bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural, Optical, Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties of MgO/Poly(Vinyl Acetate)/Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Nanocomposites
Authors: Sayed Adel M. El , Abdelghany A. M. , Abou Elfadl A.
Published: June 2022

Polymeric blends and nanocomposites with improved functional properties have attracted attention worldwide for industrial applications. For food packaging applications and carrying purposes, the materials to be used should have UV blocking ability, antibacterial activity, and good mechanical properties. In this study, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blends with optimized properties and MgO/PVAc/PVC polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) were prepared by solution casting and evaporation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the complexation and miscibility between PVAc and PVC and their interaction with MgO nanoparticles (NP). X-ray diffraction and HR-TEM analyses showed the phase purity of MgO NP with a crystallite size of ~ 18.8 nm and their dispersion in the amorphous regions of the blend without affecting the structure of each other. UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy revealed that the band gap of the blend can be tuned by changing the added ratio of each polymer, and loading MgO NP increased the semiconducting behavior of the blend. Various optical constants such as the refractive index, absorption index, and optical dispersion parameters have been evaluated. The blend composition and effects of MgO content on the stress–strain behavior were studied. The addition of MgO to the blend enhanced the tensile modulus and strength. However, there was a corresponding decline in toughness and elongation at break. These results reflect the reinforcing effect of MgO NP, which reduces the flexibility of the polymer chains. The antibacterial activities of MgO/PVAc/PVC PNCs against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans fungi are studied. The improvements in optical, mechanical, and anitmicrobial properties make these nanocomposites suitable for some optical devices and in food packaging applications.
Neuropsychological Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Kidney Transplantation (NAsKiT) and its related risk factors: a study protocol
Authors: Karakizlis Hristos , Doerr Johanna M. , Becker Anna , Nahrgang Christian , Rainer Lucy , Askevold Ingolf , Liese Juliane , Padberg Winfried , Aly Mostafa , Weimer Rolf , Juenemann Martin
Published: June 2022

Background

Association of cognitive impairment with chronic kidney disease has been reported over the last decade. Individuals show better cognitive performance after kidney transplantation than individuals on dialysis but are more likely to be affected by cognitive impairment than age-matched comparison groups. Better knowledge of the prevalence as well as course and profile of cognitive impairment is important for the design of future studies assessing the clinical impact of cognitive impairment and developing management strategies. The goal of our study is to examine the extent of cognitive impairment before and after transplantation and to derive a distinct profile of cognitive function using standard neurocognitive tests. Furthermore, we aim to assess whether transplantation per se leads to an improvement in cognitive performance.

Methods

We are conducting a prospective single-center cohort study involving 100 kidney transplant individuals. Individuals who are wait-listed to receive a kidney transplantation or have already received one will be included in this study. Individuals will undergo a battery of detailed neurocognitive tests at baseline (in part before surgery), and then 3 and 12 months afterwards. Furthermore, the enrolled patients will complete a validated German version of the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire for self-assessment (s-CFQ) as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale -Deutsche (HADS-D), a self-report screening instrument with two scales that capture anxiety and depression. In addition, a hair sample will be taken at each measurement time point for the determination of hair cortisol levels as a parameter for the cumulative hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity over the previous three months. The primary outcome measure will be (a) the effect of kidney transplantation on the cognitive performance up to 12 months after transplantation and (b) the course of cognitive performance following kidney transplantation over time.

Discussion

The results of our study have potentially important implications for the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment in kidney transplant individuals. By increasing our knowledge of the neurocognitive profile and assigning the corresponding deficits, it might be possible to create an individualized training program to positively impact cognitive deficits in kidney transplant patients.
Ubiquitous Secure Communication in a Future Internet Architecture
Authors: Krähenbühl Cyrill , Perrig Adrian
Published: June 2022

In a world with increasing simplicity to store, transfer, and analyze large volumes of data, preserving data confidentiality and integrity of Internet traffic by default becomes more and more important. Unfortunately, a large gap exists between low-security opportunistic encryption and trust-on-first-use (TOFU) protocols, and high-security communication, such as TLS using server certificates or DNSSEC. Our goal is to reduce this gap and provide a base layer for authentication and secrecy that is strictly better than TOFU security. We achieve this by integrating the authentication method PILA into the future Internet architecture SCION. This combines PILA’s address-based authentication, which leverages irrefutable cryptographic proof of misbehavior, and the flexibility of SCION’s control-plane PKI and its per-AS independent addressing scheme. In this work, two concrete issues of PILA are addressed: (1) the reliance on the hierarchical RPKI which introduces a single global trust root, i.e., a single point of failure regarding the security of PILA, and (2) the necessity of an out-of-band communication to prevent downgrade attacks, which can incur a latency overhead and might be used as a resource exhaustion attack vector. We describe how PILA in combination with SCION mitigates these issues and analyze the security of the system. Finally, we discuss several interesting use cases including the SSH, TLS, and DNS protocols.
Feeding tube use is associated with severe scoliosis in patients with cerebral palsy and limited ambulatory ability
Authors: Yoo Nicholas , Arand Brian , Shi Junxin , Yang Jingzhen , Noritz Garey , Whitaker Amanda T.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder in childhood. Scoliosis is a common complication of CP that can reach clinically severe levels, but predictors for scoliosis in CP are not well understood. Some variables identified in the literature involve the severity of the brain injury and the presence of hip deformity. We aimed to identify associations with developing severe scoliosis in a prospective cohort of patients with cerebral palsy at higher risk for severe curve progression.

