bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MAVEN Observations of Tailward Reconnection Front in the Martian Magnetotail
Authors: Lin R. T. , Huang S. Y. , Yuan Z. G. , Jiang K. , Xu S. B. , Wei Y. Y. , Xiong Q. Y. , Zhang J. , Wang Z. , Yu L.
Published: January 2023

Intense electromagnetic energy conversion and local magnetic flux transport occur at reconnection fronts (RFs) formed by magnetic reconnection. Tailward RFs (TRFs), characterized by sharply enhanced negative magnetic field normal components accompanied by tailward plasma flows, are the tailward propagating dipolarization fronts in the Earth's magnetotail. So far RFs and TRFs are observed merely at magnetized planets. Using data from Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, we report, for the first time, the observations of TRF embedded in a current sheet (possibly diffusion region of magnetic reconnection) in the Martian magnetotail. At the TRF, O+ and O2+ are accelerated in tailward direction; behind the TRF, the perpendicular electron fluxes enhance at the energy of 251–905 eV, which should be caused by betatron acceleration. The energized plasmas indicate that the electromagnetic energy converts to plasma kinetic energy around the TRF. Our observations suggest that RFs could occur in the planetary magnetotail without the global intrinsic dipole magnetic field.
The Roles of Local Convergences in the Convection Initiation of a Record‐Breaking Rainfall Event at the Coastal Pearl River Delta in South China
Authors: Su Lin , Sun Xian , Du Yu , Fung Jimmy C. H. , Chen Guixing
Published: January 2023

A record‐breaking rainfall event occurred on the west coast of the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during the onset of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon in 2021. The present study quantitatively investigated the effects of local factors including land‐sea contrast, coastal terrain, and nearby convection‐induced cold pool on the convection initiation (CI) of the event. The two major local contributors to the CI of the event were the land‐sea frictional contrast on the west coast and the low‐level outflow of the cold pool produced by the rainfall system on the east coast of the PRD, which result in low‐level moisture convergence and lifting on the west coast. The two factors contributed comparably to the moisture convergence. The terrain effect on the west coast of the PRD plays a minor role in modulating the location, time, and intensity of the generated convection cells. Furthermore, the Ʌ‐shaped coastline of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) acts to suppress convection at coastal PRD. On the west coast of the PRE, the north‐south‐oriented coastline causes a divergence of the low‐level southwesterlies, which is not conducive to moisture convergence in the area. In addition, the southwesterlies weakened by the west coast of the PRD are also unfavorable to convection on the east coast. This is distinct from previous studies focused on other areas of coastal south China with relatively straight west‐east‐oriented coastlines, where the CI can be triggered by the moisture convergence induced by the joint effects of land‐sea contrast and coastal terrain.
Assessing the Impact of Ocean In Situ Observations on MJO Propagation Across the Maritime Continent in ECMWF Subseasonal Forecasts
Authors: Du Danni , Subramanian Aneesh C. , Han Weiqing , Wei Ho‐Hsuan , Sarojini Beena Balan , Balmaseda Magdalena , Vitart Frederic
Published: January 2023

Despite the well‐recognized initial value nature of the subseasonal forecasts, the role of subsurface ocean initialization in subseasonal forecasts remains underexplored. Using observing system experiments, this study investigates the impact of ocean in situ data assimilation on the propagation of Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) events across the Maritime Continent in the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) subseasonal forecast system. Two sets of twin experiments are analyzed, which only differ on the use or not of in situ ocean observations in the initial conditions. Besides using the Real‐time Multivariate MJO Index (RMMI) to evaluate the forecast performance, we also develop a new MJO tracking method based on outgoing longwave radiation anomalies (OLRa) for forecast evaluation. We find that the ocean initialization with in situ data assimilation, though having an impact on the forecasted ocean mean state, does not improve the relatively low MJO forecast skill across the Maritime Continent. Moist static energy budget analysis further suggests that a significant underestimation in the meridional moisture advection in the model forecast may hinder the potential role played by the ocean state differences associated with data assimilation. Bias of the intraseasonal meridional winds in the model is a more important factor for such underestimation than the mean state moisture biases. This finding suggests that atmospheric model biases dominate the forecast error growth, and the atmospheric circulation bias is one of the major sources of the MJO prediction error and should be a target for improving the ECMWF subseasonal forecast model.
Groundwater Plays an Important Role in Controlling Riverine Dissolved Organic Matter in a Cold Alpine Catchment, the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Hu Yalu , Ma Rui , Sun Ziyong , Zheng Yan , Pan Zhao , Zhao Lusong
Published: January 2023

