bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Codivergences and information matrices
Authors: Derumigny Alexis , Schmidt-Hieber Johannes
Published: May 2024

We propose a new concept of codivergence, which quantifies the similarity between two probability measures $$P_1, P_2$$

P
1

,

P
2

relative to a reference probability measure $$P_0$$

P
0

. In the neighborhood of the reference measure $$P_0$$

P
0

, a codivergence behaves like an inner product between the measures $$P_1-P_0$$

P
1

-

P
0

and $$P_2-P_0$$

P
2

-

P
0

. Codivergences of covariance-type and correlation-type are introduced and studied with a focus on two specific correlation-type codivergences, the $$\chi ^2$$

χ
2

-codivergence and the Hellinger codivergence. We derive explicit expressions for several common parametric families of probability distributions. For a codivergence, we introduce moreover the divergence matrix as an analogue of the Gram matrix. It is shown that the $$\chi ^2$$

χ
2

-divergence matrix satisfies a data-processing inequality.
Parallel virus machines
Authors: Ramírez-de-Arellano Antonio , Orellana-Martín David , Pérez-Jiménez Mario J.
Published: May 2024

Within the branch of Natural Computing, several models or types of computation arise, some of them are well-established such as neural networks, evolutionary computing or membrane computing, while others have yet to be studied and developed. One such model is virus machines, which draws inspiration from the replication and transmission mechanisms of viruses. This model has been successfully applied to mathematical problems, supported by its robust formal structure and the verification of various parallel virus machines. Parallelism has been one of the milestones in several branches of Natural Computing. This paper presents a novel extension: parallel virus machines. Furthermore, several semantics are studied to fix possible ambiguities related to this new variant. Finally, a comparison with well-established neural-like systems, called spiking neural P systems, is discussed.
In-silico prediction and validation of Carica papaya protein domains interaction with the Papaya leaf curl virus and associated betasatellite encoded protein
Authors: Srivastava Aarshi , Pandey Vineeta , Marwal Avinash , Ali Akhtar , Gaur R. K.
Published: May 2024

Begomovirus, the first-largest genus of plant viruses in family Geminiviridae, is a persistent menace to plants that causes millions of dollars’ worth of damage in a variety of vital crops around the world. One of the most important tropical fruit crops is Carica papaya, which has a wealth of pharmacological and bioactive components that are commonly used to treat a wide range of human illnesses, is infected by divergent begomovirus species. Here, we report the interacting regions of the one of the begomovirus species i.e. Papaya Leaf Curl Virus (PaLCuV and Papaya leaf betasatellite (PaLCuB) protein with papaya plant protein by using computational approaches. This includes primary sequence recognition, secondary structural assessment, 3D modelling, energy minimization, binding site prediction, protein–protein interaction, and interface analysis. Our results showed that papaya plant protein such as S-adenosyl methionine synthetase (SAMS), Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit 1 (CDK1), Adenosine kinase (ADK), and Calmodulin (CaM), an encoded protein of C. papaya, are involved in host–virus interaction. However, we find the best domain-level interactions based on the structural and interface analysis of the SAMS-CP, PCNA-Rep, CDK1-Rep, ADK-REn, CaM-PreCP, and PCNA-βC1 proteins of PaLCuV–PaLCuB. In this study, we attempted to understand the sequence–structure relationship and mode of the virus–host binding complex, which was verified and validated with integrative in silico approaches. Using several bioinformatics tools, our study has provided novel insights into the papaya protein–begomovirus protein binding mechanism. Thus, we anticipate that our findings from this study will be useful for the development of new therapeutic agents against the pathogen, paving the way for researchers to better control this destructive plant virus. This is the first in-silico investigation that combined the prediction and structural validation and interface analysis of the interaction between PaLCuV–PaLCuB and papaya proteins.
A Trimode Self-Cleaning Composite Membrane with an Eco-friendly Substrate for Energy-Saving Wastewater Recycling
Authors: Yu Yuelin , Yu Yongtao , Wu Hongyi , Shi Jian , Morikawa Hideaki , Zhu Chunhong
Published: May 2024

A separation membrane with low or clean energy costs is urgently required for energy-saving and long-term service since electric energy generated from burning non-renewable resources will gradually cause a burden to the environment. At present, the conventional membrane being used in one mode is critical for a variety of scenarios in real life, which suffers from a trade-off effect, short service life, being difficult to recycle after damage. Herein, we report a trimode purification membrane composed of an eco-friendly polycaprolactone (PCL) substrate and functional graphene dioxide/polyaniline (GO/PANI) particles. Due to the photothermal transfer and photocatalytic properties of GO/PANI blend, the composite membrane can absorb 97.44% solar energy to handle natural seawater or mixed wastewater, which achieves a high evaporation rate of 1.47 kg m−2 h−1 in solar-driven evaporation mode. For the photocatalytic adsorption–degradation mode, 93.22% of organic dyes can be adsorbed and degraded after 12 h irradiation under 1 kW m−2. Moreover, electric-driven cross-flow filtration mode as a supplement also shows effective rejection over 99% for organic dyes with a high flux over 40 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. The combination of solar-driven evaporation, photocatalytic adsorption–degradation, and electric-driven cross-flow filtration demonstrates a prospective and sustainable strategy to generating clean water from sewages.

