bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Klotho prevents transforming growth factor-β2-induced senescent-like morphological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Jang Ha Young , Kim Soo-Jin , Park Kyu-Sang , Kim Jeong Hun
Published: May 2023

Degenerative changes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) triggered by transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and oxidative stress play a critical role in the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The expression of α-klotho, an antiaging protein, declines with age, increasing the risk factors for age-related diseases. Here, we investigated the protective effects of soluble α-klotho on TGF-β2-induced RPE degeneration. The morphological changes induced by TGF-β2, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), were attenuated in the mouse RPE by the intravitreal injection (IVT) of α-klotho. In ARPE19 cells, EMT and morphological alterations by TGF-β2 were attenuated by co-incubation with α-klotho. TGF-β2 decreased miR-200a accompanied by zinc finger e-box binding homeobox1 (ZEB1) upregulation and EMT, all of which were prevented by α-klotho co-treatment. Inhibitor of miR-200a mimicked TGF-β2-induced morphological changes, which were recovered by ZEP1 silencing, but not by α-klotho, implying the upstream regulation of α-klotho on miR-200a-ZEP1-EMT axis. α-Klotho inhibited receptor binding of TGF-β2, Smad2/3 phosphorylation, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation and oxidative stress via NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) upregulation. Furthermore, α-klotho recovered the TGF-β2-induced mitochondrial activation and superoxide generation. Interestingly, TGF-β2 upregulated α-klotho expression in the RPE cells, and genetic suppression of endogenous α-klotho aggravated TGF-β2-induced oxidative stress and EMT. Lastly, α-klotho abrogated senescence-associated signaling molecules and phenotypes induced by long-term incubation with TGF-β2. Hence, our findings indicate that the antiaging α-klotho plays a protective role against EMT and degeneration of the RPE, demonstrating the therapeutic potential for age-related retinal diseases, including the dry type of AMD.
Five-year outcomes of digital diabetic eye screening in individuals aged 80 and 85 years
Authors: Thomas Kevin , Albutt Nichola , Hamid Aisha , Wharton Helen , Jacob Sarita
Published: May 2023

Objective

To assess the incidence of referable diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients aged 80 and 85 years to determine whether screening interval can be extended safely in this age group.

Methods

Patients who were aged 80 and 85 years when they attended digital screening during April 2014–March 2015 were included. Screening results at baseline and over the next four years were analysed.

Results

1880 patients aged 80 and 1105 patients aged 85 were included. Patients referred to hospital eye service (HES) for DR ranged from 0.7% to 1.4% in the 80-year-old cohort over 5 years. In this cohort a total of 76 (4%) were referred to HES for DR, of which 11 (0.6%) received treatment. Over the course of the follow up (FU), 403 (21%) died. In the 85-year-old cohort, referral to HES for DR each year ranged from 0.1% to 1.3%. In this cohort a total of 27 (2.4%) were referred to HES for DR, of which 4 (0.4%) received treatment. Over the course of follow-up 541(49%) died. All treated cases were for maculopathy in both cohorts and there were no cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy requiring treatment.

Conclusion

This study showed that the risk of progression of retinopathy is quite low in this age group and only a small proportion of patients developed referable retinopathy requiring treatment. This suggests relooking at the need for screening and ideal screening intervals in patients aged 80 years and over with no referable DR as they can be potentially classed as a group with low risk of sight loss.
Quantum behavior of the Duffing oscillator at the dissipative phase transition
Authors: Chen Qi-Ming , Fischer Michael , Nojiri Yuki , Renger Michael , Xie Edwar , Partanen Matti , Pogorzalek Stefan , Fedorov Kirill G. , Marx Achim , Deppe Frank , Gross Rudolf
Published: May 2023

The non-deterministic behavior of the Duffing oscillator is classically attributed to the coexistence of two steady states in a double-well potential. However, this interpretation fails in the quantum-mechanical perspective which predicts a single unique steady state. Here, we measure the non-equilibrium dynamics of a superconducting Duffing oscillator and experimentally reconcile the classical and quantum descriptions as indicated by the Liouvillian spectral theory. We demonstrate that the two classically regarded steady states are in fact quantum metastable states. They have a remarkably long lifetime but must eventually relax into the single unique steady state allowed by quantum mechanics. By engineering their lifetime, we observe a first-order dissipative phase transition and reveal the two distinct phases by quantum state tomography. Our results reveal a smooth quantum state evolution behind a sudden dissipative phase transition and form an essential step towards understanding the intriguing phenomena in driven-dissipative systems.
Conjugated cross-linked phosphine as broadband light or sunlight-driven photocatalyst for large-scale atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Fang Wei-Wei , Yang Gui-Yu , Fan Zi-Hui , Chen Zi-Chao , Hu Xun-Liang , Zhan Zhen , Hussain Irshad , Lu Yang , He Tao , Tan Bi-En
Published: May 2023

