bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harrison’s rule corroborated for the body size of cleptoparasitic cuckoo bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Nomadinae) and their hosts
Authors: Lim Kayun , Lee Seunghyun , Orr Michael , Lee Seunghwan
Published: June 2022

Harrison’s rule, that body size is positively correlated between parasites and hosts, has been reported in a range of taxa, but whether the rule is applicable to cleptoparasitic insects is poorly understood. Subfamily Nomadinae, the largest group of cleptoparasitic bees, usurp the nests of a variety of host bees. Within the subfamily,Nomadaexploits the most diverse hosts, using at least ten genera from five families. Here, we reassess the phylogeny of Nomadinae, including the expanded sampling of the genusNomada, to explore host shift fluctuations throughout their evolutionary history and test the applicability of Harrison’s rule for the subfamily. Our phylogenetic results are mostly congruent with previous investigations, but we infer the tribe Hexepeolini as a sister taxon to the tribe Nomadini. Additionally, the results reveal discrepancies with the traditional classifications ofNomada. Ancestral state reconstruction of host use indicates that, early in their evolution, parasites used closer relatives, before attacking less related groups later. Lastly, we confirm Harrison’s rule in Nomadinae, supporting that body size dynamics influence the host shifts of cleptoparasitic bees.
Environmentally azithromycin pharmaceutical wastewater management and synergetic biocompatible approaches of loaded azithromycin@hematite nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Hakkani Mostafa F. , Gouda Gamal A. , Hassan Sedky H. A. , Mohamed Mahmoud M. A. , Nagiub Adham M.
Published: June 2022

Pharmaceutical wastewater contamination via azithromycin antibiotic and the continuous emergence of some strains of bacteria, cancer, and the Covid-19 virus. Azithromycin wastewater treatment using the biosynthesized Hematite nanoparticles (α-HNPs) and the biocompatible activities of the resulted nanosystem were reported. Biofabrication of α-HNPs using Echinaceapurpurea liquid extract as a previously reported approach was implemented. An evaluation of the adsorption technique via the biofabricated α-HNPs for the removal of the Azr drug contaminant from the pharmaceutical wastewater was conducted. Adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters of the Azr on the α-HNPs surface have been investigated as a batch mode of equilibrium experiments. Antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral activities were conducted as Azr@α-HNPs. The optimum conditions for the adsorption study were conducted as solution pH = 10, 150 mg dose of α-HNPs, and Azr concentration 400 mg/L at 293 K. The most fitted isothermal model was described according to the Langmuir model at adsorption capacity 114.05 mg/g in a pseudo-second-order kinetic mechanistic at R2 0.9999. Thermodynamic study manifested that the adsorption behavior is a spontaneous endothermic chemisorption process. Subsequently, studying the biocompatible applications of the Azr@α-HNPs. Azr@α-HNPs antibacterial activity revealed a synergistic effect in the case of Gram-positive more than Gram-negative bacteria. IC50 of Azr@α-HNPs cytotoxicity against MCF7, HepG2, and HCT116 cell lines was investigated and it was found to be 78.1, 81.7, and 93.4 µg/mL respectively. As the first investigation of the antiviral use of Azr@α-HNPs against SARS-CoV-2, it was achieved a safety therapeutic index equal to 25.4 revealing a promising antiviral activity. An admirable impact of the use of the biosynthesized α-HNPs and its removal nanosystem product Azr@α-HNPs was manifested and it may be used soon as a platform of the drug delivery nanosystem for the biomedical applications.
Decomposing biophotovoltaic current density profiles using the Hilbert–Huang transform reveals influences of circadian clock on cyanobacteria exoelectrogenesis
Authors: Okedi Tonny , Yunus Kamran , Fisher Adrian
Published: June 2022

Electrons from cyanobacteria photosynthetic and respiratory systems are implicated in current generated in biophotovoltaic (BPV) devices. However, the pathway that electrons follow to electrodes remains largely unknown, limiting progress of applied research. Here we use Hilbert–Huang Transforms to decompose Synechococcus elongatus sp. PCC7942 BPV current density profiles into physically meaningful oscillatory components, and compute their instantaneous frequencies. We develop hypotheses for the genesis of the oscillations via repeat experiments with iron-depleted and 20% CO$${_2}$$

2

enriched biofilms. The oscillations exhibit rhythms that are consistent with the state of the art cyanobacteria circadian model, and putative exoelectrogenic pathways. In particular, we observe oscillations consistent with: rhythmic D1:1 (photosystem II core) expression; circadian-controlled glycogen accumulation; circadian phase shifts under modified intracellular %ATP; and circadian period shortening in the absence of the iron-sulphur protein LdpA. We suggest that the extracted oscillations may be used to reverse-identify proteins and/or metabolites responsible for cyanobacteria exoelectrogenesis.
A hybrid explicit implicit staggered grid finite-difference scheme for the first-order acoustic wave equation modeling
Authors: Liang Wenquan , Wang Yanfei , Cao Jingjie , Iturrarán-Viveros Ursula
Published: June 2022

