bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parametric model identification of delta wing UAVs using filter error method augmented with particle swarm optimisation
Authors: Samuel J J. P. , Kumar N. , Saderla S. , Kim Y.
Published: January 2023

From arsenal delivery to rescue missions, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are playing a crucial role in various fields, which brings the need for continuous evolution of system identification techniques to develop sophisticated mathematical models for effective flight control. In this paper, a novel parameter estimation technique based on filter error method (FEM) augmented with particle swarm optimisation (PSO) is developed and implemented to estimate the longitudinal and lateral-directional aerodynamic, stability and control derivatives of fixed-wing UAVs. The FEM used in the estimation technique is based on the steady-state extended Kalman filter, where the maximum likelihood cost function is minimised separately using a randomised solution search algorithm, PSO and the proposed method is termed FEM-PSO. A sufficient number of compatible flight data sets were generated using two cropped delta wing UAVs, namely CDFP and CDRW, which are used to analyse the applicability of the proposed estimation method. A comparison has been made between the parameter estimates obtained using the proposed method and the computationally intensive conventional FEM. It is observed that most of the FEM-PSO estimates are consistent with wind tunnel and conventional FEM estimates. It is also noticed that estimates of crucial aerodynamic derivatives ${C_{{L_\alpha }}},\;{C_{{m_\alpha }}},\;{C_{{Y_\beta }}},\;{C_{{l_\beta }}}$ and ${C_{{n_\beta }}}$ obtained using FEM-PSO are having relative offsets of 2.5%, 1.5%, 6.5%, 3.4% and 7.6% w.r.t. wind tunnel values for CDFP, and 1.4%, 1.9%, 0.1%, 9.6% and 7.5% w.r.t. wind tunnel values for CDRW. Despite having slightly higher Cramer-Rao Lower Bounds of estimated aerodynamic derivatives using the FEM-PSO method, the simulated responses have a relative error of less than 0.10% w.r.t. measured flight data. A proof-of-match exercise is also conducted to ascertain the efficacy of the estimates obtained using the proposed method. The degree of effectiveness of the FEM-PSO method is comparable with conventional FEM.
A systematic review of real-world healthcare resource use and costs of Clostridioides difficile infections
Authors: Malone Daniel C. , Armstrong Edward P. , Gratie Dan , Pham Sissi V. , Amin Alpesh
Published: January 2023

Objective:

To conduct a systematic review of published real-world evidence describing the cost and healthcare resource use for Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) in the United States.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted searching for terms for CDI and healthcare costs. Titles of articles and abstracts were reviewed to identify those that met study criteria. Studies were evaluated to examine overall design and comparison groups in terms of healthcare resource use and cost for CDI.

Results:

In total, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria. Moreover, 20 studies evaluated primary CDI or did not specify, and 8 studies1–8 evaluated both primary CDI and recurrent (rCDI). Data from Medicare were used in 6 studies. Nearly all studies used a comparison group, either controls without CDI (N = 20) or comparison between primary CDI and rCDI (N = 7). Two studies examined costs of rCDI by the number of recurrences. Overall, the burden of CDI is significant, with higher aggregate costs for patients with rCDI. Compared with non-CDI controls, hospital length of stay increased in patients with both primary and rCDI compared to patients without CDI. Patients with primary CDI cost healthcare systems $24,000 more than patients without CDI. Additionally, 2 studies that evaluated the impact of recurrence among those patients with an index case of CDI demonstrated significantly higher direct all-cause medical costs among those with rCDI compared to those without.

Conclusion:

CDI, and particularly rCDI, is a costly condition with hospitalizations being the main cost driver.
Religious Liberty and Human Rights: Their Origin, Their Development in the Anglo-American Legal Tradition, and Why They Are Still Needed - Discussed: The Blessings of Liberty: Human Rights and Religious Freedom in the Western Legal Tradition. By John WitteJr . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. Pp. 316. $110.00 (cloth); $29.99 (paper); $24.00 (digital). ISBN: 9781108429207.
Authors: Leigh Ian
Published: January 2023

John Witte, Jr.’s book The Blessings of Liberty contains an important message about the origins and continuing relevance of religious liberty. Based on careful historical analysis of the development of religious liberty in England and the US, Witte demonstrates the importance of Protestant thinking both to the right and to human rights more generally. In the process he refutes both Christian and post-Enlightenment sceptics. His discussion of contemporary US and European law shows how much the right is still needed today, despite the claims of contemporary scholars that freedom of religion and belief is a redundant right.
ON AN AVERAGE GOLDBACH REPRESENTATION FORMULA OF FUJII
Authors: GOLDSTON DANIEL A. , SURIAJAYA ADE IRMA
Published: January 2023

Fujii obtained a formula for the average number of Goldbach representations with lower-order terms expressed as a sum over the zeros of the Riemann zeta function and a smaller error term. This assumed the Riemann Hypothesis. We obtain an unconditional version of this result and obtain applications conditional on various conjectures on zeros of the Riemann zeta function.
Morphological description and molecular characterization of Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. (Gnathostomatoidea: Gnathostomatidae): a new nematode parasitic in the electric eel Electrophorus varii (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae), from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Virgilio L.R. , Nogueira A. , Takemoto R.M. , Passere M.D. , de Oliveira A.V. , Meneguetti D.U.O. , Camargo M.A. , Pereira F.B.
Published: January 2023