The use of light to regulate photocatalyzed reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) under mild conditions, especially driven by broadband light or sunlight directly, is highly desired. But the development of a suitable photocatalyzed polymerization system for large-scale production of polymers, especially block copolymers, has remained a big challenge. Herein, we report the development of a phosphine-based conjugated hypercrosslinked polymer (PPh3-CHCP) photocatalyst for an efficient large-scale photoinduced copper-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (Cu-ATRP). Monomers including acrylates and methyl acrylates can achieve near-quantitative conversions under a wide range (450–940 nm) of radiations or sunlight directly. The photocatalyst could be easily recycled and reused. The sunlight-driven Cu-ATRP allowed the synthesis of homopolymers at 200 mL from various monomers, and monomer conversions approached 99% in clouds intermittency with good control over polydispersity. In addition, block copolymers at 400 mL scale can also be obtained, which demonstrates its great potential for industrial applications.
Antibody binding reports spatial heterogeneities in cell membrane organization
Authors: Arnold Daniel P. , Xu Yaxin , Takatori Sho C.
Published: May 2023

The spatial organization of cell membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids is critical for mediating the binding of ligands, receptors, and macromolecules on the plasma membrane. However, we currently do not have the methods to quantify the spatial heterogeneities of macromolecular crowding on live cell surfaces. In this work, we combine experiment and simulation to report crowding heterogeneities on reconstituted membranes and live cell membranes with nanometer spatial resolution. By quantifying the effective binding affinity of IgG monoclonal antibodies to engineered antigen sensors, we discover sharp gradients in crowding within a few nanometers of the crowded membrane surface. Our measurements on human cancer cells support the hypothesis that raft-like membrane domains exclude bulky membrane proteins and glycoproteins. Our facile and high-throughput method to quantify spatial crowding heterogeneities on live cell membranes may facilitate monoclonal antibody design and provide a mechanistic understanding of plasma membrane biophysical organization.
Cisplatin toxicity is counteracted by the activation of the p38/ATF-7 signaling pathway in post-mitotic C. elegans
Authors: Raj Dorota , Kraish Bashar , Martikainen Jari , Podraza-Farhanieh Agnieszka , Kao Gautam , Naredi Peter
Published: May 2023

Cisplatin kills proliferating cells via DNA damage but also has profound effects on post-mitotic cells in tumors, kidneys, and neurons. However, the effects of cisplatin on post-mitotic cells are still poorly understood. Among model systems, C. elegans adults are unique in having completely post-mitotic somatic tissues. The p38 MAPK pathway controls ROS detoxification via SKN-1/NRF and immune responses via ATF-7/ATF2. Here, we show that p38 MAPK pathway mutants are sensitive to cisplatin, but while cisplatin exposure increases ROS levels, skn-1 mutants are resistant. Cisplatin exposure leads to phosphorylation of PMK-1/MAPK and ATF-7 and the IRE-1/TRF-1 signaling module functions upstream of the p38 MAPK pathway to activate signaling. We identify the response proteins whose increased abundance depends on IRE-1/p38 MAPK activity as well as cisplatin exposure. Four of these proteins are necessary for protection from cisplatin toxicity, which is characterized by necrotic death. We conclude that the p38 MAPK pathway-driven proteins are crucial for adult cisplatin resilience.
Coherent control of an ultrabright single spin in hexagonal boron nitride at room temperature
Authors: Guo Nai-Jie , Li Song , Liu Wei , Yang Yuan-Ze , Zeng Xiao-Dong , Yu Shang , Meng Yu , Li Zhi-Peng , Wang Zhao-An , Xie Lin-Ke , Ge Rong-Chun , Wang Jun-Feng , Li Qiang , Xu Jin-Shi , Wang Yi-Tao , Tang Jian-Shun , Gali Adam , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: May 2023

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a remarkable two-dimensional (2D) material that hosts solid-state spins and has great potential to be used in quantum information applications, including quantum networks. However, in this application, both the optical and spin properties are crucial for single spins but have not yet been discovered simultaneously for hBN spins. Here, we realize an efficient method for arraying and isolating the single defects of hBN and use this method to discover a new spin defect with a high probability of 85%. This single defect exhibits outstanding optical properties and an optically controllable spin, as indicated by the observed significant Rabi oscillation and Hahn echo experiments at room temperature. First principles calculations indicate that complexes of carbon and oxygen dopants may be the origin of the single spin defects. This provides a possibility for further addressing spins that can be optically controlled.
A review of glass corrosion: the unique contribution of studying ancient glass to validate glass alteration models
Authors: Zanini Roberta , Franceschin Giulia , Cattaruzza Elti , Traviglia Arianna
Published: May 2023

Glass has been used in widespread applications within several sectors since ancient times and it has been systematically studied under different perspectives. However, its thermodynamic properties and the variety of its compositions, several aspects related to its durability and its alteration mechanisms remain still open to debate. This literature review presents an overview of the most relevant studies on glass corrosion and the interaction between glass and the environment. The review aims to achieve two objectives. On one hand, it aims to highlight how far research on glass corrosion has come by studying model systems created in the laboratory to simulate different alteration conditions and glass compositions. On the other, it seeks to point out what are the critical aspects that still need to be investigated and how the study of ancient, altered glass can add to the results obtained in laboratory models. The review intends also to demonstrate how advanced analytical techniques commonly used to study modern and technical glass can be applied to investigate corrosion marks on ancient samples.
Cyclodextrin carboxylate improves the stability and activity of nisin in a wider range of application conditions
Authors: Hu Yao , Xing Kequan , Li Xiaojing , Sang Shangyuan , McClements David Julian , Chen Long , Long Jie , Jiao Aiquan , Xu Xueming , Wang Jinpeng , Jin Zhengyu , Qiu Chao
Published: May 2023

