bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trench visualisation from a semiautonomous excavator with a base grid map using a TOF 2D profilometer
Authors: Niskanen Ilpo , Immonen Matti , Makkonen Tomi , Hallman Lauri , Mikkonen Martti , Keränen Pekka , Kostamovaara Juha , Heikkilä Rauno
Published: February 2023

Real-time, three-dimensional (3D) visualisation technology can be used at construction sites to improve the quality of work. A 3D view of the landscape under work can be compared to a target 3D model of the landscape to conveniently show needed excavation tasks to a human excavator operator or to show the progress of an autonomous excavator. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate surface visualisation from measurements taken with a pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) 2D profilometer on-board a semiautonomous excavator. The semiautomatic excavator was implemented by recording the feedback script parameters from the work performed on the excavator by a human driver. 3D visualisation maps based on the triangle mesh technique were generated from the 3D point cloud using measurements of the trenches dug by a human and an autonomous excavator. The accuracy of the 3D maps was evaluated by comparing them to a high-resolution commercial 3D scanner. An analysis of the results shows that the 2D profilometer attached to the excavator can achieve almost the same 3D results as a high-quality on-site static commercial 3D scanner, whilst more easily providing an unobstructed view of the trench during operation (a 3D scanner placed next to a deep trench might not have a full view of the trench). The main technical advantages of our 2D profilometer are its compact size, measurement speed, lack of moving parts, robustness, low-cost technology that enables visualisations from a unique viewpoint on the boom of the excavator, and readiness for real-time control of the excavator’s system. This research is expected to encourage the efficiency of the digging process in the future, as well as to provide a remarkable view of trench work using an excavator as a moving platform to facilitate data visualisation.

Graphical abstract
At-home assessment of postural stability in parkinson’s disease: a vision-based approach
Authors: Ferraris Claudia , Votta Valerio , Nerino Roberto , Chimienti Antonio , Priano Lorenzo , Mauro Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Postural instability is one of the most disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, with important impacts on people safety and quality of life since it increases the risk of falls and injuries. Home monitoring of changes in postural stability, as a consequence of therapies and disease progression, is highly desirable for the safety of the patient and better disease management. In this context, we present a system for the automatic evaluation of postural stability that is suitable for self-managing by people with motor impairment directly at home. The system is based on an optical RGB-Depth device, which tracks the body movements both for system’s interaction, thanks to a gesture-based human-machine interface, and the automated assessment of postural stability. A set of tasks, based on standard clinical scales, has been designed for the assessment. The user controls the delivery of the tasks through the system interface. A machine learning approach is adopted, and some kinematic parameters that characterize the user’s performance during each task execution are estimated and used by supervised classifiers for the automatic assessment. Data collected during experimental clinical trials were used to train the classifiers. This approach supports the compliance of the classifier assessments with respect to the clinical ones. The system prototype and the preliminary results on its accuracy in the assessment of postural stability are presented and discussed.
Is it time for redefining oligometastatic disease? Analysis of lung metastases CT in ten tumor types
Authors: Gofrit Ofer N. , Gofrit Ben , Roditi Yuval , Popovtzer Aron , Frank Steve , Sosna Jacob , Goldberg S. Nahum
Published: February 2023

Background

Oligometastatic disease (OD) is usually defined arbitrarily as a condition in which there are ≤ 5 metastases. Given limited disease, it is expected that patients with OD should have better prognosis compared to other metastatic patients and that they can potentially benefit from metastasis-directed therapy (MDT). In this study, we attempted to redefine OD based upon objective evidence that fulfill these assumptions.

Methods

Chest CTSs of 773 patients with 15,947 lung metastases originating from ten malignancy types were evaluated. The number and largest diameter of each metastasis was recorded. Metastatic cluster was defined as a cluster of two or more metastases with diameter difference ≤ 1 mm. The prognostic power of seven statistical models on overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Findings

Both the number of metastases and metastatic clusters had a highly significant impact on OS (p < 0.0001, p = 0.003 respectively). Patients with a single metastasis or a single cluster of metastases (regardless of metastases number), equaling 16.2% of all patients, had significantly better prognosis compared to other patients (p = 0.0002). If metastases diameter variability is ignored, as in the standard definition of OD, then patients with 2–5 and 6–10 metastases would have a similar prognosis.

Interpretation

Patients with a single cluster of metastases, theoretically originating from a single clone, have significantly better prognosis compared to patients with more than one cluster. Using this definition can potentially improve the results of MDT. The upper limit of metastases number should be determined by the technical capabilities of the MDT used.
Engaging Stigmatised Communities in Australia with Digital Health Systems: Towards Data Justice in Public Health
Authors: Smith Anthony K J , Davis Mark D. M. , MacGibbon James , Broady Timothy R. , Ellard Jeanne , Rule John , Cook Teddy , Duck-Chong Elizabeth , Holt Martin , Newman Christy E.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In 2018, following government policy changes to Australia’s national electronic health record system, ‘My Health Record’, consumer advocates—including organisations representing people living with HIV, people who use drugs and sex workers—raised concerns about privacy and data security. Responding to these controversies, this study explores the practical, ethical and political complexities of engaging stigmatised communities with digital health systems.