Methods

This study reviewed a prospectively collected database at a tertiary children’s hospital. We evaluated a panel of potential associations with severe scoliosis—including age, sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) class, history of hip surgery, epilepsy, and feeding tube presence—in a population of children with limited ambulatory ability defined as GMFCS level IV or V CP. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression with stepwise selection was used for analysis.

Results

Descriptive analysis showed that female sex, higher GMFCS class, history of hip surgery, non-upright seating, pelvic obliquity, presence of epilepsy, and presence of a feeding tube were associated with an increased risk for scoliosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of a feeding tube was associated with severe scoliosis even when controlling for GMFCS and age.

Conclusions

Feeding tube use may stratify risk for severe scoliosis progression in patients with GMFCS IV or V CP.
Investigating functional consistency of mobility-related urban zones via motion-driven embedding vectors and local POI-type distributions
Authors: Crivellari Alessandro , Resch Bernd
Published: June 2022

Urban morphology and human mobility are two sides of the complex mixture of elements that implicitly define urban functionality. By leveraging the emerging availability of crowdsourced data, we aim for novel insights on how they relate to each other, which remains a substantial scientific challenge. Specifically, our study focuses on extracting spatial-temporal information from taxi trips in an attempt on grouping urban space based on human mobility, and subsequently assess its potential relationship with urban functional characteristics in terms of local points-of-interest (POI) distribution. Proposing a vector representation of urban areas, constructed via unsupervised machine learning on trip data’s temporal and geographic factors, the underlying idea is to define areas as “related” if they often act as destinations of similar departing regions at similar points in time, regardless of any other explicit information. Hidden relations are mapped within the generated vector space, whereby areas are represented as points and stronger/weaker relatedness is conveyed through relative distances. The mobility-related outcome is then compared with the POI-type distribution across the urban environment, to assess the functional consistency of mobility-based clusters of urban areas. Results indicate a meaningful relationship between spatial-temporal motion patterns and urban distributions of a diverse selection of POI-type categorizations, paving the way to ideally identify homogenous urban functional zones only based on the movement of people. Our data-driven approach is intended to complement traditional urban development studies on providing a novel perspective to urban activity modeling, standing out as a reference for mining information out of mobility and POI data types in the context of urban management and planning.
The impact of oxygen supply flow rates on the distribution of aerosols between the patient and the surgeon during lung intubation
Authors: Lin Tee , Zargar Omid Ali , Hu Ming-Hsuan , Wang Chung-Chun , Hu Shih-Cheng , Leggett Graham
Published: June 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a worldwide pandemic. The widespread infection of the medical staff has caused great attention from all quarters of society. There is a particular concern when considering intubation treatment in the emergency operating room, where a significant amount of virus droplets are typically spread within the room, exposing the medical staff to a high risk of infection. Hence, there is currently a pressing need to develop an effective protection mechanism for the medical staff to prevent them from being infected during routine work. In order to understand the spread of droplets and aerosols when different oxygen supply devices are used for intubation therapy, this study uses particle image velocimetry (PIV) technology to analyze the airflow distribution between the medical staff and the patient. In the experiment, a simple version of the respirator was established to reproduce the breathing of human lungs. This model used oil to create smoke as a tracer aerosol, then a high-sensitivity camera was used to record the scattering light from this smoke (which is irradiated by the green laser sheet). Ultimately, after applying post-processing techniques, the airflow distribution is analyzed. PAO aerosol is the primary aerosol source in this experiment, and it is used to quantify the patient’s breathing; the concentration of PAO aerosol was measured at three different points: head, trunk, and feet. In addition, flow field visualization can effectively present the flow field distribution of the entire operating room; also, the results can be mutually verified with the PAO concentration measurement results. Aerosol concentrations were measured for six different oxygen supply devices with various tidal volumes of the artificial respirator, and the results were ranked from high to low concentrations for different oxygen supply devices and their operational oxygen supply flowrates: HFNC (70 l/min) > CPAP (40 l/min) > HFNC (30 l/min) > nasal cannula (15 l/min) > NRM (15 l/min) > VAPOX (28 l/min).
Between the Mystical Savage and the Angelic Doctor: Jacques Maritain's Mystical Theology Revisited
Authors: Haynes Anthony Richard
Published: June 2022

De la vie d'oraison is an early and neglected work by Jacques Maritain. Exploring its major themes and biographical context reveals a tension in Maritain between his commitment to orthodox Catholic mystical theology and his belief in his godfather Léon Bloy's unique, tripartite vocation of lay mystic, prophet, and artist. This tension, I argue, has been overlooked due to Maritain's public image as an esteemed Thomist philosopher, but becomes clear when we study Maritain's defense of Bloy, especially in his dialogues with his Dominican peers and church authorities. I suggest that this tension reveals two deep-seated convictions at work in Maritain's life and writings. The first is that the reasons for the necessity of lay Catholic mysticism, and the diverse forms it may take, need to be spelled out more clearly. The second is that for Maritain, his godfather is an exemplar of such lay Catholic mysticism. Understanding Maritain's reasons for these convictions can open up a pathway for Catholic mystical theology to better accommodate and conceptualize alternative forms of mystical life among laypeople whose mystical and artistic experiences spill over traditional theological categories.
Challenges and Facilitators for Psychosocial Support when Aging and Dying in Place: A Rapid Review of the Literature
Authors: Daudt Helena M. , Spargo Emily L.
Published: June 2022

