bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Durable and programmable ultrafast nanophotonic matrix of spectral pixels
Authors: Guo Tingbiao , Zhang Zhi , Lin Zijian , Tian Jiahan , Jin Yi , Evans Julian , Xu Yinghe , He Sailing
Published: August 2024

Locally addressable nanophotonic devices are essential for modern applications such as light detection, optical imaging, beam steering and displays. Despite recent advances, a versatile solution with a high-speed tuning rate, long-life durability and programmability across multiple pixels remains elusive. Here we introduce a programmable nanophotonic matrix consisting of vanadium dioxide (VO2) cavities on pixelated microheaters that meets all these requirements. The indirect Joule heating of these VO2 cavities can result in pronounced spectral modulation with colour changes and ensures exceptional endurance even after a million switching cycles. Precise control over the thermal dissipation power through a SiO2 layer of an optimized thickness on Si facilitates an ultrafast modulation rate exceeding 70 kHz. We demonstrated a video-rate nanophotonic colour display by electrically addressing a matrix of 12 × 12 pixels. Furthermore, inspired by the unique pixel-level programmability with multiple intermediate states of the spectral pixels, a spatiotemporal modulation concept is introduced for spectrum detection.
Bose–Einstein condensation of photons in a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser
Authors: Pieczarka Maciej , Gębski Marcin , Piasecka Aleksandra N. , Lott James A. , Pelster Axel , Wasiak Michał , Czyszanowski Tomasz
Published: August 2024

Many bosons can occupy a single quantum state without a limit. It is described by the quantum-mechanical Bose–Einstein statistic, which allows Bose–Einstein condensation at low temperatures and high particle densities. Photons, historically the first considered bosonic gas, were late to show this phenomenon, observed in rhodamine-filled microcavities and doped fibre cavities. These findings have raised the question of whether condensation is also common in other laser systems with potential technological applications. Here we show the Bose–Einstein condensation of photons in a broad-area vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser with a slight cavity-gain spectral detuning. We observed a Bose–Einstein condensate in the fundamental transversal optical mode at a critical phase-space density. The experimental results follow the equation of state for a two-dimensional gas of bosons in thermal equilibrium, although the extracted spectral temperatures were lower than the device’s. This is interpreted as originating from the driven-dissipative nature of the photon gas. In contrast, non-equilibrium lasing action is observed in the higher-order modes in more negatively detuned device. Our work opens the way for the potential exploration of superfluid physics of interacting photons mediated by semiconductor optical nonlinearities. It also shows great promise for enabling single-mode high-power emission from a large-aperture device.
Circuit quantum electrodynamics detection of induced two-fold anisotropic pairing in a hybrid superconductor–ferromagnet bilayer
Authors: Bøttcher C. G. L. , Poniatowski N. R. , Grankin A. , Wesson M. E. , Yan Z. , Vool U. , Galitski V. M. , Yacoby A.
Published: August 2024

Hybrid systems represent one of the frontiers in the study of unconventional superconductivity and are a promising platform to realize topological superconducting states. These materials are challenging to probe using many conventional measurement techniques because of their mesoscopic dimensions, and therefore require new experimental probes so that they can be successfully characterized. Here, we demonstrate a probe that enables us to measure the superfluid density of micrometre-size superconductors using microwave techniques drawn from circuit quantum electrodynamics. We apply this technique to a superconductor–ferromagnet bilayer and find that the proximity-induced superfluid density is two-fold anisotropic within the plane of the sample. It also exhibits power-law temperature scaling that is indicative of a nodal superconducting state. These experimental results are consistent with the theoretically predicted signatures of induced triplet pairing with a nodal p-wave order parameter. Moreover, we observe modifications to the microwave response at frequencies near the ferromagnetic resonance, suggesting a coupling between the spin dynamics and induced superconducting order in the ferromagnetic layer. Our experimental technique can be employed more widely, for example to study fragile unconventional superconductivity in low-dimensional materials such as van der Waals heterostructures.
Removal of TREX1 activity enhances CRISPR–Cas9-mediated homologous recombination
Authors: Karasu Mehmet E. , Toufektchan Eléonore , Chen Yanyang , Albertelli Alessandra , Cullot Grégoire , Maciejowski John , Corn Jacob E.
Published: August 2024

CRISPR–Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair (HDR) can introduce desired mutations at targeted genomic sites, but achieving high efficiencies is a major hurdle in many cell types, including cells deficient in DNA repair activity. In this study, we used genome-wide screening in Fanconi anemia patient lymphoblastic cell lines to uncover suppressors of CRISPR–Cas9-mediated HDR. We found that a single exonuclease, TREX1, reduces HDR efficiency when the repair template is a single-stranded or linearized double-stranded DNA. TREX1 expression serves as a biomarker for CRISPR–Cas9-mediated HDR in that the high TREX1 expression present in many different cell types (such as U2OS, Jurkat, MDA-MB-231 and primary T cells as well as hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells) predicts poor HDR. Here we demonstrate rescue of HDR efficiency (ranging from two-fold to eight-fold improvement) either by TREX1 knockout or by the use of single-stranded DNA templates chemically protected from TREX1 activity. Our data explain why some cell types are easier to edit than others and indicate routes for increasing CRISPR–Cas9-mediated HDR in TREX1-expressing contexts.
Cluster effect for SNP–SNP interaction pairs for predicting complex traits
Authors: Lin Hui-Yi , Mazumder Harun , Sarkar Indrani , Huang Po-Yu , Eeles Rosalind A. , Kote-Jarai Zsofia , Muir Kenneth R. ,   UKGPCS collaborators, Schleutker Johanna , Pashayan Nora , Batra Jyotsna ,   APCB (Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource), Neal David E. , Nielsen Sune F. , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Grönberg Henrik , Wiklund Fredrik , MacInnis Robert J. , Haiman Christopher A. , Travis Ruth C. , Stanford Janet L. , Kibel Adam S. , Cybulski Cezary , Khaw Kay-Tee , Maier Christiane , Thibodeau Stephen N. , Teixeira Manuel R. , Cannon-Albright Lisa , Brenner Hermann , Kaneva Radka , Pandha Hardev ,   The PRACTICAL consortium, Park Jong Y.
Published: August 2024

