bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responsible artificial intelligence in Africa: towards policy learning
Authors: Plantinga Paul , Shilongo Kristophina , Mudongo Oarabile , Umubyeyi Angelique , Gastrow Michael , Razzano Gabriella
Published: December 2024

Several African countries are developing artificial intelligence (AI) strategies and ethics frameworks with the goal of accelerating responsible AI development and adoption. However, many of these governance actions are emerging without consideration for their suitability to local contexts, including whether the proposed policies are feasible to implement and what their impact may be on regulatory outcomes. In response, we suggest that there is a need for more explicit policy learning, by looking at existing governance capabilities and experiences related to algorithms, automation, data, and digital technology in other countries and in adjacent sectors. From such learning, it will be possible to identify where existing capabilities may be adapted or strengthened to address current AI-related opportunities and risks. This paper explores the potential for learning by analysing existing policy and legislation in twelve African countries across three main areas: strategy and multi-stakeholder engagement, human dignity and autonomy, and sector-specific governance. The findings point to a variety of existing capabilities that could be relevant to responsible AI; from existing model management procedures used in banking and air quality assessment to efforts aimed at enhancing public sector skills and transparency around public–private partnerships, and the way in which existing electronic transactions legislation addresses accountability and human oversight. All of these point to the benefit of wider engagement on how existing governance mechanisms are working, and on where AI-specific adjustments or new instruments may be needed.
Decoder decomposition for the analysis of the latent space of nonlinear autoencoders with wind-tunnel experimental data
Authors: Mo Yaxin , Traverso Tullio , Magri Luca
Published: December 2024

Turbulent flows are chaotic and multi-scale dynamical systems, which have large numbers of degrees of freedom. Turbulent flows, however, can be modeled with a smaller number of degrees of freedom when using an appropriate coordinate system, which is the goal of dimensionality reduction via nonlinear autoencoders. Autoencoders are expressive tools, but they are difficult to interpret. This article aims to propose a method to aid the interpretability of autoencoders. First, we introduce the decoder decomposition, a post-processing method to connect the latent variables to the coherent structures of flows. Second, we apply the decoder decomposition to analyze the latent space of synthetic data of a two-dimensional unsteady wake past a cylinder. We find that the dimension of latent space has a significant impact on the interpretability of autoencoders. We identify the physical and spurious latent variables. Third, we apply the decoder decomposition to the latent space of wind-tunnel experimental data of a three-dimensional turbulent wake past a bluff body. We show that the reconstruction error is a function of both the latent space dimension and the decoder size, which are correlated. Finally, we apply the decoder decomposition to rank and select latent variables based on the coherent structures that they represent. This is useful to filter unwanted or spurious latent variables or to pinpoint specific coherent structures of interest. The ability to rank and select latent variables will help users design and interpret nonlinear autoencoders.
Support for Taiwan in the US House of Representatives: A New Look at US–China–Taiwan Relations
Authors: Wang Guan
Published: December 2024

US legislators show a remarkable variation in how many bills and resolutions they sponsor and cosponsor to support Taiwan. I argue that legislators’ perception of China and their partisan identity play a crucial role in shaping their support for Taiwan. To test my hypotheses, I conducted a quantitative analysis of all Taiwan-specific bills and resolutions introduced from the 110th to 116th House of Representatives. The results indicate that legislators who view China as a security threat to the US or a non-democracy and a human rights violator exhibit a higher level of support for Taiwan. However, seeing China as an economic challenger has the least significant effect. Furthermore, although there is a general consensus that Taiwan is a bipartisan issue in Congress, my research demonstrates that Republicans display a greater level of interest in supporting Taiwan compared to Democrats.
Reverse drill holes: remarkable mistakes made by gastropod predators attacking Neogene bivalve prey
Authors: Klompmaker Adiël A. , Dietl Gregory P.
Published: December 2024

Predation is a behavior that is commonly unsuccessful, but the cause of failure is often difficult to determine in the fossil record. Here, we report on gastropod drill holes in two Plio- and Miocene bivalve specimens from the Netherlands created from the inner side of the bivalve prey's shell, which we call reverse drill holes. These holes are unequivocally caused by failure of the gastropod drilling predators to make effective use of their chemoreception and mechanoreception sensory adaptations. We hypothesize that the diffuse nature of chemical cues emanating from dense aggregations of living prey could have confused foraging predators and stimulated them to initiate the drilling process on empty valves. Poor decision making due to hunger is an alternative hypothesis. These traces represent the first reported examples of reverse gastropod drill holes from the fossil record, and the first attributed to Naticidae. Compared to other types of failed predation (incomplete drill holes and drill holes in multiply-drilled specimens) in the two assemblages studied, reverse drill holes are rare (< 1% of drill holes). This result implies that the driller's sensory and decision-making processes were generally reliable at distinguishing dead from live prey.
Birkhoff spectrum for diagonally self-affine sets and digit frequencies for GLS systems with redundancy
Authors: Imbierski Jonny , Kalle Charlene , Mohammadpour Reza
Published: December 2024

In this article, we calculate the Birkhoff spectrum in terms of the Hausdorff dimension of level sets for Birkhoff averages of continuous potentials for a certain family of diagonally affine iterated function systems. Also, we study Besicovitch–Eggleston sets for finite generalized Lüroth series number systems with redundancy. The redundancy refers to the fact that each number

