bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Of Trees and Earth Shrines: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Settlement Histories in the West African Savanna
Authors: Lentz Carola , Sturm Hans-Jürgen
Published: May 2006

For a vegetation geographer and an anthropologist to come together to write on the settlement histories of segmentary societies in the West African savanna is unusual or at least rare. A few words on the origin of this cooperation therefore seem appropriate. For over ten years, in the context of an interdisciplinary research program at the Universität Frankfurt am Main, archeologists, anthropologists, linguists, botanists and geographers have been working together on the history of cultures, languages, and natural environment of the West African savanna, especially the interaction between human activity and the natural environment. That one should actually be speaking in many cases of a culturally mediated “landscape” rather than a “natural environment” is one of the outcomes of the research projects, which have focused mainly on different regions of Burkina Faso (in the sahel and Sudanese zone) and the Lake Chad area of northeast Nigeria.

The present paper has emerged from a botanical and an anthropological-historical project on the history of vegetation and of settlement in south and southwest Burkina Faso. This history has been shaped by the great expansion of the Dagara-speaking population. In the last two hundred years (possibly longer), small groups of Dagara patrilineages, related and allied to one another, have migrated north and northwest, probably from the region around Wa in present-day Ghana, and have founded numerous new settlements—a process of land appropriation that is still going on today, though with changed circumstances regarding land rights (see map 1).
The Challenge of the Past: The Quest for Historical Legitimacy in Independent Eritrea
Authors: Reid Richard
Published: May 2006

In the 1960s a host of African nations discovered their independence and, with it, rediscovered the pleasure and the pain of the past. States such as Nigeria and Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda, using both local and expatriate scholars, embarked on the reconstruction of “national histories,” with an enthusiasm which, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, seems enviable. From an academic point of view, this period witnessed the rejection of the colonial distortion of Africa's past—i.e., the idea that basically the continent had none worth talking about—and the historiographical offensive which was thus launched may be seen to have been ultimately successful.

In terms of African politics, history was seen in many new states as a means of nation-building and the fostering of national identity. In Tanzania, for example, precolonial leaders such as Mirambo and Nyungu-ya-Mawe, the relative linguistic unity provided by Swahili, and the anticolonial Maji Maji uprising were used, both consciously and subliminally, to encourage the idea that Tanzanians had shared historical experiences which straddled both the precolonial and the colonial eras.

It must be conceded that history did not always prove as reliable an ally to African politicians as to scholars of Africa. Penetration into the Nigerian past served, indirectly at least, to magnify the regionalism which had already troubled the decolonization process in that territory, and underlined the distinct historical experiences of, for example, the Yoruba in the south and the Hausa-Fulani in the north.
A Neglected Source for the History of Little Popo: The Thomas Miles Papers ca. 1789–1796
Authors: Strickrodt Silke
Published: May 2006

During the era of the slave trade, Aného (in modern Togo), which was known to Europeans as “Little Popo” or simply “Popo,” was normally marginal to English commercial interest on the west African coast. This lack of interest is reflected in the sources that exist in British archives today. Documentary material for trade at Aného is scarce, and references to the town rarely go beyond the mentioning of a ship going there to complement its cargo of slaves. However, there is a major exception: the papers of Thomas Miles, which document the activity of the “Popo Factory” of the English firm of Messrs Miles & Weuves in the 1790s. These papers, which are kept in the Public Record Office in London (PRO), comprise a large body of material, including accounts, inventories and commercial and private correspondence. Full of detail, they offer a unique glimpse of Aného and its external trade at a time when the town was at the height of its economic power.

In spite of their great value for the history of Aného and the kingdom of Ge (Genyi/Guin), however, the Thomas Miles papers are virtually unknown to historians of the area. The object of this paper is therefore to draw attention to the existence of this material and make historians aware of the unparalleled wealth of information that it contains. The first part of this paper comprises an explanation of the background and a description of the documents, which is followed by a brief discussion of their special strengths and limitations. In the second part, I focus on one aspect, which is the African side of the trade. Here I look at the question of what these documents tell us about Popo society. I have compiled a list of the African traders that frequented the factory, whom I then tried to identify.
Association of Amino Acid Variants in the Activating Transcription Factor 6 Gene (ATF6) on 1q21-q23 With Type 2 Diabetes in Pima Indians
Authors: Thameem Farook , Farook Vidya S. , Bogardus Clifton , Prochazka Michal
Published: May 2006

Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) is important for protective cell response to accumulation of unfolded and misfolded proteins in endoplasmic reticulum, and disturbances of this process can contribute to β-cell apoptosis. We analyzed the structural gene located within a region on 1q21-q23 linked with type 2 diabetes in several populations for variants in the Pima Indians. Functionally important segments of ATF6 were sequenced in 15 diabetic and 15 nondiabetic Pimas and representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tested for association with type 2 diabetes in 900–1,000 subjects. We identified 20 variants including three amino acid substitutions [Met(67)Val, Pro(145)Ala, and Ser(157)Pro]. Pro(145)Ala and Ser(157)Pro were in a complete linkage disequilibrium and showed a nominal association with type 2 diabetes (P = 0.05; odds ratio 2.3 [95% CI 1.0–5.2]) and with 30-min plasma insulin during oral glucose tolerance test in 287 nondiabetic individuals (P = 0.045). Although the associations with type 2 diabetes and plasma insulin levels are marginal and their functional consequences are yet unknown, all three amino acid substitutions are located in a functionally important part of ATF6. Because these variants are not unique to the Pimas, it will be feasible to investigate their association with type 2 diabetes in other populations to better evaluate their significance for a predisposition to the disease.
Orally Active Neurotrophin-Enhancing Agent Protects Against Dysfunctions of the Peripheral Nerves in Hyperglycemic Animals
Authors: Kakinoki Bunpei , Sekimoto Sumito , Yuki Satoshi , Ohgami Tetsuya , Sejima Mikiko , Yamagami Keiji , Saito Ken-ichi
Published: May 2006

