bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Unique Vertical Structure of Quasi‐20‐sol Waves Observed by the MCS on the Martian Atmosphere
Authors: Gong Yun , Xiao Qiao , Ma Zheng , Zhang Shaodong , Zhou Qihou , Huang Chunming , Huang Kaiming
Published: October 2023

In this study, we report a two‐cell structure of quasi‐20‐sol waves (Q20SWs) in the Martian atmosphere and investigate its formation mechanism. The study is based on temperature data measured by the Mars Climate Sounder, and neutral wind and temperature data obtained from the Mars Global Circulation Model reanalysis data set. The two‐cell structure is observed before the winter solstice in a latitude range from 55°N to 65°N in three consecutive Mars years (MY, MY30‐32). The lower cell has a maximum amplitude of 9 K occurring at ∼25 km, while the magnitude of the upper cell is much smaller with a peak amplitude of 5 K appearing at ∼60 km. In the period from Ls180° to Ls270°, the peak amplitudes of the two cells are highly correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.90, and the corresponding phases are shifted by ∼180°. The Eliassen‐Palm (EP) flux and the EP flux divergence of the Q20SWs, and the zonal‐wave available potential energy transfer between the zonal mean zonal flow and the Q20SWs are calculated. Our results suggest that the formation of the two‐cell structure is likely due to the combined effects of the wave sources, the upward propagation of the Q20SWs from the lower cell, and the available potential energy transfer between the zonal mean flow and the Q20SWs.
Four-year longitudinal associations of physical activity, waist circumference, and blood pressure in UK adolescents
Authors: Waterworth Sally P. , Kerr Catherine J. , McManus Christopher J. , Chung Henry C. , Shaw Brandon S. , Shaw Ina , Sandercock Gavin R.
Published: October 2023

Background

This study assessed the specific influence of physical activity (PA) and waist circumference (WC) on the 4-year growth trajectory of blood pressure in UK high-school students.

Methods

Four-year longitudinal monitoring of 1501 adolescents was conducted as part of the EoEHHS. Measurements were taken in Grades (G)7, 9, and 11.

Results

Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased over the 4-year period (SBP G7 114.6 ± 8.9 mmHg, G9 118.1 ± 9.7 mmHg, G11 122.8 ± 7.8 mmHg; DBP G7 66.7 ± 6.6 mmHg, G9 68.0 ± 6.4 mmHg, G11 70.0 ± 5.2 mmHg). Baseline WC predicted baseline and growth in SBP, but the strongest contribution to SBP came from changes in WC (β = 0.084, p = 0.002). Baseline PAQ-A score (β = −0.822, p = 0.020) and changes in PAQ-A score (β = −0.650, p = 0.019) were associated with smaller increases in DBP over the 4-year measurement period.

Conclusions

Baseline and change in WC predicted the growth trajectory of SBP, while baseline and change in PA predicted the growth trajectory of DBP. PA and WC have a prognostic value in predicting changes in blood pressure in adolescents. Increasing PA during adolescence could slow the rise in DBP over time. This is meaningful for future hypertension and CVD risk reduction into adulthood.

Impact

Hypertension in adolescents is a growing health problem that is often overlooked.

Baseline and changes in waist circumference over a 4-year period predicted development of systolic blood pressure, while baseline and changes in physical activity predicted development of diastolic blood pressure.

Physical activity and waist circumference have a prognostic value in predicting changes in blood pressure in adolescents and could be valuable in planning programmes to prevent hypertension in similar communities and reduce the risk of future adult hypertension.
MEK inhibitors increase the mortality rate in mice with LPS-induced inflammation through IL-12-NO signaling
Authors: Hashimoto Ryota , Koide Hiroshi , Katoh Youichi
Published: October 2023

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin that can cause an acute inflammatory response. Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most important innate immune system components and is synthesized by inducible NOS (iNOS) in macrophages in response to stimulation with LPS. LPS activates the RAS-RAF-mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)-extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade in macrophages. The purpose of this study was to examine how the combination of LPS and MEK inhibitors, which have been used as anticancer agents in recent years, affects inflammation. We showed that MEK inhibitors enhanced iNOS expression and NO production in LPS-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. A MEK inhibitor increased the mortality rate in mice with LPS-induced inflammation. The expression of the cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) in macrophages was enhanced by the MEK inhibitor, as shown by a cytokine array and ELISA. IL-12 enhanced iNOS expression and NO production in response to LPS. We also showed that tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) was secreted by macrophage after stimulation with LPS and that TNF-α and IL-12 synergistically induced iNOS expression and NO production. An anti-IL-12 neutralizing antibody prevented NO production and mortality in an LPS-induced inflammation mouse model in the presence of a MEK inhibitor. These results suggest that the MEK inhibitor increases the mortality rate in mice with LPS-induced inflammation through IL-12-NO signaling.
DSE inhibits melanoma progression by regulating tumor immune cell infiltration and VCAN
Authors: Xia Lin , Feng Maoxiao , Ren Yidan , Hao Xiaodong , Jiao Qinlian , Xu QinChen , Wang Yunshan , Wang Qin , Gong Ningji
Published: October 2023

