bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-rational design of nitroarene dioxygenase for catalytic ability toward 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene
Authors: Xu Jia , Li Tao , Huang Wei E. , Zhou Ning-Yi
Published: May 2024

Rieske non-heme dioxygenase family enzymes play an important role in the aerobic biodegradation of nitroaromatic pollutants, but no active dioxygenases are available in nature for initial reactions in the degradation of many refractory pollutants like 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (24DCNB). Here, we report the engineering of hotspots in 2,3-dichloronitrobenzene dioxygenase from
Diaphorobacter
sp. strain JS3051, achieved through molecular dynamic simulation analysis and site-directed mutagenesis, with the aim of enhancing its catalytic activity toward 24DCNB. The computationally predicted activity scores were largely consistent with the detected activities in wet experiments. Among them, the two most beneficial mutations (E204M and M248I) were obtained, and the combined mutant reached up to a 62-fold increase in activity toward 24DCNB, generating a single product, 3,5-dichlorocatechol, which is a naturally occurring compound.
In silico
analysis confirmed that residue 204 affected the substrate preference for
meta
-substituted nitroarenes, while residue 248 may influence substrate preference by interaction with residue 295. Overall, this study provides a framework for manipulating nitroarene dioxygenases using computational methods to address various nitroarene contamination problems.

IMPORTANCE

As a result of human activities, various nitroaromatic pollutants continue to enter the biosphere with poor degradability, and dioxygenation is an important kickoff step to remove toxic nitro-groups and convert them into degradable products. The biodegradation of many nitroarenes has been reported over the decades; however, many others still lack corresponding enzymes to initiate their degradation. Although rieske non-heme dioxygenase family enzymes play extraordinarily important roles in the aerobic biodegradation of various nitroaromatic pollutants, prediction of their substrate specificity is difficult. This work greatly improved the catalytic activity of dioxygenase against 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene by computer-aided semi-rational design, paving a new way for the evolution strategy of nitroarene dioxygenase. This study highlights the potential for using enzyme structure-function information with computational pre-screening methods to rapidly tailor the catalytic functions of enzymes toward poorly biodegradable contaminants.
Identification of a hemorrhagic determinant in
Clostridioides difficile
TcdA and
Paeniclostridium sordellii
TcsH
Authors: Zheng Yangling , Yang Qi , Luo Jianhua , Zhang Yuanyuan , Li Xingxing , He Liuqing , Ma Chao , Tao Liang
Published: May 2024

Paeniclostridium sordellii
hemorrhagic toxin (TcsH) and
Clostridioides difficile
toxin A (TcdA) are two major members of the large clostridial toxin (LCT) family. These two toxins share ~87% similarity and are known to cause severe hemorrhagic pathology in animals. Yet, the pathogenesis of their hemorrhagic toxicity has been mysterious for decades. Here, we examined the liver injury after systemic exposure to different LCTs and found that only TcsH and TcdA induce overt hepatic hemorrhage. By investigating the chimeric and truncated toxins, we demonstrated that the enzymatic domain of TcsH alone is not sufficient to determine its potent hepatic hemorrhagic toxicity in mice. Likewise, the combined repetitive oligopeptide (CROP) domain of TcsH/TcdA alone also failed to explain their strong hemorrhagic activity in mice. Lastly, we showed that disrupting the first two short repeats of CROPs in TcsH and TcdA impaired hemorrhagic toxicity without causing overt changes in cytotoxicity and lethality. These findings lead to a deeper understanding of toxin-induced hemorrhage and the pathogenesis of LCTs and could be insightful in developing therapeutic avenues against clostridial infections.

IMPORTANCE

Paeniclostridium sordellii
and
Clostridioides difficile
infections often cause hemorrhage in the affected tissues and organs, which is mainly attributed to their hemorrhagic toxins, TcsH and TcdA. In this study, we demonstrate that TcsH and TcdA, but not other related toxins. including
Clostridioides difficile
toxin B and TcsL, induce severe hepatic hemorrhage in mice. We further determine that a small region in TcsH and TcdA is critical for the hemorrhagic toxicity but not cytotoxicity or lethality of these toxins. Based on these results, we propose that the hemorrhagic toxicity of TcsH and TcdA is due to an uncharacterized mechanism, such as the presence of an unknown receptor, and future studies to identify the interactive host factors are warranted.
Revealing roles of S-layer protein (SlpA) in
Clostridioides difficile
pathogenicity by generating the first
slpA
gene deletion mutant
Authors: Wang Shaohua , Courreges Maria C. , Xu Lingjun , Gurung Bijay , Berryman Mark , Gu Tingyue
Published: May 2024

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) with high morbidity and high mortality is an urgent threat to public health, and
C. difficile
pathogenesis studies are eagerly required for CDI therapy. The major surface layer protein, SlpA, was supposed to play a key role in
C. difficile
pathogenesis; however, a lack of isogenic
slpA
mutants has greatly hampered analysis of SlpA functions. In this study, the whole
slpA
gene was successfully deleted for the first time via CRISPR-Cas9 system. Deletion of
slpA
in
C. difficile
resulted in smaller, smother-edged colonies, shorter bacterial cell size, and aggregation in suspension. For life cycle, the mutant demonstrated lower growth (changes of optical density at 600 nm, OD600) but higher cell density (colony-forming unit, CFU), decreased toxins production, and inhibited sporulation. Moreover, the mutant was more impaired in motility, more sensitive to vancomycin and Triton X-100-induced autolysis, releasing more lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, SlpA deficiency led to robust biofilm formation but weak adhesion to human host cells.