Biological substances with neurotrophic activities, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and monosialoganglioside GM1, have been considered as agents for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Because recent studies have suggested that decreased availability of these substances might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, some clinical trials of NGF for diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been conducted and have led to mixed conclusions. The major reasons were its limited delivery to the nervous system and adverse effects induced by subcutaneous injection, which was necessary because NGF is a polypeptide. The current study investigates whether an orally active sialic acid derivative, MCC-257, has neuroprotective properties in diabetic peripheral nerves. MCC-257 augmented NGF activity in cultured dorsal root ganglia and PC12 (pheochromocytoma 12) cells. Treatment with MCC-257 elevated NGF levels in the sciatic nerve, accompanied by improvement in nerve conduction velocity in strepotozotocin-induced diabetic animals. More importantly, MCC-257 ameliorated small fiber dysfunctions, including thermal hypoalgesia, substance P content, and histopthological innervation in the plantar skin of diabetic animals. Thus, the orally active neurotrophin enhancer provides a new option for the clinical treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Divergent Regulation of Proopiomelanocortin Neurons by Leptin in the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract and in the Arcuate Hypothalamic Nucleus
Authors: Huo Lihong , Grill Harvey J. , Bjørbæk Christian
Published: May 2006

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus are activated by leptin and mediate part of leptin’s central actions to influence energy balance. However, little is known about potential leptin signaling in POMC neurons located in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the only other known population of POMC neurons. Leptin-responsive neurons do exist in the NTS, but their neurochemical phenotype is largely unknown. The contribution of NTS POMC neurons versus ARC POMC neurons in leptin action is thus undetermined. We show here that in contrast to POMC neurons in the ARC, leptin does not stimulate phosphorylation of signal-transducer and activator of transcription 3 in NTS POMC neurons of POMC-EGFP reporter mice. In addition, leptin does not induce c-Fos expression in NTS POMC neurons unlike ARC POMC neurons. Fasting induces a fall in POMC mRNA in both the ARC and the NTS, but different from the ARC, the reduction in NTS POMC mRNA is not reversed by leptin. We conclude that POMC neurons in the NTS do not respond to leptin unlike ARC POMC neurons. POMC neurons in the hypothalamus may therefore mediate all of leptin’s signaling via POMC-derived peptides in the central nervous system.
Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1 Deficiency Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Leptin-Deficient Mice Without Affecting Body Weight
Authors: Bjursell Mikael , Gerdin Anna-Karin , Ploj Karolina , Svensson David , Svensson Lennart , Oscarsson Jan , Snaith Michael , Törnell Jan , Bohlooly-Y Mohammad
Published: May 2006

The hypothalamic peptide melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) plays important roles in energy homeostasis. Animals overexpressing MCH develop hyperphagia, obesity, and insulin resistance. In this study, mice lacking both the MCH receptor-1 (MCHr1 knockout) and leptin (ob/ob) double-null mice (MCHr1 knockout ob/ob) were generated to investigate whether the obesity and/or the insulin resistance linked to the obese phenotype of ob/ob mice was attenuated by ablation of the MCHr1 gene. In MCHr1 knockout ob/ob mice an oral glucose load resulted in a lower blood glucose response and markedly lower insulin levels compared with the ob/ob mice despite no differences in body weight, food intake, or energy expenditure. In addition, MCHr1 knockout ob/ob mice had higher locomotor activity and lean body mass, lower body fat mass, and altered body temperature regulation compared with ob/ob mice. In conclusion, MCHr1 is important for insulin sensitivity and/or secretion via a mechanism not dependent on decreased body weight.
Diabetes Reduces Basal Retinal Insulin Receptor Signaling
Authors: Reiter Chad E.N. , Wu Xiaohua , Sandirasegarane Lakshman , Nakamura Makoto , Gilbert Kirk A. , Singh Ravi S.J. , Fort Patrice E. , Antonetti David A. , Gardner Thomas W.
Published: May 2006

Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by early onset of neuronal cell death. We previously showed that insulin mediates a prosurvival pathway in retinal neurons and that normal retina expresses a highly active basal insulin receptor/Akt signaling pathway that is stable throughout feeding and fasting. Using the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model, we tested the hypothesis that diabetes diminishes basal retinal insulin receptor signaling concomitantly with increased diabetes-induced retinal apoptosis. The expression, phosphorylation status, and/or kinase activity of the insulin receptor and downstream signaling proteins were investigated in retinas of age-matched control, diabetic, and insulin-treated diabetic rats. Four weeks of diabetes reduced basal insulin receptor kinase, insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1/2–associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Akt kinase activity without altering insulin receptor or IRS-1/2 expression or tyrosine phosphorylation. After 12 weeks of diabetes, constitutive insulin receptor autophosphorylation and IRS-2 expression were reduced, without changes in p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase or IRS-1. Sustained systemic insulin treatment of diabetic rats prevented loss of insulin receptor and Akt kinase activity, and acute intravitreal insulin administration restored insulin receptor kinase activity. Insulin treatment restored insulin receptor-β autophosphorylation in rat retinas maintained ex vivo, demonstrating functional receptors and suggesting loss of ligand as a cause for reduced retinal insulin receptor/Akt pathway activity. These results demonstrate that diabetes progressively impairs the constitutive retinal insulin receptor signaling pathway through Akt and suggests that loss of this survival pathway may contribute to the initial stages of diabetic retinopathy.
Characterization of Peripheral Circadian Clocks in Adipose Tissues
Authors: Zvonic Sanjin , Ptitsyn Andrey A. , Conrad Steven A. , Scott L. Keith , Floyd Z. Elizabeth , Kilroy Gail , Wu Xiying , Goh Brian C. , Mynatt Randall L. , Gimble Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2006

First described in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, circadian clocks have since been found in several peripheral tissues. Although obesity has been associated with dysregulated circadian expression profiles of leptin, adiponectin, and other fat-derived cytokines, there have been no comprehensive analyses of the circadian clock machinery in adipose depots. In this study, we show robust and coordinated expression of circadian oscillator genes (Npas2, Bmal1, Per1-3, and Cry1-2) and clock-controlled downstream genes (Rev-erbα, Rev-erbβ, Dbp, E4bp4, Stra13, and Id2) in murine brown, inguinal, and epididymal (BAT, iWAT, and eWAT) adipose tissues. These results correlated with respective gene expression in liver and the serum markers of circadian function. Through Affymetrix microarray analysis, we identified 650 genes that shared circadian expression profiles in BAT, iWAT, and liver. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that temporally restricted feeding causes a coordinated phase-shift in circadian expression of the major oscillator genes and their downstream targets in adipose tissues. The presence of circadian oscillator genes in fat has significant metabolic implications, and their characterization may have potential therapeutic relevance with respect to the pathogenesis and treatment of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome.
Genetic and Functional Analysis of theNkt1Locus Using Congenic NOD Mice
Authors: Rocha-Campos Ana-Claudia , Melki Rahma , Zhu Ren , Deruytter Nathalie , Damotte Diane , Dy Michel , Herbelin André , Garchon Henri-Jean
Published: May 2006

Defective invariant natural killer T-cells (iNKT cells) have been implicated in the etiology of type 1 diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. In a genome scan of a cross between NOD and C57BL/6 mice, the most significant locus controlling the number of iNKT cells, referred to as Nkt1, was recently mapped to distal chromosome 1. Here, using congenic mice for this chromosomal segment, we definitively demonstrate the existence of Nkt1 and show that introgression of the C57BL/6 allele onto the NOD background improves both the number of iNKT cells and their rapid production of cytokines elicited by α-galactosylceramide treatment, explaining at least half of the difference between the NOD and C57BL/6 strains. Using new subcongenic lines, we circumscribed the Nkt1 locus to a 8.7-cM segment, between the NR1i3 and D1Mit458 markers, that notably includes the SLAM (signaling lymphocytic activation molecule) gene cluster, recently involved in murine lupus susceptibility. However, despite a significant correction of the iNKT cell defect, the Nkt1 locus did not alter the course of spontaneous diabetes in congenic mice. Our findings indicate a complex relationship between iNKT cells and autoimmune susceptibility. Congenic lines nonetheless provide powerful models to dissect the biology of iNKT cells.
Contribution of Aldose Reductase to Diabetic Hyperproliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Srivastava Sanjay , Ramana Kota V. , Tammali Ravinder , Srivastava Satish K. , Bhatnagar Aruni
Published: May 2006

The objective of this study was to determine whether the polyol pathway enzyme aldose reductase mediates diabetes abnormalities in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth. Aldose reductase inhibitors (tolrestat or sorbinil) or antisense aldose reductase mRNA prevented hyperproliferation of cultured rat aortic SMCs induced by high glucose. Cell cycle progression in the presence of high glucose was blocked by tolrestat, which induced a G0-G1 phase growth arrest. In situ, diabetes increased SMC growth and intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured carotid arteries of streptozotocin-treated rats, when examined 7 or 14 days after injury. Treatment with tolrestat (15 mg · kg−1 · day−1) diminished intimal hyperplasia and decreased SMC content of the lesion by 25%. Although tolrestat treatment increased immunoreactivity of the lesion with antibodies raised against protein adducts of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy trans-2-nonenal, no compensatory increase in lesion fibrosis was observed. Collectively, these results suggest that inhibition of aldose reductase prevents glucose-induced stimulation of SMC growth in culture and in situ. Even though inhibition of aldose reductase increases vascular oxidative stress, this approach may be useful in preventing abnormal SMC growth in vessels of diabetic patients.
Blockade of GABAA Receptors in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Further Stimulates Glucagon and Sympathoadrenal but Not the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Response to Hypoglycemia
Authors: Chan Owen , Zhu Wanling , Ding Yuyan , McCrimmon Rory J. , Sherwin Robert S.
Published: May 2006