Graphical Abstract

A trimode self-cleaning composite membrane of bio-degradable substrate PCL and functional particles GO/PANI were successfully fabricated, which can purify natural seawater or mixed wastewater stably in solar-driven evaporation mode, handle organic dyes by reduction–oxidation chemical transformation in photothermal adsorption–degradation mode, and be applied in cross-flow filtration mode driven by electric as a supplement for rainy, cloudy days, or at night.
Presynaptic antiseizure medications - basic mechanisms and clues for their rational combinations
Authors: Czapińska-Ciepiela Ewa K. , Łuszczki Jarogniew , Czapiński Piotr , Czuczwar Stanisław J. , Lasoń Władysław
Published: May 2024

Among clinically highly efficient antiseizure medications (ASMs) there are modifiers of the presynaptic release machinery. Of them, levetiracetam and brivaracetam show a high affinity to the synaptic vesicle protein type 2 A (SV2A), whereas pregabalin and gabapentin are selective ligands for the α2δ1 subunits of the voltage-gated calcium channels. In this paper, we present recent progress in understanding the significance of presynaptic release machinery in the neurochemical mechanisms of epilepsy and ASMs. Furthermore, we discuss whether the knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the presynaptically acting ASMs might help establish a rational polytherapy for drug-resistant epilepsy.
Optical and molecular insights into dissolved organic matter release in soils induced by downward migration of biochar colloids
Authors: Zhao Kang , Shang Jianying
Published: May 2024

The frequent wildfires and extensive biochar application accumulate biochar colloids in soils. The transport of biochar colloids may influence the release of soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) due to their high mobility and active surface, posing a detrimental impact on carbon cycle, pollutants behaviors, and water quality. Here, we examined the effect of pristine and aged biochar colloids on soil DOM release in three types of soils (black soil, fluvisol, and paddy soil) through adsorption and column experiments combined with fluorescence excitation/emission matrix spectroscopy (EEM) and fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Adsorption experiment showed that biochar exhibited little effect on soil DOM release, while transport experiment indicated that the downward movement of both pristine and aged biochar colloids significantly enhanced the release of soil DOM, especially black soil and fluvisol. EEM spectra indicated that a humic acid-like substance with large molecular weights was the primary DOM that enhanced release from black soil (10.9–12.0% enhancement) and fluvisol (6–8% enhancement) during biochar colloid transport. Condensed aromatic-like (22.8% and 19.4%) and tannin-like (18.4% and 18.9%) compounds are the primary molecules correlated to the enhanced release of humic acid-like substances. Although chemical aging resulted in a more negative surface of aged biochar colloids and slightly enhanced biochar colloid transport (up to 7.0%), it showed no distinct effect on the release of soil DOM. This study indicates that biochar colloids may cause an increase in DOM release when irrigation and rainfall occur, and more attention should be paid to the environmental impacts of biochar colloids from intensive biochar application and wildfires.

Graphical Abstract
Numerical investigation of thermochemical non-equilibrium effects in Mach 10 scramjet nozzle
Authors: Wang J.P. , Zhuo C.F. , Dai C.L. , Sun B.
Published: May 2024

High-temperature non-equilibrium effects are prominent in scramjet nozzle flows at high Mach numbers. Hence, the thermochemical non-equilibrium gas model incorporating the vibrational relaxation process of molecules in the hydrocarbon-air reaction is developed to numerically simulate the flow of a hydrocarbon fuel scramjet nozzle at Mach 10. Besides, the results computed by the models of the thermally perfect gas, chemically non-equilibrium gas, and thermally non-equilibrium chemically frozen gas are applied for comparative studies. Results indicate that chemical non-equilibrium effects are more significant for the flow-field structure and parameters compared to thermal non-equilibrium effects. Meanwhile, vibrational relaxation and chemical reactions interact in the flow-field. The heat released from the chemical reactions in the flow-field of the thermochemical non-equilibrium gas model makes the thermal non-equilibrium effects weaker compared to the thermally non-equilibrium chemically frozen gas model; the chemical reactions in the thermochemical non-equilibrium gas model are more intense than in the chemically non-equilibrium gas model. Due to the slow relaxation of vibrational energy, the thermal non-equilibrium models predicted nozzle thrust lower than the thermal equilibrium models by approximately 1.11% to 1.33%; when considering the chemical reactions, the chemical non-equilibrium models predicted nozzle thrust higher than the chemical frozen models by approximately 7.30% to 7.54%. Hence, the structural design and performance study of the high Mach numbers scramjet nozzle must consider thermochemical non-equilibrium effects.
Rethinking the Constitutional Architecture of EU Executive Rulemaking: Treaty Change and Enhanced Democracy
Authors: Bellenghi Guido , Vos Ellen
Published: May 2024

