bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of economic growth, fossil and renewable energy, technological innovation, and globalisation on carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa
Authors: Matenda Frank Ranganai , Raihan Asif , Zhou Helper , Sibanda Mabutho
Published: October 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2), whose atmospheric volume has been increasing, is the principal greenhouse gas (GHG) that causes global warming and climate change. Climate change from increasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) has broad health and environmental influences. Human-emitted GHGs constitute a significant cause of global warming. The main objective of this article is to assess the influence of technological innovation, economic growth, fossil energy use, renewable energy consumption, and globalisation on CO2 emissions (CO2Es) in South Africa over the observation period 1990–2020. The Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) estimator was implemented to examine the relationship between the constituents. The study results indicate that economic growth, fossil energy use, technological innovation, and globalisation boost CO2Es, whereas renewable energy consumption reduces CO2Es. The output of the canonical cointegrating regression and fully modified least squares estimators also supports the output of the DOLS estimator. We concluded that, in South Africa, a rise in economic growth, fossil energy use, technological innovation, and globalisation results in an upsurge in CO2Es. In contrast, an increase in renewable energy consumption leads to a reduction in CO2Es. This research work contributes to the discourse on CO2Es in the South African context. The study recommends that policymakers in South Africa should design policies that foster the formation of a low-carbon country, the consumption of renewable energy, and the implementation of environment-friendly technological innovations that reduce the use of fossil energy.

Graphical Abstract
Professionalism: bridging the missing link between environmental MRV and carbon neutrality
Authors: Chung Hiu Ching , Li Wanxin , Loh Christine
Published: October 2024

Carbon neutrality cannot be achieved without different economic sectors, individuals and households, and the government making serious efforts. Green finance in different forms including environmental, social and governance investment and carbon emissions trading are used to measure the reduction in carbon emissions and place a monetary value on them. However, because of inconsistencies or even manipulation in the monitoring/measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) of air quality and carbon emissions data, the effectiveness of green finance has been largely compromised. Environmental MRV is a technology-based engineering task, which is also heavily impacted by institutional design and professionalism. This commentary will draw upon principal–agent theory and the practical arrangements of environmental MRV to discuss why professionalism is badly needed and how to bridge the missing link for achieving carbon neutrality and sustainability transitions.
ON CONSECUTIVE RESIDUES AND NONRESIDUES UNDER A LINEAR MAP IN A FINITE FIELD
Authors: BERGMAN EMILY , COULTER ROBERT S. , FAIN BRADLEY
Published: October 2024

For fixed m and a, we give an explicit description of those subsets of

${\mathbb F}_{q}$

, q odd, for which both x and

$mx+a$

are quadratic residues (and other combinations). These results extend and refine results that date back to Gauss.
THE WEYL TRANSFORM OF A SMOOTH MEASURE ON A REAL-ANALYTIC SUBMANIFOLD
Authors: MISHRA MANSI , VEMURI M. K.
Published: October 2024

If

$\mu $

is a smooth measure supported on a real-analytic submanifold of

${\mathbb {R}}^{2n}$

which is not contained in any affine hyperplane, then the Weyl transform of

$\mu $

is a compact operator.
Crystal structure of gepirone, C19H29N5O2
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Dosen Anja , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: October 2024

The crystal structure of gepirone has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Gepirone crystallizes in space group P21/a (#14) with a = 16.81794(14), b = 11.71959(5), c = 10.10195(4) Å, β = 95.7012(5)°, V = 1981.239(14) Å3, and Z = 4 at 298 K. The crystal structure consists of discrete gepirone molecules. There are no classical hydrogen bonds in the crystal structure, but several intra- and intermolecular C–H⋯N and C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds contribute to the lattice energy. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD® for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).
Troubles of the Heart
Authors: Chiriță Andreea
Published: October 2024

The Sino-German coproduction Mouzhong leisi yu wode didong: xinshi pianduan explores the medical process of a heart transplant and its aftermath through the Foucauldian theoretical framework of the “clinical gaze.” The doctors’ “biomedical reductionism” is caricatured for its lack of humanness; patients’ physical and emotional agony denies the possibility of peaceful coexistence of the human self and technology. Cynical irony is one way of coping with the identity loss, pain, and techno-human condition of organ-transplant survivors.
Field Notes from the SITI Summer Workshop
Authors: Flower-Gladney Melissa
Published: October 2024

From 1992 until 2021, SITI Company held an annual summer workshop at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. In 2012 and 2013, four artists documented their daily experiences at the workshop on social media to share with artists they had met at a Winter Training session in the city earlier that year. From these memories comes an archival script that offers insight into SITI’s pedagogical models and the variety of ways students experienced SITI training.
The Relay of Radicalism
Authors: Jakovljević Branislav
Published: October 2024

The former Yugoslavia was the site of fierce partisan resistance to occupying Nazi forces during WWII and of a vigorous alternative arts scene in the 1960s and 1970s. Recent books on partisan art and New Art Practices make it possible to trace connections between these two seemingly unrelated instances of radical art practices.
The belief that being high is a natural part of your personality predicts an increase in manic symptoms over time in bipolar disorder
Authors: Richardson Thomas , Mansell Warren
Published: October 2024

Background:

Several psychological models of bipolar disorder propose that certain types of appraisals can lead to increases in manic symptoms.

Aims:

We tested whether the belief that being ‘high’ is a natural part of one’s personality and correlates with manic symptoms 4 months later when controlling for manic symptoms at baseline.

