bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pilot-wave dynamics in a rotating frame: the onset of orbital instability
Authors: Liu Nicholas , Durey Matthew , Bush John W.M.
Published: October 2023

We report the results of a theoretical investigation of the stability of a hydrodynamic analogue of Landau levels, specifically circular orbits arising when a millimetric droplet self-propels along the surface of a vibrating, rotating liquid bath. Our study elucidates the form of the stability diagram characterising the critical memory at which circular orbits destabilise, and the form of instability. Particular attention is given to rationalising observations reported in prior experimental works, including the prevalence of resonant wobbling instabilities, in which the instability frequency is approximately twice the orbital frequency. We also explore the physical mechanism responsible for the onset of instability. Specifically, we compare the efficacy of different heuristic arguments proposed in prior studies, including propositions that the most unstable orbits arise when their radii correspond to the zeros of Bessel functions or when their associated wave intensity is extremised. We establish a new relation between orbital stability and the mean wave field, which supersedes existing heuristic arguments and suggests a rationale for the alternate wobbling and monotonic instabilities arising at onset as the orbital radius is increased progressively.
Fish remains from the Rhaetian (Late Triassic) of Winterswijk, the Netherlands (Pisces: Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii)
Authors: de Lange Bart , Chenal Emmanuel , Diependaal Henk J. , Reumer Jelle W.F.
Published: October 2023

Chondrichthyan and actinopterygian fish remains from Rhaetian (c. 208.05–201.36 Ma) or perhaps Late Norian deposits in the Winterswijk quarry are described. The most abundant taxon is the actinopterygian Gyrolepis albertii, followed by the chondrichthyan Lissodus minimus. Furthermore, the palaeopterygian actinopterygians Saurichthys longidens and Birgeria acuminata, and some teeth of neopterygians Sargodon tomicus, ‘Lepidotes’ sp. and indeterminate pycnodontiforms are recorded in addition to the chondrichthyans Rhomphaiodon minor, Parascylloides turnerae and some ‘Hybodus’ cf. cuspidatus (senior synonym of H. cloacinus). Chondrichthyan dermal denticles, actinopterygian scales and gill rakers, tooth plates, and some fish bones were also found. There is considerable faunal resemblance to the various localities from the Rhaetian of the British Penarth Group, although it depends on the location as to whether chondrichthyans or actinopterygians prevail in the samples. On average, there are more chondrichthyan teeth present in the British samples than actinopterygian teeth, which is opposite to the situation in Winterswijk. That might be explained by different ecological circumstances, such as lower oxygen levels in bottom waters in Winterswijk and freshwater input and/or changes in salinity in the UK.
Sorting of persistent morphological polymorphisms links paleobiological pattern to population process
Authors: Parins-Fukuchi Charles Tomomi
Published: October 2023

Biological variation fuels evolutionary change. Across longer timescales, however, polymorphisms at both the genomic and phenotypic levels often persist longer than would be expected under standard population genetic models such as positive selection or genetic drift. Explaining the maintenance of this variation within populations across long time spans via balancing selection has been a major triumph of theoretical population genetics and ecology. Although persistent polymorphisms can often be traced in fossil lineages over long periods through the rock record, paleobiology has had little to say about either the long-term maintenance of phenotypic variation or its macroevolutionary consequences. I explore the dynamics that occur when persistent polymorphisms maintained over long lineage durations are filtered into descendant lineages during periods of demographic upheaval that occur at speciation. I evaluate these patterns in two lineages: Ectocion, a genus of Eocene mammals, and botryocrinids, a Mississippian cladid crinoid family. Following origination, descendants are less variable than their ancestors. The patterns by which ancestral variation is sorted cannot be distinguished from drift. Maintained and accumulated polymorphisms in highly variable ancestral lineages such as Barycrinus rhombiferus Owen and Shumard, 1852 may fuel radiations as character states are sorted into multiple descendant lineages. Interrogating the conditions under which trans-specific polymorphism is either maintained or lost during periods of demographic and ecological upheaval can explain how population-level processes contribute to the emergent macroevolutionary dynamics that shape the history of life as preserved in the fossil record.
Ownership is (likely to be) a moral foundation
Authors: Atari Mohammad , Haidt Jonathan
Published: October 2023

Boyer presents a compelling account of ownership as the outcome of interaction between two evolved cognitive systems. We integrate this model into current discussions of moral pluralism, suggesting that ownership meets the criteria to be a moral foundation. We caution against ignoring cultural variation in ownership norms and against explaining complex, contested moral phenomena using a monist approach.
Ownership as a component of the extended self
Authors: Hood Bruce
Published: October 2023

Ownership of resources can be established by evolved competitive and cooperative mechanisms as explained by the target article. However, there is one aspect of ownership that is not captured by computational models which is important to identity, namely the role of owned items as components of “the extended self” hypothesis.
Ownership psychology and group size
Authors: Dale Michael T.
Published: October 2023

Human group size seemingly has no limit, with many individuals living alongside thousands – even millions – of others. Non-human primate groups, on the other hand, cannot be sustained past a certain, relatively small size. I propose that Pascal Boyer's model of ownership psychology may offer an explanation for such a significant divergence.
The contribution of affective content to cue-response correspondence in a word association task: Focus on emotion words and emotion-laden words
Authors: Betancourt Ángel-Armando , Guasch Marc , Ferré Pilar
Published: October 2023

