bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Was Nazi Germany an “Accommodating Dictatorship”? A Comparative Perspective on Taxation of the Rich in World War II
Authors: Buggeln Marc
Published: August 2023

Götz Aly's bookHitler's Beneficiariesconsiders the Nazi regime an “accommodating dictatorship.” According to Aly, the majority of the population benefited from the Nazis’ war. He sums up Nazi tax policy under the headings “Tax Breaks for the Masses” and “Tax Rigor for the Bourgeoisie.” This perspective represented progress in that, until then, tax policy had not featured in any of the major historical overviews of National Socialism. For a more in-depth assessment of Nazi tax policy, however, it must be compared against the tax policies of Germany's wartime enemies. I compare tax policies in Germany, Britain, and the United States and show that Aly's theories do not hold. They are neither consistent with the declared intentions of those who imposed these policies nor with the results as reflected in the relevant statistics.
A new approach to Negative Concord: Catalan as a case in point
Authors: TUBAU SUSAGNA , ETXEBERRIA URTZI , ESPINAL M. TERESA
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we revisit the phenomenon of Negative Concord focusing on the Strict vs. Non-Strict divide. With Catalan as a case in point, we show that Negative Concord Items (NCIs) are not negative quantifiers (NQs) or polarity items (PIs) but inherently negative indefinites by virtue of carrying a negative feature [neg] that contributes a negative semantics to the proposition and is subject to a syntax–phonology constraint that forces it to overtly c-command Tense in compliance with Jespersen’s NegFirst principle. We argue that to satisfy such constraint, [neg] can disembody from the NCI via overt Move F(eature) to adjoin at a pre-Infl(ection) position and be Spelled-Out homophonous to the negative marker. The Strict vs. Non-Strict contrast follows from whether [neg] always moves independently from the rest of the NCI via Move F (Strict Negative Concord) or predates, whenever possible, on another movement of the NCI that places [neg] in the required pre-Infl position (Non-Strict Negative Concord) thus not having to disembody.
Insights obtained from a multidecadal citizen science scheme: grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) strandings in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (2000–2020)
Authors: Chadwick Helen S. , Barnett James E. F. , Crosby Abby , Hawtrey-Collier Anthea , Hobson Victoria J. , Omeyer Lucy C. M. , Williams Ruth , Godley Brendan J.
Published: August 2023

Changes in abundance and distribution of marine top predators can indicate environmental change or anthropogenic pressure requiring management response. Here, we used an extensive dataset (21 years) to conduct a spatial and temporal analysis of grey seal strandings in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, close to the southern edge of the breeding range of the species. A total of 2007 strandings were reported from 2000 to 2020, increasing by 474% from 35 to 201 individuals per year during this period. The continued rise in strandings was consistent across all life stages and timeframes (5, 10 and 20 years), underpinning the suggestion of increasing abundance in the region. The observed seasonality differed by life stage, coinciding with the increased presence of animals near the coast for key life phases such as breeding, moulting and pupping. Strandings are widely distributed across the coast of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; however, most strandings were recorded on the north coast of Cornwall (70%) where major pupping and haul out sites are found. Despite hosting several pupping and haul out sites, a small proportion was recorded on the Isles of Scilly (5%) where it is thought that strandings are particularly underreported. Describing baselines in magnitude of strandings and life-stage compositions across space and time allows future deviations in frequency, demographic composition or spatial distribution to be detected and investigated. We demonstrate the utility of long-term citizen science data to provide valuable and cost-effective information on the distribution and abundance of a highly mobile marine mammal.
Decolonising Universities? Myth-Histories of the Nation and Challenges to Academic Freedom in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Johnson Miranda
Published: August 2023

Can decolonising the university create possibilities for new stories to come into being, in the wake of the devastation wrought by colonisation? In Aotearoa New Zealand a particular instance of decolonising universities is under way. This is one that highlights how engagement with decolonising approaches may end up harming academic work. In New Zealand, public universities have involved themselves in negotiating a delicate compromise between activism and the demands of the state. This compromise brings into question the robustness of institutional autonomy and academic freedom. Conjoining the activist idea of decolonising with language that refers to a distinctive form of state governance foregrounding a political relationship between the Crown (executive government) and Māori, several universities have committed themselves to a ‘Treaty partnership’ with Māori. The idea is rooted in recent interpretations of the colonial Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti o Waitangi, signed in 1840. The Treaty is and has been a contested text, event and idea. When universities invoke a particular idea of the Treaty as if it is a consensus view in order to advance social objectives, they risk thwarting the role and responsibility of academics, and particularly historians, to the common good as ‘critic and conscience’ of society.
Mortality associated with Omicron and influenza infections in France before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Goldstein Edward
Published: August 2023

