bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin and soft tissue infection incidence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Merino Prudencio , Kupferwasser Deborah , Flores Evelyn A. , Phan Tran Donna , Ortega Abisay , Miller Loren G.
Published: November 2023

Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (SSTIs) are common bacterial infections. We hypothesized that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SSTI rates would significantly decrease due to directives to avoid unneeded care and attenuated SSTIs risk behaviours. We retrospectively examined all patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis code in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the second largest U.S. safety net healthcare system between 16 March 2017 and 15 March 2022. We then compared pre-pandemic with intra-pandemic SSTI rates using an interrupted time series analysis. We found 72,118 SSTIs, 46,206 during the pre-pandemic period and 25,912 during the intra-pandemic period. Pre-pandemic SSTI rate was significantly higher than the intra-pandemic rate (3.27 vs. 2.31 cases per 1,000 empanelled patient-months, P < 0.0001). The monthly SSTI cases decreased by 1.19 SSTIs/1,000 empanelled patient-months between the pre- and intra-pandemic periods (P = 0.0003). SSTI subgroups (inpatient, observation unit, emergency department, and outpatient clinics), all had significant SSTI decreases between the two time periods (P < 0.05) except for observation unit (P = 0.50). Compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, medically attended SSTI rates in our large U.S. safety net healthcare system significantly decreased by nearly 30%. Whether findings reflect true SSTI decreases or decreased health system utilization for SSTIs requires further examination.
Examining the relationships among motivation, informal digital learning of English, and foreign language enjoyment: An explanatory mixed-method study
Authors: Liu Guangxiang Leon , Zhang Yue , Zhang Rui
Published: November 2023

This explanatory mixed-method study seeks to understand the relationships between second language (L2) motivation (including the ideal L2 self and the ought-to L2 self) and students’ informal digital learning of English (IDLE) and whether such relationships are mediated by the most prominent positive emotion – enjoyment. A total of 391 Chinese university students participated in the survey, and 15 of them were interviewed later. Quantitative analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between the ideal L2 self and participants’ IDLE, which was partially mediated by foreign language enjoyment (FLE), while the hypotheses that the ought-to L2 self significantly predicted FLE and IDLE were rejected. The qualitative data added details to how a vivid and elaborate L2 vision contributed to enhanced English learning enjoyment and served as the most influential motivator for IDLE practices. Meanwhile, the external and instrumental motives could not predict Chinese university students’ enjoyment, disempowering them to invest in productive language learning practices in the informal and digitalized environment. The discussion of these findings and pedagogical implications helps to chart the path for utilizing the power of the ideal L2 self to engage Chinese university students with the extramural and digitalized language learning ecology.
A scoping review of health promotion interventions delivered via social media to women of reproductive age
Authors: Henderson Maddison J , Gow Megan L
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Adult women of reproductive age are highly engaged with social media, suggesting its utility for conveying health information to this population, at scale. This scoping review aimed to describe health promotion interventions conducted via social media and assess their effectiveness to improve health outcomes, engagement and acceptability in adult women of reproductive age.

Design:

Six databases were searched on 13 May 2022. Two reviewers independently screened studies. Data were extracted and risk of bias assessed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools.

Setting:

Eligible studies conducted an intervention primarily via social media, with or without a comparison intervention, and reported health-related outcomes/behaviours pre- and post-intervention. Results were presented in narrative form.

Participants:

Adult women (mean age 18–45 years).

Results:

Nine eligible studies were identified: six randomised control trials, two quasi-experimental studies and one cross-sectional study. Interventions focused on prenatal, antenatal or postpartum health or physical activity. Seven studies utilised Facebook for intervention delivery, one conducted a digital campaign across four platforms and one used WeChat. Studies reported significant improvements in a range of outcomes, including increased parenting competence, longer duration of breast-feeding and higher rates of physical activity. Social media interventions had greater engagement than control interventions.

Conclusions:

We identified nine diverse health promotion interventions conducted via social media, which appear acceptable and effective for improving various health outcomes in adult women of reproductive age. While this supports the utility of social media to convey health information, further research is required to prove effectiveness and superiority over other intervention strategies.
Talking about dying and death: Essentials of communicating about approaching death from the perspective of major stakeholders
Authors: Felber Sibylle J. , Guffi Tommaso , Brem Beate G. , Schmitz Felix M. , Schnabel Kai P. , Guttormsen Schär Sissel , Eychmüller Steffen , Zambrano Sofia C.
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Although caring for dying patients and their family caregivers (FC) is integral to patient care, training in communication about approaching death is almost inexistent in medical and nursing curricula. Consequently, many health professionals have insufficient knowledge about conducting these conversations. In order to gain a broader insight into essential aspects of this communication from different perspectives, we conducted focus groups with key stakeholders.

Methods

Medical specialists, nurses, medical students, bereaved FC and patient representatives participated in five focus groups (n = 30). Following a focus group schedule, we elicited relevant aspects of communication about approaching death, associated emotions, and appropriate communication frameworks. We analyzed data thematically.

