bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Further evidence supporting the role of GTDC1 in glycine metabolism and neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Errichiello Edoardo , Lecca Mauro , Vantaggiato Chiara , Motta Zoraide , Zanotta Nicoletta , Zucca Claudio , Bertuzzo Sara , Piubelli Luciano , Pollegioni Loredano , Bonaglia Maria Clara
Published: April 2024

Copy number variants (CNVs) represent the genetic cause of about 15–20% of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). We identified a ~67 kb de novo intragenic deletion on chromosome 2q22.3 in a female individual showing a developmental encephalopathy characterised by epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, speech delay, microcephaly, and thin corpus callosum with facial dysmorphisms. The microdeletion involved exons 5-6 of GTDC1, encoding a putative glycosyltransferase, whose expression is particularly enriched in the nervous system. In a previous study, a balanced de novo translocation encompassing GTDC1 was reported in a male child with global developmental delay and delayed speech and language development. Based on these premises, we explored the transcriptomic profile of our proband to evaluate the functional consequences of the novel GTDC1 de novo intragenic deletion in relation to the observed neurodevelopmental phenotype. RNA-seq on the proband’s lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) showed expression changes of glycine/serine and cytokine/chemokine signalling pathways, which are related to neurodevelopment and epileptogenesis. Subsequent analysis by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) revealed increased levels of glycine in the proband’s LCL and serum compared to matched controls. Given that an increased level of glycine has been observed in the plasma samples of individuals with Rett syndrome, a condition sharing epilepsy, microcephaly, and intellectual disability with our proband, we proposed that the GTDC1 downregulation is implicated in neurodevelopmental impairment by altering glycine metabolism. Furthermore, our findings expanded the phenotypic spectrum of the novel GTDC1-related condition, including microcephaly and epilepsy among relevant clinical features.
Elevated ozone disrupts mating boundaries in drosophilid flies
Authors: Jiang Nan-Ji , Dong Xinqi , Veit Daniel , Hansson Bill S. , Knaden Markus
Published: April 2024

Animals employ different strategies to establish mating boundaries between closely related species, with sex pheromones often playing a crucial role in identifying conspecific mates. Many of these pheromones have carbon-carbon double bonds, making them vulnerable to oxidation by certain atmospheric oxidant pollutants, including ozone. Here, we investigate whether increased ozone compromises species boundaries in drosophilid flies. We show that short-term exposure to increased levels of ozone degrades pheromones of Drosophila melanogaster, D. simulans, D. mauritiana, as well as D. sechellia, and induces hybridization between some of these species. As many of the resulting hybrids are sterile, this could result in local population declines. However, hybridization between D. simulans and D. mauritiana as well as D. simulans and D. sechellia results in fertile hybrids, of which some female hybrids are even more attractive to the males of the parental species. Our experimental findings indicate that ozone pollution could potentially induce breakdown of species boundaries in insects.
Maximizing carbon sequestration potential in Chinese forests through optimal management
Authors: Yu Zhen , Liu Shirong , Li Haikui , Liang Jingjing , Liu Weiguo , Piao Shilong , Tian Hanqin , Zhou Guoyi , Lu Chaoqun , You Weibin , Sun Pengsen , Dong Yanli , Sitch Stephen , Agathokleous Evgenios
Published: April 2024

Forest carbon sequestration capacity in China remains uncertain due to underrepresented tree demographic dynamics and overlooked of harvest impacts. In this study, we employ a process-based biogeochemical model to make projections by using national forest inventories, covering approximately 415,000 permanent plots, revealing an expansion in biomass carbon stock by 13.6 ± 1.5 Pg C from 2020 to 2100, with additional sink through augmentation of wood product pool (0.6-2.0 Pg C) and spatiotemporal optimization of forest management (2.3 ± 0.03 Pg C). We find that statistical model might cause large bias in long-term projection due to underrepresentation or neglect of wood harvest and forest demographic changes. Remarkably, disregarding the repercussions of harvesting on forest age can result in a premature shift in the timing of the carbon sink peak by 1–3 decades. Our findings emphasize the pressing necessity for the swift implementation of optimal forest management strategies for carbon sequestration enhancement.
Powder-size driven facile microstructure control in powder-fusion metal additive manufacturing processes
Authors: Chandra Shubham , Wang Chengcheng , Tor Shu Beng , Ramamurty Upadrasta , Tan Xipeng
Published: April 2024

Microstructure control in metal additive manufacturing is highly desirable for superior and bespoke mechanical performance. Engineering the columnar-to-equiaxed transition during rapid solidification in the additive manufacturing process is crucial for its technological advancement. Here, we report a powder-size driven melt pool engineering approach, demonstrating facile and large-scale control in the grain morphology by triggering a counterintuitive response of powder size to the additively manufactured 316 L stainless steel microstructure. We obtain coarse-grained (>100 μm) or near-monocrystalline microstructure using fine powders and near-equiaxed, fine-grained (<10 μm) microstructure using coarse powders. This approach shows resourceful adaptability to directed energy deposition and powder-bed fusion with no added cost, where the particle-size dependent powder-flow preheating effects and powder-bed thermophysical properties drive the microstructural variations. This work presents a pathway for leveraging feedstock particle size distribution towards more controllable, cost-effective, and sustainable metal additive manufacturing.
An adaptive biomolecular condensation response is conserved across environmentally divergent species
Authors: Keyport Kik Samantha , Christopher Dana , Glauninger Hendrik , Hickernell Caitlin Wong , Bard Jared A. M. , Lin Kyle M. , Squires Allison H. , Ford Michael , Sosnick Tobin R. , Drummond D. Allan
Published: April 2024

