bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educational Technology: A Postdigital Social Tradition
Authors: Offord Matt
Published: December 2023

The dissolution of the campus during the early stages of the current pandemic provides a compelling case study of how Higher Education responds to emergencies. Initially, digital education was perceived as a lifeline and educators spoke of a ‘pivot online’. What followed was an undignified stumble into remote teaching. Social theories of innovation suggest that rapid technological change is simply a matter of choice and organisations can make rapid and strategic changes when required. I argue that talk of pivots and innovation is misleading and deflects enquiries from an important reason for academic resilience: teaching as tradition. Drawing on early forays into the importance of imitation by Gabriel Tarde, I contribute to efforts to rediscover his microsociological approach and link this to modern evolutionary research. By using a sociocultural evolutionary lens to analyse 102 courses in a business school, I demonstrate the persistence and resilience of teaching traditions and the use of imitation, rather than top-down direction. Using a phylogenetic analysis, I show how flexible imitation of traditional practice created a resilient, but unplanned, response to crisis. I explain how these results can inform resilience-building in Higher Education, by supporting the flexible imitation of teaching traditions. The research also advocates the use of cultural evolution, drawing on the inspiration of Tarde, in postdigital educational research.
Rational design of iron single-atom catalysts for electrochemical nitrate reduction to produce ammonia
Authors: Chen Xi , Ji Xinlei , Kou Jia
Published: December 2023

Ammonia (NH3) is the second-most produced chemical with broad applications and vital for the chemical industry. However, the current Haber–Bosch synthesis is problematic with high energy consumption and carbon footprints. Electrochemical nitrate reduction (NO3RR) to produce NH3 is a green, low-carbon and efficient alternative route to simultaneously benefit wastewater treatment, mild NH3 production and global warming mitigation. Compared to noble metal catalysts or the nanosized counterparts, iron single-atom catalysts (Fe SACs) boast unique advantages to promote the NO3RR because of the exceptional selectivity, inexpensiveness, high efficiency and good durability. Due to the rapid development of the emerging field, a timely Perspective with an emphasis on the recent advances in Fe SACs-catalyzed NO3RR is currently lacking. The Perspective aims to give an account of the up-to-date progresses on Fe SACs-promoted NO3RR for NH3 production. The catalyst design, characterizations, mechanism studies, etc. will be illustrated, and lastly the challenges and outlook will be discussed to provide insights for future studies.
Data on regional availability and accessibility of abortion providers in Germany
Authors: Torenz Rona , Vollmer Heike , Eckardt Sarah , Wyrobisch-Krüger Anke , Thonke Ines , Hahn Daphne
Published: December 2023

Since 2003, the number of facilities reporting abortions to the Federal Statistical Office has decreased by 46% from 2050 to 1092 in 2021. In the last 5 years, the decrease slowed down. The media report that there is a shortage of physicians willing to perform abortions in some regions of Germany. Reduced availability and accessibility of providers are barriers to access that can negatively impact the health and well-being of abortion seekers. To date, there is no scientific evidence on regional differences in access to abortion in Germany. The article answers the following questions: What data are available in Germany regarding the availability and accessibility of abortion providers? How informative is this data? To what extent do the data show regional differences in availability and accessibility? We conclude that the available data are not sufficient to adequately describe regional variations in the provision of abortion care services. Nevertheless, they give clear indications of differences regarding provider density, provider workload and spatial accessibility, especially between the northern and eastern states on the one hand and the southern and western states on the other. We describe needs and policy recommendations for adequate data collection.
Parametric analysis of chiller plant energy consumption in a tropical climate
Authors: Kyere Esther Benedicta , Tien-Chien Jen , Tartibu Lagouge
Published: December 2023

The approach that could reduce the energy consumption of water-cooled chillers in office buildings was investigated through experimental and simulation methods. The chiller was modelled in TRNSYS and validated using physical measurements from an operational water-cooled water chiller and fan coil system. The validated model was used to analyse the energy consumption of the water chiller-fan coil system under a high chilled water temperature setpoint (CWTS) in a representative commercial office building. Subsequently, indoor thermal comfort was evaluated using the PMV-PPD model. Finally, the design of experiment (DOE) was employed using a statistical two-level non-randomized factorial design in Minitab to study the effects of high CWTS, number of rows, and tube diameter on the heat and mass transfer performance of the fan coil unit. The results showed that the CWTS can be increased by various degrees from 10 up to 18 °C for energy efficiency for a commercial office building in the tropics. This increase in CWTS would result in a daily energy saving potential of about 5% of the chiller as compared to the existing operational settings without any extra cost. Conversely, the daily energy consumption by the fan coil would increase by about 5.5% by this increment in the CWTS. It was determined that the chiller system can provide comfort even when the CWTS is increased to 14 °C. The DOE analysis showed that under the condition of high CWTS (14 °C), energy consumption that is less than the current energy consumption may be expected from the fan coil system when the number of rows increased from 3 to 6 and the tube diameter increased from 7 to 9 mm.
Layer structure formation induced by in-situ deposit surface temperature under different scanning methods during thermal spraying
Authors: Lu Yan-Hong , Liu Mei-Jun , Yang Guan-Jun , Li Chang-Jiu
Published: December 2023

