bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zur gesellschaftlichen Funktion der Gruppe im Anschluss an Überlegungen im Zettelkasten von Niklas Luhmann: Affinität, Freundschaft, Kritik und Posse als Kulturformen der Gruppe in den vier Medienepochen der Gesellschaft
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: November 2023

Dieser Beitrag in der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation“ (GIO) ist das Ergebnis einer Recherche in Niklas Luhmanns Zettelkasten zur gesellschaftlichen Funktion der Gruppe. Luhmann hat in seinem zweiten Zettelkasten den Vorschlag, die Gruppe als ein eigenständiges soziales System zu verstehen, geprüft und verworfen. Zwanzig Jahre vorher stand die Gruppe, verstanden als Kollektividentifikation, allerdings noch prominent in der Überschrift des ersten Zettels des ersten Zettelkastens. Insofern lohnt es sich, der Frage der Gruppe als einer Funktion der Gesellschaft, wenn auch nicht als System, noch einmal nachzugehen und die Gruppe als paradoxe Fiktion zu beschreiben. Es gibt sie nur als Einwand gegen die flüchtige Interaktion, die formalisierte Organisation und die unpersönliche Gesellschaft. Der Aufsatz diskutiert die Gruppe im Kontext von Mary Douglas Unterscheidung zwischen group und grid und im Kontext einer Theorie der Kulturformen der menschlichen Gesellschaft. Affinität, Freundschaft, Kritik und die Posse sind die kulturellen Formen, die die Fiktion der Gruppe in der Auseinandersetzung mit dominanten Verbreitungsmedien der Kommunikation jeweils annimmt. Der Aufsatz schließt mit einem Konzept der idiorrhythmie von Gruppen.
The impact of mindfulness on working memory-related brain activation in breast cancer survivors with cognitive complaints
Authors: Melis Michelle , Blommaert Jeroen , Van der Gucht Katleen , Smeets Ann , McDonald Brenna C. , Sunaert Stefan , Smith Andra , Deprez Sabine
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has been associated with altered brain activation after chemotherapy in areas related to working memory. Hence, improving working memory capacity and associated brain activation might aid in the recovery of CRCI. In this study, we investigated the potential of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) to impact working memory-related brain activation.

Methods

Female breast cancer survivors reporting cognitive complaints (N=117) were randomized into a mindfulness (n=43; MBI), physical training (n=36; PT), or waitlist control condition (n=38; WL). Participants completed MRI scans before the intervention, immediately after, and three months post-intervention. Task-based functional MRI was used to measure differences between groups over time in working memory-related brain activation while performing a visual-verbal n-back task.

Results

Data of 83 participants (32/26/25 MBI/PT/WL) was included. Compared to the waitlist group, MBI participants showed reduced task-related activation in the right middle frontal and angular gyrus and increased activation in the right dorsal posterior cingulate cortex over time. Compared to the physical training group, MBI participants showed reduced brain activation in the bilateral superior parietal lobule and right dorsal anterior cingulate cortex over time. No differences between physical training and no intervention were identified.

Conclusion

This study showed that an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention can significantly alter brain activation across brain regions involved in working memory, attentional control, and emotion processing during performance of a working memory task. This might aid in the recovery of CRCI.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Mindfulness might alter brain activation patterns while performing a working memory task, which might ultimately aid in restoring higher order cognitive functions.
Low-latency remote-offloading system for accelerator
Authors: Saito Shogo , Fujimoto Kei , Shiraga Akinori
Published: November 2023

Specific workloads are increasingly offloaded to accelerators such as a graphic processing unit (GPU) and field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for real-time processing and computing efficiency. Because accelerators are expensive and consume much power, it is desirable to increase the efficiency of accelerator utilization by sharing accelerators among multiple servers over a network. However, task offloading over a network has the problem of latency due to network processing overhead in remote offloading. This paper proposes a low-latency system for accelerator offloading over a network. To reduce the overhead of remote offloading, we propose a system composed of (1) fast recombination processing of chunked data with a simple protocol to reduce the number of memory copies, (2) polling-based packet receiving check to reduce overhead due to interrupts in interaction with a network interface card, and (3) a run-to-completion model in network processing and accelerator offloading to reduce overhead with context switching. We show that the system can improve performance by 66.40% compared with a simple implementation using kernel protocol stack and confirmed the performance improvement with a virtual radio access network use case as a low-latency application. Furthermore, we show that this performance can also be achieved in practical usage in data center networks.
The adaption, evaluation and application of a semi-empirical bond strength model for the simulations of multi-pass hot roll bonding of aluminium alloys
Authors: Liu Zhao , Krämer Alexander , Lohmar Johannes , Aretz Holger , Karhausen Kai , Bailly David , Hirt Gerhard , Teller Marco
Published: November 2023

Nowadays, the requirements on metallic materials have become more comprehensive, which gradually exceed the capability of monolithic metals. One of the solutions is the composite metal, where different properties of the constituents are integrated as one. In industrial practice, hot roll bonding has been frequently employed to produce laminated composite metals thanks to its high adaptivity. However, the bonding mechanism and the bond strength models have not been thoroughly investigated and parametrized. In a recent publication, a semi-empirical bond strength model has been developed, which quantitatively considers the influence of various influencing factors on the bond strength.

