bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association study of placental weight identifies distinct and shared genetic influences between placental and fetal growth
Authors: Beaumont Robin N. , Flatley Christopher , Vaudel Marc , Wu Xiaoping , Chen Jing , Moen Gunn-Helen , Skotte Line , Helgeland Øyvind , Solé-Navais Pol , Banasik Karina , Albiñana Clara , Ronkainen Justiina , Fadista João , Stinson Sara Elizabeth , Trajanoska Katerina , Wang Carol A. , Westergaard David , Srinivasan Sundararajan , Sánchez-Soriano Carlos , Bilbao Jose Ramon , Allard Catherine , Groleau Marika , Kuulasmaa Teemu , Leirer Daniel J. , White Frédérique , Jacques Pierre-Étienne , Cheng Haoxiang , Hao Ke , Andreassen Ole A. , Åsvold Bjørn Olav , Atalay Mustafa , Bhatta Laxmi , Bouchard Luigi , Brumpton Ben Michael , Brunak Søren , Bybjerg-Grauholm Jonas , Ebbing Cathrine , Elliott Paul , Engelbrechtsen Line , Erikstrup Christian , Estarlich Marisa , Franks Stephen , Gaillard Romy , Geller Frank , Grove Jakob , Hougaard David M. , Kajantie Eero , Morgen Camilla S. , Nohr Ellen A. , Nyegaard Mette , Palmer Colin N. A. , Pedersen Ole Birger ,   The Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium, Rivadeneira Fernando , Sebert Sylvain , Shields Beverley M. , Stoltenberg Camilla , Surakka Ida , Thørner Lise Wegner , Ullum Henrik , Vaarasmaki Marja , Vilhjalmsson Bjarni J. , Willer Cristen J. , Lakka Timo A. , Gybel-Brask Dorte , Bustamante Mariona , Hansen Torben , Pearson Ewan R. , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Ostrowski Sisse R. , Pennell Craig E. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Felix Janine F. , Hattersley Andrew T. , Melbye Mads , Lawlor Deborah A. , Hveem Kristian , Werge Thomas , Nielsen Henriette Svarre , Magnus Per , Evans David M. , Jacobsson Bo , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Zhang Ge , Hivert Marie-France , Johansson Stefan , Freathy Rachel M. , Feenstra Bjarke , Njølstad Pål R.
Published: October 2023

A well-functioning placenta is essential for fetal and maternal health throughout pregnancy. Using placental weight as a proxy for placental growth, we report genome-wide association analyses in the fetal (n = 65,405), maternal (n = 61,228) and paternal (n = 52,392) genomes, yielding 40 independent association signals. Twenty-six signals are classified as fetal, four maternal and three fetal and maternal. A maternal parent-of-origin effect is seen near KCNQ1. Genetic correlation and colocalization analyses reveal overlap with birth weight genetics, but 12 loci are classified as predominantly or only affecting placental weight, with connections to placental development and morphology, and transport of antibodies and amino acids. Mendelian randomization analyses indicate that fetal genetically mediated higher placental weight is causally associated with preeclampsia risk and shorter gestational duration. Moreover, these analyses support the role of fetal insulin in regulating placental weight, providing a key link between fetal and placental growth.
Re-evaluation of publicly available gene-expression databases using machine-learning yields a maximum prognostic power in breast cancer
Authors: Tschodu Dimitrij , Lippoldt Jürgen , Gottheil Pablo , Wegscheider Anne-Sophie , Käs Josef A. , Niendorf Axel
Published: October 2023

Gene expression signatures refer to patterns of gene activities and are used to classify different types of cancer, determine prognosis, and guide treatment decisions. Advancements in high-throughput technology and machine learning have led to improvements to predict a patient’s prognosis for different cancer phenotypes. However, computational methods for analyzing signatures have not been used to evaluate their prognostic power. Contention remains on the utility of gene expression signatures for prognosis. The prevalent approaches include random signatures, expert knowledge, and machine learning to construct an improved signature. We unify these approaches to evaluate their prognostic power. Re-evaluation of publicly available gene-expression data from 8 databases with 9 machine-learning models revealed previously unreported results. Gene-expression signatures are confirmed to be useful in predicting a patient’s prognosis. Convergent evidence from$$\approx$$≈ 10,000 signatures implicates a maximum prognostic power. By calculating the concordance index, which measures how well patients with different prognoses can be discriminated, we show that a signature can correctly discriminate patients’ prognoses no more than 80% of the time. Additionally, we show that more than 50% of the potentially available information is still missing at this value. We surmise that an accurate prognosis must incorporate molecular, clinical, histological, and other complementary factors.
Global observational coverage of onshore oil and gas methane sources with TROPOMI
Authors: Gao Mozhou , Xing Zhenyu , Vollrath Coleman , Hugenholtz Chris H. , Barchyn Thomas E.
Published: October 2023