Plasma spraying-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD) and atmospheric plasma spraying (APS), as new thermal spraying process, could prepare advanced thermal barrier coatings by successive scanning deposition layer by layer. To investigate the layer structure of the coating, the transient in-situ deposit surface temperature was investigated by varying the scanning methods. Results show that, compared to unidirectional scanning method, alternating scanning method results in doubling heating duration, higher in-situ deposit temperature rising and thereby thicker well-bonded layer structure during each spray cycle for the coating deposited at the edge position of the scanning path. The erosion resistance of the coatings deposited by unidirectional scanning method is independent on deposition positions including edge position and center position. However, the erosion resistance of the coatings deposited at edge position by alternating scanning method is one time higher than those deposited by unidirectional scanning method. Finally, the erosion mechanism of layer spallation is revealed to explain the difference between different scanning methods.
High-temperature corrosion behavior of bare and NiCr-coated AISI 422 steel by varying the coating thickness in the Na2SO4 + 60%V2O5 environment
Authors: Khan Niyamat Ullah , Rajput S. K. , Yadav Maharshi
Published: December 2023

It is difficult to assess fatalities due to high temperature corrosion, such as plant closure time, production loss, decrease in productivity, contamination, etc. In this context, the AISI 422 martensitic steel is a popular choice for high temperature applications due to its unique properties. The durability of this material can be increased by coating technology. The Ni-20Cr composite powder is a highly recommended choice for high-temperature applications. In this research, Ni-20Cr coating was sprayed on AISI 422 steel, using a flame spray process with two different thicknesses of 250–350 µm and 350–450 µm. Corrosion studies have been carried out at temperatures of 600 °C and 900 °C for Na2SO4 + 60%V2O5 salt solution environment. The corrosion kinetics were studied with the help of the Wagner equation. Micrographics analysis has been performed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Coated material has been shown better corrosion resistance compared to bare. The low-thickness coating has better corrosion resistance corresponding to both bare and high-thickness.
RobustMQ: benchmarking robustness of quantized models
Authors: Xiao Yisong , Liu Aishan , Zhang Tianyuan , Qin Haotong , Guo Jinyang , Liu Xianglong
Published: December 2023

Quantization has emerged as an essential technique for deploying deep neural networks (DNNs) on devices with limited resources. However, quantized models exhibit vulnerabilities when exposed to various types of noise in real-world applications. Despite the importance of evaluating the impact of quantization on robustness, existing research on this topic is limited and often disregards established principles of robustness evaluation, resulting in incomplete and inconclusive findings. To address this gap, we thoroughly evaluated the robustness of quantized models against various types of noise (adversarial attacks, natural corruption, and systematic noise) on ImageNet. The comprehensive evaluation results empirically provide valuable insights into the robustness of quantized models in various scenarios. For example: 1) quantized models exhibit higher adversarial robustness than their floating-point counterparts, but are more vulnerable to natural corruption and systematic noise; 2) in general, increasing the quantization bit-width results in a decrease in adversarial robustness, an increase in natural robustness, and an increase in systematic robustness; 3) among corruption methods, impulse noise and glass blur are the most harmful to quantized models, while brightness has the least impact; 4) among different types of systematic noise, the nearest neighbor interpolation has the highest impact, while bilinear interpolation, cubic interpolation, and area interpolation are the three least harmful. Our research contributes to advancing the robust quantization of models and their deployment in real-world scenarios.
Restless nights when sick: ectoparasite infections alter rest–activity cycles of diurnal fish hosts
Authors: Arapi Elissavet A. , Reynolds Michael , Ellison Amy R. , Cable Jo
Published: December 2023

Circadian rhythms are timekeeping mechanisms responsible for an array of biological processes. Disruption of such cycles can detrimentally affect animal health. Circadian rhythms are critical in the co-evolution of host–parasite systems, as synchronization of parasite rhythms to the host can influence infection dynamics and transmission potential. This study examines the circadian rhythms in behaviour and activity of a model fish species (Poecilia reticulata) in isolation and in shoals, both when uninfected and infected with an ectoparasite (Gyrodactylus turnbulli). Additionally, the rhythmical variance of parasite activity under different light conditions as well as rhythmical variance in parasite transmissibility was explored. Overall, infection alters the circadian rhythm of fish, causing nocturnal restlessness. Increased activity of gyrodactylids on the host's skin at night could potentially contribute to this elevated host activity. Whilst migration of gyrodactylids across the host's skin may have caused irritation to the host resulting in nocturnal restlessness, the disruption in guppy activity rhythm caused by the expression of host innate immunity cannot be excluded. We discuss the wider repercussions such behavioural responses to infection have for host health, the implications for animal behaviour studies of diurnal species as well as the application of chronotherapeutic approaches to aquaculture.
Teacher professional development and educational innovation through action research in conservatoire education in the Netherlands
Authors: Rumiantsev Tamara , van der Rijst Roeland , Kuiper Wobbe , Verhaar Arie , Admiraal Wilfried
Published: December 2023

