster of Orthologous Groups of proteins/COG (66.02%), 60 ABC transporter (0.28%), 1049 Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes/CAZy (4.98%), 4005 pathogen–host interactions/PHI (19%), and 515 fungal transcription factor/FTFD (2.44%) genes. The results obtained in this study provide deep insight for further studies in the future.
Comprehensive analysis of two hotspot codons in the TUBB4B gene and associated phenotypes
Authors: Bodenbender Jan-Philipp , Marino Valerio , Philipp Julia , Tropitzsch Anke , Kernstock Christoph , Stingl Katarina , Kempf Melanie , Haack Tobias B. , Zuleger Theresia , Mazzola Pascale , Kohl Susanne , Weisschuh Nicole , Dell’Orco Daniele , Kühlewein Laura
Published: May 2024

Our purpose was to elucidate the genotype and ophthalmological and audiological phenotype in TUBB4B-associated inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and to model the effects of all possible amino acid substitutions at the hotspot codons Arg390 and Arg391. Six patients from five families with heterozygous missense variants in TUBB4B were included in this observational study. Ophthalmological testing included best-corrected visual acuity, fundus examination, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, and full-field electroretinography (ERG). Audiological examination included pure-tone and speech audiometry in adult patients and auditory brainstem response testing in a child. Genetic testing was performed by disease gene panel analysis based on genome sequencing. The molecular consequences of the substitutions of residues 390 and 391 on TUBB4B and its interaction with α-tubulin were predicted in silico on its three-dimensional structure obtained by homology modelling. Two independent patients had amino acid exchanges at position 391 (p.(Arg391His) or p.(Arg391Cys)) of the TUBB4B protein. Both had a distinct IRD phenotype with peripheral round yellowish lesions with pigmented spots and mild or moderate SNHL, respectively. Yet the phenotype was milder with a sectorial pattern of bone spicules in one patient, likely due to a genetically confirmed mosaicism for p.(Arg391His). Three patients were heterozygous for an amino acid exchange at position 390 (p.(Arg390Gln) or p.(Arg390Trp)) and presented with another distinct retinal phenotype with well demarcated pericentral retinitis pigmentosa. All showed SNHL ranging from mild to severe. One additional patient showed a variant distinct from codon 390 or 391 (p.(Tyr310His)), and presented with congenital profound hearing loss and reduced responses in ERG. Variants at codon positions 390 and 391 were predicted to decrease the structural stability of TUBB4B and its complex with α-tubulin, as well as the complex affinity. In conclusion, the twofold larger reduction in heterodimer affinity exhibited by Arg391 substitutions suggested an association with the more severe retinal phenotype, compared to the substitution at Arg390.
Electrophysiological correlates of sustained conscious perception
Authors: Hense Annika , Peters Antje , Bruchmann Maximilian , Dellert Torge , Straube Thomas
Published: May 2024

Previous research on the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) in visual perception revealed an early event-related potential (ERP), the visual awareness negativity (VAN), to be associated with stimulus awareness. However, due to the use of brief stimulus presentations in previous studies, it remains unclear whether awareness-related negativities represent a transient onset-related response or correspond to the duration of a conscious percept. Studies are required that allow prolonged stimulus presentation under aware and unaware conditions. The present ERP study aimed to tackle this challenge by using a novel stimulation design. Male and female human participants (n = 62) performed a visual task while task-irrelevant line stimuli were presented in the background for either 500 or 1000 ms. The line stimuli sometimes contained a face, which needed so-called visual one-shot learning to be seen. Half of the participants were informed about the presence of the face, resulting in faces being perceived by the informed but not by the uninformed participants. Comparing ERPs between the informed and uninformed group revealed an enhanced negativity over occipitotemporal electrodes that persisted for the entire duration of stimulus presentation. Our results suggest that sustained visual awareness negativities (SVAN) are associated with the duration of stimulus presentation.
Pseudoaromaticity-driven, transition metal detection by squaraine-derived enol phosphonium ylide chemodosimeters
Authors: Twiringiyimana Raïssa , Ashfeld Brandon L.
Published: May 2024

Enol phosphonium ylides from phosphines and dianiline squaraine dyes form a sensitive and stable framework responding to phosphophilic metal complexes. Addition of a metal complex triggers phosphine abstraction, releasing the parent dye, forming new chemodosimeters for trace metal detection.
Engineered biological nanoparticles as nanotherapeutics for tumor immunomodulation
Authors: Rahmat Juwita N. , Liu Jiayi , Chen Taili , Li ZhiHong , Zhang Yong
Published: May 2024

