bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave-transparent metallic metamaterials for autonomous driving safety
Authors: Lee Eun-Joo , Kim Jun-Young , Kim Young-Bin , Kim Sun-Kyung
Published: May 2024

Maintaining the surface transparency of protective covers using transparent heaters in extreme weather is imperative for enhancing safety in autonomous driving. However, achieving both high transmittance and low sheet resistance, two key performance indicators for transparent heaters, is inherently challenging. Here, inspired by metamaterial design, we report microwave-transparent, low-sheet-resistance heaters for automotive radars. Ultrathin (approximately one ten-thousandth of the wavelength), electrically connected metamaterials on a millimetre-thick dielectric cover provide near-unity transmission at specific frequencies within the W band (75–110 GHz), despite their metal filling ratio exceeding 70 %. These metamaterials yield the desired phase delay to adjust Fabry–Perot resonance at each target frequency. Fabricated microwave-transparent heaters exhibit exceptionally low sheet resistance (0.41 ohm/sq), thereby heating the dielectric cover above 180 °C at a nominal bias of 3 V. Defrosting tests demonstrate their thermal capability to swiftly remove thin ice layers in sub-zero temperatures.
Nucleosomal DNA has topological memory
Authors: Segura Joana , Díaz-Ingelmo Ofelia , Martínez-García Belén , Ayats-Fraile Alba , Nikolaou Christoforos , Roca Joaquim
Published: May 2024

One elusive aspect of the chromosome architecture is how it constrains the DNA topology. Nucleosomes stabilise negative DNA supercoils by restraining a DNA linking number difference (∆Lk) of about −1.26. However, whether this capacity is uniform across the genome is unknown. Here, we calculate the ∆Lk restrained by over 4000 nucleosomes in yeast cells. To achieve this, we insert each nucleosome in a circular minichromosome and perform Topo-seq, a high-throughput procedure to inspect the topology of circular DNA libraries in one gel electrophoresis. We show that nucleosomes inherently restrain distinct ∆Lk values depending on their genomic origin. Nucleosome DNA topologies differ at gene bodies (∆Lk = −1.29), intergenic regions (∆Lk = −1.23), rDNA genes (∆Lk = −1.24) and telomeric regions (∆Lk = −1.07). Nucleosomes near the transcription start and termination sites also exhibit singular DNA topologies. Our findings demonstrate that nucleosome DNA topology is imprinted by its native chromatin context and persists when the nucleosome is relocated.
NSGAN: a non-dominant sorting optimisation-based generative adversarial design framework for alloy discovery
Authors: Li Z. , Birbilis N.
Published: May 2024

The design and discovery of new materials is fundamental to advancing scientific and technological innovation. The recent emergence of the materials genome concept holds great promise in revolutionising materials science by enabling the systematic utilisation of data for efficient prediction and optimisation of ‘superior’ materials. However, the materials genome approach can be stymied by the vast complexity of design spaces, which often demand substantial computational resources and sophisticated data processing capabilities. To address these challenges, this work introduces a generative design framework called the non-dominant sorting optimisation-based generative adversarial networks (NSGAN). Capitalising on the synergies of genetic algorithms (GA) and generative adversarial networks (GANs), NSGAN provides a robust and efficient approach for tackling high-dimensional multi-objective optimisation design problems. To validate the efficacy of the proposed framework, we applied the model to a comprehensive dataset of aluminium alloys. Additionally, an online tool was created as a supplementary resource, offering a brief introduction to this innovative method for the wider scientific community. This study explores the potential of a predictive and data-driven approach in material design, indicating a promising pathway for widespread applications in the field of materials science.
Complementary corrosion protection of cast AlSi7Mg0.3 alloy using Zr-Cr conversion and polyacrylic/siloxane-silica multilayer coatings
Authors: Rodič Peter , Kapun Barbara , Milošev Ingrid
Published: May 2024

Aluminium cast alloy AlSi7Mg0.3 is a lightweight metal commonly used in automotive, aeronautical and mechanical applications. It has good corrosion resistance but, under harsh operative conditions, would benefit from additional protection. In this study, a corrosion-protective multilayer coating system for AlSi7Mg0.3 based on hexafluoro-zirconated trivalent chromium coating (Zr-CrCC) and polyacrylic/siloxane-silica (PEHA-SS) coating was developed. The Zr-CrCC was formed by immersion of the substrate in a commercial conversion bath (SurTec® 650). PEHA-SS synthesis was based on organic precursors (2-ethylhexyl acrylate and [3-(methacryloyloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane) and an inorganic precursor, tetraethyl orthosilicate. After deposition on AlSi7Mg0.3, each coating was first characterised individually, followed by the analysis of the multilayer using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The adhesion of the coatings was evaluated with a cross-hatch cut test. The corrosion studies in sodium chloride solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray testing showed that the multilayer system is superior to individual Zr-CrCC and PEHA-SS coatings. After 4 months in 0.1 M NaCl, the multilayer-coated samples exhibited the impedance at 10 mHz in the range of GΩ cm2, while scribed samples withstood the corrosion attack in a salt spray chamber for one week. Thus, albeit only about 100 nm thick, the Zr-CrCC deposited between the substrate and a 9-micrometre thick barrier sol-gel PEHA-SS coating acts as an active corrosion protection interlayer and contributes to the overall protectiveness of the multilayer system.
Delayed fracture behavior of ultra-high-strength mooring chain steel evaluated by potentiostatic hydrogen-charging combined with SSRT
Authors: Wei Jiajiao , Hou Ke , Yang Feng , Chang Zhipeng , Li Ju , Shao Yunliang , Li Mengjia , Yu Xiaomei , Zheng Jinyou , Zhou Yutao , Yang Yongpeng , Ping Dehai , Liu Yong , Li Min , Li Songjie
Published: May 2024