A new species of Ancyracanthus, parasite of the electric eel Electrophorus varii, in the Brazilian Amazon, is described based on morphological and molecular characterization. Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. differs from the two congeners namely, Ancyracanthus pinnatifidus and Ancyracanthus schubarti, based on the structure of cephalic appendages, number and arrangement of caudal papillae in males, vulva very close to anus in females, eggs with smoothly mamillated shell, host taxon and geographical origin. Moreover, the new species is the first in the genus to be described with thorny cuticular rings and to be observed with the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The morphology of A. pinnatifidus and A. schubarti is still poorly-known and should be revised in details; however, the separation between them and the new species was clear. Genetic characterization based on 28S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) mtDNA partial sequences, performed for the first time in Acyracanthus, along with phylogenetic reconstructions using both genetic markers, placed Ancyracanthus electrophori n. sp. in a suggestive basal position within Gnathostomatidae. Phylogenetic reconstructions using cox1 sequences also suggested lack of monophyly in the genera Gnathostoma and Spiroxys and, consequently, in the subfamilies Gnathostominae and Spiroxyinae. However, such results are preliminary. With the first genetic characterization and observations using SEM in Ancyracanthus, resulting in the discovery of a new species and in the expansion of the geographical occurrence of the genus to Amazonian fish, an important step towards a better understanding of these nematodes has been taken.
Cyanosis in atrial septal defect with prominent crista terminalis
Authors: Takafuji Hiroya , Amano Hidewo , Obunai Kotaro
Published: January 2023

Right-to-left shunt in atrial septal defect without pulmonary hypertension is a rare condition and can present with complications such as cyanosis. This is a rare case of cyanosis caused by right-to-left shunt atrial septal defect related to prominent crista terminalis
Left atrial appendage aneurysm in newborns: a report of two cases
Authors: Atasayan Vildan , Sarı Yunus Emre , Öner Taliha
Published: January 2023

Left atrial appendage aneurysm is an extremely rare cardiac anomaly with serious complications. It is rarely diagnosed in childhood. Herein, we reported two newborns diagnosed with left atrial appendage aneurysm.
SEMIRING AND INVOLUTION IDENTITIES OF POWER GROUPS
Authors: GUSEV SERGEY V. , VOLKOV MIKHAIL V.
Published: January 2023

For every groupG, the set$\mathcal {P}(G)$of its subsets forms a semiring under set-theoretical union$\cup $and element-wise multiplication$\cdot $, and forms an involution semigroup under$\cdot $and element-wise inversion${}^{-1}$. We show that if the groupGis finite, non-Dedekind, and solvable, neither the semiring$(\mathcal {P}(G),\cup ,\cdot )$nor the involution semigroup$(\mathcal {P}(G),\cdot ,{}^{-1})$admits a finite identity basis. We also solve the finite basis problem for the semiring of Hall relations over any finite set.
A Meta‐Analysis of Studies Attributing Significance to Solar Irradiance
Authors: Vachula Richard S. , Cheung Anson H.
Published: January 2023

The relationship between solar irradiance and climate is greatly debated. This inferred relationship is often characterized via the statistical analysis of paleoclimate data. REDFIT is a commonly used statistical tool that overcomes uneven sampling to identify significant periodicities of variability in proxy data. We critically examine the use of REDFIT to identify solar signals in these data. By conducting a literature review, we show the REDFIT significance thresholds used by researchers to analyze paleoclimate data vary considerably. As there is some subjectivity and practicality involved in any statistical analysis, some variability is to be expected. However, we observe that the bulk of the significance thresholds used in the literature are less stringent than the critical false‐alarm level outlined by REDFIT's creators. We reexamine periodicities deemed “significant” in a published data set to show that using this more stringent, more objective critical false‐alarm threshold likely eliminates the previously inferred significance of solar signals in proxy data. Likewise, we address a lack of consideration of age model uncertainty on REDFIT's reliability in identifying solar periodicities. Overall, we show that the relationship between solar irradiance and climate, as identified by REDFIT analyses, may not be as robust as previous work might suggest.
Equity, Diversity, and Community as the Basis for Critical Zone Science and Education
Authors: Perdrial J. N. , Kincaid D. W. , Wheaton D. , Seybold E. C. , Stewart B. , Walls L. , Blouin M. , Toolin R. , Chorover J. , Lewis C.
Published: January 2023

Responding to the social and environmental challenges of the Anthropocene requires that we integrate science across multiple perspectives, approaches, and disciplines in equitable and culturally responsive ways. While critical zone (CZ) science has made large strides in bridging natural, social, and education science disciplines, the field has been slower to address the lack of diversity, especially in terms of “race” and ethnicity. This means that CZ science and education do not fully reflect all communities they must serve, and representation and access to careers in the field therefore remain limited to mostly white individuals. Despite best intentions, predominantly white science and education teams frequently consider values such as diversity, equity, or inclusion in later stages of work instead of centering these values as the foundation from the outset. Here, we reflect on how our CZ Collaborative Network Project has both struggled with, and is learning to, authentically center and uphold our values in our own work. Our goal is to normalize the concept that culturally responsive CZ science and education requires intentional trust and relationship building, flexibility, and continued learning. To support our evolving work, we have relied on team science practices, and we offer insights into the strategies and tools that help us with our aspiration to center and integrate our values of diversity, equity, and community into team processes.
Assimilation of GNSS Zenith Total Delay in NAVGEM
Authors: Christophersen Hui , Ruston Benjamin , Baker Nancy L.
Published: January 2023

