bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic programming with meta-reinforcement learning: a novel approach for multi-objective optimization
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Chengwei , Hu Bin
Published: May 2024

Multi-objective optimization (MOO) endeavors to identify optimal solutions from a finite array of possibilities. In recent years, deep reinforcement learning (RL) has exhibited promise through its well-crafted heuristics in tackling NP-hard combinatorial optimization (CO) problems. Nonetheless, current methodologies grapple with two key challenges: (1) They primarily concentrate on single-objective optimization quandaries, rendering them less adaptable to the more prevalent MOO scenarios encountered in real-world applications. (2) These approaches furnish an approximate solution by imbibing heuristics, lacking a systematic means to enhance or substantiate optimality. Given these challenges, this study introduces an overarching hybrid strategy, dynamic programming with meta-reinforcement learning (DPML), to resolve MOO predicaments. The approach melds meta-learning into an RL framework, addressing multiple subproblems inherent to MOO. Furthermore, the precision of solutions is elevated by endowing exact dynamic programming with the prowess of meta-graph neural networks. Empirical results substantiate the supremacy of our methodology over previous RL and heuristics approaches, bridging the chasm between theoretical underpinnings and real-world applicability within this domain.
Observed Characterization of Multi‑level Retaining Structure for Deep Excavation of Subway Station
Authors: Cui Xiangyang , Li Zhaoping , He Huafei , Liu Teng , Wang Jiahao
Published: May 2024

Traditional support structures cannot meet the complex conditions of different excavation depths and areas in underground transportation hubs. On the basis of fully considering the spatial position relationship of foundation pit groups, this article proposes a multilevel retaining system that meets the requirements of multilevel foundation pit excavation. The evolution law of the support structure during the excavation process of the inner pit was explored using on-site monitoring and numerical simulation methods. The results indicate that the excavation of the inner pit reduces the passive earth pressure, and the deformation of the outer support structure can be effectively suppressed by setting a retaining structure or a bottom slab in the bench zone. The excavation of the inner pit causes significant vertical deformation of the support structure adjacent to the foundation pit, while the impact on the structure far away from the foundation pit is relatively small. According to the contact force chain and soil pressure between the two rows of support structure, the soil in this area is divided into a “relaxation zone” and a “compression zone.” The evolution mechanism of earth pressure in the case of mutual-effect failure between two rows of piles is revealed. This paper addresses the deformation properties of multilevel support structures as well as the mechanism of earth pressure evolution between structures.
First Record of Partial Albinism in the Chinese Fanray, Platyrhina Sinensis (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Platyrhinidae)
Authors: Zhuang Yan , Ke Shuting , Chen Mingru , Xiao Jiamei
Published: May 2024

A female albino fanray specimen was collected by trawl from the southern Taiwan Strait on April 11, 2022. This unique individual was identified as the Chinese fanray, Platyrhina sinensis (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), based on morphological identification and DNA barcoding. It was classified as partial albinism (leucism) due to the absence of pigmentation in the skin and normal pigmentation in the irises. This specimen represents the first reported case of albinism within the family Platyrhinidae, providing valuable insights for physiological and ecological research on albino fish.
Martial Arts Interventions for Inclusion and Wellness: A Case of Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Authors: Spring Charles , Ramkissoon Haywantee
Published: May 2024

Martial arts are a Broad set of Activities that Offer the Opportunity to Engage in a Physical Activity that can Produce a Range of Benefits for Young People. The Broad Nature of Martial arts also Brings Merits to Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) as they have an Opportunity to Engage Better in more Activities and are not Limited to just Traditional Physical Activity Offered in Their Educational Settings. This Paper Draws on the Literature to show how Martial arts is Linked to Leisure Research and how it also fits into the Realm of Wellness Benefits for Young Children on SEND. The Paper Highlights the Potential Benefits of Martial arts Interventions and Discusses its Usefulness in Promoting Inclusion. The Preliminary Findings from a Pilot Study Suggest that SEND Children do Indicate some Changes in Their Behaviours through the Martial arts Interventions. Reduced Scores were Observed in Areas around those that might Cause Anxiety, Anger and Frustration, whilst Excitement and Calmness was Improved. The Reactions of Carers and Teaching Assistants Displayed Improvements in Anxiety and Positive Behaviours.
Three-dimensional Computed Tomography Features of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis Due to Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Sasakawa Jumpei , Goto Takao , Sato Taku , Koyama Misaki , Ueha Rumi , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: May 2024

Detailed reports on the stretching and compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by aortic aneurysms are unavailable. Therefore, we evaluated three-dimensional computed tomography images of patients with aortic aneurysm-associated recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. We enrolled patients with vocal-fold paralysis without aortic aneurysms (control group), vocal-fold paralysis before aortic aneurysm surgery (preoperative group), and vocal-fold paralysis after aortic aneurysm surgery (postoperative group). Using image reconstruction software, three-dimensional computed tomography images were constructed and cross-sections along the recurrent laryngeal nerve were obtained. Compression of the pulmonary artery by the aortic aneurysm was evaluated, and the aortic circumference in the cross-sections was compared between the groups. All cases in the preoperative group showed pulmonary artery and surrounding tissue compression. The aortic aneurysm circumference in the preoperative group was significantly greater than that in other groups. In patients with aortic aneurysms, three-dimensional computed tomography along the recurrent laryngeal nerve is useful for assessing the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.
Quantum support vector machines for classification and regression on a trapped-ion quantum computer
Authors: Suzuki Teppei , Hasebe Takashi , Miyazaki Tsubasa
Published: May 2024