Most seniors in Canada live at home and consistently indicate that they prefer to stay there for as long as possible. Consequently, this desire places increasing pressure on supports such as informal caregivers and community services. The current rapid review set out to examine the psychosocial aspects of aging and dying in place that point to gaps in programs and services to support this preference. We searched PubMed, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed entries, and identified 42 articles for analysis, which we charted on a form we created and tested. Lack of attention to the whole person, lack of preparation for the journey ahead, and difficulties establishing collaborative and trusting relationships were, broadly, the challenges identified. A blend of initiatives in the community combined with an integrated palliative approach to care may mitigate some of the challenges that limit options for aging and dying in place.
Abductive Reasoning in Intuitionistic Propositional Logic via Theorem Synthesis
Authors: TARAU PAUL
Published: June 2022

With help of a compact Prolog-based theorem prover for Intuitionistic Propositional Logic, we synthesize minimal assumptions under which a given formula formula becomes a theorem. After applying our synthesis algorithm to cover basic abductive reasoning mechanisms, we synthesize conjunctions of literals that mimic rows of truth tables in classical or intermediate logics and we abduce conditional hypotheses that turn the theorems of classical or intermediate logics into theorems in intuitionistic logic. One step further, we generalize our abductive reasoning mechanism to synthesize more expressive sequent premises using a minimal set of canonical formulas, to which arbitrary formulas in the calculus can be reduced while preserving their provability. Organized as a self-contained literate Prolog program, the paper supports interactive exploration of its content and ensures full replicability of our results.
Why has Precipitation Increased in the Last 120 Years in Norway?
Authors: Konstali K. , Sorteberg A.
Published: June 2022

We use a data set with daily precipitation observations from 55 homogeneity‐tested stations in Norway from 1900 to 2019 available from MET‐Norway. These observations show that precipitation in Norway has increased by 19% since 1900. Notably, over half of the overall increase occurred within the decade of 1980–1990 and is happening across all precipitation rates. To examine possible mechanisms behind the precipitation increase, we use a diagnostic model to separate the effects of changes in vertical velocity, temperature and relative humidity. We use daily vertical velocity, near‐surface temperature and relative humidity from two reanalysis products, ERA‐20C and 20th Century Reanalysis. The model‐based precipitation correlates significantly with the observed precipitation on an annual timescale (r > 0.9), as well as captures the trend in all reanalysis products. The diagnostic model indicates that the variability in vertical velocity chiefly determines the interannual variability and long‐term trend. The trend in vertical velocities contributes to more than 80% of the total modeled trend in precipitation between 1900 and 2019. However, over the last two decades (1995–2015), changes in temperature and relative humidity are the main contributors to the modeled trend in precipitation.
Achievements and Lessons Learned From Successful Small Satellite Missions for Space Weather‐Oriented Research
Authors: Spence Harlan E. , Caspi Amir , Bahcivan Hasan , Nieves‐Chinchilla Jesus , Crowley Geoff , Cutler James , Fish Chad , Jackson David , Jorgensen Therese Moretto , Klumpar David , Li Xinlin , Mason James P. , Paschalidis Nick , Sample John , Smith Sonya , Swenson Charles M. , Woods Thomas N.
Published: June 2022

When the first CubeSats were launched nearly two decades ago, few people believed that the miniature satellites would likely prove to be a useful scientific tool. Skeptics abounded. However, the last decade has seen the highly successful implementation of space missions that make creative and innovative use of fast‐advancing CubeSat and small satellite technology to carry out important science experiments and missions. Several projects now have used CubeSats to obtain first‐of‐their‐kind observations and findings that have formed the basis for high‐profile engineering and science publications, thereby establishing without doubt the scientific value and broad utility of CubeSats. In this paper, we describe recent achievements and lessons learned from a representative selection of successful CubeSat missions with a space weather focus. We conclude that these missions were successful in part because their limited resources promoted not only mission focus but also appropriate risk‐taking for comparatively high science return. Quantitative analysis of refereed publications from these CubeSat missions and several larger missions reveals that mission outcome metrics compare favorably when publication number is normalized by mission cost or if expressed as a weighted net scientific impact of all mission publications.
Climate Change Shrinks and Fragments Salmon Habitats in a Snow‐Dependent Region
Authors: Tonina Daniele , McKean James A. , Isaak Daniel , Benjankar Rohan M. , Tang Chunling , Chen Qiuwen
Published: June 2022

