bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multidisciplinary approach to facies evaluation at regional level using well log analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods
Authors: Ullah Jar , Li Huan , Ashraf Umar , Ehsan Muhsan , Asad Muhammad
Published: November 2023

Geological facies evaluation is crucial for the exploration and development of hydrocarbon reservoirs. To achieve accurate predictions of litho-facies in wells, a multidisciplinary approach using well log analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods was proposed for the Lower Indus Basin. The study utilized five supervised machine learning techniques, including Random Forest (FR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), to analyse gamma ray, resistivity, density, neutron porosity, acoustic, and photoelectric factor logs. The Concentration-Number (C-N) fractal model approach and log–log plots were also used to define geothermal features. In a study on machine learning models for classifying different rock types in the Sawan field of the Southern Indus Basin, it was discovered that sand (fine, medium and coarse) facies were most accurately classified (87–94%), followed by shale (70–85%) and siltstone facies (65–79%). The accuracy of the machine learning models was assessed using various statistical metrics, such as precision, recall, F1 score, and ROC curve. The study found that all five machine learning methods successfully predicted different litho-facies in the Lower Indus Basin. In particular, sand facies were most accurately classified, followed by shale and siltstone facies. The multilayer perceptron method performed the best overall. This multidisciplinary approach has the potential to save time and costs associated with traditional core analysis methods and enhance the efficiency of hydrocarbon exploration and development.
Fast-kinetics adsorption of a binary solution containing cationic and ionic pollutants using high-surface area activated carbon derived from macadamia nutshell
Authors: Duque-Brito Estefania , Lobato-Peralta Diego Ramón , Okolie Jude A. , Arias Dulce Maria , Sebastian Pathiyamattom Joseph , Okoye Patrick U.
Published: November 2023

Wastewater is characterized by multipollutant, and the presence of competitive adsorption could affect removal efficiency. Hence, the decontamination of water by adsorption in a multicomponent system allows an understanding of the practically and adsorbent efficiency. In this study, we present an analysis of the adsorption phenomena in a binary solution comprising compounds from distinct families, a dye, and an antibiotic, utilizing activated carbon obtained through a sustainable procedure. Locally available agricultural biowaste, specifically macadamia nutshell (MNS), served as a sustainable precursor to produce hierarchical porous activated carbon. The activation conditions were fine-tuned using the Box–Behnken experimental design. The resultant activated carbon was employed to remove a binary solution (BS) comprising the cationic dye, methylene blue (MB) and an ionic molecule amoxicillin (AMX) under specified conditions, including a pH range of 2 to 12, an initial concentration of BS ranging from 50 to 800 mg/L, and an adsorbent dosage within the range of 0.1 g to 0.3 g in a single adsorption system. The results revealed that higher temperatures adversely impacted the carbon yield, with a pronounced interaction effect observed between temperature and time. The activation temperature and K2CO3:precursor molar ratio predominantly influenced the textural and morphological properties of the activated carbon. Under optimal conditions (900 °C, 1 h, and a K2CO3:precursor ratio of 2:1), remarkably high-surface area (1225 m2/g), pore volume (0.801 cm3/g), and a nanopore size of 0.406 nm were achieved. In binary adsorption studies, R2-MNS demonstrated a maximum adsorption capacity of 578.925 mg/g. A pH above 4.5 produced an antagonistic effect on the removal of AMX due to competitive adsorption. Evaluation of three isotherm models demonstrated that the Khan isotherm best describes the affinity of BS to R2-MNS. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best describes the data, indicating a chemisorption mechanism. The interparticle diffusion test revealed that the adsorbent exhibited very fast adsorption behaviour at the initial stage.

Graphical abstract
The neurohypophyseal hormone oxytocin and eating behaviors: a narrative review
Authors: Iovino Michele , Messana Tullio , Marucci Simonetta , Triggiani Domenico , Giagulli Vito Angelo , Guastamacchia Edoardo , Piazzolla Giuseppina , De Pergola Giovanni , Lisco Giuseppe , Triggiani Vincenzo
Published: November 2023

Background

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is crucial in several conditions, such as lactation, parturition, mother-infant interaction, and psychosocial function. Moreover, OT may be involved in the regulation of eating behaviors.

Methods

This review briefly summarizes data concerning the role of OT in eating behaviors. Appropriate keywords and medical subject headings were identified and searched for in PubMed/MEDLINE. References of original articles and reviews were screened, examined, and selected.

Results

Hypothalamic OT-secreting neurons project to different cerebral areas controlling eating behaviors, such as the amygdala, area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Intracerebral/ventricular OT administration decreases food intake and body weight in wild and genetically obese rats. OT may alter food intake and the quality of meals, especially carbohydrates and sweets, in humans.

Discussion

OT may play a role in the pathophysiology of eating disorders with potential therapeutic perspectives. In obese patients and those with certain eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa or binge/compulsive eating, OT may reduce appetite and caloric consumption. Conversely, OT administered to patients with anorexia nervosa may paradoxically stimulate appetite, possibly by lowering anxiety which usually complicates the management of these patients. Nevertheless, OT administration (e.g., intranasal route) is not always associated with clinical benefit, probably because intranasally administered OT fails to achieve therapeutic intracerebral levels of the hormone.