Hypoglycemia provokes a multifaceted counterregulatory response involving the sympathoadrenal system, stimulation of glucagon secretion, and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis that is commonly impaired in diabetes. We examined whether modulation of inhibitory input from γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), a major glucose-sensing region within the brain, plays a role in affecting counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia. Normal Sprague-Dawley rats had carotid artery and jugular vein catheters chronically implanted, as well as bilateral steel microinjection guide cannulas inserted down to the level of the VMH. Seven to 10 days following surgery, the rats were microinjected with artificial extracellular fluid, the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (1 nmol/side), or the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (12.5 pmol/side) before being subjected to a hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic (2.5 mmol/l) glucose clamp for 90 min. Following VMH administration of bicuculline methiodide, glucose infusion rates were significantly suppressed, whereas muscimol raised glucose infusion rates significantly compared with controls. Glucagon and epinephrine responses were elevated with the antagonist and suppressed with the agonist compared with controls. Corticosterone responses, however, were unaffected by either administration of the agonist or antagonist into the VMH. These data demonstrate that modulation of the GABAergic system in the VMH alters both glucagon and sympathoadrenal, but not corticosterone, responses to hypoglycemia. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that GABAergic inhibitory tone within the VMH can modulate glucose counterregulatory responses.
Fish Oil Regulates Adiponectin Secretion by a Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-γ–Dependent Mechanism in Mice
Authors: Neschen Susanne , Morino Katsutaro , Rossbacher Jörg C. , Pongratz Rebecca L. , Cline Gary W. , Sono Saki , Gillum Matthew , Shulman Gerald I.
Published: May 2006

Adiponectin has insulin-sensitizing, antiatherogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, but little is known about factors that regulate its secretion. To examine the effect of fish oil on adiponectin secretion, mice were fed either a control diet or isocaloric diets containing 27% safflower oil or 27, 13.5, and 8% menhaden fish oil. Within 15 days, fish oil feeding raised plasma adiponectin concentrations two- to threefold in a dose-dependent manner, and the concentrations remained approximately twofold higher for 7 days when the fish oil diet was replaced by the safflower oil diet. Within 24 h, fish oil markedly induced transcription of the adiponectin gene in epididymal adipose tissue but not in subcutaneous fat. The increase of plasma adiponectin by fish oil was completely blocked by administration of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)γ inhibitor bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether. In contrast, there was no effect of fish oil feeding on adiponectin secretion in PPARα-null mice. These data suggest that fish oil is a naturally occurring potent regulator of adiponectin secretion in vivo and that it does so through a PPARγ-dependent and PPARα-independent manner in epididymal fat.
Sustained Exposure to High Glucose Concentrations Modifies Glucose Signaling and the Mechanics of Secretory Vesicle Fusion in Primary Rat Pancreatic β-Cells
Authors: Tsuboi Takashi , Ravier Magalie A. , Parton Laura E. , Rutter Guy A.
Published: May 2006

The mechanism(s) by which chronic hyperglycemia impairs glucose-stimulated insulin secretion is poorly defined. Here, we compare the “nanomechanics” of single exocytotic events in primary rat pancreatic β-cells cultured for 48 h at optimal (10 mmol/l) or elevated (30 mmol/l) glucose concentrations. Cargo release was imaged by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of lumen-targeted probes (neuropeptide Y [NPY]-pH–insensitive yellow fluorescent protein [NPY-Venus] or NPY–monomeric red fluorescent protein), while the fate of the vesicle membrane was reported simultaneously with phosphatase-on-the-granule-of-insulinoma–enhanced green fluorescent protein. Under all conditions studied, exocytosis proceeded via a “cavity recapture” mechanism in which the vesicle and plasma membranes fused transiently. While essentially complete release of NPY-Venus was observed in 24 ± 1% of glucose-stimulated exocytotic events in cells maintained at 10 mmol/l glucose, this value was reduced reversibly to 5 ± 2% of events by culture at 30 mmol/l glucose, in line with decreases in Glut2 and glucokinase gene expression, and attenuated glucose-stimulated increases in NADPH and intracellular [Ca2+]. Since vesicle release in response to cell depolarization with KCl was not affected by culture at 30 mmol/l glucose, we conclude that hyperglycemia causes the abnormal termination of individual insulin release events principally by inhibiting glucose signaling.
A Patient With Oral Discomfort and Reduced Oral Aperture
Authors: Chen Gloria F. , Roy Simon F. , Cohen Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2024

A patient had burning and pain in the mouth, reduced oral aperture, white-tan plaques on the oral mucosa, and thickened buccal mucosae bilaterally; biopsy of the lower labial mucosa showed subepithelial fibrosis. She had no history of cigarette smoking or use of chewing tobacco but had current and past history of chewing areca nuts. What is the diagnosis and what would you do next?
Male Carrier of X-Linked Adrenal Leukodystrophy Due to 47, XXY Karyotype
Authors: Ni Yu , Liu Chen , Tan Liang
Published: March 2024