Method:

This was a prospective 4-month follow-up design using self-report measures. Forty people with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder completed a measure of manic symptoms, a measure of appraisals associated with bipolar disorder, and a single-item measure, ‘To what extent do you feel like being “high” is a natural part of your personality?’, at baseline and follow-up.

Results:

The single-item measure showed modest stability over time and construct validity in its correlation with a standardised measure of appraisals in bipolar disorder. As predicted, the single-item measure correlated with manic symptoms at follow-up when controlling for manic symptoms at baseline.

Conclusions:

The belief that being ‘high’ is a natural part of one’s personality is a potential predictor of manic symptoms. Further research needs to study the potential mediating mechanisms such as activating behaviours, and control for indicators of the bipolar endophenotype.
Translation and cultural adaptation of evidence-informed leaflets on the work–health interface: a pragmatic approach to cultural adaptation
Authors: Amundsen Pål André , Engedahl Martin , Burton Kim , Malmberg-Heimonen Ira , Grotle Margreth , Froud Robert
Published: October 2024

Aim:

Our aim was to translate and culturally adapt three evidence-informed leaflets on the work–health interface from English into Norwegian. Integral to this aim was the exploration of the quality and acceptability of each of the adapted leaflets to Norwegian-speaking stakeholders; general practitioners, people who deal with health issues in the workplace, and the general population.

Background:

Common health problems, such as musculoskeletal pain, account for most workdays lost and disability benefits in Norway. To facilitate return to work, it may be important to have access to evidence-informed information on the work–health interface for stakeholders involved in sickness absence processes. However, there is limited information material available in Norwegian that is tailored for the different stakeholders. Cultural adaptation is an emerging strategy for implementing health information across different populations and regions. Guidelines on cultural adaptation are not well-suited for translating and adapting evidence-informed health information material.

Methods:

We conducted a pragmatic cultural adaptation process informed by existing guidelines. Our conceptual framework for adaptation is situated between adaptation and translation and comprises appraisal, forward- and back-translation, review in multiple steps, sense checking, and re-designing using a transcreation approach. Using an online survey, we aimed to evaluate the overall quality, value, acceptability, and clarity of each of the adapted leaflets to a total of 30 end-users.

Findings:

We translated and culturally adapted three leaflets from English to Norwegian. Adapted leaflets were found to be clearly presented, acceptable, and valued by 45 Norwegian end-users. No differences in key concepts between original and back-translated leaflets emerged through the review process by the original author and forward translators. We used a pragmatic approach in this study that might be useful to others culturally adapting evidence-informed health information material.
Experiences and attitudes of nurses with the legislation on assisted suicide in Austria
Authors: Zeilinger Elisabeth Lucia , Petersen Arzu , Brunevskaya Nadine , Fuchs Amelie , Wagner Theresa , Pietschnig Jakob , Kitta Anna , Ecker Franziska , Kum Lea , Adamidis Feroniki , Bär Joachim , Sifuentes Caccire Connie , Unseld Matthias , Masel Eva Katharina
Published: October 2024

Objectives

In 2022, assisted suicide (AS) was legalized in Austria. We aimed to investigate the experiences and attitudes of palliative care (PC) and hospice nurses toward AS in Austria after the first year of implementation of the new law.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was distributed online to nurses in every known specialized and general hospice and PC units in Austria (n = 255 units). The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, the Assisted Suicide Attitude Scale, the Comfort Discussing Assisted Suicide Scale, and questions on recent experiences with AS requests. We used Spearman’s correlation coefficient for determining associations between sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes toward AS, as well as comfort discussing AS. For comparison of frequencies, we applied ꭓ2 tests. We computed a linear regression model to examine predictors for attitudes toward AS.

Results

The total sample were N = 280 nurses. More than half (61.2%) indicated that they had cared for a patient who expressed a wish for AS within the first year of implementation. Though responses varied widely, more nurses expressed support for AS than those were opposed (50.36% and 31.75%, respectively). Factors that statistically contributed to more reluctance toward AS in the regression model were older age, religiousness, and experience of working with patients expressing a wish for AS.

Significance of results

This work provides valuable insight into nurses’ perceptions toward the legislation of AS in the first year since the new law was passed. The results can inform the future development of the AS system and support for nurses in end-of-life care, and critically contribute to international discussions on this controversial topic.
ALMA Watches the Surface of a Star “Boil”
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: October 2024

Observations of R Doradus, a nearby red giant, provide the first timescale for convection on the surface of any star other than the Sun.
A Sustainability Index for Evaluating Vegetation Restoration Under Rainwater Resources Limitation
Authors: Yang Wenjing , Zhao Yong , Zhao Jianshi , Chang Huanyu
Published: October 2024

Evaluating vegetation restoration sustainability is crucial to avoid conflicts between human water demand and ecosystem consumption, especially with the surge in leaf area index (LAI) due to revegetation projects in China. However, current methods for assessing vegetation sustainability are still limited. Here, we developed a sustainability index for vegetation systems (vegetation sustainability index, VSI) from water demand and supply aspects based on reliability, resilience, and vulnerability in arid and semi‐arid areas. VSI was built upon a vegetation overplanting index (dLAI) which is the difference between the maximum LAI supported by precipitation (LAIp) and the observed LAI (LAIobs). A case study in the mountainous area of the Haihe River basin reveals gradually declining VSI after 2000. Forests are the primary vegetation type in areas with VSI < 0.5, indicating decreased sustainability due to overplanting. The framework of VSI can be a useful tool for planning and implementing vegetation restoration strategies in arid and semi‐arid regions.
Bow Shock Ripples and Their Modulation of Whistler Wave Packets: MMS Observations
Authors: Li Jing‐Huan , Zhou Xu‐Zhi , Wang Shan , Liu Zhi‐Yang , Zong Qiu‐Gang , Yao Shu‐Tao , Artemyev Anton V. , Omura Yoshiharu , Li Li , Yue Chao , Shi Quan‐Qi
Published: October 2024