$x \in [0,1]$

has uncountably many expansions in the system. We determine the Hausdorff dimension of digit frequency sets for such expansions along fibres.
Shadowing and hyperbolicity for linear delay difference equations
Authors: Backes Lucas , Dragičević Davor , Pituk Mihály
Published: December 2024

It is known that hyperbolic linear delay difference equations are shadowable on the half-line. In this article, we prove the converse and hence the equivalence between hyperbolicity and the positive shadowing property for the following two classes of linear delay difference equations: (a) for non-autonomous equations with finite delays and uniformly bounded compact coefficient operators in Banach spaces and (b) for Volterra difference equations with infinite delay in finite dimensional spaces.
Structural bioinformatic study of six human olfactory receptors and their AlphaFold3 predicted water-soluble QTY variants and OR1A2 with an odorant octanoate and TAAR9 with spermidine
Authors: Johnsson Finn , Karagöl Taner , Karagöl Alper , Zhang Shuguang
Published: December 2024

The molecular mechanism of olfaction, namely, how we smell with limited olfactory receptors to recognize exceedingly diverse and large numbers of scents remains unknown despite the recent advances in chemistry, chemical, structural, and molecular biology. Olfactory receptors are notoriously difficult to study because they are fully embedded in the cell membrane. After decades of efforts and significant funding, there are only three olfactory receptor structures known. To understand olfaction, we carried out the structural bioinformatic study of six human olfactory receptors including OR51E1, OR51E2, OR52cs, OR1A1, OR1A2, TAAR9, and their AlphaFold3 predicted water-soluble QTY variants with odorants. We applied the QTY code to replace leucine (L) with glutamine (Q), isoleucine (I) and valine (V) with threonine (T), and phenylalanine (F) with tyrosine (Y) only in the transmembrane helices. Therefore, these QTY variants become water-soluble. We also present the superimposed structures of native olfactory receptors and their water-soluble QTY variants. The superimposed structures show remarkable similarity with RMSDs between 0.441 and 1.275 Å despite significant changes to the protein sequence of the transmembrane domains (43.03%–50.31%). We also show the differences in hydrophobicity surfaces between the native olfactory receptors and their QTY variants. Furthermore, we also used AlphaFold3 and molecular dynamics to study the odorant octanoate with OR1A2 and spermidine with TAAR9. Our bioinformatics studies provide insight into the differences between the hydrophobic helices and hydrophilic helices, and will likely further stimulate designs of water-soluble integral transmembrane proteins and other aggregated proteins.
Mechanisation applied to entomological production cannot ignore insect reactivity: a case study on Bombyx mori in the context of the ‘Serinnovation’ project
Authors: Giora Domenico , Assirelli Alberto , Cappellozza Silvia , Saviane Alessio , Sartori Luigi , Dalla Montà Antonella , Paglia Graziella , Pavanello Chiara , Fila Gianni , Marinello Francesco
Published: December 2024

In December 2017 the Venetian Region (local Authority), financed the creation of the Operational Group (OG) ‘Serinnovation’, within the framework of the Rural Development Plan supported by the European Community. The OG aims at coordinating and spreading innovation in sericulture through mechanisation of processes and centralisation of some rearing steps, the use of waste as by-products and traceability to promote local productions. The project acts on perceived quality by increasing the added value, through production cost efficiency, and on the recovery of the waste material for further applications (circular economy). The final target was to develop a niche-process to obtain traceable ‘Made-in-Italy’ silk for the luxury market and non-textile applications. A first strategy to increase the efficiency of the process was to build an automatic leaf cutting machine to prepare the feed for the first three instars of the silkworm (Bombyx mori Linnaeus). This new machine – based on a patent – was validated through several tests and compared with the cutting system previously used. The study was completed by a bioassay of production and survival rate associated with the introduction of this innovation. The results showed that labour saving is in the order of 10% compared to a semi-manual process, the leaf quality is not affected, survival of larvae and silk production are not significantly different from the control. This methodology is proposed as a study case for other similar mechanisation processes in entomological production, as the impact of innovations on insect physiology should be carefully considered.
Are trauma-related beliefs associated with psychosis symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Frost Rachel , Collier Olivia , Hardy Amy
Published: December 2024

Trauma-related beliefs are theorized to contribute to the development and maintenance of psychosis symptoms. However, the evidence for this proposal has yet to be systematically reviewed. This article is the first to synthesize and meta-analyze studies examining associations between trauma-related beliefs and psychosis symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and negative symptoms. A systematic database search of Medline, PsychINFO, Embase, Web of Science, CINHAL, and Cochrane identified a total of 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria for systematic review and 11 articles which met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Separate random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for each psychosis symptom. Meta-analytic findings demonstrated a small to moderate association between trauma-related beliefs and hallucination severity (k = 7, r = 0.25, 95% CI 0.10–0.39), a moderate to large association with delusion severity (k = 8, r = 0.43, 95% CI 0.31–0.54), and large association with paranoia severity (k = 4, r = 0.58, 95% CI 0.49–0.66). Narrative synthesis findings indicate that evidence for an association between negative symptoms and trauma-related beliefs was inconclusive. The meta-analytic findings provide support for an association between trauma-related beliefs and positive psychosis symptoms. This provides evidence suggesting trauma therapies for psychosis that target these beliefs may improve distressing psychosis. However, further research adopting longitudinal designs and controlling for confounders is required to better establish causality, including mediation analysis of therapy trials.
Making sense of the literature on antipsychotics and long-term functioning: taking natural history and personalization seriously
Authors: Aftab Awais
Published: December 2024

