bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosses Play Key Roles in Ecosystems from Tropics to Tundra
Authors: Wilke Carolyn
Published: June 2023

A global survey of mosses growing on soil found that the somewhat underappreciated plants cover a vast area and perform tasks such as sequestering carbon.
Unveiling the Rheological Control of Magmatic Systems on Volcano Deformation: The Interplay of Poroviscoelastic Magma‐Mush and Thermo‐Viscoelastic Crust
Authors: Alshembari Rami , Hickey James , Williamson Ben J. , Cashman Katharine
Published: June 2023

Understanding the mechanical evolution of magmatic systems requires careful assessment of their rheological characteristics, particularly in light of the growing evidence that magma reservoirs are dominated by magma‐mush surrounded by thermally‐altered host‐rock. To address this complexity, we develop models for volcano deformation based on a poroviscoelastic source within a thermo‐viscoelastic host. We use Finite Element modeling to investigate the rheological and mechanical response to melt injection in a Maxwell poroviscoelastic reservoir hosted in a temperature‐dependent standard linear solid viscoelastic (“thermo‐viscoelastic”) crust. Our models consider the competing roles of poroelastic diffusion, and viscoelastic creep and relaxation. All cause time‐dependent post‐injection deformation. Post‐injection deformation of a poroviscoelastic reservoir in an elastic crust is dominated by poroelastic diffusion, a consequence of the short relaxation timescale of a hot and relatively low viscosity mush. For cooler, more viscous mush, the magnitude of viscoelastic deformation increases, supplementing the deformation caused by post‐injection poroelastic diffusion. Thermo‐viscoelasticity of the crust amplifies the poroelastic deformation response of the magma‐mush, leading to increased time‐dependent deformation both during and after melt injection. The rate of post‐injection surface deformation decreases at a rate proportional to the reservoir temperature. Crucially, our model sensitivity analysis demonstrates that the wall rock thermo‐viscoelastic response contributes more to surface deformation than the viscous effect of the magma‐mush. For this reason, neglecting the viscoelastic properties of the host rock and the poroelastic properties of the reservoir in interpretations of surface deformation data could produce errors in inferred processes (e.g., injection duration) and subsurface characteristics (e.g., reservoir compressibility, shape and depth).
Classification and deep-learning–based prediction of Alzheimer disease subtypes by using genomic data
Authors: Shigemizu Daichi , Akiyama Shintaro , Suganuma Mutsumi , Furutani Motoki , Yamakawa Akiko , Nakano Yukiko , Ozaki Kouichi , Niida Shumpei
Published: June 2023

Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is the most common multifactorial neurodegenerative disease among elderly people. LOAD is heterogeneous, and the symptoms vary among patients. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic risk factors for LOAD but not for LOAD subtypes. Here, we examined the genetic architecture of LOAD based on Japanese GWAS data from 1947 patients and 2192 cognitively normal controls in a discovery cohort and 847 patients and 2298 controls in an independent validation cohort. Two distinct groups of LOAD patients were identified. One was characterized by major risk genes for developing LOAD (APOC1andAPOC1P1) and immune-related genes (RELBandCBLC). The other was characterized by genes associated with kidney disorders (AXDND1,FBP1, andMIR2278). Subsequent analysis of albumin and hemoglobin values from routine blood test results suggested that impaired kidney function could lead to LOAD pathogenesis. We developed a prediction model for LOAD subtypes using a deep neural network, which achieved an accuracy of 0.694 (2870/4137) in the discovery cohort and 0.687 (2162/3145) in the validation cohort. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of LOAD.
Super-enhancer-driven lncRNA LIMD1-AS1 activated by CDK7 promotes glioma progression
Authors: Chen Zhigang , Tian Dasheng , Chen Xueran , Cheng Meng , Xie Han , Zhao JiaJia , Liu Jun , Fang Zhiyou , Zhao Bing , Bian Erbao
Published: June 2023

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are tissue-specific expression patterns and dysregulated in cancer. How they are regulated still needs to be determined. We aimed to investigate the functions of glioma-specific lncRNA LIMD1-AS1 activated by super-enhancer (SE) and identify the potential mechanisms. In this paper, we identified a SE-driven lncRNA, LIMD1-AS1, which is expressed at significantly higher levels in glioma than in normal brain tissue. High LIMD1-AS1 levels were significantly associated with a shorter survival time of glioma patients. LIMD1-AS1 overexpression significantly enhanced glioma cells proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, whereas LIMD1-AS1 knockdown inhibited their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion, and the xenograft tumor growth of glioma cells in vivo. Mechanically, inhibition of CDK7 significantly attenuates MED1 recruitment to the super-enhancer of LIMD1-AS1 and then decreases the expression of LIMD1-AS1. Most importantly, LIMD1-AS1 could directly bind to HSPA5, leading to the activation of interferon signaling. Our findings support the idea that CDK7 mediated-epigenetically activation of LIMD1-AS1 plays a crucial role in glioma progression and provides a promising therapeutic approach for patients with glioma.
RNF8 enhances the sensitivity of PD-L1 inhibitor against melanoma through ubiquitination of galectin-3 in stroma
Authors: Guo Yanan , Shen Rong , Yang Keren , Wang Yutong , Song Haoyun , Liu Xiangwen , Cheng Xin , Wu Rile , Song Yanfeng , Wang Degui
Published: June 2023