In this paper, this new model is applied in FE simulations of lab-scale hot roll bonding of multiple passes to achieve a better understanding of the process and the bonding behaviours. Firstly, this new model is adapted for macroscopic process simulations, implemented in FE environment via Abaqus subroutines, and evaluated by the simulations of the truncated-cone experiments. Secondly, the FE setup is applied in the process simulation of hot roll bonding. Eight roll bonding passes are simulatively reproduced and good accordance with experiment is achieved. The strain distribution in thickness, evolution of temperature and bond strength, bonding status and cause of local temporary de-bonding are analysed by this simulation. Finally, the influences of the thickness ratio of metallic plates, height reduction, rolling velocity, and material combination with different bonding properties are tested in simulative studies. The process simulations provide a promising way to facilitate the design and optimization of hot roll bonding by FE simulations.
Three previously undescribed metabolites from Cordyceps cicadae JXCH-1, an entomopathogenic fungus
Authors: Fan Jing , Liu Pai , Zhao Kuan , Chen He-Ping
Published: November 2023

Three previously undescribed compounds, cordycicadione (1), cordycicadin F (2), and 7-hydroxybassiatin (3), were isolated from the cultures of Cordyceps cicadae JXCH1, an entomopathogenic fungus. Their structures and relative configurations were elucidated primarily by NMR spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by ECD calculations. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction method was adopted to determine the absolute configuration of 3. Compound 2 is a polycyclic polyketide with an unusual enol ether moiety and a spiro ring. The compounds obtained in this study were subjected to screening their inhibition against the proliferation of the human lung cancer cell line A549 and the production of nitric oxide in murine macrophages RAW264.7.

Graphical Abstract
Interaktion, Feedback und Negotiation in serieller Fanfiction
Authors: Deckbar Anne
Published: November 2023

Fanfictions beziehen sich vor allem auf populäre Serien und sind Teil einer langen Tradition des Fandoms. Sie interpretieren und erweitern die jeweiligen Universen des Serienkanons. Fanfictions machen deutlich, welche Serien, insbesondere welche Charaktere oder Handlungen, hohe Aufmerksamkeit erhalten und besonders populär sind. Sie zeigen aber nicht nur an, welche Serien populär sind, sondern bilden auch einen Raum für Interaktion und Partizipation der Fans untereinander. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit den Praktiken, Formen und Dynamiken der (sich dort bildenden) Partizipationskultur. Im Fokus der Analyse stehen exemplarische Beiträge der digitalen Plattform Wattpad. Die Prinzipien der seriell veröffentlichen Fanfictions, ihre Popularität sowie die unter diesen Voraussetzungen (Serialität, Popularität) etablierten Praktiken der online participatory culture können auf dieser Plattform besonders gut beobachtet werden, weil aufgrund der Metriken der Plattform Interaktion (z. B. in Form von Online-Kommentaren) und Popularitätsverteilungen (z. B. in Form von Rankings) messbar und nachvollziehbar sind. Als Korpus dienen digitale Fanfictions zu Superheld:innen des exzeptionell populären Marvel Fandoms.
On the geometric mechanics of assignment flows for metric data labeling
Authors: Savarino Fabrizio , Albers Peter , Schnörr Christoph
Published: November 2023

Metric data labeling refers to the task of assigning one of multiple predefined labels to every given datapoint based on the metric distance between label and data. This assignment of labels typically takes place in a spatial or spatio-temporal context. Assignment flows are a class of dynamical models for metric data labeling that evolve on a basic statistical manifold, the so called assignment manifold, governed by a system of coupled replicator equations. In this paper we generalize the result of a recent paper for uncoupled replicator equations and adopting the viewpoint of geometric mechanics, relate assignment flows to critical points of an action functional via the associated Euler–Lagrange equation. We also show that not every assignment flow is a critical point and characterize precisely the class of coupled replicator equations fulfilling this relation, a condition that has been missing in recent related work. Finally, some consequences of this connection to Lagrangian mechanics are investigated including the fact that assignment flows are, up to initial conditions of measure zero, reparametrized geodesics of the so-called Jacobi metric.
Valorization of Air-Cooled EAF Manganese Slag in Comminution Processes: an Investigation into the Breakage Characterization
Authors: Suarez Laura , Jonsén Pär , Kajberg Jörgen
Published: November 2023

In recent years, slag, a residue from pyrometallurgical processes, has become more attractive in circular economy frameworks to increase the efficient use of resources throughout the life cycle of steel products and help in the reduction of carbon emissions. Its applicability is strongly dependent on the particle size, and therefore, the optimization of breaking processes should be approached by increasing the knowledge of the dynamics of slag to promote fracture. Increasing the knowledge on the mechanical response of manganese slag opens up the potential for the development of cost-effective numerical models, e.g., constitutive models based on inverse engineering calibration frameworks or digital twins. In this study, rate-dependent tests of manganese slag have been performed using a split Hopkinson pressure bar device for testing its dynamic mechanical response. In order to obtain information about the crack initiation and fracture process, 2D ultra-high speed imaging was implemented with a sampling frequency of 663,200 fps for diametrically loaded specimens. Full-field deformation measurements using digital image correlation (DIC) techniques showed a staggered fracture process where failure points on mechanical response curves vary due to the internal events happening in the material. Localized frictional occurrences and inertial effects acting inside the pre-cracked matrix have a strong effect on the global mechanical response, and therefore, a great variability of strengths was obtained.
Methodology for shape prediction and conversion of a conventional aerofoil to an inflatable baffled aerofoil
Authors: Mistri S.R. , Yerramalli C.S. , Pant R.S. , Guha A.
Published: November 2023

