bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient global resolvent analysis via the one-way Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Towne Aaron , Rigas Georgios , Kamal Omar , Pickering Ethan , Colonius Tim
Published: September 2022

Resolvent analysis is a powerful tool for modelling and analysing transitional and turbulent flows and, in particular, for approximating coherent flow structures. Despite recent algorithmic advances, computing resolvent modes for flows with more than one inhomogeneous spatial coordinate remains computationally expensive. In this paper we show how efficient and accurate approximations of resolvent modes can be obtained using a well-posed spatial marching method for flows that contain a slowly varying direction, i.e. one in which the mean flow changes gradually. First, we derive a well-posed and convergent one-way equation describing the downstream-travelling waves supported by the linearized Navier–Stokes equations. The method is based on a projection operator that isolates downstream-travelling waves. Integrating these one-way Navier–Stokes (OWNS) equations in the slowly varying direction, which requires significantly less CPU and memory resources than a direct solution of the linearized Navier–Stokes equations, approximates the action of the resolvent operator on a forcing vector. Second, this capability is leveraged to compute approximate resolvent modes using an adjoint-based optimization framework in which the forward and adjoint OWNS equations are marched in the downstream and upstream directions, respectively. This avoids the need to solve direct and adjoint globally discretized equations, therefore bypassing the main computational bottleneck of a typical global resolvent calculation. The method is demonstrated using the examples of a simple acoustics problem, a Mach 1.5 turbulent jet and a Mach 4.5 transitional zero-pressure-gradient flat-plate boundary layer. The optimal OWNS results are validated against corresponding global calculations, and the close agreement demonstrates the near-parabolic nature of these flows.
(Il)legal Aspirations: Of Legitimate Crime and Illegitimate Entrepreneurship in Nicaragua
Authors: Rodgers Dennis
Published: September 2022

Drawing on longitudinal ethnographic research carried out over two-and-a-half decades in barrio Luis Fanor Hernández, a poor neighborhood in Managua, Nicaragua, this article explores how legal and illegal economic activities are socially legitimized, and more specifically, how certain illegal economic activities can end up being seen as legitimate, and certain legal ones perceived as illegitimate. The first part of the article explores the variable morality surrounding different types of criminal activities that local gang members engaged in during the 1990s and 2000s. The second part considers my experiences running a local market stall, describing the contrasting reactions I faced when I resorted to first legal, and then illegal, strategies to boost my revenue levels. Taken together, these examples showcase how the social legitimization of an economic activity has less to do with whether it is legal or illegal, but rather the future aspirations it embodies.
The effectiveness of peer support for individuals with mental illness: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Smit Dorien , Miguel Clara , Vrijsen Janna N. , Groeneweg Bart , Spijker Jan , Cuijpers Pim
Published: September 2022

Background

The benefits of peer support interventions (PSIs) for individuals with mental illness are not well known. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of PSIs for individuals with mental illness for clinical, personal, and functional recovery outcomes.

Methods

Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO (December 18, 2020). Included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing peer-delivered PSIs to control conditions. The quality of records was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool. Data were pooled for each outcome, using random-effects models.

Results

After screening 3455 records, 30 RCTs were included in the systematic review and 28 were meta-analyzed (4152 individuals). Compared to control conditions, peer support was associated with small but significant post-test effect sizes for clinical recovery, g = 0.19, 95% CI (0.11–0.27), I2 = 10%, 95% CI (0–44), and personal recovery, g = 0.15, 95% CI (0.04–0.27), I2 = 43%, 95% CI (1–67), but not for functional recovery, g = 0.08, 95% CI (−0.02 to 0.18), I2 = 36%, 95% CI (0–61). Our findings should be considered with caution due to the modest quality of the included studies.

Conclusions

PSIs may be effective for the clinical and personal recovery of mental illness. Effects are modest, though consistent, suggesting potential efficacy for PSI across a wide range of mental disorders and intervention types.
Social stress under binge-like alcohol withdrawal in adolescence: evidence of cannabidiol effect on maladaptive plasticity in rats
Authors: Brancato Anna , Castelli Valentina , Lavanco Gianluca , D'Amico Cesare , Feo Salvatore , Pizzolanti Giuseppe , Kuchar Martin , Cannizzaro Carla
Published: September 2022

Background

Alcohol binge drinking may compromise the functioning of the nucleus accumbens (NAc), i.e. the neural hub for processing reward and aversive responses.

Methods

As socially stressful events pose particular challenges at developmental stages, this research applied the resident–intruder paradigm as a model of social stress, to highlight behavioural neuroendocrine and molecular maladaptive plasticity in rats at withdrawal from binge-like alcohol exposure in adolescence. In search of a rescue agent, cannabidiol (CBD) was selected due to its favourable effects on alcohol- and stress-related harms.

Results

Binge-like alcohol exposed intruder rats displayed a compromised defensive behaviour against the resident and a blunted response of the stress system, in addition to indexes of abnormal dopamine (DA)/glutamate plasticity and dysfunctional spine dynamics in the NAc. CBD administration (60 mg/kg) was able to: (1) increase social exploration in the binge-like alcohol exposed intruder rats, at the expenses of freezing time, and in control rats, which received less aggressive attacks from the resident; (2) reduce corticosterone levels independently on alcohol previous exposure; (3) restore DA transmission and (4) facilitate excitatory postsynaptic strength and remodelling.