In cold alpine areas, the hydrological control on dissolved organic matter (DOM) export in relation to permafrost distribution remains uncertain on a catchment scale. To address this, the seasonal variations in DOM chemical features of groundwater and stream water were examined from 2013 to 2019 in a representative catchment on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which is covered by both permafrost (at elevations higher than 3,500 m a.s.l.) and seasonally frozen areas. The results show that the highest dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration occurred during the thawing period (April–May), while the highest DOC flux occurred during the thawed period (June–early October). In the permafrost area, the freeze–thaw process significantly influenced the groundwater flow paths and DOM. During the thawing period, with shallow groundwater flow path through the organic soil layer, the stream water DOM recharged by suprapermafrost groundwater was characterized by high aromaticity and high DOC concentrations. During the thawed period, the deepening groundwater flow path through the mineral layer and dilution by overland flow, resulted in low DOC concentrations and DOM with lower aromaticity in stream water. When groundwater flowed from the permafrost area into the porous aquifers in the seasonally frozen area, the groundwater flow path also affected DOM dynamics. The stream water at the catchment outlet, which received groundwater discharge from the porous aquifer, showed a lower peak DOC concentration, a higher proportion of protein‐like DOM, and a higher contribution of cold season DOC flux to annual DOC flux when compared to the water flowing out from the permafrost area. Our work highlights the role of the thick, porous aquifer in the seasonally frozen area in regulating DOM export. The results suggest that the cold alpine area may exhibit a stronger positive feedback to climate warming than that in Arctic areas.
EVA1A regulates hematopoietic stem cell regeneration via ER-mitochondria mediated apoptosis
Authors: Liu Bo , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wu Qiaofeng , Fu Yuting , Zhang Xianli , Wang Zhenkun , Yi Weiwei , Wang Hu , Chen Zhiyang , Song Zhangfa , Xiong Wei , Qiu Yugang , He Weifeng , Ju Zhenyu
Published: January 2023

Excessive protein synthesis upon enhanced cell proliferation frequently results in an increase of unfolded or misfolded proteins. During hematopoietic regeneration, to replenish the hematopoietic system, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are activated and undergo a rapid proliferation. But how the activated HSCs respond to the proliferation pressure is still ambiguous; The proper control of the functional reservoir in the activated HSCs remains poorly understood. Here, we show a significant upregulation of EVA1A protein associated with the increase of ER stress during hematopoietic regeneration. Deletion of Eva1a significantly enhances the regeneration capacity of HSCs by inhibiting the ER stress-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, the expression of EVA1A protein was upregulated by CHOP, and thereby promoted the ER-mitochondria interlinking via MCL1, which resulted in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. These findings reveal a pathway for ER stress responses of HSCs by the EVA1A mediated apoptosis, which play an important role in HSCs regeneration.
Stabilizing copper sites in coordination polymers toward efficient electrochemical C-C coupling
Authors: Liang Yongxiang , Zhao Jiankang , Yang Yu , Hung Sung-Fu , Li Jun , Zhang Shuzhen , Zhao Yong , Zhang An , Wang Cheng , Appadoo Dominique , Zhang Lei , Geng Zhigang , Li Fengwang , Zeng Jie
Published: January 2023

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide with renewable electricity holds promise for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Single-site catalysts have been reported to catalyze carbon-carbon (C-C) coupling—the indispensable step for more valuable multi-carbon (C2+) products—but were proven to be transformed in situ to metallic agglomerations under working conditions. Here, we report a stable single-site copper coordination polymer (Cu(OH)BTA) with periodic neighboring coppers and it exhibits 1.5 times increase of C2H4selectivity compared to its metallic counterpart at 500 mA cm−2. In-situ/operando X-ray absorption, Raman, and infrared spectroscopies reveal that the catalyst remains structurally stable and does not undergo a dynamic transformation during reaction. Electrochemical and kinetic isotope effect analyses together with computational calculations show that neighboring Cu in the polymer provides suitably-distanced dual sites that enable the energetically favorable formation of an *OCCHO intermediate post a rate-determining step of CO hydrogenation. Accommodation of this intermediate imposes little changes of conformational energy to the catalyst structure during the C-C coupling. We stably operate full-device CO2electrolysis at an industry-relevant current of one ampere for 67 h in a membrane electrode assembly. The coordination polymers provide a perspective on designing molecularly stable, single-site catalysts for electrochemical CO2conversion.
Microbially produced vitamin B12 contributes to the lipid-lowering effect of silymarin
Authors: Sun Wen-Long , Hua Sha , Li Xin-Yu , Shen Liang , Wu Hao , Ji Hong-Fang
Published: January 2023

Silymarin has been used for improving hepatic damage and lipid disorders, but its action mechanism remains to be clarified. Here, we investigate the contributions of the gut microbiota to the improvement of liver lipid metabolism by silymarin. We find i) strong and significant microbial shifts upon silymarin but not silibinin treatment; ii) over 60% variations of liver fat are explained by silymarin-induced bacterial B12 production in male rats but not in male germ-free mice; iii) fecal microbiota transplantation confirms their protective roles against liver fat accumulation; iv) upregulation of one-carbon metabolism and fatty acid degradation pathways are observed based on the liver transcriptome analyses; and v) in humans the delta changes of serum B12 associate negatively with the fluctuations of serum triglycerides. Overall, we reveal a mechanism of action underpinning the lipid-lowering effect of silymarin via the gut microbiota and its vitamin B12 producing capabilities.
B1 SINE-binding ZFP266 impedes mouse iPSC generation through suppression of chromatin opening mediated by reprogramming factors
Authors: Kaemena Daniel F. , Yoshihara Masahito , Beniazza Meryam , Ashmore James , Zhao Suling , Bertenstam Mårten , Olariu Victor , Katayama Shintaro , Okita Keisuke , Tomlinson Simon R. , Yusa Kosuke , Kaji Keisuke
Published: January 2023