Fifteen years following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, this article seeks to analyse its impact on EU executive rulemaking. It delves into the constitutional concerns arising from the architecture of Articles 290 and 291 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in particular relating to the institutional balance, the concept of implementation, the distinction between delegated and implementing acts and the legitimacy of the control mechanisms envisaged in the TFEU. The article argues that there is a need for reform and integration of Articles 290 and 291 TFEU in one Article dedicated to EU executive rulemaking, going beyond mere considerations of institutional balance. Such a reform entails a return to the essence of comitology as a general mechanism for consultation in and control of rulemaking, allowing Member States to deliberate with the Commission with a veto right for both the Parliament and the Council, embracing the idea of executive subsidiarity. It requires also to go beyond the old comitology mechanisms based on a pure interinstitutional perspective by connecting to Article 11 TEU (Treaty on European Union) and recognising the need for participatory engagement so as to enhance the legitimacy of EU executive rulemaking.
Prejudice and Possibility. How to Philosophize after The Culmination
Authors: Torsen Ingvild
Published: May 2024

Overcoming metaphysics in Heidegger's sense requires that we experience ‘the ground out of which the history of being first reveals its nature (Wesen)’ (Heidegger 2000: 67). What overcoming metaphysics means for Heidegger is not just doing without metaphysics, but getting at the source of our understanding of and relation to what is, to being. He does this by studying the history of Western philosophy and by asking ‘why is it that being lets itself be thought as metaphysics?’ Heidegger finds that the history of philosophy is not a history of a progressively better conceptual grasp of what is, but a history of a prejudice, a story about an oversight and a forgetting, and the philosophy of Hegel is its culmination. Heidegger thinks of his own philosophy as working in the aftermath of metaphysics, and his project has clear affinities with both Hegel's and Pippin's projects, in that a central philosophical task is to figure out what has happened to us.
α-Linolenic acid ameliorates pentylenetetrazol-induced neuron apoptosis and neurological impairment in mice with seizures via down-regulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Zeng Xin , Luo Fei , Cheng Ya-hong , Gao Jiefang , Hong Ding
Published: May 2024

Epilepsy ranks fourth among neurological diseases, featuring spontaneous seizures and behavioural and cognitive impairments. Although anti-epileptic drugs are currently available clinically, 30 % of epilepsy patients are still ineffective in treatment and 52 % of patients experience serious adverse reactions. In this work, the neuroprotective effect of α-linolenic acid (ALA, a nutrient) in mice and its potential molecular mechanisms exposed to pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) was assessed. The mice were injected with pentetrazol 37 mg/kg, and ALA was intra-gastrically administered for 40 d. The treatment with ALA significantly reduced the overall frequency of epileptic seizures and improved the behaviour impairment and cognitive disorder caused by pentetrazol toxicity. In addition, ALA can not only reduce the apoptosis rate of brain neurons in epileptic mice but also significantly reduce the content of brain inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-α). Furthermore, we predicted that the possible targets of ALA in the treatment of epilepsy were JAK2 and STAT3 through molecular docking. Finally, through molecular docking and western blot studies, we revealed that the potential mechanism of ALA ameliorates PTZ-induced neuron apoptosis and neurological impairment in mice with seizures by down-regulating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. This study aimed to investigate the anti-epileptic and neuroprotective effects of ALA, as well as explore its potential mechanisms, through the construction of a chronic ignition mouse model via intraperitoneal PTZ injection. The findings of this research provide crucial scientific support for subsequent clinical application studies in this field.
Coactions and skew products for topological quivers
Authors: Hall Lucas
Published: May 2024

Given a cocycle on a topological quiver by a locally compact group, the author constructs a skew product topological quiver and determines conditions under which a topological quiver can be identified as a skew product. We investigate the relationship between the ${C^*}$-algebra of the skew product and a certain native coaction on the ${C^*}$-algebra of the original quiver, finding that the crossed product by the coaction is isomorphic to the skew product. As an application, we show that the reduced crossed product by the dual action is Morita equivalent to the ${C^*}$-algebra of the original quiver.
A Multi-UAV cooperative mission planning method based on SA-WOA algorithm for three-dimensional space atmospheric environment detection
Authors: Yu Binggang , Fan Shurui , Cui Weijia , Xia Kewen , Wang Li
Published: May 2024

In the application of rotorcraft atmospheric environment detection, to reflect the distribution of atmospheric pollutants more realistically and completely, the sampling points must be spread throughout the entire three-dimensional space, and the cooperation of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (multi-UAVs) can ensure real-time performance and increase operational efficiency. In view of the problem of coordinated detection by multi-UAVs, the region division and global coverage path planning of the stereo space to be detected are studied. A whale optimization algorithm based on the simulated annealing-whale optimization algorithm (SA-WOA) is proposed, which introduces adaptive weights with the Levy flight mechanism, improves the metropolis criterion, and introduces an adaptive tempering mechanism in the SA stage. Path smoothing is subsequently performed with the help of nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curves. The comparison of algorithms using the eil76 dataset shows that the path length planned by the SA-WOA algorithm in this paper is 10.15% shorter than that of the WOA algorithm, 13.25% shorter than the SA planning result, and only 0.95% difference from the optimal path length in the dataset. From the perspective of planning time, its speed is similar to WOA, with a relative speed increase of 27.15% compared to SA, proving that the algorithm proposed in this paper has good planning performance. A hardware system platform is designed and built, and environmental gas measurement experiments were conducted. The experimental results indicate that the multi-UAV collaborative environment detection task planning method proposed in this paper has certain practical value in the field of atmospheric environment detection.
Three-dimensional path planning with enhanced gravitational search algorithm for unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Jiao Keming , Chen Jie , Xin Bin , Li Li , Zheng Yifan , Zhao Zhixin
Published: May 2024

