bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broadband quantum-dot frequency-modulated comb laser
Authors: Dong Bozhang , Dumont Mario , Terra Osama , Wang Heming , Netherton Andrew , Bowers John E.
Published: July 2023

Frequency-modulated (FM) laser combs, which offer a quasi-continuous-wave output and a flat-topped optical spectrum, are emerging as a promising solution for wavelength-division multiplexing applications, precision metrology, and ultrafast optical ranging. The generation of FM combs relies on spatial hole burning, group velocity dispersion, Kerr nonlinearity, and four-wave mixing (FWM). While FM combs have been widely observed in quantum cascade Fabry-Perot (FP) lasers, the requirement for a low-dispersion FP cavity can be a challenge in platforms where the waveguide dispersion is mainly determined by the material. Here we report a 60 GHz quantum-dot (QD) mode-locked laser in which both the amplitude-modulated (AM) and the FM comb can be generated independently. The high FWM efficiency of –5 dB allows the QD laser to generate FM comb efficiently. We also demonstrate that the Kerr nonlinearity can be practically engineered to improve the FM comb bandwidth without the need for GVD engineering. The maximum 3-dB bandwidth that our QD platform can deliver is as large as 2.2 THz. This study gives novel insights into the improvement of FM combs and paves the way for small-footprint, electrically pumped, and energy-efficient frequency combs for silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRd) vs carfilzomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (KRd) as induction therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Tan Carlyn Rose , Derkach Andriy , Nemirovsky David , Ciardiello Amanda , Diamond Benjamin , Hultcrantz Malin , Hassoun Hani , Mailankody Sham , Shah Urvi , Maclachlan Kylee , Patel Dhwani , Lahoud Oscar B. , Landau Heather J. , Chung David J. , Shah Gunjan L. , Scordo Michael , Giralt Sergio A. , Lesokhin Alexander , Usmani Saad Z. , Landgren Ola , Korde Neha
Published: July 2023

Lenalidomide and dexamethasone with bortezomib (VRd) or carfilzomib (KRd) are commonly used induction regimens in the U.S. This single-center, retrospective study evaluated outcomes and safety of VRd and KRd. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Of 389 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, 198 received VRd and 191 received KRd. Median PFS was not reached (NR) in both groups; 5-year PFS was 56% (95%CI, 48–64%) for VRd and 67% (60–75%) for KRd (P = 0.027). Estimated 5-year EFS was 34% (95%CI, 27–42%) for VRd and 52% (45–60%) for KRd (P < 0.001) with corresponding 5-year OS of 80% (95%CI, 75–87%) and 90% (85–95%), respectively (P = 0.053). For standard-risk patients, 5-year PFS was 68% (95%CI, 60–78%) for VRd and 75% (65–85%) for KRd (P = 0.20) with 5-year OS of 87% (95%CI, 81–94%) and 93% (87–99%), respectively (P = 0.13). For high-risk patients, median PFS was 41 months (95%CI, 32.8–61.1) for VRd and 70.9 months (58.2-NR) for KRd (P = 0.016). Respective 5-year PFS and OS were 35% (95%CI, 24–51%) and 69% (58–82%) for VRd and 58% (47–71%) and 88% (80–97%, P = 0.044) for KRd. Overall, KRd resulted in improved PFS and EFS with a trend toward improved OS compared to VRd with associations primarily driven by improvements in outcome for high-risk patients.
Autophagy mediates an amplification loop during ferroptosis
Authors: Lee Seunghee , Hwang Narae , Seok Byeong Geun , Lee Sangguk , Lee Seon-Jin , Chung Su Wol
Published: July 2023

Ferroptosis, a programmed cell death, has been identified and associated with cancer and various other diseases. Ferroptosis is defined as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent cell death related to iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, which is different from apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, and other forms of cell death. However, accumulating evidence has revealed a link between autophagy and ferroptosis at the molecular level and has suggested that autophagy is involved in regulating the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and ROS during ferroptosis. Understanding the roles and pathophysiological processes of autophagy during ferroptosis may provide effective strategies for the treatment of ferroptosis-related diseases. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the regulatory mechanisms underlying ferroptosis, including iron and lipid metabolism, and its association with the autophagy pathway. In addition, we discuss the contribution of autophagy to ferroptosis and elucidate the role of autophagy as a ferroptosis enhancer during ROS-dependent ferroptosis.
Multidirectional characterization of cellular composition and spatial architecture in human multiple primary lung cancers
Authors: Wang Yawei , Chen Di , Liu Yu , Shi Daiwang , Duan Chao , Li Jinghan , Shi Xiang , Zhang Yong , Yu Zhanwu , Sun Nan , Wang Wei , Ma Yegang , Xu Xiaohan , Otkur Wuxiyar , Liu Xiaolong , Xia Tian , Qi Huan , Piao Hai-long , Liu Hong-Xu
Published: July 2023

