bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regenerative failure of intrahepatic biliary cells in Alagille syndrome rescued by elevated Jagged/Notch/Sox9 signaling
Authors: Zhao Chengjian , Matalonga Jonathan , Lancman Joseph J. , Liu Lu , Xiao Chaoxin , Kumar Shiv , Gates Keith P. , He Jiaye , Graves Alyssa , Huisken Jan , Azuma Mizuki , Lu Zhenghao , Chen Chong , Ding Bi-Sen , Dong P. Duc Si
Published: December 2022

Despite the robust healing capacity of the liver, regenerative failure underlies numerous hepatic diseases, including the
JAG1
haploinsufficient disorder, Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Cholestasis due to intrahepatic duct (IHD) paucity resolves in certain ALGS cases but fails in most with no clear mechanisms or therapeutic interventions. We find that modulating
jag1b
and
jag2b
allele dosage is sufficient to stratify these distinct outcomes, which can be either exacerbated or rescued with genetic manipulation of Notch signaling, demonstrating that perturbations of Jag/Notch signaling may be causal for the spectrum of ALGS liver severities. Although regenerating IHD cells proliferate, they remain clustered in mutants that fail to recover due to a blunted elevation of Notch signaling in the distal-most IHD cells. Increased Notch signaling is required for regenerating IHD cells to branch and segregate into the peripheral region of the growing liver, where biliary paucity is commonly observed in ALGS. Mosaic loss- and-gain-of-function analysis reveals Sox9b to be a key Notch transcriptional effector required cell autonomously to regulate these cellular dynamics during IHD regeneration. Treatment with a small-molecule putative Notch agonist stimulates Sox9 expression in ALGS patient fibroblasts and enhances hepatic
sox9b
expression, rescues IHD paucity and cholestasis, and increases survival in zebrafish mutants, thereby providing a proof-of-concept therapeutic avenue for this disorder.
In situ structures of polymerase complex of mammalian reovirus illuminate RdRp activation and transcription regulation
Authors: Bao Keyan , Zhang Xueli , Li Dongyu , Sun Wei , Sun Zhenzhao , Wang Jingfei , Zhu Ping
Published: December 2022

Mammalian reovirus (reovirus) is a multilayered, turreted member of
Reoviridae
characterized by transcription of dsRNA genome within the innermost capsid shell. Here, we present high-resolution in situ structures of reovirus transcriptase complex in an intact double-layered virion, and in the uncoated single-layered core particles in the unloaded, reloaded, pre-elongation, and elongation states, respectively, obtained by cryo-electron microscopy and sub-particle reconstructions. At the template entry of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the RNA-loading region gets flexible after uncoating resulting in the unloading of terminal genomic RNA and inactivity of transcription. However, upon adding transcriptional substrates, the RNA-loading region is recovered leading the RNAs loaded again. The priming loop in RdRp was found to play a critical role in regulating transcription, which hinders the elongation of transcript in virion and triggers the rearrangement of RdRp C-terminal domain (CTD) during elongation, resulting in splitting of template-transcript hybrid and opening of transcript exit. With the integration of these structures, a transcriptional model of reovirus with five states is proposed. Our structures illuminate the RdRp activation and regulation of the multilayered turreted reovirus.
A bacterium from a mountain lake harvests light using both proton-pumping xanthorhodopsins and bacteriochlorophyll-based photosystems
Authors: Kopejtka Karel , Tomasch Jürgen , Kaftan David , Gardiner Alastair T. , Bína David , Gardian Zdenko , Bellas Christopher , Dröge Astrid , Geffers Robert , Sommaruga Ruben , Koblížek Michal
Published: December 2022

Photoheterotrophic bacteria harvest light energy using either proton-pumping rhodopsins or bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-based photosystems. The bacteriumSphingomonas glacialisAAP5 isolated from the alpine lake Gossenköllesee contains genes for both systems. Here, we show that BChl is expressed between 4°C and 22°C in the dark, whereas xanthorhodopsin is expressed only at temperatures below 16°C and in the presence of light. Thus, cells grown at low temperatures under a natural light–dark cycle contain both BChl-based photosystems and xanthorhodopsins with a nostoxanthin antenna. Flash photolysis measurements proved that both systems are photochemically active. The captured light energy is used for ATP synthesis and stimulates growth. Thus,S. glacialisAAP5 represents a chlorophototrophic and a retinalophototrophic organism. Our analyses suggest that simple xanthorhodopsin may be preferred by the cells under higher light and low temperatures, whereas larger BChl-based photosystems may perform better at lower light intensities. This indicates that the use of two systems for light harvesting may represent an evolutionary adaptation to the specific environmental conditions found in alpine lakes and other analogous ecosystems, allowing bacteria to alternate their light-harvesting machinery in response to large seasonal changes of irradiance and temperature.
CREBB repression of protein synthesis in mushroom body gates long-term memory formation in
Drosophila
Authors: Lin Hsuan-Wen , Chen Chun-Chao , Jhang Ruei-Yu , Chen Linyi , de Belle J. Steven , Tully Tim , Chiang Ann-Shyn
Published: December 2022

