bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Das Potenzial des informellen Lernens am Arbeitsplatz
Authors: Decius Julian
Published: August 2024

Zusammenfassung: Informelles Lernen am Arbeitsplatz gilt als die am weitesten verbreitete arbeitsbezogene Lernform. Es zeichnet sich unter anderem dadurch aus, dass es nicht institutionell organisiert ist, integriert in alltägliche Arbeitsprozesse vorkommt und durch arbeitsbezogene Herausforderungen und Probleme ausgelöst wird. Typische informelle Lernaktivitäten sind das Experimentieren mit eigenen Lösungswegen, der Erfahrungsaustausch und das Einholen von Feedback sowie die Reflexion der eigenen Arbeit. Der vorliegende Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Forschung zum arbeitsbezogenen informellen Lernen. Dazu werden verschiedene theoretische Perspektiven auf informelles Lernen dargestellt, informelles Lernen von formalem, non-formalem und selbstreguliertem Lernen abgegrenzt, sowie Möglichkeiten und Herausforderungen der Operationalisierung diskutiert. Eine Darstellung der bisherigen Erkenntnisse zu Antezedenzien und Ergebnissen des informellen Lernens bildet die Grundlage für die Nennung praktischer Implikationen für Mitarbeitende, Führungskräfte und Personaler_innen. Theoretische, methodische und empirische Forschungsdesiderate werden im Rahmen einer zukünftigen Forschungsagenda präsentiert.
Simulation of Water Isotopes in Combustion‐Derived Vapor Emissions in Winter
Authors: Yang Yan , Yoshimura Kei
Published: August 2024

With urbanization, anthropogenic water vapor emissions have become a significant component of the urban atmosphere. Fossil fuel combustion‐derived vapor (CDV) is a primary source of these emissions. Owing to the notably low CDV d‐excess, stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes are promising for distinguishing CDV from natural sources. Considering the limitations of in situ observations, this study aims to explore the feasibility of using IsoRSM, an isotopically enabled regional atmospheric model, to simulate CDV emissions in urban areas in winter. Two experiments were conducted: one in Salt Lake City (SLC) in January 2017 and another in Beijing in January 2007. The simulation results showed that the CDV addition significantly reduced the water vapor d‐excess, particularly when the boundary layer was stable. The simulation with CDV emissions aligned better with the time series of in situ observations in SLC. The modification led to a more pronounced positive correlation between vapor d‐excess and specific humidity, which was similar to the observation of SLC. The CDV inclusion significantly increased the vapor d‐excess variability with varying wind directions in both sites. However, in Beijing, the underestimation of d‐excess variation from natural sources caused a bigger discrepancy between the observed and simulated d‐excess and CDV fraction. Thus, though there were still biases, the inclusion of CDV could improve the accuracy of isotopic simulation in the urban regions where CDV was one of the controlling factors of vapor d‐excess.
Hot Tropical Temperatures During the Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum Revealed by Paired In Situ δ13C and Mg/Ca Measurements on Individual Planktic Foraminifer Shells
Authors: Kozdon Reinhard , Kelly D. Clay
Published: August 2024

The Paleocene‐Eocene thermal maximum (PETM, 56 Ma) is an ancient global warming event closely coupled to the release of massive amounts of 13C‐depleted carbon into the ocean‐atmosphere system, making it an informative analogue for future climate change. However, uncertainty still exists regarding tropical sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) in open ocean settings during the PETM. Here, we present the first paired δ13C:Mg/Ca record derived in situ from relatively well‐preserved subdomains inside individual planktic foraminifer shells taken from a PETM record recovered in the central Pacific Ocean at Ocean Drilling Program Site 865. The δ13C signature of each individual shell was used to confirm calcification during the PETM, thereby reducing the unwanted effects of sediment mixing that secondarily smooth paleoclimate signals constructed with fossil planktic foraminifer shells. This method of “isotopic screening” reveals that shells calcified during the PETM have elevated Mg/Ca ratios reflecting exceptionally warm tropical SSTs (∼33–34°C). The increase in Mg/Ca ratios suggests ∼6°C of warming, which is more congruent with SST estimates derived from organic biomarkers in PETM records at other tropical sites. These extremely warm SSTs exceed the maximum temperature tolerances of modern planktic foraminifers. Important corollaries to the findings of this study are (a) the global signature of PETM warmth was uniformly distributed across different latitudes, (b) our Mg/Ca‐based SST record may not capture peak PETM warming at tropical Site 865 due to the thermally‐induced ecological exclusion of planktic foraminifers, and (c) the record of such transitory ecological exclusion has been obfuscated by post‐depositional sediment mixing at Site 865.
Ancient Pines Could Reveal the Heat of Thousands of Past Seasons
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: August 2024

A novel 3D CT scan approach unlocks temperature records preserved in the gnarled wood of bristlecone pines.
Seasonal Emergence and Circulation Coupling of Moist Layers Over the Tropical Atlantic
Authors: Prange Marc , Stevens Bjorn , Buehler Stefan A.
Published: August 2024

