bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cattle, Cultivation, and Culture: Mixed Methods Reveal Evolving Pathways to Maasai Positive Youth Development
Authors: Johnson Laura R. , Johnson-Pynn Julie S. , Drescher Christopher F. , Kleruu Sumaye M.
Published: March 2022

Abstract. Optimizing majority world youths’ capacity for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is an essential endeavor for psychology, yet African adolescents are rarely represented in psychology research. In this paper, we explore positive youth development (PYD) among Maasai adolescents, amid rapidly changing sociocultural and environmental circumstances in Northern Tanzania. Three methods were selected to elicit perspectives of three participant groups from varied living contexts. Method 1 used standardized PYD measures, a top-down approach, to assess and compare self-efficacy, developmental assets, ethnic identity, and environmental connection among school-attending Maasai ( n = 80) and non-Maasai adolescents ( n = 60). Method 2 used participatory activities with school-attending Maasai females ( n = 16) to illuminate challenges and necessary assets from a girls’ perspective. Method 3 used photovoice to capture perspectives from community-based adolescents ( n = 12) using photographic images and discussion. Survey results showed Maasai participants were thriving compared to others, with strong overall assets, commitment to education and culture, and connection with the environment. School-based girls expressed gender-related challenges along with the need for strengths such as confidence, hard work, education, and bodily autonomy. Community participants produced photographs illustrating a major shift in livelihoods from cattle grazing to cultivation and permanent housing, along with strengths such as working together and sustainable husbandry. Through diverse methods, we gained unique perspectives regarding Maasai adolescents’ contemporary context revealing spirited and flexible pathways toward achieving optimum development for themselves and their communities.
The 2018–2020 Multi‐Year Drought Sets a New Benchmark in Europe
Authors: Rakovec Oldrich , Samaniego Luis , Hari Vittal , Markonis Yannis , Moravec Vojtěch , Thober Stephan , Hanel Martin , Kumar Rohini
Published: March 2022

During the period 2018–2020, Europe experienced a series of hot and dry weather conditions with significant socioeconomic and environmental consequences. Yet, the extremity of these multi‐year dry conditions is not recognized. Here, we provide a comprehensive spatio‐temporal assessment of the drought hazard over Europe by benchmarking past exceptional events during the period from 1766 to 2020. We identified the 2018–2020 drought event as a new benchmark having an unprecedented intensity that persisted for more than 2 years, exhibiting a mean areal coverage of 35.6% and an average duration of 12.2 months. What makes this event truly exceptional compared with past events is its near‐surface air temperature anomaly reaching +2.8 K, which constitutes a further evidence that the ongoing global warming is exacerbating present drought events. Furthermore, future events based on climate model simulations Coupled Model Intercomparison Project v5 suggest that Europe should be prepared for events of comparable intensity as the 2018–2020 event but with durations longer than any of those experienced in the last 250 years. Our study thus emphasizes the urgent need for adaption and mitigation strategies to cope with such multi‐year drought events across Europe.
Seismic Volcanostratigraphy: The Key to Resolving the Jan Mayen Microcontinent and Iceland Plateau Rift Evolution
Authors: Blischke Anett , Brandsdóttir Bryndís , Stoker Martyn S. , Gaina Carmen , Erlendsson Ögmundur , Tegner Christian , Halldórsson Sæmundur A. , Helgadóttir Helga M. , Gautason Bjarni , Planke Sverre , Koppers Anthony A. P. , Hopper John R.
Published: March 2022

Volcanostratigraphic and igneous province mapping of the Jan Mayen microcontinent (JMMC) and Iceland Plateau Rift (IPR) region have provided new insight into the development of rift systems during breakup processes. The microcontinent's formation involved two breakup events associated with seven distinct tectono‐magmatic phases (∼63–21 Ma), resulting in a fan‐shaped JMMC‐IPR igneous domain. Primary structural trends and anomalous magmatic activity guided initial opening (∼63–56 Ma) along a SE‐NW trend from the European margin and along a WNW‐ESE trend from East Greenland. The eastern margin of the microcontinent formed during the first breakup (∼55–53 Ma), with voluminous subaerial volcanism and emplacement of multiple sets of SSW–NNE‐aligned seaward‐dipping reflector sequences. The more gradual, second breakup (∼52–23 Ma) consisted of four northwestward migrating IPR (I–IV) rift zones along the microcontinent's southern and western margins. IPR I and II (∼52–36 Ma) migrated obliquely into East Greenland, interlinked via segments of the Iceland‐Faroe Fracture Zone, in overlapping sub‐aerial and sub‐surface igneous formations. IPR III and IV (∼35–23 Ma) formed a wide igneous domain south and west of the microcontinent, accompanied by uplift, regional tilting, and erosion as the area moved closer to the Iceland hotspot. The proto‐Kolbeinsey Ridge formed at ∼22–21 Ma and connected to the Reykjanes Ridge via the Northwest Iceland Rift Zone, near the center of the hotspot. Eastward rift transfers, toward the proto‐Iceland hotspot, commenced at ∼15 Ma, marking the initiation of segmented rift zones comparable to present‐day Iceland.
Measurement and Scaling of Lake Surface Skin Temperatures
Authors: Hondzo Miki , You Jiaqi , Taylor Jackie , Bartlet Garret , Voller Vaughan R.
Published: March 2022