The terrestrial bow shock is the boundary where supersonic solar wind slows down abruptly near the magnetopause. The shock front geometry could be modulated by surface waves to form rippled structures, which impact the acceleration process of the solar wind particles. However, the rippled structures are hard to be identified unambiguously due to the similar signatures in single‐spacecraft observations between rippled shocks and reforming shocks. Here, we utilize the four‐spacecraft observations from the MMS mission to investigate an event of quasi‐perpendicular bow shock crossing. The periodic oscillations of shock normal directions and normal velocities support the scenario of surface wave propagation in the tangential direction. We also reconstruct the shock profile along the normal direction, and its monotonic shape further excludes the occurrence of shock reformation. These ripples are found to modulate the reflected ions and whistler wave packets, which adds to the complexity of the bow shock plasma environments.
From Delay to Advance: The Impact of Increasing Drought on Autumn Photosynthetic Phenology in Subtropical and Tropical Forests
Authors: Xu Yue , Li Mingwei , Liu Zunchi , Gong Yufeng , Wu Zhaofei , Pu Xiao , Fu Yongshuo H.
Published: October 2024

Drought dramatically impacts the autumn phenology of vegetation. However, the underlying mechanisms of vegetation autumn phenology responses to drought in tropical and subtropical forests remain unclear. Here, we employed three fitting methods to extract the end‐of‐photosynthetic‐growing‐season (EOPS) dates and quantified their responses to drought intensity using ridge regression and correlation analysis. Our analysis revealed a general delay in the trend of EOPS at an average rate of 3.6 days per decade from 2001 to 2020 in southern China. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) emerged as the primary influencing predictor of EOPS processes, surpassing the impacts of temperature, precipitation, and radiation. Notably, our analysis highlighted a shift in the response of EOPS to drought from delay to advancement when drought intensity exceeded 0.38. Incorporating this reversal phenomenon into EOPS models is crucial for accurately predicting autumn phenology under future escalating drought conditions.
Automatic Extraction of VLF Constant‐Frequency Electromagnetic Wave Frequency Based on an Improved Vgg16‐Unet
Authors: Han Ying , Liu Qingjie , Huang Jianping , Li Zhong , Yan Rui , Yuan Jing , Shen Xuhui , Xing Lili , Pang Guoli
Published: October 2024

Constant Frequency Electromagnetic Waves (CFEWs) refer to electromagnetic waves with a constant frequency. Man‐made CFEWs are mainly used in wireless communication, scientific research, global navigation and positioning systems, and military radar. CFEWs exhibit horizontal line characteristics higher than the background on spectrograms. In this study, we focus on Very Low Frequency (VLF) waveform data and power spectral data collected by the China Seismo‐Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) Electromagnetic Field Detector (EFD). We utilize deep learning techniques to construct an improved Vgg16‐Unet model for automatically detecting horizontal lines on time‐frequency spectrogram and extracting their frequencies. First, we transform waveform data into time‐frequency spectrogram with a duration of 2 s using Short‐Time Fourier Transform. Then, we manually label horizontal lines on the time‐frequency spectrogram using the Labelme tool to establish the dataset. Next, we establish and improve the Vgg16‐Unet deep learning model. Finally, we train and test the model using the dataset. Statistical experimental results show that the error rate of line detection is 0, indicating high reliability of the model, with fewer parameters and fast computation speed suitable for practical applications. Not only do we detect lines through the model, but we also obtain their frequencies. Additionally, in batch‐generated power spectrogram of CFEWs, we discover some unstable phenomena such as frequency shifts and fluctuations, which contribute to understanding the propagation mechanism of CFEWs in the ionosphere and improving the accuracy of related systems.
Striking long-term beneficial effects of single dose psilocybin and psychedelic mushroom extract in the SAPAP3 rodent model of OCD-like excessive self-grooming
Authors: Brownstien Michal , Lazar Michal , Botvinnik Alexander , Shevakh Chloe , Blakolmer Karin , Lerer Leonard , Lifschytz Tzuri , Lerer Bernard
Published: October 2024