This study aims to increase understanding of the values and outcomes of teacher action research in conservatoire education. Teacher action research has been found to stimulate both professional development and improvement of teaching practice. A multiple-case study design was employed to examine teachers’ activities and their perceptions of the value of action research. Findings from the cross-case analysis include teachers’ perceptions of action research as a way to stimulate the advancement of both their teaching practice and their professional development. Constructive collaborations and self-reflections related to teacher action research were found to reinforce their learning and teaching.
National Trends in Suicides and Male Twin Live Births in the US, 2003 to 2019: An Updated Test of Collective Optimism and Selection in Utero
Authors: Singh Parvati , Gailey Samantha , Das Abhery , Bruckner Tim A.
Published: December 2023

Prior research based on Swedish data suggests that collective optimism, as measured by monthly incidence of suicides, correlates inversely with selection in utero against male twins in a population. We test this finding in the US, which reports the highest suicide rate of all high-income countries, and examine whether monthly changes in overall suicides precede changes in the ratio of male twin to male singleton live births. Consistent with prior work, we also examine as a key independent variable, suicides among women aged 15−49 years. We retrieved monthly data on suicides and the ratio of male twin to singleton live births from CDC WONDER, 2003 to 2019, and applied Box-Jenkins iterative time-series routines to detect and remove autocorrelation from both series. Results indicate that a 1% increase in monthly change in overall suicides precedes a 0.005 unit decline in male twin live births ratio 6 months later (coefficient = −.005, p value = .004). Results remain robust to use of suicides among reproductive-aged women as the independent variable (coefficient = −.0012, p value = .014). Our study lends external validity to prior research and supports the notion that a decline in collective optimism corresponds with greater selection in utero.
Lernunterstützung in Fachkraft-Kind-Dyaden in der Kita
Authors: Wadepohl Heike , Damaske (geb. Keller) Lisa , Johannsen Theresa , Mackowiak Katja
Published: December 2023

Zusammenfassung: Im Kontext der Bildungsorientiertierung hat die Unterstützung sprachlich-kognitiver Lernprozesse im Elementarbereich an Bedeutung gewonnen ( Anders, 2013 ; BMBF, 2007 ). Studien zeigen jedoch, dass lernförderliche Fachkraft-Kind-Interaktionen noch zu selten bzw. in zu geringer Qualität auftreten ( Egert, Dederer & Fukkink, 2020 ). Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Lernunterstützung in 85 Fachkraft-Kind-Dyaden mittels CLASS ( Pianta, La Paro & Hamre, 2008 ) und B-LuKA ( Johannsen & Keller, 2022 ) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse stützen die vorhandende Datenlage zur Quantität und Qualität lernunterstützender Interaktionen. Darüber hinaus zeigen sich differenzielle Zusammenhänge zwischen der Auftretenshäufigkeit spezifischer Lernimpulse sowie der Qualität der Lernunterstützung.
Multi‐Instrument Observations of the Evolution of Polar Cap Patches Associated With Flow Shears and Particle Precipitation
Authors: Zhang Duan , Zhang Qing‐He , Oksavik Kjellmar , Xing Zan‐Yang , Lyons L. R. , Yang Hui‐Gen , Li Guo‐Jun , Hosokawa Keisuke , Shinbori Atsuki , Ma Yu‐Zhang , Wang Yong , Wang Xiang‐Yu
Published: December 2023

Simultaneous observations from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, Swarm, Resolute Bay all‐sky imagers, GPS Total Electron Content and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network, are used to investigate the evolution and key characteristics of the Tongue of Ionization (TOI) being restructured into a polar cap patch. Six satellites crossed the TOI of patch as it moved from the dayside to the nightside. It was initially hot, then a mix of both cold and hot, and finally it became a cold patch. This suggests that cold patch is not only a result of solar extreme ultraviolet radiation, but may also develop when a hot patch cools down. Soft‐electron precipitation and flow shears both contribute to the TOI restructuring and the appearance of polar cap patch. The plasma density of patch at ∼500 km was at least 4 times higher than at ∼800 km. The plasma density enhancement gradually decreased as the patch evolved due to decreased production and transport of cold nightside low‐density plasma. Moreover, the duskward motion of the patch was influenced by changes in the ionospheric convection pattern.
Emulating Present and Future Simulations of Melt Rates at the Base of Antarctic Ice Shelves With Neural Networks
Authors: Burgard C. , Jourdain N. C. , Mathiot P. , Smith R. S. , Schäfer R. , Caillet J. , Finn T. S. , Johnson J. E.
Published: December 2023