The failure of melanoma immunotherapy can be mediated by immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and insufficient activation of effector T cells against the tumor. Here, we show that inhibition of galectin-3 (gal-3) enhances the infiltration of T cells in TME and improves the sensitivity of anti-PD-L1 therapy. We identify that RNF8 downregulated the expression of gal-3 by K48-polyubiquitination and promoted gal-3 degradation via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. RNF8 deficiency in the host but sufficiency in implanted melanoma results in immune exclusion and tumor progression due to the upregulation of gal-3. Upregulation of gal-3 decreased the immune cell infiltration by restricting IL-12 and IFN-γ. Inhibition of gal-3 reverses immunosuppression and induces immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, gal-3 inhibitor treatment can increase the sensitivity of PD-L1 inhibitors via increasing immune cell infiltration and enhancing immune response in tumors. This study reveals a previously unrecognized immunoregulation function of RNF8 and provides a promising strategy for the therapy of “cold” tumors. Tremendous effects of melanoma treatment can be achieved by facilitating immune cell infiltration combined with anti-PD-L1 treatment.
Foreshock properties illuminate nucleation processes of slow and fast laboratory earthquakes
Authors: Bolton David C. , Marone Chris , Saffer Demian , Trugman Daniel T.
Published: June 2023

Understanding the connection between seismic activity and the earthquake nucleation process is a fundamental goal in earthquake seismology with important implications for earthquake early warning systems and forecasting. We use high-resolution acoustic emission (AE) waveform measurements from laboratory stick-slip experiments that span a spectrum of slow to fast slip rates to probe spatiotemporal properties of laboratory foreshocks and nucleation processes. We measure waveform similarity and pairwise differential travel-times (DTT) between AEs throughout the seismic cycle. AEs broadcasted prior to slow labquakes have small DTT and high waveform similarity relative to fast labquakes. We show that during slow stick-slip, the fault never fully locks, and waveform similarity and pairwise differential travel times do not evolve throughout the seismic cycle. In contrast, fast laboratory earthquakes are preceded by a rapid increase in waveform similarity late in the seismic cycle and a reduction in differential travel times, indicating that AEs begin to coalesce as the fault slip velocity increases leading up to failure. These observations point to key differences in the nucleation process of slow and fast labquakes and suggest that the spatiotemporal evolution of laboratory foreshocks is linked to fault slip velocity.
Robust projection of East Asian summer monsoon rainfall based on dynamical modes of variability
Authors: Xue Daokai , Lu Jian , Leung L. Ruby , Teng Haiyan , Song Fengfei , Zhou Tianjun , Zhang Yaocun
Published: June 2023

The Asian monsoon provides the freshwater that a large population in Asia depends on, but how anthropogenic climate warming may alter this key water source remains unclear. This is partly due to the prevailing point-wise assessment of climate projections, even though climate change patterns are inherently organized by dynamics intrinsic to the climate system. Here, we assess the future changes in the East Asian summer monsoon precipitation by projecting the precipitation from several large ensemble simulations and CMIP6 simulations onto the two leading dynamical modes of internal variability. The result shows a remarkable agreement among the ensembles on the increasing trends and the increasing daily variability in both dynamical modes, with the projection pattern emerging as early as the late 2030 s. The increase of the daily variability of the modes heralds more monsoon-related hydrological extremes over some identifiable East Asian regions in the coming decades.
Magmatic surge requires two-stage model for the Laramide orogeny
Authors: Schwartz Joshua J. , Lackey Jade Star , Miranda Elena A. , Klepeis Keith A. , Mora-Klepeis Gabriela , Robles Francine , Bixler Jonathan D.
Published: June 2023

The Laramide orogeny is a pivotal time in the geological development of western North America, but its driving mechanism is controversial. Most prominent models suggest this event was caused by the collision of an oceanic plateau with the Southern California Batholith (SCB) which caused the angle of subduction beneath the continent to shallow and led to shut-down of the arc. Here, we use over 280 zircon and titanite Pb/U ages from the SCB to establish the timing and duration of magmatism, metamorphism and deformation. We show that magmatism was surging in the SCB from 90 to 70 Ma, the lower crust was hot, and cooling occurred after 75 Ma. These data contradict plateau underthrusting and flat-slab subduction as the driving mechanism for early Laramide deformation. We propose that the Laramide orogeny is a two-stage event consisting of: 1) an arc ‘flare-up’ phase in the SCB from 90-75 Ma; and 2) a widespread mountain building phase in the Laramide foreland belt from 75-50 Ma that is linked to subduction of an oceanic plateau.
Learning-induced reorganization of number neurons and emergence of numerical representations in a biologically inspired neural network
Authors: Mistry Percy K. , Strock Anthony , Liu Ruizhe , Young Griffin , Menon Vinod
Published: June 2023