Conclusions

Overall, the maladaptive behavioural and synaptic plasticity promoted by the intersection between binge-like alcohol withdrawal and exposure to adverse social stress can be rescued by a CBD détente effect that results in a successful defensive strategy, supported by a functional endocrine and synaptic plasticity. The current data highlight CBD's relevant therapeutic potential in alcohol- and stress-related harms, and prompt further investigation on its molecular targets.
Range-wide changes in the North American Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata breeding population over 115 years
Authors: Pearson Scott F. , Keren Ilai , Hodum Peter J. , Drummond Brie A. , Hipfner J. Mark , Rojek Nora A. , Renner Heather M. , Thomas Susan M.
Published: September 2022

Regional and local studies suggest that the Tufted Puffin Fratercula cirrhata in North America is declining in portions of its range. However, whether the overall population is declining, or its range is contracting with little change to the overall population size, is unknown. To examine population trends throughout its North American range, we assembled 11 datasets that spanned 115 years (1905–2019) and included at-sea density and encounter estimates and at-colony burrow and bird counts. We assessed trends for the California Current, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands large marine ecosystems (LME). We found: (1) nearly uniform and long-term declines of Puffins breeding in the California Current ecosystem, with most ecosystem colonies surveyed, (2) declining trends at two large colonies and in one at-sea dataset in the Gulf of Alaska LME, with the fourth smaller colony exhibiting no significant trend, and (3) positive trends at four out of five colonies in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands ecosystem complex, with no detectable trend at the fifth very large colony. The general pattern of Tufted Puffin declines across the California Current and Gulf of Alaska LMEs may be attributable to a variety of factors, but additional study is needed to evaluate the relative influence of potential population drivers both independently and synergistically. Potential mechanisms driving population increases in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands ecosystem include reduced depredation and bycatch, intrinsic population growth, and immigration. We found strong evidence for declines in two of the three LMEs evaluated representing approximately three quarters of the species’ North American range. This region of decline includes the Gulf of Alaska LME, which contains a significant portion of the species’ estimated total North American population. Despite data limitations, our analysis coupled with more focused and local studies indicates that the Tufted Puffin is a species of conservation concern.
Intrusive Magmatism Strongly Contributed to the Volatile Release Into the Atmosphere of Early Earth
Authors: Vulpius Sara , Noack Lena
Published: September 2022

Magmatic volatile release was crucial for the build‐up and composition of the early atmosphere and thus for the origin and evolution of life. Even though the rate of intrusive to extrusive magma production on Earth is high, intrusive volatile release is commonly neglected in studies modeling the composition of the early atmosphere. This can mainly be attributed to the solubility of volatiles like H2O and CO2. The solubility is increasing with depth and thus is thought to prevent the release of these volatiles. However, due to the accumulation of H2O and CO2 within the melt during fractional crystallization, the solubility can be exceeded even at greater depths. In our study, we developed a novel numeric model to quantify the amount of H2O and CO2 that can be released from an intrusive system if we consider the process of fractional crystallization. Additionally, we take the possibility of melt ascent and the formation of hydrous minerals into account. According to our simulations, the release of H2O and CO2 from an intrusive magma body is possible within the whole lithosphere. However, the release strongly depends on the initial volatile budget, the formation of hydrous phases, the depth of the intrusion and the buoyancy of the melt. Considering all these factors, our study suggests that about 0%–85% H2O and 100% CO2 can be released from mafic intrusions. This renders the incorporation of the intrusive volatile release mandatory in order to determine the volatile fluxes and the composition of early Earth's atmosphere.
A New Approach to an Unresolved Mystery in Climate Economics
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: September 2022

Do shifts in temperature have enduring economic impacts? A “clever” trick identifying climate trends gets us one step closer to addressing this long-standing question in climate economics.
A Post-Impact Deep Freeze for Dinosaurs
Authors: Zerkle Aubrey
Published: September 2022

New research supports the hypothesis that dinosaurs were done in by climate change after an asteroid impact kicked up a massive plume of sulfur gases that circled the globe for several decades.
Micromagnetic Modeling of a Magnetically Unstable Zone and Its Geological Significances
Authors: Wang Yuqin , Ge Kunpeng , Williams Wyn , Zhou Hui , Wang Huapei , Nagy Lesleis , Tauxe Lisa , Wang Jiang , Liu Shengbo , Liu Yang
Published: September 2022

Recent micromagnetic simulations have found that particles in the transitional zone between the single domain (SD) and single vortex (SV) zone are prone to thermal and external magnetic field instabilities that could adversely affect the accuracy of interpretations of paleomagnetic recordings. In this study, we attempt to evaluate the internal magnetization characteristics of these magnetically unstable (MU) particles and the influence on paleomagnetic observations by simulating the magnetic behavior of 68–104 nm truncated octahedral magnetite particles using the MERRILL modeling software. We found that: (a) The size region of the “MU zone” for grains of truncated octahedron shape is different from cubic octahedrons and spheres, indicating that the zone may be controlled by the geometry and shape of particles; (b) The MU zone has a range of 79–97 nm region, which is dominated by a hard‐axis aligned single vortex (HSV); and (c) MU particles are unstable as a function of temperature and have low coercive fields. Finally, the numerical fitting of hysteresis parameters for experimental data suggests that the influence of such MU particles in samples should not be ignored, especially for samples with fine‐grained magnetic minerals as the primary magnetic recording carriers. This research has extended our understanding of the behavior of the “MU zone” and its significance on paleomagnetic records.
Absolute Sea Level Changes Along the Coast of China From Tide Gauges, GNSS, and Satellite Altimetry
Authors: Zhou Dongxu , Liu Yang , Feng Yikai , Zhang Huayi , Fu Yanguang , Liu Yanxiong , Tang Qiuhua
Published: September 2022

