bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fluorescence‐based sensor for calibrated measurement of protein kinase stability in live cells
Authors: Paul Joseph W. , Muratcioğlu Serena , Kuriyan John
Published: May 2024

Oncogenic mutations can destabilize signaling proteins, resulting in increased or unregulated activity. Thus, there is considerable interest in mapping the relationship between mutations and the stability of signaling proteins, to better understand the consequences of oncogenic mutations and potentially inform the development of new therapeutics. Here, we develop a tool to study protein‐kinase stability in live mammalian cells and the effects of the HSP90 chaperone system on the stability of these kinases. We determine the expression levels of protein kinases by monitoring the fluorescence of fluorescent proteins fused to those kinases, normalized to that of co‐expressed reference fluorescent proteins. We used this tool to study the dependence of Src‐ and Raf‐family kinases on the HSP90 system. We demonstrate that this sensor reports on destabilization induced by oncogenic mutations in these kinases. We also show that Src‐homology 2 and Src‐homology 3 domains, which are required for autoinhibition of Src‐family kinases, stabilize these kinase domains in the cell. Our expression‐calibrated sensor enables the facile characterization of the effects of mutations and small‐molecule drugs on protein‐kinase stability.
High‐throughput system for the thermostability analysis of proteins
Authors: Ito Sae , Matsunaga Ryo , Nakakido Makoto , Komura Daisuke , Katoh Hiroto , Ishikawa Shumpei , Tsumoto Kouhei
Published: May 2024

Thermal stability of proteins is a primary metric for evaluating their physical properties. Although researchers attempted to predict it using machine learning frameworks, their performance has been dependent on the quality and quantity of published data. This is due to the technical limitation that thermodynamic characterization of protein denaturation by fluorescence or calorimetry in a high‐throughput manner has been challenging. Obtaining a melting curve that derives solely from the target protein requires laborious purification, making it far from practical to prepare a hundred or more samples in a single workflow. Here, we aimed to overcome this throughput limitation by leveraging the high protein secretion efficacy of Brevibacillus and consecutive treatment with plate‐scale purification methodologies. By handling the entire process of expression, purification, and analysis on a per‐plate basis, we enabled the direct observation of protein denaturation in 384 samples within 4 days. To demonstrate a practical application of the system, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 186 single mutants of a single‐chain variable fragment of nivolumab, harvesting the melting temperature (Tm) ranging from −9.3 up to +10.8°C compared to the wild‐type sequence. Our findings will allow for data‐driven stabilization in protein design and streamlining the rational approaches.
Site‐directed mutagenesis reveals the interplay between stability, structure, and enzymatic activity in RidA from Capra hircus
Authors: Rizzi Giulia , Digiovanni Stefania , Degani Genny , Barbiroli Alberto , Di Pisa Flavio , Popolo Laura , Visentin Cristina , Vanoni Maria Antonietta , Ricagno Stefano
Published: May 2024

Reactive intermediate deaminase A (RidA) is a highly conserved enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 2‐imino acids to the corresponding 2‐keto acids and ammonia. RidA thus prevents the accumulation of such potentially harmful compounds in the cell, as exemplified by its role in the degradation of 2‐aminoacrylate, formed during the metabolism of cysteine and serine, catalyzing the conversion of its stable 2‐iminopyruvate tautomer into pyruvate. Capra hircus (goat) RidA (ChRidA) was the first mammalian RidA to be isolated and described. It has the typical homotrimeric fold of the Rid superfamily, characterized by remarkably high thermal stability, with three active sites located at the interface between adjacent subunits. ChRidA exhibits a broad substrate specificity with a preference for 2‐iminopyruvate and other 2‐imino acids derived from amino acids with non‐polar non‐bulky side chains. Here we report a biophysical and biochemical characterization of eight ChRidA variants obtained by site‐directed mutagenesis to gain insight into the role of specific residues in protein stability and catalytic activity. Each mutant was produced in Escherichia coli cells, purified and characterized in terms of quaternary structure, thermal stability and substrate specificity. The results are rationalized in the context of the high‐resolution structures obtained by x‐ray crystallography.
The Streptococcus phage protein paratox is an intrinsically disordered protein
Authors: Asakereh Iman , Rutbeek Nicole R. , Singh Manvir , Davidson David , Prehna Gerd , Khajehpour Mazdak
Published: May 2024

