bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Trailblazer or a Barrier? Dynastic Politics and Symbolic Representation of the First Female President of South Korea, Park Geun-hye
Authors: Lee Young-Im
Published: December 2022

What is the impact on symbolic representation of female leaders who are seen as failures? Do women from political dynasties elicit symbolic representation? I answer these questions by analyzing how Park Geun-hye’s election as the first woman president of South Korea and her subsequent impeachment shaped voters’ perceptions of women’s potential and contribution as political leaders. Utilizing an original survey and focus groups, I argue that South Korean voters overall did not recognize Park’s election as the country’s first female president as a symbol of women’s political empowerment because of her dynastic background and her failure to promote women-friendly policies. Although she received credit for being the historic first, women across the political spectrum were concerned that the epic failure of the first female president would reinforce voters’ reluctance to vote for women. This study emphasizes the importance of adopting an intersectional approach in studying symbolic representation.
Explaining Public Support for Gender Quotas: Sexism, Representational Quality, and State Intervention in Japan
Authors: Miura Mari , McElwain Kenneth Mori , Kaneko Tomoki
Published: December 2022

Electoral gender quotas remain contentious among many publics. One hurdle is the “principle-policy puzzle”: those who espouse gender egalitarianism may nevertheless oppose affirmative action measures because of disagreements about their necessity and worries about government overreach. Based on an original survey in Japan, where women’s underrepresentation is particularly pronounced, we identify two dimensions that drive attitudes toward quotas. First, modern sexism matters: those who attribute underrepresentation to women’s disinterest or who think that quotas will increase the number of unqualified women candidates are less likely to support quotas. Second, appropriateness matters: those who oppose government intervention in gender affairs are less likely to support quotas. Crucially, these differences hold even among those who desire more women in parliament. Our results suggest that public acceptance of quotas depends more on correcting misperceptions about structural gender barriers and the benign consequences of quotas (“policy”), rather than encouraging people to prefer more women in parliament (“principle”).
Real‐Time Prediction of Alongshore Near‐Field Tsunami Runup Distribution From Heterogeneous Earthquake Slip Distribution
Authors: Lee Jun‐Whan , Irish Jennifer L. , Weiss Robert
Published: December 2022

Real‐time tsunami prediction is necessary for tsunami forecasting. Although tsunami forecasting based on a precomputed tsunami simulation database is fast, it is difficult to respond to earthquakes that are not in the database. As the computation speed increases, various alternatives based on physics‐based models have been proposed. However, physics‐based models still require several minutes to simulate tsunamis and can have numerical stability issues that potentially make them unreliable for use in forecasting—particularly in the case of near‐field tsunamis. This paper presents a data‐driven model called the tsunami runup response function for finite faults (TRRF‐FF) model that can predict alongshore near‐field tsunami runup distribution from heterogeneous earthquake slip distribution in less than a second. Once the TRRF‐FF model is trained and calibrated based on a discrete set of tsunami simulations, the TRRF‐FF model can predict alongshore tsunami runup distribution from any combination of finite fault parameters. The TRRF‐FF model treats the leading‐order contribution and the residual part of the alongshore tsunami runup distribution separately. The interaction between finite faults is modeled based on the leading‐order alongshore tsunami runup distribution. We validated the TRRF‐FF modeling approach with more than 200 synthetic tsunami scenarios in eastern Japan. We further explored the performance of the TRRF‐FF model by applying it to the 2011 Tohoku (Japan) tsunami event. The results show that the TRRF‐FF model is more flexible, occupies much less storage space than a precomputed tsunami simulation database, and is more rapid and reliable than real‐time physics‐based numerical simulation.
In-depth analysis of alternative splicing landscape in multiple myeloma and potential role of dysregulated splicing factors
Authors: Aktas Samur Anil , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Avet-Loiseau Herve , Lopez Michael A. , Derebail Sanika , Corre Jill , Minvielle Stephane , Magrangeas Florence , Moreau Philippe , Anderson Kenneth C. , Parmigiani Giovanni , Samur Mehmet K. , Munshi Nikhil C.
Published: December 2022

Splicing changes are common in cancer and are associated with dysregulated splicing factors. Here, we analyzed RNA-seq data from 323 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients and described the alternative splicing (AS) landscape. We observed a large number of splicing pattern changes in MM cells compared to normal plasma cells (NPC). The most common events were alterations of mutually exclusive exons and exon skipping. Most of these events were observed in the absence of overall changes in gene expression and often impacted the coding potential of the alternatively spliced genes. To understand the molecular mechanisms driving frequent aberrant AS, we investigated 115 splicing factors (SFs) and associated them with the AS events in MM. We observed that ~40% of SFs were dysregulated in MM cells compared to NPC and found a significant enrichment of SRSF1, SRSF9, and PCB1 binding motifs around AS events. Importantly, SRSF1 overexpression was linked with shorter survival in two independent MM datasets and was correlated with the number of AS events, impacting tumor cell proliferation. Together with the observation that MM cells are vulnerable to splicing inhibition, our results may lay the foundation for developing new therapeutic strategies for MM. We have developed a web portal that allows custom alternative splicing event queries by using gene symbols and visualizes AS events in MM and subgroups. Our portals can be accessed at http://rconnect.dfci.harvard.edu/mmsplicing/ and https://rconnect.dfci.harvard.edu/mmleafcutter/.
Astrocyte-derived exosomal nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) ameliorates ischemic stroke injury by targeting AMPK/mTOR signaling to induce autophagy
Authors: Deng Yang , Duan Rui , Ding Wangli , Gu Qiuchen , Liu Manman , Zhou Junshan , Sun Jianguo , Zhu Junrong
Published: December 2022