Satellite observations have been used to measure methane (CH4) emissions from the oil and gas (O&G) industry, particularly by revealing previously undocumented, very large emission events and basin-level emission estimates. However, most satellite systems use passive remote sensing to retrieve CH4 mixing ratios, which is sensitive to sunlight, earth surface properties, and atmospheric conditions. Accordingly, the reliability of satellites for routine CH4 emissions monitoring varies across the globe. To better understand the potentials and limitations of routine monitoring of CH4 emissions with satellites, we investigated the global observational coverage of the TROPOMI instrument onboard the Sentinel-5P satellite—the only satellite system currently with daily global coverage. A 0.1° × 0.1° gridded global map that indicates the average number of days with valid observations from TROPOMI for 2019–2021 was generated by following the measurement retrieval quality-assurance threshold (≥ 0.5). We found TROPOMI had promising observational coverage over dryland regions (maximum: 58.6%) but limited coverage over tropical regions and high latitudes (minimum: 0%). Cloud cover and solar zenith angle were the primary factors affecting observational coverage at high latitudes, while aerosol optical thickness was the primary factor over dryland regions. To further assess the country-level reliability of satellites for detecting and quantifying CH4 emissions from the onshore O&G sector, we extracted the average annual TROPOMI observational coverage (TOC) over onshore O&G infrastructure for 160 countries. Seven of the top-10 O&G-producing countries had an average annual TOC < 10% (< 36 days per year), which indicates the limited ability to routinely identify large emissions events, track their duration, and quantify emissions rates using inverse modelling. We further assessed the potential performance of the latter by combining TOC and the uncertainties from the global O&G inventory. Results indicate that the accuracy of emissions quantifications of onshore O&G sources using TROPOMI data and inverse modeling will be higher in countries located in dryland and mid-latitude regions and lower in tropical and high-latitude regions. Therefore, current passive-sensing satellites have low potential for frequent monitoring of large methane emissions from O&G sectors in countries located in tropical and high latitudes (e.g., Canada, Russia, Brazil, Norway, and Venezuela). Alternative methods should be considered for routine emissions monitoring in these regions.
Sustainable development, eco-tourism carrying capacity and fuzzy algorithm-a study on Kanas in Belt and Road
Authors: Yu Kui , Gao Han
Published: October 2023

In this paper, the method of fuzzy pattern recognition is adopted in more precisely evaluating the actual state of eco-tourism development regarding a given tourist destination in comparison with the three standard patterns (saturated/optimal/deficient) of development degree. The research process is as follows: Firstly, the indictors of carrying capacity of a tourist destination and the corresponding measuring factors are established; secondly, an assessment group is recruited to work out the most constraining factors among the measuring factors; thirdly, by means of field survey, numerical values of the actual state are acquired; fourthly, there comes out the membership vectors and the membership matrix of the standard patterns corresponding to the vectors of three standard patterns, threshold and the actual state; Finally, it could be identified which standard pattern that the actual state is closest to via the lattice degrees of proximity. An exemplary case study on Kanas National Nature Reserves is attached to the logic calculus. This paper is contributed to dynamically monitor the threshold of tourism carrying capacity and precisely identify which carrying capacity (spatial resource/ecological environment/economic resources/people’s psychology/socio-culture) with potential risks.
New opto-electro-mechanical sensor for two-dimensions dosimetry based on radiochromic films
Authors: Mena S. , Karkour N. , Alaphilippe V. , Botero J. P. , Jiménez M. , Linget D. , Gibelin L. , Le Ven V. , Marquet A. , Mellouh S. , Josson E. , Benassou W. , Muñoz-Berbel X. , Guirado G. , Guardiola C.
Published: October 2023

This work presents the validation of a new Opto‒Electro-Mechanical (MOEM) system consisting of a matrix of photodetectors for two-dimensional dosimetry evaluation with radiochromic films. The proposed system is based on a 5 × 10 matrix of photodetectors controlled by both in-house electronic circuit and graphical user interface, which enables optical measurements directly. We present the first tests performed in an X-ray machine and 137Cs source with that array by using Gafchromic EBT3 films. We obtained similar results than with a standard method (e.g. flat-bed scanner). Results were compared with Monte Carlo simulations and very good agreement was found. Results show the feasibility of using this system for dose evaluations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first MOEM sensor for radiotherapy. Further developments are ongoing to create an advanced 16 × 16 LDRs system covering 1.6 cm × 1.6 cm with a 1 mm of spatial resolution. We point to develop a portable dosimetry tool delivering dose maps in real time to improve the clinical application of radiochromic films.
Association between breast diseases and symptomatic uterine fibroids by using South Korean National Health Insurance database
Authors: Yuk Jin-Sung , Yang Seung-Woo , Yoon Sang-Hee , Kim Myoung Hwan , Seo Yong-Soo , Lee Yujin , Joo Yilseok , Kim Jungbin , Yoon Sam-Youl , Cho Hyunjin , Yang Keunho , Gwak Geumhee
Published: October 2023