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) interactions are the key to improving polygenic risk scores. Previous studies reported several significant SNP–SNP interaction pairs that shared a common SNP to form a cluster, but some identified pairs might be false positives. This study aims to identify factors associated with the cluster effect of false positivity and develop strategies to enhance the accuracy of SNP–SNP interactions. The results showed the cluster effect is a major cause of false-positive findings of SNP–SNP interactions. This cluster effect is due to high correlations between a causal pair and null pairs in a cluster. The clusters with a hub SNP with a significant main effect and a large minor allele frequency (MAF) tended to have a higher false-positive rate. In addition, peripheral null SNPs in a cluster with a small MAF tended to enhance false positivity. We also demonstrated that using the modified significance criterion based on the 3 p-value rules and the bootstrap approach (3pRule + bootstrap) can reduce false positivity and maintain high true positivity. In addition, our results also showed that a pair without a significant main effect tends to have weak or no interaction. This study identified the cluster effect and suggested using the 3pRule + bootstrap approach to enhance SNP–SNP interaction detection accuracy.
An improved equilibrium optimization algorithm for feature selection problem in network intrusion detection
Authors: Varzaneh Zahra Asghari , Hosseini Soodeh
Published: August 2024

In this paper, an enhanced equilibrium optimization (EO) version named Levy-opposition-equilibrium optimization (LOEO) is proposed to select effective features in network intrusion detection systems (IDSs). The opposition-based learning (OBL) approach is applied by this algorithm to improve the diversity of the population. Also, the Levy flight method is utilized to escape local optima. Then, the binary rendition of the algorithm called BLOEO is employed to feature selection in IDSs. One of the main challenges in IDSs is the high-dimensional feature space, with many irrelevant or redundant features. The BLOEO algorithm is designed to intelligently select the most informative subset of features. The empirical findings on NSL-KDD, UNSW-NB15, and CIC-IDS2017 datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the BLOEO algorithm. This algorithm has an acceptable ability to effectively reduce the number of data features, maintaining a high intrusion detection accuracy of over 95%. Specifically, on the UNSW-NB15 dataset, BLOEO selected only 10.8 features on average, achieving an accuracy of 97.6% and a precision of 100%.
Short, stringent lockdowns halted SARS-CoV-2 transmissions in Danish municipalities
Authors: Ege Florian
Published: August 2024

In late 2020, the focus of the global effort against the COVID-19 pandemic centered around the development of a vaccine, when reports of a mutated SARS-CoV-2 virus variant in a population of 17 million farmed mink came from Denmark, threatening to jeopardize this effort. Spillover infections of the new variant between mink and humans were feared to threaten the efficacy of upcoming vaccines. In this study the ensuing short-lived yet stringent lockdowns imposed in 7 of the countries 98 municipalities are analysed for their effectiveness to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infections. Synthetic counterfactuals are created for each of these municipalities using a weighted average combination of the remaining municipalities not targeted by the stringent measures. This allows for a clear overview regarding the development of test-positivity rates, citizen mobility behaviours and lastly daily infection numbers in response to the restrictions. The findings show that these targeted, short-term lockdowns significantly curtailed further infections, demonstrating a marked decrease, first in citizens mobility and then in daily cases when compared to their synthetic counterfactuals. Overall, the estimates indicate average reductions to infection numbers to be around 31%. This study underscores the potential of strict, yet severe lockdowns in breaking ongoing infection dynamics, by utilising a rare quasi-experimental design case that avoids bias introduced through treatment selection.
Hebbian plasticity induced by temporally coincident BCI enhances post-stroke motor recovery
Authors: Krueger Johanna , Krauth Richard , Reichert Christoph , Perdikis Serafeim , Vogt Susanne , Huchtemann Tessa , Dürschmid Stefan , Sickert Almut , Lamprecht Juliane , Huremovic Almir , Görtler Michael , Nasuto Slawomir J. , Tsai I.-Chin , Knight Robert T. , Hinrichs Hermann , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Lindquist Sabine , Sailer Michael , Millán Jose del R. , Sweeney-Reed Catherine M.
Published: August 2024

