bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical assembly of tryptophan zipper peptides into stress-relaxing bioactive hydrogels
Authors: Nguyen Ashley K. , Molley Thomas G. , Kardia Egi , Ganda Sylvia , Chakraborty Sudip , Wong Sharon L. , Ruan Juanfang , Yee Bethany E. , Mata Jitendra , Vijayan Abhishek , Kumar Naresh , Tilley Richard D. , Waters Shafagh A. , Kilian Kristopher A.
Published: October 2023

Soft materials in nature are formed through reversible supramolecular assembly of biological polymers into dynamic hierarchical networks. Rational design has led to self-assembling peptides with structural similarities to natural materials. However, recreating the dynamic functional properties inherent to natural systems remains challenging. Here we report the discovery of a short peptide based on the tryptophan zipper (trpzip) motif, that shows multiscale hierarchical ordering that leads to emergent dynamic properties. Trpzip hydrogels are antimicrobial and self-healing, with tunable viscoelasticity and unique yield-stress properties that allow immediate harvest of embedded cells through a flick of the wrist. This characteristic makes Trpzip hydrogels amenable to syringe extrusion, which we demonstrate with examples of cell delivery and bioprinting. Trpzip hydrogels display innate bioactivity, allowing propagation of human intestinal organoids with apical-basal polarization. Considering these extensive attributes, we anticipate the Trpzip motif will prove a versatile building block for supramolecular assembly of soft materials for biotechnology and medicine.
Interactions between interfaces dictate stimuli-responsive emulsion behaviour
Authors: Rey Marcel , Kolker Jannis , Richards James A. , Malhotra Isha , Glen Thomas S. , Li N. Y. Denise , Laidlaw Fraser H. J. , Renggli Damian , Vermant Jan , Schofield Andrew B. , Fujii Syuji , Löwen Hartmut , Clegg Paul S.
Published: October 2023

Stimuli-responsive emulsions offer a dual advantage, combining long-term storage with controlled release triggered by external cues such as pH or temperature changes. This study establishes that thermo-responsive emulsion behaviour is primarily determined by interactions between, rather than within, interfaces. Consequently, the stability of these emulsions is intricately tied to the nature of the stabilizing microgel particles - whether they are more polymeric or colloidal, and the morphology they assume at the liquid interface. The colloidal properties of the microgels provide the foundation for the long-term stability of Pickering emulsions. However, limited deformability can lead to non-responsive emulsions. Conversely, the polymeric properties of the microgels enable them to spread and flatten at the liquid interface, enabling stimuli-responsive behaviour. Furthermore, microgels shared between two emulsion droplets in flocculated emulsions facilitate stimuli-responsiveness, regardless of their internal architecture. This underscores the pivotal role of microgel morphology and the forces they exert on liquid interfaces in the control and design of stimuli-responsive emulsions and interfaces.
Dual targeted extracellular vesicles regulate oncogenic genes in advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chiang Chi-Ling , Ma Yifan , Hou Ya-Chin , Pan Junjie , Chen Sin-Yu , Chien Ming-Hsien , Zhang Zhi-Xuan , Hsu Wei-Hsiang , Wang Xinyu , Zhang Jingjing , Li Hong , Sun Lili , Fallen Shannon , Lee Inyoul , Chen Xing-Yu , Chu Yeh-Shiu , Zhang Chi , Cheng Tai-Shan , Jiang Wen , Kim Betty Y. S. , Reategui Eduardo , Lee Robert , Yuan Yuan , Liu Hsiao-Chun , Wang Kai , Hsiao Michael , Huang Chi-Ying F. , Shan Yan-Shen , Lee Andrew S. , James Lee L.
Published: October 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumours carry multiple gene mutations and respond poorly to treatments. There is currently an unmet need for drug carriers that can deliver multiple gene cargoes to target high solid tumour burden like PDAC. Here, we report a dual targeted extracellular vesicle (dtEV) carrying high loads of therapeutic RNA that effectively suppresses large PDAC tumours in mice. The EV surface contains a CD64 protein that has a tissue targeting peptide and a humanized monoclonal antibody. Cells sequentially transfected with plasmid DNAs encoding for the RNA and protein of interest by Transwell®-based asymmetric cell electroporation release abundant targeted EVs with high RNA loading. Together with a low dose chemotherapy drug, Gemcitabine, dtEVs suppress large orthotopic PANC-1 and patient derived xenograft tumours and metastasis in mice and extended animal survival. Our work presents a clinically accessible and scalable way to produce abundant EVs for delivering multiple gene cargoes to large solid tumours.
SARS-CoV-2 infection establishes a stable and age-independent CD8+ T cell response against a dominant nucleocapsid epitope using restricted T cell receptors
Authors: Choy Cecily , Chen Joseph , Li Jiangyuan , Gallagher D. Travis , Lu Jian , Wu Daichao , Zou Ainslee , Hemani Humza , Baptiste Beverly A. , Wichmann Emily , Yang Qian , Ciffelo Jeffrey , Yin Rui , McKelvy Julia , Melvin Denise , Wallace Tonya , Dunn Christopher , Nguyen Cuong , Chia Chee W. , Fan Jinshui , Ruffolo Jeannie , Zukley Linda , Shi Guixin , Amano Tomokazu , An Yang , Meirelles Osorio , Wu Wells W. , Chou Chao-Kai , Shen Rong-Fong , Willis Richard A. , Ko Minoru S. H. , Liu Yu-Tsueng , De Supriyo , Pierce Brian G. , Ferrucci Luigi , Egan Josephine , Mariuzza Roy , Weng Nan-Ping
Published: October 2023