A new data source from ground‐based stations that track global navigation satellite system (GNSS) transmitters has been implemented in the Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) with the NRL Atmospheric Variational Data Assimilation System‐Accelerated Representer. The observable is the ground‐based zenith total delay (ZTD) at each ground station. This ground‐based GNSS ZTD represents the tropospheric delay of the propagation of GNSS radio L‐band signal between the transmitters and the ground stations after correcting for ionospheric effects. Here, we present the implementation procedure, quality control, single observation test, bias correction scheme, and data impact assessment. One of the critical elements in the quality control scheme is to correct for the difference between the observing ground station elevation and the numerical model terrain. A single observation test shows comparable impact from this new data source to a single radiosonde observation at a single level. The ZTD biases estimated from a 6‐month experiment run are generally small, but have a dependency on the processing center and are computed separately for each station. The forecast sensitivity to observation impact diagnosis from a 3‐month experiment demonstrates that a single ZTD observation shows similar impact as the average impact from a single tangent point of a GNSS Radio Occultation profile. The assimilation of ZTD observations also significantly improves the forecast skill by 0.25%–0.75% for wind, temperature, and precipitable water and by 1%–2% for geopotential height in the Southern Hemisphere beyond 3 days.
Authigenic and Detrital Carbonate Nd Isotope Records Reflect Pulses of Detrital Material Input to the Labrador Sea During the Heinrich Stadials
Authors: Filippova Alexandra , Frank Martin , Kienast Markus , Gutjahr Marcus , Hathorne Ed C. , Hillaire‐Marcel Claude
Published: January 2023

Limited constraints on the variability of the deep‐water production in the Labrador Sea complicate reconstructions of the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) during the Late Quaternary. Large volumes of detrital carbonates were repeatedly deposited in the Labrador Sea during the last 32 kyr, potentially affecting radiogenic Nd isotope signatures. To investigate this the Nd isotope compositions of deep and intermediate waters were extracted from the authigenic Fe‐Mn oxyhydroxide fraction, foraminiferal coatings, the residual silicates and leachates of dolostone grains. We provide a first order estimation of Nd release via dissolution of detrital carbonates and its contribution to the authigenic ԑNd signatures in the Labrador Sea. During the Last Glacial Maximum the Nd isotope signatures in the Labrador Sea would allow active water mass mixing with more radiogenic ɛNd values (−12.6 and −14) prevailing in its eastern part whereas less radiogenic values (ɛNd ∼ −18.4) were found on the western Labrador slope. The deposition of detrital carbonates during Heinrich stadials (2,1) was accompanied by negative detrital and authigenic Nd isotope excursions (ɛNd ∼ −31) that were likely controlled by dissolution of dolostone or dolostone associated mineral inclusions. This highly unradiogenic signal dominated the authigenic phases and individual water masses in the Labrador Sea, serving as potential source of highly unradiogenic Nd to the North Atlantic region, while exported southward. The Holocene authigenic ɛNd signatures of the coatings and leachates significantly differed from those of the detrital silicates, approaching modern bottom water mass signatures during the Late Holocene.
Integrated sensing and communication in an optical fibre
Authors: He Haijun , Jiang Lin , Pan Yan , Yi Anlin , Zou Xihua , Pan Wei , Willner Alan E. , Fan Xinyu , He Zuyuan , Yan Lianshan
Published: January 2023

The integration of high-speed optical communication and distributed sensing could bring intelligent functionalities to ubiquitous optical fibre networks, such as urban structure imaging, ocean seismic detection, and safety monitoring of underground embedded pipelines. This work demonstrates a scheme of integrated sensing and communication in an optical fibre (ISAC-OF) using the same wavelength channel for simultaneous data transmission and distributed vibration sensing. The scheme not only extends the intelligent functionality for optical fibre communication system, but also improves its transmission performance. A periodic linear frequency modulation (LFM) light is generated to act as the optical carrier and sensing probe in PAM4 signal transmission and phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR), respectively. After a 24.5 km fibre transmission, the forward PAM4 signal and the carrier-correspondence Rayleigh backscattering signal are detected and demodulated. Experimental results show that the integrated solution achieves better transmission performance (~1.3 dB improvement) and a larger launching power (7 dB enhancement) at a 56 Gbit/s bit rate compared to a conventional PAM4 signal transmission. Meanwhile, a 4 m spatial resolution, 4.32-nε/$$\sqrt {Hz}$$

H
z

strain resolution, and over 21 kHz frequency response for the vibration sensing are obtained. The proposed solution offers a new path to further explore the potential of existing or future fibre-optic networks by the convergence of data transmission and status sensing. In addition, such a scheme of using shared spectrum in communication and distributed optical fibre sensing may be used to measure non-linear parameters in coherent optical communications, offering possible benefits for data transmission.
2D Titanium carbide printed flexible ultrawideband monopole antenna for wireless communications
Authors: Zhao Weiwei , Ni Hao , Ding Chengbo , Liu Leilei , Fu Qingfeng , Lin Feifei , Tian Feng , Yang Pin , Liu Shujuan , He Wenjun , Wang Xiaoming , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: January 2023