For many deaths associated with influenza and Omicron infections, those viruses are not detected. We applied previously developed methodology to estimate the contribution of influenza and Omicron infections to all-cause mortality in France for the 2014–2015 through the 2018–2019 influenza seasons, and the period between week 33, 2022 and week 12, 2023. For the 2014–2015 through the 2018–2019 seasons, influenza was associated with annual average of 15,654 (95% CI (13,013, 18,340)) deaths, while between week 33, 2022 and week 12, 2023, we estimated 7,851 (5,213, 10,463) influenza-associated deaths and 32,607 (20,794, 44,496) SARS-CoV-2 associated deaths. For many Omicron-associated deaths for cardiac disease, mental&behavioural disorders, and other causes, Omicron infections are not characterised as a contributing cause of death – for example, between weeks 33–52 in 2022, we estimated 23,983 (15,307, 32,620) SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths in France, compared with 12,811 deaths with COVID-19 listed on death certificate. Our results suggest the need for boosting influenza vaccination coverage in different population groups in France, and for wider detection of influenza infections in respiratory illness episodes (including pneumonia) in combination with the use of antiviral medications. For Omicron epidemics, wider detection of Omicron infections in persons with underlying health conditions is needed.
Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response on GI infection surveillance trends in England, January 2020–April 2022
Authors: Love Nicola K. , Douglas Amy , Gharbia Saheer , Hughes Helen , Morbey Roger , Oliver Isabel , Smith Gillian E. , Elliot Alex J.
Published: August 2023

Stepwise non-pharmaceutical interventions and health system changes implemented as part of the COVID-19 response have had implications on the incidence, diagnosis, and reporting of other communicable diseases. Here, we established the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak response on gastrointestinal (GI) infection trends using routinely collected surveillance data from six national English laboratory, outbreak, and syndromic surveillance systems using key dates of governmental policy to assign phases for comparison between pandemic and historic data. Following decreases across all indicators during the first lockdown (March–May 2020), bacterial and parasitic pathogens associated with foodborne or environmental transmission routes recovered rapidly between June and September 2020, while those associated with travel and/or person-to-person transmission remained lower than expected for 2021. High out-of-season norovirus activity was observed with the easing of lockdown measures between June and October 2021, with this trend reflected in laboratory and outbreak systems and syndromic surveillance indicators. Above expected increases in emergency department (ED) attendances may have reflected changes in health-seeking behaviour and provision. Differential reductions across specific GI pathogens are indicative of the underlying routes of transmission. These results provide further insight into the drivers for transmission, which can help inform control measures for GI infections.
Toward a Social Bioethics Through Interpretivism: A Framework for Healthcare Ethics
Authors: Dougherty Ryan J. , Fins Joseph J.
Published: August 2023

Recent global events demonstrate that analytical frameworks to aid professionals in healthcare ethics must consider the pervasive role of social structures in the emergence of bioethical issues. To address this, the authors propose a new sociologically informed approach to healthcare ethics that they term “social bioethics.” Their approach is animated by the interpretive social sciences to highlight how social structures operate vis-à-vis the everyday practices and moral reasoning of individuals, a phenomenon known as social discourse. As an exemplar, the authors use social bioethics to reframe common ethical issues in psychiatric services and discuss potential implications. Lastly, the authors discuss how social bioethics illuminates the ways healthcare ethics consultants in both policy and clinical decision-making participate in and shape broader social, political, and economic systems, which then cyclically informs the design and delivery of healthcare.
‘Dance is a disease for us’: dancing through the night as a threat to moral order in urbanizing Estonia
Authors: Leivategija Karin
Published: August 2023

This article explores social dancing as the setting for moral struggles related to the urban night. Based on analysis of Estonian-language newspapers, I look at the historical context and expressed viewpoints linked with nocturnal public dance events in Estonian cities from 1880 to 1940. The established moral order was endangered by those staying out dancing late into the night. In the context of the multinationalism of urban areas and the national emancipation movement of the ethnic Estonian population, I investigate the transgressions and hazards that night dancing was perceived to bring, most significantly, threat to productivity, health and virtue.
Bilingual Abstract Semantic Associative Network Training (BAbSANT): A Russian–English case study
Authors: Gray Teresa , Palevich Julia , Sandberg Chaleece
Published: August 2023

BAbSANT (Bilingual Abstract Semantic Associative Network Training) is a novel, theoretically motivated approach to anomia therapy for bilingual persons with aphasia (BPWA). We report on a Russian-dominant, Russian–English BPWA, who was trained on abstract English and Russian words. We hypothesized both within- and cross-language generalization when the non-dominant language was trained, and only within-language generalization when the dominant language was trained. We also hypothesized that cross-language generalization is modulated by nonverbal cognitive control. Results revealed that when English abstract words were trained, within-language generalization to concrete words and cross-language generalization to Russian abstract words was observed, confirming our first hypothesis. However, our second hypothesis was not confirmed. When Russian was trained, direct effects of treatment and within- or cross-language generalization effects were not observed. Our third hypothesis was confirmed. Results from cognitive control tasks from this individual suggest a role of nonverbal cognitive control on cross-language treatment outcomes.
Nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents
Authors: Yurtdaş Depboylu Gamze , Kaner Gülşah , Süer Melisa , Kanyılmaz Mesude , Alpan Duygu
Published: August 2023

Objective:

To evaluate nutrition literacy status and its association with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), anthropometric parameters and lifestyle behaviours among early adolescents.