The influence of hydrogen charging potentials on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of R6 ultra-high strength mooring chain steel was investigated via constant potential hydrogen charging slow strain rate tensile tests combined with thermal desorption analysis. The results reveal that hydrogen charging leads to a 38.94% decrease in elongation, while the impact on tensile strength is relatively minor. Furthermore, the specimens experienced intergranular cracking at the critical potential of −1150 mV, with the size of the brittle region increasing as the negative charging potential becomes more negative. And, hydrogen atoms can cause local embrittlement of materials and increase KAM value.
Nociceptor-immune interactomes reveal insult-specific immune signatures of pain
Authors: Jain Aakanksha , Gyori Benjamin M. , Hakim Sara , Jain Ashish , Sun Liang , Petrova Veselina , Bhuiyan Shamsuddin A. , Zhen Shannon , Wang Qing , Kawaguchi Riki , Bunga Samuel , Taub Daniel G. , Ruiz-Cantero M. Carmen , Tong-Li Candace , Andrews Nicholas , Kotoda Masakazu , Renthal William , Sorger Peter K. , Woolf Clifford J.
Published: May 2024

Inflammatory pain results from the heightened sensitivity and reduced threshold of nociceptor sensory neurons due to exposure to inflammatory mediators. However, the cellular and transcriptional diversity of immune cell and sensory neuron types makes it challenging to decipher the immune mechanisms underlying pain. Here we used single-cell transcriptomics to determine the immune gene signatures associated with pain development in three skin inflammatory pain models in mice: zymosan injection, skin incision and ultraviolet burn. We found that macrophage and neutrophil recruitment closely mirrored the kinetics of pain development and identified cell-type-specific transcriptional programs associated with pain and its resolution. Using a comprehensive list of potential interactions mediated by receptors, ligands, ion channels and metabolites to generate injury-specific neuroimmune interactomes, we also uncovered that thrombospondin-1 upregulated by immune cells upon injury inhibited nociceptor sensitization. This study lays the groundwork for identifying the neuroimmune axes that modulate pain in diverse disease contexts.
Investigated the role of community based approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development in Bale Mountains National Park, Southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Koricha Hussein Gena , Jemal Adem Mustafa
Published: May 2024

Community based conservation approaches are the holistic way to ensure appropriate biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in many protected areas across the world. However involvement of local community in conservation activities and benefit sharing in many protected areas are not well implemented. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of community based conservation approaches for biodiversity conservation and socio-economic development. To address the stated objectives, required data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. The result of the study revealed that parks provide various benefits for the local communities which are found in and adjacent to the park. Regarding perceived benefits from park, there was significant difference among community based association and non-community based association at (X2 = 92.071, df = 1, P < 0.05) while no significant difference was observed across kebeles. In spite of variation in perception among local community on park conservation, it was revealed that the communities contribute towards conservation of the park by controlling outbreak of fire and informing wildlife attack. Regarding strengths and weakness of community based conservation approaches as the finding indicated that internal factors out weight the external factors which imply that implementing the approaches is crucial for successful conservation of the park.
Experimental and numerical investigations of the water surface profile and wave extrema of supercritical flows in a narrow channel bend
Authors: Kadia Subhojit , Larsson I. A. Sofia , Billstein Mats , Lia Leif , Pummer Elena
Published: May 2024

Supercritical flows in channel bends, e.g., in steep streams, chute spillways, and flood and sediment bypass tunnels (SBTs), experience cross-waves, which undulate the free surface. The designs of these hydraulic structures and flood protection retaining structures in streams necessitate computing the locations and water depths of the wave extrema. This study numerically and experimentally investigates the water surface profiles along the sidewalls, the wave extrema flow depths, and their angular locations in a narrow channel bend model of the Solis SBT in Switzerland. The 0.2 m wide and 16.75 m long channel has a bend of 6.59 m radius and 46.5° angle of deviation. The tested flow conditions produced Froude numbers ≈ 2 and aspect ratios ranging from 1.14 to 1.83. Two-phase flow simulations were performed in OpenFOAM using the RNG k–ε turbulence closure model and the volume-of-fluid method. The simulated angular locations of the first wave extrema and the corresponding flow depths deviate marginally, within ± 6.3% and ± 2.1%, respectively, from the experimental observations, which signifies good predictions using the numerical model. Larger deviations, especially for the angular locations of the wave extrema, are observed for the existing analytical and empirical approaches. Therefore, the presented numerical approach is a suitable tool in designing the height of the hydraulic structures with bends and conveying supercritical flows. In the future, the model’s application shall be extended to the design of the height and location of retaining walls, embankments, and levees in steep natural streams with bends.
Reconstructing rodent brain signals during euthanasia with eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA)
Authors: Aqel Khitam , Wang Zhen , Peng Yuan B. , Maia Pedro D.
Published: May 2024