Flexible titanium carbide (Ti3C2) antenna offers a breakthrough in the penetration of information communications for the spread of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Current configurations are constrained to multi-layer complicated designs due to the limited conformal integration of the dielectric substrate and additive-free Ti3C2 inks. Here, we report the flexible ultrawideband Ti3C2 monopole antenna by combining strategies of interfacial modification and advanced extrusion printing technology. The polydopamine, as molecular glue nano-binder, contributes the tight adhesion interactions between Ti3C2 film and commercial circuit boards for high spatial uniformity and mechanical flexibility. The bandwidth and center frequency of Ti3C2 antenna can be well maintained and the gain differences fluctuate within ±0.2 dBi at the low frequency range after the bent antenna returns to the flat state, which conquers the traditional inelastic Cu antenna. It also achieves the demo instance for the fluent and stable real-time wireless transmission in bending states.
Ligand-tethered lipid nanoparticles for targeted RNA delivery to treat liver fibrosis
Authors: Han Xuexiang , Gong Ningqiang , Xue Lulu , Billingsley Margaret M. , El-Mayta Rakan , Shepherd Sarah J. , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Weissman Drew , Mitchell Michael J.
Published: January 2023

Lipid nanoparticle-mediated RNA delivery holds great potential to treat various liver diseases. However, targeted delivery of RNA therapeutics to activated liver-resident fibroblasts for liver fibrosis treatment remains challenging. Here, we develop a combinatorial library of anisamide ligand-tethered lipidoids (AA-lipidoids) using a one-pot, two-step modular synthetic method and adopt a two-round screening strategy to identify AA-lipidoids with both high potency and selectivity to deliver RNA payloads to activated fibroblasts. The lead AA-lipidoid AA-T3A-C12 mediates greater RNA delivery and transfection of activated fibroblasts than its analog without anisamide and the FDA-approved MC3 ionizable lipid. In a preclinical model of liver fibrosis, AA-T3A-C12 enables ~65% silencing of heat shock protein 47, a therapeutic target primarily expressed by activated fibroblasts, which is 2-fold more potent than MC3, leading to significantly reduced collagen deposition and liver fibrosis. These results demonstrate the potential of AA-lipidoids for targeted RNA delivery to activated fibroblasts. Furthermore, these synthetic methods and screening strategies open a new avenue to develop and discover potent lipidoids with targeting properties, which can potentially enable RNA delivery to a range of cell and tissue types that are challenging to access using traditional lipid nanoparticle formulations.
BMI-adjusted adipose tissue volumes exhibit depot-specific and divergent associations with cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Agrawal Saaket , Klarqvist Marcus D. R. , Diamant Nathaniel , Stanley Takara L. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Mehta Nehal N. , Philippakis Anthony , Ng Kenney , Claussnitzer Melina , Grinspoon Steven K. , Batra Puneet , Khera Amit V.
Published: January 2023

For any given body mass index (BMI), individuals vary substantially in fat distribution, and this variation may have important implications for cardiometabolic risk. Here, we study disease associations with BMI-independent variation in visceral (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous (ASAT), and gluteofemoral (GFAT) fat depots in 40,032 individuals of the UK Biobank with body MRI. We apply deep learning models based on two-dimensional body MRI projections to enable near-perfect estimation of fat depot volumes (R2 in heldout dataset = 0.978-0.991 for VAT, ASAT, and GFAT). Next, we derive BMI-adjusted metrics for each fat depot (e.g. VAT adjusted for BMI, VATadjBMI) to quantify local adiposity burden. VATadjBMI is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, ASATadjBMI is largely neutral, and GFATadjBMI is associated with reduced risk. These results – describing three metabolically distinct fat depots at scale – clarify the cardiometabolic impact of BMI-independent differences in body fat distribution.
Tumor-intrinsic YTHDF1 drives immune evasion and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors via promoting MHC-I degradation
Authors: Lin Wanzun , Chen Li , Zhang Haojiong , Qiu Xianxin , Huang Qingting , Wan Fangzhu , Le Ziyu , Geng Shikai , Zhang Anlan , Qiu Sufang , Chen Long , Kong Lin , Lu Jiade J.
Published: January 2023

The recently described role of RNA methylation in regulating immune cell infiltration into tumors has attracted interest, given its potential impact on immunotherapy response. YTHDF1 is a versatile and powerful m6A reader, but the understanding of its impact on immune evasion is limited. Here, we reveal that tumor-intrinsic YTHDF1 drives immune evasion and immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) resistance. Additionally, YTHDF1 deficiency converts cold tumors into responsive hot tumors, which improves ICI efficacy. Mechanistically, YTHDF1 deficiency inhibits the translation of lysosomal genes and limits lysosomal proteolysis of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) and antigens, ultimately restoring tumor immune surveillance. In addition, we design a system for exosome-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 delivery to target YTHDF1 in vivo, resulting in YTHDF1 depletion and antitumor activity. Our findings elucidate the role of tumor-intrinsic YTHDF1 in driving immune evasion and its underlying mechanism.
Reconciling discrepant minor sulfur isotope records of the Great Oxidation Event
Authors: Uveges Benjamin T. , Izon Gareth , Ono Shuhei , Beukes Nicolas J. , Summons Roger E.
Published: January 2023