The bacteriophage protein paratox (Prx) blocks quorum sensing in its streptococcal host by directly binding the signal receptor and transcription factor ComR. This reduces the ability of Streptococcus to uptake environmental DNA and protects phage DNA from damage by recombination. Past work characterizing the Prx:ComR molecular interaction revealed that paratox adopts a well‐ordered globular fold when bound to ComR. However, solution‐state biophysical measurements suggested that Prx may be conformationally dynamic. To address this discrepancy, we investigated the stability and dynamic properties of Prx in solution using circular dichroism, nuclear magnetic resonance, and several fluorescence‐based protein folding assays. Our work shows that under dilute buffer conditions Prx is intrinsically disordered. We also show that the addition of kosmotropic salts or protein stabilizing osmolytes induces Prx folding. However, the solute stabilized fold is different from the conformation Prx adopts when it is bound to ComR. Furthermore, we have characterized Prx folding thermodynamics and folding kinetics through steady‐state fluorescence and stopped flow kinetic measurements. Our results show that Prx is a highly dynamic protein in dilute solution, folding and refolding within the 10 ms timescale. Overall, our results demonstrate that the streptococcal phage protein Prx is an intrinsically disordered protein in a two‐state equilibrium with a solute‐stabilized folded form. Furthermore, the solute‐stabilized fold is likely the predominant form of Prx in a solute‐crowded bacterial cell. Finally, our work suggests that Prx binds and inhibits ComR, and thus quorum sensing in Streptococcus, by a combination of conformational selection and induced‐fit binding mechanisms.
Characterizing the differential susceptibility and resistance to insecticides in populations of Chrysodeixis includens and Rachiplusia nu (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil
Authors: Braga Luiz E , Warpechowski Luiz F , Diniz Luis HM , Dallanora Arthur , Reis Alexandre C , Farias Juliano R , Bernardi Oderlei
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) and Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) are major Plusiinae pests of soybean in the Southern Cone region of South America. In recent decades, C. includens was the main defoliator of soybean in Brazil, but from 2021 onwards, R. nu emerged as an important soybean pest in various regions of the country. Here, we characterize the differential susceptibility and resistance to insecticides in these Plusiinae pests from two soybean regions of Brazil.

RESULTS

Except for spinetoram and chlorfenapyr (comparable lethality against both species) and a Bt‐based biopesticide (more lethal for C. includens), the tested insecticides showed higher lethality against R. nu than against C. includens, but populations of the same species, even separated by long distances, presented similar resistance levels. For both species, the 90% lethal concentration (LC90) values of most insecticides were higher than the field‐recommended dose. Nevertheless, the field‐recommended doses of spinetoram, metaflumizone, emamectin benzoate, cyclaniliprole and chlorfenapyr showed comparable control efficacy against both species, whereas indoxacarb, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, teflubenzuron and chlorfluazuron were more lethal for R. nu, and methoxyfenozide and the Bt‐based insecticide were more lethal for C. includens. Thiodicarb, methomyl and lambda‐cyhalothrin showed low lethality against both species.

CONCLUSIONS

Large interspecific differences in the susceptibility to insecticides was found in major Plusiinae pests of soybean in Brazil. Furthermore, variations in susceptibility to insecticides occurred consistently among species and populations, regardless of the collection site and thus despite unequal temporal and spatial exposure to insecticides. These results demonstrate that accurate species identification is essential for effective control of Plusiinae in soybean. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effects of Thermal Annealing on V‐Based Ohmic Contacts on n‐Type AlGaN with High Al Content
Authors: Ebata Kazuaki , Hiroki Masanobu , Tateno Kouta , Kumakura Kazuhide , Taniyasu Yoshitaka
Published: May 2024

The effects of thermal annealing on V‐based electrodes (V/Al/X/Au) with different diffusion barrier metal X are investigated for n‐type Al0.7Ga0.3N. At an annealing temperature of 800 °C, linear current (I)–voltage (V) characteristics are obtained, and the specific contact resistivities of the electrodes for X = Pt, Ni and V are 9.7 × 10−5, 2.3 × 10−4, and 1.8 × 10−4 Ω cm2, respectively. When the annealing temperature is increased to 850 °C, the I–V characteristics become nonlinear. Especially in the case of the V diffusion barrier, significant degradation of the ohmic contact is observed. The coverage of the electrode on the n‐type Al0.7Ga0.3N surface is significantly reduced after thermal annealing at 850 °C, resulting in a decrease in the current value. Furthermore, the formation of V–Al–Au and Al–Au alloys and diffusion of Au to the interface between the n‐type Al0.7Ga0.3N and electrode are found. The Au diffusion preferentially occurs through the domain boundaries of the alloys and causes the deterioration of the ohmic contact properties. In contrast, from the viewpoint of miscibility, Pt and Ni diffusion barriers are more effective than V in suppressing the formation of alloys with Au and then the diffusion of Au.
In Situ Measurement Techniques Using Diamond Anvil Cell at High Pressure–Temperature Conditions: A Review
Authors: Wei Bin , Lin Lin , Zhang Jian , Zhan Zhiwen , Cheng Ziwei , Jiang Junru
Published: May 2024

Diamond anvil cells have garnered significant attention in high‐pressure studies as a valuable tool for investigating material preparation, phase transition dynamics, and ultra‐high‐pressure physical chemistry. Its potential applications span fields such as materials science, condensed matter physics, chemistry, and geology. This study conducts a comprehensive review of the utilization of laser‐heated diamond anvil cell (LH‐DAC) devices in conjunction with in situ optical characterization techniques, such as X‐Ray and Raman scattering. Further, diverse in situ performance measurement methods encompassing electrical, thermal, magnetic, and acoustic analyses are examined. The development and role of the prevailing in situ measurement techniques have been described, along with the current progress in applied research for each technique. This study aims to facilitate the discovery of new structures and properties of materials under high pressure–temperature conditions.
Photon Blockade in Cavity Optomechanics Via Parametric Amplification
Authors: Xie Hong , He Le‐Wei , Shang Xiao , Lin Xiu‐Min
Published: May 2024