Melt rates at the base of Antarctic ice shelves are needed to drive projections of the Antarctic ice sheet mass loss. Current basal melt parameterizations struggle to link open ocean properties to ice‐shelf basal melt rates for the range of current sub‐shelf cavity geometries around Antarctica. We present a proof of concept exploring the potential of simple deep learning techniques to parameterize basal melt. We train a simple feedforward neural network, or multilayer perceptron, acting on each grid cell separately, to emulate the behavior of circum‐Antarctic cavity‐resolving ocean simulations. We find that this kind of emulator produces reasonable basal melt rates for our training ensemble, at least as close as or closer to the reference than traditional parameterizations. On an independent ensemble of simulations that was produced with the same ocean model but with different model parameters, cavity geometries and forcing, the neural network yields similar results to traditional parameterizations on present conditions. In much warmer conditions, both traditional parameterizations and neural network struggle, but the neural network tends to produce basal melt rates closer to the reference than a majority of traditional parameterizations. While this shows that such a neural network is at least as suitable for century‐scale Antarctic ice‐sheet projections as traditional parameterizations, it also highlights that tuning any parameterization on present‐like conditions can introduce biases and should be used with care. Nevertheless, this proof of concept is promising and provides a basis for further development of a deep learning basal melt parameterization.
Real‐Time Irrigation Scheduling Based on Weather Forecasts, Field Observations, and Human‐Machine Interactions
Authors: Jamal A. , Cai X. , Qiao X. , Garcia L. , Wang J. , Amori A. , Yang H.
Published: December 2023

Real‐time irrigation schedules have been shown to outperform predetermined irrigation schedules that do not consider the present state and requirements. However, implementing real‐time irrigation scheduling requires reliable present soil‐crop‐atmosphere dynamics and weather predictions; moreover, enabling farmers to adopt recommended water applications remains challenging as they rely on personal experience and knowledge. Farmers and computer‐based tools are rarely connected in a closed‐loop and farmers' feedback are usually not incorporated into a real‐time modeling procedure. To resolve these critical issues, this paper addresses the feasibility of a real‐time irrigation scheduling tool (RTIST) based on weather forecasts, field observations, and human‐machine interactions. RTIST integrates a simulation & optimization model, a data assimilation (DA) technique, and a human‐computer interaction method, and enables optimality, accuracy, and applicability of the tool. The principle of the RTIST is to engage farmers directly into computer modeling, and support irrigation scheduling decisions jointly based on model provided information and farmers' own justification. The optimization and simulation are validated by running the tool on two crop fields, showing the accuracy of present estimation and future prediction of soil moisture and leaf area index, taking advantage of field observation and DA. The applicability of RTIST is tested via virtual irrigation exercises with a group of farmers for a corn field in Eastern Nebraska. RTIST with farmers' direct engagement shows increased productivity in comparison to traditional practices. Especially, farmers' feedbacks show interest in using the tool in real‐world irrigation scheduling and providing meaningful suggestions to improve the tool for real‐world application.
New ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex eliminates colorectal cancer stem cells by targeting the heat shock protein 90 chaperone
Authors: Santos Luciano de S. , Silva Valdenizia R. , de Castro Maria V. L. , Dias Rosane B. , Valverde Ludmila de F. , Rocha Clarissa A. G. , Soares Milena B. P. , Quadros Claudio A. , dos Santos Edjane R. , Oliveira Regina M. M. , Carlos Rose M. , Nogueira Paulo C. L. , Bezerra Daniel P.
Published: December 2023

In this work, we describe a novel ruthenium-xanthoxylin complex, [Ru(phen)2(xant)](PF6) (RXC), that can eliminate colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90. RXC exhibits potent cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines and primary cancer cells, causing apoptosis in HCT116 CRC cells, as observed by cell morphology, YO-PRO-1/PI staining, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial depolarization, and PARP cleavage (Asp214). Additionally, RXC can downregulate the HSP90AA1 and HSP90B1 genes and the expression of HSP90 protein, as well as the expression levels of its downstream/client elements Akt1, Akt (pS473), mTOR (pS2448), 4EBP1 (pT36/pT45), GSK-3β (pS9), and NF-κB p65 (pS529), implying that these molecular chaperones can be molecular targets for RXC. Moreover, this compound inhibited clonogenic survival, the percentage of the CRC stem cell subpopulation, and colonosphere formation, indicating that RXC can eliminate CRC stem cells. RXC reduced cell migration and invasion, decreased vimentin and increased E-cadherin expression, and induced an autophagic process that appeared to be cytoprotective, as autophagy inhibitors enhanced RXC-induced cell death. In vivo studies showed that RXC inhibits tumor progression and experimental metastasis in mice with CRC HCT116 cell xenografts. Taken together, these results highlight the potential of the ruthenium complex RXC in CRC therapy with the ability to eliminate CRC stem cells by targeting the chaperone Hsp90.
Tandem gene duplications contributed to high-level azole resistance in a rapidly expanding Candida tropicalis population
Authors: Fan Xin , Dai Rong-Chen , Zhang Shu , Geng Yuan-Yuan , Kang Mei , Guo Da-Wen , Mei Ya-Ning , Pan Yu-Hong , Sun Zi-Yong , Xu Ying-Chun , Gong Jie , Xiao Meng
Published: December 2023