Schematic of the immunomodulatory approaches for tipping the balance towards anti-cancer immunity. This image was created with BioRender.com.
Unveiling the potential of polymer cholesteric liquid crystal interpenetrating networks as a label-free alcohol biochemical sensor
Authors: Singh Bhupendra Pratap , Hwang Shug-June
Published: May 2024

This study develops an optical sensor with hydrogen-bonded photonic array dots and poly(acrylic acid) in a polymer cholesteric liquid crystal interpenetrating polymer network, effectively controlling porosity.
BODIPY-based photocages: rational design and their biomedical application
Authors: Li Heng , Wang Jun , Jiao Lijuan , Hao Erhong
Published: May 2024

This highlight reviews various strategies for constructing BODIPY-based photocages, their photodecaging mechanisms, and their applications in the biomedical field.
Photoprocessing of cationic triazacoronene: dissociation characteristics of polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles in interstellar environments
Authors: Schleier Domenik , Kamer Jerry , Jiao Andy , Schneider Grégory F. , Linnartz Harold , Bouwman Jordy
Published: May 2024

The photodissociation of a model nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon cation has been investigated. The ionic photofragments were analyzed by mass spectrometry and show partial nitrogen incorporation.
Preparation of Fe-based catalysts from waste biomass as a carbon carrier and its catalytic performance in CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Zhu Rui , Wang Kangzhou , Xing Yaqin , Li Caihu , Gao Xinhua , Ma Qingxiang , Zhao Tian-sheng , Zhang Jianli
Published: May 2024

Fe/LC composite catalyst was synthesized by one-step carbonization method and exhibited high olefin selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation.
Purified CaO supported Pt nanoparticles for the selective hydrogenation of styrene oxide with enhanced selectivity of 1-phenylethanol
Authors: Zhao Chenqi , You Rixin , Jin Meihua , Jin Xing , Wu Pingfan , He Meng , Liang Minghui
Published: May 2024

The purified CaO supported Pt nanoparticles exhibit the best selectivity toward 1-phenylethanol in the selective hydrogenation of styrene oxide.
The inhibitory effect of ketoconazole-loaded nanostructure hybrid lipid capsules on the growth and biofilm activity of C. albicans
Authors: Li Yuli , Jia Yunjing , Wang Mingzhu , Liu Qingmin , Wang Fuyou , Feng Runliang , Song Zhimei
Published: May 2024

Neutral conditions are conducive for the yeast to mycelium transformation of C. albicans and inducing biofilm formation.
Bone morphogenetic protein signalling in pulmonary arterial hypertension: revisiting the BMPRII connection
Authors: Li Wei , Quigley Kate
Published: May 2024

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and life-threatening vascular disorder, characterised by abnormal remodelling of the pulmonary vessels and elevated pulmonary artery pressure, leading to right ventricular hypertrophy and right-sided heart failure. The importance of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling in the pathogenesis of PAH is demonstrated by human genetic studies. Many PAH risk genes are involved in the BMP signalling pathway and are highly expressed or preferentially act on vascular endothelial cells. Endothelial dysfunction is recognised as an initial trigger for PAH, and endothelial BMP signalling plays a crucial role in the maintenance of endothelial integrity. BMPR2 is the most prevalent PAH gene, found in over 80% of heritable cases. As BMPRII protein is the major type II receptor for a large family of BMP ligands and expressed ubiquitously in many tissues, dysregulated BMP signalling in other cells may also contribute to PAH pathobiology. Sotatercept, which contains the extracellular domain of another transforming growth factor-β family type II receptor ActRIIA fused to immunoglobin Fc domain, was recently approved by the FDA as a treatment for PAH. Neither its target cells nor its mechanism of action is fully understood. This review will revisit BMPRII function and its extracellular regulation, summarise how dysregulated BMP signalling in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells may contribute to PAH pathogenesis, and discuss how novel therapeutics targeting the extracellular regulation of BMP signalling, such as BMP9 and Sotatercept, can be related to restoring BMPRII function.
Infektionen und Multiple Sklerose
Authors: Heidler Felicita , Bopp Tobias , Schwab Matthias , Hoffmann FrankA , Schild Hansjörg , Kannler Martina , Pletz Mathias , Zettl Uwe K.
Published: May 2024