Implicit staggered-grid finite-difference (SGFD) methods are widely used for the first-order acoustic wave-equation modeling. The identical implicit SGFD operator is commonly used for all of the first-order spatial derivatives in the first-order acoustic wave-equation. In this paper, we propose a hybrid explicit implicit SGFD (HEI-SGFD) scheme which could simultaneously preserve the wave-equation simulation accuracy and increase the wave-equation simulation speed. We use a second-order explicit SGFD operator for half of the first-order spatial derivatives in the first-order acoustic wave-equation. At the same time, we use the implicit SGFD operator with added points in the diagonal direction for the other first-order spatial derivatives in the first-order acoustic wave-equation. The proposed HEI-SGFD scheme nearly doubles the wave-equation simulation speed compared to the implicit SGFD schemes. In essence, the proposed HEI-SGFD scheme is equivalent to the second-order FD scheme with ordinary grid format. We then determine the HEI-SGFD coefficients in the time–space domain by minimizing the phase velocity error using the least-squares method. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by dispersion analysis and numerical simulations.
Niche partitioning between planktivorous fish in the pelagic Baltic Sea assessed by DNA metabarcoding, qPCR and microscopy
Authors: Novotny Andreas , Jan Kinlan Mehdi Goulwen , Dierking Jan , Winder Monika
Published: June 2022

Marine communities undergo rapid changes related to human-induced ecosystem pressures. The Baltic Sea pelagic food web has experienced several regime shifts during the past century, resulting in a system where competition between the dominant planktivorous mesopredatory clupeid fish species herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and the rapidly increasing stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) population is assumed to be high. Here, we investigate diet overlap between these three planktivorous fishes in the Baltic Sea, utilizing DNA metabarcoding on the 18S rRNA gene and the COI gene, targeted qPCR, and microscopy. Our results show niche differentiation between clupeids and stickleback, and highlight that rotifers play an important role in this pattern, as a resource that is not being used by the clupeids nor by other zooplankton in spring. We further show that all the diet assessment methods used in this study are consistent, but also that DNA metabarcoding describes the plankton-fish link at the highest taxonomic resolution. This study suggests that rotifers and other understudied soft-bodied prey may have an important function in the pelagic food web and that the growing population of pelagic stickleback may be supported by the open feeding niche offered by the rotifers.
Vaccination against connective tissue growth factor attenuates the development of renal fibrosis
Authors: Nakayama Takashin , Azegami Tatsuhiko , Hayashi Kaori , Hishikawa Akihito , Yoshimoto Norifumi , Nakamichi Ran , Sugita Erina , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

There is a critical need for efficient treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Renal fibrosis is a final common pathway to end-stage renal disease independent of the underlying etiology, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a well-recognized profibrotic factor in fibrosis of various organ systems. Here, we developed a novel peptide vaccine against CTGF to attenuate the development of renal fibrosis. Three inoculations with this CTGF vaccine at 2-week intervals elicited antibodies specifically binding to human full-length CTGF, and the antigen-specific serum IgG antibody titers were maintained for > 30 weeks. The efficacy of the CTGF vaccine on renal fibrosis was evaluated in adenine-induced CKD and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) murine models. In adenine-induced CKD model, immunization with the CTGF vaccine attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis. Vaccinated mice showed low levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen and low urine albumin–creatinine ratio compared with vehicle-treated mice. In UUO model, the CTGF vaccination also suppressed the onset of renal fibrosis. In an in vitro study, CTGF vaccine-elicited IgG antibodies efficiently suppressed CTGF-induced- and transforming growth factor-β-induced α-smooth muscle actin expression in kidney fibroblasts. These results demonstrate that the CTGF vaccine is a promising strategy to attenuate the development of renal fibrosis.
TCFL5 deficiency impairs the pachytene to diplotene transition during spermatogenesis in the mouse
Authors: Galán-Martínez Javier , Berenguer Inés , del Carmen Maza Mª , Stamatakis Konstantinos , Gironès Núria , Fresno Manuel
Published: June 2022

Spermatogenesis is a complex, multistep process during which spermatogonia give rise to spermatozoa. Transcription Factor Like 5 (TCFL5) is a transcription factor that has been described expressed during spermatogenesis. In order to decipher the role of TCFL5 during in vivo spermatogenesis, we generated two mouse models. Ubiquitous removal of TCFL5 generated by breeding TCFL5fl/flwith SOX2-Cre mice resulted in sterile males being unable to produce spermatozoa due to a dramatic alteration of the testis architecture presenting meiosis arrest and lack of spermatids. SYCP3, SYCP1 and H1T expression analysis showed that TCFL5 deficiency causes alterations during pachytene/diplotene transition resulting in a meiotic arrest in a diplotene-like stage. Even more, TCFL5 deficient pachytene showed alterations in the number of MLH1 foci and the condensation of the sexual body. In addition, tamoxifen-inducible TCFL5 knockout mice showed, besides meiosis phenotype, alterations in the spermatids elongation process resulting in aberrant spermatids. Furthermore, TCFL5 deficiency increased spermatogonia maintenance genes (Dalz, Sox2, and Dmrt1) but also increased meiosis genes (Syce1, Stag3, and Morc2a) suggesting that the synaptonemal complex forms well, but cannot separate and meiosis does not proceed. TCFL5 is able to bind to the promoter ofSyce1, Stag3, Dmrt1, andSyce1suggesting a direct control of their expression. In conclusion, TCFL5 plays an essential role in spermatogenesis progression being indispensable for meiosis resolution and spermatids maturation.
Development of a UPLC-MRM-based targeted proteomic method to profile subcellular organelle marker proteins from human liver tissues
Authors: Qiu Xiazi , Doyle Laura M. , Wang Michael Zhuo
Published: June 2022