Mid‐tropospheric elevated moist layers (EMLs) near the melting level have been found in various regional observational studies in the tropics. Recently, a preponderance of EMLs in the presence of aggregated convection was found in cloud resolving simulations of radiative convective equilibrium (RCE), highlighting a significant circulation coupling. Here, we present global monthly EML occurrence rates based on reanalysis, yielding a broader view on where and when EMLs occur in the real world. Over the Atlantic, EML occurrence follows a seasonal cycle that maximizes in summer, aligning with maximized ITCZ intensity and organization. Resembling the results in RCE, the large‐scale circulation over the Atlantic shifts from a deep overturning in January to a bottom‐heavy circulation in July. While EMLs embedded in the July cross‐equatorial Hadley cell are found to be sourced from the ITCZ, EMLs north of the ITCZ emerge from the strongly sheared zonal flow over West Africa.
Reactive Nitrogen Partitioning Enhances the Contribution of Canadian Wildfire Plumes to US Ozone Air Quality
Authors: Lin Meiyun , Horowitz Larry W. , Hu Lu , Permar Wade
Published: August 2024

Quantifying the variable impacts of wildfire smoke on ozone air quality is challenging. Here we use airborne measurements from the 2018 Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption, and Nitrogen (WE‐CAN) to parameterize emissions of reactive nitrogen (NOy) from wildfires into peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN; 37%), NO3− (27%), and NO (36%) in a global chemistry‐climate model with 13 km spatial resolution over the contiguous US. The NOy partitioning, compared with emitting all NOy as NO, reduces model ozone bias in near‐fire smoke plumes sampled by the aircraft and enhances ozone downwind by 5–10 ppbv when Canadian smoke plumes travel to Washington, Utah, Colorado, and Texas. Using multi‐platform observations, we identify the smoke‐influenced days with daily maximum 8‐hr average (MDA8) ozone of 70–88 ppbv in Kennewick, Salt Lake City, Denver and Dallas. On these days, wildfire smoke enhanced MDA8 ozone by 5–25 ppbv, through ozone produced remotely during plume transport and locally via interactions of smoke plume with urban emissions.
Horizontal Scales of Small‐ and Meso‐Scale Field‐Aligned Current Structures at Middle and Low Latitudes
Authors: Zhou Yun‐Liang , Lühr Hermann , Rauberg Jan
Published: August 2024

By utilizing the close orbital separation between Swarm A and C during the Counter Rotation Orbit phase, we check the agreement and stationarity between the FAC‐associated magnetic signatures at the two spacecraft through cross‐correlation analysis. When the agreement and stationarity are passed, the magnetic signature is considered suitable for small and meso‐scale Field‐aligned currents (FAC) estimates with dual‐spacecraft technique. It is found that at low and middle latitudes the dayside wave structure with apparent periods of about 10–60s can be observed around 90% of the time during all seasons. From those 90% can be identified as quasi‐static current structures. On the nightside, the shorter period signatures dominate the apparent period spectrum. At about 30% of the time structures with 1–7s periods are observed. For the longer period signals the proportion is reduced greatly. About 80% of these signatures with periods longer than 3s are identified as quasi‐static current structures. By taking advantage of the constantly changing longitudinal orbit separation during the considered time intervals, we can determine the mean separation at which the correlation breaks down. This provides FAC scale sizes in east‐west direction separately for FACs of various latitudinal wavelengths. The result shows that typical east‐west scale sizes of FAC structures with latitudinal wavelength of 10–400 km range from 10 to 60 km, respectively. FAC‐related structures on the nightside have been associated with medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances and structures on the dayside primarily with FACs driven by atmospheric gravity waves.
The East China Sea Kuroshio Current Intensifies Deep Convective Precipitation: A Case Study
Authors: Xu Peidong , Liu Jing‐Wu
Published: August 2024

Deep atmospheric convection is often observed over the Kuroshio in the East China Sea (ECSK). However, the mechanisms by which warm oceanic currents fuel transient deep convection are not fully understood. This study investigates an atmospheric cold front that brought heavy precipitation as it traversed the ECSK in April 2004. The southwesterlies ahead of the cold front advected moist and warm air, creating a zone with high convective available potential energy (CAPE) values. As the cold front approached the ECSK, the pre‐frontal high CAPE values coalesced with those over the warm current that substantially strengthened the deep convection, with precipitation rate increasing from 3 mm hr−1 to 10 mm hr−1. A numerical model well simulated the marked increase in precipitation over the ECSK, permitting the isolation of the ECSK's influence by contrasting the control (CTRL) run with an experiment with smoothed sea surface temperatures (SMTH run). Results show the ECSK contributed to 46% of the precipitation over the warm current. The ECSK was found to amplify ascending motion and elevate neutral buoyancy levels, extending its effect up to the tropopause. Furthermore, the strengthened deep convection significantly lowered the sea level pressure (SLP) over the ECSK and impressed upon the time‐mean SLP field. An additional experiment with lowered SST underscored the high SST's critical role in deep convection. This case study suggests a novel pathway by which the effects of warm oceanic currents influence the upper troposphere under extreme conditions with strong baroclinic instability.
Pharmacogenomic scores in psychiatry: systematic review of current evidence
Authors: Sharew Nigussie T. , Clark Scott R. , Schubert K. Oliver , Amare Azmeraw T.
Published: August 2024