Water temperature microprofiles at the air‐water interface of a stratified lake were measured concurrently with moderate wind speeds of 0.8–8.2 ms−1 above the lake surface. The day‐time measurements revealed the cool skin effect of water surface temperatures that triggers the cooling of the lake surface and the occurrence of natural convection. Natural convection velocity scale mediates the thickness of the diffusive thermal sublayer and the corresponding net heat flux at the interface. The diffusive thermal sublayer thickness ranged from 0.7 to 3.6 mm. The temperature microprofiles and proposed parameterization of skin‐to‐bulk temperatures enable similarity scaling of temperature microprofiles over the diffusive thermal sublayer thickness. The proposed parameterizations allow for the estimation of diffusive thermal sublayer thickness and skin‐to‐bulk temperature difference in the presence of natural convection. Our results have the potential to facilitate the validation and integration of satellite‐derived lake surface temperatures.
The Most Intense Deflation of the Last Two Decades at Mt. Etna: The 2019–2021 Evolution of Ground Deformation and Modeled Pressure Sources
Authors: Bruno V. , Aloisi M. , Gambino S. , Mattia M. , Ferlito C. , Rossi M.
Published: March 2022

We analyze Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and tilt data from the permanent monitoring networks of Etna volcano starting just after the 24 December 2018 eruption to an unusual two‐month period of deflation in February–March, 2021, which coincided with the occurrence of 17 lava fountain episodes. Based on changes in slope in the GNSS displacement time series, we divide the period starting 7 months after the eruption into five phases, spanning the continued inflation of the edifice punctuated by short periods of effusive and strombolian activity (four phases) and a 2‐month phase of intensive deflation. Our model indicates a progressive deepening of the internal pressure sources followed by a fast ascending source starting two‐months before the first 2021 paroxysms. We explain these results in light of a recent volcanological model on the nature and behavior of magma ascending through the Etnean feeding system.
Exospheric Temperature Measured by NASA‐GOLD Under Low Solar Activity: Comparison With Other Data Sets
Authors: Park Jaeheung , Evans Joseph S. , Eastes Richard W. , Lumpe Jerry D. , van den Ijssel Jose , Englert Christoph R. , Stevens Michael H.
Published: March 2022

Exospheric temperature is one of the key parameters in constructing thermospheric models and has been extensively studied with in situ observations and remote sensing. The Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) at a geosynchronous vantage point provides dayglow limb images for two longitude sectors, from which we can estimate the terrestrial exospheric temperature since 2018. In this paper, we investigate climatological behavior of the exospheric temperature measured by GOLD. The temperature has positive correlations with solar and geomagnetic activity and exhibits a morning‐afternoon asymmetry, both of which agree with previous studies. We have found that the arithmetic sum of F10.7 (solar) and Ap (geomagnetic) indices is highly correlated with the exospheric temperature, explaining ∼64% of the day‐to‐day variability. Furthermore, the exospheric temperature has good correlation with thermospheric parameters (e.g., neutral temperature, O2 density, and NO emission index) sampled at various heights above ∼130 km, in spite of the well‐known thermal gradient below ∼200 km. However, thermospheric temperature at altitudes around 100 km is not well correlated with the GOLD exospheric temperature. The result implies that effects other than thermospheric heating by solar Extreme Ultraviolet and geomagnetic activity take control below a threshold altitude that exists between ∼100 and ∼130 km.
Surface‐Wave Tomography of the Central‐Western Mediterranean: New Insights Into the Liguro‐Provençal and Tyrrhenian Basins
Authors: Magrini Fabrizio , Diaferia Giovanni , El‐Sharkawy Amr , Cammarano Fabio , van der Meijde Mark , Meier Thomas , Boschi Lapo
Published: March 2022

The complex tectonic setting of the central‐western Mediterranean has interested geoscientists for decades, but its geodynamic evolution remains a matter of debate. We rely on 807 seismometers from southern Europe and northern Africa to measure Rayleigh and Love phase velocities in the period range ∼5–200 s, based on teleseismic earthquakes and seismic ambient noise. By nonlinear joint inversion of the phase‐velocity maps, we obtain a 3‐D shear‐wave velocity (VS) model of the study area. At shallow depths, our model correlates with surface geology and reveals the presence of a sedimentary cover in the Liguro‐Provençal basin, as opposed to the Tyrrhenian basin where this is either very thin or absent. At ∼5‐km depth, high velocities below the Magnaghi, Vavilov, and Marsili seamounts point to an exhumed, scarcely serpentinized mantle. These are replaced by lower velocities at larger depths, likely connected to the presence of partial melt. At 50–60‐km depth, a very heterogeneous structure characterizes the Tyrrhenian basin, with low velocities pointing to the presence of fluids due to the lateral mantle inflow from the Ionian slab edges, and higher velocities associated with a relatively dry upper mantle. Such heterogeneity disappears at depths ≳75 km, replaced by more uniform velocities which are ∼2% lower than those found in the Liguro‐Provençal basin. We infer that, at the same depths, the Tyrrhenian basin is characterized by a larger concentration of fluids and possibly higher temperatures.
Boreal Summer Negative Correlation Relationship Between Interannual SST and Precipitation Anomalies in the Tropical and Subtropical Western North Pacific
Authors: Xue Wei , Sun Xuguang , Yang Xiu‐Qun
Published: March 2022