Quantum machine learning is a rapidly growing field at the intersection of quantum computing and machine learning. In this work, we examine our quantum machine learning models, which are based on quantum support vector classification (QSVC) and quantum support vector regression (QSVR). We investigate these models using a quantum circuit simulator, both with and without noise, as well as the IonQ Harmony quantum processor. For the QSVC tasks, we use a dataset containing fraudulent credit card transactions and image datasets (the MNIST and the Fashion-MNIST datasets); for the QSVR tasks, we use a financial dataset and a materials dataset. For the classification tasks, the performance of our QSVC models using 4 qubits of the trapped-ion quantum computer was comparable to that obtained from noiseless quantum circuit simulations. The result is consistent with the analysis of our device noise simulations with varying qubit gate error rates. For the regression tasks, applying a low-rank approximation to the noisy quantum kernel, in combination with hyperparameter tuning in ε-SVR, improved the performance of the QSVR models on the near-term quantum device. The alignment, as measured by the Frobenius inner product between the noiseless and noisy quantum kernels, can serve as an indicator of the relative prediction performance on noisy quantum devices in comparison with their ideal counterparts. Our results suggest that the quantum kernel, as described by our shallow quantum circuit, can be effectively used for both QSVC and QSVR tasks, indicating its resistance to noise and its adaptability to various datasets.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in Justice: Current Trends and Future Prospects
Authors: Laptev Vasiliy A. , Feyzrakhmanova Daria R.
Published: May 2024

Background

Modern digital technologies are actively being introduced into spheres of society, including justice. Electronic justice at the present stage of development of information technology has moved to a qualitatively new level. It has become obvious that artificial intelligence (AI) is our present, not our future.

Objective

This article analyzes foreign experience in the implementation and use of AI in justice, identifies possible areas for the use of AI in justice, examines the legal personality of AI and the scope of its competence, and evaluates the prospects for the development of AI in justice.

Results

The authors identified the following areas of use of AI in justice: organizational sphere of activity of courts; assessment of evidence and establishment of legally significant circumstances; consideration of the case by AI. Also in this study, the stages of introducing AI into justice: short-term perspective, medium-term perspective (5–10 years), long-term perspective. It is noted that at present the work of AI is possible only in conjunction with a human judge.

Conclusions

The authors noted the feasibility of using AI in resolving issues that require processing a large amount of information and documents in electronic form. This will ensure procedural savings and reduction of time for consideration of disputes on the merits through speed and error-free calculations.
Three‐Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Structure Beneath a Strain Concentration Area in the Back‐Arc Side of the Northeastern Japan Arc
Authors: Usui Yoshiya , Uyeshima Makoto , Hase Hideaki , Ichihara Hiroshi , Aizawa Koki , Koyama Takao , Sakanaka Shin'ya , Ogawa Tsutomu , Yamaya Yusuke , Nishitani Tadashi , Asamori Koichi , Ogawa Yasuo , Yoshimura Ryokei , Takakura Shinichi , Mishina Masaaki , Morita Yuichi
Published: May 2024

Intraplate earthquakes occur more frequently in the Japanese islands than in other regions. Large intraplate earthquakes in the island arc preferentially occur in strain concentration zones detected by geological and geodetic studies. Crustal heterogeneity plays a crucial role in generating large intraplate earthquakes and strain concentrations. Thus, we elucidated the crustal heterogeneities beneath a strain concentration area on the back‐arc side of the northeastern Japan Arc based on electrical resistivity, which is sensitive to weak zones in the crust. By deploying wideband magnetotelluric surveys, we revealed the three‐dimensional electrical resistivity structure in the crust, suggesting the coexistence of two different types of strain‐concentration mechanisms in the strain‐concentration area. The shallow conductive layers and lower‐crustal conductors appear to act as low‐elastic‐modulus and low‐viscosity areas, respectively, and are responsible for the strain concentration. We found shallow and lower‐crustal conductors in the strain concentration zone revealed by geological studies. Those conductive areas are considered to act as mechanically weak zones and cause stress loading on the brittle pars of pre‐existing faults, resulting in large intraplate earthquakes. The resultant earthquakes presumably contribute to strain accumulation on a geological timescale. In addition, a spatial correlation between the epicenters of large intraplate earthquakes and edges of lower‐crustal conductors implies the contribution of the fluids in the lower crust to the generation of large earthquakes. We also identified vertical conductors ranging from the lower crust to Quaternary volcanoes, which may indicate trans‐crustal magmatic systems under these volcanoes.
Biodiversity and Wetting of Climate Alleviate Vegetation Vulnerability Under Compound Drought‐Hot Extremes
Authors: Zhang Gengxi , Zhang Shuyu , Wang Huimin , Gan Thian Yew , Fang Hongyuan , Su Xiaoling , Song Songbai , Feng Kai , Jiang Tianliang , Huang Jinbai , Xu Pengcheng , Fu Xiaolei
Published: May 2024