In the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the development of polygenic scores (PGSs). One specific application of PGSs is the development and potential use of pharmacogenomic- scores (PGx-scores) to identify patients who can benefit from a specific medication or are likely to experience side effects. This systematic review comprehensively evaluates published PGx-score studies in psychiatry and provides insights into their potential clinical use and avenues for future development. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases until 22 August 2023. This review included fifty-three primary studies, of which the majority (69.8%) were conducted using samples of European ancestry. We found that over 90% of PGx-scores in psychiatry have been developed based on psychiatric and medical diagnoses or trait variants, rather than pharmacogenomic variants. Among these PGx-scores, the polygenic score for schizophrenia (PGSSCZ) has been most extensively studied in relation to its impact on treatment outcomes (32 publications). Twenty (62.5%) of these studies suggest that individuals with higher PGSSCZ have negative outcomes from psychotropic treatment — poorer treatment response, higher rates of treatment resistance, more antipsychotic-induced side effects, or more psychiatric hospitalizations, while the remaining studies did not find significant associations. Although PGx-scores alone accounted for at best 5.6% of the variance in treatment outcomes (in schizophrenia treatment resistance), together with clinical variables they explained up to 13.7% (in bipolar lithium response), suggesting that clinical translation might be achieved by including PGx-scores in multivariable models. In conclusion, our literature review found that there are still very few studies developing PGx-scores using pharmacogenomic variants. Research with larger and diverse populations is required to develop clinically relevant PGx-scores, using biology-informed and multi-phenotypic polygenic scoring approaches, as well as by integrating clinical variables with these scores to facilitate their translation to psychiatric practice.
DKK1-SE recruits AP1 to activate the target gene DKK1 thereby promoting pancreatic cancer progression
Authors: Shao Lan , Yu Haoran , Wang Mengyun , Chen Lu , Ji Boshu , Wu Tong , Teng Xiangqi , Su Mu , Han Xiao , Shi Weikai , Hu Xin , Wang Ziwen , He Hongjuan , Han Guiping , Zhang Yan , Wu Qiong
Published: August 2024

Super-enhancers are a class of DNA cis-regulatory elements that can regulate cell identity, cell fate, stem cell pluripotency, and even tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence shows that epigenetic modifications play an important role in the pathogenesis of various types of cancer. However, the current research is far from enough to reveal the complex mechanism behind it. This study found a super-enhancer enriched with abnormally active histone modifications in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), called DKK1-super-enhancer (DKK1-SE). The major active component of DKK1-SE is component enhancer e1. Mechanistically, AP1 induces chromatin remodeling in component enhancer e1 and activates the transcriptional activity of DKK1. Moreover, DKK1 was closely related to the malignant clinical features of PDAC. Deletion or knockdown of DKK1-SE significantly inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, motility, migration, and invasion of PDAC cells in vitro, and these phenomena were partly mitigated upon rescuing DKK1 expression. In vivo, DKK1-SE deficiency not only inhibited tumor proliferation but also reduced the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. This study identifies that DKK1-SE drives DKK1 expression by recruiting AP1 transcription factors, exerting oncogenic effects in PDAC, and enhancing the complexity of the tumor microenvironment.
A Euclidean transformer for fast and stable machine learned force fields
Authors: Frank J. Thorben , Unke Oliver T. , Müller Klaus-Robert , Chmiela Stefan
Published: August 2024

Recent years have seen vast progress in the development of machine learned force fields (MLFFs) based on ab-initio reference calculations. Despite achieving low test errors, the reliability of MLFFs in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is facing growing scrutiny due to concerns about instability over extended simulation timescales. Our findings suggest a potential connection between robustness to cumulative inaccuracies and the use of equivariant representations in MLFFs, but the computational cost associated with these representations can limit this advantage in practice. To address this, we propose a transformer architecture called SO3krates that combines sparse equivariant representations (Euclidean variables) with a self-attention mechanism that separates invariant and equivariant information, eliminating the need for expensive tensor products. SO3krates achieves a unique combination of accuracy, stability, and speed that enables insightful analysis of quantum properties of matter on extended time and system size scales. To showcase this capability, we generate stable MD trajectories for flexible peptides and supra-molecular structures with hundreds of atoms. Furthermore, we investigate the PES topology for medium-sized chainlike molecules (e.g., small peptides) by exploring thousands of minima. Remarkably, SO3krates demonstrates the ability to strike a balance between the conflicting demands of stability and the emergence of new minimum-energy conformations beyond the training data, which is crucial for realistic exploration tasks in the field of biochemistry.
Early evolution of small body size in Homo floresiensis
Authors: Kaifu Yousuke , Kurniawan Iwan , Mizushima Soichiro , Sawada Junmei , Lague Michael , Setiawan Ruly , Sutisna Indra , Wibowo Unggul P. , Suwa Gen , Kono Reiko T. , Sasaki Tomohiko , Brumm Adam , van den Bergh Gerrit D.
Published: August 2024

Recent discoveries of Homo floresiensis and H. luzonensis raise questions regarding how extreme body size reduction occurred in some extinct Homo species in insular environments. Previous investigations at Mata Menge, Flores Island, Indonesia, suggested that the early Middle Pleistocene ancestors of H. floresiensis had even smaller jaws and teeth. Here, we report additional hominin fossils from the same deposits at Mata Menge. An adult humerus is estimated to be 9 − 16% shorter and thinner than the type specimen of H. floresiensis dated to ~60,000 years ago, and is smaller than any other Plio-Pleistocene adult hominin humeri hitherto reported. The newly recovered teeth are both exceptionally small; one of them bears closer morphological similarities to early Javanese H. erectus. The H. floresiensis lineage most likely evolved from early Asian H. erectus and was a long-lasting lineage on Flores with markedly diminutive body size since at least ~700,000 years ago.
Impacts of large-scale deployment of vertical bifacial photovoltaics on European electricity market dynamics
Authors: Szabo Laszlo , Moner- Girona Magda , Jäger-Waldau Arnulf , Kougias Ioannis , Mezosi Andras , Fahl Fernando , Szabo Sandor
Published: August 2024