Inflatable wings for UAVs are useful where storage space is a severe constraint. Literature in the field of inflatable wings often assumes an inflated aerofoil shape for various analyses. However, the flexible inflatable aerofoil fabric might deform to another equilibrium shape upon inflation. Hence accurate shape prediction of the inflated aerofoil is vital. Further, no standardised nomenclature or a process to convert a smooth aerofoil into its corresponding inflatable aerofoil counterpart is available. This paper analytically predicts the equilibrium shape of any inflatable aerofoil and validates the analytical prediction using non-linear finite element methods. Further, a scheme for the generation of two types of inflatable aerofoils is presented. Parameters such as the number and position of compartments and aerofoil length ratio (ALR) are identified as necessary to define the aerofoil’s shape fully. A process to minimise the deviation of the inflatable aerofoil from its original smooth aerofoil using particle swarm optimisation (PSO) is discussed. Research presented in this paper can help in performing various analyses on the actual equilibrium shape of the aerofoil.
Monitoring the annual geodetic mass balance of Bordu and Sary-Tor glaciers using UAV data
Authors: Van Tricht Lander , Paice Chloë Marie , Rybak Oleg , Popovnin Victor , Satylkanov Rysbek , Huybrechts Philippe
Published: November 2023

The geodetic mass balance of a glacier corresponds to glacier-wide volume changes, converted to mass changes using density assumptions. It is typically calculated by differencing multi-temporal digital elevation models. In this study, we show how the annual geodetic mass balance of a glacier can be derived from uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) data. The presented workflow is applied to two small- to medium-sized glaciers in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan (Central Asia): Bordu glacier and Sary-Tor glacier. The obtained geodetic mass balance is compared with the glaciological mass balance derived from a network of ablation stakes and snow pits. A previously calibrated mass-balance model is used to correct for the difference in acquisition dates. The results show that the determined geodetic mass balance matches closely with the glaciological mass balance. Besides, for both glaciers the geodetic mass balance does not seem to be particularly sensitive to the assumptions regarding volume-to-mass conversion. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UAVs can serve as a valuable instrument to quantify the annual geodetic mass balance and to validate the glaciological mass balance. The conventional glaciological mass-balance estimation often relies on interpolation and extrapolation methods, whereas UAVs offer the potential for direct data acquisition over the entire glacier surface.
Many Shades of Success: Bottom-up Indicators of Individual Success in Community Courts
Authors: Dancig-Rosenberg Hadar , Gal Tali
Published: November 2023

This study challenges the conventional approach to the appropriate indicators of individual success in community courts (CCs) by exploring the different meanings that CC professionals ascribe to the term “success.” CCs conduct a non-adversarial process in which team members collaborate to provide a comprehensive rehabilitative intervention for recidivist participants. We conducted fifty-three in-depth interviews with CC personnel between 2016 and 2020. According to the interviewees, standard evaluation measures such as program completion, reduced recidivism, and systemic reduction of incarceration are necessary for evaluating these courts. Yet individual success is relative, subjective, multidimensional, and must be understood as a continuum. Therefore, it should also be measured by looking at significant processes of change that participants have undergone in various aspects of their lives. Study findings can be translated into measurable well-being indicators, moving the “what works” discourse forward to include more nuanced and diverse manifestations of success in studies evaluating specialized courts.
Bohr radius for Banach spaces on simply connected domains
Authors: Allu Vasudevarao , Halder Himadri
Published: November 2023

Let$H^{\infty}(\Omega,X)$be the space of bounded analytic functions$f(z)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} x_{n}z^{n}$from a proper simply connected domain Ω containing the unit disk$\mathbb{D}:=\{z\in \mathbb{C}:|z| \lt 1\}$into a complex Banach spaceXwith$\left\lVert f\right\rVert_{H^{\infty}(\Omega,X)} \leq 1$. Let$\phi=\{\phi_{n}(r)\}_{n=0}^{\infty}$with$\phi_{0}(r)\leq 1$such that$\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \phi_{n}(r)$converges locally uniformly with respect to$r \in [0,1)$. For$1\leq p,q \lt \infty$, we denote\begin{equation*} R_{p,q,\phi}(f,\Omega,X)= \sup \left\{r \geq 0: \left\lVert x_{0}\right\rVert^p \phi_{0}(r) + \left(\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \left\lVert x_{n}\right\rVert\phi_{n}(r)\right)^q \leq \phi_{0}(r)\right\} \end{equation*}and define the Bohr radius associated withϕby\begin{equation*}R_{p,q,\phi}(\Omega,X)=\inf \left\{R_{p,q,\phi}(f,\Omega,X): \left\lVert f\right\rVert_{H^{\infty}(\Omega,X)} \leq 1\right\}.\end{equation*}In this article, we extensively study the Bohr radius$R_{p,q,\phi}(\Omega,X)$, whenXis an arbitrary Banach space, and$X=\mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$is the algebra of all bounded linear operators on a complex Hilbert space$\mathcal{H}$. Furthermore, we establish the Bohr inequality for the operator-valued Cesáro operator and Bernardi operator.
Determinants of incomplete childhood hepatitis B vaccination in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea: Analysis of national surveys (2018–2020)
Authors: Yendewa George A. , James Peter B. , Mohareb Amir , Barrie Umaru , Massaquoi Samuel P. E. , Yendewa Sahr A. , Ghazzawi Manal , Bockarie Tahir , Cummings Peterlyn E. , Diallo Ibrahima S. , Johnson Ambulai , Vohnm Benjamin , Babawo Lawrence S. , Deen Gibrilla F. , Kabba Mustapha , Sahr Foday , Lakoh Sulaiman , Salata Robert A.
Published: November 2023

Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) is effective at preventing vertical transmission. Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea are hyperendemic West African countries; yet, childhood vaccination coverage is suboptimal, and the determinants of incomplete vaccination are poorly understood. We analyzed national survey data (2018–2020) of children aged 4–35 months to assess complete HBV vaccination (receiving 3 doses of the pentavalent vaccine) and incomplete vaccination (receiving <3 doses). Statistical analysis was conducted using the complex sample command in SPSS (version 28). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify determinants of incomplete immunization. Overall, 11,181 mothers were analyzed (4,846 from Sierra Leone, 2,788 from Liberia, and 3,547 from Guinea). Sierra Leone had the highest HBV childhood vaccination coverage (70.3%), followed by Liberia (64.6%) and Guinea (39.3%). Within countries, HBV vaccination coverage varied by socioeconomic characteristics and healthcare access. In multivariate regression analysis, factors that were significantly associated with incomplete vaccination in at least one country included sex of the child, Muslim mothers, lower household wealth index, <4 antenatal visits, home delivery, and distance to health facility vaccination (all p < 0.05). Understanding and addressing modifiable determinants of incomplete vaccination will be essential to help achieve the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination goals.
Linguistic distance dynamically modulates the effects of bilingualism on executive performance in aging
Authors: Gallo Federico , Myachykov Andriy , Nelyubina Maria , Shtyrov Yury , Kubiak Joanna , Terekhina Liliia , Abutalebi Jubin
Published: November 2023

To better explain various neurocognitive consequences of bilingualism, recent investigations have adopted continuous measures of bilingual experience, as opposed to binary bi/monolingual distinctions. However, few studies have considered whether bilingualism's effects on cognition are modulated by the linguistic distance (LD) between L1 and L2, and none of the existing studies has examined cognitive consequences of LD in aging populations. Here, we investigated the modulatory role of LD on the relationship between bilingualism, executive performance, and cognitive reserve (CR) in a sample of senior bilinguals. Our results show a dynamic trajectory of LD effects, with more distant language pairs exerting maximum effects at initial stages of bilingual experience – and closer language pairs at advanced stages. Bilingualism-related CR effects emerged only in the individuals with closer language pairs, suggesting that the language control stage of bilingual experience may play a key role in CR accrual, as compared to the L2 learning stage.
Digitized Publications of Spirituals from the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Fenner Chris
Published: November 2023

Compilers and editors of hymnals and scholars of hymnology have often lacked suitable tools for identifying the earliest sources of spirituals, or even key sources that serve as models for later arrangements. In the twenty-first century, the development of internet-based repositories of digital books has enabled the ability to search for publications of spirituals using strings of lyrics or keywords, but more importantly, these repositories allow researchers to examine the relevant sources and glean contextual information about those spirituals beyond what might exist in any list or index. Although African slaves had been present in North America since 1619, this unique musical artform was not considered a national treasure worth preserving and publishing until the onset of the Civil War, thus any study of sources of antebellum plantation spirituals really begins at the end of that era and moves forward from there. In order to understand the problem and the digital solution to tracing these songs, a brief overview of the longstanding publishing standard will be presented, followed by an overview of older research materials, then a detailed examination of three existing repositories (HathiTrust, Google, Internet Archive), and one forthcoming repository (Sounding Spirit). The publications located in these repositories have been tied together through a pair of web-based bibliographies at Hymnology Archive, covering the years 1862–1900 and 1901–1942.
Use of Open Access AI in teaching classical antiquity. A methodological proposal
Authors: Díaz-Sánchez Carlos , Chapinal-Heras Diego
Published: November 2023

The aim of this contribution is to present an innovative approach to the use of Open Access AI in teaching the Classical era at high school and university level. The paper first explains the growing interest in AI technology and its main applications in the subjects of philology, history and other related areas. The following sections show the different steps of the proposal, which uses the Midjourney program, as well as its pros and cons.
43rd JACT Latin Summer School – 2023 Director's Report
Authors: Stephenson David
Published: November 2023

This is a review of the activities and successes of the 43rd residential JACT Latin Summer School, run in July 2023. Specifically, it covers our typical teaching arrangement, lectures, trips and events and acknowledges the generosity of our sponsors.
Multi‐Year Tracing of Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Post‐Fire Aeolian Sediment Transport Using Rare Earth Elements Provide Insights Into Grassland Management
Authors: Burger William J. , Van Pelt R. Scott , Grandstaff David E. , Wang Guan , Sankey Temuulen T. , Li Junran , Sankey Joel B. , Ravi Sujith
Published: November 2023

