bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remediation of Pb-contaminated soil using biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer and biomonitoring employing bioindicators
Authors: Acosta-Luque María Paula , López Julián E. , Henao Nancy , Zapata Daniela , Giraldo Juan C. , Saldarriaga Juan F.
Published: January 2023

Soil contamination by Pb can result from different anthropogenic sources such as lead-based paints, gasoline, pesticides, coal burning, mining, among others. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of P-loaded biochar (Biochar-based slow-release P fertilizer) to remediate a Pb-contaminated soil. In addition, we aim to propose a biomonitoring alternative after soil remediation. First, rice husk-derived biochar was obtained at different temperatures (450, 500, 550, and 600 °C) (raw biochars). Then, part of the resulting material was activated. Later, the raw biochars and activated biochars were immersed in a saturated KH2PO4 solution to produce P-loaded biochars. The ability of materials to immobilize Pb and increase the bioavailability of P in the soil was evaluated by an incubation test. The materials were incorporated into doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%. After 45 days, soil samples were taken to biomonitor the remediation process using two bioindicators: a phytotoxicity test and enzyme soil activity. Activated P-loaded biochar produced at 500 °C has been found to present the best conditions for soil Pb remediation. This material significantly reduced the bioavailability of Pb and increased the bioavailability of P. The phytotoxicity test and the soil enzymatic activity were significantly correlated with the decrease in bioavailable Pb but not with the increase in bioavailable P. Biomonitoring using the phytotoxicity test is a promising alternative for the evaluation of soils after remediation processes.
Microstructure of a heavily irradiated metal exposed to a spectrum of atomic recoils
Authors: Boleininger Max , Mason Daniel R. , Sand Andrea E. , Dudarev Sergei L.
Published: January 2023

At temperatures below the onset of vacancy migration, metals exposed to energetic ions develop dynamically fluctuating steady-state microstructures. Statistical properties of these microstructures in the asymptotic high exposure limit are not universal and vary depending on the energy and mass of the incident ions. We develop a model for the microstructure of an ion-irradiated metal under athermal conditions, where internal stress fluctuations dominate the kinetics of structural evolution. The balance between defect production and recombination depends sensitively not only on the total exposure to irradiation, defined by the fluence, but also on the energy of the incident particles. The model predicts the defect content in the high dose limit as an integral of the spectrum of primary knock-on atom energies, with the finding that low energy ions produce a significantly higher amount of damage than high energy ions at comparable levels of exposure to radiation.
Addressing the pervasive scarcity of structural annotation in eukaryotic algae
Authors: Kwon Taehyung , Hanschen Erik R. , Hovde Blake T.
Published: January 2023

Despite a continuous increase in algal genome sequencing, structural annotations of most algal genome assemblies remain unavailable. This pervasive scarcity of genome annotation has restricted rigorous investigation of these genomic resources and may have precipitated misleading biological interpretations. However, the annotation process for eukaryotic algal species is often challenging as genomic resources and transcriptomic evidence are not always available. To address this challenge, we benchmark the cutting-edge gene prediction methods that can be generalized for a broad range of non-model eukaryotes. Using the most accurate methods selected based on high-quality algal genomes, we predict structural annotations for 135 unannotated algal genomes. Using previously available genomic data pooled together with new data obtained in this study, we identified the core orthologous genes and the multi-gene phylogeny of eukaryotic algae, including of previously unexplored algal species. This study not only provides a benchmark for the use of structural annotation methods on a variety of non-model eukaryotes, but also compensates for missing data in the current spectrum of algal genomic resources. These results bring us one step closer to the full potential of eukaryotic algal genomics.
Learning on tree architectures outperforms a convolutional feedforward network
Authors: Meir Yuval , Ben-Noam Itamar , Tzach Yarden , Hodassman Shiri , Kanter Ido
Published: January 2023

Advanced deep learning architectures consist of tens of fully connected and convolutional hidden layers, currently extended to hundreds, are far from their biological realization. Their implausible biological dynamics relies on changing a weight in a non-local manner, as the number of routes between an output unit and a weight is typically large, using the backpropagation technique. Here, a 3-layer tree architecture inspired by experimental-based dendritic tree adaptations is developed and applied to the offline and online learning of the CIFAR-10 database. The proposed architecture outperforms the achievable success rates of the 5-layer convolutional LeNet. Moreover, the highly pruned tree backpropagation approach of the proposed architecture, where a single route connects an output unit and a weight, represents an efficient dendritic deep learning.
Health effects of shrinking hyper-saline lakes: spatiotemporal modeling of the Lake Urmia drought on the local population, case study of the Shabestar County
Authors: Feizizadeh Bakhtiar , Lakes Tobia , Omarzadeh Davoud , Pourmoradian Samira
Published: January 2023