We accurately reconstruct the Local Field Potential time series obtained from anesthetized and awake rats, both before and during CO$$_2$$

2

euthanasia. We apply the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm to identify an underlying linear dynamical system capable of generating the observed data. Time series exhibiting more intricate dynamics typically lead to systems of higher dimensions, offering a means to assess the complexity of the brain throughout various phases of the experiment. Our results indicate that anesthetized brains possess complexity levels similar to awake brains before CO$$_2$$

2

administration. This resemblance undergoes significant changes following euthanization, as signals from the awake brain display a more resilient complexity profile, implying a state of heightened neuronal activity or a last fight response during the euthanasia process. In contrast, anesthetized brains seem to enter a more subdued state early on. Our data-driven techniques can likely be applied to a broader range of electrophysiological recording modalities.
Construction of attapulgite decorated cetylpyridinium bromide/cellulose acetate composite beads for removal of Cr (VI) ions with emphasis on mechanistic insights
Authors: Abd El-Monaem Eman M. , Omer Ahmed M. , Hamad Hesham A. , Eltaweil Abdelazeem S.
Published: May 2024

Eco-friendly and renewable composite beads were constructed for efficient adsorptive removal of Cr (VI) ions. Attapulgite (ATP) clay decorated with cetylpyridinium bromide (CPBr) was impregnated into cellulose acetate (CA) beads, which were formulated through a simple and cost-effective solvent-exchange approach. FTIR, XRD, SEM, Zeta potential, and XPS characterization tools verified the successful formation of ATP–CPBr@CA beads. The composite beads displayed a spherical and porous shape with a positively charged surface (26.6 mV) at pH 2. In addition, higher adsorption performance was accomplished by ATP–CPBr@CA composite beads with ease of separation compared to their components. Meanwhile, equilibrium isotherms pointed out that the Langmuir model was optimal for describing the adsorption process of Cr (VI) with a maximal adsorption capacity of 302 mg/g. Moreover, the D–R isotherm model verified the physical adsorption process, while adsorption data obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Further, XPS results hypothesized that the removal mechanism involves adsorption via electrostatic interactions, redox reaction, and co-precipitation. Interestingly, the ATP–CPBr@CA composite beads reserved tolerable adsorption characteristics with a maximum removal present exceeding 70% after reuse for seven successive cycles, proposing its feasible applicability as a reusable and easy-separable candidate for removing heavy metals from aquatic bodies.
Using the FIB-4, automatically calculated, followed by the ELF test in second line to screen primary care patients for liver disease
Authors: Ouzan Denis , Penaranda G. , Jlaiel M. , Joly H. , Corneille J.
Published: May 2024

The objective of our work was to evaluate the screening of hepatic fibrosis in primary care using the FIB-4 score, automatically calculated. When the FIB-4 was ≥ 1.3, it was defined as positive, and ELF Test was performed. FIB-4 positivity was confirmed when ELF Test was ≥ 9.8 indicating an advanced fibrosis. Among the 3427 patients included, 869 (25%) had a positive FIB-4 score, 784 (22.5%) at intermediate (FIB-4: 1.3–2.67), and 85 (2.5%) at high risk of fibrosis (FIB-4 > 2.67). 509 (59%) of the FIB-4 positive were confirmed by the ELF Test. The percentage of confirmation was significantly higher in patients over 65 years (83 vs. 57%), with FIB-4 > 2.67 (80 vs. 56%), BMI > 25 (47 vs. 37%), and diabetes (24 vs. 14%), p = 0.001). In patients without known liver disease (92%), the practitioner identified a cause of disease in 27% of cases: mainly NAFLD and alcohol. Liver fibrosis was suspected on FIB-4 in 25% of patients in primary care. The ELF Test, performed as a second-line, improves the screening of liver fibrosis, particularly for FIB-4 intermediate results. A positive FIB-4 test allows physicians to recognize a liver disease, providing an opportunity for timely intervention.

Clinical trial registration: Comité de protection des personnes du sud-ouest et outre-mer SI18.00832.201865-MS04-IDRCB 2018-A01571-54.
ClinicalGAN: powering patient monitoring in clinical trials with patient digital twins
Authors: Chandra Shantanu , Prakash P. K. S. , Samanta Subhrajit , Chilukuri Srinivas
Published: May 2024

Conducting clinical trials is becoming increasingly challenging lately due to spiraling costs, increased time to market, and high failure rates. Patient recruitment and retention is one of the key challenges that impact 90% of the trials directly. While a lot of attention has been given to optimizing patient recruitment, limited progress has been made towards developing comprehensive clinical trial monitoring systems to determine patients at risk and potentially improve patient retention through the right intervention at the right time. Earlier research in patient retention primarily focused on using deterministic frameworks to model the inherently stochastic patient journey process. Existing generative approaches to model temporal data such as TimeGAN or CRBM , face challenges and fail to address key requirements such as personalized generation, variable patient journey, and multi-variate time-series needed to model patient digital twin. In response to these challenges, current research proposes ClinicalGAN to enable patient level generation, effectively creating a patient’s digital twin. ClinicalGAN provides capabilities for: (a) patient-level personalized generation by utilizing patient meta-data for conditional generation; (b) dynamic termination prediction to enable pro-active patient monitoring for improved patient retention; (c) multi-variate time-series training to incorporate relationship and dependencies among different tests measures captured during patient journey. The proposed solution is validated on two Alzheimer’s clinical trial datasets and the results are benchmarked across multiple dimensions of generation quality. Empirical results demonstrate that the proposed ClinicalGAN outperforms the SOTA approach by 3–4$$\times $$
×
on average across all the generation quality metrics. Furthermore, the proposed architecture is shown to outperform predictive methods at the task of drop-off prediction significantly (5–10% MAPE scores).
An improved IPT-PLL technology for single-phase grid-connected inverters in complex power grid conditions
Authors: Tao Zhang , Dezhi Dong
Published: May 2024