This study quantifies the absolute sea level (ASL) change along the coast of China from 1993 to 2019 using tide gauge (TG) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. The sea level change at 12 collocated TG and GNSS stations along the Chinese coast are first analyzed by TG + GNSS data. Then the ASL rise and its spatial variation along the coast of China and that in surrounding oceans are studied using TG + GNSS data and satellite altimetry products. The results show that the relative sea level rise along the Chinese coast varied from 2.61 ± 0.76 to 5.56 ± 0.70 mm/yr, while the effect of vertical land motion (VLM) ranged from −1.46 ± 0.30 to 1.07 ± 0.38 mm/yr. After correcting the effect of the VLM, the ASL rise ranged from 2.51 ± 0.86 to 5.03 ± 0.60 mm/yr, with a mean rate of 3.94 ± 0.88 mm/yr, which was 0.7 mm/yr higher than the global average. It is found that ASL rise rate is significantly higher in Chinese seas and neighboring oceans, with a meridional distribution in the East China Sea and a zonal distribution in the South China Sea. This may be related to factors such as sea surface temperature rise, atmospheric pressure decrease, freshwater runoff, zonal wind stress anomaly, and alongshore currents in the area.
Soil Carbonyl Sulfide (OCS) Fluxes in Terrestrial Ecosystems: An Empirical Model
Authors: Whelan M. E. , Shi Mingjie , Sun Wu , Vries Linda Kooijmans‐de , Seibt Ulli , Maseyk Kadmiel
Published: September 2022

Measurements of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) enable independent estimates of regional stomatal conductance provided that non‐stomatal OCS fluxes are well constrained. OCS is taken up through plant leaves, following the same pathway as CO2; in contrast to CO2, OCS is irreversibly destroyed in plant leaves and plants do not typically exhibit OCS emissions. Ecosystem uptake of OCS can indicate changes in stomatal opening. Here we present an empirical model to assess the potential impact of soil OCS exchange, the non‐Stomatal OCS exchange Empirical Model (SOCSEM, version 0). We created biome‐specific response curves characterizing soil OCS exchange and restricted the model design to require only knowledge of soil moisture and surface temperature because remote sensing observations are available for these two features. Comparing the model to field‐based chamber observations reveal deviations that can be attributed to missing complexity of the ground surface (having excluded litter and plants without regulated stomata), shortwave radiation, or the soil environment. For agricultural regions with known net emissions, we use remotely‐sensed surface temperature data and demonstrate that data resolution can affect anticipated fluxes. We further investigate the influence of regions with unknown soil OCS responses, for example, Arctic tundra. We compare our model to a process‐based and respiration‐based soil OCS exchange model that has been implemented in a land surface model. Further field study of tropical and arctic ecosystems in conjunction with studies of non‐stomatal surfaces in addition to soil (e.g., bryophytes) will increase confidence in applying OCS as a regional tracer for stomatal conductance.
Engineered model of t(7;12)(q36;p13) AML recapitulates patient-specific features and gene expression profiles
Authors: Ragusa Denise , Cicirò Ylenia , Federico Concetta , Saccone Salvatore , Bruno Francesca , Saeedi Reza , Sisu Cristina , Pina Cristina , Sala Arturo , Tosi Sabrina
Published: September 2022

Acute myeloid leukaemia carrying the translocation t(7;12)(q36;p13) is an adverse-risk leukaemia uniquely observed in infants. Despite constituting up to 30% of cases in under 2-year-olds, it remains poorly understood. Known molecular features are ectopic overexpression of the MNX1 gene and generation of a fusion transcript in 50% of patients. Lack of research models has hindered understanding of t(7;12) biology, which has historically focused on MNX1 overexpression rather than the cytogenetic entity itself. Here, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 to generate t(7;12) in the human K562 cell line, and in healthy CD34+ haematopoietic progenitors where the translocation was not sustained in long-term cultures or through serial replating. In contrast, in K562 cells, t(7;12) was propagated in self-renewing clonogenic assays, with sustained myeloid bias in colony formation and baseline depletion of erythroid signatures. Nuclear localisation analysis revealed repositioning of the translocated MNX1 locus to the interior of t(7;12)-harbouring K562 nuclei — a known phenomenon in t(7;12) patients which associates with ectopic overexpression of MNX1. Crucially, the K562-t(7;12) model successfully recapitulated the transcriptional landscape of t(7;12) patient leukaemia. In summary, we engineered a clinically-relevant model of t(7;12) acute myeloid leukaemia with the potential to unravel targetable molecular mechanisms of disease.
S1PR1 induces metabolic reprogramming of ceramide in vascular endothelial cells, affecting hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis and progression
Authors: Wang Xuehong , Qiu Zhidong , Dong Wei , Yang Zebin , Wang Junnan , Xu Hailiang , Sun Tian , Huang Zhaoquan , Jin Junfei
Published: September 2022