Number sense, the ability to decipher quantity, forms the foundation for mathematical cognition. How number sense emerges with learning is, however, not known. Here we use a biologically-inspired neural architecture comprising cortical layers V1, V2, V3, and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) to investigate how neural representations change with numerosity training. Learning dramatically reorganized neuronal tuning properties at both the single unit and population levels, resulting in the emergence of sharply-tuned representations of numerosity in the IPS layer. Ablation analysis revealed that spontaneous number neurons observed prior to learning were not critical to formation of number representations post-learning. Crucially, multidimensional scaling of population responses revealed the emergence of absolute and relative magnitude representations of quantity, including mid-point anchoring. These learnt representations may underlie changes from logarithmic to cyclic and linear mental number lines that are characteristic of number sense development in humans. Our findings elucidate mechanisms by which learning builds novel representations supporting number sense.
Machining water through laser cutting of nanoparticle-encased water pancakes
Authors: Niu Jicheng , Liu Wenjing , Li Jasmine Xinze , Pang Xianglong , Liu Yulin , Zhang Chao , Yue Keyang , Zhou Yulin , Xu Feng , Li Xiaoguang , Li Fei
Published: June 2023

Due to the inherent disorder and fluidity of water, precise machining of water through laser cutting are challenging. Herein we report a strategy that realizes the laser cutting machining of water through constructing hydrophobic silica nanoparticle-encased water pancakes with sub-millimeter depth. Through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experimental studies, the developed process of nanoparticle-encased water pancake laser cutting and the parameters that affect cutting accuracy are verified and elucidated. We demonstrate that laser-fabricated water patterns can form diverse self-supporting chips (SSCs) with openness, transparency, breathability, liquid morphology, and liquid flow control properties. Applications of laser-fabricated SSCs to various fields, including chemical synthesis, biochemical sensing, liquid metal manipulation, patterned hydrogel synthesis, and drug screening, are also conceptually demonstrated. This work provides a strategy for precisely machining water using laser cutting, addressing existing laser machining challenges and holding significance for widespread fields involving fluid patterning and flow control in biological, chemical, materials and biomedical research.
Immunological imprinting of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in children
Authors: Dowell Alexander C. , Lancaster Tara , Bruton Rachel , Ireland Georgina , Bentley Christopher , Sylla Panagiota , Zuo Jianmin , Scott Sam , Jadir Azar , Begum Jusnara , Roberts Thomas , Stephens Christine , Ditta Shabana , Shepherdson Rebecca , Powell Annabel A. , Brent Andrew J. , Brent Bernadette , Baawuah Frances , Okike Ifeanyichukwu , Beckmann Joanne , Ahmad Shazaad , Aiano Felicity , Garstang Joanna , Ramsay Mary E. , Azad Rafaq , Waiblinger Dagmar , Willett Brian , Wright John , Ladhani Shamez N. , Moss Paul
Published: June 2023

Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 are globally dominant and infection rates are very high in children. We measure immune responses following Omicron BA.1/2 infection in children aged 6-14 years and relate this to prior and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Primary Omicron infection elicits a weak antibody response with poor functional neutralizing antibodies. Subsequent Omicron reinfection or COVID-19 vaccination elicits increased antibody titres with broad neutralisation of Omicron subvariants. Prior pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus infection or vaccination primes for robust antibody responses following Omicron infection but these remain primarily focussed against ancestral variants. Primary Omicron infection thus elicits a weak antibody response in children which is boosted after reinfection or vaccination. Cellular responses are robust and broadly equivalent in all groups, providing protection against severe disease irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 variant. Immunological imprinting is likely to act as an important determinant of long-term humoral immunity, the future clinical importance of which is unknown.
Glacier retreat alters downstream fjord ecosystem structure and function in Greenland
Authors: Meire Lorenz , Paulsen Maria Lund , Meire Patrick , Rysgaard Søren , Hopwood Mark James , Sejr Mikael Kristian , Stuart-Lee Alice , Sabbe Koen , Stock Willem , Mortensen John
Published: June 2023

The melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is accelerating, with glaciers shifting from marine to land termination and potential consequences for fjord ecosystems downstream. Monthly samples in 2016 in two fjords in southwest Greenland show that subglacial discharge from marine-terminating glaciers sustains high phytoplankton productivity that is dominated by diatoms and grazed by larger mesozooplankton throughout summer. In contrast, melting of land-terminating glaciers results in a fjord ecosystem dominated by bacteria, picophytoplankton and smaller zooplankton, which has only one-third of the annual productivity and half the CO2 uptake compared to the fjord downstream from marine-terminating glaciers.
The TNFR1 antagonist Atrosimab reduces neuronal loss, glial activation and memory deficits in an acute mouse model of neurodegeneration
Authors: Ortí-Casañ Natalia , Boerema Ate S. , Köpke Karina , Ebskamp Amber , Keijser Jan , Zhang Yuequ , Chen Tingting , Dolga Amalia M. , Broersen Kerensa , Fischer Roman , Pfizenmaier Klaus , Kontermann Roland E. , Eisel Ulrich L. M.
Published: June 2023

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and its key role in modulating immune responses has been widely recognized as a therapeutic target for inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Even though inhibition of TNF-α is beneficial for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases, total neutralization of TNF-α largely failed in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. TNF-α exerts distinct functions depending on interaction with its two TNF receptors, whereby TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) is associated with neuroinflammation and apoptosis and TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) with neuroprotection and immune regulation. Here, we investigated the effect of administering the TNFR1-specific antagonist Atrosimab, as strategy to block TNFR1 signaling while maintaining TNFR2 signaling unaltered, in an acute mouse model for neurodegeneration. In this model, a NMDA-induced lesion that mimics various hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases, such as memory loss and cell death, was created in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and Atrosimab or control protein was administered centrally. We showed that Atrosimab attenuated cognitive impairments and reduced neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. Our results demonstrate that Atrosimab is effective in ameliorating disease symptoms in an acute neurodegenerative mouse model. Altogether, our study indicates that Atrosimab may be a promising candidate for the development of a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Reduction in sugar drink valuation and consumption with gamified executive control training
Authors: Najberg Hugo , Mouthon Michael , Coppin Géraldine , Spierer Lucas
Published: June 2023