Subcellular organelles have long been an interest in biochemical research and drug development as the isolation of those organelles can help to probe protein functions and elucidate drug disposition within the cell. Usually, the purity of isolated subcellular organelle fractions was determined using immunoblot analysis of subcellular organelle marker proteins, which can be labor-intensive and lack reproducibility due to antibody batch-to-batch variability. As such, a higher throughput and more robust method is needed. Here, a UPLC-MRM-based targeted proteomic method was developed for a panel of human organelle marker proteins and used to profile a series of sucrose fractions isolated from the protein extract of human liver tissues. The method was validated by comparing to the traditional immunoblot and determining subcellular localization of three case study proteins (CYP3A4, FcRn, and β2M) pertaining to the disposition of small molecule and biologic drugs. All three case study proteins were co-enriched with their corresponding subcellular protein marker, and complete recoveries were achieved from isolated fractions. This newly developed MRM method for the panel of human organelle marker proteins can potentially accelerate future intracellular drug disposition analysis and facilitate subcellular organelle quality assessment.
The importance of self-efficacy and negative affect for neurofeedback success for central neuropathic pain after a spinal cord injury
Authors: Anil Krithika , Demain Sara , Burridge Jane , Simpson David , Taylor Julian , Cotter Imogen , Vuckovic Aleksandra
Published: June 2022

EEG-based neurofeedback uses mental behaviours (MB) to enable voluntary self-modulation of brain activity, and has potential to relieve central neuropathic pain (CNP) after a spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to understand neurofeedback learning and the relationship between MB and neurofeedback success. Twenty-five non-CNP participants and ten CNP participants received neurofeedback training (reinforcing 9–12 Hz; suppressing 4–8 Hz and 20–30 Hz) on four visits. Participants were interviewed about the MB they used after each visit. Questionnaires examined the following factors: self-efficacy, locus of control, motivation, and workload of neurofeedback. MB were grouped into mental strategies (a goal-directed mental action) and affect (emotional experience during neurofeedback). Successful non-CNP participants significantly used more imagination-related MS and reported more negative affect compared to successful CNP participants. However, no mental strategy was clearly associated with neurofeedback success. There was some association between the lack of success and negative affect. Self-efficacy was moderately correlated with neurofeedback success (r = < 0.587, p = < 0.020), whereas locus of control, motivation, and workload had low, non-significant correlations (r < 0.300, p > 0.05). Affect may be more important than mental strategies for a successful neurofeedback performance. Self-efficacy was associated with neurofeedback success, suggesting that increasing confidence in one’s neurofeedback abilities may improve neurofeedback performance.
Analysis of the physiological load on lumbar vertebrae in patients with osteoporosis: a finite-element study
Authors: Kang Sungwook , Park Chan-Hee , Jung Hyunwoo , Lee Subum , Min Yu-Sun , Kim Chul-Hyun , Cho Mingoo , Jung Gu-Hee , Kim Dong-Hee , Kim Kyoung-Tae , Hwang Jong-Moon
Published: June 2022

This study aims to investigate the difference in physiological loading on the spine in three different motions (flexion–extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) between osteoporotic and normal spines, using finite element modelling. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model centered on the lumbar spine was constructed. We applied two different material properties of osteoporotic and normal spines. For the FE analysis, three loading conditions (flexion–extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) were applied. The von Mises stress was higher on the nucleus pulposus at all vertebral levels in all movements, in the osteoporosis group than in the normal group. On the annulus fibrosus, the von Mises stress increased at the level of L3–L4, L4–L5, and L5–S in the flexion–extension group and at L4–L5 and L5–S levels in the lateral bending group. The values of two motions, flexion–extension and lateral bending, increased in the L4 and L5 cortical bones. In axial rotation, the von Mises stress increased at the level of L5 of cortical bone. Additionally, the von Mises stress increased in the lower endplate of L5–S and L4–L5 in all movements, especially lateral bending. Even in the group with no increase, there was a part that received increased von Mises stress locally for each element in the three-dimensional reconstructed view of the pressure distribution in color. The von Mises stress on the lumbar region in the three loading conditions, was greater in most components of osteoporotic vertebrae than in normal vertebrae and the value was highest in the nucleus pulposus. Considering the increase in the measured von Mises stress and the local increase in the pressure distribution, we believe that these results can contribute to explaining discogenic pain and degeneration.
International electronic health record-derived post-acute sequelae profiles of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Zhang Harrison G. , Dagliati Arianna , Shakeri Hossein Abad Zahra , Xiong Xin , Bonzel Clara-Lea , Xia Zongqi , Tan Bryce W. Q. , Avillach Paul , Brat Gabriel A. , Hong Chuan , Morris Michele , Visweswaran Shyam , Patel Lav P. , Gutiérrez-Sacristán Alba , Hanauer David A. , Holmes John H. , Samayamuthu Malarkodi Jebathilagam , Bourgeois Florence T. , L’Yi Sehi , Maidlow Sarah E. , Moal Bertrand , Murphy Shawn N. , Strasser Zachary H. , Neuraz Antoine , Ngiam Kee Yuan , Loh Ne Hooi Will , Omenn Gilbert S. , Prunotto Andrea , Dalvin Lauren A. , Klann Jeffrey G. , Schubert Petra , Vidorreta Fernando J. Sanz , Benoit Vincent , Verdy Guillaume , Kavuluru Ramakanth , Estiri Hossein , Luo Yuan , Malovini Alberto , Tibollo Valentina , Bellazzi Riccardo , Cho Kelly , Ho Yuk-Lam , Tan Amelia L. M. , Tan Byorn W. L. , Gehlenborg Nils , Lozano-Zahonero Sara , Jouhet Vianney , Chiovato Luca , Aronow Bruce J. , Toh Emma M. S. , Wong Wei Gen Scott , Pizzimenti Sara , Wagholikar Kavishwar B. , Bucalo Mauro ,   The Consortium for Clinical Characterization of COVID-19 by EHR (4CE), Cai Tianxi , South Andrew M. , Kohane Isaac S. , Weber Griffin M.
Published: June 2022