IMPORTANCE

Clostridioides difficile
infection (CDI) has been the most common hospital-acquired infection, with a high rate of antibiotic resistance and recurrence incidences, become a debilitating public health threat. It is urgently needed to study
C. difficile
pathogenesis for developing efficient strategies as CDI therapy. SlpA was indicated to play a key role in
C. difficile
pathogenesis. However, analysis of SlpA functions was hampered due to lack of isogenic
slpA
mutants. Surprisingly, the first
slpA
deletion
C. difficile
strain was generated in this study via CRISPR-Cas9, further negating the previous thought about
slpA
being essential. Results in this study will provide direct proof for roles of SlpA in
C. difficile
pathogenesis, which will facilitate future investigations for new targets as vaccines, new therapeutic agents, and intervention strategies in combating CDI.
Early–Middle Devonian paleomagnetic results from the Zhongba microterrane, Tibetan Plateau: Evidence for its origin from the northern margin of Greater India
Authors: Li Shuai , Li Yalin , Tan Xiaodong , Han Zhongpeng , Wang Chengshan , Ma Zining , Xu Yunchuan , Wang Zihao , Xiao Siqi , Cheng Jianbo , Li Zijian , Ma Xingduo , Guo Zichun , Huang Song
Published: May 2024

The initial disintegration of Gondwana during the Paleozoic laid the foundation for the formation of the Tibetan Plateau in the Cenozoic. Determining the relative positions of the microterranes in Gondwana during the Paleozoic not only informs the subsequent drift and accretion processes of these microterranes but is also crucial to the paleogeographic reconstruction of Gondwana. However, the lack of paleomagnetic constraints on the Devonian paleogeography of the microterranes in the northern part of Gondwana makes this effort challenging. Here, we report paleomagnetic results for the first time from the Early–Middle Devonian sediments of the Zhongba microterrane. The site-mean direction is declination (Ds) = 310.7°, inclination (Is) = −67.2°, ks = 31.2, α95 = 8.3°, and n = 11, in stratigraphic coordinates. Positive fold and reversal tests, together with rock magnetism results and microscopic observations, strongly suggest that the remanence carriers are of depositional origin. The paleomagnetic results meet the paleomagnetic reliability criteria and therefore can be used for tectonic reconstructions. Our results constrain the paleolatitude of the Zhongba microterrane to be 50.0°S ± 11.7°S in the Early–Middle Devonian. Combined with published detrital zircon ages as well as paleomagnetic results and geological data, our data indicate that the Zhongba microterrane, which had no tectonic affinity with the Lhasa terrane, was part of the northern margin of Greater India during 408–388 Ma and coupled with the South Qiangtang terrane, Tethyan Himalayas, and other terranes to form the continuous northern continental margin of East Gondwana.
Supplemental Material: Intact stalked crinoids from the late Aptian of NE Spain offer insights into the Mesozoic Marine Revolution in the Tethys
Authors: García-Penas Álvaro , Zamora Samuel , al. et
Published: May 2024

Description of the deposit and paleoenvironmental interpretation, crinoid predation and preservation.  
Supplemental Material: Multi-scale, open-system magmatic and sub-solidus processes contribute to the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the Jurassic Guadalupe Igneous Complex, Sierra Nevada, California, USA
Authors: Ratschbacher Barbara C. , al. et
Published: May 2024

Cathodoluminescence images of zircon grains showing spots analyzed with LA-ICP-MS. Figure S2: Comparison of Mg# in whole rock with Mg# in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, amphibole Si versus Mg#, and ranges in anorthite content in plagioclase from samples of various GIC map units. Figure S3: Differences in maximum Hf and Yb/Dy ratio in individual zircon grains from different map units of the GIC and as a function of zonation type. Figure S4: Assimilation-fractional crystallization and mixing calculations. Table S1: Whole-rock Sr and Nd isotope composition and major element composition. Table S2: Whole-rock oxygen isotope composition and major and selected trace element composition. Table S3: Electron microprobe data from clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, amphibole, feldspar, and titanite. Table S4: Zircon trace element compositions. Table S5: Zircon oxygen isotopes. Table S6: Uncertainties of thermometers used in this study. Text S1: Detailed description of analytical methods and detailed description of thin section observations. File S1: Results of zircon trace element modeling.  
Supplemental Material: Final closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean: Insights from Triassic granitoids in the central Qiangtang area, northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhai Qing-guo , et al.
Published: May 2024

Supplemental text and Tables S1-S3.
Supplemental Material: Neoarchean granitoid magmatism and geodynamic process in the northeastern North China craton
Authors: Sun Guozheng , et al.
Published: May 2024