Learned experiences are not necessarily consolidated into long-term memory (LTM) unless they are periodic and meaningful. LTM depends on de novo protein synthesis mediated by cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) activity. In
Drosophila
, two
creb
genes (
crebA
,
crebB
) and multiple CREB isoforms have reported influences on aversive olfactory LTM in response to multiple cycles of spaced conditioning. How CREB isoforms regulate LTM effector genes in various neural elements of the memory circuit is unclear, especially in the mushroom body (MB), a prominent associative center in the fly brain that has been shown to participate in LTM formation. Here, we report that i) spaced training induces
crebB
expression in MB α-lobe neurons and ii) elevating specific CREBB isoform levels in the early α/β subpopulation of MB neurons enhances LTM formation. By contrast, learning from weak training iii) induces 5-HT1A serotonin receptor synthesis, iv) activates 5-HT1A in early α/β neurons, and v) inhibits LTM formation. vi) LTM is enhanced when this inhibitory effect is relieved by down-regulating 5-HT1A or overexpressing CREBB. Our findings show that spaced training-induced CREBB antagonizes learning-induced 5-HT1A in early α/β MB neurons to modulate LTM consolidation.
APC couples neuronal mRNAs to multiple kinesins, EB1, and shrinking microtubule ends for bidirectional mRNA motility
Authors: Baumann Sebastian J. , Grawenhoff Julia , Rodrigues Elsa C. , Speroni Silvia , Gili Maria , Komissarov Artem , Maurer Sebastian P.
Published: December 2022

Understanding where in the cytoplasm mRNAs are translated is increasingly recognized as being as important as knowing the timing and level of protein expression. mRNAs are localized via active motor-driven transport along microtubules (MTs) but the underlying essential factors and dynamic interactions are largely unknown. Using biochemical in vitro reconstitutions with purified mammalian proteins, multicolor TIRF-microscopy, and interaction kinetics measurements, we show that adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) enables kinesin-1- and kinesin-2-based mRNA transport, and that APC is an ideal adaptor for long-range mRNA transport as it forms highly stable complexes with 3′UTR fragments of several neuronal mRNAs (APC–RNPs). The kinesin-1 KIF5A binds and transports several neuronal mRNP components such as FMRP, PURα and mRNA fragments weakly, whereas the transport frequency of the mRNA fragments is significantly increased by APC. APC–RNP-motor complexes can assemble on MTs, generating highly processive mRNA transport events. We further find that end-binding protein 1 (EB1) recruits APC–RNPs to dynamically growing MT ends and APC–RNPs track shrinking MTs, producing MT minus-end-directed RNA motility due to the high dwell times of APC on MTs. Our findings establish APC as a versatile mRNA-kinesin adaptor and a key factor for the assembly and bidirectional movement of neuronal transport mRNPs.
Vegf signaling between Müller glia and vascular endothelial cells is regulated by immune cells and stimulates retina regeneration
Authors: Mitra Soumitra , Devi Sulochana , Lee Mi-Sun , Jui Jonathan , Sahu Aresh , Goldman Daniel
Published: December 2022

In the zebrafish retina, Müller glia (MG) can regenerate retinal neurons lost to injury or disease. Even though zebrafish MG share structure and function with those of mammals, only in zebrafish do MG function as retinal stem cells. Previous studies suggest dying neurons, microglia/macrophage, and T cells contribute to MG’s regenerative response [White et al.,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
114
, E3719 (2017); Hui et al.,
Dev. Cell
43
, 659 (2017)]. Although MG end-feet abut vascular endothelial (VE) cells to form the blood–retina barrier, a role for VE cells in retina regeneration has not been explored. Here, we report that MG-derived Vegfaa and Pgfa engage Flt1 and Kdrl receptors on VE cells to regulate MG gene expression, Notch signaling, proliferation, and neuronal regeneration. Remarkably,
vegfaa
and
pgfa
expression is regulated by microglia/macrophages, while Notch signaling in MG is regulated by a Vegf-
dll4
signaling system in VE cells. Thus, our studies link microglia/macrophage, MG, and VE cells in a multicomponent signaling pathway that controls MG reprogramming and proliferation.
Explaining the climate sensitivity of junction geometry in global river networks
Authors: Strong Callum M. , Mudd Simon M.
Published: December 2022

Rivers form characteristic branching patterns as they drain landscapes. Past work has shown that the angles formed between confluent channels at river junctions vary with climate aridity—but why this occurs is contested. We show how this climate sensitivity can be explained by the principle that river networks self-organize toward “optimal” configurations that minimize the hydraulic expenditure of energy. Starting from this energy minimization principle, optimal junction configurations can be calculated given three variables: the drainage area ratio of confluent channels, the scaling exponent relating channel gradient to drainage area (often called the concavity index), and the scaling exponent relating discharge to drainage area. Given that concavity and discharge–drainage area scaling vary with climate aridity, optimal junction angle theory can explain junction angle climate sensitivity. We extracted a global dataset of approximately 26 million junctions and show that the predictions of the optimal junction model are consistent with the sensitivity of junction angles to climate aridity. Our dataset includes not only the junction angle between confluent tributaries but also the “bending angles” between each tributary and the downstream channel, enabling us to quantify junction symmetry. As in the model, the geometric symmetry of real junctions is strongly controlled by the discharge ratio of the confluent channels. However, junctions with strongly asymmetric tributary drainage areas do not exhibit optimal geometries: minor tributaries show a tendency to join large rivers at the outside apex of large-scale bends.
Evidence for long-term potentiation in phospholipid membranes
Authors: Scott Haden L. , Bolmatov Dima , Podar Peter T. , Liu Zening , Kinnun Jacob J. , Doughty Benjamin , Lydic Ralph , Sacci Robert L. , Collier C. Patrick , Katsaras John
Published: December 2022