Cells must sense and respond to sudden maladaptive environmental changes—stresses—to survive and thrive. Across eukaryotes, stresses such as heat shock trigger conserved responses: growth arrest, a specific transcriptional response, and biomolecular condensation of protein and mRNA into structures known as stress granules under severe stress. The composition, formation mechanism, adaptive significance, and even evolutionary conservation of these condensed structures remain enigmatic. Here we provide a remarkable view into stress-triggered condensation, its evolutionary conservation and tuning, and its integration into other well-studied aspects of the stress response. Using three morphologically near-identical budding yeast species adapted to different thermal environments and diverged by up to 100 million years, we show that proteome-scale biomolecular condensation is tuned to species-specific thermal niches, closely tracking corresponding growth and transcriptional responses. In each species, poly(A)-binding protein—a core marker of stress granules—condenses in isolation at species-specific temperatures, with conserved molecular features and conformational changes modulating condensation. From the ecological to the molecular scale, our results reveal previously unappreciated levels of evolutionary selection in the eukaryotic stress response, while establishing a rich, tractable system for further inquiry.
Dynamics of collective cooperation under personalised strategy updates
Authors: Meng Yao , Cornelius Sean P. , Liu Yang-Yu , Li Aming
Published: April 2024

Collective cooperation is essential for many social and biological systems, yet understanding how it evolves remains a challenge. Previous investigations report that the ubiquitous heterogeneous individual connections hinder cooperation by assuming individuals update strategies at identical rates. Here we develop a general framework by allowing individuals to update strategies at personalised rates, and provide the precise mathematical condition under which universal cooperation is favoured. Combining analytical and numerical calculations on synthetic and empirical networks, we find that when individuals’ update rates vary inversely with their number of connections, heterogeneous connections actually outperform homogeneous ones in promoting cooperation. This surprising property undercuts the conventional wisdom that heterogeneous structure is generally antagonistic to cooperation and, further helps develop an efficient algorithm OptUpRat to optimise collective cooperation by designing individuals’ update rates in any population structure. Our findings provide a unifying framework to understand the interplay between structural heterogeneity, behavioural rhythms, and cooperation.
Integrating social vulnerability into high-resolution global flood risk mapping
Authors: Fox Sean , Agyemang Felix , Hawker Laurence , Neal Jeffrey
Published: April 2024

High-resolution global flood risk maps are increasingly used to inform disaster risk planning and response, particularly in lower income countries with limited data or capacity. However, current approaches do not adequately account for spatial variation in social vulnerability, which is a key determinant of variation in outcomes for exposed populations. Here we integrate annual average exceedance probability estimates from a high-resolution fluvial flood model with gridded population and poverty data to create a global vulnerability-adjusted risk index for flooding (VARI Flood) at 90-meter resolution. The index provides estimates of relative risk within or between countries and changes how we understand the geography of risk by identifying ‘hotspots’ characterised by high population density and high levels of social vulnerability. This approach, which emphasises risks to human well-being, could be used as a complement to traditional population or asset-centred approaches.
A terahertz meta-sensor array for 2D strain mapping
Authors: Lu Xueguang , Zhang Feilong , Zhu Liguo , Peng Shan , Yan Jiazhen , Shi Qiwu , Chen Kefan , Chang Xue , Zhu Hongfu , Zhang Cheng , Huang Wanxia , Cheng Qiang
Published: April 2024

Large-scale stretchable strain sensor arrays capable of mapping two-dimensional strain distributions have gained interest for applications as wearable devices and relating to the Internet of Things. However, existing strain sensor arrays are usually unable to achieve accurate directional recognition and experience a trade-off between high sensing resolution and large area detection. Here, based on classical Mie resonance, we report a flexible meta-sensor array that can detect the in-plane direction and magnitude of preloaded strains by referencing a dynamically transmitted terahertz (THz) signal. By building a one-to-one correspondence between the intrinsic electrical/magnetic dipole resonance frequency and the horizontal/perpendicular tension level, arbitrary strain information across the meta-sensor array is accurately detected and quantified using a THz scanning setup. Particularly, with a simple preparation process of micro template-assisted assembly, this meta-sensor array offers ultrahigh sensor density (~11.1 cm−2) and has been seamlessly extended to a record-breaking size (110 × 130 mm2), demonstrating its promise in real-life applications.
Adaptive expansion of ERVK solo-LTRs is associated with Passeriformes speciation events
Authors: Chen Guangji , Yu Dan , Yang Yu , Li Xiang , Wang Xiaojing , Sun Danyang , Lu Yanlin , Ke Rongqin , Zhang Guojie , Cui Jie , Feng Shaohong
Published: April 2024