Understanding the timing and trajectory of atmospheric oxygenation remains fundamental to deciphering its causes and consequences. Given its origin in oxygen-free photochemistry, mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionation (S-MIF) is widely accepted as a geochemical fingerprint of an anoxic atmosphere. Nevertheless, S-MIF recycling through oxidative sulfide weathering—commonly termed the crustal memory effect (CME)—potentially decouples the multiple sulfur isotope (MSI) record from coeval atmospheric chemistry. Herein, however, after accounting for unrecognised temporal and spatial biases within the Archaean–early-Palaeoproterozoic MSI record, we demonstrate that the global expression of the CME is barely resolvable; thereby validating S-MIF as a tracer of contemporaneous atmospheric chemistry during Earth’s incipient oxygenation. Next, utilising statistical approaches, supported by new MSI data, we show that the reconciliation of adjacent, yet seemingly discrepant, South African MSI records requires that the rare instances of post-2.3-billion-year-old S-MIF are stratigraphically restricted. Accepting others’ primary photochemical interpretation, our approach demands that these implied atmospheric dynamics were ephemeral, operating on sub-hundred-thousand-year timescales. Importantly, these apparent atmospheric relapses were fundamentally different from older putative oxygenation episodes, implicating an intermediate, and potentially uniquely feedback-sensitive, Earth system state in the wake of the Great Oxidation Event.
Suppressing non-radiative recombination in metal halide perovskite solar cells by synergistic effect of ferroelasticity
Authors: Qin Wei , Ali Wajid , Wang Jianfeng , Liu Yong , Yan Xiaolan , Zhang Pengfei , Feng Zhaochi , Tian Hao , Yin Yanfeng , Tian Wenming , Li Can
Published: January 2023

The low fraction of non-radiative recombination established the foundation of metal halide perovskite solar cells. However, the origin of low non-radiative recombination in metal halide perovskite materials is still not well-understood. Herein, we find that the non-radiative recombination in twinning-tetragonal phase methylammonium lead halide (MAPbIxCl3-x) is apparently suppressed by applying an electric field, which leads to a remarkable increase of the open-circuit voltage from 1.12 V to 1.26 V. Possible effects of ionic migration and light soaking on the open-circuit voltage enhancement are excluded experimentally by control experiments. Microscopic and macroscopic characterizations reveal an excellent correlation between the ferroelastic lattice deformation and the suppression of non-radiative recombination. The calculation result suggests the existence of lattice polarization in self-stabilizable deformed domain walls, indicating the charge separation that facilitated by lattice polarization is accountable for the suppressed non-radiative recombination. This work provides an understanding of the excellent performance of metal halide perovskite solar cells.
An iron-base oxygen-evolution electrode for high-temperature electrolyzers
Authors: Du Kaifa , Gao Enlai , Zhang Chunbo , Ma Yongsong , Wang Peilin , Yu Rui , Li Wenmiao , Zheng Kaiyuan , Cheng Xinhua , Tang Diyong , Deng Bowen , Yin Huayi , Wang Dihua
Published: January 2023

High-temperature molten-salt electrolyzers play a central role in metals, materials and chemicals production for their merit of favorable kinetics. However, a low-cost, long-lasting, and efficient high-temperature oxygen evolution reaction (HT-OER) electrode remains a big challenge. Here we report an iron-base electrode with an in situ formed lithium ferrite scale that provides enhanced stability and catalytic activity in both high-temperature molten carbonate and chloride salts. The finding is stemmed from a discovery of the ionic potential-stability relationship and a basicity modulation principle of oxide films in molten salt. Using the iron-base electrode, we build a kiloampere-scale molten carbonate electrolyzer to efficiently convert CO2 to carbon and oxygen. More broadly, the design principles lay the foundations for exploring cheap, Earth-abundant, and long-lasting HT-OER electrodes for electrochemical devices with molten carbonate and chloride electrolytes.
Low input capture Hi-C (liCHi-C) identifies promoter-enhancer interactions at high-resolution
Authors: Tomás-Daza Laureano , Rovirosa Llorenç , López-Martí Paula , Nieto-Aliseda Andrea , Serra François , Planas-Riverola Ainoa , Molina Oscar , McDonald Rebecca , Ghevaert Cedric , Cuatrecasas Esther , Costa Dolors , Camós Mireia , Bueno Clara , Menéndez Pablo , Valencia Alfonso , Javierre Biola M.
Published: January 2023