Tables S1–S4: Data of whole-rock chemistry and zircon U–Pb–Lu–Hf isotopes for Neoarchean granitoids, and the latest experimental petrological results. Figures S1–S9: Detailed structural results of geology, representative field photographs and photomicrographs for Neoarchean diversified TTG and K-rich granitoids, and representative zircon cathodoluminescence images and concordia diagrams for dated samples.
Supplemental Material: Provenance history of the eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin: Implications for the evolution of the South China margin
Authors: Li Yichao , Gong Chenglin , et al.
Published: May 2024

Table S1: Detrital zircon U-Pb ages of seven sandstone samples from eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin in northern South China Sea. Table S2: Zircon trace elements of seven sandstone samples from eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin in northern South China Sea. Table S3: Heavy mineral assemblages of 53 sandstone samples from borehole LF6 in eastern Pearl River Mouth Basin, northern South China Sea.
Congenital glottic stenosis as a clinical manifestation ofFREM1-associated disorders in a neonate with respiratory distress and aphonia
Authors: Dahlquist Kayla , Meyers Taylor , Schacht John Paul , Hicks Rebecca
Published: May 2024

A female infant born at 38 weeks and 2 days via induced vaginal delivery was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress soon after birth. Noted to have aphonia on examination, the patient underwent direct laryngoscopy and was diagnosed with an anterior glottic web and subglottic stenosis. The patient underwent a genetic workup including whole exome sequencing which resulted in a diagnosis of aFREM1-associated disorder. Congenital glottic webs and subglottic stenoses have not been previously described as clinical manifestations ofFREM1-associated disorders.
A tale of two exemplars: the maternal and newborn mortality transitions of two state clusters in India
Authors: Ram Usha , Ramesh Banadakoppa Manjappa , Blanchard Andrea Katryn , Scott Kerry , Kumar Prakash , Agrawal Ritu , Washington Reynold , Bhushan Himanshu
Published: May 2024

Background

India’s progress in reducing maternal and newborn mortality since the 1990s has been exemplary across diverse contexts. This paper examines progress in two state clusters: higher mortality states (HMS) with lower per capita income and lower mortality states (LMS) with higher per capita income.

Methods

We characterised state clusters’ progress in five characteristics of a mortality transition model (mortality levels, causes, health intervention coverage/equity, fertility and socioeconomic development) and examined health policy and systems changes. We conducted quantitative trend analyses, and qualitative document review, interviews and discussions with national and state experts.

Results

Both clusters reduced maternal and neonatal mortality by over two-thirds and half respectively during 2000–2018. Neonatal deaths declined in HMS most on days 3–27, and in LMS on days 0–2. From 2005 to 2018, HMS improved coverage of antenatal care with contents (ANCq), institutional delivery and postnatal care (PNC) by over three-fold. In LMS, ANCq, institutional delivery and PNC rose by 1.4-fold. C-sections among the poorest increased from 1.5% to 7.1% in HMS and 5.6% to 19.4% in LMS.

Fewer high-risk births (to mothers <18 or 36+ years, birth interval <2 years, birth order 3+) contributed 15% and 6% to neonatal mortality decline in HMS and LMS, respectively. Socioeconomic development improved in both clusters between 2005 and 2021; HMS saw more rapid increases than LMS in women’s literacy (1.5-fold), household electricity (by 2-fold), improved sanitation (3.2-fold) and telephone access (6-fold).

India’s National (Rural) Health Mission’s financial and administrative flexibility allowed states to tailor health system reforms. HMS expanded public health resources and financial schemes, while LMS further improved care at hospitals and among the poorest.

Conclusion

Two state clusters in India progressed in different mortality transitions, with efforts to maximise coverage at increasingly advanced levels of healthcare, alongside socioeconomic improvements. The transition model characterises progress and guides further advances in maternal and newborn survival.
Non-physician anaesthesia providers’ perspectives on task sharing practices in Zambia and Somaliland: a qualitative study
Authors: Karydi Konstantina Ilia , Kabaghe Siston , Blamey Helen , Mohamed Mubarak , Shamambo Naomi , Edgcombe Hilary
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The 68th World Health Assembly, in 2015, called for surgical and anaesthesia services strengthening. Acknowledging the healthcare staff shortages, they referred to task sharing, among others, as a more effective use of the healthcare workforce. While task sharing has been increasingly proposed as an important strategy to increase the reach and safety of anaesthesia as well as a means of supporting the workforce in low-resource settings, most data on task sharing relate to non-anaesthetic healthcare contexts. The aim of this study was to understand anaesthetic task sharing as currently experienced and/or envisaged by non-physician anaesthesia providers in Zambia and Somaliland.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative research methodology was used. Participants were recruited initially via contacts of the research team, then through snowballing using a purposive sampling strategy. There were 13 participants: 7 from Somaliland and 6 from Zambia. Semistructured interviews took place synchronously, then were recorded, anonymised, transcribed and analysed thematically. Triangulation and respondents’ validation were used to maximise data validity.

Results

Four major themes were identified in relation to task sharing practices: (1) participants recognised variable components of task sharing in their practice; (2) access to task sharing depends both on sources and resources; (3) implicit barriers may inhibit task sharing practices; (4) there is an appetite among participants for amelioration of current task sharing practices.