Methods

We conducted 16 qualitative semi-structured interviews in 2020 with key informants representing communities who experience stigma, discrimination and marginalisation in Australia. These communities included people living with HIV, sex workers, people who inject drugs, gay and bisexual men and transgender and gender diverse people. We conducted a reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Key informants were sceptical of proposed benefits of electronic health records for their communities, and concerned about privacy risks and the potential for discrimination. Meaningful consultation, consent mechanisms and tackling structural stigma were raised as solutions for engaging communities.

Conclusions

Although communities could benefit from being included in digital health systems, significant cultural, legal and social reforms from government were believed to be necessary to build trust in digital health systems. We argue that these forms of data justice are necessary for effective future systems.

Policy Implications

Engaging stigmatised communities—including in relation to gender, sexuality, sex work, drug use, HIV—requires a commitment to data justice. The design and implementation of digital health systems requires investment in ongoing and meaningful consultation with communities and representative organisations.
Current controversies on mechanisms controlling soil carbon storage: implications for interactions with practitioners and policy-makers. A review
Authors: Derrien Delphine , Barré Pierre , Basile-Doelsch Isabelle , Cécillon Lauric , Chabbi Abad , Crème Alexandra , Fontaine Sébastien , Henneron Ludovic , Janot Noémie , Lashermes Gwenaëlle , Quénéa Katell , Rees Frédéric , Dignac Marie-France
Published: February 2023

There is currently an intense debate about the potential for additional organic carbon storage in soil, the strategies by which it may be accomplished and what the actual benefits might be for agriculture and the climate. Controversy forms an essential part of the scientific process, but on the topic of soil carbon storage, it may confuse the agricultural community and the general public and may delay actions to fight climate change. In an attempt to shed light on this topic, the originality of this article lies in its intention to provide a balanced description of contradictory scientific opinions on soil carbon storage and to examine how the scientific community can support decision-making despite the controversy. In the first part, we review and attempt to reconcile conflicting views on the mechanisms controlling organic carbon dynamics in soil. We discuss the divergent opinions about chemical recalcitrance, the microbial or plant origin of persistent soil organic matter, the contribution of particulate organic matter to additional organic carbon storage in soil, and the spatial and energetic inaccessibility of soil organic matter to decomposers. In the second part, we examine the advantages and limitations of big data management and modeling, which are essential tools to link the latest scientific theories with the actions taken by stakeholders. Finally, we show how the analysis and discussion of controversies can guide scientists in supporting stakeholders for the design of (i) appropriate trade-offs for biomass use in agriculture and forestry and (ii) climate-smart management practices, keeping in mind their still unresolved effects on soil carbon storage.
A unified and modular coupling of particle methods with fem for civil engineering problems
Authors: Flores Carlos Eulogio , Sautter Klaus Bernd , Bucher Philipp , Cornejo Alejandro , Franci Alessandro , Bletzinger Kai-Uwe , Wüchner Roland
Published: February 2023

In this work, a modular coupling approach for particle methods with the FEM (finite element method) is presented. The proposed coupled strategy takes advantage from the ability of particle methods of dealing with large displacements and deformations, especially when solving complex fluid–structure and solid–structure interaction problems. The coupling between the FEM and particle methods is done using a co-simulation approach implemented in the open-source Kratos Multiphysics framework. The particle methods considered in this work are the DEM (discrete element method) and the PFEM (particle finite element method). The Lagrangian description of the PFEM is well suited for modeling fluids undergoing large deformations and free-surface motions, and the DEM can be used to simulate rocks, debris and other solid objects. To accelerate the convergence of the coupled strategy, a block Gauss–Seidel algorithm with Aitken relaxation is used. Several numerical examples, with an emphasis on natural hazards, are presented to test and validate the proposed coupled method.
The short-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of private universities in Poland
Authors: Geryk Marcin
Published: February 2023

In early March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the situation of thousands of higher education institutions around the world. The spreading virus not only imposed remote education, but it also brought tremendous changes in university management. The introduction of new educational and administrative solutions was a huge logistical and financial challenge for public and private universities. It was not easy for students either. It also posed a problem for the faculty. Remote learning generated many problems even in highly developed countries. Therefore, the number of students was expected to slowly decline. It was a surprise that private universities saw an increase in interest in their offer right after the outbreak of the pandemic. The article presents the situation of private universities in Poland, the complex problems related to the management of the academic environment in the absence of proper preparation for on-line education as well as for remote management of higher education organizations.
“Wood-nacre”: Development of a Bio-inspired Wood-Based Composite for Beam and 3D-Surface Elements with Improved Failure Mechanisms
Authors: Müller Ulrich , Halbauer Peter , Stadlmann Alexander , Grabner Maximilian , Al-musawi Hajir , Ungerer Bernhard , Pramreiter Maximilian
Published: February 2023