Long-range interactions between regulatory elements and promoters are key in gene transcriptional control; however, their study requires large amounts of starting material, which is not compatible with clinical scenarios nor the study of rare cell populations. Here we introduce low input capture Hi-C (liCHi-C) as a cost-effective, flexible method to map and robustly compare promoter interactomes at high resolution. As proof of its broad applicability, we implement liCHi-C to study normal and malignant human hematopoietic hierarchy in clinical samples. We demonstrate that the dynamic promoter architecture identifies developmental trajectories and orchestrates transcriptional transitions during cell-state commitment. Moreover, liCHi-C enables the identification of disease-relevant cell types, genes and pathways potentially deregulated by non-coding alterations at distal regulatory elements. Finally, we show that liCHi-C can be harnessed to uncover genome-wide structural variants, resolve their breakpoints and infer their pathogenic effects. Collectively, our optimized liCHi-C method expands the study of 3D chromatin organization to unique, low-abundance cell populations, and offers an opportunity to uncover factors and regulatory networks involved in disease pathogenesis.
Enhancement of a prime editing system via optimal recruitment of the pioneer transcription factor P65
Authors: Chen Ronghao , Cao Yu , Liu Yajing , Zhao Dongdong , Li Ju , Cheng Zhihui , Bi Changhao , Zhang Xueli
Published: January 2023

Prime editing is a versatile gene editing tool that enables precise sequence changes of all types in the genome, but its application is rather limited by the editing efficiency. Here, we first apply the Suntag system to recruit the transcription factor P65 and enhance the desired editing outcomes in the prime editing system. Next, MS2 hairpins are used to recruit MS2-fused P65 and confirmed that the recruitment of the P65 protein could effectively improve the prime editing efficiency in both the PE3 and PE5 systems. Moreover, this suggests the increased editing efficiency is most likely associated with the induction of chromatin accessibility change by P65. In conclusion, we apply different systems to recruit P65 and enhance the prime editing efficiency of various PE systems. Furthermore, our work provides a variety of methods to work as protein scaffolds for screening target factors and thus supports further optimization of prime editing systems.
Understanding the failure process of sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium batteries via operando nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Liang Ziteng , Xiang Yuxuan , Wang Kangjun , Zhu Jianping , Jin Yanting , Wang Hongchun , Zheng Bizhu , Chen Zirong , Tao Mingming , Liu Xiangsi , Wu Yuqi , Fu Riqiang , Wang Chunsheng , Winter Martin , Yang Yong
Published: January 2023

The performance of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) is affected by the presence of electrochemically inactive (i.e., electronically and/or ionically disconnected) lithium metal and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which are jointly termed inactive lithium. However, the differentiation and quantification of inactive lithium during cycling are challenging, and their lack limits the fundamental understanding of SSLMBs failure mechanisms. To shed some light on these crucial aspects, here, we propose operando nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements for real-time quantification and evolution-tracking of inactive lithium formed in SSLMBs. In particular, we examine four different sulfide-based solid electrolytes, namely, Li10GeP2S12, Li9.54Si1.74P1.44S11.7Cl0.3, Li6PS5Cl and Li7P3S11. We found that the chemistry of the solid electrolyte influences the activity of lithium. Furthermore, we demonstrate that electronically disconnected lithium metal is mainly found in the interior of solid electrolytes, and ionically disconnected lithium metal is found at the negative electrode surface. Moreover, by monitoring the Li NMR signal during cell calendar ageing, we prove the faster corrosion rate of mossy/dendritic lithium than flat/homogeneous lithium in SSLMBs.
Blue light-emitting diodes based on colloidal quantum dots with reduced surface-bulk coupling
Authors: Chen Xingtong , Lin Xiongfeng , Zhou Likuan , Sun Xiaojuan , Li Rui , Chen Mengyu , Yang Yixing , Hou Wenjun , Wu Longjia , Cao Weiran , Zhang Xin , Yan Xiaolin , Chen Song
Published: January 2023

To industrialize printed full-color displays based on quantum-dot light-emitting diodes, one must explore the degradation mechanism and improve the operational stability of blue electroluminescence. Here, we report that although state-of-the-art blue quantum dots, with monotonically-graded core/shell/shell structures, feature near-unity photoluminescence quantum efficiency and efficient charge injection, the significant surface-bulk coupling at the quantum-dot level, revealed by the abnormal dipolar excited state, magnifies the impact of surface localized charges and limits operational lifetimes. Inspired by this, we propose blue quantum dots with a large core and an intermediate shell featuring nonmonotonically-graded energy levels. This strategy significantly reduces surface-bulk coupling and tunes emission wavelength without compromising charge injection. Using these quantum dots, we fabricate bottom-emitting devices with emission colors varying from near-Rec.2020-standard blue to sky blue. At an initial luminance of 1000 cd m−2, these devices exhibit T95 operational lifetimes ranging from 75 to 227 h, significantly surpassing the existing records.
Cost-of-illness comparison between clinical judgment and molecular point-of-care testing for influenza-like illness patients in Germany
Authors: Brachmann M. , Serwa P. , Sauerland D.
Published: January 2023