The resolution of SARS-CoV-2 replication hinges on cell-mediated immunity, wherein CD8+ T cells play a vital role. Nonetheless, the characterization of the specificity and TCR composition of CD8+ T cells targeting non-spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 before and after infection remains incomplete. Here, we analyzed CD8+ T cells recognizing six epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein and found that SARS-CoV-2 infection slightly increased the frequencies of N-recognizing CD8+ T cells but significantly enhanced activation-induced proliferation compared to that of the uninfected donors. The frequencies of N-specific CD8+ T cells and their proliferative response to stimulation did not decrease over one year. We identified the N222-230 peptide (LLLDRLNQL, referred to as LLL thereafter) as a dominant epitope that elicited the greatest proliferative response from both convalescent and uninfected donors. Single-cell sequencing of T cell receptors (TCR) from LLL-specific CD8+ T cells revealed highly restricted Vα gene usage (TRAV12-2) with limited CDR3α motifs, supported by structural characterization of the TCR–LLL–HLA-A2 complex. Lastly, transcriptome analysis of LLL-specific CD8+ T cells from donors who had expansion (expanders) or no expansion (non-expanders) after in vitro stimulation identified increased chromatin modification and innate immune functions of CD8+ T cells in non-expanders. These results suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces LLL-specific CD8+ T cell responses with a restricted TCR repertoire.
Emergent ferromagnetism with superconductivity in Fe(Te,Se) van der Waals Josephson junctions
Authors: Qiu Gang , Yang Hung-Yu , Hu Lunhui , Zhang Huairuo , Chen Chih-Yen , Lyu Yanfeng , Eckberg Christopher , Deng Peng , Krylyuk Sergiy , Davydov Albert V. , Zhang Ruixing , Wang Kang L.
Published: October 2023

Ferromagnetism and superconductivity are two key ingredients for topological superconductors, which can serve as building blocks of fault-tolerant quantum computers. Adversely, ferromagnetism and superconductivity are typically also two hostile orderings competing to align spins in different configurations, and thus making the material design and experimental implementation extremely challenging. A single material platform with concurrent ferromagnetism and superconductivity is actively pursued. In this paper, we fabricate van der Waals Josephson junctions made with iron-based superconductor Fe(Te,Se), and report the global device-level transport signatures of interfacial ferromagnetism emerging with superconducting states for the first time. Magnetic hysteresis in the junction resistance is observed only below the superconducting critical temperature, suggesting an inherent correlation between ferromagnetic and superconducting order parameters. The 0-π phase mixing in the Fraunhofer patterns pinpoints the ferromagnetism on the junction interface. More importantly, a stochastic field-free superconducting diode effect was observed in Josephson junction devices, with a significant diode efficiency up to 10%, which unambiguously confirms the spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking. Our work demonstrates a new way to search for topological superconductivity in iron-based superconductors for future high Tc fault-tolerant qubit implementations from a device perspective.
Calorimetric evidence for two phase transitions in Ba1−xKxFe2As2 with fermion pairing and quadrupling states
Authors: Shipulin Ilya , Stegani Nadia , Maccari Ilaria , Kihou Kunihiro , Lee Chul-Ho , Hu Quanxin , Zheng Yu , Yang Fazhi , Li Yongwei , Yim Chi-Ming , Hühne Ruben , Klauss Hans-Henning , Putti Marina , Caglieris Federico , Babaev Egor , Grinenko Vadim
Published: October 2023

Materials that break multiple symmetries allow the formation of four-fermion condensates above the superconducting critical temperature (Tc). Such states can be stabilized by phase fluctuations. Recently, a fermionic quadrupling condensate that breaks the Z2 time-reversal symmetry was reported in Ba1−xKxFe2As2. A phase transition to the new state of matter should be accompanied by a specific heat anomaly at the critical temperature where Z2 time-reversal symmetry is broken ($${T}_{{{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}}}^{{{{{{{{\rm{Z2}}}}}}}}} \, > \, {T}_{{{{{{{{\rm{c}}}}}}}}}$$

T

c

Z2

>

T

c

). Here, we report on detecting two anomalies in the specific heat of Ba1−xKxFe2As2 at zero magnetic field. The anomaly at the higher temperature is accompanied by the appearance of a spontaneous Nernst effect, indicating the breakdown of Z2 symmetry. The second anomaly at the lower temperature coincides with the transition to a zero-resistance state, indicating the onset of superconductivity. Our data provide the first example of the appearance of a specific heat anomaly above the superconducting phase transition associated with the broken time-reversal symmetry due to the formation of the novel fermion order.
Metabolic regulation of proteome stability via N-terminal acetylation controls male germline stem cell differentiation and reproduction
Authors: François Charlotte M. , Pihl Thomas , Dunoyer de Segonzac Marion , Hérault Chloé , Hudry Bruno
Published: October 2023