Nisin is a natural bacteriocin that exhibits good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. It has good solubility, stability, and activity under acidic conditions, but it becomes less soluble, stable, and active when the solution pH exceeds 6.0, which severely restricted the industrial application range of nisin as antibacterial agent. In this study, we investigated the potential of complexing nisin with a cyclodextrin carboxylate, succinic acid-β-cyclodextrin (SACD), to overcome the disadvantages. Strong hydrogen bonding was shown between the nisin and SACD, promoting the formation of nisin-SACD complexes. These complexes exhibited good solubility under neutral and alkaline conditions, and good stability after being held at high pH values during processing with high-steam sterilization. Moreover, the nisin-SACD complexes displayed significantly improved antibacterial activity against model Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus). This study shows that complexation can improve the efficacy of nisin under neutral and alkaline situations, which may greatly broaden its application range in food, medical, and other industries.
Ginger essential oil and citral ameliorates atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice by modulating trimethylamine-N-oxide and gut microbiota
Authors: Panyod Suraphan , Wu Wei-Kai , Peng Sin-Yi , Tseng Yea-Jing , Hsieh Ya-Chi , Chen Rou-An , Huang Huai-Syuan , Chen Yi-Hsun , Chuang Hsiao-Li , Hsu Cheng-Chih , Shen Ting-Chin David , Yang Kai-Chien , Ho Chi-Tang , Wu Ming-Shiang , Sheen Lee-Yan
Published: May 2023

Recently, the role of the gut microbiota in diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), has gained considerable research attention. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), which is formed during ʟ-carnitine metabolism, promotes the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, causing thrombosis. Here, we elucidated the anti-atherosclerotic effect and mechanism of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) essential oil (GEO) and its bioactive compound citral in Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN) diet with ʟ-carnitine-induced atherosclerosis female ApoE−/− mice. Treatment with GEO at both low and high doses and citral inhibited the formation of aortic atherosclerotic lesions, improved plasma lipid profile, reduced blood sugar, improved insulin resistance, decreased plasma TMAO levels, and inhibited plasma inflammatory cytokines, especially interleukin-1β. Additionally, GEO and citral treatment modulated gut microbiota diversity and composition by increasing the abundance of beneficial microbes and decreasing the abundance of CVD-related microbes. Overall, these results showed that GEO and citral may serve as potential dietary supplements for CVD prevention by improving gut microbiota dysbiosis.
Effects of working memory load and CS-US intervals on delay eyeblink conditioning
Authors: Etemadi Leila , Jirenhed Dan-Anders , Rasmussen Anders
Published: May 2023

Eyeblink conditioning is used in many species to study motor learning and make inferences about cerebellar function. However, the discrepancies in performance between humans and other species combined with evidence that volition and awareness can modulate learning suggest that eyeblink conditioning is not merely a passive form of learning that relies on only the cerebellum. Here we explored two ways to reduce the influence of volition and awareness on eyeblink conditioning: (1) using a short interstimulus interval, and (2) having participants do working memory tasks during the conditioning. Our results show that participants trained with short interstimulus intervals (150 ms and 250 ms) produce very few conditioned responses after 100 trials. Participants trained with a longer interstimulus interval (500 ms) who simultaneously did working memory tasks produced fewer conditioned responses than participants who watched a movie during the training. Our results suggest that having participants perform working memory tasks during eyeblink conditioning can be a viable strategy for studying cerebellar learning that is absent of influences from awareness and volition. This could enhance the comparability of the results obtained in human studies with those in animal models.
A multiscale chemical-mechanical model predicts impact of morphogen spreading on tissue growth
Authors: Ramezani Alireza , Britton Samuel , Zandi Roya , Alber Mark , Nematbakhsh Ali , Chen Weitao
Published: May 2023

The exact mechanism controlling cell growth remains a grand challenge in developmental biology and regenerative medicine. The Drosophila wing disc tissue serves as an ideal biological model to study mechanisms involved in growth regulation. Most existing computational models for studying tissue growth focus specifically on either chemical signals or mechanical forces. Here we developed a multiscale chemical-mechanical model to investigate the growth regulation mechanism based on the dynamics of a morphogen gradient. By comparing the spatial distribution of dividing cells and the overall tissue shape obtained in model simulations with experimental data of the wing disc, it is shown that the size of the domain of the Dpp morphogen is critical in determining tissue size and shape. A larger tissue size with a faster growth rate and more symmetric shape can be achieved if the Dpp gradient spreads in a larger domain. Together with Dpp absorbance at the peripheral zone, the feedback regulation that downregulates Dpp receptors on the cell membrane allows for further spreading of the morphogen away from its source region, resulting in prolonged tissue growth at a more spatially homogeneous growth rate.
Metabolic function-based normalization improves transcriptome data-driven reduction of genome-scale metabolic models
Authors: Jalili Mahdi , Scharm Martin , Wolkenhauer Olaf , Salehzadeh-Yazdi Ali
Published: May 2023

Genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) are extensively used to simulate cell metabolism and predict cell phenotypes. GEMs can also be tailored to generate context-specific GEMs, using omics data integration approaches. To date, many integration approaches have been developed, however, each with specific pros and cons; and none of these algorithms systematically outperforms the others. The key to successful implementation of such integration algorithms lies in the optimal selection of parameters, and thresholding is a crucial component in this process. To improve the predictive accuracy of context-specific models, we introduce a new integration framework that improves the ranking of related genes and homogenizes the expression values of those gene sets using single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA). In this study, we coupled ssGSEA with GIMME and validated the advantages of the proposed framework to predict the ethanol formation of yeast grown in the glucose-limited chemostats, and to simulate metabolic behaviors of yeast growth in four different carbon sources. This framework enhances the predictive accuracy of GIMME which we demonstrate for predicting the yeast physiology in nutrient-limited cultures.
GP38 as a vaccine target for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus
Authors: Scher Gabrielle , Bente Dennis A. , Mears Megan C. , Cajimat Maria N. B. , Schnell Matthias J.
Published: May 2023

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus that causes severe hemorrhagic disease in humans. There is a great need for effective vaccines and therapeutics against CCHFV for humans, as none are currently internationally approved. Recently, a monoclonal antibody against the GP38 glycoprotein protected mice against lethal CCHFV challenge. To show that GP38 is required and sufficient for protection against CCHFV, we used three inactivated rhabdoviral-based CCHFV-M vaccines, with or without GP38 in the presence or absence of the other CCHFV glycoproteins. All three vaccines elicited strong antibody responses against the respective CCHFV glycoproteins. However, only vaccines containing GP38 showed protection against CCHFV challenge in mice; vaccines without GP38 were not protective. The results of this study establish the need for GP38 in vaccines targeting CCHFV-M and demonstrate the efficacy of a CCHFV vaccine candidate based on an established vector platform.
A candidate subunit vaccine induces protective immunity against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in mice
Authors: Shao Mingzhu , Cui Ning , Tang Yangyang , Chen Fanruo , Cui Yingying , Dang Guanghui , Liu Siguo
Published: May 2023

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes paratuberculosis (PTB), which is a granulomatous enteritis in ruminants that threatens the dairy industry’s healthy development and public health safety worldwide. Because the commercial inactivated vaccines are not completely protective and interfere with bovine tuberculosis diagnostics, we tested four fusion proteins, namely 66NC, 66CN, 90NC, and 90CN, which were constructed with MAP3527, Ag85B, and Hsp70 of MAP in different tandem combinations. Notably, 66NC, which encodes a 66 kDa fusion protein that combines in linear order MAP3527N40–232, Ag85B41–330, and MAP3527C231–361, induced a powerful and specific IFN-γ response. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the 66NC fusion protein formulated in Montanide ISA 61 VG adjuvant generated robust Th1, Th2, and Th17 type immune responses and strong antibody responses. The 66NC vaccine protected C57BL/6 mice against virulent MAP K-10 infection. This resulted in a reduction of bacterial load and improvement of pathological damage in the liver and intestine, in addition to a reduction of body weight loss; significantly better protection than the reported 74 F vaccine was also induced. Furthermore, vaccine efficacy correlated with the levels of IFN-γ-, TNF-α-, and IL-17A-secreting antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as with serum IFN-γ and TNF-α levels after vaccination. These results demonstrate that recombinant protein 66NC is an efficient candidate for further development into a protective vaccine in terms of inducing specific protection against MAP.
ChillsDB: A Gold Standard for Aesthetic Chills Stimuli
Authors: Schoeller Felix , Jain Abhinandan , Horowitz Adam Haar , Yan Grace , Hu Xiaoxiao , Maes Pattie , Salomon Roy
Published: May 2023

We introduce ChillsDB the first validated database of audiovisual stimuli eliciting aesthetic chills (goosebumps, psychogenic shivers) in a US population. To discover chills stimuli “in the wild”, we devised a bottom-up, ecologically-valid method consisting in searching for mentions of the emotion’ somatic markers in user comments throughout social media platforms (YouTube and Reddit). We successfully captured 204 chills-eliciting videos of three categories: music, film, and speech. We then tested the top 50 videos in the database on 600+ participants and validated a gold standard of 10 stimuli with a 0.9 probability of generating chills. All ChillsDB tools and data are fully available on GitHub for researchers to be able to contribute and perform further analysis.
Ball-milling synthesized Bi2VO5.5 for piezo-photocatalytic assessment
Authors: Kumar Manish , Vaish Rahul , Kebaili Imen , Boukhris Imed , Kwang Benno Park Hyeong , Hwan Joo Yun , Hyun Sung Tae , Kumar Anuruddh
Published: May 2023