Invasive diseases caused by the globally distributed commensal yeast Candida tropicalis are associated with mortality rates of greater than 50%. Notable increases of azole resistance have been observed in this species, particularly within Asia-Pacific regions. Here, we carried out a genetic population study on 1571 global C. tropicalis isolates using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). In addition, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis was conducted on 629 of these strains, comprising 448 clinical invasive strains obtained in this study and 181 genomes sourced from public databases. We found that MLST clade 4 is the predominant azole-resistant clone. WGS analyses demonstrated that dramatically increasing rates of azole resistance are associated with a rapid expansion of cluster AZR, a sublineage of clade 4. Cluster AZR isolates exhibited a distinct high-level azole resistance, which was induced by tandem duplications of the ERG11A395T gene allele. Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposons were found to be highly enriched in this population. The alarming expansion of C. tropicalis cluster AZR population underscores the urgent need for strategies against growing threats of antifungal resistance.
A power law describes the magnitude of adaptation in neural populations of primary visual cortex
Authors: Tring Elaine , Dipoppa Mario , Ringach Dario L.
Published: December 2023

How do neural populations adapt to the time-varying statistics of sensory input? We used two-photon imaging to measure the activity of neurons in mouse primary visual cortex adapted to different sensory environments, each defined by a distinct probability distribution over a stimulus set. We find that two properties of adaptation capture how the population response to a given stimulus, viewed as a vector, changes across environments. First, the ratio between the response magnitudes is a power law of the ratio between the stimulus probabilities. Second, the response direction to a stimulus is largely invariant. These rules could be used to predict how cortical populations adapt to novel, sensory environments. Finally, we show how the power law enables the cortex to preferentially signal unexpected stimuli and to adjust the metabolic cost of its sensory representation to the entropy of the environment.
Discovery of fast and stable proton storage in bulk hexagonal molybdenum oxide
Authors: Xu Tiezhu , Xu Zhenming , Yao Tengyu , Zhang Miaoran , Chen Duo , Zhang Xiaogang , Shen Laifa
Published: December 2023

Ionic and electronic transport in electrodes is crucial for electrochemical energy storage technology. To optimize the transport pathway of ions and electrons, electrode materials are minimized to nanometer-sized dimensions, leading to problems of volumetric performance, stability, cost, and pollution. Here we find that a bulk hexagonal molybdenum oxide with unconventional ion channels can store large amounts of protons at a high rate even if its particle size is tens of micrometers. The diffusion-free proton transport kinetics based on hydrogen bonding topochemistry is demonstrated in hexagonal molybdenum oxide whose proton conductivity is several orders of magnitude higher than traditional orthorhombic molybdenum oxide. In situ X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculation reveal that the structural self-optimization in the first discharge effectively promotes the reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of subsequent protons. The open crystal structure, suitable proton channels, and negligible volume strain enable rapid and stable proton transport and storage, resulting in extremely high volumetric capacitance (~1750 F cm–3), excellent rate performance, and ultralong cycle life (>10,000 cycles). The discovery of unconventional materials and mechanisms that enable proton storage of micrometer-sized particles in seconds boosts the development of fast-charging energy storage systems and high-power practical applications.
Whole-genome sequencing reveals the molecular implications of the stepwise progression of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Haga Yasuhiko , Sakamoto Yoshitaka , Kajiya Keiko , Kawai Hitomi , Oka Miho , Motoi Noriko , Shirasawa Masayuki , Yotsukura Masaya , Watanabe Shun-Ichi , Arai Miyuki , Zenkoh Junko , Shiraishi Kouya , Seki Masahide , Kanai Akinori , Shiraishi Yuichi , Yatabe Yasushi , Matsubara Daisuke , Suzuki Yutaka , Noguchi Masayuki , Kohno Takashi , Suzuki Ayako
Published: December 2023

The mechanism underlying the development of tumors, particularly at early stages, still remains mostly elusive. Here, we report whole-genome long and short read sequencing analysis of 76 lung cancers, focusing on very early-stage lung adenocarcinomas such as adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. The obtained data is further integrated with bulk and spatial transcriptomic data and epigenomic data. These analyses reveal key events in lung carcinogenesis. Minimal somatic mutations in pivotal driver mutations and essential proliferative factors are the only detectable somatic mutations in the very early-stage of AIS. These initial events are followed by copy number changes and global DNA hypomethylation. Particularly, drastic changes are initiated at the later AIS stage, i.e., in Noguchi type B tumors, wherein cancer cells are exposed to the surrounding microenvironment. This study sheds light on the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma from integrated pathological and molecular viewpoints.
Coherent light scattering from a telecom C-band quantum dot
Authors: Wells L. , Müller T. , Stevenson R. M. , Skiba-Szymanska J. , Ritchie D. A. , Shields A. J.
Published: December 2023