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are ancient retroviral remnants integrated in host genomes, and commonly deleted through unequal homologous recombination, leaving solitary long terminal repeats (solo-LTRs). This study, analysing the genomes of 362 bird species and their reptilian and mammalian outgroups, reveals an unusually higher level of solo-LTRs formation in birds, indicating evolutionary forces might have purged ERVs during evolution. Strikingly in the order Passeriformes, and especially the parvorder Passerida, endogenous retrovirus K (ERVK) solo-LTRs showed bursts of formation and recurrent accumulations coinciding with speciation events over past 22 million years. Moreover, our results indicate that the ongoing expansion of ERVK solo-LTRs in these bird species, marked by high transcriptional activity of ERVK retroviral genes in reproductive organs, caused variation of solo-LTRs between individual zebra finches. We experimentally demonstrated that cis-regulatory activity of recently evolved ERVK solo-LTRs may significantly increase the expression level of ITGA2 in the brain of zebra finches compared to chickens. These findings suggest that ERVK solo-LTRs expansion may introduce novel genomic sequences acting as cis-regulatory elements and contribute to adaptive evolution. Overall, our results underscore that the residual sequences of ancient retroviruses could influence the adaptive diversification of species by regulating host gene expression.
Controlled condensation by liquid contact-induced adaptations of molecular conformations in self-assembled monolayers
Authors: Bai Guoying , Zhang Haiyan , Gao Dong , Fei Houguo , Guo Cunlan , Ren Mingxia , Liu Yufeng
Published: April 2024

Surface condensation control strategies are crucial but commonly require relatively tedious, time-consuming, and expensive techniques for surface-chemical and topographical engineering. Here we report a strategy to alter surface condensation behavior without resorting to any molecule-type or topographical transmutations. After ultrafast contact of liquids with and removal from surfaces, the condensation rate and density of water droplets on the surfaces decrease, the extent of which is positively correlated with the polarity of the liquid and the duration of contact. The liquid contact-induced condensation rate/density decrease (LCICD) can be attributed to the decrease of nucleation site density resulted from the liquid contact-induced adaption of surface molecular conformation. Based on this, we find that LCICD is applicable to various surfaces, on condition that there are flexible segments capable of shielding at least part of nucleation sites through changing the conformation under liquid contact induction. Leveraging the LCICD effect, we achieve erasable information storage on diverse substrates. Furthermore, our strategy holds promise for controlling condensation of other substances since LCICD is not specific to the water condensation process.
Neural signatures of indirect pathway activity during subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Steiner Leon A. , Crompton David , Sumarac Srdjan , Vetkas Artur , Germann Jürgen , Scherer Maximilian , Justich Maria , Boutet Alexandre , Popovic Milos R. , Hodaie Mojgan , Kalia Suneil K. , Fasano Alfonso , Hutchison WD William D. , Lozano Andres M. , Lankarany Milad , Kühn Andrea A. , Milosevic Luka
Published: April 2024

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) produces an electrophysiological signature called evoked resonant neural activity (ERNA); a high-frequency oscillation that has been linked to treatment efficacy. However, the single-neuron and synaptic bases of ERNA are unsubstantiated. This study proposes that ERNA is a subcortical neuronal circuit signature of DBS-mediated engagement of the basal ganglia indirect pathway network. In people with Parkinson’s disease, we: (i) showed that each peak of the ERNA waveform is associated with temporally-locked neuronal inhibition in the STN; (ii) characterized the temporal dynamics of ERNA; (iii) identified a putative mesocircuit architecture, embedded with empirically-derived synaptic dynamics, that is necessary for the emergence of ERNA in silico; (iv) localized ERNA to the dorsal STN in electrophysiological and normative anatomical space; (v) used patient-wise hotspot locations to assess spatial relevance of ERNA with respect to DBS outcome; and (vi) characterized the local fiber activation profile associated with the derived group-level ERNA hotspot.
Spiral packing and chiral selectivity in model membranes probed by phase-resolved sum-frequency generation microscopy
Authors: Fellows Alexander P. , John Ben , Wolf Martin , Thämer Martin
Published: April 2024

Since the lipid raft model was developed at the end of the last century, it became clear that the specific molecular arrangements of phospholipid assemblies within a membrane have profound implications in a vast range of physiological functions. Studies of such condensed lipid islands in model systems using fluorescence and Brewster angle microscopies have shown a wide range of sizes and morphologies, with suggestions of substantial in-plane molecular anisotropy and mesoscopic structural chirality. Whilst these variations can significantly alter many membrane properties including its fluidity, permeability and molecular recognition, the details of the in-plane molecular orientations underlying these traits remain largely unknown. Here, we use phase-resolved sum-frequency generation microscopy on model membranes of mixed chirality phospholipid monolayers to fully determine the three-dimensional molecular structure of the constituent micron-scale condensed domains. We find that the domains possess curved molecular directionality with spiralling mesoscopic packing, where both the molecular and spiral turning directions depend on the lipid chirality, but form structures clearly deviating from mirror symmetry for different enantiomeric mixtures. This demonstrates strong enantioselectivity in the domain growth process and indicates fundamental thermodynamic differences between homo- and heterochiral membranes, which may be relevant in the evolution of homochirality in all living organisms.
Genomic spectrum of actionable alterations in serial cell free DNA (cfDNA) analysis of patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Bar Yael , Keenan Jennifer C. , Niemierko Andrzej , Medford Arielle J. , Isakoff Steven J. , Ellisen Leif W. , Bardia Aditya , Vidula Neelima
Published: April 2024