The overvaluation of high-energy, palatable food cues contributes to unhealthy eating and being overweight. Reducing the valuation of unhealthy food may thus constitute a powerful lever to improve eating habits and conditions characterized by unhealthy eating. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized intervention trial assessing the efficacy of a five to twenty days online cognitive training intervention to reduce sugary drink perceived palatability and consumption. Our intervention involved a recently identified action-to-valuation mechanism of action, in which the repeated inhibition of prepotent motor responses to hedonic food cues in a Go/NoGo (GNG) and an attentional bias modification (ABM) task eventually reduces their valuation and intake. Confirming our hypotheses, the experimental intervention with consistent (100%) mapping between motor inhibition and the targeted unhealthy sugary drinks cues induced a larger decrease in their valuation than the control intervention with inconsistent (50%) mapping (− 27.6% vs. − 19%), and a larger increase of the (water) items associated with response execution (+ 11% vs + 4.2%). Exploratory analyses suggest that the effect of training on unhealthy items valuation may persist for at least one month. Against our hypothesis, we observed equivalent reductions in self-reported consumption of sugary drinks following the two interventions (exp: − 27% vs. ctrl: − 19%, BF01 = 4.7), suggesting a dose-independent effect of motor inhibition on self-reported consumption. Our collective results corroborate the robustness and large size of the devaluation effects induced by response inhibition on palatable items, but challenge the assumption of a linear relationship between such effects and the actual consumption of the target items.

Protocol registration

The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 30/03/2021. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at:https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5ESMP.
MDTOMO method for continuous conformational variability analysis in cryo electron subtomograms based on molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Vuillemot Rémi , Rouiller Isabelle , Jonić Slavica
Published: June 2023

Cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows observing macromolecular complexes in their native environment. The common routine of subtomogram averaging (STA) allows obtaining the three-dimensional (3D) structure of abundant macromolecular complexes, and can be coupled with discrete classification to reveal conformational heterogeneity of the sample. However, the number of complexes extracted from cryo-ET data is usually small, which restricts the discrete-classification results to a small number of enough populated states and, thus, results in a largely incomplete conformational landscape. Alternative approaches are currently being investigated to explore the continuity of the conformational landscapes that in situ cryo-ET studies could provide. In this article, we present MDTOMO, a method for analyzing continuous conformational variability in cryo-ET subtomograms based on Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. MDTOMO allows obtaining an atomic-scale model of conformational variability and the corresponding free-energy landscape, from a given set of cryo-ET subtomograms. The article presents the performance of MDTOMO on a synthetic ABC exporter dataset and an in situ SARS-CoV-2 spike dataset. MDTOMO allows analyzing dynamic properties of molecular complexes to understand their biological functions, which could also be useful for structure-based drug discovery.
Role of immigration and emigration on the spread of COVID-19 in a multipatch environment: a case study of India
Authors: Das Tanuja , Bandekar Shraddha Ramdas , Srivastav Akhil Kumar , Srivastava Prashant K , Ghosh Mini
Published: June 2023

Human mobility has played a critical role in the spread of COVID-19. The understanding of mobility helps in getting information on the acceleration or control of the spread of disease. The COVID-19 virus has been spreading among several locations despite all the best efforts related to its isolation. To comprehend this, a multi-patch mathematical model of COVID-19 is proposed and analysed in this work, where-in limited medical resources, quarantining, and inhibitory behaviour of healthy individuals are incorporated into the model. Furthermore, as an example, the impact of mobility in a three-patch model is studied considering the three worst-hit states of India, i.e. Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, as three patches. Key parameters and the basic reproduction number are estimated from the available data. Through results and analyses, it is seen that Kerala has a higher effective contact rate and has the highest prevalence. Moreover, if Kerala is isolated from Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu, the number of active cases will increase in Kerala but reduce in the other two states. Our findings indicate that the number of active cases will decrease in the high prevalence state and increase in the lower prevalence states if the emigration rate is higher than the immigration rate in the high prevalence state. Overall, proper travel restrictions are to be implemented to reduce or control the spread of disease from the high-prevalence state to other states with lower prevalence rates.
Preparation 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde cross-linked Fe3O4@chitosan-polyacrylamide nanocomposite for removal of everzol black from aqueous solutions
Authors: Saadat Afshin , Banaei Alireza , Sattarifar Mehdi , Pargolghasemi Parinaz
Published: June 2023