Conclusion

OT administration could play a therapeutic role in managing eating disorders and disordered eating. However, specific studies are needed to clarify this issue with regard to dose-finding and route and administration time.
A semi-agnostic ansatz with variable structure for variational quantum algorithms
Authors: Bilkis M. , Cerezo M. , Verdon Guillaume , Coles Patrick J. , Cincio Lukasz
Published: November 2023

Quantum machine learning—and specifically Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs)—offers a powerful, flexible paradigm for programming near-term quantum computers, with applications in chemistry, metrology, materials science, data science, and mathematics. Here, one trains an ansatz, in the form of a parameterized quantum circuit, to accomplish a task of interest. However, challenges have recently emerged suggesting that deep ansatzes are difficult to train, due to flat training landscapes caused by randomness or by hardware noise. This motivates our work, where we present a variable structure approach to build ansatzes for VQAs. Our approach, called VAns (Variable Ansatz), applies a set of rules to both grow and (crucially) remove quantum gates in an informed manner during the optimization. Consequently, VAns is ideally suited to mitigate trainability and noise-related issues by keeping the ansatz shallow. We employ VAns in the variational quantum eigensolver for condensed matter and quantum chemistry applications, in the quantum autoencoder for data compression and in unitary compilation problems showing successful results in all cases.
Staying hungry: a roadmap to harnessing central regulators of symbiotic nitrogen fixation under fluctuating nitrogen availability
Authors: Qiao Lijin , Lin Jieshun , Suzaki Takuya , Liang Pengbo
Published: November 2023

Legumes have evolved specific inventions to enhance nitrogen (N) acquisition by establishing symbiotic interactions with N-fixing rhizobial bacteria. Because symbiotic N fixation is energetically costly, legumes have developed sophisticated mechanisms to ensure carbon–nitrogen balance, in a variable environment, both locally and at the whole plant level, by monitoring nodule number, nodule development, and nodular nitrogenase activity, as well as controlling nodule senescence. Studies of the autoregulation of nodulation and regulation of nodulation by nodule inception (NIN) and NIN-LIKE PROTEINs (NLPs) have provided great insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the nitrate-induced regulation of root nodulation for adapting to N availability in the rhizosphere. However, many aspects of N-induced pleiotropic regulation remain to be fully explained, such as N-triggered senescence in mature nodules. Wang et al. determined that this process is governed by a transcriptional network regulated by NAC-type transcription factors. Characterization and dissection of these soybean nitrogen-associated NAPs (SNAPs) transcription factor-mastered networks have yielded a roadmap for exploring how legumes rewire nodule functions across a range of N levels, laying the foundation for enhancing the growth of N-deprived crops in agricultural settings.
Retroperitoneal para-aortic ectopic pregnancies: A review of reported cases
Authors: Ren Junxiang , Han Hongjing
Published: November 2023

Objective

To gain insights into the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal para-aortic ectopic pregnancies (RPEP).

Methods

We conducted a review of the existing literature from the web of science, PubMed, and CNKI using the search terms "ectopic pregnancy" and "retroperitoneal." The present review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included a total of 54 relevant works, encompassing 55 cases. The studies have revealed that a history of artificial abortion, embryo transfer, salpingectomy, and uterine cavity operation, accounted for 65.5 ​% (36/55) of the cases. Typical symptoms of RPEP include abdominal pain (43.6 ​%, 24/55) and vaginal bleeding (36.4 ​%, 20/55), with only 32.7 ​% (18/55) of cases being asymptomatic. The most common sites of RPEP are the abdominal aorta and the inferior vena cava (74.5 ​%, 41/55). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of acute abdomen, diameter of the pregnancy sac, number of surgeries, and the time for postoperative hCG to normalize in different pregnant site. The most effective imaging examination for RPEP was found to be abdominal ultrasound (72.7 ​%, 40/55), and the most commonly used treatment method was laparoscopy surgery (55.3 ​% ,21/38).

Conclusion

It is crucial to consider the possibility of RPEP when a pregnancy mass cannot be located during routine examinations. Expanding the scope of the scan may significantly expedite diagnosis and treatment.
Roman Period Statuettes in the Netherlands and beyond
Authors: Veen Christel
Published: November 2023

The subject of this study is a relatively rare category of artefacts, bronze and terracotta statuettes that represent deities, human figures and animals. They were introduced in the northwestern provinces by Roman troops from the end of the first century BCE onwards. The statuettes have been recovered from military and non-military settlements, the surrounding landscape and, to a far lesser extent, from sanctuaries and graves. Until now, their meaning and function have seldom been analysed in relation to their find-spots. Contrary to traditional studies, they have been examined as one separate category of artefacts, which offers new insights into the distribution pattern and iconographic representation of deities. When studying a group of artefacts, a large research area or a large dataset is required, as well as dateable artefacts and find-contexts. These conditions do not apply to the Netherlands and to the majority of statuettes that are central to this study. Moreover, although the changing appearance of statuettes suggest a transformation of cults, the identities of the owners of these statuettes remain invisible to us. Therefore, the issue of Romanization is not put central here. Instead, the focus is on a specific aspect of religion, known as lived religion, within the wider subject of its transformation in the Roman period: how people used statuettes in everyday life, in the context of their houses and settlements.
Arrokoth’s Mounds Hint at How Planetesimals Form
Authors: Barbuzano Javier
Published: November 2023