This study aimed at examining the contribution of affective content to the organization of words in the lexicon. Based on existing free association norms and on a series of questionnaires we developed, we examined the characteristics of the words produced as associates to 840 Spanish cue words. Half of them were affective words and the other half were neutral (non-affective) words. Among the affective cue words, some words directly labeled an emotion (emotion words, EM) and others did not label an emotion but could elicit it (emotion-laden words, EL). The words produced as associates were also classified according to this distinction. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between the lexico-semantic and affective properties of the cue words and the associated words. The results revealed that EM, EL, and neutral associated words were elicited to a greater extent by cue words of the same type than by other types of cue words. Furthermore, the degree of correspondence between the affective properties of the cues and their associates was higher than that of lexico-semantic variables. These results have methodological implications for research on semantic memory and are of interest for applied studies focused on affective word organization in specific populations.
Hybrid deep learning model-based human action recognition in indoor environment
Authors: Sain Manoj Kumar , Laskar Rabul Hussain , Singha Joyeeta , Saini Sandeep
Published: October 2023

Human activity recognition (HAR) is an emerging challenge among researchers. HAR has many possible uses in various fields, including healthcare, sports, and security. Furthermore, there are only a few publicly accessible datasets for classifying and recognizing physical activity in the literature, and these datasets comprise fewer activities. We created and compared our dataset with available datasets, that is, NTU-RGBD, UP-FALL, UR-Fall, WISDM, and UCI HAR. The proposed dataset consists of seven activities: eating, exercise, handshake, situps, vomiting, headache, and walking. The activities were collected from 20 people between the ages of 25 and 40 years using Kinect V2 sensor at 30 FPS. For classification, we use deep learning architectures based on convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM). Additionally, we developed a novel hybrid deep learning model by combining a CNN, a bidirectional LSTM unit, and a fully connected layer for activity identification. The suggested model builds unique guided features using the preprocessed skeleton coordinates and their distinctive geometrical and kinematic aspects. Results from the experiment are contrasted with the performance of stand-alone CNNs, LSTMs, and ConvLSTM. The proposed model’s accuracy of 99.5% surpasses that of CNN, LSTM, and ConvLSTM, which have accuracy rates of 95.76%, 97%, and 98.89%, respectively. Our proposed technique is invariant of stance, speed, individual, clothes, etc. The proposed dataset sample is accessible to the general public.
Prävention und Behandlung von substanzbezogenen Störungen bei Geflüchteten
Authors: Schäfer Ingo , Heinz Andreas , Penka Simone , Lindert Jutta , Klein Michael , Albayrak Sahin , Lotzin Annett , Hiller Philipp , Milin Sascha , Raiser Peter
Published: October 2023

Zusammenfassung: Zielsetzung: Personen mit Fluchthintergrund weisen besondere Risiken für substanzbezogene Störungen auf. Zugleich werden sie seltener von Suchthilfeeinrichtungen erreicht. Strategien zur Prävention und Behandlung von Substanzstörungen bei Geflüchteten sind deshalb dringend erforderlich. Methodik: In vier eng miteinander verbundenen Projekten nutzt der PREPARE-Verbund ein Spektrum von methodischen Ansätzen, darunter systematische „Rapid Assessments“, die multiple Indikatoren und Informationsquellen kombinieren, qualitative Erhebungen und Interventionsstudien zur Prävention und Behandlung. Ergebnisse: PREPARE wird systematisch Erkenntnisse zu Substanzproblemen bei Geflüchteten in Deutschland bereitstellen, Strategien zu guter Praxis für Suchtprävention und -behandlung identifizieren, einen Beitrag zu einer verbesserten Diagnostik von Substanzproblemen bei Geflüchteten leisten und innovative Interventionen zur indizierten Prävention von substanzbezogenen Störungen und zur integrativen Behandlung von Betroffenen mit Traumatisierungen und substanzbezogenen Störungen entwickeln. Weiter wird ein nationales webbasiertes Ressourcenzentrum in Zusammenarbeit mit der Deutschen Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) aufgebaut. Schlussfolgerungen: Geflüchtete mit substanzbezogenen Störungen weisen besondere Bedarfe in Bezug auf den Zugang zu Angeboten der Suchthilfe und die Art der Hilfen auf. Der PREPARE-Verbund soll dazu beitragen, diese besonders vulnerable Gruppe besser zu versorgen.
Nutzung von Anschlussmaßnahmen nach stationärem Alkoholentzug
Authors: Reichl Daniela , Enewoldsen Niklas , Tegethoff Paulina , Gendlina Taisia , Saur Sebastian , Lang Catharina , Fuhrmann Lukas , Weisel Kiona K. , Berking Matthias , Zink Mathias , Ahnert Andreas , Falkai Peter , Kraus Thomas , Hillemacher Thomas , Müller Felix-Nicolai , Kornhuber Johannes , Bönsch Dominikus , Achtert Katharina , Steins-Loeber Sabine
Published: October 2023