Global warming has intensified the intensity of compound drought‐hot extremes (CDHEs), posing more severe impacts on human societies and ecosystems than individual extremes. The vulnerability of global terrestrial ecosystems under CDHEs, along with its key influencing factors, remains poorly understood. Based on multiple remote sensing data, we construct a Vine Copula model to appraise vegetation vulnerability under CDHEs, and attribute it to climatic and biotic factors for five different vegetation types. High vulnerability is detected in central and southern regions of North America, eastern and southern regions of South America, Southern Africa, northern and western Europe, and northern and eastern Australia. The drier the climate, the higher will be the vulnerability. Furthermore, biodiversity and biomass are key biotic factors influencing the vulnerability of various vegetation types, such that ecosystems with richer biodiversity and higher biomass have lower vulnerability to CDHEs. The findings deepen understanding of terrestrial ecosystem response to CDHEs.
Disaggregating the Carbon Exchange of Degrading Permafrost Peatlands Using Bayesian Deep Learning
Authors: Pirk Norbert , Aalstad Kristoffer , Mannerfelt Erik Schytt , Clayer François , de Wit Heleen , Christiansen Casper T. , Althuizen Inge , Lee Hanna , Westermann Sebastian
Published: May 2024

Extensive regions in the permafrost zone are projected to become climatically unsuitable to sustain permafrost peatlands over the next century, suggesting transformations in these landscapes that can leave large amounts of permafrost carbon vulnerable to post‐thaw decomposition. We present 3 years of eddy covariance measurements of CH4 and CO2 fluxes from the degrading permafrost peatland Iškoras in Northern Norway, which we disaggregate into separate fluxes of palsa, pond, and fen areas using information provided by the dynamic flux footprint in a novel ensemble‐based Bayesian deep neural network framework. The 3‐year mean CO2‐equivalent flux is estimated to be 106 gCO2 m−2 yr−1 for palsas, 1,780 gCO2 m−2 yr−1 for ponds, and −31 gCO2 m−2 yr−1 for fens, indicating that possible palsa degradation to thermokarst ponds would strengthen the local greenhouse gas forcing by a factor of about 17, while transformation into fens would slightly reduce the current local greenhouse gas forcing.
Statistical Survey of Thin Current Sheets in Earth's Magnetotail: MMS Observations
Authors: Zhang Zhibo , Lu San , Lu Quanming , Wang Rongsheng , Zhan Chenchen , Li Xinmin , Artemyev Anton V.
Published: May 2024

Thin current sheets (TCS) formed in Earth's magnetotail and hosting magnetic field line reconnection are important element of magnetospheric dynamics. In this paper, a statistical survey of 163 TCS crossing events in Earth's magnetotail using observations by MMS during 2017–2020 is performed. We find that magnetotail TCSs typically have a very strong current density primarily carried by electrons, with a thickness of a few ion inertial lengths. Our statistical results reveal different characteristics between TCSs located on the duskside and dawnside. Specifically, we find that TCSs on the duskside have a smaller thickness, higher current density, and stronger Hall electric field than on the dawnside. Our results also show that there is a correlation between the TCS thickness and the Hall electric field magnitude, with a stronger Hall electric field present in thinner TCSs. Our statistics results confirm previously reported key TCS dawn‐dusk asymmetries, with the main advance of directly measurable plasma currents. TCS characteristics of the presented data set will be useful for initialization of realistic numerical simulations and theoretical investigations of TCS instabilities resulted in various dynamical models of the magnetotail.
Consistent Ground Surface Temperature Climatology Over China: 1956–2022
Authors: Wang Shengdi , Cao Bin , Hao Jiansheng , Sun Wen , Zhang Kun
Published: May 2024

The ground surface represents the land‐atmosphere interface and plays a crucial role in exchanging energy, matter, and biochemical fluxes. The ground surface temperature (Ts) is hence widely investigated as an indicator to understand the thermal state of soil in a warming world. However, regular and continuous Ts measurements are rare worldwide, and the early Ts records were derived from snow surface measurements and are not comparable with the measurements of modern automatic systems. In this study, we reconstruct the Ts records of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) for 1956–2022 by numerical simulation. The results show that the mean annual ground surface temperature (MAGST) during 1981–2010 ranged from 0.4 to 30.8°C at 632 stations. The MAGST was mainly controlled by air temperature and refined by snow depth. The overall MAGST increased by 0.20 ± 0.02°C dec−1 across China during 1956–2022 and showed pronounced interdecadal variability corresponding to the surface air temperature (0.23 ± 0.03°C dec−1). At the snow‐covered sites, the Ts warming was amplified by increased snow depth, leading to about 0.24°C dec−1 (or 70.6%) faster warming for Ts in winter compared to that of surface air temperature. Many of the early reported ground surface temperature studies based on CMA measurements did not consider the measurement inconsistency and likely overestimated the warming trend of ground surface temperature over China.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 effects on kidney development in preterm piglets
Authors: Zhong Jingren , Doughty Richard , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per Torp , Nguyen Duc Ninh , Muk Tik
Published: May 2024

Background

Preterm birth disrupts fetal kidney development, potentially leading to postnatal acute kidney injury. Preterm infants are deficient in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a growth factor that stimulates organ development. By utilizing a preterm pig model, this study investigated whether IGF-1 supplementation enhances preterm kidney maturation.

Methods

Cesarean-delivered preterm pigs were treated systemically IGF-1 or vehicle control for 5, 9 or 19 days after birth. Blood, urine, and kidney tissue were collected for biochemical, histological and gene expression analyses. Age-matched term-born pigs were sacrificed at similar postnatal ages and served as the reference group.