Both the uterus and breasts have sex hormone dependence, yet there are few studies on the association between breast disease and uterine fibroids (UFs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of benign breast disease (BBD), carcinoma in situ (CIS), and breast cancer (BC) in women treated for UFs compared to women who were not treated for UFs. This retrospective cohort study used national health insurance data from January 1st, 2011, to December 31st, 2020. We selected women between 20 and 50 years old who (1) were treated for UFs (UF group) or (2) visited medical institutions for personal health screening tests without UFs (control group). We analyzed independent variables such as age, socioeconomic status (SES), region, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), delivery status, menopausal status, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), endometriosis, hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and dyslipidemia based on the first date of uterine myomectomy in the UF group and the first visiting date for health screening in the non-UF group. There were 190,583 and 439,940 participants in the UF and control groups, respectively. Compared with those of the control group, the RRs of BBD, CIS, and BC were increased in the UF group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of BBD, CIS, and BC in the UF group were 1.335 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.299–1.372), 1.796 (95% CI 1.542–2.092), and 1.3 (95% CI 1.198–1.41), respectively. When we analyzed the risk of BC according to age at inclusion, UFs group had the increased risk of BCs in all age groups in comparison with control group. Women with low SES (HR 0.514, 95% CI 0.36–0.734) and living in rural areas (HR 0.889, 95% CI 0.822–0.962) had a lower risk of BC. Our study showed that women with UFs had a higher risk of BBD, CIS, and BC than those without UFs. This result suggests that women with UFs should be more conscious of BC than those without UFs. Therefore, doctors should consider recommending regular breast self-exams, mammography, or ultrasound for the early detection of BC in women with UFs.
Examining factors that influence medication adherence with children seen at outpatient department in Western China: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Yang Chunsong , Yang Yaya , Zhang Lingli , Li Dan
Published: October 2023

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of medication adherence, assess the association between guardians’ mental health and medication adherence for children seen at outpatient department from western China, and identify characteristics associated with nonadherence. We conducted a cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited by consecutive sampling from the outpatient of the West China Second Hospital from October 2021 to April 2022. The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to evaluate patients’ medication adherence. A multivariate linear regression model was used to analyze influencing factors. 1206 children with a mean age of 6.02 ± 3.86 years were included. Seventeen percent (208/1206) of patients showed good adherence, 24.7% (298/1206) showed moderate adherence, and 58% (700/1206) showed poor adherence. Thirty-five percent (428/1206) of guardians had anxiety. Factors that influenced medication adherence included anxiety score of guardian (P = 0.030), education level of guardian (P = 0.003), annual household income (P = 0.001), and days the patient is on the medication (P = 0.023). A majority of children seen at outpatient department from West China had low medication adherence, and depression and anxiety among guardians were common. Implementing health education measures will be important for improving medication adherence in future.
Metabolic profiling to evaluate the impact of amantadine and rimantadine on the secondary metabolism of a model organism
Authors: Kostina-Bednarz Marianna , Płonka Joanna , Barchanska Hanna
Published: October 2023

Metabolic profiling offers huge potential to highlight markers and mechanisms in support of toxicology and pathology investigations during drug development. The main objective was to modify therapy with adamantane derivatives: amantadine and rimantadine, to increase their bioavailability and evaluate the influence of such therapy on drug metabolism using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the model organism. In this study, the profile of endogenous metabolites of a model organism was measured and interpreted to provide an opportunity to investigate changes induced by treatment with amantadine and rimantadine. It was found that resveratrol supplementation synergistically enhanced the effects of amantadine treatment and increased rimantadine metabolism, potentially reducing side effects. The fingerprinting strategy was used as an efficient technique for qualitatively evaluating and monitoring changes in the profiles of endogenous components and their contents in a model organism. Chemometric tools were employed to find marker compounds that can be defined as characteristic indicators of a pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention. An improved understanding of the mechanisms involved in drug effect and an increased ability to predict individual variations in the drug response of organisms will improve the treatment process and the development of new therapies.
In-situ micro-CT scanning and compressive strength assessment of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) treated chalk
Authors: Samarkin Yevgeniy , Amao Abduljamiu Olalekan , Aljawad Murtada Saleh , Borji Mostafa , Scott Norman , AlTammar Murtadha J. , Alruwaili Khalid M.
Published: October 2023

The occurrence of wellbore mechanical failure is a consequence of the interaction among factors such as in situ stress, rock strength, and engineering procedures. The process of hydrocarbons production, causing reduction of pore pressure, alters the effective stresses in the vicinity of a borehole, leading to borehole instability issues. Estimating the rocks’ elastic modulus and compressive strength is essential to comprehend the rock matrix’s mechanical response during drilling and production operations. This study aimed to assess the practicality of Diammonium Hydrogen Phosphate (DAP) application as a chemical for strengthening chalk in hydrocarbon reservoirs, to make it resistant to high stresses and failure during drilling and production. The mechanical and physical properties of Austin chalk rock samples treated with DAP under mimicked reservoir conditions were studied. The results showed that DAP is a highly effective carbonate rock consolidating agent that improves the mechanical strength of the chalk. Compressive test measurements conducted on rocks treated at two different temperatures (ambient and 50 °C) showed that DAP effectively strengthened the rock matrix, resulting in an increase in its compressive strength (22–24%) and elastic modulus (up to 115%) compared to the untreated sample. The favorable outcomes of this research suggest that the DAP solution holds promise as a consolidation agent in hydrocarbon reservoirs. This contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding effective strategies for mitigating mechanical failures of the wellbore during drilling and production.
Anticipating older populations’ health risk exacerbated by compound disasters based on mortality caused by heart diseases and strokes
Authors: Gao Shangde , Wang Yan
Published: October 2023