Biological supramolecular assemblies, such as phospholipid bilayer membranes, have been used to demonstrate signal processing via short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) in the form of paired pulse facilitation and depression, emulating the brain’s efficiency and flexible cognitive capabilities. However, STP memory in lipid bilayers is volatile and cannot be stored or accessed over relevant periods of time, a key requirement for learning. Using droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) composed of lipids, water and hexadecane, and an electrical stimulation training protocol featuring repetitive sinusoidal voltage cycling, we show that DIBs displaying memcapacitive properties can also exhibit persistent synaptic plasticity in the form of long-term potentiation (LTP) associated with capacitive energy storage in the phospholipid bilayer. The time scales for the physical changes associated with the LTP range between minutes and hours, and are substantially longer than previous STP studies, where stored energy dissipated after only a few seconds. STP behavior is the result of reversible changes in bilayer area and thickness. On the other hand, LTP is the result of additional molecular and structural changes to the zwitterionic lipid headgroups and the dielectric properties of the lipid bilayer that result from the buildup of an increasingly asymmetric charge distribution at the bilayer interfaces.
Broadband and strong visible-light-absorbing cuprous sensitizers for boosting photosynthesis
Authors: Chen Kai-Kai , Qin Chao-Chao , Ding Meng-Jie , Guo Song , Lu Tong-Bu , Zhang Zhi-Ming
Published: December 2022

Rational construction of broadband and strong visible-light-absorbing (BSVLA) earth-abundant complexes is of great importance for efficient and sustainable solar energy utilization. Herein, we explore a universal Cu(I) center to couple with multiple strong visible-light-absorbing antennas to break the energy level limitations of the current noble-metal complexes, resulting in the BSVLA nonprecious complex (
Cu-3
). Systematic investigations demonstrate that double “ping-pong” energy-transfer processes in
Cu-3
involving resonance energy transfer and Dexter mechanism enable a BSVLA between 430 and 620 nm and an antenna-localized long-lived triplet state for efficient intermolecular electron/energy transfer. Impressively,
Cu-3
exhibited an outstanding performance for both energy- and electron-transfer reactions. Pseudo-first-order rate constant of photooxidation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene with
Cu-3
can achieve a record value of 190.8 × 10
−
3
min
−
1
among the molecular catalytic systems, over 30 times higher than that with a noble-metal photosensitizer (PS) [Ru(bpy)
3
]
2+
. These findings pave the way to develop BSVLA earth-abundant PSs for boosting photosynthesis.
An abstract categorical decision code in dorsal premotor cortex
Authors: Diaz-deLeon Gabriel , Alvarez Manuel , Bayones Lucas , Zainos Antonio , Zizumbo Jerónimo , Parra Sergio , Pujalte Sebastián , Romo Ranulfo , Rossi-Pool Román , de Lafuente Victor
Published: December 2022

The dorsal premotor cortex (DPC) has classically been associated with a role in preparing and executing the physical motor variables during cognitive tasks. While recent work has provided nuanced insights into this role, here we propose that DPC also participates more actively in decision-making. We recorded neuronal activity in DPC while two trained monkeys performed a vibrotactile categorization task, utilizing two partially overlapping ranges of stimulus values that varied on two physical attributes: vibrotactile frequency and amplitude. We observed a broad heterogeneity across DPC neurons, the majority of which maintained the same response patterns across attributes and ranges, coding in the same periods, mixing temporal and categorical dynamics. The predominant categorical signal was maintained throughout the delay, movement periods and notably during the intertrial period. Putting the entire population’s data through two dimensionality reduction techniques, we found strong temporal and categorical representations without remnants of the stimuli’s physical parameters. Furthermore, projecting the activity of one population over the population axes of the other yielded identical categorical and temporal responses. Finally, we sought to identify functional subpopulations based on the combined activity of all stimuli, neurons, and time points; however, we found that single-unit responses mixed temporal and categorical dynamics and couldn’t be clustered. All these point to DPC playing a more decision-related role than previously anticipated.
Recruitment of CTCF to an
Fto
enhancer is responsible for transgenerational inheritance of BPA-induced obesity
Authors: Jung Yoon Hee , Wang Hsiao-Lin V. , Ruiz Daniel , Bixler Brianna J. , Linsenbaum Hannah , Xiang Jian-Feng , Forestier Samantha , Shafik Andrew M. , Jin Peng , Corces Victor G.
Published: December 2022