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) can support functional restoration of a paretic limb post-stroke. Hebbian plasticity depends on temporally coinciding pre- and post-synaptic activity. A tight temporal relationship between motor cortical (MC) activity associated with attempted movement and FES-generated visuo-proprioceptive feedback is hypothesized to enhance motor recovery. Using a brain–computer interface (BCI) to classify MC spectral power in electroencephalographic (EEG) signals to trigger FES-delivery with detection of movement attempts improved motor outcomes in chronic stroke patients. We hypothesized that heightened neural plasticity earlier post-stroke would further enhance corticomuscular functional connectivity and motor recovery. We compared subcortical non-dominant hemisphere stroke patients in BCI-FES and Random-FES (FES temporally independent of MC movement attempt detection) groups. The primary outcome measure was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). We recorded high-density EEG and transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced motor evoked potentials before and after treatment. The BCI group showed greater: FMA-UE improvement; motor evoked potential amplitude; beta oscillatory power and long-range temporal correlation reduction over contralateral MC; and corticomuscular coherence with contralateral MC. These changes are consistent with enhanced post-stroke motor improvement when movement is synchronized with MC activity reflecting attempted movement.
Diversity and specificity of molecular functions in cyanobacterial symbionts
Authors: Cameron Ellen S. , Sanchez Santiago , Goldman Nick , Blaxter Mark L. , Finn Robert D.
Published: August 2024

Cyanobacteria are globally occurring photosynthetic bacteria notable for their contribution to primary production and production of toxins which have detrimental ecosystem impacts. Furthermore, cyanobacteria can form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with a diverse set of eukaryotes, including land plants, aquatic plankton and fungi. Nevertheless, not all cyanobacteria are found in symbiotic associations suggesting symbiotic cyanobacteria have evolved specializations that facilitate host-interactions. Photosynthetic capabilities, nitrogen fixation, and the production of complex biochemicals are key functions provided by host-associated cyanobacterial symbionts. To explore if additional specializations are associated with such lifestyles in cyanobacteria, we have conducted comparative phylogenomics of molecular functions and of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in 984 cyanobacterial genomes. Cyanobacteria with host-associated and symbiotic lifestyles were concentrated in the family Nostocaceae, where eight monophyletic clades correspond to specific host taxa. In agreement with previous studies, symbionts are likely to provide fixed nitrogen to their eukaryotic partners, through multiple different nitrogen fixation pathways. Additionally, our analyses identified chitin metabolising pathways in cyanobacteria associated with specific host groups, while obligate symbionts had fewer BGCs. The conservation of molecular functions and BGCs between closely related symbiotic and free-living cyanobacteria suggests the potential for additional cyanobacteria to form symbiotic relationships than is currently known.
Study on fresh and hardened state properties of eco-friendly foamed concrete incorporating waste soda-lime glass
Authors: Mydin Md Azree Othuman , Jagadesh P. , Bahrami Alireza , Majeed Samadar S. , Dulaimi Anmar , Omar Roshartini
Published: August 2024

Improper waste management is causing global environmental problems. Waste glass may have adverse impacts on the ecosystem. While a substantial amount of soda-lime glass bottle (SGB) undergoes recycling to create new glass items, a significant volume still ends up in landfills. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the potential use of SGB in foamed concrete (FC) production as an aggregate replacement. SGB was substituted for sand in different weight fractions, ranging from 5 to 50%. The fresh state, mechanical, thermal, pore structure, and transport properties were examined. The findings showed a significant enhancement in the FC’s mechanical properties when SGB replaced 20% of sand. The compressive, flexural, and splitting tensile strengths exhibited a rise of up to 17.7, 39.4, and 43.8%, respectively. The findings also demonstrated that the addition of SGB improved the thermal conductivity, sorptivity, water absorption, and porosity. The scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the inclusion of 20% SGB caused a substantial decrease in void diameter and enhanced its uniformity. A comparison was made between the experimental data and predictions of the mechanical properties using various models of international standards, such as IS 456, ACI 318, NZS-3101, EC-02, AS 3600, and CEB-FIB, along with several references in the literature. The findings implied a strong correlation between the strength properties. The outcomes of this research offer valuable insights into both the possible advantages and constraints of using SGB in FC. Furthermore, this extensive laboratory investigation may serve as a guideline for future study and aid in the advancement of greener and more environmentally friendly FC alternatives.
An explorative analysis on the optimal cryo-passes and freezing time of the ultrathin cryoprobe in endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy
Authors: Kho Sze Shyang , Tan Shirin Hui , Soo Chun Ian , Ramarmuty Hema Yamini Devi , Chai Chan Sin , Huan Nai Chien , Ng Khai Lip , Matsumoto Yuji , Poletti Venerino , Tie Siew Teck
Published: August 2024

EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy (TBMC) has emerged as a promising biopsy tool for diagnosing hilar and mediastinal pathologies. However, several fundamental technical aspects of TBMC remain unexplored. This study aims to determine the optimal number of cryo-passes and freezing time of the ultrathin cryoprobe in EBUS-TBMC concerning specimen size and procedural diagnostic yield. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with mediastinal and hilar lesions who underwent EBUS-TBMC between January 2021 and April 2023 across three hospitals in Malaysia. A total of 129 EBUS-TBMC procedures were successfully completed, achieving an overall diagnostic yield of 88.4%. Conclusive TBMC procedures were associated with larger specimen sizes (7.0 vs. 5.0 mm, p < 0.01). Specimen size demonstrated a positive correlation with diagnostic yield (p < 0.01), plateauing at specimen size of 4.1–6.0 mm. A significant positive correlation was also observed between the number of cryo-passes and both specimen size (p < 0.01) and diagnostic yield (p < 0.05). Diagnostic yield plateaued after 2–3 cryo-passes. In contrast, longer freezing times trended towards smaller specimens and lower diagnostic yield, though not reaching statistical significance. The highest diagnostic yield was recorded at the 3.1–4.0 s freezing time. The safety profile of TBMC remains favourable, with one case (0.8%) of pneumothorax and nine cases (7%) of self-limiting bleeding. In our cohort, TBMC performance with 2–3 cryo-passes and a 3.1–4.0 s freezing time to achieve a total aggregate specimen size of 4.1–6.0 mm appeared optimal. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.
Nephron specific ATP6AP2 knockout increases urinary excretion of fatty acids and decreases renal cortical megalin expression
Authors: Culver Silas A. , Hargett Stefan R. , Balugo Jamie L. L. Q. , Gildea John J. , Harris Thurl E. , Siragy Helmy M.
Published: August 2024