Aiming at the common problems of frequency variations and harmonics in complex power grids, an improved inverse Park transform phase locked loop (IPT-PLL) technology for single-phase converters suitable for micro grid systems is proposed. Firstly, in the phase detection of PLL, the α component of Park transformation is selected as the reference voltage, and its orthogonal component is constructed using a 1/4 fundamental period delay method. Secondly, Lagrange interpolation polynomials are introduced to approximate fractional delay to solve the problem of delay calculation errors caused by frequency changes. Thirdly, in order to compensate for the poor ability of traditional proportional integral (PI) regulators, multi resonant controllers are superimposed to suppress low order harmonic disturbances. Finally, the design method and system performance of the PI regulator and each resonant controller are analyzed theoretically. The experimental results show that the proposed improved IPT-PLL method has strong adaptability to complex power grids. It can significantly improve the tracking performance of power grid frequency, suppress the interference of low order harmonics and DC bias. And it has good dynamic and static performance.
Analyzing attempt and success factors for amputated digit replantation in Japan using the diagnosis procedure combination database
Authors: Hamada Daishi , Suzuki Hitoshi , Muramatsu Keiji , Zenke Yukichi , Kawasaki Makoto , Fushimi Kiyohide , Matsuda Shinya , Sakai Akinori
Published: May 2024

The number of amputated finger replantation has declined in the USA and Germany in recent years; however, there have been no reports on recent trends in Japan. We examined the current practices, attempts, and success factors of digit replantation in Japan. We hypothesized that the rates of digit replantation and success rates were consistently standardized in Japan. The diagnosis procedure combination database was used to analyze 14004 cases from April 2014 to March 2020, excluding multiple-digit amputations, thus focusing on 13484 patients. We evaluated replantation success rates and identified factors influencing replantation decisions using multiple logistic regression analysis. The key findings included a higher frequency of replantation in thumb cases and surgeries during overtime hours, on Sundays, and in educational institutions. Success rates were notably higher for thumb replantations and patients under 20 years of age. Patients over 65 years of age treated with urokinase showed higher failure rates, unrelated to regional or hospital case volumes. The number of amputated digit replantation surgeries in Japan was high during overtime hours, on Sundays, and in educational institutions. Region, hospital type, and hospital case volume were not associated with a low success rate across Japan.
Adaptive sparse attention-based compact transformer for object tracking
Authors: Pan Fei , Zhao Lianyu , Wang Chenglin
Published: May 2024

The Transformer-based Siamese networks have excelled in the field of object tracking. Nevertheless, a notable limitation persists in their reliance on ResNet as backbone, which lacks the capacity to effectively capture global information and exhibits constraints in feature representation. Furthermore, these trackers struggle to effectively attend to target-relevant information within the search region using multi-head self-attention (MSA). Additionally, they are prone to robustness challenges during online tracking and tend to exhibit significant model complexity. To address these limitations, We propose a novel tracker named ASACTT, which includes a backbone network, feature fusion network and prediction head. First, we improve the Swin-Transformer-Tiny to enhance its global information extraction capabilities. Second, we propose an adaptive sparse attention (ASA) to focus on target-specific details within the search region. Third, we leverage position encoding and historical candidate data to develop a dynamic template updater (DTU), which ensures the preservation of the initial frame’s integrity while gracefully adapting to variations in the target’s appearance. Finally, we optimize the network model to maintain accuracy while minimizing complexity. To verify the effectiveness of our proposed tracker, ASACTT, experiments on five benchmark datasets demonstrated that the proposed tracker was highly comparable to other state-of-the-art methods. Notably, in the GOT-10K1 evaluation, our tracker achieved an outstanding success score of 75.3% at 36 FPS, significantly surpassing other trackers with comparable model parameters.
Bio-distribution and toxicity potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Huang Ying , Hao Xiaofang , Lin Zhi , Li Lulu , Jiang Hua , Zhang Hezhan , Geng Xingchao , Zhu Hao , Wen Hairuo
Published: May 2024