Climate change threatens biodiversity through global alteration of habitats, but efficient conservation responses are often hindered by imprecise downscaling of impacts. Besides thermal effects, warming also drives important ancillary environmental changes, such as when river hydrology evolves in response to climate forcing. Earlier snowmelt runoff and summer flow declines are broadly manifested in snow‐dependent regions and relevant to socioeconomically important cold‐water fishes. Here, we mechanistically quantify how climate‐induced summer flow declines during historical and future periods cause complex local changes in Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) habitats for juveniles and spawning adults. Changes consisted of large reductions in useable habitat area and connectivity between the main channel and adjacent off‐channel habitats. These reductions decrease the capacity of freshwater habitats to support historical salmon abundances and could pose risks to population persistence in some areas.
Transient Storage Model Parameter Optimization Using the Simulated Annealing Method
Authors: Tsai C. H. , Rucker D. F. , Brooks S. C. , Ginn T. , Carroll K. C.
Published: June 2022

Hyporheic exchange in streams is critical to ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling along river corridors, especially for slowly moving or small stream systems. The transient storage model (TSM) has been widely used for modeling of hyporheic exchange. TSM calibration, for hyporheic exchange, is typically used to estimate four parameters, including the mass exchange rate coefficient, the dispersion coefficient, stream cross‐sectional area, and hyporheic zone cross‐sectional area. Prior studies have raised concerns regarding the non‐uniqueness of the inverse problem for the TSM, that is, the occurrence of different parameter vectors resulting in TSM solution that reproduces the observed in‐stream tracer break through curve (BTC) with the same error. This leads to practical non‐identifiability in determining the unknown parameter vector values even when global‐optimal values exist, and the parameter optimization becomes practically non‐unique. To address this problem, we applied the simulated annealing method to calibrate the TSM to BTCs, because it is less susceptible to local minima‐induced non‐identifiability. A hypothetical (or synthetic) tracer test data set with known parameters was developed to demonstrate the capability of the simulated annealing method to find the global minimum parameter vector, and it identified the “hypothetically‐true” global minimum parameter vector even with input data that were modified with up to 10% noise without increasing the number of iterations required for convergence. The simulated annealing TSM was then calibrated using two in‐stream tracer tests conducted in East Fork Poplar Creek, Tennessee. Simulated annealing was determined to be appropriate for quantifying the TSM parameter vector because of its search capability for the global minimum parameter vector.
Tumor regionalization after surgery: Roles of the tumor microenvironment and neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Kwak Su-Bin , Kim Sang Jin , Kim Jiyoung , Kang Ye-Lim , Ko Chang Woo , Kim Iljin , Park Jong-Wan
Published: June 2022

Surgery is unanimously regarded as the primary strategy to cure solid tumors in the early stages but is not always used in advanced cases. However, tumor surgery must be carefully considered because the risk of metastasis could be increased by the surgical procedure. Tumor surgery may result in a deep wound, which induces many biological responses favoring tumor metastasis. In particular, NETosis, which is the process of forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), has received attention as a risk factor for surgery-induced metastasis. To reduce cancer mortality, researchers have made efforts to prevent secondary metastasis after resection of the primary tumor. From this point of view, a better understanding of surgery-induced metastasis might provide new strategies for more effective and safer surgical approaches. In this paper, recent insights into the surgical effects on metastasis will be reviewed. Moreover, in-depth opinions about the effects of NETs on metastasis will be discussed.
Public engagement with air quality data: using health behaviour change theory to support exposure-minimising behaviours
Authors: McCarron Amy , Semple Sean , Braban Christine F. , Swanson Vivien , Gillespie Colin , Price Heather D.
Published: June 2022

Exposure to air pollution prematurely kills 7 million people globally every year. Policy measures designed to reduce emissions of pollutants, improve ambient air and consequently reduce health impacts, can be effective, but are generally slow to generate change. Individual actions can therefore supplement policy measures and more immediately reduce people’s exposure to air pollution. Air quality indices (AQI) are used globally (though not universally) to translate complex air quality data into a single unitless metric, which can be paired with advice to encourage behaviour change. Here we explore, with reference to health behaviour theories, why these are frequently insufficient to instigate individual change. We examine the health behaviour theoretical steps linking air quality data with reduced air pollution exposure and (consequently) improved public health, arguing that a combination of more ‘personalised’ air quality data and greater public engagement with these data will together better support individual action. Based on this, we present a novel framework, which, when used to shape air quality interventions, has the potential to yield more effective and sustainable interventions to reduce individual exposures and thus reduce the global public health burden of air pollution.
Dielectric metalens for miniaturized imaging systems: progress and challenges
Authors: Pan Meiyan , Fu Yifei , Zheng Mengjie , Chen Hao , Zang Yujia , Duan Huigao , Li Qiang , Qiu Min , Hu Yueqiang
Published: June 2022

Lightweight, miniaturized optical imaging systems are vastly anticipated in these fields of aerospace exploration, industrial vision, consumer electronics, and medical imaging. However, conventional optical techniques are intricate to downscale as refractive lenses mostly rely on phase accumulation. Metalens, composed of subwavelength nanostructures that locally control light waves, offers a disruptive path for small-scale imaging systems. Recent advances in the design and nanofabrication of dielectric metalenses have led to some high-performance practical optical systems. This review outlines the exciting developments in the aforementioned area whilst highlighting the challenges of using dielectric metalenses to replace conventional optics in miniature optical systems. After a brief introduction to the fundamental physics of dielectric metalenses, the progress and challenges in terms of the typical performances are introduced. The supplementary discussion on the common challenges hindering further development is also presented, including the limitations of the conventional design methods, difficulties in scaling up, and device integration. Furthermore, the potential approaches to address the existing challenges are also deliberated.
MTA1 aggravates experimental colitis in mice by promoting transcription factor HIF1A and up-regulating AQP4 expression
Authors: Li Ping , Shi Dong-Ping , Jin Tao , Tang Dong , Wang Wei , Wang Liu-Hua
Published: June 2022