The health of older populations in the Southeastern U.S. receives threats from recurrent tropical cyclones and extreme heat, which may exacerbate the mortality caused by heart diseases and strokes. Such threats can escalate when these extremes form compound disasters, which may be more frequent under climate change. However, a paucity of empirical evidence exists concerning the health threats of compound disasters, and anticipations regarding the health risks of older populations under future compound disaster scenarios are lacking. Focusing on Florida, which has 67 counties and the second-largest proportion of older populations among U.S. states, we calibrate Poisson regression models to explore older populations’ mortality caused by heart diseases and strokes under single and compound disasters. The models are utilized to estimate the mortality across future disaster scenarios, the changing climate, and the growing population. We identify that under multiple hurricanes or heat, current-month hurricanes or heat can affect mortality more heavily than previous-month hurricanes or heat. Under future scenarios, co-occurring hurricanes and extreme heat can exacerbate the mortality more severely than other disaster scenarios. The same types of compound disasters can coincide with an average of 20.5% higher mortality under RCP8.5-SSP5 than under RCP4.5-SSP2. We assess older populations’ future health risks, alerting health agencies to enhance preparedness for future “worst-case” scenarios of compound disasters and proactively adapt to climate change.
A comparison of language control while switching within versus between languages in younger and older adults
Authors: de Bruin Angela , Kressel Heidi , Hemmings Daisy
Published: October 2023

Word retrieval during language production slows down with age. However, bilinguals also require language control to manage language competition, in particular when switching languages to cues. The current study examined how this bilingual language control differs between younger and older adults. It also compared bilingual control, and age-group differences, to control that might be applied when alternating between responses within one language. In Experiment 1, 40 younger and 40 older monolingual adults completed a task alternating between noun and verb responses to pictures. The task showed costs associated with language control but these did not differ between age groups. Experiment 2 was completed by 50 older and 50 younger bilingual adults. Older adults showed larger switching costs than younger adults when switching between and within languages, suggesting they experienced more difficulty with reactive control. However, while older adults showed larger mixing costs than younger adults when using two languages in the dual-language environment relative to the single-language environment, they surprisingly showed smaller mixing costs than younger adults in the noun-verb within-language naming task. These findings show that language control, and the way it differs between older and younger adults, is not the same across within- and bilingual-language competition.
Height detection of crop divider toes of sugarcane harvester based on Kalman adaptive adjustment
Authors: Wen Chunming , Yan Yunzhi , Wu Wanling , Li Jianheng , Hou Bingxu , Cui Wenxuan , Huang Youzong , Li Kaihua , Long Xiaozhu , Nong Hongliang
Published: October 2023

Crop divider toes are an essential device of sugarcane harvester. Moving forward against the ground is a critical way to improve the harvesting rate of lodged sugarcane. Height detection is the basis for precise control of crop divider toes moving forward against the ground. Due to the current problem of operating difficulties in manually adjusting the height of crop divider, a height detection system based on a millimeter wave radar sensor was designed to detect the height of crop divider toes from the ground. This paper proposed a height detection method of crop divider toes for sugarcane harvester based on Kalman adaptive adjustment. The data measured by the sensor was pretreated to determine whether the height had changed. Reset the Kalman filter and adjust the parameters when changes occur to improve the filter response speed and ranging accuracy. To adapt to the scenario of quickly adjusting the height of crop divider during the traveling process of sugarcane harvester. A one-way ANOVA test and a two-way ANOVA test were conducted on a simulated test platform. The results of the one-way ANOVA test showed that both forward speed and vegetation cover thickness had a significant effect on height detection accuracy. The results of the two-way ANOVA test showed that the interaction of forward speed and vegetation cover thickness did not have a significant effect on ranging accuracy. It was verified through experiments that both the ranging accuracy and the response speed of height change were significantly improved after the processing of the method in this paper. The mean square error after processing was lower than 2.5 cm. The feasibility of the height detection system was verified by field trials. The results of this study will provide a reference for the design of automatic elevation of crop divider.
Alum and a TLR7 agonist combined with built-in TLR4 and 5 agonists synergistically enhance immune responses against HPV RG1 epitope
Authors: Mashhadi Abolghasem Shirazi Maryam , Sadat Seyed Mehdi , Haghighat Setareh , Roohvand Farzin , Arashkia Arash
Published: October 2023

To relieve the limitations of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines based on L1 capsid protein, vaccine formulations based on RG1 epitope of HPV L2 using various built-in adjuvants are under study. Herein, we describe design and construction of a rejoined peptide (RP) harboring HPV16 RG1 epitope fused to TLR4/5 agonists and a tetanus toxoid epitope, which were linked by the (GGGS)3 linker in tandem. In silico analyses indicated the proper physicochemical, immunogenic and safety profile of the RP. Docking analyses on predicted 3D model suggested the effective interaction of TLR4/5 agonists within RP with their corresponding TLRs. Expressing the 1206 bp RP-coding DNA in E. coli produced a 46 kDa protein, and immunization of mice by natively-purified RP in different adjuvant formulations indicated the crucial role of the built-in adjuvants for induction of anti-RG1 responses that could be further enhanced by combination of TLR7 agonist/alum adjuvants. While the TLR4/5 agonists contributed in the elicitation of the Th2-polarized immune responses, combination with TLR7 agonist changed the polarization to the balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses. Indeed, RP + TLR7 agonist/alum adjuvants induced the strongest immune responses that could efficiently neutralize the HPV pseudoviruses, and thus might be a promising formulation for an inexpensive and cross-reactive HPV vaccine.
Crowdsourced audit of Twitter’s recommender systems
Authors: Bouchaud Paul , Chavalarias David , Panahi Maziyar
Published: October 2023