Design:

This is a cross-sectional study. Nutrition literacy was evaluated using the ‘Adolescent Nutrition Literacy Scale’. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h food recall. The ‘Mediterranean Diet Quality Index’ was used to evaluate adolescents’ adherence to the MD. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Body weight, height, waist, hip and neck circumference were measured.

Setting:

Four secondary schools in İzmir, Türkiye

Participants:

The study included 1074 secondary school students.

Results:

Adolescents’ nutrition literacy was at a moderate level. Nutrition literacy scores were significantly lower in those who skip main meals. Adolescents with high nutrition literacy had higher intakes of fibre, protein, protein, Ca, K, Mg, P, vitamin C, folate and Fe intake than those with low and moderate nutrition literacy (P < 0·05). According to IPAQ, active adolescents had higher nutrition literacy scores than inactive adolescents. There was no significant difference in BMI and anthropometric measurements of the adolescents according to their nutrition literacy level. Linear regression analysis showed that each unit increase in nutrition literacy increased adherence to the MD by 0·286 points (β = 0·286) and decreased total screen time by 0·182 points (β = –0·182).

Conclusions:

These findings showed that nutrition literacy among early adolescents was not optimal, and a higher nutrition literacy score was significantly associated with higher MD adherence, and healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviours.
Integrating sports psychiatry in the interdisciplinary care of elite sports teams
Authors: Zaré Armaan , Stull Todd
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Introduction: Sports psychiatry is a developing field whose focus is the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental illness in sports team members. Participation in elite sports can compromise mental health as psychiatric symptoms and disorders are often unrecognized until players experience performance failures, injury, or interpersonal concerns. Despite the growing recognition of psychiatric illness in sports, sports psychiatry is yet to be widely practiced in athlete healthcare management. Methods: We conducted a search on relevant publications on sports psychiatry and mental health in elite athletes. Results: Numerous papers detailed mental health statistics in elite athletes as well as outlined the development of sports psychiatry with respect to healthcare management. The papers describe cultural barriers to athlete mental health treatment include stigma, low mental health literacy, adverse mental health treatment experiences, busy schedules, and cultural/religious factors. Modifiable systemic factors include conflicts of interest for team clinicians caused by dual loyalty to sports franchises, and power relations encompassing intra-team hierarchies that prevent both help-seeking behaviors and the disclosure of harassment. Conclusion: The proposed model recommends that sports leagues and tournament organizations hire sports psychiatrists to monitor the standard of care provided within each sports franchise as a quality control initiative to incentivize sports franchises to offer the highest-level of healthcare, combating conflicts of interest and harassment. The conceptual model recommends each sports franchise integrate sports psychiatrists onsite with elite sports team members with the long-term goal of achieving SAMHSA’s full integration model pending available funding and sports culture shifts.
Marijuana Use and Perceptions of Employment Suitability
Authors: Tews Michael J. , Pons Sydney , Yu Heyao
Published: August 2023

Abstract: The present study extends research on marijuana social acceptance and employment suitability in the United States by examining how hiring managers view substance use-related content in social networking profiles. Specifically, this research focused on the weight hiring managers placed on social networking posts containing recreational marijuana content, medicinal marijuana content, and alcohol content when assessing potential candidates. With a sample of 405 hiring managers who evaluated experimentally manipulated social networking profiles, the results demonstrated a modest negative hiring bias against recreational marijuana content, with stronger negative effects for alcohol content. At the same time, social networking content related to medicinal marijuana content did not have a significant effect on perceptions of employment suitability. These findings highlight the nuanced nature of substance use stigma in today’s evolving society.
Reconsidering the Role of Error Encouragement in Error Management Training
Authors: Davenport Meghan K. , Beier Margaret E.
Published: August 2023

Abstract: Error management training (EMT) combines low structure training with error-encouraging prompts to improve training transfer ( Frese et al., 1991 ), but error encouragement may be problematic for learners with limited attentional resources such as older learners. We examine whether the benefits of EMT can be realized without error encouragement by prompting the self-regulatory processes that underlie EMT’s success. One hundred fifty-three adults ages 18–70 participated in online spreadsheet training in one of three conditions: self-regulatory prompts, EMT prompts, or without prompts. The results showed no significant differences in post-training performance by condition nor age interactions with condition. However, participants who heard EMT prompts reported more error reflection than other participants. This study tests the theory underlying EMT and suggests unexplored boundary conditions.
Response of Ecosystem Productivity to High Vapor Pressure Deficit and Low Soil Moisture: Lessons Learned From the Global Eddy‐Covariance Observations
Authors: Xu Shiqin , Gentine Pierre , Li Lingcheng , Wang Lixin , Yu Zhongbo , Dong Ningpeng , Ju Qin , Zhang Yuliang
Published: August 2023