Angiogenesis is a fundamental process underlying the occurrence, growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent tumour type with an extremely poor prognosis due to abundant vasculature. However, the underlying mechanism of angiogenesis in HCC remains largely unknown. Herein, we found that sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) plays an important role in HCC angiogenesis. S1PR1 was found to be selectively and highly expressed in the blood vessels of HCC tissues compared with those of paratumour tissues. Functionally, high expression of S1PR1 in endothelial cells (ECs) promoted angiogenesis and progression of HCC in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, proangiogenic factors (S1P, IL-6, VEGFA) in conditioned medium from HCC cells induced the upregulation of S1PR1 in ECs via the phosphorylation of STAT3 at Y705. Further study also revealed that S1PR1 promotes angiogenesis by decreasing ceramide levels via CerS3 downregulation. Interestingly, we demonstrated that S1PR1 downregulates CerS3 by inducing CerS6 translocation into the nucleus to inhibit CerS3 at the transcriptional level in ECs. In addition, we found that a high concentration of Lenvatinib significantly downregulated the expression of S1PR1 and obviously enhanced S1PR1 knockdown-mediated angiogenesis inhibition, indicating that S1PR1 may be a target by which Lenvatinib combats angiogenesis in HCC. Thus, S1PR1 may be an important target for suppressing angiogenesis in HCC, and inhibiting S1PR1 is a promising approach to antitumor therapy in HCC.
Sirtuin 6 maintains epithelial STAT6 activity to support intestinal tuft cell development and type 2 immunity
Authors: Xiong Xiwen , Yang Chenyan , He Wei-Qi , Yu Jiahui , Xin Yue , Zhang Xinge , Huang Rong , Ma Honghui , Xu Shaofang , Li Zun , Ma Jie , Xu Lin , Wang Qunyi , Ren Kaiqun , Wu Xiaoli S. , Vakoc Christopher R. , Zhong Jiateng , Zhong Genshen , Zhu Xiaofei , Song Yu , Ruan Hai-Bin , Wang Qingzhi
Published: September 2022

Dynamic regulation of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) differentiation is crucial for both homeostasis and the response to helminth infection. SIRT6 belongs to the NAD+-dependent deacetylases and has established diverse roles in aging, metabolism and disease. Here, we report that IEC Sirt6 deletion leads to impaired tuft cell development and type 2 immunity in response to helminth infection, thereby resulting in compromised worm expulsion. Conversely, after helminth infection, IEC SIRT6 transgenic mice exhibit enhanced epithelial remodeling process and more efficient worm clearance. Mechanistically, Sirt6 ablation causes elevated Socs3 expression, and subsequently attenuated tyrosine 641 phosphorylation of STAT6 in IECs. Notably, intestinal epithelial overexpression of constitutively activated STAT6 (STAT6vt) in mice is sufficient to induce the expansion of tuft and goblet cell linage. Furthermore, epithelial STAT6vt overexpression remarkedly reverses the defects in intestinal epithelial remodeling caused by Sirt6 ablation. Our results reveal a novel function of SIRT6 in regulating intestinal epithelial remodeling and mucosal type 2 immunity in response to helminth infection.
Multiplexed mobilization and expression of biosynthetic gene clusters
Authors: Libis Vincent , MacIntyre Logan W. , Mehmood Rabia , Guerrero Liliana , Ternei Melinda A. , Antonovsky Niv , Burian Ján , Wang Zongqiang , Brady Sean F.
Published: September 2022

Bacterial genomes contain large reservoirs of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that are predicted to encode unexplored natural products. Heterologous expression of previously unstudied BGCs should facilitate the discovery of additional therapeutically relevant bioactive molecules from bacterial culture collections, but the large-scale manipulation of BGCs remains cumbersome. Here, we describe a method to parallelize the identification, mobilization and heterologous expression of BGCs. Our solution simultaneously captures large numbers of BGCs by cloning the genomes of a strain collection in a large-insert library and uses the CONKAT-seq (co-occurrence network analysis of targeted sequences) sequencing pipeline to efficiently localize clones carrying intact BGCs which represent candidates for heterologous expression. Our discovery of several natural products, including an antibiotic that is active against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, demonstrates the potential of leveraging economies of scale with this approach to systematically interrogate cryptic BGCs contained in strain collections.
Controllable synthesis of conjugated microporous polymer films for ultrasensitive detection of chemical warfare agents
Authors: Mo Wanqi , Zhu Zihao , Kong Fanwei , Li Xiaobai , Chen Yu , Liu Huaqian , Cheng Zhiyong , Ma Hongwei , Li Bin
Published: September 2022

Nerve agents, one of the most toxic chemical warfare agents, seriously threaten human life and public security. The high toxicity of nerve agents makes the development of fluorescence sensors with suitable limit of detection challenging. Here, we propose a sensor design based on a conjugated microporous polymer film for the detection of diethyl chlorophosphate, a substitute of Sarin, with low detection limit of 2.5 ppt. This is due to the synergy of the susceptible on-off effect of hybridization and de-hybridization of hybrid local and charge transfer (HLCT) materials and the microporous structure of CMP films facilitating the inward diffusion of DCP vapors, and the extended π-conjugated structure. This strategy provides a new idea for the future development of gas sensors. In addition, a portable sensor is successfully integrated based on TCzP-CMP films that enables wireless, remote, ultrasensitive, and real-time detection of DCP vapors.
Deglacial Subantarctic CO2 outgassing driven by a weakened solubility pump
Authors: Dai Yuhao , Yu Jimin , Ren Haojia , Ji Xuan
Published: September 2022