The risk profiles of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) have not been well characterized in multi-national settings with appropriate controls. We leveraged electronic health record (EHR) data from 277 international hospitals representing 414,602 patients with COVID-19, 2.3 million control patients without COVID-19 in the inpatient and outpatient settings, and over 221 million diagnosis codes to systematically identify new-onset conditions enriched among patients with COVID-19 during the post-acute period. Compared to inpatient controls, inpatient COVID-19 cases were at significant risk for angina pectoris (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55), heart failure (RR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.35), cognitive dysfunctions (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.31), and fatigue (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.30). Relative to outpatient controls, outpatient COVID-19 cases were at risk for pulmonary embolism (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.58–2.76), venous embolism (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.17–1.54), atrial fibrillation (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.13–1.50), type 2 diabetes (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.16–1.36) and vitamin D deficiency (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30). Outpatient COVID-19 cases were also at risk for loss of smell and taste (RR 2.42, 95% CI 1.90–3.06), inflammatory neuropathy (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.21–2.27), and cognitive dysfunction (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04–1.33). The incidence of post-acute cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions decreased across time among inpatient cases while the incidence of cardiovascular, digestive, and metabolic conditions increased among outpatient cases. Our study, based on a federated international network, systematically identified robust conditions associated with PASC compared to control groups, underscoring the multifaceted cardiovascular and neurological phenotype profiles of PASC.
Engineering bioactive nanoparticles to rejuvenate vascular progenitor cells
Authors: Bui Loan , Edwards Shanique , Hall Eva , Alderfer Laura , Round Kellen , Owen Madeline , Sainaghi Pietro , Zhang Siyuan , Nallathamby Prakash D. , Haneline Laura S. , Hanjaya-Putra Donny
Published: June 2022

Fetal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) predisposes children to future health complications including type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. A key mechanism by which these complications occur is through stress-induced dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), including endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). Although several approaches have been previously explored to restore endothelial function, their widespread adoption remains tampered by systemic side effects of adjuvant drugs and unintended immune response of gene therapies. Here, we report a strategy to rejuvenate circulating vascular progenitor cells by conjugation of drug-loaded liposomal nanoparticles directly to the surface of GDM-exposed ECFCs (GDM-ECFCs). Bioactive nanoparticles can be robustly conjugated to the surface of ECFCs without altering cell viability and key progenitor phenotypes. Moreover, controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs to GDM-ECFCs is able to normalize transgelin (TAGLN) expression and improve cell migration, which is a critical key step in establishing functional vascular networks. More importantly, sustained pseudo-autocrine stimulation with bioactive nanoparticles is able to improve in vitro and in vivo vasculogenesis of GDM-ECFCs. Collectively, these findings highlight a simple, yet promising strategy to rejuvenate GDM-ECFCs and improve their therapeutic potential. Promising results from this study warrant future investigations on the prospect of the proposed strategy to improve dysfunctional vascular progenitor cells in the context of other chronic diseases, which has broad implications for addressing various cardiovascular complications, as well as advancing tissue repair and regenerative medicine.
Edwardsiella tarda TraT is an anti-complement factor and a cellular infection promoter
Authors: Li Mofei , Wu Meng , Sun Yuanyuan , Sun Li
Published: June 2022

Edwardsiella tardais a well-known bacterial pathogen with a broad range of host, including fish, amphibians, and mammals. One eminent virulence feature ofE. tardais its strong ability to resist the killing of host serum complement, but the involving mechanism is unclear. In this report, we identifiedE. tardaTraT as a key player in both complement resistance and cellular invasion. TraT, a surface-localized protein, bound and recruited complement factor H ontoE. tarda, whereby inhibiting complement activation via the alternative pathway. TraT also interacted with host CD46 in a specific complement control protein domain-dependent manner, whereby facilitating the cellular infection and tissue dissemination ofE. tarda. Thus, by acting as an anti-complement factor and a cellular infection promoter, TraT makes an important contribution to the complement evasion and systemic infection ofE. tarda. These results add insights into the pathogen-host interaction mechanism duringE. tardainfection.
Activated-memory T cells influence naïve T cell fate: a noncytotoxic function of human CD8 T cells
Authors: Sasaki Kazuki , Moussawy Mouhamad Al , Abou-Daya Khodor I. , Macedo Camila , Hosni-Ahmed Amira , Liu Silvia , Juya Mariam , Zahorchak Alan F. , Metes Diana M. , Thomson Angus W. , Lakkis Fadi G. , Abdelsamed Hossam A.
Published: June 2022