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent disorder that causes serious disability. Available treatments leave 40% or more of people with OCD significantly symptomatic. There is an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Mice that carry a homozygous deletion of the SAPAP3 gene (SAPAP3 KO) manifest a phenotype of excessive self-grooming, tic-like head-body twitches and anxiety. These behaviors closely resemble pathological self-grooming behaviors observed in humans in conditions that overlap with OCD. Following a preliminary report that the tryptaminergic psychedelic, psilocybin, may reduce symptoms in patients with OCD, we undertook a randomized controlled trial of psilocybin in 50 SAPAP3 KO mice (28 male, 22 female). Mice that fulfilled inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to a single intraperitoneal injection of psilocybin (4.4 mg/kg), psychedelic mushroom extract (encompassing the same psilocybin dose) or vehicle control and were evaluated after 2, 12, and 21 days by a rater blind to treatment allocation for grooming characteristics, head-body twitches, anxiety, and other behavioral features. Mice treated with vehicle (n = 18) manifested a 118.71 ± 95.96% increase in total self-grooming (the primary outcome measure) over the 21-day observation period. In contrast, total self-grooming decreased by 14.60 ± 17.90% in mice treated with psilocybin (n = 16) and by 19.20 ± 20.05% in mice treated with psychedelic mushroom extract (n = 16) (p = 0.001 for effect of time; p = 0.0001 for time × treatment interaction). Five mice were dropped from the vehicle group because they developed skin lesions; 4 from the psilocybin group and none from the psychedelic mushroom extract group. Secondary outcome measures such as head-body twitches and anxiety all showed a significant improvement over 21 days. Notably, in mice that responded to psilocybin (n = 12) and psychedelic mushroom extract (n = 13), the beneficial effect of a single treatment persisted up to 7 weeks. Mice initially treated with vehicle and non-responsive, showed a clear and lasting therapeutic response when treated with a single dose of psilocybin or psychedelic mushroom extract and followed for a further 3 weeks. While equivalent to psilocybin in overall effect on self-grooming, psychedelic mushroom extract showed superior effects in alleviating head-body twitches and anxiety. These findings strongly justify clinical trials of psilocybin in the treatment of OCD and further studies aimed at elucidating mechanisms that underlie the long-term effects to alleviate excessive self-grooming observed in this study.
A German perspective on the impact of socioeconomic status in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Ghandili Susanne , Dierlamm Judith , Bokemeyer Carsten , Kusche Henrik , Peters Frederik
Published: October 2024

The prognostic influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on the survival of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients remains controversial. This observational study examines the potential impact of regional SES inequalities on overall survival (OS) among DLBCL patients in Germany. We analyzed data from the German nationwide population-based dataset spanning 2004-2019 sourced from the German Center for Cancer Registry Data (n = 49,465). The primary objective was to assess the 5-year OS among patients with low SES compared to those living in middle and high SES areas. SES was grouped according to quintiles of the German Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation, which summarized nine indicators covering aspects of regional education, employment, and income. DLBCL patients in low SES areas had significantly impaired 5-year OS compared to those in middle and high SES regions (59.2% vs. 61.8% vs. 64.1%, p < 0.0001). Yet, additionally accounting for regional premature mortality removed the impact of SES on survival (Hazard Ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.87–1.01). Our findings indicate that the prognostic impact of socioeconomic deprivation on long-term survival is not due to variations in diagnosis and treatment of DLBCL itself but rather a higher comorbidity burden.
Metabolic reprogramming in skeletal cell differentiation
Authors: Bertels Joshua C. , He Guangxu , Long Fanxin
Published: October 2024

The human skeleton is a multifunctional organ made up of multiple cell types working in concert to maintain bone and mineral homeostasis and to perform critical mechanical and endocrine functions. From the beginning steps of chondrogenesis that prefigures most of the skeleton, to the rapid bone accrual during skeletal growth, followed by bone remodeling of the mature skeleton, cell differentiation is integral to skeletal health. While growth factors and nuclear proteins that influence skeletal cell differentiation have been extensively studied, the role of cellular metabolism is just beginning to be uncovered. Besides energy production, metabolic pathways have been shown to exert epigenetic regulation via key metabolites to influence cell fate in both cancerous and normal tissues. In this review, we will assess the role of growth factors and transcription factors in reprogramming cellular metabolism to meet the energetic and biosynthetic needs of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, or osteoclasts. We will also summarize the emerging evidence linking metabolic changes to epigenetic modifications during skeletal cell differentiation.
Imipridones inhibit tumor growth and improve survival in an orthotopic liver metastasis mouse model of human uveal melanoma
Authors: Chattopadhyay Chandrani , Roszik Janos , Bhattacharya Rajat , Alauddin Md , Mahmud Iqbal , Yadugiri Sirisha , Ali Mir Mustafa , Khan Fatima S. , Prabhu Varun Vijay , Lorenzi Philip L. , Wei Bo , Burton Elizabeth , Morey Rohini R. , Lazcano Rossana , Davies Michael A. , Patel Sapna P. , Grimm Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2024

Background

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a highly aggressive disease with very few treatment options. We previously demonstrated that mUM is characterized by high oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here we tested the anti-tumor, signaling and metabolic effects of imipridones, which are CLPP activators, which inhibit OXPHOS indirectly and have demonstrated safety in patients.

Methods

We assessed CLPP expression in UM patient samples. We tested the effects of imipridones (ONC201 and ONC212) on the growth, survival, signaling and metabolism of UM cell lines in vitro, and for therapeutic efficacy in vivo in UM liver metastasis models.

Results

CLPP expression was detected in primary and mUM patient samples. ONC201 and 212 decreased OXPHOS effectors, inhibited cell growth and migration, and induced apoptosis in human UM cell lines in vitro. ONC212 inhibited OXPHOS, increased metabolic stress and apoptotic pathways, inhibited amino acid metabolism, and induced cell death-related lipids. ONC212 also decreased tumor burden and increased survival in vivo in two UM liver metastasis models.