Dermatan sulfate epimerase (DSE) is a C5 epiminase that plays a key role in converting chondroitin sulfate into dermal sulfate. DSE is often upregulated during carcinogenesis of some types of cancer and can regulate growth factor signaling in cancer cells. However, the expression and function of DSE in human melanoma have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the influence of tumor-derived DSE in melanoma progression and the potential mechanism of their action. First, proteomic analysis of collected melanoma tissues revealed that DSE was significantly down-regulated in melanoma tissues. DSE silenced or overexpressed melanoma cells were constructed to detect the effect of DSE on melanoma cells, and it was found that the up-regulation of DSE significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of melanoma cells. Data analysis and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the immune subpopulations in tumors, and it was found that the high expression of DSE was closely related to the invasion of killer immune cells. Mechanistically, DSE promoted the expression of VCAN, which inhibited the biological activity of melanoma cells. Together, these results suggest that DSE is downregulated in melanoma tissues, and that high expression of DSE can promote melanoma progression by inducing immune cell infiltration and VCAN expression.
Rational engineering of high-entropy oxides for Li-ion battery anodes with finely tuned combustion syntheses
Authors: Shin Dongjoon , Chae Seunghoon , Park Seonghyun , Seo Byungseok , Choi Wonjoon
Published: October 2023

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) are promising conversion-type anode materials for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their excellent cycling stabilities and rate capabilities. However, the conventional syntheses and screening processes are time-consuming and complex and require phase and interfacial segregation of individual elements. Herein, we report a rational screening strategy for LIB anodes using precisely tunable HEOs fabricated by one-step combustion syntheses with different fuel-to-oxidizer ratios (φ). A slightly lean fuel mixture (φ-0.95) enabled a suitable temperature and non-reducing atmosphere for optimal HEO syntheses. This provided high crystallinity, perfectly homogeneous elemental distributions, and adequate pore structures without selective precipitation, whereas lower or higher fuel-to-oxidizer ratios resulted in excessively porous morphologies or elemental segregation. HEO-based anodes with φ-0.95 exhibited outstanding specific capacities (1165 mAh g−1, 80.9% retention at 0.1 A g−1, and 791 mAh g−1 even at 3 A g−1), excellent rate capabilities, and stable cycling lifetimes (1252 mAh g−1, 80.9% retention after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g−1). This design strategy will provide fascinating HEO electrodes that cannot be prepared with conventional fabrication methods.
A nanoscale view of the origin of boiling and its dynamics
Authors: Gallo Mirko , Magaletti Francesco , Georgoulas Anastasios , Marengo Marco , De Coninck Joel , Casciola Carlo Massimo
Published: October 2023

In this work, we present a dynamical theory of boiling based on fluctuating hydrodynamics and the diffuse interface approach. The model is able to describe boiling from the stochastic nucleation up to the macroscopic bubble dynamics. It covers, with a modest computational cost, the mesoscale area from nano to micrometers, where most of the controversial observations related to the phenomenon originate. In particular, the role of wettability in the macroscopic observables of boiling is elucidated. In addition, by comparing the ideal case of boiling on ultra-smooth surfaces with a chemically heterogeneous wall, our results will definitively shed light on the puzzling low onset temperatures measured in experiments. Sporadic nanometric spots of hydrophobic wettability will be shown to be enough to trigger the nucleation at low superheat, significantly reducing the temperature of boiling onset, in line with experimental results. The proposed mesoscale approach constitutes the missing link between macroscopic approaches and molecular dynamics simulations and will open a breakthrough pathway toward accurate understanding and prediction.
Transcriptional repression by a secondary DNA binding surface of DNA topoisomerase I safeguards against hypertranscription
Authors: Lau Mei Sheng , Hu Zhenhua , Zhao Xiaodan , Tan Yaw Sing , Liu Jinyue , Huang Hua , Yeo Clarisse Jingyi , Leong Hwei Fen , Grinchuk Oleg V. , Chan Justin Kaixuan , Yan Jie , Tee Wee-Wei
Published: October 2023

Regulation of global transcription output is important for normal development and disease, but little is known about the mechanisms involved. DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1) is an enzyme well-known for its role in relieving DNA supercoils for enabling transcription. Here, we report a non-enzymatic function of TOP1 that downregulates RNA synthesis. This function is dependent on specific DNA-interacting residues located on a conserved protein surface. A loss-of-function knock-in mutation on this surface, R548Q, is sufficient to cause hypertranscription and alter differentiation outcomes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Hypertranscription in mESCs is accompanied by reduced TOP1 chromatin binding and change in genomic supercoiling. Notably, the mutation does not impact TOP1 enzymatic activity; rather, it diminishes TOP1-DNA binding and formation of compact protein-DNA structures. Thus, TOP1 exhibits opposing influences on transcription through distinct activities which are likely to be coordinated. This highlights TOP1 as a safeguard of appropriate total transcription levels in cells.
Metal-free electrochemical dihydroxylation of unactivated alkenes
Authors: Liu Min , Feng Tian , Wang Yanwei , Kou Guangsheng , Wang Qiuyan , Wang Qian , Qiu Youai
Published: October 2023