Path planning for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is to assist in finding the proper path, serving as a critical role in the intelligence of a UAV. In this paper, a path planning for UAV in three-dimensional environment (3D) based on enhanced gravitational search algorithm (EGSA) is put forward, taking the path length, yaw angle, pitch angle, and flight altitude as considerations of the path. Considering EGSA is easy to fall into local optimum and convergence insufficiency, two factors that are the memory of current optimal and random disturbance with chaotic levy flight are adopted during the update of particle velocity, improving the balance between exploration and exploitation for EGSA through different time-varying characteristics. With the identical cost function, EGSA is compared with seven peer algorithms, such as moth flame optimization algorithm, gravitational search algorithm, and five variants of gravitational search algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate that EGSA is superior to the seven comparison algorithms on CEC 2020 benchmark functions and the path planning method based on EGSA is more valuable than the other seven methods in diverse environments.
Possibilities of the X-ray diffraction data processing method for detecting reflections with intensity below the background noise component
Authors: Gabielkov S.V. , Zhyganiuk I.V. , Skorbun A.D. , Kudlai V.G. , Savchenko B.S. , Parkhomchuk P.E. , Chikolovets S.O.
Published: May 2024

The values of the signal-to-noise ratio are determined, at which the method of processing X-ray diffraction data reveals reflections with intensity less than the noise component of the background. The possibilities of the method are demonstrated on weak reflections of α-quartz. The method of processing X-ray diffraction data makes it possible to increase the possibilities of X-ray phase analysis in determining the qualitative phase composition of multiphase materials with a small (down to 0.1 wt.%) content of several (up to eight) phases.
From infancy to eight: How early maternal mental health, emotion reminiscing, and language shape children’s mental health
Authors: Russell Sophie , Bird Amy L. , Waldie Karen , Peterson Elizabeth , Morton Susan M.B. , Atatoa Carr Polly E. , Salmon Karen , Reese Elaine
Published: May 2024

To test the transmission of mental health difficulties from mother to child, we examined mediation through emotion reminiscing conversations and child language. Maternal depression symptoms were measured at 9 months post-partum, and child mental health outcomes were measured at age 8 years. Emotion reminiscing conversations between 1,234 mother-child pairs (624 boys, 610 girls) were recorded as part of a large, diverse, longitudinal cohort Growing Up in New Zealand. The 1,234 reminiscing conversations were transcribed and coded for maternal elaboration and emotion resolution quality (mother and child). The coded reminiscing variables did not mediate the pathway from maternal depression to child mental health outcomes; however, each maternal reminiscing variable together with child language skill serially mediated the relationship from maternal depression symptoms to child-reported anxiety and depression symptoms, and parent-reported child externalizing symptoms. Language as a skill and it’s use as a tool for making shared meaning from past events are highlighted as possible mechanisms for the intergenerational transmission of mental health difficulties. These findings point to potential opportunities for early interventions, including prevention of and support for postnatal depression, family intervention in reminiscing training, and supporting child language development.
Historical Dimensions of Rock Art: Perspectives from ‘Peripheries’
Authors: Cruz Berrocal María , Gárate Diego
Published: May 2024

Research on rock art around the world takes for granted the premise that rock art, as a product of the Upper Palaeolithic symbolic revolution, is a natural behavioral expression of Homo sapiens, essentially reflecting new cognitive abilities and intellectual capacity of modern humans. New discoveries of Late Pleistocene rock art in Southeast Asia as well as recent dates of Neandertal rock art are also framed in this light. We contend in this paper that, contrary to this essentialist non-interpretation, rock art is a historical product. Most human groups have not made rock art. Rock art's main characteristic is its inherent territorial/spatial dimension. Moreover, or probably because of it, rock art is fundamentally associated with food-producing economies. The debate between the cognitive versus social and historical character of rock art is rarely explicitly addressed. In this paper we explore this historical dimension through examples from rock-art corpora worldwide: they provide key case studies to highlight the relevance of addressing the different temporalities of rock-art traditions, their interruptions and, therefore, their historical qualities.
Effects of Perceived COVID-19 Exposure and Action-Outcome Predictability on the Motivation to Invest Cognitive Effort
Authors: Kolano Juliana , Menon Devdath Kishore , Peper Martin
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Everyday life situations characterized by poor controllability because of restrictions and uncertainty about action outcomes may attenuate motivational states and executive control. This article explores the interaction of a prior experience with COVID-19 and the susceptibility to respond to a challenging situation with low action-outcome predictability. We assessed cognitive effort readiness as the willingness to invest in cognitively demanding tasks. Individuals with a COVID-19 history exhibited a more pronounced reduction in cognitive effort readiness after experiencing experimentally induced action-outcome unpredictability compared to controls. These results suggest a generalization of perceived loss of action-outcome control among individuals with a COVID-19 history. These findings contribute to conceptualizing and assessing the long-term consequences of pandemic-induced emotional and motivational problems.
Omnidirectional color wavelength tuning of stretchable chiral liquid crystal elastomers
Authors: Nam Seungmin , Jung Wontae , Shin Jun Hyuk , Choi Su Seok
Published: May 2024