This case report studies a 12-year-old boy with a family history of X-linked adrenal leukodystrophy and his 8-year-old younger brother.
Shifts in Child Health Behaviors and Obesity After COVID-19
Authors: Wang Monica L. , Gago Cristina M.
Published: March 2024

This Viewpoint examines recent COVID-19–related behavioral shifts in children’s diet, physical activity, sleep, and screen time from a health equity perspective and provides upstream interventions to support overall child health.
Multiple biomarkers improve diagnostic accuracy across Lewy body and Alzheimer's disease spectra
Authors: Plastini Melanie J. , Abdelnour Carla , Young Christina B. , Wilson Edward N. , Shahid‐Besanti Marian , Lamoureux Jennifer , Andreasson Katrin I. , Kerchner Geoffrey A. , Montine Thomas J. , Henderson Victor W. , Poston Kathleen L.
Published: March 2024

Objective

More than half of neurodegenerative disease patients have multiple pathologies at autopsy; however, most receive one diagnosis during life. We used the α‐synuclein seed amplification assay (αSyn‐SAA) and CSF biomarkers for amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathological change (ADNC) to determine the frequency of co‐pathologies in participants clinically diagnosed with Lewy body (LB) disease or AD.

Methods

Using receiver operating characteristic analyses on retrospective CSF samples from 150 participants determined αSyn‐SAA accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for identifying clinically defined LB disease and predicting future change in clinical diagnosis. CSF biomarkers helped determine the frequency of concomitant Lewy body pathology, ADNC, and/or amyloidosis in participants with LB disease and AD, across clinical spectra.

Results

Following a decade‐long follow‐up, the clinically or autopsy‐defined diagnosis changed for nine participants. αSyn‐SAA demonstrated improved accuracy (91.3%), sensitivity (89.3%), and specificity (93.3%) for identifying LB disease compared to all non‐LB disease, highlighting the limitations of clinical diagnosis alone. When examining biomarkers of co‐pathology, amyloidosis was present in 18%, 48%, and 71% (χ2(2) = 13.56, p = 0.001) and AD biomarkers were present in 0%, 8.7%, and 42.9% (χ2(2) = 18.44, p < 0.001) of LB disease participants with different stages of cognitive impairment respectively. Co‐occurring biomarkers for αSyn‐SAA and amyloidosis were present in 12% and 14% of AD compared to 43% and 57% LB disease participants with different stages of cognitive impairment (χ2(3) = 13.87, p = 0.003).

Interpretation

Our study shows that using a combination of αSyn‐SAA and AD biomarkers can identify people with αSyn, ADNC, and co‐pathology better and earlier than traditional clinical diagnostic criteria alone.
Ultralong‐Term High‐Density Data Storage with Atomic Defects in SiC
Authors: Hollenbach M. , Kasper C. , Erb D. , Bischoff L. , Hlawacek G. , Kraus H. , Kada W. , Ohshima T. , Helm M. , Facsko S. , Dyakonov V. , Astakhov G. V.
Published: March 2024

There is an urgent need to increase the global data storage capacity, as current approaches lag behind the exponential growth of data generation driven by the Internet, social media, and cloud technologies. In addition to increasing storage density, new solutions should provide long‐term data archiving that goes far beyond traditional magnetic memory, optical disks, and solid‐state drives. Here, a concept of energy‐efficient, ultralong, high‐density data archiving is proposed, based on optically active atomic‐size defects in a radiation resistance material, silicon carbide (SiC). The information is written in these defects by focused ion beams and read using photoluminescence or cathodoluminescence. The temperature‐dependent deactivation of these defects suggests a retention time minimum over a few generations under ambient conditions. With near‐infrared laser excitation, grayscale encoding and multi‐layer data storage, the areal density corresponds to that of Blu‐ray discs. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the areal density limitation of conventional optical data storage media due to the light diffraction can be overcome by focused electron‐beam excitation.
3D Stackable Vertical‐Sensing Electrochemical Random‐Access Memory Using Ion‐Permeable WS2 Electrode for High‐Density Neuromorphic Systems
Authors: Lee Kyumin , Hwang Seungkwon , Kim Dongmin , Yoon Jongwon , Kwon Jung‐Dae , Kim Yonghun , Hwang Hyunsang
Published: March 2024

Ion‐based electrochemical random‐access memory (ECRAM) is proposed for synaptic applications owing to its promising characteristics that have the potential to accelerate data processing through neuromorphic systems. However, attaining ideal synaptic functionalities and constructing high‐density vertical synapse arrays are challenging due to issues related to uncontrolled ion migration and constraints in 3D multi‐stacking. Here, a breakthrough using 3D stackable Li ion‐based vertical‐sensing ECRAM (VS‐ECRAM) is presented with an ion‐permeable ultrathin WS2 electrode synthesized through low‐temperature (200 °C) atmospheric‐pressure plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP‐PECVD). The direct AP‐PECVD of the WOx channel layer induces WS2 formation in the surface region, which exhibits sufficient electrical conductivity to function as an electrode. By utilizing the WS2 electrode as an ion‐barrier layer in the VS‐ECRAM synapse, excellent weight update linearity and cycling variability are achieved due to the finely controlled ion migration. Furthermore, a two‐layer stacked 3D VS‐ECRAM is successfully fabricated through the vertical WS2 formation, and independent weight updates without any disturbance are confirmed. Finally, a high pattern recognition accuracy of 95.22% is obtained using a multi‐layer perceptron‐based neural network. Therefore, the proposed 3D stackable WS2‐based VS‐ECRAM exhibits a strong potential for application in high‐density neuromorphic devices with excellent synaptic performances.
A Novel Polymer Nanoparticle Polydimethyl Diallyl Ammonium Chloride as An Adjuvant Enhances the Immune Response of SARS‐CoV‐2 Subunit Vaccine
Authors: Ren Lili , Ouyang Chengcheng , Zhao Shuqing , Zheng Qiqi , Guo Weilu , Fan Baochao , Zhou Jinzhu , Zhang Wei , Hu Mi , Li Jizong , Li Bin
Published: March 2024