The mechanochemical ball milling followed by heating at 650 °C for 5 h successfully produced the single-phase Bi2VO5.5 powder. Catalytic activity for methylene blue dye degradation was investigated. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to confirm the phase formation. The sample’s charge carrier transportation behavior was ascertained using time-dependent photocurrent analysis. The piezo-photocatalysis experiment yielded a 63% degradation efficiency for the ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 sample. The pseudo-first-order kinetics of the piezo-photocatalytic dye degradation are discerned, and the significant k value of 0.00529 min−1 is achieved. The scavenger test declares the h+ radical is the predominant active species during the piezo-photocatalysis experiment. Vigna radiata seeds were used in a phytotoxicity test to evaluate the germination index. The mechanochemical activation method facilitates reactions by lowering reaction temperature and time. The effect of improved piezo-photocatalytic efficiency on the ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 powder is an unexplored area, and we have attempted to investigate it. Here, ball-milled Bi2VO5.5 powder achieved improved dye degradation performance.
Reproduction of bacterial chemotaxis by a non-living self-propelled object
Authors: Hamano Yuko , Ikeda Kota , Odagiri Kenta , Suematsu Nobuhiko J.
Published: May 2023

Taxic behavior as a response to an external stimulus is a fundamental function of living organisms. Some bacteria successfully implement chemotaxis without directly controlling the direction of movement. They periodically alternate between run and tumble, i.e., straight movement and change in direction, respectively. They tune their running period depending on the concentration gradient of attractants around them. Consequently, they respond to a gentle concentration gradient stochastically, which is called “bacterial chemotaxis.” In this study, such a stochastic response was reproduced by a non-living self-propelled object. We used a phenanthroline disk floating on an aqueous solution of Fe$$^{2+}$$

2
+

. The disk spontaneously alternated between rapid motion and rest, similar to the run-and-tumble motion of bacteria. The movement direction of the disk was isotropic independent of the concentration gradient. However, the existing probability of the self-propelled object was higher at the low-concentration region, where the run length was longer. To explain the mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we proposed a simple mathematical model that considers random walkers whose run length depends on the local concentration and direction of movement against the gradient. Our model adopts deterministic functions to reproduce the both effects, which is instead of stochastic tuning the period of operation used in the previous reports. This allows us to analyze the proposed model mathematically, which indicated that our model reproduces both positive and negative chemotaxis depending on the competition between the local concentration effect and it’s gradient effect. Owing to the newly introduced directional bias, the experimental observations were reproduced numerically and analytically. The results indicate that the directional bias response to the concentration gradient is an essential parameter for determining bacterial chemotaxis. This rule might be universal for the stochastic response of self-propelled particles in living and non-living systems.
Remotely sensed terrestrial open water evaporation
Authors: Fisher Joshua B. , Dohlen Matthew B. , Halverson Gregory H. , Collison Jacob W. , Pearson Christopher , Huntington Justin L.
Published: May 2023

Terrestrial open water evaporation is difficult to measure both in situ and remotely yet is critical for understanding changes in reservoirs, lakes, and inland seas from human management and climatically altered hydrological cycling. Multiple satellite missions and data systems (e.g., ECOSTRESS, OpenET) now operationally produce evapotranspiration (ET), but the open water evaporation data produced over millions of water bodies are algorithmically produced differently than the main ET data and are often overlooked in evaluation. Here, we evaluated the open water evaporation algorithm, AquaSEBS, used by ECOSTRESS and OpenET against 19 in situ open water evaporation sites from around the world using MODIS and Landsat data, making this one of the largest open water evaporation validations to date. Overall, our remotely sensed open water evaporation retrieval captured some variability and magnitude in the in situ data when controlling for high wind events (instantaneous: r2 = 0.71; bias = 13% of mean; RMSE = 38% of mean). Much of the instantaneous uncertainty was due to high wind events (u > mean daily 7.5 m·s−1) when the open water evaporation process shifts from radiatively-controlled to atmospherically-controlled; not accounting for high wind events decreases instantaneous accuracy significantly (r2 = 0.47; bias = 36% of mean; RMSE = 62% of mean). However, this sensitivity minimizes with temporal integration (e.g., daily RMSE = 1.2–1.5 mm·day−1). To benchmark AquaSEBS, we ran a suite of 11 machine learning models, but found that they did not significantly improve on the process-based formulation of AquaSEBS suggesting that the remaining error is from a combination of the in situ evaporation measurements, forcing data, and/or scaling mismatch; the machine learning models were able to predict error well in and of itself (r2 = 0.74). Our results provide confidence in the remotely sensed open water evaporation data, though not without uncertainty, and a foundation by which current and future missions may build such operational data.
Diversity and compositional differences of the airborne microbiome in a biophilic indoor environment
Authors: Toyoda Akinobu , Shibata Yusuke , Matsuo Yuzy , Terada Kumi , Sugimoto Hiroki , Higashi Koichi , Mori Hiroshi , Ikeuchi Akinori , Ito Masakazu , Kurokawa Ken , Katahira Satoshi
Published: May 2023