Conclusions

Imipridones are a promising strategy for further testing and development in mUM.
Tumor-associated macrophages/C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 promotes breast cancer autophagy-mediated chemoresistance via IGF1R/STAT3/HMGB1 signaling
Authors: Yang Bowen , Li Guanzhi , Wang Shengqi , Zheng Yifeng , Zhang Juping , Pan Bo , Wang Neng , Wang Zhiyu
Published: October 2024

Autophagy-mediated chemoresistance is the core mechanism for therapeutic failure and poor prognosis in breast cancer. Breast cancer chemotherapy resistance is believed to be influenced by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), by which C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) is the most abundant cytokine secreted. Yet, its role in mediating autophagy-related chemoresistance is still unknown. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms by which TAMs/CXCL1 induced autophagy-mediated chemoresistance in breast cancer. It was found that TAMs/CXCL1 promoted chemoresistance of breast cancer cells through autophagy activation in vitro, and CXCL1 silence could enhance the chemosensitivity of paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer cells via autophagy inhibition. A high-throughput quantitative PCR chip and subsequent target validation showed that CXCL1 induced autophagy-mediated chemoresistance by inhibiting VHL-mediated IGF1R ubiquitination. The elevated IGF1R then promoted STAT3/HMGB1 signaling to facilitate autophagy. Additionally, TAMs/CXCL1 silence improved paclitaxel chemosensitivity by suppressing autophagy in breast cancer mice xenografts, and clinical studies further linked CXCL1 to IGF1R/HMGB1 signaling, as well as shorter free survival of recurrence. Taken together, these results not only uncover the crucial role of TAMs/CXCL1 signaling in mediating breast cancer chemoresistance through enhancing autophagy, but also shed novel light on the molecular mechanism of IGF1R/STAT3/HMGB1 pathway in regulating autophagy and its impact on cancer prognosis.
Pressure-controlled luminescence in fast-response barium fluoride crystals
Authors: Cadatal-Raduban Marilou , Mui Luong Viet , Yamashita Masahiro , Shibazaki Yuki , Shimizu Toshihiko , Sarukura Nobuhiko , Yamanoi Kohei
Published: October 2024

Cross-luminescence (CL) in a barium fluoride (BaF2) scintillator arising from the recombination of a valence band electron and a core band hole results in a fast picosecond decay time. However, the CL emission wavelength in the vacuum ultraviolet region is difficult to detect, and intrinsically intense and slow nanosecond self-trapped exciton (STE) luminescence occurs. Herein, we report a redshift in the CL emission wavelength with high-pressure application. The wavelength of the CL emission shifted from 221 nm to 240 nm when 5.0 GPa was applied via a sapphire anvil cell. Increasing the pressure decreases the core-valence bandgap due to the downward expansion of the valence band, resulting in a decrease in the valence band minimum. The onset of a phase transition from a cubic crystal structure to an orthorhombic crystal structure at 3.7 GPa inhibited the recombination of conduction band electrons and self-trapped holes, leading to the disappearance of the STE emission. Manipulating the band structure of BaF2 by high-pressure application enables control of its luminescence emission, providing a pathway toward solving the problems inherent in this leading fast-response scintillator.
Pathogenic cryptic variants detectable through exome data reanalysis significantly increase the diagnostic yield in Joubert syndrome
Authors: D’Abrusco Fulvio , Serpieri Valentina , Taccagni Cecilia Maria , Garau Jessica , Cattaneo Luca , Boggioni Monica , Gana Simone , Battini Roberta , Bertini Enrico , Zanni Ginevra , Boltshauser Eugen , Borgatti Renato , Romaniello Romina , Signorini Sabrina , Leuzzi Vincenzo , Caputi Caterina , Manti Filippo , D’Arrigo Stefano , De Laurentiis Arianna , Graziano Claudio , Lemke Johannes R. , Morelli Federica , Petković Ramadža Danijela , Sirchia Fabio , Giorgio Elisa , Valente Enza Maria
Published: October 2024

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental ciliopathy. Despite exome sequencing (ES), several patients remain undiagnosed. This study aims to increase the diagnostic yield by uncovering cryptic variants through targeted ES reanalysis. We first focused on 26 patients in whom ES only disclosed heterozygous pathogenic coding variants in a JS gene. We reanalyzed raw ES data searching for copy number variants (CNVs) and intronic variants affecting splicing. We validated CNVs through real-time PCR or chromosomal microarray, and splicing variants through RT-PCR or minigenes. Cryptic variants were then searched in additional 44 ES-negative JS individuals. We identified cryptic “second hits” in 14 of 26 children (54%) and biallelic cryptic variants in 3 of 44 (7%), reaching a definite diagnosis in 17 of 70 (overall diagnostic gain 24%). We show that CNVs and intronic splicing variants are a common mutational mechanism in JS; more importantly, we demonstrate that a significant proportion of such variants can be disclosed simply through a focused reanalysis of available ES data, with a significantly increase of the diagnostic yield especially among patients previously found to carry heterozygous coding variants in the KIAA0586, CC2D2A and CPLANE1 genes.
Advanced glycation end-product crosslinking activates a type VI secretion system phospholipase effector protein
Authors: Jensen Steven J. , Cuthbert Bonnie J. , Garza-Sánchez Fernando , Helou Colette C. , de Miranda Rodger , Goulding Celia W. , Hayes Christopher S.
Published: October 2024

Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) are a pervasive form of protein damage implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disease, atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Glycation is typically mediated by reactive dicarbonyl compounds that accumulate in all cells as toxic byproducts of glucose metabolism. Here, we show that AGE crosslinking is harnessed to activate an antibacterial phospholipase effector protein deployed by the type VI secretion system of Enterobacter cloacae. Endogenous methylglyoxal reacts with a specific arginine-lysine pair to tether the N- and C-terminal α-helices of the phospholipase domain. Substitutions at these positions abrogate both crosslinking and toxic phospholipase activity, but in vitro enzyme function can be restored with an engineered disulfide that covalently links the N- and C-termini. Thus, AGE crosslinking serves as a bona fide post-translation modification to stabilize phospholipase structure. Given the ubiquity of methylglyoxal in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, these findings suggest that glycation may be exploited more generally to stabilize other proteins. This alternative strategy to fortify tertiary structure could be particularly advantageous in the cytoplasm, where redox potentials preclude disulfide bond formation.
Energy transfer-mediated multiphoton synergistic excitation for selective C(sp3)–H functionalization with coordination polymer
Authors: Wang Zhonghe , Tang Yang , Liu Songtao , Zhao Liang , Li Huaqing , He Cheng , Duan Chunying
Published: October 2024

Activation and selective oxidation of inert C(sp3)–H bonds remain one of the most challenging tasks in current synthetic chemistry due to the inherent inertness of C(sp3)–H bonds. In this study, inspired by natural monooxygenases, we developed a coordination polymer with naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based ligands and binuclear iron nodes. The mixed-valence FeIIIFeII species and chlorine radicals (Cl•) are generated via ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) between FeIII and chlorine ions. These Cl• radicals abstract a hydrogen atom from the inert C(sp3)–H bond of alkanes via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). In addition, NDI converts oxygen to 1O2 via energy transfer (EnT), which then coordinates to FeII, forming an FeIV = O intermediate for the selective oxidation of C(sp3)–H bonds. This synthetic platform, which combines photoinduced EnT, LMCT and HAT, provides a EnT-mediated parallel multiphoton excitation strategy with kinetic synergy effect for selective C(sp3)–H oxidation under mild conditions and a blueprint for designing coordination polymer-based photocatalysts for C(sp3)–H bond oxidation.
The microstructure-corrosion relationships in laser-welded dissimilar steel-to-aluminium joints
Authors: Ahuir-Torres J. I. , Jabar S. , Franciosa P. , Ceglarek D. , Kotadia H. R.
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the corrosion behaviour of dissimilar steel-to-aluminium laser-welded conduction, and keyhole mode (partial- and full-penetration) lap joints through electrochemical techniques and advanced microstructural characterisation. The corrosion resistance of the weld was found to be higher than the base materials, primarily due to the presence of cathodic FexAly (η-Fe2Al5, θ-Fe4Al13, β-FeAl) intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with high corrosion potential. The different micro and macro-galvanic corrosion mechanisms were found at various interfaces around the weld, resulting in localised pitting corrosion. The keyhole mode welding showed improved corrosion resistance, primarily attributed to the type, size, and distribution of IMCs.
A community effort to optimize sequence-based deep learning models of gene regulation
Authors: Rafi Abdul Muntakim , Nogina Daria , Penzar Dmitry , Lee Dohoon , Lee Danyeong , Kim Nayeon , Kim Sangyeup , Kim Dohyeon , Shin Yeojin , Kwak Il-Youp , Meshcheryakov Georgy , Lando Andrey , Zinkevich Arsenii , Kim Byeong-Chan , Lee Juhyun , Kang Taein , Vaishnav Eeshit Dhaval , Yadollahpour Payman ,   Random Promoter DREAM Challenge Consortium, Bornelöv Susanne , Svensson Fredrik , Trapotsi Maria-Anna , Tran Duc , Nguyen Tin , Tu Xinming , Zhang Wuwei , Qiu Wei , Ghotra Rohan , Yu Yiyang , Labelson Ethan , Prakash Aayush , Narayanan Ashwin , Koo Peter , Chen Xiaoting , Jones David T. , Tinti Michele , Guan Yuanfang , Ding Maolin , Chen Ken , Yang Yuedong , Ding Ke , Dixit Gunjan , Wen Jiayu , Zhou Zhihan , Dutta Pratik , Sathian Rekha , Surana Pallavi , Ji Yanrong , Liu Han , Davuluri Ramana V. , Hiratsuka Yu , Takatsu Mao , Chen Tsai-Min , Huang Chih-Han , Wang Hsuan-Kai , Shih Edward S. C. , Chen Sz-Hau , Wu Chih-Hsun , Chen Jhih-Yu , Huang Kuei-Lin , Alsaggaf Ibrahim , Greaves Patrick , Barton Carl , Wan Cen , Abad Nicholas , Körner Cindy , Feuerbach Lars , Brors Benedikt , Li Yichao , Röner Sebastian , Dash Pyaree Mohan , Schubach Max , Soylemez Onuralp , Møller Andreas , Kavaliauskaite Gabija , Madsen Jesper , Lu Zhixiu , Queen Owen , Babjac Ashley , Emrich Scott , Kardamiliotis Konstantinos , Kyriakidis Konstantinos , Malousi Andigoni , Palaniappan Ashok , Gupta Krishnakant , Kumar S Prasanna , Bradford Jake , Perrin Dimitri , Salomone Robert , Schmitz Carl , JiaXing Chen , JingZhe Wang , AiWei Yang , Kim Sun , Albrecht Jake , Regev Aviv , Gong Wuming , Kulakovskiy Ivan V. , Meyer Pablo , de Boer Carl G.
Published: October 2024