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated promising advantages in the therapies of many diseases, while its multi-directional differentiation potential and immunotoxicity are the major concerns hindered their clinical translation. In this study, human umbilical Mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSCs) were labeled with a near-infrared fluorescent dye DiR before infused into cynomolgus monkeys, and the amount of hUC-MSCs in the peripheral blood were dynamically estimated from 5 min to 28 days post a single administration at 3 × 106 cells/kg and 2 × 107 cells/kg intravenously. As results, some hUC-MSCs distributed to the whole body within 5 min, while most of the cells accumulate in the lungs along with the systemic blood circulation, and subsequently released into the blood. The toxicity potentials of hUC-MSCs were investigated in another 30 cynomolgus monkeys, and the cells were repeatedly administrated at doses of 3 × 106 cells/kg and 2 × 107 cells/kg for 5 times on a weekly basis, with a recovery period of 1 months. hUC-MSCs showed no obvious toxic effects in cynomolgus monkeys, except xenogeneic immune rejection to human stem cells. Low levels of the hUC-MSC gene were detected in the peripheral blood of a few animals administered 2 × 107 cells/kg at 30 min subsequent to the first and last administration, and there was no significant difference in the copy number of the hUC-MSC gene in the blood samples compared with the first and last administration, indicating that the hUC-MSC was not significantly amplified in vivo, and it its safe in non-human primates. Our study for the first time verified the safety of long-term use of hUC-MSCs in primates. We have pioneered a technology for the real-time detection of hUC-MSCs in peripheral blood and provide dynamicand rapid monitoring of the distribution characteristics of hUC-MSCs in vivo. Here, we provide data supporting the application of such products for clinical treatment and the application of stem cells in major refractory diseases and regenerative medicine.
The importance of developmental assets in HIV prevention behaviors among young black men who have sex with men (MSM)
Authors: Boyd Donte T. , Harris Orlando O. , Abu-Ba’are Gamji Rabiu , Nelson LaRon , Wilton Leo
Published: May 2024

Developmental assets are critical to the health and wellbeing of youth. The current study examines the influence of developmental assets on PrEP use and HIV testing among YBMSM ages 18–24. Using a cross-sectional survey of YBMSM (N = 225), this study explored the role of external (e.g., family support, other adult support) and internal (e.g., personal responsibility) assets in explaining HIV prevention behaviors. Participants were recruited from Mechanical Turk (M-Turk) internet-based platform, social media sites, and community-based organizations. A path analysis was conducted to investigate the direct/indirect effects of internal and external assets on PrEP use and HIV testing. Family support (β = 0.40, p < 0.001) and other adult support (β = 0.22, p = 0.004) were both associated with personal responsibility. Personal Responsibility (β = 0.15, p = 0.03) and positive identity (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) were both associated with an increase HIV testing. Personal responsibility was positively associated with increased PrEP use (β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Our study results indicated that external assets play a role in helping to build internal assets that support increased HIV testing and PrEP use among YBMSM. Our findings suggest the need for strength-based interventions that help YBMSM build assets and increase HIV prevention behaviors.
The significance of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using time-SLIP MRI
Authors: Tomita Yusuke , Yagi Mitsuru , Seki Fumiko , Komaki Yuji , Suzuki Satoshi , Watanabe Kota , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya
Published: May 2024

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects approximately 3% of the global population. Recent studies have drawn attention to abnormalities in the dynamics of the CSF as potential contributors. This research aims to employ the Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse (Time-SLIP) MRI to assess and analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in AIS patients. 101 AIS patients underwent Time-SLIP MRI. Images were taken at the mid-cervical and craniocervical junction regions. The sum of the maximum movement distances of CSF on the ventral and dorsal sides of the spinal canal within a single timeframe was defined and measured as Travel Distance (TD). Correlations between TD, age, Cobb angle, and Risser grade were analyzed. TD comparisons were made across Lenke classifications. TD for all patients was a weak correlation with the Cobb angle (r = − 0.16). Comparing TD between Lenke type 1 and 5, type 5 patients display significantly shorter TD (p < 0.05). In Risser5 patients with Lenke type 5 showed a significant negative correlation between Cobb angle and TD (r = − 0.44). Lenke type 5 patients had significantly shorter CSF TD compared to type1, correlating with worsening Cobb angles. Further analysis and exploration are required to understand the mechanism of onset and progression.
Early-pregnancy N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level is inversely associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy diagnosed after 35 weeks of gestation
Authors: Takahashi Masaya , Suzuki Luka , Takahashi Nanase , Hanaue Mayu , Soda Masahiro , Miki Tamito , Tateyama Naoko , Ishihara Shiro , Koshiishi Taro
Published: May 2024

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are among the major causes of high maternal and fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with HDP have significantly elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels at diagnosis; however, the NT-proBNP levels during early pregnancy are largely unknown. This study aimed to validate the association between HDP and NT-proBNP levels. This retrospective study evaluated 103 pregnant women who developed HDP diagnosed after 35 weeks of gestation and 667 who did not. The HDP group had significantly lower early-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels than the without HDP group. However, the two groups did not significantly differ in terms of the late-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, body mass index, parity, and blood pressure levels, high early-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels were associated with a lower HDP risk. Early-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels ≥ 60.5 pg/mL had a negative predictive value of 97.0% for ruling out HDP, with a sensitivity of 87.4% and specificity of 62.5%. In conclusion, elevated early-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels were associated with a lower HDP risk. Moreover, a cutoff point of ≥ 60.5 pg/mL for early-pregnancy NT-proBNP levels had a high negative predictive value and sensitivity for ruling out HDP. These findings can provide new clinical implications.
Quantification of cerebrospinal fluid tumor DNA in lung cancer patients with suspected leptomeningeal carcinomatosis
Authors: Azad Tej D. , Nanjo Shigeki , Jin Michael C. , Chabon Jacob J. , Kurtz David M. , Chaudhuri Aadel A. , Connolly Ian D. , Hui Angela Bik-Yu , Liu Chih Long , Merriott David , Ko Ryan , Yoo Christopher , Carter Justin , Chen Emily , Bonilla Rene , Hata Akito , Katakami Nobuyuki , Irie Kei , Yano Seiji , Okimoto Ross , Bivona Trever G. , Newman Aaron M. , Iv Michael , Nagpal Seema , Gephart Melanie Hayden , Alizadeh Ash A. , Diehn Maximilian
Published: May 2024