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming is inefficient and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this inefficiency holds the key to successfully control cellular identity. Here, we report 24 reprogramming roadblock genes identified by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome-wide knockout (KO) screening. Of these, depletion of the predicted KRAB zinc finger protein (KRAB-ZFP)Zfp266strongly and consistently enhances murine iPSC generation in several reprogramming settings, emerging as the most robust roadblock. We show that ZFP266 binds Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements (SINEs) adjacent to binding sites of pioneering factors, OCT4 (POU5F1), SOX2, and KLF4, and impedes chromatin opening. Replacing the KRAB co-suppressor with co-activator domains converts ZFP266 from an inhibitor to a potent facilitator of iPSC reprogramming. We propose that the SINE-KRAB-ZFP interaction is a critical regulator of chromatin accessibility at regulatory elements required for efficient cellular identity changes. In addition, this work serves as a resource to further illuminate molecular mechanisms hindering reprogramming.
Multicolor hyperafterglow from isolated fluorescence chromophores
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Zeng Mingjian , Zhang Yewen , Zhang Chenyu , Gao Zhisheng , He Fei , Xue Xudong , Li Huanhuan , Li Ping , Xie Gaozhan , Li Hui , Zhang Xin , Guo Ningning , Cheng He , Luo Ansheng , Zhao Wei , Zhang Yizhou , Tao Ye , Chen Runfeng , Huang Wei
Published: January 2023

High-efficiency narrowband emission is always in the central role of organic optoelectronic display applications. However, the development of organic afterglow materials with sufficient color purity and high quantum efficiency for hyperafterglow is still great challenging due to the large structural relaxation and severe non-radiative decay of triplet excitons. Here we demonstrate a simple yet efficient strategy to achieve hyperafterglow emission through sensitizing and stabilizing isolated fluorescence chromophores by integrating multi-resonance fluorescence chromophores into afterglow host in a single-component copolymer. Bright multicolor hyperafterglow with maximum photoluminescent efficiencies of 88.9%, minimum full-width at half-maximums (FWHMs) of 38 nm and ultralong lifetimes of 1.64 s under ambient conditions are achieved. With this facilely designed polymer, a large-area hyperafterglow display panel was fabricated. By virtue of narrow emission band and high luminescent efficiency, the hyperafterglow presents a significant technological advance in developing highly efficient organic afterglow materials and extends the domain to new applications.
Structural basis of the mycobacterial stress-response RNA polymerase auto-inhibition via oligomerization
Authors: Morichaud Zakia , Trapani Stefano , Vishwakarma Rishi K. , Chaloin Laurent , Lionne Corinne , Lai-Kee-Him Joséphine , Bron Patrick , Brodolin Konstantin
Published: January 2023

Self-assembly of macromolecules into higher-order symmetric structures is fundamental for the regulation of biological processes. Higher-order symmetric structure self-assembly by the gene expression machinery, such as bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP), has never been reported before. Here, we show that the stress-response σB factor from the human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, induces the RNAP holoenzyme oligomerization into a supramolecular complex composed of eight RNAP units. Cryo-electron microscopy revealed a pseudo-symmetric structure of the RNAP octamer in which RNAP protomers are captured in an auto-inhibited state and display an open-clamp conformation. The structure shows that σB is sequestered by the RNAP flap and clamp domains. The transcriptional activator RbpA prevented octamer formation by promoting the initiation-competent RNAP conformation. Our results reveal that a non-conserved region of σ is an allosteric controller of transcription initiation and demonstrate how basal transcription factors can regulate gene expression by modulating the RNAP holoenzyme assembly and hibernation.
Gigahertz optoacoustic vibration in Sub-5 nm tip-supported nano-optomechanical metasurface
Authors: Gao Renxian , He Yonglin , Zhang Dumeng , Sun Guoya , He Jia-Xing , Li Jian-Feng , Li Ming-De , Yang Zhilin
Published: January 2023

The gigahertz acoustic vibration of nano-optomechanical systems plays an indispensable role in all-optical manipulation of light, quantum control of mechanical modes, on-chip data processing, and optomechanical sensing. However, the high optical, thermal, and mechanical energy losses severely limit the development of nano-optomechanical metasurfaces. Here, we demonstrated a high-quality 5 GHz optoacoustic vibration and ultrafast optomechanical all-optical manipulation in a sub-5 nm tip-supported nano-optomechanical metasurface (TSNOMS). The physical rationale is that the design of the semi-suspended metasurface supported by nanotips of <5 nm enhances the optical energy input into the metasurface and closes the mechanical and thermal output loss channels, result in dramatically improvement of the optomechanical conversion efficiency and oscillation quality of the metasurface. The design strategy of a multichannel-loss-mitigating semi-suspended metasurface can be generalized to performance improvements of on-chip processed nano-optomechanical systems. Applications include all-optical operation of nanomechanical systems, reconfigurable nanophotonic devices, optomechanical sensing, and nonlinear and self-adaptive photonic functionalities.
A pilot 1-year follow-up randomised controlled trial comparing metacognitive training to psychoeducation in schizophrenia: effects on insight
Authors: Lopez-Morinigo Javier-David , Martínez Adela Sánchez-Escribano , Barrigón María Luisa , Escobedo-Aedo Paula-Jhoana , Ruiz-Ruano Verónica González , Sánchez-Alonso Sergio , Mata-Iturralde Laura , Muñoz-Lorenzo Laura , Cuadras Daniel , Ochoa Susana , Baca-García Enrique , David Anthony S.
Published: January 2023