Results

Compared with term pigs, preterm pigs exhibited impaired kidney maturation, as indicated by analyses of renal morphology, histopathology, and inflammatory and injury markers. Supplementation with IGF-1 reduced signs of kidney immaturity, particularly in the first week of life, as indicated by improved morphology, upregulated expression of key developmental genes, reduced severity and incidence of microscopic lesions, and decreased levels of inflammatory and injury markers. No association was seen between the symptoms of necrotizing enterocolitis and kidney defects.

Conclusion

Preterm birth in pigs impairs kidney maturation and exogenous IGF-1 treatment partially reverses this impairment. Early IGF-1 supplementation could support the development of preterm kidneys.

Impact

Preterm birth may disrupt kidney development in newborns, potentially leading to morphological changes, injury, and inflammation.

Preterm pigs have previously been used as models for preterm infants, but not for kidney development.

IGF-1 supplementation promotes kidney maturation and alleviates renal impairments in the first week of life in preterm pigs. IGF-1 may hold potential as a supportive therapy for preterm infants sensitive to acute kidney injury.
Macrophages communicate with mesangial cells through the CXCL12/DPP4 axis in lupus nephritis pathogenesis
Authors: Li Weiwei , Yao Chun , Guo Haixia , Ni Xi’an , Zhu Ran , Wang Yongjun , Yu Bin , Feng Xuebing , Gu Zhifeng , Da Zhanyun
Published: May 2024

Lupus nephritis (LN) occurs in 50% of cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is one of the most serious complications that can occur during lupus progression. Mesangial cells (MCs) are intrinsic cells in the kidney that can regulate capillary blood flow, phagocytose apoptotic cells, and secrete vasoactive substances and growth factors. Previous studies have shown that various types of inflammatory cells can activate MCs for hyperproliferation, leading to disruption of the filtration barrier and impairment of renal function in LN. Here, we characterized the heterogeneity of kidney cells of LN mice by single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and revealed the interaction between macrophages and MCs through the CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12)/dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) axis. In culture, macrophages modulated the proliferation and migration of MCs through this ligand–receptor interaction. In LN mice, treatment with linagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor, effectively inhibited MC proliferation and reduced urinary protein levels. Together, our findings indicated that targeting the CXCL12/DPP4 axis with linagliptin treatment may serve as a novel strategy for the treatment of LN via the CXCL12/DPP4 axis.
Nitrous oxide respiration in acidophilic methanotrophs
Authors: Awala Samuel Imisi , Gwak Joo-Han , Kim Yongman , Jung Man-Young , Dunfield Peter F. , Wagner Michael , Rhee Sung-Keun
Published: May 2024

Aerobic methanotrophic bacteria are considered strict aerobes but are often highly abundant in hypoxic and even anoxic environments. Despite possessing denitrification genes, it remains to be verified whether denitrification contributes to their growth. Here, we show that acidophilic methanotrophs can respire nitrous oxide (N2O) and grow anaerobically on diverse non-methane substrates, including methanol, C-C substrates, and hydrogen. We study two strains that possess N2O reductase genes: Methylocella tundrae T4 and Methylacidiphilum caldifontis IT6. We show that N2O respiration supports growth of Methylacidiphilum caldifontis at an extremely acidic pH of 2.0, exceeding the known physiological pH limits for microbial N2O consumption. Methylocella tundrae simultaneously consumes N2O and CH4 in suboxic conditions, indicating robustness of its N2O reductase activity in the presence of O2. Furthermore, in O2-limiting conditions, the amount of CH4 oxidized per O2 reduced increases when N2O is added, indicating that Methylocella tundrae can direct more O2 towards methane monooxygenase. Thus, our results demonstrate that some methanotrophs can respire N2O independently or simultaneously with O2, which may facilitate their growth and survival in dynamic environments. Such metabolic capability enables these bacteria to simultaneously reduce the release of the key greenhouse gases CO2, CH4, and N2O.
Centimeter-scale nanomechanical resonators with low dissipation
Authors: Cupertino Andrea , Shin Dongil , Guo Leo , Steeneken Peter G. , Bessa Miguel A. , Norte Richard A.
Published: May 2024

High-aspect-ratio mechanical resonators are pivotal in precision sensing, from macroscopic gravitational wave detectors to nanoscale acoustics. However, fabrication challenges and high computational costs have limited the length-to-thickness ratio of these devices, leaving a largely unexplored regime in nano-engineering. We present nanomechanical resonators that extend centimeters in length yet retain nanometer thickness. We explore this expanded design space using an optimization approach which judiciously employs fast millimeter-scale simulations to steer the more computationally intensive centimeter-scale design optimization. By employing delicate nanofabrication techniques, our approach ensures high-yield realization, experimentally confirming room-temperature quality factors close to theoretical predictions. The synergy between nanofabrication, design optimization guided by machine learning, and precision engineering opens a solid-state path to room-temperature quality factors approaching 10 billion at kilohertz mechanical frequencies – comparable to the performance of leading cryogenic resonators and levitated nanospheres, even under significantly less stringent temperature and vacuum conditions.
A large-strain and ultrahigh energy density dielectric elastomer for fast moving soft robot
Authors: Feng Wenwen , Sun Lin , Jin Zhekai , Chen Lili , Liu Yuncong , Xu Hao , Wang Chao
Published: May 2024