Following the natural structure of the nacre, the material studied consists of a multitude of hexagonal tiles that are glued together in an offset manner with a ductile adhesive. This so-called “wood nacre” consists of macroscopic tiles of birch wood veneer with a thickness of 0.8 mm and a size of 20 or 10 mm in diameter in order to mimic the aragonite tiles and the ductile PUR-adhesive corresponds to the layers of collagen in between. E-modulus (MOE), bending strength (MOR) and impact bending strength of the samples were determined and compared with reference samples of birch laminated wood. The hierarchical layered structure of the tiles does not cause any relevant loss in stiffness. Like nacre, “wood nacre” also shows tough fracture behaviour and a high homogenization effect. However, strain hardening and high fracture toughness of the natural model could not be fully achieved. The reason for this is the insufficient ratio between the strength and stiffness of the veneer layers and the adhesive. By adjusting the size of the tiles, increasing the strength and surface roughness of the veneers, e.g. by densification, and using more ductile adhesives that can be applied in smaller layer thicknesses, it should be possible to better reproduce the natural ratios of nacre and thus achieve a significant improvement in the material properties of “wood nacre”. In addition to the mechanical properties, the high potential of the new material lies in the possibility of producing 3D shell-shaped elements for lightweight wood hybrid construction.
Targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy for chordoma
Authors: Yang Xue , Li Parker , Kang Zhuang , Li Wenbin
Published: February 2023

Chordoma is a rare bone tumor often present in the skull base and spine. In addition, it is not sensitive to radiotherapy that surgical resection is of great significance for the treatment of chordoma. Residual tumors that cannot be surgically removed usually lead to tumor recurrence. Studies have shown that chordoma will be accompanied by multiple gene mutations, such as PDGFR, EGFR, HER2, VEGFR, and mTOR, and interact with the host immune system to promote tumor progression. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy can improve the prognosis of chordoma patients to some extent. This review focuses on the clinical trials related to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy of chordoma.
The Normative Foundations of International Climate Adaptation Finance
Authors: Weikmans Romain
Published: February 2023

Billions of dollars are annually transferred to poor nations to help them adapt to the effects of climate change. This Element examines how the discourses on adaptation finance of many developing country negotiators, environmental groups, development charities, academics and international bureaucrats have renewed a specific vision of aid, that of an aid intended to respond to international injustices and to fuel a regular transfer of resources between rich and poor countries. By reviewing manifestations of this normative vision of aid in key contemporary debates on adaptation finance, the author shows how these discourses have contributed to the significant financial mobilisation of developed countries towards adaptation in the Global South. But there remains a stark contrast between the many expectations associated with these discourses and today's adaptation finance landscape.
What is the global glacier ice volume outside the ice sheets?
Authors: Hock Regine , Maussion Fabien , Marzeion Ben , Nowicki Sophie
Published: February 2023

A recent study (Millan and others, 2022a, Nature Geoscience 15(2), 124–129) claims that ice volume contained in all glaciers outside the ice sheets and its potential contribution to sea level is 20% less than previously estimated. However, the apparent decrease is largely due to differences in choice of domain, as the study excludes 80% of the glacier area in the Antarctic periphery that was included in previous global glacier volume estimates. The issue highlights the difficulty in separating glaciers from the ice-sheet proper, especially in Antarctica, and the need for both the glacier and ice-sheet communities to develop standards and protocols to avoid double-counting in global ice volume and mass-change assessments and projections. Process-based inversion models have replaced earlier scaling methods, but large uncertainties in global glacier volume estimation remain due to the ill-posed nature of the inversion problem and poorly constrained parameters emphasizing the need for more direct ice thickness observations.
Biochanin A in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection: effects on inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis
Authors: Elhenawy A.A. , Elmehankar M.S. , Nabih N. , Elzoheiry M.A. , Hany H. , El-Gamal R. , Aboukamar W.A.
Published: February 2023

Biochanin A (BCA) is a multifunctional natural compound that possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BCA on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Fifty mice were divided into six different groups as non-infected, non-infected BCA-treated, infected untreated, early infected BCA-treated (seven days post-infection (dpi)), late infected BCA-treated 60 dpi and infected praziquantel (PZQ)-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were investigated in liver sections. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression of S. mansoni was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A single dose of BCA significantly reduced worm burden in early (82.14%) and late infection (77.74%), mean tissue egg load in early (7.27 ± 0.495) and late BCA administration (7.63 ± 0.435) and decreased granuloma size. CYP450 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in early BCA treatment as compared to late treatment which emphasizes that early administration of BCA had more pronounced effects on worms than late administration. Both early and late BCA administration led to significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines as TGF and iNOS. Although the reduction of TGF and iNOS in BCA-treated mice was superior to PZQ, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, a significant downregulation of COX2 was noted in hepatocytes as compared to both infected control and PZQ-treated mice. BCA has schistosomicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and could be regarded as a potential drug in schistosomiasis treatment.
Biological parameters of grey wrasse Symphodus cinereus (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Pisces: Labridae) along the coasts of Rize in the south-eastern Black Sea
Authors: Onay Hatice
Published: February 2023