Aeolian sediment transport occurs as a function of, and with feedback to ecosystem changes and disturbances. Many desert grasslands are undergoing rapid changes in vegetation, including the encroachment of woody plants, which alters fire regimes and in turn can change the spatial and temporal patterns of aeolian sediment transport. We investigated aeolian sediment transport and spatial distribution of sediment in the surface soil for 7 years following a prescribed fire using a multiple rare earth element (REE) tracer‐based approach in a shrub‐encroached desert grassland in the northern Chihuahuan desert. Results indicate that even though the aeolian horizontal sediment mass flux increased approximately three‐fold in the first windy season in the burned areas compared to control areas, there were no significant differences after three windy seasons. The soil surface of bare microsites was the major contributor of aeolian sediments in unburned areas (87%), while the shrub microsites contributed the least (<2%) during the observation period. However, after the prescribed fire, the contribution of aeolian sediments from shrub microsites increased considerably (∼40%), indicating post‐fire microsite‐scale sediment redistribution. The findings of this study, which is the first to use multiple REE tracers for multi‐year analysis of the spatial and temporal dynamics of aeolian sediment transport, illustrate how disturbance by prescribed fire can influence aeolian processes and alters dryland soil geomorphology in which distinct soils develop over time at very fine spatial scales of individual plants.
The Role of a Faunal Engineer, Geukensia demissa, in Modifying Carbon and Nitrogen Regulation Services in Salt Marshes
Authors: Williams Sydney L. , Rogers Jamie L. , Fischman Hallie S. , Morrison Elise S. , Angelini Christine
Published: November 2023

Interest in leveraging suspension feeders, such as marine bivalves, to exert top‐down control on organic matter (OM) loading in estuaries is gaining momentum. Not only can these faunal engineers alleviate the consequences of nutrient pollution, but they may also bolster the critical blue carbon services provided by coastal ecosystems—a potential dual, mitigating effect on cultural eutrophication and climate change. Ribbed mussels, Geukensia demissa, offer a useful model for assessing faunally driven carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) processes in these systems and their relationships with faunal density. Combining bulk geochemical analyses with Bayesian stable isotope mixing model frameworks (MixSIAR), we quantified the effect of mussels on the source and amount of organic C and N deposited to the benthic floor (i.e., sedimentation), accumulated in surface sediments, and stored in aboveground Spartina alterniflora in Georgia salt marshes. Relative to areas without mussels, mussel presence shifted the source of deposited and accumulated OM to a more allochthonous makeup; amplified the amount of deposited, but not accumulated, allochthonous and autochthonous OM; and enhanced aboveground storage of C and N. Both sources of OM accumulated in sediments as well as standing stocks of C and N were highly and positively correlated with local mussel density (ind. m−2) but unrelated to neighboring mussel density (ind. ∼25 m−2) in adjacent, non‐mussel areas. This work provides new evidence that suspension feeders, through their faunal engineering activities, can interact powerfully and synergistically with primary producers to enhance the blue carbon services of marshes and counteract coastal eutrophication.
Spliceosome component Usp39 contributes to hepatic lipid homeostasis through the regulation of autophagy
Authors: Cui Donghai , Wang Zixiang , Dang Qianli , Wang Jing , Qin Junchao , Song Jianping , Zhai Xiangyu , Zhou Yachao , Zhao Ling , Lu Gang , Liu Hongbin , Liu Gang , Liu Runping , Shao Changshun , Zhang Xiyu , Liu Zhaojian
Published: November 2023

Regulation of alternative splicing (AS) enables a single transcript to yield multiple isoforms that increase transcriptome and proteome diversity. Here, we report that spliceosome component Usp39 plays a role in the regulation of hepatocyte lipid homeostasis. We demonstrate that Usp39 expression is downregulated in hepatic tissues of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) subjects. Hepatocyte-specific Usp39 deletion in mice leads to increased lipid accumulation, spontaneous steatosis and impaired autophagy. Combined analysis of RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP-seq) and bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data reveals that Usp39 regulates AS of several autophagy-related genes. In particular, deletion of Usp39 results in alternative 5’ splice site selection of exon 6 in Heat shock transcription factor 1 (Hsf1) and consequently its reduced expression. Importantly, overexpression of Hsf1 could attenuate lipid accumulation caused by Usp39 deficiency. Taken together, our findings indicate that Usp39-mediated AS is required for sustaining autophagy and lipid homeostasis in the liver.
Structural basis for the toxicity of Legionella pneumophila effector SidH
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Adams Michael , Griffith-Jones Simonne , Sahr Tobias , Gomez-Valero Laura , Weis Felix , Hons Michael , Gharbi Sarah , Berkane Rayene , Stolz Alexandra , Buchrieser Carmen , Bhogaraju Sagar
Published: November 2023