Herein, a metal-free electrochemical dihydroxylation of unactivated alkenes is described. The transformation proceeds smoothly under mild conditions with a broad range of unactivated alkenes, providing valuable and versatile dihydroxylated products in moderate to good yields without the addition of costly transition metals and stoichiometric amounts of chemical oxidants. Moreover, this method can be applied to a range of natural products and pharmaceutical derivatives, further demonstrating its synthetic utility. Mechanistic studies have revealed that iodohydrin and epoxide intermediate are formed during the reaction process.
Warming proportional to cumulative carbon emissions not explained by heat and carbon sharing mixing processes
Authors: Gillett Nathan P.
Published: October 2023

The constant ratio of global warming to cumulative CO2 emissions underpins the use of cumulative emissions budgets as policy tools, and the need to reach net zero CO2 emissions to stabilize global mean temperature. Several studies have argued that this property arises because heat and carbon are mixed into the ocean by similar physical processes, and this argument was echoed in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. Here we show that, contrary to this hypothesis, atmosphere-ocean fluxes of heat and carbon evolve very differently to each other in abrupt CO2 increase experiments in five earth system models, and that changes in the atmosphere, ocean and land carbon pools all contribute to making warming proportional to cumulative emissions. Our results strongly suggest that this proportionality is not amenable to a simple physical explanation, but rather arises because of the complex interplay of multiple physical and biogeochemical processes.
Char dominates black carbon aerosol emission and its historic reduction in China
Authors: Cai Junjie , Jiang Hongxing , Chen Yingjun , Liu Zeyu , Han Yong , Shen Huizhong , Song Jianzhong , Li Jun , Zhang Yanlin , Wang Rong , Chen Jianmin , Zhang Gan
Published: October 2023

Emission factors and inventories of black carbon (BC) aerosols are crucial for estimating their adverse atmospheric effect. However, it is imperative to separate BC emissions into char and soot subgroups due to their significantly different physicochemical properties and potential effects. Here, we present a substantial dataset of char and soot emission factors derived from field and laboratory measurements. Based on the latest results of the char-to-soot ratio, we further reconstructed the emission inventories of char and soot for the years 1960–2017 in China. Our findings indicate that char dominates annual BC emissions and its huge historical reduction, which can be attributable to the rapid changes in energy structure, combustion technology and emission standards in recent decades. Our results suggest that further BC emission reductions in both China and the world should focus on char, which mainly derives from lower-temperature combustion and is easier to decrease compared to soot.
Molecular mechanism of decision-making in glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis
Authors: Sammon Douglas , Krueger Anja , Busse-Wicher Marta , Morgan Rhodri Marc , Haslam Stuart M. , Schumann Benjamin , Briggs David C. , Hohenester Erhard
Published: October 2023

Two major glycosaminoglycan types, heparan sulfate (HS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), control many aspects of development and physiology in a type-specific manner. HS and CS are attached to core proteins via a common linker tetrasaccharide, but differ in their polymer backbones. How core proteins are specifically modified with HS or CS has been an enduring mystery. By reconstituting glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis in vitro, we establish that the CS-initiating N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase CSGALNACT2 modifies all glycopeptide substrates equally, whereas the HS-initiating N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase EXTL3 is selective. Structure-function analysis reveals that acidic residues in the glycopeptide substrate and a basic exosite in EXTL3 are critical for specifying HS biosynthesis. Linker phosphorylation by the xylose kinase FAM20B accelerates linker synthesis and initiation of both HS and CS, but has no effect on the subsequent polymerisation of the backbone. Our results demonstrate that modification with CS occurs by default and must be overridden by EXTL3 to produce HS.
Topological superconductor candidates PdBi2Te4 and PdBi2Te5 from a generic ab initio strategy
Authors: Luo Aiyun , Li Ying , Qin Yi , Hu Jingnan , Wang Xiaoxu , Zou Jinyu , Lian Biao , Xu Gang
Published: October 2023

Superconducting topological metals (SCTMs) have recently emerged as a promising platform of topological superconductivity (TSC) and Majorana zero modes for quantum computation. Despite their importance in both fundamental research and applications, SCTMs are very rare in nature. Here, we propose a strategy to design SCTMs by intercalating the superconducting units into the topological insulators. A program that characterizes the superconducting BdG Chern number of 2D BdG Hamiltonian from ab initio calculations is also developed. Following this strategy, PdBi2Te5 and PdBi2Te4 are found to be experimentally synthesizable and ideal SCTMs. Chiral TSC could be realized in such SCTMs by incorporating topological surface states with Zeeman effect, which can be realized by an external magnetic field or in proximity to ferromagnetic insulator. Our strategy provides a new method for identifying the SCTMs and TSC candidates, and the program makes it possible to design and modulate the TSC candidates from ab initio calculations.
Key advances in vaccine development for tuberculosis—success and challenges
Authors: Lai Rocky , Ogunsola Abiola F. , Rakib Tasfia , Behar Samuel M.
Published: October 2023

Breakthrough findings in the clinical and preclinical development of tuberculosis (TB) vaccines have galvanized the field and suggest, for the first time since the development of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), that a novel and protective TB vaccine is on the horizon. Here we highlight the TB vaccines that are in the development pipeline and review the basis for optimism in both the clinical and preclinical space. We describe immune signatures that could act as immunological correlates of protection (CoP) to facilitate the development and comparison of vaccines. Finally, we discuss new animal models that are expected to more faithfully model the pathology and complex immune responses observed in human populations.
A comprehensive spectral assay library to quantify the Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1 proteome by DIA/SWATH-MS
Authors: Kusebauch Ulrike , Lorenzetti Alan P. R. , Campbell David S. , Pan Min , Shteynberg David , Kapil Charu , Midha Mukul K. , López García de Lomana Adrián , Baliga Nitin S. , Moritz Robert L.
Published: October 2023

Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) is a mass spectrometry-based method to reliably identify and reproducibly quantify large fractions of a target proteome. The peptide-centric data analysis strategy employed in DIA requires a priori generated spectral assay libraries. Such assay libraries allow to extract quantitative data in a targeted approach and have been generated for human, mouse, zebrafish, E. coli and few other organisms. However, a spectral assay library for the extreme halophilic archaeon Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1, a model organism that contributed to several notable discoveries, is not publicly available yet. Here, we report a comprehensive spectral assay library to measure 2,563 of 2,646 annotated H. salinarum NRC-1 proteins. We demonstrate the utility of this library by measuring global protein abundances over time under standard growth conditions. The H. salinarum NRC-1 library includes 21,074 distinct peptides representing 97% of the predicted proteome and provides a new, valuable resource to confidently measure and quantify any protein of this archaeon. Data and spectral assay libraries are available via ProteomeXchange (PXD042770, PXD042774) and SWATHAtlas (SAL00312-SAL00319).
A database of atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition fluxes in China from satellite monitoring
Authors: Gao Qian , Zhang Xiuying , Liu Lei , Lu Xuehe , Wang Yingying
Published: October 2023

Over the past century, atmospheric inorganic nitrogen (IN) deposition to terrestrial ecosystems has significantly increased and caused various environmental issues. China has been one of the hotspot regions for IN deposition, yet limited data exist regarding IN deposition fluxes in China at the regional scale. In this study, based on NO2 and NH3 columns acquired by satellite sensors, coupled with atmospheric chemical transport model (CTM), mixed-effects model and site observations, we constructed regional-scale IN dry and wet deposition models respectively, and finally proposed a spatially explicit database of IN deposition fluxes in China. The database includes the dry, wet and total deposition fluxes in China during 2011–2020, and the data are presented in raster form with a resolution of 0.25° × 0.25°. Overall, the database is of great importance for monitoring and simulating the trends of IN deposition over a long time series in China.
Physiological and stoichiometric characterization of ethanol-based chain elongation in the absence of short-chain carboxylic acids
Authors: Allaart Maximilienne Toetie , Fox Bartholomeus B. , Nettersheim Ingo H. M. S. , Pabst Martin , Sousa Diana Z. , Kleerebezem Robbert
Published: October 2023

Hexanoate is a valuable chemical that can be produced by microorganisms that convert short-chain- to medium-chain carboxylic acids through a process called chain elongation. These microorganisms usually produce mixtures of butyrate and hexanoate from ethanol and acetate, but direct conversion of ethanol to hexanoate is theoretically possible. Steering microbial communities to ethanol-only elongation to hexanoate circumvents the need for acetate addition and simplifies product separation. The biological feasibility of ethanol elongation to hexanoate was validated in batch bioreactor experiments with a Clostridium kluyveri-dominated enrichment culture incubated with ethanol, acetate and butyrate in different ratios. Frequent liquid sampling combined with high-resolution off-gas measurements allowed to monitor metabolic behavior. In experiments with an initial ethanol-to-acetate ratio of 6:1, acetate depletion occurred after ± 35 h of fermentation, which triggered a metabolic shift to direct conversion of ethanol to hexanoate despite the availability of butyrate (± 40 mCmol L−1). When only ethanol and no external electron acceptor was supplied, stable ethanol to hexanoate conversion could be maintained until 60–90 mCmol L−1 of hexanoate was produced. After this, transient production of either acetate and butyrate or butyrate and hexanoate was observed, requiring a putative reversal of the Rnf complex. This was not observed before acetate depletion or in presence of low concentrations (40–60 mCmol L−1) of butyrate, suggesting a stabilizing or regulatory role of butyrate or butyrate-related catabolic intermediates. This study sheds light on previously unknown versatility of chain elongating microbes and provides new avenues for optimizing (waste) bioconversion for hexanoate production.
Spatiotemporal-based automated inundation mapping of Ramsar wetlands using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Goyal Manish Kumar , Rakkasagi Shivukumar , Shaga Soumya , Zhang Tian C. , Surampalli Rao Y. , Dubey Saket
Published: October 2023