This research conducts an audit of Twitter’s recommender system, aiming to examine the disparities between users’ curated timelines and their subscription choices. Through the combined use of a browser extension and data collection via the Twitter API, our investigation reveals a high amplification of friends from the same community, a preference for amplifying emotionally charged and toxic tweets and an uneven algorithmic amplification across friends’ political leaning. This audit emphasizes the importance of transparency, and increased awareness regarding the impact of algorithmic curation.
Accuracy of intraoral scanning versus conventional impressions for partial edentulous patients with maxillary defects
Authors: Cao Rongkai , Zhang Shilei , Li Lishan , Qiu Piaopiao , Xu Hui , Cao Yujie
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of digital dental impressions obtained by intraoral scanning (IOS) for partial edentulous patients with maxillary defects by comparing them with conventional impression techniques. Ten subjects underwent an experimental procedure where three ceramic blocks were affixed to the healthy palate mucosa. Digital dental impressions were captured using IOS and subsequently imported into software. Conventional impressions obtained by silicone rubber were also taken and scanned. Linear distance and best-fit algorithm measurements were performed using conventional impression techniques as the reference. Twenty impressions were analyzed, which included 30 pairs of linear distances and 10 best-fit algorithm measurements. Regarding linear distance, paired two-sample t-test demonstrated no significant differences between IOS and model scanning in groups A and C, whereas significant differences were found in group B (P < 0.05). Additionally, ANOVA revealed significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found for the best-fit algorithm measurement of the dentition. IOS can provide accurate impressions for partial edentulous patients with maxillary defects and its accuracy was found to be comparable with conventional impression techniques. A functional impression may be needed to ensure accurate reproduction of soft and hard tissues in defect or flap areas.
Functional mutation, splice, distribution, and divergence analysis of impactful genes associated with heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Mhatre Ishani , Abdelhalim Habiba , Degroat William , Ashok Shreya , Liang Bruce T. , Ahmed Zeeshan
Published: October 2023

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is caused by a multitude of complex and largely heritable conditions. Identifying key genes and understanding their susceptibility to CVD in the human genome can assist in early diagnosis and personalized treatment of the relevant patients. Heart failure (HF) is among those CVD phenotypes that has a high rate of mortality. In this study, we investigated genes primarily associated with HF and other CVDs. Achieving the goals of this study, we built a cohort of thirty-five consented patients, and sequenced their serum-based samples. We have generated and processed whole genome sequence (WGS) data, and performed functional mutation, splice, variant distribution, and divergence analysis to understand the relationships between each mutation type and its impact. Our variant and prevalence analysis found FLNA, CST3, LGALS3, and HBA1 linked to many enrichment pathways. Functional mutation analysis uncovered ACE, MME, LGALS3, NR3C2, PIK3C2A, CALD1, TEK, and TRPV1 to be notable and potentially significant genes. We discovered intron, 5ʹ Flank, 3ʹ UTR, and 3ʹ Flank mutations to be the most common among HF and other CVD genes. Missense mutations were less common among HF and other CVD genes but had more of a functional impact. We reported HBA1, FADD, NPPC, ADRB2, ADBR1, MYH6, and PLN to be consequential based on our divergence analysis.
Muscimol inhibits plasma membrane rupture and ninjurin-1(NINJ1) oligomerization during pyroptosis
Authors: den Hartigh Andreas B. , Loomis Wendy P. , Anderson Marisa J. , Frølund Bente , Fink Susan L.
Published: October 2023

Pyroptosis is a cell death process that causes inflammation and contributes to numerous diseases. Pyroptosis is mediated by caspase-1 family proteases that cleave the pore-forming protein gasdermin D, causing plasma membrane rupture and release of pathogenic cellular contents. We previously identified muscimol as a small molecule that prevents plasma membrane rupture during pyroptosis via an unidentified mechanism. Here, we show that muscimol has reversible activity to prevent cellular lysis without affecting earlier pyroptotic events. Although muscimol is a well-characterized agonist for neuronal GABAA receptors, muscimol protection is not altered by GABAA receptor antagonists or recapitulated by other GABAA agonists, suggesting that muscimol acts via a novel mechanism. We find that muscimol blocks oligomerization of ninjurin-1, which is required for plasma membrane rupture downstream of gasdermin D pore formation. Our structure-activity relationship studies reveal distinct molecular determinants defining inhibition of pyroptotic lysis compared to GABAA binding. In addition, we demonstrate that muscimol reduces lethality during LPS-induced septic shock. Together, these findings demonstrate that ninjurin-1-mediated plasma membrane rupture can be pharmacologically modulated and pave the way toward identification of therapeutic strategies for pathologic conditions associated with pyroptosis.
Dynamical and topological properties of the spin angular momenta in general electromagnetic fields
Authors: Shi Peng , Du Luping , Yang Aiping , Yin Xiaojin , Lei Xinrui , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2023