The Subantarctic Southern Ocean has long been thought to be an important contributor to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) during glacial-interglacial transitions. Extensive studies suggest that a weakened biological pump, a process associated with nutrient utilization efficiency, drove up surface-water pCO2 in this region during deglaciations. By contrast, regional influences of the solubility pump, a process mainly linked to temperature variations, have been largely overlooked. Here, we evaluate relative roles of the biological and solubility pumps in determining surface-water pCO2 variabilities in the Subantarctic Southern Ocean during the last deglaciation, based on paired reconstructions of surface-water pCO2, temperature, and nutrient utilization efficiency. We show that compared to the biological pump, the solubility pump imposed a strong impact on deglacial Subantarctic surface-water pCO2 variabilities. Our findings therefore reveal a previously underappreciated role of the solubility pump in modulating deglacial Subantarctic CO2 release and possibly past atmospheric pCO2 fluctuations.
Ultrafast and hypersensitive phase imaging of propagating internodal current flows in myelinated axons and electromagnetic pulses in dielectrics
Authors: Zhang Yide , Shen Binglin , Wu Tong , Zhao Jerry , Jing Joseph C. , Wang Peng , Sasaki-Capela Kanomi , Dunphy William G. , Garrett David , Maslov Konstantin , Wang Weiwei , Wang Lihong V.
Published: September 2022

Many ultrafast phenomena in biology and physics are fundamental to our scientific understanding but have not yet been visualized owing to the extreme speed and sensitivity requirements in imaging modalities. Two examples are the propagation of passive current flows through myelinated axons and electromagnetic pulses through dielectrics, which are both key to information processing in living organisms and electronic devices. Here, we demonstrate differentially enhanced compressed ultrafast photography (Diff-CUP) to directly visualize propagations of passive current flows at approximately 100 m/s along internodes, i.e., continuous myelinated axons between nodes of Ranvier, from Xenopus laevis sciatic nerves and of electromagnetic pulses at approximately 5 × 107 m/s through lithium niobate. The spatiotemporal dynamics of both propagation processes are consistent with the results from computational models, demonstrating that Diff-CUP can span these two extreme timescales while maintaining high phase sensitivity. With its ultrahigh speed (picosecond resolution), high sensitivity, and noninvasiveness, Diff-CUP provides a powerful tool for investigating ultrafast biological and physical phenomena.
Accounting for small variations in the tracrRNA sequence improves sgRNA activity predictions for CRISPR screening
Authors: DeWeirdt Peter C. , McGee Abby V. , Zheng Fengyi , Nwolah Ifunanya , Hegde Mudra , Doench John G.
Published: September 2022

CRISPR technology is a powerful tool for studying genome function. To aid in picking sgRNAs that have maximal efficacy against a target of interest from many possible options, several groups have developed models that predict sgRNA on-target activity. Although multiple tracrRNA variants are commonly used for screening, no existing models account for this feature when nominating sgRNAs. Here we develop an on-target model, Rule Set 3, that makes optimal predictions for multiple tracrRNA variants. We validate Rule Set 3 on a new dataset of sgRNAs tiling essential and non-essential genes, demonstrating substantial improvement over prior prediction models. By analyzing the differences in sgRNA activity between tracrRNA variants, we show that Pol III transcription termination is a strong determinant of sgRNA activity. We expect these results to improve the performance of CRISPR screening and inform future research on tracrRNA engineering and sgRNA modeling.
Quadrupole topological insulators in Ta2M3Te5 (M = Ni, Pd) monolayers
Authors: Guo Zhaopeng , Deng Junze , Xie Yue , Wang Zhijun
Published: September 2022

Higher-order topological insulators have been introduced in the precursory Benalcazar-Bernevig-Hughes quadrupole model, but no electronic compound has been proposed to be a quadrupole topological insulator (QTI) yet. In this work, we predict that Ta2M3Te5 (M = Pd, Ni) monolayers can be 2D QTIs with second-order topology due to the double-band inversion. A time-reversal-invariant system with two mirror reflections (Mx and My) can be classified by Stiefel-Whitney numbers (w1, w2) due to the combined symmetry TC2z. Using the Wilson loop method, we compute w1 = 0 and w2 = 1 for Ta2Ni3Te5, indicating a QTI with qxy = e/2. Thus, gapped edge states and localized corner states are obtained. By analyzing atomic band representations, we demonstrate that its unconventional nature with an essential band representation at an empty site, i.e., Ag@4e, is due to the remarkable double-band inversion on Y–Γ. Then, we construct an eight-band quadrupole model with Mx and My successfully for electronic materials. These transition-metal compounds of A2M1,3X5 (A = Ta, Nb; M = Pd, Ni; X = Se, Te) family provide a good platform for realizing the QTI and exploring the interplay between topology and interactions.
Measuring concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine among Japanese internet users through search queries
Authors: Uehara Makoto , Fujita Sumio , Shimizu Nobuyuki , Liew Kongmeng , Wakamiya Shoko , Aramaki Eiji
Published: September 2022