ATP6AP2 knockout in the renal nephron impairs receptor-mediated endocytosis, increasing urinary albumin and glucose excretion and impairing weight gain. Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in urine are bound to albumin and reabsorbed in the proximal tubule through receptor-mediated endocytosis by the megalin–cubilin complex. We hypothesized that ATP6AP2 knockout increases urinary NEFA excretion through a reduction in megalin. Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice with nephron specific inducible ATP6AP2 knockout and noninduced controls were fed either normal diet (ND 12% fat) or high fat diet (HFD 45% fat) for 6 months. ATP6AP2 knockout significantly increased urine albumin:creatinine ratio in both ND and HFD fed mice while normalized urine NEFA concentration increased 489% and 259% in ND and HFD knockout mice compared to respective controls. Knockout decreased renal cortical megalin mRNA by 47% on ND and 49% on HFD while megalin protein expression decreased by 36% and 44% respectively. At the same time, markers of mTOR activity were increased while autophagy was impaired. Our results indicate that nephron specific ATP6AP2 knockout increases urinary NEFA excretion in the setting of impaired receptor-mediated endocytosis. Further investigation should determine whether ATP6AP2 contributes to obesity related ectopic lipid deposition in the proximal tubule.
Biometrics of complete human pregnancy recorded by wearable devices
Authors: Keeler Bruce Lauryn , González Dalila , Dasgupta Subhasis , Smarr Benjamin L.
Published: August 2024

In the United States, normal-risk pregnancies are monitored with the recommended average of 14 prenatal visits. Check-ins every few weeks are the standard of care. This low time resolution and reliance on subjective feedback instead of direct physiological measurement, could be augmented by remote monitoring. To date, continuous physiological measurements have not been characterized across all of pregnancy, so there is little basis of comparison to support the development of the specific monitoring capabilities. Wearables have been shown to enable the detection and prediction of acute illness, often faster than subjective symptom reporting. Wearables have also been used for years to monitor chronic conditions, such as continuous glucose monitors. Here we perform a retrospective analysis on multimodal wearable device data (Oura Ring) generated across pregnancy within 120 individuals. These data reveal clear trajectories of pregnancy from cycling to conception through postpartum recovery. We assessed individuals in whom pregnancy did not progress past the first trimester, and found associated deviations, corroborating that continuous monitoring adds new information that could support decision-making even in the early stages of pregnancy. By contrast, we did not find significant deviations between full-term pregnancies of people younger than 35 and of people with “advanced maternal age”, suggesting that analysis of continuous data within individuals can augment risk assessment beyond standard population comparisons. Our findings demonstrate that low-cost, high-resolution monitoring at all stages of pregnancy in real-world settings is feasible and that many studies into specific demographics, risks, etc., could be carried out using this newer technology.
Predicting monoclonal antibody binding sequences from a sparse sampling of all possible sequences
Authors: Bisarad Pritha , Kelbauskas Laimonas , Singh Akanksha , Taguchi Alexander T. , Trenchevska Olgica , Woodbury Neal W.
Published: August 2024

Previous work has shown that binding of target proteins to a sparse, unbiased sample of all possible peptide sequences is sufficient to train a machine learning model that can then predict, with statistically high accuracy, target binding to any possible peptide sequence of similar length. Here, highly sequence-specific molecular recognition is explored by measuring binding of 8 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with specific linear cognate epitopes to an array containing 121,715 near-random sequences about 10 residues in length. Network models trained on resulting sequence-binding values are used to predict the binding of each mAb to its cognate sequence and to an in silico generated one million random sequences. The model always ranks the binding of the cognate sequence in the top 100 sequences, and for 6 of the 8 mAbs, the cognate sequence ranks in the top ten. Practically, this approach has potential utility in selecting highly specific mAbs for therapeutics or diagnostics. More fundamentally, this demonstrates that very sparse random sampling of a large amino acid sequence spaces is sufficient to generate comprehensive models predictive of highly specific molecular recognition.
On responsible machine learning datasets emphasizing fairness, privacy and regulatory norms with examples in biometrics and healthcare
Authors: Mittal Surbhi , Thakral Kartik , Singh Richa , Vatsa Mayank , Glaser Tamar , Canton Ferrer Cristian , Hassner Tal
Published: August 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has seamlessly integrated into numerous scientific domains, catalysing unparalleled enhancements across a broad spectrum of tasks; however, its integrity and trustworthiness have emerged as notable concerns. The scientific community has focused on the development of trustworthy AI algorithms; however, machine learning and deep learning algorithms, popular in the AI community today, intrinsically rely on the quality of their training data. These algorithms are designed to detect patterns within the data, thereby learning the intended behavioural objectives. Any inadequacy in the data has the potential to translate directly into algorithms. In this study we discuss the importance of responsible machine learning datasets through the lens of fairness, privacy and regulatory compliance, and present a large audit of computer vision datasets. Despite the ubiquity of fairness and privacy challenges across diverse data domains, current regulatory frameworks primarily address human-centric data concerns. We therefore focus our discussion on biometric and healthcare datasets, although the principles we outline are broadly applicable across various domains. The audit is conducted through evaluation of the proposed responsible rubric. After surveying over 100 datasets, our detailed analysis of 60 distinct datasets highlights a universal susceptibility to fairness, privacy and regulatory compliance issues. This finding emphasizes the urgent need for revising dataset creation methodologies within the scientific community, especially in light of global advancements in data protection legislation. We assert that our study is critically relevant in the contemporary AI context, offering insights and recommendations that are both timely and essential for the ongoing evolution of AI technologies.
A plant virus differentially alters DNA methylation in two cryptic species of a hemipteran vector
Authors: Catto Michael A. , Ghosh Saptarshi , Pandey Sudeep , Mondal Banani , Simmons Alvin , Hunt Brendan G. , Srinivasan Rajagopalbabu
Published: August 2024