Poor insight in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is linked with negative outcomes. This single-centre, assessor-blind, parallel-group 1-year follow-up randomised controlled trial (RCT) tested whether metacognitive training (MCT) (compared to psychoeducation) may improve insight and outcomes in outpatients with SSD assessed: at baseline (T0); after treatment (T1) and at 1-year follow-up (T2). Insight (primary outcome) was measured with (i) the Schedule for Assessment of Insight-Expanded version- (SAI-E), including illness recognition (IR), symptom relabelling (SR), treatment compliance (TC) and total insight scores (TIS); and (ii) the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS). Between-group comparisons were nonsignificant, while within the MCT group (but not within controls) there was a significant medium effect size for improved TIS at T2 (d = 0.67, P = 0.02). Secondary outcomes included cognitive measures: Jumping to Conclusions (JTC), Theory of Mind (ToM), plus symptom severity and functioning. Compared to psychoeducation, MCT improved the PANSS excitement (d = 1.21, P = 0.01) and depressed (d = 0.76, P = 0.05) factors at T2; and a JTC task both at T1 (P = 0.016) and at T2 (P = 0.031). Participants in this RCT receiving MCT showed improved insight at 1-year follow-up, which was associated with better mood and reduced JTC cognitive bias. In this pilot study, no significant benefits on insight of MCT over psychoeducation were detected, which may have been due to insufficient power.
A comparative study of postmortem distribution and postmortem diffusion of tramadol in rabbits
Authors: Su Hongliang , Wang Lingxiao , Wurita Amin , Zhang Chao , Wu Miaomiao , Li Bin , Niu Weifen , Wang Youmei , Wei Zhiwen , Yun Keming
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the cases of tramadol intoxication have become more frequent in many countries. However, most of the previous studies have been based on cases of tramadol intoxication, and the detailed information on the differences between postmortem distribution and diffusion of tramadol remains unclear. To investigate this issue systematically, we established a postmortem distribution model and two postmortem diffusion models. Then, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to measure the concentrations of tramadol in various biological specimens of fluids and tissues. In postmortem distribution, the results showed an uneven distribution of tramadol in various biological specimens, and the concentrations of tramadol in urine were significantly higher than those in other fluids. In postmortem diffusion, the results showed a dosage-dependent increase of tramadol concentration in most specimens; at all time points from 0.25 to 6 h after postmortem administration, the concentrations of tramadol in fluids were not significantly different from those in tissues, and the concentrations of tramadol in urine were lower than those in both tissues and other fluids in most time points. We recommend a quantitative examination of the specimens of both fluids and tissues to provide more evidence for the forensic identification, and the realization that there is a correlation between the concentrations of fluids and tissues is important for determining antemortem and postmortem administration of tramadol. This information can serve as ancillary data in inferring the contribution of a drug to death in cases of suspected tramadol poisoning.
Deontologists are not always trusted over utilitarians: revisiting inferences of trustworthiness from moral judgments
Authors: Bostyn Dries H. , Chandrashekar Subramanya Prasad , Roets Arne
Published: January 2023

Recent research has looked at how people infer the moral character of others based on how they resolve sacrificial moral dilemmas. Previous studies provide consistent evidence for the prediction that those who endorse outcome-maximizing, utilitarian judgments are disfavored in social dilemmas and are seen as less trustworthy in comparison to those who support harm-rejecting deontological judgments. However, research investigating this topic has studied a limited set of sacrificial dilemmas and did not test to what extent these effects might be moderated by specific features of the situation described in the sacrificial dilemma (for instance, whether the dilemma involves mortal or non-mortal harm). In the current manuscript, we assessed the robustness of previous findings by exploring how trust inference of utilitarian and deontological decision makers is moderated by five different contextual factors (such as whether the sacrificial harm is accomplished by an action or inaction), as well as by participants’ own moral preferences. While we find some evidence that trust perceptions of others are moderated by dilemma features, we find a much stronger effect of participants’ own moral preference: deontologists favored other deontologists and utilitarians favored utilitarians.