Biophilic design based on indoor planting plays an important role in human physical and mental well-being. To investigate and assess the effects of indoor planting on air quality, we sequenced 16S rRNA gene amplicons to compare the airborne bacterial microbiomes of three planting rooms before and after installing natural materials (plants, soil, water, etc.) with distinct biophilic attributes. Incorporation of indoor plantings significantly increased the taxonomic diversity of the airborne microbiome in each room, and we observed different microbiome compositions in each room. The proportional contribution of each bacterial source to the airborne microbiome in the indoor planting rooms was estimated by SourceTracker2. This analysis revealed that the proportion of airborne microbial sources (e.g., plants and soil) varied depending on the natural materials installed. Our results have important implications for indoor planting with biophilic design to control the indoor airborne microbiome.
Socio-ecological impact of monogenetic volcanism in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Field (NE Iberia)
Authors: Revelles Jordi , Martí Molist Joan , Burjachs Francesc , Finsinger Walter , Iriarte Eneko , Mesquita-Joanes Francesc , Pla-Rabés Sergi , Planagumà Llorenç , Rodrigo Maria A. , Alcalde Gabriel , Saña Maria
Published: May 2023

Volcanism can cause major impacts, including climate change and mass extinctions. However, the impact of monogenetic volcanism is often considered as limited in volcanological research. This work provides for the first time an interdisciplinary approach to the socio-ecological impact of monogenetic volcanism in a key region, the La Garrotxa Volcanic Field (GVF, Girona, NE Iberia), where intense monogenetic volcanic activity occurred in the past. The analyses of a sedimentary sequence from the GVF enabled identifying previously unknown volcanic eruptions in the time interval 14–8.4 ka cal BP, constrain their volcanic stratigraphy and age, and unfold the effects of environmental change on geomorphology, vegetation, aquatic organisms and humans. Moreover, we reconstruct the major palaeoenvironmental changes caused by the eruptions in terms of fire episodes and subsequent disturbance on vegetation, hydrology and limnological conditions. When put in context with the archaeological record, it appears that the last hunter–gatherer communities were resilient at an extra-local scale, facing episodes of vulnerability due to volcanic activity, suggesting that their flexible nomadic patterns and foraging economies were an efficient source of risk management against the volcanic eruptions and their ecological impacts.
Physical distancing versus testing with self-isolation for controlling an emerging epidemic
Authors: Newbold Stephen C. , Ashworth Madison , Finnoff David , Shogren Jason F. , Thunström Linda
Published: May 2023

Two distinct strategies for controlling an emerging epidemic are physical distancing and regular testing with self-isolation. These strategies are especially important before effective vaccines or treatments become widely available. The testing strategy has been promoted frequently but used less often than physical distancing to mitigate COVID-19. We compared the performance of these strategies in an integrated epidemiological and economic model that includes a simple representation of transmission by “superspreading,” wherein a relatively small fraction of infected individuals cause a large share of infections. We examined the economic benefits of distancing and testing over a wide range of conditions, including variations in the transmissibility and lethality of the disease meant to encompass the most prominent variants of COVID-19 encountered so far. In a head-to-head comparison using our primary parameter values, both with and without superspreading and a declining marginal value of mortality risk reductions, an optimized testing strategy outperformed an optimized distancing strategy. In a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, an optimized policy that combined the two strategies performed better than either one alone in more than 25% of random parameter draws. Insofar as diagnostic tests are sensitive to viral loads, and individuals with high viral loads are more likely to contribute to superspreading events, superspreading enhances the relative performance of testing over distancing in our model. Both strategies performed best at moderate levels of transmissibility, somewhat lower than the transmissibility of the ancestral strain of SARS-CoV-2.
Anxiety, concerns and emotion regulation in individuals with Williams syndrome and Down syndrome during the COVID-19 outbreak: a global study
Authors: Sideropoulos Vassilis , Sokhn Nayla , Palikara Olympia , Van Herwegen Jo , Samson Andrea C.
Published: May 2023

Individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions (NDCs) have been reported to experience increased levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. In our study, we document how individuals with Down Syndrome (DS; N = 557; Mage = 16.52; 233 female) and Williams syndrome (WS, N = 247; Mage = 18.43; 113 female) experienced the first wave (April 2020–May 2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. Using multilevel linear mixed regressions, we studied (a) parental reported anxiety of individuals with DS and WS, (b) these individuals’ specific concerns, and (c) their use and efficacy of emotion regulation (ER) strategies during the first wave of COVID-19. Predictors of anxiety, such as the age of the individual with NDC, type of condition, and time, were investigated. Individuals with WS experienced higher levels of anxiety compared to those with DS and the older the individuals with NDC were the more anxiety they experienced. In terms of concerns, group effects indicated that individuals with WS scored higher for most of the concerns. There were no gender differences in concerns, yet most of the concerns increased with age except for concerns about loss of routine, boredom, loss of institutional support and family conflict. Finally, significant group effects were found and indicated a more frequent use of a variety of adaptive and maladaptive ER strategies in individuals with WS. We did not identify group differences in the efficacy of ER strategies. Our results indicate that individuals with WS are likely to exhibit higher levels of anxiety, but also higher levels of concerns depending on their age. Similarly, individuals with WS use a variety of ER strategies more frequently but these strategies are not necessarily more efficient for them. We discuss the impact of these findings in relation to anxiety identification and support across individuals with NDCs.
Identification of a mycobacterial hydrazidase, an isoniazid-hydrolyzing enzyme
Authors: Sakiyama Arata , Saren Chaogetu , Kaneko Yukihiro , Oinuma Ken-Ichi
Published: May 2023