In der Studienliteratur nehmen die Ursachen, Bedingungen und Folgen von
Infektionen bei Patienten mit einer Multiplen Sklerose (MS) nicht den Platz ein,
der ihnen von der Alltagsrelevanz her zustünde. Gerade Harnwegsinfekte und vor
allem Pneumonien tragen erheblich zu Krankenhauseinweisungen, Morbidität und
Mortalität bei. In dieser Übersicht werden die aktuellen Erkenntnisse zu den
Infektionskrankheiten einschließlich SARS-CoV-2 bei der MS zusammengefasst.
Dabei geht es um drei Fragestellungen: Beeinflussen Infektionen das MS-Risiko?
Wirken sich Infektionen auf die Krankheitsaktivität bei der MS aus? Welche
Effekte haben die verschiedenen immunmodulatorischen MS-Therapien auf das Risiko
und den Verlauf von Infektionskrankheiten? Um die Beratung und Versorgung der
MS-Patienten zu verbessern, werden die Studienlage und aktuelle Empfehlungen
überprüft und erörtert, was im Behandlungsalltag zu beachten ist.
Oridonin Attenuates Diabetes‑induced Renal Fibrosis via the
Inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF‑κB Pathways by Activating PPARγ in
Rats
Authors: Huang Gengzhen , Zhang Yaodan , Zhang Yingying , Zhou Xiaotao , Xu Yuan , Wei Huiting , Chen Xian , Ma Yuerong
Published: May 2024

Introduction Oridonin possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory,
immunoregulatory properties. However, the renoprotective effects of oridonin and
the underlying molecular mechanisms in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We
hypothesized that oridonin could ameliorate diabetes‑induced renal fibrosis.

Methods Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were provided with a
high-fat diet to establish a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animal model, and
then treated with Oridonin (10, 20 mg/kg/day) for two weeks. Kidney function and
renal fibrosis were assessed. High glucose-induced human renal proximal tubule
epithelial cells (HK-2) were also treated with oridonin. The expression of
inflammatory factors and fibrotic markers were analyzed.

Results Oridonin treatment preserved kidney function and markedly limited
the renal fibrosis size in diabetic rats. The renal fibrotic markers were
inhibited in the oridonin 10 mg/kg/day and 20 mg/kg/day groups compared to the
T2DM group. The expression of thioredoxin-interacting proteins/ nod-like
receptor protein-3 (TXNIP/NLRP3) and nuclear factor (NF)‑κB pathway decreased,
while that of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) increased
in the oridonin treatment group compared to the non-treated group. In vitro,
PPARγ intervention could significantly regulate the effect of oridonin on the
high glucose-induced inflammatory changes in HK-2 cells.

Conclusion Oridonin reduces renal fibrosis and preserves kidney function
via the inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF‑κB pathways by activating PPARγ in rat
T2DM model, which indicates potential effect of oridonin in the treatment of
DN.
Preferential composition during nucleation and growth in multi-principal element alloys
Authors: Mishra Saswat , Strachan Alejandro
Published: May 2024

The crystallization of complex, concentrated alloys can result in atomic-level short-range order, composition gradients, and phase separation. These features govern the properties of the resulting alloy. While nucleation and growth in single-element metals are well understood, several open questions remain regarding the crystallization of multi-principal component alloys. We use molecular dynamics to model the crystallization of a five-element, equiatomic alloy modeled after CoCrCuFeNi upon cooling from the melt. Stochastic, homogeneous nucleation results in nuclei with a biased composition distribution, rich in Fe and Co. This deviation from the random sampling of the overall composition is driven by the internal energy and affects nuclei of a wide range of sizes, from tens of atoms all the way to super-critical sizes. This results in short-range order and compositional gradients at nanometer scales.
Magnetization switching driven by spin current in a T-type ferromagnetic trilayer
Authors: Liu Shiqiang , Wan Caihua , Feng Jiafeng , Luo Xuming , Zhang Ran , Namsaraev Zhimba Zh. , Li Xiaohan , Gao Fangshuo , Stebliy Maksim E. , Ognev Alexey V. , Yu Guoqiang , Samardak Alexander S. , Han Xiufeng
Published: May 2024

The T-type CoFeB/spacer/CoFeB structure is a promising candidate for the development of perpendicular spin–orbit torque (SOT) magnetic random-access memory and other SOT devices. It consists of an in-plane magnetized layer, a perpendicularly magnetized layer, and a non-magnetic metal spacer that induces interlayer exchange coupling. By engineering the W spacer, this system achieves field-free SOT switching with a nearly 100% switching ratio. Furthermore, it realizes a high exchange coupling field of 255 Oe using a relatively thinner spacer thickness, enhancing the reliability and energy efficiency of SOT switching. Measurement of current switching probability suggests that this perpendicular magnetic anisotropy system may enable the implementation of probability-adjustable true random number generators in future applications. The T-type structures with strong interlayer coupling exhibit great potential for spintronic device applications.
Nondestructive determination of isotopic abundance using multi-energy nuclear resonance fluorescence driven by laser Compton scattering source
Authors: Omer M. , Shizuma T. , Hajima R. , Koizumi M.
Published: May 2024