Wetlands are one of the most critical components of an ecosystem, supporting many ecological niches and a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The ecological significance of these sites makes it imperative to study the changes in their inundation extent and propose necessary measures for their conservation. This study analyzes all 64 Ramsar sites in China based on their inundation patterns using Landsat imagery from 1991 to 2020. Annual composites were generated using the short-wave infrared thresholding technique from June to September to create inundation maps. The analysis was carried out on each Ramsar site individually to account for its typical behavior due to regional geographical and climatic conditions. The results of the inundation analysis for each site were subjected to the Mann–Kendall test to determine their trends. The analysis showed that 8 sites exhibited a significantly decreasing trend, while 14 sites displayed a significantly increasing trend. The accuracy of the analysis ranged from a minimum of 72.0% for Hubei Wang Lake to a maximum of 98.0% for Zhangye Heihe Wetland National Nature Reserve. The average overall accuracy of the sites was found to be 90.0%. The findings emphasize the necessity for conservation strategies and policies for Ramsar sites.
A Monte Carlo model of the Dingo thermal neutron imaging beamline
Authors: Jakubowski Klaudiusz , Chacon Andrew , Tran Linh T. , Stopic Attila , Garbe Ulf , Bevitt Joseph , Olsen Scott , Franklin Daniel R. , Rosenfeld Anatoly , Guatelli Susanna , Safavi-Naeini Mitra
Published: October 2023

In this study, we present a validated Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation model of the Dingo thermal neutron imaging beamline at the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering. The model, constructed using CAD drawings of the entire beam transport path and shielding structures, is designed to precisely predict the in-beam neutron field at the position at the sample irradiation stage. The model’s performance was assessed by comparing simulation results to various experimental measurements, including planar thermal neutron distribution obtained in-beam using gold foil activation and $$^{10}$$

10

B$$_{4}$$

4

C-coated microdosimeters and the out-of-beam neutron spectra measured with Bonner spheres. The simulation results demonstrated that the predicted neutron fluence at the field’s centre is within 8.1% and 2.1% of the gold foil and $$^{10}$$

10

B$$_{4}$$

4

C-coated microdosimeter measurements, respectively. The logarithms of the ratios of average simulated to experimental fluences in the thermal (E$$_{th}<$$

th

<

0.414 eV), epithermal (0.414 eV < E$$_{epi}<$$

epi

<

11.7 keV) and fast (E$$_{fast}>$$

fast

>

11.7 keV) spectral regions were approximately − 0.03 to + 0.1, − 0.2 to + 0.15, and − 0.4 to + 0.2, respectively. Furthermore, the predicted thermal, epithermal and fast neutron components in-beam at the sample stage position constituted approximately 18%, 64% and 18% of the total neutron fluence.
DDX52 gene expression in LUAD tissues indicates potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target
Authors: Xu Mingming , Yang Mingjun
Published: October 2023

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally. While DDX52, an ATP-dependent RNA helicase, plays a role in several biological processes, its specific involvement in LUAD is yet to be elucidated. We utilized ROC curves to determine DDX52’s predictive potential for LUAD. Kaplan–Meier survival curves, along with univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, assessed the prognostic implications of DDX52 in LUAD. We constructed nomogram models to further delineate DDX52’s influence on prognosis, employed GSEA for functional analysis, and used qRT-PCR to examine DDX52 expression in LUAD tissues. DDX52 expression was notably higher in LUAD tissues, suggesting its potential as a negative prognostic marker. We observed a direct relationship between DDX52 expression and advanced T and N stages, as well as higher grading and staging in LUAD patients. Cox analyses further underscored DDX52’s role as an independent prognostic determinant for LUAD. GSEA insights indicated DDX52’s influence on LUAD progression via multiple signaling pathways. Our nomogram, founded on DDX52 expression, effectively projected LUAD patient survival, as validated by calibration curves. Elevated DDX52 expression in LUAD tissues signals its potential as a poor prognostic marker. Our findings emphasize DDX52’s role not only as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD but also as a significant influencer in its progression through diverse signaling pathways. The constructed nomogram also underscores the feasibility of predicting LUAD patient survival based on DDX52 expression.
Relating quanta conservation and compartmental epidemiological models of airborne disease outbreaks in buildings
Authors: Wood Samuel G. A. , Craske John , Burridge Henry C.
Published: October 2023

We investigate the underlying assumptions and limits of applicability of several documented models for outbreaks of airborne disease inside buildings by showing how they may each be regarded as special cases of a system of equations which combines quanta conservation and compartmental epidemiological modelling. We investigate the behaviour of this system analytically, gaining insight to its behaviour at large time. We then investigate the characteristic timescales of an indoor outbreak, showing how the dilution rate of the space, and the quanta generation rate, incubation rate and removal rate associated with the illness may be used to predict the evolution of an outbreak over time, and may also be used to predict the relative performances of other indoor airborne outbreak models. The model is compared to a more commonly used model, in which it is assumed the environmental concentration of infectious aerosols adheres to a quasi-steady-state, so that the the dimensionless quanta concentration is equal to the the infectious fraction. The model presented here is shown to approach this limit exponentially to within an interval defined by the incubation and removal rates. This may be used to predict the maximum extent to which a case will deviate from the quasi steady state condition.
Baseline treatments and metabolic control of 288,913 type 2 diabetes patients in a 10-year retrospective cohort in Malaysia
Authors: Wan Kim Sui , Mustapha Feisul , Chandran Arunah , Ganapathy Shubash Shander , Zakariah Nurhaliza , Ramasamy Sivarajan , Subbarao Gunenthira Rao , Mohd Yusoff Muhammad Fadhli
Published: October 2023