T cells are endowed with the capacity to sense their environment including other T cells around them. They do so to set their numbers and activation thresholds. This form of regulation has been well-studied within a given T cell population – i.e., within the naïve or memory pool; however, less is known about the cross-talk between T cell subsets. Here, we tested whether memory T cells interact with and influence surrounding naïve T cells. We report that human naïve CD8 T cells (TN) undergo phenotypic and transcriptional changes in the presence of autologous activated-memory CD8 T cells (TMem). Following in vitro co-culture with activated central memory cells (TCM), ~3% of the TN acquired activation/memory canonical markers (CD45RO and CD95) in an MHC-I dependent-fashion. Using scRNA-seq, we also observed that ~3% of the TN acquired an activated/memory signature, while ~84% developed a unique activated transcriptional profile hybrid between naïve and activated memory. Pseudotime trajectory analysis provided further evidence that TN with an activated/memory or hybrid phenotype were derived from TN. Our data reveal a non-cytotoxic function of TMem with potential to activate autologous TN into the activated/memory pool. These findings may have implications for host-protection and autoimmunity that arises after vaccination, infection or transplantation.
Dynamical limits for the molecular switching in a photoexcited material revealed by X-ray diffraction
Authors: Volte Alix , Mariette Celine , Bertoni Roman , Cammarata Marco , Dong Xu , Trzop Elzbieta , Cailleau Herve , Collet Eric , Levantino Matteo , Wulff Michael , Kubicki Jacek , Yang Feng-Lei , Boillot Marie-Laure , Corraze Benoit , Stoleriu Laurentiu , Enachescu Cristian , Lorenc Maciej
Published: June 2022

Time-resolved studies with temporal resolution that separate molecular level dynamics from macroscopic changes, allow clear distinction between the time scales of the different degrees of freedom involved. Cooperative molecular switching in the solid state is exemplified by spin crossover phenomenon in crystals of transition metal complexes. Here we show the existence of a delay between the crystalline volume increase, and the cooperative macroscopic switching of molecular state. Using 100 ps X-ray diffraction, we track the molecular spin state and the structure of the lattice during the photoinduced low spin to high spin transition in microcrystals of [FeIII(3-MeO-SalEen)2]PF6. Model simulations explain the phenomenon with thermally activated kinetics governed by local energy barriers separating the molecular states. Such behaviour is different from that encountered in materials with no local energy barriers, where phase transformation can occur simultaneously with propagation of strain. Broadly, this motivates an optimised material design, scalable with size and intrinsic energetics.
Resilience and recovery of public transport use during COVID-19
Authors: Wang Jiaoe , Huang Jie , Yang Haoran , Levinson David
Published: June 2022

To better understand how public transport use varied during the first year of COVID-19, we define and measure travel behavior resilience. With trip records between November 2019 and September 2020 in Kunming, China, we identify people who relied on traveling by subway both before and after the first pandemic wave. We investigate whether and how travelers recover to their pre-pandemic mobility level. We find that public transport use recovered slowly, as urban mobility is a result of urban functionality, transport supply, social context, and inter-personal differences. In general, urban mobility represents a strengthened revisiting tendency during COVID-19, as individual’s trips occur within a more limited space. We confirm that travel behavior resilience differs by groups. Commuters recover travel frequency and length, while older people decrease frequency but retain activity space. The study suggests that policymakers take group heterogeneity and travel behavior resilience into account for transport management and city restoration.
Multi-functional multi-gate one-transistor process-in-memory electronics with foundry processing and footprint reduction
Authors: Dai Mingzhi , Song Zhitang , Lin Chun-Ho , Dong Yemin , Wu Tom , Chu Junhao
Published: June 2022

Logic gates are fundamental components of integrated circuits, and integration strategies involving multiple logic gates and advanced materials have been developed to meet the development requirements of high-density integrated circuits. However, these strategies are still far from being widely applicable owing to their incompatibility with the modern silicon-based foundry lines. Here, we propose a silicon-foundry-line-based multi-gate one-transistor design to simplify the conventional multi-transistor logic gates into one-transistor gates, thus reducing the circuit footprint by at least 40%. More importantly, the proposed configuration could simultaneously provide the multi-functionalities of logic gates, memory, and artificial synapses. In particular, our design could mimic the artificial synapses in three dimensions while simultaneously being implemented by standard silicon-on-insulator process technology. The foundry-line-compatible one-transistor design has great potential for immediate and widespread applications in next-generation multifunctional electronics.
Introducing untargeted data-independent acquisition for metaproteomics of complex microbial samples
Authors: Pietilä Sami , Suomi Tomi , Elo Laura L
Published: June 2022

Mass spectrometry-based metaproteomics is a relatively new field of research that enables the characterization of the functionality of microbiota. Recently, we demonstrated the applicability of data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry to the analysis of complex metaproteomic samples. This allowed us to circumvent many of the drawbacks of the previously used data-dependent acquisition (DDA) mass spectrometry, mainly the limited reproducibility when analyzing samples with complex microbial composition. However, the DDA-assisted DIA approach still required additional DDA data on the samples to assist the analysis. Here, we introduce, for the first time, an untargeted DIA metaproteomics tool that does not require any DDA data, but instead generates a pseudospectral library directly from the DIA data. This reduces the amount of required mass spectrometry data to a single DIA run per sample. The new DIA-only metaproteomics approach is implemented as a new open-source software package named glaDIAtor, including a modern web-based graphical user interface to facilitate wide use of the tool by the community.
Modeling the impact of COVID-19 on future tuberculosis burden
Authors: Tovar Mario , Aleta Alberto , Sanz Joaquín , Moreno Yamir
Published: June 2022

Background

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has greatly disrupted our everyday life, forcing the adoption of non-pharmaceutical interventions in many countries and putting public health services and healthcare systems worldwide under stress. These circumstances are leading to unintended effects such as the increase in the burden of other diseases.