Spin angular momenta play important roles in light–matter interactions, leading to the emergence of the spin Hall effect and topological quasiparticles in modern optics. The typical approach is to decompose the spins of plane electromagnetic waves into longitudinal and transverse components, yet this description is not easily transferable to more structured electromagnetic environments. Here, we developed a field theory to reveal the physical origin and topological properties of longitudinal and transverse spins for arbitrary electromagnetic waves (including water waves and acoustic waves) in both near-field and free space. For electromagnetic waves carrying intrinsic helicity, we observed the emergence of helicity-dependent transverse spin possessing helicity-dependent spin-momentum locking. To verify that the number of spin-momentum locking states coincides with the spin Chern number, we experimentally measured the three-dimensional spin angular momentum densities of Bloch-type optical skyrmions. Our findings yield valuable insight for constructing spin-based field theory and exploiting optical topological quasiparticle-based applications.
Economists are not engaged enough with the IPCC
Authors: Noy Ilan
Published: October 2023

The representation of Economics in IPCC Assessment Reports (ARs) has evolved over time and is currently declining. This is especially noticeable in Working Group 2 (WGII), where economists were never very well represented. It is also noticeable that the economists who have participated in the writing of the recent ARs are typically not employed in traditional academic economics departments and are therefore not operating in the mainstream of the profession. Economic research can contribute a lot to overcoming the complex challenges posed by climate change, and therefore it is worthwhile to assess why economists are not more heavily involved. This is both a supply problem (not many economists focus on climate change) and a demand problem (the IPCC does not seem to want more economists). Here, we first try to argue that economists should be part of the IPCC. We then digress to look at what economic research looks like, and therefore why economists are not that interested in contributing meaningfully to the research on climate change. We also briefly discuss why the IPCC seems not to welcome economists, and why we think the future may be looking brighter for this needed collaboration between economics and the IPCC.
A case of alkylidyne-imine metathesis
Authors: Yadav Rinku , Ghiviriga Ion , Abboud Khalil K. , Veige Adam S.
Published: October 2023

Reactions between imines and tungsten alkylidyne complexes are studied.
Long-chain tin(iv) alkanethiolates (Sn(SCnH2n+1)4, n ≥ 12) with the coexistence of trans and gauche S–C bonds: a class of lamellar van der Waals molecular crystals
Authors: Wang Tingting , Wan Yixin , Yu Nan , Gu Kewei , Lu Zhiwei , Wang Junli
Published: October 2023

Long-chain tin(iv) alkanethiolates (Sn(SCnH2n+1)4, n ≥ 12) are disclosed as a class of van der Waals molecular crystals, which feature a layered structure, the coexistence of trans and gauche S–C bonds, and all-trans alkyl chains.
Prebiotic dimer and trimer peptide formation in gas-phase atmospheric nanoclusters of water
Authors: Harold Shannon E. , Warf Skyler L. , Shields George C.
Published: October 2023

Insight into the origin of prebiotic molecules is key to our understanding of how living systems evolved into the complex network of biological processes on Earth.
Understanding and controlling the nucleation and growth of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Carpenter Brooke P. , Talosig A. Rain , Rose Ben , Di Palma Giuseppe , Patterson Joseph P.
Published: October 2023

This review highlights the theories, parameters, and methods, which can be used to understand, control, and monitor MOF nucleation and growth.
A multi-technique analysis of gelatin biodegradation on the surface of core–shell nanoparticles by Alteromonas macleodii extracellular proteases
Authors: Fernández-Castillo Suárez Sergio , Courrèges Cécile , Jiménez-Lamana Javier , Godin Simon , Nolivos Sophie , Grimaud Régis , Ronga Luisa , Szpunar Joanna , Allouche Joachim
Published: October 2023

Multi-technique characterization at the nanoscale of gelatin biodegradation on the surface of core–shell nanoparticles by extracellular proteases.
Correction: Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation ameliorates chronic restraint stress-induced male reproductive dysfunction
Authors: Akram Mohd , Azmal Ali Syed , Kaul Gautam
Published: October 2023

Correction for ‘Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation ameliorates chronic restraint stress-induced male reproductive dysfunction’ by Mohd Akram et al., Food Funct., 2023, 14, 8558–8574, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3FO03153E.
Simultaneous N2 and N3 coordination of inverse triazolyl-pyridine ligands in Ag(i) complexes: synthesis, structure, and application in the A3 coupling reaction to propargylamine under solvent free and low catalyst loading conditions
Authors: Gahlaut Puneet Singh , Gautam Deepak , Shekhawat Bhawana , Kushwaha Shivani , Jana Barun
Published: October 2023

Herein, we report the syntheses of two new Ag(i) complexes of inverse triazolyl-pyridine ligands those show high catalytic activity in A3 coupling reaction.
pH-Responsive swimming behavior of light-powered rod-shaped micromotors
Authors: Debata Srikanta , Panda Suvendu Kumar , Trivedi Satyaprakash , Uspal William , Singh Dhruv Pratap
Published: October 2023

Rod-shaped light-driven micromotors exhibit multimode swimming behavior based on the pH of the medium.
Substituted anilides from chitin-based 3-acetamido-furfural
Authors: van der Loo Cornelis H. M. , Kaniraj J. P. , Wang Ting , Broekman J. O. P. , Borst Mark L. G. , Pouwer Kees , Heeres André , Deuss Peter J. , Minnaard Adriaan J.
Published: October 2023

A Diels–Alder/aromatization cascade reaction with chitin-based furans is a powerful tool for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing aromatics.
Nanodiamond embedded polyaniline/polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites as microfiltration membranes for removal of industrial pollution
Authors: Siddiqa Asima , Majid Abdul , Saira Farhat , Farooq Saima , Qureshi Rumana , Qaisar Sara
Published: October 2023