Protocol registration

The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 21 September 2022. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21325953.
Synthesis of active packaging films from Lepidium sativum gum/polyvinyl alcohol composites and their application in preserving cheddar cheese
Authors: Rehim Mona Abdel , Zahran Hamdy A. , Al-Moghazy Marwa
Published: January 2023

The interest in active packaging for extending food shelf life has increased lately. Moreover, the negative impact of synthetic plastic wastes on the environmental motivated the researchers to seek for bio-based alternatives. In this context, active packaging film made of a composite composed of Lepidium sativum extract (LSE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and a fixed amount of hyperbranched polyamide amine (PAMAM) were prepared. The chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the film were investigated. Moreover, we examined the extract’s constituents and antioxidant properties. Cheddar cheese samples were coated with films of different compositions. The samples coated with active packaging films showed a longer preservation time of up to 4 weeks compared to other samples, which noticeably deteriorated. The films showed potent antimicrobial activity against five food-borne bacteria: three gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli O157.H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella Typhimurium, and two gram-positive bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. Applying PVA films containing LSE improved the microbiological quality and delayed the visible decay of cheddar cheese. The oxidizability of the fat extracted from different cheese samples was 0.40–0.98, confirming oxidation resistance. Finally, cheese samples coated with treated films were protected from forming trans fats compared to other samples, demonstrating the effectiveness of modified films as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and food-preserving packaging.
Understanding the electronic pi-system of 2D covalent organic frameworks with Wannier functions
Authors: Merkel Konrad , Greiner Johannes , Ortmann Frank
Published: January 2023

We investigate a family of hexagonal 2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with phenyl and biphenyl spacer units and different chemical linker species. Chemical trends are elucidated and attributed to microscopic properties of the $$\pi$$
π
-electron-system spanned by atomic $$p_z$$

p
z

-orbitals. We systematically investigate the electronic structure, delocalization of electronic states, effects of disorder, bond torsion, and doping, and correlate these with variable $$\pi$$
π
-conjugation and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) aromaticity. Molecular orbitals are obtained from maximally localized Wannier functions that have $$\sigma$$
σ
- and $$\pi$$
π
-character, forming distinct $$\sigma$$
σ
- and $$\pi$$
π
-bands for all valence states. The Wannier-orbital description goes beyond simple tight-binding models and enables a detailed understanding of the electronic topology, effective electronic coupling and delocalization. It is shown that a meaningful comparison between COFs with different chemical elements can only be made by examining the entire $$\pi$$
π
-electron system, while a comparison of individual bands (e.g., bands near the Fermi energy) can be a insufficient to derive general design rules for linker and spacer monomer selection. We further identify delocalized states that are spread across tens or hundreds of pores of the 2D COFs and analyze their robustness against structural and energetic disorders like out-of-plane rotations of molecular fragments, different strength of energetic disorder and energetic shifts due to chemical doping.
Intercorrelated variability in blood and hemodynamic biomarkers reveals physiological network in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nakazato Yuichi , Shimoyama Masahiro , Cohen Alan A. , Watanabe Akihisa , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Shimoyama Hirofumi , Shimoyama Hiromi
Published: January 2023

Increased intra-individual variability of a variety of biomarkers is generally associated with poor health and reflects physiological dysregulation. Correlations among these biomarker variabilities should then represent interactions among heterogeneous biomarker regulatory systems. Herein, in an attempt to elucidate the network structure of physiological systems, we probed the inter-variability correlations of 22 biomarkers. Time series data on 19 blood-based and 3 hemodynamic biomarkers were collected over a one-year period for 334 hemodialysis patients, and their variabilities were evaluated by coefficients of variation. The network diagram exhibited six clusters in the physiological systems, corresponding to the regulatory domains for metabolism, inflammation, circulation, liver, salt, and protein. These domains were captured as latent factors in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The 6-factor CFA model indicates that dysregulation in each of the domains manifests itself as increased variability in a specific set of biomarkers. Comparison of a diabetic and non-diabetic group within the cohort by multi-group CFA revealed that the diabetic cohort showed reduced capacities in the metabolism and salt domains and higher variabilities of the biomarkers belonging to these domains. The variability-based network analysis visualizes the concept of homeostasis and could be a valuable tool for exploring both healthy and pathological conditions.
Epidemiology of GII.4 and GII.2 norovirus outbreaks in closed and semi-closed institutions in 2017 and 2018
Authors: Cornejo-Sánchez Thais , Soldevila Núria , Coronas Lorena , Alsedà Miquel , Godoy Pere , Razquín Efrén , Sabaté Sara , Guix Susana , Rodríguez Garrido Virginia , Bartolomé Rosa , Domínguez Angela ,   the Working Group for the Study of Outbreaks of Acute Gastroenteritis in Catalonia, Álvarez Josep , Belver Anna Isabel , Camps Neus , Minguell Sofia , Carol Monica , Izquierdo Conchita , Parrón Ignacio , Pérez Cristina , Rovira Ariadna , Sabaté Maria , Sala Maria Rosa , Vileu Rosa Maria , Barrabeig Irene , Jané Mireia , Martínez Ana , Torner Núria , de Benito Javier , Moreno-Martínez Antonio , Rius Cristina , de Andres Anna , Camprubí Esteve , Cunillé Montse , Forns Maria Lluïsa , de Simón Mercé
Published: January 2023