Zusammenfassung: Zielsetzung: Die vorliegende Studie thematisiert potenzielle Schnittstellenprobleme, indem sie die Nutzung von Anschlussmaßnahmen (AN) bei Patient_innen nach stationärem Alkoholentzug ohne Nahtlosverfahren untersuchte. Methodik: Analysiert wurde die Kontrollgruppe des SmartAssistEntz-Projekts. Dazu wurden 181 Personen drei und sechs Wochen sowie drei und sechs Monate nach ihrer Entzugsbehandlung telefonisch befragt und Informationen zur Nutzung und Bewertung verschiedener AN erfasst. Ergebnisse: Über den Studienzeitraum hinweg nahm mehr als die Hälfte der Teilnehmenden mindestens eine AN in Anspruch. Am häufigsten und kontinuierlich wurden Suchtberatungsangebote genutzt (20-35 % der Teilnehmenden). Entwöhnungen wurden drei Wochen nach der Entzugsbehandlung von 8-14 %, nach sechs Monaten von 27-32 % der Teilnehmenden berichtet. Die AN wurden mehrheitlich als „hilfreich“ bewertet, wobei Selbsthilfegruppen am schlechtesten abschnitten. Das Fehlen einer AN wurde am häufigsten (12-22 %) mit Wartezeit begründet. Das Aufsuchen einer Entwöhnungsbehandlung in den ersten drei Monaten nach Entzugsbehandlung hing mit einem geringeren Rückfallrisiko zusammen. Schlussfolgerungen: Insbesondere Suchtberatungsangebote scheinen eine niedrigschwellige und als hilfreich bewertete Maßnahme im Anschluss an eine stationäre Entzugsbehandlung zu sein. Gleichzeitig scheint bezogen auf Abstinenz das Aufsuchen einer Entwöhnung ausschlaggebend zu sein, sodass deren Nutzung stärker gefördert werden sollte.
Pyruvate kinase M2 regulates mitochondrial homeostasis in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Xie Wenjia , He Qingyun , Zhang Yan , Xu Xinxin , Wen Ping , Cao Hongdi , Zhou Yang , Luo Jing , Yang Junwei , Jiang Lei
Published: October 2023

An important pathophysiological process of acute kidney injury (AKI) is mitochondrial fragmentation in renal tubular epithelial cells, which leads to cell death. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is an active protein with various biological functions that participates in regulating glycolysis and plays a key role in regulating cell survival. However, the role and mechanism of PKM2 in regulating cell survival during AKI remain unclear. Here, we found that the phosphorylation of PKM2 contributed to the formation of the PKM2 dimer and translocation of PKM2 into the mitochondria after treatment with staurosporine or cisplatin. Mitochondrial PKM2 binds myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) to promote dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1)-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation. Both in vivo and in vitro, PKM2-specific loss or regulation PKM2 activity partially limits mitochondrial fragmentation, alleviating renal tubular injury and cell death, including apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. Moreover, staurosporine or cisplatin-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death were reversed in cultured cells by inhibiting MYH9 activity. Taken together, our results indicate that the regulation of PKM2 abundance and activity to inhibit mitochondrial translocation may maintain mitochondrial integrity and provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating AKI.
Impact of global climate cooling on Ordovician marine biodiversity
Authors: Ontiveros Daniel Eliahou , Beaugrand Gregory , Lefebvre Bertrand , Marcilly Chloe Markussen , Servais Thomas , Pohl Alexandre
Published: October 2023

Global cooling has been proposed as a driver of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, the largest radiation of Phanerozoic marine animal Life. Yet, mechanistic understanding of the underlying pathways is lacking and other possible causes are debated. Here we couple a global climate model with a macroecological model to reconstruct global biodiversity patterns during the Ordovician. In our simulations, an inverted latitudinal biodiversity gradient characterizes the late Cambrian and Early Ordovician when climate was much warmer than today. During the Mid-Late Ordovician, climate cooling simultaneously permits the development of a modern latitudinal biodiversity gradient and an increase in global biodiversity. This increase is a consequence of the ecophysiological limitations to marine Life and is robust to uncertainties in both proxy-derived temperature reconstructions and organism physiology. First-order model-data agreement suggests that the most conspicuous rise in biodiversity over Earth’s history – the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event – was primarily driven by global cooling.
Signature-driven repurposing of Midostaurin for combination with MEK1/2 and KRASG12C inhibitors in lung cancer
Authors: Macaya Irati , Roman Marta , Welch Connor , Entrialgo-Cadierno Rodrigo , Salmon Marina , Santos Alba , Feliu Iker , Kovalski Joanna , Lopez Ines , Rodriguez-Remirez Maria , Palomino-Echeverria Sara , Lonfgren Shane M. , Ferrero Macarena , Calabuig Silvia , Ludwig Iziar A. , Lara-Astiaso David , Jantus-Lewintre Eloisa , Guruceaga Elizabeth , Narayanan Shruthi , Ponz-Sarvise Mariano , Pineda-Lucena Antonio , Lecanda Fernando , Ruggero Davide , Khatri Purvesh , Santamaria Enrique , Fernandez-Irigoyen Joaquin , Ferrer Irene , Paz-Ares Luis , Drosten Matthias , Barbacid Mariano , Gil-Bazo Ignacio , Vicent Silve
Published: October 2023

Drug combinations are key to circumvent resistance mechanisms compromising response to single anti-cancer targeted therapies. The implementation of combinatorial approaches involving MEK1/2 or KRASG12C inhibitors in the context of KRAS-mutated lung cancers focuses fundamentally on targeting KRAS proximal activators or effectors. However, the antitumor effect is highly determined by compensatory mechanisms arising in defined cell types or tumor subgroups. A potential strategy to find drug combinations targeting a larger fraction of KRAS-mutated lung cancers may capitalize on the common, distal gene expression output elicited by oncogenic KRAS. By integrating a signature-driven drug repurposing approach with a pairwise pharmacological screen, here we show synergistic drug combinations consisting of multi-tyrosine kinase PKC inhibitors together with MEK1/2 or KRASG12C inhibitors. Such combinations elicit a cytotoxic response in both in vitro and in vivo models, which in part involves inhibition of the PKC inhibitor target AURKB. Proteome profiling links dysregulation of MYC expression to the effect of both PKC inhibitor-based drug combinations. Furthermore, MYC overexpression appears as a resistance mechanism to MEK1/2 and KRASG12C inhibitors. Our study provides a rational framework for selecting drugs entering combinatorial strategies and unveils MEK1/2- and KRASG12C-based therapies for lung cancer.
CSTF2 mediated mRNA N6-methyladenosine modification drives pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma m6A subtypes
Authors: Zheng Yanfen , Li Xingyang , Deng Shuang , Zhao Hongzhe , Ye Ying , Zhang Shaoping , Huang Xudong , Bai Ruihong , Zhuang Lisha , Zhou Quanbo , Li Mei , Su Jiachun , Li Rui , Bao Xiaoqiong , Zeng Lingxing , Chen Rufu , Zheng Jian , Lin Dongxin , He Chuan , Zhang Jialiang , Zuo Zhixiang
Published: October 2023