The molecular mechanisms connecting cellular metabolism with differentiation remain poorly understood. Here, we find that metabolic signals contribute to stem cell differentiation and germline homeostasis during Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenesis. We discovered that external citrate, originating outside the gonad, fuels the production of Acetyl-coenzyme A by germline ATP-citrate lyase (dACLY). We show that this pathway is essential during the final spermatogenic stages, where a high Acetyl-coenzyme A level promotes NatB-dependent N-terminal protein acetylation. Using genetic and biochemical experiments, we establish that N-terminal acetylation shields key target proteins, essential for spermatid differentiation, from proteasomal degradation by the ubiquitin ligase dUBR1. Our work uncovers crosstalk between metabolism and proteome stability that is mediated via protein post-translational modification. We propose that this system coordinates the metabolic state of the organism with gamete production. More broadly, modulation of proteome turnover by circulating metabolites may be a conserved regulatory mechanism to control cell functions.
Individual level analysis of digital proximity tracing for COVID-19 in Belgium highlights major bottlenecks
Authors: Geenen Caspar , Raymenants Joren , Gorissen Sarah , Thibaut Jonathan , McVernon Jodie , Lorent Natalie , André Emmanuel
Published: October 2023

To complement labour-intensive conventional contact tracing, digital proximity tracing was implemented widely during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the privacy-centred design of the dominant Google-Apple exposure notification framework has hindered assessment of its effectiveness. Between October 2021 and January 2022, we systematically collected app use and notification receipt data within a test and trace programme targeting around 50,000 university students in Leuven, Belgium. Due to low success rates in each studied step of the digital notification cascade, only 4.3% of exposed contacts (CI: 2.8-6.1%) received such notifications, resulting in 10 times more cases detected through conventional contact tracing. Moreover, the infection risk of digitally traced contacts (5.0%; CI: 3.0–7.7%) was lower than that of conventionally traced non-app users (9.8%; CI: 8.8-10.7%; p = 0.002). Contrary to common perception as near instantaneous, there was a 1.2-day delay (CI: 0.6–2.2) between case PCR result and digital contact notification. These results highlight major limitations of a digital proximity tracing system based on the dominant framework.
Healthy dietary patterns and the risk of individual chronic diseases in community-dwelling adults
Authors: Shang Xianwen , Liu Jiahao , Zhu Zhuoting , Zhang Xueli , Huang Yu , Liu Shunming , Wang Wei , Zhang Xiayin , Tang Shulin , Hu Yijun , Yu Honghua , Ge Zongyuan , He Mingguang
Published: October 2023

It is unclear regarding associations of dietary patterns with a wide range of chronic diseases and which dietary score is more predictive of major chronic diseases. Using the UK Biobank, we examine associations of four individual healthy dietary scores with the risk of 48 individual chronic diseases. Higher Alternate Mediterranean Diet score is associated with a lower risk of 32 (all 8 cardiometabolic disorders, 3 out of 10 types of cancers, 7 out of 10 psychological/neurological disorders, 5 out of 6 digestive disorders, and 9 out of 14 other chronic diseases). Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 and Healthful Plant-based Diet Index are inversely associated with the risk of 29 and 23 individual chronic diseases, respectively. A higher Anti-Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index is associated with a lower risk of 14 individual chronic diseases and a higher incidence of two diseases. Our findings support dietary guidelines for the prevention of most chronic diseases.
Enhanced and synergistic catalytic activation by photoexcitation driven S−scheme heterojunction hydrogel interface electric field
Authors: Wang Aiwen , Du Meng , Ni Jiaxin , Liu Dongqing , Pan Yunhao , Liang Xiongying , Liu Dongmei , Ma Jun , Wang Jing , Wang Wei
Published: October 2023

The regulation of heterogeneous material properties to enhance the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation to degrade emerging organic pollutants remains a challenge. To solve this problem, we synthesize S−scheme heterojunction PBA/MoS2@chitosan hydrogel to achieve photoexcitation synergistic PMS activation. The constructed heterojunction photoexcited carriers undergo redox conversion with PMS through S−scheme transfer pathway driven by the directional interface electric field. Multiple synergistic pathways greatly enhance the reactive oxygen species generation, leading to a significant increase in doxycycline degradation rate. Meanwhile, the 3D polymer chain spatial structure of chitosan hydrogel is conducive to rapid PMS capture and electron transport in advanced oxidation process, reducing the use of transition metal activator and limiting the leaching of metal ions. There is reason to believe that the synergistic activation of PMS by S−scheme heterojunction regulated by photoexcitation will provide a new perspective for future material design and research on enhancing heterologous catalysis oxidation process.
The mitochondrial fusion protein OPA1 is dispensable in the liver and its absence induces mitohormesis to protect liver from drug-induced injury
Authors: Lee Hakjoo , Lee Tae Jin , Galloway Chad A. , Zhi Wenbo , Xiao Wei , de Mesy Bentley Karen L. , Sharma Ashok , Teng Yong , Sesaki Hiromi , Yoon Yisang
Published: October 2023

Mitochondria are critical for metabolic homeostasis of the liver, and their dysfunction is a major cause of liver diseases. Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is a mitochondrial fusion protein with a role in cristae shaping. Disruption of OPA1 causes mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the role of OPA1 in liver function is poorly understood. In this study, we delete OPA1 in the fully developed liver of male mice. Unexpectedly, OPA1 liver knockout (LKO) mice are healthy with unaffected mitochondrial respiration, despite disrupted cristae morphology. OPA1 LKO induces a stress response that establishes a new homeostatic state for sustained liver function. Our data show that OPA1 is required for proper complex V assembly and that OPA1 LKO protects the liver from drug toxicity. Mechanistically, OPA1 LKO decreases toxic drug metabolism and confers resistance to the mitochondrial permeability transition. This study demonstrates that OPA1 is dispensable in the liver, and that the mitohormesis induced by OPA1 LKO prevents liver injury and contributes to liver resiliency.
Room-temperature high-speed electrical modulation of excitonic distribution in a monolayer semiconductor
Authors: Zhu Guangpeng , Zhang Lan , Li Wenfei , Shi Xiuqi , Zou Zhen , Guo Qianqian , Li Xiang , Xu Weigao , Jie Jiansheng , Wang Tao , Du Wei , Xiong Qihua
Published: October 2023