Methods

Here, using a data-driven epidemiological model for tuberculosis (TB) spreading, we describe the expected rise in TB incidence and mortality if COVID-associated changes in TB notification are sustained and attributable entirely to disrupted diagnosis and treatment adherence.

Results

Our calculations show that the reduction in diagnosis of new TB cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic could result in 228k (CI 187–276) excess deaths in India, 111k (CI 93–134) in Indonesia, 27k (CI 21–33) in Pakistan, and 12k (CI 9–18) in Kenya.

Conclusions

We show that it is possible to reverse these excess deaths by increasing the pre-covid diagnosis capabilities from 15 to 50% for 2 to 4 years. This would prevent almost all TB-related excess mortality that could be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic if no additional preventative measures are introduced. Our work therefore provides guidelines for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis epidemic in the years to come.
Integrated stretchable pneumatic strain gauges for electronics-free soft robots
Authors: Koivikko Anastasia , Lampinen Vilma , Pihlajamäki Mika , Yiannacou Kyriacos , Sharma Vipul , Sariola Veikko
Published: June 2022

In soft robotics, actuators, logic and power systems can be entirely fluidic and electronics-free. However, sensors still typically rely on electric or optical principles. This adds complexity to fluidic soft robots because transducers are needed, and electrical materials have to be incorporated. Herein, we show a highly-stretchable pneumatic strain gauge based on a meandering microchannel in a soft elastomer material thus eliminating the need for an electrical signal in soft robots. Using such pneumatic sensors, we demonstrate an all-pneumatic gripper with integrated pneumatic strain gauges that is capable of autonomous closure and object recognition. The gauges can measure at least up to 300% engineering strains. The sensor exhibits a very stable signal over a 12-hour measurement period with no hysteresis. Using pneumatic sensors, all four major components of robots—actuators, logic, power, and sensors—can be pneumatic, enabling all-fluidic soft robots with proprioception and exteroception.
Investigating Prebiotic Protocells for an Understanding of the Origin of Life: A Comprehensive Perspective Combining the Chemical, Evolutionary and Historical Aspects
Authors: Ma Wentao , Liang Yuzhen
Published: June 2022

The origin of life remains an unsolved scientific problem. It has been commonly recognized that a stage of primitive cellular form, i.e. the protocell, should have lain at the interface of non-life and life. In fact, over the past decades, there have been numerous experimental explorations on the chemical aspect of the protocells, and also a number of theoretic (modeling) studies dealing with their evolutionary aspect. But it is becoming clear that future investigation in this area could achieve significant advances only if we could bring the efforts from the two aspects together. In addition, certainly, we would also benefit a lot when taking account of clues coming from the historical aspect of the origin of life on our planet.
Anti-androgenic potential of the fruit extracts of certain Egyptian Sabal species and their genetic variability studies: a metabolomic-molecular modeling approach
Authors: Abd Almaksoud Hanan M. , El-Hawary Seham S. , Atia Mohamed A. M. , Sayed Ahmed M. , El-Daly Mahmoud , Kamel Amr Abdallah , Elimam Hanan , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Saber Fatema R.
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the metabolites of S. blackburniana, S. causiarum and S. palmetto fruit extracts as promising source of bioactive anti-androgenic metabolites and reports a remarkable anti-androgenic effect.
Structure and properties of nanoparticles: DES-lignin-g-PNVCL coated aspirin by self-assembly
Authors: Liu Ruixia , Ding Tingting , Deng Pingping , Yan Xiaofan , Xiong Fuquan , Chen Jienan , Wu Zhiping
Published: June 2022

The standard curve of aspirin.
Membrane-wrapped nanoparticles for nucleic acid delivery
Authors: Scully Mackenzie A. , Sterin Eric H. , Day Emily S.
Published: June 2022

This review summarizes recent progress in the development of biomimetic, membrane-wrapped nanoparticles for targeted delivery of nucleic acids (including siRNA, pDNA, and CpG ODNs) to manage cancer.
Functionalized self-assembling peptide RADKPS hydrogels promote regenerative repair of degenerated intervertebral discs
Authors: Tang Liang , Xu Cheng , Xuan Anwu , Zhu Zhenbiao , Ruan Dike
Published: June 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogel RADKPS is safe and effective for regenerative repair of degenerative intervertebral discs.
Effects of mono- and di-glycerides/phospholipids (MDG/PL) on the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in a protein-based emulsion system
Authors: Zhang Yingzhu , Yang Ying , Mao Yingyi , Zhao Yanrong , Li Xiang , Hu Junjie , Li Yan
Published: June 2022

Mono-, di-glycerides (MDG) and lecithin (PL) combination as the interfacial stabilizer helps to improve the bioaccessibility of lipophilic nutrients in the protein-stabilized emulsions.
Photoactivated carbon dots inducing bacterial functional and molecular alterations
Authors: Dong Xiuli , Wang Ping , Rodriguez Cristian E. , Tang Yongan , Kathariou Sophia , Sun Ya-Ping , Yang Liju
Published: June 2022

Carbon dots (CDots) coupled with visible light exposure were found highly effective in the inactivation of bacterial pathogens.
Green synthesis of carbon dots using expired agar for a label-free fluorescence signal-amplified detection of ferric ion utilizing oxalate functionalization
Authors: Achadu Ojodomo J. , Elizur Gideon L. , Boye ThankGod E. , Park Enoch Y.
Published: June 2022