In this study, new 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde linked Fe3O4/chitosan-polyacrylamide nanocomposite (Fe3O4@CS@Am@Nph) were prepared. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) and Termogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde modified Fe3O4@CS@Am@Nph nanocomposite was used as an effective adsorbent for removal of everzol black from aqueous solutions by batch adsorption procedure. The effects of important parameters on the surface absorption process of everzol black dye, including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration were studied. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption models were used to describe adsorption isotherms and constants. The equilibrium results revealed that the adsorption behavior of the everzol black dye on the Fe3O4@CS@Am@Nph nanocomposite fitted well with the Langmuir model. On the basis of the Langmuir analysis, the maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of the Fe3O4@CS@Am@Nph for everzol black was found to be 63.69 mg/g. The kinetic studies indicated that adsorption in all cases to be a pseudo second-order process. Further, the thermodynamic studies showed the adsorption to be a spontaneous and endothermic process.
Dim artificial light at night alters gene expression rhythms and growth in a key seagrass species (Posidonia oceanica)
Authors: Dalle Carbonare L. , Basile A. , Rindi L. , Bulleri F. , Hamedeh H. , Iacopino S. , Shukla V. , Weits D. A. , Lombardi L. , Sbrana A. , Benedetti-Cecchi L. , Giuntoli B. , Licausi F. , Maggi E.
Published: June 2023

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a globally spreading anthropogenic stressor, affecting more than 20% of coastal habitats. The alteration of the natural light/darkness cycle is expected to impact the physiology of organisms by acting on the complex circuits termed as circadian rhythms. Our understanding of the impact of ALAN on marine organisms is lagging behind that of terrestrial ones, and effects on marine primary producers are almost unexplored. Here, we investigated the molecular and physiological response of the Mediterranean seagrass, Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, as model to evaluate the effect of ALAN on seagrass populations established in shallow waters, by taking advantage of a decreasing gradient of dim nocturnal light intensity (from < 0.01 to 4 lx) along the NW Mediterranean coastline. We first monitored the fluctuations of putative circadian-clock genes over a period of 24 h along the ALAN gradient. We then investigated whether key physiological processes, known to be synchronized with day length by the circadian rhythm, were also affected by ALAN. ALAN influenced the light signalling at dusk/night in P. oceanica, including that of shorter blue wavelengths, through the ELF3–LUX1–ZTL regulatory network, and suggested that the daily perturbation of internal clock orthologs in seagrass might have caused the recruitment of PoSEND33 and PoPSBS genes to mitigate the repercussions of a nocturnal stress on photosynthesis during the day. A long-lasting impairment of gene fluctuations in sites characterised by ALAN could explain the reduced growth of the seagrass leaves when these were transferred into controlled conditions and without lighting during the night. Our results highlight the potential contribution of ALAN to the global loss of seagrass meadows, posing questions about key interactions with a variety of other human-related stressors in urban areas, in order to develop more efficient strategies to globally preserve these coastal foundation species.
Refining the serum miR-371a-3p test for viable germ cell tumor detection
Authors: Lafin John T. , Scarpini Cinzia G. , Amini Armon , Konneh Bendu , Howard Jeffrey M. , Gerald Thomas , Nuno Michelle , Piao Jin , Savelyeva Anna , Wang Zhaohui , Gagan Jeffrey , Jia Liwei , Lewis Cheryl M. , Murray Sarah , Sawa Yun C. , Margulis Vitaly , Woldu Solomon L. , Strand Douglas W. , Coleman Nicholas , Amatruda James F. , Frazier A. Lindsay , Murray Matthew J. , Bagrodia Aditya
Published: June 2023

Circulating miR-371a-3p has excellent performance in the detection of viable (non-teratoma) germ cell tumor (GCT) pre-orchiectomy; however, its ability to detect occult disease is understudied. To refine the serum miR-371a-3p assay in the minimal residual disease setting we compared performance of raw (Cq) and normalized (∆Cq, RQ) values from prior assays, and validated interlaboratory concordance by aliquot swapping. Revised assay performance was determined in a cohort of 32 patients suspected of occult retroperitoneal disease. Assay superiority was determined by comparing resulting receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves using the Delong method. Pairwise t-tests were used to test for interlaboratory concordance. Performance was comparable when thresholding based on raw Cq vs. normalized values. Interlaboratory concordance of miR-371a-3p was high, but reference genes miR-30b-5p and cel-miR-39-3p were discordant. Introduction of an indeterminate range of Cq 28–35 with a repeat run for any indeterminate improved assay accuracy from 0.84 to 0.92 in a group of patients suspected of occult GCT. We recommend that serum miR-371a-3p test protocols are updated to (a) utilize threshold-based approaches using raw Cq values, (b) continue to include an endogenous (e.g., miR-30b-5p) and exogenous non-human spike-in (e.g., cel-miR-39-3p) microRNA for quality control, and (c) to re-run any sample with an indeterminate result.
Association of different obesity patterns with hypertension in US male adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Lu , Zhang Jun , Zhou Nan , Weng Jia-Yi , Bao Zheng-Yang , Wu Li-Da
Published: June 2023