Western North Pacific (WNP) is a key region for ENSO development and its effect on East Asian summer monsoon. Different from most other tropical oceanic areas, sea surface temperature (SST) and precipitation anomalies over the WNP are negatively correlated in boreal summer, indicating the ocean is mainly driven by the atmosphere rather than the opposite over there. Two interannual variability modes of such negative correlation relationship are revealed with SVD method, called tropical and subtropical WNP air‐sea coupled modes (WNP‐TCM and WNP‐STCM) in terms of their locations accordingly. Their core regions are both consistent with the near‐zero line of low‐level zonal wind, corresponding to the Northwest Pacific monsoon trough and the west ridge of WNP subtropical high, respectively. In WNP‐TCM, precipitation anomaly is caused by local vorticity anomaly, which is the result of Matsuno‐Gill response to SST anomalies with the reversed signs in central equatorial Pacific and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. In WNP‐STCM, it is produced by local divergence anomaly, which is remotely forced by SST anomalies with the same signs in equatorial Pacific and Indian Ocean through anomalous Hadley circulation. SST anomalies in the two modes are both controlled by ocean thermal process, especially the solar radiation anomaly. The key factors determining such unique WNP air‐sea interaction are the weak latent heat flux and horizontal SST advection anomalies, which are both closely related to the near‐zero low‐level zonal wind. In addition, WNP‐TCM often happens in ENSO developing summer whereas WNP‐STCM usually appears in ENSO decaying summer.
Observational Characteristics of Wintertime Extreme Surface Turbulent Heat Flux Events in the North Pacific Subtropical Region
Authors: Huang Jing , Zhang Yang , Hu Haibo , Yang Xiu‐Qun , Ren Xuejuan
Published: March 2022

Surface turbulent heat flux is the most direct variable denoting air‐sea interactions. In wintertime North Pacific, in addition to the Kuroshio‐Oyashio extension (KOE) region, high‐resolution observations show that the North Pacific subtropical region (NPSR) is also characterized with high surface heat flux, whose characteristics need systematic investigation. In this study, the extreme surface turbulent heat flux events in the NPSR are investigated using daily observational data. Our results show that the extreme events exhibit dipolar changes of surface flux over NPSR and KOE regions, lasting for several days. Though with a spatially correlated pattern, the occurrence of extreme events in NPSR and KOE is found greatly independent. In the extreme events, both surface sensible and latent heat fluxes display evident changes in north NPSR, while in south NPSR the change in surface latent heat flux dominates. The formation of extreme events in the NPSR is mainly determined by anomalous atmospheric circulation. Changes in the intensity of subtropical high influence the surface air wind speed, humidity, and temperature, contributing to the formation of extreme events in the NPSR. Our results further suggest that the processes through which the extreme events affect the atmospheric precipitation may be different in south and north NPSR. In south NPSR, the change of precipitation in extreme events is very likely attributed to the change of surface latent heat flux. In north NPSR, the change of water vapor transport by atmospheric circulations is found to play a major role.
Four Year Study of the Schumann Resonance Regular Variations Using the Sierra Nevada Station Ground‐Based Magnetometers
Authors: Rodríguez‐Camacho J. , Salinas A. , Carrión M. C. , Portí J. , Fornieles‐Callejón J. , Toledo‐Redondo S.
Published: March 2022

We present a study of the Schumann resonance (SR) regular variations (March 2013–February 2017) using the ground‐based magnetometers from the Sierra Nevada station, Spain (37°02′N, 3°19′W). The study is based on the fitting parameters obtained by the Lorentzian fit, calculated for each 10‐min interval record, namely, peak amplitudes, peak frequencies, width of the resonances, and the power spectrum integral for the first three SR modes. We consider three time‐scales in the study: seasonal, monthly, and daily variations. The processed data collected by the Sierra Nevada station are also made public with this work. The general characteristics of the long‐term evolution of the SR are confirmed, but discrepancies appear that require further study comparing recent measurements from different stations. Signatures of the influences of the El Niño phenomenon and the solar cycle to SR have been found.
What Determine the Performance of the ENSO‐East Asian Winter Monsoon Relationship in CMIP6 Models?
Authors: Wang Zhenzhen , Wu Renguang , Gong Hainan , Jia XiaoJing , Dai Panxi
Published: March 2022

This study evaluates the relationship between El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) in 26 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models. Of particular concern is the plausible factors for the model's capability of simulating the ENSO‐EAWM relationship. Results show that the model's ability of simulating the ENSO‐EAWM relationship is more dependent upon the longitudinal extension of ENSO‐related equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies than the amplitude of the equatorial central‐eastern Pacific SST anomalies. The influence of the amplitude of ENSO on the simulation of the ENSO‐EAWM relationship depends on the westward extension of ENSO‐related equatorial Pacific SST anomalies. Another factor for the model's ability of simulating the ENSO‐EAWM relationship is the SST anomalies in the tropical western North Pacific (WNP). A westward extension of the equatorial Pacific SST anomalies shifts the west branch of anomalous Walker circulation too far westward, which causes westward displaced anomalous ascending (descending) motion around the Philippines through modulating regional meridional vertical circulation in El Niño (La Niña) years. The weak SST anomalies in the tropical WNP lead to the failure of inducing anomalous lower‐level anticyclone (cyclone) over the Philippine Sea through a Rossby wave response in El Niño (La Niña) years. The accompanying weak anomalous lower‐level southwesterly (northeasterly) winds along the west flank of the anomalous anticyclone (cyclone) account for the weak ENSO‐EAWM relationship.
Simulation of the Impact of Environmental Disturbances on Forest Biomass in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ying , Huang Wei , Cheng Chao‐Tzuen , Hong Jing‐Shan , Yeh Fang‐Li , Luyssaert Sebastiaan
Published: March 2022