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) with large actuation strain and high energy density are highly desirable for actuating soft robots. However, DEAs usually require high driving electric fields (>100 MV m−1) to achieve high performances due to the low dielectric constant and high stiffness of dielectric elastomers (DEs). Here, we introduce polar fluorinated groups and nanodomains aggregated by long alkyl side chains into DE design, simultaneously endowing DE with a high dielectric constant and desirable modulus. Our DE exhibits a maximum area strain of 253% at a low driving electric field of 46 MV m−1. Notably, it achieves an ultrahigh specific energy of 225 J kg−1 at only‍‌ ‌‌40‍‌ MV m−1, around 6 times higher than natural muscle and twice higher than the state-of-the-art DE. Using our DE, soft robots reach an ultrafast running speed of 20.6 BL s−1, 60 times higher than that of commercial VHB 4910, representing the fastest DEA-driven soft robots ever reported.
Ventral pallidum GABA and glutamate neurons drive approach and avoidance through distinct modulation of VTA cell types
Authors: Faget Lauren , Oriol Lucie , Lee Wen-Chun , Zell Vivien , Sargent Cody , Flores Andrew , Hollon Nick G. , Ramanathan Dhakshin , Hnasko Thomas S.
Published: May 2024

The ventral pallidum (VP) contains GABA and glutamate neurons projecting to ventral tegmental area (VTA) whose stimulation drives approach and avoidance, respectively. Yet little is known about the mechanisms by which VP cell types shape VTA activity and drive behavior. Here, we found that both VP GABA and glutamate neurons were activated during approach to reward or by delivery of an aversive stimulus. Stimulation of VP GABA neurons inhibited VTA GABA, but activated dopamine and glutamate neurons. Remarkably, stimulation-evoked activation was behavior-contingent such that VTA recruitment was inhibited when evoked by the subject’s own action. Conversely, VP glutamate neurons activated VTA GABA, as well as dopamine and glutamate neurons, despite driving aversion. However, VP glutamate neurons evoked dopamine in aversion-associated ventromedial nucleus accumbens (NAc), but reduced dopamine release in reward-associated dorsomedial NAc. These findings show how heterogeneous VP projections to VTA can be engaged to shape approach and avoidance behaviors.
Copper(I)-nitrene platform for chemoproteomic profiling of methionine
Authors: Sahu Samrat , Emenike Benjamin , Beusch Christian Michel , Bagchi Pritha , Gordon David Ezra , Raj Monika
Published: May 2024

Methionine plays a critical role in various biological and cell regulatory processes, making its chemoproteomic profiling indispensable for exploring its functions and potential in protein therapeutics. Building on the principle of rapid oxidation of methionine, we report Copper(I)-Nitrene Platform for robust, and selective labeling of methionine to generate stable sulfonyl sulfimide conjugates under physiological conditions. We demonstrate the versatility of this platform to label methionine in bioactive peptides, intact proteins (6.5-79.5 kDa), and proteins in complex cell lysate mixtures with varying payloads. We discover ligandable proteins and sites harboring hyperreactive methionine within the human proteome. Furthermore, this has been utilized to profile oxidation-sensitive methionine residues, which might increase our understanding of the protective role of methionine in diseases associated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species. The Copper(I)-Nitrene Platform allows labeling methionine residues in live cancer cells, observing minimal cytotoxic effects and achieving dose-dependent labeling. Confocal imaging further reveals the spatial distribution of modified proteins within the cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus, underscoring the platform’s potential in profiling the cellular interactome.
Original COVID-19 priming regimen impacts the immunogenicity of bivalent BA.1 and BA.5 boosters
Authors: Zaeck Luca M. , Tan Ngoc H. , Rietdijk Wim J. R. , Geers Daryl , Sablerolles Roos S. G. , Bogers Susanne , van Dijk Laura L. A. , Gommers Lennert , van Leeuwen Leanne P. M. , Rugebregt Sharona , Goorhuis Abraham , Postma Douwe F. , Visser Leo G. , Dalm Virgil A. S. H. , Lafeber Melvin , Kootstra Neeltje A. , Huckriede Anke L. W. , Haagmans Bart L. , van Baarle Debbie , Koopmans Marion P. G. ,   SWITCH-ON Research Group, van de Hoef Anna , Roders Isabelle Veerman , Tjon Nathalie , van Grafhorst Karenin , Nieuwkoop Nella , de Wilt Faye , Scherbeijn Sandra , Verstrepen Babs E. , Ferren Marion , Handrejk Kim , Schmitz Katharina S. , Wijnans Koen , Lamoré Aldert C. P. , Schnyder Jenny , Starozhitskaya Olga , Harskamp Agnes , Maurer Irma , Boeser-Nunnink Brigitte , Mangas-Ruiz Marga , Akkerman Renate , Beukema Martin , de Vries-Idema Jacqueline J. , Nijhof Sander , Visscher Frederique , Zuidema Jopie , Vlot Jessica , Spaargaren Eva , Olthof Naomi , van Wengen-Stevenhagen Annelies , de Vreede Anouk J. E. , Blokland Jytte , van Mill Simone , Slagter Vivian W. M. , Suijk-Benschop Kitty , Fehrmann-Naumann Jos , Bart Daphne , van der Hulst Elysia , van der Kuy P. Hugo M. , GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. , de Vries Rory D.
Published: May 2024