Cerebrospinal fluid tumor-derived DNA (CSF-tDNA) analysis is a promising approach for monitoring the neoplastic processes of the central nervous system. We applied a lung cancer-specific sequencing panel (CAPP-Seq) to 81 CSF, blood, and tissue samples from 24 lung cancer patients who underwent lumbar puncture (LP) for suspected leptomeningeal disease (LMD). A subset of the cohort (N = 12) participated in a prospective trial of osimertinib for refractory LMD in which serial LPs were performed before and during treatment. CSF-tDNA variant allele fractions (VAFs) were significantly higher than plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) VAFs (median CSF-tDNA, 32.7%; median plasma ctDNA, 1.8%; P < 0.0001). Concentrations of tumor DNA in CSF and plasma were positively correlated (Spearman’s ρ, 0.45; P = 0.03). For LMD diagnosis, cytology was 81.8% sensitive and CSF-tDNA was 91.7% sensitive. CSF-tDNA was also strongly prognostic for overall survival (HR = 7.1; P = 0.02). Among patients with progression on targeted therapy, resistance mutations, such as EGFR T790M and MET amplification, were common in peripheral blood but were rare in time-matched CSF, indicating differences in resistance mechanisms based on the anatomic compartment. In the osimertinib cohort, patients with CNS progression had increased CSF-tDNA VAFs at follow-up LP. Post-osimertinib CSF-tDNA VAF was strongly prognostic for CNS progression (HR = 6.2, P = 0.009). Detection of CSF-tDNA in lung cancer patients with suspected LMD is feasible and may have clinical utility. CSF-tDNA improves the sensitivity of LMD diagnosis, enables improved prognostication, and drives therapeutic strategies that account for spatial heterogeneity in resistance mechanisms.
CRISPR/Cas13a-based supersensitive circulating tumor DNA assay for detecting EGFR mutations in plasma
Authors: Wang Li , Wen Xiaosha , Yang Yang , Hu Zheng , Jiang Jing , Duan Lili , Liao Xiaofen , He Yan , Liu Yaru , Wang Jing , Liang Zhikun , Zhu Xiaoya , Liu Quan , Liu Tiancai , Luo Dixian
Published: May 2024

Despite recent technological advancements in cell tumor DNA (ctDNA) mutation detection, challenges persist in identifying low-frequency mutations due to inadequate sensitivity and coverage of current procedures. Herein, we introduce a super-sensitivity and specificity technique for detecting ctDNA mutations, named HiCASE. The method utilizes PCR-based CRISPR, coupled with the restriction enzyme. In this work, HiCASE focuses on testing a series of EGFR mutations to provide enhanced detection technology for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), enabling a detection sensitivity of 0.01% with 40 ng cell free DNA standard. When applied to a panel of 140 plasma samples from 120 NSCLC patients, HiCASE exhibits 88.1% clinical sensitivity and 100% specificity with 40 μL of plasma, higher than ddPCR and Super-ARMS assay. In addition, HiCASE can also clearly distinguish T790M/C797S mutations in different positions at a 1% variant allele frequency, offering valuable guidance for drug utilization. Indeed, the established HiCASE assay shows potential for clinical applications.
Anisotropic charge transport at the metallic edge contact of ReS2 field effect transistors
Authors: Park Hyokwang , Lee Myeongjin , Wang Xinbiao , Ali Nasir , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Hwang Euyheon , Yoo Won Jong
Published: May 2024

The in-plane anisotropy of electrical conductance in two-dimensional materials has garnered significant attention due to its potential in emerging device applications, offering an additional dimension to control carrier transport in 2D devices. However, previous research has primarily focused on the anisotropy within electrical channel, neglecting the significant impact of anisotropic electrical contacts of 2D materials. Here, we investigate anisotropic charge transport at the metal contacts of hBN-encapsulated ReS2 using edge-contacted Field Effect Transistors. We observed the marked difference in contact resistance between the cross-b and b directions, suggesting that charge transport from the metal to ReS2 is more efficient along the b direction. This difference in efficiency results in a substantial contact anisotropy, reaching ~70 at 77 K. Our findings indicate that the measured Schottky Barrier Height along the b direction is ~35 meV, which is smaller than along the cross-b direction. Moreover, the tunneling probability along the b direction is two times larger than along the cross-b direction. Our results indicate that both Schottky Barrier Height and tunneling amplitude are the primary contributors to the high contact anisotropy of ReS2. This work provides a valuable guideline for understanding how in-plane orientation influences charge transport at metallic contacts in 2D devices.
A systematic exploration of bacterial form I rubisco maximal carboxylation rates
Authors: de Pins Benoit , Greenspoon Lior , Bar-On Yinon M , Shamshoum Melina , Ben-Nissan Roee , Milshtein Eliya , Davidi Dan , Sharon Itai , Mueller-Cajar Oliver , Noor Elad , Milo Ron
Published: May 2024