A high economic burden stems from seasonal influenza as a well-known but serious public health problem. Rapid diagnostic tests have not yet been integrated into routine use in German primary care, even though they are likely to reduce overall costs in cases of suspected infection. This study aims to demonstrate that the use of point-of-care testing (POCT) produces lower costs of illness compared to the costs incurred by relying on clinical judgment alone. With the help of a decision tree model, two different diagnostic approaches for influenza-like illness (ILI) in primary care were compared: (1) clinical judgment with no technical support and (2) POCT. The costs of illness, as well as their differences, vary widely among the three age groups considered (elderly people, adults, and children). For the pathway of using clinical judgment alone, the costs of illness sum up to 155.99 € for elderly people compared to 76.31 € for adults and 74.15 € for children. With POCT, the costs of illness for the elderly amount to 115,09 €, which is 26% lower than the costs without diagnostic support. The costs for adults and children are 74.42 € and 75.66 €, respectively, which means 2.5% lower costs of illness for adults and 2% higher costs for children. The results demonstrate that the use of POCT to support detecting influenza in ILI patients may reduce the overall cost of illness. The provided data can help governments make informed decisions about potential cost savings by integrating POCT into the reimbursement scheme.
The fecal and oropharyngeal eukaryotic viromes of healthy infants during the first year of life are personal
Authors: Rivera-Gutiérrez Xaira , Morán Patricia , Taboada Blanca , Serrano-Vázquez Angélica , Isa Pavel , Rojas-Velázquez Liliana , Pérez-Juárez Horacio , López Susana , Torres Javier , Ximénez Cecilia , Arias Carlos F.
Published: January 2023

Using a metagenomic sequencing approach, we described and compared the diversity and dynamics of the oropharyngeal and fecal eukaryotic virome of nine asymptomatic children in a semi-rural community setting located in the State of Morelos, Mexico. Ninety oropharyngeal swabs and 97 fecal samples were collected starting 2 weeks after birth and monthly thereafter until 12 months of age. In both niches, more than 95% of the total sequence reads were represented by viruses that replicate either in humans or in plants. Regarding human viruses, three families were most abundant and frequent in the oropharynx: Herpesviridae, Picornaviridae, and Reoviridae; in fecal samples, four virus families predominated: Caliciviridae, Picornaviridae, Reoviridae, and Anelloviridae. Both niches showed a high abundance of plant viruses of the family Virgaviridae. Differences in the frequency and abundance of sequence reads and diversity of virus species were observed in both niches and throughout the year of study, with some viruses already present in the first months of life. Our results suggest that the children’s virome is dynamic and likely shaped by the environment, feeding, and age. Moreover, composition analysis suggests that the virome composition is mostly individual. Whether this constant exposition to different viruses has a long-term impact on children’s health or development remains to be studied.
Investigating the effects of chronic low-dose radiation exposure in the liver of a hypothermic zebrafish model
Authors: Cahill Thomas , da Silveira Willian Abraham , Renaud Ludivine , Wang Hao , Williamson Tucker , Chung Dongjun , Chan Sherine , Overton Ian , Hardiman Gary
Published: January 2023

Mankind’s quest for a manned mission to Mars is placing increased emphasis on the development of innovative radio-protective countermeasures for long-term space travel. Hibernation confers radio-protective effects in hibernating animals, and this has led to the investigation of synthetic torpor to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposure. Here we describe an induced torpor model we developed using the zebrafish. We explored the effects of radiation exposure on this model with a focus on the liver. Transcriptomic and behavioural analyses were performed. Radiation exposure resulted in transcriptomic perturbations in lipid metabolism and absorption, wound healing, immune response, and fibrogenic pathways. Induced torpor reduced metabolism and increased pro-survival, anti-apoptotic, and DNA repair pathways. Coupled with radiation exposure, induced torpor led to a stress response but also revealed maintenance of DNA repair mechanisms, pro-survival and anti-apoptotic signals. To further characterise our model of induced torpor, the zebrafish model was compared with hepatic transcriptomic data from hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and active controls revealing conserved responses in gene expression associated with anti-apoptotic processes, DNA damage repair, cell survival, proliferation, and antioxidant response. Similarly, the radiation group was compared with space-flown mice revealing shared changes in lipid metabolism.
Association between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Guo Yusheng , Ren Yanqiao , Zhu Licheng , Yang Lian , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: January 2023

Although numerous studies have reported the association between sarcopenia and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, there is lack of a newer and more comprehensive meta-analysis. Herein, a comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases to identify relevant studies published up to February 2022. The outcomes were overall survival (OS), recurrence, progression‐free survival, tumor response, severe postoperative complications, and toxicity of drugs. A total of 57 studies involving 9790 HCC patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in HCC patients was 41.7% (95% CI 36.2–47.2%). Results demonstrated that sarcopenia was significantly associated with impaired OS (HR: 1.93, 95% CI 1.73–2.17,P < 0.001), higher risk of tumor recurrence (HR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.56–1.96,P < 0.001), lower objective response rate (OR: 0.37 95% CI 0.17–0.81,P = 0.012), and more drug-related adverse events (OR: 2.23, 95% CI 1.17–4.28,P = 0.015) in HCC patients. The subgroup analyses revealed that the OS of patients at the early stage of tumor was more severely affected by sarcopenia than for patients at other stages. Moreover, the presence of cirrhosis and Child Pugh class B increased the hazard of mortality from sarcopenia. This study has shown that sarcopenia is highly associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. In addition, cirrhosis and poor liver functional reserve increase the danger of sarcopenia. OS was more impaired in HCC patients with sarcopenia at early stage of tumor than at other tumor stages.
Soil–vegetation moisture capacitor maintains dry season vegetation productivity over India
Authors: Sebastian Dawn E. , Murtugudde Raghu , Ghosh Subimal
Published: January 2023