Conclusions

Empowering task sharing practices can be achieved only by understanding how these practices work, by identifying gaps and areas of improvement, and by addressing them. The findings from this exploratory study could help the global community understand how anaesthetic task sharing in low-resource settings works and inspire further research on the field. This could inform future modelling of workforce planning strategies in low-resource settings to maximise the effectiveness and professional well-being of the workforce.
Risk of transmission of HIV to infants during breast/chest feeding when mothers/birthing parents living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy: a protocol for a rapid review
Authors: Djiadeu Pascal , Begum Housne , Archibald Chris , Ekmekjian Taline , Busa Giovanna , Dansoh Jeffery , Van Nguyen Phu , Merckx Joanna , Fleurant Annie
Published: May 2024

Introduction

HIV is a major public health issue affecting millions globally. Women and girls account for 46% of new HIV infections in 2022 and approximately 1.3 million females become pregnant every year. Vertical transmission of HIV from persons living with HIV (PLHIV) to infants may occur through different modalities, such as through breast/chest feeding. Notably, 82% of PLHIV who chose to breast/chest feed are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) when feeding their infants. Precise estimates of the risk of postpartum transmission to infants during breast/chest feeding at varying viral load levels remain a significant gap in the literature.

Methods and analysis

A rapid systematic search of electronic databases will be conducted from January 2005 to the present, including Medline, Embase and Global Health. The objective of this rapid review is to explore and assess the available evidence on the effect of varying viral load levels on the risk of HIV transmission to infants during breast/chest feeding when the birthing or gestational parent living with HIV is on ART. Study characteristics will be summarised and reported to support the narrative summary of the findings. The focus will be on the absolute risk of HIV transmission from birthing parent to infant during chest/breast feeding. The findings will also be stratified by month, including the risk of HIV transmission for 6 months and greater than 6 months postpartum. We will ascertain the risk of bias using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2, Quality of Prognosis Studies and Downs and Black checklist for the appropriate study type. A summary score will not be calculated, rather the strengths and limitations of the studies will be narratively described.

Ethics and dissemination

No human subjects will be involved in the research. The findings of this rapid review will inform a future systematic review and will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, presentations and conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024499393.
Cohort profile: EFTER-COVID – a Danish nationwide cohort for assessing the long-term health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sørensen Anna Irene Vedel , Bager Peter , Nielsen Nete Munk , Koch Anders , Spiliopoulos Lampros , Hviid Anders , Ethelberg Steen
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To follow SARS-CoV-2-infected persons up to 18 months after a positive test in order to assess the burden and nature of post acute symptoms and health problems.

Participants

Persons in Denmark above 15 years of age, who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during 1 September 2020 to 21 February 2023 using a RT-PCR test. As a reference group, three test-negative individuals were selected for every two test-positive individuals by matching on test date.

Findings to date

In total, 2 427 913 invitations to baseline questionnaires have been sent out and 839 528 baseline questionnaires (34.5%) have been completed. Females, the age group 50–69 years, Danish-born and persons, who had received at least one SARS-CoV-2 vaccination booster dose were more likely to participate. Follow-up questionnaires were sent at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after the test, with response rates at 42%–54%.

Future plans

New participants have been recruited on a daily basis from 1 August 2021 to 23 March 2023. Data collection will continue until the last follow-up questionnaires (at 18 months after test) have been distributed in August 2024.
Comprehensive single-cell analysis deciphered microenvironmental dynamics and immune regulator olfactomedin 4 in pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer
Authors: He Huisi , Chen Shuzhen , Yu Yong , Fan Zhecai , Qian Youwen , Dong Yaping , Song Yuting , Zhong Caiming , Sun Xiaojuan , Cao Qiqi , Li Shiyao , Huang Weihan , Li Wenxin , Zhuang Mingzhu , Yang Jinxian , Wang Xianming , Wang Jiaqian , Wu Dongfang , Wang Hongyang , Wen Wen
Published: May 2024

Objective

Elucidating complex ecosystems and molecular features of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and benign gallbladder diseases is pivotal to proactive cancer prevention and optimal therapeutic intervention.

Design

We performed single-cell transcriptome analysis on 230 737 cells from 15 GBCs, 4 cholecystitis samples, 3 gallbladder polyps, 5 gallbladder adenomas and 16 adjacent normal tissues. Findings were validated through large-scale histological assays, digital spatial profiler multiplexed immunofluorescence (GeoMx), etc. Further molecular mechanism was demonstrated with
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies.

Results

The cell atlas unveiled an altered immune landscape across different pathological states of gallbladder diseases. GBC featured a more suppressive immune microenvironment with distinct T-cell proliferation patterns and macrophage attributions in different GBC subtypes. Notably, mutual exclusivity between stromal and immune cells was identified and remarkable stromal ecosystem (SC) heterogeneity during GBC progression was unveiled. Specifically, SC1 demonstrated active interaction between Fibro-iCAF and Endo-Tip cells, correlating with poor prognosis. Moreover, epithelium genetic variations within adenocarcinoma (AC) indicated an evolutionary similarity between adenoma and AC. Importantly, our study identified elevated olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) in epithelial cells as a central player in GBC progression. OLFM4 was related to T-cell malfunction and tumour-associated macrophage infiltration, leading to a worse prognosis in GBC. Further investigations revealed that OLFM4 upregulated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through the MAPK-AP1 axis, facilitating tumour cell immune evasion.