Excitons in monolayer semiconductors, benefitting from their large binding energies, hold great potential towards excitonic circuits bridging nano-electronics and photonics. However, achieving room-temperature ultrafast on-chip electrical modulation of excitonic distribution and flow in monolayer semiconductors is nontrivial. Here, utilizing lateral bias, we report high-speed electrical modulation of the excitonic distribution in a monolayer semiconductor junction at room temperature. The alternating charge trapping/detrapping at the two monolayer/electrode interfaces induces a non-uniform carrier distribution, leading to controlled in-plane spatial variations of excitonic populations, and mimicking a bias-driven excitonic flow. This modulation increases with the bias amplitude and eventually saturates, relating to the energetic distribution of trap density of states. The switching time of the modulation is down to 5 ns, enabling high-speed excitonic devices. Our findings reveal the trap-assisted exciton engineering in monolayer semiconductors and offer great opportunities for future two-dimensional excitonic devices and circuits.
Photoelectric responsive ionic channel for sustainable energy harvesting
Authors: Guo Qing , Lai Zhuozhi , Zuo Xiuhui , Xian Weipeng , Wu Shaochun , Zheng Liping , Dai Zhifeng , Wang Sai , Sun Qi
Published: October 2023

Access to sustainable energy is paramount in today’s world, with a significant emphasis on solar and water-based energy sources. Herein, we develop photo-responsive ionic dye-sensitized covalent organic framework membranes. These innovative membranes are designed to significantly enhance selective ion transport by exploiting the intricate interplay between photons, electrons, and ions. The nanofluidic devices engineered in our study showcase exceptional cation conductivity. Additionally, they can adeptly convert light into electrical signals due to photoexcitation-triggered ion movement. Combining the effects of salinity gradients with photo-induced ion movement, the efficiency of these devices is notably amplified. Specifically, under a salinity differential of 0.5/0.01 M NaCl and light exposure, the device reaches a peak power density of 129 W m−2, outperforming the current market standard by approximately 26-fold. Beyond introducing the idea of photoelectric activity in ionic membranes, our research highlights a potential pathway to cater to the escalating global energy needs.
Incidence of HER2-expressing brain metastases in patients with HER2-null breast cancer: a matched case analysis
Authors: Moss Nelson S. , Singh Jolene M. , Reiner Anne S. , Drago Joshua Z. , Modi Shanu , Seidman Andrew D. , Chandarlapaty Sarat , Ross Dara S.
Published: October 2023

The HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan is active against lower levels of HER2 expression than prior-generation therapies. The rate of HER2 expression in brain metastases among patients with initially HER2-null breast cancer is undefined, and receptor discordance in advanced breast cancer with brain metastases may underestimate CNS response potential in the absence of brain metastasis sampling. In this cohort study including 136 patients with 401 samples scored according to ASCO/CAP guidelines, 15/28 patients (54%) with HER2-null primary breast cancer have detectable HER2 expression in subsequently resected brain metastases, a significant discordant population.
Divide and conquer: Machine learning accelerated design of lead-free solder alloys with high strength and high ductility
Authors: Wei Qinghua , Cao Bin , Yuan Hao , Chen Youyang , You Kangdong , Yu Shuting , Yang Tixin , Dong Ziqiang , Zhang Tong-Yi
Published: October 2023

The attainment of both high strength and high ductility is always the goal for structure materials, because the two properties generally are mutually competing, called strength-ductility trade-off. Nowadays, the data-driven paradigm combined with expert domain knowledge provides the state-of-the-art methodology to design and discovery for structure materials with high strength and high ductility. To enhance both strength and ductility, a joint feature is proposed here to be the product of strength multiplying ductility. The strategy of “divide and conquer” is developed to solve the contradictory problem, that material experimental data of mechanical behaviors are, in general, small in size and big in noise, while the design space is huge, by a newly developed data preprocessing algorithm, named the Tree-Classifier for Gaussian Process Regression (TCGPR). The TCGPR effectively divides an original dataset in a huge design space into three appropriate sub-domains and then three Machine Learning (ML) models conquer the three sub-domains, achieving significantly improved prediction accuracy and generality. After that the Bayesian sampling is applied to design next experiments by balancing exploitation and exploration. Finally, the experiment results confirm the ML predictions, exhibiting novel lead-free solder alloys with high strength high ductility. Various material characterizations were also conducted to explore the mechanism of high strength and high ductility of the alloys.
Controlling the magnetic state of the proximate quantum spin liquid α-RuCl3 with an optical cavity
Authors: Viñas Boström Emil , Sriram Adithya , Claassen Martin , Rubio Angel
Published: October 2023