Climate change and its respective environmental impacts, such as dying lakes, is widely acknowledged. Studies on the impact of shrinking hyper-saline lakes suggest severe negative consequences for the health of the affected population. The primary aim was to investigate the relationship between changes in the water level of the hyper-saline Lake Urmia, along with the associated salt release, and the prevalence of hypertension and the general state of health of the local population in Shabestar County north of the lake. Moreover, we sought to map the vulnerability of the local population to the health risks associated with salt-dust scatter using multiple environmental and demographic characteristics. We applied a spatiotemporal analysis of the environmental parameters of Lake Urmia and the health of the local population. We analyzed health survey data from local health care centers and a national STEPS study in Shabestar County, Iran. We used a time-series of remote sensing images to monitor the trend of occurrence and extent of salt-dust storms between 2012 and 2020. To evaluate the impacts of lake drought on the health of the residences, we investigated the spatiotemporal correlation of the lake drought and the state of health of local residents. We applied a GIScience multiple decision analysis to identify areas affected by salt-dust particles and related these to the health status of the residents. According to our results, the lake drought has significantly contributed to the increasing cases of hypertension in local patients. The number of hypertensive patients has increased from 2.09% in 2012 to 19.5% in 2019 before decreasing slightly to 16.05% in 2020. Detailed results showed that adults, and particularly females, were affected most by the effects of the salt-dust scatter in the residential areas close to the lake. The results of this study provide critical insights into the environmental impacts of the Lake Urmia drought on the human health of the residents. Based on the results we suggest that detailed socioeconomic studies might be required for a comprehensive analysis of the human health issues in this area. Nonetheless, the proposed methods can be applied to monitor the environmental impacts of climate change on human health.
High-efficient energy harvesting architecture for self-powered thermal-monitoring wireless sensor node based on a single thermoelectric generator
Authors: Álvarez-Carulla Albert , Saiz-Vela Albert , Puig-Vidal Manel , López-Sánchez Jaime , Colomer-Farrarons Jordi , Miribel-Català Pere Ll.
Published: January 2023

In recent years, research on transducers and system architectures for self-powered devices has gained attention for their direct impact on the Internet of Things in terms of cost, power consumption, and environmental impact. The concept of a wireless sensor node that uses a single thermoelectric generator as a power source and as a temperature gradient sensor in an efficient and controlled manner is investigated. The purpose of the device is to collect temperature gradient data in data centres to enable the application of thermal-aware server load management algorithms. By using a maximum power point tracking algorithm, the operating point of the thermoelectric generator is kept under control while using its power-temperature transfer function to measure the temperature gradient. In this way, a more accurate measurement of the temperature gradient is achieved while harvesting energy with maximum efficiency. The results show the operation of the system through its different phases as well as demonstrate its ability to efficiently harvest energy from a temperature gradient while measuring it. With this system architecture, temperature gradients can be measured with a maximum error of 0.14 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C and an efficiency of over 92% for values above 13 $$^{\circ }$$

∘

C and a single transducer.
Assessment of the therapeutic role of mesenchymal stromal cells in a mouse model of graft-versus-host disease using cryo-imaging
Authors: Wuttisarnwattana Patiwet , Eid Saada , Wilson David L. , Cooke Kenneth R.
Published: January 2023

Insights regarding the biodistribution and homing of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), as well as their interaction with alloreactive T-cells are critical for understanding how MSCs can regulate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following allogeneic (allo) bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We developed novel assays based on 3D, microscopic, cryo-imaging of whole-mouse-sized volumes to assess the therapeutic potential of human MSCs using an established mouse GVHD model. Following infusion, we quantitatively tracked fluorescently labeled, donor-derived, T-cells and third party MSCs in BMT recipients using multispectral cryo-imaging. Specific MSC homing sites were identified in the marginal zones in the spleen and the lymph nodes, where we believe MSC immunomodulation takes place. The number of MSCs found in spleen of the allo BMT recipients was about 200% more than that observed in the syngeneic group. To more carefully define the effects MSCs had on T cell activation and expansion, we developed novel T-cell proliferation assays including secondary lymphoid organ (SLO) enlargement and Carboxyfluoescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution. As anticipated, significant SLO volume enlargement and CFSE dilution was observed in allo but not syn BMT recipients due to rapid proliferation and expansion of labeled T-cells. MSC treatment markedly attenuated CFSE dilution and volume enlargement of SLO. These assays confirm evidence of potent, in vivo, immunomodulatory properties of MSC following allo BMT. Our innovative platform includes novel methods for tracking cells of interest as well as assessing therapeutic function of MSCs during GVHD induction. Our results support the use of MSCs treatment or prevention of GVHD and illuminate the wider adoption of MSCs as a standard medicinal cell therapy.
The influence of oral vocabulary knowledge on individual differences in a computational model of reading
Authors: Chang Ya-Ning
Published: January 2023

Studies have demonstrated systematic individual differences in the degree of semantic reliance (SR) when reading aloud exception words in adult skilled readers. However, the origins of individual differences in reading remain unclear. Using a connectionist model of reading, this study investigated whether oral vocabulary knowledge may affect the degree of SR as a potential source of individual differences in reading. Variety in oral vocabulary knowledge was simulated by training the model to learn the mappings between spoken and meaning word forms with different vocabulary sizes and quantities of exposure to these vocabularies. The model’s SR in the reading aloud task was computed. The result demonstrated that the model with varying amounts of oral exposure and vocabulary sizes had different levels of SR. Critically, SR was able to predict the performance of the model on reading aloud and nonword reading, which assimilated behavioural reading patterns. Further analysis revealed that SR was largely associated with the interaction between oral vocabulary exposure and oral vocabulary size. When the amount of exposure was limited, SR significantly increased with vocabulary sizes but decreased then with vocabulary sizes. Overall, the simulation results provide the first computational evidence of the direct link between oral vocabulary knowledge and the degree of SR as a source of individual differences in reading.
Relationship of cardiovascular disease risk and hearing loss in a clinical population
Authors: Baiduc Rachael R. , Sun Joshua W. , Berry Caitlin M. , Anderson Melinda , Vance Eric A.
Published: January 2023