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a global cerebrovascular disease with high disability and mortality, which has no effective therapy. Studies have demonstrated that astrocyte-derived exosomes (ADEXs) provided neuroprotection in experimental stroke models. Nevertheless, the role of exosomes derived from oxygen-glucose-deprivation/reoxygenation-stimulated astrocytes (OGD/R-stimulated astrocytes; OGD/R-ADEXs) in AIS remains largely unknown. Here, we found that OGD/R-ADEXs significantly reduced OGD/R-induced neuronal death and promoted neuronal autophagy. These effects were reversed when astrocytes were pretreated with GW4869, an exosome secretion inhibitor, or when hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) was knocked down. Neuroprotection was also observed during treatment with OGD/R-ADEXs in vivo. Further studies showed that Nampt, played a vital effect in the regulation of autophagy, was significantly increased in OGD/R-ADEXs. Knockdown of Nampt in astrocytes abolished the above-mentioned effects of OGD/R-ADEXs. Mechanistically, Nampt increased autophagy and decreased cell death by modulating AMPK/mTOR signaling, which recognized as a key signaling pathway of autophagy after AIS. Collectively, these results showed that Nampt released by OGD/R-ADEXs ameliorated acute ischemic stroke during neuronal injury by targeting AMPK/mTOR signaling to induce autophagy. Our study revealed a new key factor in the secretion of exosomes by OGD/R astrocytes, which regulated autophagy and induced neuroprotection in a mouse stroke model.
The NBDC-DDBJ imputation server facilitates the use of controlled access reference panel datasets in Japan
Authors: Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Ishii Manabu , Kawai Yosuke , Khor Seik-Soon , Kawashima Minae , Toyo-Oka Licht , Mitsuhashi Nobutaka , Fukuda Asami , Kodama Yuichi , Fujisawa Takatomo , Tokunaga Katsushi , Takagi Toshihisa
Published: December 2022

Accurate genotype imputation requires large-scale reference panel datasets. When conducting genotype imputation on the Japanese population, researchers can use such datasets under collaborative studies or controlled access conditions in public databases. We developed the NBDC-DDBJ imputation server, which securely provides users with a web user interface to execute genotype imputation on the server. Our benchmarking analysis showed that the accuracy of genotype imputation was improved by leveraging controlled access datasets to increase the number of haplotypes available for analysis compared to using publicly available reference panels such as the 1000 Genomes Project. The NBDC-DDBJ imputation server facilitates the use of controlled access datasets for accurate genotype imputation.
Self-charging electrostatic face masks leveraging triboelectrification for prolonged air filtration
Authors: Peng Zehua , Shi Jihong , Xiao Xiao , Hong Ying , Li Xuemu , Zhang Weiwei , Cheng Yongliang , Wang Zuankai , Li Wen Jung , Chen Jun , Leung Michael K. H. , Yang Zhengbao
Published: December 2022

Electrostatic adsorption is an important complement to the mechanical filtration for high-efficiency air filtering. However, the electrostatic charge decays with time, especially in humid conditions. In this work, a self-charging air filter is presented to capture airborne particles in an efficient and long-lasting manner without the need of external power sources. Leveraging the triboelectric effect between the electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofiber film and nylon fabric, the self-charging air filter-based mask excited by breathing can continuously replenish electrostatic charges. As a result, its effective lifespan is up to 60 hours (including 30 hours of wearing), with a minimum filtration efficiency of 95.8% for 0.3-μm particles. The filtration efficiency and lifespan are significantly higher than those of a commercial surgical mask. Furthermore, we uncover the quantitative relation between filtration efficiency and surface electrostatic potential. This work provides an effective strategy to significantly prolong the electrostatic adsorption efficacy for high-performance air-filtering masks.
Histology-based survival outcomes in hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer treated with targeted therapies
Authors: Mouabbi Jason A. , Raghavendra Akshara Singareeka , Bassett Roland L. , Hassan Amy , Tripathy Debu , Layman Rachel M.
Published: December 2022

The addition of targeted therapies (TT) to endocrine therapy (ET) has improved the outcomes of patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). However, it is unknown whether patients with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) or mixed invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma (mixed) histologies experience the same magnitude of benefit from this therapy as those with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). We aim to determine whether patients with IDC, ILC, and mixed HR+/HER2− mBC derive similar benefit from the addition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is), mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor (PI3Ki) to ET in HR+/HER2− mBC. We conducted an observational, population-based investigation using data from the MD Anderson prospectively collected database. We conducted a histology-based analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) durations in 3784 patients with HR+/HER2− mBC who were treated with TT plus ET between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. Out of the 3784 patients, 2975 were included in the final analysis. Of these, 2249 received CDK4/6is (81% IDC, 15% ILC, and 4% mixed), 1027 received everolimus (82% IDC, 14% ILC, and 4% mixed) and 49 received alpelisib (81% IDC and 19% ILC). The addition of targeted therapy to ET did not result in statistically significant differences in PFS or OS duration among patients with IDC, ILC, and mixed HR+/HER2− mBC. We concluded that for patients with HR+/HER2− mBC, the addition of TT to ET leads to a similar magnitude of benefit, irrespective of histology.
Fluxomics reveals cellular and molecular basis of increased renal ammoniagenesis
Authors: Mpabanzi Liliane , Wainwright Jessica , Boonen Bas , van Eijk Hans , Dhar Dipok , Karssemeijer Esther , Dejong Cees H. C. , Jalan Rajiv , Schwartz Jean-Marc , Olde Damink Steven W. M. , Soons Zita
Published: December 2022