Legionella pneumophila (LP) secretes more than 300 effectors into the host cytosol to facilitate intracellular replication. One of these effectors, SidH, 253 kDa in size with no sequence similarity to proteins of known function is toxic when overexpressed in host cells. SidH is regulated by the LP metaeffector LubX which targets SidH for degradation in a temporal manner during LP infection. The mechanism underlying the toxicity of SidH and its role in LP infection are unknown. Here, we determined the cryo-EM structure of SidH at 2.7 Å revealing a unique alpha helical arrangement with no overall similarity to known protein structures. Surprisingly, purified SidH came bound to a E. coli EF-Tu/t-RNA/GTP ternary complex which could be modeled into the cryo-EM density. Mutation of residues disrupting the SidH-tRNA interface and SidH-EF-Tu interface abolish the toxicity of overexpressed SidH in human cells, a phenotype confirmed in infection of Acanthamoeba castellani. We also present the cryo-EM structure of SidH in complex with a U-box domain containing ubiquitin ligase LubX delineating the mechanism of regulation of SidH. Our data provide the basis for the toxicity of SidH and into its regulation by the metaeffector LubX.
Selective activator of human ClpP triggers cell cycle arrest to inhibit lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Lin-Lin , Zhang Tao , Xue Yun , Yue Chuan , Pan Yihui , Wang Pengyu , Yang Teng , Li Meixia , Zhou Hu , Ding Kan , Gan Jianhua , Ji Hongbin , Yang Cai-Guang
Published: November 2023

Chemo-activation of mitochondrial ClpP exhibits promising anticancer properties. However, we are currently unaware of any studies using selective and potent ClpP activators in lung squamous cell carcinoma. In this work, we report on such an activator, ZK53, which exhibits therapeutic effects on lung squamous cell carcinoma in vivo. The crystal structure of ZK53/ClpP complex reveals a π-π stacking effect that is essential for ligand binding selectively to the mitochondrial ClpP. ZK53 features on a simple scaffold, which is distinct from the activators with rigid scaffolds, such as acyldepsipeptides and imipridones. ZK53 treatment causes a decrease of the electron transport chain in a ClpP-dependent manner, which results in declined oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production in lung tumor cells. Mechanistically, ZK53 inhibits the adenoviral early region 2 binding factor targets and activates the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated-mediated DNA damage response, eventually triggering cell cycle arrest. Lastly, ZK53 exhibits therapeutic effects on lung squamous cell carcinoma cells in xenograft and autochthonous mouse models.
Asymmetric formal C–C bond insertion into aldehydes via copper-catalyzed diyne cyclization
Authors: Li Cui-Ting , Qi Lin-Jun , Liu Li-Gao , Ge Chang , Lu Xin , Ye Long-Wu , Zhou Bo
Published: November 2023

The formal C–C bond insertion into aldehydes is an attractive methodology for the assembly of homologated carbonyl compounds. However, the homologation of aldehydes has been limited to diazo approach and the enantioselective reaction was rarely developed. Herein, we report an asymmetric formal C–C bond insertion into aldehydes through diyne cyclization strategy. In the presence of Cu(I)/SaBOX catalyst, this method leads to the efficient construction of versatile axially chiral naphthylpyrroles in moderate to excellent yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities. This protocol represents a rare example of asymmetric formal C–C bond insertion into aldehydes using non-diazo approach. The combined experimental and computational mechanistic studies reveal the reaction mechanism, origin of regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. Notably, the chiral phosphine ligand derived from synthesized axially chiral skeleton was proven to be applicable to asymmetric catalysis.
Negative capacitors and inductors enabling wideband waveguide metatronics
Authors: Qin Xu , Fu Pengyu , Yan Wendi , Wang Shuyu , Lv Qihao , Li Yue
Published: November 2023

Waveguide metatronics, known as an advanced platform of metamaterial-inspired circuits, provides a promising paradigm for millimeter-wave and terahertz integrated circuits in future fifth/sixth generation (5/6G) communication systems. By exploiting the structural dispersion properties of waveguides, a lumped type of waveguide integrated elements and circuits could be developed in deep subwavelength scales with intrinsic low loss and low crosstalk. In this study, we focus on constructing negative capacitors and inductors for waveguide metatronics, effectively expanding the operating frequency range of waveguide integrated circuits. The incorporation of negative elements enables wideband impedance matching in waveguide, which have been both theoretically explored and experimentally validated within the waveguide metatronics paradigm. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the negative elements can also be realized in the optical domain through the utilization of a silicon waveguide with photonic crystal cladding, indicating the feasibility and universality of wideband waveguide metatronics. The negative lumped elements could boost the progress of the waveguide metatronic technique, achieving superior performance on the conventional lumped circuits within waveguides that solely rely on positive elements.
Dissecting the human leptomeninges at single-cell resolution
Authors: Kearns Nicola A. , Iatrou Artemis , Flood Daniel J. , De Tissera Sashini , Mullaney Zachary M. , Xu Jishu , Gaiteri Chris , Bennett David A. , Wang Yanling
Published: November 2023