Photon blockade is a quantum phenomenon in driven nonlinear systems. It can be observed in cavity optomechanical systems when nonlinear optomechanical interaction occurs at the single‐photon level. However, achieving photon blockade in experiments is challenging due to the small single‐photon optomechanical coupling strength. Here, photon blockade in an optomechanical system is investigated, where the cavity mode is either strongly or weakly squeezed. When the cavity mode is strongly squeezed, the coupling between squeezed mode and mechanical mode will be exponentially enhanced, leading to strong optical nonlinearity that is required for the realization of photon blockade. In contrast, when the cavity mode is weakly squeezed, the nonlinear optomechanical interaction is weak. It is shown that photon blockade can also be realized through the destructive interference of two paths for two‐photon excitation. Interestingly, it is found that a larger mechanical decay rate facilitates the implementation of the interference‐based photon blockade, and thermal noise effects can be significantly suppressed by the destructive interference.
Dynamic Multi‐Party to Multi‐Party Quantum Secret Sharing based on Bell States
Authors: Tian Yuan , Wang Jialong , Bian Genqing , Chang Jinyong , Li Jian
Published: May 2024

Quantum secret sharing as a privacy‐preserving scheme necessitating collaborative efforts from all participating users to collectively recover encrypted information. This paper introduces a novel dynamic multi‐party to multi‐party quantum secret sharing protocol based on Bell states, enabling secure sharing of secrets among dynamically changing multi‐party. The protocol innovatively employs Bell states combined with simplified local unitary operations, significantly reducing the complexity and enhancing the scalability of practical implementations in quantum communication systems. Particularly, through simulation using IBM's Qiskit framework, its correctness and practicality are confirmed. Security analysis demonstrates that the protocol effectively withstands common attack methods, providing reliability, and security in quantum communication. This research presents a more flexible and efficient solution in the field of quantum secret sharing.
Investigation of COVID‐19 infection in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica during the predominance of the omicron variant
Authors: Ma Xinlei , Xiao Lanlan , Wu Jinzhi , Xu Guanhua , Lin Jin , Chen Weiqian
Published: May 2024

Background

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disease that affects the older adult population. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk and prognosis associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection among patients diagnosed with PMR during the predominance of the Omicron variant.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included a cohort of patients with PMR who met the 2012 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology classification criteria or the 1982 PMR diagnostic criteria and tracked their progress over time. The diagnosis of COVID‐19 was based on the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests. We collected demographic information, PMR disease activity, treatment data, and clinical data related to COVID‐19.

Results

In total, 101 patients diagnosed with PMR were enrolled. Most patients with PMR exhibited low disease activity. Of the total cohort, 81 patients (80.2%) were categorized as individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19, while the remaining 20 (19.8%) were not diagnosed with COVID‐19. Among the patients with PMR diagnosed with COVID‐19, 65 (80.2%) exhibited the presence of the COVID‐19 antigen, while 16 (19.8%) tested positive for COVID‐19 RNA. Most COVID‐19 patients with PMR were classified as having mild disease (72, 88.9%). Two cases were identified within the confirmed infected group, resulting in a recurrence rate of 2.5% (2/81). Conversely, no relapses were observed in the non‐infected group (0/20). In our multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that pre‐COVID‐19 PMR disease activity was an independent risk factor for COVID‐19 infection (odds ratio = 30.00, 95% confidence interval: 2.137–421.117, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

The increased susceptibility to COVID‐19 may be influenced by the pre‐existing disease activity of PMR.
Progress and future of China's aquatic ecological environment protection
Authors: Wang Jinnan , Xu Min , Zhang Guoshuai , Zhang Tao , Wang Dong , Zang Hongkuan , Hou Xiaoshu
Published: May 2024

Safeguarding water resources, aquatic habitats, and ecosystems is paramount for the well‐being of the populace, the future of the nation, and the sustainable development of China. With the relentless progression of ecological and environmental protection and the establishment of an ecological civilization, China's aquatic ecological environment protection has undergone five decades of exploration. The water environment protection paradigm has gradually transitioned from emphasizing pollutant emission concentration control and total pollutant emission control to prioritizing water environment quality improvement. Particularly in the past decade, regions nationwide have conducted proactive explorations and practices in source control, emission abatement, and quality enhancement. This paper systematically reviews the achievements in China's water environmental quality improvement and the characteristics of water environment management at various stages over the past half‐century. Considering the deployment of “three waters” coordination (water resources, water environment, and water ecology), green development, pollution, carbon reduction, and so forth, this paper analyzes the challenges confronted by China's aquatic ecological environment protection. Finally, future directions are prospected from six aspects: green development, climate change response, water resource allocation optimization, collaborative governance of multiple pollutants, aquatic ecological protection strengthening, and intelligent management improvement.
The mediating role of flow state between recovery and energy levels: An experience sampling method study
Authors: Chang Wan‐Jing April , Cheng Ya‐Jen Joe , Kao Kuo‐Yang
Published: May 2024