Results

Four main themes were central to conversations about approaching death: (1) embracing care within medical expertise, (2) preparing the conversation while remaining open to the unexpected, (3) recognizing and reflecting on own emotions and reactions, and (4) establishing a meaningful connection with others.

Significance of results

Communicating about approaching death with dying patients and their FC can be complex and challenging at a professional and personal level. With the recognition of the dying phase, a process is initiated for which health professionals need solid clinical knowledge about but also effective communication skills, constant self-reflection and self-care strategies. Comprehensive training and supervision while dealing with the challenges of communicating approaching death to dying patients and their FC are key, particularly for trainees, less experienced physicians and nurses. The essential components identified in this study can help health professionals to master these conversations.
Design of bandwidth-enhanced polarization controlled frequency selective surface based microwave absorber
Authors: Chaitanya Gaurav , Peshwe Paritosh , Ghosh Saptarshi , Kothari Ashwin
Published: November 2023

A design of a microwave absorber based on frequency selective surface resonating in X-band having ultrathin thickness, polarization controlled behavior, and increased absorption bandwidth has been reported. The reported absorber having its unit cell embodied of multiple resonating structures which includes conventional square, circular, and butterfly shaped resonators resulting in three absorption apexes at 9.44, 10.00, and 10.53 GHz (all in X band) with 99.9%, 99%, and 95.1% of absorptivity obtained at the frequencies of resonances. It demonstrates a wide full width at half maximum having 1.48 GHz as bandwidth, at the expense of using an ultrathin substrate of 0.0096 λ0, where λ0 is the wavelength with respect to lowest resonating frequency, i.e. 9.44 GHz. The unit cell is fourfold symmetric exhibiting independence about the absorber’s polarity, as well as, it behaves stable over the outspread angle up to 45 degrees for both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarized wave under sloped incident angle. The absorption behavior has been demonstrated by plotting the distribution of surface-currents and electric fields at the frequencies of resonance. The fabricated prototype of the presented design is tested at X-band and the obtained results concur with the simulated results.
Interaction of quizalofop-p-ethyl with 2,4-D choline and/or glufosinate for control of volunteer corn in corn resistant to aryloxyphenoxypropionates
Authors: Singh Mandeep , Kumar Vipan , Knezevic Stevan Z. , Irmak Suat , Lindquist John L. , Pitla Santosh , Jhala Amit J.
Published: November 2023

Corn that is resistant to aryloxyphenoxypropionate, known commercially as Enlist™ corn, enables the use of quizalofop-p-ethyl (QPE) as a selective postemergence (POST) herbicide for control of glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers. Growers usually mix QPE with 2,4-D choline or glufosinate or both to achieve broad-spectrum weed control in Enlist corn. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the efficacy of QPE applied alone or mixed with 2,4-D choline and/or glufosinate to control glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers in Enlist corn and 2) to determine the effect of application time (V3 or V6 growth stage of volunteer corn) of QPE-based treatments on volunteer corn control and Enlist corn injury and yield. Field experiments were conducted in Clay Center, NE, in 2021 and 2022. Quizalofop-p-ethyl (46 or 93 g ai ha−1) applied at the V3 or V6 growth stage controlled volunteer corn by ≥88% and ≥95% at 14 and 28 d after treatment (DAT), respectively. QPE (46 g ai ha−1) mixed with 2,4-D choline (800 g ae ha−1) produced 33% less than expected control of V3 volunteer corn in 2021, and 8% less than expected control of V6 volunteer corn in 2022 at 14 DAT. Volunteer corn control was improved by 7% to 9% using the higher rate of QPE (93 g ai ha−1) in a mixture with 2,4-D choline (1,060 g ae ha−1). QPE mixed with glufosinate had an additive effect and interactions in any combinations were additive beyond 28 DAT. Mixing 2,4-D choline can reduce QPE efficacy on glufosinate/glyphosate-resistant corn volunteers up to 14 DAT when applied at the V3 or V6 growth stage; however, the antagonistic interaction did not translate into corn yield loss. Increasing the rate of QPE (93 g ai ha−1) while mixing with 2,4-D choline can reduce antagonism.
Influence of cover cropping and conservation tillage on weeds during the critical period for weed control in soybean
Authors: Yurchak Veronica , Leslie Alan , Hooks Cerruti R.R.
Published: November 2023

Limited research has been directed at evaluating the ability of single cover crop plantings to suppress weeds in crops beyond the initial field season. Thus, this experiment was conducted to investigate the ability of a second-year self-regenerated annual and second-year perennial cover crop planting to suppress weeds during the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in soybean crops. Whole-plot treatments included 1) conventional till, 2) no-till with cover crop residue, 3) living mulch + cover crop residue, and 4) living mulch + winter-killed residue. Subplot treatments involved weed management intensity: a) no weed management (weedy), b) weeds manually removed through the CPWC (third node soybean stage; V3), and c) weeds manually removed until soybean canopy closure (weed-free). Overall, total annual cover crop biomass during the second field season was comparable to biomass obtained from direct seeded stands during the initial field season. All cover crop treatments reduced total weed biomass through the CPWC compared to conventional till. Soybean yield was low across all treatments in this experiment. Still, yield was similar between cover crop and conventional till treatments at one site-year, however, yields were lower in all cover crop treatments at the other site-year.
Gesundheitskompetenz lehren und lernen
Authors: Lippke Sonia , Derksen Christina
Published: November 2023