Hearing loss has been associated with individual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and, to a lesser extent, CVD risk metrics. However, these relationships are understudied in clinical populations. We conducted a retrospective study of electronic health records to evaluate the relationship between hearing loss and CVD risk burden. Hearing loss was defined as puretone average (PTA0.5,1,2,4) > 20 dB hearing level (HL). Optimal CVD risk was defined as nondiabetic, nonsmoking, systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 120 and diastolic (D)BP < 80 mm Hg, and total cholesterol < 180 mg/dL. Major CVD risk factors were diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and total cholesterol ≥ 240 mg/dL or statin use. We identified 6332 patients (mean age = 62.96 years; 45.5% male); 64.0% had hearing loss. Sex-stratified logistic regression adjusted for age, noise exposure, hearing aid use, and body mass index examined associations between hearing loss and CVD risk. For males, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and ≥ 2 major CVD risk factors were associated with hearing loss. For females, diabetes, smoking, and ≥ 2 major CVD risk factors were significant risk factors. Compared to those with no CVD risk factors, there is a higher likelihood of hearing loss in patients with ≥ 2 major CVD risk factors. Future research to better understand sex dependence in the hearing loss-hypertension relationship is indicated.
Mask R-CNN assisted 2.5D object detection pipeline of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT-positive metastatic pelvic lymph node after radical prostatectomy from solely CT imaging
Authors: Xu Di , Ma Martin , Cao Minsong , Kishan Amar U. , Nickols Nicholas G. , Scalzo Fabien , Sheng Ke
Published: January 2023

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is a molecular and functional imaging modality with better restaging accuracy over conventional imaging for detecting prostate cancer in men suspected of lymph node (LN) progression after definitive therapy. However, the availability of PSMA PET/CT is limited in both low-resource settings and for repeating imaging surveillance. In contrast, CT is widely available, cost-effective, and routinely performed as part of patient follow-up or radiotherapy workflow. Compared with the molecular activities, the morphological and texture changes of subclinical LNs in CT are subtle, making manual detection of positive LNs infeasible. Instead, we harness the power of artificial intelligence for automated LN detection on CT. We examined 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images from 88 patients (including 739 PSMA PET/CT-positive pelvic LNs) who experienced a biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy and presented for salvage radiotherapy with prostate-specific antigen < 1 ng/mL. Scans were divided into a training set (nPatient = 52, nNode = 400), a validation set (nPatient = 18, nNode = 143), and a test set (nPatient = 18, nNodes = 196). Using PSMA PET/CT as the ground truth and consensus pelvic LN clinical target volumes as search regions, a 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) Mask R-CNN based object detection framework was trained. The entire framework contained whole slice imaging pretraining, masked-out region fine-tuning, prediction post-processing, and “window bagging”. Following an additional preprocessing step—pelvic LN clinical target volume extraction, our pipeline located positive pelvic LNs solely based on CT scans. Our pipeline could achieve a sensitivity of 83.351%, specificity of 58.621% out of 196 positive pelvic LNs from 18 patients in the test set, of which most of the false positives can be post-removable by radiologists. Our tool may aid CT-based detection of pelvic LN metastasis and triage patients most unlikely to benefit from the PSMA PET/CT scan.
The suppressive potential of a gene drive in populations of invasive social wasps is currently limited
Authors: Meiborg Adriaan B. , Faber Nicky R. , Taylor Benjamin A. , Harpur Brock A. , Gorjanc Gregor
Published: January 2023

Social insects are very successful invasive species, and the continued increase of global trade and transportation has exacerbated this problem. The yellow-legged hornet,Vespa velutina nigrithorax(henceforth Asian hornet), is drastically expanding its range in Western Europe. As an apex insect predator, this hornet poses a serious threat to the honey bee industry and endemic pollinators. Current suppression methods have proven too inefficient and expensive to limit its spread. Gene drives might be an effective tool to control this species, but their use has not yet been thoroughly investigated in social insects. Here, we built a model that matches the hornet’s life history and modelled the effect of different gene drive scenarios on an established invasive population. To test the broader applicability and sensitivity of the model, we also incorporated the invasive European paper waspPolistes dominula. We find that, due to the haplodiploidy of social hymenopterans, only a gene drive targeting female fertility is promising for population control. Our results show that although a gene drive can suppress a social wasp population, it can only do so under fairly stringent gene drive-specific conditions. This is due to a combination of two factors: first, the large number of surviving offspring that social wasp colonies produce make it possible that, even with very limited formation of resistance alleles, such alleles can quickly spread and rescue the population. Second, due to social wasp life history, infertile individuals do not compete with fertile ones, allowing fertile individuals to maintain a large population size even when drive alleles are widespread. Nevertheless, continued improvements in gene drive technology may make it a promising method for the control of invasive social insects in the future.
Comparison of the fluorescein angiography-guided and indocyanine green angiography-guided photodynamic therapy in the treatment of non-resolving central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Ebrahimiadib Nazanin , Mirzaei Arash , Esfandiarifard Shaghayegh , Tuli Sonal , Najibzadeh Ehsan , Imani Fooladi Marjan , Fadakar Kaveh
Published: January 2023