Autotrophy is the basis for complex life on Earth. Central to this process is rubisco—the enzyme that catalyzes almost all carbon fixation on the planet. Yet, with only a small fraction of rubisco diversity kinetically characterized so far, the underlying biological factors driving the evolution of fast rubiscos in nature remain unclear. We conducted a high-throughput kinetic characterization of over 100 bacterial form I rubiscos, the most ubiquitous group of rubisco sequences in nature, to uncover the determinants of rubisco’s carboxylation velocity. We show that the presence of a carboxysome CO2 concentrating mechanism correlates with faster rubiscos with a median fivefold higher rate. In contrast to prior studies, we find that rubiscos originating from α-cyanobacteria exhibit the highest carboxylation rates among form I enzymes (≈10 s−1 median versus <7 s−1 in other groups). Our study systematically reveals biological and environmental properties associated with kinetic variation across rubiscos from nature.
A D–π–A-type ratiometric fluorescent probe to detect polarity changes and inhibition effect during ferroptosis
Authors: Mehmood Abdul Hadi , Chang Jia , Wang Yan , Li Shijing , Ma Jiale , Dong Baoli , Liu Hong
Published: May 2024

To thoroughly understand ferroptosis's biological functions in living cells, it is crucial to investigate the polarity variations that occur during this unique Fe(ii)-facilitated oxidative type of cell death.
A hierarchical CoSx/Ni(OH)2 heterostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for urea-assisted energy-efficient hydrogen production
Authors: Sang Bin , Xue Chaozhuang , Guo Songyun , Wng Xiaojun , Xie Shuixiang , Wang Changming , Li Rui-Qing
Published: May 2024

Hierarchical CoSx/Ni(OH)2/NF heterostructured nanorods exhibit bifunctional catalytic performance for the HER and UOR and achieve energy-efficient hydrogen production due to amorphous Ni(OH)2 and synergistic effect.
Quinoline-based tetrazolium prochelators: formazan release, iron sequestration, and antiproliferative efficacy in cancer cells
Authors: Sung Yu-Shien , Tomat Elisa
Published: May 2024

Quinoline-based tetrazolium cations undergo intracellular reduction/activation to release formazan chelators, which cause iron deprivation and apoptosis at submicromolar concentrations in cancer cells.
Crystal engineering for intramolecular π–π stacking: effect of substitution of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on the molecular geometry in conformationally flexible Sulfoesters and sulfonamides
Authors: Shaikh Samir R. , Gawade Rupesh L. , Dabke Niteen B. , Dash Soumya R. , Vanka Kumar , Gonnade Rajesh G.
Published: May 2024

The placing of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups at the para position of the benzene revealed sulfoesters preferably adopts a syn geometry facilitating the intramolecular π-stacking, but sulphonamides takes midway or anti-geometry.
Separation of CO2/CH4 gas mixtures using nanoporous graphdiyne and boron-graphdiyne membranes: influence of the pore size
Authors: Mahnaee Sahar , López María J. , Alonso Julio A.
Published: May 2024

Pore and molecular sizes determine the permeability and selectivity for gas mixture separation. Therefore, GDY exhibits great selectivity for CO2/CH4 mixtures.
Revolutionizing cancer therapy using tetrahedral DNA nanostructures as intelligent drug delivery systems
Authors: Sharma Ayushi , Vaswani Payal , Bhatia Dhiraj
Published: May 2024

DNA nanostructures have surfaced as intriguing entities with vast potential in biomedicine, notably in the drug delivery area.
Graphene quantum dot surface ligand and Co and Pt double-doping-engineered Co/Co3O4 nanozyme displaying superior performance to horseradish peroxidase and choline oxidase for the efficient degradation of rhodamine B without an activator
Authors: Li Nana , Li Ruiyi , Li Zaijun , Liu Xiaohao
Published: May 2024

Nanozymes show great potential in organic degradation because of their good stability and low cost.
Bayesian optimization of glycopolymer structures for the interaction with cholera toxin B subunit
Authors: Nagao Masanori , Nakahara Osuke , Zhou Xincheng , Matsumoto Hikaru , Miura Yoshiko
Published: May 2024

The optimal structure of synthetic glycopolymers for GM1 mimetics was determined through Bayesian optimization.
CRISPR/Cas12a antifouling nanocomposite electrochemical biosensors enable amplification-free detection of Monkeypox virus in complex biological fluids
Authors: Lee Jeong-Chan , Ryu Seuk-Min , Lee YongJin , Jang Hyowon , Song Jayeon , Kang Taejoon , Lee Kwan Hyi , Park Steve
Published: May 2024

We introduce multiple crRNA-based nucleic acid detection for POC testing, leveraging the enhanced sensitivity and antifouling properties of the nanocomposite electrochemical sensor.
SNAr as a facile method to prepare polystyrene-grafted conjugated copolymers with enhanced photoluminescence properties
Authors: Rimmele Martina , Marsh Adam V. , Rapley Charlotte L. , Al-Amoudi Ashraf , Heeney Martin
Published: May 2024

SNAr allows the preparation of graft copolymers in one additional step after polymerisation only, and moreover grafting with polystyrene enhances the emissive properties of the resulting graft copolymers in the solid state.
Expression of concern: Promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of reduced graphene oxide-metal oxide (RGO-NiO, RGO-AgO, and RGO-ZnO) nanocomposites
Authors: Elbasuney Sherif , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Tantawy Hesham , Hashem Amr H.
Published: May 2024