There exists decades-old evidence that some mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium smegmatis, produce hydrazidase, an enzyme that can hydrolyze the first-line antitubercular agent isoniazid. Despite its importance as a potential resistance factor, no studies have attempted to reveal its identity. In this study, we aimed to isolate and identify M. smegmatis hydrazidase, characterize it, and evaluate its impact on isoniazid resistance. We determined the optimal condition under which M. smegmatis produced the highest amount of hydrazidase, purified the enzyme by column chromatography, and identified it by peptide mass fingerprinting. It was revealed to be PzaA, an enzyme known as pyrazinamidase/nicotinamidase whose physiological role remains unknown. The kinetic constants suggested that this amidase with broad substrate specificity prefers amides to hydrazides as a substrate. Notably, of the five tested compounds, including amides, only isoniazid served as an efficient inducer of pzaA transcription, as revealed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Moreover, high expression of PzaA was confirmed to be beneficial for the survival and growth of M. smegmatis in the presence of isoniazid. Thus, our findings suggest a possible role for PzaA, and other hydrazidases yet to be identified, as an intrinsic isoniazid resistance factor of mycobacteria.
Socioeconomic disparities in immunotherapy use among advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients: analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Gupta Anjali , Omeogu Chioma , Islam Jessica Y. , Joshi Ashwini , Zhang Dongyu , Braithwaite Dejana , Karanth Shama D. , Tailor Tina D. , Clarke Jeffrey M. , Akinyemiju Tomi
Published: May 2023

Socioeconomic and racial disparities exist in access to care among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the United States. Immunotherapy is a widely established treatment modality for patients with advanced-stage NSCLC (aNSCLC). We examined associations of area-level socioeconomic status with receipt of immunotherapy for aNSCLC patients by race/ethnicity and cancer facility type (academic and non-academic). We used the National Cancer Database (2015–2016), and included patients aged 40–89 years who were diagnosed with stage III-IV NSCLC. Area-level income was defined as the median household income in the patient’s zip code, and area-level education was defined as the proportion of adults aged ≥ 25 years in the patient’s zip code without a high school degree. We calculated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using multi-level multivariable logistic regression. Among 100,298 aNSCLC patients, lower area-level education and income were associated with lower odds of immunotherapy treatment (education: aOR 0.71; 95% CI 0.65, 0.76 and income: aOR 0.71; 95% CI 0.66, 0.77). These associations persisted for NH-White patients. However, among NH-Black patients, we only observed an association with lower education (aOR 0.74; 95% CI 0.57, 0.97). Across all cancer facility types, lower education and income were associated with lower immunotherapy receipt among NH-White patients. However, among NH-Black patients, this association only persisted with education for patients treated at non-academic facilities (aOR 0.70; 95% CI 0.49, 0.99). In conclusion, aNSCLC patients residing in areas of lower educational and economic wealth were less likely to receive immunotherapy.
Comparison of pneumonia incidence between long-acting muscarinic antagonist and inhaled corticosteroid plus long-acting beta agonist in patients with COPD
Authors: Lee Eung Gu , Kim Youlim , Hwang Yong Il , Yoo Kwang Ha , Lee So Eun , Jung Kyung Yoon , Lee Doik , Park Yong Bum , Rhee Chin Kook
Published: May 2023

Few studies have directly compared the incidence of pneumonia in patients on common chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments such as long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) with those on inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA). Moreover, risk factors for pneumonia in COPD are still unclear. We aimed to compare the incidence of pneumonia in COPD patients on LAMA and those on ICS/LABA and explored the risk factors associated with pneumonia. This nationwide cohort study used Korean National Health Insurance claim data from January 2002 to April 2016. Patients who received COPD medication, either LAMA or ICS/LABA, with the COPD diagnostic code, were selected. We enrolled patients with good compliance (medication possession ratio ≥ 80%). The primary outcome was pneumonia in COPD patients initiating LAMA or ICS/LABA. We investigated the risk factors associated with pneumonia, including the sub-types of ICS treatments. After propensity score matching, the incidence rate per 1000 person-years of pneumonia was 93.96 for LAMA (n = 1003) and 136.42 for ICS/LABA (n = 1003) patients (p < 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for pneumonia in patients on fluticasone/LABA was 1.496 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.204–1.859) compared with LAMA (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, a history of pneumonia was a risk factor associated with pneumonia (HR 2.123; 95% CI 1.580–2.852; p < 0.001). The incidence of pneumonia was higher in COPD patients on ICS/LABA compared with those on LAMA. It is recommended that ICS use be avoided in COPD patients with high pneumonia risk.
Motional consensus of self-propelled particles
Authors: Qian Jia-xin , Wang Jun , Lu Yan-qing
Published: May 2023

The motional consensus of self-propelled particles is studied in both noise-free cases and cases with noise by the standard Vicsek model. In the absence of noise, we propose a simple method, using grid-based technique and defining the normalized variance of the ratio of the number of particles locally to globally, to quantitatively study the movement pattern of the system by the spatial distribution of the particles and the degree of aggregation of particles. It is found that the weaker correlation of velocity leads to larger degree of aggregation of the particles. In the cases with noise, we quantify the competition between velocity alignment and noise by considering the difference of the variety of order parameter result from the velocity alignment and noise. The variation of the effect of noise on motional consensus is non-monotonic for the change of the probability distribution of noise from uniform to non-uniform. Our results may be useful and encourage further efforts in exploring the basic principles of collective motion.
Fast decomposed method to devise broadband polarization-conversion metasurface
Authors: Xiao Xiaofei , Lu Jinyou , Alzaabi Fatima , Almheiri Mahra , Giannini Vincenzo , Levato Tadzio
Published: May 2023