With the increasing availability of the COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination has been rapidly promoted globally as a countermeasure against the spread of COVID-19. In Japan, vaccination was first introduced in February 2021. However, the amount of concern towards vaccination differs between individuals, and topics of concern include adverse reactions and side effects. This study investigated attitudes toward vaccines or vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic across different Japanese prefectures, using Yahoo! JAPAN search queries. We first defined a vaccine concern index (VCI) by aggregating the search counts of vaccine-related queries from Yahoo! JAPAN users before examining VCI across all Japanese prefectures, accounting for gender and age. Our results demonstrated that VCI tended to be lower in more populated areas, and VCI was higher in their 20s to 40s than older people, especially in female users. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation (Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficient$$\rho$$ρ= 0.60,$$p < 0.001$$p<0.001) between VCI and prefectural vaccination rate, suggesting that web searching of adverse vaccine reactions may precede actual vaccination. This could reflect the information-seeking behavior of individuals who are accepting of vaccinations.
Combined use of two frailty tools in predicting mortality in older adults
Authors: Watanabe Daiki , Yoshida Tsukasa , Yamada Yosuke , Watanabe Yuya , Yamada Minoru , Fujita Hiroyuki , Miyachi Motohiko , Arai Hidenori , Kimura Misaka
Published: September 2022

We aimed to verify the combined use of two frailty tools in predicting mortality in older adults. We used the data of 10,276 Japanese older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) who provided valid responses to two frailty assessment tools in a mail survey in Japan’s Kyoto‒Kameoka Prospective cohort study. Frailty status was categorized into four groups depending on the validated frailty screening index and Kihon Checklist, respectively: Non-frailty (n = 5960), Physical frailty (n = 223), Comprehensive frailty (n = 2211), and Combination (n = 1882) groups. Mortality data were collected between July 30, 2011, and November 30, 2016. We assessed the relationship between frailty status and all-cause mortality risk using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. During a median follow-up of 5.3 years, we recorded 1257 deaths. After adjusting for confounders, the Combination group had the highest mortality risk compared with the other groups [Non-frailty: reference; Physical frailty: hazards ratio [HR], 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58 to 1.70); Comprehensive frailty: 1.91 (1.63 to 2.23); Combination: 2.85 (2.44 to 3.22)]. People who are positive for frailty in both instruments have a higher risk of death than those who are positive to one model.
Distributed coordinated attitude tracking control of a multi-spacecraft system with dynamic leader under communication delays
Authors: Zhou Zhanjie , Zhang Zhihao , Wang Yan
Published: September 2022

This paper is dedicated to the challenging issue of the cooperative attitude tracking control of a multi-spacecraft system under communication delays. A state estimator using the attitude information of the neighbors is designed for each follower spacecraft to estimate the time-varying attitude information of the leader spacecraft in the case that the leader spacecraft cannot directly communicate with all following spacecraft. By constructing auxiliary variables based on estimated values and proposing a fixed-time control law to ensure that the auxiliary variables of the spacecraft can reach zero in fixed time, which is independent of the initial state, the effects of time-varying reference attitudes on the system can be reduced. The attitude error and the estimation error are proven to converge to the region containing the origin by input-to-state stability theory combined with the Lyapunov–Krasovskii approach. To further illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm, numerical simulation results are presented.
Delivery and assessment of a CRISPR/nCas9-based genome editing system on in vitro models of mucopolysaccharidoses IVA assisted by magnetite-based nanoparticles
Authors: Leal Andrés Felipe , Cifuentes Javier , Torres Carlos Emilio , Suárez Diego , Quezada Valentina , Gómez Saúl Camilo , Cruz Juan C. , Reyes Luis H. , Espejo-Mojica Angela Johana , Alméciga-Díaz Carlos Javier
Published: September 2022

Mucopolysaccharidosis IV A (MPS IVA) is a lysosomal disorder caused by mutations in the GALNS gene. Consequently, the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) keratan sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate accumulate in the lysosomal lumen. Although enzyme replacement therapy has shown essential advantages for the patients, several challenges remain to overcome, such as the limited impact on the bone lesion and recovery of oxidative profile. Recently, we validated a CRISPR/nCas9-based gene therapy with promising results in an in vitro MPS IVA model. In this study, we have expanded the use of this CRISPR/nCas9 system to several MPS IVA fibroblasts carrying different GALNS mutations. Considering the latent need to develop more safety vectors for gene therapy, we co-delivered the CRISPR/nCas9 system with a novel non-viral vector based on magnetoliposomes (MLPs). We found that the CRISPR/nCas9 treatment led to an increase in enzyme activity between 5 and 88% of wild-type levels, as well as a reduction in GAGs accumulation, lysosomal mass, and mitochondrial-dependent oxidative stress, in a mutation-dependent manner. Noteworthy, MLPs allowed to obtain similar results to those observed with the conventional transfection agent lipofectamine. Overall, these results confirmed the potential of CRISPR/nCas9 as a genome editing tool for treating MPS IVA. We also demonstrated the potential use of MLPs as a novel delivery system for CRISPR/nCas9-based therapies.
Miniaturized antenna verified with diffuse optical measurements for native and boiled adipose tissue differentiation
Authors: Halim Ashraf S. Abdel , Mostafa Mohanad , Hamdy Omnia
Published: September 2022