This study seeks to understand the impact on the forest biomass of different kinds of environmental disturbance, including high winds from typhoons, land‐use/land‐cover changes (LULCC), and CO2 fertilization. A series of factorial experiments addressing the impact of different types of environmental disturbance on the forest biomass in Taiwan was conducted using the advanced ORCHIDEE‐CAN land surface model with a recently developed wind‐throw module. The climatic forcing driving the ORCHIDEE‐CAN land surface model was first simulated by an atmospheric general circulation model, then dynamically downscaled to a more satisfactory spatial and temporal resolution. The initial and boundary conditions applied in the numerical simulations were based on the long‐term CO2 concentration and LULCC reconstruction, respectively. The model simulation showed an increase in the aboveground wood volume from 209 m3 ha−1 in 1979 to 229 m3 ha−1 in 2017, and the dynamics were consistent with those recorded in the national forest inventory. The annual average carbon sequestration rate over the past 39 years was 0.5 m3 ha−1 yr−1 for a forested area of 2.4 M ha. The most surprising finding was the contribution of the wind disturbance to wood loss, which was at almost the same level as the annual carbon sequestration rate. The LULCC experiment showed a trade‐off between afforestation and deforestation in forest biomass accumulation in Taiwan from 1979 to 2017. The CO2 fertilization effect contributed to an enhancement of forest biomass stock of around 39%, while the CO2 concentration increased from 296 to 406 ppm over 39 years.
Atmospheric River Storm Flooding Influences Tidal Marsh Elevation Building Processes
Authors: Thorne Karen , Jones Scott , Freeman Chase , Buffington Kevin , Janousek Christopher , Guntenspergen Glenn
Published: March 2022

Disturbances are a key component of ecological processes in coastal ecosystems. Investigating factors that affect tidal marsh accretion and elevation change is important, largely due to accelerating sea‐level rise and the ecological and economic value of wetlands. Sediment accumulation rates, elevation change, and flooding were examined at five marshes along a riverine‐tidal gradient in the northern San Francisco Bay‐Delta, California, USA during an Atmospheric River storm event in 2017 using Surface Elevation Tables (SETs), feldspar marker horizons (MH), and continuous water‐level sensors. Our results showed that localized marsh flooding increased during the storm event, but not evenly across sites. Marsh surface elevation increased the most at the tidal freshwater marsh site in response to the storms, with an average surface elevation gain of 45.6 ± 13.1 mm, and the least at a tidal saline marsh with an average surface elevation gain of 4.0 ± 1.2 mm. A marsh located on the large embayment did not exhibit an immediate response to the storm but had a surface elevation gain of 21.5 ± 13.7 mm 6 months after the storm. During the storm period, marsh distance to the bay was the strongest predictor of elevation change, followed by SET‐MH elevations. Conversely, during non‐storm periods, SET‐MH elevation was a relatively strong predictor of elevation change. Atmospheric Rivers appear to be a major factor affecting short‐term spatial and temporal variability in flooding and sedimentation rates in tidal marsh systems. Incorporating information about storms into monitoring could increase our understanding of how episodic storms can impact marshes.
NARX Neural Network Derivations of the Outer Boundary Radiation Belt Electron Flux
Authors: Landis D. A. , Saikin A. A. , Zhelavskaya I. , Drozdov A. Y. , Aseev N. , Shprits Y. Y. , Pfitzer M. F. , Smirnov A. G.
Published: March 2022

We present two new empirical models of radiation belt electron flux at geostationary orbit. GOES‐15 measurements of 0.8 MeV electrons were used to train a Nonlinear Autoregressive with Exogenous input (NARX) neural network for both modeling GOES‐15 flux values and an upper boundary condition scaling factor (BF). The GOES‐15 flux model utilizes an input and feedback delay of 2 and 2 time steps (i.e., 5 min time steps) with the most efficient number of hidden layers set to 10. Magnetic local time, Dst, Kp, solar wind dynamic pressure, AE, and solar wind velocity were found to perform as predicative indicators of GOES‐15 flux and therefore were used as the exogenous inputs. The NARX‐derived upper boundary condition scaling factor was used in conjunction with the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code to produce reconstructions of the radiation belts during the period of July–November 1990, independent of in‐situ observations. Here, Kp was chosen as the sole exogenous input to be more compatible with the VERB code. This Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite‐era reconstruction showcases the potential to use these neural network‐derived boundary conditions as a method of hindcasting the historical radiation belts. This study serves as a companion paper to another recently published study on reconstructing the radiation belts during Solar Cycles 17–24 (Saikin et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020sw002524), for which the results featured in this paper were used.
Extreme Sea Level Estimation Combining Systematic Observed Skew Surges and Historical Record Sea Levels
Authors: Saint Criq Laurie , Gaume Eric , Hamdi Yasser , Ouarda Taha B. M. J.
Published: March 2022