The most remote world ever seen up close is a mash-up of smaller pieces.
3D Shear‐Wave Velocity Model of Central Makran Using Ambient‐Noise Adjoint Tomography
Authors: Enayat Mohammad , Ghods Abdolreza
Published: November 2023

The Makran subduction zone is unique in its wide onshore thick accretionary prism, and volcanic arc not parallel to the E–W trend of the Makran accretionary prism. To investigate the internal structure of the accretionary prism, the crustal nature of Jaz Murian Depression, and the trend of the subducting plate hinge, we have calculated a 3D shear‐wave velocity model for a region around the border between eastern and western Makran using ambient‐noise adjoint tomography and data from IASBS/CAM Makran temporary seismic network. In close agreement with previous works, our velocity model shows that the onshore accretionary prism consists of a low‐velocity zone in the south and a high‐velocity zone in the north with an average thickness of accreted sediments of 22 and 30 km, respectively. The young age of the surface rocks of the high‐velocity part of the prism suggests the presence of a significant volume of igneous rocks and metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. The velocity model indicates a continental crust of ∼40 km with a thick sedimentary cover of ∼20 km for the eastern part of Jaz Murian Depression. The presence of a NE‐SW trending low‐velocity region at a depth interval of 40–60 km subparallel with the trend of the volcanic arc, intermediate‐depth earthquakes, and geometry of the overriding plate might be related to the trend of the subducting plate hinge. This implies that the observed NE‐SW trending volcanic arc might be related to the geometry of the subducting plate hinge and not the eastward reduction of the subduction angle.
Endosymbionts modulate virus effects on aphid-plant interactions
Authors: Sanches Patricia , De Moraes Consuelo M , Mescher Mark C
Published: November 2023

Vector-borne pathogens frequently modify traits of their primary hosts and vectors in ways that influence disease transmission. Such effects can themselves be altered by the presence of other microbial symbionts, yet we currently have limited understanding of these interactions. Here we show that effects of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) on interactions between host plants and aphid vectors are modulated by the presence of different aphid endosymbionts. In a series of laboratory assays, we found strong interactive effects of virus infection and endosymbionts on aphid metabolomic profiles, population growth, behavior, and virus transmission during aphid feeding. Furthermore, the strongest effects—and those predicted to favor virus transmission—were most apparent in aphid lines harboring particular endosymbionts. These findings show that virus effects on host-vector interactions can be strongly influenced by other microbial symbionts and suggest a potentially important role for such interactions in disease ecology and evolution.
Association between microbiome and the development of adverse posttraumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae after traumatic stress exposure
Authors: Zeamer Abigail L. , Salive Marie-Claire , An Xinming , Beaudoin Francesca L. , House Stacey L. , Stevens Jennifer S. , Zeng Donglin , Neylan Thomas C. , Clifford Gari D. , Linnstaedt Sarah D. , Rauch Scott L. , Storrow Alan B. , Lewandowski Christopher , Musey Paul I. , Hendry Phyllis L. , Sheikh Sophia , Jones Christopher W. , Punches Brittany E. , Swor Robert A. , Hudak Lauren A. , Pascual Jose L. , Seamon Mark J. , Harris Erica , Pearson Claire , Peak David A. , Merchant Roland C. , Domeier Robert M. , Rathlev Niels K. , O’Neil Brian J. , Sergot Paulina , Sanchez Leon D. , Bruce Steven E. , Kessler Ronald C. , Koenen Karestan C. , McLean Samuel A. , Bucci Vanni , Haran John P.
Published: November 2023

Patients exposed to trauma often experience high rates of adverse post-traumatic neuropsychiatric sequelae (APNS). The biological mechanisms promoting APNS are currently unknown, but the microbiota-gut-brain axis offers an avenue to understanding mechanisms as well as possibilities for intervention. Microbiome composition after trauma exposure has been poorly examined regarding neuropsychiatric outcomes. We aimed to determine whether the gut microbiomes of trauma-exposed emergency department patients who develop APNS have dysfunctional gut microbiome profiles and discover potential associated mechanisms. We performed metagenomic analysis on stool samples (n = 51) from a subset of adults enrolled in the Advancing Understanding of RecOvery afteR traumA (AURORA) study. Two-, eight- and twelve-week post-trauma outcomes for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD checklist for DSM-5), normalized depression scores (PROMIS Depression Short Form 8b) and somatic symptom counts were collected. Generalized linear models were created for each outcome using microbial abundances and relevant demographics. Mixed-effect random forest machine learning models were used to identify associations between APNS outcomes and microbial features and encoded metabolic pathways from stool metagenomics. Microbial species, including Flavonifractor plautii, Ruminococcus gnavus and, Bifidobacterium species, which are prevalent commensal gut microbes, were found to be important in predicting worse APNS outcomes from microbial abundance data. Notably, through APNS outcome modeling using microbial metabolic pathways, worse APNS outcomes were highly predicted by decreased L-arginine related pathway genes and increased citrulline and ornithine pathways. Common commensal microbial species are enriched in individuals who develop APNS. More notably, we identified a biological mechanism through which the gut microbiome reduces global arginine bioavailability, a metabolic change that has also been demonstrated in the plasma of patients with PTSD.
Multi-modal deformation and temperature sensing for context-sensitive machines
Authors: Baines Robert , Zuliani Fabio , Chennoufi Neil , Joshi Sagar , Kramer-Bottiglio Rebecca , Paik Jamie
Published: November 2023