Gesundheitskompetenz durch professionelle Kommunikation

Professionelle Kommunikation ist die Voraussetzung, um die Gesundheitskompetenz der Patient_innen, Klient_innen und Kund_innen sowie deren soziale Netzwerke zu fördern. Ihre Befähigung für eine aktive Rolle zur Genesung vereinfacht eine qualitativ hochwertige Versorgung und sorgt für ein langfristig aktives Gesundheitsverhalten.
Neben den wissenschaftlichen Hintergrundinformationen etabliert dieses Fachbuch ein umfassendes Schulungsprogramm, das in der Mediathek zur Verfügung gestellt wird. Drei praxiserprobte Workshops mit Schulungsmaterialien können direkt in Trainings, Fort- und Weiterbildungen zu Kommunikation, Gesundheitskompetenz und Patient_innensicherheit eingesetzt werden. Die Ansätze sind evidenz- und theoriebasiert sowie wissenschaftlich an Kliniken in Deutschland als wirksam nachgewiesen. Das Fachbuch bietet:

Einzigartige Beschreibung und Darstellung von wissenschaftlich gesicherten Hintergründen insbesondere im Bereich Kommunikation, Gesundheitskompetenz, Patient_innenzentrierung und Teamwork
Erstmalige Beschreibung und Darstellung eines interdisziplinären Schulungsprogramms für Mitarbeitende im Gesundheitswesen für verschiedene Settings
Wissenschaftliche Hintergrundinformationen und theoriebasierte Erklärungen, die einen systematischen Entwicklungsprozess von eigenem Training unterstützen sowie Impulse für weitere Anwendung und Forschung geben.

Die Arbeitsmaterialien zu den Workshops in diesem Buch können nach erfolgter Registrierung von der Hogrefe Website heruntergeladen werden.
Movies and Mental Illness
Authors: Wedding Danny
Published: November 2023

The popular, critically acclaimed text on psychopathology in movies – now including the latest movies and more

Explores films according to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 and ICD-11
Provides psychological ratings of nearly 1,500 films
Includes downloadable teaching materials

Films can be a powerful aid to learning about mental illness and psychopathology – for practitioners and students in fields as diverse as psychology, psychiatry, social work, medicine, nursing, counseling, literature, or media studies, and for anyone interested in mental health. Watching films relevant to mental health can actually help you become a more productive therapist and a more astute diagnostician. Movies and Mental Illness, written by an eminent clinical psychologist (who is also a movie aficionado), has established a reputation as a uniquely enjoyable and highly memorable text for learning about psychopathology.
This new edition has been completely revised to explore current issues, such as children’s screentime and celebrities with mental illness, and to include the numerous films that have been released since the last edition. The core clinical chapters raise provocative questions about differential diagnosis (according to the DSM-5 and ICD-11) for the primary characters portrayed in the films. Included are also a full index of films; sample course syllabus; ratings of close to 1,500 films; fascinating appendices, such as “Top 50 Heroes and Villains,” psychotherapists in movies, and misconceptions about mental illness in movies.
Accompanying the new edition are downloadable resources for teachers that include critical questions and topics for discussion, as well as fabricated case histories based on movie characters with Mini-Mental State Examinations that help explain, teach, and encourage discussion about important mental
health disorders.
In addition, the author plans a regular series of online “Spotlights” articles that will critically examine the psychological content of new movies as they are released.
An Epifaunal Community Succession Sequence Driven by the Biogeochemical Footprint With Different Methane Seepage Intensity of the Deep Seafloor
Authors: Zhang Hui , Feng Jing‐Chun , Shen Yongming , Zhang Mingrui , Huang Yanyan , Li Pian , Sun Liwei , Zhang Si , Yang Zhifeng
Published: November 2023

Methane seepage, generated from natural processes or gas hydrate dissociation, drives the development of cold seep ecosystems and leads to atmosphere methane emission, thereby influencing climate change. Uncovering the intrinsic interactions among methane seepage intensities, biogeochemical processes in the sediment, and benthic community characteristics at the seafloor is essential to clarify and predict the ultimate fate of methane leakage from the deep sea. Here, we conducted a systematic investigation of methane intensity, pore fluid migration characteristics, sediment mineral fraction features, and the evolution of biological communities in areas with different methane intensities. Furthermore, analyses of high‐resolution images, pore fluid geochemical feature, and lithologic characteristics of the sediment in the Haima cold seep were also carried out in this study. The results showed that, in areas with different methane intensities, organic matter sulfate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of methane were heterogeneous. The heterogeneity led to the methane transformation zones at different depths, which changed the mineral composition of the sediment and biological communities in the seabed. In addition, a hypothesis of successional sequence of biomes in cold seep was established. This study revealed that the methane seepage intensity was a key factor in determining the biogeochemical process in the sediment of cold seep. The coupling effects of biogeochemical processes and methane seepage intensities dominated the community succession of cold seep. These findings could provide important implications for understanding the dynamic deep marine methane cycle mechanism and the contribution of deep‐sea methane released to climate change.
Oceanic Regime Shift to a Warmer Continental Shelf Adjacent to the Shackleton Ice Shelf, East Antarctica
Authors: Ribeiro Natalia , Herraiz‐Borreguero Laura , Rintoul Stephen R. , Williams Guy , McMahon Clive R. , Hindell Mark , Guinet Christophe
Published: November 2023