The estimation of sea levels corresponding to high return periods is crucial for coastal planning and for the design of coastal defenses. This paper deals with the use of historical observations, that is, events that occurred before the beginning of the systematic tide gauge recordings, to improve the estimation of design sea levels. Most of the recent publications dealing with statistical analyses applied to sea levels suggest that astronomical high tide levels and skew surges should be analyzed and modeled separately. Historical samples generally consist of observed record sea levels. Some extreme historical skew surges can easily remain unnoticed if they occur at low or moderate astronomical high tides and do not generate extreme sea levels. The exhaustiveness of historical skew surge series, which is an essential criterion for an unbiased statistical inference, can therefore not be guaranteed. This study proposes a model combining, in a single Bayesian inference procedure, information of two different natures for the calibration of the statistical distribution of skew surges: measured skew surges for the systematic period and extreme sea levels for the historical period. A data‐based comparison of the proposed model with previously published approaches is presented based on a large number of Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed model is applied to four locations on the French Atlantic and Channel coasts. Results indicate that the proposed model is more reliable and accurate than previously proposed methods that aim at the integration of historical records in coastal sea level or surge statistical analyses.
LncRNA GACAT2 binds with protein PKM1/2 to regulate cell mitochondrial function and cementogenesis in an inflammatory environment
Authors: Li Xuan , Tian Bei-Min , Deng Dao-Kun , Liu Fen , Zhou Huan , Kong De-Qin , Qu Hong-Lei , Sun Li-Juan , He Xiao-Tao , Chen Fa-Ming
Published: March 2022

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are a key cell type for restoring/regenerating lost/damaged periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and root cementum, the latter of which is important for regaining tooth function. However, PDLSCs residing in an inflammatory environment generally exhibit compromised functions, as demonstrated by an impaired ability to differentiate into cementoblasts, which are responsible for regrowing the cementum. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial function and downstream long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in regulating inflammation-induced changes in the cementogenesis of PDLSCs. We found that the inflammatory cytokine-induced impairment of the cementogenesis of PDLSCs was closely correlated with their mitochondrial function, and lncRNA microarray analysis and gain/loss-of-function studies identified GACAT2 as a regulator of the cellular events involved in inflammation-mediated mitochondrial function and cementogenesis. Subsequently, a comprehensive identification of RNA-binding proteins by mass spectrometry (ChIRP-MS) and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) assays revealed that GACAT2 could directly bind to pyruvate kinase M1/2 (PKM1/2), a protein correlated with mitochondrial function. Further functional studies demonstrated that GACAT2 overexpression increased the cellular protein expression of PKM1/2, the PKM2 tetramer and phosphorylated PKM2, which led to enhanced pyruvate kinase (PK) activity and increased translocation of PKM2 into mitochondria. We then found that GACAT2 overexpression could reverse the damage to mitochondrial function and cementoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs induced by inflammation and that this effect could be abolished by PKM1/2 knockdown. Our data indicated that by binding to PKM1/2 proteins, the lncRNA GACAT2 plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial function and cementogenesis in an inflammatory environment.
Indisulam targets RNA splicing and metabolism to serve as a therapeutic strategy for high-risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Nijhuis Anke , Sikka Arti , Yogev Orli , Herendi Lili , Balcells Cristina , Ma Yurui , Poon Evon , Eckold Clare , Valbuena Gabriel N. , Xu Yuewei , Liu Yusong , da Costa Barbara Martins , Gruet Michael , Wickremesinghe Chiharu , Benito Adrian , Kramer Holger , Montoya Alex , Carling David , Want Elizabeth J. , Jamin Yann , Chesler Louis , Keun Hector C.
Published: March 2022

Neuroblastoma is the most common paediatric solid tumour and prognosis remains poor for high-risk cases despite the use of multimodal treatment. Analysis of public drug sensitivity data showed neuroblastoma lines to be sensitive to indisulam, a molecular glue that selectively targets RNA splicing factor RBM39 for proteosomal degradation via DCAF15-E3-ubiquitin ligase. In neuroblastoma models, indisulam induces rapid loss of RBM39, accumulation of splicing errors and growth inhibition in a DCAF15-dependent manner. Integrative analysis of RNAseq and proteomics data highlight a distinct disruption to cell cycle and metabolism. Metabolic profiling demonstrates metabolome perturbations and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from indisulam. Complete tumour regression without relapse was observed in both xenograft and the Th-MYCN transgenic model of neuroblastoma after indisulam treatment, with RBM39 loss, RNA splicing and metabolic changes confirmed in vivo. Our data show that dual-targeting of metabolism and RNA splicing with anticancer indisulam is a promising therapeutic approach for high-risk neuroblastoma.
Oxo dicopper anchored on carbon nitride for selective oxidation of methane
Authors: Xie Pengfei , Ding Jing , Yao Zihao , Pu Tiancheng , Zhang Peng , Huang Zhennan , Wang Canhui , Zhang Junlei , Zecher-Freeman Noah , Zong Han , Yuan Dashui , Deng Shengwei , Shahbazian-Yassar Reza , Wang Chao
Published: March 2022