Multiple primary lung cancers (MPLCs) pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in clinic. Here, we orchestrated the cellular and spatial architecture of MPLCs by combining single-cell RNA-sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Notably, we identified a previously undescribed sub-population of epithelial cells termed as CLDN2+ alveolar type II (AT2) which was specifically enriched in MPLCs. This subtype was observed to possess a relatively stationary state, play a critical role in cellular communication, aggregate spatially in tumor tissues, and dominate the malignant histopathological patterns. The CLDN2 protein expression can help distinguish MPLCs from intrapulmonary metastasis and solitary lung cancer. Moreover, a cell surface receptor−TNFRSF18/GITR was highly expressed in T cells of MPLCs, suggesting TNFRSF18 as one potential immunotherapeutic target in MPLCs. Meanwhile, high inter-lesion heterogeneity was observed in MPLCs. These findings will provide insights into diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets and advance our understanding of the cellular and spatial architecture of MPLCs.
A GSTP1-mediated lactic acid signaling promotes tumorigenesis through the PPP oxidative branch
Authors: Sun Yandi , He Qian , Li Jingjia , Yang Ze , Ahmad Mashaal , Lin Yindan , Wu Di , Zheng Lei , Li Jiangtao , Wang Ben , Chen Chitty , Hu Yue , Luo Heng , Luo Yan
Published: July 2023

Lactic acidosis is a feature of solid tumors and plays fundamental role(s) rendering cancer cells to adapt to diverse metabolic stresses, but the mechanism underlying its roles in redox homeostasis remains elusive. Here we show that G6PD is phosphorylated at tyrosine 249/322 by the SRC through the formation of a GSTP1-G6PD-SRC complex. Lactic acid attenuates this formation and the phosphorylation of G6PD by non-covalently binding with GSTP1. Furthermore, lactic acid increases the activity of G6PD and facilitates the PPP (NADPH production) through its sensor GSTP1, thereby exhibiting resistance to reactive oxygen species when glucose is scarce. Abrogating a GSTP1-mediated lactic acid signaling showed attenuated tumor growth and reduced resistance to ROS in breast cancer cells. Importantly, positive correlations between immuno-enriched SRC protein and G6PD Y249/322 phosphorylation specifically manifest in ER/PR positive or HER negative types of breast cancer. Taken together, these results suggest that GSTP1 plays a key role in tumor development by functioning as a novel lactate sensor.
The Fe–S cluster assembly protein IscU2 increases α-ketoglutarate catabolism and DNA 5mC to promote tumor growth
Authors: Ren Xiaojun , Yan Jimei , Zhao Qiongya , Bao Xinzhu , Han Xinyu , Zheng Chen , Zhou Yan , Chen Lifang , Wang Bo , Yang Lina , Lin Xi , Liu Dandan , Lin Yuyan , Li Min , Fang Hezhi , Lu Zhimin , Lyu Jianxin
Published: July 2023

IscU2 is a scaffold protein that is critical for the assembly of iron–sulfur (Fe–S) clusters and the functions of Fe–S-containing mitochondrial proteins. However, the role of IscU2 in tumor development remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that IscU2 expression is much higher in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues than in adjacent normal pancreatic tissues. In PDAC cells, activated KRAS enhances the c-Myc-mediated IscU2 transcription. The upregulated IscU2 stabilizes Fe–S cluster and regulates the activity of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) dehydrogenase and aconitase 2, which promote α-KG catabolism through oxidative and reductive TCA cycling, respectively. In addition to promoting mitochondrial functions, activated KRAS-induced and IscU2-dependent acceleration of α-KG catabolism results in reduced α-KG levels in the cytosol and nucleus, leading to an increase in DNA 5mC due to Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 (TET3) inhibition and subsequent expression of genes including DNA polymerase alpha 1 catalytic subunit for PDAC cell proliferation and tumor growth in mice. These findings underscore a critical role of IscU2 in KRAS-promoted α-KG catabolism, 5mC-dependent gene expression, and PDAC growth and highlight the instrumental and integrated regulation of mitochondrial functions and gene expression by IscU2 in PDAC cells.
Macrophage-to-endothelial cell crosstalk by the cholesterol metabolite 27HC promotes atherosclerosis in male mice
Authors: Yu Liming , Xu Lin , Chu Haiyan , Peng Jun , Sacharidou Anastasia , Hsieh Hsi-hsien , Weinstock Ada , Khan Sohaib , Ma Liqian , Durán José Gabriel Barcia , McDonald Jeffrey , Nelson Erik R. , Park Sunghee , McDonnell Donald P. , Moore Kathryn J. , Huang Lily Jun-shen , Fisher Edward A. , Mineo Chieko , Huang Linzhang , Shaul Philip W.
Published: July 2023

Hypercholesterolemia and vascular inflammation are key interconnected contributors to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. How hypercholesterolemia initiates vascular inflammation is poorly understood. Here we show in male mice that hypercholesterolemia-driven endothelial activation, monocyte recruitment and atherosclerotic lesion formation are promoted by a crosstalk between macrophages and endothelial cells mediated by the cholesterol metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC). The pro-atherogenic actions of macrophage-derived 27HC require endothelial estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and disassociation of the cytoplasmic scaffolding protein septin 11 from ERα, leading to extranuclear ERα- and septin 11-dependent activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of cyp27a1, which generates 27HC, affords atheroprotection by reducing endothelial activation and monocyte recruitment. These findings demonstrate cell-to-cell communication by 27HC, and identify a major causal linkage between the hypercholesterolemia and vascular inflammation that partner to promote atherosclerosis. Interventions interrupting this linkage may provide the means to blunt vascular inflammation without impairing host defense to combat the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease that remains despite lipid-lowering therapies.
Global air pollution exposure and poverty
Authors: Rentschler Jun , Leonova Nadezda
Published: July 2023