Epigenetic patterns including DNA methylation are known to vary between distantly related species, but it is not clear how these patterns differ at an intraspecific level. The sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) (Aleyrodidae; Hemiptera), encompasses several cryptic species. These cryptic species possess highly similar genomes but exhibit substantial biological and physiological differences.B. tabacicryptic species are invasive, highly polyphagous, and transmit an array of plant infecting single stranded DNA viruses (ssDNA) –begomoviruses. In this study, DNA methylation patterns around genes and genomic features of two prominentB. tabacicryptic species were investigated following acquisition of a monopartite ssDNA virus –tomato yellow curl virus. The cryptic species investigated included: B (also known as Middle East Asia Minor 1) and Q (also known as Mediterranean). Genomic features, such as promoters, gene bodies, and transposable elements were assessed for methylation levels in both B and Q cryptic species. Despite overall similar trends, both cryptic species showed differences in methylation levels between these genomic features. Virus induced differentially methylated regions were associated with predominantly distinct genes in B and Q cryptic species. All differentially methylated regions were assessed for differential gene expression and alternative splicing events with and without virus acquisition. DNA methylation levels were found to have a negative correlation with differential gene expression in both B and Q cryptic species. The differentially expressed genes were further grouped into hyper- and hypomethylated clusters. These clusters included genes with implications for virus-vector interactions including immune functions and xenobiotics’ detoxification. The observed DNA methylation pattern differences within each cryptic species could, in part, explain some of the biological and physiological differences between them.
Metabolic labeling of peptidoglycan enabled optical analysis of probiotic vitality
Authors: Hu Xinping , Xiong Qirong , Hou Shuai , Duan Hongwei
Published: August 2024

Metabolic labeling of probiotics as a platform for assessment of probiotic vitality. It involves the incorporation of azido-modified d-lysine into the peptidoglycan and subsequent labeling of the surface with DBCO-Cy5 through click chemistry.
Introduction to “Biomedical Polymer Materials”
Authors: Tian Huayu , Chen Xuesi
Published: August 2024

Xuesi Chen and Huayu Tian introduce the Biomaterials Science and Journal of Materials Chemistry B cross-journal themed collection on Biomedical Polymer Materials.
Altering glycopeptide antibiotic biosynthesis through mutasynthesis allows incorporation of fluorinated phenylglycine residues
Authors: Voitsekhovskaia Irina , Ho Y. T. Candace , Klatt Christoph , Müller Anna , Machell Daniel L. , Tan Yi Jiun , Triesman Maxine , Bingel Mara , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Tailhades Julien , Kulik Andreas , Maier Martin E. , Otting Gottfried , Wohlleben Wolfgang , Schneider Tanja , Cryle Max , Stegmann Evi
Published: August 2024

Novel, fluorinated glycopeptide antibiotics (GPAs) have been generated using mutasynthesis approaches. This also expands our knowledge of the tolerance of modified phenylglycine amino acid residues by the GPA biosynthetic assembly machinery.
Active learning for regression of structure–property mapping: the importance of sampling and representation
Authors: Liu Hao , Yucel Berkay , Ganapathysubramanian Baskar , Kalidindi Surya R. , Wheeler Daniel , Wodo Olga
Published: August 2024

We develop an active workflow for calibrating microstructure–property relationships when a large dataset of microstructures is available, but the cost associated with evaluating the properties associated is high.
Scaling up for success: from bioactive natural products to new medicines
Authors: Helf Maximilian J. , Buntin Kathrin , Klančar Andrej , Rust Michael , Petersen Frank , Pistorius Dominik , Weber Eric , Wong Joanne , Krastel Philipp
Published: August 2024

Discovery and scalable production of natural product drugs require a combination of molecular biology, data science, chemistry and fermentation methods. Here, we describe our drug discovery toolbox and share our perspective on future directions.
Retraction: Microchip-based structure determination of low-molecular weight proteins using cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Casasanta Michael A. , Jonaid G. M. , Kaylor Liam , Luqiu William Y. , Solares Maria J. , Schroen Mariah L. , Dearnaley William J. , Wilson Jarad , Dukes Madeline J. , Kelly Deborah F.
Published: August 2024