Expression of concern for ‘Promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of reduced graphene oxide-metal oxide (RGO-NiO, RGO-AgO, and RGO-ZnO) nanocomposites’ by Sherif Elbasuney et al., RSC Adv., 2021, 11, 25961–25975, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA04542C.
Engineered solid-state aggregates in brickwork stacks of n-type organic semiconductors: a way to achieve high electron mobility
Authors: Giri Indrajit , Chhetri Shant , John P. Jesslyn , Mondal Madalasa , Dey Arka Bikash , Vijayaraghavan Ratheesh K.
Published: May 2024

Superior supramolecular packing and thereby efficient electron transport in economically viable n-type organic semiconductor materials suitable for solution-processed OFET devices yield high electron mobility and ambient stability.
Photolysis-driven bond activation by thorium and uranium tetraosmate polyhydride complexes
Authors: Ye Christopher Z. , Del Rosal Iker , Kelly Sheridon N. , Brackbill I. Joseph , Maron Laurent , Camp Clément , Arnold John
Published: May 2024

We report the synthesis of actinide–osmium polyhydrides and demonstrate their ability to promote photo-induced intra- and intermolecular C–H activation.
Report on the 18th International Conference on Endothelin, October 11th - 14th 2023
Authors: Cardillo Carmine
Published: May 2024

The 18th International Conference on Endothelin, co-organized by the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Endothelin and the Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, was held in Rome, Italy, on October 11th-14th, 2023. More than 100 attendees from all over the world participated in the conference, including trainees, early-career and established investigators from several European countries (Italy, France, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, the Czech Republic), USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, China, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
AGN populations in the local Universe: Their alignment with the main sequence, stellar population characteristics, accretion efficiency, and the impact of AGN feedback
Authors: Mountrichas G. , Ruiz A. , Georgantopoulos I. , Pouliasis E. , Akylas A. , Drigga E.
Published: May 2024

In this study, we used a sample of 338 galaxies – within the redshift range of 0.02 < z < 0.1 drawn from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) – for which there are available classifications based on their emission line ratios. We identified and selected Compton-thick (CT) AGN through the use of X-ray and infrared luminosities at 12 μm. We constructed the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for all sources and fit them using the CIGALE code to derive properties related to both the AGN and host galaxies. Employing stringent criteria to ensure the reliability of SED measurements, our final sample comprises 14 CT AGN, 118 Seyfert 2 (Sy2), 82 composite, and 124 low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINER) galaxies. Our analysis reveals that, irrespective of their classification, the majority of the sources lie below the star-forming main sequence (MS). Additionally, a lower level of AGN activity is associated with a closer positioning to the MS. Using the Dn4000 spectral index as a proxy for the age of stellar populations, we observe that, compared to other AGN classes, LINERs exhibit the oldest stellar populations. Conversely, CT sources are situated in galaxies with the youngest stellar populations. Furthermore, LINER and composite galaxies tend to show the lowest accretion efficiency, while CT AGN, on average, display the most efficient accretion among the four AGN populations. Our findings are consistent with a scenario in which the different AGN populations might not originate from the same AGN activity burst. Early triggers in gas-rich environments can create high-accretion-rate supermassive black holes (SMBHs), leading to a progression from CT to Sy2, while later triggers in gas-poor stages result in low-accretion-rate SMBHs like those found in LINERs.
Source of the Fe Kα emission in T Tauri stars
Authors: Gómez de Castro Ana I. , Antonicci Anna , Carlos Vallejo Juan
Published: May 2024

Context. T Tauri stars (TTSs) are magnetically active stars that accrete matter from the inner border of the surrounding accretion disk; plasma becomes trapped into the large-scale magnetic structures and falls onto the star, heating the surface through the so-called accretion shocks. The X-ray spectra of the TTSs show prominent Fe Kα fluorescence emission at 6.4 keV (hereafter, Fe Kα emission) that cannot be explained in a pure accretion scenario because its excitation requires significantly more energy than the maximum available through the well-constrained free-fall velocity. Neither can it be produced by the hot coronal plasma.

Aims. TTSs display all signs of magnetic activity, and magnetic reconnection events are expected to occur frequently. In these events, electrons may become accelerated to relativistic speeds, and their interaction with the environmental matter may result in Fe Kα emission. It is the aim of this work to evaluate the expected Fe Kα emission in the context of the TTS research and compare it with the actual Fe Kα measurements obtained during the flare detected while monitoring RY Tau with the XMM-Newton satellite.

Methods. The propagation of high-energy electrons in dense gas generates a cascade of secondary particles that results in an electron shower of random nature, whose evolution and radiative throughput was simulated in this work using the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE. A set of conditions representing the environment of the TTSs where these showers may impinge was taken into account to generate a grid of models that can aid the interpretation of the data.

Results. The simulations show that the electron beams produce a hot spot at the point of impact; strong Fe Kα emission and X-ray continuum radiation are produced by the spot. This emission is compatible with RY Tau observations.

Conclusions. The Fe Kα emission observed in TTSs could be produced by beams of relativistic electrons accelerated in magnetic reconnection events during flares.