Conclusion

These findings offer a valuable resource for understanding the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases and indicate OLFM4 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for GBC.
Active and non-active progression independent of relapse activity within the first 20 years of relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Maarouf Adil , Stellmann Jan Patrick , Rico Audrey , Boutiere Clemence , Demortiere Sarah , Durozard Pierre , Zaaraoui Wafaa , Ranjeva Jean-Philippe , Pelletier Jean , Audoin Bertrand
Published: May 2024

Background

Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) has been described since the early stage of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). However, little is known about the relation between PIRA and inflammatory activity that is particularly important at this stage of the disease.

Method

We included 110 patients in a prospective study within 18 months of RMS onset. MRI examinations and clinical visits were scheduled on the same day for months 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 60, 84, 120, 180 and 240.

Results

The mean (SD) age of patients was 30 (6.7) years at inclusion and median (range) follow-up 15 (9–20) years. Analysis of 1118 between-visit intervals revealed 93 confirmed disability accumulation events in 68 (62%) patients: 50 (54%) events related to relapse activity worsening and 43 (46%) PIRA events, including 17 (18%) with MRI activity. The risk of PIRA between two visits (stable event as the reference category) was associated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.18 to 1.69; p<0.001), disease duration (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.62 to 0.90; p<0.005) and new lesions between the visits (HR: 1.09 per lesion; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.17; p<0.05). As compared with PIRA events with MRI activity, PIRA events without such activity occurred in patients with more disability (mean EDSS score 3, p<0.05), longer disease duration (mean 11 years, p<0.001) and greater number of T2-weighted lesions (p<0.05).

Conclusion

This study evidenced that inflammatory activity increases the risk of PIRA in early RMS, arguing that a significant part of PIRA is accessible to treatment targeting inflammation in these patients.
SENP1 knockdown potentiates the apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and reduces cisplatin resistance of diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells via inducing ferroptosis
Authors: Dong Jinfeng , Zheng Xiaoqiang
Published: May 2024

Ferroptosis has been regarded as a critical event in the process of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Sentrin-specific protease 1 (SENP1) has emerged as an oncogene in multiple human malignancies. The present work was to investigate the effects of SENP1 on the progression of DLBCL and the possible regulatory mechanism involving ferroptosis. SENP1 expression in DLBCL tissues, parental and cisplatin-resistant DLBCL cells were, respectively, tested by GEPIA database, RT-qPCR, and Western blot. Cell viability was estimated via CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry analysis estimated cell apoptosis and cycle. Western blot examined the expression of apoptosis-, cell cycle-, and ferroptosis-associated proteins. TBARS assay and BODIPY 581/591 C11 probe measured lipid peroxidation. Related assay kit assessed total iron levels. CCK-8 and flow cytometry evaluated cisplatin resistance. SENP1 expression was raised in DLBCL tissues and cells. SENP1 knockdown reduced cell viability, boosted cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and elevated cisplatin sensitivity in DLBCL. SENP1 depletion drove the ferroptosis of both parental and cisplatin-resistant DLBCL cells and ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 reversed the influences of SENP1 inhibition on cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and cisplatin resistance in DLBCL. Anyway, SENP1 absence might facilitate ferroptosis to obstruct the development of DLBCL and cisplatin resistance.
Stone’s sheep (Ovis dalli stonei) lambing and nursery habitat selection
Authors: Enns Grace E. , Jex Bill , Boyce Mark S.
Published: May 2024

Wildlife conservation often focuses on mitigating disturbance in critical habitats like reproductive ranges. We studied lambing and nursery habitat selection by Stone’s sheep ( Ovis dalli stonei (J.A. Allen, 1897)) in the Cassiar Mountains in British Columbia. We estimated the timing of parturition and delineated lambing and nursery habitats based on movement behaviours of collared females ( n = 18) and vaginal implant transmitters. We identified 23 lambing events in 2018 ( n = 4), 2019 ( n = 13), and 2020 ( n = 6). The median birth date was 17 May and ranged from 3 May to 14 June. Females remained in lambing habitats from 1.5 to 11.3 days with a median of 5.5 days. We examined habitat selection during the lambing and nursery periods at the home-range scale using resource selection functions, and at a finer scale using integrated step-selection analyses. Females selected southwest slopes in rugged terrain at mid-elevations, suggesting selection for warmer micro-climates and features that facilitate predator avoidance. Females avoided habitats near roads during the lambing period but showed selection for habitats near roads during the nursing period. We developed predictive maps of suitable lambing and nursery ranges to inform land planning to help reduce overlap of anthropogenic disturbance with potential reproductive habitats.
Proto-strange quark stars from density-dependent quark mass model
Authors: Issifu Adamu , da Silva Franciele M. , Menezes Débora P.
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we investigate the evolution of strange quark stars (SQS) from birth as proto-strange quark stars to maturity as stable SQSs at a zero temperature. We assume that self-bound free quarks form entirely the compact star and study its evolution through a series of snapshots using a density-dependent quark mass model. We consider $$\beta $$
β
-equilibrated stellar matter at two major stages of the star’s evolution: neutrino trapped regime and neutrino transparent regime during the deleptonization and cooling processes of the star. We fix the entropy density per baryon and the lepton fraction to investigate the nuclear equation of state (EoS), particle distribution, temperature profile inside the star, sound velocity, polytropic index, and the structure of the star. Our results show that stars with higher neutrino concentrations are slightly more massive than the neutrino-poor ones along the evolution lines of the SQS. We obtain EoSs in agreement with the conformal boundary set through sound velocity, and also the 2 M$$_\odot $$