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of gene transcripts plays critical roles in cancer. Here we report transcriptomic m6A profiling in 98 tissue samples from 65 individuals with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We identify 17,996 m6A peaks with 195 hyper-methylated and 93 hypo-methylated in PDAC compared with adjacent normal tissues. The differential m6A modifications distinguish two PDAC subtypes with different prognosis outcomes. The formation of the two subtypes is driven by a newly identified m6A regulator CSTF2 that co-transcriptionally regulates m6A installation through slowing the RNA Pol II elongation rate during gene transcription. We find that most of the CSTF2-regulated m6As have positive effects on the RNA level of host genes, and CSTF2-regulated m6As are mainly recognized by IGF2BP2, an m6A reader that stabilizes mRNAs. These results provide a promising PDAC subtyping strategy and potential therapeutic targets for precision medicine of PDAC.
Structure-based design of a phosphotyrosine-masked covalent ligand targeting the E3 ligase SOCS2
Authors: Ramachandran Sarath , Makukhin Nikolai , Haubrich Kevin , Nagala Manjula , Forrester Beth , Lynch Dylan M. , Casement Ryan , Testa Andrea , Bruno Elvira , Gitto Rosaria , Ciulli Alessio
Published: October 2023

The Src homology 2 (SH2) domain recognizes phosphotyrosine (pY) post translational modifications in partner proteins to trigger downstream signaling. Drug discovery efforts targeting the SH2 domains have long been stymied by the poor drug-like properties of phosphate and its mimetics. Here, we use structure-based design to target the SH2 domain of the E3 ligase suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2). Starting from the highly ligand-efficient pY amino acid, a fragment growing approach reveals covalent modification of Cys111 in a co-crystal structure, which we leverage to rationally design a cysteine-directed electrophilic covalent inhibitor MN551. We report the prodrug MN714 containing a pivaloyloxymethyl (POM) protecting group and evidence its cell permeability and capping group unmasking using cellular target engagement and in-cell 19F NMR spectroscopy. Covalent engagement at Cys111 competitively blocks recruitment of cellular SOCS2 protein to its native substrate. The qualified inhibitors of SOCS2 could find attractive applications as chemical probes to understand the biology of SOCS2 and its CRL5 complex, and as E3 ligase handles in proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTACs) to induce targeted protein degradation.
Multi-species atlas resolves an axolotl limb development and regeneration paradox
Authors: Zhong Jixing , Aires Rita , Tsissios Georgios , Skoufa Evangelia , Brandt Kerstin , Sandoval-Guzmán Tatiana , Aztekin Can
Published: October 2023

Humans and other tetrapods are considered to require apical-ectodermal-ridge (AER) cells for limb development, and AER-like cells are suggested to be re-formed to initiate limb regeneration. Paradoxically, the presence of AER in the axolotl, a primary model organism for regeneration, remains controversial. Here, by leveraging a single-cell transcriptomics-based multi-species atlas, composed of axolotl, human, mouse, chicken, and frog cells, we first establish that axolotls contain cells with AER characteristics. Further analyses and spatial transcriptomics reveal that axolotl limbs do not fully re-form AER cells during regeneration. Moreover, the axolotl mesoderm displays part of the AER machinery, revealing a program for limb (re)growth. These results clarify the debate about the axolotl AER and the extent to which the limb developmental program is recapitulated during regeneration.
FAM210A is essential for cold-induced mitochondrial remodeling in brown adipocytes
Authors: Qiu Jiamin , Yue Feng , Zhu Peipei , Chen Jingjuan , Xu Fan , Zhang Lijia , Kim Kun Ho , Snyder Madigan M. , Luo Nanjian , Xu Hao-wei , Huang Fang , Tao W. Andy , Kuang Shihuan
Published: October 2023

Cold stimulation dynamically remodels mitochondria in brown adipose tissue (BAT) to facilitate non-shivering thermogenesis in mammals, but what regulates mitochondrial plasticity is poorly understood. Comparing mitochondrial proteomes in response to cold revealed FAM210A as a cold-inducible mitochondrial inner membrane protein. An adipocyte-specific constitutive knockout ofFam210a(Fam210aAKO) disrupts mitochondrial cristae structure and diminishes the thermogenic activity of BAT, rendering theFam210aAKOmice vulnerable to lethal hypothermia under acute cold exposure. Induced knockout ofFam210ain adult adipocytes (Fam210aiAKO) does not affect steady-state mitochondrial structure under thermoneutrality, but impairs cold-induced mitochondrial remodeling, leading to progressive loss of cristae and reduction of mitochondrial density. Proteomics reveals an association between FAM210A and OPA1, whose cleavage governs cristae dynamics and mitochondrial remodeling. Mechanistically, FAM210A interacts with mitochondrial protease YME1L and modulates its activity toward OMA1 and OPA1 cleavage. These data establish FAM210A as a key regulator of mitochondrial cristae remodeling in BAT and shed light on the mechanism underlying mitochondrial plasticity in response to cold.
HIV-1 treatment timing shapes the human intestinal memory B-cell repertoire to commensal bacteria
Authors: Planchais Cyril , Molinos-Albert Luis M. , Rosenbaum Pierre , Hieu Thierry , Kanyavuz Alexia , Clermont Dominique , Prazuck Thierry , Lefrou Laurent , Dimitrov Jordan D. , Hüe Sophie , Hocqueloux Laurent , Mouquet Hugo
Published: October 2023