Retraction of ‘Microchip-based structure determination of low-molecular weight proteins using cryo-electron microscopy’ by Michael A. Casasanta et al., Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 7285–7293, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1NR00388G.
Fabrication and biocompatibility evaluation of hydroxyapatite–polycaprolactone–gelatin composite nanofibers as a bone scaffold
Authors: Aminatun  , Sujak M. K. Aisyah , Izak R. Djony , Hadi Sofijan , Sari Yessie Widia , Gunawarman  , Cahyati Nilam , Yusuf Yusril , Che Abdullah Che Azurahanim
Published: August 2024

The MTT assay showed increased cell proliferation and viability on days 1, 3, and 5. Fluorescence microscopy and SEM confirmed higher cell numbers and biocompatibility of the HA/PCL/gelatin nanofiber scaffold.
Compound giant unilamellar vesicles as a bio-mimetic model for electrohydrodynamics of a nucleate cell
Authors: Kumar Rupesh , Chakrabarti Rajarshi , Thaokar Rochish M.
Published: August 2024

Study of electrohydrodynamic of cGUV as a biomimetic model of nucleate cell, shows frequency-dependent spheroidal deformation of inner and outer vesicles, providing a non-invasive method for assessing membrane electromechanical properties.
Three-dimensional thermal network structured GnPs&MWCNTs@PBO/PEEK composites integrating high thermal conductivity and electromagnetic shielding
Authors: Bai Yageng , Qian Hongxia , Cao Xueling , Wen Fengyu , He Yashu , Ma Jierun , Cheng Lin , Wang Yifan , Tan Haoyuan , Gu Yuxuan , Lian Pengbo , Chen Rui , Mu Jianxin
Published: August 2024

The prepared composites combine outstanding thermal conductivity and excellent electromagnetic interference shielding performance.
Non-conventional bulk heterojunction nanoparticle photocatalysts for sacrificial hydrogen evolution from water
Authors: Mistry Jai-Ram , McQueen Ewan , Nudelman Fabio , Sprick Reiner Sebastian , Wright Iain A.
Published: August 2024

Bulk heterojunction nanoparticles composed of simple electron-donor molecules and an electron-acceptor polymer act as photocatalysts for the generation of hydrogen from water. Performance is dictated by the terminal groups of the donor molecules.
Modulating the cross-plane thermal conductivity of graphite by MnCl2 and FeCl3 co-intercalation
Authors: Chandra Harsh , Sasano Shun , Xu Bin , Ishikawa Ryo , Noda Suguru , Shibata Naoya , Shiomi Junichiro
Published: August 2024

Demonstrating extremely large reduction of cross-plane thermal conductivity of graphite by co-intercalating MnCl2 and FeCl3 and identifying the mechanism through its thickness and temperature dependences.
Over 18.7% efficiency for bulk heterojunction and pseudo-planar heterojunction organic solar cells achieved by regulating intermolecular compatibility
Authors: Zhang Zijian , Zhang Yu , Sun Shixiu , Zhou Hang , Wang Jian , Xu Yujie , Du Xiaoyan , Jeong Sang Young , Woo Han Young , Zhang Fujun , Sun Qianqian
Published: August 2024

Inferior compatibility between PM6 and BTP-eC9 will optimize the phase separation degree between the two molecules.
Mid-infrared passive spectroscopic imaging for visualizing tooth quality
Authors: Yamashita So , Okada Masahiro , Matsumoto Takuya , Ishimaru Ichiro
Published: August 2024

A mid-infrared passive spectroscopic 2-D imaging system was developed to determine structural changes of tooth two-dimensionally and non-invasively.
Iron oxide nanoparticle-stabilized Pickering emulsion-templated porous scaffolds loaded with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Aadinath W. , K. S. P. S. Teja , Saravanakumar Iniyan , Muthuvijayan Vignesh
Published: August 2024

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) loaded onto the porous acrylate-based scaffolds significantly enhance the expression of osteogenic markers.
Designing thermoreversible gels for extended release of mosquito repellent
Authors: Jimenez Javier , Cilek James E. , Schluep Sierra M. , Lundin Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2024

Inspired by the excellent substrate loading of drug-delivery gels, we design and develop thermoreversible physical gels with a gelling solvent solely composed of insect repellent that demonstrates mosquito repellency for more than half a year.
Two-dimensional honeycomb-kagome V2X3 (X = O, S, Se) with half-metallicity, high Curie temperature, and large magnetic anisotropic energy
Authors: Ma Sai , Bo Xiangyan , Fu Lei , Liu Xiaoyu , Wang Suen , Lan Mengxian , Li Shasha , Huang Tian , Li Feng , Pu Yong
Published: August 2024

Based on first-principles calculations, we predict a series of V2X3 (X = O, S, Se) monolayers, which exhibit intrinsic ferromagnetic (FM) ordering and high Curie temperatures above room temperature.
Assembling 1D double-shell PPy@Air@MnO2 nanotubes with enhanced microwave absorption performance
Authors: Yang Liting , Liu Minmin , Liang Guisheng , Xiong Xuhui , You Wenbin , Cheng Hanwen , Che Renchao
Published: August 2024

One-dimensional (1D) core–shell heterostructures with uniquely abundant interfacial polarization are ideal candidates for high-performance electromagnetic (EM) materials.
Typing Versus Handwriting: A Preliminary Investigation of Modality Effects in the Writing Output of People With Aphasia
Authors: Lee Jaime B. , Kinsey Laura E. , Cherney Leora R.
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

Handwriting and typing have different cognitive and motor demands; however, questions remain as to whether performance in people with aphasia varies based on modality. This study compares written discourse production across handwritten and onscreen typed modalities for a large sample of people with aphasia. We also aimed to explore potential variables that predict the number of written words generated by participants and determine if modality differences emerge when these variables are included as predictors.