Harnessing the enhanced light-matter coupling and quantum vacuum fluctuations resulting from mode volume compression in optical cavities is a promising route towards functionalizing quantum materials and realizing exotic states of matter. Here, we extend cavity quantum electrodynamical materials engineering to correlated magnetic systems, by demonstrating that a Fabry-Pérot cavity can be used to control the magnetic state of the proximate quantum spin liquid α-RuCl3. Depending on specific cavity properties such as the mode frequency, photon occupation, and strength of the light-matter coupling, any of the magnetic phases supported by the extended Kitaev model can be stabilized. In particular, in the THz regime, we show that the cavity vacuum fluctuations alone are sufficient to bring α-RuCl3 from a zigzag antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic state. By external pumping of the cavity in the few photon limit, it is further possible to push the system into the antiferromagnetic Kitaev quantum spin liquid state.
Electrical manipulation of a single electron spin in CMOS using a micromagnet and spin-valley coupling
Authors: Klemt Bernhard , Elhomsy Victor , Nurizzo Martin , Hamonic Pierre , Martinez Biel , Cardoso Paz Bruna , Spence Cameron , Dartiailh Matthieu C. , Jadot Baptiste , Chanrion Emmanuel , Thiney Vivien , Lethiecq Renan , Bertrand Benoit , Niebojewski Heimanu , Bäuerle Christopher , Vinet Maud , Niquet Yann-Michel , Meunier Tristan , Urdampilleta Matias
Published: October 2023

For semiconductor spin qubits, complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is a promising candidate for reliable and scalable fabrication. Making the direct leap from academic fabrication to qubits fully fabricated by industrial CMOS standards is difficult without intermediate solutions. With a flexible back-end-of-line (BEOL), functionalities such as micromagnets or superconducting circuits can be added in a post-CMOS process to study the physics of these devices or achieve proofs-of-concept. Once the process is established, it can be incorporated in the foundry-compatible process flow. Here, we study a single electron spin qubit in a CMOS device with a micromagnet integrated in the flexible BEOL. We exploit the synthetic spin orbit coupling (SOC) to control the qubit via electric fields and we investigate the spin-valley physics in the presence of SOC where we show an enhancement of the Rabi frequency at the spin-valley hotspot. Finally, we probe the high frequency noise in the system using dynamical decoupling pulse sequences and demonstrate that charge noise dominates the qubit decoherence in this range.
Unavoidable future increase in West Antarctic ice-shelf melting over the twenty-first century
Authors: Naughten Kaitlin A. , Holland Paul R. , De Rydt Jan
Published: October 2023

Ocean-driven melting of floating ice-shelves in the Amundsen Sea is currently the main process controlling Antarctica’s contribution to sea-level rise. Using a regional ocean model, we present a comprehensive suite of future projections of ice-shelf melting in the Amundsen Sea. We find that rapid ocean warming, at approximately triple the historical rate, is likely committed over the twenty-first century, with widespread increases in ice-shelf melting, including in regions crucial for ice-sheet stability. When internal climate variability is considered, there is no significant difference between mid-range emissions scenarios and the most ambitious targets of the Paris Agreement. These results suggest that mitigation of greenhouse gases now has limited power to prevent ocean warming that could lead to the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A geospatial database of close-to-reality travel times to obstetric emergency care in 15 Nigerian conurbations
Authors: Macharia Peter M. , Wong Kerry L. M. , Olubodun Tope , Beňová Lenka , Stanton Charlotte , Sundararajan Narayanan , Shah Yash , Prasad Gautam , Kansal Mansi , Vispute Swapnil , Shekel Tomer , Gwacham-Anisiobi Uchenna , Ogunyemi Olakunmi , Wang Jia , Abejirinde Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade , Makanga Prestige Tatenda , Afolabi Bosede B. , Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi
Published: October 2023

Travel time estimation accounting for on-the-ground realities between the location where a need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) arises and the health facility capable of providing EmOC is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes. Current understanding of travel time to care is inadequate in many urban areas of Africa, where short distances obscure long travel times and travel times can vary by time of day and road conditions. Here, we describe a database of travel times to comprehensive EmOC facilities in the 15 most populated extended urban areas of Nigeria. The travel times from cells of approximately 0.6 × 0.6 km to facilities were derived from Google Maps Platform’s internal Directions Application Programming Interface, which incorporates traffic considerations to provide closer-to-reality travel time estimates. Computations were done to the first, second and third nearest public or private facilities. Travel time for eight traffic scenarios (including peak and non-peak periods) and number of facilities within specific time thresholds were estimated. The database offers a plethora of opportunities for research and planning towards improving EmOC accessibility.
Ca2+ addition facilitates the shell repair with eggs production of Pomacea canaliculata through biomineralization and food intaking regulation
Authors: Chen Yingtong , Yao Fucheng , Zhang Jiaen , Zhang Chunxia , Qin Zhong , Guo Jing
Published: October 2023