This study uses a resource perspective that combines theories used commonly to explore recovery experiences as a theoretical framework and investigate the effects of recovery at the beginning of the workday on exhaustion and vigour at the end of the workday, with workflow in the morning as a mediator. An experience sampling method was used to collect data from 84 fulltime employees. Participants received three survey links each workday over a 2‐week period, resulting in 837 days‐level and 2517 data points. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test hypotheses, with results suggesting that greater recovery at the beginning of the workday correlated negatively with exhaustion and positively with vigour at the end of the workday. Recovery at the beginning correlated positively with flow state in the morning, and flow state correlated positively with vigour at the end of the workday. Flow state in the morning mediated the relationship between recovery level at the beginning and vigour at the end of the workday. These findings suggest the importance of recovery and the effects of flow state on employees' vigour.
Highly Stable Heating Fibers of Ti3C2Tx MXene and Polyacrylonitrile via Synergistic Thermal Annealing
Authors: Jeong Woojae , Shin Hwansoo , Kang Dong Jun , Jeon Hongchan , Seo Jaesik , Han Tae Hee
Published: May 2024

Nanohybrid assemblies provide an effective platform for integrating the intrinsic properties of individual components into microscale fibers. In this study, a novel approach for creating mechanically and environmentally stable MXene fibers through the synergistic assembly of MXene and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), is introduced. Unlike fibers generated via a conventional stabilization process, which relies on air‐based stabilization to transform the PAN molecules into ring structures fundamental to carbon fibers, the hybrid fibers are annealed in an Ar atmosphere. This unique approach suggests MXene can serve as an oxygen provider that is essential for stabilizing PAN. As a result, significantly improved interfiber compactness is achieved and the oxidation stability of MXene is enhanced under atmospheric conditions. The resulting fibers exhibit exceptional stability, even after extended exposure to high humidity and elevated temperatures. This highlights the suitability of the thermally annealed MXene‐PAN (T‐MX‐PAN) fibers as robust electric heating elements. Notably, these fibers consistently generate heat over 1800 bending cycles. When integrated into fabrics, they demonstrate the capability to generate sufficient heat for melting ice and rapid evaporation. This study highlights the potential of T‐MX‐PAN fibers as next‐generation wearable heaters and offers valuable insights into advancing wearable technology in demanding environments.
Healthcare Privacy in an Electronic Data Age
Authors: Hester D. Micah
Published: May 2024

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, the tension between patient privacy and the necessity for information sharing presents complex ethical and legal dilemmas. Medical confidentiality is not an absolute principle; laws, such as HIPAA in the United States, provide both protective frameworks and conditions for permissible breaches. These may include mandated reporting of communicable diseases for public health, “duty to warn” cases where imminent harm is threatened, and legal mandates like court orders. With the digitization of healthcare records and the rise of telemedicine, maintaining the integrity of confidential information has become even more challenging. Issues extend to parental access to minors’ records, access granted to family members of incapacitated adults, and the use of biobanking in research. While technology poses new risks, it also offers ways to enhance security and confidentiality. The healthcare sector must balance the utilization of technology with robust measures to mitigate risks to patient privacy. Promoting a culture of confidentiality remains crucial to address these challenges and protect the privacy rights of patients.
Employee and Customer Information Privacy Concerns in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Scott Marc A. , Waller Matthew A. , Fugate Brian S.
Published: May 2024

Retail order fulfillment is a major supply chain management process. The process is complex to manage because of increases in e-commerce activity, which compels retailers to respond by developing omnichannel retailing strategies to serve both online and in-store retail in an integrated manner. Retailers and the logistics service providers that serve them must effectively manage this increased complexity to gain a competitive advantage in retail markets. Market leaders have done so by leveraging advanced technologies and data analytics in the order fulfillment operations of their supply chains. The adoption of these technologies has led to both an increase in customer service levels and operating efficiency gains for retailers. Because of their data gathering and dissemination capabilities, however, the implementation of these technologies has conjured concern amongst retail fulfillment operations employees and retail customers alike. Given this reality, we organized this chapter around three objectives. First, we provide an overview of supply chain management, and the logistics management and order fulfillment processes within it. Second, we detail why retail fulfillment operations represent a context replete with potential privacy-related issues resulting from the pervasive use of highly advanced technologies capable of collecting data on both human subjects and operational processes. Third, we discuss two highly salient forms of privacy in retail fulfillment operations, workplace privacy and information privacy, from the perspective of two stakeholder groups, employees and customers. We identify and survey the concepts, factors, and variables drawn from extant research that explain, describe, and challenge aspects of both employee and customer privacy concerns during order fulfillment operations in omnichannel retailing.
Exploring Privacy from a Philosophical Perspective: Conceptual and Normative Dimensions
Authors: Mason Sharon
Published: May 2024

Philosophical approaches to privacy focus on clarifying its many dimensions, providing a conceptual foundation for thinking about privacy in deep and fruitful ways. Philosophical inquiry also explores the normative and ethical dimensions of privacy, including the sources and nature of moral obligations; the interaction between privacy and other values such as security, transparency, democratic society, and justice; the relation between privacy and related concepts such as personal property and self-ownership; and the role of privacy in cultivating the self, intimacy, trust, and flourishing communities.
Zero-Knowledge Proofs and Privacy: A Technical Look at Privacy
Authors: Garimella Kiran K. , Conway Daniel
Published: May 2024