The mechanisms by which environmentally-induced epiphenotypes are transmitted transgenerationally in mammals are poorly understood. Here we show that exposure of pregnant mouse females to bisphenol A (BPA) results in obesity in the F2 progeny due to increased food intake. This epiphenotype can be transmitted up to the F6 generation. Analysis of chromatin accessibility in sperm of the F1–F6 generations reveals alterations at sites containing binding motifs for CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) at two cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of the
Fto
gene that correlate with transmission of obesity. These CREs show increased interactions in sperm of obese mice with the
Irx3
and
Irx5
genes, which are involved in the differentiation of appetite-controlling neurons. Deletion of the CTCF site in
Fto
results in mice that have normal food intake and fail to become obese when ancestrally exposed to BPA. The results suggest that epigenetic alterations of
Fto
can lead to the same phenotypes as genetic variants.
Polar auxin transport modulates early leaf flattening
Authors: Wang Qingqing , Marconi Marco , Guan Chunmei , Wabnik Krzysztof , Jiao Yuling
Published: December 2022

The flattened leaf form is an important adaptation for efficient photosynthesis, and the developmental process of flattened leaves has been intensively studied. Classic microsurgery studies in potato and tomato suggest that the shoot apical meristem (SAM) communicates with the leaf primordia to promote leaf blade formation. More recently, it was found that polar auxin transport (PAT) could mediate this communication. However, it is unclear how the expression of leaf patterning genes is tailored by PAT routes originating from SAM. By combining experimental observations and computer model simulations, we show that microsurgical incisions and local inhibition of PAT in tomato interfere with auxin transport toward the leaf margins, reducing auxin response levels and altering the leaf blade shape. Importantly, oval auxin responses result in the bipolar expression of
SlLAM1
that determines leaf blade formation. Furthermore, wounding caused by incisions promotes degradation of SlREV, a known regulator of leaf polarity. Additionally, computer simulations suggest that local auxin biosynthesis in early leaf primordia could remove necessity for external auxin supply originating from SAM, potentially explaining differences between species. Together, our findings establish how PAT near emerging leaf primordia determines spatial auxin patterning and refines
SlLAM1
expression in the leaf margins to guide leaf flattening.
Conditionnel et auxiliairedevoiren français, mêmes fonctionnements évidentiels ?
Authors: Bres Jacques
Published: December 2022

Le conditionnel comme l’auxiliairedevoir, dans certains emplois, peuvent signifier l’évidentialité indirecte dans sa double dimension :inférentielleetreportive. Différents travaux ont étudié l’une ou l’autre forme dans l’un ou l’autre de ces emplois. Le présent article est consacré à lacomparaisondes valeurs évidentielles inférentielles d’une part, et reportives d’autre part, développées par ces deux formes.
Heterodera elachista Ohshima. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Heterodera elachista Ohshima. Tylenchida: Heteroderidae. Hosts: rice (
Oryza sativa
), maize (
Zea mays
).
Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae (Hingorani & Singh) Constantin et al. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Xanthomonas citri pv. punicae (Hingorani & Singh) Constantin et al. Gammaproteobacteria: Lysobacterales: Lysobacteraceae. Host: pomegranate (
Punica granatum
).
Citrus chlorotic dwarf associated virus. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO
Published: December 2022

A new distribution map is provided for Citrus chlorotic dwarf associated virus. Geminiviridae: Citlodavirus. Hosts:
Citrus
spp.
Recent progress of two-dimensional heterostructures for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Jia Pin-Zhen , Xie Jia-Ping , Chen Xue-Kun , Zhang Yong , Yu Xia , Zeng Yu-Jia , Xie Zhong-Xiang , Deng Yuan-Xiang , Zhou Wu-Xing
Published: December 2022

The rapid development of synthesis and fabrication techniques has opened up a research upsurge in two-dimensional (2D) material heterostructures, which have received extensive attention due to their superior physical and chemical properties. Currently, thermoelectric energy conversion is an effective means to deal with the energy crisis and increasingly serious environmental pollution. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of thermoelectric transport properties in 2D heterostructures is crucial for the development of micro-nano energy devices. In this review, the recent progress of 2D heterostructures for thermoelectric applications is summarized in detail. Firstly, we systematically introduce diverse theoretical simulations and experimental measurements of the thermoelectric properties of 2D heterostructures. Then, the thermoelectric applications and performance regulation of several common 2D materials, as well as in-plane heterostructures and van der Waals heterostructures, are also discussed. Finally, the challenges of improving the thermoelectric performance of 2D heterostructures materials are summarized, and related prospects are described.
Gaussian convolution decomposition for non-Gaussian shaped pulsed LiDAR waveform
Authors: Fang Jinli , Wang Yuanqing , Zheng Jinji
Published: December 2022

The full waveform decomposition technique is significant for LiDAR ranging. It is challenging to extract the parameters from non-Gaussian shaped waveforms accurately. Many parametric models (e.g. the Gaussian distribution, the lognormal distribution, the generalized normal distribution, the Burr distribution, and the skew-normal distribution) were proposed to fit sharply-peaked, heavy-tailed, and negative-tailed waveforms. However, these models can constrain the shape of the waveform components. In this article, the Gaussian convolution model is established. Firstly, a set of Gaussian functions is calculated to characterize the system waveform so that asymmetric and non-Gaussian system waveforms can be included. The convolution result of the system waveform and the target response is used as the model for fitting the overlapped echo. Then a combination method of the Richardson–Lucy deconvolution, layered iterative, and Gaussian convolution is introduced to estimate the initial parameters. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is used for the optimization fitting. Through experiments on synthetic data and practical recorded coding LiDAR data, we compare the proposed method with two decomposition approaches (Gaussian decomposition and skew-normal decomposition). The experiment results revealed that the proposed method could precisely decompose the overlapped non-Gaussian heavy-tailed waveforms and provide the best ranging accuracy, component fitting accuracy, and anti-noise performance. However, the traditional Gaussian and skew-normal decomposition methods can not fit the components well, resulting in inaccurate range estimates.
Performance research of real-time kinematic/5G combined positioning model
Authors: Li Fangxin , Tu Rui , Han Junqiang , Zhang Shixuan , Liu Mingyue , Lu Xiaochun
Published: December 2022