Nanotechnology has a solution for membrane fouling which remained a challenge to the membrane technology.
Chemical sciences, technological innovations, and resource circulation
Authors: Yu Iris K. M.
Published: October 2023

A multi-loop resource nexus, which features an intricate network of various resource loops, is proposed to promote circular economies. To realize efficient transfer and transformation of resources, the chemical sciences are critical for innovations in low-carbon resource recovery technologies.
The urgent recognition of phosphate resource scarcity and pollution
Authors: Martinon Thibaut L. M.
Published: October 2023

The dependence on increasingly scarce, nonrenewable phosphate rocks has led to rampant nutrient pollution in surface waters heralding significant worldwide geopolitical, environmental, and economic insecurities which will need to be addressed through phosphate remediation and community education.
The role of the chemical sciences in stewardship for sustainability
Authors: Matlin Stephen A. , Rosei Federico , Lambin Philippe , Jin Lei
Published: October 2023

An introduction to the Regional Winners of the first annual Essay Competition, Young Voices in the Chemical Sciences for Sustainability.
Efficient van der Waals layered gallium telluride-based passive photodetectors for low-power-density sensing of visible light
Authors: Sta. Maria Carlo C. , Wu Po-Hung , Hasibuan Denny Pratama , Saragih Clara Sinta , Giap Hien , Nguyen Duc Huy , Chen Yan-Ruei , Patil Ranjit A. , Pham Duy Van , Shen Ji-Lin , Lai Chien-Chih , Wu Maw-Kuen , Ma Yuan-Ron
Published: October 2023

This work demonstrates the capability of a van der Waals layered GaTe single crystal to detect a wide range of wavelengths at small power density (0.05 W m−2) while being operated at a low bias voltage of 0.2 V.
High-Tc superconductivity of polyhydride Rb2MgH18 with a layered hydrogen structure at high pressure
Authors: Wang Jianyun , Sun Ying , Li Yulong , Zhang Shoutao , Gao Bo , Liu Hanyu
Published: October 2023

A new high-pressure Rb2MgH18 structure with an intriguing H layer was predicted. It shows superconductivity with calculated Tc of 278 K at 235 GPa.
Modification of thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters comprising acridan–pyrimidine moieties for efficient sky-blue to greenish-blue OLEDs
Authors: Li Yi-Zhen , Liang Hsuan-Chi , Chen Chia-Hsun , Chiu Ching-Huang , Lin Bo-Yen , Tan Jake A. , Lee Jiun-Haw , Chiu Tien-Lung , Leung Man-kit
Published: October 2023

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is a promising approach to harvest triplet excitons and achieve high-performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for displays.
Photometric follow-up of the 20 Myr old multi-planet host star V1298 Tau with CHEOPS and ground-based telescopes
Authors: Damasso M. , Scandariato G. , Nascimbeni V. , Nardiello D. , Mancini L. , Marino G. , Bruno G. , Brandeker A. , Leto G. , Marzari F. , Lanza A. F. , Benatti S. , Desidera S. , Béjar V. J. S. , Biagini A. , Borsato L. , Cabona L. , Claudi R. , Lodieu N. , Maggio A. , Mallorquín M. , Messina S. , Micela G. , Ricci D. , Sozzetti A. , Suárez Mascareño A. , Turrini D. , Zapatero Osorio M. R.
Published: October 2023

Context. The 20 Myr old star V1298 Tau hosts at least four planets. Since its discovery, this system has been a target of intensive photometric and spectroscopic monitoring. To date, the characterisation of its architecture and planets’ fundamental properties has been very challenging.

Aims. The determination of the orbital ephemeris of the outermost planet V1298 Tau e remains an open question. Only two transits have been detected so far by Kepler/K2 and TESS, allowing for a grid of reference periods to be tested with new observations, without excluding the possibility of transit timing variations. Observing a third transit would allow for better constraints to be set on the orbital period and would also help in determining an accurate radius for V1298 Tau e because the previous transits showed different depths.

Methods. We observed V1298 Tau with the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to search for a third transit of planet e within observing windows selected to test three of the shortest predicted orbital periods. We also collected ground-based observations to verify the result found with CHEOPS. We reanalysed Kepler/K2 and TESS light curves to test how the results derived from these data are affected by alternative photometric extraction and detrending methods.

Results. We report the CHEOPS detection of a transit-like signal that could be attributed to V1298 Tau e. If so, that result would imply that the orbital period calculated from fitting a linear ephemeris to the three available transits is close to ~45 days. Results from the ground-based follow-up marginally support this possibility. We found that i) the transit observed by CHEOPS has a longer duration compared to that of the transits observed by Kepler/K2 and TESS; and ii) the transit observed by TESS is >30% deeper than that of Kepler/K2 and CHEOPS, and it is also deeper than the measurement previously reported in the literature, according to our reanalysis.