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 has a significant impact on global health and the economy. It has underscored the urgent need for a stable, easily produced and effective vaccine. This study presents a novel approach using SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) protein‐conjugated nanoparticles (NPs) in combination with cyclic GMP‐AMP (cGAMP) (S‐NPs‐cGAMP) as a subunit vaccine. When mice are immunized, the antiserum of S‐NPs‐cGAMP group exhibits a 16‐fold increase in neutralizing activity against a pseudovirus, compared to S protein group. Additionally, S‐NPs‐cGAMP induces even higher levels of neutralizing antibodies. Remarkably, the vaccine also triggers a robust humoral immune response, as evidenced by a notable elevation in virus‐specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Furthermore, after 42 days of immunization, there is an observed increase in specific immune cell populations in the spleen. CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+T lymphocytes, as well as B220+CD19+ and CD3−CD49b+ NK lymphocytes, show an upward trend, indicating a positive cellular immune response. Moreover, the S‐NPs‐cGAMP demonstrates promising results against the Delta strain and exhibits good cross‐neutralization potential against other variants. These findings suggest that pDMDAAC NPs is potential adjuvant and could serve as a versatile platform for future vaccine development.
Enhanced CO2/N2 separation in hybrid composite membrane via dispersion of hollow defect‐engineered Zr‐MOF nanoparticles
Authors: Yan Jiahui , Sun Yanwei , Ji Taotao , Wu Mingming , Meng Shengyan , Dong Wenwen , Liu Yi , Yu Kunpeng , Hu Wenjing , Sun Bingbing , Lu Peng , Li Yanshuo , Hu Haoquan , Liu Yi
Published: March 2024

High‐performance and durable membranes are being sought to enable energy‐efficient CO2 capture. Although representing an appealing candidate for the above application, successful translation of distinct properties of MOF filler into hybrid composite membranes (HCMs) remains challenging. In this study, we synthesized uniform hollow defect‐engineered UiO‐66 nanoparticles as filler for enhancing the CO2/N2 separation performance and durability of Pebax‐2533 membranes. The existence of missing‐linker defects in the framework not only endows HCMs with higher CO2/N2 adsorption selectivity but also provides ultrafast CO2 transport pathways; moreover, hollow structure of UiO‐66 not only contributes to better filler dispersibility in polymeric matrix but also reduces CO2 diffusion path length. Obtained HCMs manifest concurrently increased CO2 permeability (3100 Barrer) and CO2/N2 separation factor (44), far exceeding state‐of‐the‐art 2019 upper bound for polymer membranes; moreover, our membranes exhibit enhanced resistance toward plasticization, physical aging, and water vapors under harsh operation conditions.
Plant–soil microbe feedbacks depend on distance and ploidy in a mixed cytotype population of Larrea tridentata
Authors: Gerstner Benjamin P. , Laport Robert G. , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Whitney Kenneth D.
Published: March 2024

Premise

Theory predicts that mixed ploidy populations should be short‐lived due to strong fitness disadvantages for the rare ploidy. However, mixed ploidy populations are common, suggesting that the fitness costs for rare ploidies are counterbalanced by ecological benefits that emerge when rare. We investigated whether differences in ecological interactions with soil microbes help to maintain a tetraploid–hexaploid population of Larrea tridentata (creosote bush) in the Sonoran Desert, California, United States, where prior work documented ploidy‐specific root‐associated microbes.

Methods

We used a plant–soil feedback (PSF) experiment to test whether host‐specific soil microbes can alter the outcomes of intraploidy vs. interploidy competition. Host‐specific soil microbes can build up over time; thus, distance from a host plant can affect the fitness of nearby plants.

Results

Seedlings grown in soils from near plants of a different ploidy produced greater biomass relative to seedlings grown in soils from near plants of the same ploidy. Moreover, seedlings grown in soils from near plants of a different ploidy produced more biomass than those grown in soils that were farther from plants of a different ploidy. These results suggest that the ecological consequences of PSF may facilitate the persistence of mixed ploidy populations.