The long‐held view that the East Antarctic margin is isolated from warm offshore waters has been challenged by recent observations showing incursions of warm modified Circumpolar Deep Water (mCDW) reaching several East Antarctic ice shelves. However, large areas of the East Antarctic continental shelf remain poorly observed, making it challenging to determine if the supply of oceanic heat to the ice shelves is changing. Here, we use temperature and salinity profiles to the west of the Shackleton Ice Shelf (SIS; ≈100°E) spanning 60 years to assess the variability of the water masses in the context of a changing climate. We document warming and freshening of shelf waters. Prior to 1996, cold mCDW water (θ < −1.6°C) was found below the surface mixed layer and cold Dense Shelf Water (DSW) with a salinity of >34.5 dominated the water column. After 2010, warm mCDW (≥−1.0°C) was widespread over the continental shelf and DSW with salinity over 34.5 was no longer present. The mixing ratio of glacial meltwater indicates that warm mCDW observed in 2011 caused basal melting of the SIS, possibly reducing the salinity of DSW. Increased access of warm waters to the continental shelf may have also occurred on the eastern side of the ice shelf, where glaciological evidence shows the grounding line has retreated. These observations suggest a shift occurred prior to 2011 that has increased the ocean heat supply to the continental shelf and to the SIS, increasing basal melt and reducing DSW formation.
Wave Velocities and Poisson Ratio in a Loose Sandy Martian Regolith Simulant Under Low Stresses: 2. Theoretical Analysis
Authors: Caicedo B. , Castillo Betancourt J. P. , Delage P. , Lognonné P. , Banerdt B.
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the data on wave velocity measurements at small stresses presented in a companion paper describing the experimental results on a Martian regolith loose sandy simulant (Fontainebleau sand) of the soil at the InSight landing site on Mars (Elysium Planitia). Experimental data of wave velocities and Poisson's ratio are interpreted in the light of a granular contact mechanics theory and completed accounting for rugosity effects that are suspected to have stronger effects in sands under low stresses. The asperities of a grain of Fontainebleau sand were investigated through Atomic Force Microscopy, but larger asperities had to be adopted so as to better fit the model prediction with experimental data. A good agreement between the experimental data and the model predictions is obtained for stress above 10 kPa. Below 5 kPa, an area in which asperities are suspected to have a stronger influence, the model is not fully satisfactory, showing that further experimental and theoretical investigation is necessary in a stress zone particularly relevant to surface soils in planets, with probably enhanced effects of asperities on the intergrain contact mechanics.
Polarized upconversion emission at metasurface
Authors: Yang Zhichao , Jin Dayong
Published: November 2023

Leveraging the resonant modes of all-dielectric metasurfaces, specifically quasi-bound state in the continuum and Mie resonances, the precise orthogonal polarization control has been realized.
Post-CMOS processing challenges and design developments of CMOS-MEMS microheaters for local CNT synthesis
Authors: Roy Avisek , Ta Bao Q. , Azadmehr Mehdi , Aasmundtveit Knut E.
Published: November 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be locally grown on custom-designed CMOS microheaters by a thermal chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process to utilize the sensing capabilities of CNTs in emerging micro- and nanotechnology applications. For such a direct CMOS-CNT integration, a key requirement is the development of necessary post-processing steps on CMOS chips for fabricating CMOS-MEMS polysilicon heaters that can locally generate the required CNT synthesis temperatures (~650–900 °C). In our post-CMOS processing, a subtractive fabrication technique is used for micromachining the polysilicon heaters, where the passivation layers in CMOS are used as masks to protect the electronics. For dielectric etching, it is necessary to achieve high selectivity, uniform etching and a good etch rate to fully expose the polysilicon layers without causing damage. We achieved successful post-CMOS processing by developing two-step reactive ion etching (RIE) of the SiO2 dielectric layer and making design improvements to a second-generation CMOS chip. After the dry etching process, CMOS-MEMS microheaters are partially suspended by SiO2 wet etching with minimum damage to the exposed aluminium layers, to obtain high thermal isolation. The fabricated microheaters are then successfully utilized for synthesizing CNTs by a local thermal CVD process. The CMOS post-processing challenges and design aspects to fabricate CMOS-MEMS polysilicon microheaters for such high-temperature applications are detailed in this article. Our developed process for heterogeneous monolithic integration of CMOS-CNT shows promise for wafer-level manufacturing of CNT-based sensors by incorporating additional steps in an already existing foundry CMOS process.
C-MEMS-derived glassy carbon electrochemical biosensors for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
Authors: Mandal Naresh , Mitra Raja , Pramanick Bidhan
Published: November 2023