HIV-1 infection causes severe alterations of gut mucosa, microbiota and immune system, which can be curbed by early antiretroviral therapy. Here, we investigate how treatment timing affects intestinal memory B-cell and plasmablast repertoires of HIV-1-infected humans. We show that only class-switched memory B cells markedly differ between subjects treated during the acute and chronic phases of infection. Intestinal memory B-cell monoclonal antibodies show more prevalent polyreactive and commensal bacteria-reactive clones in late- compared to early-treated individuals. Mirroring this, serum IgA polyreactivity and commensal-reactivity are strongly increased in late-treated individuals and correlate with intestinal permeability and systemic inflammatory markers. Polyreactive blood IgA memory B cells, many of which egressed from the gut, are also substantially enriched in late-treated individuals. Our data establish gut and systemic B-cell polyreactivity to commensal bacteria as hallmarks of chronic HIV-1 infection and suggest that initiating treatment early may limit intestinal B-cell abnormalities compromising HIV-1 humoral response.
Light-driven nucleation, growth, and patterning of biorelevant crystals using resonant near-infrared laser heating
Authors: Bistervels Marloes H. , Antalicz Balázs , Kamp Marko , Schoenmaker Hinco , Noorduin Willem L.
Published: October 2023

Spatiotemporal control over crystal nucleation and growth is of fundamental interest for understanding how organisms assemble high-performance biominerals, and holds relevance for manufacturing of functional materials. Many methods have been developed towards static or global control, however gaining simultaneously dynamic and local control over crystallization remains challenging. Here, we show spatiotemporal control over crystallization of retrograde (inverse) soluble compounds induced by locally heating water using near-infrared (NIR) laser light. We modulate the NIR light intensity to start, steer, and stop crystallization of calcium carbonate and laser-write with micrometer precision. Tailoring the crystallization conditions overcomes the inherently stochastic crystallization behavior and enables positioning single crystals of vaterite, calcite, and aragonite. We demonstrate straightforward extension of these principles toward other biorelevant compounds by patterning barium-, strontium-, and calcium carbonate, as well as strontium sulfate and calcium phosphate. Since many important compounds exhibit retrograde solubility behavior, NIR-induced heating may enable light-controlled crystallization with precise spatiotemporal control.
Supramolecular catalysis with ethers enabled by dual chalcogen bonding activation
Authors: Zhao Zhiguo , Pang Yuanling , Zhao Ziqiang , Zhou Pan-Pan , Wang Yao
Published: October 2023

The activation of ethers by weak interactions is a long-standing objective in supramolecular catalysis, but yet it remains an underdeveloped topic. The obstacles towards solving this problem are prominent since it is difficult for a weak interaction to cleave a relatively strong C-O σ-bond and moreover, the ionic intermediate composing of an alkoxide ion and an electrophilic carbocation would deactivate weak interaction donors. Herein, we describe a distinctive activation mode, dual Se···π and Se···O bonding, that could activate benzylic as well as allylic ether C-O σ-bonds to achieve cyclization, coupling and elimination reactions. This dual Se···π and Se···O bonding catalysis approach could tolerate various alkoxide leaving groups, while the other representative weak interaction donors showed no catalytic activity.
NAT10-dependent N4‐acetylcytidine modification mediates PAN RNA stability, KSHV reactivation, and IFI16-related inflammasome activation
Authors: Yan Qin , Zhou Jing , Wang Ziyu , Ding Xiangya , Ma Xinyue , Li Wan , Jia Xuemei , Gao Shou-Jiang , Lu Chun
Published: October 2023

N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) is an N4‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) writer that catalyzes RNA acetylation at cytidine N4 position on tRNAs, rRNAs and mRNAs. Recently, NAT10 and the associated ac4C have been reported to increase the stability of HIV-1 transcripts. Here, we show that NAT10 catalyzes ac4C addition to the polyadenylated nuclear RNA (PAN), a long non-coding RNA encoded by the oncogenic DNA virus Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), triggering viral lytic reactivation from latency. Mutagenesis of ac4C sites in PAN RNA in the context of KSHV infection abolishes PAN ac4C modifications, downregulates the expression of viral lytic genes and reduces virion production. NAT10 knockdown or mutagenesis erases ac4C modifications of PAN RNA and increases its instability, and prevents KSHV reactivation. Furthermore, PAN ac4C modification promotes NAT10 recruitment of IFN-γ-inducible protein-16 (IFI16) mRNA, resulting in its ac4C acetylation, mRNA stability and translation, and eventual inflammasome activation. These results reveal a novel mechanism of viral and host ac4C modifications and the associated complexes as a critical switch of KSHV replication and antiviral immunity.
Oblique lateral interbody fusion with internal fixations in the treatment for cross-segment degenerative lumbar spine disease (L2-3 and L4-5) finite element analysis
Authors: Zhang Shuyi , Zhang Yilong , Huang Licai , Zhang Shuao , Lu Chenshui , Liu Zhengpeng , Kang Chan , Wang Zhao
Published: October 2023