Self-sufficiency, climate change and increasing geopolitical risks have driven energy policies to make renewable energy sources dominant in the power production portfolios. The initial boom in the mid-2000s of global photovoltaic installations demonstrated the feasibility of the ambitious renewable energy targets. However, this rapid scale-up has introduced challenges, including price volatility and system integration issues. This communication calls the attention to these emerging challenges and offers quantitative insights on how rapid adoption of a more diversified photovoltaics deployment strategies can mitigate price volatilities, reduce fossil fuel dependence and steer Europe towards a forward-thinking sustainable energy pathway. The analysis reveals that as innovative bifacial photovoltaic systems are incorporated on a large-scale disruptive scenario, four main patterns emerge: economic value of solar production increases, base-load electricity price decreases, sun-rich countries expand their solar contributions, whereas nations with ample grid interconnections enhance their energy imports from neighbouring countries. It also underscores the importance of maintaining photovoltaics an attractive option for energy investors and traders in the future. Establishing this groundwork is critical since a successful integration of large-scale solar systems contributing to decrease price volatilities in Europe and US will carry significant repercussions for global energy policy formulation.
Heterogeneously deacetylated chitosans possess an unexpected regular pattern favoring acetylation at every third position
Authors: Hellmann Margareta J. , Gillet Dominique , Trombotto Stéphane , Raetz Sonja , Moerschbacher Bruno M. , Cord-Landwehr Stefan
Published: August 2024

Chitosans are promising biopolymers for diverse applications, with material properties and bioactivities depending i.a. on their pattern of acetylation (PA). Commercial chitosans are typically produced by heterogeneous deacetylation of chitin, but whether this process yields chitosans with a random or block-wise PA has been debated for decades. Using a combination of recently developed in vitro assays and in silico modeling surprisingly revealed that both hypotheses are wrong; instead, we found a more regular PA in heterogeneously deacetylated chitosans, with acetylated units overrepresented at every third position in the polymer chain. Compared to random-PA chitosans produced by homogeneous deacetylation of chitin or chemical N-acetylation of polyglucosamine, this regular PA increases the elicitation activity in plants, and generates different product profiles and distributions after enzymatic and chemical cleavage. A regular PA may be beneficial for some applications but detrimental for others, stressing the relevance of the production process for product development.
Deciphering the allosteric regulation of mycobacterial inosine-5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Bulvas Ondřej , Knejzlík Zdeněk , Sýs Jakub , Filimoněnko Anatolij , Čížková Monika , Clarová Kamila , Rejman Dominik , Kouba Tomáš , Pichová Iva
Published: August 2024

Allosteric regulation of inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), an essential enzyme of purine metabolism, contributes to the homeostasis of adenine and guanine nucleotides. However, the precise molecular mechanism of IMPDH regulation in bacteria remains unclear. Using biochemical and cryo-EM approaches, we reveal the intricate molecular mechanism of the IMPDH allosteric regulation in mycobacteria. The enzyme is inhibited by both GTP and (p)ppGpp, which bind to the regulatory CBS domains and, via interactions with basic residues in hinge regions, lock the catalytic core domains in a compressed conformation. This results in occlusion of inosine monophosphate (IMP) substrate binding to the active site and, ultimately, inhibition of the enzyme. The GTP and (p)ppGpp allosteric effectors bind to their dedicated sites but stabilize the compressed octamer by a common mechanism. Inhibition is relieved by the competitive displacement of GTP or (p)ppGpp by ATP allowing IMP-induced enzyme expansion. The structural knowledge and mechanistic understanding presented here open up new possibilities for the development of allosteric inhibitors with antibacterial potential.
Microstructural brain assessment in late-life depression and apathy using diffusion MRI multi-compartments models and tractometry
Authors: Hédouin Renaud , Roy Jean-Charles , Desmidt Thomas , Robert Gabriel , Coloigner Julie
Published: August 2024

Late-life depression (LLD) is both common and disabling and doubles the risk of dementia onset. Apathy might constitute an additional risk of cognitive decline but clear understanding of its pathophysiology is lacking. While white matter (WM) alterations have been assessed using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), this model cannot accurately represent WM microstructure. We hypothesized that a more complex multi-compartment model would provide new biomarkers of LLD and apathy. Fifty-six individuals (LLD n = 35, 26 females, 75.2 ± 6.4 years, apathy evaluation scale scores (41.8 ± 8.7) and Healthy controls, n = 21, 16 females, 74.7 ± 5.2 years) were included. In this article, a tract-based approach was conducted to investigate novel diffusion model biomarkers of LLD and apathy by interpolating microstructural metrics directly along the fiber bundle. We performed multivariate statistical analysis, combined with principal component analysis for dimensional data reduction. We then tested the utility of our framework by demonstrating classically reported from the literature modifications in LDD while reporting new results of biological-basis of apathy in LLD. Finally, we aimed to investigate the relationship between apathy and microstructure in different fiber bundles. Our study suggests that new fiber bundles, such as the striato-premotor tracts, may be involved in LLD and apathy, which bring new light of apathy mechanisms in major depression. We also identified statistical changes in diffusion MRI metrics in 5 different tracts, previously reported in major cognitive disorders dementia, suggesting that these alterations among these tracts are both involved in motivation and cognition and might explain how apathy is a prodromal phase of degenerative disorders.
Early monitoring of inlay wear after total knee arthroplasty on plain radiographs using model-based wear measurement
Authors: Emonde Crystal Kayaro , Hurschler Christof , Breuer André , Eggers Max-Enno , Wichmann Marcel , Ettinger Max , Denkena Berend
Published: August 2024