Method:

Writing samples, via handwriting and onscreen typing, elicited in a picture description task were collected from 52 participants with chronic aphasia and coded for number of words. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to model the data. Aphasia type, severity of aphasia, writing severity, and use of nondominant hand for writing or onscreen typing were included as predictor variables.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the number of words generated in the typed modality versus handwritten modality for the sample. Of the predictor variables examined, Western Aphasia Battery–Revised writing scores significantly predicted the number of words produced (
p
< .001). However, the interaction of writing severity with modality was not significant.

Conclusions:

This preliminary study suggests that there was no effect of modality on one measure of written production, number of words. Future research is needed to evaluate if there are meaningful differences between modalities when additional measures, such as writing informativeness, are considered.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26506144
Is the Articulatory Trajectory of Changing Syllables Important for Achieving Higher Syllable Rates Compared to Repeated Syllables?
Authors: Lancheros Monica , Laganaro Marina
Published: August 2024

Purpose:

The production of speech-like sequences composed of varying syllables has been reported to achieve higher syllable rates than the production of repeated syllables (commonly designed as sequential motion rate [SMR] and alternating motion rate [AMR] tasks, respectively). The faster rate for SMR relative to AMR sequences is explained by different interpretative hypotheses, which remain empirically unexplored. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether the high syllable rates of SMR sequences are due to the specific sequences used in most studies that involve front-to-back articulatory movements.

Method:

Syllable rates of SMR sequences composed of different articulatory trajectories (i.e., labial–alveolar–velar [/pateko/], alveolar–velar–labial [/tekopa/], and velar–labial–alveolar [/kopate/]) were compared with those of the AMR sequences /papapa/, /tetete/, and /kokoko/ in 20 participants.

Results:

The results show higher syllable rates for each of the three SMR sequences as compared to AMR, suggesting that the trajectory of the articulatory movements in the sequential sequences is not the key to achieving higher syllable rates.

Conclusion:

The syllable rate advantage for SMR over AMR sequences is not explained by the articulatory trajectories included in the former task, indicating that the front-to-back movements generally included in SMR sequences (i.e., /pataka/) are not decisive in achieving a higher syllable rate.
A systematic literature review of the bifacial photovoltaic module and its applications
Authors: Yakubu Rahimat O. , Mensah Lena D. , Quansah David A. , Adaramola Muyiwa S.
Published: August 2024

Bifacial modules can absorb radiation on both sides, increasing energy yield per unit area. Climatic conditions, mounting configuration, and system parameters influence the energy yield. The flexibility of bifacial modules allows for various installation orientations, including vertical and east‐west, which can help balance load profiles and reduce bottlenecks. Bifacial solar cells are found to provide higher current density and power compared to monofacial cells. Under optimum conditions, bifacial modules offer up to 30% more energy than conventional modules. Comparative assessments also demonstrate higher energy output from bifacial modules, especially on cloudy days, with low light intensity. Increasing ground reflectance (albedo) to 0.5 can further enhance the bifacial gain worldwide. The progress in performance modelling and accurate energy yield prediction has led to widespread adoption in residential and commercial applications and integration into emerging systems like floating PV and agro‐photovoltaic systems. Bifacial photovoltaic (PV) technology has received much interest, with the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) projecting a market share of 85% for bifacial PV cells by 2032. This study highlights the research on bifacial PV technology during the last 13 years and also discusses future trends and challenges. Furthermore, recommendations are made to ensure the bankability and scalability of bifacial PV modules.
Continuum and molecular emission from the inner regions of the symbiotic system R Aquarii
Authors: Gómez-Garrido M. , Bujarrabal V. , Alcolea J. , Castro-Carrizo A. , Mikołajewska J. , Santander-García M.
Published: August 2024

Context. Symbiotic systems often include an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and a hot compact companion, such as a white dwarf, that are in close interaction. Due to the intense ultraviolet emission from the hot companion, the molecular content of circumstellar envelopes in the symbiotic systems is poor. As a result, the less abundant molecules have not been previously studied in detail in this kind of object.

Aims. R Aqr is the closest and best-studied symbiotic system. Our aim is to study the inner regions of R Aqr based on ALMA observations of the continuum and line emission.

Methods. We present very sensitive ALMA maps of the continuum emission at 1.3 and 0.45 mm. We also obtain the spatial distribution of the recombination line H30α with a high and moderate angular resolution, and it is compared with the emission of the continuum at 1.3 mm. High-resolution maps of several molecules are obtained in the three observed ALMA bands. We study the molecular emissions using a simplified model to explain the brightness distributions seen in the central position of our maps.