To compare the functional and anatomical outcome of fluorescein angiography (FA) versus indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of non-resolving central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). In this prospective interventional case series, all patients with non-resolving CSCR, defined as persistent SRF involving subfoveal area for at least three months, were nonrandomly assigned to receive either FA or ICGA-guided half dose PDT. Baseline and 4 months post-treatment data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the status of foveal subretinal fluid, subfoveal choroidal thickness, choroidal vascularity index, pigment epithelial detachment area, treatment and PDT spot numbers were collected. Thirty-six eyes were included; 24 received ICGA-guided and 12 received FA-guided PDT. Overall, improvement in BCVA and choroidal parameters were observed in all patients. There was no significant difference in baseline parameters as well as follow-up measurements between groups. However, the mean total energy dose and spot number in the IGCA-guided PDT were significantly higher than the FA-guided PDT group (P = 0.001). Both FA-guided and ICGA-guided half-dose PDT were effective in the treatment of non-resolving CSCR, with favorable functional and anatomical outcome. In FA group, PDT with smaller spot sizes and fewer numbers of spots were applied.
Genetic and demographic consequences of range contraction patterns during biological annihilation
Authors: Rogan Jordan E. , Parker Mickey Ray , Hancock Zachary B. , Earl Alexis D. , Buchholtz Erin K. , Chyn Kristina , Martina Jason , Fitzgerald Lee A.
Published: January 2023

Species range contractions both contribute to, and result from, biological annihilation, yet do not receive the same attention as extinctions. Range contractions can lead to marked impacts on populations but are usually characterized only by reduction in extent of range. For effective conservation, it is critical to recognize that not all range contractions are the same. We propose three distinct patterns of range contraction: shrinkage, amputation, and fragmentation. We tested the impact of these patterns on populations of a generalist species using forward-time simulations. All three patterns caused 86–88% reduction in population abundance and significantly increased average relatedness, with differing patterns in declines of nucleotide diversity relative to the contraction pattern. The fragmentation pattern resulted in the strongest effects on post-contraction genetic diversity and structure. Defining and quantifying range contraction patterns and their consequences for Earth’s biodiversity would provide useful and necessary information to combat biological annihilation.
Quantitative relationships between national cultures and the increase in cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia
Authors: Yu Ningyao , Tao Le , Zou Guilin
Published: January 2023

Support vector machine (SVM) and genetic algorithm were successfully used to predict the changes in the prevalence rate (ΔPR) measured by the increase of reported cases per million population from the 16th to the 45th day during a nation’s lockdown after the COVID-19 outbreak. The national cultural indices [individualism–collectivism (Ind), tightness–looseness (Tight)], and the number of people per square kilometer (Pop_density) were used to develop the SVM model of lnΔPR. The SVM model has R2 of 0.804 for the training set (44 samples) and 0.853 for the test set (11 samples), which were much higher than those (0.416 and 0.593) of the multiple linear regression model. The statistical results indicate that there are nonlinear relationships between lnΔPR and Tight, Ind, and Pop_density. It is feasible to build the model for lnΔPR with SVM algorithm. The results suggested that the risk of COVID-19 epidemic spread will be reduced if a nation implements severe measures to strengthen the tightness of national culture and individuals realize the importance of collectivism.
A quadruple dissociation of reward-related behaviour in mice across excitatory inputs to the nucleus accumbens shell
Authors: Lind Erin B. , Sweis Brian M. , Asp Anders J. , Esguerra Manuel , Silvis Keelia A. , David Redish A. , Thomas Mark J.
Published: January 2023

The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is critically important for reward valuations, yet it remains unclear how valuation information is integrated in this region to drive behaviour during reinforcement learning. Using an optogenetic spatial self-stimulation task in mice, here we show that contingent activation of different excitatory inputs to the NAcSh change expression of different reward-related behaviours. Our data indicate that medial prefrontal inputs support place preference via repeated actions, ventral hippocampal inputs consistently promote place preferences, basolateral amygdala inputs produce modest place preferences but as a byproduct of increased sensitivity to time investments, and paraventricular inputs reduce place preferences yet do not produce full avoidance behaviour. These findings suggest that each excitatory input provides distinct information to the NAcSh, and we propose that this reflects the reinforcement of different credit assignment functions. Our finding of a quadruple dissociation of NAcSh input-specific behaviours provides insights into how types of information carried by distinct inputs to the NAcSh could be integrated to help drive reinforcement learning and situationally appropriate behavioural responses.
Split luciferase-based assay to detect botulinum neurotoxins using hiPSC-derived motor neurons
Authors: Cotter Laurent , Yu Feifan , Roqueviere Sylvain , Duchesne de Lamotte Juliette , Krupp Johannes , Dong Min , Nicoleau Camille
Published: January 2023