Norovirus infections are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, with genotypes GII.2 and GII.4 being the most prevalent. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of GII.2 and GII.4 norovirus outbreaks reported in Catalonia in closed or semi-closed institutions in 2017 and 2018. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of GII.2 and GII.4 outbreaks were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. 61 outbreaks were reported: GII.4 was the causative agent in 12 outbreaks (30%) and GII.2 in 9 outbreaks (22.5%). GII.2 outbreaks were detected more frequently in schools or summer camps (66.7%) and GII.4 outbreaks in nursing homes (91.7%) (p = 0.01). Ninety-three people were affected in GII.2 outbreaks and 94 in GII.4 outbreaks. The median age was 15 years (range: 1–95 years) in GII.2 outbreaks and 86 years (range: 0–100 years) in GII.4 outbreaks (p < 0.001). Nausea, abdominal pain, and headache were observed more frequently in persons affected by GII.2 outbreaks (p < 0.05). Symptomatic cases presented a higher viral load suggestive of greater transmission capacity, although asymptomatic patients presented relevant loads indicative of transmission capacity.
Chemical evidence for milk, meat, and marine resource processing in Later Stone Age pots from Namaqualand, South Africa
Authors: Hopper Courtneay , Dunne Julie , Dewar Genevieve , Evershed Richard P.
Published: January 2023

The subsistence practices of Later Stone Age (LSA) foragers and herders living in Namaqualand South Africa are often difficult to differentiate based on their archaeological signatures but characterizing their dietary choices is vital to understand the economic importance of domesticates. However, ethnohistoric accounts have provided information on the cooking/boiling of marine mammal fat, mutton, plants, and milk by early herders and foragers across the Western Cape. To further investigate these reports, we use lipid residue analysis to characterize 106 potsherds from four open-air LSA sites, spanning in time from the early first millennium to the late second millennium AD. Two sites (SK2005/057A, SK2006/026) are located on the Atlantic coast whereas sites Jakkalsberg K and Jakkalsberg M are located further inland on the southern bank of the Orange River. Notably, at the coastal sites, the presence of marine biomarkers suggests the intensive and/or specialized processing of marine products in many vessels. The dominance of ruminant carcass products at inland sites and probable sheep remains confirms the importance of stockkeeping. Furthermore, and in good agreement with ethnohistoric accounts for its use, our results provide the first direct chemical evidence for the use of dairy products in LSA western South Africa.
Low field slice-selective ZTE imaging of ultra-short $$T_2$$ tissues based on spin-locking
Authors: Borreguero Jose , Galve Fernando , Algarín José M. , Benlloch José M. , Alonso Joseba
Published: January 2023

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of hard biological tissues is very challenging due to small proton abundance and ultra-short $$T_2$$

T
2

decay times, especially at low magnetic fields, where sample magnetization is weak. While several pulse sequences, such as Ultra-short Echo Time (UTE), Zero Echo Time (ZTE) and SWeep Imaging with Fourier Transformation (SWIFT), have been developed to cope with ultra-short lived MR signals, only the latter two hold promise of imaging tissues with sub-millisecond $$T_2$$

T
2

times at low fields. All these sequences are intrinsically volumetric, thus 3D, because standard slice selection using a long soft radio-frequency pulse is incompatible with ultra-short lived signals. The exception is UTE, where double half pulses can perform slice selection, although at the cost of doubling the acquisition time. Here we demonstrate that spin-locking is a versatile and robust method for slice selection for ultra-short lived signals, and present three ways of combining this pulse sequence with ZTE imaging of the selected slice. With these tools, we demonstrate slice-selected 2D ex vivo imaging of the hardest tissues in the body at low field (260 mT) within clinically acceptable times.
Pre-diabetes is associated with attenuation rather than volume of epicardial adipose tissue on computed tomography
Authors: Molnar David , Björnson Elias , Larsson Måns , Adiels Martin , Gummesson Anders , Bäckhed Fredrik , Hjelmgren Ola , Bergström Göran
Published: January 2023

The volume of epicardial adipose tissue (EATV) is increased in type-2 diabetes (T2D), while its attenuation (EATA) appears to be decreased. Similar patterns have been suggested in pre-diabetes, but data is scarce. In both pre-diabetes and T2D, any independent role of EATV and EATA in disease development remains to be proven, a task complicated by their substantial co-variation with other anthropometrics, e.g. BMI, waist circumference, and abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT). EATV and EATA was quantified in computed tomography (CT) images in a population study (n = 1948) using an automatic technique. Data was available on BMI, waist circumference, abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area, insulin resistance (IR) and glucose tolerance, the latter ranging from normal (NGT), over pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose [IFG, n = 414] impaired glucose tolerance [IGT, n = 321] and their combination [CGI, n = 128]), to T2D. EATV was increased in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI, however not when adjusting for waist or VAT. EATA was reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR in univariable analyses and when adjusting for BMI and waist, however not when adjusting for VAT. Adjustment for other co-variates had little influence on the results. In conclusion, EATV is increased and EATA reduced in pre-diabetes, T2D and IR, however, significant co-variation with other anthropometrics, especially VAT, obscures their function in disease development. The current results do not exclude a pathophysiological role of epicardial fat, but future studies need to adjust for anthropometrics, or focus on the microenvironment within the pericardial sac.
Geochemical characteristics and provenance of the detrital sediments in the junction area of Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins, South China Sea
Authors: Meng Fulin , Gan Huajun , Wang Hua , Chen Si , Gong Yin , Zhang Qiyang
Published: January 2023