The global navigation satellite system provides real-time and all-weather positioning with high accuracy. Under a good observational environment, short-baseline real-time kinematic (RTK) can provide centimeter-level positioning results. However, RTK without model correction of ionospheric delay can significantly reduce the positioning accuracy, and cannot achieve fast and high-precision positioning when the baseline is too long or heavily occluded. Therefore, we propose a combined RTK/fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology positioning model by combining global positioning system-RTK with 5G time-of-arrival observations to improve the positioning accuracy under medium and long baselines. Experimental validation and analysis were conducted based on the measured data of different baseline lengths. The results revealed that the combined RTK/5G positioning model markedly improved the positioning performance in both static and dynamic modes under medium- and long-distance baselines. In particular, the RTK/5G model can also achieve good positioning results in conditions where some satellites are occluded. The combined RTK/5G positioning model is important for achieving high-accuracy, real-time, and continuous positioning in complex environments.
The highly sensitive ethanol sensor based on nanocomposites of ZnO in situ grown on 2D Ti3C2T
x
nanosheet
Authors: Bu Xiangrui , Wu Qiang , Yuan Yubin , Wu Haiyang , Liu Weihua , Li Xin , Han Chuanyu
Published: December 2022

Ethanol is a harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) for human health. Currently, zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most popular metal oxide semiconductors for VOCs detection but suffering from a lack of selectivity, poor response, and slow response/recovery speeds. Herein, we successfully synthesized the ZnO/Ti3C2T
x
nanocomposites via a facile hydrothermal method, in which ZnO nanoparticles were uniformly grown on two-dimensional (2D) Ti3C2T
x
nanosheets. As a result, the ZnO/Ti3C2T
x
nanocomposites showed a significant improvement in the ethanol-sensing performance, when it compared to the pure ZnO and Ti3C2T
x
samples. In particular, ZnO doped with 5 mg of Ti3C2T
x
showed an ultra-high response (79) to 100 ppm ethanol, a short response/recovery time (22 s/34 s to 50 ppm ethanol), a low limit of detection (1 ppm) and a long-term stability. The excellent ethanol sensing properties are mainly attributed to the coupling effect between ZnO and Ti3C2T
x
of composites. The ZnO nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the 2D Ti3C2T
x
platform, which can provide more gas adsorption sites. Simultaneously, the presence of hybrid heterojunctions further enhances the response in the sensing process.
High quality epitaxial graphene on 4H-SiC by face-to-face growth in ultra-high vacuum
Authors: Zebardastan Negar , Bradford Jonathan , Lipton-Duffin Josh , MacLeod Jennifer , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Tomellini Massimo , Motta Nunzio
Published: December 2022

Epitaxial graphene on SiC is the most promising substrate for the next generation 2D electronics, due to the possibility to fabricate 2D heterostructures directly on it, opening the door to the use of all technological processes developed for silicon electronics. To obtain a suitable material for large scale applications, it is essential to achieve perfect control of size, quality, growth rate and thickness. Here we show that this control on epitaxial graphene can be achieved by exploiting the face-to-face annealing of SiC in ultra-high vacuum. With this method, Si atoms trapped in the narrow space between two SiC wafers at high temperatures contribute to the reduction of the Si sublimation rate, allowing to achieve smooth and virtually defect free single graphene layers. We analyse the products obtained on both on-axis and off-axis 4H-SiC substrates in a wide range of temperatures (1300 °C–1500 °C), determining the growth law with the help of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Our epitaxial graphene on SiC has terrace widths up to 10 μm (on-axis) and 500 nm (off-axis) as demonstrated by atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy, while XPS and Raman spectroscopy confirm high purity and crystalline quality.
Critical current asymmetry in HTS switches using iron-core electromagnets
Authors: Rice James H P , Taylor Ross W , Moseley Dominic A , Petrov Alexander , Zhang Heng , Wray Steven , Geng Jianzhao , Badcock Rodney A
Published: December 2022

Iron-core electromagnets are widely used as applied-field switches in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) flux pumps. It was recently reported that the critical current (

I

c

) of the HTS wire is suppressed by up to 45% in the air gap of the iron core. Here, it is reported that the self-field

I

c

of a single tape (unifilar) is suppressed from 357 A to 195 A while in the air gap of an iron core, agreeing closely with the previous study. This is extended by showing that the

I

c

response to a perpendicular magnetic field is asymmetric, with a peak

I

c

of 249 A found to be at 0.16 T of applied magnetic field. This effect can be eliminated using an anti-parallel current configuration (bifilar), which is shown experimentally to recover close to the no-core self-field