Building trust in modern business and in social interactions is a critical need as our networks continue to grow and as we engage deeply with unknown people and companies from various parts of the planet. Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology is a powerful enabler of this trust. It allows a person to demonstrate they know something, have something, or can do something without revealing the actual information or process. We describe the fundamental concepts of cryptography and ZK, their use and limitations, and discuss how ZK technology can be used from a personal as well as a business perspective.
Visuals as a Catalyst for Climate Science Communication
Authors: Monoyios Kalliopi , Carlson Kirsten , Litwak Taina , Marien Tania , Martin Fiona
Published: May 2024

Visual science communicators (aka science illustrators) are an underutilized resource in the collaborative effort underway to foment changes in policy and behavior necessary to address the unfolding climate crisis. While science illustrations have a robust history in textbooks and picture books, they are quickly replaced with stock imagery outside those realms, particularly when describing climate change topics. Visual science communicators are practitioners who have a mastery of graphic design principles and various art forms, but are also, importantly, fluent in scientific concepts. With this unique combination of skills, the visuals they produce can deliver complex information in concise, easy-to-understand ways and make climate information more culturally accessible, ultimately resulting in broader community engagement. In order to bring the benefits of illustration into the climate education effort effectively, climate advocates must budget for visuals and bring professional visual science communicators into the fold.
Mapping Out Our Future: Using Geospatial Tools and Visual Aids to Achieve Climate Empowerment in the United States
Authors: Wolf-Jacobs Aviva , Glock-Grueneich Nancy , Uchtmann Nathan
Published: May 2024

Urgent climate action is now impeded less by doubt that the climate crisis exists than doubt that we can do anything meaningful about it. Vivid stories of climate successes and geospatial maps showing the impact of such successes are the best way to meet this challenge. Accelerating climate solutions in the United States thus now turns on stories, maps, and other analytic and visualization tools to help achieve what the United Nations has termed climate empowerment, the “all-society” effort to mobilize all people of all nations to understand, gain the capacities for, and take the actions needed to save our planet and each other. In this chapter, we look at two types of narratives—those in the form of geospatial tools and images that help nonspecialists see and understand climate dynamics and distributional impacts of the climate crisis, and interpersonal solution stories that act as resources to help motivate collective climate action. Illustrative and analytical geospatial tools support community members in shaping climate action and environmental planning efforts, and help to ground climate adaptation processes in geographically specific data. In combination, these storytelling tools carry people over the entire arc of climate empowerment.
Judicial Institutions and Institutional Corruption: Some Lessons of Operation Car Wash for a Further Research Agenda
Authors: Mendes Conrado Hubner , de Oliveira Vanessa Elias
Published: May 2024

The issue of corruption, which has always been present in Brazilian politics, has taken on a new centrality since Car Wash Operation (Lava Jato). But the operation didn't just shed light on that issue. It itself adopted shady methods to deal with the cases it was investigating.
Systemic Corruption—How to Analyze and Measure It
Authors: Pohlmann Markus
Published: May 2024

Too often, the catchphrase “systemic corruption” leads to political and normative statements usually expressing its strict rejection and blaming the actors engaging in it. But despite decades of fighting systemic corruption, the world map of corruption is still red to dark red in many countries. We can keep complaining how bad this is. Scientists, and activists are telling us a lot about the negative consequences of systemic corruption. And we do not deny the negative consequences. But aren’t there any positive consequences, and not only for those who enrich themselves personally in a criminal way? As sociologists, however, we are used to ask ourselves also the other way around. If systemic corruption is so long lasting, what is the productivity, indeed functionality, of systemic corruption for a given society?
A Pragmatic Giant: The Logic Behind Odebrecht’s Campaign Donations in the 2014 Elections
Authors: Mancuso Wagner Pralon , Horochovski Rodrigo Rossi , Speck Bruno Wilhelm
Published: May 2024

In this chapter we discuss the Odebrecht Organization as a source of resources for the 2014 election campaigns in Brazil. The intent is to analyze the strategy of this business group in view of the national and international political science literature. To analyze this case, we conducted a quantitative research, using descriptive statistics, social network analysis (SNA), and logistic and linear regression analysis. In the first section, we present an overview of the political science literature addressing the decision of private corporations to invest in political campaigns. We then analyze, in the second section, the official donations by the Odebrecht group in the 2014 elections, both to candidates and political parties.﻿ The concluding section summarizes our findings and offers some ideas for future investigations.
Enantioselective Total Syntheses of (−)-Cochlearol B and (+)-Ganocin A
Authors: Mashiko Tomoya , Shingai Yuta , Sakai Jun , Adachi Shinya , Matsuzawa Akinobu , Kamo Shogo , Sugita Kazuyuki
Published: May 2024