Wavelength-tunable structural colors using stimuli-responsive materials, such as chiral liquid crystals (CLCs), have attracted increasing attention owing to their high functionality in various tunable photonic applications. Ideally, on-demand omnidirectional wavelength control is highly desirable from the perspective of wavelength-tuning freedom. However, despite numerous previous research efforts on tunable CLC structural colors, only mono-directional wavelength tuning toward shorter wavelengths has been employed in most studies to date. In this study, we report the ideally desired omnidirectional wavelength control toward longer and shorter wavelengths with significantly improved tunability over a broadband wavelength range. By using areal expanding and contractive strain control of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) with chiral liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), simultaneous and omnidirectional structural color-tuning control was achieved. This breakthrough in omnidirectional wavelength control enhances the achievable tuning freedom and versatility, making it applicable to a broad range of high-functional photonic applications.
Resting state functional brain connectivity in child and adolescent psychiatry: where are we now?
Authors: Uddin Lucina Q. , Castellanos F. Xavier , Menon Vinod
Published: May 2024

Approaching the 30th anniversary of the discovery of resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) functional connectivity, we reflect on the impact of this neuroimaging breakthrough on the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. The study of intrinsic functional brain architecture that rsfMRI affords across a wide range of ages and abilities has yielded numerous key insights. For example, we now know that many neurodevelopmental conditions are associated with more widespread circuit alterations across multiple large-scale brain networks than previously suspected. The emergence of population neuroscience and effective data-sharing initiatives have made large rsfMRI datasets publicly available, providing sufficient power to begin to identify brain-based subtypes within heterogeneous clinical conditions. Nevertheless, several methodological and theoretical challenges must still be addressed to fulfill the promises of personalized child and adolescent psychiatry. In particular, incomplete understanding of the physiological mechanisms driving developmental changes in intrinsic functional connectivity remains an obstacle to further progress. Future directions include cross-species and multimodal neuroimaging investigations to illuminate such mechanisms. Data collection and harmonization efforts that span multiple countries and diverse cohorts are urgently needed. Finally, incorporating naturalistic fMRI paradigms such as movie watching should be a priority for future research efforts.
Competing endogenous RNA networks and ferroptosis in cancer: novel therapeutic targets
Authors: Nejadi Orang Fatemeh , Abdoli Shadbad Mahdi
Published: May 2024

As a newly identified regulated cell death, ferroptosis is a metabolically driven process that relies on iron and is associated with polyunsaturated fatty acyl peroxidation, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial damage. This distinct regulated cell death is dysregulated in various cancers; activating ferroptosis in malignant cells increases cancer immunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy responses across different malignancies. Over the last decade, accumulating research has provided evidence of cross-talk between non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and highlighted their significance in developing and progressing malignancies. Aside from pharmaceutical agents to regulate ferroptosis, recent studies have shed light on the potential of restoring dysregulated ferroptosis-related ceRNA networks in cancer treatment. The present study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the ferroptosis significance, ferroptosis pathways, the role of ferroptosis in cancer immunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy, ceRNA biogenesis, and ferroptosis-regulating ceRNA networks in different cancers. The provided insights can offer the authorship with state-of-the-art findings and future perspectives regarding the ferroptosis and ferroptosis-related ceRNA networks and their implication in the treatment and determining the prognosis of affected patients.
Biodiversity loss reduces global terrestrial carbon storage
Authors: Weiskopf Sarah R. , Isbell Forest , Arce-Plata Maria Isabel , Di Marco Moreno , Harfoot Mike , Johnson Justin , Lerman Susannah B. , Miller Brian W. , Morelli Toni Lyn , Mori Akira S. , Weng Ensheng , Ferrier Simon
Published: May 2024