India receives more than 70% of its annual rainfall in the summer monsoon from June to September. The rainfall is scanty and scattered for the rest of the year. Combining satellite data and model simulations, we show that the soil-vegetation continuum works as a natural capacitor of water, storing the monsoon pulse and releasing the moisture to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration over approximately 135 days when the moisture supply from precipitation is less than the evapotranspiration losses. The total Gross Primary Productivity of vegetation in India during the capacitor period accounts for almost 35% of the total annual GPP value. It primarily depends on the soil moisture at the beginning of the period, a measure of moisture capacitance of soil, with a correlation of 0.6. Given that India is the second largest contributor to recent global greening, its soil-vegetation water capacitance plays a significant role in the global carbon balance.
Combining multi-objective genetic algorithm and neural network dynamically for the complex optimization problems in physics
Authors: Wang Peilin , Ye Kuangkuang , Hao Xuerui , Wang Jike
Published: January 2023

Neural network (NN) has been tentatively combined into multi-objective genetic algorithms (MOGAs) to solve the optimization problems in physics. However, the computationally complex physical evaluations and limited computing resources always cause the unsatisfied size of training set, which further results in the combined algorithms handling strict constraints ineffectively. Here, the dynamically used NN-based MOGA (DNMOGA) is proposed for the first time, which includes dynamically redistributing the number of evaluated individuals to different operators and some other improvements. Radio frequency cavity is designed by this algorithm as an example, in which four objectives and an equality constraint (a sort of strict constraint) are considered simultaneously. Comparing with the baseline algorithms, both the number and competitiveness of the final feasible individuals of DNMOGA are considerably improved. In general, DNMOGA is instructive for dealing with the complex situations of strict constraints and preference in multi-objective optimization problems in physics.
Thermodynamic fluctuation theorems govern human sensorimotor learning
Authors: Hack P. , Lindig-Leon C. , Gottwald S. , Braun D. A.
Published: January 2023

The application of thermodynamic reasoning in the study of learning systems has a long tradition. Recently, new tools relating perfect thermodynamic adaptation to the adaptationprocesshave been developed. These results, known as fluctuation theorems, have been tested experimentally in several physical scenarios and, moreover, they have been shown to be valid under broad mathematical conditions. Hence, although not experimentally challenged yet, they are presumed to apply to learning systems as well. Here we address this challenge by testing the applicability of fluctuation theorems in learning systems, more specifically, in human sensorimotor learning. In particular, we relate adaptive movement trajectories in a changing visuomotor rotation task to fully adapted steady-state behavior of individual participants. We find that human adaptive behavior in our task is generally consistent with fluctuation theorem predictions and discuss the merits and limitations of the approach.
Seroprevalence of polyomaviruses BK and JC in Finnish women and their spouses followed-up for three years
Authors: Laine Hanna K. , Waterboer Tim , Syrjänen Kari , Grenman Seija , Louvanto Karolina , Syrjänen Stina
Published: January 2023

BK (BKPyV) and JC (JCPyV) polyomavirus infections are commonly subclinical and known infrequently to cause serious clinical diseases. Longitudinal follow-up studies regarding JCPyV and BKPyV serological outcomes are scanty. We analyzed JCPyV and BKPyV IgG-antibodies in 327 pregnant women and their 132 spouses, enrolled in the longitudinal Finnish Family HPV cohort at Turku University Hospital, Finland. Blood samples taken at baseline, and at 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up visits were analyzed for capsid protein VP1-antibodies using multiplex serology. Seroprevalence was constant for both BKPyV and JCPyV across the follow-up, varying between 95–99% and 59–68%, respectively, in women and between 96–97% and 66–72%, respectively, in their spouses. Seroconversion to BKPyV and JCPyV was detected in 15% and 18% of the women and in 13% and 19% of the men, respectively. Waning of BKPyV and JCPyV antibodies was infrequent, present in only 5% of the women (both viruses) and in 1.5% of the male spouses (only BKPyV). The number of lifetime sexual partners (p = 0.038) was lower among JCPyV seropositive men. To conclude, seropositivity to BKPyV and JCPyV is common among marital couples in Finland, with only slight differences between genders. In men, the sexual behavior might be associated with JCPyV seroprevalence.
A method for measuring meaningful physiological variables in fish blood without surgical cannulation
Authors: Davison William George. , Cooper Christopher A. , Sloman Katherine A. , Wilson Rod W.
Published: January 2023

Gaining meaningful blood samples from water-breathing fish is a significant challenge. Two main methods typically used are grab ‘n’ stab and surgical cannulation. Both methods have benefits, but also significant limitations under various scenarios. Here we present a method of blood sampling laboratory fish involving gradual induction of anaesthesia within their home tank, avoiding physical struggling associated with capture, followed by rapid transfer to a gill irrigation system to maintain artificial ventilation via adequate gill water flow and then followed by sampling the caudal vasculature. This method negates many blood chemistry disturbances associated with grab ‘n’ stab (i.e., low pH and oxygen, elevated lactate, CO2 and stress hormones) and generates results that are directly comparable to cannulated fish under a wide range of experimentally-induced acid–base scenarios (acidosis and alkalosis). Crucially this method was successful in achieving accurate acid–base blood measurements from fish ten times smaller than are typically suitable for cannulation. This opens opportunities not previously possible for studies that relate to basic physiology, sustainable aquaculture, ecotoxicology, conservation, and climate change.