Experimental colitis can persist as a chronic disease, accompanied with an underlying risk of development into colorectal cancer. Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1), as a chromatin modifier, exerts notable association with multiple diseases, including colitis. The current study aims to investigate the mechanism of MTA1/HIF1A/AQP4 axis in experimental colitis in mice. First, experimental colitis mouse models were established using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and in vitro colonic epithelial cells FHC inflammation models were with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for determination of MTA1 and HIF1A expressions. It was found that MTA1 and HIF1A were both highly-expressed in experimental colitis samples. Results of dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and ChIP assay further revealed that MTA1 activated HIF1A, and subsequently induced AQP4 transcription to up-regulate AQP4 in experimental colitis. Following loss- and gain-function, the effects of MTA1/HIF1A/AQP4 axis on apoptosis and viability of colon epithelial cells were detected by a combination of TUNEL staining and flow cytometry, and CCK-8 assay. It was observed that silencing of MAT1 in the FHC and NCM460 cells reduced IL-1β and TNF-α expressions induced by LPS. Meanwhile, AQP4 promoted LPS-induced inflammation, and exacerbated apoptosis of colon epithelial cells and augmented experimental colitis development in mice. In vivo experiments further verified that TGN-020 treatment effectively alleviated DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice and diminished apoptosis of colon epithelial cells. Altogether, MTA1 may promote AQP4 transcription by activating HIF1A, thus exacerbating DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice, which provides a novel direction for the treatment of experimental colitis.
The genomic basis of the plant island syndrome in Darwin’s giant daisies
Authors: Cerca José , Petersen Bent , Lazaro-Guevara José Miguel , Rivera-Colón Angel , Birkeland Siri , Vizueta Joel , Li Siyu , Li Qionghou , Loureiro João , Kosawang Chatchai , Díaz Patricia Jaramillo , Rivas-Torres Gonzalo , Fernández-Mazuecos Mario , Vargas Pablo , McCauley Ross A. , Petersen Gitte , Santos-Bay Luisa , Wales Nathan , Catchen Julian M. , Machado Daniel , Nowak Michael D. , Suh Alexander , Sinha Neelima R. , Nielsen Lene R. , Seberg Ole , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Leebens-Mack James H. , Rieseberg Loren H. , Martin Michael D.
Published: June 2022

The repeated, rapid and often pronounced patterns of evolutionary divergence observed in insular plants, or the ‘plant island syndrome’, include changes in leaf phenotypes, growth, as well as the acquisition of a perennial lifestyle. Here, we sequence and describe the genome of the critically endangered, Galápagos-endemic speciesScalesia atractyloidesArnot., obtaining a chromosome-resolved, 3.2-Gbp assembly containing 43,093 candidate gene models. Using a combination of fossil transposable elements,k-mer spectra analyses and orthologue assignment, we identify the two ancestral genomes, and date their divergence and the polyploidization event, concluding that the ancestor of all extantScalesiaspecies was an allotetraploid. There are a comparable number of genes and transposable elements across the two subgenomes, and while their synteny has been mostly conserved, we find multiple inversions that may have facilitated adaptation. We identify clear signatures of selection across genes associated with vascular development, growth, adaptation to salinity and flowering time, thus finding compelling evidence for a genomic basis of the island syndrome in one of Darwin’s giant daisies.
SHLD1 is dispensable for 53BP1-dependent V(D)J recombination but critical for productive class switch recombination
Authors: Vincendeau Estelle , Wei Wenming , Zhang Xuefei , Planchais Cyril , Yu Wei , Lenden-Hasse Hélène , Cokelaer Thomas , Pipoli da Fonseca Juliana , Mouquet Hugo , Adams David J. , Alt Frederick W. , Jackson Stephen P. , Balmus Gabriel , Lescale Chloé , Deriano Ludovic
Published: June 2022

SHLD1 is part of the Shieldin (SHLD) complex, which acts downstream of 53BP1 to counteract DNA double-strand break (DSB) end resection and promote DNA repair via non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). While 53BP1 is essential for immunoglobulin heavy chain class switch recombination (CSR), long-range V(D)J recombination and repair of RAG-induced DSBs in XLF-deficient cells, the function of SHLD during these processes remains elusive. Here we report that SHLD1 is dispensable for lymphocyte development and RAG-mediated V(D)J recombination, even in the absence of XLF. By contrast, SHLD1 is essential for restricting resection at AID-induced DSB ends in both NHEJ-proficient and NHEJ-deficient B cells, providing an end-protection mechanism that permits productive CSR by NHEJ and alternative end-joining. Finally, we show that this SHLD1 function is required for orientation-specific joining of AID-initiated DSBs. Our data thus suggest that 53BP1 promotes V(D)J recombination and CSR through two distinct mechanisms: SHLD-independent synapsis of V(D)J segments and switch regions within chromatin, and SHLD-dependent protection of AID-DSB ends against resection.
Clonal reconstruction from co-occurrence of vector integration sites accurately quantifies expanding clones in vivo
Authors: Wagner Sebastian , Baldow Christoph , Calabria Andrea , Rudilosso Laura , Gallina Pierangela , Montini Eugenio , Cesana Daniela , Glauche Ingmar
Published: June 2022