Wear of the ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) component in total knee arthroplasty contributes to implant failure. It is often detected late, when patients experience pain or instability. Early monitoring could enable timely intervention, preventing implant failure and joint degeneration. This study investigates the accuracy and precision (repeatability) of model-based wear measurement (MBWM), a novel technique that can estimate inlay thickness and wear radiographically. Six inlays were milled from non-crosslinked UHMWPE and imaged via X-ray in anteroposterior view at flexion angles 0°, 30°, and 60° on a phantom knee model. MBWM measurements were compared with reference values from a coordinate measurement machine. Three inlays were subjected to accelerated wear generation and similarly evaluated. MBWM estimated inlay thickness with medial and lateral accuracies of 0.13 ± 0.09 and 0.14 ± 0.09 mm, respectively, and linear wear with an accuracy of 0.07 ± 0.06 mm. Thickness measurements revealed significant lateral differences at 0° and 30° (0.22 ± 0.08 mm vs. 0.06 ± 0.06 mm, respectively; t-test, p = 0.0002). Precision was high, with average medial and lateral differences of − 0.01 ± 0.04 mm between double experiments. MBWM using plain radiographs presents a practical and promising approach for the clinical detection of implant wear.
Timber trade in 17th-century Europe: different wood sources for artworks of Flemish painters
Authors: Seim Andrea , Edvardsson Johannes , Daly Aoife , Fraiture Pascale , Tyers Ian , Tegel Willy , Pukienė Rūtilė , Wazny Tomasz , de Celis Maite Jover , Auwera Joost Vander , Davies Justin
Published: August 2024

The former Spanish Netherlands experienced a period of social, cultural and economic prosperity in the seventeenth century, with Antwerp as its most important commercial and artistic centre. The era’s vibrant art scene, once pivotal culturally, economically, and diplomatically, now offers invaluable insights for scientific studies on art, trade, and craftsmanship. In a study on 294 panel paintings by or related to two famous Flemish artists, Jacques Jordaens (1593–1678) and Anthony van Dyck (1599–1641), we applied classical art historical techniques, archival research, dendrochronology, and the study of panel maker’s and guild marks on the painting’s reverse to gain insights into the precise time of tree felling, the geographical provenance of the wood, and the panel makers patronised by the painters. The majority of the paintings (~ 80%), which were subjected to a dendrochronological analysis, could be dated and the results accorded well with the concomitant art historical assessment on authorship. Besides an active and well-known Baltic timber trade which provided over 71% of all the planks examined, straight-grained oak trees were also sourced from western Central Europe (20%). Interestingly, planks from the Baltic and the Ardennes region (France/Belgium) were used together in three different paintings, likely cut apart from larger panels. Employing a multidisciplinary approach to a comprehensive painting collection by individual painters provides not only a new tool to determine a painting’s date and authorship but also allows for a better understanding of the contemporary timber trade and associated craftsmanship.
Impact of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis on the oral and fecal bacteriomes of children in the first week of life
Authors: Pivrncova Eliska , Buresova Lucie , Kotaskova Iva , Videnska Petra , Andryskova Lenka , Piler Pavel , Janku Petr , Borek Ivo , Bohm Jan , Klanova Jana , Budinska Eva , Borilova Linhartova Petra
Published: August 2024

Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is commonly used during C-section delivery and in Group B Streptococcus-positive women before vaginal delivery. Here, we primarily aimed to investigate the effect of IAP on the neonatal oral and fecal bacteriomes in the first week of life. In this preliminary study, maternal and neonatal oral swabs and neonatal fecal (meconium and transitional stool) swabs were selected from a pool of samples from healthy mother-neonate pairs participating in the pilot phase of CELSPAC: TNG during their hospital stay. The DNA was extracted and bacteriome profiles were determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (Illumina). In the final dataset, 33 mother-neonate pairs were exposed to antibiotics during C-section or vaginal delivery (cases; +IAP) and the vaginal delivery without IAP (controls, -IAP) took place in 33 mother-neonate pairs. Differences in alpha diversity (Shannon index, p=0.01) and bacterial composition (PERMANOVA, p<0.05) between the +IAP and -IAP groups were detected only in neonatal oral samples collected ≤48 h after birth. No significant differences between meconium bacteriomes of the +IAP and -IAP groups were observed (p>0.05). However, the IAP was associated with decreased alpha diversity (number of amplicon sequence variants, p<0.001), decreased relative abundances of the genera Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, and increased relative abundances of genera Enterococcus and Rothia (q<0.01 for all of them) in transitional stool samples. The findings of this study suggest that exposure to IAP may significantly influence the early development of the neonatal oral and gut microbiomes. IAP affected the neonatal oral bacteriome in the first two days after birth as well as the neonatal fecal bacteriome in transitional stool samples. In addition, it highlights the necessity for further investigation into the potential long-term health impacts on children.
Distinct effect of calorie restriction between congenic mating types of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Oliveira Natalia Kronbauer , Yoo Kyungyoon , Bhattacharya Somanon , Gambhir Rina , Kirgizbaeva Nigina , García Pilar Arcones , Prados Ignacio Pompa , Fernandes Caroline Mota , Del Poeta Maurizio , Fries Bettina C.
Published: August 2024