We aimed to study the incidence and genomic spectrum of actionable alterations (AA) detected in serial cfDNA collections from patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients with MBC who underwent plasma-based cfDNA testing (Guardant360®) between 2015 and 2021 at an academic institution were included. For patients with serial draws, new pathogenic alterations in each draw were classified as actionable alterations (AA) if they met ESCAT I or II criteria of the ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of Molecular Targets (ESCAT). A total of 344 patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/HER2-negative (HER2-) MBC, 95 patients with triple-negative (TN) MBC and 42 patients with HER2-positive (HER2 + ) MBC had a baseline (BL) cfDNA draw. Of these, 139 HR+/HER2-, 33 TN and 13 HER2+ patients underwent subsequent cfDNA draws. In the HR+/HER2- cohort, the proportion of patients with new AA decreased from 63% at BL to 27–33% in the 2nd-4th draws (p < 0.0001). While some of the new AA in subsequent draws from patients with HR+/HER2- MBC were new actionable variants in the same genes that were known to be altered in previous draws, 10-24% of patients had new AA in previously unaltered genes. The incidence of new AA also decreased with subsequent draws in the TN and HER2+ cohorts (TN: 25% to 0–9%, HER2 + : 38% to 14–15%). While the incidence of new AA in serial cfDNA decreased with subsequent draws across all MBC subtypes, new alterations with a potential impact on treatment selection continued to emerge, particularly for patients with HR+/HER2- MBC.
Kirigami-inspired, three-dimensional piezoelectric pressure sensors assembled by compressive buckling
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Changbo , Jia Ben , Ma Dongqin , Tian Xuecheng , Cui Yuanyuan , Deng Yuan
Published: April 2024

Piezoelectric sensors whose sensing performances can be flexibly regulated hold significant promise for efficient signal-acquisition applications in the healthcare field. The existing methods for regulating the properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films mainly include material modification and structural design. Compared to material modification, which has a long test period and an unstable preparation process, structural design is a more efficient method. The irigami structure combined with compressive buckling can endow the flexible film with rich macrostructural features. Here, a method is fabricated to modulate the sensing performance by employing distinct 3D structures and encapsulation materials with varying Young’s moduli. The relationship among the aspect ratio (α), pattern factor (η), elastic modulus of encapsulation materials, and equivalent stiffness is obtained by finite element simulation, which provides theoretical guidance for the design of the 2D precursor and the selection of encapsulation materials. In the demonstration applications, the sensor accurately captures pulse waveforms in multiple parts of the human body and is employed for the pressure monitoring of different parts of the sole under various posture states. This method of structure design is efficient, and the preparation process is convenient, providing a strategy for the performance control of piezoelectric pressure sensors.
Variations to plasma H2O2 levels and TAC in chronical medicated and treatment-resistant male schizophrenia patients: Correlations with psychopathology
Authors: Yang Haidong , Sun Wenxi , Yang Man , Li Jin , Zhang Jing , Zhang Xiaobin
Published: April 2024

Accumulating evidence suggests that imbalanced oxidative stress (OS) may contribute to the mechanism of schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations of OS parameters with psychopathological symptoms in male chronically medicated schizophrenia (CMS) and treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) patients. Levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hydroxyl radical (·OH), peroxidase (POD), α-tocopherol (α-toc), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were assayed in males with CMS and TRS, and matched healthy controls. Schizophrenia symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The results demonstrated significant differences in the variables H2O2 (F = 5.068, p = 0.008), ·OH (F = 31.856, p < 0.001), POD (F = 14.043, p < 0.001), α-toc (F = 3.711, p = 0.027), TAC (F = 24.098, p < 0.001), and MMP-9 (F = 3.219, p = 0.043) between TRS and CMS patients and healthy controls. For TRS patients, H2O2 levels were correlated to the PANSS positive subscale (r = 0.386, p = 0.032) and smoking (r = −0,412, p = 0.021), while TAC was significantly negatively correlated to the PANSS total score (r = −0.578, p = 0.001) and POD and TAC levels were positively correlated to body mass index (r = 0.412 and 0.357, p = 0.021 and 0.049, respectively). For patients with CMS, ·OH levels and TAC were positively correlated to the PANSS general subscale (r = 0.308, p = 0.031) and negatively correlated to the PANSS total score (r = −0.543, p < 0.001). Furthermore, H2O2, α-toc, and ·OH may be protective factors against TRS, and POD was a risk factor. Patients with CMS and TRS exhibit an imbalance in OS, thus warranting future investigations.
A pan-genome of 69 Arabidopsis thaliana accessions reveals a conserved genome structure throughout the global species range
Authors: Lian Qichao , Huettel Bruno , Walkemeier Birgit , Mayjonade Baptiste , Lopez-Roques Céline , Gil Lisa , Roux Fabrice , Schneeberger Korbinian , Mercier Raphael
Published: April 2024