Owing to the remarkable properties of the somatosensory system, human skin compactly perceives myriad forms of physical stimuli with high precision. Machines, conversely, are often equipped with sensory suites constituted of dozens of unique sensors, each made for detecting limited stimuli. Emerging high degree-of-freedom human-robot interfaces and soft robot applications are delimited by the lack of simple, cohesive, and information-dense sensing technologies. Stepping toward biological levels of proprioception, we present a sensing technology capable of decoding omnidirectional bending, compression, stretch, binary changes in temperature, and combinations thereof. This multi-modal deformation and temperature sensor harnesses chromaticity and intensity of light as it travels through patterned elastomer doped with functional dyes. Deformations and temperature shifts augment the light chromaticity and intensity, resulting in a one-to-one mapping between stimulus modes that are sequentially combined and the sensor output. We study the working principle of the sensor via a comprehensive opto-thermo-mechanical assay, and find that the information density provided by a single sensing element permits deciphering rich and diverse human-robot and robot-environmental interactions.
Nanoscale patterning of collagens in C. elegans apical extracellular matrix
Authors: Adams Jennifer R. G. , Pooranachithra Murugesan , Jyo Erin M. , Zheng Sherry Li , Goncharov Alexandr , Crew Jennifer R. , Kramer James M. , Jin Yishi , Ernst Andreas M. , Chisholm Andrew D.
Published: November 2023

Apical extracellular matrices (aECMs) are complex extracellular compartments that form important interfaces between animals and their environment. In the adult C. elegans cuticle, layers are connected by regularly spaced columnar structures known as struts. Defects in struts result in swelling of the fluid-filled medial cuticle layer (‘blistering’, Bli). Here we show that three cuticle collagens BLI-1, BLI-2, and BLI-6, play key roles in struts. BLI-1 and BLI-2 are essential for strut formation whereas activating mutations in BLI-6 disrupt strut formation. BLI-1, BLI-2, and BLI-6 precisely colocalize to arrays of puncta in the adult cuticle, corresponding to struts, initially deposited in diffuse stripes adjacent to cuticle furrows. They eventually exhibit tube-like morphology, with the basal ends of BLI-containing struts contact regularly spaced holes in the cuticle. Genetic interaction studies indicate that BLI strut patterning involves interactions with other cuticle components. Our results reveal strut formation as a tractable example of precise aECM patterning at the nanoscale.
Transcriptome-wide association analyses reveal the impact of regulatory variants on rice panicle architecture and causal gene regulatory networks
Authors: Ming Luchang , Fu Debao , Wu Zhaona , Zhao Hu , Xu Xingbing , Xu Tingting , Xiong Xiaohu , Li Mu , Zheng Yi , Li Ge , Yang Ling , Xia Chunjiao , Zhou Rongfang , Liao Keyan , Yu Qian , Chai Wenqi , Li Sijia , Liu Yinmeng , Wu Xiaokun , Mao Jianquan , Wei Julong , Li Xu , Wang Lei , Wu Changyin , Xie Weibo
Published: November 2023

Panicle architecture is a key determinant of rice grain yield and is mainly determined at the 1-2 mm young panicle stage. Here, we investigated the transcriptome of the 1-2 mm young panicles from 275 rice varieties and identified thousands of genes whose expression levels were associated with panicle traits. Multimodel association studies suggested that many small-effect genetic loci determine spikelet per panicle (SPP) by regulating the expression of genes associated with panicle traits. We found that alleles atcis-expression quantitative trait loci of SPP-associated genes underwent positive selection, with a strong preference for alleles increasing SPP. We further developed a method that integrates the associations ofcis- andtrans-expression components of genes with traits to identify causal genes at even small-effect loci and construct regulatory networks. We identified 36 putative causal genes of SPP, includingSDT (MIR156j)andOsMADS17, and inferred thatOsMADS17regulatesSDTexpression, which was experimentally validated. Our study reveals the impact of regulatory variants on rice panicle architecture and provides new insights into the gene regulatory networks of panicle traits.
Flood insurance is a driver of population growth in European floodplains
Authors: Tesselaar Max , Botzen W. J. Wouter , Tiggeloven Timothy , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H.
Published: November 2023

Future flood risk assessments typically focus on changing hazard conditions as a result of climate change, where flood exposure is assumed to remain static or develop according to exogenous scenarios. However, this study presents a method to project future riverine flood risk in Europe by simulating population growth in floodplains, where households’ settlement location decisions endogenously depend on environmental and institutional factors, including amenities associated with river proximity, riverine flood risk, and insurance against this risk. Our results show that population growth in European floodplains and, consequently, rising riverine flood risk are considerably higher when the dis-amenity caused by flood risk is offset by insurance. This outcome is particularly evident in countries where flood risk is covered collectively and notably less where premiums reflect the risk of individual households.
Comprehensive analysis reveals potential therapeutic targets and an integrated risk stratification model for solitary fibrous tumors
Authors: Zhang Renjing , Yang Yang , Hu Chunfang , Huang Mayan , Cen Wenjian , Ling Dongyi , Long Yakang , Yang Xin-Hua , Xu Boheng , Peng Junling , Wang Sujie , Zhu Weijie , Wei Mingbiao , Yang Jiaojiao , Xu Yuxia , Zhang Xu , Ma Jiangjun , Wang Fang , Zhang Hongtu , Ma Peiqing , Zhu Xiaojun , Song Guohui , Sun Li-Yue , Wang De-Shen , Wang Feng-Hua , Li Yu-Hong , Santagata Sandro , Li Qin , Feng Yan-Fen , Du Ziming
Published: November 2023