Air pollution is one of the leading causes of health complications and mortality worldwide, especially affecting lower-income groups, who tend to be more exposed and vulnerable. This study documents the relationship between ambient air pollution exposure and poverty in 211 countries and territories. Using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2021 revised fine particulate matter (PM2.5) thresholds, we show that globally, 7.3 billion people are directly exposed to unsafe average annual PM2.5 concentrations, 80 percent of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, 716 million of the world’s lowest income people (living on less than $1.90 per day) live in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Air pollution levels are particularly high in lower-middle-income countries, where economies tend to rely more heavily on polluting industries and technologies. These findings are based on high-resolution air pollution and population maps with global coverage, as well as subnational poverty estimates based on harmonized household surveys.
Warning of a forthcoming collapse of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Authors: Ditlevsen Peter , Ditlevsen Susanne
Published: July 2023

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is a major tipping element in the climate system and a future collapse would have severe impacts on the climate in the North Atlantic region. In recent years weakening in circulation has been reported, but assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), based on the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) model simulations suggest that a full collapse is unlikely within the 21st century. Tipping to an undesired state in the climate is, however, a growing concern with increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Predictions based on observations rely on detecting early-warning signals, primarily an increase in variance (loss of resilience) and increased autocorrelation (critical slowing down), which have recently been reported for the AMOC. Here we provide statistical significance and data-driven estimators for the time of tipping. We estimate a collapse of the AMOC to occur around mid-century under the current scenario of future emissions.
The emergence of three-dimensional chiral domain walls in polar vortices
Authors: Susarla Sandhya , Hsu Shanglin , Gómez-Ortiz Fernando , García-Fernández Pablo , Savitzky Benjamin H. , Das Sujit , Behera Piush , Junquera Javier , Ercius Peter , Ramesh Ramamoorthy , Ophus Colin
Published: July 2023

Chirality or handedness of a material can be used as an order parameter to uncover the emergent electronic properties for quantum information science. Conventionally, chirality is found in naturally occurring biomolecules and magnetic materials. Chirality can be engineered in a topological polar vortex ferroelectric/dielectric system via atomic-scale symmetry-breaking operations. We use four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) to map out the topology-driven three-dimensional domain walls, where the handedness of two neighbor topological domains change or remain the same. The nature of the domain walls is governed by the interplay of the local perpendicular (lateral) and parallel (axial) polarization with respect to the tubular vortex structures. Unique symmetry-breaking operations and the finite nature of domain walls result in a triple point formation at the junction of chiral and achiral domain walls. The unconventional nature of the domain walls with triple point pairs may result in unique electrostatic and magnetic properties potentially useful for quantum sensing applications.
Preventing cation intermixing enables 50% quantum yield in sub-15 nm short-wave infrared-emitting rare-earth based core-shell nanocrystals
Authors: Arteaga Cardona Fernando , Jain Noopur , Popescu Radian , Busko Dmitry , Madirov Eduard , Arús Bernardo A. , Gerthsen Dagmar , De Backer Annick , Bals Sara , Bruns Oliver T. , Chmyrov Andriy , Van Aert Sandra , Richards Bryce S. , Hudry Damien
Published: July 2023

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence could become the new gold standard in optical imaging for biomedical applications due to important advantages such as lack of autofluorescence, weak photon absorption by blood and tissues, and reduced photon scattering coefficient. Therefore, contrary to the visible and NIR regions, tissues become translucent in the SWIR region. Nevertheless, the lack of bright and biocompatible probes is a key challenge that must be overcome to unlock the full potential of SWIR fluorescence. Although rare-earth-based core-shell nanocrystals appeared as promising SWIR probes, they suffer from limited photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The lack of control over the atomic scale organization of such complex materials is one of the main barriers limiting their optical performance. Here, the growth of either homogeneous (α-NaYF4) or heterogeneous (CaF2) shell domains on optically-active α-NaYF4:Yb:Er (with and without Ce3+ co-doping) core nanocrystals is reported. The atomic scale organization can be controlled by preventing cation intermixing only in heterogeneous core-shell nanocrystals with a dramatic impact on the PLQY. The latter reached 50% at 60 mW/cm2; one of the highest reported PLQY values for sub-15 nm nanocrystals. The most efficient nanocrystals were utilized for in vivo imaging above 1450 nm.
Coaxially printed magnetic mechanical electrical hybrid structures with actuation and sensing functionalities
Authors: Zhang Yuanxi , Pan Chengfeng , Liu Pengfei , Peng Lelun , Liu Zhouming , Li Yuanyuan , Wang Qingyuan , Wu Tong , Li Zhe , Majidi Carmel , Jiang Lelun
Published: July 2023