The kidney plays a critical role in excreting ammonia during metabolic acidosis and liver failure. The mechanisms behind this process have been poorly explored. The present study combines results of in vivo experiments of increased total ammoniagenesis with systems biology modeling, in which eight rats were fed an amino acid-rich diet (HD group) and eight a normal chow diet (AL group). We developed a method based on elementary mode analysis to study changes in amino acid flux occurring across the kidney in increased ammoniagenesis. Elementary modes represent minimal feasible metabolic paths in steady state. The model was used to predict amino acid fluxes in healthy and pre-hyperammonemic conditions, which were compared to experimental fluxes in rats. First, we found that total renal ammoniagenesis increased from 264 ± 68 to 612 ± 87 nmol (100 g body weight)−1 min−1 in the HD group (P = 0.021) and a concomitated upregulation of NKCC2 ammonia and other transporters in the kidney. In the kidney metabolic model, the best predictions were obtained with ammonia transport as an objective. Other objectives resulting in a fair correlation with the measured fluxes (correlation coefficient >0.5) were growth, protein uptake, urea excretion, and lysine and phenylalanine transport. These predictions were improved when specific gene expression data were considered in HD conditions, suggesting a role for the mitochondrial glycine pathway. Further studies are needed to determine if regulation through the mitochondrial glycine pathway and ammonia transporters can be modulated and how to use the kidney as a therapeutic target in hyperammonemia.
Game theoretical trajectory planning enhances social acceptability of robots by humans
Authors: Galati Giada , Primatesta Stefano , Grammatico Sergio , Macrì Simone , Rizzo Alessandro
Published: December 2022

Since humans and robots are increasingly sharing portions of their operational spaces, experimental evidence is needed to ascertain the safety and social acceptability of robots in human-populated environments. Although several studies have aimed at devising strategies for robot trajectory planning to performsafemotion in populated environments, a few efforts havemeasuredto what extent a robot trajectory isacceptedby humans. Here, we present a navigation system for autonomous robots that ensures safety and social acceptability of robotic trajectories. We overcome the typical reactive nature of state-of-the-art trajectory planners by leveraging non-cooperative game theory to design a planner that encapsulates human-like features of preservation of a personal space, recognition of groups, sequential and strategized decision making, and smooth obstacle avoidance. Social acceptability is measured through a variation of the Turing test administered in the form of a survey questionnaire to a pool of 691 participants. Comparison terms for our tests are a state-of-the-art navigation algorithm (Enhanced Vector Field Histogram, VFH) and purely human trajectories. While all participants easily recognized the non-human nature of VFH-generated trajectories, the distinction between game-theoretical trajectories and human ones were hardly revealed. Our results mark a strong milestone toward the full integration of robots in social environments.
Variability in surveillance practice for patients with diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve syndrome
Authors: Kahler-Quesada Arianna M. , Vallabhajosyula Ishani , Yousef Sameh , Mori Makoto , Amabile Andrea , Assi Roland , Geirsson Arnar , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth
Published: December 2022

In patients with bicuspid aortic valves, guidelines call for regular follow-up to monitor disease progression and guide intervention. We aimed to evaluate how closely these recommendations are followed at a tertiary care center. Among 48,504 patients who received echocardiograms (2013–2018) at a tertiary care center, 245 patients were identified to have bicuspid aortic valve. Bivariate analyses compared characteristics between patients who did and did not receive follow-up by a cardiovascular specialist. During a median follow-up of 3.5 ± 2.2 years (mean age 55.2 ± 15.6 years, 30.2% female), 72.7% of patients had at least one visit with a cardiovascular specialist after diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve. These patients had a higher proportion of surveillance by echocardiogram (78.7% vs. 34.3%, p < .0001), CT or MRI (41.0% vs. 3.0%, p < .0001), and were more likely to undergo surgery. Patients with moderate-severe valvular or aortic pathology were not more likely to be followed by a specialist or receive follow-up echocardiograms. Follow-up care for patients with bicuspid aortic valve was highly variable, and surveillance imaging was sparse despite guidelines. There is an urgent need for mechanisms to monitor this population with increased risk of progressive valvulopathy and aortopathy.
Soil fertility analysis in the Republic of Bashkortostan
Authors: Mirsayapov Ramil , Asylbaev Ilgiz , Kiseleva Anna , Minkina Tatiana , Kurmasheva Nadezhda
Published: December 2022