Natural ecosystems store large amounts of carbon globally, as organisms absorb carbon from the atmosphere to build large, long-lasting, or slow-decaying structures such as tree bark or root systems. An ecosystem’s carbon sequestration potential is tightly linked to its biological diversity. Yet when considering future projections, many carbon sequestration models fail to account for the role biodiversity plays in carbon storage. Here, we assess the consequences of plant biodiversity loss for carbon storage under multiple climate and land-use change scenarios. We link a macroecological model projecting changes in vascular plant richness under different scenarios with empirical data on relationships between biodiversity and biomass. We find that biodiversity declines from climate and land use change could lead to a global loss of between7.44-103.14PgC (global sustainability scenario) and10.87-145.95PgC (fossil-fueled development scenario). This indicates a self-reinforcing feedback loop, where higher levels of climate change lead to greater biodiversity loss, which in turn leads to greater carbon emissions and ultimately more climate change. Conversely, biodiversity conservation and restoration can help achieve climate change mitigation goals.
Prediction of Klebsiella phage-host specificity at the strain level
Authors: Boeckaerts Dimitri , Stock Michiel , Ferriol-González Celia , Oteo-Iglesias Jesús , Sanjuán Rafael , Domingo-Calap Pilar , De Baets Bernard , Briers Yves
Published: May 2024

Phages are increasingly considered promising alternatives to target drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. However, their often-narrow host range can make it challenging to find matching phages against bacteria of interest. Current computational tools do not accurately predict interactions at the strain level in a way that is relevant and properly evaluated for practical use. We present PhageHostLearn, a machine learning system that predicts strain-level interactions between receptor-binding proteins and bacterial receptors for Klebsiella phage-bacteria pairs. We evaluate this system both in silico and in the laboratory, in the clinically relevant setting of finding matching phages against bacterial strains. PhageHostLearn reaches a cross-validated ROC AUC of up to 81.8% in silico and maintains this performance in laboratory validation. Our approach provides a framework for developing and evaluating phage-host prediction methods that are useful in practice, which we believe to be a meaningful contribution to the machine-learning-guided development of phage therapeutics and diagnostics.
Origin of the light-induced spin currents in heavy metal/magnetic insulator bilayers
Authors: Wang Hongru , Meng Jing , Lin Jianjun , Xu Bin , Ma Hai , Kan Yucheng , Chen Rui , Huang Lujun , Chen Ye , Yue Fangyu , Duan Chun-Gang , Chu Junhao , Sun Lin
Published: May 2024

Light-induced spin currents with the faster response is essential for the more efficient information transmission and processing. Herein, we systematically explore the effect of light illumination energy and direction on the light-induced spin currents in the W/Y3Fe5O12 heterojunction. Light-induced spin currents can be clearly categorized into two types. One is excited by the low light intensity, which mainly involves the photo-generated spin current from spin photovoltaic effect. The other is caused by the high light intensity, which is the light-thermally induced spin current and mainly excited by spin Seebeck effect. Under low light-intensity illumination, light-thermally induced temperature gradient is very small so that spin Seebeck effect can be neglected. Furthermore, the mechanism on spin photovoltaic effect is fully elucidated, where the photo-generated spin current in Y3Fe5O12 mainly originates from the process of spin precession induced by photons. These findings provide some deep insights into the origin of light-induced spin current.
Influence of individuals’ determinants including vaccine type on cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
Authors: Chambers Emma S. , Cai Weigang , Vivaldi Giulia , Jolliffe David A. , Perdek Natalia , Li Wenhao , Faustini Sian E. , Gibbons Joseph M. , Pade Corinna , Richter Alex G. , Coussens Anna K. , Martineau Adrian R.
Published: May 2024

Vaccine development targeting SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 was of critical importance in reducing COVID-19 severity and mortality. In the U.K. during the initial roll-out most individuals either received two doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) or the adenovirus-based vaccine from Oxford/AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-nCoV-19). There are conflicting data as to the impact of age, sex and body habitus on cellular and humoral responses to vaccination, and most studies in this area have focused on determinants of mRNA vaccine immunogenicity. Here, we studied a cohort of participants in a population-based longitudinal study (COVIDENCE UK) to determine the influence of age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and pre-vaccination anti-Spike (anti-S) antibody status on vaccine-induced humoral and cellular immune responses to two doses of BNT162b2 or ChAdOx-n-CoV-19 vaccination. Younger age and pre-vaccination anti-S seropositivity were both associated with stronger antibody responses to vaccination. BNT162b2 generated higher neutralising and anti-S antibody titres to vaccination than ChAdOx1-nCoV-19, but cellular responses to the two vaccines were no different. Irrespective of vaccine type, increasing age was also associated with decreased frequency of cytokine double-positive CD4+T cells. Increasing BMI was associated with reduced frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific TNF+CD8% T cells for both vaccines. Together, our findings demonstrate that increasing age and BMI are associated with attenuated cellular and humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Whilst both vaccines induced T cell responses, BNT162b2 induced significantly elevated humoral immune response as compared to ChAdOx-n-CoV-19.
The solar dynamo begins near the surface
Authors: Vasil Geoffrey M. , Lecoanet Daniel , Augustson Kyle , Burns Keaton J. , Oishi Jeffrey S. , Brown Benjamin P. , Brummell Nicholas , Julien Keith
Published: May 2024