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the world has experienced more than 766 million cases of positive SARS-CoV-2 infection and more than 6.9 million deaths due to COVID through May 2023. The WHO declared a pandemic due to the rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, and the fight against this pandemic is not over yet. Important reasons for virus spread include the lack of detection kits, appropriate detection techniques, delay in detection, asymptomatic cases and failure in mass screening. In the last 3 years, several researchers and medical companies have introduced successful test kits to detect the infection of symptomatic patients in real time, which was necessary to monitor the spread. However, it is also important to have information on asymptomatic cases, which can be obtained by antibody testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this work, we developed a simple, advantageous immobilization procedure for rapidly detecting the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Carbon-MEMS-derived glassy carbon (GC) is used as the sensor electrode, and the detection is based on covalently linking the SARS-CoV-2 antibody to the GC surface. Glutaraldehyde was used as a cross-linker between the antibody and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The binding was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization and cyclic voltammetric (CV) analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was utilized to measure the change in total impedance before and after incubation of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody with various concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The developed sensor can sense 1 fg/ml to 1 µg/ml SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This detection is label-free, and the chances of false positives are minimal. The calculated LOD was ~31 copies of viral RNA/mL. The coefficient of variation (CV) number is calculated from EIS data at 100 Hz, which is found to be 0.398%. The developed sensor may be used for mass screening because it is cost-effective.
Phenotypic similarity-based approach for variant prioritization for unsolved rare disease: a preliminary methodological report
Authors: Lagorce David , Lebreton Emeline , Matalonga Leslie , Hongnat Oscar , Chahdil Maroua , Piscia Davide , Paramonov Ida , Ellwanger Kornelia , Köhler Sebastian , Robinson Peter , Graessner Holm , Beltran Sergi , Lucano Caterina , Hanauer Marc , Rath Ana
Published: November 2023

Rare diseases (RD) have a prevalence of not more than 1/2000 persons in the European population, and are characterised by the difficulty experienced in obtaining a correct and timely diagnosis. According to Orphanet, 72.5% of RD have a genetic origin although 35% of them do not yet have an identified causative gene. A significant proportion of patients suspected to have a genetic RD receive an inconclusive exome/genome sequencing. Working towards the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC)’s goal for 2027 to ensure that all people living with a RD receive a diagnosis within one year of coming to medical attention, the Solve-RD project aims to identify the molecular causes underlying undiagnosed RD. As part of this strategy, we developed a phenotypic similarity-based variant prioritization methodology comparing submitted cases with other submitted cases and with known RD in Orphanet. Three complementary approaches based on phenotypic similarity calculations using the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), the Orphanet Rare Diseases Ontology (ORDO) and the HPO-ORDO Ontological Module (HOOM) were developed; genomic data reanalysis was performed by the RD-Connect Genome-Phenome Analysis Platform (GPAP). The methodology was tested in 4 exemplary cases discussed with experts from European Reference Networks. Variants of interest (pathogenic or likely pathogenic) were detected in 8.8% of the 725 cases clustered by similarity calculations. Diagnostic hypotheses were validated in 42.1% of them and needed further exploration in another 10.9%. Based on the promising results, we are devising an automated standardized phenotypic-based re-analysis pipeline to be applied to the entire unsolved cases cohort.
Recent research progress on the passivation and selective oxidation for the 3d-transition-metal and refractory multi-principal element alloys
Authors: Wang Zening , Yan Yu , Wu Yuan , Zhang Yi , Zhao Xinpeng , Su Yanjing , Qiao Lijie
Published: November 2023

The wide range of alloy composition controllability for multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) may provide a great opportunity for discovering special forms of surface oxides to improve the corrosion and oxidation resistance in extreme environments. Changing the type and content of promoting passivation elements would not only change the microstructure of the alloy but also significantly affect the composition and structure of the surface passive film, resulting in a strong impact on the corrosion and oxidation resistance of the alloy. This article reviews recent research on the effects of alloying elements on the passivation properties, the contribution of each alloying element, and the synergistic effect between the elements on the passivation mechanisms and electrochemical dissolution characteristics of surface passive films that form on some MPEAs. In addition, the composition and structural characteristics of surface oxides relevant to the selective oxidation of elements are elaborated upon. Finally, several open questions and recommendations for research directions regarding the passivation and selective oxidation of MPEAs were provided to guide future exploration.
Pseudogap behavior in charge density wave kagome material ScV6Sn6 revealed by magnetotransport measurements
Authors: DeStefano Jonathan M. , Rosenberg Elliott , Peek Olivia , Lee Yongbin , Liu Zhaoyu , Jiang Qianni , Ke Liqin , Chu Jiun-Haw
Published: November 2023