Selective conversion of methane (CH4) into value-added chemicals represents a grand challenge for the efficient utilization of rising hydrocarbon sources. We report here dimeric copper centers supported on graphitic carbon nitride (denoted as Cu2@C3N4) as advanced catalysts for CH4 partial oxidation. The copper-dimer catalysts demonstrate high selectivity for partial oxidation of methane under both thermo- and photocatalytic reaction conditions, with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxygen (O2) being used as the oxidizer, respectively. In particular, the photocatalytic oxidation of CH4 with O2 achieves >10% conversion, and >98% selectivity toward methyl oxygenates and a mass-specific activity of 1399.3 mmol g Cu−1h−1. Mechanistic studies reveal that the high reactivity of Cu2@C3N4 can be ascribed to symphonic mechanisms among the bridging oxygen, the two copper sites and the semiconducting C3N4 substrate, which do not only facilitate the heterolytic scission of C-H bond, but also promotes H2O2 and O2 activation in thermo- and photocatalysis, respectively.
Global profiling of regulatory elements in the histone benzoylation pathway
Authors: Wang Duo , Yan Fuxiang , Wu Ping , Ge Kexue , Li Muchun , Li Tingting , Gao Ying , Peng Chao , Chen Yong
Published: March 2022

Lysine benzoylation (Kbz) is a recently discovered post-translational modification associated with active transcription. However, the proteins for maintaining and interpreting Kbz and the physiological roles of Kbz remain elusive. Here, we systematically characterize writer, eraser, and reader proteins of histone Kbz in S. cerevisiae using proteomic, biochemical, and structural approaches. Our study identifies 27 Kbz sites on yeast histones that can be regulated by cellular metabolic states. The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex and NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase Hst2 could function as the writer and eraser of histone Kbz, respectively. Crystal structures of Hst2 complexes reveal the molecular basis for Kbz recognition and catalysis by Hst2. In addition, we demonstrate that a subset of YEATS domains and bromodomains serve as Kbz readers, and structural analyses reveal how YEATS and bromodomains recognize Kbz marks. Moreover, the proteome-wide screening of Kbz-modified proteins identifies 207 Kbz sites on 149 non-histone proteins enriched in ribosome biogenesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and rRNA processing pathways. Our studies identify regulatory elements for the Kbz pathway and provide a framework for dissecting the biological functions of lysine benzoylation.
Atomic reconfiguration among tri-state transition at ferroelectric/antiferroelectric phase boundaries in Pb(Zr,Ti)O3
Authors: Fu Zhengqian , Chen Xuefeng , Nie Henchang , Liu Yanyu , Hong Jiawang , Hu Tengfei , Yu Ziyi , Li Zhenqin , Zhang Linlin , Yao Heliang , Xia Yuanhua , Gao Zhipeng , An Zheyi , Zhang Nan , Cao Fei , Cai Henghui , Zeng Chaobin , Wang Genshui , Dong Xianlin , Xu Fangfang
Published: March 2022

Phase boundary provides a fertile ground for exploring emergent phenomena and understanding order parameters couplings in condensed-matter physics. In Pb(Zr1-xTix)O3, there are two types of composition-dependent phase boundary with both technological and scientific importance, i.e. morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) separating polar regimes into different symmetry and ferroelectric/antiferroelectric (FE/AFE) phase boundary dividing polar and antipolar dipole configurations. In contrast with extensive studies on MPB, FE/AFE phase boundary is far less explored. Here, we apply atomic-scale imaging and Rietveld refinement to directly demonstrate the intermediate phase at FE/AFE phase boundary exhibits a rare multipolar Pb-cations ordering, i.e. coexistence of antipolar or polar displacement, which manifests itself in both periodically gradient lattice spacing and anomalous initial hysteresis loop. In-situ electron/neutron diffraction reveals that the same parent intermediate phase can transform into either FE or AFE state depending on suppression of antipolar or polar displacement, coupling with the evolution of long-/short-range oxygen octahedra tilts. First-principle calculations further show that the transition between AFE and FE phase can occur in a low-energy pathway via the intermediate phase. These findings enrich the structural understanding of FE/AFE phase boundary in perovskite oxides.
Sex differences in the association of postural control with indirect measures of body representations
Authors: Schulleri Katrin H. , Johannsen Leif , Michel Youssef , Lee Dongheui
Published: March 2022

Besides anthropometric variables, high-order body representations have been hypothesised to influence postural control. However, this has not been directly tested before. Moreover, some studies indicate that sex moderates the relationship of anthropometry and postural control. Therefore, as a proof of concept we investigated the association of body representations with postural control as well as the influence of participants’ sex/gender. Body image measures were assessed with a figural drawing task. Body schema was tested by a covert and an overt task. Body sway was measured during normal bipedal quiet standing with eyes closed (with/without neck extended). Statistical analysis consisted of hierarchical multiple linear regressions with the following regression steps: (1) sensory condition, (2) sex/gender, (3) age, (4) anthropometry, (5) body schema, (6) body image, (7) sex/gender-interactions. Across 36 subjects (19 females), body schema was significantly associated with body sway variability and open-loop control, in addition to commonly known influencing factors, such as sensory condition, gender, age and anthropometry. While in females, also body image dissatisfaction substantially was associated with postural control, this was not the case in males. Sex differences and possible causes why high-order body representations may influence concurrent sensorimotor control of body sway are discussed.
The origin point of the unstable solution area of a forced softening Duffing oscillator
Authors: Wawrzynski Wojciech
Published: March 2022