The present study was designed to investigate the age distribution and growth properties of Symphodus cinereus in the south-eastern Black Sea. Data on the growth and age of S. cinereus were obtained by investigating sagittal otoliths. A total of 384 specimens (220 female, 164 male) were collected between June 2015 and May 2016 in the south-eastern Black Sea. Total lengths of male specimens ranged from 10–16.4 cm, whereas they ranged from 8.2–15.8 cm for females. The von Bertalanffy growth curve was used to describe length at age and considerable differences were seen between females (t0 = −2.85, k = 0.296 and L∞ = 16.46 cm) and males (t0 = −2.84, k = 0.272 and L∞ = 17.23 cm). The maximum age was 5 years. The relationship for males was W = 0.009L3.2596 (r2 = 0.9174, P < 0.005) and that for females was W = 0.0011L3.1821 (r2 = 0.9012, P < 0.005). While the highest condition (K) value was calculated in spring, the lowest value was determined in winter for both sexes. The obtained data also revealed monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index and maturity stages of male and female specimens, and the annual spawning season of this population began in March and ended in June. Fecundity ranged between 1375 and 5493 eggs/individual (mean: 2868.11 ± 36–59.69 eggs), and the relationship between total length and egg production was highly statistically significant (P < 0.0001). This study provides the first data on the growth and reproduction of S. cinereus along the south-eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey.
Administrative Burdens in Chinese Public Services: A Case of Selective Affinity
Authors: Wang Ou , Qi Dongtao , Liu Yangge
Published: February 2023

The non-take-up of public services has the potential to undermine civil rights and deepen social inequality. Looking at the case of the Youth Community College Programme in China, an innovation in governance to facilitate community integration of the migrant population by providing free education, this study finds that the targeted disadvantaged groups are systematically excluded due to the disproportionate imposition of various administrative burdens on them. We propose that an interaction mechanism – which we term “selective affinity” – between the policy process and individuals’ human capital leads to this unintended outcome. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying vulnerable people's non-take-up of public services, while highlighting an example of dysfunctional state–society interaction and a mechanism for the reproduction of social inequality under authoritarianism in China.
From migration crisis to migrants’ rights crisis: The centrality of sovereignty in the EU approach to the protection of migrants’ rights
Authors: Desmond Alan
Published: February 2023

The long-simmering process of sidelining and side-stepping migrants’ rights protection while attempting to regulate cross-border movement of people was heated up by the 2015 migration crisis and has recently been brought to the boil with the crisis-fuelled adoption of the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in 2018. The GCM represents an endorsement at the international level of soft-law, goal-setting frameworks for international co-operation on migration as it pertains to migrants’ rights, and a corresponding disavowal of any role for binding legal obligations in this field. Focusing on the EU, I argue in this article that states’ sovereign powers in the realm of control of non-EU migration have been largely undiluted by the development of the international system of human rights protection. I show how the 2015 migration crisis galvanized multilateral international co-operation on the part of the EU and its member states in the field of non-EU migration in a way that entrenched EU states’ sovereign self-interest by institutionalizing a soft-law approach, thereby producing a crisis from the perspective of migrants’ rights protection. I also argue, however, that the migration crisis facilitated a resurgence of state sovereignty in the EU to the detriment not only of migrants’ rights, but also of internal EU co-operation and co-ordination. Finally, I suggest that in times of crisis supranational courts are particularly susceptible to being recruited to EU states’ rights-restrictive approach to international migration.
Anomalous systemic venous connection to left atrium in a heart with usual atrial arrangement
Authors: Al Balushi Asim , Al Balushi Abdullah , Al Maskari Salim , Al Hashmi Halima
Published: February 2023

Anomalous systemic venous connection to left atrium is rare anomaly. Previously published cases described this anatomy in patients with left isomerism. Depending on the size of the atrial septal defect, patients usually present with varying degrees of cyanosis and right heart hypoplasia. Here, we report a case of anomalous systemic venous connection to left atrium in a newborn with the usual atrial arrangement.
Cognitive restructuring: Psychophysical measurement of time perception in bilinguals
Authors: Athanasopoulos Panos , Bylund Emanuel
Published: February 2023