Novel fluorescent (FL) ag-oxCDs are derived from expired agar and oxalate. ag-oxCDs are selective for Fe3+ ions detection (LOD ∼ 75 μM) via FL “turn ON” mechanism. FL nanosensor based on agar biomass with upscale potential is developed herein.
Correction: Green and effective synthesis of gold nanoparticles as an injectable fiducial marker for real-time image gated proton therapy
Authors: Liu Haoran , Miyamoto Naoki , Nguyen Mai Thanh , Shirato Hiroki , Yonezawa Tetsu
Published: June 2022

Correction for ‘Green and effective synthesis of gold nanoparticles as an injectable fiducial marker for real-time image gated proton therapy’ by Haoran Liu et al., Mater. Adv., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ma00172a.
Production of mannosylerythritol lipids: biosynthesis, multi-omics approaches, and commercial exploitation
Authors: Solano-González Stefany , Solano-Campos Frank
Published: June 2022

Compilation of resources regarding MEL biosynthesis, key production parameters; available omics resources and current commercial applications, for smut fungi known to produce MELs.
Serum proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins and pathways involved in the mechanism of endemic osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Qiong , Liang Jingqi , Liu Liang , Liu Peilong , Zhao Hongmou
Published: June 2022

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a chronic and endemic osteochondral disease and the etiology and pathogenic mechanism of KBD are still unknown.
Enhancement of lattice dynamics by an azimuthal surface plasmon on the femtosecond time scale in multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Zheng Dingguo , Huang Siyuan , Zhu Chunhui , Li Zhongwen , Zhang Yongzhao , Yang Dong , Tian Huanfang , Li Jun , Yang Huaixin , Li Jianqi
Published: June 2022

Surface plasmon-enhanced interlayer contraction on the femtosecond time scale was found in multi-walled carbon nanotubes by ultrafast transmission electron microscopy.
Tailored synthesis of molecularly thin platinum nanosheets using designed 2D surfactant solids
Authors: Yamamoto Eisuke , Suzuki Akiko , Kobayashi Makoto , Osada Minoru
Published: June 2022

We found solid-state surfactants as designable crystals suitable for nanostructural control and proposed a novel synthetic route for molecularly-thin Pt metal nanosheets using solid surfactant crystals as a precursor.
Semiconductivity and high stability in centimetric two-dimensional bismuth–silver hybrid double perovskites
Authors: Lassoued Mohamed Saber , Wang Tengbo , Li Qian-Wen , Liu Xiaoyun , Chen Wei-Peng , Jiao Bo , Yang Qing-Yuan , Wu Zhaoxin , Zhou Guijiang , Ding Shujiang , Zhang Zhicheng , Zheng Yan-Zhen
Published: June 2022

We report here two new centimetric two-dimensional Dion–Jacobson bromide double perovskites with outstanding stability, strong photocurrent responses and bluish-white broadband emission.
Surface defect-regulated PdCu/TiO2−x promoting efficient electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction
Authors: Liu Chengguang , Guo Xiaolei , Huang Zhen-Feng , Li Jinheng , Gan Li , Pan Lun , Shi Chengxiang , Zhang Xiangwen , Yang Guidong , Zou Ji-Jun
Published: June 2022

The electrocatalytic performance and mechanism of the PdCu/TiO2−x catalyst has been reported, providing new insight into the rational design of a highly efficient e-NRR system through tuning of the catalyst and reaction environment.
1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and imidoyl halides for synthesis of π-extended imidazolium salts
Authors: Li Qiang-Qiang , Hamamoto Yosuke , Tan Cheryl Cai Hui , Sato Hiroyasu , Ito Shingo
Published: June 2022

A new synthetic approach to π-extended imidazolium salts is developed based on 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of polycyclic aromatic azomethine ylides with imidoyl chlorides in the presence of cesium fluoride as a key additive.
Construction of pH/reduction dual responsive MSN-HAgel containing HApt for tumor targeting carriers
Authors: Liu Yehong , Chen Miaoxin , Li Gaoyang , Xu Shouhong , Liu Honglai
Published: June 2022

A dual-responsive MSN-based nanocarrier for the combination of gene therapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatments.
Simultaneous removal of Pb2+ and direct red 31 dye from contaminated water using N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide loaded chitosan nanoparticles
Authors: El-Naggar Mehrez E. , Radwan Emad K. , Rashdan Huda R. M. , El-Wakeel Shaimaa T. , Koryam Asmaa A. , Sabt Ahmed
Published: June 2022

This study reports the preparation of a new material that can remove synthetic dyes and trace metals simultaneously.
Virtual screening of natural products against 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase using the Anagreen herbicide-like natural compound library
Authors: de Oliveira Maycon Vinicius Damasceno , Bittencourt Fernandes Gilson Mateus , da Costa Kauê S. , Vakal Serhii , Lima Anderson H.
Published: June 2022

Identifying new potential herbicides from natural products and describing their interactions with a double EPSP synthase mutant.
Deciphering the functional mechanism of zinc ions of PARP1 binding with single strand breaks and double strand breaks
Authors: Sun Shuya , Wang Xin , Lin Rongfeng , Wang Kai
Published: June 2022

Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a key target for treatment of cancer-related diseases. Detailed structural changes DBD in PARP1 during the binding process with DNA were investigated and the dynamic conformational differences of DBD caused by zinc ions were revealed.
Precise immunological evaluation rationalizes the design of a self-adjuvanting vaccine composed of glycan antigen, TLR1/2 ligand, and T-helper cell epitope
Authors: Chang Tsung-Che , Manabe Yoshiyuki , Ito Keita , Yamamoto Ryuku , Kabayama Kazuya , Ohshima Shino , Kametani Yoshie , Fujimoto Yukari , Lin Chun-Cheng , Fukase Koichi
Published: June 2022