Medical industries are continuously working towards the development of wearable theragnostic devices which enable monitoring various ailments in the body and then transmitting them to the base-station. The antenna design is of prime importance where the suitable design guarantees proper communication between the antenna and the base-station. In this paper, a co-planar wave-guide antenna is proposed for the use in the medical implant communication service (MICS) band for data transmission. The proposed antenna is studied for ex-vivo applications where the antenna is simulated for bovine intramuscular fat (adipose tissue). The preliminary results showed that the antenna radiates in MICS band. Two types of samples are tested; namely, native fat and boiled fat. The boiled fat is used in order to represent the infected fat tissue. Hence, the antenna was implanted into the fat samples and the results revealed noticeable variations in the radiation characteristics between native and boiled fat. Different parameters of the proposed antenna including the reflection coefficient (S11), radiation patterns, gain, efficiency, and front-to-back ratio are investigated. The simulations showed that S11 parameter was − 12.4 dB in MICS band for the normal fat. On the other hand, the measured S11 values were − 12.3 dB for the native samples and − 9.9 dB for the boiled fat samples. To assert the variation in the biological characteristics of the boiled fat as compared to those of the native fat, diffuse optical measurements of the examined samples were investigated. Such variation in the light scattering and absorbance by the tissue is responsible for varying the S11 parameter for each case. The results have shown that the proposed design is a good candidate for detecting the change in biological tissue.
Gain-controlled broadband tuneability in self-mode-locked Thulium-doped fibre laser
Authors: Kirsch Dennis C. , Bednyakova Anastasia , Varak Petr , Honzatko Pavel , Cadier Benoit , Robin Thierry , Fotiadi Andrei , Peterka Pavel , Chernysheva Maria
Published: September 2022

Ensuring self-driven mode-locking and broadband wavelength tuneability in all-fibre-integrated femtosecond laser sources enables a new level of their versatility and extends areas of their applications. Principle limitations for this are traditionally available ultrafast modulators and tuneability techniques. Here, we exploit Thulium-doped fibre to perform three roles in the cavity: laser gain, saturable absorber, and tuneability element via controlling its excitation level. We confirmed that Tm-doped fibre saturable absorption is defined by a reinforced quenching of Tm3+pairs. As a result, we present both numerically and experimentally a highly stable sub-picosecond pulse generation with a ~90 nm tuneability range spanning from 1873 to 1962 nm via adjusting the cavity feedback. The maximum laser efficiency corresponds to 25% cavity feedback, enabling the highest output energy of 1 nJ in 600-fs solitons at 1877 nm. Overall, the presented laser system establishes a compact and straightforward approach for ultrafast generation, which can be translated to other fibre laser operation wavelengths.
Probing process kinetics in batteries with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Qu Deyang , Ji Weixiao , Qu Huainan
Published: September 2022

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provides information on the steady state of an electrochemical redox reaction and its kinetics. For instance, impedance is a very useful technique to investigate kinetics in batteries, such as diffusion processes or charge-transfer reaction dynamics during battery operation. Here, we summarize procedures for conducting reliable impedance measurements on a battery system, including cell configurations, readiness of a system for impedance testing, validation of the data in an impedance spectrum, deconvolution of electrochemical processes based on the distribution of relaxation time and equivalent circuit fitting of the impedance spectrum. The aim of this paper is to discuss key parameters for accurate and repeatable impedance measurements of batteries.
Gold nanoparticles: current and upcoming biomedical applications in sensing, drug, and gene delivery
Authors: Yañez-Aulestia Ana , Gupta Nishesh Kumar , Hernández Magali , Osorio-Toribio Génesis , Sánchez-González Elí , Guzmán-Vargas Ariel , Rivera José L. , Ibarra Ilich A. , Lima Enrique
Published: September 2022

Gold nanoparticles present unique physicochemical characteristics, low cytotoxicity, chemical stability, size/morphology tunability, surface functionalization capability, and optical properties which can be exploited for detection applications.
Syntheses, structures, and luminescence properties of five new coordination polymers based on 3-carboxy-1-(3′-carboxybenzyl)-2-oxidopyridinium and neutral ligands
Authors: He Yuan-Chun , Wu Shuang , Zhang Jie , Qin Wen-Hui , Liu Jing , Zhao Fang-Hua , Liu Lin , Jing Zhihong
Published: September 2022

Five CPs have been synthesized by a new semi-rigid dicarboxyl ligand and neutral ligands under hydrothermal conditions, and their luminescent sensing experiments for different small molecules/ions were studied in detail.
Molecular reaction and dynamic mechanism of iodate reduction to molecular iodine by nitrogen(iii) in aqueous solution
Authors: Cui Chang , Zhang Dongxiang , Constantin Muhire , Reda Alemtsehay Tesfay , Li Jinying , Xu Xiyan
Published: September 2022

The mechanism of iodate reduction to molecular iodine by nitrogen(iii) in aqueous solution is reported.
Gas-phase synthesis of racemic helicenes and their potential role in the enantiomeric enrichment of sugars and amino acids in meteorites
Authors: Kaiser Ralf I. , Zhao Long , Lu Wenchao , Ahmed Musahid , Evseev Mikhail M. , Azyazov Valeriy N. , Mebel Alexander M. , Mohamed Rana K. , Fischer Felix R. , Li Xiaohu
Published: September 2022