I

c

of 357 A with no observed asymmetry. The results of both types of switch configurations are closely replicated in finite-element modelling using COMSOL Multiphysics®. This is caused by the asymmetric interaction between the self-induced magnetic field of the HTS switch element and the magnetic circuit of the iron-core electromagnet.
Recoil experiments determine the eigenmodes of viscoelastic fluids
Authors: Ginot Félix , Caspers Juliana , Reinalter Luis Frieder , Krishna Kumar Karthika , Krüger Matthias , Bechinger Clemens
Published: December 2022

We experimentally investigate the transient recoil dynamics of a colloidal probe particle in a viscoelastic fluid after the driving force acting on the probe is suddenly removed. The corresponding recoil displays two distinct timescales which are in excellent agreement with a microscopic model which considers the probe particle to be coupled to two bath particles via harmonic springs. Notably, this model exhibits two sets of eigenmodes which correspond to reciprocal and non-reciprocal force conditions and which can be experimentally confirmed in our experiments. We expect our findings to be relevant under conditions where particles are exposed to non-steady shear forces as this is encountered e.g. in microfluidic sorting devices or the intermittent motion of motile bacteria within their natural viscoelastic surrounding.
Mid-infrared refractive index photonic crystal fiber sensor based on surface plasmon resonance for ultra-high sensitivity
Authors: Du Zhenhua , Liu Huilong
Published: December 2022

An ultra-high sensitivity photonic crystal fiber mid-infrared refractive index (RI) sensor based on surface plasmon resonance is proposed, whose properties are investigated by the finite element method. Gold can be utilized to create excitation between the fundamental mode and surface plasmon polaritons mode. The simulation results indicate that, at the wavelength of 1.7–4.0 μm, the proposed sensor could detect a RI in the range of 1.00–1.31, a maximum sensitivity of 37 000 nm RIU−1, and an optimal resolution of 2.70 × 10−6 RIU is achieved. The result of curve fitting is 0.98185. The proposed mid-infrared RI sensor plays an important role in organic chemistry detection, medical detection, and related fields.
Deep learning in airborne particulate matter sensing: a review
Authors: Grant-Jacob James A , Mills Ben
Published: December 2022

Airborne particulate matter pollution is a global health problem that affects people from all demographics. To reduce the impact of such pollution and enable mitigation and policy planning, quantifying individuals’ exposure to pollution is necessary. To achieve this, effective monitoring of airborne particulates is required, through monitoring of pollution hotspots and sources. Furthermore, since pollution is a global problem, which varies from urban areas to city centres, industrial facilities to inside homes, a variety of sensors might be needed. Current sensing techniques either lack species resolution on a world scale, lack real-time capabilities, or are too expensive or too large for mass deployment. However, recent work using deep learning techniques has expanded the capability of current sensors and allowed the development of new techniques that have the potential for worldwide, species specific, real-time monitoring. Here, it is proposed how deep learning can enable sensor design for the development of small, low-cost sensors for real-time monitoring of particulate matter pollution, whilst unlocking the capability for predicting future particulate events and health inference from particulates, for both individuals and the environment in general.
Prevalence and outcomes of atrial fibrillation in older people living in care homes in Wales: a routine data linkage study 2003–2018
Authors: Ritchie Leona A , Harrison Stephanie L , Penson Peter E , Akbari Ashley , Torabi Fatemeh , Hollinghurst Joe , Harris Daniel , Oke Oluwakayode B , Akpan Asangaedem , Halcox Julian P , Rodgers Sarah E , Lip Gregory Y H , Lane Deirdre A
Published: December 2022

Objective

To determine atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence and temporal trends, and examine associations between AF and risk of adverse health outcomes in older care home residents.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using anonymised linked data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank on CARE home residents in Wales with AF (SAIL CARE-AF) between 2003 and 2018. Fine-Gray competing risk models were used to estimate the risk of health outcomes with mortality as a competing risk. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the risk of mortality.

Results

There were 86,602 older care home residents (median age 86.0 years [interquartile range 80.8–90.6]) who entered a care home between 2003 and 2018. When the pre-care home entry data extraction was standardised, the overall prevalence of AF was 17.4% (95% confidence interval 17.1–17.8) between 2010 and 2018. There was no significant change in the age- and sex-standardised prevalence of AF from 16.8% (15.9–17.9) in 2010 to 17.0% (16.1–18.0) in 2018. Residents with AF had a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.27 [1.17–1.37], P < 0.001), all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.14 [1.11–1.17], P < 0.001), ischaemic stroke (adjusted sub-distribution HR 1.55 [1.36–1.76], P < 0.001) and cardiovascular hospitalisation (adjusted sub-distribution HR 1.28 [1.22–1.34], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Older care home residents with AF have an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, even when higher mortality rates and other confounders are accounted for. This re-iterates the need for appropriate oral anticoagulant prescription and optimal management of cardiovascular co-morbidities, irrespective of frailty status and predicted life expectancy.
Phosphoproteomics for the identification of new mechanisms of cryodamage: the role of SPATA18 in the control of stallion sperm function
Authors: Gaitskell-Phillips Gemma , Martín-Cano Francisco E , da Silva-Álvarez Eva , Tapia José A , Silva Antonio , Gil María C , Ortega-Ferrusola Cristina , Peña Fernando J
Published: December 2022