Conclusions. If the new transit detected by CHEOPS is found to be due to V1298 Tau e, this would imply that the planet experiences TTVs of a few hours, as deduced from three transits, as well as orbital precession, which would explain the longer duration of the transit compared to the Kepler/K2 and TESS signals. Another and a priori less likely possibility is that the newly detected transit belongs to a fifth planet with a longer orbital period than that of V1298 Tau e. Planning further photometric follow-up to search for additional transits is indeed necessary to solve the conundrum, as well as to pin down the radius of V1298 Tau e.
Characteristics of Gluten Free Biscuit from Purple Sweet Flour, Rice Brands and Coffee Cherry Flour
Authors: Damat Damat , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy , Harini Noor , Asmawati Asmawati , Anwar Shazma , Zsazsa Mahesah Cutari , Wachid Mochamad , Andoko Effendi , Trisna Salsabila Andalusia
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to analyze gluten free biscuits’s from purple sweet potato flour, rice bran flour, and coffee cherry flour; using completely randomized design method. The treatments applied were the ratio of adding purple sweet potato flour, bran flour and coffee cherry flour B0 (100 %: 0 % : 0 %); B1 (80 % : 20 % : 0 %); B2 (60 % : 30 % : 10 %); B3 (40 % : 40 % : 20 %); B4 (20 % : 50 % : 30 %); B5 (0 % : 60 % : 40 %) with four repetitions. The results showed that there was a significant effect between the proportions of the composite use of purple sweet potato flour, bran flour and coffee cherry flour on moisture content, ash content, fiber content, fracture power, color intensity and organoleptic taste. The best formulation was treatment B2 which had 5.05 % moisture content, 2.82 % ash content, 8.80 % protein content, 25 fat content, 05 %, carbohydrate content 58.28 %, crude fiber content 7.63 %, antioxidant activity 83.68 %, color intensity (L = 41.15; a = +5.05; b = +5.97), power broken 6.118 N, texture 4.52 (Slightly not crunchy), taste 5.40 (neutral), and aroma 5.60 (neutral).
Uptake and Accumulation of Zinc by Grey Mangrove at Wonorejo Mangrove Forest, Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Sulistiyaning Titah Harmin , Pratikno Herman , Marwah Luthansa Uridna
Published: October 2023

Heavy metals have non-biodegradable, toxic and accumulative properties in the environment. Heavy metals that enter water bodies will be carried by the flow towards the coast. Zinc (Zn) is one of the metals found polluting the waters in the city of Surabaya, Indonesia. One of the efforts to overcome this problem is the use of mangroves as phytoremediation agents. The purpose of the study was to determine the ability of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh in the Wonorejo Ecoforest to accumulate Zn by determining the bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the translocation factor (TF). Determination of the sampling points of this study using the transect method. Samples were taken in the form roots, stems, and leaves of mangrove plants and those were analyzed for Zn concentration using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Based on the result, A. marina showed the immobilized of Zn in root due to the BCF value was higher than 1. In conclusion, A. marina have potential to be phytoremediation plants in coastal area.
Butanol Production by Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIMB 13357 Utilizing Yeast Industry Wastewater as a Fermentation Medium
Authors: Illayan Massadeh Muhannad , Alsharafat Othman , Saleem Ahmad , Damat Damat , Suherman Suherman , Hendroko Setyobudi Roy
Published: October 2023

Increasing fuel costs and global environmental concerns have aggravated the search for renewable energy. Significant progress for biofuels production by microorganisms using many types of industrial and agricultural wastes has been achieved. Yeast Industry Wastewater (YIW) is one of the cost-effective and nutrients rich media that is produced in large quantities in Jordan. This study aims to investigate the ability of Clostridium. acetobutylicum NCIMB 13357 to utilize YIW to produce butanol. As a result, C. acetobutylicum was able to grow and metabolize in agar plates continuing undiluted YIW. Shake cultures of YIW supplied with glucose and ammonium acetate resulted in the production of 11.73 g L-1 of butanol. Butanol production was enhanced in column bioreactor as the total carbohydrates were consumed. Nevertheless, immobilization of C. acetobutylicum in sodium alginates slightly enhanced the production of butanol to reach 12.47 g L-1 under batch fermentation, whereas under continuous operation the maximum production of butanol recorded 18.35 g L-1 and 34.85 g L-1 for total solvents after 96 h of fermentation. Consequently, YIW is a promising media for butanol production with additional benefits of its use with regard to environmental and economic aspects.
Formulation of a Synbiotic Beverage Based on Red Bean with Addition of Inulin Dahlia Tuber
Authors: Harini Noor , Wiranti Cindy , Amroini Wahyudi Vritta , Fayiz Mousa Atoum Manar , Sukweenadhi Johan , Yang Deok-Chun
Published: October 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of adding inulin to synbiotic beverage chemical and organoleptic properties. The study consisted of two stages, the first stage was the isolation of inulin from dahlia tubers and the second stage was the manufacture of synbiotic beverage. The design used in this study was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with one factor, namely the concentration of dahlia tuber inulin added with a concentration level of 0 %, 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 %. One-factor research with two replications has ten experimental units with research variables: qualitative dahlia tuber inulin, synbiotic beverage water content, ash content, lipid content, protein content, fiber content, and organoleptic tests. The addition of inulin significantly affected the chemical variables of ash, lipid, protein, and fiber, and organoleptic variables of aroma, texture, colour, and taste. The best treatment results from this study were F0 treatment with the addition of 1 % inulin concentration resulting in 85 % water content, 0.14 % ash content, 3.58 % protein content, 0.32 % lipid content, and 1.76 % fiber content. The best treatment organoleptic results were 4.96 % aroma variables, 5.20 % texture, 4.96 % colour, and 4.60 % taste variables.