The manuscript presents the materials of soil fertility analysis of agricultural lands in the north-eastern forest-steppe of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the conditions of the Salavatskiy district of the republic (Russian Federation). Agrochemical analysis of the humus accumulation, mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium was carried out, morphological properties were studied, the thickness of the humus horizon, granulometric composition and soil erosion were determined. During the 49-year period of agricultural land use, it was revealed some of the medium-humus soils passed into the category of high-humus, caused by the fact that the arable lands were not used for cultivating crops and they were withdrawn from circulation and sown with many-year-old grasses. As to the thickness of the humus horizon, low-yielding soils predominate, which occupy 60.11%, average 32.9%. The main land area belongs to slightly washed soils of 67,445.2 ha (58.2%) and unwashed 36,985.5 ha (31.9%). Agricultural lands are mainly characterized as medium-humus (80.3%) and obese (12.1%) ones. Based on the results of the research, an adjustment, digitization and a new soil map of the Salavatskiy district was made with the allocation of the main types and subtypes of soils with the indication of varieties on a scale of 1:25,000.
Mapping the functional expression of auxiliary subunits of KCa1.1 in glioblastoma
Authors: Feher Adam , Pethő Zoltán , Szanto Tibor G. , Klekner Álmos , Tajti Gabor , Batta Gyula , Hortobágyi Tibor , Varga Zoltan , Schwab Albrecht , Panyi Gyorgy
Published: December 2022

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive glial tumor, where ion channels, including KCa1.1, are candidates for new therapeutic options. Since the auxiliary subunits linked to KCa1.1 in GBM are largely unknown we used electrophysiology combined with pharmacology and gene silencing to address the functional expression of KCa1.1/β subunits complexes in both primary tumor cells and in the glioblastoma cell line U-87 MG. The pattern of the sensitivity (activation/inhibition) of the whole-cell currents to paxilline, lithocholic acid, arachidonic acid, and iberiotoxin; the presence of inactivation of the whole-cell current along with the loss of the outward rectification upon exposure to the reducing agent DTT collectively argue that KCa1.1/β3 complex is expressed in U-87 MG. Similar results were found using human primary glioblastoma cells isolated from patient samples. Silencing the β3 subunit expression inhibited carbachol-induced Ca2+ transients in U-87 MG thereby indicating the role of the KCa1.1/β3 in the Ca2+ signaling of glioblastoma cells. Functional expression of the KCa1.1/β3 complex, on the other hand, lacks cell cycle dependence. We suggest that the KCa1.1/β3 complex may have diagnostic and therapeutic potential in glioblastoma in the future.
Evolution of self-organised division of labour driven by stigmergy in leaf-cutter ants
Authors: Di Pietro Viviana , Govoni Patrick , Chan Kin Ho , Oliveira Ricardo Caliari , Wenseleers Tom , van den Berg Pieter
Published: December 2022

Social insects owe their widespread success to their ability to efficiently coordinate behaviour to carry out complex tasks. Several leaf-cutter ant species employ an advanced type of division of labour known as task partitioning, where the task of retrieving leaves is distributed between workers that cut and drop and those that collect the fallen leaves. It is not entirely clear how such highly coordinated behaviour can evolve, as it would seem to require the simultaneous mutations of multiple traits during the same generation. Here, we use an agent-based simulation model to show how task partitioning in leaf-cutter ants can gradually evolve by exploiting stigmergy (indirect coordination through the environment) through gravity (leaves falling from the treetop on the ground forming a cache). Our simple model allows independent variation in two core behavioural dimensions: the tendency to drop leaves and the tendency to pick up dropped leaves. Task partitioning readily evolves even under these minimal assumptions through adaptation to an arboreal environment where traveling up and down the tree is costly. Additionally, we analyse ant movement dynamics to demonstrate how the ants achieve efficient task allocation through task switching and negative feedback control.
Scheduled simple production method of pseudopregnant female mice for embryo transfer using the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist
Authors: Sari Gema Puspa , Hilario Patrick Louis Lagman , Yuri Shunsuke , Honda Arata , Isotani Ayako
Published: December 2022

The use of mice as experimental animal models has been a practice since the development of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) in the early 1980s. New technologies, including genome editing, have helped in the time- and cost-efficient generation of GEMMs. However, methods for preparing pseudopregnant females, essential for the generation of GEMMs, remain less advanced. This study proposes a new method to achieve simple production of pseudopregnant female mice using a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa). A 20 µg LHRHa/mouse was identified as the best dose for inducing estrus synchronization. However, the frequency of copulation was 40% on a single injection. With sequential injections of 20 µg LHRHa/mouse on Days-1 and -2, followed by pairing on Day-5, 74% of LHRHa-treated females copulated with male mice. Moreover, LHRHa treatment did not affect fetal and postnatal development. Eventually, successful generation of offspring via embryo transfer was attained using LHRHa-treated pseudopregnant females. LHRHa administration method is efficient in producing pseudopregnant female mice for the generation of GEMMs, and we expect that it will contribute towards advancing the clinical research.
Exploring strong and weak topological states on isostructural substitutions in TlBiSe$$_2$$
Authors: Phutela Ankita , Bhumla Preeti , Jain Manjari , Bhattacharya Saswata
Published: December 2022

Topological Insulators (TIs) are unique materials where insulating bulk hosts linearly dispersing surface states protected by the Time-Reversal Symmetry. These states lead to dissipationless current flow, which makes this class of materials highly promising for spintronic applications. Here, we predict TIs by employing state-of-the-art first-principles based methodologies, viz., density functional theory and many-body perturbation theory (G$$_0$$

0

W$$_0$$

0

) combined with spin-orbit coupling effects. For this, we take a well-known 3D TI, TlBiSe$$_2$$

2

and perform complete substitution with suitable materials at different sites to check if the obtained isostructural materials exhibit topological properties. Subsequently, we scan these materials based on SOC-induced parity inversion at Time-Reversal Invariant Momenta. Later, to confirm the topological nature of selected materials, we plot their surface states along with calculation of Z$$_2$$