Pomacea canaliculata was by far one of the most harmful invasive organisms in the world, causing serious harm to aquatic crops and ecosystem. Calcium carbonate is a common component of aquatic environment, which is important for the growth of Pomacea canaliculata. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the response characteristics of P. canaliculata suffered shell breakage to the addition of calcium carbonate in water environment. In this experiment, we explored the effects of calcium carbonate addition on the P. canaliculata shell repair rate, food intake, egg production, shell strength, and calcium content through breaking the snails shell and the addition of calcium carbonate treatment. The results showed that snail broken-shell repaired mostly within 21 days. The snails experienced a significant increase in shell repair rates during earlier days of the treatment, especially for female snails. Food intake of snails exhibited different patterns when their shells were broken and calcium carbonate was added. Shell breakage treatment combined with calcium carbonate addition significantly increased the diameter of snail eggs compared with the control and the calcium carbonate addition treatment without shell-broken snail group. There was no significant difference in shell strength or calcium content of male snails between the treatments. The study suggests that P. canaliculata exhibits a sex-dependent response pattern when subjected to shell damage and calcium carbonate addition. The findings can provide some references to better understand the invasion mechanism and survival strategy of the P. canaliculata.
Bioaerosol assessment in indoor and outdoor environments: a case study from India
Authors: Jabeen Raisa , Kizhisseri Mohamed Ibrahim , Mayanaik S. N. , Mohamed Mohamed Mostafa
Published: October 2023

Exposure to bioaerosols has been associated with the occurrence of a variety of health impacts, including infectious illnesses, acute toxic effects, allergies, and cancer. This study aimed at evaluating airborne bacteria and fungi populations at different indoor and outdoor sites on a college campus in Bengaluru, India. Bioaerosol samples were collected using a two-stage Andersen air sampler; and isolates were identified using standard procedures. Six air samples and meteorological data were collected in March and April 2014 to examine the effects of temperature and relative humidity on bioaerosol concentration using linear regression modeling. Among all sites, the canteen showed the highest bioaerosol levels both indoors and outdoors. Specific bacterial identification was not possible, but gram staining and microscopic analysis helped to identify gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The most prevalent fungal species in the samples were Cladosporium, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Mucor, and Alternaria. Due to the impact of weather conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, the bioaerosol concentration varied greatly at each site according to the regression model. The indoor bioaerosol concentrations at all sites exceeded the values established by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (< 250 CFU/m3 for total fungi and < 500 CFU/m3 for total bacteria). Higher concentrations of bioaerosols may be attributed to the transportation of microbes from the ground surface to suspended particles, the release of microbes from the respiratory tract, higher rate of shredding of human skin cells, and many other factors.
Directional microwave emission from femtosecond-laser illuminated linear arrays of superconducting rings
Authors: Bullard Thomas J. , Frische Kyle , Ebbing Charlie , Hageman Stephen J. , Morrison John , Bulmer John , Chowdhury Enam A. , Dexter Michael L. , Haugan Timothy J. , Patnaik Anil K.
Published: October 2023

We examine the electromagnetic emission from two photo-illuminated linear arrays composed of inductively charged superconducting ring elements. The arrays are illuminated by an ultrafast infrared laser that triggers microwave broadband emission detected in the 1–26 GHz range. Based on constructive interference from the arrays a narrowing of the forward radiation lobe is observed with increasing element count and frequency demonstrating directed GHz emission. Results suggest that higher frequencies and a larger number of elements are achievable leading to a unique pulsed array emitter concept that can span frequencies from the microwave to the terahertz (THz) regime.
Binding mechanism and biological effects of flavone DYRK1A inhibitors for the design of new antidiabetics
Authors: Pustelny Katarzyna , Grygier Przemyslaw , Barzowska Agata , Pucelik Barbara , Matsuda Alex , Mrowiec Krzysztof , Slugocka Emilia , Popowicz Grzegorz M. , Dubin Grzegorz , Czarna Anna
Published: October 2023

The selective inhibition of kinases from the diabetic kinome is known to promote the regeneration of beta cells and provide an opportunity for the curative treatment of diabetes. The effect can be achieved by carefully tailoring the selectivity of inhibitor toward a particular kinase, especially DYRK1A, previously associated with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Recently DYRK1A inhibition has been shown to promote both insulin secretion and beta cells proliferation. Here, we show that commonly available flavones are effective inhibitors of DYRK1A. The observed biochemical activity of flavone compounds is confirmed by crystal structures solved at 2.06 Å and 2.32 Å resolution, deciphering the way inhibitors bind in the ATP-binding pocket of the kinase, which is driven by the arrangement of hydroxyl moieties. We also demonstrate antidiabetic properties of these biomolecules and prove that they could be further improved by therapy combined with TGF-β inhibitors. Our data will allow future structure-based optimization of the presented scaffolds toward potent, bioavailable and selective anti-diabetic drugs.
Integrating citizen science and environmental DNA metabarcoding to study biodiversity of groundwater amphipods in Switzerland
Authors: Couton Marjorie , Studer Angela , Hürlemann Samuel , Locher Nadine , Knüsel Mara , Alther Roman , Altermatt Florian
Published: October 2023

Groundwater is the physically largest freshwater ecosystem, yet one of the least explored habitats on earth, both because of accessing difficulties and the scarcity of the organisms inhabiting it. Here, we demonstrate how a two-fold approach provides complementary information on the occurrence and diversity of groundwater amphipods. Firstly, we used a citizen science approach in collaboration with municipal water providers who sampled groundwater organisms in their spring catchment boxes over multiple weeks, followed by DNA barcoding. Secondly, we collected four 10 L water samples at each site, in one sampling event, for environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. We found that citizen science was very effective in describing the distribution and abundance of groundwater amphipods. Although the single time-point of eDNA sampling did not detect as many amphipods, it allowed the assessment of the entire groundwater community, including microorganisms. By combining both methods, we found different amphipod species co-occurring with distinct sequences from the eDNA-metabarcoding dataset, representing mainly micro-eukaryotic species. We also found a distinct correlation between the diversity of amphipods and the overall biodiversity of groundwater organisms detected by eDNA at each site. We thus suggest that these approaches can be used to get a better understanding of subterranean biodiversity.
Study on sewage characteristics in rural China and pollutants removal performance of biologically enhanced internal circulation treatment system
Authors: Rong Yi , Tang Hongjun , Zhang Yang , Sun Yingying , Liu Zhe
Published: October 2023