Waning antibody responses after COVID-19 vaccination combined with the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage led to reduced vaccine effectiveness. As a countermeasure, bivalent mRNA-based booster vaccines encoding the ancestral spike protein in combination with that of Omicron BA.1 or BA.5 were introduced. Since then, different BA.2-descendent lineages have become dominant, such as XBB.1.5, JN.1, or EG.5.1. Here, we report post-hoc analyses of data from the SWITCH-ON study, assessing how different COVID-19 priming regimens affect the immunogenicity of bivalent booster vaccinations and breakthrough infections (NCT05471440). BA.1 and BA.5 bivalent vaccines boosted neutralizing antibodies and T-cells up to 3 months after boost; however, cross-neutralization of XBB.1.5 was poor. Interestingly, different combinations of prime-boost regimens induced divergent responses: participants primed with Ad26.COV2.S developed lower binding antibody levels after bivalent boost while neutralization and T-cell responses were similar to mRNA-based primed participants. In contrast, the breadth of neutralization was higher in mRNA-primed and bivalent BA.5 boosted participants. Combined, our data further support the current use of monovalent vaccines based on circulating strains when vaccinating risk groups, as recently recommended by the WHO. We emphasize the importance of the continuous assessment of immune responses targeting circulating variants to guide future COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Enhancing in vivo cell and tissue targeting by modulation of polymer nanoparticles and macrophage decoys
Authors: Piotrowski-Daspit Alexandra S. , Bracaglia Laura G. , Eaton David A. , Richfield Owen , Binns Thomas C. , Albert Claire , Gould Jared , Mortlock Ryland D. , Egan Marie E. , Pober Jordan S. , Saltzman W. Mark
Published: May 2024

The in vivo efficacy of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) is dependent on their pharmacokinetics, including time in circulation and tissue tropism. Here we explore the structure-function relationships guiding physiological fate of a library of poly(amine-co-ester) (PACE) NPs with different compositions and surface properties. We find that circulation half-life as well as tissue and cell-type tropism is dependent on polymer chemistry, vehicle characteristics, dosing, and strategic co-administration of distribution modifiers, suggesting that physiological fate can be optimized by adjusting these parameters. Our high-throughput quantitative microscopy-based platform to measure the concentration of nanomedicines in the blood combined with detailed biodistribution assessments and pharmacokinetic modeling provides valuable insight into the dynamic in vivo behavior of these polymer NPs. Our results suggest that PACE NPs—and perhaps other NPs—can be designed with tunable properties to achieve desired tissue tropism for the in vivo delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics. These findings can guide the rational design of more effective nucleic acid delivery vehicles for in vivo applications.
Strong microwave squeezing above 1 Tesla and 1 Kelvin
Authors: Vaartjes Arjen , Kringhøj Anders , Vine Wyatt , Day Tom , Morello Andrea , Pla Jarryd J.
Published: May 2024

Squeezed states of light have been used extensively to increase the precision of measurements, from the detection of gravitational waves to the search for dark matter. In the optical domain, high levels of vacuum noise squeezing are possible due to the availability of low loss optical components and high-performance squeezers. At microwave frequencies, however, limitations of the squeezing devices and the high insertion loss of microwave components make squeezing vacuum noise an exceptionally difficult task. Here we demonstrate direct measurements of high levels of microwave squeezing. We use an ultra-low loss setup and weakly-nonlinear kinetic inductance parametric amplifiers to squeeze microwave noise 7.8(2) dB below the vacuum level. The amplifiers exhibit a resilience to magnetic fields and permit the demonstration of large squeezing levels inside fields of up to 2 T. Finally, we exploit the high critical temperature of our amplifiers to squeeze a warm thermal environment, achieving vacuum level noise at a temperature of 1.8 K. These results enable experiments that combine squeezing with magnetic fields and permit quantum-limited microwave measurements at elevated temperatures, significantly reducing the complexity and cost of the cryogenic systems required for such experiments.
High spin axion insulator
Authors: Li Shuai , Gong Ming , Li Yu-Hang , Jiang Hua , Xie X. C.
Published: May 2024

Axion insulators possess a quantized axion field θ = π protected by combined lattice and time-reversal symmetry, holding great potential for device applications in layertronics and quantum computing. Here, we propose a high-spin axion insulator (HSAI) defined in large spin-s representation, which maintains the same inherent symmetry but possesses a notable axion field θ = (s + 1/2)2π. Such distinct axion field is confirmed independently by the direct calculation of the axion term using hybrid Wannier functions, layer-resolved Chern numbers, as well as the topological magneto-electric effect. We show that the guaranteed gapless quasi-particle excitation is absent at the boundary of the HSAI despite its integer surface Chern number, hinting an unusual quantum anomaly violating the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence. Furthermore, we ascertain that the axion field θ can be precisely tuned through an external magnetic field, enabling the manipulation of bonded transport properties. The HSAI proposed here can be experimentally verified in ultra-cold atoms by the quantized non-reciprocal conductance or topological magnetoelectric response. Our work enriches the understanding of axion insulators in condensed matter physics, paving the way for future device applications.
Tlr9 deficiency in B cells leads to obesity by promoting inflammation and gut dysbiosis
Authors: Wang Pai , Yang Xin , Zhang Luyao , Sha Sha , Huang Juan , Peng Jian , Gu Jianlei , Pearson James Alexander , Hu Youjia , Zhao Hongyu , Wong F. Susan , Wang Quan , Wen Li
Published: May 2024