The magnetic dynamo cycle of the Sun features a distinct pattern: a propagating region of sunspot emergence appears around 30° latitude and vanishes near the equator every 11 years (ref. 1). Moreover, longitudinal flows called torsional oscillations closely shadow sunspot migration, undoubtedly sharing a common cause2. Contrary to theories suggesting deep origins of these phenomena, helioseismology pinpoints low-latitude torsional oscillations to the outer 5–10% of the Sun, the near-surface shear layer3,4. Within this zone, inwardly increasing differential rotation coupled with a poloidal magnetic field strongly implicates the magneto-rotational instability5,6, prominent in accretion-disk theory and observed in laboratory experiments7. Together, these two facts prompt the general question: whether the solar dynamo is possibly a near-surface instability. Here we report strong affirmative evidence in stark contrast to traditional models8 focusing on the deeper tachocline. Simple analytic estimates show that the near-surface magneto-rotational instability better explains the spatiotemporal scales of the torsional oscillations and inferred subsurface magnetic field amplitudes9. State-of-the-art numerical simulations corroborate these estimates and reproduce hemispherical magnetic current helicity laws10. The dynamo resulting from a well-understood near-surface phenomenon improves prospects for accurate predictions of full magnetic cycles and space weather, affecting the electromagnetic infrastructure of Earth.
Porous isoreticular non-metal organic frameworks
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Megan , Glover Joseph , Hafizi Roohollah , Barhi Mounib , Clowes Rob , Chong Samantha Y. , Argent Stephen P. , Day Graeme M. , Cooper Andrew I.
Published: May 2024

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are useful synthetic materials that are built by the programmed assembly of metal nodes and organic linkers1. The success of MOFs results from the isoreticular principle2, which allows families of structurally analogous frameworks to be built in a predictable way. This relies on directional coordinate covalent bonding to define the framework geometry. However, isoreticular strategies do not translate to other common crystalline solids, such as organic salts3–5, in which the intermolecular ionic bonding is less directional. Here we show that chemical knowledge can be combined with computational crystal-structure prediction6(CSP) to design porous organic ammonium halide salts that contain no metals. The nodes in these salt frameworks are tightly packed ionic clusters that direct the materials to crystallize in specific ways, as demonstrated by the presence of well-defined spikes of low-energy, low-density isoreticular structures on the predicted lattice energy landscapes7,8. These energy landscapes allow us to select combinations of cations and anions that will form thermodynamically stable, porous salt frameworks with channel sizes, functionalities and geometries that can be predicted a priori. Some of these porous salts adsorb molecular guests such as iodine in quantities that exceed those of most MOFs, and this could be useful for applications such as radio-iodine capture9–12. More generally, the synthesis of these salts is scalable, involving simple acid–base neutralization, and the strategy makes it possible to create a family of non-metal organic frameworks that combine high ionic charge density with permanent porosity.
Life-cycle-coupled evolution of mitosis in close relatives of animals
Authors: Shah Hiral , Olivetta Marine , Bhickta Chandni , Ronchi Paolo , Trupinić Monika , Tromer Eelco C. , Tolić Iva M. , Schwab Yannick , Dudin Omaya , Dey Gautam
Published: May 2024

Eukaryotes have evolved towards one of two extremes along a spectrum of strategies for remodelling the nuclear envelope during cell division: disassembling the nuclear envelope in an open mitosis or constructing an intranuclear spindle in a closed mitosis1,2. Both classes of mitotic remodelling involve key differences in the core division machinery but the evolutionary reasons for adopting a specific mechanism are unclear. Here we use an integrated comparative genomics and ultrastructural imaging approach to investigate mitotic strategies in Ichthyosporea, close relatives of animals and fungi. We show that species in this clade have diverged towards either a fungal-like closed mitosis or an animal-like open mitosis, probably to support distinct multinucleated or uninucleated states. Our results indicate that multinucleated life cycles favour the evolution of closed mitosis.
Selective haematological cancer eradication with preserved haematopoiesis
Authors: Garaudé Simon , Marone Romina , Lepore Rosalba , Devaux Anna , Beerlage Astrid , Seyres Denis , Dell’ Aglio Alessandro , Juskevicius Darius , Zuin Jessica , Burgold Thomas , Wang Sisi , Katta Varun , Manquen Garret , Li Yichao , Larrue Clément , Camus Anna , Durzynska Izabela , Wellinger Lisa C. , Kirby Ian , Van Berkel Patrick H. , Kunz Christian , Tamburini Jérôme , Bertoni Francesco , Widmer Corinne C. , Tsai Shengdar Q. , Simonetta Federico , Urlinger Stefanie , Jeker Lukas T.
Published: May 2024

Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for a broad range of haematological malignancies, but the standard of care relies on untargeted chemotherapies and limited possibilities to treat malignant cells after HSCT without affecting the transplanted healthy cells1. Antigen-specific cell-depleting therapies hold the promise of much more targeted elimination of diseased cells, as witnessed in the past decade by the revolution of clinical practice for B cell malignancies2. However, target selection is complex and limited to antigens expressed on subsets of haematopoietic cells, resulting in a fragmented therapy landscape with high development costs2–5. Here we demonstrate that an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) targeting the pan-haematopoietic marker CD45 enables the antigen-specific depletion of the entire haematopoietic system, including HSCs. Pairing this ADC with the transplantation of human HSCs engineered to be shielded from the CD45-targeting ADC enables the selective eradication of leukaemic cells with preserved haematopoiesis. The combination of CD45-targeting ADCs and engineered HSCs creates an almost universal strategy to replace a diseased haematopoietic system, irrespective of disease aetiology or originating cell type. We propose that this approach could have broad implications beyond haematological malignancies.
Serum levels of stem cell factor for predicting embryo quality
Authors: Liss Joanna , Kuczyńska Martyna , Kunicki Michał , Zieliński Krystian , Drzyzga Damian
Published: May 2024