Results. We find that the low-resolution continuum map at 1.3 mm shows the emission of the radio photosphere of the AGB star, its surroundings, and the structure of the bipolar jet launched by the companion. The high-resolution continuum map at 1.3 mm shows the innermost part of the jet, probably revealing the position of the secondary, and suggests mass transfer from the AGB star to the white dwarf. The brightness distribution of H30α is similar but not coincident with the continuum emission, and it basically probes the region where the jet is formed. The brightness distributions of the studied molecular lines show a variety of shapes. The emissions of the abundant molecules, CO and SiO, are relatively extended since they can survive far from the AGB star in spite of the intense ultraviolet emission from the white dwarf. On the contrary, less abundant molecules only survive in regions close to the AGB star, where shielding is stronger. From our best-fit model for these weak species, we find that the expanding shell is ~1014 cm in size, which means that these less abundant species are confined to the intra-orbital regions.
Constraining the geometry of the dipping atoll 4U 1624–49 with X-ray spectroscopy and polarimetry
Authors: Gnarini Andrea , Lynne Saade M. , Ursini Francesco , Bianchi Stefano , Capitanio Fiamma , Kaaret Philip , Matt Giorgio , Poutanen Juri , Zhang Wenda
Published: August 2024

We present the spectro-polarimetric results obtained from simultaneous X-ray observations with IXPE, NuSTAR, and NICER of the dipping neutron star X-ray binary 4U 1624–49. This source is the most polarized Atoll source so far observed with IXPE, with a polarization degree of 2.7%±0.9% in the 2–8 keV band during the nondip phase and marginal evidence of an increasing trend with energy. The higher polarization degree compared to other Atolls can be explained by the high inclination of the system (i ≈ 60°). The spectra are well described by the combination of soft thermal emission, a Comptonized component, and reflection of soft photons off the accretion disk. During the dips, the hydrogen column density of the highly ionized absorber increases while the ionization state decreases. The Comptonized radiation seems to be the dominant contribution to the polarized signal, with additional reflected photons that contribute significantly even though their fraction in the total flux is not high.
Pebble-driven migration of low-mass planets in the 2D regime of pebble accretion
Authors: Chrenko O. , Chametla R. O. , Masset F. S. , Baruteau C. , Brož M.
Published: August 2024

Context. Pebbles drifting past a disk-embedded low-mass planet develop asymmetries in their distribution and exert a substantial gravitational torque on the planet, thus modifying its migration rate.

Aims. Our aim is to assess how the distribution of pebbles and the resulting torque change in the presence of pebble accretion, focusing on its 2D regime.

Methods. First, we performed 2D high-resolution multi-fluid simulations with FARGO3D but found that they are impractical for resolving pebble accretion due to the smoothing of the planetary gravitational potential. To remove the smoothing and directly trace pebbles accreted by the planet, we developed a new code, DENEB, which evolves an ensemble of pebbles, represented by Lagrangian superparticles, in a steady-state gaseous background.

Results. For small and moderate Stokes numbers, St ≲ 0.1, pebble accretion creates two underdense regions with a front-rear asymmetry with respect to the planet. The underdensity trailing the planet is more extended. The resulting excess of pebble mass in front of the planet then makes the pebble torque positive and capable of outperforming the negative gas torque. Pebble accretion thus enables outward migration (previously thought to occur mainly for St ≳ 0.1) in a larger portion of the parameter space. It occurs for the planet mass Mpl ≲ 3 M⊕ and for all the Stokes numbers considered in our study, St ∈ [10−2, 0.785], assuming a pebble-to-gas mass ratio of Z = 0.01.

Conclusions. If some of the observed planets underwent outward pebble-driven migration during their accretion, the formation sites of their progenitor embryos could have differed greatly from the usual predictions of planet formation models. To enable an update of the respective models, we provide a scaling law for the pebble torque that can be readily incorporated in N-body simulations.
Gas-rich “ultra-diffuse” galaxies are consistent with the baryonic Tully–Fisher relation and with Milgromian dynamics
Authors: Lelli F.
Published: August 2024

Some gas-rich “ultra-diffuse” galaxies (UDGs), which are extreme examples of low surface brightness (LSB) dwarf galaxies, have been reported to lack dark matter and to be offset from the baryonic Tully–Fisher relation (BTFR). If confirmed, these UDGs would represent a serious challenge for both ΛCDM galaxy-formation models and Milgromian dynamics. Here I demonstrate that these conclusions are very dubious due to underestimated uncertainties on inclinations and/or distances. First, I show that UDGs are offset from the BTFR in the same way as usual face-on LSB dwarfs due to systematic biases at low inclinations. Next, I analyze the two UDGs with the best available rotation-curve data. The first (AGC 242019) is ideally inclined for kinematic studies; MOND can fit the observed rotation curve with a distance of 12.5 ± 0.6 Mpc, which is consistent with Virgocentric flow models. The second UDG (AGC 114905) is close to face-on, so not ideal for kinematic studies; MOND can fit the observed rotation curve with a distance of 68 ± 13 Mpc and inclination of 15° ±2°, which are consistent with existing data. In particular, I show that the disk inclination is more uncertain than previously estimated due to significant asymmetries (lopsidedness) in the stellar distribution. In conclusion, there is no strong evidence that gas-rich UDGs and gas-rich LSB dwarfs are distinct galaxy populations with different dynamical properties; instead, UDGs seem to be a subset of LSB dwarf galaxies biased toward face-on systems.