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes bacterial, viral and self DNA and play an important role in immunity and inflammation. However, the role of TLR9 in obesity is less well-studied. Here, we generate B-cell-specific Tlr9-deficient (Tlr9fl/fl/Cd19Cre+/-, KO) B6 mice and model obesity using a high-fat diet. Compared with control mice, B-cell-specific-Tlr9-deficient mice exhibited increased fat tissue inflammation, weight gain, and impaired glucose and insulin tolerance. Furthermore, the frequencies of IL-10-producing-B cells and marginal zone B cells were reduced, and those of follicular and germinal center B cells were increased. This was associated with increased frequencies of IFNγ-producing-T cells and increased follicular helper cells. In addition, gut microbiota from the KO mice induced a pro-inflammatory state leading to immunological and metabolic dysregulation when transferred to germ-free mice. Using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, we identify altered gut microbial communities including reduced Lachnospiraceae, which may play a role in altered metabolism in KO mice. We identify an important network involving Tlr9, Irf4 and Il-10 interconnecting metabolic homeostasis, with the function of B and T cells, and gut microbiota in obesity.
AI-enhanced integration of genetic and medical imaging data for risk assessment of Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Huang Yi-Jia , Chen Chun-houh , Yang Hsin-Chou
Published: May 2024

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) presents a formidable global health challenge, highlighted by its escalating prevalence, underscoring the critical need for precision health strategies and early detection initiatives. Leveraging artificial intelligence, particularly eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), we devise robust risk assessment models for T2D. Drawing upon comprehensive genetic and medical imaging datasets from 68,911 individuals in the Taiwan Biobank, our models integrate Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS), Multi-image Risk Scores (MRS), and demographic variables, such as age, sex, and T2D family history. Here, we show that our model achieves an Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve (AUC) of 0.94, effectively identifying high-risk T2D subgroups. A streamlined model featuring eight key variables also maintains a high AUC of 0.939. This high accuracy for T2D risk assessment promises to catalyze early detection and preventive strategies. Moreover, we introduce an accessible online risk assessment tool for T2D, facilitating broader applicability and dissemination of our findings.
Evidence for multiferroicity in single-layer CuCrSe2
Authors: Sun Zhenyu , Su Yueqi , Zhi Aomiao , Gao Zhicheng , Han Xu , Wu Kang , Bao Lihong , Huang Yuan , Shi Youguo , Bai Xuedong , Cheng Peng , Chen Lan , Wu Kehui , Tian Xuezeng , Wu Changzheng , Feng Baojie
Published: May 2024

Multiferroic materials, which simultaneously exhibit ferroelectricity and magnetism, have attracted substantial attention due to their fascinating physical properties and potential technological applications. With the trends towards device miniaturization, there is an increasing demand for the persistence of multiferroicity in single-layer materials at elevated temperatures. Here, we report high-temperature multiferroicity in single-layer CuCrSe2, which hosts room-temperature ferroelectricity and 120 K ferromagnetism. Notably, the ferromagnetic coupling in single-layer CuCrSe2 is enhanced by the ferroelectricity-induced orbital shift of Cr atoms, which is distinct from both types I and II multiferroicity. These findings are supported by a combination of second-harmonic generation, piezo-response force microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, magnetic, and Hall measurements. Our research provides not only an exemplary platform for delving into intrinsic magnetoelectric interactions at the single-layer limit but also sheds light on potential development of electronic and spintronic devices utilizing two-dimensional multiferroics.
High-performance flexible p-type Ce-filled Fe3CoSb12 skutterudite thin film for medium-to-high-temperature applications
Authors: Li Dou , Shi Xiao-Lei , Zhu Jiaxi , Cao Tianyi , Ma Xiao , Li Meng , Han Zhuokun , Feng Zhenyu , Chen Yixing , Wang Jianyuan , Liu Wei-Di , Zhong Hong , Li Shuangming , Chen Zhi-Gang
Published: May 2024

P-type Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite thin films are successfully fabricated, exhibiting high thermoelectric performance, stability, and flexibility at medium-to-high temperatures, based on preparing custom target materials and employing advanced pulsed laser deposition techniques to address the bonding challenge between the thin films and high-temperature flexible polyimide substrates. Through the optimization of fabrication processing and nominal doping concentration of Ce, the thin films show a power factor of >100 μW m−1 K−2 and a ZT close to 0.6 at 653 K. After >2000 bending cycle tests at a radius of 4 mm, only a 6 % change in resistivity can be observed. Additionally, the assembled p-type Fe3CoSb12-based flexible device exhibits a power density of 135.7 µW cm−2 under a temperature difference of 100 K with the hot side at 623 K. This work fills a gap in the realization of flexible thermoelectric devices in the medium-to-high-temperature range and holds significant practical application value.
Spatial disparities in the mortality burden of the covid-19 pandemic across 569 European regions (2020-2021)
Authors: Bonnet Florian , Grigoriev Pavel , Sauerberg Markus , Alliger Ina , Mühlichen Michael , Camarda Carlo-Giovanni
Published: May 2024