Multi-segmental lumbar degenerative disease, including intersegmental disc degeneration, is found in clinical practice. Controversy still exists regarding the treatment for cross-segment degeneration. Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) with several internal fixations was used to treat cross-segment lumbar degenerative disease. A whole lumbar spine model was extracted from CT images of the whole lumbar spine of patients with lumbar degeneration. The L2-3 and L4-5 intervertebral spaces were fused with OLIF using modeling software, the Pedicle screws were performed on L2-3 and L4-5, and different internal fixations were performed on L3-4 in Finite Element (FE) software. Among the six 10 Nm moments of different directions, the L3-4 no surgery (NS) group had the relatively largest Range of Motion (ROM) in the whole lumbar spine, while the L2-5 Long segmental fixation (LSF)group had the smallest ROM and the other groups had similar ROM. The ROM in the L1-2 and L5-S1 was relatively close in the six group models, and the articular cartilage stress and disc stress on the L1-2 and L5-S1 were relatively close. In contrast, the L3-4 ROM differed relatively greatly, with the LSF ROM the smallest and the NS ROM the largest, and the L3-4 Coflex (Coflex) group more active than the L3-4 Bacfuse (Bacfuse) group and the L3-4 translaminar facet screw fixation (TFSF) group. The stress on the articular cartilage and disc at L3-4 was relatively greater in the NS disc and articular cartilage, and greater in the Coflex group than in the Bacfuse and TFSF groups, with the greatest stress on the internal fixation in the TFSF group, followed by the Coflex group, and relatively similar stress in the Bacfuse, LSF, and NS groups. In the TFSF group, the stress on the internal fixation was greater than the yield strength among different directional moments of 10 Nm, which means it is unsuitable to be an internal fixation. The LSF group had the greatest overall ROM, which may lead to postoperative low back discomfort. The NS group has the greatest overall ROM, but its increased stress on the L3-4 disc and articular cartilage may lead to accelerated degeneration of the L3-4 disc and articular cartilage. The Coflex and Bacfuse groups had a reduced L3-4 ROM but a greater stress on disc compared to the LSF group, which may lead to disc degeneration in the long term. However, their stress on the articular cartilage was relatively low. Coflex and Bacfuse can still be considered better surgical options.
Comparison of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-octyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives for wound closure after ankle fracture surgery: a prospective randomized trial
Authors: Park Young Hwan , Son Sei Wook , Han Sang Roc , Kim Hak Jun
Published: October 2023

To date, only a few clinical studies have investigated the differences between 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-octyl cyanoacrylate topical skin adhesives (TSAs). This study aimed to compare the outcomes of the two TSAs for wound closure after ankle fracture surgeries. Fifty-six patients were randomized to receive either a 2-octyl or n-octyl cyanoacrylate TSA. At 3 and 6 months after surgery, wound cosmetic outcomes were assessed using the Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES), and patient satisfaction for wound cosmesis was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and 5-item Likert scale. Functional outcomes at 6 months after surgery were assessed using the Olerud–Molander Ankle Score (OMAS). Fifty-five patients completed the study protocol. Within the follow-up period, no differences were found between the two groups in terms of HWES, VAS, 5-item Likert scale, and OMAS. 2-octyl cyanoacrylate TSA and n-octyl cyanoacrylate TSA were comparable options for wound closure after ankle fracture surgeries in terms of wound cosmesis, patient satisfaction, and functional outcome.
An attentional residual feature fusion mechanism for sheep face recognition
Authors: Pang Yue , Yu Wenbo , Zhang Yongan , Xuan Chuanzhong , Wu Pei
Published: October 2023

In the era of globalization and digitization of livestock markets, sheep are considered an essential source of food production worldwide. However, sheep behavior monitoring, disease prevention, and precise management pose urgent challenges in the development of smart ranches. To address these problems, individual identification of sheep has become an increasingly viable solution. Despite the benefits of traditional sheep individual identification methods, such as accurate tracking and record-keeping, they are labor-intensive and inefficient. Popular convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are unable to extract features for specific problems, further complicating the issue. To overcome these limitations, an Attention Residual Module (ARM) is proposed to aggregate the feature mapping between different layers of the CNN. This approach enables the general model of the CNN to be more adaptable to task-specific feature extraction. Additionally, a targeted sheep face recognition dataset containing 4490 images of 38 individual sheep has been constructed. Furthermore, the experimental data was expanded using image enhancement techniques such as rotation and panning. The results of the experiments indicate that the accuracy of the VGG16, GoogLeNet, and ResNet50 networks with the ARM improved by 10.2%, 6.65%, and 4.38%, respectively, compared to these recognition networks without the ARM. Therefore, the proposed method for specific sheep face recognition tasks has been proven effective.
Synergistic N2-fixation and salt stress mitigation in soybean through dual inoculation of ACC deaminase-producing Pseudomonas and Bradyrhizobium
Authors: Win Khin Thuzar , Wasai-Hara Sawa , Tanaka Fukuyo , Oo Aung Zaw , Minamisawa Kiwamu , Shimoda Yoshikazu , Imaizumi-Anraku Haruko
Published: October 2023