Soft electromagnetic devices have great potential in soft robotics and biomedical applications. However, existing soft-magneto-electrical devices would have limited hybrid functions and suffer from damaging stress concentrations, delamination or material leakage. Here, we report a hybrid magnetic-mechanical-electrical (MME) core-sheath fiber to overcome these challenges. Assisted by the coaxial printing method, the MME fiber can be printed into complex 2D/3D MME structures with integrated magnetoactive and conductive properties, further enabling hybrid functions including programmable magnetization, somatosensory, and magnetic actuation along with simultaneous wireless energy transfer. To demonstrate the great potential of MME devices, precise and minimally invasive electro-ablation was performed with a flexible MME catheter with magnetic control, hybrid actuation-sensing was performed by a durable somatosensory MME gripper, and hybrid wireless energy transmission and magnetic actuation were demonstrated by an untethered soft MME robot. Our work thus provides a material design strategy for soft electromagnetic devices with unexplored hybrid functions.
Hybrid topological photonic crystals
Authors: Wang Yanan , Wang Hai-Xiao , Liang Li , Zhu Weiwei , Fan Longzhen , Lin Zhi-Kang , Li Feifei , Zhang Xiao , Luan Pi-Gang , Poo Yin , Jiang Jian-Hua , Guo Guang-Yu
Published: July 2023

Topologically protected photonic edge states offer unprecedented robust propagation of photons that are promising for waveguiding, lasing, and quantum information processing. Here, we report on the discovery of a class of hybrid topological photonic crystals that host simultaneously quantum anomalous Hall and valley Hall phases in different photonic band gaps. The underlying hybrid topology manifests itself in the edge channels as the coexistence of the dual-band chiral edge states and unbalanced valley Hall edge states. We experimentally realize the hybrid topological photonic crystal, unveil its unique topological transitions, and verify its unconventional dual-band gap topological edge states using pump-probe techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the dual-band photonic topological edge channels can serve as frequency-multiplexing devices that function as both beam splitters and combiners. Our study unveils hybrid topological insulators as an exotic topological state of photons as well as a promising route toward future applications in topological photonics.
A recyclable biomass electrolyte towards green zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Lu Hongyu , Hu Jisong , Wei Xijun , Zhang Kaiqi , Xiao Xiao , Zhao Jingxin , Hu Qiang , Yu Jing , Zhou Guangmin , Xu Bingang
Published: July 2023

The operation of traditional aqueous-electrolyte zinc-ion batteries is adversely affected by the uncontrollable growth of zinc dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions. These problems can be avoided by the development of functional hydrogel electrolytes as replacements for aqueous electrolytes. However, the mechanism by which most hydrogel electrolytes inhibit the growth of zinc dendrites on a zinc anode has not been investigated in detail, and there is a lack of a large-scale recovery method for mainstream hydrogel electrolytes. In this paper, we describe the development of a recyclable and biodegradable hydrogel electrolyte based on natural biomaterials, namely chitosan and polyaspartic acid. The distinctive adsorptivity and inducibility of chitosan and polyaspartic acid in the hydrogel electrolyte triggers a double coupling network and an associated synergistic inhibition mechanism, thereby effectively inhibiting the side reactions on the zinc anode. In addition, this hydrogel electrolyte played a crucial role in an aqueous acid-based Zinc/MnO2battery, by maintaining its interior two-electron redox reaction and inhibiting the formation of zinc dendrites. Furthermore, the sustainable biomass-based hydrogel electrolyte is biodegradable, and could be recovered from the Zinc/MnO2battery for subsequent recycling.
Supersulphides provide airway protection in viral and chronic lung diseases
Authors: Matsunaga Tetsuro , Sano Hirohito , Takita Katsuya , Morita Masanobu , Yamanaka Shun , Ichikawa Tomohiro , Numakura Tadahisa , Ida Tomoaki , Jung Minkyung , Ogata Seiryo , Yoon Sunghyeon , Fujino Naoya , Kyogoku Yorihiko , Sasaki Yusaku , Koarai Akira , Tamada Tsutomu , Toyama Atsuhiko , Nakabayashi Takakazu , Kageyama Lisa , Kyuwa Shigeru , Inaba Kenji , Watanabe Satoshi , Nagy Péter , Sawa Tomohiro , Oshiumi Hiroyuki , Ichinose Masakazu , Yamada Mitsuhiro , Sugiura Hisatoshi , Wei Fan-Yan , Motohashi Hozumi , Akaike Takaaki
Published: July 2023

Supersulphides are inorganic and organic sulphides with sulphur catenation with diverse physiological functions. Their synthesis is mainly mediated by mitochondrial cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase (CARS2) that functions as a principal cysteine persulphide synthase (CPERS). Here, we identify protective functions of supersulphides in viral airway infections (influenza and COVID-19), in aged lungs and in chronic lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We develop a method for breath supersulphur-omics and demonstrate that levels of exhaled supersulphides increase in people with COVID-19 infection and in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lung damage and subsequent lethality that result from oxidative stress and inflammation in mouse models of COPD, IPF, and ageing were mitigated by endogenous supersulphides production by CARS2/CPERS or exogenous administration of the supersulphide donor glutathione trisulphide. We revealed a protective role of supersulphides in airways with various viral or chronic insults and demonstrated the potential of targeting supersulphides in lung disease.
An avalanche-and-surge robust ultrawide-bandgap heterojunction for power electronics
Authors: Zhou Feng , Gong Hehe , Xiao Ming , Ma Yunwei , Wang Zhengpeng , Yu Xinxin , Li Li , Fu Lan , Tan Hark Hoe , Yang Yi , Ren Fang-Fang , Gu Shulin , Zheng Youdou , Lu Hai , Zhang Rong , Zhang Yuhao , Ye Jiandong
Published: July 2023