Each Duffing equation has an unstable solution area with a boundary, which is also a line of bifurcation. Generally, in a system that can be modeled by the Duffing equation, bifurcations can occur at frequencies lower than the origin point frequency of the unstable solution area for a softening system and at higher frequencies for a hardening system. The main goal of this research is to determine the analytical formulas for the origin point of the unstable solution area of a system described by a forced Duffing oscillator with softening stiffness, taking damping into account. To achieve this goal, two systems of softening Duffing oscillators that differ strongly in their nonlinearity factor value have been selected and tested. For each system, for three combinations of linear and nonlinear stiffness coefficients with the same nonlinearity factor, bistability areas and unstable solution areas were determined for a series of damping coefficient values. For each case, curves determined for different damping values were grouped to obtain the origin point curve of the unstable solution, ultimately developing the target formulas.
The role of PemIK (PemK/PemI) type II TA system from Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical strains in lytic phage infection
Authors: Bleriot Ines , Blasco Lucia , Pacios Olga , Fernández-García Laura , Ambroa Antón , López María , Ortiz-Cartagena Concha , Cuenca Felipe Fernández , Oteo-Iglesias Jesús , Pascual Álvaro , Martínez-Martínez Luis , Domingo-Calap Pilar , Wood Thomas K. , Tomás María
Published: March 2022

Since their discovery, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems have captivated the attention of many scientists. Recent studies have demonstrated that TA systems play a key role in phage inhibition. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the PemIK (PemK/PemI) type II TA system in phage inhibition by its intrinsic expression in clinical strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying the lncL plasmid, which harbours the carbapenemase OXA-48 and the PemK/PemI TA system. Furthermore, induced expression of the system in an IPTG-inducible plasmid in a reference strain of K. pneumoniae ATCC10031 was also studied. The results showed that induced expression of the whole TA system did not inhibit phage infection, whereas overexpression of the pemK toxin prevented early infection. To investigate the molecular mechanism involved in the PemK toxin-mediated inhibition of phage infection, assays measuring metabolic activity and viability were performed, revealing that overexpression of the PemK toxin led to dormancy of the bacteria. Thus, we demonstrate that the PemK/PemI TA system plays a role in phage infection and that the action of the free toxin induces a dormant state in the cells, resulting in inhibition of phage infections.
High serum folate level is positively associated with pulmonary function in elderly Korean men, but not in women
Authors: Chang Suk Won , Kim Min Bum , Kang Ju Wan
Published: March 2022

A limited number of studies have been conducted on the relationship between serum vitamin levels and pulmonary function, particularly in the elderly population. This study attempted to confirm the association between serum vitamin levels (folate, vitamin A, and vitamin E) and pulmonary function in the elderly population of Korea. A total of 1166 subjects (528 men and 637 women) participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2018. Serum levels of folate, vitamin A, and vitamin E were measured in the subjects. The subjects’ pulmonary function measurement items were as follows: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), forced expiratory flow at 25% and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25–75%), forced expiratory volume in 6 s (FEV6), and peak expiratory velocity (PEV). We performed regression analysis considering FEV1, PEV, FVC, FEF25–75%, and FEV1/FVC and FEV6 as dependent variables. Serum vitamin A levels were not associated with pulmonary function. In elderly men, serum vitamin E levels were negatively correlated with FVC [B =  − 0.012, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.022 to − 0.003, p = 0.012] and FEV1 (B =  − 0.010, 95% CI − 0.115 to − 0.007, p = 0.028). We confirmed a positive correlation of the serum folate level with FEV1 (B = 0.017, 95% CI 0.004–0.030, p = 0.009), FEV1/FVC (B = 0.003, 95% CI 0.001–0.005, p = 0.007), and FEF25–75% (B = 0.031, 95% CI 0.010–0.053, p = 0.005) in elderly men. This study confirmed that high serum folate levels were positively associated with pulmonary function in elderly men in Korea. Further studies are needed to understand the longitudinal effect of folate and its biological mechanism in pulmonary function.
Soft X-ray characterization of halide perovskite film by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy
Authors: Jun Haeyeon , Lee Hee Ryung , Tondelier Denis , Geffroy Bernard , Schulz Philip , Bourée Jean-Éric , Bonnassieux Yvan , Swaraj Sufal
Published: March 2022

Organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have recently been receiving a lot of attention due to their newfound application in optoelectronic devices, including perovskite solar cells (PSCs) which have reached power conversion efficiencies as high as 25.5%. However, the fundamental mechanisms in PSCs, including the correlation of degradation with the excellent optoelectrical properties of the perovskite absorbers, are poorly understood. In this paper, we have explored synchrotron-based soft X-ray characterization as an effective technique for the compositional analysis of MHP thin films. Most synchrotron-based studies used for investigating MHPs so far are based on hard X-rays (5–10 keV) which include various absorption edges (Pb L-edge, I L-edge, Br K-edge, etc.) but are not suited for the analysis of the organic component in these materials. In order to be sensitive to a maximum number of elements, we have employed soft X-ray-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) as a spectro-microscopy technique for the characterization of MHPs. We examined its sensitivity to iodine and organic components, aging, or oxidation by-products in MHPs to make sure that our suggested method is suitable for studying MHPs. Furthermore, methylammonium triiodide with different deposition ratios of PbI2 and CH3NH3I (MAI), and different thicknesses, were characterized for chemical inhomogeneity at the nanoscale by STXM. Through these measurements, we demonstrate that STXM is very sensitive to chemical composition and homogeneity in MHPs. Thus, we highlight the utility of STXM for an in-depth analysis of physical and chemical phenomena in PSCs.
Identification of macrophages in normal and injured mouse tissues using reporter lines and antibodies
Authors: Chen Bijun , Li Ruoshui , Kubota Akihiko , Alex Linda , Frangogiannis Nikolaos G.
Published: March 2022