We report on the quantitative nondestructive analysis of the natural isotopic abundances of hafnium and tungsten elements using nuclear resonance fluorescence. Metallic samples of hafnium and tungsten were irradiated to six quasi-monochromatic γ-ray beams generated by laser Compton scattering in the energy range of 2.4–3.2 MeV. Multiple nuclei were simultaneously excited at each of the six γ-ray beam energies. A high-purity germanium detector array detected deexcitations of the nuclei. In total, 51 transitions were unprecedentedly employed to estimate the isotopic abundances of heavy elements nondestructively. The estimated abundances of three hafnium isotopes and three tungsten isotopes are consistent with standard known natural abundances within the experimental uncertainties. The deviation from the standard values ranges from 0.18% to 1.36%.
Analytical modeling of the spray amplification of a spatially smoothed laser beam
Authors: Ruyer C. , Loiseau P. , Tikhonchuk V.
Published: May 2024

Spatial amplification of the near-forward Brillouin scattering (FSBS) produced by a laser beam smoothed with a random phase plate (RPP) is considered by using a novel technique based on the central limit theorem [C. Ruyer et al., Phys. Rev. E 107, 035208 (2023)]. It is demonstrated that FSBS amplification proceeds over a length much larger than the longitudinal speckle correlation length and, under certain conditions, scales as a square of the average gain coefficient. Analytical expressions for the spatial gain are successfully compared with paraxial electromagnetic simulations, demonstrating that the beamlet correlation through ion-acoustic waves dominates the spatial growth for intense enough laser beams. The scattered wave aperture increases with the gain and can extend beyond the small angle scattering limit. These results open the way for developing reduced modeling of beam spray amplification in radiation hydrodynamics codes.
Chaotic behavior in Lotka–Volterra and May–Leonard models of biodiversity
Authors: Bazeia D. , Bongestab M. , de Oliveira B. F.
Published: May 2024

Quantification of chaos is a challenging issue in complex dynamical systems. In this paper, we discuss the chaotic properties of generalized Lotka–Volterra and May–Leonard models of biodiversity, via the Hamming distance density. We identified chaotic behavior for different scenarios via the specific features of the Hamming distance and the method of q-exponential fitting. We also investigated the spatial autocorrelation length to find the corresponding characteristic length in terms of the number of species in each system. In particular, the results concerning the characteristic length are in good accordance with the study of the chaotic behavior implemented in this work.
Diamond-like carbon conversion surfaces for space applications
Authors: Sokół Justyna M. , Lin Jianliang , Fuselier Stephen A. , Eliason Travis , Gomez John E. , Rodriguez Benjamin , Pham John N , Schiferl Clark , Rincon Christopher , Bernier Cedric , Andersson Caden , Mendoza Felicia , Gasser Jonathan , Wurz Peter , Galli André , Hertzberg Eric , Schwadron Nathan A.
Published: May 2024

We present diamond-like carbon (DLC) conversion surfaces to detect particles with energy below 2 keV. Conversion surfaces have been widely applied in measurements of low-energy particles by instruments onboard planetary and heliophysics missions. Their effectiveness is characterized by the efficiency in changing the charge state of the incident particles while maintaining a narrow angular distribution for the reflected particles. DLC as a conversion surface coating material has high conversion efficiency. We developed a conversion surface production process that provides ultra-smooth and ultra-thin DLC conversion surfaces. The process includes substrate preparation through precision cleaning, plasma immersion ion deposition of the DLC film, and diagnostics of the film parameters. The latter includes the measurement of the coating thickness, surface roughness, and the conversion efficiency for ion beams with energy below 2 keV. The process we developed provides the DLC conversion surface coating of repeatable parameters with a mean surface roughness of 3.4 ± 0.2 Å and a mean film thickness of 46.7 ± 0.8 nm uniform across the sample area. Ion beam measurements showed a negative ion yield of 1%–2% for hydrogen atoms and 8%–15% for oxygen atoms with an angular scatter distribution of 10°–20° at full width of half maximum. These results agree with those of other conversion surface coatings in the literature. The DLC conversion surfaces presented here are implemented in the conversion surface subsystem of the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP)-Lo instrument of the IMAP mission scheduled for launch in 2025.
First-principles studies on the process of electron transfer between hydrophobic liquids and water
Authors: Yang Zhe , Nan Yang , Willatzen Morten , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: May 2024