Diabetes is one of the quickest-growing global health emergencies of the twenty-first century, and data-driven care can improve the quality of diabetes management. We aimed to describe the formation of a 10-year retrospective open cohort of type 2 diabetes patients in Malaysia. We also described the baseline treatment profiles and HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipid control to assess the quality of diabetes care. We used 10 years of cross-sectional audit datasets from the National Diabetes Registry and merged 288,913 patients with the same identifying information into a 10-year open cohort dataset. Treatment targets for HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were based on Malaysian clinical practice guidelines. IBM SPSS Statistics version 23.0 was used, and frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence intervals were reported. In total, 288,913 patients were included, with 62.3% women and 54.1% younger adults. The commonest diabetes treatment modality was oral hypoglycaemic agents (75.9%). Meanwhile, 19.3% of patients had ≥ 3 antihypertensive agents, and 71.2% were on lipid-lowering drugs. Metformin (86.1%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (49.6%), and statins (69.2%) were the most prescribed antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and lipid-lowering medications, respectively. The mean HbA1c was 7.96 ± 2.11, and 31.2% had HbA1c > 8.5%. Only 35.8% and 35.2% attained blood pressure < 140/80 mmHg and LDL-cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L, respectively. About 57.5% and 52.9% achieved their respective triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol goals. In conclusion, data integration is a feasible method in this diabetes registry. HbA1c, blood pressure, and lipids are not optimally controlled, and these findings can be capitalized as a guideline by clinicians, programme managers, and health policymakers to improve the quality of diabetes care and prevent long-term complications in Malaysia.
Pyrazinyl and pyridinyl bis-azomethines formation: an experimental and computational study
Authors: Coufal Radek , Vohlídal Jiří
Published: October 2023

Formation of bis-azomethines from hydrazine and heterocyclic aromatic carbaldehydes, namely pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and pyrazine-2-carbaldehyde, is studied using density functional theory. The theoretical investigation is correlated with experimental results obtained by means of NMR spectroscopy. The presence of bis-hemiaminal intermediates is evidenced by NMR spectra while surprisingly stable hemiaminal intermediate was isolated experimentally. Water, methanol and acetic acid were outlined to play a crucial role as active catalysts of elementary steps of the reaction mechanisms. The possible reaction sequences, i.e. addition-dehydration-addition-dehydration or addition-addition-dehydration-dehydration are investigated and discussed. Also, alternative mechanistic path via ionic mechanism was proposed for the formation of hemiaminals.
Seamlessly integrated textile electrodes and conductive routing in a garment for electrostimulation: design, manufacturing and evaluation
Authors: Gunnarsson Emanuel , Rödby Kristian , Seoane Fernando
Published: October 2023

Electro-stimulation to alleviate spasticity, pain and to increase mobility has been used successfully for years. Usually, gelled electrodes are used for this. In a garment intended for repeated use such electrodes must be replaced. The Mollii-suit by the company Inerventions utilises dry conductive rubber electrodes. The electrodes work satisfactory, but the garment is cumbersome to fit on the body. In this paper we show that knitted dry electrodes can be used instead. The knitted electrodes present a lower friction against the skin and a garment is easily fitted to the body. The fabric is stretchable and provides a tight fit to the body ensuring electrical contact. We present three candidate textrodes and show how we choose the one with most favourable features for producing the garment. We validate the performance of the garment by measuring three electrical parameters: rise time (10–90%) of the applied voltage, net injected charge and the low frequency value of the skin–electrode impedance. It is concluded that the use of flat knitting intarsia technique can produce a garment with seamlessly integrated conductive leads and electrodes and that this garment delivers energy to the body as targeted and is beneficial from manufacturing and comfort perspectives.
Analysis of tightly-coupled dipole phased array antennas with metasurface superstrate
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Mahdi , Atlasbaf Zahra
Published: October 2023

Tightly coupled dipole arrays, including connected arrays, and capacitively coupled arrays, are one of the best solutions for wideband phased array antenna designs. However, to increase bandwidth and maximum scan angle, we can use a metasurface superstrate. We propose an analytical model to compute the scan impedance of a tightly coupled dipole array loaded with a metasurface. This analytical model helps us to simplify the calculation of the scan impedance of the array and speeds up the design process of these array antennas. It is shown that the metasurface superstrate improves the bandwidth and beam scanning angles of the array. Using the proposed general transmission line model, the computation of the scan impedance of tightly coupled dipole arrays is done very fast with minimum error. The semi-analytical model is about 7 times faster than a full-wave simulation.
An adaptive categorical effect size method based on intuitionistic meta fuzzy functions
Authors: Yabacı Tak Ayşegül
Published: October 2023

There are several categorical effect size methods in the literature. It is not clear which method performs better for a given dataset and it is a challenging task to select the correct method for a given dataset. In this sense, to overcome the questions like “Which method should we choose?” and “Which categorical effect size method is more reliable for a given dataset?”, an adaptive categorical effect size method based on intuitionistic meta fuzzy functions is introduced in the paper. Thus, the main motivation of the proposed method is to obtain more accurate outcomes by combining the results of better performing methods instead of relying on only one method. In the study, the intuitionistic fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm is adapted to meta fuzzy functions by incorporating not only membership degrees but also non-membership degrees to improve the clustering accuracy of meta fuzzy functions. Meta fuzzy functions are the linear combination of seven categorical effect size methods and the weights, which are calculated from membership grades from intuitionistic fuzzy c-means algorithm. Among the functions, the one with the lowest mean absolute percentage error is selected as the best. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, 2 × 3, 2 × 4, and 3 × 4 contingency tables were simulated. Additionally, the performance of the proposed method is also assessed by applying it to a real-time dataset. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms compared to the evaluated seven categorical effect size methods in terms of mean absolute percentage error. Also, the calculated effect sizes are within the range of ±10% in terms of bias. Thus, the results verified that proposed method achieves greater reliability.
Ambient temperatures associated with reduced cognitive function in older adults in China
Authors: Hou Kun , Xu Xia
Published: October 2023