This paper explores the link between the metaphoric structure TIME IS SPACE and time perception in bilinguals. While there appear to be fundamental commonalities in the way humans perceive and experience time regardless of language background, language-specific spatiotemporal metaphors can give rise to differences between populations, under certain conditions. Little is known, however, about how bilinguals experience time, and the specific factors that may modulate bilingual temporal processing. Here, we address this gap by examining L1 Spanish – L2 Swedish bilinguals in a psychophysical task. Results show that duration estimation of dynamic spatial configurations analogous to L2-specific temporal metaphors is modulated by L2 proficiency. In contrast, duration estimation of spatial configurations analogous to the L1 metaphorical expressions appears to be modulated by the age of L2 acquisition. These findings are discussed in terms of associative learning and cognitive restructuring in the bilingual mind.
Gemcitabine promotes autophagy and lysosomal function through ERK- and TFEB-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Marchand Benoît , Poulin Marc-Antoine , Lawson Christine , Tai Lee-Hwa , Jean Steve , Boucher Marie-Josée
Published: February 2023

Gemcitabine is a first-line treatment agent for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Contributing to its cytotoxicity, this chemotherapeutic agent is primarily a DNA replication inhibitor that also induces DNA damage. However, its therapeutic effects are limited owing to chemoresistance. Evidence in the literature points to a role for autophagy in restricting the efficacy of gemcitabine. Autophagy is a catabolic process in which intracellular components are delivered to degradative organelles lysosomes. Interfering with this process sensitizes PDAC cells to gemcitabine. It is consequently inferred that autophagy and lysosomal function need to be tightly regulated to maintain homeostasis and provide resistance to environmental stress, such as those imposed by chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the mechanism(s) through which gemcitabine promotes autophagy remains elusive, and the impact of gemcitabine on lysosomal function remains largely unexplored. Therefore, we applied complementary approaches to define the mechanisms triggered by gemcitabine that support autophagy and lysosome function. We found that gemcitabine elicited ERK-dependent autophagy in PDAC cells, but did not stimulate ERK activity or autophagy in non-tumoral human pancreatic epithelial cells. Gemcitabine also promoted transcription factor EB (TFEB)-dependent lysosomal function in PDAC cells. Indeed, treating PDAC cells with gemcitabine caused expansion of the lysosomal network, as revealed by Lysosome associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP1) and LysoTracker staining. More specific approaches have shown that gemcitabine promotes the activity of cathepsin B (CTSB), a cysteine protease playing an active role in lysosomal degradation. We showed that lysosomal function induced by gemcitabine depends on TFEB, the master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis. Interfering with TFEB function considerably limited the clonogenic growth of PDAC cells and hindered the capacity of TFEB-depleted PDAC cells to develop orthotopic tumors.
Osteocalcin ameliorates cognitive dysfunctions in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease by reducing amyloid β burden and upregulating glycolysis in neuroglia
Authors: Shan Chang , Zhang Deng , Ma Dong-ni , Hou Yan-fang , Zhuang Qian-qian , Gong Yan-ling , Sun Li-hao , Zhao Hong-yan , Tao Bei , Yang Yu-ying , Li Sheng-tian , Liu Jian-min
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid β peptides (Aβ) and impaired glucose metabolism in the brain. Osteocalcin (OCN), an osteoblast-derived protein, has been shown to modulate brain functions but whether it has any effect on AD is undetermined. In this study, daily intraperitoneal injection of OCN for 4 weeks ameliorated the anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive dysfunctions in the APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice model, as shown in the increased entries into the central area in open field test, the increased time and entries into open arms in elevated plus maze test, the increased time spent in the light chamber in light-dark transition test, as well as the reduced escape latency and the increased preference for target quadrant in Morris water maze test. Aβ burden in the hippocampus and cortex of AD mice was ameliorated by OCN. Besides, OCN improved the neural network function of the brain, mainly in the enhanced power of high gamma band in the medial prefrontal cortex of AD mice. The proliferation of astrocytes in the hippocampus in AD mice was also inhibited by OCN as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Furthermore, OCN enhanced glycolysis in astrocytes and microglia, as evidenced by elevated glucose consumption, lactate production, and increased extracellular acidification rate. Such an effect was abolished when the receptor of OCN – Gpr158 was knockdown in astrocytes. Our study revealed OCN as a novel therapeutic factor for AD potentially through reducing Aβ burden and upregulation of glycolysis in neuroglia.
Barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 promotes gammaherpesvirus reactivation from latency
Authors: Broussard Grant , Ni Guoxin , Zhang Zhigang , Li Qian , Cano Patricio , Dittmer Dirk P. , Damania Blossom
Published: February 2023

Gammaherpesviruses, including Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are DNA viruses that are globally associated with human cancers and establish lifelong latency in the human population. Detection of gammaherpesviral infection by the cGAS-STING innate immune DNA-sensing pathway is critical for suppressing viral reactivation from latency, a process that promotes viral pathogenesis and transmission. We report that barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (BAF)-mediated suppression of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway is necessary for reactivation of KSHV and EBV. We demonstrate a role for BAF in destabilizing cGAS expression and show that inhibiting BAF expression in latently infected, reactivating, or uninfected cells leads to increased type I interferon-mediated antiviral responses and decreased viral replication. Furthermore, BAF overexpression resulted in decreased cGAS expression at the protein level. These results establish BAF as a key regulator of the lifecycle of gammaherpesviruses and a potential target for treating viral infections and malignancies.
Realizing nearly-zero dark current and ultrahigh signal-to-noise ratio perovskite X-ray detector and image array by dark-current-shunting strategy
Authors: Jin Peng , Tang Yingjie , Li Dingwei , Wang Yan , Ran Peng , Zhou Chuanyu , Yuan Ye , Zhu Wenjuan , Liu Tianyu , Liang Kun , Kuang Cuifang , Liu Xu , Zhu Bowen , Yang Yang
Published: February 2023