Obesity is an important risk factor for hypertension. We aimed to investigate the association between different obesity patterns and hypertension risk in a large male population in the US. Male participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007–2018) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Social demographic information, lifestyle factors, anthropometric measurements and biochemical measurements were collected. Three obesity patterns were classified according to the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), including overweight and general obesity, abdominal obesity, and compound obesity. We adopted multivariate logistic regression to investigate the associations between hypertension and different obesity patterns after adjusting for cofounding factors. Subgroup analysis, stratified by age, smoking, drinking and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), was also conducted to explore the associations between obesity patterns and hypertension risk among different populations. Moreover, the association between WC and hypertension among male individuals was also explored using restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was used to evaluate the discriminatory power of WC for screening hypertension risk. 13,859 male participants from NHANES survey (2007–2018) were enrolled. Comparing with the normal-weight group, the odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for hypertension in individuals with overweight and general obesity, abdominal obesity and compound obesity were 1.41 [1.17–1.70], 1.97 [1.53–2.54] and 3.28 [2.70–3.99], respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that the effect of different obesity patterns on hypertension risk was highly stable among individuals with different clinical conditions. In addition, WC had a positive correlation with the risk of hypertension (OR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.37–1.52;P < 0.001) in fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression model. RCS analysis showed that the association between WC and hypertension risk was in a nonlinear pattern, and WC had a good discriminatory power for hypertension in ROC analysis. Different patterns of obesity have a great impact on the risk of hypertension among male individuals. Increment of WC significantly increased the hypertension risk. More attention should be paid to the prevention of obesity, especially abdominal obesity and compound obesity in male individuals.
Prognostic value of coronary CTA-based classifications for predicting major events without obstructive coronary artery disease
Authors: Huang Zengfa , Cao Beibei , Du Xinyu , Li Mei , Huang Jiong , Li Zuoqin , Xiao Jianwei , Wang Xiang
Published: June 2023

We aim to explore the classifications based on coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) for predicting the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with suspected non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and compare with traditional non-obstructive CAD (NOCAD) classification, Duke prognostic NOCAD index, Non-obstructive coronary artery disease reporting and data system (NOCAD-RADS). 4378 consecutive non-obstructive CAD patients were assessed by coronary CTA for traditional NOCAD classification, Duke prognostic NOCAD index, NOCAD-RADS and a new classification (stenosis proximal involvement, SPI) from two medical centrals. We defined proximal involvement as any plaque was present in the main or proximal segments of coronary artery (left main, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, or right coronary artery). The main outcome was MACE. During a median follow-up of 3.7 years, a total of 310 patients experienced MACE event. Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed the cumulative events increased significantly associated with traditional NOCAD, Duke NOCAD index, NOCAD-RADS and SPI classifications (all P < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regressions, the risk for the events increased from HR 1.20 (95% CI 0.78–1.83, P = 0.408) for SPI 1 to 1.35 (95% CI 1.05–1.73, P = 0.019) for SPI 2, using SPI 0 as the reference group. Coronary CTA based SPI classification provided important prognostic information for all cause-mortality risk and MACE prediction in patients with non-obstructive CAD, which was non-inferior than traditional NOCAD, Duke NOCAD Index and NOCAD-RADS classifications. The plaque location information by coronary CTA may provide additional risk prediction in patients with non-obstructive CAD.
Pure edge-contact devices on single-layer-CVD-graphene integrated into a single chip
Authors: Behera Saraswati
Published: June 2023

We present a simple and cost-effective fabrication technique for on-chip integration of pure edge contact two-terminal (2T) and Graphene field effect transistor (GFET) devices with low contact resistance and nonlinear characteristics based on single-layer chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) graphene. We use a smart print-based mask projection technique with a 10X magnification objective lens for maskless lithography followed by thermal evaporation of the contact material Cr-Pd-Au through three different angles (90° and ± 45°) using a customized inclined-angle sample-holder to control the angle during normal incidence evaporation for edge-contact to graphene. Our fabrication technique, graphene quality, and contact geometry enable pure metal contact to 2D single-layer graphene allowing electron transport through the 1D atomic edge of graphene. Our devices show some signatures of edge contact to graphene in terms of very low contact resistance of 23.5 Ω, the sheet resistance of 11.5 Ω, and sharp nonlinear voltage-current characteristics (VCC) which are highly sensitive to the bias voltage. This study may find application in future graphene-integrated chip-scale passive or active low-power electronic devices.
Adsorption and reversible conformational change of a thiophene based molecule on Au(111)
Authors: Sarkar Suchetana , Au-Yeung Kwan Ho , Kühne Tim , Waentig Albrecht , Ryndyk Dmitry A. , Heine Thomas , Cuniberti Gianaurelio , Feng Xinliang , Moresco Francesca
Published: June 2023

We present a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope investigation of a prochiral thiophene-based molecule that self-assembles forming islands with different domains on the Au(111) surface. In the domains, two different conformations of the single molecule are observed, depending on a slight rotation of two adjacent bromothiophene groups. Using voltage pulses from the tip, single molecules can be switched between the two conformations. The electronic states have been measured with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, showing that the electronic resonances are mainly localized at the same positions in both conformations. Density-functional theory calculations support the experimental results. Furthermore, we observe that on Ag(111), only one configuration is present and therefore the switching effect is suppressed.
ConvNeXt steel slag sand substitution rate detection method incorporating attention mechanism
Authors: Teng Shengjie , Zhu Lin , Li Yunze , Wang Xinnian , Jin Qiang
Published: June 2023