2

invariants. Our results show that GaBiSe$$_2$$

2

is a strong Topological Insulator, besides, we report six weak Topological Insulators, viz., PbBiSe$$_2$$

2

, SnBiSe$$_2$$

2

, SbBiSe$$_2$$

2

, Bi$$_2$$

2

Se$$_2$$

2

, TlSnSe$$_2$$

2

and PbSbSe$$_2$$

2

. We have further verified that all the reported TIs are dynamically stable, showing all real phonon modes of vibration.
Simultaneous spectrofluorimetic determination of remdesivir and simeprevir in human plasma
Authors: El Sharkasy Mona E. , Tolba Manar M. , Belal Fathalla , Walash Mohamed I. , Aboshabana Rasha
Published: December 2022

As new infectious mutations of SARS-CoV-2 emerged throughout the world, innovative therapies to counter the virus-altered drug sensitivities were urgently needed. Several antiviral options have been in clinical trials or in compassionate use for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections in an attempt to minimize both clinical severity and viral shedding. Recent research indicated that simeprevir acts synergistically with remdesivir, allowing for a multiple-fold decrease in its effective dose when used at physiologically acceptable concentrations. The goal of this work is to develop a sensitive synchronous spectrofluorimetric approach to simultaneously quantify the two drugs in biological fluids. Using this method, remdesivir and simeprevir could be measured spectrofluorimetrically at 283 and 341 nm, respectively, without interference from each other using Δλ of 90 nm. The effect of various experimental parameters on the fluorescence intensity of the two drugs was extensively explored and optimized. For each of remdesivir and simeprevir, the method exhibited a linearity range of 0.10–1.10 μg/mL, with lower detection limits of 0.01 and 0.02 μg/mL and quantification limits of 0.03 and 0.05 μg/mL, respectively. The high sensitivity of the developed method permitted the simultaneous determination of both drugs in spiked plasma samples with % recoveries ranging from 95.0 to 103.25 with acceptable standard deviation values of 1.92 and 3.04 for remdesivir and simeprevir, respectively. The validation of the approach was approved by the International Council of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.
Direct detection of circulating donor-derived extracellular vesicles in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Woud Wouter W. , Hesselink Dennis A. , Hoogduijn Martin J. , Baan Carla C. , Boer Karin
Published: December 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tissue-specific particles containing valuable diagnostic information. However, single EV analysis in blood is challenging due to their physical properties, the molecular complexity of plasma, and a lack of robust data interpretation methods. We assess the applicability of our recently-developed calibrated Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFCM)-based methodology to detect/characterize circulating tissue-specific EV subsets in the clinical setting of kidney transplantation. Platelet-poor plasma was generated from 36 HLA-A3 mismatched donor (HLA-A3 +) and kidney transplant recipients (KTRs; HLA-A3-). Samples taken before transplantation, 3 days, 7 days, and 6 months after transplantation as well as before ‘for-cause’ kidney transplant biopsies were stained with anti-CD9 (plasma EV-marker) and anti-HLA-A3. Before transplantation, no significant differences in total CD9 + EV concentrations were detected between donor and KTR samples. Tissue-specific EVs were identified as CD9 + HLA-A3 + . Serial dilution experiments of HLA-A3 + in HLA-A3- PPP showed that single CD9 + HLA-A3 + EVs were detectable down to ~ 1% above the recipient ‘self-signal’. After transplantation, CD9 + HLA-A3 + EVs were detected above pre-transplantation concentrations in individuals with stable allograft function, but not in individuals with allograft dysfunction. These results demonstrate the applicability of our calibrated IFCM-based methodology in the direct detection of tissue-specific EV subsets in clinical samples. We believe that this EV methodology is applicable in a variety of clinical contexts.
Fabrication of paper-based analytical devices by a laminating method with thermal ink ribbons, sticky notes, and office appliances
Authors: Inagawa Arinori , Iimura Ken-ichi , Uehara Nobuo
Published: December 2022

A stencil printing method for paper-based analytical device (PAD) fabrication utilizing sticky notes, a thermal transfer ink ribbon, and office appliances is proposed.
Lipid nanoparticle-based mRNA candidates elicit potent T cell responses
Authors: Zeng Ye , Escalona-Rayo Oscar , Knol Renzo , Kros Alexander , Slütter Bram
Published: December 2022

Addition of limited amounts of fusogenic lipid DOPE (Orange) and beta-sitosterol (red) improves transfection efficacy of dendritic cells and improves CDB* T-cell responses.
Reactive oxygen species-upregulating nanomedicines towards enhanced cancer therapy
Authors: Ding Yuanyuan , Pan Qingqing , Gao Wenxia , Pu Yuji , Luo Kui , He Bin
Published: December 2022

A review of the recent progress of ROS-upgrading nanosystems in oncotherapy is presented.
Role of lattice strain in bifunctional catalysts for tandem furfural hydrogenation–esterification
Authors: Hashim Luqman H. , Halilu Ahmed , Umar Yahaya Balarabe , Johan Mohd Rafie Bin , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine , Koley Paramita , Bhargava Suresh K.
Published: December 2022