Although there is mounting concern about how high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and low soil moisture (SM) affect ecosystem productivity, their relative importance is still under debate. Here, we comprehensively quantified the relative impacts of these two factors on ecosystem gross primary production (GPP) using observations from a global network of eddy‐covariance towers and two approaches (sensitivity analysis and linear regression model). Both approaches agree that a higher percentage of sites experience GPP reduction from high VPD than from low SM over the growing season. However, the constraint of high VPD and low SM on GPP reduction is tightly linked with climates and plant functional types. Humid and mesic ecosystems including forests and grasslands are dominated by VPD, while the semi‐arid and arid ecosystems including shrublands and savannas are dominated by SM. The varying dominant role of these two factors on GPP is closely related to plant stomatal behavior, as predicted by a stomatal conductance model. Additionally, we highlight the non‐linear impact of SM on GPP during droughts and the possible underestimation of the SM effects for deep‐rooted plants when only using surface‐layer SM. Our results shed light on a better understanding of the impacts of VPD and SM on vegetation productivity, with important implications for modeling the response and feedback of ecosystem dynamics to current and future climates.
Perturbations of JUICE/JDC Ion Measurements Caused by Spacecraft Charging in the Jovian Magnetosphere and the Ionosphere of Ganymede
Authors: Bochet M. , Bergman S. , Holmberg M. K. G. , Wieser M. , Wieser G. Stenberg , Wittmann P. , Gourinat Y. , Imhof C. , Barabash S.
Published: August 2023

Spacecraft charging is a well‐known effect that occurs when a spacecraft is located in a charged environment such as plasma. In this process, the surface of the spacecraft acquires an electrostatic potential through the accumulation and emission of positive and negative charges. In addition to causing severe electrostatic discharges, it also significantly affects low‐energy particle measurements performed by instruments onboard the spacecraft as it causes a change in energy and a distortion of the Field Of View (FOV) of the instrument by modifying the trajectory of measured particles. Spacecraft charging is therefore an important aspect to consider for Jovian plasma Dynamics and Composition analyzer (JDC), an instrument which aims to perform cold plasma measurements around the Galilean moons onboard JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE). In this study we use SPIS to perform simulations to study the FOV distortion of JDC for positive ions caused by spacecraft charging in two environments of the JUICE mission: the ionosphere of Ganymede and the Jovian magnetosphere. We show that the resulting distortion of the instrument FOV is highly space dependent and varies in shape and intensity from a pixel to another. However, we show that in both environments the complexity of the interactions between measured positive ions and the spacecraft can be decomposed and described as a superposition of a finite number of elementary interactions (i.e., modes). We show that each mode is caused by a specific element of the spacecraft and leads to a characteristic distortion of the instrument FOV. This study constitutes a first step toward necessary spacecraft potential corrections of the measurements performed by JDC.
Lightning Evolution in Hailstorms From the Geostationary Lightning Mapper Over the Contiguous United States
Authors: Ni Xiang , Huang Fuxiang , Hui Wen , Xiao Hongyi
Published: August 2023

As two metrics that depict convection features, lightning and hail are generated through different physical mechanisms but are related. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) provides a unique approach to monitoring and studying the continual evolution of lightning in hailstorms. In this study, 3 years of GLM observations were used to analyze the lightning evolution in hailstorms over the contiguous United States. The lightning rate had one peak at −2 min (relative to the hail occurrence time). The GLM lightning rates of large hail were lower than those of small hail in the hail occurrence time, but larger in the grids 0.2° west and east of the central grid. The maximum lightning rate grid generally moved southeastward. Observations of WWLLN confirmed these results but also highlighted differences, such as the high ratio between the WWLLN and GLM lightning rates around hail occurrence time. The events per flash and flash duration/area/energy generally showed opposite variations with lightning rate, and their low values were accompanied by high lightning rate and low detection efficiency of GLM relative to WWLLN. Furthermore, if the regional event rate was used in the lightning jump (LJ) algorithm, LJs preceded 94% of the hail reports, and the mean lead time reached 33 min. These results provide new insights into lightning features in hailstorms and verify the performance of the GLM in studying and monitoring hailstorms.
A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of liraglutide on self-reported liking and neural responses to food stimuli in participants with obesity
Authors: Coppin Géraldine , Muñoz Tord David , Pool Eva R. , Locatelli Loïc , Achaibou Amal , Erdemli Asli , León Pérez Laura , Wuensch Lavinia , Cereghetti Donato , Golay Alain , Sander David , Pataky Zoltan
Published: August 2023

Background/Objectives

Obesity is a complex condition and the mechanisms involved in weight gain and loss are not fully understood. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been demonstrated to successfully promote weight loss in patients with obesity (OB). Yet, it is unclear whether the observed weight loss is driven by an alteration of food liking. Here we investigated the effects of liraglutide on food liking and the cerebral correlates of liking in OB.