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors with unpredictable evolution and with a recurrence or metastasis rate of 10-40%. Current medical treatments for relapsed SFTs remain ineffective. Here, we identify potential therapeutic targets and risk factors, including IDH1 p.R132S, high PD-L1 expression, and predominant macrophage infiltration, suggesting the potential benefits of combinational immune therapy and targeted therapy for SFTs. An integrated risk model incorporating mitotic count, density of Ki-67+ cells and CD163+ cells, MTOR mutation is developed, applying a discovery cohort of 101 primary non-CNS patients with negative tumor margins (NTM) and validated in three independent cohorts of 210 SFTs with the same criteria, and in 36 primary CNS SFTs with NTM. Compared with the existing models, our model shows significantly improved efficacy in identifying high-risk primary non-CNS and CNS SFTs with NTM for tumor progression.Our findings hold promise for advancing therapeutic strategies and refining risk prediction in SFTs.
On-tissue dataset-dependent MALDI-TIMS-MS2 bioimaging
Authors: Heuckeroth Steffen , Behrens Arne , Wolf Carina , Fütterer Arne , Nordhorn Ilona D. , Kronenberg Katharina , Brungs Corinna , Korf Ansgar , Richter Henning , Jeibmann Astrid , Karst Uwe , Schmid Robin
Published: November 2023

Trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMS) adds an additional separation dimension to mass spectrometry (MS) imaging, however, the lack of fragmentation spectra (MS2) impedes confident compound annotation in spatial metabolomics. Here, we describe spatial ion mobility-scheduled exhaustive fragmentation (SIMSEF), a dataset-dependent acquisition strategy that augments TIMS-MS imaging datasets with MS2 spectra. The fragmentation experiments are systematically distributed across the sample and scheduled for multiple collision energies per precursor ion. Extendable data processing and evaluation workflows are implemented into the open source software MZmine. The workflow and annotation capabilities are demonstrated on rat brain tissue thin sections, measured by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation (MALDI)-TIMS-MS, where SIMSEF enables on-tissue compound annotation through spectral library matching and rule-based lipid annotation within MZmine and maps the (un)known chemical space by molecular networking. The SIMSEF algorithm and data analysis pipelines are open source and modular to provide a community resource.
Lattice-mismatch-free construction of III-V/chalcogenide core-shell heterostructure nanowires
Authors: Liu Fengjing , Zhuang Xinming , Wang Mingxu , Qi Dongqing , Dong Shengpan , Yip SenPo , Yin Yanxue , Zhang Jie , Sa Zixu , Song Kepeng , He Longbing , Tan Yang , Meng You , Ho Johnny C. , Liao Lei , Chen Feng , Yang Zai-xing
Published: November 2023

Growing high-quality core-shell heterostructure nanowires is still challenging due to the lattice mismatch issue at the radial interface. Herein, a versatile strategy is exploited for the lattice-mismatch-free construction of III-V/chalcogenide core-shell heterostructure nanowires by simply utilizing the surfactant and amorphous natures of chalcogenide semiconductors. Specifically, a variety of III-V/chalcogenide core-shell heterostructure nanowires are successfully constructed with controlled shell thicknesses, compositions, and smooth surfaces. Due to the conformal properties of obtained heterostructure nanowires, the wavelength-dependent bi-directional photoresponse and visible light-assisted infrared photodetection are realized in the type-I GaSb/GeS core-shell heterostructure nanowires. Also, the enhanced infrared photodetection is found in the type-II InGaAs/GeS core-shell heterostructure nanowires compared with the pristine InGaAs nanowires, in which both responsivity and detectivity are improved by more than 2 orders of magnitude. Evidently, this work paves the way for the lattice-mismatch-free construction of core-shell heterostructure nanowires by chemical vapor deposition for next-generation high-performance nanowire optoelectronics.
Single PbS colloidal quantum dot transistors
Authors: Shibata Kenji , Yoshida Masaki , Hirakawa Kazuhiko , Otsuka Tomohiro , Bisri Satria Zulkarnaen , Iwasa Yoshihiro
Published: November 2023

Colloidal quantum dots are sub-10 nm semiconductors treated with liquid processes, rendering them attractive candidates for single-electron transistors operating at high temperatures. However, there have been few reports on single-electron transistors using colloidal quantum dots due to the difficulty in fabrication. In this work, we fabricated single-electron transistors using single oleic acid-capped PbS quantum dot coupled to nanogap metal electrodes and measured single-electron tunneling. We observed dot size-dependent carrier transport, orbital-dependent electron charging energy and conductance, electric field modulation of the electron confinement potential, and the Kondo effect, which provide nanoscopic insights into carrier transport through single colloidal quantum dots. Moreover, the large charging energy in small quantum dots enables single-electron transistor operation even at room temperature. These findings, as well as the commercial availability and high stability, make PbS quantum dots promising for the development of quantum information and optoelectronic devices, particularly room-temperature single-electron transistors with excellent optical properties.
Amphibious epidermal area networks for uninterrupted wireless data and power transfer
Authors: Hajiaghajani Amirhossein , Rwei Patrick , Afandizadeh Zargari Amir Hosein , Escobar Alberto Ranier , Kurdahi Fadi , Khine Michelle , Tseng Peter
Published: November 2023