The proportion of natural sand replaced by steel slag sand affects the volumetric stability of steel slag mortar and steel slag concrete. However, the steel slag substitution rate detection method is inefficient and lacks representative sampling. Therefore, a deep learning-based steel slag sand substitution rate detection method is proposed. The technique adds a squeeze and excitation (SE) attention mechanism to the ConvNeXt model to improve the model's efficiency in extracting the color features of steel slag sand mix. Meanwhile, the model's accuracy is further enhanced by using the migration learning method. The experimental results show that SE can effectively help ConvNeXt acquire images' color features. The model's accuracy in predicting the replacement rate of steel slag sand is 87.99%, which is better than the original ConvNeXt network and other standard convolutional neural networks. After using the migration learning training method, the model predicts the steel slag sand substitution rate with 92.64% accuracy, improving accuracy by 4.65%. The SE attention mechanism and the migration learning training method can help the model acquire the critical features of the image better and effectively improve the model's accuracy. The method proposed in this paper can identify the steel slag sand substitution rate quickly and accurately and can be used for the detection of the steel slag sand substitution rate.
A cross-country analysis of sustainability, transport and energy poverty
Authors: Furszyfer Del Rio Dylan D. , Sovacool Benjamin K. , Griffiths Steve , Foley Aoife M. , Furszyfer Del Rio Jonathan
Published: June 2023

Poverty impacts people’s choices and opportunities and can perpetuate a disadvantaged status. Poverty remains a prevalent global issue due to disproportionate wealth distribution, which often translates to inequality in energy consumption and emissions. This research investigates if low-income households and minorities from four countries with very different national cultures, contexts, and levels of wealth experience a ‘double energy vulnerability’, a concept that simultaneously positions people at heightened risk of transport and energy poverty. Our research identifies that low-income households and minorities are at higher risk of simultaneously experiencing energy and transport poverty regardless of the national context in which they live. Our study also contests the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, showing that even in relatively wealthy countries, many individuals still face energy and transport poverty. We conclude that global sustainable development requires significant shifts in policy action, resource distribution and investment in social services.
Fiber-tip Fabry–Pérot interferometer with a graphene–Au–Pd cantilever for trace hydrogen sensing
Authors: Zhong Junlan , Lu Shengzhen , Liu Shen , Chen Peijing , Luo Junxian , Chen Yanping , Hong Guiqing , Xu Xizhen , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei , Wang Ying , Wang Yiping
Published: June 2023

Schematic diagram of the proposed hydrogen sensor based on a graphene–Au–Pd nanocantilever.
Optimization, fractional characterization, and antioxidant potential of exopolysaccharides from Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP 963 isolated from “kanji”
Authors: Afreen Asma , Ahmed Zaheer , Khalid Nauman
Published: June 2023

A novel exopolysaccharide (EPS) was obtained from Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP 963 isolated from a black carrot drink named “kanji”.
A microfluidic approach for the detection of uric acid through electrical measurement using an atomically thin MoS2 field-effect transistor
Authors: Nasiruddin Md , Waizumi Hiroki , Takaoka Tsuyoshi , Wang Zhipeng , Sainoo Yasuyuki , Mamun Muhammad Shamim Al , Ando Atsushi , Fukuyama Mao , Hibara Akihide , Komeda Tadahiro
Published: June 2023

A microfluidic system combined with an atomically thin MoS2 field effect transistor was optimized as a solution sensor. Uric acid in isopropyl alcohol was successfully detected with the lowest concentration of 60 nM.
In vivo monitoring of the ubiquitination of newly synthesized proteins in living cells by combining a click reaction with fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS)
Authors: Liu Yaoqi , Dong Chaoqing , Ren Jicun
Published: June 2023

A new method is proposed for the in vivo monitoring of the ubiquitination of newly synthesized proteins in living cells by combining a click reaction with fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy (FCCS).
pH/GSH dual-responsive supramolecular nanomedicine for hypoxia-activated combination therapy
Authors: Du Chang , Wang Chenwei , Jiang Shu-Heng , Zheng Xiangqin , Li Zelong , Yao Yong , Ding Yue , Chen Tingting , Yi Huan
Published: June 2023

A pH/GSH dual-responsive supramolecular nanomedicine with a disulfide-bond cross-linked core was constructed for effective combination therapy of GOD-mediated starvation therapy, chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy (CT).
Injectable cell-targeting fiber rods to promote lipolysis and regulate inflammation for obesity treatment
Authors: Tao Xinyan , Liu Yuan , Ding Zhenhua , Xie Shuang , Cao Wenxiong , Li Xiaohong
Published: June 2023

Obesity has become a worldwide public health problem and continues to be one of the leading causes of chronic diseases.
Dibenzoberylloles: antiaromatic s-block fluorene analogues
Authors: Tröster Tobias , Endres Franziska , Arrowsmith Merle , Endres Lukas , Fantuzzi Felipe , Braunschweig Holger
Published: June 2023

The first Lewis-base-stabilised dibenzoberylloles are prepared, one of which undergoes a complex but selective thermal conversion to a loosely bound beryllium-alkene π complex and two-electron reduction to an aromatic dianion.
First investigation of the morphological and luminescence properties of HfO2 nanoparticles synthesized by photochemical synthesis
Authors: Villa Irene , Procházková Lenka Prouzová , Mihóková Eva , Babin Vladimir , Král Robert , Zemenová Petra , Falvey Alexandra , Čuba Václav , Salomoni Matteo , Pagano Fiammetta , Calà Roberto , Frank Isabel , Auffray Etiennette , Nikl M.
Published: June 2023