Detailed analysis of a three-component self-adjuvanting vaccine revealed that conjugate vaccines can be designed to achieve the desired immune responsesviabottom-up construction of the necessary immune elements.
The discovery of penta-peptides inhibiting the activity of the formylglycine-generating enzyme and their potential antibacterial effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Asiimwe Nicholas , Al Mazid Mohammad Faysal , Jeong Yong Taek , Lee Juyong , Lee Jun-Seok
Published: June 2022

A penta-peptide, SMMMC, inhibits the activity of formylglycine-generating enzyme.
Highly efficient organic long persistent luminescence based on host–guest doping systems
Authors: Zhao Yunhan , Ding Bingbing , Huang Zizhao , Ma Xiang
Published: June 2022

A series of high quantum yield organic long persistent luminescence (OLPL) materials were obtained by doping four phenothiazine derivatives into a host molecule (9H-xanthen-9-one). Power-law decay is exhibited by OLPL systems.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of fluoromethylated stereocenters by asymmetric hydrogenation
Authors: Yang Jianping , Ponra Sudipta , Li Xingzhen , Peters Bram B. C. , Massaro Luca , Zhou Taigang , Andersson Pher G.
Published: June 2022

Herein, a catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation to synthesize various products bearing fluoromethylated stereocenters has been developed.
Engendering reactivity at group 5-heteroatom multiple bondsviaπ-loading
Authors: Fostvedt Jade I. , Mendoza Jocelyne , Lopez-Flores Sacy , Alcantar Diego , Bergman Robert G. , Arnold John
Published: June 2022

The proof is in the π: when more than one π-donor ligand is bound to a group 5 metal center, imido-based reactivity increases.
Push–pull organic dyes and dye-catalyst assembly featuring a benzothiadiazole unit for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production
Authors: Moinel A. , Brochnow M. , Aumaître C. , Giannoudis E. , Fize J. , Saint-Pierre C. , Pécaut J. , Maldivi P. , Artero V. , Demadrille R. , Chavarot-Kerlidou M.
Published: June 2022

A molecular dyad featuring a benzothiadiazole-based dye and a cobalt diimine–dioxime catalyst is developed for hydrogen production from water.
Construction of a gold nanoparticle-based single-molecule biosensor for simple and sensitive detection of Argonaute 2 activity
Authors: Jiang Su , Zhang Xinyi , Li Dong-ling , Wang Ting-ting , Ma Fei , Zhang Chun-Yang
Published: June 2022

We develop a new gold nanoparticle-based single-molecule biosensor for simple and sensitive detection of Ago2 activity.
The insulin receptor family in the heart: new light on old insights
Authors: Clerk Angela , Sugden Peter H.
Published: June 2022

Insulin was discovered over 100 years ago. Whilst the first half century defined many of the physiological effects of insulin, the second emphasised the mechanisms by which it elicits these effects, implicating a vast array of G proteins and their regulators, lipid and protein kinases and counteracting phosphatases, and more. Potential growth-promoting and protective effects of insulin on the heart emerged from studies of carbohydrate metabolism in the 1960s, but the insulin receptors (and the related receptor for insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2) were not defined until the 1980s. A related third receptor, the insulin receptor-related receptor remained an orphan receptor for many years until it was identified as an alkali-sensor. The mechanisms by which these receptors and the plethora of downstream signalling molecules confer cardioprotection remain elusive. Here, we review important aspects of the effects of the three insulin receptor family members in the heart. Metabolic studies are set in the context of what is now known of insulin receptor family signalling and the role of protein kinase B (PKB or Akt), and the relationship between this and cardiomyocyte survival versus death is discussed. PKB/Akt phosphorylates numerous substrates with potential for cardioprotection in the contractile cardiomyocytes and cardiac non-myocytes. Our overall conclusion is that the effects of insulin on glucose metabolism that were initially identified remain highly pertinent in managing cardiomyocyte energetics and preservation of function. This alone provides a high level of cardioprotection in the face of pathophysiological stressors such as ischaemia and myocardial infarction.
Guest Editorial: Special issue from 9th IET Renewable Power Generation Conference
Authors: Flynn Damian , Ging John , Wu Qiuwei , Hayden Marie , Schofield Nigel , Zhao Nan
Published: June 2022

The 9th IET Renewable Power Generation Conference took place online in March 2021, having originally been intended to take place in Dublin, Ireland some months earlier. A major motivation for the conference was the recognition of the challenges and possibilities arising from increasing renewable shares in many countries, and the critical need for cost‐effective, reliable, and robust solutions as part of the ongoing transformation of our power and energy systems. Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, approximately 70 papers were successfully presented at the conference across 15 oral and poster sessions, covering a wide range of themes including low inertia power systems, wind power plant modelling and control, renewable energy forecasting, distribution network operation and long‐term planning, power system protection, electricity markets and system services etc. Subsequent to the conference, a number of the authors of the presented papers were invited to submit an extended version of their papers to a special issue of the IET RPG journal. Ultimately, after a thorough peer review process, 16 papers were accepted for the special issue, which have been grouped here under five main themes: electrical network operation and planning; power electronic converter control systems; flexibility/frequency support measures and electricity markets; power system security, protection and monitoring; and tidal stream energy.