High transduction rates of viral vectors in gene therapies (GT) and experimental hematopoiesis ensure a high frequency of gene delivery, although multiple integration events can occur in the same cell. Therefore, tracing of integration sites (IS) leads to mis-quantification of the true clonal spectrum and limits safety considerations in GT. Hence, we use correlations between repeated measurements of IS abundances to estimate their mutual similarity and identify clusters of co-occurring IS, for which we assume a clonal origin. We evaluate the performance, robustness and specificity of our methodology using clonal simulations. The reconstruction methods, implemented and provided as an R-package, are further applied to experimental clonal mixes and preclinical models of hematopoietic GT. Our results demonstrate that clonal reconstruction from IS data allows to overcome systematic biases in the clonal quantification as an essential prerequisite for the assessment of safety and long-term efficacy of GT involving integrative vectors.
Glutamine deficiency in solid tumor cells confers resistance to ribosomal RNA synthesis inhibitors
Authors: Pan Melvin , Zorbas Christiane , Sugaya Maki , Ishiguro Kensuke , Kato Miki , Nishida Miyuki , Zhang Hai-Feng , Candeias Marco M. , Okamoto Akimitsu , Ishikawa Takamasa , Soga Tomoyoshi , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Sakai Juro , Matsumura Yoshihiro , Suzuki Tsutomu , Proud Christopher G. , Lafontaine Denis L. J. , Osawa Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2022

Ribosome biogenesis is an energetically expensive program that is dictated by nutrient availability. Here we report that nutrient deprivation severely impairs precursor ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA) processing and leads to the accumulation of unprocessed rRNAs. Upon nutrient restoration, pre-rRNAs stored under starvation are processed into mature rRNAs that are utilized for ribosome biogenesis. Failure to accumulate pre-rRNAs under nutrient stress leads to perturbed ribosome assembly upon nutrient restoration and subsequent apoptosis via uL5/uL18-mediated activation of p53. Restoration of glutamine alone activates p53 by triggering uL5/uL18 translation. Induction of uL5/uL18 protein synthesis by glutamine is dependent on the translation factor eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), which is in turn dependent on Raf/MEK/ERK signaling. Depriving cells of glutamine prevents the activation of p53 by rRNA synthesis inhibitors. Our data reveals a mechanism that tumor cells can exploit to suppress p53-mediated apoptosis during fluctuations in environmental nutrient availability.
Perfluorocycloparaphenylenes
Authors: Shudo Hiroki , Kuwayama Motonobu , Shimasaki Masafumi , Nishihara Taishi , Takeda Youhei , Mitoma Nobuhiko , Kuwabara Takuya , Yagi Akiko , Segawa Yasutomo , Itami Kenichiro
Published: June 2022

Perfluorinated aromatic compounds, the so-called perfluoroarenes, are widely used in materials science owing to their high electron affinity and characteristic intermolecular interactions. However, methods to synthesize highly strained perfluoroarenes are limited, which greatly limits their structural diversity. Herein, we report the synthesis and isolation of perfluorocycloparaphenylenes (PFCPPs) as a class of ring-shaped perfluoroarenes. Using macrocyclic nickel complexes, we succeeded in synthesizing PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12, 14, 16) in one-pot without noble metals. The molecular structures of PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12, 14) were determined by X-ray crystallography to confirm their tubular alignment. Photophysical and electrochemical measurements revealed that PF[n]CPPs (n = 10, 12, 14) exhibited wide HOMO–LUMO gaps, high reduction potentials, and strong phosphorescence at low temperature. PFCPPs are not only useful as electron-accepting organic materials but can also be used for accelerating the creation of topologically unique molecular nanocarbon materials.
Prediction of stable Li-Sn compounds: boosting ab initio searches with neural network potentials
Authors: Kharabadze Saba , Thorn Aidan , Koulakova Ekaterina A. , Kolmogorov Aleksey N.
Published: June 2022

The Li-Sn binary system has been the focus of extensive research because it features Li-rich alloys with potential applications as battery anodes. Our present re-examination of the binary system with a combination of machine learning and ab initio methods has allowed us to screen a vast configuration space and uncover a number of overlooked thermodynamically stable alloys. At ambient pressure, our evolutionary searches identified an additional stable Li3Sn phase with a large BCC-based hR48 structure and a possible high-TLiSn4ground state. By building a simple model for the observed and predicted Li-Sn BCC alloys we constructed an even larger viable hR75 structure at an exotic 19:6 stoichiometry. At 20 GPa, low-symmetry 11:2, 5:1, and 9:2 phases found with our global searches destabilize previously proposed phases with high Li content. The findings showcase the appreciable promise machine-learning interatomic potentials hold for accelerating ab initio prediction of complex materials.
Intranasal immunization with avian paramyxovirus type 3 expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein protects hamsters against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Park Hong-Su , Matsuoka Yumiko , Luongo Cindy , Yang Lijuan , Santos Celia , Liu Xueqiao , Ahlers Laura R. H. , Moore Ian N. , Afroz Sharmin , Johnson Reed F. , Lafont Bernard A. P. , Dorward David W. , Fischer Elizabeth R. , Martens Craig , Samal Siba K. , Munir Shirin , Buchholz Ursula J. , Le Nouën Cyril
Published: June 2022