With rapid economic development and urbanization in China, rural wastewater treatment has become an important issue. This study investigated 63 rural sewage treatment stations in northern, central and southern Shaanxi, China for a 1-year period, 2021 to 2022. The main purpose of the research was to investigate the quality and discharge characteristics of rural sewage, along with current problems in rural wastewater treatment, in order to provide evidence for the optimal construction and operation of rural sewage treatment stations. We found that the biodegradability of rural wastewater is adequate, and BOD5/COD ratio in sewage was 0.4, which is suitable for biological treatment. It has obvious intermittent flow cut-off characteristics, and the range of cut-off duration of sewage was 6–16 h/d, which leads to poor pollutant removal efficiency (COD: 50.0 ± 29.2%, NH4+-N: 46.0 ± 26.1%, TN: 38.5 ± 24.9% and TP: 38.3 ± 23.8%) in sewage treatment stations. In response to the above characteristics, the rural sewage biologically enhanced internal circulation treatment (BEICT) system was constructed. After 97 days of operation, the system has a stable removal effect on TN and TP with an average removal rate of 77.42% and 89.69%, respectively, under the condition of influent interruption for 12 h per day. The activated sludge of system maintained good activity and stable sedimentation performance during the whole experiment, with MLVSS/MLSS and SVI of 0.72 and 128 mL/g, respectively. This study can provide the basis and technical support for the accurate design of rural sewage treatment facilities, and has important significance for guiding the treatment of rural domestic sewage in China.
Unexpected structural complexity of d-block metallosupramolecular architectures within the benzimidazole-phenoxo ligand scaffold for crystal engineering aspects
Authors: Marcinkowski Dawid , Kubicki Maciej , Consiglio Giuseppe , Hnatejko Zbigniew , Majcher-Fitas Anna M. , Podgajny Robert , Patroniak Violetta , Gorczyński Adam
Published: October 2023

Design of metallosupramolecular materials encompassing more than one kind of supramolecular interaction can become deceptive, but it is necessary to better understand the concept of the controlled formation of supramolecular systems. Herein, we show the structural diversity of the bis-compartmental phenoxo-benzimidazole ligand H3L1 upon self-assembly with variety of d-block metal ions, accounting for factors such as: counterions, pH, solvent and reaction conditions. Solid-state and solution studies show that the parent ligand can accommodate different forms, related to (de)protonation and proton-transfer, resulting in the formation of mono-, bi- or tetrametallic architectures, which was also confirmed with control studies on the new mono-compartmental phenoxo-benzimidazole H2L2 ligand analogue. For the chosen architectures, structural variables such as porous character, magnetic behaviour or luminescence studies were studied to demonstrate how the form of H3L1 ligand affects the final form of the supramolecular architecture and observed properties. Such complex structural variations within the benzimidazole-phenoxo-type ligand have been demonstrated for the first time and this proof-of-concept can be used to integrate these principles in more sophisticated architectures in the future, combining both the benzimidazole and phenoxide subunits. Ultimately, those principles could be utilized for targeted manipulation of properties through molecular tectonics and crystal engineering aspects.
Stimulation of soy seeds using environmentally friendly magnetic and electric fields
Authors: Dziwulska-Hunek Agata , Niemczynowicz Agnieszka , Kycia Radosław A. , Matwijczuk Arkadiusz , Kornarzyński Krzysztof , Stadnik Joanna , Szymanek Mariusz
Published: October 2023

The study analyses the impact of alternating (magnetic induction B = 30 mT for t = 60 s) and constant magnetic fields (B = 130 mT for t = 17 h) and alternating electric fields (electric current E = 5 kV/cm for t = 60 s) on various growth parameters of soy plants: the germination energy and capacity, plants emergence, the fresh mass of seedlings, protein content (Kjeldahl’s method), and photosynthetic parameters (with MINI-PAM 2000 WALTZ Photosynthesis Yield Analyser and a SPAD-502 Chlorophyll Meter). Four cultivars were used: MAVKA, MERLIN, VIOLETTA, and ANUSZKA. Moreover, the advanced Machine Learning processing pipeline was proposed to distinguish the impact of physical factors on photosynthetic parameters. The use of electromagnetic fields had a positive impact on the germination rate in MERLIN seeds. The best results in terms of germination improvement were observed for alternating magnetic field stimulation in all cultivars (p > 0.05). For the VIOLETTA cultivar an increase (p > 0.05) in the emergence and overall number of plants as well as fresh mass was observed after electromagnetic field stimulation. For the MAVKA and MERLIN cultivars, the concentration of proteins in the leaves was noticeably higher in plants grown from seeds stimulated using a constant magnetic field.
Research on the game of manufacturing capacity sharing based on prospect theory
Authors: Wang Tian-Yu , Zhang Hao
Published: October 2023