Since its emergence in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in deaths worldwide. This article presents a detailed analysis of the mortality burden of the COVID-19 pandemic across 569 regions in 25 European countries. We produce age and sex-specific excess mortality and present our results using Age-Standardised Years of Life Lost in 2020 and 2021, as well as the cumulative impact over the two pandemic years. Employing a forecasting approach based on CP-splines that considers regional diversity and provides confidence intervals, we find notable losses in 362 regions in 2020 (440 regions in 2021). Conversely, only seven regions experienced gains in 2020 (four regions in 2021). We also estimate that eight regions suffered losses exceeding 20 years of life per 1000 population in 2020, whereas this number increased to 75 regions in 2021. The contiguity of the regions investigated in our study also reveals the changing geographical patterns of the pandemic. While the highest excess mortality values were concentrated in the early COVID-19 outbreak areas during the initial pandemic year, a clear East-West gradient appeared in 2021, with regions of Slovakia, Hungary, and Latvia experiencing the highest losses. This research underscores the importance of regional analyses for a nuanced comprehension of the pandemic’s impact.
Tunable exciton valley-pseudospin orders in moiré superlattices
Authors: Xiong Richen , Brantly Samuel L. , Su Kaixiang , Nie Jacob H. , Zhang Zihan , Banerjee Rounak , Ruddick Hayley , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Tongay Seth Ariel , Xu Cenke , Jin Chenhao
Published: May 2024

Excitons in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have offered an attractive platform for optoelectronic and valleytronic devices. Further realizations of correlated phases of excitons promise device concepts not possible in the single particle picture. Here we report tunable exciton “spin” orders in WSe2/WS2 moiré superlattices. We find evidence of an in-plane (xy) order of exciton “spin”—here, valley pseudospin—around exciton filling vex = 1, which strongly suppresses the out-of-plane “spin” polarization. Upon increasing vex or applying a small magnetic field of ~10 mT, it transitions into an out-of-plane ferromagnetic (FM-z) spin order that spontaneously enhances the “spin” polarization, i.e., the circular helicity of emission light is higher than the excitation. The phase diagram is qualitatively captured by a spin-1/2 Bose–Hubbard model and is distinct from the fermion case. Our study paves the way for engineering exotic phases of matter from correlated spinor bosons, opening the door to a host of unconventional quantum devices.
The contribution of prosody to machine classification of schizophrenia
Authors: Ben Moshe Tomer , Ziv Ido , Dershowitz Nachum , Bar Kfir
Published: May 2024

We show how acoustic prosodic features, such as pitch and gaps, can be used computationally for detecting symptoms of schizophrenia from a single spoken response. We compare the individual contributions of acoustic and previously-employed text modalities to the algorithmic determination whether the speaker has schizophrenia. Our classification results clearly show that we can extract relevant acoustic features better than those textual ones. We find that, when combined with those acoustic features, textual features improve classification only slightly.
Direct comparison of SARS-CoV-2 variant specific neutralizing antibodies in human and hamster sera
Authors: Rössler Annika , Netzl Antonia , Knabl Ludwig , Wilks Samuel H. , Mühlemann Barbara , Türeli Sina , Mykytyn Anna , von Laer Dorothee , Haagmans Bart L. , Smith Derek J. , Kimpel Janine
Published: May 2024

Antigenic characterization of newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is important to assess their immune escape and judge the need for future vaccine updates. To bridge data obtained from animal sera with human sera, we analyzed neutralizing antibody titers in human and hamster single infection sera in a highly controlled setting using the same authentic virus neutralization assay performed in one laboratory. Using a Bayesian framework, we found that titer fold changes in hamster sera corresponded well to human sera and that hamster sera generally exhibited higher reactivity.
Ecological risk and spatial distribution, sources of heavy metals in typical purple soils, southwest China
Authors: Gong Cang , Quan Licheng , Chen Wenbin , Tian Guanglong , Zhang Wei , Xiao Fei , Zhang Zhixiang
Published: May 2024

The identification and quantification of the ecological risks, sources and distribution of heavy metals in purple soils are essential for regional pollution control and management. In this study, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), pollution index (PI), potential ecological risk index (RI), principal component analysis (PCA) model and geographical detector (GD) were combined to evaluate the status, ecological risk, and sources of heavy metals (HMs) in soils from a typical purple soil areas of Sichuan province. The results showed that the average contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in purple soil were 7.77, 0.19, 69.5, 27.9, 0.077, 30.9, 26.5 mg/kg and 76.8 mg/kg, and the Igeo, EF and RI of topsoil Hg and Cd in designated area was the highest, and the average contents of Hg and Cd in topsoil were obviously greater than respective soil background value in Sichuan province and purple soil. The hot spots for the spatial distribution of 8 HMs were mainly focused in the southwest and northeast of the designated area, and there were also significant differences for 8 HMs distribution characteristics in the profile soil. Cu comes from both anthropogenic and natural sources, Zn, Ni and Cr mainly come from natural sources, but As, Pb, Hg and Cd mainly derived from human activities. GD results showed that soil texture (X18), altitude (X4), total nitrogen (TN), clay content (X3), sand content (X2) and silt content (X1) had the greatest explanatory power to 8 HMs spatial differentiation.This study provides a reference for understanding the status and influencing factors of HM pollution in typical purple soil, and lays a theoretical foundation for the environmental treatment of purple soil in China.