We evaluated whether serum stem cell factor (s-SCF) levels just prior to ovulation induction could indicate the ability to develop a top-quality (TQ) blastocyst by day 5. We investigated patients with normal ovarian reserve (NOR), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), or mild endometriosis. Our pilot research suggests a correlation between s-SCF levels and the ability to form TQ blastocysts in patients with mild endometriosis. This significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) was noted between mild endometriosis patients for whom a TQ blastocyst was obtained and those for whom it was not possible, as measured on the 8th day of stimulation and the day of oocyte retrieval. The mean SCF levels in the serum of these women on the 8th day were at 28.07 (± 2.67) pg/ml for the TQ subgroup and 53.32 (± 16.02) pg/ml for the non-TQ subgroup (p < 0.05). On oocyte retrieval day it was 33.47 (± 3.93) pg/ml and 52.23 (± 9.72) pg/ml (p < 0.05), respectively.
Monitoring and evaluation of childhood stunting reduction program based on fish supplement product in North Sumatera, Indonesia
Authors: Pardamean Bens , Nirwantono Rudi , Hidayat Alam Ahmad , Trinugroho Joko Pebrianto , Isnan Mahmud , Rahutomo Reza , Sudigyo Digdo , Asadi Faisal , Elwireharja Gregorius Natanael , Ariansyah Dedy , Sari Ratna , Pasaribu Roma Dame Uli , Berlian Guntur , Ichwan Muhammad , Lumbanraja Sarma Nursani
Published: May 2024

The government of Serdang Bedagai Regency initiated a supplementation program to reduce the high prevalence of stunting in the area by delivering extra supplementation, which were nutritious biscuits from national government and fish-based supplement produced from local resources. A 6-month study from April 2022 to September 2022 was conducted to monitor and evaluate the government program that involved 219 under-5-year-old children with height-for-age Z-score (HAZ-score) below − 2. We observed the stunting prevalence reduction by 37.00%, where 81 children recovered from stunting (HAZ-score ≥ − 2). Furthermore, the mean HAZ-score and WHZ-score (Weight-for-Height Z-score) were monitored to significantly improve by 0.97 ± 1.45 (P-value = 1.74e−14) and 1.00 ± 2.18 (P-value  = and 2.40e−8), subsequently. The most significant improvement in HAZ-score was monitored among children receiving fish-based supplements with 1.04 ± 1.44 improvement (P-value = 6.59e−17). Then, a significant WHZ-score improvement was reported from children consuming fish-based supplements and a combination of fish-based supplements with nutritious biscuits (P-value = 2.32e−8and 5.48e−5) by 1.04 ± 2.29 and 0.83 ± 1.84, respectively. The results of the observation become evidence that the program could effectively reduce the prevalence of stunting in children below five years old, especially among children who received locally produced fish-based supplements.
Spatio-temporal characterization of drought variability in data-scarce regions using global precipitation data: a case study in Cauto river basin, Cuba
Authors: Tran Anh Phuong , Tran Bao Chung , Campbell Siliennis Blanco , Nguyen Nam Anh , Tran Dieu Hang , Nguyen Thanh Thuy , Nguyen Anh Duc , Duong Hong Son
Published: May 2024

Drought is considered the most severe water-related disaster in the Cauto river basin, which is the longest river and the main agricultural producer in Cuba. Better understanding of drought characteristics is crucial to drought management. Given the sparsity of ground-based precipitation observations in the Cauto, this study aims at using gridded global precipitation to analyze the spatio-temporal variations of drought in this river basin. Firstly, the monthly Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) was calibrated with the gauged precipitation using the Thiessen polygon-based method and linear least squares regression equations. Then, the gridded standardized precipitation index (SPI) with time scales of 3, 6, 9 months and drought characteristics, namely, drought frequency, duration and intensity were calculated using the calibrated CHIRPS. Finally, the spatio-temporal analysis was performed to investigate the variations of drought in the Cauto river basin in time and space. The obtained results show that the calibrated CHIRPS is highly consistent with the gauged observations and is capable of determining the magnitude, time, and spatial extent of drought events in the Cauto river basin. The trend analysis by the Mann–Kendall test reveals that although the trend is not statistically significant, the SPI tends to decrease with time in the dry season, which indicates the more severe drought. The spatial analysis indicates that the lower altitude area of the Cauto river basin is suffered from longer drought duration and higher drought intensity than the upper one. This study expresses the importance of open global precipitation data sources in monitoring and quantifying drought characteristics in data-scarce regions.