This review examines the relationship between long-term antipsychotic use and individual functioning, emphasizing clinical implications and the need for personalized care. The initial impression that antipsychotic medications may worsen long-term outcomes is critically assessed, highlighting the confounding effects of illness trajectory and individual patient characteristics. Moving beyond a focus on methodological limitations, the discussion centers on how these findings can inform clinical practice, keeping in consideration that a subset of patients with psychotic disorders are on a trajectory of long-term remission and that for a subset of patient the adverse effects of antipsychotics outweigh potential benefits. Key studies such as the OPUS study, Chicago Follow-up study, Mesifos trial, and RADAR trial are analyzed. While antipsychotics demonstrate efficacy in short-term symptom management, their long-term effects on functioning are less obvious and require careful interpretation. Research on long-term antipsychotic use and individual functioning isn't sufficient to favor antipsychotic discontinuation or dose reduction below standard doses for most patients, but it is sufficient to highlight the necessity of personalization of clinical treatment and the appropriateness of dose reduction/discontinuation in a considerable subset of patients.
Hold That Gaze
Authors: Costa Amaral Susana
Published: December 2024

How do you create a dance of self-defense? Brazilian choreographers Davi Pontes and Wallace Ferreira try to answer this question by performing with, through, and despite racial objectifi cation. Against the backdrop of Jair Bolsonaro’s election in Brazil, the artists challenge the audience’s gaze by refusing the spectatorial demand that expects mastery and predictability—a demand often linked to racist, sexist, and colonial frameworks.
Dietary fat quality indices and risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Gaeini Zahra , Alvirdizadeh Sevda , Hosseinpour-Niazi Somayeh , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: December 2024

Objective:

To assess associations between dietary fat quality indices and risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Iranian adults.

Design:

Daily intakes of fatty acids were estimated using a validated FFQ with 168 food items. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for pre-diabetes and T2DM were calculated across tertile categories of dietary fat quality indices including the atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, health-promoting index, ratio of PUFA to SFA (PUFA:SFA) and ratio of hypo- and hypercholesterolaemia (h:H).

Setting:

Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Participants:

Iranian men and women.

Results:

The mean (sd) age of the 2042 pre-diabetes-free participants in pre-diabetes analysis was 38·84 (12·97), and 55·2 % were women. In T2DM analysis, the mean (sd) age of the 2295 T2DM-free participants was 40·06 (13·42), and 54·6 % of them were women. In the crude model, the PUFA:SFA ratio was positively associated with T2DM incidence (HR = 1·43; 95 % CI 1·04, 1·98). However, after adjustment for confounding variables, there were no significant associations between dietary fat quality indices and risk of pre-diabetes and T2DM.

Conclusions:

We found no significant association between fat quality indices and risk of pre-diabetes and T2DM. Further prospective and clinical trial studies are needed to clarify the issue.
An automated assessment pipeline to identify prostate treatments that need adaptive radiotherapy
Authors: Russell Emily , O’Hara Christopher , Andersson Sebastian , Henry Ann , Speight Richard , Al-Qaisieh Bashar , Bird David
Published: December 2024

Background and purpose:

This project developed and validated an automated pipeline for prostate treatments to accurately determine which patients could benefit from adaptive radiotherapy (ART) using synthetic CTs (sCTs) generated from on-treatment cone-beam CT (CBCT) images.

Materials and methods:

The automated pipeline converted CBCTs to sCTs utilising deep-learning, for accurate dose recalculation. Deformable image registration mapped contours from the planning CT to the sCT, with the treatment plan recalculated. A pass/fail assessment used relevant clinical goals. A fail threshold indicated ART was required. All acquired CBCTs (230 sCTs) for 31 patients (6 who had ART) were assessed for pipeline accuracy and clinical viability, comparing clinical outcomes to pipeline outcomes.

Results:

The pipeline distinguished patients requiring ART; 74·4% of sCTs for ART patients were red (failure) results, compared to 6·4% of non-ART sCTs. The receiver operator characteristic area under curve was 0·98, demonstrating high performance. The automated pipeline was statistically significantly (p < 0·05) quicker than the current clinical assessment methods (182·5s and 556·4s, respectively), and deformed contour accuracy was acceptable, with 96·6% of deformed clinical target volumes (CTVs) clinically acceptable.

Conclusion:

The automated pipeline identified patients who required ART with high accuracy while reducing time and resource requirements. This could reduce departmental workload and increase efficiency and personalisation of patient treatments. Further work aims to apply the pipeline to other treatment sites and investigate its potential for taking into account dose accumulation.
Use of a capsule suspension formulation of S-metolachlor in fenclorim-treated rice
Authors: Norsworthy Jason K. , Noe Samuel C. , Butts Thomas R. , Roberts Trent L.
Published: December 2024