Current vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are administered parenterally and appear to be more protective in the lower versus the upper respiratory tract. Vaccines are needed that directly stimulate immunity in the respiratory tract, as well as systemic immunity. We used avian paramyxovirus type 3 (APMV3) as an intranasal vaccine vector to express the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. A lack of pre-existing immunity in humans and attenuation by host-range restriction make APMV3 a vector of interest. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein was stabilized in its prefusion conformation by six proline substitutions (S-6P) rather than the two that are used in most vaccine candidates, providing increased stability. APMV3 expressing S-6P (APMV3/S-6P) replicated to high titers in embryonated chicken eggs and was genetically stable, whereas APMV3 expressing non-stabilized S or S-2P were unstable. In hamsters, a single intranasal dose of APMV3/S-6P induced strong serum IgG and IgA responses to the S protein and its receptor-binding domain, and strong serum neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 isolate WA1/2020 (lineage A). Sera from APMV3/S-6P-immunized hamsters also efficiently neutralized Alpha and Beta variants of concern. Immunized hamsters challenged with WA1/2020 did not exhibit the weight loss and lung inflammation observed in empty-vector-immunized controls; SARS-CoV-2 replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract of immunized animals was low or undetectable compared to the substantial replication in controls. Thus, a single intranasal dose of APMV3/S-6P was highly immunogenic and protective against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, suggesting that APMV3/S-6P is suitable for clinical development.
A bacteria-based carbon sequestration and waste recycling system
Authors: La Yeon Hwa , Lee Ki-Sung , Kim Tae-Wan , Song Jae Yang
Published: June 2022

Achieving carbon neutrality requires a variety of technological approaches. In the present study, we confirmed the applicability of a carbon cycle system in several industrial fields using sulphur-oxidising bacteria. This system produces a nitrogen fertiliser, which decreases carbon emissions by recycling H2S and NH3 pollutants discharged into the atmosphere or wastewater. It should be considered in industrial fields as a carbon reduction strategy.
The metabolism of 1,25(OH)2D3 in clinical and experimental kidney disease
Authors: Turner Mandy E. , Rowsell Tyler S. , White Christine A. , Kaufmann Martin , Norman Patrick A. , Neville Kathryn , Petkovich Martin , Jones Glenville , Adams Michael A. , Holden Rachel M.
Published: June 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in calcitriol deficiency and altered vitamin D metabolism. The objective of this study was to assess the 24-hydroxylation-mediated metabolism of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 in a cross-sectional analysis of participants with a range of kidney function assessed by precise measured GFR (mGFR) (N = 143) and in rats with the induction and progression of experimental kidney disease. Vitamin D metabolites were assessed with LC–MS/MS. Circulating measures of 24-hydroxylation of 25(OH)D3 (24,25(OH)2D3:25(OH)D3) precisely decreased according to mGFR in humans and progressively in rats with developing CKD. In contrast, the 1,24,25(OH)3D3: 1,25(OH)2D3 vitamin D metabolite ratio increased in humans as the mGFR decreased and in rats with the induction and progression of CKD. Human participants taking cholecalciferol had higher circulating 1,24,25(OH)3D3, despite no increase of 1,25(OH)2D3. This first report of circulating 1,24,25(OH)3D3 in the setting of CKD provides novel insight into the uniquely altered vitamin D metabolism in this setting. A better understanding of the uniquely dysfunctional catabolic vitamin D profile in CKD may guide more effective treatment strategies. The potential that 24-hydroxylated products have biological activity of is an important area of future research.
Alpha-power in electroencephalography as good outcome predictor for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors
Authors: Kim Min-Jee , Kim Youn-Jung , Yum Mi-Sun , Kim Won Young
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to investigate the utility of quantitative EEG biomarkers for predicting good neurologic outcomes in OHCA survivors treated with targeted temperature management (TTM) using power spectral density (PSD), event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP), and spectral entropy (SE). This observational registry-based study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Korea using data of adult nontraumatic comatose OHCA survivors who underwent standard EEG and treated with TTM between 2010 and 2018. Good neurological outcome at 1 month (Cerebral Performance Category scores 1 and 2) was the primary outcome. The linear mixed model analysis was performed for PSD, ESRP, and SE values of all and each frequency band. Thirteen of the 54 comatose OHCA survivors with TTM and EEG were excluded due to poor EEG quality or periodic/rhythmic pattern, and EEG data of 41 patients were used for analysis. The median time to EEG was 21 h, and the rate of the good neurologic outcome at 1 month was 52.5%. The good neurologic outcome group was significantly younger and showed higher PSD and ERSP and lower SE features for each frequency than the poor outcome group. After age adjustment, only the alpha-PSD was significantly higher in the good neurologic outcome group (1.13 ± 1.11 vs. 0.09 ± 0.09, p = 0.031) and had best performance with 0.903 of the area under the curve for predicting good neurologic outcome. Alpha-PSD best predicts good neurologic outcome in OHCA survivors and is an early biomarker for prognostication. Larger studies are needed to conclusively confirm these findings.
Effects of modified atmosphere packaging on the postharvest quality of mulberry leaf vegetable
Authors: Yang Teng-da , Chen Yu-long , Zeng Fan-kun , Ye Ming-qiang , Wang Ling , Luo Zheng , Qi Ying-wei , Chen Fei-ping
Published: June 2022