Herein, we describe the first total synthesis of (±)-cochlearol B and the enantioselective total syntheses of (−)-cochlearol and (+)-ganocin A. The key steps include Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reduction, oxidative phenolic cyclization, intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition, and intramolecular radical cyclization-benzylic oxidative cyclization, enabling efficient access to 4/5/6/6/6 and 5/5/6/6/6-fused pentacyclic frameworks of these natural products.
Construction of Quinoline N-Oxides and Synthesis of Aurachins A and B: Discovery, Application, and Mechanistic Insight
Authors: Yokoshima Satoshi
Published: May 2024

A method to synthesize 3-hydroxyquinoline N-oxides from ketones having a 2-nitrophenyl group at the α-position relative to the carbonyl group was developed. The substrates were easily prepared via a SNAr reaction or a Sonogashira coupling, and treatment with sodium tert-butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide produced the corresponding quinoline N-oxides. The method was successfully applied to the total synthesis of aurachins A and B. On the basis of the quinoline N-oxide synthesis, related reactions of α-(2-nitrophenyl)ketones, including nitrone formation and photoinduced rearrangement, were also investigated. These investigations provided clues about the reaction mechanism, and the following mechanism for the quinoline N-oxide synthesis is proposed: Deprotonation of the α-position of α-(2-nitrophenyl)ketone with tert-butoxide generates an enolate, which reacts with a nitro group via single-electron transfer to form an α-hydroxyketone having a nitroso group. An intramolecular alkoxide-mediated hydride shift reduces the nitroso group, and condensation of the resultant hydroxylamine and diketone moieties produces a 3-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide.
Total Synthesis of Avenaol
Authors: Tsukano Chihiro , Yasui Motohiro , Takemoto Yoshiji
Published: May 2024

Avenaol is a terpene with a unique all-cis cyclopropane in which all bulky substituents are oriented in the same direction. It is categorized into a non-canonical strigolactone. We have synthesized alkylidenecyclopropanes by Rh-catalyzed intramolecular cyclopropanation of allenes, followed by iridium-catalyzed diastereoselective double bond isomerization to construct all-cis cyclopropanes. Subsequently, distinction of the two hydroxymethyl groups of 1,3-diol by an intramolecular SN1-type reaction, followed by cleavage of the tetrahydropyranyl ring by regioselective C–H oxidation, led to the desired stereochemistry at the C-ring lactone. Using these key steps, the first racemic total synthesis of avenaol was achieved, and the proposed relative configuration of avenaol was proved synthetically. Furthermore, we developed a stereoselective introduction of D-ring butenolide via chiral thiourea-quaternary ammonium salt-catalyzed dynamic kinetic optical resolution. Then, by applying this method to synthetic intermediates, (+)-avenaol was successfully synthesized. This chapter details the total synthesis of avenaol, including failed attempts.
A Long Journey Toward Structure Revision and Total Synthesis of Amphidinol 3
Authors: Oishi Tohru
Published: May 2024

Amphidinol 3 (AM3) is a super-carbon-chain compound isolated from the dinoflagellate Amphidinium klebsii. Although the absolute configuration of AM3 was determined in 1999 by instrumental analysis in combination with degradation of the natural product, it was a daunting task because of its limited availability from natural sources and presence of around 70% of chiral centers on the acyclic carbon chain. During the course of our synthetic studies of AM3, the originally proposed structure was revised, which was confirmed by the first total synthesis of AM3 in 2020, more than 20 years since its first discovery. A highly convergent strategy via the fragment assembly using Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and Julia–Kocienski olefination led to the successful total synthesis; however, it was not an easy task to assemble large segments by the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. A number of experiments optimizing the reaction conditions including model systems revealed that the concentration of the aqueous cesium carbonate is crucial for the key step Suzuki–Miyaura coupling to proceed effectively.
Forbidden Love, Forgetting Gender
Authors: Chow Yiu Fai , de Kloet Jeroen , Schmidt Leonie
Published: May 2024

Since their inception, Tat Ming Pair has been famous, or in some circles, notorious, for their gender and sexuality politics. It is of an advantage that when spoken, the Chinese language makes no distinction between “he” or “she,” thus allowing for more gender ambivalence. This ambivalence extents to sexuality; in their campy, extravagant performances, the duo exudes a queer aesthetics, without ever coming out as such—what Helen Leung calls Hong Kong’s “queer undercurrent” (2008). But then, as an unexpected blast that cracks open the undercurrents of queer invisibility and unrepresentability, reality overtook theory, and surprised and challenged it, in the year 2012. The coming out of Anthony Wong during a Tat Ming Pair live performance marked the turning point. This act was soon followed by similar acts of coming out of other pop stars. Chapter 4 investigates the articulation between sexuality and popular music, in particular Tat Ming, in the context of Hong Kong and mainland China. In doing so, we will trace the emergence of a Chinese movement to find indigenous ways of understanding sexual diversity. Interwoven with such resistance against dominant Western theories and practices, particularly the politics of visibility, is a local cultivation of ambivalence and invisibility, itself a complex manifestation of the ongoing interaction between queer identity and Hong Kong identity. Reflecting upon the events in 2012, we will come back to—and try to make sense of—the disruptive surprise of public figures coming out, apparently in accordance with Western models and in contrast to earlier local sexual politics of ambivalence and invisibility. However, as we will finally show, in the years following 2012, the potentiality of this disruptive surprise has shifted and has been, sadly, pushed back. First, by national policies against effeminate masculinities and sexuality- and gender-related activism at large. Second, by increasingly strict policies towards NGOs and social movements. Paradoxically, and again sadly, the political activities of Anthony Wong in and after the Umbrella Movement may have further jeopardised the potentialities of queer politics. Ironically, these political developments may well inspire a strategic move back towards a politics of invisibility and ambivalence.
We Think We Should Stop Now
Authors: Chow Yiu Fai , de Kloet Jeroen , Schmidt Leonie
Published: May 2024