As herbicide resistance continues to render commonly used rice herbicides ineffective, alternative sites of action are paramount to maintaining yield and producer profitability. Combining a slow-release formulation and a fenclorim seed treatment might allow the safe use of S-metolachlor in rice. Experiments were initiated in 2022 and 2023 near Colt, AR, on a silt loam soil to evaluate crop safety using a capsule suspension (CS) formulation of S-metolachlor and a fenclorim seed treatment in rice. The first experiment assessed the tolerance of two cultivars (‘Diamond’ and ‘DG263L’) to three rates (0.42, 0.84, and 1.68 kg ai ha−1) of a CS S-metolachlor at a delayed preemergence (DPRE) application timing in conjunction with a fenclorim seed treatment. The second experiment evaluated a 1- to 2-leaf (EPOST) application of a CS S-metolachlor at 0.56 and 1.12 kg ai ha−1 to fenclorim-treated rice. Fenclorim reduced injury and partially protected rice yield when S-metolachlor was applied DPRE at 1.68 kg ai ha−1 in both years. However, in one year, under adverse conditions, rice yields were only 65% and 66% of the nontreated control for fenclorim-treated ‘Diamond’ and ‘DG263L’, respectively. An EPOST application of S-metolachlor at 1.12 kg ai ha−1 resulted in 44% to 51% visible injury 35 d after treatment. Relative rice yields were 88% and 89% of the nontreated weed-free treatment in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Fenclorim provided enhanced crop safety at both the 0.84 and 1.68 kg ai ha−1 rates of S-metolachlor. However, the potential for reduced yield can arise when unfavorable conditions occur soon after application. An EPOST application timing of CS S-metolachlor at 0.56 kg ai ha−1 may be a viable option in rice, but 1.12 kg ai ha−1 is too high on a silt loam soil, resulting in significant rice injury.
Estimating the Possible Ion Heating Caused by Alfvén Waves at Venus
Authors: Stenberg Wieser G. , André M. , Nilsson H. , Edberg N. , Persson M. , Rojas Mata S. , Mihalikova M. , Gunell H. , Bader A. , Futaana Y.
Published: December 2024

In the Earth's magnetosphere wave‐particle interaction is a major ion energization process, playing an important role for the atmospheric escape. A common type of ion heating is associated with low‐frequency broadband electric wave fields. For such waves the energy is not concentrated to a certain narrow frequency range and exhibits no peaks or dips in a power spectrum. If there are enough fluctuations close to the ion gyrofrequency the electric field may still come in resonance with gyrating ions and heat them perpendicular to the background magnetic field. We perform a proof‐of‐concept study to investigate if this heating mechanism may contibute significantly to the energization of planetary ions also in the induced magnetosphere of Venus. We assume Alfvénic fluctuations and estimate the electric field spectral density based on magnetic field observations. We find typical estimated electric spectral densities of a few /Hz close to Venus. This corresponds to a heating rate of a few eV/s. We consider an available interaction time of 300 s and conclude that this mechanism could increase the energy of an oxygen ion by about a keV. Observed thermal energies are in the range 100–1,000 eV and thus, resonant wave heating may also be important at Venus.
Vertical Structures of Marine Heatwaves in the South China Sea: Characteristics, Drivers and Impacts on Chlorophyll Concentration
Authors: Yuan Taikang , Zhang Jinrong , Yang Shengmu , Su Qingguo , Zhao Zezheng , Ren Kaijun
Published: December 2024

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are characterized as extreme ocean warming events, which have multifaceted impacts on marine ecosystems. The warming of the ocean associated with MHWs can extend into the deep ocean. In the study, five main types of MHWs in the South China Sea (SCS) are identified with various vertical structures, including shallow, surface‐extension‐reversed, surface‐extension‐intensified, deep, and surface‐extension‐intensified‐reversed. Different types of MHWs have different spread patterns and depths. Shallow and surface‐extension‐reversed MHWs are common in coastal areas, and surface‐extension‐intensified MHW events often occur in deep areas. The vertical structures of MHWs are affected by ocean dynamical processes, particularly vertical processes and horizontal heat advection. These MHWs can alter ocean chlorophyll concentration to varying degrees and locations, contingent on their vertical thermal profiles. Furthermore, an analysis of the impacts of a long‐lived MHW event in the SCS in 2020 revealed that the MHWs could alter chlorophyll concentration. These results help to better understand the physical drivers of localized MHWs and their potential impacts in the context of climate change.
Automatic Detection and Classification of Aurora in THEMIS All‐Sky Images
Authors: Johnson Jeremiah W. , Öztürk Doğacan Su , Hampton Donald , Connor Hyunju K. , Blandin Matthew , Keesee Amy
Published: December 2024

We report a novel machine‐learning algorithm for automatically detecting and classifying aurora in all–sky images (ASI) that is largely trained without requiring ground–truth labels. By including a small number of labeled images, we are able to automatically label all of the approximately 700 million images in the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) ASI data set from 2008 to 2022. We use a two–stage approach. In the first stage, we adapt the Simple framework for Contrastive Learning of Representations (SimCLR) algorithm to learn latent representations of THEMIS all–sky images. We then finetune a classifier network on the latent representations our model learns of the manually labeled Oslo aurora THEMIS (OATH) data set. We demonstrate that this two–stage approach achieves excellent classification results on data for which there is no current ML classification benchmark. The outcome of this work will facilitate efficient information retrieval for researchers interested in specific categories of aurora and will enable large scale statistical studies and machine learning analyses of THEMIS all–sky images that have not previously been possible. To demonstrate possible ways to utilize this database, we performed a statistical analysis of the occurrence rates of auroral labels with respect to solar wind parameters, interplanetary magnetic field vector, and geomagnetic indices. We further investigate the occurrence rates of auroral phenomena in the annotated data set and their geoeffectiveness by utilizing the co–located THEMIS ground magnetometer data set.
Channel Mixer Layer: Multimodal Fusion Toward Machine Reasoning for Spatiotemporal Predictive Learning of Ionospheric Total Electron Content
Authors: Liu Peng , Yokoyama Tatsuhiro , Sori Takuya , Yamamoto Mamoru
Published: December 2024