The human body exhibits complex, spatially distributed chemo-electro-mechanical processes that must be properly captured for emerging applications in virtual/augmented reality, precision health, activity monitoring, bionics, and more. A key factor in enabling such applications involves the seamless integration of multipurpose wearable sensors across the human body in different environments, spanning from indoor settings to outdoor landscapes. Here, we report a versatile epidermal body area network ecosystem that enables wireless power and data transmission to and from battery-free wearable sensors with continuous functionality from dry to underwater settings. This is achieved through an artificial near field propagation across the chain of biocompatible, magneto-inductive metamaterials in the form of stretchable waterborne skin patches—these are fully compatible with pre-existing consumer electronics. Our approach offers uninterrupted, self-powered communication for human status monitoring in harsh environments where traditional wireless solutions (such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or cellular) are unable to communicate reliably.
Mid-cell migration of the chromosomal terminus is coupled to origin segregation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Sadhir Ismath , Murray Seán M.
Published: November 2023

Bacterial chromosomes are dynamically and spatially organised within cells. In slow-growing Escherichia coli, the chromosomal terminus is initially located at the new pole and must therefore migrate to midcell during replication to reproduce the same pattern in the daughter cells. Here, we use high-throughput time-lapse microscopy to quantify this transition, its timing and its relationship to chromosome segregation. We find that terminus centralisation is a rapid discrete event that occurs ~25 min after initial separation of duplicated origins and ~50 min before the onset of bulk nucleoid segregation but with substantial variation between cells. Despite this variation, its movement is tightly coincident with the completion of origin segregation, even in the absence of its linkage to the divisome, suggesting a coupling between these two events. Indeed, we find that terminus centralisation does not occur if origin segregation away from mid-cell is disrupted, which results in daughter cells having an inverted chromosome organisation. Overall, our study quantifies the choreography of origin-terminus positioning and identifies an unexplored connection between these loci, furthering our understanding of chromosome segregation in this bacterium.
Serine peptidase Vpr forms enzymatically active fibrils outside Bacillus bacteria revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Cheng Yijia , Han Jianting , Song Meinai , Zhang Shuqin , Cao Qin
Published: November 2023

Bacteria develop a variety of extracellular fibrous structures crucial for their survival, such as flagella and pili. In this study, we use cryo-EM to identify protein fibrils surrounding lab-cultured Bacillus amyloiquefaciens and discover an unreported fibril species in addition to the flagellar fibrils. These previously unknown fibrils are composed of Vpr, an extracellular serine peptidase. We find that Vpr assembles into fibrils in an enzymatically active form, potentially representing a strategy of enriching Vpr activities around bacterial cells. Vpr fibrils are also observed under other culture conditions and around other Bacillus bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, which may suggest a general mechanism across all Bacillus bacterial groups. Taken together, our study reveals fibrils outside the bacterial cell and sheds light on the physiological role of these extracellular fibrils.
Anomalous excitonic phase diagram in band-gap-tuned Ta2Ni(Se,S)5
Authors: Chen Cheng , Tang Weichen , Chen Xiang , Kang Zhibo , Ding Shuhan , Scott Kirsty , Wang Siqi , Li Zhenglu , Ruff Jacob P. C. , Hashimoto Makoto , Lu Dong-Hui , Jozwiak Chris , Bostwick Aaron , Rotenberg Eli , da Silva Neto Eduardo H. , Birgeneau Robert J. , Chen Yulin , Louie Steven G. , Wang Yao , He Yu
Published: November 2023

During a band-gap-tuned semimetal-to-semiconductor transition, Coulomb attraction between electrons and holes can cause spontaneously formed excitons near the zero-band-gap point, or the Lifshitz transition point. This has become an important route to realize bulk excitonic insulators – an insulating ground state distinct from single-particle band insulators. How this route manifests from weak to strong coupling is not clear. In this work, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD), we investigate the broken symmetry state across the semimetal-to-semiconductor transition in a leading bulk excitonic insulator candidate system Ta2Ni(Se,S)5. A broken symmetry phase is found to be continuously suppressed from the semimetal side to the semiconductor side, contradicting the anticipated maximal excitonic instability around the Lifshitz transition. Bolstered by first-principles and model calculations, we find strong interband electron-phonon coupling to play a crucial role in the enhanced symmetry breaking on the semimetal side of the phase diagram. Our results not only provide insight into the longstanding debate of the nature of intertwined orders in Ta2NiSe5, but also establish a basis for exploring band-gap-tuned structural and electronic instabilities in strongly coupled systems.
Direct methane protonic ceramic fuel cells with self-assembled Ni-Rh bimetallic catalyst
Authors: Hong Kyungpyo , Choi Mingi , Bae Yonggyun , Min Jihong , Lee Jaeyeob , Kim Donguk , Bang Sehee , Lee Han-Koo , Lee Wonyoung , Hong Jongsup
Published: November 2023