Subjects/Methods

This study was a randomized, single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, prospective clinical trial. 73 participants with OB and without diabetes following a multidisciplinary weight loss program, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive liraglutide 3.0 mg (37.40 ± 11.18 years old, BMI = 35.89 ± 3.01 kg) or a placebo (40.04 ± 14.10 years old, BMI = 34.88 ± 2.87 kg) subcutaneously once daily for 16 weeks.

Interventions/Methods

We investigated liking during food consumption. Participants reported their hedonic experience while consuming a high-calorie food (milkshake) and a tasteless solution. The solutions were administered inside the scanner with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible gustometer to assess neural responses during consumption. The same procedure was repeated during the pre- and post-intervention sessions.

Results

None of the effects involving the intervention factor reached significance when comparing liking between the pre- and post-intervention sessions or groups. Liking during food reward consumption was associated with the activation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala. The liraglutide group lost more weight (BMI post-pre = −3.19 ± 1.28 kg/m2) than the placebo group (BMI post-pre = −0.60 ± 1.26 kg/m2).

Conclusions

These results suggest that liraglutide leads to weight loss without self-report or neural evidence supporting a concomitant reduction of food liking in participants with OB.
LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and controlling KLHL12-mediated collagen secretion
Authors: Abe Taiki , Kanno Shin-ichiro , Niihori Tetsuya , Terao Miho , Takada Shuji , Aoki Yoko
Published: August 2023

Leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 (LZTR1), a substrate adaptor of Cullin 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, regulates proteostasis of the RAS subfamily. Mutations in LZTR1 have been identified in patients with several types of cancer. However, the role of LZTR1 in tumor metastasis and the target molecules of LZTR1, excluding the RAS subfamily, are not clearly understood. Here, we show that LZTR1 deficiency increases tumor growth and metastasis. In lung adenocarcinoma cells, LZTR1 deficiency induced the accumulation of the RAS subfamily and enhanced cell proliferation, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth. Multi-omics analysis to clarify the pathways related to tumor progression showed that MAPK signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling-related gene ontology terms were enriched in LZTR1 knockout cells. Indeed, LZTR1 deficiency induced high expression of EMT markers under TGF-β1 treatment. Our search for novel substrates that interact with LZTR1 resulted in the discovery of a Kelch-like protein 12 (KLHL12), which is involved in collagen secretion. LZTR1 could inhibit KLHL12-mediated ubiquitination of SEC31A, a component of coat protein complex II (COPII), whereas LZTR1 deficiency promoted collagen secretion. LZTR1-RIT1 and LZTR1-KLHL12 worked independently regarding molecular interactions and did not directly interfere with each other. Further, we found that LZTR1 deficiency significantly increases lung metastasis and promotes ECM deposition around metastatic tumors. Since collagen-rich extracellular matrix act as pathways for migration and facilitate metastasis, increased expression of RAS and collagen deposition may exert synergistic or additive effects leading to tumor progression and metastasis. In conclusion, LZTR1 deficiency exerts high metastatic potential by enhancing sensitivity to EMT induction and promoting collagen secretion. The functional inhibition of KLHL12 by LZTR1 provides important evidence that LZTR1 may be a repressor of BTB-Kelch family members. These results provide clues to the mechanism of LZTR1-deficiency carcinogenesis.
Neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to immunothrombosis formation via the STING pathway in sepsis-associated lung injury
Authors: Zhu Shuainan , Yu Ying , Qu Mengdi , Qiu Zhiyun , Zhang Hao , Miao Changhong , Guo Kefang
Published: August 2023

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are involved in the activation and dysfunction of multiple overlapping and interacting pathways, including the immune response to injury, inflammation, and coagulation, which contribute to the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced acute lung injury (SI-ALI). However, how NETs mediate the relationship between inflammation and coagulation has not been fully clarified. Here, we found that NETs, through stimulator of interferon genes (STING) activation, induced endothelial cell damage with abundant production of tissue factor (TF), which magnified the dysregulation between inflammatory and coagulant responses and resulted in poor prognosis of SI-ALI model mice. Disruption of NETs and inhibition of STING improved the outcomes of septic mice and reduced the inflammatory response and coagulation. Furthermore, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on the surface of endothelial cells was involved in the interaction between NETs and the STING pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NETs activate the coagulant cascade in endothelial cells in a STING-dependent manner in the development of SI-ALI.
Magnetoactive microlattice metamaterials with highly tunable stiffness and fast response rate
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Zhou Jingzhuo , Jia Yanwen , Chen Juzheng , Pu Yiru , Fan Rong , Meng Fanling , Ge Qi , Lu Yang
Published: August 2023