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) is an opportunistic yeast that causes meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised individuals. Calorie restriction (CR) prolongs Cn replicative lifespan (RLS) and mimics low-glucose environments in which Cn resides during infection. The effects of CR-mediated stress can differ among strains and have only been studied in MATα cells. Cn replicates sexually, generating two mating types, MATα and MATa. MATα strains are more dominant in clinical and environmental isolates. We sought to compare the effects of CR stress and longevity regulation between congenic MATα and MATa. Although MATα and MATa cells extended their RLS in response to CR, they engaged different pathways. The sirtuins were upregulated in MATα cells under CR, but not in MATa cells. RLS extension was SIR2-dependent in KN99α, but not in KN99a. The TOR nutrient-sensing pathway was downregulated in MATa strains under CR, while MATα strains demonstrated no difference. Lower oxidative stress and higher ATP production were observed in KN99α cells, possibly due to higher SOD expression. SIR2 was important for mitochondrial morphology and function in both mating types. Increased ATP production during CR powered the upregulated ABC transporters, increasing efflux in MATα cells. This led to enhanced fluconazole tolerance, while MATa cells remained sensitive to fluconazole. Our investigation highlights differences in the response of the mating types to CR.
Green synthesis of magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles using Azadirachta indica leaf extract loaded on reduced graphene oxide and degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Shahbaz , Fiaz Sania , Aslam Sohaib , Chung Shinho , Ditta Allah , Irshad Muhammad Atif , Al-Mohaimeed Amal M. , Iqbal Rashid , Al-onazi Wedad A. , Rizwan Muhammad , Nakashima Yoshitaka
Published: August 2024

In the current arena, new-generation functional nanomaterials are the key players for smart solutions and applications including environmental decontamination of pollutants. Among the plethora of new-generation nanomaterials, graphene-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites are in the driving seat surpassing their counterparts due to their unique physicochemical characteristics and superior surface chemistry. The purpose of the present research was to synthesize and characterize magnetite iron oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites (FeNPs/rGO) via a green approach and test its application in the degradation of methylene blue. The modified Hummer's protocol was adopted to synthesize graphene oxide (GO) through a chemical exfoliation approach using a graphitic route. Leaf extract of Azadirachta indica was used as a green reducing agent to reduce GO into reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Then, using the green deposition approach and Azadirachta indica leaf extract, a nanocomposite comprising magnetite iron oxides and reduced graphene oxide i.e., FeNPs/rGO was synthesized. During the synthesis of functionalized FeNPs/rGO, Azadirachta indica leaf extract acted as a reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent. The final synthesized materials were characterized and analyzed using an array of techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction analysis, and UV–visible spectrophotometry. The UV–visible spectrum was used to evaluate the optical characteristics and band gap. Using the FT-IR spectrum, functional groupings were identified in the synthesized graphene-based nanomaterials and nanocomposites. The morphology and elemental analysis of nanomaterials and nanocomposites synthesized via the green deposition process were investigated using SEM–EDX. The GO, rGO, FeNPs, and FeNPs/rGO showed maximum absorption at 232, 265, 395, and 405 nm, respectively. FTIR spectrum showed different functional groups (OH, COOH, C=O), C–O–C) modifying material surfaces. Based on Debye Sherrer's equation, the mean calculated particle size of all synthesized materials was < 100 nm (GO = 60–80, rGO = 90–95, FeNPs = 70–90, Fe/GO = 40–60, and Fe/rGO = 80–85 nm). Graphene-based nanomaterials displayed rough surfaces with clustered and spherical shapes and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of both iron and oxygen in all the nanocomposites. The final nanocomposites produced via the synthetic process degraded approximately 74% of methylene blue. Based on the results, it is plausible to conclude that synthesized FeNPs/rGO nanocomposites can also be used as a potential photocatalyst degrader for other different dye pollutants due to their lower band gap.
Systematic review and feasibility study on pre-analytical factors and genomic analyses on archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast cancer tissue
Authors: Salgkamis Dimitrios , Sifakis Emmanouil G. , Agartz Susanne , Wirta Valtteri , Hartman Johan , Bergh Jonas , Foukakis Theodoros , Matikas Alexios , Zerdes Ioannis
Published: August 2024