We investigated the potential dual application of two Bradyrhizobium strains (B. diazoefficiens USDA110 and B. ottawaense SG09) and plant growth-promoting bacteria, PGPB (Pseudomonas spp.: OFT2 and OFT5), to improve nodulation and N2-fixation in soybean plants. The growth-promoting effects of dual inoculation were observed on plant growth, physiology, and nodulation of soybean under normal conditions compared with plants individually inoculated with either USDA110 or SG09. Both OFT2 and OFT5 promoted N2-fixation by 11% and 56%, respectively, when dual inoculation with USDA110 and by 76% and 81%, respectively, when dual inoculation with SG09. Salinity stress significantly reduces soybean growth, physiology, nutrient uptake, nodulation, and N2-fixation. However, these adverse effects were attenuated by the dual inoculation of PGPB and rhizobia depending on the combination of inoculants. In particular, dual inoculation of PGPB with SG09 was more effective in enhancing the salt tolerance of soybean by reducing salt-induced ethylene production and improving nutrient uptake. However, no such effect was observed with the combined inoculation of USDA110 and OFT5. An effective symbiotic association between SG09 and two Pseudomonas bacteria can be considered a beneficial approach to improving the symbiotic efficiency of nodulation and mitigating salinity stress in soybeans.
Temperature mapping on a niobium-coated copper superconducting radio-frequency cavity
Authors: Bianchi Antonio , Venturini Delsolaro Walter
Published: October 2023

Since the late ’80s, CERN has pioneered the development of niobium thin film radio-frequency (RF) cavities deposited on copper substrates for several particle accelerator applications. However, niobium thin film cavities historically feature a progressive performance degradation as the accelerating field increases. In this study, we describe a temperature mapping system based on contact thermometry, specially designed to obtain temperature maps of niobium-coated copper cavities and, consequently, study the mechanisms responsible for performance degradation. The first temperature maps on a niobium/copper 1.3 GHz cavity are reported along with its RF performance. In addition to some hotspots displayed in the temperature maps, we surprisingly observed a temperature decrease in a limited portion of the cavity cell as the accelerating field increased. This may shed new light on understanding the heat dissipation of niobium thin film cavities in liquid helium-I, which might be exploited to improve the RF cavity performance.
Vertical asymmetry analysis of the macular microvasculature in epiretinal membrane patients with open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Park Kee-Sup , Jung Il , Lim Hyung-Bin , Lee Kook-Hyung , Kim Jung-Tae , Song Yong-Yeon , Lee Min-Woo
Published: October 2023

To identify the usefulness of vertical asymmetry analysis of the retinal microvasculature in epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients accompanied by open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Subjects were divided into three groups: normal controls (group 1), patients with ERM (group 2), and patients with both ERM and OAG (group 3). Retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thicknesses, vessel density (VD), and the absolute vertical difference of pRNFL (vdRNFL), GC-IPL (vdGC-IPL), and VD (vdVD) were compared among groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with OAG. Diagnostic accuracy based on the area under the curve (AUC) was conducted. The VD of the full area was 20.9 ± 1.2, 20.0 ± 1.9, and 18.8 ± 2.2 mm−1 (P < 0.001) for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The vdVD differed significantly between group 2 and group 3 (P < 0.001), whereas vdRNFL (P = 0.531) and vdGC-IPL (P = 0.818) did not show a significant difference. Multivariate logistic analyses showed that average pRNFL thickness (OR 0.924, P = 0.001) and vdVD (OR 5.673, P < 0.001) were significant factors associated with OAG in ERM patients. The AUC of the vdVD was 0.81 (95% CI 0.72–0.89), and the combination of average pRNFL thickness and vdVD had the highest AUC (0.87; 95% CI 0.78–0.95; P < 0.001). ERM patients with OAG had a significantly thinner pRNFL thickness, lower macular VD, and higher vdVD than those without OAG. Average pRNFL thickness and vdVD were significant factors associated with OAG in patients with ERM. Additionally, the combination of average pRNFL thickness and vdVD showed good diagnostic performance for OAG in patients with ERM.
Harnessing environmental DNA to reveal biogeographical patterns of non-indigenous species for improved co-governance of the marine environment in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: von Ammon Ulla , Casanovas Paula , Pochon Xavier , Zirngibl Martin , Leonard Kaeden , Smith Aless , Chetham Juliane , Milner Dave , Zaiko Anastasija
Published: October 2023

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Northern region is a major gateway for the incursion and establishment of non-indigenous species (NIS) populations due to high numbers of recreational and commercial vessels. This region also holds a unique marine ecosystem, home to many taonga (treasured) species of cultural and economic importance. Regular surveillance, eradication plans and public information sharing are undertaken by local communities and governmental organizations to protect these ecosystems from the impact of NIS. Recently, considerable investments went into environmental DNA (eDNA) research, a promising approach for the early detection of NIS for complementing existing biosecurity systems. We applied eDNA metabarcoding for elucidating bioregional patterns of NIS distributions across a gradient from harbors (NIS hotspots) to open seas (spreading areas). Samples were collected during a research cruise sailing across three Aotearoa New Zealand harbors, Waitematā, Whangārei and Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands), and their adjacent coastal waters. The small-ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes were screened using the online Pest Alert Tool for automated detection of putative NIS sequences. Using a probabilistic modelling approach, location-dependent occupancies of NIS were investigated and related to the current information on species distribution from biosecurity surveillance programs. This study was collaboratively designed with Māori partners to initiate a model of co-governance within the existing science system.
Effects of salt stress on soil enzyme activities and rhizosphere microbial structure in salt-tolerant and -sensitive soybean
Authors: Han Dongwei , Zhang Di , Han Dezhi , Ren Honglei , Wang Zhen , Zhu Zhijia , Sun Haoyue , Wang Lianxia , Qu Zhongcheng , Lu Wencheng , Yuan Ming
Published: October 2023