Although perovskite X-ray detectors have revealed promising properties, their dark currents are usually hundreds of times larger than the practical requirements. Here, we report a detector architecture with a unique shunting electrode working as a blanking unit to suppress dark current, and it theoretically can be reduced to zero. We experimentally fabricate the dark-current-shunting X-ray detector, which exhibits a record-low dark current of 51.1 fA at 5 V mm−1, a detection limit of 7.84 nGyair s−1, and a sensitivity of 1.3 × 104 μC Gyair−1 cm−2. The signal-to-noise ratio of our polycrystalline perovskite-based detector is even outperforming many previously reported state-of-the-art single crystal-based X-ray detectors by serval orders of magnitude. Finally, the proof-of-concept X-ray imaging of a 64 × 64 pixels dark-current-shunting detector array is successfully demonstrated. This work provides a device strategy to fundamentally reduce dark current and enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of X-ray detectors and photodetectors in general.
Topological superconducting vortex from trivial electronic bands
Authors: Hu Lun-Hui , Zhang Rui-Xing
Published: February 2023

Superconducting vortices are promising traps to confine non-Abelian Majorana quasi-particles. It has been widely believed that bulk-state topology, of either normal-state or superconducting ground-state wavefunctions, is crucial for enabling Majorana zero modes in solid-state systems. This common belief has shaped two major search directions for Majorana modes, in either intrinsic topological superconductors or trivially superconducting topological materials. Here we show that Majorana-carrying superconducting vortex is not exclusive to bulk-state topology, but can arise from topologically trivial quantum materials as well. We predict that the trivial bands in superconducting HgTe-class materials are responsible for inducing anomalous vortex topological physics that goes beyond any existing theoretical paradigms. A feasible scheme of strain-controlled Majorana engineering and experimental signatures for vortex Majorana modes are also discussed. Our work provides new guidelines for vortex-based Majorana search in general superconductors.
Direct synthesis of ordered mesoporous materials from thermoplastic elastomers
Authors: Robertson Mark , Guillen-Obando Alejandro , Barbour Andrew , Smith Paul , Griffin Anthony , Qiang Zhe
Published: February 2023

The ability to manufacture ordered mesoporous materials using low-cost precursors and scalable processes is essential for unlocking their enormous potential to enable advancement in nanotechnology. While templating-based methods play a central role in the development of mesoporous materials, several limitations exist in conventional system design, including cost, volatile solvent consumption, and attainable pore sizes from commercial templating agents. This work pioneers a new manufacturing platform for producing ordered mesoporous materials through direct pyrolysis of crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer-based block copolymers. Specifically, olefinic majority phases are selectively crosslinked through sulfonation reactions and subsequently converted to carbon, while the minority block can be decomposed to form ordered mesopores. We demonstrate that this process can be extended to different polymer precursors for synthesizing mesoporous polymer, carbon, and silica. Furthermore, the obtained carbons possess large mesopores, sulfur-doped carbon framework, with tailorable pore textures upon varying the precursor identities.
Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom
Authors: Sovacool Benjamin K. , Upham Paul , Martiskainen Mari , Jenkins Kirsten E. H. , Torres Contreras Gerardo A. , Simcock Neil
Published: February 2023

Tens of millions of households across Europe struggle to afford adequate electricity and heating services and reliable transportation, while recent high fuel prices could lead to an increase in excess winter deaths. Tackling energy and transport poverty is thus of paramount policy importance. Here we document the drivers and lived experiences of energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom, based on public focus groups and expert interviews. We find a set of policies that resonate with both expert planners and members of the public, implying they have a level of political and social acceptability that other measures may be lacking, notably: mandatory landlord energy efficiency upgrades, increasing the extent of financial assistance to households, cheaper (or even free) bus and train fares and restarting and expanding bus services. We buttress these findings with further suggestions for energy and transport system redesign that better meets emerging principles of energy and social justice.
Shifts in vegetation activity of terrestrial ecosystems attributable to climate trends
Authors: Higgins Steven I. , Conradi Timo , Muhoko Edward
Published: February 2023