Direct methane protonic ceramic fuel cells are promising electrochemical devices that address the technical and economic challenges of conventional ceramic fuel cells. However, Ni, a catalyst of protonic ceramic fuel cells exhibits sluggish reaction kinetics for CH4 conversion and a low tolerance against carbon-coking, limiting its wider applications. Herein, we introduce a self-assembled Ni-Rh bimetallic catalyst that exhibits a significantly high CH4 conversion and carbon-coking tolerance. It enables direct methane protonic ceramic fuel cells to operate with a high maximum power density of ~0.50 W·cm−2 at 500 °C, surpassing all other previously reported values from direct methane protonic ceramic fuel cells and even solid oxide fuel cells. Moreover, it allows stable operation with a degradation rate of 0.02%·h−1 at 500 °C over 500 h, which is ~20-fold lower than that of conventional protonic ceramic fuel cells (0.4%·h−1). High-resolution in-situ surface characterization techniques reveal that high-water interaction on the Ni-Rh surface facilitates the carbon cleaning process, enabling sustainable long-term operation.
Integrative genome-wide analyses identify novel loci associated with kidney stones and provide insights into its genetic architecture
Authors: Hao Xingjie , Shao Zhonghe , Zhang Ning , Jiang Minghui , Cao Xi , Li Si , Guan Yunlong , Wang Chaolong
Published: November 2023

Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a complex disorder with high heritability and prevalence. We performed a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis for KSD to date, including 720,199 individuals with 17,969 cases in European population. We identified 44 susceptibility loci, including 28 novel loci. Cell type-specific analysis pinpointed the proximal tubule as the most relevant cells where susceptibility variants might act through a tissue-specific fashion. By integrating kidney-specific omics data, we prioritized 223 genes which strengthened the importance of ion homeostasis, including calcium and magnesium in stone formation, and suggested potential target drugs for the treatment. The genitourinary and digestive diseases showed stronger genetic correlations with KSD. In this study, we generate an atlas of candidate genes, tissue and cell types involved in the formation of KSD. In addition, we provide potential drug targets for KSD treatment and insights into shared regulation with other diseases.
Anti-TACI single and dual-targeting CAR T cells overcome BCMA antigen loss in multiple myeloma
Authors: Larson Rebecca C. , Kann Michael C. , Graham Charlotte , Mount Christopher W. , Castano Ana P. , Lee Won-Ho , Bouffard Amanda A. , Takei Hana N. , Almazan Antonio J. , Scarfó Irene , Berger Trisha R. , Schmidts Andrea , Frigault Matthew J. , Gallagher Kathleen M. E. , Maus Marcela V.
Published: November 2023

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells directed to B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) mediate profound responses in patients with multiple myeloma, but most patients do not achieve long-term complete remissions. In addition, recent evidence suggests that high-affinity binding to BCMA can result in on-target, off-tumor activity in the basal ganglia and can lead to fatal Parkinsonian-like disease. Here we develop CAR T cells against multiple myeloma using a binder to targeting transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) in mono and dual-specific formats with anti-BCMA. These CARs have robust, antigen-specific activity in vitro and in vivo. We also show that TACI RNA expression is limited in the basal ganglia, which may circumvent some of the toxicities recently reported with BCMA CARs. Thus, single-targeting TACI CARs may have a safer toxicity profile, whereas dual-specific BCMA-TACI CAR T cells have potential to avoid the antigen escape that can occur with single-antigen targeting.
Explainable deep learning for tumor dynamic modeling and overall survival prediction using Neural-ODE
Authors: Laurie Mark , Lu James
Published: November 2023

While tumor dynamic modeling has been widely applied to support the development of oncology drugs, there remains a need to increase predictivity, enable personalized therapy, and improve decision-making. We propose the use of Tumor Dynamic Neural-ODE (TDNODE) as a pharmacology-informed neural network to enable model discovery from longitudinal tumor size data. We show that TDNODE overcomes a key limitation of existing models in its ability to make unbiased predictions from truncated data. The encoder-decoder architecture is designed to express an underlying dynamical law that possesses the fundamental property of generalized homogeneity with respect to time. Thus, the modeling formalism enables the encoder output to be interpreted as kinetic rate metrics, with inverse time as the physical unit. We show that the generated metrics can be used to predict patients’ overall survival (OS) with high accuracy. The proposed modeling formalism provides a principled way to integrate multimodal dynamical datasets in oncology disease modeling.
New acoustic monitoring system quantifying aspiration risk during monitored anaesthesia care
Authors: Shimizu Yoshitaka , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Saeki Noboru , Oue Kana , Sasaki Utaka , Imamura Serika , Kamio Hisanobu , Imado Eiji , Sadamori Takuma , Tsutsumi Yasuo M. , Shime Nobuaki
Published: November 2023

Respiratory monitoring is crucial during monitored anaesthesia care (MAC) to ensure patient safety. Patients undergoing procedures like gastrointestinal endoscopy and dental interventions under MAC have a heightened risk of aspiration. Despite the risks, no current system or device can evaluate aspiration risk. This study presents a novel acoustic monitoring system designed to detect fluid retention in the upper airway during MAC. We conducted a prospective observational study with 60 participants undergoing dental treatment under MAC. We utilized a prototype acoustic monitoring system to assess fluid retention in the upper airway by analysing inspiratory sounds. Water was introduced intraorally in participants to simulate fluid retention; artificial intelligence (AI) analysed respiratory sounds pre and post-injection. We also compared respiratory sounds pre-treatment and during coughing events. Coughing was observed in 14 patients during MAC, and 31 instances of apnoea were detected by capnography. However, 27 of these cases had breath sounds. Notably, with intraoral water injection, the Stridor Quantitative Value (STQV) significantly increased; furthermore, the STQV was substantially higher immediately post-coughing in patients who coughed during MAC. In summary, the innovative acoustic monitoring system using AI provides accurate evaluations of fluid retention in the upper airway, offering potential to mitigate aspiration risks during MAC.