Over the last few years, significant attention has been devoted to studying the kagome materialsAV3Sb5(A = K, Rb, Cs) due to their unconventional superconductivity and charge density wave (CDW) ordering. Recently$${{{{\rm{ScV}}}}}_{6}{{{{\rm{Sn}}}}}_{6}$$ScV6Sn6was found to host a CDW below ≈ 90 K, and, likeAV3Sb5, it contains a kagome lattice comprised only of V ions. Here we present a comprehensive magnetotransport study on$${{{{\rm{ScV}}}}}_{6}{{{{\rm{Sn}}}}}_{6}$$ScV6Sn6. We discovered several anomalous transport phenomena above the CDW ordering temperature, including insulating behavior in interlayer resistivity, a strongly temperature-dependent Hall coefficient, and a violation of Kohler’s rule. All these anomalies can be consistently explained by a progressive decrease in carrier densities with decreasing temperature, suggesting the formation of a pseudogap. Our findings suggest that high-temperature CDW fluctuations play a significant role in determining the normal state electronic properties of$${{{{\rm{ScV}}}}}_{6}{{{{\rm{Sn}}}}}_{6}$$ScV6Sn6.
Identification of the flavivirus conserved residues in the envelope protein hinge region for the rational design of a candidate West Nile live-attenuated vaccine
Authors: Maloney Bailey E. , Carpio Kassandra L. , Bilyeu Ashley N. , Saunders Danielle R. D. , Park So Lee , Pohl Adrienne E. , Ball Natalia Costa , Raetz Janae L. , Huang Claire Y. , Higgs Stephen , Barrett Alan D. T. , Roman-Sosa Gleyder , Kenney Joanie L. , Vanlandingham Dana L. , Huang Yan-Jang S.
Published: November 2023

The flavivirus envelope protein is a class II fusion protein that drives flavivirus-cell membrane fusion. The membrane fusion process is triggered by the conformational change of the E protein from dimer in the virion to trimer, which involves the rearrangement of three domains, EDI, EDII, and EDIII. The movement between EDI and EDII initiates the formation of the E protein trimer. The EDI-EDII hinge region utilizes four motifs to exert the hinge effect at the interdomain region and is crucial for the membrane fusion activity of the E protein. Using West Nile virus (WNV) NY99 strain derived from an infectious clone, we investigated the role of eight flavivirus-conserved hydrophobic residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region in the conformational change of E protein from dimer to trimer and viral entry. Single mutations of the E-A54, E-I130, E-I135, E-I196, and E-Y201 residues affected infectivity. Importantly, the E-A54I and E-Y201P mutations fully attenuated the mouse neuroinvasive phenotype of WNV. The results suggest that multiple flavivirus-conserved hydrophobic residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region play a critical role in the structure–function of the E protein and some contribute to the virulence phenotype of flaviviruses as demonstrated by the attenuation of the mouse neuroinvasive phenotype of WNV. Thus, as a proof of concept, residues in the EDI-EDII hinge region are proposed targets to engineer attenuating mutations for inclusion in the rational design of candidate live-attenuated flavivirus vaccines.
Genetics and epidemiology of mutational barcode-defined clonal hematopoiesis
Authors: Stacey Simon N. , Zink Florian , Halldorsson Gisli H. , Stefansdottir Lilja , Gudjonsson Sigurjon A. , Einarsson Gudmundur , Hjörleifsson Grimur , Eiriksdottir Thjodbjorg , Helgadottir Anna , Björnsdottir Gyda , Thorgeirsson Thorgeir E. , Olafsdottir Thorunn A. , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Gretarsdottir Solveig , Tragante Vinicius , Magnusson Magnus K. , Jonsson Hakon , Gudmundsson Julius , Olafsson Sigurgeir , Holm Hilma , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Sulem Patrick , Helgason Agnar , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Tryggvadottir Laufey , Rafnar Thorunn , Melsted Pall , Ulfarsson Magnus Ö. , Vidarsson Brynjar , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Stefansson Kari
Published: November 2023

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) arises when a substantial proportion of mature blood cells is derived from a single hematopoietic stem cell lineage. Using whole-genome sequencing of 45,510 Icelandic and 130,709 UK Biobank participants combined with a mutational barcode method, we identified 16,306 people with CH. Prevalence approaches 50% in elderly participants. Smoking demonstrates a dosage-dependent impact on risk of CH. CH associates with several smoking-related diseases. Contrary to published claims, we find no evidence that CH is associated with cardiovascular disease. We provide evidence that CH is driven by genes that are commonly mutated in myeloid neoplasia and implicate several new driver genes. The presence and nature of a driver mutation alters the risk profile for hematological disorders. Nevertheless, most CH cases have no known driver mutations. A CH genome-wide association study identified 25 loci, including 19 not implicated previously in CH. Splicing, protein and expression quantitative trait loci were identified for CD164 and TCL1A.
Harnessing CD3 diversity to optimize CAR T cells
Authors: Velasco Cárdenas Rubí M.-H. , Brandl Simon M. , Meléndez Ana Valeria , Schlaak Alexandra Emilia , Buschky Annabelle , Peters Timo , Beier Fabian , Serrels Bryan , Taromi Sanaz , Raute Katrin , Hauri Simon , Gstaiger Matthias , Lassmann Silke , Huppa Johannes B. , Boerries Melanie , Andrieux Geoffroy , Bengsch Bertram , Schamel Wolfgang W. , Minguet Susana
Published: November 2023