This research represents that the bifunctional catalyst (Cu/RHSiO2–Al–Mg) which has the lowest lattice strain can significantly enhance catalytic reactivity such as the furfural conversion into furfural acetate.
Synchronous removal of antibiotics in sewage effluents by surface-anchored photocatalytic nanofiltration membrane in a continuous dynamic process
Authors: Song Yuefei , Meng Chunchun , Chen Xiaomei , Li Yajuan , Ma Saifei , Zhang Lingjie , Wang Jinran , Jiang Kai
Published: December 2022

The feasibility of a novel surface-anchored bifunctional photocatalytic nanofiltration membrane for simultaneously degrading and separating target antibiotics in sewage effluent in a continuous flow-through process was verified.
Association between pre-diagnostic dietary antioxidant vitamin consumption and ovarian cancer survival: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Sun Ming-Hui , Gong Ting-Ting , Xu He-Li , Yin Jia-Li , Yang Hui-Juan , Zou Bing-Jie , Chen Hong-Yu , Du Zong-Da , Wang Ran , Yan Shi , Xu Jin , Liu Fang-Hua , Sun Ming-Li , Gao Song , Zhao Yu-Hong , Wu Qi-Jun
Published: December 2022

Pre-diagnostic higher vitamin C and β-carotene intake was associated with improved ovarian cancer survival.
Copper-based catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide: progress and future prospects
Authors: Kong Qingquan , An Xuguang , Liu Qian , Xie Lisi , Zhang Jing , Li Qinye , Yao Weitang , Yu Aimin , Jiao Yan , Sun Chenghua
Published: December 2022

This review introduces fundamental aspects of the electrocatalytic CO2RR process together with a systematic examination of recent developments in Cu-based electrocatalysts for the electroreduction of CO2to various high-value multicarbon products.
A spectroscopic overview of the differences between the absorbing states and the emitting states in semiconductor perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Ghosh Arnab , Strandell Dallas P. , Kambhampati Patanjali
Published: December 2022

Overview of the electronic structure and relevant processes in light absorption and emission for understanding how absorbing and emitting states are connected.
Generating spin-triplet states at the bulk perovskite/organic interface for photon upconversion
Authors: Sullivan Colette M. , Nienhaus Lea
Published: December 2022

In this minireview, we highlight the current status of triplet generation at the perovskite/organic semiconductor interface. We provide a discussion of current roadblocks and possible future directions based on additional promising annihilators.
Indocyanine green derived carbon dots with significantly enhanced properties for efficient photothermal therapy
Authors: Jiang Yuxiang , Tan Zhuomin , Zhao Tianshu , Wu Jiajia , Li Ya , Jia Yinnong , Peng Zhili
Published: December 2022

A simple yet effective strategy to enhance the thermal stability, anti-photobleaching and photothermal efficiency of indocyanine green via carbonization has been developed, which is likely to have broad applications in other systems.
Ethyl ester/acyl hydrazide-based aromatic sulfonamides: facile synthesis, structural characterization, electrochemical measurements and theoretical studies as effective corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1.0 M HCl
Authors: Bedair Mahmoud A. , Abuelela Ahmed M. , Alshareef Mubark , Owda Medhat , Eliwa Essam M.
Published: December 2022

Two new corrosion inhibitors were synthesized and applied to steel in 1.0 M HCl. The corrosion resistance was probed by electrochemical and theoretical methods. The study reveals significant intersections between electrochemical aspects and theory.
Pd(ii)-catalyzed β- and γ-C-(sp3)–H dienylation with allenyl acetates
Authors: Shukla Rahul K. , Nair Akshay M. , Volla Chandra M. R.
Published: December 2022

A Pd(ii)-catalyzed highly regioselective dienylation of sp3 C–H bonds has been accomplished engaging allenes for a variety of aliphatic carboxamides including fatty acids and amino acids.
Programmable synthesis of well-defined, glycosylated iron(ii) supramolecular assemblies with multivalent protein-binding capabilities
Authors: Schwab Jake H. , Bailey Jake B. , Gembicky Milan , Stauber Julia M.
Published: December 2022

A modular approach to the synthesis and design of well-defined molecular saccharide-functionalized multivalent assemblies that engage in protein binding.
Solvent-mediated precipitating synthesis and optical properties of polyhydrido Cu13nanoclusters with four vertex-sharing tetrahedrons
Authors: Lin Xinzhang , Tang Jie , Zhu Chenyu , Wang Li , Yang Yang , Wu Ren'an , Fan Hongjun , Liu Chao , Huang Jiahui
Published: December 2022

A solvent-mediated precipitating synthesis was developed to efficiently prepare novel high-purity Cu13H10(SR)3(PPh3)7nanoclusters with an aesthetic crystal structure, unique optical properties and ultrafast relaxation dynamics.
Cu5FeS4 quantum dots as a single-component photo-assisted electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Zhang Dongxu , Liu Yanhong , Li Longhua , Li Di , Jiang Tianyao , Huang Hui , Jiang Deli , Kang Zhenhui , Mao Baodong
Published: December 2022

Cu5FeS4 quantum dots as a single-component photo-assisted electrocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction superior to Pt/C.
New strategies to improve two-electron oxygen reduction reaction selectivity of polypyrrole-based catalysts
Authors: Wang Miaohui , Wang Jianhua , Huang Peipei , Lin Haiping , Li Qing
Published: December 2022

Stabilizing N–H bonds by the hydrogen-bonding interaction in polymerization or transforming the deprotonated –N+– species into C–N bonds by calcining polypyrrole-based catalysts can improve the electrochemical two-electron oxygen reduction reaction.
A charge-free and membrane-free hybrid capacitive mixing system for salinity gradient energy harvesting
Authors: Yang Bin , Yu Jian , Ma Tianwei
Published: December 2022