The spatiotemporal distribution of Total Electron Content (TEC) in ionosphere determines the refractive index of electromagnetic wave leading to the radio signal scintillation and deterioration. Thanks to the development of machine learning for video prediction, spatiotemporal predictive models are applied on the future TEC map prediction based on the graphic features of past frames. However, output result of graphic prediction is unable to properly respond to the external factor variations such as solar or geomagnetic activity. Meanwhile, there is still neither standard data ‐set nor comprehensive evaluation framework for spatiotemporal predictive learning of TEC map sequences leading to the comparisons unfair and insights inconclusive. In this research, a new feature‐level multimodal fusion method named as channel mixer layer for machine reasoning is proposed that can be embedded into the existing advanced spatiotemporal sequence prediction models. Meanwhile, all performance benchmarks are accomplished on the same running environment and newly proposed largest scale data set. Experiment results suggest that the multimodal fusion prediction of existing model backbones by proposed method improves the prediction accuracy up to 15% with almost the same computational complexity compared to that of graphic prediction without auxiliary factors input, having the real‐time inference speed of 34 frames/second and minimum mean absolute error of 0.94/2.63 TEC unit during low/high solar activity period respectively. The channel mixer layer embedded models can respond to the variations of auxiliary external factors more correctly than previous multimodal fusion methods such as concatenation and arithmetic, which is regarded as the evidence of state‐of‐the‐art machine reasoning ability.
Packaged release and targeted delivery of cytokines by migrasomes in circulation
Authors: Jiao Haifeng , Li Xiaopeng , Li Ying , Guo Ziyi , Yang Yuzhuo , Luo Yiqun , Hu Xiaoyu , Yu Li
Published: December 2024

In dynamic systems like the circulatory system, establishing localized cytokine gradients is challenging. Upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, we observed that monocytes release numerous migrasomes enriched with inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. These cytokines are transported into migrasomes via secretory carriers, leading to their immediate exocytosis or eventual release from detached migrasomes. We successfully isolated TNF-α and IL-6-enriched, monocyte-derived migrasomes from the blood of LPS-treated mice. Total secretion analysis revealed a substantial amount of TNF-α and IL-6 released in a migrasome-packaged form. Thus, detached, monocyte-derived migrasomes represent a type of extracellular vesicle highly enriched with cytokines. Physiologically, these cytokine-laden migrasomes rapidly accumulate at local sites of inflammation, effectively creating a concentrated source of cytokines. Our research uncovers novel mechanisms for cytokine release and delivery, providing new insights into immune response modulation.
Neutrophils in cancer: from biology to therapy
Authors: Koenderman Leo , Vrisekoop Nienke
Published: December 2024

The view of neutrophils has shifted from simple phagocytic cells, whose main function is to kill pathogens, to very complex cells that are also involved in immune regulation and tissue repair. These cells are essential for maintaining and regaining tissue homeostasis. Neutrophils can be viewed as double-edged swords in a range of situations. The potent killing machinery necessary for immune responses to pathogens can easily lead to collateral damage to host tissues when inappropriately controlled. Furthermore, some subtypes of neutrophils are potent pathogen killers, whereas others are immunosuppressive or can aid in tissue healing. Finally, in tumor immunology, many examples of both protumorigenic and antitumorigenic properties of neutrophils have been described. This has important consequences for cancer therapy, as targeting neutrophils can lead to either suppressed or stimulated antitumor responses. This review will discuss the current knowledge regarding the pro- and antitumorigenic roles of neutrophils, leading to the concept of a confused state of neutrophil-driven pro-/antitumor responses.
Dysregulation of MMP2-dependent TGF-ß2 activation impairs fibrous cap formation in type 2 diabetes-associated atherosclerosis
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Sun Jiangming , Cavalera Michele , Al-Sharify Dania , Matthes Frank , Barghouth Mohammad , Tengryd Christoffer , Dunér Pontus , Persson Ana , Sundius Lena , Nitulescu Mihaela , Bengtsson Eva , Rattik Sara , Engelbertsen Daniel , Orho-Melander Marju , Nilsson Jan , Monaco Claudia , Goncalves Isabel , Edsfeldt Andreas
Published: December 2024

Type 2 diabetes is associated with cardiovascular disease, possibly due to impaired vascular fibrous repair. Yet, the mechanisms are elusive. Here, we investigate alterations in the fibrous repair processes in type 2 diabetes atherosclerotic plaque extracellular matrix by combining multi-omics from the human Carotid Plaque Imaging Project cohort and functional studies. Plaques from type 2 diabetes patients have less collagen. Interestingly, lower levels of transforming growth factor-ß distinguish type 2 diabetes plaques and, in these patients, lower levels of fibrous repair markers are associated with cardiovascular events. Transforming growth factor-ß2 originates mostly from contractile vascular smooth muscle cells that interact with synthetic vascular smooth muscle cells in the cap, leading to collagen formation and vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation. This is regulated by free transforming growth factor-ß2 which is affected by hyperglycemia. Our findings underscore the importance of transforming growth factor-ß2-driven fibrous repair in type 2 diabetes as an area for future therapeutic strategies.
A core network in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid NTD mediates structural integrity and selective RNA-binding
Authors: Dhamotharan Karthikeyan , Korn Sophie M. , Wacker Anna , Becker Matthias A. , Günther Sebastian , Schwalbe Harald , Schlundt Andreas
Published: December 2024

The SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein is indispensable for viral RNA genome processing. Although the N-terminal domain (NTD) is suggested to mediate specific RNA-interactions, high-resolution structures with viral RNA are still lacking. Available hybrid structures of the NTD with ssRNA and dsRNA provide valuable insights; however, the precise mechanism of complex formation remains elusive. Similarly, the molecular impact of nucleocapsid NTD mutations that have emerged since 2019 has not yet been fully explored. Using crystallography and solution NMR, we investigate how NTD mutations influence structural integrity and RNA-binding. We find that both features rely on a core network of residues conserved in Betacoronaviruses, crucial for protein stability and communication among flexible loop-regions that facilitate RNA-recognition. Our comprehensive structural analysis demonstrates that contacts within this network guide selective RNA-interactions. We propose that the core network renders the NTD evolutionarily robust in stability and plasticity for its versatile RNA processing roles.
MamF-like proteins are distant Tic20 homologs involved in organelle assembly in bacteria
Authors: Paulus Anja , Ahrens Frederik , Schraut Annika , Hofmann Hannah , Schiller Tim , Sura Thomas , Becher Dörte , Uebe René
Published: December 2024

Organelle-specific protein translocation systems are essential for organelle biogenesis and maintenance in eukaryotes but thought to be absent from prokaryotic organelles. Here, we demonstrate that MamF-like proteins are crucial for the formation and functionality of bacterial magnetosome organelles. Deletion of mamF-like genes in the Alphaproteobacterium Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense results in severe defects in organelle positioning, biomineralization, and magnetic navigation. These phenotypic defects result from the disrupted targeting of a subset of magnetosomal proteins that contain C-terminal glycine-rich integral membrane domains. Phylogenetic analyses reveal an ancient evolutionary link between MamF-like proteins and plastidial Tic20. Our findings redefine the molecular roles of MamF-like proteins and suggest that organelle-specific protein targeting systems also play a role in bacterial organelle formation.
Zonation of the Vitis vinifera microbiome in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano PDO production area
Authors: Palladino Giorgia , Nanetti Enrico , Scicchitano Daniel , Cinti Nicolò , Foresto Lucia , Cozzi Alice , Gonzalez Vara Rodriguez Antonio , Interino Nicolò , Fiori Jessica , Turroni Silvia , Candela Marco , Rampelli Simone
Published: December 2024

The microbial dimension of the terroir is crucial for wine quality, as microbiomes contribute to plant biofertilization, stress tolerance and pathogen suppression. While microbial terroir can act as a biological signature at large scale, data for local contexts is lacking, hindering the characterization of regional microbial diversity in vineyards. Here, we define the microbial terroir of vineyards across the 12 sub-areas (Additional Geographic Units -AGUs) of the “Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG” PDO area (Italy), a world-renowned wine-producing region. Rhizospheres of Vitis vinifera cultivar Sangiovese and soil samples were collected throughout the 2022 viticultural season and analyzed through an integrated metabarcoding/shotgun metagenomic approach, targeting bacteria and fungi. Wine metabolomics was also perfomed, projecting compositional and functional variations of the microbial terroir at the AGUs level into a corresponding variation in the product metabolic profile. Our findings reveal a unique taxonomic configuration of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano terroir compared to other vineyards, with microbiomes being “AGU-specific” in taxonomic abundances and plant growth-promoting functions, confirming the potential relevance of characterizing and preserving the microbial terroir to safeguard high-quality traditional wines.
On-surface synthesis of phthalocyanines with extended π-electron systems
Authors: Heuplick Lukas J. , Fan Qitang , Astvatsaturov Dmitriy A. , Dubinina Tatiana V. , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: December 2024

Expanded phthalocyanines are a promising class of materials for optoelectronic applications, owing to their unique properties and versatile metal coordination reactivity. The expansion of their π-electron systems and resulting red-shifted absorption are of particular interest for achieving broader applications. Here, we report the on-surface synthesis of metallo-phthalocyanines with extended electron systems and an open-chain polycyanine from ortho-dicarbonitrile precursors on Ag(111) and Au(111), studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The larger 6,7-di(2-naphthyl)-2,3-naphthalenedicarbonitrile (NND) undergoes spontaneous cyclotetramerization on the Ag(111) surface forming the corresponding silver naphthalocyanines (Ag-NPc), contrasting previous reports where a partially aliphatic ortho-dicarbonitrile precursor formed polycyanine chains. In contrast, monolayers of the smaller 6,7-diphenyl-2,3-naphthalenedicarbonitrile (PND) form the corresponding naphthalocyanine only in the presence of co-adsorbed iron atoms (Fe-NPc). In the absence of iron, PND multilayers form polycyanine chains and Ag-NPc. NND and PND further differ in their reactivity due to the supramolecular behavior of their products. While the larger Ag-NPc aggregates to non-covalent one-dimensional ribbons, the smaller Fe-NPc forms an extended non-covalent two-dimensional network. Our study demonstrates the versatility of on-surface dinitrile tetramerization for the synthesis of π-extended cyclic phthalocyanines and their open-chain polycyanine counterparts.
Structure-based drug design with equivariant diffusion models
Authors: Schneuing Arne , Harris Charles , Du Yuanqi , Didi Kieran , Jamasb Arian , Igashov Ilia , Du Weitao , Gomes Carla , Blundell Tom L. , Lio Pietro , Welling Max , Bronstein Michael , Correia Bruno
Published: December 2024