The cognitive function status of older adults determines the social function and living quality of older adults, which is related to the healthy development and stability of the society. However, the impact of high or low ambient temperature on cognitive function in older adults remains unclear. Based on data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), we comprehensively assessed the impact of ambient temperature on the cognitive function of older adults in this study. The findings exhibited that for each 1 °C ascent in monthly temperature of high temperature, the examination score of global cognitive function of older adults decreased by 0.48 (95% CI 0.21–0.74), which was greater than that of 0.14 (95% CI 0.06–0.25) for each 1 °C reduction in low temperature. Overall, the detrimental effect of high temperature on cognitive function in older adults was more significant than that of low temperature, including on the five sub-cognitive functions involved. Our research provides vital technical guidance and reference for the health protection and prevention of cognitive function of older adults in specific external environmental conditions under the current climatic variation and temperature rise.
Deep learning system improved detection efficacy of fetal intracranial malformations in a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Meifang , Zhou Qian , Lei Ting , Shang Ning , zheng Qiao , He Xiaoqin , Wang Nan , Xie Hongning
Published: October 2023

Congenital malformations of the central nervous system are among the most common major congenital malformations. Deep learning systems have come to the fore in prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformation, but the impact of deep learning-assisted detection of congenital intracranial malformations from fetal neurosonographic images has not been evaluated. Here we report a three-way crossover, randomized control trial (Trial Registration: ChiCTR2100048233) that assesses the efficacy of a deep learning system, the Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis Artificial Intelligence Conduct System (PAICS), in assisting fetal intracranial malformation detection. A total of 709 fetal neurosonographic images/videos are read interactively by 36 sonologists of different expertise levels in three reading modes: unassisted mode (without PAICS assistance), concurrent mode (using PAICS at the beginning of the assessment) and second mode (using PAICS after a fully unaided interpretation). Aided by PAICS, the average accuracy of the unassisted mode (73%) is increased by the concurrent mode (80%; P < 0.001) and the second mode (82%; P < 0.001). Correspondingly, the AUC is increased from 0.85 to 0.89 and to 0.90, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). The median read time per data is slightly increased in concurrent mode but substantially prolonged in the second mode, from 6 s to 7 s and to 11 s (P < 0.001 for all). In conclusion, PAICS in both concurrent and second modes has the potential to improve sonologists’ performance in detecting fetal intracranial malformations from neurosonographic data. PAICS is more efficient when used concurrently for all readers.
Human-specific evolutionary markers linked to foetal neurodevelopment modulate brain surface area in schizophrenia
Authors: Guardiola-Ripoll Maria , Almodóvar-Payá Carmen , Arias-Magnasco Angelo , Latorre-Guardia Mariona , Papiol Sergi , Canales-Rodríguez Erick J. , García-León María Ángeles , Fuentes-Claramonte Paola , Salavert Josep , Tristany Josep , Torres Llanos , Rodríguez-Cano Elena , Salvador Raymond , Pomarol-Clotet Edith , Fatjó-Vilas Mar
Published: October 2023

Schizophrenia may represent a trade-off in the evolution of human-specific ontogenetic mechanisms that guide neurodevelopment. Human Accelerated Regions (HARs) are evolutionary markers functioning as neurodevelopmental transcription enhancers that have been associated with brain configuration, neural information processing, and schizophrenia risk. Here, we have investigated the influence of HARs’ polygenic load on neuroanatomical measures through a case-control approach (128 patients with schizophrenia and 115 controls). To this end, we have calculated the global schizophrenia Polygenic Risk Score (Global PRSSZ) and that specific to HARs (HARs PRSSZ). We have also estimated the polygenic burden restricted to the HARs linked to transcriptional regulatory elements active in the foetal brain (FB-HARs PRSSZ) and the adult brain (AB-HARs PRSSZ). We have explored the main effects of the PRSs and the PRSs x diagnosis interactions on brain regional cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA). The results indicate that a higher FB-HARs PRSSZ is associated with patients’ lower SA in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, the superior temporal cortex, the pars triangularis and the paracentral lobule. While noHARs-derived PRSs show an effect on the risk, our neuroanatomical findings suggest that the human-specific transcriptional regulation during the prenatal period underlies SA variability, highlighting the role of these evolutionary markers in the schizophrenia genomic architecture.
Mouse Slfn8 and Slfn9 genes complement human cells lacking SLFN11 during the replication stress response
Authors: Alvi Erin , Mochizuki Ayako L. , Katsuki Yoko , Ogawa Minori , Qi Fei , Okamoto Yusuke , Takata Minoru , Mu Anfeng
Published: October 2023