Conclusions

This is the first evidence, to our knowledge, that is consistent with plant–soil microbe feedback as a viable mechanism to maintain the coexistence of multiple ploidy levels in a single population.
Public narratives of disadvantage across multiple groups in Australia: A research map and practice reflections
Authors: Bragge Peter , Angus Simon D. , Fischer Alex , Lennox Alyse , Piquero Alex R. , Reddel Tim , Smith Liam , Walsh Lucas , Wickes Rebecca , Wild Abby , Faulkner Nicholas
Published: March 2024

This paper provides the first known “heatmap” representing Australian public narratives across a range of groups experiencing disadvantage developed from a comprehensive literature review of primary Australian studies between 2020 and 2021. Eleven narratives were identified across 14 population groups with the most frequent being deficit narratives, misrepresentation of the issue and ‘absent’ narratives (group being described not represented in the narrative). The most frequently described groups were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, racial minorities and women. The heatmap resonated with three global review‐level studies and findings of supplementary qualitative interviews. Examination of relationships between the heatmap and empirical Australian disadvantage data enabled identification of missing and misleading public narratives. Attempts to disrupt such narratives can improve the understanding of disadvantage by more truthfully reflecting the lives, experiences and challenges of groups experiencing disadvantage. Updates to the heatmap can enable analysis of the impact of disruption strategies.
(111) Facet‐oriented Cu2Mg Intermetallic Compound with Cu3‐Mg Sites for CO2 Electroreduction to Ethanol with Industrial Current Density
Authors: Peng Chen , Ma Jiaxing , Luo Gan , Yan Shuai , Zhang Junbo , Chen Yangshen , Chen Ning , Wang Zhiqiang , Wei Wei , Sham Tsun‐Kong , Zheng Yao , Kuang Min , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: March 2024

The efficient ethanol electrosynthesis from CO2 is challenging with low selectivity at high CO2 electrolysis rates, due to the competition with H2 and other reduction products. Copper‐based bimetallic electrocatalysts are potential candidates for the CO2‐to‐ethanol conversion, but the secondary metal has mainly been focused on active components (such as Ag, Sn) for CO2 electroreduction, which also promote selectivity of ethylene or other reduction products rather than ethanol. Limited attention has been given to alkali‐earth metals due to their inherently active chemical property. Herein, we rationally synthesized a (111) facet‐oriented nano Cu2Mg (designated as Cu2Mg(111)) intermetallic compound with high‐density ordered Cu3‐Mg sites. The in situ Raman spectroscopy and density function theory calculations revealed that the Cu3−
−‐Mg−
+ active sites allowed to increase *CO surface coverage, decrease reaction energy for *CO−CO coupling, and stabilize *CHCHOH intermediates, thus promoting the ethanol formation pathway. The Cu2Mg(111) catalyst exhibited a high FEC2H5OH of 76.2±4.8 % at 600 mA⋅cm−2, and a peak value of |jC2H5OH| of 720±34 mA⋅cm−2, almost 4 times of that using conventional Cu2Mg with (311) facets, comparable to the best reported values for the CO2‐to‐ethanol electroreduction.
Dopant‐Free Pyrene‐Based Hole Transporting Material Enables Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Xianfu , Liu Xuepeng , Tirani Farzaneh Fadaei , Ding Bin , Chen Jianlin , Rahim Ghadari , Han Mingyuan , Zhang Kai , Zhou Ying , Quan Hongyang , Li Botong , Du Weilun , Brooks Keith G. , Dai Songyuan , Fei Zhaofu , Asiri Abdullah M. , Dyson Paul J. , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Ding Yong
Published: March 2024

Dopant‐free hole transporting materials (HTMs) is significant to the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we developed a novel star‐shape arylamine HTM, termed Py‐DB, with a pyrene core and carbon‐carbon double bonds as the bridge units. Compared to the reference HTM (termed Py‐C), the extension of the planar conjugation backbone endows Py‐DB with typical intermolecular π–π stacking interactions and excellent solubility, resulting in improved hole mobility and film morphology. In addition, the lower HOMO energy level of the Py‐DB HTM provides efficient hole extraction with reduced energy loss at the perovskite/HTM interface. Consequently, an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.33 % was achieved for dopant‐free Py‐DB‐based PSCs, which is the highest PCE for dopant‐free small molecular HTMs in n‐i‐p configured PSCs. The dopant‐free Py‐DB‐based device also exhibits improved long‐term stability, retaining over 90 % of its initial efficiency after 1000 h exposure to 25 % humidity at 60 °C. These findings provide valuable insights and approaches for the further development of dopant‐free HTMs for efficient and reliable PSCs.
Sensory experiences questionnaire unravels differences in sensory profiles between MECP2‐related disorders
Authors: Suter Bernhard , Pehlivan Davut , Ak Muharrem , Harris Holly K. , Lyons‐Warren Ariel M.
Published: March 2024

The methyl CpG‐binding protein‐2 (MECP2) gene is located on the Xq28 region. Loss of function mutations or increased copies of MECP2 result in Rett syndrome (RTT) and MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), respectively. Individuals with both disorders exhibit overlapping autism symptoms, yet few studies have dissected the differences between these gene dosage sensitive disorders. Further, research examining sensory processing patterns in persons with RTT and MDS is largely absent. Thus, the goal of this study was to analyze and compare sensory processing patterns in persons with RTT and MDS. Towards this goal, caregivers of 50 female individuals with RTT and 122 male individuals with MDS, between 1 and 46 years of age, completed a standardized measure of sensory processing, the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire. Patterns detected in both disorders were compared against each other and against normative values. We found sensory processing abnormalities for both hyper‐ and hypo‐sensitivity in both groups. Interestingly, abnormalities in MDS were more pronounced compared with in RTT, particularly with items concerning hypersensitivity and sensory seeking, but not hyposensitivity. Individuals with MDS also exhibited greater sensory symptoms compared with RTT in the areas of tactile and vestibular sensory processing and for both social and nonsocial stimuli. This study provides a first description of sensory symptoms in individuals with RTT and individuals with MDS. Similar to other neurodevelopmental disorders, a variety of sensory processing abnormalities was found. These findings reveal a first insight into sensory processing abnormalities caused by a dosage sensitive gene and may ultimately help guide therapeutic approaches for these disorders.
Autistic and nonautistic adolescents do not differ in adaptation to gaze direction
Authors: Ward Emma K. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Hunnius Sabine
Published: March 2024