Active metamaterials with shapes or mechanical properties that can be controlled remotely are promising candidates for soft robots, flexible electronics, and medical applications. However, current active metamaterials often have long response times and short ranges of linear working strains. Here, we demonstrate magnetoactive microlattice metamaterials constructed from 3D-printed, ultra-flexible polymer shells filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluid. Under compressive stress, the magnetorheological fluid develops hydrostatic pressure, allowing for a linear compression strain of more than 30% without buckling. We further show that under a relatively low magnetic field strength (approximately 60 mT), the microlattices can become approximately 200% stiffer than those in a relaxed state, and the energy absorption increases ~16 times. Furthermore, our microlattices showed an ultra-low response time with “field on” and “field off” times of ~200 ms and ~50 ms, respectively. The ability to continuously tune the mechanical properties of these materials in real time make it possible to modulate stress‒strain behavior on demand. Our study provides a new route toward large-scale, highly tunable, and remotely controllable metamaterials with potential applications in wearable exoskeletons, tactile sensors, and medical supports.
Single-cell lipidomics enabled by dual-polarity ionization and ion mobility-mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Zhang Hua , Liu Yuan , Fields Lauren , Shi Xudong , Huang Penghsuan , Lu Haiyan , Schneider Andrew J. , Tang Xindi , Puglielli Luigi , Welham Nathan V. , Li Lingjun
Published: August 2023

Single-cell (SC) analysis provides unique insight into individual cell dynamics and cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Here, we utilize trapped ion mobility separation coupled with dual-polarity ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to enable high-throughput in situ profiling of the SC lipidome. Multimodal SC imaging, in which dual-polarity-mode MSI is used to perform serial data acquisition runs on individual cells, significantly enhanced SC lipidome coverage. High-spatial resolution SC-MSI identifies both inter- and intracellular lipid heterogeneity; this heterogeneity is further explicated by Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection and machine learning-driven classifications. We characterize SC lipidome alteration in response to stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 inhibition and, additionally, identify cell-layer specific lipid distribution patterns in mouse cerebellar cortex. This integrated multimodal SC-MSI technology enables high-resolution spatial mapping of intercellular and cell-to-cell lipidome heterogeneity, SC lipidome remodeling induced by pharmacological intervention, and region-specific lipid diversity within tissue.
Topology stabilized fluctuations in a magnetic nodal semimetal
Authors: Drucker Nathan C. , Nguyen Thanh , Han Fei , Siriviboon Phum , Luo Xi , Andrejevic Nina , Zhu Ziming , Bednik Grigory , Nguyen Quynh T. , Chen Zhantao , Nguyen Linh K. , Liu Tongtong , Williams Travis J. , Stone Matthew B. , Kolesnikov Alexander I. , Chi Songxue , Fernandez-Baca Jaime , Nelson Christie S. , Alatas Ahmet , Hogan Tom , Puretzky Alexander A. , Huang Shengxi , Yu Yue , Li Mingda
Published: August 2023

The interplay between magnetism and electronic band topology enriches topological phases and has promising applications. However, the role of topology in magnetic fluctuations has been elusive. Here, we report evidence for topology stabilized magnetism above the magnetic transition temperature in magnetic Weyl semimetal candidate CeAlGe. Electrical transport, thermal transport, resonant elastic X-ray scattering, and dilatometry consistently indicate the presence of locally correlated magnetism within a narrow temperature window well above the thermodynamic magnetic transition temperature. The wavevector of this short-range order is consistent with the nesting condition of topological Weyl nodes, suggesting that it arises from the interaction between magnetic fluctuations and the emergent Weyl fermions. Effective field theory shows that this topology stabilized order is wavevector dependent and can be stabilized when the interband Weyl fermion scattering is dominant. Our work highlights the role of electronic band topology in stabilizing magnetic order even in the classically disordered regime.
Comparative genomic analyses reveal the genetic basis of the yellow-seed trait in Brassica napus
Authors: Qu Cunmin , Zhu Meichen , Hu Ran , Niu Yongchao , Chen Si , Zhao Huiyan , Li Chengxiang , Wang Zhen , Yin Nengwen , Sun Fujun , Chen Zhiyou , Shen Shulin , Shang Guoxia , Zhou Yan , Yan Xingying , Wei Lijuan , Liu Liezhao , Yi Bin , Lian Jinmin , Li Jiang , Tang Zhanglin , Liang Ying , Xu Xinfu , Wang Rui , Yin Jiaming , Wan Huafang , Du Hai , Qian Wei , Chai Yourong , Zhou Qingyuan , He Yajun , Zhong Silin , Qiu Xiao , Yu Hao , Lam Hon-Ming , Lu Kun , Fu Fuyou , Li Jiana
Published: August 2023

Yellow-seed trait is a desirable breeding characteristic of rapeseed (Brassica napus) that could greatly improve seed oil yield and quality. However, the underlying mechanisms controlling this phenotype in B. napus plants are difficult to discern because of their complexity. Here, we assemble high-quality genomes of yellow-seeded (GH06) and black-seeded (ZY821). Combining in-depth fine mapping of a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for seed color with other omics data reveal BnA09MYB47a, encoding an R2R3-MYB-type transcription factor, as the causal gene of a major QTL controlling the yellow-seed trait. Functional studies show that sequence variation of BnA09MYB47a underlies the functional divergence between the yellow- and black-seeded B. napus. The black-seed allele BnA09MYB47aZY821, but not the yellow-seed allele BnA09MYB47aGH06, promotes flavonoid biosynthesis by directly activating the expression of BnTT18. Our discovery suggests a possible approach to breeding B. napus for improved commercial value and facilitates flavonoid biosynthesis studies in Brassica crops.
Whole genomic analysis reveals atypical non-homologous off-target large structural variants induced by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing
Authors: Tsai Hsiu-Hui , Kao Hsiao-Jung , Kuo Ming-Wei , Lin Chin-Hsien , Chang Chun-Min , Chen Yi-Yin , Chen Hsiao-Huei , Kwok Pui-Yan , Yu Alice L. , Yu John
Published: August 2023

CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing has promising therapeutic potential for genetic diseases and cancers, but safety could be a concern. Here we use whole genomic analysis by 10x linked-read sequencing and optical genome mapping to interrogate the genome integrity after editing and in comparison to four parental cell lines. In addition to the previously reported large structural variants at on-target sites, we identify heretofore unexpected large chromosomal deletions (91.2 and 136 Kb) at atypical non-homologous off-target sites without sequence similarity to the sgRNA in two edited lines. The observed large structural variants induced by CRISPR-Cas9 editing in dividing cells may result in pathogenic consequences and thus limit the usefulness of the CRISPR-Cas9 editing system for disease modeling and gene therapy. In this work, our whole genomic analysis may provide a valuable strategy to ensure genome integrity after genomic editing to minimize the risk of unintended effects in research and clinical applications.
Effects of paleogeographic changes and CO2 variability on northern mid-latitudinal temperature gradients in the Cretaceous
Authors: Gianchandani Kaushal , Maor Sagi , Adam Ori , Farnsworth Alexander , Gildor Hezi , Lunt Daniel J. , Paldor Nathan
Published: August 2023

The Cretaceous ‘greenhouse’ period (~145 to ~66 million years ago, Ma) in Earth’s history is relatively well documented by multiple paleoproxy records, which indicate that the meridional sea surface temperature (SST) gradient increased (non-monotonically) from the Valanginian (~135 Ma) to the Maastrichtian (~68 Ma). Changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration, solar constant, and paleogeography are the primary drivers of variations in the spatiotemporal distribution of SST. However, the particular contribution of each of these drivers (and their underlying mechanisms) to changes in the SST distribution remains poorly understood. Here we use data from a suite of paleoclimate simulations to compare the relative effects of atmospheric CO2 variability and paleogeographic changes on mid-latitudinal SST gradient through the Cretaceous. Further, we use a fundamental model of wind-driven ocean gyres to quantify how changes in the Northern Hemisphere paleogeography weaken the circulation in subtropical ocean gyres, leading to an increase in extratropical SSTs.
In-memory mechanical computing
Authors: Mei Tie , Chen Chang Qing
Published: August 2023

Mechanical computing requires matter to adapt behavior according to retained knowledge, often through integrated sensing, actuation, and control of deformation. However, inefficient access to mechanical memory and signal propagation limit mechanical computing modules. To overcome this, we developed an in-memory mechanical computing architecture where computing occurs within the interaction network of mechanical memory units. Interactions embedded within data read-write interfaces provided function-complete and neuromorphic computing while reducing data traffic and simplifying data exchange. A reprogrammable mechanical binary neural network and a mechanical self-learning perceptron were demonstrated experimentally in 3D printed mechanical computers, as were all 16 logic gates and truth-table entries that are possible with two inputs and one output. The in-memory mechanical computing architecture enables the design and fabrication of intelligent mechanical systems.
Electron–phonon physics from first principles using the EPW code
Authors: Lee Hyungjun , Poncé Samuel , Bushick Kyle , Hajinazar Samad , Lafuente-Bartolome Jon , Leveillee Joshua , Lian Chao , Lihm Jae-Mo , Macheda Francesco , Mori Hitoshi , Paudyal Hari , Sio Weng Hong , Tiwari Sabyasachi , Zacharias Marios , Zhang Xiao , Bonini Nicola , Kioupakis Emmanouil , Margine Elena R. , Giustino Feliciano
Published: August 2023

EPW is an open-source software for ab initio calculations of electron–phonon interactions and related materials properties. The code combines density functional perturbation theory and maximally localized Wannier functions to efficiently compute electron–phonon coupling matrix elements, and to perform predictive calculations of temperature-dependent properties and phonon-assisted quantum processes in bulk solids and low-dimensional materials. Here, we report on significant developments in the code since 2016, namely: a transport module for the calculation of charge carrier mobility under electric and magnetic fields using the Boltzmann transport equation; a superconductivity module for calculations of phonon-mediated superconductors using the anisotropic multi-band Eliashberg theory; an optics module for calculations of phonon-assisted indirect transitions; a module for the calculation of small and large polarons without supercells; and a module for calculating band structure renormalization and temperature-dependent optical spectra using the special displacement method. For each capability, we outline the methodology and implementation and provide example calculations.
Ferric citrate and apo-transferrin enable erythroblast maturation with β-globin from hemogenic endothelium
Authors: Jeon Soo-Been , Koh Hyebin , Han A-Reum , Kim Jieun , Lee Sunghun , Lee Jae-Ho , Im Seung-Soon , Yoon Young-sup , Lee Jong-Hee , Lee Ji Yoon
Published: August 2023