Although recent research has addressed the impact of cryopreservation on the stallion sperm proteome, studies addressing the stallion sperm phosphoproteome are lacking. In the present study, the data set of proteomes of fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa were reanalyzed, showing that cryopreservation caused significant changes in the phosphoproteome. The phosphoproteins reduced most significantly by cryopreservation were Ca2+binding tyrosine phosphorylation regulated, protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit beta (CABYR), mitochondria eating protein (SPATA18), A kinase anchoring protein 4 (AKAP4), A-kinase anchoring protein 3 (AKAP3) and the Family with sequence similarity 71 member B (FAM71B). These proteins belong to the gene ontology (GO) terms sperm fibrous sheath (GO: 0035686), and sperm principal piece (GO: 0097228). The regulatory interactions between kinases and phosphorylation sites on the proteins that were affected most were also investigated, and the potential kinases (based on human orthologs) involved in the regulation of these phosphoproteins identified were: PKCß for SPATA18 and GSK3ß for CABYR. Kinase inhibition assays were also conducted showing that kinases phosphorylating the above-mentioned proteins play an important role in their activity and thus, phosphorylation controls the activity of these proteins and their role in the regulation of the functionality and viability of stallion spermatozoa. In conclusion, the data reported here contribute to the understanding of the fact that the dephosphorylation of certain proteins is a molecular lesion induced by cryopreservation in the stallion spermatozoa.
The Adaptive Olfactory Measure of Threshold (ArOMa-T): a rapid test of olfactory function
Authors: Weir Elisabeth M , Hannum Mackenzie E , Reed Danielle R , Joseph Paule V , Munger Steven D , Hayes John E , Gerkin Richard C
Published: December 2022

Many widely used psychophysical olfactory tests have limitations that can create barriers to adoption. For example, tests that measure the ability to identify odors may confound sensory performance with memory recall, verbal ability, and prior experience with the odor. Conversely, classic threshold-based tests avoid these issues, but are labor intensive. Additionally, many commercially available tests are slow and may require a trained administrator, making them impractical for use in situations where time is at a premium or self-administration is required. We tested the performance of the Adaptive Olfactory Measure of Threshold (ArOMa-T)—a novel odor detection threshold test that employs an adaptive Bayesian algorithm paired with a disposable odorant delivery card—in a non-clinical sample of individuals (n = 534) at the 2021 Twins Day Festival in Twinsburg, OH. Participants successfully completed the test in under 3 min with a false alarm rate of 7.5% and a test–retest reliability of 0.61. Odor detection thresholds differed by sex (~3.2-fold lower for females) and age (~8.7-fold lower for the youngest versus the oldest age group), consistent with prior studies. In an exploratory analysis, we failed to observe evidence of detection threshold differences between participants who reported a history of COVID-19 and matched controls who did not. We also found evidence for broad-sense heritability of odor detection thresholds. Together, this study suggests the ArOMa-T can determine odor detection thresholds. Additional validation studies are needed to confirm the value of ArOMa-T in clinical or field settings where rapid and portable assessment of olfactory function is needed.
Immunopurification Reagents and Their Application in Biologics and Biomarker Quantitation Using LC–MS/MS in Drug Discovery
Authors: Gautam Shashyendra Singh , Singh Sheelendra Pratap
Published: December 2022

The LC–MS/MS technology is one of the most utilized bio-analytical tools owing to its advantage of selectivity, sensitivity and multitasking. The advent of novel biological therapies and increasing demand for protein biomarker identification and quantitation have put the LC–MS/MS technology at the forefront. The questions which are been posed to the LC–MS/MS scientist are complex. The complexity of the question increases further with the matrices in which these questions need to be answered. To bring down the complexity of the analysis, LC–MS/MS technology is utilizing the immunopurification (IP) technique as the new sample preparation technique. The IP reagents are the most common reagents which are used to decrease the matrices’ complexity and allow the LC–MS/MS system to reach greater sensitivity. The utilization of these reagents is increasing every day, but the proper utilization of these reagents is still unknown to the common analyst in drug discovery. The present review throws light on the utilization aspect of these reagents, as we have classified these reagents on basis of their utilization, which will allow the readers to gain an understanding of these reagents. This review will also talk about the merits and the demerits of each approach and the current understanding of utilizing these reagents.
Natural Occurrence and Analysis ofNosemasp. Infection in the Adult Population of Western Bean Cutworm in Michigan
Authors: Bunn Dakota C , Miller Nicholas
Published: December 2022

An understanding of population dynamics and insect biology is important for effective crop management strategies. Biotic factors such as pathogens play a large role on the fitness and dynamics of insect populations. Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that infect more than 150 insect species and range from sublethal and chronic to fast acting and deadly. The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a pest of both corn (Zea maize L. [Poales: Poaceae]) and dry beans (Phaseolus sp L. [Fabales: Fabaceae]) that is infected by a microsporidian parasite from the genus Nosema (Microsporidia: Nosematidae). Unfortunately, little is known about the interactions between the Nosema sp. (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) infecting the western bean cutworm and its prevalence and effects on the host population. This is especially true for the western bean cutworm population that has settled in the Great Lakes region over the last two decades. Using field caught samples and phase contrast microscopy, no consistent trends in pathogen load were observed over the course of the western bean cutworm flight season. A weak, but statistically significant relationship was observed between male body weight and pathogen load. Overall, we found a 100% prevalence of infection in the adult western bean cutworm population in Michigan.
Is there a prognostic difference among patients with T3N0-3M0 non-small-cell lung cancer with different T3 descriptors?
Authors: Cai Jing-Sheng , Yang Fan , Wang Xun
Published: December 2022

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to evaluate the survival disparities among the patients with T3N0-3M0 non-small-cell lung cancer with different T3 descriptors and to further externally validate the current T3 category.