Clinical trial number: jRCTs 062220054.
MdNup62 involved in salt and osmotic stress tolerance in apple
Authors: Guo Ruxuan , Zhang Xiaoshuang , Li Mingyuan , Zhang Huiwen , Wu Junkai , Zhang Libin , Xiao Xiao , Han Mingyu , An Na , Xing Libo , Zhang Chenguang
Published: November 2023

Abiotic stress of plants has serious consequences on the development of the apple industry. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) control nucleoplasmic transport and play an important role in the regulation of plant abiotic stress response. However, the effects of NPCs on apple salt and osmotic stress responses have not been reported yet. In this study, we analyzed the expression and function of NUCLEOPORIN 62 (MdNup62), a component of apple NPC. MdNup62 expression was significantly increased by salt and mannitol (simulated osmotic stress) treatment. The MdNup62-overexpressing (OE) Arabidopsis and tomato lines exhibited significantly reduced salt stress tolerance, and MdNup62-OE Arabidopsis lines exhibited reduced osmotic stress tolerance. We further studied the function of HEAT SHOCK FACTOR A1d (MdHSFA1d), the interacting protein of MdNup62, in salt and osmotic stress tolerance. In contrast to MdNup62, MdHSFA1d-OE Arabidopsis lines showed significantly enhanced tolerance to salt and osmotic stress. Our findings suggest a possible interaction of MdNup62 with MdHSFA1d in the mediation of nuclear and cytoplasmic transport and the regulation of apple salt and osmotic stress tolerance. These results contribute to the understanding of the salt and osmotic stress response mechanism in apple.
A comparative study of green solid contact ion selective electrodes for the potentiometric determination of Letrozole in dosage form and human plasma
Authors: Alqirsh Sherin M. , Magdy Nancy , Abdel-Ghany Maha F. , El Azab Noha F.
Published: November 2023

Analysis of drugs clinically and their identification in biological samples are of utmost importance in the process of therapeutic drug monitoring, also in pharmacokinetic investigations and tracking of illicit medications. These investigations are carried out using a variety of analytical methods, including potentiometric electrodes. Potentiometric electrodes are a wonderful solution for researchers because they outperform other methods in terms of sustainability, greenness, and cost effectiveness. In the current study, ion-selective potentiometric sensors were assembled for the aim of quantification of the anticancer drug Letrozole (LTZ). The first step was fabrication of a conventional sensor based on the formation of stable host–guest inclusion complex between the cationic drug and 4-tert-butylcalix-8-arene (TBCAX-8). Two additional sensors were prepared through membrane modification with graphene nanocomposite (GNC) and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles. Linear responses of 1.00 × 10–5–1.00 × 10–2, 1.00 × 10–6–1.00 × 10–2 and 1.00 × 10–8–1.00 × 10–3 with sub-Nernstian slopes of 19.90, 20.10 and 20.30 mV/decade were obtained for TBCAX-8, GNC, and PANI sensors; respectively. The developed sensors were successful in determining the drug LTZ in bulk powder and dosage form. PANI modified sensor was used to determine LTZ in human plasma with recoveries ranging from 88.00 to 96.30%. IUPAC recommendations were followed during the evaluation of the electrical performance of the developed sensors. Experimental conditions as temperature and pH were studied and optimized. Analytical Eco-scale and Analytical GREEness metric were adopted as the method greenness assessment tools.
Quantitative evaluation of rat sciatic nerve degeneration using high-frequency ultrasound
Authors: Wu Yuanshan , Barrere Victor , Han Aiguo , Andre Michael P. , Orozco Elisabeth , Cheng Xin , Chang Eric Y. , Shah Sameer B.
Published: November 2023

In this study, we evaluated the utility of using high-frequency ultrasound to non-invasively track the degenerative process in a rat model of peripheral nerve injury. Primary analyses explored spatial and temporal changes in quantitative backscatter coefficient (BSC) spectrum-based outcomes and B-mode textural outcomes, using gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCMs), during the progressive transition from acute to chronic injury. As secondary analyses, correlations among GLCM and BSC spectrum-based parameters were evaluated, and immunohistochemistry were used to suggest a structural basis for ultrasound outcomes. Both mean BSC spectrum-based and mean GLCM-based measures exhibited significant spatial differences across presurgical and 1-month/2-month time points, distal stumps enclosed proximity to the injury site being particularly affected. The two sets of parameters sensitively detected peripheral nerve degeneration at 1-month and 2-month post-injury, with area under the receiver operating charactersitic curve > 0.8 for most parameters. The results also indicated that the many BSC spectrum-based and GLCM-based parameters significantly correlate with each other, and suggested a common structural basis for a diverse set of quantitative ultrasound parameters. The findings of this study suggest that BSC spectrum-based and GLCM-based analysis are promising non-invasive techniques for diagnosing peripheral nerve degeneration.