The Schlafen (SLFN)11 gene has been implicated in various biological processes such as suppression of HIV replication, replication stress response, and sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Due to the rapid diversification of the SLFN family members, it remains uncertain whether a direct ortholog of human SLFN11 exists in mice. Here we show that mSLFN8/9 and hSLFN11 were rapidly recruited to microlaser-irradiated DNA damage tracks. Furthermore, Slfn8/9 expression could complement SLFN11 loss in human SLFN11−/− cells, and as a result, reduced the growth rate to wild-type levels and partially restored sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. In addition, both Slfn8/9 and SLFN11 expression accelerated stalled fork degradation and decreased RPA and RAD51 foci numbers after DNA damage. Based on these results, we propose that mouse Slfn8 and Slfn9 genes may share an orthologous function with human SLFN11. This notion may facilitate understanding of SLFN11’s biological role through in vivo studies via mouse modeling.
Characterization of the AcrIIC1 anti‒CRISPR protein for Cas9‒based genome engineering in E. coli
Authors: Trasanidou Despoina , Potocnik Ana , Barendse Patrick , Mohanraju Prarthana , Bouzetos Evgenios , Karpouzis Efthymios , Desmet Amber , van Kranenburg Richard , van der Oost John , Staals Raymond H. J. , Mougiakos Ioannis
Published: October 2023

Anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) block the activity of CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, either by inhibiting DNA interference or by preventing crRNA loading and complex formation. Although the main use of Acrs in genome engineering applications is to lower the cleavage activity of Cas proteins, they can also be instrumental for various other CRISPR-based applications. Here, we explore the genome editing potential of the thermoactive type II-C Cas9 variants from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans T12 (ThermoCas9) and Geobacillus stearothermophilus (GeoCas9) in Escherichia coli. We then demonstrate that the AcrIIC1 protein from Neisseria meningitidis robustly inhibits their DNA cleavage activity, but not their DNA binding capacity. Finally, we exploit these AcrIIC1:Cas9 complexes for gene silencing and base-editing, developing Acr base-editing tools. With these tools we pave the way for future engineering applications in mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria combining the activities of Acr and CRISPR-Cas proteins.
Spontaneous superconducting diode effect in non-magnetic Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 topological junctions
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Shahbaz , Nakamura Taketomo , Ishiguro Ryosuke , Arif Shafaq , Robinson Jason W. A. , Yonezawa Shingo , Sigrist Manfred , Maeno Yoshiteru
Published: October 2023

Non-reciprocal electronic transport in a material occurs if both time reversal and inversion symmetries are broken. The superconducting diode effect (SDE) is an exotic manifestation of this type of behavior where the critical current for positive and negative currents are mismatched, as recently observed in some non-centrosymmetric superconductors with a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate a SDE in non-magnetic Nb/Ru/Sr2RuO4 Josephson junctions without applying an external magnetic field. The cooling history dependence of the SDE suggests that time-reversal symmetry is intrinsically broken by the superconducting phase of Sr2RuO4. Applied magnetic fields modify the SDE dynamically by randomly changing the sign of the non-reciprocity. We propose a model for such a topological junction with a conventional superconductor surrounded by a chiral superconductor with broken time reversal symmetry.
Topological classification for intersection singularities of exceptional surfaces in pseudo-Hermitian systems
Authors: Jia Hongwei , Zhang Ruo-Yang , Hu Jing , Xiao Yixin , Zhang Shuang , Zhu Yifei , Chan C. T.
Published: October 2023

Non-Hermitian systems are known for their intriguing topological properties, which underpin various exotic physical phenomena. Exceptional points, in particular, play a pivotal role in fine-tuning these systems for optimal device functionality and material characteristics. These points can give rise to exceptional surfaces with embedded lower-dimensional non-isolated singularities. Here we introduce a topological classification for non-defective intersection lines of exceptional surfaces, where exceptional surfaces intersect transversally. We achieve this classification by constructing a quotient space of an order-parameter space under equivalence relations of eigenstates. We unveil that the fundamental group of these gapless structures is a non-Abelian group on three generators. This classification not only reveals a unique form of non-Hermitian gapless phases featuring a chain of non-defective intersection lines but also predicts the unexpected existence of topological edge states in one-dimensional lattice models protected by the intersection singularities. Our classification opens avenues for realizing robust topological phases.
Uncertainties and sensitivities in the quantification of future tropical cyclone risk
Authors: Meiler Simona , Ciullo Alessio , Kropf Chahan M. , Emanuel Kerry , Bresch David N.
Published: October 2023

Tropical cyclone risks are expected to increase with climate change and socio-economic development and are subject to substantial uncertainties. We thus assess future global tropical cyclone risk drivers and perform a systematic uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. We combine synthetic tropical cyclones downscaled from CMIP6 global climate models for several emission scenarios with economic growth factors derived from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways and a wide range of vulnerability functions. We highlight non-trivial effects between climate change and socio-economic development that drive future tropical cyclone risk. Furthermore, we show that the choice of climate model affects the output uncertainty most among all varied model input factors. Finally, we discover a positive correlation between climate sensitivity and tropical cyclone risk increase. We assert that quantitative estimates of uncertainty and sensitivity to model parameters greatly enhance the value of climate risk assessments, enabling more robust decision-making and offering a richer context for model improvement.