METHODS

Overall survival and cancer-specific survival were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test. A univariable and a multivariable Cox regression model were performed to determine the prognostic factors.

RESULTS

A series of 28,519 eligible cases was included. There were 17,971 cases with tumours that were larger than 5 cm but equal to or less than 7 cm (T-size group); 3,028 cases with tumours with chest wall/pericardium/phrenic nerve invasion (T-invasion group); 4,600 cases with tumours with additional tumour nodules in the same lobe (T-add group); and 2,900 cases with tumours that had at least 2 T3 descriptors (T-multiple group). The survival data indicated that patients in the T-add group had the best survival rates compared with other patients both in the entire cohort and in the subgroup analyses. Multivariable Cox models indicated that T3 descriptor was an important prognostic factor. Of the patients with different T3 descriptors, patients in the T-add group had the best prognosis, followed by patients in the T-size and in the T-invasion groups, and patients in the T-multiple group had the worst prognosis both in the pathological and clinical tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T3N0-3M0 non-small-cell lung cancer with different T descriptors had inconsistent survival rates. T-add yielded the best survivals, followed by T-size and T-invasion, and T-multiple was associated with the worst survivals. Our results were exploratory in nature and need to be further validated.
How does power shape district health management team responsiveness to public feedback in low- and middle-income countries: an interpretive synthesis
Authors: Kagwanja Nancy , Molyneux Sassy , Whyle Eleanor , Tsofa Benjamin , Gilson Lucy
Published: December 2022

Responsiveness is a core element of World Health Organization’s health system framework, considered important for ensuring inclusive and accountable health systems. System-wide responsiveness requires system-wide action, and district health management teams (DHMTs) play critical governance roles in many health systems. However, there is little evidence on how DHMTs enhance health system responsiveness. We conducted this interpretive literature review to understand how DHMTs receive and respond to public feedback and how power influences these processes. A better understanding of power dynamics could strengthen responsiveness and improve health system performance. Our interpretive synthesis drew on English language articles published between 2000 and 2021. Our search in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus combined terms related to responsiveness (feedback and accountability) and DHMTs (district health manager) yielding 703 articles. We retained 21 articles after screening. We applied Gaventa’s power cube and Long’s actor interface frameworks to synthesize insights about power. Our analysis identified complex power practices across a range of interfaces involving the public, health system and political actors. Power dynamics were rooted in social and organizational power relationships, personal characteristics (interests, attitudes and previous experiences) and world-views (values and beliefs). DHMTs’ exercise of ‘visible power’ sometimes supported responsiveness; however, they were undermined by the ‘invisible power’ of public sector bureaucracy that shaped generation of responses. Invisible power, manifesting in the subconscious influence of historical marginalization, patriarchal norms and poverty, hindered vulnerable groups from providing feedback. We also identified ‘hidden power’ as influencing what feedback DHMTs received and from whom. Our work highlights the influence of social norms, structures and discrimination on power distribution among actors interacting with, and within, the DHMT. Responsiveness can be strengthened by recognising and building on actors' life-worlds (lived experiences) while paying attention to the broader context in which these life-worlds are embedded.
Two distinct population clusters of northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubius) on the northwest Atlantic shelf revealed by whole genome sequencing
Authors: Jones Lucas F , Lou R Nicolas , Murray Christopher S , Robert Dominique , Bourne Christina M , Bouchard Caroline , Kučka Marek , Chan Y Frank , Carlon David B , Wiley David N , Therkildsen Nina O , Baumann Hannes
Published: December 2022

Northern sand lance (Ammodytes dubius) are essential forage fish in most offshore, temperate-to-polar waters on the Northwest Atlantic shelf (NWA), but their population structure and genetic separation from the American sand lance (A. americanus) remain unresolved. We assembled a reference genome for A. dubius (first in the Ammodytidae) and then used low-coverage whole genome sequencing on 262 specimens collected across the species distribution (Mid-Atlantic Bight to Greenland) to quantify genetic differentiation between geographic regions based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found strong separation between A. dubius from locations north and south of the Scotian Shelf, largely due to massive genetic differentiation spanning most of chromosomes 21 and 24. Genetic distance increased with geographic distance in the smaller southern cluster but not in the larger northern cluster, where genetic homogeneity appeared across large geographic distances (>103 km). The two genetic clusters coincide with a clear break in winter sea surface temperature, suggesting that differential offspring survival, rather than limited transport, causes a break in realized connectivity. Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA both clearly delineated A. dubius from A. americanus, thereby confirming a species boundary through spatial niche partitioning into inshore (A. americanus) and offshore (A. dubius) sand lance species on the NWA.