Avalanche and surge robustness involve fundamental carrier dynamics under high electric field and current density. They are also prerequisites of any power device to survive common overvoltage and overcurrent stresses in power electronics applications such as electric vehicles, electricity grids, and renewable energy processing. Despite tremendous efforts to develop the next-generation power devices using emerging ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, the lack of effective bipolar doping has been a daunting obstacle for achieving the necessary robustness in these devices. Here we report avalanche and surge robustness in a heterojunction formed between the ultra-wide bandgap n-type gallium oxide and the wide-bandgap p-type nickel oxide. Under 1500 V reverse bias, impact ionization initiates in gallium oxide, and the staggered band alignment favors efficient hole removal, enabling a high avalanche current over 50 A. Under forward bias, bipolar conductivity modulation enables the junction to survive over 50 A surge current. Moreover, the asymmetric carrier lifetime makes the high-level carrier injection dominant in nickel oxide, enabling a fast reverse recovery within 15 ns. This heterojunction breaks the fundamental trade-off between robustness and switching speed in conventional homojunctions and removes a key hurdle to advance ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor devices for power industrial applications.
Differential CaKAN3-CaHSF8 associations underlie distinct immune and heat responses under high temperature and high humidity conditions
Authors: Yang Sheng , Cai Weiwei , Wu Ruijie , Huang Yu , Lu Qiaoling , Hui Wang  , Huang Xueying , Zhang Yapeng , Wu Qing , Cheng Xingge , Wan Meiyun , Lv Jingang , Liu Qian , Zheng Xiang , Mou Shaoliang , Guan Deyi , He Shuilin
Published: July 2023

High temperature and high humidity (HTHH) conditions increase plant susceptibility to a variety of diseases, including bacterial wilt in solanaceous plants. Some solanaceous plant cultivars have evolved mechanisms to activate HTHH-specific immunity to cope with bacterial wilt disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we find that CaKAN3 and CaHSF8 upregulate and physically interact with each other in nuclei under HTHH conditions without inoculation or early after inoculation withR. solanacearumin pepper. Consequently, CaKAN3 and CaHSF8 synergistically confer immunity againstR. solanacearumvia activating a subset of NLRs which initiates immune signaling upon perception of unidentified pathogen effectors. Intriguingly, when HTHH conditions are prolonged without pathogen attack or the temperature goes higher, CaHSF8 no longer interacts with CaKAN3. Instead, it directly upregulates a subset of HSP genes thus activating thermotolerance. Our findings highlight mechanisms controlling context-specific activation of high-temperature-specific pepper immunity and thermotolerance mediated by differential CaKAN3-CaHSF8 associations.
Longitudinal study of the inverse relationship between Parkinson’s disease and cancer in Korea
Authors: Kim So Young , Choi Hyo Geun , Kim Yoo Hwan , Kwon Mi Jung , Kim Joo-Hee , Lee Heui Seung , Kim Ji Hee
Published: July 2023

Despite growing epidemiological evidence, the relationship between Parkinson’s disease (PD) and cancer has not been conclusively demonstrated, and related studies are scarce in the Asian population. We aimed to determine the association between PD and subsequent development of various cancers from longitudinal data of a representative sample of Korean adults aged ≥40 years. We retrospectively identified 8381 patients diagnosed with PD from 2002 to 2019 using claims data among 514,866 people of random samples from the Korean National Health Insurance database. We sampled 33,524 age-, sex-, income-, and residential area-matched participants without PD from the same database. The longitudinal associations between PD and overall cancer, as well as 10 common types of cancer, were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of all cancer types was 0.63 (95% confidence interval = 0.57–0.69) in patients with PD compared with matched controls. The aHRs of gastric, thyroid, colorectal, lung, hepatic, and pancreatic cancer and hematological malignancy were 0.69 (0.56–0.85), 0.60 (0.39–0.93), 0.56 (0.44–0.70), 0.71 (0.58–0.84), 0.64 (0.48–0.86), 0.37 (0.23–0.60), and 0.56 (0.36–0.87), respectively. The associations of bladder, gallbladder and biliary duct, and kidney cancer with PD were not statistically significant. Our findings show inverse associations between overall cancer and most cancer types in patients with PD. These inverse associations and their pathogeneses merit further investigation.
Identification of loci involved in childhood visual acuity and associations with cognitive skills and educational attainment
Authors: Schmitz Judith , Abbondanza Filippo , Marianski Krzysztof , Luciano Michelle , Paracchini Silvia
Published: July 2023