Although originally primarily a system for functional biology, Arabidopsis thaliana has, owing to its broad geographical distribution and adaptation to diverse environments, developed into a powerful model in population genomics. Here we present chromosome-level genome assemblies of 69 accessions from a global species range. We found that genomic colinearity is very conserved, even among geographically and genetically distant accessions. Along chromosome arms, megabase-scale rearrangements are rare and typically present only in a single accession. This indicates that the karyotype is quasi-fixed and that rearrangements in chromosome arms are counter-selected. Centromeric regions display higher structural dynamics, and divergences in core centromeres account for most of the genome size variations. Pan-genome analyses uncovered 32,986 distinct gene families, 60% being present in all accessions and 40% appearing to be dispensable, including 18% private to a single accession, indicating unexplored genic diversity. These 69 new Arabidopsis thaliana genome assemblies will empower future genetic research.
The BALA project: A pioneering monitoring of Azorean forest invertebrates over two decades (1999–2022)
Authors: Pozsgai Gabor , Lhoumeau Sébastien , Amorim Isabel R. , Boieiro Mário , Cardoso Pedro , Costa Ricardo , Ferreira Maria Teresa , Leite Abrão , Malumbres-Olarte Jagoba , Oyarzabal Guilherme , Rigal François , Ros-Prieto Alejandra , Santos Ana M. C. , Gabriel Rosalina , Borges Paulo A. V.
Published: April 2024

Globally, there is a concerning decline in many insect populations, and this trend likely extends to all arthropods, potentially impacting unique island biota. Native non-endemic and endemic species on islands are under threat due to habitat destruction, with the introduction of exotic, and potentially invasive, species, further contributing to this decline. While long-term studies of plants and vertebrate fauna are available, long-term arthropod datasets are limited, hindering comparisons with better-studied taxa. The Biodiversity of Arthropods of the Laurisilva of the Azores (BALA) project has allowed gathering comprehensive data since 1997 in the Azorean Islands (Portugal), using standardised sampling methods across islands. The dataset includes arthropod counts from epigean (pitfall traps) and canopy-dwelling (beating samples) communities, enriched with species information, biogeographic origins, and IUCN categories. Metadata associated with the sample protocol and events, like sample identifier, archive number, sampled tree species, and trap type are also recorded. The database is available in multiple formats, including Darwin Core, which facilitates the ecological analysis of pressing environmental concerns, such as arthropod population declines and biological invasions.
Existence of reservoir with finite-dimensional output for universal reservoir computing
Authors: Sugiura Shuhei , Ariizumi Ryo , Asai Toru , Azuma Shun-ichi
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we prove the existence of a reservoir that has a finite-dimensional output and makes the reservoir computing model universal. Reservoir computing is a method for dynamical system approximation that trains the static part of a model but fixes the dynamical part called the reservoir. Hence, reservoir computing has the advantage of training models with a low computational cost. Moreover, fixed reservoirs can be implemented as physical systems. Such reservoirs have attracted attention in terms of computation speed and energy consumption. The universality of a reservoir computing model is its ability to approximate an arbitrary system with arbitrary accuracy. Two sufficient reservoir conditions to make the model universal have been proposed. The first is the combination of fading memory and the separation property. The second is the neighborhood separation property, which we proposed recently. To date, it has been unknown whether a reservoir with a finite-dimensional output can satisfy these conditions. In this study, we prove that no reservoir with a finite-dimensional output satisfies the former condition. By contrast, we propose a single output reservoir that satisfies the latter condition. This implies that, for any dimension, a reservoir making the model universal exists with the output of that specified dimension. These results clarify the practical importance of our proposed conditions.
Spectral characterization of the impact of modifiers and different prepare temperatures on snow lotus medicinal residue-biochar and dissolved organic matter
Authors: Zhang Sha , Sun Zenghong , Yao Yanna , Wang Xinyu , Tian Shuge
Published: April 2024