Fresh mulberry leaf vegetable is nutritive and becoming popular. However, available preservation technologies are deficient. In present work, the effects of two kinds of modified atmosphere packaging on postharvest quality of fresh mulberry leaf vegetable stored at 4 °C were evaluated. The respiration rate of samples in the modified polyethylene packages (MP20) was 12.88–22.65% lower than that in normal polyethylene packaging (CK). The content of total soluble solids, soluble protein, and total polyphenol in MP20 was less changed than that in CK, and the vitamin C retention was higher as well. Moreover, the lignin content in MP20 was lower than that in CK during storage (19.79% vs 13.38% at day 8), and that was significantly positively related to the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities inhibition. Taken together, a packaging with moderate gas permeability (MP20) is suitable for nutrition maintenance and lignification inhibition of fresh mulberry leaf vegetable during cold storage.
Microporous surface containing flower-like molybdenum disulfide submicro-spheres of sulfonated polyimide with antibacterial effect and promoting bone regeneration and osteointegration
Authors: Kaewmanee Rames , Wang Fan , Pan Yongkang , Mei Shiqi , Meesane Jirut , Li Fengqian , Wu Zhaoying , Wei Jie
Published: June 2022

Implanted materials with both osteogenic and antibacterial functions are promising for facilitating osteointegration and preventing infection for orthopedic applications.
Anodization of large area Ti: a versatile material for caffeine photodegradation and hydrogen production
Authors: Sihor Marcel , Hanif Muhammad Bilal , Thirunavukkarasu Guru Karthikeyan , Liapun Viktoriia , Edelmannova Miroslava Filip , Roch Tomáš , Satrapinskyy Leonid , Pleceník Tomas , Rauf Sajid , Hensel Karol , Monfort Olivier , Motola Martin
Published: June 2022

Facile, single-step, and scalable fabrication of large-area (∼20 cm2) TiO2 nanostructures (TNS) with promising photocatalytic activity and hydrogen production rate under UVA light was carried out via electrochemical anodization.
Water-soluble ruthenium complex-pyrene dyads with extended triplet lifetimes for efficient energy transfer applications
Authors: Sell Arne C. , Wetzel Julius C. , Schmitz Matthias , Maijenburg A. Wouter , Woltersdorf Georg , Naumann Robert , Kerzig Christoph
Published: June 2022

Two highly photoactive molecular dyads were studied by optical spectroscopy and successfully employed for energy transfer (EnT) reactions in water. The diimine co-ligands have a pronounced effect on the ultrafast kinetics and the EnT efficiencies.
Cationic palladium(ii)-indenyl complexes bearing phosphines as ancillary ligands: synthesis, and study of indenyl amination and anticancer activity
Authors: Bortolamiol Enrica , Fama Francesco , Zhang Ziyun , Demitri Nicola , Cavallo Luigi , Caligiuri Isabella , Rizzolio Flavio , Scattolin Thomas , Visentin Fabiano
Published: June 2022

Palladium-indenyl complexes bearing phosphine ligands were prepared to explore nucleophilic addition to the indenyl fragment and their promising anticancer properties.
A sustainable rural electrification based on a socio-techno-economic-environmental-political microgrid design framework
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , He Xiangning , Deng Yan , Singh Arvind R. , Sah Bikash , Kumar Praveen , Bansal R. C. , Bettayeb M. , Rayudu Ramesh
Published: June 2022

We present an improved electrical microgrid design paradigm that exclusively incorporates all five sustainable indices (socio-technical-economical-environmental-political) in a single comprehensive framework.
Thermo-electrochemical cells for heat to electricity conversion: from mechanisms, materials, strategies to applications
Authors: Liu Youfa , Cui Mangwei , Ling Wei , Cheng Lukuan , Lei Hao , Li Wenzheng , Huang Yan
Published: June 2022

Thermo-electrochemical cells, a promising heat to electricity conversion technology, which originates from thermogalvanic effect or/and Soret effect.
Codonopsis pilosulapolysaccharides attenuateEscherichia coli-induced acute lung injury in mice
Authors: Gong Zhiguo , Zhang Shuangyi , Gu Baichen , Cao Jinshan , Mao Wei , Yao Yuan , Zhao Jiamin , Ren Peipei , Zhang Kai , Liu Bo
Published: June 2022

Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory lung disease that is caused by bacterial infection.
Correction: Influence of the ecological environment on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Zhang Chongyu , Kim Eunyoung , Cui Jiamei , Wang Yunpeng , Lee Yunkyoung , Zhang Guiguo
Published: June 2022

Correction for ‘Influence of the ecological environment on the structural characteristics and bioactivities of polysaccharides from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)’ by Chongyu Zhang et al., Food Funct., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2fo00371f.