Visual acuity significantly contributes to quality of life. Deficits in childhood are associated with reading difficulties, which can have detrimental effects on education outcomes. In adults, it has been observed that vision defects such as myopia are associated with higher educational attainment (EA). Understanding genetic factors contributing to visual acuity could help to dissect its links with cognitive skills, neurodevelopmental conditions, and education. We examined associations between distance visual acuity, cognitive measures including school grades, and neurodevelopmental conditions in a longitudinal cohort of British children (ALSPAC, n = 6807, M age = 11.8). We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS, n = 5571) on visual acuity and tested for genetic associations with relevant phenotypes using polygenic scores (PGS) and genetic correlation analyses. Visual acuity was associated with better cognitive performance and school grades, and reduced in individuals with reading difficulties compared to controls. GWAS revealed genetic associations at the NPLOC4 locus and highlighted other genes involved in sensory function. In line with positive genetic correlations between visual acuity and cognitive measures, EA PGS were positively associated with visual acuity, while there was a less robust negative association with myopia PGS. In conclusion, increased visual acuity is associated with a range of positive outcomes, including better school grades. Our results suggest an association between a higher EA PGS and slightly increased visual acuity in childhood. This could indicate gene-environment correlation, in which environmental exposures linked to higher EA might have detrimental effects on vision offsetting the initial positive effect.
Airflow and dynamic circumference of abdomen and thorax for adults at varied continuous positive airway pressure ventilation settings and breath rates
Authors: Guy Ella F. S. , Knopp Jennifer L. , Lerios Theodore , Chase J. Geoffrey
Published: July 2023

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation is a commonly prescribed respiratory therapy providing positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to assist breathing and prevent airway collapse. Setting PEEP is highly debated and it is thus primarily titrated based on symptoms of excessive or insufficient support. However, titration periods are clinician intensive and can result in barotrauma or under-oxygenation during the process. Developing model-based methods to more efficiently personalise CPAP therapy based on patient-specific response requires clinical data of lung/CPAP interactions. To this end, a trial was conducted to establish a dataset of healthy subjects lung/CPAP interaction. Pressure, flow, and tidal volume were recorded alongside secondary measures of dynamic chest and abdominal circumference, to better validate model outcomes and assess breathing modes, muscular recruitment, and effort. N = 30 subjects (15 male; 15 female) were included. Self-reported asthmatics and smokers/vapers were included, offering a preliminary assessment of any potential differences in response to CPAP from lung stiffness changes in these scenarios. Additional demographics associated with lung function (sex, age, height, and weight) were also recorded.
Spatial database of planted forests in East Asia
Authors: Abbasi Akane O. , Tang Xiaolu , Harris Nancy L. , Goldman Elizabeth D. , Gamarra Javier G. P. , Herold Martin , Kim Hyun Seok , Luo Weixue , Silva Carlos Alberto , Tchebakova Nadezhda M. , Mitra Ankita , Finegold Yelena , Jahanshahi Mohammad Reza , Alvarez Cesar Ivan , Kim Tae Kyung , Ryu Daun , Liang Jingjing
Published: July 2023

Planted forests are critical to climate change mitigation and constitute a major supplier of timber/non-timber products and other ecosystem services. Globally, approximately 36% of planted forest area is located in East Asia. However, reliable records of the geographic distribution and tree species composition of these planted forests remain very limited. Here, based on extensive in situ and remote sensing data, as well as an ensemble modeling approach, we present the first spatial database of planted forests for East Asia, which consists of maps of the geographic distribution of planted forests and associated dominant tree genera. Of the predicted planted forest areas in East Asia (948,863 km2), China contributed 87%, most of which is located in the lowland tropical/subtropical regions, and Sichuan Basin. With 95% accuracy and an F1 score of 0.77, our spatially-continuous maps of planted forests enable accurate quantification of the role of planted forests in climate change mitigation. Our findings inform effective decision-making in forest conservation, management, and global restoration projects.
Configuring reconfigurable intelligent surfaces using a practical codebook approach
Authors: Hassouna Saber , Jamshed Muhammad Ali , Ur-Rehman Masood , Imran Muhammad Ali , Abbasi Qammer H.
Published: July 2023

It is proven that the scattering, reflection, and refraction properties of electromagnetic signals can be adapted and managed by using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs). In this paper, we have investigated the performance of a single-input-single-output (SISO) wideband system in terms of achievable data rate by optimizing the phases of RIS elements and performing a fair power allocation for each subcarrier over the entire bandwidth. A new beamforming codebook is developed from which the maximizing signal-to-noise (SNR) configuration is selected. The channel state information (CSI) along with the selected maximizing SNR configuration is then used by the proposed power algorithm to obtain the optimal configuration of the RIS. To validate our proposed method, it is compared with state-of-the-art semidefinite relaxation (SDR) scheme in terms of performance, complexity and run-time consumption. Our method shows dramatically lower computational complexity than the SDR method and achieves an order of 2.5 increase in the achievable data rate with an optimized RIS compared with an un-configured surface.
Discovery of putative long non-coding RNAs expressed in the eyes of Astyanax mexicanus (Actinopterygii: Characidae)
Authors: Batista da Silva Iuri , Aciole Barbosa David , Kavalco Karine Frehner , Nunes Luiz R. , Pasa Rubens , Menegidio Fabiano B.
Published: July 2023