A charge-free and membrane-free hybrid capacitive mixing (H-CapMix) system for salinity gradient energy harvesting with EDA-YP80F as a capacitive anode for Cl− absorption and FeHCF as a battery-type cathode for Na+ incorporation.
A novel enzyme-free long-lasting chemiluminescence system based on a luminol functionalized β-cyclodextrin hydrogel for sensitive detection of H2O2 in urine and cells
Authors: Yang Rui , Ren Yueran , Dong Wenxuan
Published: December 2022

In this work, a biocompatible hydrogel with long-lasting chemiluminescence properties was synthesized using a simple method, and it was used as an enzyme-free biosensor interface and bioimaging probe for the detection of H2O2 in urine and tumor cells.
Strontium and simvastatin dual loaded hydroxyapatite microsphere reinforced poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds promote vascularized bone regeneration
Authors: Li Gen , Li Yubao , Zhang Xianhui , Gao Pengfei , Xia Xue , Xiao Shiqi , Wen Jing , Guo Tao , Yang Weihu , Li Jidong
Published: December 2022

The promotion of vascular network formation in the early stages of implantation is considered a prerequisite for successful functional bone regeneration.
From dinuclear to two-dimensional Dy(iii) complexes: single crystal–single crystal transformation and single-molecule magnetic behavior
Authors: Jin Yi-Shu , Yu Ke , Zhang Nan , Zhang Yi-Quan , Liu Cai-Ming , Kou Hui-Zhong
Published: December 2022

A novel 2D Dy-MOF and three dinuclear Dy(iii) complexes exhibit ligand-based fluorescence and single-molecule magnetic properties, and the dinuclear species undergo consecutive single-crystal to single-crystal transformation.
Adaptive Doppler‐smoothed‐code bilateral kernel regression method for single‐frequency BeiDou receiver
Authors: Jiang Yi , Shao Han , Gao Heng
Published: December 2022

Currently, single‐frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers dominate maritime navigation units due to their simple structure and low cost but usually cannot meet the positioning requirements of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS). Herein, a novel adaptive Doppler‐smoothed‐code Bilateral Kernel Regression (DBKR) method is proposed, which improves pseudorange accuracy in the range domain and then reconstructs observations in the position domain. In the range domain, the Doppler observable is utilised to smooth the pseudorange with an optimal window smoothing width for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) receiver to alleviate ionosphere delay. In the position domain, we elaborate a bilateral kernel regression model to further reduce the positioning drift. The on‐line regression process starts with mapping the observation space to Euclidean space and subsequently fusing all observations of the same epoch using the Gaussian Radial Basis Function (RBF). Finally, the experiments under static and dynamic scenarios are carried out, which verify the validity and efficiency of the proposed DBKR method.
Observing circumplanetary disks with METIS
Authors: Oberg N. , Kamp I. , Cazaux S. , Rab Ch. , Czoske O.
Published: December 2022

Context. Gaining a full understanding of the planet and moon formation process calls for observations that probe the circumplanetary environment of accreting giant planets. The mid-infrared ELT imager and spectrograph (METIS) will provide a unique capability to detect warm-gas emission lines from circumplanetary disks.

Aims. We aim to demonstrate the capability of the METIS instrument on the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) to detect circumplanetary disks (CPDs) with fundamental v = 1−0 transitions of 12CO from 4.5 to 5 μm.

Methods. We considered the case of the well-studied HD 100546 pre-transitional disk to inform our disk modeling approach. We used the radiation-thermochemical disk modeling code ProDiMo to produce synthetic spectral channel maps. The observational simulator SimMETIS was employed to produce realistic data products with the integral field spectroscopic (IFU) mode.

Results. The detectability of the CPD depends strongly on the level of external irradiation and the physical extent of the disk, favoring massive (~10 MJ) planets and spatially extended disks, with radii approaching the planetary Hill radius. The majority of 12CO line emission originates from the outer disk surface and, thus, the CO line profiles are centrally peaked. The planetary luminosity does not contribute significantly to exciting disk gas line emission. If CPDs are dust-depleted, the 12CO line emission is enhanced as external radiation can penetrate deeper into the line emitting region.

Conclusions. UV-bright star systems with pre-transitional disks are ideal candidates to search for CO-emitting CPDs with ELT/METIS. METIS will be able to detect a variety of circumplanetary disks via their fundamental 12CO ro-vibrational line emission in only 60 s of total detector integration time.
Hidden depths in the local Universe: The Stellar Stream Legacy Survey
Authors: Martínez-Delgado David , Cooper Andrew P. , Román Javier , Pillepich Annalisa , Erkal Denis , Pearson Sarah , Moustakas John , Laporte Chervin F. P. , Laine Seppo , Akhlaghi Mohammad , Lang Dustin , Makarov Dmitry , Borlaff Alejandro S. , Donatiello Giuseppe , Pearson William J. , Miró-Carretero Juan , Cuillandre Jean-Charles , Domínguez Helena , Roca-Fàbrega Santi , Frenk Carlos S. , Schmidt Judy , Gómez-Flechoso María A. , Guzman Rafael , Libeskind Noam I. , Dey Arjun , Weaver Benjamin A. , Schlegel David , Myers Adam D. , Valdes Frank G.
Published: December 2022

Context.Mergers and tidal interactions between massive galaxies and their dwarf satellites are a fundamental prediction of the Lambda-cold dark matter cosmology. These events are thought to provide important observational diagnostics of non-linear structure formation. Stellar streams in the Milky Way and Andromeda are spectacular evidence for ongoing satellite disruption. However, constructing a statistically meaningful sample of tidal streams beyond the Local Group has proven a daunting observational challenge, and the full potential for deepening our understanding of galaxy assembly using stellar streams has yet to be realised.