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have been widely used clinically as a muscle relaxant. These toxins target motor neurons and cleave proteins essential for neurotransmitter release like Synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25). In vitro assays for BoNT testing using rodent cells or immortalized cell lines showed limitations in accuracy and physiological relevance. Here, we report a cell-based assay for detecting SNAP-25-cleaving BoNTs by combining human induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC)-derived motor neurons and a luminescent detection system based on split NanoLuc luciferase. This assay is convenient, rapid, free-of-specialized antibodies, with a detection sensitivity of femtomolar concentrations of toxin, and can be used to study the different steps of BoNT intoxication.
The first-order structural transition in NiO at high pressure
Authors: Gavriliuk Alexander G. , Struzhkin Viktor V. , Ivanova Anna G. , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Mironovich Anna A. , Aksenov Sergey N. , Troyan Ivan A. , Morgenroth Wolfgang
Published: January 2023

Insulator-metal transition in NiO and concomitant collapse of spin and magnetism in the material are important subjects in studies of strong electronic correlations and as such they generate multiple theoretical and experimental efforts aimed at understanding the complicated physics of strongly correlated electronic systems. We report here the iso-structural transition in NiO accompanying the previously observed by us transition to the metallic state. These findings resolve some experimental controversies regarding the transition. We also discuss the latest theoretical results in detail and show that our data confirm some recent theoretical models. Given the simplicity of the material and its fundamental importance to the understanding of strongly correlated electronic systems, our findings should stimulate further experimental and theoretical efforts to understand this prototype Mott insulator.
Integrated multi-omics reveals anaplerotic rewiring in methylmalonyl-CoA mutase deficiency
Authors: Forny Patrick , Bonilla Ximena , Lamparter David , Shao Wenguang , Plessl Tanja , Frei Caroline , Bingisser Anna , Goetze Sandra , van Drogen Audrey , Harshman Keith , Pedrioli Patrick G. A. , Howald Cedric , Poms Martin , Traversi Florian , Bürer Céline , Cherkaoui Sarah , Morscher Raphael J. , Simmons Luke , Forny Merima , Xenarios Ioannis , Aebersold Ruedi , Zamboni Nicola , Rätsch Gunnar , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Wollscheid Bernd , Baumgartner Matthias R. , Froese D. Sean
Published: January 2023

Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) is an inborn error of metabolism with multiple monogenic causes and a poorly understood pathogenesis, leading to the absence of effective causal treatments. Here we employ multi-layered omics profiling combined with biochemical and clinical features of individuals with MMA to reveal a molecular diagnosis for 177 out of 210 (84%) cases, the majority (148) of whom display pathogenic variants in methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MMUT). Stratification of these data layers by disease severity shows dysregulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and its replenishment (anaplerosis) by glutamine. The relevance of these disturbances is evidenced by multi-organ metabolomics of a hemizygous Mmut mouse model as well as through identification of physical interactions between MMUT and glutamine anaplerotic enzymes. Using stable-isotope tracing, we find that treatment with dimethyl-oxoglutarate restores deficient tricarboxylic acid cycling. Our work highlights glutamine anaplerosis as a potential therapeutic intervention point in MMA.
Extracellular acidosis restricts one-carbon metabolism and preserves T cell stemness
Authors: Cheng Hongcheng , Qiu Yajing , Xu Yue , Chen Li , Ma Kaili , Tao Mengyuan , Frankiw Luke , Yin Hongli , Xie Ermei , Pan Xiaoli , Du Jing , Wang Zhe , Zhu Wenjie , Chen Lu , Zhang Lianjun , Li Guideng
Published: January 2023

The accumulation of acidic metabolic waste products within the tumor microenvironment inhibits effector functions of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). However, it remains unclear how an acidic environment affects T cell metabolism and differentiation. Here we show that prolonged exposure to acid reprograms T cell intracellular metabolism and mitochondrial fitness and preserves T cell stemness. Mechanistically, elevated extracellular acidosis impairs methionine uptake and metabolism via downregulation of SLC7A5, therefore altering H3K27me3 deposition at the promoters of key T cell stemness genes. These changes promote the maintenance of a ‘stem-like memory’ state and improve long-term in vivo persistence and anti-tumor efficacy in mice. Our findings not only reveal an unexpected capacity of extracellular acidosis to maintain the stem-like properties of T cells, but also advance our understanding of how methionine metabolism affects T cell stemness.
The impact of working alliance in managing youth anxiety and depression: a scoping review
Authors: Dambi Jermaine M. , Mavhu Webster , Beji-Chauke Rhulani , Kaiyo-Utete Malinda , Mills Rhiana , Shumba Ruvimbo , Muchemwa Sidney , Musesengwa Rosemary , Verhey Ruth , Abas Melanie , Hirsch Colette R. , Chibanda Dixon
Published: January 2023