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue represents a valuable source for translational cancer research. However, the widespread application of various downstream methods remains challenging. Here, we aimed to assess the feasibility of a genomic and gene expression analysis workflow using FFPE breast cancer (BC) tissue. We conducted a systematic literature review for the assessment of concordance between FFPE and fresh-frozen matched tissue samples derived from patients with BC for DNA and RNA downstream applications. The analytical performance of three different nucleic acid extraction kits on FFPE BC clinical samples was compared. We also applied a newly developed targeted DNA Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) 370-gene panel and the nCounter BC360® platform on simultaneously extracted DNA and RNA, respectively, using FFPE tissue from a phase II clinical trial. Of the 3701 initial search results, 40 articles were included in the systematic review. High degree of concordance was observed in various downstream application platforms. Moreover, the performance of simultaneous DNA/RNA extraction kit was demonstrated with targeted DNA NGS and gene expression profiling. Exclusion of variants below 5% variant allele frequency was essential to overcome FFPE-induced artefacts. Targeted genomic analyses were feasible in simultaneously extracted DNA/RNA from FFPE material, providing insights for their implementation in clinical trials/cohorts.
Functional roles of pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, and choline in adipocyte browning in chemically induced human brown adipocytes
Authors: Takeda Yukimasa , Dai Ping
Published: August 2024

Brown fat is a therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic diseases. However, nutritional intervention strategies for increasing the mass and activity of human brown adipocytes have not yet been established. To identify vitamins required for brown adipogenesis and adipocyte browning, chemical compound-induced brown adipocytes (ciBAs) were converted from human dermal fibroblasts under serum-free and vitamin-free conditions. Choline was found to be essential for adipogenesis. Additional treatment with pantothenic acid (PA) provided choline-induced immature adipocytes with browning properties and metabolic maturation, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, lipolysis, and mitochondrial respiration. However, treatment with high PA concentrations attenuated these effects along with decreased glycolysis. Transcriptome analysis showed that a low PA concentration activated metabolic genes, including the futile creatine cycle-related thermogenic genes, which was reversed by a high PA concentration. Riboflavin treatment suppressed thermogenic gene expression and increased lipolysis, implying a metabolic pathway different from that of PA. Thiamine treatment slightly activated thermogenic genes along with decreased glycolysis. In summary, our results suggest that specific B vitamins and choline are uniquely involved in the regulation of adipocyte browning via cellular energy metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner.
Optical inactivation of intracellular molecules by fast-maturating photosensitizing fluorescence protein, HyperNova
Authors: Shidara Hisashi , Shirai Taku , Ozaki-Noma Ryohei , Jitsuki Susumu , Nagai Takeharu , Takemoto Kiwamu
Published: August 2024

Photosensitizing fluorescence protein is a promising tool for chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI) that enables specific oxidation and inactivation of intracellular molecules. However, a commonly used monomeric photosensitizing fluorescent protein, SuperNova, shows a low CALI efficiency due to its insufficient maturation at 37 °C, thereby limiting the application of CALI to various molecules, especially in mammalian cells. Here, we present a photosensitizing fluorescence protein, HyperNova, with markedly improved maturation at 37 °C, leading to greatly enhanced CALI efficiency. Exploiting this quality, HyperNova enables the application of CALI to variety of molecules such as a mitotic kinase and transcriptional factors that were highly challenging with conventional SuperNova. To further demonstrate the utility of HyperNova, we have also succeeded in developing novel CALI techniques for MAP kinases by HyperNova. Our findings suggest that HyperNova has the potential to expand the molecular toolbox for manipulating biological events in living cells, providing new avenues for investigating cellular signaling pathways.
Alternative cancer clinics’ use of Google listings and reviews to mislead potential patients
Authors: Zenone Marco , Snyder Jeremy , van Schalkwyk May , Bélisle-Pipon Jean-Christophe , Hartwell Greg , Caulfield Timothy , Maani Nason
Published: August 2024

Background

Alternative cancer clinics, who provide treatment associated with earlier time to death, actively seek to create favorable views of their services online. An unexplored means where alternative cancer clinics can shape their appeal is their Google search results.

Methods

We retrieved the Google listing and Google reviews of 47 prominent alternative cancer clinics on August 22, 2022. We then conducted a content analysis to assess the information cancer patients are faced with online.

Results

Google listings of alternative treatment providers rarely declared the clinic was an alternative clinic versus a conventional primary cancer treatment provider (12.8% declared; 83.0% undeclared). The clinics were highly rated (median, 4.5 stars of 5). Reasons for positive reviews included treatment quality (n = 519), care (n = 420), and outcomes (n = 316). 288 reviews presented the clinics to cure or improve cancer. Negative reviews presented alternative clinics to financially exploit patients with ineffective treatment (n = 98), worsen patients’ condition (n = 72), provide poor care (n = 41), and misrepresent outcomes (n = 23).

Conclusions

The favorable Google listing and reviews of alternative clinics contribute to harmful online ecosystems. Reviews provide compelling narratives but are an ineffective indicator of treatment outcomes. Google lacks safeguards for truthful reviews and should not be used for medical decision-making.
A translational framework of genoproteomic studies for cardiovascular drug discovery
Authors: Yang Zhao , Zhao Jie V. , Qi Yue , Deng Xuan , Ji Zhili , Liu Jing
Published: August 2024