Emerging evidence shows that the meninges conduct essential immune surveillance and immune defense at the brain border, and the dysfunction of meningeal immunity contributes to aging and neurodegeneration. However, no study exists on the molecular properties of cell types within human leptomeninges. Here, we provide single nuclei profiling of dissected postmortem leptomeninges from aged individuals. We detect diverse cell types, including unique meningeal endothelial, mural, and fibroblast subtypes. For immune cells, we show that most T cells express CD8 and bear characteristics of tissue-resident memory T cells. We also identify distinct subtypes of border-associated macrophages (BAMs) that display differential gene expressions from microglia and express risk genes for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), as nominated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We discover cell-type-specific differentially expressed genes in individuals with Alzheimer’s dementia, particularly in fibroblasts and BAMs. Indeed, when cultured, leptomeningeal cells display the signature of ex vivo AD fibroblasts upon amyloid-β treatment. We further explore ligand-receptor interactions within the leptomeningeal niche and computationally infer intercellular communications in AD. Thus, our study establishes a molecular map of human leptomeningeal cell types, providing significant insight into the border immune and fibrotic responses in AD.
Structure and function of the EA1 surface layer of Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Sogues Adrià , Fioravanti Antonella , Jonckheere Wim , Pardon Els , Steyaert Jan , Remaut Han
Published: November 2023

The Gram-positive spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis is the causative agent of anthrax, a deadly disease mostly affecting wildlife and livestock, as well as representing a bioterrorism threat. Its cell surface is covered by the mutually exclusive S-layers Sap and EA1, found in early and late growth phases, respectively. Here we report the nanobody-based structural characterization of EA1 and its native lattice contacts. The EA1 assembly domain consists of 6 immunoglobulin-like domains, where three calcium-binding sites structure interdomain contacts that allow monomers to adopt their assembly-competent conformation. Nanobody-induced depolymerization of EA1 S-layers results in surface defects, membrane blebbing and cell lysis under hypotonic conditions, indicating that S-layers provide additional mechanical stability to the cell wall. Taken together, we report a complete model of the EA1 S-layer and present a set of nanobodies that may have therapeutic potential against Bacillus anthracis.
N-acetylcysteine: a novel approach to methaemoglobinaemia in normothermic liver machine perfusion
Authors: Clarke George , Mao Jingwen , Fan Yiyu , Hann Angus , Gupta Amita , Nutu Anisa , Buckel Erwin , Kayani Kayani , Murphy Nicholas , Bangash Mansoor N. , Casey Anna L. , Wootton Isla , Lawson Alexander J. , Dasari Bobby V. M. , Perera M. Thamara P. R. , Mergental Hynek , Afford Simon C.
Published: November 2023

Extended duration of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) provides opportunities to resuscitate suboptimal donor livers. This intervention requires adequate oxygen delivery typically provided by a blood-based perfusion solution. Methaemoglobin (MetHb) results from the oxidation of iron within haemoglobin and represents a serious problem in perfusions lasting > 24 h. We explored the effects of anti-oxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the accumulation of methaemoglobin. NMP was performed on nine human donor livers declined for transplantation: three were perfused without NAC (no-NAC group), and six organs perfused with an initial NAC bolus, followed by continuous infusion (NAC group), with hourly methaemoglobin perfusate measurements. In-vitro experiments examined the impact of NAC (3 mg) on red cells (30 ml) in the absence of liver tissue. The no-NAC group sustained perfusions for an average of 96 (range 87–102) h, universally developing methaemoglobinaemia (≥ 2%) observed after an average of 45 h, with subsequent steep rise. The NAC group was perfused for an average of 148 (range 90–184) h. Only 2 livers developed methaemoglobinaemia (peak MetHb of 6%), with an average onset of 116.5 h. Addition of NAC efficiently limits formation and accumulation of methaemoglobin during NMP, and allows the significant extension of perfusion duration.
Outcome of COVID-19 in Egyptian living-donor kidney transplant recipients and relation to maintenance immunosuppressive drugs: a pilot study
Authors: ElNahid Maggie Said , Issac Marianne Samir Makboul , Sadek Khaled Marzouk
Published: November 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients is a subject of much debate and became of interest to nephrologists amidst the pandemic. The main concerns are the influence of the chronic use of immunosuppressive drugs, the viral-related risk of acute rejection, and the long-term outcome of allograft function. This single-center prospective study included kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19 infection. Patients were maintained on immunosuppressive regimens. The severity of disease was defined as oxygen saturation < 94%, the need for hospitalization and/or hemodialysis, the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI), and mortality. Seventeen patients (54.8%) required hospital admission, four patients needed hemodialysis (12.9%), twelve patients (38.7%) had AKI, and three patients died (9.7%). Oxygen saturation < 94% showed a positive correlation with the presence of diabetes (p value 0.031) and a negative correlation with the maintenance steroid dose (p value 0.046). A negative correlation existed between the need for hemodialysis and average Cyclosporin level (p value 0.019) and between the need for hospitalization and average Tacrolimus level (p value 0.046). Severity of disease was associated with the presence of lymphopenia (p value 0.042), the cumulative steroid dose (p value 0.001), increased serum levels of LDH (p value 0.010), Ferritin (p value 0.020), AST (p value 0.047), and ALT (p value 0.006) and D-dimer levels more than 0.5 mg/L (p value 0.038). This study highlighted that the immunocompromised state of renal transplant recipients may not be regarded as a disadvantage in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Studies on a larger scale are needed to validate these results.
Measuring skill via player dynamics in football dribbling
Authors: Brink Lukas , Ha Seung Kyun , Snowdon Jack , Vidal-Codina Ferran , Rauch Bobby , Wang Fan , Wu David , López-Felip Maurici A. , Clanet Christophe , Hosoi Anette E.
Published: November 2023