⊙

mass constraint for NSs was satisfied at all stages of the star’s evolution.
Who makes open source code? The hybridisation of commercial and open source practices
Authors: Mehler Peter , Otto Eva Iris , Sapienza Anna
Published: May 2024

While Free and Open Source (F/OSS) coding has traditionally been described as a separate commons linked to values of openness and sharing, recent research suggests an increasing integration of private corporations into F/OSS practices, blurring the boundaries between F/OSS and commodified coding. However, there is a dearth of empirical, and especially quantitative studies exploring this phenomenon. To address this gap, we model the power dynamics and infrastructural aspects of software production within GitHub, a central hub for F/OSS development, using a large-scale, directed network. Using various network statistics, we detect the ecosystem’s most impactful actors and find a nuanced picture of the influence of individuals, open source organizations, and private corporations in F/OSS practices. We find that the majority of public repositories on GitHub depend on a small core of specialized repositories and users. In accordance with expectations, individuals and open source organizations are more prevalent in this core of elite GitHub users, however, we also find a significant amount of private organizations with an indirect, yet consistent influence within GitHub. In addition, we find that directly influential individuals tend to facilitate sponsorship methods more often than indirectly or non-influential individuals. Our research highlights a hybridization of F/OSS and sheds light on the complex interplay between influence, power, and code production in the multi-language dependency ecosystem of GitHub.
Understanding the Health Capacity to Work among Older Persons in Rural and Urban Areas in the People’s Republic of China
Authors: CHEN ZEYUAN , PARK ALBERT
Published: May 2024

The People’s Republic of China is aging rapidly at one of the most rapid paces in the world. The resulting decline in the share of the population that is of working age creates challenges for both the economy and society, making it relevant to explore the health capacity to work among older persons. Using census data and data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this paper applies two widely used methods to estimate the additional health capacity to work. The results confirm large untapped work capacity in the population of older persons, but the additional health capacity to work is unevenly distributed among different groups: Women and urban residents have more additional work capacity than men and older persons in rural areas. Pension systems and variation in types of work contribute to the urban–rural difference.
Health Capacity to Work at Older Ages in the Republic of Korea
Authors: LEE SANG-HYOP , PARK CHEOL-KON , KIM HYUN KYUNG , PARK DONGHYUN
Published: May 2024

Using the Milligan and Wise ( 2015 ) and Cutler, Meara, and Richards-Shubik ( 2013 ) methodologies, we examine (i) how much would people today with a given mortality rate or life expectancy work if they were to work as much as those with the same mortality rate worked in the past, and (ii) how much could older adults extend their working lives if their health status improved. The results point to a sizable health capacity to work (HCW) among both older Korean men and women. Furthermore, the results imply that HCW is concentrated among more educated urban senior residents with access to the statutory pension system. We explain our results in the context of the Republic of Korea’s labor markets and old-age support systems. The results for the Republic of Korea imply that the previous results for other high-income economies, such as European countries and the United States, may not be applicable to high-income economies with underdeveloped pension systems.
Some classes of functions with low c-differential uniformity over finite fields
Authors: Li Guanghui , Cao Xiwang
Published: May 2024

Multiplicative differential (and the corresponding [Formula: see text]-differential uniformity) was introduced by Ellingsen et al. in [[Formula: see text]-differentials, multiplicative uniformity and (almost) perfect [Formula: see text]-nonlinearity, IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory 66(9) (2020) 5781–5789], which has attracted lots of attention. Functions with low [Formula: see text]-differential uniformity over finite fields, especially the P[Formula: see text]N and AP[Formula: see text]N functions, have been widely investigated due to their applications in cryptography. In this paper, we first compute the [Formula: see text]-differential uniformity of two classes of permutation polynomials. For one of these, we explicitly determine the [Formula: see text]-DDT entries. For the second type of function, we give bounds for its [Formula: see text]-differential uniformity. Besides, several classes of P[Formula: see text]N or AP[Formula: see text]N functions are presented by employing some known functions and the (generalized) AGW criterion.
Understanding the Factors That Influence Foreign Direct Investment in Turkey: Exploring the Impact of Country Risks and Geopolitical Risk
Authors: Kalmaz Demet Beton , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: May 2024