Quantum networks have the potential to transform secure communication via quantum key distribution and enable novel concepts in distributed quantum computing and sensing. Coherent quantum light generation at telecom wavelengths is fundamental for fibre-based network implementations, but Fourier-limited emission and subnatural linewidth photons have so far only been reported from systems operating in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range. Here, we use InAs/InP quantum dots to demonstrate photons with coherence times much longer than the Fourier limit at telecom wavelength via elastic scattering of excitation laser photons. Further, we show that even the inelastically scattered photons have coherence times within the error bars of the Fourier limit. Finally, we make direct use of the minimal attenuation in fibre for these photons by measuring two-photon interference after 25 km of fibre, demonstrating finite interference visibility for photons emitted about 100,000 excitation cycles apart.
PAX3-FOXO1 uses its activation domain to recruit CBP/P300 and shape RNA Pol2 cluster distribution
Authors: Asante Yaw , Benischke Katharina , Osman Issra , Ngo Quy A. , Wurth Jakob , Laubscher Dominik , Kim Hyunmin , Udhayakumar Bhavatharini , Khan Md Imdadul H. , Chin Diana H. , Porch Jadon , Chakraborty Maharshi , Sallari Richard , Delattre Olivier , Zaidi Sakina , Morice Sarah , Surdez Didier , Danielli Sara G. , Schäfer Beat W. , Gryder Berkley E. , Wachtel Marco
Published: December 2023

Activation of oncogenic gene expression from long-range enhancers is initiated by the assembly of DNA-binding transcription factors (TF), leading to recruitment of co-activators such as CBP/p300 to modify the local genomic context and facilitate RNA-Polymerase 2 (Pol2) binding. Yet, most TF-to-coactivator recruitment relationships remain unmapped. Here, studying the oncogenic fusion TF PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) from alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS), we show that a single cysteine in the activation domain (AD) of P3F is important for a small alpha helical coil that recruits CBP/p300 to chromatin. P3F driven transcription requires both this single cysteine and CBP/p300. Mutants of the cysteine reduce aRMS cell proliferation and induce cellular differentiation. Furthermore, we discover a profound dependence on CBP/p300 for clustering of Pol2 loops that connect P3F to its target genes. In the absence of CBP/p300, Pol2 long range enhancer loops collapse, Pol2 accumulates in CpG islands and fails to exit the gene body. These results reveal a potential novel axis for therapeutic interference with P3F in aRMS and clarify the molecular relationship of P3F and CBP/p300 in sustaining active Pol2 clusters essential for oncogenic transcription.
Tetrahedral triple-Q magnetic ordering and large spontaneous Hall conductivity in the metallic triangular antiferromagnet Co1/3TaS2
Authors: Park Pyeongjae , Cho Woonghee , Kim Chaebin , An Yeochan , Kang Yoon-Gu , Avdeev Maxim , Sibille Romain , Iida Kazuki , Kajimoto Ryoichi , Lee Ki Hoon , Ju Woori , Cho En-Jin , Noh Han-Jin , Han Myung Joon , Zhang Shang-Shun , Batista Cristian D. , Park Je-Geun
Published: December 2023

The triangular lattice antiferromagnet (TLAF) has been the standard paradigm of frustrated magnetism for several decades. The most common magnetic ordering in insulating TLAFs is the 120° structure. However, a new triple-Q chiral ordering can emerge in metallic TLAFs, representing the short wavelength limit of magnetic skyrmion crystals. We report the metallic TLAF Co1/3TaS2 as the first example of tetrahedral triple-Q magnetic ordering with the associated topological Hall effect (non-zero σxy(H = 0)). We also present a theoretical framework that describes the emergence of this magnetic ground state, which is further supported by the electronic structure measured by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. Additionally, our measurements of the inelastic neutron scattering cross section are consistent with the calculated dynamical structure factor of the tetrahedral triple-Q state.
First close insight into global daily gapless 1 km PM2.5 pollution, variability, and health impact
Authors: Wei Jing , Li Zhanqing , Lyapustin Alexei , Wang Jun , Dubovik Oleg , Schwartz Joel , Sun Lin , Li Chi , Liu Song , Zhu Tong
Published: December 2023

Here we retrieve global daily 1 km gapless PM2.5 concentrations via machine learning and big data, revealing its spatiotemporal variability at an exceptionally detailed level everywhere every day from 2017 to 2022, valuable for air quality monitoring, climate change, and public health studies. We find that 96%, 82%, and 53% of Earth’s populated areas are exposed to unhealthy air for at least one day, one week, and one month in 2022, respectively. Strong disparities in exposure risks and duration are exhibited between developed and developing countries, urban and rural areas, and different parts of cities. Wave-like dramatic changes in air quality are clearly seen around the world before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns, as is the mortality burden linked to fluctuating air pollution events. Encouragingly, only approximately one-third of all countries return to pre-pandemic pollution levels. Many nature-induced air pollution episodes are also revealed, such as biomass burning.
Rho GTPase activity crosstalk mediated by Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 coordinates cell protrusion-retraction cycles
Authors: Nanda Suchet , Calderon Abram , Sachan Arya , Duong Thanh-Thuy , Koch Johannes , Xin Xiaoyi , Solouk-Stahlberg Djamschid , Wu Yao-Wen , Nalbant Perihan , Dehmelt Leif
Published: December 2023