Cardiovascular drug development has faced significant challenges in recent decades. The emergence of population-scale genome- and proteome-wide data, alongside sophisticated genetic analytical tools like Mendelian randomization and pragmatic target trials, presents an unprecedented chance to identify and validate drug-targeting proteins for cardiovascular disease. However, how to translate these advances into clinical applications remains to be discovered. This study proposes and validates a translational framework that leverages emerging genoproteomic data and cutting-edge causal analysis techniques to address the intricate benefit-risk concerns associated with cardiovascular drug development. Specifically, the framework elucidates underlying biological mechanisms, identifies and validates potential drug-targeting proteins, and explores the unintended side effects, complementary with pragmatic target trials. Moreover, we illustrate the translational framework via a step-by-step example alongside practical implementation recommendations for cardiovascular drug discovery. We envision this translational framework as a starting point in advancing multi-omics studies, thereby accelerating cardiovascular drug development.
Tailoring of bioactive glass and glass-ceramics properties for in vitro and in vivo response optimization: a review
Authors: Piatti Elisa , Miola Marta , Verné Enrica
Published: August 2024

Ion doping, drug loading, functionalization, coating and topographical modification allow to tailor the properties of bioactive glass and glass-ceramics and modulate the interaction of these bioceramics with human and bacterial cells.
Paracrine signals influence patterns of fibrocartilage differentiation in a lyophilized gelatin hydrogel for applications in rotator cuff repair
Authors: Timmer Kyle B. , Killian Megan L. , Harley Brendan A. C.
Published: August 2024

Here we utilize a multi-tissue paracrine environment to evaluate a platform for future enthesis engineering.
Supported Fe catalysts prepared through layered double hydroxides for primary amine synthesis by reductive amination of carbonyl compounds
Authors: Kita Yusuke , Yanagisawa Natsuki , Arai Mayu , Kamata Keigo , Hara Michikazu
Published: August 2024

MgO-supported Fe catalysts prepared through layered double hydroxides showed high catalytic activity for reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with ammonia to give primary amines selectively.
Structural tuning of BiVO4/MnFe-MOF photoanodes boosts hole extraction for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Feng Chenchen , Liu Longyue , Fu Houyu , Zhan Faqi , Jia Henan , Cheng Xiang , Yu Fucheng , Zhou Qi , Bian Zongkun , Zhang Beibei
Published: August 2024

Herein, owing to the strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) between BiVO4 and MnFe-MOF and the regulation of Fe active sites, the highest photocurrent density of 3.64 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE has been obtained.
Synthetic routes and chemical structural analysis for guiding the strategies on new Pt(ii) metallodrug design
Authors: Aguilar Rico Francisco , Derogar Maryam , Cubo Leticia , Quiroga Adoracion G.
Published: August 2024

Metals in medicine is a distinct and mature field of investigation to which platinum drugs design makes valuable contributions. Here, we outline the chemical pathways to maximize efficiency in their preparation.
Polymer modulated ink rheology and compatibility enables homogenized printing of a Spiro-OMeTAD transport layer for scalable and stable perovskite solar modules
Authors: Li Jin , Fan Baojing , Liu Xukai , Liu Yuxin , Xing Zhi , Gong Chenxiang , Chu Zhaoyang , Li Linfeng , Meng Xiangchuan , Guo Rui , Wang Fuyi , Hu Xiaotian , Chen Yiwang
Published: August 2024

By improving the rheological properties of Spiro-OMeTAD, we achieved fully functional layer-printed perovskite solar cells with record-high efficiencies.
Tailoring the Wadsley–Roth crystallographic shear structures for high-power lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jing Panpan , Liu Mengting , Ho Hsin-Pei , Ma Yifan , Hua Weibo , Li Haohui , Guo Nan , Ding Yong , Zhang Weilin , Chen Hailong , Zhao Bote , Wang Jenghan , Liu Meilin
Published: August 2024

A tailored Wadsley–Roth crystallographic shear structure containing inspiring domains with tetrahedron, tetrahedron-free and large-size blocks in the lattice of novel titanium niobium tungsten oxide for high-power lithium-ion batteries.
Lactobacillus-derived indole derivatives ameliorate intestinal barrier damage in rat pups with complementary food administration
Authors: Wang Arong , Guan Cheng , Wang Tieqi , Mu Guangqing , Tuo Yanfeng
Published: August 2024

The consumption of complementary foods can bring about diarrhea and intestinal barrier dysfunction in rat pups.
Designing antiperovskite derivatives via atomic-position splitting for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Tang Gang , Liu Xiaohan , Wang Shihao , Hu Tao , Feng Chunbao , Zhu Cheng , Zhu Bonan , Hong Jiawang
Published: August 2024

Switching the A-site anion in the cubic antiperovskite structure X3BA from the corner to the edge center sites creates antiperovskite derivative materials .
A next-generation transistor with low supply voltage operation constructed based on 2D materials' metal–semiconductor phase transition
Authors: Tan Xingyi , Qu Hengze , Yang Jialin , Zhang Shengli , Fu Hua-Hua
Published: August 2024

Power dissipation, a fundamental limitation for realizing high-performance electronic devices, may be effectively reduced by an external supply voltage.
Rational design of nanoscale stabilized oxide catalysts for OER with OC22
Authors: Tran Richard , Huang Liqiang , Zi Yuan , Wang Shengguang , Comer Benjamin M. , Wu Xuqing , Raaijman Stefan J. , Sinha Nishant K. , Sadasivan Sajanikumari , Thundiyil Shibin , Mamtani Kuldeep B. , Iyer Ganesh , Grabow Lars C. , Lu Ligang , Chen Jiefu
Published: August 2024

We interpolated a database of the total energy predictions for all slabs and OER intermediates for 4119 oxides using pre-trained models from the OC22 framework and screened the database to identify 122 bulk and 68 nanoparticle candidates for OER.