This study involved the production of 20 biochar samples derived from secondary medicinal residues of Snow Lotus Oral Liquid, processed within the temperature range of 200–600 °C. Additionally, four medicinal residues, including dissolved organic matter (DOM), from 24 samples obtained using the shaking method, served as the primary source material. The investigation focused on two key factors: the modifier and preparation temperature. These factors were examined to elucidate the spectral characteristics and chemical properties of the pharmaceutical residues, biochar, and DOM. To analyze the alterations in the spectral attributes of biochar and medicinal residues, we employed near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) in conjunction with Fourier-infrared one-dimensional and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy. These findings revealed that modifiers enhanced the aromaticity of biochar, and the influence of preparation temperature on biochar was diminished. This observation indicates the stability of the aromatic functional group structure. Comparative analysis indicated that Na2CO3 had a more pronounced structural effect on biochar, which is consistent with its adsorption properties. Furthermore, we utilized the fluorescence indices from UV–visible spectroscopy and excitation-emission-matrix spectra with the PARAFAC model to elucidate the characteristics of the fluorescence components in the DOM released from the samples. The results demonstrated that the DOM released from biochar primarily originated externally. Aromaticity reduction and increased decay will enhance the ability of the biochar to bind pollutants. Those results confirmed the link between the substantial increase in the adsorption performance of the high-temperature modified charcoal in the previous study and the structural changes in the biochar. We investigated the structural changes of biochar and derivative DOM in the presence of two perturbing factors, modifier and preparation temperature. Suitable modifiers were selected. Preparation for the study of adsorption properties of snow lotus medicinal residues.
Next-generation sequencing of host genetics risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity and long-COVID in Colombian population
Authors: Angulo-Aguado Mariana , Carrillo-Martinez Juan Camilo , Contreras-Bravo Nora Constanza , Morel Adrien , Parra-Abaunza Katherine , Usaquén William , Fonseca-Mendoza Dora Janeth , Ortega-Recalde Oscar
Published: April 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was considered a major public health burden worldwide. Multiple studies have shown that susceptibility to severe infections and the development of long-term symptoms is significantly influenced by viral and host factors. These findings have highlighted the potential of host genetic markers to identify high-risk individuals and develop target interventions to reduce morbimortality. Despite its importance, genetic host factors remain largely understudied in Latin-American populations. Using a case–control design and a custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel encompassing 81 genetic variants and 74 genes previously associated with COVID-19 severity and long-COVID, we analyzed 56 individuals with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 and 56 severe and critical cases. In agreement with previous studies, our results support the association between several clinical variables, including male sex, obesity and common symptoms like cough and dyspnea, and severe COVID-19. Remarkably, thirteen genetic variants showed an association with COVID-19 severity. Among these variants, rs11385942 (p < 0.01; OR = 10.88; 95% CI = 1.36–86.51) located in the LZTFL1 gene, and rs35775079 (p = 0.02; OR = 8.53; 95% CI = 1.05–69.45) located in CCR3 showed the strongest associations. Various respiratory and systemic symptoms, along with the rs8178521 variant (p < 0.01; OR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.27–4.94) in the IL10RB gene, were significantly associated with the presence of long-COVID. The results of the predictive model comparison showed that the mixed model, which incorporates genetic and non-genetic variables, outperforms clinical and genetic models. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Colombia and Latin-America proposing a predictive model for COVID-19 severity and long-COVID based on genomic analysis. Our study highlights the usefulness of genomic approaches to studying host genetic risk factors in specific populations. The methodology used allowed us to validate several genetic variants previously associated with COVID-19 severity and long-COVID. Finally, the integrated model illustrates the importance of considering genetic factors in precision medicine of infectious diseases.
Spatial–temporal evolution and peer effects of urban green development efficiency in China
Authors: Zhou Jialiang , Zhong Mingchun
Published: April 2024

In the process of global urban development, there are urgent ecological security and environmental pollution problems, green development is the fundamental way for urban sustainable development, economic transformation and mitigation of ecological and environmental problems. Based on the panel data of 283 cities at prefecture level and above in China from 2003 to 2017, this paper analyzes spatial–temporal evolution characteristics of urban green development efficiency (UGDE) and the peer effects of UGDE between cities of different grades. It is found that during the study period, in terms of temporal evolution, the average UGDE in China increased from 0.47 in 2003 to 0.61 in 2017, with a cumulative growth rate of 29.79%, showing a rising trend in general. In terms of spatial evolution, the number of low-efficiency cities and medium-efficiency cities continued to decrease. The eastern region has always been the main distribution area of higher-efficiency cities and high-efficiency cities; in the central region, UGDE in most cities improved significantly; in the western region, UGDE has always lagged behind that in the eastern and central regions. In addition, the center of gravity of UGDE presented a trend of northwest migration in general, with a total displacement of 100.07 km, and UGDE showed a spatial dispersion trend. The empirical results indicate that the improvement of UGDE in large cities has a driving effect on that in neighboring medium cities and small cities through the positive peer effect, and the growth of UGDE in medium cities has a promoting effect on that in neighboring small cities through the positive peer effect; the increase of UGDE in medium cities has a positive peer effect on that in neighboring large cities, and the growth of UGDE in small cities has a positive peer effect on that in neighboring medium cities; UGDE promotes each other between large cities through the positive peer effect.
Effects of decongestion on nasal cavity air conditioning efficiency: a CFD cohort study
Authors: Xiao Qiwei , Bates Alister J. , Doorly Denis J.
Published: April 2024