Racemic mixtures of [5] and [6]helicenes can form in the gas-phase of the interstellar medium at ultralow temperatures in the absence of reaction barriers via molecular mass growth processes.
Two host–guest grown ether supramolecules show switchable phase transition, dielectric and second-harmonic generation effect
Authors: Ye Xing , He Wenhui , Wei Jing , Wei Zhenhong , You Xiuli , Cai Hu
Published: September 2022

A host-guest crown ether supramolecule [(2,6-difluorobenzylamine)(15-crown-5)]ReO4 crystallizing in the non-centrosymmetric space group, and exhibiting stable and switchable high-temperature second-order nonlinear optical effect.
Highly efficient electrochemical N2 reduction over strongly coupled CeO2–Mo2C nanocomposites anchored by reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Fang Bin , Wang Huilin , Zhao Meng , Xu Jing , Wang Xiao , Song Shuyan , Zhang Hongjie
Published: September 2022

The obtained CeO2/Mo2C@rGO catalysts show superior NRR performance owing to their reconstructed surface electron structure that can efficiently boost the activation of N2 molecules.
Facet and d-band center engineering of CuNi nanocrystals for efficient nitrate electroreduction to ammonia
Authors: Wang Jiao , Zhang Linlin , Wang Yuanyuan , Niu Yongjian , Fang Dong , Su Qingxiao , Wang Cheng
Published: September 2022

Well-faceted CuNi nanocrystals with optimal d-band centers exhibited superior NO3RR performances to electrochemically convert nitrate into ammonia.
Hierarchical CoMoS3.13/MoS2hollow nanosheet arrays as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
Authors: Qu Chunhong , Cao Jian , Chen Yanli , Wei Maobin , Liu Xiaoyan , Feng Bo , Jin Shuting , Xu Ao , Jin Doudou , Yang Lili
Published: September 2022

CoMoS3.13/MoS2hollow nanosheet arrays exhibit excellent overall water splitting performance.
Ni3Fe/BC nanocatalysts based on biomass charcoal self-reduction achieves excellent hydrogen storage performance of MgH2
Authors: Hou Quanhui , Zhang Jiaqi , Zheng Zhu'An , Yang Xinglin , Ding Zhao
Published: September 2022

Under the catalysis of Mg2NiH4 and Fe, and the kinetic performance of hydrogen absorption is improved. In the process of hydrogen release, Mg2NiH4 was transformed into Mg2Ni, and Mg2Ni and Fe act synergistically to facilitate the detachment of H atoms.
Discovery of potential hypoglycemic metabolites in Cassiae Semen by coupling UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS combined plant metabolomics and spectrum-effect relationship analyses
Authors: Yang Fei , Zou Yanfang , Li Chenyue , Li Jiaxu , Zang Yaping , Peng Xin , Wang Juan , Liu E-Hu , Tong Shengqiang , Chu Chu
Published: September 2022

A comprehensive strategy by combining plant metabolomics and spectrum-effect relationship is developed for the rapid and efficient discrimination of raw and fried Cassiae Semen and discovery of potential hypoglycemic metabolites for quality control.
Pineapple by-products as a source of bioactive compounds with potential for industrial food application
Authors: Moreira Bruna , Pereira Eliana , Finimundy Tiane C. , Pinela José , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Carocho Márcio , Stojković Dejan , Sokovic Marina , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R. , Caleja Cristina , Barros Lillian
Published: September 2022

Characterization of the phenolic profile of the hydroethanolic extracts obtained from pineapple peel and crown leaves, and evaluation of their in vitro bioactivity.
Steering protein and lipid digestibility by oleogelation with protein aerogels
Authors: Plazzotta Stella , Alongi Marilisa , De Berardinis Lorenzo , Melchior Sofia , Calligaris Sonia , Manzocco Lara
Published: September 2022

The destructuring behaviour during gastrointestinal digestion of oleogels obtained through the whey protein aerogel-template approach modulates both lipid and protein digestibility.
Oral administration of sea cucumber (Stichopus japonicus) protein exerts wound healing effectsviathe PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Sun Jing-He , Song Shuang , Yang Jing-Feng
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the oral administration of sea cucumber protein (SCP) on wound healing.
From haemoglobin to single-site hydrogenation catalyst
Authors: Li Alain Y. , Pedersen Angus , Feng Jingyu , Luo Hui , Barrio Jesús , Roman Julien , Hii King Kuok (Mimi) , Titirici Maria-Magdalena
Published: September 2022

A single-site Fe catalyst was prepared from bio-based precursors: xylose and haemoglobin. Its catalytic activity, selectivity, and recyclability for nitroarene transfer hydrogenation using isopropanol, and benzimidazole preparation, is reported.
High performance printed organic electrochromic devices based on an optimized UV curable solid-state electrolyte
Authors: Huang Chenchao , Hu Zishou , Yi Yuan-Qiu-Qiang , Chen Xiaolian , Wu Xinzhou , Su Wenming , Cui Zheng
Published: September 2022

High-performance fully printed organic electrochromic devices were realized based on an optimized UV curable solid-state electrolyte.
A carbon capture and storage technique using gold nanoparticles coupled with Cu-based composited thin film catalysts
Authors: Kaoru Onuma , Huang Yan-Jia , Yen Zhi-long , Kaun Chao-Cheng , Hsieh Ya-Ping , Su Yen-Hsun
Published: September 2022

Scheme and band diagram for Au NPs combined with a CuxO thin film are synthesized by a self-assembly process and electrochemical modification. Au/CuxO for developing carbon capture and storage performance.