Rho GTPases play a key role in the spatio-temporal coordination of cytoskeletal dynamics during cell migration. Here, we directly investigate crosstalk between the major Rho GTPases Rho, Rac and Cdc42 by combining rapid activity perturbation with activity measurements in mammalian cells. These studies reveal that Rac stimulates Rho activity. Direct measurement of spatio-temporal activity patterns show that Rac activity is tightly and precisely coupled to local cell protrusions, followed by Rho activation during retraction. Furthermore, we find that the Rho-activating Lbc-type GEFs Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 are enriched at transient cell protrusions and retractions and recruited to the plasma membrane by active Rac. In addition, their depletion reduces activity crosstalk, cell protrusion-retraction dynamics and migration distance and increases migration directionality. Thus, our study shows that Arhgef11 and Arhgef12 facilitate exploratory cell migration by coordinating cell protrusion and retraction by coupling the activity of the associated regulators Rac and Rho.
Prion protein conversion at two distinct cellular sites precedes fibrillisation
Authors: Ribes Juan Manuel , Patel Mitali P. , Halim Hazim A. , Berretta Antonio , Tooze Sharon A. , Klöhn Peter-Christian
Published: December 2023

The self-templating nature of prions plays a central role in prion pathogenesis and is associated with infectivity and transmissibility. Since propagation of proteopathic seeds has now been acknowledged a principal pathogenic process in many types of dementia, more insight into the molecular mechanism of prion replication is vital to delineate specific and common disease pathways. By employing highly discriminatory anti-PrP antibodies and conversion-tolerant PrP chimera, we here report that de novo PrP conversion and formation of fibril-like PrP aggregates are distinct in mechanistic and kinetic terms. De novo PrP conversion occurs within minutes after infection at two subcellular locations, while fibril-like PrP aggregates are formed exclusively at the plasma membrane, hours after infection. Phenotypically distinct pools of abnormal PrP at perinuclear sites and the plasma membrane show differences in N-terminal processing, aggregation state and fibril formation and are linked by exocytic transport via synaptic and large-dense core vesicles.
CrySyS dataset of CAN traffic logs containing fabrication and masquerade attacks
Authors: Gazdag András , Ferenc Rudolf , Buttyán Levente
Published: December 2023

Despite their known security shortcomings, Controller Area Networks are widely used in modern vehicles. Research in the field has already proposed several solutions to increase the security of CAN networks, such as using anomaly detection methods to identify attacks. Modern anomaly detection procedures typically use machine learning solutions that require a large amount of data to be trained. This paper presents a novel CAN dataset specifically collected and generated to support the development of machine learning based anomaly detection systems. Our dataset contains 26 recordings of benign network traffic, amounting to more than 2.5 hours of traffic. We performed two types of attack on the benign data to create an attacked dataset representing most of the attacks previously proposed in the academic literature. As a novelty, we performed all attacks in two versions, modifying either one or two signals simultaneously. Along with the raw data, we also publish the source code used to generate the attacks to allow easy customization and extension of the dataset.
Surface oxygen concentration on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2017–2022)
Authors: Hu Xiaokang , Chen Yanqiang , Huo Wenyixin , Jia Wei , Ma Heng , Ma Weidong , Jiang Lu , Zhang Gangfeng , Ma Yonggui , Tang Haiping , Shi Peijun
Published: December 2023

For the ecologically vulnerable Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), hypoxia is increasingly becoming an extremely important environmental risk factor that significantly affects the health of both humans and livestock in the plateau region, as well as hindering high-quality development. To focus on the problem of hypoxia, it is especially urgent to study the surface oxygen concentration (i.e., oxygen concentration). However, the existing research is not sufficient, and there is a lack of oxygen concentration data collected on the QTP. In this study, through the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research and field measurements, the oxygen concentration data and corresponding geographic environmental data were collected at 807 measurement points on the QTP from 2017 to 2022, and the spatiotemporal oxygen concentration patterns were estimated. This work filled the gaps in the measurement and research of oxygen concentrations on the QTP while providing data support for analyses of the influencing factors and spatiotemporal characteristics of oxygen concentrations, which is of great significance for promoting the construction of ecological civilization in the QTP region.
Production and characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoates by Halomonas alkaliantarctica utilizing dairy waste as feedstock
Authors: Mozejko-Ciesielska Justyna , Moraczewski Krzysztof , Czaplicki Sylwester , Singh Vijai
Published: December 2023

Currently, the global demand for polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) is significantly increasing. PHAs are produced by several bacteria that are an alternative source of synthetic polymers derived from petrochemical refineries. This study established a simple and more feasible process of PHA production by Halomonas alkaliantarctica using dairy waste as the only carbon source. The data confirmed that the analyzed halophile could metabolize cheese whey (CW) and cheese whey mother liquor (CWML) into biopolyesters. The highest yield of PHAs was 0.42 g/L in the cultivation supplemented with CWML. Furthermore, it was proved that PHA structure depended on the type of by-product from cheese manufacturing, its concentration, and the culture time. The results revealed that H. alkaliantarctica could produce P(3HB-co-3HV) copolymer in the cultivations with CW at 48 h and 72 h without adding of any precursors. Based on the data obtained from physicochemical and thermal analyses, the extracted copolymer was reported to have properties suitable for various applications. Overall, this study described a promising approach for valorizing of dairy waste as a future strategy of industrial waste management to produce high value microbial biopolymers.
Racism is not about “race”
Authors: Bressan Paola
Published: December 2023