We borrow the last line of Tat Ming Pair’s hit song “High-flown 天花亂墜” (1989) as the title of our final chapter, or more accurately, our coda to the book. We think we should withdraw our voice now—in the previous six chapters, we have been speaking. We have also, of course, made an attempt to let Tat Ming speak, as well as their works—their songs, their MVs, their concerts. We have invited the voices of those who, more or less intensely or immediately, were inspired by Tat Ming in creating their own cultural products. Occasionally, we have included the voices of fans. It dawns on us that perhaps we should dedicate this coda to this purpose. In 2022, Tat Ming staged their second series of REPLAY concerts in Hong Kong. In addition, they organised an online event, especially for fans who could not be there—it was still in the midst of pandemic and the stringent travel regime. Using the song “High-flown” as prompt, they asked fans to send in how Tat Ming’s music has felt for them. Fans would be selected, upon their submissions, to converse directly with Tats and Anthony during the online session. We have secured a copy, with courtesy of Tat Ming, and made our own selection to be included here. We have decided to complement the fans’ responses with images we deem befitting, conversing, resonating. It is perhaps also our manner to pay tribute to the affective, evocative, and future-making potentials of cultural productions we discussed when we started this book.
TIMING Analysis of the Multiple Passages of the Pressure Wave Generated by the 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai and Comparison with the 1883 Krakatoa Pressure Wave
Authors: Le Bras Ronan , Bittner Paulina , Kuśmierczyk-Michulec Jolanta , Mialle Pierrick , Rambolamanana Gérard
Published: May 2024

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) eruption of 15 January 2022 was an exceptional event by the period, magnitude, and duration of propagation of the atmospheric waves it generated, which circled the Earth multiple times. This event, taking into account the magnitude of the atmospheric pressure waves, is comparable only to the Krakatoa eruption of 1883. To compare both eruptive sequences, a method similar to the analysis of the timing of the arrival of multiple phases at barometric stations, as reported in (Strachey, R., Stokes G.G., Scott, R.H. (1888). On the air waves and sound caused by the Krakatoa eruption of August 1883, in “The eruption of Krakatoa and subsequent phenomena,” Symons, G. J. (ed.). Report of the Krakatoa Committee of the Royal Society (Trübner and Co., London)) for Krakatoa, was used. Since the HTHH volcanic event gave rise to the only volcanic pressure wave known to have circled within the Earth’s atmosphere multiple times in the last 139 years, it is of interest to perform similar timing statistics on the multiple passages of the waves at stations that recorded them. A review of the Krakatoa analysis and a comparison with the HTHH are presented, with possible implications on the physical parameters affecting its speed of propagation. Changes in the global state of the atmosphere during the interval between the two events may also explain some of the differences observed.
Identification of consistent QTL and candidate genes associated with seed traits in common bean by combining GWAS and RNA-Seq
Authors: Jurado Maria , García-Fernández Carmen , Campa Ana , Ferreira Juan Jose
Published: May 2024

Key message

Association analysis, colocation study with previously reported QTL, and differential expression analyses allowed the identification of the consistent QTLs and main candidate genes controlling seed traits.

Common beans show wide seed variations in shape, size, water uptake, and coat proportion. This study aimed to identify consistent genomic regions and candidate genes involved in the genetic control of seed traits by combining association and differential expression analyses. In total, 298 lines from the Spanish Diversity Panel were genotyped with 4,658 SNP and phenotyped for seven seed traits in three seasons. Thirty-eight significant SNP-trait associations were detected, which were grouped into 23 QTL genomic regions with 1,605 predicted genes. The positions of the five QTL regions associated with seed weight were consistent with previously reported QTL. HCPC analysis using the SNP that tagged these five QTL regions revealed three main clusters with significantly different seed weights. This analysis also separated groups that corresponded well with the two gene pools described: Andean and Mesoamerican. Expression analysis was performed on the seeds of the cultivar ‘Xana’ in three seed development stages, and 1,992 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, mainly when comparing the early and late seed development stages (1,934 DEGs). Overall, 91 DEGs related to cell growth, signaling pathways, and transcriptomic factors underlying these 23 QTL were identified. Twenty-two DEGs were located in the five QTL regions associated with seed weight, suggesting that they are the main set of candidate genes controlling this character. The results confirmed that seed weight is the sum of the effects of a complex network of loci, and contributed to the understanding of seed phenotype control.
Partial discharge characteristics of peek utilized in press-pack IGBT under DC voltage
Authors: Yang Peng , Liu Haoyu , Liu Chenshuo , Gao Shuguo
Published: May 2024