Together, the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins have received a large amount of terrigenous sediments, but the provenance evolution of Cenozoic sediments in the two basins remains disputable. Combined with previous studies in the Yinggehai and Qiongdongnan basins, the elemental geochemistry of Oligocene to Pliocene sediment samples in the junction area of the two basins were analyzed to explore the tectonic implications, parent rock characteristics, and provenance evolution of the two basins during the Cenozoic. The results reveal that all the sediment samples were derived from continental island arc to passive continental margin settings. The light REE enrichment and stable content of heavy REE with large negative Eu anomalies indicate that they were probably derived from Hainan Island. The reconstructed provenance evolution model showed that the Red River Source (RRS) provided sedimentary materials for the Central Depression of Yinggehai Basin from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, and Hainan Island Source (HIS) was also one of the sources for sediments deposited in the Central Depression of Yinggehai Basin during the Miocene. However, most of the sediments preserved in the Yingdong Slope and Qiongdongnan Basin were derived from the HIS from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, and sediments deposited in the Yingdong Slope were also derived from the RRS during the Miocene. Furthermore, the junction area of the two basins had a mixed source of the RRS and HIS during the Cenozoic.
A study to examine the ageing behaviour of cold plasma-treated agricultural seeds
Authors: Ahmed Naeem , Siow Kim S. , Wee M. F. Mohd Razip , Patra Anuttam
Published: January 2023

Cold plasma (low pressure) technology has been effectively used to boost the germination and growth of various crops in recent decades. The durability of these plasma-treated seeds is essential because of the need to store and distribute the seeds at different locations. However, these ageing effects are often not ascertained and reported because germination and related tests are carried out within a short time after the plasma-treatment. This research aims to fill that knowledge gap by subjecting three different types of seeds (and precursors): Bambara groundnuts (water), chilli (oxygen), and papaya (oxygen) to cold plasma-treatment. Common mechanisms found for these diverse seed types and treatment conditions were the physical and chemical changes induced by the physical etching and the cold plasma on the seeds and subsequent oxidation, which promoted germination and growth. The high glass transition temperature of the lignin-cellulose prevented any physical restructuring of the surfaces while maintaining the chemical changes to continue to promote the seeds germination and growth. These changes were monitored over 60 days of ageing using water contact angle (WCA), water uptake, electrical conductivity, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The vacuum effect was also investigated to separate its effect from cold plasma (low pressure). This finding offers a framework for determining how long agricultural seeds that have received plasma treatment can be used. Additionally, there is a need to transfer this research from the lab to the field. Once the impact of plasma treatment on seeds has been estimated, it will be simple to do so.
Severe gestational diabetes mellitus in lean dams is associated with low IL-1α levels and affects the growth of the juvenile mouse offspring
Authors: Mihalovičová Lucia , Kunšteková Veronika , Miláček Dávid , Janko Jakub , Pastorek Michal , Konečná Barbora , Gurecká Radana , Rausová Zuzana , Uličná Oľga , Celec Peter , Šebeková Katarína
Published: January 2023

We investigated how maternal gestational diabetes (GDM) impacts the metabolic status of offspring. GDM was induced in CD1 mice consuming a fast-food diet (FFD) by repeated low-dose streptozotocin injections before mating. Offspring of normoglycemic standard chow or the FFD consuming dams served as controls. In 4-week-old offspring weaned to standard chow, plasma concentrations of extracellular DNA, inflammatory markers, and parameters of the cardiometabolic status (glycemia, liver lipid content; body, organ, and fat weight) were determined. Two-factor analysis of variance indicated that the male offspring of GDM dams manifest postnatal growth retardation and lower relative kidney weight. Regardless of sex, GDM offspring manifest the lowest IL-1α levels, and other inflammatory markers showed mild and inconsistent alterations. Offspring of dams consuming the FFD displayed higher liver triacylglycerols content. The three groups of offspring showed no significant differences in glycemia and extracellular DNA. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis indicated that male GDM offspring present lower kidney, body, and brown adipose tissue weights; lower IL-1α levels, and higher concentrations of GM-CSF and IL-10 compared with their FFD counterparts. The model failed to select discriminative variables in females. In conclusion, in mice, maternal GDM in the absence of obesity adversely affects the early growth of juvenile male offspring.
The importance of time and other determinants in the assessment of heavy metals release during solid waste management
Authors: Mizerna Kamila , Król Anna
Published: January 2023