Astyanax mexicanus is a well-known model species, that has two morphotypes, cavefish, from subterranean rivers and surface fish, from surface rivers. They are morphologically distinct due to many troglomorphic traits in the cavefish, such as the absence of eyes. Most studies on A. mexicanus are focused on eye development and protein-coding genes involved in the process. However, lncRNAs did not get the same attention and very little is known about them. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap, identifying, describing, classifying, and annotating lncRNAs expressed in the embryo’s eye tissue of cavefish and surface fish. To do so, we constructed a concise workflow to assemble and evaluate transcriptomes, annotate protein-coding genes, ncRNAs families, predict the coding potential, identify putative lncRNAs, map them and predict interactions. This approach resulted in the identification of 33,069 and 19,493 putative lncRNAs respectively mapped in cavefish and surface fish. Thousands of these lncRNAs were annotated and identified as conserved in human and several species of fish. Hundreds of them were validated in silico, through ESTs. We identified lncRNAs associated with genes related to eye development. This is the case of a few lncRNAs associated with sox2, which we suggest being isomorphs of the SOX2-OT, a lncRNA that can regulate the expression of sox2. This work is one of the first studies to focus on the description of lncRNAs in A. mexicanus, highlighting several lncRNA targets and opening an important precedent for future studies focusing on lncRNAs expressed in A. mexicanus.
Spatiotemporal visual statistics of aquatic environments in the natural habitats of zebrafish
Authors: Cai Lanya T. , Krishna Venkatesh S. , Hladnik Tim C. , Guilbeault Nicholas C. , Vijayakumar Chinnian , Arunachalam Muthukumarasamy , Juntti Scott A. , Arrenberg Aristides B. , Thiele Tod R. , Cooper Emily A.
Published: July 2023

Animal sensory systems are tightly adapted to the demands of their environment. In the visual domain, research has shown that many species have circuits and systems that exploit statistical regularities in natural visual signals. The zebrafish is a popular model animal in visual neuroscience, but relatively little quantitative data is available about the visual properties of the aquatic habitats where zebrafish reside, as compared to terrestrial environments. Improving our understanding of the visual demands of the aquatic habitats of zebrafish can enhance the insights about sensory neuroscience yielded by this model system. We analyzed a video dataset of zebrafish habitats captured by a stationary camera and compared this dataset to videos of terrestrial scenes in the same geographic area. Our analysis of the spatiotemporal structure in these videos suggests that zebrafish habitats are characterized by low visual contrast and strong motion when compared to terrestrial environments. Similar to terrestrial environments, zebrafish habitats tended to be dominated by dark contrasts, particularly in the lower visual field. We discuss how these properties of the visual environment can inform the study of zebrafish visual behavior and neural processing and, by extension, can inform our understanding of the vertebrate brain.
Formation of giant iron oxide-copper-gold deposits by superimposed episodic hydrothermal pulses
Authors: del Real Irene , Reich Martin , Simon Adam C. , Deditius Artur , Barra Fernando , Rodríguez-Mustafa María A. , Thompson John F. H. , Roberts Malcolm P.
Published: July 2023

Iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits are a globally important source of copper, gold and critical commodities. Despite their relevance, IOCG deposits remain an ill-defined clan, with a range of characteristics that has complicated development of the general genetic model. Here we focus on the Candelaria IOCG deposit in Chile and reveal that by using micro-textural and compositional variations in actinolite, a common alteration mineral found in many IOCG deposits, we can constrain the evolution of these systems. We demonstrate that Candelaria formed by the superposition of at least two pulses of mineralization with a late Cu-rich event overprinting and superimposed over an early, and probably higher temperature, iron oxide-apatite (IOA) mineralization event. These distinct pulses were likely caused by episodic injections of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids from crystallizing magmas at depth. Our data provide empirical evidence of grain-to-deposit scale compositional and potentially temperature changes in an IOCG system. The results support the use of actinolite chemistry as a novel approach to understand the formation of IOCG deposits and a potential tool for vectoring in exploration.
The effect of using data palm waste fibers in plain concrete mixture by comparing three pre-treatment techniques
Authors: Moawad Dina R. M. , Moussa Rania Rushdy
Published: July 2023

The high rates of industrial and agricultural wastes and byproduct production produced several environmental concerns in addition to increasing the risks of contaminating natural resources. The amount of organic waste has been rising over the past few decades, but it has been poorly managed, especially in smaller countries where it is either burned, improperly disposed, or thrown in landfills. Moreover, the production of concrete generates a large amount of waste that has a negative impact on our planet even though it is an extremely significant building material. The potential of developing another plain concrete mixture sample with date palm mesh addition to create more environmentally friendly concrete with better qualities. In addition to using experimental quantitative research to measure the effectiveness of various concrete mixes after adding palm tree residues that underwent biological, chemical, & mechanical treatments, a theoretical qualitative method was also employed in this study to evaluate and identify the ideal mixture design. The prototypes' strength, density, thermal conductivity, slump, and absorption rate were all measured during the experiments. Having a lower heat conductivity and greater strength, the mechanically treated fibers with a 0.6% addition provided the best prototype, according to the research findings.
Recurrence quantification analysis for fine-scale characterisation of arrhythmic patterns in cardiac tissue
Authors: Halfar Radek , Lawson Brodie A. J. , dos Santos Rodrigo Weber , Burrage Kevin
Published: July 2023