Climate change is expected to impact the functioning of the entire Earth system. However, detecting changes in ecosystem dynamics and attributing such change to anthropogenic climate change has proved difficult. Here we analyse the vegetation dynamics of 100 sites representative of the diversity of terrestrial ecosystem types using remote-sensing data spanning the past 40 years and a dynamic model of plant growth, forced by climate reanalysis data. We detect a change in vegetation activity for all ecosystem types and find these changes can be attributed to trends in climate-system parameters. Ecosystems in dry and warm locations responded primarily to changes in soil moisture, whereas ecosystems in cooler locations responded primarily to changes in temperature. We find that the effects of CO2 fertilization on vegetation are limited, potentially due to masking by other environmental drivers. Observed trend switching is widespread and dominated by shifts from greening to browning, suggesting many of the ecosystems studied are accumulating less carbon. Our study reveals a clear fingerprint of climate change in the change exhibited by terrestrial ecosystems over recent decades.
Observation of Kondo condensation in a degenerately doped silicon metal
Authors: Im Hyunsik , Lee Dong Uk , Jo Yongcheol , Kim Jongmin , Chong Yonuk , Song Woon , Kim Hyungsang , Kim Eun Kyu , Yuk Taewon , Sin Sang-Jin , Moon Soonjae , Prance Jonathan R. , Pashkin Yuri A. , Tsai Jaw-Shen
Published: February 2023

When a magnetic moment is embedded in a metal, it captures nearby itinerant electrons to form a so-called Kondo cloud. When magnetic impurities are sufficiently dense that their individual clouds overlap with each other they are expected to form a correlated electronic ground state. This is known as Kondo condensation and can be considered a magnetic version of Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer pair formation. Here, we examine this phenomenon by performing electrical transport and high-precision tunnelling density-of-states spectroscopy measurements in a highly P-doped crystalline silicon metal in which disorder-induced localized magnetic moments exist. We detect the Kondo effect in the resistivity of the Si metal at temperatures below 2 K and an unusual pseudogap in the density of states with gap edge peaks below 100 mK. The pseudogap and peaks are tuned by applying an external magnetic field and transformed into a metallic Altshuler–Aronov gap associated with a paramagnetic disordered Fermi liquid phase. We interpret these observations as evidence of Kondo condensation followed by a transition to a disordered Fermi liquid.
Complex regulation in a Comamonas platform for diverse aromatic carbon metabolism
Authors: Wilkes Rebecca A. , Waldbauer Jacob , Carroll Austin , Nieto-Domínguez Manuel , Parker Darren J. , Zhang Lichun , Guss Adam M. , Aristilde Ludmilla
Published: February 2023

Critical to a sustainable energy future are microbial platforms that can process aromatic carbons from the largely untapped reservoir of lignin and plastic feedstocks. Comamonas species present promising bacterial candidates for such platforms because they can use a range of natural and xenobiotic aromatic compounds and often possess innate genetic constraints that avoid competition with sugars. However, the metabolic reactions of these species are underexplored, and the regulatory mechanisms are unknown. Here we identify multilevel regulation in the conversion of lignin-related natural aromatic compounds, 4-hydroxybenzoate and vanillate, and the plastics-related xenobiotic aromatic compound, terephthalate, in Comamonas testosteroni KF-1. Transcription-level regulation controls initial catabolism and cleavage, but metabolite-level thermodynamic regulation governs fluxes in central carbon metabolism. Quantitative 13C mapping of tricarboxylic acid cycle and cataplerotic reactions elucidates key carbon routing not evident from enzyme abundance changes. This scheme of transcriptional activation coupled with metabolic fine-tuning challenges outcome predictions during metabolic manipulations.
Perivascular cells induce microglial phagocytic states and
synaptic engulfment via SPP1 in mouse models of Alzheimer’s
disease
Authors: De Schepper Sebastiaan , Ge Judy Z. , Crowley Gerard , Ferreira Laís S. S. , Garceau Dylan , Toomey Christina E. , Sokolova Dimitra , Rueda-Carrasco Javier , Shin Sun-Hye , Kim Jung-Seok , Childs Thomas , Lashley Tammaryn , Burden Jemima J. , Sasner Michael , Sala Frigerio Carlo , Jung Steffen , Hong Soyon
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by synaptic loss,
which can result from dysfunctional microglial phagocytosis and complement
activation. However, what signals drive aberrant microglia-mediated engulfment of
synapses in AD is unclear. Here we report that secreted phosphoprotein 1
(SPP1/osteopontin) is upregulated predominantly by perivascular macrophages and, to
a lesser extent, by perivascular fibroblasts. Perivascular SPP1 is required for
microglia to engulf synapses and upregulate phagocytic markers including C1qa, Grn and
Ctsb in presence of amyloid-β
oligomers. Absence of Spp1 expression in AD mouse models results in prevention of
synaptic loss. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing and putative
cell–cell interaction analyses reveal that perivascular SPP1 induces
microglial phagocytic states in the hippocampus of a mouse model of AD. Altogether,
we suggest a functional role for SPP1 in perivascular cells-to-microglia crosstalk,
whereby SPP1 modulates microglia-mediated synaptic engulfment in mouse models of
AD.
Signal-induced enhancer activation requires Ku70 to read topoisomerase1–DNA covalent complexes
Authors: Tan Yuliang , Yao Lu , Gamliel Amir , Nair Sreejith J. , Taylor Havilah , Ohgi Kenny , Aggarwal Aneel K. , Rosenfeld Michael G.
Published: February 2023