Unfamiliar individuals are viewed with suspicion across the entire animal kingdom. This makes evolutionary sense, as outsiders may carry unfamiliar pathogens against which one has not yet developed immune defenses. In humans, the unfamiliar-pathogens idea has been dismissed on the grounds that people do not shun microbe-sharing contact with ethnic outgroups (other “races”) more than they do with ingroups. Reanalyzing the same public data on which such claims are based—6500 participants from China, India, USA, and UK—here I show that (1) people do behave as though the parasites of unfamiliar individuals were more dangerous, and (2) strangers’ ethnicity matters when, and only when, it is a proxy for unfamiliarity. This implies that racism could be tamed by acquainting our children with fellow humans of all shapes and colors, so that everyone in the world looks like family.
In vivo dynamics of pro-inflammatory factors, mucins, and polymorph nuclear neutrophils in the bovine oviduct during the follicular and luteal phase
Authors: Neubrand L. , Pothmann H. , Besenfelder U. , Havlicek V. , Gabler C. , Dolezal M. , Aurich C. , Drillich M. , Wagener K.
Published: December 2023

Dynamic functional changes in the oviductal microenvironment are the prerequisite for the establishment of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to gain the first insights into oestrous cycle-dependent dynamics of polymorph nuclear neutrophils (PMN) and the mRNA abundance of selected genes and their correlations in the oviduct of living cows. Mini-cytobrush samples were taken from the oviducts of healthy heifers (n = 6) and cows (n = 7) during the follicular (FOL) and luteal phase (LUT) by transvaginal endoscopy. Total RNA was isolated from the samples and subjected to reverse transcription-quantitative PCR for selected pro-inflammatory factors, glycoproteins, and a metabolic marker. The percentage of PMN was determined by cytological examination. The mean PMN percentage was 2.8-fold greater during LUT than FOL. During LUT, significantly greater mRNA abundance of the pro-inflammatory factorsIL1B, CXCL1, CXCL3, andCXCL8was observed. TheOVGP1mRNA abundance was twice as high during FOL than in LUT. Pearson correlation, principal component analysis and heatmap analyses indicated characteristic functional patterns with strong correlations among investigated factors. Using this novel approach, we illustrate complex physiological dynamics and interactions of the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory factors, mucins,OVGP1, and PMN in the oviduct during the oestrous cycle.
A three-gene signature reveals changes in the tumor immune microenvironment in the progression from NAFLD to HCC
Authors: Liu Lijuan , Tang Haonan , Wang Kui , Liu Jiaying , Luo Ningbin , Jin Guanqiao
Published: December 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most dangerous malignant tumors. The incidence rates of obesity related NAFLD and NASH are increasing year by year, and they are the main risk factors for HCC at present. Finding the mechanism of malignant transformation of NAFLD and NASH is helpful for early prevention and diagnosis. In this study, we performed differential analysis using NAFLD data, NASH data, and HCC data to identify crossover differential genes. Then, using the clinical data of TCGA, a prognostic risk prediction model of three genes (TEAD4, SOCS2, CIT) was constructed, and survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn. The prognostic model was validated using ICGC, GSE116174 and GSE54236 datasets. In addition, we assessed immune status and function in high- and low-risk populations using a prognostic model. Moreover, we assessed the expression of CIT in clinical samples and HCC cell lines and validated its role in HCC development. Our study elucidates the important role of the tumor immune microenvironment in the development of NAFLD/NASH to HCC, deepens the understanding of the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH development to HCC, and is helpful for clinical management and decision-making.
Differential sensitivities to blood pressure variations in internal carotid and intracranial arteries: a numerical approach to stroke prediction
Authors: Kizhisseri Muhsin , Gharaie Saleh , Boopathy Sethu Raman , Lim Ruth P. , Mohammadzadeh Milad , Schluter Jorg
Published: December 2023

Stroke remains a global health concern, necessitating early prediction for effective management. Atherosclerosis-induced internal carotid and intra cranial stenosis contributes significantly to stroke risk. This study explores the relationship between blood pressure and stroke prediction, focusing on internal carotid artery (ICA) branches: middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), and their role in hemodynamics. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) informed by the Windkessel model were employed to simulate patient-specific ICA models with introduced stenosis. Central to our investigation is the impact of stenosis on blood pressure, flow velocity, and flow rate across these branches, incorporating Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) analysis. Results highlight differential sensitivities to blood pressure variations, with M1 branch showing high sensitivity, ACA moderate, and M2 minimal. Comparing blood pressure fluctuations between ICA and MCA revealed heightened sensitivity to potential reverse flow compared to ICA and ACA comparisons, emphasizing MCA's role. Blood flow adjustments due to stenosis demonstrated intricate compensatory mechanisms. FFR emerged as a robust predictor of stenosis severity, particularly in the M2 branch. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive insights into hemodynamic complexities within major intracranial arteries, elucidating the significance of blood pressure variations, flow attributes, and FFR in stenosis contexts. Subject-specific data integration enhances model reliability, aiding stroke risk assessment and advancing cerebrovascular disease understanding.