A systematic evaluation of how model architectures and training strategies impact genomics model performance is needed. To address this gap, we held a DREAM Challenge where competitors trained models on a dataset of millions of random promoter DNA sequences and corresponding expression levels, experimentally determined in yeast. For a robust evaluation of the models, we designed a comprehensive suite of benchmarks encompassing various sequence types. All top-performing models used neural networks but diverged in architectures and training strategies. To dissect how architectural and training choices impact performance, we developed the Prix Fixe framework to divide models into modular building blocks. We tested all possible combinations for the top three models, further improving their performance. The DREAM Challenge models not only achieved state-of-the-art results on our comprehensive yeast dataset but also consistently surpassed existing benchmarks on Drosophila and human genomic datasets, demonstrating the progress that can be driven by gold-standard genomics datasets.
Rutin loaded bilosomes for enhancing the oral activity and nephroprotective effects of rutin in potassium dichromate induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Mohsen Amira Mohamed , Wagdi Marwa Anwar , Salama Abeer
Published: October 2024

Rutin, a flavone glycoside, has shown to have a significant beneficial kidney protection effect in drug-induced nephropathy. However, its poor solubility and low oral bioavailability have limited its pharmacological applications. This study aimed at formulating rutin-loaded bilosomes to enhance the renal protective effect of rutin for oral application. Rutin-loaded bilosomes were developed using thin-film hydration technique. The prepared formulations were characterized by entrapment efficiency percentage (EE%), vesicular size (VS) and zeta potential (ZP) measurement. The developed formula exhibited moderate EE%, ranging from 20.02 ± 2.85 to 48.57 ± 3.57%, suitable VS results that ranged from 502.1 ± 36 to 665.1 ± 45 nm and high ZP values (≤ -41.4 ± 7.27 mV). Transmission electron microscopy revealed the spherical shape of the developed bilosomes. The in-vitro release study revealed prolonged release of rutin from bilosomes, relative to free drug. F2, prepared using the molar ratio span 60: cholesterol: sodium cholate 1:1:0.5, was selected for further investigations as it showed the highest EE%, smallest VS, optimum ZP, and persistent release profile. In-vivo studies were performed on drug-induced nephropathy in rats. Acute renal failure was induced using a single dose of potassium dichromate (PDC; 15 mg/kg; i.p). The selected formulation, F2, alleviated kidney dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation via decreasing MDA, TNF-α and TGF-β and increasing GSH. In addition, F2 promoted Akt/PI3K activation against PDC-induced acute renal failure. Histopathology results came in accordance with in-vivo results. Thus, bilosomes could be considered a potential delivery system for enhancing the oral delivery and kidney protection activity of rutin.
A lightweight defect detection algorithm for escalator steps
Authors: Yu Hui , Chen Jiayan , Yu Ping , Feng Da
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose an efficient target detection algorithm, ASF-Sim-YOLO, to address issues encountered in escalator step defect detection, such as an excessive number of parameters in the detection network model, poor adaptability, and difficulties in real-time processing of video streams. Firstly, to address the characteristics of escalator step defects, we designed the ASF-Sim-P2 structure to improve the detection accuracy of small targets, such as step defects. Additionally, we incorporated the SimAM (Similarity-based Attention Mechanism) by combining SimAM with SPPF (Spatial Pyramid Pooling-Fast) to enhance the model’s ability to capture key information by assigning importance weights to each pixel. Furthermore, to address the challenge posed by the small size of step defects, we replaced the traditional CIoU (Complete-Intersection-over-Union) loss function with NWD (Normalized Wasserstein Distance), which alleviated the problem of defect missing. Finally, to meet the deployment requirements of mobile devices, we performed channel pruning on the model. The experimental results showed that the improved ASF-Sim-YOLO model achieved an average accuracy (mAP50) of 96.8% on the test data set, which was a 22.1% improvement in accuracy compared to the baseline model. Meanwhile, the computational complexity (in GFLOPS) of the model was reduced to a quarter of that of the baseline model, while the frame rate (FPS) was improved to 575.1. Compared with YOLOv3-tiny, YOLOv5s, YOLOv8s, Faster-RCNN, TOOD, RTMDET and other deep learning-based target recognition algorithms, ASF-Sim-YOLO has better detection accuracy and real-time processing capability. These results demonstrate that ASF-Sim-YOLO effectively balances lightweight design and performance improvement, making it highly suitable for real-time detection of step defects, which can meet the demands of escalator inspection operations.
The potential of federated learning for self-configuring medical object detection in heterogeneous data distributions
Authors: Rashidi Gabriel , Bounias Dimitrios , Bujotzek Markus , Mora Andrés Martínez , Neher Peter , Maier-Hein Klaus H.
Published: October 2024