A working alliance (WA) is a multidimensional construct signifying a collaborative relationship between a client and a therapist. Systematic reviews of therapies to treat depression and anxiety, almost exclusively in adults, show WA is essential across psychotherapies. However, there are critical gaps in our understanding of the importance of WA in low-intensity therapies for young people with depression and anxiety. Here, we describe an initiative to explore the effect of WA on anxiety and depression outcomes in youth aged 14–24 years through a scoping review and stakeholders’ consultations (N = 32). We analysed 27 studies; most were done in high-income countries and evaluated one-on-one in-person therapies (18/27). The review shows that optimal WA is associated with improvements in: relationships, self-esteem, positive coping strategies, optimism, treatment adherence, and emotional regulation. Young people with lived experience expressed that: a favourable therapy environment, regular meetings, collaborative goal setting and confidentiality were vital in forming and maintaining a functional WA. For a clinician, setting boundaries, maintaining confidentiality, excellent communication skills, being non-judgmental, and empathy were considered essential for facilitating a functional WA. Overall, a functional WA was recognised as an active ingredient in psychotherapies targeting anxiety and depression in young people aged 14–24. Although more research is needed to understand WA’s influence in managing anxiety and depression in young people, we recommend routine evaluation of WA. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to identify strategies that promote WA in psychotherapies to optimise the treatment of anxiety and depression in young people.
Visualized RNA detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a closed tube by coupling RT-PCR with nested invasive reaction
Authors: Shan Jingwen , Wu Tao , Wei Wei , Huang Jinling , Li Yijun , Zou Bingjie , Ma Yi , Cui Lunbiao , Wu Haiping , Zhou Guohua
Published: January 2023

Visualized RNA detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a closed tube.
Reduction chemistry yields stable and soluble divalent lanthanide tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes
Authors: Chowdhury Tajrian , Evans Matthew J. , Coles Martyn P. , Bailey Anna G. , Peveler William J. , Wilson Claire , Farnaby Joy H.
Published: January 2023

Reduction of heteroleptic Ln(iii) [Ln(Tp)2(OTf)] (Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate; OTf = triflate) with either an Al(i) anion or KC8 yielded the adduct-free Ln(ii) complexes dimeric 1-Eu [{Eu(Tp)(μ-κ1:η5-Tp)}2] and monomeric 1-Yb [Yb(Tp)2].
Salicylaldehydate coordinated two-dimensional-conjugated metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Mohammed Abdul Khayum , Pena-Sánchez Pilar , Pandikassala Ajmal , Gaber Safa , AlKhoori Ayesha A. , Skorjanc Tina , Polychronopoulou Kyriaki , Kurungot Sreekumar , Gándara Felipe , Shetty Dinesh
Published: January 2023

We have demonstrated a facile, scalable, and green synthetic route to produce a novel class of semiconductive 2D-c-MOFs (SA-MOFs). This novel MOF chemistry opens rich opportunities for the exploration of functionally diverse open frameworks.
Electrode-modified block copoly-ionic liquid boosting the CO2reduction toward CO in water-based media
Authors: Grammatico Domenico , Marcasuzaa Pierre , Viterisi Aurelien , Bousquet Antoine , Su Bao-Lian , Billon Laurent
Published: January 2023

Selective CO2 reduction to CO is observed by a Block CoPolyIonicLiquids coating on immobilized Re-molecular catalyst, new concept paving the way of implementing solid Ionic Liquids as efficient building blocks to boost CO2RR and suppress HER.
Design strategies of covalent organic framework-based electrodes for supercapacitor application
Authors: Tao Rao , Yang Tianfu , Wang Yan , Zhang Jingmin , Wu Zhengyi , Qiu Li
Published: January 2023

The design strategies for COF-based supercapacitor electrode materials have been summarized based on the representative advances.
Group IV heteroadamantanes: synthesis of Si6Sn4and site-selective derivatization of Si6Ge4
Authors: Köstler Benedikt , Gilmer Jannik , Bolte Michael , Virovets Alexander , Lerner Hans-Wolfram , Albert Philipp , Fantuzzi Felipe , Wagner Matthias
Published: January 2023

Two heteroadamantanes with a Si6Sn4cluster core were prepared in one step synthesis from Me2SnCl2and Si2Cl6/Cl−. The corresponding Si6Ge4heteroadamantane was selectively methylated at all four SiCl3substituents, while both SiCl2groups remained untouched.
Symmetry-breaking charge transfer and intersystem crossing in copper phthalocyanine thin films
Authors: del Pino Rosendo Esther , Yildiz Okan , Pisula Wojciech , Marszalek Tomasz , Blom Paul W. M. , Ramanan Charusheela
Published: January 2023

CuPc thin films show varying photophysical pathways depending on morphology and excitation wavelength. While both α-CuPc and β-CuPc undergo ultrafast intersystem crossing, α-CuPc also exhibits a competitive symmetry-breaking charge-transfer pathway.
Polarization-dependent second harmonic generation in peptide crystals: effects of molecular packing
Authors: Nandi Sujay Kumar , Roy Samrat , Pal Bipul , Haldar Debasish
Published: January 2023

A series of coumarin-based peptides having the same molecular backbone but different substituent side chains to self-assemble to different non-centrosymmetric crystals is reported which show polarization-dependent, efficient second harmonic generation (SHG).
Role of water in dual-ionic pyrazolium salt promoted conversion of CO2 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature
Authors: Zheng Danning , Liu Fang , Wang Tengfei , Zhang Zhengkun , Ågren Hans , Zhang Jinglai , Ahlquist Mårten S. G. , Wang Li
Published: January 2023

The catalytic activity of dual-ionic pyrazolium salt in the cycloaddition of CO2 with the aid of a small amount of water was examined. Furthermore, a dual origin of the role of water has been proposed and explored.
SolvBERT for solvation free energy and solubility prediction: a demonstration of an NLP model for predicting the properties of molecular complexes
Authors: Yu Jiahui , Zhang Chengwei , Cheng Yingying , Yang Yun-Fang , She Yuan-Bin , Liu Fengfan , Su Weike , Su An
Published: January 2023