Reliable tools for macrophage identification in mouse tissues are critical for studies investigating inflammatory and reparative responses. Transgenic reporter mice and anti-macrophage antibodies have been used as “specific pan-macrophage” markers in many studies; however, organ-specific patterns of expression and non-specific labeling of other cell types, such as fibroblasts, may limit their usefulness. Our study provides a systematic comparison of macrophage labeling patterns in normal and injured mouse tissues, using the CX3CR1 and CSF1R macrophage reporter lines and anti-macrophage antibodies. Moreover, we tested the specificity of macrophage antibodies using the fibroblast-specific PDGFR$$\mathrm{\alpha }$$αreporter line. Mouse macrophages exhibit organ-specific differences in expression of macrophage markers. Hepatic macrophages are labeled for CSF1R, Mac2 and F4/80, but lack CX3CR1 expression, whereas in the lung, the CSF1R+/Mac2+/Mac3+ macrophage population is not labeled with F4/80. In the splenic red pulp, subpopulations of CSF1R+/F4/80+/Mac3+cells were labeled with Mac2, CX3CR1 and lysozyme M. In the kidney, Mac2, Mac3 and lysozyme M labeled a fraction of the CSF1R+ and CX3CR1+ macrophages, but also stained tubular epithelial cells. In normal hearts, the majority of CSF1R+ and CX3CR1+ cells were not detected with anti-macrophage antibodies. Myocardial infarction was associated with marked expansion of the CSF1R+ and CX3CR1+ populations that peaked during the proliferative phase of cardiac repair, and also expressed Mac2, Mac3 and lysozyme M. In normal mouse tissues, a small fraction of cells labeled with anti-macrophage antibodies were identified as PDGFR$$\mathrm{\alpha }$$α+ fibroblasts, using a reporter system. The population of PDGFR$$\mathrm{\alpha }$$α+ cells expressing macrophage markers expanded following injury, likely reflecting emergence of cellular phenotypes with both fibroblast and macrophage characteristics. In conclusion, mouse macrophages exhibit remarkable heterogeneity. Selection of the most appropriate markers for identification of macrophages in mouse tissues is dependent on the organ and the pathologic condition studied.
Expansion of eastern Mediterranean Middle Paleolithic into the desert region in early marine isotopic stage 5
Authors: Barzilai Omry , Oron Maya , Porat Naomi , White Dustin , Timms Rhys , Blockley Simon , Zular André , Avni Yoav , Faershtein Galina , Weiner Steve , Boaretto Elisabetta
Published: March 2022

Marine Isotopic Stage 5 is associated with wetter climatic conditions in the Saharo-Arabian deserts. This stage also corresponds to the establishment of Middle Paleolithic hominins and their associated material culture in two geographical provinces in southwest Asia—the Eastern Mediterranean woodland and the Arabian Peninsula desert. The lithic industry of the Eastern Mediterranean is characterized by the centripetal Levallois method, whereas the Nubian Levallois method characterizes the populations of the Arabian desert. The Negev Desert, situated between these regions is a key area to comprehend population movement in correlation to climatic zones. This investigation addresses the nature of the Middle Paleolithic settlement in the Negev Desert during MIS 5 by studying the site of Nahal Aqev. High resolution chronological results based on luminescence dating and cryptotephra show the site was occupied from MIS 5e to MIS 5d. The lithic industries at Nahal Aqev are dominated by centripetal Levallois core method. These data demonstrate that Nahal Aqev is much closer in its cultural attributes to the Eastern Mediterranean Middle Paleolithic than to the Arabian Desert entity. We conclude that Nahal Aqev represents an expansion of Middle Paleolithic groups from the Mediterranean woodland into the desert, triggered by better climatic conditions. These groups possibly interacted with hominin groups bearing the Nubian core tradition from the vast region of Arabia.
Assessment of catalytic and antibacterial activity of biocompatible agar supported ZnS/CuFe2O4 magnetic nanotubes
Authors: Hassanzadeh-Afruzi Fereshte , Amiri-Khamakani Zeinab , Bahrami Shahrzad , Ahghari Mohammad Reza , Maleki Ali
Published: March 2022

The tubular magnetic agar supported ZnS/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite was fabricated via a simple procedure. Next, various properties of this nanocomposite were studied by employing multiple characterization techniques including FT-IR, EDX, SEM, TEM,VSM, XRD, and TGA. Then, the catalytic and antibacterial applications were evaluated for the fabricated nanocomposite. Based on the experimental result, the nanocomposite showed excellent catalytic activity to promote the multicomponent reaction between ethyl acetoacetate, hydrazine hydrate, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile to synthesize a variety of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole derivatives with high yields (89–95%) in acceptable reaction times (20–40 min) under mild reaction conditions. It can be efficiently recycled and re-work in six consequent runs without notable reduction in catalytic productiveness. Furthermore, its antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria by the agar diffusion and plate-count methods. These results indicate that the width of the inhibition zone around the S. aureus (G+ bacterium) is more than that of E. coli (G− bacterium). Moreover, the agar supported ZnS/CuFe2O4 nanocomposite exhibited strong prevention of the bacterial colonies’ growth.