Decongestion reduces blood flow in the nasal turbinates, enlarging the airway lumen. Although the enlarged airspace reduces the trans-nasal inspiratory pressure drop, symptoms of nasal obstruction may relate to nasal cavity air-conditioning. Thus, it is necessary to quantify the efficiency of nasal cavity conditioning of the inhaled air. This study quantifies both overall and regional nasal air-conditioning in a cohort of 10 healthy subjects using computational fluid dynamics simulations before and after nasal decongestion. The 3D virtual geometry model was segmented from magnetic resonance images (MRI). Each subject was under two MRI acquisitions before and after the decongestion condition. The effects of decongestion on nasal cavity air conditioning efficiency were modelled at two inspiratory flowrates: 15 and 30 L min−1 to represent restful and light exercise conditions. Results show inhaled air was both heated and humidified up to 90% of alveolar conditions at the posterior septum. The air-conditioning efficiency of the nasal cavity remained nearly constant between nostril and posterior septum but dropped significantly after posterior septum. In summary, nasal cavity decongestion not only reduces inhaled air added heat by 23% and added moisture content by 19%, but also reduces the air-conditioning efficiency by 35% on average.
A framework for selecting and assessing soil quality indicators for sustainable soil management in waste dumps
Authors: Li Yue , Zhao Hongbao , Liu Jiashun , chaonan Chen , Yuxuan Guo
Published: April 2024

The primary objective of this study was to develop soil quality indexes (SQIs) to reveal the changes in SQ during the restoration of vegetation in the reclaimed waste dumps of the Hequ open-pit coal mine. The study built an SQI evaluation model for waste dumps based on the soil management assessment framework. The total data set (TDS) consisted of nine physicochemical property indicators. The selection of the minimum data set (MDS) involved the utilization of principal component analysis (PCA) and Norm values. The SQ was comprehensively evaluated for nine indicators, taking into account the non-linear membership function and the improved Nemerow index. The findings suggested a notable disparity in the SQ between the reclaimed area and the unreclaimed area, yet the overall SQ fell short. In the TDS index system, the organic matter has the highest weight and a greater contribution to the soil quality of the waste dumps. In the MDS indicator system, the weights of organic matter and total nitrogen are both 0.5. According to Nemerow index method, the average SQIN of 5 plots is calculated to be 0.4352 ± 0.194. The average value obtained from TDS is 0.581 ± 0.236, and the average value obtained from MDS is 0.602 ± 0.351. The weighted additive method was employed to compute three SQIs, all of which yielded satisfactory outcomes. And the above evaluation methods indicate that the overall soil quality level of the waste dumps is at a moderate level. The sequence of SQ in various waste dumps was as follows: No.4lower > No.1 > No.2 > No.3 > No.4upper. Specifically, the non-linear membership function indicated that pH, available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), surface moisture content (SMC), and bulk density (BD) were crucial in limiting SQIs in total waste dumps. The crucial limiting SQIs in unreclaimed areas were total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). This analysis demonstrates its efficacy in formulating strategies for the SQ evaluation and targeted soil reclamation plans of waste dumps.
Metallosalen modified carbon nitride a versatile and reusable catalyst for environmentally friendly aldehyde oxidation
Authors: Sedighi Reza Eskandari , Behzad Mahdi , Azizi Najmedin
Published: April 2024

The development of environmentally friendly catalysts for organic transformations is of great importance in the field of green chemistry. Aldehyde oxidation reactions play a crucial role in various industrial processes, including the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals. This paper presents the synthesis and evaluation of a new metallosalen carbon nitride catalyst named Co(salen)@g-C3N4. The catalyst was prepared by doping salicylaldehyde onto carbon nitride, and subsequently, incorporating cobalt through Schiff base chemistry. The Co(salen)@g-C3N4 catalyst was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Furthermore, after modification with salicylaldehyde, the carbon nitride component of the catalyst exhibited remarkable yields (74–98%) in oxidizing various aldehyde derivatives (20 examples) to benzoic acid. This oxidation reaction was carried out under mild conditions and resulted in short reaction times (120–300 min). Importantly, the catalyst demonstrated recyclability, as it could be reused for five consecutive runs without any loss of activity. The reusable nature of the catalyst, coupled with its excellent yields in oxidation reactions, makes it a promising and sustainable option for future applications.
Effects of prolonged vibration to the flexor carpi radialis muscle on intracortical excitability
Authors: Pfenninger Clara , Zeghoudi Narimane , Bertrand Mathilde Fiona , Lapole Thomas
Published: April 2024

Prolonged local vibration (LV) can induce neurophysiological adaptations thought to be related to long-term potentiation or depression. Yet, how changes in intracortical excitability may be involved remains to be further investigated as previous studies reported equivocal results. We therefore investigated the effects of 30 min of LV applied to the right flexor carpi radialis muscle (FCR) on both short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). SICI and ICF were measured through transcranial magnetic stimulation before and immediately after 30 min of FCR LV (vibration condition) or 30 min of rest (control condition). Measurements were performed during a low-intensity contraction (n = 17) or at rest (n = 7). No significant SICI nor ICF modulations were observed, whether measured during isometric contractions or at rest (p = 0.2). Yet, we observed an increase in inter-individual variability for post measurements after LV. In conclusion, while intracortical excitability was not significantly modulated after LV, increased inter-variability observed after LV may suggest the possibility of divergent responses to prolonged LV exposure.
Life strategy of Antarctic silverfish promote large carbon export in Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea
Authors: Manno Clara , Carlig Erica , Falco Pier Paolo , Castagno Pasquale , Budillon Giorgio
Published: April 2024