We propose the SolvBERT model, an attention-based NLP model that predicts multiple solvation properties.
An efficient and thermally stable near-infrared phosphor derived from the Ln3ScInGa3O12:Cr3+ (Ln = La, Gd, Y, and Lu) garnet family
Authors: Liao Zurong , Li Chaojie , Zhong Jiyou , Li Yang , Zhao Weiren
Published: January 2023

The Ln3ScInGa3O12:Cr3+ (Ln = La, Gd, Y, and Lu) garnet family with an emission peak ranging from 726 to 822 nm was reported, among which the Y3ScInGa3O12:Cr3+ exhibits high efficiency and outstanding thermal stability.
Improved antibacterial activity of 3D wrinkled graphene oxide films implemented with irreversibly shrinkable shape-memory polymer substrates
Authors: Chae Seon Yeong , Jeon Sangheon , Han Dong-Wook , Hong Suck Won
Published: January 2023

Highly-wrinkled graphene oxide (GO) films effectively inhibit or kill bacteria.
Recent progress of nanostructure-based enrichment of circulating tumor cells and downstream analysis
Authors: Guo Lihua , Liu Chang , Qi Manlin , Cheng Liang , Wang Lin , Li Chunxia , Dong Biao
Published: January 2023

This review introduces various in vitro and in vivo CTC enrichment technologies based on the characteristics of CTC and nanostructures and provides detailed information about the clinical applications of CTC.
Convenient tumor 3D spheroid arrays manufacturing via acoustic excited bubbles for in situ drug screening
Authors: Zheng Jingjing , Hu Xuejia , Gao Xiaoqi , Liu Yantong , Zhao Shukun , Chen Longfei , He Guoqing , Zhang Jingwei , Wei Lei , Yang Yi
Published: January 2023

Rapid construction of size-controllable 3D tumor spheroid arrays based on acoustic bubbles in microfluidic chips for in situ drug response testing.
A microfluidic method for passive trapping of sperms in microstructures
Authors: Nath Binita , Caprini Lorenzo , Maggi Claudio , Zizzari Alessandra , Arima Valentina , Viola Ilenia , Di Leonardo Roberto , Puglisi Andrea
Published: January 2023

We propose a technique for the amplification of motile sperm concentration without involving external forces or flows. Our method is validated by microfluidic experiments based on sperms in microstructures and supported by numerical simulations.
The toxicity of nanoparticles and their interaction with cells: an in vitro metabolomic perspective
Authors: Awashra Mohammad , Młynarz Piotr
Published: January 2023

The interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with cells depends on their physicochemical properties and can lead to cytotoxic events. Metabolomics reveals the molecular mechanisms of this nanotoxicity and avoids the misleading interferences with NPs.
High-efficiency and high-resolution patterned quantum dot light emitting diodes by electrohydrodynamic printing
Authors: Wang Haowei , Zhang Yuanming , Liu Yang , Chen Zhuo , Li Yanzhao , Li Xinguo , Xu Xiaoguang
Published: January 2023

The effect of ink with different viscosity on the printing line width was explored. Fabrication of high efficiency top and bottom emission QLED devices with 500 ppi. Fabrication of a two-color QLED devices with 500 ppi.
Development of highly sensitive Al, Ga, and In-doped ZnO films by the drop casting method for NH3 gas sensing
Authors: Shkir Mohd.
Published: January 2023

This article proposes 2 wt% of aluminum, indium, and gallium-doped ZnO thin film samples for ammonia gas sensors.
An ion-sieve-tailored biomimetic porous nanofiber as an efficient adsorbent for extraction of lithium from brine
Authors: Li Xiulei , Wang Zhihui , Zhang Hexin , Zhang Wen , Jiang Jiacun , Guo Ruili
Published: January 2023

Schematic illustration of the synthesis of biomimetic porous nanofibrous H1.6Mn1.6O4 and a possible mechanism for the high-efficiency and rapid selective extraction of Li+ from brine.
Navigating zinc-involved nanomedicine in oncotherapy
Authors: Yao Junlie , Zhang Aoran , Qiu Yue , Li Zihou , Wu Xiaoxia , Li Zhouhua , Wu Aiguo , Yang Fang
Published: January 2023

This present review systematically summarizes inherently secure and bioactive Zn involved nanomedicines for antineoplastic applications, presenting a promising development orientation for malignant tumor theranostics in the future.
Observation of long-lived phosphorescence in Au(i) complexes bearing chromophoric (N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands
Authors: Van Orman Evan P. , Wolf Steven M. , Yung Zheng , Holt Ethan D. , de La Harpe Kimberly , Zeller Matthias , Grusenmeyer Tod A. , Gray Thomas G.
Published: January 2023

Long-lived phosphorescence has been observed at room temperature in two gold(i) complexes of a fluorenyl-substituted N-heterocyclic carbene.
A ratiometric fluorescent probe based on a dual-ligand lanthanide metal–organic framework (MOF) for sensitive detection of aluminium and fluoride ions in river and tap water
Authors: Wang Runnan , Zhang Hao , Wang Sibo , Meng Fanxu , Sun Jing , Lou Dawei , Su Zhongmin
Published: January 2023