Although a myriad of studies have been conducted on player behavior in football, in-depth studies with structured theory are rare due to the difficulty in quantifying individual player skills and team strategies. We propose a physics-based mathematical model that describes football players’ movements during dribbling situations, parameterized by the attacker aggressiveness, the defender hesitance and the top speed of both players. These player- and situation-specific parameters are extracted by fitting the model to real player trajectories from Major League Soccer games, and enable the quantification of player dribbling attributes and decisions beyond classical statistics. We show that the model captures the essential dribbling dynamics, and analyze how differences between parameters in varying game situations provide valuable insights into players’ behavior. Lastly, we quantitatively study how changes in the player’s parameters impact dribbling performance, enabling the model to provide scientific guidance to player training, scouting and game strategy development.
Innovative technology for evaluation of sperm DNA double-strand breaks diagnoses male factor infertility and prevents reproductive failures
Authors: Wang Tse-En , Lee Chun-I. , Huang Chun-Chia , Tsao Hui-Mei , Chang Hui-Chen , Chang Li-Sheng , Chang T. Arthur , Lee Maw-Sheng , Hsu Cheng-Teng
Published: November 2023

Neutral comet assay has been available for two decades to evaluate sperm double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, its clinical usability is limited due to its complex and time-consuming procedure, as well as the lack of a standardized scoring system. The aim of this study was to: develop a rapid diagnostic method for DSBs, Sperm DNA Fragmentation Releasing Assay (SDFR), and explore the association between DSBs and reproductive outcomes. We pioneered the use of polyacrylamide (PA) for embedding sperm chromatin and optimized the porosity of PA to be between 10 and 13%. The refined PA network allowed the trapping of DSBs, which dispersed halo on an immunological slide; in contrast, intact chromatin failed to develop a halo. A strong correlation was showed between reproducible values obtained from SDFR and neutral comet assay. SDFR were responsive to dose-/time-dependent simulated DSBs, indicating high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, we conducted a retrospective study of couples with embryonic aneuploidy screening, and recording DSB profiles of the male partners. Our findings revealed that DSB enabled to predict embryonic aneuploidy whereas basic semen parameters did not. In conclusion, SDFR offers a rapid and user-friendly approach for evaluating DSBs, with potential implications for predictive healthcare in reproductive medicine.
Comparison of complications between laparoscopic and open gastrectomies for early gastric cancer by a nationwide propensity score-matched cohort study
Authors: Song Jeong Ho , Min Jae-Seok ,   Information Committee of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association
Published: November 2023

The safety of laparoscopic gastrectomy compared with that of open surgery for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) is unidentified on a national scale. We aimed to compare the morbidity between laparoscopic and open gastrectomies for pathological T1 gastric cancer based on nationwide survey data. Data of 14,076 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery obtained from the 2019 Korean Gastric Cancer Association-led nationwide survey were used. For patients with pathological T1 gastric cancer, the clinical characteristics were compared between the laparoscopic and open gastrectomy groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to match the baseline characteristics of the groups. Among the 7765 patients with pathological T1 gastric cancer who underwent open or laparoscopic gastrectomy, 612 pairs were matched. After balancing the baseline characteristics, the laparoscopic gastrectomy group had a significantly longer operative time, less blood loss, greater number of harvested lymph nodes, shorter hospital stays, and comparable morbidity, compared with the open gastrectomy group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.709, respectively). The surgical approach was not a risk factor for postoperative complication in logistic regression analysis. The PSM analysis with the 2019 Korean nationwide survey data demonstrated that laparoscopic gastrectomy showed comparable morbidity with open gastrectomy for EGC.
Plasma essential fatty acid on hospital admission is a marker of COVID-19 disease severity
Authors: Mazurak Vera C. , Rivas-Serna Irma Magaly , Parsons Sarah R. , Monirujjaman Md , Maybank Krista E. , Woo Stanley K. , Rewa Oleksa G. , Cave Andrew J. , Richard Caroline , Clandinin M. Thomas
Published: November 2023

It is important for allocation of resources to predict those COVID patients at high risk of dying or organ failure. Early signals to initiate cellular events of host immunity can be derived from essential fatty acid metabolites preceding the cascade of proinflammatory signals. Much research has focused on understanding later proinflammatory responses. We assessed if remodelling of plasma phospholipid content of essential fatty acids by the COVID-19 virus provides early markers for potential death and disease severity. Here we show that, at hospital admission, COVID-19 infected subjects who survive exhibit higher proportions of C20:4n-6 in plasma phospholipids concurrent with marked proinflammatory cytokine elevation in plasma compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, more than half of subjects who die of this virus exhibit very low C18:2n-6 and C20:4n-6 content in plasma phospholipids on hospital admission compared with healthy control subjects. Moreover, in these subjects who die, the low level of primary inflammatory signals indicates limited or aberrant stimulation of host immunity. We conclude that COVID-19 infection results in early fundamental remodelling of essential fatty acid metabolism. In subjects with high mortality, it appears that plasma n-6 fatty acid content is too low to stimulate cellular events of host immunity.