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the determinants of foreign direct investment, with a specific focus on per capita GDP (GDP), alongside various risk factors including economic risk (ER), financial risk (FR), political risk (PR), and geopolitical risk (GPR), in the context of Turkey. This investigation employs an innovative wavelet methodology to analyze the relationships among these variables. The empirical analysis entails the application of wavelet coherence, as well as multiple wavelet coherence (MWC) and partial wavelet coherence (PWC) techniques, to evaluate the strength and significance of relationships between different time series while considering the influence of other related time series. Utilizing quarterly data spanning from 1988Q1 to 2020Q4, this study seeks to fill a gap in the existing literature by examining the nexus between these factors in both time and frequency domains, a novel approach in this field. The findings from the wavelet coherence analysis reveal that GDP, PR, FR, and ER positively impact FDI inflows, whereas GPR exerts a negative influence across various time and frequency intervals. Moreover, the outcomes of MWC and PWC analyses underscore the significant effects of the control variables on the relationships under investigation. Based on these findings, the study puts forth noteworthy policy implications aimed at fostering a more conducive environment for FDI in Turkey.
DIRECT: Dual Interpretable Recommendation with Multi-aspect Word Attribution
Authors: Wu Xuansheng , Wan Hanqin , Tan Qiaoyu , Yao Wenlin , Liu Ninghao
Published: May 2024

Recommending products to users with intuitive explanations helps improve the system in transparency, persuasiveness, and satisfaction. Existing interpretation techniques include
post hoc
methods and interpretable modeling. The former category could quantitatively analyze input contribution to model prediction but has limited interpretation faithfulness, while the latter could explain model internal mechanisms but may not directly attribute model predictions to input features. In this study, we propose a novel Dual Interpretable Recommendation model called DIRECT, which integrates ideas of the two interpretation categories to inherit their advantages and avoid limitations. Specifically, DIRECT makes use of item descriptions as explainable evidence for recommendation. First, similar to the
post hoc
interpretation, DIRECT could attribute the prediction of a user preference score to textual words of the item descriptions. The attribution of each word is related to its sentiment polarity and word importance, where a word is important if it corresponds to an item aspect that the user is interested in. Second, to improve the interpretability of embedding space, we propose to extract high-level concepts from embeddings, where each concept corresponds to an item aspect. To learn discriminative concepts, we employ a concept bottleneck layer and maximize the coding rate reduction on word-aspect embeddings by leveraging a word–word affinity graph extracted from a pre-trained language model. In this way, DIRECT simultaneously achieves faithful attribution and usable interpretation of embedding space. We also show that DIRECT achieves linear inference time complexity regarding the length of item reviews. We conduct experiments including ablation studies on five real-world datasets. Quantitative analysis, visualizations, and case studies verify the interpretability of DIRECT. Our code is available at:
https://github.com/JacksonWuxs/DIRECT
.
The Superior Electrochemical Property of LiTFSI@(Ba+Nb)-co-doped Li7La2.75Ba0.25Zr1.75Nb0.25O12@PEO Composite Membrane in All-Solid-State Lithium Battery
Authors: Zou Yi , Chen Yaozhong , Jiang Tao , Shao Songxue , Xiao Mingjing , Lv Yuetong , Wang Yuting , Gao Lvjin , Chen Li , Zhao Wentao
Published: May 2024

It is popular to choose the cubic phase Li7La3Zr2O12(c-LLZO) to synthesize the PEO-based complex membrane in all-solid-state battery. In this work, Ba/Nb elements were selected to achieve Li6.75La3Zr1.75Nb0.25O12 (LLZNO) and Li7La2.75Ba0.25Zr1.75Nb0.25O12 (LLBZNO) with high ion conductivity, which effectively enhance the electrochemical properties of the complex solid membrane and the all-solid-state battery. The higher ion mobility of LLBZNO compared to that of LLZNO and LLZO is calculated by ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulation and further confirmed by experiments. Results show that the cubic phase of LLBZNO is more stable than that of LLZNO. The complex membrane of LLBZNO@ polyethylene oxide (PEO) (CPE-2-x wt%) exhibits the better electrochemical properties than LLZNO@PEO (CPE-1-x wt%) complex membrane. In detail, the CPE-2–10 wt% has the outstanding lithium transfer number (

t

Li

+

) of 0.63, as well as the excellent compatibility with lithium metal anode. In addition, at 0.1 mA∙cm−2, the lithium/CPE-2–10 wt%/lithium symmetric cell remains stable after 1000 h. It is LLBZNO that makes LLBZNO@PEO composite polymer electrolyte(CPE) the potential for the application in all-solid-state lithium battery.
Revisiting the Effect of Natural and Artificial Graphite on the Performance of Ni-rich Li-ion Batteries at Coin and Cylindrical Cells
Authors: Songthan Ronnachai , Sangsanit Thitiphum , Santiyuk Kanruthai , Homlamai Kan , Tejangkura Worapol , Sawangphruk Montree
Published: May 2024