Predictive processing accounts of autism posit that autistic individuals' perception is less biased by expectations than nonautistic individuals', perhaps through stronger precision‐weighting of prediction errors. Since precision‐weighting is fundamental to all information processing, under this theory, the differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals should be domain‐general and observable in both behavior and brain responses. This study used EEG, behavioral responses, and eye‐tracking co‐registration during gaze‐direction adaptation, to investigate whether increased precision‐weighting of prediction errors is evident through smaller adaptation after‐effects in autistic adolescents compared with nonautistic peers. Multilevel modeling showed that autistic and nonautistic adolescents' responses were consistent with behavioral adaptation, with Bayesian statistics providing extremely strong evidence for the absence of a group difference. Cluster‐based permutation testing of ERP responses did not show the expected adaptation after‐effect but did show habituation to repeated stimulus presentation, and no group difference was detected, a result not consistent with the theoretical account. Combined with the few other available studies, the current findings raise challenges for the theory, suggesting no fundamental difference in precision‐weighting of prediction errors in autism.
LC–MS/MS determination of N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine in chicken plasma
Authors: Roydeva Albena , Milanova Aneliya
Published: March 2024

N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) shows beneficial effects in cases of aflatoxicosis and heat stress in poultry but little is known about its pharmacokinetics in chickens. Therefore, the study aimed to develop and validate a sensitive LC–MS/MS analytical method for quantitative analysis of NAC in chicken plasma. A split calibration curve approach was used for determination of NAC in chicken plasma. Standard curves for low (0.05–2.5 μg/ml) and high (2.5–100 μg/ml) ranges of concentrations were prepared. The standard curves for low (r2 = 0.9987) and high (r2 = 0.9899) concentrations were linear within the tested range. The limits of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) for the standard at low concentrations were 0.093 and 0.28 μg/ml, respectively. The accuracy was from 97.35 to 101.33%. The values of LOD and LOQ for the standard at high concentrations were 0.76 and 2.30 μg/ml, respectively. The accuracy was between 99.77 and 112.14%. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions for all concentrations from both standards did not exceed 8.57% and 10.69%, respectively. The recovery for all concentrations was between 92.45 and 105.52%. The validated method for determination of NAC in chicken plasma can be applied in future pharmacokinetic studies in chickens without dilution of samples and their repeated analysis.
Attitudes toward the American Cancer Society’s 2020 cervical cancer screening guidelines: A qualitative study of a national sample of US clinicians
Authors: Michel Alexandra D. , Fontenot Holly B. , Fuzzell Lindsay , Brownstein Naomi C. , Lake Paige , Vadaparampil Susan T. , Perkins Rebecca B.
Published: March 2024

Background

The 2020 American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines are the most recent national guidelines for cervical cancer screening. These guidelines propose two major changes from current practice: initiating screening at age 25 years and using primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Adoption of guidelines often occurs slowly, and therefore understanding clinician attitudes is important to facilitate practice change.

Methods

Interviews with a national sample of clinicians who perform cervical cancer screening in a variety of settings explored attitudes toward the two major changes from the 2020 ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines. Clinicians participated in 30‐ to 60‐min interviews exploring their attitudes toward various aspects of cervical cancer screening. Qualitative analysis was performed.

Results

Seventy clinicians participated from across the United States. Few respondents were initiating screening at age 25 years, and none were using primary HPV testing. However, over half would be willing to adopt these practices if supported by scientific evidence and recommended by professional medical organizations. Barriers to adoption included the lack of endorsement by professional societies, lack of laboratory availability and insurance coverage, limited autonomy within large health care systems, and concerns related to missed disease.

Conclusions

Few clinicians have adopted screening initiation or primary HPV testing, as recommended by the 2020 ACS guidelines, but over half were open to adopting these changes. Implementation may be facilitated via professional organization endorsement, clinician education, and laboratory, health care system, and insurance support.

Plain Language Summary

In 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released updated guidelines for cervical cancer screening. The main changes to current practices were to initiate screening at age 25 years instead of age 21 years and to screen using primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing rather than cytology alone or in combination with HPV testing.

We performed in‐depth interviews with 70 obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and internal medicine physicians and advanced practice providers about their attitudes toward these guidelines.

Few clinicians are following the 2020 ACS guidelines, but over half were open to changing practice if the changes were supported by evidence and recommended by professional medical organizations. Barriers to adoption included the lack of endorsement by professional medical organizations, logistical issues, and concerns about missed disease.