For the first time, monoclinic crystalline HfO2 is achieved by scalable and low-cost photochemical synthesis. This approach is valid for the creation of large area HfO2-based scintillating composites for fast timing applications.
Spontaneous polarization-driven charge migration in BaTiO3/Co3O4/C for enhanced catalytic performance
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Hua , Cui Bin , Pei Fei , Li Yaping , Zhao Rui , Zhang Jie , Wang Furong , Gao Zixuan , Wang Shan
Published: June 2023

Ferroelectric spontaneous polarization is a common physical phenomenon that stems from the displacement of positive and negative charges in opposite directions within ferroelectric materials.
Understanding photochemical pathways of laser-induced metal ion reduction through byproduct analysis
Authors: Frias Batista Laysa M. , Moody Michael , Weththasingha Chamari , Kaplan Ella , Faruque Irtiza , El-Shall M. Samy , Tibbetts Katharine Moore
Published: June 2023

Reaction pathways for laser reduction in liquid under femtosecond plasma and low-fluence nanosecond excitation conditions are identified.
Surface-sealing encapsulation of phosphotungstic acid in microporous UiO-66 as a bifunctional catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Tan Hongzi , Rong Siteng , Zong Zhiyuan , Zhang Pengrui , Zhao Rongrong , Song Feng , Cui Hongyou , Chen Zhe-Ning , Yi Weiming , Zhang Fengshan
Published: June 2023

The efficient production of γ-valerolactone (GVL) from renewable lignocellulose that is synthesized in plants by photosynthesis to replace the declining fossil resources conforms to the principles of circular economy.
Theoretical identification of the superior anchoring effect and electrochemical performance of Ti2CS2 by single atom Zn doping for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Wang Mingyang , Mao Jianjun , Pang Yudong , Zhang Xilin , Wang Haiyan , Yang Zongxian , Lu Zhansheng , Yang Shuting
Published: June 2023

An effective strategy for enhancing the electrochemical performance of Li−S batteries using single heteroatom Zn doping on the S-terminated Ti2C MXenes (Ti2−xZnxCS2) to induce Lewis acid-based active sites.
An approximation to the vibrational coupled-cluster method for CH-stretching of large molecules: application to naphthalene and anthracene
Authors: Palanisamy Nivedhitha , Banik Subrata
Published: June 2023

We propose an approximation to the vibrational coupled-cluster method (VCCM) to describe the CH-stretching region of the vibrational spectrum of large molecules.
Uncovering the origin of radiationless losses in CuLaO2 by rationalizing the action of temperature and pressure on luminescence
Authors: Kamiński Mikołaj , Mahlik Sebastian , Barros Anthony , Boutinaud Philippe
Published: June 2023

CuLaO2 shows green luminescence upon blue excitation. The depreciation of this luminescence in the 100–400 K range is ascribed to a radiative re-absorption and a crossover to the Cu+-to-La3+ metal-to-metal charge transfer (i.e. excitonic) states.
A numerical model for water hydration on nanosurfaces: from friction to hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity
Authors: Zhang Shuwen , Wang Zhihao , Ding Chao , Lu Hongwang , Qu Yuanyuan , Li Yong-Qiang , Zhao Mingwen , Li Weifeng
Published: June 2023

Fluidic transport down to the nanometer scale is of great importance for a wide range of applications such as energy harvesting, seawater desalination, and water treatment and may help to understand many biological processes.
Forming-free plant resistive random access memory based on the Coulomb blockade effect produced by gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Lu , Xie Jiachu , Wen Dianzhong
Published: June 2023

Forming-free plant resistive random access memory based on the Coulomb blockade effect produced by gold nanoparticles is prepared for biological synapses.
Fragment-based approach for the efficient calculation of the refractive index of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Treger Marvin , König Carolin , Behrens Peter , Schneider Andreas M.
Published: June 2023

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) possess a modular construction. By applying a fragmentation scheme the refractive index n of MOFs can be calculated in an efficient way.
Crystal facet evolution of spinel Co3O4nanosheets in acidic oxygen evolution catalysis
Authors: Sheng Ziyang , Wang Sihong , Jiang Qu , Ni Yuanman , Zhang Chaoran , Ahmad Ashfaq , Song Fang
Published: June 2023

The decoupling of durable and active facets of Co3O4suggests the synergistic enhancement of activity and stability through facet engineering.
On the importance of equatorial metal-centered excited states in the photophysics of cyclometallated Ir(iii) complexes
Authors: Soriano-Díaz Iván , Ortí Enrique , Giussani Angelo
Published: June 2023

While the relevance of MC axial states is well documented, the importance of MC equatorial states has sometimes been overlooked. Their key role is here proven for the archetypal [Ir(ppy)2(bpy)]+ complex and two derivatives.
Comparative studies on in vitro antitumor activities and apoptosis-inducing effects of enantiomeric ruthenium(ii) complexes
Authors: Jiang Jianrong , Chen Qian , Huan Tianwen , Nie Yanhong , Dai Zhongming , Li Dujuan , Xu Xu , Lu Jun , Hu Zhangli , Xu Hong
Published: June 2023

Both enantiomers induced the apoptosis of tumor cells by regulating mRNA expression and activating both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. The higher antitumor efficiency of the Δ-enantiomer should be due to its stronger interaction with DNA.