Structure-based drug design (SBDD) aims to design small-molecule ligands that bind with high affinity and specificity to pre-determined protein targets. Generative SBDD methods leverage structural data of drugs with their protein targets to propose new drug candidates. However, most existing methods focus exclusively on bottom-up de novo design of compounds or tackle other drug development challenges with task-specific models. The latter requires curation of suitable datasets, careful engineering of the models and retraining from scratch for each task. Here we show how a single pretrained diffusion model can be applied to a broader range of problems, such as off-the-shelf property optimization, explicit negative design and partial molecular design with inpainting. We formulate SBDD as a three-dimensional conditional generation problem and present DiffSBDD, an SE(3)-equivariant diffusion model that generates novel ligands conditioned on protein pockets. Furthermore, we show how additional constraints can be used to improve the generated drug candidates according to a variety of computational metrics.
Automatic magnetic solid phase extraction for rapid and high-throughput determination of neonicotinoid insecticides and their metabolites in serum, breast milk and urine samples
Authors: Huang Kaiqin , Yi Jing , Liu Guocheng , Liu Yangyang , Jiang Kaixin , Li Zhuowen , Qu Yanji , Lin Meiqing , Ma Shengtao
Published: December 2024

A time-saving and labor-saving method was developed for the simultaneous determination of neonicotinoids in human serum, urine, and breast milk samples based on automatic magnetic solid phase extraction.
Rapid detection of volatile organic compounds emitted from plants by multicapillary column-ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Ilbeigi Vahideh , Valadbeigi Younes , Zvaríková Martina , Fedor Peter , Matejčík Štefan
Published: December 2024

This study presents a novel rapid analytical method for the detection of volatile organic compounds emitted from blueberry leaves using the Tenax adsorbent followed by separation using a multicapillary column and ion mobility spectrometry detection.
Fast and effective assessment of 4-chlorophenol as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) using a multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (C/MWCNT-COOH/SPCE)
Authors: Kamel Ayman H. , Alnakkal Ayman , Abd-Rabboh Hisham S. M. , Hefnawy A.
Published: December 2024

In this study, a rapid, precise, and targeted electroanalytical method was developed for the trace determination of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP).
Electrochemical stability of electrospun silicon/carbon nanofiber anode materials: a review
Authors: Feng Xiaoru , Rong Fei , Xie Yibing
Published: December 2024

The electrochemical cycling stability of electrospun silicon/carbon nanofibers as anode battery materials is related to the component modification and the microstructure design of silicon composites.
Copper coordination chemistry of the patellamides – cyanobactins in the ascidian-Prochloron symbiosis
Authors: Baur Philipp , Comba Peter
Published: December 2024

Prochloron didemni, an obligate symbiont of certain ascidians (sea squirts found in tropical areas), produces various cyclic peptides in large quantities, and their copper coordination chemistry is shown to be related to their biological funcion.
Modification of CoMoO4 by an Fe doping strategy for efficient electrolysis of water
Authors: Xu Guangzheng , Huang Yin , Peng Jing , Yu Lina , Wang Xiuhua
Published: December 2024

Hydrogen is an ideal alternative energy source as it is non-polluting and clean.
Impact of –OH surface defects on the electronic and structural properties of nickel oxide thin films
Authors: Fois Ettore , Maccato Chiara , Barreca Davide , Invernizzi Cristiano , Tabacchi Gloria
Published: December 2024

A fascinating surface! By modelling NiO(100) slabs at varying –OH defect densities different structures are found, including three- and tetra-coordinated Ni species. Their electronic structure ranges from p-type or n-type to metallic character.
Correction: Fluorinated aromatic PCBTF and 6:2 diPAP in bridge and traffic paints
Authors: Kim-Fu Mitchell L. , Moll Ansel R. , Hernandez Esteban E. , Droz Boris , Fouquet Thierry N. J. , Field Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Correction for ‘Fluorinated aromatic PCBTF and 6:2 diPAP in bridge and traffic paints’ by Mitchell L. Kim-Fu et al., Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EM00546E.
Biomass-based water purification: a simple and novel one-pot process for converting date palm mesh fibers into a valuable nanomagnetic composite for water treatment
Authors: Vahedi Sarrygani Batool , Samari Fayezeh , Sedaghati Fatemeh
Published: December 2024

A low cost magnetic date palm mesh fiber (MDPMF) biosorbent was synthesized for efficient removal of MB and MnO4− from water.
Effect of proanthocyanidins on cognitive improvement in thyroxin-induced aging mice
Authors: Yuan Chong , Ren Hongtao , Hu Kexin , Chen Linlin , Yue Ke , He Kunmiao , Yu Qiuying , Wang Na , Zhang Gaiping
Published: December 2024