A dual-emission fluorescent probe towards Al3+and F−using a Ln-MOF material Eu-BDC-NH2/TDA is employed with exceptional sensitivity, high selectivity, low LOD, excellent anti-interference characteristics and direct visual observation.
Influence of sliding orientation on tribological properties of hybrid PTFE/Kevlar fabric composites
Authors: Xue Yahong , Tao Xinbo , Kang Dongzhuang , Yan Shicheng
Published: January 2023

The influence of sliding orientation on tribological properties of hybrid PTFE/Kevlar fabric composites were studied, and the mechanism for the specific effects was elaborated by analyzing the wear morphology and elemental composition.
Performance of plasma-assisted chemical looping hydrogen generation at moderate temperature
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Tong , Qiu Yu , Gao Zixiang , Ou Wentao , Song Yiwen , Xiao Rui , Zeng Dewang
Published: January 2023

Enhanced hydrogen production performance was achieved via plasma-assisted CLHG with the highest hydrogen yield at 400 °C.
Monitoring glutathione dynamics in DNA replication (S-phase) using a two-photon reversible ratiometric fluorescent probe
Authors: Biswas Shayeri , Sarkar Sourav , Dhamija Avinash , Murali Vishnu Priya , Maiti Kaustabh Kumar , Bhuniya Sankarprasad
Published: January 2023

A smart self-calibrated reversible fluorescent probe Nu-GSH has provided GSH dynamics in the nucleus. The temporal fluctuation of the nuclear GSH reciprocated the depletion of the S-phase in the cell cycle process.
Deep ultraviolet optical limiting materials: 2D Ti3C2 and Ti3AlC2 nanosheets
Authors: Liu Guowei , Yuan Junjie , Wu Zhixin , Yu Pingzhang , Wang Zhengping , Xu Xinguang
Published: January 2023

This is the first demonstration of the OL effect in 2D materials below 290 nm, and shows the largest UV two-photon absorption cross-section of any 2D material available.
Controlled reduction of isocyanates to formamides using monomeric magnesium
Authors: Kumar Rohit , Sharma Vishal , Banerjee Subhrashis , Vanka Kumar , Sen Sakya S.
Published: January 2023

Convenient protocol for controlled hydroboration of isocyanates to only formamide derivatives has been developed using a bis(phosphino)carbazole ligand stabilized monomeric magnesium methyl complex (1) as the catalyst.
Recent advances in plasma-enabled ammonia synthesis: state-of-the-art, challenges, and outlook
Authors: Zeng Xin , Zhang Shuai , Hu Xiucui , Zhang Cheng , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Shao Tao
Published: January 2023

Three sustainable plasma-enabled ammonia synthesis routes to zero carbon emissions for chemicals, fertilizers, and biomedical applications coupled with renewable energy.
Azo-tagged C4N4 fluorophores: unusual overcrowded structures and their application to fluorescent imaging
Authors: Kohei Miki , Takizawa Naoki , Tsutsumi Ryosuke , Xu Wei , Kumagai Naoya
Published: January 2023

Herein we describe the synthesis of overcrowded diaryl azo compoundsviaphotocatalytic coupling reaction. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed unusually skewed structures.
A federated learning scheme meets dynamic differential privacy
Authors: Guo Shengnan , Wang Xibin , Long Shigong , Liu Hai , Hai Liu , Sam Toong Hai
Published: January 2023

Federated learning is a widely used distributed learning approach in recent years, however, despite model training from collecting data become to gathering parameters, privacy violations may occur when publishing and sharing models. A dynamic approach is proposed to add Gaussian noise more effectively and apply differential privacy to federal deep learning. Concretely, it is abandoning the traditional way of equally distributing the privacy budget and adjusting the privacy budget to accommodate gradient descent federation learning dynamically, where the parameters depend on computation derived to avoid the impact on the algorithm that hyperparameters are created manually. It also incorporates adaptive threshold cropping to control the sensitivity, and finally, moments accountant is used to counting the consumed on the privacy‐preserving, and learning is stopped only if the by clients setting is reached, this allows the privacy budget to be adequately explored for model training. The experimental results on real datasets show that the method training has almost the same effect as the model learning of non‐privacy, which is significantly better than the differential privacy method used by TensorFlow.
Real‐time seed sorting system via 2D information entropy‐based CNN pruning and TensorRt acceleration
Authors: Li Chunlei , Li Huanyu , Liao Liang , Liu Zhoufeng , Dong Yan
Published: January 2023

Seed sorting based on deep neural networks is one of the important applications of seed variety identification and quality purification. However, DNNs is difficult to deploy on embedded devices since the consumption of computational and storage resource. To address these problems, this paper proposes a pipeline‐style neural network framework for real‐time seed sorting. First, we propose a novel algorithm, 2D information entropy, pruning redundant filters to realize structured pruning. Then, the pruning rate of each convolution layer is determined by visualizing the results of 2D entropy. Meanwhile, the pruned network is fine‐tuned to recover the performance. Finally, TensorRT is utilized to optimize and accelerate the pruned model for deployment in Jeston Nano. Experiments on two large‐scale seed‐sorting datasets demonstrate the significant improvement of the proposed method over existing model compression methods. Experimental results on Jeston Nano show that the pruned model 2EFP‐E achieves a single image inference speed of 107 FPS, with the best accuracy of 95.94% on the red kidney bean dataset.