Red blood cell (RBC) generation from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) offers potential for innovative cell therapy in regenerative medicine as well as developmental studies. Ex vivo erythropoiesis from PSCs is currently limited by the low efficiency of functional RBCs with β-globin expression in culture systems. During induction of β-globin expression, the absence of a physiological microenvironment, such as a bone marrow niche, may impair cell maturation and lineage specification. Here, we describe a simple and reproducible culture system that can be used to generate erythroblasts with β-globin expression. We prepared a two-dimensional defined culture with ferric citrate treatment based on definitive hemogenic endothelium (HE). Floating erythroblasts derived from HE cells were primarily CD45+CD71+CD235a+ cells, and their number increased remarkably upon Fe treatment. Upon maturation, the erythroblasts cultured in the presence of ferric citrate showed high transcriptional levels of β-globin and enrichment of genes associated with heme synthesis and cell cycle regulation, indicating functionality. The rapid maturation of these erythroblasts into RBCs was observed when injected in vivo, suggesting the development of RBCs that were ready to grow. Hence, induction of β-globin expression may be explained by the effects of ferric citrate that promote cell maturation by binding with soluble transferrin and entering the cells.

Taken together, upon treatment with Fe, erythroblasts showed advanced maturity with a high transcription of β-globin. These findings can help devise a stable protocol for the generation of clinically applicable RBCs.
RNA interference targeting ANGPTL3 for triglyceride and cholesterol lowering: phase 1 basket trial cohorts
Authors: Watts Gerald F. , Schwabe Christian , Scott Russell , Gladding Patrick A. , Sullivan David , Baker John , Clifton Peter , Hamilton James , Given Bruce , Melquist Stacey , Zhou Rong , Chang Ting , San Martin Javier , Gaudet Daniel , Goldberg Ira J. , Knowles Joshua W. , Hegele Robert A. , Ballantyne Christie M.
Published: August 2023

Elevated triglycerides and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ARO-ANG3 is an RNA interference therapy that targets angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), a regulator of lipoprotein metabolism. This first-in-human, phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled, open-label trial investigated single and repeat ARO-ANG3 doses in four cohorts of fifty-two healthy participants and one cohort of nine participants with hepatic steatosis, part of a basket trial. Safety (primary objective) and pharmacokinetics (in healthy participants) and pharmacodynamics (secondary objectives) of ARO-ANG3 were evaluated. ARO-ANG3 was generally well tolerated, with similar frequencies of treatment-emergent adverse events in active and placebo groups. Systemic absorption of ARO-ANG3 in healthy participants was rapid and sustained, with a mean Tmax of 6.0–10.5 h and clearance from plasma within 24–48 h after dosing with a mean t½ of 3.9–6.6 h. In healthy participants, ARO-ANG3 treatment reduced ANGPTL3 (mean −45% to −78%) 85 days after dose. Reductions in triglyceride (median −34% to −54%) and non-HDL-C (mean −18% to −29%) (exploratory endpoints) concentrations occurred with the three highest doses. These early-phase data support ANGPTL3 as a potential therapeutic target for ASCVD treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03747224
Association of nocturia of self-report with estimated glomerular filtration rate: a cross-sectional study from the NHANES 2005–2018
Authors: Song Jianling , Ke Ben , Fang Xiangdong
Published: August 2023

Nocturia is a manifestation of systemic diseases, in which chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent predictor of nocturia due to its osmotic diuretic mechanism. However, to our knowledge, previous studies have not examined the association between nocturia and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The purpose of this study was to assess the association between nocturia exposure and eGFR in the general US population. This study presents a cross-sectional analysis of the general US population enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. To account for potential confounding factors, linear regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association between nocturia and eGFR. Stratified analyses and interaction tests were employed to examine the variables of interest. Additionally, sensitivity analyses were conducted across diverse populations. A total of 12,265 individuals were included in the study. After controlling for confounding factors, the results of the linear regression analysis indicated that a single increase in nocturnal voiding frequency was associated with a decrease in eGFR by 2.0 mL/min/1.73 m2. In comparison to individuals with a nocturnal urinary frequency of 0, those who voided 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥ 5 times at night experienced a decrease in eGFR by 3.1, 5.4, 6.4, 8.6 and 4.0 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Nocturia was found to be associated with a decreased eGFR of 4 mL/min/1.73 m2 when compared to individuals without nocturia. The sensitivity analysis yielded consistent findings regarding the association between nocturia and eGFR in both CKD and non-CKD populations, as well as in hypertensive and non-hypertensive populations. Nevertheless, inconsistent conclusions were observed across various prognostic risk populations within the CKD context. The presence of nocturia and heightened frequency of nocturnal urination have been found to be associated with a decline in eGFR.