Enhancer activation serves as the main mechanism regulating signal-dependent transcriptional programs, ensuring cellular plasticity, yet central questions persist regarding their mechanism of activation. Here, by successfully mapping topoisomerase I–DNA covalent complexes genome-wide, we find that most, if not all, acutely activated enhancers, including those induced by 17β-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, tumor necrosis factor alpha and neuronal depolarization, are hotspots for topoisomerase I–DNA covalent complexes, functioning as epigenomic signatures read by the classic DNA damage sensor protein, Ku70. Ku70 in turn nucleates a heterochromatin protein 1 gamma (HP1γ)–mediator subunit Med26 complex to facilitate acute, but not chronic, transcriptional activation programs. Together, our data uncover a broad, unappreciated transcriptional code, required for most, if not all, acute signal-dependent enhancer activation events in both mitotic and postmitotic cells.
High resolution synthetic residential energy use profiles for the United States
Authors: Thorve Swapna , Baek Young Yun , Swarup Samarth , Mortveit Henning , Marathe Achla , Vullikanti Anil , Marathe Madhav
Published: February 2023

Efficient energy consumption is crucial for achieving sustainable energy goals in the era of climate change and grid modernization. Thus, it is vital to understand how energy is consumed at finer resolutions such as household in order to plan demand-response events or analyze impacts of weather, electricity prices, electric vehicles, solar, and occupancy schedules on energy consumption. However, availability and access to detailed energy-use data, which would enable detailed studies, has been rare. In this paper, we release a unique, large-scale, digital-twin of residential energy-use dataset for the residential sector across the contiguous United States covering millions of households. The data comprise of hourly energy use profiles for synthetic households, disaggregated into Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCL) and appliance use. The underlying framework is constructed using a bottom-up approach. Diverse open-source surveys and first principles models are used for end-use modeling. Extensive validation of the synthetic dataset has been conducted through comparisons with reported energy-use data. We present a detailed, open, high resolution, residential energy-use dataset for the United States.
Ketogenic diet for epilepsy control and enhancement in adaptive behavior
Authors: El-Rashidy Omnia Fathy , Nassar May Fouad , Shokair Wafaa Abdelwahab , El Gendy Yasmin Gamal Abdou
Published: February 2023

The Ketogenic Diet (KD) is gaining attention as a management line in childhood drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). The objective of this study was to highlight KD benefits for Ain Shams University (ASU) Children’s Hospital patients. This cross-sectional study included all patients at the Ketoclinic of ASU Children’s Hospital since it started. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory data were recorded. Chalfont severity score and daily frequency of epileptic attacks were used to evaluate KD efficacy. Vineland test was used to demonstrate the adaptive behavior of a selected group of patients. ASU Children’s Hospital Ketoclinic records included 143 patients. During KD therapy, the weight and height/length assessment showed significant increase with significant decrease in the severity of seizures and its frequency. There were no significant changes in the lipid profile of the patients. Vineland test showed significant improvement in the adaptive behavior in 65% of patients. The Ketoclinic data proves that KD is a tolerable, safe, and effective line of therapy for DRE in children without significant negative impact on their anthropometric measurements or lipid profile. Furthermore, the enhancement in adaptive behavior is a promising finding. It is prudent to recommend wider scale studies for longer duration to demonstrate additional cognitive benefits of KD in pediatric age group.
Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of Hesperetin nanocrystals for regenerative dentistry
Authors: Alipour Mahdieh , Sharifi Simin , Samiei Mohammad , Shahi Shahriar , Aghazadeh Marziyeh , Dizaj Solmaz Maleki
Published: February 2023

Hesperetin (HS), a metabolite of hesperidin, is a polyphenolic component of citrus fruits. This ingredient has a potential role in bone strength and the osteogenic differentiation. The bone loss in the orofacial region may occur due to the inflammation response of host tissues. Nanotechnology applications have been harshly entered the field of regenerative medicine to improve the efficacy of the materials and substances. In the current study, the hesperetin nanocrystals were synthesized and characterized. Then, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of these nanocrystals were evaluated on inflamed human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) and monocytes (U937). Moreover, the osteoinduction capacity of these nanocrystals was assessed by gene and protein expression levels of osteogenic specific markers including RUNX2, ALP, OCN, Col1a1, and BSP in hDPSCs. The deposition of calcium nodules in the presence of hesperetin and hesperetin nanocrystals was also assessed. The results revealed the successful fabrication of hesperetin nanocrystals with an average size of 100 nm. The levels of TNF, IL6, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inflamed hDPSCs and U937 significantly decreased in the presence of hesperetin nanocrystals. Furthermore, these nanocrystals induced osteogenic differentiation in hDPSCs. These results demonstrated the positive and effective role of fabricated nanocrystal forms of this natural ingredient for regenerative medicine purposes.