Current US Food and Drug Administration-approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells harbor the T cell receptor (TCR)-derived ζ chain as an intracellular activation domain in addition to costimulatory domains. The functionality in a CAR format of the other chains of the TCR complex, namely CD3δ, CD3ε and CD3γ, instead of ζ, remains unknown. In the present study, we have systematically engineered new CD3 CARs, each containing only one of the CD3 intracellular domains. We found that CARs containing CD3δ, CD3ε or CD3γ cytoplasmic tails outperformed the conventional ζ CAR T cells in vivo. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis revealed differences in activation potential, metabolism and stimulation-induced T cell dysfunctionality that mechanistically explain the enhanced anti-tumor performance. Furthermore, dimerization of the CARs improved their overall functionality. Using these CARs as minimalistic and synthetic surrogate TCRs, we have identified the phosphatase SHP-1 as a new interaction partner of CD3δ that binds the CD3δ–ITAM on phosphorylation of its C-terminal tyrosine. SHP-1 attenuates and restrains activation signals and might thus prevent exhaustion and dysfunction. These new insights into T cell activation could promote the rational redesign of synthetic antigen receptors to improve cancer immunotherapy.
Genetically encoded multimeric tags for subcellular protein localization in cryo-EM
Authors: Fung Herman K. H. , Hayashi Yuki , Salo Veijo T. , Babenko Anastasiia , Zagoriy Ievgeniia , Brunner Andreas , Ellenberg Jan , Müller Christoph W. , Cuylen-Haering Sara , Mahamid Julia
Published: November 2023

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows for label-free high-resolution imaging of macromolecular assemblies in their native cellular context. However, the localization of macromolecules of interest in tomographic volumes can be challenging. Here we present a ligand-inducible labeling strategy for intracellular proteins based on fluorescent, 25-nm-sized, genetically encoded multimeric particles (GEMs). The particles exhibit recognizable structural signatures, enabling their automated detection in cryo-ET data by convolutional neural networks. The coupling of GEMs to green fluorescent protein-tagged macromolecules of interest is triggered by addition of a small-molecule ligand, allowing for time-controlled labeling to minimize disturbance to native protein function. We demonstrate the applicability of GEMs for subcellular-level localization of endogenous and overexpressed proteins across different organelles in human cells using cryo-correlative fluorescence and cryo-ET imaging. We describe means for quantifying labeling specificity and efficiency, and for systematic optimization for rare and abundant protein targets, with emphasis on assessing the potential effects of labeling on protein function.
Unravelling the hidden diversity of cave mycobiota in Thailand’s Satun Geopark
Authors: Suetrong Satinee , Preedanon Sita , Kobmoo Noppol , Srihom Charisa , Somrithipol Sayanh , Saengkaewsuk Supicha , Srikitikulchai Prasert , Klaysuban Anupong , Nuankaew Salilaporn , Chuaseeharonnachai Charuwan , Chainuwong Boonchuai , Muangsong Chotika , Malimart Kittapha , Rungjindamai Nattawut , Siripornpibul Chaiyaporn , Chareonkunnatum Umapon , Ploydam Bumrungrat , Thungprue Narongrit , Tongsima Sissades , Zhang Zhi-Feng , Cai Lei , Boonyuen Nattawut
Published: November 2023

Karst caves are distinctive ecosystems that have limited nutrients, darkness, low to moderate temperatures, and high moisture levels, which allow for a diverse range of fungal communities to thrive. Despite their significance, little is understood about the fungi found in karst caves in Thailand. In 2019, we studied the cultured mycobiota from five substrate types (air, water, rock, soil/sediment, and organic debris) in two karst caves (Le Stegodon and Phu Pha Phet Caves) of the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, southern Thailand. A cumulative count of 829 distinct fungal morphological types was identified, encompassing 319 fungal culturable were observed. Based on preliminary analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence using BLAST searches, the most common phylum among the fungal morphotypes was Ascomycota, harboring 282 species in 91 genera, 93.4% of which were distributed in the classes Eurotiomycetes, Sordariomycetes, and Dothideomycetes. The most common fungal genera identified in the two karst caves were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Talaromyces, Xylaria, and Trichoderma, with 45, 41, 24, 14, 14, and 6 species identified, respectively. Discovering fungi in Thai karst caves highlights the extensive fungal diversity in the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, implying undiscovered species, and emphasizing the need for comprehensive investigations in other unexplored Thai karst caves.
Dynamic analysis of cylindrical foundations under torsional loading via generic discrete-element models simulating soil stratum
Authors: Chen Shi-Shuenn , Kao Chi-Jou , Shi Jun-Yang
Published: November 2023