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have been utilized in solid-state transformers (SSTs). With the increasing demand in high-voltage power module in MMC-SST, press-pack IGBTs are very promising. The poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) frame is utilized in the submodules of press-pack IGBT to withstand the high voltage. The electric field simulation in this paper reveals that electric field concentrates on the surface of the PEEK frame. Thus, the surface partial discharge characteristics under direct current (DC) voltage is investigated by the developed test bench. The results show that surface partial discharge model of PEEK sample has polarity effect. Under positive and negative polarity voltage, the average discharge quantity, maximum discharge quantity and discharge repetition rate of the PEEK sample all increase with the voltage amplitude. Moreover, the front time of the surface partial discharge waveform reaches 20 ns, and its frequency spectrum is concentrated in range of 10–20 MHz.
Development and evaluation of rapid and accurate one-tube RPA-CRISPR-Cas12b-based detection of mcr-1 and tet(X4)
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Huan , Pan Qingyun , Wang Jing , Jiao Xin’an , Zhang Yunzeng
Published: May 2024

The emergence and quick spread of the plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4) and colistin resistance gene mcr-1 have posed a great threat to public health and raised global concerns. It is imperative to develop rapid and accurate detection systems for the onsite surveillance of mcr-1 and tet(X4). In this study, we developed one-tube recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and CRISPR-Cas12b integrated mcr-1 and tet(X4) detection systems. We identified mcr-1- and tet(X4)-conserved and -specific protospacers through a comprehensive BLAST search based on the NCBI nt database and used them for assembling the detection systems. Our developed one-tube RPA-CRISPR-Cas12b-based detection systems enabled the specific detection of mcr-1 and tet(X4) with a sensitivity of 6.25 and 9 copies within a detection time of ~ 55 and ~ 40 min, respectively. The detection results using pork and associated environmental samples collected from retail markets demonstrated that our developed mcr-1 and tet(X4) detection systems could successfully monitor mcr-1 and tet(X4), respectively. Notably, mcr-1- and tet(X4)-positive strains were isolated from the positive samples, as revealed using the developed detection systems. Whole-genome sequencing of representative strains identified an mcr-1-carrying IncI2 plasmid and a tet(X4)-carrying IncFII plasmid, which are known as important vectors for mcr-1 and tet(X4) transmission, respectively. Taken together, our developed one-tube RPA-CRISPR-Cas12b-based mcr-1 and tet(X4) detection systems show promising potential for the onsite detection of mcr-1 and tet(X4).

Key points

• One-tube RPA-CRISPR-Cas12b-based mcr-1 and tet(X4) detection systems were developed based on identified novel protospacers.

• Both detection systems exhibited high sensitivity and specification with a sample-to-answer time of less than 1 h.

• The detection systems show promising potential for onsite detection of mcr-1 and tet(X4).
Nonuniqueness of Generalised Weak Solutions to the Primitive and Prandtl Equations
Authors: Boutros Daniel W. , Markfelder Simon , Titi Edriss S.
Published: May 2024

We develop a convex integration scheme for constructing nonunique weak solutions to the hydrostatic Euler equations (also known as the inviscid primitive equations of oceanic and atmospheric dynamics) in both two and three dimensions. We also develop such a scheme for the construction of nonunique weak solutions to the three-dimensional viscous primitive equations, as well as the two-dimensional Prandtl equations. While in Boutros et al. (Calc Var Partial Differ Equ 62(8):219, 2023) the classical notion of weak solution to the hydrostatic Euler equations was generalised, we introduce here a further generalisation. For such generalised weak solutions, we show the existence and nonuniqueness for a large class of initial data. Moreover, we construct infinitely many examples of generalised weak solutions which do not conserve energy. The barotropic and baroclinic modes of solutions to the hydrostatic Euler equations (which are the average and the fluctuation of the horizontal velocity in thez-coordinate, respectively) that are constructed have different regularities.
The influence of crosswinds and leg positions on cycling aerodynamics
Authors: Mao Jiaqi , Zhou Peng , Liu Guangsheng , Zhong Siyang , Huang Xun , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2024

This work investigated the influence of crosswinds and leg positions on the aerodynamics of an articulated cycling mannequin on a track bicycle. Force, wake total pressure and wake velocity measurements were made in a low-speed sports wind tunnel of closed-circuit type. The freestream velocity and wheel speeds were kept at $$15\, \hbox {m/s}$$

15

m/s

. The crank angle of the mannequin was varied across a pedal cycle. Yaw angles from $$0^{\circ }$$

0
∘

to $$20^{\circ }$$

20
∘

were examined. The experimental results reveal that the leg position significantly affects the aerodynamic performance of a cyclist. At high yaw angles, the aerodynamic drag on the cyclist showed noticeable deviations between most leg positions and their $$180^{\circ }$$

180
∘

-apart pairs. A wake analysis technique effectively captured the influence of leg positions on drag. The total pressure deficit contributes dominantly to the overall drag. The wake pressure contours demonstrate how leg-wheel interaction affects the total pressure distribution and drag under crosswinds. This study offers valuable insights into the flow behavior and drag generation around a cyclist with varying leg positions under crosswinds.