One of the parameters affecting the leachability of heavy metals from waste is their contact time with the leachant. In this paper, the leaching behaviour of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni was evaluated in relation to the liquid to solid ratio (L/S), which is a reflection of time after which a certain volume of water permeates the material, e.g. in slag heaps or landfills. A leaching study was carried out by different leaching methods with using three test materials, i.e. hazardous zinc slag, lump copper slag and mineral-organic composite. It was found that the highest amount of metals leached in the long term in the maximum availability test, under the following leaching conditions: L/S = 50 dm3/kg, reduced pH of the leachant, fragmentation of the materials to particle size < 0.125 mm. Comparing the results obtained in the batch test and the percolation test, no strict trend was observed in the release of a given metal from different test materials. The analysis using the tank test showed that processes controlling leachability can result in the release of the highest metal loads immediately after contact between the material and the leachant, but can also contribute to the release of metals only after prolonged contact.
Single-cell T cell receptor sequencing of paired human atherosclerotic plaques and blood reveals autoimmune-like features of expanded effector T cells
Authors: Depuydt Marie A. C. , Schaftenaar Frank H. , Prange Koen H. M. , Boltjes Arjan , Hemme Esmeralda , Delfos Lucie , de Mol Jill , de Jong Maaike J. M. , Bernabé Kleijn Mireia N. A. , Peeters Judith A. H. M. , Goncalves Lauren , Wezel Anouk , Smeets Harm J. , de Borst Gert J. , Foks Amanda C. , Pasterkamp Gerard , de Winther Menno P. J. , Kuiper Johan , Bot Ilze , Slütter Bram
Published: January 2023

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease; however, whether it can be classified as an autoimmune disease remains unclear. In this study, we applied single-cell T cell receptor seqencing (scTCR-seq) on human carotid artery plaques and matched peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples to assess the extent of TCR clonality and antigen-specific activation within the various T cell subsets. We observed the highest degree of plaque-specific clonal expansion in effector CD4+T cells, and these clonally expanded T cells expressed genes such asCD69,FOSandFOSB, indicative of recent TCR engagement, suggesting antigen-specific stimulation. CellChat analysis suggested multiple potential interactions of these effector CD4+T cells with foam cells. Finally, we integrated a published scTCR-seq dataset of the autoimmune disease psoriatic arthritis, and we report various commonalities between the two diseases. In conclusion, our data suggest that atherosclerosis has an autoimmune compondent driven by autoreactive CD4+T cells.
Aluminum-doped cadmium sulfide homojunction photoelectrode with optimal film quality and water-splitting performance
Authors: Zhang Jiangwei , Yu Fei , Yu He , Yang Shuhui , Zhang Gaotian , Jiang Feng , Zhang Menglong , Luo Dongxiang
Published: January 2023

The impact of CdS:Al interlayer in MoS2/CdS photoanode on PEC performance is studied. The CdS:Al interlayer allows improved photocurrent and suppressed dark current. The film chemical features of MoS2/CdS:Al/CdS photoanode is optimized.
A machine learning-integrated stepwise method to discover novel anti-obesity phytochemicals that antagonize the glucocorticoid receptor
Authors: Shin Seo Hyun , Hur Gihyun , Kim Na Ra , Park Jung Han Yoon , Lee Ki Won , Yang Hee
Published: January 2023

This study developed and validated a machine learning-integrated stepwise method to discover novel anti-obesity phytochemicals through GR antagonism.
From optical pumping to electrical pumping: the threshold overestimation in metal halide perovskites
Authors: Qin Jiajun , Tang Yang , Zhang Jia , Shen Tangyao , Karlsson Max , Zhang Tiankai , Cai Weidong , Shi Lei , Ni Wei-Xin , Gao Feng
Published: January 2023

Estimation of the electrically pumped perovskite lasing threshold carrier density from conventional optical pumping is significantly overestimated due to the slow hot carrier cooling process.
Evaluating charge-type of polyelectrolyte as dielectric layer in memristor and synapse emulation
Authors: Shi Jingzhou , Kang Shaohui , Feng Jiang , Fan Jiaming , Xue Song , Cai Gangri , Zhao Jin Shi
Published: January 2023

The charge-types of polyelectrolytes were evaluated as a dielectric layer, which was a critical factor for forming ion flux. The negative polyelectrolyte-based device showed highly promising memory properties, as well as synapse functionality.
Discovery of lipid-mediated protein–protein interactions in living cells using metabolic labeling with photoactivatable clickable probes
Authors: Fedoryshchak Roman O. , Gorelik Andrii , Shen Mengjie , Shchepinova Maria M. , Pérez-Dorado Inmaculada , Tate Edward W.
Published: January 2023

Metabolic labelling of a specific post-translational modification in cells with a bifunctional probe enables site-specific photocrosslinking, enrichment and identification of PTM-mediated protein–protein interactions through quantitative proteomics.
An integrated n-Si/BiVO4 photoelectrode with an interfacial bi-layer for unassisted solar water splitting
Authors: Wang Shujie , Feng Shijia , Liu Bin , Gong Zichen , Wang Tuo , Gong Jinlong
Published: January 2023

This paper describes an interfacial bi-layer for the integration of Si and BiVO4, predicted to achieve record total H2 production for unbiased solar water splitting.
Asymmetric coordination activated lattice oxygen in perovskite ferrites for selective anaerobic oxidation of methane
Authors: Chang Wenxi , Gao Yuming , He Jiahui , Xia Xue , Huang Chuande , Hu Yue , Xu Weibin , Jiang Bo , Han Yujia , Zhu Yanyan , Wang Xiaodong
Published: January 2023

The synergy between an asymmetric Fe–O–Al motif for methane activation and a symmetric Fe–O–Fe motif for oxygen supply enables enhanced methane-to-syngas performance.