Torsional vibration, considering soil-structure interaction, is essential to the dynamic response of most irregular structures. A systematic method is developed to seek the optimal simplified model among multiple model candidates for uniform soil on rigid base regarding dynamic soil-foundation interactions. A generic model is identified by the proposed method to simulate the cylindrical foundation resting on or embedded in the soil stratum under torsional vibrations. Various soil-foundation parameters, mainly including embedment depth, layer depth, and mass ratios, are considered in the simplified analysis. The frequency-magnification curves and resonant responses of the foundation using the generic model agree well with theoretical solutions. The resultant resonant magnification factors against mass ratios clearly illustrate the impacts of the whipping effect resulting from the soil-foundation interactions. The generic model performs better and adopts fewer parameters than the existing model to simulate the soil-foundation interactions. In addition, dimensionless parametric charts are presented to estimate foundation responses for engineering applications quickly. The proposed charts also significantly overcome the limitations of the Wolf and Paronesso model. The generic model shows efficiency and accuracy in simulating the soil stratum. This research could contribute to the foundation vibration analysis for torsional responses.
Metronomic and single high-dose paclitaxel treatments produce distinct heterogenous chemoresistant cancer cell populations
Authors: Mejia Peña Carolina , Skipper Thomas A. , Hsu Jeffrey , Schechter Ilexa , Ghosh Deepraj , Dawson Michelle R.
Published: November 2023

More than 75% of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients experience disease recurrence after initial treatment, highlighting our incomplete understanding of how chemoresistant populations evolve over the course of EOC progression post chemotherapy treatment. Here, we show how two paclitaxel (PTX) treatment methods- a single high dose and a weekly metronomic dose for four weeks, generate unique chemoresistant populations. Using mechanically relevant alginate microspheres and a combination of transcript profiling and heterogeneity analyses, we found that these PTX-treatment regimens produce distinct and resilient subpopulations that differ in metabolic reprogramming signatures, acquisition of resistance to PTX and anoikis, and the enrichment for cancer stem cells (CSCs) and polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) with the ability to replenish bulk populations. We investigated the longevity of these metabolic reprogramming events using untargeted metabolomics and found that metabolites associated with stemness and therapy-induced senescence were uniquely abundant in populations enriched for CSCs and PGCCs. Predictive network analysis revealed that antioxidative mechanisms were likely to be differentially active dependent on both time and exposure to PTX. Our results illustrate how current standard chemotherapies contribute to the development of chemoresistant EOC subpopulations by either selecting for intrinsically resistant subpopulations or promoting the evolution of resistance mechanisms. Additionally, our work describes the unique phenotypic signatures in each of these distinct resistant subpopulations and thus highlights potential vulnerabilities that can be exploited for more effective treatment.
A new look at Hsp70 activity in phosphatidylserine-enriched membranes: chaperone-induced quasi-interdigitated lipid phase
Authors: Tagaeva Ruslana , Efimova Svetlana , Ischenko Alexander , Zhakhov Alexander , Shevtsov Maxim , Ostroumova Olga
Published: November 2023

70 kDa heat shock protein Hsp70 (also termed HSP70A1A) is the major stress-inducible member of the HSP70 chaperone family, which is present on the plasma membranes of various tumor cells, but not on the membranes of the corresponding normal cells. The exact mechanisms of Hsp70 anchoring in the membrane and its membrane-related functions are still under debate, since the protein does not contain consensus signal sequence responsible for translocation from the cytosol to the lipid bilayer. The present study was focused on the analysis of the interaction of recombinant human Hsp70 with the model phospholipid membranes. We have confirmed that Hsp70 has strong specificity toward membranes composed of negatively charged phosphatidylserine (PS), compared to neutral phosphatidylcholine membranes. Using differential scanning calorimetry, we have shown for the first time that Hsp70 affects the thermotropic behavior of saturated PS and leads to the interdigitation that controls membrane thickness and rigidity. Hsp70-PS interaction depended on the lipid phase state; the protein stabilized ordered domains enriched with high-melting PS, increasing their area, probably due to formation of quasi-interdigitated phase. Moreover, the ability of Hsp70 to form ion-permeable pores in PS membranes may also be determined by the bilayer thickness. These observations contribute to a better understanding of Hsp70-PS interaction and biological functions of membrane-bound Hsp70 in cancer cells.
Image-based crop disease detection with federated learning
Authors: Mamba Kabala Denis , Hafiane Adel , Bobelin Laurent , Canals Raphaël
Published: November 2023

Crop disease detection and management is critical to improving productivity, reducing costs, and promoting environmentally friendly crop treatment methods. Modern technologies, such as data mining and machine learning algorithms, have been used to develop automated crop disease detection systems. However, centralized approach to data collection and model training induces challenges in terms of data privacy, availability, and transfer costs. To address these challenges, federated learning appears to be a promising solution. In this paper, we explored the application of federated learning for crop disease classification using image analysis. We developed and studied convolutional neural network (CNN) models and those based on attention mechanisms, in this case vision transformers (ViT), using federated learning, leveraging an open access image dataset from the “PlantVillage” platform. Experiments conducted concluded that the performance of models trained by federated learning is influenced by the number of learners involved, the number of communication rounds, the number of local iterations and the quality of the data. With the objective of highlighting the potential of federated learning in crop disease classification, among the CNN models tested, ResNet50 performed better in several experiments than the other models, and proved to be an optimal choice, but also the most suitable for a federated learning scenario. The ViT_B16 and ViT_B32 Vision Transformers require more computational time, making them less suitable in a federated learning scenario, where computational time and communication costs are key parameters. The paper provides a state-of-the-art analysis, presents our methodology and experimental results, and concludes with ideas and future directions for our research on using federated learning in the context of crop disease classification.