Antarctic silverfish Pleuragramma antarcticum is the most abundant pelagic fish in the High Antarctic shelf waters of the Southern Ocean, where it plays a pivotal role in the trophic web as the major link between lower and higher trophic levels. Despite the ecological importance of this species, knowledge about its role in the biogeochemical cycle is poor. We determine the seasonal contribution of Antarctic silverfish to carbon flux in terms of faeces and eggs, from samples collected in the Ross Sea. We find that eggs and faeces production generate a flux accounting for 41% of annual POC flux and that the variability of this flux is modulated by spawning strategy. This study shows the important role of this organism as a vector for carbon flux. Since Antarctic silverfish are strongly dependent on sea-ice, they might be especially sensitive to climatic changes. Our results suggest that a potential decrease in the biomass of this organism is likely to impact marine biogeochemical cycles, and this should be factored in when assessing Southern Ocean carbon budget.
Insights into the molecular mechanism of yellow cuticle coloration by a chitin-binding carotenoprotein in gregarious locusts
Authors: Egorkin Nikita A. , Dominnik Eva E. , Maksimov Eugene G. , Sluchanko Nikolai N.
Published: April 2024

Carotenoids are hydrophobic pigments binding to diverse carotenoproteins, many of which remain unexplored. Focusing on yellow gregarious locusts accumulating cuticular carotenoids, here we use engineered Escherichia coli cells to reconstitute a functional water-soluble β-carotene-binding protein, BBP. HPLC and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that recombinant BBP avidly binds β-carotene, inducing the unusual vibronic structure of its absorbance spectrum, just like native BBP extracted from the locust cuticles. Bound to recombinant BBP, β-carotene exhibits pronounced circular dichroism and allows BBP to withstand heating (T0.5 = 68 °C), detergents and pH variations. Using bacteria producing distinct xanthophylls we demonstrate that, while β-carotene is the preferred carotenoid, BBP can also extract from membranes ketocarotenoids and, very poorly, hydroxycarotenoids. We show that BBP-carotenoid complex reversibly binds to chitin, but not to chitosan, implying the role for chitin acetyl groups in cuticular BBP deposition. Reconstructing such locust coloration mechanism in vitro paves the way for structural studies and BBP applications.
Chasing weakly-bound biological water in aqueous environment near the peptide backbone by ultrafast 2D infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Juan , Yu Pengyun , Dong Tiantian , Wu Yanzhou , Yang Fan , Wang Jianping
Published: April 2024

There has been a long-standing debate as to how many hydrogen bonds a peptide backbone amide can form in aqueous solution. Hydrogen-bonding structural dynamics of N-ethylpropionamide (a β-peptide model) in water was examined using infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Two amide-I sub bands arise mainly from amide C=O group that forms strong H-bonds with solvent water molecules (SHB state), and minorly from that involving one weak H-bond with water (WHB state). This picture is supported by molecular dynamics simulations and ab-initio calculations. Further, thermodynamics and kinetics of the SHB and WHB species were examined mainly by chemical-exchange two-dimensional IR spectroscopy, yielding an activation energy for the SHB-to-WHB exchange of 13.25 ± 0.52 kJ mol‒1, which occurs in half picosecond at room temperature. Our results provided experimental evidence of an unstable water molecule near peptide backbone, allowing us to gain more insights into the dynamics of the protein backbone hydration.
An integrated 3C-silicon carbide-on-insulator photonic platform for nonlinear and quantum light sources
Authors: Li Jiayang , Zhang Qianni , Wang Jiantao , Poon Andrew W.
Published: April 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) polytypes are emerging for integrated nonlinear and quantum photonics due to their wide-bandgap energies, second-order optic nonlinearity and process compatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technologies. Among polytypes, 3C-SiC is the only one epitaxially grown on wafer-scale silicon substrates. However, on-chip nonlinear and quantum light sources leveraging the second-order nonlinearity of 3C-SiC have not been reported to our knowledge. Here, we design and fabricate an elliptical microring on 3C-SiC. We demonstrate a nonlinear light source with a second-harmonic generation efficiency of $$17.4\pm 0.2 \% {W}^{-1}$$
17.4
±
0.2
%

W

−
1

and difference-frequency generation with a signal-idler bandwidth of 97 nm. We demonstrate a spontaneous parametric down-conversion source with a photon-pair generation rate of 4.8 MHz and a coincidence-to-accidental ratio of $$3361\pm 84$$
3361
±
84
. We measure a low heralded single-photon second-order coherence $${g}_{H}^{\left(2\right)}=0.0007$$

g

H

2

=
0.0007
. We observe time-bin entanglement with a visibility of $$86.0\pm 2.4 \%$$
86.0
±
2.4
%
using this source. Our work paves a way toward SiC-based on-chip nonlinear and quantum photonic circuits.