Using the density functional theory, we conducted a study on the electrification upon contact between hydrophobic liquid molecules and water molecules, revealing localized characteristics of contact-electrification. These “localized features” refer to the specific microscale characteristics where electron transfer predominantly occurs at the contact regions, influenced by factors such as atomic distances and molecular orientations. Although the electrostatic potential and the highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap offer substantial predictive insights for electron transfer across polymer interfaces, they fall short in capturing the complexities associated with the interaction between hydrophobic liquids and water molecules. The electronegativity of elements at the interface and the localization of molecular orbitals play a decisive role in electron transfer. Simultaneously, for liquid molecules with irregular structures, there is no correlation between the “contact area” and the amount of electron transfer. The “contact area” refers to the surface region where two different liquid molecules come into close proximity. It is defined by the surface area of atoms with interatomic distances smaller than the van der Waals radius. This study challenges traditional assumptions about contact-electrification, particularly in liquid–liquid interfaces, providing new insights into the localized nature of this phenomenon.
Spectroscopic analysis of the sum-frequency response of the carbon–hydrogen stretching modes in collagen type I
Authors: Luna Palacios Yryx Y. , Khandani Salile , Garcia Evan P. , Chen Anabel , Wang Siyang , Roy Khokan , Knez David , Kim Do A. , Rocha-Mendoza Israel , Potma Eric O.
Published: May 2024

We studied the origin of the vibrational signatures in the sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectrum of fibrillar collagen type I in the carbon–hydrogen stretching regime. For this purpose, we developed an all-reflective, laser-scanning SFG microscope with minimum chromatic aberrations and excellent retention of the polarization state of the incident beams. We performed detailed SFG measurements of aligned collagen fibers obtained from rat tail tendon, enabling the characterization of the magnitude and polarization-orientation dependence of individual tensor elements Xijk2 of collagen’s nonlinear susceptibility. Using the three-dimensional atomic positions derived from published crystallographic data of collagen type I, we simulated its Xijk2 elements for the methylene stretching vibration and compared the predicted response with the experimental results. Our analysis revealed that the carbon–hydrogen stretching range of the SFG spectrum is dominated by symmetric stretching modes of methylene bridge groups on the pyrrolidine rings of the proline and hydroxyproline residues, giving rise to a dominant peak near 2942 cm−1 and a shoulder at 2917 cm−1. Weak asymmetric stretches of the methylene bridge group of glycine are observed in the region near 2870 cm−1, whereas asymmetric CH2-stretching modes on the pyrrolidine rings are found in the 2980 to 3030 cm−1 range. These findings help predict the protein’s nonlinear optical properties from its crystal structure, thus establishing a connection between the protein structure and SFG spectroscopic measurements.
Impact dynamics of droplets on circular bodies: Exploring the influence of wettability, viscosity, and body dimensions using the lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Channouf Salaheddine , Jami Mohammed
Published: May 2024

This study used the multi-relaxation time pseudopotential lattice Boltzmann method to examine the impact dynamics of droplets on circular bodies, focusing on the influence of the surface wettability, the viscosity of droplets by choosing three distinct Reynolds numbers (Re = 100, 300, and 500), and the body diameters. Initially, the study examined impact behavior under non-wetting and wetting conditions, revealing distinct behaviors characterized by dimensional stretch lengths in horizontal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the study evaluated the impact of viscosity by varying the Reynolds number, providing a better understanding of droplet behavior on the solid body. In addition, the effect of changing the diameter of the circular body was examined. This research underlines the importance of surface wettability in the dynamics of contact with the droplets impinging on it. In particular, higher wettability correlates with a monotonic increase in viscosity by acting on the Reynolds number. In addition, the droplet profile responds to changes in Reynolds number, albeit with relatively limited deformation, even in the case of intense interaction with the wetting surface. These results highlight the complex interplay between wettability, droplet dynamics, viscosity, body dimensions, and surface interactions during impact processes.
Fourier–Matsubara series expansion for imaginary–time correlation functions
Authors: Tolias Panagiotis , Kalkavouras Fotios , Dornheim Tobias
Published: May 2024

A Fourier–Matsubara series expansion is derived for imaginary–time correlation functions that constitutes the imaginary–time generalization of the infinite Matsubara series for equal-time correlation functions. The expansion is consistent with all known exact properties of imaginary–time correlation functions and opens up new avenues for the utilization of quantum Monte Carlo simulation data. Moreover, the expansion drastically simplifies the computation of imaginary–time density–density correlation functions with the finite temperature version of the self-consistent dielectric formalism. Its existence underscores the utility of imaginary–time as a complementary domain for many-body physics.