Medical Object Detection (MOD) is a clinically relevant image processing method that locates structures of interest in radiological image data at object-level using bounding boxes. High-performing MOD models necessitate large datasets accurately reflecting the feature distribution of the corresponding problem domain. However, strict privacy regulations protecting patient data often hinder data consolidation, negatively affecting the performance and generalization of MOD models. Federated Learning (FL) offers a solution by enabling model training while the data remain at its original source institution. While existing FL solutions for medical image classification and segmentation demonstrate promising performance, FL for MOD remains largely unexplored. Motivated by this lack of technical solutions, we present an open-source, self-configuring and task-agnostic federated MOD framework. It integrates the FL framework Flower with nnDetection, a state-of-the-art MOD framework and provides several FL aggregation strategies. Furthermore, we evaluate model performance by creating simulated Independent Identically Distributed (IID) and non-IID scenarios, utilizing the publicly available datasets. Additionally, a detailed analysis of the distributions and characteristics of these datasets offers insights into how they can impact performance. Our framework’s implementation demonstrates the feasibility of federated self-configuring MOD in non-IID scenarios and facilitates the development of MOD models trained on large distributed databases.
Intrinsic anomalous, spin and valley Hall effects in ’ex-so-tic’ van-der-Waals structures
Authors: Wojciechowska I. , Dyrdał A.
Published: October 2024

We consider the anomalous, spin, valley, and valley spin Hall effects in a pristine graphene-based van-der-Waals (vdW) heterostructure consisting of a bilayer graphene (BLG) sandwiched between a semiconducting van-der-Waals material with strong spin-orbit coupling (e.g., $$\hbox {WS}_2$$

WS
2

) and a ferromagnetic insulating vdW material (e.g. $$\hbox {Cr}_2$$

Cr
2

$$\hbox {Ge}_2$$

Ge
2

$$\hbox {Te}_6$$

Te
6

). Due to the exchange proximity effect from one side and spin-orbit proximity effect from the other side of graphene, such a structure is referred to as graphene based ’ex-so-tic’ structure. First, we derive an effective Hamiltonian describing the low-energy states of the structure. Then, using the Green’s function formalism, we obtain analytical results for the Hall conductivities as a function of the Fermi energy and gate voltage. For specific values of these parameters, we find a quantized valley Hall conductivity.
Assessing vitamin E acetate as a proxy for E-cigarette additives in a realistic pulmonary surfactant model
Authors: Korolainen Hanna , Olżyńska Agnieszka , Pajerski Wojciech , Chytrosz-Wrobel Paulina , Vattulainen Ilpo , Kulig Waldemar , Cwiklik Lukasz
Published: October 2024

Additives in vaping products, such as flavors, preservatives, or thickening agents, are commonly used to enhance user experience. Among these, Vitamin E acetate (VEA) was initially thought to be harmless but has been implicated as the primary cause of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury, a serious lung disease. In our study, VEA serves as a proxy for other e-cigarette additives. To explore its harmful effects, we developed an exposure system to subject a pulmonary surfactant (PSurf) model to VEA-rich vapor. Through detailed analysis and atomic-level simulations, we found that VEA tends to cluster into aggregates on the PSurf surface, inducing deformations and weakening its essential elastic properties, critical for respiratory cycle function. Apart from VEA, our experiments also indicate that propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, widely used in e-liquid mixtures, or their thermal decomposition products, alter surfactant properties. This research provides molecular-level insights into the detrimental impacts of vaping product additives on lung health.
Type-H endothelial cell protein Clec14a orchestrates osteoblast activity during trabecular bone formation and patterning
Authors: Neag Georgiana , Lewis Jonathan , Turner Jason D. , Manning Julia E. , Dean Isaac , Finlay Melissa , Poologasundarampillai Gowsihan , Woods Jonathan , Sahu Muhammad Arham , Khan Kabir A. , Begum Jenefa , McGettrick Helen M. , Bellantuono Ilaria , Heath Victoria , Jones Simon W. , Buckley Christopher D. , Bicknell Roy , Naylor Amy J.
Published: October 2024

Type-H capillary endothelial cells control bone formation during embryogenesis and postnatal growth but few signalling mechanisms underpinning this influence have been characterised. Here, we identify a highly expressed type-H endothelial cell protein, Clec14a, and explore its role in coordinating osteoblast activity. Expression of Clec14a and its ligand, Mmrn2 are high in murine type-H endothelial cells but absent from osteoblasts. Clec14a−/− mice have premature condensation of the type-H vasculature and expanded distribution of osteoblasts and bone matrix, increased long-bone length and bone density indicative of accelerated skeletal development, and enhanced osteoblast maturation. Antibody-mediated blockade of the Clec14a-Mmrn2 interaction recapitulates the Clec14a−/− phenotype. Endothelial cell expression of Clec14a regulates osteoblast maturation and mineralisation activity during postnatal bone development in mice. This finding underscores the importance of type-H capillary control of osteoblast activity in bone formation and identifies a novel mechanism that mediates this vital cellular crosstalk.
Advanced photovoltaic technology can reduce land requirements and climate impact on energy generation
Authors: Saxena Ankita , Brown Calum , Arneth Almut , Rounsevell Mark
Published: October 2024

Future changes in solar radiation and rising temperatures will likely reduce global solar photovoltaic potential, but advancing photovoltaic technologies could counteract these effects. We investigate the potential of photovoltaic to satisfy energy demands given climate change and technological development. We find that conventional photovoltaic will require 0.5 to 1.2% of global land area to meet projected energy demands by 2085 without accounting for climate change effects. When considering climate impacts, this requirement increases to 0.7–1.5% of the global land area. However, utilising advanced photovoltaic technologies can reduce this area to 0.3–1.2%, effectively mitigating climate impacts. Regional climate change impacts vary substantially, resulting in photovoltaic potential decreases of up to 3% in Latin America and the Caribbean, and by up to 8% in South Asia. Our results suggest that technology-driven increases in future global photovoltaic energy production can more than compensate for the climate related reductions.