Aims.Here we introduce the Stellar Stream Legacy Survey, a systematic imaging survey of tidal features associated with dwarf galaxy accretion around a sample of ∼3100 nearby galaxies withinz ∼ 0.02, including about 940 Milky Way analogues.

Methods.Our survey exploits public deep imaging data from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, which reach surface brightness as faint as ∼29 mag arcsec−2in therband. As a proof of concept of our survey, we report the detection and broad-band photometry of 24 new stellar streams in the local Universe.

Results.We discuss how these observations can yield new constraints on galaxy formation theory through comparison to mock observations from cosmological galaxy simulations. These tests will probe the present-day mass assembly rate of galaxies, the stellar populations and orbits of satellites, the growth of stellar halos, and the resilience of stellar disks to satellite bombardment.
Discovery of magnetic fields in five DC white dwarfs
Authors: Berdyugin Andrei V. , Piirola Vilppu , Bagnulo Stefano , Landstreet John D. , Berdyugina Svetlana V.
Published: December 2022

About half of white dwarfs (WDs) evolve to the DC state as they cool; the others become DQ or (temporarily?) DZ WDs. The recent magnetic survey of the local 20 pc volume has established a high frequency of magnetic fields among WDs older than 2–3 Gyr, demonstrating that in low- and average-mass WDs, the effects of magnetism become more common as they age, and the fields on average become stronger. However, the available statistics of WDs older than about 5 Gyr do not clearly establish how fields evolve beyond this age. We are carrying out a survey to clarify the occurrence of magnetism in DC-type WDs in order to better understand this late evolution. We use broadband filter polarimetry, arguably the most efficient way to detect magnetic fields in featureless WDs via continuum circular polarization. Here we report the discovery of a magnetic field in five DC WDs (of 23 observed), almost doubling the total sample of known magnetic WDs belonging to the DC spectral class.
Experimental determination of the lower explosion limit for two gasoline samples
Authors: Nalboc Irina , Prodan Maria , Szollosi-Mota Andrei , Suvar Sonia Niculina
Published: December 2022

The explosive atmosphere may be caused by flammable gases / vapours or combustible dust. If the amount of the substance, mixed with air, is sufficient, then a source of ignition is needed to cause an explosion. Liquids (for example petrol and other fuels) and solvents from industrial products emit flammable vapours which, when mixed with air, can ignite or explode. At normal temperatures, flammable liquids can emit enough vapours to form combustible mixtures with air, heat, and often thick, black, and toxic clouds of smoke. The behaviour of a fuel-oxidant mixture is characterized by certain explosions parameters, including explosion limits, which characterize the range of concentrations in which combustion propagates at very high speeds. For this work were performed experimental determination of the lower explosion limit for two commercial gasoline samples.
Development of methods for assessing the safety of dust removal facilities in environments with a danger of explosive atmosphere
Authors: Radu Mirela Ancuța , Avram Lazar , Matei Daniel Ion
Published: December 2022

Due to the tightening of air pollution laws and employee safety regulations, manufacturers are being forced to pay more and more attention to removing dust particles from the air released by their installations. This requires them to install large complex dust collection systems in all their facilities. Dust collection systems include collection points where air and entrained dust are drawn into a system of pipes that carry dust and air, fans that feed the movement of air, and dust collectors that separate dust from air. Dust collectors are mostly dry type. Dry-type dust collectors are divided into cyclones and bag-type dust collectors. As dust can create an explosive atmosphere, it is necessary to assess the risk of explosions and to establish appropriate measures to prevent the explosion or, as the case may be, to limit the effects of explosions. The paper presents aspects related to the evaluation of the risk of explosions at dust removal installations with emphasis on the risk of initiating the explosive dust / air atmosphere through electrostatic discharges.
Explosives identification by infrared spectrometry
Authors: Tuhuț Ligia , Munteanu Laurențiu , Șimon-Marinică Adrian-Bogdan , Matei Andrada Denisa
Published: December 2022

In order to identify various explosives and their precursors, technicians worldwide rely on chemical analysis instruments for rapid specific identification results to help ensure a safe remediation. This is one of the central tasks for homeland security and public safety personnel, especially since the recent proliferation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). These instruments that are being used in the field, are extremely important for first responders. For this paper and the experiments made, a FTIR spectrometer (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) was used. This is a technique used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid or gas. A FTIR spectrometer simultaneously collects high-resolution spectral data over a wide spectral range. They are essentially in identifying unknown chemicals on a wide range of colors. Given the fact that this spectrometer does not generate energy during the sampling process, makes it ideal for verifying substances such as: Semtex, smokeless powders, dynamite, TNT and hundreds of other colored materials. Since contact is required between the sample and the instrument, we took extreme caution measures while analyzing these pressure sensitive substances. In this paper, determinations were made for the identification of functional groups from a series of explosives for civil use, in order to establish the necessary steps in developing an ideal method of identification.