Designing a broadband, wide-angle, and high-efficient polarization converter with a simple geometry remains challenging. This work proposes a simple and computationally inexpensive method for devising broadband polarization conversion metasurfaces. We focus on a cross-shape configuration consisting of two bars of different lengths connected at the center. To design the metasurface, we decompose the system into two parts with two orthogonally polarized responses and calculate the response of each part separately. By selecting the parameters with a proper phase difference in the response between the two parts, we can determine the dimensions of the system. For designing broadband polarization conversion metasurfaces, we define a fitness function to optimize the bandwidth of the linear polarization conversion. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed method can be used to design a metasurface that achieves a relative bandwidth of $$97\%$$

97
%

for converting linearly polarized waves into cross-polarized waves. Additionally, the average polarization conversion ratio of the designed metasurface is greater than $$91\%$$

91
%

over the frequency range of 10.9–28.5 GHz. This method significantly reduces the computational expense compared to the traditional method and can be easily extended to other complex structures and configurations.
Investigating immune profile by CyTOF in individuals with long-standing type 1 diabetes
Authors: Larsson Helen , Albinsson Högberg Sofie , Lind Marcus , Rabe Hardis , Lingblom Christine
Published: May 2023

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease caused by T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Eosinophils are found in pancreatic tissue from individuals with T1D. Eosinophilic suppression of T cells is dependent of the protein galectin-10. Little is known when it comes to the role of eosinophil granulocytes in type 1 diabetes. Here we show that individuals with long-standing T1D had lower levels of galectin-10hi eosinophils and a subgroup of galectin-10hi eosinophils were entirely absent in all T1D patients. In addition, 7% immature eosinophils were present in the circulation of T1D patients whereas 0.8% in healthy individuals. Furthermore, higher levels of CD4+CD8+ T cells and Th17 cells were observed in patients with T1D. Blood samples from 12 adult individuals with long-standing T1D and 12 healthy individuals were compared using cytometry by time-of-flight. Lower levels of galectin-10hi eosinophils, which are potent T cell suppressors, in individuals with T1D could indicate that activated T cells are enabled to unrestrictedly kill the insulin producing beta cells. This is the first study showing absence of galectin-10hi eosinophilic subgroup in individuals with T1D compared with healthy controls. This study is a first important step toward unraveling the role of the eosinophils in patients with T1D.
Identifying signatures of positive selection in human populations from North Africa
Authors: Caro-Consuegra Rocio , Lucas-Sánchez Marcel , Comas David , Bosch Elena
Published: May 2023

Because of its location, North Africa (NA) has witnessed continuous demographic movements with an impact on the genomes of present-day human populations. Genomic data describe a complex scenario with varying proportions of at least four main ancestry components: Maghrebi, Middle Eastern-, European-, and West-and-East-African-like. However, the footprint of positive selection in NA has not been studied. Here, we compile genome-wide genotyping data from 190 North Africans and individuals from surrounding populations, investigate for signatures of positive selection using allele frequencies and linkage disequilibrium-based methods and infer ancestry proportions to discern adaptive admixture from post-admixture selection events. Our results show private candidate genes for selection in NA involved in insulin processing (KIF5A), immune function (KIF5A, IL1RN, TLR3), and haemoglobin phenotypes (BCL11A). We also detect signatures of positive selection related to skin pigmentation (SLC24A5, KITLG), and immunity function (IL1R1, CD44, JAK1) shared with European populations and candidate genes associated with haemoglobin phenotypes (HPSE2, HBE1, HBG2), other immune-related (DOCK2) traits, and insulin processing (GLIS3) traits shared with West and East African populations. Finally, the SLC8A1 gene, which codifies for a sodium-calcium exchanger, was the only candidate identified under post-admixture selection in Western NA.
Identifying high snakebite risk area under climate change for community education and antivenom distribution
Authors: Yousefi Masoud , Yousefkhani Saeed Hosseinian , Grünig Marc , Kafash Anooshe , Rajabizadeh Mahdi , Pouyani Eskandar Rastegar
Published: May 2023

Snakebite is one of the largest risks from wildlife, however little is known about venomous snake distribution, spatial variation in snakebite risk, potential changes in snakebite risk pattern due to climate change, and vulnerable human population. As a consequence, management and prevention of snakebite is hampered by this lack of information. Here we used habitat suitability modeling for 10 medically important venomous snakes to identify high snakebite risk area under climate change in Iran. We identified areas with high snakebite risk in Iran and showed that snakebite risk will increase in some parts of the country. Our results also revealed that mountainous areas (Zagros, Alborz, Kopet–Dagh mountains) will experience highest changes in species composition. We underline that in order to improve snakebite management, areas which were identified with high snakebite risk in Iran need to be prioritized for the distribution of antivenom medication and awareness rising programs among vulnerable human population.