Salt is recognized as one of the most major factors that limits soybean yield in acidic soils. Soil enzyme activity and bacterial community have a critical function in improving the tolerance to soybean. Our aim was to assess the activities of soil enzyme, the structure of bacteria and their potential functions for salt resistance between Salt-tolerant (Salt-T) and -sensitive (Salt-S) soybean genotypes when subject to salt stress. Plant biomass, soil physicochemical properties, soil catalase, urease, sucrase, amylase, and acid phosphatase activities, and rhizosphere microbial characteristics were investigated in Salt-T and Salt-S soybean genotypes under salt stress with a pot experiment. Salt stress significantly decreased the soil enzyme activities and changed the rhizosphere microbial structure in a genotype-dependent manner. In addition, 46 ASVs which were enriched in the Salt-T geotype under the salt stress, such as ASV19 (Alicyclobacillus), ASV132 (Tumebacillus), ASV1760 (Mycobacterium) and ASV1357 (Bacillus), which may enhance the tolerance to soybean under salt stress. Moreover, the network structure of Salt-T soybean was simplified by salt stress, which may result in soil bacterial communities being susceptible to external factors. Salt stress altered the strength of soil enzyme activities and the assembly of microbial structure in Salt-T and Salt-S soybean genotypes. Na+, NO3−–N, NH4+–N and Olsen-P were the most important driving factors in the structure of bacterial community in both genotypes. Salt-T genotypes enriched several microorganisms that contributed to enhance salt tolerance in soybeans, such as Alicyclobacillus, Tumebacillus, and Bacillus. Nevertheless, the simplified network structure of salt-T genotype due to salt stress may render its bacterial community structure unstable and susceptible.
Identification of oxidative stress-related biomarkers associated with the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure using bioinformatics
Authors: Zhu Zongyi , Jiang Huiqing
Published: October 2023

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a serious stage of chronic liver disease with high short-term mortality and no definitely effective treatment. Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the development of ACLF. OS-related genes targeted therapy may provide additional assistance for the treatment of ACLF. ACLF related gene sets and oxidative stress-related genes (OSGs) were respectively downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and GeneCards database for integrated bioinformatics analyses (functional enrichment, weighted gene co-expression network and immune cells infiltration). Immune-related differentially expressed oxidative stress-related genes (DEOSGs) in ACLF were used for construction of protein–protein interaction (PPI) network in which hub genes were screened out. Hub genes with consistently good diagnostic or prognostic value for ACLF in four gene sets were named as key genes. DEOSGs were significantly enriched in biological process and signaling pathways related to inflammation, immune response and oxidative stress. Six key genes (MPO, CCL5, ITGAM, TLR2, TLR4, and TIMP1) were identified and found to be highly correlated with immune response and metabolic process. This study deepened our understanding of the impact of oxidative stress on the pathogenesis and prognosis of ACLF and provided more insights into the prediction of prognosis and molecular targeted therapy in ACLF.
Aniseikonia after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Chubachi-Kamimura Aya , Miki Akiko , Hayashida-Hirano Mayuka , Kishimoto-Kishi Maya , Okuda Mina , Matsumiya Wataru , Imai Hisanori , Kusuhara Sentaro , Nakamura Makoto
Published: October 2023

This study investigated aniseikonia after reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (RFPDT) for central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). We examined 48 eyes of 48 patients (38 men; mean age, 49.2 ± 9.9 years) with CSC resolved after RFPDT. Horizontal and vertical aniseikonia were measured using the New Aniseikonia Test at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months after RFPDT. The maximum absolute value of the horizontal and vertical measurements indicated the aniseikonia score. The aniseikonia score was 2.2 ± 2.3 at 6 months and 2.2 ± 2.0 at 12 months after RFPDT, both of which improved significantly from the baseline score of 4.1 ± 2.9 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The 12-month aniseikonia score significantly correlated with the baseline aniseikonia score (P = 0.047), outer nuclear thickness at baseline (P = 0.027) and 12 months after RFPDT (P = 0.014), baseline SRD area (P = 0.005), and ellipsoid zone disruption at 12 months after RFPDT (P = 0.021). In multivariate analysis, baseline serous retinal detachment (SRD) area (P = 0.034) was significantly associated with aniseikonia score at 12 months after RFPDT. Eyes with a larger SRD area might have higher aniseikonia scores even after SRD resolution following RFPDT.
Modelled broad-scale shifts on seafloor ecosystem functioning due to microplastic impacts on bioturbation
Authors: You Yuxi , Della Penna Alice , Thrush Simon Francis
Published: October 2023

Bioturbating species play an essential role in regulating nutrient cycling in marine sediments, but their interaction with microplastics (MP) remains poorly understood. Here we investigated the linkage between MP and ecosystem functioning using experimental observations of luminophore distribution in the sediment to parametrize bioturbation coefficients (Db). this information as fed into a simplified transport-reaction model, allowing us to upscale our experimental results. We found that the composition of bioturbators modulated shifts in the ecosystem functioning under microplastic stress. Maldanid worms (Macroclymenella stewartensis), functionally deep burrowing and upward-conveyor belt feeders, became less active. The Db of M. stewartensis reduced by 25% with the addition of 0.002 g MP cm−2 at surface sediment, causing accumulation of organic matter in the oxic sediment zone and stimulating aerobic respiration by 18%. In contract, the tellinid bivalve Macomona liliana, functionally a surface -deposit feeder that excretes at depth, maintained particle mixing behaviour in MP-contaminated systems. This study provides a mechanistic insight into the impacts of MP and indicates that the functional role of bioturbating species should be involved in assessing the global impact of MP. The model allowed us to understand the broad-scale impact of MP on seafloor habitat.