We conducted a detailed evaluation of the electrochemical performance of artificial graphite (AG) and natural graphite (NG) from four leading global companies: AG-1, AG-2, AG-3, and NG-4 towards Ni-rich Li-ion batteries. We found that AG-2, an artificial graphite variant, demonstrated superior performance with exceptional capacity, rapid charging capabilities, and impressive capacity retention. AG-2 achieved a specific capacity of 338.97 mAh g−1, outperforming AG-1 (321.16 mAh g−1), AG-3 (314.43 mAh g−1), and NG-1 (328.08 mAh g−1). This superiority was further confirmed by high C-rate tests ranging from 2 C to 5 C. Notably, after 500 cycles, AG-2 maintained 91.18% of its initial capacity, significantly surpassing AG-1 (89.44%), AG-3 (78.78%), and NG-1 (84.16%). The study attributes AG-2’s exceptional performance to its refined properties such as smaller particle size, fewer graphite imperfections, and a higher 2H phase content. These characteristics lead to increased active material in the anode, enhancing battery capacity, and to less material degradation over time, ensuring consistent capacity retention. Overall, AG-2 stands out as a highly efficient and cost-effective option for lithium-ion battery applications, eclipsing other commercial graphite alternatives.
Can Layered Oxide/Hard Carbon Sodium-Ion Pouch Cells with Simple Electrolyte Additives Achieve Better Cycle Life than LFP/Graphite Cells?
Authors: Hijazi Hussein , Ye Ziwei , Zsoldos Eniko , Obialor Martins , Black William , Azam Saad , Dahn J. R. , Metzger Michael
Published: May 2024

This study explores the impact of simple electrolyte additives on the performance of layered oxide/hard carbon sodium-ion pouch cells. The cycle life of these cells between 2.0 and 3.8 V is assessed at various temperatures (20, 40, and 55 °C) with different solvent systems based on ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, and dimethyl carbonate. A particular challenge in these cells is gas generation at high temperature. Pouch bag experiments which separate the charged electrodes to measure their gas generation from reactions with the electrolyte show that hard carbon generates no gas, but the sodium layered oxide produces large amounts of gas. Isothermal microcalorimetry corroborates these results with parasitic heat flow measurements of pouch bags and full pouch cells. A crosstalk mechanism is revealed which lowers gas generation and reduces parasitic heat flows in full cells. The electrolyte additives prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone, sodium difluorophosphate, and 1,3,2-dioxathiolane-2,2-dioxide (DTD) are effective at reducing gas generation and heat flow from the positive electrode. They also reduce self-discharge in elevated temperature storage tests. Overall, 1 M NaFSI in EC:DMC (15:85) with 2% DTD is the best electrolyte for the sodium-ion pouch cells in this work. Eventually, the performance of these cells is compared to optimized LiFePO4/graphite cells.
Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Mn Doped Zn3P2 Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Nanoparticles
Authors: Praveenkumar Nakka , Madhusudhana Rao Nasina , Kalyan Chakravarthi Maddikera
Published: May 2024

Mn-doped Zn3P2-diluted magnetic semiconducting nanoparticles (Zn0.98Mn0.02P2, Zn0.96Mn0.04P2, Zn0.94Mn0.06P2, and Zn0.92Mn0.08P2) were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction followed by a subsequent vacuum annealing process. The formation of a tetragonal structure of pure and Mn-doped Zn3P2 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, with no evidence of any further phases. Lattice parameters dicrease from a = b = 8.133 Å, c = 11.459 Å to a = b = 8.041 Å, c = 11.410 Å with increasing dopant concentration. Scanning electron microscpy analysis indicated that all samples that underwent doping exhibited agglomeration in the scanned range of 500 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of Zn, P, and Mn in the samples, and all of the synthesized samples achieved a nearly atomic ratio. In the diffused reflectance spectra, the optical band gap increases from 1.398 to 1.418 eV with increasing dopant concentration. PL has provided evidence indicating that the emission intensity of all doped samples remains constant with increasing dopant content from x = 0.02 to 0.08, with different excitation wavelengths (215 and 290 nm). Vibrating sample magnetometer tests confirmed the presence of ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, and a positive correlation between saturation magnetization and Mn content, with the magnetic moment increasing from 0.0640 to 0.1181 emu g−1 with an increase in dopant content.
Strategies to enhance the response of liver cancer to pharmacological treatments
Authors: Marin Jose J. G. , Macias Rocio I. R. , Asensio Maitane , Romero Marta R. , Temprano Alvaro G. , Pereira Olívia R. , Jimenez Silvia , Mauriz Jose L. , Di Giacomo Silvia , Avila Matias A. , Efferth Thomas , Briz Oscar
Published: May 2024

In contrast to other types of cancers, there is no available efficient pharmacological treatment to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from major primary liver cancers, i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. This dismal situation is partly due to the existence in these tumors of many different and synergistic mechanisms of resistance, accounting for the lack of response of these patients, not only to classical chemotherapy but also to more modern pharmacological agents based on the inhibition of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKIs) and the stimulation of the immune response against the tumor using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). This review summarizes the efforts to develop strategies to overcome this severe limitation, including searching for novel drugs derived from synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural products with vectorial properties against therapeutic targets to increase drug uptake or reduce drug export from cancer cells. Besides, immunotherapy is a promising line of research that is already starting to be implemented in clinical practice. Although less successful than in other cancers, the foreseen future for this strategy in treating liver cancers is considerable. Similarly, the pharmacological inhibition of epigenetic targets is highly promising. Many novel “epidrugs,” able to act on “writer,” “reader,” and “eraser” epigenetic players, are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, gene therapy is a broad field of research in the fight against liver cancer chemoresistance, based on the impressive advances recently achieved in gene manipulation. In sum, although the present is still dismal, there is reason for hope in the non-too-distant future.