In order to investigate the strategy choice of each player in capacity sharing, the article constructs a tripartite game model based on capacity provider-capacity demander-government, introduces the prospect theory and conducts numerical simulation analysis using MATLAB. The results show that capacity sharing in the manufacturing industry is related to three parties: capacity providers, capacity demanders and the government, and their strategies in the game process influence each other; the sensitivity of capacity providers and capacity demanders is higher than that of the government; the increase of risk-return coefficient and loss-avoidance coefficient is conducive to the evolution of subjects to the ideal state.
Emerging threats and opportunities to managed bee species in European agricultural systems: a horizon scan
Authors: Willcox Bryony K. , Potts Simon G. , Brown Mark J. F. , Alix Anne , Al Naggar Yahya , Chauzat Marie-Pierre , Costa Cecilia , Gekière Antoine , Hartfield Chris , Hatjina Fani , Knapp Jessica L. , Martínez-López Vicente , Maus Christian , Metodiev Teodor , Nazzi Francesco , Osterman Julia , Raimets Risto , Strobl Verena , Van Oystaeyen Annette , Wintermantel Dimitry , Yovcheva Nikol , Senapathi Deepa
Published: October 2023

Managed bee species provide essential pollination services that contribute to food security worldwide. However, managed bees face a diverse array of threats and anticipating these, and potential opportunities to reduce risks, is essential for the sustainable management of pollination services. We conducted a horizon scanning exercise with 20 experts from across Europe to identify emerging threats and opportunities for managed bees in European agricultural systems. An initial 63 issues were identified, and this was shortlisted to 21 issues through the horizon scanning process. These ranged from local landscape-level management to geopolitical issues on a continental and global scale across seven broad themes—Pesticides & pollutants, Technology, Management practices, Predators & parasites, Environmental stressors, Crop modification, and Political & trade influences. While we conducted this horizon scan within a European context, the opportunities and threats identified will likely be relevant to other regions. A renewed research and policy focus, especially on the highest-ranking issues, is required to maximise the value of these opportunities and mitigate threats to maintain sustainable and healthy managed bee pollinators within agricultural systems.
Effects of perioperative exercise on cardiorespiratory endurance in children with congenital heart disease in plateau areas after surgical repair
Authors: Qi Ruixue , Liu Shijie , Wang Hongjie , He Xingwei , Liu Wanjun , Huang Fen , Zhao Yujie , Yang Bin , Xu Shunlin , Zeng Hesong
Published: October 2023

We aimed to explore the effects of perioperative exercise on cardiorespiratory endurance in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) in plateau areas after surgical repair. Fifty children with CHD in the plateau admitted to our hospital were randomly divided into the exercise and control groups. The exercise group received a perioperative exercise intervention beginning within 24 h postoperatively, while the control group received routine nursing and treatment alone. To assess the 6 min walk distance (6MWD) at baseline and at end of intervention, children participated in a 6-min walk test before cardiac repair and at 1 week after general ward transfer. A subset of children in the study underwent the cardiopulmonary exercise test pre-operatively. The 6MWD of children with CHD at baseline was positively correlated with the peak oxygen uptake pre-operatively. No significant difference was reported in the preoperative baseline data of both groups. The 6MWD of the exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Early exercise therapy after cardiac repair could significantly improve the cardiorespiratory endurance and exercise capacity of children with CHD in plateau areas.
Immediate health and economic impact of the Tigray war on internally displaced persons and hosting households
Authors: Gebreyesus Aregawi , Mulugeta Afework , Woldemichael Abraha , Asgedom Akeza Awealom , Fisseha Girmatsion , Tsadik Mache , Gebrehiwot Tesfay Gebregzabher , Mitiku Mengistu , Teferi Molla , Godifay Hagos , Alemayehu Yibrah
Published: October 2023

Globally, war is the major cause of displacement from the usual place of the biological environment. The war of Tigray exposed thousands of people to internal displacement and migration. Evidence has shown that displaced people and migrants shoulder the health and economic burden to ensure survival. However, evidence of the impact of the war on health and the economy related to the displaced people and their hosting communities is not documented. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the health and economic impact of the war on displaced people and the hosting community. A community-based survey was conducted among randomly selected 3572 households of 48 woredas/districts from August 06 to 30/2021 in Tigray. Each district had 4 enumeration sites and there were 20 households (HHs) to be sampled per each enumeration site. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire using face-to-face interviews of displaced and hosting household heads. The entered data is exported to SPSS version 26 statistical packages for data analysis. Summary statistics and geo-spatial analysis was computed. The war had a significant impact on the health and economy of the community of Internally Displaced People (cIDPs) and hosting households. There were 12,691 cIDPs and 3572 hosting HHs. About 12.3% had chronic illness12.3% of (cIDP) who had chronic diseases and follow-up medication was forced to stop their medication. 536 (15%) civilian family members of cIDPs were killed at their homes. During the war, 244 (6.83%) of civilian family members faced physical disability. Consequentially, 43.8% and 58.8% of respondents of cIDPs suffered from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The war had a significant amount of personal resources such as domestic animals, cereals, cars, machinery, and HH furniture was looted and vandalized by the perpetrator forces from the cIDPs and hosting HHs. The range of family size in the hosting households was 3 to 22. The war had a significant health and economic impact on both cIDPs and hosting HHs. cIDPs suffered from various illnesses and disabilities related to the war with no medical access and follow-up care leading them to stressful situations such as depression and PTSD. There was also a huge economic damage and distraction which threatens the survival of the survivors.