This paper uses recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) combined with entropy measures and organization indices to characterize arrhythmic patterns and dynamics in computer simulations of cardiac tissue. We performed different simulations of cardiac tissues of sizes comparable to the human heart atrium. In these simulations, we observed four classic arrhythmic patterns: a spiral wave anchored to a highly fibrotic region resulting in sustained re-entry, a meandering spiral wave, fibrillation, and a spiral wave anchored to a scar region that breaks up into wavelets away from the main rotor. A detailed analysis revealed that, within the same simulation, maps of RQA metrics could differentiate regions with regular AP propagation from ones with chaotic activity. In particular, the combination of two RQA metrics, the length of the longest diagonal string of recurrence points and the mean length of diagonal lines, was able to identify the location of rotor tips, which are the active elements that maintain spiral waves and fibrillation. By proposing low-dimensional models based on the mean value and spatial correlation of metrics calculated from membrane potential time series, we identify RQA-based metrics that successfully separate the four different types of cardiac arrhythmia into distinct regions of the feature space, and thus might be used for automatic classification, in particular distinguishing between fibrillation driven by self-sustaining chaos and that created by a persistent rotor and wavebreak. We also discuss the practical applicability of such an approach.
Diabetes medications and cancer risk associations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence over the past 10 years
Authors: Chen Yixian , Mushashi Fidela , Son Surim , Bhatti Parveen , Dummer Trevor , Murphy Rachel A.
Published: July 2023

Diabetes medications may modify the risk of certain cancers. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL from 2011 to March 2021 for studies evaluating associations between diabetes medications and the risk of breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, liver, and pancreatic cancers. A total of 92 studies (3 randomized controlled trials, 64 cohort studies, and 25 case–control studies) were identified in the systematic review, involving 171 million participants. Inverse relationships with colorectal (n = 18; RR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.78–0.92) and liver cancers (n = 10; RR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.46–0.66) were observed in biguanide users. Thiazolidinediones were associated with lower risks of breast (n = 6; RR = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.80–0.95), lung (n = 6; RR = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.61–0.96) and liver (n = 8; RR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.72–0.95) cancers. Insulins were negatively associated with breast (n = 15; RR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.82–0.98) and prostate cancer risks (n = 7; RR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56–0.98). Positive associations were found between insulin secretagogues and pancreatic cancer (n = 5; RR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.01–1.57), and between insulins and liver (n = 7; RR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.08–2.80) and pancreatic cancers (n = 8; RR = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.08–5.36). Overall, biguanide and thiazolidinedione use carried no risk, or potentially lower risk of some cancers, while insulin secretagogue and insulin use were associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk.
Unveiling the influence of the Italian mafia as a Dark Triad threat on individuals’ affective states and the power of defense mechanisms
Authors: Diller Sandra J. , Hämpke Janna , Lo Coco Gianluca , Jonas Eva
Published: July 2023

The present research investigated whether the Italian mafia as a Dark Triad threat increased threat-related affective states and explored how thinking about defense mechanisms may help to reduce these states. For this, we conducted a multi-method experimental study with Italians (N = 253). The quantitative results show that the mafia as a threat manipulation increased threat-related affective states in terms of higher behavioral inhibition (BIS) and lower behavioral activation (BAS). The qualitative results further depict proximal and distal defense mechanisms to reduce this threat, which can be categorized into models of threat and defense. Exploratory analyses indicate that naming distal defenses positively affected the increase of BAS. Additionally, when participants had higher levels of BIS after the threat, naming more defenses and proximal defenses positively affected the decrease of BIS. Further qualitative results provide valuable information on effective personal and societal buffers for the perceived threat of the Italian mafia.
Generation of synthetic microstructures containing casting defects: a machine learning approach
Authors: Matpadi Raghavendra Arjun Kalkur , Lacourt Laurent , Marcin Lionel , Maurel Vincent , Proudhon Henry
Published: July 2023

This paper presents a new strategy to generate synthetic samples containing casting defects. Four samples of Inconel 100 containing casting defects such as shrinkages and pores have been characterized using X-ray tomography and are used as reference for this application. Shrinkages are known to be tortuous in shape and more detrimental for the mechanical properties of materials, especially metal fatigue, whereas pores can be of two types: broken shrinkage pores with arbitrary shape and gaseous pores of spherical shape. For the generation of synthetic samples, an integrated module of Spatial Point Pattern (SPP) analysis and deep learning techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are used. The SPP analysis describes the spatial distributions of casting defects in material space, whereas GANs and CNNs generate a defect of arbitrary morphology very close to real defects. SPP analysis reveals the existence of two different void nucleation mechanisms during metal solidification associated to shrinkages and pores. Our deep learning model successfully generates casting defects with defect size ranging from 100 µm to 1.5 mm and of very realistic shapes. The entire synthetic microstructure generation process respects the global defect statistics of reference samples and the generated samples are validated by statistically comparing with real samples.