Pc, as a dietary supplement, can effectively alleviate cognitive impairment in the elderly population. This provides a new dietary nutrition supplement strategy for the health of the aging population.
Exploring substituent effects in reversible photoswitchable low molecular weight arylazoisoxazole adhesives
Authors: Burg Luca , Kortekaas Luuk , Gibalova Anna , Daniliuc Constantin , Heßling Janis , Schönhoff Monika , Ravoo Bart Jan
Published: December 2024

Gluing with light: molecular design of low molecular weight arylazoisoxazole adhesives enhances their photoreversible phase transition and adhesive strength.
A streamlined algorithm for two-dimensional bandgaps and defect-state energy variations in InGaN-based micro-LEDs
Authors: Ko Dong-Su , Lee Sihyung , Park Jinjoo , Sul Soohwan , Jung Changhoon , Yun Dong-Jin , Kim Mi Kyung , Lee Jaewoo , Choi Jun Hee , Park Seong Yong , Shim Munbo , Son Won-Joon , Kim Se Yun
Published: December 2024

An algorithm for 2D mapping of bandgaps and defect-state energies in InGaN micro-LEDs is introduced, providing nm-scale resolution and identifying Ga vacancies as key defects. This work advances understanding of pixelation’s impact on LED.
Leveraging generative neural networks for accurate, diverse, and robust nanoparticle design
Authors: Rahman Tanzim , Tahmid Ahnaf , Arman Shifat E. , Ahmed Tanvir , Rakhy Zarin Tasnim , Das Harinarayan , Rahman Mahmudur , Azad Abul Kalam , Wahadoszamen Md. , Habib Ahsan
Published: December 2024

Generative neural network models produce multiple designs tailored to a specific desired property, which offers researchers greater flexibility in selecting designs that balances accuracy and convenience.
DC field-biased multibit/analog artificial synapse featuring an additional degree of freedom for performance tuning
Authors: Jabri Milad , Hossein-Babaei Faramarz
Published: December 2024

Tuning technical features and multibit operation of poly-TiO2 memristor are achieved by DC-field biasing.
Targeted delivery of cytotoxic proteins via lipid-based nanoparticles to primary Langerhans cells
Authors: Rahhal Nowras , Rentzsch Mareike , Seiser Saskia , Freystätter Christian , Elbe-Bürger Adelheid , Rademacher Christoph
Published: December 2024

Using microfluidics, lipid nanoparticles encapsulating cytotoxic proteins were utilized for targeted delivery to Langerhans cells via human Langerin. Following endocytosis, proteins are released via endosomal escape, inducing cell apoptosis only in the targeted cells.
Tuning the optical properties of gold nanoparticles via photoactive liquid crystalline azo ligands
Authors: Bhat Sachin Ashok , Shankar Rao  , Prasad Subbarao Krishna , Yelamaggad Channabasaveshwar
Published: December 2024

Gold nanoparticles capped with photoactive azo ligands exhibit tunable optical properties through SPR modulation. The ligands, synthesized without reducing agents, induce a chiral lamellar superstructure in the nanoparticles.
A promising role of noble metal NPs@MOFs in chondrosarcoma management
Authors: Huang Ziheng , Tian Keyue , Xue Yiyuan , Luo Feng
Published: December 2024

Chondrosarcoma, a challenging and malignant neoplasm originating from cartilage cells, poses significant diagnostic and therapeutic hurdles due to its resistance to conventional treatments and the complexity of its diagnosis.
Controllable synthesis and biomedical applications of bismuth-based nanospheres: enhanced photothermal therapy and CT imaging efficiency
Authors: Chen Dongxun , Miao Baowang , Zhu Guidong , Liang Yanjie , Wang Chengwei
Published: December 2024

We report the controllable synthesis of monodisperse and uniform bismuth-based (Bi2S3, Bi, and Bi2O3) nanoparticles, and evaluate their potential for CT imaging and photothermal therapy applications.
Grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction elucidates structural correlations in fluid monolayers of lipids and surfactants
Authors: Reed Joshua , Grava Miriam , Shen Chen , Brezesinski Gerald , Schneck Emanuel
Published: December 2024

GIXD measurements on fluid lipid monolayers at the air/water interface reveal regions of spatiotemporally localized, structurally correlated hydrocarbon chain ordering. The abundance of these regions correlates to the lateral packing density.
Film thickness dependence of nanoscale arrangement of a chiral electron donor in its blends with an achiral electron acceptor
Authors: Pancotti Giulia , Killalea C. Elizabeth , Rees Thomas W. , Liirò-Peluso Letizia , Riera-Galindo Sergi , Beton Peter H. , Campoy-Quiles Mariano , Siligardi Giuliano , Amabilino David B.
Published: December 2024

The active layer of solar cells in gradient films of a small molecule acceptor and a chiral donor were imaged using Mueller matrix polarimetry showing thickness dependence in supramolecular organization reflected in optoelectronic behaviour.
Construction of an Sc-NiFe-LDH electrocatalyst for highly efficient electrooxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at industrial current density
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Hou Zhiyan , Wang Changlong
Published: December 2024

Sc-NiFe-LDH catalyzed electrooxidation of HMF to FDCA, achieving the FDCA faradic efficiency and selectivity of 96.5% and 99.5%, respectively, at a current density of >600 mA cm−2.